Manda

Hello February!

2010-02-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

So now it is February, not sure when it snuck up on me but it is here none the less. From today there are 50 days until I enter the MTC. Yes I am counting down, and yes preparing and going on my mission is pretty much all I think about. I am getting really excited and a little nervous. Recently I have done some shopping, gotten some shots, read/studied preparing to go to the temple book, already been assigned to speak in church before I leave, and other odds and ends here and there.

Other than mission stuff I have been working at the preschool that I worked at before. I am so grateful that they let me work there again knowing I wouldn't be here for very long. They have been great to give me a many hours as possible. It has been so much fun working with kids again, also to see all my two year olds from my class before growing taller and talking a whole lot more. They look at me and think they know me but they can't remember why they know me. A few of them remember me though so it has been fun.

So a really cool coincidence at work is that a little by from my class last year started at the preschool without speaking any English. I spent a lot of time with him and trying to make him feel comfortable and safe in a new strange environment. So once he was at school he was attached to me for several weeks before he was really comfortable. I also talked with his parents a lot and well the cool part is that they are from ROMANIA! I was so excited when I remembered that. When I was working in my old classroom the other day his mom dropped him off and it was the first time I had seen her since being back and she got so excited when I told her how I was going to Romania. She has offered to help me and said that she will answer any questions I have. It is very comforting that the only Romanians I know just happen to be some of the nicest people I know.

I'm so excited for my opportunity to go on a mission and serve the Lord. I am really blessed to have so much support and encouragement from everyone around me! Thanks

The Mail Came with a Big Envelope!

2010-01-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

So today I walked to the mail box thinking to myself... I at least hope the mail is here so then even if my call isn't here I don't have to worry about it for two more days... well so much for that thought! There was a big envelope addressed to Sister Amanda Dawn Holman. So I will be serving in the Romania Bucharest Mission. I Report to the MTC in Provo, UT on March 24th! The mission is Romanian Speaking and here is a map for you viewing pleasure.

From the look on the map that I got in my little mission book it, the mission includes Moldova also.

So now I have a whole lot of preparation to get going on because I only have about 2 months! I'm not sure when it will really sink in because right now Romania doesn't quite seem real to me.

Baby Evelyn!

2010-01-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from my visit up to my brother's. This is my niece Evelyn she is 10 months old now, and the cutest little thing ever! She is a very smiley baby and can really turn it on for a camera.

Sorry... Finally an Update!

2010-01-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

So I don't do very well with keeping up with this blog. So here is a quick update on where my life is right now. Since my last post quite a bit has been going on. So here is a list of some of the things that have gone on...

~Came back from Japan (went through withdrawal)
~Started my 6th Semester at BYU-Idaho
~Worked at the Copy Spot on Campus
~Went to class and did lots of homework
~Lived in a house this semester instead of an apartment (had a yard and everything)
~Went to Oregon for the first time
~Performed Japanese Traditional Puppets with our teachers from Japan in Oregon
~Hung out with friends and had lots of fun
~Went to Princeton, New Jersey to perform puppets
~Visited my cousin Jenna (in NJ) and met her baby Carter (who was absolutely adorable)
~Went to class and did lots homework
~Practiced making new Japanese foods from this summer
~Went to Utah for Thanksgiving and stayed with family and ate lots of wonderful food
~Submitted my MISSION PAPERS!
~Survived finals and projects
~Finished my 6th semester at BYU-Idaho
~Visited family in Utah for a few days
~Flew home to Missouri
~Shopped for last minute Christmas presents
~Put up and decorated a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve (in true Holman fashion)
~Had Christmas with my mom, dad and lil' brother
~Flew to Massachusetts and visited friends
~Drove up to New Hampshire to stay with my older brother and meet my niece Evelyn
~Flew to Kentucky and stayed one night with my sister and her family
~Drove home with my mom to Missouri

... and that brings us to now I am back in Missouri hoping to start work soon and waiting for my mission call to come in the mail. I promise I will post where I am going when I get it. I will try hard to keep this more up to date.

