i am kimmi

Why I am not blogging

2012-01-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

This semester has already been incredibly busy. I have already turned in 8 papers (one of them over 20 pages long) and completed 15+ quizes. I kind of hate to admit it, but I think this is the busiest semester of my college career. I am going to finish strong!

I may not be blogging much this semester, but I will be:

Getting scuba certified (yes, this is a class)
Working at the Adobe Marketing Summit (Event Planning class)
Working with a team to create a long-term, strategic campaign for the Children's Miracle Network (Capstone class)
Taking my last general (history of civilization) and thinking about how I might see these famous places later this summer (probable trip to Europe)
Learning the basics of the "language of business" (Accounting 200, I am talking about you) and basics of statistics (which has been super easy so far, due to my statistics-crash-course Communications Research class last semester)
Working 16-20 hours per work (planning events, working with recruiters, researching why there is a decline in women studying computer science)

Meanwhile, I cannot stop thinking about this video. I know that the message is true. During some of the most tumultuous times of my life (almost dying from disease as a child) I have felt peace and calm. I know that that peace and calm could only have come from God. I need to remember that regardless of what is going on in my life, I need to "Look unto [Him] in every thought; doubt not, fear not"- Doctrine & Covenants 6:36.

Christianity

2012-01-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." - C. S. Lewis

Decorating Revolution

2011-12-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

At work I have helped start a new decorating revolution. We call it Geek Chic:

Geek Chic

| gēk sh ēk | - noun

1. A decorating style associated with using computer parts and other technical materials for ornaments and other decor.

2. The use of humor related to computer science in art and decorating.

"We control fate"

A cool Sandia National Laboratories USB drive becomes an ornament.

This cute snowman was designed out of keyboard keys by my friend, Sara!

I have head several computer science students and professors say it is the coolest tree they have ever seen. Start pinning, Pinterest users!

Perspective

2011-12-11T22:10:00.001-07:00

Charles Chaplin gave this speech as part of The Great Dictator, a film that he wrote, starred in and prodcued. The film condemned Nazi Germany and Hitler at a time when the United States was formally at peace with the nation. It was gutsy and controversial and something that the world needed to hear. We still need to hear this.

The Christmas story as told by kids

2011-12-10T10:02:00.001-07:00

This may not completely follow the Bible's Christmas story, but it's very cute and very funny:

Merry Christmas!

Hello, December

2011-12-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

The last few years my life in December went like this:

December 1 - prepare for finals
December 2 - prepare for finals
December 3 - prepare for finals
December 4 - prepare for finals
December 5 - prepare for finals
December 6 - prepare for finals
December 7 - prepare for finals
December 8 - prepare for finals
December 9 - prepare for finals
December 10 - prepare for finals
December 11 - prepare for finals
December 12 - prepare for finals
December 13 - prepare for finals
December 14 - prepare for finals
December 15 - prepare for finals
December 16 - prepare for finals
December 17 - finals
December 18 - finals
December 19 - finals
December 20 - finals
December 21 - Christmas is in four days? What?!

I refuse to have this December go similarly. December should be about the Savior, family and serving others. I want to spend less time thinking about myself while still doing well on my finals. Consequently, I have come up with four small goals for each day in December:

Do something extra for someone else
Talk to one of my family members
Read one talk from General Conference
Listen to some Christmas music

I hope you have a lovely Christmas season!

#PRSSANC

2011-11-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to attend the PRSSA National Conference in Orlando Florida this October. The speakers were great, and I learned a lot of valuable lessons. Some of my favorites:

"Global public relations is a myth. All public relations is local." - Craig Dezern
"When a crisis happens, we need to be in the conversation right away ... The moment of crisis is goal-switching time" - Richard Levick

I also gained a greater appreciation for my program as I talked to students from all over the nation. My professors have worked really hard to shape our program into a program that gives us practical experience along with theoretical knowledge. I am six months away from graduation and have already worked on several campaigns for several clients--these opportunities are very unique for a public relations program. I am really trying to take advantage of all the opportunities that I have, so I can be best prepared for the "real world." That's when the real work and learning begins.

Here are a few pictures from my adventure:

Day 1 at the hotel

Matt, Dallin, Melissa, Jared, Frank, Kimmi, Karissa and our adviser Jeff DuBois

Matt, Melissa, Frank, Kimmi, Michelle, Jared, Dallin, and Steve

Since class pictures are not usually very interesting, we mostly took pictures of our after-class activities:

The masquerade party. Yes, they gave us each a mask. (Dallin, Karissa, Michelle, Frank)

Since it was a "Brazilian Masquerade," there were dancers on stilts ... whom I am pretty sure weren't Brazilian.

Masquerade mask + sunglasses = awesome dance moves. (Jared)

Melissa and I at the Masquerade with one of our amazing professors, Sister Walton. Every girl in our major wants to be her--she is an amazing public relations professional and woman!

Even Patrick was at the Masquerade. He graduated from my program last year and is now working at GM.

Part of the group outside the hotel waiting for a taxi.

We also went to Downtown Disney (Karissa, Melissa, Frank, Steve, Jared and I).

Downtown Disney Sunset

We left for the airport at 4:30 am. Florida time. Steve may have been the only one who fell asleep in the airport, but we all felt like this.

Our chapter won another award--"Best PRSA / PRSSA Relationship!" We have an incredible local PRSA chapter that is really great to work with us!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible, and to my amazing professors! Also, thank you Melissa for letting me use your pictures!

(Source of the last picture here).

A new project

2011-11-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

I have a theory that goes like this: "everyone at BYU is his/her own type of nerdy." Let's be honest, to get into this university you have to be a little bit whether you are an photography or a neuroscience major. Trust me, I've been both. I think this theory applies to the whole world, but I digress ...

What is my type of nerdy? I love public relations projects.

At work, I convinced my bosses and the faculty to let me do a new public relations research project about women in computer science. I have been exploring academic journals and other scholarly sources (I told you it was nerdy) to see the research about why there are so few women graduating with computer science degrees. I have learned some interesting things such as the fact that 31 percent of computer science bachelor degrees were given to women in 1989. Today that number has dropped to less than 18 percent (source).

I feel like computer science really is a major for people who like to solve problems and make a difference in the world, yet I've learned that many women leave the major because of their confidence and perceptions. I think it would be a shame if a woman did not finish a degree in computer science simply because of misleading perceptions.

My research will explore how universities can help change attitudes, beliefs and perceptions that affect whether a woman stays in the major or not. I feel like this project will allow me to really make a difference. I am so excited.

An attempt to be white and talk about race

2011-11-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here is my attempt to be white and talk about race without being awkward. Wish me luck.

One of the first things we learned in my public relations program is that a person's perception is their reality. If a parent believes that vaccines might cause autism in their child--even if the Institute of Medicine has proved that it does not--then what they perceive (vaccines lead to autism) will be used to make decisions instead of what is really true (vaccines do not lead to autism). Even if their perception is 100% false, the fact that it is their perception is the important thing. Thousands of children across America are not protected from potentially deadly diseases, because perception is reality.

As the general, white American population, we have some subconscious but nonetheless damaging perceptions. I'm sure I am not aware of many of them. Here is one that I have been learning about and thinking a lot about lately:

A lot of us who are white Americans, have a subconscious perception that culture--traditions, habits, ways of viewing the world, etc.--is something that every other race and ethnicity has, but something we don't have. "Other" races have traditions and things that are distinct to their ethnicity, but we white people don't. "Ethnic" is a word that we use when talking and thinking about other races, not ours.

