I dit it...

Okay...I did it, and it's about time. I officially deactivated my Facebook account.

Did you just fall of your chair in surprise??? I thought so. I've long been one of those people who made fun of others for either not having Facebook or getting rid of their accounts. Now I'm the one who's officially a loner. I've just had it. Too many people can know WAY too much about you if you're on Facebook. Plus, it's just too much of a waste of time...after all, you can only spend so many hours playing scramble. So, in lieu of the good ol' social networking craze, I'll stick to the blogging. Now – who knows – I'll probably have more time to blog!

Summer's End

I realize that I have not been as diligent as I should be at writing this blog, and I deeply apologize to all of you that depend on Babbling Blather for your daily dose of pure joy (yes, I'm sure you're out there...somewhere), but it's been Summer. During summer I flip my brain's switch off and try not to think. At all. Alright, obviously it's impossible not to think at all, but I do try to at least dim the switch a bit so I don't wear my thinker out during the school year. After all, I've got at least seven more years of school before I get that Ph.D., and a worn-out noggin would be catastrophic.

But that's all about to change. Why? Because I've been seeing dreadful-yet-happy signs of Autumn. While walking at my cabin last weekend, I noticed the first sign: the crisp smell of aspen leaves changing from bright green to subdued yellows and browns. It wasn't quite the enveloping aroma that comes with raking leaves, but the small whiffs were everywhere. Oh, and don't worry...it snowed Saturday Morning, too. Also, while spending a couple of days at North Fork up Ogden Canyon, I saw a few orange and red leaves. Don't worry, though. Most of the trees are still holding out for September. They have the right attitude.

Of course, seeing the signs of Fall in the mountain's isn't a huge deal because it takes a while for the season-change to creep to the lower elevations. However, as I was searching for a stall in the McKay-Dee Hospital parking lot the other day (no...I'm not sick. I was there for lunch. What? Are you judging me because I went to the hospital for lunch? Shame on you. $4.45 is an amazing price for meat, two sides and a roll!...sorry...random) I looked toward the east and saw the big one: half of the trees on the hospital grounds have begun turning yellow! It actually depressed me for a split second, until I began reliving the amazing Summer I've had.

In May, I traveled to New York for a few days and experienced the sights and sounds of the Big Apple.

In July, I ventured to San Francisco for a night with some buddies. We stayed in a 4-star hotel, walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, ate sourdough bread on the Wharf, experienced my first taste of Chinatown (including a delicious Pork Bao), witnessed the San Francisco Giants' first No-Hitter since 1976, rode a roller coaster on a beach boardwalk, swam in the ocean, got lost and therefore traveled up the beautiful coastline and through a redwood forest, and, most importantly, ate at In-N-Out Burger.

Also in July and into August, my mom, brother, and I took a road trip to Vegas where I experienced casino gaming for the first time in my life, and subsequently lost my shirt (after winning a small jackpot on a Wheel-of-Fortune Machine). I tried pâté for the first time at a Vegas Breakfast Buffet, ate at In-N-Out twice, and, most spectacularly, made it from St. George to Ogden without one bathroom break!

I've also gone to the Cabin many times, read some great books, spent a night in three 4-star hotels, discovered Priceline.com and all of its goodness, started an internship which will continue through the fall semester, watched my first Blu-Ray movie, learned more Photoshop and photography tips and tricks, played soccer in a downpour, scored a goal or two in a soccer game (which is more than I ever did while playing in elementary school), flown on six planes, visited six states (including layovers), and even found time for a couple of naps. I think that explains why I haven't been writing all that much.

So, as you can see, I've had an adventurous Summer, and I'm semi-sad for it to end, but I've made memories that will last a lifetime. In fact, my break from school isn't even coming to an end because of my internship (I'm not starting school again until January). I'm having even more adventures this fall including traveling throughout Utah and visiting places I've never seen, recruiting at dozens of High Schools for the University I love, visiting two states I've never been to (Oklahoma and Texas), going to Jackson Hole and many other parts of Western Wyoming, spending about six weeks on the road for work, and who knows what else! It looks like Fall is going to turn into an even bigger adventure than Summer! But hopefully I'll have more time to write.

Photo Blog

Hi All Ya'll! Wuzzuuuup? I just thought I'd let you know that I've started a blog for my Photography and Graphic Design. I'd love it if you'd head over there and check it out, too (be sure to follow it as well). I'll be posting updates regularly as well as some special deals!

http://naphotodesign.blogspot.com/

Let me know what you think! Thanks!

