A little Book of Mormon Insight

I am not one to have too many pet peeves, but lately the world is going to end attitude about politics and the economy have gotten to me. We elect a democratic president and everyone is predicating the absolute worst possible scenario for our country, we are in an economic downturn and everyone panics like we are reliving the depression, it doesn't rain for a few weeks and people are complaining about how bad things are, the healthcare reform bill passes, proposition 8 happens, global warming, etc etc etc.

We live in a troubled world, we are imperfect people with an imperfect knowledge and understanding about the world around us. However, the bottom line is we DO have a very loving Heavenly Father watching out for us, he is in control and KNOWS what he is doing. I am not advocating a life of irresponsibility, but their is reason to rejoice, there is reason to be optimistic about the future, we are so blessed.

I just finished reading the Book of Mormon and reading it this time gave me a different perspective about our day. Mormon has just watched the total destruction of his people in spirit and body, and yet the words he leaves his son are still filled with hope, "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written down grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ life thee up, and his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and eternal life, rest in your mind forever. " (Moroni 9:25)

Let us live life with a little more faith, perspective, and hope. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Mills Music Monopoly

On Sunday I was brought into the Bishop's office and I received a second calling, I am now the new Nursery Music Leader along with being the Relief Society Music Leader. Enoch also represents our family in the music callings and he is the Junior and Senior Primary Chorister for those you didn't know. Truly we are both a little shocked, we never thought we were this musical, but in our small ward you get these opportunities, so we do whatever is asked of us. My new favorite thing is hearing Enoch constantly practicing primary songs and brainstorming ways to keep the kids entertained every week, he is so cute. As for me, I better brush up on head shoulder knees and toes and songs of the like.

For all those who take pity on us, feel free to pass on any memorable activities/ words of encouragement for us.

We've got a sleep talker on our hands

Last night I was up a bit later than Enoch. Anyhow I was so glad I was when he mumbled something about the TMJ joint and that it was ok .....(I don't remember/ couldn't make out the rest) I was cracking up and tried to coax him to keep going, so he repeated it again and then said never mind. I have a few conclusions from this sleep talking episode

1- Enoch must do so well in school because he dreams about this stuff- I have wondered for years now how he does it, but now the cat is out of the bag
2- Physical Therapy is taking over our life

So to end this story, I pretty much loved that I heard Enoch talk in his sleep for the first time and then that he was using all sorts of physical therapy lingo. It reaffirm the many day to day interactions with him telling me that he really loves what he is learning, it comes so naturally to him, and PT is absolutely the right fit for him. What a wonderful place to be in, I'll get there someday.

A Testing Jedi Warrior

And for the fastest test taker on the planet...... Marissa Mills!

After a very vexing go with the independent study office to get my exams sent to the Northridge testing center, I finally was able to take both my anthropology and my humanities midterms. The entire situation required all the patience I have or ever thought I had as I was told that Northridge was registered with them BYU independent study numerous times (which they were) and then they sent the tests to the wrong person at Northridge and so she had no idea what to do with them and sent them back (further delaying the process) so when I finally figured out what had happened they overnighted the exams. Seriously, taking a test should not be that complicated.

Anyhow today I felt blessed to finally be able to take them! It was hard to know how much I should study because I had never taken one of these classes before, but I was pleasantly surprised to recognize most of the questions from previous speedback quizzes. Anyhow the point I am trying to make is this.... I took the Humanities 113 question exam in a bit over 40 minutes and then the Anthropology 40 question exam in 15 min. I was always jealous of those people who turned in their tests like an hour before I was finished- wondering if they were genius or didn't care enough to even read the questions, however I would like to associate myself today with the first of these options. So why would a person be bragging about this- well the fee was $15 an hour. So my friends with checking my answers twice I still was able to finish in an hour total. Paying $15 never felt so dang good.

I am a Jedi Warrior, don't mess with this, and keep these easy test comin'

Do you have what it takes to pass a BYU Independent Study Class?

