Best Friend

When I was a little kid, my brother would tell me I wasn't pretty just to make me cry.

It worked.

He would also hit me on the head and steal my things and all the normal brother stuff. I reacted like the little diva I was and would scream and tattle on him and basically display my utter wimpy-ness.

Sometime between now and 12 years ago, this harassment stopped. 

Sometime between now and 7 years ago, we actually became FRIENDS. It was weird at first. We would talk about all kinds of random stuff and go places together. We still had the occasional stupid argument, though.



For the last few years, Taylor has been my best friend in the whole world. It's kinda crazy how much I love him. We can talk and laugh and cry and goof off and eat food and talk more and look up Youtube videos and laugh. I laugh more with him than with anyone else I know. He teaches me something almost every time I see him. He's so wise, smart, clever, hilarious, cool, and interesting.

There is a big problem having a brother this cool.

I know how it feels to always to be excited and happy to see someone with whom I'll have effortless conversation, constant laughter, the ability to talk about important spiritual and emotional things, get advice about anything. I will NEVER ever hear a dirty joke or malicious gossip, he won't be ignoring things I say because of a video game, and is always telling me how wonderful and beautiful and fun to be around I am. 



This has given me high standards for guys. When I meet someone who makes me as happy as my brother does, I'll know I've found someone I can spend eternity with.

Thanks, Taylor, for everything.

This Is Becca's Brain On Drugs

I hate Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper, I've never had Mountain Dew; soda in general is NOT my favorite. Because of this, I VERY rarely consume caffeine.

Probably the highest level of caffeine intake I've ever experienced is a few sips of Monster when a friend is drinking some.

Rockstar was free at work yesterday. I had a few late nights in Rexburg. You can see this isn't headed good places.

I wasn't tired anymore, that's for sure.

There are 240 milligrams of caffeine in one of these cans (There's 95 milligrams in one cup of coffee). Work was a lot easier to handle, to say the least. The caffeine really started to hit me on the phone with my brother after work. I started giggling for basically no reason and he was definitely confused. Working out was boring and I was jittery. In the car on the way to my sister's work, Taylor told me I shouldn't drink energy drinks anymore. Me? I was having a blast. I changed topics literally every 10 seconds and laughed at almost everything. I was excited, loud, and overall a little loopy.

At the restaurant my hands were shaking but I could tell that this little adventure was ending. I calmed down, ate a (delicious) dinner and too much bread (as always..dang free bread!) and drove home without doing anything crazy.

My conclusion:

I don't plan on becoming one of those people that drinks 2 energy drinks a day (I know SO MANY of these people). But because of this fun experiment, I now know that I can use caffeine as a back up plan for things like the drudgery of an early morning after a very late night, cramming for a test, working when I'm completely exhausted..I'll retain my high sensitivity to the drug and be able to fully utilize the benefits of liquid stimulants.

Party on.

#CaffeineVirgin

Provo Probs

To Those Who Abide in the Lovely City of Provo, Utah
This is a great city in which to live. However, there are a few hazards you should look out for:

1. BYU Couples

Characteristics of BYU couples:
Always wearing BYU apparel of some kind--hats, sweatshirt, lanyards, bags, etc. (See below photo)
Gaze into each other's eyes ALL THE TIME. (See below photo)
Rub noses in public and kiss. All the time.
NEVER stop holding hands. 
(NOTE: THIS IS NOT PHOTOSHOPPED. I took this picture while I was at work, where I am lucky enough to see a large number of these specimens)

Safety precautions to be taken: Walk around with your eyes closed, or better yet, stay indoors at all times.

2. Icy sidewalks

It seems like nobody salts the sidewalks in Provo. This results in some awkward looking walking. Or you can be a crazy person and GO JOGGING AT 10PM ON ICE. Because that's perfectly safe. *rolls eyes* I have no idea why or how people do this on slick ice without dying.

Safety precautions to be taken: Wear good boots. Bring around a portable hairdryer and melt everything as you walk. Or, better yet, stay indoors at all times.

3. Mormons EVERYWHERE.

Don't get me wrong--Mormons are great (I happen to be one). But there is a ridiculously large number of Mormons in Provo. I mean, they DID settle the state of Utah so it's understandable that there's a remnant, and there is a huge Mormon university (BYU) in Provo, but still. Lots of these Mormons running around. Talking about Primary lessons and their home teachers in the grocery store and elders wandering through Walgreens. It's a whole other world out here. People would think you were crazy if you were anywhere but Mormonville.

