Summer 2011 Recap!!

Oh, summer. It  is seen as the most glorious time of the year. Sleeping in, swimming, lazing about, hanging out, and not much else. Though I did get some of that in, it wasn’t a typical summer for me this year. Here are a few of the things that happened this summer!!

Slide Rock Canyon (Ballroom Tour):

I accidentally put myself in charge of planning the end-of-the-year tour for the Snow College Ballroom team that I was a part of last year. We went to the Mesa/Phoenix area in Arizona the first week after finals for 5 days. It turned out to be quite the adventure. Our last stop on the tour was one of the places that actually wasn’t my idea, Slide Rock Canyon in Arizona. The water was cold but the day was warm enough to make up for it. They had natural slides in the rock and, as pictured, cliff jumping! It was my first time and it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

After tour I had about 3 days at home before I moved to SUNNY FISH LAKE!! Actually, that was a dirty, dirty lie. When I arrived there on May 12^th, there was still 3 feet of snow on the ground and the lake was still frozen over. BRR!!! 

 But with all the free time that we had (after work, which generally ended at anywhere from 3pm-5pm) my roommate Jen introduced us to the TV show that is currently in my #1 spot.

Oh, the beauty! These two brought so VERY MUCH joy to my summer! Bad days were instantly melted away by “I’ve heard it both ways.” And “I’m Shawn, this is Shawn… No relation.” as well as the never ending search for the pineapple.

I also happened to land some of the greatest roommates I could have ever had this summer. Seriously, they were the answer to MANY of my prayers. Three of us became especially attached to each other. We called ourselves the Three Musketeers (though we didn’t have muskets, so I guess we could have just been called the Three Eers).

We are, from Left to Right, Martie (or Morty Tulip), Tawny (Or Connie), and Jen (Or Jenn). :P

Our lovely cabin got pranked by the staff (probably led by Tom, the cook). We all went home for a couple days and came back to this!! 

I had a chance to come a few weeks before I quit at Fish Lake to pick up my Car, Elpheba or The Turtle, which we call ElpheTurd for short.  When at home I got the chance  to meet the newest of my family members!

Olyvia Anne Barlow was born on August 3^rd, 2011. In the picture she is being held by her older brother Zach. I came to visit home from Fish Lake that very day and met her just a few hours after she came into this beautiful world! She’s such a beautiful baby and has the softest, most kissable cheeks!! Someday I may pinch those cheeks, just to be the stereotypical aunt :P

I retrieved my car and worked my last few weeks, which included one of the best pranks I’ve ever pulled in my life! I decorated my friend Tom’s car (yes, the same Tom that TP'd my cabin earlier that summer) with car window chalk, little balloons, and pop cans! Yes, my very single friend had the car décor of a newlywed couple. It was so much fun!! (I don’t have the picture from this yet, but maybe I’ll add it when I get them developed) Oh, and Tawny and did a little decorating on each other’s cars as well. :P (once again, pictures will come in about a week).

After Fish Lake was over (which is actually not an experience that I would wish to repeat) I took the 3 hour drive home, stopping in Salina for a few hours to sleep at around midnight. At 1:30 I was awoken by a slightly tipsy man with quite the goatee waving at me through the window. I met his tipsy friend and their designated driver friend. We talked for about 45 minutes through my window that was rolled down about a half an inch, with the sober guy asking the whole time “Are these guys bothering you? … Are you sure they’re alright? I can get rid of them if you’d like.” We talked about everything from how tall I was (they were guessing according to the height of the seat on my bike which was attached to a rack on the back of my car), ranking the three friends from Hottest to Not (clean-shaven tipsy, then quiet sober guy, then goatee, to which goatee said “So I’m last??” with a very sad expression. I replied “Well, uh, not necessarily…” and he said “So I tied for second??” with a hopeful look. I agreed out of lack of gumption to tell him that he had pretty much no chance with me),   the fact that I “Cuss” instead of cuss, how successful goatee was because he had started his own cement company, clean-shaven tipsy’s new job at said company, and how sad it looked when I was asleep in the Maverick parking lot at 1 o’clock in the morning. I opened my window for the last fifteen minutes to share a couple of spicy Doritos (one plain, one dipped in ranch) with clean-shaven tipsy who I may have really liked if it weren’t for the fact that he was drunk, shirtless, and quite tattooed. The whole experience was actually pretty funny (though my mom didn’t really think so). I made it home by about 7 am (I stopped in Nephi to sleep some more because I was still qute tired).