Japan - Part One

2009-09-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

So because of the lack of computer and internet I unfortunately could not update my blog while I was in Japan. So I will try to go back and fill in from the beginning but it is never as good if it isn't fresh. This is sort of the out line for my trip to Japan though.

The first week I spent with 6 other students, we went early and decided to explore on our own a little bit before the program started. We started in Osaka and spent two days exploring the big city. Then we moved to Nara where we spent three days exploring more historical type places including a ninja village! Then we went to Kyoto where we relaxed a little bit before we started the program there. So for some pictures because those are always the best part!

Osaka
We went to the huge aquarium because they have whale sharks...

We rode the Largest Ferris in the World (Me and my friend Jordi)

We went to Osaka Castle (this is my friend Cody posed in front of it)

Also we enjoyed the Night Lights and walking around the big City

Nara
We went to Temples

Played in the Deer Park

Went to Iga Ueno (an old ninja village with a castle and ninja house)

Rode the Train alot

Kyoto
Walked the Imperial Grounds

Visited My Old House

Played in The River

I will try to keep this more up to date now... and Get caught up on Japan as I go. Right now I am back in Missouri and I head back out to school in about 5 days! So everyone out in Utah and Idaho direction I hope I see you soon!

Still Alive... and Loving Japan!

2009-07-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... so the day I got to Japan my computer worked in the airport but then that night at the hotel it would not turn on anymore. My processor died I later found out and so I had to send it back with my dad to get it fixed. So I have only been able to get on computers for short periods of time before, so I haven`t been able to do anything with my blog. Right now I`ve been living with a host family in Iida, Japan. We only have a few more day with our host-families and then we move to a hot springs hotel. I am going to miss my host-family a lot, they are awesome. They have been really nice and a lot of fun.
So in the beginning of the trip we did a lot of tourist stuff... we stayed in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Awaji, and Tokushima. Then after two weeks we came to Iida where we have been ever since. Since being in Iida we have been practcing Japanese Puppetry in order to perform in the upcoming festival here... it is really hard but a lot of fun! Unfortunately we only have 4 practices left, and that makes me a little nervous. We also have made several school visits mostly to high schools, where we are treated like celebrities, it`s been funny. On the train the kids are usually talking about us, especially when the tall guys are around. We have about a month left here and time is going by way too fast! I wish I could put pictures up but I can`t even get them off my camera without my computer... so I`ll have to do it all when I get back. A lot of the other students have put pictures up on facebook and I am in some of those though so you can look at those if you have access to it. Well I`ll try to get on here more often!
Jaa Ne!

Japan

2009-06-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

So I'm here... I am in Osaka, Japan right now. I don't have any pictures yet because I have yet to leave the airport! I am waiting for a few other people to arrive and then we will all venture out into the city! I'm not sure how often I will have the internet but I will try to keep this updated with pictures and everything! Let's hope I'm able to get around with the little Japanese I know...Wish me luck!

~Jaa ne

Nauvoo

2009-05-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

So about a week and a half ago my mom and I did a day trip up to Nauvoo, Illinois. I had never been there and she hasn't been there since she was a kid (and there really wasn't much there then). It was about a 4 hour drive up there so we left early in the morning and headed up. We went on we went on two different tour type wagon rides. One was around the town with historical stuff and the other was through woods and creek and such which was more of an inspirational ride with some history thrown in. For most of the time my camera's batteries were dead so sadly I don't have pictures from either one of the tours. We did go get batteries before we went up to the temple which was our main interest for the trip to begin with. We went in the temple separately since I can only do baptisms but it was amazing to be there and I wish I could have spent more time there!

Mom and I at the temple (It was REALLY windy all day)

"The Last Ride" Joseph and Hyrum Smith on there way to Carthage Jail with view of Nauvoo and the Mississppi River behind it

Nauvoo Temple- It was a gorgeous day!

We finished off the night with a little play put on by some of the older missionaries... it was cute and funny we thought it might have more historical aspects to it but it was mostly little made up stories that went along with some of the history. It was pretty enjoyable but I would have been fine without it. The trip was really good though and it was a great chance for my mom and I to spend some time just us without having to worry about everyday stuff!

