Orem Nursing Home

For the past 7 months I've been trying to wrangle groups together in order to go singing at the Orem Nursing Home. My summer ward in Condo Row did this at a nursing home in Provo, off of State Street. It was such a neat experience that I decided to try and get my new ward to enjoy in the experience as well. Although with such busy schedules in those among my new ward, I found better success in grabbing friends from work, previous wards, and home instead. It's honestly such a good feeling getting to go sing to the elderly; they appreciate the time you take from your busy day to help break up their monotony. Such wonderful friends have been made there. Leroy Gibbins was one of my favorite residents who sung in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for many years and sang with us up until he passed away. Anna Mae loves her books and requests upbeat hymns only; Jay always request hymn number 193 with a bright smile; Irene Tovansen is from Sweden, 93, and loves to conduct us; Jean is hard of hearing but greatly appreciates that we would spend such time with her, bringing in a beautiful spirit with us; John has the most beautiful, welcoming, cheery hello for everyone; Lavee loves "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and is wonderful to patiently listen to our struggling with this song; Her roommate Bonnie requested "Somewhere, My Love" - which we also struggled through but sang beautifully this last time; Norma Naylor has a such a cheery complexion and manner about her that if I am half as bright as her when I am that age I will count myself blest. There are so many more with so many other beautiful stories. I love the opportunity to blend the age gaps. In the eternal perspective, our physical ages are but trivial things and they should not hinder or impede our ability to build friendships of love between our fellow men. It's amazing what we can learn in our selves when we step outside our comfort zone and experience life through people's eyes and with other people by our side.

Unwritten

The other day I was watching Back to the Future.. actually I watched all three of the them (for the first time). Doc stated something very true 'It means your future is unwritten so make it a good one!". Truly, I believe that statement fully. So many aspects of life are given to choice, no direct way in which to do anything. There is an intense freedom in our lives.

Today I hiked Squaw Peak with my friend, Rob Glover. This was our second hike to do (first being the backside of Timp) and it's become very natural and easy to hike with him. We hike hard with a few breaks in order to not push too hard, stop for snacks along the way, have enjoyable conversation... at the beginning and after we've made it to the top, overall it's a great recreational activity to enjoy God's magnificent hand. While hiking, we came to a clearing. With the snow that we keep having, added mud from the warm weather, and a mixture of tracking-expertise-lack on my part... we lost the trail... numerous times in that clearing. However, in talking to Rob, we realized that it's similar to life - the trail follows no RuLeS simply gUiDeLiNeS. In life we aren't given rules - but guidelines. We figured that since we were going in the general correct direction, following occassional random footsteps, perhaps the way which we were going would lead us as a short cut (but we were willing to accept the 'long cut' possibility as well). Similar to life, you might not follow the cookie cutter mold (the trail) but as long as you are headed in the correct direction, you always run the possibility of coming out a little further than if the path had been followed with exactness as a number of people had. All in all the hike was wonderful with the occassional fruit snack break, granola bar break, water breaks, sandwich break at the top, conversational breaks, and oh! the labrador we met on our way down. The best part of the whole hike is that we accept each other's short comings in energy or lack of ability for finding real trails ( :) ), enjoy talking with one another, are able to help each other along the way, we are simply friends, and I felt completely safe the entire time due to his first aid kit, preparedness, and genuine concern of my well being (when I fell iN the snow rather than walking on tOp). The best part is we were able to be natural and LaUgH whenever we felt like it (which should be a part of everyone's daily ritual)

Oh... we did happen to get on the conversation of almost feeling like we were being watched... which would mean being stalked by some animal... in a wooded area that felt and looked much like a scene from The Village... I agree with Rob when stating a very good reason not to enjoy watching scary movies - my imagination is good enough without any help!

too much time gets to the head

It's eleven days till I leave, I'm nearly ready to leave... and yet haven't fully comprehending the magnitude of what I get to do.

I have four out of seven classes completely finished with, received very good marks from my vocal juries - 2.54, am enjoying finally able to breathe and relax some (even though it's finals week), and yet I have mixed emotions about the entire leaving thing. I think now that I for once get the chance to 'stop and smell the roses' for once, the lack of such a tight schedule is getting to my head. Don't misunderstand me - there is no way I am going to willingly nOt go. The realization hit that I'll be leaving some pretty neat people behind. I've seen my mom just at the beginning of this month - which I'm very thankful for - but I won't get to see the rest of them for a total of 6 months. I think that too much time simply gets to my head, running around like an organized chicken with its head cut off is just so much more interesting. However, although I will miss many people here are the blessings I am receiving and foretelling to receive as well

Currently
1. I've gotten to spend more than normal time with Tiffany Rosenbaum who is basically amazing
2. I've gotten the chance to speak more often than normal to my lovely sister Sam due to extenuating circumstances in my life and simply having a lot of walking time from campus and my apartment
3. I have actual time to sLeEp!
4. I have only a take home theory final (which will definitely be done while listening to music or watching a few movies), an online world religions final (I think it'd be wise to study for that one), and my scheduled dictation final... I hope my ears are working that early in the morning.
5. My roommate Linda Patino is phenomenal and I love our hilarious laughter, relaxing movies, and wise... enjoyable advice.
6. It's getting warm now!!! (until, of course, it snows again in a few days)
7. I'm halfway through packing for Jerusalem
8. I'm nearly done with catching up on my missionary letters! (after... 3 months?)
9. I have only a little bit of dirty laundry right now (much better than my nearly 3 weeks worth of dirty laundry Tuesday)
10. I got breakfast at my 7am final this morning

To be
1. I'll get to learn about some amazing culture while experiencing it simultaneously.
2. I'm so excited to meet so many amazing people at the Jerusalem Center as well as natives
3. It'S hOt ThErE!
4. I love studying abroad, realizing how small the world really is and that we're all in this together.
5. I get to fly and test my narcoleptic theory: Martino genes allow you to sleep anywhere, anyplace, anytime of day... I think I'll succeed.
6. So many pictures to take!!!
7. I get to see Sam, D, Halle, and Bennett possibly if my flight and the Peterson's flight schedule (driving?) works out well in June
8. ah... the Spirit
9. Tiff's amazing and is now my storage unit for the month and a half I'm in the Holy Land
10. I might not comprehend what I'm getting myself into but I will grow so much for it and I'm appreciative for the ways in which I'm growing in preparation and will grow.

15 days and counting...

Since I have no form of online communication to any family or friends and am leaving for the Holy Land in 15 days, I figured it was about time that I made myself a blog so that I can have some contact to everyone in the states. 15 days and counting, I get to fly out early the 29th (with some poor unfortunate soul driving me there at 5am?) and am off to see the world and experience a new (and yet ancient) culture. I am extremely excited for this opportunity to see more of the world. I feel blessed to have been part of the few randomly selected applicants for spring term. I am more than excited to get to visit the sites we talk of so often in the Old and New Testament. Between the Grove of Olives, the Wailing Wall, the Dead Sea, Jordan and Egypt, I can't wait to experience and learn from so many wonderful places.