CPE - #2

Not all Fun and Games

Just so that everyone knows that this is not just a vacation, I taped a short bit of the class on federal taxes.



It can't be too exciting anyway, but when you have to listen to this stuff 6 hours a day for two days, an afternoon nap looks better and better. However, I did capture a picture of the resort where the conference is being held.

We did go to a Luau last night. It was pretty good.



When we went in, a great Hawaiian group was singing. One of the band members sat next to us in Laihana 1st ward. I would not have guessed that he was a musician.

And I have two words ----- Hula pie!

Continuing Education

I have a CPA license - actually two licenses, one in Idaho and one in Arizona. I am required to obtain 80 hours of continuing education every two years. So this year, I chose to attend a conference in ... Maui. We flew in Saturday Nov 8. I do NOT recommend US Airways. We booked the flight last February, so the cost was fixed, but they charge $15 for the first bag checkes and $25 for the second. They do not give complementary soda or water on the flight. Water or Soda is $2.00. Hawaii though is wonderful so far. We came back to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel where we have stayed 3 times before. I went snorkeling Saturday evening and the water was crystal clear and beautiful. Two turtles came out to play.

We got up Sunday morning and went to church. The Laihana 1st ward is a great ward. They invited us to the ward potluck Wednesday evening. We may go, I really do love that ward.

We ate at Lailani's last night at dusk. I remember why I love that place and no, we passed on the hula pie. It sounded good but we are saving that for another time. The waiter did give us a coupon for a free piece of hula pie. The sunsets are beautiful. The morning walk was invigorating.

While on our walk, we saw a photo shoot of a hula dancer welcoming the morning.

Unfortunately, I do need to go to class. But it is from 7:30 to 1:00. We will find ways to spend the afternoons, enjoying the beauties of the island.

Thespis is in the House

A few years ago, I watched an episode of Sports Night (In my opinion, one of the best written sit-coms, EVER!) about a mischievous ghost that plagues performances. The glitches of this day brought to mind that Thespis apparently works to undermine the efforts of mortals to make a good show.

Today we had Stake Conference - the one where we get a broadcast out of Salt Lake. Five minutes before the opening song, we lost the feed. It had worked fine for General Conference, and worked okay for the test this morning. But the satellite dish lost its mind and couldn't find the source signal anymore. So we sang some songs. We had a huge congregation so when we sang "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning," it was amazing. We had people with tears because of being able to participate. About 30 minutes in, we got an audio feed over the internet. Kayleen had to leave because the sound was loud with poor quality, and the screeching was hurting her ears. It was a good conference, but other than Pres. Packer, I'm not sure who were the speakers. But they were pretty good.

Then tonight, Kayleen and I gathered to watch the CES fireside. Lo and Behold, I don't speak Spanish, and BYU channel was broadcasting in Spanish. So I put in the DVD and watched the Sports Night episode.

President Packer told us that that we should expect tribulation, that the prophecies are now being fulfilled, but I didn't expect paranormal interference from the Greek ghost Thespis. Anyway, instead of Bishop Burton, we watched Sports Night, just to get caught up on the role of Thespis.

Perfect Presentment

Sometimes a we are able to snap a picture that seems to be almost perfect. A sunset in Maui perfectly framed under a palm leaf.

Matt and Peter riding a couger or tiger or some kind of cat.

Grandpa DeCoursey's Little Red outhouse. It used to have a weather vane on top. Now it looks like a small church.

A Portrait of a couple in front of a perfect back drop.

My favorite person in the whole world on our 25th anniversary.

Focused Elsewhere

I have thinking lately about some how we sometimes focus on something in our relm of vision, but miss out on something bigger, or something more important. When in Kaui for our 25th anniversary, we went to the north part of the island. We were visiting a lighthouse, a beautiful landmark. I looked down into the water and saw a mother whale and her calf swim by. I watched the whale for a minute, and realized my camera was in its pouch. By the time I pulled out the camera, the opportunity to snap the picture was lost. (The little white splash to the left of the lighthouse is a whale splashing or blowing - I don't remember which.)


Then I was looking at some of the whales and spinner dolphins, and the crowd erupted. Apparently my camera was pointed to the right, and a whale did a full breach right in front of us.

This time my camera was out, but focused elsewhere.


The next time was just an hour later. We stopped the car, and I climbed down on some rocks to get a better picture of the water hitting the rocks and the way it would run off. When I got back up, Kayleen was not quite white, but at least shaken. She had realized that I had the car keys, the cell phone, the motel key, and the money with me. If I had fallen in.....

These are the rocks I was climbing down towards the water.


Still, we were blessed. The resulting views (and pictures) were amazing.

I'm just saying, that there are a lot of very important things going on in our families. It is easy to be focused elsewhere. Phillip is going on a cub scout camp out this weekend with his boys. Tiffany documents her time with the boys on her blog, so that we can all share. I'm glad my children seem to be focused on important things, instead of being focused elsewhere.

Thank you.

Back to Epcot-Thursday

Sorry for the delay in getting the post for the last two days at Disney World. The events of the past week have put a small damper on showing how much fun we had with Phillip and his family. On Thursday, we went back to Epcot center.

We went on the ride where they show the research for food and acriculture. Here is a picture of gowing a Mickey-shaped pumpkin. That sees appropriate since everything was decorated for Halloween.

We went into the Chinese exhibit. They had some miniture statues of tomb soldiers, statues that would be buried with the kings and stuff and guard the tombs from robbers.

The boys went into a mickey house where they got to meet some of the characters. Gabriel liked Mickey, but would have nothing to do with Chip and Dale.

We got back to the hotel after another long day. I took a picture of the dusk accross the water. It was a gorgeous evening. We sat outside on the patio and ate our dinner. We were tired, but very content to be with family.

Day Five - Sea World

Sea World - Orlando Style

On Wednesday, we went to Seaworld. The day was bright, beautiful, and no rain. We wnt to seen the dolphin show. This picture is actually of the back pool, of a dolphin not in the current show. It swam around a bit, and then hopped out onto this ledge, where it "rested" for a few minutes before ppping back into the water.

Of course, the dolphins like to jump out of water and show off.



They also like to show the boss how good they really are.



We visited the penguin exhibit

Here is a video of them swimming

There are a couple of rides-the boys were not quite tall enough to ride on "Kracken". But Andrew got to sit in one of the seats

There was a beuatiful backdrop, where a professional was taking pictures. I took this one of Phillip and Kelly
And of course, the world of Shamu is amazing---Here the whale is dancing with the trainer



Here the whale is taking the trainer for a ride



And of course, the whales like to splash the audiance



Another excellant day. We were tired at the end of the day - again