Not Enough Sloppy for my Joe

The title for this blog derives from a comment I made earlier today on the dinner I had planned for tonight. I mentally observed that the BBQ meat shtuff I had gotten was probably not enough to use up all 8 of the hamburger buns I got (WHEAT buns, as I asserted to my roomy earlier).
But this observation somehow came out in the word form of, "Not enough sloppy for my Joe."
Take it for what you will. I, for one, like it.

WELL..... remember last week when I decided a blog post reviewing the week is SIGNIFICANTLY easier to create when you keep a daily journal? and how much I wished I HAD kept said journal? and how committed I was to reignite such journal keeping habits?
....remember how forgetful I can be? :P HOWEVER, I did write briefly in it earlier today :) And it felt wonderful, so I do believe I'm on the right track for getting back into it :)

BESIDES, our University's theme (for this semester I believe) is a "steady upward course." If I were to jump right back into journal keeping, that wouldn't be very steady, now would it? Just humor me and say yes....
"YES." <---that was you saying yes.

And so, here goes another totally unorganized list of thought "spillageees" from my week.....

~The main spillage for the week: my science class. As part of the foundations courses we are required to take up here (kinda like general ed, but geared more towards just LIFE and GOSPEL knowledge from all aspects of education and the world), I must take a Science 101 class. I'll admit, I was NOT thrilled about it.

But oh boy howdy.... one of the coolest classes ever!!!! The main message is that science and religion are NOT opposites, even though the world often places them that way. Science theories are presented, mixed in with individual opinion, and are therefore rejected as a whole by many religious peoples. This happens in the reverse, as well.

But in this class, we question, "Why not believe that the Earth is as old as science claims it to be, believe that the Big Bang theory is based on truth, but also believe that all these things were done under the direction of an all powerful God?"

After only a couple weeks, I am AMAZED by how much a testimony can grow by even minimal skimmage of scientific theory and presumed fact. There were so many pictures I saw, so many videos watched, so many demostrations made, that helped me to understand more fully the absolutely incomprehensible vastness of the Universe. I feel like I want to share all of this with everyone... but that wouldn't really work lol so here are just a couple tid bits:

-- during class, my teacher played a video that shows the comparative scale of the planets in our solar system and then onward to stars other than our Sun which we know the basic diameters of.... after a while, our own Sun which is a BEAST compared to Earth, literally disappeared from sight on the screen because it was so small in comparison to other stars.... and it just KEPT GOING. One student appropriately yelled out "MAKE IT STOP!!!!!" If you wanna check it out, copy and paste this into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfs1t-2rrOM

-- Now think about how many billions of such stars are in one galaxy (probably about 400 billion in our own), and how many planets can be held be each of those stars? Especially the larger ones? Now think about how many countless galaxies there are.

Here is a picture to help with that concept:



Looks pretty cool, yes? Well, scientists decided they wanted to find the most apparently empty space in the sky, and then use the hubble telescope to take pictures of it. The above picture represents an extremely small portion of the sky when viewing it with the naked eye. The size of that portion is equal to the size of a dime viewed from 75 feet away. When scientists looked at it with non-hubble telescopes, there was basically just BLACK.

Now get this: EVERY SINGLE SPECK you see in that picture, big or small, is a GALAXY.

SO.... after many demonstrations such as that one, all of us students were left with thoughts similar to Moses when God revealed all things to him. Moses exclaimed -- lying on his back in astonishment -- "man is nothing."

In terms of scale? Yes, man is nothing. So much of a nothing that we seriously cannot even begin to fathom it.

All these amazing specatacles we see and all the atomic level intricacies which are consisted in them are KNOWN TO GOD. He has all power and all knowledge regarding His creations.

Moses 1:33 -- "And worlds without number have I created; and also I have created them for mine own purpose."

He is aware of ALL of His realm of the Universe....

This would intially make me feel small, make me feel that He cannot possibly know me to the extent I would hope He does, becuase I am just such a small part of the vastness of His kingdom....
And yet....

Moses 1:39 -- "And this is my WORK and my GLORY, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

...And yet, WE are what He is all about!!!! He DOES know me, even with all the intricacies of the Universe at His hands, He knows me, watches out for me, and makes time to perform small miracles in my every day life, many that I probably don't even notice....

He knows THIS:


And He knows THIS:


And SOMEHOW, He knows THIS:



So... because of the extent of this thought spillage, I believe that will be all for this week hahaha

But truly, Our Heavenly Father knows us. Despite the marvelous reaches of His kingdom, He knows us individually. If that fact isn't a testimony to His power and majesty and wisdom, I don't even know what is!

