To begin this post, I just wanted to take a moment and express my thanks for this Holiday season. I truly love this time of year, and all that it means. We have the opportunity to gather as a family and perhaps friends, and celebrate our Savior's birth. We also have a celebration of sorts and try to help and give to others.
Today was a little crazy. We went up to my cousin's house and then to another family members. The house was filled with various people I had never met before, and I figured it had the potential to be awkward, but after a few minutes, everything mellowed out, and it was actually pretty fun and I really enjoyed myself. The powerful ties of family are a small but amazing process. You may not know them, but you are related to them and therefore, you have ties with that person. You can laugh and joke and tell stories with each other, and you care about what that person has to say right away because you share a blood-deep bond with that person. It's something that can occur at any time of year, but I notice it especially around the holidays.
For the past three years, as I've gotten ready for Christmas, something has happened. As I prepare and try and decide what to get various people, a project usually comes up. Something home-made, with lots of thought and time. The first year, I made a pillow out of an old shirt for a family member. I was so excited for them to open my present after the hours I had spent planning and preparing, and couldn't help the grin that lit my face. When they opened it, I leaned forward to get a better view just in time to see the person's face fall.
"You ruined my shirt?"
Oh no.....
"It was old and you never wore it anymore... I thought that this way, you could keep it because you liked it so much!"
"No, you ruined it."
Well, oh well. There wasn't much I could do about it. So I moved on as best I could, (with frequent reminders from the receiver about the ruined shirt.)
Soon a year had passed, and I began planning again. I won't go into details, but know that I spent hours planning, prepping, and arranging special circumstances for this special home-made gift. When it was finished, I was so excited! I couldn't believe that I had completed an idea, I had first thought was impossible.
The person hasn't used it.
And now it's that time of year again. And I'm happy to say, that the same thing has happened. I got an idea for someone, and became really excited about the project even before I began. I've worked hard, and put my time into it, so I hope it is received well.
But the thing is, that if it isn't, I really don't think I mind. I've had fun preparing for this Christmas, and have had fun working on "my latest project." I am filled with the joy of completion, and look forward to giving this gift, even if I am unsure of how it will be received.
And that's really what Christmas is all about, right? The birth of the Savior was like a gift to all of us. Without Him, we have no way to return to our home in heaven. His birth took planning, preparation, and much, much more, and the receiving reaction of the world was mixed. It was a glorious day to those that believed, and it is now carried on and remembered in the present day. For those that didn't believe, than it was something less special, but that doesn't undermine its importance. The gift was given, and it was up to the receiver to react to it.
This year as we gather with our families, let's allow the gift of the Savior to be in our hearts and minds, and with us as we bring in a new year.
Thank you all for reading.
Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year.
~Melanie Skidmore
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Becoming Desensitized
Desensitized: To make (someone) less likely to feel shock or distress at scenes of cruelty, violence, or suffering by overexposure to such images.
Tragedy is all around us. It's told in books, movies, television shows, and more. We tell each other about the terrible things that happen to us or our loved ones and they nod their heads and say they empathize with our story.
Something happens and everyone stops for a moment to listen and give condolences, but then what? A day or two passes and no one cares anymore. Sure, they still empathize with your pain, but do they really care about what actually happened? A lot of the time the answer is not as pretty as it should be.
In today's world, violence and crime are almost encouraged. I went to a movie theatre and one of the commercials showed a man watching officers unloading a money truck, and it showed him imagining fighting them and stealing the money by force. Then his wife gets in the car and he calmly walks away with a smile on his face and the narrator tells how powerful you will feel by owning the car.
What?
You mean to tell me that if you own this car, violent thoughts are not only encouraged, but they also are expected and okay? No. No they're not.
People these days are growing up surrounded by violence. Almost everywhere you turn, something violent is being portrayed or told about and most of the time it's teaching the audience that it is alright and accepted.
Remember as a child, if a scary moment came on the TV, you would cower or turn away? Now if people are shot or stabbed or hurt in some manner on the screen in front of you, how do you react? Sure you may flinch, but does it really bother you? Or do you comfort yourself with the knowledge that it isn't real, and the people are just acting. Blame it on the "special effects."
What has happened not only this week, but this entire year is just sick and wrong. Shootings in movie theatres, temples, malls, and now even elementary schools! Is nothing sacred anymore? Can't we have one place- just one place- that we shouldn't have to be worried or suspicious of?
I'm not going to waste my time wondering and worrying about why these things happened. I'm going to focus my energy on how to prevent them. It has to start with you. With me. With our families.
