More Dreams...

I don't know why I have talked about my dreams so much lately. Quite possibly because it is one of the only parts of my life that seems entertaining because when I am actually awake, I am either at school or at home studying. Anyways, a few random dreams...

- Just last night, I had a dream where I was shot in the shoulder. I guess at first it wasn't very serious, because there wasn't much rush to get me to the hospital. But soon it started to get infected (??), so we went to one hospital and for some reason it was closed. At the next hospital, paramedics were carrying me in on the stretcher and then a bunch of terrorists came out of nowhere and shot and killed everyone! I got off the stretcher and started to run for my life and somehow survived...

- A couple weeks ago, I had a combination of three dreams in the same night:
1) My mom, two of my brothers and I went to Nebraska (out of all places) in our old brown van that we have since sold. The reason of the trip was for medical purposes but we ended up at some golf course. This hispanic employee named "Quick" was trying to sell us sprinklers and my oldest brother was interested. However the owner of the golf course got mad and yelled at us to leave. While we were leaving, I yelled at him, "Your course sucks!!". Hah..serves him right.
2) I was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and my brother Brian was also one of the reindeer.
3) Eddie, from Family Matters, was concerned that he wouldn't be a good hockey player because he didn't have the "cool" equipment. I gave him one of the those feel-good pep talks about how it doesn't matter if you don't have the trendy material, you can still be good at something with pure skill!


Eddie was really in my dream!!

Snowboarding Dream!

My favorite way to escape from school in the wintertime is this:



Last night I had a freakin' awesome dream about going on a ski trip with this guy:


My brother Brian

It was soooo much fun and a great dream! I woke up with envy and wished that the ski season was already here. I already bought these sick gloves:



I was going to buy a new jacket, but I decided that I can't be so free with my money right now...freak, I'm a student without a job! But I do need to buy a pass this winter, that's for sure :) Hopefully that'll keep me sane during school

I also had my first official test for pharmacy school today. It was for "Pharmacy Calculations" and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. At least that's my story until I see my grade...

Facts about Laramie (and why I like it)

- I can look out my window and across street, I can see the last house in the city and beyond that is just land...lots of land.
- Lots of small city folk
- You can basically make a connection with anyone you meet if you grew up in the state
- Basically everyone has a truck...even the girls.
- I have already used A/C and heat in my car on the same day.
- It is a place for healing..not much trouble you can get into here

Illegimate Son of Obama

Truthfully, I am just typing this entry as a warm-up for my dumb US & WYO constitution class, which is a complete waste of my time.

Many months ago, I mentioned that I was going to blog about a few dreams I had had. However, like most of my promises I have made on the blog, I failed to deliver. But the unusual dreams I had last night partially reminded me of one very odd dream that I had wanted to share.

In the dream, I found out I was the illegitimate son of this man:


Yes...that is Mr. President Barack Obama in case you didn't recognize. From what I remember the dream went like this: I found out (along with President Obama) that I was his child but not the son of Michelle. Amidst the peril of his political destruction if the world were to find out, President Obama and I met secretly to discuss our options. President Obama wanted to buy me out and offered me two MILLION dollars that I would keep my mouth closed. This was intriguing but what was even more intriguing to me was the fame and the privileges I would receive if the world knew I was his son. I would be able to go the white house and chill with the Obamas and be able to do anything I ever dreamed of! This, to me, was worth way more than the money he was trying to offer me. Needless to say, I did not know the final outcome of the dream because I probably had to wake up, but it was fun while it lasted...

I would chose fame over money because money will always run out but fame will always bring in more money and special privileges :)

Good Things to Come

I would venture to say that I am on the right path in life. Through all of the frustrations and set-backs, I know everything will turn out alright. My birthday was last week and I came up with three main goals that I will try to live by on an everyday basis:

Stay Clean - D&C 88:86 - Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.

Stay Engaged - D&C 58:27 - Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

Stay Positive - D&C 78:18 - And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

I know what I need to do and I plan on accomplishing it.

Here is a Mormon Message that is one of my favorites:

Laramie

First week of Pharm school is over. I have lived in Laramie for approximately two weeks now. I am meeting new people. I have enjoyed my time so far and I think I will have lots of the fun (and stress) the next three years.

