Aren't Volcanos Cool?

I know there are probably some people out there that would disagree with me--especially those living and/or stranded in Europe--but I have to say that they amaze. I was talking to my co-workers today and saw this video (see below) on the volcano that just erupted in Iceland, and I decided that if I hadn't majored in Humanities, Earth Science would have been my alternative.


As much as I'd love to see an erupting volcano in person (umm, not at all--way to scary), I do hope to one day see the lava fields on the Big Island. How awesome would that be?

I guess in the meantime I have to be satisfied with this active (what? I thought it was dormant) volcano:

And this one:

Hody, hody, doprovody...

...Dejte vejce malovaný.
Nedáte-li, malovaný,

Dejte aspoň bílý,

Slepička Vám snese jiný.

(Give me a painted egg.

If you don't give me a painted egg

At least give me a white one,

The hen will give you another.)

Every Monday after Easter,  I always think back to my time in the Czech Republic as a missionary. On that day, my mission companion and I got permission to stay indoors most of the day. Why, you ask?

Well, on this day tradition has it that all the menfolk go around and whip the womenfolk with their pomlázky (whips made out of braided pussy-willow branches). The willow branches are supposed to bring youth and health to all that are whipped with them. In return, the women give these beautifully painted eggs to the men. Go figure!

 Back in the day, the whipping was more of a light swat, but in later years the guys have become more brutal. I remember looking out our living room window while I was studying Czech and watching this hoard of teenage boys hounding a couple of teenage girls. Their pomlázky were at least four feet long!

I didn't have time to dig out my pictures from that day, but we had a friend and fellow ward member stop by to give us our Easter whippings. It was hilarious!

One of my other most favorite things in the Czech Republic were the holiday markets. For Vanoce (Christmas) and Velikonoce (Easter), huge outdoor markets could be found in the town náměstí (plaza). I've seen nothing like them before, nor since! At the Velikonoce market I bought at least a dozen of the above eggs, and a pomlázka of my very own--the tricky part was figuring out how to get them home after my mission.

What fond memories!

Here's to the Česká Republika and all their amazing traditions!

And here's to all my amazing Czech friends and their hospitality!

Easter...

I've been thinking a lot lately about the different incidents that have been happening all over the world, from the wars and natural disasters happening in far off lands to intolerance and hatred occurring in our own country. These are the last days that the prophets having been foretelling for centuries.

 I feel like there are so many people out there that are bitter and without hope. Some question if  there is a God. Others go as far to ridicule those who do believe in a higher being.

I am so grateful for the faith and knowledge that I have. I know that there is a God, and that He is our loving Heavenly Father. He sent his son, Jesus the Christ, to earth to suffer and die for our sins, and for every trial, inadequacy, or sorrow we have ever felt. He did this because He loves us.

I'm grateful for my Savior's suffering and for His ressurection. It is through His love, humility, and sacrifice that we are able to return and live with our Heavenly Father some day.

I love Easter! I love that on this holy day we celebrate that He lives!

And, oh, how I love Him!

Hanami anyone?

 {Cherry Blossoms in DC. Spring 2009}

Yes, please!

Hanami is a centuries old Japanese custom of admiring the beautiful sakura, or cherry blossoms.  Even though hanamis were originally for viewing the cherry blossoms, nowadays people seem to go to hanami parties for the food and sake.

Since the cherry trees have been blossoming for a couple of months (at least it feels like it), a friend of mine decided to have a hanami party. Unfortunately it was a typical Seattle evening full of wind and rain, so we weren't really able to see cherry blossoms. Despite the weather, the evening ended up being fabulous.


Mary had gone to Uwajimaya, the famous Asian grocery store that's provided Seattle Asian goods since1928 (pretty cool, huh?) and bought a ton of cool Japanese treats. I felt like I was in Taiwan again with all the Pocky and Hello Pandas.

We also learned how to roll our own sushi (hoorah!) and watched a very cute Japanese flick called Linda, Linda, Linda. Even though Linda, Linda, Linda wasn't Death Note, it was still very good.

