Goodby Genova, Hello Muggiò

It is literally like no where I've ever been...Narnia one could say.

It's a lot colder.. I knew it would be because Milan is really cold.  So I was a little worried about that, but then I got here...

anticipation

I was totally stressed out about coming to Muggiò because of the cold & I felt like I finally got my feet on the ground in Genova & I would miss my ballerina 

Paige and Sorella Durfee in Genova

& "bottle breaking" a missionary (third transfer) can be hard because they're still so so new & don't really know how to be their own missionary yet.  I don't know how to sympathize with that because I was my own bottle breaker with Sorella Astel.  Anyway..

travel plans

I get stressed out about traveling (who knew) and I only had 40 euro in my wallet. (Sorella Cruz bought me a new wallet because mine got stolen & gave me a mug with our picture on it.... stop it, I'm obsessed.) 

centrale reunion

So I got here well into Milano Centrale and it was so fun.  

I saw all my friends:  Sorella Astel, Anziano Miller,  Sorella Lemos, Sorella McCann and Baer, Carter and Bringas..  

& then we had to go to Milano Cimiano where all the new missionaries were getting their trainers.  

card carrying

I needed to get my mission card before going to Muggiò because the man who had my card was there. So we took ALL MY LUGGAGE through the metro and up 100 stairs. (I'm so not afraid of making strangers help me with my luggage up the stairs--they're heavy.) 

We get up to Cimiano and Anziano Harmer meets me halfway down the stairs and gives me my card.  I was happy about not having to carry my luggage any further but also a little sad because I knew Sorella Hunter was up there and I wanted to see her... 

thanks, but...

So I played thirsty... so they had to give me water AND I GOT TO SEE SORELLA HUNTER.  I didn't feel bad about playing thirsty because we needed each other for 5 minutes.  It was so so so good.  Tell her mom to tell her that I'm so, so proud of her & I love her & that she can do hard things.

for narnia!

Anyway, we get to Muggiò and turns out the ward had given the sisters like 15 winter coats. Let's talk about prayers being answered.  (Reminded me of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.) 

 They're all sized way too big for any normal human being & supperrr wayy too Italian, but I've been wearing a Size 20 fur-lined jacket the past week. hahah.  wonderful. 

THE WARD IS AWESOME HERE. 

real beauty

As far as missionary work in Italy goes, it's like yeah you get to serve in these beautiful cities but that doesn't mean anything if the members are mean and the people are mean... 

Muggiò isn't the prettiest city, but it's quiet and level grounded and the people are so nice and the members are even better.  

Also it's like 30 minutes from Milano and we can go there every pday if we want.  We were in Milano six out of seven days last week, so I feel like I have the best of both worlds... Milano for saldi season... stop it.  (clearance sales)

where am I?

Also I know people here!  Not really, but there is a member who was asking me where I'm from and I was telling her I was from California and she asks, "Where?"  So I tell her I'm from LA because no one actually knows anything about California and that's the only city they know.  

So this lady says, "Oh, well I have a friend who lives in MORENO VALLEY"... (jawdropp)  Turns out she's really good friends with Julia Smialek's mom (Daniela Battaglini Broderick - Anna introduced the gospel to their family) and she came to California for her wedding... whhaatttt? 

Then there is this brand new returned sister missionary who is so cool.  She served in Temple Square.  Then for her four months outside of Utah, she served in the Ventura mission and went to the Oxnard chapel for all zone meetings... whhhaattttt?  (where we attend church when we're at the beach house)

Then there is this other American girl in the ward who is my age and studying fashion in Milano who is from Salt Lake.  She's so cute and she knows Nate Jessee really well.  They went to prom in the same group.  And thennn there is another greenie, Anziano Cameron, who knows Amy Jessee... so after church on Sunday I was like, "W h e r e  a m  I ?" 

