California YSA

I think its crazy how the Church is using modern technology to rally the singles in California. The statewide Cali YSA conference is two days and from their twitter site, it looks like 8,000+ singles are attending with more than 41,000 temple ordinances already performed. I was excited, then crushed to discover that the WArped Tour on Salt Lake would be the same day. I finally went ahead and decided to do what I knew I should do. i found out a bit later that the only artist I wanted to hear wasn't even performing in Salt Lake anyway. haha. good one.

I'm hesitant about what this will be like. Mostly because its never been done before and I don't really know what to expect. I almost don't want to go for some odd reason, but i do.

Looking at their website seems like they're very connected with the singles with facebook, twitter, youtube, and a blog all running and going with videos availabe and tweets constantly updating. crazy.

speaking of temples, went to the Taipei, Taiwan temple. It was awesome as always. And awesome to hear everything in another language. aw yeah. haha


Crazy fact.

You know, I was always surprised to \discover kids who were LDS that I never even considered before, like the half-asian cheerleader at my high school who took me by surprise when my friends told me she was actually LDS. no clue.

Anyway, here it is, there are about 9600 singles in California in YSA wards. Add those in family wards and you get almost 13,000.

Those are active.

There are, in addition to the nearly 13,ooo active singles, about another 59,ooo less-active singles in California. crazy~

Water fountains.

Its hot in Taiwan.
Very hot.

Water fountains.
There are none.

Cheap.

Taiwan

So ash asked what would be a a con about a place like Taiwan. I have assembled a short list.


Con - TRAFFIC

The traffic is horrendous. There are like no rules. Cars from the right lane will make right turns, no one signals, and pedestrians are left to fend for themselves. Even if a pedestrian is half way across the street, cars will still make the turn. No rules seriously. I wonder what their license test is like.

Pro - TRANSPORTATION

Aw yes. You can get anywhere with a little planning.

Con - WEATHER

It is amazingly hot and humid. Not as bad as the last time I was here, and not as bad as I imagined. Or maybe because Nauvoo prepped me a little. But you sweat a bit.

Pro - THE WEATHER

Because of the weather, the girls dress so immodestly. I mean, I doubt its for fashion, just for convenience, but - oh. wait. This is not a pro. or ...is it? >:)

Con - Bathrooms

Most of the bathrooms here just have a dirty, unclean feel. I don't know. It just irks me.

Pro -THE FOOD

The food is A-MAZING. Oh gosh, it is so good and there are soooOOO many places to eat! I must be gaining 3 pounds at a time!



I noticed most of the guys here don't really dress in fashion. I mean, I'm not a fashion buff, but even I think I dress nicer (or at least more trendy) then 90% of the guys on the street. The girls, being girls, are better, though like I said before, their skirts, dresses, and shorts are always really short, with shoulders revealing. Not in a slutty way though.

Those are my impressions so far.

Nauvoo

VERY LONG.

first of all, let me say that Lights' new single "Saviour" is absolutely amazing. LOVE IT.

Anyway, Nauvoo was so much more than I had expected. I have learned so much. For the first time in a long time, I broke off the spiritual plateau that I've been on since about December last year. So many spiritual revelations and breakthroughs and I think I made one decision that affected the trip the most. There is way too much to write, and certainly WAY too many pictures to load so I will write some in this blog and then the rest in my journal.

Things experienced and learned (the first 5 being personal revelation that relates to me):

1. "many are called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world". That one hit me suddenly. I realized that since the mission I've been trying to gain approval of my friends, when I should have been trying to do better obeying God.

