Well, we're movin' on out! In case you haven't heard (which you probably haven't), we've moved to a new, all-inclusive blog for our new family! I wanted a fresh start, so I've created a new blog over at nickheidi.blogspot.com. Feel free to check it out! ... Besides, the title "Mighty Heidi" doesn't really leave a lot of room for Nick, ya know. :)
Don't forget to leave comments on our new blog, and we'll try to be more regular at posting!
Well, see ya over there!
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Countdown
Have you seen that counter on my sidebar? It says there are only 100 days 'til our wedding!! Sweet!
Monday, January 13, 2014
By the Numbers
1: Fiance, whom I love and am so excited to marry on May 2nd. We will then be Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Jones. Hooray!
2: TELL classes this semester, leaving only one more of those stinky things for Summer.
3: Apartments looked at. Can we keep it at just that, and get the most recent one we looked at that we loved?
4: Future family members met. It was so great to be with the Joneses over the break!
(Confused about grammatical correctness with my future last name? Read this article for some help.)
5: Days of classes. Not bad until work starts back up again, too.
6: (at least) other things I could be doing right now.
Okay, I'm running out of creativity. But I am alive, I'm engaged, I'm a full-time student, I am applying to student teach in the Fall, I'm working more hours this semester, I have a new calling (hollah for the missionary council! www.mormon.org), I'm planning a wedding, and I'm hitting the new year running. It's gonna be a great 2014.
"Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your “once upon a time” is now." -Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(Found here.)
Happy New Year!
2: TELL classes this semester, leaving only one more of those stinky things for Summer.
3: Apartments looked at. Can we keep it at just that, and get the most recent one we looked at that we loved?
4: Future family members met. It was so great to be with the Joneses over the break!
(Confused about grammatical correctness with my future last name? Read this article for some help.)
5: Days of classes. Not bad until work starts back up again, too.
6: (at least) other things I could be doing right now.
Okay, I'm running out of creativity. But I am alive, I'm engaged, I'm a full-time student, I am applying to student teach in the Fall, I'm working more hours this semester, I have a new calling (hollah for the missionary council! www.mormon.org), I'm planning a wedding, and I'm hitting the new year running. It's gonna be a great 2014.
"Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your “once upon a time” is now." -Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(Found here.)
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
A Post About Nothing
Once upon a time, it was 1AM and I just single-handedly ate an entire Totino's Party Pizza. Yeah, judge me, but I got home from work late and was famished. Also, I had to eat something to keep me awake for the homework I likewise just finished.
I said to myself, "Kyle, ...(woah, Kyle? Yeah, it's what I call myself...)" Haha.. 10 points.
But really, I said to myself in my head, "You haven't written in your blog for a long time."
And then I felt a bit guilty.
But not enough to come up with a cool idea for a blog post.
So here you have it: a silly post about nothing.
Except that tomorrow is Tuesday, and that has got to be one of my favorite days of the week this semester. Devotional is my one time to have spiritual things (outside of scripture study, of course) during the week since work/class make me miss all FHE and Institute (and I'm not in a religion class). Plus, after devotional is over, I have hours of nothing (which usually equates to homework) and nothing scheduled in the evening (my one night a week). Tomorrow I have a dress rehearsal from 6-8, but I don't even mind too much, because that's clearly an evening that is much earlier than my normal ones like tonight.
Also, for a bit of more newsy items, I bought a plane ticket today. And I'm rill excited for where that will take me! :)
And I'm a bit angry at the fact that I'm shivering inside my house. Darn snow and weather. It's a good thing I'm trying to be more positive and grateful lately, or I would not be happy at all. :)
Good night, dear friends.
I said to myself, "Kyle, ...(woah, Kyle? Yeah, it's what I call myself...)" Haha.. 10 points.
But really, I said to myself in my head, "You haven't written in your blog for a long time."
And then I felt a bit guilty.
But not enough to come up with a cool idea for a blog post.
So here you have it: a silly post about nothing.
Except that tomorrow is Tuesday, and that has got to be one of my favorite days of the week this semester. Devotional is my one time to have spiritual things (outside of scripture study, of course) during the week since work/class make me miss all FHE and Institute (and I'm not in a religion class). Plus, after devotional is over, I have hours of nothing (which usually equates to homework) and nothing scheduled in the evening (my one night a week). Tomorrow I have a dress rehearsal from 6-8, but I don't even mind too much, because that's clearly an evening that is much earlier than my normal ones like tonight.
