No need for pity

So it has recently come to my attention that people 'feel bad for me, for living at home and all.' No need for that, I am still doing all sorts of exciting things before shipping off to Brazil.
ie
-Working
-Going to St. George with the family for the Red Rock Relay. quite enjoyable
-Havasupi
- Mission Prep at both my ward and the Sandy institute. Let me tell you, that is quite the experience saying that I am out numbered by 18 year old boys about 10 to 1. No really, its actually pretty entertaining.
-Practicing my Portuguese- Thanks Kimball and Garrison.

Also on that note, Spanish and Portuguese- similar but not the same. Just thought we needed to touch on that because every person has told me how easy Portuguese will be because I 'kind of speak Spanish.' Also, on that note, who are you to be judging my ability to speak Spanish, you've never heard me talk so maybe I more than kind of speak Spanish. Maybe.

-Okay besides that it has been a little slow here at home, but never fear, I make a minimum weekly visit to Provo, where mostly everyone is complaining about school when I am complaining that I don't have school. Also have some fantastic friends in Sandy and sister who is also living at home.

Time actually has gone fairly fast, I am coming up on 2 months til send off.

Back again

Well, turns out living on a tropical island is really time consuming and doesn't leave much time for blogging. Thats okay, you will just have to take my word for it that it was really really fun. Also I am a horrible picture taker because there were always tons of people taking pictures so I have only a few photos to show for myself. Also, I got a lot of sun. again no pictures to prove it so you will have to come visit me.

A few people have asked me if I have had culture shock. let me just tell you a little bit about family dinner today.

So, loved the food in the DR but pretty much it was rice and beans every day x2.

So today for dinner my family has a nice welcome home/ birthday dinner for me. I was so hungry... I just started eating. about half way through dinner I had to change out of my dress because it was getting too tight and then about 3 minutes after returning I had to excuse myself because I was so full I felt sick. Apparently eating nothing but rice and beans is far less filling and its been too long since I have eaten food like that. so readjusting to food will be good. haha

Okay, I am going to blog a little about the DR- I am just waiting on some pictures.

Peace out.

For those of you who hadn't heard- I am going to the Porto Alegre North Mission in Brazil. it is 39 degrees F there. I am going to die. but I am actually really excited.

Camp: Day 1

Lesson learned: Team building exercises only work if you work together as a team. Also they are easier to explain if you speak the language. So the human knot game is really really rough in a kids camp in the Dominican Republic just for future reference.

But seriously working at this kids camp has been really great, given today was the first day of camp. I am working with kids who are older but at about a 3rd grade level. They are very energetic but I think that hopefully they will like summer camp. Also my spanish needs to get better so get better it will. Direct quote from one of the teachers- You will be severely blessed for working with these children




These are the cute children right when camp was starting.

Okay, peace out.

Life lessons learned through surfing

Hola from the DR! We haven't had tons of time for computering and it doesn't seem like we will have that much time in the future but I am having quite an enjoyable time here. My chaco line is great after only one week.

We also have the chance to go surfing every morning if we want to. I decided to get in on this even though last time I surfed I was not too successful. So the German teacher picked us up and took us to the beach at sunrise. The first thing he did was take us to this bench where the sun was rising and told us to look at the ocean and that we should never be in a rush to get in the water but that we should sit and look at the waves and enjoy it before going into the water.

How was the surfing you might ask? I got up nearly everytime... with a push from the teacher. A much better experience than last time. Tomorrow's goal: get up without a push.

Then after a brief on land lesson he explained that just like in life, you should never look backwards or sideways- always forward on the surfboard. I quite enjoyed the life parallels. While I am on the subject of life I have an announcement. I was going to wait until I had my call but I was expecting it today and it did not come... I am going on a mission! So I am pretty excited about that.

The spanish is going pretty well. I mean I understand almost everything I just need to work on talking more. I am excited to start camp next week. I will be working with children age 11-14 who are behind at least 2 years in school. The kids are so cute and energetic!

Thats all for now.

PS sorry about there being no pictures... I haven't taken too many and it doesn't seem to be working!

The United States of America

Turns out I kinda like it here. But not enough to stay for an extended period of time. I am over half way done with my time in Utah before I head to the Dominican Republic for 6.5 weeks. I am pretty excited that in 2 weeks I will be living the dream.

You might ask, What have I been doing in my month off?
Please see the list below:

Working an average of 10 hours a day. (note: that is the majority of what I do)
Seeing and chatting with friends in all of my "free time"
Bridal showers. Love 'em.
Being completely crazy in a not-as-funny-as-you'd-think sort of way.
Learning to drive a stick shift. Yeah, turns out that is harder than I thought. I can drive approximatly 1 mile as long as there is less than one stop sign and it is not on a hill.
Driving to provo. love construction.
Running (of course).


Well, I think that about covers it.

Dear Cuenca: I miss you

Dear Cuenca,

I liked you a lot. You are home to many cool people. Also I enjoyed your not so ancient history (note: Cathedral finished cerca de 1930)and flower market that was just 2 short blocks from the hostel. Your Spanish school was really great and I enjoyed my cultural lessons everyday. 6 hours a day was just the right amount to not make me crazy but also make me learn. I also liked your small quaint streets.

There are somethings that I wont miss about you... Like the scrambled eggs Hostel Castallana served EVERYDAY. The receptionist at the hostel who glared at me every time I walked past her. And last but not least, the lady who sold lottery tickets right under my window.

The view of the street from our hostel room.




Also, one thing I never tried, but wanted to was one of these guys:

But you only sell them by the whole cuy (guinea pig) and some members of this group did not want to try cuy.

All in all, I think you are a pretty great city and hope that you are well without me (though I don't really see how that is possible). Please tell your friend the Amazon that I am looking forward to getting to know them this weekend.

Warmest Regards,


The now, almost conversational in Spanish,
Amelia Wegener

Today we are back in Quito, which I like, but not as much as Cuenca. Tomorrow we are headed to the amazon jungle for the weekend and then it is back to the States for us (for a month!). Also I finally got my plane tickets to the DR. turns out it is super hard to get there from SLC, I am flying on a red eye to atlanta which should be pretty fun.

Also completely unrelated, some people are idiots. I just have to say that to the world. There are very few people who I can't stand, so chances are pretty good that you aren't on the list. But seriously. idiots.

Amelia Wegener: Wild Stallion Tamer

Okay.. Not really. But, we did go horseback riding in the countryside today. It is one of the prettiest places I have been and it was nice because there was no noise/cars.



Also, unlike a lot of tours on horses, it was just us and the guides. Also my guide happened to love galloping (which I found out today, so do I!) So we got to gallop through the green countryside. It was pretty amazing. I think that I am going to be sore for weeks, but I guess thats the price you pay right?


I might have accidentally fallen in love with my horse. Whoops.

Also we got to wear these huge mud/rain boots, which made me wish I lived in a rainy city so I could rationalize buying a pair of rain boots. But it did start pouring mid ride and they kindly provided ponchos for us to wear.
What is the first movie to pop into your head?

The guide (Juan) and I both thought it looked a little Lord of the Rings-esq. Regardless, it was a lovely day, and only rained for a couple of minutes.
Well... Thats all for now.