Don't Mess With the Olympics

I thank my family for my perhaps abnormal giddiness about the Olympics. At my house, it's a big event. It's the only time we get our cable hooked up. (The cable company can never understand what we're doing.) We go on a family shopping trip and each choose our favorite snacks to eat during the Opening Ceremonies, which we all watch together, though I sometimes fall asleep through the Parade of Nations. Then, the rest of two weeks or 21 days or whatever it may be, the Olympics are on almost constantly in my house. Bedtimes are much more flexible and snacking in front of the TV is much more accepted.

So last week in my Political Science class, we were discussing how media sets the social agenda, and how most of the time the stories (no matter how lame) are about Americans, not other countries. Because Americans want to hear about Americans, because we're lame/patriotic like that. A girl directly behind me raised her hand and commented about how that was true, and it could be seen in NBC's recent coverage of the Winter Olympics. "They only talked about American athletes, and they never went indepth on any other competitors. Any events without a major American contender, they just didn't show."

DID. YOU. EVEN. WATCH. THEM????? Maybe you only thought they covered Americans because you yourself only chose to watch the main events with strong American contenders, personal-agenda-setter! I'll admit, Evan Lysacek, Lindsey Vonn, and Shaun White are as cool as cold milk, but I also saw plenty of coverage of events in which the closest American athlete was in 28th place. I watched Cross-Country Skiing, and was just as tuned in to the Norwegian, German, and Swedish medalists. I learned about the Ladies' Figure Skating winners and was touched by the story of Canadian Joannie Rochette's mother. NBC showed the stories of Tessa & Scott right alongside Meryl & Charlie in Ice Dancing. I teared up as they showed how Shen & Zhao came out of retirement to finally catch the one accolade that had eluded them.

I thought long before that PoliSci class that the coverage of the Olympics had always been sportsmanlike, inspiring, and illuminating of the very soul of humanity. So think what you may, Miss NBC Has a Political Agenda, but I love the Olympics, and I truly think they bring the whole world closer together in a few days of understanding. I hope I never become so apathetic towards the Olympic games!


Husband and Wife Ice Skating Pairs Team Hongbo Zhao & Xue Shen.

Need a Hopeless Romantic?

I have always secretly wondered what being a hopeless romantic meant. I thought it meant just that when you watch movies, you root for the couple that seems they'll never get together. I don't know if a hopeless romantic is what I am, but I do know this: I love love.

Need someone to hear your giddy ramblings about the best date ever you just went on? I'm your girl. Need someone to boast to about all your wedding preparations and plans? I'll be there. Need someone to root for you every step of the way and get almost as excited as you do? Look no further. Maybe it's just because I like happy, and I adore how love makes people so happy and giggly (ok, girls at least), but I think I love love. I love how it makes you feel all warm and sparkly inside, and how you always want to be smiling but you're afraid your face will hurt. I love how it makes you think positive thoughts every waking moment, and it fills your whole self with hope.

So... you should try it. (Hey, if you need a support group, wing(wo)man, or just an attentive listener, you know where to find me!)

Boys & Girls

I've always thought of males as the ones who objectify females. Their high expectations force women to conform to gender ideals and focus on beauty and the feminine virtues, right?

But don't women act the same way? Don't we call men hot or unattractive? And judge based on a never-ending list of characteristics like their height (or lack of it), face shape, nose size, body hair amount, eye color, body build, hand size, foot length, etc.? Don't we daily encourage the stereotypes of what makes a good or manly man?

My perception is that most men don't place the degree of importance on women's expectations as women do on men's... or if men do, they don't share or show their consternation about their lacking areas. Today in my sociology class a boy claimed girls' expectations of men have changed with the advent of Twilight. "Girls expect you to be good-looking like Edward or as totally ripped as Jacob." While I doubt this extreme is true, what do I know? Thankfully, I've never experienced manhood for myself. But sorry guys, for any objectifying I may have put you through.

