The Conclusion of My Blog...Or Not

Writing this blog has been a changing experience. At the beginning of the semester, when I heard that we were supposed to write a blog, I felt unexcited and a little overwhelmed. I have never really kept a journal or wrote about any kind of personal experience, so writing a blog seemed to be a very difficult task. However, now that I have had the experience, I am glad that I have learned how to blog and write about what I am thinking. Keeping this blog has helped me to learn more about myself and what is important to me. It has also made a kind of journal of my first semester of college, which I can look back on in the coming years and see how I've grown. So, while this is the conclusion of my blog for this class, I want to keep writing and developing my blog so that I can continue to develop as a writer and as a person.

What To Do During Christmas Break

For those of my classmates that are staying in Utah for Christmas break, there are lots of things to do to stay in the holiday spirit. The most enjoyable activities are going to see the Lights at Temple Square, seeing the Tabernacle Christmas Concert at Temple Square, and caroling.
The Lights at Temple Square is an amazing event that only happens once a year. The lights are so beautiful, and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit. While seeing the lights, I recommend going into the different Visitor's centers. There is a lot to see and learn and one of the most spiritual experiences is viewing the Christ statue.
The Tabernacle Christmas Concert is one of the exciting and fun experiences you can experience. Every year, the Tabernacle Choir sings carols, recites the Christmas story, and invites a guest singer. All of their concerts are professional and filled with the Spirit. This year, David Archuletta is the guest singer. While going is very enjoyable, tickets are gone quickly, so plan ahead and hope for some luck!
The last activity is the simplest, but is still very fun. Caroling with a group of friends helps bring the Christmas spirit into your heart. It is really cool to see people come out of their homes (or apartments) to listen to the songs. To make caroling even more fun, I recommend having some hot cocoa afterward to warm back up!
These are just a few of the great activities I recommend to everyone who wants to get a little more Christmas into their lives!

Black Friday Mayhem

Black Friday is a great day to go shopping if you're looking for the best deals. However, going out shopping on Friday morning can also reveal the worst in people. To some, manners, courtesy, and laws are thrown out the window to get that deal on that specific item. It becomes insanity! People end up fighting over stupid things like movies, toys, and video games. Why can't people see how they're acting? Don't they feel bad afterward? Stores and individuals must make some changes to keep humanity in stores.
I believe a large portion of the responsibility of keeping people from fighting lie with the stores. Rather than letting people have a free-for-all once the doors are open, stores should be organized and regulated by police and employees. Doing this will keep many fights from breaking out, as well as make getting in and out of store quicker and less stressful. When I went out shopping, one of the best stores was Shopko, because they kept many of the most valuable items behind counters, put the "doorbusters"in easily accessible and spread out areas, roped off the register area, and put an employee at the end of the line to help people know where to get in line. It was extremely well organized, and I got what I needed quickly. Other stores should have similar regulation come next year.
Because even the most organized and regulated stores can still have fights break out, individuals have a responsibility to act their age and to be courteous to others. They need know how to deal with the distress that may come from not getting exactly what they wanted. Only five-year-olds are allowed throw a tantrum when they don't get what they want. Grow up! One solution is to send everyone back to kindergarten, where they can be taught manners and how to treat others. All it takes are some basic rules and self control. Really, is it that difficult?

Personal Narrative: The Christmas Elf

“Do I look just like an elf, Grandma?” I asked

“You sure do,” she said, “but wait just a minute while I finish buttoning up your coat.”

I was so excited! Grandma had asked me participate in a Twelve-Days-of-Christmas activity, where I got to dress up as an elf and take packages to a house in her neighborhood every night until Christmas. I didn’t know who the people where, but I loved my costume! I had a long, floppy hat, big boots with bells on the end, and a green patchwork coat with wooden buttons.

“Are you done, Grandma?”

“I am! Are you ready to go?”

“Oh, yes! I’m an elf!” I said as I jumped down from the stool and ran toward the garage door.

Next thing, we were driving toward the house I was supposed to deliver to. When we arrived, I looked out at the little lawn and worn paneling around the doorway. Grandma handed me a couple of wrapped packages.

“OK, now you need to be fast!” she said, “As soon as you ring the doorbell, hop in and we’ll be able to get away before they recognize either of us.”

