Upcoming Semester

This upcoming semester is going to be interesting. The classes will probably be some of the hardest in my college career they'll also be some of the most interesting. Digi Comm will be hard but if I focus on it I'll do fine. The others will interest me a lot so I'll be more motivated to work on them. The biggest key to this semester is going to be managing my time effectively. I won't be working too much, which has hurt me in the past. I now have Trello which really makes sense to me and will allow me to really keep track of all the things I need to do. And with the Pomodoro technique I should be able to be more efficient this semester than any other one. I'll also be more coordinated with Courtney. The first two weeks are really going to be what defines how the semester is going to work out. And the hardest part is going to be between Thanksgiving and Christmas. If I'm in a good place before that then I'll be good. And then the next semester is going to be way easier.

I'm glad I discovered Trello right now and not a little in the semester. Now I will be able to start to perfect how it works for me before school starts. I know it's going to take some adjusting, but I'm comfortable with how it is working for me right now. It is simple, yet can be detailed, and it is adjustable.

Exploring Jerusalem

Today was our first free day where we could explore Jerusalem. So after breakfast we broke into groups to explore. We first went through Herod's gate which leads to a residential area and not a tourist area which is cool to just wander. Then we went to the Jaffa gate and payed to walk around the ramparts of the wall around the city. the views were pretty cool and it was a good way to get oriented in the city. It was also just cool to see the history of the walls. Even though they are not super old compared to the age of Jerusalem itself, since they were built in the 1500's. It was also cool that they were used during the 7 days war and the war of 1948 by the Jordanians to defend against Israel. It was cool since walls are not used any more in defense, but in these wars they were used, and effectively in the war of 1948. After the ramparts we went back to the Western Wall to take some pictures, and then went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity is the most holy place. It is one of the supposed locations where Christ was crucified and burried. While I do not think it is, knowing it could be is cool. And the church itself is so cool, so much cool art and symbolism. the church also just keeps going. From the outside it doesn't look very big but the inside is massive. And that is after it was destroyed and had to be rebuild smaller than the original. Then on my way home I had my first flaffel. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I loved it, and can't wait to try more middle eastern food.

Arriving at the Jerusalem Center

I left on Wednesday for the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, and so far has been amazing. Before leaving I was super stressed with packing, with leaving friends and family, and especially leaving Courtney. Saying goodbye to her at the airport was probaly the hardest thing I have done, including saying goodbye to my family when leaving on a mission. Even though this is way shorter than two years I had known that moment was going to happen my whole life. I only knew I was going to be leaving Courtney for 3 months, and only really completly made up my mind about a month and a half ago. But after I got here most of that stress is gone. And being here is just so incredible. We got in late Wednesday night, but just walking around the building is so incredible. I'm sure the center is nicer than any hotel in the Holy Land. You cannot beat such an incredible view of all of Jerusalem, and especially the old city. Thursday we had a walking tour of the old city and it was so incredible. Even though everything has been rebuilt since the 1500's it is still such an incredible place to walk around with so much history. I cannot wait to be able to wander the city tomorrow. Friday we had classes and both professors are going to be incredible. Then in the evening we went to the Western Wall to see the beginning of Shabat. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. There were so many people, hundreds and hundreds. And while it was a holy event for them, they treated it with so much joy. There was dancing, clapping, and singing. To them it was such a happy event, like a holiday, which it really is. It was interesting to compare it to my personal views of the Sabbath. While I try to keep it Holy, my efforts don't even come close to theirs. It made me really appreciate the Sabbath more and want to do more to make it a sacred event for myself. And I am in the best place to make that happen. Even on my mission it was hard because it was just a normal day, and it was hard to take the time to truely honor it. Plus the Jews don't just start at Sabbath, but spend time preparing for the Sabbath, which is also something I could do better at. It was also interesting watching the Jews pray. They do things that are tradition but also help them focus while praying. Like they always vocalize the words, and often have a swaying forward and backward motion. It was also interesting since it can be viewed as just a wall but to them it is the edge of the temple and the presence of God still resides there. It is the equivelent of our Celestial Rooms. We spent an hour there and it was just such an amazing experience. Today is the Sabbath or Saturday here in Jerusalem. It is a little weird, but I am still jet lagged and have to think about what day it is. So tomorrow we get a free day to explore Jerusalem, so that will be really fun. The place we have Sacrament has the best view of any church in the world, by far. It opends up to all of Jerusalem, and is just breath-taking.

