Gilbert Fever

When discussing the most common illnesses plaguing the 21st century, typical answers include AIDS, the bird flu and obesity. Few people, however, mention Gilbert Fever. This disease manifests itself after reading or watching Anne of Green Gables. Its symptoms include dissatisfaction with the boys in your life, lucid dreams involving dark, handsome men breaking slates over your head, responding to Anne-girl and Carrots rather than your birth name, and falling deeply in love with a completely fictional character. 

Falling for a fictional character poses some interesting problems. If your crush was simply Hollywood’s hottest thing, say the new band, New Directions, you have a shot at meeting them. You can fantasize over shaking hands with Liam Nielson back stage, feeling an electrifying and addicting spark, a short engagement, followed by frolicking into a British sunset while singing “That’s What Makes you Beautiful.” Chances of this happening: almost zero. When you crush on Gilbert, you have zero chance of him sweeping you off your feet and bringing you to his home where you live your days as a contented Mrs. Blythe. Teenage girls temporarily crush over New Direction’s suave voices and god-blessed faces, but their popularity will fade as the girls grow up and find men of their own. Gilbert Fever, however, is not a stage grown out of; the impossibility of a live Gilbert makes him irresistible. If you tell a girl she cannot have Gil because he is fictional, it is scientifically proven she will want him more.

Why would you want Gilbert, you might ask? 

“I have a dream," he said slowly. "I persist in dreaming it, although it has often seemed to me that it could never come true. I dream of a home with a hearth-fire in it, a cat and dog, the footsteps of friends -- and YOU!” 

As Mary Poppins would say, he's "practically perfect in every way." 

Palimpsests, Bonnie and Clyde, Pink Pants, Adele's Future Child and The Beast

My brain feels as if the Manhattan Project did all of their trial runs in my head. And then huge gusts of wind came in through my left ear, and never escaped through the right. So many times has my mind been blown this week, it is blown if it isn't blown. Try figuring that one out.

So instead of telling you why life is quickly careening out of safe waters, I want to share the things that have kept me tethered tightly to the mainstay of my ship.

First of all, I discovered a new word today. It is a beautiful, descriptive, exquisite, brilliant word. And I'm pretty sure 99.5634% of the world's English speaking population doesn't know it exists.
Palimpest: noun. A parchment or the like from which writing has been partially or completely erased to make room for another text.
My life is a palimpsest. I scribble down theories, philosophies, political opinions, what I like in guys, what I hate in guys, what the best way to get home from campus is so fast that my hand cramps up. Before I've had the chance to rest my tired hand, or simply plug in my dying laptop, I have to quickly erase everything I wrote so I can make room for changing theories on life, boys and routes home.
I'm obsessed with this word.

Second of all, I discovered a new musical. Usually I'm not the type of girl to spend all of her time discovering new music on the YouTube. In fact, I'm never that girl. Good music finds me, and when it does, I listen to it. Sometimes I play it, but only if I'm in a secluded room in the HFAC or the Elm's Room of Requirement (a.k.a. the lobby that no one knows exists). This song found me today. I think I listened to it 50 times while doing creative writing homework. Overkill? Maybe... But for some reason, this song twisted its way into my heart and makes me feel happy and calm. Which is ironic, because it's entitled "Dyin' Ain't So Bad." Not exactly sunshine and roses, but still, it kept me sane.

Third of all, I wore bright pink pants today. For anyone that hasn't reveled in the beauty of a similar experience, I suggest you try it immediately. Power comes to wearers of pink pants.

Fourth of all, Adele is pregnant. I don't really think this helps me stay sane, but I thought it was funny imagining Adele belting "Set Fire to the Rain" to her little newborn as she falls asleep. Did you know Adele's name meant "noble" in Spanish?

Fifth of all, THE OLYMPICS are coming up. I ran 9 miles earlier this week and felt pretty accomplished, but watching the world greatest athletes is inspiring. Biggest OLYMPIC news of night come from the land of Jamaica. You all remember Usain Bolt, the most phenomenal, incredible, crazy runner from last OLYMPICS?

You remember? Goodie. So he got creamed in the 100 meter dash tonight, but a man known as The Beast. .11 seconds. In a race that's only about 9 seconds to begin with, that's a pretty huge margin. It just goes to  show that OLYMPIC champions have to fight for the top spot; no slacking off and expecting your reign to continue. Also, they are running so fast it's ridiculous. http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/trackandfield/story/_/id/8114660/2012-olympics-games-yohan-blake-beats-usain-bolt-100-meters-jamaican-trials.
THE OLYMPICS ARE COMING. GET READY.