~A Bientot

A little update

2009-05-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

So I have been the absolute worst blogger in the last few months. Mostly I don't have a lot going on. I have been working full time at a preschool I am a teacher in a two year old classroom, where I spend most of my time potty-training/dancing/chasing/cleaning up cute little rascals who call me miss Mana. I have really enjoyed working in my classroom the lead teacher, Allison has been great to work with. We get along really well and have similar ideas on how to deal with the kids. (not that they are bad but just in how we work with them) I am going to be very sad to say goodbye to all of the kids, I only have 3 more days of work. They all have such unique personalities and it is always amazing what they can come up with at the age of two.
This is a picture of 9 out of the 14 of them. (Sunglasses are the cool thing in my class)

Right now I am spending most of my time packing, and making sure I have everything settled and figured out before I leave the Country! On May 30th I will be started my adventure to Japan! Although I won't make it to Japan until June 1st because of time change and a overnight layover in Chicago, this Saturday I will be leaving Columbia Missouri for about 3 months.

I am going to be studying abroad in Iida, Japan this summer. I will be working on Bunraku Puppets, Japanese, and maybe some Taiyo (chanting/narrating), Taiko Drums and Kyudo (Japanese traditional archery)... and of course eating some delicious
food! I will try my best to do a better job at posting while I am in Japan.

Another development is a possible trip to Turkey! The Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe has been invited to perform in a street festival in Istanbul, Turkey August 13th-17th. So I will be headed that way at the end of the summer as long as every goes accordingly. We did wonder why, if they were paying for a group to fly there why they are asking the amateur college group rather than the professionals... but we aren't going to complain!

So my life at the moment consists of Packing, Shopping, Cleaning, Working, and Planning train/bus routes because I only have 4 more days before I leave!

~Jaa Mata ne (see you later... I have to practice)

Working

2009-03-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

So right now my life is not all that exciting but that is okay because well it is nice to relax. Last monday I started "training" in the two year old room for a full time position, and well i got it. So no I am the full time aide in that room. I am very excited about this mostly because my previous schedule was 7-830am and 130-5pm, and so I wasn't getting many hours, plus I was considered a "floating aide" so they would move me around a lot. Now I get to stay with the same class all the time. I am also still tutoring the two Korean kids and it has been a lot of fun. So mainly my life right now consists of working.
This week I put in my application for going on a study abroad program this summer to Japan, I am hoping everything will work out for it, but we'll have to wait and see. There is a lot of paper work that has to be done. Well that is pretty much my life right now... not too much going on but oh well!

~A Bientot

Pictures of Evelyn Paige

2009-03-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

Evelyn Paige!

Becca holding her new baby sister!

Mattie is now a big brother!

Side profile!

It's A Girl!

2009-03-08T15:33:00.001-07:00

So as of Sunday March 8th, 2009 Ethan Holman is a father. I have a new niece! She was born at 3:15 pm (eastern time) She weighs 6lbs 1 oz. Her name is Evelyn Paige (I think that is how they are spelling it) Ethan is really excited to be a father, even though he has been getting a lot of practice with Becca and Mattie. They are both thrilled to have a new baby sister! Anyway just thought I would let everyone know! As soon as I get pictures I will pass them on!
~A Bientot

Babies!

2009-02-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

So I know I don't post very often, and I'm very sorry (especially to you uncle Scott) but I really haven't been doing anything recently except going to work. Right now I am working at a daycare/preschool. I spend most of my time with infants who are all under a year old. I LOVE THEM! They are sweet and cute and so fun! Over the last week I have been getting pictures of all of them because they are so darn cute that I had to share. But it took me several days because there were only certain times when my hands were free, and then not all of them would be awake so I finally got them all. So here is who I get to play with and I get to call it work.

Stella... She is our quiet cuddlier. She is starting to stand on her own now, it is so exciting! I love this picture... she had just finished eating so she has no shirt, but she looks so proud!

