I'll write about this later...
You Are A Very Beautiful: December 2015, Part 2
9 years ago
Friday, December 12, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
End of the Year Checklist
I know everyone makes lists of goals and things for the new year. But, I really want to get some things done before the end of the year. I've come to the realization that I could graduate in 3 semesters which isn't so far away. I need to get my stuff together. So I've come up with this to-do list that kind of encompasses multiple to-do lists and goals. I guess the list is really a bunch of goals to make goals. haha.
Ehh, that will be a lot of work. I just need a lot of focus to do everything I want to. There are so many things I want to accomplish.
- Create a realistic budget
- Come up with a list of short film ideas that I can make during school
- Plan to enter film competitions and get internships
- Set semester goals
- Map out the rest of my schooling
- Make a list of short and long term educational, spiritual, and other personal goals
- Create a one-year and five-year life plan
- Start my life to-do list
Ehh, that will be a lot of work. I just need a lot of focus to do everything I want to. There are so many things I want to accomplish.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Twilight- the biggest bust in movie history
If anyone planned on seeing Twilight- do yourself a HUGE favor and don't. I bought tickets for the midnight showing for a birthday present for my friends Rosalinda. I wasn't expecting it to be good at all. I had very low expectations walking in and I was still disappointed. That should say something. I still had a good time because I was with friends and we laughed and talked before (and laughed during) the movie.
The thing that disappointed me most was how completely the filmmakers took advantage of their audience. They made a cheap film in a hurry and put little effort into making it even an okay film. If I were the filmmakers of this movie I would be embarrassed. I feel bad for the actors because they might get blame for what really is a badly written script. It could ruin their careers.
There were no redeeming qualities of the film either. It was bad all around. The editing, the cinematography, the music, the "special" effects, the dialog- EVERYTHING sucked. I especially despise whoever did the cinematography. The camera is always moving for no good reason. It is constantly doing rough, jerky 360's around the characters. It's as if the cinematographer was like, hey- I've always wanted to try this... can I do it as much as possible? The cinematography gave the film this surreal feeling that didn't work at all.
There is one sequence in the film that I thought was cool- the baseball scene. I also appreciated that rather than trying to make stupid dialog realistic, most the high school scenes were done in a way that said, "hey, here are a bunch of actors playing high school kids saying dumb things- isn't it funny?" It kind of made fun of itself almost, which was way better than if they tried to be serious about it.
I sincerely hope they DO NOT make another one. If they do, it better be a whole new team. I almost feel as if the project should be abandoned. Later, different filmmakers can try and revive it. Kind of like the two hulk movies. The first one was a bust and a couple years later they made a new one.
IF ONE OF THE FILMMAKERS IS READING THIS- DO EVERYONE A FAVOR AND STOP.
-that's all.
The thing that disappointed me most was how completely the filmmakers took advantage of their audience. They made a cheap film in a hurry and put little effort into making it even an okay film. If I were the filmmakers of this movie I would be embarrassed. I feel bad for the actors because they might get blame for what really is a badly written script. It could ruin their careers.
There were no redeeming qualities of the film either. It was bad all around. The editing, the cinematography, the music, the "special" effects, the dialog- EVERYTHING sucked. I especially despise whoever did the cinematography. The camera is always moving for no good reason. It is constantly doing rough, jerky 360's around the characters. It's as if the cinematographer was like, hey- I've always wanted to try this... can I do it as much as possible? The cinematography gave the film this surreal feeling that didn't work at all.
There is one sequence in the film that I thought was cool- the baseball scene. I also appreciated that rather than trying to make stupid dialog realistic, most the high school scenes were done in a way that said, "hey, here are a bunch of actors playing high school kids saying dumb things- isn't it funny?" It kind of made fun of itself almost, which was way better than if they tried to be serious about it.
I sincerely hope they DO NOT make another one. If they do, it better be a whole new team. I almost feel as if the project should be abandoned. Later, different filmmakers can try and revive it. Kind of like the two hulk movies. The first one was a bust and a couple years later they made a new one.
IF ONE OF THE FILMMAKERS IS READING THIS- DO EVERYONE A FAVOR AND STOP.
-that's all.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Movies
I find it interesting that in times of economic hardship, theaters prosper. During the Great Depression in the 1930s there are many accounts of couples deciding whether they wanted to eat or see a movie, and they'd choose the movies. It was two hours that they could forget their hunger and their problems and find some relief in this escape from a difficult world.
A new theater just opened at University Mall and it just got me thinking. What is it that the movies give us that we are drawn to? I mean, one answer is escapism. We just want to escape from our problems. I think this might be the cause for the melancholy feeling you sometimes get when you walk back into the world after watching a feel-good movie with a happy ending. But I suspect there are other reasons that we are drawn to it. Not everyone feels the need to escape.
I wonder if, in part, it is the connection we have with other people. Not only do you get to sort of come to know the characters on the screen intimately, but you share a commonality with the hundreds of people around you. They laugh when you laugh. They jump when you jump. There is this connection you have with total strangers. It this what draws us to the movies? Do we all have this subconscious desire to feel connected?
I often look over at the person on the road driving next to me and wonder what their story is. Where are they going? Are they having a good day? I mean, each of our lives and the relationships we have with those around us are extremely complex. Everyone has a story. We just never really get to hear it.
Lately there is so much talk about hate and intolerance. It is easy to think that the world is screwed up and people are heartless. I still like to believe though, that people are mostly good. When in a situation that calls for intervention by a complete stranger, I think most will heed the call. There is some sense of duty I think we all feel to help other people when they are in need. Not necessarily religious duty, or duty to God, but simple duty because they are human and we are human.
It reminds me of a story my mom told me about her friend. She witnessed a car accident and the woman involved was bleeding severely. My mom's friend acted on impulse to stop the bleeding. It was only after the paramedics came and took over the situation when she realized she had some stranger's blood on her hands and clothes. In that instant that duty to another human being calls, we forget about all the "what ifs." Usually people want to have gloves on when contact with another person's blood is possible.
Last year for Thanksgiving I was four-wheeling in the dessert when my sister and two cousins drove off a 15 ft cliff into a ditch of barbed-wire and rusty metal poles. I was the oldest one there at the time and I pretty much focused solely on my sister who was bleeding and unconscious as she lay in barbed wire and crunched into a metal post (my cousins we slightly injured, but awake and alert). It wasn't until the paramedics took her (in what seemed hours later) that I finally looked up to see that the gouge in the earth was surrounded by concerned neighbors.
By the time we got back from the hospital later that night, the neighbors had gotten tractors and filled the ditch with dirt and had begun a barbecue at my aunts house for everyone. It was really an amazing snapshot of what people are really like inside. Anyway, I don't know why I started writing about this- it just popped into my mind.
A new theater just opened at University Mall and it just got me thinking. What is it that the movies give us that we are drawn to? I mean, one answer is escapism. We just want to escape from our problems. I think this might be the cause for the melancholy feeling you sometimes get when you walk back into the world after watching a feel-good movie with a happy ending. But I suspect there are other reasons that we are drawn to it. Not everyone feels the need to escape.
I wonder if, in part, it is the connection we have with other people. Not only do you get to sort of come to know the characters on the screen intimately, but you share a commonality with the hundreds of people around you. They laugh when you laugh. They jump when you jump. There is this connection you have with total strangers. It this what draws us to the movies? Do we all have this subconscious desire to feel connected?
