Flakes Around the World

David didn't get the job. We have mixed feelings on it. I'm sort of relieved, but it would have been fun to have a change. We had a WONDERFUL time with Oliver and AMber and kids. JaL

This is Allyson, it is fun being here with JaLayne, I am missing my fiance though. I got my bag back thankfully. I will be back in Utah on the 5th of September.

Howdy all. We are having a party here in Weekely. It is the collest little town.

Moema, they have a huge cricket field and batting cages right behind their house her in England. Likon and I were out there bowling with this 90 year old former cricket player. I bowled a great one which knocked over the wicket but the old man accused me of chucking. I was mad! When you come over here you got to show likon how to do it. Belvie it or not, their local team that plays in this field is just one down from the top division in English cricket.

Amber- I like your house- it looks very nice. What is the back yard like? And how many servants can you have??

Allyson- we are not having much luck with baggage. At least my bag was delivered by some pakistani guy at 3:00 a.m. He drove all the way from London and called about 5 times, and after the 4th call and a 45 minute wait likon finnaly got out of bed to answer the phone and tell the guy where our house is. Any luck on your stuff?

Allyson, the peanut butter kit kats are the greatest candy bar in history. I cannot believe how good they are, I am going to smuggle home about 2 dozen.

Levin

I am starting to realize that this moving to India thing is an actual event that will happen in just a few days, and not another planned trip that never happens. I am excited, but a little anxious. I absolutely know, however, that everything will be fine, especially after a few weeks.

I just got an email telling us that we will be able to get into our house right away, but that it won't have anything in it but the bare necessities (no tables, couches, chairs, rugs, etc.) for awhile. We have 12 pieces of luggage, and I think we are about as ready as we could be.

The kids are having such a good time at Taylor and Shelley's, that I think they have forgotten all about India for the most part. They will start school the Tuesday after we get there..... everyone pray that they will be okay in their new HUGE school. They (especially McKay) are so used to the tiny little Baptist school where everyone was so sweet to them; I just hope McKay doesn't start getting teased for his speech problems.

I am giving a couple of links for anyone who is interested in seeing our house and the church building that we will meet in. The first one is for the church website in India. It talks about the history of the church in India, and if you go to the meetinghouse locater, then New Delhi, then Visanth Vihar, you can see our building. It is the rented two levels of a four story apartment building.
http://www.lds.org.in/

The next two links should take you to the Yahoo albums of our home. These are really only for Lincoln and Levin, since everyone but JaLayne has already seen them... JaLayne, wait for me to get there, so I can show them to you.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mahaynalini/album?.dir=/4cabscd&.src=ph&.tok=phX5ePFBl2uo7QT3

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mahaynalini/album?.dir=/a913scd&.src=ph&.tok=phH6ePFBxjtEw228

Anyway... we will post more when we have arrived.

Amber

P.S. Levin, I saw the pope movie you are talking about, and I agree, it was really really interesting and surprisingly uplifting. We Evelyn last night and thought it was great.

As I look at these pictures and reflect on Dad and my experience with Oliver and Amber and family, I ajm overcome with gratitude for the children and grandchildren we have been blessed with. Yes, everyone is in some sort of transition except Lincoln. Is that a switch? It will be interesting to see where God sends you all. All we can do is pray for your safety as you travel to such amazing places. India? Now that is one place I never thought I would have a child live. We had suich a wonderful time with Oliver and Amber. I miss those kids. Life seems so empty around here. It took Dad and I about 4 hours to wish they were back. (All we needed was nap).

Welcome to the Blog, Moema. Thank you for showing Allyson such a great time. Your parents have truly been generous to take such good care of her. I am sorry she has had such trouble with her luggage.

hey levin nice trash talk i hope that you wont be too upset when i hit you for a touch down in your face while sinking a three pointer down left field from the end zone.careful i am on my way sorry about the cricket stuff i will bring some with me i am sending you a really cool shirt i hope that you like it moema

 

Layne's first day of Kindergarten


Baby Evan























Lucinda's 2nd Birthday 

Everyone,

Likon recommended a movie that I watched last night and is very very good. It is about the Pope and called Karol: the man who became pope. Anyho, I bought it (it is only 10$ with free shipping) and am sending it to Mom and Dad who can then forward it to everyone else in the Family - you will all enjoy it.

Allyson, I need your flight information! Also, can you type 80 words per minute for this job? Also I need your phone number. Finnaly, thanks for buying me that cricket stuff. Did you get wickets as well. Tell Moema I have heard his trash talking and he is in for a rude awakeing when I spin bowl him and get 5 wicket bails in less than 3 overs before tea during our test match in the Ashes.

