Fall into Winter:Swimming, Climbing, Skiing

Swim team has been a blast! I dove(haha)  into the season pretty apprehensive and not sure what to expect. I was venturing into new waters(okay that one was a good). It turns out I’m about as fast as I was when I was eight. More importantly, that doesn’t really matter. It’s like everyone just shows up for a kick-butt workout and then parties afterwards. If you cared about your time then you join club. The most fun nights of my life have been with swim team. And it’s not a gender discriminating sport, bonus. Mostly I love the kids who do it. With football, the sport was exhilarating but the kids were snots. With swimming you reach the feeling of pure exhaustion. The feeling of the last ten meters where you feel lactic acid building up pumping through your veins, and your about to black out. Then the race is over, you cool down, and you feel fine. Holy Crap! And then getting together afterwards and having dance parties, dressing in footie pajamas, or the bus rides home. WoW!

I am obsessed with rock climbing. There is something about it that is simply magnificent. It is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done, specifically lead climbing, but something about it keeps calling me back. It’s probably because it’s an adrenaline junkies best friend! I also enjoy the challenge it presents and I like knowing what I can do to improve and that there are so many techniques that up your game that much more. I like the adversity of climbing and that you can never get bored. I like being inspired by techniques that random people share with me. I like the atmosphere the stereotypical climber has about them. Climbers in general are easy-going, chill (one of my favorite adjectives), and basically there to have a good time. I was at a climbing gym and this random guy just gave me pointers here and there just because he was cool. He continued on to show me this really cool bouldering route he set that requires you to swing upside down using only your feet.

My most recent experience with climbing was over Thanksgiving Break. It was a perfect climbing day and the guy who showed me the cool bouldering route had also recently showed me some crack climbing techniques. Kaleb, Jordan, Neal and I went up AF canyon to our usual face on the north side of the road. We started with an easy route and Neal learned the grandeur of climbing shoes. Next I was feeling ambitious and wanted to do a crack climb. We went over to a wall with multiple 5.10 pitches, an area that we were pretty unfamiliar with. Last time we were on this wall I saw a man drop 15 to 20 feet on the same crack route we were about to climb. Kaleb started leading and avoided using the crack as much as possible. Once he felt out of options, I took his place and started leading. It took me 20 minutes just to get another clip in. I got 5 in, 2 of which required me to use the crack. Getting my fifth clip in required me to solely use one hand on a crack technique I was barely starting to experiment and become comfortable with. There were multiple instances where I was positive I was going to drop. Knowing you’re going to drop is ten times worse than a sudden fall. Somehow I held, the next clip was the chains. There was a boulder that stood in my way that I tried to maneuver around for 30 minutes with no luck. The sun now down, I was at a difficult predicament. I then worked for 45 minutes trying to figure a way to get down, which eventually resulted in me leaving equipment on the mountain. As I repelled to the ground, we all embraced each other for a good 10 seconds, happy to feel the guarantee of each other’s safety.  We trekked half a mile to the car and once illuminated, I found my hands to be torn from my new love, crack climbing. That night I put my head on my pillow and fantasized crack climbing with unimaginable skill and tenacity. I thirst for my next opportunity to better the mountain.

 
Skiers have the same easy-going attitude as climbers. This attribute only makes skiing more enticing. I wish I could hibernate the summer so that I wouldn’t have to miss a skiing day. Either that or go to the southern hemisphere for the summer. Time slows down as you are cutting through thigh deep powder in a white out with only the ability to see in a 10 foot radius. You are literally in your own world, carving your character on your canvas, the mountain. I cannot say how happy the recent snowfall has made me. I picked up Harrison for early morning seminary as the roads were being blanketed with snow. Once we made eye contact we both starting high pitched screams and bursts of excitement, our arms flailing, as if a girl who had recently won a 10,000 shopping spree or backstage passes with one direction. Going to my friend’s house a block down the street took me ten minutes because I had to take some drifting detours. Snow is simply amazing. 

 

September

This month has been super exciting. There have been several emotions and experiences that I haven't experienced in a long time.

Dances: Homecoming was a blast! I had so much fun and I only hope my date did also. Everything went according to plan and logistics worked out perfectly. There were so many jokes and memories that will last a long time. I also remembered how much fun dances are. I absolutely love dancing, however, DJ's need to be less enthusiastic about slow songs!! At a stag dance slow songs are easy because you get to ask random generic questions:"What do you like to do...What kind of music do you listen to...Whats your favorite breed of cat? (haha)" But when you know somebody, you either already know these questions or they would just seem weird to ask. I finally got Moses to go on a date now that he's 17. Also, now I have had the opportunity to be on the other side of the spectrum for asking for dances. It is a strange phenomenon waiting and wondering whether or not you are going to be asked to a dance. Also, you lose the power to choose who your date is, which is strange being a guy. But overall, school dances are A+!! 