Why do we do that?

I think that part of the reason we do not like to label ourselves as white is because a lot of the people who talked about being white in the past were supremacist and anti-other races and cultures (yes, Governor Faubus and Hitler, I am talking about you). In an attempt to separate ourselves from these horrible, horrible "white" acts of the past, we try to avoid the topic of our own race. We forget that we have a culture and do things that are "white."

So ... why is this idea harmful?

If we think that the way we are is the one non-culture or the one non-ethnicity, it implies that our way of thinking and acting is normal. If our culture and way of thinking is "normal" then every other ethnicity and culture's way of thinking has to be in the "abnormal" category. It implies that our way of doing things is right while other cultures are wrong. That idea--while subconscious--is very harmful.

How do we start to fix this?

I think we need to start recognizing our culture. Some of the things we do and think are because of our culture. There is a satirical website "Stuff White People Like" that has a list of things that are (obviously) part of a white culture. Yes, we like hating corporations and we like expensive sandwiches. We like things that are "vintage," and we even like having bad memories from high school. Does the list represent every white person ever? Of course not. Am I going to an ugly sweater party in the next few weeks? You had better believe it.

So, check out this website: "Stuff White People Like" (whether or not you are white) and laugh a little bit at the white culture (Mom, I think you will especially like this one).

You and I can each make America and the world a better place by being better people ourselves. Even small differences make a the world a better place. After all, "[we] must be the change [we] wish to see in the world" (Ghandi).

Perhaps I am an extrovert

2011-11-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

I was expecting today to be a tired kind of day. I started my morning by turning in a paper andthen giving an hour-long group presentation in my first class. I knew this presentation would be a significant part of my grade for the semester. We were teaching about Buddhism, so wedecided to break up the lecture by having the entire class do a few yogapositions. We taught them how toinhale and exhale while meditating. One smart alec kid exhaled louder than the noise of the entire class. The class broke into laughter. Inner peace? Well...

After the presentation, I hurried across campusto my next class where we had an in-class essay test. The classanxiously shuffled into the room. Our professor had not arrived yet, so everyone could only wait. Some students spent those last few minutes binge studying--trying to cram enormous amounts of information into their brains. Worry creased their foreheads. I left my notes in my backpack. I was as ready as I was going to be.

The professor handed out the exam, and the flurry of pens began. We each had 50 minutes to write a knowledgeable and insightful 4-page essay. As soon as my hand started to really cramp, I knew time was about up. The bell rang and we turned in our papers. The relief in the room was almost as tangible as the earlier anxiety.

This was the moment I was expecting to be tired. In less than three hours I had turned in a paper, given an hour-presentation and taken a midterm. Despite my morning, I walked out of my class ready to conquer the world. Four hours of work and an evening class left in the day? Bring it. Finals week in justover a month? Bring it. Everything to do before finals week? Bring it! I was full of energy and ambition.

And that is when I had thought: "Perhaps I have an extrovertedpersonality."

You see, some personality tests label people aseither introverted or extroverted. My professor explained it this way: If you are introverted, the more energy you expend, the lessenergy you have. After a time, you have to“recoup.” If you are extroverted,the more energy you expand, the more energy you seem to have. Interestingly enough, spending less energy results in feeling depleted of energy. When she explained it, I did not give it much thought... until today.

I do not know if I am an extrovert, and I do not think I care enough to take a test. All I know is today definitely was not a tired day. It was a I-am-doing-so-much-and-it-is-great-and-i-want-to-do-more kind of day.

You need this

2011-10-19T21:17:00.000-06:00

Aren't we all facing about as much as we can handle? Well, whatever you are going through, I think you need a little bit of this. Just saying.

I have so much to post. Hopefully I will have some time soon...

New school year motto

2011-10-09T13:15:00.000-06:00

I feel like my school year needs a motto, so here it is:

"For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content ... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:11,13

Happy Sabbath!

Ten years

2011-09-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

"Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change ... If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives."

-Thomas S. Monson, 9/11 destruction allowed us to spiritually rebuild, Washington Post

Semester forecast

2011-09-08T09:00:00.000-06:00

Beautiful conditions across the semester with lots of abstract thinking and theoretical discussion. Look for mostly papers throughout the semester with exams in only one class (the GE class). Group projects and larger papers will develop late in the semester with written page count reaching well into the 100s during finals week. Looks like a perfect semester for growth.

This is Kimberly, reporting live from Brigham Young University campus.

Photo Credit: BYU Photo

I missed the stars

2011-09-07T19:55:00.000-06:00

One of the first things I did when I got back to Utah was get reacquainted with the stars. Once darkness claimed the day, I headed into my parents' backyard where the crickets were singing. As the blackness slowly gave way to more and more stars, I searched my soul for my doubts, fears and failures. As I found each, I let them float up to live in the Milky Way.

I had a great time in LA, but it is good to be back.

Goodbye California

2011-08-18T21:34:00.000-06:00

I have less than 48 hours left here in California. I cannot believe it is almost over. I do not think I have significantly changed this summer. It is more like ... I have settled into being myself. I have more confidence in what I can do, but I am also more aware of my weaknesses. I am working on becoming a better person. As for my life, I feel that God is happy with me being a single, super-senior, BYU student studying public relations. For me, it's right, and I am happy. So happy.

I really worried about picking a major when I began my freshman year at BYU. I came to BYU with 30 credits, so I thought I needed a major, and I needed it fast. The Lord, however, quickly let me know that finding a major would be a journey for me. He certainly was right. After two and a half years of exploring and discovering, six separate majors and many moments of frustration, I finally found the major that is perfect for me. I realize now that I was not ready for this major as a freshman. I still had a lot to discover about myself, and I needed those years. The journey helped me grow.

Once again I am entering BYU, but I now have less credits left than I brought with me to BYU. Instead of picking a major, I now need to decide what kind of public relations I want to do and where I want to do it (and I thought picking a major was tough ha ha). I could literally be anywhere in the world next year working for any company. Maybe I will live in London. Maybe I will choose to stay in Utah. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.

I do know this year will be another year of discovery. Yes, this is just the beginning of another journey full of growth and change. Once again, there is so much unknown, but I feel that God trusts me to make upcoming decisions, and He will guide me when needed. I feel at peace with my future.

A letter to Miley Cyrus

2011-08-08T22:42:00.000-06:00

Dear Miley,

I hate to break it to you, but your Party in the USA song is not a very accurate portral of Los Angeles. In fact, you got some things dead wrong. Take it from a girl who actually knows this city.

First of all, the lyrics say you "hopped off the plane at LAX." In reality, there is nothing fast about this airport. Instead of using such an active verb like "hopped," you should have used something much more lethargic like "waited," "delayed," "stood," "walked forever," etc. Those verbs are much more realistic.

Secondly, you said you catch a cab and: "look to [your] right and [you] see the Hollywood sign." The Hollywood sign is actually no where near the airport. In fact, it is 25 miles across town. Due to L.A.'s abundance of traffic, it could take you hours to get there.

You also said that "everybody seems so famous." Miley, this town has almost 4 million people in it (10 million in the county). Very few of those people are actually celebrities. You may see a lot of celebrities at a premiere, but you usually will not see any while driving across town (as implied in the song).

Finally, Los Angeles might just have the largest variety of cultures and customs of any place in the world. When describing Los Angeles, you probably should not start a sentence with "everybody seems," because there is too much diversity to capture in one sentence.

