Dancing

Tonight, my two best friends and I attended Humor U Comedy at the Varsity Theatre.

I haven't laughed so hard for a while. I highly recommend it.

My roommates and I have a pretty long record with dancing and dance parties. The other night we had a random dance party at 11:00 pm and tried our hand at the "pop, lock and drop." A little rough, to be sure. Tonight, one of the comedians was an African-American who is an extremely good dancer.

My rooommates and I got home tonight and we were talking in the kitchen. I started trying to imitate the guy and one of his dance moves (looked similar to "the Jerk".) I was giving it my best shot but my roommates laughed and said: "Ash, you are not black."

My campus

A good friend of mine posted this on her blog and I totally chuckled to myself. There is a part of me that kind of wants to cry cause I'm getting more and more emotional and melancholy as I think about graduating in less than three months... which means I'm leaving Provo and BYU campus. I can't think about it too hard, or else I will cry. So, to keep it happy, I refer to my friends quotation:

"I noticed the sign I pass everyday:

'The World is Our Campus.'

Phew. Thanks, BYU, for taking over the world. Now I won't feel quite as homesick when I leave."

Couldn't agree more.

Alternative titles for Stay-at-home-Moms

I saw an article in the Washington Post and had to chuckle a little bit... they are trying to come up with a new, accurate, respect-inspriring, gender-neutral description for moms (and dads) whose full-time job is raising their children.

Not sure what is wrong with "stay-at-home-Mom/Dad..." but I liked some of the responses and came up with a few of my own:

-Director of Child Development

-Full-time junior jockeys

-Instead of Housewives, replace a few letters and you have Housewipers!

-Master or Mistress of the Domain

-CHO= Chief Home Officer

-"CinC-House" that is, "Commander in Chief of the House". Pronounced "sink-house."

-MOTHER ("Master Of The Home and External Responsibilities")

-Paravan: a combination of "parent" and "mini-van".

-Domestic engineer

Post Address Post

Madam Speaker: The President of the United States!

I must admit that I went through a a range of emotions as I watched the President's first State of the Union Address. I do not claim to be a political junky - I am simply interested in the happenings of the government to which I belong. As you read this post, I will give a disclaimer that I do not proport to know everything or even a lot about Obama and his decisions or the way our government works or what is currently happening. I am still sitting on the fence with some of my opinions - I haven't researched things enough to form an opinion. I will be the first to admit that - but I do have opinions on most things. So, if you don't agree with some or any of the things I have written below, that is your freedom. This is a personal blog and I have the right to state my opinion and thoughts.

So to start out, President Obama stated the worst of the recession is past but the devastation is still pending. These struggles are the reasons he ran for President, but has he done anything about them? Children are writing the president asking when their parents can go back to work? Nice job pulling the sympathy card.

Hard work on Wall St. is rewarded but hard work on Main Street isn't. Good point.

Joe Biden looked like he was chuckling at an inside joke the whole time. His wife is just a smiley as he is.

After the President's long list of areas where he has cut taxes, it was interesting watching half of the room give Obama a standing ovation and the other half sit motionless in silence. "Thought I'd get an applause on that one," Obama said. Definitely wasn't the last time we'd see this reaction.

I was grateful that Obama was honest enough to recognize that for every success story, there is a sister story of failure or accomplishments not attained -- which is why he is calling for a new job bill... tonight. Financing small banks with $30 billion dollars from Wall St -- a tax incentive for all small and large businesses. The Republicans again, just sat with their mouths hanging open and their heads shaking. He then compares us to China and other nations - what is this, are we trying to keep up with the Joneses? (No pun intended.) No! This kind of thinking is only going to get us in trouble. Taxes on companies that are shipping jobs out of the U.S. and fewer taxes for companies that are keeping jobs in the U.S. - that is just turning us into a capitalistic and isolated union. I do not agree with that. Why are we talking about China? We have nothing to prove to them! "I do not accept second place for the United States of America!" This isn't a competition with China! If he wants to eliminate outsourcing jobs to foreign nations, we are destabilizing our country as well as the foreign nations. He wants to form trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, Columbia. (First standing ovation from the Republicans.)