Also, there is a man in the ward who was the former temple president in Switzerland and his son is an eye doctor and gives free eye exams to missionaries and discounted contacts and glasses moorreee prayyeerss answered... whhatttttt?  

church building in Muggiò

day of rest

AND THE BEST PART IS.... someone gives us a ride to and from church EVERY SUNDAY. and we have someone who teaches Gospel Principles.  Sunday is perfect. There is this list someone made up for the members to feed the missionaries every Sunday, so we just get picked up in church and have an actual giorno di riposo... it's crazy 

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL... It's one thing to have nice members and it's another thing to have members who do missionary work.  

A member family picked us up in their car from our lunch appointment on Sunday and took us to their house so we could give a spiritual thought to their less active teenage daughters.  After the lesson they were like, "And we have a family that we want you to teach.  Can we pick you up this Friday and we'll do dinner and a first lesson with them?"... ask Kaitlin, that does not happen. WHERE AM I?! 

Last week the capi zona taught 14 member present lessons.. that does not happen. and we weren't far behind.. it's like.. I love Muggiò

Also when I was buying my bus metro train pass in Milano, I got to help like 7 models with their paperwork because they didn't understand anything.  I felt plain standing next to them, but it was an experience I'll never forget.  They were so tall and beautiful.  They work for H&M. so cool. 

I don't have my personal card yet, but they called me the other day and told me it  was there in the office.  President is coming to do interviews on Monday, so he'll bring it then.  And if he forgets then I'm just going to go down to Milano and pick it up, no big deal..... 

I never wanted to serve in Milano because I thought it would be ghetto and hard, but turns out I like being a missionary NEXT to Milano because I get the best parts!

My new companion is from Arizona and is bubbly and loves Disney movies and songs.

You don't have to worry about me here... it's gonna be good! 

Crazy how at this rate I only have one city in me left after this one.  Kaitlin will be transferred to her dying city next transfer... whhaaatttt?

#yolo, Sorella O'Connor

(Email Sent - January 15, 2014)

Attraversiamo

We'll get the pressing news out of the way:

muggiò

I've been transferred. to a city no one can give me a definite answer as to where it is. called Muggiò.  I'm assuming it's small!.  It's in the province of Milano so I'm also pretty sure it's cold. 

My companion is named Sorella McPeak.  She's a newbie and I'm "bottle breaking" her (note: I hate that term) so I'm a little nervous about that, but tutto andrà bene.  Sorella Durfee is getting Sorella McCann here in Genova. I'm trying not to be bitter! & Sorella Hunter I hear is TRAINING! 

I don't have an ATM card yet; I'll hopefully (fingers crossed) get it when I go to Milano for transfers. 

THIS WEEK WAS CRAZY 

So we were supposed to visit this member's mom in the hospital and tell her sweet nothings about the gospel because she's not a member.. but then I got robbed.. so we had to go to the police station instead. 

But anyway, this lady died so we HAD to go to the funeral.  She's Catholic, so we went to the huge chapel in our best dress and sat through this funeral. (Note: half the congregation was Mormon because of the daughter.)  So they were taking the sacrament and saying written prayers and all the Mormons were just sitting there looking at each other like, "Do we do the peace handshake or not?"  It was a cool experience.

 (This is the other week.. I didn't get robbed again. Well not of money...just of all the things and people I love because of transfers.)  

I will miss:

wonderful friends

lovely store windows

beautiful Genova

the cool cemetery

this is where we die

After lunch, we went and saw Johnny who lives way up in the mountains--like a two-hour travel period. While we were up there after our lesson waiting for the bus, we ran into one of our investigators, Giorgio, who is like this old, not-fully-there in the brain, tiny Italian man. 

 So obvi we start talking to him and he starts yelling at us in a nice way, 

"WHEN DOES YOUR BUS COME?" 

and we're like, "Four minutes, why?" 

and he says, "ARE YOU SURE IT COMES IN FOUR MINUTES? I HAVE A PRESENT FOR YOU IN MY TENT."

So I'm thinking, "Sure I want a present, but I don't wanna miss the bus... but I want a present."  

Then he starts running down the hill, and we follow him running.  I've never seen an old man run before.  He turns the corner and starts running to this big white house with green shutters and an old Italian woman looking at us through the kitchen window.  (Italians love window gazing; it's endearing).