Also, for a bit of more newsy items, I bought a plane ticket today. And I'm rill excited for where that will take me! :)
And I'm a bit angry at the fact that I'm shivering inside my house. Darn snow and weather. It's a good thing I'm trying to be more positive and grateful lately, or I would not be happy at all. :)
Good night, dear friends.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Women's Chorus Wows Crowd
...Or something like that.
I was on TV!
Check us out here, starting at 4:45 if you wanna cut to the chase. Also, you can see my cousin Jeanine Lyons and my friend Buffy Dallon (for those of you who know those people), too!
...And I now know how silly I look singing. It's probably a good thing I don't see myself every day in rehearsal.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
My 23rd Year
In honor of my birthday next week (yes, don't forget -- it's an annual event!), I've decided to post about 23 things that I did in my 23rd year of life. Don't get all confused on me; I'm turning 23 next week. But anyone who's smart enough realizes that my 23rd year was during the time that I called myself 22. These aren't in chronological order (or chromatic order... since I often get those two words mixed up, it seems), but it's a lot of what I was up to this past year!
1. Served in Mansilingan (Bacolod City), Silay City, and in Victorias City on my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3. Went golfing at a golfing range -- first time!
4. Celebrated National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12th, obviously). Any Pillsbury.com member knows that because he/she gets his/her free calendar with cool information like that. :)
5. Wore a yellow Helping Hands vest! On my bucket list!
6. Rode a train cross-country.
7. Celebrated independence in style.
8. Made it to downtown Boston!! Also on my bucket list.
9. Pretended to be a cast member of the Hill Cumorah Pageant.
10. Visited the Sacred Grove (on my bucket list).
11. Met my new nephews and niece that were born while I was away:
12. Dressed the women in my family in dusters!
13. Ate a litchon pig...that means it was slow roasted rotisserie style.
14. Celebrated my 22nd birthday!
15. Bought Taho from a guy on the street! It's soy bean curd with a sweet sauce and ball-ish textured sagu. Basta, kanamit siya.
16. Stopped over in Japan!
17. Got proposed to at the Manila Temple.
18. Said goodbye to some of my favorite people in the world.
19. From Sept 3 to the end of my mission (in May), I had 14 different companions. That's not including exchanges, of which I also had many. Yeah, kinda crazy.
An explanation: These pictures aren't in order of them being my companion, and the * with the name means it's a short-term companion -- not yet set apart as a missionary. Also, some are pictured more than once, but every sister missionary you see in these pictures was at one time (in my 23rd year) my official missionary companion.
20. Was in 17 different states: Washington (lay over), Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina (lay over), Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado (train ride through). Not bad considering I was not even in the country but for 4 months of my 23rd year!
21. Was welcomed home in splendid fashion!
22. Moved back to a singles' ward, and even went to a ward camp-out to be all social and stuff! :)
23. Celebrated a white Christmas (on a rainy day), but not once in my 23rd year did I see snow! Hooray! :)
So there you have it! What have you done this past year?
1. Served in Mansilingan (Bacolod City), Silay City, and in Victorias City on my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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| In Mansilingan (right before I got transferred) with Jossa (waiting for baptismal interview), Louthea (waiting for baptismal interview), and Cleah. |
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| In Silay, duh! :) |
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| Me, Joy (ward missionary who saved our lives with her service), and Sister Lara in Victorias in a very typical sugar cane field! You can see a volcano in the background. |
