Me and my Blue Shirt

Stretching

2012-01-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

I like to jog, I like soccer, and I like (love) ultimate frisbee. Because I like those sports I've had to learn to stretch. If you don't, you deal with pain, soreness, and injuries. Some of you might not know that I recently had knee surgery where they had to put screws into my femur and drill into my tibia. It hurt(s).

To be mobile I have to work out some of the tension from the surgery and from the crutches I have to use. Stretching now is way harder than before; it hurts more. If I don't stretch, the tension in my body makes it hard to sleep and I wake up with a sore body and headaches. If I do stretch, that pain subsides in a moment and is replaced by greater wellness and calm. The pain can be intense for a second but if you push through there is greater peace than before.

(see, even lions get it)

I've been experiencing some things lately that have been very difficult for me. They go beyond a knee injury and they are specific to me. Through them I can grow and improve, but it doesn't stop me from being scared of them. It doesn't stop me from dreading those moments of stretching. They hurt. There are even days when it would just be so much easier to quit, stay in bed or emotionally check out for the day. I might even think I can avoid some of that pain, or at least postpone it. It isn't true. Those reactions only stunt my growth.

Though sometimes I need reminding, I believe in stretching. I believe it reduces tension, overall pain, soreness, and injuries while increasing our calm, relaxation, wellness, and chance for continued muscle growth. Spiritually, I believe it allows each and every one of us the opportunity to be shaped and molded into celestial beings who will recognize the great Redeemer when he comes. All we have to do is push through the discomfort, refusing to give up on, postpone, or sidestep our chance to become.

Believing

2011-12-20T14:14:00.000-08:00

The other night I was studying my scriptures at the end of a very long day. It was late and I was tired. My brain wasn't working at peak efficiency. I'm a curious person and sometimes I try to explain the things I observe around me. This time, I didn't have answers to the questions my brain was asking. Doubts started to creep in.

I realized I couldn't explain some of the things I believe with my current understanding. In fact, there are lots of answers I don't have. In that moment I remember thinking to myself "I choose to believe. I don't know the answers, but I believe anyway." I'm not saying this because I'm a great example of faith, but because I learned something I want to share.

Faith is a choice. Is doesn't spring from knowing the answer, and it isn't something you can work through in your mind. True faith involves choosing to believe even when you don't have a good explanation. Maybe everybody else already knew that, but as I grow older it has become increasingly more important for me to be okay not having the answers.

When those moments of doubt or uncertainty creep in, I hope that you and I will always choose to believe and exercise faith. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that the Atonement is real. That knowledge means everything to me. Merry Christmas, and I hope you feel the true spirit of the season.

Flattery will absolutely work

2011-11-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

I've come to a critical realization in my life today: I am influenced by flattery. It wasn't a stunning revelation, I'd had my suspicions for months. However, today's evidence proves it conclusively.

I was sitting in my Evolutionary Biology class minding my own business when my professor started to talk about a super exciting topic: stick bugs. Don't judge me too hastily, they are cool. Since you aren't science geeks I'm not going to try and explain why. They just are. He asked the class a specific and difficult question about their development and I knew the answer. It was one of those moments where my brain was working at peak efficiency and I reached the answer before he even asked the question. Cue "Pomp and Circumstance"...

Time slowed down as my teacher said "Very good! In all my time teaching this class I've never had anyone answer that question as effectively and completely as you just did. So, good job." Applause broke out as I waved my hand and thanked my admirers...Okay, the teacher did say all that, but...maybe the music and the applause was only in my head. I left my class that day feeling like the nerd version of a million bucks. I had answered the teacher's "Expert" level question.

The teacher that mere moments before I'd been thinking was disorganized and repetitive was now on my Christmas list. How?! Flattery my friends. I'd actually been thinking about the review I was going to write for his class and the points I was going to give poor marks, and then he asked that question and I folded like a lawn chair.

On the plus side, now I know what to tell interviewers when they ask me what weaknesses I have. "I care to much" was becoming a bit unbelievable.

The Christmas Controversy

2011-11-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

There is just something about Mormons, and possibly with people in general - maybe I've been in Utah too long - where they start playing Christmas music whenever they want to. Most of these free-thinkers start playing Christmas music November 1st. Since Lehi was right about opposition in all things, there's a counter-current that believes playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving is borderline sacrilege. As a free-thinker I chafe at categorization...but I listen to Christmas music whenever it tickles my fancy.

There are times in the middle of a beautiful summer where I pull out my Josh Groban Christmas CD and listen to a few of my favorites. Why? Because I can. There are also occasions when I think watching Elf and The Grinch are great activities regardless of the month. Similarly, I believe reading A Christmas Carol is suitably uplifting for any season. For the record, I'm sure Charles Dickens agrees with me.

So, to all those who vocally or silently groan when they hear me playing Josh Groban, Bing Crosby, or even John Denver and the Muppets Christmas albums: I don't actually care what you think. To all the free-thinkers out there who listen to Christmas music whenever they feel like it, I salute you.

So, whether you think it's too early or whether you are secretly listening to "Silver Bells" while you study, Happy Holidays!

Repent Ye, Repent Ye!

2011-10-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today I was walking (crutch-ing) up to the library to do some homework. Just as I was about 12 feet away from the doors, two guys came out, opening both the double doors. I watched as both of them let the doors swing shut right in front of me. The girl who was walking behind me rushed ahead and opened the doors for me before I could do it myself.

I don't need people to hold the door open for me, but it's a kind gesture that saves me time and energy. Though I'm getting really good at being on crutches, doors are still challenging and I appreciate the help. Having said that, what the crap guys?! How were you so clueless that you didn't see the kid in the 26" brace who was right in front of you?! Hint: I was the one on crutches. It was disappointing because they were oblivious to everything but themselves.

We come home from missions, we go to Elders Quorum and Relief Society and we study our scriptures. We talk about virtues and ways to improve. But, we wake up in the morning, look at our "To Do" lists, and put on our blinders. If I pray morning and night for opportunities to lift others and serve then I should leave the blinders at home.

I wonder how many times I've prayed for opportunities to serve and then walked right past them because I was late to class/hungry/day-dreaming. No more blinders. No more letting the door slam in the face of people who need my help.

Bwahaha! I win.

2011-10-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

I have been wearing a cast for the past three weeks. I'll just say that it has been a good experience, but it's been hard. Crutches stink, and not being able to use your leg also stinks. But yesterday I switched doctors and I'm getting the cast off tomorrow. Turns out it's good to get a second opinion.

I was just sitting here at my computer working away when I got a magical text message from the student health center. It said "reminder: You have an appointment with Dr. Schow tomorrow at 9:00 AM". I smiled really big, leaned back in my chair, and pressed repeat on La Vie en Rose by Louis Armstong.

Then, over gChat, I pretended to plan with my friend a day trip to Paris. Because when I'm pretending, I'm rich and have a private jet. And we eat at a little cafe where we can watch the sunset over Paris and listen to some uncharacteristically good musician on the street corner. And since we're pretending to be rich, we give that musician a really nice tip. But, we're only pretending.
You know what isn't pretending though? I'm getting this dumb cast off tomorrow. And that might as well be a Paris sunset as far as I'm concerned.

TMFW

2011-10-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Future Wife,

Sometimes I get angry and send text messages, emails, or letters that I will regret moments after clicking send. They tell me that recognizing it is the first step. They haven't told me what the second step is though...

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Proof-read my angry texts, emails, letters, and correspondences. In return, I'll run interference between you and the rest of the world when your hormones are going crazy. Deal?

Gratefully,

Your Future Husband

Holy Crap!

2011-10-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

In my dresser, in the fourth drawer down, I have a pair of pants I reserve for special occasions - my sassy pants. I used them just last Monday when a kid who used to live at our house walked in, opened my cupboard and took some of my baking supplies. In the next drawer down, under everything else (I don't wear them often) are my more special *Insert string of expletives* pants. On Friday, I got them out, dusted them off, and took 'em for a ride to Doctor Smith's office.

I expected him to tell me the injury I sustained playing ultimate frisbee was nothing, or maybe that we would have to do some scans to check for cartilage damage. After 50 minutes of waiting I went and asked the lovely young lady why I was still waiting for the right honorable doctor. She said she didn't know. Luckily, the doctor chose that crucial moment to appear.

The doctor began by telling me I have an Osteochondrital dissecans, or a piece of my knee had chipped off. He told me that I'd have to wear a 26" cast on my leg for the next six weeks and walk around exclusively on crutches. He then picked up the phone and recorded his notes from the visit while the nurse told me to lift my leg so she could attach the brace/cast. Within 10 minutes of walking in, I was crutch-ing out of there in a complete daze. I could have been standing in the Himalayas with a beer in my hand, naked with my head shaved and I probably wouldn't have realized it. But, in his defense, the doctor had places to go.

In his hurry, he forgot to give me a handicapped parking permit form. So, for the last 4 days I've had to park at the bottom of the hill leading up to campus and then begin a 10 minute crutch-assisted walk up the hill and stairs to get to class/work/take tests etc. After walking up the hill and checking out my gigantic blisters, I wanted to punch that doctor in the face repeatedly then give him a handicapped parking permit.

That doctor and I are going to have a level 5 Come to Jesus Meeting next time we chat. Or maybe I'll just shave his head and leave him naked in the Himalayas...with a non-alcoholic beer in his hand. I bet that will open up his schedule quite a bit.

TMFW: Dentures

2011-09-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

I do this thing almost every night where I go in to talk with my roommate before he goes to bed. We talk about girls, work, classes, church - but never the weather. Sometimes all of us just sit and watch YouTube videos. Inevitably I end up laying down in my bed as we continue the conversation. This is where I slowly start to drift off.

Then I have to remind myself that I haven't brushed my teeth yet. Let the inner battle rage. In my semi-asleep state it seems like a reasonable option to simply drift off without polishing my pearly-whites. On the other hand, even in my semi-asleep state I know that dentures are a tragedy.

All you have to do is mention the word dentures and I'll get up and brush my teeth. In fact, I'll probably floss and rinse with Listerine to be safe. I just wanted to let you know in advance... my teeth are counting on you.

Accidental Expert

2011-09-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

I spend a lot of time on the phone for my job. It's not my favorite part of the job description. On the other hand, it isn't my least favorite part either. My least favorite part: "Please continue to hold for the next available representative. Your call is important to us." Then cue the awful music they've selected.

However, not all hold music was created equal. Some companies have audio books playing, others (BYU) have nice classical music, still others apply the tried and true cheap jazz music. I'm going to take this opportunity to give out the awards for best and worst.

BEST: Today I called a company (Newegg) and their hold "music" was the sound of rainfall and thunder. I grew up falling asleep to that sound. I might call them back next time I'm stressed.

WORST: Xerox LLC has become the reason I have a blacklist. They play the same pointless 25 second segment of uninspiring music over and over again interrupted only by a woman telling you why Xerox is the best. They aren't the best. They are the worst. That makes them liars and horrible selectors of music.

I didn't mean to become an expert on hold music. It just happened. I don't think that's a skill I can put on a resume.

Fun Fact

2011-09-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

The phrase "Don't Mess With Texas!" was coined in the 1980's as part of a project to reduce highway litter. It has nothing to do with the Alamo, Sam Houston, or anything else that's remotely cool. It was to stop Texans from throwing their beer cans out the window.

Since we're on the topic, Texas is not the best state in the union. Not even close. Let me name some reasons it falls short:

1) Bigger isn't always better. Ex: Fezik was defeated by The Dread Pirate Roberts.
2) Football is a hobby, not the substance of life.
3) Your flag looks almost identical to a country. Chile had the flag first. Be creative.
4) Texas is neither the biggest (AK), the most populous (CA), or even the prettiest (debatable).
5) Your highest point is a place you can take senior citizens on a day hike.
6) You didn't invent barbeque, contrary to popular Texas opinion.

Having said that, I wish Texas the very best in their quest to reduce highway litter.

How many vicious kittens could you take?

2011-08-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Today I went kayaking in the Great Salt Lake. One less thing on my bucket list...but that's not the point of this post. Kittens are the point of this post - and not for the reasons you'd think.

As we were loading our kayaks into the water we noticed thousands of large black spiders in the grass beside the dock. They were the sort of spiders that trap and eat dragon flies. They were the big kind. One of my friends is terrified of spiders. To make the situation lighter I said a thousand of just about anything staring at me would be rather creepy. I said that even a couple thousand kittens quietly, and intensely staring at me would be thoroughly terrifying.

The conversation naturally shifted to how many vicious kittens we each thought we could take. Then we asked ourselves what the most efficient kitten-killer would be. The winner: flamethrower. So, the next time you are attacked by a couple thousand vicious kittens I hope you have a flamethrower handy. Kitten attacks can be ugly. At least, that's what I've heard.

Dear Audience...whoever you are...

2011-08-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

This is for the guy who found my blog by searching for the phrase "Captain planet T-shirt". This is for my friend's aunt who thinks my blog is awesome. This is also for my Mom, who until recently didn't know why I named my blog as I did. This is for my cubscout leader from when I was a kid. And This is for "Anonymous", whoever you are. Some explanation:

Throughout my life I've experienced the familiar dramatic changes that occur in the first 20 or so years of one's life. However, one thing has always been constant: my blue shirt. Since I can remember my favorite shirt has always been blue, different shades and different shirts, but always blue. My two all-time favorites have been navy blue and royal blue. The point is, one of the simple things that remains constant in my life no matter where I am and who I'm with is my blue shirt. Maybe it makes me feel at home when I open my drawer and can put on my blue shirt on that first day of a crazy semester in a new house. Or maybe it just reminds me of who I am and where I come from. In any case, that's how my blog got it's name.

I started my blog when I went to Chile to do an internship at the national laboratory working on a genetics project with huge opportunities and applications. I was more than a little nervous and so excited I literally couldn't sit still. I wanted to be able to let the people I love know what was going on during my trip, so I started the blog. For the record, one of the other things that has been constant in my life is my family, and I needed for them to share in my experience. I started this blog for them, but it's a little more now.

So, whatever you're reason for reading and whatever the search phrase you used, now you know.

THIS is why being single sucks

2011-07-28T13:35:00.001-07:00

Look at the following scenarios and try to answer honestly. Note: Any resemblance of this post to actual people and real circumstances is...purely coincidental.

