I miss Hawaii

So this semester at BYU has been the hardest yet, and I know that its because I did only generals and its just FREEEZING cold and I hate climbing up the stairs now that I'm south of campus. So of course I see my friends graduating BYUH on facebook and I know that if I would have stayed there I would have been done with school. But if I would have known what I know now I still would have transferred here to BYU because I have had so many amazing memories here. But one thing I will never regret is spending two beautiful years in Hawaii. I am so lucky to have gotten to go there and also attend BYU. I miss Hawaii every day so here's my shout out via Jack Johnson. Mele Kalikimaka!

Yes, this is exactly what I am doing.

So, yes, if you were wondering, I am posting on my blog when I should be studying. I don't know what it is but finals week it is 4 times as hard to study for. Maybe because my classes are so close to being over that I just pretend in my head that they are? Its not good. I end up gaining back the 5 pounds I worked by butt off to lose in like 3 days.. Oreos, chips, ranch dip, ice cream, etc. I should have never taken Psychology so I never had to learn that stress eating is a real thing and comfort food actually works and makes you feel better. I wish carrots made me feel better. here's a video that makes me feel a lot better. excuse the language, but this video makes me smile.

Anyways, so food is a distraction. Also of course Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, Hellogiggles, websites that make rain noises, random strangers blogs, or anything else that isn't learningsuite, studyblue, word, email, and word documents.  I have so many tabs open that my computer is kind of freaking out. My hometeachers came over and said the theme of this semesters finals are "don't worry, be happy."  but I'm afraid that I am going to take that theme too literally and actually not worry, and be "happy" and then get my grades back and cry. So that better not happen.

Also with the amount of stupid that I've dealt with this semester I feel like I have a get out of jail free card??? Yes?? Anyone?  sure.. so thats how I feel right now. Also my D&C class makes me want to give up on humanity, because of how impossible my professor is so as long as I still love the human race I think I'll be ok if I don't do so well on my finals. Anyways. Maybe I should study now? I have a final in 3 hours, and another one in 5 hours.. sooooo yup. I guess I'll get back to studying. maybe..

Here's my theme song for the semester. Love this song. Love the Hunger games soundtrack. Love Sia.

Misogyny: As Relevant Today as in Greek and Roman Mythology

The subject of sexual politics of Greek and Roman mythology is very degrading to the feelings, rights, and respect of women in today’s world. The myths describe women as being monsters, hated, cursed, deceiving, sexual, and claim to desire to be treated this way. This seems inconceivable for them to believe this way yet we believe and celebrate this same misogyny in today’s world.

In the Odyssey, by Homer, almost all of the monsters were women and blamed as the cause of most of Odysseus’ hardships. Calypso was categorized as a sexual, persuasive, nymph who keeps Odysseus on her island for 8 years. The Sirens and Scylla were ruthless monsters who’s goal was to kill Odysseus and his men whether it was by biting off their heads or a sensual song they sang to lead them into their trap. Helen was essentially the cause of the war and was stolen away yet she seemed pretty calm and collect about it all. There is no mention of it being wrong for the women to act this way.

 Other myths include Pandora’s Box and the Myth of Europa which both show this Misogyny. Pandora is blamed and is the original cause for all man kind to experience the disease and sickness and bad things in life. Europa is celebrated on the Euro coin when she was stolen by a bull. The beautiful and some would say “worshiped” statue of Bernini’s “Rape of Persephone” has Zeus and Persephone intertwined and spiraled upwards. Why do we celebrate these stories and works of art when the subject matter is so horrid? Maybe we as humans love a story with a “good vs. evil” theme?

Stories older than Disney have always portrayed the “damsel in distress” who is stolen and tied up and thrown on a railroad track. She then, of course, is rescued by her hero soon after. But, who didn’t love the excitement of the anticipating train coming closer and closer? If things like this would happen in real life everyone involved might suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for years afterwards, and may not even be able to speak of the experience, instead of brining it up in small talk. Yet, somehow we don’t even notice that this kind of thing is still all over the movie screen, our radios, and other forms of entertainment.