My University

As a high school junior, I came to the realization that choosing a university to attend would be a decision effecting the rest of my mortal life. Many universities are liberal while many are conservative. Many have a plethora of social opportunities, while others focus mainly on academics. A few have a large population of LDS students while many don’t. I knew that making this decision could mean more than I ever realized.

My junior year, like those of millions of kids all around the world, was difficult. However, I became acquainted with some amazing people that knew how to dream big. Ashton Goodell, a senior at the time, was preparing to pursue her dream to become a broadcast journalist. She was to attend the University of Missouri where she would major in Political Science and Journalism. Ashton is now a successful member of a team of anchors for KTUU News in Alaska. She taught me to seek an institution that can take me places. Another friend, Ashley Linford, was preparing to attend Utah State University, where she would be a member of a Freshman Interest Group, or FIG. These groups help freshmen assimilate to college life while getting them involved in leadership positions and activities they enjoy. Ashley showed me the importance of getting involved, no matter where I went.

My cousin Peter was attending Arizona State University, one school that is famous (or infamous) for its social life. He was a member of the prestigious honors school where he was exposed to rigorous coursework and new ideas. Another acquaintance of mine, Claire Cain, was attending New York University, where she was studying music. Friends all around me were choosing Snow College, Utah State University, University of Utah, BYU, and many other institutions.

I witnessed people all around me make the decision of where they were going to college, how they wanted to spend the duration of their careers, and how they were going to support future families, yet I was stumped. I had no idea where I would attend because I had no idea what I wanted. I faced the task of choosing a school to attend the next four-plus years of my life. I put hundreds of hours into researching universities around the nation and compiled a list: 1. New York University. 2. Columbia University. 3. Brigham Young University. 4. Utah State University. 5. Arizona State University. 6. Weber State University. That’s right. Weber State was the very last on my list of choices.

From day one, I was indoctrinated to Weber State University, the institution both of my parents had attended. My dad has been announcing games at WSU since 1976 and worked there since shortly after graduating. I attended almost every sporting event between the ages of 0 and 16. Worst of all, I hated it. I couldn’t stand the fact that everywhere I went people assumed I was going to Weber because of “who I was.”

So I started on my quest. I talked to everyone I could who attended NYU, Columbia, BYU, USU, and ASU. I visited campuses, watched online presentations, kept in contact with admissions officers, and set out choosing universities to which I’d submit applications. I’m confident my parents weren’t too excited with my list. They wanted me to attend Weber because it was close to home, we wouldn’t have to worry too much about money (since my Dad works on campus, tuition is 50% off). I didn’t listen.

One day I received an invitation from BYU to attend a Y-Weekend. These invitations are the University’s only attempt to recruit students (other that athletic purposes) because, honestly, they don’t have to recruit. I spent the weekend in a hotel right across from campus, attended classes, toured the campus, met other future-cougars, and learned what campus life would be like at the Y. The verdict? I despised my experience in Provo. The classes we visited were enormous. The tour guides were proud of the fact that their freshman English and History classes topped three hundred students. The campus was huge...huge enough that no matter how many times we traipsed across the main drag, I still got lost. Worst of all, the students were pompous. They basically believed that you couldn’t be a true Mormon if you didn’t attend BYU. BIG turn off.

After e-mailing many admissions and scholarship offices back east and realizing they wouldn’t be too willing to hold admissions, let alone scholarships, for two years while I went on a mission. I also started crunching numbers and realized how expensive $40,000 a year for tuition really is. Rule out NYU and Columbia.

With only a few schools left on my list, I had no idea where I would turn. My dad suggested I meet with Lori Drake, a past admissions officer and current head of Enrollment Services at the WSU Davis Campus. Though I was extremely hesitant to meet with her, my dad assured me she would not try to convince me to go to Weber, but would just help me with my decision.

I met with Lori one afternoon and she helped me weigh my options. We looked at money, atmosphere, majors, and every other conceivable decision maker. Ultimately, after a lot of soul searching, I went against everything I had previously believed and only applied to Weber State University.

