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.