Blogging

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia."

-E.L. Doctorow

We had a quest speaker this week that is the ideal of a "Mormon Mommy Blogger." This term cracks me up because it is so true. When this concept blew up in the news awhile back it made me laugh. My non-member sister-in-law even brought it up to me. She finds our LDS culture of house wives fascinating. I guess the concept of living a iconic life at home raising kids, making dinner, and cleaning house is somewhat of a fascinating concept. I've had a blog for a few years now. I even had a Xanga back in the day. There is just something rewarding about posting your personal thoughts on the internet for millions of people to potentially read them. (Hm. Let me think on that.) So why do we blog? I have no idea. I have the excuse that I need to do it for points for Dr. Coyne's class but what about when I'm doing it for fun?

Regardless of my hesitation or my lack of understanding here are a few of my favorite blogs to read. From people, to crafts, to movements, there is a whole world of literature out there for us to read.

Roommates 

Post Secret

Kelle Hampton

Wedding Ideas

Tanner

Derick

Rachel

And I just today found this guy's. I have no idea who he is but the fact that he posted all those pictures of my beautiful home state and talked about how wonderful it makes me so glad that it is only 16 days until I come home. 

Brigham and the GPS

"Stand still. The trees and bushes beside you are not lost."

-Albert Einstein 

I started my Monday morning out exactly how everyone hopes. Lost. I had to go to Payson for a yet another doctor's appointment. I was semi-responsible and looked up directions the night before while planning on leaving early enough to give me some wiggle room. I arrived in Payson without a hitch but ended up driving around the supposed location of the office for about 20 minutes without being able to find it. 

I had to call the clinic multiple times until someone picked up and was able to let me know that they had recently changed locations. (Thanks for nothing Google.)  For the first time this morning I was grateful for Brigham Young's grid system in Utah towns. It made finding where I was suppose to be so much easier. 

As far as technology goes I love being up to look up locations on my phone, plug them in, and getting step by step directions on how to get there. However sometimes technology fails us and we have to go back to the basics. So this one is for you Brigham. 

Spread the Word

"Don't let the low standards and expectations of the world and others cause you to aim beneath your nobility and ability-- dream big! What I know and have learned is that anything worth doing is not easy and that we can do anything that is not easy if we believe."

-Elaine S. Dalton 

Please read this heart felt message written by an amazing individual.

I like Ann. I have nothing against her, nor do I think that the writer did. This issue is just something close to my heart because of my background working with those with special needs. I've blogged about it before but anyone that spends just a few moments with these individuals can feel how special they are. Each time I hear someone use the "R" word I cringe. I know that it is hardly ever being used with deep, hateful, thought against someone with special needs, however to those individuals it hurts. To those of us who love these individuals, it hurts. 

There is a great campaign that is doing a great job making people more aware of their word choice. To help make a difference go to their website and make a pledge to do you best to spread the word to end the word. 

http://www.r-word.org/

The media is being used here in a powerful way. As I share this message and as you share this message we are making small changes. We are using the media in a powerful way to change perceptions and knowledge and understanding. That is pretty powerful. And I think I like it. 

To my home girl...

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body." -Oliver Wendell House 

I woke up this morning with one new Facebook notification (no, that isn't the exciting part.) This notification was from my BFF Devaun linking me to our other BFF Taylor's new album being out.

I try to be grown up but when T-Swift bust out the guitar singing silly love/hate songs about ex's you can't help but sing along despite your maturity level. For all your 22 year old girls listen to this song and I double dog dare you to not dance in your living room singing into your wii remotes. Double. Dog. Dare.

You can do what now?

"I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it." -Ann Dibb, 2012 October Conference 

So this weekend was a big Mormon fun day. We stay in our PJs, turn on the TV, and spend our weekend listening to leaders in our church give us guidance and direction.

Saturday an announcement was made in which the age for LDS missionaries was changed. Previously young men were called to serve at the age of 19 and young women were called at 21. Headlines broke when President Thomas S. Monson told us that now young men could leave as early as 18, while young women can now leave at the age of 19.

Immediately after the announcement all sorts of social media went crazy.