I often look over at the person on the road driving next to me and wonder what their story is. Where are they going? Are they having a good day? I mean, each of our lives and the relationships we have with those around us are extremely complex. Everyone has a story. We just never really get to hear it.
Lately there is so much talk about hate and intolerance. It is easy to think that the world is screwed up and people are heartless. I still like to believe though, that people are mostly good. When in a situation that calls for intervention by a complete stranger, I think most will heed the call. There is some sense of duty I think we all feel to help other people when they are in need. Not necessarily religious duty, or duty to God, but simple duty because they are human and we are human.
It reminds me of a story my mom told me about her friend. She witnessed a car accident and the woman involved was bleeding severely. My mom's friend acted on impulse to stop the bleeding. It was only after the paramedics came and took over the situation when she realized she had some stranger's blood on her hands and clothes. In that instant that duty to another human being calls, we forget about all the "what ifs." Usually people want to have gloves on when contact with another person's blood is possible.
Last year for Thanksgiving I was four-wheeling in the dessert when my sister and two cousins drove off a 15 ft cliff into a ditch of barbed-wire and rusty metal poles. I was the oldest one there at the time and I pretty much focused solely on my sister who was bleeding and unconscious as she lay in barbed wire and crunched into a metal post (my cousins we slightly injured, but awake and alert). It wasn't until the paramedics took her (in what seemed hours later) that I finally looked up to see that the gouge in the earth was surrounded by concerned neighbors.
By the time we got back from the hospital later that night, the neighbors had gotten tractors and filled the ditch with dirt and had begun a barbecue at my aunts house for everyone. It was really an amazing snapshot of what people are really like inside. Anyway, I don't know why I started writing about this- it just popped into my mind.
Monday, November 10, 2008
In Conflict
I have felt really frustrated lately. Frustrated with myself, with school, with the way things are going in the world. I feel like there are two parts of me. Almost like the whole angel and devil on your shoulders bit. They have become very real to me. There is one part of me that see's my potential and yearns to actualize that potential. It is the part of me that knows what I can become and how I can be better. It encourages me and gives me hope for the future. Then there is the other part- the stronger of the two I think, that refuses to be enlightened. It will not allow myself to receive the blessings that I could obtain if I listened to that other half of me. This part of me scoffs at people. It is pessimistic and carnal. It has no hope for progress and loves procrastination. It suppresses the other half in a way that makes me feel like a hypocrite if I do the things the "good half" wants me to do.
So now you are thinking I am suffering some sort of split-personality disorder. I assure you it isn't that. In scriptural terms it is the natural man vs the spiritual man I guess. I don't know how to change when I feel like a hypocrite when I try. It's like I've been convinced that I am not a spiritual person and "playing spiritual" would be like acting as if I were some high-and-mighty prince from a foreign land.
I noticed this week that I could battle these feelings if I had enough spiritual experiences to help me overcome them. Problem is, I only have these when they are required. Religion class for example. Or my editing class where we watched the director's cut of "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration." I bought a soundtrack of violinist who plays religious hymns this week to try and help me. But I know that I need more than that. I just have this problem with feeling like a fake when I try actively looking for this spiritual enlightenment.
I've also been frustrated with school because i don't feel like I am accomplishing anything right now. I am not in classes that are really helping me develop skills I will need for my career and so i lack motivation. I am doing a minor in business management and I HATE the classes. They are not (for the most part) very interesting to me. I am much more interested in classes that involve discussion and these are all instruction and memorization.
Finally, what is happening to our country? I feel as if the years of plenty are over and we get to look forward to the long drought just in time for us to be finishing up school. I watched this video that Bruce posted and it was really interesting, informative, and scary. It scared me enough to re-think the way I will spend my tax return (good-bye macbook pro). Is it the beginning of the end? Can we pull through it? It is like the civilizations in Ancient America we read about in the Book of Mormon. They get wealthy and prosper and spend spend spend to obtain everything they need, want, and more until destruction comes. When they begin to suffer they start to be humbled. Well- welcome to adulthood... you're just in time for the part where civilization falls and suffers to be humbled. Wonderful.
Then there is the whole Proposition 8 thing. These moral issues combined with the irrisponsibility of governement and the common American to control spending makes me wonder if we will pull through this one. In history, when a nation suffered financially, they eventually realized their evil ways and turned to God. In our day however, the fight against morality seems to just be getting started. It amazed me how quick people were to use the word "hate" after the votes were counted. This pertains to the president as well as issues such as marriage. Please read this post by Melese's husband Kyle on why marriage should be protected- it is very well written.
There you have it. My frustrations in a nut shell.
So now you are thinking I am suffering some sort of split-personality disorder. I assure you it isn't that. In scriptural terms it is the natural man vs the spiritual man I guess. I don't know how to change when I feel like a hypocrite when I try. It's like I've been convinced that I am not a spiritual person and "playing spiritual" would be like acting as if I were some high-and-mighty prince from a foreign land.
I noticed this week that I could battle these feelings if I had enough spiritual experiences to help me overcome them. Problem is, I only have these when they are required. Religion class for example. Or my editing class where we watched the director's cut of "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration." I bought a soundtrack of violinist who plays religious hymns this week to try and help me. But I know that I need more than that. I just have this problem with feeling like a fake when I try actively looking for this spiritual enlightenment.
I've also been frustrated with school because i don't feel like I am accomplishing anything right now. I am not in classes that are really helping me develop skills I will need for my career and so i lack motivation. I am doing a minor in business management and I HATE the classes. They are not (for the most part) very interesting to me. I am much more interested in classes that involve discussion and these are all instruction and memorization.
Finally, what is happening to our country? I feel as if the years of plenty are over and we get to look forward to the long drought just in time for us to be finishing up school. I watched this video that Bruce posted and it was really interesting, informative, and scary. It scared me enough to re-think the way I will spend my tax return (good-bye macbook pro). Is it the beginning of the end? Can we pull through it? It is like the civilizations in Ancient America we read about in the Book of Mormon. They get wealthy and prosper and spend spend spend to obtain everything they need, want, and more until destruction comes. When they begin to suffer they start to be humbled. Well- welcome to adulthood... you're just in time for the part where civilization falls and suffers to be humbled. Wonderful.
Then there is the whole Proposition 8 thing. These moral issues combined with the irrisponsibility of governement and the common American to control spending makes me wonder if we will pull through this one. In history, when a nation suffered financially, they eventually realized their evil ways and turned to God. In our day however, the fight against morality seems to just be getting started. It amazed me how quick people were to use the word "hate" after the votes were counted. This pertains to the president as well as issues such as marriage. Please read this post by Melese's husband Kyle on why marriage should be protected- it is very well written.
There you have it. My frustrations in a nut shell.
Friday, October 24, 2008
7 days of stress...
So, Thursday I realized some things:
I stayed up until the early hours of the morning to study for my test. I got a 96, which I am certainly happy with considering how much class I missed and I learned all the material in a late-night cram session.
So, now I am dead tired. I like sunglasses mostly because they can hide the fact that I really look like a zombie. But tonight I am going to this thing (I don't know what else to call it) where there will be a gathering of directors/produces/actors/etc from California and I can't wear sunglasses. I'll just have to be "tall zombie-boy" for the night i guess.
