Friday, July 31, 2009

The other side of me... and Deiter F. Uchtdorf

Ellen Eccles Opera Theater in Logan Utah


No, I am not making reference to the often heard cliche of Hannah Montana. I am literally referring to the other side of me that I feel that most people don't know. Most people think of me as this adventurous, outdoor, sporty type person, but while I do love to do these type of things, I also have another love.

I sometimes think I was born in the wrong generation. I think I would have fit in well in the early 1900 when people dressed up to go out. When people wore white gloves and attended the theater. I love going to the theater and NO, I am not talking the movie theater. I am referring to the theater of other art forms. Last week I spend time seeing 6 plays at the Shakespeare theater in Cedar City and 2 plays at the Tuacahn Ampitheater in St. George. This week however, I have been up in Logan for the Opera Festival and I have seen productions of Carmen, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci (all sung in Italian with English subtitles), Mikado and Camelot.

It is thanks to my Aunt Ruth that I get to do this each year (I'm going on 9 or so years...) and she always gets the best seats; 4th row center. I turned around during the second intermission of Carmen yesterday and realized that kind of crowd I was in. There was a sea of white heads surrounding me. Out of the hundreds of those in attendance, I very well could have been the youngest.

This didn't bother me. I actually kind of revel in it. Then I noticed that 5 rows directly behind me sat Dieter F. Uchtdorf. It is through attending the Opera over the years that I realized how much the apostles also love the theater. While sitting in this same theater over the years, I have also seen Elder Maxwell, Elder Nelson and Elder Perry in attendance. While at a different theater, I also ran into Elder Oaks. Now I can add President Uchtdorf to that list.

Another performance we attended while here was a show dedicated to the music of Rogers and Hammerstein. I grew up watching musicals and am very familiar with the music of The Sound of Music, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel etc. I once again had that feeling that I was born in the wrong generation when toward the end of the program, the conductor turned and had the audience join in singing with the artists. Yes, I knew the words and I joined the sea of white heads in singing along to the wonderful music of Rogers and Hammerstein.

So while many of you think that outdoors and adventures is the only thing I am about... think again. There are a lot of sides to me that most don't seem to know.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

What constitutes home?


Watching the Monticello Parade

I went to my hometown of Monticello last weekend for a family reunion. We had the entire Buckboard camp sight reserved for our family. It was so good to see all of my relatives and be able to spend time on the mountain. I felt at home on the good old Abajo's. There is nothing quite like the Blue Mountains... I got to camp, see the stars, bike up the Blanding road... Ahh, it was so refreshing and it brought back a lot of good memories.

Ironically, when I was back in town for the big 24th of July parade, I didn't feel so at home anymore. I grew up in Monticello from age 4 until I graduated and left home at 17. However, it just felt odd and it was hard to be there, even though I know just about everyone in town. It made me think about what really consitutes "home". The actual house I grew up in is no longer my house, but I don't think the building itself is what constitutes home... It's an odd thought...

Either way, it was so great to see the family!
Here are some photos from the reunion

Heather and I with some of Andrea's kids


The family talent show is always a highlight. Here is Julie's son Tanner doing a nice rendition of Elvis

Haley and I... she now has 2 kids!


Some of the Bunker clan at dinner one night


Sam, watching his fishing pole like a hawk... or maybe not so much...


We actually did catch some fish however...

There was a little pony that the kids loved to ride


While I was home, I also did the Lloyd's Lake 5K. My time wasn't all that great considering I'd been camping for two days and eating lots of brownies, but it was fun to run with my brothers, cousins and nephews. Plus, it was in Monticello, which means I knew most of the runners. My old cross country coach was there as well, which made it extra cool. I'd also like to say that I beat one of the girls that as the #2 runner on our team back in the day... I guess it is only fair to mention that she is 6 months pregnant though!

This was the first real official 5K for Adam...


The course around the lake is the same course we ran for our XC in high school. It was great to run it again. We got a little rained on...


At the starting line


Jordan won the race, not surprisingly!


Trisdan didn't run the 5K with us because she did the triathlon in Blanding instead. It's good to see she is still running too. We ran XC together all through high school.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Second Dirtiest Tourist Attraction



I went up to Seattle this last weekend to act as the support vehicle for a few friends who were riding in the "Seattle to Portland" bike ride. While we were there, we went on a few adventure in Seattle. One attraction we visited is known as the second dirtiest tourist attraction in the world; the first being the blarney stone in Ireland. It's known as the gum wall. There is a wall at Pike Place Market where everyone sticks their gum... talk about germs. Sick. It was pretty cool to see however. We all added a piece of our own gum so we could say we left our mark..



Sunday, July 5, 2009

Nothing like the 4th of July...

The 4th of July in Provo is the best. Not only are there so many things to do with the Freedom Festival, but everyone in town participates. Talk about feeling patriotism! For those of you who know me well, you know that the day started out with a 5K. I ran with a couple friends. There were over 2,000 runners!



Following the race, we went to the parade. The highlight of the day however, was our bbq party. This was our 5th annual and it was a huge success. The boat of beverages made another appearance (which is my personal favorite). I love the 4th of July!

Here is Nate and I with the boat of beverages!


A view of our backyard from the balcony


Emily, Michelle, Nate and I (Nate and Emily both drove down from Arizona... It was so good to see them!)


We had quite the spread...


Nate and I enjoying the fantastic weather


Ian and Ryan were in charge of the barbequing


Joslyn, Kristy and I (Joslyn was our roommate before she got married)


Kristy and her soon to be husband Ryan (check out the view of the mountain)


Mom Plessman (Kristy's mom) was in town again and we were so glad! Here she is with Colton


The day was a great success! Quite the tradition...

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

"Master Jensen"



So I did it. I finally did it! Yesterday was my thesis defense and I passed with flying colors. It couldn't have gone better had I planned it myself and that includes the feedback I received from my committee. I can't believe I have really made it to this point. It feels so liberating. I graduate in August.

The pictures show some of the folks who came to see my presentation...

Some good friends who came to support me


Mom Plessman and Kristy


Wendy and I... Wendy defended the day before me and also passed!


My mom and two of my brothers also came to support me


What a great day!