Hopkins

Tonight Anna and I watched a new show on ABC. It is a 6 part documentary about the lives of a few of the doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I don't know exactly what it is about Johns Hopkins (perhaps because it is one of the top medical schools), but I have been fascinated with Johns Hopkins for quite a while. Unfortunately it is not a D.O. school or else I would be applying there (it would be my long shot dream school). However, if I have a chance for a fellowship there after my residency, I think I would go for it. While I was presenting at the NCUR in Salisbury, MD there were representatives from Johns Hopkins University recruiting for their graduate programs. I talked to a rep for a little bit (knowing that I could never afford to go there for grad school) and they had some free stuff with their name on it. I got Connor a little stress giraffe, since he loves giraffes and maybe (if he decides he wants to be a doctor) he will look at it one day and be inspired and want to go there.

Reunion Arena

This article was in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Sunday.

Reunion Arena says goodbye after 28 years

By Mitch Mitchell

It opened to much fanfare and awe back in 1980, fast becoming an icon -- along with its accompanying tower -- on the downtown Dallas skyline.

But a new, spiffier building, with more suites and expensive seats, replaced it in our hearts a long time ago.

On Saturday night, Reunion Arena said farewell.

After 28 years of hosting entertainment events, including Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars games, Reunion hosted its last event -- Una Voz Profectica, a Spanish-language Christian rally.

Officials expect the building to be razed to make way for future development.

"I've been here for 23 of its 28 years, so it's a little sad for us," said Wil Caudell, Reunion Arena general manager. "Millions of people came through these doors, and we have a lot of good memories about the things we were able to do here."

Goodbye, old friend.

It makes me a little sad; however, at the same time it was time for it to go. I have a lot of memories in that building. The first NBA game I attended was there when the Mavs took on the Utah Jazz. I witnessed many more games as well as some of the NBA's best players, the likes of Jordan, Stockton, Malone, Barkley, and Shaq just to name a few. I was a ball-boy for the Mavs back in the 1995-96 season. As a ball-boy, I spent a lot of time down in the bowels of the arena (all the areas people normally don't go). At the end of the season, all the ball-boys got together and we played a tournament on the court. I had a lot of fun at Reunion Arena. Just before I left on my mission, Bryon and I went early, early, early one morning and waited in line to get WCW Monday Nitro tickets. When I returned from my mission in 2001 the Mavs were relevant again and in the playoffs. We (Matt, Bryon and I) went to what would end up being the last game ever played by the Mavs at Reunion Arena. The American Airlines Center was being finished and the Mavs would start playing there the next year. The Mavs were playing the Spurs in the second round and we went to game four (the Mavs were down 3 games to none.) The Mavs won that game but then went on to lose game five in San Antonio. That final game at Reunion was probably the loudest most exciting game I have ever been to. I also went to my first Hockey game there when the Stars moved from Minnesota (which was funny because it happened while Matt was serving his mission in Minnesota) I went to a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (now they are just the Ducks). That was a blast and I have loved hockey ever since. While I was on my mission, the Stars won the Stanley Cup there. Like I said it will make me sad to see that arena get torn down, but it was old and out dated compared to the AAC. The memories, however, will never be torn down.

