A Little Post

Hi everyone who still checks our blog. We apologize that we never update and that we have never gone private. I promise eventually we will, but as for now we really don't have time for going private or for blogging.

But I thought I would do a short little blog update simply because I am procrastinating grading papers. You might hear from us again in the summer, but until then I hope everyone has a great spring!

Here are a few pictures of some things we have been doing since you last heard from us in September.

Kylee re-learning how to ski

Wedding Showers

Eddie's Bday at Dodger Stadium
(Thanks Papa Ed)

Aggie games
(sorry Camden, but it was so cute)

Other notable events (but I don't have the pics saved on this computer)

Ricky is home!
Nicky is pregnant!
Carson is doing better!
Celine was fantastic!
Lindsay and Spencer are married!
Em and Al will be married soon!
George and Mary were born!
Aggie Bball is doing great!

Going Private

Due to my friend's recent horror story, Eddie and I will officially be making our blog private. Seeing as we hardly ever update our blog, I doubt many of you will even care. But I thought I would let you know all the same.

Please email me or Eddie if you want to be able to view our blog. And I promise, one of these days we will update.

p.s. This is for all of you who were curious about the story.

The other day my friend Paige got a comment on her blog from someone she didn't know, so she clicked on the link that sent her to their blog. Apparently these guys have been stalking her blog for a while and they have been putting all of Paige's information onto their blog. It was just so creepy because they had back and forth commentary that bashed on everything from Paige and her husband to the LDS church--they even made comments about where she lived, worked, and went to school.

Basically, they know her life.

I know that if you write aspects about your life and put them on the internet without being private that you are open to such "stalking" but I really didn't think people did this. Don't people have anything else to do?

Anyways, it was enough to scare me because there are some serious creepies out there and I don't want them doing the same thing to me.

Hail to the Dodgers

Growing up our family would go to at least one Dodger game a summer. We were raised well. We learned to love baseball and the Dodgers. So far, Kylee and I have kept the tradition of going to Dodger stadium alive. But none of my Dodger trips have ever compared to our last trip this August. Kylee's, uncle's aunt has been a Dodger season ticket holder since the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to LA. Her tickets are right behind home plate, five rows back. As a surprise to me, Kylee's aunt arranged for us to sit in her seats. Not only was the view amazing, but we had all you can eat food all game long. I felt like I was twelve years old again. Here are the pics...

Me and Aunt Ronnie

Enjoying our pre-game meal

This was our view for nine innings, 54 outs, and twelve Dodger Dogs!

Finally, a quick tribute to the Dodgers for winning the NL West devision and clinching their spot in the playoffs. Go Dodgers!

Lima to Manu

As many of you know we are now back from Peru. We had such an amazing time, and believe it or not we already miss it. During our time there we weren't able to go see too many tourist places because we were so busy, but the last 10 days of our time in Peru our parents (Ed & Karlyn and Rob & Linda) came down to pick us up and see the wonder that is Peru. We had such an amazing time, and it really was a trip of a life time. Dad, thank you so much for planning it. We really appreciated all the hard work you put into preparation. Ed and Karlyn, thank you for being trusting enough to actually let the Landgrens plan the trip. Maybe we'll do it again some day, because I am sure that you are missing howler monkeys, mosquito nets, and alpaca.

Our little 10 day excursion in Peru was far from a typical "vacation." It was a WILD WILD adventure, and we loved any second of it....well maybe not the 4 hours we sat in the Amazon panicking about the plane not coming. I hope you enjoy these pictures of some of the incredible things we did and saw in South America! Sorry they are kind of out of order.

Plaza de Armas

Ed and Karlyn

The beautiful Manu Lake

Our 10 passenger plane to the Amazon

Linda and a local boy

(p.s. He told my mom he was 10)

Ed, Freddie, and the caman

More cute Peruvians

(p.s. they really do like me, they just rarely smile)

Canopy climbing (100 feet up)

Ooooh! The Amazon!

