Sarcasm:

On more than one occasion I have been accused of using excessive sarcasm to express my feelings towards the current circumstance. In some ways I have become known for my ability to to bring sarcasm into every situation. People who understand sarcasm love me for it, but on the other-hand, those who don't understand sarcasm hate me for it.

So since I love sarcasm so much and believe it to be the only correct way of communicating all emotion. I would like to promote this chart as a way to help those who struggle with sarcasm to begin to understand the meaning of sarcasm.

Racing the Sun

As I strapped on my backpack I took a deep breath of the brisk morning air just before we set out on our morning hike. It was 3:00 am as we began our journey to the top of Mt. Timpanogos, if we were going to make it by sunrise we would need to make up a lot of time.

As we began our ascent we could see distant lights high above us that seemed to inch up the seemingly black cliffs in front of us. Though it seemed hopeless I refused to dwell on how steep the canyon bowl seemed to be and how far away the dotted lights pierced the darkness thousands of feet above our heads.

My buddy Rob and I decided to walk by moonlight, it made the entire experience worthwhile. After a few moments we were to see amazing stars and scenery that was blind to those whos eyes had already adjusted to the artificial light in front of them.

By packing light and dressing light we were able to hike quickly, passing many hikers that at one point seemed to be far ahead of us. As we continued to scale the mountain the brush seemed to grow less and less thick until we came to the first rock shell section of the climb we slowed our pace. Over who knows how many thousands of years the rock cliffs above two of the areas approaching the peak of the mountain have been slowly falling apart onto the slopes below. In the first section the rocks were small and unsettled. That meant that every time I took a step my foot would sink into the shell rock or the rocks would break loose and I would need to quickly regain my footing.

I could tell from the silhouette of the cliffs in front of us the climb was about to get much harder.
Since I had never done this climb before Rob was leading us through the shell rock since. We nicknamed him Zeus because of his extremely muscular build and highly trained muscles. This may have been the reason he chose the path of most resistance in climbing the mountain, it wasn’t til daylight on the way back down that I found that the trial snaked back and forth along the face of the steep incline to make the hike actually very enjoyable.


After bouldering up the loose shell rock and climbing up rock faces as we took short cuts straight up the face of the mountain, I looked at Zeus in exhaustion. We both knew I wanted to slow down, but we both knew we wouldn’t make it to the top in time if we went any slower, so we continued.

Once we got to the top of the first ridge it became only a slight incline that led into the bowl beneath the peak. To the west of he bowl is a several thousand-foot cliff, to the north is another decline that leads to another entrance to the peak. To the south was a small lake that was fed by a massive glacier that remains year round.
And to our backs was the most immaculate view of the dozens of peaks to the east. Beneath the cliff sat a brick walled shack with metal roofing and a huge chimney at the back. It was a cozy place for frozen hikers to rest and get warm. As we approached the shack I noticed a blazing fire surrounded by people and large groups standing around the shack relaxing before making the final journey to the top.

Without the slightest hesitation we continued past the shack towards the peak, we could already see a gold rim forming around the horizon in the distance and we didn’t want to miss the sunrise.

Racing for the top we came to the second rock shell section. The only difference was that this time instead of small rocks that kept moving around, these were large rocks that spread out in between sheets of frozen glaciers that had to be passed through in the darkness by touch rather than sight. In exhaustion we continued to the top as we jumped from rock to rock hoping that as we landed the rock wouldn’t give way to our weight.

The glacier sections seemed tricky to the mind that hadn’t rested in nearly twenty hours and a body that had been pushed to the limits.

After the rocks we had one final incline before we would get to the ridge that would look out over Utah Valley and have a perfect view of the sunrise, but upon getting to the ridge Rob and I looked at each other, then to the peak and then back to the trail. With little discussion we agreed that if we moved quickly we could still make the hike to the top. I snapped a quick picture and we were off.

We were now at about 10,000 ft above sea level and the barren rocky terrain stretched upward to the peak. The final hour was steep and produced amazing views of the Utah lake and Utah valley nearly 6,000 ft below us.

Upon arriving to the top I shouted for joy, surprising the handful of other hikers. To my surprise there was a small…umm… structure at the very peak. It was a 10 X 10 square wooden refuge with a triangular roof that provided minimal shelter from cold wind.

Glancing down a bit I noticed the rocks shelves would be perfect for me to get comfy and eat my victory meal as I waited for the sunrise.

As I sat down I began to shake uncontrollably as I opened my Ziploc baggy to chow down on my chicken and pasta. A debate ran through my mind of whether my body needed sleep, food, or warmth. After finishing off my victory meal I rested my head on the rocks next to me and propped my feet up on the rocks below me in preparation for the horizon to slowly unveil the warm bright sun.

With excitement of accomplishment and raging anticipation I physically and mentally gave in to the exhaustion. All of my excitement for the sunrise vanished as I fell asleep on the rocks at the top of Mount Timpanogos.