10 Things Learned from Chicago O'Hare

The Scene: The night before I was to return home for Christmas Break, my parents called and warned me my hometown was expecting a big snowstorm the next day, and it was a possibility I would be stranded in Chicago if I took my flight from SLC. After I entered my shuttle to SLC, I got a call from United that my flight from Chicago to VA was canceled. I decided to still take my flight to Chicago, and try to get on the next flight home or to Raleigh NC, since we were to pick up Kurt the day after I returned, and then drive back to VA. I was moved from standby list to standby list the rest of Saturday night in Chicago, eventually took a shuttle to a hotel by the airport, and returned the next morning. After returning to O'Hare at 6:30 in the morning Sunday, I finally got the last spot on standby to Raleigh at 5:30 that night. Kurt's family picked me up from the airport, and we drove halfway to VA, where we were picked up by my family. Except it was a lot more complicated than that.

----------------------

1. Bring a surge protector in your carry-on.
2. Pack your movies in your carry-on.
3. Make friends with the people sitting around you; this way, you can leave momentarily without bringing all your stuff and losing your seat.
4. Grab a seat next to an electrical cord if you will need one ever in the future, even if it is totally occupied. This way you get a head start when those people move on.
5. People are really nice and willing to help if you ask.
6. When stuck in Paris with your flights canceled, take advantage and see the town.
7. Phones run out of batteries a lot quicker when you have to call people constantly.
8. Bring as few carry-ons as possible. Preferably not purses.
9. When around time for one of your standby flights to leave, do not be talking on the cellphone. Be paying attention, and sitting close enough to the screens so you can read your name.
10. Don't forget a pillow.

Matching Monday: Kristian

Kristian Brian Sims and I go way back. To this one time at the Cannon Center, where our mutual friend Sam invited him to sit with us one time. She knew him from a ward volleyball game.

Kristian and I have good times together. One time we went to eat at Legends. This is when I learned Kristian used to play the tuba. This made him about the coolest person ever in my eyes. I had a class later that evening, but I ended up skipping it so we could keep talking. So, my first college class skipping was because of Kristian! Great influence, right?

Another story I like to tell about Kristian is this one time when we were walking home from campus with Megan and Sam the Man, and it was really icy. I was in the back of our single file line going through a narrow path, and I slipped on the ice. I went to grab Kristian's elbow, but instead, his elbow whacked me in the face.

The day I met Kurt, Kurt called Kristian to ask him on a date. They scheduled a dinner at Brick Oven together, and we learned Kristian doesn't like flowers. For your future reference, the appropriate question to ask someone you've just met, is what their favorite flower is. I don't know why it was so hilarious at the time, but it was.

One time Kristian, Kurt, Becca, and I went bowling. (Note: I hate bowling.) But it was the most fun I've ever had bowling! We had dances for our bowling victories. And I may or may not have done really well at bowling, even though I made a big deal about hating it. I feel bad about that. After bowling, we went to Denny's, where Kurt and Kristian shared a drink together with two straws. It was really cute.

The last night of Winter '09 Finals, I was closing at the Testing Center, and had asked Kristian to walk me home. I called him, and he and Kurt came and walked me home. And then we all hung outside of Chipman for a while.

The last night of Winter '09 before I flew home, Kristian and I and Sam and Becca went outside to hang out one last time. We ended up sleeping outside. It was really cold. I still remember the jacket I was wearing. Then we woke up, and slept in our dorms for like half an hour, and then we went up to campus and he carried home the boxes I bought to pack for me.

Kristian and I have had some awkward times. But, as we discussed just this evening, we have moved passed them. We are totally comfortable with each other, and we know that nothing we say to each other could be offensive, so we crack on each other all the time. We usually understand each other so well. I really feel like he is my younger brother. A really sweet awesome younger brother who does great things for us like make fudge and invite us over. And he is my May birthday buddy.

Hurrah for Kristian! Thanks, bro. I'll miss you!!

Lame.

(Note: Please imagine that title in your head in that evil octupusy man's voice from
Monsters vs. Aliens.)

I feel one should freely admit when they have been lame. I have come to realize that doing so makes people more amenable to forgiving you. I mean, once you admit you're in the wrong, what else can they say but maybe, "yeah you are!" The steam's gone. No one can hate you anymore. It works like a charm.

