justin dean & brittany arlene

when it all hits the fan....

2011-10-14T00:29:00.000-06:00

Justin and I have been trying lately to get "more prepared" when it comes to emergency preparedness. We have become more aware through news and media of the terrible state of our economy and world affairs and we have been trying to get our house in order so that when it all does "hit the fan" we will be ready to keep our family safe and be able to provide accordingly. We still have a bunch to do, but we feel like we are on the right track with securing our food storage and emergency preparedness items.

My dad passed a valuable link to something Glenn Beck put together regarding "being prepared." It is Glenn's personal list of things he would do. Some of the things make more sense after watching the episode he does on his TV show (GBTV) but a lot of these are self explanatory. I know that he does a 14 day free trial on GBTV.com if you want to get the details of what some of these mean (if you do the 14-day trial, the episode that discusses this list is the 10/13/11 episode). Anyway...some of these make you think....I know we are re-evaluating our own emergency preparedness to-do list!

BUY FARM LAND
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD. LIVE NEAR PEOPLE AND BEGIN TO MAKE ALLIANCES OF SKILLS (BARTER) LIVE NEAR FARM LAND

ELECTRONICS FREE
PAPER COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS (great link for this HERE)
KNOW WHERE YOUR DEEDS ARE. TAKE THEM IN EMERGENCY
RUSSIAN GANGS IN TROUBLE

COLLEGE/SCHOOL
APPRENTICESHIPS ARE THE FUTURE.
DISCUSS THE VALUE OF SCHOOL FOR WHAT YOU CAN EARN.
DO NOT LOOK FOR LABELS THEY WILL BECOME MEANINGLESS (YALE)
FIND OTHER FORMS OF SCHOOL. ON LINE.
TEACH YOUNG CHILDREN NOW THAT COLLEGE IS NOT A GIVEN
DEMAND MERIT FROM SCHOOL AND STUDENT OR PULL YOUR TIME/ $
EDUCATE YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES. ALWAYS READ.
HAVE A HARD COPY OF IMPORTANT BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS
LEARN OLD AND OR LOST PRACTICES.
MENDING/CANNING/FARMING
LEARN TO FIX AN ENGINE
RE-LEARN READING A MAP
KNOW THE NEWS. LIFE CAN CHANGE QUICKLY.
BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR POSITIONS BY KNOWING THE OTHER SIDE

TRADITIONS
PRESERVE WHAT IS IMPORTANT. SHED ALL OTHERS. CONSERVE AND
PRESERVE. RECLAIM AND RESTORE.

MONEY -
GOLD, FOOD, CIGARETTES, LIQUOR, SUGAR, AMMUNITION, GUNS, SEEDS,
SKILLS (BARTER) KNOWLEDGE
HAVE 30 DAYS CASH ON HAND
BUY A HOUSE
STOP ALL EXCESS SPENDING. BUY QUALITY ONLY. FORGET FASHION ONLY
MEASURE TWICE – CUT ONCE. DO NOT WASTE.
CONSIDER A FUEL EFFICIENT – SUV/TRUCK
CONSIDER SOMETHING PRIOR TO 1979 FIX YOURSELF

LOCATION
LIVE NEAR LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. TEXAS, MOUNTAINS OR WHERE GOD STILL PLAYS A ROLE IN REAL LIFE
IF YOU CANNOT MOVE (NO PLACE WILL BE UNTOUCHED) CREATE NETWORK

BUSINESS/WORK
BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. BE THE ONE EMPLOYEE NO ONE CAN FIRE
SMALL BIZ – BE THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE NO ONE CAN CANCEL
CONSERVE AND PRESERVE
LEARN FROM THE DEPRESSION -
ADVERTISE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS: CHEVOLET
STAY IN BUSINESS BUT DOWNSIZE AND PRESERVE (ARCH)
HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND CHARITY.

BE GEORGE BAILEY
SPIT YOURSELF OUT OF THE SYSTEM. TURN UPSIDE DOWN NOW
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS
DO BUSINESS IN SYMBIOTIC WAYS – WE NEED EACH OTHER
DO NOT TRY TO PUT OTHERS OUT OF BUSINESS, LET THEM DO IT.
GIMBLES AND MACYS
NEVER BE THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE ROOM
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES THE BEST YOU CAN.
TAKE LESS AND GIVE MORE
READ FRANKLIN AND WASHINGTON

LIFE
DO NOT PLAN YOUR LIFE AND THEN MOVE. PLAN, LISTEN AND OBEY
PRACTICE AT LEAST FRANKLINS AMERICAN RELIGION
SERVE
HONOR ALL OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS
PRESERVE – FOOD, TIME, MONEY, ENERGY
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE BASICS. VALUES/PRINCIPLES
DO WITH LESS NOW. LESS OF A SHOCK IF IT COMES LATER
SERVE/SHARE
JOIN A 9.12 GROUP. LINK ON LINE. PHONE AND LOCATIONS
HAVE A MEETING PLACE ESTABLISHED FOR FAMILY
READ THE BIBLE
HAVE A GUN AND KNOW HOW TO SHOOT IT.
RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE HOLDING YOU BACK
STOP ALL BEHAVIOR THAT DOES NOT EXPAND YOU OR OTHERS INTO GOOD
MAKE AMENDS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
FIND PEACE AND GET TO WORK
TEACH CHILDREN WORK ETHIC
TOLERATE NOTHING THAT YOU FEEL IS WRONG BY REMAINING SILENT
LET YOUR CHILDREN SEE YOU STAND
BE HONORABLE IN ALL OF YOUR DEALINGS
UNDERSTAND THAT ANGER IS A PART OF LIFE BUT NEVER FEED IT
THE FIRST LOOK IS NOT A PROBLEM. IT IS THE SECOND LOOK.
NEVER BE THE BEST MAN/WOMAN IN THE ROOM.
BE HAPPY AND OPTIMISTIC. LIFE WILL GO ON. MAKE PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE. GET MARRIED. HAVE CHILDREN.

and last but not least, he advises to SING SONGS!

{new love}

2011-10-06T20:47:00.001-06:00

Gracie discovered that she really does like Meisje after all! She is the "pup's" new best friend and can't get enough loves, kisses and licks! Whenever Meisje licks her paws, Gracie licks her own hands. It's pretty dang cute! Gracie is a tender-hearted soul -- Sterling was in the kitchen goofin' off with a friend (kinda of horseplaying around) and Gracie got really concerned for Meisje, sitting right beside her, holding onto her while she watched the rowdy boys with a concerned look on her face. She is a lover!

before it started sleeting this week....

2011-10-06T20:34:00.001-06:00

The baby doll was due for a bath anyway

2011-10-05T11:09:00.002-06:00

It's been one of those mornings...attached to the baby mornings....Gracie wasn't too thrilled that I perched the baby on the towel rack to be a spectator while she got washed up in the tub. The baby needed to be IN the tub. I've been meaning to throw the dolls in the washer for a week now...a little tub water couldn't do too much damage :) plus, I got my own happy (and clean) baby in return!

love you more than....

2011-10-04T22:22:00.000-06:00

this is for my handsome hubby :)

echoes through WalMart

2011-10-04T00:46:00.000-06:00

Gracie and I were running errands and stopped by WalMart to buy Justin some treats (okay, to stock up the fridge so our hard-working husband and daddy wouldn't starve!) We were walking along and Gracie sees another baby being pushed in the cart. She immediately starts calling out "baby! baby!" (I swear she has a baby-tracker embedded underneath her skin somewhere!) The baby started making a high pitched noise (short intervals, but high pitched) as his mama pushed him in the opposite direction, down another aisle. Gracie decided she had to contribute and so she began doing the same thing. She would do the high pitched noise and this other little kid (who was LONG gone by now down some other aisle) would do it back. They did this back and forth for about 5 minutes with each other. I'm not gonna lie, I got a pretty good laugh while we were doing our shopping. I only hope the other mama did too!

She sacrifices for her babies

2011-10-03T09:34:00.002-06:00

Gracie would only take bites of her oatmeal and bananas this morning if I would first give a "bite" to baby doll #1, then a "bite" to baby doll #2, and then she would open her mouth for a bite..breakfast went on like this for the ENTIRE bowl of oatmeal and bananas! She is such a good little mama to make sure her babies get fed before she does! (it's a good thing we didn't invite all 4 baby dolls to breakfast this morning!)

The power of a bald man!

2011-08-26T21:52:00.001-06:00

I'm gonna try and take advantage of the capabilities of my new phone by posting things that happen with our little family on a (daily) basis. . .

Tonight we were sitting at Sterling's first football game of the season when Gracie sees a bald cop walk by and she says, pointing at the cop, "Dad!!!!" When I showed her where Justin was standing, she looked at him all concerned, buried her head in my chest, and pointed to the cop all concerned! She is going to grow up thinking her dad worked as a cop at one point in time!

summer softball season

2011-06-01T18:31:00.000-06:00

Justin has been playing on a summer men's softball team with some guys from work. Gracie and I are his staunch supporters! Not only is it fun to just hang out on the grass (ESPECIALLY when the weather is decent!) but my handsome man is a MACHINE! He slams that ball out of the ballpark, hitting homeruns left and right and catches all the pop flies in the outfield! DANG, I am one lucky woman!

it's comforting to know that at least 1 person thinks I'm the coolest, craziest cat around

2011-05-30T18:17:00.001-06:00

slowing down

2011-05-24T18:38:00.000-06:00

Becoming a mother has forced me to learn how to slow down. I admit, I still haven't found the perfect balance....and who knows if I ever will. I've always given myself plenty of tasks on my daily to-do list, which typically results in unnecessary stress to deal with. These last few months have been no-exception. Between trying to get a few hours of work in for my dad each day, taking care of lawn-mowing billing, keeping up with Arlene's Kitchen, staying on top of my callings (which I no longer have due to the recent changes in our stake and ward...we'll see what callings this new ward will present), remodeling a house, nurturing my little peanut, and finding plenty of other things I "need" to do (or ought to be doing!) I find myself frustrated with "never getting anything done!" or never having time to do anything! This frustration spills over into other aspects of my life that don't need to be frustrated!

I had a special moment this afternoon as I came home from work with Gracie and she just wanted to be cuddled. I feel guilty for initially being frustrated that this little 11 month old couldn't console herself with her toys on the floor while I got the dishes done and the kitchen swept. As I picked her up and she lovingly nuzzled into my neck and grabbed my fingers to hold, I was quickly brought back to the real meaning of what it means to be a mother to this little one. As we walked around the living room, "talking" to each other and tickling her back, I remembered how good it feels to just slow down and enjoy the times that dishes and sweeping could be put on the back burner. I was reminded of the more important moments in life that too quickly pass by if we don't take the time to slow down and relish in them. I know that as more little people join our family and as life gets even more crazy, I will appreciate the times that I take NOW to slow down and enjoy this crazy ride!

the Huntsman Fam as of late....

2011-05-23T17:54:00.032-06:00

SERIOUSLY?! It's almost May already (even thought it still feels like March here in Pocatello...) WHERE has 2011 gone??

I've had this sickening feeling that I'm not living up to my motherly-responsibilities by not at least semi-documenting what has been going on in our lives since we've been married/had a child/moved to Idaho/bought a house/remodeled said house/spent awesome times with family and friends/been places/seen faces....the list goes on and on! You would think that I'd be good at this stuff -- I was the religious journal writer type BEFORE I got married. You would think that habit would continue and that I would journal the even more important happenings I'm experiencing as a wife and mother. Life has definitely been a crazy ride and I'm not going to make any more excuses! I might as well get goin' on the updatin'!

Since my last post so much has happened...

GRACIE ELAINE

As of today, Gracie Elaine is 11 months and 14 days old! It's hard to believe that she will be a year old in 2 weeks. I think part of the reason it is hard to accept is because she is such a little peanut! However, what she lacks in size, she makes up for in her personality -- so full of spunk, sass and amazing cuteness! She definitely keeps us entertained and is keeping us on our toes! She is a super busy little girl and makes us smile everyday!

June 9, 2010 -- Gracie Elaine Huntsman joined our family! 4 lb, 2 oz, 18 inches long. She spent her first three weeks in the NICU before we could bring her home

June, 2010 -- brought Gracie home from the hospital

August, 2010 -- Lake Powell with the Brown Family

September, 2010 -- Gracie's baby blessing....Mom and Dad Huntsman flew in for the occasion

October, 2010 -- Gracie's first Halloween as well as many Poky High Football games to support Uncle Sterling in the #55 mini football jersey I made her

October 25, 2010 -- audibly LAUGHED at three dogs we were playing with at a friend's house

November, 2010 -- Gracie's first airplane ride to Corvallis, OR to spend Thanksgiving with Justin's family

December 1, 2010 -- rolled over from back to front for the first time
December 17, 2010 -- she got so mad when I laid her down in her cradle (all swaddled up) that she got both of her arms out of the tight swaddle and rolled over as she screamed
December, 2010 -- Christmas in Pocatello

February, 2010 -- beginning to army/belly crawl but mostly ended up moving backwards instead of forwards

February, 2010 -- sings when we would sing and growls when we growl
March 1, 2010 -- made the "s s s" sound of Keys
March 17, 2010 -- got to a sitting position from laying on her stomach
March 22, 2010 -- first actual crawl on all fours
April, 2010 -- making the sign for dog (patting hand on thigh)...she definitely knows what a dog is, and loves them even though she gets a little unsure when they get too close! She makes the "hissssss" sound for my aunt Casie's dog named Sissy. She's a smart little girl -- even though she won't say all these words yet, she knows the difference between dog, book, bear, dada, horse, toes, water, "more", coconut. She's been sleeping in funny positions -- either on her bum with her face all the way down to the mattress, or on her belly with her bum in the air.
April 3, 2010 -- cut her first tooth during a trip to Utah
April 9, 2010 -- waves hello and goodbye with her parade wave ("elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist!"), makes fishy lips when you say "fishy"

April 11, 2010 -- Patty Cake for the first time...crawling around and climbing on EVERYTHING (including couches, open dishwashers, open drawers....)
April 24, 2010 -- began giving open mouth kisses as well as cuddling and hugging her teddy bear. Easter weekend also included "How big is Gracie? SOOOO Big!" She lifts up her hands and puts her chin to her chest like she's doing a big "hoorah!"
May, 2010 -- Gracie's repertoire of baby signs includes dog, more and cookie....VERY essential signs to know! She has been starting to hang her head and pout when she gets upset....our little drama queen :)
May 1, 2010 -- grabbed her "fat chick" (a big stuffed animal) and kissed it over and over and then pushed it towards me to kiss while making the kissing sounds so I would know to kiss it :)

May 5, 2010 -- stood on her own for about 5 seconds before deciding it was too much work and she'd rather just sit down and crawl

Gracie weighs about 17.5 pounds now. Her year check-up is coming up in a few weeks, so we'll know for sure just how much she has grown. At her last (9-month) appointment on March 14, she was in the 1st percentile for weight....I just had to chuckle! She is completely healthy (been sick maybe twice with a 24 hour cold) and she's growing on schedule....shes' just SMALL!

