When in Rome......

Okay... fine ill tell you about my Trip to Italy!

    Well it started off when a son asked his father about being able to use his passport. 

James, my dad and I went to Italy to field measure some railings and such for the LDS temple they are starting to make in Rome. So thats why we went! 

  Okay story time!

We left SLC airport at like 11:00 am and we had an hour delay because there were some problems with the plane, and after that hour the Pilot said something around "Well, I dont want to sit here anymore, so.... we will fill up with more gas and give it a go and hopefully we make it to NY" so that was scary, but we made it to NY with no further problems. The problems all started when we got to NY (More reasons why i hate that dumb state!" but we had to RUN across the airport to get to our plane and we made it in time, but the we sat in the plane for 3 hours because of delays such as: Fixing the plane so we could fly, gas problems, and rain. So basically it was terrible getting crammed on this plane with tons of stinky Italians. The flight was pretty freaking long, like 9 hours. and there was a horde of little italian girls that didnt stop talking theeeee entire flight! luckily I was able to fall asleep for the most part! 

We finally make it to Italy after having a broken plane. We land and wait at baggage claim for an hour. NOthing shows up, so we go to the problem with baggage line and wait in line for another hour and sign the paper that has the airport deliver our bags to our hotel room, because those Stupid New Yorkers literally forgot an entire giant thing of peoples bags! So our old neighbor Ugo picked us up and brought us to his friends diner. It was AMAZING! Real Italian food is really good! We eventually make it to our hotel in the Ghetto of Rome, but it was still pretty nice . "The ARS"

We got settled in and walked around town to get gelato, then went to sleep because we had to start work in the morning. Woke up and got breakfast which was croissants and cold cuts. then we got a taxi and went to the Temple site. Measured things and we went to lunch at this little bar place and ordered some panini's. work work blah blah blah, take a taxi to the hotel and almost hit grips of people on scooters. Once we got back we wondered around more and found a good pizzeria and My dad was leading the way, while james and I are watching him communicate through a series of hand motions and weird non verbal communication we got a table on the upper deck. We sat down and tried to make some sense of the Menu. ( they dont have free water, so the bottle of water are like 5 euro and most the time are carbonated) ate are delicious food and got more gelato ( We went to Gori Gelato EVERY single night because it was so amazing!) 

Tuesday we just worked and ate gelato. Wednesday was about the same but that night instead of strolling through the sketchy streets, we went down town Rome to eat. We were driving down the road and turn a corner then BAM!!! colosseum! 

 

Thursday we just worked and explored more and walked in on a catholic mass at a new church ( Which was 450 years old) 

 

Friday was the day we got to explore!!

Woke up and caught a taxi to St Peters Square 

from there we walked to a tourist ticket place to buy tickets to get into the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica! 

Entrance into The Vatican City!!

St Peters Basilica! The highest point was 420 feet high! everything was made out of Travertine, marble and stone. everything was sculpted from dudes with chisels and they did incredible work!

This is where Peter of the 12 disciples remains are kept

Sistine Chapel museum.. couldnt take pictures in the actual chapel, but imagine a GIANT room full of these pictures! It is the exact dimensions of Solomon's Temple!

From that Absolutely incredible place we WALKED from Vatican City to the Pantheon. 

From the pantheon we went to thee Trevi Fountain

We ate at the Trevi fountain and it was the best meal ive ever had! we were SO exhausted from walking in the Hot Italian heat all day! Also the best Coke ive had like... EVER

From the fountain we went to the capitol building

such a cool building with angels riding chariots! 

And finally we went to thee COLOSSEUM!! 

Seriously the coolest thing I've ever been able to enjoy in my life! It honestly seemed kinda fake until I was able to Stand in the same places those Crazy Romans did while cheering for people hunting animals, watching animal fights, executing criminals(which I think is a pretty good idea), recreating old battles and Finally The GLADIATOR matches! They made the Woman sit at the very top of the stadium because they believed that if a woman made solid eye contact with a gladiator, he could impregnate her! But really... Ive dreamt about coming here for as long as a can remember! 

After spending quite some time there and getting sick of our stuck up tour guide we went to the Roman Forum!

The Forum was build in the 1st century, so Its pretty neat having chilled exactly where the Ancient Romans did! the Forum was the main place to meet, hangout, had the court of law there and many other things! At the very top of it, is a place called " Palestine Hill" that was the Hollywood of Roman TImes. Anybody who was anybody lived on that hill, and most particularly The Almighty Caesar at that time!!

