Adventures in Palo Alto - Day One

My first day in Palo Alto (I officially live in East Palo Alto, generally a more run-down area, but my neighborhood is pretty nice and I will often just refer to it as Palo Alto) was great! I drove around a lot exploring. I stopped at this small, hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant, Taqueria El Jarocho. It was good, and they gave me the tacos to go on a plate, with foil over it, haha. My taco had cilantro, onions, and the meat, with carrots, lime, and a pepper on top of all three of them. The pork was the best.

After that I was looking for a grocery store. I saw this little market near my place and decided to go in since I couldn't find anything else. I was the only white person in the store (the rest were Mexicans). I don't know how they afford stuff there, it was pricey. So I left, but not before the cashier asked me if I needed anything (she thought I was lost). I went back home and found out where Safeway is. I swear it took 30 minutes to get there. It was more expensive than Provo, that's for sure. And I have nothing, so I had to buy a lot.

That evening I called the Bishop (I found his phone number online through the maps.lds.org) and found out there was a talent show. It was fun to meet some people. Two guys from my freshman ward, Anders Taylor and Anthony Hardy are in the ward too. Crazy. Anyway, here are some pictures of my awesome house.

My car is in front as proof that I actually live here.

My bedroom. The ceiling is like 11 feet high. There are three of us in there, but it's still spacious.

That's right! A baby grand piano! And it sounds good.

Who needs a dinner table when you've got a pool table!

And the best part, a trampoline!

Salt Flats

As I was leaving for California and driving through northern Utah I thought to myself, where are the salt flats I've heard about? I've been to most parts of Utah, but I still haven't seen them. It makes sense that they would be close to the Great Salt Lake. So I kept looking out my window hoping to see a sign of them, but not really knowing. I am happy to say I stopped at a Rest Area right before crossing over into Nevada, and there they were--no more than 50 feet away. I, of course, took pictures.

I really liked this table and tree combo, so I wanted to make it a part of the picture.

There was a little water on part of the flats. I walked out onto them (they have a hose to wash your feet off afterwards). It was fun. I woudn't necessarily recommend driving a few hours for it, but if you're passing by them, take a look. I hear you can drive your car on parts of them.

Oh, and a side note. Reno is a very weird city--don't stop there. I just wanted to eat at a normal place and was looking all over until I found a Carl's Jr. Plus, the Quizno's closed at 7pm--what the heck?

Angels Landing

Sunday afternoon Christina and I drove down to St. George and stayed with my Great Aunt and Uncle. It was a lot of fun and they are a very nice older couple. The next morning we drove an hour over to Zion National Park. One of my life goals is to hike Angels Landing (another is to hike the Narrows from top to bottom). Mission accomplished for the first one. It was a beautiful day with some breath-taking views. Here are a few pictures.

Near the beginning of the hike.

A beautiful view from the top.

Another view.

Resting after getting to the top.

On our way back down.

As you can see, chains help you through the last half mile as there are cliffs on one, or both sides, at times. The hike was a lot of fun. Not as difficult as some may say, but would be scary if you are really afraid of heights. Christina didn't like it when I got close to the edge to look over. The pathway is very well kept--much of it paved. We were able to take our time getting up there, spend some time at the top, and make it back down in a little under four hours (not including the shuttle to the start of the hike from where we parked). Though we were tired afterwards. Leave in the morning so you can be in the shade for a good 45 minutes of the hike (Refrigerator Canyon), including some switchbacks. I highly recommend the hike!

Oquirrh (Oak-er) Mountain Temple

Yesterday Christina and I went to the open house for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It was awesome. I hadn't been to an open house since the Portland Temple when I was three and Christina had never been. There were many volunteers there to show us where to go. And I think a ward all showed up together for the same time we went, so there were a lot of people. The inside was very beautiful. I recommend everyone go see it--it's not even that far from Provo. It's in South Jordan (closer than Salt Lake).

Trip Home for Brian and Meaghan's Wedding

One of my best friends (Brian) just got married to another really good friend (Meaghan). I've actually been friends with Meaghan since at least 7th grade and good friends with Brian since Senior year of High School. It was a fun, but short, trip. I was also able to spend some time with my family.

Here I am with Daysha, my niece. She kept saying JoJo (my nickname) whenever I would leave the room. It was so cute!

Having fun at the Children's Museum in Seattle

Right after the wedding ceremony. It was beautiful and I was so happy for them (they were ecstatic!). I'm glad I got to be there.

Brian and me.

All of Brian's cute nieces and nephews. Brian actually stayed at my house the night before the wedding because he wanted to get some sleep and wouldn't be able to with all these guys in his house. That was cool to be able to spend some time with him.

Brian singing to Meaghan.

Spring Chorale

I'm singing in the University (Spring) Chorale for the spring term. Our one and only concert is tomorrow night in the Provo Tabernacle at 7:30. It's gonna be a short concert of under an hour, but it'll be really good. So come, and oh, it's free!

We're singing two really good hymns, Arise, O God, and Shine and Nearer, My God, To Thee. Also in the program is an amazing setting to the tune of Holst's Jupiter. This features the wonderful organ of the Tabernacle. We're also singing some love songs among other things. Come and enjoy!

Randomness

Random musings on some things:

-I've received more compliments (around 10) on a $15 pair of shoes from Payless than any other pair I've ever owned. People always ask what brand they are . . . Dub. Anyone heard of it? I didn't think so. But hey, I'm not complaining. I hope my next pair of cool shoes is just as cheap.

-The BYU Financial Center website is the worst website I know of. You would think they would pay someone to improve it, and maybe create, ya know, home and back buttons that work.

-3D isn't really worth the extra money. I went to go see Up again yesterday cause my mom hadn't seen it yet (and she was paying). Up was still amazingly good, but the 3D didn't really add much. I kind of get tired of wearing the glasses too. (My mom loved it, by the way--cried three times. How many cartoons can do that? And make you laugh the rest of the time.)

-Happiness is NOT a warm gun, although it's a good song. And the Across the Universe soundtrack is very good (but I've heard the movie is pretty bad).

-Things happen in life at the exact moment you don't expect them to. Almost two years without seriously dating someone, then right before I leave Utah for close to six months I start dating an amazing girl.

In Fasting We Approach Thee

I haven't written about spiritual matters for a little while, so I felt like doing that today. I have a very strong testimony of fasting and prayer. The Lord has worked miracles in my life because of the combination of these two.

What has stuck out to me lately is how taking the time to fast helps me to reflect on what the Lord wants of me. As I sincerely think about what I should fast for, I become more in tune with Heavenly Father. He is better able to guide me--not only with the thing I am fasting for--but with all things in my life. It's amazing how that works. We learn in Helaman 3:35 that the Lord taught the people to "fast and pray oft." This helps them to become pure and sanctified because they are learning to "[yield] their hearts unto God." Learning to put the will of the Lord before our own desires.