....with open arms.

...a stort of the post two-years moment!
So, for those of you who don't know, let me get you up to speed before I wax lyrical. I was dating this amazing guy for 18 months then, he went to be a missionary for our church and was assigned to Tokyo, Japan. There he was for 2 years, working hard, doing his thing, speaking Japanese...dealing with earthquakes, etc.

Meanwhile, (cut to me) I spent my summer 2009 in Las Vegas, then I went to University in Lancaster, met some great people including my best friend, Jess, and just generally had a wonderful time. So, 7000 miles apart but both having a blast.

2 years later...

SO, Bermuda was obviously incredible! It came at a decent time too. I am somebody who hates waiting around. I like to be busy, busy, busy. I like to have a lot of exciting things lined up one after the other. My easter break took me to fulfil the dream of a lifetime in Washington DC where I stayed with dear friends Keith and Susannah...

After easter was the rush of exams and my Driving test (which I failed). After that, I came home, my friend Amanda was Baptised...

After that, we jetted off to Bermuda. We were due to arrive home on Thursday 7th July. Ieuan was set to come back from Japan on July 5th. DO you have ANY idea how time would have dragged had we been in the country instead of Bermuda?? Once you've waiting for 2 years to see somebody, you often here the phrase "...a few more days won't kill you." How true. It's not in the nature of days to be murderous but oh, if they could be! I was excited to see him again but so grateful for an exciting event that I could enjoy that would occupy my time sufficiently. On Tuesday 5th July, we were at St George's enjoying our penultimate day. I got a text from Martin Guy saying "We've got him- he looks good!" (Cue to join in the excited screaming...." AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) It was a weird feeling. Elder Guy was home. He was in England. Not in Japan.
It is difficult to sum up one's feelings when you've lived a certain way for 2 years and then things change suddenly. I think, what I felt most of all, was a profound sense of gratitude. It's wonderful to be involved in missionary work in any way and I feel so blessed to have been supporting this missionary. Jess and I stayed up at night having chats about what things might be like and how things might have changed. Now, my plan was that, when we arrived home from Bermuda, Ieuan would call and we would talk about when we'd see each other the following day. We landed at about 7am, got home at about 10am and then I spent the rest of the morning sleeping. At around 1:30-2 ish, I got a text from Martin saying "Don't expect Ieuan to call because he wants his first conversation with you to be face to face." I completely understood but I was going crazy. This boy was currently an hour away from me but I wasn't going to be speaking to him and I'd have to wait until the next day to see him. I hate coming across as a crazy, psycho girl but there are certain levels of excitement that are hard to control!! My Daddy said to me "Do me a favour, get on a train and go and see him now but don't keep going on about it." I love my Dad. So, with his endorsement, I went on my way. I hurried around, packed my bag, did my hair and strived to refresh my jet lagged self. I then got on a train. I was wetting myself with excitement. I literally couldn't believe what was happening. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was texting Jess, Jess, Kirsty and Mumma at the time- getting the different perspectives, getting their advice, relishing in the moment...you know, you know? It was SO exciting. I had forgotten my i-pod so it was a long train journey watching flat fields zoom past. Not fun. I read over a couple of Ieuan's last letters and sat and pondered. I had no idea what to expect. Not a clue. I had a lot of people telling me things wouldn't be the same and that he would have changed. Deep down, I felt things wouldn't really have changed but I was very aware that 2 years of writing to a missionary was very different to 2 years of writing to your boyfriend. It's not like you spend the 2 years investing time into building a loving and lasting relationship....you may build on your friendship but romance is out, really. So, I was unsure of how things would be- of how he would be. 2 years is a long time. A really long time.
Martin met me in Ely and we drove home. The entire journey was spent with my head in my lap, breathing deeply and fighting the nausea that overcame me. I had NO idea what was going to happen. I was scared, excited, nervous...all of the above! When the car stopped in the courtyard, I couldn't even look up. With a reassuring hand squeeze, I got out of the car and walked into the house with Martin. Teresa came over and gave me a hug and then I saw Richard. Widge is like my brother...I love him loads and he had really looked after me over the last couple of years.

