Dumb Fury

Experiences from Nauvoo

2009-09-29T18:51:00.000-04:00

Spiritual experiences I had during EFY in Nauvoo (before I forget them)

• Monday, pretty much all day, I was really nervous about having a group of 16-18-year-olds after having younger kids all summer. I was afraid that I wouldn’t know how to work with them or be an effective counselor for them. From the moment I found out that I would have older guys, I had been praying that the Lord would help me to be the best counselor I could be for them. During meet your counselor, when I asked them what they expected of me, I was expecting to get the same answers I had gotten all summer – “hook us up with the ladies”, “be awesome”, “let us stay up as late as we want”, and similar “worldly” expectations. Well, my guys blew me away by only stating two things: “be cool, but make sure we still follow the rules and do what we need to do”, and “keep track of us – be our shepherd (but not in a babysitting kind of way)”. NEVER has any group ever kept it that simple or that spiritually-minded. This helped a bit, but I hadn’t yet had a teaching opportunity with them until the evening devotional. During the devotional on recognizing the Spirit, I wanted to give them a chance to share, as I always do, by asking them to share personal experiences they’ve had in their lives where they’ve felt and recognized the Spirit. Right away, Michael raised his hand. I called on him, and instead of contributing to the devotional, he almost pleads for help on filling out the damage report from the other five guys (he had previously taken it upon himself to fill it out). Right then, a wave of peace and comfort rushed over me. THIS WAS WHAT I WAS USED TO!!!! Guys with irrelevant questions in the middle of devotional! It’s like the Lord was trying to tell me that everything would be okay because they weren’t really as big of a new experience as I had expected them to be! Even thinking about this over a week later still chokes me up a little. The Lord DOES hear and answer our prayers, even over the little things, because he knows that they’re important to us (a point illustrated by Chuck’s snow boot story during the Tuesday night devotional)!
• Tuesday night, Steve told me that he wanted to take some family names to the temple on Wednesday when our family went to do baptisms for the dead. There wasn’t much I could do about it that night, but Wednesday morning after the morningside, he and I went into the BC office to clear and print the names. We were able to print one name, but for some reason, we couldn’t get it to print any more. Steve and I went to the Family History Center at the stake center and asked if we could print from there, but we had the same problem. We eventually broke it down and found out that one specific name kept glitching out the system. We printed all of the other names and were ready to go. I had the opportunity to baptize Steve for his ancestors, and it was amazing. I KNOW they were there watching their work be done for them, and that they were happy about it! I’m not sure if they’ll all accept it, but I know that they’re grateful that we did it for them because now they have a choice and can use their agency. It was one of the best temple experiences I’ve ever had!
• Wednesday night’s Atonement devotional was a powerful one as well. I could have pretty much just let Chandler and Steve teach the whole thing. I can’t remember what all was said, but I know that Chandler had so much he wanted to share that he even wanted to keep discussing this with our group after I closed the devotional! I can’t believe how solid my group was, especially Steve, Chandler, and Chuck. The others were great as well, but those three could pretty much pack their bags and go serve missions right now!
• Thursday’s visit to Carthage was another amazing experience. It was the first time I had been there (or to Nauvoo, for that matter) since before my mission, so I was definitely looking at everything from a much different perspective. When we went to the room where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred, the senior missionary giving us the tour played an audio dramatization for us. The Spirit was so THICK it felt like we were swimming in it! I was almost moved to tears (I may have even let a couple slip out). My testimony of Joseph Smith doubled in strength after that experience, and then seeing the film Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration Friday morning strengthened it even more. I have seen the movie several times, but never in Nauvoo, where a lot of it takes place. I know I cried during the film. I’m so grateful to Joseph Smith for enduring all of the persecution and trials he had to endure so that the gospel could be fully restored for us.
• Friday night was pretty much amazing!!!!!!! (yes, all of those exclamation marks are necessary) First, after the Taking It Home fireside, our family stood in a circle and sang the EFY Medley (which has been done every week). As we were singing, and especially when it was just the guys, I took the time to look at each one of them (again, as I’ve done every week). This time, though, something different came to me. As we sung the chorus of “Army of Helaman”, I looked at each one of them and saw them in a white shirt, tie, and a missionary nametag. After having the chance to hear all of my guys (and all of Josh’s group as well) bear their testimonies at some point during the week, I KNEW that they are going to make excellent missionaries, and that their testimonies are going to bless the lives of many people some day (maybe even now). This insight has only come to me once – my very first week of EFY in Normal, Illinois, last summer.
• As we were walking back to the hotel Friday night, I stayed behind to talk with Chuck. He told me that the other counselors and I were great examples to him and that he really looked up to us. I told him that I really looked up to him and the other youth I’ve been around during 10 weeks of EFY because of how spiritually strong some of them are at such a young age. I shared with him that I didn’t actually have my own testimony of the church, and specifically the Book of Mormon, until I was 19 or 20 and just about to leave on a mission. I then asked him how old he was when he got a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and he told me that he hadn’t yet. I was surprised because Chuck had been one of my “on fire” guys all week. I asked him if he had ever read the Book of Mormon and he said he had, and that he was about ready to start Alma. When I asked him if he had ever prayed about it, he said no. I testified to him that this was the only way to know for himself for a certainty. He knew it was good and he desperately wants to find out if it’s true. I committed him to pray before and after reading from the Book of Mormon from now on and that as he does this, he’ll get an answer. I also counseled him not to wait, but to start ASAP! This walk back was a great opportunity to talk with Chuck one-on-one – something that I now know that he needed, and something that I had never really taken the time to do with any of my youth. I think that part of why the week was so amazing was because I made sure to talk to each of my guys individually at some point during the week, just to get to know them and have fun with them. It definitely helped!

A welcome change

2009-07-02T23:42:00.000-04:00

This morning started off pretty crappy-like for me. I woke up and my throat was killing me, then a few minutes later I started to get a headache. Both of these were probably from my allergies and eventually went away. On top of that, though, was my super-tiredness, and as a result, I was just grouchy and cranky with my guys for most of the morning.

At the Young Men's activity, for the big meeting, I was part of a quintet that sang "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy." As we were singing, the Spirit began to soften my heart a bit and my crankiness subsided. As the day went on, and I moved on to musical program practice, the day got better and better as I began feeling the Spirit more and more strongly. After our lunchtime musical program practice, when I met up with our company for the variety show, I pulled my guys aside and apologized to them for being so grouchy earlier. Just like a small child or a puppy, they all forgave me instantly! I love my group!

Tonight at the musical program... O-double M-G!!! It was GREAT!!! Everything went even better than I'd hoped! The Spirit was super strong, and one of the guys in my group even told me that part of it moved him to tears! Doing the musical program was an interesting change of pace for me. Although it used up most of my time during the week, the time was definitely well-spent!

I'm so glad that I get to work EFY this summer. Since this is the last time I'll be able to be a counselor, I'm doing all I can to make the most of it and help the youth with the best of my ability. So far, I feel fairly confident that I'm succeeding, and I've definitely felt the Spirit help me out with it. I look forward to the rest of the summer!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "What Heaven Sees In You" by Mindy Gledhill, from the 2005 EFY CD.

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day:
Reed: We have to keep the Law of Chastity until we're married.
Me: You still have to keep it once you're married.
Reed: But I thought it was okay after you're married.
Me: It's never okay to break the Law of Chastity.
A few seconds later (as this conversation continued, Reed said something about not knowing how you'd break the Law of Chastity after marriage)
Josh: It's called the Internet!

After the Trial...

2009-06-29T23:22:00.000-04:00

So my company name for the week here in Missouri is "After the Trial," and so far, it's been an interesting choice. Today has definitely been full of trials. First, I totally failed at singer tryouts. Well, by that I mean I just wasn't feeling my singing voice so I didn't do very well. Then, sometime between Meet Your Counselor and the time we left Orientation to go to dinner, I lost/misplaced my cell phone and haven't found it yet. And, to top it all off, tonight, after I spoke with Brother Peterson (the session director) about my devotional this evening, I was locked out of my dorm building for about 10 minutes. Okay, so really only one of those is a serious trial, but today has just felt like a super trying day for me. I just want to find my cell phone. Of course I'm praying for help to find it, and I've looked around and asked several of the counselors. I guess I'll just have to do what it says in Ether 12:6 and just have faith and then the witness (finding my phone or whatever) will come...

That's all I feel like writing this evening...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Nothing tonight. Matt, my roommate for the week, is studying his scriptures so I don't wanna disturb him by playing music (although he is randomly drumming on the desk lol).

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: Again, I don't feel like doing this either...

THIS IS FOOLISHNESS!!!

2009-06-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

So I'm at my first session of EFY for the summer. It's at Gustavus Augustus University in St. Peter, Minnesota. It's the first time I've been to Minnesota (and Wisconsin, where I stayed on Friday night on the way up here), and I must say that this is one of the most beautiful parts of the country that I've ever seen! It reminds me a lot of the areas of Ontario where I served, especially up north around Petawawa/Deep River, Ontario.

Anyway, the youth got here today. I have twelve 14-15 year olds this week, and I'm co-counselors with Doug and Donielle. I think there are 36 youth in our company. Our company's name is "This Is Foolishness." So far, they seem like a very fun group, but also VERY in tune to the Spirit and very smart in that area. I'm super-stoked to be with them this week.

Well, this was basically just a short post to start my summer escapades :) I'm sure I'll post more later this week. I'm gonna try to use the journal time for its intended purpose this year lol.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: nothing tonight

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "My counselor said we didn't have to follow the Word of Wisdom after EFY." - Me, after I told my guys that they weren't allowed to drink the coffee or tea from the cafeteria this week. The quote came sarcastically as I explained that they shouldn't drink it ever.

Starting to figure it out

2009-04-14T17:03:00.001-04:00

Things are finally starting to be clear to me now...

First, an update. I found out on the first day of Spring Break that I was not accepted into BYU. At first, I was kinda upset and confused, especially since I had received such a strong confirmation that I was supposed to go out there. I was able to meet with an admissions adviser the Friday that I was out there, and found out that the main reason that my application was denied was because my GPA wasn't high enough. It's a 3.11 right now and it needs to be at least 3.65 before they'll even consider me. Also, once I hit 90 credit hours, they won't look at my application at all. I was able to persuade them to ignore the "test-out" credits, which would leave me with like 54 hours. They told me that if I could boost my GPA without going over 90 credits, I'd most likely be admitted. Up until recently, that was the plan...

Now, however, after meeting with two of my French professors regarding changing my major to just French, I now have a new plan. I will be applying for two different French teaching assistantship positions - one at the university in Nancy and the other could be at an elementary, middle, or high school anywhere in France - for the fall of 2010. Hopefully, I'll be able to graduate from Ball State at the end of the spring 2010 semester. For that summer, though, I haven't decided if I'm gonna do study abroad in France or just work to save money for France in the fall. The teaching programs both pay well and offer benefits from the French government, and they'd be great opportunities for me to get experience in French. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'd be teaching English classes during this assistantship program.

Now, I still don't know why the Lord told me that I needed to go out West if I wasn't gonna get into BYU. Maybe it's for something I'm supposed to do later. Maybe I'm supposed to go to grad school out there. I don't know. But I do know that if I had transferred to BYU and left Ball State, I would more than likely not be able to do either one of these teaching programs (the one in Nancy is only offered to Ball State students because of a special agreement between the two schools). I know everything happens for a reason, and the Lord will let me know when/if he wants me to move out west (be it to Utah or somewhere else).

Part of what's helped me to really rely on His timing is my new and improved habit of daily scripture study. For the past couple of days, I've studied faith in depth, and it's proved to be very helpful to me. I'm just making sure that I keep myself on the right path that way the Lord can bless me and the Spirit can guide me in what I need to do.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Boys of Summer" by The Ataris

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "That's irrelevant! You don't serve the ball with your junk!" - Me, last night, when Michelle said that Jacob deserved a do-over on his serve because he had gotten trashed in the crotch about 10 minutes earlier by the volleyball.

I'm back!

2009-01-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

So yeah...

I haven't posted in here since June!!!

Anyway, I just want to write a couple of things that have been on my mind recently. First and foremost is the big news that I'm gonna be transferring to BYU this fall. Those of you who know me well probably are wondering why I changed my "anti-BYU" stance all of a sudden. To explain that, I'll need to go back a bit, almost to this time last year. I was at a zone study in Montreal and everyone was hounding me to go to BYU when I got home from my mission. The plan was to just go back to Ball State and continue my studies there. However, I realized that I had never really prayed about where I should go to school. That night, I knelt and prayed for a long time asking for guidance as to what to do - continue at Ball State or transfer to BYU. The answer I received was to stay at Ball State for the year and then evaluate the decision again. So fast foward to now. The whole fall semester I had been feeling like I was just drifting/coasting along in life. School just seemed to be wasting my time and I didn't think I wanted to be a news reporter anymore (something the jury's still out on). I basically had no idea what I needed to do, so I decided to pray about it. I didn't get an answer right away, so every time I prayed, I would ask about school. And every day when I'd think about maybe leaving Ball State, the only other school that came to mind was BYU. So then I started asking if BYU was where I needed to go. Again, nothing came, but I kept thinking about BYU. I even began the process of finding out which classes would transfer from Ball State to BYU. Then, last Wednesday night (January 14), I decided to pray and basically leave it in the Lord's hands. During my prayer, I decided that whatever the Lord wanted me to do, I would do, even if that meant leaving everything here and going to BYU (which, as I've mentioned before, I've always been dead-set against). The next day, when we were going on a tour of the athletic facilities for my walking class, it hit me as clear as day - Transfer to BYU! There was no doubt, no question about it. I had gotten my answer, and so now I am in the process of applying to BYU for the fall. I will more than likely be rooming with my MTC companion, who recently decided he's attending BYU as well. In fact, it was after talking with him last week that I really became motivated to pray and find out for sure what I needed to do. So there you have it. The application is due March 1 and classes start August 31. I'll definitely keep this up to date about the status of my application, although I am almost positive I'll get in.

The other thing I want to write about is somthing I just learned about today. My family has been renting a storage unit for a while. However, I guess the bill hasn't been paid in about a year, so the other day, the storage unit people sold everything that was in there. Normally I wouldn't care because it was mostly junk in there anyway, but there's a very good possibility that all of my mission souvenirs that aren't currently in my apartment were in that storage unit. My mom is in the process of getting in contact with the person who bought the stuff, but if my stuff was in there, there's a good chance I'll never see it again. Fortunately, my journals, photo albums, and books weren't in there, but all of my letters and a bunch of irreplaceable things were in the "mission box" - including my call letter. I really hope my mom can get this all sorted out. Now there is a chance that the box is at my house somewhere instead of the storage unit, but I'm not too optimistic about that.

Well, I guess that's it for this post. I'm waiting at the BSU Health Center and I'm gonna go so I'll be ready when (or if) they call me back there...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: The sounds of the Health Center

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "Apparently, 3 square meals a day is torture." - someone from my News 202 class, in reference to why President Obama is planning on closing the prison/detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (this quote does not represent the views of this writer).

EFY!!!

2008-07-07T23:00:00.000-04:00

So last week’s EFY was amazing, but the one this week has gotten off to an even better start! Despite all of the mishaps that I endured on the way here (thinking I lost my wallet and locked my keys in the car, getting to Ypsilanti just in time for the session director fireside, and not being able to cash my Papa John’s paycheck at Wal*Mart because their machine wouldn’t read the numbers on it), today, the first official day of this session, was great! First of all, I can tell from today that my guys are most likely gonna be a lot less rambuxious than last week, which is kinda surprising because this week I have 12 and last week I only had 8. And, they all seem to want to participate and listen during devotionals and meetings. We had our devotional on faith this evening. I played the intro to The Restoration and then we discussed how our faith affects ourselves and those around us. Most of them participated in the discussion, and I thought it went really well. I shared with them the story of the time Elder Toupin and I went to contact one of Fallowfield’s media referrals, and how the guy asked us why we were so happy, and we told him that it was because we knew that the gospel had been restored and it brought us so much joy that we couldn’t help but be happy. This triggered a discussion of times when other people have noticed that we are “different” because we actually live what we believe and it makes us better people spiritually. The Spirit was there and I think the devotional was a success. And, to top it all off, it’s 11:00 and they’re ALL in bed with the lights out! I’m so happy!

On a random side note, I got to go to Tim Hortons today and get a dozen donuts plus 20 Timbits. I used the dozen donuts as part of the “Getting to Know You” activity. They each chose a donut (each one was different), then I asked them to explain why they chose the one they did, and how it represented them and their personality. As far as I can tell, they really enjoyed it. I thought it was fun and it worked really well, especially since it was a last-minute substitute for the activity I did last week (I couldn’t find where I put the Starburst cards).

Well, that’s all I’m gonna write for today. I think I’m gonna take advantage of my group’s awesome obedience and actually go to bed before 11:30 tonight!

Until next time,

~David~

I don't know the English word for what I'm thinking...

2008-06-22T22:12:00.003-04:00

So I know it's been an insanely long time since I've even tried to post on here, but I've been busy, and honestly, I just haven't even thought about this thing in a long time. So, in the tradition of my procrastinated journals, I'm gonna very briefly summarize what I've done since my last entry on this thing.

