Physical Science

Dear World:

I have always been profoundly influenced by the creation of nature. But as a late (the last semester) I have really come to be enthralled with astronomy. It's fascinating. Honestly, there are truly worlds without number. And they are constantly being made and dying all at the same time.

But something even more incredible?

Stars will die. They'll die. But the human spirit will never die. Stars may come and go, but we will live on through the eternities.

Fascinating.


Love,
Monica

Oh. I better study...

Childhood Dream Fulfilled

My childhood dreams have been realized.

Basically the most amazing people on the planet surprised me with a mysterious box. Thinking it was going to be a terrible Halloween surprise, I was weary to open it.


All my life I have wanted this one toy that I never saved enough money t

o buy as a kid. It disappeared off the shelves when I had raised enough. In the first week of church in my ward here, I gave a talk about self reliance, and I mentioned the difference between needs and wants. My Mulan doll was not a need, and it was the only thing I can remember growing up that I had always wanted but never got.

I am now the proud owner of the Disney Matchmaker Magic Mulan Doll because of 4 amazing boys who somehow found me one.


Disney was right all along! Dreams come true, even in a singles ward.

Love,

Monica

Let the Madman Out

Dear World:

I'm eating up knowledge at school as proportionately as it is eating me (or slightly under) and with the lack of effort Summer entailed, each day my brain has been toying with whether I can take another bite. There's a lot of thoughts swirling in my concocted dust storm of synapses (almost like a famous Arizona "haboob" storm-- those from Arizona will understand, those foreign to such an event will simply ponder on why I chose such a word to include in this paragraph. It's a real thing, google it.)

Anyway, I was in Writing about Arts and Humanities class today. Please note that I'm neither an artist nor a human, but I've found the course to be strikingly well-fitting for my personal likings and such 'n such. (The same has occurred for Physical Science. What is the meaning of this?!?) After class I had this drive to destroy all the other students at the "Brimhall Memorial Essay Contest."

First of all, I don't enjoying destroying people.
Second, ...... ESSAY Contest.

Not even a pie eating contest. Nothing to do with food. Just the written historical word. Yeah, weird.

So I was reading my required book for the class (which has been the most down-to-earth-entertaining piece of required reading, both insightful and realistic to what's actually happening in people's brains) and I came across a quote that has since made the idea of the written word very personable-- even if the topic is assigned.

John R. Trimble, in his 'Writing with Style' book (quite an original name, by the way), quotes his colleague Professor Betty Sue Flowers:

"You have to let the madman out. The madman has got to be allowed to go wild. Then you can let the architect in and design the structure. After that, you can have the engineer come in and put it together. And then you let the janitor in and clean it up. The problem is, most people let the janitor in before they let the madman out."

Just something to ponder as anyone jumps in to a new semester dreading how your papers will ever happen. Let your mind run freely and rapidly. THEN edit. Then you'll really know how you feel about the subject in question.

But the same goes for any idea you may have, it would be absurd to say this only applies to writing papers.

To the entrepreneur, the artist, the intellectual, the dreamer-- Let the Madman Out.

Best wishes in all your efforts, and with much love,
Monica

Not Home-Economics.

Dear World:

In the last few weeks I've had to try to describe my major to everyone I've met. I would like to clarify what exactly it is I'm studying using this article from KSL from today! Enjoy. Now you know.

Love,
Monica

SALT LAKE CITY — School is starting today for a lot of kids in Salt Lake County. But some students who signed up for what they thought was an easy class may be in for a rude awakening. Officials say teaching what used to be known as "home ec" isn't as easy as it looks.

Technically, it's not "home economics" anymore. It's officially called "Family and Consumer Sciences," and to qualify as an instructor in this field, people need to go through some intense schooling. They need a composite degree, which means one minor isn't enough.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education Specialist Pearl Hart said, "They have to have a minor in family, marriage and human development, along with early child education. They have to have food science and nutrition courses that require inorganic and organic chemistry."

Some of the other minors include personal and family finances, interior design and textiles. Hart says the textiles and food sciences minors require that people take organic and inorganic chemistry classes.

