New Job!

I had my interview at GameStop today, and it went well. The manager who interviewed me (Jill) was really nice, and she thought it was cool that I am going on a mission in about a year; we talked about that for quite a bit.

Anyways--She ended up giving me the job, but she isn't sure when I'll start. She said, "It definitely won't be next week." I was cool with that, because I'll be too busy next week getting ready for my trip to Provo.

She also said that it was going to be extremely part-time at first, but she said that could change if I am a hard worker. She said she is very flexible with schedules, and even kind of suggested I look for a second job so that I can make more money for my mission.

But alas! I go back on Friday to fill out some paper work, and then we'll see what happens after that! :)

Flashback to '03

Flashback:

The year is 2003. I am suffering from a little skin problem called nodular acne. Not only is the acne extrememly painful, but it is also causing a lot of problems at school--kids saying rude and unneccesary things, people staring at me, etc.

I am in my seventh grade year, and I am walking into my second period study hall class.

The first words out of my study hall teacher's mouth: "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE!? SICK!"

My thoughts: "Wow. It's probably the twelfth week of school, and she's just now realizing? I wonder how she would feel to go through as much pain as I do."

Weeks later: My study hall teacher is in a car wreck, and she breaks her neck. I feel bad, and somewhat blame myself for the accident.

I am sitting in P.E. class one morning. An eighth grader comes and sits next to me and gives me a look of disgust, "WHAT'S ON YOUR FACE??" I don't have any answers for him; I just look at the floor and ignore him.

I am now walking through the hallways. Every other person I walk past is staring at me. Every now and then I can hear a few people saying "ewww!" or "sick!"

The friends I made in elementary school (save a select few) are now ignoring me, because they don't want to be seen with me. They are beginning to care more about fitting-in than friendship.

It's a late Tuesday night--11 PM or so. I am trying to sleep. However, I can't because if I try putting my face on my pillow, it hurts. I try laying on my back. Nope. My back is now covered with the acne as well.

I am at a Halloween party. I'm not wearing a costume; I'm just wearing regular clothes. A kid comes up to me, and he says, "Where did you get the mask? Or is that make-up?" I tell him that's how my face always is, and then he freaks out.

"You definitely have the worst case of it," my Mom tells me one day. "Worse than your brother or your Dad."

This actually makes me laugh, and I take great pride in it, rather than being negative and thinking, "Why me?"

It's my thirteenth birthday. I'm not having a big party like I did for my twelfth birthday party. I only want to be with my family, because they know what kind of pain I am going through. My Mom makes me my favorite meal--her home-made chicken fingers. She also buys me Final Fantasy Tactics Advance on her way home from work, and she even makes me a cake with Final Fantasy characters on it. The game helps lift some of my pain, as it made me both very happy and it gave me something to do when I couldnt' sleep at night.
"Thanks, Mom. You're the best."

Fast-Forward:

The year is 2008. I think about the year 2003 every now and then. If someone would have told me back then, "BDN, five years from now, you will look back on these days and miss them" I would have probably told them to shut up.

It's true, though. The year 2003 was definitely a special one for me. It helped me grow in a lot of ways, and I really do miss it a lot.

The worst year of my middle school year was definitely the best. It really helped me realize what was important in life. I'm glad I wasn't popular; I am glad people were disgusted by me.

You know what that year taught me? It taught me that I was unique. It taught me that I have a choice: The choice to be negative and not get through the trial, or the choice to be positive and to get through the trial. It taught me about true friendship. It taught me that my family truly does love me and will always be there for me, even in the worst of times.

And so I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get through those hard times--my Mom, my Dad, my siblings, and my friends. If it weren't for your guys' examples, I probably wouldn't have made it through that horrible, horrible school year. :)

And last but not least....I'd like to thank the year 2003 for all the memories it brings back to me--the good and the bad.

One day after getting a hair-cut.

Chicken fingers for my 13th birthday.

At home on a late Friday night!

My Final Fantasy Cake

The first stage of the acne. Trying to sleep and play with Logan at the same time. Haha.

"The Tree and Me" By: Benjamin David Nelson

Dear World,

I was working on cleaning my room today, and I found a few gems. I found a poetry notebook of mine from eighth grade. I will share one of the gems with you. Enjoy!

Sorry that it's so mushed together! I put a space in between each stanza, but it won't stay that way when I publish it! :(

Yours Truly,
BDN

"The Tree and Me"

Benjamin David Nelson

In my yard there stands a tree.

A tree that is ever so taller than me.

I always wanted to be taller than it.

But, of course, it always beats me by a bit.

I always wanted to be tall,

For if I was, I would never fall.

And so I try to stand so high

But trying only leads to a lie.

Now I give up on becoming like this tree

But perhaps time will bring the idea back to me.

In my yard there stands a tree,

A tree that is ever so taller than me.

Years later, a new idea finally came to me

I said to myself: I will climb to the top of this tree

At the top, I would be taller by a couple of feet;

Once I reach my destination, the tree would be beat.

I began climbing the tree by jumping from branch to branch,

And as I got higher, I saw my ranch, my ranch.