Last Days

Today is my LAST day working at Mountainlands Family Health Center (previously Mountainlands Community Health Center). I am actually at work right now and I know I should be working but who actually works on their last day on the job? In fact, I am wearing jeans, which are usually reserved for Friday but I could care less :) I am employee of the century anyways so it doesn't matter. Mountainlands has been a really good place to work...I have been here for over two years and they have been good to me and treated me well. I love the mission here to serve and treat the underprivileged and uninsured. It will be hard to leave and I hate saying good-byes knowing I might not see a lot of my co-workers/friends ever again. Here is a picture of our old clinic, situated in downtown Provo:



"Welcome to Mountainlands" Poem
There is just something special about the ‘Lands
All here to serve, to dedicate and offer a helping hand
When the unfortunate sick need somewhere to go
Troubles they find when without the required peso
They come to us with medical attention yearning
All we ask is a slip or evidence of monthly earning
From there our patients and friends they will become
To aid them we strive and cure them of every symptom

Every single employee chips-in in some caring way
Making each patient feel special like on their birthday
At the front desk, oh we do have such a fine crew
Melinda, Ivonne and Tomas to name just a few
Speaking Spanish, English or any other language to try
Assisting patients all day, their courage to never deny
The medical assistants can be found guiding our friends to an exam room
Doing their job faithfully and diligently is a very safe conclusion to assume
Our Providers do their very best dealing with patient concerns
Dr. Grover, Dr. White plus more, even the likeable Dr. Richard
Oh the joy, for we can offer so much more for a hurting soul!
A psychologist we call Monroe…counseling is his grand goal
Who knew that this magical place also could include dentistry?
To clean all thirty-two teeth sparkling white and plaque-free
The diversity and special care of our patients we must meet
Especially those with a chronic illness or disease like diabetes
And our educating expert, Vanessa, teaches them oh so well
To lower their blood sugar, eat right and the ways to excel
Other deserving “Moutainland-ers” sadly are left off this small list
Like the billing ladies, always smiling and working, who can resist?
The record girls file faster than anyone else that we have ever seen
And must possess a sixth sense to find those lost charts with such ease

As a community health center, serving the needy is always in our mind
For this is why we are here, to care for those stuck in a truly desperate time
We may not be perfect, yet a full and charitable heart we seek to possess
Hoping to affect our small demographic amidst this troubling economic mess

Payson Lakes Campout/Ward Campout

Highlights of my Payson Lakes campout:

*Floating on the lake with a sweet inflatable toy
*Talking with Jewels
*SMORES!!
*Getting excellent sleep!

Highlights of the ward campout

*Learning at the last second a member of our crew was not going to make it...and celebrating that event.
*Meeting Dad at Little Acorn to return Julie's keys and driving behind him/beside him for several minutes before he realized it was us.
*Getting pulled over by a cop for doing 60 in a 35 and getting a warning..Thanks Melissa!
*Treacherous drive to the luxurious cabin.
*Trying to sleep despite people talking and marshmallows throwing at our tent.
*Getting horrible sleep!!

All in all, I enjoyed my camping outings!

The Summer So Far...

What has happened so far this summer has already put this near the top of the best summers of my life. What will soon transpire will surely push it over the top. I will include a short recap accompanied by pictures.

In May, after getting out of school we made a trip to Laramie, WY to see Gordon graduate from pharmacy school:

Even though I do not necessarily enjoy that drive, it was fun to see family and see Gordon accomplish his goal. It was also surreal, knowing that I will soon be in his position down in Laramie..scary!

Throughout the spring, I have been spending time here in Provo playing lots of softball and golf. I actually had a golf class, which was one of my favorites:

I have talked a little about my softball experiences in past blog entries, but it has been lots of fun and a good experience meeting some new people. We are actually in our second season right now and our team looks very promising.

