March Yellowcard Concert

Mike and I and the lead singer of Yellowcard. Incredible Concert

Reflections of the True Light

So this morning I was studying about the light of Christ for my scriptures study. As I was studying, I remembered this story that I heard in one of my classes. It’s about a doctor of philosophy named Alexander Papederos. He gave a conference in Crete at a Greek Orthodox monastery. At the end of the conference Papederos asked if anyone had any questions. The author, Robert Fulghum said,

So I asked.

“Dr. Papaderos, what is the meaning of life?”

The usual laughter followed and people stirred to go.

Papaderos held up his hand and stilled the room and looked at me for a long time, asking with his eyes if I was serious and seeing from my eyes that I was.

“I will answer your question.”

Taking his wallet out of his hip pocket, he fished into a leather billfold and brought out a very small round mirror, about the size of a quarter.

And what he said went like this:

“When I was a small child, during the war, we were very poor and we lived in a remote village. One day, on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place.

“I tried to find all the pieces and put them together, but it was not possible, so I kept only the largest piece. This one. And by scratching it on a stone I made it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine – in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find.

“I kept the little mirror, and as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game but a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of light. But light – truth, understanding, knowledge – is there, and it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it.

“I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world – into the black places in the hearts of men – and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life.”

And then he took his small mirror, and holding it carefully, caught the bright rays of daylight streaming through the window and reflected them onto my face and onto my hands folded on the desk

Ok. So many of you are probably wondering why I am putting a picture of a magpie on my blog. Well, this morning was kind of a slow/difficult/blah morning and so I was needing a little pick-me-up. Well as I was walking on my way to my building, I met the hoppiest magpie of my life. He wasn't just walking, or strutting, or bouncing, but he was hopping like there was no tomorrow. It was abnormally out of control. It made me smile SO much and even now I can't think of it without smiling! It was just what I needed to brighten my day. I think Heavenly Father definately knows my sense of humor and the silly things that will make my smile. Thank heavens for the hoppy magpie to brighten my day. :) And for those of you who are anxiously waiting more posts on my blog, I will be posting the Yellowcard concert and San Francisco pictures when I get some time.

My life recently

So this is me these days. I seriously can barely wait for Spring Break. I had a HUGE Neuroanatomy lab midterm last week, a Psychosocial and Groups midterm this week, and also this week a Neuroanatomy lab and lecture quiz. And to top it all off, i have another Neuroanatomy lecture quiz next week. So those are just the tests... There have also been some pretty big papers, assignments, and projects that have been due during this time too. So that is exactly why I chose to post this picture. I am trying to have a better attitude about all this school work, but it's a work in progress. Spring break is from march 17-21. My roommate Steve is having an interview for med school in San Francisco and asked if I wanted to join him. Along the way, we were able to pick up Mike and Ben and the 4 of us are leaving that Thursday morning and coming back Saturday night. I am SO STINKING EXCITED for it. I need a break and I need one BAD. It's going to be good company, hopefully good weather, and fun. And we also are going to eat at one of my favorite restaurants that they had in Japan, Yoshinoyas. I guarantee that there will be a post about the trip with pictures. Although life is stressful, it is so good and I am so blessed.

Never 2-B-4 Gotten

Here is the sample video for my new business for

weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other

occasions. I am thankful that Jenna and Brad

allowed me to use their engagement pictures

for a sample. If you are interested in having a

slideshow done, please let me know.

This is a picture at the Conference Center after President Hinckley's funeral. It was really neat to be there live. It was an experience that I will never forget. There was not a dry eye in the whole Conference Center during the final song. It was also very touching to see people wave their white handkerchiefs as they were taking his casket out. Although it was sad to know that we'd never see President Hinckley in the conference center again, it was hard to not be so happy that him and Marjoree are together now.

In Memory of President Hinckley

I love this picture! It was sad to hear the news last night that President Hinckley passed on, but when I see this picture it makes me happy for him to be able to see his wife again. I bet that was a neat reunion for them to see each other again. I will always remember President Hinckley since he was the prophet as I was growing up. He was the one whose signature was on my mission call. I'm thankful for my beliefs and my knowledge that there is life after we die. President Hinckley will definately be missed though. I have a movie that I'm trying to upload. It's very touching. Check back later to see if I can get it to work.

Delta Frat Date Night

Here is the movie we made at our Delta Frat Date Night.

You might wanna pause the song at the bottom of the blog before you watch this.

The things in life that make you happy....

As many of you know, I love tennis. I actually really really enjoy watching the 4 major tennis tournaments. Unlucky for my studies, the Australian Open has been recently and I have enjoyed watching some of the matches. A major upset that happened that made me happy was Novak Djokovic upset Roger Federer in the semi-finals to make it to the championshiop. Federer has dominated men's tennis the past couple of years so I'm excited to see some new faces step up and compete for the #1 ranking. He ended up winning the Australian Open.

The Bachelor Pad

Our livingroom (The couch was free) Please note the shoe cubby.
Hallway view to Mike/Devin's room and my room.
My room
Living room. Mike's guitar
Mike and I cleaning up the tub after we repotted Darv (our plant).
Our Kitchen
Darv our plant


I moved into a house this month with my old roommates Devin and Mike. We are also living with Steve. Steve was Mike's old roommate and I know Steve from my humanitarian aid trip to the Dominican Republic the summer of 2006. We have a pretty fun time. It's been crazy but fun having to furnish our house with everything. Visitors are always welcome

CES Fireside

Recently, I had the opportunity of singing at the CES Fireside with Elder Tingey. I attached a link. It only shows me for a little bit, but I'm on the right-hand side.

Watch the video now

My First Post on my New Blog!

I have finally given in to getting a blog. My roommate Devin showed me how. I can't promise how exciting or interesting it's going to be because my life revolves around grad school. But here we go.............