The lyrics to a Michael Jackson song come to mind when I think about this.
"I'm staring with the man in the mirror,/ I'm asking him to make a change,/ No message could've been any clearer,/ "If you want to make the world a better place,/ take a look at yourself, and make a change.""
So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to do the best I can, with what I have and start with myself. I'm going to be more positive and help the people around me. I'm going to listen more if someone needs to talk, and do the very best I can to help them in their moment of need.
So take a moment to really think about what's important and hold your family close this holiday season. Be thankful for what you have, and express it to your loved ones.
To quote Inception: "You never know how much time you'll have."
My prayers are with those affected by both the Connecticut shooting, and the Clackamas shooting. I hope that somewhere in this dark hour, the families will be able to find peace and comfort and the strength to heal.
~Melanie
Tragedy is all around us. It's told in books, movies, television shows, and more. We tell each other about the terrible things that happen to us or our loved ones and they nod their heads and say they empathize with our story.
Something happens and everyone stops for a moment to listen and give condolences, but then what? A day or two passes and no one cares anymore. Sure, they still empathize with your pain, but do they really care about what actually happened? A lot of the time the answer is not as pretty as it should be.
In today's world, violence and crime are almost encouraged. I went to a movie theatre and one of the commercials showed a man watching officers unloading a money truck, and it showed him imagining fighting them and stealing the money by force. Then his wife gets in the car and he calmly walks away with a smile on his face and the narrator tells how powerful you will feel by owning the car.
What?
You mean to tell me that if you own this car, violent thoughts are not only encouraged, but they also are expected and okay? No. No they're not.
People these days are growing up surrounded by violence. Almost everywhere you turn, something violent is being portrayed or told about and most of the time it's teaching the audience that it is alright and accepted.
Remember as a child, if a scary moment came on the TV, you would cower or turn away? Now if people are shot or stabbed or hurt in some manner on the screen in front of you, how do you react? Sure you may flinch, but does it really bother you? Or do you comfort yourself with the knowledge that it isn't real, and the people are just acting. Blame it on the "special effects."
What has happened not only this week, but this entire year is just sick and wrong. Shootings in movie theatres, temples, malls, and now even elementary schools! Is nothing sacred anymore? Can't we have one place- just one place- that we shouldn't have to be worried or suspicious of?
I'm not going to waste my time wondering and worrying about why these things happened. I'm going to focus my energy on how to prevent them. It has to start with you. With me. With our families.
The lyrics to a Michael Jackson song come to mind when I think about this.
"I'm staring with the man in the mirror,/ I'm asking him to make a change,/ No message could've been any clearer,/ "If you want to make the world a better place,/ take a look at yourself, and make a change.""
So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to do the best I can, with what I have and start with myself. I'm going to be more positive and help the people around me. I'm going to listen more if someone needs to talk, and do the very best I can to help them in their moment of need.
So take a moment to really think about what's important and hold your family close this holiday season. Be thankful for what you have, and express it to your loved ones.
To quote Inception: "You never know how much time you'll have."
My prayers are with those affected by both the Connecticut shooting, and the Clackamas shooting. I hope that somewhere in this dark hour, the families will be able to find peace and comfort and the strength to heal.
~Melanie
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Symbols
You're amazing. Yes, you. The person reading this is amazing because they (you) are looking at a screen and interpreting all of these little symbols and making them actual thoughts and identifying them as communication.
Look at the alphabet.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
That is the English alphabet and you know every one of those little symbols. It's amazing if you really think about it...
What makes an 'A' and 'A'? It doesn't look like it should sound a certain way, but we have been taught what makes this little symbol so important. We know what it sounds like, looks like, and its meaning. It can be it's own word, or it can be one part of a word.
And what is a word, really? A small little group of symbols we have defined as letters. Brilliant.
And then we take that small word and add more after a small space to differentiate between the individual words and make an entire sentence, or paragraph, or speech, or novel. Who knows what we can accomplish with our words?
The world is full of symbols and a lot of the time, the beauty of them goes by unnoticed. We have words, and numbers, and colors, and shapes! Everything around us is just bursting with beauty!
One thing I like to do when I'm waiting for the bus in the morning is to just take a minute and look at everything around me. Taking even one minute to recognise the beauty in the leaves, or the soft feeling of the wind on my body. The sound of a bird call, or even taking a moment to notice the miracle of a bird's flight.
But returning to symbols, it really is kind of amazing to see them. If you see a green light, you know it usually means, "Go."
When driving, the lines on the side of the road show you where you need to stay in order to keep yourself and others safe.
