In-N-Out of my life

A few months ago I stepped into the Five Guys for the first time and ate my first heavenly bacon cheeseburger (actually that is a fairly accurate vision of what I believe heaven to be) and super fresh and delicious fries. My life had been forever changed. At the same time I was surprised to find myself caught in the middle of an intense debate. Five Guys or In-N-Out? With nearly every visit to Five Guys I made, inevitably whoever I was with would bring up In-N-Out. It got to the point where I would even express my opinion on the subject even though I had never even tried In-N-Out. Even with my opinions I felt like I would be forever on the fringe of that eternal question.

Until now.

Just recently an In-N-Out was opened nearby, and quite honestly I was intrigued. I figured I would wait a week or so for the lines to die down then I would swoop in and finally be an active participant in the debate. My curiosity got the best of me however and just a day or two after the grand opening I found myself with some friends waiting in line.

The line moved surprisingly fast and everybody seemed excited. I could feel the anticipation building up. I was a little disappointed to find out that In-N-Out does not have bacon cheeseburgers but it wasn't that big of a deal. However when I asked the cashier if they had them she looked at me incredulously and asked if this was my first time eating at In-N-Out. When I replied that it was my first she seemed even more shocked, as if somehow I had never done anything that any reasonable human being does in life like eat, sleep, breathe. She asked me if I had never been on a road trip to California or even Las Vegas (which of course I have, I just never stopped at In-N-Out). She promised me that my life would be forever changed.

The moment of truth arrived and I tried my first combo at In-N-Out. I grabbed a fry and it quite honestly was not what I expected at all. Though I heard they were made fresh from potatoes in the back, it was quite honestly not even better than the fries at McDonalds or Wendy's. I had been anticipating an experience much closer to that offered by Five Guys (who also make their fries fresh from potatoes in front of you) but was sorely disappointed.

I moved onto the burger. There was nothing that special about it. I mean, it was good, but not rave-to-your-friends-and-tell-everyone-it-was-the-best-thing-ever good. I would rank it quite a bit higher than Wendy's but not even close to Five Guys. Finally as I moved onto the shake I thought to myself "Surely this must be why everyone seems to love In-N-Out." Once again disappointment struck it tasted rather syrupy and was not even close to what I anticipated.

While I am grateful I can finally step into the great debate, I find myself more confused than ever, not so much over which is better, but why does this question even exist in the first place? I stepped away from In-N-Out amazed that it could garner so much fanfare. It wasn't awful food, but it definitely does not even compete with Five Guys. How is it even possible then for there to be cars looped around waiting their turn and long lines of people stretching way past the entrance? I was reminded of Krispy Kreme's opening days in Utah. At the time, I thought, "surely they cannot make a doughnut that is THAT good," but found myself pleasantly surprised when I finally tried one. Only with In-N-Out there really was nothing special. I feel like maybe it is a big joke like the Emperor's New clothes, but when will it finally be revealed that it is one?

After the whole ordeal In-N-Out Burger does deserve some recognition. Its like one of those moments when you see an ugly guy with a very attractive girl. I mean the guy deserves a congratulations for whatever he did just as In-N-Out deserves some credit for garnering such large crowds with such mediocre food. So, I guess here's to you In-N-Out Burger!

Google Analytics

One of my biggest hang ups about writing in a blog is that I just have never thought that anyone would ever read it. To me writing in a blog was just like writing in a journal that you know could possibly be read by your parents or complete strangers, but probably wasn't going to be read by anyone. Thus this blog has sat here for months and months as a forgotten tribute to a writing class that I had spring semester.

That is, until today (perhaps...), all thanks to google analytics. I've been wanting to play around with it for sometime now and it's actually pretty neat. It gives detailed information about the number of visitors that come to visit your site. I was surprised to discover that a few days after I published my last post that I actually had visitors (8 yesterday)... I know I know, I'm not about to be listed as one of the top sites on the web, but it does give me a little bit of external motivation to post about my life and such. So thanks Google Analytics. Now maybe those eight visits will finally start to get new things to read on a more frequent basis...

