Step 1: Ascertain that one is in possession of reasonably large quantities of ice cream.
Step 2: Seek alternative ways to direct one's attention and focus, such as homework, painting one's nails, baking cookies, etc.
Step 3: Remind oneself calmly, on occasion, that the events of the day are certain and beyond one's power to alter.
Step 4: Try not to cry.
Step 5: Warn those nearby of the eventual necessity of tears.
Step 6: Be honest with oneself and embrace the surety of pain and tears.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Confession
Let's just be honest here.
The real reason I watch Downton Abbey is for the clothes.
I drooled over a few of Sybil's and Mary's gowns. And also Mary's hats.
I almost cried at Mary's headband for her wedding dress.
The real reason I watch Downton Abbey is for the clothes.
I drooled over a few of Sybil's and Mary's gowns. And also Mary's hats.
THE. HAT.
One of my VERY favorites.
It's just so beautiful. Really.
I'm really mad there isn't a picture of my favorite of Sybil's gowns. OH WELL. We'll have to make do with this.
(I wish you could see her whole coat here--it's GORGEOUS)
Isn't it so pretty?
Here, look at it some more.
And actually let's just look at her whole dress while we're at it.
I would wear something like that. I would. It's so simple, yet elegant...I just love it.
I mean sure, the characters are pretty cool, the story line is interesting and engaging, and also MARY AND MATTHEW, but I watch this show because 1920's fashion.
I think that's reason enough, don't you?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Gratitude
I have been blessed with some of the most amazing friends anyone could have.
I honestly could not tell you what I did for Heavenly Father to allow me the privilege to know these girls, but I am so grateful for all they have done and continue to do in guiding and blessing my life.
I hope you know, I think you are absolutely incredible.
And I love you.
A ton.
I honestly could not tell you what I did for Heavenly Father to allow me the privilege to know these girls, but I am so grateful for all they have done and continue to do in guiding and blessing my life.
I hope you know, I think you are absolutely incredible.
And I love you.
A ton.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
In Which Lara Is Rather Quite Feminist
I have a little itty problem.
Sometimes people make me angry in their discussion of or treatment of girls.
I'm well aware that although the Church itself is about as far from misogynistic as you can get, some of the people in it can be just that.
Case in point:
Today I was walking home from class in front of a group of boys. They were talking about a girl. The conversation went something like this:
Boy 1: "...she's in the same major as my mom."
Boy 2: "What major is that?"
Boy 1: "Family and Consumer Science. So, like a 'life' major."
Boy 2: "She's basically training herself to be a wife and mom!"
Boy 1: "Yeah. And she can cook really well. She'd be a great wife."
Boy 2: "That's awesome!" (proceeds to ask him about dating her, etc.)
When I stopped at the crosswalk I realized I was all but fuming with anger.
I am BY NO MEANS saying that there is ANYTHING wrong with majoring in Family and Consumer Science. Kudos to that girl; I'm sure she's awesome. My issue here lies with the boys.
In particular, the way the fact that she was majoring in FaCS made her immediately much more attractive to them.
Now, I'm sure these are good boys who want a wife and a family someday, and I fully support that. But the tone of their conversation sent the message that this girl was superior to other girls on the dating scene because she was in a "wife-training" major, and that it would be a turn-OFF if a girl were in a less family-focused field of study such as, say, engineering or something.
Let me explain this to you.
I am an engineering major. I LOVE doing all the stereotypically "boy" things like math, physics, chemistry, computer systems, good old-fashioned "numbers and equations and analysis" problem-solving. I fully intend on getting married and having a family and placing my family as my first priority in life. I don't care if I never get the chance to actually have a CAREER in my field, because I'm learning problem-solving approaches that will help me in whatever I do for the rest of my life. I've already seen how my major is going to make me a better wife and mother, and I'm not all that far into it yet.
And yet a lot of the boys I meet--dare I say?--more than half of them, display either a visible or an audible negative reaction when I tell them what my major is.