What time is it? A clock (Whether analog or digital) shows you the symbols you need to understand the time of day.
So take a moment and look around. What symbols are around us that we take for granted? What was carefully thought out and created so that people (you) could have an easier or better life because of it?
Or better yet, what hasn't been invented by man to do this?
If you look at a poison dart frog from South America, you can see its' bright colors in all shades of purple or blue or red, and what do they symbolize? They're a warning that the frog is poisonous. Bam. Another symbol.
You can have small symbols (like letters or colors), you can have natural symbols (like a poison dart frog), and everyone is familiar with iconic symbols.
If I were to use keywords, you would probably have the logo pop in your head.
Batman.
McDonald's.
Facebook.
These are pretty well known, and I'll take a big guess and say that the logos did pop into your head as you read them.
Anyway, those were just a few thoughts going through my head today...
Hope you all enjoyed.
~Melanie
Look at the alphabet.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
That is the English alphabet and you know every one of those little symbols. It's amazing if you really think about it...
What makes an 'A' and 'A'? It doesn't look like it should sound a certain way, but we have been taught what makes this little symbol so important. We know what it sounds like, looks like, and its meaning. It can be it's own word, or it can be one part of a word.
And what is a word, really? A small little group of symbols we have defined as letters. Brilliant.
And then we take that small word and add more after a small space to differentiate between the individual words and make an entire sentence, or paragraph, or speech, or novel. Who knows what we can accomplish with our words?
The world is full of symbols and a lot of the time, the beauty of them goes by unnoticed. We have words, and numbers, and colors, and shapes! Everything around us is just bursting with beauty!
One thing I like to do when I'm waiting for the bus in the morning is to just take a minute and look at everything around me. Taking even one minute to recognise the beauty in the leaves, or the soft feeling of the wind on my body. The sound of a bird call, or even taking a moment to notice the miracle of a bird's flight.
But returning to symbols, it really is kind of amazing to see them. If you see a green light, you know it usually means, "Go."
When driving, the lines on the side of the road show you where you need to stay in order to keep yourself and others safe.
What time is it? A clock (Whether analog or digital) shows you the symbols you need to understand the time of day.
So take a moment and look around. What symbols are around us that we take for granted? What was carefully thought out and created so that people (you) could have an easier or better life because of it?
Or better yet, what hasn't been invented by man to do this?
If you look at a poison dart frog from South America, you can see its' bright colors in all shades of purple or blue or red, and what do they symbolize? They're a warning that the frog is poisonous. Bam. Another symbol.
You can have small symbols (like letters or colors), you can have natural symbols (like a poison dart frog), and everyone is familiar with iconic symbols.
If I were to use keywords, you would probably have the logo pop in your head.
Batman.
McDonald's.
Facebook.
These are pretty well known, and I'll take a big guess and say that the logos did pop into your head as you read them.
Anyway, those were just a few thoughts going through my head today...
Hope you all enjoyed.
~Melanie
Monday, December 10, 2012
Communication
I really do think this may become a regular thing... Now all I need are readers.....
I saw that my blog got viewed today... by someone in China. (If you're still reading this than great! But I'm not sure how someone found it all the way over there....)
I know this may sound silly, but I really do think that phones should have Meme buttons. Or at least Meme attachments or emoticons. Because sometimes when I read a text, a Meme pops into my head and it's all I want to send back to the sender instead of an actual answer.
I have no idea how the little pictures and comics were created and thought up, but they really are genious. They are the epitome of raw reation and capture it beautifully. (Most of the time, anyway....)
But on the other hand, if I feel that a picture is an adequete response to a text, then it just shows the downward progression of communication as a whole. We've gone from person to person communication, to hand-written letters, to over-the-phone, to text, to email, IM, and now I just want to respond with a picture instead of actual words.
If you think about that, and then think about what our generation's children will grow up with, it really is a sad thing. We grew up with the basic telephone (landline) and as we grew up, cell phones became more and more popuar.
Now children are literally growing up in front of touch screens and electronics, and it's almost scary. They won't get the social skills needed if they learn to communicate primarily through technology.
I'm not saying that technology is a bad thing. I'm just pointing out that it's becomming more and more awkward to actually call someone on the phone. How sad is it, that when you call a friend they answer in a worried voice because to them, the only way you would be calling them is because it was to urgent to just text them or send them a message over Facebook? Ease of communication in a sense is increasing, but on the other hand, is getting a lot worse.
Lots to think about...
Anyway,
Until next time imaginary readers!
~Melanie
I saw that my blog got viewed today... by someone in China. (If you're still reading this than great! But I'm not sure how someone found it all the way over there....)
