The CoxSpot.

Time for a change

2010-06-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

So. With nothing else to do with this blog, since I think it is obvious that my life isn't interesting enough to post about, I have decided to start using it to report on how my book is coming along. That is right, for all those who don't know about my aspirations to write, I am trying my hand at a book. I've actually taken two creative writing classes now and have written three chapters (including the intro) and am working on the fourth. It's around 11,000 words right now. My goal was to get near finishing it this summer, but because I have been slacking, that hasn't happened. But I am going to try to stay a little more honest now and get in 500 words a day, and if I can do that I might try for more. Today I got up to 1,000 words in chapter 3 I will keep updating this every day to make sure I'm honest. Plus I'll try to get pictures up of whats going on in my non-imaginative life. but of course that isn't as interesting.

Getting in to Life!

2009-11-15T22:14:00.000-08:00

So I have decided that it has been WAY to long since i posted on this blog... and that i need to start taking this serious... or kind of. So I am going to try to use this as an outlet slash journal thing. So we'll see how long that lasts.

So in recap of this semester, I am truly into Engineering classes. I have been Accepted into the BYU Mechanical Engineering program and feeling daunted every once in a while. I have some good friends in the program that help keep me sane. In fact, Catalina and Shelby came over tonight for dinner and some studying that turned out to be really fun! Between just eating good food and singing around the piano again it was an all around good night. I still feel questionable about the test this week. But I'm hoping that will come with looking at it twice more before the test.

So besides that, I am in a creative writing class and loving it. I'm not the best at it, but it is so much fun. Plus I am registered for a class with my favorite author next semester! I am SOOO excited!!!!!! I am also registered for a Ballroom class next semester. Fun times are coming back around! Time to smile and enjoy life again :D

Capital Reef!

2009-05-04T16:07:00.001-07:00

So I figured it was time for an update, and with our recent trip down to capital reef with our cousins, the Mozer family, there was a marvelous opportunity for putting pictures on the blog. The picture above is that of me infront of what is known as "Strike Valley". It's a valley made from a fault line that visibly runs down its center from almost mid-Utah to Lake Powell, it is pretty impressive.
During our stay in Capital Reef we had many opportunities to clamber up on top of precarious yet breath-taking perches. This Picture is of my cousin Kevin, he arguably was the most thrilled by the chance to put his rock climbing skills to the test. He is seen above on top of a particularly large rock formation at "Gorilla Rock" just a few minutes from where we stayed.
We did a lot of hiking and the mothers of the two families were able to snap a lot of photos. Here is one of our family, missing of course the Lambert and Chandler branches,
I really enjoyed the Trip, it gave me the chance to get away for the weekend, enjoy nature a bit, get myself stuck in some weird positions, and just have fun. I really enjoyed my time with Kevin on the trip. I was able to follow his adventurous lead in trying to climb up every rock, or get to the back of every slot canyon we came to. As he says "its amazing how many people don't know what Utah has to offer." Amen Kevin .... Amen!

"In my mind I'm Gone to California" -James Taylor

2009-02-25T11:35:00.000-08:00

So I know this is way late, ok so maybe only a week. But my roommates would claim that i was gone to carolina, (or california in this case) since a while ago. But this last week it became reality when Alana, Evan, and I took a road trip to visit their home in Pasadena. It was a long 10 hour drive, but split between three drivers it wasn't so bad. It also helped that Alana fell asleep when Evan was driving (we made it to St. George in record time).
We had an amazing time down in California, Activities included playing with Gavin, Holding the new baby Elise, Going swimming (for the first time in 2.5 years) Going flying to Santa Babara (special thanks to Bob and Julie for an amazing experience), and singing in stake choir.
So it was a fun trip and we are looking forward to a repeat. Thanks to all for having us!

The Big Band Dance!

