So I bet you're wondering why I would title a blog post "Death and Dying". I'm really not trying to be morbid. I don't have a death wish. This isn't a "final" blog post. It's because this is my favorite class this semester.
Now you're probably wondering why I would even be taking a "Death and Dying" class. It sounds like a morbid, depressing, maybe even scary, class to begin with. I'm taking the class because it's suggested for future Child Life Specialists, because even though it's a sad thought, some kids in hospitals do die. And part of the Child Life Specialists job is to help kids get through the dying process and to help siblings of children who have died.
This class has given me a chance to reflect on death. It's given me a chance to notice how prevelant it is in our pop culture. I've got a "death playlist" with 28 songs that were already on my iPod that have to do with death. And there are songs that I really like that I don't even own that are about death as well like Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" and "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. Not to mention how much it's on TV. And the news. Oh goodness hearing about the tragic deaths of the Powell boys made me sick to my stomach.
But I've really enjoyed this class on death because it's taught me how to live. It's reminded me that relationships are the most important thing in life. Caring about people is the most important thing you can do. That's what matters when you face death.
Showing posts with label Classes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Classes. Show all posts
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Maybe Someday I'll Write A Short Blog Post. Today Is Not That Day.
I'm a very introspective learner. I love it when things apply directly to me and my life.
I loved my biology classes in high school because when they would talk about things like cells and genetics it would apply directly to my life. I have loved my human anatomy classes because when they get to things like blood, livers, gall bladders, spleens, and medical procedures I'm like "Oh my gosh. That's my life." It also made me feel smart because my teachers didn't dumb it down for me like doctors and nurses usually do for patients.
My favorite part of my child development classes are things that apply directly to my childhood. I liked my parenthood and marriage classes because I could see how they will be applied to my life in the future.
If I learn something that I've had previous experience with or can apply to my current situation, I'm a happy girl and I learn it much faster and it sticks with me longer. I think that there's almost a sense of validation that I get from all these classes and things I'm learning, a sense that I'm not the only one who experiences things the things I do. I get a certain sense of normalcy. I also get a chance often to show off my abnormal side and get validation for the fact that I've been through hard things. I try not to do that too often because if I do I start to just feel sorry for myself, but sometimes it's good to feel like I'm accomplishing the normal while being abnormal.
I'm quickly realizing that the Adolescent Development class that I'm currently taking is going to be one of those classes where I get really introspective and relate everything I'm learning to my life, more than I was expecting it to be.
The past two class periods we were talking about adolescent health, and I wasn't really expecting it to apply to me too much. I was fairly healthy as a teenager, never hospitalized once. I was surprised how much of what I was learning I could really relate to.
We watched a movie about teens in hospitals and they talked about the constant poking and beeping machines and losing control and privacy and people coming into your room during the middle of the night and asking you the same questions over and over again. One of the parts that made me laugh the most was when they talked about the medical students and residents coming in a big group and just like listening and staring at you and taking notes. I can relate to that one.
Then we watched another movie that a kid made to explain to his peers about the accident that put him in a wheel chair so that they would better understand how to react to him. I thought it was a brilliant idea.
After that we talked about teenagers self image and how that is impacted by chronic illness and all the restrictions that adolescents have when they live with a chronic illness. We also talked about the dual need to feel normal but also to have people understand all the things you have been through and how they can be conflicting.
The whole time we were talking about this I felt validated. I felt like "Ok, I'm not the only who has felt this way." I remember always feeling somewhat like I was the only one experiencing everything, especially when it came to those nasty little rare blood disorder experiences, even though I logically understood that I wasn't the only one. I don't know, it's like sometimes it's cool to be the oddity - the unique one - like when you attend your Stats class and you talk about the normal distribution of hemoglobin and your hemoglobin is literally off the charts (like no joke, not even on there in the abnormal area). But sometimes I wanted someone to understand exactly. I mean people can empathize, and they do and it does/has made me feel better. My parents have always tried to understand and I think they do better then anyone else I know. But it's like unless you've actually been through it, you don't really understand.