I know this may sound silly, but I really do think that phones should have Meme buttons. Or at least Meme attachments or emoticons. Because sometimes when I read a text, a Meme pops into my head and it's all I want to send back to the sender instead of an actual answer.
I have no idea how the little pictures and comics were created and thought up, but they really are genious. They are the epitome of raw reation and capture it beautifully. (Most of the time, anyway....)
But on the other hand, if I feel that a picture is an adequete response to a text, then it just shows the downward progression of communication as a whole. We've gone from person to person communication, to hand-written letters, to over-the-phone, to text, to email, IM, and now I just want to respond with a picture instead of actual words.
If you think about that, and then think about what our generation's children will grow up with, it really is a sad thing. We grew up with the basic telephone (landline) and as we grew up, cell phones became more and more popuar.
Now children are literally growing up in front of touch screens and electronics, and it's almost scary. They won't get the social skills needed if they learn to communicate primarily through technology.
I'm not saying that technology is a bad thing. I'm just pointing out that it's becomming more and more awkward to actually call someone on the phone. How sad is it, that when you call a friend they answer in a worried voice because to them, the only way you would be calling them is because it was to urgent to just text them or send them a message over Facebook? Ease of communication in a sense is increasing, but on the other hand, is getting a lot worse.
Lots to think about...
Anyway,
Until next time imaginary readers!
~Melanie
Becoming a "Whovian"
Well hello internet blog, it's been awhile.
My Fall term has ended and I am now on winter break. Woo!
So lately I have been spending a lot of time with two friends and yesterday they decided I needed to become a "whovian." I was vaguely familiar with the term, and knew it had to do with the show "Dr. Who" (Which I had never seen) and they were very enthusiastic about having me watch the show and become a fan.
So today I did. I got through two episodes, and although new to the world of Dr. Who, I consider myself a Whovian. My head is full of questions, and my mind is spinning trying to make sense of it all. But on a happy note, tomorrow I will continue the journey into the show, and catch up with the rest of the world on Dr. Who. (Probably not all of it, considering there are 7 seasons, but I'll begin to catch up.)
There are no space minimums or maximims on a blog, but considering it's 12:05 in the morning now, I think I'll keep this one short.
I'm also thinking about creating a vlog still, but I'm not sure yet. I'll try to keep you posted, but no guarantees.
And it also appears that I'm very forgetful. I have told friends that I refused to make a tumblr account, and have been saying that for the longest time. But tonight I went to the website (just to look up a friends blog) and I was already logged in! At some point I guess I've made a tumblr, but have never used it. Hm.
So as far as social media is concerned, I have (but don't neccesarily use) A Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, Tumblr, Fanfiction, Blogspot, Pinterest, Twitter, and who knows what else?
Who?
Doctor Who?
*groans inwardly* looks like the Whovian thing is already beginning.....
My Fall term has ended and I am now on winter break. Woo!
So lately I have been spending a lot of time with two friends and yesterday they decided I needed to become a "whovian." I was vaguely familiar with the term, and knew it had to do with the show "Dr. Who" (Which I had never seen) and they were very enthusiastic about having me watch the show and become a fan.
So today I did. I got through two episodes, and although new to the world of Dr. Who, I consider myself a Whovian. My head is full of questions, and my mind is spinning trying to make sense of it all. But on a happy note, tomorrow I will continue the journey into the show, and catch up with the rest of the world on Dr. Who. (Probably not all of it, considering there are 7 seasons, but I'll begin to catch up.)
There are no space minimums or maximims on a blog, but considering it's 12:05 in the morning now, I think I'll keep this one short.
I'm also thinking about creating a vlog still, but I'm not sure yet. I'll try to keep you posted, but no guarantees.
And it also appears that I'm very forgetful. I have told friends that I refused to make a tumblr account, and have been saying that for the longest time. But tonight I went to the website (just to look up a friends blog) and I was already logged in! At some point I guess I've made a tumblr, but have never used it. Hm.
So as far as social media is concerned, I have (but don't neccesarily use) A Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, Tumblr, Fanfiction, Blogspot, Pinterest, Twitter, and who knows what else?
Who?
Doctor Who?
*groans inwardly* looks like the Whovian thing is already beginning.....
Friday, June 22, 2012
beginnings or endings?
Hello.
I am unsure if anyone in the entire word will ever read this, but hey, if someone out there is looking at this, then two things... Thanks! and I guess I was wrong.
My name is Melanie, and I'm new to the whole blog thing, but hey, everyone starts somewhere right?
