Seizing a Lifetime, One Day at a Time

Oh what a summer! How fast it seems to have slipped away, but overall, I really had a blast. Boise was a really good experience. My internship was great and I learned a lot, some of which is helping me in my new job. I also enjoyed a lot of the people I got to know while I was up there. I don’t know that Boise is the place where I’m meant to end up, but it was a good experience and I might be going back on a more permanent basis next year. We’ll see. EFY was amazing! I had so much fun and learned so many great things. My co-counselors were all amazing and I learned so much from each of them. I had some of the most amazing boys ever and learned something from each of them. Of course there were struggles and trials, but I loved it so much. In fact, I’ve decided two things. Next year, I’m going to apply to be a BC and I’ve enrolled in the Seminary Pre-Service program. I’m really considering teaching seminary as a full-time job after I graduate. Of course, it really isn’t my choice, but ...

I didn't write this letter, but I can't put my feelings into words any better. I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me? Well, these are briefly my ...

I’ve been in Boise almost a month now! The time is flying by. It’s been great and I’ve loved every minute of it. (Except that minute a few nights ago where mosquitoes devoured my feet, but every other minute has been great!) I really am loving it. My internship is great and I’ve been learning a lot. I’m also not sure if programming computers is really for me. I love it and it’s a lot of fun, but it’s really hard to focus on for 8 hours a day. I’d rather be talking to people, interacting with real life beings. Maybe I am supposed to teach. Luckily, I don’t really have to deal with that right now! Besides work, life is good. I just got called to be the Elders Quorum Pianist in church. It’s not a big calling, but it’s something for me to do and I’m loving it. I’ve started making a lot of friends up here. I mostly just hang out with my roommates, but we have people over a lot to play rock band. I also made ice cream on Sunday and it was excellent. (It’s also the first time I had some lef...

I’ve finally moved in! Okay, actually I’ve been here almost a week now. I was just lazy and haven’t updated my blog. But that’s it! That’s the house I’m living in. Can’t you tell how cool it is? If you look very closely on the right side of the house towards the back, you can see my bedroom window. It’s a pretty nice place, but it also required a little bit of work. On Tuesday, I mopped and swept the kitchen floor and today I cleaned the bathroom floor and shower, both of which probably hadn’t been done in over 6 months. It needed it, but now the place looks a lot nicer. The kitchen sink still has a leak which I’m planning to try and fix on Saturday. Anyone know how to fix a leaky faucet? :) I’m sure I can figure it out. My bedroom is really nice (and I’m still working on organizing everything! :) ). It’s really different (and pleasant) having my own room! I’m not sure I’ll be able to go back to sharing a room in the fall, but we’ll see. One problem with the room was that I ha...

I have no idea what the title of this post means, but it sounded catchy and I’m not creative enough to think of anything else. I’m in Idaho! It’s weird to be living in a different state. Actually, it’s not really. I still feel like I’m in Utah. There are definitely less LDS people here, but it’s still a great place. Right now I’m living with Darrell and Michelle, my aunt and uncle, and their 4 boys. It’s been pretty fun. They have this little pug named Chuey that freaked out when I got here. I came in Sunday around midnight and it was barking at me because no one was awake when I came in. Luckily it was in Matthew’s room (one of their sons) so it couldn’t come out and bite me. It really freaked out the next morning when I suddenly appeared from the room I had been staying in. Luckily we’ve become friends since then and now he won’t leave me alone! I started my new job! I work in the Banner Bank Building. It’s a LEED building which means it’s extremely environmentally friendl...

Can you believe that I’m adding another post already? It’s only been two days! I know what you’re thinking. It’s summer and I have nothing better than to post on my blog. Actually, it’s the exact opposite! Life has been less usual lately so I have more to write about. First, Star Trek. Go see it. That is all. Just kidding, that’s not all. But seriously go see it. I was amazed at the new look, feel, and attitude this movie presented. To me, there always seemed to be something a little to perfect about the Star Trek universe. No disease, problems, greed, money or anything else that we’re so accustomed to. Star Trek has always been very Utopian. Well J.J. Abrams decided to change the feel to a more industrialized atmosphere. Also, the battles have amazing cinematography. The cast was pretty good, but I had a few problems believing that Zachary Quinto was Spock and not Sylar (I expected him to chop someone’s head open at any time). Overall, it was a great movie for anyone and definitel...

School’s out! (Insert Alice Cooper song here) I’m so excited. The last few weeks have been way stressful but it’s over! Wahoo!!! Now it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the summer breezes. About two months ago I got a phone call from a guy up in Boise asking me if I wanted to interview for a internship up there. I really had no interest in taking the internship, but thought it would be good practice. Well, three interviews later, I’ve accepted the internship. This summer I’m going to work for Clearwater Analytics in Boise, Idaho! What do they do? Not sure exactly. I know they do some sort of financial advisement for large companies. They use custom software to do their analysis and that’s where I come in. I’m nervous because they program in Java, but I’ve been practicing and I should be able to pick it up pretty quickly. I move up on Sunday and I’m stoked. Besides that, life in general has been pretty mundane. I’ve been watching a lot of lost. I also have been cleaning my comp...