Hey all!
To those of you who still read (haha, I'm not terribly regular!), I thought you should know that I'm leaving on a jetplane! No. But kind of! I turned in my papers to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In a few months, I'll be gone for a year and a half in who-knows-where! For those of you have been talking to me lately, I've been considering this for a few months, but finally finished up my papers with my stake president on Sunday. And I feel great about it! I love the gospel and am excited to have this opportunity to share it with others.
I'm one of those girls who never wanted to go on a mission growing up. No really. It was not in the plan. But coming to BYU, maturing, and figuring out what is really important has changed that. What better way to show your love of God than through service? I know it won't be a breeze. It will be challenging but also a great learning experience. I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I love talking to returned missionaries the best. Girls who have served missions are amazing!! (Yes that includes you, JENN!)
Well, cat's out of the bag. Such a relief!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Rather lengthy but for good reason!
Hello all!
No word yet on my big decision. I've kind of run into a brick wall as far as appointment-making goes, but I'll keep you updated! In other news, I try to avoid getting political on here because that tends to get you in trouble with at least one other person, but I'm going to write about something that is really important to me that has been a huge news topic. It doesn't get any more unsurprising than this! Proposition 8.
I may not live in California anymore, but I hope living there for 17 years qualifies me to say that I was vested in this decision that California voters recently made. When voters passed a statute eight years ago that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that was not enough. The California Supreme Court still overturned that decision because they said it was unconstitutional. Well, now California citizens have voted in favor of amending the constitution. If it's IN the Constitution, it cannot be unconstitutional, right? And if the people have voted for it, then it's not just some arbitrary decision made by a few judges, right? Ahem, California Supreme Court. Do we the people actually have in a say? And by we, I mean California citizens, which technically I am not, but I wish I could have voted! I read a letter by someone who suggested that judges, in their position of authority, should be trusted to make the decision of what is best for the people. What?? If there is anything that modern politics has taught us, it's that blindly trusting our leaders in authority is absolutely the wrong thing to do! There is a huge difference between showing respect for someone in authority and agreeing with the choices they make. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have a few people decide what is the best choice for 37 million people in an extremely divisive issue. Let them decide for themselves!!
So why am I on this heated topic? I got a message from an old friend asking me (and that includes dozens of other friends) to email Gov. Schwarzenegger on the government website and ask him to recognize the validity of Proposition 8. Contrary to popular belief, I am not terribly naive, and especially not enough to think that Gov. Schwarzenegger will actually read this, but hopefully someone sees it. (Or at least the abundance of messages just like it.)
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
Please uphold Proposition 8. In a slight but clear majority, 52.2% of residents have voted that California's constitution should be amended to state that marriage is between a man and a woman. Since propositions in favor of traditional marriage have now passed TWICE, there should be no doubt as to how the majority of the populace feels. It is so important that California uphold this decision now, before marriage is robbed of its traditional sanctity and importance in our culture. Please help us to assert that this decision was not a mistake, that this new addition to the constitution is something that the state of California will adhere to. California is a very influential state in the union, and I worry that if this hard fought battle were to turn back in the other direction, other states will follow suit, allowing gay marriage without letting the PEOPLE determine whether they want it or not. There can be no confusion as to the legality of Proposition 8. This proposition has become a part of the constitution precisely because the majority of people have voted in favor it. Ignoring this fact will negate the idea that the state of California is representative of a democratic nation. Please show supporters of Proposition 8, other California residents, and the nation that the state of California has upheld the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman. We cannot allow a few judges to decide what is best for the people of California. We asked that the people decide, and they have made their decision.
Thank you for your time, and best of luck!
Let me explain why this particular issue is so important to me. Why my family, friends, and church find it so important. Marriage and family is the glue of society. The most thriving communities are those that place great importance on the family. Why should marriage be just between a man and a woman? Because it is not just some legal agreement between two people stating that their assets and benefits are now combined. Think back, way back to the time when marriage was just between a man and a woman. Logically it makes sense. Procreation can only happen between a man and a woman. There is no way around that. If marriage is the glue of the family, and a family comes of procreation, and procreation can only occur between a man and a woman, then one can see the reason for marriage between a man and a woman. Why not for same-sex couples? Precisely for the same reason, that traditionally, in all cultures, marriage has been between a man and a woman capable of procreation and creating a family. Whether or not a man and a woman actually have children is not the point. The point is that in the most natural sense, a family can only come out of the union of a man and a woman. Thus marriage, in the most natural sense, can only mean that between a man and a woman.
From a religious point of view, I think that if God meant for men to be married to men, and women to be married to women, he would have provided them with the capability of creating children within that union. Whether someone is gay or not does not matter to me at all. What I do care about is that we preserve the sanctity of marriage and show that this is not an uninformed, outdated tradition. Marriage is timeless, and as such, its place in society needs to be respected. My parents and grandparents have shown to me through their marriages what it really means to be a married couple. It is apparent to me they truly love each other, support each other as husband and wife, and are committed to raising their children together. That is the marriage we need today. Let's preserve its place while we still can.
