Dear Readers!
I have been messaged a few times about my first week of school and I figured that here would be a good place to let everyone know how school has been!
My classes are expanding the way that I think about the world and how I can be more involved in it! I have two writing classes, an american foundations class, a religion class, and a visual media class. Nothing too huge for the first semester here, I just want to ease into it for the first bit.
I enjoy my homework, the cold is bearable, and the people are amazing. There really isn't anything that I don't like here, aside from the fact that here and there I am a little bored. That will be gone soon though, since the actual work will start soon!
I am well, our apartment is well-balanced, the food is good, and the campus is all close enough to walk around. I have no real complaints. Not that I have any right to complain. I am studying at an amazing university and I am figuring out my life. I am working hard and furthering myself so that I can make a difference in the world.
In short I am joyful in my attendance and I am pleased with school. I miss all of you that are far away, but I know that our paths will cross again!
With much love!
-Doug
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
School!
It may seem as though I have ventured into a lost and cold tundra in the middle of nowhere to those that know where I am, but I couldn't be too much happier than I am here at BYU-Idaho right now. I am aware that it is still the first day of class and that I will find hard times ahead, but right now I am just filled with the new beginnings of thought and academic understanding.
I know as well as any that life is not perfect. We'll never have every single thing that we want in the way that we want it, and that is the way that it should be. Right now I know that I am living in a nice place that has heat and a kitchen, among other modern amenities. I know that my teachers are amazing people that care about me as a person and that they have a desire to see me grow as an individual and become more than I am. I know that I am young still and have much to learn, and I know that it snowed today! I am so happy that it did! I know that I had some people looking at me like I am crazy, but I love the snow! It is so beautiful and I just know that this is where I need to be!
I suppose that I am just blogging a little here to let you know that I am safe, I am happy, and that I love where I am!
Do you love where you're at right now? Did you in the past? It's a new year, and I hope that you are enjoying it as much as I am!
As always,
Doug
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Rexbug
Well, I love it here! It is really late and it took me about ten minutes to sign into the right google account to post this.... and now I need to get to bed!
THE END.
(oh, and I-Night was awesome)
REALLY THE END
THE END.
(oh, and I-Night was awesome)
REALLY THE END
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013
Dear Readers,
Welcome to 2013! I know that everyone will be posting something (as I have already done myself) and I just wanted to add a few more lines!
New Year's Resolutions are an interesting thing these days. I think of them and I think of (as most of us probably would) all of those failed goals from last year. I think of all the times I said "this year is going to be different". Well, what made all those years the same? Or were they? I think that we can all take our New Year's Resolutions a little more seriously and I know that I for one am going to stick to them! I am not saying that I'll be perfect, because I know that wouldn't be realistic, but I know that a stick to it attitude isn't unrealistic! I know that we are better than we think! I know that there isn't anything that we can't do!
The bottom line here is that I want to really take my Resolutions to a new level this year. A resolution is by definition a resolve or determination to do something, and although I can joke about them and laugh as well, I want to make sure that I follow through with them!
Any ways, happy 2013! I hope that your new year is filled with all the things that you are looking for, and maybe even some good ones that you weren't thinking would be there!
As Always!
-Doug Knuth
Welcome to 2013! I know that everyone will be posting something (as I have already done myself) and I just wanted to add a few more lines!
New Year's Resolutions are an interesting thing these days. I think of them and I think of (as most of us probably would) all of those failed goals from last year. I think of all the times I said "this year is going to be different". Well, what made all those years the same? Or were they? I think that we can all take our New Year's Resolutions a little more seriously and I know that I for one am going to stick to them! I am not saying that I'll be perfect, because I know that wouldn't be realistic, but I know that a stick to it attitude isn't unrealistic! I know that we are better than we think! I know that there isn't anything that we can't do!
The bottom line here is that I want to really take my Resolutions to a new level this year. A resolution is by definition a resolve or determination to do something, and although I can joke about them and laugh as well, I want to make sure that I follow through with them!
Any ways, happy 2013! I hope that your new year is filled with all the things that you are looking for, and maybe even some good ones that you weren't thinking would be there!
As Always!
-Doug Knuth
Monday, December 31, 2012
New Beginnings
I want to continue with the trend of writing about the new year, and as I write I want to focus on the things that I am going to change and make better in my life. I want to really go off into 2013 ready to face a new day and work hard. I am going to school and that will bring its own group of new experiences and challenges. I am going to make my life happen and I am going to believe in myself.
