Combating the cold weather blues

What the freak?! Is there really snow on the mountains? Yes. There is. I woke up in the middle of the night because the drain pipe on our balcony is broken, so it was gushing water on the railing and down on the cement. Annoying. I slammed the door shut cause I was so bugged that it was raining and that it had woken me up. Then I walked outside this morning to snow on the mountains... ugh.

It is starting. Everyone has jackets on -- I'm sitting at my desk at work and everyone is wearing sweatshirts and jackets. *Insert frowny face here.* I knew it would come. We all did. Winter. We barely got a fall! What can we do to stay happy, despite the cold weather?

1. Wake up and sing the Cougar fight song every morning ... my little sister was singing that today as we prepared breakfast together. I was in a grumpy mood so it kind of got annoying. But, as I thought about it, what a great way to combat the col weather blues.

2. Buy a beautiful pair of the softest, wool Argyle socks. You have no idea what a really nice pair of socks will do for you.

3. Throw a hot chocolate party. Hot chocolate always gets one in the mood for cold weather.

4. Go walk around Costco and notice the CHRISTMAS decorations that are already up. Sheesh. It's earlier every year. That will get you in the mood for Christmas ... if not cold weather.

5. Have a leaf collecting party ... ha ha ha ... this just makes me laugh. It is totally absurd, but really funny.

6. Carry a really cool umbrella and a copy of The New York Times with you on campus while wearing your high-collared pea coat. Wow. That will catch a few eyes.

7. Got any other ideas? Share them by leaving a message. The first 10 ideas will be included in a follow up blog post ... as long as they are funny, random and will beat the winter blues.

Swine flu vaccination?

As the new year starts here on campus, there are so many precautions being taken against swine flu. I have to be honest -- I don't know why everyone is freaking out. I think it is good that we are being a little more careful in washing our hands and keeping things clean ... but in my opinion, swine flu is nothing special. It is the flu. Sure, some doctors are saying it is horrible and the next "pandemic," while others are just reminding us of the same, timeless advice: eat well (proper nutrition), get enough sleep and take your vitamins. "Live long and prosper." (That was for you Zack.)

Really. I think if humans rethought their eating habits, got enough sleep every night and supplemented their diets with healthy vitamins, things would be a lot more different. A lot more. (SIDE NOTE: You may ask why we need vitamins? The food manufacturers don't include the proper nutrition factors in our foods today... there are so many nasty preservatives that so much of our food today is dead... or in other words, not fresh and full of nutrition. So, with the lack of nutrition in our natural foods, we have to get those vitamins and minerals from other places... vitamins. Also, see my post on healthy eating habits from 6/18/09 for more info on this topic.)

I digress.

The following article inspired this blog post -- it has some really interesting facts on why we shouldn't vaccinate against swine flu.

Here's to you Porky.

Milestone #4

Our lives are filled with mile markers. Some mile markers in my life have been graduation from high school, freshman year of college (seriously, getting past that was huge...), mission, and my next milestone, for which I applied today... (drum roll please)

graduation from college!

That's right folks. I applied for graduation. I will be graduating from BYU, April 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. It is my passion.

I sat down with Rosemary, the lady in the Comms dept, and we chatted briefly about the two classes and internship I have left. Wow. It kind of hit. I am almost done with my college career. I am almost done with BYU. My heart started to hurt a little. I only have 1.5 semesters left. Wow. Where has the time gone?

I know I totally pulled this off Google images, but it captures my feelings exactly. I feel so little and not at all capable to enter the world after graduation. But, I know I will and I know I can.

What does the world hold for me after graduation? Well, Boston or New York hold particularly bright futures for me. Not sure which one yet. They both have amazing pluses that I am weighing. This is kind of the difficult part about life -- trying to decide what the right path to take is. It will all work out though.

Next mile marker... sky diving. After that? Get married. Still working on both.

Wait, what?

