Hours And Friends - So Many Of Both This Weekend

Yesterday I was awake for 21 hours after having slept for 2 at most, and I just awoke from sleeping for 9, my body has got to be so confused. My friend Shane Harder informed me he had family in town and would be taking his brother to do Ha'Iku Stairs (also called Stairway To Heaven), a series of somewhere around 4000 steps and landings leading up to an antenna used by the military (More Details). Unfortunately my bride wasn't with me. She decided to hang back for this one for baby's sake. Missed you, Boo!

The trail is closed off and there is a security guard at the stairs turning hikers back. However, if you arrive before he does, enter at your own risk (he doesn't even mind seeing you come off the stairs). Problem is: he is there by at least 3:30 in the AM. 

Now here is where key timing comes into play, as well as the reason I was up for 21 hours. We live approx. 40 minutes away. The trailhead is about 20 minutes from from the start of the stairs and the security guard; let's just say he is there at 3:30. In no circumstance of mine is everyone ready on time, but let's assume they are. That means we should leave at 2:00 to guarantee that we could reach the trailhead, and the stairs BEFORE the guard is there. Providing you anticipate a breakfast and last minute packing, you have to get up early. This is becoming quite the ordeal, you see? 

Now for the sad ending to what's been set up for a great story. We were aware that we needed to be early, but we did not know the guard started arriving earlier than he has in the past. I woke up at 1:45 to eat breakfast. I met up with Shane and Ashley at 2:40. Shane, Ashley, and I headed to our friend Matt Bledsoe's place a little before 3:00 where he and 8 others were also getting ready to go. (shout outs: Those 8 were Cody Harder, Bart Jolley, Bryce Van Leuven, Torree Soelberg, Terryn Soelberg, Kassie McGonegal, Dallas Porter, and Hailey Rasmussen). We left around 3:15. On the way, Matt got a flat so we piled everyone into the back of the truck Shane had (belonging to Jared Zimmerman). Is this detailed enough? 

To wrap things up, we didn't start the trail until after 4:00AM, and had to hear from several different hikers, coming back down the trail, that we were too late and they had gotten turned back. It's by this experience we know that the guard is there by at least 3:30AM.

While hiking Stairway To Heaven was a failed attempt, our backup hike, Olomana, was a success. Here are the pictures:

Sunrise over Kaneohe and Marine Corps Base

Matt, and Terryn (right?)

That wall you see that reaches above the clouds 

contains the ending part of Stairway To Heaven

Shane

At the peak with Matt, Terryn, Ashley and Torree

We sort of broke off into groups, and this was us

on the way down

That peak up there is where ended

Some graffiti on this old run down building

Got home before noon, then went to the beach to barbecue with Matt and Lacee Roberts, Chase and Amy Carlston, and another couple I didn't really get a chance to meet. Matt and I spearfished with no success, then we all played throwing/catching games of sorts. AFTER THAT we got back together with Shane and Ashley and got to meet his family and swim/hot tub with them at Turtle Bay.

Finally went to bed around 10:30. What a day!

I'm sorry, Sarah. Sarah got bonked in the head yesterday by a bread fruit (this honker). We were on the motorcycle, and since she doesn't like the speed bumps, I went around one. However, the path was under a low lying breadfruit. I called out "watch your head", but she couldn't duck low enough in time. I felt so bad. Although it was sad and I wish it didn't happen, we both admit it's quite hilarious now.

Today I'm A Vegetable

There's a funny commercial about this lady's kid playing soccer on a team, and he or she is running around in a french fry costume. Obviously slower than the rest and struggling. This other lady's kid was the MVP. It was a commercial about what you eat and your performance. I thought it a funny approach about you are what you eat.

I don't know if this is necessarily a post about "what I should be doing", but I certainly do feel good about this meal I'm having. Strawberry yogurt (with granola not shown), half an avocado with lemon pepper seasoning, half an orange bell pepper, trees (broccoli) with a bit of ranch, and a mini wheel of cheese- one of the greatest forms of cheese you can get aside from a regular sized wheel of cheese. Some might say that this isn't even a dinner, that these are the things "dinner" eat, but as it is the food being consumed around dinner time, I'm naming it so.

As for what inspired it, I have no idea. I just got back from the gym and had a protein shake and this was my immediate next craving. The only downside: I've already been hassled for being the Texan that doesn't love steak, I'm certain this isn't going to help my case any.

