Rights

This is a post to vent, just a warning. Our country is SO AMAZING. I know it was set up by a divine design. I love our Constitution, at one point I wanted to study constitutional law. What grates me like nothing else though, is people who expect more rights than they really have. It's a smack in the face to every single person who has fought for those rights. This morning I got on Facebook and saw a friend's status asking if she should get a twitter or not. One of her friends had posted the following:

In all practicality, my annoyance with Twitter is the character limit on tweets...I figure if I've got something to say, I want the freedom to say it how I want, rather than abridging it to fit their format.

You're really going to take then time out of your life to complain about how social media limits you? Are you kidding me? Governments have been overthrown by the use of social media! Have you heard of North Korea? Their citizens can't access anything on the internet that isn't approved by their government. We should be beyond grateful for the fact that we can wake up in the morning and read a newspaper, a newspaper that can print whatever it wants without fear of persecution from our government.

I realize that part of our rights as American Citizens is to be able to voice our opinion, no matter what it is. My problem is not with people voicing those opinions. Don't agree with me on something? Great! Just make sure that you're not just talk, that you have a foundation for those opinions, and that they are based in exceptional gratitude for the undeniable rights we do have, not the ones you think you have.

My Two Favorite Mikes

Do you ever re-read a blog post and see a glaring error? You think, how on EARTH could I have missed that? Today I realized there were two very serious errors in this post. I forgot my two favorite Mikes.

The first one is Mr. Michael Conrad Hunter, the Mr. won't be around for long be cause he is attending Medical School right now in Rochester, NY.

Mike is on the right and Justin is on the left. You see,their besties; same home town and all that jazz, and without Justin my friendship with Mike never would have blossomed. I'd met him before and to honest, thought we were too different to have a solid friendship so I never even tried. Then when we were choosing senators for our campaign Justin insisted Mike had to be our science senator. Knowing Justin had never let me down before, I didn't even question the choice. He worked harder than any other senator in that campaign and in the following term that we served. And because we had to spend this time together I found out how amazing he truly is. Besides being ridiculously intelligent, he works harder than anyone I know, and is absolutely down right witty. He can make me laugh like no one else can. And on top of all that? A heart of freaking gold. We are 2500 miles away and he still knows when exactly I need to hear from him. He's is so in tune with the spirit it's not even funny.

Case in point: a few weeks ago he posted the following video on my wall.

He posted it because he had witty comment to share with me about it but what he didn't know is I needed to hear EXACTLY what Elder Holland had to say. It's the little things like that-I could make a list that would stretch from hear to Rochester. I didn't anticipate how well we'd stay in touch after SUU but I cherish it so much. I know our friendship is being seriously guided by my Father in Heaven.

The second Michael is none other than Michael Spencer Burt.

If I had to name the one person that has influenced me most in the past 12 years of my life it would definitely be this young man. I still remember the day I was taking my state standardized tests in the cafeteria at Desert Gardens Elementary School and Mrs Jordan, the school secretary, brought in a little post-it note to tell me he was born. I know he is one of the reason's I'm supposed to be home right now. He's always been my baby brother but tonight when we went as a family to tithing settlement something changed. Seeing him talk to the Bishop about is accountability before God really hit me, he really is turning in to a great young man. I can't wait to see what he'll become.

CHRISTmas

I LOVE Christmas. I've always loved Christmas, but when I moved to Cedar I learned to love it even more. I know weather doesn't technically make a holiday, but it does make it more magical. New snow on a red mountain? Gives me goosebumps. One of my very favorite Christmas traditions is the President's Holiday Gala at SUU. Most years it's in the Great Hall which looks similar to the Great Hall in Harry Potter. We fill it with beautiful Christmas decorations and a great musician or two. It's a thank you to the year's VIP donors and some of my favorite event memories come from the Gala.