With half of the sun peeking out from behind the horizon I woke long enough to enjoy my triumph of ascending nearly 7,000 ft in just under three and a half hours to see yet another mountain sunrise that will not be forgotten.

With great joy and a smile on my face, I curled up on the rock next to me and took a brief nap before making my daylight journey back down the mountain.

Coincidence or Fate?

The student section known as "The MUSS" at the University of Utah has over 6,000 members. That means over 6,000 different seats that would be (somewhat) randomly selected and given to me. As I walked into the stadium I was stoked that I would be sitting on row 20 at the 30 yard line. I was excited beyond belief. My friend Matt was already inside waiting for me as I walked in and glanced ahead at our seats. There I saw matt sitting a row behind out tickets oblivious to the couple sitting in front of him which were the seats next ours. With my jaw wide in unbelief I looked at my ticket number. Then back up at the familiar couple. Then back at my tickets. Matt and I have seats 14 and 15. My ex-girlfriend and ex-best friend have seats 16 and 17.
WTF!!!
Trying to be a lil sneaky so they wouldn't see me I sat next to Matt behind them so I could try to think about how I would handle sitting right next to them for not just an entire game, but for an entire season of football. Well, as I was pondering the situation their entire crew showed up. All of which are good friends of mine. One of them has a knack of making the most of any awkward situation. After saying hello to my ex he looked past them and ran a gave me a hug. My ex was a little surprised when she realized what he was doing, she obviously hadn't noticed me come in. Continuing to make the situation awkward he laughed as he glanced back and forth between the couple and myself.
I couldn't help but laugh at the chances something such as this could happen.
I guess they could sense the awkwardness in the air as well. It wasn't long til they nonchalantly move down a few rows.
Why is my life so dramatic? I understand I bring some of it upon myself, but this. Really?
Well, thats one game down and five to go.

Cultural Values

Many years ago a student from India named Hari Dam came to America for an education. After many years in the American culture he made many observations relating to the differences between the Indian culture he was raised and the American culture to which he was introduced. Just before leaving America he published his observations in the school paper. The following are his words.

" You live in time; we live in space. You’re always on the move; we’re always at rest.

You’re aggressive; we’re passive. You like to act; we like to contemplate.

We always hark back to the past; you always look forward to the future. We pine for the lost paradise; you wait for the millennium.

We accept the world as it is; you try to change it according to your blueprint. We live in peace with nature; you try to impose your will on her.

Religion is our first love; we revel in metaphysics. Science is your passion; you delight in physics.

You believe in freedom of speech; you strive for articulation. We believe in freedom of silence; we lapse into meditation.

You first love, then you marry. We first marry, then we love. Your marriage is the happy end of a romance; our marriage is the beginning of a love affair. Your marriage is a contract; our marriage is and indissoluble bond.

Your love is vocal; our love is mute. You delight in showing it to others; we try hard to conceal it from the world.

Self-assertiveness is the key of your success; self-abnegation is the secret of our survival.

You’re urged every day to want more and more; we’ve taught from the cradle to want less and less. Joie de vivre is your ideal; conquest of desires is our goal.

We glorify austerity and renunciation; you emphasize gracious living and enjoyment. Poverty to you is a sign of degradation; it is to us a badge of spiritual elevation.

In the sunset years of life, you retire to enjoy the fruits of your labor; we renounce the world and prepare ourselves for the hereafter."


(Hari Dam, student from India, cited in Religions of the World, 7.)

Lake Powell

It had been at least five years since I had last seen the magnificent bay of the Bullfrog marina and the glistening tin roofs of Halls crossing marina miles away on the other side of the bay.

We spent the entire evening loading up the houseboat to prepare for the seven days we would spend camped out 20 miles downstream.



Lake Powell is the second largest watershed for the west holding 24,322,000 acre-feet of water when full. In terms of size it is the largest manmade lake in the United States – 186 miles long and almost 2,000 miles of shoreline, that’s longer than the entire west coast of the USA. The lake has 96 major canyons, some of which are 15 to 20 miles in length.

Early Sunday morning we began the trek with the houseboat, two ski boats, and two wave runners towards the area we picked out. Since the houseboat tops out at a speed of about 10 mph we towed one of the ski boats and the wave runners and my parents and I took our ski boat down the lake to find our perfect spot.



Once anchoring in the houseboat it took no time at all for the water fun to begin. The 20-foot cliff nearby seemed like the perfect start to the week.

But just as anyone knows, when it seems to good to be true, it probably is, so expect something bad to follow. The first day we found a leak in one of the ski boats that required my parents to quickly make the 20-mile journey back to the marina in order to repair the leak.

By the second day we had one of the wave runners propped up on its side on the beach while we pulled a rope out of the water intake.

The first few days massive windstorms came through swaying the houseboat from side to side nearly smashing into the rocks on either side. Luckily the anchors held and we were later able to secure them tighter in preparation for the much bigger storms that would come later in the week.

