This has to stop

Well seeing that I have no other viable way to express myself, I'll just do it in a way where I can get it out, and most likely nobody will read it. I'm talking about what has been going on between the Y and the U this last week.

First of all, who cares? Does it really matter what one person says? Everyday millions of other people say horrible things about other people, places, and organizations, but does anyone care? This whole thing has gotten way out of hand. I'm tired of reading how many people have joined the "Max Hall thinks I'm classless" or "Max Hall said it, we were all thinking it" groups. In my opinion, everyone who is making a big deal about all of this is worse than they've made Max Hall out to be.

This "friendly rivalry" has evolved into nothing more than a Hate Game. After the game walking home, every Ute fan I walked by cursed at me, and I know the BYU fans were doing basically the same thing to the Ute fans. I'm sick of people hating me because of the school I attend. Am I any different than you? Who cares what school we go to? Does the Football team really have to define who I apparently am? No. So quit telling me that I suck because I go to BYU. Because I never told anyone they suck for going to the U.

This rivalry only causes problems. It breaks friendships and cherished ties. So why don't we all step back and realize who we really are and not judge each other by of the color of their school apparel. This doesn't mean that I don't root for my team, because I do, it's about having school spirit. But I'm not out to tear anyone Else's spirit down in the process.

Hello?

Does anyone even read this anymore?

Pickn' & Pulln'

Thank goodness for places like this, for without them, my wallet would be much lighter. After much searching, dis-assembly, experimentation, sweat, blood, and not so much tears, we found a replacement to my broken windshield wiper assembly. Sure, we thought we had it after the first car, and the second, all the way down to the fifth. Even when my father wanted to return empty handed, I looked down the last row of twisted steel to find a almost unrecognizable 96 Mazda Protegé like my own. It really is in the last place that you look, and this one worked! It's even in my car right now, cleaning the windshield with ease. So now that I've saved over 150 smackers, I'm happy.

Well....

Except for the fact that a little kid tried to pick pocket me while we were there, that really sucked.

When the planets align

Well I don't know if it was the Gazebo, Roses, Chairs, Music, Sunset, Ring, Blindfold, or Candles, but everything worked out perfectly, better than I could have ever imagined. This was the best night of my life, and it wouldn't have been possible without the help of those that are closest to me. Datus, Cheryl, Brock, Jasmine, and last but not least, Rebecca, this one goes out to all of you. It wouldn't have been half as good without all of your help. Oh, and she said YES!

Door Handles

You know door handles? As opposed to door knobs? I just realized something the other day, unlike most people who push them down to open the door, I pull up on them. Interesting? Or just retarded? Sometimes I think we all just want to do things our own way and be a little different. Life would be so boring if we all went around pushing door handles down all the time. Try pulling up once and a while, see what a difference it could make for you.

You wanna hike the Y?

Well I finally got around to hiking the Y, Oh, you know what I mean! This was actually my second time up there, but I don't count the other because we got driven up on 4 wheelers and all we did was put the lights around it for graduation. At least this time I got to go with someone that I wanted to go with. ;)

I even did this so called Y Challenge, but it really wasn't that hard in the first place.

What now?

Well, seeing that summer's here, there really isn't much to do when you don't know too many people around and you live quite a distance from any student housing area. But I seem to be getting along. I have been working full time at the electrical shop which is nice, but it's lead me to see something that's very interesting. Some people are just Jerks.

Done!!

Nothing like making a good finish out of a long race! After spending 9 hours writing computer code on my computer today, I'm finally done with FINALS! I can't believe it, I made it through my first semester of college! Who cares that I have like 10 more to go, IT'S SUMMER!

Ripstik

Well it's official, I rode a Ripstik, and yes I spelled it right. (Thanks Rebecca) I will admit, I think I look rather comical as I rode it (based off the people laughing at me as I went around in the parking lot.) It was so much fun! Just like the poster in my room says, "If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."

Easter!

