My Top 5 Favorite Dishes

I made a list of my top 5 favorite food dishes while at Beto's Mexican restaurant the other day.  It was really fun to organize the list and thought this might help others think about their own favorites.  This is how the list goes:

1.  Ceviche (South America)

2.  Samgyetang (Korea)

3.  Huevos Rancheros (Mexican)

4.  Barbecue (American)

5.  Momil Noodles (Japan)

Pretty darn good list.  In my opinion these are the 5 best dishes in the world.  These pics are making me hungry.

Tis the Season to Be Jolly!

I challenge everyone within the sound of this blog post to be more cheerful than you normally are, on this day!  It's easy to forget to put into practice all the things you committed to do in church on Sunday, haha.  Seriously though.  On the walk to work today I commit to give a big ol' smile to everyone who will look at me, try and spread some Christmas cheer if you know what I mean.  Don't wait until Christmas Eve to try and make this a good Christmas.  Make and listen to that Christmas playlist today! Happy Holidays everyone!

People

President Uchtdorf gave some very profound words this past Conference.  Talked about the regrets many have at the end of their lives, rather, he talked about how to make a life meaningful and awesome.  It's all about relationships.  Like Duncan says in We Bought a Zoo, "Look, you gotta let a little sun light in. Okay? Human interaction is a good thing. Take it from a guy who spent six months on a commercial fishing boat in Bali trying to find himself." 

 President reminds us how short this life is, "None of us will be on earth very long. We have a number of precious years which, in the eternal perspective, barely amount to the blink of an eye.When we are young, it seems that we will live forever. We think there is a limitless supply of sunrises waiting just beyond the horizon, and the future looks to us like an unbroken road stretching endlessly before us.  

He goes on to say, "Perhaps the most universal regret dying patients expressed was that they wished they had spent more time with the people they love."  This really makes me realize I need cherish my interpersonal relationships more.  Always more. 

How, follow the example of the Saviour of course.  "I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time... Let us resolve to cherish those we love by spending meaningful time with them, doing things together, and cultivating treasured memories."

Fishing for Salmon in the Yemen

Finally got one y'all!  Words cannot describe the excitement of catching my first fish with a fly.  This time of year the Provo River has some pretty good hatches in the evening time, and last week during one of these hatches I finally got one, and three casts later a second!  They weren't huge, maybe 11 inches but size didn't matter by this point.  And the next day of course, I found myself at Cabellas buying a fly rod and other fly fishing garb.  It's been a very fun hobby to get into over the summer: a little frustrating, time consuming, kind of expensive, but very peaceful and well worth that long awaited first catch!

Gon Fishin'
Gon fishin a few times in the past month.  Peaceful, serene, calm, but I just can't seem to ignore all these metaphors to life that keep popping up in my head, as I've been busy NOT catching fish!  I wish they would just let me go on not catching fish, haha.  Kidding of course, I'm actually quite determined to get a big one now.  Thanks to some very kind and patient friends it has been a great chance to enjoy the summer's beautiful weather and and some stunning scenery. 

Lessons learned:

• Your first cast does not foreshadow the day's success (beware of overconfidence)
• But be confident
• Don't let how many, or how big of fish you catch determine the enjoyment of the experience (enjoy the journey)
• Successes come when you least expect them (but that's no excuse for low expectations)
• Take pictures (to help you realize how much fun you had and the great people you had it with)
• It's okay if you feel like you don't know what you're doing, with time you will
• whistle 

San Antonio

San Antonio was our post-Christmas getaway this year and it was a blast. Lots to do there: we went to the Spurs/Clippers game, did the river-walk, went to Six-Flags, and also Sea World! Sea World was incredible, I was very impressed. And let's not forget to "remember the Alamo!" What-a-history. What-a-couragious bunch of men. If you've ever wondered where Texans get there pride, read up on the history of the Alamo and it will make sense. Very neat place right down town.

One of the greatest parts of the trip was being introduced to the "most interesting man in the world" also know as, Chuck Cereau. While watching the dolphin show at Sea World we noticed the lead dolphin trainer very closely resembled the court MC for the Spurs game. Turns out IT'S THE SAME GUY!!!!!!!!! What the heck! This guy is truly the modern renaissance man. Incredibly valuable to the good city of San Antonio.

Great trip filled with family fun and great memories... of rashed-up backs from falling off roller coasters. Haha

2011... Best Year in Sports History?

AC Milan wins Serie A, Barca takes La Liga for the third year in a row, and Man U challenges Liverpool's record for their 17th (i believe it is) EPL title. On top of that, the Lakers get ousted by the Mavs in the first round of the NBA playoffs baby! Utah's own Real Salt Lake makes history by making it to the CONCACAF champions league final and dominating the MLS. And let's not forget the Jimmer Show. What a fantastic season for Cougar basketball. I couldn't ask for a better year in sports, and the best thing is; it's not even over!