A Lovely Story....

Inspiration: I went to a Salt Lake Bees game with my sister Shelly and observed a little scene while sitting in the grass of the outfield....

Man, I'm doing my best and she just won't notice me, thought John as he sat looking at the blonde girl of his dreams. With the blond hair and bubbly personality, Jessica was basically anyone's dream girl.

She had shifted around during the game, flirting with almost all the guys present about six total. Her friend Casey had sat by her side and made some minor progress with the fellows but basically ended but serving as a good wingwoman.

Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, John saw water being poured. As he looked over to witness the scene he notice that Jessica was wet and Chuck was very smug. Jessica of course was very concerned about being wet and somehow her attempts at payback were very unsuccessful. (the fact the Chuck was big enough to make a pretty good linebacker probably didn't help the 5'4" girl any)

Jessica came and sat down up the hill from Chuck.

"You probably shouldn't have done that," John said as he took a seat next to her.

"He's going to get it," Jessica said reaching for the last remaining bottle of water not listening to the quiet of John's reasoning.

As she started to open the bottle, John in his quick thinking grabbed the bottle to stop her from making a fool of herself. She fought back and eventually John let go knowing that he could do nothing more.

Chuck suddenly felt a lot of water fall on top of him. Being the proud man that he was, he took the attack in silence, waiting until the water stopped to dry off is expensive phone. John stepped to Chuck and helped him dry off his phone.

In a rage Chuck stormed off, Jessica was quick to follow leaving her high heels behind so she could find Chuck easier.

"Seriously," John said, frustrated at his position in life, "why would she follow after him." At this point he was seriously regretting his nice guy status in life.

Soon Jessica returned, for her shoes. After taking off the second time, John could see Jessica trying fervently to make amends with Chuck and Chuck staving off any attempt.

"That's it...let's go, " John began packing up all of the blankets and things for the group and the others helped with hesitation.

They walked off the grass and into the abyss of life....

Note: This is not great piece of fiction. This is a true story. Names have been changed to protect both the innocent and guilty. Actually, these could actually be their names...seeing as I have no clue who those people actually were I could have nailed them right on the head....

Article from High School...

I promised some old school stuff....here is a good one....don't judge....

Katie Hnida made history at University of New Mexico by being the first woman to play and score in a Division I-A football game. However, before her historic feat at UNM, Hnida faced another challenge, which she was unprepared to handle.

In 1999, Katie Hnida, not yet a New Mexico Lobo, was instead, a Colorado Buffalo doing what she had always dreamed of doing, playing football. Hnida was recruited by then Head Coach Rick Neuheisel, who soon left Colorado for Washington. Gary Barnett took over and immediately life became miserable for Hnida and her dream became a nightmare.

According to Barnett, "None of the players wanted her on the team. Basically we were doing her a favor." Greeted with that attitude Hnida was harassed by the players from the first practice. She claims that during practice five teammates surrounded her and verbally abused her, making sexually graphic comments.

That was not the end for Hnida. She endured unimaginable taunts during practice. The worst came at the home of a fellow “teammate” where Hnida claims she was raped. Hnida left Colorado and quit kicking for two years. She was depressed and although she told her family about the harassment, she never told her family, or anyone else, about being raped.

In 2002, Hnida braved her fears and walked on to the UNM football team where she was welcomed with open arms. ”I have not had a single problem with any of my teammates at UNM. I have not received any special treatment, nor did I request any. That's a credit to the type of program that Coach (Rocky) Long is running at New Mexico,” said Hnida in a press release telling her side of the Colorado story. .

It seems like a long time since that Colorado experience and Hnida is just recently able to tell the world of the Colorado nightmare. Apparently, Hnida was not the only woman to have a bad experience with the Colorado football program. Since Barnett took over in 1999, seven other women have come forward with allegations against the university claiming that they were sexually assaulted by Colorado football players. "Because all the news sent me back into that nightmare," she says. "It made me literally sick. I realized that until I tell my story, I can never heal."

Hnida picked an opportune time to tell her story. She was being interviewed by Sports Illustrated writer and Colorado alum Rick Reilly and told her story at Colorado. Word quickly spread and Colorado was put on the defensive with the school initially backing Barnett. Then Barnett broke under the pressure and shot back at Hnida; “It was obvious Katie was not very good. She was awful," he said. "Katie was not only a girl, she was terrible. OK? There's no other way to say it." Barnett was placed on paid leave and an interim head coach was put in his place.

