What a weekend

Current mood: tired

So I've had quite a weekend already and I still have one more day...

On Friday I went down to Provo, Utah for a mission reunion. I was already running late thanks to Utah's WONDERFUL traffic, but wasn't going to be THAT late. Well, as I was going through American Fork on I-15 and suddenly I realized my passenger side back tire had failed! I pulled off and looked it over, then unloaded my trunk to get my spare out (of course this always seems to happen when I have lots of stuff in my trunk). After getting the car jacked up and getting the old tire off, I discovered the spare I had didn't fit my car. Yeah, the dealer sold me a spare that doesn't fit. I got it two years ago and this is the first time I've had to use it. Thank goodness for my friend Manda and AAA! I got the car towed to a Wal-Mart (it was in view from where I got the flat), but they closed 30 mins before I got there. They let me leave the car there overnight and then Manda came and got me, so I was able to catch the very end of the reunion and at least see a few people I remember from the mission ("the mish"). I picked the car up the next morning and came back to Rexburg.

Here's the tire...ya, not sure what caused this really. It was a Goodyear, not a Firestone! On the left is the spare that didn't fit. At least the jack works! This is BEFORE I found out the spare didn't fit...

Manda and me at the American Fork, Utah Wal-Mart when I picked up my car. Manda and I go way back...we both were at Kent State in 2001 before I went on my mission.

Manda and I trying to take a funny picture...

I got back around 4pm and had a date with my friend Mindy. That was kind of interesting too as we went to Olive Garden in Idaho Falls. After waiting about 15 mins to get in, we got seated but no one came to get our orders for like 10 mins. Finally someone came and was very apologetic (he wasn't supposed to wait on us either; just took over). We both ordered my favorite thing, Chicken Alfredo Pizza, only to find they were out (AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!) so we had to order something else. Well, I had a wonderful time talking with Mindy and getting to know her a little better. We were about to leave after we finished and our waiter was still very apologetic about us having to wait, so he had the manager come out and he offered us free desserts!! YES! The weird thing is, we didn't even complain! While we were waiting for our desserts another server came by with two of those pizzas (they had gotten a shipment right as we had gotten there) and was about to serve them to us, but we explained how we had ordered them, but they said they were out, so we ordered something else. Anyway, something was messed up (maybe new people or just busy), but they were really nice about it all and the free dessert I got was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!! Plus, the date was a lot of fun too!

It's General Conference weekend in our church too; that's where we can watch or listen to a live broadcast from Salt Lake City with talks from many of our church leaders in four general sessions, each of which is 2 hours (you can go to conference in Utah too...I've done that a few times). It's always a great weekend with lots of good information and a great spirit! I mostly listened on the radio (something I can't do at home) as I drove back to Rexburg from Orem, Utah.

Comments

Nari; April 1, 2007

Phew you had yourself quite the weekend there, J. I had no idea that Utah had any kind of traffic, let alone heavy traffic...lol.

glad that you made it to your mish reunion!

WOW it's been awhile!

Current mood: contemplative

WOW, it's been two months since I posted a blog at all and that last one wasn't much. I really do have a lot on my mind and it's getting to the point where I need to express myself of I'm just going explode!! SO, hopefully I'll be posting some more soon in more details, but I'll give all my loyal blog-watchers (all three of you!!) a "sneak preview" of sorts.

First, I was just reading the blog of Dave Ruller, who is the city manager for Kent, Ohio. I just want to say what a great idea it was for him to start it in the first place, plus it has TONS of great information and ideas on helping Kent improve as a community. I just wish I would read it more often! I think I'm going to start reading it every day I can, just like I read the news everyday on Cleveland.com, Ohio.com, and RecordPub.com. If any reading this are interested, his site is at www.kent360.com. GREAT site for anyone interested in Kent! I, for one, have great hopes for Kent and think it's a great place. It has so much potential still that hasn't been realized yet.

