Sleep Deprivation

When I was in high school, I had early-morning seminary. I had to get up at 5 or 5:30 every morning. I always thought, "when I'm done with high school, I won't have to get up early every morning for seminary and then I will get more sleep and I won't always be tired." That wasn't the case.

After high school, I went to West Valley were I was on the soccer team. I had to take classes early because we had practice in the afternoon. Sometimes we even had early morning practices. With classes, practice, and work, I had little time to study and often stayed up late doing homework or studying for tests. I always thought, "when I'm done playing soccer, I will be able to take classes later and sleep in more and then I won't always be tired." That wasn't the case.

I transferred from West Valley to BYU and majored in athletic training. My major had small classes which were only offered at certain times and it involved an internship that required at least 200 hours per semester. My major classes were always in the mornings and my afternoons were spent with my internship responsibilities. That meant I did all of my study/homework/socializing at night. I always thought, "when I'm done with school, I won't have to stay up late every night studying and then I won't always be tired." That wasn't the case.

After graduating from BYU, I decided to get a Master's degree. I wasn't done with school, and my schooling included a graduate assistantship which paid for little for a 20 hour per week assignment. I had another part-time job in the mornings and my classes were at night. The late-night studying/homework trend continued. I always thought, "when I graduate, I'll get a job and I will be able to sleep in a little more and I won't have to stay up late every night studying and doing homework and then I won't always be tired." As you may have guessed, that wasn't the case.

When I graduated with my Master's degree, I did indeed get a job. But, I work in San Francisco which is an hour commute from where I live. The lack of parking in San Francisco requires that I park in a parking lot and then take two shuttles to get to my office. And I have to be to my office by 8 am most mornings. So, I get up around 5:30 am most mornings. I don't get home until after 6:30 or 7 most evenings, so I have little time to get done the things that I need to. I often have to stay up later than I should to get things done. I would like to think, "oh, when I have kids, I'll quit my job and then I'll be able to sleep in and then I won't always be tired." However, I've learned my lesson.

I know that when I have kids and quit my job, I will be tired. Because kids don't allow you to sleep in. In fact, they often don't allow you to get a full night's rest. And you keep so busy taking care of them, that you can easily get exhausted. And by the time they're grown and out of the house and you can finally get more sleep, you're old so you're just always tired no matter how much sleep you get. Therefore, I have relinquished my hopes of someday living a life being well-rested and full of energy and I have resigned myself to a life of sleep deprivation. It is my destiny.

Take Down

A few weeks ago, I realized that I had not yet gotten sick this winter. I was pretty impressed with my immune system, since I usually at least get a cold every winter. I decided I should keep this info to myself lest I jinx it and come down with something. Then, my pride got the best of me and I had to boast to my mom about how strong my immune system is, keeping me so healthy this winter. I am here to testify of the power of karma. Last Sunday I came down with something. It was a cold - a mere virus. And yet, I am amazed at the power of this microscopic organism. It is humbling to realize that something so miniscule had the power to completely take me down. And when I say take me down, I mean take me down to Chinatown! I used sick time for a legitimate illness for the first time in years. That virus had me down for the count. But, my immune system fought back and it fought back hard (yes, I am stupid enough to boast about my immune system again). One of the few good side effects of illness is that it illustrates your body's amazing ability to fight. It has many tricks up its sleeve and it isn't afraid to use them. I told my mom that the reason I was so sick is that my immune system is too strong to let the weak viruses in. It's only the strong ones that will totally knock you out that can get past my defenses. I'm finally starting to feel better and am thankful for a healthy, strong immune system!

The Fab Four

This post is a tribute to one of the greatest and most influential bands in the history of the world - THE BEATLES. Let's all take a minutes to stop and appreciate the musical genius of those four guys from Liverpool. On my way to work this morning, I was listening to Abbey Road and was struck yet again by the musical happiness that filled my ears. Even when singing about murder by a blow to the head with a hammer or an octopus' garden, those guys could make music. Now, I know there are people out there who don't like The Beatles. I respect that everyone has their own opinion. I might think you're crazy, but that is your opinion. However, if you try, for one second, to deny their musical genius and the influence they had on music as we know it today, I will fight you! What's your favorite Beatles song?