I smiled and laughed. I loved being sneaky! I quickly jumped out and ran toward the front door of the small, old house, slipping a little on the ice. I carefully placed the package on the doorstep and placed my finger on the doorbell. I could feel the excitement now! I rang the bell with the tip of my finger and ran as fast as I dared in my jingling boots back into Grandma’s car.

“Good job! Woo!” Grandma yelled out as we drove away. Just as we were turning the corner, I looked back at the house and saw the front door open.

“Erin, what do want for Christmas this year?” Mom asked the next morning as she was making cookies for neighbor gifts.

“I want a lot of stuff! I want a baby doll, and a toy car, and a new blanket, and a coloring book!” I put down my stuffed animals and showed her my lengthy list, with a lot of lines drawn haphazardly on the page. I still couldn’t quite get my letters to look like the grown-up’s.

“Wow, that is quite a list! Do you think you’ve been good enough to get all of these things?”

“Of, course, Mom! I’ve been super good! Santa will be sure to come. . . won’t he?” I asked a little nervously.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” she smiled. “Did you think of what to get your brother?”

“Ummm, no. He’s a baby. What could he want for Christmas?”

“How about what to get your friends?” She turned and looked at me over the rolling pin.

“Well, uh, I don’t know what they want either. I can give them sone candy, maybe,” I said a little awkwardly. I hadn’t even given a thought to what I should give anyone.

“Erin, I think you should start thinking about what you should give them. They’re your friends! Don’t you think you should be nice and get them something?” She was giving me her full attention now, looking me in eyes. It suddenly made me feel small.

“But Mom,” I whined, “I don’t like giving presents! It’s boring, and I don’t like to wrap them up. It’s so hard.”

“Well, think about it, and let me know what you think you should do,” Mom said carefully as she turned back to the cookies.

“OK, Mom.” For some reason, I began to feel a little guilty, but I quickly became distracted by my stuffed animals and forgot about the conversation.

“OK, you ready?” Grandma asked as we drove up to the front of the house again.

“For sure!” I had been delivering packages for a few days now, and I felt like a professional. I quickly jumped out of the car and began my routine of placing the package on the step and my finger on the doorbell. Just as I was about ring the bell and split, the door opened!

Oh, no! I thought.

“Hello! Who are you?” A tall, scruffy man stood in the doorway. He had worn jeans and dirty tennis shoes, with a faded baseball cap on his head. He looked tired and somehow strained.

“Uh. . . um. . .” I stammered. I hadn’t planned for what to do if I got caught. This wasn’t supposed to happen! “I’m. . . a Christmas elf. Yeah, a Christmas elf!” I stammered.

The man’s tired eyes softened, and I saw a little smile touch the corners of his mouth. From inside the house I could hear children running around and laughing.

“Well, can you do me a favor? Will you tell your boss, Santa Claus, how much we appreciate what you’ve done for us? It really means a lot.”

“Um, sure. I, uh, better go now.” I jumped off the porch and ran to my Grandma’s car.

“Oh, man! It looks like we got caught!” Grandma said as we drove away. Once again, I looked back at the house before turning the corner. This time, I saw the tall man waving, so I waved back.

“Grandma,” I said, “the man said he really appreciated what we’re doing.”

“Oh, that was nice of him! His name is Chris Anderson, and his family has been having a tough time this year. He lost his job, and hasn’t been able to find a new one before the holidays. I’ve been putting food and clothes into those packages. I’m glad we have been able to help them.”

I thought about that for a minute. “You mean, they don’t have money for food and clothes?” 

Grandma nodded. 

That sounded scary! I had never thought about what would happen if my parents ran out of money. Then another thought occurred to me: “Grandma, what are they going to do for Christmas if they have no money? Is Santa going to help them?”

“Well, dear, Santa sometimes needs help getting presents. He definitely needs help getting presents for the Anderson kids this year.”

I had to stop and think about what it would be like to wake up Christmas morning and have no presents. It made me sad! “Grandma, have we been helping Santa help them?”

“Yes, I guess we have been. Are you glad to help?”

“Yeah. I feel really good all over on the inside. Is this how it always feels to help people?” 

“I’d say so,” she said with a smile.