It's a great city. Maybe you should check it out sometime ... and ~~write~~ pay someone to write a more authentic song.

Best Regards,
Kimmi (a temporary Angeleno)

A wish for the world: families

2011-08-07T23:51:00.000-06:00

I think I have seen almost everything in my past 3+ months here in Los Angeles. With almost 10 million people in the county, a lot of what I see is problems: homelessness, poverty, lack of education, etc.

Over the months I have created many complicated theories about these problems and how to fix them. Lately, however, I have realized that the solution is actually simpler than my theories: we need stronger families!

Think of the ideal family: parents, siblings, strong extended family, etc. The parents love each other and their children. They teach their children to work hard and be upstanding citizens. Each family member cares for the others and is involved in each others' lives. No, everything is not perfect, but everyone tries and looks out for one another.

If everyone had a family like this . . .

There would be no homeless on the streets, because if (when) hard times happen, family members would help individuals get back on their feet
The amount of gangs and violence would drop drastically, because people would have parents teaching morals and already have built-in support groups
Children would also have the support needed to be more successful in school, and increased education would help lower the poverty level
We would have a more moral society with less crime, drugs, and violence.
We would all be a happier people

I know that not everyone can have this ideal family. Each of us, however, can make the world a better place by strengthening our own families. By being good people and helping our own families today--whatever they are like--we can change the world for the better!

More on families here.

PS: The picture is just part of a mural I saw painted on the side of a building in East Los Angeles.

Can we get Utah an ocean, please?

2011-07-26T11:49:00.000-06:00

What is it like to surf? I'm so glad you asked.

First, you have to get a wetsuit on. If the wetsuit is already wet, it will suction to your skin as you try to slip it on. Putting it on will feel like something is trying to eat you (seriously), but be persistent.

Next you will set your surfboard on the water, climb on and begin paddling. As you use your arms to paddle and paddle and paddle some more, waves will wash over your head and/or splash you in the face. This is the moment when you realize that you only need upper-body strength and balance to surf. Don't forget to watch for other surfers as you paddle out to sea. Those beginners don't know what they are doing like you do (<-- joke), so you need to watch out for them.

Once you (finally) paddle past where the waves break, quickly turn your board around. If your board is parallel to the beach when a wave comes, you will flip. No, I did not learn this one from experience, but I did see it.

Now that you are set to go, you will wonder what you have got yourself into. As a good wave comes, you will paddle until you feel the board catching momentum and then try to stand up as quickly as possible. Your teacher will tell you to use your arms to jump from laying down to standing in one, quick movement. Right.

I wiped out the first time, but the second time . . .

I stood and rode the wave while thinking "this is way easier than getting that wetsuit on."

Rinse (jump off the board) and repeat.

---
PS: If you ever have the opportunity, go!

Beyond this moment

2011-07-17T11:20:00.000-06:00

I have been captured by this idea lately (it evolved from a comment I heard at church). It's changed my life. Try it on the next time you interact with strangers, and let me know what you think:

"Whenever I see strangers, I try to remember that they exist beyond this moment. They have each already had an entire life: dreams, trials, failures and successes. They once were carefree children and socially-anxious teenagers. They have struggled through and survived things that I cannot even imagine. They will continue to live and exist after this moment. They might live to meet their grandchildren's children. They might die tomorrow. Their lives are so much more than this moment."

Google+ eats blog photos for breakfast

2011-07-16T23:09:00.000-06:00

I'm trying out Google+ right now. When I first opened it, there automatically was a photo album of my blog photos. Since I didn't want to share the album I deleted it. I didn't realize that it would not only permanently delete the album, but also all my blog photos.

I'm not going to re-upload the pictures (too much work). I just thought I would explain the lack of pictures, and give out a warning.

I'll create a new blog heading when I am at BYU again and therefore have access to InDesign and Photoshop.

PS: Other than this one problem, Google+ has been great. Let me know if you want an invite.

Storyboarding for an animated version of Wicked

2011-06-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

Check out this amazing video. A girl from my church here in California made these storyboards while she was in-between animation jobs. She told us that she had just lost her dream job and was struggling to draw because it was too painful. She came up with this project as a way to get drawing again and hopefully find another job.

Little did she know tens of thousands of people would see and love her work. Her storyboards were featured on national television shows, and she started a movement to get an animated version of Wicked produced. I would have never thought anything could compare to seeing the musical on Broadway, but watching this video gave me chills. I can't imagine how powerful a fully-animated film would be!

Read an interview of Heidi's here.

Drunken stupor

2011-06-28T14:55:00.000-06:00

Rumor is that I am missing out. 22-years-old and never had a sip of alcohol? Oh yes, my life must be miserable.

Don't believe me? Well just look at my vacation compared to some other vacationer. If this is not proof, then I do not know what is.

A Day from "Their" Vacation Agenda
Location: 1 block from ocean, California (alcohol is prohibited on the beach)
Group: Two parents and a bunch of I-am-barely-old-enough-to-drink-legally-adults in swimwear

Wake up on the porch wearing yesterday's clothes.
Grab a beer.
Stare vacantly down the street. Isn't there ocean somewhere?
Place empty beer can on table with the other 27 empty beer cans.
Grab another beer.
Turn on music (to maximum volume).
Eat lunch ... or maybe just drink another beer.
When a "good" song comes on, sing loudly to the music. "Great" songs, such as I've got friends in lowly places deserve boisterous group singing.
Stare down the street.
Yell incoherent comments at strangers who are walking to the beach. Laugh at your wit.
Ask parents (whose parents? wait, whose renting this house anyway?) to buy another case or two of beer. The stock is getting low.
Stare vacantly/doze off occasionally.
Change things up and drink a Gatorade.
Drink another beer.
Wait for the police arrive. Pretend that you don't know that blasting music 24/7 is breaking a sound ordinance.
Finally turn the music off.
Don't let talking to the police get in the way of your drinking and sitting on the porch. All three options can happen simultaneously.
The police will leave ... after giving you a $250 fine.
Grab a beer.
Drink beer and party all night ... still on the porch.
Don't go to bed. Wait until you pass out in a drunken stupor in an odd location.
Repeat tomorrow.

My Family Vacation

Location: 1 block from ocean, California

Group: My parents, three of my siblings and I

Since our vacation was sans alcohol, we only got to:

Swim in the ocean every day
Bike along the beach and to the pier
Boogie board, body surf, etc.
Meet the family of one of my dad's mission companions
Watch the sun set multiple nights
See wild dolphins
Watch the surfers
Read a book on the beach, collect sea shells, dig a hole to China--well almost to China
Take silhouette pictures at sunset (again)
Play beach soccer as a family

See? Am I not missing out?

Post Edit: This post was only meant to humorously point out the irony of the situation: a group vacationed within yards of the beach, but seemed to spend the entire vacation on their porch instead of at the beach.

Praise to the Man

2011-06-28T00:41:00.000-06:00

SPF 100 and beyond

2011-06-09T19:06:00.000-06:00

First watch this. It may save your life (sorry about the one swear word in the video).

Every day I put on my SPF 100 before going out for the day. My roommates joke about the ridiculously high SPF, but I spend a lot of time outside and haven't gotten one sunburn this summer (in California).

While I would LOVE to have a nice, golden tan, I know it's not worth it to risk getting skin cancer. After all, it is a disease of the young and old ... and if not caught soon enough, it can be deadly.

So, please join me in the glow-in-the-dark-white club (if applicable), by deciding to keep your skin the color that God gave you. Wear sunscreen. Even if you don't burn as easily as I do, you should still wear sunscreen. Don't go tanning. Please.