Some days I feel completely normal and don't even think about my blood disorder. Sometimes I look at myself and think "Oh my gosh I am yellow! I'm a freak! I'm like a neon sign! I'm pretty sure I should be glowing in the dark at this point!", not as much as I used to though. Sometimes I would lay awake at night freaking out about what would happen the next time I got sick enough to go to the hospital and thinking that for sure I was going to die the next time it happened. Sometimes I'd freak out about what I would do the next time I had to get my blood drawn or get a shot or get an IV or have a surgery. I wouldn't even be feeling sick and I'd worry about these things. Sometimes I'd even think about what I'd do if I ever got cured or how life would be without the blood disorder. How different would I be then?
I remember sitting on my floor in the middle of the night and thinking "You know my doctors are pretty good at treating my physical symptoms. Everyone is always so concerned about how healthy I am. Everyone can see my yellow skin. Everyone knows somethings wrong with me and they are very concerned about the physical effects of my disorder. But what about the emotional effects? What about the social effects? What about how freaked out I am over needles and getting sick? What about how no guy likes me or will ever like me because I'm like a freaking neon sign? What about how I'll never get married because who wants to marry a bag of medical bills and that's all I am? What about how I'll never be pretty again because of the whole neon sign thing? What about how terrified I am of the whole world because what if it causes pain like the pain I used to feel when I was little and sick? What about how upset I am because I'll always be the slowest and the worst at sports and I always get so tired?" (Yeah I was a little dramatic back then.) Honestly that's what I used to think, not all the time, but some of the time. Luckily as I've gotten older I've been able to work through a lot of these issues on my own. But I used to think I was kind of weird and that I was probably overreacting a lot in those emotional moments. I still think maybe I was a little bit but attending class today I realized that they are actually pretty normal things for an teenager with chronic illness to feel and think - even if they weren't actually in the hospital. I feel validated and I don't feel so weird for feeling like my disorder affected me more than just physically. I think my family probably realized this to a certain extent (my parents are super observant like that), but I know I at least tried to keep from them and everyone else just how much I felt that way and I'd like to think succeeded. I just can't even describe how much better I feel knowing that I'm not weird or overreacting about how my disorder affected me. This just added another level of understanding in my life.
I'm going to a new doctor, trying new treatments, and in some ways I'm excited. I feel so grown up going to the doctor all by myself, even though I also feel a little nervous. I can get poked with out screaming, yelling, crying, kicking, and throwing a fit. I'm twenty but there's still a part of me that wants to act like the terrified two year old every time I go in. But I don't. And that's a big improvement for me. I feel more in control this time around. I don't know, there is something about the knowledge of knowing that I could say no, at any point in this process, and there is nothing my doctors, nurses, parents, or anyone else can do about it. It's a powerful feeling, this feeling of control. And just knowing that I have that option, that control, makes saying yes easier. What can I say, agency like that is amazing. At the same time I'm nervous. What if it doesn't work? What if I'm just feeding my hypochondriac-ism? What if it's more painful than helpful? What if there are no new answers? What if I've just got to keep putting up with this for the rest of my life? What if I've healed enough that I don't need to seek healing anymore? What if this is all just bringing up old emotions that I had already worked through and making me work through them all over again?
I don't feel like I'm looking for a "cure" for the jaundice anymore. I found that "cure" and it didn't fix everything like I thought it would. Now I'm looking for a "cure" for the anemia, for the tiredness. But what if it doesn't fix everything like I think it will?
If I do find a "cure" I'll probably just be handed a whole new set of problems to work out. That's life isn't it. Do I want to switch these problems I've had forever, that I know like the back of my hand, for a new set of problems? These problems, these issues, are comfortable and predictable. I can handle these problems. I don't know if I can handle new problems.