The nation made the largest investment in the history of research last year... working on killing cancer cells but leaving healthy cells behind - sure, everyone wants a cure for cancer... except the pharmaceutical companies. Why would they want to find a cure for cancer? That is their whole living right there. If cancer patients aren't coming in, how are they getting their paychecks? They want to treat cancer, not prevent it.

"The nation that leads in clean air economy will lead in global economy and America must be that nation." My goodness. Again, who are we trying to impress? This isn't a race to be number one.

The best anti-poverty program around is education! Yes! Could not agree more. Community colleges need to be revitalized as a source for that program. Why can't we take the $30 billion and put it toward this education program? And those students who go to college will only have to pay 10 percent of their student loans... and after 20 years their debt will be forgiven. (I need to reread this section... I think I missed a few details in this section of his speech.) Why in the world? So, the debt is just going to go away? No; debt is debt. Who is going to pay for it? Reform is needed, but in moderation!

Childhood obesity: thank you Michelle for working on tackling that. I absolutely agree with her. That is an issue that not only needs to be discussed but acted upon!

Health insurance: He is not going to walk away from the Americans who are losing their health insurance. He apologized for not more clearly explaining his expectations and plans for the bill - (which shows there was a mistake made.) "After the temperatures cool, take another look at the plan." "Here is what I ask Congress: don't walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we're so close." Close to what?

Start the conversation on government spending by setting it straight. The families in America are tightening their belts and the Federal Government must do the same. Ha! This is a new idea? I'll believe it when I see it. Why in 2011? Why not today? Why not eliminate the $30 billion to small businesses? By the way, what does "freezing spending" mean. Ha- putting the cut into effect in 2011 when the economy is stronger... that is what a budget is. I loved the Republican's reaction to that. We not only face a deficit of money but a deficit of trust. The government must do their work openly on both ends of Pennsylvania Ave. He gave the list of things that won't be frozen: Medicare, defense, education, Medicaid... okay, so what is being frozen? Isn't that where most of the spending is anyway?

To close up, he talked about the differences in opinion and philosophy. He talks about the Democrats holding the largest majority and that the people expect them to solve problems, not run for the hills. He defends partisanship but then addresses the parties separately and almost chides the Republicans for their actions. Leadership isn't just taking action, it is learning when to take action.

As a candidate, "I promise to end this war." That is a really big promise, President Obama. "This war is ending and all our troops are coming home." Can you put a timeline on a war? "Okay, exactly three years from now, the war will be over, because I will be either out of office or running for re-election and need this to win. I also don't want to break another promise."

Should those who choose same gender attraction be allowed to serve their country?(In the military.) First of all, that was a pretty controversial topic to bring up in his State of the Union Address. I'm glad he is pushing for that - those with same gender attraction have the right to serve their country. However, there are no exceptions for them and the rules. They will be held to the same standard to which everyone else is held.

In his closing remarks he is talking about cynicism and distrust - how unacceptable it is to point fingers. But, what was he doing during his "philosophy of government" discussion just a few minutes ago? He was totally pointing fingers... at the Republic party because they don't agree with him and refuse to support him in his liberal ideals. When you point a finger, you have three pointing back at you.

There were a lot of contradictions and big promises.

Does it take a national/ global tragedy to bring a nation and world together? He was thanking the people who are volunteering in Haiti and helping so much there. Those that were helping were chanting "USA! USA!" His tone was that of tragedy strengthening the people and that the American spirit that existed 100 years ago still lives on in us. We saw it with 9/11, we saw it with Hurricane Katrina, we saw it with the tsunami in Indonesia, we are seeing it with Haiti. It is a cycle. We are hit with tragedy, we are humbled, we built up again, we get prideful, then are hit again with tragedy.

Alma 15: 17
"Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to dworship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction—"

Hel. 11: 37
And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were aripening again for destruction.