Finished at Papa John's
Bought an iPod Nano
Had an AWESOME weekend in Houston

Attended a crawfish boil at said Houstonian weekend

Decided to volunteer for a week at Ransburg with my brother before starting EFY

So yeah, that about sums it up. Right now, I'm sitting in the new staff cabin (well, new since I was last down here) at Ransburg. I'll be working as a ridge commissioner this week, which is actually something I've always wanted to do. So far, so good. James is down here too, working in Scoutcraft. I think he said he's teaching Emergency Preparedness. We'll be here until Friday after the closing campfire, then we have to go home so I can get ready to leave for EFY on Saturday morning. That's something else that I'm super-stoked about!

I've also been really slacking on the French version of this blog, http://dtcscoutfr.blogspot.com. I think I'm gonna pretty much leave it for now. I'll keep it open so I can post my randomness in French if I feel the urge or want/need the practice. I anticipate that I'll be using it a lot more once school starts and I'll be taking 2 French classes.

Well, honestly, I think that's about it for right now. I'm super tired and it's kinda late. Plus, I have to be ready for breakfast at like 7 in the morning. Hopefully I'll post again before the end of the week, but if the past is any indication of the likelihood of that happening, I can't make any guarantees. :(

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Background noise of people playing video games and music in the cabin.

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "Do this, do that, while I get old and fat!" - DJ Smith, while performing the "If I weren't a Boy Scout" skit. That was not only not his line, but no one else in the whole skit was using that part! (it's the Scoutmaster's line - he was the lifeguard - "Mouth-to-mouth resuscitate, what a way to get a date!")

JEEEOOORREEAARRB!!!!!!!

2008-05-07T22:12:00.002-04:00

So yesterday was the first day of my new job at Papa John's. I'm working there as a delivery driver until at least mid-June, when camp, vacation, and EFY are gonna start. I worked yesterday and today, and so far, the job's not too bad at all. It's A LOT better than that McDonald's job I used to have (twice). And, unlike the last "job" I had (serving as a missionary), people are actually happy to see me ringing their doorbell!

The other big news is that my parents and I have had to reschedule the Canada trip. I don't know when we're gonna be able to go up there. My mom said July, but with EFY, I don't think we'll be able to go up until the end of July, and that's when half of Canada goes on vacation. But, if most people are gone, that means we wouldn't need to spend as much time up there, which would give me more time to work, either at EFY or Ransburg (I'm gonna apply for the end of the summer).

Well, that's about all I can think about for now. I've gotta go to bed soon because I'm picking up my mom from work at 5:30 in the morning! Then, it's off to Muncie to get a paper signed by Elder and/or Sister Andrews for the EFY job, then to try to give plasma. Finally, it's work tomorrow from 5-8 PM. It should be a busy day...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "30 Rock" from last week

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "Don't speed in Ingalls" - just about everyone at Papa John's yesterday and today.

Thoughts

2008-04-30T11:35:00.002-04:00

I had an awesome entry planned for Sunday. For some reason, though, I never got around to posting it. Now that I have time, I can only remember one of the two things I was gonna post. Hey, it's a start, eh?

This is something that happened during my mission that never made it into my mission journal. I remembered it because of our lesson in Elders' Quorum on Sunday. We were discussing Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk from the most recent General Conference. His talk was called Daughters of God. Anyway, one of the suggestions he gave in his talk was that husbands should make sure that their wives have time to do things on their own. The exact phrase he used was "Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does." This might sound stupid or like a huge stretch, but I had an experience during my mission where I was the recipient of a "day away". Well, it was only a "night away", but it was awesome! Here's what happened:

It was November of 2007. I was serving as District Leader in Ville-Marie Sud over the largest district in the mission (at the time, there were six companionships, including mine), and was very stressed with all of the responsibility and adjusting to being in my first French area since May 2006. Elder Nelson was my companion, and at the time, we were staying at the Snowdon apartment because ours was being renovated (and a mouse problem was being eliminated). I talked to Elder Nelson about how I was feeling, and he asked me something about writing in my journal. Since I had to call every companionship in the district every night, I rarely had time to write in my journal, as I usually didn't finish phone calls until 10:00. He asked me if I thought it would help if I could write in my journal. I said yes. Then, he offered to make all of my DL phone calls that night so that I could try to catch up in my journal. As I was writing, an intense feeling of calm came over me, and for the first time in weeks, I was able to relax and not feel so stressed. It helped a lot! I'd like to say that I stayed caught up on my journal, but that wasn't the case. But, I'm very grateful that Elder Nelson was willing to fulfill some of my responsibilities so that I could try to chill a bit. It was one of the most charitable things any of my companions did for me.

Honestly, that's all I want to post right now. I may or may not post later...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Star Trek: Nemesis" Special Edition DVD

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "What are you bumping and grinding to in there?" - me, in response to the music my brother was listening to in the other room last night.

Weekend update

2008-04-15T00:57:00.002-04:00

Good news – Blogger FINALLY unlocked my mission journals blog. Now I just need to decide if I wanna make it public or private…

This weekend was great! First, on Friday, I went up to Muncie to spend the evening with Rachael Linn from YSA. She was just baptized last Saturday and is super-stoked about the gospel! Yay! Anyway, somehow (I can’t remember how) we decided that we needed to go to the duck pond at BSU and feed the ducks. That evolved into dinner at Woodworth (which is a lot nicer than it was when I was there before), feeding the ducks, and watching “Bride and Prejudice.” We had a lot of fun. Rachael and I have similar personalities, which made things even more fun!

Friday night, I stayed at Robbie Turner’s house so that I wouldn’t have to drive home and then drive back up Saturday for the YSA activity. We didn’t get much time to talk because he and I both had to get up early so we crashed right away. Before the YSA activity, I went to Wal*Mart to finish my job application (still haven’t heard back from any place yet) and then went to Bracken to work on my talk. That, however, became talking to the missionaries, who were there waiting for an investigator to show up – they were smurfed, though, so they left. Finally, I ate lunch and then headed to the church for the activity.

The YSA activity was A LOT of fun! We started out by going to the food bank to do service for a couple of hours, then came back for some short spiritual discussions and some fun activities. I (kinda) learned how to crochet during the fun activities, even though I didn’t have enough time to finish. We then had an awesome taco salad dinner with ice cream for dessert. After dinner we had a talent show and then a dance. It was not only the first dance I’d been to since I got home, but it was also the first dance since my senior prom! Crazy! I was kinda nervous and awkward at first, but slowly opened up and had a good time. I did develop a pretty bad headache about an hour before the end of the dance and ended up leaving early, but I still enjoyed myself. I can’t wait for the next dance!

Then, on Sunday, I gave my homecoming talk. The topic was enduring to the end, and how I would apply things I learned on my mission to this subject. Also, I had to tie in some suggestions for recent converts on how they can endure to the end. Well, I had very little notes, a couple of talks printed from the church website, and my trusty scriptures, and was still able to turn out a 20-minute mostly improvised talk. I wasn’t too satisfied with it (I never am satisfied with my talks), but the members liked it a lot. I did almost the same thing tonight at a missionary FHE at the Hovermales’ house. The subject was on finding – I basically opened the discussion with some things I did/learned on my mission, and then we went from there. It was a good evening.

Well, I think that’s it for now. Once I make a decision on the mission blog, I’ll be sure to let everyone know.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "For the Love of Money" - The O'Jays

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "It has a cadillac converter" - Trenton R. Foust (yes, THE Trenton R. Foust), referring to why it was okay that his truck didn't have a muffler. I asked him why he'd want to turn his truck into a Caddy - he gave me a blank stare until Todd Shaw and I explained to him that it was a CATALYTIC converter...

Edification level = 100%

2008-04-06T23:56:00.002-04:00

This weekend has been AMAZING! The first General Conference with President Monson as prophet. It was great! I learned so much from all of the talks, and President Monson is hilarious! He even wiggled his ears during the Priesthood Session!

So, needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), conference took up most of my weekend. Yesterday before the Priesthood session, James, my dad, and I went to Ryan's for dinner and ate WAY too much, but it was good food so it's all good. Between sessions today was a YSA potluck in Muncie, so James and I went up there for the day. It was fun to socialize and everything, but I still feel kinda "missionary-like" when I'm at church activities. I've gotta shake that off so that I can get to know people better.

Tomorrow promises to be a busy day. I've gotta take my siblings to their classes in the morning, then I'll be setting up our camper as a temporary bedroom/storage room. My mom, my sister, and I should also be taking some time tomorrow to look at apartments in Muncie, either online or in person, so that we can get one set up for the fall. I'm really looking forward to the fall - starting back up at Ball State, getting a place with Elizabeth, and getting really involved in the YSA up in Muncie. It'll be great!

Random note - my mom is in the other room doing research for 2 summer trips - one for my return trip to Canada, the other for a trip to Nauvoo. I'd love to do both, but Canada is my priority. Hopefully I'll be able to find a job soon so that I can make money for the trips, school, apartments, and everything else for which I need money. We'll see.

Random note #2 - I have created a French-language version of my blog here. I did this for 2 reasons: first, to keep up my French, and second, so any of my French-speaking friends from the mission can read it and correct my French if necessary (and I'm sure it will be).

Well, with those random notes, I'll quit now.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe: Almost There

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: My Conference notes are in the car, so I'll have to do this later. Sorry :(

Time

2008-04-03T15:14:00.005-04:00

I had plans to create a second blog for my mission journals and experiences, but Blogger, in all their wisdom, decided that my blog was spam and has locked it pending review. So, the mission stuff will have to wait...

Yesterday was a good day for me. I got to go to the Louisville Temple with some of the members of my home ward. It was the first time I'd been to the Louisville Temple in a long time - almost 4 years, I think. We did names that one of the members had prepared for us. That's something I wanna get working on - preparing and submitting some of our family's names for temple work. Since I have PLENTY of time right now, I just might work on it to keep busy. I need a break from the whole apartment hunt thing anyway.

I'm also going to the temple again tomorrow, but this time with the YSA for baptisms. I'll be driving down there, so I'll need to be sure to get enough sleep tonight. I don't wanna run us off the road...

Last night, I also made my first appearance at a Scout meeting. It was weird - I only knew a small handful of the Scouts. Most of the leaders were the same, but I'll definitely need to get to know a lot of people. Since I plan on going down to Ransburg with them for at least part of the week this summer, I'd like to get to know them before then so I can better help the troop.

Well, I think that's about it for now. As soon as I can get the mission blog up and running, I'll let you know, and I'll post a link for it on here as well.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: I was watching "The DaVinci Code", but I paused it for now.

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "Comment s'appelle-t-il?" "Comme ci, comme ça." - Mme Thompson and one of her middle school French students, when I walked in to her French class today. (Translation: "What's his name?" "So-so.")

I'm back!

2008-03-22T06:26:00.002-04:00

So, as of Wednesday night, I am now officially back! The mission was amazing! I am currently in the process of creating at least one other blog dedicated to my mission - once it's up and running, I'll let you know.

Just a quick post to say hi... I'll be resuming this blog shortly...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Dirty Little Secret" - All-American Rejects

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "I've become a novelty" - me, after being asked/begged to say something in French at Stu West today. I didn't do it - it's not a parlour trick!

The Last Great Mission Update - March 2008

2008-03-10T10:48:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone, and welcome to this, the final edition of The Great Mission Update! Since I can't remember how long it's been since I've sent one of these, this might be kinda long, so be patient...

First off, I am currently serving in Laval, Quebec, which is just north of Montreal (it's the next island up, actually). This area is also a French area, and I'm serving as district leader of a district of 3 companionships (including my own). This could quite possibly be the best area I've served in - I definitely love it here! My companion is Elder Broadbent, and he's from Ogden, Utah. He's been out for just over a year.

Now for a word about our investigators...

Jonathan Hébert - Jonathan is 33 years old and is one of our "regular" investigators, meaning we usually meet with him twice a week. He's committed for baptism on April 19. He does have a couple of issues we're working out, mostly with the Word of Wisdom, but things are going well with him.

Suzanne Faubert - Suzanne is in her 40s, I'd guess, and has a son named Christopher. She's been meeting with missionaries for about a year and is doing well. She stopped smoking at the end of October and has been smoke-free since! Right now she's praying about a baptismal date.

Guy Simard - Guy is 53 and has been meeting with missionaries for 2 years now. His only problem is that we're waiting for approval from church HQ for his baptism. We meet with him at least once a week as well.

Those are the "Big 3". We have several others we're meeting with, but for the interest of time, I'll spare the details...

This week, the last week of my mission, is gonna be great! We have a lot of meetings scheduled, and even more time to go out and work to find new people to teach. We set a goal to find 6 new investigators this week. It's gonna be a HUGE challenge, but with faith, anything's possible!

Well, everyone, it's been real, but I've gotta go. I hope to hear from you all soon!

Take care,

Elder David Caudill

The Great Mission Update: October 2007

2007-10-15T11:37:00.001-04:00

Greetings one and all, and welcome to another Mission Update! I hope you're excited! I know I am!

The first bit of news is that I was transferred at the beginning of the month. I am now serving in Ville-Marie Sud (South) on the Island of Montreal. I'm in the Ville-Marie (French) Ward. That's right, boys and girls, Elder Caudill is finally back in a French area! Yay!!!!! The reign of terror in Ontario has come to an end. My new companion is Elder Nelson, from Idaho. In my new area, I am a District Leader over 12 missionaries, including the Assistants to the Mission President! They wanted to be sure to throw me in deep, I guess. But, I'm excited for this transfer. It should be a lot of fun!

The next bit of amazing news is something I just found out today, like 5 minutes ago... Serenitee Cadieux, one of my investigators from Cornwall, was baptized this past week! This is amazing because when I was there, her parents didn't think she was committed enough to be baptized. Serenitee is Paula Tessier's sister (Paula was baptized right before I was transferred out of Cornwall). It's great to see that there are now 3 sisters from that family that have joined the church!

Now, for news in my current area. Honestly, things are kinda slow right now. We do have a couple of investigators that I've met. I'll talk about them in a minute. (I've gotta hurry because I only have 5 minutes) In this new area, we do a lot of contacting on the Metro (subway). It's a lot of fun but still a bit scary for me LOL. I'm just not used to it yet, but I'm sure I'll get there!

Okay, the investigators that I've met so far are Maryse Joseph and Robert (I don't know his last name). I'll start with Maryse. She's a single Haitian woman with a young son who the missionaries met a couple of months ago. She comes to church every week and really enjoys it. On Thursday, we had an appointment with her and we asked her about baptism. She told us she wasn't ready yet. We also found out that while she says she knows that what we're teaching is true, she hasn't received a spiritual witness of that fact. So, we're gonna work on that. Until she gets that spiritual witness, she won't progress much further. But, she's an amazing lady, and her son loves us, so hopefully all will work out!

Robert has been investigating the church for about 2 years now, I think. He's in the same boat. He doesn't have any sort of spiritual conviction of the things we teach. We committed him yesterday to pray before he reads from the Book of Mormon (which he reads every night) and ask God if it's true. He accepted the commitment.

Well, I've gotta go. Thanks to all of you for your support! You're amazing!

Elder David Caudill

The Great Mission Update: September 2007

2007-09-03T12:29:00.000-04:00

Greetings one and all! Sorry I've slacked and skipped a few months... I hope you'll forgive me. And for those of you new to The Great Mission Update, welcome, bienvenue, bienvenidos (I hope that's spelled right), or however else you say it in your language of choice.

First and foremost, I'm still serving in Petawawa, Ontario, where I've been since May 30. My current companion is Elder Toupin, from Ogden, Utah. For those of you keeping count, that's Companion #5 from Utah, and Companion #9 total. Things are going well for us. We've been together for 2 weeks, and we've seen some amazing results! We've been talking to a lot of people and finding new people who are ready to learn! Now, a bit about some of the people we're teaching:

Jessie: She's a friend of one of the members who's visiting from the North Bay, Ontario, area. We've been teaching her for a while now. This past week, we challenged her to be baptized. She said that she wanted to be baptized, but felt that it would take her some time to get ready, so we didn't set a definite date. Plus, she goes back home (outside of the mission) next week, so we probably won't get to baptize her. But, she has friends out there that are members too, and she has a very strong desire to learn, so we'll pass her off to the missionaries over there and hopefully she'll continue to progress.

Steven Andrews: Steven is our resident "eternigator", meaning he's been meeting with the missionaries forever - 17 years, to be exact. But, he's very close to baptism. He just needs to develop a testimony and faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior. He's been on vacation for the past 3 weeks, so we haven't met with him for a while, but we're gonna try to set something up for this week.

Lindi Andrews: Lindi is Steven's daughter. We had a couple of great meetings with her. She was reading, praying, and coming to church, even when her dad was out of town. But, on Friday, she moved down to Waterloo (also out of the mission) for university. We did pass her off to the missionaries down there, and she was excited to meet with them and continue learning.

Kim: Kim is the mother of 3 young children. Elder Toupin and I tracted into her the first or second day that we were together. We taught her about the importance of the family, then made a return appointment where we taught her the Message of the Restoration. She understood it and was desirous to learn more. We're scheduled to meet with her on Wednesday.

Peggy Walsh: Peggy and her 11-year-old daughter Laurie, were found before I got here, but we didn't start meeting with Peggy until the beginning of August, then she went on holiday. But, we did have a second meeting with her this past week, and this weekend, she and her daughter came to the branch corn boil and to Church yesterday, and really enjoyed it! Plus, Peggy knows some of the members, including the Branch President, through her daughter's school. In fact, the Branch President is going to be Laurie's geography teacher!

