If necessary use words.

2012 Presidential Debate

I just really want to write a blog post about this debate that just happened tonight. I have to admit I am a Mitt Romney fan, not because he is Mormon, but because I truly believe he has what it takes to give America and its citizens what it needs right now.

People say Mitt Romney won the debate tonight and by winning what does that mean? To me it means he said exactly what  needs to be done to fix our country. It's not the fact that he was "more confident" or "more composed" by any means... he won because of the words he spoke. These words he spoke are not only just words but policies and ideas he and those in his campaign have researched and thought a great deal about that will HELP every single one of the people in this country. I feel like I am constantly wishing that what meant something to me meant something to everyone else which is never going to happen because we are all different and have different preferences and desires of what we want and need in our country. With that being said I by no means feel as though one party is "smarter, superior, or more politically sound" than another. If that were the case then we would not have both parties representing us in congress, as the president, in the supreme court, or in our local governments. It is OK to be a republican, it is OK to be a democrat... enough with this battle between the two parties. I am not trying to battle anyone on here anyway.

Something politics is suppose to do is to bring different viewpoints together and I feel like Mitt Romney would lead a government that could do that. That is what I want anyway. I want my government to try its hardest to best represent me, and not only me but my neighbor as well. I think what really made me feel most supportive of Mitt tonight is that I think he does really well with being a middle man. I think he takes views from both parties and combines them into the best options for our country which I LOVE. My biggest dilemma with politics is the fact that I agree with some liberal views as well as some conservative views. Due to my family and my religion though I feel I almost naturally draw to the conservative side because of tradition. I have always wished though that we could use ideas from both sides because both have wonderful views which I really think Mitt Romney is trying to do.

I don't think President Obama has given ME what I need from my government. I am graduating in December and don't have a job lined up yet due to there not being a surplus of jobs available that I have experience for. I know I am not the only person my age stuck in this situation. I have had friends, in-laws, and family members in this same situation as well. I also don't think Obama helped the people in the country by bailing out the banks because the banks never replenished that funding to the people who it was indebted to. This resulted in people not getting their loans who then couldn't pay its workers for the jobs they did and supplies they purchased which resulted in people losing their homes, cars, etc. (I know because I have had people very close to me experience this). Obama's plan hasn't worked for me or the people arround me so I want to give Mitt a chance. I think tonight he proved he has what it takes to lead our country. I think his experience as governor of Massachusetts is solid and valid proof that he knows government, economics, and the people. I truly and honestly believe he cares about this country and its citizens and will do all he can to help us. This is what he said so profoundly in his debate tonight that resonates that:

"First, life and liberty. We have a responsibility to protect the lives and liberties of our people, and that means a military second to none. I do not believe in cutting our military. I believe in maintaining the strength of America's military. Second, in that line that says we are endowed by our creator with our rights, I believe we must maintain our commitment to religious tolerance and freedom in this country. That statement also says that we are endowed by our creator with the right to pursue happiness as we choose. I interpret that as, one, making sure that those people who are less fortunate and can't care for themselves are cared by -- by one another. We're a nation that believes that we're all children of the same god and we care for those that have difficulties, those that are elderly and have problems and challenges, those that are disabled. We care for them. And we -- we look 

for discovery and innovation, all these things desired out of the American heart to provide the pursuit of happiness for our citizens. But we also believe in maintaining for individuals the right to pursue their dreams and not to have the government substitute itself for the rights of free individuals. And what we're seeing right now is, in my view, a -- a trickle-down government approach, which has government thinking it can do a better job than free people pursuing their dreams. And it's not working. And the proof of that is 23 million people out of work. The proof of that is 1 out of 6 people in poverty. The proof of that is we've gone from 32 million on food stamps to 47 million on food stamps. The proof of that is that 50 percent of college graduates this year can't find work."

 I just hope we can all recognize what it is WE need outside of the perspective of a party. Look into what you need and want from your government and vote for yourself.  

Gratitude

Couple of things I am grateful for:

1. This freaking adorable kitten who likes to sleep in our driveway and visit us in the evenings.

 Why am I grateful for him? Because I am so deprived of animals and baby things right now it saddens me to death! I miss my puppy. I miss my kittens. I miss my nieces. And I miss my nephews so much... ahh i can't stand it. It's ok, I know I'm crazy. What I love about this kitten is the fact that he looks almost exactly like my kitty Polly from home (home as in Iowa). Not only does he look like her but he acts like her too. He just begs for loves and petting constantly (as you can see from the picture he is on my lap, wrapping his little arms around me... this was all done by his choice). He use to be afraid of us but has slowly warmed up and now meows his head off at just the sight of us for some attention. I have to admit, I love him. 

