Swap Meet, Quartsize

Wednesday, 26 December 2007

Come January, the town would be buzzling with activities. I read that Quartzsite plays host to the largest swap meet in the United States during the winter months. Just for fun, we stopped to see what is available this afternoon.

The Coca Cola toy car and the venting machine caught my eyes because I remembered my friend's daughter collect coca cola things. I wouldn't be able to buy these things for her but I thought I could send her pictures of them.

There were all kinds of stuff being sold. There was 1 big scorpion made of copper on sale for $10. The lady vendor withdrew it from her table when I called Mike's attention to it. She said she would make more money if she melt it, being copper, unless we decided to pay $10 for it then.

Inside the big tent, were plenty of T-shirts and clothes sold. Someone jokingly asked whether the terrier is for sale too! The lady vendor said "oh no!". It must be her pet. Isn't the terrier cute? I wonder if it climb up to the top of the pile itself?

Christmas Presents

Tuesday, 25 December 2007

It was Christmas morning. It was interesting to watch the excitement and expression of each child as they opened each present.

Being only 1 and half years old, Addison got help opening her presents. She can't say 'thank you' yet but she definitely have a great time touching, squeezing, tasting and exploring.





Aunt Merri got a 'tiger' for her Christmas present. I don't mind having one myself because it is soft and cuddly! Addison had fun playing with it too!


Landon was thrilled with his little town set. Is Santa Claus preparing him to be a town planner?


The game 'computer' will surely keep 7 yr old Sheridan busy for a while!

Visiting Friends in Mesa Arizona

Monday, 24 December 2007

Being in Mesa, I had to visit Sister Mayce, who have just arrived in US and spending Christmas in Mesa. It is good to see Brother Spencer again!



Thought of giving a surprise visit to Brother Austin but instead visited with his family instead.

I Wear Sun Glasses

Sunday, 23 December 2007

Whenever we drove on the 16th street, I saw it, but didn't take a picture until this afternoon. I thought that was an interesting way of advertising!

Celebrating Winter Solstice in Yuma

Saturday, 22 December 2007

While Chinese celebrated "Dong Zhi" (Winter Solstice) in other parts of the world, we had our own celebration here in Yuma. The little Asian group in Yuma had their Christmas party tonight. We didn't had "tong yuan" (pearl soup) but we had plenty of other delicacies.

Earlier today, some of us went carolling. I am glad I went carolling with them to the (1) Copper Hills House (2) Desert Rose Apartments (3) Beehive House and (4) SunQuest Village .



I am glad the senior citizens living in the respective homes enjoyed our singing. My heart went out to them. I thought about the absence of their loved ones, beside them. There were only 4 ladies, at the Beehive house, who came out into the sitting room, to listen to us. 2 of them looked so sad to me. I felt sad for them being there instead of being around their children and grandchildren, especially during festive seasons.

Playing for the Salvation Army

Saturday, 15 December 2007

There would be either 1 or more people standing outside the big shopping centers, ringing their bells.

The Salvation Army are collecting donations to help the poor, to buy them food, toys and clothes for the Christmas season. This collection usually starts after the Thanksgiving Day and ends the day before Christmas.

After the "Wreaths Across America" ceremony at the Yuma Armed Forces Park, we drove to the Sam's Club. There were 3 young girls ringing their bells. Most of the people who inserted their money into the donation box were seniors.

Mike wanted to help with the donation by playing his bagpipes. I thought that was sweet of him. In a way, the music did draw people to the spot!

He did the same outside the Wal-Mart after that!

Christmas Wreaths Across America

Saturday, 15 December 2007

Looks like there are 3 Memorial Days in the country:

(1) Memorial Day (last Monday of May) is a US federal holiday, commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country

(2) National POW/MIA Recognition Day (3rd Friday of September) honors U.S. men and women who have returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from the nation's wars.

(3) Wreaths Across America (December) (a) remembers the fallen (b) honors those who served (c) teaches our children the value of freedom.

In 1992, Merrill and Karen Worcester (who now owns the Worcester Wreath Company) began a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of the Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia..

This year will mark the 16th season of the wreaths being donated to remember our fallen Heroes during the Christmas season.

The ceremony started at 9 am at the Yuma Armed Forces park.


There were six wreaths, "one for each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard) with the sixth wreath to remember those still missing in action".


A young marine corp veteran played the bugle

Mike, a veteran himself, in his civil air patrol shirt and kilt, played the "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipes. It was the best I have heard him played so far. It was perfect and I felt like crying.

Visting Teaching

Sunday, 16 December 2007

For the first time in Yuma, we did our visiting teaching! Sister Ruth & I visited Sister Lynna and Sister Elizabeth. It was great! I loved it!

Saw a great dane during the visit. I have never seen such a big dog before, except in pictures!




