Preserve Marriage. Yes on Proposition 8.

Having tolerance without condoning.
We can love someone while still maintaining and advocating our standards and beliefs.

Unless Proposition 8 passes, California society will soon undergo a profound change in its basic understanding of marriage and family life.
That will affect everyone in numerous ways. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs.

Proposition 8 will not hurt gays and lesbians.
In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children.
If same-sex marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive “age appropriate” information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches.
The court’s decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family.

Almost Finished Furnishing

Since last time, we have completed item 15 from the Hitch List. That is, Find a couch cover for our couch. This week has been filled with shopping for our apartment. We bought, among other thing, a broom, a vacuum, a mop, a bed, pillows that match the couch cover, floor pillows, cleaning supplies, trash cans, and an air freshener.

As you can see, our mattress and box spring were a slightly big for our little truck...

Here's the front of the house and our little mail box.

The Hitch List

So, we had to make a list. The Hitch List. You know, a list of all the things we want to do before we get hitched. So here it is:

1. Jump out of an airplane.
2. Not die doing it.
3. Watch the sun rise from the top of Mt. Timpanogos.
4. See The Dark Knight in an Imax theater.
5. Buy a couch and table from D.I.
6. Go to New York.
7. Be engaged for 10 months.
8. Transport said couch in the rain.
9.Get a CostCo membership.
10. Find a store that gives out free underwear.
11. Break the Utah record for most time spent at a water fountain at a mall.
12. Win between 5,487 and 16,296 Jelly Bellies.
13. Win a $250 gift certificate to the games store in the mall.
14. While waiting to win said Jelly Bellies and gift certificate, see how many board games we can construct out of items from thrift stores, dollar stores, and Walmart.
15. Find a couch cover for said couch.
16. Immerse ourselves in hot sulfur water.
17. Put our heads through the back side of a waterfall.
18. Complete this list.

So far we have accomplished:
1,2,4,5,8,9,10,11,14,16,17

Now here is how we did it:

1 & 2: Skydiving seemed a good option for us to kill our first two birds with one stone, so that's what we did. Yesterday morning, we got in a small plane, flew to 13,000 feet, and jumped out. Luckily for us, we each had an experienced professional strapped to our backs. Luckily for them and us, there were a few large parachutes involved as well. We both did a back flip after exiting the plane, and fell for 50-55 seconds before our canopies opened at 4,000 feet. It was a rush. Falling at 110-120 miles per hour, watching the ground get closer, and feeling the air rushing around us. Joy got to do some diving and rolling during her free fall, and she got to pull the cord releasing her canopy. We both got a taste of piloting ourselves as we soared back to the airport. Now we have to do it again...

4: We just went and did this one. Not too complex. Awesome movie, and even better on an Imax screen from the 3rd row. Never mind the fact that Mary Poppins would be an exciting thrill ride if it was played on a screen that big, with sound like that.

5: This was pretty simple too. We went to D.I. on a whim to look for furniture, and we found a red and blue striped couch with cat marks and your usual D.I. stains, but unlike the rest of D.I.'s array of previously enjoyed merchandise, it was extraordinarily comfortable. I mean, it was really comfortable. No bars or rods in your back or butt. We didn't sink to the floor, and it wasn't a padded rock either. And $35? Yes please!! Also, we found a nice oak kitchen table with the usual wear and tear from children with spoons and forks, and one long scratch on one side. Picture will appear soon.

8: This happened without any planning at all. Weird huh? We moved the table into our basement, went back for our couch, and by the time the friendly D.I. employees got the couch to the loading bay it was pouring. Pouring rain. I bet you figured that one out by yourself though. So we drove as fast as we could without speeding back to our basement, and magically managed to fit a couch-shaped peg through a small angled, door-shaped hole. We removed the cushion covers, opened a few windows, and turned on the fan to let the soggy couch dry overnight.

9: What married couple in Provo would be complete without a Costco membership? We just go there for the pizza and hot dogs.

10: After skydiving, we had a few hours before our movie started, so we went to the mall. Joy dragged me into every clothing store in sight to find out if my version of cute matched hers. While on one adventure, Joy found a pair of underwear she just had to have, and when she went to buy them, discovered she could have them for free if she signed up for an equally free store membership. Hurray!! Free undies!!

11: While at the mall, Joy was thirstier than a giant bull camel. So we stopped at every water fountain. Multiple times.

14: There is a series of abstract board games under the name of the GIPF project, which are very cool. Or so they seem. So I have been learning the rules online, and figuring out ways to construct the games from cheep toys, marbles, and other game pieces. So far, Joy and I have played Gipf and Zertz.

16: Last weekend, Joy and I went on a hike with my roommate Jason, and his fiance Karrisa to the hot springs. Joy and Karissa got blisters. Ouch!! The water was hot and smelly. Now, a week and several visits to the pool later, my shorts still stink like a breakfast gone wrong.

17: On the same trip, there was a small waterfall with a hole in the rocks behind it big enough for one's head. We all took turns poking our heads through the hole and the waterfall while the others watched from below.