Those are the people we're really working with right now. We do have some others, but most of them are first-time contacts that have invited us back. We're hopeful that they'll want to keep meeting with us after our first appointments with them.

Well, I think that's about it for this issue of the Great Mission Update. If any of you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to email me. I'd love to hear back from all of you!

Until next month (hopefully),

Elder David Caudill

June 2007 Mission Update!

2007-06-04T23:30:00.000-04:00

Hello one and all, and greetings from Petawawa, Ontario, my new home!

So, this past week, I was transferred from Cornwall, where I've been since Halloween, to Petawawa, an area about 2 hours northwest of Ottawa. It's home to a large military base and a small branch of the church. But, the good thing is, when the branch is small, that means I'm definitely gonna keep busy!

To get things started, I've gotta write about the CRAZY experiences I had on transfer day (Wednesday). First, Elder Anderberg and I were running late already because I wasn't quite ready to leave on time. Then, we went out to the car and noticed that there was a problem with the front right tire - it was bubbled on the outside and looked liable to explode at any minute. So, we called the fleet coordinator for the mission cars and he told us not to drive to Montreal, but to get it checked ASAP! We take it into the repair place, and they tell us that they can't fix it until Friday... So, we call back and get told to take it to the dealer. We find out it's gonna cost almost $200 to get things fixed at the dealer, and they can't see it until 1:00 (it's about 12:00 at this point), so we go back to the apartment for lunch. I then get a phone call telling me that I need to catch the first bus from Cornwall to Montreal instead of waiting on the car. We called the bus station and find out that the next bus was leaving in 5 minutes and then after that, not until 4:30. We then take off for the bus station, getting there about 10 minutes later, and find out that the bus was running late! So, I managed to make that bus, head to Montreal, then switch to the 3:00 bus for Ottawa. I got to Ottawa a little after 6:00 (because we got stuck in traffic in Montreal for like an hour) and then drove w/Elder Jasper up to Petawawa, stopping for dinner on the way, and arriving at about 8:30. It was quite possibly the craziest transfer day ever!

Anyway, we've had a few good appointments since I've been here. We don't have a lot of investigators, but that just means we're gonna be stepping it up and knocking on some doors this week! I'm really excited to have the opportunity to really build up an area. It's gonna be a challenge, but Elder Jasper and I are ready for it.

Sorry that this update is kinda short, but I don't have too much to write about. Next months should be longer! Oh, and if I can figure out how to get it to work, I might email some pictures in the meantime! Look forward to that!

Well, that's about it. I hope y'all have a great month and I'd love to hear from you soon!

Take care,

Elder David Caudill

End-of-May mission update

2007-05-21T10:36:00.000-04:00

Hello one and all!

It's once again time for another Mission update from Elder Caudill! This one's gonna be shorter than usual because I don't have a lot of time today, but I'll be sending another one either next week or the week after, so it should all be good...

Anyway, first and foremost - we have a baptism this coming Sunday! Paula Tessier is being baptized by my companion, Elder Anderberg. She's 16 and has been investigating off and on for some time, and this time, her mother (who we are also teaching) gave her permission to be baptized! Her older sister has been a member for a while now, and we're also teaching one of her younger sisters, Serenitee Cadieux. We're very excited about the baptism! I'll be doing the confirmation on Sunday.

We do have another investigator who has set a baptismal date. Sean Weber (38) is going to be baptized on June 16. We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" with him on Friday and when he saw the scene with Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist, Sean decided that he wants to be baptized in a river as well. So, he's gonna be baptized in the Saint Lawrence River! He was stoked when we told him he could be baptized in the river. His sister, Lori, was baptized about a year and a half ago, and was less-active for a while until her brother started investigating and coming to church.

This Saturday after the baptism is transfer call night... I'm the "favorite (favourite)" to leave because I've been here since Halloween. I get the feeling that if I do leave, I'll be going to another "boonie" area, but in French... Rimouski is my guess LOL (it's way far away in eastern Quebec)!

Well, I think that's it for this fairly short mission update. We do have several other people we're meeting with, but I don't have any more time to write, so I'll have to write about them later.

I hope y'all have a great week and I hope to hear from you soon!

Take care,

Elder David Caudill

Bounjour à tous!

2007-04-23T12:13:00.000-04:00

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night, everyone!

I decided to send the whole family one email because I have a lot to write and not a lot of time to do it...

It's been beautiful up here the past few days, just like down there. Right now, it's noon and 26 degrees Celsius! Also, because it's been so nice, everyone is outside and it makes our contacting efforts A LOT easier! We just walk around town and there are people everywhere!

Well, it's good to know that my car's kinda up and running again... I was kinda panicing... As long as she's there in good working condition when I get home, I'll be happy. Unless, of course, there's something better waiting in the driveway for me LOL.

Again, the work was great this week, mostly due to the amazing weather we've had. Paula (16) and Serenitee (12) continue to do well, as does her mother, Connie. In fact, Connie told us the other day that she never sat in on lessons when her daughters have been taught before, and this time she's sat in on about 2/3 of them! We're really looking forward to Paula's (and hopefully Serenitee's...) baptism on May 26th. She's asked my companion, Elder Anderberg, to perform the baptism. He's very excited about that!

We also had a great appointment with the family we found from shoveling snow. Lorn & Rose (the parents) and Juanita (16) and Jonathan (15) and then my companion and I, all went over to the Relief Society President's house (Sister Willard) for dinner and a lesson. We had Shepherd's pie (which was amazing!) and then we watched the Restoration DVD and discussed the importance of praying and learning the truth for yourself. It was a good meeting and it really got all four of them involved and thinking about what we have been teaching them for the past few weeks. I told Elder Anderberg yesterday that I have a very strong feeling that their whole family will be baptized and be strong in the church one day.

We made Hoppin' John for the first time the other night. It turned out alright, especially considering that I used instant rice... The rice was kinda mushy but the dish was still good. I shared some with some of our neighbors, and they loved it too! I gave the recipe to one of them (David, who's being baptized on Saturday!) so he can make it too.

Yesterday was our ward conference, and a lot of stuff happened. First, Brother Oswald was released as Ward Mission Leader after filling the calling for like 2 years. He was then called as Elders' Quorum President. Our new WML, Brother Schnell, used to be the High Priests' group leader and is very excited about this new calling. He didn't even get called until 8:30 yesterday morning, so it was sudden for him, but he was glad to be able to help us. Things are gonna be different, as is always the case when leadership changes, but the work is going VERY well here. So well, in fact, that we've been told by the Assistants that if we keep it up and baptize 2 families here in Cornwall, the mission will send a 3rd team of missionaries here! Everyone here is stoked about the work, and it's really helping the four of us to stay stoked as well.

One last thing... My guess for James' job, which he said I'd never guess, is that he's filling my old job at McNasty's... Let me know if that's even remotely close...

Let's see... I think that's about it for this week. I hope you all have a great week and I'll talk to you guys later (literally, in about 3 weeks for Mother's Day!).

Love,

Elder David Caudill

Mission update - March 2007

2007-03-19T12:15:00.002-04:00

Greetings everyone!

So, as of Thursday, March 15, 2007, I have officially been serving the Lord for exactly one year! I can hardly believe I've been out this long! Plus, knowing that I've only got one year left has given me an added boost to continue to work as hard as I can!

This past month, and the past week or so in particular, have been very interesting. First, Cornwall (the city where I'm serving) was divided into two areas - Cornwall East and Cornwall West - giving us 4 missionaries in the Cornwall Ward. Elder Chamberlain and I were split. He's serving in Cornwall East, and I'm in Cornwall West. Plus, this transfer, I have the opportunity to serve as a "Trainer" to a new missionary. My "greenie" is Elder Anderberg, and he's from Tempe, Arizona. He's a great companion - he's full of motivation and desire to serve and work hard, which is really helping me as well. Serving as a trainer is challenging, but I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to help Elder Anderberg adjust to life in the mission field.

The next piece of news came to us in Zone Conference on March 15. Our Mission President, President Petion, will be returning home with his family this summer, instead of serving until next summer. Apparently, his youngest son has been having problems adjusting to the change in environment from France to Canada, and the best thing for the family is to go back home where he can be around the people he knows. We'll be getting a new mission president on July 1.

Oh... I almost forgot... I mentioned last month that we were moving. Well, we have, and here's the new address:

Elder David Caudill
805 Marlborough St. N. #107
Cornwall, ON K6H 5Y7
CANADA

If you'd like to send me letters between now and April 15, it would be best to send them to that address. Also, as much as I'd love to get money in the mail, I found out that it's illegal to mail money across the border. So, in order to avoid an international incident (LOL), please don't mail cash! International Money Orders, on the other hand, would be generously accepted! (Ha ha just kidding)

So, something really cool happened on Saturday. It had been snowing since Friday night, so there was a lot of snow on the ground and a lot of people shoveling their driveways. Elder Anderberg, being from Arizona and never having experienced a winter, thought it would be great to offer to help people shovel their driveways. I was reluctant at first because I wanted to stick to our schedule for the day, but we did decide to take shovels and be willing to ask people if we could help them. Well, the first people we asked accepted. We spent about half an hour shoveling their driveway, then they offered to give us some money to thank us. Of course, we said we didn't need money, but we did offer to talk with them and their whole family about the gospel. They accepted, so we taught them about the Restoration of the Gospel. They listened and when we asked if we could come back and teach them more, they said yes! The mother, Rose, told us that she was baptized into the United Church of Canada when she was younger, but she never really practiced in that church, and was looking for a church for her children to join, because they were never baptized. Then, her future daughter-in-law, Kelly-Ann, said that since she was about to get married and already had one child, she wants to start off her family with the habit of going to church every Sunday! So, as a result of us offering to help them with the shoveling, we are now going to be teaching two families (about 8 people total) and help bring them unto Christ! From now on, I'll be more willing to listen to my companion's suggestions, even if it isn't necessarily what we've planned for the day!

We were also scheduled to have a baptism here in Cornwall on the 17th (this past Saturday). Tina Brinkworth, someone who's been meeting with missionaries off and on since I got here in November, was set to be baptized, but wasn't able to quit smoking. President Petion told the Cornwall East elders (since she's in their area), that she needs to go 3 weeks without smoking in order to be baptized, so the baptism was put off for 3 weeks. Tina, who before probably would have been very discouraged and probably would have disappeared again (she's done that before), was instead very willing to continue. She told the elders that she's come too far to stop now. She's definitely made a ton of progress since Elder Matthews and I first started teaching her back in November!

Well, that's it for this month. I want you all to know that I'm really grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord here in the Canada Montreal Mission. It's a great blessing to be able to share the gospel with those who don't already have it, and to see the changes it makes in their lives. I know that I'm where I need to be, and doing what I need to be doing!

Thank you all so much for your continued support!

Until next month,

Elder David Caudill

Mission update - March 2007

2007-03-19T12:15:00.000-04:00

Good Night and Good Luck

2006-03-15T00:39:00.000-05:00

Well everyone, this is it...

The last post (posted by me, at least)...

Here goes...

The past couple of days have been incredible! It all started Mondy with our flights. Those went well, even though they were pretty bumpy. The goodbyes at the airport were pretty intense... I guess I didn't really understand how it would feel to know that it would be the last time I'd see my dad and brother for 2 years. Tomorrow's gonna be bad too b/c it'll be the last time I see my mom and Elizabeth.

Anyway we've had tons of fun here in Salt Lake City last night and today (today = Tuesday). Today was our running around and playing tourist day. We went to ZCMI, Temple Square, and the Gateway Plaza or whatever it's called. Also, while we were out, we saw the Joseph Smith movie playing at the Legacy Theatre. That was one of the most powerful films I've seen in my life. It really helped to strengthen my testimony of the restoration and of Joseph Smith. I guess being able to see it made it even more real to me. I kept thinking during the movie about how I'm gonna be telling people in Montreal that I know the events portrayed in that film actually happened. It was a very spiritual experience for me.

As for tonight, it was great too! We went to PF Chang's China Bistro (after walking forever in the cold to find it LOL) and had one of the best Chinese dinners I've had in my life. The meal was served "family style" and the portions were huge! Anyway, I might post some pics of it later but IDK.

Well, I've got to go. I've gotta check on the laundry we've got washing to do, and I only paid for 15 minutes on this hotel computer. I'll see y'all in 2 years!!!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: the Muzak in the hotel lobby

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: I'll edit this later.

One last time

2006-03-12T00:50:00.000-05:00

Tonight was my farewell party, and I had a much bigger turnout than I expected. While I would have liked to see more than just one of my camp friends, I'm still satisfied by the turnout. I had a great time, even if I was tired by the end of it. Also, I still don't think it's fully set in that I won't see people for 2 years... It is starting to get to me, but I"m sure it won't fully sink in until sometime later in the week.

Anyway, before my party today, I went to B-dubs with Ben Frost. I don't know about him, but I definitely had a great time! Oh, and the waitress kept flirting with us like the whole time. Ben said she was flirting with me, but I don't know... Anyway Ben knows what I'm going through right now with the whole saying goodbye thing because he said once he goes up to West Point he won't be back home for a very long time. So I wish him luck with his future, just as he wished me luck with mine.

Well I have less than a day and a half until I head out to Utah to begin my mission... I'll probably post my final entry sometime Sunday night or Monday night. After that, everything posted on here for the next 2 years will be written by me but posted by my mom.

Good night world!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Saturday Night Live

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "We're with the Super Duper Society of Jesus!" - Ben Frost, telling me I should wear my red hat and cape while tracting on my misson, after I told him that Montreal was the gay pride capital of Canada. It was the funniest thing I've heard in a while!

Unwritten

2006-03-09T00:33:00.000-05:00

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

-"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Who Says You Can't Go Home?" - Bon Jovi

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day:

Party time!!!

2006-03-02T23:38:00.000-05:00

OK guys, this is gonna be another massively long post that only covers like a week's worth of stuff, but I'm sure some of you like that kind of thing...

The reason for the title of this post is my farewell party, but I'll get to that in a minute. Let's start with the weekend...

Saturday:

After work, I went up to Muncie to visit Brian and Victoria. We hung out at Brian's house for a while just playing Mario Kart and chilling. Oh, and Brian's brother was there too, and it turns out that Brian's brother is good friends with Jacob Jackson's brother, so that was kinda interesting, to me at least.

Anyway, once we were done playing Mario Kart, we went out to Steak and Shake to grab dinner. While we were there, we talked about random stuff that I can't even remember but it was still a lot of fun. That's basically it for Saturday.

Sunday:

Sunday was a busy day for me. I went to church for sacrament and sunday school class, but then left early so I could go get ready for Dan Floren's Eagle Court of Honor. Driving down there was an adventure, as it always is whenever I use Mapquest directions... Anyway, his ceremony was good, and getting to talk to him and several other camp people before I'm gone for 2 years was great! Oh, and Dan, if you read this, congrats again on getting Ecology Director! (that's a joke... if you don't get it, ask me).

After that was over, Luke, Steve Dunlap, and I headed up to Indy. They were going because of a Firecrafter meeting and I was going because Indy is halfway between Dan's Court of Honor and my house. Well since I didn't know where we were (we were on SR 135, which I had never driven on in my life), I decided to follow them instead of them being behind me. Anyway, the 3 of us went to Steak and Shake in Castleton and hung out there for a while, but then I had to leave because of a stake priesthood meeting in Muncie that started like 45 minutes from that point. Oh yeah, and we also had that strange waitress that Steve, Carney, and I had back in like October. Wow.

Anyway I did make it to the priesthood meeting like 20 minutes late, and still in my Scout uniform and jeans, but at least I was there. It was a great session, and after President Baker spoke about the importance of the Scouting program, I didn't feel nearly as awkward wearing my uniform in a room full of white shirts and ties.

Now, the rest of the week, I've pretty much devoted to work and that's about it. I'm trying my best to not let it stress me out, but I don't know. I do know that after tomorrow, I'm only scheduled for 3 days (a total of 15.5 hours) of work, and I'll probably either call in on Thursday or tell them I need to leave early, so that I'll have more time to get stuff together before I leave.

Oh, and now, about the party...

On Saturday, March 11, 2006, from 6:00-8:30 PM, I'll be having my missionary farewell party at the Anderson Ward building. If you want directions, email me or leave a comment...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: yet another episode of Deep Space Nine. I'm finally on the last season!!!

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "I'm like long-distance: I'm 10 cents a minute!" - me, in reference to how much I make working at McDonald's. I make $6 an hour, which is $1 for 10 minutes, 10 cents for 1 minute, and 6 cents a second!

Better late than never

2006-02-21T16:52:00.000-05:00

I know this post is a day late, but I really don't care...

Like I said on Sunday, I have so much stuff to post! First, this weekend, I went with my parents up to Chicago so I could go to the temple. I have to say that it was one of the best experiences of my life. After going, now I understand why Betty Jo (oh, I mean Sister Solomon ^_^) said I should pray for a temple close to me when I'm on my mission. There is one in Montreal, but I don't know how close I'll be to Montreal while I'm gone. I do know that while I'm in the MTC, I'll be able to go to the Provo temple once a week, so that's cool. Anyway this weekend was great!

Also, on Sunday, I had to give a talk at both Anderson and Muncie. Apparently it was good, even though I was up until 4AM writing it. I'll admit I thought it was good too, but if I could do it again, I wouldn't have decided to look up every single scripture reference while I was giving it. Anyway, I had a lot of people tell me how much they enjoyed my talk. I'm glad I got the topic I did (missionary work) because it just helped to reaffirm that me going on a mission is the right thing for me to do.

