Fifty

Fifty guys at Pleasant Grove High School have their mission calls.

That's just an awesome update for y'all. Today I had mission prep class for the first time since I got my call. I do not care what anyone else in the world says, the Grovecreek 7th ward mission prep class taught by Bishop Andy Busby is the best class ever to exist. Basically we have the most spiritual mission related discussions for an hour. You have no idea. If you ever think that I will be a good missionary, it's because of that class. I seriously would rather go to that class for 7 hours than school. It has changed my life. If you are in my ward (whether you're planning on serving or not) you should go. It will soon be every week because that is how awesome it is. Aaaaaaaaah. Be jealous.

Also, four months from now, I will be in the MTC.

And mine heart was pained with the iniquities of the people

Now I am not trying to brag or be rude, but don't comment on this saying something like, "You're going to be a great missionary some day." I appreciate what you mean, but honestly, I don't care. I don't care whether or not I am going to be great. I think about Nephi and how he was so amazing and then his cry of "o wretched man that I am! Yea, my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities"seems to apply to my life anymore, so don't tell me any different. Not until I am more righteous than him (which won't happen anytime soon, just so you know).

Nephi says in 2 Nephi 32:7, "...I am left to mourn because of the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men: for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be."

I think about Lehi and how he would feel in the world today. Because I would think that Jerusalem was not as wicked as even some of the cleanest of cities today. And it makes me sad. I know tons of kids raised in the gospel, who were "given [the truth] in greatness" yet they can't get it! People I love. They don't realize the truth!

I am saddened because I know that they have lost sight of what matters most. They have lost sight of our Savior, Jesus Christ. They get caught up in the "now" and lose sight of the "forever." I honestly don't care about myself. I could go to Hell for all I care if it meant that they finally understood what they are giving up. Because if they did realize, they would never turn away from it. If you really understand the gospel of Christ, you never will forget. Even if you get caught up in sin, you will always have that undeniable truth.

"Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yeah, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." (Alma 29:1-2) 

Right now, I feel this plea with all my heart. I look at the deepness and completeness of Satan's grasp and I can't fix a millionth of it. It can't happen because "behold, I am a man." (Alma 29:3) The world is black and dark with the sins of the people. Satan seems to have total control. And he is so implanted. I have been on this earth for eighteen years. I can hardly keep my head above sin for an hour (even in my dreams, I am a sinner). How can I overcome this mammon? How can I overcome the world? I am just one man.

"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

Christ knew how I would be feeling tonight. So much so that He sees even my hopelessness. "Be of good cheer" is said before even the reason. He comforts us first, then tells us why. I have heard this scripture thousands of times, but each time I thought of it as a more personal promise when I have a trial. But really, it is a statement for the small and the large. I don't have to overcome the darkness of the world in my quest to share Christ's gospel. I just need to live as He did so through me He can shake loose the binding hold of Lucifer. 

I know what Moroni did. A person reading Alma 48:17 might think, "Wow, if everyone was like Moroni, Hell would be shaken." I know how we as a people can shake the foundations of Hell: Let Christ work through us. Alone, we are as capable as a toddler trying to fly to the moon, but with Christ, the moon is nothing compared to His capabilities. We cannot even imagine what He has in store. 

As followers of Christ have said before me and will say afterward, the gospel of Christ is true and you cannot even have hope if you don't turn to Him. I love you, but not as much as Christ does. Imagine how much love you can feel and times it by infinity and that is still nothing compared to the love Christ feels for us. Turn to Him. Please. He will not fail you. 

It's funny

It's funny how people forget stuff. Like the way things began. Like who cared and who didn't. Like the fact that crap is crap, no matter what you do about it.

Have high standards. Don't flinch. But more than anything else, make your friends have high standards. The phrase, "stand ye in holy places" means more than go where it's holy. You can't always be sitting in the temple lobby. So make it a goal to make where you stand holy because you stood there.