And so it continues....

My most recent realization: It is rather difficult to recap my week when I can hardly remember what happened. It is rather impossible to recap my week when I don't even have journal entries to refer to (kinda forgot about that this week).

SO, I am now significantly more motivated to get back into my habit of nightly journal writing!

p.s. (can you have a post script in the middle of an entry? I declare that you CAN).I have NEVER kept a journl my entire life -- other than maybe a maximum of five entries a year....MAYBE. But at hte beginning of this year, I decided that I am just learning WAY too many things and having WAY too many important experiences to NOT write them down! I am very excited to say that I have written 105 pages since January :) A simple but VERY significant accomplishment for me!
Oh!!!! SPEAKING of journals (yes, this is still part of my rebellious post script), what do we commonly think of immediately when it comes to 1 Nephi 1:1??? "Goodly parents," right? Well I would encourage all to read it YET AGAIN. Nephi describes that he has been brought up in knowledge, and that even through affliction, the Lord has stood by his side. "THEREFORE," he made a record.

The first time I caught that, it was one of those POW moments. Have I been brought up by righteous parents? Have I experienced affliction? Has the Lord stood by me?


YES YES YES. So, should I "THEREFORE" make a record?
Just something that really makes me think :) and really drove me to develop a habit of journal keeping.

ANYWAYS.... not really sure where I'm going with any of this, seeing as a can't even really remember the happenings of this week. But I DO remember my thoughts and impressions....so that is pretty much what all of this will be....

So, I am taking a class studying the Middle Eastern conflict (yes, the one I added last minute. yes, the one I have slept through TWICE :( :( :( I am REALLY going to work on a better alarm system!!!!). In the my readings for the class, I feel like I am a more enlightened person with every single sentence.

So, some random facts. Some previously known, some rather new to me:
-A big part of the conflict is that the idea of completely separating church and state.... well, it simply doesn't make sense to most Islams. Islam is an all encompassing way of life, not simply a religion.

-Although there is a lot of foreign influence to divide Iraq into three different nations (according to sects), Iraq has historically been united as one nation, and more than 80% of Iraqis very simply do not want a divided nation. A division would inevitably split up families. Also, for many reasons, creating three new nations would simply be a ticking time bomb for conflict and aggressive power battles with surrounding nations.

-Although I do not necessarily take any specific stand (yet) on Western involvement in the Middle East, Lebonization (the act of a large power meddling in a small power) is highly resented and deeply offensive to Middle Eastern culture. History has left the area with lies, deceit, and blaintantly broken promises from large British and French powers. Like I said, not sure I have a specific opinion on this. Whether or not I believe if the Iraq nation is capable of establishing peace one its own, I at least understand better the DESIRE to.

-I haven't studied the Islamic religion in too much depth at this point. HOWEVER, the very very little I have learned.....my GOODNESS. When reading the basic history if Islam, I basically feel that I am reading the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but with some different names. It is simply astounding how similar history and modern beliefs are. The pure form of Islam is so very alike my own in its standards and values. So often, our western viewpoint on Arabic culture is based on the eccentric minority (a very miniscule minority). Muhammad (the founder of Islam) strived with all his efforts to preserve the basic and pure standards established by this religion. Since that day and still today, such standards are distorted and slanted by a few, and perhaps not lived in their exactness by many.... but is this not the same with our Church? Our Church is pure, complete, and true. But is that reflected perfectly in its members? Are there not a handful of eccentricies? Are there not many many of us that do not live the standards to their exactness, due to the natural state of mortality?

I include none of this for the purpose of any major convincing, nor to open any discussion of specific scenarios. I very simply am LOVING the eye opening knowledge that is out there, and have a new resolve to try and understand this world and ALL of God's children in fairness.

One last quote on the topic:
"While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is establish for the instruction of men; and it is one of God's instrumentalities for making known the truth yet he is not limited to that institution for such purposes, neither in time nor place. Gopd raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all hte children of men, of their own tongue and nationality, speaking to them through emans that they can comprehend.... All the great taechers are servants of God; among all nations and in all ages. They are inspired men, appointed to instruct God's children according to the conditions in the midst of which he finds them."
~Elder B.H. Roberts~


Um... quick random blurbs about the week! (my apologies for the total lack of organization or flow to this blog. I'm a beginner for certain).

