MishAgain

In the first weeks (in NC) of my 21 month mission experience I felt like a muppet with a hand in my back and another one moving my mouth. Only my mind was left to think and analyze. I lacked knowledge of my surroundings, words to speak in my new language, experience in my new world, choices within my realm of possibilities, and ability to act for myself because of these absolute inadequacies. My new world proceeded to shape and move me.

In the first weeks in Michigan I feel again like I once did. I work for a huge accounting firm that reaches around the globe. I work in a corporate headquarters that is behind the largest pizza delivery network in the world. I feel like nobody would notice if I had a heart attack and decomposed under my desk. I lack experience, words, understanding of my choices and where those choices might lead. I feel the absolute opposite of free. My new world is proceeding to shape and move me.

These two experiences are snow globe versions of life. Shaped and moved by what crosses our paths, and at the same time resticted and bonded because of what doesn't. Some things stick, some don't. Some people go one way and others go another. Some see one thing and others another.

Somewhere I know there is a fat guy in a red coat shaking a globe and laughing while he points at me and YOU.

Summer Means:

• graduation
• moving for the first time since 2006
• hanging out with Lance, Aubrey and the kids
• golfing with Nich
• shootin' the breeze with grandma
• passing all four parts of the CPA exam in 3 months
• translating at hospitals part-time
• warm summer nights in Salt Lake City with my amazing friend - Jenn
• Yellowstone/Jackson Hole with Courtney and Natalie
• Lake Powell with Mom, Nich, Zach and Janessa
• Moab with friends
• cabins with Rob and Rocio
• enjoying the company of Fernando and Eliza
• driving across America in the Focus (80,000 miles and counting...)
• golf, pools, boats with Dad, Kristi and the boys - trip to Kentucky?
• hanging out with Jenn's fam in PA
• relaxing in Maine with Bunna
• Boyz 2 Men concert in downtown Detroit after dinner on the river
• moving to another college town that is NOT Provo (Ann Arbor)
• working full-time at Domino's Pizza :)
• being everywhere but never having to be somewhere
• taking life as it comes and enjoying every minute of it

Blue Snow

Ode to Skiing
As the rain begins to fall, that means the end of day trips to the mountain. I remember best one foggy morning with an eerie silence. Visibility was 10 feet and there was 2 feet of fresh pixie dust powder on the top of the mountain. As I plunged over the ledge into Bishop's Bowl I could feel the snow as high as my upper leg as I leaned into the the mountain to leverage my weight with the steep slope. Turn after turn, I made my way down the mountain working up a sweat as if I was in Florida walking along the beach on a humid day. As my ski catches a spot of heavy snow, I let my body fall into the cloud of snow. A soft landing with a spray of snow in my face like a water bottle fan on a hot summers' day. Not another soul up on the mountain on a Wednesday morning - I sit in silence. I can see where the snow is broken, the light plays a trick on my eyes. The snow is bright blue. Ahhh, my cell phone rings - upsetting the perfect moment. Scott calls to see if I am coming to class - probably not today. I stand back up, then let myself fall down a few more times to enjoy the soft slide down. Next is the canal with walls of snow on both sides. I make my way down, still in eerie silence. I haven't seen another person as I approach the creeking sound of Sundance's old lift, not yet visible. Only a bearded man stands at the post. "Its perfect up there today, huh?"

"Yeah, perfect."

Chick-Fil-A

While I am not a fan of most chain and fast-food restaurants, this one is different. Whenever I go into a place I can't help but break down its business model in my mind. What does it do well...what does it do poorly? Chick-Fil-A wins my restaurant of the year award (1st annual). Let me explain:

-Chicken ONLY
-Chicken is delicious, juicy, and white. The meat is high quality breast meat
-It is not greasy and nasty like KFC...and no skin
-The breading is LIGHT. McDonald's chicken selects are heavily breaded - gross
-Sauces are awesome. The buffalo sauce is similar to what you would get at a buffalo wild wings or wingers. There are others as well
-Wraps are delicious - with lots of meat.
-The fries are way better than anywhere else. I'm not sure why, they just are.
-Free-refills on FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE. None of that syrup crap from the fountain (so nasty)
-PRICES. ARE. SO. GOOD. Jenn and I both get as much as we want for under 10 bucks.

