365 Project-#27

Today was productive. I drove to Duchesne, after sitting with my roommate Michelle for the majority of the day (she had her wisdom teeth out...ouch!). Got here, and before I came to see anyone I decided to drop a line in the water and see what I could catch. As soon as I dropped my line, I got a text on my phone. Lo and behold it was Uncle Shane, "Does the river look fishable?" His ESP amazes me sometimes. Anyway, after like 3 casts I snagged a little Brown. Pulled it into shore and decided it was too small to keep. The hook was easy enough to get out, and I put it back in the water and sent it on it's marry way. Uncle Shane continued to text me, and I continued to catch fish. After another 4 or 5 casts I snagged the next fish. It was nearly the same size as the first, but this time I was using my brain and decided to keep it. It is the fish on the right. Then after another 4 or 5 casts I caught the one on the left.

Upon returning home I called up my Uncle Brandon to see if he could help me fillet (since I've never done it) the fish I had caught. Pretty exciting stuff. The secret spot where I was fishing is usually always faithful with at least one fish. I have never caught more than 2 there though. Uncle Shane showed me this spot. He and Uncle Brandon seem to know where all the good ones are.

365 Project-#26

"One Day Without Shoes 2010"

I participated. As you can tell by my feet, I did in fact go all day without shoes. It makes me laugh a lot, about how many strange looks I got, walking across BYU's campus without any shoes on. I did see fellow "shoeless" people walking around. I didn't say anything to them, but all of them made eye contact with me, nodded, then moved on. Those that didn't participate, don't understand. And that is ok. I participated, because I believe that children all over the world deserve shoes. I know, that being one person, I don't have much of an impact. I also know, that things (big things) always start with just one person. I want to be part of something bigger than myself.

So, I went without shoes.

To learn more...go here, http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

365 Project-#25

From snow to Daffodils. And not just Daffodils....but double Daffodils! What an amazing couple of days. As I was walking home today from school, I noticed this little flower on the side of the road. Taking a few minutes I laid in the grass and snapped a few quick pictures. Much to my dismay, the owner of the yard pulled up. I really didn't think much of it, I mean, we do live in Provo, and I figured he would just think, "Eh, it's one of those crazy BYU students." About 3 seconds after he pulled up though, he let his dogs out. Two big dogs...charging across the yard, barking and snapping like I had just stolen their best tasting steak. I quickly stood up, and stretched out a hand, hoping to maybe make a friend instead of enemy. The dog's both looked at me, turned tail and ran back into the house.

It makes me laugh how sometimes I life we can think about an event and consider it good or bad. Laying down to snap this picture was good. Being charged by two pretty massive dogs, not so good. But, coming home still having two hands and feet...and my face pretty much intact...awesome. I will chalk this up as a learning experience. Neither good nor bad. Sure, for like 5 seconds I was pretty scared. But then again, the dogs were probably scared too.

There are always two sides to every story.

365 Project-#24

There is beauty all around....even in the puddle outside my apartment complex. I've decided that today I should stray back to my "artsy" photos...for today anyway. I am not gonna lie, today was kind of crazy. Got up this morning to snow. Went to work, came home worked on some homework, then headed back to school in the not so nice looking weather. At about 5:00 PM it started to look really nice. I mean really nice. Sunshine and warm. At about 7:35 when I got out of my last class, it was once again snowing. Oh how I honestly love Utah's season's. I love that I can wake up and by the time I go to bed we have had an array of different things happen during the day.

It for sure keeps me hoppin'!! And I love it!

365 Project-#23

To-do lists. To-do lists are ridiculous. I hate them, with a passion. Yes, they help me feel organized, and sometimes even accomplished (when I can mark things on them off). But in all reality they just stress me out. Looking at the huge list of things I am supposed to get done, just makes doing them seem so tedious...and well, not really worth my time. This is my to-do list for this upcoming week. It is packed full of things I don't really want to do. Actually, out of the 7, I can honestly say I only really want to do like 2 of them. And there is more to come, I am sure.

