3

Number: 3
Name: Kyle
Date: June 25, 2013

Kyle is a member of my Young Single Adult ward and also my home teacher.  For anyone not familiar with home teachers, they are men that are assigned to watch over and serve fellow members of their Latter-day Saint ward or branch.  Two home teachers are assigned to each individual or family in the congregation and they visit at least once a month to support them in their efforts to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They usually share a short message and make sure the temporal needs of the family or individual are being taken care of.  (For more information visit this link.)

At the end of a home teaching visit Kyle asked if there was anything he could do to help me out.  I mentioned that I needed to go on 98 more dates if I wanted to go to Brasil, and he said he would be happy to help.

Kyle and I met up with his brother and sister-in-law (Max and Bethany) and their friends George and Heather.  The six of us packed up to go rock-climbing in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We stopped for dinner at Crown Burger in Sandy where Kyle and I split a pastrami crown burger - since neither of us wanted a big meal before going climbing - and then we headed up the canyon.

Max and George set a course for a climb called the Salt Lake Slips.  We arrived and unloaded our gear before completing a short hike down the road to get to the wall.  We had to hike down steep bank, cross a river and then hike up a short trail.  But once we got to the climb, we discovered that it was crowded and all of the routes were being used.  After consulting the all-knowing book of Utah rock-climbing, Max and George plotted a new course.  We walked back to the river and then hiked up stream until we found a wall that was free.  I say that we "hiked upstream," but we actually tried to stay out of the water as much as possible.  We just hopped from rock to rock and walked along the shore, although I think everyone fell in at least once.

Even though it took a few hours to find our spot and get set up, the hike was pretty and the weather was perfect so nobody minded.  Bethany, Heather and I rested and cooled our feet in the river while the guys got the rope set up.  Kyle was the first to climb and he made it all the way to the top.  I was only mildly impressed until it was my turn to climb and I realized how flat the wall was and how much strength it took to climb it.  Then I was majorly impressed.  There was a ledge about 15 feet up (maybe?) that was reasonably easy to climb to and seemed like a good destination for me.  After that, the wall got really flat and there were less hand and foot holds.  The climb to the ledge was pretty easy, but with only my tennis shoes - my wet tennis shoes, I might add - I couldn't get any higher.  It was soon decided that anyone who made it to that ledge would get ice cream at the end of the night.  Luckily (but unsurprisingly), everyone made it at least to that ledge, and all the guys made it all the way to the top.

By the time the last person, Max, had ascended the wall the sun was down and it was getting dark.  There were bats flying around and the stars were coming out.  The guys took down the ropes in the dark and then we all went to Leatherby's to reward ourselves with ice cream and cheesy fries.  (P.S. If you haven't been to Leatherby's you must go there and you must try Traci's Peanut Butter Cup)  As we pulled into the parking lot, Heather mentioned that she always runs into someone she knows every time she goes to Leatherby's and this time was no exception.  Her sister and parents happened to walk in at the same time we did and our party of six became a party of ten.  We ate and talked and talked and ate until we realized how late it was and then we all said good night and went home.

I always enjoy rock climbing and ice cream, but even more so when it is with a group of really fun and interesting people.  Although my feet are blistered and my muscles are sore, it was totally worth it!  Kyle, thanks for a great time and a really fun date.  You are a great guy, a good home teacher and an amazing rock climber!

2

Number: 2
Name: Larry
Date: June 22, 2013

First a little back story:

We also share a love of the TV show Scrubs.  Once a year we
get together and wear our scrubs and drink fake "appletinies"
and watch our favorite episodes.

Larry and I met about three years ago when we lived in the same apartment complex dump, and we have been good friends ever since.  Among the many things that we have in common, we share a love - nay, obsession - for all things Lord of the Rings related, and he was appalled to discover that I still hadn't seen The Hobbit. (Note: I did go to the midnight showing, but I fell asleep through most of it and just hadn't gotten around to seeing it again since.)

Larry is also a chef, and I make it a rule to never pass up an opportunity to sample his cooking.  He never ceases to amaze me, and every once in a while I manage to impress him (kind- sorta) with some culinary creation of my own.  For example, a few years ago I made a Brasilian dinner for some members of my ward and I invited Larry.  For dessert I served Mousse de Maracujá (Passion fruit mousse).  While I like this dessert, Larry fell in love with it at first taste.  He has professed a desire to marry it and have its children.  However, it isn't a dessert that I can make very often because Maracujá concentrate - the key ingredient - isn't always available.

Last week I managed to find some Maracujá concentrate and I needed to use it up before it went bad.  Larry said he would provide the movie - The Hobbit - if I would provide the dessert.  I agreed and we called it a date.

We started our evening by making dessert.  We tried a variation on our usual Mousse de Maracujá recipe and it was probably the best Mousse we have made yet - we have nearly perfected our recipe.  Then we watched The Hobbit while we enjoyed the fruits of our labor and congratulated ourselves on being master chefs.  The movie was pretty amazing - I suspected it would be - and I am glad I finally watched it.  I managed to stay awake through all of it this time and I can't wait for the second installment to come out in December!

All in all, I would call the date a success.  Good food, good movie, good company.  Larry, if you are reading this, thanks for a fantastic adventure in Middle Earth.  We really should do it again sometime - maybe next time I find Maracujá for sale in Provo.

1

Number: 1
Name: Joseph
Date: June 5, 2013

Joseph was a guy my sister in South Carolina set me up with. (Thanks, sis.  You are the best!)  She was on a date with Joseph's little brother and they realized that they both had siblings in Provo working on Master's Degrees at BYU, so they set us up on a date.

Joseph is working on getting his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (I think).  He is from a military family and so doesn't really claim to be from anywhere, although his family is currently located in D.C.  He likes hiking and spending time outdoors, which I think is pretty awesome.

Since both Joseph and I are busy writing Theses - Thesises? - we decided to go to lunch on campus. I will mention that sometimes taking a girl to lunch on campus can be really tacky, but in this case it worked.  In fact, I would have suggested it if he hadn't.  It was convenient for both of us, and it wasn't like we ate out of the vending machines or anything.  He came and picked me up from my lab in the Widtsow building and we walked to the MOA and had lunch in the cafe.  The food was good, the company was good, the atmosphere was good . . . really I have no complaints.  

I don't know if I will see or hear from Joseph again; but, Joseph, if you are reading this, thank you for a lovely afternoon.