Mormon Notes: Tender Mercies

In complete honestly, I can tell you that my whole life has been a tender mercy. Many times, I may not clearly and accurately portray that, however, I can tell you that it's true. My whole life has been one big tender mercy. Thank you for being a part of it.

The Job/Internship Update

Wow. This last week and a half has been crazy regarding the job front. Let's be honest. I'm now really excited for the opportunities that have presented themselves and will be staying in America as long as I can.

First, I no longer work with ABC 4 News. I know, sad day. While I enjoyed my time with this team of people, I got an offer to join The Sutherland Institute (a conservative political think tank) as a psuedo-reporter. So, I'm excited about that.

However, between receiving a phone call from Sutherland and going in to meet with them, I had interviews with places for full-time work starting after I graduate. Needless to say, I ended up accepting a job offer with FranklinCovey's Speed of Trust Practice out in Alpine! Is that amazing?

For sure that is amazing, but, that means that I can no longer dedicate as much time to Sutherland and signed papers etc. with FranklinCovey last Friday. So, it's official. I will be working with FranklinCovey part-time until I graduate, and will then transition into full-time work in May! Wahoo!

Mormon Notes: Marriage Class?

Today, I have a pretty funny story. Well, I think it's funny and decided to write about it. Here's what happened (we'll analyze what was said after you know what went down): I came out of a Sunday School class where we discussed Morality and Lot, of the Old Testament, when I saw Ahlin Griffith and Sarah Maines. I had to laugh when I was asked which Sunday School class I attended--most Sunday's there are around 3 or 4 classes one could go to--and, as I was opening my mouth to answer, Ahlin said, "Marriage Class?" I laughed.

That's an interesting reminder that I need to be going to the 183rd Ward Marriage Class--usually taught by one of the three married members of our ward (the Bishopric). I wasn't offended. I just had to laugh. I appreciate that this was the first class Ahlin thought I was (or should be) attending. As we all know, marriage is an important part of the gospel. I know that's true.

The debut video...

Before you click play on the screen below, you have to read this:

It's the first time I've ever read from a teleprompter as a 'psuedo-anchor,' so, don't worry about any of the weird things that I do. Also, this is all a big spoof on the people "Tango" and I work with...you should probably know that Liv pronounces her name "leave." And, you'll notice the one quote in here intentionally uses her name instead of "leave."

Also, "Cash" is the new nickname that I received from the Sutherland Institute...no rhyme or reason (that I'm aware of).

Finally, we're aware of the fact that there is one spelling mistake. Oh well. Remember, there's a first time for everything, and this is it!

Monaco Update!

I just heard from my sister Ariana via Facebook and she also posted this in her status:

"WHEW!!!! parents read this! Took monaco to the emergency dept yest cos had a fever and was lethargic.....while there he developed a rash within half hour and got soooo sick. Turns out he has meningitis!!!OMG the scariest thing ever....take ur kids to the dr, trust ur instincts! It saved my sons life! Im so grateful that my son survived this dreadful disease....."

All in all, pretty scary I think. But, an awesome ending (nearly) to the story. She says she'll be in there for another week or so. However, he's past the the worst of it.

My nephew.

My Mum just messaged me about this little chubba:

His name is Monaco, he's my older sister's youngest son, and he was admitted to hospital with Viral Menginitis. Pretty scary stuff. It's actually life-threatening and could be pretty bad. I've been praying for him ever since...maybe you wanted to as well.

President's Day weekend: Vegas, Rugby and mates...

Had an amazingly awesome time this weekend. We began our roadtrip last Friday and stopped overnight in St. George. On the way down, we listened to a song by Kelli Rowland and David Guetta called "When love takes over..." (by the way, I loved this song before this weekend because I first heard it sung by my Mum on Christmas eve).



Pretty fitting because it was technically Valentines weekend (although I didn't have a Valentine so does that mean I don't celebrate it? Think about the tree falling in the empty forest...does it make a sound? I know. Interesting).