The Easter season is a wonderful one. Girls get new dresses, children get gratuitous amounts of candy, parents have to deal with said children fighting over the Easter eggs found in "the Hunt", and you get to be with family. Today as I helped my nephew gather up the few eggs that his older sister left behind, I remembered how much I miss having Easter with my family. All of us getting up super early to find our baskets that were hidden all over the house. I vividly remember one year where mine was hidden in the dryer. I couldn't find it and I thought that the Easter bunny had forgotten me.

But I think we all should take time to realize why we even celebrate Easter in the first place. I'm forever thankful for Christ the Savior, that he died for me and you. Happy Easter!

?

Do you ever wonder if you are going in the right direction? If you aren't cut out for what you think you are? Maybe it's time for a life re-evaluation.

Spark

I suppose I can finally say that I've been to a bar, at least a bar in Happy Valley. I felt pretty cool I must say, but I don't think I'll be returning. I just think I'd rather spend $2 on a drink that is twice as big. But hey, it was worth going I suppose.

Observation

I've made the discovery that the entire American blue collar work force runs off Mountain Dew.

Always...

I wonder why this always happens, even though I don't deserve it. I put off my Computer Science assignment off until the last minute, and was up until 2 AM doing it last night. I was mad, but I had only myself to blame, what else could I do? I wasn't getting anywhere and obviously wasn't going to get it in when I wanted. So I slept through my first two classes today being a grouch, when something amazing happened. I got an email from the CS TA, and he announces that the assignments have been pushed back, giving me a few extra days. Oh Hallelujah! I don't know why things like this happen, I don't deserve them, but I still welcome every one with open arms.

Who's flying again?

Well I never seem to be able to escape this, ever six weeks or so my hair gets so long that I can't wait to cut it. I know I'm blessed with incredibly thick hair, but it just gets so annoying to deal with. So for these short few days, I let my hair curl out like it wants to when it gets long. Despite the fact that I look like a doofus, it's something new I suppose. At this point, I only have to go through two more days of this until I'm free. Boy I can't wait until Saturday.
A friend in my German class said I reminded her of Mario when he gets his flying powers. Word.

Karma

I suppose I should have seen it coming, everything always works it's way back to you. If you take a gander back a few posts, you may notice that I took a picture of one of my sleeping classmates, which was quite humorous. Then came my friend Karma along. A few days ago, I was finding it difficult to keep my heavy eyes open in Math, so I rationalized sleeping with the thought of reading the notes sometime later. What I didn't count on was my friend Pete taking a picture of me sleeping with his Cell Phone. Oh well, I had it coming I suppose, at least he doesn't have a blog to post it on.

Only on a Mission

Some things only happen on a Mission. If you have 5 minutes, please indulge in one of the most embarrassing things I've ever done, willingly.

Everything's Great, Nobody's Happy

Why?

My question is: Why sleep in class, when you can make fun of those that are already asleep?

Not fast enough

Well this week has been quite lovely, work hasn't been the most hazard free environment to say the least. I won't bother with all the other exciting details, but I'll share today's incident.
So I was already late for work because I had to finish my Computer Science Lab that was due today, so I knew I'd be made fun by the guys. When I got to where my boss was, we set off to replace the burnt out street lamps all over campus. Most of these lights are a special bulb that is about the size of one of those foam footballs that you get thrown at you in football or basketball games. Another interesting fact about these little babies is that when running, the outer glass is somewhere between 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit.

The first few had gone well, when we found one that was reported to have been out, but it was running like the rest. As usual we decided to replace it just to be sure. So I made my little journey up the ladder, and opened up the lamp casing. (I could feel the heat coming off this thing already.) So Alan (my boss) yells up to me, "Just break it free fast and the let it cool off once it's off." Easier said than done Alan... So I thought I was doing it as fast as I could, but after about 2 seconds I saw and smelled smoke along with a prominent burning sensation coming from my hand. The bulb had melted the rubber coating on my glove and burnt a hole in the plastic. But don't worry, it gets better.

