The Food of Champions

Growing up as a kid I had the opportunity to participate in the Boy Scouts of America. I learned many valuable skills and lessons that I still utilize to this day (you never know when you will need to tie a bow knot). One of the most important lessons that I think that they instill your young mind with is the motto of "be prepared." I think that this is a very useful piece of information because you never know when something is going to happen. It's not like we have to be like a mom and carry everything but the kitchen sink in our purse, but it is always good to have something up your sleeve in case a random event happens to take place. Let's have some fun and create a scenario where such an event takes place. I'll go with an easy one and say that a major earthquake has just rocked the earth, how can you be prepared for something like that?

Well, growing up in southern California it is a good idea to be prepared for an earthquake because you will never know when the San Andreas fault will feel like shaking itself up a bit. My parents made sure we were prepared for such an occasion. They had a food storage in the garage of different things that would last us for awhile just in case worst came to worst. I always enjoyed the idea of a food storage because I'm a man that likes to eat what I want when I want. I usually find myself at the store buying things I don't need, but that I just want because there might be a day when I crave that certain thing. On my mission I was known as the food storage elder in my apartment because I stored up a whole bunch of food. Right now as a poor college student it is harder for me to do this, but every other week I give in to my indulgences.

If said earthquake were to ever happen though, I would probably find myself in a world of hurt because the microwave is my best friend. I practically eat every meal out of it. Hot pockets and tv dinners make up the bulk of what I eat. So how can I prepare myself for an earthquake that is going to wipe out the usage of electricity? Two words. Top Ramen. Those wonderful noodles would be my savior. And they aren't half bad either. I actually enjoy them. And all you need is a little bit of hot water and you are set. Maybe if I were a little more well off I could buy stuff that is actually good for my body, but at this point in my life I can't afford to be a spender. That is another wonderful thing about Top Ramen. It is almost as cheap as dirt.

So there you have it. That is how I would prepare myself for the earthquake of the century. It isn't high class, but it will get me through. Of course if I were to get my own generator I could get some power to a microwave, but the fridge would be a different story. So I think I would still go with the noodles. In the end I guess that my advice would be just to have an ace up your sleeve just in case something happens. Life is one big random (for me at least) and I never know what to expect. But that is what makes life fun. So go out there and do the best you can to prepare yourself for whatever will come down the road, but always be wary of the fact that there are some things that will just come out of the blue. It is learning to roll with those kinds of things that will make life more enjoyable.

The Better Side of Me

Last time I wrote about some of the traits about me that I need to improve on. I figured I needed a self esteem boost, so today I'm going to write of those qualities that I feel are my best (of course there are many, but I won't bore you with the never ending list). First off, I feel that one of my best personality traits is that I am a very loyal person. I would do anything for anyone that is in my circle of friends or family, and maybe do some stuff for people that I don't even know. I love to share of myself and give service to those who are in need. There is a sense of compassion that I feel for the human race, and it drives me to help out those who are less fortunate. Whether it be a donation, or just a smile, I am always willing to brighten someone's day. I am a shoulder to cry on and a friend that gives an ear when you need to get something off of your chest. I also enjoy imparting of the wisdom that I have learned in my years of life to other people. That is just part of my loyalty to the human race.

And that is just the beginning. Over the years of my development of this characteristic I have found that perserverance has grown alongside it. When I set my mind out to do something, I don't finish until it gets done. I don't like to leave any job unfinished, it doesn't sit well with me. I am a person who likes to look back on my accomplishments and revel in them. I also feel that the more things I can accomplish, the more experience I will gain, which in turn will help me to share that experience with other people. I am always looking for opportunites to improve myself and to gain a deeper knowledge of different subjects.

Another quality that I feel is one of my best is that I am a person who just likes to have fun. I am a laid-back individual who does not like to be bored. Even though I don't leave a job unfinished I do those jobs quickly so I can move on to the next one. I am very active in this sense. I also like to get together with my friends and do whatever. In the past few years I have had some really good times with them, and I have learned a few things during that time as well. If the action is stimulating to my mind, I will probably pursue it. It helps to keep my brain going, because if I left it alone it would completely shut down (it's almost at that point already).

