Saturday, December 6, 2008

P-Day

This was a very full 'Preparation Day', so called. Not much 'preparation' but a full day, none-the-less.

First, we conducted our first Michigan English Language Proficiency Exam. It went well, for the most part. However, we have only 26 tests on hand but had about 40 students show up. So we had the 26 who pre-registered remain and told the rest they would have to take it another day! Not what we would have wanted.

The rest of the day we spent with our Area Supervisor and his wife (Elder and Sister Gibbons) and some of the other senior couples. The highlight was a trip during the afternoon, to a new statue of Chengis Khan, located about 65 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar. It is actually going to be an impressive complex when finished. The statue itself is pretty much complete.

And what a statue it is! This thing is enormous (see picture)! As tall as a ten story building! You can see the rather small looking vehicles out front of the building. People can actually go inside the statue, up some stairs and out on the neck and head of his horse (see next picture) You will notice that Sister Caldwell actually went out there! I don't know which is more impressive -- the statue or mom going out there on it's head!

It's made of stainless steel -- about 210 tons of it! That's nearly half a million pounds!

They will be adding a beautiful area around the statue which will include gardens, several ger groupings where people can rent a 'room' to stay in, an entry way (right now we just cut across the field in our SUV and made our way to the statue anyway we could), and other things. There is a nice restuarant in the building (see picture) and also some nice conference facilities in the basement.

Oh, by the way. I did the driving!

3 comments:

Ryan Cowley said...

Sounds like a fun day! That statue IS enormous! That is amazing! I guess that airplane ride has taken all of the fear out of mom! We've got the baby shower today. We'll make sure to post some pics for you.

Jason said...

So does that mean you got your license? Way to go old boy!

The Fendleys said...

Darrens guys unload about that much steel in one day, even more. He says that it is a whole heck of alot of steel! Wow, Mom sure is getting brave, I am very impressed! The shower was fun. It is nice to see everyone. Shelli of course looks great. My girls, especially Megan, was very sad not to see Uncle Tom. She loves him! She new right who I was talking about when I told her we were going to Uncle Toms house this morning. We look forward to talking to you tonight. Love you!