Graduation

Enoch has switched his status from student of BYU to alumni this past week, he finally graduated! His major being Exercise Science with a minor in Business. I am so proud of his endurance. Throughout the walk and commencement exercises I couldn't help but getting a little teary eyed that I would not have the chance to walk those steps and participate in graduation like Enoch, but I have decided that we are a team and that I can pretend to have had the honor while at BYU.

As a tribute to Enoch in graduating I would like expose his talent in education. He is brilliant, we have taken a few classes together and I have never been able to score higher than him on an exam.(try as I may) The list of his talent could go on and on but it suffices me to say that science is his thing and he will do great in physical school this fall. Anyhow, well done E, and I look forward to the continued educational adventure with you at Northridge.

A Guatemalian party with a little Surprise

With the addition of Tim Clawson to the Bradshaw family Chinese New Years was started, my family loves new traditions and good food. So Enoch had big shoes to fill bring a bit of Guatemala to our home with our marriage. Enoch and I had put off making traditional food for my family because we weren't sure what to make or how to do it (Guatemala food is just that good.) However, when Rachel and I started planning her surprise visit from Michigan I realized having our Guatemala day would be perfect because everyone in my family would attend without excuses.

We decided to make carne asada "skinny steak" with rice, corn tortillas, and mangoes. I had great expectations after my first experience of having it on our honeymoon in Coranda at Miguel’s Cocina and have been dreaming it since. Now, about actually making it- we enlisted Grandma Polo to be our master sensei. This tiny little 4 foot zero Peruvian woman took us to a local Hispanic market where we purchased the meat and then back to her home to make the sauce. She did not speak much English so I pretended to understand what was going on, but what I did understand is Latin cooking is very different from the cooking I know. Spices are tripled, and the best measuring utensil is obviously your hand. The recipe for the carne asada went something like this-

1 small handful and a little dump of pepper
1 small handful of cumin
big sprinkle of salt
3 large spoonfuls of garlic
little pour of vinegar
few cups of water
pour a little oil
secret ingredient - aji (directly from Peru)
Enoch and I were trying to remember how to do it in case we ever do it again, so hopefully from the accurate recipe I recorded from above all will go well.

As the night arrived we drove to my parents house and stalled for a bit, once I got the secret call from my dad saying they were almost home I took my family to the basement to start things off with a little Latin dancing. The plan being for my dad to come in on the dancing, while Rachel and Kennedy waited in the car for a few minutes and then they would come in to surprise everyone. I am afraid the dancing was a little forced, but everyone played along not knowing exactly what to think. My dad came in and was abnormally into the dancing as planned; however, the scene was nearly ruined when Ryan and Jared insisted on running upstairs to get the sombroes from the kitchen table (I was sure they would run into Rachel) but luck was on my side and with my frantic screams the problem was avoided and Rachel remained in the garage a bit longer. When Rachel and Kennedy joined the dancing in the basement the screams that I expected didn't happen, but everyone was confused trying to put the pieces together and eventually became ecstatic. It was so fun to be all together as a family again and I even made my first Angel Food cake to celebrate Rachel's birthday a day late.

Eventually Enoch I finished cooking the meal and it turned out amazing. Hooray for Guatemala, sisters, babies, and surprises.

Eulogy of Bruno

Bruno the beloved 1988 Toyota Camry called it quits after 21 faithful years happily transporting passengers. His death is attributed to an alternator problem, a missing portion of the muffler, and an upcoming vehicle inspection. It was an emotion end for owners Enoch and Marissa Mills (especially Enoch) but one can only stand in amazement of the achievements of one foreign wonder.

Bruno has played a monumental role in Enoch and Marissa's past 20 months as they began to date, become more serious, g0t engaged, and married. He participated in the first date, the night they were engaged, the honeymoon through the fog and blizzard of Midway and the long journey to California. Marissa looks back to the early days of Bruno with fondness, "When I first became interested in Enoch I was not sure if he had a car because his roommates always drove to the various ward and sporting events, when he asked me on our first date I wondered how we would be getting to the theater and it was there I beheld Bruno. I was very grateful for transportation and impressed at Enoch's style as he shifted with grace all the while."

Enoch obtained the car when Sister Bennion in his home ward in California called him and offered him the car for a mere $400. After considering the deal Enoch jumped on it and made his first car purchase. He promptly fixed the car up getting a new radiator, CD player, and gave it a nice bath and has enjoyed it every since. Enoch had a lot of pride when it comes to Bruno, he boldly told of the good deal he got on the car and the endurance it had, never apologizing for its appearance, age, or sound.

Memorable moments in Bruno include:

• Being stuck in traffic in Vegas on the way to Lucille's wedding and wanting a Christmas chocolate orange. Marissa, realizing she needed a hard surface to hit the orange on the form the pieces, decided the dashboard provided the best surface. Upon thrusting the orange to the dashboard it was discovered that Bruno sustained injury and a circular ring of cracks replaced the orange hit.

• Enoch kindly and patiently teaching Marissa how to drive stick shift. It was a slow and long process, but she was able to successfully drive it around Provo a few times.

• Driving with out tail lights for a month until we could figure out how to fix the problem

Enoch and Marissa are struggling to get over the loss and have begun the painful process of car shopping. It is not easy to fill the hole Bruno has left in our hearts especially when you are on a budget with grad school on the horizon, but nevertheless the search continues. To all of those who can boast a car as old as they are- we salute you. Bruno, thanks for the memories