Well its been quite the year starting on the European continent in my little house of Leeds, England, pond hopping to my beloved Hawaii with its sunshine and beaches, and ending back where my life all began in the shadow of the Wasatch mountains in Provo, Utah. I enjoyed the slower pace of the British school system and in between my three classes on the Middle East, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, and Applied Conflict Resolution, I kept myself well rounded with some travels and trampings. For work, I visited records offices and grave yards all around Yorkshire recording the names and taking photos of places connected to my Ancestors. Bradford, the town where my school was located, happens to be right where my Craven and Robinson lines are from. Every Wednesday I would enjoy some time with the fine folk at the Thornton Antiquarian Society who let me use their archive they had stored in the ladies toilet cabinet. I made wonderful friends there and learned a lot from their weekly lectures.
A dear friend in my ward, Starr Turner, became my adventure buddy. She, her four children, and I would jump in the car and go out into the countryside exploring. We visited Fountains Abbey (the richest Abbey ruins in Europe), Wensleydale cheese factory and Haws, Whitby, Bolton Abbey, great halls and through marvelous green fields bordered by mossy stone fences. These were tremendous times.
February included a fun trip to Paris France to visit my roommate Clio. I stayed in a beautiful Chateau almost to myself on the outskirts of Paris. I enjoyed Versailles (the world's third largest palace), walking around the Eiffel Tower, hovering about the Arc D'Triumph, visiting Montmarte, finding the most delightful book store "Shakespeare and Company" next to Notre Dame, and eating a genuine French dinner with Clio's local friends. The baugette's, crepes, macaroons, and French onion soup was also heartily enjoyed on this short trip.
In March, I went to London for a few days and spend some time with friends: toured the city on Barclay bikes, visited Camden Market (a real gem filled with one of a kind knick knacks), Hampstead Heath, Keat's house, Hampton Court Palace (the world's fourth largest palace), and even watched "Singing in the Rain" in the West End. I had front row seats and got SOAKED as the actors kicked the fallen rain water from the stage into the audience. It was delightful.
My responsibility as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was to lead the 12-18 year olds in my congregation as their Young Womens President. Every Tuesday night we had phenomenal activities: Battle of the sexes night, creating a music video night, a production of the plan of salvation, service to other ward members, and a teach us a skill you know night. These were but a few. I loved watching them learn, their testimonies strengthened, and they in turn taught me.
I enjoyed several visitors while in England. My Uncle Jerry and Aunt Zuly met me in Hull where we did some family history work. My Great Grandmother Emily Atkinson on my mom's side was from there. We found the church where she was christened in the Church of England. It was right next to where her house would have been. I could almost see her playing hide and seek amidst the gravestones. Mom and Dad came to visit for my birthday! They were there two weeks in April and I gave them a whirlwind tour of Yorkshire and even took them up to Durham England where Dad's grandmother lived and joined the LDS Church. She had a favorite sunday school teacher that disappeared one day. When she inquired, she found that they had joined the Mormon Church. She went and found the missionaries. It was the teachings of the pre-existence that first rang true to her heart and, being disowned by her family, she left England and came to America. We also visited Buckinghamshire with Starr's family and saw the grand estate of Waddesdon Manor and lived in a small farm converted Bed and Breakfast. In May, my two sisters Michelle and Julia came along with my Aunt DeAnn. I gave them the tour and we also did lots of family history work. Most memorable was the day we went to the records office two hours away in Beverly with some serious internal opposition but as soon as we found the Clark family, all of that went away. They are a very special bunch. We went on a church history tour of England that was also exciting and saw where the first missionaries and baptisms were in Preston. My Great Grandfather served his mission there so it was especially meaningful. We had amazing experiences and made wonderful memories on our work and play adventures.
Having finished all my classes and with some spiritual promptings that let me know I could go if I wanted to, I left England in the end of May the day after my sisters left. My friends had a farewell picnic at Kirkstall abbey and the Young Women had a tea party for me. I landed first in the good old USA capital city of Washington DC where my friend Steve picked me up at the airport and took me to Cheesecake factory with some of my closest DC friends for my first American meal in nine months. Brandon Lee told the waiter it was my birthday, not true, but they brought me a lit candle on icecream anyway. It was other friend's birthday so we celebrated for her by proxy. I stayed with the Chyatte family who I used to live with. My friends Carl and Susan had a Crepe night party for me and friends as well. It was a spread to behold! I took a quick stop at the Library of Congress to get some materials for my thesis only to be found there, and then it was off to Provo for a quick change of luggage and hello before I flew to Hawaii.
June, July, and August went far too quickly. My first day on the beach back in the sun brought a burn, but also the most heavenly feeling of sunwarming that I hadn't felt for soooo long!! I did get my thesis written on community building and NGOs with the case study of Uganda. Hardly anyone read it but I learned a lot. My Dad asked once if I played or worked more. Definitely played. Its healthy. Back with my besties Cody and Josh and with good friends like Vickie, Seini, and Kealohi, my life was filled with adventure and fun. I visited Molokai with Kealohi and her family and got to ride the burros down to the leper colony.
In September I almost didn't leave, and an eye infection deterred me for another week so I couldn't leave. But, with tears, I hopped on another plane back to Utah.
October brought my Hawaii friends back as they came to Utah for General Conference. We drove the winding multi colored tree graced roads, played in pumpkin patches and Corn bins, and even took a ride up the ski lifts to enjoy the Fall foilage. It was a delight.
In November, I came back to Hawaii with the family for a trip to Ko Olina and Kauai. On the way to the airport, Dad told us that our beloved horse Jay died. When his previous owner sold him to us I remember him saying "You'd have to slit my throat to sell him but if it weren't for my family..." In tears he handed over the reins. I cried all the way to the airport and on the plane. Actually took turns from crying to smiling: "Jay Died. I'm going to Hawaii. Jay died. I'm going to Hawaii." Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Steve, and my two cousins Emily and Elizabeth were there with us. I'll never forget when after some tragic news I received, Aunt Bonnie took me in her arms and held me. I love her. Dad won a two for one Helicopter Ride. He sent Michelle and me up. We made a great video for him as we soared over canyons and waterfalls.
I was planing on going to India for six months to work with Rising Star Outreach, a great organization that specializes in helping those in leper colonies be reintigrated back into society. They do so through children and schools. I was going to be a sponsor coordinator. I turned in my Visa application but what should have taken five days took a month and a half and my flight had to be cancelled. By the time my Visa arrived, flights were too expensive for me to go and if I went, I couldn't get back home. So I spent all of Christmas and into the New Year sitting before a lovely fireplace typing names into the computer from the Graveyards and records offices of England. A lot of wonderful people were remembered.