Suddenly, this nightly activity had become more than just a game of dress up or being sneaky. As I remembered the kind look the man had given me, I felt a warm feeling swell up inside inside my heart and go throughout my whole body. “Thanks for letting me help, Grandma.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart.”

“Hey, Mom? Did you know me and Grandma are Santa’s helpers?” I said the next morning.

“You are?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah. We gave the Andersons presents, because Santa sometimes needs help. I like giving them presents. . . Mom?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think giving presents to my friends and to my baby brother will feel good too?”

“Yes. Giving always feels good.”

“OK. I think I’ll try to think of something to give them. If giving feels this good, I want give more often.”

My Mom smiled. “That’s a wonderful idea!”

BYU Tree: A New Tradition

I have lots of family traditions, but my favorite are Christmas traditions. Every year, my whole family goes to my grandparents' house, where we eat food, hit a pinata, sing carols, act out a nativity scene, and exchange gifts. This year, my mom decided to start a new tradition: a BYU Christmas tree! Perhaps inspired by my going to BYU, she has gathered decorations in anticipation of decorating a tree in the basement. There are blue ornaments with Cosmo and the BYU theme, football helmets, footballs, basketballs, and other decorations, but my favorite ornaments are ones that have the names of everyone in the family who has graduated from BYU. There are four names on the tree so far: my dad, an uncle, and a couple of aunts. Eventually, my mom has hopes that she can add my name to the tree. I know it will be difficult, but this new tradition has encouraged me to keep working hard so that I can have the honor of having my own ornament up on the tree in the coming years.

Eternal Perspective

College can be a little crazy, what with all the classes, homework, and responsibilities that come from having a job and doing house chores. I finally know what it is like to be an adult. Now that I have experienced how quickly time can pass by when I am so busy, I have become worried that time will pass me by too quickly. I don't want to live life without having the experiences that make life worthwhile. What I need is an eternal perspective to determine what is important and what is less so. Dallin H. Oaks' October 2007 Conference talk titled Good, Better, Best states that "we have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."I really like his talk because it has really helped me to determine what is important in an eternal perspective. Some worldly cares should be ignored or put on hold so that the most important things dealing with the Church and the family are given deserved attention. So, when things feel like they're reeling out of control, I just need to focus on what is really important in the long term. It brings my life back into focus.

Romeo and Juliet at BYU

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see BYU's rendition of Romeo and Juliet. It was set in New York from 1870-1900, rather than in Shakespeare's time, had added choreography, and a few line changes adapted to the time period to help it make sense. What I enjoyed most about the play was Juliet and her nurse's acting, played by Christie Clark and Brighton Sloan. They portrayed their characters very well, and I could really feel the emotion coming off the stage. Sloan's acting especially added humor to the play.

Harry Potter: the Star of the Millennial Generation

Every generation has a film or two that was seen by so many people that it was able to set records and even change the way they thought. Films like Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, and the Star Wars Trilogy are a few the influential movies made in past generations. After seeing the newest Harry Potter movie, I believe that Harry Potter has become one the most influential fictional characters for this generation, on and off the screen. Both the Harry Potter books and the movies have become extremely popular. Almost anyone born in this, the Millennial Generation, will recognize the name "Harry Potter." The books and movies are often quoted and referred to. For example, words from J.K. Rowling's books were spoken by the valedictorian at my high school graduation. More evidence that Harry Potter is the star was the reactions and anticipation seen by middle school, high school, and even college students before another book or movie was about to come out. Everyone standing in line to be first to get the book or see the movie, talking with friends about Harry Potter trivia and facts, and surfing the web for Harry Potter sites and information are just a few of the actions made by millions of this generation around the world in behalf of Harry Potter. This is evidence enough for me that Harry Potter is the "star" of the Millennial Generation. Who knows how the films and books will influence us further!

How to be Creative with Your Food

Being in college, students often have little money to spend. So, when the times get tough, so do food options. Top ramen, refried beans, and canned vegetables may be the contents of their cupboards, and they get boring fast! So how can students with a tight budget bring some excitement to their dishes? Try new food combinations! Did you know peanut butter is excellent in providing texture to many foods? Try adding it to your top ramen. Pickles are amazing as well. They give lots of flavor. A new, exciting sandwich is made from sliced pickles and peanut butter on bread. Try it sometime! Basically, get creative with your food, or stay with the same old boring foods stacked in the cupboard.

