First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage . . .

The happy times continue to roll forth, which is probably a good thing. Last weekend, my cousin Brett got married in Salt Lake, so lots of family members came out for that, which was totally awesome. We had a family dinner the night before the wedding at my cousin Ryan's house (brett's older brother), and it was really fun to see everyone and catch up with my cousins that I rarely ever see (even the ones that live in provo . . . oops!). And my parents, too. (oops again) The food was yummy, especially the dessert crepes we had. Oh, to die for. I'm shocked that I managed to stop after only one. One of the few times my willpower won over my stomach! Amazing, really. The only not-fun part of the evening was the crazy traffic problems trying to get there. I am not joking when I say I passed SIX traffic accidents on the way there (and under good driving conditions, it wouldn't take me even an hour to get to Ryan's house). It was not a good night for Utah drivers, that's for sure.

The wedding was on Saturday, and so was the BYU-Utah football game (which we all kept track of via cell phone at the reception that evening . . . only my family, really), so I made sure I drove up to Salt Lake somewhat early so I wouldn't be caught in all the Provo traffic coming up to Salt Lake for the game (because heaven knows, there would have been a lot). It was kind of nice, though, being able to walk around Temple Square for awhile. Peaceful. I also walked down to the Gateway Mall, and by the time I was walking back up to the temple, my feet were clamoring for rest. That's what I get for making the mistake of wearing heels . . . all freaking day. I was standing and walking in them for about six hours or so. Not-so-happy feet. But everybody got to huddle together to keep warm outside while we waited for Brett and Jessica to come out, and my mom and I completely inadvertently matched each other perfectly. My sister came outside in her totally cute (but not matching) outfit to ask, "Why didn't anyone tell me?!?!" in good mock-indignant tones. But eventually the happy couple came out, and they were both just gorgeous and ecstatic, and it was really great. The reception that night was just more chance for all of us to chat with one another and eat some good food (and give my feet a rest . . . there were chairs, thank goodness!). So, all in all, a good family weekend, although my feet took a couple days to forgive me for the torture I put them through.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, my FHE group on Monday night played "Pin the Snood on the Turkey". I was in charge of the activity, and I was actually really excited to color in my print-out turkey. Sometimes it's fun to revert to childhood days and get to color and play little-kid games. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, and not just because I also took extra days off to make my Thanksgiving holiday even longer, and not just because the food is always good, but because it's a good time of year. I'm really trying to think about everything I'm grateful for, which is really a lot. Sometimes I think I'm totally spoiled (whereas Tom thinks it all the time), but hopefully I am not so ungrateful or selfish to be unwilling to share everything I have with others. I'm very blessed. So I am very thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!

"An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day." -Irv Kupcinet

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." -Thornton Wilder

-Megan

The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing

I am happy. In the words of Mr. Fred Rogers, "It's such a good feeling to know you're alive. It's such a happy feeling." I like having this feeling. I've pretty much been in generally good moods lately, but I have some reasons at this moment to smile. Mainly because endorphins are being released. Tonight Esther and I went to learn salsa dancing with some people in our ward. I've gone salsa dancing before, long ago, with my friend David, but I haven't done it since (and I was 19 . . . it's been awhile). But some girls in the ward are teaching others and we're going to all go dancing together once we don't look embarrassing. It was totally fun, especially since I actually got to dance with a guy taller than me a couple times. (and the teacher was telling me that i was learning really well . . . a little boost to my pride) Dancing is totally fun! I should do it more often. Last night, I was making cookies, but I put on Esther's ipod, and was totally rocking out to Kenny Loggins ("Footloose" made me spill flour all over the floor), Michael Jackson (i've finally learned how to moonwalk! wow, it's a dancing fever!), and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (their rendition of the opening of "The Marriage of Figaro" is quite brisk), among others. It was a fun way to spend my time in the kitchen.

I also went bowling on Friday night. Yet another activity that I have not done in quite awhile. And, well, let's just say I'm not as naturally adept at picking up bowling as I seem to be at salsa. However, Esther and I were equally bad. In both games we played, our scores were exactly the same! It was amazing to see how we both improved the same amount from the first to the second game. We both managed to get a couple strikes in, and Esther only fell down once. (it was perfection; she says it felt like slow-motion)

I'm excited for the next week to pass, because next weekend all the family will be together for my cousin Brett's wedding in Salt Lake! That'll be a good weekend, as long as nobody razzes me about my continued single-dom, as has seemed to be the pattern with the last couple of weddings we've had in the family. We shall see. (probably EVERYONE will bring it up now that i've commented about it here)

"There is nothing more notable about Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent." -Michel de Montaigne

-Me

What I Believe In

Warning: This is a serious post. No jokes. No “Life of Megan”. Just me laying some thoughts out.

This is me: I’m 24 years old, a native Oregonian, and I’m Mormon. Now all of these are facts about me that I don’t exactly hide in my posts, so I’m sure that saying so is very superfluous. But I’m saying them now because I feel I must write about something that affected me in an extremely negative way. It’s not something I can control, and it’s not something worth complaining about, especially now that election time is over. But I’m going to write about it anyway, because I spent a lot of my time yesterday sifting through my work, completely dumbfounded at the low and degrading tactics people will use simply to get a vote.

