A New Year, A New Life

The subtitle of my blog mentions that there are 525,600 minutes in a year, and so today I was reflecting on the past 525,600 minutes of my life. Roughly a year ago, I got a text from my roommate saying he was moving. It was kinda sudden, and surprised me. We had planned on rooming together til the spring and that plan was the only real reason I had stayed in Provo at all. So during the Christmas holiday I suddenly found myself forced to reevaluate my living situation. What followed has changed my entire life. Strange sometimes to look back at our lives and realize what the catalysts were that led to such monumental growth and change.

I decided almost immediately that if he wasn't sticking around there really was no reason for me to either. I wasn't happy where I was, and hadn't been for a while, but it was easier to stick around with the friends I had than to try to start my life out new.

All that changed very quickly. So the day after Christmas I started looking for an apartment in Salt Lake, deciding that Provo was no longer the place for me. I looked around at several complexes trying to find an available lease that I could afford, but to no avail. After a few days of fruitless searching, I realized that another change needed to happen. I needed to take the leap of faith and just get out of my contract. Find someone to take it over and trust that the Lord would provide a place for me. I made arrangements to stay with my Grandma for the interim until I found a new place, and then kept looking. I made inquiries into single rooms available and the day that I moved into my Grandma's guest room I found the place I had been looking for.

It's really interesting to me to be able to trace all the change in my life back to that one single moment when a text message opened up a path for me that I hadn't even considered. I don't regret a single moment of the past year. The mistakes I have made have taught me important lessons, and the good has far outweighed the bad. Here's to 2008 and to a year well lived. May 2009 be just as wonderful.

Utah Drivers + Snow = Frustration

Since moving to Utah in 2004, I have been amazed at the complete lack of attention that drivers in this state pay to anything other than their own car. They will drive at precisely the same speed as the cars on both sides while traveling on I-15, and thus rather effectively block anyone wishing to go faster than 60 mph on that 65mph road. And then just to have a little fun with those of us that are already frustrated, they will spontaneously offer acts of kindness to others. i.e. letting someone into traffic that has been sitting on the side of the road trying to get in for more than 15 seconds. They will of course pay no attention to the 30 or so other cars that suddenly have to brake to allow for this kindness that would have been completely unnecessary in another 45 seconds. It's wonderful that people here are so kind, and I do not want to discourage kindness in general, but making 30 people behind you wait so you can feel fuzzy inside for a couple minutes is not kindness. It's the worst kind of rudeness.

Then there are the Utah drivers that feel it is their duty to keep all the rest of us in line. I have heard them discuss this. I am not making this up: They get into the far left passing lane (the one intended to allow for passing other cars) and then go no more than 65 or at the most 70mph. This is because, and I quote a conversation I overheard recently, "No one needs to go more than 70mph anyway." They deliberately prevent people from passing them while going no more than 5mph over the speed limit on the only major freeway in the state! Thank you, but if I want to drive fast, it is my choice to do so. It is NOT your right to allow or not allow such things unless you wear a badge and drive a squad car. If I get a ticket for doing so, that is a natural consequence. One I'm willing to risk in certain situations. And it is my right to make that choice.

But my absolute favorite are the drivers that pay so little attention to anything but themselves that they will pull out into traffic from a side street and expect everyone to brake and stop for them!!! How egotistical are you?? You getting where you need to go is more important than everyone else around you? What amazes me is that usually when this happens, there is a break in the traffic three cars back that if they had waited another 5 seconds to pull out, would have allowed them to enter traffic and not piss anyone off. But that wouldn't be any fun.

And now, to add even more fun to the mix, Utah has a climate that in the winter is anything but mild. Snow is a frequent reality here. There is a reason that the 2002 winter olympics were held here. So now, take what I've said already about the driving abilities of the state and throw in snow. It's incredible.

What is truly astonishing is that these people should be used to the snow!! You go to Denver in the winter and while it's not fun, at least people can get where they're going because they deal with it every winter! Here in Salt Lake, these people seem to forget between April and October what the other half of the year ought to have taught them. And when the snow flies, they completely freak out.

This morning I got into my car amid the gently falling snow, smiling to myself in my naivete as I looked at how pretty the fresh snow was. I then got behind the wheel and pulled out of my complex and onto the road. There was maybe a half inch of snow on the road. The tire tracks of the cars was enough to clear the road of what was there. And yet, the drivers in front of my were barely moving. It took me 45 minutes this morning to drive what usually takes 10. And there was no accident anywhere to give a reason for this slow crawl. They all just felt the need for tortoise speed. And let me tell you, if the hare had raced a tortoise from Utah - even with his naps - the hare would have won that race.

