Modesty

There has been a video on YouTube making the rounds on Facebook about the evolution of the swimsuit and modesty. I have watched the video, and have many thoughts on the subject of modesty. Since this is my blog, I thought I'd get those thoughts out there.

First of all, I'm all for modesty. I'm actually for dressing however you choose to feel comfortable. I choose to dress modestly for a variety of reasons. However, I do not dress modestly to control how men think about me. I fear that many times modesty is taught as a way to not have men objectify you and think impure thoughts. It is not my job to control how men think, and if they are thinking impure thoughts based on what I'm wearing then that is something they need to work on, not me.

In the video, the speaker states that men who see a girl in a bikini are more likely to think of her as an object and this is not empowering. First of all, there is a difference in wearing a bikini to the beach and wearing one to, say, the office. If I wore a bikini to the office, I think it'd mostly be perceived as very unprofessional, regardless of being objectified. At the beach, I think wearing a bikini is totally fine. If you feel comfortable wearing it then wear it; it is not up to a girl to have to always think about what her clothing is doing to boys. And a girl shouldn't be judged because she is wearing a bikini.

I get very easily distracted by a man with a beard. Or who's wearing a suit and tie. Or who's wearing a t-shirt. Or who's wearing shorts. Or who's wearing a sweater. Or who's wearing shoes. My point is that we naturally find the opposite sex attractive, but we can control how we react to them and either treat them like persons or objects.  This should be expected of men who see women dressed "immodestly" and women, too. Modesty should be a personal choice based on what you want to wear and what you feel comfortable in.

Happy Birthday

Today my grandma would have been 100. I think my grandpa wanted her for himself on this momentous day. Her funeral was lovely, and even with the knowledge of life after death still a time for many tears and sadness. The most beautiful and heartfelt rendition of "I Know My Redeemer Lives" was sang by a former caregiver of hers. Beautiful prayers were offered by my uncles and cousin. Remembrances of her life were given by my aunt and dad. My cousin Phaedra spoke for all the grandkids and represented us well with her memories and a perfect poem. My cousin Joy sang a song that my grandma had requested her to sing and it was beautiful.

It was a beautiful sunny day at the cemetery, where all the grandsons acted as pallbearers and laid grandma down to rest next to her beloved husband.

We then had a celebration of my grandma's life. The great-grandkids all ran around and made it a joyous occasion. Then it was one last look at grandma and grandpa's house. I love that home with the l-shaped porch and all the memories I have there.

My Grandma

I started writing this the day my grandma passed away, June 27th, but could never get the words just right.
 
A hundred years is a long time, and that's how long my Grandma Anderson had been on this earth before she passed away this afternoon. It is amazing to me to think of all the things she has seen in her life. It's even more amazing when I think about the family she has left behind and how she will live on in each of us.

My grandma studied at and graduated from BYU, back in the day when not many women attended college. It was there that she met her husband, George McKay Anderson.  They married on December 23, 1936. They created a life in Moroni, UT, raising seven children. This could not have been easy, especially when she had four boys in a row in the hot summer months.

My drawers are filled with crocheted house slippers and dishrags that she made and gave away every Christmas (or anytime you visited). She collected thimbles, and whenever anyone went anywhere they would bring her back one. A meal was an event, with a tablecloth and everything in a dish. She hosted General Authorities and prophets in her home as the wife of a Stake President.

So she was prepared when many kids and grandkids would descend to her home for the Fourth of July. We would sleep anywhere there was room--the hide-away bed in the living room, the "window" room, or outside in the front yard. After breakfast at the park provided by the firemen, chairs would be set up in the street in front of their home to watch the parade. Then it was food and fun all afternoon until fireworks that night. I have such wonderful memories being there for the Fourth that it is my favorite holiday. 

After my Grandpa passed away nearly nineteen years ago, there was a common saying in our family around holidays and events of "this could be Grandma's last." But she kept living and spending time with her family and loved ones. Sadly, as the years have gone on I have seen less of her. I am so thankful family was able to be with her during her last week. And I'm so glad she has been reunited with Grandpa. Rest in Peace Afton Jewel Kay Anderson.

Ticket Stub Tuesday

 Bend it Like Beckham was an independent film getting tons of buzz in the spring/summer of 2003. It took awhile, but it finally arrived in Pocatello and Lindsay-loo and I jumped on the chance to see it. The movie did not disappoint! It's sweet and funny and awesome. And introduced us to the yummy Jonathan Rhys Meyers.










The Summer of 2003 was pretty epic, as I remember seeing a ton of movies (Finding Nemo, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Pirates of the Caribbean, just to name a few from that summer), eating a lot of snowcones, and doing a good amount of  just chillin' before actually doing something with my life.

Color Vibe 5k

Amber was initiated into her first 5k this morning with a lot of color. We participated in the Color Vibe 5k, where the run is for charity and the contestants get hit with colored powder while running. The race isn't timed, but is more just a chance to have fun and support a good cause. And get covered in color!





It was hot and muggy (the race started at 9, which is far too late for a summer race) but thankfully there was a breeze most of the time. At the last color station we both "stop, dropped and rolled" in the powder and it was awesome. We finished strong across the line, and then proceeded to dance and get more color-covered at the after-party. It was a blast and both of us can't wait to do another one!

Meeting My Neighbor

Sunday evening I had just gotten a plate of food together and sat down to watch Game 6 when there was an urgent knock on my door. I wasn't expecting anyone, so I had no idea who would be knocking. I opened the door to see my neighbor who at this point I've only had conversations with on the back steps as I get ready to go for a jog and he was having a smoke. He asked me if I had an orange cat that was missing.

Right then Biscuit came running into the doorway and into our loft. Earlier I had burned something in the oven (wax paper is not the same as parchment paper), and to make sure my smoke alarm didn't go off I hurriedly propped open my front door. Not once did I even think about Biscuit getting out.

With Biscuit back home safely, I stepped out into the hallway to chat with the neighbor who had knocked on my door and my neighbor directly next-door to me. Without even thinking, I let the door close behind me, locking me out. It was like a scene out of a sitcom. Except no wacky hijinks to get me back in or romantic tension with my neighbor (he's recently been married, well, and he's gay). I really just felt like a dork for letting the door close and getting locked out. I was just glad I had turned the oven off!

My neighbor, Joey, let me use his phone to call the owner and let me hang in his loft while we waited for him to arrive with a spare key. And when I said I was from Utah, I immediately was asked if I was Mormon. I don't know if co-workers think it's impolite to ask, but I've only been asked twice and it has been by strangers that I randomly met.

I enjoyed getting to know my super cool neighbors, and I hope Biscuit enjoyed her brief journey into the hallways. Which is essentially a whole new world for her. I lately had been wondering if she got bored with the four walls of her home. But the way she rushed back in, I think she's just fine. All she does is sleep anyway.

Ticket Stub Tuesday

I always like to see a movie on or around my birthday (I love when I have a Friday birthday and all the movie trailers and posters have my birthdate listed). This is my ticket stub from 10 Things I Hate About You, dated April 20, 1999, which means it was more than likely my birthday movie that year. However, with some investigation, it turns out that that date was a Tuesday night and my birthday fell on a Saturday.




At any rate, I probably saw this movie with friends, as I was a sophomore in high school and I remember my friend Kim absolutely loving this movie. Heath Ledger has never been my type, but I must admit that I, along with everyone else, thought his singing scene in the movie was pretty swoon-worthy. It's actually aged quite well, and is pretty notable now for having the Joker and Robin in the cast!