I'm a fan of the online community. A morning, afternoon, and evening doesn't pass me by without logging into Facebook, surfing Blogger, and checking Gmail. I feel that as a 25 year-old I'm more than familiar with the online world. Recently, however, my faith in my prowess as a consumer of the interweb has been a little shaken.
I'm currently enrolled in a class that looks at popular constructs of gender, especially within the media. My instructor believes in freedom of speech, as well as freedom of exploration. Because of this a large portion of our class is participation in a class blog, titled UglyBuddy. (Read it here, you won't be bored, I promise...) Both students and teacher participate in this LiveJournal, spouting thoughts, sharing rants, or posting pictures that have to do with our discussions. Or sometimes that have to do with absolutely nothing at all.
I often find myself turning to UglyBuddy as part of my blog surfing. I'm always curious as to what random post will be up, what article will be linked, or what music reference I can search out. My classmates, I am finding, are much more eloquent in the online world and speak conversationally about icons, emoticons, and blogger-talk. LOL, TTYL, WTF. These are phrases I know about, but don't use, but apparantly acronyms are big in the online community, also. I learned this the hard way.
Last week, while unequivocally bored during a particularly slow session of peer advising I decided to see what was up with UglyBuddy. The most recent post was a picture of Madonna that was linked to another picture. My instructor labelled the link NSFW. I racked my mind trying to think of what organization NSFW was. A national society? A foundation for women? I had no idea, so I figured I'd move onto the picture to try and figure out the letters.
As I clicked on the icon from my open seat in the Department of Communication I was greeted with a full page, black-and-white, there for all the world to see, naked picture of Madonna. Now when I say naked, I mean NAKED. I mean that I now know what her personal grooming habits were in the 80's when this photo was taken.
I was shocked- not because I was looking at a centerfold of the Material Girl without any material, but because it was now on display for all of the Department of Communication to see. We're liberal... but we're not that liberal. I quickly exited out of my browser and promptly deleted the history on the computer. I told my instructor this and he just laughed, wondering why I hadn't heeded his warning.
"What warning???" I wondered.
"Well I told you it wasn't safe for work". Ahhh.... it's all making sense now.
Be advised: NSFW. NOT SAFE FOR WORK.
That's a lesson I won't have to learn twice...
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Happies
* Sun shining * Blue sky * School started * Graduation * Great friends * Great fam * Broadway Center Theater movies * Text messaging * Peer advising * Perfect class schedule * iPod * Sib * Comm classes * Not being the newbie on campus * Running into old friends * Running into new friends * Grad apps in * My red vest * Western * Freedom * Running * Gym pass * Turkey wraps * Avocados * Coffee with creamer * Laughing * LoveSac * Biggest Loser * Co-workers * Snowy mountains * Spag Fac * Speaking Spanish * Guitar * Dancing * Good music * Smoothies * Cereal *
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Auld Lang Syne
"It's gonna be a great year!" I tried to persuade her.
"But we're going to be so old this year," Christina frowned. Somewhere between her lines of grumbling protests I understood what she was saying. Why should two single, jobless women celebrate a year that was going to quickly usher them into their mid-twenties? It didn't bode well for us Utah girls. I laughed at her disdain for Father Time, not because I didn't feel for her pain but because I realized for the first time just how excited I was for 2008. It was going to be a big year: I could feel it.
"Great in '08, Ghetto, that's the theme!", I smiled. "It's gonna be a great year!"
We finished the drive in silence, letting the year unfold before us. I didn't know then, one year ago, what I know now- the grimy details of the happies, the sads, the goods, and the bads. But I knew it then: 2008 was going to be important; it was going to be big.
