Three-year celebration: Bring on 2009!

Just when you thought that New Years Eve couldn't get any better. I would like to announce that I have been in America for three years...today. I wish you could've seen me get off the plane and drive through Salt Lake City. I was excited. I got picked up by some friends, two sisters that I served with in Adelaide, and that was the beginning. So there you go. That's my story. Really, I just wanted to write something on the blog today because it's the last day in December.

And here is one of the first pictures I posted to Facebook. Thank you EFY 2006--"The Greatest Gift" I think I like this photo because it gives me motivation to lose weight--I wish I was still that cool.

Back to the Office

Hmmm...so, I'm sitting in my office located inside the Wilkinson Student Center. Why? I don't think that anyone else is around except Alyssa (one the fabulous receptionists). I've heard a steady flow of people coming in the doors and I'm sorta sad noone that I know has come through to say 'Hi.' During the year, I love to get visitors. Even when I have fifty million things to do, I love sitting down and having a chat. This whole experience isn't going to last that long. Sad day. So I have to live it up NOW!

Anyway, a few people in the office have already started writing up their applications for President and Vice President of BYUSA. I can't believe how fast everything has flown by--it seems like yesterday that Chance and I were dreaming up our campaign. I mean, remember this?


I do. Ha ha...you might notice that I was more tanned in this photo (due to standing outside in the sun for five full days). Funny that this whole experience is getting set to start all over again. Not for me or Chance, but for a bunch of other lucky candidates. From here, I think I need to give a bit of advice...but I'll reserve that for another time or debate. Look forward to it.

Happy Boxing Day!

I think that you're all missing out. Boxing Day is a traditional holiday celebrated throughout the British Commonwealth countries; it's the day after Christmas. Here's what I found on Wikipedia about it:

"Boxing Day dates back to past centuries when it was the custom for the wealthy to give gifts to employees or to people in a lower social class, most especially to household servants and other service personnel. The name has numerous folk etymologies^[3].

As with Christmas itself, some elements of Boxing Day are also likely related to, and ultimately derived from, the ancient Roman Saturnalia, which also had elements of gift giving and social role reversal."

If any of you were my "employees" or in a lower class than me, you could expect me to give you gifts today. However, because you're all in a higher social class, I'm waiting for you to give me something. Ha ha. Sometimes I crack myself up. Anyway, this post wasn't intended to make you feel bad for not getting me anything--truth be told, I'm not sure that I need anything. I feel very blessed.

The reason why I started writing this little Boxing Day wish...is because of the New Zealand Christmas memories it evokes. For some reason, I have remembered some of the things that I did in New Zealand as a child. Nothing too flashy, no Christmas re-enactment or putting cookies out on the fireplace. This made me think that maybe our family didn't have anything. But, we did! I was comforted and I also want my future family to have a few Christmas traditions...my wife will probably have to help me on that one. Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed your Christmases. You deserve it. Have a great Boxing Day too. Love ya.

Christmas Eve at SunRiver

Hmmm...if you are reading this, you're among the few people that know I'm not going back to New Zealand. I'm 'good as gold.' I got a call from Mum and Dad already today (because it's Christmas in New Zealand right now). Yes, I do love and miss them BUT no point dwelling on the negatives right? Where does that get ANYONE? Nowhere. You should try going nowhere--it doesn't look like too much fun at all.

So, I've been here in St. George since Monday and I'm loving it. Here's a little photo of a house that sorta looks like the Steven's House. For those of you who don't the Stevens, you are really missing out. I feel so blessed to have met them and try not to take anything I receive from them for granted. Physically and spiritually, the Stevens live a simple life. I am constantly in awe of the things they teach me; one day I will be in a position to write a book about them.

I think that I've already mentioned the real purpose of Christmas and that's all that really matters. Regardless of what goes on in life, remembering the Savior will help you. Remembering the Savior has helped me--many times.

Anyway, here's my little welcome to the new look blog page. I decided that I could be bothered coming up with my own blog name. While I was at it, I also decided that I could come up with a new template and blog color. Ultimately, I'm in-charge of this page. So, there you go. Merry Christmas to the four (or five) 'mates' who actually read it--love ya!

Help me pick a new name: I can't be bothered

Well, today I was going to just think up a new name and then change my blog because I was bored. But then I realized, I can't be bothered. So, I'm going to leave it to ya'll to help me think up something great. I gave you some ideas over here-------->

What do you reckon?

I'm going home!

Ok, so the news has finally arrived. I'm going home for the Christmas break--I just got the text from New Zealand. However, here's the dilemma: I need a ride to LA on the 19th. I'm working on it!

Finals, part two

Yes, they're still going. I even managed to survive the day from heck last Wednesday. I have two assignments due and four tests to complete before next Tuesday. However, I'm still going to write this quick little post and pretend like someone is wasting their time reading this.

