Vertigo

Yesterday I was diagnosed with vertigo. Apparently my ears have filled up with fluid, which cancels out the balancing feature of my head. Basically every time I move just slightly, I get incredibly dizzy. Not just spin in a circle buzzed dizzy. Like merry-go-round as fast as you can, then getting off and can't even stand up dizzy. It pretty much sucks. I don't recommend getting it. Sunday night was full of vomiting and dizziness. With a small convulsion, which was fun I must say....

I'm slowly begninng to hate sports

Don't get me wrong I LOVE sports. I do enjoy watching sports, but the rivalries are draining my love for it. For example I love BYU, but because I love BYU I am expected to hate the U of U. I think the U of U is a fine school, and i think they have fine athletic programs. I was reading some comments on my friend's facebook status about Utah State's win over BYU, and the things this young man was saying about BYU and my religon was terrible. I don't understand how anybody can have such hate and enmity towards a school, and every person that attends that school. I think rivalries could be a fun simple things, but people take them WAY too far. The BYU and U of U rivalry is now completely blown out of proportion, and the people who are participating in the awful fight, frankly need to grow up. People attending and participating in the rivalry are in college, they are seen as adults in the United State's eyes, and they behave like spoiled children. As Elder Quentin L. Cook said in the second session of general conference, "treat ever person as a son and daughter of God. The fact that I am now prone to get in an argument every time my favorite team loses to Utah University, or any sports team in general, has completely ruined the enjoyment of watching sports. Fans all over the world, please... just grow up.

college

The first three days of living on my own have been hard. I've never experienced homesickness before, but I do now. It seems like I can't concentrate in my classes, nor can I make any friends, because I seem so down and depressed. Added upon my homesickness is my desire to know what I want to be when I grow up. I get nervous every time I ponder about it. I switched my major from athletic training to general education, which cost me almost 300 more dollars extra in book fees because the Weber State bookstore won't give me a refund on my athletic training books, because I took the plastic off the books. Added upon all of that is my lack of a job and friends. searching for a part time job in our current economy is frustrating to say the least. the only way that I can get through college is to find a job to support myself. It's been a lonely three days for me. My dorm room is the worst prison cell on the face of the planet. It seems like a weightlifter had dropped a dozen 700 pound weights on my back, and I have to carry those around from class to class. I'm so scared, and there is only one piece of knowledge that will help me get through this: My knowledge of my savior's atonement. My elder brother, Jesus Christ, suffered the agonies of Gethsemane so that I can return to live to my Heavenly Father again. In the third chapter of Mosiah, seventh verse, we read, "And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people." Christ knows exactly how I feel right now. He suffered for it in the Atonement. I'll never be alone with His atonement in mind, and that goes for everyone. He knows what you have experienced, and He is anxious to help you.
I also found words of comfort in section 121 in the Doctrine and Covenants. Verse 7 and 8 read, "My son, peace be unto thy soul: thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." Later in the section it speaks of Job, the "perfect" man from the book of Job. We all know of his trials, he lost everything he had, and then lost even more. I am not yet as Job, so I guess I should stop complaining. I'll get through this. I know I will. Pray for me!

Last Day

Today is my last full day in Provo. It is my last day living in the place I've called home for 18 days. It is the last day I have the security of my home surrounding me. It is the last day that I will sleep in a comfortable queen sized bed, before moving to a less comfortable dorm sized bed. Needless to say I'm a bit nervous to set out on my own. I think the nervousness cancels out my excitement. I guess that's part of growing up though right?

Final days as a child

While I was at work sorting shoes, a thought hit me like a sledgehammer. I have 13 days of childhood left. I feel a unique link to one of my childhood heroes, Peter Pan. I have a longing to stay a youth forever and never grow up. Already as my days as a child are dwindling I feel the pressures of being an adult. Things like paying for college, living on my own, relying on my own strengths and wits to survive on my own. While I feel prepared from my parent's teachings and example, I am scared to death to become an adult and be responsible for everything. Although I am very excited for some of the perks of being an adult, I wish to be like Sir James Matthew Barrie's legendary character. To stay young forever, to not have a care in the world, except to have fun all the day long. I'll miss my youth days, but I guess I'll need to face my adulthood head on. That must be a big part of becoming an adult. Growing up is a bit frightening, but that's life

When I'm bored

When I'm bored I go through all my old files. Today I found a design I made for the Timpview Video Announcements.




