Hawaii “The Perfect Storm”

Family vacations may be one of the most interesting phenomenon this world may ever know. This particular trip has lived up to every expectation. Let’s start at the beginning. Grandma Boss (that’s right, 94 years old) and I (15, BABY!!!) arrived in Long Beach on December 10th. My mom was already at the end of her rope when we arrived home to find the missionaries and a police car waiting outside our door. The missionaries were there to teach a couple that lives in a tent on our property (that’s a whole new story), and the police were investigating a robbery across the street. Haha. Well, after a lot of stress my mom finally got things packed and ready for their early morning departure to LAX.

I got to sleep in because my flight wasn’t until the afternoon. Luckily, I was there to hold down the fort. After I woke up someone opened the door and came right into our house (it turned out to be Dennis Taylor dropping off the key), then I looked out the window and my dad’s truck was open so ran down stairs to prevent the second robbery of the week (but it was one of my dad’s workers), then Tilly started choking, then my mom called because they were delayed, then Christina called because the tropical storm of the decade just hit the lsland and all of Laie was under water, then John called and told me to bring a rain proof jacket, then Tilly kept choking, then and I had to give her a bronchial dialator(things are getting out of control with this dog). Frankly, I was ecstatic when it was finally time to go.

When I boarded my 5 ½ hour American Airline’s flight to Honolulu, I found myself seated next to a extra large woman with a child seated in her lap that was two-sizes too large. The women took about 1/4 of my seat and her child took the rest of my legroom. But overwhelmed with the Christmas spirit, I let the whole thing go even though the girl put her hand in my drink.


The view from our condo on Hukilau Beach.

My first night in Hawaii as was eventfully as every night since. When I arrived, my dad and grandma were already asleep. Not good because it was only 8 o’clock Hawaii time, but then again my dad doesn’t really adjust to new time zones so who really cares what time it was. I got assigned the bed with Grandma Boss (don’t worry it was king size) because my dad fell asleep on the trundle bed. After speaking with my mom I finally decided to go to bed, but by that time my mom and dad where sharing a twin bed. (Two-sizes too small???) The next morning I woke up early because my dad makes lots of noise in the morning to make sure no one adjust to the time change. So I went to the other room and laid in the bed next to my mom, but it was pretty sandy. My mom explained.


The beach in front of our condo. (It really isn't that bad.)

Apparently, during the night my dad woke up after I went to bed. He couldn’t sleep so he walked out to the beach. Troublesomely, he had already taken a sleeping pill and he fell asleep on the beach. Luckily, it started to rain on him and he woke up and decided to go back to bed. But in his pill induced drunkenness he barely made it back inside and gave no thought to getting the sand off his feet before returning to his bed. Thus a sanding morning, a flooded town and a tired family.

Financially Illuminating! (If you're into this sort of thing.)

Last Monday night, Stefanie and I went to a financial seminar in Salt Lake City with Doug Andrew, the author of Missed Fortune, Last Chance Millionaire and Millionaire by Thirty. Lets be honest, Stefanie hooked us up with this sweet seminar.

The evening was quite the spread of delectable snacks and free notebook-folder things. But really, the presentation was the show. Doug talked about maintaining balance between family, finances and everything else that draws on your attention. He then enumerated the rules of a successful investment: safety, liquidity and return. I've been to a lot of financial seminars, but this one was great.

The foundation of his presentation was optimizing your assets to follow these three rules. But we spent the majority of our time talking about the home equity. Investing in your home is a sound financial decision, but it isn’t liquid, it’s only safe if nothing happens to you home (and the market doesn’t go down, hmmm...), and although equity goes up over time, there is no consistent return. Doug questioned why everyone is so interested in adding extra money onto their monthly payments to pay their home off faster because there are significant tax breaks for mortgage interest.

Now, have an open mind for just a minute. I know we have some very defined values in the LDS church about morgages, and my parents have taught the “pay off your home strategy to life” since birth. But, Doug recommends a different approach, separating the equity from your home, to make your investment safer, more liquid and guarantee a return. We don’t take equity out of a home to consume rather to conserve. When you follow this investment strategy, you double the productivity of your assets. Because we need to guarantee the investment, Doug recommends insurance contracts. They can be linked to the S&P 500, capturing an average 10 percent return during bull markets and a guaranteed 1 to 2 percent during bear markets. Pretty nice, huh?


As you can tell, I am excited about Dougs ideas and I want to learn more. I am going to purchase his book Millionaire by Thirty. The book is written to people my age or younger with a entry level income. Lets read it together, any takers?

Anyway, I want to know what you think, that is if you care about financial planning. Do you think pulling equity out of your home to invest is every a prudent decision?

Locked Out at 4 A.M.

