France and Switzerland

Well, I didn't quite stick to my plan of posting something every 3 days I'm sure y'all can forgive me. If you follow my Instragram (@tofumcneil) you already got a chance to see a handful of pictures but I have quite documented my experiences on here yet. 

So, Phase One of this 4 month adventure is over. The week we spent in Paris was your very typical touristy trip to Paris. We saw all the major sites (the Arc du Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles (not technically in Paris but who's keeping track), Musee d' Orsay, the Louvre, the Opera, and pretty much all the other standard fare). It was incredible. Paris itself is an amazing, living city. The entire city itself, people included, is a museum. There is so much you can learn and experiencing while just wandering the streets. I would go back in a heartbeat if I could, especially because a week is not long enough to really see everything. The one thing that I wish I had done was bring a friend who speaks French. I might be fluent in Spanish but grumbling to myself in a combination of english, spanish, and what little french I know can really only get you so far. My brother and my sister-in-law tried to learn as much as they could but we often had to keep our fingers crossed that the people we were speaking to knew enough english to make up for our complete inability to communicate in the native language. 

What made this trip even more interesting was traveling with my 2 year old nephew, Luke (I should probably state that the reason why I am here is because I am helping my brother and his wife move to Geneva while my brother does and internship with the World Health Organization). He has travelled so much for only being 2 years old and he now has the entire routine down. He still struggles occasionally (especially during meals) but as long as he is moving, he is just sort of going along for the ride. He loves running up and down stairs and climbing on things. I'm convinced that I worry more about him hurting himself that his parents do. He is a good little guy and has been put into situations that other kids wont experience until they are teenagers. 

So, we are now in Phase Two, which is helping my brother get settled in Geneva, Switzerland. The apartment he is renting for these two months is actually just on the French side of the border because it is way less expensive but will be traveling to the W.H.O. every day. The days now consist of errands in the morning and sightseeing in the evening. It has actually become more work than play now (which is good because I have no idea how my brother and his wife would be able to get everything finished that they need to without us).Yesterday we had the chance to wander around the old city center of Geneva and learn a lot about the history of this part of Europe. We then (after grocery shopping), drove to Chamonix, France where the first Winter Olympics took place. The Alps are incredibly gorgeous and we had one of the top 5 best meals of my entire life. 

This trip really has been incredible so far but I am most excited to be heading to Malawi in just a few days. I mostly feel blessed that I have these opportunities to travel. It can be a little hard at times, especially because it just dawned on me that I absolutely wont be home until August, but the experiences are worth every difficult moment. The world is a big place and I believe that everybody needs to have the chance to explore exotic, new frontiers, but only if it is done with a sense of discovery. The sense of discovery can be turned outward to a degree but it needs to be turned inward if you are truly going to learn anything. The purpose of this sense is to discover who you are and to do things you never imagined were possible before. Yeah, some days will be tough but there will always be something worth learning if you just keep your eyes and mind open.

We survived!!!

I should probably preface this post with the fact that I DO NOT sleep on planes. No matter how hard I try, I am just incapable of getting any significant amount of rest. Actually, my roommates back in Provo can attest to the fact that I need to sleep with blackout curtains in my room. Light creeping through a window at night is one thing but on a plane, no matter what you do, you are constantly bathed in light. The light emitting from the video screens, tablets, phones, and other approved electronic devices becomes a baptism of unnatural, sterile white. That with the constant rumble of the engines, plus the crowded cabin, that no amount of plastic foam earplugs can drown, leads to an uncomfortable night of constantly shifting in your seat. I can generally handle some noise (unless it sounds like someone is getting murdered outside my window, but let’s be real, that doesn’t happen often in Provo), but something about the rumble of an airplane surpasses even the rowdiest nights I experienced living in Chile (they really know how to party). In other words, by the time I post this, I will have been awake for close to 30 straight hours. 

Anyway, you probably aren’t here to listen to me rant. You want to hear about my life (or else you are definitely in the wrong place). The last week flew by. I planned to take all of my finals on the very first day that they were available so I could drive home that Saturday and spend Easter with the family. It ended up being one of my best ideas yet in my short life.

