Hey! Today I just thought of a good charting system to help me achieve some goals. Every day when I do all of the daily goals I have in mind, I get a tally on the chart. As soon as I and my friend Miranda get 7 on our charts, we get to plan some get together. It's a fantastic system!
My goals for each day so far are:
Blog upkeep
Daily Meaningful Scripture Study
30 min minimum of exercise
Daily Rigorous Schoolwork
Service to Family
Work
Feeding the Goldfish ;)
Practice diligently for piano and guitar
Once I get these down, I'll put up some harder goals to do. :D I may even try getting off of unhealthy food! Or I may possibly create relationship-improvement goals. But for now, I'm starting off simple.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunshine Song
Sometimes the sun shines on other people's houses and not mine
and the clouds paint the sky in a way
that takes away my summer time
somehow the sun shines upon you while i struggle to get mine
well there's a light in everybody so send out a ray of sunshine
i wanna walk the same roads as everybody else
through the trees and past the gates
i getting high on heavenly breezes
making new friends on the way
and i wont ask much of nobody
I'm just here to sing along
and make my mistakes look gracious
and learn some lessons from my wrongs
Sometimes the sun shines on other people's houses and not mine
and the shy can paint the sky in a way
that takes away my summer time
and somehow the sun shines upon you while i struggle to get by
there's a light in everybody so send your ray of sunshine
well you sure look as good as your outlook
would you mind if i took some time
to soak up your light, your beautiful light
you got some paradise inside
I get hungry for love and thirsty for life
but much to full on the pain
and if i turn to the sky to help me
it most often looks like rain
cause sometimes the sun shines on other people's houses and not mine
sometimes the clouds paint the sky in a way
that takes away my summer time
while the sun keeps shining upon you while i'm kindly standing by
a little light never hurt nobody send out a ray of sunshine
oh if this little light of mine combined with yours today
how many villages could we save
how many watts could illuminate
well my umbrella's tired of the weather wearing me down
well look at me now
you're undeniably warm, cerulean
you're perfect in design
i hope you hang around
so the sun can shine on me
and the clouds can all roll away
and the sky can become our possibility
cause there's a light in everybody, send out your ray of sunshine
I love this song by Jason Mraz. So many of my friends and family seem to be going through such difficult times all of a sudden. It's been so hard. This song really speaks to be, to send out my ray of sunshine. To be a happy, uplifting friend to everyone. To do what I can, and to keep it positive. I guess I've needed this lesson, because I admit, life has been getting me down lately. No more, it's time to work up to being the proactive Keenan whom I know is somewhere in me! :)
and the clouds paint the sky in a way
that takes away my summer time
somehow the sun shines upon you while i struggle to get mine
well there's a light in everybody so send out a ray of sunshine
i wanna walk the same roads as everybody else
through the trees and past the gates
i getting high on heavenly breezes
making new friends on the way
and i wont ask much of nobody
I'm just here to sing along
and make my mistakes look gracious
and learn some lessons from my wrongs
Sometimes the sun shines on other people's houses and not mine
and the shy can paint the sky in a way
that takes away my summer time
and somehow the sun shines upon you while i struggle to get by
there's a light in everybody so send your ray of sunshine
well you sure look as good as your outlook
would you mind if i took some time
to soak up your light, your beautiful light
you got some paradise inside
I get hungry for love and thirsty for life
but much to full on the pain
and if i turn to the sky to help me
it most often looks like rain
cause sometimes the sun shines on other people's houses and not mine
sometimes the clouds paint the sky in a way
that takes away my summer time
while the sun keeps shining upon you while i'm kindly standing by
a little light never hurt nobody send out a ray of sunshine
oh if this little light of mine combined with yours today
how many villages could we save
how many watts could illuminate
well my umbrella's tired of the weather wearing me down
well look at me now
you're undeniably warm, cerulean
you're perfect in design
i hope you hang around
so the sun can shine on me
and the clouds can all roll away
and the sky can become our possibility
cause there's a light in everybody, send out your ray of sunshine
I love this song by Jason Mraz. So many of my friends and family seem to be going through such difficult times all of a sudden. It's been so hard. This song really speaks to be, to send out my ray of sunshine. To be a happy, uplifting friend to everyone. To do what I can, and to keep it positive. I guess I've needed this lesson, because I admit, life has been getting me down lately. No more, it's time to work up to being the proactive Keenan whom I know is somewhere in me! :)
Christmas Party
Today I went to a Christmas party at Miranda's house with Devon, Matt (?), Missa, Mikaela, Sabrina, and Brianna. Someone had brought a drinking game to the party. It was a checker game in which the checkers were cups, and you had to fill them with a drink of your choice. We played using vinegar and clear soda, mixing it all up and not knowing which cups contained what. I personally didn't like this game that much when I played it with Brianna.