By the fourth day we found a mouse on the boat. This may sound like only a minor detail, but mice in this region are known to carry the deadly Hantavirus that can kill within weeks or even days. After a quick look around we found mice all over the shoreline.

But despite what seemed to be a week of bad luck, it was truly a magnificent experience that brought back great memories from the many years I have been going to Lake Powell. The massive red rock that surrounds the lake becomes only more and more breathtaking as the sun disappears behind the massive cliffs and the moon creates a silhouette of the canyon walls surrounding us with a blanket of stars as our ceiling.



Since I was the only young guy in the group I had to be tolerant of the endless girl parties and conversation. I tried to get excited about the nail painting party (if that’s what it is called), but I just couldn’t share the same enthusiasm as my cute eight-year-old girlfriend Isabelle who insisted on painting my fingernails. The crazy dance parties to the latest Katy Perry songs isn’t exactly what a 23 year old male looks forward to participating in. So to many of the girls dismay I found solace in putting my headphones on or reading my book. According to all the girls I was a party pooper, but it seemed to me that I was just being normal.

Although the parties at night weren’t exactly my style, the long hot days with a lake to cool off in was just for me. I spent hours every day trying to outdo myself on the tubes, surfboard, wakeboard, and sky ski at every chance I got. I would have worked on my slalom skiing as well, but I’m still recovering from a back injury from a slalom skiing adventure a few months back. And to my great joy my goals were exceeded and my confidence in my abilities was increased. I think I am obligated to admit that the confidence I gained was mainly from the over the top compliments given to me from my great friends in the boat encouraging me to keep trying until success was attained.

The greatest memories I have are those shared with close friends. Experiences left in my mind are those that inspire me in times of distress. Being on a boat with 16 close friends will bring about memories that can never be forgotten. Whether it is a mother telling her daughter her sunburned face looks like a bad road rash. Or that same mother expressing her lack of concern of me sleeping in the same bed as her daughter because “they are in love with different people, it doesn’t matter”.



On the last day all of the boats began moving upstream to the marina, it seemed like a somber yet needed migration towards home. We were tired, sunburned, bruised, and beaten, and ready to return to civilization. But as we began our journey home we all took with us some of the greatest memories we will ever have. The friendships created and the experiences enjoyed will never be forgotten.

When Opportunity Knocks...

Gasping for air I began the gruesome turn between the first and second switchbacks on 24/7, the trail that scales the mountains behind my house. Although I knew the trial would be hard and would test me physically and mentally, I never thought I would be exhausted in only the first few minutes into my mountain biking escapade.

I’ve had a history of ambitious ideas and plans that I never really made a reality, but recently that has all began to change. I decided I was not going to let past mistakes and failures hinder me from the possibilities in front of me. No matter the size of the task, it is always doable.

As began the third switchback I felt my legs giving out and all energy fading. The third switchback is the worst; it is steep at first then turns to a gradual ascent that scales the mountain towards the top. In an effort to pace myself I stopped for a break about how half way up the steepest part of the third switchback. Bent over my bike I looked at where I had been and dizzily eyed the path in front of me. I then felt my body sway as my legs began losing and I was forced to slowly kneel to the ground.

As my vision blurred and soon went black it was as if I was looking at myself from above. At that moment my entire body lost strength and I fell to the dirt on the side of the path. As I regained my vision I looked again at the steep path to my left and the descent to my right. Unable to move I wondered how long it might take for the next outdoor enthusiast to come along and find me lying on the side of the trail. It was at that instant that I remembered a favorite speech given by Vince Lombardi titled What it Takes to be Number One. His speech starts with the sentence “You’ve got to pay the price.”

Life is like that. Any worthwhile experience has a price to pay. And how much that experience is worth to us is the value of the price we must pay. Although physically I couldn’t move, I pondered the steep hills I have encountered in my life, where I had met adversity and fought it with all my heart. I then thought of those times I had chosen to turn around and ignorantly choose to take the easy way out. I thought of how my family has always been there for me to help lighten the load. I thought of the handful of real friends I have, the ones that have sacrificed so much to see me get through the difficult climbs.
I then remembered Vince’s next words, “ You don’t win once in awhile, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

I looked at the path to the left, stood up, took a gulp of water and forced my body to continue upward.

The next hour and a half was a mental fight to continue upward despite constant cries from my body for relief, to turn around, to lose. I refused. I was determined to make a habit of winning, a habit of facing each task with my whole heart and relentlessly chasing each goal.

After reaching the top of the mountain looking back at the gruesome trail I had just ascended the end of Vince Lambardi’s speech came to mind.

…I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour-his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear- is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious.

I sat looking at the landscape in front of me with complete joy in where I was. Where I am. Life is full of opportunities to learn, experiences to live, and places to see. That is what makes life so exciting, the constant change. Although the change is hardly ever what we want to happen, it makes growth a never-ending process.

Sometimes life seems like it only goes uphill, but when we push forward through the misery and darkness we slowly begin to see a new light. A light that brightens our hope for the next mountain we will scale. The next chapter of our lives.

