Home Again

Or should i say, "Home FINALLY!". After a scheduled departure from San Francisco at 10:52pm, Wednesday 25th Oct, my plane was 2.5 hrs in flight, over the Pacific Ocean when the pilot interrupts and says "Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately we are having mechancial difficulties and we will need to turn around and go back to San Francisco. If you are sitting by a window and you see liquid flying out of the aircraft, it is because we need to jettison 150 000 pounds of fuel, because we cannot land with the weight we are at." Great! So after we return, customer service staff inform us that the our next flight will be at 11pm the next day! There were quite a few mad passengers, some guy was even screaming a very long "Arrrrrrgggggh!!" Funny. Even funnier, the film we had just finished watching before hearing that announcement was 'Poseidon'- a film about a ship sinking into the ocean.

So folks, make sure you don't fly United, because what followed was sure to prove a very unprofessional service. They gave us $60 limit to find ourselves a hotel room (in SAN FRANCISCO), $10 for breakfast and $10 for lunch, and a $50 for a round trip taxi ride. There was an Oracle convention on downtown so apparently they couldn't find us any accomodation, which was untrue as many people did find accomodation. Lucky for me, I had Stephanie living 20 mins away from the airport, who was luckily quite cheery at 3am in the morning!

The next day we were all set to fly to Sydney. Sitting in our seats and waitng for take-off, we were already on the tarmac. All of a sudden the pilot says on the speaker "Unfortunately ladies and gentlemen, we cannot leave at this time as we have further difficulties and we will be returning to arrivals and changing aircrafts." Sheesh! We changed aircrafts, and like a horror movie all these babies started crying and screaming hysterically as we were taking off.

So the plane didn't crash and I am alive! On the approach to Sydney, the pilot says to us "Ladies and gentlemen, Sydney has reported strong winds and as a result have closed one landing strip. Unfortunately, it will take us another hour to land." After so many frustrated and angry passengers, the pilot made it known to us that he lied to get us down sooner, saying that he told Sydney that we only had 45mins left of fuel, when we had 1.5 hrs left. We arrived in Sydney at 9:09am.

So that was an interesting trip home. I slept for 8 hours straight (I highly recommend ear plugs, neck pillow and blindfold) so my flight was only 6 hours. It was good to see my family again, and soon after arriving in Sydney i was here doing this, with these two:

Stanford, Palo Alto

The many bikes of Stanford


One day i want my very own storm drain too

My cousin Fred, chucked a sickie and we went to take a look at the beautiful campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, about 15mins away from their house. I never knew that Stanford was so close, nor did i know that it was in a place whose name would be translated to 'high ball' in Italian. Not that it was anything incredibly relevant to me, it was nonetheless a beautiful day too good to spend packing my bags for my departure home.

" San Francisco, 24th Oct 06, 6:10pm "

" I'm on a bus in San Francisco traffic. There is a little boy in front of me pouting because his mother just scolded him. He still has trails of dried up tears on his cheeks.
I spent the day with my cousin Fred sightseeing in San Francisco. This city has a vibrant life to it. I love the diversity in every corner and crevasse, not one spot seems to have remain uncovered. I can definately live in this city, I love it. I missed out on SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) today. That's ok, next time. There is a pencil stuck in the window pane that some kids must've left on the bus trip home from school. "


A mural on a street wall in the hugest Chinatown i have ever seen.


A trolley car


I had a cup of clam chowder better than the stuff in Boston over here!


The barking sea lions sunbaking at Pier 39


The GGB - Golden Gate Bridge


Alcatraz

Stephanie in San Francisco

I met Stephanie in Italy about 4 or 5 years ago. She always had a light about her and great sense of happiness that i knew always helped us in our work. Today i went up to San Francisco to see her again. She is up there studying Law at Hastings and lives in a beautiful apartment over looking some amazing views and the Golden Gate Bridge.