Saved by Playing the Organ

Music plays such an important role in my life. It reduces my stress, helps me concentrate, and helps me feel the spirit. Since school began, I seem to be listening to music a lot, whither I'm at work, doing homework, or just relaxing. However, because I have so much homework, I have a difficulty finding the time to play music on the piano or my violin. In the past, playing my instruments has been my way of coping with life, and made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile. Now that I don't get the chance to play them very often, I treasure the time I do have to enjoy the piano and my violin.
On the other hand, I  have been taking an organ class this semester. While the class is difficult and the teachers are very critical, I have been able to find great joy in playing the organ. I enjoy being able to do something I enjoy apart from my usual schedule of classes, homework, and work; and it has become my creativity's new outlet.  Playing the organ is now my new way to reduce stress here at school, and I am sure it has helped me to do better in my classes. I have learned to love the way it sounds and the exhileration I get when I play the pedals. If I have learned to love anything about my classes thus far, it is my love of the organ.

Way Too Early!!

Today is Nov 4. There are approximately 50 days until Christmas. But what are retail stores doing? Putting up Christmas tress, displaying Christmas decorations, and telling their customers to start buying presents! We haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet! Did it just disappear? Retail stores need to put things into perspective. Christmas is the biggest season of the year for them, but putting up decorations don't necessarily make people start buying stuff sooner. All it does is make customers tired of Christmas by the time it comes around. To keep this from happening, stores should wait to put up decorations until Thanksgiving weekend. Anytime before that is way too early! Why can't more stores be like Nordstrom?

Why I Go to Church

Living without parents changes a lot of things. Suddenly, I am responsible for everything. I make my own food, do my own laundry, and manage my own schedule. While managing my own schedule can be a good thing, it can also be difficult sometimes. Deciding whether I should do homework, or watch a movie; take a walk or ride the bus; and the most important: go to church, or stay home. Before living on my own, this decision was simple: go to church with my family. I had friends to see and family to sit with. Now, I am on my own in an alien ward, without family or old friends. What once was an easy choice has suddenly become difficult.

So how do I make the decision on whether to go to church or stay home? The answer is to change my attitude. Rather than think of the homework I have, or how tired I am, or what food I want to eat, I should think of the blessings I receive when I go to church. I become rejuvenated through the spirit, receive revelation, and come closer to my Heavenly Father when I go to church. I am able to partake of the sacrament and learn new doctrine when I go to the meetings. When I think about going to church in this way, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. My decision becomes easier. I'm not saying that I won't have Sundays when I want to stay home, but I believe that this attitude will help keep me going to church every week.

An Autumn Rainstorm

I love fall! Everything about the season is wonderful. I love the multi-colored leaves, the chill in the air, and the rain. There is nothing better than opening the windows on a cool fall afternoon and listening to the rain pitter-pattering as I drink hot chocolaty goodness. I wish fall lasted the whole year long!

American Parents and their Food

As an American, I have grown up with food all around me. Think about it, Americans have it so easy! There is a food option for every situation. If we want food, we can go to a grocery store. If we are too lazy to make it ourselves, we go to a restaurant.  If we are impatient, we get fast food. If we are super hungry we go to a buffet. If we feel guilty about our weight, we eat "diet" food.  If we are super lazy we can even have our food delivered. I could go on and on.
Americans have reached a new level of ease when it comes to getting food, and so we have developed an obesity problem. Most people are aware of the issue of school food and obese children. However, the adults tend to avoid looking at themselves. While their children may be getting unhealthily larger, so are they, and it is often their own fault that both they and their children are become so unhealthy. The easiness of getting fast, greasy food, without even leaving the home, has led many parents to stop trying to find a healthy, more-time-consuming alternative to eat.
So how can this be solved? It's simple. Make parents aware of their own diet and it's effects on their  bodies, and they will be able to start helping both themselves and their children eat healthier.

Issues Paper

As you probably remember from class, I'm thinking of writing about the effect taking music classes out of school will have on children academically. I'm narrowing the topic to include only elementary school students, and only students who do not have private lessons outside of school. I will be measuring according to test scores, grades, and social interactions. To find my research, I will be typing words into the search engine like music, academic, elementary school, children, social interactions, etc. That's basically what I have so far.

