Come to Zion, Come to Zion

We've enjoyed a pleasant General Conference weekend from the comfort of our couch.  I'm ashamed I didn't get out my pajama onesie to wear...I really need to find that beloved relic of my past.  Anyways, conference was great, and one of the themes throughout the conference was discipleship and becoming converted to Christ.  Trying to follow his example is the ultimate endeavor of a lifetime, and I hope to follow in His footsteps, as clumsy as those footsteps are.  Of course, the other big news from Conference was the change in the missionary age.  That has definitely been the top item of conversation in town since yesterday.  We've told Mason he'll need to start selling snowcones to save up for his mission.  I will be very interested to see how many more sisters will choose to serve missions.  I bet the numbers will skyrocket.  The other data I'm dying to know is how many 19 and 20 year-olds get proposed to in the next month.  It could get interesting :)  Mason has finally fallen asleep after being awake for almost 12 hours straight, so let's recap the week that was.

Hurray for the sisters!

On Monday, Joanna took up my brother Jason's offer to teach her how to fish up Hobble Creek.  Jason has been an avid fisherman since he was a little boy, while I've never been an avid fisherman, so I was glad Joanna got the opportunity to learn from Jason so she can teach Mason someday.  Jason said that Joanna is a natural.  I know she did a great job of catching me...jk I caught her...clearly off her guard :)  While Joanna honed her predator skills, I took Mason on a gorgeous walk up the canyon with all the radiant colors of fall.  What a lovely time of year!  I dread the thought of winter, but I'm grateful to have fall for now.  That same day, we enjoyed FHE with Ike, Angie, Shirley, and Steve up Provo Canyon where we had a picnic and enjoyed the sites and smells.  This is the time of year when it's a crime to stay inside.

While we got in touch with our inner tree-hugging selves, we also went high tech in the past couple weeks: we finally got smartphones.  For me, I love having educational podcasts, accessible e-mail/Internet when I need it, music on demand, etc.  We decided to go with the Galaxy S III on the minimum data plan.  I think the key, as President Uchtdorf mentioned, is not to allow it to become a replacement for personal time with loved ones.  Overall, I'm a big fan of social media/Skype, etc. because it allows me to stay in touch with people who are far away, like Mom and Dad in the Philippines, and my friends from Europe who I see every couple years at most.  However, all things in moderation.

Needless to say, Joanna and I went with blue and white

Wednesday was an exciting day because of the presidential debate.  I agree with the common sentiment that Mitt Romney dominated the debate.  When fellow Democrats were theorizing that Obama had a tough time with the Colorado altitude, you know it was a rough night for them.  Not only did Obama underperform, but Romney was clear, concise, and confident.  Joanna was at her photography class for most of the debate, where she has learned a lot of things that will help with family/friend photos, but she made sure to watch the rerun of the debate.  It's fun to be married to someone who cares about politics!  She's seriously contemplating the idea of campaigning for Romney in Nevada to help in the final days.  I'm pretty much campaigning for her to campaign :)  I think it would be a neat experience.

This is the I'm-going-to-debate-you-into-oblivion smile

On Thursday, I brought Joanna and Mason to a presentation by a few BYU alumni who are studying law at the University of Chicago and the University of Virginia.  They showcased the advantages of their respective schools and provided advice for the admissions process.  University of Virginia is one of my dream schools, and we wouldn't mind living in Virginia for a while, so hopefully I'll perform well enough on the LSAT to get accepted there.  It would be a great opportunity to attend UVA not only because of its academic reputation, but also because of the LDS community at the school.  Currently, there are about 50 LDS students at the law school, two of which are friends of mine, and they all support each other in accomplishing their goals.  Another advantage is that the JAG school is on campus, and I want to apply to become a JAG.  I'd be thrilled to get anywhere in the top-15, but UVA is definitely towards the top of the list.

Isn't is grand?

I'm currently cursing our computer recharger.  We bought a replacement recharger a couple months ago and it broke, so we bought another one, and it looks like this one is going out as well.  Boohoo.  I'd better sleep on it.  Here's to another great week!