Flava felons strike again

Remember last summer when the Flava Felons set off to try every frozen yogurt place in the Provo-Orem metropolitan area and give our reviews?

Well, my fellow Flava Felon is now on a mission in Argentina and the new trendy thing popping up everywhere is shaved ice shacks. Luckily, I have a new accomplice for Flava Felons 2.0

We've been talking about this undertaking for a few months, but since temperatures have been over 90 degrees, we decided summer is officially here and we can start. After hours of cleaning a grimy boys apartment on Saturday, we rewarded ourselves with our first stop--that turqouise shack in the Smith's parking lot.

Overall review: refreshing and good, but not our favorite. Plus we don't have much to compare it to.

Pros: good size, flavors, service, they had umbrellas, good people watching in the Smiths parking lot
Cons: deceptive pricing, the girl promised I would like sweet cream on mine and I didn't, we felt slightly WT (white trash) sitting in the Smith's parking lot.

With one place, down we are ready to tackle the 948 other shave ice places. welcome summer!

rise and shout.

I got a little emotional during the final home basketball game Saturday.

This video for the seniors gave me chills.


There's a lot of love in my heart for this team, espeically these guys who I've been cheering on for years. "Shimmer for Jimmer"? Yeah, we created that when we (and Jimmer) were freshmen. "Woosh Cecil" after freethrows? We were the pioneers. Now everyone does it and he gives us a thumbs up each time and its sweet.

It's hard to pick a favorite moment from this game, let alone this season. But on of the most epic things was getting all 5000+ students in the student section to dance, flash-mob style during a timeout. We practiced, we stretched, we were pumped. It was awesome! A standing ovation from the entire crowd, even President Samuelson and Elder Nelson? even better.

Watch this one to get the epic magnitude:


and this for the detail:


it was a rough week for Cougar fans, but today made it all better!

so proud to be a Cougar!

on the honor code...

I forget how much of a bubble Provo is until things like this happen and suddenly the nation attacks and questions the standards I so strongly believe in.

It may seem odd to people that 33,000+ college co-eds actually want to come to a school that restricts their language, dress, curfew, relationships and just about everything else. But these students would be living most of these standards even without the Honor Code. We chose to come to BYU and live the Honor Code.

In nearly four years at BYU, I have had more memorable experiences, learned more, grown more, built stronger relationships and had so much more fun than I would have had at any other university because of the Honor Code, not despite it.  I have seen in my life and the lives of others that living the Honor Code makes people better.

Yes, campus has been in a comatose state for the past 48 hours. Yes, I too am devastated at the loss of a great basketball player. But I am so proud of my school for how they handled the situation and taught the world that honor and commitment is more important than winning championships.

(And I still believe BYU will have a great March)

things that never fail to make me happy

the gospel

movie trailers

listening to "I gotta feeling" on the way to campus and resisting the urge to flail

spending the evening cuddled up on the couch, discussing life

positive notes from the testing center screens

the family

hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows

byu basketball team intro (cougar fans--its time)

joseph dance parties

weddings

laughing children

warm socks

that feeling of climbing in to a warm bed on a cold night

good hair days

general conference

washed-up pop star's Christmas albums

and this...

it's autumntime

Welcome fall

Here's to cardigans, pumpkin shakes, cool breezes, falling leaves, canyon drives, football afternoons, studying on the crisp grass, new tennis shoes, scarves, cinammon rolls, carmel apple cider, midterms and the feeling that something new is right around the corner.

There's just something about autumn that I love. A lot of things, actually. But the feelings of excitement, of new things, that feeling that even though all these new things are starting and things are changing, you can still conquer the world.

So, hello fall. I'm so very glad you're here. Here's to hoping my last official collegiate fall is my best one yet.

(oh, and lots of excitement to be going back to my all-time favorite place next month)

tradition. spirit. honor.

fall is nearly upon us.
you know what that means...byu football.

let's face it: we probably won't be winning any national championships this year, but I look good in navy and it's my senior year, so this is going to be awesome.
plus, it means the return of the football face, which first graced us with its presence last season:
(Remember the team's epic win and 2 am airport pickup? awesome. football face loved it)

This year will also require some more creativity with our sign creation.
Last year brought us this gem:but Harvey peaced out of Provo after an hco. vio (honor code violation, obvs), so it's back to the drawing board.
So far in the running we have:
In Bronco We Trust
Jake Heaps: Sammamish's favorite son
Austin, get back here. (Oh wait, you almost won the Superbowl)
BYU Football: the wives and babies are our biggest fans
Win it for Cecil.

obviously, the signage is a work in progress. suggestions?
but what better way to kick off the season but against UW in Provo? This will be epic.

and to pay a small homage to the departed #45, I dug this out of the vault to remember the happier times of rushing records and gummy savers. rip BY-Unga.
(this novel-length post shows my devotion to the team)

