Keeping Careful track

Well Another week has come and gone, crazy to think.

Monday, I went to work, I went to school. We finished the section on Machiavelli in Political theory, so now I know how to be a very amoral self serving prince. Monday night we went to the RB and played Wallyball for FHE. That was fun.

Tuesday I went to school, devotional, school, school, school. This week is international film for film class, we watched part of a movie about lepers in Iran, pretty crazy. Afterward Robbie, Josh and I had lunch (if you can call it lunch at 3 o'clock). Tuesday I also began my Media Consumption Diary for my communications class. I have to keep track off all the Mass media I consume for five days. In my expectations I put that I never watch t.v., but what should happen but the night I start is the state of the union and I watched it on t.v.

Wednesday was work and school. Wednesday is my early day for work. After work Liz and I studied and then I went to Political theory to start the section on Hobbes. That night we went and saw BYU's production of Peter Pan. It was really good. I still was keeping track of everything I saw or heard in the mass media.

Thursday during my afternoon break Josh, Liz and I went and looked at a couple apartment complexes trying to figure out housing for next fall.

Friday I just went to work then did homework. Friday night Liz was gone, I went to the film for class, which was a chinese film called To Live, it was good, different though, and some very sad parts. I also had to put that in my media diary. Then I caught up with Jenn, Melissa and Casey at the end of the v-ball game. BYU won, but of course no surprise there. We hung out the rest of the night, the adventure of the night was putting Casey's bike in Melissa's trunk and trying to tie it shut with Jenn's string. Casey eventually got it and we made it back to Wyview w/out losing the bike. While driving the Radio was on, so that had to go into the mass media diary as well.

Saturday, lots of home work was attempted. In the evening Liz and I went to the Library to get a movie and finally settled on Meet the Robinsons which we were informed was on a 4 hr check out, so we had to run back and watch it and then run back to the library to return it, and it had to be recorded in the media diary.

Well that's it for the week folks, have a good one.

|\/|

3 days of School

Well, here's another week in the life of Ben. Nothing to crazy to report except that I only went to school 3 days this week, so that was nice.

Monday was off from school(hence the three days of school) most of the day was spent doing homework and stuff. In the evening Liz and I went to a presentation for Martin Luther King Jr. day up on campus.

Tuesday was another crazy busy day. Elder Kikuchi(that is spelled wrong just so you know) came and gave a devotional. That night I finally saw all of UP.

Wednesday was uneventful, I now work earlier on Wednesdays though.

Thursday I had classes and then in the evening went to the Stake Leadership training.

Friday I went to work. That night Liz and I went miniature golfing at Trafalga, which was quite and experience. Since it was friday it was pretty full so we decided it would be a good idea to do the outside course since there was hardly anybody out there(hmm... I wonder why) and it wasn't that cold. Well that was well and good until about the third whole which involved a school house, Liz was a better shot than me and hit it through the school house(what you are suppose to do to get a hole in one) there was only one problem, the pipes led to an ice covered putting green, and apparently the schoolhouse pipe had ice in it because Liz's ball was nowhere to be found. We went back and got another ball and counted that as a hole in one. Similar adventures ensued as we traversed the course. Some greens were completely impassable and we had to make those holes up on the other outdoor course to even our scores. Anyway it was a blast, albeit a somewhat chilly one. Liz ended up winning by about four strokes(although her ethics are somewhat questionable). After that we attended our wards Book of Mormon Readathon for a while (they were reading from 7 oclock pm to 7 oclock am).

Saturday we went to see the documentary Promises for my film class. It was pretty good.

Well, I'd better get this post up since it is very late. hope y'all have a good rest of the week.

|\/|

Rice and Dinner

Welcome back to another week in the life of Ben. This was the first full week of School. It was pretty chill on the homework front so that was nice.

Monday I went to work in the morning, things seem to have picked up a little bit down there this week, we were running a welcome back week promotion where people could get an oatmeal for a dollar if they bought a drink. We have one regular customer who comes everyday who we call carrot juice man, because he always orders a 30 oz. drink of pure carrot juice(that's one of those huge cups). On Monday he also got a wheatgrass shot, sometimes I just don't know how people can survive being that healthy. Monday evening I went to Political theory, and that night to Liz's FHE since mine wasn't happening.

Tuesday was super busy, as usual, except there was no devotional so I actually got to eat lunch. Upon arriving home Tuesday night I had a presidency meeting and after that a committee meeting for a special activity the ward is doing.