I am tired of being unhealthy. The other day I was just sitting there when I asked my mom," why can't I just be healthy." It is really something you don't think to be grateful for until you lose it. I have had a steady cough for over a month and it's really become obnoxious. I also felt horrible for Kasey during homecoming because of the inconvenience I was putting her in with my cough. My toe finally healed up and I was able to get into the water the water for swim. Now I have stitches in my other foot, only delaying me more from my activities. Plus, I seem to have plenty of problems between my teeth and braces.

I strongly dislike(hate) my psychology and history teacher's style of teaching. She is a great person and I have love the lectures and lessons, I just can't stand the grading system. Everyday we have wonderful discussions and she really explains it using metaphors that make it easy to comprehend. However, everyday we also have a quiz that introduces the topic....and still goes on our grade. Also, the tests don't come close to relating to anyone of the wonderful classroom discussions we have. I guess teacher frustrations are something I had become unaccustomed to over summer.

Swim Team: The swim team is really dynamic, both in water and in their personalities. They may not be jocks, but that's why I like them, for their company. This is also why I love tennis. You get an opportunity to workout and be competitive while maintaining a positive social environment. I have really bonded well with the team and am starting to not drown in the water. I have yet to time my strokes, but I am really optimistic for this coming season.

Hunting: My dad has been obsessed with hunting the past year. The deer and elk hunting season is finally here (Wednesday) and now I have a busted toe. My dad has really been looking forward to this and it would be a good opportunity to bond with my dad and create an even stronger relationship. Unfortunately, out of my own stupidity, I have now prohibited this occasion for at least the black powder hunt. 

Eagle: Organizing an eagle court of honor is almost as stressful as completing the project, and all I had to do was show up. I kept saying that I didn't want a court of honor but it was such a wonderful experience and I'm glad I had it. After the ceremony was over, my grandma came up to me with tears in her eyes, and she thanked me for being the person that I am. She then proceeded to hug me and this was one of the most spiritual experiences and strongest connections I have ever had with my grandma, or any other person.

Friends: I have been trying to find the right balance between friends and family. I know the importance of family, but friends make for much better company. It seems like every weekend there seems to be a family event that collides with plans with friends. Especially with the hunt fast approaching, my dad wants to go scope out our area for hunting. This past Friday I wasn't busy so I called up Jake. We were trying to figure out what to do and Jake was going through withdrawals because he wasn't invited to any parties or hangouts. I was feeling slightly the same but just wasn't vocalizing it. It was then that I took a step back and briefly analyzed my silly behavior. A year ago, hanging out was a bonus, now it seemed as if it was a requirement. A heavy emphasis on social inclusion is straight up ridiculous. I shouldn't be disappointed if I don't hang out somebody for a weekend. Straight up ridiculous! I've also started to meet some new people and come to realize that most everybody can be fun to interact with, depending on the situation. A lot of people who you had never thought you would meet or have complimentary personalities turn out to be a lot different than initial judgements would have you to believe. For example, if you meet someone in a place with high social pressure, they aren't opt to friendship. But if you meet them outside of little cliques in high school, like you are hanging out or during class, then people are more willing to open up. This is why I think if you open to others first, they are willing to open up to you. Another thing I've noticed is now that people can date, it seems to be date or nothing. What I mean is there have been exponentially less hanging out with girls now that there is this dating barrier in place. And with girls, never assume anything, because your probably wrong!!

Adventure: I have this thrive of excitement. I really want to go rock climbing outdoors, but I haven't gone since summer ended. Bridge jumping was fun but I only got to jump once. At my eagle court they played the slideshow from our high adventure and I realized I haven't incorporated adventure into my life (besides dating because that is very scary) in a long time. Fortunately, ski season is around the corner!!!!


“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” ~ T. S. Eliot

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” ~ Sir Rannulph Fiennes



 

Mission Prep

Mission prep is super early. But this post isn't about mission prep, it's about the girl I couldn't stop thinking about during mission prep. Thank you Savanna for a fun date!