What a lady

Last Fourth of July, every member of the extended family was summoned to Coeur d'Alene, per Grandma's request for a big family picture. We gather for the Fourth every year, but it was one of our best visits, with the cousin parade, baseball game and fireworks. and those family pictures sure are a treasure.This year, every member of our extended family once again descended on my grandparent's river house, but for a more somber occasion--to say goodbye to Grandma.After an intense 4-month battle with cancer, my Grandma B passed away June 23rd. Her last few months of life were difficult, but she was an incredible woman. I had the blessing of spending my week between DC and spring term helping my grandparents. It was a difficult week, but I am so grateful for the chance I had to spend that time with my grandma. From weeding her garden to taking her hand and walking her into her chemo and dialysis appointments to watching her speed around the grocery store in the motorized scooter, I treasure all of those memories.
My grandma was moved to a hospice room the day I came home from school. I am so glad I could be there with the rest of my aunts, uncles and cousins as we gathered that weekend to say goodbye to Grandma. As she slipped out of this life, our family rallied together to support our grandma by camping out in the hospice.

(Grandma's funeral was on her and my grandpa's 55th anniversary. Here they are at the family celebration for their 50th)

She was just 72, but what an amazing woman she was. She loved her kids and grandkids so much. When we were little, she and her sister took their grandkids to a week at the beach house in Lincoln City, where she would take us exploring and to the teddy bear store. She loved to sew, and made me the most elaborate doll clothes. My favorite article of clothing from the ages of 5-7 was the magenta sweatshirt with the ballerina hippos she sewed on. She had the best arts and crafts and the best stories and was the best grandma, always so devoted to the family. Like her obituary says, she was the consummate grandmother.It was tough as everyone gathered in the river house this weekend, because it is so grandma's house. Her purse in the closet. Her flowers in the garden. Her decorations everywhere. She was the leader of the family--the one who cooked delicious meals for crowds, kept us on our toes and just loved us.

I am comforted by the Atonement, the fact that I will be able to see my grandma again and the fact that she is somewhere better--free from the earthly body that gave her so much pain at the end.

"and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" -Revelation 21:4

Goodbye, Grandma. I sure do love you!

things I'm loving lately...

The Hunger Games. I don't think I've been this into a book series since Harry Potter. All I want to do is read them, so I finished the first two books in five days. can't wait til the last one comes out in August. sooo good.

The Library. After avoiding it for most of spring term, I've braved the library for the past three days. and I love that no one is there during spring, so we have the run of it to ourselves

DC Cupcake Contest. cupcakes+DC=fabulous. People are just so talented.

Glee music. I think I've been singing songs from the finale for the past 3 days nonstop.

Being outside. Before it was cold today, I tried to spend as much time as possible outside and loved loved loved it. I'm so glad Utah is finally embracing spring and summer.

Walking across campus late at night after leaving the library, belting Lady Gaga and knowing I'm going home in less than a week. Wonderful.

DC recap...

From the Capitol

to the White House,

New York

to Valley Forgeto Gettysburg,Snow-mageddon

to wonderful springtime,I mingled with some big-whigs,but really just loved living with some of the best people ever.
love DC
love the Barlow

It was in DC that I learned how to think, how to question and how to know what I believe.
It was in DC that I learned about politics, culture and people.
I grew and learned so much about myself.
I thrived on city life.
I figured out with certainty what I want to do with my life.
I learned how to be productive, but still enjoy life. Diligent, but adventurous.
I strengthened my relationship with my Savior.
I learned to be professional.
I lived with 40 stranger who quickly became some of my favorite people in the world.
I laughed, danced and sang my way through city streets and the Metro.
I loved my life.

What a blessing it was to spend the best semester ever in Washington, DC. I got a little teary-eyed as I flew out yesterday and reminisced because I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Love live BC/DC Winter 2010!

just some notes...

To the man in the red Volvo,
You probably didn't think anyone could hear you blasting "Hey Soul Sister" as you drove through you quiet Van Ness neighborhood, but I could. From over a block away. But I loved it, so thanks.

Dear Nuclear Safety Summit,
Thank you for causing so many motorcades. I saw 3 on my walk to Dupont this morning, 2 this evening, and heard a bunch more. I would probably hate you if I drove, but you're just making this metro-rider's last DC week very exciting. And I've never seen so many police in one city.

Dear time,
I would really appreciate it if you just stopped moving for a while. I would be happy to stay here forever, or at least for long than just 5 days.

Hey Robert Downey Jr,
I never thought you were attractive. Then I watched Sherlock Holmes. What happened to you?

Dear Sammamish,
I'm excited to spend a few months with you this summer. We'll have a grand time

Journal,
We seriously need to catch up. But for now, this blog might have to suffice. Sorry.

Dear Georgetown waterfront,
I don't think there's much better than an early morning run along your shores as the crew team rows past, hobos wake from their benches and "Here comes the sun" plays through the headphones.