Emily McPhie Paintings

The paintings from Garden Series of Emily McPhie by Claire Smith is effective at eliciting an emotional response from those that see it because of the use of symbolism. Both paintings have a girl named Emily Mcphie as the focal point, but each portrait shows her at a different age: one shows her as a toddler and the other as a child. Showing her at different ages symbolizes reality and life in the paintings because growth is a central part of life. This gives a feeling of relation and understanding to the audience. 

Both paintings show Emily McPhie as a puppet, being controlled by hands from above. This is symbolic of God effecting how a person acts or does. A child readily submits to God, and all people-no matter what age-are subject to God. While a person has agency, they can only act within the bounds that God has provided. This gives a religious feeling to the painting, bringing the existence of God to the forefront of the audience’s mind. 

Both the age of Emily McPhie and the portrayal of her as a puppet use symbolism to influence the audience emotionally, giving them a feeling of understanding and a religious connection to God.

How Soccer is like Life

The ball is hidden behind the wall of kicking feet and legs. The small players run back and forth, forming a circle around the ball. Parents on the sideline are screaming "Go get it! Kick it! What are you doing?! Get in the game!" The children go back and forth, back and forth, following the ball from one goal post to the other. Then it's half time. The children excitedly run to get their treats and socialize. The parents give tips and encourage more kicking. Then it's game time again. Back and forth. Back and forth. Then it happens; the ball lands inside one of the goals. The parents cheer or let loose a sigh. Then things go back to normal, and finally the game ends. The little champions on both teams excitedly high five each other and get their end-of-game treats. The parents remember the score, tell themselves their kids will learn to play better eventually, and drive everyone home.

This is just a quick glance at an average day at the local soccer field. With siblings that enjoy playing sports, it's become a familiar sight. One thing I've noticed over the years, is that most of the children begin the season with excitement and enthusiasm. Then, as some parents try to get their children to focus on scoring rather then having fun, the children begin to become tired and even bored. We should look to the children's example, and try to enjoy the small things like treats and friends rather than become totally engrossed in scoring more or getting ahead of another person. If we do this, life will be more enjoyable.

Attitude of Gratitude

Of all the talks given at General Conference, the one that has impacted me the most was Pres. Monson's talk on gratitude. The definition of gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Christ showed gratitude to His Father, showed appreciation to others, and showed kindness to everyone, even those that treated Him terribly. Gratitude, then, could also be defined as  a Christ-like attribute. How fitting, therefore, for a prophet of the Lord to be the one giving this talk. Pres. Monson hit the nail on the head when he said that we all need to be kinder to others and judge them less.
Not only what he said, but how he said it gave his talk more power as well. His position as the Lord's prophet, his examples and stories, and his kind, loving attitude made Pres. Monson's talk a higher quality, one that more people will listen to.
I have been influenced by this talk, and I know that others around the world have been influenced by it as well.

Clean your windows, and your perspective.

Pres. Monson's address during the Relief Society Meeting of General Conference was inspiring. For those of you who missed it, he talked about charity, and how we need to charitable towards others.  I enjoyed his story about the woman with the dirty window, who thought her neighbor hung out dirty laundry every day until her husband cleaned the windows and the clothes appeared clean. He showed how it is often our negative perspectives of others that make them seem unsatisfactory to us. It made me think about the way I see others. Pres. Monson's talk inspired me to try to be less judgement and more loving to those around me, even when I am having a bad day.

A Child of God by Henry B. Eyring

My favorite part of Elder Eyring's talk was his forth characteristic of great learners: the learner "expects resistance and overcomes it". This part of his talk struck home with me I have had an experience with overcoming resistance in my education. In my junior year of high school, I decided to take an ap chemistry class. Unfortunately, I had no idea what I was getting into. The interminable amount information and the hours of study required to understand the information was incredibly challenging. Within the first month, over half of my classmates, including my friends, had dropped the class. I was put under pressure to follow them. I had to make a choice to stay in the class to learn and challenge myself more than ever before, or take the easier way and drop it. I chose to stay, and that has been one of the smartest choices I have made because I was able to discover my love for chemistry.