2.This freaking sexy husband off on his way to school. (note: he did not want me to take this picture of him which is what he is saying which is why his mouth is open)
He is taking two classes currently -- while working about 60 hours a week mind you-- and is at his class right now which won't get over until 10! He took his first test this weekend and got 100% on it! Wow talk about good student. I am so proud of him for how well he is doing in everything in his life. He works so hard at work everyday all day long and then just gives it his all at school. Love him. Such a good example to me.

 3. Getting this paper today on my way up to campus! If you want to know more about it go to my media blog and check out my post about it today. Don't worry I'm not too blog crazy... This blog is a requirement for one of my classes.

4. The Damien Rice Pandora Station.  I have been in music withdrawals lately. I don't know about cool music like I use to in high school and the beginning of college. I don't live with roommates anymore to keep me updated or cute little sisters. I hardly listen to the radio and am just so sick of my old music. I needed some soft deep music tonight so I decided to get on the old Pandora and check out Damien Rice (my go to soft deep music guy). Love all of the songs I have heard especially I Was Just Thinking by Teitur. 

Those are the things I am most grateful for in this moment. I have many many other things to be grateful for the list could go on forever. 

Today.

Well... here I am. Standing in front of my door ready to start my last semester of my undergraduate career EVER.

Slightly sad. Slightly exciting. 

After attending my MWF classes, I am already in absolute love with my classes this semester.

(which, hopefully I get into Abnormal Psych-- #2 on the waiting list!) 

A girl asked me today, how will I stay motivated this semester? Honestly, I feel more motivated than ever. It is my last semester and I am ready to finish it strong! 

I bought the BYU planner today in the bookstore and found the best quote on the first page I opened up to:

"What will you take with you when you finally leave BYU? First intellectual discipline. Second, I hope you will develop a spirit of fellowship, a social ease, the capacity to mix and mingle with people wherever you meet them, of low caste or high caste, recognizing their strengths and powers and capacities and goodness. Third, I hope you will take with you an unassailable spiritual strength.

-Gordon B. Hinckley"

Obviously that quote was meant to be. I looked up the {talk} it came from, which was clearly even more amazing and it was given 2 days after I was born! ... even more meant to be :). I have LOVED my time at BYU. Absolutely loved it. I love this school so much and especially what it stands for. I really think I have gained and better developed all three of the things President Hinckley mentioned during my time at BYU.
Anyway, I am sure I will blog more about my feelings of graduating as well as my love for BYU more this semester.

On a different note, here is a picture of what I made for {dinner} tonight, Chicken Curry in a Hurry. Absolutely delicious.   

Ok, over and out.

The Flourishing Families Project

As the majority of people know, I was a research assistant for a research study this summer through BYU. The study was called The Flourishing Families Project and was SERIOUSLY the best job I have ever had. There is a really good article that goes into pretty intensive detail about the project if anyone is interested click {here}. (I would recommend it!)

I'll just fill you in a little. It is a study that has been going on for 6 years. We have 500 families in Seattle, WA and 200 here in Provo, UT that we have been tracking. This summer I was personally responsible for 45 of the Seattle families. I had to contact them, get them to want to continue in the study this summer, pester them throughout the summer to get them to remember to take their 45 minute survey online and then do all the office work that went along with that. I had 36 of the Provo families that I was responsible for in a team of 3. We had to get these families to take the surveys plus we would go into their home, hook the kids up to electrodes that monitor their physiological changes in their body (kinda like an EKG), run through a few different tasks with them while videotaping them and then do that office work too. It was seriously an opportunity of a lifetime because it is so rare that undergraduates get this type of hands on research experience. 

A lot of people have asked me what they have found from the study. There are 8 professors on the study and all write research articles based on their specific focus. If anyone reading this is interested just let me know and I could refer you to some really interesting articles! They go anywhere from dad's helping their kid's learn persistence to violent video games leading to aggression.  

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I have had this summer. It has meant so much to me and taught me A LOT. I have made amazing connections as well as some of the best, hard working friends I'll ever know. It has better prepared me for graduate school as well as has solidified my desire to further my education. I would recommend EVERYONE to get an experience like this. Find a professor and ask if you can do research with them. A lot are looking for students to help and the time you spend working with them will be well valued, I promise! 