Ok, so the admitting thing is really for me, so I can forgive myself. This blog is mostly for me, and I have neglected it. I have been lame about recording my life. Which is so totally awesome and needs to be recorded for future posterity, and for me when I forget. So one of my goals for this New Year is to be better and write more often with this blog. That doesn't mean you will have to become a more studious reader or anything, it's mostly for me. I want to look back someday and look at all the little things that happened in my life and smile, knowing they helped make me the person I am. As Kathleen Kelly says in You've Got Mail,

"All this nothing has meant more to me than so many somethings."

So here's to the nothings in life; the nothings that, in the end, add up to great somethings. I hope I can be better at recording these this year!

Happy 2010!!

Gettin Froze

Today was one of the coldest days I have ever lived through. You know it's bad when your nose hairs are freezing. (Yes. It happened to me, ok?) This, along with my frozen hair, frozen ears, frozen face, and the snow turning to ice on the sidewalks made for quite a painful walk to class this morning.

I usually like the cold infinitely better than the heat. You can always put on more clothes when it's cold, but you can't do much of anything when it's hot. However, this theory becomes as dirty snow when you're walking to class and can't go put on more clothing. When you are so frozen it is if you are in a fireplace, there is a problem. From now on, I will be wearing super warm clothing and may or may not resemble a marshmallow. Please don't stare, especially if I fall down on the ice (my worst fear). It's hypothermic out there.

Matching Monday: Dating!

Being the total champion professional that I am about dating, I agreed to once again participate in the topic my blogmates Cortney and Katie picked for our Monday blog conglomerate. (Which Katie so aptly decided to name Matching Monday.) With encouragement from Cort and Katie, I have figured out my angle.

I consider myself somewhat of a mother of the household, or maybe like a sad/weird spinster aunt that a family just has to allow to live in the house because they feel sorry for her. (See: Jane Austen. Susan B. Anthony. Emily & Anne Bronte. Emily Dickinson.) I just have never really been the dating type, so I've always been on the periphery, observing, creeping, and storing away information for my future use. (Now, you may be saying, "but Hilary, you're dating someone now," but consider this irrelevant at the moment.) As my roommates and friends go off on dates, I stay at home. But really, I've become okay with this. I was okay with it before I started dating Kurt, but now I'm just relieved I have a reason to stay in the house and not date. Here are some things I have learned from observing my beautiful, dateable, personable friends through the years:

1. You should be happy in a relationship. Don't date someone because you feel obligated! Learn to tell Man NO. Don't pity date. It just makes you and Man feel unhappy and uncomfortable and the poor guy feels worthless. Telling the truth might hit him hard, but in the long run, it'll be good for you and him.

2. Relationships need to be healthily balanced into your priorities. When you date a man, he does not automatically become the center of your universe. One should maintain a balance, cultivating other relationships with friends (especially those whom you've had longer than you've known Man) and family (whom you've known longer than anybody). Do not place relationship with Man higher than especially schoolwork, sleep, eating, and sanity. Your physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being will affect you a lot longer than Man may.

3. It doesn't matter what you say or do, just that you're together. Obviously good conversation and appropriate activities are important, too, but I think being comfortable with someone in silence is good. You don't have to prove your genius or be worried about what you'll say next when you're in a good relationship. You can say nothing or anything at all, and it'll all be good.

4. You do not need a Man to be awesome. I know everyone says this. But seriously, girls, YOU ARE TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! I knew girls in high school that always had to be in a relationship. I felt this same way at different points in my life, but if you focus on other things, such as making yourself better, your testimony, your schoolwork, etc., you will learn to love yourself. And when you love yourself, how can a guy keep from loving you, too?!

5. Be willing to sacrifice for each other. If he does all the sacrificing, one day he's going to explode all over you. Relationships are two-sided (not counting the Lord, of course), and need input and work and cultivation and love from both parties involved. Show your commitment and care by compromising with him even when you'd rather have your way. A really sweet guy will want to do everything and anything for you, but really. Doing absolutely everything gets old after a while.