No word yet on my big decision. I've kind of run into a brick wall as far as appointment-making goes, but I'll keep you updated! In other news, I try to avoid getting political on here because that tends to get you in trouble with at least one other person, but I'm going to write about something that is really important to me that has been a huge news topic. It doesn't get any more unsurprising than this! Proposition 8.
I may not live in California anymore, but I hope living there for 17 years qualifies me to say that I was vested in this decision that California voters recently made. When voters passed a statute eight years ago that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that was not enough. The California Supreme Court still overturned that decision because they said it was unconstitutional. Well, now California citizens have voted in favor of amending the constitution. If it's IN the Constitution, it cannot be unconstitutional, right? And if the people have voted for it, then it's not just some arbitrary decision made by a few judges, right? Ahem, California Supreme Court. Do we the people actually have in a say? And by we, I mean California citizens, which technically I am not, but I wish I could have voted! I read a letter by someone who suggested that judges, in their position of authority, should be trusted to make the decision of what is best for the people. What?? If there is anything that modern politics has taught us, it's that blindly trusting our leaders in authority is absolutely the wrong thing to do! There is a huge difference between showing respect for someone in authority and agreeing with the choices they make. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have a few people decide what is the best choice for 37 million people in an extremely divisive issue. Let them decide for themselves!!
So why am I on this heated topic? I got a message from an old friend asking me (and that includes dozens of other friends) to email Gov. Schwarzenegger on the government website and ask him to recognize the validity of Proposition 8. Contrary to popular belief, I am not terribly naive, and especially not enough to think that Gov. Schwarzenegger will actually read this, but hopefully someone sees it. (Or at least the abundance of messages just like it.)
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
Please uphold Proposition 8. In a slight but clear majority, 52.2% of residents have voted that California's constitution should be amended to state that marriage is between a man and a woman. Since propositions in favor of traditional marriage have now passed TWICE, there should be no doubt as to how the majority of the populace feels. It is so important that California uphold this decision now, before marriage is robbed of its traditional sanctity and importance in our culture. Please help us to assert that this decision was not a mistake, that this new addition to the constitution is something that the state of California will adhere to. California is a very influential state in the union, and I worry that if this hard fought battle were to turn back in the other direction, other states will follow suit, allowing gay marriage without letting the PEOPLE determine whether they want it or not. There can be no confusion as to the legality of Proposition 8. This proposition has become a part of the constitution precisely because the majority of people have voted in favor it. Ignoring this fact will negate the idea that the state of California is representative of a democratic nation. Please show supporters of Proposition 8, other California residents, and the nation that the state of California has upheld the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman. We cannot allow a few judges to decide what is best for the people of California. We asked that the people decide, and they have made their decision.
Thank you for your time, and best of luck!
Let me explain why this particular issue is so important to me. Why my family, friends, and church find it so important. Marriage and family is the glue of society. The most thriving communities are those that place great importance on the family. Why should marriage be just between a man and a woman? Because it is not just some legal agreement between two people stating that their assets and benefits are now combined. Think back, way back to the time when marriage was just between a man and a woman. Logically it makes sense. Procreation can only happen between a man and a woman. There is no way around that. If marriage is the glue of the family, and a family comes of procreation, and procreation can only occur between a man and a woman, then one can see the reason for marriage between a man and a woman. Why not for same-sex couples? Precisely for the same reason, that traditionally, in all cultures, marriage has been between a man and a woman capable of procreation and creating a family. Whether or not a man and a woman actually have children is not the point. The point is that in the most natural sense, a family can only come out of the union of a man and a woman. Thus marriage, in the most natural sense, can only mean that between a man and a woman.
From a religious point of view, I think that if God meant for men to be married to men, and women to be married to women, he would have provided them with the capability of creating children within that union. Whether someone is gay or not does not matter to me at all. What I do care about is that we preserve the sanctity of marriage and show that this is not an uninformed, outdated tradition. Marriage is timeless, and as such, its place in society needs to be respected. My parents and grandparents have shown to me through their marriages what it really means to be a married couple. It is apparent to me they truly love each other, support each other as husband and wife, and are committed to raising their children together. That is the marriage we need today. Let's preserve its place while we still can.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Roma, how I miss thee!
Exactly one year ago yesterday,I was in Rome, my last day, being amazed by the magnificent ruins (including the Coliseum). There I was, saying things like Buongiornio principessa, arrevederci, gelato, and several ice cream flavors, the near extent of my Italian vocabulary. On that lovely trip, we reenacted scenes from Roman Holiday (gelato on the Spanish steps, wishing at the Trevi fountain, trying not to get hit by Italian drivers, and running through cobblestoned streets in the pouring rain at dusk to get our share of free pasta at the hostel- oh wait, that might have just been us). We went to Vatican City and were blown away, stayed until closing, and were shooed out by the guards along with the rest of the crowd while we (I) desperately tried to find the touch of Adam and God's fingers on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Impossible I tell you! Here was our first and only encounter with Italian ballet, a production to the Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg that we saw at my recommendation (because of the music I tell you. The music!) Turns out you need to get a little story background to prepare yourself for things like this. I loved ( that is to say, was desperately confused) by the moments when random frightening creatures would rush out on stage, dance in frantic circles around the characters on stage, and rush back out again. And the man in the story was a treat. His character was rather odd. But that's another story!