1) Your roommate asks you to help him cook for a bunch of people that are coming over for a football party (NOT your party), then asks you a couple days later when you're going to clean up your dishes. What color does your face turn?

2) Your roommate opens a can of chili for dinner and decides he doesn't actually want it. He leaves it there, opened and untouched, for over two days. You go into the kitchen several days after to clean up and find this sitting on the counter. If your anger were a shape (rocket launcher, battle axe, grenade, light saber), what would it be?

3) In desperation you stop cleaning the house so maybe your roommates will start cleaning - at least sometimes. Your house subsequently starts to smell like a bacterial science laboratory and they still don't budge. At this point, how would you characterize your mood?

4) You make a delicious dinner and ask your roommate (not your favorite but you're trying to be nice) if he wants some. He responds by dishing up a huge portion then taking four bites and leaving the rest for the flies. Which blunt object comes to mind first?

5) You've been telling your roommate for a couple weeks now about a girl you want to ask out. Just after going on your first date with her, he asks her out. You only find out because the girl sees both of you and laughs at the coincidence that you are roommates. Yes...what a coincidence. What action do you take as soon as she walks away?

Depending on your answers, you may want to consider not being single.

The Unexpected Stuff

2011-07-24T19:21:00.001-07:00

I spent this weekend in Southern Utah at Zion's National Park - one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. While there I went to church at a nearby ward. Sacrament meeting was last and we arrived a bit late, so we shuffled directly into the sacrament meeting room where people were gathering.

Side note: in primary I used to love playing any song I knew. I'd only been taking piano lessons for a year but I would rush up with my "simplified hymns" songbook and accompany the primary. To this day I can't (neither can my mom) believe I did that...on a regular basis.

Fast-forward: I was sitting in the chapel listening to all the people chatting loudly as we waited for the meeting to start. I tried to think of what I could do to help people quiet down and get ready for the sacrament and decided to go up and play prelude. My friend from that ward looked at me weird when I told him, but I went anyway and played for a bit. When a man with a lesson manual stood in front of the class I realized it wasn't sacrament, it was sunday school. People normally don't play prelude for sunday school, but they probably didn't think I was normal. I slowly closed the piano and went back to my seat with a slightly embarrassed grin on my face. "Oh well", I thought, "none of these people will remember me five minutes from now." I spoke too soon.

The teacher thanked me for playing and said "that fits perfectly in with the lesson today." My grin slowly went away. "How many of you could describe, without looking around, the person who was just playing prelude? What can you tell me about him?" About midway through his question I began to wish I'd been a little less proactive and left the piano alone. Then I wished I'd been a little slower getting ready for church. As he finished his question, my wishing focused more on hoping their comments would be kosher. It only takes one crazy old lady with a crazy sense of humor and suddenly my face is making fresh tomatoes look pale. Luckily, they only said I had hair that wasn't receding and I was probably married. It's sad that the one fact they got right was that I didn't have a receding hair line. Still, it could've been worse.

I couldn't help but laugh at having played prelude for sunday school in a ward I've never attended before and then being used for a mildly embarrassing object lesson. Thanks Orderville, Utah for keeping me on my toes.

A Little Music

2011-07-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

People always say that it's just the stage of life I'm in, but there are moments when I have no idea where I'll be 6 months from now or what I'll be doing then. That's a little frustrating. On my better days I do what I can and plan what I can and leave the rest to the Lord.

On my not so good days I try to push the envelope and force things to happen. Somebody really wise told me that trying to do things in my timetable rather than the Lord's is like putting a masterful symphony on fast-forward. It isn't a masterful symphony without the precise timing.

Things to think about.

Tender Mercies

2011-06-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm using the phrase 'tender mercy' a little bit loosely. But for me, tender mercies come in lots of shapes and sizes. Por ejemplo (for example):

Today I woke up 15 minutes before class started despite my very best intentions. I quickly looked through my clothes to make sure I had something clean to wear. Check. I quickly dressed and ran to look in the mirror to see if my hair was presentable after a long night of making sweet love to my pillow. Check. I grabbed a potassium stick (banana), and a can of Altoids and ran out the door. I made it to class on time and looking great (and with freakishly minty breath).

= Tender Mercy

Blue Sky and Green Grass

2011-06-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was laying on a stretch of beautiful green grass in the middle of campus watching as the sun moved behind one of my favorite buildings, crossing paths with cotton clouds made gold by the afternoon sun. And for just a second everything was just fine; I was completely content. Do you have moments like that? Do you have moments where, even momentarily, you feel gratitude and peace rather than the longing and turmoil of the daily race? I hope you do.

It doesn't mean that nothing is going wrong in your life. For instance, as I was laying there my leg was bandaged and my crutches were right beside me. I was en route to see if someone had turned my only set of car keys in to the lost and found after I'd lost them the night I hurt my leg. The future looked just as uncertain as always and there weren't any magical answers written in those clouds. However, for once it didn't matter.

This week I learned that so often we expect perfection and flawless execution from ourselves and from our lives, but this life will never be perfect. On the other hand, if we took a moment to think about all the wonderful things we've accomplished, the lives we've touched, the blessings we've received and the wonderful people around us - with all that on my mind it's hard to wish for anything more.

I think life is perfect, or at least perfectly designed for people on their way to perfection. Take the time to find a nice patch of green grass underneath a big blue sky. Maybe there will even be some nice white clouds floating by. Whatever the case, I hope you take the time to find peace and be grateful. Because whether it's perfect or imperfect, life is way too short to rush.

Twins: An (Awesome) Abomination

2011-06-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

Can I get some points for alliteration. I deserve them and you know it. Now, on to a more important topic.

I think people should wear tags that mention the fact that they have a twin. That would make life much less complicated in the cases when that's a factor. Case A: I have a friend. Don't act so surprised. He is married. One day I saw him with a very different woman in the cafeteria and they were acting very couple-ish. I'll let you fill in the rest of the details. Let's just say there was enough nervous laughter to make a sixth-grade dance look positively peaceful.

Case B: Today I said hello to a girl I know, only to find out that she has a twin and the one I was talking to was the wrong one. In other words, "you don't actually know me." Awkward.

Case C: There's another kid that I met on the folk dance team (yeah, I'm cool) and when he added me on facebook his profile picture was of him and his twin. From then on I hesitated to say hello to him because I wasn't sure which one it was. After months of nervous uncertainty I found out his profile picture was just a trick with mirrors. He doesn't have a twin. Aren't you outraged?! The lies, the deceit!

And although almost entirely unrelated, my little brother would mention that the Minnesota Twins baseball team is composed almost exclusively of savages. So take that for what it's worth.

We need to have all twins get registered and wear tags to alert the unsuspecting world to their presence: 'Hi, my name is: Anita (twin)'. I just wanted to open a dialogue on this issue. Think about it.

My Job: Love/Hate

2011-06-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

There are quite a few things in life that I don't understand. I'd like to address one of those today in hopes that you can help me come to grips. Issue: Why is it that elevator music, though intended to calm and sooth, actually makes you want to club a baby seal the longer you listen to it?

Today I listened to stupid semi-jazzy, semi-pointless, super redundant "elevator" music while I was on the phone with one of the dozen companies I have to call per day. Normally I can find joy in making the people laugh on the other end of the line, but once I exceed 25 minutes of listening to the same song over and over again while on hold, my smile fades and I put on my angry eyes.

My favorite is when they come back to the phone 4 or 5 times to ask you more questions that they should have asked you in the first place. I just love it because it extends the amount of time I get to listen to that semi-"drive-you-insane" music.

I've been trapped in two elevators in my time and I hated it both time. However, I just count my many blessings that there wasn't actually elevator music in the elevators. I'm pretty sure the combination of an entire MiaMaid group and that semi-horrible music would have been ugly...to put it lightly.

TMFW: For Your Information

2011-05-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

1) I am a closet fat kid. I don't even know you yet and I can safely say I love food more than you do. However, I also love exercising.

2) I don't often care about watching sports but I love playing sports. So you might not think I'm the type, but I get really into games (it might be genetic). Please don't ever let me punch anybody...

3) I'm no good at having in-depth conversations while listening to music or when the TV is on. It might look like I'm totally focused on you but I'm really not. Luckily, both of those things can be turned off.

4) I'm not one of those kids that just hums or quietly sings while in the shower. I perform full-scale concerts. I hope you either sleep really deeply or are good at mornings...

5) Places you should never let me go by myself: the spice aisle, sports authority, music stores, costco. I could get lost in there. But if you don't let me go there by mself then I'll always take you to the temple. Deal?

I'm glad we've had this talk.

The Best and the Worst

2011-05-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

I have a friend that's been in a treatment facility for eating disorders. She is slowly getting better and we're all so glad to see the improvements. The other day she came with my roommates to pick me up from the airport and we got to talk.

She said that many women struggle with eating disorders because their value is based on things that are transient: the constant approval and validation of others, the feeling that you are above average (comparison), or other world measures of success such as cars, boats, homes, callings etc.

Some of that comes from the way people are brought up. Sometimes we are quick to pay a compliment like this "you are the best at that!" or "you are better than everybody else on the team!" That accolade makes your value a function of others (better than, best, -est). Why can't we just tell them that they're great or awesome at it, making their value independant of others. Then, no matter whether you are the best, middle of the road, or even the last to be picked on the playground, you will still know who you are.

Most importantly, the best cure for comparison is to base your value on something more permanent. We are children of God and as such our value is based on our potential to create worlds without number. And if that definition seems a little beyond you, the fact that Heavenly Father loves you more than you can possibly imagine and will always love you with such fierceness should give you pause for thought.
Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt, even for a brief moment, how much
He loves you. I have had some of those moments and they are life changing experiences. Let's believe Him.

WHAT? Captain Planet isn't real?!

2011-04-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Since coming back from my mission I've repeatedly returned to think about what it means to be a real man. Like it or not, I've been given crappy definitions by a lot of sources throughout my life. My Dad is awesome and my brothers are pretty cool, but I watched a little too much TV. Here are some examples of real men that I've met recently:

Today I went to the park and a few people asked us if we wanted to play soccer with them. My team was down a player and the people on the other team were good, except for a 14 year-old that was playing with his college age brother. I was focused on winning and playing my best because my teammates weren't exactly David Beckham. The older brother, Ben, sacrificed his clearly competitive nature in order to make sure his younger brother had a confidence building experience and a good time. He repeatedly gave the ball to his brother and created opportunities for the awkward kid to score and be successful, even when it meant a lost opportunity. I can still picture that skinny fourteen year old pumping his fists in the air and smiling because he did it. Maybe it doesn't sound like much, but as I played against them I was taught by the powerful example of this outstanding young man. He was a man.

There is a guy I always see working at the grocery store where I shop. The other day I saw him walking across campus carrying a book bag and the scruff that suggested he doesn't get enough sleep. The next time I saw the guy at the grocery store I asked him if he was a student and he said yes. I noticed the wedding ring on his hand and it all came together. This guy was working and going to school full time to support his family and gain an education. he was sacrificing so much for his family and their future. I was and am impressed by his dedication.

I was watching "Human Planet" the other night as they documented an isolated community high in the frozen mountains of Nepal. The people there can only gain an elementary education unless they travel 50 miles to the nearest city. To get there, they have to travel one of the most dangerous routes in the world. The path is a semi-frozen river surrounded on either side by steep cliffs. One particular man makes the 50 mile trip at the beginning of each school year to ensure that his children gain an education. After finally arriving in the city, the father takes each of his children and says "I love you. Study hard. I'll call and send money." He hugs them for a moment then watches as they enter the school that will be there home for the next 6 months. Then he walks the 50 miles back to his home. That, is a man.

I want to understand what my role in Heavenly Father's estimation is and then follow that.

Running in the Rain

2011-04-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday began at 5:00 AM for me as I got up to prepare for a 7:00 AM final. I finished the final then came back home, ate and collapsed on my bed for a solid three hours. When I got up it was still rainy and cool outside, so I decided to go running.

I put on my beanie and put my super awesome iPod shuffle in my ears and headed up into the hills to go running. I loved every second of it.

The spring rain falls on your face and drips off your nose as you jog through uncharacteristically beautiful hills. On your iPod you listen to Jack Johnson, Amos Lee, Chris Merritt and others. You stop at the top just to see how far up you are and enjoy the great view of the valley and Utah Lake. You breathe the air for just a second and maybe even sing along to the song.

As long as I have those moments, I don't think it will matter how tough life gets.

Me vs. The Phone

2011-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

For those of you out there who regard their pillow as a close personal friend and their alarm clock as a necesary evil, I encourage you to buckle your seatbelt for a suspense/thriller. I'll begin by saying that my phone/alarm clock has moved from the category of "necesary evil" over into "just evil".

For the past several weeks my alarm clock has been going off at unscheduled times. For instance, I set my alarm for 8:30 and it obediently went off as scheduled...but it also chose to go off at 7:20. It hasn't been a big deal because I'm a Jedi Knight when it comes to getting out of bed, resetting my alarm and getting back into bed before it even gets through the first ring. However, my disgruntled phone raised the stakes.

On one particular night I went to bed early because I was planning on actually being on time to my 8:00 am class. Hey, I was feeling ambitious. So I went to bed at about 11:30 in hopes that 7:00 AM wouldn't hurt so bad. My alarm went off it hurt more than usual, but I went into P90X mode and pushed through the pain. I rolled out of bed (literally), said my prayers, then went about my daily routine. After maybe 20-30 minutes in that semi-conscious state I decided it wasn't worth it and that my dear friend Mr. Sandman had far more important things to say than Dr. O'Neill and Advanced Immunology. It took me a fraction of a second to go back to my room and jump into bed. Cue the music from X-Files.

I went to reset the alarm on my phone and paused briefly as I stared into the cool computer screen. It was 2:17 AM! For those of you drunk enough to wonder why I set my alarm for that early, rest assured that I would NEVER do that. I quickly checked my phone to make sure nobody else had either. My alarm was still set for 7:00!

My phone doesn't simper or snicker because it's just a phone, but if it did, I bet it would've been snickering it's head off right then. My phone is currently under investigation for openly seeking to sabotage my life. The penalties are severe and may involve a hammer. Don't worry, it won't be humane.

Just don't get up...

2011-03-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

Survival is more of a challenge sometimes than its 8 letters would indicate. Something that hard should be a book, or a collection of books...like the unabridged encyclopedia or something. It shouldn't be 8 letters.