Zev... He is my special little buddy! He is totally wild and very spastic. He always makes me laugh!

Isabelle... She is the sweetest thing... very happy and loves to talk and stick out her tongue! She is an absolutely beautiful baby!

Max... He is a extremely funny baby... He is very laid back, he is usually content just to be and will smile at anyone who talks to him.

Lillian... She is another one of my favorites, She is very particular about lots of things. I couldn't get a good picture of it but she only has one dimple and I think it is the cutest thing the world!

Anne... She is our newest addition but not our youngest. She is a very easy going baby, most of the time she is just sleeping, but more than anything she just loves being talked to.

Hayden... She is our youngest baby but only by a few days. She was born premature so even though she is 3 months old, she only weighs about 12 pounds. She is tiny!

So that is what I do for work! I play with all of them! Starting next week I will be working in the one year old room, and that makes me a little sad, but I don't really have a choice in the matter!

Also for some extra money, on Monday I started tutoring two Korean children in English. They are both really sweet and very smart. There is a boy who is 12 and his sister who is 8. I am having some trouble with ideas of how to teach the girl because she doesn't speak any English... so we'll see how it goes.

This weekend I am going to Arkansas with the Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe, so wish us luck on our performance!

~A Bientot!

St. Patrick's Day?

2009-02-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

So I was going to be festive and do a Valentines Day blog... but unfortunately as some of you may know I don't really like heart decorations, and my favorite color is not pink. In the end I couldn't bring myself to it, so St. Patrick's Day it is.

Plus this means I won't have to change my layout until the end of March!

Family Reunion!

2009-02-08T15:57:00.000-08:00

So about 2 weeks ago we had the excitement of Ethan (My older Brother) coming to visit! He has never visited Columbia Missouri and since he no longer had the excuse that he couldn't get off work my parents insisted! So Ethan stayed for a week! It was awesome... there was never a quiet moment and everyone was laughing or at least Ethan was. Since Ethan was coming we decided how cool would it be if Katie could come while he was here. Since we usually cover three separate times zones now, it had over four years since we had all been in the same place at the same time. Ethan hadn't seen my nephew Stephan since he was 7 months old (now almost 5) and he had never met my other nephew David who is nearly 3.
So for 3 days the entire Holman family was located in Columbia, Missouri. We ate lots of Ethan's favorite Asian dishes, went bowling, swimming, and the boys had a Star Trek marathon. So I have a few pictures but none of all of us at the same time. Mind you we had to wake Ethan up when we took his... so he really is still alseep.

Nana and her Boys

The Samuels (Stephan, Michael, Katie, & David)

Mountain Man (aka. Ethan) Stephan, Katie & David

Katie and David

Unfortunately there were three very sad people left in New Hampshire(Kelly, Rebecca, and Matthew) , and Ethan says he will never be able to come visit without them again... they were very upset. Just a little side note, Kelly and the baby are doing well! It is a girl and she is due March 16th. So we are all very excited. My mom and I passed baby clothes in the store a while back and got excited because now we get to buy girl clothes!

~A Bientot!

A Smorgasbord of Events!

2009-01-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

So it was recently brought to my attention that I have not posted on my blog in a long time. I apologize, I have been keeping myself busy reorganizing myself in my new location of Columbia, MO! My Parents bought a house here and so in the new house there was a room for me. So I decided for my semester off I would move home and add Missouri to the list of states I've lived in. Today I started my new job at a preschool and for this week I will be working in the infant room! It was a lot of fun despite being spit up on at least three times, and the babies were all really cute. The place seems really well organized and the people were friendly and nice.

So for updates... lots has happened recently. I had my last few days in Rexburg and Christmas with my roommates who I was very sad to leave.

All of our Stockings!

After bidding farewell to Rexburg I spent a few days in Utah before flying to Missouri. When I got home I spent my time Decorating and shopping for Christmas, filling out job applications, and moving into my new room.

The Decorated Living Room!

My New Room and New Bed!

Christmas Cookies!

For New Years my dad and I flew to Kentucky and spent time with my sister Katie and her family. They boys were so cute and David is really talking now. They are non-stop all the time and always entertaining!