I'd like more meals of this nature, but could use some help. This really is an unheard of craving for me, so I'm not quite sure how to create more of these.

With that said: Comment! Whether I know you read these blogs or not, don't be shy! Let me know some ideas you have about more meals like this.

For the record: I don't hate steak by any means, it's just seldom my first choice. Yes, even "good steak". I've had many people tell me "you just haven't had a good steak", yes I have and I like them, they're fine. I'd just more than likely take chicken breast or fish as a hearty protein source or bulk of my meal.

The Roberts

Here's to our friends, Matt and Lacee Roberts. We met them on July 10, 2011 at each of our first sunday's at church in a BYU-Hawaii married-student ward, they looked as lost as we did. My first impression was "nah, we probably wouldn't click", they were both prim and proper looking and seemed to keep to themselves. I don't know what I was expecting, because if some stranger came up to me and said enthusiastically "HI! I'm going to be your friend forever!", that's a red flag, and I'm turning the other way. The way they looked and behaved was exactly as someone should behave in a chapel, so I'll admit I was quick to judge, and my judgement was false. To Matt and Lacee, I'm sorry, and this is my blog to you.

Since then, we've frolicked in the sand together on various beaches, ate shave ice and Dole Plantation ice cream together, camped, rock climbed, dinner double dated, watched movies. We have played: Spikeball, Monopoly Deal, Candy Land (not as complex as when we were children), liars dice, basketball, and Wii (amongst a variety of other games I'm certain I'm forgetting). We've made Costco trips, had thanksgiving with them and got each other Christmas presents. We've gone to the temple together, spearfished, attempted (for hours) freeing some enormous driftwood from it's sandy entrapment. And it goes without saying, but we've stayed up into the wee hours together on many occasion filling the time with stories of our past sharing laughs and even falling asleep together.

Something they've done for us multiple times, that we haven't yet had much opportunity to do for them, is make us dinner. Being off campus and in a box of a house, we are sort of away from the majority of the other married couples with whom we associate, without much to offer in respects to space or even seating for that matter.

We decided it was time to pay up in the form of Salmon, mixed veggies, and rice; the finest we have to offer.

Our dining area is outside. (Thanks to the Lowry's for the table!)

After dinner, our cat friend showed up.

It's impossible to take a photo that does the size of this cat justice. He is the pitbull of cats

with more muscle and girth than I've ever before felt on any feline.

Here the cat was kneading into Lacee's thigh.

He was a scrappy fellow with cuts all over and dirt chunks in his fur.

He drank up the milk like it was his last dish.

Meet, The Roberts! 

(this is how they look when he isn't choke slamming his wife)

 Sarah won't love this picture, but to me she's adorable here.

I was squeezing her and she yelled "the baby! the baby!".

This was after she had escaped, and I was acting out how the baby was small

enough to dodge and juke his/her way to safety.

Great capture, Lacee.

Matt, Lacee, thanks for being awesome friends to us. We really do appreciate you letting us crash your place so frequently, much of the time without announcement. We're thankful for our discussions and your influence in our lives, for your personalities, for the many cookies you have made and shared with us, and of course for the meals you have provided. It makes us really happy that you'll be here for a little while longer than anticipated, and we intend to make the most of the time we've got left with you.


I'll leave with one of my favorite memories of the Roberts, they'll know it well.


Lacee picks up the phone to call a guy about a cat. She dials the number. Matt and I look on.
*Guy answers phone*
Lacee- "Hi, we were still wondering if you had the kittens"


Pause here. 1) Lacee speaks to the guy as if they have previously spoken. They have not. 2) As far as he is concerned she just referred to herself as "we", and 3) this is all in such a childish voice.
Matt and I look at each other, and somehow without words being exchanged, we both know this is the most ridiculous call ever and is going nowhere. We both start to laugh hysterically. Now Lacee starts to laugh.


The guy says simply, "yes"
Lacee (while laughing)- "Could I have it?"


The guy hung up the phone, and for the next 10 minutes minimum (and to this day) we repeated the dialogue aloud, over and over again, losing control laughing, to help Lacee realize how it looked and sounded. Matt could tell you the rest, but he ended up texting the guy apologizing about his wife and explained why it was funny to which the guy replied, "there's nothing funny about cats" or something.


Robert's, you're awesome, we love Y'ALL!