My other two spring classes were biochemistry and backpacking (yes, backpacking is a real class!!). Biochem was a TON of fun actually, my professor was amazing! Backpacking was even better...and we went to Escalante for our 3-day trip, which was incredibly beautiful:


I met some great people, experienced a flash flood and we saved a scout troop from perilous danger. Here is our group:


During that term in school, I also went with my parents and my sister down south during memorial day weekend. We stayed at a casino in Mesquite and also saw the valley of fire, hoover damn, las vegas and the grand canyon. Hoover Damn:


Grand Canyon:


After school got out, I spent a couple days in Lake Powell with my old singles ward from Payson. It was fun, I helped prepare lunch and showed the world my white side:


Finally, this last weekend...me and one of my great friends from Wyoming, Tim, went to Zion's National Park and overnighted the Narrows. It was brutal but so so so so SO SO much fun!!! We fell into the river multiple times and almost died from heat exhaustion, hypothermia and almost drowned when we had to swim a little bit with our backpacks on:


Also, fireworks with friends:


I probably missed a few things, but here is a short list of things I will do before I leave for Wyoming in August:
*More softball*
*More golf*
*2 one-night camping trips*
*Work party in the park*
*Paul McCartney concert*
*2-day trip to Layton*
*Salt Lake Bees game*
*Mt. Timp day hike*
*Cedar City trip*
*Another 3-day backpack Escalante trip*
*Las Vegas and California for a week*

That is all!!

SEPotM - June 2010

Special (Ed) Person of the Month - June 2010. Previous winners include: Brian Hardy (March), Chris Hardy, Christi & Crystal Hardy (April), and Julie Hardy (May). Now it's time to go to someone outside the fam. On a side note before the award presentation...I really have some great friends, family and people that surround me. I don't know if I could make it very far sometimes if I didn't have your support. Lately I have realized the value of great friendship and the impact it can have to keep you on the straight and narrow.

That out of the way, the distinguished individual who is this month's recipient is an all-around great friend and someone that has a wide reach of influence on many people. His love of people is apparent and if you get into his good graces, he will protect you for life...the winner for the June 2010 version of SEPofM goes to....drum roll please...JAMAL PUGMIRE! *applause*

Jamal *middle name* Pugmire (AKA Black Magic, Oreo, White Chocolate)


Jamal has taught me a number of things: 1) It is okay to be racist. 2) Stereotypes about black people are generally correct as he loves his fried chicken and grape drink (and koolaid). I met Jamal when he became my roommate at the beginning of this year and we have gotten along very well because we have a lot in common: 1) Both of us struggle with women but both of us have a good number of women friends (although he has a TON more). 2) Both of us pour a terrific amount of money into our rec sports such as skiing/snowboarding, golfing and backpacking. We share a closet which we pack up with our recreational gear. He laughs at me when I snowboard into little girl skiers and I laugh at him when he pulls pranks on innocent cashiers at our favorite outdoors retail store. There is a lot to say about Jamal but I will just end with this: I am glad he is my roommate and friend.

Congrats Black Magic! See ya later today.

Signing In

In lieu of recent free time, I have decided to do a short little update.

-I finished school last week (bye bye UVU)
-I have a mustache
-I have a month and a half left in Utah
-I found a place to live in Laramie
-I am still playing softball
-My summer plans are the best ever!
-More to come later

SEPotM - May 2010

Special-Ed Person of the Month and a renewal of the blog spirit! Yeah, I realize that my blog is not very well frequented by the general public or my friends or my family for that matter, but I decided to try again. Once my older sister said my blog was lame. So I decided to make her lame too by awarding her with the Special-Ed Person of the Month for May 2010!

Julie Lynn Hardy (AKA Jewelz)


Wow, where do I begin? Julie has such a legendary status in our family that it is difficult to portray Jewelz in any solo paragraph. I will do my best, but I know I will come short of her greatness. She is my sister, my ONLY sister. Because she is the only girl and the middle child, she has always been the center of our outpouring of humor and jokes. Memory Pills. Food in Hair. Spilling Drinks. Clumsiness. Peanut Brittle Queen. Faking Injuries to Avoid Chores. I do LOOVE me some Julie though. Pretty, smart, talented, honest to a tee and cares deeply for family! :) You are the best and congrats on this accomplishment!! I figured I'd finally give it to you because of your constant complaining.

Next Blog Entry: Weird Dreams.

Softball & Stuff

We opened up our intramural BYU softball league today. Our team name is "The Swingers". Haha...here is a picture of me playing softball WAY back in the day:

Softball game #1: We lost 10-9
My stats: 4-4, 2 singles, 1 double, 1 home run, 4 RBI's, 1 run scored

This was a very frustrating game. We were leading most of the way. The score was 7-1 going into the bottom of the 6th. Then they scored 7 runs! We came back the next inning and scored two to retake the lead and make it a 9-8 game. Then the last half inning, our pitcher walked a couple guys and they ended up scoring two runs to win the game 10-9. The thing that bothered me the most was our team was making dumb bonehead mistakes! If we would have made smart throws and caught the ball, we would have done MUCH better. Oh well. I do love softball though and I would threat to say, I am pretty DANG good!

