Wildlife in Utah

I do realized that this really isn't a blog at all but I thought I would let the world know that I'm still alive. I went on excursion down the East Canyon today and thought about blogging about it, but then decided to hold off on it for another day. I was suppose to be writting a paper on marketing ice cream in Taiwan but I did all my research and decided to hold off until Monday to actually write the thing. Hopefully I won't regret it but now I have to live with my choices. Anyway...

Four Weddings and a Funeral

So some of you might be wondering what I did with all of my free time prior to landing a job at the YMCA. Turns out I did a little sightseeing of LDS temples in the region. Somehow I managed to make it to four temples within eight days and most of them for a good reason.

We, meaning Kristen and I, decided to start our tour with the Bountiful temple on a Friday that is. Close to home, beautiful, white, large, etc. So we trekked up the hill, in her father's CRV, and managed to snap a few pictures of the temple and somehow she even got me to smile for the picture ( a sure miracle I'm certain).

The next temple on the list happened to be the Provo temple. I had driven down to that blessed region for a lovely dinner of chicken, candied carrots and cuscus. It was quite delicious and was followed up by exciting activities. Kristen even got the wonderful idea to drop by the temple and see all of the beautiful flowers. This was at 10:30 mind you so we weren't sure that the temple would be open. Well the temple turned out to be opened but the flowers had been ripped out previous to our visit. I had to console her for a little while but then I told her if she would cheer up I would buy her an some candy runts.

We then took a few days break before heading up to Salt Lake for the next adventure. Kristen had to do a project on the Salt Lake Temple and the astronomy signs on the face of the temple. It was quite the interesting assignment. There are stars everywhere, phases of the moon, the Ursa Major and a few other symbols. I had never really looked at the temple that way and it was thrilling. After we had had enough we deicided to meander over to the temple in the Daybreak area. Well meander would be the incorrect word choice because Thai food was being provided for us and we couldn't resist.

When we arrived at our hosts home we were asked to take Stella, the dog, on a walk. We walked the two blocks to the temple and ran around like crazy while the camera did the work. Obviously the video speaks for itself so I'll refrain from commenting any further.

Oh, and did I mention that we managed to stop by the cemetary in between these temple excursions? Well we did and had to take a picture. If you can't figure out I would go to a cemetary, specifically the Centerville City Cemetary then maybe you should be frequenting the blog more often. And as a minor sidenote, we attended no funerals and certainly no weddings over those eight days.

YMCA

So last week I got online at the Weber State career services to look for a job yet again. I had been roped into staying after school a little longer so I could wait for a friend before she had to go to class. So I began surfing and lo and behold I found out that the YMCA wanted somebody full time to help with the elementary after school program. I thought it sounded pretty good so I called up the number and found out that indeed they were hiring and interviews were that week. So Tuesday I handed in an application, Wednesday I interviewed, Thursday I sat by the phone all day and Friday I got the call. They accepted my application, background check and merger experience teaching kindergarten and elementary in Taiwan. So course they decided to send me to the ghetto of West Ogden to try and teach these kids how to be upstanding Americans. I was warned that these children would be sons and daughters of gang member and I should probably lock my car while driving to this crazy part of town. Turns out it wasn't as bad as everybody wanted me to believe it. I think I have already made life long friends with a few of these kids. Today was my second day and Hillary, an eleven-year old, asked if I would stay there forever. I didn't quite know what to say, other than that I would be there for a little while. She didn't like that answer and confessed that she indeed like me being there.

In other news at the YMCA, I joined the Hip-Hop club and began learning their little dance. It was quite exciting and the kids were impressed that I could pick it up. I did feel a little special and even managed to get myself a partner. She is a little short but she does have the energy to accomplish it. I have already seen blood, smelled sweat and comforted tears. I think this job is going to be rewarding but I have already decided that I would rather raise my own children than allow someone else to do it. It is difficult to see the trials these kids go through and only be able to do so much. But perhaps what we accomplish will be enough to give these children the energy and ability to get through life.

Bugs

Utahn Grasshopper

Utahn Ladybug

Taiwanese...something

Taiwanese beetle

Taiwanese Bee

September 11th, 2002

Exactly six years ago today I started my mission to Virginia Richmond. I thought we could take a short journey to those six years ago.