At the beginning of this week I got a rejection from the only graduate school I applied to. I was sad and depressed because I thought I'd get in. The next day I decided to call and talk with the the department and figure out what went wrong. He said "Oh my, it seems we have the wrong GRE score for you. I'll personally look over this. Your application is quite strong." I called my parents and told them the great news: "I'm not failing at life!"...I spoke too soon.

Three hours later I got a call from the guy telling me he'd been looking at the wrong column on the spreadsheet. I had been denied. So, rejecting me once wasn't enough, they had to reject me then get my hopes up and reject me again for good measure. Why me? Not sure.

I spent every waking moment of Thursday (while not at work or in class) feverishly studying for a difficult exam, taking the exam, then staying up until 1:30 writing a paper. By the end of Thursday I had all the research done and had written the introduction. Today I skipped all my classes and called in to work so I could finish my paper by the 5:00 deadline. It was like a movie with chariots of fire as the theme: with mere minutes to spare I finish my citations and save the paper to my desktop. This is where the inspiring music stops.

Cue the jarring theme from sixth sense - my computer malfunctions and my paper is no more. I spend the next two hours with geek friends trying to recover it. I even downloaded a program. Zero results. All but the introduction to my gigantic paper was now gone. Eight hours of my life, previously organized as words on a page, are now a pop-up that states "document can't be found".

These are the moments where something simple could easily push me over to the dark side, like the mexican guy at Wendy's getting my order wrong. I mean it, I'm this close *fingers held up to indicate an inch* to going Darth Vader all over somebody.

I'm going to go for a jog, eat something delicious and take a long hot bath. It seems like a better alternative to wearing that black suit.

My Apologies to Mitt Romney

2011-03-16T14:44:00.001-07:00

Today I was at my job (Financial Secretary in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department) minding my own business when a call came through. The name on the caller ID was Romney, so my co-worker joked about me having a great conversation with Mitt. She might want to look into becoming a fortune teller. I laughed and said something witty in return, never suspecting it was actually Mitt Romney.

Still smiling, I picked up the phone. Sometimes I am really funny. Sadly, today was one of those days where my funny bone was going crazy.

*ring, ring*

Louis: Electrical and Computer Engineering, this is Louis.

Mitt Romney: Hi, I'm looking for David Anthony.

Louis: *Said with a smile and generous helping of sass* Yeah, we're fresh out of those.

Mitt Romney: Excuse me?

Louis: Yeah, David Anthony - you've stumped me on that one.

Mitt Romney: I think he works in the Dean's Office...

Louis: Well, I've never heard of him, but let me check...Oh, mmmmkay. Yeah, he's the Assistant Dean of the College.

Mitt Romney: Yes, that would be him.

Louis: *realizing this is THE Mitt Romney* ...let me transfer you.

I felt like the kid who gets caught every single time he even thinks about doing something wrong. After 3 years of answering phone calls dutifully and never making fun of anybody or hanging up on stupid/angry people, I get Mitt Romney on the phone and act like a complete tool. A part of me is disgusted by this trend...the other part of me is excited to find out who I'll get to talk to next if I keep it up.

ToMyFutureWife

2011-03-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

TMFW,

I like winning. A lot. You probably won't think I'm that kind of kid when you meet me, but I REALLY am. Sometimes I even struggle to congratulate the other team after I've lost. As a consequence, I don't really like losing. At all. So, you'll be able to tell I really love you when I start letting you win at things. Be patient, it might take me a while.

Sincerely,

Louis

P.S. There's a chili cook-off this weekend in my ward. Yeah, game on.

Where were you at 3:30 AM?

2011-03-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

The other night I was getting ready for bed at about 1:00, but went upstairs to put some things away. While I was in the living room I spotted a book I've been meaning to read. I decided I would wait up for my roommate and read a couple chapters. I finished the book exactly as he got home (circa 3:45 AM). I don't do that. This time I did.

I love reading. It makes my life more interesting, expands my mind, and opens up possibilities and ideas that I had never considered before. However, my favorite books are the ones that inspire me to be better in the small things, or maybe even dare to do something great. The last three books are those types of books and I encourage you all to read them.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption - Laura Hildebrand. This book is the story of an Olympic runner named Louis Zamperini who would have been the first man to ever run the mile in less than 4 minutes if world war II hadn't intervened. I couldn't put this book down. It's a little long, but worth every syllable.

The Giver - Lois Lowry. This book is listed as children's literature, but some of the ideas in this 180 page book are very deep and thought provoking. This is the book that kept me up until 4:00 AM. If the last time you read was in middle school or elementary school, give it another try.

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens. I decided I was going to read this each year with my family between Christmas and New Years. I know there are various movie versions, but I encourage you to read the book. The book is inspirational and makes you want to be a better person no matter what day of the year it is.

...If You Should Choose to Accept It

2011-02-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I, like many of you, have average days. I'm okay with those. Unfortunately, I also have days that start out pretending to be pretty average but then, like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, transform into something I wouldn't even like to see in a well-lit alley.

Yesterday was one of those days where the headline reads "Average Day Gone Wrong". Let's just say I could have strangled a baby koala. Maybe one of my professors made my hit-list. Maybe I thought about getting up and walking out of his class right in the middle. I stayed for the rest of the three hours, but it was rough. As I left that class I felt entitled to be mad. I felt like putting my headphones in and turning up the volume on my iPod and just letting the world walk by. Luckily, that didn't last long.

I saw this little old lady named Dorothy who was very lost, and I'm a sucker for little old ladies. She said she graduated in '59 and she thought she'd still be able to find her way around. I told her I was heading to where she was parked and I could walk her there. This 70-something widow was serving a mission for the church and loving life. She even looked pretty classy.

As we walked I told her about myself and she nodded her head to most of what I said in a "been there, done that" sort of way. It wasn't condescending at all, it was encouraging. That simple nod and her quiet smile let me know that I would get through the uncertainty of the future, and I would make it past today's frustrations.

Seeing her made me stop and think about somebody aside from myself. I learned that it's selfish to get mad and to mope around, because you''ll miss the person walking past you who needs you more than you need to be mad. Service really is the best remedy for the worst days. I also learned that hope doesn't depend on circumstances. It is a perspective.

The Spine of Satan

2011-02-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

I'm currently a little bitter. It involved a dumb girl. If you are a dumb girl, then you should probably find something else to read. I suggest something with glossy paper and lots of pictures.

Last semester I tutored this girl in chemistry. Let's just say she didn't get it. (Part of the problem was that she lives at a place called Liberty Square) Part of the problem was that she had lost her book. I let her use mine for the rest of the semester since I didn't need it. She was overjoyed and I was glad to help. Now fast forward to Tuesday...

She texts me during class and asks me if I can meet her in front of her class to pick up my book. I say that's fine, and the building she named was close to where I worked right after class. I would have just enough time. Just as class ended I checked my phone again to discover that she had mistakenly typed the wrong building. The real building was across campus and down a huge hill. I sighed slowly, and started walking faster.

I walked down the insanely long stairs (the stairs my brother and I call the spine of Satan) to get to the building and called her. It rang until her voice mail picked up. Not that I'm keeping track, but that was one of the top 3 most annoying voice mail recordings of all time. I called her twice more and she didn't pick up. I looked back up the gigantic hill/spine of Satan that stood between me and work, and sighed again. She just made my blacklist.

Not only did she not answer her phone, she chose to call me back just after I had clocked in and sat down at work. Let's just say I'm considering making our next meeting place the top of Y Mountain, and then changing it to Temple Square just as she reaches the top. Maybe I am a bit vindictive, but she does live at Liberty Square...

My Family

2011-02-15T14:24:00.001-08:00

You know how you used to think you're family was pretty crazy and maybe even a little messed up? I think a lot of people, no matter how awesome their family really is, think that as teenagers. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you are the exception who was incredibly ahead of his/her peers. Maybe.

But now I think my family is the best thing since sliced bread. It's like your first car. There's the broken door handle, the windshield wipers that couldn't, the seat that doesn't go back, and maybe even a radio that only picks up AM stations. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe it's because my family is obviously a masterpiece in the making that I feel so at home. Maybe it's because we know each others weaknesses and strengths and we choose to love them anyway. Maybe it's because they are the ones who believe in me even on my worst days. Maybe.

In any case, my family is one of the greatest blessings that I have ever received. Without a doubt.

Proof from the last 24 hours:
1) Hannah (in the blue dress) called me to wish me a happy valentine's day while I was studying.
2) My Mom telling her kids they're crazy even though she's smiling because we've got nothing on her.
3) My brother Andrew (posing like a rock star) making fun of me from another continent. It was the uplifting sort of making fun, I promise.

Now I just have to find a girl that thinks my family is awesome...

To Whom It May Concern...

2011-02-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

I love BYU. I also love BYU girls. However, I think it's time we had a heart to heart

A few months ago some poor schmuck wrote a letter in the op ed portion of the Daily Universe. He sat outside of a large religion class and counted the number of girls that walked out wearing immodest clothing. The next paper was plastered with angry girls talking about how judgemental the boy was. I don't necessarily agree with his methods, but I know what he's talking about.

Ladies, I (and all of the guys I have talked to) would rather date a girl wearing a burlap sack than a girl wearing immodest clothing. And if he doesn't care that you dress like that then he probably isn't in it for the right reasons. P.S. wearing leggings (a.k.a. nylons) under your skirt does not add four inches.

You sign the honor code every year, and that means you want to live that standard and live in that environment. So, to the guys and the girls, please step up your game. I came to BYU because of that environment and that standard. So, what's your reason?

To My Future Wife

2011-02-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time I went shopping with a friend. She said she just needed to get a few things so I went along. I went into Sports Authority and was done in thirty minutes. After wandering through the mall for 1 hour trying to find things to pretend to be interested in, I found a couch in an art store that I could nap on. After over three hours, she finally came out of Victoria's Secret with a dozen or so bags. I vowed I would never go shopping with a girl again.

So, I will not go shopping with you unless it is for groceries. On the plus side, I will cook dinner for you any night of the week.

What I Be Thinkin 'Bout

2011-02-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

The other night I stumbled upon a book club at a friend's house. They looked like smart/classy people so I sat in on there meeting. As it turns out, they were reading a book on religion written by a prominent atheist (which one of these is not like the other...). The hypothesis and information isn't important, but the discussion was.

The guy who had suggested the book in the first place said "There were just so many things in the book that spoke to me!" In response I couldn't help but think "You are a returned missionary studying at BYU and talking about a book on religion written by an atheist. What part of that spoke to you?" These really smart kids (I use the term deliberately) were building an intellectual maze and then getting lost in it. It was sad.

Let's be frank. I'm a twenty-something college student who has never been married, had children, or even held a full-time job. I think it's fair to say that my life experiences/wisdom are limited, but here this group of kids my age or younger were trying to stuff God into their near-sighted and dramatically human paradigms. So forgive me when I say that those were some really dumb smart kids.

Fast forward to getting a letter from a dear friend of mine who is serving in Guatemala as an LDS missionary. She said "Don't fall into the trap of believing that when you leave the temple you're going back to the real world. The temple, the mission, the gospel - that is what's real. Everything else is fake." I couldn't agree more. The question then is how much time we spend in those pursuits rather than bathing in the world's perspective.

They say the best way to understand somebody is to walk a mile in their shoes. I believe that God is there and that he loves me/us, but I also believe nobody can truly understand God as he really is without trying to become like him.

1-1-11 at the AmericInn

2011-01-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

I gradually become conscious enough to realize what time it is - "Johan, the continental breakfast closes in 10 minutes!" I put on a t-shirt, grab my glasses, skip looking in the mirror and saunter on downstairs. Somehow, I'm not really concerned what the other travellers at the AmericInn of Fargo ND think about the result of my beauty sleep. The continental breakfast was mostly what I expected, so it's lucky that they really can't mess up cheerios. I can't say the same about their version of biscuits and gravy...

As I sit down at the table next to the window, I finally allow my eyes to drift to the outside. If I was hoping to see less snow, less cold, or less wind...I was disappointed. At least the sun was out and the snowing had stopped. After being stranded two nights in this place I think I might be sinking into a depression.

Last night, for New Years Eve we found the number for the singles branch bishop and called him to see if anything was going on. We went out and met up with a group of about 9 young single adults and had a pretty good time. I'm grateful for them and how fun it was despite the fact that we barely knew them. It was probably the most unique New Years that I have ever, or will ever experience.

Currently, I'm hoping they open the roads sometime this afternoon. If not, I'll be spending my third consecutive night in North Dakota. Note: I have a list of states that I plan on never living in which includes North Dakota, Wisconsin and Nevada. Being here has confirmed my feelings on the place. Streets that you can skate on, snow drifts as high as 10-12 feet, winds up to 35 mph - what's not to love?! Everything. E v e r y t h i n g .

Well, if all else fails I can just snuggle up with my motel pillows and watch reruns of House and Bones. It's a good thing HBO and good books don't require Interstate 94.

Pedestrians and Rapists

2010-12-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

We'd just had a movie night at my house and one of my friends was going to walk home by herself. Sometimes she doesn't let me walk her home so I tell her to text me when she gets home and to call me in case she gets attacked (that second part is more of a joke). Anyway, I thought it would be gentlemanly of me to walk with her, so I caught up to her. At this point I see an average looking guy/student walking toward us in the darkness.

My friend, in mild protest, says "you don't have to walk me home". Average looking kid still approaching. I said "yes I do." Now he is almost to us. She then jokingly says "I haven't been raped yet have I?" It took me about 1.5 seconds to think about jokingly saying to her "that guy right there could have attacked you", and it took me .5 seconds to decide that joke would be inappropriate. Luckily, average kid didn't even blink.

Average looking kid responds by saying "not yet..." as he casually walks past us on the dark street. Thank you average kid. Thank you. We laughed out loud because the situation seemed to call for it. Everything about it was hilarious rather than creepy. However, it illustrates the point that even in Provo, girls should be more careful.

Another day I was driving home from choir practice in the cold and snow and saw a guy and girl from my choir, walking home together. Because there was a guy there I felt comfortable asking if I could give them a ride. The guy said no and the girl said yes. It was at this point that I started to feel awkward. She got in and I drove her home, but I wondered at the fact that she would just get in the car with an almost complete stranger. I'd only seen her at choir.

Really?! Pull it together and be safer.

