PROM!!!



(who's that handsome dude?)

(pretty classy, don'tcha think?)

Oh man... Where to start?  Prom was on Saturday, and it was amazing. :D  So the dance was okay, the food was pretty good, the dressing up was fun... but all paled in comparison to being in the company of an adorable girl. ;)  I can't really say much about it! (I was pretty much in a happy daze the entire time)  I dressed up, went to her house to take pictures, took her to a fancy restaurant for dinner, went to prom, bought milkshakes at Denny's then ended the night with a romantic kiss under her porch-light.  All in all?  Any other night can't even begin to compare to this one. :D  I can't even begin to express how happy I am. *blissful sigh*



(can I get any luckier?)



Relationships: Pros and Cons

WELL IT'S BEEN A WHILE.  And quite a few things have happened, let me tell you.  But recently?  One of the biggest?  After eighteen years, as of last weekend, I am no longer a confirmed bachelor! :D  I still can't get used to the fact that I have a GIRFRIEND now (and a pretty darn awesome one at that).  It's kind of weird to think about. >.>  But what EXACTLY does being in a relationship imply?  Knowing myself, what all can I expect to see in my personal interactions and thoughts?

PROS:
- Well for one, let me tell you that hand-holding is awfully fun. ;)  Even that small bit of contact with that significant other is enough to get my heart racing almost immediately. (even though it may inhibit my habit of talking with my hands ;)
- I don't have to worry about impressing anyone else but her.  Whereas in the single stage, I have to be on my best behavior for everyone who I'm possibly "interested" in.  I have to look my best, think of clever or witty statements, and try to charm all possible relationship options.  Now that compulsion is gone, and I only have to look and act my best for her.
- She is a constant source of communication.  No matter whether I'm feeling happy, upset, confused, or irritated; no matter whether I want to rant about something that happened, or show her a funny article; no matter whether I want to talk serious or lighthearted...she's always there.  I never have a lack of a person to talk to and get good advice from.  Which actually brings me up to the only item in my cons list.

CONS:
- I CAN'T TALK TO HER.  I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME.  Here's the MAIN problem I've come to realize I have with girls I like.  When I first get to know them, everything is perfect.  I can think of endless topics, enjoy witty banter, and be the perfect friend!  But then when I realize I've developed feelings for them, I get awkward.  AWKWARD.  AND THE WORST THING IS IT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.  Whenever I see her, my mind goes blank.  She tries to start a conversation, and it goes for a few minutes until dwindling out and dying.  Inside my head I'm screaming to myself, "TALK TO HER YOU IDIOT!!  YOU LIKE HER!!  MAKE HER LAUGH!!" while on the outside I become a recluse. *headdesk*  I don't know if it's because some subconscious part of me realizes how much this girl means to me and doesn't want to mess it up with a stupid statement.  But even a stupid statement would be better than awkward silence. >.>

*big sigh*  It looks like I'm either Leaf Conybear who doesn't mind making a complete fool of himself, or Mr. Darcy who takes relationships with the utmost seriousness.  Now if only I could find a way to combine the two and become the perfect boyfriend.  Because I can guarantee you, if I don't find a way to make face to face conversations fun again (and fast), I'm going to lose this amazing girl.  And that's the last thing I want to happen.

How to See a Woman

While I was doing my browsing on Facebook, something caught my eye.  This was written by a pastor for Christ's Community Church and I loved it so much, I couldn't resist re-posting.  Here is what a true man ought to feel in regards to the opposite sex.