So there you have it. The good and the bad about me. As you can see I am just a normal (if there is such a thing) person who is trying to live life the best that I know how. That is all that I can do. I am not expected to do anything more. The most important thing is that I know that I'm not perfect and that there are things about me that I need to improve. But I don't let that get me down. I use the aspects of my personality that are good to help improve the bad ones. I feel that I am reaching a balance in my life which helps me to experience more happiness and joy as each day passes. Life is good, and I hope that it will just get better. I know that there will be bumps in the road, but that is to be expected. They provide and essential experience that can't be learned any other way. What is important to me is that I am striving to improve myself each day, and help out other people along the way.

One Step at a Time

I was asked a question in one of my classes, "what is the worst thing about you?" When I first heard this I thought to myself how hard a question this was to answer. It is always hardest to look at yourself and pick out the bad qualities. And as for myself, I enjoy the person that I am, and I am comfortable with my personality. But since I am not perfect, there is always room for improvement. So to set out to answer this question I had to solicit the help of my mom. The reason for that was because everyone knows that their mom knows them the best. The problem is that mothers tend to safeguard their children instead of telling them how it really is. Thankfully my mom is not one to mince words or beat around the bush. She will tell you like it is. Thanks mom, you're awesome.

When I asked her what she thought was the worst quality that I possessed, she was pretty quick to answer. At first she paused to think about it, and then told me that there really wasn't anything "bad" about my personality, but then the light came on and she gave me an answer that satisfied me. She said that one of the things that I wasn't very good at was being a social person. And I agree. I am not the kind of person to go out of my way to introduce myself to someone. I am an introverted kind of guy. There is a whole other story about how I became to be this way, but it is long, complicated, and I'm still figuring out the pieces to it.

She also pointed out that I am a pretty passive person as well. I am not one to go out and get myself in to the middle of an argument. I also have a high tolerance for things that people do (at least I think so). I don't let little things get to me. If it becomes a persistent problem I'll put my foot down, but it would have to be something significant. I take life as it comes, and roll with whatever comes my way. I don't like to add more stress on top of the amount that I have already. It's not good for my health.

So those are the answers that she gave me. Now when you look at it, they don't seem that bad. But to me they are areas for improvements. Up until now I haven't had any problems with these aspects of my personality, but my mom pointed out to me, that in the future when I go to have meaningful relationships with people i.e. girlfriends, wife, etc. that these traits might not be so favorable because they don't really allow for connection in a relationship. My mom is a psychologist, so she knows what she is talking about. And I agree with her 100% because I have seen things in my life that back up her statement. Luckily for me I have been aware of these "flaws" for awhile now (it isn't the first time that I have discussed this with my mom) and have been trying to improve them. I feel that I am doing a good job. It is a slow and steady process, but I have made steps within the last few years. I have become closer to my family and friends, and I am coming out of my shell a little bit more each day. I know that I still have a long way to go before I become a "social butterfly", and maybe that day will never come, but I will strive to do my best to improve myself. That is one thing that we as human beings have that other animal species don't. We have the ability to make ourselves better. We have great potential lying inside us. We just have to find the key to unlock that potential.

Geology Fun Fact No. 1

I am a huge fan of rocks (that's why I am studying to be a geologist) so I decided that I'm going to share facts about geology in random blogs that I write. For most people when they look at a landscape they don't realize the real beauty of what they are looking at. I love learning about how landscapes have come to be in their present state. There is so much history that can be gleaned from just looking at something. I'd have to say that one of my favorite geological structures are sink holes. They are really cool to look at, and it is pretty interesting, to me at least, how they are formed. It is a simple process that takes time, but what it produces is amazing. You start out with groundwater running through a layer of limestone. The water erodes the limestone and it creates holes in the ground. Eventually those holes form caves, and when the roof of that cave collapses you get a sink hole. But that is just the beginning. Over time the land is eroded and you eventually get karst towers along with underground springs coming out to the surface and other cool features. These formations are really cool to look at. I think karst topography is a sight to behold. So for those of you who plan to visit southern China anytime soon, you should go look at the wonderful karst topography in that region.