Learn the signs of skin cancer with this easy system, and visit a doctor if you are even a little concerned.

L.A. Kid's Ocean Day 2011

2011-06-09T18:28:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to help with Kid's Ocean Day 2011. 6,300 kids and teachers from L.A. came to help clean up the beach and be a part of an aerial artwork picture.

Many of the kids had never seen the ocean before. It's so crazy that some have lived within 45 minutes of the ocean their entire lives, but have never seen it. Wouldn't it be great if every child could see the ocean?

I helped the "ariel artists" (pronounced ar-TEEST) arrange the kids and teachers into the shape of a fish. At the end a helicopter flew overhead and took a picture. Getting 6,300 people into formation seems a formidable task, but the Ocean Day organizers had it very well-planned out. I was impressed with how smoothly everything ran.

Here are pictures of the progression:

The final product:

The Rooftop Concert Series

2011-06-01T22:38:00.000-06:00

One thing you hear around BYU campus a lot is: "I need to get away from Provo." However, I really think students mean: "I need something exciting in my insanely busy BYU life. I need more than Redbox and frozen yogurt."

Don't we all, BYU. Don't we all.

Have you, like many BYU students, caught the summer boredom fever? I may have a solution.

Last winter I learned about the Rooftop Concert Series, a summer series of concerts featuring local talent. These concerts are on the first Friday of every month from May to October, and they are FREE.

The audience is made up of both families and college students. Last month 1,700 people showed up to see Fictionist and Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm perform (pictures of the concert here). This Friday, Meaghan Smith and Mindy Gledhill are performing. More information about the concert can be found here. The concert is going to be fabulous. You should go.

I'm sad I am missing so many concerts this summer (one downside of my awesome internship). If you go for me, make sure to let me know how it goes.

PS: Don't know where to park? Try one of Downtown Provo's 3000+ parking spaces.

Driving down the 101

2011-05-23T00:12:00.000-06:00

My internship is very unique. We had two days of training, but my team has since had little supervision and guidance. We have traveled all over Southern California (literally from the Mexican boarder to Fresno) meeting and teaching business owners. We have had great success so far. Here are some things I have learned:

Verbal Communication is still relevant: In this world of texting, blogging, tweeting, etc., it is still important to be able to communicate to face-to-face and. In fact, it is one of the most powerful types of communication. I could send a mass e-mail to every business owner in California and have very little success. When I meet with business owners one-on-one, I can teach them, answer their questions and get them to take action.

As a communications major and future public relations professional, I need to remember that communication to the mass is really just communication to individual people with individual needs and interests. Those needs and interests should shape my communication. I also need to continue to learn how to become a better verbal communicator.

Los Angeles = Culture: My team mostly works in and around Los Angeles. Not only is Los Angeles home to 3.8 million people, but it's residents come from 140 different countries who speak 224 different languages. My job is to communicate with these incredible people from around the world and get them to take action. Many speak very little English. I wish I spoke Chinese, Tai, Cambodian, etc.

Highschool Spanish classes should make you speak: I took a few Spanish classes in high school. While we spent a lot of time reading and listening to Spanish, we hardly ever tried to have conversations. Yes, we learned pronunciations, but we rarely practiced conversations. Consequently, I can listen and understand quite a bit of Spanish but speak very little. I am also afraid to try. It is really frustrating when a business owner asks me a question in Spanish that I understand but cannot answer. My Spanish is improving, and I am getting more and more willing to try to speak.

Arcadia has wild peacocks: Seriously. The city is known for it, and I have seen several. Don't you wish your neighborhood was as cool as mine? Peacocks are way cooler than squirrels. Just saying.

Here are pictures of two I saw. The second picture shows one with it's tail feathers out. It was as tall as I am. It was surprisingly intimidating.

Over and out. More posts to come.

--
PS: No, the top picture has nothing to do with this post, but yes, I did take it. It's from the pier at Long Beach (a few weeks ago).

PS 2: I hope you all are well. Miss you.

I hear it's snowing in Utah

2011-04-29T23:29:00.000-06:00

It feels like I have been here in California for a month. I'm already used to walking/parking downtown, spending a hour stuck in traffic and then enjoying the persistently good weather in my quiet, happy neighborhood.

Was it only a week ago that I was finishing my projects (read about one that was featured on the homepage of the Salt Lake Tribune website)? Has it only been four days since I've seen my family? What is a jacket?

I am part of a team of six BYU students for my internship. We have been training a good portion of the week--we keep working more than full-time every day. I still haven't completely unpacked, but today I bought hangers (success!). It's been busy, exhausting, exciting and more. I'm helping to organize an event tomorrow, so details will have to come later. Meanwhile, here are some pictures of the beginning of my Los Angeles adventure:

My team walking to one of our offices in Downtown Los Angeles:

A park in Downtown Los Angeles that we sometimes go to during our lunch breaks (although, you can't really see the park part . . . imagine benches and trees. No, I do not know that man.)

My apartment on the inside. I would post pictures of our lovely neighborhood, but I already feel weird sharing as much information as I do on the internet. Just know that it is the kind of neighborhood where people walk their dogs, play with their kids in the front yard and go jogging . . .

A garden we saw today . . . so beautiful and peaceful. I can't believe it's minutes from freeways and crowded sidewalks.

Hope you all are well . . . and that spring finally does come to Utah. More posts to come . . .

Numbers aren't everything, but they do mean something

2011-04-09T09:34:00.000-06:00

17 days until my first day at my internship in Los Angeles

Before that ...
3 days of classes
2 exam preparation days
5 days of finals
1 part-time job
4 unique presentations (class, client, city council and Downtown Business Alliance)
2 final projects
1 mini campaign to implement
2 final exams
2 papers
1 creative strategy to finalize
1 research booklet to make with a team (50+ pages to cover 7 months of research)
1 bridal shower to co-host
1 evening as a bridesmaid
1 busy but good life

... So I won't be blogging. I probably won't write again until I am in California. Have a great few weeks!

Brandon Davies and the Honor Code

2011-03-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I attend a University where students, faculty and staff commit to the honor code before attending or working at BYU. Yes, this is the same University ranked by U.S. News as the "most popular."

As a student body, we love Brandon Davies and love what he has done for the team. We also support the honor code and understand why he isn't playing--as I am sure he does. I have heard really good things about Brandon from those who know him personally, and I honestly think is a great person.

The honor code was created to help protect BYU students, and to help them have happy and successful lives. The honor code review process is there to help students get their lives back in order, and to ultimately help the student be successful. The timing (with the nation watching) is what makes it hard.

After all, I really think Brandon is the unsung hero in this story. Many reports say he reported the honor code breach. He could have waited until after March Madness, or just kept quiet--but he didn't. If that isn't evidence of his good character, I don't know what is. We all make mistakes, but are we all willing to own up to our mistakes? It makes me want to be better. I really hope for the best for Brandon, and hope to see him on the team next year! Keep your head up, Brandon!

"Would any other school pay that price? More than likely, too few would pass the Brandon Davies test." - Sean Gregory, Brandon Davies: Is BYU's Premarital Sex Controversy Good For College Sports? (Time Magazine)

"That admiration goes double in the context of the rest of the college sports landscape, where morally lenient, winning-is-the-only-thing coaches preside over programs whose players often face little or no punishment for far more serious rules violations." - Eamonn Brennan TMA: Down goes BYU? (ESPN blog)

"In spite of everything . . ."

