Oklahoma and Flat Tires

While en route to San Antonio, I flew into Oklahoma where I met up with one of my roommates. He planned on driving from Oklahoma down to Texas and I figured that with the cheaper flights into Oklahoma, I could drive down with him and give him a second driver.

I flew into Oklahoma the weekend before starting my job. When we touched down on the tarmac, I looked around and the flattest sight I've ever seen, and I thought it was beautiful. I had found myself in the country where fields of crops were growing as far as the eye could see and all the roads were only two lanes wide because that's all the traffic required. Neighbors had acres of land between their houses and groves off trees surrounding each house on every side. I had stepped out of beautiful San Diego and found, in its own way, a beautiful new landscape.

I stayed with my friend's family for the night before leaving the next morning for San Antonio. Half way down, I asked my friend if he would like me to drive the rest of the way. He said that would be fine and at the next gas station, we switched seats. I had just got on the freeway and pulled into the fast lane when I noticed a constant bump on the left front side of the car. At first I ignored it, but then I started thinking the worst. I turned to my friend and asked him if he had felt it while driving. He said that he had and that it was probably just the roads.

Immediately after he had said that, a loud bang came from the front left tire. The car slumped down and I quickly jerked the wheel to the left in an attempt to get into the shoulder. The gravel and brush slowed us down and I pressed the brakes until we had come to a stop. We looked at each other, and if memory serves me right, we started laughing.

The tire had blown to smithereens! We threw the spare on, asked the cop who stopped by where the closest tire shop was, and started down the two lane highway going 55 mph. It only set us back a few hours, but the memories were well worth it.

San Antonio

I spent this last summer in San Antonio and it might have changed my life. So much happened in the short 10 weeks! I found a fun job, discovered a new city, and met a beautiful girl. But like Billy Mays always says, "Wait! There's more!" I have a plethora of stories to tell and I wish I had written them down earlier, but I have a few weeks at home which means more time to blog. Stay tuned!

Missing Volleyball

This needs a little background information about me. I played volleyball competitively and nationally since the 7th grade. I enjoyed every minute I was on the court. When I moved, jumped, dug a ball, or just watched teams play, I became excited and wanted to play more and more.

When I went to BYU, I played for the men's team and fell in love with the sport all over again. I grew stronger, faster, and more agile than before and boy did it feel good. Every morning we had work outs and we all talked to each other, pushed each other, and laughed at each other.

After my mission, I played for a few months, but found it hard to play and study. I began to lose my focus in volleyball because I needed to focus on my math class or history class. I even felt that I would be cut before the season even started. So to put my mind at ease and focus all my energy into one thing, I walked into my coaches office and told him I would be leaving the team. He talked to me for a few minutes and said I could take the month off and come back in January if I wanted to, but I knew I wouldn't. Not because I didn't want to (and all I wanted to do was play), but because I knew I had focus on school.

Now I still have the team issue clothes and shoes, and everytime I put them on, I think of what could have been. I miss the sport so much. I play when I can, but it's just not the same. I'm not as strong, fast, or agile as I was before. I don't have the time nor the luxary to have coaches teach me new skills. I don't have trainers to push me. I don't have a team with whom I can work and become friends. I just miss it.

But so goes life. Boy, do I miss it, but I feel I made the best choice for me and my future family. I am proud of my decision.

I Need a Faster Computer

I'm rushing today and tomorrow to get my next project milestone done before Saturday. I just got back from taking an hour break where I brought lunch to my mom and sister, and my computer doesn't want to open the files. Well, it says it's working on it, but who knows. I need a faster computer. The thing is that saying "I need a faster computer" is followed by a dozen other questions in an attempt to discover what exactly needs to be upgraded. And after eight months of intense computer training, I still don't know what I need. Any hints?

I Thought I was Smart Until...

This last weekend I graded a programing project I was working on all during the week and I got 100%. That's great considering 60% of the class didn't even finish the project. Good score number 1.