Today in Cedar City, UT is the President's Gala. I knew it was coming, I event sent a Christmas card to the Alumni House letting them know I was thinking of them since I knew this year's Gala would be more ... complicated. They had to organize with a few more people then they normally do, and it would be split between multiple venues which is always tricky. I woke up with the Gala on my mind. As I ran errands with my mom all I could think about was what the event crew would be working on at that moment, what Chartwells would be serving, what would be decorating the tables that night, if they were using Dennis' fireplace at coat check, sound check, etc.

Then I went to my ward's Christmas dinner. And for two hours I didn't think about the Gala, I didn't think about the SUU Men's Basketball game going on at that point, but I thought of a mother over 2000 years ago and wondered if she really knew how special her Son would be. I thought about her Son and how He has shaped my life and the life of everyone I love. It's quite amazing how the absolute awe of Him can take over your whole thought process and bring a peace like nothing else can. He is the reason for the season.

Chuck

Two years ago today I was sitting at my home in El Centro visiting my parents on the brink of some major decisions in my life. It was the semester I decided to change my minor to Theater and I was in 3 theater classes and had ASM'd Macbeth. I can't even begin to tell you how that semester changed me, I learned SO much, I made some amazing theater friends, and my GFR got engaged. One of the people I got to know a whole lot better was Anatasha Blakely or as I like to call her, Chuck. Every year like clock work on this day Chuck writes a blog of what she is thankful for. I knew that writing a blog like hers would give me the perspective to make those decisions that were weighing so heavily on me, which is when I started Emily's Eccentricities. And thus I sit here in my parents house, two years later, on the brink of trying to figure out my life plan and again I was so moved by Chuck's list, (which you can read here). So here is what I am thankful for:

The Arts- in all forms; literature, theater, dance, cinema, and music. It provides such a state of enlightenment in life. It begs me to ask questions, to teach myself, and yet still has such an cathartic effect all at the same time.

Laurel Udy- she's kind of a big deal. I can't count the amount of late night chats I've had with her over the past 12 months. Sometimes I just need to get everything off my chest and she has the best ear. Along with her being the best listener, she's super funny and introduced me to her crew.

"The Crew"- I hate to say, "you know who you are," but you do. Because the thing about the crew is, it's not a set group of people as much as a state of mind. Enjoy all things nautical? You can be in the crew. Enjoy a good tweet? Crew. Love a good game of Olympic Tennis? Crew. Actively travel by bike? Crew. Just like to chill? CREW! When I graduated and everyone left and I had no idea what I'd be doing with my life, these are the people who took me in and showed me how to be happy no matter what.

SUUSA- The things I learned in my time with SUUSA are priceless. I am learn by doing kind of girl and I got to do a lot.

Justin Parker Nelson- Without Justin I never would have joined SUUSA in the first place. And once we were in, we were always in it together. If I need help with an activity, he was there. If I needed someone to read over my paper at 3 am that was due the next day, he was most likely in the offices writing his right next to me. If I needed a Diet Coke, he didn't even need to ask because he always knew when I needed one.

Mark Preston Leavitt- The man taught me a lot about priorities. I still can't even begin to understand him but he always knew what was important and it showed. I often look back to that example. And his wife? AMAZING.

Cody Noel Alderson- There's always more to a person than you think, and with Cody I just keep unraveling. He has the biggest heart, he loves helping people. Whether it's tutoring then in math or taking them to Breakfast during a stressful week, he's so good at it. Also he gives great hugs, his large stature engulfs you. Have I mentioned he's funny? Yeah, like your eyes are leaking, stomach hurting, can't breathe funny.

My Student Activities Board-They worked so hard! I've had a lot of compliments about the quality of the job I performed last year, but those people don't know it was really StAB, late nights, early mornings, and lots and lots of patience. I loved watching them realize the difference they were making the lives of their peers. They became some of my best friends.

Southern Utah University- You have a lot of time to ponder about chapters of your life after they've closed. I became there who I want to be for the rest of my life there. I will always be a Tbird.

