The Sin Bin

My team lost tonight. I set a new record for myself. I was thrown in the penalty box 3 times. I couldn't believe what was going on. Then this little guy came skating down on our end and I hit him into the boards so hard. He was super mad and feisty. He jumped on my back and just started swinging. The guy had to be 5' nothing and weighed 120 lbs. I knew if I started swinging back, it would have been malicious and I would've killed the kid. I love a good physical game but don't hit the ice looking for a fight. We lost 6-4 and I blame myself as 2 goals were scored as I was sitting watching my team play a man down for my zealousness. In the words of Rocky Balboa: "There's some stuff down in the basement." I suppose I get most of it out with that one hour a week on the ice.

pumpkin carving

The other night I went on a group date with some of the boys and the wonderful residents of Apt. 212. We all had a blast. We carved pumpkins. Have you ever wondered where the pumpkin carving started; I have. Before I get into that too much I have to announce our pumpkin was modeled after the Monsters Inc. character, Mike Wazowski. What do you think?

Origin of pumpkin carving

Vegetable lanterns have been used for a long time during harvest season. this would illuminate fields and block the winds from blowing out the flame. They haven't only used pumpkins for this and in Europe turnips were a favorite for many years. Although these lanterns were used in agrarian societies they were only associated with American inline with Halloween. Evidence of the carved vegetable lanterns aren't associated with Halloween until later in the 19th century. Lastly, the carving of lanterns is worldwide but the word Jack o' lantern is almost exclusively associated with America. ..... God Bless it!

A roommates proposal

My roommate proposed this summer and I played a small role. It's a little long but you can skip ahead to about the 4 minute mark if you want... I just thought I would throw my youtube debut up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXIWV_gypHg

Eucalyptus deglupta

When we were in Hawaii last year there were the coolest looking trees outside the Walther's condo. The bark was the most amazing variation of colors. We all stood around it and admired and of course it was cool because it was in Hawaii!

I am currently taking a Plant Biology test and we are studying the morphology of bark. I was flipping through the text book and saw THE TREE.

It is a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree. This is the only Eucalyptus tree that is native to the Northern Hemisphere. The bark actually sheds every year and the green inner bark is shown. As the green inner bark matures it darkens to blue, purple, red, and/or maroon.

Pretty cool stuff!

Aphonopelma iodius

The other day I went fishing up Payson Canyon.  As I was driving up I spotted a black blob in the road.  I pulled off the road and saw this awesome Tarantula.  This was about 7,000 ft.  Don't freak out too much.  This is the first one I have ever seen in the wild.  I had a small 12 oz soda cup so I didn't try to catch it.  Another adventure....PS: this is a female.

Lessons of Life from the Pioneers- September 14, 2009

I'm taking a church history class this semester.  It's the second semester of the class and it is post martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  We have been talking a lot about the pioneers and all about the details of their leaving to the Rocky Mountains.

The saints were driven from place to place to place.  I wonder at times of the faithful almost questioning in their minds "what could they do more?!"  Oh! how they yearned for Zion; how they wanted to do what is right!

When we look at the big picture now we can see of how the Lord was getting them out of the USA before the Civil War.  So it is with us; not knowing the Lord's plans for us but having faith that he does have a plan for us.

I remember when we moved to Utah.  We looked around Fairview with thoughts of moving there, which would be relatively close to dad's work.  Somehow we moved to Spanish Fork.  Richard met Melissa and I remember thinking in my 15 year old mind that if we hadn't moved there they wouldn't have met.  I see them as soul mates and knowing Richard, he would have found her.

The Lord gives us so many opportunities to learn, grow, and be happy.  I shrink when I study more about the saints and their trials.  I want not to shrink at my trials and opportunities to grow.

Every time you or I are obedient we are blessed and every time we are blessed we are given opportunities to grow; aka- trials and tribulations.  A talk given not too long after I came home by Elder Richard G. Scott rings a familiar heart string to this: Peace of Conscience and Peace of Mind. Here's the link:

 http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-479-5,00.html

I mentioned this in class today and Brother Bartholomew (yes, the one and only Ron Bartholomew, if you don't know him listen to some of his talks from education weeks on BYUB.ORG).  He then had us turn to D&C 59:23.  The blessing in this life is PEACE.  He also had us turn to 2 Ne 2:11 and if you remember your scripture masteries from seminary you'll remember this one.  He said when you are doing what is right there will always be some form of opposition in life.

I am proud of my pioneer heritage and seek the Lord's will and help as I am on my road to the "Rockies."  I love the life that is mine, and though I am far from perfect, I plant my feet today on the sod and tread the path that was trod by those who followed the prophet to what seemed a mortal wasteland yet in truth was and is spiritual inspiration and aspiration!

 PS- Who is this a picture of?

My Favorite Anatomy Terms

Hypothalamohypophyseal portal system

Sustentaculum Tali of the Calcaneus

Zygopophyseal Joint

These are a few of my new favorite terms.

I also would like to meet someone that has had: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.  If you know anyone you can introduce me.

Ciao