20 Years

20 Years Ago (1988)

I was 10 years old with a dream of being an Olympic Athlete. I didn't quite understand that you could compete in just one event. So, I started practicing all the events that I saw while watching the Summer Games. I even found some scrap wood in our garage that I cut and nailed together to make a hurdle to practice jumping over. Even though I never achieved my dreams of being an Olympian, I developed a deep love for the Summer Games that remains even today. There is a part of me that feels like I'm 10 years old again watching the Seoul Olympics.
10 Years Ago (1998)
It was very critical year for me. I was at a crossroads, and the decisions I made changed my life and the direction it has gone. I was 20 years old and on the fast track to becoming a very successful head basketball coach. I was the Head Coach for the 7^th grade boys basketball team at the Episcopal School of Dallas, as well as Head Coach and General Manager of the Plano Power (a 16 and under girls A.A.U. traveling team), and an Assistant Coach at Collin County Community College for their women's basketball team (The Head Coach at CCCC went on to coach at Baylor, who went on to win a National Championship). This was the year I decided to find out if the Church is true. Obviously, once you start asking the questions to find out if the church is true, you will find out the answer to that. I submitted my mission papers that year and left for Argentina the next. I left coaching basketball to serve the Lord and the people of Argentina. Even though I never went back to coaching, I don't regret my decision at all.
5 Years Ago (2003)
I was teaching Early Morning Seminary for the Denton 4^th Ward. I had just moved out of my parents' house and moved in with my friend Samuel "Babe" Bigley. I was working at Mayday Pest Control as the lead technician. I had started to take BYU independent study classes in hopes to get into BYU and their marriage and family program (but more so to go through the seminary pre-service program). I was the regional building counselor for the EFY program as they piloted the concept to have a B.C. in different areas that could help recruit counselors and work with the locations where the camps would be held (the next year I would go on to be a coordinator and meet Anna at a training and work with her at the BYU sessions that year). That summer I decided to move to Provo that fall. And so I did.
3 Years Ago (2005)
I married Anna that year, and we moved into our little apartment that we have since lived in. I was teaching Seminary at Provo High School and the prospect of getting hired full time was looking very optimistic. I decided to get back into school and finish my degree. After succeeding and getting into BYU, I went and talked to Jason Slack at Utah Valley State College about their Exercise Science program. Then I decided to transfer and start classes at UVSC (I took that semester off of teaching Seminary to focus on my classes and I haven't looked back, I loved the experience but I love where I am going much more). I started working at Provo Canyon School doing nightwatch, which was a good job to allow me to do my homework while at work. We got pregnant with Connor who was born the next year.
1 Year Ago (2007)
This was a fun year. We had a lot of fun with Connor. He went to school with Anna and I, as we switched off going to class and watching C. I had a lot of fun with him as we would go to the Science Building and he loved the animals that are there. Connor went on his 1^st vacation to Las Vegas for the Osmond 50^th Anniversary Concert during the summer. Also, that fall we went on a trip to Chicago to go on the Opera Show with all the other Osmonds. The Mavs went out in the first round of the playoffs to the eight seeded Golden State Warriors (a year after losing in the NBA finals) after winning over 60 games in regular season and having the best record in the NBA. I really improved my golf game, hitting straighter and longer drives and more accurate shots. I mostly played at the executive course at East Bay Golf Club. My best score was a 4 over par 33.
So Far This Year (2008)
I graduated with a bachelor's degree from Utah Valley University. I decided I want to go on to Medical School and become a D.O. We found out we are pregnant and James will be born in July. Connor turned 2 and it just so happened that on his birthday we were at Disney World for the Miracle Children's Network Telethon with the rest of the Osmond family (a totally awesome vacation by the way, it was legen… wait for it… dary!) Also, I went to Maryland with a group from UVSC for the National Convention for Undergraduate Research which I presented about correlations between physical activity levels and academic performance. We will be moving to Texas in about a month and a half.
Yesterday
I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought two Elmo DVDs for Connor on my way home from work. After waking up I hung out with Anna and Connor, we had dinner and watched Celebrity Family Feud (such great summer television lineups). Then we went and played at a mound of dirt and a playground and then came home and Connor went to bed. Then Anna and I watched some of America's Got Talent (again those great summer lineups). I got ready and went to work.
Today
I'm at work and it is 3 am in the a.m., what can I say.
Tomorrow I will…
Go to sleep when I get home from work. Wake up and play with Anna and Connor. Eat dinner and go play at the playground with Connor. Put Connor to bed and get ready and go to work again.
In The Next Year I Will…
Be in Texas, working at Zerorez and getting ready to apply to Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (taking classes and preparing for the MCAT). I will also be enjoying my two sons as they grow up. And spending whatever time I can with them and my wonderful wife, Anna.

