tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25923471653399338762024-03-05T04:56:20.935-08:00Nothing But NielsenLJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-39680096151355066032012-07-15T20:22:00.001-07:002012-07-15T20:22:51.974-07:007 months laterSeven months passes much too fast! It seems the older we get the quicker time goes. Last time I wrote I made a list of things that we hoped would happen this year. Let me fill you in on what has happened....<div>
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1. LJ DOES have a job lined up! After doing an internship with Deloitte from January-April of 2012 he was offered a position at Deloitte in Las Vegas, NV. He will be working on the Ceasar's Palace team. </div>
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2. I didn't find a job teaching voice lessons. However, I did find a job! I am doing PSR (pyschosocial rehabilitation). I teach children skills to help them overcome a vast number of social and interpersonal issues. It is very rewarding and the pay isn't too bad either!</div>
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3. No trip to Disneyland or California Adventure yet. But, we did go to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World with my family after I finished student teaching and LJ finished his internship!</div>
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4. My iron count <i>has </i>gone up! I have been taking heavy doses of iron but have not had to have iron transfusions - thank heavens! It's still a work in progress though.</div>
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5. We found an AMAZING apartment closer to campus! We absolutely LOVE where we live. It has granite counter tops and tile floors. It's much larger than our previous apartment - it is fantastic!</div>
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6. While in Vegas we bought a new car! YAY! We sold LJ's old hatchback for $100. LJ was pretty happy to say goodbye to that hand-me-down.</div>
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7. PINTEREST!!!! Every single meal I have made since we came back to Idaho has been a recipe found on Pinterest. I have become banner-crazed, health/fitness crazed, craft crazed...you name it! I try as many things as I can from pinterest. </div>
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8. We are seeing The Dark Knight Rises on July 20th in IMAX in Utah! Every morning when I wake up, I roll over and LJ is on his phone reading the latest news about the film. He is so obsessed. Today he wore a black suit, with a black tie, black socks, black shoes, and black cufflinks (with a white shirt, of course) and did so to prepare for the movie premier. He says he will be wearing a Batman t-shirt everyday this week. He has been listening to the soundtrack every chance he gets, watching trailers and clips, and wearing the apparel - this is obviously going to be a life changing experience for him. He says "I am preparing physically, mentally, and emotionally for this movie..." I will have to post pictures in a few days!</div>
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9. We went to the temple on Friday, but still have not been as diligent as we should be.</div>
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10. We have been exercising regularly. We are currently very sore from our Saturday morning work out...ouch!</div>
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11. I am going to support LJ until he graduates. We have been so blessed and will be able to get LJ out of school debt-free!</div>
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12. We are striving to live the gospel! We have been working specifically on improving our personal study habits and have been blessed as we have been studying the Gospel.</div>
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There are still a few more months in 2012 and I'm sure they will fly by. I hope to be more consistent in updating out blog. A lot of people have been asking my family about our plans for our future and I will keep everyone posted on this blog. </div>
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Lots of love,</div>
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The Nielsens</div>