~WARD PIANIST!!!! Super excited. I LOVE the Spirit of choosing songs mindfully, preparing the songs, playing prelude and postlude, and everything in between.... So happy with my calling :)Hmmm favorite hymn of today: #185 -- Reverently and Meekly Now. Some of the most BEAUTIFUL words ever put to song. The best thing is that it is written from Christ's perspective. Favorite line of today "Be constant unto me, that thy Savior I May Be."

~ANGRY LINES!!!!!! For my Design and Color class, we had to draw lines that depicted emotions... and other things.... not exactly my kinda thing, but hey, it was kinda enlightening. Here they are....
(A list of the suppossedly depicted themes will follow....)





The themes (in order):
1. angry
2. swimming
3. prayer
4. flying
....who would have guessed, right??? But I DARE you to depict these things using ONLY lines, no color, and absoulutely NO references to or suggestions of objects or people.

~Having an INSANELY busy week does NOT justify having an equally lazy weekend! 'nuff said.

~Chili is fun and easy to make. Just don't oversalt it :P

~Cornbread is also easy to make. And accidently buying a fat free package of corn bread mix can be easily made up for by pouring honey and butter into the batter before cooking.... and also on top of it after it is cooked.... good stuff.

~Never get a cool looking glass soda bottle for lunch -- even if it IS strangely cheaper than the plastic -- unless you carry a bottle opener. You WILL look like an idiot trying desparately to open it in the highly populated campus lunch hall, using every utensil imaginable. And taking a chunk out of your finger. OUCH.

~Anastasia is the best movie ever. Demitri is so hot, and don't you even TRY to deny it!

~Just keep your room clean, dag nabbit. It will make things better in general.

~Just because there are some crazy awesome sales on groceries on stuff you REALLY use a lot and you could save lots of money within just a couple month's time.... does NOT mean you should take advantage of ALL of it... unless you have a car with which to carry such awesome bargains. If not.... you truly come to understand the term "up hill both ways," which is actually the honest truth in Rexburg, ID.

~"Lately this weather has been so bipolar, and consequently so have I." Lyrics from a Relient K song. Lyrics to this week in Rexburg. Hail, rain, fluffly snow, wooshy snow, wind that makes me look like the only idiot who can't seem to walk in a straight line OR open any outside doors.... yeah. It is strange.

Okay.... I do believe that is the end to my "thought spillage" <--- termonology is courtesy of Austin.
Till next time.
Over and out.
Yes, I wish the world talked in walkie-talkie lingo. It would just make life more exciting, no?

365 Days a Week

Disclaimer: Yes, this is a long post. But I created this blog for the purpose of a weekly account of my life. This wonderful place I'm at offers amazing experiences every single minute of every day. So.... weekly accounts are likely to remain just as long. You have been warned.

The title "365 days a week" can be attributed to my Bishop today, speaking about the life of President Gordon B. Hinkley. Although he had intended to say "365 days a year," he quickly made a nice save by acknowledging that the busy life of the Prophet likely FEELS closer to 365 days a week.

Although I am hesitant to even compare my life to a Prophet's (yikes), every day this week has felt like it has encompassed a month's worth of experience (not to mention a month's worth of WORK).

And so here I sit, on a Sunday night. I had decided Sundays would be good days to blog and update family and friends on the happenings of my life (a habit inspired by sister Mandy!). HOWEVER, I am finding that it is particularly difficult to recount this week's expereinces.... but that is no excuse to not try! (this concept will be further discussed in the post :) ) But for now....

a quick snapshot of the actual happenings of the week....

~Experience: Late Monday night (night before classes start), I discover that one of my classes had an unanticipated work load. It would basically be the equivalent of four classes in and of itself. My consequental thought process: Is this work load even POSSIBLE? Wait, I am only taking this to fill a requirement. There are other things that could fill this requirement. I don't even want to have anything to DO with graphic design. Why on EARTH would I put myself through this? I could just be taking a foundations course instead (foudations=general ed up here in BYU-I lingo). Hmmmmm howabouts.... The Middle East studies!!!!
And so, I dropped graphic design, and I added the Middle East studies... which began at 7:45 the next morning.... It is important to note that the next day, a combination of talks with various art students and teachers made it apparent to me that it was a GOOD DECISION! Also notable, the Spirit was definitely what guided my thought process. And oh goodness, I have discovered that this semester would simply not have been survivable without some kind of schedule change.
~Lesson learned: follow the Spirit, even when it decides to speak to you last minute!!!