And that is just the beginning of how cool geology really is. But the reason I'm studying it isn't so that I can know about rocks, I want to go a little bit off the path and study the coolest kind of rocks ever... fossils. That's right. Not one person can tell me that fossils aren't cool. When you find one you become like a little school kid, and you get all excited and you want to show everybody. I have been fortunate enough to do some fossil digging in my life. It was for trilobites down in Delta, Utah and it was one of the coolest adventures I've ever been on. I even named the trilobites that I found. I look forward to the day when I find a dinosaur bone. That will be a highlight of my life. But finding any kind of ancient life is a thrill. One of the most awesome things I have learned about as a geologist is the Burgess Shale up in Canada. Now there is some pretty bizarre lifeforms that were buried in it. Look it up if your interest has been peaked. Anyways, I am really stoked for what I get to look forward to in the future. Look out fossils here I come! So that's it I guess. Rocks are cool, but fossils are even better. I might write a book about it someday. There is so much to look forward to in life, and it's even better because you don't know what to expect. Randomness in life makes it all the more fun.

Public Announcement No. 1

One of the fun things about life is that you can pick up some pretty cool hobbies. It is just one of the things that makes life worth living. I know if it wasn't for my desire to collect Transformers action figures, or play videogames, I wouldn't have much to live for (that is just a sarcastic statement, I don't mean it literally). One of the more classy hobbies that people have developed is the talent of music. Now not everybody is musically inclined, but for those people who are, thank you for sharing. I love to listen to music.

When I was eight years old, like many moms out there, my mother decided she wanted me to learn how to play the piano. At first I thought it would be a cool thing to do, but after my first lesson I decided that it took away from my play time (something I still don't like to happen to me even in the present). But for five years I made the choice to tough it out. Once I reached thirteen I stopped taking lessons. But that Christmas I asked my parents for a keyboard so that I could keep up on my skills. I tinkered on my keyboard for the next few years, but really didn't do anything with it. I think the only reason I didn't get really in to playing was the fact that I wanted to play cool songs (like from videogames), but I could never get a hold of any. While serving my mission in Massachusetts I had the opportunity to expand my piano playing skills a little bit. One of my companions taught me a couple of things and I proceeded to increase my prowess as a pianist. This I am grateful for even to this day. I can just sit down and put something together and make it sound kind of nice to hear.

One of the best days of my life was when I stumbled upon a website that had nintendo sheet music that I could download for free. Thank you internet! I don't know where I'd be without it. (A testament to how we as a society have become dependent on certain things that we "can't live without" i.e. cell phones, computers, etc). This sparked my interest in playing the piano again. I sat down and began to play the songs that I have loved since I was a little kid. It makes me so happy because I have been dreaming of playing songs from games like Legend of Zelda and Earthbound ever since I started learning how to play.

I continue to seek out music that I find stimulating to my mind. I am a fan of complicated music because it gets me to sit down and figure out how to play it. It may take me hours on end to eventually get the song down, but I enjoy the challenge. I am one who loves a good puzzle. It is also amazing to me because music notes are like a different language waiting to be heard. When you figure out how to play the song well, it's like speaking that language. Nice imagery huh? I'm not sure where I am going with this blog, but I just thought that I would get there out in to the public that there is a website that has nintendo sheet music. In case you're interested it's www.ninsheetmusic.net (This may be the first of many "public announcements" that I choose to proclaim in my blogs). So go look at it those of you who like to play the piano and love videogames. You won't be disappointed. The music there isn't easy though, but it makes for a great adventure.

Can I Have Fries With That?

America is the land of many choices. One of the great privileges of this wonderful society is to choose among the many places to dine and fill your stomach. Although this has led to an increase in American obesity, it is still nice to be able to go with your gut and go to the place that is going to satisfy the hunger that rumbles in your tummy. We are blessed as a nation to be able to have such an overabundance of places to go and receive the necessary nutrients that our bodies need. (Maybe not all of those nutrients are necessary, in fact according to national health scholars many places do a disservice to the good of our body).

