Photos from Abroad

Here are some pictures (especially for you Auntie Myrna).




Love, Heather

Merry Christmas from France

I must say, the French really know how to decorate for the season. Each town has such beautiful lights and trees and Christmas decorations. Even without the snow, it is definitely charming. So far, we've been walking a lot, looking at a lot of museums, taking pictures, and eating a lot of breads. The cheapest and best way to eat is the croissants and crepes at the little shops around. Although tonight, we broke down and bought a kabab, which actually is just a shwarma. Pictures coming. Although I don't know if anyone out there is even reading this blog. So maybe I won't. :-)

Christmas in Chicago

Here are my new figure skates. So exciting!Twirling about.
On the skating rink.
Michelle and I in Millennium Park.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. I guess you can't see the Christmas wreaths and things in this picture, but it was pretty.

Mom and Dad in Chicago

Playing in the fall leaves behind Michelin's house in the country.In Chicago, we went and got a tour of the Chicago Board of Trade. Here's me on the trading floor.
Busy Christmas shopping at Macy's department store. This expensive couch was actually kind of comfortable.
Mom and Dad waiting for our train in the heated little train station near my house.
At the symphony.
After the symphony.

On the windy shores of Lake Michigan.
The Museum of Science and Industry--beside a captured German submarine from WWII.
And the Christmas store windows downtown. I absolutely adore ballet.

In my room...

It's like the Beach Boys song. I love my room.

YSA Service Project

Pictures on my Picasa Web Album

It was fun to get out in nature, although it was a bit rainy and chilly.

First Man on the Moon

My enthusiasm for space and astronomy was recently rekindled as I watched a documentary on the Apollo 11 mission. I was actually preparing for my reading class, and I wanted to show a clip of Neil Armstrong on the moon. The black-and-white footage really thrilled me. Actually, what thrilled me more was the part about an earlier mission, and how on Christmas Day, one of the astronauts quoted from Genesis, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In the beginning, the earth was void and without form... And God said, 'Let there be light, and there was light.'" It gave me a little chill to hear those words spoken from space, and seeing the views of the distant earth. I can only imagine how exciting it was for them in the 1960's to actually reach space and the moon.

I then started to read a biography of Neil Armstrong and the other astronauts. I can't believe that in 1969, there computer systems actually did allow them to land on the moon, and return home. Although, what a price to pay. I think that Neil Armstrong's dedication to space might have cost him his family. I'm not sure, but it sounds like he was pretty preoccupied with work.

Nevertheless, I could tell the the hand of the Lord was over that space mission. It is His heaven, so I'm sure He was in control.

Sunday night...

So, this is me right now! In front of my computer.

Adventures at the Zoo

I'm trying to make the most out of my time here, so on Saturday, I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was a beautiful day to wander about watching various kinds of animals. We even saw the ape that *starred* in the movie Return to Me, which I found out was set here in Chicago. I have to admit that my favorite part was the conservatory. I have fond memories of looking at plants with you, Mom (and Michelle). Do you remember going to the Calgary Zoo and walking through the gardens, thinking about what we could grow in our yard?

I had a nice time with my friend Emily, from my singles branch. Unfortunately, she declined having her picture taken. So, it's just me. Me and the animals.

No. I am not an animal. But I am standing near a warthog.
A statue. I can't remember who this is. I think someone that was important in Chicago. They just stuck him here, to look over the beautiful flowers.


And, lots of fish.

Cloudy Autumn Days in Hyde Park

This was a nice, cloudy but warm Friday afternoon.

Beautiful Skies and Storms

This week has been a rather dramatic one, in terms of the sky. Mom, I know that we both enjoy sky watching. Well, each morning as I drive to work, I always watch the sky. The weather this week has been anything but boring. A lot of rain, but those sunny moments. This morning greeted me quite darkly, with the whole sky blackened with one large mass. However, on the edge was a beautiful, almost lace border. If someone had painted it, they would have needed to use quite an intricate brush.

Well, like most days, I stayed inside all day at work. Driving home in the nice sunshiny afternoon, I was excited to go jogging and get some fresh air. However, suddenly the sky darkened. And I realized that those small navy blue clouds that I saw must have gathered together.

I took this picture out my window before the storm got really bad. Now, it's dark. It's been fun to listen to the thunder and rain pounding on my window. It reminds me of the scripture, "And when the devil shall send forth his might winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you..."

Good Morning

I love mornings, but especially those unrushed ones when I don't have to go to work. Today, I woke up at 6am, without my alarm. I cleaned my bathroom and bedroom, took a very long shower, and read my scriptures. It's such a nice feeling to have the whole day ahead of you. The sun is up now, peaking through the houses. Breakfast time!

Streets of Chicago

Today was a normal Tuesday afternoon drive home from work. At each main intersection in Chicago, I am helped across by uniformed Traffic Controllers with whistles and batons. I remember hearing about Traffic Police when I was a kid. They really do have them here along with the traffic lights. And it's helpful- at least you know that you'll be able to safely turn left without hitting anyone.

When I got home, I took a little walk down the street for exercise and to take a picture of Flat Stanley for Alexia. I came across a bearded black man standing on the corner yelling obscenities like you wouldn't believe.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Well, this weekend was quite a treat, as Michelle and Andy and I cooked up a nice turkey to go along with the spiritual feasting. Michelle suggested I add that to my resume of qualifications.

Here are some photos.

Illinois Plates

And here is my car-- I told you I would show you my new Illinois plates. Fortunately, it only took me an hour and a half to get my plates and my new Illinois Driver's License. I only got one question wrong, by the way. (What does a yellow, round sign mean?)

General Conference

Wasn't Conference so deliciously wonderful? Today has been a day of spiritual feasting, as well as a wonderful Canadian turkey dinner. We actually ended up eating dinner before conference, at about 11:30am. It was nice to then enjoy the two Saturday sessions from here in Lafayette.

We thought it was amusing how President Eyring looked so happy and was grinning so much. How wonderful. Personally, there were quite a few talks that really touched me, especially Elder Wirthlin's, as he struggled through to the end of that marvelous talk.

I'll post some pictures soon!

My neighborhood.

The beautiful campus of the University of Chicago.

Another beautiful campus building.


My apartment building.

Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

Here are some shots from the boat tour.

Finally online--Live From Chicago

This is my first official posting, since I've come here.

Strange Car this morning. As I was leaving for work this morning, around 6:45am, I noticed something strange. One of the cars parked on my street alongside my building had a potted plant on the trunk, amid broken glass and a big hole in the back windshield. It really did look as if this potted plant had fallen from above and landed on the poor car. I looked up at our 11-story apartment building (which is a restored hotel from the 1930s), but I didn't see any balconys or other signs of plant life. Perhaps someone in their sleep or in a drunken fit through the plant out the window. Or, perhaps I'm being a little too imaginative. Maybe the back window was already broken, and someone temporarily set their plant there. And I am currently parked on that same street now. Hm.

Well, love you all!

My First Entry

I thought I'd set up a blog, just in case I ever needed one. Maybe one day, I'll be in a foreign country and it'll be interesting. Of course, what is happening to the traditional beautifully penned journal entries, and lengthy letters written by hand?