So that's why my brain is still firmly lodged in my head at this late hour. If it weren't for these five things, you might be looking at a vastly different scene. Thank heavens for palimpsests, Bonnie and Clyde, pink pants, Adele's future child and The Beast.

Surprise is the Spice of Life

One of my life dreams is to have surprise birthday party thrown for me. This may be slightly conceited and self-absorbed of me, but I love surprises. I would venture to say that I love surprises more than the average person. Again, this may be slightly conceited and self-absorbed, but I've been living in the world of academia for the last couple of weeks, so I feel justified in being a little self-aware. And now that I think about it, school is an awful justification for saying conceit. School should make you more aware of other lifestyles and people. Oh well.

For real though. The element of surprise is one of the best parts of life. I know that scientists are trying to discover more of the basic elements that makes up the earth and it's living organisms. To my knowledge, they haven't "discovered" surprise yet. Such as shame.. It is one of the basic components of any good party, social gathering, really anything fun at all. Surprising someone is just a good feeling.

It's like when you leave for school one day with your room looking like a tornado touched down in it, and you come back with the floor clean, clothes folded and hung up, and your favorite snack waiting on your bed to get you the next day of rehearsal and homework. 

Or it's like when you meet a person that gets your sense of humor and thrives on spontaneity as much as you do.

Or when you thought you lost your favorite shirt, only to find it in your best friends closet.

Or when you are in the living room listening to your dad talk on the phone while watching Dragon Tales, and you hear him say he can't speak in church because his family is going to be in Washington D.C. for the weekend. Ahh... Surprise!! :D 

Or when you hide yourself in your best friends closet because she doesn't know that you are home in Minnesota.

It's kind of like that one time where you were put in charge of the lights at a surprise party, and forgot to turn them on when the birthday girl walked through the door. Moral of the story: you can surprise people in the dark and when it is light out!

Whoever said variety is the spice of life was wrong. Ehhh, I take it back. But I would venture to say that variety is only one of the many spices of life. And when you compare it to a good ole fashioned surprise? Variety tastes quite bland in comparison.

I Don't Want to Brag, But...

Everyone says they have the best mother in the world. It's not true, unless it's coming from one of the seven kids raised by my mom. I truly do have the best mom in the world. If you think I'm lying, well this post should convince you.

First of all: she ran a half marathon a couple of weeks ago. That's 13 miles straight, people. Furthermore, she did it in the rain and wind. I think it would be pushing it for me to run 13 miles in slightly sunny and breezy conditions.

Second of all: she has a second sense for knowing when people need help. It's incredible how in tune she is to signals being sent that 99% of people don't pick up on. So many people depend emotionally on her, and yet she finds time for everyone.

Third of all: she is a lady that tries over and over again if something doesn't work the first time. Take for example our family garden. We have probably tried over the course of half a dozen years to plant something. Most of the time, we plant too late or water it too little, so the yield is pretty small. And yet, we try again the next year. We have to get it right eventually.

Fourth of all: she has made a commitment to teaching her children. She taught me how to read by the time I was 3 and started me on piano when I was 4. Both of these things have had profound influence on my life and the decisions I have made.

Fifth of all: she introduced me to BBC. Where would I be without my memories of staying up late just putting "one more" Pride and Prejudice tape or Bleak House DVD in? And those Pirot episodes are just phenomenal. :)

Sixth of all: she knows which battles to fight, and which ones to give up on. Lost cause: asking AK how clean her room is in college. Winning cause: getting AK to finish Personal Progress and find a job.

Seventh of all: she makes delicious fajitas. I haven't had a good fajita since I came to college, and I'm really craving one right about now. My mother's fajitas are the best food on the planet. I need to figure out how to do it as well as she does.

Eighth of all: she has made our home a sanctuary from the world. You step in, and an innate sense of calm washes over you. So much more peaceful then the hellish hallways of high school. (Awesome alliteration, AK. Why thank you.)

Ninth of all: she is an amazing wife. She supports my father in his calling, work, coaching, and everything else. I seldom hear her complain about his lack of extra time to spend doting on all of us. She puts in effort into their relationship, and does all she can to make it as happy as possible.

Tenth of all: she is one of my best friends. She is a lady who I know will love me no matter what, and is someone I can call regardless of the topic. There are very few people like that, and I love her because of it.

As you can see, I have the best mom in the world. Happy Mother's Day to all you mother's out there!

