Thanks, Katy

Haha, these are always kind of fun -- in a guilty pleasure kind of way.


You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

So now I'm married

Which means I have crossed the threshold from singles blogging to couples blogging -- in other words, Eric and I have transformed his blog into our blog. The new url is iseebadgers.blogspot.com, so if you want to check it out, feel free!

Love you all!

Energy

Eric and I have a good friend who's pretty much a genius. I love reading his blogs on political policies because he's the type who does pretty well avoiding partisan bias and looks at the cold hard facts -- the consequences that politicians seem to ignore.

Anyways, I was reading his blog post about oil economics and think he has very viable arguments.

http://blog.brucec.net/2008/06/oil-economics.html

I was listening to KSL on the radio the other day. They were talking to the CEO from Energy Solutions about nuclear power. I think he made some good points, but I still don't know enough about nuclear energy and its consequences to have a fully-formed opinion.

All I know is that our gluttonous nation is going to face the consequences of our excess very soon.

I'm Married!

Got married this weekend. It was pretty cool.

Here's a picture from our photo shoot with my sister-in-law Jessica and her friend Tiffany (whose photo this is). More can be seen at artphotographs.blogspot.com, and I hope to see some of Jessica's edits before too long!

Really, I'm just so glad to be married to my best friend. We love and laugh together. Who knew two people could grow so much in just 10 months?! We really are different people because of being together. Better people.

We had a quick little honeymoon in Salt Lake and enjoyed that time together and then it was back to Provo for some fun with Eric's family at the water park. I had class last night and my professor was a little surprised to see me there (knowing I'd gotten married just two days before) but I'm a glutton for punishment -- I mean, school is important...

Now I have a home. Apartments always seemed so sterile to me, as if I could never find emotional attachment to the place. Maybe that's why I moved so much over the last three years: seven times! But our little tiny one bedroom apartment at Wymount holds an attachment and I feel, for the first time in Provo, like I'm coming home.

Love is grand.

Temperment

So I don't have much of a temper. Usually if I get upset there's very little real anger. Crying is usually a must.

But I've discovered my temper.

It comes out when I'm driving. Because I hate when people do stupid things! It drives me nuts to see people take risks with their own lives and the lives of the innocent people driving around them.

Oh, and I cannot stand it when people get mad at other drivers because they're not speeding or something. No one's life is at risk if someone's going 65 in a 65 (heaven forbid someone go the speed limit!). It's even worse when they get mad about 70 in a 65. What's your deal? Are you really in so much of a hurry that you can't back off someone's tail in the carpool lane?

Last night I lost my temper. There was an old man turning right. He was taking it very slow around that curve. I admit, if I'd been behind him I probably would have been annoyed at how slow he was going. But I never would have honked at him. But the guy behind him did. I got so incensed at what I'd seen that I lay on my horn and glared at the guy as he drove by. He thought he was so funny and grinned and waved. He knew why I'd honked at him.

I was not amused.

Now, granted, I lost my temper and that's not how I should have reacted. His actions should have simply inspired me to never be like that.

My biggest problem is that it was such a reminder of how our society is degenerating. I think about how my grandfather treats people. His generation still understood what it is to respect others.

In Generation Me, or whatever you want to call this new group of young adults, there's little patience or respect for anyone. The world is doing a good job of getting us to focus inward and only worry about ourselves. What was that young man thinking as he honked at that elderly man? "Man, this guy's so slow. He might make me 30 seconds later getting home." Oh, what a travesty!

I continued to be upset after, mainly because Eric called me out on getting too worked up and reminding me that I didn't need to get involved like that. I realized I'd become guilty of a similar lack of compassion as the other guy. I shouldn't have let myself get so frustrated and let my temper get the best of me. It was ok to observe that the guy shouldn't have done what he did, but getting upset about it didn't help anything.

All-in-all, I think the experience will be a good one for me to remember as I get frustrated with other people, no matter the setting. What are their motivations? Are the effects of their actions worth letting contention enter my life and risking losing the spirit? If I really want to escape the societal trends, I need to be above that.

Exercise

I worked out on purpose yesterday.

It felt great. Now I'm a little sore, but I kind of like the feeling. I thought that after how simple it was to take a small chunk of my day to do some pilates, I would be better motivated today to continue and work on creating a habit.

Oh how the forces of laziness work against me.

Let's just say that after eating lunch, I decided to wait a while to let my food settle.

Then it was "Oh, I'll just finish watching this CNN story about the psychological effects of the violence in Iraq on Iraqi children's intellectual development."