They have to have a minor in family, marriage and human development, along with early child education. They have to have food science and nutrition courses that require inorganic and organic chemistry.

–Pearl Hart

"That, right there, is the ‘weeder' course," she said. "A lot of people drop out of the major because the chemistry is difficult."

As for what's being taught in the classroom, Hart says it's not exactly like what is was back in the ‘80s or ‘90s. She says it's not uncommon to see beakers and test tubes during food sciences class, not just casserole dishes and Bundt cake pans.

"That's the big difference between [these courses] and what we probably knew in the older Home Economics courses, where they were classified as just teaching our students to prepare for home," she said.

These days, high school students in Family and Consumer Sciences can get one of two workforce certifications by going through the right set of classes. On the family and human development side of the program, high school kids can get an Early Child Development Associates Degree. On the culinary side, they can get a ProStart certification that is recognized by the National Restaurant Association.

"They can go right into the workforce and use those. You can't work for Head Start without a CDA," she said.

Even though the training to become a teacher in this field can be intense, and a lot of people do drop out, Hart says there are still some positive signs for the program. She says Utah leads the nation in the number of college students who are majoring in teaching these classes.

Real Life Super Heroes

Dear World:

I have always loved Marvel superhero movies. (Or just superpower movies in general.)

Captain Hammer and sidekick Peachtree

So I got to thinking, you know what? I know some pretty amazing people that are real life super heroes. For example: firefighters, military men, fathers, and missionaries.

Wait, missionaries?

Yeah. Some of those guys do some crazy stuff. My friend Brenton is in Brazil and tackled a Boa. No big deal. Cole was at gun-point the other day.

Dang. These kids are brave little suckers.

So what made me think this was a letter I got from an undercover superhero in Armenia. I finally figured it out! He's a real life superhero. I'm convinced. I've put together pieces and hints from letters and I knew it was all a cover. He's got super powers, and of course, enemies.

"I feel like I'm always putting out fires" as well as "I'd lay down my life for these people" were real clues, but it wasn't until he fell in a manhole that I knew there were people out to capture him.

Anyway, don't forget to express your gratitude to the real life superheroes in your life. The tights might be missing, but the bravery and selflessness is always there.

Here's to my superhero-- Captain Hammer.
(super) NAILED IT.

Love,
Monica

"And time only is measured unto men."

Dear World:

It is becoming more and more evident that time is passing, as I have once noted before with my post about "change." This is a little different.

In the next year, I will having braces again, have my jaw cut and moved, have a new family member (the very first grandkid), and Elder Jared Hammer will come home. So I was thinking to myself, there's a lot of stuff going on in the next 365 days-- how am I ever going to have enough time to pack it all in before I leave on a mission? Will it set me back? Am I going to leave at all?

Good question, self. But here's a better question: Why am I so concerned about it?

Last night I was reading in the Book of Mormon-- a choice book, by the way. I came across a line that made me rethink my anxiety and my need to be on track with my own plans.

"All is one day with God, and time only is measured unto men." (Alma 40:8)

Oh.

Well in that case, I guess this really is just a moment in eternity. This set of about 3 years ahead of me is probably like five minutes in Celestial time. I think as a human, I just want to have my way, on my time-table, all day--err'day.

But if we're the only ones worried about time, does it really matter? Does it matter if your "set" plans moved six months? What will change so drastically in that time? In fact, are you just worried that change will make you change your mind?

Probably.

All is one day with God. I probably haven't even been gone ten minutes. What is 26 more seconds to wait for something you want?

Let's be real here. Anyone who takes the time to read this blog undoubtedly knows who Jared Hammer is. But what you probably don't know is that tomorrow (August 1, 2012) marks 21 months of being together. That's a long time.

And you know what?

...... It feels like it's been five minutes.

I now understand Celestial time.

Love,

Monica

January 15, 2011

How to Handle Change: It All Makes "Cents"

Dear World:

I would like to throw my voice out about a mysterious and rather looming concept: CHANGE.
Bear with me, because it may appear like my thoughts are going everywhere. It's because they are. I speak in varicose veins-- eventually they'll make it back to the heart.

