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