Wednesday was fairly uneventful. Work, studying and class. I ran into my old companion Kevin Reese for the first time, so that was fun. That night Liz and I did D&C homework.

Thursday was the big day of the week, Condoleezza Rice (Yes, that would be the former secretary of state) came to give a forum address at BYU, I happen to have international relations class right before that time, which was interesting because Prof. Stiles happens to be on the opposite end of the political spectrum and he was none too keen on letting us out early so we could get to devotional, fortunately Liz didn't have class and she went early to the Marriott to get seats. It was an excellent address. Later Josh and I had our intro to film lab, and Robbie was able to switch to our section so that was good. That night we went to Liz's house(like her home home, in Lindon) for dinner, which was very nice.

Friday I only had work of course, and homework. That night for film class we went to see City Lights which is an old silent film by Charlie Chaplin which we have to write on this week, it was quite funny and enjoyable. Then we went and got dinner at Panda Express after finding that Angels of Philly was closed.

Saturday not to much happened. I did home work in the morning. We went shopping in the afternoon.

Well folks, that's it from the life of Ben this week. Have a good one

|\/|

Here we are again

So last Saturday I returned from home with Amy and Mike and their boys. I had a wonderful time back in Colorado but it was good to be back in Provo again. Upon returning home Saturday night I met my new roommate, Warren Chatwin, from Oklahoma. He's a pretty cool guy who just got back from his mission to California. Sunday was a busy day for me as I was the only member of either elders quorum presidency at church so I had a lot to do.

Monday Liz and I hung out most of the day, I made waffles for breakfast and then we went to campus and figured out where our classes were and tried to make it into the bookstore but decided it wasn't worth the fight against the crowds. That night we went to the Ward Home Evening activity where we participated in minute to win it challenges. Gordy and Brooke got back in town that night and brought me my suit case and my beautiful blender. So we made a smoothie later. Casey finally got back from Washington just before midnight.

Tuesday was the first day of class, and what a day it was. Tuesday's are definitely the busiest days of the week for me and so starting out on one was a little on the exhausting side. I arrived on campus shortly before 9:30 when my first class started, Hilary and I have Pl Sc 370, theories of international relations, with Professor Stiles. That ran until 10:45 at which juncture I ran to the Library and quickly deposited all my books in my locker before running to the Marriot Center where I met up with Liz and Selina to hear pres. Samuelson's opening address. Then Liz and I were off to D&C with Bro. Perkins at 12:00. From there I ran to Intro to Film with Professor Duncan, which I have with Josh and Rob by random chance. That ran from 1-3 and we watched and interesting film called the Man Who Planted Trees. If you have been following closely you will find that it is now 3 o'clock and I have yet to mention eating anything, when arranging my schedule I neglected to pay attention to the fact that there was no break for lunch in all this, so at this point I am famished. So I quickly eat something and attempt to find out what's wrong with my laptop because it has been dying all day after being unplugged for less than five minutes. I accomplished the first goal, but not the second, before running off to the JKB for Communication 101 w/ Professor Swenson which was suppose to rung from 4-6:30, fortunately she let us out early. Upon arriving back home I made some more food and then it was off for Presidency meeting. Whew, its a little crazy, but fortunately its the only day like this.

Wednesday I had my first day back at work, Jenn and I have been moved to the smaller store in the Student Athletic Building on the south side of campus. Its pretty slow down there so were they only have two people at a time working it. From there I got some food and then met up with Liz for some D&C studying until class at 4:00, which is Political Theory with Professor Gilchrest, I have this class with Hilary and Cody and several other members of our old Pl Sc 200 entourage. Gilchrest is the nicest college professor I have ever encountered.

Thursday is my second busiest day but not nearly as bad as Tuesday. Basically just school and stuff on Thursday.

Friday was work in the morning, but there are no classes on Friday, so that was nice, I used some time to work on my school calenders to make sure I don't forget about anything. Friday night Liz and I went to Amazing Grace for my film class, it was pretty good.

Saturday Liz and I went to the temple. It was very full in the baptistry and the needed a lot of help so I actually performed a lot more ordinances than just Liz's, it was a really nice time. After that we worked on some homework. Then in the evening we went with Amy, Mike, the boys, Gordy and Brooke, to Los Hermonos in Provo for dinner to celebrate Amy's 26th Birthday.

Sunday I went to Presidency meeting and then church. In the evening Liz and I went to the Marriot Center to hear Elder Christopherson's fireside, which was really good.