2009-02-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

This last Saturday (Feb 7) was the annual Big Band Dance. If you don’t know what the Big Band Dance is, it is a BYU Catered dinner where Synthesis (BYU’s Jazz Band) plays live music at a 40s style Dance. While the dance takes you back to the Forties, honoring those who fought in the second world war, it took me and my date back 3 years ago. Yes this date had been in the making since three years ago freshman year.
I guess a little history is due so to bring the uninformed reader up to date. Special mention should be made of Kim Jensen who first mentioned the Big Band Dance to me as a suggestion for a date instead of going to a basketball game. To quote her, “You should take someone to the dance…. You should take Alana (with a big smile)… I like Alana” So that settled it. I brought it up to Alana, who had to consider it, (I often wonder what there was to consider… basketball vs. dance) and then said she would be thrilled to go. So with little idea of what was in store we fancied up and went out for a night of music and dancing. Little did I know that I would run into my recently married cousin at the dance, and that my parents had decided to go as well, (luckily my mom made my dad sit on the opposite side of the room, so as not to create an awkward situation.) Dinner was chicken cordon bleu and Synthesis was amazing and we danced the night away. As the night came to a close I should have known what I was getting myself into. If you give a mouse a cookie… or in this case if you take a girl to a dance: She is going to want to go again!
Fast forward 3 years later and the expectations were finally fulfilled. The dinner was once again Chicken Cordon Bleu, and this time we were sit only a table away from my parents, but once again we danced the night away until we were to tired to dance more. Alana was stunning in her springy colorful dress! (as she described it: “it twirls!) Thanks go out to Roxy for an amazing job doing hair, (no, not mine) though I do claim she had a great subject to work on.

New Semester (how many pictures can I fit)

2009-02-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

So I've decided that I really need to post on here more regularly. This semester is really interesting so I think it would be a good idea to explain a little of what is going on. So to start off, I am taking four classes, i know that doesn't sound like a lot but 2 four credit hour classes make four classes more than enough. First I am taking (once again) Math 113 (i kinda need to remember my math) there is a lot of homework but i am feeling good about the class. Next I am also taking Chem 105 which is quite interesting. I will be taking my first test tomorrow (Tuesday) so hopefully that will go well. I round out my schedule with World Civ. from 1500 to the present and New Testament, Acts to Revelation. My world civ. class is kinda boring... (i am writing this while in lecture and there are 4 sleeping people within 3 chairs of me in all directions) It's a lot of student opinions about whatever... (yawn) oh GEs couldn't they all just disappear. and my New Testament teacher being from my home ward makes things interesting as well.
Over the break, Dan and I had a lot of fun, including snow shoeing... then a week into the semester Nanny and Gilly came with their kids. There was a lot of fun, including FHE (james is playing Laban with the Gold Plates), Sledding with the family, and just hanging out at home. (isn't Baby Lesy just a Princess.... sorry boys)

2009-01-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

So as you all can tell, i stink at consistancy.... but that is ok because i can always repent and try again. So today i was down loading some pictures off of my camera i got a little home sick for Mexico. I miss a lot of my friends! wow, i was really tan too... This is also a picture of a mexican dinner that I attempted. The young boy is Marcos, a really good friend from Tampico, this was at the youth conference right before i went home.

Working Hard or Hardly Working

2008-11-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

So this week i have focusing on being more studious and getting my school work done. Which really has helped. But this weekend Dan and I took a break. I guess it was a blast from the past because once again the call of DOTAAAAAA!!!!! was heard from our apartment building. Then that night we headed over to my parent's house to have a wonderful dinner and play a game of scrabble. If you want to know who won, the answer is that we all did. We got all of the letters out onto the board.. of course with a little help at the end. Then we watched Bridge to Terabethia. It was a very difining moment for both me and Dan... Dan was smitten by the teachers eyes and dark hair... and lets just say that i am now looking for my leslie. So with a Saturday well wasted the weekend had a very satisfying end to it Sunday. I really like Sundays at BYU.