JUSTIN DEAN

Justin recently finished up his sophomore yearat Idaho State University. He wowed us all again with good grades -- I have a smart husband! As happy as we were about the outcome of his classes, we (especially HE) were/was/ARE excited that summer is here and a break from school is in store. He is finishing up general ed courses and coming to the point where he must decide which direction he will take. I don't envy him. It's a tough call....especially as a father and husband with that role of "provider" looming over him. But, I'm confident that whatever he decides will be good and mostly, I just want him to be happy!

Justin got a job working as a Physical Therapy technician for a friend of ours. He loves his job and his boss and it has truly been a HUGE blessing in our lives. Physical Therapy is one of the things he's considered....but we'll see.

At the end of last summer, we bought another family friend's lawn mowing business with over 50 lawn accounts. Justin mowed for 2 months last year and recently just started up the business again last month as the grass decided to start growing here in Pocatello. My brother Johnny has been working with him and they stay busy for 3 afternoons a week, working their lawn mowing magic for their clients.

When he's not working, he's using his muscles to remodel the house we bought! More on that in a second....

BRITTANY ARLENE

I have found PLENTY of ways to stay busy chasing my little mover around! She's so busy and so fun! We spend lots of hours on the floor talking and playing with her stuffed animal dog and her books and Uncle Josh's old cell phone we somehow ended up with. She's a riot! In addition to that, in February I started working part-time for my dad. It's great because I can bring Gracie down to his store and put her in the playpen or the Johnny-Jump-up and let her entertain all the customers. It's a win-win situation!

In addition to working for my dad, I've been Justin's book keeper for his lawn-mowing business as well as owner and operator of my own online business Arlene's Kitchen (which I've had for the last 2.5 years) where I sell grain mills and other kitchen tools....It's been a HUGE blessing to have the extra income on the side and the business has tripled in the last 6 months since we added our product to Amazon.com. If you know anyone who is in search of an AWESOME grain mill, send them my way and I'll give them a deal!

When Gracie and I aren't holding down the fort at work, we have been painting and helping as much as we can with the remodel....which brings me to the next big update in our life....

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!

Yes, it's true, and we couldn't be more happy! We got a steal of a deal on a triplex (two upstairs apartments and one basement unit). It is right across the street from where we are living right now at my Grandpa's and 1 block down from my parents. Poor Justin -- I'm such a homebody and love the proximity of everything....he is either a great liar, or he really doesn't mind living SO CLOSE to his in-laws either!

The house was a foreclosure, and it was quite the process of obtaining (we made our offer the week before Christmas last year and closed on it FINALLY at the end of this March), but it's officially ours! It came with one of the apartments rented, which was a blessing - she is in our ward and she didn't want to leave and we were happy to keep her! Her apartment didn't need a lot of work, so that was also a blessing. The other upstairs apartment, however, needed quite a bit of work...cleaning, painting, electrical, plumbing. We got it all fixed up and rented just a few weeks ago!

We are currently working on the basement apartment which is where we will be living until our family out-grows it (AKA, when more little Huntsmans are crawling around and taking up space). Basement pics:

We decided that by living in the basement for as long as we could = we basically have our mortgage paid for with the 2 upstairs rentals = more money we can put towards our student loans and mortgage = pay off our house sooner! After we outgrow the basement. the plan is to move upstairs into the larger apartment and rent out the basement and second upstairs rental.

It has a huge blessing to be house-sitting for my Grandpa this last year, but it will be fun to have our little space of a basement completed and "ours!" Grandpa gets home in exactly 1 month....we have a lot to do on the basement, but it's all coming together!

OTHER HAPPENINGS....
Between working and parenting and house remodeling and other day-to-day doings, we've managed to sneak a few trips in here and there to spend time with friends and family as well as take a few pictures along the way....here's a few updates for 2011

January, 2011 -- cabin trip with Justin's sister Jennifer and her friend Carlos

March, 2011 -- my good friend, Garrett Smith, passed away in a back-country avalanche. He left behind his sweet wife, Molly who he'd been married to for 9 short months. I became friends with him as we served in the Madrid Spain LDS mission together. He was a true friend who will be missed

April, 2011 -- trip to Utah for my friend Garrett's funeral, General Conference and Justin's Des Moines Iowa Mission Reunion. We were also able to visit with my Grandma Brown and Justin's Grandmother Huntsman on our way home.

April, 2011 -- trip to Boise for Easter where we spent time with Mom and Dad Hunstman (they flew in from OR), Grandma Gurney, Jennifer, Jason, Stephanie and Austria

that brings us to May! -- After a hard day's work of remodeling and yard clean-up, we visited Lava Hot Springs with Johnny and Whitney. Gracie was a little unsure of the hot water, but it was also her bedtime...she lasted about 30 minutes :)

Whew! That was a long post...let's pray (for ALL of our sakes) that I can get my act together and update this thing more than once every 6 months! I'm anxious to have this record for my children and update friends and family who are too far away from us to experience it all in person!

Brittany Arlene....

2010-10-12T23:10:00.000-06:00

misses Spain and EVERYTHING about the lugar; loves her baby girl beyond words; thinks it's hilarious watching Gracie wake up in the morning cause she is EXACTLY like her dad; would like to return to Israel; is craving chocolate; has the hottest husband; is grateful for her 2 families; loves when Gracie plays with her mama's hands as she tries to fall asleep; doesn't mind cloth diapers...that's about it for today :)

2010-09-03T10:57:00.002-06:00

September 3, 2010

One year ago today I married the coolest cat in town (not to mention handsome, kind, hilarious, smart and everything else that goes along with being the coolest cat in town!!)...It has been the best 365 days of my life...bring on eternity!! I love you Justin Dean Huntsman!

Happy anniversary!!

wait, I don't have to go to school anymore??

2010-08-30T10:22:00.032-06:00

So...it's been kind of a crazy summer. Wait, it's been a crazy last year and a half!! Seeing Justin and my siblings getting ready to head back to school this semester, dropping off Sophie and Kimberly at BYU, and seeing all of the returning ISU students around our college neighborhood here in Pocatello has made me a little bit jealous....but at the same time, it feels good to not have that stress in my life right now! I've been "doing that" for the last 22 years of my life....one high school diploma, one bachelors degree and one masters degree later, I am ready for the next chapter of my life to take off.....Being a MOMMA!! I've dabbled in it for the last 11 weeks of my life since Gracie has joined our family (that will be the next update post.....all about GRACIE!) ...and I'm STOKED to see what is yet to come with this new adventure that is Motherhood!

I should probably catch up on the last year and a half or so....I haven't been too hot at keeping this thing updated. So....how about a YEAR IN PICTURES ?? We have been taking pictures....so, I can update in that way :) Prepare yourself for a long post!

9/3/09 Huntsman Family established

Honeymoon to the Oregon Coast

Sliding down the rock slide in Alpine, Ut and getting to see this site (no, he was not European):

Season ticket-holders to the BYU football games

Getting called to the Young Men/Young Women....Corn Maze Craziness.....

Diamond Fork Hot Springs with Tahnee and Travis Harris
Going through the temple with Justin's little brother, Josh...in prep for his mission

Road trip to Couer d'Alene with my parents to see my sister Sophie run in the State Cross Country Meet....

Justin bought me flowers....just because... :)
Pregnancy test POSITIVE!! Woohoo!!!

First Christmas Tree :)

Dutch Christmas aka Sinterklaas with the cousins...dutch pancakes, sausage and applesauce!

Surprise candlelit PF Changs takeout...I have such an awesome husband!
First Christmas....spent with Hofman Family in Pocatello

Christmas break at the cabin

Dropping Josh off at the MTC...on his way to Australia!!

Selling my 1986 Chevy El Camino...sad day!!

Watching Johnny get married....we owe him A LOT! If it weren't for Johnny, Justin and I wouldn't have met! Thanks little bro!!

Ultrasound...It's a GIRL!!

Baby Bump pictures....

Britt's MSW graduation!! Woohoo!! DONE with grad school!

Justin's 26th Birthday
Graduation/Birthday trip to Chicago...Blue Man Group, the Bean, Chicago style (caramel + cheese) popcorn, sitting on the Sears Tower "Ledge" 103 floors up.....fun!!

Memorial Day 2010 with the fam at the cabin

06/09/10 Gracie Elaine Huntsman....she decided to come to us 7 weeks EARLY, weighing 4 lb. 2 oz. and 18 inches long. See our next post for the next update of the last 11 weeks of our lives!! (a.k.a. life with Gracie!)

i have the best job

2010-07-15T15:46:00.005-06:00

"Bankers" by Carol Lynn Pearson

He works at the bank
And has a large desk
And people listen when he talks.

And he takes good care
Of his charges:
Money, certificates
Stocks.

And she stays home
Unnoticed
And every day
Tends treasures
That outshine all the gold
In Fort Knox.

It has been an interesting transition going from attending school and working these last 9 years of my life to being a stay-at-home mom of a beautiful baby girl. Some days I feel guilty for not being a "bread-winner" alongside my husband...but when I look into Gracie Elaine's eyes and attend to her every need (for she relies on me and Justin for just about everything - fancy that)....I couldn't imagine being anywhere else but here with her. It's amazing how much love I have in my heart for such a tiny little being! And what's more, it's amazing how much more love is in our home because of her. I married Justin because I loved him more than anything or anyone I had ever loved before....but my love for him has increased ten fold since giving birth to our little chica. I will tend to this little treasure for the rest of my life. She is mine and I am smitten!

my husband has the best pick up lines ;)

2010-01-11T10:14:00.003-07:00

Justin (as we're sitting across the table from each other doing homework): "Is your dad a thief?"
Me: "Huh??"
Justin: "Is your dad a thief?"
Me: "Are you on crack? No, he's not a thief!"
Justin: "Cause he stole the stars and put them in your eyes!"

Justin Dean Huntsman, I sure do love you and your goofiness :) I'm so stinkin' lucky!

i love my mom!

2009-11-12T11:39:00.007-07:00

going through old photos...here is one of my favorites :)

officially Mrs. Huntsman :)

2009-09-23T21:42:00.005-06:00

....we're gonna get MARRIED!!!!!!

2009-06-30T12:45:00.010-06:00

Sooooo -- It's for REALS!! Justin Dean Huntsman proposed to me Friday night, June 26th on the beach in Gearhart, Oregon! We drove up to Oregon (Seaside Beach area) Wednesday night to be with his family at their family reunion.Friday night the family decided to have a big bonfire on the beach. The sun was starting to set and Justin and I decided to go for a walk on the beach...It was BEAUTIFUL!! We were walking and talking along the low tide, stopping every so often to look at the incredible sunset (and sneak in a few kisses, OF COURSE!). Justin picked up a stick off the beach and would write me little love notes in the sand. I'd respond with writing him back in the sand. Well, we kept walking, and talking. At one point, he wrote "Will you be mine?" and I responded "yes!"
I was pretty sure he wasn't going to propose that night because I was convinced he didn't have the ring yet. In fact, I was almost positive that he was going to propose that next weekend over the 4th of July at the cabin.

Well....we kept walking and talking... A little bit further down the beach, he wrote in the sand "Hey Britt?" I responded "Hey what?" Then he told me to turn around while he wrote in the sand. He wrote "Will you marry me?" (It was funny because I was secretly hoping that's what he would write, but I was convinced that he wouldn't because I didn't think he had the ring!) I turned around and as I read the words he wrote, he got down on one knee and pulled out the ring and asked me if I would marry him! Before saying anything, I took the stick from him and in big letters wrote "YES!" It was super romantic and beautiful and a complete surprise, which is what I wanted deep down inside!
We took a bunch of pictures, talked a whole lot more and started walking back to where his family was enjoying the bonfire on the beach. Neither one of us could stop giggling and smiling! I think I've had a perma-smile since that night! It was funny because he told me that no one except his parents knew that we had planned on getting married (yea....we've known for about a month now that we were gonna get married....in fact, the temple's been booked since the first of June! We have just been waiting to make it "official" with the ring and the proposal). However, after he proposed, I asked if anyone knew he was going to propose that night. He said that his siblings and parents knew.
When we got back to the bonfire, we kept my hand with the new and beautiful wedding ring hidden from everyone's eyes for about 30 minutes. It was funny because his parents and siblings all kept trying to look at my left hand, seeing if they could see the ring! We kept them in suspense for a little bit and then Justin announced it. It was neat to be able to share the excitement with his family (aunts, uncles, cousins included).
We are getting married on September 3rd, in the Idaho Falls Temple....and we couldn't be ANY happier!!

i am....

2009-06-18T02:02:00.001-06:00

completely IN LOVE!!

the little Hofman piano prodigy....and drama queen

2009-05-11T17:50:00.004-06:00

Just in case anyone doubted, I'm here to clear up the misconceptions... I ADORE my niece!!! I know I'm pretty partial, but I just thought this was pretty dang cute, especially when Hadlee realized it was herself being video taped and if she moved her head, the face on the camera screen would move too... :)

things i have done....