There have also been reports that Colorado has called an escort service and strippers on multiple occasions to “entertain” during recruiting parties. These parties have also contributed to some of the sexual assaults allegations the university has faced and does face.

The status of CU has left colleges around the country scrambling to change their recruiting tactics so this will not happen to them. Miami has faced a similar problem where two of their recruits were arrested after leaving a recruiting party. While some universities are scrambling to catch up to the modern world of sexual harassment and underage drinking, some universities appear to have already addressed the issue.

Maybe the answer lies in the players themselves and their abilities to control their actions. Many critics have ridiculed Brigham Young University’s strict Honor Code, but now some are starting to think that the base idea of a signed Honor Code agreement would be appropriate. Sports writer Dennis Dodd says, “BYU's Honor Code would be a good template if the NCAA and its members were serious about cleaning up college sports.”

The real question comes down to this should women play football, and should recruits and athletes be allowed to romp on campus without consequence. Still the fight rages on and the alumni of Colorado can only do as Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly, hope for the best and “Hide [their] class ring[s].”

A little bit of Thanks....

So lately I've been thinking a lot about my youth and growing up. You know they say it takes a village to raise a child. I think it took a city to make me into who I am today. I owe so much to so many people...sometimes the pressure is overwhelming. Over the past two years I have learned so much about my self and everything it takes to make a person successful. I definitely didn't do it by myself. First of all, my parents are amazing. I know, I know, I complain about them being a little bit over-zealous about my life but as I grow older I understand that most of their nagging is truly for my good. Secondly, there was my ward family throughout the years. Those people are AMAZING!!! I have been so fortunate to come in contact with people who, from my birth, have been rooting for my success in life. Every time I go home I feel more support from those people than almost anyone I have met in Provo. They all want me to be the best person that I can be. Next, teachers. I have had my fair share of teachers throughout the years. Some have made me want to give up but others have harbored me has a fugitive and otherwise guided me through my life. Especially in high school when there were so many times that I thought my whole world would just collapse right in front of me. They took me in and cared way more than they had to. Finally, there are the friends who have seen me through thick and thin. This is a very small and elite group....friends have not been the greatest commodity in my life. Thank you to those who have stuck through everything that I have tossed out at them.

I have so much to be grateful for in life and I understand that overall I must thank my Father in Heaven for placing such people in my life. I could not have made it this far without them. I am so grateful for my Lord and personal Savior Jesus Christ. I am so glad to know that no matter what I am going through there is a perfect, living being who know exactly what I am feeling because He has felt that pain and is willing to help me carry my burdens. There is no way one can make it through life alone, so don't try. I have and it doesn't work and it isn't worth the pain that trying even causes...

Home...

I would just like to state for the record that I love coming home. Living in a crazy college world there is so much liquidity in life. You move usually once a year...the people around you are constantly changing and you are always trying to impress someone. I came home on Wednesday for a little vacation and man am I feeling good. While being home is not always perfect (nagging parents, lack of social scene) it brings me back to some solid ground. I don't have to try to impress the people here...the already know and love me. I wish I could find somewhere like that in Provo. I have good friends but even that seems to be a little fluid these days. I am grateful for my roommates and Shayla for keeping me on track but there is never anyone who can match the security of home. Every time I go to leave home I always want to cry because I am once again leaving my safe nest and going off into the dark lonely abyss that I call college. One thing is definitely for sure....I never would have missed home if I had never moved away from it.....

Missionary Homecomings....

I went to the airport to pick up my mom today and was surprised to find a number of families anxiously awaiting the return of their missionaries. One family didn't seem quite right to have a missionary and I soon realized that they were actually waiting for a serviceman to come home. The serviceman came home first and it was so amazing to see his wife run to him....his kids had been asking their mom every 10 seconds when their dad would be there and she kept telling them 10 minutes as if that would stop them from asking again. The youngest daughter wouldn't let the dad hold her which was a little sad but so true of most young kids with dad's at war. That was when the tears started....not a full on cry put I had tears....it was somewhat embarrassing. Then out of the floodgates came the missionaries. The first person to hug every single on of the missionaries was their mother. Almost simultaneously the mothers started to cry as their suns came out from behind security. Once again I had to hold myself together....it was truly a beautiful sight...

The Return of Me....