"Someday I am going to have to have the conversation with my son. No, not the conversation all parents dread giving and all kids are mortified having. I enjoy making people uncomfortable, so that conversation should be fun.
No, I’m talking about another conversation. The one that happens after I catch his eye doing what male eyes do well — following an object of lust. We will probably be out at the mall, because that’s what dads do with their sons, and I’ll catch the look. Maybe we’ll go to the beach and see it. Doesn’t matter where it is. There will come a time when I will see it. And then it will be time for this conversation.
Hey, come here. Let me talk to you. I saw you look at her. I’m not judging you or shaming you. I know why you did. I get it. But we have to talk about it because how you look at a woman matters.
A lot of people will try and tell you that a woman should watch how she dresses so she doesn’t tempt you to look at her wrongly. Here is what I will tell you. It is a woman’s responsibility to dress herself in the morning. It is your responsibility to look at her like a human being regardless of what she is wearing. You will feel the temptation to blame her for your wandering eyes because of what she is wearing — or not wearing. But don’t. Don’t play the victim. You are not a helpless victim when it comes to your eyes. You have full control over them. Exercise that control. Train them to look her in the eyes. Discipline yourself to see her, not her clothes or her body. The moment you play the victim, you fall into the lie that you are simply embodied reaction to external stimuli unable to determine right from wrong, human from flesh.
Look right at me. That is a ridiculous lie.
You are more than that. And the woman you are looking at is more than her clothes. She is more than her body. There is a lot of talk about how men objectify women, and largely, it is true. Humans objectify the things they love in effort to control them. If you truly love a person, do not reduce them to an object. The moment you objectify another human — woman or man — you give up your humanity.
There are two views regarding a woman’s dress code that you will be pressured to buy into. One view will say that women need to dress to get the attention of men. The other view will say women need to dress to protect men from themselves. Son, you are better than both of these. A woman, or any human being, should not have to dress to get your attention. You should give them the full attention they deserve simply because they are a fellow human being. On the other side, a woman should not have to feel like she needs to protect you from you. You need to be in control of you.
Unfortunately, much of how the sexes interact with each is rooted in fear. Fear of rejection, fear of abuse, fear of being out of control. In some ways, the church has added to this. We fear each other because we have been taught the other is dangerous. We’ve been a taught a woman’s body will cause men to sin. We’re told that if a woman shows too much of her body men will do stupid things. Let’s be clear: A woman’s body is not dangerous to you. Her body will not cause you harm. It will not make you do stupid things. If you do stupid things, it is because you chose to do stupid things. So don’t contribute to the fear that exists between men and women.
A woman’s body is beautiful and wonderful and mysterious. Respect it by respecting her as an individual with hopes and dreams and experiences and emotions and longings. Let her be confident. Encourage her confidence. But don’t do all this because she is weaker. That’s the biggest bunch of crap out there. Women are not weaker than men. They are not the weaker sex. They are the other sex.
I’m not telling you to not look at women. Just the opposite. I’m telling you to see women. Really see them. Not just with your eyes but with your heart. Don’t look to see something that tickles your senses, but see a human being.
My hope is that changing how you see women will change how you are around them. Don’t just be around women. Be with women.
Because in the end, they want to be with you. Without fear of being judged, or shamed, or condemned, or objectified or being treated as other. And that’s not just what women want. That’s what people want.
Ultimately, it’s what you want."

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 87

Last day of Summer! And what did I do?  Spent most of it cleaning...but it's all good because the house looks much better now. ;)  Zach and I also had lunch with Alexa and Eryn, so that was fun and all.  It's nice to see all these friends again. :)  But yeah!  There was my day!

*pause*

Whoa....  I did it... That passed by quickly. O.o  And to think that I actually made it!!!  I posted in this blog EVERY single day that I went through this Summer!!!  You have no idea how happy I am right now. :'D 
Well it's been a fun time; filled with all sorts of new adventures and experiences, but I am very ready for school now.  So here marks the end of the Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness and onwards to School Escapades! :D

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 86

Finally!  Internet!  After over a week of not being able to post on this blog, Mom goes and gets the internet back. :D  Now to just remember what happened these last couple days...

Well as for THIS day, we finally started the dancing stuff back up again.  So at first we did clogging where we learned an entire intermediate routine in about two hours.  You want to talk about satisfying?  Because when you can complete a routine like that with only a few mistakes, then you know the meaning of that word. ;)  Afterwards Sabrina, Katie, Zach, Zion, and I all took a walk around Wal-Mart and the outdoors to get away from the mess that still is our house.  I honestly don't think that it's going to get cleaned anytime soon.  Especially with school starting. *headdesk*
OH!  Speaking of school starting, we all got registered today!  And I got my schedule for this year.  I actually am really excited to get started on it. :D

Period 1  ~  Guitar

Period 2  ~  Film Literature

Period 3  ~  Concert Choir

Period 4  ~  Chemistry

Period 5  ~  AP Calculus

Period 6  ~  Seminary

Online Classes
~ U.S. History
~ U.S. Government
~ Gothic Literature

So I'm going to be busy, but it's going to be worth it. :)
Then this evening we did dance practice and reviewed over dances we're going to be doing at the State Fair this Friday.  And here we have to learn several routines in just a few days. O.o  Wish us luck!