Llamas attacking Linda and Karlyn

Incan Bridge

Machu Picchu

Oops

Hi everyone. Nikki just informed me that I had disabled comments on my last post. I just thought that no one cared to comment any more. Anyways, I think I have it up and running now. So Eddie and I would love to hear from you!

p.s. Also, before school starts, I will also try to get in a post or two about our Peru trip with the Landgrens and Nortons.

One Year and Independencia

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary on July 28th, which also turns out to be Peru's Independence Day. This past year has been filled with many great memories, but I think that our time in Peru tops them all! So it was definitely fitting for us to celebrate our anniversary on the day that Peru celebrates its independence.

Because we knew that our anniversary would fall on a major Peruvian holiday, we actually did our main activity last week. And let me tell you that it was fabulous!!! Since Eddie and I are such "love birds" we thought that we would spend the day really acting like birds. So last Friday we headed to the beach for a little para sailing. The view was amazing and the ride was absolutely thrilling. Hopefully this movie doesn't make you too motion sick (:

Then for our actual anniversary (the 28th) we spent the day going to carnivals and outdoor markets with the local Peruvians. It was so fun to experience the Peruvian equivalent to the 4th of July. They do many of the same things like carnivals and face painting--they even have BBQs (only the meat selection is far from hamburgers and hot dogs).


Later that night Eddie took me to a great little restaurant called El Condado. It was very private and had a great little piano player. Not to mention the food was great, and I even ordered red meat without feeling utterly terrified.

We had a great time reminiscing about the past year and looking forward to the next years together. Our first year of marriage was pretty spectacular, so we are really going to have to work hard to make year 2 just as fantastic---But that is a challenge that we are excited to begin!

Eddie's First Blog

Kylee swore she would only blog while in Peru. Since our time in Peru is coming to an end, it is now my time to learn the blogging skills in case she truly goes through with it. However, I doubt she will because I know she is secretly addicted. So here are a few more pics from Peru. No specific order, just a chance for me to learn how to blog...Hope you enjoy!

Our weekly English class

Me and Ky cruisin' in a Moto-Taxi

Eddie and his little girls

Beach on the 4th

Farewell Abraham Lincoln

Well yesterday was my official last day as a teacher at Abraham Lincoln: American Peruvian School. I had such a wonderful experience teaching there so I am sad to leave, but it will be nice to relax and go to the office with Eddie these last few days here is Peru.

Many of you know that I am currently getting my Masters in English Lit, and so naturally everyone assumes that I want to become a teacher. I have always strongly believed that teaching Jr. High or HS English (unless it was AP) would be nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment. However, after teaching at Lincoln I realized that it really wouldn't be that bad. No, I'm not going to rush right out and get my teaching certificate, but I learned that teaching young kids really can be such a rewarding career. So now I am just anxiously awaiting fall semester at USU because I'll again have the opportunity to teach.

Next, I thought I would give you a little information about Lincoln. The school consists of about 1200 students from K-12. Most are Peruvian, but there are a few, maybe 2-3 Americans. Since it is an "American Peruvian" school all the students are required to learn English as a second language. So three days a week I would go and do activities that helped the kids with pronunciation and vocabulary. I also taught about American culture because international relations is one of Lincoln's major goals.

I had three main classes, 2 were with 15-16 year olds, and the other was with 13 year olds. I also was a "full-time sub" because I taught all the classes that didn't have either set teachers or the teachers were absent. And I know that teachers aren't supposed to have favorite students or favorite classes, but I definately did.... I'll have to work on that flaw for fall semester.

I worked with many other amazing teachers who have dedicated their lives to helping Peruvian kids have more oppertunities. I am so lucky that I was able to volunteer at Lincoln because I made many great friends, met great Peruvian students, and I also realized that teaching JH and HS might be something more than just babysitting. If I worked hard enough and cared enough, I too could influence lives just like so many of my teachers have influenced my life for the better.

Thanks Abraham Lincoln, for teaching me more than I could ever teach you.

People in Peru

A lot of our posts have shown all the amazing things we haven been so lucky to see, so I thought for this post I would post some pictures of many of the people who have helped make our experience here so amazing. We have been so lucky to get to know all of these wonderful people. Our experience in Peru would not be even half as rewarding if it weren't for them. I don't yet have pictures of everyone (like our darling maid, Euolgia, The Handas, and my English students) but you can expect to see a post dedicated to them a little later.