2009-05-02T18:49:00.007-06:00

Bold the items you have done:

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland - does Disney World count?!
8. Climbed a mountain - Mt. Sinai (Egypt), Mt. Timpanogos
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - not at sea, but PLENTY of lightening storms at Lake Powell!
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
20. Slept on a train - in Egypt, from Cairo to Luxor
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - who hasn't?!
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - haha....Lake Powell, Sea of Galilee, many mountain lakes, grandma's hot tub...hahaha
27. Run a Marathon - almost....okay....half way there.... 13.1 miles was a LONG way!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - a trip to Holland with my grandparents
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language - I second Kathleen Bonifay -- I can't take all the credit, but learning Spanish as a missionary I also definitely felt like I taught myself a lot (and was blessed immensely!)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing for real
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - Sea of Galilee (Israel), Lake Powell
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain.....AMAZING :)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - look me up on ebay -- arleneskitchen
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - i have a few choice plasma donating stories....hehe
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - Dachau, Germany
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar - in Spain...it was way salty and really nasty
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem - one of the best experiences of my life
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - a chicken on a wilderness survival class at BYU
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - Shawn Bradley (basketball player who played center for the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks - NBA) - I worked with him last summer at West Ridge Academy. I also met the kid who played the blind boy on Dumb and Dumber...he was at EFY the one year I went....I got his autograph :) haha
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

i love my dad

2009-04-26T00:29:00.002-06:00

Tonight, I called my dad to chat and get some advice on some things...he was at work late, getting caught up on some stuff and could have easily told me that he was busy and tired and just wanted to get stuff done at work so he could get home and go to bed...BUT, he didn't...he NEVER does. We chatted about things for a good hour....the conversation skipped from one thing to the next, just as it always does with my dad...talking about everything from business to boys to brothers to diets and eating healthy to business trips to church. When I said goodbye, I got on Gmail and dad was online....all I can say is I LOVE MY DAD and feel so incredibly grateful that I have the parents that I do....They are two of my best friends and bless my life every day.

i want to live in a wigwam

2009-04-11T23:19:00.003-06:00

I love Cat Stevens!! this song just makes me smile....i hope to aspire to the living in a wigwam, igloo, caravan, commune, treehut experiences someday..haha....enjoy!

I'd like to live in a wigwam
Yes I'd like to live in a wigwam
I'd like to live in a wigwam and
Dance round the totem pole

I'd like to live in an igloo
Yes, I'd like to live in an igloo
I'd like to live in an igloo and
Fish from an icehole

I'd like to ride on a caravan
I'd like to take a ride on a caravan
Yes, I'd like to ride on a caravan and
Sing with the gypsies

I'd like to live on a commune
Yes, I'd like to live on a commune
I'd like to live on a commune and
People can call me a hippie

I don't want to live in a palace
No, I don't want to live in no palace
Oh I don't want to live in no palace
There's too many empty rooms

I don't want to live in a barracks
I don't want to live in a barracks
Oh I don't want to live in a barracks
And wake up to the bugle tune

I'd just like to live in a treehut
Yes, I'd like to live in a treehut
Yes, I'd like to live in a treehut and
Listen to the sound of the birds

I don't want to live in a jailhouse
Don't wanna bide my time in no jailhouse
No I don't want to live in no jailhouse and
Be fed bread through the bars

I'm glad I'm alive am I
I'm glad I'm alive am I
I'm glad I'm alive
I'm glad I'm alive
I'm glad I'm alive am I

We gotta get our heads up in the sky
We gotta get our heads up in the sky
We gotta get our heads up
Gotta give it time
We gotta get our heads up in the sky

Gotta get to heaven get a guide
We gotta get to heaven get a guide
We gotta have a guide
We gotta get to heaven get a guide

find a guy who calls you beautiful

2009-04-09T23:11:00.000-06:00

find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot,
who calls you back when you hang up on him,

who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat,
or will stay awake just to watch you sleep…

wait for the boy who kisses your forehead,
who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats,

who holds your hand in front of his friends,
who thinks you’re just as pretty without makeup on.

one who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares
and how lucky he is to have you…

the one who turns to his friends and says,
“that’s her!”

~ anon ~

...speak to us of friendship...

2009-03-06T21:09:00.002-07:00

Kahlil Gibran on Friendship

and a youth said, speak to us of friendship.
and he answered, saying:
your friend is your needs answered.
he is your field which you sow with love
and reap with thanksgiving.
and he is your board and your fireside.
for you come to him with your hunger,
and you seek him for peace.
when your friend speaks his mind you
fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor
do you withhold the "ay."
and when he is silent your heart ceases
not to listen to his heart;
for without words, in friendship, all
thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born
and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
when you part from your friend,
you grieve not;
for that which you love most in him may
be clearer in his absence, as the mountain
to the climber is clearer from the plain.
and let there be no purpose in friendship
save the deepening of spirit.
for love that seeks aught but the disclosure
of its own mystery is not love but
a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable
is caught.
and let your best be for your friend.
if he must know the ebb of your tide,
let him know its flood also.
for what is your friend that you should
seek him with hours to kill?
seek him always with hours to live.
for it is his to fill your need, but not
your emptiness.
and in the sweetness of friendship let
there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
for in the dew of little things the heart
finds its morning and is refreshed.

pan integral

2009-02-24T11:20:00.006-07:00

I made whole wheat bread on Saturday...and was reminded WHY I like making bread!!

It's therapeutic kneading those loaves.
I feel thrifty -- it's cheap to make....why spend money at the grocery store when you can make your own?!
It's definitely healthy -- made with natural applesauce instead of oil and honey instead of white sugar and freshly ground whole wheat flour!
I get to share it with others!

It's been a while since I last made bread...It will most definitely be happening mas a menudo...

If you're nice to me, I might just slice you a piece :)

thank you Aretha!

2009-01-21T15:06:00.013-07:00

Watching Aretha Franklin perform just before President Obama took the oath of office on Tuesday brought tears to my eyes. I'm a sentimentalist through and through and I was definitely wearing my emotions on my sleeve that day.

Not only did I feel that her performance was powerful, moving, and extremely appropriate, but everything about it reminded me of my Grandma Elaine Hofman and how much I look up to her, love her and miss her!

I caught myself thinking about how Grandma would have appreciated the moment if she were alive.

Grandma would have appreciated and been excited about the setting -- the Inauguration of America's first black (not to mention Democrat!) president. My Grandma served her community and state in so many ways and was always actively involved in the political process. As Special Assistant to Idaho State Governor John Evans for 3 years, as Field Representative for U.S. Congressman Richard Stallings, and as a State Representative in the Idaho State Legislature Democratic seat for 6 years, my grandma embodied what Hubert Humphries described the purpose of government as being..."the moral test of government is how it treats those in the dawn of life - the children, those in the twilight of life - the elderly, and those in the shadows of life - the sick, the needy and the handicapped." My grandma worked for the betterment of these individuals and did a good job at it!

Grandma would have appreciated the song that was song by Aretha Franklin -- "My Country 'tis of Thee." Once, when Grandma was serving as the Special Assistant to Governor John Evans, the governor was unable to speak at a regional AARP conference and she couldn't find anyone to replace him. Therefore, the responsibility fell on her. In one long night, she created her patriotic program "I Am an American." Included in this program was the singing of many patriotric songs that Grandma loved and held dear to her heart. She eventually had these songs put to CD and would hand them out during Independence Day.

Grandma would have appreciated the voice of Aretha Franklin -- a voice rich, beautiful, and full of life and emotion. My grandm's voice was just that kind of voice and she used it to benefit the lives of so many around her. In 1963, Grandma woke up to practice a song at the piano, but when she went to sing, she had no voice. She thought it was just laryngitis, but it was much more serious. Grandma received a priesthood blessing and was promised that she would indeed sing again and use her voice for righteousness. She was unable to sing for three years. When she finally regained the strength to sing like she had done before, Grandma did use her voice for righteousness. She sang patriotic songs for her country, she sang hymns of comfort at the funerals of friends and family, she sang in city musicals and community functions, she sang at each of her grandchildren's baptisms. Her beautiful voice comforted and uplifted many.

And yes, I think my Grandma would have liked even the outfit -- I don't remember my Grandma Hofman necessarily wearing an outfit comparable to Aretha's, but her hat definitely reminded me of my Grandma's mother (my great-grandma Venna Smart) and the many beautiful hats she wore. She looked classy, and my Grandma was all about being classy!

Grandma Hofman, I love you a bushel and a peck!

i have a funny roommate

2009-01-10T13:11:00.002-07:00

You’re All I Need to Get By – Marvin Gaye

2008-12-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

This is what happens when you are experiencing exhaustion and insomnia at the same time.

1. Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer. The Name of the song is your answer!
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 15 friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from.

1.IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Fall Line – Jack Johnson

2.WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake – Mazurka Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

3.WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Look Over Yonder – Jimi Hendrix

4.WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
When Love Comes To Town – U2

5.WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Fingertips - Poe

6.WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Glass and the Ghost Children – Smashing Pumpkins

7.WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
The Fifth Article of Faith – Primary Songs Children’s Songbook

8.WHAT IS 2+2?
Haydn’s Symphony No 99 in E Flat Major Adagio

9.WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Everyday is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow

10.WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Todo Es Como Tu – Rebelion Andina

11.WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
The Books in the Old Testament – Primary Songs Children’s Songbook

12.WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I Can’t Stand It No More – Peter Frampton

13.WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Beyond the Horizon – Bob Dylan

14.WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Ridiculous Thoughts – The Cranberries

15.WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth (Wedding Singer Soundtrack)

16.WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
New Kid in Town – The Eagles

17.WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Black – Pete Yorn

18.WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
What’s On My Mind - Kansas

19.WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Refuge - Matisyahu

20.WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Candy Everybody Wants – 10,000 Maniacs

21.HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Memories of Old Santa Fe – Randy Travis

22.WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
What’s Left – Libbie Linton

23.WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
But I Might Die Tonight – Cat Stevens

24.WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Secret Vows - Yanni

25.WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
All Along the Watchtower – Bob Dylan

26.WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
All Roads to the River – Kathy Mattea

27.DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
I Want You – Marvin Gaye

28.IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Singing at the Party – Jack Black (from Nacho Libre)

29.WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
I Wish It Would Rain – The Temptations

30.WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
You’re All I Need to Get By – Marvin Gaye

what I gained from Dr. Seipel's social welfare policy class...

2008-12-17T00:50:00.003-07:00

Woman A -- husband runs out on her. She ends up on Welfare.
Woman B -- husband dies. She ends up on Social Security.

The woman on welfare faces horrible stigma and unnecessary baggage (using food stamps to shop, seen as a "welfare queen," having kids so she can get more money, etc. etc...) versus the woman on social security (survivalist benefit, everyone helps her, admires her for her strength, etc. etc.).

Therefore it is better if your husband dies on you versus running out.

So...the MORAL of the STORY for all you women out there is:

"If you are a woman, don't let your husband get away...
kill him before he goes!"

human trafficking – ignorance is NOT bliss

2008-12-11T22:42:00.004-07:00

This semester I had the amazing opportunity of taking a class entitled “Global Issues of Children at Risk” from Dr. Jini Roby. If I could make one class required for every student on every university campus in the world it would be this one. (And if every one of those classes could be taught by Dr. Roby, even better!) Dr. Roby's knowledge base is incredible...it includes child welfare, adoption policy and practice, orphan care, human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation of children, child soldiers and refugees. One thing that I've come to a greater understanding of (among all of the horrible injustices that are taking place among innocent children in our world, and in our own society, today) is the issue of human trafficking and child sex tourism.

Through the course of this semester, I've gained an increasing desire to do something about it, to figure out my part in all of this. But I've often wondered HOW. I realize that I know so little regarding this subject, compared to someone like Dr. Roby. However, I think that the first thing I have the capacity of doing is letting others know WHAT human trafficking is...sharing what I have learned. I interact with educated individuals everyday -- family members, close friends, neighbors, even strangers. If I had a second wish in regards to this topic, it would be that more of these educated individuals knew WHAT human trafficking was and had some comprehension as to how bad and how prevalent it is in their own United States as well as in the global community.

I was in the same position as many of these educated individuals before taking this class. I would not have been able to adequately describe what human trafficking entailed and how bad it is today. I wouldn't have been able to tell you that an estimated 1.2 million women and girls enter the global commercial sex market every year through human trafficking (with 35% estimated to be under the age of 18). I wouldn't have been able to tell you that $34 billion is spent on human trafficking every year and that it's the third most serious illegal trade after drugs and weapons. I wouldn't have been able to tell you that an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States every year. I wouldn't have been able to tell you that the number of U.S. citizens trafficked WITHIN the country each year is even higher, with an estimated 200,000 American children at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. And the thing is...I'm still learning. And my desire to help others understand is still growing.

I was sitting in my living room, finishing a paper for Dr. Roby’s class, when some neighbors came by. After asking me what I was studying for, and after telling them, they proceeded to ask me questions…like what kinds of issues we studied in this class, etc. When I mentioned “human trafficking” both of these individuals looked at me like “huh?” The dialogue:

neighbor: what is human trafficking?
me: individuals are sold into slavery. modern day slavery.
neighbor: they’re sold?
me: Yes.
neighbor: to do what?
me: to do whatever the traffickers want them to – sex slaves, labor slaves, whatever it may be.
neighbor: hmm. I’ve never heard of that before.
me: you should Google "human trafficking" sometime
neighbor: it sounds depressing
me: well, yeah, it's extremely depressing. but you can choose to ignore it and it won't be depressing and nothing gets done. or, you can choose to acknowledge it and realize how horrible it is, and do something about it...in whatever way that may be.

I realize that we often choose to not educate ourselves on issues like these because they ARE depressing. They do hurt. They are sad. But, where does that get us? I'm afraid it doesn't get us anywhere.

"Ignorance is not bliss; ignorance is impotence; it is fear; it is cruelty; it is all the things that make for unhappiness."

~Ingrid Holtby

check out some some links...I know we are all afraid of our potential and what we can do to help with big issues like these, but the first thing we can do is educate ourselves and then let the opportunities take us from there.

FACTS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
HUMAN TRAFFICKING.ORG
CHILD SEX TOURISM

it's monday and i'm thankful....with pictures to prove it :)

2008-12-01T16:06:00.011-07:00

I'm thankful for the beautiful mountains I get to see every day walking to campus...the same mountains that my Grandpa Brown told my mom to look at when she walked to campus 25 years ago...and the same mountains that Grandpa Brown loved so much.

I'm thankful for the beautiful colors that are still on the trees December 1st!

I'm thankful for my little sister who loves me and meets me for lunch every so often (Peeper, I love you for more than those lunches....you have no need to fret!)

I'm thankful for Dining Plus that gets shared with me when there is an abundance of funds on a little sister's account :)

I'm thankful for the leftover turkey and provolone croissant sandwich from the aforementioned lunch with said Dining Plus card and cute little sister that will sustain me as I make myself comfortable in the library until midnight!

I am THANKFUL :)

i wish i could claim this piece of art as my own...

2008-11-24T19:42:00.007-07:00

If anyone wants to know what the highlight of my day was, it was definitely this...