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 85

So apparently today was Stake Conference instead of regular church schedule.  I have to say though, I didn't really pay any attention to the talks whatsoever.  Instead I was playing with all the little kids around me who belonged to other families.  When I was coloring a little paper thing I made with crayons, I was wondering if this is the reason I haven't been growing lately.  Maybe because my mind refuses to keep maturing, my body is as well. ;)

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 84

Zach is back!  And is he ever excited to be so. :)  After spending the day clearing out our garage full of stuff into the driveway to sort through, we celebrated his return by heading over to a tri-stake dance going on.  And I must admit, with my gold tie and suspenders contrasting my black shirt and pants; I was looking quite fine. ;)  The dance was a lot of fun. :D  I'm wondering if it had partly to do with the fact that it was the first church dance I had been to for months, and if I was feeling a bit deprived. *thoughtful look*  It's definitely a possibility.

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 83

Finally finished the room today!  And man does it look different. O.o  After converting the bunk bed into two separate beds, then clearing out all the junk and organizing the bookshelves and closet; I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. *smug look*  Zach's supposed to come in at two in the morning, so I'll see him when I wake up tomorrow.

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 82

All I did today was clean my room.  That's it.  It's not even done yet!  But, alas... It must be done before Zach arrives tomorrow night, so at least he can have a clean haven among the discord that is the rest of our house right now.  Heck, I'm looking forward to having a junk free place of refuge!

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 81

HOME AT LAST.  Ironically the longest part of our 3000 mile jot up here was the final two hours.  You're SO close but not close enough! I nearly went out of my mind. >.>  But it's all okay now!  I swear I took over an hour in the bathroom transforming myself back into a human being again. ;)  However now that we're home; here comes the fun part of cleaning our house. *wary look*  We moved everything from the trailer inside, and now there's practically no room to move!  We are literally climbing over and under furniture to get into the kitchen. *headdesk*  And to think that my friend, Zach, is moving up from Texas to spend his senior year up here; and is going to share a bedroom with me!  I hope he doesn't freak out the moment he see's how crazy our house is. ::)

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 80

I took a look in the mirror at a bathroom gas station today.  You know what I resemble now?  One of those truckers you see making thousand mile long journeys.  I mean I've got the greasy hair, oily skin, scruffy beard, and crumpled clothes.  I must say, I looked quite the sight. O.o  I can't WAIT to go shower the moment we get home!

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 79

All day on the highway.  What more is there to say?  Trees, grass, and lots of wildlife like buffalo, deer, and goats.  It was nice being out in the middle of nowhere for those parts because the animals weren't afraid of being pretty darn close to the car.  Perfect picture opportunity. ;)

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 78

Sunday on the road.  Mom decided that she wanted to stop by this little town in the middle of Canada to go to church!  I took one look in the mirror with my greasy non-washed hair, and immediately declined her offer of joining her. ::)  So the rest of the day passed by driving, reading scriptures, and discussing deeply religious topics with mother dearest.  Could have gone worse. :)

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 77

And so we're off!  The beginning of our road trips started today. *dramatic music*  Actually, it's not that dramatic at all.  Nothing really to talk about.  I found a few books from my childhood that I spent a few hours reading and thinking fondly of those days.  OH!  We also saw a stray cow on the road at a gas station!  Where Alaska has moose, Idaho has cows I suppose.  It was just weird for me to see that. >.>  As for our mileage; currently we've passed through Utah and Idaho and have just reached the border of Montana.  300 miles knocked off our 3000 mile trip. *frazzled look*  Hopefully I'll have kept my sanity in check by the time we reach Alaska. O.o

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 76

Though the dance camp is over and done with, no sleeping in for me today!  Why?  Because I had a hot date!  Remember Amberlyn?  The one I met from CEO Space a few weeks ago?  Well guess where she lives?  Turns out, not far from where I'm staying at in Utah. :)  So it took hardly any effort to contact her and schedule a fun three hour date in Salt Lake City while Mom finished up the packing for our trip.

....it wasn't three hours...

....it wasn't even five hours....

....want to know how long it lasted?....

....Twelve hours later Mom picked us back up....

Twelve hours.

TWELVE HOURS.

Now don't get the wrong idea.  These twelve hours were probably the funnest and funniest I have had all summer. XD  SO.  What did we do?  Lets start from the beginning!

