I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles

It's been an interesting couple of weeks due to automotive malfunctions. I never realized just how much Kylee and I depend on the car until we have to go an entire week without it.

The lack of transportation didn't seem like such a dilema to me at first. After all when in it comes to driving priority I'm not the highest on the list. Walking the one and a half miles to work everyday is not such an ordeal and I can even rationalize that it is good for me. I have even turned it into a morning run. But finding a way to get Kylee to work has been a little more problematic. Thankfully our friends have really blessed us with help in that area.

It's not all bad news though. we have gleaned a few blessings from our period of pedestrian-ism  we actually live close enough to church to walk there and walk back. because we are planning ahead for a long walk we are starting to make it there early enough to hear the prelude music. On weekdays that Kylee works right after school we've taken the long walk together and had almost 40 whole minutes to just talk. As tiring as these walks can be, they are a blessing when we sometimes go a whole day without seeing each other.

Jake, the proclaimer

Writing for the sake of writing

Starting this semester I find myself once again in English 2010 "Writing and Presenting". I honestly had fun the last time I took this class which may have been the reason I didn't get a satisfactory grade for the school of Business.

The really fun part of this class for me is choosing a topic for "THE PAPER". The first time around I wrote about dating issues(from a guy's point of view), why dogs are superior pets, and about sleep and the lack thereof. I know these aren't exactly the most cutting edge topics but I refuse to write about what everyone else has already written, re-written, rebuttal, and beaten to death. It is the equivalent of posting your dread of finals on Facebook during finals week. Your thoughts are lost in a sea of other students all dreading finals right along with you.

So I find myself with two choices. Either I can find a topic of interest that has real world value such as the big scary genetically modified plants, or I can once again try to make some menial topic sound more intelligent than it really is. I have been favoring the idea of writing about goldfish. that is always entertaining to learn something about everyone's first pet.

Jake, take my word for it

Here Fishy Fishy Fish

As a kid my Dad practiced the wise decision to take his kids fishing. Sometimes we went quite frequently. My uncles and cousins would be part of the trip sometimes. Other times we would go with some of our neighbors.

To all of you who helped me worm a hook, cast my line, fasten my life jacket, and taught me to clean a fish, Thank You.

I admit I have become a fishing fanatic this season and it may seem like it came out of no where but I think its been a long time coming. I was given my own fishing pole and tackle box as a kid, before I even needed a fishing liscence. I really didn't know what to do with them at the time. In fact I can still remember a few bike trips up Provo Canyon ending without even a bite.

Another fond memory of fishing was when I caught a 22 inch rainbow trout trolling strawberry reservoir. That was when I learned that he who catches the biggest fish by decree must be thrown in the drink. because it was my first offense I was given a warning.

This year with a little nudge from friends and who knows what else, I have become some what... Shall we say "obsessed."  It may have been from watching "River Monsters" seasons  one through three. What really surprised me was that there are more fish to find than just trout. I have caught more than five types of fish this season that I didn't know were so close to home.

But as winter sets in some of these fish I've been going for are going to sleep. I think my fishing holes may be limited to Hyrum dam, Cutler reservoir, and Mantua. Anyone have any good tips for winter fishing/ice fishing for these places?

Jake, hook line and sinker

Best Birthday EVER

I was suspicious the entire week leading to my birthday but I had no idea how amazing of a surprise party Kylee had planned for me.

The day started off perfect. Being able to sleep in and take our time getting ready. I even felt good vacuuming and doing the dishes on my birthday. All I really wanted to do today was fish and I did that up at second dam(where you can see the fish but nobody can get them to bite). I opened presents there and she had given me the most thoughtful gifts(light-up frisbee, a mad gab card game, and underwear). Pizza Pie Cafe was a fun choice for dinner at the time but after hitting the bathroom for the next three hours I won't make that mistake again.

As I walked up to the front door and set all of the fishing gear down everything seemed normal. I went to unlock the door, and for some reason the front porch light turned on. I looked back at Kylee with a questioning look. and as I opened the door all the lights went on and everyone yelled "Surprise!"

Apparently Kylee had planned an entire friend party without me knowing. She invited people from my work, people from school, and many other friends. The apartment was completely decorated in StarWars theme, even all of the treats went with the theme.

Then to top off the perfect party, Kylee pulled out some glow in the dark wrist bands and we played a night game of light up Ultimate Frisbee.

I have the Most amazing wife EVER!,jake

Sweet Summer Days

Believe it or not Kylee and I have already harvested the first fruits of our labor in the garden. We plucked a radish today that was the size of a golf ball and not even the least bit hot. I know that growing a radish that big isn't a huge deal but this one was not even close to being "woody."  The knife just slide right through it when we cut it up to eat it today.

The garden is coming along very well and that is great for now. But here's the dilema: We are getting very close to knowing whether or not we can get a house soon. By next week we should know if we can or cannot get the house we currnetly have our eyes on. To make matters even more difficult, rent is going up in July another $15 a month. I don't want to lose all this hard work we put in. On the other hand I am not ready to lose more money to rent when we could be paying the same in mortgage and maybe even less.

Sad to say I will not be planting Eggplant and Zucchini. Our neighbors and friends will be planting these and since neither is really fit for consumption unless deep fat fried. I'm sure I will eat some by the end of the season.

Jake, maybe leaving "this old Apartment"