Punchface anyone?

I don't like politics and what's happening in the presidential primary elections is exactly why. I would like to punch Mike Huckabee and John McCain in the face. However, that behavior would not be in keeping with a Christian lifestyle. And since I am Mormon (and, therefore, Christian), I am trying to limit my un-Christlike behavior. Instead, I will simple voice my issues with these two candidates over the soundless waves of the blogosphere and in my own little way, say "no, I do not support and will not tolerate the childlike and unethical behavior which they have exhibited." Of course, before I proceed, I must say that I am a Romney supporter and voted for him in the primary tonight. I'm, therefore, a tad biased. However, my support for Romney has nothing to do with the disgust I feel due to the behavior of two grown men.

Let's start with Huckabee. Mike Huckabee is a Baptist minister who doesn't have a chance of winning the presidential nomination. And yet, he remains in the race. Why? So he can take votes away from Mitt Romney. Romney happens to be the candidate who most closely shares Huckabee's political views. If Huckabee can't win, why wouldn't he want the candidate who is most similar to him politically to get the nomination? (*whisper*It's because Mitt's Mormon and Huckabee doesn't think Mormons are Christians). So, here we have a Baptist minister - a man of God, so to speak - showing intolerance to another man because of his beliefs. Nice, Mike. Way to be an example of Christlike behavior. And here's the kicker - he's not just showing intolerance, he is staying in the race to purposely hurt and diminish Mitt's chances of winning. Are Mormons that bad? So bad that you would compromise your values and risk your standing with God to keep him out of office? I had no idea we were such bad people. I could go on and on, but I need to go to bed. Suffice it to say, I would play punchface with Mike Huckabee in a heartbeat.

Now for McCain. McCain is a war vet who is leading the race for the republican presidential nomination. In his own words, he is "the Republican party front-runner." And yet, he still feels the need to make deals with Huckabee to pull votes from Romney to further hurt his campaign. In the West Virginia GOP caucuses, Romney was ahead, with Huckabee in second and McCain in third. So what did McCain and Huckabee do? They had all of the McCain supporters back Huckabee, moving him into the lead and taking the win from Romney. Yes - it's true. Two grown men behaved like little children in a schoolyard game. And these are the men who are campaigning to be the President of the United States of America! Politics and the stupid, unethical games that go on complete disgust me.

The sad part is that McCain will almost certainly get the Republican nomination. Unfortunately, America tolerates this behavior, even rewards it. When George Washington was made President of the United States, it was a position he didn't want. He didn't want the power and authority that came with it, but for the good of the nation, he did what he considered his duty. Now we have grown men stooping to whatever unethical level necessary to even have a chance at that power. It scares me to think what further levels they would stoop to to wield that power if it was given to them. To have that kind of a person as the President of the United States and one of the most influential leaders in the world is a scary thing. Sadly, it appears that with all of our technological, industrial, economical, and other advancements, we really haven't come very far in this country. I cannot, in good conscience, support McCain and his apparent lack of ethics and values. It looks like the Republicans have lost another vote.

Tomatoes

I hate tomatoes. It's not something I'm proud of, but there it is. I'm fine with tomatoes in liquid form, such as in sauces or soup. I'm even okay with tomatoes sun-dried. But large chunks of tomatoes are disgusting. One time I was eating sweet and sour pork. The restaurant was semi-dark, so I couldn't see that well. I put what I thought was a pineapple into my mouth only to discover that it was a huge tomato chunk. I nearly barfed and I had to spit it out. My life would be a lot easier if this wasn't the case, but I really have a problem with tomatoes. You can't ask me to like a food that stimulates the gag reflex as soon as I taste it. I won't do it!