Saturday, I realized that I needed to make sure I had a friend to accompany me with all my travels. I realized that an inflatable alligator/crocodile pool toy I bought last summer would make a great companion. My friend Kristen and I christened him, Sir Philip last June and the name stuck. I plan on taking him with me everywhere this summer. I hope it is cute and fun, not creepy. Either way, it is going to happen.

The rest of the time I was with my parents, it was preparing myself to go to Africa. Some errands were easier than others but late on Thursday, I had everything I needed for both Paris and Malawi. There were a few moments this week where it finally hit me that I would be leaving the country for three and a half months. I really didn’t expect to leave the country for this long again after my two year LDS mission in Chile, but I guess this is actually happening.

It also merits mentioning that I made it to Paris alive and at least physically well (mentally is still in question). I am going to have to re-watch all the movies I watched on this flight to make sure I didn’t just enjoy them because I have officially hit my limit, or if they were actually good. Sir Philip, who spent the entire trip packed in a duffle bag also appears to be holding up pretty well. The taxi ride from the airport was pretty interesting (I saw three drug deals from the taxi window), but we are actually staying in a really nice neighborhood. My brother and his wife are renting a flat for about a week from a friend of theirs. We can walk to the Notre Dame and the Louvre from this place. It is pretty freaking great. My family and I will try and be good about taking pictures while we are here and I am going to try and post something every 3 days or so. 

Peace out,

Topher

New Beginnings?

Hello World!

For those who don't know me, I am Topher McNeil. Some people call me Chris, fewer call me CJ, but I hope that many of you consider me a friend. A few years ago, I set up this blog named "The Chronicles of Toph" right before I left on my two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Concepción, Chile. It was an incredible experience that I loved and cherished. After I returned from Chile in July 2012, I forgot that this blog even existed. In all honesty, I feel really guilty because two whole years of my life are chronicled right here but have been left completely untouched for way too long. I think what is inspiring me to write again is the name "The Chronicles of Toph". I feel like I currently have a chapter of my life documented here but I think it is about time that I add to this chapter. So where do I begin...

So I still try to see my mission friend as often as I can, which I admit has been way harder than I thought it would be. I love these guys so much, but life happens. 

Right after I returned from Chile, I decided to change my major at Brigham Young University from physiology to Food Science. That is easily the best decision I've made in these past two years. In my major, I have participated in a lot of really fun events, including product development competitions, working in a research lab, TAing for the Essentials of Food Science lab, College Bowl competitions, etc. It has been a wild and crazy experience but I can't wait to do it all again next year.

I also made the wonderful decision of living with some of my best friends. Life has thrown the most incredible people in my life and I cherish every one of them. Occasionally, things get rough but I know that I will always be loved by my friends.

I have kept up the BYU Cougar Marching Band, playing trombone and being a member of the logistics committee. It has been wonderful and it makes me incredibly sad that next year will be my last as a part of the band.

I don't think I can really fit two whole years of my life into one post but understand that they have been wonderful. I went from no nieces and nephew when I left for Chile, and now I have the incredible experience of being an uncle to 3 nephews and my niece who I am really excited to meet when I get back from my adventures this summer. I have also spent a lot of time discovering who I am as a person. I am so glad that I know who I am and what I stand for. I would never want to be anyone, or anything other than the person I am today.

I have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to do an internship in Malawi this summer and I am preparing myself to leave for it. It is going to be a great experience and I know I'll learn a lot. I'll keep you all posted on all my adventures. I mainly just need to survive my finals but then it is off to Paris with my family, then 3 months in Malawi. I couldn't be more excited!

If you are reading this, know that I am going to throw in a lot of humor and this will be a fun blog to read. This post may have been a little dry, but if you know me, you know that that isn't what you should expect from here on out.