Wow.... how time flies

2008-10-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

So... i decided that i should get on the ball and put some pictures of my life at BYU and after the mission. Let me just say i have learned a lot and am finding myself again. I appreciate the help from my friends and family. With a special note for those of my 16th ward. Here are just some of the pictures from my life the last couple of weeks. from bottom to top

Root beer shot glass competition (thats jason, my next door neighbor)

Halloween Costumes and Parties (Kristina made both of those costumes)

Guitar hero and DDR nights oh yeah, Rock out stew

and my life being taken over by Texas!

Cookies !!!!

2008-10-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

So last week we had a special elders quorum service project that i was over. So we had a great activity making cookies for the lovely ladies of our ward.... We got a lot of weird looks when we brought them around to the girl's apartments. and yes they were quite scrumptious even though they were made by a bunch of boys.

To sum it up.... Our Elders Quorum Rocks!!!!

Settlers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday night i found two new best friends. Bryan and Stuart from my ward volunteered to do something with me because i was feeling down. and man did we do something. Ken joined us in an epic clash of economic power in a grueling game of settlers. It came down to the wire but I was able to come out on top. "SHEEP!!!!!!!" was often heard being shouted at about 11 o clock. and the sheep got me through. go ports! so if anyone is game for a game of settlers. Thursday night is our next scheduled meeting! -pcox

Sunday has Come!

2008-09-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

So this last week had been a very hard one. (if you couldn't tell by my last post) Yet Heavenly father is amazing at knowing when things are going to happen and the exact moment we need help. Teaching at the MTC has been a soul saving activity this week. Those missionaries are amazing and have power to teach. The title i chose for this post refers to a talk by Elder Wirthlin of the Twelve. It is one of my favorites. This week has been a reawakening for me. a coming to myself if you will. I feel like i have found part of myself that i had lost and could not find for quite sometime. It is quite refreshing to be back. Sometimes hard times are the only way to bring these occurances to pass. As Elder Holland says, we all must spend a couple minutes in gethsemanie, we all must walk a couple steps up the hill of calvary. But these experiences, if taken in a humble way are what can bring us down to our knees so that we can experience this change. So when things get ruff, do what you know you should do. the small things. Don't get angry or frustrated. Just look for God's will in all things. Because Sunday will come, no matter how dark our Fridays, Sunday will come!

The Love of a Mother

2008-09-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt that you would never smile completely sincere again. Have ever felt that you entire being is shaken by one event. When you thought that you had come to a plateau after a long fall only to find that the surface you were standing on was not as firm as you thought. I'm sure most of you could answer yes to those questions. I guess it comes when change is necessary. When your dreams, you find, are not as real as they seamed. But the realization hurts. The humbling hurts. The sheer fact that you have to get up and face the reality that is today and not the dream that was yesterday hurts.
So, what do you do?

There is no words that can quell the constant burn inside. No instant solution. One must continue on in their daily life living as it were in the nightmarish daydream. And eventually, the pain will ease. the hurt will be forgotten, or at least buried in a shallow grave. There is no cure for the broken heart, in whatever circumstances that the tear might happen. On my mission I experienced this. And after my experiences, I thought that I could weather broken dreams with a more relative ease. Yet Life has a way of taking what you thought you had learned and putting it back in your face for reexamination. And i have found myself facing exactly that.
But I am not alone. I count myself in good company. Humanity as a whole experiences these hard times. And it is truly touching when one of those souls connects with another to share their pain. Not to counsel, not to criticize, and not to point out how their better off now. But just to hold the person in their arms and cry with them. I am thankful for a Mother with a full heart and understanding mind. She is my Hero. I only wish i can do for others what she has done for me today.... P.cox

And Thus it Begins...

2008-09-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

so i was looking for something to do that was interesting. And being so inspired methought that my mind was enlightened and i came across an idea... it kindof went a little like this: "everyone else has cool blogs, why dont i do one too?" so with such grand beginnings thus is the birth of the CoxSpot. (i thought it was a cool name) i've yet to come up with an idea of exactly what im going to put here but... im sure that will come to me in time. for now i can keep everyone up to date with what i am up to. or at least attempt at the realization of that dream. so welcome to the child of my creativity... hopefully it will become more creative over time...
yours truly..... p.cox