Note to Self: Booty is Booty

Body image is something that I believe everyone questions at least once in their lifetime.  For me, I am constantly reminded of how small I am.  Things like, “Dang girl you small.”  “Are you 15?”  “What pant size you wear?”  “You anorexic?” or my recently new nickname, “Skinny A**.”  Now I know that I am 5’ 1”, and weigh almost 100 lbs, but really people?  I mean I don’t mind random comments about my size, but once respectfulness or dignity are taken from the conversation, then it becomes bothersome. 

The reason I am writing about this is because of the recent attention and comments about my body, and also a new pop song that is rather popular now and days.  I’m sure you’ve heard it by the ever famous Meaghan Trainor.  Her song All About that Bass talks very specifically about a woman’s body, and what she thinks guys want in a woman’s size.  The first time I heard this song I thought it was a good song with a catchy tune, but on a second listen my self-image shrunk.  It was only telling me half-truths. 

Let me explain.  Verse in the song state that, “I’ve got all the right junk in all the right places.” And “Boys like a little more booty to hold at night.”  Now I’m not gonna lie, but I wasn’t blessed with a “booty” or boobs, in fact I told myself I would have my husband buy me a breast augmentation for my 30^th birthday…don’t worry, it’s not gonna happen.  But feeling my self-image drop because of a song that dogged on my size made me think about all the other flaws that I had.  Things like, oh geez I’m not fat enough, or look at the acne on my face.  I’m selfish.  I’m not funny, and lots of other things that made me feel like a worthless person. 

However, once I snapped my fingers, and came back to reality I knew that I was just the way God intended for me to look.  I think that with all the bickering between who’s fat and who’s skinny, we lose sight of who we truly are, and become obsessed with a look rather than choosing to love ourselves.  Yes, I think that we have to choose to love ourselves, otherwise we spend hours, and tons of dollars trying to “fix” our flaws.  So the next time you are looking in the mirror at yourself, consider this:

First: You are beautiful.  No matter how fat or skinny you may be, you are and always will be                 beautiful. 

Second: Are you healthy?  I think that ignorance gets in the way of our health sometimes, and we choose to gorge ourselves on food, or purge it because we think it’s okay.  But it’s not!  A healthy lifestyle should be lived, so take care of the bodies we were entrusted with. 

Third: Be happy.  Who cares if you are size 9, or a size 0.  If you are healthy, then who cares what pant size you wear.  I know that some guys like big butts like Meaghan Trainor sings about in her song, but some don’t.  I know that there is someone out there for everyone, it’s just being patient and making sure you find the right one.  In the meantime, be confident in the skin you are wearing. 

So don’t let your self-worth be determined by a number on a scale.  And whether you got a lot of it, or just a little bit, remember booty is booty.  

*This is a Burger King commercial from a few years ago that I remembered, and thought it fit the post...I couldn't help but quote it!

Weird & Responsible

For those of you who know me, know that I am an interesting communicator.  Sometimes I feel like a broken record, unintentionally of course.  For example, I can ask someone how they are doing 10 times before I actually know how they are doing.
"Hey! How are ya doing?"
"Oh good."
"Great! So how are ya doing?"....
It happens more than I'd like it to, and I feel like it's something that won't change for a while to come.  This being said, my position in life makes me communicate more than I'd like to acknowledge.  I end up talking a lot, so things get pretty interesting sometimes.