After that I decided that I should work on another goal I have -- reading "Emma."

Two pages into a chapter I zonked and didn't wake up until Eric got home from running.

So much for being nice to my body today!

The problem is that I let these "good" things take the place of what I'd really needed and wanted to do. It all goes back to the whole "good, better, best" talk from Elder Oaks in conference last year. CNN reports aren't bad, and neither is "Emma," but I really, really need to take better care of my body, and I know that.

So, the goal is to get up early tomorrow and do one of the ten-minute workouts on the DVD I got from the library in my newfound determination. I'm thinking that if I can get myself to wake up earlier to work out, then I'm for sure determined enough to continue--very few things can entice me to wake up earlier!

If, when you see me next, I have nicely defined abs, you'll know I succeeded and you can congratulate me.

Otherwise, tell me I'm going to be crippled with arthritis at 40 if I don't start doing something.

Learning new things

Today as I studied for my independent study class I got to the portion on "Standing For Something," President Hinckley's book. In it he discussed the virtue of continuing your education and always striving to learn more things. I glowed as I pondered this aspect of a modern prophet's teachings.

This past weekend I started two IT classes: Web Publishing and Adobe Publishing. They're required for my major, but these are requirements I don't mind at all! I'm loving the new skills I'm learning and I'm especially enjoying that these skills help me create beautiful things!

How grateful I am for opportunities to learn.

I'm engaged!

Yay! We're getting married June 21 at the Mount Timpanogos Temple. You'll have to check out the story of our engagement on Eric's blog.

Happiest time of year

This makes my year. I simply love blossoms on trees, especially when I can gaze up at the silhouette of the branches against a blue sky.


What a wonderful world God has created! It almost helps me forget about finals...and final projects...

Eric and his sister Jessica had a Russian choir concert tonight. They did a great job, and it was also a nice break from working on projects. Eric and I got ice cream at the Wilk after and life was wonderful :o)

Back to the grind; I have a couple projects to finish tomorrow by late afternoon!

Dear professor,

I'm sorry for spamming you with e-mails asking lots of questions. However, I must defend myself by presenting my reasoning in this public forum also known as my blog.

Your class is ridiculous. I have not spoken to a single -- that means not one -- student in your class who has not expressed confusion about what is going on.

Several have even expressed having a strange feeling that they know exactly the same amount of information now that they did the first week of the semester, which seems unusual to me considering our wells of knowledge should have been enriched and replete by this point.

Now normally, when a few students complain I understand it's probably their own fault and they probably didn't try hard enough, but when the entire class feels confused, there has to be some sort of problem with the course or the course instruction.

This, my dear professor, is why I felt it necessary to send you four or five e-mails today inquiring about how to do different aspects of the silly final project you yourself have declared "frustrating." In fact, you should be glad I'm still trying -- lots of other people have just given up.

Sincerely,
Cindy

Food for thought

It's important to remember that there is good news in the world, too. These two articles about autism were beautiful proof of that, as well as the fact that people can make a difference in their worlds. These two mothers have accomplished so much and I really love their stories. Hope you enjoy them as well.

Ryan's Bill

Autism in China

Eric's pictures

I was going to post some pictures Eric finally uploaded from his camera, but then I decided that I should just direct you all to Eric's blog since he has already posted them!

He has pictures from the One Republic concert I got VIP passes to from work, a funny photo he did on PhotoShop and a couple pictures from our excursion to the charity ball.

Enjoy them, and pray for me as I try to survive the last two weeks of classes!

Easter, eloquently

Eric should probably have some better pics of this on his camera, but I enjoyed this one. We went to a charity ball at the Provo Library this weekend. It was fun to get all spiffed up and go out dancing together.

Eric spoke in his ward Sunday afternoon and did an amazing job (I have a whole congregation of witnesses; I'm not just saying that because I'm his girlfriend). Then we headed up to West Jordan to Michael and Laura's house for some quality time with my family.


Eric was, as always, a hit with the babies, especially Anna and Eli. I think Anna has a crush on him.


Daddy turned 55 last week, so we were celebrating his birthday as well as the Savior's Resurrection! He's really proud of himself for reaching this landmark (you should have heard his prayer over dinner), and I'm sure he will reach many more.

Oh the madness...

Welp, I know nothing and I didn't have anyone advise me, so rumor has it that I chose lots of unrealistic upsets...but I bit the bullet and actually filled out a bracket this year. The thing is, I don't really care or know enough to do a good job on choosing these things, so I may as well have closed my eyes and pointed for all the reason there was to my picks.