Hey, so how does a blog get 1228 followers? What is the trick? Anyone know? Leave a comment if you do know... also, if you enjoy reading this blog, I invite you to follow me! I promise to continue writing, amusing and informing.

Speaking of Fashion...

For any of you who have seen The Devil Wears Prada, you will love this new documentary.

"The September Issue" follows Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, and the planning and publication of the September issue of Vogue magazine, generally regarded as the annual Bible of the fashion world.

This kind of thing absolutely fascinates me ... I would so love to write for a big-name magazine like this. The trailer is great -- check it out.

Makes you want to speak with a British accent.

Fall... fashion

I'm not ready for fall to be here. I love the feeling of falling asleep with your window and door open ... waking up with the sun ... walking outside and feeling the sun smiling at you ... wearing light summer skirts and darling sandals that show off your sweetly pedicured toenails ... bah. Come back summer. Please?

However, I have to admit that a quick shopping splurge with my mother this week definitely broke the ice for me and helped me shift my attitude around a little. I have been looking on some fashion blogs and wow, there is some cute stuff out there this season. Fall/ winter dressing does get me excited for cooler weather. The jackets right now are phenomenal. The high-collared lapels and longer lengths are so attractive and complimentary. Mmm. I purchased a beautiful black coat from H&M with the high collar and buttons down the front... ahh, I love it. I also just purchased this beautiful jacket which I am SO excited to wear.

I think the only problem with dressing for cooler weather is shoes. Shoes. Especially walking to and from campus in rain and snow. You can't wear the cute heels or suede shoes that you can during summer... but, I'm just going to have to deal with it, or move to AZ. Eventually, maybe I will move. Either way, I'm going to enjoy dressing this winter.

So, summary of this blog post: I am not ready for winter, but I am ready for this jacket.

I LOVE THIS.


Colbie Caillat

NY Times article

An interesting article put out by the New York Times... a friend of mine forwarded it to me in response to my article about 9/11 post and my feelings about our society. Excellent article.

See NY Times article here

RESENTMENT

I resent this video. Just for the record, I DO NOT drive like this. It is these women who give the rest of us a really bad rep. Still funny though.

Pathetic women drivers

Learning Truth: A Commandment?

Yes. It is a commandment to learn truth. I have been studying truth and knowledge the last little while and specifically Doctrine and Covenants this morning and came across a cool little gem. I love it when this happens: you are reading and concentrating just hard enough to see certain words pop out and jog your memory of something else you learned some other time studying. I was reading D&C 88:77-78:

77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

So, let's dissect this. First off, He, Christ, is giving us, His children, a commandment to teach each other the doctrine of the kingdom. Doctrine of the kingdom being, the gospel of Jesus Christ; the gospel of Jesus Christ being, according to Elder McConkie, the Atonement.

So it is a commandment to teach one another about the Atonement, essentially.

78: We should teach each other diligently (with dedication, eagerly, earnestly, fervently)and His (Christ's) grace shall attend us. Pause. What is grace? According to the Bible Dictionary, "It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.

Grace is the enabling power of Jesus Christ: the Atonement. So, if we put that in context of this scripture, verse 78, we should teach each other diligently and Christ's grace, His enabling power or His Atonement, will attend us. We will have His enabling power to strengthen us so "that [we] may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for [us] to understand;"

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is not just there to help us repent from our sins or for us to have pain taken away. The Atonement covers everything. He is in and through all things. Literally. He will help us learn and grow as we seek Him.

Grace. The enabling power of Jesus Christ.

Protest against Obama

Huge protest against Obama on Capital Hills all over the nation... most prominently in DC.

NY Times article

My parents were up at the Utah State Capitol and I got a text from her saying, "We heard Glenn Beck on a live feed from DC. Crazy awesome! There were over 2000 in Salt Lake. Norm Nimrow and his family are there in DC! Wow do I wish we were all there!" I love my parents so stinkin much. Yep, you read that right, Norm Nimrow and his family are in DC, specifically for the protest at Captiol Hill. Norm and his wife are patients of my dad and they told him they were flying the whole family out. AMERICA!