2011-03-03T22:07:00.003-07:00

"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart."
- Anne Frank

A little Liszt

2011-02-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

Does your world need a little beauty today? Well, here it is (thank you, Liszt):

Franz Liszt Un Sospiro (N.o 3 in D Flat Major)

Trust in good things to come

2011-02-19T01:45:00.000-07:00

A day in the life of a public relations student

2011-02-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finished writing a speech while my roommate was napping on the other side of the room. She slept for hours while I poured over data and prepared for my presentation.

Due to our large sample size, these results have 99 percent confidence with a 2-3 percent margin of error.

Every once in a while, she--or rather the mounds of blankets she was hibernating under--would shift and sigh. Oh, how I wished I was napping. I wondered why I was spending all afternoon formatting graphs and coordinating my team's efforts.

This statistic shows that there is a discrepancy between this demographic's intent and the actual behavior.

"Why did I pick this major?" I thought to myself. "I could be napping, climbing a mountain, spending time with my friends--something! No, I am sitting here, buried in data." I was tired, and I knew the day was just getting started.

Over the next several weeks, we will construct a creative strategy based on the qualitative and quantitative data results.

Today was the presentation. I found myself facing a room full of business owners and city officials. Most have as much experience as I have years to my life, yet I was the one presenting. They asked me questions and took notes based on the research my team and I had conducted. They wanted to use the information to better their businesses and community. That's when I remembered.

I remembered that I picked public relations because I can make a difference. Yes, my one-credit class sometimes takes as much time as my part-time job, but I have the potential to make a difference for dozens of businesses and thousands of citizens in my community.

Public relations gives me the power to do good in this world. And . . . I love it! I really do.

"It may never be enough . . . "

2011-01-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

‎"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.It was never between you and them anyway."

— Mother Teresa

photo: Wikimedia-Commons User Túrelio, Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0-de

Facebook baby

2011-01-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

A Facebook friend of mine recently had a baby. He and his wife made a Facebook page for the new baby within 24 hours of his birth. That's right, the little boy is only a few days old, and he already has his own Facebook profile and several Facebook friends.

If Facebook remains "cool" for the next twenty years (i.e. doesn't disappear like MySpace, AOL, etc.), how is his profile going to work when he grows up? For his eighth birthday are they going to give him the password and allow him to use his own Facebook profile?

Also what would it be like to have a Facebook profile that literally has pictures of your entire life?

Maybe I am the only one who thinks it is a little weird. Maybe it's a really cool idea. What do you think?

Condoleezza and I

2011-01-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

I learned today that I am not the only person who changed majors (again) during my junior year at a University. And to be frank, if I am in company with this remarkable woman . . .

. . . it must not be such a horrible thing. We both found the majors we love.

Click here to read a summary of the remarks from the forum address she gave at BYU today. It was much cooler live. Extra credit if you can find me in this photo:

(Just kidding . . . if I didn't know where I was sitting, I wouldn't be able to find it. You can look if you want to though.)

An Open Letter

2011-01-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

To whom it may concern:

I really am okay with being twenty-one and single. I know that there is some guy out there who is right for me, and I much rather wait and be with him than rush into something I know is wrong.

Best regards,

Kimmi

Two weeks ago I was doing this

2011-01-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Animated Dance

2010-12-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

Check out this cool project made by BYU animation professor Ryan Woodward and BYU dance department instructor Kori Wakamatsu:

More information here.

The Italian turned Mexican restaurant

2010-12-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

A restaurant I recently visited proves it's easy to change a building from an Italian restaurant to a Mexican restaurant. Just follow these simple steps:

Since Mexico looks just like Italy, there is no need paint new murals. Simply add mustaches, sombreros and guitars to each mural.

2. Turn David into Señor David.

Ready for business! ¡Olé!

(sorry for the poor quality cell phone pictures)

Media Law and Sea Turtles

2010-11-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

Right now I am in the library taking a break from doing this

in order to visit this neglected blog. Yes, in the past nine months I have only blogged once. Here are some highlights from those nine months:

According to Google Analytics, this blog has been visited 259 times. <-- To those of you who actually check this blog, sorry for the lack of posting.

I dated David for 5+ months. He is awesome. He speaks 12 languages ... okay, only 4. I speak English and a (very) little bit of Peruvian slang (chévere!) thanks to my roommate Geatana. He is 6'4", and I am 5'4". Despite the height and language differences, we were good together. David and I broke up in August and in September (yes, twice). And we are still friends.

I went to Hawaii with my family! It was so beautiful, I took the below picture with my cell phone (i.e. it's much more beautiful in real life). Jealous much? I also decided I LOVE snorkeling. I loved to dive under and watch the fish swim in and out of the coral. At one point a sea turtle swam underneath me. Melvin (yes, I named him) decided to hang out with me and eat his dinner off the rocks below me. The water was about 10 feet deep. I snorkeled on the surface above him for about twenty minutes. We just sat there checking each other out while he was eating and floating. It was so cool! (chévere!) Someday, I will scuba dive. Or turn into a sea turtle.

I am working in the Bradley PR Agency, a PR agency owned and run by BYU. It's so awesome! I am finding that I love public relations work even more than I love public relations theory. I have finally found my soul-major. Right now at Bradley I am in charge of a team doing research for a client (outside of BYU).

My program was rated in the top five of the nation, and my PRSSA chapter was rated Most Outstanding, the highest honor possible for a PRSSA chapter. I am so grateful (and slightly intimidated) to be learning in such an amazing program. I know I have much to learn, but I am grateful for so many learning opportunities.

This Knowledge . . . Can Change the World

2010-07-18T22:01:00.000-06:00

Watch it. Seriously.

Kimmi

Excellence In All We Do

2010-04-26T22:15:00.000-06:00

"Work is an antidote for anxiety, and ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren [and sisters], let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56

Health and History

2010-03-22T22:35:00.000-06:00

History was made yesterday when the House of Representatives passed a bill reforming health care in the United States.

Our country is horribly divided: people love the reform or they hate it. Predictions are flying, but no one actually knows what will happen. Will this really lower the country's deficit? Will this protect me and my family? Is the government taking too much control? Is there something else that would work better? Will taxes rise higher and higher and higher? Will this be better for me and my family?

I don't know what to think.

The one thing we do know, was said best in this NY Times article: "But it will take years to know whether the Republicans’ worst predictions, or Mr. Obama’s vision of affordable near-universal care, will resemble reality. In the meantime, Mr. Obama can lay credible claim, for the first time in his presidency, that he proved willing to risk all to turn his convictions into legislation."

Can I just say I love my major?

2010-02-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

Public relations is awesome. I love my classes, and I love the actual career. Why did it take me so long to find you, public relations?

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. I am busy, but I am happy and well. And playing lots of Beatles on my guitar. Huzzah!

Snow fort?

2009-12-30T17:46:00.001-07:00

Check.

Library Quiz

2009-12-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

I spent most of the last 24 hours in the library doing the "last few finishing touches" on a lovely group campaign for my public relations class. Now it's your turn to do the school work:

Quiz (answers below)

1. How many computers did my group use (in the last 24 hours) (on this project) in the library?

a. 6

b. 7

c. 8

d. 9

2. How many people were in my group?

a. 4

b. 5

c. 6

d. 7

3. The library is open until ______ due to the upcoming finals.

a. 12 a.m.

b. 1 a.m.

c. 2 a.m.

d. 3 a.m.

