Movin' on Up

I went.....

From This.......(2010-2011)

To....

This.....

2012-Present

This change actually didn't happen directly one after the other. I mean, yeah, it happened in processional order. First the scooter, second the motorcycle. But they were years apart.

I love it. It's awesome. That is all.

2 In a Week!?!?!? I suppose I must Carry on

You are all blown away. I know. I am blown away too. TWO posts within like...a weeks time? Crazy I know.

So now that I have a normal hours job, and have been able to focus on music a bit more, I've decided to maybe....start posting songs.

So there's this website called "Omegle.com". The idea of this is that you hit "start" or whatever, and then you're instantly paired up with a random stranger to chat. The general population on that site (as i rapidly discovered) is perv 15 year old boys looking to talk dirty. So you can leave the conversation as soon as you want if the circumstances aren't what you are looking for, and move onto the next stranger. So, needless to say, it took me a minute to find a real person. I happened upon a girl (supposedly) who told me a rather sad tale. Her Mom had cancer, and was in really bad shape and only getting worse. Her family's house had recently burnt down. She was the oldest of 4 or 5 kids, and was taking care of the whole family. She talked about how hard it was, but how she knew she had to keep going to be there for her Mom and family.

Now, whether this was ACTUALLY true, who knows; however, I like to believe it was. And if it wasn't, well it was still inspiration for a good song, so that's all that matters to me. So without further adieu, here is a video and the lyrics of that song, entitled: "Carry On". (I've never professed to be great singer. I do alright, but whatevs)

Carry On

She puts on a happy face

She smiles and claims she’s fine

Underneath it all, she’s lost in smoke and flames

Everything is gone, the end of it all

She never saw it coming, so fast and so strong

Screaming and yelling her name, there's nothing more she can do

She lifts her head up, and carries on

Come here my little one, I have some news for you

Mama is dyin, The world as she knows it is gone

It is gone

She’s being brave. All that she's got now

The only choice on hand

Everything is gone

When will it be her turn?

When will it go her way?

When will she ever know?

Why it all happened that way…….

Everything is gone, the end of it all

She never saw it coming, so fast and so strong

The end of it all, she’s going at it alone

She lifts her head up, and carries on

The end of it all

 She’s Going at it alone

She lifts her head up, and carries on

Here I Am

Whoa....here I am. I bet you thought I died huh? I guess it's been over a year....A year and like...2 months and a couple week, couple days, and stuff. Yeah, it's been a while. SORRY!!!

So a lot has changed in this time frame. I started working at Convergys, for a graveyard shift (I think this was mentioned previously), and have since moved on from there. I wasn't really looking for a job, but one happened to fall in my lap. I currently work for a Home Warranty company. It's a pretty amazing company. They started in 2006, and have grown exponentially since then. There is a lot of room for growth there, and that's currently where i'm at.

Brent is on a mission now, in Chile, Mision Concepcion South, and has been there for quite some time (8 months already?? Crazy)

So anyway...............I learned i have an amazing talent.....

I learned how to grow a freaking AMAZING beard!!!! 

Yes...in this picture I might appear as one who hails from a middle eastern country....but hey, my beard ROCKS....This picture I think was about 3 months of beard growth. It all started with No Shave November, and then it just kept going. I have since trimmed it back, but it is still there. I love it, however, I'm kinda considering shaving it....or something. Not really sure yet. But yes, I now know I can grow a beard :)

Well that's all I have for now. I really am going to try the blog thing again. I did so well during my college years....and now that I've been out for over a year (hey what a coincidence...same time frame i haven't blogged in) I actually have MORE free time, but I tend to use it doing other things. But blogging is one that I am going to start again. So expect more internets!!

It was a fun ride......

I honestly don't know where that phrase came from, but, the last 5 1/2 years have been interesting. Alas, I have finished. I have raced the good race, and finished. I definitely didn't come in first, but I didn't come in last. I now have officially finished all required course work for my Bachelor's degree!!

I really don't know how to feel about this yet. It's kind of an indescribable feeling, and anyone that has experienced this knows what I'm feeling.

