My Good Friend Drake

I first met Drake about two years ago.  And just for the audiences information I am not talking about the singer of Hot Line Bling.  I can in contact with Drake through one of my mission companions who randomly lived with him at liberty square.  I also moved into liberty square but lived on the opposite side of the building from my comp and Drake.  Drake was a nice guy and through frequent interaction we have come to get to know each other quite well.  We currently have a class together and have a standing appointment of watching the NFL on sundays at his place.  So I would say we have become good friends.  Drake is also in a mcomm class where he is required to write a blog post each week.  The difference between his blogs and mine are that he has the liberty granted from his professor to write about what he darn well pleases.  This freedom allows him to write really intriguing posts on topics that range from girls to poetry.  I learned while reading his posts that he is a very cleaver writer.  This characteristic is something that I never would have know or even guessed about him.  This tidbit of information got me thing about the other hidden talents my friends might have.  It is funny to think about what those around us have the ability to do.  There are many secret gifts that I am sure my friends have that I don't know about because they are not brought up.  I mean when else would the topic of blogging come up in conversation with my buddies?  Maybe right after we talk about girls, guns, sports or girls? 

So what did I learn from reading Drakes blog that I would like to incorporate?  Well maybe its not what I learned in the content of his blog, but what I learned from him having a blog.  I know that I am friends with and surrounded by awesome people.  I mean I did hang pick my friends so they better be pretty good for me.  I want to focus on my friends hidden talents that I do not yet know about.  Ask them about the funny stuff they are involved in.  Get to know about things they would do if they had more spare time.  And I can even take this action a step further with they way I look at strangers.  We have many stereotypes in our culture that tell us what kind of people like to do what.  I want to shed those stereotypes and realize that people always are not what they appear.  Drake is a perfect example.  Who would have known that a strong, athletic, mans man would be a great blogger? 

So I invite you all to check out his blog in the link below.  His stuff really is quite funny and can be related to.  Enjoy it. 

 http://danieldrakekory.blogspot.com/ 

Meeting With My Group Using Technology

I finally got around to meeting with my team from a remote location.  This was the first time I was able to participate in such a meeting with my group.  We had a earlier scheduled at the beginning of the semester that I missed because I was sick.  Thankfully this time around I was in good health and we all were able to meet.  The first step we needed to take was to decide a time to meet, and what platform we would use to hold the meeting on.  We easily found a time that would work for all members of the group. We then needed to choose a plat from to hold the meeting on.

We decided to hold our meeting over Google Hangout.  In the past I have been apart of meeting online but I had never used Google Hangout, instead I would use either Skype or Facetime.  I was under the impression that you would need a special account with Google to use Hangout, which I was wrong about.  It turns out that all I needed was a gmail account. Check.  In the past I have experienced complications with meeting online.  There always seemed to be some unexpected problem that would arise.  The main problem always seemed to be either poor connection and quality or slow stream.  Google Hangout in contrast was as smooth as it could be.  It has been by far my most successful and pleasant experience with meeting over the web.  It was awesome to learn how to use it.  The best part about it was how user friendly it was.  Connecting to my team members was simple and fast.  

As a team we were able to hold a productive meeting by accomplishing our agenda.  Google Hangout assisted in making our communication clear and convenient.   This great experience has helped me to not avoid meeting from remote locations.  It has also helped me realize the handiness of being able to hold a meeting when you are not in the same room with those whom you are meeting with.  And with business heading in the direction that it is this will be great to know.  I am already looking forward to meeting with my associates from the comfort of my own home when appropriate.   Google Hangout will be my go to as a platform for online meeting.

Freakonomics Extra Credit Write Up

Freakonomics is not your typical economics 110 textbook.  There are no theories on how to fix the nation’s debt, lower the unemployment rate, or the role of the monetary system.  The topics discussed by the authors are not the usual supply and demand ideas that students have been falling asleep to for ages.  Needless to say Dr. Kearl’s lectures on the “law and economics of the judicial system and time in compensatory damage” are not found within its pages.   In order to enjoy this book the reader does not need a degree in economics, in fact they don’t have to have any background in the field.  Freakonomics is a book that explores the hidden side of age old questions but it doesn’t stop there.  It also dives deep into questions that few would ever think of asking such as “How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real-estate agents?”  It illustrates how economics shows us how the world actually works. Freakonomics uncovers and studies the incentives that lead people to make choices.  It looks at how people can and will misuse information.  And it unmasks lies that are portrayed to the public as conventional wisdom.  This book contains fascinating information on what is going on behind the curtains in our everyday lives.  It answers the questions by showing us the facts and the data.  And I have found out after reading this book that many times the answer to the question is not what it initially seems.

