INDIA POST #1

Hello! I am currently in West Marredpally, Secunderabad, India. And it is amazing.
Here are my adventures so far:
Day 1. The Mango.
I got to India around 3 A.M. a week ago. I slept a little, and then for breakfast, I decided to have a fresh mango. I have never had one before, and it was delicious and juicy. HOWEVER, about a half hour after eating it, my lips felt like they were swollen, I was really itchy, and I threw up. And then I felt like I couldn't breath. My first rick-shaw ride was to the Lions-Patny Hospital down the street where I spent my day. I got released at 6, after having an IV in my hand all day. (Luckily my country director Modesta took amazing care of me all day, being able to speak in the local language Telegu to all my health care providers.) Once home, all I wanted to do was shower. The water was out though, as well as the power. I just sat in the bathroom and cried, wondering what the heck I was doing in India. It was the most awful day. BUT then the water turned on, and even though I showered in the dark, it was glorious.
India got so much better.
Day 2. The Slums.
I was really introduced to the transportation here on Friday. First a rick-shaw. When you call a rick-shaw, you haggle the price with them for a while. Basically, they see that you're white and try to charge you double. So, you cut any price they say in half, maybe even a hundred rupees off of that, and you just offer it. Sometimes they realized you know what's going on, and sometimes they just drive off, almost running over your feet. Once getting a rick you try to fit as many people as you can in it. That day we fit 10 people. Technically, it was 9, including the driver, but a random local jumped on while we were driving. THEN the bus. We caught a bad day/time because it was really hot and I was squished up against a ton of women in sarees. One woman gave us all flowers, and a crazy old guy wouldn't stop talking to us in Telegu. Once we were at the slums, my mind was blown. The conditions people live in are indescribable. It is so hard. They live in a shack made of sticks and a tarp. Or a cement bunker looking thing. We had our first meeting for a girl's group a girl on our team created. It's a group of teenagers, and they were very shy. But BEAUTIFUL. These people are absolutely gorgeous.
Day 3. Sight-seeing.
Golconda Fort was built in the 14th century, and there are no rules about where you can or can't climb. So we were climbing all over the place. It was awesome. We also went to some Tombs of some kings. They were like mini Taj Mahals. Amazing. I think the most hilarious part of the day is the number of times we were stopped as a group and asked if they could take a picture of US. We are like celebrities here. I don't think people see white people very often. Especially me and a couple other girls with our lighter hair, we are novelties. THEN on request of many of the seasoned members of the team we ate at Papa Johns for dinner. BUT I did have a Tandoori Chicken Pizza. India pizza. It was awesome.
Day 4. Church and Monsoon.
So they have a pretty sizable ward here. They just created the Hyderabad Stake, and we literally live down the street from the Stake Center. It is an awesome building. I walked into the chapel and immediately was asked to play the piano for them. It was great. Relief Society was interesting since the teacher would say something in English and then translate it into Telegu right then. On the way home from church, we discovered that Monsoon season had started. Which was rather gross as we trekked the lakes of who knows what in the streets. LUCKILY, showers are a daily thing here, which I am so grateful for! It really made me realize how wonderful cleaning someone's feet during Christ's time
Day 5. Training Day.
We had training at home most of the day for all 6 of the new people. We had lunch at a place called Om Shanti, and I had some amazing Paneer Tikka Masala and Naan.
Day 6. LEPRA and SAPID.
We met with two of our partners and ate at Om Shanti again. Then Girl's Group again. Wonderful.
Day 7. CARPED and MV.
We met with another two of our partners and ate at a place called Paradise for lunch. They're famous for their Chicken Briyani, and they put WAY too much on my plate.
Day 8. Today!
It's all about project planning today. I am working on a plan to teach piano to some members of the Church here. Lots of details to figure out, but I'm really excited. I'm going to Girl's Group later. I love it!

India is a place everyone should experience. There are so many hard things. Yesterday a beggar was pulling on my arm while I was inside a taxi. So many rancid smells. There are piles and piles of garbage everywhere. So many crazy sounds and sights and tastes. It's humid. It's a small space to live in. But it is wonderful. All the children say hello to us. All the women wear gorgeous sarees every day. There are so many extremes. Such poverty, but such beauty. Such horrible smells, but such wonderful smelling food. Such annoying honking, but such a beautiful language. Such scary looking beggars, but such kind smiles and pleading eyes.

This place is incredible.

I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

Wow. Hello there. Remember me?
Have you heard this song? It's amazing. Seriously.

