Cerapa Goosh!

Today is a big day, it's one of my best friends' birthdays! Twelve and a half years ago (dang, can't believe it's been that long!) my family moved to Virginia and I met a cute girl in a pink dress. She swears that's not what she was wearing, but hey, it's my memory right? :) We hit it off, as far as I can remember, and the rest is pretty much history! We've celebrated thirteen birthdays, half a dozen girls camps, many an 'N Sync music video on TRL, shared a brain our Freshman and Senior years of high school, roomed together a few years at BYU, had many a burping contest and much, much more. I'd love to be able to put up some old school pictures, but all of my old photo's are in Virginia, so these will have to do. Hope she doesn't kill me, but they bring back fun memories :) I miss being close to her, but she's got a baby and a hubby to take care of now. Crazy to think how quickly time flies. Seems like just yesterday we were in braces and trying to stay awake in seminary :)

Happy Birthday Seraph! Hope your 25th brings all you've ever wanted. Love you!!

I Call A Do-Over

Remember in junior high when you'd be playing sports with some guys and you'd screw up something and call a do-over because you were a girl, and they'd give it to you? Well, I need one right now. Not because I'm a girl, but because I screwed up. I was talking to a good friend Sunday morning and said something that I really shouldn't have. It wasn't directed at him in any way, but I was venting about a situation I was in. I just really wish that I could rewind time and take it back. For some reason lately I've been noticing little things about myself that I'd like to change, and that is now one of them. I just don't want him thinking I'm someone that complains all the time or talks about people behind their backs, because that's really not me. I really have no excuse for why I said the things I did, in fact, for some reason I though it was funny and ironic, not mean. It just makes me wonder about other things I've said and how people take them. Guess I need to be more careful and think more about what I say before I actually say it. He won't read any of this, but oh well.

Something Nice...

http://www.nomobveto.org/

He Can Bite Me Any Day

Okay, well, maybe not, but the movie was so good! I must have had a momentary brain lapse when I decided to go to the midnight showing with my aunt and her friends. The company was great, but I got about 3.25 hours of sleep last night. It's going to be a fun day! I absolutely loved the movie though. I feel bad for those who watch it that haven't read the book though. I felt that they would be missing out on a few subtle things. Nothing major, but it was funnier to those who have read it. The audience last night was crazy! They sold out two screens in Riverbank, but opened three theaters so we wouldn't be crowded. And I must say, I liked the little twist at the end. It was definitely worth the lack of sleep.

I hate being so short

So, usually I can buy the "ankle" length jeans and they'll be great for my short legs. Gap seems to have shortened their jeans or somethin' crazy because their "ankle" length ones are now too short after they are washed! Their "regular" ones are 3 inches longer, so cuffing would be required to avoid dragging on the ground. I don't know what to do. I just have a pet peeve about high-waters when I sit down. I just don't like it. This leads me to think that I should get the "regular" length, but does that look dorky?

I am fashionally challenged with jeans. Stink.

Los Angeles, Oakland

My dad asked me on Sunday about all of the protests and such...here's an excellent article by an LAPD officer...

http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate.html

It hurts...

I apologize now if my thoughts irritate anyone, but I just have to get them out. First, although I don't agree with President Elect Obama's philosophy's or ideals, it's a great time in our country when we can elect a black president. This is a huge step for the country. Secondly, I am so grateful Proposition 8 passed. You have no idea. I have seen so much time and hard work go into the Yes on 8 Campaign. I personally made phone calls right when the campaign started, and then stood out on a street corner holding signs Tuesday night with about 8 young men and women from my family ward here. For the first time through the whole process I really felt like I was doing something right. As YSA's we were pushed very hard to be an active part of this campaign, but I felt pushed too hard and like church and state were getting too meshed. I was just uncomfortable with some things. I had honestly thought through and decided to homeschool my children if it didn't pass and I was still here in California when the time came. I can't even describe the feeling I felt Tuesday and then Wednesday afternoon when the results were finally announced.

That happiness and peace were quickly squelched when reports of lawsuits against the state came out. And least of all, yesterday, when I heard of protests outside the Los Angeles Temple that caused the temple to be closed.

These pictures brought me to tears today. As well as the "Home Invasion Ad" that supporters of No on Prop 8 put out. Maybe I'm just naive, but I honestly don't get how these people can think that treating us (Mormons) this way is in any way okay. The church has never come out and publically bashed homosexuals. They have said that we do not support gay marriage and do not agree with that lifestyle, but they have never, NEVER been rude in such a way. Please, correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think I am. There are sooooo many churches that donated to this cause, and they target us. In fact, our church never donated, the members did. I just don't get it. So many hateful things have been said about our church and I honestly feel that we have done nothing wrong. Those who voted for Prop 8 stood up for what they believed in. How is that a crime?

I was able to go to the temple in Oakland last night to do baptisms with our regional YSA group and got to think a little bit while I was there. I actually almost didn't go, but I'm so glad I did now. As I sat down in the waiting room by the baptistry tears began to form in my eyes. It was so quiet, so simple inside. Such a difference from the chaos in the world outside. It's not going to be an easy time to be a member of the church in California. No matter what though, I will never hide the fact that I am. It's not worth it. If anything, this whole experience has strengthened what I believe in and who I am. Take that protesters.