Reflection

I am sitting at work and I am contemplating my life up to this point.  What has brought me here? Why am I doing the things I am doing the things I am doing?  Is there a purpose to my life? Was I meant to teach high school classes?  Was I meant to be single?  Why am I seldom able to finish the things I start?

I can sometimes feel an inkling of a pattern, an impression of direction, in my life and yet, it is hard to see the broader purpose.  I have trouble connecting with people on a deep, meaningful level.  I am afraid of what will come to the surface and that others won't like or understand what they see.

Unresolved issues are the order of the day!

Follow my new Blog!!

I made a new blog for my Tricycle adventure, here.  Enjoy!

Crunch

I purchased my tickets and just about everything I need for my trip. The only thing left is some sort of panniers or trailer. I am having a hard time deciding. We'll see how it goes.

**UPDATE**

My bank account has dictated that I opt for something that is assembled by me. Funny how the green pieces of paper in my wallet can determine so much of my life. No worries, though, the most important things have already been purchased: My bike, My tickets, and my cooking gear.

I think that I will buy a pair of Arkel Cam Lock hook kits. They are a bit pricey but, when compared to their top of the line Recumbent Panniers, they are a steal. I just need to add some square buckets and lids and I'll have myself a nice pair of waterproof, easy to use panniers. I have contemplated using kitty litter buckets but, because I have no cats, it seems like a waste to just throw all of that litter away. Besides, I found a website that sells nice square buckets with lids.

More later. . .

Time Flies!

As you can tell, I love to blog! Every single day! Ha!

It has been several years since my last blog post. But that should change this summer: I am planning a big cycling tour that will start in May and go until I get to St. Louis, MO. I will fly to Boston, MA, then ride my cycle to New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and then west to Finish in St. Louis. I will post later as more information becomes available.

Cheers

Trying Something New and Other Stuff

Hello everyone!

If you are reading this, I thank you. The last little while has been great, I just got my final grades for this semester and I am pleased with how things turned out. I earned A's in all my classes except one, Calculus. But I passed that class so, I am happy. I also finished an Associate's Degree. I am headed to a school with a real engineering program to finish things up. I wanted to go to school this summer but, the finances didn't justify it. So, I am living with my brother and mom for now.

The "something new" is affilate sales. I am promoting a product and I make a commission from each sale. I didn't really start until yesterday, so I can't say if I will be successful or not. But, you can check it out here if you want. I may start a separate blog to keep you updated.

Have fun!

A little venting

Well, I was called by an engineering firm for an interview on Monday. The interview is tomorrow and I am really excited! I hope I get that internship, I am tired of working in places that have little or nothing to do with my chosen Major. If I get this internship, I will finally be able to decide if I like engineering or not. They are a civil engineering firm that I don't know much about. Wish me luck in the interview!

This morning, I arrived a bit early for my programming class. I noticed one of my classmates working on a paper. What is he doing, I thought. We work on computers in this class. Then I asked, "whatcha' workin' on?"

"The test that is due today."

The little procrastinator inside of me had won again! I frantically searched through my things to find the test paper that had been handed out one week ago, today. To my relief, I found the paper. To my chagrin, it was blank.

I looked at the clock, ten minutes until class started. I worked through the first few problems and found most of it to be fairly intuitive. When the teacher arrived, I left so that I could concentrate on the test. Twenty minutes later, I had finished the test and he had just started to grade the test. An I got a 91% on it.

Cheers

Stories

In High School, I took a creative writing class and I started a story that I really liked but, I never finished it. While I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia, I started stories but never finished them. I feel that they were pretty good, but I have a hard time getting past the first page.

Check this out:
"What is there left to do but wait?" asked Jusos, the king's advisor.
"Wait for what, my son to just appear out of thin air?" replied the king. "No, we must send another expedition to take him back. I cannot tolerate this situation any longer!"