I thought it was way cool when I made it! It took me close to 8 hours to complete it. I may or may have not mimicked the TNT symbol, and changed it for my own personal design. They can't sue me or anything if I changed it right?......





Summer countdown
3 (Basically 2) days until Lake Powell!!!!!

27 days until my birthday

43 days until I move out - I found out who my roommate is today!

45 days until college classes start

Parents

My parents wrote this about me when I graduated, a month ago today!


If you could personify someone with music, James would be a string of eighth notes. Everything James loves to do is fast, fun and light hearted.
James is the second child in our family. He was born in Lodi, CA and in his almost 18 years of life has moved 8 times; to 5 different states. He is a well-traveled young man.
He has a myriad of interests in his life. He love music and has since he was very small. James loves to make music with almost any instrument and plays the piano, xylophone, harmonica, guitar, trumpet and drums. If James is remotely bored or if he’s not, he’s making music somewhere. At the age of eight, we started James with piano lessons at the suggestion of a friend. James had (and still has) handwriting that is terrible. A friend suggested that the piano would strengthen his fine motor muscles and his handwriting might improve. While his handwriting did improve slightly from the lessons, it almost wasn’t worth having to listen to him play the Indian song, reveille or that circus one that woke us up every morning. He has always played fast and loud and those beginning songs were no different, just ear shattering. But as we look back now, we know that those loud initial songs were worth it. We love to listen to him practice now. He has loved the piano since his first lesson. I think in all the years he took lessons, we only had to ask to practice a few times. He just loved to play. It’s typical for James even now to choose songs that are fast and happy. It’s rare to hear him play something slow or reflective and when he does, we know his mood matches it. He uses music to serve others and will play peaceful, calming music when he knows someone needs it. On the night we waited for President Christiansen to come to our house to set Ben apart as a missionary we were all feeling the stress of knowing Ben would leave the next day for 2 years. James sat at the piano for the longest time playing hymns and classical music. I’m not sure if it was for him or for us, but it gave us all peace and brought the spirit to our home in abundance. It set the tone for the evening.
James’ other big love in life is sports. He is a die-hard Cardinals fan and loves the Colts too. He’s played baseball for Timpview since the summer before he started there as a freshman. Altogether including summer ball, Fall ball and the regular spring season, James has played 13 seasons of baseball wearing blue and orange. They may not have won them all, but James left his heart on the field with every game. He’s played every single position during his 4 years of high school baseball, but center field is where he’s played the most. We love watching him run for fly ball. He’s so fast that those balls rarely get away from him. He made some great diving catches this year too. This year he also hit his first and second out-of-the-park home runs. He’s a leader on and off the field and it’s been a great year to watch him play. He also loves to play basketball and has enjoyed all his Aaronic Priesthood years of church ball. This was our Ward’s third time in a row to win the Stake title and move on to region play.
This year James was on student council and split the video coordinator responsibilities with a friend. He’s made some fun movies and had some great ideas. He’s learned to create special effects that we love to watch. He’s logged more 50 service hours this year in student council. It’s been a great experience for him.
James did his Eagle project as a freshman. He didn’t actually have it awarded to him until he was a sophomore though, because it took him a year to write it up and turn it in. His love for baseball was evident as he chose to paint the dug outs at Timpview for his project. He had friends, family, and our ward family all helping and together they logged close to 150 service hours.
As a baby, James learned to sign. At 10 months he could ask for milk, a cookie or a bath. Sign language has always come easy to him. As a child, we had to send him to preschool to learn how to talk. He much preferred to sign. He wouldn’t talk to people that he didn’t know at all; he’d only sign to them. His sign skills have always been strong, and even though he and Ben have had their disagreements, they could always communicate with each other. Tomorrow night we’ll go to the honors awards where to watch James receive a certificate for the letter he earned in World Languages, from his 3 years of ASL.
We’re so proud of James! He works hard all the time. We know this last semester has been difficult for him with his 2 best friends and favorite role models gone; Ben and Madison. Seeing them both leave on missions has been hard for him. He misses them, but also it makes him want to go on a mission now. He doesn’t want to wait a year. He’s preparing now for a mission and we know that he will be a great missionary next year. Heidi hopes he gets called to the Provo mission so he’s close by. James hopes for something a lot farther away.
So congratulations to James! In the fall he’ll leave for Weber State. He’s planning to major in sports medicine. He know that he will succeed at everything he does and he’ll do it with a smile on his face.