There is no rest for the wicked, as my Uncle Shane always says. And I would have to agree. It feels like it is never ending. It is ok though, because I just keep trucking. I am thankful to have things to do. It would be a really lame life without them.

365 Project-#22

This is what my drive to Provo from Duchesne looked like today. White-out. It was pretty nasty the whole way, I'm not gonna lie. I am glad I made it back safe and sound. Driving in weather like that is no fun. No fun at all.

365 Project-#21

This is Petty Mountain. It is located near Moon Lake, north of Duchesne about 35 miles. I love going here, and I love having the chance to be so close. There was a lot of snow today as we drove up, so we didn't even have the chance to see the lake. But, we did get to see Petty, where the white rocks turn into the red. And the sage brush and willows grow huge. I love it. I was so glad to have the opportunity to go. I think I have pictures of this mountain nearly every season of the year. Infact, I think I have like 1,000 pictures....this same picture...of this same mountain...in this same place....with snow, with spring time buds, with summers green, and with fall colors. It makes me laugh, because I waste a lot of time at the lake taking pictures, of the same things....I already have 1,000 pictures of.

365 Project-#20

Du-shane, that is how you say it. Some people call it Du-chess-knee, but that isn't right...though it is funny. This is the town I am "mostly" from. This is the town where I hide away each weekend when Provo and the big city life gets to much for me. This is the town my family is from. And the town where most of my friends live. Where I can ride horses, or hunt, or fish, or go for a drive out in the middle of no where, just because. This is the town where nothing really matters. Where you feel like you are days from anyone. And where you can find real peace.

Located 96.4 miles from my apartment in Provo, Duchesne is my home. I love it here, and I come as often as school and work allow. I am proud to be "mostly" from here. Yes, I went to high school in Illinois...but you know...when you really feel like you are from somewhere, I say that's where you are from. And that would be Duchesne for me. My whole family is from here...both of my parents were raised in this little town...of no more than 2,000 people. And feel more at home here than any other place I've ever lived. I love Duchesne, and I am grateful for the chance I have to come each weekend, spend time with my family, and detox from living in the hustle and bustle of Provo. It sure is nice, to clear my head.

365 Project-#19

50 Nifty birthday's galore! Today, the 1st day of April, happens to be one of my favorite holidays. The reasoning behind this is two-fold. First, it is April Fool's day. The day when you get to prank everyone you know with ridiculously funny things. I love it. It and St. Patrick's day are my favorite holidays! Second, it is my Uncle Shane's birthday. Today's post is a tribute to him.

Uncle Shane was born April 1st 1960. That my friends was a long time ago. He is the first of 7 children. As you can tell from this picture the man has quite a sense of humor. He really amazes me sometimes. Uncle Shane is one of the best guys you will ever meet. He is willing to do almost anything for anyone. He teaches the third grade, and influences the kids he teaches more than he will probably ever know. He is the best fisherman I've ever seen...and can catch a fish no matter where we might choose to cast our lines. He is also a pretty darn good hunter. I saw him once hit a deer at 300 yards, in the dark, with a 4 power scope. He is also the best basketball player I know. Put him on the outside arc almost to the corner, plant him on one foot, and watch him put it in all day long. He is the raiser of birds...pigeons to be exact. He takes care of these birds like they are family. He is also an athlete. Running 6, 7, sometimes 8 miles a day (which just blows my mind...especially at his age!) Just kidding Uncle Shane!

He is the jack of all trades, that Uncle of mine. He can do almost anything, once he puts his mind to it, and usually does. There are so many amazing qualities that he possess, that I can't even begin to list them on this page. To even try to do so would pale in comparison to who he really is.

He is my "go to" guy when I need advice or help. Heck, he is my "go to" guy for almost everything. I love him more than anything And I am very thankful that he is my Uncle. I am thankful to have him in my life. I know that I wouldn't be who I am today without the influences of this man. He has saved my life on a number of occasions. Literally and figuratively. And I can only hope that he knows, even a little, of what he means to me.