So far so good; all my picks have been right so far. We'll see if I have any luck past the first few games...

I really, like, really really need my Internet.

This girl next to me has used the word "like" about two times per sentence throughout her 10-minute cell phone conversation. He's like, and I was like, and I like, am going to like flunk out of college. Because my Internet is like, not working. And like like like. I know like all the sordid details of her like, so complicated life, like, you don't even know.

I'm going nuts. I can't concentrate on my oh-so-interesting reading about lobbyists and legislators.

Us

So I rarely post pictures of Eric and me, probably mostly because one or both of us usually looks silly in pictures together. But I thought I'd post one today...just because.

Plenty happened this weekend. I think I am supposed to write a press release for PRSSA about it, so I'll just post that later.

Love you all.

In honor of Gabe

Gabe couldn't be here for this sign, so I had to do the honor of pointing it out. I was taken back to big boss politics. Adam and Chance will get you out of work and feed you lunch and Y-Sparkle if you vote for them as many times as you can.

Why we even have BYUSA elections eludes me.

*Wheezecough

Welp, I might not live through the weekend. But luck would have it that this would mean I don't have to take my stats test next week. I think a few people will be sad at my passing, but just remember, families are forever and all that jazz.

Ok, so I'm being super melodramatic, but I am sick again and I'm really tired of it.

Not much time

So this will be a quick post, but I think it's an important one to make.

I'm in a Communications and Public Policy class and right now we're learning political campaign strategies and tactics. It is important to remember that most every ad you hear, see or read is going to omit truths and exaggerate claims. They may not lie outright, but there is certainly cause for caution before believing what politicians, PACs and other special-interest groups feed you.

Fortunately for us, the era of technology has given us resources to help us be informed decision-makers. We can read consumer reports on products, wiki anything we need to know, google search...the list is endless, and doesn't have to end when we wonder how to find out the facts about political campaign claims.

Sites like FactCheck.org provide a resource for us. I spend more time than I should have today (considering the amount of homework I have) looking over the Web site and basking in the non-partisan coverage of the campaign. They present the facts and help empower us with information. Check it out.

Interesting

Maybe I'm just totally engulfed in the communications world, but I found this article very interesting and happy.

Credo of the week

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song.

----

If you find me afraid, refer me back to my new credo. Thanks.

Crazy

I'm going crazy. It's official. My only request is that when you visit me after I'm institutionalized that you will bring me some good books about people who are more crazy than I, like "The Stranger," or "Waiting for Godot."

K, that's all for today.

who knows

So I was pondering on my strange need to play all the way through the end of Solitaire. I have to do it. Even when it's in the bag and I know I'm going to win. I mean, usually when I'm playing Solitaire that means I should be doing something else, like listening to lecture, writing an essay, reading a textbook... So you'd think I'd be able to overcome my urge to play it out.

But no. I must put every king into its place and watch the lovely cascading cards and bask in my victory.

Moments of clarity

Sometimes I come to for a moment. Reality becomes just that--a reality. It's not always a hard-hitting moment. Sometimes it's just a wonderful moment of clarity when I realize my life is beautiful.

Adverse effects of the presidential primaries

No, I am not going to talk about political implications here.

I'm talking about my GPA.

I find myself watching clips from debates, reading opinion columns, checking RCP polls...

All in place of doing homework. And then I end up staying up really late to finish a 300 point assignment due at 9:30 a.m. that I had a week to do but instead started at 9:30 p.m. the day before...

Yay for politics!

I'll miss you till we meet again, my dear friend.

I never met President Hinckley. Not in person, anyways. But I knew the man. He was incredible. Vivacious, loving, gentle, wise...the list of his virtues could go on for pages. He became a dear friend because I knew of his love for me.

It was a love that came from careful self-cultivation over years of development. He became who he was because he chose that path.

It was a love that he was blessed with through divine might--because of his call to preside over Heavenly Father's sons and daughters on the earth today, the Lord gave President Hinckley the power of a deep, resounding love for all of His children.

It was a love that I could feel through the television screen, the satellite broadcast, or through the distance of the Marriott Center or conference hall in Salt Lake.

Today he died. I tear up again as I type those words. He is a wonderful man. I will miss his words of counsel. I will miss his smile, his jokes, his love of all things good.

He was such an amazing communicator! He took the Gospel from a religion of obscurity to a spotlight of better understanding and relationships with government and media. I admire him as a public relations master! He did so much for the image of the church.

And his dedication to building temples! How grateful I am that he took on that great work. The sacred temple ordinances are available to so much of the world due to his efforts.

