You Are Worth It

Yesterday in relief society we talked about eternal marriage. Such a wonderful topic. But you know the direction it ends up going in a singles ward. Everyone puts in their two cents about dating and all the things that are wrong and complain about how they're not married yet. Not to harp on all the girls in my ward, but some of them are 18, first semester at college, and complain about not being in a relationship yet with a returned missionary who is dying to whisk them away to the temple. There were a few of us older girls who have had quite a bit more dating experience than them, who are just as frustrated about living the single life in Provo.

As our discussion continued we focused a lot on becoming the best version of ourselves that we could be, this has to happen before we end up meeting Mr. Right. I remembered an article that I read a few weeks ago on a blog that talked a lot about how a girl shouldn't settle for what she doesn't deserve. It was a good reminder after the relief society chit chat that we are all worth it. There is a time for all things, and you just have to live your life to the fullest while everything pans out. Yesterday I was very grateful for social media and the ability we have to express our thoughts and opinions (like in a blog, haha) because you never know when someone else in the world is going to need to hear that thought and how it could affect them.

If you feel like reading the article, here's the link: http://ashlinsblog.com/2013/09/24/youre-not-a-plan-b-kind-of-girl/

Entering a Different World

Do you ever find an amazing book and spend countless hours reading it until you are finished? I have this problem. When I get a good book that I become super involved with, I cannot do anything until I have finished. This has occurred way too often with all the Harry Potter series; buying the book the first night it comes out and going straight home to read it until I'm done. Forget sleeping, who needs that anyway. But do you ever get so invested that you forget about the rest of the world? It feels as if you enter a different world and the real world should just freeze. But when you're done, the world continued on without you and you're now left with a torn heart between the book world and the world around you.

Sadly though, during school, the only world I enter into while reading is that of a textbook. But every break in school allows for a time to escape reality. I countdown for that time again.

Childhood Fail

I always get distracted when I get on the internet. I start off doing really good with homework, and then, I just need a break. I start looking at one thing, that leads to another, and before I know it I've looked at all these crazy articles and realize that I officially accomplished entertaining myself for an hour without realizing it.

However, during that "wasted" hour I find so many good things. Good as in random/interesting/funny things that make me think "who has time in their life to research and find out all this stuff?!" Exhibit A: An article on answers.com that mention a bunch of unhealthy snacks from your childhood. As sad as it may be, I ate so many of these snacks, and now that I look back through the article, it's as if part of me died by seeing the sad non-existent future of my childhood food fun.

http://www.answers.com/article/1214337/12-totally-unhealthy-snacks-from-your-childhood-that-went-extinct?param4=fb-us-de-health&param1=health&param2=1650051&param5=5&param6=6

General Conference

I am so excited for General Conference this weekend. It is one of my favorite times of year. As I've gotten older I've noticed the different ways I prepare for the sessions. When I was younger the focus used to be which pair of pajamas I was going to wear and which coloring books I was going to use. As I've gotten older I've found more profound ways to prepare myself.

Before each new session of Conference I like to re-read all the talks from the previous one. This helps me remember what has been discussed and allows me to open my mind to more questions that I might have that could be answered in the next session. Without media, this would be impossible. We have so many options available to us with access to review counsel from our leaders of the Church. I can purchase the Conference edition of the Ensign, or download it to my phone or I-pod. There are times (like this weekend) where I am extremely grateful for media and the positive use we can use it for. And let's face it, without media, we wouldn't be able to watch Conference in the comfort of our own homes.

The Piano Guys

So, I’m a nerd. I may or may not be obsessed with Marvel and DC Comics. I saw this video that the Piano Guys did of the Batman theme song and I literally got chills. The Piano Guys are so talented. And bringing together all the cars from Batman brought a smile to my face. I'm not a huge fan of classical music, but there are certain artists that are only instrumental that I really enjoy. The Piano Guys are one of them. Every time I listen to their songs I feel so peaceful inside. Super helpful for getting through a Monday.

http://thepianoguys.com/portfolio/batman-evolution/

A song to describe yourself

Today's class lecture really got me thinking about the type of music I listen to and reasoning of why I prefer a certain genre over another. I'm not the most pickiest person when it comes to types of music; there are certain types I will not listen to, but for the most part whatever comes on I'm pretty okay with listening to. I'm the worst with naming songs and the artists behind it. When I'm singing a song and someone asks me who its by, I just look at them blankly, because I honestly have no clue. (Don't worry, I'm working on it.)

So then in class when Dr. Coyne asked us to pick a song that described us, my mind went blank. I was able to come up with a few that I knew I listened to pretty frequently, because they made me happy. In thinking more about it, I don't necessarily have certain songs that I would say describe me or I listen to because they have a specific meaning. For the most part I try to listen to music that makes me feel happy and has a good message (even if I don't know all the words, I assume for the most part its good). Some of my favorite songs would be ones that remind you to make the most out of what you have in front of you and don't let anything stop you from trying your best (Defying Gravity is basically what I'm referring to).

Disney: Then & Now

I grew up watching Disney movies. Whenever we went on road trips, we'd bring enough along to make the drive go by quicker; and let's be honest, it was a ton of fun having the whole family sing along in the car. And I won't lie, even now I watch them quite often. Walt Disney definitely knew what he was doing; all those movies are just classic. I mean, who doesn't love to break out in song randomly to express what's going on? But, do you ever watch them now (being an adult) and see them in a completely different light than you did when you were a child?

I have a niece that just turned 3 and she is OBSESSED with Disney movies. Being the awesome aunt than I am, I watch them with her and sing along (I'm a kid at heart, no big deal). She's got the songs down. But I find myself paying more attention to the plot and messages being received from the movies, and I can't help but be a little put off by what I find sometimes. Don't get me wrong, the Little Mermaid is awesome. But if you think about it, doesn't it seem wrong that she tries to change herself to be able to marry a man she "loves," even after never speaking a word to him (that he could hear)? Or Aladdin pretending to be someone's he's not just to impress a girl? I'm not trying to harp on Disney, but it makes me a little sad to think that these movies I loved so much as a child, can have such a different meaning when you think critically and try to pick apart the plot. It gets to a point where you don't fully realize the messages the movies you watch can be sending.

Knowing me, Disney will still play a big role in my life. Whether it's got a twisted plot or not.