And at the same time, shouldn't that apply to who you stand with? Christ stood among sinners, but not because He liked to sin. He was raising them up. And shouldn't we be the same way? Make your friends have high standards. It's expectations that allow people to go to the enemies side. The devil can go as far as you expect him to go. He is a real threat. He is so powerful. Expect the best. Don't do anything less. Because he is the opposite of God. His only goal is to destroy you. So don't let him. Any person with a body has power over something that does not. So don't give him an inch of your soul. As one of my heroes said, "I will give place no more to the enemy of my soul."

Kolipoki

I watched The Other Side of Heaven today.



Because I submitted my mission papers to the Church office building in Salt Lake.





I'M GOING ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now is the long wait.

Missionary Month

So my ward is doing missionary month. We have three weeks of three different challenges, but I am just doing all three challenges all three weeks. One of the challenges is to stop using social networking sites, and I think blogger counts for that. However, missionaries can write home once a week via email and that is usually on Preparation Day, which is typically Monday, so I am writing a letter on P-Day via my blog.

Hey everyone!

Life has been great. I haven't written on here in a while, but that's just because I am lazy. Oh and missionary month. Anyway, I am having a great time with missionary month. I haven't watched TV and I've only listened to church approved music and I haven't networked socially for five days, and will continue in a like manner for another 16. It really has increased the amount of the spirit's influence on my life.

I am so grateful for the gospel. I wish I could write everything that has happened that has strengthened my testimony in just the last two weeks, but I can't because I only have a half hour (the amount of time you can be logged into LDS mail). 

We can go for just today, if you'd like. Today I started out with a great lesson in seminary. It is so good to just enjoy the influence of the spirit while messing around with a bunch of other kids while learning the gospel. Then, when my friend got stuck in the snow, one of the biggest spiritual giants I know, Brother Joel Wright, came and pulled her out. He didn't even wait for me to ask, he just did. Then when he left, he didn't wait for a thanks. He just did what he knew was right then kept traveling on.

Lately I have felt at a spiritual decline, but the past two weeks have been so great. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and beyond that, I am a firm believer of Christ's gospel. I am so grateful for the atonement that gives me a reason to hope. 

I am going on a mission and really, I can't wait. 

I can't wait to leave everything I've ever known behind. 

I can't wait to move out of the only house I've ever lived in. 

I can't wait to go to a foreign home and feel out of place but then make it my home. 

I can't wait to work and walk until my feet are sore and my skin is sunburned. 

I can't wait to be free from the stresses of school and girls and family and media to take on a stress of eternal significance: bringing others to Christ. 

I can't wait to be yelled at, mocked, spit upon, threatened, and rejected. 

I can't wait because this gospel is true and what else would matter? 

Where I am when I am a missionary is where the Lord wants me. I will be a true, complete, full-time missionary. I want to lose my life in the service of God (I don't mean I want to die, just that I want to forget myself). The gospel is true. I am called of God to be a representative of His son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ to preach His gospel to the world. To be hated and loved by those I serve with all my heart. To be a beacon of truth and a guide to eternal, real, almost tangibly full happiness.

And I can't wait.

Gosh

I just had a crazy night. It all started at 5:00 when my friend, Cora Owens, took me on a date. We went to Taco Amigo then went to see The Hobbit. When we got back to the car and she turned on the radio, we heard the words, "PG" and "Triple overtime." All thoughts of the beautifully written and emotionally moving film I had just seen left my brain. Pleasant Grove played against Lehi High School last night and won in quadruple overtime 109-107. I listened to the rest of the game and then called Trevor who was there. We talked a bit and it was great. Awesome job, Vikings.

But that was just the beginning. 

After I hung up the phone with Trevor, I get a text from my good friend and Pleasant Grove Sports Network's play-by-play commentator, David Brinkerhoff. It read, "Hey so Jeremiah Jensen from KSL wants us to edit the film for him.  Want to come to Russ' room and help us edit? Plus you can turn Kurt's music off." In my defense, Kurt's music is about as tasteful as this.

