Finals Week and 8 days until we leave for Norway!!

ahhhhhh!!! I'm so excited and stressed! =)

Glenn Beck, Cleon Skousen, and LDS Conservatism

So I understand many Mormons and students at BYU consider themselves conservative. Why so? Do they know what that word implies politically and if so how it has evolved from its original origins? As well as the word liberal?

I was delighted to see a panel of 4 scholars at BYU last night discuss this as well as boldly declare that we need to seek our politically information from scholars, and not those like Glenn Beck- who just rant, insult, get angry, and really have no "ad hominem" or real argument. Or Skousen who may or may not have written some viable things on politics- but because his book was personally endorsed by former prophet David O. Mckay, all of the members flock to. In quote to the few professors there, "Skousen's book The Naked Communist is poorly written and an example of how not to write about politics." Also are these people using their affiliation to the LDS church as a selling point?

The LDS church is politically neutral. The church as a whole does not endorse a specific political party. Though it is widespread many are conservative or Republican- it is interesting to note that many of those in Church Leadership or Hierarchy can be found Democrats.

What does this tell you? You can be a good Mormon and not be a Republican or not be a Democrat. (Of course they encourage you to vote and choose those issues that are in line with our values and practices). The decision as a member of the LDS faith is up to you.

While I am still searching out my own political views, I do not claim to be a political scholar myself- I did appreciate many of the remarks of the professors at this lecture. Let us not fall into getting our political information from those who choose to rant and rave and stir emotion- simply to entertain and to make a profit. Search out the issues and the foundations of what it means to be liberal, conservative, republican, democrat from those sources that provide real arguments, substantial evidence, and intellectual thought.

Much to be Thankful For..

What were you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
My sweet roommate Julia and her family invited me to join them this year for Thanksgiving. I was very grateful to have a place to go that felt like home and was very home-y. I can't think of a better word but home to describe that comfortable happy feeling you have when you're just happy to be home. There's no place like home really. And can we count how many times I frequent the word "home" in this post- Thanks!
I guess I don't really have much to say except for that, "Isn't Thanksgiving such a great holiday??"
For obvious reasons one- that you indulge yourself in wonderful food food and more food. And even if you get so full you want to pretend you didn't eat so much- I have no regrets. =)
But why are we so happy during the holidays?
May I suggest that we "Count our many Blessings" year round and treat our family to special food and attention more frequently??
(I know I'm always happy when my tummy is filled. = ) And I probably sound a little obese right about now. I promise I'm still under 200 pounds.
But share the love and show the gratitude all the time! And we can be happy.

I was also so grateful to be more acquainted with Julia's fam. Kayla- her younger sister- did an awesome job cooking. Meanwhile, Melanie and I teamed up to do all the decorating. I was very impressed that it seemed as if Julia's mom had saved every art project all her children have completed since their time of birth. But really how sweet and tender was it to display turkeys made of feathers and finger painting from many years past. I was loving it and probably enjoyed that part of my day the most!
The top are some very candid photos of dinner. Julia is at the top and the other two- I am very intently eating away!
Hope everyone had a great day in 09 as well!! Happy Late Turkey Day!
---Brooke----

An Unexpected Turn of Events

About 3 weeks ago I was going in for a dinner shift Friday night at Los Hermanos when Tor and I are texting and he tells me that he and his cousin Rikke are taking a random roadtrip to Colorado or California. After being a little hesitant to go Tor convinces me to go with them that night after my shift at like 11PM. We finally hit the road nearing 12 AM Friday night and we're off.
Nate, Rikke- whom it was my first time meeting, Tor and me. We arrive in Apple Valley around 9am, chat with my family for a little bit, then we hit the road again for San Diego and Mexico.
We decide to stay in San Diego for the day and later in this cool International Hostel for the night- a block from the beach!
We meet this super cool couple, Jack and Maja, (pronounced Maya) who are from Australia and Sweden- and head to Tijuana and Rosarito Beach the next day.
The whole trip was quite the adventure and completely unexpected or unplanned for on my part.
By the end of it we are exhausted and surprised to arrive in a snow filled Provo after just being hours away from the Sunny beaches in San Diego.

Complaining and Venting

I'm so sick!! .. I have had "flu like" symptoms for like 2 weeks now. So I call the health center at BYU yesterday and all they could tell me was that they can't help me. =(
I feel fever-y, headachey, runney nose, cough..etc etc. It is not good. AND a 10 pg research paper for my English class and other homework is the last thing I want to do right now!
Whatever it is.. this H1N1 has become an ugly reality.

MGMT "Kids"

I'm a little late maybe but this is the best song of the year - hands down! Love it..and pics should be up soon of our roadtrip to SoCal and Mexico! It was so much fun! Tor, Nate, Rikke, and I just randomly left Friday night around 1130 PM and by a miracle arrived home in the same car Tues. morning at 9AM- right in the nick of time toget me to my first class of the week at 930AM. What good friends eh? =)

All Nighter

I'm a little behind on my reading for English- okay maybe 2 weeks behind. I think I might stay up all night to read this beauty and learn a little French while I'm at it. It's definitely not a bad book- I just somehow always end up snoozing as soon as I go to read it. hm....maybe I should just watch the movie??