Better not to ask

Note to Self:

Sometimes I wonder what this world is coming to . . . and then I realize it's probably better not to ask. 

As part of my daily internet surfing, I made my way over to yahoo.com this afternoon. Here are some stories that blew my mind. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did! . . . or didn't. 

1. A gingerbread reenactment of "The Hunger Games":  

http://vimeo.com/55319569

2. Baby named "Hashtag" (plus other unusual names of the year):

 http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/most-unusual-baby-names-2012-201000510.html

3. Meggings. Male Leggings. Yeah, I wish I was joking too:  

http://shine.yahoo.com/the-thread-how-to/meggings-male-leggings-wearing-them-185200978.html

We live in a very special place boys and girls . . . where those things really do exist. Aren't we so lucky? 

Moral of the story? Things are going downhill. Enjoy your brain cells and high IQ scores while you still can! And remember . . .  it's best not to ask why. Just walk away. 

Traditional vs. online schooling

Note to Self:

We are blessed with a life full of amazing technology, but it's best not to forget the fundamentals.

With all of the technology available to us today, we have many opportunities to take classes online. While online schooling has its advantages, I believe in a more traditional route. People today are slowly growing accustomed to technology and forgetting the fundamentals that our society was based on; such as human interaction, responsibility, and punctuality.

If you asked me whether I would rather talk with someone on the phone or text them, I would choose the latter. If you told me I had to get a message to someone in person, I may argue that it would be easier by email or some social networking site. Is it because I am incapable of interacting with people? No. It’s simply because I’ve been raised in a generation where I don’t have to. This is just one problem that I’m referring to.  

Though the change that comes with technology is inevitable, a traditional school setting gives children and young adults the opportunity to have some practice in human interaction before they are sent out into the “real world” of adulthood. School gives students a chance to meet new people and learn how to cooperate with them. I believe that these years in school and these lessons are crucial to a person’s progress in society.

Besides human interaction, traditional schooling offers lessons in responsibility and punctuality that are not required with the flexibility of online classes. Online it’s easy to be inefficient and careless, a traditional school setting requires students to be more accountable for their choices and actions.

I’m not saying online schooling is all bad. I’ve taken a class or two online, myself. I do believe, however, that traditional schooling is the way to go, especially since many other aspects of our lives are so technologically driven.



P.S. This post was for a scholarship (which it turns out I can't apply for anyway).  But, instead of taking down the post, I'm going to leave it up. I really do believe everything I said. :)

Stand up

Note to Self:

You're never going to regret standing up for yourself, your morals, and what you believe to be right. 

We are all different with our own beliefs and opinions. We all have varying morals; that is to say, what seems wrong to one person may not seem wrong to another. To a point, we have to respect these differences. But from my experience, if you see something that goes against what you believe in, STAND UP. Don't sit back and watch it happen. 

Today at a church meeting, I witnessed something that caused me to stand up. 

A lovely family in my ward, with four beautiful children, was seated in the row behind me. I know the family pretty well and let me tell you, these are great kids. They are kids just the same, however, and it's asking a lot for them to sit completely still and quiet through a whole meeting. We've all been there. These sweet kids were walking around their row, talking quietly to each other while they tried to keep themselves occupied. Of course I could hear them, but it didn't bother me as I was able to intently listen to the speakers.

A man two seats down from me, however, was not having the same experience and was thoroughly annoyed by these children and continually turned around to tell them to be quiet. At one point during the final speaker's remarks, he turned around and nearly yelled at one of the children, "I have had enough of this. Sit down and SHUT UP." The little boy turned, walked over to his mom, asked her what the man had said to him, and quietly cried as she answered. 

I strongly believe I'm not the only one who sees a problem with the situation I just described. Were the children talking? Sure, anyone would admit that they were.But even if you were seated near them, if you tried at all to pay attention to the speaker, you would find that the children did not take away from the Spirit or meaning of the message. The speakers words could be heard clearly throughout the room, and the children did not change that. 

After the meeting ended, I stood up and quietly glanced over at the man. He had stood as well and was glaring back at the children. I took a deep breath and stated firmly, "What you said to those kids was uncalled for. There was no reason for you to do that." As soon as I had finished speaking, his glaring eyes turned towards me as he furiously replied, "No. What those kids were doing was uncalled for." At that moment I knew that nothing I said would change his mind, but I wasn't about to let him get the better of me. As I gathered my thoughts other men and woman who had witnessed the same thing, stood up with me and expressed their disappointment in his actions. The man retreated and the rest of us helped the confused and upset children out of the building. 

Perhaps that man learned nothing from the meeting today. Clearly he wasn't listening to the speakers who, ironically, were talking about how we should be more Christ-like and kind to others. Perhaps he will continue to do the same thing down the road. And perhaps there's nothing I, or anyone else, could do or say to change that. But standing up for what I thought was right today, is something I will never regret. I'm sure those who stood up with me feel the same. 

There have been times in my life when I haven't stood up. I've sat back and let it all happen. And even though some of those times are long past, I still regret doing nothing. Because, at the end of the day, I could have made a difference if I had tried. Maybe that man will think twice next time he turns to yell at a child and maybe I helped make that difference in his life. Even if I didn't and even if he wont, I don't regret a thing I said or did. I know that I was standing up for what I believed to be right. I always want to be able to stand up, no matter the situation. 

I know we all have different ideas, values, morals, beliefs, and everything else . . . but even though they may conflict each other at times, I hope that all of you (whoever is reading this) will stand up for what you believe in too.

You can make a difference. Just stand up and try. :) 

"All that is necessary for the triumph of  evil is that good men do nothing." 

- Edmund Burke

Use that power

Note to Self: 

Girls: don't get upset when guys make it your job (the woman's job) to do the shopping. Use the power to your advantage. 

At my work, the male to female ratio is roughly 4 to 1. And yet this...

... is the soap that we have in the office. I bet you can guess which gender buys it. Ladies, there are advantages to filling the roles that the guys expect us to. We get to do it OUR WAY. So don't get upset when the guys tell us it's our "job" to do the shopping and cleaning and such. Use that power. Buy the lavender or hand renewal soap. It'll make your day better. :)