I entered her apartment, it smelled of Victoria's Secret scents and was cosy and homely inside. Seeing her balcony made me remember times we had sat on our caserta balcony together eating previously thawed out and ovened ciabatta bread with strawberry jam, listening to the Napolitana ladies talking to each other fom their balconies about us in Napolitano.

I went with Stephanie to her ward's church meetings and read out loud some scriptures again in my foreign strange accent, perhaps just to see if anyone would turn around and look at me. Har har. One person did, yes! It's become a bit of a novelty now.

So i didn't get to spend too much time with Stephanie today, but that's ok, it was great to see her nonetheless. I am in Santa Clara right now, visiting my Aunt, my father's sister who he hasn't seen in 30 yeas who i have seen more than he has.

I have three more days here in the states to live up, and i think i am winding down now anyway.


Stephanie with her friends Kara and Andrea from Italy (now living in SF)

Disneyland!

Last wednesday, my childhood dream came true. I got to meet this guy:


As a child i woke up early every Saturday to watch Saturday Disney, in hope that they made a trip to Disneyland and went on all the great rides they had there. Disneyland is a child's dream- bright colours, happy faces, strange shapes and lots of things to get excited about that would make one run instead of walk.

I was very impressed with the amount of detail everywhere in the park, down to the last amount of shading on the some bump of something on a wall made of fiberglass and painted over with car enamel (apparently that's what's used instead of other paint, because it lasts longer).

Disneyland is every child's dream.

Today i leave for San Francisco. Last stop and 5 and a half more days, so don't run and hide yet people, you've still got time before i come home.

I need to find Stephanie Pulley, Ashton and Elena Holbrook and of course la famiglia Redimerio.

Redlands, Hollywood and the City of Angels

Michael Jackson's house (although he is now in Bahrain)


Patick Swayze's house


We got a cheap deal for a guided tour in a limo. Down Rodeo drive i started waving at all the tourists...they all got very excited about the mysterious girl behind the dark windows... (teehee)


The world premiere for the film 'The Prestige' was on (Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson and Christian Bale), we saw a couple of people but didn't recognise them...this person we did - Minnie Driver.


Hugh Jackman and his wife


Someone tell me who this is , because i have no clue who she is...


We thought this was Ethan Hawke, but not so sure...


My aunt and uncle in their t-shirts


Paris Hilton's cars


Redlands California temple


Amy Barrington and Sarah (we had to bend down a bit because my Aunt was taking the photo and couldn't see anything on the viewfinder so she was pointing it down...so we went down with it)

Southern California and the Jimenez blood

Aunt Nene is 70 years old and as strong as a lion. And from what i can tell so is her faith. She's Catholic and attends the 8am mass everyday and leads the rosary prayer group every Wednesday and Saturday. That's what you might call the Jimenez blood.

I arrived here in Oxnard California last night via a state of the art navigational system in the form of Amy Barrington, and got a chance to meet my mother's cousin Aunt Nene and her family who i will be staying with till friday. She and I had some good talks so far on her family and some of my grandparents, namely a a stalwart, Spanish educated matriarch who ruled her famiy with an iron fist- Leontia Arebello Bruno. Get out of the way of the Lolas! No more honking those horns outside to pick up your date!

Roadtrip to Vegas

I arrived in California last friday in the daytime. What a great decision i had made booking a daytime flight. Blessed with a clear day, i looked out the window the whole way to Ontario Airport, we flew over beautiful southern Utah and over the Mojave desert.

At SLC International airport, my plane was delayed, and i got the chance to talk to Stella, a Nigerian lady who had left her family to come work in the states. We had taught a handful of Nigerian ladies in Italy, and so our conversation led to Italy and why i was there. It was the first time ever she had heard about the LDS church, which i thought was funny since we were sitting in Salt Lake City, but i supposed it happens often. She was distracted, nonetheless i got to give her a pamphlet that a sister missionary from Temple square had comitted me to give someone. Hurrah!

