Check it 2010~!

So this is definitely a new year. Thank goodness. I'm glad to be leaving behind 2009, however, it was a good year. I have termed it the year of recovery. 2008 was a disaster and at the time I didn't realize there was anything to recover from but boy was I wrong. But now that the past has passed, I am finally in a position to be happy and working hard.

I have found myself more motivated than ever and although I still have things that I need to fit into my day, for the most part, I can sit down at the end of the day, look at my list, and feel pleased and productive.

A week ago also marks the 3 year mark since I have returned from my mission. Man, What have I been doing? All my friends are graduating and headed off to graduate school and I same still trying to get into my program. But that's okay.

So I have termed this year the year of Abundance. Sister Hall, my choir director, gave a whole talk about how you are always enough when you have God. Nothing is impossible. She talked about living the abundant life, which doesn't mean you have a lot of material things, but that every aspect of your life is abundant. Finances, Spirituality, Happiness, Confidence, and Charity. All these things have a varied level of influence in your life and if you focus on making each of those aspects of your life abundant, then happiness and success are sure to follow. Not immediately though because you must be persistent.

So welcome 2010 and the abundant year, because that's how I am going to live. No fear, only faith. No disappointment, only lessons learned and progress made.

The Truth

So, I had started that last post, but never finished it. It was however updated by my friend and old roommate Brett Call. I left it up because I thought it was an interesting observation despite it's non-truths.

Update from Happy Valley

So, I realize that school has been in session for a while now, and I need to keep my fans appeased. (Ha, good one.) So my life has not changed since I last wrote. I am still in to cycling and still not losing weight. But hey life goes on and I can't complain. School is going good. I just skip classes but occasionally go to my art class so I can get a good grade. My pet snake is still alive and kicking just eating live mice. It is fun to watch. Other than that, my life is a bore and I just sit at home and play Final Fantasy Tactics on my computer. That is right. I downloaded an emulator and play old videogames on my computer. Don't hate me for my vices.

40 Miles

I hope this picture is visible enough. I tried to leave a map of Ogden on the left side to give you a good idea of where I was. As for a written description, We started at the Sinclair station at Trapper's Loop, rode over the pass to Pine View Lake, Went around the lake through Huntsville, over the dam, and then up Old Snow Basin Road and back to the summit of Trappers Loop, and then down to the Sinclair Station. Yep, 40 Miles!

What am I talking about? What did I do? Well, let me begin by saying I didn't think I could do it, and I am pretty pleased with myself that I finished in good time even!

My brother has recently taken up Road Cycling as a hobby and he loves it, so I thought I would try it. Borrowing all my equipment from various friends, I went on two preliminary rides a few days before and then my bro decided to refine me with fire.

Throughout the Bike ride, we road close to 40 miles, ascended nearly 4000 feet throughout the ride, burned 3200 calories, and almost died. I am sure you all know how hard it is to ride a bike uphill. Well imagine riding one uphill for 5.5 miles, coming down, riding flat for 20, and then riding up an even steeper hill for 10 miles, and finishing with a downhill of 5 miles. IT took us 2 Hours and 50 Minutes.

As we were riding up old Snow Basin Road, I probably went an average speed of 4 mph. It was all I could do not to fall over. I looked up to see another of our friends who was just ahead of me and he was weaving all over the road just to remain upright. I laughed a little because I was doing the same thing.

Here is the kicker. We never stopped. We road straight through. It is, to this date, the hardest and most physically demanding thing I have ever done.

Now, all I have to do is get my own road bike. Because it was one of the most miserable/enjoyable things I have ever done.

Thanks for Reading mysterious Readers!

WhatYouOughtToKnow.com

So for everyone who is desperatley waiting to know what happend at American Idol Auditions. I failed. I didn't get past the first round, but it was fun!

I wanted to let you all know about this sweet web show that is on the verge of extinction. These guys are great and I find it always very informative and funny! Check it out! If your bored watch a few videos. The multiverse is one of my favorites.

www.whatyououghttoknow.com

These dudes are great. Tell your friends.

American Idol and a Pound of Flesh

So for those who havn't heard yet, and who might care, I am off to Denver to try out for Season 9 of American Idol. I really hope it becomes lucrative, and that I succeed and I really do want to be the next American Idol. If it doesn't though, don't expect a fit or to see me crying. I'll let you all know how it ends up.

On another note, I watched the movie Seven Pounds last night with my mother. First, it is an amazing movie. From the filming and editing, to the acting and story, Will Smith did another great job. But something out of the movie that really struck me. When Will Smith is sitting with the old man that he gives a special gift too, the man asks, "Why are you doing this for me?" "Because you are a good man." "No, why are you REALLY doing this for me?" *Pause* "Because you are a good man, even when nobody is watching."

I have probobly heard the "Be good even when nobody is watching" thing all my life, but it wasn't until last night that it seemed to really strike a chord. I layed awake thinking about it till 2 in the morning.

Anyway, as for the pound of flesh, my brother Chet and I also are training for a Sprint Tri in Septemeber and we ran the last two legs of it today. I can barely walk. After 13 miled on the bike and 3.2 miles on foot, I am hurting. But it feels good. I lost 3 pounds of water through sweat in the run.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Animals

I have become fascinated with animals, and because of it, I seem to attract all sorts. Throughout my life, I or my family have had too many cats to count, 4 dogs while I have been alive, a Rat named Diddo, pet fish, and cows. I don't know if you could count the cows as pets but they sure were a pain.

My current pet count is 1 Black Widow and a Ball Python named Grizwald. My snake has shed once already and he seems happy for a reptile. I have "bug fights" with my black widow in which she always wins, so we have come to call them feedings instead. I say we because I keep her at the office contrary to other employee's feelings. Well, I used to. She isn't in the office anymore, but she makes reappearances on feeding days for those interested.

I love animals. I love watching nature shows and going to zoos and aquariums. I love the colors that aquatic animals especially present.

My most recent adventure happened tonight when I smelled a skunk outside while I worked at my computer. I rushed outside hoping to find it and boy was I in for a surprise. I never found the skunk, although it still smells, but instead, in one of our window wells, I found a Kestrel Hawk. He was small and stuck. I caught him with leather gloves and I was amazed at his talons and how they almost dug through the leather. My mother and I brought it inside and fed it some raw hamburger and gave it a little water. We then took it out and let it fly away, but it was amazing! I caught and held a hawk!

The thing that I love and appreciate about animals so much is the amazing pieces of art that they are. God could have only made so many masterpieces, with all the symmetry, vibrant colors, and patterns. God truly made the earth beautiful and full of life. So many different kinds of bodies with different personalities. Awesome!