Up and running again!

Hey, for anyone who may have tried to visit my blog in the past while and was welcomed with a FORBIDDEN message, I apologize. I'm still trying to figure out this whole managing a website thing and I had to change hosting companies and the new one is WAY different so it has taken me a while to get it up and running, well most of the night tonight. I tried the day I switched and got frustrated so, I had to take a break, and after a few unsucessful attempts, I think I'm catching on this time. Anyway, now I can post great insights and such, or keep posting the random thoughts and rambling that I have thrown up so far. Anyway, I'm back!

Utah Trade College...

So, yesterday we were learning about the insides of microphones, and had to fix some mic cables in class, so our teacher pulled out two soldering irons, both of which had Utah Trade College stamped on them. Yeah, they were OLD! The school has changed names at least 4 times since then that I know of maybe more. However, they were probably the best soldering irons I've ever used. They really don't make things like they used to, it really is sad.

Well, I've been not so good at this whole blogging thing so I decided that its time to give everyone an update since I don't see everyone as often as before and for the sake of those who have moved to far away lands. School has started for the fall and for the first time since my first year in college I am taking as many credits as they will let me. (I'm also trying to get approval for one more class, but it requires a little extra paperwork and important signatures) The good thing is it puts me that much closer to getting done. YEA! I have about two semesters left and then I'm done, and can go where ever the wind blows me. So, when I changed my major to Digital Media, I did so because it was stuff that I enjoyed but didn't really see there being enough money in to make a real career out of, it was mostly just to get the degree, but I recently found out that there are tons of opportunities to make good money, I just have to be good at what I do. Its really not that hard to be good at it, but it's sad to see some of the people that work in this industry and the poor venues that pay these people ridiculous amounts of money is good for me but sad for those paying for mediocre service. Anyway, I'm loving my classes, and I am actually understanding my Copyright Law class better than I had imagined, that was the one that sacred me most.

I think I have rambled long enough, maybe I'll get better at updating this and they won't have to be so long.

I also decided that I had to post the picture I took when we went camping by Strawberry, it has nothing to do with anything in this post but I think it shows my artistic side, haha

Lessons along the way

I thing all too often we become complacent with what we have and we begin to take those simple things in life that initially brought us such joy, excitement, peace, or pleasure for granted. Things become routine and we forget why it was that we started doing some of the things we do or why we care about those that we love. We get to a place in life where we feel comfortable, sure we understand that there are things we could probably do to either make life more enjoyable or experience new things, but that usually requires we step out of our box, that little comfort zone that keeps us safe. There is probably no way of know in for sure, but I think that by doing so, we deprive ourselves of those small things that are scattered throughout this journey we call life that really make it worth the ride. And many of those little things can’t be bought. It’s giving a compliment to someone to pass at the grocery store, heck giving one to someone you see everyday. Its taking time out of your busy hectic day and stopping at the beach on the way home from work just to ponder life and the almighty love, understanding, and wisdom of a Heavenly Father who knows exactly how many grains of sand there are, and is capable of creating the wonderful world we live in. It’s taking the time to call up an old friend, not because you need a favor or some of their extensive knowledge on a subject, but just to say hi and see how they are. All to often I am so focused on where I have to be next or what I have to do next, that I forget to look around me and enjoy right now. Every single one of us on this earth is different, yet we are all very much alike. We all need someone we can love and care about and someone who can love us back. I’ve been so caught up in all the hectic things going on in my life I have had a hard time seeing the forest through the trees, but today’s fast and testimony meeting reminded me of something I once heard a very wise man say. It was something along the lines of “life isn’t just sunbursts of serendipity” that there is someone above who knows us and those battles that we each fight inside, he knows exactly what we are going and will never make us go through anything that is too difficult for us to handle. Everything that happens to us happens for a reason and many times we never know why. And those little things that we all to often overlook can be great helps to others or us along the way. He even sent his only begotten son who not only suffered for each of us but he felt and understood all the pain and heartache that come with this mortal life and the choices that are made by us or those around us. I have found myself all to often getting caught up in my problems that seem catastrophic at the time and forget that I have help, I understand how to ask for it but I’m afraid I’ve forgotten how to listen and understand those answers. It doesn’t seem to matter how bad I want to be able to feel or understand his infinite wisdom and help, I can’t seem to get it. I know I have felt it before but it seems like it was so long ago I barley remember what it was like. I can only hope and pray that I will once again be able to understand it. I know he is trying to answer and he always does, I just need to figure out what I need to do to or change to receive it.

Camp Vernon 08

Well, Scott is back in town for a couple days before they ship him off to Japan for the next two years so we decided that we needed to go camping. Scott, Chris and I loaded up the truck and went out to Vernon Reservoir for Monday and Tuesday. It was awesome except for the fact that I grabbed what I thought was a camp chair in a bag, but it ended up being a cot. And we forgot to bring plates, its amazing what you can put in a cup.

Mosida

So, this last weekend Chris, Stephanie, and decided to see if we could find our way back to Nutty Putty caves after not having gone out there for quite a few years.  We attempted this same task about 3 weeks ago but it seems we turned off the main highway about 4 miles too early.  So, with a little help from google maps, and the good old Rhino GPS/2-way radio we made it. We also made some other discoveries while we were out there.  We knew that Nutty Putty is currently gated and access is only granted with a permit and a few certifications which we don't have, but we did find another cave that we are definitely going back to check out when we have flashlights and ropes. We also learned that if a mud puddle looks overly water saturated and like it could probably be deeper than you think, that it usually is true.  I had to find out the hard way, but I didn't get stuck, just really close.

I also learned from my grandpa that the small town of Mosida (just north of Elberta) used to have a dance hall and you could 

take a boat from 

Provo across the lake to go dancing.  Maybe one day when I have lots of money I will rebuild it.  It sounds kinda cool.

Stress!!!

First off, THANK YOU to everyone who voted Bart as your favorite Utah County Realtor! If you haven't heard, he ranked 1st place in the contest! Thanks for your help!

So, for my health class I was asked to keep track of things that cause stress in my life for one week. Then I am supposed to write a two page paper on what caused me the most stress and what stress management techniques were most helpful. I decided I would ramble a little here in hopes that I can come up with some good ideas and enough to write my paper. It seems my top two stressors are homework (mainly mid-terms), and finances. I came across something interesting as I was researching stress management techniques. "In a study of college students, those who watched an episode of Seinfeld prior to giving an impromptu speech were less anxious and had a lower heart rate than those who didn't watch the program" so if you have to give a speech, sit down with Seinfeld for a half hour and you'll do just fine.

Anyway, stress sucks and I'm to stressed to think coherently. So, I'm going to go eat a yummy sandwich!

Bart Anthony! Daily Herald's Top Agent

Vote for your favorite realtor! The Daily Herald is letting readers vote for the Top Real Estate Agent in the valley, Bart Anthony of course! You may vote one time each day until February 10th, so just log in each day until the contest is up and you can vote again. Thanks for your support!

Click here to vote!

Also, please pass this on to anyone you know.