Evaluative Conclusion

     I initially began writing this blog just because I had to.  As many of you may notice, I procrastinated somewhat concerning the completion of these 20 posts.  I treated this cumulative assignment much like those before it, only doing what I had to to skate by.  However, I did not realize how much I would enjoy completing this simple, yet extremely rewarding, task.  I have found that this blog has become a way for me to keep a personal journal, a task that seemed almost impossible in the past.  I have also found that blogging has taught me much about myself throughout the remainder of this course, just as this course has itself.  I have been taking a Career Exploration course, a class that centers around finding a career that best suits an individual and their strengths.  This blog and course has helped me to realize that writing is not only a natural academic strength of mine, but is also something that I truly love to do.  I do not know about the rest of my peers enrolled in this course (and I hope you will enlighten me on your opinions of the blog/this course), but I have found writing papers a more automatic and enjoyable process because of this blog.
     I truly believe that it is not healthy to be constantly bottling emotions up in our already ravaged souls.  Whether these emotions and sentiments be good or bad, not having a channel through which to vent can become a dangerous hazard in all of our lives.  Sure we have family, but sometimes even that outlet is not enough.  The feeling I get when I blog and write is unlike any other social emotion I have ever had the privilege of feeling.  You are ultimately sharing your life and your perception on it to a world of known and unknown strangers.  I feel as though I am just a menial contributor to such a vast cause, the cause being the quest for knowledge.  Every time we write (despite the genre), we are ultimately conveying some sort of experience that we hope aids all who read it.  Funny anecdotes help others to become optimistic and laugh at life.  Research papers help us convey more technical knowledge, giving opinions on critical issues that will help others make decisions on the same topic.  Personal narratives help teach other serious life lessons through our direct experiences.  Writing and blogging is a beautiful thing no matter how it is used.
     In conclusion, I have learned that writing is more than words organized around a central focus...it's an art.  The power of our words have the ability to change others lives.  Maybe this change is not necessarily large, but if what one writes helps dictate another's actions, then you made a change.  I am so grateful for this blog and the technology that enables me to utilize it.  It has been a source of fun, relief, introspection and hard work.  I hope we can all strive to express ourselves through some sort of blogging or social media.  Do not just do it for yourself, but for the others your words will touch.

My Mother - A Spiritual Giant Despite Much Adversity

     I realized that there was a common factor surrounding all of my most spiritual, life-changing experiences: they came from my mother. My mom has been subject to more trial and tribulation than any other person I have come in contact with. However, despite the harsh tides of adversity constantly being thrust upon her, my mother has stood as a spiritual giant at all times. She has been a role model and teacher of infinite worth in my life, as her response to hardship has made me the man I am today. I will focus my remarks upon her most recent, and most challenging, life obstacle.

     I can clearly recall the summer of 2007. The humid air and lush green atmosphere of Pennsylvania seemed more important to me than it ever did. I may have felt this way because I was preparing to begin my freshman year of high school, but I believe these feelings occurred in anticipation of life-altering news. It was early August, and my mother was going about her daily routine of running her prestigious daycare, cleaning the house, preparing food, mowing the lawn, and completing her other various tasks. On this particular day, however, my mother was complaining of a pain in her side. She was tough and continued on with her strenuous work, despite our constant advising that she should go to the hospital. It took the persistence of a daycare mom to finally convince my mom that she should go to the emergency room. My 5 siblings and I anxiously awaited for a phone call of some sort to put our nervousness to ease. We finally received a call from my father, in which he told us that my mother was bleeding somewhere inside, that her hemoglobin was at a critically low level, and that she was in critical condition. He then said that the doctors indicated that this most likely indicated a tumor of some sort was in her body.

     After a number of tests and colonoscopy, me and my 3 sisters (who were the only siblings currently at home) gathered around my mom in her hospital bed. She proceeded to tell us that she had stage 3C colon cancer, meaning that the tumor had just barely begun to break through the colon wall. I remember, at that very moment, being more scared than I ever had been before in my life. We all began to cry in disbelief, as my mom informed us that she had a 50% chance of survival, and that she would have to endure 7 months of chemotherapy following her surgery. I remember, more than anything, the calm and collected nature my mother maintained as she broke the news to us. She knew, through her faith in Christ and her patriarchal blessing, that all would be well. She did not worry for a second.

