2 years, 8 months

I can't believe I'm already starting a countdown... UNBELIEVEABLE. haha this is gonna be the longest more than 2 and a half years of my life. But, on the plus time, more time to prepare :] Anyway, just wanted to post a few pics from the adventures of summer term at BYU! it was an ABSOLUTE blast! From primping days, to rebel streaks, to hiking, to tye dye and rock climbing, there was hardly a boring moment. I can't wait to go back in the fall!

Live so that...

So I just switched the name of my blog to "Because they know YOU." This may seem like a random little phrase, but really it comes from the end of one of my favorite quotes. The quote is, "LIVE SO THAT, those who know YOU but don't know him, will want to know him because they know YOU." This is one of my faves because it is one of my main goals in life-to bring people to Christ and the gospel. That's one of the things that has really hit me as I've been at BYU this summer. You need to live your life so that people know who you are and what you stand for. It's like what it says in Alma 5:14, "Have you received his image in your countenance?" This should be our goal. That and to "stand as witnesses of God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places." [Mosiah 18:9] I know that if we strive to do this in our lives we will be greatly blessed! The church is true! I never thought I'd say it, but, I LOVE UTAH! I really hope I can stay down here and go to school here in the winter. We'll see. I love BYU so much. This summer was sooo much fun. I met AMAZING people that I know will be great friends well into the future. Its weird that the guys are starting to leave on their mishs. Like a lot of them aren't coming back for fall because they're leaving in August or October, or are turning their papers in and will be gone before December hits. I love it though. If anything, I'm jealous. I still have 2 years 8 months and 2 days. haha. Oh man, this countdown is worst than my 16th birthday countdown. I'm sure it'll be here before I know it though. Can't wait!!! TTFN ~Pono

CARPE DIEM: SEIZE THE DAY.

So I was watching The Dead Poet's Society with my family tonight and its a great movie. If you haven't watched it lately, I highly suggest it. Anyway, its so inspiring to watch this movie and make the changes in your life to live the life you love. To make use of your time on earth, cause there's not really that much. Anyway, the movie, for those of you who are not familiar with it, has a sad ending. Tragic in fact. I cried for about half an hour after the movie. But here's the thing: it is possibly THE MOST inspirational movie ever. It's amazing. There's this fantastic message that comes from the English professor of this ivy league school [played by Robin Williams]. His message that he shares with all his students is "Carpe Diem" to "seize the day." His message is to use the time we have to do things we love and are passionate about. To not waste time being "normal" and trying to conform. So, although the movie is more or less a tragedy, I believe that the boys who changed their lives by seizing the day ended up getting more out of their lives than they would of had they not listened to this inspired English professor. I also believe this to be true of our own lives. Sure that may mean taking more risks, being called a freak, getting hurt. However, in the end, I believe that living this principle of "CARPE DIEM" will make all the difference. Always remember "Oh Captain, My Captain." SEIZE THE DAY! Do things you are passionate about, not things that will make you accepted in the world today. The Church is true! Carpe Diem. Until next time.

Find the Joy in your Life

So, I don't exactly know what inspired me to do this, but I decided to start a blog. I've heard a lot about them, and decided I wanted to try it out myself, so w/o further adieu, here goes. I've been thinking a lot about Elder Eyring's talk from General Conference a couple years back entitled, "Write it Down" so I'm going to try to follow through with that here. I will still try to write things down in my other journal as well. Anyway, so one of today's many blessings was blue sky and sunshine. It's been snowing a lot lately and j/ melted last week, so I've been excited to have my wonderful rainy Washington weather back. However, today was amazinggg. First of all, it snowed last night. Not a lot, but about an inch. Snow is beautiful by itself. The white glistening trees, the undisturbed winter ground, and the silence that follows immediatly after snow fall. Today was especially amazing however, because not only had the snow come, but the sun was out and the sky was blue with huge fluffy cumulous nimbus clouds. It was gorgeous. I was also able to watch the Bucket List which was a fabulous movie. At the end there was a letter from one character to another, and the basic message of it was to, "Find the Joy in your Life." This is my goal for everyday. The Church is true! Happy 2009!

Love, Pono