3 Ne. 4: 33
And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.

Hail to the Chief

Wednesday night (1/27) at 7:00 p.m. (MST) we will hear our President's first address to the nation. What is it going to be like? I'm really curious to see what his attitude is, where his enthusiasm lies, how optimistic/ pessimistic he is and what kind of words he uses. Is it going to be flat and meaningless? Or is he going to put some action into his words? Health care. Spending freezes. Unemployment rates. Social security. Is he going to mention Brown in Massachusetts? We should be thinking about these things and taking interest! This is our future! I can't understand why so many people take no care in their government. This is for us, because of us. Form an opinion and voice it. I know the GOP will be voicing theirs after the Address. Should be interesting to hear them rip everything apart.

We have a president and I respect him as the leader of our nation, however, I am waiting to really see anything that truly shows me he is our president. We are the people. Is he or anyone else on the Hill listening to us? I guess we'll see tomorrow night.

Hail to the Chief.

New word: prosaic

I keep hearing and reading this word everywhere... I had no idea what it meant until I finally just looked it up. There is something about this word that I love.


pro⋅sa⋅ic  [proh-zey-ik]

–adjective
1. commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative: a prosaic mind.
2. of or having the character or form of prose rather than poetry.

“Cloaked in their very ordinariness, the prosaic events that truly shape our lives–escape our notice... The infinitely numerous and apparently inconsequential ordinary ones, which taken together, are far more effective and significant.”

-Gary Saul Morson

There is this new blog I found that focuses only on focusing on the small things in life. The "prosaic events" of our lives.

Seeing the Everyday

Another example of a post from this blog is: “The domestic joys, the daily housework or business, the building of houses–they are not phantasms . . . they have weight and form and location.” Walt Whitman

"Live your life with enthusiasm, and the prosaic becomes the profound. The fire within snuffs out that prosaic, problematic and persistent low altitude of life, and we begin to soar."

It reminds me a little of Elder Ballard's talk in April 2008 General Conference. He is talking to the mothers and wives in the Church... "prosaic" events don't just have to do with mothers and wives, I just thought this was a good example of what it means to see the little things in our everyday lives.

Elder Ballard recounts his experience: "As a young father, I learned the demanding role of motherhood. I served as a counselor and then as bishop for a period of 10 years. During that time we were blessed with six of our seven children. Barbara was often worn-out by the time I got home Sunday evening. She tried to explain what it was like to sit on the back row in sacrament meeting with our young family. Then the day came that I was released. After sitting on the stand for 10 years, I was now sitting with my family on the back row.
The ward’s singing mothers’ chorus was providing the music, and I found myself sitting alone with our six children. I have never been so busy in my whole life. I had the hand puppets going on both hands, and that wasn’t working too well. The Cheerios got away from me, and that was embarrassing. The coloring books didn’t seem to entertain as well as they should."

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make... I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.'"

Appreciate the prosaic moments in life.

The Importuning Woman

I'm pulling up a post from about eight months ago because I've been thinking about it so much lately and have also been hearing so much about it at Institute and with my roommates.

I feel so strongly about this post and am so grateful for it. It is so incredibly important for us to understand and implement.

I refer to the Parable of the Unjust Judge in the Luke 18:1-5 which is also found in D&C 101:81-89. My brother wrote a small discourse on this parable which I will also include here.

The Parable of the Unjust Judge (The Importuning Woman)
This judge “feareth not man nor God,” yet a woman comes and begs him to avenge her of her adversary. He doesn’t oblige her at first, but then, over time, he “gives in” and gives her what she wants. The scriptures go on to say: "And shall not God aavenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

I’ve always interpreted this parable to mean that the Lord wants us call on His name repeatedly because somehow it unlocks the powers of heaven and helps Him help us. Or, as Joseph Smith said, “Weary the Lord until He blesses you.” In other words, we weary Him with prayer for his benefit. But Elder Lund in his book “Hearing the Voice of the Lord” points out something different.

