Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been crazy busy lately. It's nice because it helps time to pass quickly, but at the same time I kinda miss not having to do anything all day. I FINALLY started working at the elementary school. That helps to pass a lot of time and it's fun. So far the only classes I've worked with are Sure Start (Pre-K) and the class below that (I'm not sure what it's called). Wednesday I'll get to work with the kindergardeners though. My first day was on the 21st. I worked a half day that day (Friday), worked full days Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, no school Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, and then a half day today and I'll work a half day this coming Wednesday. So that alone keeps me busy which is good. The dogs don't like it much as I make them get up early and lock them outside, but oh well. Then I have Young Womens activities on Tuesday nights. I had a Mary Kay class last week, and another one this week. Go me! We've had vet appts for the dogs. 4 appts in the past month --> pre op, operation (they got their dew claws removed finally!), got the stitches out, and then vaccines today. I think it's fair to say I'm tired of the vet now. We should be done for a while now though. Yay! It's a hassle to take them both up there when I'm alone. It's not as bad when Ben's here to help me, but they are getting awfully big and strong for me to take them on my own. I'm so glad the ladies that work there are so great and help me out. Anyway, after writing it all down it doesn't look that busy. It's not a lot of different things, just lots of the same. Whatever helps the time pass though, right?!

Thanksgiving at Disneyland

My friend Sherri and I decided to go to Disneyland for Thanksgiving instead of cooking a big meal for 2 people. Her husband is deployed with Ben, and they don't have kids either, so we decided to go play. It was so much fun! Even though it was cold and rained off and on all day, we had a blast! I only wish Ben had been there with me. He said we can go when he get's back though. =) Anyway, here are some of the pics. I've got more on MySpace and Facebook if you want to see all of them. Sherri took most of them. I was the smart one that remembered my camera, but left the memory stick in my computer. Duh on me! So she took all the day ones, and then her battery died so I took the ones of the Nighttime Electrical Parade with the camera on my phone. Since it was still midweek and not a Japanese holiday, it really wasn't very crowded which was really nice. We got pretty lucky when it came to waiting in line for the rides. We had some great timing and were able to ride just about all of them. A couple were closed and it was too cold to ride Splash Mountain, but I think we did just about everything else. I even went on the roller coasters, and I'm not a big roller coaster fan. I will admit I had my eyes closed part of the time on Space Mountain. But it was dark so no one could tell. I kept waiting for that big drop but it never came (thank goodness). It was fun though. Then Thunder Mountain was cold. Rain + Roller Coasters = Cold. It started raining while we were waiting in line, but didn't know that until we were already going. Oh well. It was fun. I totally understand why it's "The Happiest Place on Earth"! =)

Happy 3rd Anniversary to Us!

One of my friends posted this "survey" on myspace, and I thought it would be kind of fun to fill it out seeing how it's our anniversary and all. And you all thought you knew the hulse family.... ;)

*1-What are your middle names?Michele & Vern *2- How long have you been together?Married 3 years today, known each other about 4 *3-How long did you know each other before you started dating?Can't say we really "dated". But we met the Fall semester of '04 and were engaged June of '05. *4-Who asked who out?First date I asked him. *5-How old are each of you?Both 23 *6-What are your astrological signs?Aries & Cancer *7-How tall are each of you?5'8" & 6'0" -ish *8-Who's mother do/did you see the most?My mommy *9-Who's siblings do/did you see the most?Mine, but talk to his regularly too *10-Do you have any children together? Just our puppies! *11-Do you have any pets?Yup, the big babies *12-If so, what kind?2 dogs *13-What's the hardest on you as a couple?Being so far apart- Deployment stinks! *14-What do you both do for a living?He is a brave Soldier for the US Army; I sell Mary Kay and Substitute Teach at the Elementary School *15-Is that what you went to school for?Ummm, no. But we are both going back to school for Business. *16-Did you go to the same school?Same college- GO BRONCOS! *17-Are you from the same hometown?Same state, but not hometown *18-Do you live in the same town now?Technically, no. *19-Who is the smartest?I say he is. There's nothing he can't do. *20-Who is the most sensitive?We are both pretty sensitive, but probably more so me. *21-Where do/did you eat out most as a couple?Lots of places... one of our favorites is Johnny Carino's though. *22-Where do/did you shop the most as a couple?Right now, the PX. Back in the states, Walmart. *23-Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?Japan *24-Who has the best group of friends?We have a lot of the same friends *25-Who has the craziest exes?Considering I don't have any exes... *26-Who has the worst temper?He does. *27-Who does/did the cooking?Depends on what we're having. He is an amazing cook though. *28-Who is more social?Depends on where we are... Overall, probably me *29-Who is the neat-freak?Me. He can handle the mess a little longer than I can. *30-Who is the most stubborn?That's a hard one. We can both be pretty stubborn. *31-Who hogs/hogged the bed?Let's just say he likes to take his half out of the middle. *32-Who wakes/woke up earlier?Usually him. I'm not a morning person. *33-Where was your first date?The Marching Band Banquet/Award Night *34-Who said I Love You first?I honestly don't remember. I think it might have been me, in more of a jokeing way though... *35-Who has the bigger family?My side. *36-Do/Did you give/get flowers often?He does like sending me flowers, and I like getting them. =) And he gave me permission to buy myself some for our anniversary since he's not here to get them for me. *37-How do/did you spend the holidays?Usually with family. This year is going to be different though due to deployment and living overseas. =( *38-Who is/was more jealous?I am. That's probably not a good thing.. *39-Do/Did you have little pet names for each other?Not really. *40-How long did it take to get serious?That's a funny story... remind me to tell ya sometime... *41-Who eats more?Usually him. *42-Who sings better?I do. He doesn't like to sing. *43-Who's older?I am, by a couple months. *44-Who does/did the laundry?Usually me. *45-Who does/did the dishes?Again, usually me. *46-Who sleeps/slept on the right side of the bed?That would be me again. *47-Who snores?I think we both do, but not as bad as the dogs. *48-Who's better with the computer?Definatly him. I am technologically illiterate. *49-Who drives/drove when you are/were together?Back in the states, he usually drives. In Japan, I drive. *50-Who picks/picked where you go to dinner?He usually makes me decide. *51-Who is the first one to admit when they're wrong?Depends on what we're disagreeing on. *52-Who named your pet?Ben named Smokey, I named Misty *53-Who kissed who first?Our first kiss was when we got engaged, and it was kind of a mutual thing... *54-Who's taller?He is, except maybe when I wear my heels... *55-Who wears/ wore the pants in the relationship?Ummm, never really thought about it. And I'm not gonna put what Ben said. *56-Who has more tattoos?He does. *57-Who eats more sweets?He does- that boy loves his candy! *58-Who cries more?Me, by far! *59-Who has the older car?It's both of ours. *60-Who has bigger dreams?We both have pretty big dreams, heading in the same direction. *61-Are you two still a couple?Seeing how we're celebrating our anniversary today, I'll let you answer that one. ;)