2. Hiked Mt. Timpanogos, and thus crossed it off my bucket list.
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| Blood, sweat, tears, and very little sleep let me sign that list, baby! :) ...okay, there were no tears. But I did get a couple of huge welts/bruises on my shins from a mis-step that I took where I slammed into a log. Yeah, I'm a bit clumsy sometimes. |
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| I'd do it again [if I could teleport], just because the view was SO beautiful!! I loved seeing the sunrise up there (also on my bucket list)! |
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| Zone activity when I was assigned in Silay. |
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| At my apartment in Victorias. |
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| National Day of Service when I was assigned in Victorias. We planted trees. |
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| Almost home after the 22 hour ride! I'm with Miranda on our way home from the Church History Summer Study. |
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| Provo Freedom Festival Parade! Jennifer, me, Luke, Rebecca, Emily with Jared, Jon |
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| First stop on our Church History Summer Study. I think I fell in love with this city! |
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| Our group (minus professor) after watching the pageant the first time when we got let "back stage" to help clean up. L to R: Miranda (on ground), Katie, Heidi P., Stephen, Christina, Maria, Melissa, Emma, Andrea (on ground), me |
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| Bro and Sis Bennett in back; Front: me, Heidi P., Katie, and Miranda |
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| Ethan, Mom, Jennifer, Michelle, Aidan and I went one day to a little pond to try fishing. |
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| Spencer, Mason, Whitney, and me after my homecoming talk festivities. |
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| Jared and me |
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| Benjamin and me |
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| Laura and me She wore her outfit just for me! :) |
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| Wearing our traditional lazy-day/old woman attire for Philippines: Tanya, Rebecca, Emily, me, Jennifer, Whitney, Mom |
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| Me, Sister Rayos, and Sister Alvarado with our departure feast at the mission home. |
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| Sister Libria and I with the cake my nice house-mates got me for the big day! |
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| As he dishes out the sweet sauce to pour on top. |
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| I'm ready to eat my treat! You can see the two canisters that he slings over his shoulder as he walks downs the streets yelling, "TA-HO!!!" |
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| Just the airport, but I did save a cool souvenir of a Japanese receipt from McDonald's. |
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| What should I reply to Sister Tamang?! |
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| Sister Lopez, me, and President Lopez on my last night at the mission home. |
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| In the Manila Temple waiting area where we got to meet up with my first Mission President and wife. L to R: E. Medalla, E. Gravoso, E. Palafox, E. Valera, E. Esteves, E. Saldino, S. Tamang, me, S. Tobias, Pres (now Elder, as he's in the 70) Tobias, E. Trinidad (former missionary in our mission) |
An explanation: These pictures aren't in order of them being my companion, and the * with the name means it's a short-term companion -- not yet set apart as a missionary. Also, some are pictured more than once, but every sister missionary you see in these pictures was at one time (in my 23rd year) my official missionary companion.
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| Sister Bendoy with our Filipino spaghetti feast. |
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| Sister Arabe and I after a Zone Leaders' Training. |
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| Sister Guanzon* and I in Silay. |
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| Sister Clarin* and I at Alma's baptism. With her kids "Happy", Justin, and "Inday." |
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| Sister Lara and Sister Aquino after a Mission President's Special Training in Victorias. |
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| Me, Sister Sanders, and Sister Canimo |
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| Sister Palai in our Silay apartment. |
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| Sister Lara, me, and Sister Libria. This day I gained a second (kind of third, since I had Sister Canimo for a week) daughter --S. Lara-- and a granddaughter! |
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| Sister Torino* and I at District Meeting in Silay. |
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| Sister Bayadog* and I on transfer day. I'm leaving Silay after 6 months! |
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| Sister Carbaquil* and I in Silay. |
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| Sister Sanders, me, and Sister King on P-day in Bacolod. Yes, we were quite a sight with all 3 of us being American! |
20. Was in 17 different states: Washington (lay over), Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina (lay over), Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado (train ride through). Not bad considering I was not even in the country but for 4 months of my 23rd year!
21. Was welcomed home in splendid fashion!
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| At the SLC Airport when I got off the plane: Mom, Jennifer, Jared with Emily, Luke, Eric with Benjamin, me, Rebecca, and Tanya |
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| The sign on my house when we drove up! (Ignore the fact that the Philippines flag is upside down. :D) |
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| Kimber and I as we wait for the breakfast to get cooked. |
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| Nick and Caleb cooking breakfast. |
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| Various ward members surround the fire roasting their dinners. |
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| Mario's baptism on Christmas Day 2012 L to R: E. Chin, S. Chin, S. Liza Gargallano, Mario, S. Bendoy, me |
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| Loren's baptism on Christmas Day 2012 L to R: E. Chin, S. Chin, Loren, S. Bendoy, me |
Let's Take a Walk
Walking is one of my favorite activities. Yes, I really do enjoy the convenience of having a car to drive, but walking is just such a wonderful time to ponder. Indeed, I mentally composed this post while I was walking.
Walking home from campus is the way that I unload. If I had a bad day, I get the 10-or-so minutes to convince myself to be in a good mood. If I had a good day, I take the time that I'm walking to mentally calculate all of the blessings and happy times from the day. Plus, it's one of my favorite routes in all of Provo. I mean, have you seen 100 East between 800 North and 700 North? There's a definite tree tunnel there that beats all. Have you ever enjoyed the experience of casually greeting a passer-by on the ramp at the south side of campus, only to pass on/receive a huge smile? What could be better than brightening someone's day like that?
