how have i never seen this before?

Now this. This is brilliance.

we're fun! [or trying to be :)]

The first sentence I wrote was this: I'd post more often if we did fun stuff.

Then I did a sudden brain-brake. What a horrible thing to say! Just because I've been lazy today, waiting around for job training, doesn't mean we're always boring! (Sometimes we're a little boring, but not all that bad!) We've done a ton of really wonderful things in the past five days, including the following:

One. Another trip to the French Quarter. We took Michael's friend from work named Andy. It's still as magical as the first time I went. And this was Michael's first time, and he couldn't stop raving. I've never thought him one to be all over architecture and design, but he sure was. He suggested all of the following pictures:

From left to right: First, he's in love with the balconies, especially the ones that are just plywood and held up with really sketchy poles. He also loves all the metal work and all the bright colors. We are wondering if there is a city ordinance that you have to paint your house some exciting color, because we rarely passed one that was not yellow or blue or purple or red. Seriously. Secondly, there are so many quaint treasure-finding shops. This one (the photo in the middle) was just in an alleyway. But when you walked to the back, there was a courtyard with more treasures and another pathway to a secret room with art. And thirdly, it's just old. Michael could not get over the flaking paint and the warped wood. Ok, and I was in love with it too.

We walked through the French Market (there's even more stuff on the weekends!) and all the way up to the Aquarium (we didn't go in that day... maybe one day after we get paid :)). Then we walked through the downtown area, the Big City (reminds me of New York, just a little less crowded). And finally started walking back to our car. At which point we were hungry, so we stopped at the Gumbo Shop, a swanky little cafe (I got gumbo, he got a shrimp poboy).

Two. We've had the missionaries over quite a bit with a young man named Joshua. He's learning about the Plan of Salvation, which we think is really special. And he really liked the chocolate chip cookies that I made last night (he ate at least five :)). And we're going out with the sisters tonight. We figure that we're averaging about four hours a week with the missionaries, which is awesome for both of us. Michael's decided he wants to be a mission president in Korea. 

Three. Last night we were invited over to dinner with David & Jasmine Hall as well as Jason & Jaime Rich. I should've taken pictures. David is a barbecue maniac! We had ribs, chicken, brisket, and more. Then Michael gave a little FHE lesson, and we played Bananagrams and Cranium. It was a good time. A real good time.


We're really happy to be here. And so far, I haven't even had a breakdown. Life is good. :)

dinner & a cello

Birthday's aren't meant to be spent alone. When I woke up to an empty apartment, I have to admit I was sad. A run helped, and so did a lot of phone calls and cards and texts and Facebook posts from people that I love. While on one of the four phone calls with my mom [hehe...], I decided to finally pick up a lifelong dream. Over at Michon's there was a lovely cello just waiting for me. And I spent the remainder of the afternoon learning how to hold it and the bow on YouTube. I'm hoping there's someone in my ward who plays that will be able to make sure I'm doing it right. The cello man suggested not trying to teach myself. But I sure am excited. I've learned how to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." We're off to a really good start.

Michael got home and pretended that he forgot it was my birthday. Not a good move, my dear. Especially for someone who has spent the day by herself. But before we went out to dinner, he made me go to the bathroom, and when I came out there were sandals and a Cafe du Monde mug. I do love my mugs [and my husband, too ;)]. 

Dinner at Sake Sushi and Hibachi House was awesome. Even here we couldn't get away from the deep fried... We got a huge plate of chicken, shrimp, and vegetable tempura. And also a Volcano Roll. Two thumbs up for presentation, Sake; it was almost too beautiful to eat.

On our way home, we went straight instead of turning onto our street and came upon a treasure! A park! With piers. [The second guy to the right in the photo caught a catfish and a stingray within moments of each other. He was on a roll, and we were totally impressed.] And a floating casino! And a breathtaking sunset.

We finished the night with a chapter or two of The Fellowship of the Rings. Don't worry, we're a little bit obsessed at the moment.

Thanks to all my family for a lovely birthday. I love you!

missionaries and a birthday run.

Last night we had the missionaries over and got to bear our testimonies about the Restoration of the Church and the Book of Mormon. There are few things more attractive than seeing Michael open his heart and show so much concern and love for other human beings who need it. 

