In my random readings

So, I came across this article upon recommendation of my bishop. I was reminded of it in stake conference today by Sister Jones, who mentioned how her testimony took time to become a true knowledge. It says a lot more than I can, so, I'll just let you read it.

Additionally, I do want to mention this has helped me help a friend of mine who has been struggling with not knowing if the church is true. If you know someone in that situation, I hope this can help them, too.

Hiccoughing late at night

So, tomorrow is the day off, which means I'm staying up obscenely late. Yay!

My brother's birthday is today (being after midnight). This was a conversation I just had:

Nicholas Ortega -> Chris Ortega
‎"I know what day it is!"
Karen Andrade | yeah but we gotta wait for it.... just a few minutes more!!!
Nicholas Ortega | Not here in provo.
Karen Andrade | he wasn't born in Provo. lol
Nicholas Ortega | He wasn't born at midnight, either.
Karen Andrade | lol

So, I felt kinda pro, because I won. And she's my aunt, which makes the win even harder. Though she is kinda forty and active on facebook, so I don't know what that means.

In other news, I had fun tonight actually winning as a werewolf, which I almost never do. And Brenton rocks at being a werewolf, in case you didn't know.

On a more serious note, I'd like to share with you a little of my morning. Or before church. James suggested that we wipe the snow off people's cars. So, we did. What was cool was we got the whole lot done. And it felt awesome. So, what I'm saying is, service is a great way to feel great and get stuff done. I recommend it always. Because service is awesome.

Finally, I hope you all have a fantastic Monday off. If anyone wants to join me, I'll be slaving away over my homework, sometimes taking breaks to grade papers.

Won't Get Fooled Again

Leastwise, I hope not.

So, the story is this: I went to the Wilk yesterday to check out the honor week events for the day. There wasn't really anything going on, but I noticed a sign there saying Jimmer Fredette would be signing autographs in the Wilk Terrace today from 11 - 12. So, naturally, I got there at 8:30 this morning.

At about quarter to eleven a line started to form, so I went to the front of the line to ask if my being there at 8:30 qualified me for the front. They seemed to think so, and they let me take the #1 spot. So, there I am, wearing my Jimmer cape, holding a BYU Basketball t-shirt, with my blue Sharpie, ready to show Jimmer my deep respect for him, and then... nothing. Just waiting. for the next twenty minutes we debated amongst ourselves whether or not this was actually happening. One official looking person finally showed up, saying he was part of BYU Dining Services publicity. So, he called BYU Athletics and found out it all was a hoax. Thus ended today's Jimmermania.

For most.

I, however, was wearing a Jimmer cape. I was interviewed by BYU Broadcasting about why I came and, "Are we going to win the game this Saturday," to which I definitely replied, "Of course." I was given a free drink by the man in charge of BYU Dining Service's publicity, and I posed for several pictures. Also, James said his knowing me boosted his reputation with one of his professors, so he thanks me for saying hi. My hopes are that I can get enough coverage to someday get Jimmer to sign my cape. If that day ever comes, it has all been worth it.

Jimmer

I made a Jimmer cape! It was awesome!

On a related note, I don't really know why I post things like that here, because it seems like anything anyone ever reads here I already tell (as in anything I want to post I've already told anyone who cares about me enough to read). On yet another related note, I do hope those who read these do care about me, and aren't just checking in hoping I've died.

And, Jimmer.

I got back two test this week, one of which I got a 98 on and another which was my first 100% this semester. That made me happy. And I got to grade my first CS 236 test this week. I think I'm grading fairly, the other TAs agree. But now I'm to sleeping.

Finally, Jimmer.

Bored at work

Done with the homework I brought for today, done with any possible grading, no one asking for help, I sit here, searching the intertubes for something to occupy my time. And I found it: Jimmered on Facebook. It was a rather amazing read, though some o fit was more hurtful than helpful. I personally have no problem with people not being into sports of Jimmer or whatever, but I don't appreciate being told I'm wasting my life, committing idol worship, screaming my brains out. She may have been harassed by some over-zealous fans, but she over-generalizes and stereotypes, so I really don't think it was too much a punishment for the slew of Facebook posts to have been made. In the end, one delete got rid of all the comments. I just hope that the Cougarboard people start leaving her alone, as she doesn't deserve more than she already got.

P.S. Go Jimmer.

Short

So, it's Sunday so I wanted to give an update. But I'm limiting it to a spiritual thought.

This week has been better for me than many recent weeks. I have a feeling it has to do with my mission prep class. Brother Bott dedicated part of his lesson to overcoming depression. The one tip I found most effective for me was to not think bad about yourself. In recent posts, I've been saying things about our divine nature and other reasons we should feel good about ourselves. That's because it's something I need to remember. But cutting out any self-deprecating thoughts completely was something I hadn't tried before. This week, every negative thought about myself was redirected by something good and encouraging, and that really made a great difference for me. One idea I've often had is that one must believe they are right and act without doubt, else nothing could be done. Now, that doesn't mean we ignore faults and justify ourselves; we should still change when we need to. But going forth with the idea, "I am good, and I can do great things," really helps one to do such. And it's true! I don't know if I can emphasize this enough, but we are choice spirits of our Heavenly Father, chosen to come to this world, the world where the Savior of all eternity, for everyone, not just those here, came to make his awesome sacrifice; chosen to come when the world needs us most! It's awesome! We will have great challenges, because we can overcome them. Let yourself believe in God's belief in you, and don't believe Satan's lies that you are inadequate, for you can meet the challenge.

I love you all, and have a wonderful week.

So, I clicked new post, and then I thought of toast

Yeah, it's kinda late, but tomorrow's Saturday, so I'll only lose as much sleep as I do any other day.

I'm realizing I haven't made a normal post this week. Just Sunday's, but that's my spiritual stuff. So, here's a quick update:

Nothing happened this week. And I lost the game.

But I'm excited for the basketball game tomorrow!

Super Flirt

So, in some circles, I'm rather known for being amazingly flirtacious. I felt like sharing some of what I consider my better "flirts", in hopes that you will enjoy. This may become a minor theme of my blog, btw. Let me know what you think. In all cases, subjects' names are replaced with Mary, for privacy.

Mary: Oh, no, that's not my name.

Nick: Oh, you know what? That's someone from back home you really remind me of.

Mary: Oh, well, did you like her?

Nick: Well, I got to take her to a dance; will i get the same pleasure with you?

(later, at the end of ward prayer)

Nick: Hey, why don't you stick around so I can flirt with you some more?

Mary: Well, I just gave up, so I'm leaving boys up to the Lord.

Nick: Oh, so I should file my resumé with Him?

Ok, I'll stop there for the night. If enough of y'all like this, I'll keep adding more. If this offends you, I guess I'll stop it. So, until next time, happy flirting!

P.S. Men's and Women's Basketball won again tonight! Go Cougars!