New Beginnings and Stuff Like That

Since my last post Amanda has started her new job at Primary Children's Hospital. She loves the job, but hates the commute. Who could blame her? It's a long ways to drive a few times a week. But she has finished a lot of her training, so now she has her own patients and is a bonified RN. She still have to go up one additional time for a few hour training, on top of her 3 shifts a week. But in 3 months she won't have to do that anymore. By then I think she will have to chance to transfer to the children's unit in Riverton, which would be a lot closer. So we'll see what she decides to do.

We moved into a new apartment in north provo on August 2nd. I had a bunch of friends come over and we knocked it out in just 2 hours, then had a BBQ. We are liking the new place though. Its much larger than our old apartment, and Amanda is having fun painting and getting it looking good. We are liking our new ward as well. We decided to go to a family ward instead of the married student ward like we have been going to. We almost got a calling in the primary, but didn't because Amanda has to work about 2 sundays a month, so I couldn't teach them alone. Dodged that bullet (j/k). So we'll see what callings we do get.

The day after we moved into our new place we drove to CA for the 4th time this year. My family got a beach house for the week on Balboa Island, right off the coast of Newport Beach. It was really fun and nice to go spend time with family, play in the ocean and with nieces and nephews, etc.

School has started, and since I went to field training this summer I am now officially an "upper-classman." The first 2 years of ROTC you are considered enlisted, and learn how to follow orders. Your junior and senior years you are a cadet officer, and give orders. We basically run the cadet side of the ROTC and the real officers observe and teach us as we go. I am in charge of a service organization called Arnold Air Society, and the vice commander for the Color Guard. Here is a sweet video we made to recruit for Color Guard.

Sweet video

One of the perks of being the commander is that we choose if we wanna do the flag at the football games. If we do we get 2 free tickets on the front row, 40 yard line. Pretty good tickets. So Amanda and I went to the University of Washington/ BYU game, and I also brought my "little Brother" Joseph. I think he liked the game, but he doesn't really show too much excitement for anything, so who knows.

To be honest I am glad school is back on again. Amanda feels weird because its the first time in her life that she isn't going back to school for the fall. But when I'm in school its so much easier to live a schedule and exercise, etc. And, at the end of this semester I'll be applying for my pilot slot, so I'll find out about that probably March. Cross your fingers and mention me in your prayers, cause I've worked hard to get to this point, and getting my pilot slot would be the pinnacle of my efforts.

On the flip side

The title of this post has a few different contexts.  First of all, I am done with Field Training! Its so nice to have it behind me.  I learned a ton, it was a good experience and I'm glad that now I can say I've done it, but I wouldn't want to do it again.  We learned a lot, including Self-Aid buddy care, Rifle training, Convoy procedures, how to search a vehicle/person, radio communication, land navigation, etc.  The first two weeks we were in Alabama, and the last 2 weeks we were in Mississippi.  While in Mississippi we had a Tornado form up over our camp and all the cadets had to run to the showers.  It was exciting.  We got to meet a few generals, and hear some pretty interesting briefings (as well as some not so interesting briefings).  On the 4th of July they let us go to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to a 4th of july party.  There were 369 Cadets, so we pretty much dominated the party.  It was held at a huge baptist church.  This thing was literally the size of a high school.  I think they did other stuff there too, but it was huge.  They had food (which was a nice change from eating MRE's) and a live band.  This was the first time in Air Force history that they have allowed anything like this to happen during boot camp, so it was great.  I met a lot of cool people, learned a lot, but as I said, I'm glad to be on the flip side and have it behind me.

Unfortunately the day I left was also the day My sister-in-law Annie got married, as well as my cousin Eric.  So I missed both of their weddings.  However, this kept Amanda pretty busy while I was gone, at least for the first week and a half.  She flew back to North Carolina to help with the reception out there, then stayed for another week and went to NYC with her sister and girl cousins for a shopping trip, then flew home.  Today she started her new job at Primary Children's Hospital.  We are really excited that she has a job, but also a job that she really wanted.  We will have benefits, etc.

The day I got home we went to Winger's for dinner then stayed the night at the Hilton in Salt Lake.  The next day was sunday and we went to church with my parents then had dinner with them.  Then later that night said Hi to a bunch of friends and headed back to provo.  Its been a task trying to get used to the altitude again.  It doesn't bother me until I start running.  The other day I decided to run up the mountain to the Y Mountain Trail Head.  From my house its only about a 4 mile round-trip run, but half of it was extremely steep.  By the time I got up to the trail head my heart was beating so hard I thought it was gonna jump out of my chest.  To add to it it was about 4 pm and very hot, so I was overheated.  I sat on the bathroom floor (cause that was the only shade on the mountain) and sipped my water until I cooled down.  On my way down the mountain I found a wallet in the middle of the road.  So I picked it up and returned it later that night.  When I knocked on the door (there was an address on the drivers license) this kids mom answered and when she found out I had the wallet got so excited.  She said they had been praying they would find it.  She wanted to give me a hug and said I was such a great guy and an answer to their prayers.  It was a great feeling to be on the flip side and be part of an answer to someone else's prayers.

