Joey-Natalie-Slade-Naomi

One of the biggest events in going to NYC is to see a Broadway Musical. Joey and I have been wanting to see Les Miserables. Last summer when we were dating, often we would read together and he was reading Les Miserables at the time. Unfortunately Les Mis is not playing in NYC right now. Next highest on my list was Lion King. I was fired up and really wanted to see it so badly. But didn't think it'd happen. While I was standing in line for discount tickets, Joey left to go to an atm. He surprised me with a call saying he was standing in line for Lion King tickets. The show was sold out all weekend, but we ended up getting in and getting great tickets for half the price. I WAS THRILLED! What a nice surprise for Joey to do that!

I loved the music. I knew all the songs because one of my mission companions had the soundtrack on our mission. We listened to it all the time. The music is very spiritual and moving. Joey loved it since he has been to Africa, and there are several African songs and guys playing bongo drums. It was outstanding! Thank you Joey for taking me to see Lion King!

"Beautiful Like the Darkness Between Fireflies"

Every evening on Richmond's boulevard, our front yard, between the hours of 7:oopm & 8:30pm, the sidewalks are filled with the magical glow of fireflies. There are so many that it is almost as if walking in a fairy-tale. Joey and I try to go on a walk every night at this time and we just watch and enjoy the glow. It is fascinating. I feel like a child again. Last night we were sitting on the couch and Joey caught my eyes following a flying bug. Joey assured me it was just a moth, when suddenly it lit up and glowed! It was a firefly in our house! It must be good luck.

WHALES!

I love whales. Why? Christmas 2006 we woke up to sunshine and glassy water on the west side of Maui. I don't even remember opening presents that morning. We were out on the boat as a family and ready for a Christmas packed with tropical adventure. I was wakeboarding when I noticed that everyone on the boat had become disinterested in me and were anxiously looking to my left. They signaled that they were going to drop me. I thought I was left for the sharks and was less than calm until finally they turned to pick me up. It was a family of whales they had spotted. We watched as they sun bathed on the surface, a mother, a calf, and an escort. I think it was my dad who jumped in the water first. Then several of my siblings followed with their snorkles and soon the adrenaline was pumping as we were swimming with the whales! We were screaming and scared and so excited. I have never experienced anything more thrilling. The calf kept trying to swim closer to us, and he was easily bigger than a car! At one point the escort was about 30 feet under us and we starred him in the eye. You could see every detail. Breathless is the only word to describe it.

Joey-Natalie-Slade-Naomi

1 comment:

Family and Friends