David...2 1/2 Years old!

Stephan 4 1/2 Years old... with his glasses!

So I had a fun filled Holiday, still working on finding people to hang out with here in Columbia but so far it has been pretty good! I'll try and be better at posting more often!
A bientot!

Some Updates

2008-12-05T00:44:00.000-08:00

So life is really crazy and quite stressful! I'm sorry that I have not blogged in a long time, I have several really cute pictures and exciting things I have done but I have not had the time to blog about them. Right now I have 6 days of school left. I will be done on the 12th of December, so naturally I'm completely overwhelmed and stressed about finishing everything in time. So after all of this I will do a real update with pictures and all.
I just thought I would tell everyone about the conclusion I have come to about winter semester. I am going home to Missouri for the semester. I am going to spend time with my family which will be fun since I haven't lived with them since I graduated high school. Tonight I was able to sell my contract (well she said she would, but she has not signed her contract yet so it is not official) So although I am really sad about leaving my roommates, my ward, and friends, I will be escaping the Rexburg winter. When I go home I am going to Substitute teach for a job. So that is all that is new with me! Wish me luck on all my tests!!!
A Bientot!

Roommates!!!

2008-11-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

So last weekend we decided to take some pictures as an apartment! So here are our little family pictures!

A Bientot!

My Mother would Be Discusted!!

2008-10-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

So every week in the apartment complex that I live in we have clean checks on Wednesday that have to be done by noon. This is usually a problem for a person who doesn't like to wake up for classes anyway, so waking up earlier to clean doesn't always make me the brightest morning star. So this week I had done some laundry on Tuesday and then had to a very busy rest of the day, so my clean clothes ended up piled on my bed. Then we went to a friends house for his birthday and didn't get back till late, and my roommate had already gone to sleep. So I decided to just sleep with my clothes on my bed rather than risk waking up my roommate since she had a 7:45 class. Well the next morning came and I slept through my alarm and so I had to do everything in a rush. Well my clothes just became a part of my bed making. Since I had to get all my cleaning done before I left for class, and I was assigned the kitchen this week, that took a lot of my time! My roommate was very amused by the mound of "blankets/ pillows" that were next to the wall on my bed when she got home and insisted I take a picture of it. Then I figured I would share it with all of you!
This is the clean check approved bed!

This is what I was hiding!

A Bientot!

Halloween Party!!!

2008-10-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

So things have slowed down some since midterms are over. Unfortunately the homework never comes to an end. Last weekend I actually had some time to do fun stuff, I was very grateful for that! On Friday we threw our semesterly dance party. It was a Halloween one! It was definitely the best one yet. We cleared out our living room (even the couches), and we decorated. It always takes a little while for parties to start going but once people started dancing we had dancing non-stop for over two hours, so we are calling it a success!

This is our apartment with part of the decorations!

My roommates and I all dressed up. I was a Rockford Peach from "A league of Their Own", my roommate Danielle was Olive Oil from "Popeye", my roommates Brynn and Tosha were Gangsters, and Amy and Ashley were mid-evil Princesses. This is all of us minus Brynn! My roommates are all a lot of fun and we had a blast putting this party together!

So we are all looking forward to real Halloween because we get to dress up all over again, and go to other peoples parties where we don't have to clean up after!
And if you have any Ideas for a good theme for a winter semester dance party let me know!
A Bientot!

Somethings...

2008-10-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

So life is pretty normal right now... a lot of classes, homework, work,and playing.(Probably too good at the last one!) Last weekend I went to the Haunted Mill with my two of my roommates and some other friends. It was a blast, and I really didn't get too scared. I don't get scared if the people walk up to me... but I startle pretty easy so if they catch me off guard then I'll get scared. so they got me a few times but for the most part it was the anticipation of being scared that kept me nervous!