Giving Thanks

So I know that it's still more than a week to go before Thanksgiving, but I don't know what my schedule is going to be like over the next few weeks, so I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about a few of the things I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for:

the gospel, my family, good friends, good music, sunrises, fall colors, sunsets, good movies, snow on the mountains, a great job, college football, thai food, sushi, good books, soft beds, prayer, memories, the united states of america, freedom, korean food, love sacs, mexican food, pretty much most kinds of ethnic food, holidays, school (weird right?), the new computer I'm getting next week, electricity, my health, the fact that I have all my limbs and extremities, my iPhone, central heating, my talents, the talents of others, and the beautiful girl that for some reason enjoys spending time with me.

These are just a few of the things I'm thankful for. If there's something you're thankful for that I didn't write down, post a comment and tell me what it is. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Love and Hate

This will be a short post, but I was extremely impressed by an article that I wanted to share. The picture shown here is from the article and there are quite a few more, highlighting the violence of the riots around the Los Angeles LDS temple. It is very disturbing to me to see that so many people who claim to be oppressed and persecuted would turn so easily to persecute and oppress others. The violence that occured at these protests is very upsetting to me and I honestly feel rather frightened for what this will mean to members of our faith around the country. Truly, there are now those among us that call evil good and good evil, and they are defending their claims with violence.

I was very impressed by the article and I wanted to encourage anyone that reads my blog to find and follow the link and read it. I believe very strongly in tolerance and in every person's right to believe what they want and to peacefully assemble and protest as they feel it necessary. There was nothing peaceful about this protest.

Post-Election Musings

I'm sure this post will be very controversial to a lot of people, but in my mind it is our ability to express our opinions freely that makes this country so great. The past week's election both for our nation's commander in chief and in California for Proposition 8 has had me thinking quite a bit about the direction this country is taking.

As far as the presidential election is concerned I must confess to being rather disappointed in the people's choice for a leader. I do not see Barack Obama as the kind of man I want to lead my country. I do not agree with his policies, in particular his tax policies which of all of them is the one that affects me most directly. It worries me that we have elected a man who while professing that he will defend the rights and the income of middle America will in fact be gouging every one of those constituents with an increase in taxes that will leave each person with an increased financial burden, not a lessened one. Welcome to the United Soviet Socialist States of America... But, since there is nothing that I can do to change the outcome of the election, I guess we're stuck with him for at least the next 4 years. And we're going to have to deal with the consequences.
However, the passing of Proposition 8 in California has left me feeling better in many ways. For those of you that read my ramblings I wish to emphasize that I believe strongly in every person's right to live their life in any way they see fit. But I also want to say that that includes myself and my desires for a free America! The important thing to remember though is that while the extremely vocal minority is shouting that we need to separate church and state, that doesn't mean we should separate the principles we believe in from how we regulate our country. Whether for you those principles come from what your parents taught you, or from what you learned at church, or school, or wherever. It is our duty as citizens to get involved and support the principles that we believe in. It honestly does not matter where we learned those principles. What matters is that we support what we believe in and that we are involved. That is why I personally was a supporter of Proposition 8 (even though I couldn't vote for or against due to the fact that I'm not a California resident).

While it is true that my opinion in this matter comes in large part from what I have learned growing up in a very Christian home, the fact that I carry these values as a result of my religious beliefs doesn't make them invalid. I believe that homosexuality is inherently wrong, therefore I support amending our laws to specify that marriage is between one man and one woman. Call me bigoted if you want, but you'll be wrong. I have many friends that are gay and have chosen to live their lives that way. I will never reject them as my friends nor will I judge their value as people based on those choices; just as I would never reject as a friend someone that drinks and drives, or uses harmful drugs. I deplore those actions as well, but if a friend told me they had done one of those things, I would still love them and still be their friend. I will however stand up and say - to their face - that I believe that what they are doing is wrong, and is harmful to themselves and others around them. That is what makes a democracy. When every person - even those of us who happen to be in the majority - has a voice.

The biggest problem to me, and my biggest pet peeve with all of the press attention that has been given to Proposition 8 is when those opposed to it accuse those of us that support such laws as denying them their rights. I hate to break it to you guys, but when you tell me I have to buy into your ideas and I have to vote your way; that is you taking away my rights. I have just as much right as you do to believe what I want and to vote how I want. Even though i am not a California resident and had no say in how Proposition 8 turned out I am very relieved that it passed and hopeful that this is indicative of a strengthening of the moral fiber of our country.

