Sunshine

The Sun has returned. I thought that it had decided to leave the center of our solar system for a while and we were doomed to perpetual rain and gloomy clouds. Not So! I have felt so invigorated by the sun these past two days. Granted, spring showers are beautiful and bring life, but the sunshine makes me feel ALIVE!! I love how smiles spread to everyone's faces as the sun kisses their vitamin-D deprived skin and how those smiles translate to "hellos," "good-mornings," and "how are yous".

What is it about Sunshine that makes us so happy? Is it because it literally brightens the earth? And as it brightens the earth, brightens our souls? And that when our souls are bright, we are bright people? And that as bright people, with add to the sun's glory as we act as miniature suns and brighten the day of our fellow beings? I don't pretend to know the answer as to why sunshine makes me so happy, but I am so glad it does.

Summer Projects

So I have a really hard time blogging because I simply don’t know what to write about. Well now it’s summer and I have projects that need to be reported. There are many and I feel that if I record my progress or lack thereof to you great internet universe, that it will force me to be accountable.

Project #1: Read an unabridged version of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables. I have selected a new translation by Julie Rose. The novel is 1194 pages.

Project #2: Running. I would say learning to love it, but I don’t think that’s EVER going to happen. I’m actually participating in the Walk with Walgreens program and am enjoying it so far. I love walking and Provo is so beautiful this time of year that I can’t help but walk around. However, I need to run to strengthen my heart and my endurance (and shed those remaining holiday pounds).

Project #3: Blogging. My success will be obvious, but I’ve also started another blog: Eyring Encounters. It’s a hilarious account of the experiences of an early morning custodial crew. It can be found at escencounters.blogspot.com and I strongly encourage you to ChEcK iT oUt!!

Project #4: Make a cookbook. After 2 years of surviving on PB&J, tuna, pasta, potatoes and the occasional salad, I would like to compile a recipe book of healthy recipes.

Project #5: Find an organization to volunteer with and start volunteering. Ideally, I would love to work with an internationally-minded org. Perhaps refugee centers in SLC?

So those essentially sum up my summer plans. Wish me luck!

Report #1 on Les Mis.

I was reading yesterday and found a passage that I absolutely LOVE!

“‘Never be afraid of thieves and murderers. They represent the dangers without, which are not worth worrying about. Be afraid of ourselves. Prejudices are the real thieves, vices are the murderers. The greatest dangers are within us. Who cares who threatens our heads or our purses! Let’s think only of what threatens our souls’” (Hugo 25).

When we allow ourselves to be governed by prejudices, we rob ourselves of experiencing the wide spectrum of life that surrounds us. We cut off vibrant cultures, prohibit beautiful music and language from reaching our ears, miss out on great life lessons and most importantly, build fences to keep out those who could be our most valued and treasured friends. Not only do we miss out, but prejudice and vice damage our soul by denying it life. Diversity is life. Diversity cannot be experienced if we live our lives with blinders over our eyes. Shed your blinders and learn something about someone or somewhere that you have typically regarded as ‘beneath you’. I promise you’ll treasure whatever experience you stumble upon.

Singledom: It’s Normal, So Relax « Thought Catalog

Thank you dearest Maryam for sharing this with me. I don't adhere to all the philosophies expressed, but you can't deny this made you laugh.

Loves.

Singledom: It’s Normal, So Relax « Thought Catalog

Reaching for the…moon, stars and my pencil

I was in the temple the other day and had the opportunity to chat for a little while with one of the temple workers. After mentioning that I want to pursue a law degree, she firmly reminded me that that’s a fine goal and ambition, but to remember that the best thing I can do in life is to be a good wife and mother. I know. Being a wife and mother is what I know I am supposed to do and be, and trust me when I say I do want these things. In fact, I want them very badly. I understand that they will bring me true happiness and will be more guaranteeing of salvation (if done properly) than anything else I can do in this life. However, I strongly believe that there is something else I have been sent here to do. Not something more, not something better. Just something else in addition to the incredible roles of wife and mother. I am been so incredibly blessed; I know I am supposed to bring these blessings to others.

I was talking to a dear friend a while ago and I told her of my newfound desire and ambition to attend law school. She asked my why and I said “because I have to”. Our discussion turned to how we have been given blessings and opportunities that few members of our race have ever been allotted. I feel that it would be unforgivably selfish of me if I were to ignore these blessings in my life. I currently am studying at Brigham Young University and the education I receive here is invaluable. I can help so many people and even more when I complete my law degree. I want to be like Gandhi and bring human rights and dignity to the harijan the ‘Children of God’, the lowest of low. This is my mission. This is my goal. I will be their voice, I will be their advocate, I will be their friend, and I will be a wife and mother. It’s a package deal.

While I have not achieved any of these things yet, I recognize that I am on the journey. I can see the moon and stars I am shooting for. I know that these lofty heights are reachable. I know that I will have to stretch myself in ways I haven’t even conceived of yet. But I will continue to pick up my pencil and do the work because I know that it is worth it. I know that proclaiming the freedom and triumph of even one human soul is worth it, whatever ‘it’ may be.

