Endure... No Enjoy til the End.

I hiked rock canyon park for the first time today. It was an interesting experience. Being from the east jagged sharp granite (I'm assuming) is a new experience. My Appalachians are rolling blue green beauties. I went alone and just enjoyed the experience. I thought of how these mountains have been there for years. What stories did they have to tell? Squaw peak has seen plenty of virtue lost, but it has also seen the early saints arrive, settle and find a home. I saw deer foraging on a steep slope. I realized how life finds a way to survive. The circumstances may be a cold, windy, rock covered mountain... and yet grass sprouts forth. I postponed a lot of homework and responsibilities for this climb, and I don't regret it. I think I have commented on this before, but Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay" passed my mind looking down as the sunset splashed its last rays on Utah lake. I thought of Stargirl and Spinelli. Remembering where we came from, not just living on it. Lots of random thoughts just kinda spilling out... I guess this semester can be summarized by a quote from Gordon B Hinckely, "Life is meant to be enjoyed. Not just endured."

Disney

If I were to be a Disney character I would Simba. Simba's life is defined by tragic events that he rises like a phoenix from his own ashes. The death of his father leaves him with introspection and a theory for life, "Hakuna Matata." This is something that I believe in to an extent. I think the world is to consumed by the small things in life. Hakuna Matata indeed. How is it that we fret over what color to wear to a prom when slaughter occurs in Tibet. The little things in life should not weigh us down, but makes us more grateful for the blessing that lace our lives. Simba doesn't realize who is he is and consequently runs away from a potential destined to bloom. He is loyal to his friends and his mother, while accepting the demons in his own life. These demons shape him into the king the others see naturally within him; however, it takes his life being run by hyenas and his home burnt to ashes until he comes into his own.

Shedding Light

I haven't written here in a while, and I'm not sure why I need to today. Maybe I'm driven by the 12:00 deadline. I have an Arabic midterm that is considerably more important than this; yet, here I am. I'm supposed to go camping on Thursday and I can't decide if I want to go. Theres lots of reasons, many aren't going to be listed here. Just feel like lately I've been shedding light. My old Branch President from Manhattan gave his homecoming speech on Sunday, and since then it's been rough. One of those, great and horrible "Best of times, worst of times..." situations. I saw my first flower of spring two days ago. I stood there and just looked at it. It was a small purple flower growing between the cracks of a sidewalk. Interesting that the place obscuring light, is the place where the flower struggles the most to find it. That should be us, not the flower but the light. Shining in the hardest situations so that a person can find their spring. It's like Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay", yet that doesn't mean we should ignore that "gold" in it's entirety. Shedding light, not tears... thanks susan

Cheetos...

So I decided the ultimate comfort food for me: Cheetos. They need to be the crunchy kind, not the puffy ones... I hate the puffs. They stain your fingers, and are full of fat, but there is something about a bag of cheetos that makes me remember to smile. Easter candy also has a place in my heart. Those Cadbury chocolate eggs, not the creme filled ones so much, but the candy shell coated kind.... mmmmm. The best is chocolate chip cookies out of those. Peeps is another topic that needs to be addressed. I have mixed feeling about those marshmallow creatures... the bunnies I can tolerate, well I can tolerate eating one. The chicks are way too much mallow. Does anybody else prefer them hard? I've heard frozen is also a great option.

Rexburg

I just got home from Rexburg for the dedication of the temple. I was supposed to interpret for it, but no one showed up needing interpretation, so I was able to just be there. After the sessions finished, we cleaned up the temple. Nearly 4000 chairs needed removed, the furniture needed to be placed, and carpets needed cleaned. That was an experience. The best part was how the celestial room felt like a celestial room even in a pair of jeans. The spirit in that house dedicated to our Lord, was a testimony to me of truth found with in. I'm a bit discouraged to come back to Provo to be honest. The town kinda makes me sad, I just feel as if the world around us keeps moving, while we're lost in a dream land of marriage and school. Reminds me of Mr Bagina's talk... it's interesting how a paper occupies the space of our mind, and genocide is carried out silently to our ears. Random tangent, I know... just something I've been thinking about.

Rally for Change

Monday morning came and I woke up to watch the news before class. I saw that Michelle Obama was coming to SLC to campaign for her husband, and a rally was open to the public. It sparked my interest and I walked to campus with it itching my mind. I called my Mom for a voice of reason, and she encouraged me to go, "experience history in the making." I called my friend Ginger and asked if she was interested in ditching school for the Obama experience, she agreed and our adventure commenced. An hour later we found ourselves in line with others waiting to enter the Salt Palace. The news cameras were bright and in your face, and the people friendly. We gathered all the gratis items we could, and made our way into the reception hall. 3 rows behind the stand we were gathered with an enthusiastic group all seeking something... change. We did the wave, cheered and chanted "Yes we can" until our voices grew hoarse. Michelle's talk was amazing. It inspired me with hope, and refueled my belief in America. I found myself enthralled by here use of rhetoric. To quote her, "I didn't drink the kool-aid" but I heard the topics, and decided for myself. I met her after and thanked her for her moving words, and her belief in changing this world to make it a better place for our children. I walked away a believer and a dreamer. Yes we can.

Moon

Do you remember tree stars? What about sharptooth? I wonder about them often, as well as a bird that needs to be followed. Finding a home is something we all need, and yet that home is sometimes right here in Queens. A Deaf gospel is sometimes needed, but so is a bitter apple. Dinosaurs tend to hang on wooden doors for a short time. Interesting how candy buttons will run, hide and still smile... for you. Sledding beats museums, but not always happily. What can you do? Honestly... A good job is enough Donny. Surrounded and still alone, weeping. Unfair? Perhaps, and still we, no... you, press on without doubt. Rescue Rangers, remember? Groundhogs await friday, promise. Groundhogs and whatever you want. Penny lane comforts restlessly, but littlefoot needs a friend. Mom doesn't always know best, remember that. Learning what is important... for me, for you. Truly Ad astra per aspera. Eclipsed