The summer semester has begun. Backpacking will be out of this world and Biochemistry is going to be a blast! Maybe I am just weird. :/

Too much to do with too much time...

Winter semester FINALLY ended this past Tuesday. I needed a 25% percent or above to pass my biology class. A 30% or above to pass statistics. And a 50% or above to pass organic chemistry. Mission achieved (I think) for all three. So here I sit on a Friday before summer semester begins in my laziest state to date. It feels I have a plethora of things to do with even a greater amount of time to do it in. But when school rolls around again and work gets busy, I'll have realized that I didn't do anything in this time frame. Which is quite frankly fine with me because I do enjoy being lazy every once in a while! It is good for the soul.

My list of things to buy:
A new sleeping bag: check
A new sleeping pad: check
A new hiking pack:
New hiking shoes:

Things to do:
Blog entries: check
Sleep: check
Play Halo 3 with roommate: check
Also Rock Band 2: check
Chocolate pie for breakfast: check
Find apartment in Laramie:
Do something productive:
Clean the house:
Buy biochemistry textbook:
Run outside in the snow:

Overall, I would say I'm in control of life. I have had many cycles the last two semesters but I am pulling things together and it couldn't get much sweeter than this. I have realized that I can't control the circumstances around me, I only have the power to control my own self and my own actions. This power to act and to possess our own moral agency is the greatest power that we, as people acquire from God. This is why we are on Earth, to use this power invested in us for righteous purposes. I am doing my best to make this so.

SEPotM - April 2010

Instead of honoring only one specific person with the SEPotM this month, I have decided to cover more bases. Last month, many of my family members/friends were disappointed that they weren't distinguished with this lifetime achievement award. So...the winner(s) of this month's SEPotM are...

The "Chri-" people: Chris Hardy, Christi Hardy and Crystal Hardy!!! Congratulations guys!

Christofer Michael Hardy:


Chris was the original "Chri-" person in our family. He was born in the lovely state of Utah in March of an undisclosed year (I say this in order to protect his age). He is my favorite oldest brother in the whole wide world! I like Chris because he is fun to make fun of and he always tries to make fun of me, but it never works. Every Christmas I put lights up on his house in Cheyenne, but I don't think I will have to this year because his lights from last Christmas are still up. He is a pinball wizard and I purposely used him in junior high school so I could play his playstation. He also stole my awesome Star Trek garbage can and hasn't returned it. Thanks Chris for providing comedic relief, albeit unintentionally!

Christin Elizabeth Hardy:


Christi was married into our family via my brother Gordon in Jan. 2004 and has introduced us to Smart Cookie, California Pizza Kitchen, Coldstone and Cafe Rio (I'm sure there are more too, but those are the first ones that came to my mind). She also has provided me with my two favorite and cutest nieces, Miranda and Claire! She is a super person to have around and is a whiz when it comes to making desserts! Hope you enjoy this special privilege of being co-Special-Ed person of the Month Christi!

Crystal Rae Hardy:


This picture is one of Crystal, last month's SEPotM Brian and I at a David Archuleta concert. Crystal loves David Archuleta, who happens to resemble Brian. They got married (Crystal with Brian, not with David) in the summer of 2004. Crystal has provided me with my two favorite nephews, Boo and Zac Attack. Good things about Crystal: because of her, I found the love of my life in Ben & Jerry's oatmeal cookie chunk ice cream. Bad things: She roots for all of the wrong sports teams (Broncos!?!? Seriously!?!). My life long pursuit is to convert her to the Detroit Lions. Job well done Crystal and thanks for your relationship advice!

To conclude, I have been told that the only girls I am allowed to marry have to have a "Chri-" in their name. This severely limits my marriage prospects, which may explain why I haven't been able to tie the knot yet. So, if there happens to be some stalker girl who fits into this category, make yourself known so we can get married ASAP! Thank you for your time.

Honorable Mention SEPotM - April 2010: Christina Sanchez (she took us out to eat on my mission), Kristin Stearns (prom date and friend forever), Kristen Finch Monnett (she probably still runs faster than me), Random Krystal (someone my friend wanted to set me up with), Kyrylo Fesenko (He is my favorite Jazz player ever! I love Fes, he is so goofy, big and white! Like me.)