- It was already the first late day to take my stats test and not only had I not studied, but I had missed a lot of class (which explains why the test was such a surprise)
- I have a research paper due in a week for D&C
- I have Film History midterm in a week that consists of one-page essay questions
- My second-block class started that night
- I forgot to do my accounting lesson/quiz
- I was called in to work for lighting this weekend
- I am teaching/co-teaching 5 or 6 multimedia classes next week for work
- I think I'm starting to get a cold
I stayed up until the early hours of the morning to study for my test. I got a 96, which I am certainly happy with considering how much class I missed and I learned all the material in a late-night cram session.
So, now I am dead tired. I like sunglasses mostly because they can hide the fact that I really look like a zombie. But tonight I am going to this thing (I don't know what else to call it) where there will be a gathering of directors/produces/actors/etc from California and I can't wear sunglasses. I'll just have to be "tall zombie-boy" for the night i guess.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Fall
I loved walking home from school today. I love the first time it gets windy in the fall because you get to walk through spirals of leaves blowing around you and hear the crunch sound under your feet as you step on them. There was this picturesque tree on a grassy hill as the sun was getting lower in the sky that I really wanted to take a picture of. Maybe later this week.
Anyway, I really love fall. I love Halloween. It is just sad that it happens so fast. You wake up one morning and all the leaves have changed color. I wish there was a way to slow it down.
Anyway, I really love fall. I love Halloween. It is just sad that it happens so fast. You wake up one morning and all the leaves have changed color. I wish there was a way to slow it down.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Insominia and The Wall
So, lately I have been suffering from insomnia. Well, I think it's insomnia anyway. When I want to go to sleep, I can't. I usually don't sleep until 2 or 3 am even if I try to go to bed between 10 and 12. I wake up at 9 every day. It is a little hard getting up, but other than that, I'm fine. I've always been the type that needs 8 hours of sleep every night. Now I seem to work just fine on 6 or 7 hours. I wonder if it has anything to do with the exercise habits I have formed. I would think it would drain me of energy when the day is through.Today I backed my car into a wall in the parking garage. I'm so stupid. I wasn't paying attention. The thing is not even 2 months old yet! It isn't dented... mostly just scratched paint, but still. It will cost a lot to fix and I refuse to just let it go. If it was an old car, fine- whatever. But it's new and I will have it for a long time. So there goes money I don't have. :( I'm actually pretty okay with it. I thought that if I did something like that I'd be devastated. It is just a car after all. But it happened during the "new toy" phase. You know the one. After you get a present for Christmas it is hard to let other kids play with it because it is new and fun. Maybe I'm being taught a lesson by the man upstairs.
I think I am becoming increasingly more focused on obtaining "things" in this life. It isn't good. I turn to temporal objects to make me happy rather than to the real source of happiness. It's funny because my friend Michelle was so happy today. She was happy because she knew the gospel was true and that she had it. It was this unexplainable happiness. Then here I was- about to let a few little scratches on my bumper ruin my day or week(s). My priorities are all wrong.
I am so glad I attend BYU. If I were anywhere else for college, I think I'd be lost. At least here I am constantly reminded by people around me how I should act, think. I am taught it by professors. I find myself resisting it often times. I hear it, or witness it- but I don't let it affect me really. On the surface it is good, but I'm kind of hardened against letting it change me.
When I was younger I used to think perfectionism was a good thing to be plauged with. Since then, I have learned that it really isn't good. When I do something- it has to be to perfection. My things have to be perfect. That seems okay... but then if something is imperfect, it's a reject. Problem is, I'm not perfect. I can't live up to this perfection that I seem to place so much importance on. Sometimes this causes me to give up on myself- which isn't good.Anyway, I have so much to learn and change. It is so hard for me to do though. It is hard for me to change. I suppose I am not humble enough. Maybe this is what God was trying to teach me through this tiny trial. Writing this post has actually helped me learn a lot. Of what importance is a car? It could be wrecked tomorrow. Eventually it will not be operational. When I die, it will be the last thing on my mind. It will not go with me into the eternal worlds. It is an insignificant object that is meaningless in the eternities. Why am I so stuck on these temporal things? How frustrating. My priorities are wrong.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
TV and Toilet Newspapers
So I feel the need to discuss two things I really don't like. First, since this is the subject bothering me at the moment, is TV. I'm not a fan. I don't understand how people can sit in front of it all day. I have really cool roommates, but there is one who really likes TV. He'll have the TV on and a laptop in his lap, maybe food next to him. The blinds are shut, and so is the living room it seems like.
Anyway, it isn't that I don't like some shows on TV (I normally watch those online), but I don't understand when it just has to be on. Even when there is nothing in particular you want to watch. Most of my college life, there hasn't been a TV in the apartment. I always like it better that way. I stopped watching TV in high school. It just doesn't appeal to me. I am more of a movie person. I'd also rather be out doing things with people rather than watching TV.
Now, something I really don't understand is when people take a newspaper with them into the
bathroom. GROSS! I hate when I am in a public restroom and I hear the ruffle of newspaper in one of the stalls. Or, when entering a stall there is a newspaper on the toilet- SICK! I used to think that was only in cartoons. I'm not sure you are healthy if you have time to read a newspaper while going to the bathroom. It really shouldn't take that much time. I feel like the people who do this are the same ones that enjoy sitting in front of a TV all day with take-out in their laps.
I just saw WALL-E and the fat people floating around on their personal entertainment rafts were so disgusting (and funny). I wonder if there are people that saw that and thought, "cool! that would be so awesome!"
Monday, October 6, 2008
Update/Political Opinion
Update
This last week has been one of the most demanding in my college career. Midterms, overtime at work, and general conference pretty much filled every little bit of time I had. I just finished the last midterm (for now) and did not do as well as I hoped. I studied more for this test than I ever remember studying on any test before. I lost sleep and skipped classes to study for this. I got an 82% which isn't good enough for the amount of effort I put in, nor is it bad enough for me to loose any more sleep over. I'm just glad its over.
On a happier note, I found out that my ward's Halloween activity will be on the 25th! Why is that good news you ask? Because that means dressing up on the 25th, the 30th (I'm going to a event with a bunch of film people where we will view "scary" movies that we make), and the 31st. Normally you put money and time into a costume only to wear it once.
Presidential Race
On a less happy note, the more I watch of the presidential race, the more dirty it seems. I feel like the candidates (and vps) spend most their time trying to smear their opponent rather than presenting credible reasons why they should have my vote. It is like a popularity contest where the opponents are just trying to ruin each other's social standing. Are we in high school? You know, at first- I was impressed with Palin and liked her raw character, but the more I see of her, the less impressed I am. I'm tired of hearing "Maverick" and "Outsider" and "Track Record." It was acceptable and inspiring when she was first chosen as McCain's running mate, but now it seems naive. I think she needs to stop leaning on this idealistic dream and start basing her remarks on real and effective plans and strategies. I still disagree too much with some of Obama's agenda for McCain to loose my vote at this point, but I sure wish there was a better choice.