“Twilight” for example describes a girl who falls in love with a boy who not only can kill her because he is a vampire, but the fact that he is so strong he can bruise her from holding her too tight. “Twilight” is one of the biggest things that has hit this world and has gotten a hold of every 40-year-old “Team Edward” mothers who seriously need a life. Or for example, the song “Love the Way You Lie” by Rihanna and Eminem, that lyrics describe a conversation of a man who has beat his significant other and promises to not do it again. Yet what does Rihanna think about this? The same Rihanna who was actually beaten Chris Brown. She says that she “loves the way he lies.” This song is played more on the radio more than a Jason Mraz song. And lastly I’d like to bring up that recently I have found it significantly disturbing that during Halloween you can actually pay an extra fee at a haunted house to have the actors not just scare you, but touch you and carry you away from all your friends in a fabricated horror story environment.

This is because gender roles today are still a little bit skewed. Woman in magazines, television, and movies are portrayed as scandalous, over-emotional, rude, jealous, loud, and what they call “independent.” They claim that if a woman is all of these things it breaks her away from the stigma of being a silent housewife controlled by man. Aren’t these similar attributes that perhaps the Greek God Hera has? Zeus cheated on her more than any mythological story. Was Zeus blamed for his actions? No. He is still considered the God of all Greek Gods.  We still see this today that when a woman is raped we still tend to blame the women on either being too flirty, too vulnerable, having too many drinks, or even blaming her for putting herself in the environment in the first place.

What is our solution to this? How can we stop this misogyny towards woman when it has been around since the Greeks and Romans? D. Todd Christopherson says, ““The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.” If women respect themselves enough and hold themselves to a higher standard we can break this Misogyny.

Unfortunately life isn’t as romantic as a Jane Austin book, is not as thrilling as an Alfred Hitchcock film, and is not as epic as a Marvel series. Because of this we must not celebrate real rape victims by acting them out in haunted houses. If women adapt this as apart of their entertainment and become as “independent” as the media describes us to be then we become the mythological monsters like Scylla, Calypso, Hera, the Furies, and the Sirens who were the start of this misogyny in Greek and Roman mythology.

Artists I Did Not Appreciate Until College

This is too long to blog about so I decided to make it a segment thing... So for today I decided to dedicate this to Jack Johnson. First of all, I not only didn't appreciate his pure raw talent until college, but not until I lived in Hawaii for two years for college. MAN HE IS JUST SYRUP AND HONEY... Dang.. that's all I can say about Jack Johnson. I could listen to him all day. In High School I think I pretty much tuned him out except for "Banana Pancakes" which honestly creeped me out sometimes when he would say "mamma made a baby.." What the... Thats all I had to think about Jack Johnson. Then I lived in Hawaii where literally all day I just want to not go to class because "baby, its raining, and we're in hawaii... and I want me some BANANA PANCAKES. And I would home that the super hot surfur guys walking around campus had eye's in the back of their head so that they could tell me that I looked good as I walked away. Holidays became way more meaningful especially when I couldn't come home for thanksgiving and realized that we're just "better when we're together" and not over Skype. I would just wander around, and pretend that I'm somewhere else, about 2,000 miles from here. And somedays I would feel just like a tough enchilada filled up with nada. But at the end of the day, Bubbly Toes is the song that describes life in Hawaii the best. The song always makes me think of cute sweet Minami who was my landlord's granddaughter who was the most beautiful half polynesian half white 9 year old bunch of adorableness who I believe this song was written for. Here's the lyrics because I can't leave anything out. Makes me think of barefoot walks to Bristles Beach, Drift wood forts, Snorkling at Shark's Cove, listening and singing to this song in an old car with no air conditioning, playing cards, jumping on Rachel and Eevannah's bed. Boy I miss them. These are my lovely roommates who are both on missions. Best girls ever.