When I take walks with other people, I get to know them better. Walking is so conducive to conversation that I almost can't help but getting to know a walking partner better. Often on a Sunday or a slower day, I've taken walks with my roommates or friends [insert the additional romantical friend here-- if I had one :-P] and just really enjoyed the conversation. There seems to be a depth in conversations that can't/don't happen in a car. While walking, I can look around and not have to worry so much about what the car in front of me is doing or about what color the light is down the street. If you will, it means that I can actually smell the roses.
Walking is a gentle form of exercise, and therefore it must give me some form of endorphin (I'm too lazy right now to search an actual scientific study on this one, but I'd believe it if I saw it). This activity is just a great thing in almost any weather; just think -- dawdling in the rain, slushing through the snow, basking in the warm summer heat -- all are fantastic [when one is in the mood to enjoy such variants in seasons].
Also, it's symbolic! Lest I forget to mention my religion in this post, being LDS gives me a perspective about life and the entire picture of the journey that we're all on. I do declare that my excitement for walking home each day could be related to the walk I'm currently on in life and my excitement for returning home to my Heavenly Father. There are ups and downs in the walk. There are different seasons, and I do the walk through different circumstances (like at different times of day). Sometimes I find that I have on the perfect shoes, and other days I wonder what it was that made me choose the shoes that kill. Furthermore, sometimes the walk feels as if it's over in the blink of an eye, and other days it seems to take forever. But in the end, it's always worth it. This is life. It is not always easy, and I don't always make the best choices, but as long as I keep my eye on home and do my part to stay/return to the correct pathway home, I know it will be worth it.
I find that as I ponder during my walks, I often grow closer to my Father in Heaven. For that and many other reasons, I wouldn't change my daily walk home for anything in the world. So the next time you're on a walk (whether it be home from campus or just from one room in the house to the next), remember to put on a big smile! Set some goals while you walk, and talk to our Heavenly Father. I've certainly found joy in this myself! Walking is a gift from God, and I am excited to begin again the daily walk home from campus once school starts next week!
Alma 41:8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
Alma 7:22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.
Walking home from campus is the way that I unload. If I had a bad day, I get the 10-or-so minutes to convince myself to be in a good mood. If I had a good day, I take the time that I'm walking to mentally calculate all of the blessings and happy times from the day. Plus, it's one of my favorite routes in all of Provo. I mean, have you seen 100 East between 800 North and 700 North? There's a definite tree tunnel there that beats all. Have you ever enjoyed the experience of casually greeting a passer-by on the ramp at the south side of campus, only to pass on/receive a huge smile? What could be better than brightening someone's day like that?
When I take walks with other people, I get to know them better. Walking is so conducive to conversation that I almost can't help but getting to know a walking partner better. Often on a Sunday or a slower day, I've taken walks with my roommates or friends [insert the additional romantical friend here-- if I had one :-P] and just really enjoyed the conversation. There seems to be a depth in conversations that can't/don't happen in a car. While walking, I can look around and not have to worry so much about what the car in front of me is doing or about what color the light is down the street. If you will, it means that I can actually smell the roses.
Walking is a gentle form of exercise, and therefore it must give me some form of endorphin (I'm too lazy right now to search an actual scientific study on this one, but I'd believe it if I saw it). This activity is just a great thing in almost any weather; just think -- dawdling in the rain, slushing through the snow, basking in the warm summer heat -- all are fantastic [when one is in the mood to enjoy such variants in seasons].
Also, it's symbolic! Lest I forget to mention my religion in this post, being LDS gives me a perspective about life and the entire picture of the journey that we're all on. I do declare that my excitement for walking home each day could be related to the walk I'm currently on in life and my excitement for returning home to my Heavenly Father. There are ups and downs in the walk. There are different seasons, and I do the walk through different circumstances (like at different times of day). Sometimes I find that I have on the perfect shoes, and other days I wonder what it was that made me choose the shoes that kill. Furthermore, sometimes the walk feels as if it's over in the blink of an eye, and other days it seems to take forever. But in the end, it's always worth it. This is life. It is not always easy, and I don't always make the best choices, but as long as I keep my eye on home and do my part to stay/return to the correct pathway home, I know it will be worth it.
I find that as I ponder during my walks, I often grow closer to my Father in Heaven. For that and many other reasons, I wouldn't change my daily walk home for anything in the world. So the next time you're on a walk (whether it be home from campus or just from one room in the house to the next), remember to put on a big smile! Set some goals while you walk, and talk to our Heavenly Father. I've certainly found joy in this myself! Walking is a gift from God, and I am excited to begin again the daily walk home from campus once school starts next week!
Alma 41:8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
Alma 7:22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.
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