Love is...

Compliments of eight-year-old Robert

1 John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

Galumphing. All the Cool Kids are Doing it

Each semester I have to take an honors course. Last year I took the english classes, remember? This fall I registered for Perspectives in the Creative Arts because it sounded slightly more interesting than Great Ideas of the East. I was surprised to find on the first day that the class was actually Enhancing Creativity. 

The class looks like it's going to be a lot of work, but I’m actually excited. First, we were able to choose which textbook we wanted to use. I picked the one that is somewhat spiritual, because I think it’s nearly impossible to understand yourself or anything without questioning your spiritual beliefs. We have to go through the text on our own time and journal all the exercises we do. Then during the semester we have to complete two large creative projects and journal during the process. 

My favorite activity that we have to do each week is called galumphing. It is something we do simply because we want to. It can’t benefit us or anyone else, or be something that we’ve had on our to-do list for months. Coloring would be an example. Or as one student did, buy a red leather dress and test drive a ferrari.

Galumph: a joyful, celebratory, or just for fun activity; preparation for adulthood

As our professor was explaining galumphing, people (including me) were already freaking out about how they don’t have time to waste on something that really has no purpose. How sad is that? We are all so focused on accomplishing tasks that we have forgotten how to have fun without having an agenda. 

Our professor told us to be selfish when we were thinking about what our galumphs would be. The suggestion that made me think the most was that it could be something we no longer do because we realized we weren’t as good as someone else. 

Can you think of an activity you used to love, but stopped doing because you weren’t the best?

There are many times when I find myself wishing I could just be young again. If only I were playing at my grandparents house or in my backyard with my dog, I would be much happier. I would be content with life. I think everyone feels that way at some point. Except at that time a person has two options: they can either find some way to experience that satisfaction with life again, or believe that it’s only attainable in childhood and then continue to live a oftentimes miserable adult life. 

From what I’ve read so far, this class isn’t really about becoming an artist. I’m not expecting to become Picasso in 12 weeks. I think it’s more about finding the dreams you’ve buried, because at one point the world told you it was a dumb idea, and you listened. Silly world, everyone should keep their dreams alive.

Otown Chapter 2

Well I’m back in Ogden, and it’s crazy how quickly you settle right back into the routine of going to school. I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea of spending hours on homework, but that’s just how things work at college. Unless you’re the student who doesn’t do any studying or work. Why are they even going to school in the first place? Did they just have a few thousand dollars lying around that they didn’t know what to do with? 

On top of school, I’m working as an academic tutor and chemistry lab assistant. Those don’t start until next week, and I’m pretty excited. Mostly because I get to be in a chem lab six hours a week, and a majority of the people who come for tutoring need it in math and chemistry. Both of which happen to be my favorite classes. 


I am slightly concerned about trying to balance everything, but it won't be impossible. I do think this year will be tougher than the last though. I'm going to be stretched and tested, because I simply will have a lot to do. So much that I'm feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it.

Enjoy the various pictures from around town and my dorm. And the cactus? His name is Javier.

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Fluffy

For my father's birthday we went to Vegas to watch Gabriel Iglesias. He is an overweight Mexican comedian who consistently makes me laugh/cry. Enjoy this sample of the hilarity that is Fluffy...