Later we played sardines, and Miranda hid under one of the springboards in her big playroom. It was hard finding her, considering she was switching hiding spots too.
I also got to go to a family party last Saturday. Katie Jarvis is home for the holidays, and she made muppets for all of her siblings to play with. We played some fun "BYU student" party games that she had learned. Some were really tricky and somewhat hard to explain.
I went to grandma's house Sunday evening too, and there I learned some amazing stuff about will power. I also borrowed a book from my g-ma about the Atonement, written by Brad Wilcox. It is so good already, and I've only read the first few pages. It's a book that goes into the mechanics of the Atonement. I found this amazing website too, go watch some of the videos here; they're funny and very educational as well! I love goal setting: changeanything.com
Later we played sardines, and Miranda hid under one of the springboards in her big playroom. It was hard finding her, considering she was switching hiding spots too.
I also got to go to a family party last Saturday. Katie Jarvis is home for the holidays, and she made muppets for all of her siblings to play with. We played some fun "BYU student" party games that she had learned. Some were really tricky and somewhat hard to explain.
I went to grandma's house Sunday evening too, and there I learned some amazing stuff about will power. I also borrowed a book from my g-ma about the Atonement, written by Brad Wilcox. It is so good already, and I've only read the first few pages. It's a book that goes into the mechanics of the Atonement. I found this amazing website too, go watch some of the videos here; they're funny and very educational as well! I love goal setting: changeanything.com
Sunday, December 18, 2011
My Strange Dream
I had a really strange dream last night. I'm glad I wrote it down as soon as I woke up, for I doubt I would have remembered it with such details as the dream contained. In the dream, I was alone in Matt Savard's kitchen. Miranda Swartz appeared, and I began to flirt as I have a tendency to do around girls I admire. After a bit of time had passed, I realized that Miranda was not liking my advances one bit. Being unusually blunt, I asked Miranda, "Miranda, why don't you like me?" She responded in my dream by saying, "I don't know". I asked, "What do you want me to be?" She didn't respond to the question.
At this moment in my dream I suddenly found myself in the Purple Pit (that one club from the Nutty Professor). Unworthy music was playing, and a number of familiar faces were there. I knew that it was time to go, and so I walked out of the building and into a large parking lot, like the one in front of North Valley High School. I went to my family's big golden van, which was idling in a parking space. I opened the passenger door and saw Devon Crawford sitting in the driver's seat. I hopped in, and we waited for a minute, saying nothing, the engine running in neutral. I turned to him and asked "Where are the girls? Don't they know it's time to go?" All Devon said was, "yeah".
I got out of the car and walked back into the club, knowing I had to find my sister Sabrina, Missa Good, and Miranda. The paint color of the interior of the Pit had changed from purple to black. It was no longer a pit either, but more like a big, rectangular room. Even the floor was painted black. Not long after walking in I saw Miranda sitting at a square table, talking to some people, one of which was a drunk old lady. I was about to talk to Miranda again, but I was interrupted by the drunk, who complimented me on my work in the Sound of Music. Then she asked me to pay for more of her drinks using my tab. I declined and turned away. Miranda knew I was there, but she remained at the table. I went to look for the other girls, but couldn't find them. As I eventually started to walk back to the door, I saw Miranda again, standing up, looking melancholic, dressed in the 50's costume she wore for Halloween this year. The color of the outfit had changed from neon pink to silky-black.
And then I woke up, feeling very sad.
At this moment in my dream I suddenly found myself in the Purple Pit (that one club from the Nutty Professor). Unworthy music was playing, and a number of familiar faces were there. I knew that it was time to go, and so I walked out of the building and into a large parking lot, like the one in front of North Valley High School. I went to my family's big golden van, which was idling in a parking space. I opened the passenger door and saw Devon Crawford sitting in the driver's seat. I hopped in, and we waited for a minute, saying nothing, the engine running in neutral. I turned to him and asked "Where are the girls? Don't they know it's time to go?" All Devon said was, "yeah".