So.... Change is weird.
Not a very profound statement, but alas, still fitting. Change is weird.
I've noticed as I grow older something very odd: Things are not always the same! .... What?! ... But in all seriousness. Let's talk "change."

In the last month I have experienced a massive amount of this weird concept, change. Most often, change is good! Like when a baby poops in the diaper, it's good to change. ....... But often times, we find ourselves having a difficult time adjusting. ... Don't quite know how to relate that one back to diapers, sorry.

May I ask, has this happened to you? (Forget about the diapers, I'm talking about change again.) I submit that, at some point, it has.

Within this spring season alone, my older sister Melissa has discovered she is having a baby boy. This is a massive change for the Painters, first of all because it is the first baby, and also because it is a boy. What even is that, a boy? We're all daughters in my family. There is no such thing as baby boys in the Painter family. .......Weird. But! Alas, a good change.

Melissa and I in 1995 - Kyle and Melissa's Wedding - Melissa is Preggo

Though, I still like to see myself as the little girl that ran around playing in the backyard with my sister Melissa and our dearest friend Alli Gardner. Since this day, Melissa is no longer called a "Painter" and Alli is no longer a "Gardner." -- They've since traded last names for husbands.

I would like to put forward that this is very very strange. (Not that they got husbands, but that I grew up. Stay with me here.) Why am I not a little girl anymore?

Baby Kaybree

This is Kaybree Ann. My dear friend Alli and her husband Brendon brought this little girly from the hospital yesterday.


In the words of Brendon: "I don't know if I can fully describe the feeling you get when you see your child for the first time, but I guess the closest words would be divine, heavenly, and miraculous. This right here sums up the purpose of life, to feel just a smidgen of what Heavenly Father must feel for us. God's love for us is perfect and I was able to feel that with my own kid. I instantly had an unconditional love for a child that was barely a second old."

Thankfully, some people have it figured out. Brendon and Alli will be amazing parents. And with that Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints plug, I continue on. 

But that was an absolute tangent that I would like to connect to my entire train of thought:

Though we experience change and move on with our lives, those behind us (like Kaybree here) have not yet had such experiences.

I would like to submit that maybe life isn't just about us. Yikes, that's an accusation if I ever heard one. So then what is it really all about? I'm no expert, but I think it has something to do with love, service and bettering the circumstances for when you have to teach someone else how to handle change.

Our bodies are mortal. We die. I hate to tell people that, because it is somewhat shocking to most people, as if they didn't see it coming. So with that said, we aren't going to be 20 years old forever, nor will we stay 26, 49, 62 or 90.

But somebody else will eventually be that age, and they are going to walk right into the same troubles you faced. Maybe not exactly the same, but similar in nature.

Our bodies might die, but written records stay behind. Our advice can be immortalized in pages.

It's interesting that this idea came to my mind today. Because a great friend posted on his blog about this very idea not a few hours ago. His name is Gabe Meyr. He's very quiet, very polite, and very wise. He's a poet and a great thinker-- he thinks some of the greatest things to be thunk.

He said: "When climbers scale a route they can put metal studs into the cliff that serve as an anchor point for future climbers, making it more safe and a little easier to go up. We don't have to trailblaze our way around because much of the cliff of life (which we scale upward) has already been marked by people long past. It happens sometimes that an author I'm reading describes an idea that I've wondered about before, then they articulate it and develop it much more than I have, and I'm grateful that they've done it."

A great analogy for record keeping. Whether it be books, journals, photographs, whatever. When you write it, it is there. Those who come across later down the road find it as a map, maybe even the treasure itself.

I would also like to say that we can be our own map writers. If you keep records, photographs and writings, look back through them. Listen to yourself-- you might just learn something.

Now back to the topic at hand. Change. Yes, it happens. So how do we handle change in the moment it is happening?

