Hello Lover

I'm going to need these.

Me

Farewell

I went to church at the Cheyenne YSA Branch yesterday, for a specific reason actually. I learned earlier in the week that President Brown was going to be released from his calling as Branch President. President Brown and his wife are two of the most amazing individuals I've ever met. I've never seen anyone devote so much of their lives to a calling before. They are truly inspirational.

I spent much of last week trying to wrap my head around what this could possibly mean for the Branch. I have never felt such deep love and respect from a Bishop or Branch President before. In a church that is so completely marriage-minded, it was such a great feeling to have a leader (for once) who wasn't pressuring me to find my EC (eternal companion) because contrary to popular belief, there is more to life than marriage and what I'm doing with my life pre-marriage does matter. President and Sister Brown actually understand that concept.

The Browns were always there for us and they made sure we knew that and that their home was always open to us. President Brown always told us, "Don't worry about it. The Lord will take care of it." If I could just remember that throughout my day, I think I would much less stressed out. President also couldn't tell us enough that we would all be much happier if we would just SIMPLIFY! In a culture where nothing we do is good enough and in a society where we must always be working toward perfection, the pressure can often be too much to handle. The Browns were there to tell us that we were doing just fine and to not be too hard on ourselves.

In a world of same ol', same ol', the Browns are a refreshing breath of air.

While I had a difficult time trying to imagine the Branch functioning without the Browns, I realized on Sunday that the Branch will go on and it will keep functioning. The Branch is not the Brown's Branch, but it is the Lord's Branch and it will continue to strive with the leadership of President Gasson and the love and nurture of Sister Gasson.

Of course, this will not be the last we see of the Browns. They are truly amazing individuals and I think they and the members of the Branch will all agree that there is a deep connection and bond that cannot be broke. They will still remain an important part of our lives and of the Branch.

So I guess what all of this is leading to is, thanks President and Sister Brown. We love you both more than words can express. Thank you for being there for us and reminding us that we're all doing just fine with what we're doing in our lives. Thank you for reminding us of what is really important. Most of all, thanks for believing in us and not trying to change us. The world is a better place because of you.

Rude

At work today we were all telling our ages (which loses its appeal after the age of about 23). Here's a snippet of conversation that took place:

Co-worker #1: So Aimee, how old are you?

Me: I'm 27.

Co-worker #1: Oh. (Semi-long pause) So what have you been doing all this time?

Co-worker #2: Ya know, Co-worker #1, that's really kind of rude to say to someone, especially in that tone of voice.

Co-worker #1: Oh. I didn't mean it that way.

I really love being a nontraditional student.

Just Switch?

I just wanted to say that I think it's interesting (and annoying) that in light of Hillary Clinton suspending her campaign and Barack Obama being the Democratic candidate in the presidential election that I am supposed to magically switch my support from Clinton to Obama.

During this election there is only one person that I have faith and trust in to run our country. That person is Hillary Clinton. If I would've had that faith and trust in Obama, I would've been supporting him all along.

I understand the need for a Democratic president, but I also don't believe in voting for someone strictly because of their affiliation with a certain political party. I DO believe in voting for the best person to get the job done.

Personally, I know this person isn't John McCain, but I'm not sure if it's Barack Obama either.

Wake-up Call

I was trying to find a friend from high school last night on the Internet and happened to come across an old friend of mine that I hadn't thought of in quite awhile. We weren't really good friends but I remember making fun of her because she went to school (seminary) before school everyday. So when I found myself going to school (seminary) before school everyday a few years later, I got in touch with her and we had a nice laugh about it.

As I was perusing her website, I noticed there were quite a few comments mentioning how people would miss her. I eventually came across her obituary. Turns out she was killed in a 4-wheeling accident in October. ATVs are so dangerous. My Grandpa's cousin was in an accident about a year ago and suffered extreme brain damage. People just don't think to wear helmets. I'm not sure I would ever get on one again.

Anyway, after discovering Rachel's untimely death, it really made me think. We never know when our time is up. Many think teenagers are the only ones that think they're invincible, but in reality, we all tend to think we are. Am I doing everything in my power to lead a good life and be a good person? Can I go to bed each night and be comfortable with the fact that I might not wake up in the morning? Am I making Heavenly Father proud? Am I doing the so-called "little" things everyday like studying my scriptures instead of reading them? Do I not just pray to Heavenly Father but talk with Him everyday? Do I magnify my calling? Do I attend the temple regularly?

It's so easy to get caught up with day-to-day life and forget about what's really important. I always make time to write papers and do homework assignments well, but for some reason I slack when it's time to do the spiritually important things.