Lifting Where We Stand

2010-12-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

This is by far one of my favorite videos on the mormon messages site. I am so grateful for people whose influence lifts others, like the older boy in this video.

Some people don't say a word, they might just simply smile, but their influence is profound. Just by being at your side they bring you closer to Christ. Especially during this time of year, be that person. Reach out and let your light shine.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Good Samaritan, Bad Samaritan

2010-11-29T14:45:00.000-08:00

You know those moments when the very best in you comes out and you think to yourself "why can't I be that great all the time?" you know those moments? This was't one of them.

My friend, who we'll call Maude, called to ask me for a favor. She'd locked her keys in her car at her work in Orem. She wondered if I could take her husband, who had the other key, to get the car after his class. I said yes.

On my way, I noticed my gas tank was a little low so I decided to be on the safe side and fill 'er up. That's exactly where things went wrong. I parked at a gas station right beside campus and gently hummed to myself as I got out of the vehicle (I tend to do that). Just as I was about to shut the door, my phone began screaming at me. In the shuffle to get out my phone and answer it, I dropped my keys in the door of the car I was shutting - locked. As I heard the slam of the door and my eyes drifted to the locked locks, my eyes widened and the tune I was humming stopped abruptly. My greeting to the caller was not the cheeriest.

Turns out the Provo police won't unlock your car, and BYU police will only unlock your car if it's on campus. Sadly, I missed that mark by 20 feet.

Of course, the irony of the situation didn't fully hit until I explained to the locksmith that I'd locked the keys in my car while taking a friend to get their keys out of their car. He laughed, my friends laughed, I laughed. You have to admit, it was funny.

Goal for next time: try not to be a bad samaritan. Also, next time I lock my keys in my car I will be doing it on campus.

Planning for the Future

2010-11-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, I realize that some of this might be based on conjecture, but in case I'm right I'd like to be ahead of the game.

I figure that all of those times in the bible and the other standard works when it refers to "mansions in heaven", that they're actually being serious. Even if they aren't necessarily Pemberley or Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle, I get the feeling that we won't need to worry about housing. Having said that, neighbors are another thing.

Everybody who makes it is going to be pretty darn cool, but there are some people that I've met in life that I would like have on my block. My friend Jesslyn and I have formed a group called the "Celestial Cul-de-Sac", and we are currently taking applications. At our last official meeting we decided that Abraham had what we were looking for, so we had to deny Moses. In another landmark decision, J. Golden Kimball's spot was given away in favor of our dear friend Ben. Feelings may have been hurt.

For those rejected applicants whose awesomeness is sufficiently awesome, we afford them the option of sharing a back fence with one of us, or digging a tunnel to connect our basements. After all, sharing is caring. The picture is an artist's rendering of our potential development. We'll probably have to run it by somebody first though...

In any case, spots are filling up (mine is the one at the top with the nice pool).

Maybe. Maybe Not.

2010-11-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Reader,

Do you ever have one of those days where you can't speak english...or any other language? Yeah, me too.

There just happens to be a girl at one of my jobs that I like (attraction level: 10/10). We'll call her Beyonce. However, there just also happens to be a disease called can't-say-what-you-want-to-when-you-want-to-itis. I have it real bad. And I think it might be terminal.

First of all, let me just say that I believe I'm funny and well-read; if any of you want to dispute that I will fight you. However, every time my secret lover/coworker goes to leave for the day I try to say something funny and all that comes out is something that sounds like finnish (she doesn't speak finnish)(neither do I). She then gives me a laugh that shows she doesn't understand a word I said, and I slowly turn around and rest/bang my head on the keyboard.

Just before writing this blog I said something as she left that sounded more like Danish (slightly closer to English...), but based on her laugh, I'm assuming she doesn't speak danish either. Somedays I'm awesome, I just have this disease where I'm never awesome around her. If this were real paper this would be the part that was wrinkled by bitter tears.

Sincerely,

Louis

iHear, iShare

2010-10-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

I love music. I love it alot. I hear some songs and I stop whatever I'm doing and listen because they're awesome. I wanted to share a few of my current favorites and some that will never get old.

New Additions:
Heartbeats - John Gonzalez
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Blood Bank - Bon Iver
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay - Sara Bareilles
Hallelujah - MaMuse
Farewell - Rosie Thomas
Sugarcane - Missy Higgins
Crossfire - Brandon Flowers
Us - Regina Spektor
Eveningland - Hem
Doubting Thomas - Nickel Creek
I Was Made for Sunny Days - The Weepies
Lost - Coldplay and Jay Z

Never Get Old:
Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson
World Spins Madly On - The Weepies

I hope you all appreciate these as much as I do. If not, well...you're dead to me (in a very real, very legally binding sense).

Early Resolutions

2010-10-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

I made a new years resolution that I'm only allowed to dislike (alot) one person per year. Don't worry, I've already got 2010 covered. Let me tell you about this year's prestigious winner:

1) I used to see him about every day and he would ignore me every day (the occasional nod in my direction was the exception). The only time he would actually see me was when he came to hometeach me. And yes, he was my hometeacher. Needless to say, his visits on the last night of the month weren't exactly life changing. Don't worry, my self esteem remains .

2) He wasn't the clear winner for 2010 until an occurrence that took place about two weeks ago. He'd moved out of our ward by this time and I hadn't seen him for a while - maybe I forgot how much of a tool he was. I was walking through the bookstore and having a particularly nice day when I saw him walking towards me. He turned and looked me in the face and I smiled and said hi. He said nothing and turned away. Note: I say hello to people because it's nice, not because I think they're awesome.

3) I was sitting down by a friend (who is a girl) and talking with her at a ward function. He left the group of girls he was talking to and sat down beside this girl, ignored me completely and began a conversation with her that demanded her undivided attention because of continuous questions. I made my exit.

So, without further ado, the 2010 "Waste of Skin" Award goes to the most worthless hometeacher of all time.

Penguin Launchers

2010-10-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

I may have stumbled upon another trump card (something you can't help smiling at no matter how messed up your day was). There I was, minding my business and getting ready for the day. I grabbed my box of cheerios and headed for the table with my 2% milk and bowl. I opened the box and began to pour, but I got more than I bargained for. Suddenly there was a "collector's series prize" sitting in my bowl. Shocked, I carefully examined the UFO. Then it hit me: I'm a winner!

I don't know what it is about finding a prize in my cereal box, but I don't plan on getting tired of it anytime soon. I felt like a little kid.

Switching to the (serious) moral: have you ever sung the extra verses to If You Could Hie to Kolob? There is one lyric that says "there is no end to youth". Is your mirror sending you the same message? Probably not (your mirror isn't lying to you, put the hammer down). The truth is our spirit doesn't age with our bodies. Our body decays, but our spirit is eternal. Some people become as stiff, tired and old as their bodies, forgetting they live on after this life. Others mature, but never grow old.

Maturing, I think, means knowing how to respond to every circumstance life presents. Growing old, I think, means forgetting how to play with kids or relate to a teenager. So, maybe I won't be able to jump up and down at the age of 80, but hopefully I'll still giggle when I find a penguin launcher in my cereal.

Kick him in the Shins!

2010-10-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

I may or may not be experiencing a funk. In order to counteract this I set a goal last week to exercise every day, instead of the normal one or two days during the week. At 6:30 AM the alarm sounded and my head instantly reminded me how late I'd stayed up. Like a snake in the grass, the thought crept in "well...maybe I could skip exercising just for today...." Fractions of a second later my alarm was reset for some distant time and I was playing cards with Mr. Sandman. (Repeat tuesday - friday) Epic Fail.

After a particularly inspiring weekend I decided to make this goal a reality, whatever the cost. I should've known it would be a fight.

I left a party sunday night before it even started so I'd be in bed by 10:30. I get home and realize my bed sheets are still soaking wet in the washer. Crap. Put them in the drier and get ready for bed in the meantime. I'm not going down that easy. Finally I get to bed at 11:45, bracing myself for the pain I'm going to feel at 6:30.

6:30 - alarm sounds, pain registers, fight through it and begin grabbing my stuff for swimming.
6:35 - goggles are nowhere to be found. I'll have to find my roommate at the library and get them from him. Pool closes at 7:30, I can still make it (pace quickens).
6:40 - Can't find car keys anywhere. Oh wait, there they are...locked inside my car. Slowly sigh and lower my head.

This is the point where my friend told me she kicks satan in the shins and moves on. So, I do.

6:45 - Put on my jogging shoes and go running instead.
7:20 - Arrive home feeling like a million bucks.

Victory!!! However, when I arrived home I got completely ready for the day then fell dead-asleep. So, maybe I missed class...but that'll be my goal for next week.

Rainy days and Sundays never get ME down

2010-10-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

Today I was sitting in the chemistry computer lab, surrounded by people that I judged. Maybe it was the uninterrupted gazing at their computers, maybe it was the collective appearance, but the place smelled strongly of nerd. Reluctantly, I entered the room and began working on chemistry. Was I happy? No, not in the strict sense of the term. Mind you, I too am a nerd, but I am fighting the disease. Let's just say this room was crawling with the infection.

I have a list of trump cards in life. By that I mean, no matter how terrible the day is these things will bring a smile to my face. For example: fresh cut grass in the spring, swimming laps, holding babies, a call from my little sister, winning the lottery, watching the three stooges etc. The list is long enough that I find myself smiling alot. While sitting in that sess pool of nerdiness, I experienced two of them.

Somewhere between hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance and the Canizarro reaction I heard the tell-tale crack of thunder. I. Love. Rain. I ran outside just to sit and watch the rain pour down. As I was walking along I felt the rain seeping into my shoes and laughed out loud. I grew up in rainy washington state, and stuff like that makes me feel like a little kid again.

Before I ditched that room, I heard a girl behind me sigh. I made a comment about how much I loved the rain and she responded "On rainy days, all I want to do is watch 10 Things I Hate About You and eat popcorn." Perhaps I was staring with my mouth open, I can't remember, but sensing I might be judging her, she added "not just any popcorn, kettle corn." Now I'm sure my mouth was open. Breaking the ice, she told me her name was Sunny. I said my name was Louis. She said "This is going to be a great frienship, I can tell." I slowly took out my list of trump cards and added hilarious/crazy asian girls, then I smiled.

Your Circle of Influence

2010-07-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

ONE in THREE women worldwide suffers from physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Think about the impact that has on that woman and the lasting effect it has on her children (a.k.a. our world). Thoughts like that inspire me to keep working, learning and contributing to a better world in the small ways I can.

One of the ways I've been able to do that is by working with Courage to Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping domestic violence. I've been working on the board of directors since early this year and it has enriched my life. It has opened my eyes to a problem I either didn't recognize or simply ignored.

Courage to Hope is currently working locally as well as with organizations in Ukraine, where domestic violence is not punished by law and women have few, if any resources to allow escape. We are working to educate, raise awareness and award grants to fund programs and shelters that desperately need support.

In August, a team will be going to some of the shelters to analyze their needs and view the results of previous grants. The grants being given this year ($4500) will be used to provide group psychology classes for the shelter, buy 4 computers and pay a specialist to hold computer literacy courses, and provide a training program where the women are trained to do nails, so they can find employment in a beauty salon. It doesn't seem like so little money can do that much, but it goes farther in Ukraine.

I hope that you will take the opportunity to be a part of that. I know I will. You can donate $15 (the campaign is called 15-15-15) here and read about what we're doing.

No matter how modest our sphere of influence is, love and action can make it Eden.

Quote of the Day

2010-06-30T14:14:00.001-07:00

I saw this quote on the wall in the BYU lost and found (a place I know well). I later discovered that the quote is from Jack Handy.

"If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid seeing yourself in the mirror, because I bet that's what REALLY throws you into a panic."

I hope you smiled and I also hope you are enjoying summer.

Coming to Grips...

2010-05-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my girlfriend's family had an event going on, so I spent the weekend with them. I was mildly nervous because the last time I met the family of a significant other...well, they hated me. I know, it's outrageous, but they did.

So I met her family and I loved them and apparently they loved me as well. Of her family, her grandma is probably my biggest fan. If things don't work between Lissy and I, her grandma might try to adopt me into the family anyway.

It turns out that of all age groups, (though I do okay in my age group)women between the age of 50 and 85 are the ones that like me the best. Reason: no clue. However, I've never been opposed to winking at/throwing an accolade in the general direction of a senior female...

Take-home message: I'm dating somebody (my age) and she is great. Also, her grandma is great.

P.S. I found this picture. If it doesn't make you laugh then you are probably reading the wrong blog.

Sometimes We're Awesome

2010-05-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Although you might think your family is pretty cool, dear reader, you've got nothing on my family. You may think, "he doesn't know", to which I would politely say "you're drunk." Okay, truth be told, my family might not be as cool as your family, but I AM pretty sure my family could take your family. 6 efficient boys + 5 crazy girls + 7 spouses + a crop of grandkids = a world of hurt. I'm pretty sure my math is accurate (I got an A in calculus).

From now on, I'll post the proof in the form of awesome quotes that I don't want to forget. As our family reunion approaches, I get the feeling there's going to be plenty of material to go around. This one is from Hannah. If you haven't met Hannah, I'm sorry.

Hannah: Louis, I just wanted to tell you you're my favorite brother. And I love you half a jug.
Louis: What's half a jug?
Hannah: I don't know.
Louis: Well, thanks...I guess...

*Two Months Later*

Phone: ring, ring, ring
Louis: Hello?
Hannah: Hey! I miss you.
Louis: I miss you too.
Hannah: I love you a whole bucket full.
Louis: Wow, thanks Hannah! I love you too!

Nightstands and Sundays

2010-04-16T14:30:00.001-07:00

"It is both relaxing and invigorating to occasionally set aside the worries of life, seek the company of a friendly book...from the reading of 'good books' there comes a richness of life that can be obtained in no other way." -President Gordon B. Hinckley-

I love reading, and I'm not talking about textbooks. Textbooks and homework can be interesting sometimes, but microbiology isn't what I would refer to as a "page-turner". So, in order to read more, I set a goal and formed a plan. This time, it has worked.

The Goal: read more of the books piling up on the lengthy list entitled "someday". Read them now.
The Plan: rent a book from the library, buy one from the store or borrow it from a friend so there's always a book on my nightstand. This friendly book gets read on sundays and, when I have time, before bed.