I'm 19 years old and live in the U.S. I've been thinking about starting a blog for awhile, and contemplated either starting a blog or a vlog, but decided on a blog because I don't have anything but a webcam, so a vlog wouldn't really work out too well. Sad.
I wasn't sure where to start, but two weeks ago, I received a call that changed my world. My mom passed away on June 13th, 2012. She had just turned 43 in April, and I had talked to her the day before. She wasn't sick, and I can tell you that it was definitely not expected.
The funeral was last Wednesday, and it went smoothly. I saw a lot of family that I haven't seen in years, including my great-grandma who will be 102 years old on September 1st.
The scriptures say that we should mourn birth, and celebrate death. I've been thinking a lot about this statement a lot the past few weeks. I guess that's from a heavenly perspective, and not an earthly one. Spirits probably mourn when they see someone come down to this mortal world, and rejoice when someone makes it back. we are opposites it seems. We celebrate and throw parties when babies are born, and mourn and grieve when someone dies.
So in a way, the entire cycle is filled with both grief, and celebration. As Spirits and Angels mourn some one's birth, we are celebrating. When we mourn some one's death, they are rejoicing with old friends and family on the other side.
So it goes to the title. Beginnings and endings. A cycle of names that vary depending on the person and people involved.
I know that some of you aren't religious, and so let me just tell you now.
I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some people call us Mormons. I call myself a Mormon. I am religious, and there is a good chance I will mention religious aspects in this blog.
I'm not going to preach and tell everyone to go to church, because I believe that people are free to believe what they want. If you're an Atheist, cool beans. Jew? Awesome. Church of holy beans? I don't mind. The way I see it, if you want to know about my beliefs, I will be happy to tell you all about them. But if you don't, no worries. I just expect the same courtesy to be extended to me. If I ask you about your beliefs, I really want to know about them. Just please don't start preaching at me without me asking first.
Well, because this is my first ever post, I think I will just stop here. My step-mom and sister are on the floor listening to an old tape. Yes. An actual tape that we found in an old box. My brother just got home for a month and is talking with his girlfriend on the opposite side of the room. And my other sister is surfing the web next to me.
The joys of family.
Until next time-
Melanie
I am unsure if anyone in the entire word will ever read this, but hey, if someone out there is looking at this, then two things... Thanks! and I guess I was wrong.
My name is Melanie, and I'm new to the whole blog thing, but hey, everyone starts somewhere right?
I'm 19 years old and live in the U.S. I've been thinking about starting a blog for awhile, and contemplated either starting a blog or a vlog, but decided on a blog because I don't have anything but a webcam, so a vlog wouldn't really work out too well. Sad.
I wasn't sure where to start, but two weeks ago, I received a call that changed my world. My mom passed away on June 13th, 2012. She had just turned 43 in April, and I had talked to her the day before. She wasn't sick, and I can tell you that it was definitely not expected.
The funeral was last Wednesday, and it went smoothly. I saw a lot of family that I haven't seen in years, including my great-grandma who will be 102 years old on September 1st.
The scriptures say that we should mourn birth, and celebrate death. I've been thinking a lot about this statement a lot the past few weeks. I guess that's from a heavenly perspective, and not an earthly one. Spirits probably mourn when they see someone come down to this mortal world, and rejoice when someone makes it back. we are opposites it seems. We celebrate and throw parties when babies are born, and mourn and grieve when someone dies.
So in a way, the entire cycle is filled with both grief, and celebration. As Spirits and Angels mourn some one's birth, we are celebrating. When we mourn some one's death, they are rejoicing with old friends and family on the other side.
So it goes to the title. Beginnings and endings. A cycle of names that vary depending on the person and people involved.
I know that some of you aren't religious, and so let me just tell you now.
I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some people call us Mormons. I call myself a Mormon. I am religious, and there is a good chance I will mention religious aspects in this blog.
I'm not going to preach and tell everyone to go to church, because I believe that people are free to believe what they want. If you're an Atheist, cool beans. Jew? Awesome. Church of holy beans? I don't mind. The way I see it, if you want to know about my beliefs, I will be happy to tell you all about them. But if you don't, no worries. I just expect the same courtesy to be extended to me. If I ask you about your beliefs, I really want to know about them. Just please don't start preaching at me without me asking first.
Well, because this is my first ever post, I think I will just stop here. My step-mom and sister are on the floor listening to an old tape. Yes. An actual tape that we found in an old box. My brother just got home for a month and is talking with his girlfriend on the opposite side of the room. And my other sister is surfing the web next to me.
The joys of family.
Until next time-
Melanie
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