I believe that marriage has been ordained by God to be a union between a man and a woman. There are those of you who read this who disagree with me. That’s fine. But that’s what I believe, and I don’t really plan on changing that anytime soon, or ever. But nor do I believe that it’s right to barge into other peoples’ homes and ransack their possessions to take away their rights about a lifestyle that I happen to disagree with. There was a “No on Prop 8” commercial run that depicted Mormons as the kind of people who do that, though. My first reaction to this commercial was anger, because I know I’m not the kind of bigoted, ignorant, tyrannical person that was portrayed, and neither are my people. I’m not saying Mormons are perfect, because we’re not. We’re human. We make our mistakes. But to be portrayed in that manner is simply disgusting. And so I was angry. I was also sad, because unfortunately, there are people who do believe that about us, and there are people who probably saw it and believed the lie because they haven’t been given the chance to know any better.

That commercial was posted on youtube.com, and when I looked at some of the comments posted below the video, I saw this one: “One of the funniest and truest ads ever!” I’m disappointed, really, because this ad was neither funny nor true. I don’t even see how this was funny to people who have been against Proposition 8. I would think it’s sobering to see a commercial where my way of life is invaded and destroyed by those who don’t agree with me; I wouldn’t find that funny at all. I was gratified, though, to see comments by people who, by their language and tone, were clearly not Mormon but who were also appalled at the unfair and slanderous treatment we were given. I thank those of you who know who we really are, even if all our views don’t coincide.

I hope and pray that my friends know the truth about me and my people. I hope they know that we give everybody the right to live their own life (and that’s a right that’s not ours to give, either—sorry, that’s just the way it’s phrased). We don’t send out missionaries to force their way into homes; rather, we send out missionaries so that those who want to know about us can be found.

People have fought so that violence, sex, profanity, immorality of all levels can be portrayed in our media that surround us. They have fought so hard for this, that to portray someone as even believing in God is a no-no. It is okay to use profanity, but it’s not okay to talk about Deity in a sacred fashion. It’s okay to show people sleeping around, but it’s outdated and terribly un-hip to show someone who’s going to wait until marriage. Haven’t the tables turned too far in that direction? It’s offensive to some people to hear God talked about; well, unfortunately, it’s offensive to me and several others to see a lot of the trash masquerading as entertainment. Maybe a good balance will never be achieved. Maybe we’ve gone so far in this politically correct world that it won’t ever be possible to talk about God or morals or standards without seeming backward, ignorant, and oppressive. What a tragedy.

I support what I believe in, so I supported Proposition 8. I’m sorry if people think that by doing so, I was taking away their rights as human beings. But traditional marriage is something I believe in, and it’s something I think is sacred. I’m not going to apologize for that. And if there are those of you who know me and think of me as the kind of person willing to invade homes and tout my beliefs and lifestyle, you clearly don’t know me that well or the way I’ve been taught to treat other people. And maybe you should take a closer look at the tv screen and see what’s invading my home and ransacking everything I believe in.

-Me

Saw a Monster in the Mirror When I Woke Up Today

I'm pretty certain that the last of the warm-ish weather is totally gone. Last week, the highs were ranging in the mid- to upper-sixties, and it was just lovely. Alas, those days are no more. I do like winter and everything, but I'm not sure how ready I am for cold weather. Mainly because I have absolutely no desire to get out of bed when it's twenty degrees warmer inside the cocoon I create with my blankets. Call me lazy, but I'd like to just hibernate for the next four or five months. Considering my bed has been one of my favorite places to be in the last couple of weeks, it's not entirely surprising of me to say so.

Beware she of the evil eye, and he of the fake black belt.

Now, I would like to be progressive and NOT write about Halloween, because I'm sure many people are writing/have written about it, but since I won a costume contest, I'm going to toot my own horn and tell everyone: I won a costume contest! I was pretty excited about it, however pithy my "prize" was; a cheap little plastic "medal" that read "Spook-tacular" (clever). But Halloween was a pretty cool event at the office on Friday. Most everybody dressed up, we had a pumpkin carving contest (which, naturally, the Pink Fluffy Kittens completely whooped the other teams' tails, metaphorically speaking), and for the last hour and a half, we had trick-or-treaters come around the cubicles. They were mainly the children of those who work there, but they were all totally cute, even when that wasn't the point of their costumes. It really makes me wonder why little children have to be so darn cute. And after much pondering, I decided that we have to have some motivation to go through the agonies of childbirth, etc. Anyway, I had fun handing out the candy to them, and by the end of the day, I wasn't trying anymore to (unsuccessfully) hide myself from onlookers, like I had in the morning. I was quite proud to be a witch. Thanks go out to Esther, who did my make-up and hair that morning, which I'm sure helped in the effort to "go forth and win". (wait . . . that's not how that saying goes, is it?)

A full-length shot of me and Sylvia, the true victims of the Pilgrims and Puritans.
(Think about it.)
I'm convinced it was the socks that really won, not me.

Today I am grateful that Becky didn't have to go to the hospital. We had a bit of a scare when she called in tears to ask me and come pick her up on State St. (which, at 5:30, is a slightly busy thoroughfare). She had fallen off her bike, so Esther and I commenced a search for her immediately. We found her and brought her home, where we and Noah prostrated ourselves before her feet to make her comfortable. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but it is curious how much kinder we are to people when they are hurt. I even made the "ultimate sacrifice" and offered her my Reese's Puffs cereal, which amused Esther greatly. Maybe I should take a tumble myself. -pondering the idea and discarding it, because megan prefers not to bleed- But she'll be all right, for which we are all thankful. (and how appropriate that i am thankful in november; has to be more than coincidence, right?)

And the winning entry from the PFK's (it's a cat, in case you can't tell)

"Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings." -Ed Gardner

-Me