Levin

Why don't you just wrap Ethan up for a to go order, what is that butcher paper you have him on?

Well it’s a wonderful Sunday afternoon here in England and church, dinner and naps have been had already. I am afraid that since I left Kiev the blog has really been neglected. But now that some semblance of normalcy has returned to my life I can re-energize it. No worries, I won’t return to spuying my controversial ideas for all to mock. Life has started to settle down for us and we have begun to realize what an amazing situation we have. We are living way above my meager income and are already afraid of leaving here. Preston and Ethan are happy and enjoy their daily walks around the Estate grounds. It is truly amazing how every family with the exception of Taylor and Shelley are in commotion and transition. Oliver to India, Jalyane to Sacramento, Levin to Nepal or wherever, Lucinda to Arizona, Siobhan and I finishing our move and Allyson with here impeding marriage. Everyone is heading overseas. Just remember you can’t go to India or South Africa without flying thru London.

Siobhan and I are excited for this fall’s visitors: Levin this week, Justin in November for two weeks, in Vienna for thanksgiving and Scotland for Christmas, Meomo for a week also in December.

It is Wednesday night and we just got home from Lawrence and Elaine's home where everyone had a great time. Lawrence had his first radiation today and it went well. I finally saw the house - Lincoln and Siobhan. It is awesome. And the two beautiful people in front of it was wonderful. JaLayne youre pictures were great but none of the writing came through. It was all a jumble. I so hope you are feeling better. I wish I could hold my little Evan and Ethan. What a joy to get acquainted with those two little guys. We are having a great time here. Lucinda and Justin were here on Sunday and Monday. Dad went to bed the the five adults stayed up until midnight every night talking. It was family at its best! Lucinda and Justin are in their new home in Arizona. Levin, I think the Philippines is as good a place as any. There aren't many Muslims there. Love Mom

Well I leave in two days for Johannesburg. It has been a good expereince here in East London but I am ready to move on. I don't know how I am going to handle leaving Moema but I guess I will survive. We are both dreading it. I am looking forward to seeing so many of my siblings. EVeryone but Lucinda and Lincoln I guess. It is going to be a party. Yesterday I went in the shanty town looking for orphans to interview in the mud up to my knees it was fun and I thought, that is the last time I am going to be having that type of an adventure probably in the rest of my life. One of the kids we were looking for had died of AIDS. Anyway, it was interesting, I wish I had a video camera sometimes to capture my life. If anyone wants anything from South africa just call and let me know. After Friday call me on Moema's landline as it is cheaper and a much better connection. Levin, don't forget to pick me up from Dullis thanks.

ally

Levin sent us this to put on the blog... so here it goes...
Amber 

Well, I think I have narrowed my choices down to the following 3

1. Pretoria, South Africa
2. Manila, Phillipines
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some may say my number 2 is an odd chocie but there are a number of factors in its favour. Including, its a new part of the world I have never been with trips possible througout SE Asia (i.e. Oliver and family and I can meet up on weekends in Rangoon, Bangkok ect), it is fairly safe and people like Americans, work attire is not shirt and tie but just those nice Phillipino untucked white shirts, Temple is nearby and church is very strong, I know the boss and she is a nice lady, it probably wont be bid on much by other people so I could get it, the guy who hired me into FAS is also in Manila an really wants me to come and will put in a good word for me, it is cheap and I could save tens of thousands of dollars every year, and other reasons.

NEW DELHI (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi warned Friday that foreign militants, possibly al-Qaeda members, may be planning to carry out bombings in India's two major cities in the coming days.
In an e-mail sent to American citizens living in India, the embassy said New Delhi, the capital, and Bombay, the country's financial and entertainment hub, were the likely targets, and the attacks were believed to be planned for either before or on India's Independence Day, August 15.
The embassy confirmed that it had sent the e-mail, although Indian officials refused to comment on the warning.
Word of the alleged plot came a day after British police said they had thwarted a terrorist plan, possibly just days away, to blow up U.S.-bound jetliners over the Atlantic. Investigators described a plan on the scale of 9/11 that would use common electronic devices to detonate liquid explosives to bring down as many as 10 planes.
The U.S. Embassy's warning for India said the "likely targets include major airports, key central Indian government offices, and major gathering places such as hotels and markets."
It urged American citizens to maintain a low profile and be especially alert and attentive to their surroundings between Aug. 11 and Aug. 16