50 birthdays Uncle Shane! Let's make it 50 more!! I love you!!

365 Project-#18

Today was great. I had the opportunity to hang out with my family, and some members of my pseudo family as well. We got together today for lunch, at Red Lobster. I am not gonna lie, it was pretty amazing. I love my family. I love my family so much.

Pictured here are some of my favorite people. On the far left is a lady named Paula. Then, me. Then, my Aunt Monica, my Mom, and Maxie. All of these women mean a great deal to me. I am very privileged to have each of them in my life. Sometimes we take the good things in our lives for granted. I try not to do this everyday.

365 Project-#17

Sick desperation. That is what this is. This is what it looks like. Only 10 more days of the semester, and this is how I feel. With three papers due in the next 2 days, and three or four tests to look forward to in the next two weeks, I feel like I am in over my head. School is amazing, I love learning...but, the end of the semester blues hit pretty hard around here.

BYU gives no spring break. Granted, we get out almost a month earlier that most people, we still get NO spring break. Just about the time you are needing a break in the Winter Semester, your professors up the ante and throw on a test or two along with a couple of assignments. I don't know about you, but just thinking about it makes me tired.

10 more days. I can survive!

365 Project-#16

Well, today I made soup. I make soup like once a week. Then I eat it all week. In fact, if you want the truth, I mostly eat soup...all the time. Every once in a great while I will scrounge up something else to eat, but most of the time it is just soup. I am kind of like the narrator in the movie Fight Club, "How embarrassing, a house full of condiments and no food." That is my life. I never have any actual food at my apartment. I attend a lot of things where they give free food away, or I go to my loving Aunt and Uncle's and they feed me. But other than that, I eat soup.

I throw whatever I can find into this soup. If it is a vegetable, and I can cut it up, it usually goes in. I really like soup. Though, I have to admit I do get sick of it from time to time. Oh well.

Soup's on!

365 Project-#15

This my friends is what roller blading looks like. Today was awesome. It was Sunday, which means I had the chance to be quite lazy. Got up and went to Church. Then I came home and had a few things to work on here. After like 3 or 4 hours of that I was sick of being in this house and sick of what I was doing. So I asked my room mate Michelle if she wanted to go on a bike ride or something. She said she was game, and away we went.

This was my first excursion of the season on my blades. We went from our house in Eastern Provo all the way out to Utah Lake. For those of you who know Provo, this is quite a little trek. Things were going amazingly right up until we were about 4 blocks from home. That was when I biffed it.

I don't eat it very often on blades, but today I did. And it happened right in front of like 12 other college kids who were playing a game in their yard. Ya, I felt like a total idiot. I guess it is through the tough moments in life that we are supposed to grow the most. Or something like that.

365 Project-#14

Hare Krishna! The Holi festival of colors happened today, and it was amazing. I went with two of my greatest friends, Marcus and Amy (who happen to be siblings). It was a great day. For those of you who don't understand or know about the Holi festival, it is a Hindu religious festival that they get together once a year and do. It is like a reigning in of the spring time, hence all the colors. The powder is made of maize, or corn and it edible. Thought it stinks...like roses, or something odd like that.

This is what happens. You drive to Spanish Fork, you park your car, and then you walk. We didn't have to walk very far actually, which was quite nice. Then you go and you buy your colors. After you have bought them, you go to this huge field with a stage at the far end. You stand with a ton of people all around you. You feel like you are going to be trampled on because there are so many people and you are so close. Then a guy on stage starts to chant. He chants and chants and chants, and the whole crowd gets into it. Aboriginal style. You start to move and sway and jump and act crazy. Then after like an hour of this the guy on stage counts down from 10 to 1, and then everyone in the crowd throws a bag or two of this colored powder in the air. It of course lands everywhere. On your clothes, in your hair, and the worst part is, you breathe it in. There are like 10,000 people there, crammed into a field that isn't big enough to hold 2,000. It is amazing. And I loved every minute of it.