The last few books I've read: Three Cups of Tea, Man's Search for Meaning, The Screwtape Letters, Mormon Scientist. In order to keep a book on my shelf, today I invested in "The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics"! I'm pretty excited.

So, Mere Christianity...

Position Open

2010-04-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

Needed: somebody to nurse me back to health by telling me funny stories and making me delicious soups.

Qualifications: applicants must be able to make delicious soups and tell funny stories. We reserve the right to discriminate against those of the male gender. Also, those who believe that Campbell's knows how to make delicious soups will immediately be shown the door.

Pay: blessings in heaven. Your monetary remunerations will be given in the form of imaginary "blessing tokens" which can be exchanged for more tangible things ("...that there shall not be room enough to receive it.").

Contact: interested (and qualified) individuals should look for the guy in the Genetics and Biotechnology lab who looks like death; I'm wearing a green shirt). Bring soup samples.

Desperate times...

2010-03-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there are those weeks where it feels a little like everything is caving in on top of you. I had one of those weeks. It all started when I went to look at my research plants and they had all turned rust red. FYI, green plants should never turn rust red over a weekend. Then I got some really crappy news that almost made me give up on medical school. *Cue the avalanche of little and big things alike*

One day I was talking with classmates about PhD applications and I suddenly wanted to climb atop my desk and yell, jumping up and down, "I don't want to be a PhD!" I didn't do it, but the fact that I thought about it should tell you what type of week it was. Joking aside, I was just about to give up.

Amidst it all I felt the impression that it wasn't as bad as I thought. One by one the things that felt like they were going to crush me were slowly lifted off or made lighter. Sitting there at the end of the week I remembered how much I love life and love challenges. They make me try harder and be something more.

Every once in a while you have those dark moments where you are tested and tried a little, but if you hold on tight and do everything within your power to learn from it, the sunrise will be worth every moment of it. So I had a rough week, but I needed it.

The Church really is true and the sun always rises.

"If ye are prepared..."

2010-03-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

This is an incredible story about one of the mission presidents from Santiago. The president and his wife head the Santiago East mission and were there during the earthquake. The president's wife woke up at 4:00 am with the distinct impression "There is going to be an earthquake. Prepare your missionaries." She and her husband followed that warning and prepared themselves and all of the missionaries. Here is the story.

Win-ing?

2010-03-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ol' Man Winter seems to be doing what he does best - trying to ruin my life. In order to preserve his menacing hold on my love for the outdoors, he has now engaged in a tango with spring. In this delicate, and somewhat risqué tango it is almost impossible to distinguish winter from spring. Example: I go to school in the sun and I walk home with sleet and slush falling from the sky - on me. I'm angry.

As I walk home in the slush and sleet, my mind naturally drifts to creative ways of combining the words winter and spring. Spr-inter? No, that makes me think about the Olympics, which are good. Win-ing? Winning? It's ironic. I'm walking home from school in march while being bombarded with sleet and slush. It's ironic because nobody wins.

Take-home message: spring better get it together and find a new dance partner or she's going to get caught in the crossfire when I have ol' man winter offed. Also, dancing that close is probably against the honor code.

Me vs. Organic Chemistry

2010-03-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

I would like the whole world to know that I just destroyed my organic chemistry test. If my test were Goliath and I were David, then I would have just hit him so hard that all of his posterity would have died along with him, his parents would have wept bitterly, all his ancestors turned over in their graves, and all his comrades would have lost 10 years of their lives due to the fear. Yea verily, there was a terrible cry as I lifted my sword to slay the beast and a deafening silence as my sword reached its mark.

I got an A on my last organic chemistry test but only by a small margin. I have not gotten this test back because I just took it and it's written. However, I feel confident in saying that I win. So, organic chemistry - 0, Louis Peterson - 2. Suck on that Dr. Savage (that is his real name :)

Warning: results uncommon without a healthy diet, regular exercise, and faithfully studying your brains out.

Without Fail

2010-02-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

I rarely get angry at people. Sometimes I get frustrated with people, but rarely do I get angry. Recently I got angry at a professor. Instead of yelling or defacing his car, I took the higher road - blogging.

Every single time I get angry at people I inevitably get called to repentance immediately. One example is the time I got super angry at my brothers and verbally raked them over the coals right before the priesthood session of general conference. First talk - President Hinckley speaks on anger. I took the time to repent.

The other day I blogged about my professor always using powerpoints and the last two classes he has lectured exclusively from the chalkboard. LOL. During that lecture he also explained the concepts in greater depth. They were good lectures.

After class, I talked to him about his e-mail and my test and he said the e-mail was not meant for me. He had regraded 46 tests that were for a difference of 1 point. That would have driven anybody to the brink. Again, I took the time to repent.

I might not agree with the way my professor teaches, but I no longer think he is a worthless savage.

War Path

2010-02-18T10:24:00.000-08:00

I'd like to take a moment to discuss a heinous method of teaching: the minimalist approach (I just made up that phrase). This is the reason I've been on the war path. I won't name names. I'll hate the sin...not the sinner.

Grievance #1: I have a professor who comes to class and lectures based only on powerpoints. He hasn't made any revisions in his slides nor made the effort to remove the slides he tells us to cross out. He took the pre-made slides from the publisher and has been using those ever since. I. Hate. That. Lecture slides are useful to a point. Chalkboards are my preferred method of teaching. Also white boards. They induce people to take notes.

If your teacher only says what is already written in your book then your tuition should be dropped down to the price of the text.

Grievance #2: This teacher shows up late every single lecture. The other day I walked out of class to get a drink just before class was supposed to start. As I was walking, I saw my professor saunter on into the building dressed in his winter gear. He was just arriving. Some professors take time before lecture to actually prepare. He didn't even start class until five minutes after the hour. That is a regular occurrence.

Grievance #3: This is the big one. I asked him twice about looking at two of my questions from our last test. He delayed until finally telling me to just turn in my test for him to look at. I did so. Later that day he sent an e-mail telling students he reserved the right to review the entire test to make sure he felt "comfortable" with all questions that were graded. He advised against submitting for a regrade because students might end up with lower scores than they were originally given. Wait, what? Is it just me or does it seem like this guy is trying to discourage people from asking questions. In his defense, maybe he's working on beating his personal best at solitaire during his office hours.

He is not a powerful teacher. I hate that I payed to get a letter on my transcript and an expensive book on my shelf. I would rather have learned something.

Also, if he lowers my score I won't be held responsible for the things I say...after the final.

A Casual Suggestion

2010-02-10T19:48:00.001-08:00

I tend to be on campus a lot. Sometimes "a lot" means until 3:00 am. Sometimes it means I spend 6-8 uninterrupted hours in the library. I don't think I am crazy and I think that a lot of students do that on occasion. So, I do things to avoid going crazy.

I have two favorite ways of taking breaks in the library:
1) I use my ID card to check out a pair of headphones and every time I feel my brain beginning to wither I pull them out and listen to some of my favorite tunes. Today that has meant the soundtrack from the new Pride and Prejudice. Say what you will about the movie, but I love that music.
2) I use the aforementioned headphones during the aforementioned periods of brain withering to watch mormon messages on Youtube. If you have not gone to the mormon messages page I suggest that you do so now. One of my favorites is the one about a story President Hinckley's dad used to tell. They are uplifting. They are inspired. They are our resource.

If I happen to be in my laboratory on one of those late or long night I consult my dear friend pandora for needed sanity. If there is nobody else there that means I can turn it up as loud as I want. I might even dance on occasion while waiting for my stuff to finish. Good thing there are no cameras to document that one.

Whatever the case, I find that there are ways to keep my sanity well in hand. Though, I guess that depends on whether you think I'm sane in the first place.

Shakespeare and Mice

2010-02-02T17:42:00.000-08:00

Today I may have met the next Shakespeare. I tutor kids who are below their reading level. Right now I am working with an eight year-old named Sebastian who has great plans for the future.

We were sitting there talking about our lives when I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He leaned back in his chair, looked me square in the eyes and spoke as though his plan were more structured than the empire state building. He said "I'm going to do two things. I am going to be a helicopter pilot, and a writer." I was obviously intrigued. I asked him what made him want to be an author. He said " I've got ideas for some books I'm going to write. I'll tell you them. The first one is called 'The Alligator and the Mouse'. Then I'm going to write 'The Alligator and the Mouse 2'. I'll probably keep going through about 10 of those. Then I'll write 'The Ground Hog and the Mouse'. They all will have to have a mouse in them."

I would like to point out that I didn't laugh once. Not once. After that he told me who he was going to have illustrate the books and talked about what he would do once he was rich and famous. I get the feeling I am going to really enjoy working with this kid. Who knows, maybe he will be kind to me someday when he is super rich and ultra famous for his mice books.

Julie Andrews?

2010-01-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

I have had some fantastic experiences in my new ward. As everybody loves to laugh, I feel that sharing is caring. And yes, the following really did happen.

I was sitting at break the fast with my roommate/wingman Ben Bukey eating my sandwich when this scene unfolded before me. A random guy sitting on the other side of the table from us introduced himself and asked us our names. Hezekiah (name has been changed), seemed like a normal guy except for the mustache (lip sweater) that he was sporting. I can forgive him for the mustache. However...

As soon as he had introduced himself he fielded us a question that made it quite clear why he is not married (I would even venture to say why he never gets second dates). He asked "If you could fight any musician in the history of the world, who would it be?" I gave him the only real answer to that question - "Julie Andrews. Yeah, she's had it coming for a long time."

I thought that was hilarious, but that isn't really who I would fight. He thought I was mocking him for obvious reasons.

My real answer would probably be Toby Keith or Yoko Ono. Your thoughts on the matter?

*Disclaimer: I don't think fighting musicians is a wise use of time.

My Favorites

2010-01-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

I had quite the christmas this year. It began with my dad picking me up and driving to Washington state for Kohl's baptism and Aldus' ordenation to the priesthood. It was really fun to see everybody in Tacoma and be able to attend those special events. Then, we drove home to Minnesota through fog, ice, wind and snow to be with some of my other siblings and family. These are some favorite moments:

In Washington, my nephew Finn (almost 3) was changing his clothes because he had wet himself during his nap. We were sitting on the couch with his Mom and she suggested (knowing what his response might be) that he should change on the other side of the couch so not everybody could see him. He giggled and said "why?" What do you say to that?
Seeing my parents quietly holding hands as we read the scriptures as a family.
Winking at the old ladies in my branch at home.
Throwing compliments out to the same older ladies and seeing them smile (priceless).
I had a bet going with my brother as to which of us would have to sit by the most annoying savages on the plane to Utah. My brother sat beside a young mother and nice kid. I sat between a complete drunk lady on one side and a very talkative and opinionated gay guy on the other. They argued/talked for 3 hours straight (not joking). The best part: Every single time Mr. Sandman and I attempted to escape their heinous conversation, the drunk lady would crack a joke about mormons and nudge me in the ribs. Now I see the comical nature of the situation. Needless to say, I lost the bet.
Getting to see every single one of my nieces and nephews and all my siblings during the christmas break (except my missionary brother).

Thanks to my family for a couple great weeks. Happy new year! I wish you all a wonderful 2010.

A Little Shout Out

2009-11-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

Not long ago, the BYU women's soccer team played New Mexico. BYU has a really good team and we won the game, but not before the New Mexico players acted horribly. They committed foul after heinous foul against the BYU girls. I was pretty outraged when none of the offenses were even penalized. Apparently I wasn't the only one.

Somebody made a youtube video of it and it got spread around. The particular player who committed the majority of the offenses is a savage. Anyway, she wrote an "apology" in the New York Times but left out the part where she apologized or said sorry. Nice. The story and video can be found here.

The silver lining in all of this is that the BYU girls were pretty good about not acting in-kind. So, this is a shout-out to all the BYU girls who kept their composure and beat New Mexico soundly without stepping down to the level of their opponents (a.k.a. the filthy savages).

Life: The Best Game EVER!

2009-11-14T21:13:00.000-08:00

I have a roommate with a gaming problem. He spends most of his time playing World of Warcraft, Halo, and Call of Duty online. Most of his life is wrapped up in those games. When he isn't working, he is entranced by his games.

He said to me last night "I wish that all the achievments from my games were worth things in the real world." Please stop and ponder the significance of that statement.

Gaming = investing time and energy into something where the rewards are imaginary and the achievments are worthless. It is like working hard all month for your boss to hand you an envelope with your pay. When he does hand you that envelope he says "You've worked real hard this month. You've earned this." You excitedly open your envelope only to realize that it is stuffed full of monopoly money.

Life = Investing everything you've got into things that really matter and really count. Education is something that matters. Working hard matters. Forming and raising families is something that matters. Eternal Life matters.

Life is better than that game if you are daring enough to give it your very best. So, if my roommate were to say that to me again, I would tell him that life has real achievments that he is equally capable of reaching.

Great Friends, Great Thoughts

2009-10-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

I like having great friends. I like being surrounded by people that lift me up and make me better. I would venture to say that is one of the reasons I love BYU so much; it is just easier to find great people like that when you are at a great place like this.

On one such occasion with just such friends we were some pretty great thoughts. One friend asked us "What are we going to do to return to virtue/invite others to return to virtue this week?" She was basing her question on the talk by Sister Elaine Dalton. The entire talk "Return to Virtue" is a powerful invitation to return to virtue and lead the world in doing the same. It is beautiful. My friend's invitation was beautiful because she was inviting me to return to virtue with love and meekness and as my friend. Then we all took turns giving ideas of how we could do that this week.

In short, I am striving to be the type of person that lifts others and invites people through example and words to be something better. I would like to thank my friends. If you are my friend it is because I enjoy being around you and your presence in some way lifts me and encourages me. If you are my family, on the other hand, it is because Heavenly Father knows that, in the long run, your presence will make me better (patience, humility etc.). If you fall into either group, thanks for being there to help me.

So, what are we (you+me) going to do this week to lead the world in a return to virtue?

Me vs. Mt. Timpanogos

2009-10-08T21:58:00.000-07:00

I have fears. These fears include, but are not limited to, an intense fear of heights and an intense fear of enclosed spaces. I was once stuck in the elevator of a parking garage for half an hour with 15 other people. Let's just say it didn't help any.

A few days ago I took a date and went with my brothers to hike up to the Timpanogos caves. It did not occur to me that such an activity would involve both heights and pretty enclosed spaces. I would just like you all to imagine the look on my face when I looked at the door to the mountain and realized, for the first time, what I had gotten myself into. It was one of those "oh crap!" ones.