Earlier this year, a friend introduced me to the art of "knit graffiti".... the world's most inoffensive graffiti :)

When coming across this amazing work of knitted-graffiti art on my way to class (location: UTA bus stop at 960 N. University Avenue, Provo UT), I prayed that it would still be there when I returned home from school....I had to take a picture!! Isn't this amazing?! Check out the following links for some more amazing knitted-graffiti photos...

http://deputy-dog.com/2008/11/urban-knitting-worlds-most-inoffensive.html

http://www.houstonpress.com/2005-12-15/news/knitta-please/

the consequences could be deadly...

2008-11-24T02:19:00.002-07:00

This has been one of my favorite signs for as long as I can remember...it's just outside of Idaho Falls on a small highway on the way up to our family cabin in Victor, Idaho...gotta love it! (those Idaho natives can be pretty hilarious sights sometimes....gotta love us!!)

nickel and dimed

2008-11-20T19:23:00.005-07:00

I read a great book in my Intro to Sociology class during my undergrad titled "Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By In America" written by Barbara Ehrenreich. I happened to pick it up today as I have been doing research on the federal minimum wage policy and Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

I appreciated a few of her words:

the Economic Policy Institute recently reviewed dozens of studies of what constituted a “living wage” and came up with an average figure of $30,000 a year for a family of one adult and two children, which amounts to a wage of $14 an hour. This is not the very minimum such a family could live on; the budget includes health insurance, a telephone, and child care at a licensed center, for example, which are well beyond the reach of millions. But it does not include restaurant meals, video rentals, Internet access, wine and liquor, cigarettes and lottery tickets, or even very much meat. The shocking thing is that the majority of American workers, about 60 percent, earn less than $14 an hour. Many of them get by by teaming up with another wage earner, a spouse or grown child. Some draw on government help in the form of food stamps, housing vouchers, the earned income tax credit, or – for those coming off welfare in relatively generous states – subsidized child care. But others – single mothers for example – have nothing but their own wages to live on, no matter how many mouths there are to feed. Employers will look at that $30,000 figure , which is over twice what they currently pay entry-level workers, and see nothing but bankruptcy ahead. Indeed, it is probably impossible for the private sector to provide everyone with an adequate standard of living through wages, or even wages plus benefits alone: too much of what we need, such as reliable child care, is just too expensive, even for middle-class families. Most civilized nations compensate for the inadequacy of wages by providing relatively generous public services such as health insurance, free or subsidized child care, subsidized housing, and effective public transportation. But the United States, for all its wealth, leaves its citizens to fend for themselves – facing market-based rents, for example, on their wages alone. For millions of Americans, that $10 – or even $8 or $6 – hourly wage is all there is.

In her quest to experience working poverty-level wages, and trying to make ends meet, Ehrenreich argued that social inequality is a problem that limits the ability of the lower class to achieve the status of hard-working middle class. Inidividauls are desensitized into believing that America's capitalistic system measures the individual worth of a person in monetary terms.

Ehrenreich explains that people are often moved by the mechanics of society because it appears to be their only option for survival. Lower class individuals are often left to thinking that they lack the social mobility to help them achieve a "new rank." It is harder for them to be seen as such because of the nature of a society that supports the capitalistic value system which always produces winners and losers. Ehrenreich further implies that the social norm too often rears its ugly head at humanity, causing people to forget that they have the potential of changing for the better. Lives continue to be lived with no hope for change because the social inequality does not allow them room to see beyond their current socioeconomic situation.

Poverty, due to social inequality in America has a disabling effect on individuals who are susceptiable to its consequences. I recently heard a professor explain that eleven million preschool age children in the "affluent" United States are malnourished. Similar data can be seen regarding health care, education, and homelessness. Because the distribution of income and wealth in America continues to grow more unequal (often times, consequences of society's self-gratifying materialism) inequality is followed by neglect and suffering of those people of lower socioeconomic status. Because the idea of getting rich is so ingrained in the heads of American citizens, it is almost like we are being turned into a mechanical body of society that so characterized the lower class members whom Ehrenreich worked among. Something that might ease this burden would be to acknowledge the problem and work to change the underlying values of the social system to which we belong through more governmental programs designed to help the lower classes.

On page 214, Ehrenreich states:

It is common, among the nonpoor, to think of poverty as a sustainable condition – austere, perhaps, but they get by somehow, don’t they? They are “always with us.” What is harder for the nonpoor to see is poverty as acute distress: The lunch that consists of Doritos or hot dog rolls, leading to faintness before the end of the shift. The “home” that is also a care or a van. The illness or injury that must be “worked through,” with gritted teeth, because there’s no sick pay or health insurance and ht loss of one day’s pay will mean no groceries for the next. These experiences are not part of a sustainable lifestyle, even a lifestyle of chronic deprivation and relentless low-level punishment. They are, by almost any standard of subsistence, emergency situations. And that is how we should see the poverty of so many millions of low-wage Americans – as a state of emergency.

Jesse L. Jackson Jr. stated: "Our nation has a peculiar work ethic. It insists that people work for a living, which is a valid expectation, but it does not insist that the private and public sectors provide enough jobs at livable wages for everyone who wants to work." Sad, but true.

The poverty of so many millions of our fellow citizens IS in a state of emergency. I believe it is up to us -- those blessed with knowledge, skills, passion, drive, and whatever your talents might be -- to help lift the under-dog and do what is right to help ease the suffering of those who are truly downtrodden.

too much fun in class?

2008-11-19T15:58:00.002-07:00

So, in our HBSE class this morning, we divided up into groups and played a social work version of Balderdash....we were given a word or phrase and we had to come up with what we thought was the most correct definition. Well, our group had some fun...we were determined to keep things EXCITING!! haha...so, to add some excitement to your own life, whoever you may be, these are the definitions we came up for said social work terms and phrases ....

Differentiation of self: "In group therapy, when there are over 20 people in the group and 1 monkey...and you recognize the difference between you and the monkey."

Normative vs. Non-normative stressors: "These can be distinguished in two categories: Things that happen to Norman and things that happen to people NOT named Norman."

Cultural Variant Approach: "According to Freud, when people of different cultures have different colored fecal matter." (um, yeah...we thought we were toast after hearing that one read out loud...)

ABCX Model of Family Stress and Coping: "When a family adopts a coping skill to reduce stress by slow measure recital of the alphabet."

Multilevel Family Practice Model: "When a family forms a human pyramid while simultaneously signing eachother up to sell Amway."

Family Life Cycle Perspective: "When Simba from the Lion King finally raises his own son up on Pride Rock and Elton John starts singing 'the circle of life......'"

Yeah...that's how we kept things interesting in class today. And, I'm not gonna lie, I think I'll probalby remember those terms for good now :)

reasons why i LOVE Pocatello, Idaho

2008-11-14T19:12:00.021-07:00

I know I may be partial, and a bit biased...but I was feeling a little nostalgic and thought I'd share with the rest of you some reasons WHY I love Pocatello :)

It was named after a great Indian chief

I once went on a hike with my dog Mooije up this Mink Creek trail...
and learned a lot about myself...

There are lots of squirrels (although, my grandpa would disagree that this is a great reason to love Idaho...haha...)

enuf said :)

I slid down this rock slide 100's of times as a kid at Ross Park

My high school was built in 1892...and we call it "Poky"

Sitting atop the 'I' many many times...sometimes by myself, sometimes with my two best friends and cousins...yelling at people below and almost getting caught by campus rent-a-cops...

Jumping in the Portneuf River with Johnny after a long day of lawn mowing...
Bridge jumping up the river off of a railroad bridge on somebody's "no trespassing" property...

The hills surrounding our little gate city...for those of you who have called Pocatello the "armpit" of Idaho...SHAME ON YOU!

The view of the city from atop Red Hill really is fantastic

Learning to ski for the first time in 7th grade at Pebble Creek...
Skiing there many many times after with my mom and brothers and sisters...

The fact that I found a picture of my elementary school music teacher -- Mr. Obrien -- online...I learned lots of songs from him during those 6 years at Washington Elementary

These are what spuds would taste like if potatoes were marshmallows...
...covered in cocunut
....and albumen agar agar
....dipped in potassium sorbate
and...
...sprinkled with sulfites

There is lava rock EVERYWHERE and it's beautiful!!

I spent many nights with Kyndl and Jessica debating if we were daring enough to really climb to the top of the Mini Dome...

El Herradero Taco Truck -- best Mexican food in town!

What other local newspaper uses the phrase "cheeks like pomegranates"...this photo ran in the September 18, 1952 Idaho State Journal (Pocatello, ID)

"A Grecian girl with cheeks like pomegranates has come to Idaho State College. Maria Skoulfkaris, center, tells fellow freshmen, Ann Reed of Filer, and LaMar Muir of Idaho Falls, that she has never been kissed but expects to be a threat when they study Greek drama."

Caldwell Park -- my childhood playground

you are ALL invited

2008-11-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

"a man's face is his autobiography"

2008-10-18T03:15:00.013-06:00

I lived in the Holy Land for 4 months of my life. It was an experience that will be imprinted on my heart forever. From the first day there to the last, I enjoyed taking pictures of the many beautiful and diverse people that surrounded me. I learned a lot from looking at their faces. I often caught myself wondering what their story was...what was going on in their lives right at that moment in time. These are my pictures of the people I lived among. These are many of the reasons why I miss it. Every day.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2217128&l=85e96&id=17825167

que disfrute las fotos!

"Sicko" -- EVERYBODY ought to see this

2008-10-16T15:09:00.004-06:00

I viewed an EXCELLENT documentary last night that I believe every one of us ought to watch. "Sicko" by Michael Moore not only solidified many of the views and values that I uphold as an individual, but made me really think about a lot of things -- number one being, how messed up the U.S. is when it comes to their health care system.

Here's a few things to get you thinking:

Nearly 50 million Americans are without health insurance...
Roughly 18,000 Americans will die this year because they don't have health insurance...
The U.S. is ranked 37 out of 191 countries for it's health care system...
A baby born in El Salvador has a better chance of surviving than a baby born in Detroit...
Like Canadians and Brits, the French live longer than we do...

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/index.html

Just some food for thought. I also watched the Presidential Debates last night...one more thing that helped solidify my vote for someone who will do everything in their power to make it so every American -- poor or rich -- will have access to quality health care no matter what.

That is all :)

Brittany Hofman, CTRS

2008-10-11T15:47:00.004-06:00

Good news - I passed my national Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam yesterday! My four years as an undergrad in Recreational Therapy at BYU done me good :) After a couple of crazy cat weeks of cramming and studying and reviewing, the focus turns back to my masters classes....which are DEFINITELY keeping me on my toes!

Princess Tiger Lily of the Black Rock Patrol - a random biography

2008-10-07T22:33:00.004-06:00

“Okay troops, lets have roll call.

Little Bear,

Brown Bat,

Geronimo,

Princess Six Braids,

Princess Tiger Lily...

All are present and accounted for Chief White Eagle...

Let’s get these troops out of the hot sun...hut two, three, four...hut two, three, four....hut two, three, four...”

The hike begins and troops hike off into the sunset.

All members of the Black Rock Patrol are

ready and excited

for yet another hike with Chief White Eagle, also known as Grandpa Brown.

Hiking through the hot Lake Powell desert, the gorgeous Princess Tiger Lily anticipates another exhilarating adventure with the brave Chief.

Little did I realize when I was born in Pocatello, Idaho, at Bannock Regional Medical Center, on July 9, 1983, that I would one day be a beautiful, tan, Indian Princess of the illustrious Black Rock Patrol. Or maybe I did..

Weeks prior to my birth,

Weeks after school had gotten out,

My mom spent every free moment

Lying out in the Hot July Sun

Next to the cool pool at the University Racquet Club,

Becoming a deep golden brown.

I’m sure she did it all for me...In fact, I’m almost positive that her underlying goal was to subtly prepare me for my many hot treks across the Lake Powell wilderness with a brave Indian Chief.

The Black Rock Patrol has seen over 34 members. Not all at one time of course, but 10 to 15 here and there.

Many had gone before me...and many

many

more would follow after me.

But as a young child, I was convinced, by Chief White Eagle,

that I was the

most important

Princess in the universe.

Ever since the very first hike,

where we received our unique Indian names, I felt that I was the most important.

....In the beginning there was a little five year old

whose given name was not Princess Tiger Lily,

but rather some name chosen by the Chief

that a little five year old obviously didn’t like

(and which she now regretfully no longer remembers.)

This caused the patient Chief White Eagle

to allow the little Princess to pick her own name

...one which happened to be Tiger Lily

from the five year old’s favorite Disney film Peter Pan....

I learned the first of many lessons from this first experience with the Black Rock Patrol and

Chief White Eagle.

I know I didn’t think about these lessons at the time...

Why then, it was only child’s play;

“trekking” across what seemed like miles upon miles of uncharted territories,taming the wild lizards found on each adventure,

fighting imaginative enemies,

finding buried jelly bean treasures,

collecting beautiful black rocks for which we were named, and

presenting prized feathers to Chief White Eagle to place in his hat.

As a little child, it never crossed my mind that the lessons the

Great Chief White Eagle

taught me would have more to do with life than a simple hike.

BE READY

Before every hike, Chief White Eagle encouraged me to always be ready.

Ready for any eventuality that might happen on the hike of life.

In first grade, I learned this lesson the hard way.

I was late to school day

after day

after day.

Getting their business started was a crazy time in my parents’ lives.

Late nights and long hours

working down at the store,

remodeling,

pricing,

completing odds and ends,

eventually caused me to be continuously late to

Mrs. Higer’s first grade class at Washington Elementary.

One especially memorable time was when I was dropped off at school...

only to find that I was the

ONLY

student there that day.

The night before must have been an extremely tiring

one, working late,

for my own mother to drop me off at school on a holiday.

ROLL CALL

Every hike began with roll call.

Everyone had to be present and accounted for in order for the hike to begin.

Everything was a troop effort and so it was vital that everyone be there.

In the same way, everyone on the roll call of my life must be present for my life to be complete.

With

1 me

1 mom

1 dad

3 brothers

2 sisters

2 grandmas

2 grandpas

9 aunts

9 uncles and....

46 cousins

many good times have been and still are being experienced.