The thing is that I wouldn't trade this whole experience for the world. If you want a succinct way of how I feel about my blood disorder and everything I've learned from this you can watch this Stacey Kramer: The best gift I ever survived | Video on TED.com. Sadly, I obviously can't put how I feel into three minutes or less. But I have learned so much. I have learned compassion and empathy. I've learned I'm stronger than I think I am and that I can do hard things. I've learned that normal is overrated. I've learned to ask for help when I need it. I've learned that I'm loved and that when I can't make it on my own, there is always someone there to help lift me. I've learned that life is complicated but it's supposed to be that way. I've learned that as crappy as your life may be, there is always someone that has it worse off. I've found my course for life because of this challenge. I've learned that challenges are very personal and unique and situated exactly how they are needed for each individual person. I've learned to rely on the Lord, on the scriptures, and on prayer when I cannot go any further on my own. I've learned that I have a very personal Father in Heaven who know's exactly what I need and knows that I am a very introspective learner and so He gave me a challenge that would teach me things I couldn't learn any other way and would set me in a course that I wouldn't have chosen for myself. I have learned that with the right perspective, challenges can be blessings in disguise.
Playlist:
"Yellow" by Coldplay
"The Wizard and I" from Wicked
Skin (Sarabeth) by Rascal Flatts
"Lessons Learned" by Carrie Underwood
I loved my biology classes in high school because when they would talk about things like cells and genetics it would apply directly to my life. I have loved my human anatomy classes because when they get to things like blood, livers, gall bladders, spleens, and medical procedures I'm like "Oh my gosh. That's my life." It also made me feel smart because my teachers didn't dumb it down for me like doctors and nurses usually do for patients.
My favorite part of my child development classes are things that apply directly to my childhood. I liked my parenthood and marriage classes because I could see how they will be applied to my life in the future.
If I learn something that I've had previous experience with or can apply to my current situation, I'm a happy girl and I learn it much faster and it sticks with me longer. I think that there's almost a sense of validation that I get from all these classes and things I'm learning, a sense that I'm not the only one who experiences things the things I do. I get a certain sense of normalcy. I also get a chance often to show off my abnormal side and get validation for the fact that I've been through hard things. I try not to do that too often because if I do I start to just feel sorry for myself, but sometimes it's good to feel like I'm accomplishing the normal while being abnormal.
I'm quickly realizing that the Adolescent Development class that I'm currently taking is going to be one of those classes where I get really introspective and relate everything I'm learning to my life, more than I was expecting it to be.
The past two class periods we were talking about adolescent health, and I wasn't really expecting it to apply to me too much. I was fairly healthy as a teenager, never hospitalized once. I was surprised how much of what I was learning I could really relate to.
We watched a movie about teens in hospitals and they talked about the constant poking and beeping machines and losing control and privacy and people coming into your room during the middle of the night and asking you the same questions over and over again. One of the parts that made me laugh the most was when they talked about the medical students and residents coming in a big group and just like listening and staring at you and taking notes. I can relate to that one.
Then we watched another movie that a kid made to explain to his peers about the accident that put him in a wheel chair so that they would better understand how to react to him. I thought it was a brilliant idea.
After that we talked about teenagers self image and how that is impacted by chronic illness and all the restrictions that adolescents have when they live with a chronic illness. We also talked about the dual need to feel normal but also to have people understand all the things you have been through and how they can be conflicting.
The whole time we were talking about this I felt validated. I felt like "Ok, I'm not the only who has felt this way." I remember always feeling somewhat like I was the only one experiencing everything, especially when it came to those nasty little rare blood disorder experiences, even though I logically understood that I wasn't the only one. I don't know, it's like sometimes it's cool to be the oddity - the unique one - like when you attend your Stats class and you talk about the normal distribution of hemoglobin and your hemoglobin is literally off the charts (like no joke, not even on there in the abnormal area). But sometimes I wanted someone to understand exactly. I mean people can empathize, and they do and it does/has made me feel better. My parents have always tried to understand and I think they do better then anyone else I know. But it's like unless you've actually been through it, you don't really understand.