Tag, You’re It! (I Didn’t Even Know I Was Playing)

I really don't like blog tags. Not so much that I don't like sharing stuff about me in my blog, but that I feel like I'm supposed to tag someone else. And it is supposed to continue on and on until it has reached out and around and come back to you. I'm not sure why I don't like them for certain. I just think they remind me of those emails I would get about Bill Gates giving everyone who sends this email on to someone else will get one million dollars. However, at the same time it's not like those emails at all. Perhaps it's because it seems more like a girl thing to do. Maybe it has to do with feeling obligated to make a post dictated on what someone else has said to make it on and then turning it on to someone else and telling them what to put on their blog. Oh well, maybe I should just leave it at I don't like them, for whatever reason, I just don't like them. On the other hand, I have no problem if Anna wants me to make a post about something, especially since we want to put our posts in a family history book at the end of each year. So the accompanying post is for you Anna.

Kung Fu Connor

On Saturday morning, I took Connor to the movies to go see Kung Fu Panda. We have taken Connor to the movies before. Once when he was really little to see Over the Hedge (so he doesn't remember that). Also, not too long ago we took him to see the Bee Movie. However, that was at the dollar movie and the place is kind of run down. He did think it was cool to watch a movie on such a big "T.V." though. I took him, to the Provo Towne Centre Mall to go to the movie this time, so it was kind of like his first real movie experience (big theater with stadium seating). We went to the mall and walked around until it was almost time for the movie and then we went to the theater. He was in awe when we walked in and he saw all the movie promo cut outs and stuff. Then we went to the arcade where he got to drive an auto, or at least he thought he was (It's so great he is still young enough that just playing with the steering wheel and pedals are enough for him). Then we went to the concession stand to get some popcorn and a drink. This was a highlight, because as soon as I told him we were getting popcorn and a drink, he proceeded to tell me (really loudly too) that he wanted, as he put it "porn". I was quick to correct him and tell him it is pop-corn. It was no use; at least my correcting him was useful in letting the people around me know that my son does not want to watch porn but to eat popcorn. Crazy! Anyway, we went into our theater and he loved the previews and watching the movie and he almost made it through the whole thing. At the end as the final battle scene is beginning he leans over to me and says, "I want to go." I ask if he wants to watch the rest of the movie and then go and he replies, "No, I want to go, bye Roar!" turning toward the screen and continues to tell the "Roar" (the bad guy who was a leopard) bye. So I gather up our stuff and we go to the ramp at the side of the theater that leads to the exit and ask him again if he wants to watch the rest of the movie and then go and he turns and runs for the door. I do know that he did have a good time though because as soon as we left he was talking nonstop about going to see the bear. Also, today as we went out to do some shopping he asked if we were going to watch the bear. I have to be thankful that he is not old enough that when he sees a kung fu movie he wants to pretend he knows kung fu (He is still leaving all that to his dad right now).

What a Degree Means to Me

Over the last two months, Anna and I have talked a lot about what it means and the importance of getting a bachelor's degree. Then tonight we were discussing along the lines the same topic and it really hit me, just how important the experience was in shaping the direction I want to go with my life. Anna was feeling a little bad because, she had finished so much of her BSW (Bachelor's in Social Work) in Hawaii and then UVU didn't offer a BSW so she really doesn't feel like she is at a point where she can just stop because she wants to get her license and get her MSW. However, James is going to be born in a few weeks and she wants to stay at home and take care of our two boys. So she is torn between finishing her education and taking care of the boys, also she feels like maybe she wasted her time at UVU. I on the other hand look at it differently, yes she didn't get the degree she wanted but she got a degree and she had to work hard to get that degree. True, now she has other classes she will need to take in order to license in Texas. That is when it hit me, it took me until after I had walked across that stage and received that paper that I realized what I really want to do and that I can achieve much more than this.

I don't exactly remember when the idea got in my head, but at some point I thought, "With a degree in Exercise Science I could go on to Medical School." I quickly thought to myself, "Yeah, right! Me a doctor, I can't even stand to get a shot let alone see someone else get stuck with a needle." So I dismissed it, noting to myself that it was something I can't do. (Hmm, I wonder how many things we put in that category).

