Let's go surfing

Please use the following song as the soundtrack for your post reading experience

We spent Kiera's Sweet 16 in Maui and she decided that she wanted to spend the day taking surf lessons. We had a blast, and she kicked my trash. Oh how I wish I was a decent surfer, then I could finally hang out with the cool kids at school ;) We both had some pretty good rides and a sweet instructor. I expect I will find myself on a board more frequently now once I get back to the island, as long as the people I go with are patient and promise not to laugh at my mad skills.

This is our instructor, Brennan. You don't have to say it, we know. It was his birthday too. Awww

I find this candid moment caught on film amusing

We chatted with Armadillo, apparently, the dude from Tarzan.

Get your game face on

We both got up (more than once, thank you) and my dad managed to get some proof.

Check out some of Kiera's moves. It's pretty entertaining:

K, now I miss Hawaii

Pomp and Circumstance

Hehe! I did it! Well . . . almost. I have a few loose ends to tie up after I finish up out here in D.C. but pretty much, I graduated. And the familia (well, some of them anyway) had a good excuse to take a vacay to my island home. It was quite enjoyable indeed. Of course, I must post pictures of me with leis up to my eyeballs with some of my favorite people so that you can indeed believe that it happened. Bear with me here as I post a bajillion photos of me wearing mane of delicious scents:

I felt like Mufasa. And I really wish I had fixed my hat/hair before I took a plethora of pictures. But alas . . . I am mess. How approporiate.

That is me shaking the hand of Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve. He gave an awesome commence speech. To read more about it click here

Again, I am a hot mess. Pretty accurate to how I live my life. My shoe was falling apart during the entire ceremony and it was pretty distracting trying not to trip with this malfunction in addition to my regular clumsiness. I have since bought myself a new pair of shoes (first time in over a year think I). Too bad, they were cute shoes.

The family. Mom had her eyes closed in all of the pictures. It was a bright day. Her eyes are green, so you can imagine them open.

Me and my darling sister Kiera. She's just all around lovely, yes?

Dr. Ka'ili's robes are always my favorite; and he's a favorite too

Oh Irene. How I love thee

Me with Mariah, my partner in crime.

Olena came all they way back to the island just to see me graduate!!! Okay, well that maybe only part of the story, but there is truth to that statement. She's pretty awesome.

The charming Olsens

Old roomies: Amanda and Ricarda

And of course, Miss Rachael. Pretty much the best roommate of all time

And the day ended with the night show at PCC.

A joyous occasion.

Declaration of Independence

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the comfort bands that have connected the with childhood, it is required that one take a leap and fly all on their lonesome out to the legendary land of big, pretty, white, steepled buildings reflected in bodies of water and do a grown up job without being paid. While it is self-evident that not all internships are created equal, it can only be hoped and not guaranteed that life, liberty and the pursued happiness will result . . .

So here's the gist: I have now officially accepted my offer to intern at the LDS Office of Public and International Affairs in Washington D.C. Yay! I'm pretty excited about the opportunity and will beginning temporary adulthood for 3 months in approximately T-minus 20 days. Here goes nothing!

P.S. please note that I have now posted 2 days in a row on this thing. Gold Star for me :)

From this place . . .

I am now and official builder of Peace!!! (Assuming I pass my last 2 classes this week) Of all the educational experiences I have ever had, this one really has truly been life changing. I'm not even going to attempt to put into words how much I have learned and loved this program. It's just not possible. Just think of the most wonderful adjective you can think of and then multiply it by one thousand and that's how I feel about the IPB program. I'm really sad that I'm done, but proud that I did. It was one of the hardest things, I've ever done, but one of the most rewarding. Last night I received my official "Intercultural Peacebuilding Certificate" at our banquet and was one again impressed by the amazing people I have been in the presence of here at school. I am so blessed.
Dr. Ford is one of my heroes. I hope that I am able to accomplish half of the amazing things that he has someday. He's a truly inspiring man and an a great professor. Thanks for being awesome Chad!!
My "acceptance speech" where I'm sure I said nothing of value. But I don't remember.

I'm sure one day I will show this picture to my kids and they will so "Woah, you knew them before they changed the world!?" And I will proudly say, "Heck yeah. Awesome, right!"

Super Nanny to the Rescue!!!

A lucky few of you have had the pleasure of seeing me practicing my mommy skills around campus. Yes, that was me with a 8 month old baby strapped to my front pushing around two year old twins juggling bottles, pretzels and toys. It's how I pay the bills. Call me crazy, but these kids are just too dang cute. Check out the faces I have spent my semester with:

Jasmine

Yes, this is her smiling for the camera. She is so funny. Her favorite things to do are dance to Springsteen and the Beatles, eat Popsicles (which she call "copples") and say "NO WAY!" to everything she doesn't like.

Jack-Jack

Another classic face. He is likewise hilarious. His favorite things are choo-choos, sitting on the baby, and putting ketchup in his sister's hair. (He thinks that his sister is also named Jack-Jack, which is pretty funny).

Kade

Kade is affectionately known by me as Kade-er-ade; by the twins as "Baby Baby". They think that Justin Bieber's song is about him and it is also a dance party favorite. Kade enjoys giggling, attempting to crawling up on dangerous furniture when you turn around and peeing in the middle of diaper changes.

So yes, basically my job is crazy, but it's a blast and a half. Sadly, the Frank family is moving back to the mainland next week :( Hopefully the don't become strangers. I'll miss them for sure.

Snooki does Shakespeare

For those of you who missed the recent 3 hour obscure production of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale that I recently participated in, I thought I would share with you my inspiration for getting into character:

So for those of you who missed my appearance as Mopsa, the gold digging floozy, I thought I would share these incriminating yet entertaining photos.

Yeah, type casting. What can I say. It's the nature of the beast.

Jenna Jenna Bo Benna Fee Fie Fo Fenna

I have this really awesome cousin named Jennifer. And in the midst of my hectic life she flew out to island to provide me with some much needed family time. It was most grand. She said all she wanted to do while she was here was lay on the beach and rot. Delivered.

We both found some good reading material. Mine was for class so at least I felt somewhat productive as we laid indulgently at Waimea.
My dear friend Mariah also joined us for a much need day of North Shore time. We dined at Haleiwa Eats, which is the pretty much the best Thai food on earth. Happiness and Joy.

I just love her. We have a way of becoming 7 years old again when we are together. Pretty sure we laughed for at least half of our waking hours during her visit.

Anywho, gotta eat a bagel on my couch with my backpack ON THE WEEKEND!!! (that was for you Jen!)