Anyway, we carried on to Vegas the next day and caught up with many BYU all stars! So good. BYU Rugby tore it up and the New Zealand Sevens Team did too--at least for the games that I saw. However, our little jaunt on the strip that was not so inspiring or enlightening...it actually felt dirtier this time I went. Maybe it was because we just finished stuffing our faces at the Rio Buffet. Had to do it.

Came back to St. George on Sunday after attending a Singles ward in Vegas. Then, back to Provo on Monday. Indeed, we had lots of little inside jokes about various happenings that occurred. However, you wouldn't understand them and I can't be bothered explaining those sorts of details. Just know that we all had an awesome time.

The originals: Hayden, Kayti (aka Kate) and I. Then we were joined by Jordan and "Rosie" (aka GraceAnn). That's how we roll.

Mormon Notes: Love one another

Seriously though, love solves a lot of problems. I can testify to that! Happy Valentines...

Mission Companion Reunion

Quite often, I am reminded of mission stories and experiences I had while serving in Australia. Tonight, I had an awesome opportunity to spend a few minutes with one of my favorite companions, Elder Royce Tai. Even though we were in the UVRMC while Tai was meant to be visiting with his cousin who has a collapsed lung, we had a great catch up. I remembered all these funny moments and good times we had in Adelaide. Seriously brought back all these mission memories--which, I have to admit, I love to remember.

I'm  not even going to tell how long ago it was since I last saw Elder Tai; suffice to say, it's been ages. He was wearing a suit too, and it threw me off--I honestly felt like I was back on the mission again. One of the other reasons why Tai gets a mention on the blog is because he's from Malaysia. He speaks five languages and can DJ like no one else (apparently). Really awesome to see him again. He also graduates from BYU-Hawaii in April and is figuring out what to do (like me).

Oh, there is one major thing that is different, Elder Tai is married. His wife Sister (Melanie) Tai is really nice. It was good to finally meet her as well. Well done, sir, well done.

History of Creativity: I had to write a sonnet

So, before I post this sonnet, I have to let you know that it will not follow iambic pentameter--like all Shakespearean-esk sonnets should. I wrote it for a class and would just like to share it with you all because this passage/chapter in the Book of Mormon is one of my favorites.

Lehonti’s Fall (Alma 47)
The fall of Lehonti is about treachery and trial,
A reminder that standards are to be kept with care.
It’s madness, not seemingly part of denial,
To allow the wicked man time and an audience near.

Young Lehonti had chosen a path that was straight
But was it enough when he was lobbied by night?
Firm and steadfast, he tried to honor his faith
Finally hearing the wicked by dim moonlight

Granted Amalickiah petitioned three times,
Asking intimate indulgences and poisoning by word
Cunning Amalickiah had plotted his path in rhymes
That one day as King, across the land he’d be heard.

Never let your guard fall in moral negotiation
Standards will save you, along with the nation

Mormon Notes: O Remember, Remember

Many moons ago, I met President Eyring in the Bountiful Temple. However, I appreciated him long before that. He's the man.

BYU Lu'au 2010

Guys and gals, get ready for the BYU Lu'au this March! Practices have already started and I'm having a great time reconnecting with my people. Ha ha. We are just learning the haka right now and it's going well. For those of you that want to see a haka, here is one I found online:



Enjoy...

It disappeared?!

I'm sorry to all the people who visit my blog to go to another blog. When I changed the address of my new blog, it wiped all of my blogs listed. I'm going to add that gadget back, but now I'm taking requests for blogs to appear in the side bar. If you want to see yours there, let me know. If you want to see your secret lovers one there too, let me know (I will try not to post *secret* comments you send me). Ha ha.

Until then.

Congratulations!

Tonight, while talking to a dear friend, I was reminded of the fact that I have changed my blog address. Why? I just wanted to have it be a more generic blog name I guess. When I originally setup my blog, I was concerned about identity theft. I guess I don't care anymore. Ha ha.

Should I even be worried?