I love my new IKEA Pillow. When I left Washington, D.C., I left my sagging pillow behind. Then, when I got back to Utah, I decided to purchase a new pillow (and some other home items) from the IKEA store.
Needless to say, I spent a good period of time there and walked out with a new Pillow that was rolled into a cylinder shape (like this). I was skeptical, to say the least.
Some of you may know that the Swedish chain, IKEA (pronounced: eye-key-ah), boasts low prices and good quality. I've been before, but I wish I had discovered it sooner! Because, I want you to know that this pillow is MY MOST FAVORITE PILLOW EVER!!! I am never going to buy a pillow from anywhere else...unless IKEA goes out of business or if there isn't one close by and I can't wait. Ha ha.
I wish I had a better camera. If I had a better camera, you'd be able to clearly see that this is President Monson and Elder Nelson seated on the stand here. They are seated next to some of my favorite people--President and Sister Samuelson (sidenote: I stood among the real photographers on the floor pretending to be one of them...no one said anything until I opened my big mouth. Otherwise, it would've been fine).
Anyway, I wanted to give a quick shout out to President Thomas S. Monson, the President and Prophet of the LDS Church. He shared some amazing stories about former prophets and everybody in attendance at the Marriott Center really loved hearing from him.
So, if you have about 11 minutes and you want to understand the credit crisis--then this is the video for you! I had to watch it for homework; and I actually really enjoyed it. The Managerial Economics class that I'm taking this semester has been very insightful and a class that I've enjoyed so far (knock on wood).
Also, another plug for this video: if you're A.D.D. when watching "business" things, there is a lot going on, so you should like it.
Especially for Youth, or EFY, is a week-long youth program sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For a number of summers, I served/worked as an EFY counselor.
During my years as an EFY counselor, I noticed something miraculous. Over the course of a few days, my little group of teenage participants somehow grew together in friendship and love. These participants were often from totally different parts of the world. Placed in different situations, some would not have even normally become friends. Some came willingly to EFY, others were sent there by concerned parents.
Now, I've had a number of great opportunities as an EFY counselor. The least of which is this re-discovery of a simple truth: when you feel the spirit of the Lord together, you love one another. I've had many experiences prior to EFY that prove this fact. However, EFY just helped me to see this truth in action over and over again. Each week, I struggled to see how our team (called a company) would come together in friendship and love. Yet, each week I was shown the power of the Spirit.
I thought about this truth because we discussed "Friendship" in the Priesthood lesson today--it was a great lesson.
Guess what? Today, I applied for graduation next April. Wow. I cannot believe that it's all happened so quickly. I say "so quickly" because it really feels like yesterday that I was just starting classes at BYU. Now I'm due to graduate. Party on.
So, Brother Steven's and I worked out a "Time Plan" for this fall semester. If only you could see it, you would be amazed. However, you would not be amazed if you noticed how badly I've been executing that plan. Hopefully, I can get my act together and work it! Three cheers for effective planning and implementation.
Speaking of implementation, props to those of you who came (in real life or in spirit) to my little Labor Day BBQ (and you were all invited via Facebook). Fun was had by all and the food was good too. Nothing like a good BBQ. Also, thanks to La Costa 203 for the use of your apartment--especially because none of you were there for it.
Baptisms are great. Just this Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the baptism of little Cosette. And, even though we had only met once before when her sister invited a few of us over to dinner, she sent me an invite addressed to "Adim" (because of my accent) and I had to oblige. It was too cute. I can't even remember the last time I attended a baptism. But, like all the others I've witnessed, I know it was a really special moment for her and her family.
Seeing this special day unfold (with all the antics of her younger brother) I remembered moments of my baptism. I was baptized along with Charlotte (my childhood crush...don't tell her) and I even sang a duet with her. My mother also sang and, consequently, cried during her musical number. I remember feeling really special--but more important than the memories I have of the day I was baptized, I am constantly amazed at the blessings I've received since. I could not imagine my life any different. I am very grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a blessing?!
This is a little shout out to my father, Hapi Wayne Ruri. Today, fathers all across Australia and New Zealand are celebrating Fathers Day. So, for those Americans that are reading, you'll have to indulge us for a bit.
I think that many of you have heard me talk about my mother (some of you have even met her), however, today's post is dedicated to my Dad. His first name is Hapi; which can be pronounced incorrectly as "happy." I'm also not sure that it accurately identifies my Dad's personality traits (insert laughing from the family).
Dad was born in a rural New Zealand town called Murupara and, while growing up, he learned how to be a builder. After meeting my Mum, they got married and Dad decided to become a policeman. Although I know he started as a Constable (yes, "Constable Ruri" worked in the Upper Hutt Police Station), my most vivid memories are of my father being known as "Detective Ruri." We would visit the police station, the CIB or Criminal Investigations Bureau, and we also participated in the Annual Police Families Christmas Party. Those were the good old days.
I just got done Skyping him (it was 3am in the morning his time), and I just wanted him to know that I love him! Thanks Dad.
First off, I can't believe how many of you have actually spent your time reading my blog posts or tweets over the summer. I've met a bunch of random people over the past few weeks that have mentioned this fact, and it's hilarious. Conversations have gone a little like this:
I notice a friend and raise my eyebrows to show that I can see them. Friend smiles and says, "Adam, you're back from D.C.? Aren't you already graduated yet?" "Ha ha. Nope. Two more semesters." "I've noticed you've had an awesome summer. Oh, from FB/Twitter/your blog. Sounded like you loved it?" "Yes, etc. etc."
Anyway, I want you to know that you are great! Also, it's cool that people other than my mother and sister are reading my blog. Thank you (although, I have some friends who are pretty close to becoming paid bloggers; because they are pretty big deals).
Finally, I want to apologize because I'm not so sure that it's going to be as eventful as my internship/summer days. You know. I don't think I'm going to meet the CIA Director again, or anything like that. I might meet the future CIA Director or American President, however, putting their picture up now might not be as hard-hitting or blogtastic as usual. But, if you suffer through this with me--you won't regret it!
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall! (Picture below: the future famous politicians of America aka the Bennett Summer Intern Crew)
This is the official blog of Adam P.G. Ruri and represents his personal opinion. The blog is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. The views of the writer are his own, and do not in any way reflect the views of the site they are posted on, other sites affiliated with this site, the staff involved with the site, or any other members of this site. Furthermore, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the the people who live in the author’s neighborhood, city, province, country, continent, hemisphere, planet, star system, galaxy, or universe of origin. Nor do his views necessarily reflect the views of anyone in his family, social network, or other group Adam Ruri is loosely associated with. Furthermore, the individual letters, words, and punctuation marks involved had no option but to be placed into the story, and should not be held accountable for the writer’s statement. Any spelling or grammatical errors are not the responsibility of the schools the author attended, the teachers the author was taught by, the regional governments who did or did not fund the author’s educational system, or anyone else involved in the author’s education.
Needless to say, I spent a good period of time there and walked out with a new Pillow that was rolled into a cylinder shape (like this). I was skeptical, to say the least.
IKEA did not pay me to post this.
