That they might have joy

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

I usually don't touch on religious subjects here, but since my religion is part of my every being, I had to share that scripture.

Ever since I started driving home from work today, I've been repeating this scripture over and over in my head.

I hopped in my car after work, turned on the radio, and listened to the first song on my CD: "Boys of Summer" by Don Henley. It got me pumped for summer. I rolled down my windows, turned up the music, and started cruising. A few minutes later I rolled my windows back up because it was too choppy on the freeway (thanks, Kari), and I kept on cruising. The mountains and sky were so ethereal today, and the scripture popped back into my head. "Men are, that they might have joy."

I think we get so caught up in life and somehow just end up going through the motions that we forget that the purpose of this life is to follow our Savior's example so that we can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. While we're in this probationary state, we are to have joy. There are ups and downs, but our Father is so aware of each one of our circumstances that we have no reason to despair; he will lift us, strengthen us, and mold us how he sees fit.

I've started running for 30 minutes every other day. I'm not a runner by any means, but I figure that I don't spend enough time outside what with working eight hours each day, the hour-long commute I make to and from work, and the rest of the time being spent with friends. Last week I left work for lunch and decided not to take the freeway--I don't know my way around the area aside from the freeway, but I thought it'd be fine to get lost . . . and not stress. I went to the park and swung on the swings for half an hour while talking to a friend who lives in another state. Tonight I walked to the grassy hill on campus and lay on the grass while the sun was setting, just trying to soak up the Vitamin D.

Life isn't meant to be monotonous. We're here to learn, to read and study from the best books, to create beautiful things, to love, to grow, to lift and strengthen one another, to become our best selves. And what better place to do that than on this gorgeous green earth? I guess I'm just suggesting that one way we can escape life and enjoy the creations around us is to explore nature. One of my absolute favorite things is a Texas thunderstorm, and though I miss those, I have the picturesque mountains right outside my bedroom window, painted on a perfect light blue backdrop. You just have to smile and be happy about where you're at in life.

I understand I sound a little preachy--I'm sorry. It's always nice to think about things from an eternal perspective and to remember that sometimes all we can do is keep breathing.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

Momma, I ain't goin to work no more

The only way I know how to get to work is via the highway. The main highway here stresses me out, though! First there was the bird incident. Now this.

But before I get to that, let me tell you a little something something about drivers here. For some reason the HOV lane is a free for all where drivers come into and leave the lane at their leisure. In less than a minute, I saw 5 cars cross the double-white lane of the HOV lane--I don't get it!

In Texas, when you see a sign that reads "Road Work Ahead; Speed limit 55; Fines Double," you usually slow down to 55. Here you drive on your merry way like the signs, crane, big concrete cylinders, and freshly painted lane lines aren't there! Can someone explain this to me?

Anyway, I'll get to the point. This morning a highway patrolman pulled in front of me on the highway, and I drove up next to a semi. Next thing I knew, I heard a POW! or BANG! or POP! and I was instantly freaked out. The first time I ever drove on the highway alone my tire blew out, so I knew that it didn't happen this morning because it wasn't the same. I think I saw metal fly this morning, and I definitely saw the rubber. The semi's tire blew out RIGHT next to me, and I drive a tiny tinker toy where the top of the car probably doesn't even reach the top of the semi's tire. My heart started racing. The highway patrolman pulled over, so I followed suit, and the semi pulled behind me. We assessed the damage, and nothing had happened to my car that we could see--doesn't hurt to check. He said something about how it always sounds like a gunshot when that happens, and I couldn't describe it better. A gunshot right outside my window!

I'm fine and I got to work okay. The most damage I could see was the CD I broke on my way out the passenger side of my car when I pulled over to the shoulder.

Dang you, highway.

Coupl'a Things

I am just horrible at writing. Stick with me, though! I have a couple of things I've been meaning to write about lately.

I wasn't going to mention this, but I might as well. Therefore it gets to be #1/2 on the list.

1/2. I graduated (walked across the stage is more like it)

Do you see the first guy on the right with the purple robe? When I went up to shake his hand, he said something along the lines of, "Absolutely wonderful remarks. Great job!" I stood there shaking his hand, bewildered. When someone says something to me that I don't understand, I don't play along--I can't play along. I will just look at you with a puzzled look on my face, clearly letting you know that I have no idea what you're talking about. I managed to let a few words fumble out of my mouth: "Uh th-thank you . . . ?" I had breakfast with him the day before, so I thought he was talking about that, but I still had no idea what he was saying. "You gave the speech today, didn't you?" "Oh! No, no, no. That wasn't me, but thank you. I would have done a great job, too, if I had given the address, so you're very close." I didn't really say that last part.

That, my friends, is why there is no line in front of me on the stage. I, of all people, brought the processional to an immediate halt as Dr. Stice and I had a friendly and confusing conversation on the stage at graduation.

When I sat down next to the French boy who I became friends with that night, I told him the story. He said that I did look somewhat like the girl who had given the speech, and I pointed out that she is much tanner than I am. Paul, the other boy next to me, said, "That's funny. Her name is Tanier (pronounced like "Tanner"). Gosh, we're so clever.

1. I
I moved into a new apartment in January. I was planning on going to Spain to study abroad this past semester, so my roommate and I put our contracts up for sale together because we figured it'd be easier to sell to two friends rather than finding one person. Two sisters bought our contracts in a heartbeat, so when I decided that I wasn't going to Spain, I bought the contract next door from a girl who went to Jerusalem. I've met five wonderful girls in the last five months, not to mention the ones who bought our contracts--they're awesome!

Anyway, so when my roommate Katherine went home to Arizona for her bridal shower, I noticed that someone had written "I
When Katherine got back and had her screensaver on at night, the "I
2. Horn at the back

Car horns are brilliant. Personally, I never use mine, but they're really useful nonetheless . . . unless you're in Puerto Rico and get honked at for not going as soon as the light turns green.

I propose adding a horn to the back of the car. Then I would use the horn. I mean, how often do you have someone tailgating you, haphazardly turning into your lane right behind you, or not braking hard enough (therefore looking as if they're going to hit you). I know that more than once a week I want to honk at people behind me, thus caling for a horn in the back! Who's with me??!

3. Research Analyst

I got a new job within the company I work for, and I'm really excited to start working next week! As Jordan would say, I got a promotion. :)