Didn't even look for typos...

Well, it's been awhile since my last blog post (she writes to herself) and in the few months since Christmas, my heart has healed.  I've moved on some and continued with school and life and kept on walking down the many sigogglin' roads I turn onto.

I've been thinking several things as of late, one of which concerns social media.  What's it for, really?  What does Facebook and Instagram and blogs, for that matter, do for us?  I guess there's part of us that says, "Wow, what a great way to stay in touch with people."  I can understand that.  Some of my best friends live half way around the world on one of several tiny African Islands and Facebook is by far the most reliable way to stay in contact.  But besides them...most of my "friends" in the social media world either live within several miles of me, are accessible by phone calls or texts, or (my favorite group) are people that I never talk to - in person or online.

So why do we waste so much time with these medias?  Why do I feel the constant need to update the world on what I'm doing and feeling and the most recent witty comment I've composed?  

I don't know.  Really, I can't quite figure it out.  Why am I writing this blog when an average of .68 people will read each post? (Yeah, I made that number up.)  Why is it so satisfying when someone "likes" my status?  

Let's dive a little deeper into a randomly chosen user of social media.  For anonymity purposes we'll call her E. Brooks.  No, wait, that's too obvious.  Let's call her Emma B.  

EB seems to want to share with the world what she finds funny or interesting or clever - especially if it's of her own making.  Sometimes, I (by which I mean EB) just want people to see that I'm not just a quiet, four-eyed girl: I've got a brain, a sense of humor and I'm freakin' awesome!  And what better way to do that than through Facebook?  (Probably there are about eight million better ways, but Facebook is definitely the easiest.)

That's all fine and dandy, but what about when people post things like "This was the worst day of my life." or "I just need a hug!"  Are they looking for pity? Attention?  Probably.  I think that may be a big issue.  Social media gets you published.  It gets YOU out onto the world-wide web.  No muss, no fuss; just you and whatever embarrassing profile picture you choose, streaming onto every computer screen in the world.

But you know what?  The other day, I was about to post something pretty pitiful, maybe a plea for a friend with and tub of cookie-dough ice cream, but then I thought, "Why?"  Do I really want everyone to know that I'm feeling bad for myself?  Do I really want to field half a dozen questions about what's the matter and why I'm upset when it's really just a mildly humdrum day that I think would improve by fishing for some attention.  

Pathetic. 

I don't know. These are thoughts without a denouement.  No wrap up, no conclusion.  It's just interesting.

I originally planned on sharing some random facts about myself, but after that thought-provoking post (no one reads) I would feel slightly hypocritical.

Well, how about a worth-while use of the internet?  Take a look at this:

The Coat: A Story of Charity from Heber J. Grant

"Try a little harder to be a little better." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Geronimo.

   

Twas the Night Before Christmas...Eve

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! I've been planning for and celebrating Christmas for months now, but it still seemed to creep up on me! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Aren't you excited?

I love Christmas, I really do. I have to admit, I love the commercial stuff. I love the songs about reindeer, Santa hanging out in the mall, the lights and just the general excitement in the air. It's a lovely time of year. A little too hectic for me to handle all the time, but for a couple months I love it.

But the whole world knows that part of Christmas and, hopefully, they know the other parts too. For me, Christmas is two things: our Savior Jesus Christ and Family.

There's nothing I love more than the fact that Christmas brings family and friends together. Christmas morning and no one has anywhere to go. In our family, tradition is important. And for us, tradition means rules.

Rule #1 Family members must remain in their pajamas for breakfast and present openings. And showering is a no-no. (This rule is routinely broken by...almost everyone.)

Rule #2 Presents may only be opened after breakfast and breakfast ends when Dad has finished (juice and all - he annually threatens to drink his juice with a fork).

Rule #3 The agonizing Christmas Family Photo. Perhaps one of the reasons that many don't adhere to the first rule.

Um...there are probably more rules, but I'm usually the one that needs to be reminded of them.

Family is important though. There's nothing better than having them all happy and nearby.