He came over and gave me a huge hug. By this point, emotion was building up. Martin joined in the hug too and when they stepped aside, Ieuan was there. With open arms, he said "I came back!" He held me for a long time. No hand shake. No cordial nod of the head. No reluctance. From that moment, everything has been just as it always had been. That evening, Ieuan and I looked at pictures and talked. One phrase kept being said that evening- "I can't believe it's you!" In honesty, it was the perfect evening.
We went to the Cambridge open day together the following day and then the family "welcome home" party on saturday and his homecoming talk on sunday. It was all brilliant and overwhelming and...surreal. We have done some fabulous things since and...well...we just love being together! It's been such a fun summer!

In reflection, these last 2 years were the best to date. I have done so much and have had so much fun. I am so glad to have Ieuan back though! We're best friends, we love each other a lot and have a lot of fun.

SO, sorry for the blow by blow but I have a lot of friends that I know wanted to hear the whole story but I've not had a chance to tell it!

Viva Bermuda!

So...as per usual, it takes me a while to get on this thing to record the most important events that happen in my life. Since I last posted (which, for those of you who don't know, was the ode to my Aunties) My life has changed dramatically. I can now not only say that I have visited Bermuda and that I have the coolest family out there but, I am a door-to-door fundraiser (yes, the kind you hate. The kind you slam doors at, cuss, and condemn) BUT also, I am in a relationship with someone who is NOT 7000 miles away. He came back! =) I will speak now about Bermuda- all of our pictures are on facebook so you can check them out there too.
Bermuda = Paradise. When one thinks of a sandy idyll, Bermuda is what naturally comes to mind. You may not realise it but when the plane lands in Hamilton, Bermuda and flies over the sea, you see that this is the place you have wanted to visit your whole life-The type of place that Travel Agents adopt as their pradisical backdrop. The inaccessible place of dreams...

This baby is the place!

As we flew into Bermuda, sparkling, clear blue water of varying hues and shades decorated bays of pinkish sand and palm trees spotted the landscape. REAL palm trees. Not the type of rubbery ones you see in B & Q but proper, tall, fruit-bearing palm trees. Imagine the excitement! =) Our whole time there was spent with Daddy's wonderful family. They were so kind to us and they ran us around everywhere and took us wherever we wanted to go. We saw some incredible things like...a Portugese man of War, a shipwreck, schoals of incredible fish, the old, colonial capital of St George, the Royal Naval Dockyard....and the list goes on. It is a stunning place! It really is. We had a wonderful time there.
Daddy, Jess and I climbed the cliffs overlooking the sea.

Mummy, Jess and I went horseriding along the beach...

Jess and I had a fantastic time, as you would expect!

England is a beautiful country with different landscapes and views but it was wonderful to be surrounded with so much family and so many new and exotic views. If we're honest, sub-tropical landscapes is not something we will be experiencing here for a while. =)

The Ode to El Aunties...

Recently I have had a couple of moments where I've been really, REALLY grateful for my aunties- Deb, Laura and Kirsty. My Auntie Deb is my Mum's older sister.

(This is Deb, Laura, Kirsty and my Beautiful Mummy at Kirsty's wedding in July 09)

Something great about my family is that when we need each other, we are SO there for each other.

There was this one time when I was..11 maybe. I was having an operation to remove a cyst in my neck. Deb worked at the hospital at the time. Unfortunately, whilst I was in theatre, Mummy had a migrane and was sick and needed some medication so went to see her consultant. Deb was with me when I woke from the Anaesthetic. I remember being sick and Deb was rubbing my back. A random memory but...how I love my Auntie Deb. My sister and I love getting advice from Deb...hearing stories about the various guys she and my mother dated back in the day. Deb has a remarkable ability to read minds and interpret facial expressions. There have been MANY times when situations have been made easier and less stressful because Deb just knows....well..she just knows. =)

Laura and Kirsty have been a huge part of mine and my sister's lives. They are like our older sisters and we've done tons of stuff together. (In May 2008, Me, Jess and Laura did the race for life. Good times!)

I have fond memories of the excitement that would come at the end of a school day if we knew Lau or Kirst were picking us up! You see, at the tender age of primary and middle school, street cred is an important thing and if you don't have it naturally then who better to prompt it than 2 stunning, cool aunties. I struggled making (and retaining) friends at school so at every birthday party or sleepover, Laura and Kirsty would be there too...because they're cool like that.