So what? What did I learn from reading this book that I can use to apply to the so what and now what blog format?  Three main areas from the book that I would like to highlight are (1) understanding incentives, (2) the use of information.  These ideas are the what. 

(1) Incentives are at the root of all economics, how people get what they want and what they need.  The authors’ definition on an incentive is something that leads us to do more of a good thing and less of a bad thing.  The three basic categories of incentive are economic, social, and moral.  Incentives are what lead to make the actions that we make everyday.  Sometimes I am motivated to act by not so good incentives.  Moving forward I will pay more attention to what my incentives are.  An example of this implication in my life is dealing with home teaching.  Is my incentive to home teach so that the Elders Quorum leader will get off my back?  Or is my incentive to home teach so that I may attend to the needs of those whom I am assign to visit?  I will look to improve my incentives.

(2) We tend to call someone who has lots of information on a certain topic an expert in that respected field.  If one earns that title they may then council others in decision making.  Experts have long had the ability to take advantage of those without the same information as they have.  And that is exactly what they have done.  Car salesman, real-estate agents, employers, and many other experts have taken advantage of those without the same information as they possess. A great way to battle those who have information that you don't is internet.  I know that there have been times when I have been taken advantage because of my lack of information.  Moving forward I will focus on being more prepared with the proper information.  Where I am doing that right now is in the job searching process.  I will find out all the info I can on industries that I am interested in working in.  That way I can avoid being taken advantage of my the business or the employer.  

This was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone.  It really is very informative on topics that are very interesting.  It also prepares the reader with applicable knowledge. 

 

Enduring to the End of the Semester

This past week has been very stressful.  The saying, "It is always darkest before the dawn" was my experience leading up towards the break. I was under a lot of stress due to this class and my stats class.  With mcom I was working on my group assignment which took me more time and effort than I originally planned. I am sure those of you who read this can relate to that.  And with the pressure of presenting for this class is also on the horizon.  In my stats class I had a important exam that I needed to preform well on.  You know how it goes in college... Always trying to stay a float in all your classes.  I feel this is an especially hard time of the year because up to this point it has been a long time since our last break.  It is also rough because the semester is almost over so many final projects are due and we just want to get to the holidays.  During the chaos of this time of year I have come away with some new insights.

First, enduring to the end of the semester will either make or break me.  This is easier said then done. As of right now I am in pretty good spot to have success this semester, and at the same time I am in a dangerous spot of loosing all I have worked for so far.  Sticking it out will be worth my time and effort.

Second, breaks are much needed and appreciated.  There is a reason why we have a sabbath day or a day of rest.  They are needed in order for us to function better.  Especially during this time of year when you can reflect with gratitude all the blessing that you really have.  This period is a great re boost for moving forward and helping me work towards enduring to the end.  Moving forward I will continue to look forward to breaks from school and continue to put forth a great effort in enduring to the end.

So I would like to get a feel for how all of you feel.  Below is a link to a survey that asks about the most difficult time of the semester. Check it out

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nqGJkukXSP_9vzrQ4bxYB7tkpnksINtHPWRkpcE4ysM/viewform?usp=send_form

Study Groups

Studying with others is usually something that I try to avoid.  In the past I have been guilty of getting distracted when studying with others.  All to often the conversation will shift from Newton's laws of motion to Tom Brady's QBR.  It takes self discipline to keep yourself and the group you are working with on topic.  I had a goal at the beginning of the semester to improve the study groups that I participate in and focus on getting the most out of them.  My first step was to create a few study groups with some of my classmates, which I was able to establish early on.  With my study groups established for two of my classes I was ready to focus more on being productive, and helping myself and the group members learn the content.  The results have been more than I could have asked for.   The learning experience I am having within these groups and the classes has been excellent.  I am convinced that my current grades in the courses are better than what they would have been if I had continued with my habits of solo study work.  The study groups have allowed me to teach my classmates course material and in so doing implanting the concepts deep in my brain.  I have also been the beneficiary of being taught the material from my classmates in a effective manor.  This experience has taught me the importance of study groups and that I do in fact enjoy them.