I climbed and climbed and by the time I reached my destination,

I could see the stars face to face and my heart went through restoration.

I am now like the tree in my yard--tall

And because of this, I will never fall.

So now I am in my yard, taller than my tree

The tree that is ever so shorter than me.

Things To Look Forward To The Next Few Months:

1. BDN's 18th Birthday: Yes, you read it right--18th. This should be interesting.

2. New Job??: Will I get the job at GameStop? I sure hope so! I need it. :)

3. BYU vs. New Mexico: This is the one, my friends. I am looking forward to October 10. As soon as I get home from school, my dad and I are setting off. We are picking up Brent Nelson, and then we are on our way up to Provo. We are staying in a hotel up in Provo, and it's going to be sweet! I look forward to my first game at Lavell Edwards stadium, and I look forward to wearing my sweet BYU jacket in the cold football weather. :)

4. New Nephew!: Shayla and Brent Nelson's baby will be born in a month and a couple of days. I am really excited for a new nephew, and I look forward to having two nephews around whenever I go visit their family. WOO-HOO!

5. Thanksgiving: I am not exactly sure of the exact plans for Thanksgiving, but when is Thanksgiving ever NOT good. I am looking forward to starting the Home Alone tradition on Thanksgiving night. And I am looking forward to the Holy War (BYU vs. Utah) Thanksgiving weekend.

6. My Last Christmas At Home: Yes...My last Christmas at home before I go on my mission. I really do enjoy the Christmas season, and this one should be really special. I have a few ideas of gifts for my little brothers (already), but it all depends on whether or not I get that job or not. ;) I hope I get that junt, because then I could buy gifts for everyone! And I kind of hope to do that, as it IS my last Christmas with everyone until 2011. :)

7. Homecoming: Homecoming is going to be really fun this year. That is the goal anyways, and you never know how dates actually turn out before they happen. I've had dates turn out as complete failures, and I've had dates turn out ten times better than I had hoped. Hopefully it turns out just as good as I think it's going to be, if not better. :) Should be grand.

Small BDN Update

Dear World,

I turn 18 in twelve days. Yikes.

In other news: Gamestop called me today, and we set up an interview for next Wednesday. Now...I know that doesn't mean anything, but I really hope I get that job. :)

Other than that...All is well! The weekend is coming quick as usual, and that is great. :)

Yours Truly,
BDN

One Voice + Celestrial Dating

I am not sure if this is something I personally wrote down or if it's something I copied down during an EFY class.....

But I found the following entry in my EFY journal, and I thought I'd share it. :)

One Voice

-Although I am only one voice, my voice can go far and be heard by everyone that is willing to hear it.

-My voice is not alone. I have the voice of my friends, family, and others from the Church.

-I will use my voice to pray to my Heavenly Father, so that I can receive His voice and find answers to the questions that are on my mind.

-Christ was one voice. His voice carried far, and He changed the world. Through his voice, He has made all of this (in life) possible. He helped others one at a time with His voice.

I wish I could remember what lesson/class this is from!! Haha. :)

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Also, while going through my journal, I found an excellent section on "Celestrial Dating."

The 10 Commandments of Celestrial Dating (For Teens)

-Thou shalt choose friends and dates with great care.

-Thou shalt date in groups and attend only wholesome activities.

-Thou shalt be clever and creative in planning dates.

-Thou shalt set rules and guidelines.

-Thou shalt dress and speak appropriately.

-Tough shalt not make-out.

-Tough shalt not back rub, lie down, etc.

-Tough shalt not enter date's bedroom.

-Tough shalt not think you are an exception.

-Tough shalt listen to the Spirit at all times.

Wow.

It seems like years since I've last written anything on this thing. Truly rare.

There really isn't much to update everyone on. You see--every fall season is the same every year. School starts, and I start getting busy. And then there are a few other things that keep me busy as well. ;)

I am still on a job hunt, but I have been keeping myself pretty occupied with a few small jobs. I babysit these kids in my ward twice a week, and then a tutor this girl in my ward twice a week, and I get some pretty good money from that. I also mow a lawn for a lady in my ward every other week or so.

Football season started, and my college team (BYU) is playing superb. Football keeps me busy Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Friday night is high school football, and Saturday is college football. I am looking forward to my trip up to Provo in three weeks. :)

My Dad went out of town this weekend, leaving me with all the boys. We had a pretty good time. It's good to get a break from parents sometimes, and I am sure my parents feel the same way. ;)

Anyways. The boys and I took a trip over to the Vegas side of town. Timmy visited with Joe, and Luke and Logan spent some time with Shean. I hung out with a few people. I visited with my friend Chelsea for a little bit, and then I went over to Brent's house. Brent Nelson and I watched some football, and then I went to see my good friend Jared Brummett. It was his birthday yesterday, and the Seastrands and I took him to Macayos for his and Sister Seastrand's birthday. We had some good times, and we laughed a lot. I haven't laughed that much in a long time! It felt good.

Speaking of the whole lot: I am going to homecoming with my friend Angela. We are doubling with Jared and Chelsea, and it is going to be fun. :)

Well, that is all for now, really. I hope all is well for everyone! :)