Now this is what I really realized tonight, I then proceeded with a self-destructive behavior that would prove that I can't do it. In my Anatomy, Physiology, and Chemistry classes I told myself I can't become a doctor and so I don't want to be a doctor and therefore I don't care about these classes and I just needed to pass them ("D" is for degree). So I did just what I had to in order to pass the class. (Now, some of you may think "Marcus, I saw you studying all night long at work for your Anatomy class, you worked really hard on that class. That is true, I did work hard. However, I know I didn't work as hard as I could.) I proceeded to tell myself that I was going to be an Exercise Physiologist. I had an easy route into grad school at UNT and it would not really require that much from me that I haven't already given. Then, in one of my conversations with my friend Steve (who was also my undergraduate research partner), I mentioned to him that if I were younger (I think that might have been on or around my 30^th birthday) and didn't have a family that I need to support, then I would like to retake some of my classes and go on to med school. He reassured me in that he has had the same thoughts but with a family and being thirty it's not feasible to make that kind of commitment time wise or financially. So, I continued in my thinking however it was changing. No longer did I feel I can't become a doctor, but that I could have become a doctor, I just can't now.

A few months later (near the end of my last semester) I mentioned the notion to Anna, totally expecting her to dismiss the idea just as Steve had and reassure me in my thinking. However, she did not. She told me that she thinks I could become a doctor and that it is not too late and if that is what I want to do then do it. Since that conversation, my thought process has completely changed. I believe not just that I can become a doctor, but that I will be a doctor. Thank you, Anna for believing in me, even when I don't even realize I don't believe in myself. (Oh, and by the way for those who are wondering, as far as needles go, they don't bother me anymore. I have been watching the girls at my work get blood draws for the last year. So to prove to anyone who doesn't believe me, I will give blood at the next blood drive.)

So Anna, I challenge you to find what you learned from your experience at UVU that has prepared you or shaped you for the future and share it with your readers.

Bean Town Baby!

OK, I had picked Boston to win in six games. So going into tonight's game I expected the Celtics to win, but not like this. "Holy hole in a donut, Batman!" That is annihilation, 131-92. They just flat out dismantleled the Lakers and made them look silly. Its funny how just a year ago everyone was making fun of Danny Ainge and the Celtics. I mean they were at their lowest, some even speculated that they were throwing games at teh end of the season to try and get the number one draft pick to get Greg Oden. Just think had they drafted Oden (who didn't play this year because of injury) they would be right back in the lottery again. Instead, Ainge makes two incredible trades bringing Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Boston to play along side Paul Pierce. Congratulations, Boston you are having quite a year and after years of having bad teams. Now the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics are all among the elite sports teams.

Thanks for a great Father's Day!

I just want to say thank you to Anna and Connor for a great Father's day. It was nice to be able to relax at home a little (especially after all the work we have been doing in our home to get ready for our move). I got some wonderful gifts that I just love. They got me a round of golf at my favorite course, Hobble Creek GC in Springville. As well as the new Gillette Fusion razor (let's face it the main reason I wanted it was because Tiger Woods endorses it). They also got me a combo of two of my favorite things, Dr. Pepper Bar-B-Q sauce and marinade. How great is that?

On top of that I got to watch the U.S. Open and game 5 of the Celtics and Lakers in the NBA Finals. Then just as the day is ending I find out that one of my good friends that I worked with for three years at efy, Spanky, was on Deal or No Deal. I was so excited for him. It was a great Father's Day. Thank you again to Anna and Connor and to the rest of you that made it a great day.

Calvin and Hobbes

I have recently rediscovered one of my favorite comics from my childhood and I see it in a whole new light. I always loved reading Calvin and Hobbes, and the other day I was online and there was a picture of the two and Calvin reminded me of Connor, so I decided to search for any pdf files of comic strips. I found a few and have been reading them at work and I can see Connor in Calvin and the way his little imagination works. Granted, Connor is only 2 and Calvin is 6, so Connor has some time to develop more elaborate imaginations. Until then I can help prepare myself by reading up on Calvin and Hobbes.





Now, this leads me to another small rant more so from my teenage years. As I started to drive there started to appear more stickers on the back of peples cars and trucks thet were of Calvin and he was peeing on something. I think it started with him peeing on the Ford Truck logo. Now you can get them with almost anything under the sun being peed on. I have seen every car company logo to an ex spouse to Osama Bin Ladden. Now I agree that Calvin was a rambunctious kid, but I don't like the fact thet he is now known more for peeing on things then for his love of his stuffed tiger, Hobbes.