Moving forward I plan on establishing more study groups with my classmates.  It is a great way to get the most out of the class.  Talking with others about what you are learning is something that is not done enough in college.  It is also a great way to make friends with people whom you usually wouldn't be friends with.  Two heads are truly better than one.

Staying Connected

Getting older comes with unavoidable consequences, one of which is separation from certain personal connections.  I have met many friends while attending college and have made many great memories with those people.  As time has passed and as other obligations have arose in life people have moved on.  This week I came to the realization that I have become distant to many of my friends.  There are various reasons that have caused the distance include marriage, graduation, and people moving.  I have learned that unless I make a effort to keep in contact with these people that we  will lose touch.  This weekend I made the effort to meet up with one of my friends that has moved to Salt Lake City.  I was able to up and visit him, and he was able to come down and visit me.  We were able to catch up and once again enjoy each others company.  All it took was a little effort on my part to reach out to him.  I think that in this ever changing period of our lives we just get caught up in ourselves.  Its about our work, our schooling, our health, and many other things.  We have to consciously go out of our way to keep our bonds of friendship strong.  A sad example in my life is how much I see some of my old friends who I used to live by.  Now that we have moved less than a mile away from each other we see one another so much less.  It used to be to convenient to walk out my door down the hall and into their place.

Moving forward I will now focus on making more of an effort to keep in contact with my friendships. It may not be as easy to call them up and see them but I can still send a text, message on facebook, or a phone call.  I want to keep my connects strong.  I will stop doing what is always convenient and easy.  Even if that means driving a half mile to see someone.

Online Interview

The mock interview that i did in class and over facetime were very insightful and helpful.  I enjoyed the preparation that I put into the whole process.  The whole situation felt very realistic, from what I was wearing to what I was thinking.  I have never been in a job interview for a position that I would consider for my future career.   Doing this exercise allowed me get a fill for more of an applicable potential interview.  During the in class interviews I was able have the experience of being interview by a panel.  The situation seemed very intimidating at first but I learned to just treat it as if you were being interview by only one person.  By answering to who ever asked it.  I also felt I was very prepared so that helped calm my nerves.  The main areas I focused on to improve my interview skills were answering questions with buzz words, keeping my posture appropriate, and ask the interviewer questions.  I was able to use buzz words from the job description to answer questions in both interviews. The interesting thing was focusing on my posture in the facetime interview.  The interviewer could not see my body so I focused on keeping a smile on my face, and looking at the phone screen.  Following up interviews with a question for the potential employer was very helpful.  I need to get to know what I might be working for and what the job atmosphere is like. Over all it was a very positive experience and I fell it has better prepared me for my job interviews in the future.

   

Roses in December

Ok, so technically it is not December but it is starting to get cold and I am stuck in the middle of the semester.  I believe the old saying goes something like "We have memories in June so we can have roses in December." Don't quote me on that.  The memories you make during the summer have to last you the whole fall semester.  It is nice to remember that at one point you had a life.  During the semester it can be hard to mix things up.  I am stuck in a routine of school and work.  So it is fun to think back on the fun you had.

What: Making memories with close friends and loved ones can really help you though mundane times.  I made many great memories over the summer.  I took an awesome trip to New York City with two of my friends where we stayed in Manhattan with my older sister.  That trip and the experiences that came with it are bright beautiful "roses" I can have during October. Other roses that I have in my memories are my friends weddings.  Two of my best friends sealed the deal this summer and I was privileged to be a groomsman in both.  The first wedding took place in Seattle, Washington.  I have been to Seattle a few times now and each time I fall more and more in love with the city.  I felt like during this trip I was able to get a full experience of the lifestyle.  We spent a lot of time downtown exploring the market and shops. The wedding itself was great as well.  The reception was in an old barn in the woods. Great vibe out there. And to top it off there were dip in dots!  The next wedding was in Vegas.  Which to to honest is a young adults play ground.  Not that we did anything immoral, but we did have a ton of fun going out on the town.  A final rose that I remember was a trip to Jackson Hole and the Grand Teaton National Park.  In contrast to the other trips this one was much more calming and beautiful.  Hiking around and swimming in the freezing lakes of the National Park was awesome.  This rose is one that I think of when I need to relax.