I was in my underwear watching Saved By the Bell when I got offered the chance to edit something that would actually go on television. I am not going to lie in saying that that is one of the coolest things that has ever been offered to me.

The only problem is that it was already 11:00 and I was planning on going to bed soon. Of course within minutes I was fully clothed and at my mother's bedside begging for her approval. She said yes as long as I updated her on how long I would be (I figured it would be two hours, tops).

After making a quick Wendy's run, we started into the work of editing the footage for a highlight reel. 

Five and a half hours I worked. 

From 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM I edited, searching through over an two hours of footage and separate footage for a total highlight reel time of 3 minutes. And right now, I am finally editing my masterpiece. 

This is my biggest break in the field of editing. Forget that Wednesday the school played the copy of Ferris Bueller's Day Off that I edited, this actually will have my name attached. I am going to make it big. Just watch.

Love

Now I know what you're thinking: Wyatt is the worst and he is always talking about who he loves and doesn't love him back. Well...

http://youtu.be/8l4r10MOH70?t=1m33s

I don't know how that would help me, but the point is, I am not in love with a girl. Or a person at all. I'm not gay. I just want to live in Norway. Really, I am in love with this:

That is where I want to live once I am rich. Seriously. Lake Strynsvatn next to Hjelle, Norway. I will live there with my wife after I become rich. Because seriously, I am in love. And I am not taking no for an answer.

My Fortress of Solitude

I have lots of thoughts, but they are all going to be worth reading. This post will be long, but you should read it all. Because I think it's needed for you.

My entire life I have had the gospel. Because of that, it was hard for me to know what the spirit felt like  because I had never not known what it felt like. 

For the past week or so, I couldn't feel it. I didn't know what it was. I searched for what it would be that caused this spiritual recession. And even now I can't tell you what caused it. All I know is that I was lost. I could not find the spirit. Prayer, church, seminary, scripture study. It was like I was learning but I was just learning physically, not spiritually. Last night was especially bad. I felt like I was trying so hard but getting no results. I spent hours studying but I could never find that spirit.

Then this morning was the temple day for my Priest quorum. I set my alarm, knowing that if I could get the spirit anywhere, it would be in the temple of the Lord. So I woke up an hour after my group had left. I had set my alarm for 7:10 PM, not AM. After the feeling of failure I gained from totally missing the one shot I had at bringing my life back to where it was before. I had missed my one shot at entering the temple of God to gain His spirit. 

I sat at home alone, eating pizza. And honestly, I didn't have much drive to do anything. Both of my parents are out of town. If you didn't realize (or don't live in Utah county), it was about 4 degrees Fahrenheit all day. That's why this next part had to be completely psychotic. I decided that I needed to go to on a hike. You see, back in May (I think) I was running for student body president. I was nervous and tired and restless. I went into the mountains and got to the look out point up Grovecreek Canyon and I prayed. That night I lost. But I was fine because those mountains had helped me come closer to the Lord.

However, as I decided to hike, that honestly was the furthest thing from my mind. I seriously thought that I was likely to die or get injured. But I didn't care because I was just so done with everything. So in jeans, a thin jacket, earmuffs and gloves, I sent out on my journey.

My body was frozen before I got out of my neighborhood. By the time I reached the mouth of the canyon, my breathing was heavy and hard. I walked up listening to the novel Frankenstein. Little tip, if you want to stop being depressed about being alone, don't listen to that book. I walked up thinking all about how hard my life was and how much I had tried only to get nothing in return. 

I was almost to the lookout point and I had decided that I would pray again there. I needed to get back to where I was. But just before the lookout point, I wandered upon a herd of deer. It made me stop. I don't know what I was thinking, but I went from being bitter about everything to having my heart a little softer and my neck a little looser. I sat there for a while, just thinking.

I got to the lookout point.

You should click on the photo to see how spectacular a view it is. No edit.