Here's some other things on my mind:

Racism at Roosevelt? For those who didn't hear, someone (looks like maybe three people) broke into my alma mater Roosevelt High School last week and spray-painted racist graffiti on the walls in one of the hallways. To me, it seemed like an unfortunate, yet isolated incident. Now, though, the floodgates have been opened and people are acting like Roosevelt has this huge racial tension and problem when it really doesn't. Many people are also making it look like it's only one way; this is, white racism towards blacks or other minorities. In reality, yes, racism does exist at Roosevelt and in Kent, but find a diverse commmunity where racism DOESN'T exist at all? In addition, the racism and prejudice come from all races, not just one. I heard many racist statements from black kids when I was in middle school for instance. Is it widespread? HARDLY. Kent is a very liberal town and as such is VERY "politically correct" and racism (or anything even romotely close to it!) is NOT politically correct. Most students, teachers, and community members have been stunned by this latest event. Unfortunately, it seems in our society at the moment, racism and derogatory remarks towards white people (especially men) are OK, but not to anyone else (white people are the worst perpetrators of this, in my opinion). Well, guess what? It's WRONG towards ANYONE or any group!! Until Kent (and our country for that matter) realizes that racism has to be dealt with from every angle, it's not going to go away. Racism and other forms of like prejudice are problems that every race, group, and community faces, not just us white people! Am I making myself clear that I think all that stuff is WRONG?!? We're all children of God for goodness sakes...it's time we started treating each other more like good family members than dividing each other up into races and the old "us and them" mentality!! Watch the Record-Courier for a letter to the editor sometime soon!

Iraq: I've been quiet about this for awhile, but I have to say something. This deserves its own blog though, so I'll keep it brief here. It seems to me we're suffering from "simplistic" thinking; that is, the false idea that if we didn't attack Iraq, radicals in the Middle East would hate us less or that if we "just believe hard" that we can have peace (or just let everyone do whatever they want) then POOF we'll have peace. I wish it were that simple, but unfortunately, it's not like that. The hatred towards America and the West in the Middle East stems all the way back to the Crusades, which first started in AD 1099. Yeah, almost 1,000 years ago, yet to many in the Middle East, this is considered a "recent event" that is discussed like it happened in the last few years. It would be like us still hating the British for all the destruction from the War of 1812 (it is worth noting along that line that the original third verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is hardly ever sung or even known anymore because it speaks pretty bluntly against the British and was de-emphasized as we became allies with the UK). I have tons more to say on this, but what the US has done in Iraq so far has been shortchanged by the media (who only report on the bad stuff) and by the vocal-yet-destructive minority that continues to cling to their destructive and backwards ways. The only reason it seems things are "worse" in Iraq than before the 2003 invasion is that prior to 2003, Iraq had state-run media, meaning the only news that came out was filtered by Saddam. Hmmm, think he's going to broadcast to the world what he was really doing to his people? O don't think so. The Chicago Tribune stated that it is estimated that Saddam was responsible for the deaths of over 300,000 of his own citizens. Instead of a car bomb going off in the marketplace, family members just disappeared in the middle of the night. ANYWAY, more to come on that. I've really been thinking a lot about it and analyzing it from different angles and perspectives.

I think it's important to gather as much info as I can before making my opinions "public."

WOW that turned out to be long! By the way, I have just one week of classes left and then finals. I'll start heading home probably around April 6th or so. YEAH!!!! I'm hoping to be home sometime in between April 10-12, the earlier the better. Anyone have any good job leads in or around Kent?? Also, I'm going to ENGLAND from April 30-May 12 to visit my friends the Wilcocks (I first met them on my mission while I was in New Mexico)! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!! How exciting!!!

Comments

LDS Drama Queen (Becky); March 26, 2007

Yeah, I have a few things to say about that Roosevelt thing too....grrr

Can't sleep

Current mood: thoughtful

I can't sleep so I thought I'd post something here for those that actually care. I do plan on at least two somewhat lengthy posts coming up, one political and one about some recent changes in my home ward (congregation). For those that didn't hear, my home ward (Rootstown) is going to be part of the new Youngstown Ohio Stake, beginning February 17. I'll explain it all later for those that need it. Basically, a stake is a group of wards (congregations) and for the last 32 years Rootstown has been part of the Akron Ohio Stake. It'll definitely be further to go to Youngstown than to Tallmadge, but I honestly think now it will end up being good for our ward. I wish I could be there to be a part of this. For a Latter-day Saint, the formation of a new stake is a big deal! More to come...

Comments

Nari; February 13, 2007

I look forward to the political one

Jon is...blonde?!? (and done with the semester!!)