As you can tell, we have been having a lot of fun recently even though we are both working full time, and I am going to school. Who ever said there is nothing to do in Provo obviously needs to get out of Provo once in a while, or just get creative.

The Crazy Past Two Weeks

Hello!
The past couple of weeks have been a crazy time for Alma and I! From finals to saying goodbye, its been a whirl of emotions coupled with tons of laughs and smiles.

Two weeks ago we were finishing up finals and worried about packing and checking out of our apartments. I finished my finals on Monday and Alma finished his on Tuesday. We both did well and were so glad to be done with homework for a while. We celebrated the end of finals by going to the movies twice that week; we saw National Treasure 2 and The Bucket List (we compromise a lot). I had to be out of my apartment by Saturday morning and I was definitely grateful for Alma's help. There is no way I could have moved all of my stuff out on time without his help and neither could my roommates, for that matter.

Come Saturday morning Alma was there bright and early helping both Natalie and I get everything out of the apartment before our final check out. He even drove Natalie's things to where she was getting picked up while I drove her. After I said goodbye to Natalie, Alma and I went back to his apartment and I slept while he packed. That night, since I had no home, I went to the relief society president's house to sleep. It was a very nice house and I had a really good time, I stayed both Saturday and Sunday nights while Alma packed on Saturday and went to church and then to his uncle's house for dinner on Sunday.

Monday morning came and we moved all of Alma's things from his old apartment to his new one and then we were on the road (well, after a pit stop at Chipotle). We drove up to Idaho, laughing and singing the whole way there. When we got there we got to work immediately (at least Alma did). The guys were laying frames for concrete while Aleah and I went back and forth between planting trees and making dinner. That night we talked about the wedding and received the news of Geram's accident; we are all hoping for the best and keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

The next day we got up early to lay some concrete. OH WHAT FUN!! =) I definitely didn't expect it to be so much fun. Hahaha. But it was an experience and I learned something new; never lay concrete when the wind is blowing 40 miles an hour unless you want a natural looking brown surface. On Wednesday Terry took Alma and I to Hyde Park to do some work and we spent all day there. I was happy to see Ty, Michael and Aleah later that day when they came to help us. I was so tired at the end of the day!

Thursday and Friday were more relaxed, my dad came up and on Friday we went and rode quads at the dunes. I'll admit I was timid but I had so much fun...even after I tipped a quad over.

It was such a fun week and it was hard to say goodbye to everyone on Saturday morning. When we got out on the road, my dad and I drifted in and out of sleep while Alma drove. I think Alma started to drift too so he made me play the alphabet game. We got back to Provo and ate lunch at Olive Garden. I got all of my stuff from Alma's truck and said my tearful goodbye. Then my dad and I were off. We got home at 10:30 Southern California time and I was so glad to get out of the car.

Since then Alma and I have talked a lot on the phone and have both gotten exciting news. I'm starting my new job on Monday and I'll be making $12.75 an hour and Alma got offered an awesome full time position at BYU that would definitely get us off to a good start.

We are so excited about everything that is going on and everything that is to come!!

Conference Weekend

Friday: I got up at 6:30 to go to school and work on my Stirling engine project which is turning out to be a beast of a task. It is for my manufacturing class, and my group has not been able to find many of the necessary parts. This leaves us with very few options when trying to make a low heat engine. Without bearings, it won't work. Without a smooth piston, it won't work. So basically, we've decided to make a Stirling engine model instead of a real Stirling engine. So, I got to school at 8:00 to make the crank hub. After making the computer model, the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines were in use, so we couldn't actually make the part we needed. I was kind of upset that I could have had some more sleep. After classes, I went back the machining lab to remake the flywheel. (The first one was too big.) I had to go to work before it was done, so one of my group members stayed to finish it. After work, I went back to school to start putting everything together with the group. That didn't turn out to be a productive meeting at all. I worked on a few things as the rest of the group sat around talking and watching me.

After that, I went to my mission reunion with Joy. That was nice. I got to see several of my companions, and other missionaries I served around. After Joy and I left, we watched Click, I went home, and hit the sack. All in all, I spent way too much time on this buggeredly manufacturing project. Ick!

****Joy's Day****

She says she doesn't want to write anything, but I'll tell what happened. She took a Spanish test that was crazy hard. She said it was so hard it was like everything was in Portuguese. (OK, she didn't say that, but she did say it was very hard.) She doesn't want anyone to know, but after this test, she has decided to minor in Spanish. Why? I don't know. She really doesn't like the class she's in, and doesn't want to take any more Spanish classes, but she wants to minor in it. Hmmm. Interesting...

****Alma again****

On Saturday, I came over to Joy's apartment, and she made German Pancakes. They were really good.

They looked much like the Sierra Nevada mountains, but they tasted like Munich. With Boysenberry jam nonetheless!!

We watched conference together, which was great. Elder Oaks blew me away. I was so excited with his talk. And it just kept going well. Like Jethro's well. Only not. In between sessions, I did my taxes. Hurray!!