New Calling

I received a new calling today. Well they sustained and set me apart today. I am the new 2nd counselor in the young womens! I'm excited! We've only got 5 young women in the branch (4 of them being seniors in high school so they'll only be with us til probably next summer), but they are a great bunch of girls. Honestly I'm surprised I didn't get this calling sooner, seeing how I went to girls camp and everything with them back in June. I knew it was coming though. I usually have a pretty good idea about a calling before they actually talk to me about it. So I really wasn't surprised when the branch president's counselor asked to talk to me last week. The other two sisters in the yw's presidency are more than excited to have me in there too. They are such neat ladies, and even though we've already been friends for a while, it's going to be great to get to work with them and get to know them better. For the time being, I still have my primary calling too. I know it's like "her husband is gone, let's keep her busy." Seeing how we have a small branch and not many people to go around, it's understandable. So I teach my primary class 2nd hour, then go to young womens 3rd hour. The primary president, who has become one of my really good friends, is sad to lose me but sometimes that's the way it goes. I feel like they needed me in there to help get ready/present the primary program, and now that that is done I'm needed somewhere else. That's just how I feel though. I'm not sure if that's God's reason, but that's what it feels like. As I was being set apart after church, I got the feeling that I'm starting to understand why I'm here, in Japan. I've been struggling with trying to understand why I am in this foreign country so far from my family and friends while my husband is deployed. It's not easy living alone in a strange place, and I've asked on many occasions why didn't Ben deploy from the states where I could still be close to family and somewhere familiar. I think I'm starting to understand though. There's something I was supposed to teach these primary kids (whether I did or not is up for debate, but that's another story). There's something I'm supposed to help these young women with. I was meant to meet these wonderful ladies who have become such great friends and what feels like life savers at times. One of my visiting teachers has become like a second mom to me and some of my really good friends have become like sisters. If I'm having a rough day I know they'll be there to listen and let me cry. I've only been here 7 months and already they have done more for me than they will ever know. Ok so that doesn't exactly explain why I'm alone in Japan, but I think it explains why I'm in Japan. God has a plan for each of us. It may seem crazy and not make a whole lot of sense at times, but He knows what he's doing. All we have to do is put our trust in Him, and we'll get to where we need to be. Doesn't always mean it will be easy, but that is how we learn and grow.