Friday morning there was too much to do and too little time. I decided that I would have to get up early and finish my school assignments before clocking in at work. I woke up at 4 a.m. and left for campus at about 4:30 a.m. I arrived at the Marriott School to work in my office about 4:40 a.m. to find myself LOCKED OUT! I have the key to my office, but the exterior doors were locked. It was cold so I headed to the Talmage Building – Locked, the JSB – Locked, the JSFB – Locked, the SWKT – Locked, and the Eyring Science Center – LOCKED.



I couldn’t help but laugh. And although it was cold, it was so beautiful. I had to stop and take a minute to soak it all up. The sky was deep blue with scattered stars. The moon’s light was illuminating the mountains surrounding Provo, and everything was perfectly still. It was so enlightening that I might consider another early morning jaunt in the future. Anyway, just before 5 a.m. I found an unlocked door into my building and I got a lot done.

Prop 8...We Have the Right to Speak

Sunday I went to Salt Lake City for a great pre-Thanksgiving dinner with a bunch of my cousins (Thanks, Marrills and Maughans), and the issue of Prop 8 came up again. I have given this proposition a lot of thought, and I have an opinion.

I support personal agency, but along with that, I asert my right to defend the issues I feel are important to me and my future family. Many members of the LDS church campaigned and donated to the Yes on Prop 8 initiative in California. They did what the founders of this nation hoped citizen would do, they participated in the democratic process - it was not just their constitutional right, it was their duty to uphold an issue they supported. (The same way No on Prop 8 supporters have the right to defend their point of view). But, I don't believe defending a point of view means attacking an organization's members for exercising their constitutional rights.

The demonstrators that I have seen in YouTube videos at the Los Angeles Temple in California are extremely alarming and disappointing. The protesters, some of which have damaged the temple grounds, ironically shout, "Stop the hate!" These No on Prop 8 supports are no longer upholding an initiative, they are simply attacking an organization that exercised their constitutional rights. Not to mention that the LDS church represented only part of the Yes on Prop 8 coalition in California. Why, why, why are members of the LDS church being targeted because they exercised their right to speak?

Church members' participation in the election did not stop gay marriage supporters' campaign, their participation allowed the political process to function by presenting both sides. One of which, seems to be the majority.

I have included some interesting facts about the election that I got from my sister's blog.

The Facts:

1. Mormons make up only 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 750,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 36 million.

2. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then out of a total of 5,661,583 yes votes, LDS voters made up 4.4% of the Yes vote and 2.3% of the total Proposition 8 vote (11,050,301).

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign (except for a nominal, and legal, in-kind donation of $2,078.97, to cover the travel expenses of leaders coming from Utah for a meeting). Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.

4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $36 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims - all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The Church has always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do - we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.

Getting Back to My Roots

In a whirlwind of chance, my dad has decided, in spite of his cancer, to spend the Thanksgiving break down in Mexico. San Felipe to be exact.



I have to be honest, I am ecstatic! I love San Felipe. Our good friends the Taylors have a little house on the beach, and I've spent a good part of my childhood traveling to their beach shack for some of the greatest vacationing this redhead has ever known.

I still recall with fondness the time I ran a fence down with the quad, the time I hid a sand shark under our tent for like 5 days in the sweltering heat(sorry mom and dad), the time we broke down in that dirty border town for Thanksgiving(John, remember the squirts you got from those burritos), and of course the endless firework wars and disasters.


The Taylors Little House. It is nestled on top of a little hill, but you walk straight out to the beach.


It would be a sad, sad life to never taste the ambrosia created at Adriana's Fish Tacos. You can't put a price tag on taco pescados y camarones.


Building my own skim board for the great beaches.


And, of course, the view from the Taylor's house. I have visited a lot of places, but I've never been to a place as relaxing as this little haven. When you lay in one of the hammock being pushed by the warm sea breeze, the world stops for a sec and you finally find center.(I know this is cheesy).

So, anyway, for me this trip is getting me back to my roots.

Oh, James...Really?

So yesterday after school I was watching a movie when James called. He said he was on his way over for a visit. I was very pleased because I don't really see my friends that often, and rarely do they come to visit me.

Well, he came. Hmmm. I turned off my movie and tried to talk to him, but I guess he didn't really want to talk because he wouldn't answer my questions. Well, sometimes he would give one or two words, but other times he would just completely ignore them. Interesting? Yes.


Who is this kid?

Finally I just said, "So when you came to visit you kind of just wanted to sit here and not talk, right?" His answer was no, but I pressed it.

It turns out he actually came because he was coming to visit someone else...hmmmm. My company was just a place holder.

Can I just say, thank goodness we've been friends for long time. Ha ha. Wow. James is awesome, but I just don't think I'll ever understand.



Can you please explain him to me?

