Holiday

Good night,

It is extremely late. But I just passed 1000 blog views. That is a record. Actually every view is a record for me because this is my first blog. I thought I would have more free time since I am on break, but I have only been at home for about 20 minutes all day. Too much stuff to do. Too many friends to see. Too many places to go and people to visit. I am going to make a purely fashion blog. Maybe. I have a friend, Andy White, who is very fashion-wise and talented and we might collaborate on a blog-project.  Anyways, I will write more when I get the chance.

Love, Brady

FINALS

Dear blog,

Today these things are on my mind.

Finals
Taylor Swift - 22
Vanilla scented candles
Licorice
Bright lights
Politics
Skype convos
Les Mis
Goodwill
House slippers
Why do people sleep?
Free pizza and cookie dough
Stephen Colbert is an excellent singer
Hot water
Taylor Swift - Red
Scrubs
Home
Friends in Iowa
Dragon chicken
I need to do laundry
I need to study
Ice water in a big cup
Taylor Swift - State of Grace
Wool socks
Roommates
Bagels
Notre Dame

Again.

Dear blog,

I'm in my favorite place ever.  And I have two water bottles.  And a Snickers bar.  I don't really like Snickers, but it satisfies.  I'm sorry I haven't written here in such a long time.  Life has been busy. Or I have been distracted.  I am so excited for the future. As in this week and month and Christmas break.  That future.  I can't wait to go home, but I have so much exciting things to do before then. So I hope it doesn't come too soon. I guess I can wait.  Is it possible to rent rooms in the library and study in there? I would love to do that so I can get up and move around without worrying that someone will steal my computer. 

I stayed up late last night. It felt good. I am glad that my roommates are my roommates. And that my friends are my friends.  And that my family is my family.  On Thursday, I am going to a concert in SLC with M&M.  So stoked.  I was born to rage. 

I have some fun plans for Christmas break.  I need a new pair of shoes.  Fake Air Force One's.  For when I get my swag on at the clubs. 

I have been working on a paper for the last few days.  I am now almost done. And then it is time for finals.  But before finals, I want to connect with nature. I'm already excited for this weekend.  I really haven't been this stoked for a while.  Finally breaking out of the rut.  And now I'm rolling in the deep.  Adelle is a mom.  I don't know why people read this stuff.  Blogs are weird? I am listening to the band I will see on youtube.  I am going to go dressed like a hipster. Because I am one.  On the inside.  I am different. I am me.  I am curious.  I want to make a poem out of the letters in my name.

B rave
R acing mind
A ttempting the imposible
D aring to be something different, while being the same
Y our friend.


Sincerely

The Big Question???

Dear fans,

Today I am writing to answer a question that many people have certainly asked themselves.  The question is: Why is Brady a Mormon and what does that even mean?  Well to answer this question, I would like to pose my own question.  Why does anyone follow a religion? The answer is simple.  You follow a religion because you want to do what God wants you to do.  I am religious because I know that God wants me to be religious.  But of all the religions in the world, why be a Mormon? For me, it all starts with knowing that God answers prayers.  He doesn't talk to us through words, but we can feel His answers.  He wants us to do what is right.  I'm a Mormon because I have felt that the Book of Mormon is true.  Because I know that, I know that the Mormon religion is the right one for me.  And I know that everyone else can know if the religion is right for them as well.  It is as easy as reading the book and asking God if it is true. Pretty simple. And it has big consequences.

Love, Brady

Fashion Blog

Dear fans,

I am going to be turning this blog about my personal life and bottled up emotions into a fashion blog.  I am soooo excited.  Today is my first fashion post! Here in Provo, it is very important to wear layers in the winter.  It is often really cold when walking to class, but all the rooms on campus are very hot! Layers allow you to strip down one item of clothing at a time until you reach the perfect temperature.  My outfit today shows how you can layer in style:

Black Jacket: From Roommate's Closet, like Plato's Closet, but free
BYU Crew-Neck Sweatshirt: Deseret Industries, $3
Blue Micro-Gingham Button-up: Deseret Industries, $2
Dark Blue Levi's: Kohl's, Giftcard
BadBoy Construction Boots: Goodwill, $4.90