Do you guys remember what ancient prophets used as temples? Yeah, that's right. Mountains. I had the most breathtaking view. Then I got down on my knees and I prayed. I had prayed plenty of times before. I had prayed longer with no results. But when I stood up after praying on that ancient temple, I had the spirit. Finally I had it.

It was so cold my phone shut off. I hiked down the mountain with my thoughts being the only thing to entertain me. I thought about how blessed I was. I thought about how lucky I was. My body was colder than when I walked up the mountain, but I couldn't have been warmer. I had the Spirit of God coursing through my veins. I was finally happy.

I walked up to commune with the God of all as a bitter, cold, lonely boy. I walked down hopeful and happy, with the spirit in my heart and the Savior at my side.

I love Superman. I love him because he is so much like me. His story is really similar to all of our stories. A being more than mortal who was sent off by loving parents to earth. He was given to mortal parents who loved him. He lived a normal life, but he had an enormous amount of power. He spent his life serving others with that power because their was nothing else he could do with it. And he had a place where he could go and talk to his father, just the two of them. He had a Fortress of Solitude. That mountain has become my Fortress of Solitude. It doesn't matter what happens. I can get my heart broken or my leg broken or I can be pushed to the edge like Job. It doesn't matter, because my Fortress of Solitude is not just a place. It is a state of mind. I can be in contact with the all knowing, all powerful being in charge of everything and He and I can just relax and talk. Nothing is a better feeling, I promise.

Remember prayer. It really, really works. I promise.

The best gift.

So I have been going through a lot internally. I could explain, but I already did in a letter. You'll understand why when you read the letter, but for the moment just know I was feeling like I needed one person: my brother, Brock. He was the only one I could talk to. But because he had a bunch of mission stuff on the Monday before Christmas (Christmas Eve) when his P-Day usually is, he told us he couldn't email. But I didn't care. On Saturday I just needed to vent my emotions to my best friend. So I did. I even put the subject of the email as, "I know we'll talk before you read this." So here is my letter, unedited and completely and totally personal. Please know I put this here only so you know how powerful the results were.

My Best Bud-

I just need to talk to you. I really miss you right now. I always miss you, but where you would be Trevor or someone else takes your place, but there are some places where only you fit. Like right now. It's Christmas time. Everyone has their family. I mean everyone. Trevor has his family. Bob has his. Nick has his. Nicole Tucker (who I am best friends with) has hers. The Popes and Pixtons and Haws' have theres. And to some extent Mom and Dad have their own thing happening, just the two of them. That's why you are so important. Because you are me plus two years. When the married people started talking about pregnancy, we went to play pool. When everyone had their family Christmas parties, we watched Jingle All the Way together (which I watched last night, alone). You are the one that keeps me from not being alone. And a Christmas like I'm reminiscing about may never happen again. This my last Christmas home and if I had one hesitation about not going on a mission ASAP, it would be wanting to spend one more Christmas with you while we are both wife-free. I need you. I love you. You are my best friend, better than all 6.9 billion other people. I'm glad I followed you, even though it felt sometimes like I was in your shadow. You are awesome. I love you. Merry Christmas. Just know that no one misses you more than me. I guarantee. Because no one else needs you with them more than me. 

-Your Best Bud

Tomorrow is Christmas. We are going to talk on the phone. I knew what was going to happen. But Saturday night I prayed. I really prayed. I asked Heavenly Father for a confirmation. See, I could leave before Brock gets back. I have always felt like an afterthought in his weekly emails. I needed to talk to him when it was just us. All I wanted was one, meaningful exchange with him before I left on my mission. That is what I prayed for; that was what I wanted. And I got it. Heavenly Father is the best at giving and, boy, is he the best at surprising us. After pulling an all-nighter with my friends, I woke up after a two hour nap to the best Christmas gift ever. What was it, you ask? Well here it is.

Hey mate, 

Turns out we got to do email today but we don't have a lot of time. You get the privilege of receiving my only email of the day!!