During these family-filled-non-stop-roll-call moments,

I found myself on my first plane ride

to Disney World Orlando, Florida...riding the Space Mountain Ride with my cousins

at Disney World, the home of Mickey Mouse, over and over and over again...

seeing Mickey Mouse and

wanting to dress up like him...

playing dress-up and having tea parties with

Grandma Hofman to the sounds of Broadway music...

helping Grandma learn her lines for the Broadway play, Hello Dolly

and then enjoying the show... experiencing, with my mother,

the thrilling show of Les Miserables on Broadway...walking the colorful streets

of LA pretending to be on Broadway with

Grandpa Brown...pulling

Grandpa Brown out of a cement hole at

the Army Training Course above Bartz field...going with my brothers and sisters to

Bartz and it’s snow laden hills to sled and learn the arts of skiing...

skiing for $5 at a $60 hill with my dad and mom during Christmas vacation...experiencing a bit of our Hofman

heritage eating Dutch pancakes on Dutch Christmas with Sinterklaas and Swarte Pete...

eating kidney beans and applesauce with Grandpa Hofman...

making homemade applesauce with my mom into the wee hours of the night...

toilet papering for the first time with my Grandma Hofman the night

of my twelfth birthday...

spending countless birthdays with relatives at

Lake Powell...banging heads and getting dead legs from falls into the water, off the wiener tube at

Lake Powell...and hiking into Bloomington Lake to jump into the ice water...

My family is the most important of all things in my life. So it is a must that everyone on the roll call is checked off and accounted for.

ENJOY YOUR SURROUNDINGS

On hikes, I learned about nature, about God, and about life;

Spending time at our cabin in Victor, Idaho,

Camping at Willow Flats,

Hiking to Navajo, Havasu, and Mooney Falls in Arizona,

Climbing up our “Masada” at Lake Powell,

Floating the Snake River near Jackson.

I look at the physical world differently now after having been with Chief White Eagle and having learned of his love for nature. I learned from him that God is the reason for everything. He is the CREATOR of all things. And I have a responsibility for taking care of his creations.

FOLLOWING THE LEADER

Chief

White

Eagle

Taught

How

The

Leader

Matter

What

Where

Were.

Leaders are given to us for a purpose.

On hikes, they lead us to our destination.

In life, they guide us and influence us, hopefully for the better.

What a perfect example of a leader was the Chief.

Action figures and super heroes come and go with time, but Chief White

Eagles stay

ever true and “super”

in the eyes of little children.

Ever since my first Black Rock Patrol hike,

being inducted into the Patrol, and receiving my Indian name,

my Grandpa has been one of my many heroes.

Through Chief White Eagle’s example, I have learned that it is important to follow the leaders and influences in my life, and to also remember that I am also a leader to others

Following Grandpa Brown on hikes,

Being followed by five younger siblings,

Following Grandma Hofman in singing,

Being a leader to fellow students,

Following mom and Grandma Brown in art,

Following friends, teachers and role models....

“Follow me boys,

follow me.

Pick ‘em up and put ‘em down

and follow me!”

REACHING THE JOURNEY’S END

Throughout my Life’s Hike,

Chief White Eagle’s subtle lessons have stayed clear and vivid in my mind.

It’s not possible for all little kids to experience a Chief White Eagle in their lives.

Hikes are not always

easy little walks through groomed paths

where everything is beautiful, lush and gorgeous.

Sometimes, it takes a little hard work,

perseverance,

and often times starting over,

to get to the final outcome such as a

pristine waterfall or mountain lake.

And so is the hike of life.

Throughout the adventure,

I’ll experience rugged paths and hardships,

ugly realities,

and many different types of people.

No doubt about it.

But through it all I will survive and eventually get to my ultimate goal, if I can remember the most important advice from the Great Chief White Eagle, that

the Browns

(and Hofmans, Smiths, Davidsons, and Adams)

of the

Black Rock Patrol

are Tough!

my niece -- the baby princess actress from "Willow" look alike (but a whole lot cuter!)

2008-09-28T11:50:00.005-06:00

after a comment made by Kimberly saying that Hadlee kind of looked like the baby princess actress on the movie Willow, I had to do some investigating....here is what I discovered...let me know what you think!

and just to clarify -- I DO NOT think that my sister-in-law Jordon is an accurate look-alike for Willow...she is MUCH more beautiful! love ya Jord!!

CTRL + Tab

2008-09-25T23:59:00.011-06:00

....just made my life a whole lot easier :)
who knew there was a key command to toggle between tabs in Firefox?

life is good!

graduate school and things of that sort...

2008-09-25T23:16:00.003-06:00

so, it's true. since the last time i posted (well, the time before the last time) I started my Masters of Social Work program at BYU (I just can't seem to get enough of this busy little town in this valley...) I'm pleased to say that it's all been good so far.

The Social Work program is a 67 credit program...2 years (well, 5 semesters, 4 months each)...I anticipate graduating April 2010. Man, that sounds so far off, but really, it's gonna be here before I know it.

Classes are good. I've actually been pleasantly surprised. The line-up includes:

* Social Work Policy (I've really really enjoyed the readings and lectures for this class...Dr. Seipel seems to think a little bit more like the folks I love...a.k.a. my left-leaning crazy amazing family...)

* Social Work Research Methods (should be a decent class...we get to start our research project for the program in this class...I need to figure that out...)

* Casework (I'm excited for this one too...I'm learning SOOO much....things that I've wanted to be better at but maybe just didn't know how to implement or initiate...)

* Global Issues of Children at Risk (this is a fascinating and emotionally driven class...Dr. Jini Roby is from Korea and was an orphan there when she was 11 yrs old...she was adopted and brought to the states...her background is AMAZING and I'm learning more than I ever knew before about the issues that face vulnerable children ALL over the world.)

* Person & Environment (again, another interesting class...the first 3 weeks has been spent learning about something called "Interpersonal Family Dynamics" or Persogenics...learning about a way to identify personality patterns of interactino and how we interact with others who are similar or different to our own. FYI - I am an "AMIABLE/ANALYTICAL." the other patterns were DOMINANT and EXPRESSIVE....what are you??)

and last but not least:
* Rock Climbing!!! (need I say more?!)

Life is good...it's busy and crazy, but it's good. I really am blessed. I have good friends. I have an amazing family who loves me. I am happy to be here where I am, at this particular time. I am grateful for the experiences I have had that have brought me to this point. I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me and have helped me see myself in many different lights.

I am STOKED for the next two years of intellectual, academic, spiritual and personal growth.

BRING IT ON!!!

p.s. here is a pic of the people I will be eating, sleeping, drinking, and breathing SOCIAL WORK with for the next 19 months of my life :) they are stellar people!! yay for MSW class of 2010!!!!

richard parker, I miss you

2008-09-25T22:49:00.003-06:00

I came across this picture and three things came to my mind:

* Life of Pi
* Emma Hanks
* Jerusalem

I smiled :)

thank you Richard Parker look-alike for bringing me happy memories of a special time long-since past!

where in the world am I?

2008-08-15T00:40:00.011-06:00

Well, if you've caught yourself wonderin' what in the heck Brittany Arlene Hofman is doing with herself these days, let me tell ya!! I, of all people, ought to be able to fill you in :)

This is old news, but last September through December I spent 4 rockin' months in Israel with the BYU Jerusalem Center Study Abroad. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Every day was spent being immersed in the culture and history of the land and beautiful people. We traveled throughout the country (with two opportunities for visits to the secured West Bank), swam in the Mediterranean Sea at Tel Aviv, explored the sights where the Savior walked, talked and spent his last days and hours, spent 2 weeks on the Sea of Galilee, hiked in the Golan Heights, explored a fortress overlooking Lebanon, came to know each winding street in the old city of Jerusalem, visited the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, spent a week among the ruins and pyramids of Egypt, climbed Mt. Sinai in time to witness an early morning sunrise, sang "I am a Child of God" in every church we set foot in and made forever friendships. I will carry Jerusalem and the experiences and friendships made in my heart for a long time to come. And, I'm pretty sure a piece of my heart was left back in room #304 of the J.C. overlooking that beautiful city!

I came back from Jerusalem to complete one final semester at BYU of pre-requisite classes for the BYU Masters of Social Work program which I applied and got accepted to. I start my grad program in the fall, and am super anxious and excited to get that underway!

This last April (2008), I graduated from BYU with an undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Part of the stipulation about receiving that degree entailed a 4 month summer internship at an agency of my choosing under the direction of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. I chose West Ridge Academy - a residential treatment center for youth-at-risk - in West Jordan Utah. The last four months have been a great learning experience as I have been part of the rec therapy staff at West Ridge. We have spent many hours with boys and girls on the awesome ropes course located on our campus, rafted the Green River, backpacked the Little Wild Horse in Goblin Valley, rappelled in Leprechaun Canyon near Hanksville, UT, backpacked to Lake Blanche with the youngins from West Ridge, tube-warred and wake boarded with the generosity of the National Abilities Center in Park City, enjoyed getting to know the individual boys and girls who have come to West Ridge Academy looking for change.

West Ridge Academy used to be the Utah Boys Ranch (started by the same legendary Lowell Bennion who started the Idaho Teton Bennion Boys Ranch next to our cabin in Victor, Idaho). One of my favorite aspects of the facility is that because it is affiliated with the Church (althouth it is non-denominational), the Spirit definitely abides in its halls. And, to me, the Spirit is KEY in helping people change, especially these youth who are struggling. There are full-time married missionary couples who are responsible for being "spiritual advisors" in the youths' daily life. It really is a unique program and I feel blessed to have been able to take part in the change that many of these kids have experienced.

I end the internship this coming Monday -- my four months is up. This week 20 of the boys are actually on a 40 mile backpacking trip up King's Peak - the highest peak in Utah (over 13,000 ft). I should be with them right now, but I was strickin' with some nasty flu last week that just seemed to linger through this week. The boys left Tuesday morning. I was packed and ready to go, but woke up Tuesday morning with a fever of 103 degrees. Needless to say, my supervisor wasn't too stoked about bringing me, and I honestly didn't think it was the best idea myself. So -- I stayed back.

Last night, my friend Charity and I drove to her home of John Day, Oregon (Central Oregon)...her grandpa is sick and not doing too well. She wanted to come home and since I wasn't doing anything, I came with her :) She's been visiting with her grandparents and family while I've just been chillin' and getting projects done. It's been relaxing -- and a more beautiful place to chill than South Jordan, Ut!!

Welp -- other than many trips home to Pocatello to visit my super cute niece Hadlee, a 4th of July trip to the cabin in Victor, our annual Lake Powell family reunion in July and hanging with friends and family, that's about the excitement in my life right now!!

figurin' this darn thing out

2008-08-15T00:22:00.003-06:00

It's true. I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure out how to get some color on the back of my uber boring blog. I finally found the right link to add the right HTML code. I know I could have asked someone for help, but I must like to suffer.

ANYWAY....welcome to my new colorful blog! It's so much better than the drab minimalist template that once caused the lucky viewer to suffer upon each visit! Maybe I will now be inspired to keep it updated for once!

love to all!

i AM a proud aunt :)

2008-06-05T18:57:00.007-06:00

I have the cutest niece in the whole world! Hadlee makes me smile...really big!

root for others

2008-04-21T18:36:00.002-06:00

amen, John Mayer. I really liked everything he had to say and think it's something that everyone needs to hear. enjoy...

http://johnmayer.com/blog

"....This is about all of us. Who all seem to know deep down that it's incredibly hard to be alive and interact with the world around us but will try and cover it up at any cost. For as badass and unaffected as we try to come off, we're all just one sentence away from being brought to the edge of tears, if only it was worded right. And I don't want to act immune to that anymore. I took the biggest detour from myself over the past year, since I decided that I wasn't going to care about what people thought about me. I got to the point where I had so much padding on that, sure, I couldn't feel the negativity, but that's because I couldn't feel much of anything. And I think I'm done with that.

I'm not the first person to admit we're all self conscious, Kanye was. But what I want to do is to shed a little light on why we're all in the same boat, no matter the shape of the life we lead: because every one of us were told since birth that we were special. We were spoken to by name through a television. We were promised we could be anything that we wanted to be, if only we believed it and then, faster than we saw coming, we were set loose into the world to shake hands with the millions of other people who were told the exact same thing.

And really? Really? It turns out we're just not all that special, when you break it down. Beautifully unspectacular, actually. And that truth is going to catch up with us whether we want to run from it or not. The paparazzo following me to the gym ain't gonna be Herb Ritts and the guy he's following ain't gonna be Bob Dylan. It's just a matter of how old you are once you embrace that fact. And for me, 30 sounds about right.

What now, then? I can only really say for myself: Enjoy who I am, the talents and the liabilities. Stop acting careless. In fact, care more. Be vulnerable but stay away from where it hurts. Read. See more shows. Of any kind. Rock shows, art shows, boat shows. Create more art. Wear hoodies to dinner. Carry a notebook and hand it to people when they passionately recommend something and ask them to write it down for me.

Root for others.

Give more and expect the same in return, but over time.

Act nervous when I'm nervous, puzzled when I don't know what the hell to do, and smile when it all goes my way. And never in any other order than that.

And when it's all over, whether at the end of this fabulous career or of this life, which I hope takes place at the same time, I should look back and say that I had it good and I made the most of it while I was able. And so should you."

conservative vs. liberal...repairing the inequities in the world

2008-04-15T11:13:00.000-06:00

I whole heartedly agree:

"Supposedly, in the "traditional wisdom" of things, people become more and more socially and politically and economically conservative as they grow older. This notion is based partially I suppose on the premise that conservatism protects the status quo and that older people want to keep what they have and keep everything the way they are used to having it.

But I think there are many for whom this process works in reverse. As they enter the Autumn of their lives, they are more traveled, more broad-minded, and more tolerant and appreciative of customs, ideas, and appearances other than their own. The wider perspective with which they view the world causes them, in a way, to grow more liberal if the word is defined as an interest in repairing the inequities in the world and making changes that exhibit compassion, empathy and the equality of all rather than protectionism, isolation and superiority of the few."

~Richard Eyre

http://www.ldsmag.com/autumn/080411celebrate.html

you never know when someone might be watching

2008-04-15T11:11:00.000-06:00

October 14, 2007

I've been thinking alot lately about examples -- especially regarding the impact that our examples can have on people when we have NO idea that they are watching! I have been pondering a lot on how SO MANY people in these last few months have come to influence my life on such a deep level...and the majority of those influential moments came from my observations of their examples. Examples such as kindness towards others, concern for others, receiving impressions and then acting on those impressions...examples of sacrifice, love, and humor in times of need...examples of being a good listener, lending a hand, giving advice...examples of offering a smile to a stranger passing by. These quiet moments that I have been blessed to observe have helped me see the importance of always trying to be a good person -- always trying to help others and have a sincere desire to just be good. Most of all, these observations have made me pause and think about how many people are watching ME and my actions. Am I a good example to others around me? I would hope so!