Yeah I know I usually don't get that deep or whatever on here, but I just felt the need to do it this time.

Anyway, I've been very busy the past couple of weeks. I'm working full-time at McDonald's so I can earn enough money to pay off my credit card before I go (in 3 weeks from yesterday), and also so I'll have some extra money to take with me. Yesterday after I got home from work, I just chilled for a while and then went to Muncie for FHE. Despite my lack of talent in ping pong and volleyball (the 2 activities we did yesterday), I still had a great time. That's one thing I'm definitely gonna miss when I'm out on my mission.

Speaking of missing things... This morning, I had to go up to the board of health to get the first of 2 Hepatitis A shots I have to get for my mission. Since I had to be up there by 9, I got up around 7:30 or 8:00... I don't remember when exactly. I did manage to get there on time, then I went to McDonald's for breakfast and came back home. When I got home, I turned on the TV and watched my tape of the Torino Opening Ceremony, since I didn't watch it when it was on the other day. Basically I was looking for something to do between 10 (when I got home) and 11:45 (when I'd need to leave to go to Institute). Well, I guess I fell asleep because the next thing I know it's after 1:00... I'm still kinda upset about missing class since I haven't been in like a month. Oh well... I guess I needed the sleep because I've been pretty stressed lately because of work and stuff.

Well, Like I said, I've got just under 3 weeks before I leave. I think I'm gonna actually do something constructive now and pack some stuff that I won't need between now and the time I leave.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: The 2006 Olympic Winter Games from Torino (They just finished the men's nordic combined)

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "Maybe you should go back to being a spectator." - I can't remember who said it, but it was said to me at FHE last night after I demonstrated how bad I was at ping pong. It was all in good fun though, so I decided not to cut myself or anything LOL

meh...

2006-02-19T23:05:00.000-05:00

I have so much I want to post, but I don't feel like posting it now. I'll do it tomorrow after work.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "The Reckoning", an episode of Deep Space Nine

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: nope... I've got nothing. Again, sorry. Just wait until tomorrow!

Who am I?

2006-02-17T02:33:00.000-05:00

OK I definitely yoinked this idea from Erin's blog... Just go there and do what it says. It's nothing bad, I promise.

http://kevan.org/johari?name=dtcscout2003

Oh, and for those of you expecting an entry of significance, you'll just have to hold out for a couple more days!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "This Is How a Heart Breaks" by Rob Thomas

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "If a tornado hit here, George would want us to have the place reopened by morning." - I'm not sure who said it, but it was today at work, when we were discussing what would happen if McDonald's was destroyed by a tornado.

Getting back up

2006-02-14T18:04:00.000-05:00

If you know me well enough, you probably know that I’m a big fan of the Olympics. So as you can imagine, having to work during times when they’re showing Olympic events has been hard for me. Okay not really, because I’ve been taping some of it, but still. Anyway, I was watching the pairs' figure skating finals last night, and saw something that was incredible. Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, from China, were performing their free skate when Dan fell after a throw. She must have hurt her knee pretty badly (I know how that goes), because they stopped their program. However, their trainer gave her the go ahead to finish their program, and that’s exactly what they did. They went back there and skated around until the music got to the point where they stopped, and finished their routine. Not only did they finish their routine, but it was almost perfect! Despite a 1-point deduction, they still managed to finish in second place and win the silver medal. Now that’s dedication! It made me think back to times when I backed out of something because I was hurting or just didn’t feel like doing it. Anyway, I guess the point I’m trying to make is sometimes you just have to suck it up and finish what you’ve started.

Oh, if you wanna read about their performance, click here. It’s the link to the story on the NBC Olympics website. I’m not sure, but they might have a video of the Zhangs’ performance as well.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Eyewitness News at 6:00" on Channel 13

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: I don't really have one right now. Sorry :(

1 down, 1 to go

2006-02-04T01:20:00.000-05:00

This seems strange, but it's already been 1 month since my mission call was issued by the First Presidency. I remember thinking when I got my call that the time would drag on forever, but now it seems like I was wrong. According to my desktop countdown, our flight leaves in 37 days, 10 hours, 43 minutes, and 32 seconds from the time I finished writing the countdown. I wonder if that time will fly by also (no pun intended)...

Oh, and on another note, I finally decided to suck it up and go back to McDonald's. I had to fill out another application, but they pretty much hired me on the spot anyway. I start at 11 AM this morning (since it is technically Saturday now), and work until 7 PM. That schedule repeats itself just about every day next week also. They're giving me 40 hours next week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), and if this keeps up, I'll have my debts paid off in no time at all! Of course, I don't know how much they're gonna pay me this time. When I last worked back in December of '04, I was making $6/hour. Hopefully, I'll be back with that rate, if not higher. Either way, though, I'm still kinda glad I got a job, even if it is McDonald's.

Well, I'm tired, and I need to go to bed. I just need to run my brother and mom out of this room so I can go to bed LOL.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Late Nite with Conan O'Brien

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "Don't buy this gum... it tastes like rubber." - from the side of a condom machine at a gas station in Hagerstown

Thoughts before bed

2006-01-26T02:20:00.000-05:00

Well it's like 2:15 in the morning and once again, I'm up for no apparent reason. Let's see... what's happening right now... Oh, for anyone who cares, I finished the 3rd season of Enterprise last night/this morning. That means now I'm only like 3.5 seasons away from finishing my goal of watching every season of Star Trek I own on DVD before I leave. I think I should be able to do it.

Oh, and now for the extreme issue: I NEED A JOB!!! I applied tonight to like 4 or 5 different jobs. Also, in the next couple of days, I'm gonna go back to McDonald's and see if they'll give me my job back, except let me work at the counter instead of back in grill. I hope I can find somewhere to work that pays enough to get my like $800 in debt taken care of before March. It would be horrible for me to have to delay my mission because I still have debts to pay off. I don't think it will come to that, but it still worries me.

Well I guess that's it. I need to go to bed.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "The Mission Theme (Theme from NBC News)" composed by John Williams.

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the Day: "I have all seven of them." - Drew Swinford, when I asked him how many merit badges he had earned. (see the last post if you don't get the reference)

What are you talking about?

2006-01-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

I just got back from spending the day at Camp K with my troop during the Winter Camporee. It was a lot of fun! Those guys are hilarious! In fact, because of what went on at the campout, I’ve decided to make a major change to the end-of-post stuff. I’ll get to that in a minute though. First, I want to post some of the best quotes from the day, which didn’t quite make it to the finals for the Quote of the Day. (again, more on this in a minute):

Question on trivia challenge: “How many Merit Badges are there?”
Michael Dawson: “7”
(well, considering that you have to have 21 for Eagle… we assume he was thinking ranks instead of merit badges)
“…and that was supposed to be funny.” – Tony VanWinkle, after retelling a story the younger Scouts found hilarious, after we realized that they’ll laugh at anything if Tony says it, no matter how not funny it is.
“Do you guys do the mercenary position?” – Ben Fendel, asking about Tony and his girlfriend. We assumed he meant “missionary position”, but aren’t too sure.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Another episode of Star Trek: EnterpriseI

And now, on to the change. Due to the fact that he’s about to become the only person besides myself to be featured in the Quote of the Day section more than once (after today it will be 4 quotes), I’ve decided that the Quote of the Day section will now be known as the…

Trenton R. Foust Memorial Quote of the day: There's a whole list of them, all from the person after whom this section is now named.

"All trees die in the winter." - He said this when I told him that he wasn't allowed to kill any trees to build his shelter for Wilderness Survival.
"I'm your señor." - This was said when he was trying to get one of the younger Scouts to do something. He said he meant he had seniority, but you can't ever be sure.
"They cost like $400,000!" - He was talking about his house's energy-effecient windows.
"Kinda like Tony and his hammock." - We have no idea why he said this... all I could say after this was "douchechill!" (urbandictionary.com, if you don't know what that means).

Just what I needed!

2006-01-18T23:16:00.000-05:00

...another unnecessarily long survey. Don't worry, though, I'll post something significant in the next day or so, I promise!

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
Well… there’s the one on my forehead that I got when I fell down and went boom playing kickball in 1st grade. Had to get stitches for that.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Um IDK nothing really

3. WHAT DOES YOUR CELL PHONE LOOK LIKE?
It’s medium-sized and neon green (Nokia 3595 for anyone who cares)

4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO?
I’ll listen to just about anything except for rap, most punk, and most country.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
12:52 AM EST on Friday, November 15, 1985

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
To go to bed! I’m tired!

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
Hanging out with all my marching band friends.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
My photo album. Oh, and my Ransburg Signature Canvas

9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL?
It’s hard to describe… The great outdoors has a great smell!

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Not really, but I don’t like when people are too close to me (physically)

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Again, not really, unless there’s something in the dark for me to fear.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOGNE / PERFUME?
No preference. I personally don’t wear any.

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Slightly longer than shoulder-length, but not She-Mullet

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
Well usually it’s the guy that does the proposing…

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
Neither one

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Everything!

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Hmm… currently craving Chinese food!

19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD?
I don’t know

20. DO YOU SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE?
As of right now, I have 4 years of high school French and 2 semesters of college French under my belt, but I’m about to spend 2 years in French-speaking Canada, so the experience is gonna skyrocket!

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU (OF THE OPPOSITE SEX)?
Um… the earliest I can remember is getting the Mouse Trap game at a birthday party I had in like 3rd or 4th grade.

WAIT HANG ON A MINUTE WHAT HAPPENED TO 22-27?
They went wherever things go to disappear (possibly someone’s sock drawer).

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
I don’t know… that’s just asking for heartbreak

29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU? With a note.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
42.

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
What kind of a shallow question is that?

32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL OFTEN?
Either my mom’s cell phone or the house.

33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST?
Little kids, old people driving, and junk email

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE UNITED STATES?
Yes, when we crossed the bridge to Canada at Niagara Falls. Oh, and I’m going back to Canada again for my mission!

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Um… If I told anyone my weaknesses, the information could quite possibly be used against me.

36. I guess this question is in the sock drawer also.

37. FIRST JOB?
For pay: babysitting my brother and sister when the parents went out.
Outside of the house: Seedy Sally’s

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
I think so. I’ve also been the victim of a couple.

39. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS SURVEY?
Trying to download the iTunes update, but then I lost my Internet connection

40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Again, I’m not that shallow

41. WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS SURVEY?
Because I have no life

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Um… I’m a good worker and I’ll go out of my way to help people if they need it.

43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Laugh at all of the drunk college kids that would suddenly have no way to pass the time between classes. Well, actually, most of them drink illegally now anyway, so I guess they’d still find a way to get liquored up.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I’m hoping for a card (I’ll be on my mission for my next 2 birthdays [21 and 22])

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
Either none or 2 (one boy and one girl)

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yeah but I can’t remember who. I do know that my middle name is from my dad’s dad.

47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
Yes because when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true!

48. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE FINGER?
Cut me off in traffic and you’ll find out! LOL j/k

49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Um IDK

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yeah. I can read it.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Oven roasted turkey. Or maybe roast beef

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
I have a nervous twitch in my legs. Well it’s not really a twitch, but I’m always moving my legs… basically I can’t sit still for very long LOL

53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
Um… I would have to say I’m proud of all of my CDs, even my Celine Dion CD that I got for some reason way back in the day (it was a gift, so back up off it)

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
This question makes my head hurt!

55. That sock drawer is getting pretty full by now...

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Not as much as society would like you to think.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
I usually don’t release it. I just hold it in until it goes away.

58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
Muncie or Ransburg

59. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
Sometimes a little too easily, other times not easily enough

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Archer!

61-62. These are gone too!

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Yes as necessary

64. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT?
Nope.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
I look for someone nice, funny, and fun to be around. Also, I don’t think a girl should look skanky just to try to impress guys. Come on, show some modesty.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Davie or Bob

67. Sock drawer

68. DO YOU UN-TIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually

69. It's missing too, so I'll insert a quote: "I'm Carol!!!"

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
It’s a 3-way-tie between chocolate chip cookie dough, butter pecan, and anything from Bruster’s

71. It died somehow

72. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS?
orange and blue

73. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE?
None. They’ve all been removed! (Look in the May archives for the results of having the last 3 removed)

74. WHO DO YOU MISS MOST RIGHT NOW?
Right now Sunny because we haven’t seen each other in forever. Good luck getting hitched on Saturday!

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Doesn’t matter either way

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The hum of my computer

77. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Buffalo chicken bites

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Elizabeth

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Her personality

80. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana

81. SCARIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?
Um… ending up rappelling upside down from a wet cliff on high adventure. I was freaked out for a few moments, but then got over it.

82. FAVORITE DRINK?
Diet Dr. Pepper

83. FAVORITE JOKE?
I can’t think of one specifically right now.

84. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Curling!!!!!! Even though I’ve never seen it.

85. HAIR COLOR?
“Dirty Blonde”, so basically brown

86. EYE COLOR?
Blue

87. DO YOU WEAR GLASSES?
Yes

88. SIBLINGS?
Yes – a younger sister and a younger brother.

89. FAVORITE MONTH?
April or June

90. YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Most definitely

91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
The 3rd Rock From the Sun Thanksgiving episode on DVD

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Christmas

93. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
Yeah.

94. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer! It’s when camp happens!

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Kisses with almonds (they come in gold wrappers!)

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE-NIGHT STANDS
Relationships

97. WHO/WHAT DO YOU SECRETLY LOVE?
If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, would it?

98. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU MACKED IT WITH IN THE PAST YEAR?
Well I’d have to say none!

99. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
Right now just the Book of Mormon. I finished the last Star Trek novel I was reading.

100. WHERE DO YOU WORK?
Um about that… I NEED A JOB!!!

Current Media Experience: Star Trek: Enterprise

Quote of the day: I'm not sure. Ask me later.

Addresses

2006-01-08T15:26:00.000-05:00

I decided to go ahead and post my mission addresses now, that way I can link to them on other sites (facebook, etc.) instead of having to post them over and over again.

My address in the MTC, beginning March 15:

Elder David Thomas Caudill
Canada Montreal Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
Bldg 1-M Rm. A106
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

The mission home address, from TBA until like March 2008:

Elder David Thomas Caudill
Canada Montreal Mission
1320 Blvd Graham Ste 110
Ville Mont-Royal, QC H3P 3C8
CANADA

Also, I might have a different mailing address once I'm in Canada, if mail gets sent to the place I'll actually be staying. If/When I find that out, I'll make sure it gets posted here as well.

I look forward to getting letters and/or packages from all of you, even if it's just a note asking how I'm doing.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: the quietness of the Pendleton Library

Quote of the day: "Don't make me laugh. It hurts!" - Victoria, at the Staff Appreciation Banquet, because she just had her wisdom teeth removed and laughing made her face hurt.

2006-01-06T23:19:00.000-05:00

"Dear Elder Caudill:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Canada Montreal Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Missionary Training Center at Provo, Utah on Wednesday, 15 March 2006. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the French language. Your mission president may modify your specific assignment according to the needs of your mission."

This was the opening of a letter I got today. A letter that told me where I will be serving for two years of my life. It's a good thing I took all of those French classes! I just thought I'd let you guys know when and where I'd be going. More info will come later.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "The Sword of Kahless", an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Quote of the day: I'm to excited to think of one right now!

Breaking 100

2006-01-05T18:06:00.000-05:00

Last night, I went bowling @ Cooper's with my Scout troop. I had a great time, even though my shoulder hurts today because of it. I guess I did alright considering that it was the first time I had bowled since my freshman orientation @ BSU last summer. I did manage to break 100 twice. OK the first time wasn't really breaking 100 because 100 was my score, but it was still a good time. I started out bowling against Tony, Trevor, and Matthew Dawson, but then Trevor and Matt switched lanes, so it was just Tony and me. Well then Tony left and Trent took over, and we bowled against each other for the rest of the time. My best score of the night was 109, which is good considering my average is about 80.

Before that, though, I went to Indy with Elizabeth and Chris. We drove to a comic store in Southport because I was looking to buy the Homestar Runner Other Things DVD, but they didn't have it yet. After that, we found the ultimate winner in the Wal*Mart parking lot game (where you go through the parking lot and count the number of magnetic ribbons and/or NASCAR decals on each vehicle and the person who finds the one with the most wins). Actually, Elizabeth found it. It was a red pickup truck, and the back window was covered with Dale Ernhart decals (I don't care if I spelled his name right or not.) All I can say is HE'S DEAD, GET OVER IT!!!! Stupid hicks.

After we left Southport, we went up to Castleton to Barnes & Noble. I bought a couple of bargain books and a They Might Be Giants CD. We also went to Best Buy, where I used the $15 gift card I bought myself to purchase the Rob Thomas CD. All in all, it was a great day!

Oh, I almost forgot... I'm once again looking for a job. This time, though, it's a temporary job, since I should be leaving for my mission in the next month or so. Still no word on when/where, but I'll keep y'all posted!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "A User's Guide to They Might Be Giants", a CD I bought yesterday.

Quote of the day: "It's meant for a 10-year-old, not a 6-foot-tall-year-old." - Trent Foust, explaining why the handle on his bowling bag is too short for him to use.

This is all Ben's fault...