Opportunity Costs

I hope you didn't forget about me in my absence. I understand it has been a while, but that is no reason to just go on move on with your life. If you have forgot about me, well let me reintroduce myself.

My name is Anne Katherine, but most people call me AK.

Yes, like the gun.

Oh, like AK is AKA for Anne Katherine? You are so original! *condescending tone*

All sarcasm being set aside, I've had both of those conversations probably one hundred times over the last couple of weeks. It truly inspires me how predictable the first minute of conversation will go with someone I haven't met yet.

But that isn't my inspiration of the night! That would be a lame thing to base the entirety of this post about. No, no, tonight's topic is opportunity cost.

If you don't want to feel a little nerded out by the end of this, now would be a good time to stop reading.

Opportunity cost is a beautiful thing. Everyone thinks in terms of it, but few people realize it. For example: Let us say AK needs to go to the grocery store because she only has one solitary can of Cream of Mushroom soup in her cupboard. She is about to get her amazing and beautiful roommate Ellen to take her to the Creams when all of a sudden, Zac Efron calls AK and asks her if she would like to go to dinner with him. She can either pay for food for the week and have something to eat, or she can go on a date with one of the most beautiful people in the world. Whatever she gives up is the opportunity cost of the situation.

Sadly, this is not a true story.

People, however, are constantly faced with decisions. Do I nap or study? Do I run or eat cookies? Do I run and eat cookies, but not do my homework? Every decision brings some sort of opportunity cost.

At this point of the post, you may be asking why giving something up in every decision made is inspiring. Let me tell you. Humans possess the innate ability to measure the worth of goods or activities in their head. Imagine if I had been hypothetically faced with having to decide whether to go grocery shopping or on a date with Zac Efron without being able to measure which one I found more valuable! The capability to decide what one prefers in a given situation is something I am finding more and more incredible. Agency is a beautiful thing. Opinions are a beautiful thing. Arguments can be a beautiful thing, as a long as Newt Gingrich and his fallible logic is far away from them. I love the ability to look at a choice I have to make, measure the opportunity cost each prospect will incur, and then make a decision.

It is simple, I know. But sometimes it is worth taking the time to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the little things in life. Before you take the time to do so, however, you better think about what the opportunity cost will be.

P.S. Zac Efron is always the right answer. 

An Ode to Freshman Year

An Ode to Freshman Year:

In college you learn a lot of things,
Like time management and the art of cooking Mac n Cheese.
That is a lie,
I never made Mac n Cheese
Or Ramen.

In college you learn a lot of stuff,
Like what parking garages are best to hide in.
That is a truth,
I have much knowledge of on-campus parking garages.
They should have me teach a class.

In college you make a lot of friends,
But then they leave for two years.
That is a lie,
Some only leave for the summer.
Still.
I don't want to say good-bye.

As you can tell by the beautiful photos, I have the best friends in the world. They have all taught me how to be a better person, how to change, how to chill out, how to push yourself, and how to be yourself. It isn't very often you meet one person that does all that, much less many people that do all that.

Also, did you see the music video at the end? Further proof I have the best friends in the world. 

So, my dear freshman year, as you come to a close I wish to thank you. You have brought me much happiness, many friends, and no freshman 15. 

Life is good.

A Night of Watery Cliches

We have grown up hearing the timeless cliche, "just be yourself." That is a powerful statement. Few generations have been allowed such freedom of individual expression. If you want to be a punk, go for it. Valley girl? Right on. The only thing you can do wrong is not to be yourself.

So what if you want to be yourself, but you have lost sight of who you are?

Most of us have also heard the cliche, "When it rain, it pours." Sometimes life pours problems so persistently and so hard that it quickly turns into an ocean you find yourself struggling to swim in. It takes all concentration to just keep your head up out of the water. All familiar objects are drowned, and the guideposts you marked to help you gain bearing over your surroundings are now covered in the water. You frantically tread water, just hoping, praying, you can wait until the sun comes out and the water sinks back into the dirt. Hope. Pray. Hope. Pray. It is an exhausting cycle. It rains harder. The sun sometimes comes out, basks your face in warmth to remind you that you can make, clouds pass, normalcy returns. But what do you do until the water is gone? Sometimes your strength is gone. Sometimes it is just to much.

Water, much like the problems life throws at us, spurs growth. But water, much like the problems life throws at us, drowns out fire. It drowns the spark.