(Incidentally, this is Laura at Sam's birthday party last year, I believe. She's invaluable at parties!)

Jess and I fondly recall times in the car with them singing songs and dancing. I remember a time when a "friend" of mine was leaving the ward as his family were moving out. Laura and Kirsty casually asked if I wanted to accompany them to his ward that sunday. I'm sure they made it seem like they wanted to see their friends but I know they did it so I'd get to say goodbye to MY friend. When Mummy was in hospital having one of the children, Laura and Kirsty were there and we hung out. They took us out, I believe they even bought us ice-cream and they made sure that we had such a good time with them that we weren't anxious about Mummy. That goes not just for when there were children being born but on any occasion Mummy was in hospital. They still do all they can to help- not just in emotional ways but practical too. I mean, Laura and Kirsty both read through my personal statement for university and helped my with my CV. HUGE help!

One of my fondest memories of my childhood is going to Grandma's on a sunday afternoon and having cheese and mushroom pizza on the brown picnic rug in the living room...with the light blue handled pizza cutter. On reflection, this has nothing specifically to do with Laura and Kirsty as much as the time we would spend at their house. My Grandma is awesome too. In fact, Jess found a video on youtube that pretty much sums up how cool Grammy is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVEe7TrUabg

Laura and Kirsty became mine and my sisters fashion icons. I remember times where I would want to dress like Laura and Jess would want to dress like Kirst and then, depending on where we were in our lives, we would swap and Jess would want to be Laura and I would want to be Kirsty. (In fact, I distinctly remember buying black leather loafer style shoes for about 3 or 4 years in a row at high school because...well...they were shoes like Laura's) =)

What I love is that I have very different and individual relationship with each of them. Laura and I probably have most in common in terms of interests and hobbies. My trip to DC for example? Well, it would also have been an ideal holiday for Laura...I wish she could have been there with me. We'd have had a blast. Kirsty and I have a great relationship too. I've had COUNTLESS girly chats with Kirsty. She has helped me with friendship troubles over the years, both her and Laura helped me research Universities. Kirsty did my hair and make up for my prom, she has helped me get ready for my first church dances, has lent me clothes for....just about everything and, just recently has provided me with all the advice and practical help regarding disasterously plucked eye-brows that I could have ever wanted. She's the perfect older sister.

When I was in Vegas in '09, I got my A- level results. They weren't what I wanted nor were they what I needed. I got rejected from my first choice university and my grades were too low for my second choice. I was, very literally, in the gall of bitterness and seemingly endless woe, made worse by the fact that I was away from home. Kirsty, Seth and Laura each e-mailed me messages of encouragement, love, comfort and hope! I actually felt hopeful for the future after talking to them. Kirsty and Seth, since I've been at university have been more than just Auntie and Uncle. They have provided every family-ish need I could ever have. Here are just a few experiences I have had with each of them.

Laura is amazing. She is who I want next to me when the world ends. When there's a crisis afoot, Laura is there with a plan which will invariably make life better. I have INNUMERABLE stories to tell in this vein...Last year, I was making the decision whether to study abroad or not. This is, quite possibly, the biggest decision I have ever had to make simply because for as long as I have wanted to go to university, I have wanted to study abroad. I chose my Universities on the premise that they offered a study abroad scheme and I had applied to the University of Illinois and was accepted there so everything was set and ready to go. Around the time my documentation had to be in, I started to wonder if this was what I really wanted. My parents are fantastic when it comes to things like these. My Dad will counsel me to pray but, ultimately, he will remind me of my age and encourage me to act it. =) My Mum has a very different technique. It's called Devil's Advocacy. It's usually helpful but on this occasision, I just found myself getting more and more confused. Laura is and has always been enthusiastic when it comes to adventurous things. She did a whole ton of research for me around this time and simply lent an ear whilst I vocally made endless pros and cons lists, as I voiced my concerns, my fears, my hopes etc... In the end, I decided it wasn't right for me to go. I figured I'd be better off and could be of much better use here. I'm grateful that Lau was there to listen though.

