Seattle, Part 1

This summer I have been given a wonderful opportunity to work with a professor from Brigham Young University (BYU) on a research project he started. It is called the Flourishing Families Project. The website is flourishingfamilies.byu.edu. Dr. Day is the developer of the research. I found out about this project through a friend at school. I applied, completed a group interview, then an individual interview. I was then selected to be a member of the project in the Seattle area. Last Winter Semester, I completed a course with all the other interns, which prepared us for the internship. I learned a lot in the class, and on April 27, 2010, I began the journey of the summer in Seattle.

The first week was pretty chill, and kind of nice and relaxing after finishing another semester at BYU. The first few days we got settled into out apartments and set up the office. My first Friday here, my uncle Lloyd was in town for business. We met up and went to the Mariners game, the game where Mariners ace, Cliff Lee, made his Mariner debut. He pitched well, but sadly, we lost in extra innings after having a couple of solid opportunities to win it. The very next week, I went with 13 other people from the Flourishing Families group to a game against the Angels. Once again, the game went into extra innings, and once again, the Mariners lost. I am bad luck.

I have been fortunate enough to have participated in a handful of activities other than Mariners games. I have played volleyball, had a BBQ outside, where we grilled chicken, hot dogs, veggies, and pineapple. I have walked the streets of downtown Seattle, both by myself and with a group of friends. I have become a regular at Seattle's famous Pike Place Market. I went to a large cathedral and watched a Gregorian chant. I attended the Seattle Temple. I ate fish n' chips on the pier. And most recently I went over to my aunt and uncle's (Kim and Greg) house to enjoy a very fine meal of carne asada, prepared by a Greg, a true chef. I have been a very fortunate man.

Work has been picking up, we go to people's homes almost everyday and then have office work to attend to. I am loving my fellow group members. Each one is so unique and cool in their own way. My partner, Maren, is really cool. She is engaged so she has a lot on her plate. We drive to and from our appointments with the top down in her VW Bug, and I enjoy rocking out to a good song as we coast along the road. My roommates are all cool and we get along. I am happy with being here and for the opportunity to work on this project.

I will keep this thing updated more often, thanks for being patient with me!