Waffles

While in Vienna, we often had the chance to visit the Church Outreach Center. The Outreach Center is basically a haven for young adults that want to enjoy a good time in an environment thriving with the Spirit. There were many activities going on throughout the week here, such as Family Home Evening, Institute and game night.

Well, game night, which was on friday, quickly turned into waffle night. It was the best night and I would look forward to it every single week. Not only were there waffles and fantastic company, but the wonderful senior missionary couple, the Zauggs, were there to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed and wanted. They were basically our sweet grandparents over in Vienna.

At a typical waffle night, I could easily down 5 or 6 of these delicious waffles. I would have to put a limit on myself so everyone could have one. Sister Zaugg had this amazing buttermilk syrup that just knocked my socks off and kept me going back for more and more waffles. That syrup seriously turned off the mechanism in my body telling me that I was full. It is so good!

One of my many waffle compositions

Upon returning home to Utah, I quickly noticed that something was missing in my life. I only felt this on friday nights. I thought about this for a little while.

- - - - - - - - - -

"What is missing this lovely friday night?"

"Umm... Probably a date."

"A date?

I don't even know what that is.

No, something else is missing."

"I'm telling you.

It's friday night.

Dating is totally missing from your friday nights."

"No, it's not dating.

I just can't put my finger on it.

For some odd reason, I have the strangest taste in my... WAFFLES!!!"

"Waffles...?"

"That's what's missing from my friday nights!

WAFFLES!"

"I'm still pretty sure it is dating that is missing."

"I need to have a waffle night."

- - - - - - - - - -

And a waffle night I did have. Not by myself. Not with a date either. But with good friends from the study abroad. It was a good thing that I got some recipes from Sister Zaugg, especially her coveted buttermilk syrup recipe. Oh man! It is so delicious.

Friday night was back to normal :)

Centennial Post

Fellow readers, this is my 100th post on my blog. It will have been almost exactly three years since I started my blog. When I first started my blog, I thought it a little silly and didn't know how long it would last. It has become a lot more than what I expected it to be.

It is a place for me to be funny, quirky or serious.

It is a useful tool to help document notable and not-so-notable times in my life. 

It helps me update friends and family, that may be far away at the moment, on things that are happening in my life. 

It is a creative outlet. 

It is a piece of my personality.

A lot of things have happened in my life over the last three years. My blog definitely does not cover everything that has happened. You don't need to know everything that has happened. If you did, I would have reached 100 posts about a month into starting this blog.

I love all of your support and comments. They really do make my day and help me feel that there is someone out there reading this.

I definitely do not have any specific theme running through my blog, unless you can call 'awesomeness' a theme. So, I want to try and sum up the important things in my life for this centennial post.

First, I have an amazing family. I don't post a lot about them because I'm a little bit selfish. I like to keep them all to myself because they are so amazing. They are the most influential reason of why I have become who I am today. And that's a good thing. I love who I am.

What's left of us at home. The other two got married.

Second, I have amazing friends. So many things that have happened on this blog have been in the good company of friends. They inspire me. They uplift me. They make me want to be the best that I can be. I love my friends and I hope they know and feel that I do. 

Third, the best medicine really is laughter. There is nothing that heals like a chuckle or a smile on the face. Suddenly, our worries are behind us and we're feeling better. I really do believe in living a happy, funny life. That doesn't dismiss the hard times or the serious things that happen, but it does make them just a little bit more bearable. It's just too hard for me to be serious all the time.

Fourth, I am really blessed by my Heavenly Father. He has given me more than I really deserve. I can go to Him anytime and anywhere. He is always there, ready to listen to me.

Fifth, I'm grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its teachings. I have based my life off of these teachings. There is a peace and spirit that is brought into my life because of this and I have quickly learned that it is something that I would not want to live without.

Lastly, I really am a devilishly handsome young man. I was a lady-killer from the very beginning.

I wish I looked this good now

The Volkswagen Scirocco

The new Volkswagen Scirocco. The hatchback that sticks out from all the rest. It's nimble, quick and sleek. Its smoldering grimace catches the eye of any passerby. It is the best small hatchback I have ever seen in my life.

Why am I so obsessed with the Scirocco? Maybe it's because I saw the diesel version reviewed on Top Gear, my favorite car show. Though that review was not in the positive for this wonderful little car, it was the diesel version. The gas (or petrol, as Europeans call it) version offers a lot more satisfaction. For one thing, it does not sound like a canal boat barreling down the road. Also, it's faster, more responsive and better sounding than its diesel friend. 

Another reason I'm obsessed with it is because no one has one. There are a few in Europe, but in America, we don't even know what this car is. Who knows anyone that has one of these? If you know someone, tell me. I'll buy it off of them. 

I'm actually not that big a fan of the hatchback. I've never actually understood the concept or appeal, but the Scirocco... The Scirocco has changed my mind. It makes the hatchback appealing and cool.