After this, he tosses me a piece of the cardboard box in which the new bulb came in and told me to use it as some extra insulation, and also to grab from the base where it wasn't so hot. (Maybe like 5 degrees or something.) But I soon realized that I couldn't grip the bulb so well with this stupid cardboard, so I squeezed a little tighter, and POP!

Well it wasn't really a pop I suppose, more like a BAM! Thankfully I have touchy reflexes, because the second I closed my eyes, I felt the rain of glass shards coming down on me. This really wasn't the best way to improve my day. I had only broken the outer bulb and the inner casing, so the glass holding the gas was still burning, at some ridiculously hot temperature. My boss told me to get down as he opened the pole to pull the fuse. As he got the base out with his pliers, I shook the glass out of my hair and shirt, and picked up the remaining pieces off the ground.

The old me would just sulk and think of how much of an idiot I made of myself, but not anymore. So what I broke a huge light bulb in front of countless students and my boss, at least I can laugh about it now, right? Mistakes are only mistakes if you don't learn from them.

Only 24 Hours...

Why are there only 24 Hours in a day? I swear there must be some way to find more time, because I could really use it right about now.
I know that everything is about time management, and I've gotten better, but I still don't know how I'm supposed to fit everything in and still find enough time to get the recommended amount of sleep. It's almost like when I think that I'm going to be able to get to bed, something reminds me of the other piles of homework that I have. I wish I could have one of the time turners from Harry Potter, that would make life SO much easier. At least then I would be getting more than 5 hours of sleep each night, and maybe a little more homework done...

Question?

Does ANYONE turn their cell phone off in the testing center anymore?!

Nothing like a Saturday night in Provo

Nothing is better than a night with some friends, well I guess we could throw in dinner and Pie for dessert. There really isn't anything like a weekend south of campus. When I first moved to Provo I questioned how much I would like it here, but now I know it's the place for me. Every day that goes by, the more I don't want to go home when the semester is over. I'll even put up with the homework if I have to, just don't take me away from my new found home.

Unclehood!

Well I'm an Uncle again, 10 times over to be exact. The Hampshire Family grows once again.

Oh, his name is Michael. Good job Sis.

Furry Tractor

Well, it wasn't a furry tractor, but it was a remote controlled steam roller, and I drove it today at work. I can now say, my life is basically complete. Now all I have to do is drive a Zamboni.

Count those Blessings!

I don't know why, but I often forget how much I really have. I think everyone does this at some point in their lives, but I'm sure I do it more than enough. I guess I just want to say thank you to all of you, friends, family, even that guy who stopped his car so I could cross the street yesterday. I don't think anyone really knows how much they have, because the more I look, the more I find. I know I don't deserve all that I have or many of my friends, and being here has made me see how blessed I really am.
I have the best friends in the whole world. They're always there for me, even when I just want to complain or ask stupid questions. I love my family, even though I may not act like it all the time. I love being with them, especially now that we're all grown up and not teenagers and elementary kids.
So thank you all, it's nice to be able to step back and count those blessings, because there are many. I don't know what kind of a person I'd be today without all of you.

"The Boot"

I think Chris Farley said it best with, "Whoa, that was close..."
Last night I barely avoided a nice $50 fine, and wow, it was close.
So I was just having a good time at my friend's apartment, and about the time I was going to leave they happened to mention, "Oh you better go, they start booting cars at 1:30." {Not the most pleasant thing to hear at 1:31 AM}

So there I was running down the stairs to the street when I see a Jeep Liberty parked right to the side of where my car should be. Crap. Mind you that it was about this time when I was saying, "Fetch, Fetch, Fetch, Fetch, Fetch, Fetch,Fetch, Fetch...." while en route to my car.
I literally jump over the hood of the jeep to see this guy squatting in front of my back tire holding something resembling a giant orange claw. I did the only thing that I could think of: I defiantly jammed my key into my door and opened it. This took a little concentration on my part, so I didn't notice right away that he got up and was getting back in his car.

The rest continues as follows:
Me: "Uhhh did you boot me or am I ok?"
-He looks at both of my tires-
Boot Guy: "Looks like your good."

Oh the feeling of relief, I sang the entire way home. Thank you Mr. Boot Guy!