I'm not a big television fan, but a few months ago, I was blessed to see a commercial for an insurance agency that happened to be very inspiring and impactful. What kind of person calls themselves blessed after watching an insurance ad? Call me crazy, but I am one of those people! Thanks to Google and YouTube, I was able to find the commercial online...It is for Liberty Mutual Insurance and can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw97CfZtyGw

Many of you, if not all of you, who are reading this little note are people who have been good examples to me in my life -- whether you realized you were being a good example or had no idea!! And for that, I just wanted to thank each of you for impacting my life for the better.

Love, Britt

1. priorities. 2. overcoming language barriers.

2008-04-15T11:07:00.000-06:00

April 13, 2007

Two little thoughts:

I read a quote by Ellen Degeneres yesterday which made me laugh. After I got through my laughing fit, the significance of her words made me sit back and re-evaluate some things. She said:

“I gotta work out. I keep saying it all the time. I keep saying I gotta start working out. It's been about two months since I've worked out. And I just don't have the time. Which uh..is odd. Because I have the time to go out to dinner. And uh..and watch tv. And get a bone density test. And uh.. try to figure out what my phone number spells in words.”

As much as I hate to admit it, this has been the definition of my life these last few months. And not just with working out but with many different facets of my existence. I complain about not having enough time, but it’s my own fault. I need to pause and take a moment and re-evaluate what I am doing with my time. Where do my priorities really lie?

“We realize our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time; it is basically a problem of priorities. We confess, we have left undone those things that ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.” - Charles E. Hummel

“Success is only another form of failure if we forget what our priorities should be.” - Harry Lloyd

As for my other, completely un-related and random thought process….Two men with hearing disabilities came into my office today. They were lost and needed to know how to get to the landscaping building. The first thought that came to my mind was “dang, how are we going to communicate with these guys?” I was grateful that as soon as they let us know they were deaf, Karla quickly grabbed a pad of paper so that they could communicate with us. (kudos to Karla).

The second thought that came to mind was that of regret in not actively cultivating a talent I once developed in high school – American Sign Language. I guess that I’ve always wanted so much in my life to make everyone I come in contact with feel comfortable, loved, accepted, understood, etc. etc. etc. and I felt like I couldn’t quite do that this afternoon. I felt helpless (although I know that our attempts were not totally in vain as we were able to be of some help through writing and hand signals). But I just know how important it is for people like these two men to be able to communicate with others in the manner in which they are able to communicate.

It reminds me of my mission to Spain. Especially in those first weeks and months, I couldn’t speak Spanish perfectly. But I tried. I made very feeble attempts to speak to the people in their native tongue. They knew I was NOT native (it’s not hard to tell) and I often stumbled over words and made many grammatical errors, but I knew that it made them feel so good just knowing that I cared enough to try to communicate with them in the only way they knew how to communicate.

I guess what I need to remember is that as long as I’m trying to make others feel that sincerity and desire to make them feel good or understood or whatever it may be, then that is all I can do sometimes.

when the president talks to God

2008-04-15T11:06:00.001-06:00

March 28. 2007

"When the president talks to God"
lyrics by Bright Eyes

When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women’s' rights
And send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends

When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God

When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullcrap
When the president talks to God?

I doubt it
I doubt it

my first ski memories...nostalgic ruminations

2008-04-15T11:04:00.000-06:00

February 13, 2007

Marc Peruzzi - I echo your words. This editorial brought back a flood of similar memories of my own first days on the ski hill...memories of the Franklin Junior High School ski program that took us up to the Pebble Creek ski hill during that blessed and yet extremely awkward year of 7th grade...introducing me and countless other insecure 7th graders to the exhiliration of being in the moment...the freedom of the hill. And as Marc put it so well - maybe the Pebble Creek hill was a little "pathetic by today's standard's...[maybe not quite as low-key as Peruzzi's Mount Tom]...but it was enough to make me and every other middle-schooler on that bus a skier for life."

This is beautiful:

"It was before the dream heli trips in Alaska or powder days in Vail's Back Bowls or ski tours in Utah's Wastch range. Before smacking slush bumps in t-shirts on Killington's Outer Limits. Before loading my college schedule with only Tuesday/Thursday classes. Before high school road trips to Vermont in a '77 Pontiac LeMans. Before dating, before puberty. Before any of that there was a ski bus, and night skiing, and a ski hill on a quarry in Massachussett's Pioneer Valley. A ski area called Mount Tom.

There were jumps x-ed off with bamboo. Friends. The taste of freedom. An expert run called Waterfall. Perspiring Catholic girls in waffle-weave cotton long underwear with floral prints. Speed. Repetition. Instruction. Improvement. Leg burn. The high-voltage buzzing of a seventh-grade mind. A rare smile on the dour face of an overly introspective kid.

Six after-school bus trips a winter. A program that cost 60 dollars total - fries and hot chocolate not included. Some crummy yellow lights. Snowmaking with what looked like a fire hose. A pitch like a bowling alley. Maybe 13 runs.

Pathetic by today's standards. But it was enough to make me and every other middle-schooler on that bus a skier for life. Mount Tom, all 680 vertical feet of it, was simply massive.

Mount Tom is dead, along with hundreds of local hills like it that have disappeared over the last 25 years. Mount Tom lived from 1962-1998. It was the only convenient skiing in that part of the state. And cheap. No one really seems to know why it closed. It certainly wasn't making anybody rich, but it must have been sustainable.

I want to think back fondly on my Mount Tom nights, the nights that formed a skier, but I can't right now. The warmth has been taken from me. If skiing isn't convenient and cheap, then only privileged kids get to ski. So when I think of Mount Tom, I think of all the kids who will never know the place. All the kids who will never know skiing. Never know powder, first chair, shattering surface hoar, or counting the minutes until Saturday morning for something other than the cartoons.

We can do better than that."
~Marc Peruzzi, Editor-in-Chief SKIING magazine (February 2007, vol. 59, no. 6)

Nibley's perspective - politics, socioeconomics, and religion

2008-04-15T11:03:00.000-06:00

January 17, 2007

So, I had more time than usual this Christmas break to sit down and JUST read (books OTHER THAN textbooks!!). I've been reading Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley and I've come across a lot of thoughts and commentary that couldn't help but make me think about the conversations that I've had as of late about politics, socioeconomics, and religion in general. I thought these were each worth mentioning - just some food for thought.

(p. 163-164) Such considerations [regarding conflicts in our society] admonish me to ask whether all is well in Zion, and I find the answer in myself alone Have I taken the message seriously? No. I have been quite half-hearted about it, and much too easily drawn into what I call the Gentile Dilemma. That is, when I find myself called upon to stand up and be counted, to declare myself on one side or the other, which do I prefer - gin or rum, cigarettes or cigars, tea or coffee, heroin or LSD, the red rose or the white, Shiz or Coriantumr, wicked Nephites or wicked Lamanites, Whigs or Tories, Catholic or Protestant, Republican or Democrat, black power or white power, land pirates or sea pirates, commissars or corporations, capitalism or socialism? The devilish neatness and simplicity of the thing is the easy illusion that I am choosing between good and evil, when in reality two or more evils by their rivalry distract my attention from the real issue...It can be shown that in each of these choices just named, one of hte pair may well be preferable to the other, but that is not the question. There is no point in arguing which other system comes closest to the law of consecration, since I excluded all other systems when I opted for the real thing. The relative merits of various economies is a problem for the gentiles to worry about, a devil's dilemma that does not concern me in the least. For it so happens that I have presently covenanted and promised to observe most strictly certain instructions set forth with great clarity and simplicity in the Doctrine and Covenants. These are designated as the law of consecration, which are absolutely essential for the building up of the kingdom on earth and the ultimate establishment of Zion.

(p. 168) There is plenty to do to satisfy the work ethic without a profit motive, "but the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish" (2 Nephi 26:31).

(p. 170-171). Is the law [of consecration] unrealistic, impractical? It is too much too late for me to worry about that now, for I have already accepted it and repeated my acceptance at least once every month. At a recent conference (October 1978), Elder Mark E. Petersen spoke of the importance of keeping all the covenants we have made - and none is more important, more specific, more sacred than this one. What about Brother So-and-So or Presidend So-and-So? He is free to do as he pleased; I did not covenant with him I knew quite well what I was promising to do and when and where I was to do it, and why - now it is up to me...In 1882, President John Taylor sent out a letter declaring, "If people woudl be governed by correct principles, laying aside covetousness and eschewing chicanery and fraud, dealing honestly and conscientiously with others,...there would be no objection" to their free enterprise - he was appealing to them to do away with covetousness and feigned words, the very things that had put them in control of the economy. But while attempts to implement it [the law of consecration/united order] come and go, the covenant remains, and those who have entered it must live by it or be cursed (D&C 104:3-5), for in this matter God is not to be mocked (D&C 104:6). I am in a perfectly viable position at this moment to observe and keep it, as I have promised, independently of any other party. I do not have ot wait for permission from any other person or group to act.

(p. 236) "What is man," asks Shakespeare, "if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed? A beast no more. Sure he that made us with such large discourse, looking before and after, gave us not that capability and god-like reason to fust in us unused." And what is it to be used for? Those very popular how-to-get-rich books, which are the guides to the perplexed of the present generation, say we should keep our minds fixed at all times on just one objective; the person who lets his thoughts wander away from anything but business even for a moment does not deserve the wealth he seeks. Such is the high ethic of the youth today. And such an ethic places us not on the level of the beast but below it.

(p. 240-241) Modern revelation has some interesting things to say about idlers: "Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the church" (D&C 75:29). An idler in the Lord's book is one who is not working for the building up of the kingdom of God on earth and the establishment of Zion, no matter how hard he may be working to satisfy his own greed. Latter-day Saints prefer to ignore tht distinction as they repeat a favorite maxim of their own invention, that the idler shall not eat the bread or wear the clothing of the laborer. And what an ingenious argument they make of it! The director of a Latter-day Saint Institute was recently astounded when this writer pointed out to him that the ancient teaching that the idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer has always meant that the idle rich shall not eat the bread of the laboring poor, as they always have. "To serve the classes that are living on them," Brigham Young reports from England, "the poor, the labouring men and women are toiling, working their lives out to earn that which will keep a little life in them [lunch is what they get out of it, and no more]. Is this equality? No! What is going to be done? The Latter-day Saints will never accomplish their mission until this inequality shall cease on the earth." But the institute director was amazed, because he had always been taught that the idle poor should eat the bread of the laboring rich, because it is perfetly obvious that a poor man has not worked as hard as a rich man. With the same lucid logic my Latter-day Saint students tell me that there were no poor in the Zion of Enoch because only the well-to-do were admitted to the city...The moral imperative of the work-ethic is by no means the eternal law we assume it to be, for it rests on a completely artificial and cunningly contrived theory of property.

(p. 248) No one is more completely "of the world" than one who lives by the world's economy, whatever his display of open piety.

(p. 280) A bishop told me this month that people coming to renew their temple recommends when they are asked whether they keep all their covenants frequently answer no, explaining that they do not keep the law of consecration. A General Authority recently told me that the important thing is to observe the law of consecration "spiritually." Yes indeed, say I, and the law of tithing also - how much better to observe it spiritually than in a gross, material way - a great comfort to the rich. And yet the express purpose of both those laws is to test the degree of our attachment to material things, not to provide an exercise in "spiritual" semantics.

a sweet example of pure love...

2008-04-15T11:02:00.000-06:00

January 5, 2007

I feel the need to comment on some sweet moments I have experienced this last week as I have been able to observe my dear grandparents interact. My grandma is dying of a terminal lung disease. My grandpa hates leaving her side...I can imagine he is scared that if he were to step away for even a second he would miss something special - fleeting opportunities that are leaving us all - too fast. Or maybe he's scared that if he were to leave her for but a second, that might be the second she might go. Hard fact to swallow, even for me. I can't imagine how he swallows them every day - after being her companion for over 50 years. It's an emotional sort of time. It's hard to think of saying 'so long' to someone who has had such a profound impact on the person that you are and the person you hope to become. Much pondering and reflection.

I stopped in last night to say a quick hello and give a hug and kiss goodnight. Grandma was on her way next door to my aunt's house to get her hair permed. You never thought going maybe just 50 yards next door could be such an ordeal. Grandma finished her dinner. Grandpa cleared the table, as he has done the last 2 1/2 years since she was diagnosed. Grandma slowly stood up, left the kitchen and changed into some sweats...trailing her oxygen hose behind her...another permanent fixture that has so normally become part of her since her diagnosis. I then observed grandpa as he walked to the garage, grabbed two portable tanks of oxyen and brought them to the kitchen. I could hear grandma calling from the living room "Cor, don't you lift that wheelchair out of the car by yourself." I helped him with the heavy beast. After he got the wheelchair out of the garage and next to the porch, he loaded the portable oxygen tank and helped her make the transfer from her permanent oxygen to the portable. Grandpa told grandma to sit down and rest for a minute. The process of changing, walking to the kitchen and making the transfer of oxygen tired her out...it's amazing how we can take our own ability to breathe for granted. I do it everyday.

The next step...tenderly supporting grandma as she walked down the stairs into the wheelchair. By her side the whole way down. I walked beside him as he began to push grandma down the drive, onto the sidewalk, and up my aunt's drive - Grandma worried that he was pushing her up the incline all by himself. I assured her I was helping.

Such a detailed process - all for what we able bodied people would consider a simple task of walking merely 50 yards next door. Probably not even that much. But, my eyes unabashedly welled with tears as I watched my grandpa so tenderly, lovingly and carefully take care of the love of his life. Definitely an example of pure, undying and eternal love. Something that makes it extremely hard to think of the time when I too will have to say 'so long.'

Simple Song of Freedom - by Bobby Darin

2008-04-15T11:00:00.001-06:00

January 3, 2007

SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war.

Hey, there, mister black man, can you hear me?
I don't want your diamonds or your game
I just want to be someone known to you as me
And I will bet my life you want the same.

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don’t want a war.

Seven hundred million are ya list'nin’?
Most of what you read is made of lies
But, speakin’ one to one ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the mornin’ when we rise?

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don’t want a war.