I'm like, "Okay, this isn't so bad."  But then he runs BEHIND the cute house to this giant shack/tent and pulls back a green tarp and says, "Guesto e la mia tenda." (this is.... my tent) and we're exhausted with 3 minutes and 25 seconds to go.  

Sorella Carlock and I look at each other & are just like, "WE CANNOT GO IN THERE!"  

But Sister Durfee is already inside (facesmack!)  So Carlock and I have to decide if were gonna break the rules of being in a tent alone with a man or let our companion out of our sight.  At this point Durfee is no longer visible and we've got three minutes to go.. 

So we run into the tent, and it's actually pretty big for a tent.  We find Sorella Durfee and Giorgio behind all these old, rusty, metal/wood cutting equipment and cat food and open cans of beans everywhere. 

I look at Carlock and say, "This is probably where we die.  This is why we have mission rules."  

But then he hands us these three little baby mangers made of wood that he carved himself, a panetone and a bag of Lindor truffles.  

Now we're booking it...We say goodbye to the lady in the window and get back onto the road.  We see the bus turn round the corner.  I've never run so fast in my life...in a skirt, holding a wooden manger, a cake and chocolate.  Carlock starts waving the bus down to wait for us at the stop and we run onto the bus.  

Giorgio is so happy and says, "Wait, TELL ME YOUR NAMES. YOU'RE ANGELS SENT FROM GOD!"  

We tell him our names--last names only--and the bus door closes.  We sit on the comfy bus seat and crack open the bag of truffles. Too bad they turned out to be filled with liqueur.. 

and that's the end of my story. 

Now I just got to figure out how to get my manger with me to Muggiò. 

xoxo From--the last time in--Genova, 

Sorella O'Connor

(Email Sent - January 8, 2014)

Buon Anno Nuovo

New Year's is crazy here.  Everyone shoots off fireworks and their guns from the balcony.  Italians are nuts (Moreno Valley is in the little leagues compared to Genova, hahah)

We had 6 lunch/dinner appointments the past three days and I want to die!!!!!! Pandoro is a real thing.

It's okay.  Padre Celeste keeps telling me that I shouldn't be worried about how I look, i.e.: getting my money for new leather boots stolen & my chubby body.  Buttttt its likee... whhhyyyyyy?

I'm so excited for you to teach the Old Testament, Mom!!!  I'm studying it right now too!  You have to call Sister Pearce.  She's literally the Old Testament master. 

I'll prepare something for you.  Do you have the study manual?  It's the best.  We like Joshua over here.

I'm not taking my vitamins anymore, because I took them all. 

Christmas in the mission is so crazy. 

I just wanna be Taza one time.

I still hate the bus.

Everyone's getting married/engaged back home and I'm okay with it. 

Oh we went to dinner at this crazy lady's house.  She's one of those members whose doctrine is kind of not right at all, and she was like "In my house we serve the priesthood holders first and then we give the missionaries double helpings." and I'm like "THAT'S BACKWARDS."  Then she gave us shrimp with the heads still on, and I hated it.

NEW WINDOWS & DOORS at the beach house! meno male 

Transfers are next week, and I'm not sure if I'm staying or going.  Let's be honest... I'm not much of a trio kind of girl, so I'm hoping there is some switch up, ya know? 

I miss Sorella Hunter and I'm praying to be companions with her. LET'S SEE IF IT WORKS.  Plus, she's in Siena where it's warm >=)

This has been the craziest week of my life.  We may or may not have gotten to bed at 1:30am Christmas morning and its throwing off my groove. 

Sorry my email is incoherent this week. I'm tired.

Paige

P.S.
This BYU Devotional literally changed my life:

You might have to listen to it 10 times and really pay attention.. but.. its... sooooo good. 

The Comprehending Soul: Open Minds and Hearts 

by Ronald Staheli

Listen/Read it HERE

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=451


(Email Sent - January 1, 2014)

Ocean Swimming with Open Wounds

We dropped Pearce off at the train station this morning & I got my last phone call from Memms last night, giving us a referral.  He left his Michael Buble Christmas cd for me & Sister Pearce left me her David Archuletta cd for me.. so I'll be sad but I'll get through it with the consolation of Davide and Michele<3 

\

trio

We got some news that could possibly be more surprising than the new Beyonce cd: I've been transferred. but also, I haven't been...  President gathered us together at the end of the Christmas conference (not a good time) and told us because Sorella Pearce is leaving, he'll be combining Genova for the rest of the transfer.  