Just not me

No matter how true that is, in my case, I never will.

How?

I can't believe I did it, for the second time in my whole life. I don't even know how I was dumb enough to lock my keys in my car without even realizing it, boy I'm a winner. So today is Thursday, and they're still there from Monday! It took us this long to find the Spare at home, now it's a matter of getting it to me.
How did I forget? I know I was and still am thinking of a lot of things right now, but I never do this! I always make sure I have my keys, always. I just need to clear my head I guess.
If I had had my "What to do in the Case of an Emergency" book, I could have opened it with a coat hanger, which would have been the easy fix, but who takes the easy way out of any situation anyway?
Laugh it up, all of you, because before you know it, I'll be back on the road, not that I drive anywhere anymore...
Oh and before I forget, I miss you.

The Double

I thought there was some law against going on a double date with a newlywed couple? Isn't that unethical to a point, I mean, they're married, and you're not. It's like trying to sail across the ocean in a ship made of steak. Ok, well that wasn't the best comparison, but still you get the idea. Not to say that I'm not excited for this weekend, but I guess I better prepare myself to fight the gag reflex the entire night. PDA, someone should make a law against it, unless it's you doing it, then you don't mind so much.

Dentists

I hate the Dentist, no matter how much I brush, I always have a cavity. I swear he puts them there just to throw me off. Bill sure does understand.

Shmalentines Day

What's so great about this Valentines Day? Basically the only people the profit from it are: Married/Dating Couples, candy producers, and flowershops. Too bad I'm not any of those. I do like Conversation Hearts though, but only the tart ones, I hate the chalky ones. Why are hearts represented the way they are? If you ask me they should look more like this one:
I guess some questions are never meant to be answered, too bad. But one thing's for sure, I've got one more lonely Valentines Day behind me. Woo! Maybe I'll be more lucky next year.

Another day's work

Yes, that is LaVell Edwards Stadium, or what's left of it anyway. Considering it's a little hush-hush, not too many people know that the university is putting in a new field and upgrading the communication and electrical lines that run underneath it. Hence the reason I'm there. It's hard work let me tell ya, today we stood around and watched our supervisors talk about plans for 2 hours. Nothing like another day at the "office."

Waiting...

Why does one have to wait, it's such a problem sometimes. I can't really comprehend how we make things seem so long when we want something to happen, and yet the opposite when we don't. I just wish patience wasn't one of those things that we had to develop, even if it's good for you. Most of the time I feel like I'm pretty patient, but everyone has their moments. What I do know for sure is that time seriously flies when you're having fun...

Sick...

I hate being sick. It's not fun. But then again, who does enjoy being sick? It's not something that people go and aspire to do, unless you don't want to go to work.
I haven't been sick for over 2 years, and I think I took it for granted how wonderful it is not to feel under the weather. I knew it would be coming when I realized that my roommate Geoff came down with a nasty cold. All I could do was take a ton of vitamins and hope that it wouldn't hit. But it did.
So I went through the stages, scratchy throat, congestion, phlegm, and now I'm just at the classic cough. These little guys have been my best friends since Friday. I hated cough drops as a kid, but now they aren't so bad. Thanks to all those forwarding cough drop technology!
I would think that I'd be better by now, but the late nights and college stress probably aren't helping the healing process. Oh well, like I always say: "I can sleep when I'm dead."

The power was apparently off...

It's always good to double check things when you're working with electricity, because you can never be too sure. Take my last day at work for example. We had been working in the Tanner Building running some wire down a few conduits to put a new circuit in for the power hungry administrators. That went smoothly, at least until my boss told me to start putting the outlet boxes back in the wall. We shut off the breaker, so he assured me that I shouldn't be worried. So I put a few in no problem, and was assured I had nothing to worry about.

However, I did forget that as we were looking for the right circuit we opened up an outlet that was on another breaker, that was on. So as I shoved the wires back in the wall, I failed to realize that even though the contact screws were covered, a small section of wire was still exposed on the hot and return. The next thing I knew, I had the most wonderful tingling feeling running up both of my arms. It took me about a second to realize what was going on, when I ripped myself away from the wall. It sure did give me an adrenaline rush though.