More Laura stories...
About 2 years ago, I was visiting Ieuan and his family in Cambridge. Ieuan ended up in hospital that day. It was a pretty nasty situation and rather worrying at the time. I just went through a whole load of text messages from then, actually, and rembered how hideous it all was- I stayed over at the Guys until Ieuan was safe and out of hospital. I found texts from Laura (who was working in Cambridge at the time) offering to bring me fresh clothes and stuff from home. She said she could meet me in Ely en route to work. BLESS HER HEART. That is Laura ALL over. In fact, when I used to get up in church to speak, she would always remind me that I ought to tell the congregation how wonderful and beautiful she was...brainwashing at it's best right there but I recall both me and Jess doing it!! Haha!

More recently, when the Earthquake in Japan happened, Kirsty and Laura were two of the first to contact me. Laura seems to have access to information that no one else has and so I was kept perfectly up to date during the whole situation. She comforted me, prayed for me along with the rest of my family and did all she could to make sure that I knew Ieuan was safe and that he would be blessed and protected. She avidly read the news for any developments and went on church websites too to get the latest on the missionaries. Laura's help and comfort didn't end on that day, even up until the evacuation and relocation of missionaries, Laura was there with the most up to date information. It seems like a little thing but it was a big thing for me. Laura and I love to play tennis. It is our summer activity and we look forward to University being over with so I can spend a good amount of time hanging out. (Another random memory- Laura used to come to ours all the time to watch the music channels with Jess and I on Sky...I owe my music taste to Laura and Kirsty's influence)!

Kirsty is just as lovely and wonderful. I have had several experiences where I have needed some company, or comfort and advice and Kirsty's been right there. I remember one particular situation where I'd just been with her that evening but, after arriving home, I got very upset about something and she came back armed with a tub of Ben and Jerry's! Seth sat out in the car and waited for about....must have been well over 30 mins while Kirsty and I talked indoors (because Seth is just that wonderful too). I know I can go to Kirsty about anything. I've asked her advice on so many things from guys, medical issues, medication, fashion choices, universities, jobs and, most recently, eye-brow resurrection techniques (don't tell me YOU'VE never gone a bit wax-happy on the eyebrow region- it's an easy mistake to make).

I love nothing more than an evening with Seth and Kirsty watching a film and talking with them. At church yesterday, I had a really LONG talk with both of them. We chatted about loads of stuff and I came away on a real high! I love spending time with them.

Kirsty taught me how to dance Ceroc, Cha cha, waltz and various other things. Her cool factor has never waned. I was at a church youth convention at the age of 18 and I was still thrilled that Laura and Kirsty were there as leaders because... "Yeah, they're MY aunties!" Kirsty was one of my YW leaders too which was great fun and was a counsellor at EFY. I was homesick at the beginning of EFY and remember texting Kirsty late into the night. Laura and Kirsty were also there to launch me into YSA society. I remember my first YSA dance in Cambridge, they were both there for that and that is JUST how it should have been. =)

I often get random texts from Kirsty after she's been researching something online. These research efforts are triggered by her remembering a random thing that I've mentioned in passing that she has found out more about for me. For example, she texted me about a Saatchi and Saatchi internship available since I mentioned that I'd love to go into advertising. How THOUGHTFUL!! Probably more important than all of these things is the fact that Kirsty and I both attend the same church meeting on the 1st wednesday of every month. I'm usually enthusiastic about most things but this meeting sometimes takes it out of me. The fact that Kirsty sits next to me is a balm of comfort like no other. Just to have someone to look at who can read your mind!! Just to be able to lean across and whisper the outrageous comment that you know you are both desperate to vocalise. Just to hear her laugh at my jokes when no one else will or to tell me that I was perfectly justified in making whatever comment I made...Just having her as my Ward council buddy. THAT, my friends, is a love like no other. Until you are part of your ward council, you will never be able to fully appreciate a bond like this!!

I love Laura and Kirsty. We all have our jokes...Church in my home ward when we are all there is a great experience. Laura is the worst for this, actually. She will start laughing- sometimes you'll never find out why and sometimes you know exactly why! You'll then see the arms fold and the head bow. Some will think she is being ultra reverent. Not so. Then Kirsty will do a similar thing. Only then will you notice the shoulder shakes that ricochet down the pew. The next thing that will happen is that Grandma will try and stop them both from laughing but Grandma is laughing to so that's futile. Then Jess and I will probably start laughing too, then Mummy will join in. Pretty soon, we all have our heads bowed, much lower than usual, our arms folded and our shoulders shaking. It is not unusual for this to be to the amusment of the row behind us either. It's pretty epic. (I must add that it isn't CHURCH that's the hilarious thing). =)