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</div>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-40252816518141708322011-12-31T18:06:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:28:36.202-08:00Long time no postYet again, I haven't written in forever! But, I graduated from BYU-I with my Bachelors in Music Education a few weeks ago so now I will have less homework and more blog time (graduation pictures coming soon). Since it's New Years Eve I thought I could write about 11 fun things that have happened to LJ and I this year: <div><br /></div><div>1. Hannah Graduates</div><div>2. TWO year anniversary</div><div>3. LJ is offered and accepts an internship with a Big Four accounting firm</div><div>4. Hannah competes in National Metropolitan Opera competition</div><div>5. LJ completes and passes hardest accounting course at BYUI (woohoo!)</div><div>6. Hannah is asked to teach private voice lessons for the BYUI Music department (only four students from the department are asked each semester!)</div><div>7. LJ bought a 55" LCD TV (his gift to himself for getting his internship)</div><div>8. Hannah Performed at senior vocal recital</div><div>9. We tried the 'Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead' juice fast....that was rough</div><div>10. Hannah's first Christmas away from home = wonderful (in-laws made it AWESOME)</div><div>11. LJ taught Sunday School while Hannah ran Activity Days in Rexburg</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, 12 things we hope to do in 2012:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. LJ hopes to have a job lined up upon graduation from BYUI in 2013</div><div>2. Hannah hopes to find a job teaching voice lessons in Idaho until LJ graduates</div><div>3. We hope to make a trip to Disneyland and California Adventures</div><div>4. Hannah hopes to get her iron count UP UP UP through extensive iron transfusions</div><div>5. We hope to find an apartment closer to campus</div><div>6. We HOPE to be able to buy a car to replace LJ's 93 Honda Civic hatchback (haha)</div><div>7. Hannah hopes to try some crafts, hairstyles, recipes, outfits etc. as seen on Pinterest</div><div>8. LJ WILL see The Dark Knight Rises in IMAX at MIDNIGHT on July 20</div><div>9. We plan on attending the Temple more regularly</div><div>10. We hope to exercise regularly </div><div>11. Hannah hopes to be able to support LJ until he graduates</div><div>12. We both hope to continue to have a happy and strong marriage founded on the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ</div>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-67548619190966132612011-02-22T14:15:00.001-08:002011-02-22T14:55:02.223-08:00Life, Love and LOST<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3As7R8xVEtyvZ8PlJ91mXDyJ5vXZCcewkilqwRPjMl7r5cOYKZZedXFM8C_cwY1VxJYesZDQKJKsKi2itD-HjJSlm2YoJA4sXrCwJXsErAKFyUVG9fjV277Aob00eGmS6oEhRvdebyJDK/s1600/Date+Night+079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3As7R8xVEtyvZ8PlJ91mXDyJ5vXZCcewkilqwRPjMl7r5cOYKZZedXFM8C_cwY1VxJYesZDQKJKsKi2itD-HjJSlm2YoJA4sXrCwJXsErAKFyUVG9fjV277Aob00eGmS6oEhRvdebyJDK/s320/Date+Night+079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576650079739773234" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3As7R8xVEtyvZ8PlJ91mXDyJ5vXZCcewkilqwRPjMl7r5cOYKZZedXFM8C_cwY1VxJYesZDQKJKsKi2itD-HjJSlm2YoJA4sXrCwJXsErAKFyUVG9fjV277Aob00eGmS6oEhRvdebyJDK/s1600/Date+Night+079.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3As7R8xVEtyvZ8PlJ91mXDyJ5vXZCcewkilqwRPjMl7r5cOYKZZedXFM8C_cwY1VxJYesZDQKJKsKi2itD-HjJSlm2YoJA4sXrCwJXsErAKFyUVG9fjV277Aob00eGmS6oEhRvdebyJDK/s1600/Date+Night+079.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">This is what LJ walked into when he got home</span></a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR70yAIrX1chexoWlpWnfLRV5bEZGHK1MOhwXr810lCmNXDYLYDRkZkdsgU5VGjnqvaUjzahf3rZc_UbFl6kEEKSXixC3GT3ffAEelZGhdBoh3P-CAH-b3W7RkowwUDYHZ2kFmL-HxZzEN/s1600/Date+Night+064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR70yAIrX1chexoWlpWnfLRV5bEZGHK1MOhwXr810lCmNXDYLYDRkZkdsgU5VGjnqvaUjzahf3rZc_UbFl6kEEKSXixC3GT3ffAEelZGhdBoh3P-CAH-b3W7RkowwUDYHZ2kFmL-HxZzEN/s320/Date+Night+064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576650073313361698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The "Love" Lifeboat</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIHw05D5sRWPlUXCxdLpHCTNlOjhrg-lspkj2V2L7Shyphenhyphenyj-MxjskMFFAIXoB0hjmsby9FVMqtQMulCmfkLUnDRyS9GCLPocV8RxfOwxUjEwU8d3Y1plQ-jtySx-Vprz_3NyMaQnHKdwC_/s1600/Date+Night+069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIHw05D5sRWPlUXCxdLpHCTNlOjhrg-lspkj2V2L7Shyphenhyphenyj-MxjskMFFAIXoB0hjmsby9FVMqtQMulCmfkLUnDRyS9GCLPocV8RxfOwxUjEwU8d3Y1plQ-jtySx-Vprz_3NyMaQnHKdwC_/s320/Date+Night+069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576650072442419570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dharma Initiative Snacks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzso-C2hv4pLfKh26SqH-WA20g6vlQWxqFzvRVpGbI1VTToFt74k3jXhDh0ZhSOQONF4g9Gnev9jbd6HdOyAZPAFqSPMQupO65_8F7Azwlx5P5zSBPsZ1RnrJcOsd5QkSNxLicvDnZlGJw/s1600/Date+Night+084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzso-C2hv4pLfKh26SqH-WA20g6vlQWxqFzvRVpGbI1VTToFt74k3jXhDh0ZhSOQONF4g9Gnev9jbd6HdOyAZPAFqSPMQupO65_8F7Azwlx5P5zSBPsZ1RnrJcOsd5QkSNxLicvDnZlGJw/s320/Date+Night+084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576650064902910962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dharma Initiative