That makes me sad. Because of things like this quote, straight from the mouth of President Hinckley: "In this day and time, a girl needs an education. She needs the means and skills by which to earn a living should she find herself in a situation where it becomes necessary to do so.
"The whole gamut of human endeavor is now open to women. There is not anything you cannot do if you will set your mind to it. I am grateful that women today are afforded the same opportunity to study for science, for the professions, and for every other facet of human knowledge. You are as entitled as are men to the Spirit of Christ, which enlightens every man and woman who comes into the world.
"You can include in your dreams of the woman you would like to be a picture of one qualified to serve society and make a significant contribution to the world of which she will be a part. Set your priorities in terms of marriage and family, but also pursue educational programs which will lead to satisfying work in case you do not marry, or to a sense of security and fulfillment in the event you do marry. Education will increase your appreciation and refine your talent." (x)
I think a lot of boys here don't realize that or don't really think about it. Just because a girl isn't majoring in FaCS doesn't mean she doesn't want to be married and have a family just as much as a girl who is, and I wish boys wouldn't treat girls who are pursuing maybe less-traditionally feminine studies as less qualified for marriage.
...okay I think I'm done now thanks for listening to my rant on misogyny have a nice day.
Sometimes people make me angry in their discussion of or treatment of girls.
I'm well aware that although the Church itself is about as far from misogynistic as you can get, some of the people in it can be just that.
Case in point:
Today I was walking home from class in front of a group of boys. They were talking about a girl. The conversation went something like this:
Boy 1: "...she's in the same major as my mom."
Boy 2: "What major is that?"
Boy 1: "Family and Consumer Science. So, like a 'life' major."
Boy 2: "She's basically training herself to be a wife and mom!"
Boy 1: "Yeah. And she can cook really well. She'd be a great wife."
Boy 2: "That's awesome!" (proceeds to ask him about dating her, etc.)
When I stopped at the crosswalk I realized I was all but fuming with anger.
I am BY NO MEANS saying that there is ANYTHING wrong with majoring in Family and Consumer Science. Kudos to that girl; I'm sure she's awesome. My issue here lies with the boys.
In particular, the way the fact that she was majoring in FaCS made her immediately much more attractive to them.
Now, I'm sure these are good boys who want a wife and a family someday, and I fully support that. But the tone of their conversation sent the message that this girl was superior to other girls on the dating scene because she was in a "wife-training" major, and that it would be a turn-OFF if a girl were in a less family-focused field of study such as, say, engineering or something.
Let me explain this to you.
I am an engineering major. I LOVE doing all the stereotypically "boy" things like math, physics, chemistry, computer systems, good old-fashioned "numbers and equations and analysis" problem-solving. I fully intend on getting married and having a family and placing my family as my first priority in life. I don't care if I never get the chance to actually have a CAREER in my field, because I'm learning problem-solving approaches that will help me in whatever I do for the rest of my life. I've already seen how my major is going to make me a better wife and mother, and I'm not all that far into it yet.
And yet a lot of the boys I meet--dare I say?--more than half of them, display either a visible or an audible negative reaction when I tell them what my major is.
That makes me sad. Because of things like this quote, straight from the mouth of President Hinckley: "In this day and time, a girl needs an education. She needs the means and skills by which to earn a living should she find herself in a situation where it becomes necessary to do so.
"The whole gamut of human endeavor is now open to women. There is not anything you cannot do if you will set your mind to it. I am grateful that women today are afforded the same opportunity to study for science, for the professions, and for every other facet of human knowledge. You are as entitled as are men to the Spirit of Christ, which enlightens every man and woman who comes into the world.
"You can include in your dreams of the woman you would like to be a picture of one qualified to serve society and make a significant contribution to the world of which she will be a part. Set your priorities in terms of marriage and family, but also pursue educational programs which will lead to satisfying work in case you do not marry, or to a sense of security and fulfillment in the event you do marry. Education will increase your appreciation and refine your talent." (x)
I think a lot of boys here don't realize that or don't really think about it. Just because a girl isn't majoring in FaCS doesn't mean she doesn't want to be married and have a family just as much as a girl who is, and I wish boys wouldn't treat girls who are pursuing maybe less-traditionally feminine studies as less qualified for marriage.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Cambiar
Last night, something a little unusual and kind of funny happened.