When I am feeling hungry I always enjoy going to Carl's Jr. to go get a Double Western Bacon Hamburger (I don't like cheese) with some criss-cut fries and a drink. To me, this is the best meal in the entire world. I could never get enough of it. I went on a mission for my church to Massachusetts where they didn't have Carl's Jr. After two years the first thing I had when I got back to California was a nice hot double western with some criss-cut fries. It always makes my stomach smile as it hits the spot. I also enjoy Wendy's. The Jr. Bacon Burger and the Crispy Chicken Nuggets are bomb, and you can't beat a frostee. They are so good. There is another place in my hometown called Bravo Burger. They make some good burgers there, but what most people go there for (I think mostly the high schoolers in the area anyways) is the breakfast burrito. Oh man, they are so tasty. A huge flower tortilla with egg, bacon, and hash brown. You can get other varieties of it, but that is my favorite. They also have a mean breakfast menu as well.

Yea, I know fast food isn't the best, but I always say the worse it is for you, the better it tastes. Maybe nowadays they have healthy food that actually tastes like what it is mimicking, but every healthy thing I've eaten has tasted like cardboard. Sorry to all you health nuts out there, but I don't agree with that healthy lifestyle stuff. It's not how I roll. I digress. Now that I have covered the topic of fast food, it's time to move on to the actual dine-in restaurants. I actually have many favorites, but I'd say at the top of my list is Applebees. The one thing that I really liked there was the teriyaki steak with coconut shrimp. Mmm mmm good. Makes me salivate every time I think of it. They have some other good stuff one the menu, but I like to stick with the steak and shrimp. I am also an Old Spaghetti Factory fan. Can't ever get enough of the Italian pasta. One of the places that I enjoy the most to eat at though is Denny's. Give me a Grand Slam and I am a happy camper. I know it isn't classy, but hey, I don't care. I like to eat good food.

So now you know about a few places that have some good food to eat. Now maybe you will actually go out and experience the wonderful world of food. I know there are many other places that are spectacular, but I've given a list of some decent choices (If health isn't an issue for you). I encourage people to go out and put their money in to the economic stream so that these 50 great states and flourish. And hey, maybe that money will go to someone going to college and opening up a new food chain that makes some delicious meals. I'd be ever grateful for that. So go on America, eat up (but don't overeat, it isn't good for your health).

When I Grow Up

When you are a little kid a teacher will always ask you what you want to be when you grow up. This is a pretty simple question to answer for one so young an age with limited knowledge of the plethora of jobs out there. Mostly you will hear the boys say that they want to be a fireman, or an astronaut, and the girls would answer that they want to be "mommies". (I'm sure it is a little different today since more and more women are enjoying the benefits of the work force, but for all intensive purposes I will go with the answer I have given). There is also another answer that is common among youngsters, and that is wanting to be a dinosaur hunter (we all know this translates into "paleontologist"). And, of course, when I was that age, that was the answer I gave, except I actually told my teachers I wanted to be a paleontologist. Many were surprised that I even knew such a "big word" but that's the truth. Ever since I was yea high (around the height of your average kindergartner) I have been fascinated with dinosaurs. That is why I choose that answer, and I have stuck to my guns ever since. Sadly not many children get to live out their childhood dreams.

Seeing as studying dinosaur fossils would involve me having to acquire and intimate knowledge of geology and biology, I have set out to earn a degree in geology. So far the trip has been a lot of fun, and I am enjoying gaining more and more experience in the field, and learning more about the earth and different geological structures. It is the beginning of my adventure to one day be a paleontologist. I have always planned on being in school for a long time, but I foresee a great future ahead of me. I have even set some goals for myself for when I become a paleontologist. One of them is to find a complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is a lofty one, but I think that it can be done.

I know that this has been one of my shorter blogs (maybe someone will actually read this then), but it is about something that I care a lot about. I'm not sure what else I would be if I couldn't be a paleontologist. I'm really interested in ancient Egyptian culture, so maybe I'd take that route, but I'd still rather look at dinosaur bones than mummies. I think it is amazing that I have stayed with it all this time. I'm not sure why, but maybe it is part of my destiny (I use the term lightly) to be one. And I feel it is important to do what you love. I spent a summer at a desk job, and I hated it. Never again will I be confined to a computer and a desk. I will be out in the field banging rocks and looking at some pretty awesome stuff. It is a beautiful world that we live in, and there have been some pretty amazing creatures that have walked the face of it. I am excited to study about what came before us, and how they impacted the world that we live in today.