Another super ex-mission comp, Amy Barrington came to meet me, and after spending less than 3 hours in the area, Amy, her roomie Vinne and I were in the car on the way to Vegas! We drove up on the I-15 back up through the Mojave desert (land this time), the colours and forms of the natural landscape are amazing. It's not too far from the San Bernadino area, well, San Bernadino county finishes at the Californian border (as i have learned through a personal guide in the form of Vinnie).

Las Vegas was very interesting, I must say. I kinda wonder who the lucky guy was who got to design a piece of work such as Vegas. But i have to say this once again "It's just like in the movies!!". It rained on us as we walked down 'the strip', but it was fun to see the pretty lights while jumping puddles (or should i say, large bodies of water) anyway what's a bit of water when i've come this far?

I am impressed at the amount of land that the Mormon pioneers actually established. There is even a tree that they named, the 'Joseph tree' that scatters the desert on the I-15. The I-15 is essentially the route the pioneers travelled to get to southern California.

Tonight we went to a roadshow put on by the stake that Vinnie's family lives in, which was really good. Those pioneers must have picked up some uncanny singing talents while making their way down to southern california, 'cause their descendants have certainly got it.

Anyway, I'm full of Mexican food again. Tonight I ate part of a burrito that was so big i would've expected it to have it's own heartbeat. This time it's a great place called Chipotle's, not Cafe Rio (which i have been to multiple times since everyone in utah loves it, can't blame 'em it's great food for great value).

Check back in time, I'll try to get some pics posted up of the past couple of days.

Last Day in Utah: A Day with Natalie and the Pacini's

So today is my last day in Utah, and i'm in Salt Lake City. The weather has been crisp and cool and i've noticed it's become cooler. Brittany Pacini left on her mission and went in to the MTC last wednesday and on the way home her mother and father (rome mission president) picked me up from orem on their way back up to SLC. So i've taken her room for the past day or two and i can see why she puts her bed the weird angle it's at- she gets a beautiful view of the valley when she goes to sleep and when she wakes up. What an apt way to end 3 fantastic weeks in Utah.

I visited with Natalie this morning and her beautful new daughter, Sophia. Julie and I also spent some time at the Welfare and Humanitarian Square and the This is the Place park.

more pics

Sarah, Hollie and two Sorella Redimerios in the pic up at the MTC (Hollie lost her tag and wore mine)

Deborah and Kendra and Jason Dinger at Bridal Falls

On a visit to Sundance on a rainy night and a bright light (that's birchie's shadow covering the bright light)

Sarah and Mia Smith

Pollan family in Park City

Tyler, Hollie and Carter

Provo temple

MTC- we went to check out our photo/s on the wall

Back to Temple Square

I didn't actually get to finish Temple Square, so today i did. I caught the 7:08am 802 bus from UVSC express to North Temple. It was still dark when i left and the moon was shining, it's funny to see how many people are up to get the bus to SLC so they can make it to work on time. It takes 1 1/2 hrs, but that is one and half hours of FREEWAY.

I was at the bus stop and it started to drizzle. I didn't have an umbrella, and there wasn't any shelter in sight, so prayed my pants off that it wouldn't rain any harder. My prayers were heard.

I visited the Beehive House, the sth visitor's centre, the church office bulding observatory, the relief society building (which is BEAUTIFUL by the way- there is always a unique feeling about sisters hehe) and had lunch in the Lion House Pantry. I think i linger for quite a long time when i visit places because i seem to have had a lot of people start talking to me again (namely "Are you ready to move on?"). I saw cute Sister Bourne again, she told me how the sister on temple square now borrow different coloured coats that their mission buys and lends them so that they aren't wearing black ones and look like fuddy duddies.

Tomorrow i am going to wander around BYU, attend the devotional and meet up with some friends studying there.