As I'm typing, I am just reliving a whole ton of memories. Last one before I call it a day on this Ode. When Jess and I were younger, Laura and Kirsty Choreographed a dance that we performed. I remember feeling exceptionally cool doing it, I must admit. Years later, when I was about 18, we performed another dance choreographed by them. It was fun to do it all together again and, still, at 20 years old, I feel that the street cred I have is purely by association. I have cool Aunties. That's all there is to it. I love them and, whatever happens, wherever they are, they are always there. I probably don't tell them enough how much I love and appreciate them but suffice it to say, I love them a lot. No wonder Eternal Families are such an important feature of what we believe in. I don't fancy an eternity without them!

I leave this post with a phrase Laura taught me when I was younger (I cannot even remember what it's from) "Oi! That bloke's a nutter. Oi! Nutter!" There we go. Over and out.

Strike 1

To whom it may concern- The brains of the Union.

You do not know me and I do not know you but I just wanted to e-mail you and wish you all the best for your strikes this week. May I also send you my hearty congratulations on your timing. Truly commendable. I mean, what better time to put students out than the last couple of weeks before the end of term when they will be seeking final advice and study sessions before the epic revision of the Easter holiday ensues! Sheer Genius. I also love just how hell-bent you are on causing havoc. Such determination! Not only is it enough to strike and refuse to teach but also, in case you are the type of conscientious lecturer who feels bad for abandoning students, you are not allowed to rearrange those sessions. Classy- this way, you can be absolutely sure that students aren't getting the time they pay tuition fees for. As I type I am giving you a standing ovation for your innovation in my head. We were even told (3 days before Coursework deadlines) that we could e-mail our lecturers but should not expect a response that day. Of course. I forgot how important it was to man a picket line. I like that you are resting completely from your duties and showing absolute dedication to your cause! I mean, you shouldn't have to put in maximum effort at the end of term like your students will be doing, should you! That would be lunacy! I have only one question to pitch against your genius....How, in the name of all things good, is this rubbing the people that actually control your pension up the wrong way? I'm sure, in your heads, it will be massively effective so, good for you!
So, in conclusion, dear friend, all I can say is that I sincerely hope you got what you wanted out of your pension scheme because another strike like this weeks and the e-mails you receive from students might actually be sarcastic! =)
All the best for a successful week. I hope the sun stays out for you as it would be awfully dreadful if it rained on your...picket line. Your fluorescent jackets look great on you all by the way- I saw them when I came into University this morning. Very fetching. We all like to sport the luminous look every now and again.

All the best wishes,
Rachel Carruthers (2nd year History Major).

"...in whatsoever land they may be in..."

So, it has taken me a while to record the following on this blog because I'm only just able to comprehend it. As you will be aware, in the afternoon of Thursday 10th March (Japan Standard Time) a 9.0 magnitude earthquake 80 miles off the Tohoku coast line in Northeast Japan sent the whole country and pacific basin into pandemonium. It didn't do much for my heart either. I woke up that morning with a text from Mummy which said "Try not to worry, Bundle. We've just been checking out the geography of it and the reports said that buildings shook in Tokyo but that it was the northern coastal towns which were mostly affected." WHAT?? I had no idea what she was talking about so I leaped out of bed and went onto the internet. "Massive earthquake and Tsunami hit eastern Japan".



The entire Eastern coast of Tokyo as well as the pacific basin were under major tsunami warnings.