Now, with all the details tucked into my memories, I find myself replaying the last 12 months of my life like clips from a movie: In 2008 I re-learned how to learn and fell in love with school. I fell in love with running and surprised myself time and again that I could be successful in something that I had always previously ascribed to others. Now somehow it's mine, too. I spent 75 miles on a bicycle. I embraced the idea of spandex in public. I picked up the guitar again, and put down my addiction for caring with other people think. I found a new appreciation for mustaches and antlers. I hiked Bryce Canyon with my mom and sisters and scaled ancient cliff dwellings with my dad. I watched my brother say "I Do" and realized that it's okay that right now, for the time being, I'm saying "I Don't". I took a flying leap of my own brand of faith and left a job that I hated (the landing is to be continued... see next year's '09 post...) I mailed an important Letter. I met new people. I made dear friends and lost dear friends. I took the GRE, and it took me. I applied to grad schools anyway. I bought red high heels. I created a softball team. I moved in with my sister. I missed my dad. I appreciated my family. As we are. I listened to great music, laughed alot, and danced even more. I became a Hero, got completely LOST, and aimed to be the Biggest Loser. I rented a U-Haul for the first time. I found what is possibly the best apartment. Ever. And the best landlord. Ever. With the best roomie. Ever. I spent the Holidays at home for the first time in three years. I achieved my goals. I tasted success. I swallowed disappointment. I voted. I protested. I cheered. Although I didn't always know it at the time, I enjoyed the crap out of 2008.
Oh yes. It was a big year.
So here's to the chisel labeled 2009, and a raised glass for all of you who shared in '08 with me:
"But we're going to be so old this year," Christina frowned. Somewhere between her lines of grumbling protests I understood what she was saying. Why should two single, jobless women celebrate a year that was going to quickly usher them into their mid-twenties? It didn't bode well for us Utah girls. I laughed at her disdain for Father Time, not because I didn't feel for her pain but because I realized for the first time just how excited I was for 2008. It was going to be a big year: I could feel it.
"Great in '08, Ghetto, that's the theme!", I smiled. "It's gonna be a great year!"
We finished the drive in silence, letting the year unfold before us. I didn't know then, one year ago, what I know now- the grimy details of the happies, the sads, the goods, and the bads. But I knew it then: 2008 was going to be important; it was going to be big.
Now, with all the details tucked into my memories, I find myself replaying the last 12 months of my life like clips from a movie: In 2008 I re-learned how to learn and fell in love with school. I fell in love with running and surprised myself time and again that I could be successful in something that I had always previously ascribed to others. Now somehow it's mine, too. I spent 75 miles on a bicycle. I embraced the idea of spandex in public. I picked up the guitar again, and put down my addiction for caring with other people think. I found a new appreciation for mustaches and antlers. I hiked Bryce Canyon with my mom and sisters and scaled ancient cliff dwellings with my dad. I watched my brother say "I Do" and realized that it's okay that right now, for the time being, I'm saying "I Don't". I took a flying leap of my own brand of faith and left a job that I hated (the landing is to be continued... see next year's '09 post...) I mailed an important Letter. I met new people. I made dear friends and lost dear friends. I took the GRE, and it took me. I applied to grad schools anyway. I bought red high heels. I created a softball team. I moved in with my sister. I missed my dad. I appreciated my family. As we are. I listened to great music, laughed alot, and danced even more. I became a Hero, got completely LOST, and aimed to be the Biggest Loser. I rented a U-Haul for the first time. I found what is possibly the best apartment. Ever. And the best landlord. Ever. With the best roomie. Ever. I spent the Holidays at home for the first time in three years. I achieved my goals. I tasted success. I swallowed disappointment. I voted. I protested. I cheered. Although I didn't always know it at the time, I enjoyed the crap out of 2008.
Oh yes. It was a big year.
So here's to the chisel labeled 2009, and a raised glass for all of you who shared in '08 with me:
And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tradition
"Dad canceled Christmas", my sister informed me as I trudged through the door after work.
"What?!!!" I replied. "How can he just cancel Christmas?"
Sib went on to explain that it was the breakfast that had been foregone due to a lack of attendance. I was upset, but not with my dad. Christmas came too quickly this year and in the mess of finals, graduate applications, and finding a new job, I had forgotten about holiday traditions. Because of the busy nature of my everyday life I put Christmas on the backburner and had only half-heartedly committed to attending Christmas with my dad, including breakfast.