2. Coming into the trip I was apprehensive. I was traveling half-way across the country with a ward I barely knew. Being me, and selfish, I decided to shrink back into myself and be anti-social with the thought that I have no need of friends I won't see again. However, as the trip started I missed the ward in Provo so much. I started imaginng what it'd be like if my Provo ward had taken this trip with me instead of my current ward. I tried too hard then, and shrugged off anyone who seemed snobbish or stand-offish. I felt so sick of change and new friends and facades and such, but I had prayed for someone that I could relate to as good as in Provo for at least the duration of the trip friday night before we went to the temple. I just wanted a friend. however

...in the temple I realized that I had a strong desire to return to God because of His unconditional love. I wouldn't need approval of my peers, or anyone for that matter, because His love would do. When I realized that, God provided me with a breakthrough.

And this was what changed the whole trip.

me, Mark, Matt, and Amber

3. Charity. I knew that it was love in action. But I had forgotten that charity was also "loving someone DESPITE how they love you". Despite how they treat you. Despite how they react towards you. Despite if they reciprocate that love back, to just keep loving and loving and loving because it never runs out. I learned that on my mission. I couldn't just HATE someone because they didn't like me. That wasn't love nor charity. I had been treating everyone from the ward with a distrust, but after the temple I resolved to love everyone despite how they treated me back. I tried to be friendly, and when someone ignored me or treated like I didn't exist I just said in my mind "but I love you". And that chanaged EVERYTHING. All of a sudden, I was making new friends left and right. I had been judging too much before.

I had also learned to appreciate what the Lord had already given me. On the plane, I sat with two girls from the ward that I would probably not have met either way, and we had a really good time. Found out one girl was a reader, and we connected instantly on books. Discovered that she was a down to Earth person.

Dezzy and Becks!

I also felt like I got to know Becki and Dezzy a little more. I love them so much!

4. Becks, Dezzy, and I had a good conversation about babies, marriage, and free agency. I had a lot of questions answered. Desiree had been wondering about how free agency connected with trials. And the revelation in the temple was the piece that put it together. People's free agencies affects others, sometimes in horrendous ways. What we do is to continue loving them anyway. To say, "but I love you anyway". That is the meaning of charity.

5. I am so proud and amazed at the women in my single's ward. In talking with them about their spiritual experiences one on one, I realized that despite outward appearances (they all look like plastics, XD) inwardly they are friendly, approachable, and have strong spiritual experiences and testimonies. I saw past their outward beauty. One girl shared how she had never really knew Jospeh Smith was a prophet, and now wanted to serve a mission.

And FINALLY,

6. As for the pioneers and Nauvoo itself, I have come to understand the pioneers, their hardships, and their wonderful, spectacular examples. We always hear of Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, and the other early leaders, but we forget that there were thousands of others with their own unique stories and sacrifices. They gave up so much. They became real to me. I don't have that kind of pioneer ancestry, but for the first time, they became my pioneer ancestry. I knew them. Like the pageant said, "We're more than friends, because we know you". Their trials and hardships have me amazed, but their faith has me humbled to the dirt and ashamed at everything I complained about. i love them, respect them, admire them. My heart breaks everytime I come to really think about what they went through.



7. Sometimes, like the Saints, we just have to cross the river to the other side. Sometimes we look back, and see everything we accomplished, everything we built, everything the Lord commanded us to do. And its hard, VERY HARD, to move forward, but we do. Because we know the Lord is asking us to, and that a prophet leads us. We go willingly because we WANT to. I whine so much about change and how much I hate it, and I'm always caught up in the past, but I realized I need to just shut up, and cross the river. When the Lord calls us to go, we go in faith knowing it is the right thing and that He knows what's best. We go. We cross the river. Despite how many times we've been called to, we cross that river.


I haven't had any time to cry yet because we've been so busy. But in remembering all this I learned (and all this being just a fraction of everything I've written) and experienced ( like how I was able to share my beliefs with two girls from LA on the plane ride home, sacrament meeting outside, Carthage, testimonies, all the inside jokes, all the people I've met), gosh, its just been such a spiritual and eye opening experience. I love Nauvoo, i will remember it, and I will go back. I have to write all this down before its gone! There is so much I've yet to experience!