My life changed.
And not just a little shift or a tiny alteration. It changed dramatically for good.
I'm not sure I can pinpoint one thing that spurred it, but everything has been jump-started in the best way imaginable. It's almost like my life was a system of gears, complex and yet astonishingly simple, waiting for one final piece to fit in before it could leap into a glorious whir of motion.
Well, that last piece clicked into place yesterday, and I have never felt so good about anything before. For the first time in ages my thoughts, desires, actions, and beliefs are sliding into perfect, almost supernal alignment. I feel free and decidedly attuned and I'm ready to plunge myself, heart and soul, into doing the work of Him who loves, trusts, and values me more than anyone else ever could.
I'm going to need His support now more than ever, but I step forward with the embedded and abiding certainty that He will never let me fall.
I know I've expressed sentiments like this before, but it's never been quite like this. Because this time I've had the courage to make an immense (albeit necessary) change, and it's propelled me in a giant step toward my potential and the blessings of heaven.
I love the Lord; in Him my soul delights. I am prepared to offer unto Him my whole heart--to make serving in His kingdom my first and favorite thing to do.
I'm writing this here to remind myself for the future--I have never felt more at peace or more filled with courage than I do right now. If ever I find myself feeling lost, burdened, or hopeless, I need only step back a realign my priorities with the priorities of heaven.
People may doubt this gospel, but I cannot doubt it myself. How can something that makes me feel so lastingly good, so whole be in any way wrong?
My life changed.
And not just a little shift or a tiny alteration. It changed dramatically for good.
I'm not sure I can pinpoint one thing that spurred it, but everything has been jump-started in the best way imaginable. It's almost like my life was a system of gears, complex and yet astonishingly simple, waiting for one final piece to fit in before it could leap into a glorious whir of motion.
Well, that last piece clicked into place yesterday, and I have never felt so good about anything before. For the first time in ages my thoughts, desires, actions, and beliefs are sliding into perfect, almost supernal alignment. I feel free and decidedly attuned and I'm ready to plunge myself, heart and soul, into doing the work of Him who loves, trusts, and values me more than anyone else ever could.
I'm going to need His support now more than ever, but I step forward with the embedded and abiding certainty that He will never let me fall.
I know I've expressed sentiments like this before, but it's never been quite like this. Because this time I've had the courage to make an immense (albeit necessary) change, and it's propelled me in a giant step toward my potential and the blessings of heaven.
I love the Lord; in Him my soul delights. I am prepared to offer unto Him my whole heart--to make serving in His kingdom my first and favorite thing to do.
I'm writing this here to remind myself for the future--I have never felt more at peace or more filled with courage than I do right now. If ever I find myself feeling lost, burdened, or hopeless, I need only step back a realign my priorities with the priorities of heaven.
People may doubt this gospel, but I cannot doubt it myself. How can something that makes me feel so lastingly good, so whole be in any way wrong?
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Inspired
Things I apparently need to work on (per stake conference):
Service (particularly visiting teaching and my callings)
Regular temple attendance
FSI (good thing I got called to the FSI committee, eh?)
Not being scared of people
Praying for "what more can I do that's right?" (Sister Oaks is THE BEST.)
I love going to meetings and hearing exactly what I've been a little confused about clarified and explained in just the way I need to hear it. Our 146-stake conference today was incredible, and I had my testimony strengthened incredibly.
THREE WEEKS UNTIL GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Service (particularly visiting teaching and my callings)
Regular temple attendance
FSI (good thing I got called to the FSI committee, eh?)
Not being scared of people
Praying for "what more can I do that's right?" (Sister Oaks is THE BEST.)
I love going to meetings and hearing exactly what I've been a little confused about clarified and explained in just the way I need to hear it. Our 146-stake conference today was incredible, and I had my testimony strengthened incredibly.
THREE WEEKS UNTIL GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Monday, September 10, 2012
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