So if you ever need to stop at a fast food restaurant or just want a low cost date AND you are lucky enough to have one nearby - GO. The price/quality ratio is freakin awesome.

Here is some bonus info for those of you who wish to help the company glorify God while you dine (the founder is southern baptist):

The company's official statement of corporate purpose says that the business exists "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

Chicken 5:14 - Go thee wherefore and raise me up a chicken. Be a good steward over my chicken, and I will give thee many chickens. Fry them up in peanut oil herewith, and dip them in buffalo sauce. Then shall thee proclaim, "EAT MOR CHIKIN!"



PS. This is a privately owned corporation, i.e., no franchises, no stock, no nothing.

Closed Sundays.

Life is a Short Trip

It seems like just the other day I saw my dad getting exciting while watching a Jazz playoff game on a tiny, poor-reception tv. At nine, I was intrigued, so my dad taught me basketball. I quickly became obsessed with the Jazz and my new idol John Stockton. Stockton was a little white guy that was tough as nails. He was a pure competitor who gave it his all every night, no matter how tall the order. He made everyone one on his team better and was loyal to his team.

His partner Karl Malone has the 2nd most points in NBA history and was also a main part of the Jazz. The Jazz served as my main source of entertainement of my youth from ages 9-19. The games were my escape from everything else.
Last Saturday Jenn and I had the opportunity to pay respects to the man that made it all possible. Larry Miller risked everything he had to have the Jazz in Utah. He did it because he loved Utah and he wanted the Jazz to be a positive influence for people of the community. That dream was accomplished in my life and then some for 10-plus years.

So, from a little tv at age 9, to center court of the (former) Delta Center last Saturday, was a gathering that put into perspective how there are people I don't personally know, or cannot personally thank, that indirectly influence my life.

The funeral brought many other people together that have indirectly influenced my life, so it was kind of fun to see so many people together. In attendance was the Governor of Utah, Sen. Orrin Hatch, Pres. Monson, Jerry Sloan. My favorite scene was watching Karl Malone wipe his eyes while Satan (from the temple endowment movie) played "How Great Thou Art," on the piano.


It was a unique event, and I was glad we could pay tribute to someone who has done a lot for me, even though he doesn't even know it.

Happy February Indeed

Jenn and I plan to continue our 'twice a weeks' trips to Sundance for some good ol' fresh mountain air. Tomorrow I'm going to skip class since it is supposed to be sunny, and we are going to take a picnic up to the mountain. This is a little cabin where we usually get warm by the fire and from time to time go for a hot chocolate with cinnamon and cream. There is generally nobody there during the week.


I will be playing my weekly tennis match with my good friend Courtney at BYU's indoor courts. As the weather gets warmer we hope to get this back to 3-4 times/week. We play it pretty close, but for a while he beat me 17 of 20 times shortly after he bought a new racket. I caught on, (I'm fast like that) and bought a new racket as well. I have beat him 3 times in a row. Equipment matters people.
Someday I would like to play tennis on the highest court in the world in Dubai.


We are going to continue are themed dinners this week (we have been to Italy and Mexico). This week is American traditional. Tomorrow we will be sharing a part of the food chain with the great bears of Alaska. They have it made up there as far as fresh fish goes - but there isn't much by way of mexican lasagna.



So you business minded people out there will enjoy this story. Jenn and I went to Hollywood to rent a movie one day (our usual location of choice). The manager says "you have $17 dollars in late fees - how much would you like to pay?" I said "uh, zero."
"Oh, I'm sorry, you have to pay at least 25%."
"Ummm, I was told that you don't actually ever have to pay late-fees at Hollywood...that it is not enforced" (We are talking about movies from 3 years ago)
-Jenn nudges me and whispers "just pay it..."
-I turn back to the manager-
"Wait, why do I HAVE to pay?"
" 'chuckles'... because its late (awckward smile)
"I'm going to Blockbuster..."

So we arrive at Blockbuster to warm smiles and jovial laughter among clients and employees alike. Jenn and I were offered to join a rewards program for $5 dollars/year. It includes 1 free rental per MONTH, and a rent one/get one free rental if you rent mon-wed. NO.LATE.FEES. After the transaction we all starting singing a song from the Wizard of OZ and we skipped out to our car.