When you reach that point, just keep treading water. That's all one can do. One cannot control the sky, cloud coverage, or the inches of rain that fall. One cannot control when the sun comes out and how long it stays. The only thing one can control is if they sink or swim.

I choose to swim.

Comedy Central, Chuck Norris Style

Laughter is the best medicine. Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Therefore, if you are sick, promptly take a good dose of The Office and a piece of chocolate.

For the letter C, I decided to focus on one specific aspect of comedy: Chuck Norris jokes.

So sit back and relax, and enjoy some of my favorite Chuck Norrisisms of all time. And if you don't think that they are funny, go buy yourself some chocolate.

Chuck Norris eats through his teeth.

When Alexander Bell invented the telephone he had 3 missed calls from Chuck Norris.

Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience.

Chuck Norris will never have a heart attack. His heart isn't nearly foolish enough to attack him.

Chuck Norris was denied auditioning for "Mission Impossible", for obvious reasons.

Yea, that's enough.

The Alphabet: I Triple Dog Dare You to Try Writing Without It.

One of the most well-known songs in the English language is the ABC's. I'm sure it helps that Twinkle Twinkle Little Star has the same melody, but hey, everyone English speaking over the age of 2 can sing it. Furthermore, most people have the song memorized for the rest of their life. Reflecting on all the songs I have learned throughout the course of elementary, middle and high school, as well as college, I'm sure I only have a fraction of them still memorized. The alphabet is a national phenomenon.

So what is it that we are singing about? The alphabet is simply lines, squiggles and shapes in tandem to each other. Each of these lines represent a sound we are taught to make with our mouth. When put together, the sounds and lines combine to make words, which represent objects that we interact with. When words are put together, you gain the unique capability to not only identify objects, but express thoughts, emotions, ideas, likes and dislikes. You can ask questions and receive understanding. You can communicate with family, friends and the world. Perhaps most importantly, you can communicate with yourself.

Who decided that A would sound like ah, rather then oo, s or ch? Why does choo-choo represent the sound a train makes as it wakes you up at 3 in the morning? Why are you able to read this and comprehend what ideas I am trying to express?

I guess it doesn't matter. What does matter is we have words to symbolize the images that flash through our minds. Learning to effectively express yourself through writing and speech is a crucial ability in the world we live in. Words are power; words are the truest form of an object's essence.

Throughout the month of April, I will be participating in the <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2012-to-z-challenge-sign-up-list.html">A-Z challenge</a>. For you subscribers, that means your dashboard will be flooded with things that inspire me all month. Lucky you! My goal throughout this is to pick words that inspire me, inspire others, and inspire the world. Today, the alphabet inspires me; words inspire me; communication inspires me. So the question of the day is: How do you use your ability to write? If you could do one thing with your knowledge of the alphabet and the English language, what would it be?

If you know what you want to do with words, have you done it yet?

Life is good when you have a pen in hand and something to say.

Anne Katherine

I'd Like a Definition Please

There are lots of different definitions for the word express. For example:

I took the express train home so I did not have to stare at fields of corn for extended periods of time.
I shopped at Express because I feel classy when I wear their clothes.
I expressed water as H2O in my biology project so my professor knew that I was familiar with different elements and their ability to form bonds with each other.
My roommate defied my express command to give me all of her money.
When I expressed myself by wearing a classless shirt sent in the express mail from Express, BYU sent me on the express train home despite my express wishes to stay at school without letting me turn in my paper where water was expressed as H20.

You see?

Lately, I have been increasingly grateful for the ability to express. Life is a beautiful expression of the way you see yourself. Every morning, I decide what I wear, how I speak, walk, write, sing and interact with others. When I smile at someone, it is an expression of my gratitude for them in my life or my appreciation of the dumb joke they just made.

Tangent: Speaking of dumb jokes, in the elevator after the wedding reception, I made a pee joke. I was perfectly set up. We were parked on level P2... Talk about classless.

My new theory on life is one is happiest when they feel like they are expressing themselves efficiently, beautifully and originally. No one likes to feel as if they are being misunderstood and most people I know wish to make some kind of uniquely beautiful difference in the world- whatever that may be.

I'm trying to realize what form of expression makes me most happy. Whatever it is, that should probably be what I decide to major in and do later on in life. As of right now, I wish to ride the waves in the wind, feel the sun on my face and laugh at the world. (This is obviously my desire to express my frustration with productive days that never seem to get me any further then where I was before.)Unfortunately, I am not aware of any majors that teach you how to smile. It's kind of a lesson you have to learn as you learn your other lessons.