Some days I feel completely normal and don't even think about my blood disorder. Sometimes I look at myself and think "Oh my gosh I am yellow! I'm a freak! I'm like a neon sign! I'm pretty sure I should be glowing in the dark at this point!", not as much as I used to though. Sometimes I would lay awake at night freaking out about what would happen the next time I got sick enough to go to the hospital and thinking that for sure I was going to die the next time it happened. Sometimes I'd freak out about what I would do the next time I had to get my blood drawn or get a shot or get an IV or have a surgery. I wouldn't even be feeling sick and I'd worry about these things. Sometimes I'd even think about what I'd do if I ever got cured or how life would be without the blood disorder. How different would I be then?
I remember sitting on my floor in the middle of the night and thinking "You know my doctors are pretty good at treating my physical symptoms. Everyone is always so concerned about how healthy I am. Everyone can see my yellow skin. Everyone knows somethings wrong with me and they are very concerned about the physical effects of my disorder. But what about the emotional effects? What about the social effects? What about how freaked out I am over needles and getting sick? What about how no guy likes me or will ever like me because I'm like a freaking neon sign? What about how I'll never get married because who wants to marry a bag of medical bills and that's all I am? What about how I'll never be pretty again because of the whole neon sign thing? What about how terrified I am of the whole world because what if it causes pain like the pain I used to feel when I was little and sick? What about how upset I am because I'll always be the slowest and the worst at sports and I always get so tired?" (Yeah I was a little dramatic back then.) Honestly that's what I used to think, not all the time, but some of the time. Luckily as I've gotten older I've been able to work through a lot of these issues on my own. But I used to think I was kind of weird and that I was probably overreacting a lot in those emotional moments. I still think maybe I was a little bit but attending class today I realized that they are actually pretty normal things for an teenager with chronic illness to feel and think - even if they weren't actually in the hospital. I feel validated and I don't feel so weird for feeling like my disorder affected me more than just physically. I think my family probably realized this to a certain extent (my parents are super observant like that), but I know I at least tried to keep from them and everyone else just how much I felt that way and I'd like to think succeeded. I just can't even describe how much better I feel knowing that I'm not weird or overreacting about how my disorder affected me. This just added another level of understanding in my life.
I'm going to a new doctor, trying new treatments, and in some ways I'm excited. I feel so grown up going to the doctor all by myself, even though I also feel a little nervous. I can get poked with out screaming, yelling, crying, kicking, and throwing a fit. I'm twenty but there's still a part of me that wants to act like the terrified two year old every time I go in. But I don't. And that's a big improvement for me. I feel more in control this time around. I don't know, there is something about the knowledge of knowing that I could say no, at any point in this process, and there is nothing my doctors, nurses, parents, or anyone else can do about it. It's a powerful feeling, this feeling of control. And just knowing that I have that option, that control, makes saying yes easier. What can I say, agency like that is amazing. At the same time I'm nervous. What if it doesn't work? What if I'm just feeding my hypochondriac-ism? What if it's more painful than helpful? What if there are no new answers? What if I've just got to keep putting up with this for the rest of my life? What if I've healed enough that I don't need to seek healing anymore? What if this is all just bringing up old emotions that I had already worked through and making me work through them all over again?
I don't feel like I'm looking for a "cure" for the jaundice anymore. I found that "cure" and it didn't fix everything like I thought it would. Now I'm looking for a "cure" for the anemia, for the tiredness. But what if it doesn't fix everything like I think it will?
If I do find a "cure" I'll probably just be handed a whole new set of problems to work out. That's life isn't it. Do I want to switch these problems I've had forever, that I know like the back of my hand, for a new set of problems? These problems, these issues, are comfortable and predictable. I can handle these problems. I don't know if I can handle new problems.