This has enabled Jenn and I to fully engage ourselves into foreign film cinema. Recently viewed:

Vicky Christina Barcelona was about a two women. One was engaged (then married) but felt regret that she wasn't more free to love whomever, whenever. The other girl did as she pleased but always felt that something was missing.

Maria was moving in that it showed the struggles of a mother who wanted more for her family and future child and felt the only way to get it was by becoming a "mule." It was thought-provoking and suspenseful.

P.F. Changs Sucks

So for Jenn's birthday we went to P.F Changs for dinner in Orem. I ordered the ginger chicken. You would expect there to at least be a little but of ginger flavor. Nothing. It tasted like chicken in a lite soy sauce. Yum. I rarely do this, but I advised the waitor. I tried to explain to him that it was not bad...it just wasn't good. As in " I probably won't ever come back here "good."" I think he got the message, so he brought me some sweet and sour chicken. It reminded me of hogie yogi teriyaki stix sweet and sour chicken, but with all white meat. Yeah - I know you all are thinking that I am just spoiled from our honeymoon dining. Well, so am I.

Jenn wants me to put that she liked her lemon chicken - I could take it or leave it.

So, Jenn cracks me up. She is getting so good at skiing. She got a little over aggresive on a steep slope with deep snow (hard to turn) and biffed it pretty good. I sped down to her and picked up her fallen ski. When I got to her she was covered in snow. It was in her goggles, and all over her face. She immediately let me know "I hate skiing...it's so cold." haha, good thing that didn't last very long - we are going back tomorrow. Her goal is to go skiing without crying. 5th times a charm.

Also, during tonights game after Oklahoma scored to tie the game at 7, Jenn excaimed, "Oh good! They are all even!" For those of you who don't know Jenn as well as I do, she can't bear the thought of someone losing. In fact, she would probably be more of a fan of sports in general if everyone came away a winner. (i.e., a tied winner)

Luna de Miel

Jenn and I had a fantastic honeymoon in Park City. We concluded shortly thereafter that our (long-felt and hidden) suspicion was right all along. Money does, indeed, buy happiness. I would expound on this point further, but I think we are all of one accord on this matter.

Here are the sleeping quarters. We were very impressed with Hotel Park City. The room was very private with a nordic ski track in the back. We could wake up and look out the window to people skiing around.

On Saturday we went to see the play "Music Man." I really enjoyed it. It really sums up how funny it is that we are so gullible as individuals and a society. Great music too. After that we had dinner in a tent (Norwegian Yurt) up at 8000 ft. We rode a snowcat up to the tent and they had dinner a cookin'. We felt so removed from the world, which made for a very romantic experience. The food was miraculous, but the company and (at the same time) the solitude capped off a great evening.

On Sunday we took to the tubing slopes and this was one of my favorite in-action shots of Jenn.

We figured since it was our honeymoon we would give Deer Valley a try for skiing. We almost didn't go because of the weather - but we were so glad we did. (Insert plug for toe-warmers) Toe warmers rock. I think we could survive in the mountains with no food or water for a month in the middle of winter - just as long as we have toe-warmers. Jenn let me cut trails and meet up with her - so the first picture is after I had come down from an upper trail. The powder was up to my knees in the woods.

This is after climbing out of a ravine - that I didn't expect to be there. It looks really cold but I was sweating. Up at the peak Jenn and I could barely see anything because of blowing snow. I know those of you reading this (while sipping your hot chocolate) may think these actions are crazy. Let me tell you - sitting on your butt while a chair takes you up to a 9000 foot peak to experience an angry mountain is nothing short of exhilarating. I highly recommend it!

Snowmobiling was next. We saw some great views and just enjoyed what the mountains had to offer. Peace. and. quiet. (Except of course the roar of the motor). So...uh...this thing had a warming function on the little nob you use to give it gas with your thumb. That was freakin' awesome! Considering my thumb almost fell off before I learned how to activate the warmer.


Last but not least is my beautiful wife. She was such fun company and is very adventurous. She even ordered lobster tail and scallops for dinner. It turned out to be one of our favorites of the trip!
Hopefully this is just the first of many adventurous - it was a great start!