Man of Iron

Well, this week has been somewhat of a physical wreck.  I didn't feel like my normal self the whole week.  In fact, it was not until later on Thursday that I noticed the sore throat and overall decreased stamina.  Luckily, as of Sunday, I've been feeling much better.

It doesn't matter what comes at me, I'll overcome all opposition.

Some of you have wondered what the pictures I put up each week had to do with anything.  The answer is, nothing.  There's no conspiracy here and I'm not someone who believes in it.  This week, I decided I should put up a video instead.

A bit of shameless advertising is in order since many of my friends got engaged over the weekend.  My friend, Kris, has a website dedicated to LDS weddings.  You can visit it at Reasonably Priced Wedding by clicking the link.  I hope you'll some information of value, especially if you are engaged and are currently in the planning stage.

February holds many of my memories.  So great and some not so great.  For all it's worth, it is my birth month and also the month I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I'll post more about it in about a week.  In addition, it is also the month when some of the most unpleasant events happened to me while at BYU.  I mean, how many guys get dumped on their birthdays?  Seriously?

I'm never a big fan of Valentine's Day, but I think I'll change it up a bit this year.  Jonathan and I got some wild plans drawn up in cooperation with the rest of our roommates who are already dating people.  Regardless the outcome, it'll be shocking and perhaps amusing.  Whatever happens, it's miles better than some of the other suggestions I've seen on my Facebook wall.  Sorry friends, I don't believe in writing a letter to my future sweetheart.  I'm gonna go out there and make it happen instead.

Life has had an interesting turn.  I'm curious to see if this is for better or worse.  I'll keep you all up to date as best as I can.  I got two exams this week and they don't seem easy...

Turning Tide

Always sleepy...

This last week was awesome.  Strangely, February always makes me want to blog less about my life.  It could be because Valentine's Day is this month or maybe it's my birthday.  At any rate, I noticed the trend of not wanting to do much in February.

One of the great things that happened to me was finding out I had $75 excess in my ChaCha account.  That's right, I used to be a guide for them.  I cashed them out and now I'm $75 richer! I used the funds to buy myself the Bioshock 2 and Bioshock Infinite art books.  I probably won't touch the Bioshock one for some time as it costs $140.  I'm slowly becoming a collector.

In other news, John Connor and I are about to start a project.  It involves making a Big Daddy suit for my dear moose.

Bishop Colemere gave a lesson about dating (again).  While I agreed with the words of wisdom he offered the elders, I am still somewhat dubious about the "direct quotes" he received from the women in the ward.  Something tells me that there were multiple elements of hyperbole mixed with truths in those words.

The highlight of my life recently was being selected as a recipient of the ORCA Grant!  Well, that definitely solved all my financial issues.  Not to mention, I get to file my taxes as an independent this year.  I will definitely need the money to build upon my operations.

I also started tutoring biology at Provo High every Tuesday!  High school students didn't seem as troublesome as I imagined they would be, but I do have one complaint.  I much prefer women my age hitting on me versus being 50% older than they are...you get my drill.  I just don't understand.  Oh well, people will be people.

Other than that, I'm still working, going to school, and attempting to go on some dates as agency permits.  We shall see how things go in the next couple of weeks.  I'm turning 24 soon and I feel like I need to do more.

Taste of Warmth

Remember, honey badger doesn't care.  :v

Taxes.  Done.  FAFSA.  Done.  It certainly didn't feel like a short week after Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day.  In fact, I felt as if it was like any other week.  I could do better in the homework department.  So far, I haven't done much homework during the weekends.

This week did offer some fun opportunities.  After an exhaustive overnight shift, I was one of the judges at the Wasatch Elementary science fair.  It was an entertaining experience.  Let's face it, you can't expect most 6th graders to be rocket scientists.  The point of the fair, in my opinion, was to develop the mind and have the children understand the principles behind scientific reasoning.

There were several good projects.  Some could have been great, but the kids didn't do a lab notebook or research journal.  With only a few hours of sleep the night before, I was having a hard time staying awake by eleven o'clock.  Nevertheless, it was fun for me.