What's next? Well, theoretically I'm supposed to start looking at grad schools.....I'm just not sure how it will happen. Grad school is EXPENSIVE, and, my grades just aren't even anything anyone would take a second look at. Hopefully if I do well on the GRE, things will turn out for the best and I can get in somewhere.

For now, for the moment, I am HAPPY! I am proud of myself and this accomplishment! Things will fall into place, I know they will. They always do. But for now, YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember that time?

Remember that time I used to be good at blogging? Then the school year ended, and I stopped. Like I do every summer? I guess that wasn't really a time, it just happened again. This could be an epic problem come December....why? BECAUSE I'M GRADUATING!!!

Yes. Me. Unbelievable right? Well I know for sure I didn't do it getting straight A's, but I passed all my classes and that's all that matters. Well for this stage at least. Which brings me to my next problem. The real problem. Grad school.

I'm going to be honest. I will be graduating, from BYU, with a cumulative GPA of 2.6 I really don't understand why school has been so difficult for me, but alas, it has. I know from talking to others currently in grad school, for Speech Language Pathology, that most schools require a minimum of 3.0 to get in. I suppose I could have retaken some of the classes I didn't do the best in, but now that BYU has changed their retaking policies, I didn't feel it would be worth it. Especially if I didn't do much better, which is likely. Maybe I don't believe in myself enough, or maybe I didn't study good enough, but it is what it is. All I know is for now, graduating is going to be exciting and something i'm looking forward to.

On other fronts, I still live at home. Is it a bad/good thing? I'm not sure. I do feel like me being there has been beneficial for various reasons, not even particularly my own needs/satisfactions. I feel like I've grown closer to my parents and come to recognize a bit more of who they are what they mean to me. Sappy right? I started a new job this summer at Convergys. Yeah, another call center job, which I don't love, but honestly I'm not hate either. I'm working graveyards, Wednesday-Sunday 11:30 pm-8 am. That's not the best, but it's really slow and I have plenty of time to do what I want (within reason) and can do my homework as well. It's not a career, just something to get me through this semester until I can find something better.

Dating. Well, let's not go there. Cuz, it isn't going on. Sometimes I THINK it/something is going on, but yeah, it's just me and my mind pretending it is. Oh well. someday right? I would go into specifics, but I honestly just don't feel like talking about the lowness that is my dating life.

Well that's about it right now. I will try to write more. Even though my blogs are boring. I guess that's about how my life sums up at this point. But that's ok, life doesn't have to be exciting all the time.

One Year. Wow.

One year has passed since this all began. I guess technically you could say it began the end of March, but April 28th, 2010 was when I was wrongfully fired. I've commented and posted a few times this past year about things I've learned, but even still it was still quite a depressing ordeal I went through. However, I'm definitely in a better place in my life than I was a year ago, which makes me feel happy about how things went down.

Here's to another year of better-ness!!!!

Almost There

Finals has never done this to me:

The way I see it, you go through the semester, go to class, take tests, write papers, turn in assignments, and it is all SUPPOSED to culminate at the end with the final exam. I find the majority of teachers these days, whether from the goodness of their hearts, or laziness, I find it much easier to get through finals when the exams are equally weighted. Aside from that, being a Senior...well basically a super senior, finals don't stress me anymore. In fact, this semester all i can think of is this.......

Hopefully, as long as everything works out as it should, no, WILL, I will be at a beach similar to this in Florida before too long. Almost THERE!!!!

Unexpected Pleasantries And Pensativaries

You know, sometimes life comes at ya and there isn't a lot you can do about it. I got fired almost a year ago, and while that sucked........royally.........it was the best thing that could have happened to me at that time. It spurred change, much needed change, that I otherwise wouldn't have made on my own. I move home, Austin comes home from his mission early due to medical problems, and there I was to help out and support. I got a new job, but 6 months later I decided to quit mainly because I wasn't going to work Sunday's anymore. My school schedule has been pretty hectic this semester, but luckily I have good parents who were willing to support me (as far as food and rent go) by letting me live at home, free of charge. I get a temporary job, helps with some gas money and other small things, and holds me over. So through all the ups and downs, there are definitely blessings.