Natalie Robison- There is something about talking to her that makes me feel like I can conquer the world.

Michael Arthur Tagliaferri- All you need to know is he has a magical Donald Duck voice.

Shandra Kay Harper- She's my GFR, she knows everything about me, and she always knows how I'm going to feel. I luf her.

Family- They've taken me in these past 8 weeks and I am so lucky to have a family that not only can but are glad I'm here.

The Interwebs- I don't even know how people looked for and applied for jobs before the internet. Also, I get to skype all of the above people.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints-It gives perspective to everything. It is the reason I can realize I am grateful for all of the above. It gives me the faith to know there is a plan, even though I don't know what it is, I know there is one. I know I have a purpose, I know where I came from and where I'm going. I have a Savior and Redeemer who loves me very very much.

All Is Right With The World

Do you ever have those moments where everything is piling up? A trip to your favorite place falls through, you can't find what you want the most, and then to top it all off you end up on crutches? My life lately has just been one big place of limbo.

That changed tonight. Tonight I found out that two of my favorite people are expecting their first child, a beautiful little girl. This couple is so with it, so ready to be parents; and what great parents they will be! You hear about so many children in the news who are not treated like the Children of God they are, but this Daughter of God will have a wonderful home, a cute puppy, and parents who truly cherish her.

This is what life's all about. This is the small moment of clarity I needed to refocus my paradigm. This is what reminds me that all is right with the world.

Goodbye My Almost Lover

Tonight I found out some heartbreaking news. Juniper Hall, where I lived for my first two years of college, is being evacuated and most likely for good. And for some reason all I can think about is the song by A Fine Frenzy

Goodbye my almost lover

Goodbye my hopeless dream

I'm trying not to think about you

Can't you just let me be?

But it wasn't almost love, I loved it with all my heart, and still do. So tonight I'm writing a letter to a building. Don't mock, we all have different ways of grieving right?

Dear Juniper,

I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for your presence in my life. You taught me to never judge a building by it's appearance but by those that dwell inside. You brought me my GFR,Ween, Grizz, the B300 boys, Meech, S. Katie Hill, Maximus (such a fighter,) some great ducks, and so many more. You taught me showering is always better with music and whole meals can in fact be made in the microwave. It doesn't matter if the two floor tall Christmas tree tilts a little as long as it's decorated with love. I learned that ether and a lighter can catch a love seat on fire and soccer balls can break windows. Curfews were meant to be broken and quiet hours were never really quiet. Every job or opportunity I received in my time at SUU was because of people I met through you.

But most importantly, my testimony grew exponentially in our two years together. You have this amazing talent of taking 200-300 18 year-olds every year and turning them into a family, you teach them to grow up and start them on their journey of becoming productive members of society. It hurts my heart to know you will probably never be able to do that again. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Em

Settling In

I've gotten my life here down to a pretty great routine, ready for it?

Wake-Up

Make breakfast for the Fam

Some sort of exercise (walk, bike ride, elliptical)

Clean something (room, kitchen, living room, car)

Shower

Search and apply for jobs

Pick up Michael from school

Make dinner

Attend nightly activity (Institute, Relief Society, Mock Trial practice)

Throughout all of this I run errands for my mom and am waiting patiently for my fingerprints to clear so I can substitute. The first couple of days were rough but it's nice to have time to think.

I have always loved serving others and for the time being that all I can do and I love it. Like today I had the time to make some extra Salsa to take to a Sister in the ward and make brownies for Jenny's class.

Tonight I learned how to quilt:

Don't look too closely, it's a first try and a little misproportioned.

The best part though is I'm making friends. I told myself I was gonna be active with the YSA group before I ever moved here, the first Institute was rough but it's going good and we're even planning a campout for next weekend. Holla!

To add a cherry on top of it all Laurel and Staci are coming to visit this weekend! Wanna know how amazing they are? Read the last two posts on this blog.