T-Shirts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Life sure has been crazy since we have been home from Mongolia. We lived with LJ's family for a month while LJ worked at an accounting firm in Utah. I stayed home all day everyday because at the time we only had one car. That was a huge trial for me! I learned that I like to be busy. Relaxing is nice every once and a while but not all the time! I guess the grass is always greener on the other side - right? Christmas was a lot of fun! We went to Vegas (of course I thought it was fun! haha). LJ was too generous as always! I was just so excited to spend time with my family and to get out of the cold! <div>School started January 3rd so we moved in to the new Apt on New Years Eve! Lyle and Melissa came with us to move in (SO nice of them) and after a lot of sweat and almost tears we are moved in. Moving is the biggest pain in the bum especially when it's freezing outside! It was so darn cold - duh! It's Rexburg!</div><div> I thought I was going to have more free time this semester because I am only working one job - boy was I wrong! I am performing with the jazz choir on campus, Vocal Union, this semester and while it doesn't feel like work because it's so much fun - it takes up a lot of time! And, I am also performing in Opera Scenes this semester which takes up my evenings! My classes seem to get harder each semester (naturally - since they are now upper level courses)! LJ, who is now majoring in accounting is transitioning well, but I think he is worried about the work load to come! It is hard to find time to spend together alone and relaxed. We usually fall asleep watching LOST which brings me to my next point.....</div><div> When LJ and I first started dating I would go over to his apartment and he would be watching LOST (the TV series). Whenever I caught glimpses of the show it looked amazing! Well, he finished up the show this semester and told me that I needed to start it. So, I watched one episode and it was pretty darn good. The day after I watched the first episode I ended up staying home sick - I had the worst cold of my life! Well, don't judge me but I watched 19 episodes of Lost that day! I know, I know - sick and wrong! I have no problem admitting that I am addicted to Lost haha Luckily LJ understands my addiction - hello he started it! haha </div><div> A few weeks ago I was talking with my friend and she mentioned that a website called thedatingdivas.com had a Lost themed date. So, I checked it out and ended up planning the date for LJ and I! It turned out SO SO SO cute! I am so grateful that there a people with adorable ideas who make it easy for people like me (who have zero cute ideas) to copy their ideas and look like a good wife haha LJ loved the date! He thought it was so cool! Thank you divas!</div><div> I am so lucky to be married to LJ! He is a great husband! For Valentine's Day he surprised me with dinner! It was the sweetest thing ever! How did I get so stinkin' blessed? I just love that handsome guy so much! It's amazing to know that even when life gets crazy and overwhelming I can turn to my best friend and feel at peace!</div>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-44993794761268781022010-11-13T10:24:00.000-08:002010-11-13T10:36:38.108-08:00Home at last<div>After 36 hours of travel we made it back to America exhausted and hungry! The time zone change absolutley blows my mind! We left Mongolia on Monday afternoon at 3:40, traveled 36 hours, and arrived in LA at 9:30am Tuesday morning....I just can't rap my mind around it! We stayed with my aunt Tasha for one day - it was really great because we got to spend time with my grandparents. They have been traveling the country so we got to share our travel experiences with each other (although, they didn't experience anything as crazy as eating sheep head).</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eo01jbeWB-VVucYiEU6r2dMiKfG6QNqTtK9BjKlN8Du6-YJhEDwDEF9LFBaVWmU8ZMQqBppAHdaSNk1fSbIPdtVN3DuLeCyIbz44Xm_pf4qj2EanUSVS_bBIF4fpV2ed1V7M6tTPHzCF/s1600/DSCN1128.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 415px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539103801665576850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eo01jbeWB-VVucYiEU6r2dMiKfG6QNqTtK9BjKlN8Du6-YJhEDwDEF9LFBaVWmU8ZMQqBppAHdaSNk1fSbIPdtVN3DuLeCyIbz44Xm_pf4qj2EanUSVS_bBIF4fpV2ed1V7M6tTPHzCF/s320/DSCN1128.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> Yes, this is a boiled sheep head...which we ate!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We drove to Las Vegas on Wednesday and we will be staying here until next week sometime. </div><div>It is so nice to be home! We have been able to catch up on sleep, relax, and just enjoy the beautiful country we live in. Mongolia gave me a new appreciation for our freedoms and liberties.