The Bailout
My accounting teacher kind of opened my eyes to the bailout that has been the subject of the news lately. First, he brought up the accounting equation Assets = Liability + Owners Equity. If we are missing a trillion dollars (cash is an asset), then that has to be reflected on the other side of the equation. I won't bore you with details, but basically what I am saying is- the money didn't just disappear. It went somewhere. Now... have the president or the presidential nominees really explained what happened here? No. I have heard a lot about greedy CEOs and stuff, but come on. A trillion dollars? You don't think someone would notice if a handful of people were pocketing that amount of cash? That is not the answer. I was actually please with Palin for at least mentioning the real cause of this crisis in her debate with Biden. Yes, she did cite the preditors who loaned unqualified people sums of money... but she at least brought up the real problem.
Our society has a growing problem of dodging responsibility. Parents increasingly want schools to raise their children. Americans always want someone to blame for thier problems. We are ever the victim. Well, the real reason for the current financial crisis the the U.S. (and therefore the world) now faces is not the greedy elite. It is primarily the direct result of the common greedy American. Where did that money go? Into our pockets. Americans have borrowed against their mortgages and taken out loans so they can live a lifestyle beyond their means. We as Americans need to learn to live within our means! The church has been teaching this for decades!
Okay, so what. We've fled responsibility for our actions and call on government to fix it all with this bailout. Well, everything we do has consequences. What are these consequences?
The lifestyle Americans have been living is a good and viable cause for other countries to hate us. Why should their economies suffer for our citizen's actions? I am not saying that I am exempt from the tendency to live beyond my means. I do it as well. But when we don't have consequeces, it is hard to learn when our actions have a positive or negative effect. We, as Americans will never see the true consequence of our actions because of this bailout.
I also don't want to say I'm against the bailout, because I think it really will prevent a lot of the damage that can be done (or at least minimize it). But I am opposed to the freedoms we are giving up and the lessons left unlearned by this bailout.
This last week has been one of the most demanding in my college career. Midterms, overtime at work, and general conference pretty much filled every little bit of time I had. I just finished the last midterm (for now) and did not do as well as I hoped. I studied more for this test than I ever remember studying on any test before. I lost sleep and skipped classes to study for this. I got an 82% which isn't good enough for the amount of effort I put in, nor is it bad enough for me to loose any more sleep over. I'm just glad its over.
On a happier note, I found out that my ward's Halloween activity will be on the 25th! Why is that good news you ask? Because that means dressing up on the 25th, the 30th (I'm going to a event with a bunch of film people where we will view "scary" movies that we make), and the 31st. Normally you put money and time into a costume only to wear it once.
Presidential Race
On a less happy note, the more I watch of the presidential race, the more dirty it seems. I feel like the candidates (and vps) spend most their time trying to smear their opponent rather than presenting credible reasons why they should have my vote. It is like a popularity contest where the opponents are just trying to ruin each other's social standing. Are we in high school? You know, at first- I was impressed with Palin and liked her raw character, but the more I see of her, the less impressed I am. I'm tired of hearing "Maverick" and "Outsider" and "Track Record." It was acceptable and inspiring when she was first chosen as McCain's running mate, but now it seems naive. I think she needs to stop leaning on this idealistic dream and start basing her remarks on real and effective plans and strategies. I still disagree too much with some of Obama's agenda for McCain to loose my vote at this point, but I sure wish there was a better choice.
The Bailout
My accounting teacher kind of opened my eyes to the bailout that has been the subject of the news lately. First, he brought up the accounting equation Assets = Liability + Owners Equity. If we are missing a trillion dollars (cash is an asset), then that has to be reflected on the other side of the equation. I won't bore you with details, but basically what I am saying is- the money didn't just disappear. It went somewhere. Now... have the president or the presidential nominees really explained what happened here? No. I have heard a lot about greedy CEOs and stuff, but come on. A trillion dollars? You don't think someone would notice if a handful of people were pocketing that amount of cash? That is not the answer. I was actually please with Palin for at least mentioning the real cause of this crisis in her debate with Biden. Yes, she did cite the preditors who loaned unqualified people sums of money... but she at least brought up the real problem.
Our society has a growing problem of dodging responsibility. Parents increasingly want schools to raise their children. Americans always want someone to blame for thier problems. We are ever the victim. Well, the real reason for the current financial crisis the the U.S. (and therefore the world) now faces is not the greedy elite. It is primarily the direct result of the common greedy American. Where did that money go? Into our pockets. Americans have borrowed against their mortgages and taken out loans so they can live a lifestyle beyond their means. We as Americans need to learn to live within our means! The church has been teaching this for decades!
Okay, so what. We've fled responsibility for our actions and call on government to fix it all with this bailout. Well, everything we do has consequences. What are these consequences?
- We are surrendeering our freedom to the government
- The rest of the world is paying for our exravagence
The lifestyle Americans have been living is a good and viable cause for other countries to hate us. Why should their economies suffer for our citizen's actions? I am not saying that I am exempt from the tendency to live beyond my means. I do it as well. But when we don't have consequeces, it is hard to learn when our actions have a positive or negative effect. We, as Americans will never see the true consequence of our actions because of this bailout.I also don't want to say I'm against the bailout, because I think it really will prevent a lot of the damage that can be done (or at least minimize it). But I am opposed to the freedoms we are giving up and the lessons left unlearned by this bailout.
Friday, October 3, 2008
10 Things (cont.)
#8 Cooking
I enjoy cooking. I like trying to make new things and I think that one day I'd like to have a professional kitchen. I don't know why I like it. I admit that it is way more fun when there is someone to cook for... but it is always a good stress release for me. The meals I make most, as my roommates could attest to, are:
#9 "Cali"
Okay, if you ever want to make me cringe call California "Cali." I never heard the nickname until I left California. I don't know why it bothers me so much. It is almost like people say it as if that's the cool, hip word for California. It also seems to tie into stereotypical valley girl vocabulary. It is
so NOT cool. Also, "the OC." Come on. As if Orange County is heaven or something. Let me tell you... I lived there for 12 years. It isn't exactly heaven. It's city which means... mostly ugly. Not a whole lot of green. Don't believe everything you see on TV. Now I live just outside of Orange County and I like it there SO much better. I don't understand why people all the sudden made judgments about the area code you live in when that show came out. Grow up. People were paying to get their area codes tattooed the the back window of their cars. 909, 714, 951- WHO CARES?
#10 Halloween and Peter Pan
For some reason, I get more and more excited for Halloween as I get older. It seems backwords, I know. When I was younger, it was all about the candy. Now, it is like a cool Fall tradition where you can be someone else. I can dress up like a freak and not be made fun of. That's COOL!
