Transfer 1: Week 3; North Zone

Bonjour!

That is 'good morning' in French, because my companion and I announced Sunday (you know the sisters with the language signs in the ensign, yup, that was us on Sunday) Admittedly I just stood in the background and watched, but it was still a lot of fun. I think that when I get back from my mission that I want to learn either Chinese or Hindi because they sound so awesome. Chinese is such a brisk language, the pronounciation is so sharp that you feel like their tounge is cutting the roof of their mouth.

This week was rather interesting because we are going through fleet training, where they are teaching us about how to drive mission cars. I know that I went through all the trouble of getting my driving record, but after reading all of the rules and regulations I feel like maybe not driving would be a good idea. The movies for the training are very old, so sometimes it can be really funny. (OK not sometimes, all the time) But the cars are how we go shopping and to other places. Did I mention that I love going to the Asian market, the feel of the place just makes you want to stay there all "P"-day (Preparation day). And oriental food is pretty amazing.

This week also brought changes, so many sister missionaries are now wearing patterns. There are flowers, checks, plaids, lace, everything that you could think of. The sisters are loving the new missionary dress code. Although, my companion and I have decided that instead of going shopping for new clothes we are going to the Planetarium. (I am so terribly sad about this ;)

We also have been able to meet a lot of neat people- even some I already know :). Recently I have also been meeting plenty of Navy folks, when I mention Grandpa Pielstick they give me a little nod of respect. Apparently Navy pilots are a very respected branch in the Military, even some of the Army guys were impressed. They are so much fun to talk to, and they have a different perspective on life, but they love the organization of the church and how it doesn't change over time because of the way the organization is set up.

I've also met some French folks who chided me for not keeping up my language. I guess I'd better work on it, I'll practice with the sisters from Tahiti and France to improve my French. Hopefully it returns, I've taken to reading some scriptures in French to force me to practice my vocabulary.

A favorite this week was a little girl named Emma, her parents are descendants from Taiwan and America and I believe that she was the cutest, most well-behaved 4 month old that I've met on Temple Square. Aside from a slight preoccupation with consuming her child carrier, she enjoyed looking at everything. She loved the pamphlets that we gave her parents and giggled and smiled until we had to go. Her parents are only going to speak Chinese so that she can learn her heritage language. I wish I had a heritage language to teach my children. I guess it'll have to be 'science' or maybe 'mathematics' because I don't know any foreign languages fluently.

Hope you enjoy.

Sister Pielstick