On the Eve of Cleaning Checks...

I was really going to blog about something else, but I just received some material and frankly it was just "2" good "2" pass up. 1st off, I love where I work. We do a valuable work 4 the community. However sometimes I just marvel at some of the people that are brought in 2 work here. Did they even receive an education or did the public school systems just fail them completely? Here are 2 messages that were sent to the WHOLE clinic, admin & all:

Subject: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Content: HI MY BIGGES LOSER FRIENDS, I NEED THE MULON, DINERO, MONEY OR WHAT EVER U CALL IT OK. ITS $30 FOR THE HOLE 3 MONTHS OR $10 FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY......

Subject: *PaRTy*
Content: HI every1, dont 4get 2 bring the stuff that u put ur self in the list, 4 2morrow, Lucy B/Day (4?) Party will be @ lunch time 11:45am in the break room

Seriously, did the skill of professional writing just go down the drain? If I were to write an e-mail to the entire clinic, I would make sure it was legible to read and actually contained content that was grammatically correct!

I could have blogged about how I love Lady GaGa

I could have blogged about my softball experiences

I could have blogged about the end of the semester as we know it

Or I could have blogged about my dating life and/or cleaning checks "2morrow"

But instead I chose to blog about this...

Guerrero: A True Warrior

Last Friday, I received a call from Richard Guerrero, an old mission companion that needed some help. Guerrero was living in Chicago but moved to Ecuador (where he was originally from) to be with his fiancee. They had known each other since they were way young and he got connected back with her via phone calls a little bit after his mission ended. Only two months into his return to Ecuador, Guerrero decided to come back to the US to work and save up some more money so he could get married and be able to support his future family. Since he had no more family in the US and his other plan fell through, he called me on short notice to help him get settled. I went and picked him up at the airport this last Sunday. I noticed right off the bat he was already regretting his decision of coming and leaving his girl. He decided quickly that this wasn't the place for him to be and I helped him book a flight back to Ecuador. I just took him to the airport today.

Richard Guerrero and I in Cary, NC on our last p-day:


We also served together for two transfers in Wilson, NC:


Guerrero taught me a lot about friendship during our time together. He is a very loyal guy and I know that he will be a great husband when he gets married. I would like to make it down to Ecuador for the marriage..it would be sweet!

Night before Guerrero's departure:


I just want all my friends and family to know that I will bend over backwards to help anyone out in time of need...as far as my resources will take me. Never hesitate to ask me if you need any type of help.

Is it Winter?

Ugh...are the weather patterns in denial and suddenly reverting back to winter? It sure seems like it! I used to not mind the snow when snowboarding was in full force but now it is just annoying...c'mon Zeus, start giving us some true spring weather! I might just have to bust out an old poem of mine to help move the climate in the right direction:

To say the least, some are quite enamored by the falling white snow
They marvel over the first little flake that drops to the ground
As for me, I succumb to the dream of more temperate places to go
Forever wanting and counting the days ‘till summer-bound
Why oh why does winter have to hit us so hard?
To beings not capable of surviving a harsh wintry storm
Chilly air to the face, thick ice scraped from the car
These are just a few things that make my heart to mourn

Rushing to refuge alarmed through fierce winds of deep chill
Facing whiteouts and stuck when elevating up long steep hills
Who said that fun would make up for such a jittering pest?
Behold this child never knew of such bitter cold I suggest
Below zero and devastating wind was all that this author previously knew
Freezing gusts, to annoy and bother, likely making nose hairs frozen too
My early tradition, the root of which was laid in a frigid barren land
T’was where I was raised, t’was where I learned about Mr. Winter Man
However to continue in this abyss would be a thought insane
Never to return ever again, unless a warm paradise it became
In short, I do not despise my hometown not one tad bit
But a giant hefty coat is required for all, of such perfect fit
There is nothing about the people or terrain to truly dislike
Sadly it is just the arctic chill that destroys all that is right

I hope that no one is saddened from this rumbling mess
But I have seen places of weather which was oh so great
A land above all others, a land so widely and richly blessed
Wishing to stay long, but returning was my eventual fate
Now I’m stuck driving in the snow, searching for ways to leave
Hoping that I can soon return to the climate that I love and know
Praying that I can soon see the faces of those so dear to me
Wishing that from this snow I’d leave and to a Carolina beach I’d go

Spooning in the Toilet

This morning, I spooned in the toilet...

