Speaking

Sam and I are different. Crazy, I know. I love it, though.

I noticed our glorious differences a lot this weekend, especially Sunday. Friday night we were asked to speak just that Sunday! Some good friends of mine needed us to fill in to speak. In LDS wards, members from the congregation are called to speak and are usually give about a few weeks notice, but the scheduled speakers fell through. Sam and I were happy to jump in and speak, even though we didn't have much time to prepare.

When I speak, I'm kind of bold and direct. I sometimes tell personal stories, but I like to talk really loud and gesticulate. My talks are usually declaratory things, almost like a statement or creed. Usually I just write an outline, but this time I wrote out my talk word for word. I enjoyed the time to think out my word choice and more easily integrate my quotes and scriptures with my own words. 

Sam, on the other hand, approaches speaking differently. He is more soft-spoken, and he is gentle about his message. He is humble and isn't afraid to talk about his own life and experiences. He is honest and speaks slowly and clearly. He went from an outline this time, and let himself go with the flow of the spirit.

I'm glad we're so different. As I was watching him speak, I was filled with so much love. I'm so proud of him. I'm happy he's a blue personality and I'm a red. I'm glad that our differences don't cause contention. And on the things that count, we're similar. For instance, we both like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, and OJ with lots of pulp. You know, the important things.

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In other news, Memorial Day weekend was delightful. We went to the airshow, got some wedding stuff done, spoke in church, and went to the cabin. It was Sam's first time at our cabin, and it was so fun to show him around.

We dropped Lindsey off at camp. She's a counselor at a camp for girls. She'll be spending the whole summer there, but gets to come home on weekends. I miss her already.

Now it's back to looking for jobs and planning a wedding. It is a stressful time, but I have my family and Sam to help me through.

-Meg

Grey Goops

"Grey goop" means a lot of text without anything to break it up. This is a bad thing in the design world. Pictures are wonderful because they are a visual element among all the words. Words are boring things. Pictures are not. Pictures are exciting, and one can digest them quickly.

I like pictures. I'm glad people take pictures. As a designer, I'm so happy pictures exist. I love designing with huge pictures.

But as a writer, and a woman, I sort of hate them.

Sometimes I'll write these long, lovely things, (at least I think they're lovely) and I think about them a lot. I think they're funny. I try to get all the grammar right. I try to be witty and funny and profound.

But when I show the finished product to someone -- whether it's a blog post or a book or a scrapbook page -- I get complemented on the picture or graphic. It's nice to be complemented on anything. But the picture was just there to draw the reader in. I know from a fact my blog posts with pictures get way more views than ones without. I'd just hope that the picture helped the reader actually find interesting content to read.

As a woman, I get fed up with the visual taking over everything. I like getting complemented on the way I look. It's nice to feel beautiful. And often people saying those nice things don't really know me, so the only thing they have to say is about how I look. But how I look isn't what is important about me. Fashion is fun, but it's not my substance. I just feel despair sometimes because I feel that's all anyone cares about. It is all anyone has to say, and I know it's because they have nothing else to say about me so they have to say something about my hair, or my outfit or my shoes. One day soon I'll be really ugly, and I might wear really ugly clothes, and then what? What will people say to me when they have nothing to say? Will they lie? I don't know.

I'd rather be complemented on my writing, or my college degree, or how I'm really hilarious or good at Scrabble or something. Or maybe not complemented at all! I love it when people just listen to me and talk to me about interesting stuff. I like when people read my "grey goop." That is the greatest complement of all.

Because it is hard to feel confident. I'm looking for a job and it is stressful. I'm trying to remain positive and hopeful, but it doesn't help when all everyone seems to talk about to me is just how I look. Because how I look doesn't help me get a job or help me feel important or useful. It's just a nice thing, like dessert. It isn't essential.

I don't even consider myself that pretty. I'm alright with that. I'm glad I have a working body and I'm content with the way I am. Most of the time I'd like to think beauty is irrelevant, but I know deep down that to the world, it's one of the most important things. I don't want to give into that shallowness, but at the same time, I have acknowledged that it's a good thing to dress up and look cute so people notice you. So that maybe, someone will be drawn in and read the grey goop: the interesting stuff that just looks boring.

