The Provo Years

The time has come. After three years and six months, I am permanently leaving Provo to reside in another state for an extended period of time. Certainly I have been back home since that cold winter in early 2008, but I didn't live away from Provo for more than a summer. Suffice it (even though it really doesn't) to say that the past three and a half years have been filled with great joy, happiness, excitement, adventure, loss, sorrow, and pain. I was blessed to have met some of the greatest people I know, and am lucky to call them my friends. As I reminisce and stroll down memory lane, remember I am not able to recall every story or incident. I apologize for those who I do not publicly recognize in this blog post. For all of you who I have come to know during my time here in Provo, I make it known that I do love you and appreciate your friendship. I have learned so much because of my association with each of you and am a better person because of what you have all taught me. So here we go...

First I would like to thank my father, Dallas (some of you may know him by Dal-ass). He drove down to Provo with my in the first week of January and helped move in my belongings to Glenwood early one Saturday morning.

Winston Wilkinson was my very first college roommate. And I could not have asked for or hand picked a better one. We had a lot of funny moments together with the rest of our gang. Aside from these joyous times, I learned about hard work and dedication. Winston not only put in much time and effort to is Track and Field events, but he also was a wonderful student and served faithfully in Ohio on his mission.

Another one of my first roommates is a man by the name of Dan. Dan Klinger to be exact. This man has helped me through so much; both happy and sad moments of my life. He traveled to Spokane with me one November day and spent the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. He, along with my grandpa ate all of the Girl Scout Thin Mint Ice Cream, and left me none. That is how he formed a bond with my grandfather. I am grateful to Dan for his diligence in always persevering, despite difficult circumstances.

I would like to give a shout out to my boss for over three years, Linda Shirley. I was fortunate enough to land a job at Brigham Young University's Testing Center. During those years I had many growth building experiences and learned about dedication and persistence from Linda. I am also grateful for the many coworkers I worked alongside throughout the years. I had a blast working together as well as horsing around with my fellow students. I made many friends that I hope to keep in contact with throughout the years and hopefully return and see one day. I handed out over 40,000 exams during my time as a testing specialist. I saw many faces and read many names. I will always have a place in my heart for the BYU Testing Center and the values it instilled in me.

The Provo Years also consisted of much food and gluttony. Many hours were spent at my favorite restaurant, Tucanos. I also enjoyed Cafe Rio, J-dawgs, Taco Bell in the BYU cafeteria (where I spent many of my dollars), Red Robin, and many others that I cannot think of at this moment. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy eating at these fine establishments, but I more importantly spent quality time with quality people. I am thankful for the friends that accompanied me to experience the fine dining of Provo. I will most greatly miss my favorite little Chilean restaurant, Pantrucas. Margarita and Ricardo always greeted me with a genuine smile and made the delicious food of Chile in a city so far away. Lastly, I will deeply miss the Maceys Kong Cones. I developed a friendship with the young man who works behind the counter and so meticulously creates my Kong Cone, swirl, with no cup, each and every time. I will miss the food in Provo.

I was fortunate to have my brother, Jason, along with his wife, Kayla, living here for a my first year in Provo. They really took me in. Literally. I used their washer and dryer almost religiously every other Saturday. They graciously allowed me to use their restroom whenever I visited. I ate numerous meals they prepared and enjoyed their company. Kayla introduced me to the TV series, "The Hills" which I consistently watched for two and a half seasons. Then I realized it was garbage. (Note to reader: don't take two and a half seasons of a TV series to figure out it's garbage). I am extremely grateful to Jason and Kayla for being so willing to help me when I was new and did not know always what to do.

I know I am getting into dangerous territory now. I am going to attempt to list off the names of people for whom I am grateful. Actually, I am not going to play this game. The list would be too long and I would leave too many people off, unintentionally of course. Just know, to all those who read this and for the few that don't, thank you. Thank you for your time to get to know me and spend time with me and share your talents and gifts with me. I am a better person because of the associations I have formed with you. I know I am not the nicest or easiest to get along with, and in most cases I am the most annoying (my mom would agree with me) and thoughtless person you've met. But I have left Provo a better person than was, because of each of you.

Finally, I started out by thanking and recognizing my father for his help in moving me here. Even though my mother did not make the initial journey to Provo when I first came, she has been my biggest (not literally) and best supporter, along with my dad. She has been there to give me timely advice, to knock much needed sense into my brain, to feed me when she came and visited, and even when she didn't, listen to my complaints, and be there to congratulate me when I finally graduated. Thank you mom, I love you and could not have become who I am and accomplished what I have without you.

Provo, it has been a wild ride. Thank you for the past three and a half years and you will always remain in my mind and my heart. Thank you again, my wonderful friends, for always being there for me. The scriptures teaches us that a man hath no greater love than laying his life down for his friends. I am thankful for all of you who have laid down your life on my behalf and spent your time with me. I am willing to lay down my life and do whatever any of you needs. Thank you again. I hope to see you again one day.