Aspire to Be Like Li

Master Lawrence shared this story with us today:

One day in ancient China, there were three friends in search of a job. Their names were Li, Bos and Dos. They entered a Chinese Restaurant, known for having the finest dumplings in all of China, hoping to find work. The three boys were informed by the owner, there was only one position open; a dish washing position. The owner told the three friends to spend one day washing dishes, and after he would give the job to the person best suited for the task.

"Now," said the owner, "You must wash each dish three times, dry it, and then stack it in a pile." The three boys were put quickly to work.

When the day was over, Li compared his pile to Dos's pile of dishes. Li was disappointed to find that his own pile was half the size. "How did you wash so many dishes?" Li asked Dos.

"I only washed my dishes twice." Dos stated. "Look," he said, holding up one of his dishes, "You can't even tell the difference." And it was true, Dos's dish appeared just as clean.

Li then turned to Bos, whose pile was three times greater than his own. "How did you wash so many dishes?" Li asked Bos.

"I only washed my dishes once," Dos boasted. "Look, no one would be able to tell the difference," he said, holding up a gleaming dish.

Li  hung his head as the owner walked in. "My measly pile will never get me this posiition," Li thought to himself.

 The owner looked over Bos's pile first. Bos puffed out his chest as the owner fixed his eyes on the big pile of washed dishes. The owner picked up a plate and examined it. He plopped a dumpling in the dead center and then tilted the plate. The dumpling quickly slid off the plate. "How many times did you wash each dish?" the owner asked.

Bos looked down at his feet. "Once," he mumbled.

The restaurant owner then examined Dos's pile. He plopped a dumpling onto the center one of his plates. He tilted the plate. Though not as swift as the first dumpling, it also slid off the plate. "How many times did you wash this plate?" the owner inquired of Dos.

Dos also looked toward the ground. "Twice," he sheepishly said.

The owner then examined a plate from the Li's small pile. He plopped a dumpling onto his plate. He tilted the plate, and the dumpling staid exactly where it had landed. The Owner smiled at Li. "You washed these dishes three times each, didn't you?"

"Yes," Li said proudly.

The owner took a step back and addressed all three boys. "We make the finest dumplings at this restaurant," he began. "When costumers come here to eat, not only do they expect to have the best dumplings, they also the dumplings to stay in one spot while they are cutting them. If there is even the slightest grease on a plate, a dumpling will slide. We therefore, need our dishes washed not once, not twice, but three times." He looked each boy in the eye before continuing. "Li was the only one who did not take shortcuts, and executed my exact instructions. Li will receive the dish washing job."

Li smiled. "Thank you sir."

This is Li :)

The moral of the story: Don't Take Shortcuts.

Are You Contagious?

This past week I caught a pretty violent cold. Though it's no fun being sick, the experience has been one extra reminder of how awesome my friends are. They brought me a kong cone during lunch one day, shot me "get well" texts, convinced me I was well enough to be dragged to seminary, made fun of my altered voice and came to watch movies with me. Even Chloe came over last night, though she was afraid of getting sick herself. I sincerely appreciate all the love. Hopefully, someday soon, I'll get my singing voice back. Haha!

This video actually has nothing to do with the above post, but I found it inspiring and thought others might enjoy it as well.

I Butcher Pigs

The title is weird... Yes I know. Don't go thinking I kill innocent little pigs; that is definitely not the case. In fact, the part in Sherlocke Holmes, when their at the place that slices the dead pigs in half... *shiver* ugh! that part makes me feel sick inside.

My only intention is to relate a conversation that took place last night between Adam and my mom. It goes like so:

My mom walked into the theater room and interrupts Taken, the movie we were watching (btw, thanks Hopper, for leaving that at my house. Don't worry, I took it back to Redbox for you).

Adam: Get Out.

Mom: Make me!

Adam: I don't make trash, I burn it.

Mom: I don't make pigs, I butcher them!

All of us instantly burst out laughing. My family is hilarious - or maybe just insane.... Haha

Sweethearts

I asked Ost'n You-Dell Fehn, aka Austin, to go to Sweethearts with me this year. The way I asked him was pretty dang creative, if I do say so myself. I got a Book of Mormon, and had him complete a scripture hunt:

3 Nephi 16:16

Helaman 11:13 ?