I enjoy cooking. I like trying to make new things and I think that one day I'd like to have a professional kitchen. I don't know why I like it. I admit that it is way more fun when there is someone to cook for... but it is always a good stress release for me. The meals I make most, as my roommates could attest to, are:
- Shrimp scampi, baked potato, and vegetables
- Stir fry (with chicken) on rice
- Chicken Parmesan with Vegetables
#9 "Cali"
Okay, if you ever want to make me cringe call California "Cali." I never heard the nickname until I left California. I don't know why it bothers me so much. It is almost like people say it as if that's the cool, hip word for California. It also seems to tie into stereotypical valley girl vocabulary. It is
so NOT cool. Also, "the OC." Come on. As if Orange County is heaven or something. Let me tell you... I lived there for 12 years. It isn't exactly heaven. It's city which means... mostly ugly. Not a whole lot of green. Don't believe everything you see on TV. Now I live just outside of Orange County and I like it there SO much better. I don't understand why people all the sudden made judgments about the area code you live in when that show came out. Grow up. People were paying to get their area codes tattooed the the back window of their cars. 909, 714, 951- WHO CARES?#10 Halloween and Peter Pan
For some reason, I get more and more excited for Halloween as I get older. It seems backwords, I know. When I was younger, it was all about the candy. Now, it is like a cool Fall tradition where you can be someone else. I can dress up like a freak and not be made fun of. That's COOL!Peter Pan is probably my favorite kids story. I have the most recent Disney verison if anyone wants to watch it :) I've never wanted to be older. Even as a teenager. I could never understand why all my 
friend were aso excited to get older. I think the age that I would have liked to stay was 17 or 18. But even that was old when I was younger. I wouldn't want to stay in that maturity level... but certain things are appealing. The older you get, the more responsibility you have. Funny thing is... I think I'd make a good old man. I like old man things. Old man music, the old man pass that lets you get away with anything, old man humor, etc. Haha. I guess I've just never been a particular fan of the middle part of life. Maybe because it is so blurry. There are so many choices to make. It seems like being a kid and being old is fairly predictable.
friend were aso excited to get older. I think the age that I would have liked to stay was 17 or 18. But even that was old when I was younger. I wouldn't want to stay in that maturity level... but certain things are appealing. The older you get, the more responsibility you have. Funny thing is... I think I'd make a good old man. I like old man things. Old man music, the old man pass that lets you get away with anything, old man humor, etc. Haha. I guess I've just never been a particular fan of the middle part of life. Maybe because it is so blurry. There are so many choices to make. It seems like being a kid and being old is fairly predictable.Monday, September 29, 2008
First Test of the Semester
So my schedule today was as follows:
10:00-11:00am STAT 221
12:00-4:00pm Work
4:00-6:00pm STAT 221 TEST
6:00-12:00am Work
Yeah, I know- horrible. So I am at work right now, eating dinner. But, I wanted to announce to everyone that despite missing a weeks worth of STATs I just got a 98% on my test. Wahoo! This was very good news because the outlook for this week doesn't look so good. I have another test that I feel very unprepared for coming up, which means I will be attending horribly long review sessions. This means that I don't have a single open night to relax. Hopefully it will all pay off and I will get another A. I guess I wouldn't care SO much, but I am currently going to school for half the price because of my academic scholarship. I would very much like to keep it, or get a full academic scholarship next year.
So I have a side story about Sonic and how the people there are trying to distroy my life. So on Saturday night I went with Jeff, Jessie, Michelle, Rosalinda, and Lucy to this music/art festival. Afterwards, we went to Sonic to get ice cream/ a bite to eat. Well, I wasn't really hungy- just a little hungry... and I like Sonic's onion rings. So Michelle tries to order them for me and they say they are out. So I decide to get mozarella sticks instead (when were like 2 dollars more than the onion rings). I sit down and they bring out onion rings to Jessie. I'm like- "WHAT?!" After explaining to the lady that they told me they were out, she rolls her eyes and says "their being stupid." Later she gives me onion rings (for free). But, when I ask for ketchup she replies, "we're out." GRRR! Then Michelle asks some other guy for ketchup and they bring some out. It was a difficult night.
10:00-11:00am STAT 221
12:00-4:00pm Work
4:00-6:00pm STAT 221 TEST
6:00-12:00am Work
Yeah, I know- horrible. So I am at work right now, eating dinner. But, I wanted to announce to everyone that despite missing a weeks worth of STATs I just got a 98% on my test. Wahoo! This was very good news because the outlook for this week doesn't look so good. I have another test that I feel very unprepared for coming up, which means I will be attending horribly long review sessions. This means that I don't have a single open night to relax. Hopefully it will all pay off and I will get another A. I guess I wouldn't care SO much, but I am currently going to school for half the price because of my academic scholarship. I would very much like to keep it, or get a full academic scholarship next year.
So I have a side story about Sonic and how the people there are trying to distroy my life. So on Saturday night I went with Jeff, Jessie, Michelle, Rosalinda, and Lucy to this music/art festival. Afterwards, we went to Sonic to get ice cream/ a bite to eat. Well, I wasn't really hungy- just a little hungry... and I like Sonic's onion rings. So Michelle tries to order them for me and they say they are out. So I decide to get mozarella sticks instead (when were like 2 dollars more than the onion rings). I sit down and they bring out onion rings to Jessie. I'm like- "WHAT?!" After explaining to the lady that they told me they were out, she rolls her eyes and says "their being stupid." Later she gives me onion rings (for free). But, when I ask for ketchup she replies, "we're out." GRRR! Then Michelle asks some other guy for ketchup and they bring some out. It was a difficult night.
Friday, September 26, 2008
10 Things (cont.)
#5 Frosting
I don't like frosting. With the exception of the chocolate frosting you can buy at the store (in little plastic containers by the cake mix) if it is put on chocolate cake. I will scrap off excess frosting on anything else. Oh wait- cinnamon rolls are another exception.
#6 Kissing
Okay. This one is actually very embarrassing. Count yourselves lucky that I trust you all with this information. The only girl I've kissed was in elementary school. That's right. When I was little I was like in love with this girl haha. I thought I'd marry her one day. Well, anyway- I never dated in high school, and I've never had a relationship that was sustained long enough for me to go for it.
Don't get me wrong- I'd love to. There are many times where I've wanted to, but I was a coward and kissed the girl on the head or check. Awkward. I don't know what it is. Well, I have a few ideas. First- what if I'm bad? I can't be good because I've never done it. Second, I usually want to kiss girls I actually like (I know, weird) and I'm afraid of messing up or scaring them off. Third, I'm really not confident in boy-girl relationships. Growing up, the girls I liked never liked me back. The girls who would have (and asked to) kissed me made me want to vomit.
There have been times in college where I was almost desperate enough to "practice" with a girl friend. Weird. The only time I had the courage to go for it was when I was in elementary school!
I think another reason for this is the dating world here at college. It isn't like you normal college. I feel like if I kiss a girl I have to have a real commitment to her. Most girls expect that here. Even holding hands is something you don't do unless you are pretty interested. I secretly want an experimental relationship that doesn't have to mean anything. Is that bad? I want to be able to kiss a girl without the word "marriage" rolling around in her head. Well, this is my dilemma. How embarrassing...
#7 Shaving
So, I never use an electric razor. Why? Because they don't give a close enough shave. I will spend quite a chunk of time shaving my face, going against the grain and pulling the skin tight so I can get as close as possible. I always cut my self around the jaw line. It never feels good. I just want a close shave dang it! Then I go two or three days without shaving and repeat. Someone needs to come up with a better system for shaving. Less painful preferably.
