New Camera!!

So we finally shelled out for a new DSLR. Yes, Lauren and I will now be joining the ranks of the wanna-be photographers. While I say we "shelled out" we actually got a really good deal; and we bought one of the introductory DSLR's so we really didn't go all out. We decided on the Nikon D60 for a few reasons. First, it's a good introductory camera. Second, it was super cheap at the place we got it from (soniccameras.com-it was brand new).

This is the lens we bought to go with the D60 body. It is 18-135mm nikkor lens with autofocus and a few extra goodies. This lens normally comes with the D80 kit. We passed on the 18-55mm that comes with the D60 kit in favor of the extra focal length, although the VR on the 18-55 was tempting. We plan to eventually purchase a 18-200 with VR sometime in the future, perhaps after we have had some practice with our first lens. I always saw myself going with a Canon instead of a Nikon as I know a few people who use them (my mother included) and they are very popular. However, a friend of mine persuaded me against the neat features on the body of the Canons in favor of the higher quality lenses on the Nikon's. I have since that time learned that there really is not that much difference between the Nikon, Sony, Canon, Pentax, etc. As long as they are name brand and multi-billion dollar companies then they make good lenses (see http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm). But I have no reservations whatsoever about the choice we made to go with Nikon. My mom uses a Canon Rebel xti and Lauren and I have both played with them but I honestly prefer the feel and functionality of the Nikon's. Who knows perhaps I may switch in the future but for now I am excited to use my new Nikon (which could be here as early as Monday!).

So what prompted us to get the DSLR? Well Lauren and I have been thinking about it for about a year and came pretty close to getting one a few months ago but decided to pass on it. A few days ago, however, Lauren and I went on vacation, she went to Miami and I went to Oregon. I brought a couple of friends of mine along on the trip, one of them brought his Sony cybershot and an HD camera. While hiking on the trip I had an opportunity to use his awesome camera to take some cool nature shots and absolutely fell in the love with the clarity for the shots and the zoom. That was the straw that broke the camels back. I came home Sunday and bought our first DSLR yesterday (after much persuasion on my part toward Lauren, which included going to a store so she could hold one in her hands and play with it). I will have to follow up with pictures for the D60 as soon as I learn to use it.

Mission Reunion

Yesterday I was able to go to my 6th (so Lauren tells me) mission reunion. It was great to see some of the missionaries that I served with, though I was dissapointed by the low number of people who were actually there. However, most of all, it was awesome to see President and Sister Blake. As is his custom he gave an amazing talk on remaining faithful to the gospel and keeping ourselves focused on returning to our Father in-heaven. He reminded us of our mission motto: The Kingdom of God or nothing! Hearing him speak as he did as I served as a missionary 4 years ago, and being able to speak with him about the changes in our lives, served to inspire me and remind me of what I learned in the two years I served in the MJM. I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet with my missionary brothers each year and to be reminded of the many lessons I learned with them.

Day 6

Today was Kenpo x day. It was really fun and I was able to do everything that the people on the video did. It didn't feel like I did as much as when I first started the program. However, I was sweating like crazy throughout the 58 minute routine. I have already noticed that my range of motion is improving and I am able to work longer and harder without breathing too hard. Tomorrow is the x stretch day. I am already looking forward to my second week.

Elder Perry

Elder Perry came to our stake conference and spoke this weekend. It was awesome to see him in person (at a distance that I can actually make out his facial features). He definitely is tall. He had a lot of wonderful things to say to us. One of the things that I found most applicable to me was what he had to say concerning the view that the world has of the church. What I took away was this: We (members of the church) have allowed the media to dictate, to the majority of the world, what the church is and who we, as members of the church, are. We have allowed this simply by not opening our mouths to our neighbours, friends, and family. This does not mean that we should protest when things like big love or protests against the church concerning gay marriage come along; we should instead reach out and teach people correct principles and help them to understand the restoration and the plan of salvation. If we will speak out to our brother's and sister's throughout the world then they will have a correct image of the church and better be able to recognize false information among members of the media. Anyway, it was a great conference and one which I was able to take a lot of good stuff with me.

Day 5

Today was the legs and back day, which means I get to do my favorite thing: Pull-ups. Oh yes I love them so much. Seriously though, today was tiring but I can tell that the workouts are already getting easier. I was actually able to do almost all of the ab ripperx reps (25 for each thing). I feel really good and I can feel the fat being burned throughout my body. I have also noticed that I have a lot more energy and am becoming more and more flexible. Tomorrow will be kenpo x, followed by a day of rest or a xstretch (I am leaning toward the latter). After day seven I will most likely not comment again on my p90x workouts until my 30th day. I am already looking forward to taking my 30 day measurements and pics and I cannot wait for my 60 and 90 days measurements and pics, it's going to be awesome.

Day 3 and 4

Yesterday, was the arm and shoulder day which I forgot to blog about yesterday. My triceps have never hurt like this before. Despite the pain I have not felt this good in a long time, which is saying a lot since it has only been four days. Something funny that I have noticed, I sweat like crazy now any time I do any physical activity, which is gross and awesome at the same time. Today was yoga day. May I say that I had no idea just how impossibley difficult that yoga is. I was deffinately sweating and burning like crazy for the whole 1 hour and 38 minute workout. The ending was really nice and relaxing and left me feeling great!

Wow (aka Day 2)

No not world of warcraf, i mean wow, as in astonishment. I thought yesterday was bad, I had no idea. The p90x guy says that plyometrics is the x in p90x and I believe him. Considering that plyo is the most difficult then I feel a little better about the next 4 days of my first week (however, I am already dreaded next thursday...).

To Lauren: I probably will still play but I am going to definitely be sore and probably not playing very hard. I hope you decide to start the program soon.

To Dahlia: Well it's fun and not fun, if that makes sense. It's difficult. It really pushes those who want to be pushed, if you want to dog it you can or you can just kind of workout; there is no one there to make you do anything. If you think Brendan is willing to workout for an hour almost non-stop and push himself, I believe it would help him a lot. The think about this program is that it really is just workouts that people who know what the are doing have been doing for years. Both you and Brendan should do it together, it's good to have someone doing it with you to keep you motivated and honest.

One mistake that I made today, I ate within an hour of doing the workout....BIG MISTAKE! My stomach was killing me throughout the session and right now I feel like my stomach is trying to get outside my body.

Overall this has been a fun couple of days and I am alreay starting to feel a lot better (15 minutes after the workout). My whole body is dead though and I can tell my muscles are torn to shreads.