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.

Wanted: Somebody to go...

I saw this sign when I walked into my mechanics shop:

Wanted: Somebody to go back and time with me. This isn't a joke P.O. Box 322, Oakview, CA 93022. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety is not guaranteed. I have only done this once.

It made my day :)

Will you miss me DC?

Leaving someone or something you've come to love is never easy. But the difficult parting is a good sign of deep investment, hard work, and sacrifice--all of which I felt I gave to my experience in Washington, DC. Because I can't stop thinking about my experiences, friendships, and lessons learned in DC, I figured that I would flesh them out a little bit so that I can preserve the wonderment and the love that I feel for that place and people. DC I will miss you, will you miss me?

I will miss:

Running to Eastern Market--blue-buck pancakes, grits, and season special french toast--Eating autumn apples, and fresh dip from vendors--Meeting Abby, Jordan, Patrick and others at our favorite breakfast eat in town.

My internship. Partly because of my supervisors and partly because I loved the work and industries that we were involved with.

Networking opportunities. DC is made of people that are passionate and hard-working. Everyone is always trying to position themselves for greater success and there is countless opportunities for careers, for political involvement, to learn, and to grow.

The architecture.

Playing late-night team-risk.

Eating in Georgetown with people from my program.

Spending time with Talai, Aaron, and Owen (who are all amazing examples to me).

Eating Talai's cooking--I always tell her, but she doesn't believe me, so, for the record: She has got some mean dishes... I really don't know how she developed as a great chef. I'm guessing it was a little nurturing from the world famous eats of Jana Manscill.

Running along the Potomac or National Mall, either by myself in quiet contemplation, or with friends talking about whatever was on our mind.

Learning from Senators, Chief Justices, CEOs, Chairman of large companies...

All the people from my program (although I will see the majority of them next semester, at least I hope so).

Abundant greenery.

Reviewing Edma's papers.

The constant discussion of politically charged subjects.

Giving Barlow haircuts.

Every minute of my time in Washington, DC, even the sleepless, work-filled nights.

DC, I hope you'll miss me. If possible, please save a place for me because I will be back, hopefully sooner than later.