Dezzy, Becki, and I

But for now, its time to plan for Palmyra and Kirtland in two years!! Aw yeah! If I don't get married. haha.

And I don't want to leave the single's ward. I love them. And there are a lot of beautiful girls in the ward. haha I don't want to go to Taiwan now!

OK!

So...

my brother is back, and man is he ready to get back into action. He's ready to throw it off and get to work! He's a lot more assertive and aggressive than I am, and that makes him a step ahead of me when I came home who wallowed in nostalgia. haha. He has the kind of personality that could cause ripples through a single's ward and that will DEFINITELY be interesting to see how he changes the chemistry there.

He has such a thick accent its kind of funny to hear him talk. The more that I'm around him, the more I have to resist picking it up (however poorly I actually sound like him, but I don't do it on purpose).

The fam-bam is complete again! AW yeAH!!

However, at the airport, getting him, I suddenly had the urge and desire to wear the badge again. It was like I wanted people to look me in the eye and dare to ask about the Gospel. The badge really carries a mantle to it. For a split moment, I felt again that sure confidence and loving assurance that if God wanted me to move a mountain I could seriously move a mountain. I haven't felt that authority and power in a long time because it is real, though not to be abused. I don't want to challenge people to dominate them by sheer intellect, but rather, love them in.

Yeah. Time to re-evaluate myself again. hooray. haha.

Excited.

oh gosh. My brother comes home tomorrow morning. yay! At 7 in the morning. Boo!


I'll have less than a day to catch up before I'm off to Nauvoo with Matt, Mark, Marc, and the Dezzter. ....and a whole bunch of other people haha. I'm sorely disappointed that even if I would have stayed in Utah I would not have been able to go to Liz's farewell. ..... well, that's life isn't it? I'll send her a postcard like I told her. good enough. haha.

I'll be home for about 24 hours after Nauvoo before I leave again for Taiwan. CRAZY. I'm so excited!! It's been so long since I've been there.

Then, 3 days after coming home from Taiwan, I should be at Newport for the statewide YSA conference. should be great. I know I made the right choice there. Following that, Disneyland probably on the 20th of August with Holly (sister) Beck and her friend...we'll see about that one.

And then, finally, on the 22nd, San Diego (I believe that's German for a whale's vagina) WARPED TOUR and LIGHTS. AW YEAH! Maybe I can drag David or Matt to go with me.

crazy. I can't wait. This will be a crazy crazy summer.

I talked with Luke and he asked me how things were going with the girls and dating and stuff. i told him...I hang out mostly with guy friends (yeah I know, crazy) with the exception of 18 year old Dezzy, and even her I count among my guys friends. LOL. There really is no point for me to date and make new friends (though I have, and gratefull to Heavenly Father. I ain't that stupid) if I'm just gonna be gone half the summer and go back to BYU. The single's ward seems to have welcomed me loverly enough

Anyway. I'm thinking .... if I save up money I can probably make the London 2012 Olympics, as i still feel cheated out of the 2008 olympics in china. not really, but :) If I don't use that money first for the 2010 winter olympics in Vancouver with Kristell and Katie Moon. ...but seeing as how Sister Nguyen is already married...and Katie seems to be heading in that direction, 2012 seems more likely. We shall see!

!Breanne!

July 4th was....anti-climactic. Its not like it used to be...so I texted Lauren and wished I was there in Idaho with her and Luke. Next year....I will do it next year...

I ended up watching Willow with Torrey, David, Mark, Jason, and Dezzy. Overall, I liked it. It weirded me out at first because of all the uh...midgets..

The graphics were actually good for a 1988 movie.

P.S. - I feel bad for not subscribing to LDSplanet and ldssingles cuz i get flirts and messages, but i can't even see them! :(


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Anyway, this blog is all for breanne who thinks that the video i put up on facebook is one of me making fun of her and saying mean things. She was partly right on. Its other people making fun and saying mean things! yay!