Here is a list of  TEN things I will never give up on:

1. My testimony. I know what I know and like Joseph Smith, I can never deny anything. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I am His daughter. And His son Jesus Christ atoned for me. He feels everything that I feel. I am saved through him. And because of His resurrection, I can be with my wonderful family for all time and eternity, which is such a comfort as grandparents and an uncle have passed away. I know that Joseph Smith restored this gospel. I know that we have living prophets on the earth today. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The temple brings me so much peace. Everything about the gospel makes me happy. I will never give up on my testimony.

2. My family. They are my best friends. My Dad is one of the hardest-working, wisest, and funniest guys I know. My mom is so sweet, always seeking out how to help others and taking such good care of our family. My brother Seth has the best laugh I've ever heard. He's strong, smart, and he's going to do amazing things with his life. And he's going to be an awesome missionary in less than a year. Rebekah is gorgeous, so smart, so talented. She is so fun. Luke is also smart, funny, and so fun to be around. I love my family with every fiber of my being. I will never give up on my family.

3. My goal to teach violin. It's been the only thing I've had my heart set on for as long as I can remember. (Okay, so 1st grade, but still. It's been a long time.) I am adoring my music program at UVU. So, my current major is Music Education. This implies that I will teach music (namely, orchestra) in the schools. Recently, I have decided to declare a double major, adding a Violin Performace degree to Music Education. This is exciting since the performance program will be new this next fall. And I get to be one of the pioneers to help start it. I am so blessed to be down here, doing things that I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. I definitely would not have at many other schools. I am preparing myself by teaching private lessons right now. I've got my 9 students, and we're having a Spring Recital on Thursday. It's going to be excellent. Music is so healing to me. It calms my troubled heart . . . not that my heart is often troubled. But in all the busy-ness around me, I just have to sit down at orchestra, or play through any piece, and I feel at peace with the world. And my greatest goal is to help my current and future students realize this. It's so hard to explain! But I will teach orchestra, private lessons, my children. I love it. I love it. I love it. I will never give up on my goal to teach violin.

4. My love of simple pleasures. Like ice-cream (had some today. With blackberries and caramel in it.) Putting my feet in a pool (did that today. It was incredible.) Watching a chick flick. Swinging on a swingset. Staring at a fire. Reading a novel (finished Jane Eyre today. Amazing!) Singing loudly to songs in the car. Eating with chopsticks. Wearing bright colors. Playing a hymn on the piano. Looking at old pictures. Going on walks. Riding horses with my Dad. Going to lunch with my mom. Going grocery shopping with my roomates. Going to the temple. Praying. So many things in your everyday lives that aren't significant. Many little things that happen every day are such tender mercies. They are so important to notice. I'm so grateful for every little thing that happens in my life. I will never give up my love of the simple pleasures and noticing the tender mercies in my life.

5. Learning from my mistakes. Like making sure I don't lock my keys in the car, again (did that for the third time in the past year a couple weeks ago.) And so many others. I will never give up on learning from my mistakes.

6. All the wonderful people around me. I've been blessed with wonderful roomates, visiting teachers, home teachers, people in my classes, people in my ward, students I teach, boys I've been on dates with, professors, institute teachers, bishops, extended family, best friends. I need to be better aware of the needs they have. To not be a taker, more of a giver. I will never give up on all the wonderful people around me.

7. My health. In the past, I've been very caught up in body image. I've made unhealthy choices, and not your typical eating junk food choices. More like not eating enough. Not exercising. Stuff like that. I still have a lot of improvement to make. I will never give up on my health.

8. My love of learning. I am in love with the classroom setting. Last summer I took Hunter's Safety. Half because I wanted to, and half because I wanted to be in a classroom again. It makes me so happy to sit in a lecture and soak in some knowledge. I love expanding my mind! I will never give up on my love of learning.

9. Dressing well. I know it sounds funny, but it has been ingrained in my mind to get ready every day. To be clean, well groomed. I guess I follow my mom's example: no matter how late into the day it is, there's still time to get clean and looke presentable. I've learned that Indian women (who I will meet soon) braid their hair and put on their best sarees, even in their extreme poverty. It really says a lot about a person with their willingness to do that. I will never give up on looking classy.

10. My desire for adventure. I like to try new things. I love it, in fact. Weird food. I'll try it. Repelling off the third floor of our apartment building, I'll do it twice. Going camping in January, check. Going to India. . . almost! 22 days left. I want to travel. I want to try new things, as long as I'm able. I will never give up on my desire for adventure.

"I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough."

