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