Keep a perspective that you'll have more pages to write. This is not the end. It is merely a moment in an eternity we can't fully grasp yet. You may be the last of your kind: not married, not expecting, not serving a mission for your church, not graduated. That's perfectly okay. You. Are. Okay.

Remember the last change you encountered? You survived. You grew from it. You pressed forward. Now you're comfortable with it, and now it's your life.

I challenge you to do that again.

Change isn't what is left after you've used the dollar. Change, when put together after much time, is powerful., and greater than the dollar of the first trade.

Count your change: it might not make "cents"-- but you'll find you're much more rich than you thought.

Love,

 Monica

Here are some evidences of change. Some are brutal. Some are wonderful.

Heritage Halls was torn down. That was Jared's building where he got bed bugs.
Hard to see it go. It's now a pile of dirt.
Make way for the "New Heritage" buildings.

Jeff Doty: One of my best friends since Jr. High.
The first photo is us as freshmen. The next, his baptism into the Mormon church,
the next, New Years 2012, and the last is us as sophomores in college.

Me and Jared, cerca 2010. Our first photo together.
2012: He's in Yerevan, Armenia as a missionary for our church.
I'm still here.
Wow, we grew up.

My roommate Lauren Jones, best friends since freshman year of college.
Now she's happily married to Jesse Myrick.

Emilie Elmont, freshman roommate and best friend.
She's now happily married to Kelton Davis.

Of course, Kate. Best friend since we were 11 years old.
Honestly, it's been a good ride.
So glad she's still single.

My childhood friend, Clayton Webb, passed away.
His quad-riding legacy lives on in the Sand Dunes of Yuma, AZ.

Gilbert Arizona got a temple.

I have not seen Elder Jared Hammer, my best friend in the whole world, for one year.
Half way done. Half way done. Half way done.

(Left) This is me and Jared, pre-relationship. And after. (Right)
It's funny to see how two people change together.
First he needed therapy from me, and then I was his therapy.
Go figure.

Alexis Cooper, best friends since freshman year of high school.
Probably one of the most stable people in my life.
She gets a mission call this month.

My best friend Tim Harker.
He's been gone almost 6 months on his mission to Nebraska.

Faith: In the Words of Odysseus, and Monica.

Dear World: Let's talk.

So this week is going to be somewhat scary. It's the last couple weeks left of school for Spring term, meaning everything is due and tests are flooding in. Is it normal to have 3 tests in one week? ... For one class?!

Anyway, I've decided to take an approach to the next couple weeks as Odysseus did in the Odyssey:
"For in my day I have had many bitter and painful experiences in war and on the stormy seas. So let this new disaster come. It only makes one more." - Odysseus (Homer)


I'm not saying "bring it on"..... but I sort of am. In a sheepish "don't really, please" sort of way.

On a completely unrelated note, today I found out that my older sister Melissa is going to be having a baby boy! I cannot say how excited I am, because I was secretly hoping it would be a boy so we could wrestle.

On another unrelated note, my mom and little sister are now on a cruise to Alaska. .... the week before I was done with school? Yeah okay. I see how it is!

Anyway, I've also been studying a matter that has previously been a challenge: Having Faith. I guess this could relate back to the quote from the Odyssey (not that I'm saying Mythology is true and factual, but it is in fact very entertaining and tells quite a bit about early culture and proposed religion.) With Faith in Jesus Christ, I believe we can be more and greater than we ever could be on our own. It sort of finally clicked this week the purpose of living: to live in a way that would allow you to live with God again one day. Can I just say that that sounds really good? Amongst the turmoil of piling small things, it just sounds wonderful to live with Him again one day. I think if we could see exactly what was waiting, we would never do anything contrary to His will-- it's kind of nice to know somebody knows everything. It makes trusting God very worthwhile.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you don't believe in God, I highly suggest you look into it. It's the best.

Some say relying on Faith over logic is weak. I would like to combat (lovingly) such claims. I've found in my life that nothing is more powerful than "feelings." How do actions come about? Because of the feelings that preceded such actions. It's a common phrase that love makes you do crazy things that at times don't make sense. I would propose that sometimes that just means you have your priorities straight. I'm no hippie, but I do believe that there is a lot more going on in this world than we can see, and much of it is empowered by love and by hope. It's funny how Faith is based on those exact things. Love and hope leads to trust-- a trust that things will work out. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: love, hope and trust in God and Jesus Christ leads to happiness.