Jump to tax season, which is right now. I had been waiting for my 1099 for the Vespa I won a year ago, but the dang record label (where it should be coming from), hadn't sent it yet, and I was running out of money. Fast. I owed my Mom for 4 months of cell phone ($284), hadn't paid my Health insurance yet ($224), and well I didn't want to have a bank account on empty. So I said screw it, I made almost nothing last year, I've made multiple requests for them to send me the 1099, and it was time. It's a blessing not being claimed anymore, and being a student. All I know is, blessings come in many forms and sometimes it's something you never expected. With the more than triple amount of what I was expecting in return, I've been able to pay off everything I needed and still have an abundance left. Not having money the last two months really helped me learn how to NOT spend, and now that I have some money, I have no desire to go out and spend it. Life's lessons come in a variety of ways, but they're definitely all important.

Next, our poor Travis. Brent so lovingly named our what-used-to-be Chevy Traverse, Travis, the day we found out it was wrecked. Who totaled it? Yep! Austin. But guess what, I'm looking at it as a blessing. First, he switched insurance the day before, and had a clean record. (sucks for the insurance company, but i'm sure it's not the first time it's happened) He ran a red, hit a car, and totaled it. I wouldn't say totaling a car is a blessing, but some of the branches from that incident, I would consider such. First off, it takes away a car payment. The family isn't "struggling", but money is tight. Tight enough that well, who knows what may happen in the short future. One day at a time right? Second, my parents were expecting the insurance to write them a check for less than they owe, thinking at least 3-4k less. What happened? The exact opposite. So, no car payment (down a car, but we'll get to that), and $3500 in pocket. Luckily my Uncle has been kind enough to let my Dad drive around one of his extra cars, however, he's looking to sell it. I'm pretty sure my parents will purchase it, and we'll be back up to the same number of cars, with no extra payments. The Jetta is paid off, so that just leaves the HHR.

I suppose it depends on how you look at these things, but as for me, I'm taking them in stride as blessings.

As a second part to this post, I just wanted to comment on people. People come into your life and some make a lasting impression. An impression your mind just can't seem to let them go. I had a major crush on a particular girl, basically 2 years ago. For whatever reason, she is someone I will never forget. I don't know what it was about her........her hair, her laugh, her smile, or just her being her. I personally felt we developed a great friendship, but it never amounted to more than that. Honestly, to this day, that has been hard. There are certain connections made in life that are stronger than others, ours was strong. To me at least. Well, she's engaged. Am I sad about that? Well, yes and no. It hurts to think I never really had a chance, but I think what hurts the most (how ironic that I'm listening to Rascal Flatts right now.........that song too), is that our friendship is basically non existent at this time. Sure we're FB friends still, but I can almost guarantee I will be deleted when she gets married. It happens. It's normal. Apart from that, I am happy for her. True friendship is being happy for the other person when they are going through happy times. I am happy for her, and I know someday my Princess will come. Just not sure when that will be.......but one day. Right? :)

Speaking of, I have a new friendship developing. She lives out of state, so it is making things a bit more difficult. It also came about unexpectedly, but after the course of the last year and more, it seems that's when the best things happen. It's only been a couple weeks, but we seem to get along really well, and who knows. Anything could happen.

Oh yeah. BYU is in the sweet 16. Play today. It's JIMMER TIMMMMMMMMMMMMMME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, It's me

Over a month and no post. I know you are all disappointed. (all 3 of you that read this) I have no excuse for my absence, except maybe business with a big presentation and the standard school stuff. Life is pretty uneventful right now.

I got a temporary job. It consists of these:

Ok, my job actually has nothing to do with even caring about those. All I get to do is sand off rust on the magnet, spray paint it, rub the rust off the foam pad, put it back in it's mini box, and box it back up with the rest of the defective order. Yeah, this is what I'm doing. "Fixing" Miche bag magnets. $10/hour. Contract labor=no taxes. No complaints. And I can work the hours I NEED....which is my only possibility for a job right now. Yeah, pretty boring, but good music gets me through it.