Now Amanda and I are just working and preparing for our move next week.  We are moving on monday evening, then going to Balboa Island, CA with my family for a week.  This summer sure has gone by quickly.  Before camp that was all I could think about and it came quickly, then a huge chunk was dedicated to training, and now its almost time for school to start again.  I've gotta live it up while I still can.  Viva la summer.

I always start these posts out with something like "its been a while."  Indeed it has, but I'm not gonna say it this time.  I'm just gonna fill you in.

So much to tell.  First off, Amanda took her test to become and RN and passed it.  We are very excited.  She starts her new job at the end of July.  I knew she was gonna pass, but its nice to know that it is behind us now.

Yesterday Amanda and I flew down to Salina, UT where my Grandparents live.  It was my grandpa's birthday this past week, so my whole family was going down for a bbq to celebrate.  Well, for a christmas gift my grandma gave my grandpa money to go flying with me (that was a long time ago, about half a year!).  My grandpa was an Air Force pilot and then flew for United Airlines for a while, so it was really fun to go up with him.  Anyways, Amanda and I flew down there and Amanda hung out with my grandma while my grandpa and I went flying.  We flew for an hour.  We flew over the Manti temple, and then over the mountains looking for a big mine, and then over their house.  It was really fun, I LOVE flying.

This is a picture of the Manti temple from about 2,000 ft off the ground.

This is a picture of their house (the one on the corner with the gray roof).  Not too bad for a camera phone, eh?

After flying we had lunch at my grandparents, then Amanda and I had to fly back to provo so I could get  the plane back for someone else who had rented it, and go to work.  It was a fun day.  It was Amanda's first time flying with me, and first time in a small plane.  She really liked it.  The flight back to provo got a little bumpy, and in those small planes you really feel it, so she got a little nervous during that brief period, but I can't blame her.  I did too at first.

Since last September I have been preparing to go to Field Training for the Air Force ROTC.  It is in Alabama and a base called Maxwell AFB.  Its near Montgomery.  They have taught us everything we need to know, we've conditioned our bodies and minds, we've practiced marching, etc.  And now the time if finally here to put all that knowledge to use.  Truth be told I'm a little nervous, but excited to go and get it over with.  It's basically basic training, but its only 4 weeks and its only for ROTC cadets.  We do a lot of leadership training, and they rank us on how well we handle the challenges and lead our peers.  Its crazy that the time if finally here.  I leave on June 19th, and I will be back on July 17th.  Its 28 days long.  Amanda's sister is getting married  the day I fly out, and then she is going to North Carolina to be with her family and attend/run the reception out there.  So I will miss her, but she'll keep herself busy.  I am including a video for those interested to show you exactly what I'll be doing for 28 days.



As you can see, it will be intense, but I think it will be fun/hard.  So if anyone wants to get a hold of me between June 19th and July 17th, you can't.  Sorry.  But you can call Amanda.  I'm sure she would like the support.  I'll try and do at least one more post before I leave.

What a Great Day

I haven't been flying since last May 23rd.  I've had the plane all rented about 5 times since then, but every I try to go it rains.  Plus its expensive and I haven't had the money.  So this last saturday I was finally able to go with some tax refund money.  I went up with my old flight instructor and friend Todd Christensen.  It was amazing, I miss flying so much.  I wish I could go every day.  We took of from Spanish fork airport, flew up provo canyon, over Heber and Jordanelle, past Park City, down through Parley's canyon and back to provo.  We made a few landings at heber and SLC.  It was a beautiful day for flying, and just reaffirmed how much I love to fly.

After I was done flying Amanda and I went with our friends Brandon and Lisa Jastal to a car show at Thanksgiving Point.  It was pretty cool.  There were some sweet cars.  Their friend had an old Model-T that was submitted into the show, so we got a picture of us sitting in it.  It was a pretty fun day and the weather couldn't have been any better.