The thing is that I wouldn't trade this whole experience for the world. If you want a succinct way of how I feel about my blood disorder and everything I've learned from this you can watch this Stacey Kramer: The best gift I ever survived | Video on TED.com. Sadly, I obviously can't put how I feel into three minutes or less. But I have learned so much. I have learned compassion and empathy. I've learned I'm stronger than I think I am and that I can do hard things. I've learned that normal is overrated. I've learned to ask for help when I need it. I've learned that I'm loved and that when I can't make it on my own, there is always someone there to help lift me. I've learned that life is complicated but it's supposed to be that way. I've learned that as crappy as your life may be, there is always someone that has it worse off. I've found my course for life because of this challenge. I've learned that challenges are very personal and unique and situated exactly how they are needed for each individual person. I've learned to rely on the Lord, on the scriptures, and on prayer when I cannot go any further on my own. I've learned that I have a very personal Father in Heaven who know's exactly what I need and knows that I am a very introspective learner and so He gave me a challenge that would teach me things I couldn't learn any other way and would set me in a course that I wouldn't have chosen for myself. I have learned that with the right perspective, challenges can be blessings in disguise.
Playlist:
"Yellow" by Coldplay
"The Wizard and I" from Wicked
Skin (Sarabeth) by Rascal Flatts
"Lessons Learned" by Carrie Underwood
Monday, September 5, 2011
I am a Human Development and Family Studies Major
There.
I said it.
And I didn't qualify it.
Every single time someone asks me the inevitable college get to know you question I get a little nervous. The second I say "Human Development" I get "the look". I know that look, because I used to give that look. It's the look that says "What in the world do you expect to do with that major? Get your MRS degree and then start popping out babies and be a stay at home mom? What if something happens and you have to provide for your family? You can't provide for a family with that degree!" And like I said, I used to give "that look" too. I remember going on a campus tour at BYU and passing the building that they said is where all the family and consumer sciences classes are. I scoffed and thought to myself "Yeah, all the girls who are counting on getting married, dropping out of college, and being taken care of the rest of their lives. Ha." Yeah, I was a little judgmental when I was seventeen. Just a little bit. But I could be because I knew everything back then. I digress. A few years, a little experience, and a lot of prayers later here I am trying to come to terms with my major. I always feel like I have to defend what I am studying and why I am studying it. My answer is almost always "My major is Human Development it's the program that will help me become a Child Life Specialist which is kind of like a play therapist at a hospital." It's a long and awkward explanation. But after that long explanation everyone is pretty much like "Ok, so you actually have a plan for your life." But at the same time I get tired of explaining myself and my life plans in the first five minutes of meeting someone. And there is a part of me that thinks that I shouldn't have to explain myself and my choice of major to the world.
I was thinking about this today. I was also thinking about the classes I'm taking and how they relate to families. I was listening to the Mormon Channel program about families. I realized that this is my way to help families. It is something that I have control over that will be helping families. The family is under attack. This is how I can help the family. I realized that I don't have to explain or defend myself and my major and I don't have to feel like I'm pursuing a major that isn't really a good major. It is an excellent major. I am glad to be a Human Development and Family Studies Major.
I said it.
And I didn't qualify it.
Every single time someone asks me the inevitable college get to know you question I get a little nervous. The second I say "Human Development" I get "the look". I know that look, because I used to give that look. It's the look that says "What in the world do you expect to do with that major? Get your MRS degree and then start popping out babies and be a stay at home mom? What if something happens and you have to provide for your family? You can't provide for a family with that degree!" And like I said, I used to give "that look" too. I remember going on a campus tour at BYU and passing the building that they said is where all the family and consumer sciences classes are. I scoffed and thought to myself "Yeah, all the girls who are counting on getting married, dropping out of college, and being taken care of the rest of their lives. Ha." Yeah, I was a little judgmental when I was seventeen. Just a little bit. But I could be because I knew everything back then. I digress. A few years, a little experience, and a lot of prayers later here I am trying to come to terms with my major. I always feel like I have to defend what I am studying and why I am studying it. My answer is almost always "My major is Human Development it's the program that will help me become a Child Life Specialist which is kind of like a play therapist at a hospital." It's a long and awkward explanation. But after that long explanation everyone is pretty much like "Ok, so you actually have a plan for your life." But at the same time I get tired of explaining myself and my life plans in the first five minutes of meeting someone. And there is a part of me that thinks that I shouldn't have to explain myself and my choice of major to the world.