Life Insurance: The Final Test

A life policy that is cash surrendered is subject to federal income tax. Which of the following statements is true concerning the taxation of surrender values?

A) The amount received in excess of the total premiums paid is taxable
B) The amount received minus the face amount of the policy is taxable
C) The taxation only applies if the surrender is done during the first 7 years of the policy
D) None of the above

Where do these questions come from? I have studied the book front to back countless times and I don’t remember seeing half these questions. But I know this. Only the earnings are taxed, therefore it has to be… A: the amount received in excess of the total premiums paid is taxable.

After emptying my pockets at the secretaries desk of the Prometric Testing Center I was escorted into a room with five desks against two walls and ten desks in the center of the room. Each desk was in its own cubicle and had a computer. With nothing but scratch paper and a key to my locker in my hand I sat down at the middle desk against the left wall. As I sat down I couldn’t help but notice that they had placed cameras above each desk and every few minutes a proctor would walk through.

An insurance contract that has features of a life policy’s settlement options and is designed as a way for an insurance company to sell savings accounts is called a/an:

A) Policy rider
B) Policy options rider
C) Annuity
D) Variable life

If there was any question I would be scolded for missing, it would be this one. The pride and joy of the insurance industry is Annuities and their ability to not only mix insurance and savings, but to be more profitable than a savings account in every way. C, Annuity.

Although the exam was not the hardest exam I had ever taken, it was certainly the most draining exam I had ever taken. Before I started the test I had already planned to not only take my time on each question, but I would also take my own little “brain break” every 25 questions. At first the questions were difficult but doable. I felt confident going into question 16, but then it steadily got harder, until I reached question #30 where I felt every question probing deep into my understanding of the material. I felt like each question drained me more and more.

In order to avoid a taxable event when replacing one life policy with a different policy, which of the following must be done?
Complete the 1035 exchange form
Request exchange privileges at the time of application for the new policy
Make all money transfers directly to the new policy
All of the above

If I’m wrong on this one then so be it. I know that completing a 1035 exchange will avoid taxes, but so will making transfers directly into the new policy. Maybe its all the above, but B doesn’t fit the description. Here goes nothin, A, complete the 1035 exchange form.

Just over half way through the test I was getting exhausted. As I read the question it didn’t even seem to register. I couldn’t seem to get past the way the guy next to me seemed to be pounding on the keyboard, I think he was taking a GRE test, in any case he was making it extremely difficult for me to focus on my test. If only he would type more quietly like the person behind me. Once I noticed the earmuffs hanging on the wall beside me I eagerly put them on and instantly enjoyed the silence.

The questions seemed to ease up once I got to question 80, at that point I knew I only had about 25 questions left so I took my time on each question. At that point in the test I knew it would be close if I did pass, so I didn’t want to rush through it. After the final questions I went back and reviewed the questions that I didn’t feel confident about my answers.
Eager to be done with the test I was tempted to click the link that said “end exam”, but I didn’t want to miss out on a question that I could have gotten right had I reviewed. After I was done reviewing I nervously clicked the “end exam” link. Then, as I read the score breakdown of the exam, to my astonishment and relief it said, “PASS”.

After leaving the testing room and going to the front office to get my certification I felt completely drained. The secretary kept asking me questions about applying for my insurance license. All I remember is that I couldn’t answer any questions that didn’t apply to life insurance, annuities, or insurance taxes. Undoubtedly they were confused at how some one like me could pass an insurance exam when I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to apply for the license or not.

Exhausted and mentally drained I walked out of the testing center with joy I had not felt in months and a re-enforced confidence in my future.

This weeks Obsession

WAKA WAKA



If you are as eager as I was to understand what the song is all about I found a good explanation of the song from what could be considered a bad source (Wiki), but I still really enjoyed the explanation of the meaning, origin, and relevance to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
http://hubpages.com/hub/world-cup-song-waka-waka

Sunny Day

Sometimes music is the best way to describe our feelings. And although my "ghetto life" is referring to a much different lifestyle than what Akon and Wyclef refer to, the euphemism is still the best way to describe where I have been and where I am now.

Day 10: Messina, Italy

Back in Italy I could feel the warm smiles and love for life every Italian seems to have. I must say that my excitement didn’t exactly match the enthusiasm of our driver and guide, but I still managed to fake it long enough until I was.

Although the city of Messina is beautiful today it has a somewhat tragic history. In 1908 an earthquake struck the city killing nearly all of the 100,000 inhabitants. Today it resembles all of Italy in its unique historic looking 3 story buildings throughout the city.

Unfortunately Messina has little to offer tourist, so we drove about an hour to the city of … to visit theaters and castles built thousands of years ago. The first stop was the Greeks first built the intricately designed theater in the 2nd century. But soon enough the Romans conquered the Island and added the famous Roman arches and built tiger cages for the gladiator matches they held in the theaters. At last the Arabs captured the island and destroyed the theater and what remains today are ruins from each of the periods.

