From Utah to New Mexico

Well, I've been trying to do a blogpost, but internet doesn't always comply.
Here are some pictures from yesterday (Idaho):

(in Utah, Golden Corral for dinner)
By the way, my Mom was born in Utah

Favorite Bridge

Utah...

Grandpa loves Arch's National Park

Today we drove
through the rest of Utah (and Arches National Park), Colorado, and have ended in New Mexico.

We had a beautiful surprise today once we hit Colorado. Two BEAUTIFUL minutes - we had rain. The temperature dropped about 20 degrees. I haven't been able to smell rain for so long... You know you really are a Northwesterner when you know and love the smell of rain. I almost wanted to ask Grandpa to pull over... but I restrained myself.


Hope you all are doing well! Only got up to 86 today for you? Our temperature was 100. :) The rain was very appreciated.
Oh! And we met the Colonel in New Mexico.

Last time I was at KFC was when
I was in Russia - I almost ordered all by myself -
except that I couldn't order the drink size...

Happy Birthday!

One year ago today, I started my blog. Thus, I redesigned the blog and left for Texas with my Grandparents.

Beautiful ~

The temperature of today was up to 110 - very thankful for air-conditioning. Outside didn't actually feel like it was 110 - but I've never been one to tell what that temperature is.

Grandma and me at Arlington

*Cement...the thing that processes it

Patch-Work Farmland of Walla-Walla

Ok, so I'm actually going for my youngest cousin's birthday (not my blog's) and staying through our nation's 239th birthday. Quite honestly, Texas? Fourth of July? Texas or the East Coast seems like the perfect place for the Fourth - at least once in your lifetime... :)

*If you know what that "thing" is called, please tell me!! :)

The Last Post - While in Russia

Things are closing up here for me. I got my backpack (with all of its internals still in place) for less than $5. I have done all my chocolate and tea shopping for this trip... I think. Tomorrow, I will go for (potentially) the last time to mall to wrap up my shopping.

Oh! I kinda forgot. I went a did a little touring over the weekend. We went to a mosque (Ben went to this "many moons ago"), to Victory Park, and a war museum (it focused on the Bashkir people's involvement in WWI and WWII), which is practically part of the park. Zukra* organized it all telling the museum that there was a US delegation - so we got a personal tour after hours. :) It was super interesting and (hopefully) I'll be able to put some picture up later of VP, the mosque, and outside the museum when I get home.

(Daniel is almost crawling
and has his first tooth showing. )

Ufa looks this a bit this way
both morning and evening -
that is, on clear days. :)

It is strange to me that I have almost been here for two months! I said goodbye to Craig, Lindsay, and Daniel today.





I am super excited to see my family and friends again. I am not excited to leave - who would be? "Content" is the only word I can think of; yet, "content" makes me think of something stationary and I am not stationary. I am content with the chapter of this book and look forward to the next. A good book will make you appreciate each chapter and give you the desire to keep reading.

I'm happy a lot of you understand what I'm thinking, 'cause it's awfully hard to put into writing!

Blessings on you all! Keep praying!
See you soon!
*Zukra - цукра

Russia

Travels in a nutshell, I got to Russia - I figured that from the time I left home till being at the Savages, I traveled about - a long time. :)

outside my window

I arrived in Ufa, about 7:30pm local time (I think :) and arrived in Shamonona) later by 8:20. I'm in the cutest place ever!






Saturday was so much fun! They took me to Ufa and the famous "Salava Yulaev" - think of a Russian Robin Hood during Czarina Catherine the Great.

They took me to "Zvern" and had me have a delicious meal, similar to shishkabob, but Russian style. (Ben, Zvern is right across from the McDonalds you went to and about two doors down from where Jeremy teaches.)

Dinner was delicious!

 Three interesting facts:
1. Russia doesn't have daylight savings. They went on and haven't gone off. So, when you all have your daylight savings, I'll be 14hrs. ahead of you.
2. The sun doesn't set till after 8:30pm here.
3. It's tick season. They only come out for a couple weeks because soon it will be too cold for them. Oh, I hope it gets really cold really soon! :)

Well, I hope you have a fantastic day - I guess you all will go to bed before you have a fantastic day so... uhm...sleep tight? Don't let the tick bugs bite? :)

Take Off!

Hope you all have a fantastic day!