Jusos knew that this would be the response of the king, this same conversation had taken place many time before in the last six months. With battles raging between the two nations, the king had sent most of his best knights to retrieve the prince from the enemy. None had returned, nor sent word, but many had been sent body-less back to the King.

"I know that he will be safe . . . he must be safe. The prophecy has said that he would be king, Jusos," said the king.

_________

What do you think?

Updates

The rest of the year was quite eventful. I think I will give up on the changing of names to protect the innocent. I will also not try to enumerate everything that has happened in the last 9 months. But here's a quick rundown: After I stopped trying to date Ashley, our relationship improved. I started dating Erin, a cute blond in my Racquetball class, things were going fine until I decided to head down to Albuquerque for the summer to be a Techician for NorthStar Alarm Services. I tried to call her every now and then but, I should have called more. She got a new phone and "lost" all of her contacts. Anyway, I kind of gave up on her. I didn't really have much time for dating so, it was kind of boring. Then, on the first Sunday of July, I met Malorie. Apparently, she liked me. We watched Fireworks on the fourth and began spending a lot of time together. This went on for about a month, I was calling her my girlfriend. But, she and I weren't a good match and things fell apart. I came home to start school. I then started dating Emily, she's a good girl, but I don't know if we'd be good together, long Term. There's more, but you'll have to torture it out of me.

More posts later . . . maybe

LIfe goes on

My track record with women is not getting any better. I don't get it. The girl I gave the plush bear, has decided that she wants to "just be friends." Another girl told me that she will only go on one date with a guy. Oh well, life goes on.

A bowl game and other things

A few days ago my brother and I drove to Las Vegas to watch the BYU vs. Oregon bowl game.
BYU started out rough but, they won quite handily and it was a fun trip for both of us. If you want a full rundown of the game, check out my brother's blog.

That trip drained me financially; I needed to buy new tires for my car and pay for some of the gas and my ticket. After the trip, I had to work. I worked less that day than any other time, while I have worked there.

A girl at work invited me to her Christmas/Breakfast party and she told me to get a gift for the girl that I find interesting. "Get her a present, chocolates or something, because I know you have a little crush on her," she said.

I was able to leave work early enough to hit the local Wal-mart. What to get? Candy? No, not by itself, at least. She likes things that are "cute." What's cute and creative. My mom makes teddy-bears smell good by dipping them in wax.

So, I found a small teddy bear and chocolates, and was on my way home. I had Mom show me what to do and it turned out alright.

The party came and gifts were given. She liked it. . . but, I should have gotten a plush penguin. That would have been lots better.

Moving on

This morning, I got a reply from Jane. It doesn't seem that she will change her mind. I guess that's OK. It makes me sad, of course. I just wish I had done more. that is, done more a few months ago. I was in Russia for two years and I thought that she wouldn't really date seriously. I was a fool for thinking that way. I thought that she would come closer to where I live in January and she still might. but I don't know for sure. Why did I have to be so shy? Oh, well. There are plenty of wonderful women in this world and quite a few live close to me. Just another learning experience for me.

Hello to anyone who looks at me

Well, I have finally sunk to the level of posting my feelings on the internet for all to see. I really don't know what to write but, here it goes. . .

Today I found out that the girl that I thought would be the "one" just got engaged. It must have happened yesterday because she had emailed me on Monday. And from that email, to me at least, it seemed she didn't have much news. I mostly feel regret for not really persueing her. I'm not angry or anything, just dissappointed.

Unlike most people my age, I have yet to have an offical girlfriend. This girl, her name is Jane*, was probably the closest I have gotten. She is a great girl, Jane seems to be more mature than her peers and she is also Beautiful. I have known her for years but, I never thought of her as being a potential "date" because of the age difference (about four years). I love her family and they don't seem to mind me either. She is down to earth and knows how to work for what she has.

I sent her an email to let her know my feelings, at least some of them. I don't know what she will write back. It is a scary thing to share one's feelings with another person.

_
* her name is not really Jane.