T- Minus 11 and counting

The countdown has begun. I feel almost as if I am one of the characters from Apollo 13 making my way to the shuttle. Who knows what lies before us on the upcoming journey. So many uncertainties, but so much fun at the same time. However; we wont be walking on the moon, but rather on the streets of cities such as Brussels, Rome, Amsterdam, and Vienna. I feel that I am locked in with the rest of the crew on the upcoming mission. Courtney and Alex Smith, and Blake Barcus. We're ready and the final preparations are being made.

• Backpack- Check
• Hygiene products- Check
• Towel and blankets- Check and check
• Tickets- Check
• Reservations for hostels- Check
• Clothes- Check(For Ryan and Alex at least)

Before we know it we'll be on a plane via Switzerland to brave other countries and people for 19 days. A little nerve racking when you think about it, and definitely getting more and more scary as the time draws near, but at the same time, what an experience this will be. So... From the flight deck, this is so long for now. We'll have a sign off before we leave on May 10th. Until then. Enjoy.

When Harry met......... The Smith's?

It was your typical Sunday evening. We had just finished dinner and thought that it would be fun to head to the park for a little fun in hitting the volleyball around. We got in the car, and were on our way. We arrived, and started messing around on the volleyball court. Like I said; Just a normal Sunday evening in Park City.... Until we met Harry.

Harry; a young boy(I'd say who was 10), was playing basketball when we arrived. He had his Jazz shorts on, and his D-will jersey(don't get me started on the Jazz either). There really was nothing too out of the ordinary about this boy when he was shooting hoops. I think that Harry was intrigued by the fun we were having on the court and wandered on over. There was no communication between us and him: he just walked on the court, and stated that he was going to play. Luckily, he didn't pick the side that Alex and I were on. We asked how his day was with which he said; "alright, except the Jazz SUCK!..... and Kobe cheats on his wife. That's a fact. But he's good at basketball". To add a little character to Harry have I mentioned that he had this cheeto/gatorade/spaghetti-o mustache thing going on. He would grab the volleyball, and every time, throw it behind his back like in basketball. It'd never come close to its' mark, but why not try right? There were the times where he'd scream things in his little martian language, and turn around to make quite the scary face at his teammates. Other times he wouldn't serve until Alex would stop dancing on the other side of the net.

Harry sure did entertain us. Or maybe it was our sly remarks to each other about the young boy that he would never understand what made it so funny. The night went on; and Harry still wanted to play. He even threatened to "fire" Courtney for not getting a few serves. We ended up leaving a bit later; and in doing so, left the mystery of this young child up in the air. Who was he? Why was he just hanging out at the park by himself? Did his parents know where he was? And most importantly... What was that substance on his face?

Hello Ryan of 2011

Ryan of 2011:

This is your present self(2009). I've learned some things over the past few months and since I have been home from Tacoma, and I'd like to pass those things on to you. I hope that there is valuable information in this letter. For those of you who "follow"(Courtney.... And maybe sometimes Raab), maybe there will be something in there for you too.

1. First, don't take life too seriously. It really doesn't matter. Have fun. By being too serious you pass opportunities by.
2. Take risks and do things that you might other wise not. When a random trip to Europe comes up.... Go AGAIN. Do things that you really don't necessarily want to. You'll look back on it and think to yourself; "I'm glad I did that".
3. Remember all the good friends you have. Make time to spend with them. One day you might turn around and they wont be there. Don't let anything come in between you and them. NOTHING.
4. You love taking pictures. Don't be afraid to take them. Who cares of what people might think as you take them. You'll never see them again.
5. Take the time to meet new people. There are always fun and interesting people out there. Take a chance, and get to know them.
6. Remember that in 2009 you wanted to create your own company. You want to run a company. A successful company. Don't let the boringness of life lose focus on that. You can do it.
7. Take chances.
8. Don't forget how you got to where you are.
9. Travel. It's your favorite thing. Go new places. While you're in a new and exciting place, you can accomplish fact #5.
10. If you haven't done it by now. RUN A MARATHON. It's been in your mind for quite some time now. Now is the time if you haven't. If you have.... Good for you. I guess you can find something else to replace #10.

Springin' into Summer

The weather cast called for rain late Friday into Saturday morning. Saturday morning and into the afternoon was supposed to be in the 60's in Salt Lake. Perfect I told myself. Saturday morning was the Sprinin' into Summer 5K held at the University of Utah. I woke up at 6, showered, and headed out. I didn't find sun or the warm weather.

However; as I stepped out of my car at the Museum of Fine arts wasn't warmth. It wasn't Spring. That was for sure. It was a chilly 40 degree rain. The wind didn't seem to help any either. I checked in, and waited around for the race to start. Others were stretching, and running in circles(literally), to get themselves ready. I didn't feel a need for the stretching or running around. I felt that my preparations so far were good. It was a mind game now. As the stinging rain pelted me on my face, I began to wonder what I was up against. Where would the course take me? What were my best strengths?