So this is a test. How many people will read this post despite having no picture? (In the bloggersphere, pictureless posts are almost unheard of.) How many people care about what I think? I know not many, but I find comfort knowing that there are a few people out there, like my family and Sam, who do listen to my opinions, my thoughts, my worries, and my dreams. I think it's alright to talk about things besides muffins, parties, and cute hairdos on blogs. I want to talk about deep things, even if it's not as flashy or fun.

Thanks for reading my grey goop.

-Meg

Linguistics, BA. Class of 2012

I have graduated from the University of Utah. 'Tis true. Well, I don't have my diploma yet, but they did let me dress up in academia regalia and march across the stage. I'll be getting it in the mail soon.

It was a long, hard road, although a rather short one. I swear I only just came to the U. It's been a great three years.

I would never had graduated without the help of so many people. My parents and grandparents, of course. I've also had amazing friends -- Paul was an amazing help to me my freshman year and so was my roommate Ana. Brian, Katie, Hailey, Karena, Ashley, Marsha, Sara, Jessica, Abby... just to name a few more of the friends, Chrony peeps, and roommates who helped me through. And of course, my fiance Sam, without whom I probably would not have survived my roughest semester

I had some great professors and some not-so-great ones, some interesting classes and some not-so-interesting classes. Working at the Chronicle was an amazing experience, and I'm so happy that I was able to get some amazing experience there.

It was all worth it. I love college, even though I times I thought I hated school. I look back and it was worthwhile. I love learning and I'm going to miss school. The time ahead is going to be exciting and fun. Getting married is going to be a blast, and finding a job is going to be stressful, but I am not losing hope.

-Meg

All photos are by my dear Samuel.

NOLA or bust!

In two days I'm headed down to New Orleans. Don't roll your eyes. I'm really going down for educational purposes. We're attending the American Copy Editors Society conference.

The days leading up to this big journey have been stressful, and I'm far from out of the woods, but it will be so nice to get out town for a while and learn about something near and dear to my heart -- grammar.

In other news, I've been baking again! I still can't manage to do my muffins/cupcakes every week, but I try to do some here and there. I just can't wait until I have some free time to actually clean my house and do my laundry. But I know I'm never truly happy unless I'm doing something.

In old news, I'm still very in love with my dear Sam. He is so amazing. His family is pretty great too. I got to spend Easter Sunday with them, and it was a blast! Easter is such a happy holiday. It's a time of renewal, rebirth, and refreshment. I love spending time with those I love as I think about the Savior.

-Meg

Crazier

So another year of General Conference has come and gone. I love it, even though I fall asleep almost every session.

I love being with my family, and with Sam, of course. There was the perfect mix of sun and rain, comfy and formal.

My days lately have been stressful, but very happy. Finals are approaching. My last finals, for a while, anyway. I want to go to graduate school, but I'm going to work for a while first. I don't know what I would want to go into, and Sam will be in school. I'm really ready for a break from school. I want get in the workplace and do something instead.

I'm still looking for a job, and trying not to get frustrated and discouraged. I wish I had more time to devote to job hunting. But it will come, soon enough.

Wedding plans are coming along! Bridesmaid dresses are ordered, I still get weird looks when I tell people my most prominent colors are cream, ivory, and biege. Just stay with me, people. I have some olive and sage green in there too. Not every wedding has to be hot pink and lime green.

I should also mention that I loved the Hunger Games will all my soul. Because Katniss is an awesome lady, and the story freakin' rocks. And I was with my dear Sam.

This post took me two days to write. Seriously people, I am so wonderfully busy!

-Meg

The Story

I always thought I would cry, when the time came.

But instead I just laughed--a giddy, unbridled happy laugh. I think I said, "oh my gosh" and I might have said, "I think I'm the happiest person in the world right now."

I don't really remember.

I should have seen it coming, really. But you see, Sam's always romantic and thoughtful. It's not unusual at all for him to show up with flowers and to remember that six months ago we met for the first time. We usually go on fun, well planned-out dates. He's always so sweet. And he didn't seem nervous at all!

We snowshoed up to Donut Falls. It's a significant place in our courtship, so it was a fitting place to end it and begin our engagement.

He asked me to marry him! We were taking pictures like we always do--I go stand in the frame while he sets up his camera on the tripod.

One moment I was squinting into the snow, the next I look up and there he is, the love of my life down on one knee. And he's holding a ring in a little gray box.

It's perfect. I've never worn a ring in my whole life. (OK, maybe I wore a CTR ring for a few days when I was 8.) I'm just not a jewelry person. But this is so different. It signifies so much, and it's so beautiful, and it's exactly my style.

