1st Place (for a time)

Listen, I know that it doesn't really matter (because I picked the wrong team to win and was only in 1st place for a short period of time), but I want to point out something to you people. Here is a screen shot of my ESPN accomplishments:

Isn't that amazing? Seriously, I know nothing about College Basketball and I was FIRST EQUAL!!! I've since dropped in the rankings for my class, but I thought you all should know that my Basketball bracket went well...for a time.

Mormon Notes: LDS General Conference

This is just a quick shout out to General Conference which will be held this Saturday and Sunday in Salt Lake City. All I can say is do everything you can to watch it! You will not regret your decision, I promise.

Word.

Gurus, Rugby, and The Festival of Colors

So, I had planned on going to the Festival of Colors with Mindy, however, I had a conflict in my schedule and couldn't work it out. So, Mindy and I ended up sharing a breakfast at Gurus here in Provo. I have to say that the Huevos Rancheros was actually pretty good. In lieu of attending the festival together, Mindy and I had a good old catch up. It was long overdue.

Right after breakfast, I caught up with a businessman from New Zealand. One of the most enlightening conversations I've had about doing business back in the homeland. This guy, Shane Ta'ala, has experience and knowledge coming out of his ears. He inspired me to look at a number of different things that I think will really help me (and hopefully some others) in the future.

Then, there was the Hari Krishna Festival of Colors. Don't know what that is? Here you go:


Needless to say, pictures of me and the peeps I ended up going with and seeing there will be forthcoming. You'll love it.

New favorite Youtube video

Today I was with my friend, Deidre, and she showed me this amazing viral video that I had never seen before. Seriously though. I laughed my face off when I first watched this. And, just so you know, I'm thinking about doing a parody of this with BYU students.

Mormon Notes: Rise to your Call by Henry B. Eyring

Today was a great day. I think that it's important to do an audit on your life and then decide to make changes--I did that today, spiritually.

One of the things that sparked that desire was the 2002 talk given in LDS General Conference by (then) Elder Henry B. Eyring. I'd encourage you to read the whole talk (found here), because my simple blognalysis is not going to suffice.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out a paragraph that really hit home for me. Elder Eyring clearly illustrates the facts and realities of the situation, but finishes up with the positives of what we need to do:

Your call has eternal consequences for others and for you. In the world to come, thousands may call your name blessed, even more than the people you serve here. They will be the ancestors and the descendants of those who chose eternal life because of something you said or did, or even what you were. If someone rejects the Savior’s invitation because you did not do all you could have done, their sorrow will be yours. You see, there are no small callings to represent the Lord. Your call carries grave responsibility. But you need not fear, because with your call come great promises.

Isn't that awesome? Callings are an interesting thing in LDS culture. However, they are not a function of just members of the LDS church. I think that there are many things that we are called to do or be. Things that, on the outside, may seem like we have little control over--take, for instance, our family situations--mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters have a great responsibility accompanying them. Just something that I thought a little about. Much love.

I missed it...

This post is dedicated to a dear friend, Bethany. She planned and held a little scone party last night and I completely forgot. For those of you that know me, you'll wonder how I forgot to attend a party--well, that's easy--you just have to be clueless (like me). The reason why I feel bad is that I had previously committed to come--albeit on a Facebook event page, because I normally just put "maybe."

Here is a photo from 2006! That's right...my first trip to Disneyland Resort in California. Oh yeah.

Lu'au 2010

Just so you all know, the BYU Lu'au is coming up and you should probably be there. Tickets are on sale now at the Wilkinson Center Information Desk and the show is on two nights, March 23rd and 24th. Can't say that I didn't warn you.

Pizza and Rugby...

Tonight, I went to the new Pizza Pie Cafe on University Parkway with Brad and Scott. I have to say that the food wasn't half bad. There is salad, pasta, dessert pizzas and my new favorite pizza--The Buffalo Chicken pizza (it's more like Apricot Chicken, to be honest).