</div><div>I am so happy to be home with my family, home where I can speak the language, home where I can eat the food with out getting sick. Dorothy said it right "There is no place like home." </div>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-90483188945509961722010-10-28T20:45:00.000-07:002010-10-28T21:08:35.636-07:00I will survive!<span style="font-family: georgia;">Only 10 days left in Mongolia. It has been one crazy adventure! I haven't written anything because....LJ's computer broke a few weeks into the trip - that has certainly made this whole thing a lot harder than I was planning on. Thankfully, I have been able to use a computer in the church when it has been available. We have had so many fun experiences! We went to the countryside (almost 100% uninhabited!!), we went to the place where Mongolia was dedicated for missionary work, we bought about a million cheap movies (haha), I ate SHEEP HEAD, but mainly I have learned how very blessed we are in America! I am so grateful for all we have and all we can work to have! I love America. I have also learned how much hope the Gospel brings into our lives. The people in Mongolia have nothing and nothing to look forward to. But, the Gospel gives the people here the hope of a brighter future, the hope of a living Savior. It blesses these people so much. I never realized how much I take for granted all I have until I came to Mongolia. Now, while I have learned so much and come to love the people so greatly...I am ready to go home! I miss my family, friends....FOOD!! I dream about America every night - no kidding! It started about a week ago...I had a dream about milk - I don't even like milk very much! But, when I dreamed that I was drinking a tall glass of 2% - oh baby! I got very homesick! I just want some milk!!!!! When I wake up every morning having dreamed about America I just keep reminding myself that I only have a few more days here. I am SO grateful for the experience I have had here but I am also so grateful that I am going home soon!<br /></span>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-59608483144150997882010-09-10T03:07:00.000-07:002010-09-10T03:20:53.343-07:00Recent Obsessions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAqiQKWpugTEFc6PtHznLWs_OZfqKZHo7FoxFUPowxdd0oxAcqtcnv6nk2W2p3U5bbzZgCK-qvUABbX7merIaBk38m41tmvgY9nJaDfV_MZ_YoLnajr-KjH9mU989aJgZG5qmn2wRK0rx/s1600/Mockingjay.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAqiQKWpugTEFc6PtHznLWs_OZfqKZHo7FoxFUPowxdd0oxAcqtcnv6nk2W2p3U5bbzZgCK-qvUABbX7merIaBk38m41tmvgY9nJaDfV_MZ_YoLnajr-KjH9mU989aJgZG5qmn2wRK0rx/s320/Mockingjay.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515227589521139698" border="0" /></a><br />Something that I have found to occupy some of my free time here has been The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. These books have become extremely popular at BYU-I (especially among English majors) and my mom convinced me to read them. Anything she suggests I read because she always steers me in a good direction. Mom sent me with books one and two to read over here. It took me two days to read them both (haha). Needless to say I was hooked after the first few chapters! These books are AMAZING! I love them - the story is so gripping and the main character is so lovable (which I find to be a big contrast with the Twilight series haha).<br />After I finished the first 2 books, I was DYING to get my hands on the newly released 3rd book! I tried calling every book store in the UB area, then I buckled and ordered the ebook. After complications with payment methods outside of the U.S., help from my aunt, and buying a power cord for LJ's computer I was finally able to get ahold of book 3...Mockingjay!!!<br />I really want to start a discussion board or something to see what other people thought of the book. I was a little disappointed! Things happened so fast - too fast for me! Characters killed with little explanation or emotion from the main character, love triangles coming to a swift close when one character was about to SLAUGHTER the other - not a lot of explanation or talk of healing there, main characters leaving the picture for good......the book ended exactly how I hoped it would but I didn't get to experience all the happiness and love that I was waiting for over the past two books!! Anyways, I am obsessed right now and dying for someone to discuss it with me! I loved the book but I have to admit it was my least favorite of the 3! I want to hear YOUR thoughts! Please comment :)LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-64147820422837296852010-09-02T00:42:00.000-07:002010-09-02T01:31:41.242-07:00Mongolia...a new chapterA few months ago LJ decided to apply for an internship in Mongolia and I, being quiet innocent, encouraged him! He found an internship with an international bank in the capital of Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar. All the arrangements seemed to fall into place. The church asked me if I could help out in the mission home (which I was extatic about) and we were able to find rather inexpensive flights. We had a hard time getting LJ's visa - in fact it didn't arrive until 6 hours before our flight left but we made it here!