Whatever you do, see it as an expression of who you are. What do you do? Do you appreciate and enjoy what you do? Why do you do it if you don't like it? What makes you enjoy it if you do? Whether you like it or not, what you do and how you do it is an expressly stated expression of who you are expressly trying to become.

Get it? Got it? Good.

LOL

Childhood Memories from an ^Almost Adult

Life
By Benjamin Kotey

It takes a day to day to make a dream,
But it takes many nights for a seed to become a tree.

Life is a ladder that must be climbed.
But in every stage,

There are many rivers and battles to fight
And our hope determines our future.

Life is a trip through the wilderness 
And everyone must survive for success.

And without a determination
We can never reach our destination.

There are many roads in life,
But choice

Stands between the broad and the narrow.
But the world is not only what we see

But what we hear
Life is time and time is tide.

We are making an endless journey
But no ladder is without an end

Problems may fall like rain
But every seed has its seasons.


~~~

Today is my last official day of childhood. I graduated high school, left home, and went grocery shopping for myself for the first time months ago. But tomorrow I will be 18 years old. The idea of being 18 seems foreign to me: I won't have to call my dad when I'm on a date at Low's because I'm not old enough to decide if I can handle jumping into giant foam pits; I won't have to have my mom tell my hairdresser that she has permission to cut my hair from 1500 miles away; I can vote; I can even elope! I probably won't, but the point is, I could.

In 24 hours, I won't be a different person then who I am today. But this upcoming age has given me a chance to reflect on my childhood memories that make Anne Katherine who she really is.

I entertained the idea that my mom was an alien for a week, laid under my piano's keyboard when I needed to clear my thoughts, and recorded jokes with my brother on a tape cassette. Lion King hyenas lived in my basement, a donkey resided under my bed who ate my blanket if they hung off the end of my bed, and an alligator escaped from the zoo, traveled through the sewer system and tried to break into my room to eat me. I remember sitting on a circle chair in Hawaii watching girls dance with ribbons to a song about lollipops. One Fourth of July, my baby blanket started on fire from a little sparkler, and some nice lady in my ward patched up the whole with a heart.

I remember sitting on my parents floor when they called us to tell us that Camille was a girl, and not the Timothy that they were expecting; I saved my pretty red and white striped dress for when I got to visit her  for the very first time. Playing with bendy-fox, bendy-lion and bendy-gator on the carpet protector in our living room with Simeon and Christian. Wearing a Chinese outfit for Halloween and feeling Simeon's felt lion costume. Falling asleep every night holding Camille's hand through the crib; telling my mom that it was Camille who wanted to hold hands, but in reality, it was me who couldn't bear the thought of waking up with my sister not being there. Going to D.C. and walking into our house at the end of vacation, seeing all the presents under the tree and knowing that Santa Clause was real because my parents had been in a different state.  Duct taped whiffle balls and family truth or truth games that unfailingly ended in tears. Cardboard noodles, SPAM, pickle surprises. Tag around the main level, hiding Lorenzo in a laundry bin. Locking the babysitter out of the house and Kelsey Parkinson giving us cough drops as rewards for good behavior. "Joseph Smith Hide and Go Seek," "Preach my Gospel," and family trivia. Zachary Tyler. Queen Jane. Percy Jackson. Fielding falling asleep in my arms for the very first time. 6 years later, helping him read the Magic Tree House books. Text audits by the parents where they learn about their daughter's dating life. Sneaking into Abe's room when he was crying in the middle of the night because I was sick of hearing him scream and my parents were training him to sleep through the night. My mom catching me.Threatening my mom that I would quit piano; her responding that it was my choice, fully knowing that I never would.

Becoming friends with Angie because of an offer to bring the croutons to a salad. Going to primary in the Andover Ward for the first time, and desperately wanting Nick notice me as much as I noticed him. Meeting Lexi on the first day of 8th grade and wanting to someday be as friendly as she was. Weight training with Andrea sophomore year and developing an awesome friendship as we lifted and skipped running days. Jenna inviting me to a sleepover at her house for the first time for freshman year homecoming. Singing Sk8r Boi on the monkey bars with Marissa in fifth grade. Walks home with Brittney. Playing ultimate with Ellen, climbing over dressers with Shemaina. APUSH with Grant and Joe, chemistry with Max and Tom. Phil's "tooth hurty" jokes, Jack's Al Gore imitations. Plan Las Vegas at that one park with Marc. Beth's inventive hanger purses. Awkward lunch conversations in Nauvoo with Kevin, Jake and Chad. Pretty and witty Bennett sisters, backstage moments and Caribou runs with the theater kids. Tater tots and eye candy with the best choir nerds in Minnesota. Learning from my roommate's signature dance moves. Rachael's celebration of life. Prolly having well grammar with Brad and Austin. Zeegan and Greg's Iowa-Utah caucus confusion.

Skipping kindergarten, winning my first piano competition, making all-state, being the Witch, graduating from high school, getting Personal Progress, attending BYU.

Sister, daughter, student, musician, thinker, prayer, joker, creator, philosopher, friend, best friend.

This is who I am. I am inspired by the thousands of people that have influenced and nurtured me, laughed with me, and prayed with me. I hope that in the next 18 years, I will be able to take everything you have taught me and start to apply it to the world. I wish to make as much difference on others as you have on me.

To laughing, to loving, to living.

AK