Alma 24:8

Alma 37:37 ,

2 Nephi 8:24

2 Nephi 9:14-15

Moroni 10 Chapter Heading

Alma 33:5

1 Nephi 8:11

Mosiah 24:12 ?

Page 429

Page 90

Those were all of the references that I gave him. I was thinking about having everyone figure it out themselves, but then forgot, I had hilighted the few words that I wanted him to get out of each section. Anyways, it turned out to say something along the lines of "Verily, verily, Wilt thou soften thy heart, put on thy beautiful garments and accompany me to Sweethearts?" Yup, I felt pretty genius. I had Mr. Blackham, who wouldn't touch the book with his bare hands (he was afraid he would burst up in flames), give it to him. Haha

Anyways, after he was sure that he would be able to get work off that night, he confirmed that he would be able to go. That's when I started to stress. I think I kinda half expected him to say 'No.' I was afraid Austin wouldn't have any fun with me. I didn't really know him, and I'm not exactly the most outgoing person... To my great releif, I had nothing to worry about. Austin is hilarious! :) He filled the silence with his funny comments.

Chloe's parents are awesome! They volunteered to take our entire group up to the Myan in their 15 passenger van. Little did we know, that they went all out. When they came to get us, I had to supress my laughter. Brother Williams was all decked out in a tux and sunglasses. He was the perfect chauffer! The van was also decorated on the inside. Red christmas lights surrounded the windows, and paper hearts dangled from the ceiling. It was legit. :)



Bother Williams, our Chauffer, outside our sweet ride

So like I mentioned before, we rode up to the Myan. Before our reservation was called, we had someone take pictures for us outside. The Myan was awesome! :) The food and the Entertainment was great.

Throughout the night, the boys in our group were making up stupid scales like: 

• "Between 1-Russia, how cold is it outside?" or
•  "Between 1-adventure, what would you rate this resturaunt?"  

They were being ridiculous, but I was relieved that they were entertained. After dinner, we made our way back to Spanish Fork for the dance. The dance was a lot of fun. Austin reminds me a lot of Corbin, and the way he dances. The simularities were almost scary.

We didn't stay too long at the dance. I actually wished we could have staid longer. Oh well. When we were finished at the school, we went over to Mari's house and ate Chloe's homemade ice cream, along with a lot of other treats. We also played ping pong, and watched Nacho Libre. It was fun. Around 11:30, I drove Austin back to American Fork. (yeah, he lives far away!) And that concluded our night.

I'd say, on a scale of 1-party, Sweethearts was a BLAST! Thank you Austin Fehn!

I Have Influence Over a 28 Year Old

I went in to work today, expecting to be there at most, an hour. I was there for over 4 1/2! I was Helping with the after school graduations. Tomorrow morning, I'm taking the ACT. I had planned to use this night for studying. Yeah... Not going to happen. I'm probably going to bomb it.

Anyways, when I walked into the studio, I noticed Jessica's hair was different. She had pinned the front back the same way that I pin mine. When I brought it up, she said that she had gotten the idea from me. I influenced a 28 year old.

Twisted Cycle

So as of the Black Belt Leadership Conference (which was amazing btw) I'm pretty sure Bao and I are on ok terms. Our relationship is oddly looking like a cycle. We started hitting it off summer of 2009. Once school rolled around, he disappeared from my life leaving me hurt and wondering what I had done to deserve his silence. Febuary 2010 came, and we became friends again. Our friendship grew, and he helped me through some tedious times in April. Come July, he was the one person I couldn't possibly imagine my life without. I was completely smitten, and being the idiot I often am, thought the feeling was mutual. Fall came, and for the second time, he left me heart broken. I was torn apart.The first couple months were unbelievably painful, and I still can't imagine myself in love with anybody else. This past Saturday however, I talked to him for the first time in a while. Our short conversation gave me high spirits about our future relationship. I know it sounds twisted, but I hope that this sick pattern continues and I will find myself encircled in his arms once again. <3