If You Could Be Anything...

... in the whole wide world... what would it be? Well... my answer to this question is probably weird to most of you. And there are probably three people in the entire world that could have guessed what it was. But, if I could be anything in the whole entire world, I would be a carpenter. I love carpentry. Who knew? Well, I knew. If I could have a big workshop on my property somewhere in the woods and work there all day long and bring home the big bucks, I would. Weirdest dream ever, I know. But there it is. My love of carpentry sent me on an interesting path today on YouTube. These are my two favorite carpentry clips of the day:

This clever gentleman created a table that walks! You know how you're always trying to move your table and then it scrapes against your hardwood floor? Who hasn't seen that scenario played out a thousand times? Problem solved. Ingenious!

Words don't even need to be spoken to describe this video. What a beautifully crafted table! And so functional! I'm in awe of this table.

Truth Is Truth

As is custom for me, I needed to find a picture to accompany my blog post. Since this blog is about truth, I Googled truth and nothing was catching my eye. So, I settled on a picture of this band. They are called Truth Movement and they are pretty awful, but me and Kelly saw them perform in LA last summer and it was definitely a show I will never forget, especially the part when Cory Feldman (that's right--that's who that is) came on stage in a cloak and started laser beaming the crowd while the bass player was texting his girlfriend.


On and entirely different note, I did some reading last night in Sheri Dew's book, No One Can Take Your Place. I ordered it a long time ago and it's been sitting on my bookshelf along with dozens of other books I have yet to find the time to read... especially since the Harry Potter series is consuming my life right now. (For those of you who don't know, I made a goal to read all the Harry Potter books this summer so that I would be ready for the movie when it comes out in November, but I guess I kept thinking summer was much longer than it actually was... and here I am with less than two weeks left in summer and I'm only half way through the fourth book--which is one of the best, but that's beside the point. I might not finish before I see the movie but I want to. We'll see what happens. Only time will tell.) I'm not really sure what made me pick it up, but it's a good book so far and I like it. Sheri Dew is an interesting lady. I've been hesitant to read her stuff because of all the hype that surrounds her, but my mom gave me a book for Easter or something called Saying It Like It Is (the title of which is typically reason enough for me not to read the book) and I read it and, as it turns out, Miss Dew has a lot of good things to say like they are. So anyway, one line that particularly struck me as I was reading last night was this: "Truth is truth, and there is power in truth"(24).


There are really scary things about being a member of the church. People make fun of you a lot and tell you you're wrong constantly. But in recent years, especially with Prop 8, people have become vicious. I had an older gentleman literally yell at me once about the issue. He told me I was of Satan and that we "people are evil!" Maybe it's just me, but I don't think anyone likes being told that they are evil, and I don't think it's fair to call anyone evil. It's my belief, as much evidence as there may seem to be against it, that people are inherently good. So that was just a low blow. But strangers aren't the hardest part. The hardest part is when people you love lose respect for you and feel that you are cold hearted and mean because you're standing up for what you believe in. It's especially hard because I can see exactly where they're coming from. I see the logic in their argument. I even see the heart and the love in it. But I still don't agree with it. I often get scared to stand up for things... I do it anyway, but it scares me. But the fact that there is power in the truth is a great comfort to me. I know that if I seek out the truth and share it with others, my words will be carried the way they need to be to the people they need to get to and that's all that matters. 

A Much Needed Reunion

thursday, august 19

I went to the temple yesterday for the first time in a long time and it was just great. This view has been my pic of the day before but I still just love it and I'll take any excuse to take a picture of it. The Provo temple may not being the most beautiful temple in the world, but in a lot of ways, to me, it's home. So I will always love it.

Dream Home

wednesday, august 18

It's not very often that I find a good picture to blur the edges of, but today was my lucky day. Here is our (mine, Kate's, Lisa's, and Leah's) future home. Beautiful, isn't it? We just can't wait to move in. It has already begun, in fact. Kate's started moving in and so will the rest of us since she already has a key. It's a lovely house, but wait until you go downstairs. It's pretty ghetto down there, I'm going to be honest. The walls desperately need to be painted (mine particularly) and there are some unwelcome pipes coming out of the ceilings. It's a bit of a fixer upper but I think with some hard work and TLC, it will be beautiful in no time. I really am excited to make this little house our home. I can't even imagine the wonders that await us in the year to come. :)

On Break

tuesday, august 17

I've been working a lot more lately, trying to earn some money for all the things I need money for. Unfortunately, I need money now and I won't be getting it until next Thursday and Friday. Such is life, I suppose. In the meantime, I keep working and not having money and this is how I spend my half hour breaks each day at work. I find a grassy spot on campus and lie down so that I can get some good Harry Potter reading in and soak up some rays. Notice the Jacob bookmark my mom gave me for my birthday. It's quite a relaxing half hour and what I look forward to for the first half of the work day. 

Night Hike

saturday, august 14

Stewart Falls at night is lovely. These pictures is what happens when you give Teejy the camera phone. 

Back to Business

After spending most of my summer being AWESOME, I am finally settling down and realizing that I need to work and earn some money. I also need to start training for Vegas Ragnar, which is coming up in two short months. Last year I didn't train as well as I would have liked because I had shin splints, but this year I have no excuse, so I'm jumping right back into it. I know this isn't saying much, but I ran yesterday and the day before and the plan is to go again today and the next day and the day after that. Luckily, I'm already loving it again and I haven't really had to go through the forcing myself phase because I want to go run. It's fun for me already. So that's nice. But that always goes through phases. I might hate it tomorrow and have to force myself to go again. I'm trying to stay motivated, but I think I've learned that the best way to do something is to just do it and not to sit there and think up reasons not to or reasons why you shouldn't or even try to get yourself pumped. Just do it. Nike was right after all. So I've been trying to just do it and it's worked for two days. We'll see if it works for three.

It feels strangely satisfying to be working again and I'm starting to get nervous and excited for school to start in a few short weeks. As much fun as all my trips have been, I'm starting to get excited for just chillin' in Provo and getting some stuff accomplished. It's funny how the thought of going back to school back in May was terrifying and sounded like death and now I'm all pumped about it. I'm glad life works that way because if I still felt like I did back in May about school, it's possible I would shoot myself in the face. And that would hurt. So this is for the best. It's going to be a tough year, but it'll be a good one too and I'm always up for a challenge, so I'm ready for it.

I know these blog posts are the ones that are boring and that very few people actually finish reading because they're about my life and not some funny story or pet peeve of mine, but I appreciate those of you who take a minute or two to read them. This one is pretty boring and I apologize. Oh well. There will be other blog posts, other boys, other midnight swims, other prom dresses. Cindy, you're sick. Cindy, you need help! No, Cindy!!

Name that movie. It's obscure, but you can do it.

Bear Lake

sometime during the week of august 2nd-august 7th

The Phillips family once again showed me the time of my life. This time, it was at Bear Lake. It was SO much fun! I miss it and hope they invite me again next year because that was the vacation of a lifetime. :) This is me face planting. :(

Repeat... Kind of

This music video is just the best. It's a little inappropriate but it's pretty epic if you ask me. And let's be honest, I've always had a soft spot for anything white trash so this is right up my alley.