My old roommate Mike is getting married Saturday. That's weird. I'll post pictures from that, since I am sure I will take some. I'm happy for the kid though. I know he's worked a long time to get to this point and its a step in his life he needs to take. Yay :)

My dating life? What about it? Oh yeah, it's non existent. But you know, right now that's ok. I have made some good friends recently and who knows, anything could happen right?

Today is lent, which means you give something up for 4o days, which I've never done......is it really necessary to give something up for 40 days, then just jump ship at the end and get back into your habits? No. That's dumb. So starting today, tonight, I will start doing 2 things, and do them for the 40 days and hopefully by achieving these 40 days, it will make a new habit.

Read my scriptures & Personal prayer. Both things I know I need in my life and will greatly benefit me.

Pretty lame post, I know. But hey, it's a post. Right?

Love Hate Relationship

There are a few things in this world with which I have a love-hate relationship. One of them is sweat pants.

I love coming home and around 9 or 10, changing into comfy pants to lounge around the house in. I recently bought some microfleece lounge pants from Kohls, and LOVE them. However, sleeping in them is just a pain. Getting in bed, and getting settled in is doable, but for me, half the night is spent waking up with my pants rolled up my leg. It drives me CRAZY!!! But since it's been so cold, it's so much better to sleep with pants and not shorts on, which is what I usually do.

Just thought I'd share that.

Complicated

Dating is complicated. That is all.

Finding Me

Life has been interesting of late: Sister got married, new year, brother still home, quit my job in a step of faith, almost done with school. Yeah, nothing really huge, but ultimately I've been really trying to find myself.

I'm 26. I was raised in a good family with parents and siblings who I know love and care about me. Typical Mormon raising, being taught right from wrong, to try and live the commandments and to respect my fellowmen. I went on a mission to Bolivia, of which I am eternally grateful, and have been home now for over 5 years. I graduated from Highschool almost 8 years ago, and well this is life.

As a Utah Mormon Boy, growing up meant certain mile stones. Up until I was 8, the milestone was getting baptized as a member of the Church my family belonged to, which happens to be the LDS church. Did I have a REAL, firm, testimony when I got baptized? Nope. Did I feel it was the right thing to do? Yes. Why? Because that's what I was taught. The next milestone, at least for me, was to get my Eagle Scout. Ages 11-14 was all about scouts; mutual as a deacon generally consisted of working on merit badges, or just doing something associated with scouts. Campouts, week long camps, and eventually, many merit badges later, Eagle at age 13 (or 14....) By this age, 14, I was in middle school and all that life consisted of was school. No job, no girlfriend (didn't really care too much yet...and I couldn't date either), which brings the next milestone: 16. Sixteen brought the "freedom", as it were, to drive and go about my own activities. I had my first job, started going on dates, and really this was a pretty life changing era of time. Motoring through high school, going to dances, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, life is becoming more social and more meaningful. I hit 18 in the beginning of my Senior year, so that wasn't really a huge milestone as it kinda happened during an already bigger part of life. The next milestone: Graduation. No problem. High school was, easy, right? I mean, you go to class, you do your assignments, you get good grades, and you finish. It just wasn't a big deal, at least to me. Next Milestone: Mission.

As a Mormon, growing up in Utah especially, and more specifically as a Mormon BOY, the mission is kind of the culminating milestone for your first 21 years of life. Everything you do in church is supposed to help you get ready for looming trial of a lifetime. And I say looming only in the sense of you knew it was coming, and it was going to be a big deal. Yeah, I had a testimony of the church, but it wasn't imprinted in my heart and soul as much as it is now. I will admit, I had never finished the Book of Mormon before the MTC, which is where I finished it for the first time and started gaining my own testimony.

Bolivia was a shocking experience, in so many ways and on so many levels. I really had no idea what to expect when I received my call to serve in the Bolivia, Santa Cruz mission. I knew where Bolivia was, that it was a Spanish speaking country, and that it would be a crazy experience. It was, completely. I sincerely grew to love the people I walked among for 2 years, and was truly sad to leave after that 2 year period was up. The mission really changes a lot of things about you, but it doesn't change who you ARE at the core, which is a very big misconception some people getting ready to go on a missions have. Some people think they'll go, become this spiritual giant, and come home and be praised for their goodness wherever they may go. Not true. In fact, I know of quite a few guys that returned home and have since lost their way. I will admit I have strayed a bit at times, but ultimately I know I am doing well right now and am on the right path, which brings me to the main point of this post. I'm 26, and STILL trying to find myself.

