i made the jump

I made the jump. Yes, I made the jump from the YSA crowd to the Mid-singles crowd. (They actually like to drop the ‘mid’ part but for clarification purposes they use it.) This leap actually occurred back in May but I have failed make record of it here. Not because I was embarrassed or anything. I just haven’t gotten around to it. The transition actually was not as horrific as I feared. It was actually somewhat refreshing. Yes, I am now going to that huge mid-singles ward that you have heard all about. And, yes, everything you’ve heard about it is true. It is huge. There is no parking. It has its characters. The gal to guy ratio is about 2.36 to 1. But it is also a lot of fun and there are a lot of fantastic people. In fact, they define “thirty, flirty, and thriving.”  Making it a really great crowd to be a part of. I was fortunate to have a friend with a good attitude help me make the jump and I have decided to see the positive, keep that good attitude, and smile at the little trivial awkwardness that might exist.

Something that I did find interesting in my first few weeks is that I kept hearing people say that it is so hard to meet people here. And to that I looked around and thought, “Are you kidding me? With all these people here you think it is hard to meet people?” Yes, unbelievable. However, what I have come to find is that it is not the meeting part that is hard.  It is the building relationships with the people that is hard. Case and point: You meet someone. You have a great conversation and you start to feel like you are really getting to know him or her and he or she is a person with who you would like to develop a friendship with or maybe something more. However, following this great encounter, the weeks may go by and you mayor may not see that person again for several weeks. And by the time you do see them,you have probably forgotten their name or that you already met them. Thus the problem. Getting lost in the masses. But it is not without a solution. It just takes special skills and effort. Effort to remember peoples’ names. Effort to build relationships. Effort to get pass the initial chit chat. And like my stake president said, “Brethren, if you interested, man up and get her number the first time you meet.” So this is my life now. And I am alright with it. If you are going to be there, it is a good place to be.

Bem Vindo a Macao

Just a ferry ride away from Hong Kong is Macao or Macau. Another stamp in my passport and finally a place where I could read the street signs.  Macao was once a Portuguese colony making the second official language Portuguese.

Macau felt like a little Europe in the middle of Asia.

My language skills in Portuguese only helped me out so much in Macau. I could read all the street signs, however I didn’t meet anyone who actually spoke it.  Apparently only government officials are required to learn it.

Other Macau facts:

Macau is home of the Macau Grand Prix

Gambling revenue has made Macau the world's top casino market, surpassing Las Vegas.

Rise and shout

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Fall. Yummy food. Cooler weather. Beautiful colors. And, of course, football. I've been looking forward to it since the bowl game last year. I have been especially looking forward to the BYU vs USU game. I was not disappointed. It was a good game.

Look what I found…

…in Hong Kong. I walked around the corner and ….ta da!!!! Beautiful and amazing. Inside and out.

Countries I've Visited

1. United States
2. England
3. Scotland
4. Ireland
5. Belgium
6. France
7. Brazil
8. Mexico
9. Egypt
10. Jordan
11. Israel
12. Peru
13. Belize
14. Hondorus
15. China
16. Hong Kong
17. Canada

Land of 10,000 Buddhas

Actually it’s a Monastery in Hong Kong. And there are actually over 12,000 if you count the travel size ones inside the monastery. But you’ll have to take my word about that. No pictures inside. And I guess I didn’t count every single Buddha on the 431 step hike up. But there were a lot. Each with an individual expression.

Yep. It’s up there. And there isn’t a lift.

Creamy Tortellini Tomato Soup

This is an ultimate comfort food that would be great on “one of those days.” It is a lot easier than it looks and it impresses. I used this recipe from Taste of Home as a basic guide. But I ad lib measurements and spices a bit.

Ingredients

• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each)  condensed tomato soup, undiluted
• 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• 1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• One can of sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil (I used fresh. yum)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Additional shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

• Cook tortellini according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the soup, broth, milk, cream, tomatoes and seasonings. Heat through, stirring frequently. Drain tortellini; carefully add to soup. Stir in cheese. Sprinkle each serving with additional cheese if desired. Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).