In other words, I noticed a shiny object in the furthest depths of the toilet (a spoon) and I wielded the courage of a lion and fished it out...with my hand (which I was smart enough to cover with a plastic bag)

And no, before anyone asks...this is NOT an April fool's day joke, it is a true story!

To preface my early morning spooning activities, about a week ago we decided to do a much needed cleansing of the kitchen. My roommate Jamal (bless his heart) decided to flush a sizable portion of dirty water from a huge bowl down our our toilet. However much to his (and especially mine and Mat's) dismay, there was a hidden spoon in that bowl that happened to be sent down the drain and was irretrievable for the time being. Eventually we all forgot about it. Consequently, this was the very same spoon that magically reappeared today as portrayed in the following picture:


Notice the tip of the spoon emerging from the dark "tunnel" area. Yep I had to reach far!! FWIW, our toilet really isn't this dirty looking. It is a combination of lighting and discoloration. Our bathroom is the guest bathroom and is so fresh and so clean clean!

This is the final product:

If you have any spec of imagination...this will disgust you to a great deal. This spoon was in the plumbing of the toilet for ONE WEEK. Think of all the nasty stuff that has passed through that spoon!

After taking it out of the toilet, I hand-washed it and returned it back to the silverware drawer. Maybe Jamal, John or Mat will use it today...

SEPotM - March 2010

From my facebook wall:

Brian Hardy When do we get an update to the awesomeness that is michaelscotthardy.blogspot?
Yesterday at 4:27pm

The awesomeness that is michaelscotthardy.blogspot will now be re-awesomefied with a new feature: Special (Ed) Person of the Month. Yep...every month I will award exactly 1.0 person with this prestigious honor "SEPotM." The March 2010 award of "SEPotM" goes to.....none other than BRIAN HARDY!



Brian Charles Hardy: Born in Detroit, MI during October 1983, 2 years my elder. We used to share a bunk bed until he left the room because of my messes of toy cars. He shared a secret with me about how the fan can be pointed at him but also deflect off the walls and eventually reach me. He calmed my fear about the closet monster and "Resurrected Mary." We conceived a way to watch TV after bedtime, using a small vehicle mini-television, until Julie ratted us out. We formed the unstoppable duo of "Hardy-squared" in our high school gym class with our inspector gadget like arms and abnormally high level of intellect. Brian now currently spends his time in frivolous matters such as studying as a University of Washington med student and raising a family.

Cheers to you Brian! First winner of the SEPotM award!!

FAIL

Friday:

-My friend Tim and I were at Applebees with an appetizer that included mozzarella sticks. A snip of our conversation:
Me: Okay Tim, no double dipping!
Tim: That's what she said!
*FAIL*

Saturday:

-I took my roommate John to see someone in my neighborhood (where I have lived for 6 years) to see someone he knew on his mission....I took him to the wrong house...two houses away from where the real people lived
*FAIL*

-I was at a bonfire where I noticed three cute girls sitting on the tailgate of a truck. I wanted to introduce myself and get to know them a little better (if you know what I mean)...after conversing a while, I found out they were all in their teens and one girl emphasized the fact, that while still in high school, she was already *seventeen and a HALF.*
*FAIL*

Sunday:

-I was busy doing laundry most of the day. I started a load of laundry in the washing machine. I came back about an hour later and found that the cycle had been completed...except that I had forgotten to include my clothes.
*FAIL*

Monday:

-It was the first school day after spring break, so I was already having a bad day by default. I had to wake up early and go take a statistics test at the testing center, which took me about an hour and a half to complete. I walked back to my car and noticed that the car keys were in fact NOT in my pocket but were located on the passenger seat with the doors locked. To make matters worse, the one person who had my lone spare key was on a cruise ship thousands of miles away!
*FAIL*

Yesterday:

-I went with my roomies to a dinner provided by the relief society in someone else's apartment. I saw my favorite basketball team was on TV, so I went to go watch. One by one people left the area of the game due to my obvious interest in watching my team and disinterest in actually having a social conversation. Finally sitting there all alone, and getting excited from a big play in the game, I made an awkward cheering sound that I had tried to hold in. Several girls in the room looked my way and their face told the whole story, "Oh my gosh...he is sooo weird!!"
*FAIL*

Running into Spring

On Saturday I went on a 4-miler with my friend Shannon and it was such a perfect day outside! There was a little breeze that made things interesting in the beginning, but once my muscles were warmed up, it was great! Today however the story seemed to change. Instead of spring time, it reverted back to cold (I guess something to get used to if I'm moving back to Wyoming). I took off from the apartment for my 2-mile run and my face probably looked like this:



Ya know of course I've seen much colder days as a runner, but the contrast from the last week or so was a killer!

