I'm Much Older Now!

CXXVIII Days Later...

After a mere 128 days without updating my blog... I am back. This moment has been waited for by many people anxious to hear the next exciting babble that I have to blabber. For others, it wont be so exciting.

My apologies for all who have gone to my page looking for another update and have found nothing...sorry.

Anyway, I will start from the present day and work my way backwards as far as I can remember:

I just started school again this week. For those of you who aren't in the know, I have been trying to get back into the student thing for the last year. I have literally registered for classes every semester for the last 12 months and later having to withdraw from classes for a different reason every semester. I have finally gotten my status as a resident and am now a full-time student once again at the University of Utah. My class schedule is quite fun really...I am taking a Political Science class where our focus is the U.S. Government. I am also taking a writing class that hasn't really sparked my interest yet. So far this class has given the impression that we are going to be interpreting the writings of other people more than just writing out own stuff. I'm not really into critiquing the work of others. I prefer getting my own work critiqued. The other two classes I am taking are Basic Drawing and a Nutrition and Health class...fun.

I have taken up the art of swimming as a way to exercise. Every Tuesday and Thursday I make my way up to the pool that is so conveniently placed near my first two classes and swim until I either can't breath anymore or my muscles don't keep me afloat, then I get out and head over to my last class of the day. It is quite a workout. My goggles are sweet.

(This picture isn't recent)

I am still working as a valet at the Hotel Monaco. We just got new uniforms for the summer. Tell me if you think this is smart: For the winter we had white shirts and black pants, for the summer we just switched to black shirts with black shorts (the shorts look like black dress pants cut to be shorts. They are pleated and cuffed.) We also have to wear white socks. How gay (bad [gay meaning bad, not gay being bad, even though being gay is bad {bad meaning bad not

 bad meaning cool}]) are we going to look?

I recently went to Champaign/Urbana Illinois this past weekend. My older brother gradumacated from law school. Congratulations to him!! I got the opportunity of hanging out with my little niece Cadence and her little brother (my nephew) Jack. I will include some pictures.

I got to Chicago on Friday the 15th at approx. 11:15am. I knew that I was going to be waiting for my parents for a few hours before they would show up so I decided to do some site seeing. I got on a train from the airport and heading downtown with the idea of walking a couple of miles to The Navy Pier, which is a big touristy spot on the edge of Lake Michigan. When I got off the train it was raining, so after hoofing it for the two miles I was soaking wet. I got inside and found a bathroom where I spent 15 minutes drying off with the paper towels that were provided.

I walked around and found a nice little hotdog stand where I decided to have lunch. They messed up my order.

I was very bored, for what seemed to be a long time. I knew exactly how long it was, it just seemed longer.

After talking to my dad, we decided to meet at the Union Station, which we did. Then we got aboard and rode for what seemed like a long time. I knew exactly how long it was, it just seemed longer.

We spent the rest of the time at Zach's place where we enjoyed the company of everyone that was there. Then, after what seemed like a long time, we went home. I knew exactly how long it was, it just seemed longer. Just kidding, it was fun. It didn't seem that long.

Chicago is a really cool place. We walked right by the Sears tower, which seems to be really tall. I know exactly how tall it is (1,450 feet), it just seems taller. 

Okay, enough with the "seems like" jokes.

So, I did the math, and it turns out that if I go to school every semester until I am done with school, I will be done in the Spring time of 2011. That is better than I thought it would be. Well, that is for my undergraduate, its another 2 years after that to get my Masters. So, after all is said and done I will be 27 years old when I am totally done. That isn't bad considering it took Zach until he was 29 to finish. I am feeling pretty good.

I am taking a drawing class right now. For our first assignment we were asked to draw the person that we had previously chosen to be partners with while keeping our eyes off the paper. It is a form of art called "blind drawing." The guy next to me named Dan asked me to be his partner and I accepted. We each had 10 minutes to draw the other person while at the same time trying not to look down at our paper. It was pretty hard at first but after being told that the point wasn't to be accurate with the positioning of each facial feature, but to get the details, it got easier. Here is an example of what I am talking about:

After drawing with your first partner we were to switch and do it with somebody else. The rules changed the second time, now we were allowed to look at the paper occasionally to put the pencil in the right place. It didn't make the drawing look great, just a little better.

My second partner was a girl that was semi-attractive (6.5). She started by drawing me. I didn't mind that she was staring at me for 10 minutes...I'm pretty sure I knew what she was thinking anyway, right? Her drawing was pretty good, except for the undeniable fact that she over-exaggerated on my front teeth. At any case, I was next. While I was drawing I struck up a conversation with her and found out that she was from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. That isn't really important to the story, but it is important to know that we were having a pleasant conversation (you know, one with few awkward moments). Remember that I wasn't looking at the paper the majority of the time that I was drawing. I started with her eyes and then went on to her nose. She had big lips so I made sure to take my time in making them look 10 times bigger. Then, as I was drawing her left cheek I looked down and realized that my pencil and strayed from the line I had intended to draw which made her look bigger than she actually was, I just looked back up at her and said "oops, I made you a fatty." She just looked at me. I think she might have half smiled...or maybe she gave me a dirty look, I don't really remember. I do remember that the "pleasant conversation" turned into no conversation. What made it worse was that I still had 7 minutes left to finish drawing her. I had to stare at her while she modeled for me. It seemed longer (j/k).

