Costume 5k

Last Friday I accomplished one of my life goals--to direct a race. But I never expected the race to be a costume 5k. About a month ago my good buddy Ryan Coates suggested that I help him with his semi-annual soccer tournament, I was a little reluctant considering my busy schedule. A couple of days later he came to me and asked if I would direct a 5k race, to which I immediately exclaimed that I would. I learned really quickly the hardest part about putting on such a race is the marketing. To market my costume 5k I created a group on Facebook, emailed my friends, had a friend write an article about the race - http://universe.byu.edu/node/2578, and even dressed up in a santa costume and ran around BYU campus handing out fliers. The result: 85 costumed runners and one of my goals accomplished. It's worth noting that the person who won the costume contest dressed up like a hobo and pushed a shopping cart full of some of his belongings the whole way! Seeing a costumed hobo push a shopping cart for 3+ miles made all the hard work of putting this race on worth it!

8 Pleasant Surprises Up to This Point in the Summer

1. College algebra is easy
2. Finding random people to run with
3. A college algebra problem taking me 2 hours
4. Working at Qualtrics
5. Being tired, every night, when my head hits the pillow
6. So excited to wake-up every morning, that sometimes I'll wake-up a couple of hours before my alarm clock
7. The challenge that comes with teaching institute
8. Being stretched beyond my ability, but through "The Enabling Power" being able to learn and grow.

What I'll Miss the Most

I graduate in August, exactly one month from today. Over the past few months I have been searching my memory for the gems that I haven't locked away in my BYU memory treasure chest. Back in February ish I began pondering over what I'm going to miss about BYU the very most and I finally realized what it was going to be as I watched my dad scurry across campus, waving to passing students as he went. For the last 4 years my dad has been a major boon for me. I don't know how many times I've been perplexed with an issue only to be prompted to walk up to my dad's office to talk to him. I'll never forget one problem that I had (which actually escapes me at this moment, oddly enough) when my dad was there for me. I dropped down in his extra chair and watched him try to work through a certain issue he was facing. He began talking to me about it, and I as he did I realized that it was weighing heavily upon him. At that point I chose to keep my issue to myself, until he seemed to just stop mid-sentence and ask me, "what's on your mind?" I was surprised by his abrupt mid-sentence halt, and I realized that he knew I came up to his office for a reason and that there was no use trying to get out of this now. After talking out my thoughts and hearing his thoughts and taking a lot of his work time, he hugged me and told me he loved me. There have been times in my life when all I've needed was a hug, and for those very few times--which I can probably count on one hand--my dad has been there to hug me for the majority of them. I guess it's not important to remember the said problem that I had, but I'll never forget how my dad has been there for me during my BYU experience. I will miss those random, office visits. Thank you, dad.

Rainy Rodeo

Last night my friends and I created our own rodeo, and as I sat on the fence like the Man from Snowy River watching my buddies herd the sheep I thought to myself, "self, I think I was born to do this." Okay, so I'm putrid at roping sheep, but it was a lot of fun. The highlight came in the evening on a grassy knoll overlooking southern Utah Valley. A cold rainstorm began to soak those who were watching our made-up barrel racing. And as I sat there I thought, maybe I should find shelter underneath something... but the longer I sat there the more drenched I became and the more it oddly felt good. Sometimes we avoid things like a rainstorm, when it may just be the refreshment we need.

Like an Ocean

It comes in waves, like a lapping ocean over driftwood.
The sun quietly slips behind its abyss begging you to follow.
But, a certain mold is created by sitting and waiting on warm sand.
It's better that way, plus the sun will be there tomorrow.

My 3rd of July

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday, for many reasons that I won't go into detail about. But this year's 3rd of July may give the 4th a run for its worth. After getting two hours of work out of the way, I hiked to Stewart Falls. I don't know how many times made the jaunt to those falls, but I forget every time how beautiful those falls and the surrounding greenery is. My only regret is that I didn't get up there before anybody else to really take in the beauty instead of all of the people awkwardly sliding and slipping down the falls' embankment, as entertaining as that was. There's nothing like quiet contemplation in a place that really brings out gratitude and the meaning of more important things.

In the evening a group of friends indulged ourselves in eats at Brick Oven Pizza. For probably the second time in my life I didn't look at the menu. I knew exactly what I wanted: cheese, extra basil, cooked romano tomatoes, and almonds--it was a large and I left two uneaten pieces.

Afterwards, I enjoyed the usual June 3rd festivities of camping out for the Freedom Festival parade. It's fun to see Provo transform into a bustling metropolis... well, sort of, when the blue suits and gold badges let it become more like a metropolis.

