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!