Toph

July 2nd

So i am really sorry that this letter is going to be really short. I am in Chillan visiting a few of my converts and then I have to get back to Concepcion for a bunch of other things I need to do. This week is going to be crazy! There is so much that I need to do that I don't think I'll be able to do it all. These past few weeks have just flown by.
We will have a baptism Sunday which should be a good way to finish of my mission.
So I'm not sure I told you about my comp's dad's book. GO BUY IT!!! I got an original copy from my comp and it is incredible. Its named "My Orange Dufflebag- a journey to Radical Change" by Sam Bracken. It should be in Barnes and Noble there in California. He said that the book went national two weeks ago.
So this might be my last letter to you guys as a missionary. I am going to try and make some time next week but I am not quite sure what the schedule for the day is going to be.
I love you tons and I will see you soon. I am so excited for everything I have to do this week. Its gonna be great.
Love,
Elder McNeil

June 25th

First things first, don't worry about me being trunky. All missionaries get trunky and, yes, I do feel the desire to "relax" but all in due time. I am not in a hurry to be home. I love the mission and I am very blessed to be able to help the saints here in Chile and I will keep doing it until the day I go home. Then, very happily and satisfied. I will get home, sleep a lot, watch a lot of movies, play with some of your shiny new toys that you've got while I've been here but that thought isn't destracting me from the work. Actually I don't even know how I would slow down. There is way too much that still needs to be done.

I am excited to go to MN again. that is gonna be great I have to visit a lot of people there. Plus NO SALES TAX!!! on clothes at least. Mom do you want to go to the mall with me? 

I am just trying to imagine being home. it isnt possible so its not a big deal. We are working with a girl named Fernanda who could be my last baptism before I go home so we are working hard with her.

Sorry if this letter is a little short. I love you a ton and I praying everyday for the family. Please take advantage of having me in the field as long as possible.

Love,

Elder McNeil

June 18th

Thanks so much for letting me know that everything is going well. Don't worry too much about the landscaping. Heck I'll even try to pitch in a little. Heck, I don't really have money but I can move some big rocks around if you think it will help.

So I am not trunky but people do like to ask about what I'll be doing 3 weeks from now. (Technically I will still be here in Conce but I'll have a ton of meetings and stuff, plus I dont return to my sector after that so everyone is telling me that that is the day that I "die") I personally don't think about it much but the members here are pretty good at mention it a million and a half times. 

So the baptism went great. I am really happy about it. We have no idea how the Lord did it but He complete changed Maria's life in less than a month. It was incredible. There is still a lot more work to do here in the sector before I go but things are going incredible right now. We are working hard and I think we will baptize a few more people before I go so I am really happy.

So there really isnt much news. My comp had to go the hospital this week but we just spent a few hours there because it wasnt anything that couldnt be taken care of with a few medications. Things are going great and I cant wait to tell you some more stories soon.

Love,

Elder McNeil

June 11th

So it is great to know that I was accepted to band again. I know I'm gonna have to practice but that should be really fun. I am really excited for all of the fun stuff I'll do in band again. So did they say anything about a scholarship or am I gonna have to find a job too? Well, I guess I wont worry about that quite yet.

So I saw my travel info today. That is pretty exciting. I am really not trunky at all because we have so many people that we are still working with. We are going to have a baptism on saturday which is going to be awesome. It is Maria, the almost 70 year old lady I was teaching. She is doing great and things couldn't be better. 

We had a really fun activity the other day. We had a pizza competition and we had a blast. We made a mixiacn style spicy chicken pizza and it was really great. My comp liked it enough that he said that he would be willing to invest in a restaurant with me. It was really, really tasty stuff. We thought we were going to win when out of nowhere a member brought a 5 ftx5ft monster pizza. It was a ton of fun. 

I don't know if I explained this but we live in a house owned by a member of our ward. It was getting a little cold in there so my comp mentioned it to house owner (who absolutely loves us). The next day we came home from work and they had surprised us with a brand new wood stove. That might not sound exciting to y'all but it made us cry. It was so awesome. The members here love us so much. I have to admit, this is my favorite ward. The sector is unique and I love it so much. 

So that was our week. I hope everything goes well with the hous.

Life is good. I am happy and I really can't complain. The Lord has been blessing us a lot so I guess I wont be calling costumer service any time soon. Love you a ton.

Love,

Elder McNeil