Enrique and Andrea Sheen
(Kylee's works with Enrique)

The Missionary Couples
Left to Right:
The Drakes, The Earls, The Davies, The Hawkins,
The Elders, The Bowmans, The Richards, The Goedes

Eddie's old companions and Pre. and Sister Dalene
(This was at a mission reunion)

The Rebaza Family (our bishop)

The Nunez Family
(David Norton's mission president)

And last but not least....
The Earls

USU and Machu Picchu

2 weeks ago USU College of Business was down in S. America for a study abroad (the same one that Ed did last year). While they were in Peru they traveled to Cusco and Machu Picchu and Eddie and I were invited to tag along. We had such a blast and it was great to be with some of our classmates. Everything we saw and all the people we met were so amazing. Lima is great, but outside of the city is really where you can experience South America.

We saw so many breathtaking Incan and pre-Inca ruins. It is really such a mystery to how these ancient people were able to construct such amazing architecture. We had a great guide who taught us so much about the Incan history and customs. I was so intrigued by the traditions and beliefs of these people. However, one of the most interesting things was that we really could see the correlation to the Book of Mormon times. The Incans were much later than the Lamanites and Nephites, but it was very apparent that many of the Incan traditions stemmed directly from the ancient Lamanite people. Just realizing that was enough to make my head spin.

We hope you enjoy these pictures. Sorry there is a lot. But you have full control of your computer so if you don't want to see them either exit or scroll fast.

Incan Ruin and Spanish CathedralBaby AlpacasNeighborhood in Cusco

Eddie and a strange Alpaca

Kylee feeding cute baby llamas

Where is the white girl???

Local Peruvians

The top of Wyna Picchu

USU Group after Wyna Picchu Hike

View of Machu Piccu

Boredom and the British

Eddie and I are in Pisco again this weekend because we couldn't turn down the oppertunity to go on a road trip with The Earls. But since I don't speak Spanish there really isn't too much for me to do. I also forgot my camera cords so I can't even post a blog of our trip to Cusco. So instead I thought I would do a pointless post...Normally I am not a Youtube viewer, but 2 months ago my friend Austin showed me this video, and ever since then if I am bored or in a bad mood I watch this video and it turns my frown upside down.

I am currently getting my masters in English Literature, with an emphasis is British lit. I don't know why but for some reason I have always loved anything British. Maybe its just their accent, but I feel like all British people are so jovial and funny. And I have nearly convinced Eddie to agree to living in England for at least a year or two of our lives. However, I think this video is what may have finally convinced him. Because maybe our kids could be this cute if we were to give up the states.

Hope you enjoy it!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

Pisco and PEF

Sorry that I haven't posted any pictures lately. I was sick all last week, so I couldn't come into the office to use the computer. These are some pictures of 2 weekends ago when Eddie and I went down to Pisco, Peru. Pisco is the city that was most affected by the earthquake 1 year ago. It was so crazy to see this city because it is still in total devastation. There were areas that looked as though the earthquake had just happened.

We went down for 2 days so that we could help some of the members sign up for the Perpetual Education Fund. Currently, Alan Layton (Lindsay's uncle), is down in Pisco working directly with the church to rebuild the city. And now PEF is getting involved by giving loans to the members so that they can take classes in construction/electicity. After they finish the classes they will work for Alan Layton and the church in an effort to rebuild the city. The church has such a great vision because ultimately it will get the city rebuilt while also providing jobs for the faithful members. Eddie and I feel very blessed to be involved in such a project.

We are going down there again this weekend, so I will be sure to get more pictures of the area. Believe it or not there are still people living in tents (as their permanent residence) because they can't afford to rebuild their homes. But even amidst all this suffering, the people still are optimistic and amazingly grateful. Its quite a humbling experience to see so many decicated and kind members who are are thankful for even the donated tent they are living in.

Poisonwood Bible

All of you who know me know that reading is one of my greatest passions. There have only been possibly one or two novels that I have read that I did't believe possessed any redeeming qualities. For the most part I believe that all literature offers at least some kind of useful commentary on the human condition.