Anyway, following that, we went to the BYU Rugby vs. UVU game. It was actually the B team playing and they won!! I had a whole lot of fun and really enjoyed just having a pretty laid back evening. I should've done a whole lot of homework, but it turns out I love to procrastinate. Goo.

Mustache March...really?

I have a few friends that are growing mustaches (spelled 'moustache' in New Zealand) for this month. I've seriously considered doing it myself. However, I'm just not really that sure. Any thoughts?

Mormon Notes: Moral Courage (President Eyring)

"One of the purposes of mortal life is to prove to God that we will keep His commandments when that takes courage. We passed that test in the spirit world. But a third of the hosts of heaven rebelled against the proposal that they be tested in a mortal existence where there was a risk that they would fail.

Before we were born, we knew God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, personally. We could see Them and listen to Them as They taught and encouraged us. Now a veil has been placed over our minds and memories. Satan, the father of lies, has an advantage because we must see the reality of who we are through the eyes of faith, while our bodies make us subject to carnal temptation and to physical weakness.

We have great helps to give us courage in this life. The greatest is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of what He did, sins can be washed away in the waters of baptism. We can renew that blessing when we partake of the sacrament in faith and with a repentant heart.

Spiritual gifts are another help. We receive the Spirit of Christ at birth. That gives us the power to know when a choice before us would lead toward eternal life. The scriptures are a sure guide when we read them with the Holy Ghost as our companion.

The Holy Ghost lets us express thanks and ask for help in prayer with the clarity and confidence we once enjoyed with our Heavenly Father and which we will have when we return to Him. That communication with God helps banish fear from our hearts as it builds faith and love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The holy priesthood gives us courage in our service. In its ordinances we receive power to serve God’s children and to withstand the influence of evil. When He calls us to serve, we have this promise: “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).

The Prophet Joseph Smith in his service had reason to be fearful. But God gave him courage with this assurance of the example of the Master:

“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (D&C 122:7–8).

God has given us more than enough help to banish fear and give us courage, whatever we may face in life. As we reach out for His help, He can lift us toward that eternal life we seek."

BYU Rugby vs. Utah

I really feel like BYU Rugby helps me to synergize my American life with my New Zealand roots. I would never profess to know a whole lot about the sport--however, it just makes me feel more comfortable. I hardly even watched rugby very often in New Zealand. But, watching it here in the South Field feels familiar.

Today, I met up with friends and we waited in line to get into the stadium. I decided to get a Mince and Cheese pie after we got in--so, my friends got one too. We ate the pie as we watched BYU score. See...it was just comfortable.

Now, I'm not complaining about anything. I love being at BYU. However, sometimes it's good to feel a little bit of home, you know what I mean? Oh, and WE BEAT THE UTES!!! Go cougars!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The BYUSA Elections...

First of all, I have to clear up the fact that I did not run again. For some reason, people thought that I was running again--not true. Just so you know, I am graduating in April.

However, I did have some responsibility for organizing this year's election process. Now that it's all over (the new president was decided Friday at 5pm), I want you to know that it was a very interesting experience. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about people. I was able to observe and see things that really surprised me. I really feel like we had a pretty reasonable process this week during elections. And, I should take very little credit for my part in that process--I had a lot of help!

Also, I just wanted to dedicate this post to the candidates that ran. Each of them gave it their best and, at the end of the day, only one pair could win. However, I want them all to know that I appreciated working with them throughout this process--couldn't have been blessed to work with a better group. You are amazing. I really feel like BYUSA is going to have a great 2010-2011 Academic Year!

That's what friends are for...

It's been a rough week. And, I want you all to know that I am grateful for friends who care and understand. I'm grateful for friends who show their care, in various ways, because it grows my love and appreciation for them. I'm grateful for friends who go out of their way to help me and for friends that are still my friend even though they know my many weaknesses.

Most of all, I'm grateful for the one friend that never lets any of us down. No matter how many mistakes we make, He loves us and wants us to be with Him again. I'm not sure where I'd be without His friendship. (If you don't know who I'm talking about, give me a call).