Mission Blessings

Erin's mission brought the following blessings:

1. A constant feeling of peace, which kept me in a state of a fairly calm persona.
2. More piano students than I had had for awhile.
3. Piano students that accomplished great things.
4. A daughter's testimony strengthened. She studies the scriptures everyday, attends the temple very regularly. We have family prayer not daily but regularly. She listens to and follows the promptings of the Holy Ghost. In fact, it allows me to relax because I can be confident that she is following the will of the Lord for her. When she came to me claiming that she needed to buy a car, that the Lord had said she needed to, I knew she was right. When she came to me claiming that she shouldn't marry someone, I knew she was right, but I questioned it.
5. A daughter that is more confident about her abilities to manage her own life. However, she has a lot of firsts to still go through on which she asks for my guidance.
6. No major disasters requiring repairs. In fact, my 29-year old fridge broke down a couple months after she got home.

Tales from the Arabian Nights and Scheherazade

I just finished reading Tales from the Arabian Nights. I had always thought it was Tales from the Arabian Knights, but not so. Odd that I should be reading this book, but I was listening to KBYU-FM radio one day last year, and the DJ related the story of Scheherazade. Apparently, a king married a woman, and she was unfaithful to him, so the king killed her. That colored his feelings for all women, so every woman that he married from then on, he killed. The fear of marrying the king was rampant through the kingdom, but one woman offered herself for the cause. Despite protestations by her family, she went ahead with it.


On their wedding night, this woman, Scheherazade, began telling stories to her new husband. He was intrigued, so she continued through 1001 nights of storytelling, and by the end of it, the king was thoroughly infatuated with his new wife and allowed her to live. The tales in this book are just a few of the stories she told, and they have come down to us to enjoy and are used in many references. The story about the lamp that contained a genie is perhaps the most popular. Another popular one is about a magic carpet that can carry people wherever they want to go. Sometimes in our use these two stories are combined. Sinbad the Sailor is also fairly popular.


The stories often mentioned Allah, the god of the Muslim people. There were also references to Kings Saul, David, and Solomon and his great wealth, as well as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.


These tales were mentioned on KBYU-FM because Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) wrote a 45-minute symphony about these tales. There are four sections:


I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship  Largo e maestoso – Lento – Allegro non troppo – Tranquillo (E minor – E major)


II. The Kalandar Prince  Lento – Andantino – Allegro molto – Vivace scherzando – Moderato assai – Allegro molto ed animato (B minor)


III. The Young Prince and The Young Princess  Andantino quasi allegretto – Pochissimo più mosso – Come prima – Pochissimo più animato (G major)


IV. Festival at Baghdad. The Sea. The Ship Breaks against a Cliff Surmounted by a Bronze Horseman  Allegro molto – Lento – Vivo – Allegro non troppo e maestoso – Tempo come I (E minor – E major)

Waiting on Disneyland

I had the lucky opportunity to go to Disneyland for three days between the spring and summer semesters of SLCC.  I had never been there that long. Years ago (perhaps 50) I went with my family for one day. In 2010 I went with Jay's band tour as a chaperone for one day. And in 2013 I went with Krista, Michael, Lizzy, and Leah to California, spending most of my time at a MTNA National Conference then afterwards spending half a day enjoying the rides with them. I went with Krista, Michael, and kids again this time. Actually, Michael's family organized a trip there, and Michael mentioned to his mom that Krista usually spent this time visiting with me because I actually had the time, and his mom said, "Well, bring her along." So, Krista asked me if I wanted to go, I checked with work and piano, and amazingly, it would all work out beautifully. I kind of just wanted to rest. I could just stay home and chill, but I rarely get to go anywhere and am always behind on movie watching, event attendance. So, I decided to go.

We left my house at about 10:30 AM. We travelled all day along I-15 through Utah, Arizona, Nevada and into California, stopping often for bathroom breaks and meals, and arrived before midnight. We stayed at a Holiday Inn across from the Disney parking garage.