Not only were the people amazing but as always the food and especially the gelato was delicious. Our drivers English seemed to be better than our guides, but she kind and diligent in giving us the best experience possible while in Sicily. Although I loved the people and they had much to offer, I couldn’t get my mind off of the experience in order to learn from the people.

The morning of disembarking my mother came down with a sickness that quarantined her to the cruise room, so the rest of the family went without her. From the moment we piled into the Mercedes van for the tour it felt like something wasn’t right. From the time we set foot off the boat a mysterious feeling lingered throughout the day. There were no more eye rolling jokes, no more random questions about some seemingly unimportant detail, and no more mom.

It was then that I realized what our family would be like with out her. What I would be without her. It was as if the life of the family was sucked from us. Without our mother our family would fall apart. She brings smiles, energy, and love to our family.

We love our mother, she is the glue that holds our family together.

Day 7 and 8: Alexandria, Egypt

Coming into the harbor of Alexandria was a very different sight than any of the other harbors we visited in the Mediterranean. First off the harbor was huge, it served the 6 million people of Alexandria and upwards of 30 million more people in the other cities nearby. It was smoggy and hot, which could be expected of a city in the desert, but it took most of us by surprise when they told us the average temperature is 45 degrees Celsius.

Our first day in Egypt was packed, we were off the boat and on our way to Cairo at 7:30 am. I had no idea what to expect during our three-hour trek through the desert, but I’m glad I wasn’t expecting much. Every now and then you would see a restaurant on the side of the road for those making the journey to Cairo, but for the most part it was wide-open dessert with a few farms and private houses.

Entering the city outskirts of Cairo I could already see the outline of the massive 4,500 year old pyramids miles away. The pyramids of Giza lie just outside the city limits and can be seen for miles in all directions. Although they have discovered 138 pyramids in Egypt, only about 19 of them remain to be seen. The rest have all been destroyed by the elements.

I felt small walking towards the giant pyramids, it was as if each stone grew before my eyes. As we began circling the first pyramid I noticed a tall, broad, dark suited man following our family everywhere we went. At first I thought nothing of it and continued towards the burial site of the pharaohs wife. We descended deep into the small pyramid where we entered the empty room that had long since been plundered by grave robbers.

After returning to the surface I noticed the dark suited stranger was still watching us, I asked one of the guides that was with us what who he was and he explained to me that every guided group in Egypt is given a special forces bodyguard. Although he was with us the entire day, I never really saw a need for his protection.

We then rode camels out in to the Sahara for a final panoramic view of the 3 Giza pyramids. From this view it was much easier to see how the elements had slowly eroded the smooth limestone casing stones that had originally covered the entire pyramid.

Our guides then took us around the outskirts of the city 22 million people call home. I saw huge red brick apartment buildings that were in the process of being built across the street from houses that were falling apart. The streets were lined with trash; the canal built for the farmers was brown and full of trash. We drove past farmers on donkeys pulling carts full of grain and children would smile as they ran along side.

The greatest lesson learned from the Egyptians was that life is not all about who can acquire the latest expensive toy, it is about the life we build for ourselves. It is our perception on life, it is making the most of the life given to us. The people of Egypt are happy with their best friends around them. They are happy when they stay close to their family. They were happy despite the lack of modern conveniences. They were happy serving others. They have filled their lives with the most priceless items available to all. Love.

Day 5: Rhodes, Greece

Day 5: Rhodes, Greece
The island of Rhodes is positioned in the middle of the busiest trading routes of the Mediterranean. Because of its valuable location its history is rich but extremely complicated. Throughout its history Goths, Romans, Byzantines, Cursaders, Turks, and Italians all controlled the island at one point or another over the centuries. After World War II Greece took control of the island from the Germans.
If you were on a ship entering the harbor of Mandraki nearly 2,300 years ago, you would enter the harbor underneath the Colossus of Rhodes. It took 12 years to complete the massive 30-meter tall statue of the Greek God Helios, which is about the same size as the Statue of Liberty. Although the statue eventually collapsed from an earthquake in 227 BC, it was famed throughout the Mediterranean for nearly 56 years and eventually became one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
As we entered the bay the 13th century city wall was magnificent. As we began touring the island we were fascinated at the remains each empire had left behind. The most evident was the remains of the Knights Templar from 1312. The Knights built magnificent castles all over the island, one of which was in the ancient city of Lindos. A small tourist town settled at the base of an acropolis of the biggest castle on the island. The white walled city stands alone next a bright blue bay.
From the bottom of the hill is a 10-minute donkey ride that leads to the entrance of the enormous castle. The architecture of the castle made it evident that many empires had made their own additions.
After returning to the port city of Mandraki we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ancient city. After all these centuries the city walls still surround a vibrant yet ancient city. After entering the walls of the ancient city you can still find many of the same buildings built by the Knights Templar more than 700 years ago.
I met amazing people that only enhanced my experience of Greece. Just as in Athens they were friendly and welcoming, but they still feared the future and what come next for Greece. Although they were worried it was hard to see, they showed great enthusiasm everywhere we went.
Oh and the original Gyro from Greece will be a memory I will cherish fondly for years to come. It isn’t messy and awkward to eat like here it the states, it is a classy meal with a much better taste.

Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey

As we arrived in the port of Kusadasi I knew I wasn’t quite prepared for the experience I was about to have. Immediately upon disembarking I found a Starbucks and a Burger King. I quickly found out that Kusadasi is a resort town for the rich of Europe to spend their summers. Off in the distance you can see the island Samos where Pythagoras lived and discovered the Pythagorean theorem. The city was well kept and many salesmen stand on the street corners hoping to cut a deal with you on some obscure souvenir. Kusadasi has been a popular tourist destination for many because of its close proximity to religious sites such as the ancient city of Ephesus visited by the apostles Paul and John, St. John’s Basilica, the religious shrine of the Virgin Mary, and the last remaining column of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
After joining our guide we set off for St. John’s Basilica. As we arrived at the remains of the Basilica your imagination created a 6th century three-story church with massive pillars at each entry and a huge dome above the chapel. In the area where the dome would have been is the original burial place of the Apostle John. Also found in this church was a baptismal font about 5 feet deep into the ground and could be entered from both sides.
Our next destination was the famed Ephesus. Most of us would only know them as the Ephesians visited by Paul the Apostle. Today only ruins can be found where a city of over 200,000 people once lived. As I walked through the streets of Ephesus I felt an overwhelming excitement - as we entered the marketplace, the theaters, and houses- knowing this city received instruction and guidance from prophet of God regarding the Atonement, gospel principals, and guidance for the family. I know we have the same ability today, but the idea of going to the local 25,000-seat theatre to personally hear an Apostle teach me is exciting to imagine.
Also near the remains of Ephesus is the remains of the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary where the Third Ecumenical Council was held in 431 AD. What was most intriguing to me was the fact that in the room behind the chapel was a rather large granite tub built about five feet high. The reason this was so intriguing to me was the fact that only four centuries after the death of Jesus Christ his followers already misunderstood the baptismal method and meaning.
We then made our way to what is claimed to be the house where Mary the mother of Christ spent her final days. In 1896 Pope Leo XIII said the probability of the house being the final home of Mary was very high, later in 1950 Pope Pius XII established it as a Holy Place. Therefore it has retained the title of the home of Mary, although they stated that no factual information has been presented to prove its authenticity.
The people of Kusadasi were extremely welcoming and were accustomed to sharing their culture and customs with the many tourists. At lunch they served us an interesting drink they love that is basically salty milk, needless to say it took a few gulps to get used to it. They Turks are well known for their handmade rugs and intricately designed ceramics. The people were welcoming and friendly and they certainly made our time in Turkey one of the greatest experiences of the Mediterranean.

Day 3: Athens, Greece

After a lot of talk aboard the ship about whether or not we would dock in Athens we finally arrived. Because of the current economic crisis that has now ravaged the country of Greece, the citizens have been in outrage because of the way the government has been handling the current recession. According to the locals we talked to, government officials have been siphoning of millions of dollars to their personal accounts. On top of this problem they say, some of the wealthiest citizens in the country, such as doctors and lawyers, get such high tax benefits they are hardly taxed at all.
Other sources outside the country claim even more reasons for their current economic situation. Amid many other reasons, government benefits such as healthcare and retirement has been poorly managed, leaving the country bankrupt and unable to pay for its debt (a similar fear that is gripping Americans).
As we drove through the city, signs of current protesting were everywhere. I could see windows that had be broken in, every single building had been covered in graffiti, and the police force was everywhere. It was a sad sight to see when you think of the great influence Greece has had on the entire world. Producing some of the most influential people the world has known, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Although the current state of the country is in shambles, there was a day when they when they were the most respected country in the world.
Our first stop was the Panathinion Stadium. It was originally built in solid marble, meaning every seat, staircase, and wall was all marble. After centuries of not being used, it was reconstructed in 1896 for the first modern Olympiad and can hold up to 70,000 spectators.
We then visited the symbol of Athens, the Acropolis. On the Acropolis is famous Parthenon, built at the height of the Greeks Golden Age in the 5th century BC, was at one time a religious center, a palace, and in the end a military fortress. On September 26, 1687 , during a Venetian bombardment, a cannon ball struck the Parthenon and ignited the firearms stored inside. What we see today is what is left of the Parthenon after years of restoration.
Although the people were angered at the treatment of the government they were still extremely welcoming and friendly. I think the saddest part about being in Athens was that the people had all been through so much during the current recession and unlike many countries throughout the world, they still had so far to go. Several of the locals expressed little hope in the countries circumstance and new times would be tough for a long long time to come.