We walked (practically ran) for miles, made friends with people from all over the world. We (I) shared excitement at seeing the geography of France on an ancient Roman map with a French couple in the Vatican museum (en francais, je pense!). We marveled at the colors of the buildings (a huge difference from Parisian architecture), and snapped pictures all the while. And e felt right at home when we found out there was a metro strike (we had two very memorable and lengthy strikes at home in Paris). At the end of the trip, we were exhausted, but in completely and unabashedly in love with yet another foreign city. And we were excited to go back home. Yes, we considered Paris home. I cannot describe how accustomed I grew to the way of life there. It's odd to think of now, but I really felt a rooted connection to that city and my life in it. Could I replicate that again? I would love to say yes, but who is to know? C'est une grand question.
By the way, "we" was Stephanie, Kylie, Janna, Vanessa, and me. Oh what fun we had!
We walked (practically ran) for miles, made friends with people from all over the world. We (I) shared excitement at seeing the geography of France on an ancient Roman map with a French couple in the Vatican museum (en francais, je pense!). We marveled at the colors of the buildings (a huge difference from Parisian architecture), and snapped pictures all the while. And e felt right at home when we found out there was a metro strike (we had two very memorable and lengthy strikes at home in Paris). At the end of the trip, we were exhausted, but in completely and unabashedly in love with yet another foreign city. And we were excited to go back home. Yes, we considered Paris home. I cannot describe how accustomed I grew to the way of life there. It's odd to think of now, but I really felt a rooted connection to that city and my life in it. Could I replicate that again? I would love to say yes, but who is to know? C'est une grand question.
By the way, "we" was Stephanie, Kylie, Janna, Vanessa, and me. Oh what fun we had!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
So cute. The clip below is from an episode of How I Met Your Mother from several months ago. I've only seen it once, and luckily that once included this scene! It's pretty much everything a girl could wish for in a date. Unfortunately, the last part is cut out, but you'll get the gist of it. Watch and enjoy!
Isn't that cool? I kind of wish that I could have a two-minute date too :)
Of course, real life probably wouldn't work out as smoothly as this does on-screen. Ha!
Isn't that cool? I kind of wish that I could have a two-minute date too :)
Of course, real life probably wouldn't work out as smoothly as this does on-screen. Ha!
Sentimentality is my middle name!
I love the fall. It's getting a bit late for this post, but I can't let something minor like the changing of seasons stop me! Autumn to me is red, gold, orange. Leaves. Beautiful, bright, and large leaves. dark and crunchy leaves. an after-rain mush of moisture, mud, and leaves. (Leaves are obviously an integral part of this equation). Whether they be up above, lightly floating down, or in need of crunching below, they are simply amazing.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the transformation over the past several weeks, and was shocked to realize that I haven't documented this lovely change. Well, not too shocked. Remembering to charge batteries has been a bit much for me to think about as of late. But I did snap one on my cell phone. I LOVE technology for this very reason. And I was listening to music on it at the same time!
But I digress. Back to the pure beauty of nature. It makes me feel fresh, content, and sentimental. The sentimental has been getting to me more than anything since the last autumn I experienced was in Paris. I can't take credit for the picture below (taken in Paris) but it captures how I feel about this. To me, it conveys a melancholy longing but also serves as a reminder of cherished memories, of wonderful bygones. It is a beautiful thing, a memory. While not all memories may be lovely, we at least have the great ones from which we recall the best of times.
Oh gosh. My shuffle has tapped into this mood and is playing all things applicable. The one that always brings tears to my eyes, though, is Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Try it out. Seriously. I know you'll love it.
So please enjoy the seasons. Winter is going to be a difficult one for me, but it too will come and go. This year has gone by much too fast. Let's not let the other ones run amok too, when before we know it time is almost up and we still have yet to do all those things set aside for "someday." Make today someday. Love today! (even if it is snowing...)
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the transformation over the past several weeks, and was shocked to realize that I haven't documented this lovely change. Well, not too shocked. Remembering to charge batteries has been a bit much for me to think about as of late. But I did snap one on my cell phone. I LOVE technology for this very reason. And I was listening to music on it at the same time!
But I digress. Back to the pure beauty of nature. It makes me feel fresh, content, and sentimental. The sentimental has been getting to me more than anything since the last autumn I experienced was in Paris. I can't take credit for the picture below (taken in Paris) but it captures how I feel about this. To me, it conveys a melancholy longing but also serves as a reminder of cherished memories, of wonderful bygones. It is a beautiful thing, a memory. While not all memories may be lovely, we at least have the great ones from which we recall the best of times.
Oh gosh. My shuffle has tapped into this mood and is playing all things applicable. The one that always brings tears to my eyes, though, is Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Try it out. Seriously. I know you'll love it.
So please enjoy the seasons. Winter is going to be a difficult one for me, but it too will come and go. This year has gone by much too fast. Let's not let the other ones run amok too, when before we know it time is almost up and we still have yet to do all those things set aside for "someday." Make today someday. Love today! (even if it is snowing...)
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