Three Small Words

I'd like to write about those 3 small words said throughout the duration of a happy and blissful marriage, "It's your turn". I feel like I say this all too often, and most recently I said it to Sarah about the dishes. Similar to the laundry that we'll sleep on for days, we have no qualms putting off doing dishes. It really doesn't ever go for too long, but because I'm home during the day and really love cereal, it only takes a couple of days to have a cabinet emptied of its bowls and spoons, and the sink filled with them. Last night I said to Sarah, "Alright, if you do half, when I get home I'll do the other half" my other request was that she not sleep on my part of the laundry, that if she withstood, I'd put those away upon returning. A few hours later I came home from school to find her asleep, my laundry was pushed aside and I was able to put it away. When I made my way to the kitchen however, it seemed not a dish was touched. So, in accordance with our deal, I too went to bed with dry, unwrinkled, fingers.
Last night before sleeping I pinched a clothes pin on the curtain by our front door that read "I love you" on one side, and "you're pretty" on the other, for her to find when she left this morning. I saw it when I woke up and wondered if she'd seen it. I then thought about those dang dishes. Then I realized that a better way to show her I love her would be to pinch the clothes pin around tasks that I've done for her. Making the clothes pin stand out more, and the message of "I love you" a little more earnest. 

 Pay a little closer attention to the clothes pin,

than that stack of dishes...

So, what this little act has shown me is that "it's your turn" is not quite synonymous to "I love you", and I now want to try looking for opportunities to express, via clothes pin and deed, that I love Sarah.

P.S. She could possibly read this on her way home from work which would spoil the surprise of the completed dish pile. BUT, maybe that will make the drive more pleasant knowing it's not something she'll have to do once home.

My Wife, The Indian

"There are too many chiefs here". I first heard this from my friend, Paul Tovey while we were at a service project on the mission. What he was referring to is the far too well known circumstances where too many people think they are the ones in charge; each giving some sort of direction to anyone within ear shot. I can recall vividly, while helping restore an old home, "Elder Zimmerman will you paint that area up there?" Followed shortly thereafter by someone else saying "Elder Zimmerman, I think we should hold off on that part for now". 
Alright, so if you don't get the point I'm making by now, here it is: Chiefs are good, and they are necessary; there could be no order without them. But what is a good plan without someone to see it through? There must be indians to help fulfill the vision of the chief. They are like salt and pepper, craftsman without tool, ying without the yang, windmills without wind, William Wallace without Scotland, Mario without Luigi. No one is greater nor lesser; each needs the other.
I had a chance to brag about my wife today concerning one of my favorite things about her. Sarah has an ability to accept a position as an Indian and fulfill it with fervor in a way I have never seen in any individual. She is able to do it in such a way that she retains her right to act and not be acted upon. (I always had the image that those simply following rules were just being acted upon. She has taught me otherwise). She is not confrontational, or argumentative. She is not stubborn or closed minded. Rather, she is accepting to counsel, she is understanding to new ideas, and she is dedicated to doing what is expected of her. She is a great example of a kite and how the kite's string in no way impedes upon it, but rather is responsible for the kite's ability to soar to great heights. There was a phase during my 1st year in Colorado where I was tired of the rules and I can say, not so proudly, that I disregarded them at times. I wrote her about this, and I remember her saying that just because I have to walk on the same trail, doesn't mean I can't walk how I want. That can probably be interpreted many ways, but it was what I needed. I needed to know that I could still be unique, different, and lead while walking a trail that everyone was expected to walk; I didn't need to be a mindless sheep.
I think I'm writing this because I was frustrated with Sarah today. Her energy is so shot lately due to the pregnancy along with a recent cold she's gotten. To contrast that, I've been sticking to my fitness plans. I've swam twice this week and been to the gym 3 times. I have felt incredible! I want so badly for Sarah to join me, so today I looked up fitness tips and workouts for women. We got to talking, and I overlooked how offensive it may seem when one's spouse looks up fitness plans for the other. I didn't consider how that could be interpreted (I'm just a typical boy, what do I know?). Although I do want my wife to stay a fit hottie, it was not at all about that. It was more about the emotional well being, camaraderie, and energy boost that would come from not only working out, but working out together.
I went to the gym distraught about our discussion. However, when it comes down to it, there are things I would never trade out for others. Sarah's Indian personality meshes so perfectly with mine as a chief. She trusts and has faith in my counsel, plans, opinions, advice, and antics. And I rely on her support and faithfulness in seeing out ideas and hopes I have that we can share together. It is because of her that we do not fight. I am head strong, and were she too, it wouldn't go well. I used to think that in our marriage I was right the majority of the time, but I realized that is certainly not the case. I'd guess, more often than I know, she takes the higher road and doesn't make certain things into issues. She sacrifices to see my side of the story to fulfillment. I would not trade that support and love for anything. I'm sorry, Sarah.