After so many milestones in life, you'd think a person would come to at least a semi-understanding of who they are and what they want from life. Yeah, I have a religion I believe in and know to be true; I'm in college, almost done with a Bachelors degree in a field I'm still not sure I really want to be in; I go on dates every once in a while, but ultimately I still feel lost in regards to who I am. The essence is of me establishing who I am, to myself and to those around me. I remember once instance being told that I "faked everyone out" on my mission from the letters I would write and such. Of course I never intended to fake anyone out of who I am, just it seems as you go through different phases of life, you are a different person.

I know I am a different person now than I was a year ago. I was living with my mission companion and some buddies in a House in Provo, but simply put, I just was not progressing. Then the best thing that could have happened to me, (of course I see this now) did: I got fired. Being fired forced me to move home and look for other opportunities. Since then I have been riding the bus to school everyday. Even riding the bus has given me a broader outlook on life. The world is full of so many different people, who each have their own issues going on and their own lives they are living. The other day there were two guys talking about having DUI's and not being able to drive. To them, that's the "norm". To me, that's insane. But what is the norm? Who decides what normal is for me? I really believe only one person can: Me.

Honestly, the next milestone in my life is to get married. Yeah I'm close to graduating, but if I want to use the bachelors I will have, Graduate school is a must. This means graduation doesn't mean a TON, at least not yet. My grades aren't stellar, which makes me believe it will be tough to actually get into a good school, if any at all. I don't doubt the choices I have made in my school career as I feel they are right for me, right now, but who knows.....maybe this year will bring something to light or something will change. I'm not obsessed with getting married, by any means, as I know it will happen eventually. However, my parents have been on me like white on rice to get married, well at least to date, but who can blame them? They had 2 kids by the time they were the age I am now, but times are different and so are people, of this I am sure. Of course I want to get married. I want the companionship, the love, and ultimately to achieve that milestone of my life. In a Mormon society, for a young man, it seems after the mission the only true milestone you have left is a "Regular" life: A career and a family. Hopefully along the way you can accomplish other goals you set for yourself, have adventures, and enjoy life. I suppose once you've reached that milestone, the next one is for retirement...but then what? I guess it just goes full circle.

