Since I was a kid I've been interested in architecture, design and landscaping. I may or may not have ridden my childhood bike to a favorite house in a nearby development so that I could draw it. My early journals have many such drawings.
I didn't draw this one... my childhood drawings are in Seattle.
There were many nights I couldn't sleep because my mind was wrestling with crown moldings, Japanese maples and dormer windows. I know better now: Do not think about houses before bed.
I fail at this... my roommates can tell you how many nights they find me on the couch watching HGTV (channel 58) I will flip it to ESPN (channel 24) so they can see the scores... then back to 58 for "House Hunters" or "Curb Appeal" or "Divine Design" or "Holmes Inspection" or "Property Income"... I could go on... really I could.
Today, my speech anatomy lecture was particularly uninteresting, so naturally I start drawing house layouts. I incorporated my new favorite entryway layout, which was discovered in a building earlier this semester. In this particular house I can't figure out where the door to the garage should be, this frustrated me... but I've moved on.
A few days ago my brother surprised me with something he knew I would love. Sims City 3. I do not play the game... I just design the buildings/ landscapes. I really enjoy it, but get frustrated that the perfect layout in my head doesn't transfer easily and perfectly on the game... oh well. Those sims people don't realize how lucky they are to live in such sophisticated style.
Anyway... I like houses... I have many a dream home in my head... they'll just stay there for now, keeping me up at night.
It was a warm-ish night... clear skies... you know what that means... TENNIS!!!
Tennis is one of the things in life I truly enjoy. It doesn't matter if I'm playing a pro, sprinting from line to to line, or a kid, spending most of my time chasing balls... I just love tennis.
I started playing tennis when I was 12... and haven't stopped since. During the summer between my junior and senior year I worked as a tennis instructor teaching kids from 4 years old to 17. (We used balloons for the 4 year olds)
I have had so many good conversations with people because of tennis. Sometimes you can have great chats chilling after a good match... or even when casually hitting the ball. I have made friends because of tennis.
On my mission I even taught some people tennis, and their family got baptized (not because of tennis obviously, but I have good memories of it)... I bought tennis rackets in every area and left them in the apartments so that the love of tennis would spread across the mission... and low and behold... we had a few great Tennis P-days.
When I busted my knee Oct 2009, and couldn't play sports for a year, I missed tennis most of all. (that and walking)... and now I'm getting back into it. I love teaching other people tennis, seeing them discover why I love the sport so much.
When I'm playing tennis... all I'm thinking or worrying about is a ball and a net... my problems go on recess for a while... and I get to just enjoy the best sport in the world.
In order to do the research I'm involved in, they made me take a research class. "Made" is actually the worse word for this class... because it IS THE COOLEST CLASS EVER.
There are eight undergrad students and a brilliant professor and we sit around a conference room table discussing religion, learning, inquiry, politics... and occasionally research.
The class is informal. The assignments range from General Conference talks to philosophy. The other students are all brilliant and come from many different majors. They are all passionate and opinionated, but respectful... BEST CONVERSATIONS EVER (and you know I love a good conversation)
The professor is absolutely incredible. He expertly weaves the gospel into ever discussion, always inviting us to share our opinions. He wants to learn from us as much as we want to learn from him. His focus is on learning... and he lets the discussion go where it may. Today after a discussion about envy and strife, we ended talking about the Brandon Davies situation and how real, unpredictable situations lead to the best qualitative research available. It was fascinating actually.
I've learned more in this unstructured, small, discussion based class... than some of my semesters combined.
This past Friday, my brother, another friend and I went to Red Robin.
I love Red Robin. They have great burgers (the best in my opinion), onion rings, endless drinks and of course. ENDLESS STEAK FRIES!!! (add that seasoning and their camp-fire-fry-sauce-stuff... and you have one happy Blake.)
We had a fun time Friday, and I tried a new burger... The royal burger, yes the one with the egg on it. And it was soooo good.
My other Red Robin Favorites... The whiskey river burgers (chicken or beef) Okay... all the burgers!
I didn't care for the pulled pork burger, tasty, but when you're being compared with the best... you better step up your game... pork.
When I buy a new loaf of bread, I do two things. 1. I take a nice piece from the middle of the loaf, then smash it into a ball and eat it (crust is optional) 2. Make TOAST.
My favorite ways to eat toast: 1. With butter... if the bread is good, a little butter is all you need 2. With jam, jelly, marmalade or other preservative of choice 3. With peanut butter... usually extra chunky, but every now and then smooth hits the spot 4. With peanut butter and jelly 5. Dipped into hot chocolate (just don't leave it in too long) 6. With eggs and some sort of breakfast meat 7. When the bread is fancy, you can toast it, use some oil, tomatoes, herbs (I really don't know what goes on it, my brother makes it for me)
Other things that are great when toasted: 1. Bagels 2. Egos (with butter, peanut butter, and maple syrup... don't hate until you try it) 3. English muffins... though they smell so sour 4. Toaster Strudels/ Pop Tarts (every Christmasmorning)
Today was an errand day... you know those days where you actually get the tasks done you've been putting off... yah, it's a good kind of day. I like them.
My Day: Woke up (thank goodness) Read blogs Got my tennis rackets restrung Bought new tennis shoes Worked out (I'm soooo weak) Made lunch (yes made... meaning I didn't buy it, impressed?) Participated in a research project Talked to my TA's Studies Speech Anatomy with a friend Got a hair cut Grocery Shopped... (with the intent to actually make food) Chilled Renewed my temple recommend with the Stake President Did laundry at my bro's place Talked to my sis on the phone Got two crunch-wrap-supreme's (88 cents each!!!... I know, I know) Played Rock band (Play= strain my eyes while flailing my phalanges about) Carried laundry a long distance (curse parking south of campus) Blogged.
Soon to come: J/S/P (journal, scriptures, prayer) SLEEP :)