Whoa...although I have this day recorded in my journal, the details are hazy. I can't really remember in too much detail the events that followed. I remember texting Mummy back and then I called Jess T. Whilst the tears were streaming as I stumbled through the low down of the disaster with Jess, she turned the news on and I heard in the background "people stood and watched as a giant wall of water came towards them." She turned the news off. =) The rest of the day seemed like one continuous prayer and a haze of emotion and headaches. We eventually heard that all missionaries in the Tokyo mission were safe and accounted for and that was a relief. I wasn't feeling completely at ease, however. Missionaries in the Sendai mission were still out there. Not all were accounted for and I could relate to how their families were feeling. When I was able to tear myself away from the computer screen, I got ready to head into university. You know the headache and the nausea you get when you've been crying? I felt dreadful. I forced a slice of toast down me, then headed into university. WHAT WAS I THINKING?? As if I'd be able to focus! I spent my time watching the news and responding to the kind messages and texts I received from people. It may sound strange but, although I was so distressed and restless, I really did feel the prayers of those around me. I went to find my friend Tania (see "Ode to friends" post). If anyone could cheer me at this point, It was Tani. She had been revising all morning and hadn't heard about the earthquake yet so I filled her in. She said to me "Knowing Ieuan, he will probably think this is a great adventure and if he's anything like you, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else- he'll want to be there so he can help people." Now, Tani doesn't know Ieuan (only from what I've told her) but she made feel at ease because she was right. Ieuan was in Japan to help people! What better opportunity to serve than this?? After a Tania hug, I returned to my pitiful activity of watching the news. Jake soon came over to give me a hug. He persuaded me that I was doing nothing to help myself and today clearly wasn't the day to get work done. He dragged me out of the library and we went on a walk around the woodland areas on campus. We talked about the difference between Diesel and Petrol engines, the importance of high Break Horse Power and how lovely it is to hear the roar of a V8. =) Jake is great because he probably has no interest in that kind of thing but he knew it would distract me significantly. Upon my return to the desk, my friend Liz came to find me to give me chocolate. She said that Chocolate always helps her when she's upset. HOW SWEET! I have the best friends ever. I stayed with Jake the rest of the day, occasionally checking the news updates. When I went home that evening, I was exhausted and still stressed. I went to sleep with BBC news 24 in the background. Over the days that followed, I really felt like I was being looked after and sheltered by the love and the prayers of those around me. Every time I opened my scriptures, I read a verse that settled my fears and the seemed to speak right to my heart.
On Saturday, at Seth and Kirsty's, I was able to chill out a little more with family- I had a wonderful time with them. Seth gave me a blessing and I felt much better. (I feel so lucky that I have such an amazing family). Kirst and I then read that all missionaries in Japan were safe and accounted for. That meant the Sendai missionaries too. I cannot tell you how miraculous that is. God protects his missionaries- that cannot be doubted. The following wednesday, The nuclear disaster at Fukushima had reached a level of global concern to the extent that the missionaries in the Sendai and Tokyo missions were evacuated. As Assistant in the Tokyo mission, I believe Ieuan was kept very busy with that re-organisation. The Sendia mission was absorbed by the Sapporo mission in the North and the Tokyo mission was absorbed by the Fukuoka, Nagoya and Kobe missions in the West and South. Elder Guy was sent to Kobe. The President of the Kobe mission keeps a blog on which he documented the plans involving the arrival of the Tokyo mission. It was wonderful to see and be kept so up to date.




During these 5 or 6 days, my auntie Laura was fantastic. She kept me so up to date with everything. She was on the end of the phone whenever I needed her and she was constantly reassuring. What a blessing to have such wonderful family around during such a time. More than this, though, what a blessing to know, as Ammon says in Alma 26 in the Book of Mormon, that "we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth."

An Ode to friends...

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Tall ones, short ones, etc etc. I have been reflecting recently on the friends that I have and how blessed I am to have them. I, happily, have many friends- too many to give individual mentions to on this blog but I love them ALL! I thought that I would make a few mentions though, as an ode to the friend!