The next day I took the GMAT. I needed a 600 to get into the Masters program at BYU and I got a 640. Good score number 2.

Then I took another exam on Monday. I didn't have much time to study for it (with the project and the GMAT going on), so I guess I went in pretty cold. And I'm sad to say I got a 45%. Bad score number 1. In fact, that's the worst grade I've ever received in college, but when I saw it, I laughed and walked out determined to do better in the class.

Praying for Thomas

How many prayers do you remember giving? The prayer you gave for a new born child? Perhaps a blessing over an ailing loved one? My prayers I remember have been few and far between, but a month ago I was invited to give one that I can't forget.

Before I left for Christmas break, my stake president called and informed me that our stake was conducting the fireside with President Monson. I was then asked to give the closing prayer. I hesitated out of astonishment and agreed to do it.

I tried to not think about it too much and only told a few people (namely my family and LeGrand). But the next Sunday, my Bishop announced, as he was informed of the matter, that I would be giving the prayer. As the time came closer, the ward only grew louder.

Finally, January 11 came. The day seemed like any other, and after church I did my normal routine of lunch, guitar, and calling home. Around 4, I read a talk by President Eyring on being a voice of warning. Feeling the Spirit, I pulled out a pen and a 8x5 notecard and started writing some ideas. I avoided memorizing the prayer, but I recorded specific wording to keep it concise. Then I darted off to the Marriot Center.

At 5 I was debriefed. At 5:30 I met Thomas S. Monson. At 6 I was sitting on the stand right in view of the camera with a straight face, unsure of what I should look like. (my eyes kept darting left and right to look at the tv screens) At 6:55, President Monson concluded and the choir sang and a few minutes later my Stake President nodded in my direction. I took a few steps, making sure I didn't hit the obtrusive microphone. I closed my eyes (its just you and the Lord, just as it has been for the past 22 years) and started.

Before I knew it, I said "Amen" and turned to walk to my seat. The Prophet turned and thanked me from his chair to which I mumbled some sort of gratitude back. I was grabbing my things when I heard his voice say, "Where is the young man that gave the closing prayer?" I looked up and acknowledged it was I, to which he said, "Here you go, young man." What he gave me was his copy of his talk, signed and dated. I felt like Charlie with the golden ticket. I'm sure I had a baffled look on my face.

So there you have it. One prayer I can't forget. After all, it's recorded and on the Web.

The GMAT

"How has your Christmas break been?"

"It's been fun. I went to New York, had a good time in San Diego, and studied for the GMAT."

Logically speaking, I just said that studying for the GMAT is fun. The scary thing is that it is fun. The test isn't difficult conceptually, but the questions are worded such that you need more than memorized rules to do well. You need to think, and I like that!

For those of you trying to remember which test is the GMAT, it's the Graduate Management Admissions Test. If you want to get a masters degree in business (MBA or a masters in a business emphasis), this standardized test is required. The questions consist of algebra, verbal and writing, and two essays. However, the GMAT is not testing you on math and your writing ability (although it uses them as a vehicle). The test determines how logically sound you are in decision making, the essence of business.

For example, look at the following question and determine which of the two given pieces of information is needed to solve the problem:

Is x an integer (e.g. -2, -1, 0, 1, 2...)?

(1) x is evenly divisible by 1/2.
(2) x is evenly divisible by 2.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.
C. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
D. EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

I'll give the answer at the end of this post if you tried to solve it.

I sat down to take a practice test without looking at any help guides, and I get to these type of problems. Due to the question's unique format, my mind first tried to decide if the answers covered all of the options (they do) before solving the problem. I thought I answered 80% of the questions correctly, but the answer sheet said only half that much. Pathetic! So I went to the GMAT book I bought in New York and started brushing up on my logic skills. As of now my logic is only 40% correct; according to the GMAT, you shouldn't take any advice from me.
B is the correct answer.