Prevail Pictures

Wow -- check out this blog. A friend of mine, Phil Goodwin, has "it." By "it," I mean talent. He has his own company, Prevail Pictures, he has some photography showcasing at Muse Music and Cafe in Provo, and has an amazing website that you seriously need to look at.

Prevail Pictures

I was going to try and showcase a few pictures here so you could get a taste of what he does but they are way to good to choose just one... you have to go look for yourself.

Who Will Bear Reproof?

Reproof: noun
Reprove: verb
1. the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking.
2. an expression of censure or rebuke.

Here is an article entitled Who Will Bear Reproof?, which is actually a speech given by Michael P. Thompson at a devotional in July 2002. Wow. What a phenominal speech.


I read through this article for my MComm class and was in awe by the end. I started on one end of the spectrum of feelings, completely understanding what Brother Thompson was talking about, to feeling somewhat embarassed for the way I have reacted or treated others when they have tried to lovingly reprove me. Reproof is a hard thing to take. "A frank and open rebuke provoketh a good man to emulation; and in the hour of trouble he will be your best friend; but on the other hand, it will draw out all the corruptions of corrupt hearts, and lying and the poison of asps is under their tongues; and they do cause the pure in heart to be cast into prison, because they want them out of their way," Joseph Smith said.

If you have a second, read through this speech. Here is a little snippet to wet your appetite:

"I read not long ago a passage in a book by Elder Gene R. Cook of the First Quorum of the Seventy that illustrates this process very well. In fact, I am bold enough to say that this experience shared by Elder Cook is the most unnerving account of correction and challenge issued by a contemporary Church leader that I have ever heard of. It is unnerving because it is the kind of counsel that could be given to many of us--you and me--in our own callings. I have read it time and again, almost haunted by the question "How would I have responded in this situation?" We may smile as we read about the blistering reproofs of a Brigham Young. We don't have to respond to those reproofs because they were not directed toward us.

But reproofs and corrections are still meted out by inspired leaders. They are given out of inspiration, not ego or impatience. And when they come, we are bound to respond in meekness and submissiveness. Here is Elder Cook's account of one such correction:" You want to keep reading, don't you?

Questions ...

This is great! I'm so excited that people are reading my blog and are making comments. Please continue! Refer it to your friends. Jessica made a comment, to which I would like to reply. Here was her comment: "Don't you think the respect that existed in our parents time was the after effects of numerous political and world events? In fact, if anything our parents had MORE events to motivate their patriotism. Think the space race, WWI and WWII veteran parents, Vietnam, the Kennedy assassination, MLK assassination, Watergate, and the hippie movement. These were all big political events...which is some way or another caused people to either be patriotic or simply get involved in politics and think about it.

So for us we've had 9/11, the war in Iraq, and a few other incidents. I don't think it's a sign of a less appreciative generation that it took 9/11 to wake us up...our parents had tons of their own wake up calls.

It's sad that it takes a war or an attack to rally our respect and patriotism, but we know from the scriptures that that's just the pride cycle...it takes something bad for us to realize what we're grateful for. It's nothing new or a sign to me that our generation is worse...only that mankind hasn't changed since Biblical times."

Jessica: You have a really good point. A lot (if not most) of the patriotism that existed as our parents grew up, did come from life-changing events: e.g.; Kennedy, Vietnam, WWI, WWII ... I couldn't agree more with you. So what is it about today that is taking the patriotism out of our nation? Why is it that most public schools now don't recite the Pledge of Allegiance? Why are so many people so against patriotism?