I got out of the car and walked back into the club, knowing I had to find my sister Sabrina, Missa Good, and Miranda. The paint color of the interior of the Pit had changed from purple to black. It was no longer a pit either, but more like a big, rectangular room. Even the floor was painted black. Not long after walking in I saw Miranda sitting at a square table, talking to some people, one of which was a drunk old lady. I was about to talk to Miranda again, but I was interrupted by the drunk, who complimented me on my work in the Sound of Music. Then she asked me to pay for more of her drinks using my tab. I declined and turned away. Miranda knew I was there, but she remained at the table. I went to look for the other girls, but couldn't find them. As I eventually started to walk back to the door, I saw Miranda again, standing up, looking melancholic, dressed in the 50's costume she wore for Halloween this year. The color of the outfit had changed from neon pink to silky-black.
And then I woke up, feeling very sad.
(a quick summary of the past two months)
What a busy time in my life. I don't really know where to start. Hm... I guess I could just tell you about my adventures in school-hopping first.
At the beginning of this school year, I was enrolled in ORCA, but I was getting very weary of the system and longed to be in Grants Pass High where I could be around wonderful friends of mine while taking the sort of fun classes I wanted to take. So I petitioned for a district transfer, and the Three Rivers School district denied me. Twice. And so, I decided to give Hidden Valley a try; I still have some ties to that school through their Swing Choir which I participated in last year.
After a trimester of public school classes (a.k.a. worksheets, homework, worksheets, homework, etc.) I bailed out of that school and have been enrolled in Logos Academy since. Next year I'll try again to get into GPHS; the odds will be in my favor considering there's a new law passed which allows students in Oregon to go to any school they want.
As for my acting career, I was totally surprised and thrilled to have gotten the role of Captain Von Trapp back at the beginning of the summer. I've been working with the cast and crew over the past few months and have been loving every minute of it. There are so many funny, talented people here! It's been great expanding my social circles and getting some footing in the school I long to be in (GP). The performances went alright generally. There have been a ton of ridiculous things happening throughout the production, but I would have to say that the worst was our third performance on a Saturday night. The sound crew had forgotten (either that or some technical bug happened) to shut off my stage microphone after I walked offstage. Now everyone knows me as the guy who said, "My eyebrows look sad in that picture." and "Does this suit make me look fat?" Totally hilarious.
I auditioned for Cinderella a couple of weeks ago, but they haven't called me for any part in it. Oh well. I am certain I impressed their judges with my monologue (Sam's Monologue from the Two Towers) and song (On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady). Trouble is, I requested to not work on Sundays. I guess that turned them off. Well, it's better to obey God than it is to obey any mortal director, eh?
It's now Winter Break, and I'm going to get ahead in my classes this week. I also have a goal to study the Preach My Gospel book along with my scripture study. One of my friends from working in the Sound of Music, Jennifer Lynde, has found great interest in the church. Either that, or she has found great interest in me. Or both. Anywho, I hope we can get the missionaries to teach her the discussions over the break. The parties I've been to so far have been so fun; yesterday I went to Devon's house for a game night, the Schmidt house for music and cookies with Jennifer, one of the Harmon girl's wedding receptions, and Matt Savard's Christmas party. It was the bomb! Matt's Spanish teacher got out his Latin guitar and played us some AMAZING Christmas songs, which we all sang along to. Later all of the Sounds Unlimited kids and a couple of the other guys decided to play some theater games. We played Taxi and Park Bench, entertaining the adults who were at the party. Once they had all left, Matt, Christian, Gabe, and I played a bit of SSBB. Christian is one of the coolest guys! He plays guitar great, knows a bunch of songs I do, and both of us are generally religious. (Since when was being religious popular for a teenage guy? It's AWESOME!) I feel like I made some great friends.
At the beginning of this school year, I was enrolled in ORCA, but I was getting very weary of the system and longed to be in Grants Pass High where I could be around wonderful friends of mine while taking the sort of fun classes I wanted to take. So I petitioned for a district transfer, and the Three Rivers School district denied me. Twice. And so, I decided to give Hidden Valley a try; I still have some ties to that school through their Swing Choir which I participated in last year.
After a trimester of public school classes (a.k.a. worksheets, homework, worksheets, homework, etc.) I bailed out of that school and have been enrolled in Logos Academy since. Next year I'll try again to get into GPHS; the odds will be in my favor considering there's a new law passed which allows students in Oregon to go to any school they want.