So I'm in a trio and I'm trying really hard to be okay with it.  It'll be so fun traveling two hours for every appointment we have by bus. (We're on a train strike now.)

But up until Monday, the week went really well!  We went to the cemetery after emailing last week and played dead.  

I got the best panino i've ever eaten and just sat down for a while.  It hasn't been too cold.  (I'm learning to appreciate this weather because we went to Allesandria for the Christmas conference and I have never been so cold in my life.)  

There was a baptism on Saturday for the Genova 2 sorelle (now me) and then the Christmas conference on Monday!! 

christmas conference

The Christmas conference was so good.  Not necessarily in the conference itself,  but I got to see Sorella Astel (She's in a trio too.. whhaattt?) and we sang Christmas songs and ate Christmas food.

Every year we get a mission Christmas present;  it's usually scarves for the sisters and ties for the elders, but this year we got APRONS.  Whhaattt?  I'm still trying to find the connection and the desire to carry mine around to all my cities.. but it's a nice thought. 

the Pordenone crew

I got Christmas things and I love my letter and candy countdowns. (Thanks Smith family!)  My companions literally had to restrain me from opening them all right then.  I'm discovering that I'm not very patient.  

And the Bergquist Christmas card is sooooooo cute.  I also got the HUB Christmas card with little notes from everyone in the Benefits department (tender mercies).  I'm still a little confused as to why all the letters I get from HUB have Mom's handwriting on the envelope for the address.  I miss all my HUB family and think about them often. 

I got Dad's letter, which was everything I needed to hear after finding out I'm in a trio.  More in touch with the spirit than you know, Dad. 

and a letter from Kaitlin that was really funny. (secret sister stuff) really though.. 

I sent home a package with my nativity and a present for Marielle's birthday and something for Mom and Scott. (Kelsey's and dad's presents are getting sent this week.)  It was more expensive than I was expecting.  But don't be alarmed at my declining balance;  I started just taking out all the money in my account so I could better keep track of how much I have.   I spend less with cash (= 

see you soon then

As far as Christmas Day goes.. We're going to a member's house for skype (They have two return missionaries in their family so i feel good about it.. they get it.. and the internet point is open for Christmas (Muslims) but I'm going for the 6pm time slot.  So I will get on skype at 6pm.  Do with that information what you will and plan accordingly. (we have 30 -40 minutes which really means an hour.) 

I feel bad Sorella Durfee doesn't have a sister missionary stocking to match ours. 

Taza looks good blonde.  Remember when I was blonde too?  I MISS IT!!! 

Also I cried way too much this week for my liking:   One because of Pearcy leaving, two because of seeing Astel,  three because I have two companions in a really big city.   There are other reasons I can't say because I have to send this email to Kaitlin.. >=) 

Well pray for me and my patience this week.. annddd I'll see you SOON!  eeekkk.  Sorry if I look 20 lbs heavier... It's probably the screen. 

Mom, keep your cell phone on you the next few days... 

xx, Sorella O'Connor

&& MERRY CHRISTMAS.

(Email Sent - December 18, 2013)

Goodbyes

I accidentally fell asleep in my skirt. THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I hated it & I hate that I didn't realize it until I had woken up. not ok.

The capi have this golden family who was a referral from Salt Lake and they brought their two daughters (6&7) to church on Sunday. They are so cute.  

The littlest one was copying the speakers' hand gestures the whole time and I had to keep from cracking up. (It's cute because Italians use their hands.. always..and alot when they speak.) It was a good day. 

Meet Andrea Torriti.  We get along. 

I started bringing snacks to church and sneaking them to him so he'll be my friend. >=)

Then we had the baptism that night with minor dramas but in the end all was well.  