Here are some more pictures of the evening:

Despite what it may look like, there was no sake involved. Girl Scout's honor. We were pretty excited to try out Ramune, though. It tasted like candy in liquid form. Enough sugar to hype anyone up for a week. 

{Me, Matt, and my sushi roll (not in that particular order). It was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.}

 

{The whole crew chillin' like villains.}

Here's to the Japanese and their 

fabulous custom of

Hanami!

I have a feeling...

 {It's Spring in February!}

Not that tonight's gonna be a good night, as the Black Eye'd Peas sing, but that this year is going to be THE  year.

Having turned the grand number of 27 on the 27th of February, this is my birthday year. What that entails, I'm not entirely sure, but as my friend Connie has told me, it is destined to be full of  luck.

I can handle that. 


And great things have already happened. I'm living in a beautiful part of the country, winter has been spring, I have awesome friends, two dear friends are now married, and I've landed my dream job which I'll be starting the beginning of May. I don't think it can get much better than that, but you know, if it does, I won't complain.

Here's to birthday years, especially this one!

Is it summer?

Or is it just me?

Today it hit a remarkable 72 degrees. Quite unheard of for this town that is known for gray skies, and miserable rain all winter and spring long.

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the sweet smell of flowers is permeating the air. I definitely had an extra bounce in my step on my walk home from the bus stop.

With the coming of warmer weather, I couldn't listen to the same ol' tunes. Funny how that happens. Does anyone else have different songs or playlists that they listen too for the different seasons? Well I sure do. Today it was a random mixture of Lady Gaga, Blonde Redhead, The Bird and the Bee, Passion Pit and The Temper Trap.

What are you listening too?

The best day EVER!

Yesterday was the best day ever.
I bet you can't guess why...

No, it wasn't because I got cute new heels and could wear them to work.

No, it wasn't because I got complemented on my coffee making skills. 

And, no, it wasn't even because I got to walk to the post office

twice (let me tell you, on these beautiful spring-like days, a 

walk to the post office is a real treat!).

Like I said, you'll never guess.

I guess for the sake of this blog I should probably tell you why, or this will get boring pretty fast. Let's just say I have certain perks for being the administrative assistant/office manager of a small wealth management firm. Not only do I get to water the orchids and buy piggy banks and mouse pads online, but I get to screen sales calls and salesmen.

Now coming to the point... Yesterday, a fine gentleman from an office supply company came to our office and must have been horribly near-sighted because he blatantly disregarded our "NO SOLICITORS" sign in our front window (not to mention the one at the entrance to the office building).

For those who know me, you know that I'm a terribly nice person, and I hate awkwardness. I like to think I'm pretty good at putting people at ease.

This gentleman could not be helped! And I tried! Really, I did!

He started out awkward with his clammy handshake and his small talk, was awkward through the middle with his venting of the Olympics (let's just say he didn't win any points with me for that one), and ended awkwardly with an incredibly awkward and unfunny joke. He was so awkward that I started to feel awkward and self-conscious.

And boy could he TALK. About anything and everything. Plus all the too personal questions. And not to mention telling me that he was late to another appointment like I was keeping him there against his will when he was the one who stepped into my office to sign me up for his program. Seriously though.

You might be asking, Then why did you listen to him? Why did you give him the time of day?

Well, the answer is this: He was offering a really good deal on products I already used. It really was a win/win situation in that regard.

My favorite part of the day though is when my co-workers--who were eavesdropping the entire time--couldn't control their laughter because of all the ridiculousness. That sounds horribly mean, and maybe it is, but it was so awkward I couldn't tell if I wanted to laugh or cry.

Bless his heart. But seriously, there's a reason why charismatic people are better at sales--no one likes to feel awkward because of you!

Here's to random funny days at the office, that ease the stress of tax season! And to awkward sales reps who really are trying, but don't realize just how awkward they make everyone else feel.