We got to sleep in on Thursday but agreed to leave by 10:00 AM to meet everyone for a character breakfast at Storyteller's Café. It was self-serve, and I chose a ham, bacon, green pepper, tomatoes, and cheese omelet. The characters we visited with were Chip and Dale, Pluto, and Bear.

Then, people paid for the meal and for Disney tickets while we waited...   The kids sat in mini-chairs and rockers and watched some Pixar shorts. I walked around the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It was a huge building with a high ceiling in the lobby, smelled of fresh wood, was equipped with very comfortable chairs and couches, and the carpeting was sculpted of flowers and paisley figures that blended into the flowers and paisley figures of the beautiful tile. There was a display of the Disney Cruise liner, and the elevators had similar flower/paisley patterned tiling.

When all was in order, we made our way up to Michael's parents' room, which cost them $600/night. It was longer but no wider than our room at the Holiday Inn, allowing room for a sitting area. Their TV was bigger. The floor was wood and carpet. There was a wine cooler, a lot more creams and shampoos, and there was a very clean, fresh scent in the room. Michael's mom had bought all the grandkids matching clothes to wear on Friday, so she went through all of that with Krista.

Finally, we left for the park. The Hotel empties into Disneyland California Adventure. We passed the Grizzly River Run, which I wanted to go on, but wasn't prepared to get wet. So, we went on to the Hyperion Theater where we watched a musical performance of "Frozen." Everyone but Steven and Ty were there for the production. It was good; a little cheesy with the people-animated animals. It was also blastingly loud. Oh man...  Afterwards, Michael's mom bought the grandkids cotton candy and bottles of pop, while we waited....   We watched the Guardians of the Galaxy's spot - a small group performing a mini-show.  We also watched some ducks (a mama and babies) cross the walkway, and Krista and I joked that they had come to Disneyland for a vacation.

Then, we made our way to the baby station where diapers were changed, and Lindsey and Robbie fed their baby. So, we waited.....   Finally, we left without them and made our way over to "It's a Bug's Life" and rode "Heimlich's Chew Chew Train" and "Flik's Flyers" and played in a water park. The waiting in line was tolerable for each of these. We ate dinner at the Pacific Wharf Café after we took a tour of Boudin's Bakery and saw how they made their bread. They served sourdough bread bowls for cream of broccoli soup and sandwiches. The bread was super good but super hard to chew. How they created that toughness I don't know.

Then, we headed for "Soaring Around the World" which had a 40-minute wait...... Krista took Caitlin to get her clothes changed since she was gooey from the cream of broccoli soup and was too small to go on the ride. There were a lot of interesting pictures of airplanes and pilots along the hallway. Ethan was crazy (he must have been tired), and Michael tried his best to hold onto him. Finally, it was our turn to board, and Ethan announced, "I need to go potty." So, we had to wait a few more minutes. Finally, we were ready. We boarded our seats, buckled ourselves in, and hoped for the best. It was a simulation of hang gliding. We traveled to many places around the world. The ride was very cool!

Then, we booked it over to "Tower of Terror." Everyone went but me and Caitlin. Caitlin cried the entire time I held her (she must have been tired) while I waited for everyone to finish the ride.......    Then, I put her in her stroller, and she fell asleep. The ride turned out to be a disappointment - too scary for the kids who were screaming and shaking. Then, we booked it back to "Soaring Around the World." Krista, Lizzy, and I went this time. I liked it even better - hardly any wait this time. When we came out, we searched for Michael. We found him holding all three kids high enough to see the parade and fireworks. We went back to the Grand Hotel, talked to Michael's dad for awhile and then walked the tiring distance back to the hotel. Krista came over to our room where Lizzy, Leah and I were boarding to talk for a bit. Then, we were off to sleep.

Friday we were up and out by 10:00 AM. We had breakfast at McDonald's and Panera's across the street from Disneyland. I had a cheese and ham soufflé. We parked in the parking garage on the top level, went down the escalators and walked in, but decided it took longer than walking. We made our way over to Café Orleans where we met for lunch. Everyone was there but Steven & Ty who were on the phone talking to Steven's lawyers about his previous employers who owed him money. Krista and I split a spicy chicken, vegetables, and fava beans dish. It was good and just enough since we had just eaten.

