Feliz Cumpleaños!

Happy birthday to ME! Last Thursday was my birthday (thanks to all the b-day wishes you all sent my way!) Thursday was kind of hectic and crazy because my boyfriend Pablo had to work on Thursday morning and I had to go to a trial job interview thing all afternoon. By the time we both got home Thursday night we were tired and just went to bed! Friday was a different story though! After sleeping in way too long, we finally got out the door and into the subway where Pablo refused to tell me where we were going. He is constantly surprising me with things like notes and little gifts so this isn´t something new for me. He ended up taking me to Cerro San Cristobal which is a big hill in Santiago where you can see almost the whole city! It was so sweet to be up there and see the city--we even got a peek at the temple from up there! We walked around the shops up there and went to a part where we could take a ride on these buggy-ski lift type rides to another part of the hill. It was so fun to just be with him and talk and enjoy one another. The whole time we were there he kept telling me that we had to be home at 8:30 because he had to do something for a teacher or something. I knew he was lying because he is a bad liar! When we got home, a few of our friends were here to share a birthday cake with us! It was a great way to end a good day and celebrate my birthday! I´m so lucky have such a great boyfriend who enjoys doing the same things that I do! Here are a few pictures of Santiago from up top and Pablo and I!

Marriage...is the reason we are gathered here today!

This last weekend I got to experience what weddings are like in Chile. If you thought that your wedding was hectic, just you wait! On Friday morning two of Pablo and I's friends got married and it was a day full of wedding stuff! Cristian Norambuena I met as a missionary and his family was always really good to me. And his now wife Stefanny is one of Pablo's very best friends. So it was cool to be there with them and share the day with our friends!
We started out the morning at the civil wedding. Here in Chile you have to get married lawfully before you can get married in the temple or in a church. Here is a picture of us outside the City Center where they got married.
After the civil wedding, we went back to Pablo's house to eat lunch and get ready to go to the temple. We were running a little late and ended up calling a taxi to take us to the temple. It was so neat to be there with them. When I was a missionary I got to work at the Temple Open House for the Santiago Temple and I grew to really love this temple. It is so simple and yet so beautiful. It was good to be back again and here the advice of the temple president, President Lyon as he sealed Cristian and Stefanny.
After the temple sealing we returned back to Pablo's house to get ready to go to the reception. It was supposed to start at 9 pm but we did not get there until a little after 10. But don't worry, the bride and groom didn't get there until almost 11. PM that is. The receptions here are a little more formal--you go dressed up, eat a fancy dinner and dance the night away! Around 1:30 am the couple cut the cake and then there was MORE dancing. Pablo and I danced the night away! My friend Cata taught me how to dance Cumbia so now I dance like a chileana! We finally decided to leave around 3 am--what a party! It was so much fun and I'm glad that we were able to spend the day with Cristian and Stefanny!

In Chile ya

I realize I have been in Chile now for a while, but things have been so crazy that I haven´t really had time to post pictures or anything. I got here last Friday at 4:30 am. Pablo was waiting for me at the airport with flowers (see picture above) So far everything has been perfect and we have had a lot of fun together. We went to go visit one of my converts, Andres on Saturday in Maipu. I brought them some butterfingers and their one year old got a hold of one. We had a great time with them! Sunday I went to church with Pablo and I forgot about how it is always colder INSIDE the church then outside. Oh and don´t worry, I had totally forgotten what showering with a calefont is like... Let´s just say it´s not very fun!
I love Santiago and it feels like home to be here again. Yesterday we went to El Centro and walked around and finally ended up in a park (Parque Forestal), eating ice cream and watching all the gay people cuddle in the park! Does it get much better than that? I don´t think so... Tonight we are going to the temple with one of Pablo´s friends who is getting married on Friday. And tomorrow I have my first Chilean job interview so I´m a little nervous. I haven´t been a very good blogger lately but I will try and change now!

ME VOY!

Sorry for the lack of posts...life has been crazy lately! But tomorrow I leave for Chile so these last weeks have been filled with packing, last minute memories, shopping, moving, cleaning, training, and plenty of goodbyes (which I HATE!) If I didn't get to say goodbye to you, don't worry, I would have just cried the whole time anyway! I'm a bawl baby! But I'm excited--this move is long over due and much needed. I get to Santiago on Friday so expect a better update then!