<br />We landed in Ulaanbaatar on September 1st. It was a pretty big culture shock. The way these people drive is insane! No lanes, no blinkers, no speed limits, no lights - NO NOTHING!!! I think I almost died 23 times after leaving the airport. It's amazing that they don't hit eachother! We wanted to shower and turned the water on - no hot water! I had to heat water on the stove to wash my hair. We went grocery shopping and didn't get any groceries...apparently LJ never bought food when he was here - that would explain why he was so skinny! I am loving the mission home! I have only been here for a few hours and I haven't done much of anything but the people are so wonderful and the Spirit is very strong.<br />LJ is going to enjoy his job. He will be working on a project for the bank and will be working very closely with a member of the church named A.K. I can tell that he likes being back. His mission was such an important time of his life. He learned so much and became the man he is today in this city. We have already seen a lot of people he knows and all the missionaries know him as a "legend." Everyone always says "You're NIELSEN?!?!?!?!" My husband is famous!<br />I am trying to learn some Mongolian words and phrases. It's a lot easier than learning in American because I'm submursed in the language here. I like it! I have already learned a lot and I'm sure being around the elders will help me learn more. The mission president, President Mecham, made the goal to learn the language - that is a lofty goal!<br />I'm sure I will have great stories to come. As for now I am still in shock! I have eaten new foods, almost died 50 times, and showered with freezing cold water but things will get more exciting!LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-66897077412775744842010-05-19T17:41:00.000-07:002010-05-19T17:57:04.415-07:00Finding Joy in the Journey<div style="text-align: center;">This new semester has proved to be more trying than last semester! We are both working two jobs. We are both doing the early EARLY morning cleaning jobs, LJ is still a teachers assistant in the business department and I have been hired as a "mentor" for a music theory class (I teach classes 5 hours a week). Work keeps us pretty busy and LJ is also serving on the student representative council as the rep. over Academics and I got cast as a lead in this semester's Opera. I am performing as Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni. I am very excited! All of these activities have us going non-stop but we really try to apply the principle of "find joy in the journey." These years are going to zoom by and eventually we will remember these times and think "Oh, if only we could go back." Some days, I just want these years to be over but then I realize how truly blessed we have been and continue to be. We are very happy. We are healthy, we have great friends, we have sufficient for our needs, and through all of this our Father in Heaven continues to bless us with the physical and spiritual strength we need to complete all of the tasks which are required of us. I am gaining such a strong testimony of simple obedience. What I mean by that, is when we do the "simple" things, Heavenly Father blesses us tremendously. When I say my morning prayers (even though some mornings I feel half asleep) I know that Heavenly Father hears me and answers my righteous desires. When I study the scriptures I am blessed to understand what I am learning in my classes. The mercy and love of our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, are incomprehensible. I know that if we turn to the Atonement, even through trials (or busy times), we will find joy in the journey for we know that our experiences are for our benefit. </div>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-72681752111380067392010-02-18T09:50:00.000-08:002010-02-18T10:10:25.389-08:00Coulda' Woulda' Shoulda'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The title is how I feel about writing on my blog! I cannot believe how crazy life gets and it goes by SO fast! We are already at mid-terms...I have no idea where the first half of the semester went! LJ and I are doing well in school. We love BYU-Idaho! We haven't had anytime to relax until this past weekend. We went to LJ's parents house for the 3 day weekend and it was AMAZING! They always pamper us when we visit! We had a blast eating, watching the olympics, eating, shopping, eating, relaxing, eating...did I mention that we ate A LOT? I think we came back 10lbs heavier! As much as we love school it is always nice to get away! We didn't do anything too special