The First week is OVER!

Well the second week of graduate school is over. I am not sure if I can feel anything from my waist down. Sitting in the hard wooden chairs from 8:00-5:30 just doesn't quite do it for me. I had my first test of my graduate school today. Don't worry it was only Neural Anatomy, the subject created by the devil himself. Anyway how the program runs, I have next week off! So I plan to celebrate the birthdays of the US of A and the old Lemon. Yep on the 8th, I turn a ripe age of 24 years young. Life is good, I think. I am almost possitive, but not quite to a 100%. Summer is always a great time, but I haven't had a summer without school since 2001 when I went on my mission. All well Fall of 2008 I will join the great ranks of T.J. as for being graduated and having a real job. I am not sure if the black pen sorter comes with the job, but I sure hope so. If not can I have yours T.J. ?

Alright enough of the "Yudihoo" (Shaner)

DOES ANYONE RECOGNIZE THIS PICTURE?

It's a long way to the top...

...if you want to rock and roll! (ACDC)

There are times in life that I have found out a perfect plan for me. By following this plan I know exactly how to start, what to do in the middle, and what the outcome would be. This same pattern occurs and it seems that the plan includes other people. I think about the plan, I know exactly how it would start, how great the middle would be, and what the outcome would be. The only factor that I seem to not include into my wonderful plan is the other person's agency. I mean that agency gets in there all the time. I wish, with out being so audaciously bold, to say, "All right here is the game plan, here is how you fit in, and here is the outcome as I see it. What do you think?" But I know that this approach would only scare the person into a strait jacket wearing assylum while staring at the wall quoting Barbara Streisand movies, or it could come to a successful ending. Hum...

Well this week is my off week for school. Last week was very long. Each day we had a seminar that lasted from 8:30 to 4:30 and then Neural Anatomy from 4:30 to 6:00. I didn't realize how much work it is going to be, but I just have to bite the bullet. (Where does that idiom come from? Did some one really bite a bullet or see it raining cats and dogs? Interesting.) Well work is needed to be done towards my educational abilities and so I must travel to that (Censored by request of my mother)R Campus. (Copyright T.J.) Well life rocks!

It's a nice reminder...

I always look forward to those times where you are reminded that life is good. I am not refering to that every single moment edge of the seat excitement as if you are at Disneyland and you just got your picture taken with Belle. But pretty close. It is just those times when you go through the day. It isn't that anything out of the ordinary happened, but happiness. By the way this is sounding some may be thinking that the happiness that I am talking about comes in a five leafed green plant. (Amber, What are those called again?!) So...

It is a nice reminder...

-to go to a conference for school and after four years of it, it is still interesting and exciting.

-to know that happiness doesn't have to come from outside sources. (Hey Kelli, can I borrow ten buck?!) j.k.

-and to know that there are friends out there. Ones I know and others that I haven't met yet.

-to know that bald monkeys do NOT make good barbers!

Well life is good! And when life is good, as the "Mike's Hard Lemonade" signs say, "Grab Life by the Lemons!"

MY MISSION HAS A TEMPLE!

News of the temples: Temple announced for Vancouver, B.C.
A new temple will be built in Vancouver, British Columbia,
the First Presidency announced in a letter to priesthood
leaders May 25.

"8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes• into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows• of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts."

Malachi 3: 8-12

Well seeing the huge reply from my last post, I all know that you are avid basketball fans. But this news is awesome! My Mom called me this morning and and told me of the great news of Vancouver, Canada recieving a temple of the Lord. While serving there three years ago, Elder Bradford from teh 70 came and gave a talk in a priesthood leadership meeting. In reply to the many requests for building a temple, at that time, Elder Bradford said, "IF you are not paying your tithing, then you are not worthy for the temple. If you are not worthy for the temple, then why build a temple." IT was very matter of fact and to the point. It is good to see that now they have been able to "Prove" the Lord in his promise and now the windows of heaven have opened up to the great people of Vancouver, Canada!

Which one will take it home?

Mavericks verses the Heat
Lemon's view at the Title

In cheering for teams, I normally choose the underdog or the one that has not got the title, Super Bowl, or Cub Scout Pine Wood Derby. But this time of year brings such joy to my heart with the basketball fever that runs through so many sports fans veins. Since I have no real tie to Miami or to Dallas, this year I looked at both of the teams to find one to cheer for. When the bracket first came out, I filled it out and surprised myself to have the Heat win it all. Eastern Conference, I was pretty close, but Western Conference I was way off. So now I am just going to look at the two teams we have left. The Heat are ranked 2nd and the Mavericks are ranked 4th, but how does one really choose the underdog. Each franchise has never been to the big Title game. So lets look at the players. The Heat has well seasoned NBA Finals player Shaquille O'Neil, Gary Payton, and Head Coach Pat Riley. THe Mavericks have the Finals MVP Power Forward Dirk Nowitski and new head coach Avery Johnson as of March 2005 (won title with the Admiral in San Antonio in the late 90's). So here is my break down of what I think is going to happen, please comment what you think will happen if there are any sports fans out there. I say Mavericks will win it in Five games. I know that is against my original guess, but that is where I think it is going to go. Mavericks are going to have to stop Shaq and D. Wade. Plain and simple. Defense will be the biggest thing for D. Diop. Looking at his stats that is all we can hope for since there really is no offense (Average 2.2 Points). I know that is easier said than done in stoppping Shaq. It is like me trying to stop T.J. from taking one to the hole. It is possible either with a crow bar to T.J.'s knee or I just take one for the team by taking a trip to the ICU along the way. Offense wise they lean alot on Nowitski, which I think he will deliver. I know that I am not a very knowledgable sports fan that knows alot about the sport, but I like to watch it. So here is Lemon's view on the TITLE. Let's wait and see.

Frustrations of a Higher Education

Higher Education!?...I don't think so. I think it should be just higher bills. I mean I haven't even started school yet and I have had to fork over so much money that I don't have to jump through their little holes. It's driving me nuts. They tell you to get a Federal background check, which costs $60.00 a piece, and then they say that the one you just got done isn't thorough enough so they make you pay for another one and $60 and a kick in the pants later. And I am sure there is STILL something else that I have to do and pay for. So much money and so much time restraints that I don't know how I am going to get it all done. It really is going to be a summer of...Hello to everyone out there! Anyway I am posting this in the bitter hieght of my frustrations and anger. My heart beats furvently, my skin is turning green and I am ready to flip over a car in rage. But...I will forbear. I feel better now and will end.