Vegas and some thoughts

Went to Vegas this past weekend with my friends Thomas, Mac, and Mitch. We swam, we raced really fast go-karts, we went to the strip, we went to the outlet malls, we ate out, we swam some more, (they) played basketball and scooterball, we swam some more, I converted them to the ridiculousness of The Bachelorette (hehe) and, while we were out for an "evening stroll", we were yelled at by some old, gruff geezer who was holding something long and black who wanted to know "what the bleep we were doing?!"

Me, to myself, while shaking in my flip flops: "GULP. Is that a gun he's holding?"

Nah, it was a cane.  Much less threatening. We told him we didn't know it was private property (It was a plot of tumbleweed-filled desert with a lot of junk, like old tires and tin cans and worthless crap like that, geez) and that we would leave. So we bailed.

Anyway, because I know these boys well, I knew before the trip that they would want to be entertained the whole weekend--something I don't do when I go home. I go home to relax. And do just about nothing (which I did for the day and a half that the boys were in CA for an old roommate's wedding). But it turned out to be a super fun weekend. Michael, I wish you could have been there with us!

I also got to spend some good quality time with my mom before she left for the Dominican Republic to do humanitarian work, and also with my dad. I sure love my parents. They are good, Christian people and want what's best for me. I'm so grateful for my relationships with them.

This summer I've been able to read some great books, including The Life of Pi and Cold Sassy Tree and These is My Words. All really great books. I am reading These is My Words right now, and it is probably my favorite of the books I have read this summer. Last night I read from 12:30 to 2:30 in the morning; I couldn't put that book down. The author does an incredible job of really attaching you to characters. I've also made some new discoveries while reading scriptures, which is always cool. I'm thankful for books. They offer so much. And they keep me from watching an entire season of LOST in one day.

Lately I've gone through a period of some serious introspection. Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being." Evaluating myself--my habits, my beliefs, my behaviors toward others, my goals--though disappointing at times, is necessary for me. It helps me to be a better person. And, interestingly enough, my introspection helps me think about how I can be better at considering others and their perspectives, their needs, their beliefs. And there's always room for improvement.

Overall, though, life is good.

That's all for now.