So...Firstly, there has to be the AMAZING, Jessica. She has the added benefit of being my sister so she has insights that no one else has. She has seen me at my best and at my worst. She has seen me at my most hideous...(there is video footage of such sightings), at my happiest, at my saddest, at my most elated, my most excited, my most incensed....She is always there. Always. We are there for each other no matter what. She's like my other half- i couldn't live without her! We do everything together. We are polar opposites but we share a similar sense of humour and there is much laughter to be had. We can both appreciate beautiful things, in every sense of the word. ;) We dance around in public places together, sing together, wrestle, laugh, chat, laugh some more, talk, laugh... She's the sort of friend you wish you could have with you all the time. There are things I see and hear EVERY DAY that I wish she could see and hear too. We have our own code language. We communicate telepathically most of the time, much to the disturbance of others. It's the type of code-language where nothing needs to be said. We're sisters so we don't always see eye to eye...but it never lasts for long. In fact, I remember being amidst a heated discussion with her in our room. We were getting changed at the time and she was angry at me. As she was telling me, in a most animated fashion, about her grievance as she was putting her top on. The hanger tie at the back of the top caught on her nose and made her look like a little piggy. We both immediately collapsed laughing. Situ diffused! I LOVE my sister SOOOOO much! I love how she would get my bed ready for me so when I came in from a dance I could just climb right on in, I love how she would stay up so when I came home from a date, she could get the low down. I love how fiercely she protects me. I love how she loves the people I love. I love the look she gave me when she realised I'd bought us tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls! EEEEK!! I love dancing with her on skype. Yes, Skype. I love catching the bus with her...who knew bus journeys could be so fun?? I love washing up with her with our washing up playlist blaring out on youtube...before Daddy comes and turns it off. I love it when she says "I'm not going to sing that song with you right now" Even though she knows full well she will concede eventually. I loved watching the DVD I made her of the two of us and seeing her cry at the end when our favourite 'sisters' song came on. I loved that she would follow me and Ieuan around tirelessly just so I could have a whole myriad of photographs to look back on when he left. I have grown up with her, played the most amazing games with her, dressed up with her, covered for her, made adverts with her, modelled with her, cried with her, died laughing with her...we wrestle with Daddy sometimes,that's fun. We quote the Gilmore Girls (we pretty much are the Gilmore Girls)...She is the ultimate of ultimates. Love you, Jebs!




My parents are my friends too.... I have always been able to talk to them frankly and openly about anything and they have been able to do the same with me. I love spending time with them. As a family, we love to play games and watch movies and take walks to the famous Catton Park where we climb on felled trees.
There is nothing more exciting than a bit of exclusive time with Daddy, even if it's just nipping to Asda or B&Q. I love talking to him on car journeys and cuddling him on the sofa and talking with him about life. I love making my dad proud of me. When I'm with my Mum, I love to talk to her about girly things (like boys...or boy), eat lunch together whilst watching something that only she and I enjoy, sing with her, laugh with her, read with her and cuddle with her....did I mention that already? When I talk to my parents, everything in the world gets better and when I'm on my Daddy's lap (yes, even at 20 years old)there is nothing scary, stressful or painful. It all just goes away for a little while.


Ieuan, or Elder Guy as he is commonly known as at the moment, Is what we call, Favourite and Best. I have a few best friends at varying degress of bestness and he's WAY up there, holding a rather exclusive position. He and I are similar in many ways. He is the one I can talk to about aircraft and his eyes don't glaze over. He loves big engines as much as I do and, as such, we have collaborated our specialties and have conceptualised a motorised zimmer frame that puts out at least 600 bhp. That way, when I am old and grey, I can still have the use of a powerful engine! We have planned to build castles, cathedrals, we have made plans to maraud small islands so we can fund our own private metro service...He always seeks to remind me of my good points and helps me to improve my short-comings. We both enjoy exercise, copious laughter, studying the scriptures, teaching and, most of all, talking/writing. Sometimes, we can be a little bit silly...like donut escapades, ice-cream fights and flour wars in the kitchen, but that's all part of the fun. I have so many fond memories. He would actually RESEARCH my homework assignments when I got them so that if, by chance, I needed his help, he would already have answers. He was patient with me when I couldn't direct him around my own city! He treated driving with me in the car as an adventure because...heck, who knew where we'd end up! I certainly had no clue! Even though he's away right now, Ieu still makes me laugh constantly and always impresses me with his example. He makes me want to be better than I am and I am grateful for the way he serves so tirelessly. I've always seen him as superman, really! He's amazing at EVERYTHING!! He's the sort that induces a pretty mammoth smile. An Everestian smile, no less.



His brother Robin is another close friend of mine (the whole family are wonderful)- he never fails to make me laugh with his outlook on life. Rob's the sort of friend you want around you when everything seems to be caving in because if anyone's humour can get you out, it's Rob's. Heaven help the one who causes me grief...the phrase "I'll have him" has been heard SO many times. =)


Emily and Richard are SOOOO lovely. I spent some of my summer holiday in 2009 with Emily- we were both in Utah. She was right there at a pretty tricky time for me (Getting rejected from Uni and having no clue what to do with my life). Richard is like a brother to me and the three of us have some really good fun together! We went camping...the three of us and Robin, last November. It was chilly but such good fun!