Can't wait for the semester to end

I am so ready for this semester to end. It has been so busy and stressful, but yet I enjoyed it in a weird way. That is how I know I am supposed to be an IT major, when I can spend 20 hours a week in a class, and be so tired of programming, but still enjoy it. While IT 210 was a bit much, everything we did in there I enjoyed. I also like this class because if forced me to meet more people in the IT program and I have some good friends in it now. All of my other IT classes you never needed other people, and at times was hard to meet others. But now I know people and I want to get more involved in the IT program. I am really sad that I am leaving for Jerusalem and they will be a class ahead of me. But They can help me when I need it that way, and some of them were already going to be ahead of me, and others I can still catch up to because they still have generals left, which I am now done with. But this week I should officially be accepted into the Jerusalem Center, which is exciting, but since only 40 people have applied for Fall and they can take up to 80 I am 99% sure I will get accepted. And since I have lost some interest, I am hoping that being accepted will help spark that again. I think I am just in a phase like before my mission where I have talked and thought so much about it that it is hard to be excited still. And leaving friends is hard one because I am happy I have friends in my program and outside my normal friends. And it wasn't something I was prepared for. Leaving my family again, going to somewhere slightly dangerous, things like that I have already thought about, but leaving these friends I was not prepared for. But I know once I get to Jerusalem that will change, how could I not be excited living in one of the most fascinating cities. Also the spiritual side of it will help me. While spiritually I am fine, I wish that it was at the level of my mission, and it has been hard to put in the time to make that a reality. But living in the Holy Land, taking religion classes, and going on religious field trips, I know that it will give me the jump start that I need.

Good Couple of Weeks

The last couple of weeks I have enjoyed a lot. Always busy with school, but it hasn't been too bad recently. My IT class that has been taking over my life has not been too bad recently. My other classes have been alright. I enjoy the subject of econ, but I am ready for it to be over. And I am so over Math 110. It is not too hard, and I could do really well in it if I spent more time on it, but I just do not see how it applies to anything, so I am not motivated to try and really understand it. 

Last week I went to Las Vegas with Seth, Griffin, and one of Griffin's freshman friends, and it was a good time. It was nice to get out of Provo for a bit. Then when I got back it was my birthday and I had a small party with my friends and Ashley's friends. It was nice to spend a birthday with Ashley since I haven't done that in two years, and who knows, this could be the last time for a while, depending on what happens. A couple days later Ashley and I went out to eat and then saw a BYU production of The Winter's Tale. It was a total twin date and I enjoyed it so much. I haven't had a good opportunity to sit down and just spend time with her that much. And I haven't been able to talk to her too much since she started dating Nick. But seeing them together and talking to her, she is so happy, so I really hope that everything works out for them. I tease her that she cannot get married when I am in Jerusalem, so either August, or  January. Since they have only been dating a month August is a bit soon, but at the same time they have known each other for close to three years, so they know each other really well, and have almost dated a couple of times during that period. 

Other exciting news I officially applied to BYU Jerusalem last week. I won't find out until around mid April so that is a little annoying not knowing if I am in or not and worrying about backup classes and housing, but at the same time I am really confident that I will get in because they keep advertising space for the past couple of semesters. 