2006-01-04T01:30:00.000-05:00

Time started: 1:07 AM
First Name: David
Single or Taken: Single
Sex: male
Birthday: 11/15/1985
Siblings: Elizabeth (18) and James (17)
Hair color: Dark blonde or brown, depending on the season and how long or short it is.
height: 6'3"
Innie or Outie: Innie
What are you wearing right now: orange shorts and an orange sleeveless tee. Oh, and my watch, glasses, and probably underwear too LOL
Righty or lefty: righty
Can you make a dollar in change right now: if I were to go out to my car

---Relationships---

Who are your closest friends: Chris, Brie, Sunny
Do you have a BF or GF? Not at the moment (not looking for either lol)
Best place to go for a date: I think it's a tie between dinner and a movie and just hanging out at home.

---Favorites...---

Favorite place(s) to shop: Old Navy, Target, Best Buy, and just about any bookstore
Favorite kind of pants: Old Navy blue jeans or any nice soft lounge pants
Favorite color(s): orange and blue
Number(s): 42 - it's the answer!
Animal(s): frogs and just about anything else aquatic
Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper or Vanilla Coke
Sport(s): I don't really like to play sports, but I do enjoy watching the Olympics and Colts football.
Fast-Food Place? Wendy's
Month: Any time during Ransburg!
Movie: Too many to name...
Juice: apple or grape
Finger: Um... I didn't know ppl had a favorite finger.
Breakfast: scrambled eggs or cold pizza, but I usually don't eat breakfast
Favorite cartoon character(s): I don't really have any

---Have you ever---

Given anyone a bath: my cat Bob
Smoked: not now, not ever
Bungee: no... that's a little too extreme for me, thank you very much.
Made yourself throw-up: no
Gone skinny dipping: in the bathtub
Eaten a hot dog: Yes, especially when I'm driving somewhere far and I stop at Speedway first.
Put your tongue on a frozen pole: no
Loved someone so much it made you cry? yes
Broken a bone: Every bone I've broken was actually broken by someone else. Well I guess it's just 2... my left little finger and left ring finger (not at the same time though)
Played truth or dare: yes
Been in a police car: I don't think so
Been on a plane: yes
Been in a sauna: yes
Been in a hot tub: yes
Swam in the ocean: sort of... it was the Gulf of Mexico
Fallen asleep in school: many times, not so much recently though
Ran away?: No, but I have left and driven around to calm myself down
Broken someone's heart: I hope not
Cried when someone died: no
Cried in school: yes
Fallen off your chair: yes, both intentionally and unintentionally
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call?: not that I can remember
Saved e-mails: I save about half of all my emails just in case I'll ever need them again
Fallen for one of your best friends?: yes, but then I got over it
Used someone: I don't think so. I hope not
Benn Cheated on?: No

---What is...---

Your good luck charm: none now really but we had a bunch during high school marching band
Best song you ever heard: hmm... I don't know. There's so many good ones to choose from.
Stupidest thing you have ever done: Again, so many to choose from :)
What's your room like?: it would be declared a National Disaster Area if FEMA wasn't so gosh-darn slow!
Last thing you said: I'm not sure, I haven't spoken in about half an hour LOL
What is beside you: to my right: a table. to my left: my sweatshirt, the TV remote, and a Book of Mormon.
Last thing you ate: chips and dip
What kind of shampoo do you use?: Wal*Mart's version of Head and Shoulders
Best thing that has happened to you this year: Making so many new and good friends at school, church, and camp. I'll miss them all when I'm gone on my mission!
Worst thing that has happened to you this year: Realizing that I might not see some of my friends again because of being gone for 2 years. I guess everyone has to move on...

---Have you had..---

Chicken pox: yes
Sore Throat: yes
Stitches: yes
Broken nose: yes. I'm not sure when it happened, but I had to get it fixed my freshman year of high school. Now that was a fun Christmas break, let me tell you what...

---Do You---

Believe in love at first sight: not really
Like picnics: yes. I love the outdoors!
Like school: the people and campus, yes. the work, no.

---Would you/what is---

Eat a live hamster for $1,000,000 dollars: well I think there are a lot of things I'd do for a million dollars.
If you were stuck on an island, what people would you want with you?: my friends
Who was the last person that called you: my mom
Who was the last person you slow danced with: um... probably Brie at our senior prom, since that was the last dance I've been to.
What makes you laugh the most? my camp friends, oh and my brother too.
What makes you smile?: just about everything. I was voted as one of like 3 people who "always has a smile" at camp...

---Who is the last person---

You yelled at: I'm not sure but it was probably some idiot driver on the road
Who broke your heart: nobody really
Who told you they loved you: besides family? I'm not sure.
Who is your loudest friend?: hahaha... Greg's pretty loud.

---Do you/Are You:---

Do you like filling these out? sometimes
Do you wear glasses or contacts: glasses
Do you like yourself: for the most part
Do you get along with your family: usually
Obsessive?: a bit
Anorexic?: have you seen me recently? Do I look anorexic to you???
Suicidal?: If I was suicidal, I probably wouldn't still be here to talk about it lol.

---Love Life---

Do you have a crush? actually no
If so, do they know? see above
Are you in love? not really
Coffee, tea: neither one
Phone or in person: AIM
Are you oldest, middle, youngest or only child: oldest
Indoor or outdoor: for what?

---Final questions---

How many people are you sending this to: anyone who reads my blog
What are you listening to right now?: Late Nite with Conan O'Brian
What did you do yesterday: well since technically it's Wednesday morning, yesterday was when I went to Muncie with my dad to get my hair trimmed. We also went out to eat. Then I went to Target in Castleton to finish applying for a job there.
Where do you want to get married? in a temple
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? I wouldn't fill out such a long survey hehehe
Are you a good driver? except for the speeding, I'm fairly good and safe
Are you a good Singer: only when I'm alone
What do you dream about: well this morning I had a dream that I got my mission call, and it was to Minnesota. We'll find out soon how accurate that prediction was.
End Time: 1:29 AM

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: This was mentioned in the survey

Quote of the day: Sorry, I'm too tired to think of one really.

I'm an American Idol!

2006-01-02T14:05:00.000-05:00

Your 2005 Song Is

Since'>http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=CkIfgYlVpZA&amp;offerid=99176.462951996&type=10&subid=">

"Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson

"But since you've been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on"

In 2005, you moved on.

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Nothing really except for whatever's on TV in the other room.

Quote of the day: "If sweet and salty were meant to be together, there wouldn't be separate areas for them on the tongue. It would be one area: swalty." - James, during a debate on whether or not sweet and salty foods should be mixed into a trail mix.

Skiing mishap!!!

2005-12-26T22:56:00.000-05:00

Well guys, today was the first time in my life that I've gone skiing. I went to Perfect North Slopes with my Scout troop. Let's just say it wasn't a very pleasant experience. I started out on the hill with the tow rope. It took me 3 tries to even make it up the rope without falling! Well after like 2 or 3 hours of lessons courtesy of Don Jones, I finally figured out how to slow down and stop. I also managed to turn decently while going down that hill. After a break, Don and I decided that I was ready for a regular hill (an easy hill, of course). That was a mistake... I fell like every 10 feet! There were blue marks all down the hill from where my jeans hit the snow. Since I kept landing on my right knee (the one I had to have surgery on a few years back), and Don took a rather nasty tumble, we both decided that it was time to stop. It was about 5 or 5:30, so we just went inside and talked with some of the others in our group until we left around 7:00. I don't know if I'll go skiing again anytime ever, but I do know I'm gonna be sore for a while. Oh, that reminds me... I need to take some Ibuprofen for it.

Oh, yeah, Christmas was good. I know it might seem backwards, but I'm gonna post about Christmas tomorrow since I'm exhausted and I want to go to bed.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: Whatever my dad is watching in the living room.

Quote of the day: "The Fifth Amendment's not a person!" - me, after Kyle Babb asked me how the Fifth Amendment knows whether you're telling the truth (which didn't make sense even without the personification).

GLORIOUS CHAOS!!!

2005-12-13T23:12:00.000-05:00

I probably shouldn't post these because they could be used as evidence, but I thought all of you guys would like to see the kinds of havoc my brother and I caused at the Noblesville Meijer last Wednesday.

My handicapped shopping cart. Yes, that is a Dale Ernhart sticker on the front of the basket!

DANGER! The crash took place in the middle of the Depends aisle.

Those are Riverview Hospital floorplans underneath a restroom door. My mom was in there. (It's an inside joke)

Same picture, different angle.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls

Quote of the day: "All he thinks is he got laid." Dave Concepcion, a professor of philosophy and religious studies, referring to a hypothetical male student who doesn't know that he might have raped a woman. This quote is being used in a paper for our NEWS 201 project about sexual assault.

Survey #2 (for today)

2005-12-06T23:38:00.000-05:00

*The Best Myspace Survey*
* . . About You . . *
Eye Color::	blue
Hair Color::	dark blonde/brown
Height::	6'3"
Favorite Color::	orange and blue
Screen Name::	dtcscout (for my blog)... if you want AIM, you'll have to ask for it!
Favorite Band::	no one specifically - I like a lot of different music
Favorite Movie::	Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite Show::	ER
Your Car::	1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
Your Hometown::	Pendleton, IN
Your Present Town::	Muncie, IN
Your Crushes First Name::	don't have a crush right now
Your Grade::	College sophomore
Your Style::	???
* . . Have You Ever . . *
Sat on your rooftop?:	no
Kissed someone in the rain?:	I don't think so
Danced in a public place?:	yes - every Friday night all summer
Smiled for no reason?:	yes - "Always has a smile" (Ransburg Staff 2005)
Laughed so hard you cried?:	yes
Peed your pants after age 8?:	I don't think so
Written a song?:	yes - 1. Pieces of Bob (don't ask), 2. a commercial for one of my classes
Sang to someone for no reason?:	probably
Performed on a stage?:	yes. again, every Friday night all summer
Talked to someone you don't know?:	yes
Gone out of your way to befriend someone?:	yes
Made out in a theatre?:	no
Gone roller skating since 8th grade?:	no (not before either)
Been in love?:	yes
* . . Who was the last person to . . *
Say HI to you?:	Ben (my RA)
Tell you, I love you?:	my mom
Kiss you?:	um... probably my mom
Hug you?:	IDK
Tell you BYE?:	my mom (when we were on the phone)
Write you a note?:	oh wow... I don't know
Take your photo?:	my mom - for my mission application
Call your cell phone?:	my mom
Buy you something?:	me - I bought a hat and various other cold weather items
Go with you to the movies?:	my family, when we went to see "War of the Worlds" on July 4
Sing to you?:	probably Evan Snipes, in one of his many songs about me making pop runs
Write a poem about you?:	well again, probably Evan, even though I don't think he wrote it down
Text message you?:	not sure
Touch you?:	lol
* . . What's the last . . *
Time you laughed?:	during Hall Council, about an hour ago
Time you cried?:	not sure
Movie you watched?:	um... I think it was "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" over Thanksgiving Break
Joke you told?:	can't remember
Song you've sang?:	Jingle Bell Rock (at Hall Council)
Time you've looked at the clock?:	right now
Drink you've had?:	Diet Coke
Number you've dialed?:	Lexmark Customer Support (to find out what's wrong with my printer)
Book you've read?:	the Book of Mormon - read some of it last night
Food you've eaten?:	Oatmeal Cream Pie
Flavor of gum chewed?:	Extra Spearmint
Shoes you've worn?:	New Balance 471's (I'm wearing them now)
Store you've been in?:	Wal*Mart
Thing you've said?:	not sure
* . . Can You . . *
Write with both hands?:	not very well
Whistle?:	not very well
Blow a bubble?:	with what?
Roll your tounge in a circle?:	yes
Cross your eyes?:	if I have something to look at
Touch your tounge to your nose?:	no
Dance?:	sure
Gleek?:	not intentionally
Stay up a whole night without sleep?:	yes, but it sucks the next day
Speak a different language?:	yes - French
Impersonate someone?:	yes
Prank call people?:	I can, but I don't
Make a card pyramid?:	never tried
Cook anything?:	sometimes
* . . Finish The Line . . *
If i were a ...:	jellyfish, I'd sting you
I wish ...:	I were an Oscar Meyer weiner
So many people don't know that ...:	they're stupid/annoying/whatever
I am ...:	woman, hear me roar!
My heart is ...:	inside my chest
Take this survey Find more surveys You've been totally Bzoink*d

Survey #1 (for today)

2005-12-06T23:21:00.000-05:00

*A Biography of your Life:*
What is todays date?:	12/6/2005
What is the time right now?:	10:55 PM
~First things first~
Full name::	David Thomas Caudill
Birth Date::	11/15/1985
Age::	20
Sex::	Male
Religion::	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon)
Education Level::	Sophomore in College
Race::	white
Heritage::
Where do you live?:	Pendleton, Indiana, USA
Where are you right now?:	DeMotte Hall, Room D224, Ball State University
Where do you work?:	nowhere yet...
Are you Single?:	yes
~Relationships~
For the Single Guys/Gals:
Are you happy being Single?:	kinda, but not really
Do you have your eye on someone?:	not really
Are you playing the field?:	no
Taken Guys & Gals
How long have you been in a relationship?:
Are you happy?:
Are you attached or playing the field?:
The Past:
How many Girl/boy friends have you had?:	1 girlfriend
Which do you prefer.. Single or taken::	taken
Do you want to get married?:	yes
---when?:	eventually
What about kids... Do you want any??:	sure
--- How many?:	enough
~Schooling~
Name of Elementry School::	College Corner Elementary School (K-1)/East Elementary School (1-6)
--- Mascott:::	Hornets?/Arabians
--- Fav. teacher:::
--- Fav. Class:::
--- Fav Activities:::
--- Who were your friends?:
Name of middle school::	Pendleton Heights Middle School
--- mascott:::	Arabians
--- Fav. Teacher:::
--- Fav. Class:::
--- Did you play any sports?:	no
--- What activities did you participate in?:	band
--- Who were you close friends?:
Name of High School::	Pendleton Heights High School
--- Mascott::	Arabians
--- Colors:::	Green & White
--- Fav. teacher:::	Ms. Douglas and Mr. Thomas
--- Fav. Class:::	Government and Econ
--- Sports Played:::	marching band
--- Any activities/clubs:::	band, Beta, NHS, French Club
--- Were you a Jock/prep/outkast/loner/Goth/etc:::	band geek!
--- Fav thing about this school:::
--- What did you despise about this school?:	too many "rich" stuck up kids
-Only if you are in college-
What college/University are you attending?:	Ball State University
--- Mascott:::	Cardinals
--- Colors:::	Red & White
--- Major:::	Telecommunications/TV News
--- Minors:::	French
--- Are you on a Sports team?:	no
--- Do you live on campus::	yes
--- You like it?:	yes
~Family~
Do you live in a broken family?:	no
How many siblings do you have?:	2
--- Step Siblings?:	0
--- Half Siblings?:	0
--- Step Parents?:	0
Are you guys scattered about or close?:	close
Do you have daily traditions?:
--- What about holiday traditions?:
What is your mom's name?:	Teresa Caudill
--- Her Maiden Name?:	Teresa Jones
What is your Dad's name?:	Les Caudill
~Memories~
What is your earliest memory?:	I vaguely remember living on Main Street in Anderson, but that must have been 18 years ago (or maybe longer)
What is your favorite memory?:
Have you gone to any concerts?:	yes
--- Where was it?:	One was at the Indiana State Fair, the other 2 were in Emens Auditorium (except for all the band concerts I went to/participated in)
--- Who did you see?:	Savage Garden, Muse, Blast!
Where was your first vacation?:	First one I can remember? Indiana Beach
Where have you gone on vacations?:	hmm... Disney World, Salt Lake City, King's Island, Washington, DC and many others that I don't want to list right now
What was your favorite vacation?:	Salt Lake City, or maybe the second time we went to Disney World (2001)
~Your Future~
Do you want to live in a city?:	yes
How about somewhere rural?:	yes
How about somewhere inbetween?:	yes
Do you have someplace in mind?:	yes
--- What is it?:	Denver, Colorado (well the mountains anyway), or Chicago
What occupation would you like to have?:	TV News Anchor
--- Do you think you will ever obtain this objective?:	Yes
~Political Aspects~
Do you vote?:	yes
--- If not, why?:
Do you take an interest in your goverment?:	yes
Do you watch/read the news?:	yes - I should, I'm gonna be giving the news someday
Are you a Republican, Democrat, or Liberal?:	Moderate
~Your Views~
Abortion:::	bad, except in medical emergencies
War:::	depends on the situation... Currently, Afghanistan - good, Iraq - bad
Drugs:::	I assume this means the illegal kind... wrong and stupid
Russia (I personally want to nuke them):::	wow this question's dated... What is this, the 80's?
Terorism:::	scary
Premarital Sex:::	wrong
Religions:::	good, but only when they're not bickering at each other
Hisidic Jews:::	I don't know
George W. Bush:::	one of the dumbest people in the public eye today
Bill Clinton:::	didn't like him either
Democracy:::	good
Porn:::	very bad influence and degrading to women (unless it's gay porn, but we won't go there either)
The Media:::	when unbiased, it's very good
Todays Standards implimented among the kids of today:::
Immigration:	should be regulated a lot better than it is now... Illegal immigrants getting jobs when legal citizens can't... just another great idea from our mighty president
~What is your Favorite...~
Tv Show:::	ER
Tv Channel:::	NBC
Band:::	no one specifically
Song:::	"Photograph" - by Nickelback or "Becasue of You" by Kelly Clarkson
Cell Phone Brand:::	Nokia - because that's what I have now
Soft Drink:::	Dr. Pepper
bevarage:::	Egg Nog
Alcoholic Bevarage:::	none
Coputer Brand:::	Sony - because that's what I have now
Video game:::	Super Smash Brothers Melee
Game Console:::	Nintendo GameCube, or Game Boy Color
Cereal:::	don't really eat cereal
Sub:::	Subway Club
Hot Sandwich:::	Six Dollar Burger from Hardee's
Dessert:::	key lime pie
City:::
State:::	Colorado
Country:::	Japan
Animal:::	frog
Shampoo:::
Conditioner:::
Clothing Brand:::	Old Navy
Subject:::
teacher:::
Eye Color:::	blue
Hair Color:::
Movie:::	Pirates of the Caribbean
Condiment:::	mayonnaise
~Preferences - This or That~
IPOD/Cd Player:::	CD Player
Staples/Tape:::	staples
Walmart/Kmart:::	Wal*Mart
Target/Kohls:::	both
Macy's/JcPenneys:::	JC Penny's - because I've never been to Macy's
Cash/ Credit:::	Cash - you don't go into debt that way!
Blue/red:::	blue
Black/ white:::	white
Hooded/non hooded:::	hooded - if we're talking about sweatshirts
Jeans/Sweats:::	Jeans
Aim/Phone:::	AIM
Renting/Movie Theatre:::	Movie theater
Short/Long hair:::	short
Night/Day:::	day
Rain/Sun:::	sun
Cloudy/Bright:::	cloudy
Hot/Cold:::	cold
Water/Soda:::	water
To Love/To fool around:::	to love
Comedy/Drama:::	comedy
Day and Time done?:	12/6/2005 11:21 PM
Take this survey Find more surveys You've been totally Bzoink*d