Safety precautions to be taken: Go to the activities they invite you to--free casserole and Jello! Who could say no? If that doesn't work: Can't beat 'em? Join 'em. I like being part of the huge Mormon family. BUT, if you don't join, that's good too. But to all my fellow Mormons: NON MEMBERS ARE CHILDREN OF GOD TOO. Just cuz they're not baptized doesn't mean they're evil. Love them and treat them how they should be treated.

Good luck, Provo-ites.

Would You Rather...

According to some psychologists, there 9 types of intelligence. Howard Gardner wrote a book called "Frames of Mind" that outlined several different ramifications for each type of intelligence: 

Musical–rhythmic & harmonic, Visual–spatial, Verbal–linguistic, Logical–mathematical, Bodily–kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalistic, Existential.

I just took a quiz and got Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence:

Good at explaining things to others
Able to use humor when telling stories
Strong abililtiy to listen and remember spoken information
Understands both the literal and figurative meaning of words
Able to use language in many different ways, such as to entertain, to persuade and to inform
Strong grammar skills

The reason I bring up the 9 types of intelligence is because of a conversation I was having with a friend of mine. We were discussing a few relationships we have--both romantic and platonic--and how complicated people make things. I told her I just wanted to start nursing school already--I know it'll be stressful and crazy and I'll probably cry.  

A lot.

But the thing is, I like an academic challenge. The stress of school can be managed. Yeah, it's super tough. It'll feel endless. I'll want to give up. But I'll be able to see the end, know what I have to do, know the rules, expectations, and I can always just ask my teachers, fellow students, and others for advice and there will almost always be a right answer, a correct method, and a box I can check off at the end of the day.

This is what I told Emily: "I'd rather study the biological hormonal differences between males and females than actually experience the difference myself."

The reason for this because people's mental processes are more difficult for me to maneuver than their physiological ones. It's easy for me to tell you that decision making occurs mainly in the prefrontal cortex, speech is understood in Wernicke's area, and emotions are found mainly in the frontal lobe. But I can't tell you why you decided to be angry at something your roommate said to you.

I discovered something about myself a few years ago--there are two things that bring me both stress and happiness.

School and relationships.

The feeling of Oh my gosh I have a paper to write and I have no idea how to start is about as uncomfortable as I like this boy and don't want to be too obvious but he probably likes my roommate so I'm not gonna compete. Dang it. 

And on the flip side: Yay I got an A on this essay! and He asked me on a date! 

Obviously there are varying degrees, but you get the point. 

The nice thing about academics is that I can control it. I study harder, read with more focus, pay better attention in class, I get an improved grade. With people, I can only control my half of any interaction. Which can be difficult sometimes.

#PeopleProbs

11 Again

      

Me at 9

Imagine me, at 11 years old, somewhere between these (^v) two ages.

Me at 13

                           

Ah, the pre-pubescent years. I am glad they are over.

That was the age when I first started liking boys. The guy I liked was 6 years older than me. Talking to him scared me and mentioning his name made me blush. "Flirting" was out of the question (and was a question--I had no idea what flirting even meant, and to be honest, I still don't).

Unfortunately, I'm also describing myself now, 7 years later. A majority of guys that I meet are at least 4 years older than I. I feel like a little kid compared to them. I AM a little kid. What's even more annoying is that often these older guys are really cool. Mature, smart, funny, etc. I hate when I find myself crushing on someone who's 25 because I feel 11 again, inexperienced, nervous, and without a doubt much too young.

#collegeprobs

Blessings

I like word definitions.

"The verb bless comes from Old English blēdsian/blētsian, 'to bless, wish happiness, consecrate.'"

My favorite part of that is "to wish happiness." It makes blessings sound so simple and loving.

They are.

We have a loving Father in heaven. What He wants to do more than anything is bless us. 
The apostle Jeffrey R. Holland said this in April 2013:
"Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it."

I love the image that gives me of God--not wrathful, angry, or scary. He just wants to bless His children. However, there are rules set in place before this world was created that limit what He can do:

D&C 130:20-21:
"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated — And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."