The first ride of the day was "It's a Small World," a boat ride through rooms featuring different world cultures. After that was Toon Town which we walked through, played in a park, went into a store, and then finally left. We headed over to Tomorrowland, and on the way the kids got their faces painted, and I decided to get a treble clef and staff painted on mine as well. The kids said it was because I am a "pano teacher." Then, we rode the cars in "Autopia." I rode with Lizzy. She steered and I pushed the gas. Then we took a ride on the "Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage." Michael's dad showed up and rode with us. After that, we walked around Fantasyland. We ate at a place called ______... We wanted to ride "Hyperspace Mountain," "Big Thunder Mountain," and "Peter Pan's Flight," but we decided we didn't have time and were tired. The park was crowded, and the waits were up to two hours. We turned in early but agreed to get an early start the next day.

We were out by 8 AM and ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant. We bussed it over to the park this time. Krista and I wanted to ride "Hyperspace Mountain," but the wait was reaching 60 minutes. I said, "Let's do it," but Krista wasn't sure we'd have enough time. We went and waited. The line was hardly moving, but all of a sudden it got faster. Apparently, Krista was praying that it would speed up because she didn't want to be late for the next event. The wait ended up being about 35 minutes. When we reached the ride, Lizzy and Leah started whimpering, but we piled in, and they enjoyed it. It was just me that was scared. I think it would be better the second time around.

The next event was a three-hour tour of Disneyland. A guide gave us (Michael's mom and dad, Sarah, Lindsey, Krista, and me) relayed earphones that he spoke through about the history of Disneyland. Apparently, Walt Disney opened it in July 1955. It included Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street. Many rides have changed over the years, and a lot has been added, but a few rides have been around since the beginning. The guide let us ride on "Alice in Wonderland" and the "Disney Railroad," and we saw the "Disney Gallery" and "The Disneyland Story" presenting "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." At the end we got to see Disney's abode built above the firehouse. He and his wife had found it convenient to make a place to live there in the park to be closer to their business. Finally, we got to eat a luncheon that we had chosen. Krista and I both had salads but different ones, and she had a chocolate flourless cake and I had a macaroon. It was all very interesting. In the middle of the luncheon we found out that Michael was at the hospital, and shortly thereafter, Robbie arrived with Ellie, Lizzy, and Leah.

After eating, we waited........   Finally, we left on the "Disney Railroad" and disembarked at New Orleans Square. We took a ride on the "Mark Twain Riverboat" (ferry boat), and then we split up. Krista and I, Lizzy, and Leah prepared to ride "Peter Pan's Flight." While waiting........, Michael returned with Caitlin and Ethan. Apparently, Caitlin had fallen off a chair and split her head open causing a fairly wide gash. A doctor had put staples in her head to close it up. They returned just as we were about to enter Peter Pan's Flight. It was a calm ride, and then we went with Lindsey and Robbie to a place to sit. Michael went off with Robbie to do some rides, Lindsey & Krista stayed with the kids, and I ventured out by myself to "Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room," no waiting. It was simple, sweet, and relaxing. Then, I went on the "Jungle Cruise," a 15-minute wait, and through "Tarzan's Treehouse," a lot of climbing. I came out in New Orleans Square and went around to Jolly Holiday Bakery Café where everyone  was eating. I was not hungry so I picked on cheese and tomato soup.

We split again from Michael, and Krista, Lindsey and Ellie, Lizzy, Leah, Ethan, Caitlin and I went shopping in Downtown Disney because the kids wanted  to spend their money, and I bought a magnet for my fridge. Then, we made the tiring walk to the hotel. When we arrived, I sat on my bed, and realized that I was exhausted and couldn't keep myself awake.

The final day of the trip I slept until 8:30 AM, got up and showered. We went down to the lobby and waited..........  Finally, we left for Panera's and McDonald's for breakfast. It was 11:30 by now. They had two soufflés left, and Krista and I snatched them up. We got on our way and drove across California to I-15 through Nevada and Arizona, and up Utah, stopping often. We got home at 1:30 AM Monday morning.