***WARNING! Extreme exaggeration***
I LOVE THE IRS!!!

Joy made me a delicious dinner while I went to Priesthood Session. Three-cheese stuffed shelleroni in a marinara sauce with Parmesan cheese on top. With a Caesar salad and buttery french bread. Mmmm mmm mm...

Today, we got up early to catch the TRAX in Sandy to go to the morning session of Conference. We were both very tired but managed to stay awake, and listen to the talks. It was the first time for both of us to be at a General Conference session. It was great. Very peaceful, and real.

After the first session, we drove home, and watched the second session on TV, ate dinner, and went on a 5-6 mile walk. It wasn't meant to be that long, but we decided to take a random way home that lead us in a big loop. We finally made it back with sore feet, and sat down.

Pizza

Because of my brilliant date ideas, Alma and I made pizza on Friday. After school Alma worked for about a few hours and I went home to get ready. When I picked up Alma from work we headed to the grocery store and searched high and low for the perfect ingredients. We bought two boxes of "Jiffy" pizza crust mix. (We just added water, and poof, perfect pizza crust. Ok, not PERFECT, but good) We also bought a jar of pizza sauce, a block of mozzarella cheese, a tomato, crushed pineapple and black olives.

We headed back to my apartment and Alma skilfully crafted the dough, he even hand tossed it! While he was making the dough, I was busy slicing tomato, shredding cheese and cutting olives. Alma also cooked up some bacon that I had in the fridge. Once the dough was done pre-baking we put the sauce on it and then drew a line down the middle. Alma's side of the pizza ended up with bacon, olives, pineapple and cheese while mine had tomato, olive and cheese. We placed the delicious creation into the oven and as we anxiously awaited the end of 17 minutes of baking, we decided to put some garlic powder and extra cheese on French bread slices. When there were three minutes left on the timer we placed the garlic cheese bread in the oven under the pizza and waited, impatiently.

The time finally arrived. We pulled the pizza and bread out of the oven and Alma hurried to slice it up. (We decided that whoever invented the pizza cutter was absolutely amazing.) We sat down to eat and said a prayer and when we were about half way done Alma decided we HAD to have root beer; he ran (literally RAN) over to the market and got some IBC. It was a delicious combination and it left us both full to the brim.

After we finished our feast we sat down and watched a movie called "Scoop." It wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't bad either. =) I drove Alma home and we ended the night with a prayer. It was a fantastic night!

Easter Eve

What a beautiful day!

After a few hours of work, and a midterm, on my part, and an incredible essay on Joy's, we took a stroll down to the park. Well, not so much of a stroll as a drive, but we made it there nonetheless. Rock Canyon park to be exact, and it I'm sure the grass was greener on any other side, but at least there was grass. We threw out a blanket, and laid out a feast of hoagies, fruit salad, and fiery Doritos as prepared by the most talented Joy. (Ever since I prayed that she would be blessed in her cooking endeavors, any food that meets the fate of her hands is quite delectable.) We ate and ate 'till we couldn't eat any more. That's not entirely true, but we had to save room for dinner. ;)

After a wonderful lunch, we decided to play two-man, two-base whiffle ball, which was more fun than it sounds. And Joy took the liberty of pounding one of the balls into left field so hard the ball split down the seam. Yeah, that's right, she BROKE a whiffle ball! Now you know why I want to marry her so bad. I got a keeper. Uh huh. By the time I won, I couldn't breathe, so I had to sit down for a spell. Joy, on the other hand was rearing to go.

***LIFE CHANGING EVENT***

JOY FLEW HER FIRST KITE EVER!!!!!

And I was part of it. Wow. How often do you get to be the one that introduces kite-flying to a college student from L.A.? Well, it's not very often, but I did it. (Thank you Wal-Mart for the $1 Spider Man kite, which , I might add, flew better than all the other kites out there.) I guess a spaghetti-thin framework, and ultra thin/cheap plastic is good for a kite. After exactly 38.54 minutes of mesmerizing aerial acrobatics, we took to talking (nice alliteration!) and got a little too much sun for our Utah fair skin.

***Joy's turn to write***

After a glorious afternoon in the sun we headed back to my apartment to get changed and go to dinner. I had bought tickets for a BYU event called "Fiesta" earlier that week and was so excited to go. The tickets included dinner, a show, and a dance. We arrived at 5 for dinner and were surprised to see that the dinner we had previously paid for was from Taco Bell. Although we ate it, we sat and grumbled to each other about how we could have had a better dinner at home, or for the price we paid, could have gone out to a nice dinner. (Alma did, however, enjoy 3 churros) Anyway, after dinner we stood in line for a good 40 minutes to make sure we got good seats to the show; after what seemed like an eternity we went in and got to enjoy two hours of various song and dance from different Hispanic cultures. It was really interesting to see the variety and enjoy the atmosphere. We were too tired to stay for the dance that followed the show so we left.

We went back to my apartment and watched a chick flick (after a little debate and a compromise) and ate popcorn. We ended the evening with a prayer and said good night.

It was such a wonderful day.

***Back to Alma***

That ended the day for her, but not for me. Oh no, I partied on. A little Guitar Hero, and two episodes of The OC, and I ended my day too.

El Fin