In order to be blessed, we have to be obedient. King Benjamin puts it so eloquently in Mosiah 2:

"He doth require that ye should do as He hath commanded you; for which if ye do, He doth immediately bless you; and therefore He hath paid you."

All we need to do is obey His commandments and then we get "paid" with blessings. Seems like everyone would want to be totally obedient, right? Because heaven's gifts are the best kind?

Unfortunately, this is not the case.


"O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!"

Something that breaks my heart more than anything else is seeing someone (especially people who I love) go against all the things they've been taught. I know it's not easy or fun or cool to keep good standards. It's hard. I always try to keep the commandments and sometimes it's unexciting, lonely, and just plain boring. I keep doing it, because I know I should, but sometimes I feel like there's no point. However, I know people, people I care very strongly about, who've done that--given up on some of the rules. The aftermath is torturous. It may not come quickly. It may take a month, a year, or a decade, but when the consequence hits, it's a million times worse than the feeling of "just plain boring."

Here's a list of a few of the blessings I've received because of obedience:

1. I get to go to the temple and perform work for those who can't do it themselves
2. The company of the Holy Ghost
3. Having enough money for my needs as a student
4. Confidence in important decisions I made with the help of the Spirit
5. Good health
6. Ability to perform in school, even when it was really hard
7. Emotional fortitude 
8. Tender mercies
9. Cool opportunities
10. Joy

To those of you who are choosing the right, keep on truckin'. Sometimes that's all you can do.

 "Lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."

To people who may be struggling with rules, family, school, work, money, life in general--and I think we all are, in some degree--remember that God loves you. It sounds cliche, but it's still dang true! Help will come if you ask. It may not be in the way you expect or even notice, but don't let that feed your doubt. Do your best and try to keep the faith. 

Mistakes--we've all made them--can be removed fully and completely through repentance. Don't think you're not worthy to pray or ask for help because we all fall short. Remember, God loves to bless those who feel they don't deserve it, and honestly, none of us do but we are all fortunate to have a merciful Savior. I know He lives and will forgive and heal anyone who asks.

                                                 

In Defense of the Boy Crazy

I've been accused on many occasions of being boy crazy. This blog post goes out to all my fellow girls who've been accused of the same thing

Let's break this down.

Boy: Noun. 1: A male child. 2: A young man.

Crazy: Adjective 1. Mentally deranged, esp. as manifested in a wild or aggressive way.
2. extremely enthusiastic.


I think we should use the second definition for both words. Using the first would make anyone sound creepy.

Extremely enthusiastic about young men.
I get told that I'm extremely enthusiastic about young men for a few reasons, mainly: a) I talk about boys pretty often, b) I flirt and c) I like to go on dates (don't we all?) and have been known to say, "I want a boyfriend."

Is that really so extreme? Is it "being in or attaining the highest degree; very intense"? Not exactly. Especially considering a few important factors:

1. I'm a girl. Girls like boys. Weird.
2. I'm at an age where dating/courting are in my not-so-distant future.
3. (And this is the most important one) When almost ANYONE asks me about my life, be it my grandpa, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, bishop, or roommate, one of the questions they ask is almost 95.67% guaranteed to be: "How's your boy life?" "Are you dating anyone?" "All those boys up in Idaho are chasing after you, aren't they?" "How are you feeling about marriage?" (That one was my bishop) "Do you like anyone?"

Me:
......

I really am making this face, by the way.

You know the saying "Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer"? The same principle applies here. When 95.67% of people ask about boys, is it really so surprising that I TALK ABOUT BOYS? 

If you find it crazy or extreme that I often discuss something that people often inquire about, then you need to revamp your craze-o-meter. 

Don't get me wrong, I know I talk a lot. Trust me, it probably bugs me more than it bugs you. But don't go judging--I like boys just as much as the next girl. I just talk about it a bit more than she does.

So next time you see me or any other girl you've thought to be overly obsessed with boys, try asking us something like: "Tell me what you learned in church this week!" or "What do you like about work?" or "Why did you choose the major you did?" 

If you REALLY wanna see me get excited (way more than I do about boys), ask me to tell you the muscles of the upper limb, or the sequence of events involved in flexing a muscle, starting at axon hillock of the motor neuron. Then you will see something "being in or attaining the highest degree; very intense."