Graduation & Trips

Hi!

Wowzers! This past month has been a whirlwind! I finished my exams on May 15th. I've since found out that I did really well on them which made me very happy! I got a 7 (A+) in history, geography, math, and english and a 6 (A) in science. Those aren't my final grades just my exams, but I was very pleased. I'm also very glad they are over! The Wanamakers came on the 10th and it has been so much fun to have them here! It's brought some much needed giggles and noise to this far too quiet home! :) Unfortunately I got the right-after-exams-cold and I still have it! I had it all during our trips to Siem Reap and the beach which was no fun and my energy was a little on the low side, but I pushed through. 

The day I finished my last exam we rode the oh so wonderful 6 hour drive to Siem Reap. We spent the next 5 days at Angkor Wat. Boy, let me give you all some advice/caution: visit Cambodia in May at your own risk! My advice is to come in December/January because it is much cooler. The sun just blazes at this time of the year and you feel like you'll be cooked! On the bright side you get a nice tan! :)

Anyway, on to more important things. On Sunday I went with mom and dad and the Elders to visit a member there in Siem Reap. We happened to go during a huge rain storm which made for an interesting visit. Their house was made of a tin roof so it was really hard to hear anyone. We could all see each other's mouths moving, but no sound! It was kind of funny. It eventually stopped and we were able to talk better. We stopped at one of the Branch counselors homes really quick after just to pray with them and ask them how they were. Afterward the wife asked if she could give us some mangoes to go home, but we said no that's alright, we have some, but thank you. She looked about ready to cry and said she was embarrassed because we wouldn't take what she offered. We then quickly accepted the mangoes. It's so hard accepting food from people here because we know they barely have enough for themselves, but I guess when they've got mango trees all over their yard they probably can't get rid of it soon enough (kind of like zucchini season at home)!

We drove home on Monday and mom and dad of course hit the ground running. The Wanamakers and myself were also very busy doing wash, gathering food, and packing for our trip to the beach. We had planned to take a short trip to Thailand, but unfortunately AirAsia cancelled all of our flights only about 5 days earlier. We had tried to figure out a way to still get there, but finally decided it would be easier to just go to the beach. So, on Tuesday morning we headed to the bus station and took yet another long drive to Sihanoukeville (the beach). It was a very very fun and relaxing trip and I'm super glad we went. It was a perfect after exam relaxation! We went to the hotel's swimming pool a couple of times for the kids, but most of the time we were at the beach. I played with the girls in the big waves and in the sand as well as read to the sound of crashing waves. It was nice and sunny the whole time, but not quite as hot due to the water. Kelcy and Ben taught me something new: body surfing! There were tons of big waves which made for perfect body surfing! We went to some very yummy restaurants as well (one right on the beach)! 

We got back from the beach on Thursday night. On Friday I had a graduation practice. My principal said it was absolutely mandatory, but to be honest, I think I would have been just fine without going. I don't know though, with all 28 of us! :) After the practice I walked to a nearby Dairy Queen with my friends while they got ice cream and I got some water. Saturday was the big day!! Graduation was at 5:00pm. We spent the morning with each other. I tried curling my hair and ended up burning a chunk of it! It all fell out so now I have a short little chunk of hair. Thankfully it is on the bottom so you can't see. 

Mom, dad, Kelcy, Ben, and I had a late lunch/early dinner at a nice hotel restaurant. I decided to have Ben and Kelcy come even though it was my graduation dinner because I've had lots and lots of dinners with just mom and dad so it was fun to have someone else there too. It was odd timing, but we figured it would be better for my stomach because eating past 7 or 7:30pm just throws my insides all into whack for several days. 

The ceremony was very nice. Dad explained it in good detail in his letter. I have to add a funny note: my cap was too big so I was trying to balance it on my head the entire time. Several times it nearly fell off! I really enjoyed the speaker Scott Neeson. He gave a very clear, to-the-point message that is great for everybody. He talked a lot about living your life meaningfully so that when we reach the age of 90 we don't look back and regret that we didn't do anything meaningful. I can't say it as eloquently as him, but I just really loved his message. I got my actual diploma on stage. We also got to throw our caps in the air which was really fun! Afterwards there was time for taking pictures. It was fun to take some with my friends and the family. 

Afterwards I came home and watched Life of Pi with the family. Unfortunately the only after-grad parties involve getting drunk and whatnot. Not at all fun to me, so I decided to have some REAL fun! We also enjoyed some very yummy healthy vanilla berry cake I had made earlier in the day (mom let me buy some berries which are $7.50 per little box in celebration of the occasion)!

Well, that's my crazy last couple of days in a nutshell. I hope you all have a wonderful week!