One example: I love my brothers. A couple weeks ago, I was struggling. Life is great, but it's hard to recognize the great parts if you don't have some crappy stuff thrown in. Making a long story short and leaving out the gossipy details ('cuz I'm not that kind of girl), I got hurt. My brothers came to my aid in a big way. My older brother offered to egg the offender's house. Seems silly but it meant more than I can say. My other brother found me one day, red-eyed, lying huddled in bed, the covers pulled over my head. He told me to get up and come watch an episode of Psych (laughter is the best medicine), but I refused, determined to remain in my misery. Well...he flipped the covers off me, grabbed my wrists and dragged me (literally) out of bed, across the room, down the hall and thudding down the stairs. Where we watched Psych. And I laughed. And I felt better. Just a bit.

Can't ask for better brothers.

But there is another brother that I love more than anyone. Our brother Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate every year.

I know that every year every Christian on the planet gets the "Remember the Reason for the Season" sermon, but it's true. The holiday spirit you find at the mall is nice, but there's nothing better than the Spirit felt during "O Come All ye Faithful" or reading the story of His birth in the New Testament.

Because the baby Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. To save us if we will come unto Him. To provide us the potential of eternal life, to live again after we leave this world. Can you say greatest gift of God to His children? (D&C 14:7)

Christmas time is so magically because of what it represents: hope, love, forgiveness, joy, grace, peace and, of course, family.  I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we believe that families can be forever.  That whole "til death do us part"...what a bunch of hooey.  Why in the world would Heavenly Father bless us with a life full of living and loving friends and family if we're separated when we die?  He wouldn't.

 So He sent His Son to remind us of the Gospel that was taught by Adam, Abraham, Moses and many other prophets.  And He sent His Son, born to the virgin Mary, to atone for our sins.  And if we obey His commandments, live as He asks, we will be sealed - connected, united - with our families FOREVER!  So, basically, we celebrate Christmas because Christ came to earth to make it possible for us to feel the Christmas Spirit and enjoy it with our families for all of time and eternity.

Here's a verse of scripture that I love.  Give it a read tomorrow in honor of the first and best Christmas Eve:

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." 3 Nephi 1:13
(From the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ)

I sure love Christmas.  And I love my family.  Thank you, to God the Father and His Son for giving me the opportunity to have both.

Geronimo.  And God bless us.

Christmas Break Bucket Llist

Goodness.  One week into the holidays and I still haven't made my bucket list. Better get on it:

Movies to Watch:

White Christmas   
Elf    
Kruger's Christmas   

The Santa Claus

Garfield's Christmas

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

You've Got Mail (It's totally Christmas-related! Sort of...)

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Holiday Inn (Haven't seen this one yet.)

Things to do:

Gingerbread House   

Visit Temple Square
Play Santa's Sleigh   

Christmas Bingo

Smooch under the Mistletoe

Build a snowman/igloo

Go sledding


Well, there are the basics.

Also, check out the absolute coolest things ever made by me.
Ninja Ginga' Bread Men! Woohoo.



Well, it's a start.  Happy Holidays!

I think...

Today was one of those days that you really have every reason in the world to be happy.  Isn't that great?  For at least one day, you can just push aside all your problems and worries.

I read a great book today by John Bytheway.  (It's not a sales pitch - and not because I don't wholeheartedly endorse it, but because I know no one's reading this.)  John Bytheway is pretty amazing. (Side note: I worked at the BYU Alumni Family Camp Aspen Grove one summer and I had the chance to hear him give a seminar there.  So amazing.  I also got to meet a couple of his kids who are adorable.)
This book of his is all about how to find happiness and contentment in life, no matter who you are and what you're going through.

Here's a great quote I'd like to share with you from a chapter of his book.  He writes,

"Each morning, I try to say to myself, 'I think I'll be delightful.' I don't know what will happen today, but I can choose to respond delightfully to anything that does happen, good or bad."

              

 Now that's a pretty great way to look at life.  Stop comparing yourself to others.  Be happy!  Do your best.  Is there really anything else to do?  Nope, there's not.

Anyway, that's my shpeel for today.  

But wait, there's more!

Just kidding, I'm exhausted.  I'll save the rest for another day. (Don't be too excited, imaginary readers.)

Geronimo.

Scrambled

Happy Last Day of Fall Semester (if you're a student at Brigham Young University)!

Whew.  It was quite the semester.  Can't say I'm not glad that it's over.  And guess what!  That means Christmas is just weeks away! (Yes, I am purposely ignoring the fact that I still have half a dozen finals to take next week.)

