OH NO YOU DIDN’T! Sunday, October 01, 2006

On Friday a group of us from church had a surprise 24th birthday party for Josh. I had a good time and was able to meet some more church people from different wards. It was pretty relaxed; there was food, socializing, and “hating” on Americans. There was a bunch of Brits giving me a hard time, but it didn’t really phase me because I know I am the minority. One guy said his favorite American song was The Star Spangled Banner. I just laughed because he was trying to trip me up about American/English history; which supposedly others have fallen for before. I suppose his favorite American holiday is July 4th. Hahaha! I would say there is some definite harsh feelings toward the USA (aka: Former Europeans That Rebelled [FETR]) politically, but no one has told me they don’t like me because I am from the U.S.

In general, I like food and sweets. I have been eating too many chocolates since I have been here, so I decided that since school starts on Monday, so would my diet. It is a great idea, and I saved one last chocolate bar to eat this weekend. So Saturday night came around and I went to get my last chocolate bar (for awhile). That’s where the “Oh no you didn’t” came to mind. My chocolate bar was gone!!! I frantically searched the cupboards and my room, like it was a life-saving medication, but I did not find it. Who know you are addicted when one chocolate bar disappears and it ruins you whole weekend. Hahaha. I really hope it was my fault and I missed placed it, because if one of my housemates tells me she ate my LAST chocolate bar, it will be test of restraint. You don’t mess with a woman’s chocolate!

This weekend was General Conference for church. This involves a worldwide gathering, through internet, satellite, radio, etc. where we listen to talks from the Prophet, Apostles, and other leaders of the church. The time difference between Utah and England is 7hrs, so for us some of the secessions are rebroadcast. It is weird because the live secessions are from 5pm-7pm and then 9pm-11pm. I was not able to catch the late one, but I can watch it over the internet. Between secessions I was eating my lunch with 5 other women. Three were from Ireland and just visiting for the weekend. They were funny and told me of about 20 different places I “needed” to visit in Ireland. Being somewhat overwhelmed by the accent and the list of attractions, I don’t really remember many of the sights they mentioned. However, I don’t think I will ever forget one of the ladies. This lady was probably in her 70’s and as she was leaving she pulled this black rectangular thing out of her pocket. She asked me if I knew what it was; but I had no clue. It looked electronic, but that’s all I could come up with. It was a GAMEBOY!!! I started laughing. I could not believe this grandma had this toy and she went on to inform me that she also had a white one at home, a Play Station 2, and a laptop. I was shocked! I can just see her getting into it and probably making her grandson cry because he lost to his grandma…again. Hahaha. I never expected it, but she said she takes the gameboy everywhere; even to church.

Some thoughts from Conference:
“there is one who smiles on high when there’s love at home”
“do not limit the power of the atonement by not forgiving yourself”
“I will give away all my sins to know thee”
“God gave us memories that we may have June roses in the Decembers’ of our
lives”