Do you enjoy staring at a computer monitor for many hours at a time? Can reading a textbook keep you awake and alert for more than 3 pages? Do you enjoy being alone? Can you stay focused for longer than 15 minutes? Do you enjoy paying $15.00/hour to take exams? ....
If you answered yes to any of these questions you are
1-a better person than I am
2- you may need to seek professional help
3- you may have what it takes to survive BYU independent study courses

This semester I am taking four independent study classes. I have to finish two by April 1st and the second two by August. I knew it was going to be ugly... but I had not idea it would be this ugly. Basically I read the chapter in the textbook, a few comments by the teacher on the subject matter, and then I take a speedback quiz, then repeat. Sounds easy right- yah right. For me it is nearly impossible to actually remain awake while trying to read, not to mention textbooks with the oh so interesting topics of "persuasive rhetoric" or how about "theory and evidence in cultural anthropology."

I swear we have gone back to the dark ages in these courses, why can't BYU progress a bit and start having podcasts or video recording of the teacher teaching- why I read every blooming word in my textbook on my own . There is a better method of learning, I am sure of it.

For all those who have the luxury in sitting in a class to learn please appreciate it for me. I don't care how boring the teacher is, would you rather read the book- seriously point taken. I realize some of the world may be more accustomed to the whole theory of actually reading your textbook, but for us science majors (or maybe just Enoch and I) I have yet to reach that point in my educational experience where the book is more valuable than the notes.

This too shall pass- graduation will be even sweeter because of my trials in moving to California, begging teachers to add me to their classes at CSUN, and taking these blasted online classes. (P.S. I remain seriously grateful for BYU in their flexibility so that I can graduate, I just think there is a better way to structure independent classes)

Tour Guide Marissa

Well I officially have given my first tour of Los Angeles. My family came down for a week to escape the cold Utah climate and we partied it up. I deliberated for weeks making lists of the top sights I wanted to take them to and we ended up going to see the Getty Center, downtown Culver City, Hollywood area, my favorite hike in the Pacific Palisades, the Santa Monica Promenade and Pier, La Brea Tar Pits, and Venice Beach for a little surfing. Enoch had class two of the days so it was up to me to show them around, well me and my trusty GPS (a little side note about buying a GPS, it is quite possibly the best purchase we have ever made living in LA. For me the little black box equals total liberation)

It was an interesting position being the host and worrying about all the details- making sure everyone enjoys themselves and then trying to be patient when traffic threatens your plans. But it felt good to show my family where I love and how my life is. The weather was absolutely perfect, much warmer than it has been in a while.

The final three and a half days we went down to Anaheim to the always wonderful Disneyland! And yes my family and Enoch and I are all annual pass holders= more fun to come.

One of the many highlights of the week was my mom's famous "Restaurant of Love" on Valentines Day. I was so excited they were coming for the holiday because she goes all out, it is always fun to see what she comes up with. I brainstormed with here a bit telling here she could easily do something with a Hollywood Theme or of course Disneyland.... but the final decision was Pink's hot dogs. The ideas was perfect. After church we battled traffic and went to Lake Hollywood Park. She grilled us the most gourmet hot dogs I have every tasted from a Mullholland Drive Dog to a Martha Stewart Dog. The tradition lives on

Even the Hollywood sign covered over by Save the Peak
didn't spoil our Pink Hot Dog experience

what better places for jumping pictures

Some Beach fun

And now for the Happiest Place on Earth

LA Initiation Complete

Yesterday I played a little pick up soccer some African/Jamaican and Asian brothers (sorry if that was not the political correct way to put it) Anyhow the point of the story is this….. I scored, and following the event I was received into the culturally diverse fold. Me, Vanilla, was accepted as they cheered on the "white girl" and gave me high fives. So I have arrived- I have made it in LA baby, my initiation is complete. However, I may or may not be able to understand all the forms of English here.