I don't like frosting. With the exception of the chocolate frosting you can buy at the store (in little plastic containers by the cake mix) if it is put on chocolate cake. I will scrap off excess frosting on anything else. Oh wait- cinnamon rolls are another exception.#6 Kissing
Okay. This one is actually very embarrassing. Count yourselves lucky that I trust you all with this information. The only girl I've kissed was in elementary school. That's right. When I was little I was like in love with this girl haha. I thought I'd marry her one day. Well, anyway- I never dated in high school, and I've never had a relationship that was sustained long enough for me to go for it.Don't get me wrong- I'd love to. There are many times where I've wanted to, but I was a coward and kissed the girl on the head or check. Awkward. I don't know what it is. Well, I have a few ideas. First- what if I'm bad? I can't be good because I've never done it. Second, I usually want to kiss girls I actually like (I know, weird) and I'm afraid of messing up or scaring them off. Third, I'm really not confident in boy-girl relationships. Growing up, the girls I liked never liked me back. The girls who would have (and asked to) kissed me made me want to vomit.
There have been times in college where I was almost desperate enough to "practice" with a girl friend. Weird. The only time I had the courage to go for it was when I was in elementary school!
I think another reason for this is the dating world here at college. It isn't like you normal college. I feel like if I kiss a girl I have to have a real commitment to her. Most girls expect that here. Even holding hands is something you don't do unless you are pretty interested. I secretly want an experimental relationship that doesn't have to mean anything. Is that bad? I want to be able to kiss a girl without the word "marriage" rolling around in her head. Well, this is my dilemma. How embarrassing...
#7 Shaving
So, I never use an electric razor. Why? Because they don't give a close enough shave. I will spend quite a chunk of time shaving my face, going against the grain and pulling the skin tight so I can get as close as possible. I always cut my self around the jaw line. It never feels good. I just want a close shave dang it! Then I go two or three days without shaving and repeat. Someone needs to come up with a better system for shaving. Less painful preferably.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Gym Explaination
First of all. Thanks to everyone who comments on my blog posts. It really helps motivate me to write. I mean, sure- I guess there is the whole therapeutic writing idea, but that just isn't enough to motivate me. I try to comment on other people's blogs for this same reason. People want to know they are being heard right?
Okay, so I bought a membership to Golds Gym (for the next two years) recently. I never considered myself to be what I call a "gym-person." You know the ones. They spend every spare minute at the gym. Well... I'm not spending every spare minute... but like 10 hours a week. There are two reasons for this:
Also, and hopefully this helps explain the pictures, I've been skinny all my life. A long time ago, back in high school, I had a gym membership. It did nothing. No matter what I did I could not gain any weight. This held true for, like, a decade! Well... not including pre-highschool years where the weight I gained was due to growth.
I could eat however much I wanted of anything I wanted and I'd loose a pound. Well folks, I'm here to tell you- those days are over. I believe my metabolism is actually starting to slow. I can still eat as much as I want, but it allows me to put on weight if I want to.
So, I am secretly proud that I am starting to look like more than a bean pole. I mean, I'm still thin, but I am not one of those skin-and-bones people. Eww. Just kidding- I was one of those people for YEARS!
ps Ten things will continue shortly...
Okay, so I bought a membership to Golds Gym (for the next two years) recently. I never considered myself to be what I call a "gym-person." You know the ones. They spend every spare minute at the gym. Well... I'm not spending every spare minute... but like 10 hours a week. There are two reasons for this:
- I fronted them $500 so that I never have to see a bill for two years
- My metabolism is finally slowing (i think)
Also, and hopefully this helps explain the pictures, I've been skinny all my life. A long time ago, back in high school, I had a gym membership. It did nothing. No matter what I did I could not gain any weight. This held true for, like, a decade! Well... not including pre-highschool years where the weight I gained was due to growth.
I could eat however much I wanted of anything I wanted and I'd loose a pound. Well folks, I'm here to tell you- those days are over. I believe my metabolism is actually starting to slow. I can still eat as much as I want, but it allows me to put on weight if I want to.
So, I am secretly proud that I am starting to look like more than a bean pole. I mean, I'm still thin, but I am not one of those skin-and-bones people. Eww. Just kidding- I was one of those people for YEARS!
This explains the picture. Normally I wouldn't post a picture that is so posed (I don't even take pictures like this- normally). But I know the only people who read this are close to me, which means I don't care if you make fun of me. Plus... maybe in six months I can take new pictures and it can be like one of those before/after promotions. I just got my membership last week. In six months, I will post another picture. Hmm... I should probably take one in a normal standing position in bad light and no make-up just like the ads. Just kidding... I don't wear make-up, exept for on Halloween. Thought I'd clarify that (kinda have to these days). But I probably should take one with me standing straight... stay tuned.
ps Ten things will continue shortly...
Monday, September 22, 2008
10 Things
So I am putting off my reading for my film history class and I am at work. I decided that I would copy Tyler's lead and write ten unusual or interesting facts about me that most people don't know. This may last a few posts.
#1 Dental Hygiene
I have a strict routine every night before I go to bed. First, I brush my teeth (with toothpaste). Then I floss and use a tongue scraper. Then I brush again, making sure that I brush my tongue and the roof of my mouth (gently). Then I rinse with Listerine. I also have what looks like a pipe-cleaner on a toothbrush handle that I use in between two of my teeth sometimes. Now, the explanation. So, this all started when I was on my mission in Korea. I was going to be in a foreign country for 2 years and I did not want to have to go to the dentist. I also had a feeling that Korean food wasn't particularly good for your teeth (kimchi's acidity is probably pretty high). I couldn't remember if you are supposed to floss before or after you brush. So, to be safe, I brushed before AND after I flossed. It may also have to do with the fact that growing up, I always had cavities. I brushed just as much as any other kid- I just had bad teeth. So now I make sure I brush extremely well so that when the dentist looks at me accusingly I can say- "I floss every night, use Listerine, and brush at least 3 times a day." Mostly I prove to myself that I really couldn't be at fault for any cavities i might have and that it would have to be my bad teeth genes.
#2 Microwave Issues
So, for some reason, when I warm things up in the microwave I have the tendency to punch in a high amount of time, knowing that my food doesn't need to be in that long. Then i just open the microwave when I think it is done. I don't usually bother to hit the "clear" button which really gets to some people. I think I do it out of laziness. Why type in [4] - [5] - [Start] when you can just put [1] and it begins heating for one minute. But now that I think about it- this isn't always the case. Often times I will open the microwave 1 second before it is done because I hate the beeping sound. I have to work really hard to hit the "clear" button so that the clock will be displayed and not "0:01." My old roommate- Eric Badger hated when I didn't clear it.
#3 Stupid Questions
I work at the library at BYU. Not only do I answer reference questions, but I also help with general computer problems and with video/graphics editing. Most of the questions people ask me make me angry. There are three ways that people anger me when they ask me a question.
I almost never look at how much I spend at the grocery store. Or else, I see it, but don't process it. A lot of times I will get home and think. Hmm... I wonder how much I spent. I think this is because I have accepted that I need food. It is a necessity. I shouldn't feel guilty for buying food. I know what I want/need to eat and I buy it. No reconsideration or second thought necessary. I also never ask for receipts when I am asked "do you want your receipt?" I think I might be starting a bad habit...
