Disney Land Trip

Oh man! Sometimes you just have so many memories you just don't know what to do with them! So I figured I'd better blog about it now before I procrastinate writing in my journal later.

The Foothill Jazz Band went to Disney Land recently not just to ride rides, but to get some back stage introduction and opportunities as well. I have to admit I was a little cynical about the trip at first because a lot of my friends weren't going, but my mind was definitely changed with all of the great times I had.

First off, Rileigh Sorenson was just the greatest bus buddy! She is so fun to carry on a conversation with. We could talk about anything, and she is very funny when she gets delirious and tired. I found out she can sleep in mid air basically and also whooped me at hangman just by using the word "sky" Yeah, beware of that word in hang man! Just putting that out there in case it happens to you, don't say I didn't warn you!

My room mates Justin Price, Matthew Oehler, and Kameron Campbell really changed my

attitude into a good one by making the trip even more fun right when we got into California. We had pillow fights everyday, and Im sorry justin, but you probably need to take some pepsid or heartburn controller before you do to bed, because you can really express your emotions in gassy ways. Matt Oehler can certainly a pillow at a speed of at least 100 mph, Im sure of it. And the icing on the cake was the funny videos we watching in the room last night before going to bed. I'll post some of them on here:

Also, the first day spent in the Disney and California Adventures Park was amazing as well.

A group composed of me, Kaleb Perez, Kody Ketten, and Haden Larcom for the most part had some great laughs. We went on the California Screamin' 7-100 times, and space mountain. I still laugh about the two times we went on the river rafting ride and I pretty much stayed dry and everyone else got completely wet. Just walking through the park was a hoot. Kaleb Perez is pretty much a mini version of myself, we even caught ourselves doing the same snap-walk dance

together to a hokie ragtime toon. And holy cow, Kody Ketten can make some of the weirdest/scary faces and do a mad wave with his eyebrows. Haden Larcom, was always there to put some funny, witty two cents in. It was all in all one of the funnest days of high school.

The recording workshops are probably one of the best musical memories I will take with me from high school. What kind of band gets to play behind a disney cartoon and see what it sounds like after with the cartoon? I bet not many do! The Jazz band recodings were esspecially fun. Nick Mahe and I really got into those! My favorite was the Humphrey Hop where a bunch of bears were cleaning up trash in a park while swingin' their butts with the "BAPS" of trombones! Playing behind a drunk Dumbo was also quite a kick, and also setting the scene of an elligant business trip for Mr. Incredible was extremely legit.

While this next video is a recoding of our jazz band, its the music we played and watched behind this clip. This was definitely my favorite!

The next day we arrived at the Back Lot in California Adventures in our tux and dress formal. Both the concert and jazz bands put on a fun concert with an interesting set up. I can't say it was the highlight but it was a good experience. I did see my favorite character: PLUTO! and I ran up to him back stage and nearly tackled him and in turn nearly got tackled by security! The rest of the day after that was spent having memorable laughs and returning to the fun rides we missed out on yesterday, including the old classic Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. In the late of night we rode the Thunder Mountain ride one more time and then did a little shopping. I remember Kaleb buying a baseball for his dad and getting it stuck in his back pocket, and I tried to help him get it out while walking to the trams. I'm sure it looked pretty interesting to passersby... But heck we were more normal than most people there thats for dang sure!

Well I know I definitely left out a ton of great memories. But all-in-all it was a great summary of a great fours years in the Foothill Band. There have never been greater teachers or friends anywhere else in the world. Thanks to everyone for that, including my friends that weren't able to go. You guys have changed my life for the better! Thanks for the great times!

Simple Things...

We live in an amazingly negative society. Im not saying that Im not one of the biggest contributors to that. I tend to focus on the things that are bad or full of flaws and failure as well. Sometimes the negative things are pretty funny and engender rather funny, or witty comments. But at the end of the day, is that really what we remember? Looking back over my life I can tell you that my negative memories aren't funny. They weren't fun, although they usually had a joyful ending where I learned something. The memories I have that I still laugh at and cherish are those with positive language, with people getting along. They're the types of memories I'll keep for the rest of my life. I find these types of memories to be extremely simple. They didn't take place at huge parties or fancy buildings. They are just events that came as powerful bonding experiences with the people that matter most.

Im an extremely witty guy, but when I look back over the times I've had with my friends, I think of a personal walk I had with a best friend who confided much in me and entrusted me with his problems and personal life. I think of playing sports when our friends encouraged each other to get better and had a lot of fun. I remember shooting squirt guns inside my house late at night when the parents were asleep. (Sorry mom.)

At home with my family, I can certainly be the first to make a funny joke about how terrible the government is, or talk about a funny anecdote about something embarrassing happening to a kid at school. But when I look back on the time I had with my family, I remember a caring mother listening to all my problems and helping me turn to my scriptures. I think of my dad who always dropped what he was doing to listen to me and enjoy hearing about my life and watching his son grow into a man. I think my oldest sister, Rachel, driving me to go parties with her even though I might embarrass her, or my oldest brother Jeremy running with me on his back as a little kid, my sister Elizabeth calling me just to brighten up my day with her silly jokes and being so happy and loving, I think of my brother Erik, encouraging me to be my best self, and giving me advice, and even now and then getting into wrestling matches now and then. I think of times when we would laugh and play a game at family home evening, each of us contributing our wonderful personalities to make the night so memorable.

When I come home it is easy to think about the hardships of the day and the undesirable people I sometimes meet, but I will never forget those times when I get down on my knees and pray to a Loving Heavenly Father, and am reminded about the sacrifices of His Son Jesus Christ, and feel the spirit so strong. I will never forget those nearly sleepless fearful nights when I have felt divine arms engulf me and calm my heart. I will never forget a loving divine Father letting me know He loves me.

Thats what I'll remember. Simple, yet powerful.