Brother Solzhenitsyn, are you busy?
If not, won't you drop this friend a line
Tell me if the man who is plowin' up your land
Has got the war machine upon his mind?

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don’t want a war.

Now, no doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents, prime ministers and kings
So, let's all build them shelves
Where they can fight among themselves
Leave the people be who love to sing.

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you’ve never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don’t want a war.

I say … let it fill the air …
Tellin’ people everywhere …
We, the people here, don't want a war.

keeping too much for ourselves

2008-04-15T10:59:00.001-06:00

December 19, 2006

"Inaction in the face of the current situation invites moral censure on each of us individually...I can easily imagine a hereafter in which most of the regretting, repenting, and pain experienced by contemporary middle- and upper-class 'active' American Mormons is due to the sin of keeping too much for ourselves." Richard Johnson, BYU Sociology professor

FYI articles...capitalism v. socialism? democrats v. republicans?

2008-04-15T10:58:00.000-06:00

December 19, 2006

Five articles WELL worth the read - If you REALLY want to know where I (and other "liberal church members") stand regarding all of this "debate" I seriously invite you to take a moment and read these (plus it ought to clear up some misconceptions).

#1 "Wealth and Poverty" - address given by BYU Sociology professor Richard Johnson http://sociology.byu.edu/courses/rjohnson/Wealth%20and%20Poverty.htm

#2 "Work We Must But the Lunch is Free" by Hugh Nibley http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/display.php?table=transcripts&id=119

#3 "Capitalism, Culture and Society" by Geoff Price http://rationalrevolution.net/articles/capitalism_culture.htm

#4 "The Spiritual Roots of the Democratic Party: Why I Am a Mormon Democrat" by Todd Compton http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/7207/demosp.html

#5 "I'm a Democrat Because I'm Mormon" by Kathleen Gurr http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=68f7f3ac-4c76-46fe-ae92-de0a6ac7acc7

liberal Church members

2008-04-15T10:56:00.000-06:00

December 18, 2006

THE FOLLOWING IS MR. BRAD ROYAL'S LETTER TO THE EDITOR (with my response following):

"Liberal Church Members"
by Brad Royal, Las Vegas, Nev.

I have noticed an alarming increase in the number of "progressive" or "liberal" minded members of the LDS Church who appear to have simply adopted the propaganda of the liberal media and are only too happy to slam conservative values. This is manifested in some of the letters bashing the president for the war in Iraq (agreed to and funded by Congress), the economy (which is booming), same sex marriage (an obvious disgrace to mankind) and abortion, among other things. Do these "liberal Mormons" realize liberalism is the foundation of socialism? The mission of liberals is to make the American people so weak and dependant on the government that they can literally control every aspect of life. Of course, nobody will admit that.

Conservative values, in their purest sense, promote self-reliance, protect the family and, when practiced properly, greatly reduces spending and governmental involvement in our lives. It is a mystery to me why so many BYU students will submit hateful letters, which merely recite the latest dicta presented on CNN or in the New York Times. As students of BYU, we may not agree on politics; however, we should certainly agree on the very basics. I was in disgust when Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) a self-proclaimed temple recommend holder; blatantly rejected the prophet and voted against the Constitutional Amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Who else is willing to sell their soul in order to blindly join the mainstream liberal mantra?

AND NOW HERE ARE MY PERSONAL RUMINATIONS:

In response to "Liberal church members" (Dec. 15) I want to say that for one who apparently berates ad hominem arguments (as exemplified when he stated that liberals are "only too happy to slam conservative values"), the author sure has no sense of limiting his attacks on his liberal Mormon associates. As one of these self-proclaimed "liberal church members," I disagree with his reasoning about liberal Mormons and feel he did us a great disservice, especially in not acknowledging our efforts to live the Gospel as he is trying to live it

The author stated that "we may not agree on politics; however we should certainly agree on the very basics." In what "basics" does he believe we are NOT agreeing on? I believe the last time I participated in Sacrament meeting, or attended the temple, or paid my tithing or fast offerings, or participated in my calling, I was agreeing with my conservative Republican neighbor regarding the basics of the Gospel. If those are the basics he refers to, I feel we are doing a decent job (of course there is always room for improvement, but hey, we are accomplishing the mission of the Church, are we not?) If these are not the basics he refers to, he needs to make himself more clear in his distinction between political and religious "basics."

To answer his question: "do these 'liberal Mormons' realize liberalism is the foundation of socialism?" I ask: What does he remember the basics behind the Law of Consecration being? Quote me if I'm wrong but I believe the last time I studied about the Law of Consecration, basics revolve around the doctrine of uniting together in our temporal labors, working together for the common good of all, not taking advantage of one another - definitely a more "socialistic" mindset than that of the current capitalistic trend. I don't ever remember learning about the "winner-takes-all" principle or the "importance of the greatest increase on return of investment" or "purpose of material wealth in benefiting the individual" (all capitalistic/conservative mindsets mind you) as being part of MY Sunday school lessons. I refer him to countless scripture references such as Acts 2:44-45 or D&C 49:30, among others, that clearly imply the Gospel and the Law of Consecration as being a more "socialistic" system than what we rest on now.

No, I do not believe that a purely socialistic government will be a cure-all to the societal ills we face today – However, I forever maintain that a more socialistic approach is more in concert with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Law of Consecration than is a capitalistic or limited-government one.

In conclusion, I refer the author to another "basic belief" we seem to agree on at the moment – the Book of Mormon. I invite this individual to think in a more "socialistic" vein the next time he studies his scriptures. An all-time favorite scripture in 4 Nephi 1:3 says " And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift." Think about that next time you choose to misinterpret the values we "liberal Mormons" regard as being in line with the Gospel.

Brittany Hofman

Who determines understanding?

2008-04-15T10:55:00.000-06:00

November 12, 2006

In response to a friend's question about where I stand regarding capitalism...

Dear friend, I'm still struggling with the morals or ethics behind the system that capitalism sits on. I don't know if it's that I don't fully understand the fundamental mechanisms of capitalism - but rather, I don't understand the mechanisms of how it is being applied today - superficially or secondarily (the antithesis of fundamentally) - because unlike your friend mentioned, I feel that I do have a pretty good understanding of how capitalism should work "fundamentally"...I even openly agreed that capitalism could "potentially" be used for good. I understand that when applied and run in the ultimate and supreme society where everything runs smoothly and balanced, then YES, it could be for the benefit of our global society. But then again, I feel the same way about socialism. However, let's face reality - We don't live in that idealistic society YET..and when we do, it's not going to be either capitalism or socialism....in the perspective of the Gospel, we both know that it will be something else. Therefore, I feel that for now, there must be that bi-partisan equilibrium in a society that keeps it running as smooth as smooth can be in the present. I recognize that it is a balance that needs to be established between whatever the differing parties of the day claim to be.

On the other hand, maybe what your friend commented is partly true. Maybe from his perspective, I don't understand "fundamentally" what capitalism is or the mechanisms behind it. Maybe this is the case. HOWEVER, I can honestly tell you that I DO understand what greed is and what it is that propagates it. One of the reasons that it is so insidious is that it can be nearly invisible - our contemporary lifestyles not only encourage but mask it. And whatever my views are, I do know that I DO NOT want to be labeled as a member of the party that falls under that category (whatever party you care to label it). I also know that all of the Savior's teachings are exactly opposite of that side of the spectrum.

Unlike your friend, I don't really have a lot of big words or explanations for how or why I feel the way I do. Maybe that's why I feel I come across as being somewhat ambigous in my opinions (or maybe not?) My rhetoric and his rhetoric lie on completely different levels. (Which can be a very humbling experience when conversing with people like yourself or your friend who do have an exceptional way with words and expression) In fact, it scares the CRAP out of me and intimidates me to think of having a discussion like this (or any that we have had for that matter) face to face because I often feel that I lack words to describe what I feel. (which is a good reason why I DO need to have more verbal conversations on this level!)

NEVERTHELESS, I do know, and cannot deny that I DO HAVE those core feelings. To me, they are values that I cannot deny and that cannot be taken from me. Almost like my testimony I guess. (if it can be applied in that regard). I don't claim to know the ins and outs of Statism v. Capitalism, but I do know that I want to live as closely to what is outlined in the Gospel as I can. And for me, not that I'm saying that a socialistic society is the answer to the root of all world problems, BUT I do consider the socialistic and democratic approach to socioeconomics ten times more consistent with the teachings of Christ than the capitalistic and republican approach.

~me

Frustrations with the "East Side"

2008-04-15T10:54:00.000-06:00

November 10, 2006

As I find myself pondering the state (economical, political, social, etc.) that we find ourselves in as a global society, as a nation, as members of the Church, as individuals striving for what we feel is the betterment of society as a whole, I find myself narrowing down my frustrations to the grass roots of what I feel is ignorance in it's worst light. By ignorance I regretablly refer to the many members of the Church who think that life is a "certain" way. After discussing this last night with a good friend, I came to realize that unless we begin to really study the issues (economical, political, social, religious) we will continue to find ourself in an endless cycle of apathy and mediocrity. I, myself, am not perfect. Nor do I claim to know everything. However, I do recognize an incredible need for us to step it up a notch (as members of the Church especially) and really come to a conclusion of how we will fight the apathetical approach to "living the Gospel" Here's what was said:

FRIEND - They (many members of the Church) think that life is this "certain" way. It's okay to drive SUVs because we have these overproduced families. It's okay to build monstrous houses. They think in all aspects that consumption is fine, and that they are right - everyone on the east side is always right. They could care less about education - why read? why understand the issues? I have a big house therefore I am saved.

ME: touche, well said. Those are some of my big frustrations as well...the ever increasing ignorance most of all.

FRIEND: They could care less, and that's fine because "being members" makes up for all other flaws.ME: I think alot of it has to do with having all of the zeal without knowledge... knowledge of the implications, the consequences of actions, etc.. (Just as Hugh Nibley put it -- In this 1975 BYU address, Nibley denounced Mormon culture for rewarding "zeal alone, zeal without knowledge - for sitting in endless meetings, for dedicated conformity and unlimited capacity for suffering boredom. We think it more commendable to get up at 5 AM to write a bad book than to get up at 9 o'clock to write a good one - that is pure zeal that tends to breed a race of insufferable, self-righteous prigs and barren minds. One has only to consider the present outpouring of 'inspirational' books in the church that bring little new in the way of knowledge; truisms and platitudes, kitsch, and cliches have become our everyday diet." )

FRIEND: For sure, it's challenging to not relate that to a distancing from them (those certain members), when in reality they are good people and they can add to our lives especially within the context of the gospel.

ME: of course! that's why I think it's a good thing that I'm "friends" with those people...because if it wasn't for those relationships that we do have, then it would be soo easy and justifying to distance yourself...(that's why it's a good thing you're my friend pal...the whole political view difference thing doesn't really matter!!) -- But, it's interesting how the natural man creeps out in you (in me at least) and we set these roles or castes for ourselves in so many different aspects of our lives...religous, political, economical, when in all reality if we just tried to live equally and for the betterment of mankind as a whole, we could avoid many unnecessary problems..say I!

FRIEND: Correct, it's funny to speak of all this and think that we have it all figured out, when so many people can't or don't want to. and when I have for sure have a lot to learn.

ME: I echo that last statement - i'm the first to admit that i know soo little!!

Something to think about.

The Restless Consumer

2008-04-15T10:50:00.000-06:00

November 10, 2006

a bit of NEIL YOUNG for ya:

The people have heard the news
The people have spoken
You may not like what they said
But they weren't jokin'

Way out on the desert sands
Lies a desperate lover
They call her the "Queen of Oil"
So much to discover

Don't need no ad machine
Telling me what I need
Don't need no Madison Avenue War
Don't need no more boxes I can see

Covered in flags but I can't see them on TV

Don't need no more lies

The restless consumer flies
Around the world each day
With such an appetite for taste and grace

People from around the world
Need someone to listen
"We're starving and dying from our disease
We need your medicine
How do you pay for war
And leave us dyin' ?
When you could do so much more
You're not even tryin'

"Don't need no TV ad
Tellin' me how sick I am
Don't want to know how many people are like me
Don't need no dizziness
Don't need no nausea
Don't need no side effects like diarrhea or sexual death

Don't need no more lies

The restless consumer lies
Asleep in her hotel
With such an appetite
For anything that sells

A hundred voices from a hundred lands
Need someone to listen
People are dying here and there
They don't see the world the way you do
There's no mission accomplished here Just death to thousands

A hundred voices from a hundred lands
Cry out in unison

Don't need no terror squad
Don't want no damned Jihad
Blowin' themselves away in my hood
But we don't talk to them
So we don't learn from them
Hate don't negotiate with Good
Don't need no more lies
The restless comsumer flies
Around the world each day
With such an appetite for efficiency And pace...

Don't need no more lies.

a reluctant enthusiast, a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic

2008-04-15T10:49:00.000-06:00

Thursday, November 9, 2006

Sitting here behind my desk, looking out at the beautiful mountains with the exquisite fall colors makes me pause and realize once again that I will not be confined to sitting behind a desk for the rest of my life. I will soon be out there in those mountains. This is just a means to an end right now. I just wanted to echo the words of Edward Abbey when he said:

"One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am - a reluctant enthusiast....a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards."

The Moral Test of Government

2008-04-15T10:47:00.003-06:00

Hubert Humphrey:

“The moral test of government is how it treats those in the dawn of life, the children – those in the twilight of life, the elderly – and those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.? President James E. Faust: “I am a conservative on fiscal and property matters and I am a liberal in terms of human values and human rights. I believe what is said in the Book of Mormon, that the Lord values all of his children equally – black and white, bond and free, male and female, Jew and Gentile – and that the Lord likewise has compassion for the heathen. As a result, I like to see all people enjoy every advantage, every blessing, every opportunity, that comes to them by reasons of citizenship.?"

