One Hectic, Sleepless Weekend (4)

This last weekend was so crazy. I barely slept at all but had such a good time because my entire weekend was spent busily doing things!

So here is what I did!

Thursday

Jessica and I bumped into a happy little character which was promoting something or other...but the point was we saw a whale on campus.

After class I went on a date with Brandon and we got to go the Temple, it is SO BEAUTIFUL at night. We didn't go in but we got to be outside and the stars were out. It was so lovely!

That night I went back to my dorm and tried to cram in 3 papers and edit another. I finally hit the sack at 2:30am and then woke back up at 5:30am!!

Friday

I went to class then I took my Book of Mormon test at the testing centre. After this, Brandon picked me up at midday and we travelled for 4 and a bit hours down to St. George, UT. 

 There I got to visit with the missionary who helped convert Mom to the gospel. His lovely wife Katrine was there and some of their kids :) It was great visiting again, and although we have only met once before it felt like I was back in the company of family. I really love being with familiar faces. They took us out for dinner and I ate a MEDIUM-RARE piece of STEAK. Now for those of you who know me you will realise that this was an achievement and a half. It was actually delicious. I feel disappointed that I haven't tried it before, but also that I broke my near-vegetarian diet. How messed up is that?

We looked at old photos because we found out that Brad served his mission where Brandon was living in South Africa and during the same time period too. Crazy coincidences. I got to look at gorgeous photos of my super hot mom. What a babe.

Brandon and I got ready for his mission companion's wedding reception and when we were looking snazzy we headed out. I met lots of nice people there, some interesting and others hilarious. I tried new food and just enjoyed myself. Adventures don't happen when you're sitting in your dorm room!

After the reception we drove the 4 hours back home, though it took longer because of some rain and wet roads. We temple hopped a bit and saw the St. George temple. Again, how mint is that! It was so gorgeous! You just feel the peace as soon as you walk in the gates!

Saturday

I got 4 hours sleep on Friday night because we got home late and then I had to get up early for Tarryn's birthday breakfast! I felt like I was a part of their great family, I loved having little children running around me and hearing the laughter and South African accents. I'm so grateful for my adopted sisters, Kelsey and Tayla. They keep me right and make me laugh. 

Tayla, Dallen and I went to Meredith's baptism in the afternoon. She is a member of my ward and just got baptised. It was so amazing, there was a big turnout at her baptism.

In the afternoon we went horseback riding in Payson. And it rained HARD on us. But it was so fun. I know Jess would be jealous because we got to ride as fast as we wanted and we didn't wear helmets or get lead around. We just had a good time, a group of about 7 of us. It was so nice.

 You will have to excuse the blurry photos, we had our phones in plastic bags to avoid water damage. It really was raining a lot!!!!

That evening we went and got Firehouse Subs for dinner and then went to the hot springs. They are really so hot. I could barely stand it, but it's definitely a great experience. We ended the night watching and quoting Pitch Perfect. It can't get much better than that. "I'm going to finish him like a cheesecake!" "Horizontal running!" "Oh no don't put me down for cardio." "Mmmmmm better not." "Aca-scuse me."

Sunday

On Sunday I had some quality roommate time and nap time. I love these three special girls so much. We get on so well and they are all so important to me. They make me laugh and help me when I cry and they get excited for me and sad for me and just always support me. I couldn't have chosen three better roommates myself. 

A special shout out to my home girl, Jess. She reminds me of home in every way...from her accent and funny sayings to her cravings for decent crisps and chocolate. Thanks for our hour long talks every night which keep me sane and act as a therapist session! Love you girl.

Today!

Today I woke up just before 7am as class started at 8am for me. I went to school, then work, then I studied. Well I tried to before my best mate Jack skyped. It was so awesome seeing him in his dorm in Scotland and me being here but knowing our friendship was still in tact. It's tough being apart from the people that were always there for you but skyping was just so awesome. He made me laugh just like old times.

Tonight we had ward home evening where our huge ward is divided into 6 FHE (family home evening) groups. We get together every monday for an activity. Tonight we played football. I mean soccer. I have to try use the "right" words now I'm in America ;) I scored a goal which I feel epic about even though I'm pretty sure Ranse let it in on purpose...I've never played before so he had to have been a bit lenient! It was fun all in all. I loved running around with my new American buds.

So that's me up to date for now! Love you guys, I miss those of you who are a continent away. Keep me posted with your lives, I care about the little things!

Clauds X

Reflection on Rhetoric (3)

This past week I had the chance to learn more about writing and American history than I have in my life. We had a rhetorical analysis paper due and so to complete this I had to analyze a speech given by Mitt Romney in 2007. We were able to choose which speech we analyzed but I felt that analyzing a speech entitled "Faith in America" was a great chance for me to learn more about the history of the country I'm living in.

I really enjoyed researching many new historical figures which were mentioned in this address. I learned about the influence that John F. Kennedy had as the first catholic President. I learned that faith has always been a founding aspect of the American heritage, in fact the country was formed by religious men. 