I spent a week at home and had plenty of adventures, a lot with my new niece and two of my favorite towheaded nephews. Now I am living in Logan going to Utah State University (not to be confused with University of Utah >|  … :P ). So, summer is over, school is here and I’m quite enjoying it so far.

Oh, and guess who lives in Logan?? :D

(By the way, I loved to “mess up” the musketeer pictures by making funny faces when everybody else was smiling… hehe… So, this is me doing my thing while Tawny was trying to be the prankster, so I guess this picture could be called Double Pranked, which just ends up being the Goofy shot.) 

Sense Of Self

I am at a blessed time in my life. I know who I am, what I like and what I don’t. I am confident in my style and comfortable in my own skin. I am becoming the daughter of God that I have wanted, the woman I looked up to when I was a little girl. And with all that confidence and comfort and knowledge I am grateful to note that

I LOVE WHO I AM!!

My dilemma comes when I try to figure out who I was. This dilemma presented itself in a recent visit with an old friend. We have been friends since 7^th grade and have had so many adventures. I LOVED her and her family and they loved me. It was quite a grand ol’ time! In our recent visit it came to mind that, because we were meeting at her house, her family and I would become reacquainted. I wondered who they expected to meet, and if I may still be that person that they loved years ago. Was I always the smart-aleky, sarcastic, yet loving person I am now? Unfortunately, I really don’t know. Maybe I just haven’t read my journals (the few I have) from the past enough to know my former self, maybe I haven’t actually changed as much as I think I have.

I remember hearing other’s opinions of me when I was younger, in stories I heard then and recollections of the past we tell now. Sometimes I honestly don’t remember being the person we talk about. I apparently used to be quite the spoiled brat (Side note: I KNOW I’m spoiled. It comes with being the youngest girl, but the part I don’t remember ever being was the brat part. I know I’ve had my days, but I don’t remember that being a permanent part of my character). Apparently I was really bratty when I was younger, especially when playing sports. When I think about that I feel kinda like Harry Potter when he realized that his dad really was a cocky jerk once upon a time. But, if that really was the case, I hope I have redeemed myself and become a better person.

On the whole, I wish I could meet my younger self with the knowledge and experiences I have now.  I think we could be great friends. 

Makeup ≠ Beauty

I recently realized something. Well, many things, but one of the main things stands out.

Beauty

They say it's in the eye of the beholder. 

I've had some very generous beholders lately. 

 I went home this weekend and spent some time with the most beautiful people I know.  

Sunday morning I woke up absolutely sick. I'm guessing some kind of allergic reaction. After the one meeting of church I attended I returned to my apartment still sick and homesick. I just wanted my familia! Luckily Heavenly Father was on top of it and got me a ride to my lovely Orem. Because of my quick get-away from Ephraim (and my intended short leave) all I decided to bring was my toothbrush, hairbrush, skirt, dress pants, and my scripture bag. I was already wearing my pajamas and a nice enough shirt. No make-up. No homework. Just me, my family and getting over all my sickness. 

I had the touching experience of attending "The Diary of Ann Frank" at my high school with my brother Stephen as Mr. Frank. I got to see many many friends. The compliments flowed in about how I must have lost weight and was seemed really happy and how I looked beautiful. That was the LAST thing I expected. I figure I looked sickly and unkempt with my bare face and my wrinkled shirt. Then a philosophy from my junior high self came back to me in full force.

Makeup ≠ Beauty

I was strictly against makeup (except for special occasions in which I would put on some mascara). 

That was me. 8th grade. Perfectly confident in everything I did, never questioning or doubting. Trust me, I was NOT perfect, but I knew who I was and how I wanted to be.

High school came and I held my ground on the make-up battle. I didn't have the time to deal with that!

I kept my confidence and I think I managed alright!

