1/17-1/23

Another busy week! I think I'll keep up this keep-journal-then-write-it-up-in-blog-on-Sundays routine.

Monday
Today I went to grandpa Seable's house to work on a project with him. I didn't get much schoolwork done, but I'm glad I got to spend some time with the old man. While I was there, grandpa and I got to meet a man called Dr. Fong, a man who was still learning English, coming from China. Grandpa, having gone on a mission to China, was the man that somebody from the church sent him to. We talked a lot about Chinese culture and Western culture, family size, religion, and the physical differences of our countries. Grandpa gave him a Chinese Book of Mormon, which he accepted gratefully. He even fried some dumplings for us to sample! Dr. Fong was a very kind, smart man; it was a pleasure to meet him. Today was Calvin Jarvis's 14th birthday, so I dropped by their house to wish him a happy birthday and play a couple of party games before I left.

Tuesday
Today I was "on call" for my babysitting job. At 10 in the morning, Sis. Chapman gave me a call, telling me that Issac was sick and needed a babysitter at home while she worked. So after throwing my planner, notes, textbook, and piano music into a backpack, I was out the door. Organization defeated once again! Not very many things got done on my to-do list today, I shamefully admit.

Wednesday
Same old routine of regular schoolwork in the morning, tutoring job in the afternoon. But this evening was wonderful!
For as long as I can remember, the scout troop I have been apart of has been very small. This has been a big damper on our activities, making scouting not as delightful of an experience as it could and should be. Thankfully, the Stake realized this problem and came to a solution: combine the wards' scout troops! This will give us a much better "army", more hands on deck, and an overall better experience for everybody!

Tonight was the first meeting of the Tri-troop, in which we tried to organize the leadership and setup new plans. I was called to be the represenative for the Murphy Creek ward in the new troop's "presidency". Haha! Now I'll actually be able to PLAN FUN STUFF for us to do! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

We already have some great ideas for themes and ideas for the troop to focus on. We're going to discuss it more this coming week, but the idea is that we'll have a new theme every three months, as well as a rotation of the leadership. This will give every boy the opportunity to practice leadership skills. I'm SO happy about this, scouting is going to be fantastic!

Thursday
Today I went to grandpa's house again after seminary. We've been studying around section 88 of the D&C, which has been such a spiritual treat, by the way.

We finished our project there that day.

Anthony told me today that he is now doing dentistry apprenticeship with a guy in his ward! He's learning all about all of the procedures, and is getting paid for it too. I'm so happy for him; he's found his dream job! Why didn't I ever see it in him before? Anthony's personality is very much like one of a dentist. I'd feel comfortable letting some jolly, gentle giant like him work on my teeth.

This whole week has been such an amazing trial of patience with myself. I allowed other priorities to get in the way with my most urgent one: schoolwork. It was really terrible feeling, and I felt very out of control. But now I can see that it'll all turn out. I'll work to work it out. "Promise you kid..."

Friday
Mwahaha, today was school on steroids for me. I'm not used to studying very hard for really long periods of time, but that was what I did for the Biology Exam today. It was crazy; my brain felt like exploding. But it felt awesome, like the way your legs feel after working out and then walking down stairs, once it was all over. I found this really amazing channel on youtube that helped a TON in my review of this semester. Its called kahnacademy, a channel full of free lessons in many many subjects in high school and college levels. Biology, History, pre-Calculus, you name it. I have this new goal: to go through ALL of the lessons on his channel! It'll be fun, and will keep my brain in shape during the Summer months.

I did well on my Biology Exam, getting a straight A! I know that my Heavenly Father was really helping me in my review today; I remember feeling spiritual promptings to study a little bit longer, or to review one certain thing a bit more. I am so grateful for Him, and I give him all of the credit for doing well today, and for helping me find kahnacademy.

Saturday
Today I went to a pancake breakfast at Applebees for a school fundraiser that my cousin Anson Savage was involved in. Suprise suprise, the Jarvis boys were there too: Jefferson, Anthony, Calvin, and Alex! We sat at the table and talked about school and life in general some more, waiting for the young waitress to come and bring more pancakes. I must say, there are few things cuter than a smiley 10 year old waitress who carries to you a big plate of pancakes and says politely, "There ya go, sir!"

After the breakfast my father and I went to Bro. Sutherlund's house and then to Bro. Riordan's house. To these two men (one was the Varsity scoutmaster, the other another important scouting postition in the Stake) I presented my Eagle Scout project plan. Both of them gave advice as to how I should edit the project or add to it, but both of them thought it was a great idea and gave me the needed signatures that I came to them for. This week I hope to give the form some finishing touches and get it sent in so we can get started on the landscaping and have it done in March! (it takes awhile for the Eagle Board to approve of the project)

Sunday
Op! It's time to get to a fireside out of town; I'll tell you about today later.