                                                   Us and the Jastals (he's in the ROTC with me)

Congratulations is in order

Amanda finally got a job!  Woo Hoo!  She applied to work at Primary Children's Hospital in SLC a few weeks ago.  They had over 200 applicants, and only a few positions.  Well she got an interview and rocked it.  The people loved her.  They told her they would make a decision that weekend and let everyone know the beginning of the next week.  Well that happened before we went to CA, so the whole time we were in CA we were worrying about it.  We hadn't heard anything.  The week past, and still nothing.  Well Amanda sent some emails and tried calling, and no responses.  And still another week went by and we didn't hear anything.  So she sent some more emails and made a few more phone calls.  We were kind of starting to get worried, but we kept praying.  And finally today they called her and offered her a position!  We are so excited.  She will start July 26th, and we'll start getting benefits on Sept 1st.  She will be working on the medical unit, which is just a normal floor in the hospital.  However, kids will be sent to her until when they are kind of unstable mentally to become stable before they try out the mental hospital.  So it will be fun for her, she is really excited.

Is anyone out there?

So I am just wondering who actually reads my blog (besides my mom and dad).  Not that it is a big deal, because I really enjoy doing it.  I am always hearing how important it is too keep a journal, and I am horrible at sitting down and taking the time to write one, so the blog is the next best thing.  So even if nobody else does read it, I will continue.  Anyways, if you are reading this leave a quick comment so I can see if anybody does read it.  Thanks.

Third Times A Charm

Well, we went to California AGAIN!  It was our 3rd time this year so far.  This time we went for Amanda's friend Julie's wedding.  They were married in the Redlands, CA temple on May 1st.  Here is a little synopsis of our journey to the land of fruits and nuts.

We rented a car (because neither of our cars are reliable enough) and drove to San Bernadino, CA on friday Apr 30th.  As a little side note, we stopped in Vegas for lunch at an Arby's and Amanda ordered popcorn chicken.  She bit into the first one and it was completely raw inside!  So we broke open the other ones and they were all uncooked!  So I took them up to the counter and the manger was bugged.  She returned them, then resold us a roast beef sandwich.  I was shocked.  It was horrible customer service.  I was thinking they would just swap it out, or maybe comp our meal or something, but no.

Anyways, we got to our hotel that night and got some subway and watched the Jazz play the nuggets (which they won).  The next morning we had to be out of our room by 11 am, and the wedding wasn't until 2:30.  So we found a movie theatre and watched The Backup Plan.  It was alright, there were some funny lines, but I probably wouldn't recommend it.  After the movie we went to a local pizza shop, ate lunch and changed in their bathrooms and headed to the temple.  After the wedding and the whole pictures thing, we had another few hours to kill, so we went back to the theatre and watched Clash of the Titans in 3D.  This movie I would recommend, it was pretty cool.  Then the reception was in a neighbor's front yard.  After the reception we drove to Aliso Viejo, CA where my cousin and his wife live.  We stayed with them the rest of the trip.

                                                (picture I took of the Redlands, CA temple)

(they had this wall set up with their pictures all over it, and an empty frame the guests could stand in fro a picture as they arrived.)

The next morning was sunday, so we found a church and went to just sacrament meeting, then drove down to Laguna beach, which was only about 10 minutes away.  It was beautiful.  We pulled up into a parking spot and the person who was there before us had left 3 hours left on the meter.  That saved us about 6 dollars!  We walked around the beach, got some lunch, etc.  It was amazingly beautiful.  We walked along the sand, looked at shells, saw an old muslim lady smoking out of a BONG, a really old lady in a bikini, etc.  We saw it all.

Later that night we had a BBQ with my cousins and their next door neighbors.  The next day was DISNEY LAND DAY!  It was fun.  Amanda had never been, so it was a whole new world for her (no pun intended).  It wasn't crowded at all, so the longest line we waited in was about 20 minutes for the Indiana Jones ride.  Did I mention we got in for Free?  Yeah, we did the "give a day get a day" program for free tickets.  We volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for a few hours and got free day passes to disney land (which are now going for $75 a day per person!).  We also got honorary volunteer pins to wear around.  It was a great day, about 80 degrees, and perfect.

On the way home that night our stupid GPS took us on a toll road, which we didn't have enough money for.  So we are sitting there at the gate 15 cents short of the toll debating what to do.  If you just go through they take a picture of your license plate and send you a ticket in the mail.  There were about 6 lanes we would have gone too, but happened to choose this specific one (it was all automated and there wasn't any attendant around).  I had the though to check the place where peoples extra change is returned and sure enough there was 2 $1 gold coins in there!  Coincidence?  I think not.  Heavenly Father was watching over us.  So we payed the toll and went on our way.  It was definitely a tender mercy.

The next morning we drove to San Clemente to stop of the Rainbow Sandals outlet, then made the 9 1/2 hour drive back to provo and got home around 10:30.  The drive went by really quick there and back.  It was a really fun trip, and a nice break right after school ended.