Quite a sigh of relief

So here is what I've been going through for the past month or so.  I went and did a medical test for the Air Force called a DODMERB (Department Of Defense Medical Exam......RB).  Everything went well except the hearing test.  Apparently I have a hard time with high pitches.  Anyways, they disqualified me to fly for the Air Force.  That has basically been my dream for many many years, as long as I can remember.  I was heart broken!  I literally cried, although I'm a little ashamed to admit it.  So I've been tearing my hair out for the past month trying to decide what I'm going to do with my life.  I want to be a pilot, whether I do it military or civilian.  Problem is, if I go civilian I have to pay about $60,000 for all the hours.  I really don't want to go into that much debt.  So I was looking into all my options, stressing out pretty bad.  

Well, I talked to a lady at the ROTC, and she said I could retake the hearing test.  So I did a bunch of ear wax removal stuff, wore ear plugs, and got a blessing then went and retook the test.  I just got the results back today and I'm once again qualified to fly military.  Its such a sigh of relief.  I don't know how much I qualified by, but I did.  I know  its because of the blessing.  I'm so grateful for this 2nd chance.  I feel like having this opportunity taken away from me and given back has motivated me to try even harder and reach my dream.  

Live & Casual

We threw a concert on May 9th at Rock Canyon Park in Provo.  It was really fun!  I opened up the concert with a song called "It doesn't matter" from Donavan Frankenreiter, "I'm Yours" from Jason Mraz, and my room mate and I did an acoustic version of "Beat It" from Michael Jackson (pictured above).  The layout was pretty sweet.  We played in a pavilion at the park, with a hill right next to it, so people sat on blankets and listened.  It had a Usana Amphitheatre feel to it.

Andrew Smith played a bunch of original songs, including songs from his recently released album "Sunrise EP."  He is amazing at the guitar, and has some really good songs.  I have the privilege to room with him.

The closer was a guy named Alex Miller.  He was in our ward last year at Liberty Square.  He is very talented as well and drew quite a crowd.  He played until about 10 o'clock.  It turned out to be a better turn out than I expected.  I think everybody had fun.  We'll definitely have to do it again soon.

I really like this picture I took from the top of the hill.  The pavilion was sitting right on top of the hill at the park, making for a great view of Provo city.  This picture doesn't really do the sight justice, but you can kinda get a feel for it.

Absoluteley Amazing!!!

On May 9th (last night), my room mate Andy and I went to see The Eagles in concert.  It was held at the Rio Tinto Stadium (where the salt lake ReAl play).  It was incredible, best concert I have ever been to, or will ever go to.  They played for 2 1/2 hours, and I could have listened to another hour.  They were pretty funny in between songs.  After the first song the lead singer Glenn said "you better check your tickets and make sure you are in the right place.  This is the Eagles assisted living tour."  It was pretty funny, because they are in their 60's.  Another funny thing they said was when Joe Walsh was about to play his song "life's been good to me so far," he said "I'd like to apologize to all you young people out there whose parents played this while you were growing up.  Thats why you've turned out the way you have."  It was really funny because my dad played this song all of my childhood.  

So we paid $95 per ticket, but it was so worth it.  I had to put myself out there, cause I can't afford that.  So now I'll have to work extra hard to make it up.  So anyways, amazing concert!  I knew every single song.  They only played two songs from their new album Long road out of eden.  both of which were good songs. 

Good Eye Marc, Good Eye.

It has been a while since I last updated my blog.  Let me update you on my life thus far.  We had to leave our apartment at liberty square on the 23rd, and couldn't move into our new place at the colony until the 28th.  So I went home for those days.  Now I'm all moved into the colony, and we are apartment 420.  Didn't plan that.  So I started a job on monday washing windows again.  This summer I am working with a guy and doing windows for his company.  Its a pretty good gig.  

I also joined a intramural softball team.  I haven't played softball since my days as a priest in the old Holladay 10th.  As I suspected, I haven't improved since then.  I did however get some good encouragement from my team mates like "good eye Marc!"  Its pretty fun.  So far the summer is going pretty good.

ReAL Salt Lake

On Friday night my friend Shea Miller invited me to the ReAL Salt Lake game. It was my very first (and hopefully not the last) professional soccer game. I learned so much about soccer that I never knew as a little kid running around frantically after the ball trying to get a turn to kick it in any direction I could. The ReAL just got a new stadium this season in south jordan, right by Jordan commons. It's a really nice stadium too. They played the "New England Revolution" and won 6-0. It was neat because they Revolution apparently had been undefeated before they played us. So if you have a chance I would highly recommend going to one of these games. It made for a good night, especially since the Jazz didn't do very well against the Lakers.

A little accountability......

So here is a little accounting of my new years goals.  I had a few goals: 1) don't drink soda, 2) lose 20 pounds, and 3) don't eat anything after 10 o'clock.  So far I haven't drank any soda.  This has been so much easier than I thought it was gonna be.  I haven't really even missed it, except for once and a while here and there.  I've lost 20 pounds, thanks to not drinking soda and exercising a ton.  I learned from a doctor that the first 1/2 hour of your workout just burns carbs.  Everything after that burns fat.  So I extended my workout and started burning fat.  My third goal hasn't gone very well.  I didn't eat anything after 10 p.m. for a month or so, but it kind of fizzled out.  I'll have to get back into it.  Anyways, just thought I'd account for my goals.

What I learned from worms

On Wednesday it was raining pretty hard and as I was walking to class I noticed hundreds and hundreds of earth worms on the street and in the gutter.  I took this picture next to a garbage can where the water in the gutter piled up the earth worms.  I started to think about how this was a bird paradise (I know, weird thought process).  But then I noticed how there wasn't any birds to be found.  I thought "what the heck, this is the perfect time to get a free meal with very little effort."  Then I saw a little robin, the only bird not worried about getting wet.  But alas, he was hunting around the grass to find worms.  I thought, hey you idiot come over to the street there are worms everywhere. 

Eventually I started thinking about how this applies to life.  Often times we are too comfortable to acquire all the blessings around us.  None of the birds wanted to leave their nests, but if they would be willing to get a little rain on their wings they could have the best meal of their life!  Likewise, if we are willing to take time and look around us we will see so many blessings.  I for one don't think about that enough.  Heavenly Father helps those who help themselves.  I once heard someone say "we talk to God on our knees, he talks to us on our feet."  To me that means that when we want answers to our prayers we need to be doing something about it.  Answers come on the go.

That little robin probably had no idea that there were thousands of worms laying helpless on the street because he wasn't willing to go a little out of his way.  I challenge everyone to look for opportunities where they least expect it (sounds like a fortune cookie).  I have been so blessed in my life.  Most of those blessing came from unexpected sources.  But I think more important than looking for opportunities for ourselves we should seek ways to help others.  When I was on my mission and serving people everyday that is when I was the happiest, even when the people didn't appreciate it.  I've recently decided I want to stop being selfish and think of others.  Because "when (we) are in the service of our fellow beings, (we) are only in the service of our God."