#1 Dental Hygiene
I have a strict routine every night before I go to bed. First, I brush my teeth (with toothpaste). Then I floss and use a tongue scraper. Then I brush again, making sure that I brush my tongue and the roof of my mouth (gently). Then I rinse with Listerine. I also have what looks like a pipe-cleaner on a toothbrush handle that I use in between two of my teeth sometimes. Now, the explanation. So, this all started when I was on my mission in Korea. I was going to be in a foreign country for 2 years and I did not want to have to go to the dentist. I also had a feeling that Korean food wasn't particularly good for your teeth (kimchi's acidity is probably pretty high). I couldn't remember if you are supposed to floss before or after you brush. So, to be safe, I brushed before AND after I flossed. It may also have to do with the fact that growing up, I always had cavities. I brushed just as much as any other kid- I just had bad teeth. So now I make sure I brush extremely well so that when the dentist looks at me accusingly I can say- "I floss every night, use Listerine, and brush at least 3 times a day." Mostly I prove to myself that I really couldn't be at fault for any cavities i might have and that it would have to be my bad teeth genes.#2 Microwave Issues
So, for some reason, when I warm things up in the microwave I have the tendency to punch in a high amount of time, knowing that my food doesn't need to be in that long. Then i just open the microwave when I think it is done. I don't usually bother to hit the "clear" button which really gets to some people. I think I do it out of laziness. Why type in [4] - [5] - [Start] when you can just put [1] and it begins heating for one minute. But now that I think about it- this isn't always the case. Often times I will open the microwave 1 second before it is done because I hate the beeping sound. I have to work really hard to hit the "clear" button so that the clock will be displayed and not "0:01." My old roommate- Eric Badger hated when I didn't clear it.#3 Stupid Questions
- They expect you to do it for them. (i.e. "Can you scan my document for me?")
- They ask without trying first (i.e. They will ask you to show them how to scan, and you go with them only to find that they haven't even logged onto a computer yet, nor have they bothered to read the "how to scan" instructions on the table.)
- The question is just plain stupid (i.e. "Can you help me with Adobe?") uhhh... the company?
I almost never look at how much I spend at the grocery store. Or else, I see it, but don't process it. A lot of times I will get home and think. Hmm... I wonder how much I spent. I think this is because I have accepted that I need food. It is a necessity. I shouldn't feel guilty for buying food. I know what I want/need to eat and I buy it. No reconsideration or second thought necessary. I also never ask for receipts when I am asked "do you want your receipt?" I think I might be starting a bad habit...
Friday, September 19, 2008
How Annoying
So I am taking STAT 221, because I just love statistics. Not really. I actually used to like math and then one day, (I swear it happened over night), I hated math. Anyway, it is a requirement for my business minor. So earlier this week, I sat in front of these girls who talked like the whole class. This really bothers me. I think, "if you are just going to talk the whole time, why come to class and disturb everyone around you- DON'T COME!" Well, I held it in and didn't say anything.
So then today, they end up sitting right in front of me and start chatting away again. I think it is so rude and selfish. I am paying to be there and it is my education too. I lasted about half the class without saying anything. When the teacher started talking about a new concept that I needed to hear though, I couldn't hold back. I asked them if they were planning on talking through the whole class and I left and found a seat far away from them so I could hear. They stopped talking, but it took me a minute before I could regain my focus. So agrivating! Go back to high school where no one takes anything seriously.
So then today, they end up sitting right in front of me and start chatting away again. I think it is so rude and selfish. I am paying to be there and it is my education too. I lasted about half the class without saying anything. When the teacher started talking about a new concept that I needed to hear though, I couldn't hold back. I asked them if they were planning on talking through the whole class and I left and found a seat far away from them so I could hear. They stopped talking, but it took me a minute before I could regain my focus. So agrivating! Go back to high school where no one takes anything seriously.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Commentary on Blogger
So there are some new Gadgets that I really like on Blogger. I like the new blogroll because it lists the last time the blogs you read are updated. There are some other gadgets that I don't have that look cool too. I may be changing up my blog a little- so watch out!
One thing I don't like so much is that there are very few templates to choose from. I'm probably ignorant or something though. I'm sure Bruce will tell me that I can find a third-party template and copy the code in somewhere if I were smart enough. That reminds me, if you want to feel smarter- read Bruce's blog frequently.
In other news, I bought a gym membership. I paid it up front and it is a 2 year contract. I don't want to think about it. But, I think I am happy about my decision. I went last night and it was so nice. A good stress release. Plus, I don't have to worry about making payments while enjoying the gym for 2 years. :)
One thing I don't like so much is that there are very few templates to choose from. I'm probably ignorant or something though. I'm sure Bruce will tell me that I can find a third-party template and copy the code in somewhere if I were smart enough. That reminds me, if you want to feel smarter- read Bruce's blog frequently.
In other news, I bought a gym membership. I paid it up front and it is a 2 year contract. I don't want to think about it. But, I think I am happy about my decision. I went last night and it was so nice. A good stress release. Plus, I don't have to worry about making payments while enjoying the gym for 2 years. :)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Summer 2008
Summer is long gone, but I kind of took a hiatus and didn't write anything about it. I stayed pretty busy. I often worked 50-60 hours weeks. I also got back into running and, this summer, swimming. I found out that I really enjoy swimming as exercise. Normally I just did it for fun. I went on an awesome white-water rafting trip in Moab and hiked to a lot of the arches in Arches national park. I also went home and stayed at a hotel in Carpenteria/Santa Barbara for a few days. I also bought a car. I guess my approach will be to write more about these things below:
WORK
During the summer I worked at the BYU Library and also doing lighting for EFY. I did a lot of the EFY dances and some of their variety shows and stuff. It wasn't too bad. I was definitely ready for EFY to be over by the end, but I enjoyed creating dance moods/looks and spicing up the lives of the little people.
I got a couple raises at the library, which I am very grateful for. I had to quit my lighting job for the Fall because my library job is so much more compatible with my school schedule. My hours are regular and scheduled and I enjoy the environment.
MOAB
Moab was really cool. I went with my friends Rosalinda and Holly from my ward. We tried to get more people to go, but to no avail. You wouldn't think it would be so hard to get people to go off for a weekend in the summer.
Anyway, we got there the first night and, after driving around to find a camp site, set up our tent (in the dark) and went to sleep. The next morning we got up early to find that we had set up the tent right next to a dead fish and on a layer of sticky tree fuzz. There were a TON of bugs. When we noticed a sign that said $20 a night, we got up, took down camp and booked it. It was not worth that amount of money.
We had to be at the raft tours place by 8 (we were early). The whole day was basically spent rafting down the Colorado River. It was really nice. Fun, exciting, and relaxing. Plus we met cool people along the way. When we weren't going down rapids, we were having water wars with the other rafts. This little girl in our raft had it out for me after I got her brothers wet. She soaked me any chance she got. I spent about half the time in a ducky (inflatable kayak thing).
Me, Rosalinda, and Holly during our lunch break
That night we went into town and went to the little shops. We also found a more suitable campsite (it was free) that was right on the edge of the Colorado River. We built a fire and had amazing foil dinners and smores. There were a lot less bugs here, maybe in part due to the bats that came out at night.
Our tent was just a few feet from the Colorado River
The next morning we got up early and drove up to Arches national park so we could beat the heat of the day. We had tons of fun exploring and hiking to the different arches. We also went and saw some indian rock paintings. The weather wasn't bad at all. It wasn't too hot to handle. We took a ton of pictures and met lots of people. We hiked for probably 5 hours and left around noonish. Then we ate lunch and went to a local river to swim. We had heard that the locals all went swimming there. It was nice. There was a pretty large waterfall and the pools of water where we could swim and cool off.