That decision has been the best decision I’ve ever made. Because of my choice of WSU, I’ve been able to be an Admissions Ambassador (recruiting students and leading freshman orientation groups); serve on two institute committees; serve on the homecoming planning committee; be a student representative to the Shepherd Union Building Board; serve on the orientation advisory committee; present a break-out session at a regional conference of the National Orientation Directors Association in Cheyenne, Wyoming; work as the Apple Campus Rep (and even travel to their corporate headquarters for training); build relationships with not only my direct supervisors, but the university’s president, provost, associate-provost, admissions director, and numerous deans, department chairs, and academic advisors. I’ve taken an honors class with a whopping seven students, where I was able to work directly with the professor to help design an experiment with e coli and essential oils. I’ve forged strong friendships with three student body presidents. I’m known to almost every one of my professors, past or present, by my first name. I’ve been quoted in the school and community newspapers. I’ve written and designed a parent orientation guidebook to be given to each parent that attends Freshman Orientation. I’ve designed conference programs and agendas for different organizations. I’ve assisted with a U.S. presidential campaign through my associations with the WSU College Republicans. I’ve coordinated a joint effort on a Cell Phones for Soldiers Drive with the WSU Environmental Club. I led the Ambassador group as the co-president, planning retreats, trainings, and weekly staff meetings, as well as making important forward-looking decisions that affected the entire program. I’ve been a member of a team of recruiters, admissions officers and ambassadors that has increased enrollment at WSU by great numbers. I’ve made friends, gone to parties, eaten free food, and lived everything else that encompasses the college life; all while being paid to go to school by receiving and keeping two full-ride scholarships.

That’s just me: one student at a great university. Thousands of students have even greater experiences than these. Weber State University is not an institution to be snuffed at. Here are just a few facts about the school:

• The Radiology Program is rated #2 in the nation. Want to know who’s number one? Johns Hopkins University...not a very small name, is it?
• The Goddard School of Business and Economics is accredited by the AACSB - the premier accreditation board for business schools in the world. Other schools that have received the same accreditation? Harvard. Yale. Columbia. Sound familiar?
• Weber State University’s Automotive Technology program is one of FOUR in the nation.
• Weber State was the first university to send a satellite (NewSat 1) into space without the help of NASA.
• Warren Buffet hosts WSU finance majors at an annual lunch in Omaha, after they attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting.
• Kimberly Waite, a WSU Sophomore, was invited to study abroad in Salzburg Austria where she was one of very few students that studied opera for the summer. She now has scholarship offers for the Cleveland School of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the nation, as well as numerous others.
• WSU’s Kimball Visual Arts Building has the largest Darkroom in the State of Utah.
• WSU’s English Department hosts the nations only undergraduate literature conference.
• WSU offers an education to students who would never have otherwise received a degree.
• More WSU Students are placed into Medical and Dental Schools per capita than any other university in the State of Utah.
• WSU has state-of-the-art facilities on a beautifully landscaped campus that allows you to walk from class to class in less then ten minutes...no matter where your class is.
• The WSU Student Association has brought Boys Like Girls, One Republic, The Hush Sound, and other top-rated bands for entertainment of the student body.
• WSU Students have been accepted into every major law school in the U.S.

Weber State University, as you can see, is not an institution that should be brushed off. It gives thousands of people a world-class education every year and gives people like me experiences of a lifetime. I’ve been through all the motions that a student should in choosing a university. I realize that I am just one student, and many different schools are great for many different people, but next time you’re about to refer to Weber State University as “just Weber,” think again.

Evil in the Next Room

Okay. I can do this. As I sit here typing, pure evil lurks in the next room. Waiting. Whispering to me. Telling me to come take one bite. Playing with all my emotions at once. Talking, then yelling for me to come. NO!

Today in the office, we're celebrating the last day at work of a ready-to-go missionary that leaves next week. He decided to bring doughnuts--sweet, sugary doughnuts--for everyone to share in this special day. Normally, I'd be psyched to dig in to a bavarian creme stuffed, chocolate-topped piece of deliciousness. However, I got back on the bandwagon this week. I'm determined to be healthy; to eat less junk; to lose weight that seems to come on with more fight every time. But the doughnuts are beckoning. Of course the only two left would be bavarian creme-filled and cake with sugar sprinkled on the outside...my two favorites. I did get past the craving for Pizza that came when Fran bought pie and breadsticks for the office. Now I just have to get past these evil doughnuts lurking in the next room. I can do it. I must do it. I WILL DO IT!

I'm leaving; going home to a bowl of sugar-free, fat-free chocolate pudding. Pudding loves me. Pudding wouldn't deceive me like those hideous doughnuts that add pounds faster than you can chew. Pudding and then dinner. Done and done.

