A Decade of Memories

Ten years ago today I was set apart to be a full-time missionary for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I tried to humble myself and become more teachable and open to the promptings of the holy ghost. I decided one of the best ways to learn more about God and his church was to serve a 2 year mission.

I decided to serve a mission after turning 19 years old. I did all the necessary things to prepare myself spiritually to be able to take on the task of becoming the lords servant. I had no idea where I would serve. I didn't care where I served, though I did have a preference to learn a new language and go abroad. If I was going to go abroad I really wanted to learn Spanish, because it would benefit me greatly since there are a lot of Hispanics I would be able to communicate with in Utah once I returned home.

I did everything necessary to get ready and soon my papers were sent to the church headquarters. It only took a week and a half to receive my call. I had a feeling that I would go to Spain, but wasn't sure. Sure enough, the first week of August 2000, I was called to serve in the Bilbao Spain Mission.

My mission covered the Northern coast of Spain from Portugal to France. I Spent 3 weeks in the MTC in Provo Utah and 6 weeks in the CCM in Madrid Spain. I then spent my next 22 months in 7 different cities along the northern coast of Spain.

I have to say that learning Spanish was extremely difficult. Probably the most difficult thing I have ever learned in my life. It took a lot of studying, practice and frustration to get to where I am today. I remember how I would talk to people on the streets of Spain and ask them if they would be kind enough to speak with me, so I could practice my Spanish. I would tell them that my Spanish was limited, so they would have to listen to what I had to say. That's when I'd share with them my Spanish vocab that only consisted of gospel talk. It was great. Once I got to the field, I learned very fast by speaking to people everyday, and studying Spanish for two hours a day on top of that.

Living in a foreign country for two years was something I was proud of doing, and will never forget the good and bad experiences I had. It was all worth it, and I saw and learned many things that have since enriched my life and my understanding of the world.

The wonderful memories have become a little faded, but they will never be forgotten.What an incredible time of my life it was to be so spiritually in-tune and act as a representative of Jesus Christ daily to spread the gospel among the Spanish people. It was not an easy task, but worth every tear and drop of sweat shed. I loved the people. For the most part, they were very tolerant and respectful.

What The Melon?

This past Fall I was introduced to a whole new world of Melons that I never knew existed.I ate two new kinds of melons I've never heard of, and I have only begun to scratch the surface of the 17 + different types of melons that I learned exist. For some reason, the only melons that I'm familiar with are the conventional Cantaloupe and Honeydew melons that can be found abundant at any local grocery stores throughout the summer months.

Why is it that nobody has ever told me there were other types of more gourmet melons in existence? My favorite fruit of all times are Melons. Water Melon and Cantaloupe are pure deliciousness to my taste buds.

As I was driving back home from a 3 day work trip to New Mexico during the first week of October, a guy I work with wanted to stop in Green River, Utah on our way back to Orem just to buy some melons that I have never heard of. I was a little doubtful at first that everything he said about these melons would be true. He said that Fall is the season for the Cranshaw and Israli melons and that they make Cantaloupe taste bland. Well... He was right. I bought one of each, brought them home and was quickly blown away by the flavor of the two; so juicy and yummy that I was about ready to make the nearly 2 hour drive to Green River just to buy me some more. While these two melons are comparable to Cantaloupe in taste, they look and taste different for many reasons.

The Cranshaw Melon is a popular melon that is a cross between the Persian and Casaba melons. And are known to have somewhat of a subtle spicy undertone to the sweet flavor. These melons taste best during the Fall.

The othe

r Melon I was introduced to is called the Israli Melon, or Ogen Melon. This melon comes from Israel and is highly popular among melon lovers. Even though a substitute for these two melons could be honeydew or cantaloupe, they are one of a kind in flavor, and extra juicy.

I highly recommend them, and I'm really glad I was able to learn about them and devour them when I got home. By far, this was one of the most memorable experiences of this past summer, because I could not believe that I have never heard of, or tasted these types of melons in the 30 years of my life! I can't wait for next year, so I can find me some more.

Hanging With The Locals

I love being able to be able to take a vacation. For me, a weekend is usually a sufficiently long enough escape for me to be able to get a break from the stresses of reality, or being couped up in one place for so long.

My trip to L.A. was just what I needed. I spent time with a couple friends, and even made some new friends while I was there. My buddy Rick showed me what it's like to be a local in Huntington Beach. He's the popular type of local who knows so many people there. It seems that Main Street is the place to be. Different bars like Sharkees are where the hot spots. Be

ach Volleyball and surfing is really huge there. Pros can be spotted there daily.

I had a great time, and only hope I get to return again soon and get to know the area more, and make more friends.

Weekend Get Away

I have been getting a little cooped up in the cold weather that Utah has been offering this time of year. It has been abnormally cold for this time of year with a bit of snow, so I decided to fly to L.A. for the weekend to visit some friends. My friend invited me to go with her to a Mae concert with her tonight, so that should be a lot of fun.
It's been awhile since I've been to So Cal to explore and check it out. I'm excited to check out Hollywood and go to Huntington Beach to visit my buddy Rick and check out the beach. Sunny and 79 degrees. I'll take that over cold and 45 degrees any day!

Return To The Blog

Don't think that I have long forgotten about my blog, or my passion to share my thoughts, experiences, and passions with my friends and the stalking world. Nope! In fact, all summer long in the back of my mind as I was laboriously working to earn a stipend that could support my lifestyle, I longed for the chance to return to my blog and put back creativity into my fingertips where it belongs.

Summer is over, and my job is starting to slow down due to colder, wet days. I actually don't mind this at all, because I'm finally getting a chance to relax after working an average of 70 hour weeks all summer long.

I have traveled thousands of miles, been to unique places, sweat-out hundreds of pounds of fluids... I'm sure, and come across man eating Grasshoppers. Some of the places I have gone include a handful of cities and towns across: New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Most every city in Salt Lake, and Davis County, along with a number of other cities across Utah. (Can I just say that Utah County traffic sucks orange cones and then some?)

Fortunately I was able to do a few fun things this summer, including a hiking trip to the Havasupai Native American Reservation in the Grand Canyon in Arizona where I hiked roughly 40 miles in 4 days. That was a ton of exhausting fun.

I feel very fortunate to have such a great job that allows me to work so hard, travel so much, see so many places, and still do my media relations internship with Real Salt Lake during every single home game this year. I am unfortunate that this has taken away from my social life, blogging time, rest, and the chance to find a suitable job that allows for the use of my education, talent and my Bachelor in Communication degree.

If you are my FB friend, none of this comes as a surprise to you. I have become a man of fewer words and crunched up some of my blogging thoughts and placed them into facebook statuses throughout the summer via iphone to keep my friends and family informed of my daily adventures. Thank goodness for FB, or else my social life would be non existing. (Thanks Mark Zuckerberg)

As the rainy days roll in this season, I'll be putting my life in rewind and sharing a few of the experiences that I had this past summer. I think of my blog as my journal, and a way to share my fancy experiences with whoever thinks I'm cool. Until then, Au Revoir