Well that looks like it's it for the week folks, hope you all have a good one.

Freedom, real freedom

As I write this I am a free man. Free from school, free from finals, free from work. For the next two weeks at least. This week I fought my way through four finals to finish out the school year by Wednesday. Monday morning found me at the JSB by nine o'clock for Biology, during finals week they convert the large auditorium here into an extra testing center for large section classes like American heritage, Physical science and Biology. I really dislike it thought because its pretty cramped and dark in there, and you can't have food an drink, so that really kinda kills my orange soda. But the test went well and it looks like I will escape my last science course with an A-. The rest of monday was spent completely engaged in studying for History, I met up with Elizabeth part way through as she studied for living prophets. I finally made it to the regular testing center at around four, thank goodness lines were small (it seems everyone decided to take religion monday because the lines in the Wilk were atrocious). I was abhorred to find that much of the multiple choice questions contained topics not listed on the study guide, I escaped with an 82, and can only hope my writing portion will raise that. I exited the testing center and ran for work. It was the last night with the whole crew from this semester since Allison left town Wednesday morning.

Tuesday morning was studying and then at 11 I took Pl Sc 150 in class. It was all short answer and essay, so its really impossible to know how it went, but it felt ok. Upon finishing that I began preparation for Pl Sc 200 the next day. Tuesday night Elizabeth and I went to the dollar theater for a study break and saw the Guardians of Ga'hoole.

Wednesday was my last final for the year, Pl Sc 150, it was pretty crazy to have finally finished that whole class. I walked out of the building and let loose a Dave Ramsey "FREEDOM" yell. What a beautiful feeling.

Thursday Elizabeth and I went to the temple and did baptisms and confirmations in the morning which was really nice. Most of the rest of the day was spent cleaning and packing and hanging out.

Friday morning it was off for Colorado with Gordy and Brooke. I stayed the night at Brooke's parents house in Peetz and Saturday it off to Sterling for my buddy David's wedding. Sunday it was church back in the Sterling ward.

Well folks, there's the week for ya.

FREEDOM! . . . oh, wait.

So, it was good week.The cross-fire was still raging, but somehow I made it through. Not too much exciting news to tell however.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning were swallowed by the Hist 201 secondary source analysis, which was on Medieval warfare. With small efforts here and there to start tabulating the survey results and begin that paper.

Monday before work I went to the Carl Bloch exhibit at the Museum of Art here on campus. BYU currently has on lease five of his Alter Paintings which are just fantastic as well as dozens of his smaller works and study pieces. Interestingly I was there for Pl Sc 150 on an assignment I could have done all year to analyze an art exhibit for political influence.

Tuesday I did take opportunity to attend the devotional with Elder Halstrom of the presidency of the 70.

The Hist Paper went in after our last class with Dr. Davis Wednesday afternoon and then everything turned to the survey before work. After work it was over to Hilary's for more work on the paper and briefly over to Elizabeth's and back home for more paper.

Thursday morning I was at it again and had finished everything except the appendix by the time I went to my last New Testament class. We were finishing with the Resurrection. I was sad to see this class end as it had been a very enjoyable one for me. After that it was off into the periodicals to make the appendix and proof read with Hilary. Then we printed, which ended up being no small matter, and triumphantly put out last papers in the big wooden box in the bottom of the SWKT. What a feeling of sweet freedom as I walked out of that building. That night is was off to see the Voyage of the Dawn Treader midnight showing in 3D with Liz. It was a very good movie and, I thought, a nice adaptation of the book.

Friday morning the feeling of relief was gone as if finally started settling in that finals was really coming next week. It was immediately off to a review for Hilary and I with Dr. Cooper to review statistics and most of the course for the year. Then I went to a biology review with one of the TA's.

Saturday I went to a Pl Sc 150 study group with "the Party" which is what six of us who sit by each other call ourselves(for political party incase you didn't get that). Most of the rest of the day was spent making flash cards and reviewing.

Well wish me the best of luck and all that. No matter what happens at this time next week I will be home.

For mom's pleasure here are some pix of last week at Temple Square.