I really enjoyed reading Mitt Romney's own feelings on his religious beliefs. It surprised me that he was ready to lose the election by mentioning his faith, but he had to be honest about his faith. It was inspiring for sure. 

I learned how to identify persuasive tools in a rhetorical piece of writing, and therefore I will be able to use this later myself in my own writing.

So that's an update on part of what I was doing last week. This writing class is surprisingly fun and interesting. I can't wait to post more about my experiences! 

Have a great day!

At My Mother's Knee (2)

According to studies, children who know their family stories are more resilient in trials and hardships. So I started considering if I had found that to be true in my own life. So firstly, who is my family?

My family is a small group of independent yet dependent people. Yes, that's a confusing statement but actually it's true. We are all very capable of surviving and functioning alone, and sometimes we feel like we are so capable that we come off headstrong and our opinions clash. At the same time, however, we are all very dependent on each other. I know I need my parents and sister so badly, especially now that I'm away from them. We depend on each other for security, happiness, loyalty, love, and advice. This is my family:

So what family stories and traditions have I learnt at my Mother's knee? Well a lot of stories actually come from my Dad, so I suppose we could start at my Father's knee. My dad used to tell us bedtime stories all the time. They would mostly be stories of his childhood and his family. I learnt that you need to love your siblings through thick and thin. I heard many stories about crazy events that went on, but I also learnt that looking after each other is most important. Once dad told me his brother brought knuckle-dusters to the bus to deal with a bully problem. Okay, violence isn't encouraged but I learnt from that event that Jessica needs to be my number one. I'm her big sister and I need to protect her. And when we weren't fighting, I was definitely trying to protect her!

My Mom is an amazing example to me. I never really appreciated the love of a mother until I didn't have her physical presence around me all of the time. The day we parted at the SLC airport was a really hard one. My Mom has been the tradition maker and keeper in my life. Every Christmas when we set up the Christmas tree, Jess and I take turns "flying the angel" to the top of the tree. We have done it since I was little and it's a precious tradition to me. I guess this year Jess will get to do it since I'll be in Utah when they set it up but then again I did get to do it last Christmas!

Another tradition is family cuddles. It started way-back-when. I mean I can't even remember the first time it happened. I always assumed it would die off as I grew older but no other feeling can really compare to squishing four people into a bed for two people. The cuddle session only lasted about 3 minutes as we got older, Dad couldn't hack the heat. I still remember the great feeling of crawling into bed to sleep a little longer with the family!

I could write about my family all day, but I suppose I should finish up and actually study - yay for being in university!

Basically I believe the theory that children cope better knowing family stories and having firm traditions behind them. I can draw on the experiences of my Mom and Dad to help guide my life and actions. I can also recall memories to make me happy when I am far away from them. I have had about 1 hour of homesickness this whole time and I have coped pretty well with being on a different continent, 7360km away. 

So thank you, Family. I love you!

Thought for the day: "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Have a great day!

My First Post (1)

Hello to the blogging world. Some of you may be wondering why I set up this blog and the truth is that it is part of an assignment for my Writing 150 class. I was a bit apprehensive at first but I feel like this blog is going to be great way to complete this course successfully and also reach out to family and friends back home in Northern Ireland and South Africa.

My first assignment from Sister Steadman was to read two talks from Elder David A. Bednar which have the same general message: share the gospel with social media while using it wisely. The first talk, entitled "Things As They Really Are", can be found here. The second talk is called "To Sweep The Earth As With A Flood" and it may be found in this link.

I learnt two great things from these talks. Firstly, it is our duty and also our privilege as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to share the gospel. Elder Bednar explains: "We are blessed to live, learn, and serve in this most remarkable dispensation. An important aspect of the fulness that is available to us in this special season is a miraculous progression of innovations and inventions that have enabled and accelerated the work of salvation." With all of these great tools for missionary work, why do more of us not jump at the chance to share this happy Gospel with our friends, family, and neighbors? We click a button and an email is sent, a video link is shared, or a picture is uploaded. We can use these advancements in technology for such good if we make the decision to do so. We have the chance to uplift the lives of those around us by using social media in appropriate ways.

The second thing I learnt from Elder Bednar was to be true to yourself. We are sons and daughters of a great King, and we should treat ourselves that way. Social media and gaming can provide an opportunity to remove ourselves from the real world and live in a virtual world under a false identity. Of course many would argue that it's just a game, it doesn't mean anything, it's all anonymous anyway, no one can trace it back to you. But that's the point. YOU are not an anonymous being. You are a real being with divine potential that needs to be fulfilled in the real world. Submerging ourselves for hours each day under an alias is damaging to the real relationships in the real world. If we spent more time in the real world and less time lost in fantasy, our efficiency would increase. Efficiency at work, at making friends, at sharing the gospel. Be loyal to the royal within you. Make the most out of your life as you can!

I suppose I may have learnt more from writing this post than you did from reading it, but that's because I got the chance to look inside myself and see what I thought about what Elder Bednar was teaching us. Maybe you could do the same.

Thought for the day: "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." (D&C 58:27)

Have a great day!