Not only do I need to change, but I want to change. What if today is my last day? Did I do everything in my power to be successful--both spiritually and temporally? I spend so much time worrying about the future that I forget to live in the moment. I heard someone say (possibly in a movie) that life isn't about the number of breaths you take, it's about the number experiences that take your breath away. I think that Heavenly Father blesses us with these little experiences almost everyday, but it's up to us whether or not we take the time for them. I sincerely hope that I can take more time for my life and remember what's important and live each day to the fullest.

"Happy too cakes to me!"

I stole the title from my friend's little girl. I guess she's learning different songs right now and that is her version of "Happy Birthday". So yeah, I copied a toddler. But let's face it, hers is much more creative and just makes more sense as a title.

Today was a good day. I turned 27 this year and I'm not going to lie, I feel a little older. I think it's because 27 is getting dangerously close to 20-10. It's official. I'm in my late twenties. Twenty-six can still be considered within the mid-twenties bracket, but 27...not so much.

I always feel quite a bit of anxiety around my birthday. Some of it has been caused by not really being content in where I am and some of it is caused by this horrible fear of mine that people who are important to me will forget my birthday. This year was different. I still had a little anxiety, but it wasn't too bad. I think it's partly due to the fact that I'm quite happy where I'm at right now. I really feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. Of course there are a few things missing. Like a husband. **To all my friends who know some good, single men...don't be shy. Hook me up. But other than that, I'm happy AND pretty much everyone remembered my birthday.

March has been such a crazy busy month that I actually kinda forgot about my birthday. When it finally occurred to me that my birthday was this month, I freaked out momentarily because I thought it had already passed. Lucky for me, it hadn't. I vacillated between whether I should tell my roommates and bring it up to people or if I should just keep quiet. For awhile I had decided that I wasn't going to say anything, but then something occurred to me. Why would I want to keep my birthday a secret? My birthday is a celebration of the day I was born and that was a pretty great day. Just being born makes everyone great and I've been fortunate enough to have been able to do some pretty wonderful things. That's when it hit me. It would be wrong to not celebrate my birthday.

So here I am and my birthday is almost over. It was a great day and I am so blessed to be living this life that has been given to me. I'm happy. I'm content. I'm grateful. I'm excited to see and experience what this 27th year has in store for me.

Happy too cakes to me!

March!

March has gone by insanely fast. I can hardly believe April is next week. So many great things have happened. I had the amazing opportunity to meet both Bill and Hillary Clinton. I was impressed by their intelligence and also their ability to remain quite personable. I feel very fortunate to have met them. It's not every day that one gets to meet the woman who is going to be our next President(!!), let alone a former President of the United States!

I also had the most incredible experience of delivering the nominating speech for Senator Clinton at the Albany County Democratic Caucus. After many, many prayers, I was able give my speech without getting emotional AND without a shaky voice. It was such a great day. Once the speeches and voting were done, everyone split into groups and state delegates were voted for. We didn't get the results that day, but the next week I found out that I had been chosen as State Delegate #4! I am so excited! I'll be going to the Wyoming Democratic Convention in Jackson over Memorial Day Weekend.

I'm continually amazed at the opportunities and blessings that keep showing up in my life. They're like little reminders that I am where I'm supposed to be and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. It's a really great feeling!

Moral Conversations

We just found out that Bill Clinton is coming to Laramie tomorrow evening. Under the direction of Wyoming for Hillary, I created a facebook event and invited everyone on my list. I didn't leave anyone out. I've also emailed, called and texted everyone I know. This is obviously very important to me. What I find appalling is that a few select friends of mine are leaving me rude, negative comments and taking every chance they get to let me know they think I'm an idiot for being a Hillary supporter. What kind of friendship is that? I realize we have differing opinions on politics. I don't believe this gives me the right to leave rude messages on walls that are clearly in support of a certain person or event. It is very possible to support the friend in their passions and beliefs without sharing them. It is also possible to have a moral conversation about the Clintons without using the words "satan" and "not pertinent."

First of all, Hillary is the farthest thing from satan. She won three of the four states up for grabs last night and two of them were by very large margins. Go Hillz! Second of all, any person who has an excellent chance of being in the White House this time next year is definitely and completely pertinent to our country--regardless of what one's beliefs may be.

It would just be nice to have an intelligent, moral conversation about politics once in awhile.

An Honor

When I got home from work Friday night, I decided to check my email. As I opened one from the Hillary campaign, I never in a million years would have expected to see what was before me.