~~~

But If Life Were Made of Moments,

Then we'd never known we had one.

Moments from today:

1. I have this theory that everyone resembles some kind of animal. Therefore, the person you are most romantically compatible with will resemble animals in the same family or group. Today, it was decided that I was a raccoon. 

I thought about posting a picture of myself after the raccoon so you could truly see the resemblance, but I thought that would be detrimental to my self esteem. I'm currently making a poster to place around campus reading, "WANTED: Any single male that resembles this picture. Average GPA of 3.5, 6'2" and relatively normal is preferred. Reward negotiable." 

I'm thinking a fair reward would be an eternity of good dinners. Maybe 10 unarguable diaper changes? If he's really raccoony, I might consider consenting to an engagement before my 18th birthday. We'll see who shows up.

Moment 2: Right in the middle of when I was using the restroom in the HFAC, my stall door swung open. 

Apparently, the HFAC bathroom locks are not as secure as they would like to have you believe. Luckily I noticed my predicament before anyone else did. Needless to say, I will not be using those toilets for a long time.

Moment 3: I'm packing up after biology when a guy walks up and starts talking to me for the first time. This is how it went:

"So we were on the bio website at the same time and I saw your name. My dad wanted me to ask you if you have any relatives that served a mission in Taiwan."

*Let's talk about this for a second. I have never seen this kid before, much less talked to him. Despite this, he knows my first and last name and when I'm taking bio quizzes. He went to enough trouble to look me up on some BYU directory to figure out what I looked like. Assuming his story is true, he then happened to bring up  my name to his father in casual conversation, who asked him to ask me if I knew a guy from his mission.*

"Ahhh.. I have no idea."

"Well, you should ask your dad and tell me next class!"

So Dad. Anyone you know serve in Taiwan? I'm really eager to sit next to him and find out what else he's managed to find out about me in the first two weeks of class. Please get back to me as soon as possible.

Moment 4: I found this:

I just really had my mind blown. Not all the way... Just like a big gust of wind just went in one ear and out the other.

Also,

I don't really have anything to top that.

Goodnight. 

Deep Subject Matter

Sometimes life is hard. I guess I didn't expect all of college to be peaches and cream, sunbursts and roses, but I never thought about it being truly hard. Don't get me wrong, last semester classes were difficult. Taking 17 credits the first semester may have been a tad overkill, but academic performance is something I can control. I didn't have to worry about roommate problems, depression, sickness, or anything that would make being emotional stable seem harder then avoiding every RM on campus. All in all, I got lulled into the "happy bubble" Provo, Utah offers to its college students.

I guess what this really comes down to is even when you are doing the right things, Heavenly Father gives you trials to help you grow, become more compassionate, learn things about yourself and draw closer to Him. The last couple of weeks I've had to spend a lot of time in prayer, at the temple, reading scriptures and fasting to try to get my will in accordance with His. What I've learned is one of the most basic spiritual lessons taught: patience is a virtue. You can ask, plead and beg for answers, but God gives them when you need to receive answers. If Heavenly Father had given me the answer I was asking for right away, I would have lost a great opportunity to draw closer to Him and better understand His personality. Instead, the Spirit has given me promptings and directions in the quiet moments of life over the last couple of weeks. I still don't know everything the Lord wants from me, but I'm definitely on the way to knowing.