Total Cost of Outfit: $9.90

Looking good has never been so inexpensive.

weekly update

Hello blog,

Good afternoon. I wanted to make a quick update.  I am doing well. Monday is one of my favorite days. Because I normally have lots of time to do homework and get housework done.  And I am normally productive on Mondays. I can't wait for Thanksgiving.  I can't wait to make a sandwich.  And eat it.  My neighbor is listening to some Pitbull song.  It is pretty catchy and loud.  Really loud.  I am listening to this song.  It is great.  I am in an urban-music type of mood. And it is great.

Love, Brady

TWITTER

OK, I decided I am going to make a twitter.  Is that weird? Should I feel as ashamed as I do? Do any normal guys have twitters? I really just like doing the whole #hashtag thing. Sometimes I do it in my head. Like when something good happens, I will think to myself, "#SuckItTrebek."

Love, Brady

Tuesday Afternoon

Dear blog,

Today is election Tuesday.  So exciting.  I can't wait to go home after classes tonight and watch the election results while I eat ice cream.  Tuesday is normally my busiest day of the week. But today, because I did homework on Saturday, I don't have anything to do.  Such a good feeling.  I am already done with my immediate homework for tomorrow. And life is going great.  I can't wait to see my family over Thanksgiving Break.  I am way excited to drive to Kansas as well.  I love driving.  Should be a trucker.  My little brother isn't so little anymore.  Can't wait to see him. 

I feel like this blog is making my life boring.  Or maybe it is just that school is making my life boring.  Or maybe Provo is more boring than Brazil.  I want to take up fly-fishing.  All doctors have hobbies, and if I am to be a doctor, I need a cool hobby too.  Fly-fishing would be fun because I could do it while I travel the world.  Maybe I should major in Far East Studies.  I could learn about China and go fly-fishing there. 

Love, Brady

Food

PF CHANGS IS SO GOOD.

My Week

Good afternoon,

My name is Brady Evans.  I had an interesting past week.  It started on the Sunday of General Conference.  I made myself a delicious garlic and pepper steak for lunch.  Actually I had 3 steaks.  Later that day, my stomach started hurting.  Tums didn't help.  Neither did anything else.  I kept thinking the pain would go away, but as the week progressed the pain only got worse.  Friday morning, the pain was at an all-time high.  I called in sick to work and debated whether or not to go to the doctor.  I really didn't want to go, and I figured that the stomach ache would just go away over the weekend.  Thankfully, my parents encouraged me to go and get it checked out.  I went to the BYU health center place and the doctor was pretty convinced I needed a CT scan.  I tried to talk him out of it.  I was too busy for all of that medical stuff.  He made me promise to get the test done and actually called the hospital to set it up.

Next, I went to the hospital and got the test.  The nurse guy there was really cool and kind of looked like Jason Statham.  We talked about hunting and stuff while I had to drink 1.5 liters of really gross Pepsi.  Then I had to get an IV.  I hate needles.  And the nurse guy put it up on the side of my bicep, not the normal place.  So after my CT scan, I had to sit and read more hunting magazines while the dude went over my results.  He came back in and told me that my weekend plans were about to change.  I had to go straight to the ER and have surgery to take out my appendix.  He was really encouraging and showed me the pics of my stomach on the computer.  We talked for a few more minutes and then I drove over to the ER.

The rest of the day is pretty boring.  I got admitted to the surgery place and basically had to sit and watch ESPN for about 3 hours while they got stuff prepped for the operation.  All of my nurses were married.  Or guys.  The anesthesiologist was one of my favorites.  We talked about college and majors and life.  She majored in Public Health at Utah State and hated it.  She would have done history if she could go back in time.  One of the last things I remember before going under is the anesthesiologist giving me 2 "gold stars" and putting them on my stomach.  I think they were actually reading my vital signs.