Each Life That Touches Ours For Good

So I don't have pictures of all of them, but I LOVE all the friends I've made this year. (I even have friends that are boys, even though the pictures don't show.) Life is good. I feel loved! And I love the people I live with and go to church with and go to school with. They all do so much for me, I love the hellos and the smiles I get. I am so grateful to have them in my life!

I am also amazed at how the Gospel can be my friend too. I know that Heavenly Father and Christ are my best friends. And my family of course.

And school is my friend! I love it with all my heart! And my violin, we are best best friends. Seriously.

People are amazing.

Fine By Me by Andy Grammer

I'm just saying,

it's fine by me

If you never leave

And we can live like this

forever

It's fine by me.

Seriously. I am so blessed every day. I never want my blessings to leave!

Let's make a list:

1. I get to be a music major. Every day. I am absolutely in love with every single one of my classes.

2. I get to live with fantastic roomates. They inspire me! They make me want to be better. They make it so easy to make good choices. They are wonderful.

3. I have been to the temple every week so far this semester. It is magical and addicting! I had no idea. At the beginning of the year I made a goal to go to the temple once a month . . . but I'm pretty sure this is getting revised NOW. I'm going once a week!

4. My car works. The heater in it works. So wonderful.

5. I get to teach NINE violin students. I am so grateful I have a job I adore!

6. I get to make healthy meals for myself every day. And occasionally, Ellie gets me to excercise.

7. VIOLIN. I call my violin my boyfriend. I am loving all the pieces I'm playing right now. Another de Beriot piece (so romantic!), and symphony and chamber orchestra pieces. I moved up to 3rd chair in chamber and 4th in Symphony.

8. I didn't completely fail when I accompanied the ward choir last Sunday! Actually, I did AWESOME. So, there was probably a lot of divine intervention. But it went absolutely great.

9. I'm taking ballet again. And that's all I have to say about that.

10. Our internet, shower, lights, and heater are all working in the apartment.

So, fine. My life isn't perfect. I haven't been on a date since November. It makes me so frustrated. Music theory is going to be hecka hard. And it's only the first month. I feel perpetually poor. And I keep having to fill my car up with gas.

But I like dwelling on the blessings better.

They're fine by me.

Your Song by Ellie Goulding

I hope you don't mind,

I hope you don't mind

That I put down in words

How wonderful life is now you're in the world

We Wish You a Merry Christmas . . . French Horn Style

So it's been a while.

But as you can see, I am PRO at the horn.

And that is all.

Happy Christmas!

Holy goodness.

So it's been a while.

Life is great.

Let's see . . . recap on the semester (I know there's still a week left . . . but still)

#1. I am IN LOVE with UVU. No joke.

#2. I performed in Carmina Burana. And it was fantastic! So fun to play. Two of the three performances, I got to sit in 3rd chair in the 1st violins.

#3. I have the greatest roomates! I am so grateful to be living with such sweet girls! They make it easy for me to make good choices (not that I wouldn't otherwise).

#4. I learned the french horn! And I got a guitar for my birthday!

#5. I've been on dates! It is fantastic! There are a LOT of cute boys around.

#6. I'M GOING TO INDIA NEXT SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going with HELP International, a humanitarian organization. I leave June 14th. It is going to be AWESOME!. I'm so excited.

#7. I shot a pheasant last week.

#8. My roomates gave me a surprise party for my birthday. I know that was a while ago, but it was still excellent.

#9. I have LOVED teaching 8 violin students! We have a Christmas recital next week. It's going to be awesome!

#10. I love my ward with all my heart. I meet amazing people all the time. I am so blessed to live in this wonderful place.

#11. Aprendiendo espanol.

#12. I discovered that pepper jack grilled cheese sandwiches with avacados on the top are like heaven.

#13. It's a lot warmer in Provo than it is in Logan.

#14. I have the most incredible violin teacher. And I hate to brag, but I am AWESOME at my concerto! (No. 9 in A Minor by de Beriot).

#15. I get to attempt to play a really awful piano every week since I'm the ward choir pianist.

#16. Our FHE brothers adopted us to their apartment. I'm the fairy godmother. We watch Disney movies every Sunday night. And Christian got me a berry smoothie from Costco once. I told him my heart is his. That is all it takes. I'm serious. Haha.

#17. There are a lot of guys in the ward that I've gone shooting with. It is most excellent.

#18. Most likely, A- is the lowest grade I will get this semester. OH HECK. It is awesome.

#19. This is the first boring Friday I've had in a long time.