The post-Thanksgiving cross-fire

Well last week, of which their is no blog post, was really the eye of the storm. I had a wonderful time at home for the holiday, it was great to be with my family again. Then it was time to return to the hurricane

Sunday last I returned back to Utah with the Schumachers in Jessie's trusty, bright blue Explorer "Dora" who braved the Wyoming snows. We were fortunate and made it through with only hitting a couple bad patches. After I had arrived home David sent me a txt asking me to check the mail for his mission call, I did and there it was, on his way home David was able to spread the word and soon our apartment was full of excited friends and family, and Texans via skype. David received a call to the California Long Beach mission, which oddly enough is a mission he once lived in and where much of his extended family resides. Sunday night late some good news came through my email from professor Cooper of Poli Sci 200, he and his family were stranded outside of Utah county by the blizzard and he had to cancel class the next morning.

So Monday another email came through saying that because of class being canceled and several TA's not being able to get back as well, our regression assignment was moved back to Wednesday at five instead of Tuesday, huzzah!, since I had accomplished nearly nothing over the break. A lot of work was done that day in between classes and work.

Tuesday was laundry day and also the Dance departments devotional. The laundry was rather boring, the devotional was amazing. My old roommate Tyler Walker is a member of the folk dance team and they really did an amazing job. Like normal New Testament was my only class on Tuesday, it is probably the only class that I am really sad is ending this semester. Hilary and I worked like crazy on the Regression assignments that afternoon until she had to go to class. I continued to work until Elizabeth got done with class and then we came home. More regression work until Jenn got here and then she and I went up to our co-worker Cassie's semi-final flag football game, on an icy turf intermural field. After leaving the game I went over to Elizabeth's.

Wednesday was busy and stressful. When trying to print my regression assignment I got onto a computer that would not connect to the internet, so that was concerning, fortunately I always aim for at least an hour early to circumvent any problems like this, and it got in on time. What a relief.

Thursday early morning Elizabeth and I went up to the temple and performed baptisms and confirmations for the dead. What a wonderful start to the day. Attention was then turned back to the Political Science in the Real World paper which was due the next day, and to designing survey questions for the last Poli Sci 200 paper. I am actually pretty excited about doing survey research and statistical analysis on it. After New Testament where we discussed the Atonement I went to Jenn's house where I met up with Melissa and continued homework and finally finished the paper. Later that night I was trying to read the art of medieval warfare so that I can finally write my last paper for History 201 when Jenn and Alli showed up toting a squeeze coupon for Costa Vida. Then it was off to Costa Vida with them and my roommates.

Friday was a good day. School and work were basically normal, except for Poli Sci 15o which was the last day of lecture for the course and we watched an old british sitcom "Yes, Minister" to learn about Bureaucracy. I met up with Gordy in the morning and got his and Brooke's all sports passes, and then met Elizabeth at the Marriot center so we could redeem all four of the passes for two tickets each to the BYU vs. Hawaii basketball game the next day in SLC. The Marriot was swarmed with small children coming out of Christmas around the world, but we made it through and got the tickets. That night Alli picked me and Jenn up from work then we grabbed Melissa and we headed up to Wyview to get Elizabeth, Casey and David, we were on another coupon claiming mission, this time to Sammy's for shakes. Once we got here we discovered Casey and David had not returned from the ward talent show, even though Liz informed me it had been done for over an hour, apparently they had got out their social butterfly wings and were going at it. Once they finally returned we headed out. Sammy's was packed and our group made our way to the end of the line and took sometime determining our shakes, once we finally made it to the front we were informed that the shake machine had just broken. So we took to Center street to find and alternative finding nothing there we held a council on the street and after some deliberation determined to go to In and Out. Which we did. Then we came back to our apartment where we had every intention of watching a christmas movie, after some deliberation and much searching through net flix we settled on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (which is of course not a christmas movie).

Saturday morning I had to hit a surprise assignment for Hist 201 on Aztec sacrifice (which you really don't want details and/or pictures on). In the afternoon Gordy and Brooke picked me and Liz up and off we went to SLC. We met up with the Johnson's at their home and then we went off to the energy solutions arena for the game which was a lot of fun (but the most fun was Aaron and Max). We then road the train to temple square(a rather short distance, but lots of fun for Aaron) and got to see the lights and of course take pictures as Nielsens do (none of which I have Mom, because I forgot my camera). And then back to Amy and Mikes for dinner, dessert and the nephews bed time. A very very fun night, after which Liz and I returned to my apartment and finished Cloudy With and Chance of Meatballs.

And here we are back at Sunday looking at the last week of school a head. I can't believe it's already here.

1 week, 2 of each class, 3 assignments, 4 days, 5 finals. BRING IT ON!