(11) CAUTION: Icy roads

The dreaded snowy roads every winter, especially in Utah, are enough to make drivers' palms sweaty and nerves tighten. The slippery roads can create some hazardous conditions that can end horribly bad if we aren't careful. Last night, around 2:30 A.M., my family was driving back home after some time well spent at Grandma's. The snow was coming down pretty hard at this point and visibility was low. We were getting on the Provo Center St. entrance heading north on the freeway when we hit black ice beneath the thin layer of untouched snow. As a result, our car started to spin out of control. Mid-spin, we saw a car ahead of us and it was clear that the driver also lost control as we did. The outcome was far worse for him than it was for us as he slid off the road and was stuck in the rock of the embankment. Luckily, my mom was driving and being an experienced driver knew how to get us in control of the car again. She took the right steps in maneuvering through snow. She did not panic, but calmly pumped the brakes and turned the wheel in the direction the rear end was fishtailing. We were able to pull off safely into the emergency lane to say a quick prayer before we were on our way, this time even more cautiously than we began. I know we were being watched over by Heavenly Father. This was a scary eye opening experience, and I'm grateful that we were kept safe. I am a firm believer in slowing down and taking your time even if that means being late to your destination. It will pay off when the passengers in your car are less likely to be injured or killed. It's also important to remember that just because we may be experienced drivers, that doesn't make us invincible or immune to the consequences. Please be smart on the road this Winter and drive safe!

(10) Greatest Game of the Season (thus far)

The Utah Jazz faced off against the LA Clippers on Wednesday night (11/25) after 3 days of rest. I knew this would be a good game. I could just feel it the closer we got to tip-off. Coming off back to back losses by great Western Conference teams. The first being a game against the Dallas Mavericks (in Dallas) where we would play former teammate and all-star Deron Williams. Next we played (at home) 2014 MVP Kevin Durant and his championship contending team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. With both of those ending in heart-breaking losses, we needed (and I mean really needed) a bounce-back win.

And that is exactly what we got. The Jazz not only beat a veteran Clippers squad who are hyped up to be one of the best teams, but we dominated them on their home floor. It was a sweet tasting victory for sure. Easily the greatest game of this season and a DVR keeper. FINALLY, we had an outstanding performance from Hayward who finished with 33 points and a renewed confidence that will hopefully carry over the next one. Every player in our starting five scored in double figures, something that doesn't happen every day. To make it even better, we snapped a 13 game losing streak to LA who we hadn't beaten since Jan. 2012! This game will be one that should surely stick out when I look back at the end of the season and one that the Jazz can build on going forward. Next game is at home Saturday (11/28) vs. New Orleans Pelicans.

(9) Favorite Sports Team

I am a huge Jazz fan at heart. I make sure I don't miss a single game in the 82-game season. (This will prove to be challenging during finals week I'm sure haha). Currently the Jazz are on the rise in the Western Conference and are a very underrated team. It would be an understatement to say we were a young, inexperienced team. The average age is under 25 years old (24.3) and playoff experience is little to none. What we pride ourselves on is the cohesiveness on defense and our team chemistry. Under Coach Quin Snyder, who is highly respected, the players buy into his system well. Already, just 14 games into the grueling season, we stand at a .500 ball club. Not many analysts would have predicted that at the start of the season. Plus, we have yet to have back-to-back home games in our favor. In fact, 10 of the first 14 games were away from newly-named Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. Despite the tough schedule, it's been a so-far-so-good start overall. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself as I have watched them this year. I would like to see Gordon Hayward get into a zone more than he has. Derrick Favors is shining ever so brightly these days, extending his range, knocking down his smooth jumper, and being a monster in the post like usual. He is easily my favorite player. Then we have Rudy Gobert, the defensive stopper, who is the front runner for defensive player of the year in my opinion. He owns the paint and affects virtually every shot attempt within his 7'9'' wing span!
Our starting Point Guard, Dante Exum, has been out since August when he tore his left ACL during an Australian National Team game. He is certainly out for the rest of the season and we will definitely miss his speed and length on the defensive end. Returning from a shoulder surgery is Alec Burks. He has bounced back quite nicely and has been a huge off-season addition if you will. I'm excited for the future for sure! I hope my team can keep improving and growing as the season continues.

(8) Libros fascinantes

(Please excuse my lack of consistency with these blog posts) - I'm learning yet another lesson that procrastination is painful when the work still needs done. Anyway, I've started reading a new book. Not just any book: one of Jeffrey R. Holland's latest "To My Friends: Messages of Counsel and Comfort." I wanted something that I could read and really feel something from it. I can say with absolute certainty that anyone who listens to Elder Holland's voice in General Conference or reads his books will be touched by his testimony and incredible witness of Jesus Christ.

When I'm in the mood to read it usually comes around this time of year. You can find me huddled in the corner of the nearest Deseret Book scouring through pages of book written by general authorities past and present. I find that these books are most enjoyable to read because of the strength in the counsel and the comfort they so humbly give. The more I read about the Savior's atonement, the more powerful it gets. I am a few chapters into this one and already I am loving it! I would highly recommend it to anyone who could use the love of Elder Holland (and we all can). He does a marvelous job at what he does, and that is making us all feel like we are children of an almighty God (because that is what we are!). Each chapter in the book has a different message and he goes into things that we all struggle with. It really is an outstanding book and would make anyone's day if they read it.

(7) Reflection and Gratitude

It's awesome and crazy to think that my first semester of college is coming to an end.. I look back and I'm so grateful for all the many blessings God has given me in the process. I really love it at BYU. I love learning in such an uplifting environment where school isn't just assignments and test scores. I know my education is much more. It's about the aims of a BYU education:

• Spiritually Strengthening
• Intellectually Enlarging
• Character Building
• Leading to Lifelong Learning and Service

I've met so many amazing people and done some great things. I've also been strengthened by and through hard trials along the way. It's going to be a journey: a hard one at that, but very rewarding. Here are a few great quotes I found that have given me motivation, especially at this time of the school year when it's so tempting to loosen our grip on our goals and not give it our all.

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” ~ Nelson Mandela
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” ~ Zig Ziglar
“Do not watch the clock. Do what it does. Keep going.” ~ Sam Levenson
“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” ~ Babe Ruth
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” ~ Vince Lombardi

(6) Personal Narrative ideas

I have a few solid ideas for my personal narrative that I think would be cool to write about. I've been thinking about a story or an event that is worthy to write a 3-4 page paper on. Whenever I have a significant change or a feeling of growth I don't really realize it until some time after when I have a minute to look back and really see what was going on. For me, many big learning experiences have come in my teenage years, particularly my senior year in high school and also since I've graduated high school. That seems like only a short period of time to have the most growth, but that was when the responsibilities started to pile the most. I have accomplished more in the past couple years than any other time; I have more to be proud of. Anyway, one idea I like the most is to think of a time (a personal achievement) when I was really proud of myself. I think it's hard, especially for myself, to be proud of the things I've done when I've still got so far to go. However, it's important and we all should find joy in the moment instead of always looking too far ahead.