Cereal

This morning I had cereal for breakfast. Sometimes I wonder why we love it so much. If you think about it too hard, you realize that a bunch of thin, flaky wheat crackers floating in a bowl of milk is kind of disgusting. It's just strange, some of the things we think ourselves into liking or disliking. As much as we wouldn't like to admit it, this lovely cereal example reflects how dependent our opinions are upon other people and the cultural contexts we coexist in. Yeah, I just love cereal. So much! My favorite kind of [soggy flat grain cracker] would have to be Life. Cinnamon Life, particularly. However, tomorrow that might change to Raisin Nut Bran, because of the yummy nutty covered raisins. Or if I'm feeling healthy I really do love Special K, but sometimes you just can't refuse the sweettasteofthoseCinnamonToastCrunchswirlsineverybite!

Waiting for the Bus: An Exhibit

I hate it when the bus is late. When I'm waiting for a late bus, I like to take pictures of myself on my phone's camera. It is great fun, but I still don't like waiting. It actually happens quite a bit since I work mulitple times a week and I ride the bus to work. Yes, I have now made quite a ravishing collection of streetside photos that subtly represents the inconsistency of UTA buses in Utah Valley. I've been learning about random things that modern artists do to everyday things and then declare them art. Therefore, I give you art:

Good, Better, Best

What do you do with your time? Good things? Great things? What is something that you could be doing right now that is better than reading my blog? Now, I can see how perusing my chatter and babble may be very important to your personal well-being. However, the thought makes one wonder how efficient our daily routines really make us. I need to make time for what is MOST important. Determine what that is and then do it. Don't waste time on silly little indulgences! Become involved in doing good. One of my favorite quotes by President Gordon B. Hinckley says: "You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." This past week I made a nifty little checklist that is hanging by my desk. I've written there a number of things that I want to make sure and accomplish every week, things that I should do instead of facebooking or watching movies to fill any spare time I may have, and a short reminder list of the things I have determined to do daily. It's kind of like my own personal inventory. I'm still not sure how it will work, though. Checklists are good, but they are strange when it comes to an attempt to stretch yourself spiritually, some of those things should just be spontaneous... maybe. Hmmm.... we will just see how this turns out. I think it's a step in the right direction, for sure!

How to Be Brave

Sometimes it's so hard to just open your mouth and say what you must. Each and every time we speak, we submit ourselves to the judgement of those who hear us... subconsciously, of course. There is always the question of what they will ultimately think of us, how they will respond, what kind of an effect you will have on them, and what kind of an effect that will have on your existing relationship. Some of the things we say are more poignant than others in this way, for example, politics, religion, a person's character, and issues of interpersonal relations. The reason I have been pondering these things has a lot to do with the recent election, particularly Proposition 8 in California and my Church's surprisingly active support of it. I've been dealing with the prospect of confonting those whom I respect and care for, about touchy subjects that I feel very strongly about and they feel very strongly about in a completely different way. I've also been learning that there are some things that we just MUST say that may be hard to do. It's strange to think that you have to be brave to just talk to someone. I've gotten so comfortable with just talking to people about almost anything, even people I don't know that well. I watched a mission prep. fireside today that was completely focused on "open[ing] your mouth" (D&C33:2) about the gospel. Share what you know to be true with everyone you come in contact with! Even if it's scary. Be brave! .... gah... Why do we fear each other so? What is so terrible about judgment from others? How do we overcome those fears? I guess these could be rhetorical questions... but I still want to answer them for myself.

