Bobby McFerrin

"Oh I'm happy! I'm very happy! La la la la la la la. See?"

These words spoken very forced by a ghost-Moe on "The Shinning" portion of the Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror V on season six. Trying to convince Homer that the family would be happier as ghosts like himself, Moe sings this little ditty as evidence. My personal favorite Treehouse of Horror is this one, not just because of the Shining reference, but also Groundskeeper Willie is killed three times in the same episode. It's great.

So, this begs the question: Why the heck did you put Bobby McFerrin as the title of this post? The answer lies in his one song everyone knows: Don't worry, be happy. (Sorry Bobby. No one knows any others.) It also begs this question: Andrew, are you really happy or not? Ok, well, it may not actually come across your thought process, but if you're reading this, chances are you give more than half a fig about my life. A good friend once asked me recently, "Are you happy?" To which I wasn't sure how to reply. He then wisely counseled, "Find out whatever in your life is keeping you from being unhappy, and fix it. Now." I wish to extend this counsel to all of you reading this.

The reason I say this is because I realize that I am actually happy. I know, usually I'm supposed to be sarcastic or something. I assure you that I will try my best. But now, I would just like to say that I have recently reviewed my life, and I am happy. And here are my reasons:

1. I have an amazing family that loves me even though I'm an idiot for most of the time. Yeah guys, sorry about that...consider this a public apology. I'm new at this. I am so grateful that I have this stability and love in my life. They are the best thing for me.

2. I recently returned from a two-year mission to Mongolia, a place custom-fit to me and a place I would love to return to. I spent that time preaching the word I love to people I came to love. It was the most rewarding and best investment on my life I have done so far.

3. I am enrolled at Brigham Young University. This is indeed a wonderful thing for me. About four years ago, my family decided to move to Utah two days before my senior year of high school began. At first, I was very resentful of this, but now I realize how many wonderful things it has brought into my life. If I had not moved, I would not have met many wonderful people who continue to influence me even to this day. I would not have gone to Brigham Young University where I am receiving a wonderful education and leads me to number four.

4. I am in a relationship with a wonderful girl that I met at BYU. We met freshman year at the Y and I left on a mission at the end of two semesters. Even though she and I both thought it impossible to be together, here we are after two years, both of us "tripping out" at the fact we are in fact dating. Again, without the move, I wouldn't have met her. And due to some recent events, I have realized how lucky and blessed I am to have her in my life.

5. I have a great job. And great friends. And great possibilities before me. The list could continue, but I will cut it short for your benefit.

So, am I happy? Yes, la la la la la la la. See? Actually, I am. Maybe it's because I'm listening to Jason Mraz and Relient K as I write this that has left me less sarcastic. Naw, I really am happy.

Rejection Avenue

"Check it out, Lis. You can actually pinpoint the moment his heart rips in half. Riiiiiight nnnnnow!"

This gem comes from Bart, talking to hs sister Lisa after she dumped her "special" friend Ralph Wiggum on national TV and they are watching the replay in slow-motion. Good quote, good episode called "I Love Lisa," and good for me right now.

So, like the whole country, I started school this week. I am enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo. As part of my studies this semester, I decided to enroll in a Writings of Isaiah class. For those of you familiar with this prophet, you know how difficult he is to understand and how symbolic he is. Well, I got a snootful of symbolism my first day there.

First off, I was late. I hate being late. Period. Especially when it's my own darn fault that I was. Man that's irritating...but I digress. I walk into this symbol-fest and there's only one seat left: next to a nicely dressed familiar-looking fellow. Turns out he's the great young man who interviewed me twice for a teaching position at the Missionary Training Center. You would think this would be a good thing, but I didn't get either position. Awkward point number one.

Next, the teacher begins to call roll. What should I hear but the name of a certain someone. The name took me completely by surprise because it is an old friend from Arizona, one I've had a massive crush on since junior high school. She wrote to me on my mission and I was excited to see her when I got back and hey who knows...maybe even take her on a few dates. However, about a week before school started, on her Facebook page was an update that she had a ring on her finger. It wasn't my ring, for those of you wondering. Well, there she was in the class sitting next to her fiancee. Awkward point number two.

I realized that this class would be an explanation of the symbols that normally would be lost on the unattentive. And I'm as unattentive as they come. Sometime I'll tell you about the time I was being hit on by a girl and didn't even notice. Again, I digress. The only thing that would have made this the rejection trifecta would have been my seventh grade math teacher who gave me my first F grade ever.

So, check it out, I could see the biggest moments of rejection in my life right before me. All in one class. Bring a camera and I'm pretty sure you can see the moments my heart rips in half. Don't worry about me folks, today I took control of the situation. No, I didn't break up the engagement or get the job at the MTC, but I'm just not caring anymore. So I guess this post has a happy ending. I found another job and someone else. In your face, Rejection Avenue!