I have quite a few running adventures planned for this summer...one of which probably includes a half-marathon that I am running with Shannon. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to run a full-marathon but shoot, am I really up for all that hardcore training that could cut into the best summer of my life? I mean, I am already going to be active enough playing softball, tennis, golfing and outdoor-sy stuff to tack on a 20-mile run every week. So I think I'll just stick to my half-marathon. :)

Sacrament Meeting Thoughts

I have already mentioned a few things that I I love. I love lighthouses. I love my GPS watch. Now additionally I would like to add that I love Sundays. Even when the walls of injustice are caving in and the turbulence of worldly things are at full force, I can always count on the day of rest to provide peace and a new enlightening perspective. Today has been a good day. I participated in a choir at church where we sang some inspiring hymns. Our Bishop talked about ways we can honor the Sabbath Day. Our Stake President talked about how he loves raspberries, dogs, bacon...and the Gospel too.

The main thing I got out of church today is that God loves us and with proper motivation and a positive attitude, he can make more out of us that we can out of ourselves. Don't be discouraged, follow the example of Rudy and accomplish your dream!!

Trials and Watches

So I was on my way to my friend Tim's apartment yesterday on some boring roads between Lehi and Tooele when I saw something that reminded me of my life in a nutshell. It was some bird flying against the wind with all of his might but he just remained in his same little spot. At times this is how I feel...no matter how hard I try to get to my destination amidst winds of opposition, it seems I ain't gettin' nowhere! However I seem to possess a ridiculous perspective of optimism, so I should be okay.

One little star in my life right now is my new watch! It is a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch and and now takes over the top spot as my favorite running gadget (move over wireless ipod shuffle headphones!).

It makes running that much funner!

It is pretty much amazing if I say so myself. It records my heart rate, pace, elevation changes, distance and has past runs that I can run against! It also can take out the trash, do the dishes and do my statistics homework. Aren't you jealous?

In Love with an Inanimate Object

A friend asked me yesterday what I was going to blog about. Actually I really had never thought about that. I mean some people tend to blog about one thing in particular. My brother Chris, for example, blogs about pinballs and lame 80's TV shows and movies (His Blog Here) that everyone cringes when he forces us to watch them:


I seriously almost died with I watched that show...seriously.

To return to my main point, what am I going to "blog" about? Nothing specific, just random things on my mind! For example, I love lighthouses. Just love them! I have an obsession with lighthouses!


This is me at Bodie Island Lighthouse in North Carolina back in (has it really been that long...) 2007.

There is something so awesome about a huge tower that has this big shiny light that beams on the ocean. I would give up everything I own and everything I've worked for just to be hired as a lighthouse operator and live in a lighthouse on the coast of somewhere beautiful. This is the extent of my obsession. I mean it is a healthy obsession, right?

Fact & Fiction

I have been involved in online blogging before (if you consider the ancient LiveJournal, a few MySpace blog entrees and another blog of mine that I updated once every two years (http://www.hardys.org/michael/). So I ventured upon this blog site, of the which I have been exposed to before and I decided to create my own daggum blog...this time for realz yo! Fo sho, I am a pretty random person and I like to have fun. Anyways let's start off with a little fact & fiction shall we:

Fact: I love to snowboard
Fiction: I love the snow
Fact: I run for fun
Fiction: I am fast
Fact: I am going off to pharmacy school this next fall (Wyoming)
Fiction: There will be more sunny than miserable days in Laramie
Fact: I am Single with a capital "S"
Fiction: Girls answer their phones when I call
Fact: I fancy myself as a chill person with ambition
Fiction: I don't live in the moment

So here I am, unsure of my future, kinda weird, a little cranky at times but with my priorities straight. I am Real. I am Legit. I am Me.