Arianna

We went over to their house last night and Sorella Cruz was telling me all about how she found you guys on Facebook and how well Mom speaks Spanish.  She was trying to show me but I was trying to keep from getting homesick, hahah. 

It hasn't been too cold this week so I'm happy (=

We had our last district meeting with Sorella Pearce and Anziano Memmott. 

I made them "dying" presents with a picture from Pordenone where we all look awful & and a Tylenol PM for the plane ride home.  Sorella Pearce has no self mastery, so she used hers already. hahah 

Today we are going back to the cemetery to kill Sorella Pearce off properly & get ice cream and walk around the prettiest parts of Genova.  I'm happy about it. 

The only really exciting thing is that it's starting to look like Christmas with lights all over the place and such. 

The really life changing things are happening next week, so I'm just trying to mentally prepare hahah.

We have our Christmas conference on Monday when I finally get my package, then Pearce and Memms head out Wednesday.  

That's gonna suck.  I've literally spent my entire mission so far with them piu meno one transfer.  

Ode to Sorella Pearce:

Sorella Pearce:  Here are a few classic Youtube videos to entertain and inspire now that you don't have me around:

I'm sorry I suck this email.  Nothing out of the usual happened.  Besides I had the WEIRDEST dream with Mom in it, hahahahah, but I don't wanna talk about it. 

sharing recipes

Also talk to Sorella Cruz in Spanish, Mom.. she likes it.  Tell her to give you the recipe for the green banana soup.  sounds bad, but it's not. 

smoke alarm
Also I sent Carla a very vague recipe for Italian hot chocolate.. sorry about that.  Tell her if it starts to smoke.. that means it's working.. don't be afraid.. and keep mixing... I probably forgot to say you have to mix it while its heating up.. I'm really sorry hahah 

But we have this member who keeps teaching us how to make really good hot drinks!  I'm excited to show Marielle when I get home.. she's gonna like them. >=)

xx Sorella Paige O'Connor

(Email Sent - December 11, 2013)

Bonus Letter that came in the mail:

Buon Natale & Merry Christmas!  I received my package and I loved it.  I may or may not have cried (happy tears).  I can tell that Christmas is going to be so fun.  They are putting up Christmas lights outside the apartment right now.  

Also everyone loves Mary and the pass along cards for Christmas have her and Baby Jesus on them. 

Also Mary is apparently the "queen" of Genova haha IDK.  There is a story on it but I can't translate it properly.  Like seriously Genova, you're sooo Italian.  

I hope you like this card!  I know how much you like advent calendars.  Sorella Pearce bought me an advent calendar and it was endearing because she's my "mission mom" but that's something my "birth mom" always did for me!  

She also made me a Christmas study plan to go along with each day because we're sister missionaries. Sorry I'm not including a gospel study plan with this advent letter... it is just alot of Luke and John if you're wondering.

Let's talk about how cute "white Christmases" are on Hallmark but how cold they are in real life?  Come mai?  

Sorella Carlock and I are going to sing Christmas songs on the Metro and when it stops, we are going to drop 1,000,000 Gioisca Il Mondo cards on the ground and walk out.  I'm excited about it.  Kaitlin loves park and bus finding, but it's just not my fav... I prefer people coming to me, ya know?

I'll just close this letter with a solid testimony on my love for you and I would also like to express gratitude for being so good at what you do.  You're better than you think you are!  "You are stronger than you realize." President Uchtdorf

Well Mom, I better get back to my Father's business.  I'll see you soon then. - Paige Ryan

Treat Yo'self!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

This week in Genova was so cold, but sunny, so that's a step in the right direction.  So many things happened this week!

i'm not dead yet

On Sunday there was a missionary who had just "died" and his parents picked him up and attended our ward. So I got to translate for his mom. 

(Editor:  When I first read this, I wasn't quite awake and there were no quotes around "died," and I panicked for a minute and thought that a missionary had actually died and that the parents had come to pick up his body or something.  I had to read it a couple of times before I realized she meant that he had finished his mission.)  

not lost in translation

It was fun translating for someone who has no knowledge of Italian (sometimes I forget some people don't understand even a little bit of it). So i just got to make things up!  Not really, but kind of... There really is no point of translating word for word in Relief Society.  It's just like, 

"She's now complaining about how her husband doesn't let her put up the Christmas lights three months in advance."  

