The F-word

This is something that has been on my mind for a few days. Whether it's heck, shiz, gosh, frick or any other variation that people use, Utahns are known for making up different words in place of swears. It's normal for Utahns -- heck, I do it too.

Awesome picture from Pinterest.com.

So, since when is it normal for people to use the F-word in casual conversation? Sure, you hear it in high schools all the time, and you'll definitely hear it on college campuses also. But why is it so prevalent now? One thing that has caught my attention the past week is how often women are using this awful word.

I heard it used twice by women on two different occasions this past week! The first time I was just walking home after a class and these two girls were having a conversation. In the brief moment of passing by them, one of the girls threw down the word twice, about four words apart.

The second time was in my swimming class (yeah, I'm taking a swimming class. Yes, it's a beginning class). I was doing the workout on the board with the other five or six swimmers that didn't need swim lessons to start the class, and I'm about halfway through it when I decided to stop for a rest. A girl two lanes over is looking at the clock to time herself and she just says it twice in a row for no apparent reason except she is tired from swimming.

Photo from BusinessInsider.com. I don't think Trump said the F-word hear, but it's still a funny picture that always makes me think that's what he is saying.

I'd like to submit that a woman saying the F-word is one of the biggest turn-offs ever. If a cute girl says it, she immediately is no longer cute. It's a disgusting word and you sound a look disgusting when you say it, so just stop.

Yes, this is me focusing on the women who say it, but I think guys say it because they think it makes them look tougher. They think they're proving they're not afraid to say a bad word, thus translating that they're not afraid of anything. Well, it makes them look stupid. 

Honestly, all swearing is because of a lack of vocabulary. People use swear words to amp up their sentences, when there are already good words to do that, and those words don't make you sound awful.

Regarding the Last Two Weeks

The last two weeks have been crazy. Sorry we haven't posted anything here, but after this, hopefully you'll understand why.

While I was at work last Wednesday (Jan. 25), I received a phone call from an unknown number. I missed the call (I don't usually answer calls from numbers I don't recognize). Then it said missed call and voicemail, so that's always interesting. Usually when it's a number I don't know, it's a call I didn't want to receive anyway. Not this time. Here is what was said:

"Hey Jordan, this is Dr. Grant with Roseman University College of Pharmacy. I was calling to say just how much we appreciated you coming in to interview with us. We hope that you found it informative, and we hope that you learned just as much about us as we did about you and that you enjoyed your time here, because I would like to offer you a seat here in South Jordan with our class of 2020. So, Congratulations. We were very happy to have you to come in. So, you can say that you are accepted into pharmacy school. I remember how awesome that feeling was for me. I say tonight you enjoy it and definitely celebrate just how awesome of an accomplishment that is..."

Six days. That's all it had taken for them to review everything since the interview and offer me a seat. That was a lot faster than I thought it was going to be. Next, I got an email stating all the things I needed to do to accept the seat at Roseman.

Today (Feb. 3), I sent the paperwork to Roseman to accept that offer. I will be attending pharmacy school next year! It was such a huge relief to be accepted and be able to focus on the semester at hand.

In other news, Kaylee has gotten me running on a treadmill, which is a huge step for her. She is excited about it. I ran a mile the last two times. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I hate running for fun.

We also went ice skating the other day, which was another big deal for Kaylee. She keeps begging me to try rollerblading, and I have never done it, so I always decline. Then, every winter, she begs me to go ice skating, but I decline that also. This time, we went with the YSA ward for Family Home Evening. I went around the rink three times. It was a struggle!

You can read a little of her thoughts on Instagram. Her profile is abel_kay02.

Pharmacy School Interview at Roseman University

I know it has been awhile since I've posted anything. With school starting back up, I'm still trying to get adjusted to the schedule. Thursday I had the opportunity to interview at Roseman University in South Jordan, Utah, though.

Picture from startclass.com.

It was my first interview for graduate school ever, so that was kind of a big deal. I arrived around 1:15 p.m. at the school and there were already quite a few other potential students there. I dressed in my suit, as did most of the guys at the interviews. The women were in business professional, which included pant suits or skirts. There ended up being around 40 students that attended the interviews.

I hung out for a little bit with them, just chatting until we were told to join a few people in the Student Commons room. We started out by watching a quick video about life on campus, which was cut short because we were a little behind schedule.

They handed us a folder that had our interviewer and time on it. I was given 3 p.m. with Dr. Unni. After that, we went into a classroom to be taught a little bit about Roseman's history and other information that was related. The classroom was built with a command center-type booth in the center with screens set in a circle facing towards the students, who were also seated in a circle with the professor in the middle. It was an interesting set up, but seemed like I was part of the class.