It's as simple as something that nobody knows
That her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of a queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are all covered with tar balls and scars

It's as common as something that nobody knows
That her beauty will follow wherever she goes
Up the hill in the back of her house in the wood
She'll love me forever, I know she could

I remember when you and me mmm
How we used to be just good friends
Wouldn't give me none but all I wanted was some

She's got a whole lot of reasons
She can't think of a single one that can justify leaving
And he got none but he thinks he got so many problems
Man he got, too much time to waste

His dreams are like commercials
But her dreams are picture perfect and
Our dreams are so related though they're often underestimated

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that
Her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of the queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are infested with tar balls and

La da da da da da
La da da da da da da
La da da da da da
La da da da da da da da

Well I was eating lunch at the D.L.G.
When this little girl came and she sat next to me
I never seen nobody move the way she did
Well she did and she does and she'll do it again

When you move like a jellyfish rhythm don't mean nothing
You go with the flow, you don't stop
Move like a jellyfish rhythm is nothing
You go with the flow, you don't stop

It's as common as something that nobody knows it
Her beauty will follow wherever she goes
Up the hill in the back of her house in the wood
She'll love me forever, I know she

La da da da da da
La da da da da da da
La da da da da da
La da da da da da da da

If you would only listen, you might just realize
What you're missing, you're missing me
If you would only listen, you might just realize
What you're missing, you're missing me

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that
Her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of the queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are infested with tar balls and

La da da da da da
La da da da da da da
La da da da da da
La da da da da da da

La da da da da da
La da da da da da da
La da da da da da
La da da da da da da da

Read more: Jack Johnson - Bubble Toes Lyrics | MetroLyrics 


Here's the one and only picture I have of Minami when we went to Taco Bell. (Stolen from Rachel's FB) and some other pics :)

Hipster Musical Moments

So sometimes (as in pretty rarely), I stumble upon some musical genius's that no one has ever heard of yet. 1. it makes me feel super cool 2. I feel like I am the only one in the world who gets to enjoy their talent 3. I feel the need to share them to everyone I know like a Missionary shares the gospel. I found most of them from a suggested playlist on hellogiggles. I can't get enough of that website. But others I just stumbled upon. So here's a list of the greatest songs ever, give them a chance, they will soon be stuck in your head or make you be in aw of their beauty:

*I'm appologize if you are cool enough to already know some of these songs. I applaud your musical taste.

1. Fare Thee Well- Oscar Isaac & Marcus Mumford (Yes like Mumford and Sons)
2. Let Me Down Easy- Sheppard (be prepared to have this stuck in your head all day.)
3. All of the People- Panama Wedding
4. All I Want is You- Ball Park Music
5. Wild Love- Gossling
6. Is This How You Feel- The Preatures
7. Somebody Loves You- Betty Who
8. Beggin' -Madcon
9. Tennis Court- Lorde (I'm sure everyone has heard this one by now)
10. Home- Dan Croll

Yes, I am going to be listening to these 10 songs on a shuffled repeated playlist for the rest of the month :D

My Friends=Friends?