If we do look at the scriptures, we are right in the middle of the pride cycle. We have a lot about which TO be prideful. I was postulating and thought about an interview that Obama had with a news reporter - he was really ripping on a "conservative" news channel. If my memory serves me correctly, he came out and said it once: FoxNews. (See interview) He was being pretty hard on names like Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity. He didn't mention any other news sources because they all support Obama. They aren't giving him crap (excuse my french) so he doesn't have a problem with them. Does that sound familiar? What is the church going through right now? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, (and thanks to South Park we know that the Mormons had it right all along...) takes a lot of flack. It gets lumped into liberal, cultish, extreme beliefs. When it and its members stand up for what they believe is right and when they try and expose wrong, they are immediately condemned for it. The wicked taketh the truth to be hard. I think the reason that our nation's patriotism is dying is the fact that the adversary is working as hard as it can to bring our country, a blessed and promised land, to shambles. The constitution of the United States as well as the Bill of Rights were written through inspiration. George Washington was undoubtedly led by the Spirit to do the things he did in forming this country... for us. I hate to be a Debbie-Downer but I really think that every day will get worse. Our government is going to get worse -- Obama and his predecessors may hire 100 czars... all our social security may be gone... we may have ridiculous health care plans... but their is nothing to fear. We hopein Him. If we are living righteously, we honestly have nothing to worry about. Worry is just another form of Atheism.

Tribute to the America in which I grew up

I grew up in America. There are a handful of moments in my life where I teared up as the American flag passed by. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. Living in a foreign country, Germany, to be specific, for 18 months made me very grateful for my country. I love America. My Dad said something to me last night during our politics talk: "The thing that hurts me the most is that your children won't grow up with the America I grew up with." He's right. America has changed. The respect isn't there... as much as it was. Hardly at all. Today is September 11. People all over America, most of all in NY, are reflecting on a day that brought all those who live in America, not just "Americans," together. Close. One. Unified. Why is it that a national tragedy has to happen in order to bring unity to a nation? I am grateful for my country. I love America. I support the troops and am grateful for their service in protecting our country. I support and love my country.

The blog, Daily Derbi, has some great insight as well.

Post Obama's Speech

So I was talking to the parentos last night ... it was extremely interesting. I have finally hit it. I am there. I have reached that point in life. I was talking politics with my parents last night and they were listening to me. What a fantastic feeling folks! We were talking about Obama which evolved into a discussion on Glenn Beck. What a man. Here are a few points we discussed last night as I stepped from girlhood into womanhood. (Yes, my definition of womanhood is being able to discuss politics with the parentos.) Ha ha.

How many of you watched President Obama's speech to public schools? How many of you watched his address Wednesday night? Many of us know, President Obama is quite the speaker. I will give him that. But, as my public speaking professor said, he has a lot of empty rhetoric. (Rhetoric: noun, meaning:
1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
2. the ability to use language effectively.
3. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
4. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
5. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.) Seems pretty appropriate for Obama.

Anyway, I digress. President Obama can be very moving and inspiring. I'm sure there were more than a few children in the audiences across America watching this president thinking, "Wow. I feel really good. I like what he is talking about." He is indoctrinating these children and now every time they hear Obama speak, those same feelings of inspiration and feeling good are sure to come back. He is building his reputation with these children.

Glenn Beck came into the scene when my parents explained to me that he, Glenn Beck, is basically uncovering a scandal which heavily involves Obama and his cabinet. The resignation of Van Jones, Obama's "green job's czar," was a huge deal. This guy is a Black Panther communist. The president of the United States hired him as an adviser. Are there any red lights going off in your heads? I hope so.

One question? Is Obama American? I have a hard time believing it. All he does is go across the seas and apologize for the United States. WE ARE AMERICA! NO APOLOGIZING! WE ARE A BLESSED NATION. Corrupt men have taken it from what it was.

Read this guys blog. He has a lot of good links that are publicizing what is going on. We won't see a ton of it on the mainstream news media - of course not. Duh. This is the kind of stuff that is kept "hush-hush." My favorite part of the article is this: "Roston draws from the toppling of Obama's czar is this: Boycott or not, Fox News isn't going away."

Three cheers for Glenn Beck.

Which one?

