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"

Little April Showers

Gardening has taken a back seat for the last few weeks as school draws to a close. Luckily April comes with it's own watering system and every other day is marked with low grey clouds and lots of rain.

plant update: onions, peas, and radishes are all up and growing( I re-seeded the radish and lettuce to get a thicker row). the lettuce really didn't come up except in the walk way where I spilled a few. I also re-started the Tomatoes after the first batch dampened off.

As most of you may have guessed Kylee and I are looking into homes in our area(walkable distance to campus). We went on our first home tour of a house well within our price range only to determine that the house should be burned to the ground and reconstructed. We've been heavily weighing the pros and cons of owning a home and its been a struggle to know what to do. With school getting out soon we may have more time to go looking, but we are going to have to acquire credit first to show the banks we are a good risk.

With all of the research into homes and payments, I recently spent time creating an Excel spreadsheet to see how much we are earning and spending throughout the year. So far we are breaking even but I'm sure when we are going to come out on top as soon as summer starts. Its our goal to own a home and use it to get our dream home before its time to retire.

Jake, just so you know