The Smith and Pollan Weekend

I made it to Sandy, last friday night via the 'Lancaster crew'(grazie mille!) and stayed friday night with Tyler Smith and his fam. 'Elder Smith' is as i know him best, he was one of the missionaries that brought the Gospel to my father. His daughter Mia is adorable, a very independant little 2 yearold who sleeps in the furtherst away bedroom in the house and never gets scared. His wife, Joy's brother also served in the Rome mission the same time I did, i remember his face, but never knew him, although other mission friends know him. What a wonderful small world we live in.

Hollie Pollan, my first comp on the mission flew in on friday night also, from Washington DC. We did some more catching up at Cafe Rio, with her MTC comps Turner and Birch. We did heaps more other stuff but i think i am about to keel over from tiredness rather than keep on typing so i wil stop now. One of the best bits was seeing our photo on the MTC wall, we had to ask the guys at the desk if we could use the toilet otherwise they wouldn't let us in. We weren't sneaking in- we actually did use the toilet and the photo was right outside the toilet. But the guy said it was suss anyway because Hollie seemed a little too excited to use the bathroom. Perhaps she just really had to go?

Right now i am in Orem with Kendra and Jason Dinger (the Dingies!). Tomorrow i am finishing off what i missed at Temple Square.

45 minutes to burn

Careen called and said that she'd be here in 45 minutes, so i thought I'd post something up from Roy, Utah.

Last night Mary, her sisters Ruth Ann and Sarah, and her roomies Jen and Connie and I went to El Matador a Mexican restaurant in Ogden. I ordered the Spanish Omelete and a non-alcoholic Raspberry Daiquiri, it was delicious, and an incredibly huge serving. I only ate about a quarter of it and will probably be able to finish it off for lunch and dinner today!

Spanish Omelete and non-alcoholic Raspberry Daiquiri Sorry it's probably a bit dark


The day previous, I joined the Young Women of the Roy 13th ward, in knocking on doors collecting for the 'Pennies by the Inch' program, a fundraiser for a children's hospital in Salt Lake. I went knocking with a young lass named Marina who's 14 and recently had her bedroom renovated with a walk-in wardrobe. It was great fun, most of the residents we encountered were elderly, with the odd member here and there. One bright eyed sister said to me, leaning in and peering into my face "Now dear, i haven't seen you before. Who are you?" i told her who i was and where i was from, to which she replied, "I've been to Sydney. You know what i don't like about Sydney? There's 4 million people there!".

Marina and I knocking on doors for "Pennies by the Inch"


Some other random pics:

Sarah with Durga and Michael Owen



The Australian and Filipino sisters

Mary in Roy, a bit of Ogden, and other stuff

Early morning sunrise driving south on the I-15 (I think that's what it's called)


Ogden Temple


Sarah with super Oatlands ex-sister missionary, Mary Hatch


Logan Temple


Mel & Nadine Mitchell


Bountiful Temple


Sister Tara Bourne serving on Temple Square


Sarah & the Teuschers

Logan Utah

I didn't know that Logan was 20 minutes away from Idaho. I also didn't know that Utah is the second driest state in the USA. Or that it took people 6 days to get to Logan from Salt Lake by oxen team in the mid 1800s (i thought it took 7 days). However i know that the Anasazi indians, the first people here in utah, if i'm not mistaken, do have a really beautiful style when it comes to their ceramic surface designs. I also know that Mel and Nadine Mitchell's 11 year old grandson Trevor, can eat so much because he chews 20 times for every bite he takes. His dad also invented the pan cooked cookie topped with ice-cream that they sell at the pizza house down the road.

Monday and Tuesday i spent some time visiting friends in Logan, it is a nice rural sort of area, with sunken houses and tree-lined streets of golden leaves. Utah State University is up here and they're known as the 'Aggies', as in short for argicultural i guess, bc it's an agricultural school. Their Museum of Art was a treat, with a great collection of work from North Western American artists. I loved the Logan temple which i has the oppurtunity to visit last night.

I will post some pics maybe later if i can.

Some more pics

Former IRM sorelle: Huntington, Redimerio, Green, Crismon and Barrington

West Jordan Temple