A Christmas survey

2005-12-04T23:43:00.000-05:00

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider? Hot Chocolate
2. Turkey or Ham? Turkey
3. Do you get a Fake or Real you cut it yourself Christmas tree? Fake... we bought real trees when the troop sold them, but they're just too messy and inconvenient
4. Decorations on the outside of your house? sometimes we put lights up outside
5. Snowball fights or sledding? sledding
6. Do you like hanging around the fireplace because it's warm? not really... our fireplace doesn't work (it's gas)
7. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping? downtown where?
8. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
9. How do you feel about Christmas movies? As long as they're not all mushy, they're fine. Especially the Smash Holiday Classic, JINGLE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!
10. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? Anytime before the day after Thanksgiving, and then it's only ok in small amounts until December 1.
11. Stockings before or after presents? During
12. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them? never really had any around our house, but I've gone "band caroling" with some friends.
13. Go to someone else's house or they come to you? Go to someone else's house
14. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when? Sometimes... usually in church though
15. What do you do after presents and dinner? Just hang out, watch Christmas movies (either movies we got for Christmas or actual Christmas-themed ones), and enjoy the holiday.
16. What is your favorite holiday smell? baking food during the big meal days!
17. Ice skating or walking around the mall? walking around the mall, only because I've never been skating.
18. Favorite Christmas memory? We used to always film us opening our gifts... those were funny to watch!
19. Favorite Part about winter? Driving around and looking at the Christmas decorations, especially when there's snow!
20.Favorite Christmas decor? lights
21.Lights...colored or clear? colored - especially blue!
22. What is the best Christmas gift you ever received? hmm... I'm gonna go for the not-so-materialistic answer and say the love of my family :-D
23. What is your favorite Christmas tradition in your family? Going to the Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio, and then visiting family over in Ohio.

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Medley: Angels We Have Heard On High/Hark The Hearald Angels Sing" by George Huff

Quote of the day: "I think it's so cute when I see 90-year old couples holding hands in the mall!" One of the girls in my Sunday School class (I forget exactly who), when we were talking about husbands and wives showing affection for each other.

Feeling festive

2005-12-02T23:16:00.000-05:00

I just thought I'd show you the awesome Christmas lights strung around my bed. That took me far too long, and given that the only thing holding them up is scotch tape, I'll probably wake up tomorrow morning with a bunch of Christmas lights wrapped around my body. I can hear the tape coming undone already!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Eyewitness News Nightbeat" on Channel 13

Quote of the day: "That's the best dry-erase art I've ever seen!" me, in references to drawings on the dry-erase boards at the Institute building.

Got shopping to do?

2005-12-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

You should check my eBay listings if you have holiday shopping to do! Within the next day or two, I'll be posting several clothing items, as well as some other things lying around the dorm room that I don't use. Potential items include DVDs, magazines, maybe even some CDs or computer games. Just stay tuned! Search for me on eBay... my user name is ptowntrumpet04.

And I do accept PayPal donations if you feel like being charitable... Send me an email and I'll tell you how to do that.

Oh, and yes, this whole post was a shameless plug!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: none right now

Quote of the day: "Shut up, Mr. Chin!" A line that was suggested for me to use during a French group presentation. We're putting on a mock political debate, and the chin comment is in reference to Jacques Chirac's "chin job".

Recap

2005-12-01T00:11:00.000-05:00

As I'm sure all of you know by now, last weekend was Thanksgiving break. The time home was mostly uneventful and quite boring. We were going to go visit family in Ohio, but everyone at home was sick except for me, so we didn't do anything until Saturday, when we went to Indy and went shopping and stuff. That was fun, especially causing chaos in Fry's...

Oh that reminds me, Elizabeth and I went to Noblesville on Wednesday and caused much chaos. First we went to get my car checked. That wasn't too exciting, but after that, the fun began! We went to Best Buy (which I didn't even know existed in Noblesville) and browsed for a while, but got bored and decided to go next door to Petsmart. That was exciting! We almost adopted a new cat, Chester, who was 8 months old, but I didn't want to put $100 on my credit card... Once we were done there, we went to Meijer. Basically we just went through the store and acted stupid the whole time!

I mentioned that I was the only one not sick... Well on Sunday, that changed. I was throwing up and just feeling bad all day and most of the night. My plans to return to BSU on Sunday evening were shot out the window. I ended up not coming back here on my own until Monday night. My mom was nice enough to drive me to class and back home on Monday.

Well that pretty much sums up my vacation experience. I hope y'all had a good holiday too!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "King of the Hill" on UPN

Quote of the day: "I have good aim." Michael Joyce, after being told he'd end up making a mess, during a very intelligent conversation about whether or not peeing on plastic-coated playing cards would ruin them.

Pretty in pink

2005-11-17T17:45:00.000-05:00

Once again, I think these quizzes are trying to tell me something...

I'm a Pink Converse All-Star

If you're a guy you might be startled by this connection, but getting this result probably makes you laugh more than cringe. You're not much to care about what other people think, but you still like to be social. You're yourself, unique and confident. And while over the years you've probably stepped on a few toes, you never let it get to you. You don't speak to please the listener, but rather you simply speak your mind. You're the Charles Barkley of the world, and while you might not be brash, you're equally outgoing and add some spice to every situation.

What color Converse All-Star are you?

I'm Toucan Sam!

You're the big-nosed toucan that serves as the Fruit Loops mascot, Toucan Sam!

Which cereal mascot are you?

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: the noise in the NewsLink studio

Quote of the day: "Si je gagnerais la lotterie, j'aurais mourrir la prochaine jour." - Me during my French 301 class today. (Translation: "If I won the lottery, I would die the next day." - assuming I got the grammar right.)

STOMP

2005-11-15T23:12:00.000-05:00

Wow! It seems weird that I'm 20 now. For those of you who don't already know, today is my birthday. I've already been wished happy birthday by many people on facebook and in person. It was nice to find like 10 emails waiting for me that said people had written on my wall. Anyway the day was pretty uneventful for me, except for the wild weather. Oh, and my family came up and took me out to dinner. We went to Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was a great time.

Oh, and also, I'm now one step closer to completing my Assistant Scoutmaster training. I got a packet on Outdoor Leader Skills training from Pam (the council training chief, and she also works at Ransburg). I called her and we went over it and since I already know the stuff (I taught most of it during my stint at EQ), she went ahead and added that training to my records, or whatever it is she does to show that I've completed that training.

Finally, for those of you who don't understand the title of this post, it's from the camp staff birthday song (ask me about it and I'll tell you).

OK I guess that wasn't really "finally"...

To close, here is the picture I'm attaching to my missionary papers:

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Eyewitness News @ 11" on channel 13

Quote of the day: "If they say it enough times, maybe it will be the right answer." - me, when playing Pictionary during Hall Council, after the other team guessed "Finding Nemo" like 10 times (the answer was "Of Mice and Men").

One step closer

2005-11-05T22:05:00.000-05:00

I had my "final interview" with the bishop today. During my interview, we went over my mission papers, which are basically done except for the medical forms, which I'll have on Monday. Another thing I still need to do is take a picture of myself dressed in a suit and "properly groomed." There's a prolblem with this, though: my hair. I got it cut on Wednesday, and I knew that it was shorter than I wanted, but it turns out that it's also too short to meet the missionary standards. This shouldn't be a problem when I leave, since it should grow out enough in the next few weeks, but it does pose a problem now. Fortunately, the bishop said that he'd write a note explaining that it was essentially a "barbershop mishap". The reason for it being so short is because I forgot that I didn't get my last haircut at Great Clips, so the info they had in their computer was from the haircut I got during my week off from Ransburg back at the beginning of July. Just to give you something to compare it to, here's what it looks like now (sorry about the shininess, but that's what the lighting in my dorm room does to the webcam):

Anyway, once I get the health forms and the picture turned in, all I'll have to do is be interviewed by the stake president and then my papers will be sent in! I'm very excited about it. I do have some feelings about where I'm going to be sent, but I've only told a couple of people because I don't wanna jinx it. Yeah, right, like that would make a difference. Either way, I'd be happy wherever they send me.

Oh, one last thing. I'm sure by now you're all wondering how I'm gonna post if I'm gone for 2 years. Well, I've come up with a solution. Before I leave, I'm going to give someone else access to my blog, and when I'm on my mission, I'll periodically write letters specifically intended to be posted here. I'm not sure yet who I'm gonna give access to, but I'll figure it out in the next couple of weeks. Also, if any of y'all want me to write you when I'm gone, please BE SURE that I have your address!!!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Lovefool" by The Cardigans (a song I haven't heard in forever, playing on Yahoo's "Big Hits of the 90's" station)

Quote of the day: "Too much mayo? I love too much mayo!" - The King of Town, in the latest Homestar Runner toon

It's been a while

2005-11-04T00:47:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's been a long time since I posted something on here! Well I guess I'll try not to do a big huge recap post. The main reason I've been gone from the blog for so long is because of two things. First, I've been trying to put more time and energy into my schoolwork (which I still need to work on) and second, my laptop's been having issues recently. In fact, I had to buy an external keyboard because half of my keys on the built-in keyboard aren't working... Luckily I have the extended service plan from Best Buy, so it'll be fixed for free. The external keyboard is just to get me through the end of the semester, and then I'll send it in to be fixed. After all, I more than likely won't need it after this semester's over because I'll hopefully be on my mission.

As far as my non-school activities... I had the opportunity to attend Casey Brewer's Eagle Court of Honor this past Sunday. It was a good ceremony and it gave me the chance to see several of my camp friends again. Also, Dan Floren told me his Court of Honor will be in December, so I'll get to go to another one before I leave.

Finally, I'm looking for a temporary job. I have applications ready to turn in to Kohl's and Old Navy, and I already applied at Best Buy. If any of you know of any places in Muncie currently hiring for the holidays, please let me know!

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Rivals", an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Quote of the day: "It's my turn to be on the bottom!" From one of the new Scouts. They were all sitting in a circle playing some weird footsie-like game. Don't ask, don't tell, I guess.

Is that my chin?

2005-10-19T03:06:00.000-04:00

I just thought I'd show you all what I look like after completely shaving for the first time since May 29th...

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Listen To Your Heart" by DHT

Quote of the day: "Good night, and good luck." From the movie of the same title, which I saw earlier at Pruis.

2005-10-10T20:53:00.000-04:00

This post is my "catch-up" post, after not posting anything significant recently.

BLAST!

On Thursday night, Brie and I went to watch Blast! at Emens. Even though we'd seen the video many times in high school ("I'm not going to be here tomorrow, so you guys will be watching Blast!"), it doesn't even begin to compare to seeing them live. The music, the lights, everything, was incredible! Plus, they did a few new segments that I've never seen before. For me, one of the best parts was when members of the group went to the audience, even up in the balcony, and worked the crowd. The woman who came up to our section played tuba, and she let this little kid try and play it. It was great!

Anyway I wanted to buy a CD or video or something of their show, but needless to say, everything's always outrageously priced at a concert. So as soon as I got to my room, I immediately searched eBay. No luck there really, so I checked Amazon. Bingo! Instead of paying $20 for the CD and $30 for the DVD, I paid $9.48 for the CD and $14.44 for the DVD, both of which were listed as brand new and in orginal packaging! Man, I love the Internet! Hopefully in a few days I'll be rocking out to Blast! again.

Firecrafter Fall Frenzy (FFF)

The rest of this post is going to be devoted to FFF. I left here Friday afternoon around 3:30, hoping to make it to Belzer by 4:30 to work registration. Unfortunately, the traffic had other plans the whole way. Traffic leaving Muncie was horrible, so I took the back roads to Yorktown and then took 67 to Anderson to buy gas. Since I had to stop at home to get my fire shirt, that cost me some time, as traffic on 53rd Street, Main Street, and 60th Street was slow as well. Once I left home and got on 69, I was stuck in traffic for no good reason except that there was a bus pulled over on the shoulder. Once I got past that mess, I realized that I had my fire shirt but no white shirt to go under it, so I decided to stop at Wal*Mart on 96th Street in Fishers. Of course, it's a good thing I did becasue traffic on 69 was stopped like 100 feet after the offramp. I finally got to Belzer about half an hour late, but it was okay because only a small handful of people had arrived.

Now on to the events. I won't go into detail about everything, but I will say that this was the most fun I've ever had on a campout! Friday night after the evening's events, Michael Carney, Steve Dunlap, and myself went to Steak and Shake. It was a very unusual time, mostly because our server was very interesting. We (Steve) tried to get her to work at Ransburg, but it didn't really work. So anyway Steak and Shake was much fun!

Saturday was even better. In the morning, when it was cold outside, I decided to compete in the indoor activities. The first thing I did was make (or attempt to make) a felt Firecrafter patch. After that, Steve and I took the Firecrafter history test. It was mad hard, and I missed 52 questions!!! That afternoon was the Woodsman meal cookoff, so Steve and I decided to team up. We went to Meijer and bought steak seasoning, beef gravy, ginger ale, and bug-shaped cake decorations. It was hilarious! I left before scoring was announced, but Steve told me we got second place. There had to be something shady going on for our masterpiece to not win! Oh well.

I will say though, that aside from the Woodsman meal, the best event was the campfire. The theme was Firecrafter Idol, so each skit was judged on a scale from 0-6. Steve, Carney, and I did a dramatic presentation of the history of the Jack Link's jerky company based on the 2 paragraphs written on the back of the package. Carney read the history, and I acted it out through interpretive dance, with Steve being the one posing me in the various dance positions. It was insane, but great fun! However, the judges didn't like it very well, so we only got 8 points total (4, 3, and 1, I believe). Oh well.

After Firecrafter Idol was over, I left for BSU, stopping briefly at home. I decided to leave early so I could go to church the next morning for the first time in several weeks. Man, why are my weekends so busy?

Well that's what's happened in my life recently. Why don't you tell me what's happening in yours! Or you could comment about mine instead. It doesn't really matter to me LOL

Until next time,

~David~

Current Media Experience: "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson, from her album of the same title.

Quote of the day: There are two of them, both from Fall Frenzy:

"Hey, did you know that Tomalapas has at least 65 members?" Me, upon reading a question on the History test that asked how many members does Tomalapas Ember has. There were four choices; 65 was the smallest answer. The correct answer was 158 or something like that.

"MEAT SNACKS!" Michael Carney, during our dramatic interpretation of the history of Jack Link's beef jerky.

Staff weekend

2005-10-03T21:37:00.000-04:00

Well this past weekend was Ransburg Staff Weekend, and I really loved getting the chance to go back down there, even if it was only for a couple of days. There weren't many people there, but it was still a great time. Here's a breakdown of what we did:

Friday:
The 10 or so of us that were there just chilled in the cabins. We played a game of Taboo and learned more than we wanted to know about Jen and her uses of ketchup.

Saturday:
In the morning we did service projects. The group I was in went first to the trading post and moved all the boxes of Ransburg bottled water into a truck to be moved to the Inlow for the winter. After that was done, we took down the boards behind the stage in the fire ring and moved them to the quartermaster. Once those tasks were done, we were sent to Lakeview to help paint shelters. That's when Alex knocked over like 20 buckets of paint (LOL OK it wasn't that many...) and I found out that I can't paint worth anything, and that I was only being used for my size.
In the afternoon, Jen, Pam, and I went over to the trading post to fix yet another problem with the computerized inventory. The costs for items were badly off. While we were doing that, Jen and I began flipping through the Guide to Safe Scouting. Some of the things we learned were that troops can't sell fireworks as a fundraiser, and that a car has to have enough seatbelts for each passenger, but it doesn't say anything about the passengers having to be in the seatbelts. Oh and we also learned (according to Matt) that skinnydipping is only an inappropriate Scouting activity if you get caught. Can we say GRAY AREA!!!!!!!!!!
At night we went in to Bruster's, which is always a fun time. Our car got permission to go to Target to buy a game for us to play that night, so we went and bought Pictionary. That got dirty real quick. Especially with a bunch of camp staff playing!