My first thought was that I could tell my group to go without me and that I'd just meet them down at the cars. I then realized that I had brought a date along. If I left her to go through the cave alone then I would be one of those guys that girls tell their roommates about during pity parties. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place (the hard place was actually a huge precipice...if you want to be picky). I asked around to figure out just how enclosed the spaces were and I was told that there were places where I would have to get down and crawl. Again, oh crap.

As a last resort I told my date of my fears and said her that if I started freaking out, she should slap me across the face as hard as she could. She smiled and said "really?" I said yes, but not without being nervous that she'd smiled while saying that. With a few deep breaths, and maybe a prayer or two, I walked into that cave.

One of my big irrational fears was that an earthquake would occur. Luckily, the guide calmed my fears by assuring us that our deaths would be quick. Though she smiled creepily while she said it, I didn't feel reassured. In fact, I couldn't help but notice that she didn't say it would be painless.

However, I made it through without being slapped once. I vanquished my claustrophobia and conquered the mountain. Now I just have to conquer my fear that Janet Reno will strangle me in my sleep, and heights.

I have questions

2009-10-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

Question #1: Is it allowed for somebody who has never even been to California to join a group called "Californians against Utah weather"? I really hope the answer is yes and I have reasons. First, I spent all summer in Chile which was in winter season the entire time. So, I'm sick of winter. Second, the other day it was warm and cozy to the point where the huge guy that is my roommate left the air conditioning on all night. When I woke up the next morning it was suddenly freezing and they were forecasting possible snow. What?! I don't know about the rest of you, but if the weather has to change I'd prefer that it be gradual.

I guess I wouldn't be offended if the group denied me entrance, but I want people to know I agree with their ideals.

Question #2: What is the best "getting to know you" question you have ever heard? I will leave the definition of "best" up to the reader. And by getting to know you questions I mean the crazy questions people always ask you on those first dates, or when you are forced to sit for a while with a chatty person.

I was volunteering at parent teacher conferences today as a translator and there was just such a chatty person who was asking me the sort of questions that are just a little too personal for our 45 minute acquaintance. Then I overheard two girls talking and one of them definitely asked the other what her favorite animal was. I laughed out loud as I instantly imagined somebody asking their date that. Now, please fast-forward to my blind date tonight...

I was talking to my friend at one end of the table when Sally (name changed) emphatically states to her date Jim (name changed), "Oh! the giraffe is by far my favorite animal; they are my passion!" She then named off all of the things that she owned that were associated with giraffes (it was a long-ish list). By the end I was obviously crying with laughter.

The End

I'm Back!!!

2009-09-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

So, I have decided that now that I have school under control (or at least as under control as it is going to get) I am going to return to my blog. Writing on here as been a great experience for me and I want it to continue.

I will grant you that life might not be quite as funny now that I no longer have hilarious conversations with the man of the house where I lived, but I have a good feeling that Provo life is going to provide me with more than sufficient reasons to occasionally laugh out loud...or at least quietly chuckle.

So, join me if you dare in what promises to be just as good a chapter as the last.

Also, go BYU football!!!

Leaving

2009-08-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

The process of leaving started two weeks ago while I was driving to work with the director of the laboratory. I said something about fall classes and he quickly asked me when I would be going home. He was surprised by my answer and I could see the wheels turning in his eyes as he started planning a going-away party for me. I called him out on it, but he would not give me any details. It turns out I'm incredibly gullible/trickable when it comes to surprise parties. Until I walked in the door I had no idea that they had been planning this party with everybody in the lab. Either they are talented or I'm a fool, either way it was a great party. I care about those people and I am grateful for all the experiences I had with them.

My ward also had a dinner for me and they all said really nice things about me. I'm getting better at being less-awkward in situations like that. In the end, I left that chapel feeling I was walking on a cloud.

It is important to note that I have delayed feelings; they either hit me gradually or much later. The first hint of emotion happened when I loaded my suitcases into the car and looked back thoughtfully at my house. I stood briefly in my room and took mental pictures. The car drove up, I slowly exhaled, grabbed my bags and left.

The second pang of emotion came at the bus station. I gave Lorena a big hug, shook hands with my professor then walked towards the bus. I loaded my bag underneath then handed them my ticket. As I looked back I heard Dr. Maureira say "make me proud". It continued as the bus engine started and we pulled away.

The next one came after I had rushed through the entire airport (I am always rushing in airports) only to walk into the tunnel and stop. Time slowed down as I realized that I might not be back here for a very long time. I made my peace. I looked around until I started getting strange looks from airport personel, then borded the airplane to a greeting from a woman from Georgia. At that point it was over for me and I was going home/leaving home.

This has been one of the best experiences of my life so far. I am so grateful for the turns in the road that you never expected but that are so much better than what you had planned. This has been one of those turns. Now, on to a new adventure.

Words are Small

2009-08-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

These last ten days have been some of the most beautiful days of my entire life. It was so great that when you start to talk about what was truly a sacred experience, words seem too small. At times like those I sing, but it still seems to fall short. I'll share a few of the experiences of the past weeks. To understand this, you have to know that there is a list of people from my mission that I have no idea what happened to them because they moved or other things happened. There are many times when I literally lay in bed at night and think about those people and wish that I could see their faces and know how they are doing.

One of the people on that list is a really cool girl who got baptized while living with her crazy mother. Her name is Alesca. She moved out suddenly a few weeks later and I was transferred shortly thereafter, so I never knew anything more about her. Fastforward to two sundays ago when I was sitting in priesthood thinking about a family that got baptized in the same place around the same time. I felt very strongly that I needed to call them that very day (I had one week left in Chile). I went home and got out my missionary planners and found one that had two phone numbers for them. I called both numbers - no answer. A few minutes later, the second number returned the call, but it was not the family that I was hoping to contact. Instead of apologizing and hanging up like I normally would have done, I looked through my planner trying to figure out who it might be. I realized that I must have written the number for Alesca's crazy mom in that box by accident because they were beside eachother. I quickly asked her if she could give me Alesca's number and she told me that she was living in the same city that I was! I really could not believe this chain of events! I called Alesca mere seconds later and I got to see her a couple times before I left. It was a miracle.

This past saturday I finally went to my second area. It was the closest of any of them, but I had been delaying the trip. So many people had moved away from there that I almost didn't see the point in going. When I got there I was going to go directly to our mamita's house because it was her birthday, but instead I went to the house where I lived. The missionary's still lived there and they were just leaving the house. I stopped to talk to them and they asked me my name. I said that during my mission I was Elder Peterson. They stared at eachother in disbelief and said "you're Elder Peterson!!" Let me tell you, I didn't expect that response. They then said, "guess who is getting baptized today!" I was paralyzed while dozens of faces passed through my mind. They said that Alberto and Maria and their kids were getting baptized. I was in complete shock! They had one of the most beautiful families but when I left, things started coming undone. The missionaries had seen the sheet and gone to find them again, but the family always talked about me. One hour before I had to leave for home I got to sit there and watch each of them get baptized and hear them share their testimonies. It was a miracle, and I will never forget it.

Saturday Night Fever

2009-08-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

It was saturday night and I was dressed to the nines. I was heading to the ward party with my friend to learn the chilean national dance. Learning how to dance the cueca had been on my list of things to do for some time now, so I felt like fate was smiling in my general direction. The activity started out by learning the basic steps to the dance. Once we felt comfortable with the basics we were encouraged to choose a partner for some more complex stuff. I felt comfortable so I began the selection process. I had been eyeing a foxy 70 year-old in the corner with silver hair and a killer smile. Now it was my chance. I sauntered on over and gently suggested that we "cut a rug". She smiled demurely and accepted.

She knew her way around the dance floor, but I pride myself on being a fast learner. The dance required partners to be about 2 feet apart at all times, but I felt like it was just her and I on the floor (it really was just us on the dance floor at that point). I managed to keep up with her and her demure smile throughout, and I am now a semi-spectacular cueca dancer. It was pretty excellent. As to the silver-haired dame, I realized in the end that it would probably never work due to...cultural differences. I expressed my interest in being friends and we said goodbye.

I am pretty sure she still thinks about me.

Snails see beauty in every inch

2009-08-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

The other day I was sitting on a bus with a very good friend talking about life. It turns out I like doing that. It was a beautiful day and we were watching the pink, orange and purple colors that accompany any respecteable sunset. We were talking about the type of people that don't let their circumstances define them, but choose to be themselves and define their circumstances.

I said that it was almost impossible to be unhappy on such an incredibly beautiful day then she mentioned something really cool in relation to being happy. I think everybody has had the experience of being really sick and just wanting to not hurt anymore. I remember many times when I would go to sleep at night as sick as a dog and wake up the next morning feeling 100% better. She said that when that moment arrives you just breath in the air, ecstatic to be sitting there without any pain. It is so simple but it's one of those blessings that we take for granted.

I think it is like having a bag of blessings into which things are poured and things are lost. Sometimes we are not healthy and sometimes we are poor. Other times we feel like their is nothing more we could ask for. However, everybody has blessings in their lives; it is about being willing to recognize the ones you take for granted. How many times during periods of great health do we just wake up and smile because we don't hurt? How many times do we stop to take in a beautiful day rather than focus on the negative stuff?

Counting our blessings instead of our trials brings happiness instead of gloom. In short, I think being happy really does come down to seeing your glass as half full rather than half empty (and my friend supports that conclusion).

Dani and Chuli

2009-08-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

I spent this past weekend visiting my friend from the mission Elder Silva. He happens to be pretty cool, but he lives over four hours away so this is the only time I have gotten to see him. The trip was really cool and we had some really brilliant conversations. However, my favorite part of the entire weekend was meeting Dani and Chuli. These two girls are cousins and they have been members of the church for one year.

These two nineteen year-old girls are from the hood in every sense of the word. When they met the missionaries they were going to go to a party in another city that was going to last them the entire weekend. The missionaries were brave enough to invite them to church and for some reason they went. They said they really don't know why they chose to go to church, but they told their friends afterwards that the "mormon party" was pretty cool too. Ever since they were baptized they have faithfully attended every single sunday and every single activity. If there is somebody who needs support, they are there to support. If they are asked to do something they do it. The best part about these two girls is that they have been through really hard things and they know what it feels like. They also know what it feels like to be from the poorer part of the city where gangs and drugs are prevalent. In short, they have the potential to be examples for a lot of people who are going through rough times and for those youth who are straying.

Yesterday Chuli got up to share her testimony and among other things she thanked her cousin who has been her best friend and her support since long before they joined the church. She shared a beautiful testimony that was both incredibly sincere and insightful. It was a great experience to get to know those girls this weekend and laugh with them and hear their testimonies. The gospel really is the only way that we can be truly happy.

In short, the best part about being here in Chile, in case you were wondering, is the people.

P.S. In the next installment I will tell you about the sixty-five year-old woman who was my dance partner at the ward party. If she were only younger...

Plant #29

2009-07-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

There is this little plant that has clearly had it rough in the greenhouse. While it was a seed the mother plant was attacked by a fungus that apparently got on the seeds as well. We tried planting the seeds several times with no results except rotten seeds. When we realized that a fungus was attacking the developing seeds, I used a chlorine treatment and then a chemical that induces germination. It still seemed to fail...then one of the seedlings popped up! I was really excited even though the plant had clearly been damaged by the ninja-like fungus. The plant continues today in the greenhouse because I refuse to throw it out. It is small and fragile so it is useless for our experiments, but I just can't bring myself to give up on it and throw it away.

It might be slightly unreasonable, but there's a part of me that thinks that one day I am going to go out there and the plant will be big and healthy. Even if it never gets as big as the other plants I feel like it would be heinous to throw it in the trash when it has struggled so hard to survive. This might be significant in some way but I prefer not to look too much into it. I think I just like to see things/people make it.

On a funnier/scarier note, I had another conversation with the husband of the house where I live. This is a true story and he is crazy. We were watching a report about social security and the crisis it's facing. This is how the conversation played out. (things in *marks* are my thoughts)

Raul: "I think the solution to all of this is to just have everybody retire at the age of 50."
Louis: "What?!" *crap, I forgot to ignore him!*
Raul: "Yeah, because people would travel more and spend more money for longer if they retired younger. Because people retire and then they travel."
Louis: *deep breath...* "Okay, but this is how the social security system works..." (I then explain how the social security system works) "...so I don't think lowering the retirement age would solve anything."
Raul: (He looks at me as though I just don't grasp his higher logic.) "If you look at any of the great civilizations like the Romans, the Greeks, or the Egyptians they all died earlier. If you look at their society they didn't really have any people above the age of 55." (He looks at me again like I just don't understand.)
Louis: *just walk away!* "I think that had more to do with their quality of life..."
Raul: "Yeah, but they were rich and did really cool things like the pyramids!"
Louis: *Holy crap, I've been sucked in. GET OUT NOW!*

That was the point where I knew that I had but two options: 1) smile, nod, run. 2) Collapse in convulsions on the floor do to the taxing nature of his warped logic and possibly wake up in a padded room with large guys handing me a cup full of pills. I chose life. I ran like the wind.

Coyhaique

2009-07-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

While I was in my last area of the mission this past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with a great family that I taught. The mother of the family, Andy, is one of the coolest converts ever. So, there I was sitting in sacrament meeting with two of the little kids who are normally insanely rowdy, Ignacio and Cata. Cata is five and is off the wall most of the time. I was trying to keep her busy during the meeting by asking her to draw things for me in my journal. When I was out of ideas I thought quickly and asked her to draw me. She smiled like a skilled artist who has met a pleasing task. She stared at the lines of my face to the point where I decided that every neuron in her brain was firing with her rendering. I was not sure exactly what to expect, but I couldn't help smiling as she just stared at me. At last she began drawing. It took her about 5 seconds to produce a modern interpretation of "the stick figure with large shoes". I, out of respect for the genious herself, laughed on the inside and smiled on the outside. I then asked her to draw a girl beside me so that I wouldn't be alone. She smiled all too knowingly and began her second brilliant creation: "the stick figure with bangs". Note: three out of the five seconds it took her were spent on the bangs. I love that little girl and her family.