In the world, miracles can happen because of hope. It's just amazing what can come to pass with only a particle of faith.


"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."


There is a God, and I believe He lives.

Last week I got to visit two of my favorite people: the Merricks! I had a blast staying with them. We provoked the Aggies at the ice cream shop with BYU sweatshirts, ate "where the locals eat", and watched Sound of Music as well as Pride and Prejudice (I have been deprived of these "classics" before now-- which ALL of the Hammer family has made very clear. Thank you, Carl, for the teasing. One day I will see Star Wars, and read Narnia. I promise.)

Anyway, these people are amazing. She's a seamtress and he's a craftsman. I left their home with tips and souvenirs!

On the way home, I stopped in Brigham City and saw the new temple being constructed. What a beaut'! I noticed after taking this picture something funny. Notice the "One Way" sign pointing to the temple?

This temple I feel is like a simplified Salt Lake City temple. I think it's gorgeous. I can't describe how WHITE it was-- this photo doesn't give it credit!

Well world, it's be real. Let's hope (with faith!) that I will survive the next two weeks. Home is calling!
-Monica

PS:
My roommate Caroline set a potato on fire in the microwave just now. We are now airing out our apartment, and have put an official decree of "Fire Escape" plans written in marker on a sheet of paper on the door. It's official, there's gotta be some regulation codes being broken here. Melinda: "There's no fire extinguisher!! WE'D DIE!"

Elder Har-Har-Har

I came across this again the other day and it made me miss my best friend Tim Harker! This was our last skype before he left in January on his mission. At least someone realizes "I'm crazy." :) He's been out 133 days, and Jared's year mark is TOMORROWWWWWWWW!

Year Mark!

Dear World: It's been a Year.

(Well, almost. He got a new release date: June 14th.)

 No big deal. I'm CougarFACS President? Not sure how that happened. Regardless, look out world of 2012-2013. Seriously.

 Tried to pick up Guitar since Christmas. Synopsis? Failed miserably. This picture is very misleading.

 Cut my hair off in January (many inches.) That's me and the stuffed bear I sewed for Jared's Christmas present last year. It's cool, I'll babysit while he serves in Armenia.

 I still love fruits. Hence the apple orchard. The favorite is still the Peach.

 Trying to figure out life. Trying to be a good sport about it, because life is great to have!

 Got a new roommate, Caroline. She's Canadian. ...... I feel that's all I have to say to describe her.

 Oh, and we're friends.

 ...... Most of the time.

 And it's apparent I am still a child.

 Oh, here's the stuffed bear I was talking about. Named after his owner. So... his name is Bear. (That would imply the owner's name is Bear.)

 I still make wishes by blowing out dandelions.

 I'm also a proud owner of that Book of Mormon. It's a great read.

 Oh, and I'm a Mormon.

 I also think I'm foreign via my Danish roots. Which, by the way, is not just a delightful pastry dessert. Family History: Are you doing it?

 So the proud owner of that bear stuffed animal is also the proud owner of this girl's heart. Each one of these Danish hearts was handcrafted for me by my best friend Jared Hammer. You can call him Elder.

 Did I mention I'm in love?

 No but really.

 I also like to be awkward. Hence this wretchedly creepy "family photo" of the 40's. Caroline's face is a little disturbing.

 But alas, we have the capacity to also be cute.

 And then terribly over-do the cuteness.

 I grew up living in my backyard without ever wearing shoes to play outside. .... Why start now? (PS: This book is true.)

 Classy modest trumps.... everything else.

 I can be a little shy.

 ....Andddd also very socially awkward.

 I also dress exactly as if I were to fly a plane at any moment. Just need some goggles. I'd say it's all about the Spirit of Adventure. (Thrift stores are a great adventure, and a great way to recycle.)