At 3:00 AM I finished my last two pieces of pizza that I save. But, the absolute highlight came at 3:35 AM (which was really July 4th) when a friend called me to ask me a question. We talked for about a hour and when I hung up I laid in bed thinking about what we talked about and what we didn't talk about. I gained so much from our conversation that I almost decided to forget sleeping for the night. My mind eventually relaxed and at 7:50 AM my alarm woke me up... for the official start to my favorite holiday, but the 3rd of July will be on my mind, hopefully for a long, long time.

There were thousands of peole cheering for me.... it was unbelievable

Well, sort of, at least in my mind. As I finished the second to last leg of my 50 mile race last Saturday, I found myself enshrouded by Quaking Aspen and Oak Willows. As I sprinted (at least it seemed like a sprint after 45 miles)a mild breeze shook the trees leaves and for a moment I thought that I heard thousands of people cheering for me, it was kind of a fun moment. I almost stopped to bow and blow kisses to my cheering fans, but I opted to save myself from an embarrassing moment if by chance another racer stumbled upon me; which would have been partly okay, considering I was probably a little bit delirious. I realize I didn't place in the top twenty in this race, but I was so happy that I could push myself to such limits and through such pain and trial. It didn't matter if there were thousands of raging fans cheering me through my last few miles or if there were thousands of tree leaves shaking from a natural breeze, either way I finished the race and I look forward to the next challenges and opportunities in my life.

It hurts...

...because the air is zero temperature, the smells are beginning to bloom, the foothills are beginning to green, and the mountain tops are capped with snow--I just want to go running, but instead I need to finish my final papers. It hurts, but it's okay, Wednesday will come :)

Easter Dinner Conversation with my Family

-Hottie McHottenstein: Dean's biggest crush in American Government
-Jesse breaking the Manscill Curse
-Tanner being home schooled in Israel (yeah, right--he needs friends)
-Dad instructing Jami on the art of landscaping
-Jami's update on our neighbors we use to live next to in New York
-My mom's paper route
-Easter traditions (my dad made up a few new ones this year)
-Trevor Harmon... he just asked Kaitlyn to prom... need I say more.
-How mom treated us when we were sick growing-up (she was always good at saying, "get-up and just go to school")

Transending Intrigue

Content on walking the hall of fatigue
For it's ballad is one I love and seek
Tiredness wakes but mercy claims intrigue
Tis all worthwhile when I reach the peak

Heavenly rays fall gently upon my face
Rest ensues, rejuvenation enters and stays
It sets the tone pulling me a quiet pace
Too beautiful to look away, please,stop and gaze

Sojourned and journeyed, grateful and ready
I forge and look forward to what lies ahead
No stoppage time here, mercy claims fatigue
Content on walking the hall of intrigue

I love the sun...

...on my legs during my long run last Saturday

...on my face as I finished lunch at Rock Canyon Park

...keeping me warm as I walked home from school yesterday

...when it brings back memories of long runs and quiet hikes

...on a hot rock I'm climbing

Remembering Sayed Saif

A dear friend of mine, Dr. Sayed Saif, passed away February 16, 2009. I met Dr. Saif last summer when I traveled to Egypt to help out a US NGO. I'll never forget the first time I met Dr. Saif. I was taken to his home and they sat me in a room to wait for him to come home. When he entered the room he graciously shook my hand and then told me that this was my home and that I was his son and that if there was anything that I needed to just ask. I felt his sincerity and the love that he had for me instantly. Over the next few weeks I had many opportunities to sit and talk with him about the my beliefs, Muslim beliefs, and life in general--those were very special moments for me. Dr. Saif will not only be missed by but by thousand if not millions of people around the world. To honor him I am reposting a post that I wrote about him:

Dr. Saif is a man that I deeply, deeply respect. He is the head of the school of Opthalmology at Cairo University. He is a devout Muslim who is constantly seeking to do what is right as well as to serve others, especially those who cannot afford eye care. He spends at least 40% (my own guesstimate) of his time checking the eyes for those who cannot afford it. He often will see a patient and learn that they cannot afford the medicine, eye glasses, or surgery that he prescribes. Instead of telling them good-luck with a pat on the shoulder, he absorbs the cost himself so that all that come to him can have proper eye care.

For over 40 years he has traveled to the poor areas of Egypt and with other doctors he exams hundred of people per visit, pays for their surgeries, and at times glasses. All of these visits are on his or his son's dime (not to mention time, which is the most valuable commodity).

Currently there is a rampant endemic of trachoma in Egypt. Years ago Dr. Saif engineered a solution that helps eliminate this disease from the person who uses the eye drops. Trachoma in many places has now been eradicated. Dr. Saif is well known in Egypt. He is respected and revered amongst many, many people, including myself. His son is now a wit behind him.