Sunday:
Well basically all I did on Sunday was help spread hay in Terrace Hills and Cliff Dweller with Corey and Ben Thomas. Once that was done, I drove Ben back to Ball State.

We didn't get our photo discs yet. I just found out from Matt that it's because Jeff hasn't figured out how to put the stuff onto DVDs yet. All I can say is, "Jeff, the system is down again!"

Well that's all for now. I'll post about my very exciting game of capture the flag later. Oh, and also, everything as far as date, time, and media experience is going to be from the time I wrote most of this post. Everything from Saturday night on was written after I got back from capturing the flag.

Current Media Experience: "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani

Quote of the day: "I usually dance in my birthday suit." my roommate Dane, while changing pants and dancing to "Hollaback Girl" in his boxers.

I'll post more later

2005-09-29T18:40:00.000-04:00

Ten Favorite:
Color- orange
Food- Chinese
Band- ...I don't know
Movie- Pirates of the Caribbean
Sport- the Olympics
Season- Spring or Fall
Day of the week- Friday
Ice Cream Flavor- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Time of the Day- 6:00 PM

9 Curent:
Current Mood- bored
Taste- my mouth
Clothes- denim shorts and my underpaid employee of the month shirt
Computer Background- The Grand Canyon (courtesy of Webshots)
Finger/Toenail Color- regular old color
Time- 5:21 PM
Crush- nobody specific really
Thought- I wish I wasn't still single
Love- the fact that I get to go back to Ransburg this weekend!

8 Firsts:
First Best Friend- can't remember
Love- BrieScreen Name- olyfreak (on yahoo)
Pet- Fudge the hamster (IDK why I named him that... he wasn't brown at all)
Crush- IDK
Piercing- none
Word- I'm not sure
Car- 1995 Olds Cutlass Ciera

7 Last:
Last Cigarette- never
Drink- Dasani water
Car Ride- Driving my car from the dorm to H2
Text Message- telling my mom that I didn't have to do news today.
Movie Seen- at a theatre? War of the Worlds
Phone Call- Bro. Hayes, about the stake campout
Song Listened to- Hoobastank: The Reason

6 Have you ever:
Have you ever dated one of your best friends- yes-Brie
Broken the Law- Well I speed and park @ the meters w/o paying
Been arrested- nope
Skinny dipped- in the shower ;)
Been on TV- Yes - for Cardinal Quiz Bowl and Newslink @ Nine
Kissed someone you didnt know- Not that I know of...

5 Things:
Your Wearing- I'll answer with different things than before: my watch, my glasses, Livestrong bracelet, Give Blood bracelet, and white socks
You did last night- Went to the Court of Honor, bought groceries, rode my bike in the rain, read the Muncie Star-Press, watched the Tonight Show
You can hear right now- Music on my laptop, my air conditioner, my air filter, my typing, someone signing off of my buddy list.
You cant Live without- my computer, my friends, my car, my cell phone, and Star Trek
You do when your Bored- watch TV, sleep, use the computer, play video games, drive.

4 States you have been to:
1- Utah
2- Florida
3- Kansas
4- West Virginia

3 people you can tell anything to:
1- Sunny
2- my mom
3- Brie

2 Choices:
Black or White- white - it's not as hot to wear in the summer
Winter or Summer- Summer

1 Person You would Do Anything For:
1- no one person... any of my friends or family

Current Media Experience: "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani

Quote of the moment: "What's an enema? Is it some sort of condom?" - Drew Swinford, at the Fall Camporee

OkCupid! Politics Test

2005-09-26T01:30:00.000-04:00

You are a
Social Moderate
(50% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(30% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Democrat

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

Quiz me!

2005-09-20T03:15:00.000-04:00

It's very late and I really don't wanna make a significant post, so here's what you get for now:

You Are Likely a First Born

At your darkest moments, you feel guilty.At work and school, you do best when you're researching.When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often.
In friendship, you are considerate and compromising.Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking.You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, new information, and teaching people to dream.

The Birth Order Predictor

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.
In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.
You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.
You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.
Your ideal relationship is comforting. You crave a relationship where you always feel warmth and love.
Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.
You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.
In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird...But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

Your Ideal Relationship is Casual Dating

Maybe you're looking for love...But mostly you're looking for fun.You could get serious with the right person.For now, though, you're enjoying playing the field.

What's" Your Ideal Relationship?

Your Blogging Type is Unique and Avant Garde

You're a bit ... unusual. And so is your blog.You're impulsive, and you'll often post the first thing that pops in your head.Completely uncensored, you blog tends to shock... even though that's not your intent.You tend to change your blog often, experimenting with new designs and content.

What's" Your Blogging Personality?

Current Media Experience: Streaming radio from z99.5 in Indianapolis

Quote of the day: "Oh my, I'm vibrating!" - loud annoying guy in The Retreat, referring to his cell phone which was in his pocket.

If I were at camp, these would be normal

2005-09-14T02:03:00.000-04:00

OK I started this list as a comment on Liz's Xanga, but decided to finish it here so I wouldn't be monopolizing her site. It started out as a list of 6, but now it's known as

The Top Ten Out-of-Camp Experiences (in no particular order)

1. Whenever someone asks "How (insert adjective) was it?" (or something to that effect), the first thing I think is "So (insert adjective) that it goes all the way across the lake..." The funniest times are when I actually start to say it before I catch myself.

2. A couple times when I was walking/driving through Muncie, and saw a pothole (which isn't hard to do in Muncie), I thought and/or said "Eeww, a hole!"

3. I was playing the game "Imagineiff" where you pick a card, and it will say something like "Imagine if (someone playing the game) was a car. What kind of car would he/she be?", and the first thing I thought was how I could make "If I were a car" work in the Jellyfish song.

4. (it's not really a camp song, but) I now sing along with "Hollaback Girl" whenever I hear it, after only hearing the song once before the summer.

5. I still sometimes say something is "janky" or use the phrase "oh, sick", which I never used to do outside of camp.

6. Someone told me they were going to a state park down by Bloomington for fall break. I asked if it was Brown County, and they said no. Then they said it was Spring something, and I replied "Oh yeah, it's Spring Hill State Park." After I thought for a second, I realized that Spring Mill is the state park, and Spring Hill, is a campsite on Ridge 4.

7. When I hear the sirens tested at 11:00 on Fridays up here @ BSU, the first thing I think is, this isn't the first Friday of the month. Then I realize that I'm not at camp, and I don't have to do anything when the siren sounds, even if it was the real thing.

8. Whenever I hear the slow clapping that gradually gets faster and faster, I look around to see where the M ceremony is about to be busted out. (OK I don't actually look around, but I do think about it)

9. Today when I was walking to AJ, I heard a squeaky-braked car, and it reminded me of someone pumping on a Fire-by-friction set. I heard voices in my head say "more pressure!"

10. My brother was talking about how each time he needs to talk about George Washington in his history notes, he writes it a different way. When he said this, I asked him if he had used Jorge Washington. He thought about it for a minute, didn't get it, and then I said "Watch out for the plutonium!" and he got it right away. (He was at camp during week 6)

These are just the first 10 things that came to my mind at the moment. I'm sure there are many many more! Any of you who worked at Ransburg this summer, or in summers past, feel free to add your thoughts!

Until next time,

~David~

FYI

2005-09-12T12:31:00.000-04:00

I've decided to post this on the off chance that someone reads this more often than they check their email...

The Ransburg Staff Weekend has been moved from this coming weekend to September 30-October 2 (Like 3 weekends from now).

That is all.

Until next time,

~David~

people disgust me

2005-09-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

I can't believe they even have to mention this...

Right now on NBC news, they're doing a story that explains the reason most of the people seen in the videos of looting from New Orleans are black is because 67% of the people there are African-American. Apparently, people feel that the reason for rampant looting is because of race, class, or whatever. I just want to say right now that while you and I might say that we're better than that and we would never break into a store and take advantage of the lack of order, we have NO IDEA AT ALL what we would actually do if we were in that situation. It has nothing to do with race, class, or anything else like that. I think it's (for the most part) basic survival instinct. The citizens of New Orleans have been without food, water, and decent shelter since Monday. How do you expect them to react???

I've been watching the news today more than I have the past few days, and I'll admit that the images have made me feel sick to my stomach. There's no way I can even begin to imagine that kind of damage or how that must feel. I wish I could help in some way, but I don't know what to do.

I'll leave you with this... If there's ANYTHING you think you can do to help the people affected by Hurrican Katrina, please contact the Red Cross or someone. Most of the TV networks have links to charity websites on their own websites. DO WHAT YOU CAN!!!

Until next time,

~David~

One down...

2005-08-27T00:54:00.000-04:00

It seems weird that the first week of classes @ BSU is over already. I have a feeling that this semester's gonna be a breeze, as long as I actually stay on top of my schoolwork this time hehehe...

Last weekend was Grand Ritual, and it was the best Ritual experience I've had. I got to help out with different things, including bugling at various points throughout the weekend. We had almost 200 new Firecrafters after the weekend was over, including two people with connections to my troop, Jim Moffitt and Larryjoe Brown. There were also several Ransburg staff members who completed the Unknown Test last weekend. Congratulations to them all!

Today (and yesterday too, I guess), I felt like crap. I think I've got a cold or allergy issues or something. After my classes were done today, I came back to my room and watched TV for awhile, then went to bed at about 4 PM and didn't get up until almost 9! I needed food, and since for some reason BSU closes everything early on Fridays, I asked Dumpy if he would take me to some food so I didn't have to walk to my car. So Dumpy, Victoria, and I all went to Steak 'N Shake and spent like an hour there eating and just having a good time. I enjoyed it, and while I don't feel completely better, it did help.

Oh, one final thing, here's my address here @ BSU:

David Caudill
15 DeMotte
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306

Call my cell phone or leave a comment if you want my dorm number, and I'll get it to you. Oh, and that's my mailing address. If you wanna visit, I'm in room D224, which is actually labled as Room 214C. And be sure to call first to make sure I'm here to let you in.

Until next time,

~David~

Wait for it (again)...

2005-08-26T02:13:00.000-04:00

Expect a post tomorrow. That is all.

Until next time,

~David~

Sneak preview

2005-08-19T01:16:00.000-04:00

Tonight is my first night in my new dorm room! It's also the last night until Sunday, because of Grand Ritual this weekend. I made the last-minute decision to stay tonight after learning that my roommate was already here. Oh, this year I'm living in Demotte Hall, room D224 (or at least that's what it's supposed to be... at the moment it's D214 because it's the old study lounge and hasn't been renumbered yet). I don't really have much to write at the moment, so I'm probably going to stop typing now. Besides, I think I have a food in the oven. Oh, wait, it's my roommate's ramen noodles lol.

Until next time,

~David~

Picture

2005-08-11T17:34:00.000-04:00

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a picture of me, in the trading post. Enjoy!

Until next time,

~David~

stuff...

2005-08-11T17:27:00.000-04:00

Time for me to get sappy! Yay!

I left Ransburg sometime after 5:00 on Monday afternoon. Camp was so quiet. My family and I were the only ones still there because the regular staff had all left hours ago and the directors had gone into town for dinner. But this post is going to start before that...

While I was waiting on my family to get down to camp so they could take my refrigerator, I walked into Rapp cabin. It was completely quiet, and the only one in there besides me was Luke. As I said earlier, the regular staff had all left some time ago. So anyway, I asked Luke to sign my canvas (a piece of tent canvas that I was having staff members sign). After he signed it, I sat down and looked at it, and that's when it hit me. Even though this was the third summer I've been working at Ransburg, this was the first time I'd been there for almost the entire summer. As I looked at the names, I thought to myself that these people were really like a family. I do think that this year I made more friends on staff than I had before, and the thing that hit me hardest was that I really didn't have the chance to tell most of them goodbye before they left. I know that there's going to be a staff weekend next month, but there's always someone you want to talk to that doesn't go to the staff weekend. I guess the thing is that since the earliest I'll be back to Ransburg will be 2008 because of my mission, there's a good chance that most of the people I worked with won't be there when I go back. It's kinda sad, really.

*music changes from sappy song to a happier tune*

OK now I'm going to talk about some other camp stuff.

Tear down was great fun, let me tell you. Since I worked in the trading post for the last half of the summer, I was in the trading post during tear-down. For those of you who don't know, tear-down is when the staff takes everything down for the winter. Tents, dining flies, everything that isn't a permanent building is taken down and stored in various areas of camp during the off-season. Now, if you're a member of the trading post staff, your tear-down is slightly different. It basically consisted of us sweeping the wazoo out of the floors, making sure the store was fully stocked, and then Murphy's Oil Soaping the wood. Basically, we were coming up with stuff to do that kept us in the trading post and off of a tent crew.

That's about all I can think of to say about camp right now. This post is kinda long right now, so I'll talk about what I did yesterday in a different post.

Until next time,

~David~

Wait for it...

2005-08-11T14:51:00.000-04:00

OK I know I promised a post on Tuesday, but I've been so tired and busy the past couple of days, so I'm gonna have to postpone that post a little longer. It should be here later today, but if not, don't worry. I will do whatever it takes to post by the end of the week.

Thanks for your patience!

Until next time,

~David~

To be continued...

2005-08-07T01:19:00.000-04:00

I promise I'll post soon... Basically I'm waiting until camp's done (Monday), so expect a post no later than Tuesday, unless I die somehow before then.

Until next time,

~David~

I feel like a Handicraft staffer...

2005-07-28T00:16:00.001-04:00

See what Care Bear you are.

Much-needed relief

2005-07-28T00:16:00.000-04:00

whew...

OK just in case you aren't from around here, the weather this past week has been terrible. VERY hot (like high 90's) with the heat index up around 115 to 120. Today, though, we finally got some much-needed relief. After a storm front moved through here overnight, the temperature today was in the low 70's. In fact, at 12:30 this afternoon, the temperature was only 65! I'm glad the heat is gone, hopefully for the rest of the summer.

Also, this week has been pretty tragic for Scouting... First, 5 leaders have died at the National Jamboree, then they announce that the Pentagon won't fund the jamboree anymore (it's on a military base) because of "duty to God" in the Scout Oath. I just wish the government would leave people alone for once, but I know it's never gonna happen.

On another note, Sunny, if you read this, please call my cell phone and LEAVE YOUR NEW NUMBER!!! I did get your voice mail but it didn't have your number in it and it was nowhere to be found on my phone.

Stay tuned for another fun exciting Internet quiz result to be posted in the next couple of minutes. That is all.

Until next time,

~David~

Back to work

2005-07-12T17:48:00.000-04:00

After a fun exciting vacation week, I'm now back @ beautiful Camp Ransburg for the rest of the summer. I've got some news about camp to post, but I'll get to that in a minute. First, I'm gonna talk about what I did last week (besides sleep and be lazy at home). The most exciting thing I did last week was go to King's Island with Elizabeth, Richard, and Brie. That drive is extremely tiring (it's like 2.5 hours each way) but I had a lot of fun. Everyone else did too, I think. Like I said, that was the highlight of my week. I also went to BSU to get a place to live (and park) in the fall, and did some other random stuff, but Thursday was the best.

As for life here at camp, that's been interesting the past couple of days. First, my troop's down here, so that's cool. Also, when I got down here on Sunday, I was asked if I wanted to work in the trading post this week instead of Eagle Quest since the trading post was understaffed. I accepted, of course, because it seemed like a nice change of pace. Sunday night before the campfire, though, I was asked a new question: I was asked if I would like to work in the trading post for the rest of the summer. After taking some time to think about it, I decided to accept the switch. Trading Post is so much less stressful than Eagle Quest! I really like it a lot, and now, I'm gonna be able to drive camp vehicles! Okay, it's just the golf cart, but it's better than nothing...

Anyway, I've got to go for now. It's 5:00 which means dinner's in 15 minutes, and I still need to change into my uniform.

Until next time,

~David~

It's getting hot in here...

2005-06-26T23:36:00.000-04:00

OK you know it's bad when the temperature is 89 degrees (with a heat index of 96) at 11:00 in the morning...

This week is gonna be the hottest week of the summer so far. The staff down here are all definitely hoping for rain since it's been 2 weeks since we've had any. There is a chance of rain, but only 20%, through Wednesday. Also, since there hasn't been any rain, the dust down here's been horrid.

I guess that's all I have for right now. Oh, wait... My high school band director, Mr. Allbright, is down here with his son this week with Troop 701. We talked for a while after dinner today.

I think that's it now.

Until next time,

~David~

Just watch, take 2

2005-06-15T14:40:00.000-04:00

OK the link I posted earlier was broken, but this one should work. Click on the first video. It's the one w/the fat guy listening to headphones, called "Festa no AP com o Gordinho". (You'll have to copy and paste the web address b/c for some reason it doesn't work right when it was set up as a link

http://www.orapois.com/home.php?page=multimidia&tit=op

Until next time,

~David~

Just watch...

2005-06-15T09:10:00.000-04:00

http://db.playego.com.br/orafiles/01122005120941567g.swf

I'll post something else sometime tonight or tomorrow.