Our House

Just some pictures of our house if anyone is interested....

General Conference Part 2....

Yesterday in a teacher's meeting at the MTC we were given the opportunity to share what we learned in General Conference and apply it to our work in the MTC. When asked the question I could not honestly think of a single thing that stood out to me (it was obvious that a couple other teachers suffered the same lapse). It got me thinking what did I really learn in Conference anyway? Was it nothing more than a relaxing weekend?
Fortunately thanks to modern day technology just a few days after the actual conference was over you could already read the talks and listen to them as well. I took the time to review just a few talks and happily I did pay attention (though I did doze off through a couple talks, oops!). As I reviewed a few of the talks I was reminded of a few things that I did learn and I learned a few new things myself. I decided to go through and post just a couple of my favorite moments of General Conference:

I absolutely loved Elder Holland's talk on the atonement. His telling of the story of Christ's sacrifice for us was absolutely a beautiful and comforting tribute. This part of the talk was especially moving:
With all the conviction of my soul I testify that He did please His Father perfectly and that a perfect Father did not forsake His Son in that hour. Indeed, it is my personal belief that in all of Christ’s mortal ministry the Father may never have been closer to His Son than in these agonizing final moments of suffering. Nevertheless, that the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence. It was required; indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing had to know how the rest of humankind—us, all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone.

I was also very impressed by President Uchtdorf's analogy with the burnt out light bulb that he gave in priesthood. It helped me to consider perhaps some things in my life that had taken priority over more pressing matters.

Elder Hale's talk about being careful with money was especially applicable to me. I liked this quote a lot:
"I have learned that the three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are “We can’t afford it.”"

One of the first talks I looked at was Elder Scott's talk. It was unfortunately one of the ones I had slept through in the initial airing. My dad and Jess both told me it was one of their favorites, so I did get a chance to listen to it. I agree with them. It helped me to better appreciate the covenants I have made in the temple and makes me want to be better at keeping them more fully.


So overall I'm grateful for conference and I'm grateful for the wake up call I had at the teacher's meeting. Hopefully I can keep this conference fresh in my mind until the next one!

General Conference

I woke up this morning at 7:00 am and I thought what a fantastic morning! Then slowly as it sunk in that I had class in an hour. Ugh. This weekend was so relaxing that somehow it just slipped my mind that I still have a couple weeks of school.
General Conference was amazing. Jess and I went up to Midway to spend it with my parents. Saturday was a little chilly, but we had some fun staying inside playing the Wii between sessions. We also got to take a quick dip in the hot tub/pool. After priesthood Dad and I went to get some dinner, we tried a new barbecue place close to Heber, unfortunately they were out of ribs, sausage, garlic mashed potatoes, and half of their menu; in spite of all the missing menu items I must say that the pulled pork was simply spectacular.
Sunday's weather was gorgeous, we went on a nice walk between sessions and it felt so good! Overall it was a fantastic weekend it was nice to take a break and get to listen to God's servants and enjoy a nice relaxing weekend with family. It was a little sad driving home and coming back to the real world. Another 2 weeks... I can make it....

Jessica's Side of the Story

Editor's note: here Jessica takes a turn at telling the events of our engagement. Hope you all enjoy!