You know what helped me this Christmas? Elder Holland has an article in the Ensign (or New Era, I read it in the Liahona) that talks about his first Christmas away from home. It was when he was a new missionary, training a newer missionary and opening a new area. They spent the whole day the whole week actually, knocking on doors without anyone listening to them (as great as the mission is, those days happen and they are rough). But he said that was the first Christmas that he really focused on what it meant instead of focusing on just enjoying it. There is a lot of wisdom in his words. 

I love you and I'm glad you miss me. I miss you too. I am so excited for what you're going to learn on your mission. You'll grow in a way you'll never expect. Like it says in Ether 12:27, when you're out on your mission, you're going to be shown your weaknesses more than ever, believe me. But they'll be turned into strengths. You'll have a mission president that loves you and is inspired by Heavenly Father to help you become who you need to be. That relationship is so special. 

I pray for you because I know you are at a really fun, but really hard part of your life right now. And I am proud of you. I tell everyone that I have five brothers, four that served missions, and one that is on his way. One of the things I've learned is that I never have to wait to be happy. I can find the good in everything and enjoy life wherever I am. You are a good kid, and I'm excited to see you. 

I love you,

Elder Duclos

I'm sure he doesn't know how much his email meant or how much it made me cry. But Heavenly Father loves me so much. So much that he would give me a meaningful, personal conversation with my best bud. I know that He knows me personally. This Christmas is the best one I've ever had. Because even though I am kind of a loner, I am never alone. I have my Heavenly Father there, making sure I am happy. What else could I ask for?

Girls

Hahahaha. Remember this post? Hahahahaha I am so stupid to think that I could just not like girls. But for reals this time. That girl that I liked for over two years? Not anymore. That girl I am really good friends with? Not going to be more than friends. That girl who asked for my number? Good luck with the rejection hotline (haha just kidding, but really, I won't be flirting with you via text). That girl who might have a crush on me that is really pretty and I would not dislike liking? She probably won't get to know me very well.
I am D-O-N-E with girls.



And I am happy with that.


Also, this.
I seriously almost urinated from excitement. I really did. It made me explode with pure excitement. I LOVE SUPERMAN. SO MUCH. I SHOULD STOP yelling.

That's it

I am going on a mission. Submitting my papers in 118 days!



This school year will be so long.

H-omecoming

PG football makes me lose my voice. I yelled so loud today at the football game against Lehi. 45-11? Yeah, we destroyed. Tomorrow is the Homecoming dance. I am going with Kirsten Marquis. She is super awesome. Really. I cleaned a car today for four hours. Free of charge. I realized that I will never fall in love with my sister, Nicole. I love soccer. But I love American rules football best. Did I mention we destroyed? I was the fan of the game for my senior Homecoming where we destroyed Lehi. I got a plaque and everything. So great. I really like this girl, but I don't think she likes me back. She could, though. Good news, I think at least five sophomore girls are in love with me, though. Being the oldest at school sucks. I really love football.

You can't stop the school of rock!!!

I started guitar class this semester. Every class period ends with me wishing I was JB. Yes, you read that right. Some people give him a hard time, because of his overall appearance and his lack of appreciation in some social circles, but I always want to be as awesome at guitar as Jack Black (who did you think I was talking about?). So I always crave watching the school of rock. Which I am doing now. Seriously so great.
Also I have a burning desire to replicate Jukebox Hero. Long story.

Hung Over
The School of Rock at MOVIECLIPS.com

I got it.