I like where I am right now, I really do. I have a Mustache, which is something that is giving me an identity I never had before. And as dumb as it sounds, I feel like it's helping me be more confident in who I want to become. It's just something I changed, something small, that has made a difference in how I feel about myself. Yeah, Mustaches aren't the most popular facial hair, and unfortunately have been associated in our society with those of lesser moral values, but I feel like it's something that actually fits me. I even heard my Mom say she likes it. I'm not sure how long I'll keep it, but for now it's what I need to do, for me. Maybe this whole post is about selfishness, but in the end a person has to be somewhat selfish to figure out who they are. All I know is right now, I'm in it for the haul!

~~~~~Overheard at BYU~~~~

BYU is a place where people say things that you wouldn't normally hear in conversation, except at BYU. Below are some gems I have heard at BYU in just a day & a half of the new semester.

Girl: Yeah, I mean my GPA isn't that bad. Last semester I got my first C ever.....it was a C+ so at least it's not just a normal C.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Girl: I really do try to be my best.

Boy: Well, I'm probably not just as spiritually in tune as you are.

Girl: *Laughs* Well, I wouldn't say that. I mean, you DID serve a mission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, BYU, You are special.

The World We Live in

The world needs to slow down.

This small realization came to me the other day while driving back from Provo. I was cruising along doing about 77 or so, yeah I know a bit about the posted 65, just keeping up with traffic. I definitely wasn't the fastest car on the freeway, which means of course there were other cars passing me. Not a problem. Well you that moment when you're driving in the middle lane, the one that you're technically SUPPOSED to drive in unless you are going slow, which is the right lane, and then the left if you are passing (Although it seems to be switched here in Utah. Go figure), and since you aren't flying or going way slow, you have to get over to one of the lanes. Logical choice would be the left lane right? Well, that's what I did, because it made sense. So I get over, continue at my approximate speed, and pass the car that was previously in front of me. I check my rear view mirror and see this White SUV barreling up behind me. Well on the left is the carpool lane, and on my right are two cars, so guess what? He had to slow down. Oh man!!! The END of the world!!! He starts tailing me a bit, so I speed up to pass the cars and get over and let him by. As he flies by, I take a glance at this person that was in such a hurry. He was talking on his phone, of course, had nice looking shades on, and a sense of extreme importance on his face. Now, I don't mean to judge and I don't know the situation he was in. Perhaps his wife was in the hospital in labor and he was rushing to get there before his new child was born. However, he looked like an impatient man who just wanted to get from A to B as fast as possible, which is fine I suppose, but this whole situation just made me think: What's the rush? Really?

We are here, on this earth, living our lives and doing the things we feel are important. We have such busy lives and many times hardly take any time to ourselves to reflect and take in everything that God has given us. My buddy Adam hiked the Appalachian Trail this past year, and well I can only imagine how he felt. People as a general rule are so obsessed with getting things done, getting good grades, doing well on a test, finding that one person, going to meetings, getting from A to B in a precise time. The Holidays are just around the corner and everyone will be going 10,000 mph trying to find that perfect present for that special someone, which is great, but is this really the point of what Christmas is all about?

This semester has been amazing for me. Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me (aside from the getting fired part), and has really helped me to put life into perspective. All I know is I am going to try and take some time to be thankful, to think and ponder over the marvels the Lord has given me, us. My invitation to all those that might read this is to make this Christmas the best one EVER. Not because you got the BEST present ever, or even GAVE the best gift possible, but because you were able to feel the true spirit of what it's all about and the reason we even have Christmas.

Take some time, slow down, and be happy.

Please?

Dear Winter,

Please go away. I know it's about time for you to rear your ugly face, but I wouldn't mind another week or so of short sleeves and flip flops. Please take this into consideration, and I will at least try to enjoy the freezing frozen white moisture you tend to send in abundance. Thanks for trying. Much appreciated.

Sincerely your A-biggest fan,

Jeff

Thisblogposthasnotitle

Yes. I made the title like that on purpose, because I couldn't think of an actual title.

I really should be studying right now, like really, but I felt like I needed to post this.

Basically my life is actually........wait for it..........good. Yeah I know right? Me, being optimistic about my life? Yeah I know I tend to take a pessimistic viewpoint at times, but sometimes it's hard to see the light when you feel you are surrounded by darkness.