4. How long did our presentation end up being?

a. 17 pages

b. 28 pages

c. 37 pages

d. a million and a half pages

5. Who knew my name by the end of yesterday?

a. the printer girl

b. the guys by the printer

c. "a" and "b"

d. don't pick this one

6. How many errors does my professor allow before she starts docking points?

a. 0

b. 5

c. 7

d. 10

7. Do I still want to be a Public Relations major?

a. absolutely!

b. why are you even reading "b"?

c. and now "c"?

d. nope, this isn't the answer either

Answers
1. How many computers did my group use (in the last 24 hours) (on this project) in the library?
   a. 6
   b. 7
     c. 8
     d. 9

2. How many people were in my group?
     a. 4
     b. 5
     c. 6
     d. 7

3. The library is open until ______ due to the upcoming finals.
     a. 12 a.m.
     b. 1 a.m.
     c. 2 a.m.
     d. 3 a.m.

4. How many pages long was the final version of our campaign?
     a. 17 pages
     b. 28 pages and we just summarized our research :)
     c. 37 pages
     d. a million and a half pages

5. Who knew my name by the end of yesterday?

a. the printer girl

b. the guys by the printer

c. "a" and "b"

d. President Samuelson

6. How many errors does my professor allow before she starts docking points?
   a. 0  "You must learn to write error free!"
   b. 5
   c. 7
   d. 10

Do I still want to be a Public Relations major?
   a. absolutely!
   b. why are you even reading "b"?
   c. and now "c"?
   d. nope, this isn't the answer either

The latest (abridged version)

2009-12-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

So . . .

I now direct the marketing and public relations for a start-up company (so fun) which means I am going to school full-time--at BYU--and working two jobs (so busy).
I had front row tickets to the BYU Utah football game where we (so) won! My voice was pretty much gone on Sunday (so worth it).
Gentry got her mission call to San Fernando, California Spanish speaking (so awesome).
Jennifer, one of my darling sisters, will probably be coming to BYU this fall (so exciting).
I designed a website for my job and the external relations committee had no critiques about my design (so surprised) when usually they have (so) many corrections.
Finals are in less than two weeks (so soon).
My intermeral soccer team won several games at the tournament (so want to play soccer right now).
My wireless internet is actually working at this moment (so rare).
My Grandma was released from the hospital for half a day before she found she would have to have emergency surgery (so patient-rendering). She was supposed to be released the day before Thanksgiving, but wasn't because her potassium was too low (so lame). Luckily, she got to come home for a few hours on Thanksgiving (so good to see here), and she was released the next day.
I (so) love the Christmas season because I love being with my family. I also love my Savior (so much)!

PS: I know there are a fair amount of people reading this blog (I just know the number). Please don't let me do all the talking. Leave a comment--even if I don't know you that well.

Thank you

2009-11-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you for serving our country. Thank you for giving up everything. Thank you for believing in our country and believing in the future.

Thank you veterans, especially my grandfathers.

Image from here.

Walk to campus with me . . .

2009-11-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

. . . because autumn is too great not to share.

I wish my camera phone would capture the vibrant colors, the crunch of leaves beneath shoes, and the whisper of wind against my face. I guess you will have to go experience it yourself.

Why do hospital socks have traction on the top and the bottom?

2009-11-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

The Tap Project

2009-10-24T15:04:00.000-06:00

For the past few weeks I spent hours studying the Tap Project.

I want to be a part of it.

Learn more about the Tap Project (and get involved) here.

My class notes look like this

2009-10-21T18:26:00.000-06:00

Just so you know.

I found some remnants of summer on my phone

2009-10-15T20:39:00.000-06:00

seventeen-year-old guys and girls + bad mitten rackets =

(yes, we loved having them over!)

No comment:

Freeway (parking lot) in California

This is my brother. He is awesome. He makes me laugh.

I took this picture from the cliffs. Later that day we were the ones kayaking in the ocean. We saw seals and dolphins. Wild. In the ocean. Twenty yards away. It was way cooler than Sea World.

Please click to enlarge. Then you will understand why I love this sign:

I love America!

I found this sign at work. :)

Two temple open houses and dedications in one summer? Lovely!

This cow thinks he is a dog. He likes to be petted and follows you around. Identity crisis.

Pain and Patience

2009-10-11T23:02:00.000-06:00

My grandma is in the hospital again. She underwent surgery to remove the staph infection in her foot on the rods from her last surgery. This is the foot that the arch collapsed at one point and the ankle collapsed at another (actually both feet have had collapsed arches).

She will spend the next six weeks in the hospital, so she can have strong antibiotics administered to her. She cannot take her arthritis medication while on the antibiotics, so she is in constant pain. It was months ago when her doctor told her she is the patient with the most medical problems he has ever had.

And yet she is still sweet and happy. Loving and compassionate. Most of all, she is patient. When I visit her, we talk about my family and my dad’s childhood. She asks about my future and tells me how much she believes in me. And I think of how lucky I am to have her, and how much I wish I could take all the pain away.

Be Still

2009-09-24T23:29:00.000-06:00

I took a moment to be alone today. I needed to think, to inventory my life.

I needed to be still.

I highly recommend.

(photo from my California trip, summer '09)

I am still true blue

2009-09-21T12:20:00.000-06:00

I stayed for every second of that game. Yes, it was a long game, but I am still proud to be a Cougar.

Best Break Up Ever

2009-09-19T15:42:00.000-06:00

Setting: Apartment in south Provo on Friday at approximately 5:27 p.m.

Him:   "I don't think we should be dating any more."
Me:    "I don't think we should be dating either."
Him:   "Nice."

We both smile. Relief. And he walks out the door.

Does that count for me getting dumped? I hope so. I have always wanted to be dumped.

Clarity of Vision

2009-09-01T21:04:00.000-06:00

I was surprised how much Alvira had changed. In fact, I would not recognized her in a crowd even though she was practically family. She had lived in the apartment under my Grandfather’s business for the past 34 years. As a child, I ate her candy and wore slippers she crocheted. I have many childhood memories of her.

It was a week and a half ago when I followed my Grandma down the stairs to visit her. “She is in the final stages of bone cancer, Kimmi,” my grandmother told me. “I like to check on her every day.”

My sweet grandma continued taking her tentative-and painful I am sure although she would never admit it-steps down to the basement. My grandma is, as her doctor told her, the patient with the most health problems he has ever had, yet she was walking down the stairs with one hand on the rail and the other hanging onto my arm.

I opened the door for my Grandma and saw Alvira’s cancer stricken state for the first time. Her skin hung from her bony face and her once brown hair lay limp. Her voice at its loudest was only a whisper. Her imminent death hung like a cloud on the air. I could tell that her body could do very little. I did not expected it to be this bad.

Because her body was was obviously failing, the clarity in her eyes surprised me most. Her eyes held the answers to life's biggest questions. She seemed to look right through my soul. She was at peace with her past, present and future.

She passed away the next morning.

I attended her funeral a week later. Very few people came. She was one of the kindest, most serving people I have known, yet the world did not notice her passing. It made me sad. It made me think. I decided that I rather be a forgotten, good person than have a good number of people at my funeral. Thank you for that, Alvira. And thank you for the slippers. God be with you until we meet again.

Short-haired Repunzel

2009-08-29T22:48:00.000-06:00

I, Maiden Kimberly, now reside in the far away land of South Provo on the pinnacle of the high tower, Bunk Bed. Let not your heart be wearied, for I do possess a ladder. And short hair.