So this is my inspiration of the week: I know the Lord knows each of us individually. I know he hears my prayers and I know that he knows my personality better than I do. He is watching over my life and waiting for me to let him in. He desperately wants each one of us to open our lives to him and receive the guidance, direction, protection, love, and help the Spirit gives. I know that Jesus atoned for each of our sins in Gethsemane so that we can repent of our sins, improve, and return someday to live with our Heavenly Father, Mother, and brother Jesus Christ. I know that the scriptures are the key to understanding the Lord's will. Every verse of scripture was written for us and can give us inspiration when we let the Spirit into our lives. I love the Lord, and I hope that when I meet him face to face, I will be able to look back on my life and see that I was able to be used as an instrument of the Lord. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored by Joseph Smith. I have a firm testimony that this church brings true peace and happiness to all who immerse themselves in it. I have received witness after witness that my Savior knows and loves me, as well as all of his spirit sons and daughters.

The last thing I know is that Heavenly Father has placed us into families very specifically and purposefully. He has given us parents that we need to learn specific lessons from. The family is the unit of society, and never before has Satan been so successful at attacking the family. Besides my relationship with Christ, my relationship with my family is what gives me strength. Families can be together forever when sealed in the temple, and that is one of the most beautiful components of the gospel.

Life is hard. But living life without the support of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and my family would make it much harder. I believe, and will live like I believe. That's the only way I can possibly express gratitude to one who has given me all that I have.  

My Strange Introduction to Russians

Today I got a present from Brigham and Alex. This is what it was: 

Things to enjoy about this song:

1. The instrumentalists with bags over their heads. I'm crediting the bags to one of two reasons: A. they can't actually keep a straight face during the song or B. if they look at him, his hypnotic smile distracts them from playing. Also, I would like to do a little call out to the accordion player. It takes a high level of talent to play the accordion with black cloth covering your face. 

2. The audience. From my understanding, the bowing is impromptu. Kind of like a weird modern day Shaker assembly... but without religion to explain their weird behavior.

3. The Japanese subtitles. (I apologize if they aren't Japanese. I am fairly uncultured when it comes to Asian linguistics.) But apparently they share my love of Russian culture.

4. His dance moves. And smile. And eyes. And dance moves. And smile. AND dance moves. And high notes... No explanation needed.

5. The key change. You didn't think he could go higher? Yea, well, he can. 

All in all, every time I get stressed for the next week, this is going to be my go to pick me up. And if I get bored of this one, if that is even possible, I'll just watch him singing techno in a white, full suited, bell bottomed onesie. I'm not even making this up- it's on the Tube. 

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. If it's just one of those things that AK thinks is hilarious and the rest of the world doesn't appreciate, I'll keep him to myself. I'm finding this song highly addicting...

I should probably check if it's against the honor code. 

The Humility Factor

It's taken me a while to pick up to one of the biggest characteristics of BYU. Here's what happens: You meet someone and have a good conversation, both parties decide they want to be friends. You start to figure out the basics of their personality, inside jokes are developed, you talk and walk, sometimes if you are really good friends you make them pancakes in whatever shape they want. Moral of the story, they become one of your best friends. You construct a picture in your mind as to who this person is. Then, one day, that person will tell you something that completely changes the scenery of the picture. I also refer to this as the 'humility factor.'

Example 1: Bryant Boyer. Awesome guy. Super nice, a great listener, really smart. Then one day at the ward talent show, he starts playing piano. He's not just playing with remarkable skill, but he composed what he's playing. My mind was blown. I didn't even know he played piano. He still owes me a jamming session. 

Example 2: Some lady that came in and talked into my Music 176 class. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I sang in the My Little Pony commercials? Sorry... (She also sang Tang, Yoplait, you name it. Talk about random.)

Example 3: Braden Clark. Awesome guy. I found out he was Jack in Into the Woods, which is automatic win points because, lets be honest, Into the Woods is one of the best musicals in the world. And I say that from a completely unbiased perspective. Then, one day, I ran across this. 

This guy is worth watching the full 12 minutes. It gets better, and better, and better. No biggy, one of my best friends rocks at speech and debate. And I just realized how much rocks is an understatement. 

While we are one this subject, call out to Brian Kessler and Sam Schedler for winning first place in the Varsity Duo category yesterday. I'm proud of you guys!

Throughout this week, I've realized how big of a thing the 'humility factor' is. Everyone at BYU has some secret talent that they refuse to show the rest of the world. It might be the "pride comes before the fall" thing. OR, they don't want their bishop to find out for fear their talents will be called on via ward calling. 

I think it's the appropriate time to tell everyone I can fly.