The weather has been crummy for the most part, to the point that there was freezing rain on Thursday.  I felt twice during the course of the day.  Luckily, I wasn't hurt.  Today, it was so warm and beautiful.  Too bad that only lasted for a few hours before we were back to winter wonderland again.  I don't mind the snow.  I'm sick of the 2-degree weather.

Since I've started booking a personal trainer at BYU, I've been exercising more correctly than before.  In case any of you are curious, some of BYU's Exercise and Wellness students intern as personal trainers at the Smith Field House.  I'm fortunate enough to sign up with one of my friends and I highly recommend her, Hayley Wright.

I got a good deal done this week, but still somewhat behind schedule.  It's back to coats and boots I go.  Cheers, world.

Stunning Realization

Has the weather been like this for you?

 What to say?  This past week ended with a slap in my face.  The funniest thing was that it always happen right as I think things are coming together in harmony.  Despite of the inconveniences that happened in my personal life, I still think life has been very good.

Aside from some minor nuisance that had occurred, I discovered some aspects of people I know I found quite...weird.

I often wondered what caused people to be living the way they are, and after some candid talks, I was able to take a glimpse into their choices in life.  Alas, the results were not surprising.  Judging from the choices they made, it was not a wonder how their current situation came to reality.  This was a cause of much intrigue.  Moreover, this raised a few yellow flags.  (Yes, yellow flags.  Just cautionary signs to not make the same decisions they did.  After all, they are great people.)

It is not up to me to judge the moral character of their choices, but I know I wouldn't make the same ones.  However, it greatly amuses to see them living out their agencies.

Other notable events include Dalin proposing to Kris.  For having dated for only about 5 months, most people would say that is too soon.  If you thought that was soon, check out Claire and Tyler after a month and half.  Remember, in Provo, it can get much worse.  From a LDS perspective, I think Dalin and Kris are on solid ground.

Where does that leave me?  Who knows?  I'm too busy to figure out what I'm having for dinner.  The colloquial "make time for the person you like" is overused unrealistically.  I bet people who say that obviously never met families where members hardly see each other due to strenuous schedule.

My outlook is hopeful, but I am aware of the dangers and looming dooms that lurks about the safe harbors of the future.

In these times, I'm glad I have the friends and roommates that played significant roles in my life.

First Wave

Apparently, people aren't the only one that make weird faces

The new semester started without too much ire for the most part.  My class schedule is nicer this time; i.e., I actually get to rest.  Of course, I couldn't have the best of both worlds.  My work schedule is not as splendid this semester.

I'm taking my last two chemistry classes here at BYU!  After the Winter Semester, I would have finished my molecular bio and chemistry minors.  Then, the final year of my BYU career begins.  It is somewhat daunting to think that time flew by right before my eyes.

The start of a new year usually means some forms of resolutions.  I don't think I cared enough to make one this year.  I just want to keep up the good work and discover what needs improvements along the way.  I don't have any particular goal in mind besides the ones that are already established.

I may not have any sanity this semester, but the grass is certainly greener this time around.  I know what I want.  Now, I just have to pursue them.

Penultimate Year

Look at 'em baby foxes!

With the start of another semester, the same could be said about expectations.  Last semester went surprisingly well, in terms of academics, but there were much to be improved upon.  Hopefully, not having to deal with 7.5 credits worth of labs will make life easier this time around.  In fact, I shouldn't have more than 2.5 credits in labs this semester.

The break offered a chance to reflect and relax.  I realized that there were intense amounts of stress piled upon me in the fall, but I survived.  Even though I didn't finish it as well as I would have liked, it was certainly a feat to pull off a 3.4 despite of all the nonsense and issues I had to deal with at the time.

Having bore my testimony this Sunday, I had a renewed spirit that burns within me.  It was difficult for me to appreciate the good things in life when the proverbial shades were over my eyes.  Having those shades is probably worse than seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.  At any rate, with more positive attitude and more sleep this semester, I hope to accomplish more and be more efficient in my dealings with school, work, and relationships.

I was extremely glad when my roommates returned from their homes.  It certainly added more humor into my life.  It was somewhat of a surprise to me that I got along just fine by myself for the most part.  Then again, when you are busy, I guess it doesn't give much room to think about other stuff.