It is about as close to being a drunk, colorful, hippie as a member of the Church can get I think.

365 Project-#13

Good ol' Deseret Industries. I shop at DI for many reasons. Here are a few:

1. I am poor.

2. I am poor.

3. I am poor.

4. You can find really neat stuff at DI if you are patient enough to look.

5. Shopping there is like finding treasure.

6. I like second hand clothes, almost better than I like brand new things.

7. It is cheap.

8. They have one of everything, seriously.

9. Other people like that I shop at DI and think it is neat when I tell them I found cool stuff there.

10. The have old things...like retro...except it isn't fake retro, because the stuff at DI has actually been used before.

I love DI. I love DI so much that sometimes I wish I lived there. Ok, maybe not for real lived there. But I do wish I had the time to go and look through all the stuff they have there, rummaging around for a good deal. It is a great place to waste a lot of time.

365 Project-#12

Happyness. Yes, you read right, happyness. I've always wanted to type it that way and have people read it. I wonder what went on in your mind when you read it? "That's spelled wrong?" Well, it wasn't spelled wrong for me yesterday. This is a 3 generation photo. My Grandma on the right, my Mother in the middle, and me on the left. Yesterday was pretty monumental in the life of my mother. She had the opportunity to go through the Temple.

Now, those of you who are LDS understand the significance of this. And those of you who read this that aren't well, it is significant. Very significant. I was so excited to have the opportunity to be there with Mom. She is so amazing, and I love her more than life.

Happyness. Total happyness.

365 Project-#11

This is what changing light bulbs at work looks like. I cut myself this morning, and didn't realize it for about 10 minutes. It surprises me how the human body works. Prior to knowing that I had cut myself, I had no pain in my hand. After I saw the blood, I felt the pain. I think a lot of things in life are that way. Only when you know about the so called "bad" things in your life...only then does it hurt. I'm glad to know that the mercury content in the lights I change at work isn't enough to kill me.

At least I don't think so.

365 Project-#10

The eyes are the windows of the soul. At least that is what they say. My eyes most of the time can't decide if they want to be green or brown, or a mixture of both. I acquired these colors from my parents. My father has very brown eyes, and my mother has green. Combine the two (at least when they were combined in me) and you get weird brown/green/hazel. I find this kind of funny. I like eyes, and I like making eye contact with people. Your relationship always means more if you can make and keep eye contact with someone. It is an intimate quality most people forget about.

My eyes look tired today. My eyes look tired most days. But, when you run with the kind of hours I do, anyone would be tired.

I stay that way most of the time.

365 Project-#9

This is most definitely what a lazy Sunday looks like to me. I totally bummed it out all day today. It was beautiful outside so I laid right outside of my door (in the middle of the walk-way) and soaked up some rays. It honestly couldn't have been prettier. I love Utah. And I love Utah spring/summers.

I stole these shorts from my cousin Chelise, who stole them from her brother Wesley, who stole them from his older brother Colton. So, these shorts have been through a lot. I think they are my favorite pair for this reason. Sure they have been used a little. And have been around since 2005. And they are kind of falling apart. But I love them.

Rock on lazy Sunday.

365 Project-#8

Why? I think that is the question many BYU fans are asking themselves tonight. After a quick 10 to nothing lead in the first half, things were looking great for our boys in blue. But then after a timeout by #2 ranked Kansas State things began to fall apart. In a sad loss (72-84) we of course were knocked out of the tournament. It is a sad night in Cougar Town.

But, things are still ok. There are still a few teams namely Northern Iowa(9) who won big over Kansas(1) to make it into the Sweet Sixteen, which will be played next week.

Sweet Sixteen week will probably find me huddled in the corner singing, "Rise and Shout the Cougars are out..."