I was thinking about this today. I was also thinking about the classes I'm taking and how they relate to families. I was listening to the Mormon Channel program about families. I realized that this is my way to help families. It is something that I have control over that will be helping families. The family is under attack. This is how I can help the family. I realized that I don't have to explain or defend myself and my major and I don't have to feel like I'm pursuing a major that isn't really a good major. It is an excellent major. I am glad to be a Human Development and Family Studies Major.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
It's Finally Happening
I've been waiting all summer for this moment. Summer vacation is almost over. And I'm really excited. I made it to New York. I finally figured out my living arrangement for the fall (which is such a relief and so nice to have over with, not gonna lie). I'm done with my job :) . I've located all my classes on campus and luckily, none are too far away or too hard to find. I've got all but one of my books. I just spent the day packing, deciding what stays and what goes. With the minor detail of finding a job up there, I think I'm ready to move. This chapter of my life is coming to a close and a new chapter is opening in a new (big) city, with new roommates, new friends to be made, a new (big) college, new classes, and new adventures. I have a feeling this chapter is going to be filled with firsts. Like the first time moving into an apartment where I don't know anyone. But I've been blessed with some amazing roommates before and I'm sure I will be again. I'm excited and nervous. I think this year will be a great one. I feel like I'm a freshman all over again, but my freshman year was an amazing year, so I'm ok with repeating it.
Ready or not, Great White North, here I come!
Ready or not, Great White North, here I come!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
To the great white north I go!
Tomorrow I drive by myself for the first time up to the great white north for a long weekend. I'm nervous and excited for this adventure. I hope to find a job up there, find good housing with good roommates that is also affordable, get through orientation as quickly as possible, sign up for classes, practice my city driving skills, and just become more familiar with the great white north. I also hope not to get lost. Because I get lost really easy sometimes. A GPS should help with that right?
Friday, February 4, 2011
So I Should Be Studying BUT . . .
taking pictures sounded like a lot more fun! :)
Plans for this weekend?
- Gymnastics Meet
- Dinner with the Roomies
- Saturday Night Game Night
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Having it all and Hanging out and Other lessons learned in school
So my classes have kinda got me thinking lately. It's weird, I know, but I guess that's what college is supposed to do, make you think. First I came across this loverly quote in my parenting text book (yes I am taking a parenting class, no I am not in college just for my MRS degree I actually have plans for a very meaningful job and this class just happens to be a requirement to get that job!) :)
"We are a generation of young women raise to believe we can do it all. We also need the self-displine and wisdom to understand we can't do it all right now." - Jennifer Regen Bisbee
I think that is so true. Yes we are able to do whatever to do whatever we want to do. But we can't do everything right now and all at the same time. The hard part is deciding what is the most important thing to do first and balancing everything you want and need to do.
In my institute class we were discussing the difference between "hanging out" and "dating" like it is talked about in this amazing article. A lot of the guys (notice the usage of the word guys) got very defensive as all of the girls in the room talked about how we want to go on dates not just hang out. It was very interesting because this had been on my mind for a little while now. I just don't know how to make it any more clear to the guys and men out there that we actually want to go out on dates and not just hang out. Elder Oaks talks about "lock[ing] the pantry and bolt[ing] the front door [and] . . . hang[ing] up a sign, 'Will open for individual dates,'"
Well boys, guys, and men, my door is locked and there is a sign on my door.
Now dates don't need to be expensive or a big deal. Anything that lets you have a chance to get to know the other person is a good date (ie not a movie). And the great thing about dates is that they have a start and end time.
But other than that, we girls aren't very picky, we just want real inexpensive dates that let us get to know you and have a start and end time. That's all.