Big Daddy is not easy to take down in Bioshock

Aside from the self-rediscovery I underwent this winter break, I also had the opportunity to experience one of the best games I've ever played in my life.  That's right, it's the horror series called Bioshock.  At first glance, it may seem like a pointless shooter game, but after getting to know the story behind the setting and the tales of the characters, I soon found the series to be a work of art.

Bioshock takes to you to the fictional, yet plausible, city of Rapture, where the central theme of the game revolves around the dangers of political extremism and the ever tragic repetition of men get carried away after being blessed with power and authority.  Due to the actions of a few, many suffered and the would-be Utopian city without government became a living nightmare.  Throughout the game, you make moral decisions and the choices you make will decide how your character turns out.  How does one guy get himself into this sort of mess?  Well, you gotta play, or read the book, to find out.

Subject Delta and a Little Sister

Bioshock 2 takes us back to Rapture with a twist .  Although the setting is similar to the first game where a different form of political/religious fanaticism is portrayed, it closely resembles a deep-sea custody battle.  Essentially, the odd yet mysterious relationship between Big Daddies and Little Sisters is being explored this time.  The character, Subject Delta (formerly known as Johnny Topside), is on a quest to find his "daughter" Eleanor, who is being held captive by her mother to fulfill some sort of messianic vision.  Again, the moral choices you make throughout the game will affect character development, especially Eleanor this time.  This may all seem weird, but you would have to either play the game or read the book to find out.

To end my blog post, I am grateful for the life and opportunities the good Lord has given me.  I pray that this semester will be a fruitful one and I can accomplish more of my goals in preparation for the life ahead.  Whether or not it'll be my dream life, I'll accept whatever lot I've been given and just work my hardest for the best outcome.

The Year in Summary

And Godzilla...

With the year coming to and end, I thought I should put in one more post before 2013.  I'm sure you've noticed that I didn't write a post last week.  That's because there wasn't much to write about unless you wanted to read about my video game ventures and tons of work.  Anyways, this post will sum up stuff I've realized about myself this year and the things I've thought about throughout.  Whether or not you may or may not agree, that's story for another day.

The list of random things I've learned/thought of in 2012 is as follows:

1. A man chooses.  A slave obeys.
2. Having 5 roommates will cause you to stop interacting with most of the ward in general.
3. Some places are not worth paying $300+/month for rent.
4. Men and women can't be just close friends: while not all men's first motive was "I'm gonna score this chick some day", in the words of the Batman.."You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."  Eventually, you'll fall in love with her.  Chances are, it's either a little too late or it was never meant to be in the first place and the feelings are left without reciprocation.
5. Bioshock is about the dangers of political extremism and morality based upon your choices.  Bioshock 2 is a huge custody battle under the sea...an ugly one.
6. Left 4 Dead series taught me everything about surviving the zombie apocalypse.
7. Functioning under stress is nearly nonexistent: at least for me.  I had huge shifts in my moods this semester due to all the schoolwork, work, etc., that needed to be done in relative short time.  This was enhanced by the fact that I had an average of 5 hours of sleep or less for the most part of the semester.
8. Trusting that everything is in the Lord's time.
9. Heavenly Father has plan for everyone.  First to hit various checkpoints in the journey of life doesn't equal to smooth sailing for the rest of the life.
10. Insecurities happen when we compare ourselves to others.  But in all honesty, I'm at an age range where nothing is certain and anything is possible.  The fact that things can change drastically for better or worse is enough to make people feel a notch or two shorter.
11. I enjoy conversations.  I don't know about other people, but it's nice to get to know them and share bits and pieces about me.
12. I don't fit any stereotypes, caste, groups.  Vast interests can be the blame for that.  Due to the lack of time this past semester, I appeared as a relatively boring person.  Sometimes I wonder if this trait has caused some undesirable outcomes in some other aspects of life.
13. "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." - Gandolf, The Hobbit

As you can see, the spiritual aspects of this post seems to be lacking, but I think it's totally unnecessary to always include spiritual experiences in my blogs.  I guess really personal things will stay personal.