Now What:  Always remember the times that you had.  Create roses so that you may have them in December.  I am also a believer that roses can be made at anytime of the year.  I think the saying implies that as well.  Take the roses I have made and continue to add to them.

Hard Things

The hard thing about doing hard things is just that, they are hard.  This past week I feel I have had many experiences about conquering difficult tasks.  Every time I am faced with something that is hard my first thought is how can I make this easier? Or how can I avoid this thing all together?  And in many cases there is no answer to either of those questions.  I, like everyone in this world can not avoid the hard things that come my way.  I always remember one of my fathers favorite saying, one that he told me time and time again while growing up.  He said, "I do hard things or things I don't want to do every day."  There is more and more truth to that statement as I grow up.  This blog is a perfect example.  I don't find myself dying each week to write this thing.  I know I have to do it in order to receive a grade that I am happy with though.  I have learned that we face things that we don't want to do, and we do them so we can do the things that we do want to do.

Moving forward I will work on my attitude towards such things.  Starting is often the hardest part, but once we start it is more times than not easier than we thought it would be.  I will also except that the journey of life is not bliss.  There are times when we have to push through the things that we don't want to do, so we may enjoy the things that we do want to do.

Organization

I am learning more and more about the consequences of disorganization.  This past week I forgot about deadlines, lost my keys a dozen times, and crammed to finish last minute assignments.  I learned much about what not to do when it comes to being organized.  The last straw that made me realize that something needs to change is when I forgot to do this very blog.  And so, from now on I am turning over a new leaf and will vow to be more organized. Organization I believe is a key to reaching ones full potential.  Something that we all want.

First, I will write down all my assignments and their respected due dates in my phone.  And later go back and schedule when I will do each assignment and how much time it will take me.  This will help me be on task and avoid cramming assignments in the wee hours of the night

Second, I will keep my room clean!  That is what I blame on my lost keys.  When my room is clean it can be more of a safe haven where I can be more productive.  I remember back on my mission the importance my Mission President would place on clean apartments.  I believe that a clean living space has many unseen benefits.  And of course I would avoid losing my keys and wallet.

Fantasy Football Lessons

My friends and I are in a fantasy football league.  This is our first year that we have created a league and it has been a great experience so far.  It has created friendly rivalries and banter between everyone.  This past week I was playing against my friend Duffy.  My team was heavily favored to win.  I figured since I was such a heavy favorite, I would mix up my line up and go with a more risky roster.  For those that are not familiar with Fantasy Football, it is a game where you earn points based on player stats.  At the beginning of the football season each participant drafts a team of pro football players.  Then each week you choose with players you think will get the most stats.  So this particular week I went with players who usually don't score as much, but ones who I thought potential would.  And this is where I learned my lesson for the week.  Duffy's team went off!  I had the worst lost of the year so far!  The risky players that I choose were busts.  I learned that it is not a good idea to take things off.  And that principle can be applied to more than just fantasy football.  Sometimes we get relaxed when we think the path is easy and can get tripped up.  I know now that even if the way seems easy I should still try my best.  Moving forward in Fantasy Football and in life, I will be more cautions of the easy way.  And always try my best.

Finding Advice

I believe there is a big difference between the kinds of advice we receive.  We are all surrounded by friends, family, and strangers who are willing to give us their two cents on just about anything.  I think we have become so used to people giving us unwanted advice that we have trained ourselves to instantly disregard it.  What I have learned this week through an experience with my uncle has changed my outlook on the subject.  My Uncle is a very well respected partner of a law firm in Salt Lake City.  I have always respected him for his accomplishments but have never thought to ask him about them.  This past Sunday while having dinner at his house I decided to dig in a little bit.  I learned a lot about what kind of law he practices and also why he choose that route.  I learned about his work interests, and his passions.  We discussed what gives him satisfaction and accomplishment in what he does.  The interesting thing about our conversation is I took away many things that I want to apply personally.  I don't recall ever asking him for direct advise, but throughout our conversation I was able to find the advice he was giving.  Whether he was giving that advice on purpose or not it does not matter.  When we seek for advice we can find it.  Returning to my earlier statement about blocking out others advice.  I am sure I did not block it out because it was bad, but rather because I did not want it.  Moving forward I will try my best to always be seeking what it is I can learn from others.  Others, especially those I love, can give me knowledge.  I don't have to live by what their advice to me is, but I can still appreciate it.  There is something to be learned from everyone you come in contact with.

