Doug’s Engaged!

Well for all those neigh sayers and otherwise rainy-day-lovers who didn’t believe I could do it, I am engaged! On the night of February 26, 2008 I gave the love of my life the ring that she had always wanted. On the foggy banks of the great Idaho Falls I bent on one knee and expressed my undying love for Cate Pedersen. We will be getting married on August 22nd.

As for the details, I would preface by saying that the 26th of February was our four month-versary. Which is nice because I had received the ring from the jeweler just a day before making this timing very opportune. I thought of many different ways to do it…I could take her into the woods or something but the prospect of hiking through the snow just didn’t make any sense. The best idea came to me when I remembered that we had shared our first date with just the two of us at a local restaurant and then we went on a walk along the falls that run through the town of Idaho Falls. So I tried to be sneaky by telling her all kinds of lies. For example, I told her that the ring wouldn’t be here till friday, we should see a movie after we eat. Since she had picked out the ring she had a good idea that it would be coming soon but I tried my hardest to make it a surprise.

When is it Love?

I got some good responses from the last bloggatory that I did about my personal life and I think it ultimately helped me to achieve my current state of affairs. While I did not attempt to pursue the previous marriage candidate, I am currently pursuing another righteous young lady. Which brings me to my question. When is it love? I realize this might be somewhat of an intimate topic which has become somewhat cliche along with its corresponding cliche answers, but I still am somewhat intrigued by the question.

I will give the example of my roomate who is currently dating a girl that he really likes. They have been dating for a matter of weeks, not a month. They share common interests, which are mainly each other. And have said the words “I Love You.” I think to myself how could this be? How could someone that has been living for 24 years recognize love in someone else within a month. I don’t use this example to put down my roomate or pass judgment but merely to display my confusion on the subject. Let me try to cite some previous examples of love and see if you agree and if these are sufficient models of love.

First, let us reflect on the days of missionary service. How many of us can honestly say while they were serving the first few months of service that they loved the people they were serving. I just think that the first few months you are too overloaded with all the responsibilities and changes in life that you couldn’t possibly. Especially those of us that went to foreign language missions, you can’t even understand what the people are saying or what they meant when they called you pinche gringo. For me this is the same as getting to know a new young lady and them getting to know you. You can find ways to be able to communicate because both have been parts of different lifestyles and different cultures with a single main theme of English. But having been brought up in a house of all boys, the female language is severely foreign to me. I have been able to pick up a little here and there but I have found, just like Spanish differs from country to country, female language differs from city to city and even sometimes from block to block, and even more surprising from hair color to hair color. But eventually once you get into your zone on the mission you tend to find a deeper profound love for each individual and eventually the people of that place that you served. But never after 1 month.

Second, Let us think of Jesus Christ. The ultimate example of love, it took him 30 years of preparation to be able to come out and be able to perform the great miracles that he did. Of course this is my own theory but he had time to prepare his mortal body to love the people enough to take upon him the afflictions of the people of this earth. Even then he had to hesitate to overcome his desire to avoid the undesirable pain in the physical act of atonement. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love (John 15:9). Greater lovehath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Finally the love of a parent, It is said that the instant that the child is born the parent falls in love with the child. I find that this is inaccurate because the parent has had 9 months to prepare itself for the child. They didn’t love the baby while it was in the stomach hence why a mother will always say “I wish the baby would just get out of my belly.” The pain and discomfort that is associated, that can’t be love reciprocated.

Anyway, How does one know? Where does it happen? Please feel free to respond and give your own thoughts and examples. I am a sponge ready to receive the information of my family friends.

Repentance Underlying Justification

I don’t know if it is because of the wintery, blustering cold or because of a lack of importance. I feel as though I have deceived my family members. About a week ago I told certain family members that I had asked a certain girl if she had a boyfriend, when in fact I had done nothing of the sort. I felt as though the assumption of the previous idea would allow me to stop dreaming of things not within my circle of acheivement as far as women go. I apologize for the deceit and would like to ask forgiveness for having told a lie.

Now, the reason I even mention this is because the other day I was talking to an old friend. As we were talking, she walked by us and said hi, both of us were staring at her in admiration. We both responded in like manner and after she had gone I then inquired of my friend as to how he knew her and the only words that he could mutter were,

” She is a heartbreaker.”

After hearing him say that I was extremely curious as to how he came to that conclusion. After burying his head in his arms he mumbled the same sentiment. Sensing the angst of the conversation topic I asked one more question and then stopped,” What happened?”

To which he answered,”If you want to go after her, go for it.”

I left with even more curiosity than before and so I continue to think of the possibilities and continue to be as precautious as ever. Today in a certain place of congregation I mentioned to her that I knew her friend and that we had been talking about her. She asked who it was? After I told her who it was she pretended cordially to be in good standing with him. Meanwhile the whole time I am under the impression that she is flirting with me mainly because she is looking at me while she talks or because she laughs when I say something funny. I would probably misinterpret a heart murmur as a flirtatious advance.

…Not to change the subject or anything but I feel as though beautiful women are genuinely a cruel race for a single male. They walk around with their hair done and their axial skeleton swaying in perfect symmetry. I find it hard to extend the “right” type of conversation because if they perchance mention my name I have the inspiration that they want to bear my children. It really is a cruel circle…

Anyway, she talks to me and then we get to a door where we go our separate ways. She said,”Goodbye, Doug.” As she said it I swear I saw her look into my eyes longingly. I could only think that she was trying to tell me to ask her out but as soon as I turned I heard in my conscience,”she is a heartbreaker.” I am torn. On one hand I find myself with the potential Mrs. Hopkins, but in the other I have a potentially crumbled heart which is no longer a circumstance of my exaggerative anxiety but is confirmed by previous experiment.

I realize that I have lied to you and that you have no reason or need to help me on this subject. I would wholly appreciate the understanding of those who have crossed a road or two that might be similar to my sad state of affairs. I apologize as well to those that have read this in hopes of entertainment, you might find something a little better on www.nbc.com in the form of The Office reruns. Thank you and have a good day.

My Getaway

I am finding more and more each day that the college life is a life full of variables. I could be busy tomorrow and have no idea today what I will be doing. For example, the last three days have been incredibly hectic with tests that were announced two days before and quizzes and projects.

Then, there is the disorganization that comes with having a major calling in a student ward. Nobody really knows what is going on in the ward and the only time we figure it out is on Sunday when the bishop has time to talk and explain himself.

While writing on the business of being a college student, recently I have taken on the duties of being a Resident Advisor. Which at this university is more like ’super’visor instead of ‘ad’visor (me mounting my soap box). If you don’t want to follow the rules go somewhere else (stepping back down from my soap box)!

It is good to know that after it all I can slide away and the square piece of plastic, strategically placed in the front room, is there for me. It doesn’t deceive and doesn’t give you the wrong impression. It may fool you but it only does it to make you stronger. Clearly labeled as the PLAYSTATION, my time with it makes everything else disappear. The soothing voice of John Madden and Al Michaels giving me the type of self esteem reassurance that inspires the greatest titans and gladiators of this generation. Or I can go international and battle in the stadiums of Argentina, Spain and many foreign countries just to play a quick friendly game of futbol. Could there be a better vacation than what I find in the solice of my home. So here’s to you Sony! Thank you for your brilliant relentlessness in finding a way to entertain the masses and more specifically Doug Hopkins of Rexburg, Idaho.