There's a First for Everything

Just to start off, this past week has been crazy!! It was full of a lot of firsts, good and bad. I went swimming for the first time this summer. Actual lap swimming. It was kind of a wake of call of how behind I'm going to be every B day fourth period for swim team. We were swimming and Jake told me that I had done literally one tenth of a workout. On the way to swimming I was pulled over for the first time. I like to think that I am pretty cool under pressure, but that was scary!! Fortunately I was only given a warning. Unfortunately, apparently everybody I know drove past while I was pulled over and decided to tell the world, so it's no longer a secret. Later, I went on a date for the first time. It wasn't really my first date, but it was the first date where I asked the girl instead of being asked. The date was fun, and I'm already planning more. I'm excited for a couple of dates I'm planning with a few specific people. The following morning I went rock climbing and lead climbed for the first time. Lead climbing is crazy difficult. Instead of having the rope already strung through the top, you are bringing the rope up with you and could possibly fall upwards of 10 to 15 feet and slam into a rock. Well I guess this is just one more step on the way to me becoming a professional rock climber. While I was sitting at Harrison's house achieving the highest Black Ops score in my career, I received a call for a job interview. The interview wasn't bad, and I'm basically hired. In order to get this first job, I had to take my first drug test. I didn't do anything wrong, but apparently that's the kind of people a moving company attracts and they just have to be sure. I've turned in the drug test but was given a 20 page packet for insurance and billing before I can start. I completed my first Eagle Project. I know that one is a stretch but I'm trying to keep with the theme. That was a relief to have my parents stop hounding me! Part of completing an Eagle Project (in my family), means you receive a shotgun. So now I have my first shotgun, and my first real gun actually (excluding BB and airsoft guns). Tonight, I'm going to my second Bruno Mars, but I guess you could say it's my first concert this summer. I am super excited for this concert, especially since his new album is fantastic! Tomorrow I get to drive down to Schofield with my family and go fly fishing for the first time. I hear fly fishing is a lot more fun because you're constantly involved in the fishing, and not just sitting by a lake killing time, with a fishing pole that also happens to be in the water. This week has been hectic, wild, and full of tons of excitement. 

 

 

 

Summer has arrived!

Summer is just around the corner. School has been really stressful, especially these last couple weeks. I am looking forward to a wonderful summer filled with lots of fun activities.

Reasons why I am excited for Summer.....

1. Obviously no school. After reading my introduction this should have been obvious.

2. I'm going to play tons of tennis. I have 3 weeks of straight tennis camps and matches lined up for the first 3 weeks of summer. I recently learned that thing that your parents would always tell you is actually true, "the more you practice the better you get!" Wow, who knew.

3. Sleep. I always say this, but it never happens.

 

(Random babies)

4. Rock Climbing and Repelling. I recently purchased a good amount of equipment and I need to make use of this expensive stuff! And its also super fun.

5. Water activities such as scuba diving and boating. Scuba Diving is amazing and I already know of at least one time I'm going. And I guess boating is not that bad either.

6. In addition to swimming and diving in lakes and oceans, I need to spend a lot of time in lap pools. I decided Im going to do swim team however I haven't swam competitively for more than six years. Also, 7 peaks is going to be awesome. Only I'm hoping for fewer makeout couples there. 

7. Somewhere in there I'm going to need a job. Hopefully not at a super crappy place but some money is better than no money.

Bad Job!

Worse Job!

8. Driving and Dating. I have waited so long for this and I am so excited, I can't even contain myself. Them girls better watch out.

Skiing

I wrote this a while back and now that it's the end of the season I thought I would share.

Skiing is kind of like mining; you want virgin ground. 

I don’t know why they call it skiing into powder. It should be called melting into powder. It’s quite contradictory if you think about. Melting into something even though it is more than 20 degrees below freezing; yet, it somehow all makes sense. If you’ve ever taken a closer look at butter melting on a simple piece of toast, you’ll find that it slowly fuses into it, until it simultaneously seems to become one in the same. That is how it feels to be skiing in fresh untouched powder. You start to become lost, not all at once, but fluently like butter on toast. Your worries soon leave you and you are transfigured into a world that can only be found on slopes of a mountain peak. You are waist deep in such a simple substance: a snowflake. So light and easily destroyed, but gathered in millions and hundreds of millions they become a child’s playground.

Some people cower at the sight of a blizzard, but I thrive on them. Why would I depart upon the sight of more snow? I revel having snow grace me on the lift ride up. It’s just another reminder that I’m doing the thing I love. You can barely see 15 feet in front of yourself, but that’s what makes it a challenge. People will come into and out of view like ghosts, fading away and being encompassed by the snow. It is like a movie where you enter your suspension of disbelief, but somehow it is real. As the blanket of snow thickens, it begins to obscure the light. Soon you are unable to distinguish ridges and drops. You’re perception has been tarnished, and you must rely solely on your experience now. It is a true test of skill and gut reaction. It is Mother Nature’s ultimate challenge, and it is not to be taken lightly, but instead attacked head-on

          Being on the lift is like watching a trailer for the best movie that ever existed. You get to preview the landscape and start to plan out your next run while suspended 40 feet off the ground. You start to compare yourself to other skiers, “I’m a better skier than him, but maybe not as good as that guy.” Then you finally touchdown on mother earth again, as the wind is rushing over the backside of the mountain and over the peak, testifying to you that you’re not the most powerful thing out there. Finally, the movie begins. You get to customize it and make it as relaxed or exhilarating as you want. You get to carve up the mountain try new things each time. And the best part is, the movie starts over and over and over again.

 

Harlem Shake

I don't know why but these videos are hilarious.

Check the guy in the sleeping bag on the left.

This is disgusting because he's so fat, but funny.

That's one way to get rid of your washer.

It would be fun to make a Harlem shake video. There's tons more on YouTube.