New Beginnings, Guaynabo

Wednesday night we attended the Guanabo ward's New Beginnings activity. I'm glad we went because they only have three young women and we were pretty much their audience. They did a great job. They each compared themselves to their favorite flower and I was able to get to know all three of them a little better.

The president gave a talk about all the different stages in a women's life and how we start out small like a mustard seed, and then grow as we apply the gospel to our lives.

These are the girls, their leaders and us (their yw stake presidency).

Trespasser

Last night Matthew and I got home from buying ice cream to celebrate his awesome test scores on two of his exams at about 9:00pm. As we exited the elevator to our floor a strange man that we've never seen before walked into the elevator, then walked out and asked us something. Matthew and I looked at eachother trying to determine if we understood what the man said. We shook our heads and the man asked again. I still didn't understand him but Matthew did and responded "no" to the man, then I finally understood that he was asking for a lighter. The man walked away and stepped back into the elevator. We thought the whole thing was a little strange but we ignored it and just walked into our apartment. Well, the next morning we recieve a notice that was slipped under our door from the building's maintainance committee. The letter stated that an intruder had somehow entered our building and was going from door to door asking residents of our building random questions and said he was there for a long time. As soon as I read the letter I remembered the man from last night and I remember that he was acting a little strange, like he was on drugs or something. The committee called the police and also, after so many years, contracted a guard to watch the building during night hours. It freaked me out a little bit but I'm glad nothing serious happend. I never did and never will open the door to anyone unless I recognize the person.

Puerto Rico Friends!

Sorry Emily I had to jack this picture from you and post it on my blog for good memories. I hope you don't mind. I just don't have a picture with all of us in and this one is perfect because we met in Puerto Rico and here we are at the beach. So the people in the picture from left to right are: me, Kristen Christensen, Stacey Moon, Briana Yost, Katie Hatch with Mia, Emily Jackman with Katie, and Ashley Jensen. It's been great having all of you as friends, we have so much fun together. I would go crazy here without you!

Stake Confrence 2008, PR

We had the priveledge of hearing Elder Clate W. Mask, the Area Authority President for the Caribbean, speak during Stake Confrence this year. He gave a great talk on the importance of accepting church callings and applying the scriptures to our lives. As he spoke he talked about his grandfather (Andres C. Gonzales), who actually wrote the lyrics to hymn # 88 in the Spanish Hymn book, and the great influence he was in his life.

His talk really intrested me because he shared a little history about the Church in Mexico during 1910. I was really greatful to hear that because my grandparents were actually the first members in their little town in Mexico and learned of the gospel through an aunt of my grandfather. It makes me wonder if they were able to hear of the gospel because of Elder Mask's grandfather. My grandparents dealt with a lot of persecution, but stayed firm in the gospel and through their obedience and testimony I was able to benefit from the gospel as well, plus generations to come. You just never know what can come from living the gospel and magnifying our callings. I am also greatful for the opportunity I have to serve in the YW Stake Presidency and be able to serve so many members. It's been a real priveledge seeing the changes in a lot of the youth, which brings hope and motivation for the future of the Church here in Puerto Rico.

Fun Times

Matthew and I still act like we're teenagers sometimes. On Saturday we were at Wallgreens and saw this Nerf Hoop. We got so excited and decided to buy it, then spent Sunday evening playing H-O-R-S-E. We're so lame, but we had tons of fun and it gave us something to do besides play board games and watch television. Seriously I got a workout trying to win. Haha.

Rude Awakening

Because we live on a main street we always have extremely loud parades and other loud cars and poeple passing by our street. I don't think there's been a day without something loud coming from the outside of our apartment and it doesn't help not having windows either. It's extremely obnoxios but we've figured out that Puerto Ricans love to be loud, the louder the better. If we are watching television, forget it, we have to turn it off, nothing can be heard. Anyway yesterday, we had a truck loaded with the biggest speakers I've seen in my life pass by our street. We found out it was for Rosello, a political runner for governor of Puerto Rico. I guess cruising around in a truck full of speakers playing ridiculously loud music will win him some votes. Gotta love em'

Jam Session

Chris and Matthew had a jam session on friday. They sounded really good together. Chris is an incredible guitar player and Matthew is learning a lot on his bass guitar. He's always thrilled to be able to play with Chris, he's learned so much from him. Which is great because I've always wanted to marry someone with a musical talent. Both my parents play the guitar and I just wanted to keep the musical talent in my family, which was a hopeless dream for me to realize, so I'm glad Matthew has that skill.