About a year ago I was having one of those weeks that I wish I could have just rewound or skipped over. It was really rough. I was walking up the stairs to my apartments when my roommate handed me a letter with my name on it. I quickly opened the outside envelope to find that my mom had forwarded a letter from Andy and her kids to me. Each of them had sent me letters in their varying capacities. Cata's contribution was scribbling on her mom's letter, go figure. Ignacio wrote only a few sentences but it changed my perspective completely. He said that every night as a family they pray for me and that they love me. A six year-old boy at the end of the south american continent was praying for me. There are so many reasons for us to be happy and to be grateful; I am grateful for that little family that always remembers to pray for me.

In short, I feel very blessed.

Me vs. Monday

2009-07-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Monday and I have never been friends. We had a really rough patch in high school when mondays were the days everything went wrong. There was a period of peace between us while I was on my mission but the battle began again in earnest when I returned from the mission. One friend asked me on a particularly bad monday how I was doing. I said "I'm doing great...and by that I mean I have gotten my trash kicked and my lunch money taken." At least he laughed. I have tried bringing my "A game" but I still seem to get slaughtered every time I flip my day calendar to monday.

I thought I could make a fresh start while here in Chile but my hopes have been repeatedly dashed by consecutive mishaps. Once I tried taking monday off to go to Arica. I even took tuesday off just to be sure. However, it appears that monday has a contract with tuesday and wednesday to prevent escape (I didn't see that one coming). If you don't remember what happened on that particular wednesday please refer to "true beauty" where I got covered from head to foot in mud while on my way to work. I felt like the little kid on the playground who learns through sad experience to just give up his lunch money without even being threatened.

However, I scored a resounding victory today. I came to work despite the fact that I had only slept four hours and I began my experiments for the day (Albert, you owe me big). One person after the other complimented me on my progress and my work in a short period of time. I am a scientist, so I felt like testing the limits of my unexpected luck by speaking to my professor. He too complimented me on my work and said he would like to continue working with me when I returned to BYU! Bewildered, I had to quickly scan my surroundings to make sure that I wasn't on candid camera. So far I have been unable to discover any cameras or evidence of a secret plot to boost my self-esteem. The investigation is still ongoing as tuesday and wednesday have not yet been throroughly questioned. For now I am working under the tentative hypothesis that the monster disguised as monday has either given up or repented of his ways.

If that is the case then I couldn't be happier. I feel like I've done my time.

...I hope I haven't been on candid camera. Four hours of sleep doesn't look good on anybody.

Moments

2009-07-12T11:59:00.001-07:00

The other day I was at a celebration dedicated to two girls who finished their final projects for graduation from college. In Chile they have to do a thesis to finish their bachelors degree so it is a bigger deal. The principle food at the party was crêpes and the french professor asked for my help making them. It turns out I am a sucker for a compliment...would you call that flattery? In any case, I made half of them and they were all delicious. It was also interesting because I realized that it was the first time anybody has offered me alcohol. I know, perhaps I have lived a sheltered life but I am okay with that. One guy jokingly said "be a man". Another girl said I should try it to understand what everybody else was talking about. I said no.

The party ended with me being the only one of the dozen people that drank orange juice. The house where the party was held is a part of the thousand acres where I work located about 10 miles from the city. As we were walking along the gravel road through the woods to catch our bus home I looked up at the starry sky. It was incredibly clear and you could see the amazing expanse of things. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the word of wisdom and for the gospel in general. I felt incredibly grateful to understand my part in something bigger than the little life we experience here on earth.

Life seems to insist that we be constantly moving. I think I am going to take a little more time to be still.

True Beauty

2009-07-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

Picture an uncharacteristically beautiful winter day. The sun was shining and the temperatures were nice. I was feeling particularly good that morning so I had put on my favorite blue shirt and my best DI pants (the ones that look like Mr. Rogers donated them). I was running to catch the bus as I normally do but I was also taking the time to appreciate the nice day; sometimes I multi-task. It had been raining all day yesterday so the ground was wet and the air was clean and fresh. As I went running along I caught up to some people who were blocking the sidewalk so I stepped off to the side (I was still running). At that moment I glanced away. It was a bad time to look away. I glanced back just as my foot touched the thick mud that surrounded the sidewalk. My face must have been brilliant as my foot slipped out from under me at lightning speed and I flew into the previously-mentioned fresh air. Almost as brilliant were the faces of those people who lined the very busy street, though I myself did not witness their faces due to my intense concentration on the art of flying.

I landed flat on my back in the biggest mud puddle I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I layed there for a brief moment trying to soak in the thing that had just happened. I was now covered in mud from my white tennis shoes all the way to my hat. Due to the skid motion produced by my running pace, I plastered my jacket, sweater, shirt, and undergarments in mud. Only my socks survived the crash landing. Think about that for a moment.

The person who stops to pull me up is none other than a school bus driver with his bright yellow school bus. Perfect. He asked me if I was on my way to high school (I am 23 but I still look 16). Bless his heart, he managed to keep a straight face even when I couldn't. He helped me wipe some of the mud off and then went to tell the great story to his friends while the subject was still in view (subject = me). Also, I made sure I didn't show the back side of me when I stopped a taxi to take me home. The taxi driver put a piece of cardboard down on the seat so I wouldn't dirty his car, but he still put on a semi-disgusted face.

I am currently grateful for Marjorie Pay Hinckley who said "the only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." It is also comforting that I will probably never see anybody on that street ever again. Silver lining: the freshly cleaned lab coat in my backpack remained untouched through it all.

Home

2009-06-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Home has been and always will be a word that has great signifigance for me. Before my mission home was always the place where my family lived . During my mission I felt that same peace that I associate with home in every one of my areas. After my mission I realized that, at least for me, home was where the Lord wanted me to be. When I got back from the mission I stayed in Aitkin for two months waiting for the fall semester to start. I love my family and it was great to see them, but I no longer felt at home in Aitkin. Why? It was not where I was supposed to be. When I got back to BYU at the beginning of fall semester I felt that powerful feeling of being home.

While I was in Arica this past weekend I got to spend a lot of time with my companion, Elder Bascur. He was my last companion and we worked really hard together and had a lot of success. It was great to remember the mission and the experiences and goals we had back then. As we talked I felt that feeling of being home, but this time I had no idea why. I knew that I wasn't supposed to move to Arica, so I wondered why I was feeling that same feeling.

Alfredo Bascur is one of those people who brings out the very best in me - the real me. When I am around people like Elder Bascur I catch a glimpse of the person I want to be all the time. In short, when I am around people like that I feel at home. I feel that same sense of peace, joy, and calm that lets me know that that is who I really am and that is where I belong. That is the real me. I want to work harder to be that best me every second of every day no matter who I am with or where I am.

While I was there, I was able to focus once more on who I am and where I am going.

Also, on the over-night bus ride to Santiago I was lucky enough to sit beside one of the few chilean guys who is 6'6" and 300 lbs. When he sat down I tried to count my blessings. "At least he doesn't snore" I thought as he dozed off. Nope, mere seconds later I realized he snored too. Conclusion: don't count your many blessings before they hatch.

A Million Faces

2009-06-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today I was walking down the street at midnight after having gone to visit some of the members. I had fun and I think it was really productive. As I was walking down the street I looked up at a man who was walking towards me and the distant face made me remember a young guy named Felipe that I taught in Pucón. As he got closer a part of me hoped that it was him even though it was incredibly unlikely. It wasn't him.

Felipe was one of those investigators that you instantly love. He didn't get baptized, but I will never forget his face. So it is with all the people I was really able to teach. I don't think I will ever forget them. I find myself in a store and I hear a familiar voice and turn around hoping to see Marcelo and Violeta. I am walking down the street and I see a family that looks like Erwin and Adriana's family. Some of these people are people I am going to be able to see while I am here, others have moved away or changed phone numbers. Felipe is one who has since moved.

When I cross the veil, I think I am going to embrace my family members and shed some tears of joy with them. The very next thing I will do is search for the wonderful people from my mission. I will look for all the people who did not get baptized while we were teaching them. I hope that they will have accepted the gospel. I hope I will see Felipe there.

I am grateful for those two years and for the chance I have to remember them. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which brought me to Chile in the first place. At the end of the day, the gospel is what makes relationships truly significant.

Waste of Skin Award

2009-06-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Three weeks ago I ate some hamburgers at my pension that I realized, a little too late, were not fully cooked. Crap. Literally. Since then I have been having stomache problems that don't want to go away. I had some really bad stomache problems this morning and finally decided to go to the hospital. My insurance company pays for everything so I decided to go to the best hospital in town - the German Clinic. I have come to put confidence in most things that have German in the title (chocolate, female soccer teams, vicious dictators etc.). As my adventure begins I would like to remark that my stomache problems have been persistent for the past three weeks regardless of me trying to avoid eating harmful things.

I went to the emergency room this morning and stood in line with all the people who have swine flu. "Great", I thought, "I am going to go home with something worse than what I had in the first place." The girls at the desk were incapable, to put it lightly, and inspired little confidence. My suspicions about the worthless secretaries were confirmed when the nurse came to the door and called out for Martin (that is my middle name). Later on, somebody called for me and again they yelled "Martin!". At least they are persistently wrong.

The Doctor was my favorite part of the visit and the winner of the prestigious "waste of skin" award. He walked into the room and his first words were "what is the problem?" at which point I began describing my stomache issues. He then began examining/pushing my stomache and ordered some tests. The lengthiest interaction I had with him was the part where he asked me what the problem was. He literally did almost nothing. He came back with my blood tests and said I had no infection and told me to see a gastroenterologist, in as many words. At no point did he introduce himself or show me results or information. He did not explain anything. He did not even try to smile or treat me with respect. He also committed a deadly sin by speaking to me very slowly, as though I needed to look every word up in the dictionary while he spoke. That visit cost my insurance company $120.00. I payed $120.00 to find out only that I had no infection and to be treated like a convicted criminal who is feigning sickness to get out of the slammer. I should have just walked down to the corner and handed the money to the bumb on the corner. At least he smiles when you walk by and that much money would have made him smile even bigger.

The results of the test were various aspects of my blood levels. Because that is part of my major I was able to read the results and find out for myself what was going on. In other words, that Dr. could be sold into slavery and nobody would miss him. Also, I could do his job for half what he gets payed with no problems. I could even use the money I got from selling him into slavery to pay of my school loans. I think my path is clear:

1) Does anybody you know have connections in the slave trade?
2) Do you know a good gastroenterologist in Temuco, Chile?

Getting to Know Me

2009-06-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have learned a few things about me but I will give you some notes from this weekend before broaching that topic.

I was sick to my stomache on friday and saturday. On friday I finally took some medicine for it so I could get to sleep. I was sitting in the living area waiting for it to kick when the husband of the house came to ask me where the pain was and how it felt. He is the type of person who believes he knows everything about everything but really knows absolutely nothing (he doesn't even know that he knows nothing). Unfortunately, I have discovered that I am not above laughing at him. I answered his question by describing the pain, at which point he diagnosed me with a severe case of cold stomache (it has barely gotten below freezing here). If I had eyes in the depths of my soul I would have been rolling them at this point. I told him that I had just drunk a cup of hot mint tea and a cup of hot chamomile tea to refute his stupid diagnosis. He is also harder to reason with than a brick wall, so he remained undaunted in his synopsis. He told me that those were all wrong for the stomache and that I needed to drink a tea of such and such. He then went outside and grabbed a leaf off of one of the neighbor's bushes and brought it inside to show me the cure. Naturally, I remained skeptical about the cure, the self-crowned curer, and the nature of the neighbor's bush. He went into the kitchen and I headed for the hills (my room) where I slept through the night. Conclusion: He is ridiculous, medicine is not.

I have discovered through self-diagnosis that I have levels of anger. Stage one of my anger is me laughing at awkward situations and not making a big deal out of little things. Stage two involves me shutting down and not talking to people because I don't want to say something I'll regret etc. The next stage of me getting angry is the explosion stage where I tell you exactly what I think of you and your behavior. Basically I put on my very best angry eyes and I equip my state-of-the-art angry voice and I throw down. Luckily, I don't make it to this stage very often. I think the mission helped me to recognize the way I deal with these things and make a change. Now I try to communicate before it reaches the "shut down" or "armageddon" stages. Yesterday I was teaching the youth sunday school class and I almost made it to the armageddon stage with two students that I expected way more from. Fortunately, I recognized how I was reacting and took them aside after class to talk to them. It went well. At the end of the day, I choose how I react. Me getting angry helps nothing and nobody (though it might come in handy if I was forced into a battle to the death with somebody bigger than me).

Conclusions: I don't like getting angry (but, then again, I have never been forced into a battle to the death with somebody bigger than me). Also, I should probably overcome my natural reaction to laugh at the husband. In my defense, he claimed he invented sloppy joe's! I couldn't help myself.

NOT TODAY!!!

2009-06-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

Things I am thankful for: my legs, my ability to run, and...my feet.

Last night I was making a delicious pizza from scratch with a recipe that I have for equally delicious focaccia bread (recipe can be found here). I realized that some things were lacking for my delicious pizza, so I went to a little store about four blocks from home. As I walked to the store I did what I usually do when I go out after dark, I kept my eyes open for people who might rob a very white american. That means you cross the street or turn around and go a different way when you see a group of guys loitering, and don't carry around expensive things or lot of cash. I have to recognize the fact that my face might just as well say "rob me!" because I am clearly american. So, I act accordingly.

In the block right before the store I saw a guy slow down and stop as he approached me so I put some space between me and the strange guy. I went into the store and watched the door to see if he would walk by. He walked by once by himself then a second time with another guy. Both times he looked in the store at me. I made my purchase and waited for them to walk by again. As soon as they did I went out the door and ran in the other direction. For those of you who don't know me very well, I like to run. Sometimes I run just for the fun of it. This time I ran because I was not about to let those punks take my money. Perhaps they just had some questions about the principles of biochemistry, but I wasn't about to hang around to find out. I looked back when I reached the corner and saw that they had turned around and were walking towards me. I ran the rest of the way home and then finished my delicious pizza. I forgot to mention that I am grateful for the genes that code for long legs.

The moral of the story: if you are not big/scary enough to demolish them (I am not), then you should be fast enough to outrun the savages. If nothing else you could at least be equipped with a formidably ear-piercing scream. Also, the pizza was delicious. I made the sauce from tomato paste with garlic and oregano and I topped the pizza with cheese, red bell peppers, and chicken. Once it was done I thinly sliced avocado and put that on top as well. It was a good day.