 I love the peace that comes with being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Have I made this testifying book look appetizing yet?

 I was once the kind of kid that bounced off walls. Now, a quiet afternoon is a beautiful thing.

Thank you Caroline for being my excellent photographer.

We had a great day today taking photos of one another. All the ones we are in together were taken on self-timers hung from tree branches in this apple orchard. I've always wanted to take photos there. The deer run wild through the aisles of never-ending trees. Truly a spectacle.

Girls will be girls. Note the shoving.... and my full-on tackle.

Also on a random note......

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true!

The secret to finding joy all your days is finding Christ in all you do.

Also, falling in love helps. One year since I saw my best friend in person. One year to go! Got a birthday package in the mail today. Awesome! .... Except it isn't my birthday for another month. Looks like someone was eager to make sure it got here on time by sending it 2 months early. He made me a very complicated-looking hat with yarn and a loom. It's real cute and the effort he took to make it was so sweet and thoughtful. He wanted to be able to put time into something rather than just buy something. Thank you Jared! (I can't help but picture an Elder in his suit and tag using a hat loom with colorful blue yarn. It's a little comical in my brain.)

Happy May! One year left 'til I put in my papers to serve a mission!

Opportunities & Letters

Life has been a MADHOUSE, but the best things happened this week.

I had been carrying around my CougarFACS forms for the national club for my major (Family and Consumer Science Education), and I had specified on these papers that I was very eager to get more involved with it. Before I had even turned it in, the officers contacted me about a position they wanted me to fill-- their President Elect was going to serve a mission. They offered that placement to me. I was beyond excited by this opportunity, so I graciously accepted. Little did I know, that would entail me being PRESIDENT of the National CougarFACS club for BYU. What??? Oh my gosh. Feeling humbled but determined, I gladly accepted. I later found out I was going to be shipped to Indianapolis, Indiana for the AAFCS Conference, all expenses paid. They needed to know if I would be able to attend so they could purchase my plane ticket. ........ ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Of course I'm going!! I am beyond stoked for the immense opportunity this is. For all students considering FACS as a major, DO IT! It's amazing, and the growth never ends.

Maybe I'll even see Elder Tristan Mayfield knocking on doors in the Indianapolis mission! Haha. :) A girl could dream. (PS: Happy Birthday on the 23rd, Tristan!)

Tristan and a very old, but independent man. :) He is too cute. (Both of 'em!)

To any ladies interested, Tristan recently asked for a tall blonde to write him a letter so he could respond back in the best way possible. Don't know what that means, but if you're willing, I'll give you the address!

I had the opportunity to visit and observe Timberline Middle School in Alpine, and it has been very educational, but I have yet to interact with the students. Hopefully it will get better on my last day and we (Heather Payne and I) will be able to get some real field experience. Hopefully the High School we attend will give us better chances to work with the students!

I finally got used to my short hair and I'm embracing it despite the cold. It has already grown a little bit. Crazy how that works.

Also, last week, I caught Bethany Stevens Jerome's wedding bouquet. Needless to say, it was a proud moment for me, even if I was the only one to dive for it. :)

My brother in law Kyle at the small but vibrant wedding shortly after I had won this trophy!

This week I received two letters! One from Elder Tim Harker and one from Elder Jared Hammer. Elder Harker just entered the MTC this week and he has been surviving the first few days with much enthusiasm! My little racer just beat the MTC track record for a mile with 5:04 without basically even trying much- a noble feat for a first try when he hasn't been conditioned to run in a while. Go Tim!

Jared's letter showed up on Wednesday as a complete surprise-- it contained about 3 pages, each from a different week he had compiled until he was ready to send it. It was such a nice surprise-- school has been grueling, and that small effort meant the world. Missionaries really are a blessing!

Basketball has not been the same without Jimmer Fredette or my favorite band member, Elder Jared Hammer. This is my favorite clip of Jared at the games. He was so embarrassed to be dancing to "Jump on It" for the game. Love him!

Anyway, enough of the procrastinating. Time to get some work done!

Love,

Monica