The Moral Test of Government

2008-04-15T10:47:00.001-06:00

accounted unto us as righteousness

2008-04-15T10:46:00.000-06:00

“Charity also includes your attitude toward those who have not. In all of my reading, I cannot recall one experience of the Savior asking a man whether he was working, whether he would have worked if he had a job, or even whether he was worthy to receive charity. He seemed to never have a concern for inappropriate begging. Consider the palsied man who was lowered through the roof, the two blind men calling to Him during His triumphal entry to Jerusalem, or the Canaanite woman. When he fed the five thousand and the seven thousand, He did not ask how many had personal supplies or who had eaten most recently; He gave freely to all. Sometimes when we are accosted by panhandlers, excuses are often legitimate. The recipient might be going right back into a bar or liquor store; he or she might indeed by part of a syndicate; a woman might be carrying another persons infant or child merely to evoke sympathy. Maybe the emergency for which they need financial help is fabricated. But then again, maybe not. What if we truly turn away the needy? If we give to the poor and the panhandler, the beggar and the widow, deserving or undeserving, it will be accounted unto us as righteousness. Charity, in my humble opinion, would suggest that it does not make any difference. In fact, I believe that those who best exemplify charity do not think about worthiness; they simply give.?" Vaughn J. Featherstone –THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST

being a "good one"

2007-06-06T23:58:00.000-06:00

"Whatever you are, be a good one." ~Abraham Lincoln

I ripped this quote out of a free magazine that came in the mail today. It's made me think alot about alot...mostly about me and my life and what I want to be and accomplish. I have so many things pulling me in so many different directions. It's suffocating at times.

It's hard, because I think I'm too hard on myself at times...giving myself crap for not getting things done when I'd ideally like them to be done -- often times saying one thing and doing another.

My goal is to have my actions accomplish what my lips actually say. But, then there I go again...bashing on myself, and forgetting the essence of Mr. Lincoln's profound piece of advice.

So. For tonight and tomorrow...as there are endless things that I am pretty sure I know that I cannot accomplish (for various reasons), I DO KNOW that what I can accomplish is to live tomorrow as it comes - one second, minute, hour, day at a time. And in all of that, to remember that I can be a good one at whatever I am doing.

And for right now, it's 12:06 am, so I'm gonna try and be good at sleeping. I'll start with that for now ;) (I know I can be good at that!!)

este año pasado

2007-05-22T01:05:00.000-06:00

22 mayo 2007
Queridos Amigos!

¡Hola! ¿Como estais?! Espero que todos esteis bien! Os echo mucho de menos y estoy animado de empezer mi verano con la meta de estar en contacto mas a menudo.

Bueno, primero hay que perdonarme por no estar en contacto hace tanto tiempo!! Me da mucha verguenza. He tenido algunos meses muy liadas con trabajo y mis clases en la universidad y no he tenido mucho tiempo para nada...disculpeme! (y espero que me recordais!!)

Segundo – hay que perdonarme porque estoy mandando este misma carta a muchas personas. Por este razon, no es tan “personal.” Pero, era la unica manera que pude pensar de mandar algo a todos vosotros y compartir las cosas que estan pasandos en mi vida ahora!

Y tercero -- hay que perdonarme por mi español – necesito practicar mejor por que creo que no estoy hablando muy bien, pero bueno. ¿Que hagamos?! Ojala que con tiempo y mas practica, mejoraré!! Pero por ahora, seguimos con algunos errores!

Bueno! Ya para deciros que esta pasando en mi vida...

Regresé de la misión el fin de abril 2006 a mi casa en Pocatello, Idaho, EE.UU. donde viven mis padres y mis hermanos por el verano de 2006. En el principio fue bastante dificil de salir de España y dejar todos mis amigos! Dejé alli muchisimos amigos quienes considero yo como mi “familia” en España. Durante el verano de 2006, trabajé con mis hermanos cortando el cesped de las jardines de muchas personas en Pocatello. Fue un tiempo bueno de estar en casa con mi familia despues de 18 meses! Creo que adjusté despues de la misión, pero siempre pienso en los tiempos que tuvé alla con todos vosotros! Muchas gracias por todos los recuerdos buenos!!

El fin de julio 2006, viajé a Italia y España. Mi hermano menor terminó su propio misión en Roma y mis padres y yo fuimos para recogerle de su misión. Cuando estuvimos en España, tenía la oportunidad de ver algunos de vosotros. Pasamos el tiempo bien con las personas que ví. Quería ver a todos, pero una semana no era bastante tiempo! Tengo ganas de regresar pronto...y cuando lo hago, os informaré!! (Tengo que ahorrar mas dinero!! ¿Por que la vida es asi?!)

En el septiembre de 2006, empezé de nuevo mis clases en la Universidad de Brigham Young (BYU) en Provo, Utah EE.UU. Antes de la misión estaba estudiando en BYU la terapia recreativa – como la terapia ocupacional y la terapia fisica...pero con las cosas recreativas!! (¡Mas divertido!) Me gusta mucho esta tipa de terapia y estoy animada de trabajar en este tipo de trabajo. Hay un centro residencial por los jovenes en peligro de las drogras y la delincuencia. Se llama la “Academia de Westridge” y tiene un programa muy bueno con las terapeutas recreativas muy buenas. Quiero hacer mi aprendizaje en este academia y ojala pueda seguir con ellos en un trabajo alla...veremos, pues!

Entonces, estaba tomando muchas clases durante septiembre 2006 hasta el fin de abril 2007. Terminé con todos mis clases. Solo me queda mi aprendizaje y la graduación! Estoy trabajando este verano como secretaria en una oficina de la universidad. Me gusta el trabajo y esta ayudandome a ahorrar dinero (quizas para regresar a España otra vez!). Me he matriculado a un programa de la universidad para estudiar 4 meses en Jerusalén (Israel.) Será este septiembre al diciembre que vienen. Todavía no se si me han aceptado...debo saber la primera semana de junio! Espero que me aceptarán. Si no me aceptan, haré mi aprendizaje y graduaré de la universidad en diciembre de este año. Si me voy a Jerusalén, haré mi aprendizaje en enero de 2008 y graduaré en abril de 2008. Os informaré que será mi vida en algunos semanas!!!

Algunas cosas bastante grandes han pasado este año. Mi otro hermano menor, Johnny, se fue por su misión en el estado Iowa. Esta sirviendo en la ciudad se llama “Iowa City” y esta teniendo mucho éxito alla. Cuando leo sus cartas, pienso en mi propio misión en España – Toledo, Madrid, y Valladolid – y me puse pensar en los 18 meses! Creo que dejé parte de mi corazon alli con vosotros! La misión fue una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida!

Mi otro hermano (el que sirvió su misión en Roma) se casó con su novia el 10 de marzo. Eso fue muy emocionante. Mi cuñada se llama Jordon y es muy maja. Me cae muy bien con ella.

Tambien, mi abuela murio el 28 de marzo. Ella estaba muy enferma con una enfermedad de sus pulmones. Sabíamos que iba a morir pronto, pero todavía fue dificil. La quiero mucho y tengo consuelo en el conocimiento que voy a verla otra vez por medio del evangelio de Jesucristo y su plan de salvación por nosotros! Que bueno que tengamos este conocimiento y bendición en nuestras vidas!

Que mas….hace algunas semanas, recibí un nuevo llamamiento en la iglesia. Ya soy la presidenta de la sociedad de socorro en mi barrio de estudiantes. Es una gran responsabilidad, pero estoy agradecida por la oportunidad de aprender y servir en este capacidad.

Bueno, eso ha sido mi vida este año pasado. No puedo creer que he estado fuera de la misión un tanto tiempo ya!

Quiero que todos sepais que os extraño mucho y pienso en vosotros mucho! Espero que escucharé de vosotros cuando tengáis tiempo. Podeís escribirme a mi correo electronico: arlenob83@gmail.com

Os quiero mucho! Cuidaos mucho y hablaremos pronto!
Con muchisimo cariño,

Brittany Hofman

"Your Joy"

2007-05-17T00:26:00.000-06:00

So...I was a little sentimental tonight as I listened to this new release by a newer artist named Chrisette Michele. The song is called "Your Joy" and is about her dad. I thought it was pretty tender and had to post it for all to enjoy.

If you want to listen to it, check it out on MySpace -- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=60717400

And then go tell your dad you love him!

"Your Joy" by Chrisette Michele

Walk down the sidewalk

Staring at your feet

Wishing my steps were longer

So by your sides I could keep

Hold your hand much bigger

Never wanted mine to grow

So I could always feel perfect

Inside your palms just so

No one loves me just like you do

No one knows me just like you do

No one can compare to the one my eyes fit in yours

You will always be my father

And I will always be your joy

Lay me on your belly

Nights when mama wasn’t home

Lightning made me shiver

And you never let me feel alone

I tried to match your breathing

Beating my little heart against yours

Perfect were the nights we were sleeping

I never wanted anyone but who we are

‘Cause no one loves me just like you do

And no one knows me just like you do

No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours

You will always be my father

And I will always be your joy

One day he’ll come on bended knee

And ask my love away from me

And when I give my love to him

He’ll always have a place with me

One day he’ll come on bended knee

And ask my love away from me

And when I give my love to him

You’ll always have a place with me

No one loves me just like you do

No one knows me just like you do

No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours

You will always be my father

And I will always be your joy

i'm in!

2007-05-15T08:33:00.000-06:00

So, you've inspired me Austyn! I'm not promising a whole lot of upkeep on this thing right now (I'm a major slacker when it comes to keepin' in touch and up to date), but this is kinda fun....As I haven't talked to a whole bunch of you in a LONG time (yeah, slacker) I thought I should update you all on my oh-so-exciting life :) (As that is the purpose of this blogspot, right?!) Here ya go:

School -- So, as of today May 15, 2007, I'm done with all classes pertinent to graduating from BYU. All that awaits me is my final recreational therapy internship. I turned in my application to go to the Jerusalem Center in September...I should find out in about 2 weeks whether or not they accept me (or rather, whether or not I happen to get lucky and they draw my name out of the pool of applicants....let's hope and pray they look at other qualifying factors before they start drawing names). I REALLLY REALLY want it to work out, but I'm way at peace knowing that if it doesn't happen, then I'll get going with my internship in September and be stoked about that! If I go to Jerusalem, I'll graduate next April ('08) and if not, I'll graduate in December! CRAZY!

Internship -- I'm hoping to do it at Westridge Academy in West Jordan. It's a residential treatment center for youth at risk (mostly boys right now -- they have a growing girls program) and they have a great recreational therapy program there! I'm way excited - they have some great recreational therapists and it will be nice to finally apply my major and everything I've learned and come to love in the real world.

Dating -- All that needs to be said is that I've experienced a bit of a dry spell these last few months. ;) Advice? Suggestions? Words of wisdom from you wise married folk? I'm all ears!!! Hehehe...yea. I'm hopin' that the "Summer Lovin'" starts happening sometime soon ;)

Fam -- My little brother Cor (the one just younger than me) got married 2 months ago. I have a great new sister-in-law, Jordon, who is awesome! My other little brother Johnny is doing well on his mission in Des Moines, Iowa -- doing great! It makes me really miss serving a mission. The rest of the fam is doin' rather well. I took a week off work last week to hang in Pocatello with the fam....it's always good to go home!! Although, I did a whole bunch of nothing (well, other than replace the starter in my VW - my dad is amazing! and celebrate Mother's day and talk to my missionary brother.... It's so glorious to be done with school!!

Work -- I'm working on campus this summer as a secretary at the BYU Performing Arts Management. Gotta luv campus jobs. I've been here since September and they treat me pretty good. I can't complain.

Church -- I just got called to be the Relief Society President for spring and summer. AHHHHHH!!! It's been a challenge, but exciting as well. I have NO idea what I'm doing!!! Ah well :) It will be a good experience (and it will be over in 3.5 months!!!)

Well...that's a little snippet of what's happened in the last little while. I know it's not too exciting, but hey, you get what you see!! I'm adding some pictures. If I don't keep too up to date on this (although I'll try) you can check out my Facebook page -- http://byu.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17825167 If that doesn't work (I'm guessing it probably won't b/c I think you have to be a logged in member of facebook to see it) you can join Facebook and check it out (you might as well -- Merce, Austyn, Amy and I are all on it...get with the picture Michelle and Andi..hahah. j/k)

much luv!
Britt

p.s. If you want to check out some more pics you can check out these links. Love ya guys! (each link is a different album)

http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2096647&l=8911d&id=17825167

http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2093798&l=5e01b&id=17825167

http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2091468&l=e98be&id=17825167

http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2063876&l=b2543&id=17825167

http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2063863&l=4ed85&id=17825167

http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2063866&l=9ef58&id=17825167

justin dean & brittany arlene

when it all hits the fan....

{new love}

*before* it started sleeting this week....

The baby doll was due for a bath anyway

love you more than....

echoes through WalMart

She sacrifices for her babies

The power of a bald man!

summer softball season

it's comforting to know that at least 1 person thinks I'm the coolest, craziest cat around

slowing down

the Huntsman Fam as of late....

Brittany Arlene....

wait, I don't have to go to school anymore??

i have the best job

my husband has the best pick up lines ;)

i love my mom!

officially Mrs. Huntsman :)

....we're gonna get MARRIED!!!!!!

i am....

the little Hofman piano prodigy....and drama queen

things i have done....

i love my dad

i want to live in a wigwam

find a guy who calls you beautiful

...speak to us of friendship...

pan integral

thank you Aretha!

i have a funny roommate

You’re All I Need to Get By – Marvin Gaye

what I gained from Dr. Seipel's social welfare policy class...

human trafficking – ignorance is NOT bliss

it's monday and i'm thankful....with pictures to prove it :)

i wish i could claim this piece of art as my own...

the consequences could be deadly...

nickel and dimed

too much fun in class?

reasons why i LOVE Pocatello, Idaho

you are ALL invited

"a man's face is his autobiography"

"Sicko" -- EVERYBODY ought to see this

Brittany Hofman, CTRS

Princess Tiger Lily of the Black Rock Patrol - a random biography

my niece -- the baby princess actress from "Willow" look alike (but a whole lot cuter!)

CTRL + Tab

graduate school and things of that sort...

richard parker, I miss you

where in the world am I?

figurin' this darn thing out

i AM a proud aunt :)

root for others

conservative vs. liberal...repairing the inequities in the world

you never know when someone might be watching

1. priorities. 2. overcoming language barriers.

when the president talks to God

my first ski memories...nostalgic ruminations

Nibley's perspective - politics, socioeconomics, and religion

a sweet example of pure love...

Simple Song of Freedom - by Bobby Darin

keeping too much for ourselves

FYI articles...capitalism v. socialism? democrats v. republicans?

liberal Church members

Who determines understanding?

Frustrations with the "East Side"

The Restless Consumer

a reluctant enthusiast, a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic

The Moral Test of Government

The Moral Test of Government

accounted unto us as righteousness

being a "good one"

este año pasado

"Your Joy"

i'm in!

before it started sleeting this week....