 When I woke up, I was watching ESPN again.  And Dallin, Allie, Jason, Analee, and Kevin came to visit.  They were very kind.  I can't remember much of what we talked about.  But Kevin was doing origami for a long time.  Then Brad, Kenzie, Heather, and Melinda came by.  And we walked around the hospital wing.  And Brad had chipped his tooth.  But that is all I can remember.

Spending the night in the hospital is the worst type of sleepover someone can experience.  They don't let you rest.  I had a really chill dude who was my nurse.  But he kept waking me up to take more blood samples and poke me.  When morning finally came, I had a Peruvian lady nurse and she was very kind.  She kept telling me she wanted to have grandchildren, but her daughter and son-in-law weren't going to have kids anytime soon.  So I called her grandma whenever I called her on my button.  The next morning, Allen came to get me out of the hospital and we went to the BYU game.  It was really exciting but we lost.

Serene and Erika!

Over the next few days, I recovered pretty quick.  The cuts are already pretty healed and I can walk fine.  Also, Jill and Martha brought some crumbly cake over and Erika and Serene brought me a delicious pumpkin milk shake.  I still feel like a part of me is missing, but I am sure that the feeling will pass.  Right now I am just listening to Taylor Swift's newer songs and drinking room-temperature water.

Sincerely, Brady Evans
      

New Post

Dear Blog,

I want this to be a long update.  Taylor Swift's new song is great.  Pretty catchy.  I feel like I haven't emptied my soul onto the internet in quite a while.  Life is going really well.  School is fun.  And I actually enjoy going to my classes.  But I feel like I am stuck in a routine.  My typical day is: Wake up early for work.  Go to class. Do HW. Go to dinner group. Watch SportsCenter. Do something fun. Go to bed.

It's pretty much the same every day.  For some people routines would be great.  I like that I am in control of my schedule.  As I write this, I realize that I might be a routine person.  Routines help me stay focused on the important things like school and church and my friends. 

On an entirely different note, I was in the 5th row at the BYU / USU game last week.  It was too much fun.  This week is homecoming week and I am going to be in the 7th row in the south endzone.  I am currently practicing my dance for PSY Gangnam Style so that I will be ready to get my groove on when they play it over the loud speakers.  Look for me on tv.  It shouldn't be hard to see me.  To me Blackout = THUG out.  Can't wait.

Anyways, life is good. More money, more problems. 

Sincerely, Brady Evans

Library Post

Dear blog,

Library Self-Pic

This needs to be quick.  I should be studying.  I am in the library.  I just finished writing an 8 page paper for my Marriage Prep class about my person level of readiness for marriage! Lots to work on.  I have to study for Poli Sci now.  Such a hard class.  Today has been really good.  I made enchiladas for lunch.  And I also ate some frosting.  On a spoon.  With milk.  Fantastic meal.  Today I am pretty busy.  Been up since 5 and won't go home til 9 tonight. A few people have made it known that I need to post more on this blog, so I will renew my efforts.  I keep forgetting how exciting my life is and how much of a benefit it is for you all to read this.  Speaking of benefits. I just practiced my economics memory and made a Production Possibilities Frontier (PPF), that shows the benefits to writing a blog compared to my GPA.  School is fun.

Love, Brady

LIFE

Dear Blog,

Today was great.  2 tests. 2 A's. Knocked an item off my bucket-list.  Driving the Squaw Peak Road is intense.  Easily one of the coolest things I have done. Ever.  BYU game right now.

Sincerely,
Brady

Library

Why does it feel so good to spend the whole day in the library?

The Truth

Dear Blog,

Ok.  It's time. I haven't written in my blog for a while for lack of time and just lack of desire.  Mostly because there have been lots of more interesting and desirable things to do.  So not a true lack of desire to write, but less desire to write than studying for example.  The semester has been great so far.  I feel as if my life is on the right path right now.  The classes I am taking make sense and are helping me get ready for my future.  Work is going well.  Bonuses, raises, more responsibility.  My apartment is nice. Quiet and peaceful enough to study and keep clean and organized.  Close enough to campus to walk to class.  The ward is great too.  Older and focused on important things, dedicated. The weather has been nice. Not as dry as usual which makes me happy.  Life is really good.    I made enchiladas three times last week.  The pace of life is slower now and I love it.  Maybe I was made to live in a small town.  To take life at an easy canter.  Either way, I really like it.