February 23, 2008

Inspired and remembered--I ask for details
Happy and warm--I carefully walk home
Hurried and distant--I push the shopping cart
Hesitant and planning--I get lost in a building
Confused and surprised--My legs start to ache
Pensive and submissive--What is the answer
Dizzy and lightheaded--my head hits the pillow
Morning and sunshine--I can't wait to start over

Waiting For the Sky to Turn Pink

About a hundred amazing thing happened yesterday, but my Sunday highlight had to be watching the sunset with my little three year-old niece, Sydney. My brother, Jesse, just returned home from his mission so he spoke in church. After church my family got together to spend time together and I think my nieces wore everyone out asking them to come and jump on the tramp with them--it was quite humorous. Towards the end of the evening our family was sitting on the back porch and I asked my little niece Sydney if she wanted to watch the sky turn pink with me. She climbed up into my lap and I told her stories until the sun tucked itself behind the mountains. Unfortunately there wasn't much of a sunset, and there definitely wasn't any pink, but I loved that little moment waiting for the sky to turn pink.

Please, lets focus...

I have a 4 page essay and a memo I need to create in just 5 hours... but I can't stop thinking about real-estate in Northern California, the GMAT, Lose the Shoes soccer tournament, next weekends cabin excursion, and a number of other things. I'm hoping that this blog entry will clear my head and help me focus...

4 page essay: The main idea that I have for this essay is how the government will roll-out a troubled assets program--specifically for banks that are holding onto assets that are weighing them down...

I'm also thinking about writing about how President Obama focuses on in on the economy via his inauguration speech.

...Okay, I think I'm ready to buck-up and get this done. Thanks, blog.

I hope

I hope you slept well
I hope you have a good day and
I hope I get to talk to you today, especially if you slept horribly and you had a horrific day.

Draper Temple Open House

It was amazing. The last temple open house I went to was when the Timpanogos Temple opened 14 or so years ago (at least I think it was 14 years ago), which I was too young to appreciate and understand. Which made my visit to the Draper temple all the sweeter. I have never visited a temple that was so art intensive. The Teichart's, Dewey's, and other famous artist's paintings adorned the walls of the temple. I was especially impressed with the many paintings that depicted the life and teachings of the Savior. The stain glass was picture perfect. And the interior design leaned heavily towards a warm home. I almost expected to see a couple of family portraits, a picture frame stuffed with pictures of grandchildren, or a coat lazily draped over the banister. As I finished the tour the family ish atmosphere turned my thoughts to my parents and siblings, I surely love them and am grateful for them. I'm grateful for the temple that serves as poignant reminder of the most important things in life.

If a Camera Could Capture What I Felt...

there would be no purpose to this blog post, but since a camera will never be able to capture true feelings and emotions, I hope, in some small way this post will capture what I don't want to forget.

Over the last few months I have mostly blogged about my love for Washington, DC. In fact, most of my Washington, DC, blogs are rants and raves about the national mall, long, leisurely runs along the Potomac banks, breakfast from my favorite eatery--Eastern Market, or spending time with Talai, Aaron, and Owen. All those posts are good, and I'm glad I recorded some of my thoughts and feelings, but I felt slightly agitated as to my sheer DC focus. Since last evening I haven't been able to stop thinking about how quickly I can forget my love for Utah--specifically walking home from campus as the sun slips behind the Oaker Mountains in the West:

I finally finished my school day around 6pm. I made my way out the JSB, and slipped out of the building and turned my stare to one of my favorite views--The Oakers, I was taken aback at the deep purple clouds that were brilliantly highlighted by the last rays of sunshine before the sun laid it's rays to rest. As I walked my thoughts vacillated between wishing I had a camera and not wanting this glorious sight to end.

In my amazement I looked around to see if anyone else was enjoying the natural fireworks as much as I was and I was disappointed to find a couple of girls next to me talking incessantly about their future internships. As I listened to them talk about their futures I ached a little bit hoping that they would live in the present and simply enjoy the beautiful sunset with me. I interrupted their jabber and exclaimed "Look at that, isn't it beautiful." As I pointed at the sky. They both chuckled looked up, and quickly agreed. I let it slide and said hi to them, but simply couldn't get my mind off the beauty of the resting of the sun. As I thought more on that interaction I was cheered by the fact that I had taken the time to let that moment seep in--I was living in the moment. At times in my life I have thought too much about the future and and have forgotten to enjoy the little things in the present, but today I was victorious. As the colors began to fade, I promised myself that I would blog about it, and try to capture what I felt inside of me--because I knew that a camera could never capture what I felt, nor can it help me remember to live and enjoy each day of my life.