Post Edit: Just so you know, this post was not meant to imply that I am a princess. It simply was meant to explain that I am on a bunk bed so high that the oxygen gets thinner and thinner as I climb to the top (slight exaggeration).

Moving Day Eve Thinklings

2009-08-25T18:11:00.000-06:00

I am moving out again tomorrow. I am excited but already a little homesick.

I will miss my lovely family.
They are the most incredible people I know. Seriously. I love them more than anything!

Don't Forget

2009-08-02T20:02:00.000-06:00

None were with Him, but you never have to be alone.

The Day I Broke the Oven

2009-07-25T20:44:00.000-06:00

I like to make cookies. So I can eat them.

The other day I had a batch in the oven. I was talking to my parents in another room when the oven started to beep--but not it's regular beep.

I walked to the oven and saw it had "F2" flashing on its screen and that the oven was glowing orange through the glass on the front. I could hear sizzling.

I opened the door and smoke came billowing out. I saw that the broiler was on even though I had the oven set to 350^o.

I slammed the door shut and flipped the oven to "off." Orange glow. Smoke. Sizzling cookies.

"Dad! I broke the oven!"

While my dad ran downstairs to flip the breaker, I pulled the charcoal (cookies) out of the oven and ran outside, so the smoke would not make the house stink any more than it already had.

What does "F2" stand for? I am sure it stands for "Freaked Out²."

Oh, and do not worry. I did get some cookies. The batch before and after this batch worked just fine.

The Purpose of the Seismic Button

2009-06-22T21:21:00.000-06:00

My cell phone is (obviously) really great at taking close-up pictures.

Most elevators do not have a "Seismic" button, but the one at my work does. Generally I take the stairs, so it took a whole year of working my job before I found it. I saw it and was immediately fascinated.

I almost pushed it, but decided to instead look at the instructions to try to find out what the seismic button does. The instructions had all sorts of useful information like "in the case of an emergency, push the 'Emergency' button" and "if you need to call for help, push the 'Call for Help' button." Unfortunately, there was no information about the one button I wanted to actually know what it did.

I know you are thinking, "You push the button if there is an earthquake, duh!" But that cannot possibly be the reason for such a button!

Does an earthquake not qualify as an "emergency" and thus you could push the "Emergency" button after an earthquake. What would an elevator need to do in an earthquake that would not be done in an emergency? Would going to the nearest floor, opening the doors, and disabling the elevator not be enough in the case of an earthquake? Why make a second button?

And if the earthquake was large enough that you felt like you needed to push a button, wouldn't there not be any power to the button, and for that matter, no power to run the elevator? What is the point of a button in an earthquake when no one has power?

As I ran through ideas in my head, I thought about how Scientists say that Utah is overdue for a large earthquake. I was told in second grade that we were years overdue. Any day we are supposed to be hit with an earthquake. And. It. Will. Be. Bad.

Then the thought occurred to me that maybe we have not had our huge earthquake because no one has pushed the button.

And I like it. Rather than researching and finding the "real" reason (confirming that I found the reason) for the Seismic button, I am more happy with the possibilities. Unless, of course, researching includes pushing the button, which I might do tomorrow sometime between the first and fifth floor. I might not be able to resist.

Dear Computer Science Student/Employee,

2009-05-28T19:10:00.000-06:00

Did you really work from 2 in the afternoon until 4 in the morning last Monday/Tuesday? Because that sounds painful and miserable and ridiculous and a whole bunch of other adjectives that I want to say, but the words are not coming to my mind right now. Is it even possible to work so many hours so far into then night. I guess you were at least awake because you logged in at 3:54am and recorded a time stamp. The computer does not lie . . . usually.

Assuming you really did spend all night working, what is it like knowing that you are one of the few on campus and the only one in your office? And if you did work such long (fourteen hours), lonely (computers do not count as company) hours, why then did you work so many hours the next day? Is Code any easier or more exciting to look at in the early morning hours? You can admit it: painful, miserable, ridiculous.

Will you please come to the office and speak with me (yes, I am asking for non-computer mediated conversation), so we can resolve this matter by Friday (the end of the pay period)? On second thought you had better come sooner rather than later. You will find me on the top floor in my office with your timecard on my computer screen and a look of shock frozen on my face.

Employment Secretary

This one is for you MotherDear

2009-05-27T18:34:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday MotherDear! I am sorry that I did not post on your birthday, but I am not so sorry that I spent the day birthday-partying with you and the family rather than blogging.

Someday I would like to be the kind of mom you were/are to me:

You have always been my (and my siblings') friend. We always knew you loved us more than anything. You expected us to be great. When we failed, you comforted us, but helped us continue trying. You have great faith.

You taught us to be kind to others and to stand strong in our convictions. You taught us to love learning. You taught us integrity. You taught us these things by example.

If I am even close to the kind of mom you are, my kids will be lucky.

One Man

2009-05-19T15:08:00.000-06:00

Lately, I have been apprehensive of this nation's future. The economy is failing. It seems almost everyday that some business's unethical behavior is brought to light. Many government programs like Social Security are struggling. Politicians seemed more concerned with getting the vote than doing what's right. Sixty years ago the largest problems schools faced were small things like dress code violations and chewing gum. Now our schools are constantly facing problems like gangs, drugs, violence, teenage pregnancy, and so much more.

It seems like our nation is precariously balanced on a precipice: one wrong move and everything will fall apart.

Two weeks ago, [notso]LittleBrother and 4,000 other elementary students participated in the Hope of America Student Showcase. Part of the presentation was a video of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. As I sat in the dark watching the video screen, I felt my heart fill with hope.

I was reminded of why I so admire this man. He demanded justice and fought for truth. He was poised and peaceful, but he never backed down. His voice was a beacon to the nation. Although he was only one man, he made a difference in millions of lives. Because he stood for the right. Because he stood for the right.

As I sat in the dark and contemplated my role in the future, I felt empowered. I do not need to be a passive bystander. Part of this nation's future rests in my hands. I can make a difference. You can make a difference, and together we can make a whole world of difference.

I cannot say it better than Dr. King: "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.

". . . With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day." --Martin Luther King Jr., August 28, 1963

Has it been a while? Watch the speech on YouTube by clicking here.

We are all (apparently) going to die!

2009-05-01T23:58:00.000-06:00

Or so the news would think have you think if you listen to their coverage of the Swine Flu--I mean H1N1 Flu.

Could this turn into a pandemic? Certainly. But it has not yet. In fact, the 100-200 confirmed cases in the United States have only had symptoms of the regular flu. This article reported that "Mexican scientists said the contagiousness of the swine flu is no greater than that of the seasonal flu that circulates every year."

Why were at least 433 schools shut down yesterday in the United States? Preventative measures or paranoia? You tell me.

studious metamorphosis

2009-04-16T17:39:00.000-06:00

Meet the studying snowman, Stan:I found him on my way to campus today. And promptly named him. Surrounded by textbooks with his head down on the desk, he looks like 30,000 students on this campus: in constant pain from constant studying. My favorite part is the phrase "finals stink." I guess Stan's creators figured that onlookers had not had human to human interaction lately (because of the pending finals) and thus could not read Stan's body language.

As the day progressed he looked like this. . .

then this . . . I feel like Stan in this last picture, like I am beginning to become one with the inanimate objects that are currently taking up my life (textbooks, flash cards, notebooks full of notes). I am beginning to wonder if my backpack is going to be permanently adhered to my back, if my face is going to meld to my textbooks.

Five more finals to go . . .

It's Raining, It's Snowing?