for Valentine's Day...LJ bought me 2 roses and some chocolate covered strawberries and he wrote me the sweetest note EVER! In a nut shell it said that he feels bad that he couldn't afford to buy me anything big or take me out to a fancy restaurant but that I will always have his heart! CUTE CUTE CUTE HUSBAND!!!!! Coming back to Rexburg has been rough - reality is never as fun as relaxation! We have been a bit disoriented and our house would prove that - it is a mess! But, I think we are getting back into the groove of things. I am heading down to Vegas next weekend for Becca Stewart's wedding - woo hoo! I am excited to go home, but LJ isn't going down with me - that is going to be awful! He has so much going on though so I don't blame him. OH, while we were in Utah, LJ had a conversation via webcam with his mission president. President Anderson is a very VERY successful business man and has spent 28 years in China doing so. LJ told President Anderson that his goal is to be a corporate lawyer and that he is interested in working in Hong Kong. President Anderson said that the market for corporate law is BOOMING in Hong Kong and that if he does well in his undergrad and goes on to a prestigious Law Program then he will have no problem getting a job in Asia...WOW WOW WOW!!!! That scared me to death at first, but after discussing it I don't think it sounds so awful. It would be a huge change for me and I would be nervous to be so far away from the U.S. but I think it could be amazing! We wouldn't have any financial problems and there is a temple in Hong Kong. Maybe LJ and I would have neat opportunities to serve the Lord over there. We aren't planning on moving to Hong Kong but it is a possibility! Who knows, maybe in a few years I will be blogging from China! Well, I hope everyone is doing well! I love you all!</span>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-90524371589345815112010-02-04T07:59:00.000-08:002010-02-04T08:12:03.520-08:00Sorry I haven't written in a while, life has been crazy! With work, school, chores, and trying to spend time together - my blog has fallen through the cracks. So, now it's time for an update!<br /><br />We are still going to bed at 8pm and waking up at 3am every morning. I don't think my body will ever adjust. Once we get home from school we do homework after which we are so tired that we usually eat dinner, clean the house a bit and go to bed. LJ and I are both part of the Student Representative Council (SRC) this semester and we have meetings Tuesday night. LJ hopes to run for student body president next summer (2011). I am participating in Opera Scenes and have rehearsals on Wednesday and Thursday nights until 7:45. LJ is working as a teacher's assistent for a few hours in the afternoons - he never complains but I'm sure he feels overwhelmed. We are trying to keep up on our social lives, but it's difficult when we go to bed so early. We have Jake and Bre Bierstedt over about once every two weeks, we see our friends Todd and Ashleigh at our SRC meetings are we are actually going to their house on Sunday for a Super Bowl party - YAY - And we spend as much time as we can with our friends Chris and Audrey Lambert - in fact we are going over to their house tomorrow night for Navaho tacos - mmmm! We got a new TV this week which is VERY exciting! Yesterday we got all of our homework done early and watched the Dark Knight! It was AWESOME! We love the new TV!<br />I always end my posts this way - I LOVE LJ! He is the greatest husband I could have ever hoped for! He really is my dream man! I hope you all are doing great! Love You!LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-51071592451943171502010-01-09T16:13:00.001-08:002010-01-09T16:37:05.755-08:00School House RockWe made it back to Rexburg safe, sound, and reluctant haha We were able to find jobs on campus working as custodians, but we are EARLY morning custodians and by early I mean 4am-7am!! I am not a morning person so this has been quiet the change for me. We go to bed at 8pm and wake up at 3am! I have been cleaning bathrooms everyday this week - I have never really minded cleaning toilets so this job doesn't bother me at all. LJ says he likes the job because now if he hears people complain about their jobs he can say "I have it worse...I take out trash at 4am" haha LJ also has a job as a teacher's assistant and he works about 8-10 hours a week in the afternoons (poor guy). He really likes the job luckily and the teacher is one of the heads of the business department so it is a good connection to have. It's rough, but we are making enough money to take care of ourselves. We are always so blessed! School is going well thus far. LJ has been a little disappointed because he was not able to get into very many classes he wanted but at least he is taking classes he needs. His favorite class is Mandarin Chinese! He is interested in