Current mood: excited

For those of you who didn't see my bulletin the other day, yes, I did bleach my hair and so now I'm bright blonde. I did it, well, because I could and I've wanted to do something like that for some time now. I'll have you know it took three days to get this bright since my hair is so dark to begin with. At least I know how to do it now!! Hope you like it!! =). Also, I'm just about done with the semester...two more finals to take today and then I'm FREE at last!! I'm so excited to be done and going home in two days. Just one more semester of classes left here!!!!!!

Comments

Kristi; December 18, 2006
Wow! That's really something to behold!

My recital is OVER!!

Current mood: ecstatic

This is my "note" from Facebook that I wrote pretty much right after my recital this past Saturday, Dec. 2. The concert right after went very well!

Well, it has come and gone...my recital that is. Right now I'm in a small break between my recital and our second concert of the day, which starts at 7:30. We already had a concert at 2 this afternoon and my recital started at 4:30. Oh yeah, we had a concert last night too at 7:30, so once this next concert is done, I'm going to need a break from singing! My recital went pretty well. Was it perfect? Hardly, but that's more me being highly critical of myself than anything. "The Glee Club" went REALLY well and people seemed to like it and I also did "The Buckeye Battle Cry" to end my recital and that went well too, especially when I spelled O-H-I-O at the end. My only disappointment was the attendance. I had my posters all over campus and I sent out e-mails to probably 50 people, all of whom either live in or near Rexburg. Not only did I hardly get any response to the e-mails, but of all those I e-mailed, I don't think any of them came. Those few (and MUCH appreciated) that came were people I have classes with for the most part. Of course I'm thrilled that they came, but I would've liked to have seen more people especially since I printed 100 programs. I really expected a much larger crowd. There were probably around 30 people there if that. If it weren't for my sister being there, no one from my family would've been there at all. Not that I expected any family from Ohio to come, but it would've been nice if some of my Utah family could've made the three-hour trip here. After all, I've made the trip down there countless times. Oh well...now to other things like FINALS!

The pictures below are 1) Me, Br. Dresen, & Zoe doing the "poster pose" after the recital; 2) Elissa, Zoe, Me, and LaRenzo after the recital. We were all an Aural Skills study group in Aural Skills 2 and then we were a mentor group in Aural Skills 3. We named ourselves the "Solfegers" 3) The "cast" of my recital with our "Glee Club" outfits on (Men's Choir blazers). 4) Andrew, Ray, and Me in our Collegiate Singers outfits after the end of the final concert that night.

Comments

LDS Drama Queen (Becky); December 8, 2006
I'm glad it went well. I would have been there had it not been across the country. I'll watch the video though when you bring it home. :) I like your pictures!!

See you soon!!

Love ya.

Nari; December 13, 2006
Great pics!!

GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Current mood: excited

I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to the Ohio State Buckeyes on their 42-39 win over Michigan today in Columbus! It wasn't pretty, but a win's a win! BIG TEN CHAMPIONS and off to the National Championship game in Glendale, AZ!!! GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comments

Nari; November 18, 2006

Ok, goooooo buckeyes!!!!!!

Ha ha I was only kidding about the Michigan thing; I was just doing it to be difficult!! :)

Dorese; November 21, 2006

BOO!!!!!!!!!

Bye Kipp

Current mood: sad

I think this ended up being one of the last pictures I ever took of Kipp, back in July. The thought never crossed my mind it might be the last one.

I know I already miss you and it's hard to believe you won't be there when I get home in December. Seeing you when I came home was always something I looked forward to. I mean, I always knew this day would come, but I still always hoped it never would. I just wish I could've been home when it happened. Now it's here and I have to deal with it 2,000 miles away, plus I'll have to deal with it again when I come home in December and get used to you not being there. I know I'll eventually see you again, but I don't know if I can wait that long. You were more than just a dog to me, you were a member of the family and a friend. You always seemed to know when we weren't feeling well and you always tried to help us feel better. It was always nice to come home and realize someone did miss us and was glad we were back. It will be awhile before things seem "normal" again at home.

Bye doggie.

Kipp...October 20, 1992- November 8, 2006

Comments

Nari; November 10, 2006

Jon, I so know how it feels to lose a beloved pet. We had to part with a beautiful yellow lab that kind of looks like Kipp. I'm so sorry about this. :(

Non pet-owners seem to think that a do is "just a dog" where in reality they become a member of the family.

Kipp is at the rainbow bridge now.

Here is your virtual hug (((Jon)))