When I started this blog I wanted it to be strictly devoted to our experience in Peru, but I have to break that rule now and discuss Barbra Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible. Since it's summer, I don't have my English classmates to discuss lit with, so if you choose to read this, you will be my discussion victim. My mom (the greatest reader in the world) suggested that I take this book with me to Peru. Much to Eddie's dismay, The Poisonwood Bible has taken up almost all my free time.

The PB is truely one of the most incredible novels I have ever read, and I would encourage all of you to read it. I am not going to give anything away, but I have never read a novel that so deeply impacts how I view myself and others in this crazy world around me. Through the 6 main characters, I have discovered so many of my strengths and weaknesses. Yet, at the same time I recognize that that to err is human---but that sometimes is no excuse. There are some choices that individuals make that will subsequently change the entire world. And although these changes don't always happen for the better, that does not necessarily mean they are wrong. Rather it is just a change.

In the book my favorite character mentions a poem by William Carlos Williams.

So much depends
upon

A red wheel
barrow

Glazed with rain
water

Besides the white
chickens

And though this poem can have about 100 different meanings, for me is has finally come to mean that so much depends upon one small detail (like a red wheelbarrow). That one minor detail will one day change someones life not for the good or the bad, but for the change.

Our Neighbors

Eddie found this on Yahoo a couple of days ago, and I couldn't believe it. These people are part of an uncontacted indigenous tribe on the border of Peru and Brazil; our dear next door neighbors. I wonder how they would feel if we asked to borrow a cup of sugar.

There are only 100 tribes throughout the world that have yet to be contacted by the outside world (us). Of those 100 tribes approximately 50 tribes are located in or near Peru!

Weekend Fun

After a long work week, Eddie and I decided that we deserved to go on a fun little date night. So Saturday night we jumped on a bus and started exploring. We had heard about this fountain thing, so we thought that would be neat to see. But honestly, we had no idea what it was. First, we heard it was a water park, then we heard it was a water show (like water world).

But anyways, we just got a bus bus and started asking around. We got there rather easily, thanks to Eddie. It was such an amaing place. Moms and Dads we can't wait to take you there. It is a water park, but not like the 7 peaks we know. It's literally a park with water fountains all over it. They have fountains you can play in, walk under, and some even have lazer shows in them.

So it was a pretty fun night just strolling through the fountain park. After Eddie decided he would treat me to dinner and I got to pick....so we went straight to Burger King. Sometimes, you really can't beat an American style cheeseburger.

I hope everyone is doing well. We have really appreciated all the emails and blog comments. We love and miss every one of you.

Love,Ky and Ed

p.s. Natee--- I am so sorry about the email thing. I miss you so much too! Are you sure your sending the emails to the right address? kyleelandgren@hotmail.com, if that still won't work try Eddie's enort_21@yahoo.com.

Tags

Apparently in the blogging world TAGS has something to do with sending a questionaire to people to fillout about themselves. However, this post is about a totally differnt type of tag.

Eddie and I got missionary tags!

I honestly never thought I would have these until I was an older lady, but it has been pretty neat to see the response that people give to sisters and elders wearing LDS missionary tags.

However, we really are only supposed to wear them at the office, because out on the street members wonder why the Elder and Sister have ditched their companions and are now holding hands!

People to See, Places to Go

We have met a lot of great people and have seen so many amazing things. We haven't been able to go out of Lima yet because our time is limited to weekend travel. But there still are some pretty incredible things to do and see, even in the hectic city.


Festival Parade

Lima Temple, La Molina

Lima City Center Square

MiraFlores, Ancon del Mar

Things and People We Love

We are the Nortons. We live in Logan, UT and will be there for probably a year and a half more. However, we are currently living in Lima, Peru. Eddie is here doing an internship for the church, and I am teaching English at a Peruvian American grade school.

For the most part this blog will be dedicated to our experience in Peru. But for now, here are a few picture of the things and people we love.

p.s. 1 or 2 of these pictures were taken by my wonderful sister-in-law, Shannon. Thanks Shan, for photographing our life.