So Pretty much friday was one of the best days of my life! Im planning on teaching history as a career, so it just was that much more cool!! I hope to someday be able to go back! ( I threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, so It promises ill be back in my life time, I just hope its soon!) I want to also explore the other Mediterranean places like Greece and Turkey and so on. But until then i'm completely satisfied with my adventures so far! Caio!!  

Snow College is better than your college.... and small town living is the best!

This post is inspired by how incredibly awful the last couple weeks working with SLCC has been!
I need to take a Human Bio class, along with one last full semester at my beloved Snow College... But SLCC must feel like they are pretty hot stuff, because it was tremendously hard to get into ONE class!! I had to take a accuplacer to prove I could read.... Like the my transcript from Snow isnt valid!? but enough with how awesome Snow is....
Snow College is the best because of how small it is, and because its small you get to have really small classes and get to have personal interaction with the teachers! SUU had a sign that said "Our teachers know who you are." or something class to that! but Okay, thats cool. BUT I know where most my professors LIVE, and actually have went to some of their houses tricker treating (Go on, Judge me!)
    Along with the small classes, the small town life offers things rarely offered in big cities, such as ; going on a nice ole drive and sit, in the middle of west Manti no where! Skeet shooting, and being able to shoot basically when and where ever and not have to pay to get into some kinda shootin club! Camp fires... and I mean CAMP FIRES where you can actually burn trees and multiple pallets at a time, rather that  5 1' pieces of lumber... and most importantly.... CAMPING.. here in the Wonderful SL Valley you have to pay for EVERYTHING if you want to have some sort of fun! Oh yeah at night when you are bored  you can go on some country road and smoke critters!!
    Also living in a small town makes you have to go out and do stuff, meet new people and go to activities, because you can't just  say..... " Oh hey lets just go to the mall or something"  When we would go out and do something, we would have a ton of fun! We would go shooting, hiking, long boarding, four wheeler or horse riding... and little things like X box become more awesome because there isn't much else there.
    For my last point..... Small town people arent Shady/ sketchy/ deceitful/ liars.... well anywhere you go will have these people, but you cant get away with lying in a small town... if anything you find something about you that you didnt even know because of the rumors. I just know, people that I deal with here in SLC are on a best offer basis, and will ditch out on you even though you've made plans for like a week or more...  for example: (Hi Girl want to go to a Jazz game with me? " OMG I would love to go! I miss you so much and cant wait to see you!!") any normal man/woman/person is thinking " wow this game will be fun! With a fun cute girl that I havent seen in forever... right!? ...... No it usually goes like this
( @ 2:00 -hey I have an extra ticket to a jazz game if you would like to accompany me. "@6:55- Girl- Oh, I would love tooooooo, but I have to go to my Grandmas, again for the 100th night in a row.. even though she passes away... and if not my grandmas, then I have to go eat....( which if they are "eating longer than ... 30 min... it means screw you I like that you invited me but im waiting on a better offer..

       So to sum it up. big cities are good, and serve a purpose, but small towns are where its at. And I cant wait to go back to snow for my final semester of my Associates

Its been real... yall have a good night!

Fun facts about your boy...

 On this good sunday, I am finding something to do besides watch TV. So ill Tell yall facts about me!

1. I really enjoy carnival food! Snow cones, Cinnamon Rolls, Texas Twisters and anything fried!

2. I played baseball since I was 3. Broke my foot SR year.

3. Went on a LDS mission. My area was Merida Mexico, but I came home early because of Medication reasons.

4. I'm 6 foot

5. Until I was 8 I had Blonde hair

6. 1/4 Mexican

7. History is my favorite subject

8. I want to teach history and coach baseball

9. I worked as a Recreation Guide out side of Zion national park. The Zion Ponderosa

10. I secretly wish I was a cowboy

11. Favorite Animal is a Tiger

12. I have 3 favorite colleges: LSU, BYU, BSU

13. I have Never had a serious girl friend.

14. Ive kissed 10 girls

15. I Drive a yellow Xterra

16. I LOVE the state of Louisiana! Spent Some time there a couple of summers ago!

17. I hunt, a lot!

18. Favorite things to hunt are: Ducks, hogs, turkey and geese

19.  favorite video games are: Red dead redemption, Assassins creed and call of duty!

20. There are six people in my family. Mom, Dad, Me, Morgan, Brooklyn, Easton.

21. I listen to music almost all day. My favorite genres are Country and Heavy Metal.

22. My favorite bands are: We came as Romans. Memphis May Fire, Attack Attack and Crown The Empire

23. If I had a Truck, dog and horse you might never see me again, id be chasing sunsets with my boys!

24. Graduated in 2011 From Taylorsville High School

25. I go to Snow College in Ephraim Utah and I LOVE IT!

26. My all time favorite dish is Boudin.

27. My cousin Marcus plays in the Mariners organization.

30. I work at my dads sheet metal shop right now.

31. I hunted, caught, and stabbed a Hog in Louisiana.

32. I dream about duck hunting because I like it so much!

33. I have alot of Camo

34. I love wearing my cowboy boots.

35. I am very loyal. Death before dishonor! My friends and family mean everything to me. Brotherhood is nothing with out your brothers.

36. 20 years old

37. I really enjoy photography

38. Hiking is one of my favorite activities

39. Im unreal at skeet shooting

40. I think I was born in the wrong century. Either Greek or Wild WIld west

41. I dont really like French people

42. I used to be able to run forever.

43. i played basketball but i sucked

44. I dont have a preference between blondes and brunettes

45. I have a sweet mustache

46.  I wish I could live in the Mtn's

47. I want to love to the south sometime in my life.

48. I want to go to Alaska and Canada

49. I have weird feet.

50. I WILL FIND SASQUATCH~

If you complain about where you are from, then LEAVE!

Its been a while since my last post, but upon living at home for the last week since school has ended has made me think about where I would like to plant my roots, where would I like to Live the rest of my life?? 

    Sometimes I complain about being back in the city because most everything you do here, is going to cost money. Yes I know almost everything costs money, but my type of fun is going out into the mtns or out by the Res, and get lost in music and thought. Go out skeet shooting, have a fire, shoot some bunnies, four wheel and horse ride. Just by the things I listed you can tell you can necessarily do these things in the Valley. While living away from The Salt Lake Valley I have learned to appreciate That I really am glad I grew up here in Taylorsville! Its been a great place to grow up in. I have learned many thing, made some awesome memories, and met even better people!

    Buuuut to the main Title. Too many times I hear of people hating where they are from or where they are living. To that I say... If you are old enough to be living on your own and going to college or work or what ever, You have the ability to DO WHAT YOU WANT. You have free agency! If you really are so sick of living in that "Small Town" Then Get out, go somewhere and make something of yourself. Don't be afraid of the Unknown, if you are scared of something go out and see what will happen. You don't what will happen until you try. 

  If you happen to be in a particular circumstance that you can't get out of, then make the most out of what you have! While living In Ephraim and outside of Zion National Park, Ive learned to make the most of the little things like how AMAZING 7-11 Slurpees, most fast foods, Cafe Rio, BK, Betos, Apollo, KFC, Carls JR and MOST importantly POPEYES!! Having places that can actually fix you car for a decent price, unlike the Local Dude who might Be able to put a new thermostat in 3 weeks for $400. 

     So basically If you dont like being somewhere, go somewhere else! No body likes people who complain. Honestly No one really cares that much even though they might seem like they do.

Letting go, to see if it comes back.

The subject of "Letting go" has been a major part of my life the last 2 years, because of graduating high school, missions, different colleges and walks of life. In this entry I'm going to try my best to talk about not taking people and things in our life for granted. The thing i've noticed most, is the friendships in my life. Maybe It took that particular person to tell me they are leaving for a long time to make me realize how much they mean to me and how I really need them in my life. Well I decided i'm going to try not to have this problem anymore by telling my friends and family how much they mean to me. I am awful at expressing myself, especially deep feelings. But I really do care for a lot of people I just might not show it as much as I should. So I am going to go out of my comfort zone and reach out to people by  letting them know the influence that they have had on my life.
   Odds are if you are reading this, then we have had some memorable times together, and I thank you. I  am very forgetful and don't try to ignore people, I just get so caught up in what ever I am doing at that particular moment. But If I do remember a  memory of us, I will probably remind you of that instance.
     I've met some pretty amazing people in my 20 years on this planet and am bound to meet a lot more. I just inspire to be someone that people can look up to and be like "I wish to someday be like that Austin Critter, he is fun, loving and overall just a great person!" Until then Im just trying to survive college and hopefully be able to make something of myself in the crazy thing we call life and make my parents proud of me.

     Just to review things for myself, I just need to:
1. Realize my blessings and make the most out of them.
2. Let the influences in my life know that I really appreciate the things they have done for me.
3. Try to be a role model and be that person that helps change others lives for the better.
4. Tell the people I care about how much I enjoy them, and my feelings for them, instead of holding them in and tearing my self apart.
5. Take Risks, because you never know what will happen.

Party Sober!! Drugs aren't cool!!

This is a topic that I actually have put a lot of thought and consideration into. That Subject is about Drugs and Drinking.  I For one am all about personal choice, and free agency. But when it comes to using these kinds of substances I think you are crazy for doing them, because there are so many things that can and will go wrong when under the influence of them. They don't appeal to me at all because: 

1. They make it so you can not think clearly and make the best decision you could have (Yeah we all make dumb mistakes, but if you are going to try to do something risky, at least know what you are getting into.)

2. Well for the most part the drugs you would be taking are most likely illegal, so if you get caught doing something incredibly dumb, you will get in a lot more trouble for using illegal substances.

3. Drinking alcohol tastes awful!! (well thats what I hear) 

4. Alcohol/ Drugs are crazy expensive.

5. Using these substances to give you an escape, wont help you out. Lets say you get WASTED out of your mind, and have a lot of fun. That assignment you forgot to do in math is STILL DUE! Or that Job you have to go to everyday will still be there! Drinking and Drugs will not take away your life problems, they will just delay the inevitable. So Wear it and Figure it out! If you have a problem in your life, find a reasonable solution to that problem, instead of hoping it just will disappear and solve its self.

      In this I hope to promote a good friend Trevor Davis's company. That is "Party Sober Clothing" this company is starting out, and is here to "Promote a clear mind, a positive outlook and a drug free life style"  and not only are the clothes  AWESOME! But a percentage of the proceeds go toward teens and young adults struggling with addictions.

     I know I cant change peoples minds for them, but I challenge you not to take that drink, or take that hit. Because it could lead to alot more that just a hit.

Boys and Girls... From a mans point of view.

I needed a break from math, because I was getting super frustrated because I cant remember what to to. So I decided to check out the social media sites, and I noticed the amount of drama thats brought into people lives because of problems with a member of the opposite sex. So here is my whole take on boys and girls interacting amongst each other. 

     Since the Beginning of time females have been deceiving us males. Literally... Adam and Eve. But I don't want to get into that whole thing. But you can see this pattern throughout life, and especially in Tv and movies. Lets take Hercules (which is wrong because "Hercules" is the Roman version of him, Heracles is Greek version. So Disney, get it right!!!)  But hercules the strongest person in the world, the mighty half god, half man, wasn't strong enough to handle a cold hearted woman. Yeah they ended up together, but thats because girls only like guys when they don't give them the time of day anymore, and they realize... " dang... maybe that herc, character really was something, and I miss how he treated me." Ive noticed so many times this same pattern in the real life. (Ex: Boy likes Girl, so he gets her number and calls and texts her, finally he asks her to hangout, then he takes her out on dates. And then Girl says "Hey Boy, thanks for everything! I really enjoy hanging out with you, and we are such GOOD FRIENDS." So Boy using his head, realizes that Girl only wants to be friends. which is fine, because thats what dating is for, to find the type of person you see your self getting married to for time and all eternity. But Boy has a lot of friends, so he doesn't want friends that cost him a lot of money. So Boy stops taking Girl on dates and probably stops talking to her as much as he did.  So Girl thinks "Hmmm I wonder why Boy doesn't talk to me anymore? I said I just wanted to be friends!"

So females of the world, if you tell a guy you just want to be friends, and he happens to not talk to you as much, don't wonder whats wrong with the guy. Realize he OBVIOUSLY LIKED YOU enough to go out of his comfort zone to talk to you, get your number, and take you on dates. So odds are he wanted to be more than just friends.

      This game between boys and girls gets confusing, when each party thinks way to much about the situation. like  "OMG, do I text him first? or let him text me? "okay I got her number, how long to I wait to text her, because if I text her to soon it makes me look desperate. and if I wait too long she'll think i'm not interested." 

   Instead of playing these stupid games, we all do. How about we try a new game? or I guess an Old School game, and tell the person of interest how you really feel about them! If you like someone, tell them. because you never know until you try. If you have something with someone and you don't see things working out, tell them, because getting lead on is the worst! When you are breaking things off with a person, there is no easy way, so just get it over with! Which would you rather have? 1 shot to the head? or 5 to the Chest? feeling will get hurt, but thats what happens when you invest time, energy and heart into.

       So when things don't work out with that "Special Someone" don't be a baby, just wear it and move on, because no one likes sad people, that complain a lot. And lets all try to be more honest toward our fellow human beings! 

This doesn't go with anything, but I told the Lovely ladies of C5 i'd give them a shout out. so here it is! Jenny, Heather and Celeste, yall are awesome! Such fun, awesome, sweet, caring, spiritual, pretty girls!