Picture from lvgea.org.

Next was a writing assessment, which I was told may have been to make sure we spoke and wrote in English fluently. The prompt was "If you could invite anyone, past or present, to dinner, who would it be and why?" I didn't have too much of a problem with that...I mean, you are reading what I am writing right now, so I think I know how to write well enough.

Finally, it was time for my interview. I walked in and was greeted by an Indian woman, Dr. Unni and a first year pharmacy student, Grace Fields. Both of them were really nice. The interview was good. A lot of the questions were based on teamwork and getting along with people, which I don't feel I have any issues with.

After that, I just took a tour with Jordan Gray, who was super helpful throughout the entire process. He is currently in his third and final year at Roseman, so he helped me out with everything.

Overall, I think the whole interview/process went well. Now, I wait for a few weeks to see what happens.

Fast and Testimony Meeting

Fast and testimony meetings at church can be some of the best experiences or some of the most boring and repetitive experiences.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we hold a fast and testimony meeting every month, generally the first Sunday of each month. That means the members fast for 24 hours or two meals, but during Sacrament meeting is the chance for members to bear their testimony about the church.

The fasting part is up to each individual member. It seems like it usually ends up something like this picture though at most homes.

Picture from ldssmile.com.

That's how it always seemed when I was younger at least. I'd wake up and no one was in the kitchen, so I'd grab something quick to eat before getting ready and someone would come in and say, "It's fast Sunday." I'm pretty sure this is how I always looked.

Testimony meeting is with everyone in the ward. Testimonies can be anywhere from absolutely incredible, or super dull and just people telling stories.

Picture from pinterest.com.

Yesterday happened to be one of these testimony meetings. For me, I thought it was great. I am part of a singles ward, and these wards seem to be much better at testimonies than most other wards. We had short, heartfelt testimonies, which helped speed the time along and kept the Spirit in the meeting.

I was especially impressed with a recent convert that got up and spoke about a lot of different things, but he said, "I don't understand how we get up here and say, 'I'd like to bear my testimony.' We can't bear our full testimony in just a few minutes, so I like to say, 'I'd like to bear part of my testimony.'"

I thought that was pretty amazing. We always say it the first way because it is traditionally said that way, but he makes a good point. I don't think most members could bear their entire testimony in the entire hour meeting.

Picture from ldssmile.com.

Before Kaylee and I were at the singles ward, we were in a married ward, which was great also. We would play a game every Testimony meeting, which was mostly my way to attempt to get Kaylee to bear her testimony. We would both choose a person in the ward, and if that person got up, then we would also get up.

I'm not saying that bearing your testimony should be a game, but I am saying that some people have testimonies that are amazing that don't ever get up, so this is an unbiased way of doing that.

It happened to me once. I picked someone, and they got up at the very end of the meeting, so the next month I was one of the first ones up to bear my testimony. The game only works if you pick someone different every month.

Back to School

Man, vacation is good. It's so nice to not be in school. Too bad all vacations eventually have to end.

School started back up on the 4th, but it seemed like everyone was mad we were even starting. One of my professors even said, "I don't know why we're here today. Everyone in the world starts on Monday."

This is hopefully my last semester at SUU. Kaylee is also graduating this semester, so we should be moving on either way. I've already applied for pharmacy schools, so I'm hoping that everything goes well there. I'm hoping to stay in the state of Utah, but I've been in school so long, I will almost take anything at this point.

This semester is going to be fun, because I only have one class that I need to finish up my pre-requisites for pharmacy school. As long as I pass organic chemistry 2, I will be eligible for a lot of pharmacy schools. Other than that class, I have a swimming class, a circuit training class (with Kaylee), coaching/officiating football and a broadcasting class.

The broadcasting class is going to be interesting because I am required to be on the radio 10 times throughout the semester. I've done a half hour radio show in the past with the Dixie Sun News, but I never ran the station at any point. I'm excited though, so look out for some updates on that. I will be on 91.1 in Cedar City or you can find it online if you want to listen to me.

Picture from sportslogo.net.

Typical Abel Christmas

Here is a follow-up to yesterday's post about Christmas Eve.

I woke up suddenly to the blaring alarm. It must have been 5:30. It was still fully dark outside. Aimee must have woken up too because the alarm was now off putting the entire house in complete silence. I knew the other three were up too because everyone was stirring.

"Merry Christmas!" Aimee said.

"Merry Christmas." We all replied in groggy voices.

I got up and started folding up the blankets that I slept with while others also either folded their own blankets or stumbled off to the bathroom.

Eventually, we were all ready to go wake up mom and dad. It didn't take long, we've been doing this same routine for most of our lives.