Oh my goodness I'm engaged!! I still can't even believe this is real. It feels like a dream! I am so happy and so unbelievably lucky to be engaged to the love of my life! Okay, so here's the story…
Matt took me to Magelby’s for dinner on Valentine's Day. While we waited for our seats, Matt took me to Buckle and bought me the cutest sweater and a beautiful necklace. He is just the sweetest. I love him :)
Dinner was amazing and it was just perfect. He's so wonderful. After dinner, Matt asked me if I wanted to go to "our tree." (Our first kiss was in "our tree" just an FYI). I was like, “well it's pretty cold, but okay.” Matt was so clever and made it seem as if it was my idea as well. I was so oblivious that night. wow. ;)
Matt had to stop at his apartment to use the restroom – well, really to get the ring I didn't even know he had. He carried me through the snow to our tree. When we were in the tree, Matt kissed me and started playing with my hands. He reached into his jacket, got the ring, and slipped it onto my ring finger. At first I didn't think much of it because Matt always puts my CTR ring onto my ring finger just to tease me I guess. So it took me a minute to realize that my CTR ring was still on my right hand! I was so confused for those few seconds. I finally realized that the ring on my left hand was an engagement ring! I was seriously in shock. I was so surprised! I never thought Matt would purpose to me on Valentine's Day!
I pretty much started hyperventilating and then he asked me to marry him. I just started bawling. I finally found the words to speak and said yes! I just couldn't stop laughing! And crying! And laughing and crying! It was the most happy moment of my life. Matt is so wonderful and I'm just so blessed to be a part of his life! I can't wait to marry him! That same night we went to tell our roommates and our families. What a happy day!!
So how did I get so lucky?? I get to spend the rest of forever with Matthew Robertson . . . :) I am so in love, so incredibly happy and truly blessed.

Jessica has a ring.

Though its still very hard for even me to believe, the rumors are true; I'm engaged! That still sounds a little funny, let me say it again. I'm engaged! That's a little bit better.
This Valentine's Day I asked Jessica Diane Black to marry me. After we started to announce it to people I was surprised to hear quite a few people say, "I knew you were going to propose today." Because honestly, even I didn't know I was going to propose when I woke up that morning.
I got up a little earlier than I normally would on Saturday to make Jess a special Valentine's Day breakfast. After breakfast her dad stopped by to pick up a DVD slide show Jess had been helping him make for his wife for Valentine's Day. I had been planning to ask her to marry me during the next week and had been fretting about when I would be able to get a hold of her dad to ask him for permission. As Jess was getting ready to leave to go to work I realized what a great opportunity I had.
She and her dad left at about the same time, so, as soon as she was out of sight I quickly called her dad and asked him to come back. As he was coming back I quickly began to formulate in my mind the most eloquent way to ask for permission. As he sat down I nervously stammered my request. I still don't know how he understood me; the eloquent question I had come up was not the same that came out of my mouth. He granted me permission and we talked for a bit. After we got done I was elated.
To this point I still had no intentions to ask her to marry me that day, in fact I wasn't even sure what we were going to do for dinner that night. As I went to work I started to think about my plans for that night and I began to consider the idea. I got home from work thrilled at the prospect of asking her to marry me. I told Lance and Clay, my roommates and was surprised by their response. Lance told me that I shouldn't and Clay agreed, but was a little more supportive. With my hopes dashed I consigned myself to just a nice dinner at Magleby's that night.
I picked her up and we patiently waited for a table at the love-packed restaurant. We talked as we waited and were finally escorted to our table. The night was fabulous and I began to think that there would not be a more perfect time for the proposal. As we drove back to the apartment I suggested that we stop by our favorite tree and the spot of our first kiss (yes our first kiss was in a tree, maybe they should write a song about it).
Now, I thought she would surely know my intentions but was pleasantly surprised to see that she was oblivious. I told her I needed to stop by my apartment to go to the bathroom. I slipped the ring in my pocket and was ready. We drove to our tree and we trudged through the snow to the base and we climbed up. As we were sitting there I held her hand. I reached into my pocket and kissed her, slipping the ring unto her finger. It took her a second to realize what was happening and I don't really think I knew what was happening either. I asked her to marry me and, after what felt like an eternity, she said "yes!"
It was definitely a night to remember and I'm glad things worked out because it was far better than I could have even imagined. We came back to our apartments and Lance realized that I was right all along. We then proceeded to our homes to tell our families. It was pretty exciting; especially watching Jess jump up and down holding onto her mom for 10 minutes. So its true. I am engaged and it just so happens to be to the most wonderful girl in the world.

Why in the world would I have a blog?

One of the questions I have often had in life is why Blog? I possibly had not asked that to myself until a certain class where we received the assignment to start a Blog. At first the assignment didn't excite me very much but then I realized it would be a perfect excuse since I haven't written in a journal since I got home from my mission over 6 months ago. So for at least the next 3 months I will be able to keep track a little bit of my life....