Jess Thompson- Is the Primo friend that I wish I'd had sooner but feel so blessed to have now. Jess and I spend most days together studying, most sundays together teaching (in church) and our free time together having fun. Jess and I are pretty different in some ways. She's the cool one. It's been said by many and I am more than willing to give her that. She's pretty cool. She and I like to go to far off places like... Kendal. We're always up for a bit of an adventure! If life was longer and university wasn't so busy, we'd probably be putting many of our grand plans into action! I think both our parents are so glad that when we're away from home we have each other. Somehow, it always happens that if I am in an awkward situation, she is in it with me...the sign of a good friend. She may put you in it but she'll be right there with you! (Manchester and golf is all I have to say, Hagbo). We rather enjoy quiet girly nights in watching films...Pearl Harbour is a fav. Aircraft, Hawaii...pilots. Yeah. GREAT film. Jess and I seem to find a lot of things amusing. I have been known to have to leave a lecture due to excessive laughter. Jess has the most contagious laugh in the world and boy do we laugh. A lot.



Tania is another Best Friend. She was like a big sister/mother at times in our first year. She is always around when I need her, we shared ham and cheese in first year as we both loved toasties and it just made sense! I have given her hugs in the middle of the night when she's been in tears and unable to sleep due to a rugby injury, she's has given me hugs when I've been sad, we have cooked together mucho times, laughed together often and have just had some wonderful, wonderful times together. Love you ,Tani!



Chrissie is my childhood friend. The sort of best friend you have throughout your life even though you don't see each other often. Chrissie is my benchmark. I want to be as good and amazing as Chrissie is! We have had so many amazing times together- great memories and I miss her loads!


Jaz is another of those best friends- I hardly see her but I know I could pick up the phone immediately and tell her anything. She and I are very similar in character. We are very smiley, happy and excitable people. Our story is pretty unique...we can count on ten fingers the amount of times we have seen each other...we are just that close- we got on immediately!! Jaz and I chat about everything and anything, we share each others joys and heartaches completely. She's an amazing person and a wonderful friend. I love you, Jaz!


Then there's the beautiful Alice Faye Wise- Another bestie in a distant land. Love you girl!

Anisha, Harriet, Hannah and James are my best friends outside of church. I love them soooo dearly. We were at sixth form together. They always encouraged me to be my best self and never to lower my standards for anything. They invited me to parties but knew that I wouldn't feel at ease there so, instead, I would write letters to them to be read out at said gatherings... I was there in spirit. They were around when my boyfriend and I first started seeing each other- they remember the excitement from the beginning. Miss Cooper used to let the 3 of us girls sit and chat about it during lessons because she knew we'd get the work done anyway. We love Miss Cooper too. I remember a time when I was feeling a little down. They were waiting for me when I walked into school with chocolates and tissues. They are always there to listen. They are amazing and I love them loads.

Miss Cooper...


Phil is my best guy mate. I can talk to phil about pretty much anything. Sometimes, when a group of us girls are talking, we forget Phil is a guy (in the best possible way)...he just joins on in! I went to watch him play rugby the other day which was pretty cool. He made this epic catch..(he's single, by the way girls!) I love driving around with Phil with the music up loud, windows down, singing "Ride forever" from Due South at the top of our lungs! Good times, Phil, good times. (There is currently no picture of mine and Phil's crazy car times... but here's a great one of Phil!)

Jake is a great friend too- he always tries to make me smile if my energies are waning. He's just so lovely. He and Jess surprised me by plastering post it notes all over me after a church meeting on wednesday. It was probably the loveliest things anyone has ever done.

Then, of course, there's the Lancaster crowd! Love them all! Al goes running with me and is my Ward Council buddy, Dan Lisgo is my cinema buddy and brought me a Big Mac when I had swine flu. Sam is a great friend too but he's on his mission right now... And I miss our Denise loads too...studying just IS NOT the same!


Danielle is another good friend. We have done some pretty crazy stuff together...I miss her craziness! =)



Hyrum and Joe are wonderful- both out on missions for the church at the moment but they mean a great deal to me too. We've had some good times together.



So, when I think about my closest friends, I think of a scripture..."And I will be on your right hand and on your left...and mine angels round about you to bear you up."