Fame and Fortune

OK I don't really have either...but I did get my 15 minutes of fame in the BYU world yesterday.

Divine Comedy is a comedy sketch group at BYU that is really funny. I went to their show a couple weeks ago and they issued the "Toboggan Challenge." The first person to get a letter to the editor printed in the Daily Universe, our school newspaper, containing the word "toboggan" would win free tickets to their show in December. I took the challenge and I won! Here is the link to their website, which has a picture of me and a link to my article.

Yeah, it was pretty exciting. Now back to my homework.

Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven

"I gave my best to the [God] I love...Why should I complain, when we both have merely done our duty and will surely be happier for it in the end? If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend...to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother." -Louisa May Alcott, Little Women page 82.

Art I love: A Growing List

*Michelangelo's "David"
*Jan van Eyck
*Leonardo da Vinci
*Jan Vermeer
*Marc Chagall
*Van Gogh
*Picasso
*Degas
*William-Adolphe Bouguereau's "The Young Shepherdess"
*Byzantine mosaics
*Giotto's "Lamentation"
*Monet
*Jackson Pollock
*Mark Rothko
*Ansel Adams
*Dorthea Lange
*Jacob Riis
*"Man Proposes, God Disposes" by Sir Edwin Landseer
*"The Babylonian Marriage Market" by Edwin Longsden Long
*Maggie Michael
*Greg Olsen
*Minerva Teichert
*Edward Hopper
*Dan Steinhilber
*Dr. Brainwash

And people expect me to pick a favorite artist? Goodness sakes.

Art and the Gospel

"God’s purpose for the artist is to inspire, to give us visions of ourselves that we might not otherwise see, to make us better than we would have been. The world is better for the arts and righteous artists in it. In the quest to achieve greatness in artistic pursuits—whether in painting, dance, music, drama, film, sculpture, or the written word—we should always seek first to achieve God’s purposes. 'All great art is the expression of man’s delight in God’s work, not his own,' said John Ruskin, the great nineteenth-century English art critic.

"We call upon all members, those in the arts and those seeking to appreciate the message of good art, to expand their vision of what can be done. If we are going to fill the world with goodness and truth, then we must be worthy to receive inspiration so we can bless the lives of our Heavenly Father’s children."

-M. Russell Ballard

I love my mother

I just got off the phone after an hour long phone call with my mom. I laughed really hard, I teared up a little, I felt the Spirit and was inspired to be a little better. Fortunately for me, this is a normal occurrence in my life. I am so blessed to be able to say that my mom is truly my best friend.

She knows all my secrets and inside jokes, my strengths and my weaknesses. She loves me without restraint and encourages me in all that I do. She recognizes the best in me and chooses to overlook my many flaws. She could have done anything with her life, yet she chose to stay home and make sure I was raised in a home that was full of love.

She is remarkably strong and never fails to stand up for what is right, even when it is not convenient. She has a burning testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. She deals with many trials, yet bears them with little complaint. She lifts up my knees when they hang down. Even though my problems are probably so insignificant compared to hers, she listens, cares, encourages, and advises. She is one of the hardest and most selfless workers I know. She is a woman of many talents, and yet she has the humility to recognize that they are only to be used in the service of the Lord.

My mother makes life magical. Being with her is a pleasure because she helps create adventures, hilarious moments, spiritual experiences, and a home full of love and peace.

She never wavers in her honor and respect for my father and the other priesthood leaders of the Church. She recognizes and embraces her special role as a woman. She has taught me to be obedient with exactness, to love without restraint, to find joy in the simple things of life.

I hope these feeble words can describe some measure the love and gratitude I have for this remarkable woman. I am so grateful to have her as my mother and my best friend. I could not get by even one day without her.

Proverbs 31:10

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

I can find a virtuous woman; she is my mother.

Thanks for everything, Mom. I love you.

Interpretive Dancing Pirates?

Today I ran across this fact: "Maps with x's to mark the spot are a creation of the movies, pirates would simply memorize where they left their treasure and communicate it to others through dance." Movies pirates are now lame compared to interpretive-dancing pirates. MLIA.

My life is average

I discovered the coolest website today, mylifeisaverage.com (also known as MLIA). Basically anyone can go on and post funny, random, happy things that happened to them during the day. Here are a few of my favorites:

Today, I felt something small and cold fall directly onto my head. I reached up and discovered that a penny had fallen into my hair. I was inside and no one was standing near me. I still have no idea how this happened, but I plan on keeping this Magic Penny forever. MLIA

Today, in my college physical science class, my professor said "this part of the lesson is really boring, so I am going to put on my mullet wig." He then proceeded to pull one of out his bag, place it on his bald head, and teach with a straight face. Never have I enjoyed physical science class so much. MLIA.

Today, a kid in my class told the teacher that his dog ate his homework. The teacher laughed, until the kid silently pulled out a clear ziplock bag with an obviously chewed piece of paper in it. We all applauded. MLIA

Today I was calling for my cat who was outside, her name is Pancake, after calling for a third time my neighbor shouts out his window, "I've got the syrup." He's 90 years old and now I remember why I've always thought he was cool.

Today, I watched Bear in the Big Blue House for the first time since I as 7. I'm 18 now and the first thing Bear said when he opened the door was 'My, how you've grown!'It made me feel good to know he remembers me. MLIA

Today, I gave my spanish 2 class an exam which consisted of pictures of household items and the question "What is this used for?", asking them to respond in Spanish. #3 was an armoire. I gave full credit to 75 students, including the 18 who said "to find Narnia" and the 2 who said "to hold boggarts" MLIA

And my favorite...

Today, I was sitting in my room and heard a little boy outside sneeze. I said bless you, and five seconds later, I heard a very hesitant...."God??." MLIA

This website gives me hope in humanity and helps me to appreciate the little things in my day. Enjoy!