Day 2: Day at Sea

Day two was spent traveling to our next destination, Athens Greece. This day was finally my day to kick back and relax. After spending the several weeks studying for finals, getting settled in my new job, and juggling time with my family and close friends, I was begging for a day to myself.
Determined to have a day exactly the way I wanted, I woke up naturally in our stateroom where sun was forbidden. Not sure what time it was I reached out blindly into the darkness searching for my ipod and gym shorts.
Making my way to the gym, I found a treadmill waiting just for me. As I began jogging it didn't take long to realize I was at sea level and I would be able to faster and further than I ever had before. After 2.5 miles in 16 min I wasn't short of breath. Exercising is so much easier at sea level, I think it's beaconing me.
The rest of the day was spent sunbathing and exploring the 12-story 1020’ long ship. The ship was amazing. The huge exercise room on deck 12 was in the front of the ship, so as I was running I could keep my eye on espn live while gazing out over the open ocean in front of me. In the middle of the room sat a Jacuzzi for those who preferred relaxing indoors. The spa was on deck 11 and although I never took advantage of it, it was there.
On the back of the boat was the sports deck. There you could find the 9-hole mini golf course as well as the golf simulator where you can play all the best golf courses from around the world. Just outside was the sports court and rock-climbing wall.
Deck 11 was wide open and had three pools and 6 Jacuzzis with tons of area for sunbathing. I also found a movie theatre on deck 2 and ice skating rink on deck 4.
Deck 5 had mini Main Street with shops and restaurants, deck 4 had an all out casino and several clubs and bars for the night scene. The theatre took up most of decks 3,4, and 5 and was where they hosted performances, comedians, and even bingo. I saw incredible dance performances and stand up comedians.
Unlike other trips my family has been on, my parents spared no expense to make sure we had an unforgettable vacation. I’ve always wondered what it was like in the suites on the back of the boat. Well this trip my parents answered all those questions for me. We were VIP guests on the ship, which gave us private areas on the very top of the boat to sunbath, read, and just chill.
Being a VIP also gave us access to the concierge lounge, the room was reserved only for VIPs, they had very tasty desserts and small fingers foods, waiters to entertain, get you drinks, and the lounge manager made sure all of our cruising needs were met. In the end nothing could replace a 3-course meal with my family on our balcony as we sailed away from the sunset. Simply unforgettable.
Although it was the time of my life, I’m not using this opportunity to boost about my experiences; it was simply to inform the uninformed. Many have asked what it is like aboard a ship so big. My attempt was simply to navigate your imagination through the experiences I had aboard the ship and hopefully let you see what I saw.

Day 1: Napoli, Italy

Eager to enter the city of Napoli we exited the port into the parking lot where dozens of tour guides and drivers were standing outside their Mercedes vans holding up different family names. Searching in excitement we found a slender, clean cut, middle aged man wearing a light grey suit holding a sign that said “Holbrook”, after a brief introduction we piled into a new Mercedes van and we were off to our first destination. As we were driving the driver quickly began explaining about the local economy and how it thrived on tourism and olive juice. When my brother asked him a simple question about football (soccer), he got really excited and went ranting about how important football is to everyone in Europe (we then shared our condolences for Italian team not doing so well). Shortly thereafter we pulled into our first stop, the ancient city of Pompeii.

In the year 62 AD an earthquake shook the city of Pompeii collapsing buildings and destroying much of the city. For 17 years they focused on rebuilding and repairing damages caused by the quake. Then in 79 AD the nearby volcano of Mt. Vesuvius eruptedsending thick ash and rocks into the air that would bury the city of Pompeii under nearly 30 feet of debris from the eruption. Those that were not killed by the falling buildings and debris fled the city then upon returning to assess the damage of the city were killed by the deadly vapors left in the air. Although this event was a huge tragedy, many archeologists are grateful the thick layer of ash from the volcano preserved the city to be seen today. The intricate layout of the city along with proof of running water shows us that even thousands of years ago they were very advanced in their abilities. Today the city of Pompeii is the most visited cite by archeologists in Europe and still today many parts of the city are being unearthed and restored.

We then left and began seeing the local city Sorrento and then to the magnificent island of Capri. The island of Capri was a favorite get-a-way for many of the Roman emperors, including a villa for Augustus Caesar. After taking advantage of the islands panoramic views of Sorrento and Napoli we indulged in genuine Gelato ( the best ice cream in the world).

I loved spending time with the people and I thought it was so great how friendly all of locals were. It seemed like everyone was a friend. The people were so kind and considerate it almost felt as if we were old friends. After leaving the city of Napoli I realized that life is beautiful, sometimes it is not as exciting and easy going as we would like it to be, but that doesn't mean I can't smile and be a kind and considerate friend to those I come in contact with. The great people of Napoli just seemed too good to be true.

Although my time in Napoli was unforgettable, I was excited to head off to my next experience in Athens, Greece.