I couldn't remember further back than last week. So, when I said that I would start from the present and work my way back...I lied.

Out With The Old; In With The New

Two weeks ago I hit one year of living in Salt Lake City. I have spent the last several minutes thinking about what kinds of things happened during 2008 and I'm pretty sure it was the worst year I have ever lived. That doesn't mean that the whole year was horrible, it just means that most of it was. I don't need to go into detail about it because most of the people that read this blog already know what kinds of crazy things I had to deal with the first several months of last year, but I do want to express some of the great things that happened while I was here in Salt Lake.

I got a job with the biggest valet company here, Valet Parking Services. On Sunday I reached my year mark in being employed by them. I have really enjoyed my job managing the valet at the world famous Hotel Monaco. I have made friends that are fun to work with and have also helped me learn certain things about myself that have aided me in improving my

 "people skills." I only say this because my "people skills" haven't exactly been great in the past. I am a very patient person most of the time. There are just a few things that I still need to

 work on. I hate it when people ask me if I know how to drive a Toyota Prius.

 

I also get annoyed when people ask me if they can trade their 1993 Geo Metro for the brand new Chevy Camaro.

I went to school for a semester last year and really enjoyed my time there. I attended the University of Utah in the Communications department studying Public Relations. After

 going for a semester paying out-of-state tuition I decided that it was way too expensive to attend as a non-resident, so I decided to wait until I reached all the requirements to become a

 resident before going back to school. I am still waiting for those requirements to be met but am hopeful that this coming summer I will be a full time student once again.

There is a billboard here in Salt Lake that has a picture of Albert Einstein on it...

When I see it I think about how I am as a student. I don't really consider myself to be a dummy, and even though I don't think I would ever make it in this world without an education, this billboard makes me feel like I could just drop out of school and build atom bombs. Confidence: Pass it On.

Anyways, something else happened last year that was awesome. Audrey got married to a guy that really knows how to handle her very rambunctious (adj.-difficult to control or handle; wildly boisterous) personality. I am really glad that she is happy and has found someone that can take care of her, so that I don't have to anymore, he he.

The year ended really well. I got to go home for a week during Christmas. It was really great to be able to see my family. It isn't often that I get to do that anymore. Zach and his family were down there for a few weeks so I got to spend a little time with my niece and nephew, which was good. They got to meet Santa Claus, who I just recently learned is my dad...cool huh?

The new year has brought me a new opportunity to change. 

I have really wanted to become a nicer person. I read through all the journals that I own and found that being nicer has been a goal of mine every year for the good part of the last decade. A code has been put in place for all who want to help me follow though with my goal this year. If I am ever being mean to you, all you have to say is "2009 is your year." When I hear this phrase I will do one of two things, I will either explain why I think you are wrong in thinking I am mean, or I will instantly apologize.

I spent the first few hours of the new year with friends that I have made in my ward. Some of those that were present were Bitty Engstrom and Carlee Jenkins, who have found themselves on my top 5 list of people I enjoy spending time with. Now that I have announced that I have a top 5 list of people I enjoy spending my time with some of you might be asking yourselves who is #1 on that list...well, it's no riddle.

...or is it?

What Happens in Vegas...

After 4 1/2 months of not being home, I decided that it was about time I pay my family a visit. After learning about a friend's (Bryan Weiderholt) missionary farewell, I decided that would be the perfect time for me to get down to Las Vegas.

I was accompanied by Laura Riddle, a girl from my ward who I thoroughly enjoy spending time with. 

We left around 12:00pm on Friday, November 14th. Our first stop was in Provo to have lunch at the house of Laura's parents, or Laura's parent's house, or the house where Laura's parents reside. In any case, I got to meet her parents and eat a free meal. I couldn't have asked for more.

                                                   

After a couple of hours of fun conversation and laughter, we left Provo to continue our journey to Sin City. One more stop in Cedar City for some gas, Gatorade and milk duds and we were on our way. After a good 6 hours of travel, we arrived at our destination, Las Vegas. Our first order of business...In n Out. We had been waiting all day to experience the "quality you can taste." After 60 years, they still know how to make the best hamburgers.

                   

After spoiling our appetites we drove the 2 miles over to my house were Laura got the amazing opportunity and privilege of meeting my parents. We all sat in the family room while my mom and dad took turns asking the normal get-to-know-you and how-was-the-drive questions. 

After the interrogation we decided to do the normal touristy stuff, so we went to the strip and watched a few of the fountain shows at the Bellagio and then went to check out the FAO Schwartz at the Caesar's Palace. It was about that time that we realized that we were really tired, which drove us to drive home and go to bed.