So I've been feeling a little out of character lately and so have not found the time to update this amazing piece of work called blog. It's been a crazy couple of weeks....It started with a trip...the details of which will eventually be posted as well but for now just know that there was a trip...to Missouri/Illinois where my dad fell and hurt his hip...eventually it cracked and all "heck" broke loose. Everything is on the mend but it was a tough couple of weeks but we all got through it. I've decided that more than anything I hate making friends...that sounds stupid I realize but the whole process is just a little bit crazy. You move to a new place and basically have to start all over...and well I'm just going to say I suck at making friends...I am just no good. I always try to be witty but end up saying something stupid instead. Luckily I move with people who have skills and hence latch on to their friends....I hate socialness....

A Tornado Through the Midwest.....

I thought this would be a perfect place to do a play-by-play of my trip to New Mexico, Missouri, and Illinois.....


Wednesday, May 21, 2008

So I got up for work like any normal day...except I was leaving early to fly to Albuquerque. Yes I understand that is not exactly close to the intended destination of St. Louis but I flew home to help my parents with my 2-year-old nephew on a plane. So after a few short hours at work I headed up to the airport. Of course I was early because I always am but it was alright. The flight went on with little event. For some reason I was so glad to see the brown ground below me as I landed in Albuquerque...very strange feeling for sure. It was good to be home. I watched part of the finale of American Idol and then grabbed some Denny's with some friends. It was a good time and I really wished it would have lasted longer. When I arrived at the house, Chad and Darbie had already taken off for St. Louis where we would meet them the next day. Jay and I played hardcore until we put him to bed.


Thursday, May 22, 2008


It was a race to the airport...for anyone who knows my mother you might understand that getting out of the house and to the airport on time was not an easy task. Adding a 2-year-old to the mix didn't help much. We did however finally make it to the airport where we met my dad and began the actual vacation. The airport was a bit of a tramatic experience (as everything with a 2-year-old is) but the flight was relatively uneventful...thank heavens for that one. Once in St. Louis it was time to figure out how to get all of the luggage along with all of us to where it needed to be. St. Louis has a little bit of a southern flair and I LOVED IT!!!! The people were very laid back and for some reason I fell in love. We made it to a hotel where we were met by Chad and Darbie and handed off Jay. This is where the real fun of the trip began.


Friday, May 23, 2008


I was sleeping quite cozily in my bed when suddenly I feel someone tugging on the sheets and eventually getting into bed with me. A little bit confused I look over and ask my mother what she is doing. She says she can't sleep....so apparently moving to my bed would help her sleep better. The only problem with her brilliant plan is that I now can't sleep because she is all over the place. They used to complain when I was little about moving around a lot and now I know where that comes from!! Losing a few hours of sleep isn't a big deal....the big deal happened at about 6:30 when all the sudden a shout comes from the other end of the room: "I'm Dead". A little confused I open my eyes and see my mom looking on the floor next to the other bed in the room. "I think I broke my hip" was the next pained cry. All my mom could say was "Pray" and that's just what I did. I turned onto my knees in bed and prayed...for what I'm not really sure because I didn't really know what was going on except that I was scared for whatever it was. Eventually my dad got up and moved which was a relief to all, well kind of. Later that morning the full realization came to play. My dad had tried to get out of bed by supporting himself on a chair that was next to the bed. Unfortunately that chair had wheels and whoosh....there went the chair and my dad.



The plan for Friday was to drive to Hannibal, MO which is the birthplace of Mark Twain. If you don't know who Mark Twain is....don't worry about it you still won't know if I tried to tell you....Hannibal was an interesting little tourist traps with lots of antique shops and craft stores. The main historic street also had a few museums and such. The only thing my mom wanted to do was to go to "Injun Joe's Cave"....which once again if you don't know don't worry about it. I kind of liked to walk around the little stores and actually bought something from one of the craft stores. I know calm down...I bought something that was already made. My mom took my dad into the urgent care clinic (which I'm sure must have been a hoot and a half) and they took X-rays and said that there was no breaks or cracks and he would be okay if he just walked with a cane. In her true fashion my mom tried to get pain meds for dad that would work well with his liver. The people at the clinic wouldn't give them too her...they probably thought that she was a drug pusher, but she really was just trying to look out for the poor man's liver.



So cane and all we pushed forward through to the steamboat ride at night. At this point I should probably clue you in on who all is on this trip at the moment. Right now it's the parents, me, my brother Chad, his wife Darbie, and Jay. Also along for the trip are the Turners who are some family friends who live in Pullman, WA. Apparently, the Turners met my parents when they lived in Albuquerque and joined the church. The Turners have a daughter named Erin, who is about my age so you can only imagine how cute everyone thinks that is. So the crew heads onto this steamboat where we enjoy a fabulous meal and watch some dancing. Jay decided he wanted to dance and headed to the front of the ship where some older couples were dancing. He gladly joined in with them and entertained the whole ship. Man, I love that kid!! It was an overall good time. We then headed back to the hotel and slept....peacefully....thank heavens.