6. Don't feel inferior if you are not being asked on dates. Boys are shy. (See: Kurt.) And don't like to plan. (See: Kristian.) And are lazy. (See: Boys.) And some just don't understand girl auras, but don't let that get you down. Heavenly Father loves you just the same if you are with a boy or not. I survived 19 years of not being asked on a single date (and I guess I never still have *technically* been asked on one, bahaha). Just enjoy being around guys and having guy friends. If you feel comfortable asking a boy out, I say go for it! Show them boys who's boss!

I know everyone's heard this all before, but really, gals; I love you, your family loves you, and most importantly, Heavenly Father loves you. When you find someone you can love and respect and be attracted to and who makes you want to be better, stick with him. Dating seems hard, especially with all the accompanying stigma courtesy of BYU, but I promise you, a smart, handsome, perfect-for-you Man will come your way some day. Don't let him pass you by because you're moping or settling for less or angry with life. He will love you!!

(Ok sorry, that was pretty soap-boxy and mother-like. Hope no one's rolling their eyes or gagging or gnashing their teeth or anything. I'm done.)

"Silvery-Toed Slippers of Snow"

(this post brought to you by inspiration of Kurt.)
I love winter. Especially here in Utah, where it's actually all the goodness of winter, not just the annoying aspects. Here's why:

I love cold. It gets cold, and cold makes you have to bundle up and you feel all cozy and warm and safe and peaceful. When you go outside, the cold snaps at your face and makes you feel alive and awake and bright. Your cheeks get rosy, which make you look smiley and happy inside.

I love Christmas. I love Christmas traditions and being with my family. I love putting up Christmas decorations and coming home to a more friendly house, because there's trees sparkling from inside the windows. I love the quietness I feel when I just lay on the couch, lights off, watching the Christmas tree. Christmas just brings peace and joy. The present opening isn't even my favorite so much anymore, I just absolutely love the Christmas feeling that is everywhere after Thanksgiving. It's cheesy, I know, but really... I don't think I'm alone in this Christmasy attitude.

I love Christmas music. There's something about it; I guess it just makes me carry my Christmasy love with me all day. I get excited and energized and so happy inside. Christmas is love! Christmas is glee! Christmastime begs exuberance, and Christmas music just stocks up my energy storage tank for the day.

I love snow. The white makes everything look magical and mystical and peaceful and so quiet. It's like a blank canvas for thinking as I walk along through it. It quiets everyone and everything down, making them take a moment to stop and consider the wonder that is Christmas. I feel like I'm the one blessed person in the world when it snows.

I love food. And winter is the season of eating. Who cares what you eat, it's winter! It's Thanksgiving! It's Christmas! Wonderful, delicious, time-consuming treats show your appreciation of the season! Winter's so great, it deserves being enjoyed while snacking on delectable chocolate, cookies, baked goods, and hot cocoa.

I love decorations. Lights, trees, wreaths, candles, and bows, I love it! It's like a big unifying tradition of love; I love Christmas, you love Christmas, our houses decorated together make Christmas all the more happy. We share in a tradition no matter how different we may be. I also love visiting the temple to see the lights and displays... Beautiful!

Matching Monday: Stephanie

Katie, Cortney, and I just formed a blog coalition in which every Monday, we will all agree on a topic and each write about it in our blogs. Since Stephanie scoffed at this idea, we delegated the job of choosing the topics to her, so this evening, I will be discussing

Stephanie Jo Staples.

S o, Steph likes
T o make fun of me. But,
E verything's good, I make fun of her, too. Steph, when
P leased, is the cutest thing
H ilary has ever seen. She reminds me of a small child,
A nd everyone really likes her bedhead when she awakes each morning.
N ever have
I ever met someone quite like Stephanie, but
E gads, has she taught me a lot!

Thanks, Steph!! =)

P.S. also thanks for walking with me to class every Tuesday & Thursday.
P.P.S. also thanks for not getting angry at me every time I ask if you got the mail today.
P.P.P.S. also thanks for letting me live.