For as long as I can remember we have held Christmas with my dad and stepmom on Dec. 23-24. Christmas Eve is usually Christmas with my dad, and then we pack up, make the trek south to Sandy, and do "real" Christmas with my mom. Somewhere over the years, however, both Christmases became "real" Christmas, and breakfast was part of this tradition. It was peach french toast, cranberries, hot chocolate, orange rolls, potato scrambles and an assortment of other exquisite foods. It was feeling warm and happy after opening Christmas Stockings. It was our final moments with Dad over the holidays. It was breakfast.
"How can he just CANCEL breakfast?" I cried. Sib was sad, too, but we realized that we both had cared too late. We had let ourselves become too busy to show how much this annual meal meant to us. I realized in this conversation that breakfast was much more than simply breakfast: it was Christmas; it was family; it was tradition.
It is so easy to take for granted the good things in our lives, especially when these good things come disguised in simplistic forms like breakfast, christmas stockings, and time spent around a warm fireplace.
Here's my reservation for next year: I'll be there. Afterall, it's tradition.
"What?!!!" I replied. "How can he just cancel Christmas?"
Sib went on to explain that it was the breakfast that had been foregone due to a lack of attendance. I was upset, but not with my dad. Christmas came too quickly this year and in the mess of finals, graduate applications, and finding a new job, I had forgotten about holiday traditions. Because of the busy nature of my everyday life I put Christmas on the backburner and had only half-heartedly committed to attending Christmas with my dad, including breakfast.
For as long as I can remember we have held Christmas with my dad and stepmom on Dec. 23-24. Christmas Eve is usually Christmas with my dad, and then we pack up, make the trek south to Sandy, and do "real" Christmas with my mom. Somewhere over the years, however, both Christmases became "real" Christmas, and breakfast was part of this tradition. It was peach french toast, cranberries, hot chocolate, orange rolls, potato scrambles and an assortment of other exquisite foods. It was feeling warm and happy after opening Christmas Stockings. It was our final moments with Dad over the holidays. It was breakfast.
"How can he just CANCEL breakfast?" I cried. Sib was sad, too, but we realized that we both had cared too late. We had let ourselves become too busy to show how much this annual meal meant to us. I realized in this conversation that breakfast was much more than simply breakfast: it was Christmas; it was family; it was tradition.
It is so easy to take for granted the good things in our lives, especially when these good things come disguised in simplistic forms like breakfast, christmas stockings, and time spent around a warm fireplace.
Here's my reservation for next year: I'll be there. Afterall, it's tradition.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tag
Angie asked: "Did you see my blog? You're tagged!" So here it is, my first blogging tag, courtesy of the "You Tell Me" request:
3 Joys-
3 Fears-
3 Current Obsessions or Collections-
3 Surprising Facts-
3 Joys-
- Being done with finals
- Chilling in my LoveSac in my cozy apt reading, or watching a movie with Sib
- Laughing
3 Fears-
- Watch the trailer for Revolutionary Road; that's one of em.
- 100% rejection letters come Spring
- Sharks. More of an irrational phobia, though. Terrifying.
3 Current Obsessions or Collections-
- Word Challenge game on Facebook. I'm addicted.
- Steamers from Coffee Connection
- Movies at the Broadway Theatre (independent films)
3 Surprising Facts-
- I won't eat at Carl's Jr. because I dislike the commercials so badly
- Sometimes when I'm home during the day and procrastinating I watch Sesame Street
- I could eat sushi all day every day and never tire of it
Thursday, December 11, 2008
What If
Barbados asked: How 'bout some 'what if' questions...if you could travel anywhere? If you had a year off of work & an endless money supply what would you do with your time?
1. What if you could travel anywhere?
Well, that would indeed be awesome... next question. Oh wait, you probably want me to answer that right? Many of you know that traveling is a passion of mine, so this list is actually really long. Currently on the list of things to do/ where to go: Guatamala/Yucatan, visiting the highlands and Mayan ruins; Spain, Barcelona and the northern winery areas; Peru; Mexico--- all over. Sib and I are planning a backpacking trip through Europe this summer so I'll keep ya'll posted on that.