7 months ago I was in a rut. I felt I was so deep, it was literally going to be impossible to get out. Then the best thing that could have happened to me, did. I got fired. Getting fired SUCKED, of course, but I've come to realize that most times in life when you feel like the worst thing ever is going on, it's going to have good results. Things are going so well right now, I just feel like something "bad" is bound to happen. If it does, well I will try to remember how i'm feeling today, October 22, 2010.

Moving home was a hard decision, not something I ever wanted to do, but I know I needed to be there. When Austin came home, it was a confirmed right decision. Even though I'm not around much because of school and work, the entire family is currently living there. It's kind of crazy to be honest, but we all have different schedules so there are rare moments when we get to spend actual time together. One such event was last week when I went to Brent's swim meet. He's been swimming for 3 years, and this was the first opportunity I have actually had to go. It required driving to Roy, but it was worth it. I love that kid and am proud of him for taking swimming seriously and improving from last year. I love being around Austin. We went to Tucano's last Saturday, just the boys (Him, Brent and myself) and had a blast. I forget how awesome my brothers are. Camille is getting married in less than a month, and I'm so happy for her. I'm stoked to have Tony as a brother-in-law as we already get along and have sports in common. I look forward to the days and times we will get to spend together. I know my parents are behind me in life. I know they don't seem to have words of comfort at times, but I know they are there.

I'm doing well in school, meaning I'm actually doing ok on my tests. I've scored above 80 on 2, and another in the high 70's. The first of the year doesn't count because I wasn't in this groove yet. Basically I'm learning to enjoy school, and actually LOOK FORWARD to going to my classes (except one because it's exceptionally boring...grammar "Language Structure" class). I have people around me in my classes who want me to succeed, who truly care about my efforts and are willing to help me.

I finally am able to go to church on a weekly basis, and have decided I will go for all 3 hours. This has been a challenge for me in the past couple years. But I know it's important, and now have a calling (Second Counselor SS) and will need to be around. I also received some pretty intense promised blessings when I was being set apart by Brother Zarbock, especially in regards to my future family.....Sorry, that's too personal to post here :) I just know being in the ward is where I need to be

So did I get fired for all these things to happen? Did I get fired to possibly meet my wife? Did I get fired to actually do well in school and be excited for it? I know the Lord has plans for all of us and by trying our best, he'll make things work. I've just never felt like things are so on track before, even before I was in the rut.

I finally feel like I'm ACTUALLY figuring out How to Live Life and Be good at it. Guess I never really knew before.... :)

Hilarious!

I'm sure this has been circulated a billion times, but so worth it.

http://melodymaker.posterous.com/the-reason-some-girls-stay-single-very-funny

If the link doesn't work, then just Google "The Reason Some Girls Stay Single" or something. The guy is an idiot.

"I'm completely single, i'm very intelligent, i'm great in bed, I make good money, believe it or not i'm a complete catch"

"There's nothing wrong with me, matter of fact, i'm one of the few men in the city that has nothing wrong with him."

WOW. That's all. Good luck dude!

Drama

Oh how I hate it. When it happens to me.

However, when it happens to someone else...and that someone is a someone I'm not a huge fan of, and the drama causes them to lose their work just like it did mine, it makes me smile.

Is Vengeance bad? Maybe I should be more Christ like and feel sorry for them. But you know, Karma is real. What goes around comes around, and all I can say is it makes me at least feel even more vindicated that before.

Good luck in life VS!!!!!

My Day Today

6:30 am Wake up and Scriptures and family prayer

7:05 am: re-wake up

7:15 am: Shower

9:00 am: class

10:00 am: class

11:00 am: class

12:30: Thai food with Josh. Man I miss that kid.

Drive back to Sandy, pick up Dad and Sister to make it to Brother Swim meet: 3:30

Finally get home: 6:30 pm

12 hour day; 170 miles driven; 3 hours of class; 4 hours (with travel time) of family time.

Homework and studying done? None. Today was a good day.

Here I am

Ok. I suck. At blogging. I was so sure I was going to do AWESOME at it this year........and it started out good, then summer came and laughed me away!! But I'm BACK!!

A lot........I mean A LOT has happened since I last wrote. Since I last really.......wrote........

I am living at home still. Yeah, I know. How many times did I say to myself "I will not ever live at home!!" Well, it happened and I'm here to stay at least for now. I'll get into that in a bit.

I'm currently working at Musicians Friend. I think I may have mentioned this before, but i'm not sure. It's a boring old call center job, where I was hired on at $10.50/hour. Not amazing. However, at this job we have the chance to make more by selling "Incentives" such as products on special, warranty's, etc. So it's not too bad. They have me working Sundays, although it's gotten better recently where they're going to schedule me a Sunday every once in a while, or like every other. I guess they NEVER do that and it's a pretty large exception for me. Guess they like me staying around. The nice thing too is they are working around my school schedule.