I truly do not mean to offend anyone with my views. I am simply exercising my right to express myself in the manner I choose. The very vocal minority is always claiming that right. I think it's time that the majority echoed that sentiment and stood up more vocally for what we believe in.

Derrik T. Legler, MBA

One of the things I love most about working in education is the motivation it gives me to achieve the goals I've set for myself. The connection there might not be immediately apparent, so allow me to explain:

While I was in college and trying to figure out what it was I wanted to do with my life, I took a class in linguistics. It changed my entire life's plan. Up to that point I had decided I wanted to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist. Around the same time as I was beginning my foray into the fascinating world of linguistics I was also in a pre-med biology class that convinced me I did not want to be a doctor. It wasn't a question of the content or the work itself, it was the people. (Anyone who has seen "House" will not need to wonder what I'm referring to. He's fiction, but there are more people like that in medicine than most people realize.) I decided then that I no longer wanted to work in medicine, but the question of what I really did want remained unanswered. A few months later I was hired as a new employee trainer at the Nu Skin call center, and suddenly everything became clear. I discovered that I love to teach. And so I decided to work toward a career teaching the thing that I had gained a fascination and a passion for: linguistics.

Again you're asking, what does this have to do with anything? And how is this connected to the title of this post and an MBA? Well as I'm sure you can tell, the answer to that is a little complicated, but I'm getting there. In order for me to pursue a career as a college professor teaching linguistics, I would first need to obtain a PhD. So after I graduated with my BA in linguistics, my plan was to find a job in Salt Lake, thinking I would start a MA program in Applied Linguistics at the U, and be on track to then pursue a PhD.

Then comes the answer to all my prayers. I land a job at the University of Phoenix. (For more detail on that, scroll down a little.) The thing is though, I can't start the MA program at the U until Fall of 2009, so what was I going to do with my time until then?

My job at the University of Phoenix is in enrollment, and as I was working with students looking at getting into school at UOPX, I realized that there was no reason why I shouldn't get started right now in a program here, and maybe even be mostly done with a Master's by next fall when I start at the U. Since I'm an employee it's a little more flexible and I can take a break if I need to and attend the U, then during the following summer go back to UOPX, finish an MBA, and then complete the MA at the U by 2011.

So starting on Monday, I begin my program at UOPX pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in Global Management. I'm really excited about it. Not only does it make me more attractive to PhD schools having two master's degrees. I will have the business education and skills I need to get a really great job to help finance the rest of my education.

Talk about a 5 year plan! I've got what should have taken 5 years, down to a 3 year plan!!

It happened again!!!

Once again, I got a haircut that was not what I asked for. If you never read my last post on haircuts... I'm setting up a link to it here.

The only difference is this time... she spoke English and still didn't get it right!!

ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!

University of Changing Lives

So I've been working at the University of Phoenix for a month now, and after 4 weeks of training, and a few days of doing it for real, I have to say.  I love my job.  It's amazing to be able to spend 8 hours a day working to change people's lives.  It may sound a little cheesy, but that's exactly what I get to do.  

For those of you who don't know, the University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country.  And my job as an enrollment counselor is to help people that are interested in getting their college degrees get started in school.  I spend a good portion of every day meeting with students or talking with them on the phone; facilitating their desire to get their education and make a changes in their lives.  I really love it.  

Another great thing about this job is that it will eventually enable me to get back east where I belong.  ;o)  Not that I don't love Utah, but as stated in past posts - it's really not for me.  Since UoP has campuses and learning centers all over the country, I can apply to transfer back east once I've met my current commitment to the Salt Lake campus.  Come next summer, it will be time to finally head back home.  And if you think I'm not excited at that prospect, you really don't know me well...

Leaving Nu Skin

Today is my last day at Nu Skin Enterprises where I have worked for the past (almost) 4 years. It's been quite a ride, but it's time to get off.

I first came to Nu Skin, a very green, squeaky clean Returned Missionary, full of dreams and excitement. I loved to speak Korean so jumped at the chance for a job where I could take customer service phone calls in my mission language, and therefore slow its alarmingly quick deterioration within my rather limited brain. It seemed like an answer straight from heaven to all my needs. It was in Provo, a very short drive from each of my several apartments while I went to BYU, and it offered opportunities for advancement.

I have to say that my experience at Nu Skin has been absolutely better than I expected. The people at this company have been incredibly good to me. I have absolutely no cause for complaint. Well... maybe one. They've spoiled me for other work opportunities. I honestly don't know if I will ever work anywhere that is so very good to their employees. Whether it was when I was a lowly peon on the phones, or when I had advanced to other positions - first as a trainer for new employees, and then to the position I currently hold as Regional Quality Specialist, (kind of an impressive title, no?) Nu Skin has treated me exceptionally well, and I will always laud them for that.