Sam and I have been calling and texting and visiting so much this weekend. We have to let everyone know our exciting news. Getting back to life and focusing on essential things will be difficult, but somehow between now and July 12, we're going to be planning our new life together.

I'm going to New Orleans for the ACES conference in April, graduate in May, and get a job... all while planning a wedding.

I am so blessed! Sam is so wonderful. He is the perfect man for me. I'm so happy and in love, I think I'm going to explode. It's been hard not to blog as much, mostly because before now, I couldn't share all these exciting plans with the world. But now, I will have so much to write about. This is the start of a beautiful journey.

I have such a wonderful family, and my new Thornton family is so kind and loving. Our friends have been fantastic and supportive. There is so much love going on!

Oh, and lest I forget! Happy Grammar Day!

-Meg

21

Today, I would appreciate it if you would do something for me. Donate to your favorite charity, do your homework, smile at strangers, go the extra mile, protect free speech, floss, visit a nursing home, don't swear, wash your hands, refill someone's meter, write a thank you note, take a bubble bath, give up your seat on the bus, eat some chocolate, stay calm in traffic, use good grammar, adopt a puppy or a kitty from the shelter, listen to some country music, write a poem, draw a picture, quote a Disney movie, pick up a copy of The Daily Utah Chronicle, read your scriptures, do some yoga, dance in the kitchen, make your bed, call an old friend, tell a joke, listen thoughtfully, or visit your local library.

Because did I mention it's my birthday?

-Meg

I challenge you do do any of those things, (or any other wonderful acts you can dream of) and tell me about them!

(You might have noticed that I haven't done any Muffin Monday posts since the year started. That is because I am disbanding them. I will continue to make muffins every weekend, but I won't post about them unless they are super super good. I just have so much going on right now, I have to prioritize.)

The most wonderful time of the year

Rainbow cupcakes! Yes, because it is Christmastide, I'm going to be making cupcakes instead. Mostly because I went crazy and bought lots of Christmas cupcake liners.

Finals are sucking out my soul like a dementor, but you don't want to hear about that.

You want to hear about cupcakes and how lovely my life is.

There really isn't a recipe. We made a white cake from a box mix, and divided it into four. We dyed the separate batters and then layered them in the liners.


There is a recipe for frosting. I'd recommend this to anyone, even if you don't like frosting.

4 TBSP butter, softened
2 cups powdered (confectioners' sugar)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 TSP Milk

Whip together and voila!

There has been much wind and coldness. But Sam and I went up to Syracuse to be with my family. It was lovely, because I love being with all of them.

Happiness has been filling up every corner of my life, and although it always ebbs and flows, I know that I'm happy deep down inside, I just have to remember that.

I have so many things to be happy about.

I think Katie said it best. "You know you're in love when you don't have to explain why you're in love."

Yup.




Things I am thankful for:

My ability to love others and be loved.

Times when I think that I don't have the right words to say, but I try anyway.

The strangely confident feeling that everything is going to be OK. And not just OK, but brilliant.

That wise girl whose been writing in my journals all these years.

My sisters, Sam, my roommates, my parents, and all the other people on Team Megan.

-Meg

American Summer

Summer has a magic laziness to it. I am busy, but without a real schedule to speak of. The hot days are filled with trips to the nursery, heritage days, fireworks, and sleeping in a tent in the backyard for no real reason.

Spending a worthwhile $4 to ride the Gravitron, a fabled amusement park ride I had only heard about in my parents' nostalgia. It exists, people. You step into a flying saucer-like room. It spins around really fast and you're subjected to several G's. It's like taking off into outer space.

Cooking and baking. (Muffins, specifically.)

Jello is pretty awesome, too.

Trying out hairstyles for the upcoming musical.

I look like a Gibson Girl, no? OK, I'm getting there. Practice makes perfecto.

I can't wait for the 4th tomorrow. We're starting out with a 5k and ending with a rodeo.

-Meg

Scenes from my epic life

I am writing more, and that is bountiful. I am running off my jealousy that I did not get to run the Ragnar relay this year.

But I was clever, and I dragged my whole family up to watch a hand-off in Huntsville. We brought a printed-out list of the funky team names and read them on the way up. When we got to the park, it was early enough in the race course that everyone still looked really happy and healthy. It was an inspiring sight. Now my family is all pumped about getting a team together for next year.