Lost

This is a couple days late, but I had an eye opening experience on Sunday. I didn't come up with it on my own, and actually it was one of the testimonies that was borne in Sacrament Meeting that really got me thinking about it. So I'm heading to church Sunday, only to find that the only way I know is blocked. For those who don't know, I have to drive off base for about 30 minutes (on a good day) to get to church. Up until I got my own car, I would always ride with the Relief Society president, so I only know how to get there one way. Well up until a certain point, and then there are a couple different ways I can go, but that's not the point. Anyway, so I leave the gate and see the road I need to take is blocked off. This puts me into a bit of a panic. I don't know how to get to church without going up this road. I know there is another way, I just don't know where it is. The worst part of this whole mess, I had someone following me to church. So not only was I lost, but I had the family behind me lost too. Well after turning around a few times, and going down a road I was praying would take me where I needed to go, I did find a road I was familiar with. I know none of you have driven in Japan before, but one of the great things about the roads, is they all eventually lead to a main road. Needless to say, we were a little late for church. Not too bad though. We just took the scenic route. =) So here's where the realization comes in... My path to church is like our path back to Heaven. We know one way to go. Granted there are many ways I could get to church, there is one way that I am comfortable with. There is one way to get back to Heaven. Just as my friend showed me the way to church, Christ has shown us the way to eternal life. Sometimes we may get off that path, and end up somewhere unfamiliar. In Japan, that's not hard. And really, it's not that hard to get off the straight and narrow path either. Sometimes we have to stop and turn around. Other times we keep going, and hope it takes us to where we want to be. But we don't have to do it alone. We have our helps along the way. In Japan, I have road maps and friends to call. We have the same spiritually thinking. We have the scriptures and such as our map and we have prayer as our phone call. I guess what I'm trying to say is, sometimes on our path to Eternal Life we get lost and/or sidetracked. But as long as we don't lose sight of what we're going towards, we will get there. It may be a bit of a scenic route, but if all else fails we know that we can turn around there will be people there waiting to help us along the way. It also gives us more of an incentive to do what's right, as we never know who might be following us. So there's my analogy of of the roads in Japan to our spiritual journey. Hopefully it makes sense. =)

Yiruma Videos

Ok, I figured out how to post some videos from YouTube. They are just on my sidebar, but that way you don't have to go searching for them. Now you can all enjoy his music just as much as I do. =)

Twilight & Yiruma

Some of the sisters in my branch have put together a monthly book club. We choose a topic or a book, read it, and then get together and discuss it while eating goodies. It is soooo much fun. I've gone almost every month since we moved here. Anyway, our book for October was the Twilight series. This is the first time that I have read any of them. Oh My Gosh! I am totally in love with these books! I read all 4 books in less than 3 weeks, most of the time just reading in the evenings. Keep in mind the shortest one (the first one) is 498 pages. It took me a little bit to get into the first one, but once I did I couldn't put it down. I was literally up all night reading it. I don't remember the last time I found a book that I wanted to do that with. After finishing the first one, I couldn't wait to read the second. So I went to the PX the next day to get number 2 and they didn't have it. I seriously wanted to cry. So I had to wait an extra day before I could start it. I went down to Yokosuka the following day with a friend and they had it there, so I bought 2 and 4. They didn't have 3 there, but they had it here, so I still got it. I was so excited. I had thought about asking for the other 3 for Christmas, but after reading the first one, I knew I couldn't wait that long to read the rest. And honestly, I'm about ready to go back and read them all again. That's how much I loved them. There aren't many books that I want to do that with. I mean I just finished the last one yesterday, and I'm ready to start all over. I completely understand why people are so in love with these books. They are an easy fun read. I do have to say though, that the last one, Breaking Dawn, is my favorite. It's one of those where you want to just keep turning the pages. It is 756 pages and I read it in about 2 nights. I never read that fast! Ben on the other hand, can read books like nothing else. So I was pretty proud of myself to think that I could read as fast as my husband. =) Anyway... those of you who haven't read these books I highly recommend them. I know some of you have, and I'm sure you would agree with me that they are fantastic. I've only met one person who hasn't liked them. We'll just say we had some interesting discussions at book club...

Now in my quest to find out more about these Twilight books, I stumbled across a musician known as Yiruma. He is an absolutely amazing piano player from South Korea. I'm trying to find a way to post a video or sample of his music, but I can't figure it out at this moment, so I'll have to get back to you on that one. In the meantime though, go to YouTube and search for Yiruma. My two favorite songs are "River Flows In You" and "Kiss the Rain". "River" is one that is considered Bella's Lullaby (those of you who have read the first book know what I'm talking about). It is absolutely gorgeous! I even found some sheet music for these two songs, and some others, and printed them out so I can play them on my flute. I made a copy for my friend too, and she'll accompany me on the piano. No idea who we'll play for, but it's gonna be beautiful anyway. I told Ben I'm going to learn to play the piano just so I can play these songs, and my friend said she'd help me out. =) That's how much I love his music. I downloaded some of his music, but I want to find an actual CD. I think I'm going to have to find a music store out on the economy for that. I've looked online, but they are pretty expensive. But I know his music has been released here in Japan, so I'm hoping it will be cheaper out on the economy. That will just require me to go do some exploring out side the gate. Oh Darn! =) So in short, I love Yiruma's music. It is so peaceful and relaxing, and anything that can get me to relax as much as this does, is something pretty special. Just ask Ben. It can take a lot to get me to relax when I'm really stressed out, but this seems to do the trick. It just makes everything alright, even if just for a short moment.