From memes, to tweets, to post on my news feed even if you weren't watching the conference you heard the news. I had to laugh just because of my more recent awareness of how the media impacts my life. I also heard that during the weekend that #ldsconf was trending on twitter. (For those of you who don't use twitter that's a big deal. It means Mormons are finally popular/tech savy.)

Let the rock roll on and keep those cheesy memes coming. 

Mormon Messages

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers  and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for they good." 

-Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 

This is a perfect use of media.

Like Me!

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." 

-Vince Lambardi

I am in charge of advertising for SFLSA (School of Family Life Student Organization). Lately we have been promoting our opening social event and membership to the club. So this is my shout out to be part of the SFLSA.

So join. Get a t-shirt. Be a cool kid. Change the world.

Also like us on Facebook. 

The Simple Things

"brittainy, I know my face is blank and emotionless from my job, but inside I am like a warm mug of hot chocolate with pumpkin pie on the side with plenty of whipped cream." -Ben Thompson

I spend 20 hours a week working a job on campus that forces me to work on a computer. While I am grateful for the job, it at many moments becomes extremely redundant and let's face it- boring. I listen to music, books, and youtube videos to help the time pass. 

If that doesn't keep me entertained then there is gchatting with Ben. Ben could possibly be one of the coolest kids around. 

Thanks gmail for creating an easy way to instant message. You make my on campus job easier to get through. And Ben. Ben makes it easier too. 

Apple

I'll admit it. I'm all about a good apple product. I've had an iphone since the orginally. I've always upgraded with no hesitation. So what about the new Iphone?

It's as the Thais would say "Same same but different." To be honest I haven't even heard a ton about it. I'm focusing more on Adolescent Development now-a-days than I am retina displays.

I guess what I've been thinking about is what is wrong with the Iphone 4s? We always want new, better, and the best. Faster processing, more megapixels, and fascinating apps. Apple has turned me into a technology junkie.

Will I get the newer one? Probably one. One day. When my phone dies, I lose it, or I actually can afford to upgrade. Until now I'll have to deal with my outdated, but still amazing, Iphone 4.

23

When I woke up this morning I had 23 emails.

That is about 18 more than what I would have liked. The worse part is that the majority of those emails were junk emails from Groupon to Urban Outfitters they all had amazing deals to offer me.

Luckily I am able to separate my junk mail pretty well using two different email addresses. Anytime I sign up for something I use a junky one I've had since I was 12 years old. I have my "good" email address for thinsg I actually might possibly need to read.

So this reminds me of my canary post. What the heck is all this junk doing bombarding me daily? Think of all the things deleting those extra 18 emails keeps me from doing in the mornings. Little things like scripture study, prayers, and even actually blow drying my hair could all happen if only I wasn't trying to free up my inbox.

My goal for the week is to fix my inbox to be less cluttered. Thanks media blog. You are keeping me on my feet. :)

The Canary Theory

For one of my classes that I am taking I'm reading a book entitled Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment. While the book is a pretty big downer, it gave an analogy that I found amazingily insightful.

During the 1950's coal miners would take Canaries in a cage with them down into the mine. These canaries would sing but canaries are particularly vulnerable to toxins such as methane. If toxin levels in the mine grew to a dangerous level, the canaries would die and the miners would then know to it was no longer safe.

Besides the point that this is brilliant on the miner's part I couldn't help but understand the beauty of the analogy.

What is your canary and has it stopped singing? 

Cable TV

(Disclaimer- for those of you who read my blog regularly ((AKA- my mom & Devaun)) for one of my classes this semester I am required to blog twice a week about the media. So here it goes.)

Last year our house decided against purchasing cable because we didn't want to spend the extra cash on it. This year Devaun got a sweet deal and signed us up so watch now we can stay connected to our favorite shows. It is funny to think about how excited we are that we can watch fake people's lives unfold every Tuesday at 7:00pm but for whatever reason, the media helps us relate to different people in many ways.

So far the only time I've spent watching it was the day I moved in. We took a break from unpacking boxes to eat Slab pizza and watch Bring it On on HBO. Can you say typical single college girls or what?