Valentine's Day

So I had this whole Valentine's Day planned out right. I was going to decorate our place and make a nice dinner and have romantic music when Matthew got home, but then he gets home Wednesday and tells me he doesn't have school on Valentine's Day. So my plans were a little ruined, BUT it was nice cause I had him to myself the whole day, not just the evening. So Thursday we had a full day. First, I suprised him by semi-decorating our dining table, this had to be done at 5am, I know I'm crazy but I was determined to do it.

Then he took me out to breakfast at Denny's and after we were all full we went to the mall and he bought me a little gift (leather sandals that I've been needing forever). Theeeen, we saw a movie–27 Dresses–finally! I loved it and he did too so it was nice. When we finally got home it was around 5:30pm so I made the dinner I had planned and ate on our nicely decorated table, while we watched The Majestic. He then decided to give me a massage with candles and soft music in the background, I gladly accepted and fell asleep, I was so pooped.

I've Been Tagged...Again!

Ok, this is mostly for Katie, cause she tagged me and cause I love you! Haha, but also for anyone else that wants to know how things really go down with Matthew and I. =)

Perfect way to celebrate Valentines Day. Te Amo Mi Amor!

1. What is his full name?
Matthew Ronald Ulibarri. It used to be Ronald Matthew but he changed that after people started calling him Junior.

2. How long have you been married?
Two and a half years. August 5th was our wedding day.

3. How long did you date?
We dated for five months and were enganged for three months so I count it as 8 months.

4. Who eats more sweets?
To tell you the truth, I'm not too big on sweets, so definitley Matthew eats more sweets.

5. Who said I love you first?
He did and then he hesitated when I told him to give me time to say it back. What a meanie. But I did a couple days later.

6. How old is he?
He is 27, he'll be 28 in August.

7. Who is taller?
He is, of course. I'm so stinkin' short, I hate it.

8. Who is smarter?
He is book smarter, but I'm common sense smarter.

9. Who can sing better?
I don't know. I guess it depends on the day and song. Sometimes I sing better, sometimes he sings better. I guess it's mutual.

10. Who does the laudry?
I do, but he'll do it if I forget to wash his white coat for clinic. Haha

11. Who pays the bills?
He does, but I'll pay them if he's too busy. Thankgoodness for online bill pay, makes things so much easier.

12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
People think this is weird but we really don't have an assigned sleeping side. We have a mosquito net here in Puerto Rico, so whoever is the first one to crawl into bed has to scoot over so the other can crawl in second. And we've lived here as long as we've been married so it's been like that since day one. But we do have our own pillows. I'll figure it out when we're done with mosquito nets.

13. Who mows the lawn?
If we had one, probably Matthew, or we'd probably hire someone to do it.

14. Who cooks dinner?
I do, but I love to cook, I don't mind it at all.

15. Who drives?
I do when I drop him off and pick him up from school, but he drives otherwise.

16. Who is more stubborn?
Definitely Matthew.

17. Who kissed who first?
He kissed me first, but I knew it was comming and accepted the kiss gladly.

18. Who asked who out?
I actually asked him out first. He was taking too long so I got brave and aked him first. He says that's what made him like me.

19. Who has more siblings?
I do, three sisters and one brother. Matthew just has one sister.

20. Who wears the pants?
I guess he does, but always askes for my opinion in everything.

Ok, I tag Sofia, Charity, and Lily. I'll be waiting!

Lago Dos Bocas

A few weeks ago Matthew and I went to Lago Dos Bocas with the Nielsen's, Percival's, and the Patterson's. It was so much fun. This is the little dock you wait at to get onto the ferry.

The ferry takes you to the other side of the lake where they have two restaurants and other grass areas where you can relax, the people are super nice and make you feel right at home.

This is a little spot down by the lake where we were able to fish. The lake is full of small fish. This was my very first time fishing so it was perfect for catching tiny fish.

I caught two fish in a row, this was my second. Nothing amazing, but I had a blast.

This is the restaurant that sits at the edge of the lake. The view is perfect and the food is good. I hear the other restaurant is better, but unfortunately it was closed. We'll definitely have to come back. I loved it.

Flour Tortillas!

I made flour tortillas again yesterday. I hate the ones they sell here so I make them pretty often. I never thought I would be in so much need for flour tortillas. My mom used to make them all the time, but I am seriously grateful for the things that I learned from her...I know Matthew is too. She is my hero. I love sharing my recipes with other people. I feel it's a talent that I have and should share it with others.