Aug 25 (Friday)

• 6:00 pm Allyson arrives via plane
• 8:00 pm Oliver Amber and Kids arrive via car from Chicago
• BBQ sanstiches and Ice Cream Sundays
• Visiting / Rook / Foosebal Tourney/ Jumping on Tramp / Debate on Wordliness after touring our home

Aug 26 (Saturday)

• Early Morning Tennis
• Pancake Breakfast
• Women go out for lunch
• Men and boys back yard football / soccor
• Back yard cookout for dinner
• Kids Evning activities, depending on wheather opions include (local Drive-in / kids sleep on tramp / video night etc)

Aug 27 (Sunday)

• Relaxed morning-- Church does not start until 1:00
• Church (adults skip Sunday School)
• Roast Beef Dinner and Dads Bisquets
• Shelley watch kids while Adults go on Sunday Drive (Tour Taylor's Office / Drive by Temple etc.)
• Ambers Cookies

Aug 28 (Monday)

• Early morning Tennis
• Picnic Lunch to local Park
• Activities at Park (swimming in the lake/ playground/frizbee golf / football
• Adult's night out ( Dinner & movie )

Aug 29 (Tueday)

• Oliver and Amber Depart (Allyson goes with them if there is room- otherwise she stays for more partying)
• Taylor has morning temple assingment in Temple -- Stake Temple Day

It should be tons of fun. I already have asked for Monday off. We could also invite Troy to come up from Ann Arbor if we want -- I am not sure if Jordon will be back by then.

mom, i can't get my yahoo to work from this computer. how is teh visa coming? Please call them and see what is up and then call me. I would love to hear from any of you...feel free to call.

allyson

Obviously Pretoria is #1 because of your family connections, it is a first world country but you will get to work in third world african countries, pretoria is notoriously safe, there are potential girls to marrry (white and not to foreign which I know you like), it is english but you can also learn some portuegese, good prep for other assignments, moema and I will live with you in the summers as he promised his mom we would go back once a year, great for your carrer.

#2 Buenos Aires - cause Argentina is cool and not as third world as columbia

#3 Bogata
#4Ankara
#5 Guatamala city

The rest are lame but better than the other options. lets pray you get pretoria!

Dear Family,
I am stoked about the foreign Service. I should have to decide on my postings in just a few months so I need advice. Here are the ones that will/could be open. The ones with a # mean its a hard lanaguage post and I would go in 2 years - the others in 1 year. The + means the person there could extend and so it is not yet for certain this post will be open. Please if you get a chance could you rank the top 5 for me with rational (as well as the bottom couple) and bloggy. THANKS!!!

Ankara # +
Beijing #
Bogotá
Buenos Aires
Cairo #
Guatemala City
Lagos
Manila
Moscow # +
Pretoria
Taipei # +
Tokyo # +
Hong Kong

 

 

I am back in East London, unfort. I am glad you liked the photo. We wil take more when I see him again. but that may not be until the 20th. I do have temple clothes but they are at mom and dad's. I would love to go to the temple though. anyone want anything from africa. I can get cute skirts here. not wierd african ones but normal jean skirts that I think all the girls would really like. Let me know your sizes. thanks again Levin for your generosity in sponsering my trip to see MOema! YOu are awesome.
Allyson

I alays wax philosophical just before I go on a trip - in case I don't come back although Dad says he is more l;ikely to get killed driving to work - but still - I quess I have always had a small fear of flying. I am off to JaLayne's in the morning. I will sure be glad when she has safely had her baby. She held out so I could be there. (Or should I say HE held out). I am so blessed - we all are. With the terror going on in the world, we must never take for granted our blessings. I am one happy mother. Allyson, I called the visa place - they say to call them if you haven't received a receipt in the mail within 4 weeks of your mailing it so we still have another 10 days. I love you all, Mom

Allyson and Moema,

Please oh please let the picture of you in the traditional garb be the one for your announcment. We love the pictures keep them comming. I can't wait to meet Moema can you bring him with you when you come to big D. Any news on the visa -- our vote would be for D.C. We have our stake Temple day on the 29th of Aug when you are here. I am signing you up for a few sessions. Do you have temple clothes -- you need them because it is a mini. Congratualtions again -- we are very happy for you.

Taylor

The elephants we saw on our safari at Addo Eleaphant park near Port Elizabeht, Moema, and Moema and I in our Sothou traditional wear, what freaks we are.