Working on business letterhead, resume letterhead and business cards. Which one do you like better? Or do you even like them? Ya think I'm on a grey kick?




OR

I love YouTube.

I love YouTube.

My best friend showed me these two videos the other night -- I'm so impressed that the church is putting these "Mormon Messages" together. Wow. They are really something. Elder Busche's isn't specifically a Mormon Message but President Uchtdorf's is. Wow. Hope you enjoy and share.

Watch Elder Busche give powerful advice...

Watch President Uchtdorf talk about creating...

Pep talk from the Pres

This is a great article. I watched Obama's speech and had mixed feelings. There were some great points - his speech writer knew the right words to use to inspire and excite. Yes, his speech writer. I also was a little turned off at a few comments - yes, we and the public school (not private) students are the future but we are not living in a socialist society. This isn't a Hitler's youth repeat.

From a gospel perspective, it is great that he is encouraging education. Maybe President Hinckley is influencing him from the other side. Obama is, however, resisting any other positive influence.

My favorite part of the article is this: "'It made me want to fall asleep,' said Sarah Vogt, a sophomore. One of Sarah’s classmates seemed to take Mr. Obama’s study-hard message a bit too literally: calculator in hand, she worked on homework throughout the presidential address." Awesome.

That is what you want to see, isn't it, Mr. President?

Cobb Salad

After class today, I ran and grabbed a Cobb salad from the Blue Line Cafe in the TNRB. I sat down with my copy of The New York Times and was reading up on Obama's address to public school children. I was enjoying it, and felt that I was sincerely educating myself on what is going on in the world. And then ... Mr. Suave came around and asked if he could sit down with me. I smiled and said sure -- I guess I missed the flirting memo on the mission that said "smiling" and saying "sure" is a cue to start a conversation. No. I'm reading and eating my Cobb salad (no eggs... thank you Julie.)I was polite but aloof. I ate quickly because I was already late for work, and started to gather my things when he turned and asked me a few questions and asked if he could get to know me better. Smooth bud. I politely averted the question, wished him well, and ran out. My adrenaline helped me get up the Tanner building, sprinting, two steps at a time. Those are some mean stairs. I got to work, and am now writing about my experience. Moral of the story: eat Cobb salads.

Blogs with music ... la la NO

So, you're in the library or the mac lab in the BRMB and you find yourself looking through your friend's blogs and you find a post that looks intriguing, some may say promising. You click it, start scrolling around, and then BHAM ... the music starts! Ugghh. Awkward. That startling jolt from some sappy love song sends your stomach to your throat ... you hurry and hit the sound button on the keyboard and hear the little mac sound squeaking quieter and quieter, but that is just as awkward -- there is no covering up. Your face turns a little red, and you casually look around to play it off as if someone else had just been caught listening to Seal's "Kissed From A Rose." But, you know. No more playing music on blogs.

India and China above America?

YouTube: Did you know?

Effective Communicators

This was a topic of discussion in my media literacy class. Classic.

Doug Robinson eats a little crow

Loved this article from the Des News sports writer.

"Article: Okay, I admit I was wrong about BYU"

$0.25 for a professional

This is a great article -- a little old but a great one to read.

Famous classical violinist performs undercover

Die Familie, La Familie, 가족, семья, le famille, グルー

The Jones kids and parents

Aunt Ash playing with Makenna

Kels and I at the fire

Fam again

Fedding

fed-ding [FED ing]

noun

1. the fake act or ceremony of marrying
2. the fake anniversary of a marriage, or its celebration
3. the fake act or an instance of blending or joining, esp. opposite or contrasting elements

Last night, I was one of five brides at a fedding... fake wedding, if you didn't catch the drift. Photographer, ridiculously beautiful ring, white dress, dinner, garter, bouquet, dancing, cake feeding, toasts and a lot of laughs with amazing friends. And, a great fake groom. I don't think I have ever done something so enjoyable with friends. It is amazing what friends do for a person. I am incredibly grateful for mine.

Pictures to come...