School. Has begun. I was really debating this semester what I should do. There are a few classes I need to probably retake, but retaking them, my Pell Grant doesn't pay for them anymore. So I decided just to go ahead and take ones I need to.

Hearing Tests and Measures: This class will be the most difficult. It's the second "Hearing" focused class in a row. I didn't do too well with the preceding class last semester, but the teacher is less hardcore (or so it seems), and I feel more comfortable already. That's probably a mistake itself, but I'm positive I can make things work.

Medical Speech Pathology: This class is the one I've enjoyed the most (as far as classes for my major go) and I don't see it having a ton of homework, more than just knowing the stuff we are talking about in class and such. Essentially, as far as I can tell, it's a break down of the medical field side of Speech Language Pathology, which is EXACTLY what I want to do with my degree later on. We've only had the class 3 times, but I've enjoyed every minute of it. Dr. Channell can be a bit tedious and boring, but the class and information is great. It's encouraging to me mainly because it is giving me a glimmer of hope to get a foot in the medical field, which is my dream, and which I will succeed someday.

Language Structure: I should have taken this class a year ago. I didn't. I'm taking it now, and essentially by not taking it back then, I delayed myself graduating for a semester. This class is just based around grammar and everything related. the book is "Rediscover Grammar" It hasn't honestly gotten into anything I don't understand or already know yet, so I don't think it's potentially a problem class. Maybe studying and getting down the terms and what he wants me to know.

Old Testament: This is my last religion class. Honestly, the "core" classes were bothersome, but the ones i've taken in the past year have been extremely enlightening. American Christianity really opened my eyes to the world of Christians and why they believe like they do. Writings of Isaiah really took me into a whole new world of understanding the ancient times. That class was AMAZING, and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone at BYU (Take it from Brother Ball). It seriously took Isaiah, which anyone can agree is SO CONFUSING and SO hard to understand, and made it actually enjoyable. This O.T. class has a good outlook. I think. The teacher seems to know his stuff, and it's going to be good. I think it will have way more work than should be required for such a class, but whatever.

Judaism and the Gospel: Yep. Another one. This one is only 1 credit, but as soon as I saw the class title, I wanted in. There was another one for Islam, which I think would be even more fascinating, but this is the one I got into. I don't even NEED the religion credit, and I'm taking it. It's only once a week so that's kinda crappy........I mean how often do you actually LOOK FORWARD to a class? yeah, it's that cool. I'm excited to get into what Judaism is and how it relates to my beliefs.

So those are my classes. Since i'm living at home, I am taking the bus down to class as much as I can. Monday and Wednesday's I have a full day of classes, so I don't even work those days. I get to the bus at 7:50 or 8:05 and then don't get back until 6:50 or so. The other days, T, Th, Fri., it just depends on my work schedule. If they schedule me later, I can take the bus. If not, then I get to drive. But at least two days a week, I get to take the bus. GET? Yeah, really, I ENJOY taking the bus. Weird I know. Brent reminded me that in high school, I used the term "Gay" in reference to taking the bus. Isn't it weird how things change?

Well that's it for my life. Now for my family.

Ozzy. He's home from his mission for a hopefully temporary medical release. He was diagnosed with clinical depression. Crazy I know. However, after staying there as long as possible and trying to "fight" it, all decided (himself and the mission) it was best to get home and get it taken care of. It's something I can't understand, and to be honest it's a little trying, but I know he can get through. He has a TON of support from the family and all those around him. I think he just needs to realize what a special kid he is and that he's not alone. Today in my Judaism class, the teacher said "Christ's Assets are greater than our Liability's" WOW......Seriously.........all day today, All i heard were things I can say to help my brother......so yeah, he's here. I also know I'm living at home for this reason. When I debated on whether or not to move back to Provo, I just DIDN'T feel right about it. At all. Now It's all clear. So here's the mind boggler......did I get fired for THIS? Was that all for my brother? I mean I know I learned a TON from it, and wouldn't change it now that it's over, but how can things be so foreseen? Obvious question I know. I just can't comprehend it. Maybe i'm not supposed to, so I'll just try not to.

Dating life: Non existent. Right now is just nuts. I've tried this past summer, but the one girl who I thought I had a chance with, was just a frailty (not sure if i used that word right or even in correct context) My Aunt had someone lined up for me, but I put off calling her and now she has a BF. I even played around on eHarmony. Nothing there. Dating will happen. I will get married. I just need to figure out how to make it work. Kinda like everything.

This post has no pictures. For this I apologize. I'm not sure who even reads this, but I have a pretty awkward experience that happened today that I need to share. However at this time, I'm hungry and am going to go eat food.

LOVES!