Updates

I read through most of my old posts and kept thinking, "wow, life isn't nearly as cool as it used to be." Then I realized that maybe I just don't write enough down that happens. Nothing big is worth noting, but here are a few smaller things:

-Intramural soccer: After a bad experience in the male-only middle division, I was convinced to try again in co-ed lower division. It's been a blast! We lost the first game 12-1, lost two more, finally tied someone, and haven't lost since! Tuesday we're in the quarterfinals of the tournament, so everyone needs to wear that Stihl Chainsaw Gorillas fan apperal that I know is hiding somewhere in the closet.

-Speaking of soccer, World Cup action starts on Friday! Four years ago I was living in the host country, where I came down with a bad case of world cup fever. It hasn't gone away. A lot of the guys I've lived with here have been big fans, so I'll have some friends to watch them with. Saturday is the U.S. - England match, and I'll be in Sandy with Tanner watching. I haven't seen him in a while, so it will be great.

-Cycling: I've had a tough time being motivated to do well. I've only done one race this year that didn't go so well, and I'm finding it hard to want to sign up for another one. Even still, it's been fun to get out and ride now and again. I've been pretty diligent about riding the bus to work and getting the 17 miles in on the bike back home. As soon as school gets out, I've got two big rides planned- Nebo loop and the Alpine loop scenic backway to Heber. I'll try to remember to take a camera.

-Work: I'm still loving it. I've recently gotten a lot updated on the ol' powertri.com website. Now I'm doing more to make sure that products are linking to our in store inventory, which has been somewhat of a software mystery. It's something different- a bit more problem solving, which has been fun. It's also nice feeling like I am needed. I've never felt that at a job before this one, and I certianly don't get that too much at school, or being single. Additionally there are a some great people to work with. My buddy Rus comes in at 6 in the morning like I do, so now I'm not alone for the first couple of hours.

-School: I suppose that I can't complain too much. It's been tough to want to do anything, especially now that I don't get the scholarship that I used to (long story). I've only got a week and a half left, and then about 10 weeks off, which I am hoping will recharge the old batteries. My grades are not going to be stellar for the first time in a while, but at this point I don't have much energy to care.

-New Place: The new house is great. We are down to four for the rest of the summer, which means I have my own room. I really like the guys that live here. Eric's from Idaho with some ranching background. I've lived with a couple people like that and they are always the best. He's also got some mean piano skills. If blogs had sound, and if they were in real time, you'd hear him in the background right now. Mike keeps me social. He's the captain of the earlier mentioned Stihl Chainsaw Gorillas. His big hobby is stand up comedy, which never fails to entertain. Brenton is also an Idaho man. He actually just started working there during the week and only being here on weekends, so I don't see him much, but he's great too.

The house has a record player. I've never had too much interest in music, and I've never bought any, but it's rather fun to jam out to the sweet sounds of the 60s that are sitting around.

-New Calling- I'm the sunday school president in my new ward. I don't like the idea of being the president of anything, but I'm sure it won't be too bad.

-Other thoughts: I've been thinking a lot recently about some career options. That's nothing new, but I've never really talked about it with anyone else. I guess I just wanted to avoid having to say those dreaded words, "Uh, yeah. That didn't really work out", and having to say it all the time. I've realize that by doing that I was denying myself of any of the help and input that people could have given me. I'm starting to give up on finding that passion of mine that I would just love doing for the rest of my life. I think the only thing I'm really passionate about is a relatively simple life without too many restrictions. I don't want to have my job be something that I build my life around. I want everything about my life to define me, and not just a big career where I am constantly having to compete and pursue more.

Right now I'm trying to look into pharmacy school. UNM has a good program, and in-state tuition would be nice. I've also heard that you can get it all paid for if you only agree to work 3 years in NM afterward. One issue is that there are 91 hours of prerequisites, which is tons more that most schools. I have about 45 more to get through. A rough estimate makes me think that I could actually get all of those done in the next year, if I didn't want to care about a bachelor's degree (which I understand is recommended, but not necessary). It'd be pretty nonstop, but I'm feeling a bit like moving on right now.

All of this is rather preliminary. I hope that I can decide on it, because I'm starting to feel a little old. Even if I do, there is still the issue of getting accepted and then being able to do it. I've never worried about that before, but recently I've had more doubts about what my abilities are.

Well, I'm signing off now. This is Taylor, reporting from Provo. Good night, and good luck.