Where I've been

I recently returned from a cruise that took me through the Eastern Mediterranean starting in Civitavecchia, Italy about an hour away from Rome, Italy. The first stop on my journey was in Napoli, Italy and the amazing scenery of Sorrento and Capri. My second stop in Athens, Greece was tense with rioting and disgruntled citizens but nonetheless a historically rich experience. My third stop was Kusadasi, turkey as well as the nearby city of Ephesus found in the Bible. My fourth stop was Rhodes Island, Greece, an island full of history from cultures throughout the Mediterranean. Next was the port of Alexandria in Egypt where we made the three-hour trek to Cairo to learn about a history that dates back 5,000 years. The last stop was the city of Messina in Sicily, Italy, where I had breathtaking views of magnificent castles and architecture that littered the Island. After disembarking the ship we spent two days touring the magnificent Rome, Italy where are many of the treasures of the ancient world can be admired.

At every stop my family had a personal tour guide and driver that gave us a first hand introduction to the local culture. The insights they gave us finally gave me the vision I needed to see the world in the all its glory. I finally saw what so many people throughout the world have the ability to see, but my upbringing had made it nearly impossible for me to grasp. Stuck inside the media sea of the United States it is hard to see the rest of the world. I always dreaded the idea of living in China because of all the media restrictions the government enforces on the citizens of China, but after spending weeks watching only BBC channels I was able to see that Americans face similar restrictions, I don’t want this to turn this a political blog, I just want to acknowledge the fact that America has media restrictions that are surprisingly similar to the ridiculed Chinese restrictions.

I love the world. I have yet to find a country that has not left a permanent mark on my heart. I love the discovery of priceless wonders found within each culture. My attempt over the next few weeks will be to describe in detail how each country I’ve visited has affected me, the discoveries I have made, and the wonders each culture has to offer. My discussion is intended to describe the people and the culture and refrain from politics since that could be entirely different discussion. The world is a mystifying place that is an adventure to explore and understand and this is where I will begin my own process of learning about the cultures that surround us.

Sleep

It’s almost been a month. I thought that by now I would start to forget and would begin my new life alone. But after all this time I still can’t forget the memories, all the smiles, and crazy things we did.

I used to think sleep was a burden, something I forced myself to do because I knew my body needed it. Now I long for a good nights sleep. A night where I fall asleep exhausted and excited for the next day. A night where I don’t lie gazing at the darkness above for hours thinking of what might have been. How I long for the night that I don’t awake from a dream of my perfect past and those who accompanied it.

I have yet to lose my love for life and its experiences, but I now envy those who eagerly slip into the comfort of their bed, gently lay a grin on their face, and effortlessly sleep peacefully throughout the night.

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates….

They say life is like a box of chocolates. You know, the variety kind that has all sorts of fillings and flavors. It’s always a guessing game to find the one that you really want to eat, but you don’t really know what you are about to eat. I guess that is why they say life is that way, just when we think we have it all figured out, something happens that changes all our plans.

I always knew the path I was on was leading me to a dead end. I always said I would get off that path and on to one that would take me to great places and lead to me the life I dreamt of every night before I fell asleep. But then I took too long to switch paths and I got my reward before I was ready. Should I have known what flavor of chocolate I would get?

It has only been a day or two since I came out of this daze from a hit I wasn’t ready to face. For weeks I have been in wide-eyed gaping mouth shock (I think I still am). It’s hard when your best friend politely asks you not to talk to them. I would spend hours talking to my best friend, I would spend hours listening to my best friend, we had this bond that was so different than any I had had before. We had a way of taking the pain out of the worst day, haha, we even had a way of taking the smiles out of the best days. But that is what made my best friend so special, my best friend was realistic, focused, and goal oriented. I always wanted to be more like my best friend.

Do I then say that by chance I pulled the outdated, almond (I hate almonds) filled piece of chocolate? Or do I say that it wasn’t chance at all? Did I choose to feel this way or was it inevitable?

I guess the real question is what now? Usually after getting a bad chocolate I hesitate to try my luck again. Do I do that with life?

The other day a long time friend commended me on how fast I was able to “bounce back” from the loss. If only he knew the moment he walked away my fake smile would come off and complete despair would be plastered to my face, he would take that compliment back. If he saw me now, hopelessly thinking of "what ifs" and "if onlys", then maybe he would know why I would never leave my best friend despite the hard times we went through.

The other day a mentor of mine gave me advice to deal with the mind numbing taste of the bitter chocolate. I took it to heart. I stay busy and keep my day full of purpose, I study the scriptures and increase my faith, I exercise and stay rested, and I even set some silly goals to accomplish to keep my mind off it. Last night for the first time in almost ten years I played the piano, it turns out I can still play some songs out of the hymn book, it doesn’t sound good and it needs a lot of practice, but it took my mind of the almonds and I think the corners of my mouth even raised a little. But when my day of purpose came to end and all the boxes of my to do list were checked, I still couldn't help but wish my best friend was still there. To hold. To talk to. To listen to. To laugh with. My best friend.

I know life always gives us something we are not ready for, but sometimes I can’t help but think that maybe I could have chosen the Ghirardelli milk chocolate with caramel filling instead.