As for my acting career, I was totally surprised and thrilled to have gotten the role of Captain Von Trapp back at the beginning of the summer. I've been working with the cast and crew over the past few months and have been loving every minute of it. There are so many funny, talented people here! It's been great expanding my social circles and getting some footing in the school I long to be in (GP). The performances went alright generally. There have been a ton of ridiculous things happening throughout the production, but I would have to say that the worst was our third performance on a Saturday night. The sound crew had forgotten (either that or some technical bug happened) to shut off my stage microphone after I walked offstage. Now everyone knows me as the guy who said, "My eyebrows look sad in that picture." and "Does this suit make me look fat?" Totally hilarious.
I auditioned for Cinderella a couple of weeks ago, but they haven't called me for any part in it. Oh well. I am certain I impressed their judges with my monologue (Sam's Monologue from the Two Towers) and song (On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady). Trouble is, I requested to not work on Sundays. I guess that turned them off. Well, it's better to obey God than it is to obey any mortal director, eh?
It's now Winter Break, and I'm going to get ahead in my classes this week. I also have a goal to study the Preach My Gospel book along with my scripture study. One of my friends from working in the Sound of Music, Jennifer Lynde, has found great interest in the church. Either that, or she has found great interest in me. Or both. Anywho, I hope we can get the missionaries to teach her the discussions over the break. The parties I've been to so far have been so fun; yesterday I went to Devon's house for a game night, the Schmidt house for music and cookies with Jennifer, one of the Harmon girl's wedding receptions, and Matt Savard's Christmas party. It was the bomb! Matt's Spanish teacher got out his Latin guitar and played us some AMAZING Christmas songs, which we all sang along to. Later all of the Sounds Unlimited kids and a couple of the other guys decided to play some theater games. We played Taxi and Park Bench, entertaining the adults who were at the party. Once they had all left, Matt, Christian, Gabe, and I played a bit of SSBB. Christian is one of the coolest guys! He plays guitar great, knows a bunch of songs I do, and both of us are generally religious. (Since when was being religious popular for a teenage guy? It's AWESOME!) I feel like I made some great friends.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Patriarchal Blessing Review
Today I found my copy of my Patriarchal Blessing on my shelf; and I had thought it had been lost when mom switched the rooms around over the summer. Tonight I decided to go through it again, though I already thought I remembered what it said. It has been months since I've read it.
Tonight as I looked over the talents, promises, and prophecies God has given to me personally, I couldn't help but feel a comfort I haven't felt in a very long time. I feel like I've forgotten who I really am. I feel like my life focus now is to totally change myself into a totally different person than I once was; to grow up, to man up, to get tough, to become independent, to get what I really want. But I feel like I've been trying to do so in a way that is unpleasing to the Lord. As I look over my blessing, I realize that I've been playing this whole game of life with a disorganized, weak, uncontrolled, unplanned strategy. I've been thrown new trials this year unlike anything I have ever faced before, and I allowed them to let my grip on the iron rod grow weaker.
My Patriarchal Blessing showed up at a perfect time; I just wish I had been reading it all along. It's my personal guide, my own instructions from my Father in heaven. Now, I recommit myself to centering my life on God and working on what he has instructed me to do; no more time wasting, arrogant, impatient, lazy, disrespectful, darkness in my life!
I'm beginning to find my purpose again.
Tonight as I looked over the talents, promises, and prophecies God has given to me personally, I couldn't help but feel a comfort I haven't felt in a very long time. I feel like I've forgotten who I really am. I feel like my life focus now is to totally change myself into a totally different person than I once was; to grow up, to man up, to get tough, to become independent, to get what I really want. But I feel like I've been trying to do so in a way that is unpleasing to the Lord. As I look over my blessing, I realize that I've been playing this whole game of life with a disorganized, weak, uncontrolled, unplanned strategy. I've been thrown new trials this year unlike anything I have ever faced before, and I allowed them to let my grip on the iron rod grow weaker.
My Patriarchal Blessing showed up at a perfect time; I just wish I had been reading it all along. It's my personal guide, my own instructions from my Father in heaven. Now, I recommit myself to centering my life on God and working on what he has instructed me to do; no more time wasting, arrogant, impatient, lazy, disrespectful, darkness in my life!
I'm beginning to find my purpose again.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I'm Back!
Hello public journal!