     Despite her faith, my mother suffered the worst physical and mental pain I have ever witnessed. My mom told me that she would wake up every morning to see my sister off to school, even though the very task made her feel like death. She even took me and my sister to seminary several times, a 15 minute drive at 5:45 in the morning that probably exhausted all of her daily energy. I would rush home to take care of her, as my father worked nearly an hour away and would get home late at night. My grades suffered, and having to watch her suffer wore me down mentally and emotionally. However, all along the way, my mom never faltered in her faith in Christ, and the fact that all would be well. To this day, my mom is in remission and survived a deadly bout of one of the deadliest cancers.

     This trial in my mother's life strengthened my life in so many ways. The fact that she endured so much pain and hardship with such energy and positivity, was amazing. However, the fact that she remained faithful to Christ, his blessings (her patriarchal blessing), and the fact that all would be well, was most impressive. Whenever I face tribulation in this life that I deem significant, I am reminded of my mother and her suffering. It is then that I realize that my problems are small, and I am reminded of the Savior's suffering for the sins of the world. It is because of my faithful mom that I have an increased testimony of the atonement, and the fact that the Lord will never put us through anything we cannot accomplish. I love my mother, and am so grateful for all that she has done for me. She has been an idol, a “Spiritual Giant” that has made my faith in Christ grow exponentially.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania - A Little Bit About Where I'm From

     I would like to talk about my origins and place I call my home.  I am not from Utah, and not from any place associated with the western hemisphere of the United States.  Nope...in order to locate my hometown on a map, you would have to go the other side of the country to a small town in Pennsylvania.  The name is Lancaster and I love it more than words can describe.  The surroundings are so green that it seems as though Christmas is being celebrated year round.  The air is thick with humidity, which is almost polar opposite from the dry conditions we have here.  In the summer, a typical hot day feels like you are swimming from all of the humidity, and the winter seems heavier.  I also love, especially around this time, how snow can stay on the ground for weeks at a time.  While snow clears out of Provo rather fast, a productive snowfall back east can coat the lush ground for prolonged periods of time.  This makes sledding and snow activities much more prominent.  There is a perfect balance between the rural and urban feel.  I could drive twenty minutes and be in Lancaster City, or drive 10 minutes the other way and be on a back road in the countryside.  The Amish culture is so eminent that horse and buggies ride down the street close to where I live.  There is a weekly Amish market called "Roots" that offers a variety of Amish dishes and fresh, cheap produce.  Salt and vinegar on fries, funnel cakes made from scratch, whoopie pies (with chocolate, red velvet, and pumpkin assortments), shoofly pie, and a number of other dishes indigenous to PA and the Amish community.  The air is often filled with the stench of surrounding farms, which can be rather unpleasant...but I miss it nonetheless.  I am so excited to go home and return back to my roots.

Heaps is Leaving BYU...YES!!!!

     I do not have anything personal against the former high school hopeful (and starting QB) Jake Heaps.  I did, however, have a problem with his player mentality and hype surrounding his involvement in the BYU football program.  From the start, there were big hopes and expectations established with Jake Heaps and the fact that he was the top high school recruit in the country (the year of his recruitment).  Not only were the expectations high, but people began speaking about Heaps as though he was going to be a Heisman hopeful, dominate the league, and be the next big thing.  I was always skeptical of this unfounded excitement, despite his freshman year performance.  Sure Jake Heaps showed much "promise" and talent the latter half of his freshman year, but the strength of schedule was pathetic to say the least (during that time period that is).  Let's not also forget the whole two quarterback system fiasco.  That aspect of last year added another dynamic to the puffing up of Jake Heap's ego.  People were so upset and critical of this inconsistent and ineffective system.  Therefore, when Nelson took his seat on the sideline from injury, people were already excited with Heaps without even playing (because the two quarterback system was gone).  The numbers he put up were impressive, but, as I stated before, we played no name teams.
     If we reflect on this past season, the performances out of Heaps speaks for itself.  We squeezed out a victory against a very unsuccessful SEC team (who I am pretty sure has a losing record this year), and then lost to Texas.  Both of those games would not have been remotely close if it were not for the defensive clinic BYU was able to put on.  The Utah bash was the all-time low for this season, a lot of which was attributed to Heaps alone.  I also noticed an arrogance in Heap's character that had not been there before.  He was being very critical of other players in interviews, speaking as if he had so much experience and knew the team well, and would sometimes (on the field) blame other players for his careless mistakes.  The reality is:  Nelson is a lot better for our offensive scheme.  Our offensive line is not strong enough to totally support the pro form offense, making mobility a necessity for our QB.  Nelson can read the field better, is more mobile, humble, and has the warrior mentality that is shared with great football players.  Am I saying Nelson is amazing? No, I am not.  But he is what we need, not Heaps.  Sorry Jake but I think the best play you made all year was leaving the team.