2009-04-15T12:29:00.004-06:00

Which is probably a good thing because I should be inside studying for my five remaining finals instead of playing in the sunshine. It does make my twenty minute walk to campus (for work and reviews) much more exciting. But I feel bad for the soggy, squished worms that cover the walkways to campus. What a horrible way to die.

General Conference

2009-04-07T19:57:00.000-06:00

What is better than attending General Conference live? Attending General Conference with tickets that say "Monson Family" on them. Yes, on Sunday afternoon I sat so front and center in the crowd of 21,000 people that I had to strain to turn and look at the large video screens on either side of the auditorium. How did I get such great tickets? My roommate was given two tickets by a boy in her class. She let me come with her.

Sitting so close I was able to notice things that are not always shown on the broadcasts of conference. I loved watching President Uchtdorf wave at his family and friends in the crowd before the meeting started. I loved watching President Monson laugh at the speakers jokes. I loved watching President Eyring smile and lean forward towards the television screen in front of him every time the choir sang. I loved watching Elder Packer meet his wife afterward, so they could walk out of the room holding hands and two canes. I loved to watch each speaker sit down and nearby General Authorities each reach out to give their encouragement. They really are human, aren't they?

I am resolved to do better--to be better. To love more and serve more. Oh, and I love being Mormon!

Missing in Action: Kimmi's Voice

2009-04-03T18:07:00.000-06:00

Fact: This morning I sounded like a smoker (which I am not and never intend to be), but very quiet. By noon I sounded like a boy going through puberty. Now I sound like I am whispering.

Lie: Each of these voices have been very attractive.

Fact: Today on campus I saw more people I knew than I have this entire semester--people I have not seen for months.

Lie: No one looked at me like I was strange.

Fact: I got called on in class for the first time this entire semester.

Lie: I love being called on in normal situations.

Fact: One of my classes split into groups to have a discussion (what did you learn from the reading?).

Lie: I was able to talk about what I learned without coughing.

Fact: Another class I spent the hour working in a group on a group quiz.

Lie: My entire group could hear what I was saying.

Fact: I am starting to wonder what I ever did to my voice to make it run away. Where are you normal voice?

Lie: I think it will be back tomorrow.

Website Alphabet Soup

2009-03-25T20:44:00.000-06:00

Two of my main responsibilities at my job are working on the website and publishing two newsletters every week. These jobs intercept with the faculty and graduate student newsletter I publish every Monday. This newsletter was about twenty pages of text every week, so we decided to build a webpage to make it more manageable for us and accessible for everyone who reads it.

The new website worked well until someone at my department attempted to fix a simple glitch. Although this person was honestly trying to help (and had built this webpage his/herself), somehow it turned into this . . . It continued to get worse and worse until any attempt to view the website received an error code. I thought it was funny. At that point I (and my boss) decided it was time for me to stop watching and time to start fixing the code--it's almost done.

What!?! But I need Peanut M&Ms!!!

2009-03-19T16:29:00.000-06:00

Yesterday while I was at work (I work in the Theatre and Media Arts Department), a professor walked into the chair of the department's office. In the middle of a regular conversation the professor suddenly exclaimed, "What!?! But I need Peanut M&M's!" She and the Chair then continued their conversation. In any other department on campus, this would seem like an unusual statement. Not in our department. Can I say I love my job?

هل لي من فضلك وتلاحظ الاقتراض الخاص بك؟

2009-03-10T16:33:00.000-06:00

I sat down in my new block class, Islam and the Gospel. I added the class late, so I had missed the first two lectures. I began talking to the girl next to me about what had been discussed in lecture. "Can I copy your notes?" I asked.

She looked at me out of the corner of her eye and said, "Um . . . they are kind of messy . . . and they're in Arabic." As an Arabic major, when our professor started using a few Arabic terms, she apparently just continued writing in Arabic. Naturally.

"I think I'll get them from someone else," I told her. Not because I cannot read Arabic, but because I can't read messy notes.

Happy 105th Birthday Theodor Seuss Geisel!

2009-03-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

. . . aka Dr. Seuss. Tonight my Family Home Evening group had a lovely spiritual lesson by my roommate. We then partied Dr. Seuss style by playing our own version of Jeopardy that tested our knowledge of Dr. Seuss and his books (did you know that Green Eggs and Ham has only a total of 51 words?) . We finished off the evening by decorating cupcakes asymmetrically.

What was my favorite part? Dressing up as a character from one of his book: Fox in Socks.

Hello Sunshine!

2009-02-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing how one day of sunshine can turn soggy, matted grass into the perfect napping place? That was today. Ah . . . spring sounds lovely right about now.

drip, drip, drop

2009-02-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Today I walked outside and was surprised to meet the rain. For the past months snow has scared all thoughts of rain away. Out of habit, I started to lift my hood, but decided to leave it down as I walked to campus. I could not help but smile up at the gift-giving, grey clouds. The light rain on my face whispered promises of spring in the near future. Each drop told me that I was alive. The mountains stood in all their grandeur, keeping their centuries of secrets to themselves. The Earth was breathing, all around me. I felt the love of God.

I know a guy . . .

2009-02-18T18:55:00.001-07:00

I know a guy who let his little sister tag along, even when it was not cool to do so. I know a guy who was my protector in elementary school . . . and junior high . . . and high school. . . okay, he still sometimes is. I know a guy who can play my guitar better than I can. I know a guy who can make me laugh until my stomach hurts. I know a guy who reads and reads and reads. I know a guy who stood and stands strong in his beliefs even when his friends are faltering. I know a guy who is now a man. I know a guy who wants to do everything and be everything for his wife. I know a guy who is turned twenty two today, and he deserves the world. Happy Birthday BigBrother!

Leaving Teenagedom

2009-02-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

I no longer have "teen" tacked onto the end of my age. Weird. Aren't I supposed to know a lot more? My favorite childhood Primary, birthday song told me I am supposed to be older AND wiser, but feel like I know so little. I guess the old adage holds true: the more you know, the more you know you do not know. Although I walk blindly, I am excited to step into the rest of my life.

Panic

2009-02-05T21:08:00.001-07:00

I walked into my classroom and sat in my usual spot on the right side and was surprised to find that my friend had not arrived yet. I glanced down the row and noticed that several people were pulling out what were obviously research papers. I looked at the row in front of me; they were also pulling out papers. I began to panic. I had completely forgotten to write a research paper . . . in a physiology and developmental biology class crucial for my major. My mind started racing through the previous lectures in that class as I began flipping the syllabus. How could I completely forget a paper? How many points would I be docked for turning it in late? I looked up as the professor walked into class . . . not my professor. Suddenly I realized that I was in the wrong classroom. Serves me right for having two classes next door to each other in identical auditoriums only hours apart. Although i got a lot of strange looks as I left the class (who leaves as lecture is just starting?), I was simply happy to not be turning in that paper.

Aviation

2009-01-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

My office has many impressive features; it has everything from three large windows with the view of the mountains to my iMac computer. This morning when I attended work, I learned of a new feature: first class flying. Our air vent (apparently) has aerodynamic qualities I have never considered. The noise emitting from the vent began with a thunderous drone before slowly escalating into a screech that made me cover my ears. After a minute or so, it would start all over. I just knew that there were planes taking off somewhere in the ceiling. Surely it would not be any louder if I was standing on the tarmac. People would walk in the office, look in the direction of the vent (for airplanes of course), and holler something in my boss's direction. The most amazing part: although I spent the day flying, I still finished my newsletter by eleven o'clock.