Fashionably Early

It's that time again! Mother Nature delightfully delivered BYU its first snow of the year today. As one who has little tolerance for all falling elements save rain, but taking into account the splendor of snow drizzled mountains, I consider this year's snow "fashionably early." It was light, but it was pretty.

On Friday I received a package from home filled with some of my very favorite things. Mom and dad wanted to help me get into the Fall/Halloween spirit. Would you check out those gloves? And the Redken Smooth Down? Mom knows me so well! This surprise package was such a thrill. My parents are so thoughtful and wonderful. They are the best. Thanks, you two!

See Image Below

Other Cool Stuff

Did I mention that I really, really, REALLY enjoy Provo this time of year? It's a beauty. While walking up to campus the other evening I happened to have my camera on hand...

Oddly enough, the name "Zeke" is cut into an old segment of sidewalk along my street.

In other news, our (mine and Christine's) super rad home teachers came over yesterday. We were talking about ways we can be more obedient (see the October First Presidency message). Specifically, we were discussing how to improve our daily scripture study and prayer (I know I'm always in need of improving mine), when all of a sudden, one of the guys goes, "I just had a really good idea." He proceeds to tell us THE COOLEST plan I have heard in a long time: when one of us learns something insightful during our personal study, we will send a little text to the other three and share what we learned, if we feel so prompted. How awesome, creative, genius, and inspired is that? I think we all felt excited about it. I sure did! Tonight Christine shared what she noticed while studying, and I found that it really motivated me and got me anxious to do my own study.

To wrap it up: BYU rocks. October is beautiful. The gospel is wonderful. And now, I am headed to bed. Good night!

Museum of Peoples and Cultures

Tonight our FHE Family went to the Museum of Peoples and Cultures here in Provo which, until tonight, I hadn't heard of before. I really enjoyed it. The museum has a nice collection of artifacts from Native American nations-- particularly the Hopi. I perused the exhibit for a little bit, after which time we went into a classroom where we made coil pots. Let me just say, it's harder than it looks! After smashing my half-completed creations multiple times to start anew (gotta love clay-- it's forgiving), I felt mostly satisfied with my finished product. Anyway, consider this my plug for the museum. If you're in Provo, I suggest checking it out.

This is some of our group: my roommates Christine, Kelsey, me, Natalie, and

our FHE Pops, Benji. Hi guys! :)

Nothing Better to Do?

Right now I am frustrated with the White House. What's with the campaign against FoxNews? Obviously the President's image isn't exactly beautiful or pristine as presented by the conservative station. Still-- I don't remember the Bush Admin. ever launching an attack against, say, MSNBC, CNN, CBS, ABC (the list could go on and on). Doesn't the president's staff have anything better to do? A few weeks ago it was campaigning for Chicago in Denmark, now it's campaigning against FoxNews-- what's with his time management? Who makes this guy's schedule? I don't get it.

Read up on it:

FoxNews Article: Top Aid Admits Obama Presidential Campaign "Controlled" Media

TIME Magazine Article: Obama Administration says FoxNews' purpose is to undermine the White House and its policies

"Noble" Nominations

"The Nobel committee said yesterday that the reason they gave Obama the peace prize is for reducing tension around the world. So, the runners up for this year's Nobel Prize were red wine and the Brookstone three-speed massaging recliner."

--Conan O'Brien

My dad passed this along to me, and I obviously thought it was hilarious. I've duked it out with a few friends here at BYU regarding whether or not Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. I don't mean to make my blog a debate forum, but I think to select Obama to be awarded an honor of such high esteem and prestige is way, way premature. All nominations were due no later than February 1, 2009, meaning when he was nominated he had been serving as president less than two weeks (if that). Seriously now, what had he done by then? We care about the peace prize because it means something. It has value. I just hope the Norwegian selection committee will consider that in future years. Alfred Nobel explicitly stated the qualifications and caliber of person he envisioned to be the annual winner, saying it should be given "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work..." (Slate Magazine).

An article explaining how the selection process works: http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-spine/how-the-nobel-peace-prize-works

And, an article discussing whether Obama was really qualified: http://www.slate.com/id/2231909/

In any event, I find myself wondering whether I will attach value to the Nobel Peace Prize in the future. Not that my opinion is anything important or special, but for me, I think I just don't care anymore.

Three Months In!

I just realized that today, October 15th, marks three months in the mission field for Elder Wright who is serving in Long Island, New York (the New York, New York South Mission). Zeke was my best friend for many years and we still keep in touch via letter writing. For inner-city Brooklyn, Zeke and his companion (Elder Thiot-- known as "TO") have had an unusual but wonderful amount of success! They have assisted four people in finding the true gospel of Jesus Christ: a teenage brother and sister named Nashon and Nakiya, as well as a middle-aged married couple named Mendy and Phalis. They have quite a few investigators, and also have another baptism this weekend. I am really happy for Zeke and TO. They are top-notch and I feel personally enriched by their example of hard-work and testimony.

Mendy & Phalis' Baptism Day

Manhattan Bridge (Zeke snapped this on a p-day)

On September 11th, they went up to the Brooklyn Bridge to view the memorial lights at Ground Zero. Zeke took this photo.

Nashon & Nakiya's Baptism Day

TO & Zeke on the north end of Coney Island. Staten Island is in the background.

Long story short: Elder Wright is in one amazing mission and he says himself that these are the best years of his life yet! Keep up the stellar work, guys!

Hello Beautiful Day!

Right now I'm on campus tucked away in a corner of the Jessie Knight Building. I'm working on an assignment for my Brit. Lit. class, and next to me is a window with a beautiful view of campus (see the above photo-- that's the view!). It's another gorgeous day! As I walked to school a few hours ago with my roommate Natalie, we quickly realized that we could see ourselves breathe. I remarked, "That feels wrong!" And it does! But despite the freezing air, the sun is shining and on top of that, my family is in town for General Conference! I can't wait to see them. They arrived a few hours ago.

Back to my assignment-- how about this line from John Keats to his love interest Fanny Brawne (letter written in July of 1819): "I almost wish we were butterflies, and liv'd but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than 50 common years could ever contain." Beautiful? Yes. Romantic? Absolutely! But morbid? For sure. I like the common days. After all, they are what make the sweet seem sweeter, no?

"My Heavenly Father Loves Me"

I know, I know... long time no speak. I'm gonna set aside my pathetic lack of blogging for the past 14 months and get back in the game! Or at least, I'm gonna give it a new try.

Today is gorgeous! Glorious! I love fall. As a side note, happy October 2009! Provo welcomed the new month with crisp, cool air, along with sunshine and blue skies. I've never known such a beautiful day. I didn't capture a picture, but the words of an all-time favorite primary song will do the day's beauty justice:

"My Heavenly Father Loves Me"

Whenever I hear the song of a bird,

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by a lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

the magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:

I thank him reverently

For all his creations, of which I'm a part.

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.