This was the day I left for the Missionary Training Center in a suit that fit me and didn't have holes up and down the pant leg. The tie didn't last long either, though I liked the pattern. It was suppose to be waterproof but it still fell apart on me half-way through my mission.

And then of course I received my dot identifying me as a new missionary. I still have it somewhere on one of my tags. I thought about putting another picture of my family on the blog but I figured nobody wanted to see them weeping so I left it off.

And then we progress six years and I'm still me, though I think I look a little older. In the years between I might not have a lot to show in terms of the worlds standards but I have progressed. I still can't believe how long ago my mission was but I suppose I should get use to it cause I'm only getting older.

Things I've gotten paid for

So recently I've become unemployed and let's face it, who really wants a job anyway? Well I would like something to keep me busy and hopefully I'll be finding something soon. As a result I've been thinking about things I have gotten paid for in the past few years.

Luckily the job I hated the most, breading chicken and making salads at the local deli, didn't last too long and it was the first one after my mission. It was alright while it lasted but I hated getting up at the crack of 5 to be at work. What a wonderful day when a lady from my ward told me they were hiring at the library.

Being back at the library made me remember that I do in fact love reading. My grades suffered for a while before I realized I should probably be studying before I read for pleasure. Must admit that although this might not have been my most favorite job in the world (Taiwan is obviously first) it was definately the most flexible I've ever had.

While working at the Bountiful library we boss was kind enough to rearrange my schedule so that I could bury people in the mornings and shelve books in the evenings. I learned how to manage my time and work in the hot summer sun. Of course I have a few interesting stories about moving dirt but I should probably wait to tell you about these in person. Oh and they also payed me to play kickball for an hour every day too, that was certainly a thrill.

Then I had to go back to school and I dropped the cemetary job. The next summer though I needed something more so I applied to be an EFY counselor, got accepted somehow and quit my job at the library. It didn't last too long because soon enough the Centerville Library asked if I wanted to work for them and they would give me the time off I needed. So I consented and during the summer they gave me five weeks off so I could get paid doing something else. Of course the girls worshiped me, as you can see above, but I had other responsibilities as well.

I was in charge of a group of boys every week. It was nice being cool during these weeks well at least during this week. However, not every group of kids thought I was that cool.

This was the week that my kids wouldn't talk to me. Turns out in the middle of making a poster they just up and ran away to get drinks and took ten minutes to come back. So I suppose I got paid to be a paperweight, not my most favorite responsibility.

But things only got better from there. Thou Shalt Meditate was my favorite week of the summer. I had old kids and I didn't have to be much of a cheerleader because they did that for me. My partner in crime was gone most of the week helping out with the variety show so it was kind of a one man show. It turned out great though, with the group winning the coveted Spunity. I didn't do much that week except have a good time. Then it was back to the library for a few more months of shelving books. I got a few promotions right before I left and they even let me help people find books. But then I decided to leave the country.

I moved to Taiwan to teach the Taiwanese youth, well preschoolers really, the in's and out's of the English language. I taught them how to form their letters, make the sound for the letters and read the letters. I even learned that I grew up writing the letter J incorrectly and no one bothered to tell me.

They also let me teach kindergarten over there, even though it really consisted of me just playing with the kids. We built forts, threw things at one another, ate snack, climbed under the table, sang songs, made ice cream, talked about kissing, and the list goes on. This would have to be the best job because I got paid to play.

Then I had to come home and I was lucky enough to have a job waiting for me. I went back to EFY for a couple of weeks. One in Ephraim and one at the University of Utah. Both enjoyable and an easy way to ease back into the American culture again. Well not really easy but at least shell-shocking enough that I was willing to get my feet wet again.

And now I am back in school and looking for a job. I figured I could come home and everybody would be so excited to see me that I would have to turn jobs down. Turns out that was a lie and still I am trying to convince myself that getting a job is the right thing to do. But I'm having too much fun going to school, singing, reading, dating, cooking and watering the lawn to do much else, at least today that is. The time is near at hand though and I've got to find something to do or I think I just might go crazy. So if you know of something exciting that you think I'd want to get paid to do just send your ideas my way.

Mom and Dad's Blog

Recently my parents started a blog. I suppose that it is really my dad's blog for his world travels. I can't guarentee when it will be updated. But your welcome to check it out. And if your a member of the family and didn't know about it, don't be offended because I told my parents I would try to spread the word first. So enjoy whatever they choose to post.