2. What if you had a year off of work and an endless money supply what would you do with your time?
Oh my, that would be living the dream, by the way. Well, first of all, I would take full advantage of the endless money supply by paying off my car, buying a condo, and getting out of my crap gym contract. I would stay in New York for a few weeks enjoying the great food, a fabulous night life, and seeing all the Broadway shows I could stomach. I get a little anxious when I don't have structure in my life, though, so I'd have to break up the vacation with volunteerism in South America somewhere, maybe in Peru for about 6 months. Then travel down there. Then back to the U.S. to hit up great concerts, restaurants, the ski slopes, REI, and IKEA. I'm pretty boring, I know. All would be invited on my adventures, so if this actually happens I'll keep you posted...
There you go bob!!
1. What if you could travel anywhere?
Well, that would indeed be awesome... next question. Oh wait, you probably want me to answer that right? Many of you know that traveling is a passion of mine, so this list is actually really long. Currently on the list of things to do/ where to go: Guatamala/Yucatan, visiting the highlands and Mayan ruins; Spain, Barcelona and the northern winery areas; Peru; Mexico--- all over. Sib and I are planning a backpacking trip through Europe this summer so I'll keep ya'll posted on that.
2. What if you had a year off of work and an endless money supply what would you do with your time?
Oh my, that would be living the dream, by the way. Well, first of all, I would take full advantage of the endless money supply by paying off my car, buying a condo, and getting out of my crap gym contract. I would stay in New York for a few weeks enjoying the great food, a fabulous night life, and seeing all the Broadway shows I could stomach. I get a little anxious when I don't have structure in my life, though, so I'd have to break up the vacation with volunteerism in South America somewhere, maybe in Peru for about 6 months. Then travel down there. Then back to the U.S. to hit up great concerts, restaurants, the ski slopes, REI, and IKEA. I'm pretty boring, I know. All would be invited on my adventures, so if this actually happens I'll keep you posted...
There you go bob!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hermana Frumpy
whitneytherose asked: How the heck can you be a missionary without the ugly clothes and shoes? and why is it that wine and cheese go together, but not grapes and milk?
Let's start with the latter: all good things come in time; and in time all good things go together. Confucius say.
To the second point: My dear Whit, there is an element of frump that is innate to missionary-ness that is inescapable. I don't care what anyone else says: the mission is no place for beauty for the following reasons:
A) there is no time for it. You will have exactly 20 minutes to get ready for the day. Including a shower. That means that often you will leave the house with either wet hair or pony-tail hair. Or you'll get a haircut so that it looks like you got ready, when really you didn't. That's my suggestion. Good haircut. (But beware: there are people lurking in the shadows who are equipped with shears and will give give you a mullet hair cut and disguise it as a good haircut. This will make you cry and question your reasons for being a missionary. Been there done it. Anti-mullet).
B) after a while you figure out that it doesn't matter what you look like. The people you talk to will either hate you or love you, regardless of your D&G Shades. The elders in your mission will be cool but goobery. Furthermore, you will be completely trained NOT to seem attractive to the opposite sex. Or the same sex for that matter. In fact anything having to do with sex is wiped out. Thus the frump; You will be genderless and you won't even notice or care because you'll be too busy.
C) comfort takes number one. always. Picture a 115-degree summer in Texas: fire ants, blazing sun, sweaty mcsweatyness, bicycles, nylons. Or a -25-degree winter ice storm in Oklahoma City: cankles due to layered socks, fleece PJ bottoms under the skirt, 4 scarves, boots, the whole world an ice rink, frozen power lines, ON FOOT. Yeah, you're getting there. This is the point where you say: "who the frick cares if I look like a man, my only goal is to live". Because that's how missionaries talk- FRICK.