I woke up today and promised myself that it was going to be a good one. So for the first time in a long time, I ran. And walked quite a bit :) [anyone got any ideas on how to get rid of nasty side aches?]. I got up along the levee and then gave myself a tour through a gated neighborhood that I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to be in. But it was beautiful, and thus, worth the suspicious expression on the security guard's face when I walked out the gate.

So far today, I've cleaned up our apartment and gotten ready and read some emails and started on my next article. Nothing too exciting yet, but I think I might go rent myself a cello as my birthday gift to me :) Oh, and check out my little article here.

a job.

You're looking at the newest reporter for L'Observateur which serves the river parishes (St. Charles, St. James, and St. John).

My first assignment?

The Louisiana Crawfish Festival.

Bring it on.


[But really, my thoughts are the following... Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh. What am I even doing?! I've never interviewed a soul outside of my family and I've never even tried to write an article for a newspaper. Pray for me. Hard.]

father's day

Dear Dad,
It's hard for me to put into words what I want to say. Thank you for your kind and generous heart, for always reminding me of your love, and for frequent phone calls from the airport. I know of no one who loves more deeply than you do. Thank you for loving me no matter what and for showing me even though I'm so far away. I love you, Dad. 

Dear Robert,
From the first time I met you in Mimi's Cafe I knew that you were something special :) with your plethora of knowledge and your warm and welcoming personality. And of course, thank you for raising such a wonderful son. The respect and devotion he shows to me comes in a large part because of the way you treat your beautiful wife.

I love you both more than you know.

My sweet husband,
We've been married almost a year. And I know you're not really one to celebrate Father's Day for yourself, but I want you to know that your air kisses from across the room and the tight squeezes that take my breath away (in more ways than one :) make me love you even more, even when I push you away or roll my eyes. My life is a thousand times happier and your attitude is rubbing off on me. Thanks for making me better.

I sure do love you, my dear.

the swamp platter & stake conference

We were looking for something to do Friday night and happened upon this place: Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar, 3203 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA. Every review raved about their food, and when we pulled up the parking lot was packed. We walked in, though, and were confused. It looked like a market--no tables, no chairs, and raw fish everywhere. We stepped out and then saw the entrance to the restaurant. Awkward...

 It was a teeny little place and jam-packed. And the reviews were right. Good food abounded. Our waitress, who explained to us the mystery of the "Who dat?" stickers all over restaurants and cars [it's for the NO Saints], recommended the Swamp Platter for the first-timers. It included the following:
~ Crawfish Soup [Not our favorite... it had a fishy taste, obviously, but not the kind of fishy we thought. Like a swampy fishy.]
~ Turtle Soup [better than the crawfish. I finished it; Michael wouldn't eat it. We had to go get beignets to wash down the flavor ;)]
~ Alligator Sausage [spicy regular-ish tasting sausage]
~ Frog Legs [Michael liked them. I did not. The fact that it's the whole leg that you can bend at the knee was a little too freaky for me. Also, they don't taste like anything and are a little slimy.]
~ Fried Alligator [Just like everybody said, it tastes like chicken. Just tougher.]
~ Fried Crawfish Tails [My favorite part of the meal, I do believe.]

While we were waiting for the hostess to call our name, we spied an Asian market, and of course Michael couldn't resist. They had the good calrose rice, but only little bottles of kimchi. We're on the search for a cheaper market. Cross your fingers for us!

After dinner we walked over to the Cafe du Monde for Michael's first round of beignets and hot chocolate. Michael believes that hot chocolate is the best he's ever tasted. It's good. Real good.

So good, in fact, that we went again last night. Hee hee... Our excuse was that we went with Michael's new friend Andy [who is also doing a co-op with Monsanto]. Hooray for friends who live in our apartment complex and are willing to carpool to work! This means I have a car at least a couple of times a week, which is the happiest news.

Today and Saturday were stake conference. We sang with our ward choir at the adult session [to give you an idea of how good we were, the face our director gave us at the end of our last song was one of relief. Not that it was good, just that it was finally over. But we made some good friends doing it!]

We heard from a couple of new converts, the Baton Rouge temple president and his wife, and the stake patriarch, who helped to build the stake center we were in, which was getting re-dedicated.

Things may be a little bit different, but the Church is true no matter where we go and no matter who we hear it from. We're happy to be here.