So, let's see what we learned today: 1) Always check for power, even when you "know" the breaker is off. 2) Only use one hand at a time. and 3) 120V won't kill you, unless it goes through your heart.

Testing Center

Well this seemingly harmless building is actually the cause of most suffering on Campus, and the cause of my stress this week. I've heard the horror stories of finals here, and how depressing this place is, but I never believed it until I actually lived through it myself.

Basically my Physics teacher decided to have a midterm one month into classes. It's sad when midterms aren't even mid-term anymore. But it's not like I had a choice, so I went to do it.

Long story short, 2 and a half hours later I left the room full of countless rows of students racking their brains to try and remember what they heard in class last week. Although I did have a huge feeling of satisfaction as I left, knowing that I finished, under the average 3 hours that she had told us.

I guess this is just a preview for the future, but who cares, that's college right?

F-f-f-freezing!

Well since a certain someone was getting on my back for not "getting out and running" more often now that school has started, I thought I'd finally do what someone said, so I went running this morning.


The first battle was getting out of bed. Our apartment is already abnormally cold, and who wants to step out of warm sheets into the brisk morning air anyway? But my conscience got the best of me and I got ready.


But it didn't end there, because the blast of sub 32 air as I opened the door really wasn't too inviting. But I endured. All 19:32 seconds of it, woohoo. So what I felt sick afterward and I had a wicked runny nose, at least I was the first one to the shower to steal all of the hot water from my roommates!

Table for two?

Well, it's funny how cooking for two instead of one can make dinner fun. Normally I don't enjoy cooking, I see it as time that I could be using for other productive things, like homework, or socializing. Even though I ate Spaghetti way too much over the last few years, it never tasted as good as it did tonight. Isn't that what friends are for? Good times and a lot of laughs, especially when it's with someone with an exceptional sense of humor. This week may have been the hardest yet, but it still somehow had a happy ending.


Empty Stomach + Dry Pasta + Water + A Good Friend = A good end to a bad week.

Hey, new helmets this year!

It's a matter of fact in the Hampshire family that we will be on the back of a snowmobile at least once a year. It's been this way almost my entire life, and will most likely proceed for quite some time. We always make a winter trip to our slowly changing cabin in Idaho/Montana. I remember as it started out in 3 small rustic cabins, which changed to one modern/rustic cabin, which upgraded to two large cabins with indoor plumbing. Now we find ourselves in probably our last upgrade, The Pines at Island Park. At least here we have Sat TV, a Hot Tub, and WiFi at the lodge.

Whether summer, fall, or winter we always have our time in the great spaces of the northern US. I love this place, and look foreword to it every year. The only thing that would make it better would be bringing my friends along with me. But for now, I'll make the sacrifice. Because who wouldn't pass up the opportunity to drive 60+ mph on the back of a small motorized vehicle? I know I wouldn't.

A cause for Celebration

Even though it may be backwards, that is a perfect score on my Physics homework. Indeed a great cause for a celebration. Like most people know, I didn't get physics, but apparently now it's coming to me. Who knew?!
The only thing I have to worry about now is the people giving me weird looks because I'm taking pictures of myself with my homework in the library. We all have our obsessions people, just lay off for a while.

System.out.println ("Wickedosity");

Today has been so wonderful, which isn't that normal for someone like me. I only had one class to go to, and I totally rocked the homework that goes with it. I guess the real reason that I'm loving today is because I had another one of those moments when I couldn't stop smiling on my way home. I don't know why this happens, but for that short 10 minute walk from Campus to the Apartment, I love my life.
Whether it's writing my first program in Java for my Computer Science class(and having it work without bugs), or having my best friend give me a list of famous people that share my physical traits to make me feel great, it all works out somehow. It's the moments like these that make all the struggle worth it, especially the part when I was compared to Hugh Jackman. I only wish I could be closer to the one person that means the most to me, who happens to be 40 minutes away.
But I'll have to take it one hurdle at a time, even if I want it now. I suppose I really should just figure out why :
public static void main(String[] args) is so important, that would be useful at the moment.