~Experience: Got to my science class super Early. I decided to just walk around the building a bit (Science buidling. Yeah, I had never really had reason to go there before!). Discovered that it is practically a museum. I was examining fossils in glass displays that line the hallways. I got particularly excited about the dinosaur model. Just when I thought the exhibitions couldn't get any cooler....
I turn the corner, and walk into a room....
My life was changed in that moment. That room contained every kind of rock, stone, and gem imaginable. It is difficult to describe the impact of that display, but literally, every inch of this room has some kind of SOMETHING that will take the breathe away of ANYONE, not just dorks like me.
There is also randomly a fish tank. Definitely the most spectacular fish tank I've ever seen. Every inch of it is alive and moving.
My science teacher actually referenced the room later, saying that such natural wonders make it nearly impossible not to recognize the existence of a divine creator.
~Lesson learned: If you have some extra time, look around. You may discover a room of shiny rocks and fish.... or something else pretty awesome.

~Experience: Sat down in science classroom. HUGE class. Somehow ended up sitting next to a boy that is good friend with my brother's wife....
~Lesson learned: it's a small world after all.... HAH! I DARE you to not get that stuck in your head!

~Experience: The weekly Tuesday devotional. Went into it with every doubt I could possibly be having about what I am capable of and why I am even here.
~Lesson learned: NEVER be afraid.
p.s. The account of this experience is so insanely condensed. I could never begin to describe the experience of attending devotional. It is like attending conference EVERY week, and in between classes. I want SO MUCH to share this wonderful experience with EVERYONE! So, if you wish, check out this amazing spiritual boost. It will be worth any time, I guarantee it! here it is:
http://web.byui.edu/devotionalsandspeeches/
Just select the most recent one. It may take a while to be available in ALL the formats (written, mp3, and video). But I encourage all to keep an eye on it :)

~Experience: I attended my first day of Drawing II class with Brother Leon Parson. There is no purpose in trying to describe how excited I was for this class. He paints things like this:





....needless to say, I feel like I am taking a class from a celebrity. BUT, my first experience in that class went from initial thoughts of "hmmmm.... this simple excercise is significantly more difficult than it seems like it should be...." to walking home from class and in tears on the phone with Austin, having thoughts more along the lines of "I can't even do the simple little proportional exercises, which are apparently fundamental to EVERYTHING in art. If I can't do the basics, how can I ever do anything in art that I am aspiring to? I'm simply not meant for that kind of excellence in this area of life. What on earth am I doing being an art major?"
Well, after a lot of venting and even MORE of listening to a friend, it occured to me how silly I was being. Just because I naturally have a desire for something -- and maybe even a little talent along with it -- does NOT mean I am exempt from the basic principle of practice. Practicing was something I understood... but in things like music. Apparently, when it came to art, the thought of practicing was incomprehensible.
~Lesson learned: This is best summed up in something Austin told me: "I KNOW you have a vision. You can see things and you can feel things that other people can't. You are capable of great things. Heavenly Father has made you special for that purpose."
Never be discouraged to the point of doubting the talent and ability your Father in Heaven has invested in you!

~Experience: Rain. LOTS of rain. During such rain, HUNDREDS of not-so-little earthworms like to crawl out onto the sidewalk.
~Lesson learned: 1. People tend to step on worms. Worms are rather squishy.
2. When the sun dries up the sidewalk, it dries up the worms, too. 3. ...Worms exist? (this is the ARIZONA girl speaking).

~Experience: Prepared diligently and perhaps even excessively for my Middle East class. I was CRAZY excited to discuss the subjects in class.
~Lesson learned: set your stinking alarm CORRECTLY. You may just miss the class you were most excited for. LAME.

~Experience: Attended an Idaho Falls Symphony concert, featuring guest cellist Steven Honigberg. To give a taste of where this guy is coming from: he is referred to as one of the few great cellists of our day; he plays a cello made by Antonio Stradivarious (cannot even begin to describe the significance of this; it is basically the Holy Grail of instruments) which was played by a King of France, was in the hadns of significant figures such as Mozart, is one of about sixty ever made (way back in the eighteenth century, at that), and likely costs more than four million dollars; he does things with an instrument I would have never dreamed even POSSIBLE.
I will save any continued efforts to try and convince the world that this guy is a BIG DEAL. Just trust me, he is.
~Lesson learned: some people just rock. 'nuff said.