Sincerely, Brady

Feelings

Dear Blog,

Today I am going to be very emotional and talk about my feelings.  Today was a wonderful day.  I honestly felt free.  At peace.  Yesterday was great as well.  Just feeling good.  I always feel this way when summer is ending.  I love to reflect on the experiences and things I learned.  School is starting soon and this is one last week to take it easy.  Not worry about the time or anything material.  Possibly the last week to take it easy I will have in a long time.  The end of summer is great.  Change is wonderful.  I can't wait to move into my new apartment and ward and just get started with fall.  Change is progress.  It makes us better.

- Brady.

Poems

Dear Blog,

Good evening. I have recently learned that Riley Smith is a great poet.  I would love to share one of his finer works with you all tonight.  It is called "To My Dear and Loving."

I wish I could speak, but I wouldn’t dare,
Your presence makes me feel clumsy and bare.
Unsure how to show, or how to express
These feelings I feel, but here goes my best.
If you’d dedicate a moment of time,
It would be perfect, or maybe, sublime.

Can you imagine a day without end?
Without interruption, kinks, turns, or bends-
If you take this chance, you will not forget
The day we first talked, the day we first met.
‘Cause whether you cry or whether you laugh,
I’ll be at the end of each tearful path.

Don’t say goodbye, please, don’t make me regret,
The day we first talked, the day we first met.
I want you to know, my thoughts, my feelings,
My deepest sentiment, my heart’s dealings.
Don’t abandon the road you can not see.
‘Cause at the end of that path, I will be.

By my side, the companion of my soul,
An epic poem, you play the lead role.
Continuing to pull the strings of my heart,
Even when you have relinquished your part.
I won’t let you go, I won’t let you forget,
The day we first talked, the day we first met.
-Riley Smith


This poem should be published. And has inspired me to write a poem this week.

Sincerely, Brady

At This Moment

Dear Blog,

Mood: Jubilant
Music: Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Food: 4 layer chocolate cake, leftover
Clothes: Jeans and t-shirt, black, emo
Scent: French Vanilla
Beverage: Water, ice
Action: Cleaning
Desire: Dance Party, in the ice, listening to Miike Snow
Plan: Drive, Provo Canyon to Hobblecreek, across the mountains
Goal: Same as plan
Later tonight: Same as goal

Sincerely,
Brady

Life

Dear blog,

Life is starting to get back to normal again.  Last week was strange.  Finals, illness, reunions.  Lots of things going on.  I am glad to get back to normal.  It was also nice to visit my sister.  We made a four-layer chocolate cake.  It was pretty big and messy.  I decided I really like driving and want to be a truck driver when I get older.

Things to do this week:
1. Go to work.
2. Clean my house.
3. Go swimming.
4. Have fun.
5. Drive from Provo Canyon to Hobblecreek canyon. Across the mountains.
6. Maybe move to my new apartment.
7. 

Can't wait for everyone to come back to Provo.

This Weekend

Dear Blog,

This past weekend was one of the best for a variety of reasons.
1. I got to hang out with my family. And remember how important they are to me.
2. I was able to drive for a long time in the car. And sing at the top of my lungs with the windows down.
3. I had an epiphany. A real life-changer.

It was really nice to go to Capitol Reef and have a family reunion with the descendants of my great grandparents on my mom's side.  My grandparents all passed away a while ago, but seeing my grandma's brothers and sister was a great experience.  I love learning from the older generation and just being with them.

Elliott and I

Today I was asked the question what is the most valuable advice my parents have given me.  I couldn't think of just one piece of advice, but there are lots of things my parents have taught me over the years.
1. "You get more bees with honey than with vinegar." My mom would always say this when I was acting up.  I would get more bees (privileges and blessings) when I was sweet and kind than when I was bitter and grumpy.  One of my all time favorite mom-quotes.  The real quote is flies, but I think my mom would say bees. Makes more sense with the honey anyways.
2. "Be like a duck." When a duck gets wet, the water rolls right off its back.  My parents would say that we needed to be like ducks when someone would say something mean or rude.  We needed to just let the mean comment just roll right off my back.
3. "Don't play sports on Sundays." When I was in middle school I was picked to be on the All-Star baseball game, but they were going to play on Sunday.  It was my first hard choice between doing what is right and what is fun.  I am glad my parents helped me make the right choice and not play.  That choice was one of the most fundamental in my life so far.