~Picked up smoothies for breakfast
   It was perfectly nutritious and filling.  Stop worrying. ;)

~Walked around Temple Square
   In the summertime in Utah, Temple Square is breathtakingly beautiful.  Though with a cute girl by my side, I wasn't paying much attention to the flowers and trees and beautiful scenery. ;)

~Took a tour inside the Conference Center
   The tour guide was actually all to ourselves!  It was fun talking with her while walking around the largest auditorium in America.  Though she DID at first think we were together.  I honestly wonder how many people thought we were married today.  This IS Utah after all. ;)

~Danced on the streets
   Or more like the sidewalks I suppose.  You know those stores that play music outside?  Well as we passed by each one, we spontaneously started dancing.  And not even proper dancing with each other.  More like the flail your arms in the air, dance like no one is watching you type of dancing. The looks we got...XD

~Set up residence in Barnes and Nobles
   As we were strolling along the outdoor mall, we saw a Barnes and Nobles.  Being the giant bookworms we both are; neither of us could stop each other from being pulled in by it's enchanting rows of books and musty smell of new and old pages.  Honestly.  Best smelling store I've EVER been in?  Barnes and Nobles.  No questions asked.  In there we took to moving from section to section dramatically reading the backs of every book that looked slightly entertaining.  It got interesting when we happened across those cheap romance novels. XD  Two hours later we walked out; only drawn away by our increasing need for food (cheesy corndogs anyone?).

~Visited a tie/vest/suspender store
   I was in heaven.  That's really all that needs to be said.  It was at that moment, looking at all those expensive articles of clothing, that I decided this was the reason I wanted to be rich.  So I could have a wardrobe that looks just like this store. ;)  However before leaving I could help but treat myself to some sparkly gold suspenders.  And let me tell you; I wore them for the rest of the day. XD  With my shorts, T-shirt, and suspenders, like Amberlyn pointed out, I looked like I was wearing Lederhosen. *shakes with mirth*  And if you think I got weird looks before...

~Invaded several clothing stores
   Invaded is the right word too.  Basically Amberlyn and I had that game of "How ridiculous can I make you look with the clothes in this shop?"  It got very entertaining, very fast. *cracks up thinking about it*  Several times I looked like a cross dresser/hooker and she looked like an avid football fan/one directioner.  We had to keep switching stores though to keep them from calling the mall police. ;)

~Chilled in a health place
   Have you ever been in a store where there's all of these things that are supposed to make you feel better?  Such as massage chairs, special headphones, plush beds, or vibrating machines?  Where they all were available for free trial runs?  After a long day of walking on concrete; this place was divine.  And since we were the only customers actually there, they let us stay for a super long time!  Like; a SUPER long time.  I don't think my shoulders have actually ever felt this good before. ;)

~Talked.  A lot
   This actually belongs in every single activity listed above.  And interspersed between as well.  The thing about Amberlyn is that she has so much in common with me, we never run out of things to talk about.  This part was probably the best part of the date.  Just being able to talk with her. :D

Well Mom finally finished and picked us up and that was that.  So yeah!  There you go!  It's really going to be hard to top a date like that... but I'm definitely up to the challenge. ;)

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 75

Performance day!  And what a performance it was!  Sadly for copyright issues I can't post the videos we took of my drop dead amazing performances...but I can tell you they went perfectly. *happy nod*  With an advanced Waltz and an intermediate II Paso Doble, I enjoyed this last day more than the others combined.  Probably because I had made a bunch of good friends by this point.  That always helps. ;)  After all the students performed however, was when the true showcase began.  Our teachers; Russian couple Peter, and Alexandria, gave us the honor of watching them dance.  And wow. O.o  Just wow.  If I didn't have an idol before, I do now.  Man, they can MOVE!  Talk about light as a feather, graceful as a swan, and fancy feet all combined into one!  Their dancing was quite literally entrancing.  Of course they got a standing ovation for every piece they did.
But then everything took a sadder turn of events after it ended, for that was when everyone had to say goodbye.  This is the big disadvantage to going to these camps.  Because even though you meet people from all over the place; when it's time to leave, everyone is, well... all over the place.  You're never going to find the same group of people in the same place at the same time until we all die and in the Celestial kingdom we're all like, "Hey!  I remember you from that 2013 dance camp!"
So I said my goodbyes to old friends like Emma and Thomas, and to my new friends like Steven and Rebecca (total crush of the week there), and to anyone else who felt like having a hug at that time. ;)  I'm so going to save up the money to come back here next year!