When I went to the grand opening of Hillary Clinton's Wyoming office in Cheyenne last week, I was able to network and meet some great people from Hillary's campaign. Well the email I received was from one of them asking me if I would be willing to deliver the nominating speech for Hillary Clinton in Saturday's Wyoming Caucus!

Of course I said yes. I am so blessed to have this opportunity and also to have such a great passion for politics and this presidential race that is upon us.

Bitch is the New Black

Alright, this link will actually work. NBC kept shutting the YouTube video down due to copyright infringements, so here's a link from NBC.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/index.shtml#mea=221773

Gardenia

I have a new favorite song. It's Gardenia by Mandy Moore and I can relate to the lyrics so well. It's been kind of a rough week for me. I've felt a mixture of sadness and melancholy and frustration intertwined with some gratitude.

Earlier this evening, I went to a baptism for this guy in my FHE group. As we were singing I Know That My Redeemer Lives,I was reminded of some things that I had forgotten. It was nice to remember that Heavenly Father really does know us and he knows what we're going through. Sometimes all we need is a little patience. It doesn't always take away the things we're feeling, but it does offer us some insight and perspective into what we're facing. Here are they lyrics:

Well, I put so much thought into getting ready
Now I know that was the best part
It’s so easy to get caught up in what I’m regretting
Forget what I got from a wounded heart

CHORUS
I’m the one who likes Gardenia
I’m the one who likes to make love on the floor
I don’t want to hang up the phone yet
It’s been good
Getting to know me more


I’ve been seeing all my old friends in the city
Walking alone in Central Park
Doing all the things that I’ve neglected
Traded ‘em all in
To be in your arms

CHORUS

Well, I hear my own voice
It Sounds so silly
I Keep on telling my story all around
Everything I lost ain't so different
Cause this is how everybody gets found

A Treat for the Ears!

I've just discovered some great new music. The first artist is Edwina Hayes. Her voice is so beautiful and calming. You can hear some of her music at http://www.myspace.com/edwinahayes








The second artist is Mandy Moore. Now before you start laughing and shaking your head in disgust, listen to this song! It's called Gardenia and it is gorgeous.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=48028131

Hillary's my homegirl

I can't...I'm Mormon

I recently saw a t-shirt that said, "I can't...I'm Mormon." I'm not going to lie. At first I thought it was funny, but as I contemplated the true meaning behind this, the questions started rolling in. Shouldn't we want to do the right thing? Isn't the point behind living the standards in which we live that it's what we want to do? Does it take more faith to not watch a rated R movie even though we want to or does it take more faith to make our own decisions? Last week, hip-hop poet Saul Williams visited the UW campus. As I was listening to his remarks, one of them really intrigued me. He said that we don't need a preacher to talk to God. What beautiful sense this makes! I'm guessing that this statement means something completely different to me than it does to him, but that's what makes poetry and art so amazing. Most of society tends to look down on organized religion and I must admit there have been times when I have too. I think people tend to look down on organized religion mainly because they think weekly church-goers depend on their preacher to get them to heaven. Not to mention, there's the thought that people who don't go to church every week are going to hell. I think religion is what you make of it. My mom is a very spiritual person. Does she go to church every week? No. Is she going to hell because of it? Of course not. I'm not saying that if we wonder what alcohol tastes like we should go to our local saloon and get wasted, but I am saying that we should make our decisions for ourselves. We should live certain standards because we know they will bring us eternal joy and we know the difference between right and wrong. Most of all, we should do what is right because we love Heavenly Father. For me personally, there are certain standards that are more difficult to live than others. I'm sure we're all like this. Hopefully, one day we will all be able to live each commandment because we love our Father in Heaven more than anything. That's what this life is for. We should take what we know to be true and good and figure out for ourselves why we live or don't live each commandment. When we do this, I think our testimonies will flourish.
Well, that's my soapbox for the...I'd like to say week, but it'll probably be for the month.

Another Shot

I started this blog over a year ago when I was going through a really difficult time in my life and I pretty much haven't written since then. I got my wake up call when my friend Stina was apparently reading this a couple months ago and read that we had gone to lunch a couple days earlier, which confused her because we hadn't. Then she looked at the date and discovered that particular post was about a year old.

So here I am, a little over a year later, ready to give this blog thing another shot.

Fortunately for all of us, I don't plan to write about how "I hate my horrible life!" Mainly because I don't and also, who wants to read about that? I'm at a really great place in my life right now and am so excited to see what lies ahead of me in this new year. I've also developed a sincere interest in political issues and current events, so I'd like to blog about that too. It would be really great if we could get some discussion going on!

Here's to 2008!