It was my goal to run the Ragnar this year, but I didn't find a team, so I couldn't do it. I am sad about that, but I want to run with my family, and now they're excited because they've captured the vision on how wonderful it can be. Hard, but wonderful.

Watch for my article about Ragnar later.

Between the rain and the sun, life has been pretty epic. Mostly because my family and I have been watching Lord of the Rings Special Double Extended Version on Blue Ray. Well, the dvd on our new Blue Ray player. Man, I can't wait to get the actual Blue Ray disks. It will look so crazy fantastic... We've seen them countless times, but on Blue Ray... my oh my. Orc teeth and hobbit feet in Elven-eye detail is a precious thing to behold.

Take care of yourself.

-Meg

p.s. This be my 200th post. Say "yay!"

Graduation

My sister was the first one to graduate from her high school. Literally. Our last name starts with M, but she's in the choir, and at the end because she is short. So she was the very first one to walk.

I also should brag and say that Lindsey received the "Titan for Life" award for her contributions to the school. She did work dang hard!

She has two cousins that are almost exactly her same age. They were all born in about three weeks of each other. Austin and Tarah graduated recently, too.

That means five of the grandkids have graduated. Some are really anxious to get done though.

You have a long way to go, buddy. Tackle kindergarten first.

(Speaking of kindergarten... every single graduation speech felt mentioned something about kindergarten, and how much has changed since then. Sooo unoriginal. Graduation speeches are usually pretty dull. One I like is J. K. Rowling's address she gave at Hogwarts Harvard a few years ago. Read it here.)

-Megan

Summer Sunday

Today I was so hot. Well, church was freezing cold, but what else is new. Summer might just finally be here. The sky is blue and the grass is green. Speaking of unusual things... today I ironed. Yes, you heard it here. Megan ironed! That is why my shirt looks so nice. I just love this outfit in general.

This outfit is brought to you by my crafty sister Adriana. She made this gray bow for me (I do love gray so, note my gray shoes). She also made one of the bracelets I am wearing.

Today was Lindsey's first Sunday at the Young Single Adult ward. (More stories about that, and her recent graduation from high school, to come.)

Happy sabbath!

-M

Last of Mexico

Today was the last days of classes. I came home, ate a kit kat, took a nap and decided to do some reliving of more exciting days. AKA, cruise to the Mexican Rivera.

Ironically, we never went to a beach in Mexico. Don't ask me how this worked out, it just didn't. But San Diego was ours for about a day, so we rendezvoused there.

We went to the temple, and it was so busy. But the day was beautiful.

I'm getting good at making outfits that are appropriate for both the beach and the temple... (it's a talent.)

I love the beach, La Jolla especially. Once I figured out that it was "la hoy-ya" NOT "la jo-la."

My grandma broke her foot two weeks before the vacation. She was such a good sport as we wheeled her around everywhere! (We figured if you have to put your foot up somewhere, it might as well be on a cruise ship.)

(This pic is from Mexico. We are on a catamaran to Santa Maria Cove in Cabo San Lucas where we snorkeled. It was the closest we got to a beach.)

-M

More Mexico!

I miss Mexico! And my cruise ship. The Oosterdam...

So here are some more pictures!

It was really important to me that someone take a picture of me as I took my first steps off of U.S. soil. I had this expectation that I would have a grand, glamorous photograph of my first disembarkment. Um ... this is what happened:

Compare to:

Lindsey and Austin. Movie stars.

Adriana. Movie stars.

More proof that I actually left the country.

Austin, my cousin, just turned 18! I loved cruising with not only my immediate family, but my cousins and my grandparents.

At sea, we played lots of games, and ate lots of food.

See my darling prima, Isabell? I did her hair. Yes, I did. I'm so proud of myself. She's so adorable!

Isabell and Adriana swam a lot. I didn't because 1) I got sunburned and 2) the pool was too cold. Too cold even for Mexico.

Dolphin! I swam with one named Tonko. It was pretty special.

In other news:

I feel so sick.

Over the past few days I've had a cough and sneezes. Now I feel sick to my stomach. I just feel really weird. I can still function, although sleep has becoming something which I avoid because it is so unpleasant. Every time I drive I get motion sickness. I never get motion sick. My body is really messed up.

Finals are right around the corner. I think they'll be fine.

I'm helping out with the University of Utah's endangered language conference. It's going to be sweet.

-Meg