This is for you, My Poor Neglected Blog

I am sorry. It is hard to justify blogging for me when I know that I have a group project to be working on or more reading to complete. Anyhow life is great! I love my program and the 9,000 major changes, road blocks, and other stresses seam worth it.

There is a lot to know about health care and a lot of hard questions to answer: is health care a right? what is the difference between the demand for health and the demand for medical services? (-they are very different you see, the demand for health wants fewer sick day not necessarily medical care) why does the United States have a medical system based on sick care instead of trying to keep people healthy? Which is better in health care the market justice or social justics system? If you would change our current health system how would you do it? What is the difference between a HMO, PPO, and indemnity policy? How should health care be rationed? If everyone in the U.S has health care how are we going to have enough providers to fulfill their needs?

My mind is constantly plagued with questions like these. To begin the program I was a total proponent of the market justice system of health care. America is built on the concept of the economic good, little government interference, and working hard to get where you want. I hated that as consumer in health care we have to pay for the expenses of the un-insured. My perspective has changed throughout this program however. It took a comment for a member of my class to realize that Christ cared for the sick and afflicted- he didn't care how prosperous or poor an individual was. We have a responsibility to maintain social jutice in health care as well.

The medical system has a unique ethical obligation very different from any other industry. You cannot turn away someone who is in dire need. I would like to think the principle of supply and demand could accurately regulate the price of medical care. However, the market is handicapped as the physician not the patient is the agent and insurance desensitizes the consumer and provider from the price of services. Therefore a certain amount of government regulation is needed.

I will stop rambling, but health care is complex and next time you go to criticize someone trying to mend or crippled health care system don't complain about how we got into the mess we are in (becuase the past is behind us) try to imagine what you would do.

On to other important matters. I have also been having a lot of fun playing around with my new camera. Because every post is better with pictures here are a few
here is my brother-in-law Alma with his gorgeous fiance Claudia (I am so excited for another sister in law) They put up with me taking their engagements, here is one I liked

the LA temple is always a good subject for photography, I am growing quite attached to it

Now I will end with some eye candy. This may be my finest work yet, not only is the picture good, but the man behind the picture is even better. I did something right

The Nikon D5000 Dream Machine

For months I have been making deals with Enoch if certain amounts of money could go into my camera fund. Since we really don't have much of an income my fund was set to mature... in a few years probably. Anyhow I loved pestering Enoch about it and it was always fun to dream about it in the meantime. One of my favorite pastimes has been owwing and ahhing over my friends amazing pictures. I regularly check their blogs and gape at their inspiring photos.

Well my wonderful parents (and grandparents) made my dream comes to true. With some substantial graduation donations I know am the proud owner of a Nikon D5000, a SLR camera. I have scoured the instruction manual and frequent photography sites researching what aperture, ISO, and shutter speed mean and how to take the type of picture I love.

Stayed tuned for some photo love coming your way

Real Salt Laking

Here is a shout out to my home town soccer champions. I wish I could say that I was on the band wagon last year with all of the excitement, but I love a good soccer game. The game was exciting with Real winning 2-0 all the while accompanied by drumming- I didn't realize that soccer needed a beat during play... I guess that is the cool thing to do in soccer now.
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Kayaking Provo River

Among my lengthily list of things I wanted to do while in Utah this summer lied Kayak down the Provo River. We ended up getting a great deal and with two kayaks and one raft my Enoch, my mom, Ryan, Kayla, Jared, and I braved the river.

Hoss, Joe and Skyter Riding

One of the highlights during our Utah trip this year was riding horses with Enoch and my dad up American Fork Canyon. The canyon was absolutely lush with picture perfect clouds on a beautiful overcast day- how I have missed the mountains.

I felt like the man from snowy river as Enoch had us galloping up hills and across meadows. It wass an experience unlike any other feeling the power of a horse, sucking air as I held on for dear life, squinting my eyes as the wind blew by, and grinning from ear to ear as I realized how wonderful life really is.

Enoch proved his knowledge from his horsemanship merit badge (ha, ha) leading the group on good ol' Hoss.This picture made me laugh so I chose it, but in all seriousness, Enoch was a great horse rider

Inches behind Hoss' hind quarters faithful Little Joe followed along with me on his back
Finally, on Skyter (our neighbors horse) my dad gave her a good work out

BYU Graduation

Well, the deed is done, I am now a Brigham Young University Alumni. Summer graduation was awesome, very intimate, great weather, short and sweet, and I met President and Sister Samuelson. (aka Cecil) In honor of such an occasion Enoch and I took the liberty of taking a plethora of pictures. Enjoy

Undergraduate Degree- Check

As of July 26, 2010 I completed all the requirements for my undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University! Take that, after changing my major 6.7 million times, moving to California for the last year, and taking classes at Cal State Northrdige to transfer, I have finally completed my degree. The best part however, is even with all the change, adjustments, and extreme flexibility I finished in four years (which was always my goal and who does that now days?)

It has been a rough road at times, I remember watching Enoch walk last year and wishing so bad that I would have the same opportunity to graduate from BYU, but in the end I am getting my chance. Come August 12th I will return to BYU and pay my respects to a campus I love, for professors and students with morals, where language is clean and uplifting, where facilities are maintained, where devotionals and praying are the norm, and where modesty rules. My experience away from BYU has given me a greater appreciation for the school. I will always have wonderful memories of campus, sporting events, intramurals, walking to campus, working for BYU, studying abroad in Europe, partying with roommates, finding my true love, learning, and growing up.