So, about a month ago I think it was my friend Devon who brought it up but he mentioned how that our group of friends has become like Friends the TV show. Haha, we have all at one point been interested in each other, dating each other, been extremely mad at each other, not speaking to each other, living with each other--I would say its only been boys with boys and girls with girls except I kind of count Devon living with me for a couple days meaning his stuff was in my fridge because his was broken during homeless week at BYU.--, anyways. So now I come to the question... WHYYY??? we have been friends with each other for over a year now. And it has literally felt like we have been friends all of my years of college. Some people have come into our group, some have got married, and some of us have been in and out of serious relationships but still we stay super good friends. Weird. Anyways. So I have decided that I love my friends so much.. like a lot. I never thought that I would be so close to girls like Stephanie, Nichole, and Asthen. They are my everything. I have gotten even closer to Nichole and Ashten since I started living with them at Liberty Square. Love them so much. This month has been pretty rough for me but I come home from school to Nichole making me cry laughing at her staring at me with her creepy smile in her face mask while dancing to her strobe light. And then I die laughing at Ashten when she comes out of no where and says the perfect combination of witty and inappropriate that it makes me so happy inside. And Nathan Eagan who is our Liberty Square neighbor now. Can't express how wonderful it is to still have him close. He is my anchor in life. I have known Nathan from the beginning with Devon and Braden at the Riv. He has been there for me through thick and thin and is there to slow dance with me "ballroom style" at every dance we try and crash. Always up for a party and for fun even if he is crazy busy. If its important to him, he will be there. With a homemade casserole and a singing voice of an angel. And there's the boys of Manavu of course. Sometimes I literally want to punch them all individually in the face. But sometimes they are just the best. We'll start with Kyle. Sweet Kyle. All of the inappropriate things he says is usually made up for all of the times he calls me babe, baby, sweetheart, and honey. It use to annoy me, but I really do love it. It makes me feel important. And then there's Braden. Not only does he share my little brothers name but I seriously respect this dude. 60% of the time Im convinced he came from outer space, but his snapchats are always my favorite. This guy oozes with witty remarks and crowd pleasing jokes. He's too mainstream for stand up comedy. Then there's Devon. Devon is probably the one I argue the most with to his face. I guess I can just be real with him cause I know he doesn't judge. But he is pretty dang awesome. However, I do not agree with 1. His picky taste in women, 2. His views about eating canadian candy with .000000001 amount of coffee in it. 3. His over the top strict views about curfew and 4. His women jokes. But on the other hand I do agree with his 1. work ethic 2. Money management skills/frugalness and 3. loyalty. 4. Active/up for anything fun. If you need him to help you with something he will be there. And if he can't be there he will find someone to be there for you. For real though. He is the best. And last and sometimes least of all there is William. I'm joking about the least because we joke that everyone kind of hates William. Its not that any of us actually do. We just can't handle all of him at once at times. He is seriously one of a kind though. All I can think of to describe william is to put Mr. Darcy, Nick (from New Girl), Squidward, the Grinch, Steve Carell into a blender...especially Steve Carell's eyebrows.. and you have William. But I will say that that wouldn't even begin to describe him. Also you have to add his amazing dance moves or else you don't know Will at all. He is the reason I go to some dances. And after meeting his brother I now know it runs in the family. Will is so great though. You know when you've gone through so many ups and downs with someone that in the end you just feel like you have to be friends forever now? Thats how I feel about all of these guys. Seriously, they are all golden. There wives are going to be absolute rockstars..and no I will NOT be a groomsman at their wedding like some weird girls do when their super close guy friends get married.. Its weird...and I will not be apart of that cult. The wedding is for the girl.. if we are friends and wants me to be a bridesmade thats fine..but if not I'll sit quietly in the back sipping my italian soda and eating all of the cake balls...all of them. Anyways. I love these guys so much. Which is why I let them eat my free meal at the awful waffle every time I work 1. because I am on a diet 2. because my roommates are on a diet and 3. Because I seriously love them and can't make up for everything they do for me. Priesthood blessing, home teachers, study buddies, moving buddies, farmers market company, choir concert 'dates', wingmen, chauffeurs, crazy dance buddies, student section groups at football games, and way more that I can't think of right now. They could make an extremely funny TV show of our crazy life we've spent together over a year I've known all these fools. If they ever read this I will die. Because as far as they know, I only hang out with them to make me feel cool. It boosts their ego a little bit I think. But don't worry. I yell at them enough to bring it back down. I guess all of this Halloween decorating has gotten me in the holiday mood. A thankful, happy, peaceful, joyful, spirited mood. Hope it never goes away. Yay for friends who remind me of Friends. Never a bad thing.