Not mention it's called a Scirocco. How cool of a name is that? Doesn't get much cooler than that. Except maybe the Lamborghini Aventador, but that's a whole different league of car.

Well, back to Scirocco. I get distracted so easily. The name Scirocco has an interesting meaning. It is a term used to describe a wind that blows from the Sahara Desert over north Africa, southern Europe and the Mediterranean. It's a particularly strong wind that often causes extreme sandstorms. The Volkswagen Scirocco indeed flies like the wind, unless you have the diesel version. Then it's a canal boat puttering it's way down the river. But it's not a diesel. Because I wouldn't buy a diesel. Because I like to fly like the wind.

Adventures in Meow-Meow Land

While living in Vienna, I took several trips to a place called Meow-Meow Land. It's a magical place where anything can happen. On my first trip there, I met a beautiful young lady and fell in love. She is the Princess of the Meow-Meows. Luckily, I knew how to speak the Meow-Meow language so our relationship took off quite quickly.

Together, we journeyed to Meow-Meow Land, often stumbling upon bad guys and meanies around every bend. We chased them away and fought them off as best we could. Occasionally, I would turn into Princess Meow-Meow's faithful steed and take her far off into Meow-Meow Land's beautiful countryside.

One of our many adventures in Meow-Meow Land

Princess Meow-Meow stole my heart away. She is so adventurous, energetic and beautiful. She also has quite the amazing imagination.

I even think that she liked me back just a little bit. We had quite the amazing relationship.

I'm going to miss seeing this pretty Princess in Meow-Meow Land. I haven't been back there since I returned home from Vienna. Maybe, someday, I'll be able to walk the streets and hills of Meow-Meow Land with my little Princess.

Bright Angel Trail

I am down in Arizona giving the Grand Canyon a visit. I could not be prepared for the grandeur that this magnificent wonder has to offer. The are miles of multi-layered, red rock creating valleys, hills and cliffs that are amazing to behold.

After seeing such a beautiful sight, we embarked on our ambitious journey. We quickly found our trail after being advised that we shouldn't take it. Regardless, we were on an adventure and nothing was going to stop us.

The total journey, to our destination and back, was measured at 12 miles. We were headed to Plateau Point, a spot nested in the middle of the canyon with epic views of the canyon and the Colorado River. On the way down, feeling sprite, I stopped for a photo op.

Don't look, mom. I'm being stupid. I promise that I'll come home safe.

Our first six miles to the plateau were a piece of cake. We were there in no time, enjoying the views and our lunch.

This is the view back to where we came from. We started at the top of this ridge. 

The Colorado River. 

The view directly ahead of us.

Full of life and energy (thanks to our lunch) we started making our way back. Since the hike down to Plateau Point was 99.9% downhill, that meant we were in for quite a little workout. Perfect. That's what I came down here for. Summer of the six pack in action!

We cruised through the first mile and a half and realized something quite terrible. The temperature out in the sun was 110ºF. That's pretty dang hot. And about 90% of the trail was in the sun. We continued to cruise along until one of our group members began to feel quite nauseous. We still had 4.5 miles left in the hike at this point.

Eventually, about six and a half hours later, we reached our destination. It was too bad that one of us got a little sick, but in the end, everyone was fine and we were proud of our amazing accomplishment.

The place we went is right by my hip. That's quite a ways.

Human Pyramid

Being clever college students, we are always trying to find simple, inexpensive (usually free) ways to entertain ourselves. One form of entertainment, of which I'm sure we never tire, is forming a human pyramid. This idea never gets shot down. There is always someone willing to sacrifice their body to recreate the equilateral shape. Then everyone sees how much fun they are having and before you know it, you have enough people for a decent sized pyramid. Awesome.

Well, while we were visiting the deceptive and tricky fountains of Hellbrunn in Salzburg, this amazing idea came to our minds.

"We should totally make a pyramid!"

"That sounds SWEET!

How many people do we have?"

"Umm... (1, 2, 3... ) We have 7."

"7?"

"Yeah. 7."

"I don't think we can make a pyramid with 7."

"Sure we can!

We have to.

It's the best idea we've had in a long time.

We can't just let it slip by!"

"True. Let's do it!"

"Hey! The Hinckley kids are here.

Maybe they can help us make a real pyramid."

"Let's ask. That would be awesome. They'll totally do it."

After much persuasion and empty promises, our dream became a reality.

Time to get Married

It is about time, folks. I definitely need to get married. I just decided that now is the time. Well, I didn't technically decide this. The decision was made for me. I just happened to stumble upon my wedding band and all the sudden, it's time.

Check it out!

Image from www.carbonfibergear.com

It's made out of carbon fiber!!! How could any guy resist this? It is essentially the epitome of cool. When I get married, I'm definitely getting one of these bad boys.

Now I just need to find the lucky lady that can stand me wearing this, let alone, stand me.

I have my work cut out for me.