Friday, 14 December 2007

For the first time, my visiting teachers came and taught me. Sister Lourdes is from Uruguay & Sister Suphattra is from Thailand. And I am from Malaysia! Isn't that interesting? And we lived a few houses from each other. We come from different countries and different backgrounds but we believe in the same gospel principles. And joining us, was Sister Patricia from the 7th Ward. We had fun eating rice and chicken curry for lunch.

I looked forward to next month's visiting teaching because I am going to cook a different Malaysian dish - Beef Rendang - for them to try.

Yuma Arizona Stake Family Christmas Fireside

Sunday, 9 November 2007

It was a special music program, put forwarded by the Yuma Stake Single Adults tonight. This was the best Christmas Fireside I have attended so far. I love every minute of it, listening to the singers, pianists, guitarist, flutist, violinists and a story-teller. One thing about having performances in the chapel is that we can't clap our hands!

Field of Vegetables

Sunday, 9 December 2007

It was hay in summer but now the field is filled with green leafy vegetables! I am impressed!

A Night in Bethlehem

Saturday, 8 December 2007

Thanks, Sister Rebecca, for allowing me to post the pictures that you took, in this blog.

Visit and buy something from the Gift Shop


Fruits from the Fruits Shop


Eggs & cheese from the Dairy Shop


There were also a Bread (Pita Shop), a Cookies & Pastries (Bakery Shop) and a Cider (Wine Shop).

To maintain peace, Roman Soldiers watched.


Travellers not dressed in the biblical attire could rent clothes (sheets, etc) from the tailor shop. Mike & I were called to run this booth.


Most of the clothes were rented to provide additional cover from the cold! Quilts, were rented also, to rest from their journey, and to watch the nativity play.




An interesting Christmas party, organised by our 5th Ward! It was held on the field outside the Stake building. I think I would have enjoyed more if it wasn't outside. I don't like the cold! I think there would be more people also if it was held inside the building but then it wouldn't be like 'Bethlehem'.

Temples in Utah

Saturday, 1 December 2007

All the temples are beautiful! I had the opportunity to see 4 temples in Utah last week.

23 Nov (Fri) - St. George Temple - Went with Brother/Sister Telford to hear the missionaries sang at the temple ground and to see the lights and the nativity displayed there. I would have love to visit longer if it wasn't that cold! It was only a little after 6 pm and it was already dark. I was never more anxious to get back to the car!



24 Nov (Sat) - Bountiful Temple - It was wonderful to be inside the temple with Sister Jensen and her daughter, Julie.



26 Nov (Sun) - Salt Lake Temple - While visiting the roof garden of the Conference Center with Brother/Sister Jacobs, I took this shot.



The Salt Lake Temple is so beautiful with the lights on:



28 Nov (Wed) - Provo Temple - This temple was easy to find as it was near the Provo Mission Training Center.

Morning in Provo, Utah

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Last morning in Utah, for this trip. Rocky mountains are definitely one of Utah's 3 distinct geological features!



Maybe that is why it is cold in Utah because there are mountains here and there! I felt cold even though I had more than 4 layers of clothing! My clothes felt like that they have been refrigerated. My hands also felt like they have been refrigerated, even with the gloves on! I need to get thicker clothing for my 'always cold' body in this kind of season in Utah !

Funny there were snow on the top of this mountain

while there was none on this side.

Great Salt Lake, Utah

Monday, 26 November 2007

According to Wikipedia, the Great Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere, the fourth largest terminal lake in the world and the 33rd largest lake on earth.

According to the tour brochure, the Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. It is currently 75 miles long by 28 miles wide covering 1,700 square miles. Size and depth vary greatly with seasonal evaporation and precipitation. Salinity is too high to support fish and most other aquatic species, however, brine shrimp, brine flies and several types of algae thrive in the lake.

Yes, it is a big lake. Couldn't see the shape of it. Looked like I am looking at a sea or ocean. Thought why I am taking pictures of nothing but water. I am glad I did because they turned out pleasing to my eyes! I love the blue water and the blue skies!

Antelope Island State Park, Salt Lake City, Utah

Monday, 26 November 2007

This is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. According to the brochure, Antelope Island comprises 28,022 acres, and is 15 miles long and 4.5 miles across at its widest point.

We saw bighorn sheep last Saturday while travelling to St. George. This morning saw the same kind of sheep in this Antelope Island. Can you see them in the picture? Maybe I should try zooming in next time then I can get a bigger picture of the bighorn sheep. Anyway, I like the surrounding scenery. It is not green but nevertheless uniquely beautiful.



This was a zoom shot of a bison - not bad! According to the brochure, bison are the island's most famous residents.


I don't know how big the buffalo is. Maybe the buffalo statue, behind all of us is of the life size?


We didn't see the other animals that were mentioned in the brochure - bobcats, coyotes, reptiles, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, chukars and different kinds of birds.