Life is good, even when bad things happen.

Sincerely, Brady

I Have the Best

Dear Diary,

I am going to brag in this post.  I need to tell everyone about something that only 2 people in the United States, including me, have.  I have the best sister in the world.  Megan Nicole Evans is the most determined, yet caring person I know.  I am privileged to have her as my sister.  This week we are having the Butt family reunion.  It will be for all of the descendants great-grandpa Butt, the sheriff I mentioned in an earlier post.  I am excited and happy to spend time with my incredible sister and family. 

On another note. The Book of Mormon is pretty awesome.  "Perfect love casteth out all fear."  Pure truth.  Everybody love everybody.

Sincerely,
Brady

Best Sis Ever

Things My Barber Told Me

Dear Blog,

Today was a really good day.  I am pretty tired, but happy too. I just watched USA lose in beach volleyball, but I am sure they will win the next time.  Anyways, when I was getting my hair cut today, my barber told me some interesting things.  We got on the subject of happiness and how someone can be happy even when things aren't working out the way they hoped.  Happiness is a choice.  Just as much as being offended or angry is a choice.  Choices are important.  So let's make good choices.

Sincerely, Brady

P.S. This post is for my little brother, Elliott.  Keep up the good work stud.

Elliott

Lists

Dear Blog,

Here are some lists of things I am working on.  They aren't finished.

Sincerely, Brady

Necessary To Do List
1. Prepare Sunday School lesson
2. Write paper for History of Creativity
3.

Things I am thankful for
1. Family
2. Education opportunities
3.

Food I want to eat right now
1. Hawaiian hay stacks
2. Anything chocolate
3.

Places I want to visit
1. Boundary Waters Wilderness Area
2. Home
3.

Goals for the week
1. Go to the family reunion
2. Prepare for finals
3.

Cook Book

Good evening readers,

What a wonderful day.  Rainy and sunny.  But now it is night.  I am working on a modern romantic style drawing right now.  I am taking my inspiration from Grant Wood and the rolling hills of Iowa.  I am also drinking a traditional Brazillian drink called chimarrao.  I have been thinking lots this week about moral responsibility.  But my time is short tonight. I have lots of drawing to do, so I will write a detailed post about duty and morals next time.  Maybe.  Here is a delicious recipe for Dutch Baby.  It's a family favorite for breakfast and is really easy to make.  Your kids will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed it when my mother cooked it on Sunday mornings. I will try my best to remember the steps.

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Take 1/3 cup melted butter and 4 eggs.
3. Beat them in the blender for 1 minute, exactly, no more, no less.
4. Add 1 cup milk and 1 cup flour to the blender.
5. Beat for 30 seconds. No more, no less.
6. Place in greased pan.
7. Back for 20-25 minutes.
8. Cut into pieces.
9. Serve with maple syrup.
10. Drink milk. Not orange juice because the o.j. will get really sour.

 Enjoy the wonderful start to your day.

P.S. I am going to try a series of different styles of blog posts in an effort to expand my audience.  This post is for the stay-at-home mothers who read my blog.

Sagacious Musings

Dear Blog,

I am in the same place as last time I wrote.  I think I found my new favorite blog-updating spot.  Also listening to Pandora. But listening to the Miike Snow station.  Today has been a really good day.  Very productive.  I woke up early to get to the library and have been here most of the day.  2 tests down. 1 to go.

Recently, I have had some penetrating and abstruse thoughts.  Most of these thoughts have been about keeping a journal.  I believe that it is something we all ought to do.  But few do it.  Why?

There are many reasons why people don't write in journals.  I'm too lazy.  Writing is hard.  My life isn't interesting enough.  I am a bad writer.  I don't have enough time.  All of these reasons are pretty pathetic.