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 74

While waltzing around in the advanced class today, I happened to discover that the girl I was dancing with was a national champion for dancing jive and quickstep.  Do you know how long she had been dancing?  Two or three years. *stunned pause*  Talk about intensive learning. O.o  But you know, when I learn that, I figure that with enough work, I too can become a master ballroomer in a short time.  Something to strive for, right? ;)
Tonight was the youth dance for the camp!  Exciting, yes?  A bunch of other ballroom dancers in a stake dance sort of thing sounds like a blast to me!  Unfortunately BYU camp politics got in the way.  At least that's how it was explained to me.  Since I was off campus and not staying in the dorms, I wasn't able to go.  So instead I went to the BYU bookstore.  Let me tell you how much I love that place. :D  Three stories filled with anything you could possibly want, and so many good books you don't know where to start!  But today instead of going straight to the fantasy section like I usually do, I instead decided I was feeling in a more philosophical mood.  So I spent a good chunk of money buying three important items.

Man's Search for Meaning
   Though a short read, from the small amount I've gotten through so far, this book has so many priceless quotes it's crazy.  It's like something I'd read for an English or psychology class, but so good that I'm willing to spend time on it during the summer.

War and Peace
    A classic!  Or so I've been told...  I got this book specifically with the long road trip ahead in my mind.  Even if it IS difficult to get through; at least I'll have something to do rather than be bored 17 hours every day. ;)

Journal
    Yup.  That's probably the big one in this group of books.  I got an actual hard cover journal!  I'm hoping the fact that it looks pretty official will keep me writing in it. ;)  You might ask, "Why are you writing in another journal when you have this one online?"  But the fact of the matter is that, unfortunately I can't put everything I'd like to online and still be viewed in the same way.  I mean, what all with crushes, people who irritate me, situations I don't want out in the public eye...  Some things I just can't put on here.  Wish me luck though!  Hopefully I'll have better luck keeping this solid life journal than others I've started. ;)

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 73

So today in ballroom I decided I would up my game and move to the Advanced classes in Waltz and Swing.  Because, those are the two dances that I've been doing for forever. :)  And you know what?  I didn't do half that bad!  The thing about this ballroom workshop is that they teach you sequences of dances.  They don't teach you the individual moves and how to tie them together, but more like a dance routine sort.  Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing, but it's just not my favorite type of teaching style.  I like it whole lot better when I'm taught individual moves that I can freestyle with in Stake dances and the like. *shrugs* But I suppose I'll pull through these next two days. ;)
This was our day to go hang out at the water park Seven Peaks!  I hung out with a large group of teenagers... So basically all we did was make fools of ourselves. XD

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 72

So we started out on our super long 9 hour road trip to Utah really early this morning.  I don't remember much of the actual trip since I was sleeping most of the way... But I got up in time for the last half of the ballroom dance class today when we finally reached Provo.  And guess who I saw there??  As I was learning the Tango, I just happened to turn towards the door. And just then, I saw my super good friend, Emma walk in! :D  My mind about blew in astonishment.  This girl had been a buddy in AK before she had to go move down to Idaho.  I haven't seen her for around three years, so to meet her in the BYU ballroom dance room was amazing. *giant grin*
The rest of the day was spent catching up with Emma and making a lot of new friends.  For one, there was a TON of Alaska people there!  I kept on running into them and I was all like, "Whoa!  I'm not alone!"  I have a feeling that this ballroom camp will be so much better than the modern one was earlier in the summer.
After our classes ended for the day, Mom and I headed back to the Shelton's house again where I spent a few hours playing with the younger kids (of course).  But now I am tired and ready for bed, so here's Mason, signing off!

Super Amazing Vacation of Awesomeness: Day 71

Woke up at around 2:00pm today... Though to be fair, getting back home at 4:00am last night had a large part to play in that. ;)  Basically all I did today was pack and spend some well spent time with Cameron watching Slenderman videos.  But now as I look at the time (11:08pm) I'm bracing myself for the all nighter drive Mom and I are going to have to do to reach Utah in time for my ballroom dance classes tomorrow. O.o Wish us luck!