First, we know God doesn’t ask us to pray to Him in order for Him to know what we want. He already knows everything. So clearly our pleadings don’t benefit Him that way.

Second, we know God wouldn’t ask us to pray to Him in order to satisfy some petty whim of His. He doesn’t need or want to see us grovel. And He doesn’t want us to jump through theological hoops in order to prove our submissiveness. That is completely counter to His nature. So what, then, is the purpose of this parable?

Well, this parable has another name, which is the “Parable of the Importunate Woman.” (The Savior doesn’t use the word “importunate” here, but He uses it three times in D&C 101:81-89.) Importunate is the opposite of faint. It means “to press or beset with solicitations; demand with urgency or persistence.” Jesus is telling us in this parable that we should importune Him the Lord when we need something. But if importuning isn’t for His benefit, then it must be for ours.

What is it about importuning that’s so significant? When we ask for something we don’t get right away, it causes us to either blame God or blame ourselves. Assuming we don’t blame God, we look within ourselves and start doing a spiritual inventory, right? We check to make sure we’re being righteous enough to deserve the blessing. We pray harder and longer. We serve more. We are kinder to those around us. We visit the temple more frequently. In a word, we further the process of sanctification. In other words, importuning initiates a tremendous process of spiritual growth. The very process of praying, exercising greater faith, humbling ourselves, and finally submitting our will to His becomes spiritually empowering.

We don’t persist in prayer in order to change God’s mind or convince Him of anything. We persist in prayer to change our hearts. We don’t “weary the Lord” with prayer in order to change God’s mind. We weary Him in prayer hard enough and long enough that our own hearts change. We may think we are unlocking the powers of heaven (and perhaps we are to some degree), but it may be that more significant in effectuating blessings is that we have unlocked our own hearts.

The trees got a haircut

So for any of you who walk to BYU's campus from the south side, up the stairs by the tennis courts, you know the trees that hung super low over the stairs. Every time I walk up and down those stairs, my hair gets brushed by the trees. It has bugged me everyday.

But, the trees got a haircut this week.

I can now enjoy climbing the stairs. (Not that there is much to enjoy climbing a huge hill of stairs.)

Signs by Tomorrow

(Yes, I'm promoting a product/ company on this blog post... PR... that's what I do.)

I've been doing a little bit of side PR work for a small charity called KiK Worldwide. They provide used soccer equipment to less fortunate children and set up soccer leagues all over the world. It is a pretty awesome organization. They have been putting together a couple pretty big events lately and I got a small sign company to donate banners to KiK for the events. Signs by Tomorrow was the company - Bruce Simon owns it and was an angel to work with - truly. I would suggest that anyone who needs professional signs made... go visit Bruce. Tell him that Ashley sent you.

Bruce Simon
801.375.3177

The Economist's opinion of PR

Good News:

Other firms' suffering has bolstered public-relations

"The past year or two has tested the idea that all publicity is good publicity, at least when it comes to business. Undeserved bonuses, plunging share prices and government bail-outs, among other ills, have elicited the ire of the media and public—and created a bonanza for public-relations firms. The recession has increased corporate demand for PR, analysts say, and enhanced the industry’s status. 'We used to be the tail on the dog,' says Richard Edelman, the boss of Edelman, the world’s biggest independent PR firm.(Also, the firm for whom I will be working this summer.) But now, he continues, PR is 'the organizing principle' behind many business decisions."

I am so grateful to be at BYU where this "organizing principle" (aka: The Matrix) is pounded into our heads.

"PR has done well in part because it is often cheaper than mass advertising campaigns. Its impact, in the form of favorable coverage in the media or online, can also be more easily measured. Moreover, PR firms are beginning to encroach on territory that used to be the domain of advertising firms, a sign of their increasing clout. They used chiefly to pitch story ideas to media outlets and try to get their clients mentioned in newspapers. Now they also dream up and orchestrate live events, web launches and the like. 'When you look at advertising versus public relations, it’s not going to be those clearly defined silos,' says Christopher Graves, the boss of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. 'It may be indistinguishable at some point where one ends and the other begins.'"