~Experience: Putting an oven mit on your foot makes it look like you have orangutan feet.
~Lesson learned: Roommates might be slightly creeped out by orangutan feet. Especially if you have flexible toes and manage to actually pick up objects whilst wearing an oven mit on your foot.

~Experience: Decided to seriously listen to Sacrament Meeting talks, even if they are just the same old.
~Lesson learned: Listening will AWLAYS yield a learning experience. Today's favorite impression while listening: Not knowing what to do is NEVER an excuse to not GO AND DO.

~Experience: um.... this week in general.
~Lesson learned: Putting spiritual well being before academics will ALWAYS be the best choice, for the benefit of ALL aspects of life (including grades!)

And thus concludes only a tiny taste of the experiences this beautifully Spiritual environment has to offer (yes... it is tiny... don't try to convince me otherwise).
But truly, this kind of life is available ANYWHERE and in ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. Living on an officially dedicated campus (like they dedicate temples and church buildings) makes it nearly impossible NOT to recognize the presence of the Spirit.
But I truly want to leave here with the ability to recognize that presence anywhere, because it is there. Just takes a little more looking when you don't have a beautiful temple always in view :) once again.....



hmmmm. Never get old :)

Possibly the best in-church movie reference ever.

A high counselman spoke in our ward yesterday. Quite the fascinating and motivating talk. He was speaking about secret weapons to overpower Satan. I quote:
"But we know something he (Satan) does not. WE are NOT left-handed."


Needless to say, I was rather attentive for the talk.
But I DID in fact retain more than just this insanely awesome movie reference. Revelations 12:11 has three methods that were used to overpower Satan in the war in heaven. It is empowering to remember that WE did that, and we still have the power to do it. Check it out! It is simple and motivating :)

And I'm back!!!

After significantly unsettling anxieties about once again moving my entire life to another end of the country (do top and bottom count as ends???), I am now back at the beautiful BYUI campus! Something about this place puts all my fears to rest :) Perhaps it has something to do with the amazing view....


....yeah, that'll do it :) But truly, what an amazing spirit here!

It was quite the adventure driving up here, including a rather pathetically accurate book on cd my mom and I listened to (courtesy of Katie) which detailed (DETAILED) the complexities of the dating circumstances on a church campus. INTERESTING.

I am PROUD to say that I am entirely unpacked! This dorm is already beginning to feel like a second home again :) And my rommates are just amazing! I am in a room with Rachel (roomy from Fall) and I am becoming acquainted with Colby, my new roomy. The three of us have NO problem getting along :) and we are all just crazy as can be! Which makes for some good times.... even though it's only been about three days....

Here are a few pics of the dorm. Dorm 305, to be precise.


My side of the room. Small. But good. Yeah, shtill good. (Will anyone name that quote? I sure hope so). Don't you dare judge me for not having my bed made. Bunk beds are obsurdly difficult to make.



Kitchen!!!! Seems kinda crammed, but so long as it is kept clean, it works out rather nicely. Yes, that is my apron hanging on the fridge. Yes, it has hot air balloons on it. You are jealous, and you know it.



The living room :) my contributions of a bamboo plant in the lower left, and also the picture of Christ (a much appreciated gift from Austin) and a framed copy of the living Christ. Those, combined with green couches, make for a wonderful environment INDEED.



On the right side of the living room is our nice little table. Three white chairs, one green chair. Special. Oh, and that is the beautiful fish that is Prince Bajamazs. Yes, that is the correct spelling. And the flower pot in the window is courtesy of the Dollar Tree. They had a pretty pot and a grouping of silk poppies (FAVORITE flower EVER). Best two dollars I ever spent.

SO, life is good! Remarkable, in fact. Went to church today, and I'm really looking forward to the experiences I will have in it the ward. I hope this ward becomes like a family, and I am very excited to get a calling. Can't wait to serve and get to know more people!

Classes start Tuesday. I am really wanted to get those going, because I have been CRAVING some sort of schedule in my life!

As for this semester in general, our church leaders today really encouraged us to put spiritual well being first. It is SO EASY to get caught up in hectic lifestyles, even on a campus that has been dedicated just the same as a church building or temple, is neighboring a magnificent temple, the professors are referred to as "brother/sister," each class begins with a prayer, and COUNTLESS other continuous spiritual influences. But I KNOW that spiritual growth is the key to success here, as well as all other aspects and stages of life. I am just so immensely grateful to be in this place and a part of the wonderful work that is ALWAYS in motion here!