I have always wanted to not be the weirdo. I know I am not always that bad, but I almost always alienate myself from those around me unintentionally. I have always wanted to be part of the group, even for a few hours.
I think tonight was the first time I wasn't random, weird or nerdy. It was pretty great. If you don't already know me, one of the biggest features I have is also one of the things I hate most about myself: I make neurological connections quickly and vastly. Like in one second the phrase "ice cream" might cause this mental flow:

1. Ice cream to Ice cream cone
2. Ice cream cone to double ice cream cone
3. Double ice cream cone to Mr. Bean
4. Mr. Bean to Rowan Atkinson
5. Rowan Atkinson to Matt Smith
6. Matt Smith to Doctor Who
7. Doctor Who to season premiere of Doctor Who
8. Season premiere of Doctor Who to August 24
9. August 24 to school
10. School to English
11. English to To Kill a Mockingbird

Then I would say something about To Kill a Mockingbird. That is why everyone thinks I am random. I am not random, I just think quickly and highly efficiently. Tonight though, I managed to stay myself without revealing that someone saying something about frozen dairy reminded me of a 1930's southern Alabama lawyer's six-year-old daughter.
I had a really great time. I went to Taco Amigo and ran into Maren and Spencer and Alyssa and Aubrey. We ate until they kicked us out and then we dropped Aubrey and Alyssa off at home and went to Nicole's house to say hi. I was not weird.
I loved it. I didn't realize I did it until now, but I got exactly what I wanted. Even though people say "be yourself" and "normal is lame," I really enjoyed myself. I didn't ever get those awkward pauses after I tell a joke that others don't get. I wasn't completely normal; I still talked like Sean Connery for a while. I did throw in a Star Wars reference. I did get one slightly awkward pause. But I was exactly the person I want to be. It was great.

"What a catch."

I don't think I have told you this, but I have a great friend that I just started to really get to know. We have become friends this summer. Her name is Nicole Tucker. She is great.

Today was a bummer day. Sentenced to paying for my own lunch because my mom found out I had money followed by tool running (getting tools for my dad while he fixes cars (which happens to be a lifelong activity for me)) and then the dreadful, "How does your room look right now?" Cleaning for hours was bad enough, mixed with washing a dirty car, but finally it was the evening and I could hang out with someone. 

Psych. Everyone was busy. Literally everyone I talked to had something they were doing that they couldn't include me in. A date. Family time. Girl's night (and if I get so much as one sarcastic comment regarding my ability to attend such social gatherings, I will kill the commentator). I was stuck at home on one of those nights where home is the last place you want to be. 

Confined to my lazy chair on my front lawn, watching Homestar Runner videos on YouTube (what does this mean?), with the night approaching 10:00 PM, I knew that there was little hope to salvage my evening. How wrong I was.

Nicole, the friend I mentioned earlier, back from her date that started at 5:00 (who does that?), asked me if I wanted to accompany her to Men In Black III. I readily accepted her merciful offer. 

We got to the theater and the people we were with had a hard time discussing logistics. I then realized that our evening may not be spent at the theater. Of course, that caused me to jump in line to get popcorn (I love theater corn, any way I can get it). After placing my order for the smallest corn, the smallest drink, and the smallest Swedish Fish, I was made aware that we were indeed seeing MIBIII. 

Cue Nicole joining me. I had just pulled out my wallet to pay for my refreshments when she says, "Do you want to make this a date so I don't have to pay?"

Some people. I said yes, of course, and paid an extra $3.50 for her ticket. I made her laugh every two seconds, so you can understand why our friendship is so great. The movie was very impractical, but that's beside the point. It was a great night. One of the best I have had in a while.

One more thing. One of the most legen(wait for it)dary things that has ever happened to me happened tonight. No, I am still VL. Yes, I was complimented on my good looks, but that was not momentous. No, I did not kill a man. Stop guessing and let me speak. I found out someone hates me. Because I don't slander, I will not reveal the name in a public area such as this. It was literally one of the moments of my life when I found out. All my guilt and any sentiment I had for being a jerk was wiped clean when I realized this person was just as guilty, if not more so, as me. 

For months (seriously, months) I felt as I would imagine a conspiracy theorist feels: There is a huge lie and everyone believes it besides me. It got to a point where I almost believed the lie. It got to a point where I looked at my own perspective as saw that I had been biased and unruly in my judgement. I never gave in all the way. The world had me convinced that at least a portion of my mind was that of the bad guy.