"The rise of the internet and social media has given PR a big boost. Many big firms have a presence on social-networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, overseen by PR staff. PR firms are increasingly called on to track what consumers are saying about their clients online and to respond directly to any negative commentary. When two employees of Domino’s, a pizza chain, uploaded a video of themselves apparently sticking ingredients for dishes they were preparing up their noses, the firm responded by posting a video of its own online, of a senior executive apologizing for the incident."

I love this profession.

Save the date

Love this idea!

Brrhh (annoying game show noise)

I'm officially bugged.

The UPS man delivered my laptop carrier today and I opened it up with my roommates... they even took pictures to document the occasion... and...

IT IS ORANGE.


No, okay, so I knew it was orange when I ordered it, but I didn't realize it was going to be THIS orange. I mean, it is the ugly, nerdy orange. Ugh. I can't do that.

Sending it back and am getting black. Simple and classic. Can't go wrong with black. Not very creative or spunky but, it will do the job. Right now, I'm fine with that.

                                      

Definition of jealousy

Does that not look just so delectable? Someday.

Only a few days left

So, my roommate's blog post inspired this post:

I have 93 days left of my college career.

I also have 98 days before I move to LA.

*Insert squeal here.*

So, my dear friends, less than 100 days to enjoy all of the many pleasantries of Provo. And one thing my roommates and I have to do (since we are all graduating in April) is take a picture in our cap and gowns together. One of my roommates will be graduating from the nursing program at UVU and their graduation ceremonies are a week after BYU's. So, we are hoping to borrow a cap and gown from someone... either that or photoshop one of us in the cap and gown. The former would be my choice.

Here is to moving on in life and "carpeing the diem."

Craving

I got home from church today and was craving a Jones family classic:

tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

My roommate sent me the following a few hours later and only made the craving worse. It is time for me to go to the grocery store and pick up some tomato soup and bread.

The challenge is: making them look this good.

Sleeves... carriers... whatever you want to call it

I finally decided on one.

I'm happy.

Sleeping when sick

So yes, I have been sick the last couple of days.

Amount of hours of sleep accumulated in the past two nights?

25

Add on the five hour nap I took today...

30 hours of sleep.

Can I sleep tonight?

No.

Thus the blog post at 11:21 pm.

Waking up

I think one of the most annoying things is waking up and having a stuffy nose and that totally recognizable feeling in your throat... you're getting sick.

That was me today.

Macbook Sleeves... which one?

So, I ordered a Macbook Pro yesterday. I have been a very happy girl today because of it. I made a special order (I added a 320 GB hard drive to the 13" Macbook Pro (2.53 GHZ) and should be receiving it sometime next week.

I am so excited.

I have been doing my research as far as protection goes. I have found the following:

I will be applying a BodyGuardz to my Macbook. (I have one on my Blackberry and I LOVE it.)

The other question is, the sleeve. Hmm, yes, that is the question. Below are two pictures of the sleeves I have chosen. The problem is, I really like them both, a lot. Want to help?

Burlap

or

Leather

I like them both, as I said. I feel like the Burlap is a little more fun and earthy/ indy. The leather is a little more business and clean. What think ye?

Families

One of the books that I read over Christmas break was Sheri Dew's "No One Can Take Your Place." An absolutely phenomenal book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was the first time I had ever read any of Dew's books. I'm convinced. She knows what she is talking about.

There were quite a few things in this book that really stood out to me. I'm working as a research assistant for some women's research for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A lot of what I read in this book was so closely connected to the research that I'm doing. So amazing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so critical to our happiness! Even more critical for us to understand, is that WE (men and women together) are the key to building Christ's church. Do we understand that?! Until we (men and women together) understand this, and work together as priesthood holders and members of Relief Society, the potential of His kingdom won't be fully realized.