Why then am I leaving such a great company you may ask? Well the answer is really quite simple. Nu Skin is located in Provo. I believe I have mentioned in previous posts that I have come to realize that I am not, nor will I ever be, the type of person that could forever live in a town like Provo. It was great while it lasted, but I don't think I could handle it for much longer. And so I embark on a new adventure in Salt Lake City. (for anyone outside of Utah reading this, that might not seem like a big change, but trust me. HUGE.)

I look forward to that day very soon (tomorrow to be precise) that I will not have to drive the 80 miles round-trip that has plagued me since my move to Salt Lake in January. And so with a light heart, I bid a fond farewell to Nu Skin and all it has given me over the past 4 years. Thanks ever so much, and on to the next!

Jazz and Super Powers

Sometimes I wonder how in the world I'm surrounded by such talented people. Last night I went to Muse Music in Provo to hear my good friend Josephine sing at Jazz night. Needless to say she was incredible. (If you don't know Josephine, you should get to know her. One of the coolest girls I know.)

The point is though, going to that concert really got me thinking. Why is it that I'm always surrounded by all the talented people? Everywhere I look. At church, at work, hanging with friends. It's like being surrounded by super heroes! How are the rest of us mortals suppsoed to feel? Now I'm not saying I don't have talents. I know that I do. But there's nothing that I can do that a lot of other people can't do better. For example: I sing, but this is Utah - everyone can sing, and most people better than I can. I dance pretty well, but I learned to dance at BYU - everyone dances at BYU, and most people better than I can. I'm good at languages - but take a poll of people in your ward's Elders' Quorum and see how many speak a foreign language. For that matter take a poll in Relief Society! (For any non-mormons around... sorry. Church reference)

See what I mean? I'm not athletic, so don't go there. I'm outgoing, but not the super outgoing, makes-friends-with-everyone type. I am the ultimate jack of all trades, but master of none.

So I've been thinking about it today, and I thought to myself, if I had any one talent that was really incredible. One talent that really set me apart from the rest, what would it be? I came up with the only logical response - I'd want to be able to fly. That's right. I want to fly.

Now I know what you're thinking. "Let's keep this in the realms of reality, Derrik," and you're totally right! But if I'm going to be surrounded by super heroes as it is, why shouldn't I get a super-power! Is that so much to ask? After all, there may be no possible way on this earth that I will ever be able to fly. (Maybe) But I can tell you for sure, that there is no possible way I will ever - no matter how much I practice - be able to sing like a rock star, dance professionally, or learn all the languages I want to learn. So since none of those will ever work either, I may as well wish to fly. I feel like I have a better shot at that one.

One year older and wiser too...

So a friend of mine, out of the graciousness of her heart, offered to host a cake and ice cream get together in celebration of my birthday yesterday. Nothing fancy mind you, but a few friends from church and around the apartment complex to come by and eat cake, play Foosball, etc. So I get there and we're having a good time; there is a great turnout, because she emailed the church listserv, and a bunch of people showed.

I'm mingling and enjoying myself, when I suddenly stop and look around the room. I only knew the names of about half the people there. It made me feel kinda stupid for not knowing the names of people that had come to a party for me, so I tried to unobtrusively learn some people's names without letting on to anyone that I was so clueless.

So I learned some names, and was having a great time, when I was approached by a kid named Ryan (who I had just met that evening) and was informed that he needed to pass on several people's birthday wishes to me. When I inquired further it turned out that most of the people I didn't know, didn't know me either. They had in fact asked whose birthday it was and been told, "Derrik - that guy in the red t-shirt." Turns out that Ryan was also wearing a red t-shirt and had been told happy birthday several times.

Gotta love our society don't you? Someone says, "birthday cake" and we all come running. Even if we don't know the person whose birthday it actually is. Ah well. At least I got a party out of it. :o)

Fare Thee Well, Provo

At last, after months of hardship, pain, and travail, I have found a new job that will finally allow me to bid a final farewell to the town of Cougars. I have but one thing to say.

YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I am sorry if this offends those of you that call Provo your home, but in all honesty I cannot apologize for my elation. I have never been a "Provo Person" and never will be. There's too much city boy in me and I like it that way. I do not begrudge others their enjoyment of Provo and its people, and I ask that they not begrudge me my preference for other areas.