Decision Paralysis :(

Do you every have those times in your life when, for whatever reason, you just can’t make simple decisions effectively? I think you all know what I’m talking about. You’re standing in line at Panda Express looking at the menu, but you just can figure it out which meal option to get. The guy asks you what you want and you tell him one thing, and then another, and then ANOTHER. Then, once you finally know what to get, he asks you what sides you want. And that’s it, in that moment you realize you’ve failed one of life’s little tests. I KNOW, I know…ridicules, but do you get what I’m saying?

Well, this has been the story of my life for the last little while, which I might add, is very unlike me. I am normally quite in control, maybe even to a fault. But with graduation pending, a career search in full swing, internship responsibilities and classes that just won’t stop…I’ve been a little, well—overwhelmed.

But I’ve decided this simple cannot continue. I’m regrouping and it’s working. I don’t have everything figured out, but who need that. I listened to Bishop Burton’s talk at the CES Fireside and he says, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” I can be disciplined, and maybe for right now that’s all I need to do.

Welcome!

Well, I don't know what happened, but I just became a blogger and so far I really like it. I guess it all started one night when I had too much to say and no one to say it to. What was I supposed to do? I'm worried that this might be a little narcissistic, but hopefully it wont be too bad.

Anyway, I'm new at this so let me know what you think. Any feedback?

You can comment by clicking on the little "COMMENT" word at the bottom of the post. It's really quick and easy.

Southeast Asia — Here I Come?

Yesterday I went to see my academic advisor, and it’s official—I am going to graduate. (Christina, stop trying to steal my thunder.) Well, actually they did make me pay $15 more dollars to apply for graduation. Seriously, who thought that up? Does the university just want to give us one more financial kick in the pants on our way out? I guess I better just not go there.

OK, so on to my plans…I am going to finish school on December 10 and then I’m off to Hawaii on December 11 for Christina’s graduation and a little R&R. Grandma Boss (93) and my mom and dad are going as well. I think we are all in for quite the treat. There are three things I have to do while I’m there: (1) shark cages, (2) scuba dive, and (3) eat at the Hukilau Café. It is important to set goals and make plans.

After Christmas at home in California, I really want to take about three weeks and go on a trip to Southeast Asia. I think it would be a blast, right? Riding elephants in Thailand, hiking through the temples in Anchor Wat, or relaxing on a private island in the Philipines?



Well, yesterday I was met with a little resistance. Most people are excited, but a friend at work and one of roommates put up quite the protest. Really? They said that it doesn’t make much sense, it costs too much money and it isn’t educational. Hmmm. I don’t know about that? I have worked very hard to get my degree. I love to travel—it accelerates my soul, and I’m going to work for the rest of my life. I don’t know. What do you guys think?

The Leprechaun Is Out!

This past Saturday, my friend Stefanie and I went down to Santaquin, Utah to volunteer at a Halloween Fair for kids. We decided to dress up, but I don’t think the small-town locals were ready for us or maybe just me. I have been planning my costume for a little while now, but today it finally came together. One girl actually asked me how I painted my legs green. Hmmm.

Anyway, we sold goods at the booth to help raise money for the PTA. It was a blast and the kids were really funny.

The Examples in My Life

I'm one of the stake secretaries and I've been assigned to work with President Quigley, our stake president (this is not meant to be conceded, but rather informative). First off, he is an amazing man - WOW - what a leader. He understands the power of a counsel and always seeks guidance from his counselor and even us secretaries. He is motivated and driven by the spirit in everything that he does. One of my attribute that really impresses me is his ability to rely on the spirit. Almost every time I'm with him, he'll just stop talking and allow the spirit to speak to him. We just wait and then he guides. I feel so blessed to be able to serve in this capacity in the kingdom. I have learned so much. Every time I leave his side I strive to be a better person. Well, there's one of the great examples in my life.

On to another, as part of my calling I get to participate in the accountability interviews with the elders quorum presidents. Together we have the opportunity to counsel about the needs of each quorum.

Last night, I sat in on one of the interviews. The president that came is a great guy and totally full of kindness, but he's a little rough around the edges when it comes to church service. I've always known that he was called by revelation, but I wondered how he would do. Well, last night I saw a spiritual giant that was a little rough around the edges. This president is determined to faithfully serve the members of his quorum. When asked about his counselors, he gave the most complimentary report I think I've ever heard. He said they are amazing that they do everything and more than he expect. How could they be anything but great with a leader that believes in them like that? He talked about his quorum and you could see the love radiating from his face. Wow, what a humbling experience for me. I am so grateful for the those who are able to see more in us than we can. God is smoothing out this president's edges.

This whole thing really reminds me of my mission. I was sitting with my companion and President Vincent one day discussing transfers. President V wanted to move a missionary, but I questioned whether he was ready for that type of responsibility. My president was quick to reply, "Elder Hathaway, It isn't about who they are, it's about who they can become." God knows us. This is his kingdom and if we are willing He can make us into who we need to be.

