February

February has been AMAZING. I have loved this month, the month of love. Highlights include:

• Dressing up as Martha Washington for my Branch President's book club party. I was, of course, accompanied by the handsome George Washington - a guy named Dave from my branch. The book club had been reading 1776 by David McCullough. We made a grand entrance, were applauded profusely, taken pictures of, etc. It was a rare experience (and slightly embarassing)! In the post below, I discuss my hair a bit...I forgot my camera at the actual event (I know! Ridiculous!), so I don't have any pictures of what Dave and I looked like in full costume! We were in late 18th Century apparrel, which was rented from Seams Like Olde Times in Denver. So, I was lucky enough to have a huge hoop skirt and Dave had on knickers and buckle shoes. After the party, we showed off our duds at a local mall. We looked simply smashing!
• As a thank you gift, Dave and I were given a $100 gift certificate to Del Fresco's, a yummy, swanky restaurant in Denver. WOW! Another rare experience! It was great!
• I have received two new callings at Church, one of which is a Branch Missionary. It has been a really great experience for me. I have enjoyed being the Branch Mission Committee's secretary (e.g. slave to the task master [aka Branch Mission Leader] ;). I am also Visiting Teaching Coordinator and a Relief Society teacher. Serving in these capacities has been very fulfilling and rewarding.
• Ummm...right now it is sunny outside and that makes me happy!
• On the career front, I'm thinking of pursuing Speech Language Pathology...I'm finding out more about the profession now...it seems very cool.
• I received prayer flags in the mail with a letter from the Dalai Lama himself! :) I love Tibetian prayer flags and the meaning behind them. They believe that the prayers written upon them will ascend to heaven when the wind blows. The monks are seeking religious freedom from the Chinese.
• I have also been enjoying yoga classes one block from my home!
• I think that's it! February has been a GREAT month.

Hair

This was a practice go at my Martha Washington hair-do a few days before the actual event. I consulted the fantastic www to get an idea of how women did their hair in the late 18th century. Middle-aged women would wear those white lace kerchiefs over their hair. For the real deal, my hair was even poofier up top. I ended up NOT wearing the white lace kerchief (Martha would have been most disturbed!) - Dave encouraged me to show off my hair instead!

A Reflection on January

January flew past so quickly
I am still looking for its remnants...
But I'm not complaining,
Sadness I would be feigning,
because the passing of each winter day is
one day closer to summer's ray!
...and a trip to London in March!

I've only taken a handful of pictures over the past few months, but I wanted to blog something to let all know what's been up!