HAha, jay kay. No way. That's not like me, and you should know it. If you don't, I'm surprised at how little you really know about me. hahaha. Now why would I ever do mean things? :( Never!

anyway, here it is! yay!

quotations

Me: I would hate to be 26 and single in Provo.
Torrey: Um...Steven...
Me: Yeah...oh.
Dezzy: Better watch what you're saying.
Me: I mean, no, Torrey. I mean, 26 is the perfect age. You haven't even reached your prime yet. That's what I meant. :)


David: So, there are a bunch of girls here, like 6, who are going from BYU or going to go. You should date them.
Me: Yeah! Wait. "Going to go"? Doesn't that mean they're freshman? Yeah, warn me about those. I ain't dating no freshman.
Dezzy: Ahem. What's wrong with freshman?
Me: I mean....
Dezzy: Anything wrong with freshman?
Me: Freshman, they're cool. Nothing wrong, what I meant was...OK. I'll just shut up now.
Torrey: You just keep digging yourself deeper.
Me: Yeah, i'm just gonna shut up now.
David: No, keep going. We love it that you're setting yourself up so we can sock you and knock you out.
Me: Thanks, what a great friend. :)

Dezzy: So...have you hung out with any girls since you've been back Steven?
Me: Um...
Torrey: What?
Me: Well, I was gonna make a joke. But, since I don't have anything nice to say, I won't say anything at all.
Torrey: Just keep digging...


Well, looks like things are settling back to where they are. Except...I'm trying to create my own identity, and I feel like the teacher keeps smothering the student. I'm not as good as her yet. But one day...haha

Dreams

It's funny that as I get more and more connected to the internet with accounts I'm logging less and less time. I'm getting to the point where facebook was what it was senior year of high school...an experiment to get in with the college kids and get a jump start. haha.

What do I mean? I mean, I already have all three of YouTwitFace. I have xanga. I have myspace. I have two message board accounts. I'm logged onto iamlights.com. I'm now reactivated on deviantart. And I have this blog. That's a lot no? And I bet I have more I can't think of.

Anyway...

I had a weird dream....as weird as they usually are anyway.

I dreamed we were being attacked by these giant mantis' with chopsticks for arms and they killed people by popping heads like zits. It was horrible. We ran and ran until we got to this place with like 10 hispanic people living there. We just bust into the home and asked if we could stay. There were like 5 of us including Christa (sister) Orgill, haha.

Then I get a call from my sister that said she found an egg, and hatched it. And I just knew it was a mantis egg and also knew that within 20 minutes of birth the mantis baby would be deadly. So I panicked and told her to run or leave the baby bug.

then we tried returning to Cali which was about 8 hours away. I ended up staying being one of the last to leave. Just as I was about to leave, Dezzy calls on the phone and starts asking me if i'm all right and safe, and how everything was. Then she starts speaking in Chinese to me. 0_o Weird. i'm about to tell her how good her Chinese is when I spot a gang breaking into my car and stealing all my stuff. My car was still packed with everything from my room in Provo.

I decide to walk right past them and assess the situation while still talking to Dezzy. For some reason I had a Harry Potter book in my left arm. Even from a distance I knew I couldn't take all of them and there was this HUGE polynesian guy so I circled around and came back. When I came back, there were only three kids left, with one i recognized and another wearing a Western High t-shirt. So I go up and yell, "What the crap?! Hey, that's my car!!" I realized Dezzy was still on the phone so I tell her "I gotta go" and hung up. They turn to give me a handshake, and I'm like, "What are you guys doing?!" And I tell them that they could take everything except for some things I needed, and they graciously returned the things I asked for, including my cell phone, DS, and backpack.

For some reason, the gangsters had thought that stealing all my stuff would be all right if they stuffed my car with gatorade. haha. All they left was a box with my shoes and my wallet (for some reason).

Then I woke up....so grateful it was only a dream and asking Heavenly Father would that was for,h aha , but having learned some good lessons upon a second thought.