Until next time,

~David~

[find year]

2005-06-12T20:08:00.000-04:00

WOW!

I just read a report I wrote in the fall for TCOM 101 on music downloading and stuff like that. While reading it, I came across this amusing line (copied and pasted from the file, as found on my BSU website):

Their release of the iPod, and its companion website iTunes, in [find year] not only gave consumers a legal method of downloading music, but a new option of listening as well.

I have no idea whether or not I actually put a year where it says "find year" since I don't have the hard copy in front of me. Either way, I couldn't help but laugh at myself!

Until next time,

~David~

It's hot!

2005-06-06T20:32:00.000-04:00

LOL

Anyway, I'm just about finished with the first day of camp. Despite the fact that I was half an hour late b/c of traffic and having to stop and get gas, today was still okay. I'm not ready to make a verdict yet on whether or not I like Eagle Quest better than Scoutcraft, so look for that post sometime in a few weeks (probably when I'm on vacation during the week of July 4th.

As for those of you still stuck in P-town, feel free to write to me in the address I posted last time. I will have my cell phone on but it will be silent and I won't be able to use it until after like 7:00 PM anyway...

I guess that's it for now!

Until next time,

~David~

Here it is...

2005-05-27T23:03:00.000-04:00

The "pre-camp post"

Basically all I'm gonna say is that Sunday morning I'm leaving bright and early for Camp Ransburg and will be down there until the beginning of August. I do have a week off towards the end of June, and I'll be home the weekend of Pendleton's graduation, but other than that, I'll be at camp all summer. I decided to post now because I'm gonna be busy tomorrow. While I'm at camp, I don't know if I'll have access to a computer, so I can't promise any updates while I'm down there.

Oh, I'd love to get letters from y'all! Just send them to this address:

David Caudill
Ransburg Scout Reservation
7599 Waldrip Creek Road
Bloomington, IN 47401

If you wanna hear my voice, you can call my cell phone. I won't have it with me during the day but it will be on, so just leave a message.

Until next time,

~David~

2005-05-22T16:42:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of me from Wednesday after having my wisdom teeth pulled on Tuesday. My brother said I looked like a gopher. I think I have to agree.

And so it begins...

2005-05-13T13:33:00.000-04:00

Well, I've been home for almost a week, which means that my first year of college is finally over. I would comment about my grades, but some of them are subject to change, so I'm not going to mess with that now. The big thing I'm looking forward to actually happens in exactly 3 hours from the time I'm writing this. I'm going down to Ransburg for Staff Weekend! Of course, it's supposed to storm really bad today and tomorrow down there, so I have no idea how much we'll be able to get done. Last time I went down there for staff weekend (2 summers ago), it rained all day on Saturday and we still managed to set up tents for 4 different campsites. We finished Ridge 4 (for those of you familiar with camp). But since we're supposed to get severe storms, it's not likely that they'll even let us stay out and set stuff up. I don't care, it's still going to be a great weekend. I'll get to see people I haven't seen in like 2 years, and I'm really looking forward to it. As for the obligatory "I'm going to camp and it's awesome" post that everyone else seems to be doing, this is probably it. Nothing too flashy or anything.

Oh, and this coming Tuesday, I'm going to be getting my 3 remaining wisdom teeth removed. You know what that means, right? DRUGS!!! LOTS AND LOTS OF DRUGS!!! Seriously, though, I'm looking forward to a whole lot of Mario Kart next week, that's for sure.

Well I guess that's all I have for now. I may post something else later this weekend, but don't hold your breath.

Until next time,

~David~

The sound of silence

2005-05-06T22:11:00.000-04:00

Well, I think my roommate and I might be the only ones on our floor that are still here, and he's not even in at the moment. The only sound on my floor is coming from my room. It's actually kinda creepy. Well, anyway, the only reason I'm still @ BSU is because I'm playing in the commencement band tomorrow morning, and the only reason I'm doing that is becasue I'm gonna get paid $50 for my efforts. Of course, the suit jacket I had to buy cost $60, so really I'm actually paying $10 to play in the band, but whatever.

I actually don't have much to post right now so I'm gonna leave it at that.

Until next time,

~David~

Wow...

2005-04-27T03:16:00.000-04:00

I don't even know how I came across this... I guess that's what I get for randomly browsing the Internet at 2 in the morning...

Who needs sleep?

2005-04-27T02:08:00.000-04:00

First off, I'm now a member of myspace... My profile can be found at http://www.myspace.com/14360661.

Secondly, Here's a thought that's been running through my head for the past few minutes...

A wise man once said, "You can start fire by kicking a piece of spandex." He was referring to the fact that whenever the Power Rangers would kick one of their spandex-clad opponents, it ALWAYS created sparks. I guess that's one way to start a fire without matches. All Scouts, take note!

That's all for now. I'm gonna try to go to bed now.

Until next time,

~David~

Have fun...

2005-04-25T00:33:00.000-04:00

The longest quiz post ever! If you can't read some of the text, just highlight it. It should work.

Enjoy!

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Yankee

10% Dixie

5% Midwestern

5% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Your Seduction Style: The Dandy

You're a non-traditionalist, not limited by gender roles or expectations.
Your sexuality is more fluid than that - and you defy labels or categories.
It's hard to pin you down, and that's what's fascinating about you.
You have the psychology of both a male and a female, and you can relate to anyone.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

American Cities That Best Fit You:

65% Austin

60% Washington, DC

55% Miami

55% San Diego

50% Atlanta

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Your 80s Theme Song:

Your 80s Theme Song is Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson

What's Your 80's Theme Song?

Your Life Path Number Is 4

4

You are the most trustworthy, practical, and down-to-earth of individuals; the cornerstone members of society.

The goal of your life path is learning to take orders and to carry them out with dedication and perseverance.

You always demand as much from yourself as you do from others, and sometimes a lot more.

You have the kind of will power that is often mistaken for sheer stubbornness.

Once a decision is made, it will be followed through to the conclusion, right, wrong, or indifferent.

You are very set in your ways and determined to handle things the way you are so certain that they should be handled. Your tenacity of purpose and ability to get the job done borders on obsession.

You are an excellent organizer and planner because of your innate ability to view things in a very common sense and practical way.

You are a wonderful manager with a great sense of how to get the job done.

Loyal and devoted, you make the best of your relationships, and you are a dependable business partner.

Friends may be few in number, but you are very close to them and once friendships are made, they often last a lifetime. The number 4 is solidly associated with the element of earth from which it gains it strength and utter sense of reality.

You are one of the most dependable people you know.

If patience and determination can ever win, you are sure to achieve great success in life.

The negative side of the 4 can prove dogmatic to an excess, narrow-minded, and repressive.

A lot of superficial people turn you off, and you lack the tact to keep your feelings from being totally clear to all around. Additionally, the negative 4 has a bad tendency to get too caught up in the daily routine of affairs.

If you're not careful, you'll often miss the big picture and major opportunities that come along once in a while.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Your Hippie Dude Name is: Freedom

Get your own Hippie Dude Name

Your Star Wars Masturbation Method Is:
Test Firing the Death Star

Get your own Star Wars Masturbation Method

Until Next Time,

~David~

Thanks to Sunny for the inspiration

2005-04-24T20:14:00.000-04:00

I am worth $1,604,780.00 on HumanForSale.com

Everything's crazy

2005-04-24T00:37:00.000-04:00

Wow...

Something happened to me on Thursday that's never happened to me before. It was one of those situations that they always tell you will happen, and that you should know what to do beforehand. Yes, folks, that's right. Someone offered me a drink. My roommate and I were taking down his loft, and we had the door open. That's when someone on my floor asked me if I wanted to try some Mike's Hard Lemonade. (No names of people involved will be used to prevent them from being shot in the face by BSU) It wasn't like they talk about on TV, though. He just asked me, I said no, he's like OK, and that was it. There was no "Come on, everyone's doing it," "You're afraid," etc.. No pressure at all. I said no and that was that. I think I should add the whole peer pressure thing to my list of lies they tell you in high school.

Later that night, I got to see first hand why drinking is bad. Another kid from my floor came back totally trashed. I guess Thursday night is party night here... Anyway, he was staggering around the floor, and then he came into my room and tackled my roommate onto the bed. It was just out of control. He then was being just obnoxious in general, so finally I just closed the door. I just don't get what's so fun about going and altering your mental state, wheter it's from alcohol or other drugs. I guess it's just one of those things...

Oh, and one final thing that's crazy: The freaking weather!

This whole week, actually the past 2 weeks, have been beautiful. Sunny, warm, just awesome! However, Wednesday it started to rain and I almost died. The rain was so bad that I couldn't see at all. Of course, since I was driving back from Scouts, not being able to see was bad, since I was on the interstate. I was going like 55 the whole time. Anyway, that's all about my near-death experience. Yesterday, the weather went from just sheets of rain to bad storms, even though they all stayed south of me. And now, today, it's 20-some degrees and we're supposed to get an inch of snow tonight. Is it just me, or isn't this pretty much how that movie The Day After Tomorrow starts out?

Well, on that note, I've gotta go. I'll be posting another update tomorrow or Monday.

Until next time,

~David~

This will have to do

2005-04-14T18:50:00.000-04:00

OK I know I've been promising a real post for some time now, but I've just been so flippin' busy with all my school crap that this is the first time I've been able to do anything.

Really the only thing I want to write about is this stupid diet I've been on for the past 3 weeks. It's for some girl's Master's thesis on the effects of low-carb diets. Low carb... that means no potatoes, pasta, bread, or fruit. Basically all I can eat is meat and cheese and eggs. And needless to say it's very annoying! Of course, BSU doesn't care if people eat healthy or not, so there's like nothing on campus that I can eat, so basically I have to buy my own stuff and my meal plan's going to waste. LOL as I write this there's a commercial on how important complex carbs are (it's for Idaho potatoes). Anyway the only good things about this diet are that I lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks, and that I only have 1 more week left!

As for school, I've got all kinds of crap due in the next couple of weeks. Just like in high school, instructors at BSU see how much crap they can pile on students in the last couple weeks of the semester. I have 3 group projects, 2 papers and probably some more things due all in the next 2 weeks. It's really stupid. The only thing that's keeping me from just saying "screw it" and not doing anything is the fact that I've got to get a 3.0 to keep my scholarship.

Another thing that's good: it's almost time for camp to start! The weekend of May 14th is Staff Weekend, when we set up as much of camp as we can in the weekend. Camp actually starts with staff week on May 28th, or whatever day around there is a Sunday. I don't know what goes on during that week since I've never been during that week before. Anyway, I'm just ready to be done with school and be doing something that doesn't make me want to shoot my face off. (NOTE: THAT LAST COMMENT DOES NOT, I REPEAT, DOES NOT MEAN I WANT TO KILL MYSELF!)

Oh, and last night around 1 AM, I finally beat the Special Cup in Mario Kart Doble Dash. My roommate and I have been trying to do that for weeks. I finally got it, tying for first @ 34 points!

Anyway I guess that's pretty much all that's been going on in my life recently

Until next time,

~David~

I know it's not a real post, but oh well...

2005-04-14T02:39:00.000-04:00

... You'll take it and like it :-P

Don't touch that dial...

2005-04-06T13:54:00.000-04:00

There's an update coming soon! I promise!

Until next time,

~David~

2005-03-28T21:16:00.000-05:00

The Angels! (From Brie's open house)

Pics

2005-03-28T21:13:00.000-05:00

OK one of these days I'm gonna figure out how to make a photoblog. I'm pretty sure of who I need to ask, I just haven't gotten around to it yet lol.

Until then, I'll have to post pics here, one at a time.

Until next time,

~David~

I'm in the First Circle... I always knew that was evil!

2005-03-26T16:34:00.000-05:00

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to the First Level of Hell - Limbo!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	High
Level 2 (Lustful)	Low
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Take the Dante's" Inferno Hell Test

Visitors Welcome

2005-03-22T00:39:00.000-05:00

Hey!

This isn't gonna be a very long post because I'm tired and not feeling too well...

I know a bunch of you are currently on Spring Break this week. If you're looking for something to do, hit me up on the cell (if you have the number) or on AIM (if you don't have it, or if you want it) and maybe we can arrange for you to come visit me. Heck, you can even spend the night... my roommate won't care. (Sunny, don't get any kinky ideas... you had your chance to sleep with me about a month ago and you decided to leave me all alone with Richard...)

Anyway just let me know somehow if you'd like to come stop by...

I'll be here all week, folks!

Until next time,

~David~

Clarification

2005-03-14T16:07:00.000-05:00

In reference to this post ...

The reason I posted that on Valentine's Day wasn't b/c I was feeling sorry for myself. Instead, it was celebrating an inside joke from a while back. (That's mine and Austin's song lol) I thought I'd clarify that b/c a couple of people have asked if I posted those lyrics b/c I was depressed. The answer to that question is a definite no.

Until next time,

~David~

2005-03-14T00:27:00.001-05:00

He's too ashamed to show his face! (More to come as soon as they're emailed to me!!!)

2005-03-14T00:27:00.000-05:00

If he sniffs the camera, it'll all go away... NOT!

2005-03-14T00:24:00.000-05:00

Now he's mad that I'm immortalizing the moment with the camera.

2005-03-14T00:23:00.001-05:00

He's asking for my help...

2005-03-14T00:23:00.000-05:00

I feel sorry for Bob... This is why he hates to be held, I'm sure!!!

Got it...

2005-03-14T00:20:00.000-05:00

OK I officially found out today that I will be working in Eagle Quest this summer at Camp Ransburg. Despite the common belief that those kids will overpower and kill me, I'm confident that I'll do just fine.

Back @ BSU now... I'm ready to go for 7 weeks, and then I'm DONE FOR THE YEAR!!!!! Of course, I don't really have any time off... I've gotta get my wisdom teeth removed before camp starts @ the end of May. That's gonna be a blast, let me tell you!

Anyway, I'm very tired so I'm gonna go to bed now... I'll post something meaningful sometime in the next 2-3 days, I'm sure...

Until next time,

~David~

2005-03-09T12:39:00.000-05:00

BOB!!!

Cleveland Rocks!

2005-03-09T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well I know it's been a while since I've posted anything significant on this thing, and as a result of constant nagging by certain people, I'm gonna post something now.

Right now I'm enjoying my spring break! Yes, I know it's not spring yet, but I guess Ball State doesn't know that. Anyway, my mom and I decided to go to Cleveland to celebrate my time off. Yesterday we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was really cool. I got to see Michael Jackson's infamous glove! We also went to the Great Lakes Science Center, which really wasn't that interesting, except for the IMAX movie we watched about Stomp. That was fun. Oh, we actually did the science thing first. After the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we went to eat dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. I ordered the grilled chicken fajitas, and they were very good. We also got to rock out to the music videos! I got to bust out my Avril voice hehehe...

Oh, I just realized I forgot to talk about the weekend @ the percussion contest. That was about 2 weeks ago. Anyway, what happened was, on Friday night, Richard and I went to Late Night at Ball State and did something... (the official policy on that Late Night is that it never happened). Before you ask, no, it wasn't anything kinky or something like that... Then we went back to my dorm and played video games forever LOL. On Saturday we drove up to Norwell only to find out that the schedule had been changed so that instead of the contest starting @ 4:00 and PHHS going like 2nd, the contest didn't start until 5:00, and PHHS had been bumped to Open class, which meant that they wouldn't be going until like 9:30. Luckily we had a hotel room, so we went and just hung out there for a while before driving back to the contest. Long story short, PHHS won in Open Concert class, partially because they were the only ones in the class LOL. Their show was awesome, though, and I just checked scores from state prelims this past weekend and saw that they got 2nd place. That's not too shabby at all.

Anyway, I've got to go for now. We're getting ready to check out of the hotel, so I've gotta pack up my lappy.

Until next time,

~David~

Dumb Fury

Experiences from Nauvoo

A welcome change

After the Trial...

THIS IS FOOLISHNESS!!!

Starting to figure it out

I'm back!

EFY!!!

I don't know the English word for what I'm thinking...

JEEEOOORREEAARRB!!!!!!!

Thoughts

Weekend update

Edification level = 100%

Time

I'm back!

The Last Great Mission Update - March 2008

The Great Mission Update: October 2007

The Great Mission Update: September 2007

June 2007 Mission Update!

End-of-May mission update

Bounjour à tous!

Mission update - March 2007

Mission update - March 2007

Good Night and Good Luck

One last time

Unwritten

Party time!!!

Better late than never

meh...

Who am I?

Getting back up

1 down, 1 to go

Thoughts before bed

What are you talking about?

Just what I needed!

Addresses

Breaking 100

This is all Ben's fault...

I'm an American Idol!

Skiing mishap!!!

GLORIOUS CHAOS!!!

Survey #2 (for today)

Survey #1 (for today)

A Christmas survey

Feeling festive

Got shopping to do?

Recap

Pretty in pink

*STOMP*

One step closer

It's been a while

Is that my chin?

Staff weekend

I'll post more later

OkCupid! Politics Test

Quiz me!

If I were at camp, these would be normal

FYI

people disgust me

One down...

Wait for it (again)...

Sneak preview

Picture

stuff...

Wait for it...

To be continued...

I feel like a Handicraft staffer...

Much-needed relief

Back to work

It's getting hot in here...

Just watch, take 2

Just watch...

[find year]

It's hot!

Here it is...

And so it begins...

The sound of silence

Wow...

Who needs sleep?

Have fun...

STOMP