So, today, I decided to make myself an omelet.  I do like them.  So, I beat the eggs, added a bit of salsa, salt and pepper and plopped it in the pan.  It was looking pretty good; then I added cheese and bacon and it looked even better.  Check it out:

Admit it.  It looks good.

So, I'm patiently waiting for it to cook and I grab my handy dandy spatula.  And then I tried to fold it.

Tried being the key word there.

Instead of turning into a nice semi-circle...it sort of flopped into a gooey cheesy mess.  So, I stirred it around and it became a plate of deliciously scrambled eggs.  No awards for presentation, but they sure were tasty.

Anyway, can you see what I'm getting at?  No?  Well, let me help you out a bit.  Let's say I offer you a hundred dollar bill.  Do you want it?  Of course you do!  Well, what if I crumpled it in my hand, stuffed it in my pocket, took it out, spilled some grape juice on it and dropped in on the floor?  Do you still want it?  I hope so!  It's still worth a hundred dollars, right?  Right.

So does it really matter that you're not having the best hair day?  Is it actually life changing if you pulled mismatched socks from your drawer?  And, really, is it so traumatic if that one guy or that one girl can't see past those things to catch a glimpse of who you really are?

(Cheesy?  Yeah, I know. Sorry.)

But it's true! You don't have to be an omelet to taste delicious....No, I don't think I'm going to continue with that analogy.  You get what I'm trying to say.  Be your best and your best will be good enough (and most likely tasty...).

Anyway, you should give yourself a pep talk.  Right now.  And everyday.  Think of at least one reason that you are awesome.  And don't stop at one!  Go ahead.  Be optimistic (you know you want to):

                                             Jessica's Daily Affirmation

Have a fantastic day!

And remember: "We don't need to get a complex...that you have to be perfect to be saved.  You don't.  There's only been one perfect person, and that's the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God...what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path...[which] leads from the gate of repentance and baptism, a very great distance, to a reward that's called eternal life.  If you're on the path and pressing forward, and you die, you'll never get off the path."
Find out more about the author of this quote, Elder Bruce R. McConkie.

Geronimo.

The First of Many Sigogglin Somethings

Well, hello there.

You may recognize my work from a previous blog entitled "Emma's Mission."   Or you may just be wondering what kind of silly stuff Emma is up to now.  Or...you may have stumbled upon this by accident. Whatever the case may be: welcome.

I'm not sure why, but it gives me great satisfaction to ramble on about what's going on in Emma's world, the craziness I see other people doing and, of course, the wonderful thing that is life.  I also love sending my ramblings out into the world wide web - well aware that no one may ever read them.  But hey!  At least it makes me happy.

I suppose a little explanation may be in order.  More than likely, you've noticed the big words on the top of the page. (Go ahead, take another look.)  Followin' the Sigogglin Road.  I'm sure you've figured out at least seventy-five percent of it by now.  Let me help you out with the remainder: sigogglin.

First of all, isn't that an excellent word?  I think...yes.  It is.  So, what does it mean?  Well, let's turn to the expert of...everything.  Wiki.

Adjective
sigogglin (sɑigɑglin)*

     1. not built correctly, crooked, skewed to the side, out of balance
              (archaic, US, Appalachia)

There you have it.  You've learned a new word.  Go use it in a sentence.

But don't you agree? Doesn't life seem just a tad sigogglin at times?  You try to go one way and something knocks you back and changes your course.  Or is that just me?  I don't think so.  What I think is that we all think we know what life is supposed to be like, what the world owes us, what God is going to put in our path.  But...we're wrong.  I think there's a whole lot of things we don't know, and we just may have to follow the road when it starts ziggin' (the zaggin' is optional).  So, I've realized there's a whole lot of things that I think I know that I don't really know.  Maybe this blog will hit on some of those things.  

But you know what?  As stupid as I am, I'm pretty darn sure that there's someone who does know - for real - what's going on and why those road are so stinking sigogglin.  And lucky for us, He's on our side.  

Have a look at this great video.  Anything in your life that may actually build you up when you thought it was tearing you down?

Geronimo.

Visit LDS.org for more great videos.

*What? You don't know IPA?  We'll address this another day.