Today I went to school, after studying for most of the day, and did some stuff around the office etc. Then I realized that I needed to go to the Packing and Shipping at the bookstore to send a tape to a mission buddy. I went down there and an older gentleman was ahead of me talking up a storm with another guy. After sending the tape (of my mission president's training) to Nevada, I overheard the cashier asking the old man how he'd be carrying all the boxes she prepared for him. Anyway, long story short, I helped him carry the boxes to the car. What was cool about this little detour from the schedule was how our little discussion on the way to the car. I found out that he was a former professor at BYU and grew up in Pleasant Grove. Nothing really life changing, but nice. Just nice.

I wanted to blog about this because we have opportunities to meet people everyday. We have chances to make friends, even with the most unassuming people, throughout our whole lives. Think about doing that once or twice this Christmas season. Love ya.

Finals

I hate them (I contemplated saying that differently, but I need to be more direct. At least that's what my last leadership analysis said--I don't articulate my thoughts well in meetings).

If someone knows how to, please help me survive this week by stopping time so that I can catch up! Oh, and remember how I promised Brother Stevens that I would write in my journal today.

Yes, it's Christmas!

I can't help but sing songs everywhere I go. When I left on my mission, my Mum said that she knew wasn't there because the house was quiet in the morning. Apparently, I used to sing at the top of my lungs all aroung the house. So funny. That doesn't seem like me. Ha ha ;) Really?

Anyway, I love that it's Christmas time. I also love the First Presidency! I know that most of you saw the devotional they gave--I'm going to try hard to remember the real purpose of Christmas. Something that gets lost in all the commercialism of the season. Just like President Uchtdorf said, we can't let anything distract us from the Savior. I'm going to increase my efforts to remember that this year.

President Monson's story was also really touching. You know the one about the old women who looked out the window longingly saying, "I know my son will be coming someday." How sad. Sidenote: It actually reminded me of this time our young men's and young women's went caroling at an old folks/mentally retarded peoples home (not sure if that is politically correct to say). While we were singing, this old lady was bent forward in her chair and with a really winced, angry face mouthed the words "Shut up, Shut up, Shut up." I nearly laughed my way out of there. I felt so sorry for her. Oh the memories. Moral of the story: Keep being friends with old people.

When I should be doing homework...

I really hate when I don't do homework. I have two tests, one paper, and one presentation due next Wednesday. What am I going to do? Furthermore, why am I writing a blog post? Probably because when I look at my paper, I feel slightly sick. Right now, I'm killing time so that I can go down to the Peaks Ice Arena and play for the rest of the night. That's right--Freeze Festing it up tonight people. For those of you who don't know, Freeze Fest is an event we hold in the fall that opens up the Ice Arena for some fun times. I think we might even have free food for ya'll.

Some people have been asking what I'm doing for Christmas. Right now, I don't know. My mother and the family in New Zealand are doing a little bit of fundraising. Ha ha--they are selling meals called "Hangi." Hangi is really the name of a traditional native form of cooking the food, it's SO good. Anyway, if they raise enough money, I'll probably be leaving on December 20th to go back home. However, this whole thing is only 80% confirmed. We'll see...it should all work out great. Here's a picture of a Hangi being completed. Yes, it is cooked in the ground, under the dirt.

Otherwise, life is going pretty well for me right now. I feel like I'm accomplishing most of the things that I need to. Just trying to make sure that we step it up for the rest of our time in office. People are already discussing teams for elections and it's all pretty exciting to tell you the truth. I'm sad that this will be over in a few months. Once the new presidency has been elected, we end up taking a back seat. But, I'm still really excited for what we are doing, we have a few good solid months (one semester) to fulfill our commitments!

Got published.

So, I've looked over histories of past BYUSA presidents and found that a few of them have sent letters to the Daily Universe Editorial board. Because we started the BYUSA "Shout Out," I have neglected to publish anything in the Newspaper. Until today. If you want to click here, you'll be able to read my little Christmas note to you all.

I sincerely hope that you enjoy the Christmas season and 10 points to the person who knows which friend I'm talking about in this 'viewpoint.' Hint: She probably doesn't read my blog. Love you!

I'm GRATEFUL

I was asked by a friend recently, "Do you know what you're going to blog about before you do it?" The honest answer, typically yes. So, today I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm going to change my style of blogging. I usually dump my weeks worth of stuff on the blog and expect that some of you may find some joy in that. I think if you're reading it, you probably were involved and maybe wanted to see that I valued that. I do, but the other few people that read my blog don't even want to read that. If that's the case, who wants to spend the time finding a photo and putting on the blog--not me! Anyway, this friend also said that some of you only use my blog to see who has updated...I'm not sure how I feel about that (that's neither bad nor good).

However, I really did just want to say how much fun I had over thanksgiving. I took some photos of the jeep and the RV (as big as my house) that I stayed in and the Stevens. All-in-all, I had an awesome time with some great turkey action in St. George. I have such a great life and I'm so grateful for all the blessings I've been blessed with!