Moral of the story? Don't worry about the frump because everyone will go through and it's fun and hilarious as it happens. Besides, frump is a state of mind, so even if you are looking mannish, when you're feeling fierce, you will be fierce--- no matter what! (SNAP!)
Here's some missionary favorites of mine you can check out:
Shoes: Dansko. I got two pair and wore them my entire mission. They are comfy, sturdy, and decent looking. You will wear out any other type of shoe in a few months so it's worth the extra pretty penny for these ones.
Shirts: Collared, button down 3/4 sleeves. Easy to wash, dry, and look dressy. Tip: as you shop for clothes keep the laundry process in mind. Avoid things you'll have to iron and DO NOT get anything you'll have to dry clean. You won't do it because you won't have time.
Skirts: Anything that fits. If you find one you like buy 5 of them. Seriously.
Nylons: The cheap ones that come in a box of a zillion. You will wear these down, and throw them away daily so don't waste cash money millionaire on nice nylons. If you serve in a Wintery area invest in tights!!! Also, as a tip. If you're on a bike you can turn black tights into biker shorts really easily (trust me, you'll want to ). Step one: take black tights and cut off the "feet". Steep two: put on tights. They will be like biker shorts- voila!!
Let's start with the latter: all good things come in time; and in time all good things go together. Confucius say.
To the second point: My dear Whit, there is an element of frump that is innate to missionary-ness that is inescapable. I don't care what anyone else says: the mission is no place for beauty for the following reasons:
A) there is no time for it. You will have exactly 20 minutes to get ready for the day. Including a shower. That means that often you will leave the house with either wet hair or pony-tail hair. Or you'll get a haircut so that it looks like you got ready, when really you didn't. That's my suggestion. Good haircut. (But beware: there are people lurking in the shadows who are equipped with shears and will give give you a mullet hair cut and disguise it as a good haircut. This will make you cry and question your reasons for being a missionary. Been there done it. Anti-mullet).
B) after a while you figure out that it doesn't matter what you look like. The people you talk to will either hate you or love you, regardless of your D&G Shades. The elders in your mission will be cool but goobery. Furthermore, you will be completely trained NOT to seem attractive to the opposite sex. Or the same sex for that matter. In fact anything having to do with sex is wiped out. Thus the frump; You will be genderless and you won't even notice or care because you'll be too busy.
C) comfort takes number one. always. Picture a 115-degree summer in Texas: fire ants, blazing sun, sweaty mcsweatyness, bicycles, nylons. Or a -25-degree winter ice storm in Oklahoma City: cankles due to layered socks, fleece PJ bottoms under the skirt, 4 scarves, boots, the whole world an ice rink, frozen power lines, ON FOOT. Yeah, you're getting there. This is the point where you say: "who the frick cares if I look like a man, my only goal is to live". Because that's how missionaries talk- FRICK.
Moral of the story? Don't worry about the frump because everyone will go through and it's fun and hilarious as it happens. Besides, frump is a state of mind, so even if you are looking mannish, when you're feeling fierce, you will be fierce--- no matter what! (SNAP!)
Here's some missionary favorites of mine you can check out:
Shoes: Dansko. I got two pair and wore them my entire mission. They are comfy, sturdy, and decent looking. You will wear out any other type of shoe in a few months so it's worth the extra pretty penny for these ones.
Shirts: Collared, button down 3/4 sleeves. Easy to wash, dry, and look dressy. Tip: as you shop for clothes keep the laundry process in mind. Avoid things you'll have to iron and DO NOT get anything you'll have to dry clean. You won't do it because you won't have time.
Skirts: Anything that fits. If you find one you like buy 5 of them. Seriously.
Nylons: The cheap ones that come in a box of a zillion. You will wear these down, and throw them away daily so don't waste cash money millionaire on nice nylons. If you serve in a Wintery area invest in tights!!! Also, as a tip. If you're on a bike you can turn black tights into biker shorts really easily (trust me, you'll want to ). Step one: take black tights and cut off the "feet". Steep two: put on tights. They will be like biker shorts- voila!!
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