Photoshop fun- but all the images came from original photos
This is the arch that is on all the Utah
license plates!
Coming around the corner on the way to
see the arch in the photo above
We went exploring in a small canyon of rock.
I took this picture at the beginning of our last hike-
before we knew the pain it would cause
Exploring...
I picture I took in Arches National Park
This is the longest arch in the world- bigger
than the span of a football field
We wanted to do one more hike that was close to our camp. It wasn't in arches national park and so the labeling on the level of difficulty wasn't the same (little did we know). We figured that since the "strenuous" hike in Arches wasn't that bad, this "moderate" hike would be a piece of cake. HA! So we go like we are going to the beach- flip-flops, shorts, one bottle of water. Okay, this hike was forever long. We had to climb through areas of overgrown forest, navigate across a river (multiple times), and sweat on long stretches of shadeless scorching sand, all the while trying to locate the trail we were supposed to be on as it dissapeared in the river or on large rocks and boulders. Holly almost climbed off the edge of a cliff, and rosalinda's feet were a painful, blistery mess. It was fun though. After that we went back to camp and, after being completely dissatisfied with the small amount of HOT water we had left, we went to am/pm and bought armfuls of cold liquids which we all drank in a hurry. We didn't realize how extremely thirsty we were.
We went into town again that night. We ate and went to bed after the exhausting, but exciting day of adventure. We drove back to Provo the next morning.
CALIFORNIA
I went home for a little over a week and a half just before school started up again. It was really nice. The first few days I was just lazy, which I was fine with. It is always good to just hang out with the family and relax. We went to my favorite beach and ate at my favorite restaurants. I also spent quite a bit of time on car lots, which wasn't the highlight of my week, but I bought a 2008 Nissan Sentra and that was cool. I know I got the best deal because I really searched. I spent a lot of time on the decision and I'm happy with what I got.
This is a stock image- But it is the same as my car.
We decided that we wanted to go to Santa Barbara (3.5 hours north of us). What was initially a day trip turned into a 3 day vacation. We stayed at a hotel on the beach in Carpenteria and went to Santa Barbara for the night life. We ate on the pier and walked through the shops and restaurant district. We also went to a botanical garden and hiked around through redwoods streams, rivers, and waterfalls. It was nice. We also went kayaking along the coast which was fun. We didn't take pictures of that unfortunately.
The Family
Stone stairway in the botanical garden
Cool flower picture that my sister took
It was a slice of a Redwood with an explanation of how to read
the tree's age and some other facts on Redwoods. I don't
know why my mom has her arm on it...
A cool bonsai tree
My sister Morgan and Dad
WORK
During the summer I worked at the BYU Library and also doing lighting for EFY. I did a lot of the EFY dances and some of their variety shows and stuff. It wasn't too bad. I was definitely ready for EFY to be over by the end, but I enjoyed creating dance moods/looks and spicing up the lives of the little people.
I got a couple raises at the library, which I am very grateful for. I had to quit my lighting job for the Fall because my library job is so much more compatible with my school schedule. My hours are regular and scheduled and I enjoy the environment.
MOAB
Moab was really cool. I went with my friends Rosalinda and Holly from my ward. We tried to get more people to go, but to no avail. You wouldn't think it would be so hard to get people to go off for a weekend in the summer.
Anyway, we got there the first night and, after driving around to find a camp site, set up our tent (in the dark) and went to sleep. The next morning we got up early to find that we had set up the tent right next to a dead fish and on a layer of sticky tree fuzz. There were a TON of bugs. When we noticed a sign that said $20 a night, we got up, took down camp and booked it. It was not worth that amount of money.
We had to be at the raft tours place by 8 (we were early). The whole day was basically spent rafting down the Colorado River. It was really nice. Fun, exciting, and relaxing. Plus we met cool people along the way. When we weren't going down rapids, we were having water wars with the other rafts. This little girl in our raft had it out for me after I got her brothers wet. She soaked me any chance she got. I spent about half the time in a ducky (inflatable kayak thing).
Me, Rosalinda, and Holly during our lunch breakThat night we went into town and went to the little shops. We also found a more suitable campsite (it was free) that was right on the edge of the Colorado River. We built a fire and had amazing foil dinners and smores. There were a lot less bugs here, maybe in part due to the bats that came out at night.
Our tent was just a few feet from the Colorado RiverThe next morning we got up early and drove up to Arches national park so we could beat the heat of the day. We had tons of fun exploring and hiking to the different arches. We also went and saw some indian rock paintings. The weather wasn't bad at all. It wasn't too hot to handle. We took a ton of pictures and met lots of people. We hiked for probably 5 hours and left around noonish. Then we ate lunch and went to a local river to swim. We had heard that the locals all went swimming there. It was nice. There was a pretty large waterfall and the pools of water where we could swim and cool off.
Photoshop fun- but all the images came from original photos
This is the arch that is on all the Utahlicense plates!
Coming around the corner on the way tosee the arch in the photo above
We went exploring in a small canyon of rock.
I took this picture at the beginning of our last hike-before we knew the pain it would cause
Exploring...
I picture I took in Arches National Park
This is the longest arch in the world- biggerthan the span of a football field
We wanted to do one more hike that was close to our camp. It wasn't in arches national park and so the labeling on the level of difficulty wasn't the same (little did we know). We figured that since the "strenuous" hike in Arches wasn't that bad, this "moderate" hike would be a piece of cake. HA! So we go like we are going to the beach- flip-flops, shorts, one bottle of water. Okay, this hike was forever long. We had to climb through areas of overgrown forest, navigate across a river (multiple times), and sweat on long stretches of shadeless scorching sand, all the while trying to locate the trail we were supposed to be on as it dissapeared in the river or on large rocks and boulders. Holly almost climbed off the edge of a cliff, and rosalinda's feet were a painful, blistery mess. It was fun though. After that we went back to camp and, after being completely dissatisfied with the small amount of HOT water we had left, we went to am/pm and bought armfuls of cold liquids which we all drank in a hurry. We didn't realize how extremely thirsty we were.
We went into town again that night. We ate and went to bed after the exhausting, but exciting day of adventure. We drove back to Provo the next morning.
CALIFORNIA
I went home for a little over a week and a half just before school started up again. It was really nice. The first few days I was just lazy, which I was fine with. It is always good to just hang out with the family and relax. We went to my favorite beach and ate at my favorite restaurants. I also spent quite a bit of time on car lots, which wasn't the highlight of my week, but I bought a 2008 Nissan Sentra and that was cool. I know I got the best deal because I really searched. I spent a lot of time on the decision and I'm happy with what I got.
This is a stock image- But it is the same as my car.
The Family
Stone stairway in the botanical garden
Cool flower picture that my sister took
It was a slice of a Redwood with an explanation of how to readthe tree's age and some other facts on Redwoods. I don't
know why my mom has her arm on it...
A cool bonsai tree
My sister Morgan and Dad
The Pier in Santa Barbra
I went and saw Grandma Adamson and some cousins that live a half and hour south of my parent's house for my birthday. We played gamed and ate cake and ice cream. It was very low key, but fun- I prefer it that way.
So now, I've updated everyone up until about two weeks ago when Fall semester began. YAY!
So now, I've updated everyone up until about two weeks ago when Fall semester began. YAY!
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