Wickedosity: Don't bother looking up the definition, it's me.

Late nights and long papers

As 1:30 rolled by last night, or this morning I suppose, I really was fighting the urge to collapse onto my keyboard. Late nights seem to be "the thing" in college, or at least for Engineering majors. Realizing that in two years I'll be working on finals that take 10+ hours, I really hope I have a more comfortable bed than I do now.



Sleep and I have always had a wonderful relationship, she was always there for me. I love Power Naps, those wonderful little jump starts got me through many a day last summer. You'd be surprised how much energy you use just by walking around all day. But yes, I'm pretty sure I'm going to marry sleep some day. Then I'd be truly happy.

I'm Wrong, Right?

Oh how I wish that I wasn't right for once. Normally it's usual that I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit that I don't get too many things right on the first try. The other thing that I most often do is not accept things that I don't want to see. A deadly combination if you ask me. I really wish life was easier to understand, and had less to do with emotions. All they seem to be good for are tying your insides up in knots. Why do I never seem to be good enough? I never have been able to grasp the things that mean the most to me. Maybe I should just accept the fact that I'll never measure up. Or should I keep striving for that seemingly unreachable goal that's always one step ahead...


I'm no quitter, I'll always finish what I start, no matter how long it takes. But like I said before, the real question is if I'll ever get what I'm reaching for...

One Week

Well I made it through the first week of college, and yes I do feel proud of myself. I will admit that it was harder than I had initially expected, as most things are. Math and Physics will most likely be my biggest problems this semester. I'm lucky I forgot my calculator at home because it could have very well ended up like the one you see. But now I'm happy because I was able to do my math assignment by myself, without someone telling me what to do every step of the way.
I know it will only get harder and I can kiss my social life goodbye for the time being, even though some of you will argue the point that I'm here to have a social life, when in actuality I'm here to get an education. I suppose all I can do is keep plugging away and hope for the best. Life has gotten me this far in one piece, and I have faith that it'll get me the rest of the way in at least two.

The Physics of Eggos

After spending more than 7 hours in the library yesterday, I think I got a better look at what I'm in for in the next 4 years of my life. For more than 2 of those hours I was preoccupied with one of my least favorite subjects: Physics. I'm pretty sure my high school teacher cursed me for the rest of my life with the subject. I read and read but just couldn't seem to grasp what the book was trying to tell me. Then I spend 45 minutes on one single problem that I could not understand if my life depended on it. In frustration I packed up my things and began the cold lonely walk home. I called my Brianiac sister who seems to know everything and would hopefully know what I should do. What I found out next made me feel like the dumbest person on the planet. The problem itself was as simple as inserting a value. I had just drawn it out into the complex function that I thought it was supposed to be. I realized that most of our problems in life are this way. If we just stepped back and looked at them from another point of view, we'd see how simple they really are. I hope I'll be able to learn this soon enough, because I'm not looking foreword to spending that much time in the library.


I also had an Eggo Waffle for the first time this week. Who knew you needed to toast them instead of sticking them in the Microwave? I sure didn't. It was soggy, not much for a breakfast of Champions.

I thought it was supposed to be FUN!

Well for those of you who told me that school was going to be fun, I'm having a really hard time believing you at the moment. It is an interesting thing being away and completely on my own, and fun to a certain degree. But I really want the friends that I already have back. Many of which are here, but school is kind of a roadblock to them. The others are just chillin in SL, which makes me sad. (You know who you are...)

Sitting in class today hearing about the hours of homework that I'll be doing does not thrill me, nor does the idea of standing outside in the snow helping replace lights for the Electrical Shop. But I take what I can get, so there's no room in complaining. I guess the next hurdle to face is figuring out what to eat for lunch: Salad? Hamburger? Ramen?? There's so much to choose from. Thank goodness my Mom gave me enough food to last a month...what would I do without her.