The University Police car started down the road and the crowd of about 300 followed. It had begun. I felt out of place. I didn't know anyone. The group took off a break neck speed. "Maybe I'm not ready for this", I thought to myself. We looped around campus, and I found myself towards the middle of the pack. "Do I make a move? How far into this am I?" I thought. We come around the corner along a road that runs through campus. Wasatch Drive. Looking up at it was intimidating. I thought aloud I'm pretty sure. "Hills". I put my head down and started counting steps. Next thing you know, I find myself working my way through the pack.I pass person after person. One, two... three and four... five, six.... seven,eight,nine, and ten. I think I figured out my strength. Running the hills of Park City seemed to be paying off. A near accident with some children having an easter egg hunt at the Huntsman center, and the finish line could be sensed. We wind our way down the "hyper highway" and drums can be heard. A corner was rounded and I could see the finish line. "You're almost there. PUSH IT!"

Two gentleman seemed to be letting up in front of me and I took it as an opportunity to see if I could beat them to the line. I'm not so sure if they were happy as I passed them about 10 feet in front of the finish line... but I didn't care.

I didn't win the race today. I don't think I came anywhere close either. I don't care about that though. It was about pushing myself. Discovering who I am. Figuring out what my strengths are, where I can improve. But you better believe; when the Salt Lake Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K begins on Saturday, I'll be there ready. Ready to push myself further and harder. And yeah, hopefully shave some time off today. Who knows. Maybe one day I'll be up there in the top. But lets take it one day at a time.

"Hey. I know all about that"

Music. Music very well could be one of my very favorite things in the whole entire world. Everyone asks what you really truly enjoy. Music seems to be one of the highlights for most people. Why is it so important to me? Why do I love it so much?
Music is defined as an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color(dictionary.com). I think that one of the reasons why I enjoy music is taken from the first part of that definition. Music is an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions. No matter what mood I am in, or however I may be feeling, there is a type of music out there that will fit my needs. It seems that musicians know this. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself. You might be having a great day; maybe even a crappy one, but you turn on the radio and it seems that song was written for you. Some times I actually think to myself; "man; thanks so much (__insert name___), I really needed that right now". I think the singer TI says it best, and he knows what I need when he says; "...what you know about that; hey, I know all about that".
Secondly,Music is calming a peaceful. Again. No matter your mood, a good hour in your room listening to some tunes can put a whole new perspective on your day and your life. Having troubles with the opposite sex? I don't care who you are, or what music you like, some time alone listening to EMO will make you feel so much better(okay, okay, go ahead and judge if you want).
The third thing that I love about music is the forms of emotion that are expressed through rhythm, melody, and harmony. For the most part I love getting to school, putting my ipod on shuffle and walking to class. I love getting to class and having a song stuck in my head. It sets a tone to my day. Even better than that is while you are walking and a new catchy tune that you swear you've never heard before comes on your ipod, and you need to pull it out and check out who sings this song.
Maybe all these things are just me. I have a feeling that they aren't though. So as music progresses I look forward to it. I look forward to those singers and producers writing songs solely for me and you. So I guess my advice to you on these upcoming rainy days, or the time you spend out on the quad or grass as you study for finals is this: Crank up the music, and enjoy as it takes you and your state of mind to new places.

Principles of Power

It all started at the end of last semester. I was sitting in my foundations of business thought class going over passages of Aristotle, or Plato, or other philosophers that are pretty difficult to understand. Reading it just wasn't enough either. We had to interpret based on the passage read what there stance on business would be. Man. I could not wait for the final to be over and to stop thinking about that class. On one occasion, we had a "guest speaker" come in to talk about a class that he was offering the upcoming semester. He introduced himself as Alan Sandomir. The name resonated in my mind, and then it hit me. I looked on the front of my Foundations book, and he was one of the authors. I did not want to take a class from a guy who writes college text books. Their tests are impossible.

He said something very interesting that caught my attention. "No homework, quizzes, or tests will be given during the course. All you have to do is show up." Now this caught my attention. After talking to my brother who had taken the course and enjoyed it, I decided to enroll in the class. I've never been in a class where there the only grade you get is for just showing up. But yet, I find myself taking notes, and even emailing Professor Sandomir if I am not understanding a concept. What class would make any "normal" college student do this?

The name of the class is Power Basics. It was created for then Utah football coach Urban Meyer to teach football players about power and what an effect it has on the school and in their everyday lives. It was such a hit that first year that it was implemented into the business corriculum. It's the only power class taught in the United States. There are 48 laws to power and each class we study one of the laws. One might be; 'saying less than is needed'. Or, 'making your enemies your friends'. Each law is then described by example and why it is effective. I hate hate hate textbooks, but I actually found myself reading this book on my flight to Nashville. Not because I had to read but because it was just so interesting.

Today we talked about something really important. It hit home to me. We were talking about the current global problems that we are having and the question was possed to us; "what will seperate you from all of the other people that are applying for the same job that you are"? I thought. I am not sure. He talked about a principle of power that will stay with me for the rest of my life probably. He said that there are two types of people in the world. There are the squirrls and the hawks or eagles. Hawks and eagles will do anything that they need to for the ability to survive. They have the will to survive. He said that by studying these principles, and applying them in situations that are relevant having the will to succeed nothing could stop us. By understanding power and using it to your advantage, you'll get that job, gain influence, and do whatever it is that your desire wants to do. I thought I'd just tell you a little bit about it because it had an impact on me today. The book is title the The 48 laws of Power writen by Robert Greene. I highly reccomend it to you as you pursue your dreams and desires.