The Perpetual Education Fund was another great work he spearheaded. The blessings of education are so rich, and those bounties are more widely available to people who would never previously been able to imagine being able to gain an education.

Oh, I could go on forever about everything he has accomplished. but most important, I know he was and is a prophet of God, sent to lead the church, sent for me, sent for everyone on the earth! All people can know God's will for His children because of the gospel, through the conduit of prophets, and Gordon Bitner Hinckley was most certainly the mouthpiece of the Lord on the earth. Of this I testify.

President Hinckley's testimony of Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ was a true witness of their existence and continued concern and love for all men and women.

How grateful I am to have lived when he lived, to have heard his witness and to have beheld his wonderful works as president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Yet the work moves onward and upward. While I mourn the loss of a great man, I understand that my Lord's house is one of order, and the priesthood keys remain. The prophet who takes the stand in April at General Conference holds the power and witness necessary to guide the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ah ha!

Two boys signed up to write articles for Bridal Guide today. Sweet, diversity.

It's crazy being in charge of things like this. It's bigger than I could imagine before--I mean, I get final say over content. Whoa.

Well, kind of. There's still the administrative oversight, not just of my bosses, but of their bosses. But still. I decide, then they decide if it stays.

Official retraction

An amendment, if you will, to my previous assertion about my mother's top commitment to reading my blog. Gabe declares himself just as devoted to my blog as my mother, and I suppose he probably is. Eric's probably pretty up there too.

Umm

Mom, my most faithful blog audience, wanted another post--I don't know why she wasn't satisfied with sneezing.

My job is fun. I get stressed out because I have no idea what I'm doing, but it's nice because I have a boss who vetos anything he realizes won't work. So really I get to grow and expand and do most anything I see working, as long as I have a good reason for why it is a good idea.

Such as our first ever facebook Front Row Fanatics contest. I even researched copyright policies on their Web site so I could ensure we weren't violating any rules...We had a really good response and Drew and I didn't even have to leave the comfort of the office.

Speaking of the office, I love my coworkers. We've recently decided to have a party every Friday. Such is life in the advertising department at The Daily Universe. We eat good food, dance around, play games and laugh our socks off.

Last week One Republic's manager came in to place an ad in the paper for their upcoming concert. It pays to ask questions, as we found out--Mekelle, one of the ad reps, asked if he could get us tickets. Next day there was a sign-up on the door for VIP passes to the concert.

I took Eric; it was pretty nice. We got free Costa Vida on top of free admission. Neat.

That's all I can think of for now. More later, I'm sure.

Sneezing

I really do enjoy it.

Now I'm not saying you have to vote for him...

But the soft bias against Mitt Romney because of his religious affiliation is glossed over too often. This article does a pretty good job at pointing out the blatant inconsistencies.

On another note...Today I got an email from a professor. Good news.

I wrote him an email when he posted the grades asking him if I would get to see the particulars on why I got an A- instead of an A. Now I know this seems a bit extreme to some of you. I know an A- is nothing to cry about. But sometimes you just feel an A, so when you get an A- you want to know why.

He wrote back, informing me why, and I took it at face value and went on in life.

Well, my friends, the story does not end there.

The email I received from him today told me that he had added points to one of my assignments, "recognizing your commitment to the class, enough to put you over the A boundary."

I really lead a charmed life.

No, I'm not engaged.

I'm just immersing myself in the world of bridal magazines.

Bridal Guide has to be done by February 1st. No prob, Bob.
I've planned so many publications in my life...

Figuring out life

So the question really is...where will I be in a year?

Right now, I have no clue.

I thought I had things very figured out, my life neatly compartmentalized.

Then I decided to stay in Provo over the summer instead of doing an internship. And I decided to take a class I was going to take in the fall during the summer.

I'm a public relations major. What does that mean? I mean, I am doing what I'm supposed to, but public relations can take me in so many directions.

While I was getting set apart today the blessing spoke to me about my future. So much is coming my way! Am I prepared for it? Is my life what it needs to be? All the choices I make right now will determine if I end up where the Lord has planned for me--where great things await me.

And then there's the fact that I turn 21 in a measly five months. Wrap your head around all the implications of this.

I have a new job. One of two Daily Universe Special Sections Coordinators. Sounds very important, doesn't it? I'm scared out of my mind I'm not competent enough. I just have to make myself, that's all. Good luck, Cindy.

The new job complicates things too. I have a company depending on me now. I can't just run off, at least until we have the next guy trained and comfortable in the position. Which means...what?

This is one of my most disconnected blog entries. I probably should have just written it in my journal or something and spared you all.