I want to continue to do all of the things that make me happy, and I want to do away with those things that weigh me down. I am going to stop with the useless and utilize more of my time. If I falter, I will rise again and work even harder than before to make this year the best yet! I know that things won't be easy. I know that I can't promise myself that I will be perfect (I mean, who can?) but I can promise myself that I will always do my best! I will not allow myself to fall short or give up!
My goal in life is to make a difference and help people know that they matter, and that's what I am going to do! To all of you that read this, thank you for an amazing year. Thank you for doing the good things that you do. Thank you for caring. I hope that the year to come is filled with wonderful blessings and that we can all do our part to make the world a brighter, happier place! Let's represent humanity in the best way!
As always,
Doug Knuth
*Happy 2013*
Friday, December 28, 2012
Keeping it Short-ish- Politics and the End of the World
I don't want to take up a lot of space or time with this post, so I will be to the point.
I do not mind if you think that we need more gun control. I don't mind if you think we need less. I don't mind if you agree with the president or not. I don't really mind if you are for or against same sex marriage or stand for heterosexual marriage only.
I know and acknowledge that everyone has their own right to express their respective opinions about the things they find important.
HOWEVER!
I am really tired of people attacking over the internet. Really America? We are an amazing nation that was founded on the principles of equality and justice, not those of whining and bad mouthing.
I know that this post might not make a difference, but I want everyone to know where I stand.
It is not acceptable to trash on the president, his officers, or those that govern us even if you didn't vote for them! Sure, you don't agree with something, that's FINE! Don't go overboard and act your shoe size rather than your age about it though!
It is not acceptable to discriminate or actively persecute anyone because of their beliefs! YES, THAT MEANS EVERYONE! I don't agree with you on something. MOVE ON. Don't make it a point to argue and tell me why I'm a bigot for thinking differently! That's WRONG!
Just because you CAN post it doesn't mean you SHOULD! You know that thing that is almost funny but has a bad word in it? That isn't what I am talking about. I'm talking about the rumors. I am talking about the over exaggeration about current events!
GROW UP!
Stop being a baby about it and really just stop. The world is in a hole right now and if we want to get out of it we need to work together. That doesn't work when you're too busy offending or being offended to notice that things are falling apart!
I was once asked by a great friend of mine if I thought that 9/11 was a good thing or a bad thing. He told me upon my response that out of the many people that he had asked I was the only one that had ever said that it was both.
Why would I say such a thing? It is actually quite simple. Although the tragedy will always remain and the death and destruction were immense and horrible there had not been a time in which we as a nation were more unified. When had any of us ever seen so many american flags proudly displayed everywhere? We all forgot our differences and came together to fight for what is right.
Have we forgotten that? I think we have. We are too busy quarreling over petty and stupid things to see the big picture.
I would like to somehow give everyone a wake-up call. The world is moving all the time. If we don't come together and put aside the small things we'll have to be reminded the hard way again. History has proved that time and time again.
If you are still reading this I thank you and hope that you have an amazing day.
I challenge you to make a difference for the better, right now.
Thank you and as always,
I care, and I believe in you.
-Doug Knuth
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Les Misérables, Doctor Who, and Christmas!
Again I wish you all a Merry Christmas, now that it is over. We have spent time together as families in whatever size and shape they may be, and on this night I find myself reflecting quite a bit!
I'll start off with Les Misérables! What a fantastic production! The acting and the music were brought together in a truly breathtaking way. I felt very involved with the characters' lives and I felt that I could learn a lot from them. We can learn (or rather remember, being that we generally know things and only need to be reminded of them) about life and why it is so important. We can understand more about what it means to grow up and watch children make their own lives. We can see that sometimes life deals us a rough hand. We can be grateful for the things that we have and for those that we do not have to give up. We can learn that obsession, even if for a good cause, can sour and ruin a life. As is the case in love, we see that true love can overcome any barrier, and that unrequited love is still as it shall ever be- the saddest story that shall ever be told. We can remember what true courage is, and ponder over when it is truly courage, or when it becomes an ignoble cause that does not merit our support. We can see the weighing of mercy and justice. We can learn of grief and pain and of love and sadness. There are so very many things that we can find within this exquisite piece of film that really is so much more than just that.
As with the Hobbit I have thought much on the messages that are presented to us and I can tell that there is an amazing common theme. We can see the depth and simplicity of life. We can see that true joy comes not from a tantalizing forbidden pleasure that brings hate and deception into our lives, but that it comes from the heart. It comes from true feelings, those not masked by worldly gain or the fulfillment of a rancid appetite. That which is sweetest is the love of the heart. Not of a physical persuasion but something deeper than that. When we dig deep and find nothing but shallow roots we must pull the weeds and plant a seed that will grow. When we dig deep and find unknown roots that run deep into our souls we can tap into an endless fount of all that is good in us. How is it so? Simple. Character.