And yes, I will be careful.

I Still Believe in Summer Days

2009-06-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share some notes from this past week and the weekend in Alerce. I will try to be tactful by sharing the funny things first and the thoughtful things last.

1) My current bishop in Temuco came up to me while I was playing the piano in the chapel. The following is the conversation (things surrounded by * marks are my thoughts):
Bishop: What are your talents Louis?
Louis: I play the piano...I sing...
Bishop: We could do a practical mutual one night for the youth.
Louis: Yeah! *singing and playing the piano are not the most practical skills*
Bishop: What is your major again?
Louis: Microbiology.
Bishop: So, you could teach about the law of chastity!
Louis: ... *...*
Bishop: Yeah, you could talk about it from the science perspective!
Louis: *birds, bees, ...and bacteria?*
Bishop: ...and we could invite the parents.
Louis: yup, we sure could. *Is this what skydiving feels like?*
Bishop: How about the 19th?
Louis: Sounds great. *This sounds crazy*
NOTE - microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms. It is not the study of chastity.

2) I was riding home in the bus and I went to the tiny bathroom in the back to change out of my church clothes so I could sleep. I entered the already shady bathroom (well after dark) only to realize that the lights were burned out. Determined, I began changing in the pitch-dark bathroom anyway. I learned that I would probably be good at being blind. Also, the bathroom smelled like the black death, so I am glad that I couldn't see the thing that was causing the tragic smell. I did manage to change despite the bumps, the dark, and the smell.

3) I arrived in my first area of the mission and I wanted to calmly walk from house to house to soak it all in, but I couldn't stop myself from running. All day long I ran from place to place. It was a pretty amazing feeling.

4) All my converts in that area are still active and thriving. One of them is the first counselor in the elder's quorum and is getting sealed next month. Another one is the teacher for the principles of the gospel class. She is a single mother and her son just turned 8 and wants me to baptize him. That was a really cool moment for me. I will be going back in august to baptize Luis.

5) There is a family that has a highly disabled son that I became really good friends with. He has a severe case of epilepsy that has taken away a lot of his mental capacity including the ability to walk. He would always get really happy and smile really big whenever I came over. I haven't been in that house in 3-1/2 years but the moment I walked in that house he got so excited and gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen. Of all the people in Alerce he recognized me the fastest. I cannot wait to meet my friend again when he no longer has those physical limitations.

This trip to Alerce was really meaningful for me for a lot more reasons than the ones that I mentioned. It is really good to remember; going to Alerce was about remembering.

Lab Cred

2009-06-02T05:40:00.000-07:00

"Laboratory cred" is the same basic concept as street cred with one notable difference: Lab cred, once lost, is basically lost forever. For those of you who don't know what street cred is, it is defined as "Acceptability or popularity, especially among young people in urban areas" by none other than the American Heritage Dictionary (I think that is funny). Lab cred is about credibility among your laboratory peers that leads to trust and acceptance. Today I would like to talk about this phenomenon.

There are certain things that can raise your lab cred instantly such as being named Albert Einstein and being brilliant. Also, if you have a long list of past achievements demonstrating your brilliance it wouldn't hurt (e.g. nobel prize in applicable field). Otherwise you must slowly and surely build up your lab cred by small acts of brilliance and by avoiding acts of non-brilliance. I will explain.

Your lab cred can suffer significant losses for such simple mistakes as exposing everyone near you to hazardous chemicals, large spills, reckless behavior, and/or asking someone if they are pregnant when they really aren't pregnant at all. Unfortunately, as I said before, such losses are pretty permanent. Luckily, there are ways to tell your lab cred is swimming in the tiolet:

1) If everyone suddenly decides to take their break when you take out the beta mercapto ethanol.
2) If people consistently offer to do things for you when expensive equipment is involved.
3) Your friends happen to all be people who work far away from you.
4) You think you are the best-dressed person in the lab because everyone near you has started wearing clothes they don't care about.

So, now that we all understand the concept of lab cred, I'll tell you what happened yesterday. I spilled the blue liquid marker three consecutive times on the counter-top (it was a very awkward container, in my defense). I dropped an entire tray of DNA samples right in front of my coworker (her name is Lorena) after which I promptly yelled "Lorena!" in an accusatory tone. I was trying to salvage some of my remaining lab cred by blaming her, but I think my very red face told the tale. Next, I was preparing a PCR reaction that takes time both to prepare and order the components for when I dropped the only bottle of one liquid primer on the floor...with the lid off! My mouth was wide open as I watched the tube do an olympic-class gymnatics routine on the floor. When it finally came to a halt, I slowly reached for the tube. To my complete surprise and glee, not one drop of the liquid had left the bottle. Mind you, I was not joking when I said olympic-class gymnastics routine. I smiled like a child with a candy bar. Then I thought of my lab cred and slowly looked right and left to make sure my reputation was intact. To my even greater surprise, nobody had seen the gymnastics routine but me. I, with greater confidence this time, smiled like the grinch who stole chistmas (once he had stolen christmas) and continued preparing the reaction.

So, I think my lab cred is still doing okay. Also, I have not been guilty of any crazy offenses yet. Though I did accuse one of my coworkers of being pregnant once. I think I played it off well but I will never forgive myself. People who do things like that are the type of people I normally make fun of. Maybe it's just karma.... To all those individuals I have ridiculed both publicly and privately, I apologize.

I Love Chilean National Parks

2009-05-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

Me vs. The Man (or something)

2009-05-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

I shall tell you a harrowing tale of betrayal and lies, of savages and airheads. So, fasten your seatbelts.

I moved into my new pension on sunday where I was promised my own bathroom and a nice room for the expensive price of 130,000 pesos per month. That's very high but it's in a nice neighborhood so I accepted. Besides, I was tired of looking and bartering. However, there were several surprises waiting for me.

The first surprise came when I actually moved in on sunday and discovered that half of the room was filled with stuff. Half the closet, one of the dressers, the cabinet, two shelves, and a random duffle bag on the floor. When I asked them about it, the son came in and took a stack of movies from the corner and left. The movies were the least of my worries. The second and major surprise was that the son sleeps right next door and smokes like a chimney...in the house. Also, the bus I take every morning was supposed to pass right outside my house - false. I had to run/walk for 12 minutes to take the bus. Other grievances: no hot water that morning, no heat, no hot breakfast. Not exactly the best start. I changed places the next day.

Now, let's talk about the company bus for a brief moment. Not only did my coworkers tell me the wrong street to wait for it at, but they also gave me the wrong directions to get to that wrong street. And, since two wrongs do NOT make a right, I got very lost. Even though I had woken up extra early, I still had to run like mad to get to the correct corner. Finally, legs trembling and lungs failing, I was standing at the right corner. Victory! Now all I had to do was signal the bus driver to stop as my (misguided) co-workers had told me.

I saw the bus coming two blocks away and prepared to signal him. I stuck out my hand in traditional fashion but he showed no signs of stopping. I started waving my arms - no reaction. Perhaps I wasn't making the right sign. I quickly reviewed all the secret hand-shakes I had learned as well as everything I knew about the gadianton robbers. Still no reaction from the bus driver. I was not going down that easy; I gritted my teeth and began chasing him at top speed in my dress shoes. Two and a half blocks later he stopped briefly because of traffic, but he was on the opposite side of three lanes of one-way traffic. I jumped up and down but he was blind to my existence. Luckily, he wasn't deaf to my existenence. After weighing the options carefully, I ran across all three lanes and knocked on the door of the bus...with a very angry look on my face.

I made it to work that day on time despite them all. I rose victorious over such notable foes as the smoker next door, the misguided co-workers, and the savage bus driver. To all my compatriots who silently fight similar battles I declare that it can be done! I wish you luck.

The World Spinds Madly On

2009-05-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share some thoughts and pictures. Pictures first:

Here are the plants I work with. I have been drying these leaves and extracting DNA from them.

This is my desk in the lab. It is not much, but it is mine. Also, that is my lab coat. Yup, my very own. I am grinding up leaf samples to extract the DNA. I am using liquid nitrogen which makes it look infinitely cooler.

As to the title of the blog it is the title to a song by the weepies. Some of the lyrics are as follows:

Everything that I said I'd do
Like make the world brand new
And take the time for you
I just got lost and slept right through the dawn
And the world spins madly on

I wish that I had woken up sooner in my life to the possibilities that surrounded me all along. I don't want to let any more pass me by. I don't want to forget the promises I have made. I was listening to this song tonight and thinking "don't ever 'fall asleep'." I realized again, as I have in the past, the importance of taking the time to smile, to say I love you, to give a hug, and to put away your work when somebody needs you.

The other night my professor was at the office until 10:30 PM. He came home to eat and went back again. While he was gone his wife went to do the dishes and the kids didn't let her get anything done, so I started playing with them so she could finish. I was having great fun with them, but then I stopped and realized that their Dad should have been the one there with them.

I don't want to fall asleep while the world spins madly on. You inevitably wake up and realize that you have let the best stuff slip by. A guy that I knew had a list of 7 mottos to live by. When he passed away they were published as his obituary and one of the first ones was "people are always most important". I believe that.

So, to those I love and care about: I love you and I care about you and don't you ever forget it. Wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a hug for me. I'll see you all soon.

Me and Julie Andrews

2009-05-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

In honor of having spent a few solid days in Chile so far I felt it appropriate to make a list...Julie Andrews style!

A Few of my Favorite Things:

1) Food - I love Chilean food. The end.

2) People - People are very straight forward and less tightly wound here. It is nice.

3) Talking to Converts - I got to call some of my favorite people on earth last night and talk to them for the first time in almost three years. It was so nice to sit there and talk to them as I remember all the wonderful moments I had with them. Soon I will see them and it is going to be phenomenal.

4) The beautiful sky - There are fewer pollutants in the air and a lot more visible stars. I am in the coutryside where there aren't a ton of lights so I can go outside at night and look up at the stars and just think cool thoughts.

5) Lab Coats - Yup, I have a lab coat with my own name embroidered on it and I LOVE IT! I am mentioning this so you guys will be prepared for my come-back the next time you beat me at frisbee or cards or something "Well, I have my own lab coat..."

That is about it for now. Also, I went to church on sunday and I was a little shocked when the priesthood teacher said "wur ahr yu frum?" (where are you from?) in horrible english to me. I just laughed on the inside because I speak dutch better than he speaks english (I don't speak dutch). I made a special point of making lots of comments in his class. I think I surprised them : )

"Come in Houston..."

2009-05-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

So, I made it aboard the plane in Salt Lake this time. I even made it aboard the plane in Atlanta. Then, against all odds, I even made it aboard the bus to Temuco. Finally, after more hours than I care to talk about, I have reached my final destination. I have even showered and had a good chance to sleep. In short, I am alive and well.

I have to say that coming back here at this particular time is one of the more interesting things that has ever happened to me. I started my mission in Chile during the American summer which coincides with the Chilean winter. I am coming back under the exact same circumstances. They use wood stoves to heat their homes here which puts a lot of smoke into the air during the winter. So, when I got on the bus and started to drive into the colder south I was overcome with memories, smells, sensations, and experiences that I had almost forgotten. It is really interesting to me how many of those memories are connected to those smells. Something as simple as the humidity and the smoke smell in the air takes me right back to four years ago when I stepped off the bus in Osorno.

This is the type of thing I would sit there and day-dream about during boring lectures in biodiversity. I cannot wait to go to my areas and visit the people I love. I saw the buses that said Pucon in the window and I wanted to just jump on board. Don't worry though, I still know where my home is.

So, will you guys still love me if I come home smelling like a campfire? I would like everyone to think about that for the next little while (three months). If the answer is no, I expect you to rethink until you have reached a better answer. I, in the meantime, will be having the time of my life.

Another Day, Another Disaster

2009-05-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, to fully understand the tragedy that occurred on this seemingly normal day I am going to have to start at the very beginning.

I spent all day yesterday saying goodbye to all my close friends and packing up all of my belongings as well as preparing/teaching sunday school. I finally went to bed after 1:00 am. I had to get up at 7:30 am to do laundry, take my boxes over to Johan's apartment, obtain a criminal background check, stop by work to make sure my two replacements were still alive, and go get a physical. The physical was an interesting story all by itself, but I will tell that another day. Why would I leave all of these things until the very last minute like that? Well, I found out about the physical and the background check on friday at about 4:30 pm. Still, I felt like I could do it.

I was rushing like mad from the time I got up, but I managed to leave my house by 1:00 in plenty of time to get to Salt Lake City for my 4:35 flight. I was finally calming down as we got into the car and started driving to the airport. I thought "whew, I'm going to make it."

Then it occurred to me that I had forgotten to print off my itinerary. I quickly called my friend and asked her to tell me the confirmation number and flight number. She read me my confirmation number and then said "yup, your flight is through Delta and you are leaving at 2:57 pm." FYI, it was 2:57 pm at that very moment. For those of you who suffer from short-term memory loss, I firmly believed that my flight was leaving at 4:35 pm. If there was ever a time in my life when I felt like swearing the colors of the rainbow, that was it.

The next part of the story involved me talking with BYU travel and Delta airlines for a total of about an hour, and paying $280.00 to reschedule my flight for wednesday. I have never had somebody kick me in the gut repeatedly, but I assume that it must feel something like that.

The best part: I sold my contract today and the new kid has already moved into my spot. So, I will be couch surfing for the next two nights. Fortunately I am now at a point where I can laugh about it, as I hope you do when you read this. They say that laughter makes us healthier, so you are welcome.

The blog.

2009-05-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

So, as many of you already know, I will be escaping to Chile for the summer to do plant genetics research. If you have already fallen asleep at my description, I am ashamed of you. If you are still awake, don't fret, that's all the detail I will go into. I will be leaving on May 11 to go back to the country I served my mission in and I won't be coming back until August 18. Excitement Level: 10/10.

People tend to look at me like I am a super genious when I tell them I am going to Chile to do plant genetics research. I laugh because I happen to be pretty normal, I just got lucky this time and convinced them otherwise.

Unfortunately, I can't sneak anybody into Chile via my luggage because it's expensive, lack of oxygen, customs, and airport personnel are not as careful with luggage as we hope. However, this blog has been designed to keep everybody "posted" (I kill myself) on how things are going. Maybe I am exaggerating how many people are interested, but ignorance can be bliss sometimes.

I'll see you guys when I get back.