Cogs

As I sat in my office working today, a thought came to me. This wasn't a horribly profound thought or anything life-changing, but it was interesting. I thought about how a University works. Weber State University has 21,000 students—the size of some small towns! Those 21,000 students all have some needs: the need for academic advising, the need for orientation, the need to have professors, the need to have books, the need for a computer network, etc. To cater to these students, WSU employs about 1,000 faculty/staff, including me. What I thought as I was working was the amazing ability such an institution (and larger ones at that) has of bringing hundreds of people together to educate thousands of people each year.

At work today, I composed a new pamphlet for a parent orientation for new parents (you know...they have to be orientated to ;-) ). Anywho...it came to my attention that this job is small. Of all of the students that attend WSU, about 30% attend orientation. Of those 30%, very few have parents that attend a parent orientation. In essence, very few people were going to see what I had spent all of that effort composing. Then came the real thinking...Imagine all of the people on this campus doing something small like I'm doing. All of these really small things make up the experience that is Weber State University. That's who we are: a large university with a small-town atmosphere. That's why I wrote that brochure: to influence the few parents that need to know their kids are going to be alright.

I am SO excited to continue a career in higher education. Education is one of the most rewarding career fields I could ever think of entering, and higher education is amazing. I hope to be one of the bigger cogs toward the head of a University Machine some day, but until then, I'll be the little cog that does a small job. I love it.

Tearing My Ears Off & Eating My Hat

When I was younger, I positively detested riding with my dad to school in the mornings. This wasn't because I didn't enjoy the conversation, or that I was embarrassed by the Mormon Assault Vehicle (Minivan) he drove. Actually these were both pluses; the MAV could plow through just about anything traffic threw at it, and I loved talking to my dad. No, the real reason was talk radio. Listening to Grant and Amanda every morning made me want tear the ears right off the side of my head. Nothing could possibly be more boring to a youngster on his way to elementary school than the goings on of the political world. I always wondered why Dad couldn't be more like Mom and listen to normal stuff—like, perhaps, MUSIC—in the car.

Fast-forward about ten or fifteen years to my semi-recent discovery: The Nightside Project. This nightly radio show is a commentary by two men (Ethan Millard and Alex Kirry) who, like the majority of Utahns, are fairly conservative. These two men, unlike a few other conservative daytime talk radio hosts whom I admittedly agree with most of the time, simply offer their thoughtful opinions on current events and listen to what others have to say. I've even heard them change their opinions once or twice (shocking in a world of Sean Hannity). The show is geard toward twenty-somethings and is truly entertaining most nights.

Well, my life has been in a downward spiral of nerdiness ever since my discovery of the Nightside Project, and I may be eating my hat when I say, "I ENJOY TALK RADIO!!!" I KNOW! It goes against everything that I ever stood for as a fun-loving elementary school student, but I find it entertaining and enjoyable. There. I've said it. Ridicule me all you wish.

Along with Nightside, I've discovered the beauty of National Public Radio; a.k.a. the geekiest form of talk-radio ever to grace the planet. Shows like This American Life, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me, and All Things Considered are not only pre-set on my car radio, but I download the podcasts! Interestingly, listening to these programs makes me feel smarter. I learn more random facts and news stories from listening to NPR than I ever could surfing the internet or reading the newspaper. In case you're interested in what one can learn from glorious NPR, here are some facts that I've recently learned:

Even nations as disconnected from the Western World as Afghanistan fear during times of pandemic. The recent world trouble with the Swine Flu has led to the quarantine of Afghanistan's only pig. Yes, you read that correctly. Due to the predominant religion's abstention from pork, pigs are illegal, and there is only ONE PIG in the entire nation of Afghanistan. It lives safely in a Zoo in Kabul, but is now under quarantine so no one will contract the Swine Flu from a pig that has never been in contact with another pig SINCE BIRTH. Sounds crazy to me. Don't believe me? Check this link.

In the United Kingdom, potato chips are sold with a so-called "value-added tax" to which many snack foods are subjected. Proctor & Gamble went to court trying to get the nation NOT to recognize the snack as a potato chip. Wait...what? P&G markets Pringles as potato chips, but it wants the high court of The UK to see it otherwise because only 40% of the snack food is made of potatoes. The court thought differently. Here's the proof.

For those of you voyeuristic nut jobs out there, you'll be happy to know that the next time you go to Disneyland, you may chance upon a photograph of a woman flashing the camera because due to budget cuts, the Magic Kingdom will no longer employ photo checkers to make sure people do not expose themselves on the last hill of Splash Mountain. For the rest of us...it's not really news, but something funny to talk about, for sure! Check it out.

Yes, NPR is extremely educational, but it can definitely expand your knowledge in ways that you would never think. Check it out sometime!