We are all beings that can choose. We have the infinite power to make so many decisions and change so many little things. Those little things in turn change the big ones. It isn't something that happens overnight, but so it is in life as well. Bilbo Baggins didn't just walk down the road and come back, he was gone for a long time! Jean Valjean didn't spend one night in a cell and then claim his reward. We can't allow ourselves to be caught up in having every little thing we want right now. We cannot and must not be content to just have the shallow roots. We need to dig deep into our character and grow. Growing causes pain and is not easy. It isn't something that happens all at once, but over time.
We need to look around ourselves! The world is brimming with potential. That's why the Doctor chooses to save us all the time. That's why all the heroes that have ever lived, either in history or our hearts, were created- because they believed in us.
This Christmas I want you to know that I believe in you, I want you to succeed, and I am here for you. I know that it may seem a small gift, but it is the best I can give. I give myself, as your friend. I want so much for all of you (and yes, I mean YOU) to know how much I believe in you. Thrust deep your roots. Tell me of your successes, I want to know! Talk to me when it is hard if you want, and I will do my best to help.
The point I want to make is that no one should have to be alone, and I don't want you to be, if you're feeling that way. If not, then I am even more happy to hear so and want to help you shine even brighter than you already do!
There is something to be said for the power of believing. Otherwise we'd never have so many books about it.
Merry Christmas everyone.
-Doug Knuth
I'll start off with Les Misérables! What a fantastic production! The acting and the music were brought together in a truly breathtaking way. I felt very involved with the characters' lives and I felt that I could learn a lot from them. We can learn (or rather remember, being that we generally know things and only need to be reminded of them) about life and why it is so important. We can understand more about what it means to grow up and watch children make their own lives. We can see that sometimes life deals us a rough hand. We can be grateful for the things that we have and for those that we do not have to give up. We can learn that obsession, even if for a good cause, can sour and ruin a life. As is the case in love, we see that true love can overcome any barrier, and that unrequited love is still as it shall ever be- the saddest story that shall ever be told. We can remember what true courage is, and ponder over when it is truly courage, or when it becomes an ignoble cause that does not merit our support. We can see the weighing of mercy and justice. We can learn of grief and pain and of love and sadness. There are so very many things that we can find within this exquisite piece of film that really is so much more than just that.
As with the Hobbit I have thought much on the messages that are presented to us and I can tell that there is an amazing common theme. We can see the depth and simplicity of life. We can see that true joy comes not from a tantalizing forbidden pleasure that brings hate and deception into our lives, but that it comes from the heart. It comes from true feelings, those not masked by worldly gain or the fulfillment of a rancid appetite. That which is sweetest is the love of the heart. Not of a physical persuasion but something deeper than that. When we dig deep and find nothing but shallow roots we must pull the weeds and plant a seed that will grow. When we dig deep and find unknown roots that run deep into our souls we can tap into an endless fount of all that is good in us. How is it so? Simple. Character.
We are all beings that can choose. We have the infinite power to make so many decisions and change so many little things. Those little things in turn change the big ones. It isn't something that happens overnight, but so it is in life as well. Bilbo Baggins didn't just walk down the road and come back, he was gone for a long time! Jean Valjean didn't spend one night in a cell and then claim his reward. We can't allow ourselves to be caught up in having every little thing we want right now. We cannot and must not be content to just have the shallow roots. We need to dig deep into our character and grow. Growing causes pain and is not easy. It isn't something that happens all at once, but over time.
We need to look around ourselves! The world is brimming with potential. That's why the Doctor chooses to save us all the time. That's why all the heroes that have ever lived, either in history or our hearts, were created- because they believed in us.
This Christmas I want you to know that I believe in you, I want you to succeed, and I am here for you. I know that it may seem a small gift, but it is the best I can give. I give myself, as your friend. I want so much for all of you (and yes, I mean YOU) to know how much I believe in you. Thrust deep your roots. Tell me of your successes, I want to know! Talk to me when it is hard if you want, and I will do my best to help.
The point I want to make is that no one should have to be alone, and I don't want you to be, if you're feeling that way. If not, then I am even more happy to hear so and want to help you shine even brighter than you already do!
There is something to be said for the power of believing. Otherwise we'd never have so many books about it.
Merry Christmas everyone.
-Doug Knuth
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