doing international law and Chinese is a valuable language to speak so its a good thing he is really enjoying the class. My classes are pretty awesome this semester. I am taking 4 music classes, a religion class, and an upper level English class. OH, I forget to mention that we have religion together - that is super fun! We both have lite loads and are done with school by 1 at the latest. One of our new years resolutions is to both get 4.0 gpa's and having a lite load will hopefully make that goal possible. In our spare time we have been either cleaning house or doing homework haha Last night we got to go on a date which was really nice, but by 9 o'clock we were DEAD! Our bodies are adjusting to "early to bed, early to rise" so we were asleep at 10 haha I am so glad that LJ is so helpful around the house and that he is so darn fun to be with! It is nice to know that he is always here for me! I know that we can make anything work as long as we are living righteously and stick together! In the words of John Lennon...All You Need is Love!!!!LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-58303429682940883922009-12-28T19:05:00.000-08:002009-12-28T19:22:27.071-08:00Home for the HolidaysThis was our first Christmas as the Nielsens and it was absolutley fantastic! LJ was a little nervous that I wasn't going to like any gifts he bought me because I continually warned him "Don't buy anything I haven't <em>specifically</em> asked for." I am pleased to say he did great! LJ also had a very VERY good Christmas! He got every book he asked for, a movie projector, and his pride and glory AN IPHONE!!!! He loves it, but I have hardly had any quality time with him since he pulled it out of the package (haha). We have been at my parents for a week now and I am LOVING all the relaxation and the pampering! LJ is enjoying the pampering but he is excited for school to start next week. Yes, school. (sigh) I am getting very worried about all of our responsibilities that start the minute we get back to Rexburg. Finances are my number one worry and everything else just falls underneath that category! Isn't that awful? Luckily, LJ isn't a worrier. He keeps reminding me that as long as we pay our tithes and offerings we will make it financially. He is an amazing example to me! We have been talking about New Years resolutions recently so as soon as we have ours written down I will post them (that way I feel more determined haha). I think one of my New Years resolutions will be keeping up on my Blogger posts haha!LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-12183567751938070942009-12-13T09:53:00.000-08:002009-12-13T10:16:15.931-08:00Lately...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFkVupxg9Ecu9D7fssmCLA8BmocSZMl8JCO-mHDtL5EmMy4QtBRjrWwlA_9kGtMQVqJ-ogLTW_jUwV3JjEfdUpUYiCDdot0ldE4iSyJOn9PsLanlW5AVNItf61SyVWRjELLILirID3fcN/s1600-h/newly+weds+2+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414785937778004786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFkVupxg9Ecu9D7fssmCLA8BmocSZMl8JCO-mHDtL5EmMy4QtBRjrWwlA_9kGtMQVqJ-ogLTW_jUwV3JjEfdUpUYiCDdot0ldE4iSyJOn9PsLanlW5AVNItf61SyVWRjELLILirID3fcN/s200/newly+weds+2+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRhbxHvmDGPFb5tDyyFPf6mSzYdfOQr1EML16_mhDGWgVB2C1BYAEgdy_8RiLWSQ241jtHcy0OE41QY_-2AJ9BXtBbmJG6hBp83643MKFMUJo-MsrPhreZZK8OrHwTigB6ZbdZ13vh3Fo/s1600-h/newly+weds+2+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414785929020369970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRhbxHvmDGPFb5tDyyFPf6mSzYdfOQr1EML16_mhDGWgVB2C1BYAEgdy_8RiLWSQ241jtHcy0OE41QY_-2AJ9BXtBbmJG6hBp83643MKFMUJo-MsrPhreZZK8OrHwTigB6ZbdZ13vh3Fo/s200/newly+weds+2+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LJ</span> and I have been married a little over 3 months! Can you believe it? I can't!<br />Married life is the greatest! I fall more and more in love with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LJ</span> everyday. I couldn't have found a better man for me! We moved back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rexburg</span> at the beginning of September and began working at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Gandolfo's</span> Deli in Idaho Falls. After about a month <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LJ</span> and I were both promoted to the position of closing manager! It has been great - we have the same schedule and are getting paid very well. We have been so blessed with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">financial</span> security! But, due to school starting in January we will not be working in Idaho Falls. We have already registered for our Winter classes and we will both have class every day from 7:45 to about 12:30 which isn't bad at all. Now were are in the process finding jobs on or off campus that will work with our schedules. We have had such a fun few months thus far! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">LJ's</span> mission companion and his wife live directly below us - WE LOVE THEM!! And we have also been able to make friends with a lot of young couples in our ward! We just have so much fun with them! We have had a few parties here and there and had some late evenings full of games, teasing, and laughter - it is the best! In the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">slide show</span> I have posted there are some pictures from our newlywed adventures...we went to Yellowstone one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Saturday</span> and saw Old Faithful, we had a Halloween party where (naturally) we were dressed as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Anikan</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Padme</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Skywalker</span> - we are such geeks! And there are some pictures of our fabulous honeymoon - Hawaii was AMAZING [thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tomom</span> and Tasha ;)] We headed down to Utah for Thanksgiving! It was so nice to get away from stress and work and IDAHO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">haha</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">LJ's</span> family always pampers us when we visit - I love it! While we were there we got to meet our niece for the first time! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">LJ's</span> sister Jennifer had a little girl in October, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Reagon</span> Marie - she is SO STINKING CUTE!!!! She is such a beautiful and well behaved baby! It was really exciting for me to see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LJ</span> with a baby because I have never really seem him around little little kids...speaking of which - we were called as primary teachers! There are only 40 kids in our primary so we teach 2 age groups. We have the 6 and 7 year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">olds</span>! We love them! We have a few rough weeks but being the primary is so wonderful because the children invite the spirit just by being there. We are getting so anxious for Christmas! We put our Christmas tree up so early in light of us not being here for Christmas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">haha</span> We wanted to enjoy it while we could! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">LJ</span> is awful to shop for! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">haha</span> He does not like surprises so he basically knows everything he is getting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">haha</span> Last night we had a Christmas party! It was an ugly sweater party and let me tell you - I HAD THE UGLIEST SWEATER <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">haha</span> It was probably 4 sizes too big! It wasn't too exciting but we had friends over and played games and ate so many sweets <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">haha</span> Life is going great here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Rexburg</span>...it's freezing cold but we are having the time of our lives! Thank you all so much for your love and support! I hope I write again before Christmas, but if not...Have a great Christmas! We are so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, who was born in a humble stable, who lived a perfect life, who suffered in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Gethsemane</span> then died on the cross that we might be saved. He is the literal Son of God and in the Christmas season may we all remember what we are truly celebrating!</div><br /><br /><div></div></div>LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592347165339933876.post-41603261059249222852009-07-27T17:34:00.000-07:002009-07-27T17:43:25.580-07:00Mary PoppinsLJ and I are only 33 days away from getting married and the pressure is insane! I'm pretty sure my mom has it worse though - she is pulling her hair out - poor thing! LJ and I are doing the "long distance" thing until we get married on August 29th and it is very trying, but we're doing alright so far. Anyways, I had to post the top 10 things I love about him...<br /><br />#1 - His faithfullness to the Lord<br />#2 - He respects me and lets me be ME<br />#3 - His silly sense of humor<br />#4 - His orange hair on the back of his head!!!<br />#5 - His story telling skills (no one tells a story like LJ)<br />#6 - His positive attitude about life<br />#7 - His Wookie noise! haha<br />#8 - His smile!!!!!! CUTE!!!<br />#9 - His constant desire to grow and improve<br />#10 - His hugs - wow I feel so safe!<br /><br />LJ is like Mary Poppins...practically perfect in every way!LJ and Hannah Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03872271088279183647noreply@blogger.com0