Patriotic Conviction

Today the billions of Americans who call themselves registered voters are fulfilling their oh-so-important civic duty. I have to admit I am not one of these people. It's probably a good thing that not many people read my blog, because I am a bit ashamed of this fact, and I'm sick of coming up with excuses why I'm such a slacker. I truly wish I had remembered and found the time to send in that silly little paper before September 31, or whenever the deadline was to postmark it. Why didn't I register before this year? Well, I honestly haven't felt the need or pressure to. Until now. Of course, it's only pressure I'm feeling at the moment. Everyone who has asked me about it and discovered my terrible transgression has been somewhat angry with me for not registering and voting this year. They make me feel like such a terrible person. Interestingly, though, most of these people are my fellow students. It is quite amazing how so many young people are finding it more and more important to be a part of this national ritual. It seems that way, anyway. I genuinely commend them and admire them for this. However, I don't personally regret not voting this time around, and that makes me wonder if I ever will understand the importance of voting. I see that it is partially the principle that matters. The fact that every single eligible citizen in this great nation has the opportunity to give their own input is truly inspiring, even if it so often is undermined by the overwhelming majority. It is the fact that you are participating, truly becoming a member of this grand brotherhood of Americans, that seems to fuel a large amount of conviction. It's kind of like singing in a large choir. If you were to step out in the middle of a song, it is doubtful that much will change. However, being a member of that choir is what makes you care. If everyone decided to stop singing because their one voice was unimportant, there would be no sound at all. I never really felt that twinge of patriotism that runs through the blood of far too few Americans until I took American Heritage at BYU. I believe that it is because I grew to know those people who fought for something stronger, more stable, and more safe for the wild variety of people in this world who just want the right to be themselves. I learned and gained a testimony that God truly had a hand in the founding and stabilizing of this great nation, so that His restored gospel could bless my life today. I guess I just need to find that conviction that will inspire me to claim and contribute my seemingly insignificant ballot. Maybe next time... Just don't murder me before then for not really caring too much right now.... ... P.S. I didn't take this picture. I just think it is very beautiful. The URI to TrackBack this entry is: http://americantraveler.blogsome.com/2008/08/31/statue-of-liberty/trackback/

Time On My Hands

So, I finally finished my block class last week. It was kind of killing me because I hated doing the homework and there was just far too much of it. It was a 3 credit class but doubled over felt like 6 credits if you know what I mean. But it's over now! Now my spare time is strangely abundant. It feels like I only have 12 credits because I've already finished three, and they finally started scheduling me less hours at work, but now I'm afraid it's not as necessary anymore. I have lots of time on my hands. Now I have to be better at what I do I guess. I should get ahead in school and maybe write all my papers early so I don't have to write and edit them all in one sitting. I could exercise more, practice music, serve more, and read more. I'm thinking that I like this. Too bad my life is rarely this way. I need to just soak it all up like a sponge and use this time to do some of my own personal growing and giving. I was talking to a friend yesterday about spontaneous learning versus student learning, or having knowledge thrust upon you. It's so interesting how we retain the things we learn and experience spontaneously and out of sincere interest than those that are spoon fed to us and expected to be regurgitated in such-and-such a way. Well, here's to spare time!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I love being a girl. Exept for when I don't every few weeks or so. Girls are just fabulous creatures. We like doing things that are fun, like going shopping and doing pedicures and watching chick flicks. This is an ode to me and all my girls...

Rachie

Em

Amie

Kayla

Cecily

Laynie

Mom

Katie Ray

Emily

Jess

Jill

Abby

Kellie

Cathy

Michelley

Dan

wow and so many others...

Thanks for letting me play with your hair. Thanks for painting my toenails. Thanks for staying up late to watch Pride and Prejudice with me. Thanks for listening to my silly boy stories. Thanks for telling me YOUR silly boy stories. Thanks for lending me a bobbie pin. Thanks for telling me you think my shoes are cute. Thanks for retying my bow. Thanks for baking cakes with me. Thanks for letting me sing into your head. Thanks for singing with me. Thanks for dance partying with me. Thanks for laughing with me. Thanks for loving me even when I mess up. Thanks for thinking I'm beautiful even when I feel like crap. Thanks for being my example. Thanks for serving me. Thanks for letting me use your curling iron. Thanks for running through the fountains with me. Thanks for playing on the swings with me. Thanks for letting me go picture-taking happy. Thanks for talking. Thanks for helping me analyze situations WAY too much. Thanks for agreeing with me. Thanks for telling me when I'm wrong. Thanks for telling me when I have something in my teeth. Thanks for listening to me.

Thanks for letting girls be girls and being one yourself!