Potbellys,
I love you so much, I'm considering starting a franchise so I can have a "skinny wreck on wheat bread with everything but hot peppers" whenever I want. I'll miss you, but we'll always have lunch breaks on the UDC benches.

Packing,
I barely started, and I'm already so over you. Somethings gotta give.

To the Reflecting Pool grass,
Remember when you were covered in snow? Well, I'm glad I can see you now, and I'm so glad we had those few hours of picnicking and cloud watching yesterday. It was lovely.

you know what I love?

perfect weather spring days

sitting under trees on the Mall and people watching
long walks
meeting up with friends after work
cherry blossoms

behold the power of music!

watch this and try not to be happy. I dare you.



Oh, how I love the BYU Men's Chorus.

I know it's incredibly cliche, but I love the Olympics. so much. Every two years, I am reminded of their glory, splendor and stories. Visa says it so well: "Go World". The Olympics really do bring people together.

The last time Bob Costas graced my television screen, Whitney was getting married and everyone was in town. Who can forget that Sunday night, piled in my family room, watching Michael Phelps and the relay? amazing.

Now, every night the Olympics crew meets in the basement of the Barlow. We critique and talk and laugh and gasp and celebrate the triumphs of Team USA and athletes around the world. Because people can do amazing things, and the Olympics celebrates that.

go world.

autumnal bliss

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

I love fall.

and this is the best fall we've had since I've been in Utah.
Yesterday, with early church and 80 degree weather, some roommates and I went up to the amphitheater at the mental hospital. quite a popular place to take pictures, but that's because it is so beautiful! thanks kylie for you photog skills

yes, this is my apartment in a nutshellthe cover of our debut indie album

roommate love.

My childhood is complete.

Last night, I went to see Toy Story 2 (obviously the best one) in 3D. It was amazing!
I felt like I could reach out and touch Buzz or punch Jessie in the face. And I noticed so many funny things. I don't think I ever stopped smiling.
And bonus, we got some sweet 3D glasses, but we all forgot our cameras to document the fashion statement.

Can't wait til Toy Story 3 in June 2010!

what a weekend

hooray for conference, rain, tights, missionary letters, football, soccer, naps, candy, taking the tram, PR, professor's houses, MoTab, lightning storms and sister missionaries.

I love General Conference. From the moment it came on, I could feel the peace that comes from the Gospel. Our church leaders are so inspired, and they have inspired me to be a better person, reach out to others, and draw closer to my loving Father in Heaven.

Also, shout out to the Tabernacle Choir. I always love them, so I realized just how amazing and powerful they are this weekend. Also, the lavendar looked lovely.


Tonight we had a PRSSA fireside with Brother Corbitt of LDS Public Affairs. Amazing. I love my major so much and its ability to further the work of the church. I am seriously inspired to be the best person I can be, PR or otherwise.

octubre

Happy October!
It's one of my favorite months.

Here's to fall, cardigans, light scarves, no more midterms, changing leaves, drives in the canyon, halloween, orange and black paper chains, pumpkins, boots, football, jumping in leaves, costumes, pie, ingrid, and so much more!

it's that time again

Can I just say how glad I am that Staples brought this commercial back?

This is how I feel about back to school (I'm the dad)



Alas, gone are the days of writing my name on each indiviual crayon and organizing subject by colored folders and notebooks. My purchases this year have been two notebooks for a grand total of 20 cents. yay college

weasley is our king

For the past few weeks, my world has been Harry Potter. This morning I got up early and postponed a gym trip just to finish the last one. I've read each book 27 times before, but there is just something about reading them all in order. I've spent the whole day thinking about Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They are as good now as they were when I was 11. I literally grew up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Confession: In elementary school, before the movies, I dreamed of playing Hermione. It was a major blow when I heard they wanted an all-British cast.

I honestly could talk about good ol' HP all day. They are my favorite books, no matter how often I try to convince myself to choose something more "literary". I just love them. So much. I get so invested in the characters, in their magical world and adventures. Not everything is great, (Cho Chang? Aragog? Really, J.K.?), but I love them all the same.
The Marauder's Map? Romance that takes 7 years to bloom? Splattergoit? QUIDDITCH? Sign me up!

Contrary to populay belief, BYU was my second choice school. Hogwarts was always my first.

And who wouldn't want to be friends with them? I feel like a loyal comrade, putting up with Harry's 15-year-old angst, Hermione's house-elf fetish, and Ron's whole Lavender Brown escapades.

Per tradition, I once again took the intense 122-question personality test to see what House I was in. For the past 2 years, I have unfortunately been a Slytherin. Shocking, I know. This year, I'm a Ravenclaw. Well, its better than HufflepuffOh, and a shout-out to Dumbledore's Army.
Except for Cho, no one ever liked her.