Saturday, May 24, 2008


This was the morning of all mornings....the day we got to go to Nauvoo. In the morning the adults went to the temple while Erin, Jay, and I stayed in the lobby of our hotel and waited for them to finish. Once they were done we relaxed a little and then went to dinner at this buffet at the Nauvoo Hotel. One thing that is interesting about Nauvoo is that the people in the west part of town are not members of the church...It's all residents who sell Mormon paraphenalia to tourists. The east side is divided into the LDS and the Community of Christ churches....it's all very interesting. Anyway, this is the point in the trip when everything blends into one. After dinner we walked on the main street in downtown Nauvoo and got some chocolate from this really good shop and then looked in a couple of other stores.


Sunday, May 25, 2008


We got up and went to the Illinois, Nauvoo Mission sacrament meeting, which was pretty awesome. It was only an hour and a half meeting and the speakers were missionaries who were about to come home. Most of the missionaries there were older couple missionaries so it was interesting to hear their experiences serving on the many sites and in the temple in Nauvoo. After the meeting we went back to the hotel and took a nap (blessed day!!!). After the nap we headed over to Carthage where we visited the place of the Martydom of Joseph Smith. Even though it was my third time being there I still loved to feel the Spirit and know that someone so great had died there. Then we headed off to see some of the sites in Nauvoo. I LOVE Nauvoo...there is nothing better than to be there and to feel the spirit of the early pioneers and all of the sacrifices. Every time I go there I can feel the spirit of Joseph Smith so clear and it helps me to press on in the midst of all of my afflictions and trials.

Monday, May 26, 2008

I knew the today would be my favorite part of the trip. We started the day doing baptisms in the temple. What a perfect way to start!!! I have decided that I really really want to get married in the Nauvoo temple...I know cliche or whatever but I just love it! After the temple we headed to the visitors center to get our tickets for the shows that we were going to see that day. We then went over and visited some of the houses, including the Browning Gun Shop and the Scovil Bakery. Then we headed off to see Just Plain Anna Amanda. It was a cute children's show put on the by the young performing missionaries in Nauvoo. Even thought it was for kids I've got to confess that I kind of liked it. Then we saw more sites....while this may seem to be getting boring to you it really wasn't to me!!! Then we went to the visitor's center to see our second show High Hopes and Riverboats. It was also performed by the young performing missionaries and has a little bit of romance in it so we all know that I loved it!! After that show we ate dinner and did some shopping in the newer part of town. Then we went to see Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo. This show was done by the older missionary couples. It is always hiliarious because some just aren't really the performing type, but they all get up there and do it anyway!! To cap off the trip we went to the night show called Sunset on the Mississippi which is kind of a variety show of all of the missionaries. It was the perfect way to end the trip!!! Walking back to the car was a little scary because the show was outside and it was dark and dad can't see in the dark. Mom and I (with the help of some sister missionaries) had to lead him to the car. It was a scary experience because not only could he not see but he wasn't very stable because of the bad hip...(you probably forgot about that but it will come again later)...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Mom and Dad's anniversary!!! I think this was their most special anniversary...well to me it was the most special of their anniversaries. During the day my mom would look at the clock and tell me things about their wedding day that I hadn't heard before. We got up in the morning and went to the Lyon Drug store, which for some reason I had missed my last two times in Nauvoo. Then we headed down the road to St. Louis. When we got to St. Louis we decided to drive up to the arch (we had a lot of time to kill). It was kind of a cool little structure although I was more interested in downtown St. Louis. We also saw the Rams' Stadium....which is the first NFL stadium I think I've seen that close. Then we headed to the airport where we sent dad off to Albuquerque and Mom and I went to Salt Lake.

Whew....I finally made it through the trip log. After the trip dad's hip gave out and cracked completely. Mom immediately flew home and dad called an ambulance to come get him and take him to the ER. Nearly 15 hours after he got to the ER that transferred him to the Presbyterian Hospital downtown. He had a very successful surgery on Thursday and was sent home Monday. His mom flew down from Utah to help take care of him. He's going a little stir crazy but is finally starting to heal.