Disney Princess Cynicism

Prince Charming: noun. A. A handsome man who sweeps a lady off of her feet and lives happily ever. I heard they tried to place a picture of Prince Charming in the dictionary next to his definition, but Webster couldn’t actually find one to photograph.  They haven’t realized it’s because he doesn’t exist.

                My Disney princess infused childhood makes me cynical of the “and the lived happily ever after” theory. Cinderella was chased down by her prince after her carriage turned into a pumpkin. Ariel sold her soul to a witch in order to seduce a man she had only seen via bronze statue. Rapunzel ran away from her mom with a convict that attempted to smolder her. Prince Charming may work for girls with proportionally wrong bodies and lyrical singing voices, but that’s not reality.

                Disney, Jane Austen, throw a little Teenage Dream in there, and the all too allusive Prince Charming is portrayed as temporarily playing hide and go seek, just waiting for you to look in your dryer and find him waiting there for him. In case you haven’t checked that spot yet, I can promise you he isn’t there.

                My roommate has a vase to put flowers in, but she actually has never received flowers. There’s a little rubber ball occupying it instead.  She can wait for Prince Charming. She can look under the bed and even in the fridge, but he’s not there.

                For all of you optimists out there, hang on. I’m getting to the point.

                Sure I’m cynical of their existence, but I don’t see the lack of Prince Charming’s in the world being a problem. Girls have been taught to hold out for the perfect guy- one who will bring flowers on a special occasion, never forget to call and can bench press at least 200 lbs. Let’s get real for a second though; I would hate dating Ken almost as much as I would hate being Barbie. The whole point of having a friendship or relationship is to grow together. People are never going to be perfect, no matter how much you groom them. There are plenty of guys, however, that are determined to do what’s right and become better.

                I’m not going to lie and say I know what it’s like to be in love. I do, however, know what it’s like to have extreme respect for a guy. I appreciate the boys in my life who are consistently there for me, and setting an example for me. I guess what I’m trying to say tonight is I am grateful for the guys in my life. So if you are one of them, thank you.

Blue Suede Shoes

Merry ChristmaseveChristmasNewyearseveNewyears! Yes, that is a word in the dictionary. Look it up, I dare you. I hope whatever celebrations you participated in over the last few weeks were peaceful and enjoyable. Mine definitely were! I seem to like numbering off things that happened or lessons learned, so I suppose I will again right now that give a recap of my break.

1. I went to Ohio for Christmas to spend time with my family, grandparents, cousins and aunt and uncle. What I learned: My grandma was born with a tooth coming out of the roof of her mouth and my grandpa went to Homecoming his senior year of college with the Homecoming queen; ankles swollen up to the size of Texas don't fit well in heels; (common sense, but the lesson still learned,) when playing ping-pong, screaming at your opponent every time they try to hit the ball can increase chances of success, and Santa can consistently deliver presents to the right state. 
2. I met Chuck E. Cheese. Lesson learned: Sometimes childhood dreams do come true. Also, his favorite dance is the cupid shuffle. 
3. I watched the Muppet Movie. If you haven't gone to see this movie, drop everything and go and watch it. For real. Many a people think they are too old or cool or mature or precocious for talking muppets with unbelievably unrealistic facial features, accents, and relationships. I mean in real life, a frog and a pig simply cannot be married. Most bi-species relationships don't work. (That's my common sense coming out again.) But in this movie, everything is possible. Lesson learned: I don't really know what I learned from this movie that you would benefit from me sharing. So you should probably go watch it.
4. I played a very long game of Life with my family. Lesson learned: when the 6 year old demands to be banker for the entirety of the game, expect to have the game last about as long as an actual life.
5. On a tad more serious note, celebrating the birth of the Savior is a sure-fire way to invite added happiness and peace into one's life. Without him, I would have little knowledge of who I am or why I'm here. With him, I know where I'm going and how to get there. Once you have that figured out, everything else seems to fall into place. Truly developing a relationship with Him will not bring immunity to life's temptations and trials, but His strength makes all things manageable and worthwhile.

So, that's about it. To end the year, I've included a website with some of the most stunning pictures taken in 2011. Click Right Here!

May the new year bring happiness, peace and wholeness to all. 

Love, 

AK

P.S. Story of My Life. And probably yours, too. You should probably click on that link...

P.P.S. The title of this blog is another one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Basically, my dad comes up with really... unique riddles that us kids have to figure out before we can look at the tree on Christmas morning. One of this year's riddles was: What is the type of shoe that reflects it's mood accurately when stepped on? The answer: Blue Suede Shoes. I forgot to tell you earlier! 

Have a GREAT day!