Friday, March 11, 2011

Thoughts and Questions

*10 Points to Lara for naming the movie: Disney's Robin Hood! Love it. You should all watch it if you haven't in a while.

**Kayli, I asked Carlos if he ever serenaded any other girls--he says no. He wants to know what you and Deanne discussed about when he'd get married though. :) Also, I agree--those pictures are horrible, and we do look scary/scared.

***I think I remember so many details because it was such a critical time--very nerve-racking. Generally my memory wouldn't be that great--which is why I'm writing all of this down. I feel bad that it is soooo long and detailed because I know that most of those details are only meaningful to us--and it's hard for me to leave anything out. I never was very good at summaries.



1. We're trying to decide what area to live in next year when we move this summer to Pennsylvania. With that, I've been trying to figure out which type of ward I'd rather live in, and I honestly don't know. If you had the choice would you live in a predominantly student ward or a family ward with hardly any other students? This obviously isn't the only factor in deciding where we live--it will depend more on where we can find a house/apt to rent--safe neighborhood, proximity to school, proximity to a Costco/Walmart/Target, and all that. :) I'm curious to know others' thoughts about this though.

2. Our hot water heater is possessed. It goes out several times a day--every time I wash my face, sometimes when I wash the dishes (not just because sometimes I wash the dishes ;)), and often when I'm showering. Boo! I hate being cold. I just wish I knew why it did that so I could stop it. I'm not sure how good that shock is for your heart.

3. Have you ever met a couple that you really just "clicked" with? People that you just instantly hit it off with and know you could become good friends--if you had more time? I often feel sad that I didn't know so many people better before they moved or we moved because they're so interesting and you can learn from them--and just have fun being around them because they're great people. I hate missed opportunities. Once you move, if you don't know them well, it's slightly difficult to be friends from far away. I think I still try to anyway.
Have you ever had the opposite happen? Maybe you've gone out with/hung out with a couple and when you get home you both find yourself thinking--wow, why did that feel so awkward, like a first date gone awry? Fortunately, those are very rare--in fact I can't even remember specific instances, I only remember having that feeling once or twice and laughing about it. That makes me wonder though if the people I thought we "clicked" with felt like we were awkward. Hmm. No, not likely--who wouldn't love us, right??? (any/all validating comments are welcome here--j/k).

4. It's so wonderful to sing the hymns in your own language. Last Sunday, in London, I was perusing the English hymn book--loving that I could read/sing every song in there. Don't get me wrong--singing in another language is fun--I like the challenge of it. What I don't love is finding out right when Sacrament Meeting starts that I need to play the piano, and I have no idea what the hymns are until I start playing because I can't understand the title. Even if you can translate the title--it's usually completely different than the English title. Usually I can tell just from the notes what the song is--but when I'm feeling pressured having to play in front of others (which I'm not good at) my brain stops working, my hands start sweating, and my fingers start shaking, so I can hardly read the notes, let alone remember what the song is--you'd think by now I'd learn to calm down a bit. It's really quite ridiculous.

5. First thing I'm planning to do in Pennsylvania: buy a piano! Then I can practice and get over my nervousness. Well, I guess we'll find an apartment, move our stuff in, and maybe get some groceries first.

6. I only have about 6 more weeks here in Portugal and I'm having mixed feelings about it. I'm excited to go home but dreading it more and more everyday. There are so many people/things I'm going to miss (not the least of which is my husband). :(

2 comments:

Lisa C said...

I love hearing your and Carlos' story, so sweet. How long will you be in PA? If you ever want to visit the sites in Palmyra, NY, you're free to stay with us! We have a great air mattress and very comfortable couch :) The pageant is in July.

Kayli said...

Gosh it ALWAYS seems like we're meeting a really neat couple/family right as we're/they're moving away. I can think of several instances off the top of my head. Hate it.

Hymns in English-- I TOTALLY get you. And I have to do the same thing when I play in church here-- kind of pick out the melody in my head till I get what song it is (that is, when the hymns are already picked for me).

I didn't mention this on my blog, but one time I was playing in Sac. meeting, and this time I got to pick the songs myself, so I carefully picked out the hymns in my English hymnbook (so I knew what songs I was picking), then got the corresponding German hymn # to give to the bishop and put up on the thingee, and then I took my English hymnbook up to the piano with me. Then I started playing the opening song, and when it was time for everyone to come in, hardly anyone was singing (which is rare here), and it was just off. Well, I continued playing until the end of the verse (luckily it was a short hymn), then stopped. I realized -much to my horror- that I had used the GERMAN hymn #, in my ENGLISH hymnbook, so they were completely different hymns. So I frantically looked around for a German hymnbook, grabbed one and opened it to the correct hymn and started playing the intro and everyone sang it. I was sooooooooo embarrassed. Luckily no one seemed to care as much as I did. :)

I miss having a piano!! p.s. If you like AaronWaite on Facebook you can get free sheet music. They're good.

Only six more weeks? Does that mean probably no chance to come visit? Maybe I'll tell Carlos all the things Deanne and I were saying about him if you guys come visit... ;)