FAM – March 2002
What’s up ya’ll!  This is John.  I have been enjoying everyone else’s
newsletters that I thought I might as well do one, too.  There’s actually
isn’t that much to tell, but my mom encouraged me to do it.

The blessing of Natalie and Camden was an awesome experience for me, too.  I
never have participated in a babys blessing before, and it was very special to
me.  I also enjoyed seeing every one, and spending a few moments with ya’ll.
It makes me feel old to think my sister is a mom!

I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas the week following.  I have recently
been playing in the BYU pep band.  I tried out and made the band that plays at
the womens basketball games.  (It has been fun, but hopefully I’ll be able to
make the band that goes to the men’s games. No offense to all the girls out
there, but guys are just more exciting to watch; play sports I mean.) 
Anyways, we did get the chance to come down with both teams to Las Vegas for
four days for the MWC tournament.  The men have had a great record at home,
but unfortunately can’t seem to win away.  They lost their first game, but the
women won it all, and are now going to Iowa this weekend for the NCAA Womens
Basketball Tournament.  The band is going there, too.  But I won’t be joining
them because I can’t afford to miss any more school.  Las Vegas was fun,
though.  They set us up in pretty nice hotel; treated us to a nice healthy
breakfast of omelets with tomatoes, peppers, cheese, onions, mushrooms,
sausage, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, etc.; and then gave us about $30 a day
for food.  It was pretty nice.  We only had one game a day (because the men
lost there first) so we enjoyed the rest of the day pretty much doing what
ever we wanted.  I thought it was funny, some of the guys called it “sin
city”, but I thought it was a nice change from Provo.  We saw the ‘strip’ a
couple of days, saw the interesting people and things, and just relaxed not
worrying about school for a couple days.

So far I have enjoyed my stay here at BYU.  My favorite thing probably is the
spiritual growth.  I love the religion classes that help you continue to study
the scriptures and learn more of the Gospel.  I think I am relearning some
good habits that I had on my mission, but that I haven’t been able to keep as
well since being home.  I have also enjoyed the many parties and dances that
they have weekly here. There is so much to do, in so little time.  It’s not
very hard to fill up your day here.  The hardest part is finding the most
productive things to do.  I’m sure it’s the same with the rest of you.

Well that’s about it from me. Ciao a tutti! 

 JOHN