Georgia on My Mind

I just accepted an assignment to go to Georgia (the country, not the state) to observe an election. It's only a short-term assignment this time (thank goodness!) so I'll just be there for about 8 days. I am so excited. This trip is particularly meaningful to me because this summer is the 20th anniversary of my first adventure to what was then known as the Soviet Union. To be going back 20 years later to a former Soviet Republic is more than a dream come true.

This will be my 6th short term mission and I can't even imagine the adventure to come but I'm sure it will be memorable. Besides, Georgia actually has very exciting elections.

Want to know more about Georgia? Click here.

Different wedding, same outfit

Not that anyone cares what I'm wearing but I was pretty impressed with myself that I had an outfit I could wear twice in one week to two different weddings.

Briana's wedding was a blast. Several of us from the Arapahoe County Elections Office attended (in the photo: Judy K, Cheri, Judy M, Gail, Carolyn, Disa, me). Briana looked beautiful and the wedding really was a big party. It was fun to cut loose on the dance floor a little with some of the people from work because the stress level in our office is pretty high these days. Briana and John are going to Paris and London on their honeymoon and we are all jealous!

"You'll have to wait until class is over to shave your legs."

Now there's a statement I never thought I'd say but I found myself saying it yesterday in seminary. I started with the devotional when one of my students whipped out a bottle of lotion and a disposable razor and proceeded to lather her legs and shave them. That's when I uttered the line, "I'm sorry but you'll have to wait until class is over to shave your legs." Her response was, "But I'm wearing shorts and I don't want to have hairy legs." As a woman, I totally sympathized with her. As a seminary teacher who only has four students, however, I could see that one of them shaving could be distracting to me and the others so I had to put a stop to it.

Times like these make me realize what a trip teaching early morning seminary can be. I never know what's going to happen every day at 6:00 a.m. Will we feel the spirit? Will they be bouncing off the walls? Will they all be asleep? Will someone attempt to shave her legs? One never knows...

One of my proudest accomplishments as a seminary teacher is I introduced my students to the second verse of "In Our Lovely Desseret." If you don't know that verse off the top of your head, go look at it. We can't get through it without giggling but they want to sing it all the time now.

Wedding #2 of the year (and counting)

It must be the year of weddings for my friends. My friend Aerie who was in my ward (until she got married and moved) had her wedding reception tonight. She and Santosh got married in December (they eloped!) and their big party was today.

Santosh is Indian so his they did some traditional Indian things as part of the program. His father read seven vows that the couple takes together like being supportive of one another, sharing joy, raising children, etc and after each vow the couple kicks a pile of rice.

Then our bishop made some remarks about how we value marriage in our church and how we believe that marriage brings joy. It was a great evening. I am so happy for Aerie. I love her so much and appreciate her friendship so much. We have spent lots of time on walks together talking for hours and she watched my house while I was in Albania. She is a dear friend.

I have another wedding next weekend. I have 2 friends getting married in May and I won't be able to attend their weddings because they require travel and I just couldn't work it out. Ashlee is a friend that I worked with at the Utah Elections Office and Leslie is someone I got to know while doing overseas elections. You can check out their websites. Also, my friend Stephanie just got engaged so I am looking forward to another wedding this year!

300 Days of Sunshine?

That's what the Denver Chamber of Commerce will tell you. Not today for Doors Open Denver. This is me on top of the Daniels and Fisher Clock Tower, one of the wonderful historic buildings in downtown Denver. The city is beautiful so it's too bad this happened to be one of the 65 cloudy days.

I worked at this building last year and was fortunate enough to get to do it again. The D&F Clock Tower was built in 1911 as part of a department store. The store was torn down in the 80's but the clock tower was saved. The observation deck is only open 2 days a year--the 2 days of Doors Open Denver so it was packed because everyone wanted to see it.

I spent 3 hours crammed in the elevator shuttling people from the lobby to the 14th floor. It's a good thing I am not claustrophobic or I would have been in trouble. Because there were so many people in line we crammed 13-15 people each ride. Honestly I didn't know if the sun was shining or not because I didn't even step out of the elevator until the day was over.

I love participating in these community events in my adopted home city. Denver is a great place to be!

Doors Open Denver

When I first moved to Denver 3 years ago it was a very difficult move for me because I was away from my family and friends. So that I wouldn't be depressed every weekend, I found events going on in Denver every Saturday and I just went. It helped me learn my way around and got me out of my house. Doors Open Denver was one of the first events I went to.

During this event a lot of the historic buildings open their doors to the public. Most of these buildings are not normally open. During this event I went to the Denver Press Club and heard all about their ghost, toured the Masonic Temple, saw the rooms in the Brown Palace Hotel where the Beatles stayed, toured a Buddhist Temple, and toured many historic mansions. Last year I decided to volunteer and I'll be doing it again this weekend.

Every year the event gets larger and larger. This year I am looking forward to touring a few of the high schools and churches. For those of you who live in the Denver area, I encourage you to check it out!

My new nephew

To see my new nephew Sagan, check out the Didericksen's blog at http://www.didericksenfamily.blogspot.com. I can't wait to meet him!

Congrats Briana

This week we had a wedding shower for Briana Freeman. She is one of my star employees. Briana is getting married on April 26th. Briana was also named "Employee of the Month" this week (she stole my title) so this week was all about her!

Amy and Briana
Pat, Briana and Disa

Rocker Chicks Part II: Bon Jovi

Last night my friend Tarra and I went to yet another rock concert at the Pepsi Center. This time it was Bon Jovi. It was my 5th time seeing them and the show was fantastic. Jon and the boys were in fine form as always. Even though we were in the nosebleed section yet again, the atmosphere was conducive to dancing and screaming. Rock on.