I could really discuss this for days because I have loved this project so much this summer. They are looking for new research assistants for next summer (or will be later in the fall) so anyone interested let me know and I'll tell you how to get in contact with the field director. 

Anyway, here is some documentation of our team this summer :) 

Love them. 

This is us in our office on our last team meeting day. We work in the JFSB which is BY FAR the sweetest building on campus :) 

We wanted to have some team bonding time so we went up to City Creek in Salt Lake. It was so much fun!

Our absolutely delicious cheesecake at the cheesecake factory. Have to admit... it was my first time ever eating there and was amazing of course. I LOVED it!

This is Chantel, she was on my little Provo team. I loved working with her so much and am so sad (yet proud of her) she graduated this summer and is going on a mission. Definitely a friend I will always remember!

 Official :) 

Loved them. Loved this summer. Loved the project. Love families that flourish. 

Final Composition

Last Monday I finished one of my favorite classes I took at BYU, contemporary dance. 

I did not grow up dancing... I actually grew up doing just the opposite. In high school I was an athlete, I played volleyball and ran track. Once I came to college though, I wanted to try something new and decided dancing would be a lot of fun. I started out with a History of dance class then took beginning ballet my freshman and sophomore year. My junior year I decided to switch it up since I wasn't quite getting the ballet technique down and took beginning jazz. I have always had an  interest in contemporary dance as that is probably the closest style to my crazy dancing at home so my senior year I decided to try contemporary out. 

I absolutely loved it!

Since my freshman year I've had a goal of performing in front of an audience sometime before I die.

I can proudly say I have finally accomplished that goal :) 

At the end of my contemporary class we had a final composition which was a 2 minute dance we had to choreograph our selves and perform in front of the class as well as others who were invited. Here is the dance my group choreographed. I was really happy about how it turned out!

Just a little disclaimer: the girls I danced with have been dancing for 20 years so try not to compare... I'm clearly not good but I can say I had so much fun doing it and although not good I at least feel a lot more confident!  

BTW I am the one starting on the left.   

I just hope this can motivate other people to get out there, try something new, and accomplish your goals because really anything is possible no matter the age you start it :) 

Anniversary

A year ago yesterday was our 1 year anniversary! I can't believe it has already been a year since we got married. We have definitely gone through a lot in the past year that has brought us way closer.

Let me tell you, I have been so excited for our anniversary! The night before I was laying in bed unable to fall asleep as if it was my birthday or something. After thinking about that for a while I realized it is our little family's birthday! I love that idea. It's so fun to be able to share this "birthday" with the one person I love more than anything. I am so happy Clark and I took the step of faith a year ago and decided to conjoin our lives and merge them into one. It has been a crazy year that is for sure but I know it has made me a much better person. I can honestly say I have learned to become more selfless and recognize what is best for US and not just me and my life. I know being with Clark has made me recognize how I treat people as well as what things matter most in life. Clark has really shown me how to see the best in people and to give them the benefit of the doubt. More than anything Clark has made me feel good about who I am. I know the confidence I have in myself has increased exponentially because of Clark of which I am so grateful for. This has been something I have struggled with most of my life and I feel like I can finally see myself coming out of my shell and being comfortable with who I am around everyone.

I love how Clark has had that effect on me. 

Anyway... enough about my feelings... I can talk about them for days. 

Here is a little look into how our anniversary went. Clark sure did spoil me this weekend. 

 Swimming at our hotel, the Chateaux, in Deer Valley 

Walking around Deer Valley's little village.

I tried out the red lipstick look that night... not sure what I think about it yet 

We had THE most amazing dinner I have ever had out! It was a delicious 3 course meal for $100!! --Clark knows how to find the deals though and got it for $30. Proud of my man. 

Here is a pic of our asiago cheese bread. It was to die for. 

Oil and vinegar with thyme

Our drinks! 

My appetizer, Creminelli's fine meats with baguette, goat cheese, and marmalade. 

Clark's appetizer, fried clams with a mustard sauce and lemon juice. I am proud to say I really liked it!

My main dish, pork tenderloin with spinach and almond salad.

Clark got the steak

Such a cutie

My dessert, a chocolate pudding cake with berries. It was SO good. Way better than it looks in the picture.

Clark's, homemade blueberry gelato 

We hit the night on Main Street. Have to say I was a very happy girl. 

Love him. 

We later watched our wedding video and ate our wedding cake. Have to say it was so good even after being frozen for a year! If anyone wants some let me know cause we have a lot left and it's just too good not to share!

The picture we took yesterday for our 1 year.