Journal keeping is a wonderful hobby.  I find that when I am active in keeping up my journal entries, I am most likely to be living the Gospel.  I find more happiness throughout my day.  I see the blessings that come from making right choices.  I also see how many things I have to be thankful for.  I see how I respond to the challenges and trials in my life.  There are many benefits that come from writing in a journal.

A journal is more than just a list of the things you accomplish in a day.  It is your thoughts, feelings, testimony, and desires.  When I write in my journal, I include observations about the small details.  When people make a movie about my life, they will have plenty of information to use.  Sometimes I write my journal like it is a movie script, with scenes and stage directions.

I really like reading the stories about Dick Butt, the first sheriff of San Juan County Utah.  He is also one of my great, great, grandpas.  He protected the Mormon pioneers from the ruthless indians and cowboys back in the day.  I wouldn't know very much about him if it weren't for his journal.

San Juan County, Utah

Pres. Kimball said, "A journal is the literature of superiority.  Each individual can become superior in his own humble life."  I just have one question. Is a blog a journal?

Library Blogging

Dear Blog,

I am in the library.  2nd Floor.  In the Thomas F. Pierpont Study Area in the Engineering Sciences Section.  By Range 2.  Listening to Pandora.  Dashboard Confessional Station.  Life is good.

In the library

I wanted to share some thoughts I have had recently.  Water is better cold.  But not too cold.  Swimming is fun and so is eating goldfish crackers.  I like my Book of Mormon class, but not my Archaeology or History class.  I want to be a doctor. Or an astronaut.  Not a dancer.  Midwesterners are the best people in the United States.  Vitamin Water is better than regular water, but is more expensive.  I really like my new blog layout.  Thanks Erika and Serene.  Let's go swimming soon?  I enjoy seeing my roommate Kent when he is painting Campus Plaza.  He does a great job.

I was thinking about uploading my romance novel, "A Canadian Summer," but I will post my sonnet about Nephi's broken bow instead.  It is the first sonnet I have ever written.

The Broken Bow

Broken bow hath lost its springly fire

Hunting for beasts in the forest distant

No food did they obtain to brother's ire

They become to the Lord more resistant.

For lack of food the family is sad

The unfaithful members start to murmur,

Nephi's bow was the best they ever had

And their complaints only became firmer.

Out of wood, a bow, Nephi did fashion

To provide for his family some food.

To his father, he asked, "Which direction?"

Followed the advice, much food he accrued.

Those who humble themselves before the Lord

Always obtain benevolent reward.

     

Santa Loves Everyone

Let's do what is right and be good people.  

V-8 Splash

Just another lazy Saturday. I went swimming. And got sunburned on my shoulders. But my V-8 Splash refreshes me.  I haven't had classes since Monday.  I am on vacation in Provo, UT.  This week I met a gypsy. 

Good Evening

Today is a great day.  I finished my finals.  Right now my roommates and I are cleaning our apartment in preparation for cleaning checks tomorrow morning.  I can't wait for the weekend.  I am drinking a Yellow powerade.  Tastes like summer.  I had fajitas for lunch today. And dinner.  And lunch and dinner yesterday.  I made too much chicken.  Hopefully tomorrow is a good day. 

This is for Brooke

Good afternoon. I had classes this morning. And I finally figured out how to put pictures of my house onto the internet. I have been owing these pictures to Brooke for a really long time. So here goes.

 

As you can see, my house is kinda old.  The wood paneling is nice and retro though.  Hope you all are having a great summer in Bettendorf.  I am going to go swimming now.

Good Evenening Provo

I went swimming today.  The water was really cold.  But refreshing.  I should go to sleep. But here are some pictures to keep you awake for hours.

Good morning

So after eating lunch with my sister Megan and her friend Trina, I decided it was time to blog about my life.  I am such an interesting and unique person that other people can benefit from what I do on a day to day basis.  Today I had class.  But I slept through them.  For lunch I made Hamburger Helper Double Cheeseburger Macaroni.  Impeccable.  I am very tired.