SUPERVISOR:

As a supervisor to one of the preschool classroom's on campus, I teach a lot not only to adorable children, but to my team as well. There are miles between the two, and I much rather prefer teaching children all day, than have to tell somehow the random sorts of:
Mixing Paint and Soap Together
How to Write a Lesson Plan
Portions Sizes of Snacks
Child Guidance
First Hand Experiences
Play Dough Making
Block Setting Upping
Schedule Promptness
Walkie Talkie Using
Role Modeling
ETC. ETC. ETC.
It's enough to make one winded within the first minutes of orientation, so saying things that make no sense/ beating around the bush type deals happen more often than not.  It's moments like that though that make me want my own "videographer" just to see my silly moments life.  Yesterday would have been ideal in that while I was teaching my 21 children, I mistakenly brought out my surprise box...which only led to a wide-eyed teacher thinking she was gonna get mobbed of her box with friend Mickey in it.  Stampede my friends, stampede.  Hilarious when you are watching, but scary when you have to live it.  :)

RELIEF SOCIETY PRESIDENT:

My newest addition of responsibility comes to my calling in church as a Relief Society President.  Don't worry, I was shocked to.  I must say though that I am really grateful for my opportunity to serve the women in my ward.  I have had 3 Sundays here at college, and I had the blessings of teaching my girls the first Sunday, and again this last Sunday.  You get to experience what it's like only having one hour notice that you will be teaching the lesson that day.  That was fun.  When things like this happen it makes you feel responsible, heart racing, slur your words, and think on your toes type feelings.  My being came out then too, with my "sacramental" words and such.  :)   Of all the things I am in charge of, sometimes I think someone can do it better, communicate better, one who is better organized, but when I think about I try really hard.  I don't have to be perfect at something to accomplish it's purpose.  My communication may be behind, but I hope that beyond that, people see that I love them, bald head and all.  I think in the end people remember your actions of helpfulness, and that your "charity never failed" them.  1 Corinthians 13:8

Relief Society Declaration

We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction.  As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar.  We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:
Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.
Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.
Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.
Delight in service and good works.
Love life and learning.
Stand for truth and righteousness.
Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.
Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.

lds.org

First Week in the Bag

Holy Toledo! Has stuff been happenin'!  Today marks my one week back in good ole' Rexburg, ID.  I must say that with all the snow it is quite the culture shock.  I am taking on another adventure that requires snow shoes, gloves, and warm jackets.  It's called college.  Not gonna lie, I could do without those things and go somewhere where flip flops can be worn, used, and fallen apart in a month's use.  That being said, I am grateful to get back to my studies!

I feel I am going to have quite the interesting semester.  I am interning on campus in the preschool labs, and its taken a good 20 hours of my life thus far.  May not seem like much, but with 16 credits added to that, I am sure to have grey hairs in no time.

So as a university we have a devotional which falls on every Tuesday of the week.  Every week I am able to go and hear words of wisdom, that uplift and prepare me on my quest towards eternal life.  The president of the university spoke, and he spoke on something that made me think a little bit.  Here at Brigham Young University-Idaho, we have what we call an Honor Code.  As students we sign, and commit ourselves to this code before school starts.  It incorporates a lot of different things like being honest, following our dress code, obeying curfew, and attendance at church.

The thing that I love the most about it is the faith the staff put in us as students.  In my American Epidemic class, my grade solely depends on the grade that I give myself.  I grade my own assignments, and give myself a score that I think I deserve.  In another class (my online class) my tests are "closed book."  Even though I am not in an actual class, where a teacher supervises to make sure cheating is not done, I am trusted to be honest and follow our Honor Code, and never open my book while I am taking my exams.  I am honored to have people who give me the opportunity to act for myself to choose between right and wrong.  Since the staff place so much faith in me, does that mean that everyone follows what they are supposed to do?  No.  Does it mean that everyone here is honest, and gives themselves the correct grade they deserve?  I hope so, but I know they don't.  It is difficult sometimes when you really want an A, and you could easily get one if you so desired, but self-control and an honest heart are far more rewarding than any A could give you.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be at a school where I am able to expand my knowledge of the things I love, all while learning life gifts that will help me become a noble woman.  It is SOOO hard sometimes, but with an attitude of gratitude, and love...you can do anything!

I love my Father in Heaven.  Jesus Christ.  My family.  My friends.  My life.  I am excited to see where I go, and where I end up next cause ya never know.  The one thing I do know is that I will have to survive this one first.  :P  Have a great weekend peeps!!