Lesson Learned - Balance

As part the Entrepreneurial Lecture Series we have to attend two out of class activities. I decided to sign for a free lunch with a business professional for one of mine. Jed Anderson, the president of a manufacturing company came today. He took a small 3-person operation and turned it into a $5 million organization. Lets be honest, I was impressed.

Well, as it turns out I'm not that interested in manufacturing, but I was interested in the lesson he had learned over the years.

I asked him, "How do you balance your family and running that huge business?"

At first he responded, well, my wife really keeps me in check. When I am spending too much time at work she lets me know. Good lesson - duly noted.

Then the real gem came out. While Jed was looking for a new piece land to build a larger factory he visited the site of an old steel facility in Springville, Utah. He asked us if any of us knew where it was, but no one did. He said he expected that because it had gone out of business a long time ago. Geneva steel actually bought it out. Anyway, while Jed was visiting the site and standing on the foundation of this old factory he realized something that has changed his life.

The men that used to run and work in this factory are long gone and so is their business. These men invested their whole lives into making this company profitable. There are likely many that worked so much it damaged relationships with family members and friends, but what was it all for? Now, there business is gone and no one even remembers its name.

We can work our whole lives, but we better invest our time into activities that moth and rust can't corrupt. No matter how hard we try to make work mean something, we can't take it with us. Now easy, I know we have to work to survive and God wants us to be anxiously engaged, but I am going to make sure that I keep things balanced.

Thanks Professor Walton and Her Beignets

So Monday morning was kind of a hectic time for me. Life seems to be coming at me very fast, and I am running as fast as I can just to keep up.

Well, during my senior campaigns class on Monday morning we had a little discussion about what PR is really like. Professor Walton gave us a chance to ask questions about "what really concerns us about PR." Harmless and helpful you might think, well... Anyway, the discussion went really well and my professor shared a lot great insight, but it left me worrying about how I've neglected job searching when graduation is only a couple months away.

Right when I was ready to slip out of class and redeem my dad's frequent flier miles for a flight to a far-away-land, Professor Walton busted out her beignets. As she started passing around these delightful little fried pastry ball and fresh raspberry sauce I became intrigued.



She then read us a story her daughter wrote about beignets. You know, most of us don't know about beignets because we are all about donuts in the good old USA. But, really what is a donut? How do we know it? It is a piece of fried bread with a hole in it. It's interesting that our entire nation defines that piece of bread by what it doesn't have, rather than what it is made up of. Interesting.

Are you feeling a lesson coming on? Beignets are not defined by what they don't have they are defined by what they are - delicious fried bread. I've decided that I need to be more like the beignet. I am going to stop defining myself and my future by what I don't have. Now is my time to define myself by all my great qualities. Companies that are concerned about what I don't have need not worry about holding a place for me. I want to find a job where my employer values what I bring and helps me develop my talents.

Thanks Professor Walton, I needed that.

The Weekend: Was It A Good Decision?

Well, on Friday I did about a thousand things before taking off for a weekend trip to St. George, Utah. I guess I should have worked harder because I forgot about a thousand more things. Disturbing, yes! The whole drive down to St. George I kept remembering things I had forgotten to take care of and made me very frustrated. And I thought I would have Internet at the condo we stayed at, but I didn't. :(

Surprisingly, Saturday morning I had a revelation - the world would keep going without me. If you haven't considered this aspect of life, do - it is very liberating.

I spent Saturday at Zion's National Park and get this, my friend and I drove her grandpa's yellow Jeep. It was tight! We did some pretty extreme off roading that got the adrenaline pumping and brought a smile to my face.

That night we went to see Les Miserable at the Tuachan, an outdoor theater out in the middle of no where. It was beautiful! The show was great and the setting was breathtaking. You look out on a huge stage dwarfed by giant red rock mountain directly behind it. As the evening progresses the stars come out and you can't help stop listening to the show just to soak up you surroundings.

So was the weekend a good decision? Well, I had a blast, and I was rejuvenated. But, Monday really sucked.

A Weekend Away...

This past weekend James, Dane, Korine and I went do to Canyonland's National Park to spend the weekend backpacking.

The night before the hike we stayed in Monticello, Utah. It was quite the place! We wanted to get some swimming trunks for the hot tub, and we asked a little kid at the grocery store where we could get some. He said we could try the "merk". The "merk." What the heck is that? Well, it turns out it was short for the mercantile, a clothing store. That little experience summed up our whole stay. Small town...let's just say...they're fun to visit if you are just passing through.

Canyonland's is amazing. The hike was inspiring. We camped in the most beautiful desert valley I have ever seen!

I Have My Own Blog!

I am really excited to announce that I have my own blog. I hope to record great experiences so I can share them with all of my friends.