I have included below a few paragraphs that I typed up from Dew's book. She is talking about the family here and how the family is central to God's plan and the stabilization of our society.

"Study after study has produced volumes of statistics verifying president Hinckley’s point – that strong marriages and strong homes are one of the republic’s greatest stabilizers. Voluminous amounts of data demonstrate a host of things: that those who get married and stay married are happiness, more healthy, earn more, are less likely to become addicted to something, are less prone to illness, and are less likely to live in poverty; that children who don’t live with both parents are more likely to grow up poor, have problems in school, have more health and emotional problems, and get into trouble with the law; that children from divorced homes are more likely to get divorced themselves; that children whose parents divorce are more likely to skip school, get drunk, hurt someone enough to need a doctor, steal and lie. On the other hand, data shows that teenagers whose parents worship together regularly are far less likely to engage in premarital sex.

I am neither a family researcher nor a sociologist, and don’t pretend to be. But the pile of family research available from many independent institutions seems undeniable and conclusive. Stable marriages and stable families result in stable people. And stable people create stable societies. So individuals, groups, organizations or philosophies that seek to undermine the sanctity and stability of the family as God defined it – between a man and woman, raising children in their home – ought to concern every one of us.

Nearly twenty-five years ago, President Spencer W. Kimball made a statement that was clearly prophetic: “The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.”

It looks as though that time has come. For if I was Satan and wanted to thoroughly obliterate society, I would try to undermine and eventually destroy the family. And I would do it in a number of ways: I would attempt to confuse men and women about the divine nature of their distinctive roles. I would try to deceive and distract and discourage women, such that they no longer feel joy in womanhood and motherhood. I would try to frustrate the plan of salvation by doing anything possible to interrupt the divine pattern that brings children to the earth – hence today’s fascination with everything from abortion to homosexuality. I would attempt to redefine the family so that it applies essentially to any group of people who choose to define themselves as such. And on and on."

I especially like President Kimball's quotation. Man! How powerful. Only those who are deeply and actively devoted to the family will withstand Satan's thwarts against the family. We have to love our families! Communicate with them. Serve them. Pray for them. By doing so, we are strengthening our testimonies of families, so when the time comes for us to have our own families (those of us who are still single) we will be ready and will have that "deep" and "active" devotion.

Giving up chocolate

I've been working on goals for the new year. I returned home from my mission one year ago, yesterday.(Eeeeell!If you know me, you know what sound I'm trying to spell there.) I can't believe it has been a year. This time has flooown by. It has been quite an amazing year. A lot has happened and I'm pleased with everything I did this year. No regrets. Except for maybe spending so many Friday nights studying and working on projects. (I'm going to work on that this year.)

I created quite a few goals for myself this year. One of them being: no chocolate. I'm going to go a year without eating that sweet deliciousness. I've done it before - I've also accomplished not drinking pop for a year, as well as ice cream. I don't drink pop or eat ice cream enough to feel like I need to give those up, but I do enjoy chocolate. So, to show myself who is really in control (my mind or my appetite) I'm going off chocolate. I'm excited.

I've also made a goal to be more social. This past semester was good in the beginning, but I struggled with that "s" word a little. My little sister was getting ready to leave on her mission and I wanted to spend every minute with her that I could. I did. I loved every minute of it. But now that she is gone, my crutch is gone. This means I have to go and meet people and play instead of stay at home on a Friday and work or study. I enjoy those things, but a friend told me today that it is the people that will matter most after I graduate from college, not the things. I have been focused a lot on things (i.e.: internships, jobs, future, money, classes, projects) and not enough on the amazing friends I have around me.

A little appendige to that goal is dating. Ugh.

The "d" word. I have to date more. Enough said. I wrote it down on my list of goals but I would hardly call it a goal because it simply says: "Date more." Not specific, measurable, attainable, time-bound or mission driven whatsoever. I chuckled at myself. I can tell my motivation for this goal is pretty up there. adfja;ldskfjas;ldkfja. (Yes, I meant to do that.)