The next morning started early...8:00 am. We got up to head over to the Henderson Executive Airport where my dad's plane is kept. Once the plane was fueled up and ready to go, we took off and enjoyed about an hour of flying over the barren wasteland called Nevada. We then headed back and ate breakfast at the local Dennys, where, if you were wondering, I got a "build your own slam" with bacon, eggs, toast, biscuit, and hash browns. It was good, okay?

                                                 

We had a lot of time to waste before the farewell the next day so we went and played some miniature golf over at King Putt. You can look at the score card, but don't be fooled... even though it might look like we tied, it turns out that I don't know how to count and I ended up winning by one stroke. Sorry Laura...you shouldn't have doubted my ability to add. Right when we got home Laura felt like she needed to beat me is something, so we pulled out Scrabble. It was in the darkest corner of our game closet and probably hadn't been used in a decade or two. We played a nice game in which I won by two points. It's a good thing Laura was keeping score, because if it were me who knows who would have won.

                                          

If you want to know which words were mine and which were hers, you may call me and ask me. I would be happy to tell you.

We filled the rest of our night with hanging out with Evan Smith and Melissa Something. Evan was one of my best friends growing up and Melissa was one of Laura's mission friends that now lives in Las Vegas. 

Sunday came and we invited Nate Nead, Bryan Weiderholt, and Tyler Crawford over for French toast. We had a good time chatting and reminiscing over old memories that we shared while we all were living there.

We were ready for church really early and were kind of anxious to go (Well, I was. I can't imagine Laura being too excited about going to a ward where she doesn't know anyone).

We only stayed for Sacrament Meeting and then went back to Mom and Dad's to eat and drive home. We did take a walk while waiting for dinner to be ready, that is when I took this picture that looks like Laura is leading a blind version of me. 

                                              

The trip home was long. I think I would have fallen asleep if Laura hadn't been there to poke me every time I blinked. We got home safely, which is what I'm sure all of you were waiting to hear.

Yeah Boyee!!

My Mission Home

Today marks two years home from the mission, some would call it my "mission home." Here are a few of the events that transpired during that monumental time:

Right before I left Nicaragua I was in a hotel with my parents who had come down to pick me up. They were trying to get to sleep in order to be ready for our 5:15am flight. I was a couple floors above them in Elder Hyde's room with him and Elder Shaeffer. We were reflecting upon the two years that we had just spent in the country that we not only loved, but that we were about to leave. It was a very emotional time filled with laughing and crying and some other things that can't be mentioned at this time. While we were sharing our experiences and growing more close to each other than ever before, the phone rang. We looked at eachother and then at the clock... 3:00am. After the second ring Elder Hyde asnwered with a quiet "Hello" and a slight pause, then he looked at me and held out the phone. I picked it up with what I'm sure was a very perplexed look and then with a quiet "Hello" I found that the person on the other end was my dad. He wasn't very happy with the fact that I wasn't back at the room, in fact, I would go as far to say that I was "in trouble." Can you believe it? I was 21 years old and just 4 days earlier my parents saw me for the first time in the two years that I was gone, you would think they would give me a little slack. I was told to get back to the room immediately. Without another word I hung up and went and did that which my father had commanded me. Obedience was at that time ingrained on my soul.

The next day came very quickly. All the missionaries that I would be going home with would be at the airport in Managua waiting, just like me, to board the plane and head home. You could feel the anxiety and nerves of all the other Elders who were feeling scared and excited all at the same time to be home. It wouldn't be more than 10 hours before I would be back in Las Vegas. But first, we had to stop in Miami. As I wondered around the airport in the city we knew as the front door to the U.S. (Miami) remembering what it was like to be on United States soil, tears came to my eyes as I witnessed the exchange of dollars at the Burger King. It was hard to believe that this world still existed, the world that I had left behind so long before. It was neat.

I left Miami after a couple hours of exploring. This is when I parted ways with the Elders that I had grown to love on the mission. It wouldn't be until the following April at General Conference that I would see them again.

Las Vegas came into view around 3:00pm of that same day. My eyes widened and my gaze couldn't be broken from this city of sin that I knew as home. I sat silently in my seat during the landing and I slowly got off the plane with thoughts of seeing my friends and family again. It was on the escalator when I first met everyone's eyes looking at me with the biggest smiles never before seen, as if they were genuinely glad to see me... I was home.

The next couple of weeks were filled with confusion and depression. I didn't like being so free, free to do whatever I wanted. I could wake up whenever I wanted and go places by myself. It was weird. It took several months to really feel comfortable in "the world," but it happened. Now, I am two years away from those days. In writing this post I have realized a few things, but the thing that has really hit me the hardest is knowing that in the last two years I have wasted more time than any other time in my entire life. The last two years have been filled with some of the dumbest things ever! Hopefully the next two years will be more fulfilling, right? Ha ha!

Anyways, Happy Anniversary all you missionaries that came home with me! Shout out to MTC District 52a!