Volleyball - More Than A Sport

     For those of you who do not know, I played competitive volleyball for one of the top teams in Pennsylvania.  We had one 9 out of the past 14 state titles, along with a numerous amount of section, league, and district gold medals.  My final season we actually lost in a very competitive, state final game, finishing third in the state rankings.  I also had the opportunity to go to the national tournament in Atlanta, Georgia my first post season of playing on the team (which was my sophomore year of 2008).  I worked extremely hard to start my first year of varsity (which was the following year) and did so midway through the regular season.  All of this sounds grand, and I do not wish to come off as conceited in mentioning the credibility of my past.  I wish to express, however, that I had to work hard to succeed, despite the wishes of some of my coaches.  My club coaches were upset with me for some reason after my first season of playing for them.  The first year they encouraged me, wanted me to play for upper levels, and were constructive in a tasteful way.  They really disliked me after that, for which reasons I still do not know why.  I did not play club volleyball the following year, which set me back for the normal season.  But I remained extremely dedicated and worked extra hard to make the team and become a starter for the remainder of my high school career.
     The point I am trying to make is that I did not just view volleyball as a sport.  I fell in love with it.  So despite the discouraging actions of others, I pursued it.  I did so not for others, not for my coaches, not for my family, but rather for me and my team.  I just encourage all those with hobbies and passions to pursue them despite the surrounding situations.  Shut the negative sides of the world out of your dreams and only embrace the positive.  It will pay off, I promise!

The Less Fortunate And Christmas

     I feel obliged to write about this topic, as I have always viewed the spirit of giving to hold more spiritual and sentimental power than that of receiving.  I have been taught from my youth to love all those I come into contact with, and to always be considerate and caring to those who were less fortunate than me.  With the extremely cold temperatures and appearance of homeless people roaming the parks and streets, I cannot help but feel the same compassion Christ had for the beggars and disabled.
     I would like to call upon a story from my junior year of high school, that took place around Christmas time back at my hometown, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  I had saved up a rather sizable amount of money and had my hopes set on purchasing a new video game.  Now, I am not a hardcore gamer or anything (and barely played this game other than the first few times), but I was definitely set on purchasing this new piece of expensive entertainment.  After happily making my purchase, my mother and I began to drive out of the shopping center towards home.  I noticed a man standing at the entrance of this complex with a sign that read "Hard Times, Any $ Would Be Appreciated".  Now, instead of investigating the thought of whether or not he was telling the truth (or would use the money for good), I had the spirit of charity overtake me.  We passed him, and, while we were almost out into the intersection, I told my mom to stop the car.  I ran out of the car, with the remnants of my savings in hand, and approached the surprised man.  He thanked me, but without a moments hesitation, I thanked him back.  I never realized why I said thank you, figuring that it was just a nervous response.  But I was truly grateful to be able to give, because I was blessing myself (as well as the man's) in a way I cannot describe.
     Let us all remember the spirit of giving.  I believe the spirit of Christmas is eminent no matter what around this time of year, but giving unlocks a realm of Christmas no other thing can.  I hope that we can all take time out of this holiday of gift receiving to engage in gift giving and service.  Make somebody's holiday worth it!

Procrastination: Is it Really That Bad?

     So this is a pretty controversial topic.  The main and accepted mentality towards the concept of procrastination is that it is a horrible and negative thing to engage in.  However, I have done some of my best work under the pressure of getting it done in a short amount of time (the day or night before).  Now I can accept the fact that many would argue that having more time to complete an assignment allows for more improvement (and the ability to catch mistakes that would potentially go unseen in a procrastination frenzy).  I think that this procrastination is truly conditional upon the beholder of the stress.  I think that some people work better, including myself, in times of pressure and stress.  I have spaced papers out over periods of days, and I have truly found that this gives me a more inconsistent range of grades than when I wait until the last day.
     In conclusion, I think that procrastination is kind of a double edged sword.  It is a weapon that depends solely on the user, not on the weapon itself.  If you know that you cannot handle, nor work the best under, under pressure than simply do not do it.  But I think that there are times and people that are more conducive to procrastination as a studying/task completing tactic.  Please give me feedback if you get the chance to see this kind of controversial post.  We are college kids, procrastination is what we do.  But should we continue to feel bad about it if we are performing adequately? I say nay haha.