The Accounting Drudgery

I hunker down in my leather chair and release the lever till the back swings low enough to skim my bench. I spin around in my confined space, bumping the table until it sways. I lean forward in the semi natural light; the accounting book still lays open-faced on my desk in front of me. I squint through my lint ridden glasses at the story problems of the practice test. I'll work one, get answer C and then check the key. Wrong again! Oh these cunning people, purposely putting the wrong answers on the key, knowing all too well the mistakes we will make. I swivel closer to my computer, only to burn more precious time surfing sites I have already hit at least twice today. My phone sits quiet. Even though she texted an hour or so ago, it feels longer. Danielle left me for some other...cruise. Can i blame her? No, no I can't. If I were done with finals and had California sitting in front of my nose, I'd be whiffing that up the nostrils too. So although I miss her and am jealous of the good time she's having, I'm glad she isn't still thinking about grade calculations and pesky finals. As I ponder on procrastination, I come full circle in realizing it won't prolong the inevitable forever. Soon i must figure out how to factor a bond's discount rate and determine whether a stock is preferred or common. So now would be a good time to get back to it. I think I can stick to it for a good solid five minutes. Let me try....

Expressions of the Mind

Sometimes the world screams my name
And chases me around till my legs give out
I slip into the grass as if it is made of down
I close my eyes to release the reeling darkness
Waiting for the key to unlock this jigsaw
To release his organ from a trove of momentos
Clasping my hand around these blades I squeeze
Juice flows from my veins into the dry topsoil
Floating upon a layer of these lasting impressions
They let my limbs etch out a list of flowing letters
Until we’ve spelled out the ultimate expression

Help your Utah Jazz!

As the semester comes to a close the jazz tip off the second game against the Houston Rockets.  After being in the D.R for two years, it is nice to be cheering the jazz on again.  I like being a jazz fan.  I decide that as a loyal Jazz fan, I should do my part in supporting the Jazz.  Thus, I am now accepting donations to support the Jazz.  This is a true way to show your love for the jazz.  Your donations are preferred in check and can be made out to Justin Lake.  Please make out checks in the amount of 100 dollar intervals.  Rest assured that your money is going toward a good cause, rooting the jazz on to victory!  

Finally, April 15th!

As Christmas nears, you can see the anticipation in the eyes of every youngster.  I have seen this same anticipation in the Ace's eyes.  January on through April 15th require the "shoulder to the wheel" at LHM.  Finally, after tonight midnight, the mad rush, the stress, will be relieved;  At least some of it will.  On behalf of all the family, we wish to thank you Ace for all the years of biting the bullet, for putting in the long hours.  We know how hard you work and are all grateful for your great work ethic.  So give it a go today and then sleep cozy tonight.  Then you can take off to St. George for a little sunshine by the pool.  After that we can hit up Costco and outfit you with that well deserved big screen...!

The Essex and Self-Smarting Gratitude!

I felt the urge to read a book. So to whom did I go? The book worm of the family of course: Spence. That, by the way, comes as a compliment. He referred a handful of books to me, most of which have more pages then a 2-year mission has days. He finally caught my attention when he mentioned "In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whale ship Essex.” I dove into it and just yesterday I finished. Nantucket, a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, was a booming whaling community. In 1819, it sent off the whaling ship Essex. The Essex proceeded to sailed around South America before being attacked by a giant Sperm Whale in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The book tells the story of what happened to these 19 men as they fought death for 93 days at sea in 25 foot whaling boats. 8 men survived off of hardtack bread and the bodies of their dead shipmates. As I read the book, I learned about starvation, dehydration, sperm whales, the pacific ocean, other disasters at sea, navigation, Nantucket, the Quaker belief, cannibalism, and endurance. Some may nestle into a comfortable chair in their luxurious houses and read of such horrifying events, judging these men for resorting to cannibalism. I did not do this. I sat amazed at their determination, their will to live. I became grateful for the meals I have to eat, the water I have to drink. I have a hard time going 24 hours fasting; I can’t imagine starving for 3 months. I can’t judge these men for their actions. How can we understand the workings of the human mind from starvation if we have never starved? Their actions are to be judged by God the Almighty only. My heart went out to these men. At times I was glued to the book, anxious to see how their predicament would play out. I would encourage anyone looking to self-smart themselves (see You Tube video “Self smart”) to read this book. Pick it up, put yourself into it, let your heart go out to these poor men, and you too may become a little more grateful your blessed circumstances in life!

APRIL FOOLS!

Ok, Ok, so yesterday's post was just a joke!  Danielle and I are dating of course but not engaged.  E pa' lante que vamos! 

The last knot to be tied!

I noticed something different in October of 2004. It was actually the same feeling I had between September of 01 to November of 03. It was quiet. The bathroom was always vacant. The bedrooms where available for choosing. My 3rd and final brother had just sealed the deal and I was the last left standing...single. My final day in the mission field was spent in meetings in the mission home. President, of course, talked about marriage, "our new mission." I planned on doing exactly what he said: never to become a "menace to society." After a few weeks home it became clear to me and Danielle that it would take us a little more time until we were ready to hear the bells sound. That little time has come. The blog was ready to be posted Sunday but when Spence and Kathy's announcement went up, we decided to not steal their thunder and wait, allowing them the limelight. And so we announce our special news- Danielle and I are engaged! We have decided to get married June 1st, exactly two months from today! We are so excited and can't wait to embark upon this new adventure together!! We have reserved a time at both the Salt Lake Temple and the Bountiful temple and are trying to decide which Temple we want. Feel free to post your vote on which temple!