I have returned to stay; I realize that life if better and more organized when I keep a blog, and so I'm going back into it once again.
This school year so far has been difficult. I've been trying to get a district transfer to Grants Pass High School, and they have denied me once. But that hasn't stopped me; I have resent my request and letters and today at the soonest I will find out if the Three Rivers School District lets me go. Oh how I hope it is so! But if not, I will just try again with extra support; maybe I can get my director to send a letter.
Which reminds me! I have been muchly enjoying practicing in GP's play The Sound of Music as Captain Von Trapp! I'm still trying to get everyone's names down, but I am loving practicing all of the songs for this play! The girl who is playing Elsa is an amazing singer, all of them are. Thomas (the first Von Trapp) is a great guy to be around too. Keeps himself busy with lots of stuff, and he also gave me some more info on the school on our first day. I'm so excited to get in!
As for fun things I've been doing, I've been organizing a lot of meets with the Music Partiers; it has almost become a weekly thing. When Emma came over to visit, we had a water fight at the park. A couple of weeks ago we performed on the streets at First Friday then watched Jurassic Park II. Last weekend we went to a dance in central point and I got to meet one of Miranda's old-time friends (well, I guess we're not old-timers yet, are we? Well, okay, in less catchy words, she's known this girl for awhile). I can perceive lots of fun we'll have in the future in our shared hobby: board games!
Last night I got to go to Cole and Arren's troop meeting. I love their troop already; I'm excited to get transferred. Fall Encampment is coming up and I'm looking forward to it muchly; I have never been to it before (which is kind of dumb because I've been a scout my entire life!). It's a weekend camp with service projects and competitions and such; should be worth going to. Oh, Cole and Arren are two great musicians I met while working at Camp Makualla; they go to GPHS and I am very excited to see them there too! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
GAH!!!!!! SOO Excited!
I liked Makualla; I'm looking forward to next year. Anthony Jarvis might be coming along; he will sure make camp a great experience for everybody.
I'm trying to figure out how on earth I will be able to come up with all of the money I will need for Philmont next year; I intend to make it. I guess I can keep working for Brother Davis. Not sure yet; got to talk to my new scoutmaster Mike this afternoon if I have any chance of coming along. Got to get some money!
I have returned to stay; I realize that life if better and more organized when I keep a blog, and so I'm going back into it once again.
This school year so far has been difficult. I've been trying to get a district transfer to Grants Pass High School, and they have denied me once. But that hasn't stopped me; I have resent my request and letters and today at the soonest I will find out if the Three Rivers School District lets me go. Oh how I hope it is so! But if not, I will just try again with extra support; maybe I can get my director to send a letter.
Which reminds me! I have been muchly enjoying practicing in GP's play The Sound of Music as Captain Von Trapp! I'm still trying to get everyone's names down, but I am loving practicing all of the songs for this play! The girl who is playing Elsa is an amazing singer, all of them are. Thomas (the first Von Trapp) is a great guy to be around too. Keeps himself busy with lots of stuff, and he also gave me some more info on the school on our first day. I'm so excited to get in!
As for fun things I've been doing, I've been organizing a lot of meets with the Music Partiers; it has almost become a weekly thing. When Emma came over to visit, we had a water fight at the park. A couple of weeks ago we performed on the streets at First Friday then watched Jurassic Park II. Last weekend we went to a dance in central point and I got to meet one of Miranda's old-time friends (well, I guess we're not old-timers yet, are we? Well, okay, in less catchy words, she's known this girl for awhile). I can perceive lots of fun we'll have in the future in our shared hobby: board games!
Last night I got to go to Cole and Arren's troop meeting. I love their troop already; I'm excited to get transferred. Fall Encampment is coming up and I'm looking forward to it muchly; I have never been to it before (which is kind of dumb because I've been a scout my entire life!). It's a weekend camp with service projects and competitions and such; should be worth going to. Oh, Cole and Arren are two great musicians I met while working at Camp Makualla; they go to GPHS and I am very excited to see them there too! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
GAH!!!!!! SOO Excited!
I liked Makualla; I'm looking forward to next year. Anthony Jarvis might be coming along; he will sure make camp a great experience for everybody.
I'm trying to figure out how on earth I will be able to come up with all of the money I will need for Philmont next year; I intend to make it. I guess I can keep working for Brother Davis. Not sure yet; got to talk to my new scoutmaster Mike this afternoon if I have any chance of coming along. Got to get some money!
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