"Cover your eyes like this," Cherise said as Aimee and Cherise started to lead us through the family room. She put her hands around her eyes like a cup, forcing blinders on herself. We all followed suit with no questions or arguments. This was also a normal thing if we had to walk past the tree and presents. We also did this on Easter so we didn't see any clues, eggs or baskets.

Picture from gatesmillsvillage.com.

We trekked through the family room, past the kitchen and down the small hall towards the parent's room like a bunch of ducklings following their mother.

Once we got to the room, it was like a free-for-all. I attacked my dad, because he was always the hardest to get out of bed. Skylar tried to help me, but everyone else woke mom up.

Mom got up quickly and went to their bathroom to make sure her hair was in order with Aimee and Cherise. Taylor joined Skylar and I in waking my dad up. We knew he was awake, but he would fight it as long as he could. He did it every year.

After a little while, the girls would join us in waking dad up, but he wouldn't actually move until mom told him to get up. By that point, it seemed she was almost ready for the day.

"Alright, I'm up," my dad said as he sat up in bed. "I'm going to go shower."

"No, dad!" All of us kids said at once. He said this every year and never actually did it, but we still didn't want to risk having to wait longer.

Once he actually got out of bed, the rest of us would go into the kitchen where a spread of sweets was found. It always included orange sticks, homemade fudge, Cadbury chocolates and hard candy that I've only ever seen at Christmas time.

We snacked on these sweets for a bit until dad came out and joined us. Now it was time to go open presents.

"Let's say a family prayer," mom said. We would always pray that we would remember Christ and His life on this special day.

Picture from ldswallpapers.com.

After the prayer, we walked together until we were just outside the room where the tree and gifts were found.

"Dad's going to go check if Santa came," mom said.

Dad walked into the room while we all waited with anticipation, but patiently.

He would be gone for a few minutes before returning.

"Santa came!" He exclaimed as he came back to where we were.

We all walked in and dad directed us to our presents. Santa always separated our presents for each person at a place to sit. The gifts from family members for other family members still sat under the tree.

"Ok, Skylar will start," mom said.

We always started with the youngest and went to the oldest by opening one gift at a time until we finished Santa's presents.

The only free-for-all present was our stockings, which were also laid out by the Santa gifts. It always had a chocolate orange, which was always one of my favorite traditions.

"Alright, grab all the presents under the tree and pass them out," mom directed.

When they were all passed out, we would start the whole process again starting with Skylar.

Once the presents were all opened, we would set up our toys or games or whatever gifts we may have gotten and just play. We would have a spread of random food to snack on. This food usually included a cheese ball, toffee, Chex mix, ham, rolls and other random goodies.

Typical Abel Christmas Eve

It's Jordan again. I've been thinking about what I could write about Christmas, and I decided to write about a typical Christmas Eve when I was younger, so here it goes.

"Oh, look at that house!" My mom exclaimed as we turned down another street in our Christmas light looking adventure. The house looked like the Griswolds lived there with the amount of lights and decorations placed on the home.

"Wow," my younger brothers, Taylor and Skylar, said together, less excited than they were an hour ago when the trip started. It was starting to get later, and it was obvious all five of us kids were getting tired.

Everyone was dressed in their brand new pajamas that we opened before heading out on our light search. This year, I was adorned in Utah Utes pajama pants that had red and black plaid stripes and a black Under Armour shirt. It was always some type of pajama pants and a shirt, and we opened new ones every year.

We headed home in almost complete silence except for the soft Christmas music playing on the radio. Some of us drifted in and out of sleep, not fully falling asleep because of anticipation for the next morning.

We arrived home, and everyone gathered around our family room to read the Christmas story, say a family prayer and then get ready and go to bed.

My dad was the only one who ever pulled out his Bible to read the story, probably because none of the kids knew where the story was found at this point. I know I didn't. Every year, he would read in Luke chapter 2:

"1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

"Wise men still seek Him." Picture from lds.org.

By this point, everyone seemed to have heavy eyelids. It was time to get ready for bed. We all scattered to brush our teeth and gather blankets and pillows to create a makeshift bed, because all the kids slept in the same room.

"Ok, guys, here is our schedule," my oldest sister, Aimee, said. "We're going to wake up at 5:30. We're going to brush our teeth and clean up our beds. We will wake mom and dad up at 6."

Everyone agreed on the schedule. The schedule was an annual thing. It was generally the same every year. As we got older, we tried pushing the times back, but Taylor and Skylar didn't like that idea because they were still excited to get up as early as allowed to see what they would get.

We all climbed into our makeshift beds and fell asleep. Some faster than others as excitement kept us awake. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day.