I also think that I am staying in Provo for spring. The original plan was for me to go home and work during cherry harvest and then come back for summer and take classes. But I really do not want to go back home, so I am looking for a job out here. I had a job interview on Friday, and it went really well. They guy did not say I got the job because there were a couple other people he was interviewing, but he basically told me I have it. I applied for a couple of other jobs which would pay more, but I haven't heard anything back yet so we will see. But I am happy just to stay here and that job would work great for my skill level, and my time commitment since I am going to be taking an intense computer science class. 

I still have not asked Allie out, but I am planning on taking her bowling this weekend. I was out of town, then she was out of town, so this is the closest time I can do it. So hopefully it goes well. There has been more time between the dates than I would have liked, but nothing I can do about that.

Relaxing week and weekend

This was a pretty relaxing week. I did not have too much homework so that was nice, but this week is going to be hectic. And the weekend was super busy, but in a relaxing way. Friday night we had a fiesta and had heaps of people over. We originally did it to invite Allie to a social activity so we could hang out in a non IT and non date setting. But she was busy so that was unfortunate. But we still had a good time. Then Saturday morning we had an Elders Quorum activity and went shooting. It was really fun, and a bunch of the guys that we are worried about came and enjoyed themselves. After that I went to the BYU rugby game which was fun, and it was free so that made it nice. Then that evening was Stake Conference and BYU was playing in the WCC tournament. So I did a bunch on the weekend, which was good to be distracted from school and just relax and have fun.

And I am so happy Ashley and Nick started dating the same week I asked Allie out. They are so cute together. Mom and Dad are secretley starting to get things ready just in case they get married soon. Their whole relationship over the last 2 1/2 years has been leading up to this, so hopefully it works out, or I will be really sad. I also hope that they won't get married while I am in Jerusalem. But based on how their relationship has gone they will either take a really long time to get engaged, or they know each other so well that they will get married quickly. Only time will tell us.

First Date

So it finally happened, I asked Allie out on a date! On Wednesday after class I walked with her a bit and asked her out. I was super nervous and my mouth was super dry, but it went alright and was not super awkward. She was a bit surprised, but a happy surprised. The date was on Friday and we played mini golf at laser assault in Provo. It was originally a double with Seth and a girl he likes but Jarrod and Vanessa wanted to come and meet Allie so it became a triple. After mini golf we played in the nickle arcade for a bit and then went and got milk shakes at In 'n Out. As far as dates go I don't think it was an amazing one, but for a first date it went well, and definitely was not bad. And since it was my first date that was serious and not just for fun since being back from my mission, it was good. We talked but did not click amazingly, but there was no point where it was super awkward. I am not exactly sure what the next step is. I want to do something more as friends so we can get to know each other better. That is the awkward thing right now is we have hung out in the IT lab working on homework, or on a date. I want something social but not too committal. Just at the moment I am not sure what that is. Maybe get a group together and play soccer or something like that. We will see what I come up with. Dating is so awkward, I just feel so out of my element, but then so was serving a mission and that was amazing. But I have also realized why I am attracted to Allie. She has a very similar personality to Carla. She is out going, but also reserved at the same time. Since I am reserved I think I need someone more out going than me. But at the same time I do not think I could marry someone super outgoing, it might drive me crazy eventually. So Allie has that personality that I think will fit well with mine.

This week also had some girl drama as well. Hannah was visiting Utah this week and I hung out with her a lot. She is a good friend and I enjoy spending time with her. While spending time with her she said a couple of things that made me think that she liked me. Then on Tuesday we talked about it. It wasn't too awkward because we are still good friends. I just felt bad because I do not really have any interest in her. And I don't see it working out if I did try dating her. It is annoying that I have not had a serious relationship but want to have one. But I couldn't date Hannah just because I want a relationship, because it would hurt our friendship when I already know it probably won't work out. I just want a girlfriend, but want to make sure I am doing it for the right reasons, and right person, not just because I have never had one before and want to try it out.

So this is where my life is at. School is good, just busy trying to figure out my life right now. Hopefully something more happens with Allie this week.