My parents are wonderful! I love them so much. Thanks for everything you have taught me you two!! Also this is my 30th blog post! Congrats to me!

Sometimes

After I finish work at Pirate Island, I won't change from my costume.



It is surprisingly comfortable. I guess it's a bit strange that I don't want to take it off.........

I've blogged for three days straight! It's a new record! Or maybe I should get a life....

Summer

My 25 favorite summer things

1. The sun doesn't go down until after nine
2. The smell of freshly mowed grass
3. Baseball is one of the few sports going on!
4. Waking up after 9:00
5. Body Surfing
6. The smelling of candles at a certain craft store
7. Eating all day long
8. the grilling of meats
9. Death Threats while playing Mario Kart
10. Texting old friends
11. Crazy Steve
12. Staying up late Watching movies
13. Office and Avatar marathons
14. Wendy's runs
15. Dressing up like a pirate
16. Star gazing
17. Becoming tan
18. Swimming as much as I desire
19. Movie nights
20. Pineapple
21. Two hour jam sessions on the piano
22. Summer Sunsets
23. Upsetting small Irishman
24. Cooking delicious chicken
25. The smell of summer rain.

These are not in any specific order, just some of my favorite sensations and things to do in the summer. I love the summer!!

Ah life

Tomorrow is graduation. It is an odd feeling to be finished with high school. After tomorrow I am no longer a senior in high school, but a freshmen in college. Oh the joys of being a freshman (heavy sarcasm). At least being a freshman won't be as awful the second time through. My voice has already changed, thus reducing the amount of voice cracks, girls are not taller than me anymore, and I am not the scrawny, weak, awkward freshman I was the first time. I'm pretty excited for college. Ogden should be good for me! Hopefully I don't freeze to death up there. Senior Ball was last Friday! It was great! I went with Hilary Ammons! Great Way to finish up my senior year.

Here are my countdowns!

Tomorrow is Graduation!!
8 Days until youth conference at Utah State
47 Days until my Lake Powell trip
71 Days until my 18th birthday
87 Days until i move out
314 Days until i can start my mission papers
436 Days until my 19th birthday and I can go on a mission!!!!!

Do you think I am starting my countdown for my mission too soon?

Why am I going to school again?

Yesterday in A.P World , we watched Rocky IV..... then in seminary we talked about terrorists... ..... Then in A.S.L we played a game.... WOW..... senioritis is affecting all the more since we are not doing anything in any of my classes. I have one more final then I am done with school, but still have to attend for two more weeks. Gah school needs to be over.

Here are my countdowns ....

8 days until senior ball10 days until seminary graduation
14 days until graduation
60 days until lake powell
84 days until I become an adult
100 days until I move out.

Life goes quick

It seems odd to me that I only have fifty days of high school left. It seems like just yesterday I was an awkward little kid in 8th grade, and now I am about to be thrust out into the real world where in I have to obtain a full time job to pay for my college tuition. In four or so months I'll have moved out of my home and into a college dorm. Goodness life moves fast. Pretty soon I'll be on my LDS mission and that seems so far away, but it'll be here just like that. It seems like I should still be a freshmen.
Also I hit a three run home run last Saturday, my first region home run, just in case you were wondering...