Recently I've also seen a lot of movies for the first time, and there have been some really good ones, Iron Man, Transformers and The Three Amigos. Both Iron Man and Transformers were watched at my FHE Brothers house... one of them has a 52" TV with a blue ray player! It is like our own private theater. AMAZING!! It has also become a weekly tradition to watch the office over there so that makes it all the better! The three amigos was watched at my roommates brothers house and we watched it projected on their wall, so it was a big screen experience too!!

Next week is midterms and so my weekend is going to be very busy with writing and reading. Only on of my classes gives real tests so the rest are all requiring papers so I will be writing non-stop this weekend and next week... unfortunately it is my academic downfall... so wish me luck! Sorry I don't have any pictures to go along with my activities I need to be better at taking pictures. I need to get back to writing real papers!
A Bientot!

Conference and Jewelry

2008-10-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hey! So it has been a while, school has been pretty crazy around here, but this weekend I got to take a break and go down to Utah. I stayed with at my Aunt and Uncles house. It was so good to get out of Rexburg, especially since I stayed here most of the break. A lot has happened recently and I was so grateful for the chance to get away. I got down to Provo on Friday night, Saturday we watched Conference which was amazing! Then in the evening we had our "Lady's Night" while the guys went to the priesthood session. It was My Aunt Cheryl, My cousin Breanna, and my Cousin-in-law Laura and I(haha I'm not sure if that is really what it is called but hey it works). We all went to Roberts and got some beads and such, then to Jamba Juice, and then to get Pizza Dough. We tried this amazing flavor pink starburst, (Breanna introduced us to it) it is a secret flavor so everyone should now try it!

By the time we got back it was almost time for the guys to get back so we waited and let Austin make the pizza. Which by the way absolutely delicious! (Kudos to Austin)

So we made some really fun stuff, and I made a necklace that I kind of copied from a display they had at Roberts. So here are the pictures of my jewelry!

And here is Laura and Cheryl working hard on their Jewelry!

As soon as I finish the pearl jewelry I will post those pictures!
So now I am back in Rexburg, and sad I didn't get to spend more time in Utah and see everyone! I am planning on coming down for Thanksgiving and I get the whole week off so I can spend time with everyone!!!
A Bientot!

Books Books and More Books!

2008-09-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

So I just finished my second week of school! So far things are going really well! Last weekend was crazy because we had the ward opening social on Monday. We washed and wrapped 150 lbs of potatoes. During the break I got called as the Activities Co-Chairman so we had lots to do. We played a big game of Family Feud between all the FHE groups. It turned out really fun... the groups got really competitive and it worked out really well.

This is a picture of all of the books I had to buy for this semester!

This semester I will be doing a ridiculous amount of reading. I am taking Children's Literature, English 311, Doctrine and Covenants, Adolescent Development, Biology Lab, and Voice Lessons. My Children's Literature requires us to read 68 books, which isn't too bad considering some of them are picture books! Almost all of my homework is reading this semester. Other than that things are going good, I'm still working at the Copy Spot and it hasn't been to busy. So life is going good!

Summer Break!

2008-09-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would do some catching up on here... I've been in school now for a week and a half, but before that I had my fun filled summer break. I did lots of relaxing, but I also did some stuff! During the break I lived in the cutest little house where my friends Shila and Alex are the managers. I helped Shila scrape mold and paint some of the other houses she managed. It was great because I could work when it was convenient for me.

Recently I've had some fun with hair too! I dyed it about a month a go now... but it is very dark! My friend Meagan did my hair a few times and then I got a triple barrel curler and it is wicked fun!

During the break I also had a little kitten for about a week... his name was Cruiser. I found him in the parking lot of my friends apartments and he was the cutest most friendly little kitty ever! Because I live in student housing I couldn't really keep it, so now it is living on a farm.

So now I've been living back at my old apartment now for 2 weeks... schools been going for a week and a half and going pretty good, but this semester is going to be intense, I have a ton of reading all the time! So I'm going to go work on some of that!

Hello Blog!

2008-08-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! so I decided to start a blog... with some encouragement from some friends! ;) I'm still trying to figure everything out... so if you have any helpful hints let me know! So I will start posting on here if anything exciting happens in my life! and I'll do a better one soon... well see ya!