Disclaimer: These are not all of my super close friends. These are just my friends who have recently made my life a little bit brighter. I literally started making a list of the people I love with all my heart and I couldn't stop naming names. Thats what happens when you grow up in California, go to school at BYU Hawaii, Work at Disney World, Go to BYU, and go on a Study Abroad to Europe. You meet people that change your life. More to come probably since I'm in such a people are awesome mood.

here's something that made me laugh out loud and almost pee my pants today. Gotta love Ellen:

America Is Closed

First of all I was suppose to post about this yesterday, sorry. Sorry to all of the billions of people following my blog..as in no one. I don't mind that no one reads my blog, mostly because I like writing to no one. It gets rid of the pressure. Anyways, so the government was shut down yesterday which is kind of crazy right? I didn't really know what to think about until I went to my Financial Management class later that day. Let me just say that my Financial Management class is the most wonderful class in the world.

Reason #1: Every class feels like a motivational speech given by the smartest man in AMERICA. Mostly because he's pretty funny and good what he does and is extremely knowledgable. If he was telling me straight up lies I might not know because I just trust most of what he says because he is so smart. But I do actually agree with a lot of his "normal to understand" logic.

Reason #2: I am not the best at managing my money but I would say I am a pretty frugal spender so all the notes I take in this class are like a revelation. So precious to me I keep it in my most favorite Taylor Swift notebook. Sometimes I feel like a joke in that class. I walk in to the JKB where there are about a billion super attractive men in suits who are too busy for women, and I walk in there with my floral pink Vera Bradley backpack, my mickey mouse sweater and my floral sneakers and sit down and pull out my one of 5 taylor swift notebooks I got from Big Lots and take notes about being serious in life. But then I remember the quote from New Girl of course:
"I brake for birds. I rock a lot of polka dots. I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours. I spend my entire day talking to children... but that doesn’t mean I’m not smart and tough and strong."
Sometimes I hope that this quote is correct and that I really am smart and tough and strong. I may have worked at Disney World and I might like cats more than a normal person but I also consider myself a tomboy in a way. I like baseball and I'd much rather go camping then stay at a hotel. I guess that's just me though. Who's to say that I can't listen to some Jack's Mannequin and Yellowcard as loud as I can in the car and rock out but also scream like a little girl when my favorite One Direction song comes on at a dance party? I think that Jaime can definitely like both things. That's what I think though.

Reason #3: I love all the references he makes to the Gospel. As much information I get about how to be financially smart I get equal amounts of how to be spiritually smart and knowledgable in the Gospel. I love it. It's great.

So back to my original plan for this post: America is closed.. My friend who I worked with at Disney posted on Facebook a pretty funny status that said "Happy 42nd anniversary to Magic Kingdom in Disney World! In other news, America is closed." I thought that was pretty funny. Im not sure if saying America is closed is actually correct but it is pretty funny. Anyways, so in my financial management class we first went over 14 challenging trends of America over the years. Then after that depressing lesson we then spent the rest of the class going over 22 compelling trends of America. It was awesome. We talk about in class a lot that attitude really is everything and it truly can make you more successful and live longer. I think I was blessed to have been born with a very optimistic family and way of thinking for myself. Its just the way I am. So I always love hearing that there are more positive things happening in America especially after hearing about the Government closing yesterday. Here's some of my favorite quotes from the class period that I took. Some are from books and some of from my teacher.. sorry If I don't label them. I write so fast in that class:

"within a generation, we will be able to provide goods and services,once reserved for the wealthy few, to any and all who need them" -Abundance: The future is better than you think

Howard W. Hunter lived through the Great Depression, 2 World Wars, and Vietnam. If he had hope then so can we.

The Air Force Rule of Three
You can't survive...
3 months without companionship or love
3 weeks without food
3 days without water
3 hours without shelter (in dangerous conditions)
3 minutes without air
3 seconds without spirit and hope

Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife."

"If you have a reason to believe, then this is the age of miracles!" -Brother Marsh


Also here's some pretty funny memes I've seen in the past 24 hours. Your welcome: