This weekend we traveled to Southern Utah to visit family and participate in the Utah Summer Games. I was also going to take a test at Dixie to finish my MCSE, but due to a scheduling error, I was unable to do so, and spent a relaxing hour on the phone at a gas station enjoying Prometric's stellar 5-star customer service. Actually, the individual I worked with was fairly helpful, but dealing with Prometric during my Microsoft certification has been one hassle after another. We'll get to happier part of the weekend in a few minutes, but while I am on the subject, my conscience requires me to say a few things about this organization. A few weeks ago, I was taking an exam using Prometric as a provider. With about 20 min left in the exam, my computer froze and I couldn't finish. After the testing center did everything they could to get back up and running, but to no avail. I had to make multiple phone calls to prometric to get my scores which didn't occur for a few days. Normally you get your score right after you test and so you know what areas you need to improve if you don't happen to pass the exam. Finally after a rather fun little chat with one of their reps, I got my score report in about five minutes and I didn't even have to swear.....amazing. I asked Andre, the rep I was speaking with why the previous individual do what he did, and his reply: "I don't know." More incentive for me to provide better customer service while I am at work.

So finally, with my exam safely rescheduled, we arrived in Southern Utah in enough time to eat a nice steak dinner. Heather was nice enough to let me go fishing. We tested out my Grandpa's old boat that my Dad has been working on. Jon came up from Las Vegas this weekend and so Dad, Jon and I went to the local reservoir. I had a lot of fun. We were only on the water for about an hour and a half, and caught seven fish combined, if I remember right....this is a fish story after all. As with all Mortensen sponsored fishing trips, we arrived home well after dark.

Because of fishing, I didn't go to bed until quite late, so I arrived in Cedar City later than desired. I had to wait a while to warm up because all of the table tennis tables were full. After a short warm up, I played a few preliminary matches to determine skill level. I went 1-1 in the preliminaries. So I ended up in the B division, with there being Open, A, B, C, and D divisions played. Like last year, I finished third earning a bronze medal. The funny thing is, I defeated the guy who placed second, but he defeated the first place finisher, so really there was a three way tie in records. In table tennis pool play, you keep track of everything down to the amount of points you score in each game, because your score combined with your record determines how you finish in the event of a tie. Because I was so tired after playing, I was glad that I didn't have a play-off for placing. I didn't really go to the games to win, I just went to play and continue my progress in the sport. Lately, I haven't been feeling well enough to play on a regular basis, so going to the summer games was a good opportunity to test my skills. I wish there was another in state table tennis tournament in August, but to my knowledge the next one is the Utah Open in November. I will just keep practicing till then.

Christian finally gave up the fight and took a nap!

Christian loves his cousin Jayden

Megan, Jayden and Christian- having fun with his cousin!

Ruben and Christian giving each other a hug.