Things I've learned at BYU (part 1)

Seeing as how I'm graduating in April (!!!), I have been thinking lately about all the things I have learned in my years at Brigham Young University. I decided to do a 17 part series (I may be exaggerating that number a little) of things I have learned at this higher institution of learning.  So here goes something:

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a class at or before 8 a.m. Everyone thinks they can handle it. I remember very snootily telling my brother that I didn't go to four years of early morning seminary for nothing and waking up at 7 would be easy and blah blah blah. Yeah. I also went to bed at 9. Early morning classes = no bueno. Even if you are one of the rare people who are capable of waking up for 8 a.m. classes--and good for you--don't pretend like you like it. We all know you don't.

2. Even though they got rid of the required physical education stuff, everyone should take one sporty class, unless you really, really hate sports. They are so fun! I took Volleyball and it's the best class I've ever taken. Next semester I'm hoping to take either bowling or racquetball. or tennis. or flexibility. or ice skating. The possibilities are endless! Find something you're interested in and take it!

3. Things that were nerdy and lame in high school are suddenly cool again in college. It's basically my favorite thing because I am a super nerd. I spend a large amount of time playing Super Smash Brothers and other N64 games. I have long conversations about Star Wars and Power Rangers and TMNT, and everybody thinks I'm super cool. I'm not really sure why, but I do appreciate it.

You know you and your roommate will get along when you both bring your Rubik's cubes  to college.

4. No matter how hard it may be to climb the RB stairs, or walk up that ridiculously steep hill, it is not kosher to act like it is hard. This shows weakness. I have actually developed a technique of wheezing while still looking completely normal.

5. When you are a freshman, you will stay up way later than necessary doing absolutely nothing, just because you realize you can and your parents can't get mad at you.

6. If a group of people ask you to go do something that sounds random and stupid and dorky, always say yes (unless they are strangers in a creepy van, because those people are probably lying to you). It will always be a fun time and make for a great story later.
ex.
Inviters: Hey, we're gonna go throw stuff off the JFSB roof and probably yell at random strangers. Do you want to come?
Invitee: Absolutely I do.

Spend the night outside Denny's in February? Perfect.

7. If you ever do something embarrassing or clumsy around a large group of strangers on campus, or a small group of strangers walking home, or even around your closest friends, always laugh at yourself before they get the chance. Like if it's winter and you fall on the ice and bruise your butt, or if you accidentally punch yourself in the face with your umbrella, or maybe you leave a classroom because you think it's the wrong one, and then you realize it was the right one and you have to go back in there and explain that, or if you run into a pole, or even a building, or maybe you fall up the stairs, or get off the wrong floor on the elevator. There are so many ways to embarrass yourself, it's hard to cover them all.  These are just a few examples of things that I have witnessed first hand, as in they were done by me. I know I wouldn't have survived life if I hadn't immediately after said, "Well that was dumb" and jauntily skipped away, only to trip on nothing and face-plant.

What I mean is, don't sweat it. Everybody does dumb things, and if you try to act like it didn't happen, or run away crying, people will just laugh at you harder. You have to beat them to the punch. And hey, you can always remember after you've done something stupid, "It's ok, I'm sure Erica has done this same thing before, and people still think she's cool." Seriously, guys, why do any of you even think I'm cool?

Sorry. That was a long one. But it's an important lesson, so there you go.

8. Is my favorite number, so I will end on this one. If you are lucky enough to have family around, spend time with them. Sisters are really great when you are sick of your roommates. Brothers are awesome to take classes with. Other brothers are great at having kids and a laundry machine and Mario Kart. Eat dinner with them, go bowling with them, and most especially, make sure they know how much you appreciate them. Maybe in the form of a blog post. I am so thankful for my family and that they are around to play with. Also, call your parents every once in a while, you big jerk.

Bowling times are the best times.

Next installment coming soon if I feel like writing it.

Mormons, Tabernacles, and Choirs

The thing is that I'm in Basic Editing Skills, and the Chicago Manual of Style says to use the Oxford comma. So I am. So if any of you are thinking, "What?! I thought she was totally opposed to that! Faker," then you probably are a little too concerned about things like commas. In which case we should be friends, because so am I. The start of this post did not turn out how I expected. Anyway, Pace McCulloch, my dear cousin who now thinks I'm cool because I have a blog, suggested the subject that is introduced in my title. I am finally getting around to it. So here we go.

First and foremost, I am a Mormon. Thank you, Richard G. Scott for making it ok for me to use that term. It was Richard G. Scott, right? That would be embarrassing if I was getting that wrong. EDIT: It was M. Russell Ballard! Thanks, Tracy. You know that big ad campaign happening right now where everyone is all, "I rock climb and go skydiving. I wrestle cougars. I am more interesting than the Dos Equis guy. And I'm a Mormon."? Check it out. I want to do one of those, except all I can think of to say is, "I am a pretty awkward person. I have an opinion about whether Captain Kirk or Picard is better. I have probably seen Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie more times than you. And I'm a Mormon." I don't feel like that is motivating to people. Regardless of how nerdy I am, being Mormon is super awesome. Most of you have probably noticed that my church is all kinds of all over the place in the media lately. For those of you who read my blog that aren't Mormon, thanks for being my friend. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. There is a lot of nonsense being spread around lately. I know you all have beliefs of your own and I respect that. Thank you for respecting mine.

I am undead, I like brains ... and I'm a Mormon. Happy October!

There are two things that I want to say about Tabernacles.  When I first was brainstorming about this post there was only one, but now there are two. That's crazy. Am I not getting to the point fast enough? Sorry. Let me say the weird one first. My nephew, Kyle, likes to pretend he has brothers and sisters and daughters and sons and a whole imaginary family basically. One time we were asking him what his daughter's name was and he responded, "Tabernacle." Hilarious. More serious one: At the end of last year, the Provo Tabernacle caught fire and was pretty much destroyed except for the outer walls. I used to go there for Stake Conference. It is a beautiful building and a pleasure to drive past, and many were devastated by the loss of this building. Nine days ago, President Thomas S. Monson announced that the Tabernacle would be rebuilt. I was thrilled! ... as the second temple in Provo. WHAAAA??! I am doubly super crazy thrilled! That is the most exciting news, and I hope they get it done quickly, so I can go.

This past week, I was driving to work, and passed the remnants of the tabernacle like I always do. Someone had made a banner and stuck it on the wall surrounding the building. It says, "Happy day!" and gives me chills every time I see it. Happy day, indeed.



I don't really have anything to say about choirs. Should I just talk about these guys?

Well I'm not going to.