Then I was reading one of my textbooks about early childhood development and it was talking about how early childhood is from the ages of 0-8. I found that rather interesting. What happens to LDS boys and girls when they turn 8? They are baptised. We believe that they are then old enough and have learned enough to know basic right from wrong and to start making some of their own choices. We believe that before the age of 8 children are learning right from wrong. It was interesting reading about how important learning up to the age of 8 is in a secular world. It made me think, "Hmm, I wonder if Joseph Smith was an Early Childhood Development major and realized how kids view the world before the age of 8?" I don't think he did. I believe that it was inspired revelation to a prophet of God from a God who is an Early Childhood Development major, who would realize the learning that takes place at such a young age.
Then I was reading in my parenting textbook about the three styles of parenting, Authoritarian, Authoritative, and Permissive (Authoritative is the good one.) I believe that I have Heavenly Parents, so I applied that to what I was learning and thought to myself, "Is Heavenly Father Authoritarian, Authoritative, and Permissive?" Now of course the answer to this is "the gospel according to Kelsi" but the conclusion I came to is that He has to be Authoritative. Think about it. He isn't authoritarian because he gave us our agency, our ability to choose. He doesn't force us to do anything. And He explains why He wants us to do things (or why He doesn't want us to do things.) But He isn't permissive either. While we have the ability to make choices, we do not have the ability to choose the consequences, and He let's us know what the consequences are. He is an authoritative parent. He sets down clear guidlines of what He would have us do, He explains the "why?" behind most of it, and He keeps an honest open relationship with us (if we choose to accept that relationship and put forth the effort required.) He truely cares about us and if we slow down long enough to listen, He will let us know that.
Anyway, that's my long ramble of the night of what I've been paying to learn in college. I hope I didn't bore you too much. :)
"We are a generation of young women raise to believe we can do it all. We also need the self-displine and wisdom to understand we can't do it all right now." - Jennifer Regen Bisbee
I think that is so true. Yes we are able to do whatever to do whatever we want to do. But we can't do everything right now and all at the same time. The hard part is deciding what is the most important thing to do first and balancing everything you want and need to do.
In my institute class we were discussing the difference between "hanging out" and "dating" like it is talked about in this amazing article. A lot of the guys (notice the usage of the word guys) got very defensive as all of the girls in the room talked about how we want to go on dates not just hang out. It was very interesting because this had been on my mind for a little while now. I just don't know how to make it any more clear to the guys and men out there that we actually want to go out on dates and not just hang out. Elder Oaks talks about "lock[ing] the pantry and bolt[ing] the front door [and] . . . hang[ing] up a sign, 'Will open for individual dates,'"
Well boys, guys, and men, my door is locked and there is a sign on my door.
Now dates don't need to be expensive or a big deal. Anything that lets you have a chance to get to know the other person is a good date (ie not a movie). And the great thing about dates is that they have a start and end time.
But other than that, we girls aren't very picky, we just want real inexpensive dates that let us get to know you and have a start and end time. That's all.
Then I was reading one of my textbooks about early childhood development and it was talking about how early childhood is from the ages of 0-8. I found that rather interesting. What happens to LDS boys and girls when they turn 8? They are baptised. We believe that they are then old enough and have learned enough to know basic right from wrong and to start making some of their own choices. We believe that before the age of 8 children are learning right from wrong. It was interesting reading about how important learning up to the age of 8 is in a secular world. It made me think, "Hmm, I wonder if Joseph Smith was an Early Childhood Development major and realized how kids view the world before the age of 8?" I don't think he did. I believe that it was inspired revelation to a prophet of God from a God who is an Early Childhood Development major, who would realize the learning that takes place at such a young age.
