Ode to Sara(h)

If you're name is Sara(h) you're probably a kindred spirit! I was thinking the other day how I seem to be drawn to fabulous gals with said name and consistently make them my dearest of friends. Take Sarah Ehmke, for example. We sang together in Tucson Institute Chorale back in the early 90's and were part of the "9" innocuously elitist social club. What fun memories! She is a wonderful mother of five and is always pleasant, patient, forgiving, tolerant and kind to others. I'm grateful for her gentle nature and example. We currently follow each other's blogs and try to get together every Christmas for lunch. I look forward to that. Then there's my Italian amica Sara Tonon. We met on my mission in Italy (1995-1996) and were instant friends. She played the piano and we both liked singing Mormon "pop" so there began a long and enduring friendship. She came to visit me for two months in 1999, and again in 2003 for a few weeks. I've been to visit her in Torino, Italy FIVE times. Just can't stay away from this spunky and hilarious girl. She's soooo fun and bright. We've had some good times and written probably a thousand letters to each other over the years. Which brings me to Sara Swim Turley - a sweetheart of a girl with amazing piano talent. We braved the singles wards together, commiserating and laughing at a number of "linger longers," FHE's and "break the fasts"... it was fun to witness her courtship and romance to Scott Turley. We had an especially good time with our singing group, eh Sara? Your master's piano concert was AMAZING; you're so talented and positive; thanks for the memories. Next I think of Sarah Huffman, a gorgeous single from Omaha, NE who was a regular Halloween partier, a Sunday luncheoner, a weekend game player, a jewelry-attending goofball who'd always be a sport for birthday celebrations, watching General Conference at the Nelsons or movie nights. I sure miss hangin' with you Sarah, you're FABULOUS! Hang in there, Mr. Right is not good enough for you... yet. Okay, so here I am now in NYC and my two new BFF's are Sarah Fulton and Sara Orlando! Seriously, these ladies ROCK. Sarah Fulton is the RS President and blows me away with her spirituality, conversion to the gospel, and depth of character. I LOVE talking to her and laughing with her about... everything! I am so blessed by her friendship and I thank my Heavenly Father for this. She is such a beautiful person, inside and out. She regularly brings my world such joy and positive energy. Can't wait for game night and Sunday dinner with Marisol. :) A propos to blessings, I was inspired to talk to Sara Orlando about forming a singing group several months ago. She and I have also become fast friends in the early planning stage, but also as we have chatted about life's challenges, mostly health related. She is one of the most sincere and compassionate people I know. I can tell that she truly cares about my health and job problems and understands what I'm going through. She was recently assigned as my Visiting Teacher and my first reaction was, "she already takes care of me!" I am so excited to work with her in our octet and otherwise. What a lovely, talented lady!!!
Sara Morgan is the one that got away... almost! We met a few months ago and then she up and moved to AZ. In that short time, we laughed and laughed. And laughed. What a great sense of humor, wow! I enjoyed hearing her takes on life, her Jimmy Fallon stories, and listening to her insights. Oh, and she totally converted me to the Snuggie. A blanket with sleeves!? How do people live without them... seriously. I wish her the best of luck in her new life in AZ. She's missed greatly by myself and other folks here in NYC.
So, what is it about Sara(h)? Don't know, but its a great name and I just want to say that I love all you very much! Thank you for being my friend(s). It means the world to me.

Peter... on vacation

Peter finally has some "down time." He was assigned two weeks of vacation in October and two weeks again in April of 2010. We didn't complain about the assignments, given that many oral surgery programs don't allow more than a week vacation for the entire year! So, he's very lucky in that way. He's off from Oct. 15-Nov. 1. What is our happy chap doing on his vacation? Sleeping mostly, studying oral surgery, going to the gym and to the clerk's office. What, the clerk's office!!?... you're asking. Most days for several hours!? That's correct. Peter hasn't been able to put in the time on his calling that he'd like, which in his ideal world is about 10-15 hours a week. He gravitates toward clerking and organizational realms, so he's communiating frequently with the Bishop and the ward clerk about issues such as ordering supplies, cleaning up ward membership records, and GEO codes (don't ask me). He's happiest this way. Like his mother used to tell him, "a working Peter is a happy Peter." Too true. Most people on vacation in NY would be exploring the city, but our Peter, as you all know, is far from ordinary. He's very driven and focused, especially in his church callings. His brother, Patrick, is coming in town to visit this weekend and I think Peter might actually indulge in some sightseeing and brotherly bonding. Whatever happens, its a blessing to be married to this great man, and I appreciate his leadership and example. Hats off to you Petie-baby, may your vacation be everything you hoped!

Working Girl

Well, hopefully the job hunting nightmare is coming to an end. I finally went to a temporary agency two weeks ago and they have hooked me up with some no-brainer, but money-generating gigs. For two days I was a registration girl at Jacob Javitts Convention Center in Manhattan. $12/ hour to print labels and troubleshoot people standing in the wrong lines. Ironically, six years ago I attended a tourism conference at the same place as an important and dignified attendee with a business card. But no matter. Next, I filled in as receptionist at Hanesbrands Inc. (clothing designers) for a girl that was out sick for one day. $15/ hour to smile, make coffee, receive and sign for packages, distribute mail, and otherwise surf the internet. I currently find myself on a one week assignment again as a receptionist for Leucadia National Corporation; the regular receptionist is on vacation this week in Florida. So, I'm enjoying the perks of a free lunch everyday (rock on!), plenty of downtime, and friendly people. Whats in store for next week? TBD. But, I feel so relieved to have some, any income right now. And its kind of nice to have no-brainer jobs that allow you to concentrate on other things, like Italian idioms, which is the current book I'm studying here at my desk. I just had some business cards printed that say: Allison R. Nelson * Historian * Italian Instructor * Tour Guide*... why, Peter asks me, did I have these printed? Don't know... just to feel important I guess, and to remind me that I do have skills even though the economy is down and out. Bless you, Solomon Page Group (temporary agency)!!! You saved the day.