As of August 1st, 2008 I will begin new employment as an enrollment counselor at the University of Phoenix. They have a campus right down the road from where I'm currently living in Holladay, and so I say goodbye to my daily commute of 82.3 miles. With gas prices continuing to rise with no end in sight, this change will not only save me a ton of money, but the job gives me a rather significant pay bump. (did I mention WOO HOOOOO!!! ?)

Being the east coaster that I am it has often been the case as I have lived in Utah, for me to feel at odds with others. Not that I (generally) felt ostracised or like an outsider per se, but let's all be honest. I'm an odd duck. This is the conclusion I've come to and I make no bones about it. It really comes down to the fact that the people who understand and accept me with all my oddities are rather few and far between. That's why I like bigger cities. With more people I have a better chance of making really good friends, instead of superficial "I'll-hang-out-with-you-because-I've-been-taught-my-whole-life-to-be-a-good-fellowshipping-mormon" type friends.

So while Provo has been where I have spent my days for the past 4 years, I can now finally claim to have graduated from happy valley. Hallelujah!!

Hatred for Haircuts

As those of you that keep in more or less constant contact with me will probably have realized, my hair has gotten quite long recently. Despite what you may have thought the reason for this was, I would like to inform you all in no uncertain terms that the sole reason for it is the fact that I HATE haircuts. Hate them with the fire of a thousand suns. This is not, as you might suppose, because I have any kind of aversion to sitting in a chair while someone comes at me repeatedly with sharp implements. No, my aversion to haircuts stems from the fact that in all my years of going to get my hair cut, I can count on 3 fingers the number of times I have left the barbershop satisfied with the cut.

This is because of one simple truth that while perhaps not extremely earth shattering, is nevertheless a fact. Barbers/Hair-Stylists/Whatever-you-call-the-folks-with-the-clippers have some kind of innate need to ignore whatever you tell them. I don't know if this is because the majority of Barbers/Hair-Stylists/Whatever-you-call-the-folks-with-the-clippers are somewhat lacking in the ability to communicate in English, or simply that they feel the altruistic desire to save what they believe to be the inept, from the fate of having to endure the haircut they want. Whatever the reason, I have been a victim of this unfortunate truth for most of my life.

Today, I decided that I was fed up with my hair. Spring is coming and it was time to give in and go get it cut. So I took some time on my lunch break and dropped by the local barbershop where I sat in line for a while before finally being set in a chair, where I explained to the woman who would be cutting my hair exactly what I wanted. I was very specific, and despite her accent, her English seemed good. She nodded and asked questions to ensure her understanding, and then competely disregarded what I told her.

I am dreadfully near-sighted, which means that the entire time I am having my hair cut, I have to remove my glasses. I wonder if perhaps this is part of the problem. Since I cannot tell until it is done if it is what I want or not, I am often stuck with whatever I am given. Today was such a case.

So I would like to say to all Barbers/Hair Stylists/Whatever-you-call-the-folks-with-the-clippers, that I for one would be most appreciative if you would resist the impulse to ignore my instructions because you believe you have a "better way." I am the one that has to live with the cut you've given me once I have left your establishment, and I am the one that lives with my head ALL THE TIME. I have been having my hair cut for quite some time now and I know how my own hair works. I know what looks right and what looks awful. So I know that what was done to me today will be relegating me to the wearing of baseball caps for the foreseeable future.

At least I look good in ball caps.

Valentine's Day

It's often been said, (at least I hear it said a lot) that Valentine's Day should more appropriately be referred to as "Singles' Awareness Day."

I don't know that I really agree with that. It seems like the response of people that are bitter towards those that have found love in their lives, and that seems a little ridiculous. Shouldn't we be celebrating love wherever it is found? Love is the single most important emotion anyone can feel, so why are we so bitter when others feel it?

The short answer in my opinion, is that most people are whiners. Our society has become one that complains about our problems instead of going out to fix them. Now I for one, feel no shame in admitting that I am single. Mostly because I recognize that my current relationship status is a direct result of a lack of effort on my part. I have not felt the burning urge to go and find someone to be with, and so I haven't.

And that, to me, is the crux of the issue. Anyone in this world could go out today and find someone that they could build a relationship with. If we truly felt that desire we would find ways to make it happen.

So what it comes down to is that every Valentine's Day we all have to sit around listening to the whining of people that are complaining about a problem that is entirely of their own making. No one is forcing anyone to be single. You make the choice yourself. So if you're feeling a little lonely this Valentine's Day, then make the decision that next year will be different, and follow through. The power of our own choices is what makes us incredible. And I truly believe that everyone can be incredible.