The Hidden Value of Parents

A favorite past time of mine is listening to podcasts.  I love learning about others' experiences different than my own.  I think there are great lessons to be learned from those around us.  I have a few channels that I subscribe to, and listen to on a consistent basis.  Earlier this week as I was walking to and from school I was listening to one of my favorite channels called The Moth.  The Moth is a podcast which travels the country, and asks people to share a particular true experience based on the topic for the show.  This episodes topic was on fathers.  And as I was walking home, in the pouring rain might I add, I was extremely moved by one of the guest's personal accounts on the subject.  The guest told the story of her early childhood, and the struggles of growing up in the war torn country of Afghanistan.  Her father who held a political office was often missing during this dangerous time, as he was wanted for treason by the over throwing party.  Although, she was a young child she always knew the dangers that threatened her and her family.  Fast forward a few years and she is now living in America with her family after her father got them out of the country, on fake papers.  The forgery of their papers eventually comes to light to the US government and the family finds themselves in immigration court.  The storyteller is a young teenager at this time and is the only one who speaks fluent english in her family, and so she acts as the translator during court.  She tells how the judge was very angry at her father for coming into the country illegally, and that is something not tolerated in America.  The judge then orders that they all be sent back to Afghanistan.  Her father who could understand what his future for him and his family would be asked to address the judge.  His request was granted.  Her father stood before the judge and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a large scar on his torso.  In broken english he explained that he received the scar as he was being tortured.  He then exposed his back to the judge, which had three more wounds from gunshots.  Then he showed the judge the back of his legs which had been burned.  While this is happening the mans family, including the storyteller, where in shock!  She never knew that the reason her father was missing was because he was being held and tortured in prison.  Her father then begged to send him back if needs be, but please don't send back my family.  The judge left the courtroom with out saying a word.  He later came back, no longer dressed in his gown, holding official US papers.  The judge hugged her father and let him stamp his, and his families, new US citizenship documents.

This story had a powerful impact on me.  I learned that although my father was never tortured I know he would have been for me and my family.  I also accept that there are things that I will never know that my parents have done for me.  I move forward with a greater desire to show gratitude for my parents.  I know that for all their actions that I do know, there are just as many that I have no idea about.  I know that my parents aren't perfect and that's ok.  I also know that if I could see behind the scenes I would realize they are closer to perfection that I thought.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

This past week I have learned about the challenges of adapting to new plans.  On the last night of the add drop deadline I was on my computer still figuring out my class schedule.  I had two routes to choose from and I was having a hard time deciding.  During my time of consolation I began to think about how it is hard when there is no apparent right choice.  Many of the choices we make in our lives seem to have a right and a wrong decision. I could see myself making either of these choices and being satisfied with both.  I spent lots of time praying for guidance and working things out on my own.  And either choice I looked at still seemed right. I learned that when it comes to these choices in life the important thing is how you react to the choice that you made.  I don't think in the remainder of my life the choice I made that night will have as much impact as I thought it would then.  The impact will come from how I reacted after the choice was made.  At 11:57pm I made my final choice on classes and my major.  It was not an easy one to make but I believe it can be the right one.  From what I have learned I will now go forward this semester with a optimistic outlook on what it is I am doing.  I know that I can be satisfied with my decision if I work hard and make the most of it.  I know that down the road of life I will be faced with many decisions to which there is not wrong answer.  I now know that I can put my best foot forward and make the most out of any situation.

Getting the Blog Started.

This past week has been very stressful and disheartening.  I have never felt the pressure at the start of a new semester quite like this one.  I need to figure out what I am going to do for my major and make important plans for the rest of my life.  I have learned, or have at least tried to learn more about myself.  This has been quite the process.  Choosing my major has always been something that others have told me I have plenty of time to do.  I have heard dozens of times that my passion for a career will come to me.  The truth is that neither of those pieces of good natured advice have come to pass in my experience.  And now I have my back against the wall.  I have learned that my problem is there are many different career paths that I would enjoy doing.  And with so many options there comes my worry of making the wrong choice.  What if I would enjoy being in the medical field more than the business world?  Or what if serving in the military would bring me the most satisfaction?  I battle back and forth everyday on what it is I want to do.  Looking back I should have found my passion and stuck with it regardless.