My wife, the Indian.

Saturday's Just Got Better

I recently looked up more information on dental schools. At first I became very overwhelmed, as is often my response at looking up what it takes to be a dentist. But today I did something that will help to prepare me. My life is now on paper in a way it's never been recorded, nor lived.

What you see here is not AT ALL how I currently live, but it does contain in it exactly where I'd like to be; where I need to be. I read an article titled, "How Dental School Works" by a dentist named Dr. Jerry Gordon. One thing he mentioned is that dental school students, as well as college students desiring to be dentists, need to have schedules where they don't have any places where they could waste time; time needs to be the most precious commodity and to be treated as such. He then states, "In college, you may have four hours of lecture four days a week; take about 32 credit hours per year, and have three and a half months off during the summer. In dental school, you have nine hours of lecture and/or lab five days a week, take about 100 credit hours per year, and have only a couple of weeks off in the summer. In college, many students take a part time job. In dental school, that is next to impossible."

So, in an attempt to utalize the time I'm given in the most academically fruitful way, this is my experiment (it's ironic the amount of hours that went into creating this):

This may be way out of my grasp, but I'll never know unless I try. It looks busy to me, but maybe it really isn't so much. I've been advised by a dear friend and mentor to treat my school as a job, arrive in the morning and work for a minimum of 8 hours; there is always work that can be done. He fairly added, "after those hours go home, have fun, you're finished for the day".

As I feel this out, things will be rearranged as needed. In the mean time, if you pray, pray for me because I'll need it! If you don't pray, pray for me because I'll need it...

Fatherhood

I'm 25, and haven't seen my dad in 17 years. I've seen pictures, and we speak on occasion (once every few months, if that), but as for actual face-to-face interactions, I can't recall any. All that really exists are vague memories that are hazy and possibly influenced by media; I'm not completely sure if they really happened. It's sort of weird trying to put into words what my minds eye sees. Imagine someone yelling a message to you from across a busy warehouse. The clarity of their voice sort of get's manipulated by any surrounding objects and chatter. It sounds nothing like if they were right next to you calmly speaking. That's kind of what the motion pictures in my head are like. They literally look hazy with tons of information missing as if they've been tampered with, or altered by whatever may be surrounding the vicinity of the memory. When someone's yelling across a busy warehouse, you can't be too certain of the message you're receiving; similarly the memories I have aren't held onto too confidently because they aren't clear and crisp as a memory should be, they're more or less blurry ideas.
-Another good way to describe it would be to compare looking through a cleaned window (a clear memory to be sure of), verses looking through those thick glass block walls (clouded memory with uncertainty as to what's on the other side).

I put a picture I had of my dad, next to one I had of me. 

On the back was a location and a date.

Why is this my entry today? I have no idea. I just spoke with my dad, and then felt I should write. I don't know his story. I don't know his past and what led up to the events that have unfolded in each of our lives. I guess I just want to state it for all to read that I hold nothing against him. I have no hard feelings or regrets. I have no sadness. Sure, I wonder about things, and have questions, but they don't stem from an angry or sad place.
These thoughts aren't newly conceived thoughts at the prospect of becoming a father. I've been cognizant of everything I've just said since at least high school. Rather than the news of the pregnancy leading to these insights, these insights have lead to heightened excitement for our baby to come. I finally get to be the father I always wondered about. My dad's dad wasn't around for his upbringing either, and this is my opportunity to break a mold while gaining a greater understanding of fatherhood and what it means.


To sum this all up: I was determined not to serve a mission up through the age of 20. In that year, I received an impression that if I did serve a mission my wife would be happy, and my children would be happy. I did end up serving a mission and I learned gospel truths at a depth I'd never learn in any other way. I returned home and was married to the amazing Sarah Lundblad, and now she and I get to be parents together; I get to be a dad. 

Not my baby. This is me and my cousin, Kai. 

But it's an image I like.

(Again, not my baby!)

I am confident that the things in our lives are designed in such a way that we can grow from them.


I just got a text from my dad, "We can make that happen. I look forward to that." I told him I thought we should meet up over Christmas break so he can see his grand-baby.


"There is nothing ugly; I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful" -John Constable