"Now that lady is yelling at the other one because she doesn't want to sing that song at the Christmas party."  

"That one is complaining about how Christmas is always sad because she is divorced."  

Italians are dramatic and haughty, but I like them. 

blue boy 

We had an activity in church this week where people bring their "junk" and sell it then give the money to charity.  I bought another pair of slippers for 1 euro and, get this, you'll die.... Chanel nail polish (like legit) called... "Blue Boy" & it's cute! for.... .50 cents!  

I was trying to explain to the anziani that it was essential because it's called "Blue Boy" & that's my favorite painting at the Huntington Gardens. saiii???? 

trading post

Also we had district meeting with our new district leader.  District meeting has kind of become a trading post... Everyone brings all the food we got from members that week that we don't want. 

 (Usually it's just the sisters handing over food we don't want to the elders.)  But we had cake and persimmons this week. 

wicked genova

Also we've been informed that although this was the first city in which Lorenzo Snow came in Italy (when he dedicated it to missionary work), it's been discovered that he quickly left because the people were so wicked.. )= sad. hahahah  But I love Genova!  

great news

We have a baptism this Sunday.  We are excited for it!  It's my first baptism as senior companion, so if anything gets jacked up it's my fault.. no pressure!

best news

BUT!  Best news of the email:   because it's a new transfer and because I live with the Sister Training Leaders and because they have to go to mission council at the beginning of each month... 

I found out from them who found out from Anziano Edwards who told Sister Pearce that..... 
Sara (you know my new convert from Pordenone) has her MISSION PAPERS FILLED OUT!!!!!!  whhhaaattttttt??!!! 

Sara with the Pordenone sorelle

I know!!  She's just waiting on the doctors to sign off because she has a bum knee.  I'm so happy for her & want to hug and kiss her.  crazy right?!  She's so awesome.  

capish?

Also I got Nat's blogs!  She's so cool & I love her. 

New Rule:  for every one of her blogs I get you have to put some sort of note in it from you! capish?

christmas is coming

And for Christmas I have no clue what we're doing..  There are six missionaries in our ward and it's a rule we can't do things together like dinners and family nights.. So we have to find 3 families who can house the poor missionaries all day.. I'll figure it out. 

The Kardashian Kristmas Kard..... I weirdly like it.. This year Kylie is my favorite which NEVER happens.  I also like Kourtney.  Where are Scott & Lamar? please tell me they're still a part of the family..

The Thanksgiving foto of W&M -  I'm dying. they. are. so. cute.  Weston is so bigg!!!!!!! I hate it. )=

popcorn feast

For Thanksgiving all of us just made our favorite food and shared.  I made popcorn because that's what I'm best at and I like it and it's the easiest.   

Everyone else made something fancy... #oops

high school problems

Sister Pearce and Anziano Memmott leave so soon & I feel like I'm going through high school again where you make friends with all the seniors when you're a sophomore, then they all leave and you're lonely for the last half of high school.  I'm sad about it, but it's fine.. I'll just make friends with the other kids. 

I always print out Kaitlin's email and read it at home.  Last week when she said she read my email out loud because she thought it was funny... I got alarmed. I'm pretty sure I was sad that week? #imnotfunnyjustpathetic

Also I'm making a list of movies for Sorella Pearce to see when she gets home.. She's never seen "About a Boy"? who is she?

Also they are putting up a big Christmas tree in centro and it's so cute here!  It's just cold and I hate my life for that. 

ballet lessons

Also we started teaching a real life ballerina. like she's real.  She danced at "La Scala" in Milano and she goes to the theatre and everything.  I'm obsessed with her. SHE'S A REAL BALLERINA!

not my first day
About my back:  I know how to do the whole "Sorry I only have this copy.  Give me your address and phone number and we'll get one to you" trick.. That's why I have 5 Books of Mormon in my bag. ALL return appointments. 

Not my first day on the job. My back will be fine.  

xx Pajina

(Email Sent - December 4, 2013)