Then I was informed that what I didn't abandon for the security of falsehood turned out to be the truth. And even though a majority of the world still bought into it, a few people saw the light. But I still was convinced that the other person, the one who hates me(:)) was the better person. That they didn't dislike me for the very valid and fair reasons that I couldn't stand them for. But then from their own words I realized that I was right. I was not crazy. I was the good guy the whole time. Not a bad guy at all.

So when I say that finding out someone hating me is legen(wait for it)dary, realize that it literally was one of the best things that could ever happen to me. I think I will sleep guilt free for the first time since last October. 

Negligence.

So I haven't blogged for a while. Because I did not feel like it for a while. Because my life and thoughts were so boring for a while. Because I was on the Trek. But now that (all three) has ended. I am back.

First item of business: I just got a new computer. Which I paid for. It is a MacBook Air. I feel so happy that my life savings are now invested in a device that is so flipping cool. I mean, check her out:

Her name is Serenity (after the Battle of Serenity Valley). That model's hand is beautiful.

Hopefully this means that I will blog more. It prolly does. I am dictating this part. I think this is pretty cool technology. .!?,;@Number #$person how are sign time sign Asterix I'm () sent this in. I got a little carried away talking.

Also, I went crazy with the pictures. A slice:

Artistic Genius.

So I have been listening to the biography of Steve Jobs (don't touch it, it drops the F bomb more times than an 'R' rated, late eighties teenage film about "coming of age") and I have gotten inspired. No, not by Jobs, but by possibly one of the greatest artists of our era: Jonathan Ive. He is iconic. I cannot believe how beautifully everything he crafts comes to be. He really is a great artist.

Words cannot describe the respect I have for this genius of a man.

This is Awkward

I don't know how to tell you this, so I'll just go right out and say it: I have been having the best few weeks of my life and I have not wanted to write on my blog. Sorry. But we can move on. 

Ha. It's funny how I cannot choose what to write about because I have had so much fun. So...I think I will put it off again. Sorry I'm so awkward.

The beginning of the end

This is it. The first real day of my last Strawberry Days as a child. This week may very well be the best week of my life. I have a hike to my favorite place. I have a group date with some of my favorite people. I won't get stuck on horse duty at Huck Finn Day. Seriously. It is Strawberry Days!!!!!

Let's be honest

Working a minimum of 36 hours this week, my uncle's wedding, going on a date with my good friend to said wedding, more work, and then one of the best weeks of the year, Strawberry Days. I am not sure, but I am pretty confident in saying that this Strawberry Days is going to be the best ever. Youth Council will be great, plus I mean it's Strawberry Days, it'd be great if it were in the middle of winter. I also have a hike and date planned for Wednesday, which will be amazing. Also, I have lactose pills with no conceivable end coming soon, which is necessary for a good amount of strawberry and cream goodness. 

This will be the second to last Strawberry Days I will attend. So far in my life (as far as I am aware), I have never, ever not gone to the rodeo at least once, even when my sunburn blistered. In fact, the only thing I wanted while in my excruciating sunburn pain was to be at the rodeo eating my favorite summer treat. I have never not loved Strawberry Days. This is the last one I will help with while being on Youth Council. This is the last Strawberry Days where I know I will have required school in two and a half months. This is the last time I will be able to go to Strawberry Days as a child.

Sometimes life goes by fast. I am grateful for this wonderful week for reminding me annually of what's to come. Just like this is the longest running tradition in Utah, the memories I got from these sixteen weeks of summer bliss are among the most cherished in my life. I feel that a great deal of my joy in life comes from the warm summer mornings I sat watching the parade which, while never being the biggest, was always the best. Trying to sleep in the solitude of winter seemed impossible without thinking of the best time of the year, thoughts which warmed me to want to press on, if only to make it to the third week in June. My life has forever been changed by Pleasant Grove and I give back to the city that raised me by helping with the best week of my annual life: Strawberry Days.