Still A Caterpillar

Well, no surprise, but I fail at keeping updated on this thing. You'd think for a communications major this would come easily. I just am always uncertain that my thoughts have any ramifications or importance or significance or even provide amusement to anyone outside my own head.

In my last post I talked about this blog being a platform for who I am becoming. I have new insight on the matter, so let me enlighten you. It's hard. I mean it's really difficult. It may be the hardest thing I've ever undertaken. Changing. I didn't think metamorphosis could be such a slow, long, drawn-out, painful process. Then again, isn't there a whole slew of cliches about the last flower to bloom is the prettiest, the finest gold has spent the most time in the refiner's fire? So why am I so surprised at this? I think it comes from a few misconceived perceptions of mine.

1. Pride-- I mean I knew I wasn't perfect, but I guess when you ask God to help you become better, you find out how far you really do have to go.

2. Patience-- For those of you who know me, you know I have none. I haven't even been blessed with an ounce of this virtue. But it's like what Morgan Freeman says in Evan Almighty "If you ask for patience, God's not just going to make you patient. He's going to present you with opportunities to learn patience." (And yes I just quoted Evan Almighty, don't be shocked for too long).

3. Time--This goes hand-in-hand with patience, but time really is a huge issue. Like I said, this whole 'changing' process is very long term. And I've never been good at keeping long-term goals (I don't have the patience).

Oh, you want to know about my progress in my self-improvement endeavor, do you? Well I've had to learn that I really can't base my self-worth or self-esteem off of the male attention I get (or don't get). I know, you must be rolling your eyes and saying, 'Uh, ya Kobie. Didn't you learn anything as a teenager?' Very valid question and apparently the answer is 'No'. I had to go through the crap that only the opposite sex can make a person experience to figure that one out.

I've also had a deep desire to become more solid in my faith and religion. I want to be absolutely converted to the depths of my soul. I feel as if I know so little. As a dedicated academic I put in hours of scholarly study every week, but I feel that my scripture study and study of doctrine is lacking. I want to "Treasure up the word".

So that's the current direction of my life. Hopefully the train stays on the tracks. Check back soon, or eventually, for updates!!!

Peace and Love My Friends.

Endings, Beginnings, and Continuations

Hello All,

I know it's been an inexcusably long time since I last posted. However, I have decided to take it up again as an outlet for my thoughts. So here's what's new, what's ending, and the things I will continue to pursue:

1. I have been accepted to the BYU Public Relations (PR) program (ranked Top 5 in the country)
2. I am now officially an International Development (ID) minor

• This I assure you is a very odd combination and my professors in the Comms Dept and ID Dept don't really know what to do with me. I personally, like it this way--I want to foray into a new field: applying the theory of public relations into the ID arena. Can you image how development work could improve if approached with a public relations perspective? I think the effects could be incredible and potentially revolutionary in the field of development work. It's just a theory as of now, but part of my motivation in starting to blog again, is to keep you, my few followers, apprised on my progress in blending these two seemingly contrasting areas.

3. My blog will be less of a This-is-what-Kobie's-up-to-these-days type of blog. You can all catch up on that by kindly stalking me on Facebook. Unfortunately, I am part of the generation that puts my life online. (Can anyone really truly refrain from it any longer?) But that's why I am friends with all of you, so you can see my life and keep tabs on me if you so desire. I want to use this blog as more of a platform for the bigger and better person I want to become.

I am an individual with drive, ambition and dreams and I want to share the embers of the fire here with you. Things like what I think about this political move, this natural disaster and relief efforts, this article published in such-and-such journal. Like I said the person I'm becoming. Hopefully you will all join me in the journey with your thoughts and insights as well.

God Bless.

Incredible Week!!!

So this week has been an amazing one!

Tuesday- President Thomas S. Monson gave the devotional here at BYU!!! It was incredible! My roommates and I all sat fairly close to him in the Marriott Center, (well we were on the 22nd row, but hey, for seeing the Prophet that's amazing!)!!! He was so funny and delightful. My favorite part was when he walked into the room. Prior to his enterance the room was just abuzz with anticipation and was quite loud as you can imagine, then the entire arena became silent as we all arose for the Prophet of God. It was outstanding! Where else in the world (other than BYU-H and BYU-I) can you be so spiritually educated along with secular learning?!?! I tell you, no where! I am so grateful that I made the decision to attend BYU!

Friday- Because, I had to work on my birthday (Saturday), my summer roommates decided to throw me a little part on Friday night. Keeping with tradition we watched So You Think You Can Dance, ate pizza, cake, and ice cream (thanks Becci!), opened presents and watched Newsies!!! I got two stuffed bulldogs (long story, but I was given the nickname bulldog over summer term and the name has kinda stuck... against my will) a stuffed tiger, a frog-to-prince magic toy, a African poster, giftcards, rook cards, $$$, candy bars, and many delightful cards from friends and family! Thanks everyone for the awesome birthday celebration!

Saturday-- My actual birthday!! I turned 19 on 9/19/2009! How legit is that?!? I have been looking forward to that day since I was a little girl. My day was pretty mundane, I woke up did my laundry, did homework, went to work, and did more homework after work, but it was still a good day.