Homework Strike

Apparently I'm on a homework strike since about 6pm last night. I have so much to do but I've been taking the time to get enough rest, visit with people here and there, and learn about photo editing with Adobe Lightroom. Oh, and I almost forgot about last night! It was so epic. Let me tell you about it...

So, after Emily Thompson's senior recital last night J.P. and I were taking photos and video in the parking lot of us sliding around on the ever-building layer of snow on the ground (I'm uploading them right now to my YouTube page). After that we decided to head out with our cars and do the same thing over at the Rex (or AFEC or Fat Cats or whatever name they'll change it to next). We slid around for about an hour pulling e-brakes, spinning cookies, and even doing some synchronized sliding. I am proud to say that each of us only got stuck once. Not too shabby for balding tires. The rest of the night, back at the apartment, Craig (my roomie) stayed up until 2am talking about different things: girls, food, and probably other things too but those are the only two I remember.

Well, I should actually do my homework now. I say that, but I think I'll be tinkering with my videos for a little while.

Phew...

I love the feeling of reaching the peak of a great climb. The ones in life where you just push onward, knowing that its worth it despite the moments of misery, discouragement, and exhaustion. I'm soooo glad this semester is done academically soon. I stopped learning a few weeks ago and have turned into a HPP (Homework Production Plant).

Well, I'm looking forward to a few things...

1) My family will be getting back from a cruise down to Belize. It will be great to hear all their stories and see all the pictures. Dad is way excited to go scuba diving like back in his younger days, as are my mom and sister since they took the scuba class. I think it would've been fun to go since our family has never really gone on many vacations, much less anything like a cruise. Maybe one day I will...

2) Skiing!! It's been two years since I introduced myself to skiing at Targhee and I fell in love. I think it was my second hobby that I discovered, ballroom dancing being first, and I'm pretty happy with my choice. I almost can't believe I spent the money on a season pass, but I'm sure that it'll pay off as something to do just for me (something I apparently have difficulty doing).

3)I'm thinking about making a big purchase, but not sure about whether the investment will really pan out over time. I've been considering getting a Canon EOS Rebel T2i w/ 2 lenses. I'd really like to pick up photography again. The last time I was really into it was in high school when I did a b&w college course where we developed our own film and photos which was such a cool process to be involved in. I loved using my dad's old 35mm Canon from ancient times. He used to go all over and take photos so I feel like I'm continuing a tradition as well by taking up this as a hobby. My dad is great. I appreciate him so much. He's been a great example to me about choosing who you want to be for your own reasons. I bet that group Above The Influence would love to have him as their mascot. Oh, the camera. After the rebates and special offers I would be looking at $850 for the camera body, a 18-55mm lens and a 55-250mm lens. I want to sell my current point-and-shoot camera for $150 though and ask Jennie if she'd like to pitch in a little as a Christmas present so maybe another $100. That would be $600 all told for a camera that would usually be $1200. I've done my research and talked to informed friends, now its just time to let it mull over in the brain and see how I feel about it over the next couple weeks. I'd also like to take the digital photography course that Bro. Lewis teaches, I hope its available next semester.

Well, here I sit awake at 1 in the morning once again. Listening to music. Talking to myself. Not a bad evening at all.

Never too many beginnings

Once more I have started to write down the thoughts in my head and the things in my life. I always start off with one entry and end up with nothing more. I'm okay with that because I persist and always keep trying because I love the to write. It feels like I'm painting me on paper without any colors. Just symbols that hardly do justice in representing who a person really is.

So what prompted me to begin my 'journaling' again? Well, I'll tell you. It was getting lost in someone elses writings. I began reading them out of my natural curiosity, but I continued out of the simple yet profound joy that I experienced from it. I couldn't help but be transported to glimpses of her life as she gave details that made parts of who she is come to life. It was a uniquely satisfying experience.

So here I am, beginning again on my quest to write about my life. I am in my senior year of college, though I'm off-track, doing the best I can with what I have. I don't know everything that I want, and don't want some of the things I have. But I learned a long time ago that I will be better off doing what the Lord directs than what I want. The peace that is brought from that one truth is priceless.

I'm currently trying to begin to learn the guitar. I find my guitar to be like a fickle woman. Never eager to work with me and is making me pay for every step won towards victory. I sometimes wonder if, unbeknownst to me, I was actually born into this world without something that everybody else has that allows them to play the guitar. Like a muggle in a world of wizards. Music is magic to me.

I'm also not sure why I'm in Rexburg, other than the Lord told me this is where I needed to be for the summer. This was one of those times I was more than happy to comply with His directions, as any sane person would be who knew of Rexburg's wonderful nature. So here I am, taking my WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certification, waiting for my National Guard annual training to hit, and trying to just be the best person that I can be.

I'm trying to avoid distractions. The Lord has made clear to me in a couple ways that that should be a goal of mine. And so I have made it so. Anything from playing my roommates Xbox to needlessly worrying over details of my life like "Who will I marry, and when?" I'm trying to focus on things that lie within my sphere to act upon. This last devotional was a wonderful milestone in this area particular facet of my life. I felt strongly impressed to come home and write out meaningful goals and create a purposeful daily/weekly schedule. So I came home and did it! (Nephi, you inspire me). I can't tell you how much it has impacted me over just the past three days. I feel more... well, more. It's like what Paul said about seeing through a cloudy glass at first and then seeing clearly (well he said something like that, Tevia wouldn't complain if I didn't get it right on the dot so I won't). I look forward to shedding off distractions and needless burdens by focusing on using my agency as well as I possibly can with the Lord's tender help. I am nothing without Him. He continually makes me into more than I could ever become on my own. How thankful I am to be who I am and to know what I do.