Then I was reading in my parenting textbook about the three styles of parenting, Authoritarian, Authoritative, and Permissive (Authoritative is the good one.) I believe that I have Heavenly Parents, so I applied that to what I was learning and thought to myself, "Is Heavenly Father Authoritarian, Authoritative, and Permissive?" Now of course the answer to this is "the gospel according to Kelsi" but the conclusion I came to is that He has to be Authoritative. Think about it. He isn't authoritarian because he gave us our agency, our ability to choose. He doesn't force us to do anything. And He explains why He wants us to do things (or why He doesn't want us to do things.) But He isn't permissive either. While we have the ability to make choices, we do not have the ability to choose the consequences, and He let's us know what the consequences are. He is an authoritative parent. He sets down clear guidlines of what He would have us do, He explains the "why?" behind most of it, and He keeps an honest open relationship with us (if we choose to accept that relationship and put forth the effort required.) He truely cares about us and if we slow down long enough to listen, He will let us know that.
Anyway, that's my long ramble of the night of what I've been paying to learn in college. I hope I didn't bore you too much. :)
Monday, January 10, 2011
I think . . .
I think that there is a reason for everything, even if we don't know what the reason is.
I think that patience is one of the hardest things to learn, but one of the most important things in the entire world.
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think that the sun is shining right now and it makes the snow sparkle beautifully.
I think that people come into your life for a reason.
I think that people leave your life for a reason.
I think that someday, my turn will come. Someday.
I think that I need my work ethic back.
I think I need my confidence back.
I think I need to start working on homework.
I think that patience is one of the hardest things to learn, but one of the most important things in the entire world.
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think that the sun is shining right now and it makes the snow sparkle beautifully.
I think that people come into your life for a reason.
I think that people leave your life for a reason.
I think that someday, my turn will come. Someday.
I think that I need my work ethic back.
I think I need my confidence back.
I think I need to start working on homework.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Retrying Blogging
So I haven't been very good about blogging. But my one follower, Chandra, reminded me of that and I'm willing to give it another shot. Thanks for the support Chan!!
I'm now in my second semester at college and I am officially a "Freshmore" or "Sophman", I'm freshman age and I feel like a freshman, but credit's wise, I'm a sophomore. I still love it here, despite the snow and the wind!! I'm taking Human Anatomy right now (with some other really boring classes) and I love it, even though it's really difficult. In lab we get to work with real human cadavers. It's fun but it's also sobering. There is an immediate reverence and respect that comes over me whenever I step in the room with them. But I do enjoy the class.
Hopefully next week I will begin volunteering at the Valley View Medical Center, in the Cancer Center. I am very excited! I will be working in the library and I will be helping patients and their families research their diagnosis and I will be there to offer them emotional support. I will also be learning how to help fit them for wigs!! It will be a new experience, but I'm excited because I think it will be a chance for me to learn and grow as a person. I am excited to be able to help someone else who is going through a difficult time.
I don't really know what else to say. My life is pretty boring, just classes and homework and that's about it. Oh, but I'm applying to be an RA (Resident Assistant) next year. I still have to do interviews and I won't find out until March if I got it or not. But if I do, I'll let you know and give you more details.
I'm now in my second semester at college and I am officially a "Freshmore" or "Sophman", I'm freshman age and I feel like a freshman, but credit's wise, I'm a sophomore. I still love it here, despite the snow and the wind!! I'm taking Human Anatomy right now (with some other really boring classes) and I love it, even though it's really difficult. In lab we get to work with real human cadavers. It's fun but it's also sobering. There is an immediate reverence and respect that comes over me whenever I step in the room with them. But I do enjoy the class.
Hopefully next week I will begin volunteering at the Valley View Medical Center, in the Cancer Center. I am very excited! I will be working in the library and I will be helping patients and their families research their diagnosis and I will be there to offer them emotional support. I will also be learning how to help fit them for wigs!! It will be a new experience, but I'm excited because I think it will be a chance for me to learn and grow as a person. I am excited to be able to help someone else who is going through a difficult time.
I don't really know what else to say. My life is pretty boring, just classes and homework and that's about it. Oh, but I'm applying to be an RA (Resident Assistant) next year. I still have to do interviews and I won't find out until March if I got it or not. But if I do, I'll let you know and give you more details.
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