Summertime 2011 The Condensed Travel Log

May: Went on a two week Mediterranean Cruise filled with Elderly people from England. Us four single kids in the family enjoyed taking over the positive youth activities of the ship all to ourselves. Mom and Dad brought us along for a very nice ride. We then spent a week in England and a week and a half touring the continent. All together we visited ten countries. I know, I'm spoiled. June: In Utah with the family. The entire immediate family. Quite a feat when at least two of us rarely make an appearance in the state of Utah due to travel costs and distant living locations. We went to Aspen Grove Family Camp which was an every summer favorite growing up. This time, we enjoyed some old favorite activities such as the ropes course and arts and crafts center in addition to witnessing the new growing up generation participate for the first time. My mission President and his wife were there the same week celebrating their 50th. I learned things about them I'd never known before. Love 'em. July: In Uganda with two of my closest childhood friends: the twins Madelene and Serena and their family. From the days of playing house under their raised deck came a threesome of friends who know each other so well there couldn't be any pretense there if we tried. We had all matured but we were all distinctly us. After twenty years apart it was neat to realize that. We safaried on the Nile and wildlife reserve, were guests of honor at a celebratory banquet in a rural village (National Geographic would have had a hard time capturing that moment), rode mopeds called boda bodas fearlessly through some mean traffic, and had incredible discussions amongst ourselves and with others on issues third world countries face. I went up North to the war affected area of Gulu with a local guide. There I was able to meet some of the former child soldiers and other war affected children. They filled out workbooks and wrote letters to children in America. They were really delightful people. The last bit, I went white water rafting in the Nile. August: Straight from Africa, I flew in to Hawaii into the loving arms of my Hawaiian Ohana. They greeted me with leis and a welcome home tea party. But that was just the beginning. We then spent the next month on beaches, at the water park, at a spiritual feast of a YSA conference, at ono restaurants, in thrift stores, at game nights, at Luaus, and just on Oahu enjoying the beauties of dear people, nature, and fun. I did a two week course at BYUH training to be an Arbinger facilitator. Except for that enjoyable and self-reflective work, life was so at ease. I loved it. I loved walking down the street and knowing the people I passed. I loved being back in my most recent place of 'home".  I could stay there forever. But such for now is not to be. I will be back. September: After a fond farewell and much Aloha, I left Hawaii and flew to Utah for three days. There I visited family, a mission companion, and many of my old clothes while I packed. Then it was off to Manchester England! I was picked up by some friends who I met in Uganda. I stayed with them for almost a week until I secured a place to live. The world has some truly awesome people in it. That brings me to where I am now. I will be studying at Bradford University getting and MA in Conflict Resolution starting September 26th. Although every time I tell people I moved here from Hawaii technically and they give me the stunned amazement 'how could you do such a thing" response, everyday I find something exciting I like about it. So here goes. Another big adventure ahead but this one will keep me occupied for awhile. Of course, if you know me, a trip to England means genealogy. I'm looking forward to spending the time outside of school and play doing what I love to do, I'll be found in the cemeteries and records office hunting down my roots. In a way, I feel very much like I am home.