Fast forward to the beginning of my spring semester 2011. Makeup (though not in large quantities or to near alteration of face of some girls) had become daily. At least mascara. At least. Then I could be human, show the world that I was ready for life. If I was feeling ambitious or was dressing to impress, I would pull out the eyeliner and the eye shadow and go to town. That was how I showed everyone else that I was beautiful.

Then this weekend happened. I realized that although makeup is good, my face wasn't made so someone could say "Oh, just a little more blush. Darker mascara would do. Cover up those freckles, they're quite unseemly! Then, oh then, she'll look perfect!" I realized that I could love myself whether I looked like a queen or a camper. 

So, no, I'm not saying I'm throwing my mascara away. I'm not planning on kicking the eyeshadow to the curb. What I AM saying is, how can you not see the beauty in someone's bright, smiling face, unhindered by the "paint" that the world says you need to have beauty?

I find joy in what God has given me. My friends, my family...

...and my face!

Spring Ball

Sometimes handsome, funny, dancing men put flowers in my blender. Sometimes they leave really nice smelling notes asking me to a dance. Sometimes they leave muffins on my counter... And, as a good friend recently said, who could say no to a muffin?

So, even though I figure you already know, Derek "Muffin Man" Nielsen, my answer is:

!!!!YES!!!!! 


(As in I will go to the dance with you, not Yes, I can resist a muffin ;) )

I am so extremely excited and equally honored to go to the dance with you!! 

<3/ Martie Tullis

For Every End There is a New Beginning.

As far as I know, only 3 people ever even glance at this little neglected blog of mine, but I thought I'd just post in honor of the end of the semester, and the end of required blogs :P

Thanksgiving holiday is over, but I think it's my turn to give thanks for the fabulous things in my life.

First off, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be in college. The thought that so many of my ancestors never got the chance to experience college makes me feel so blessed to even be in Ephraim attending Snow College.

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Next I'm grateful for my professors. I was completely astounded by the fact that, after one week of college, I could honestly say that I loved all of my classes. I loved the deep thinking that wasn't present as often in high school. It was such a breath of fresh air. I continued to like every one of my classes, at least. In addition to that I had top notch professors. (Some were a little eccentric, but that just spices life up :D ).

One thing that is especially grateful for is wonderful roommates. I have the hugest blessing of living with and next to some of my absolute favorite people in this world. They have all gone home for the holidays and I have a few hours all to myself. I'm quite used to walking across the hall when I feel lonely or put out. They lift my heart. When I'm around we have all sorts of crazy adventures. It is completely incredible.

The final item on my list today is my family. Holy Frijoles, they are so wonderful. Somehow, I happened to get a good one, and it's been such a great foundation for my life. I'm grateful that I have a family that makes me long for home. The relationships that I have developed with both of my parents and with my siblings are remarkable. I honestly would not trade them for anything.

(This isn't even close to all of us, but it's the most recent one we have.)

Now that the craziness of my finals are over I can't wait for my holiday season to truly start. It's going to be a glorious December and a beautiful new year. Next semester won't be any easier, but I have faith that it'll be a good one.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Oh, and Professor Burningham, Thank you especially for the help on my papers and all the deep thoughts in class and in conversation. That's been a real strength for me this semester.

#6. Compare Contrast

In paragraph 6, Siegel notes a “common wisdom” that is not very true today: that men are socially and biologically “programmed” to choose beautiful, youthful women because such women are likely to have good reproductive health. Cite another common piece of wisdom that is not borne out by experience and observation, and to inform readers, contrast it with the reality. For example, you can contrast the common belief that women are not good at math with the evidence that many women excel at math; or you might contrast the common notion that student athletes are “dumb jocks” with the fact that many student athletes are very smart. Use examples to support your contrasts.

The perception that women aren’t good at math is a flat out lie. There have been many cases in my life that have disproven that. According to the National Center for Education Statistics “In general, female students are just as likely as male students to take advanced mathematics and science courses in high school…” So, even though they have proven that there is a gap between interest in math during the late elementary school and middle school ages, it evens out in high school. I am a math major and am considered to be quite good at math. Though I will not claim to represent the general populous of women, I know from experience that there are many women who are good mathematicians. My best math teachers through junior high and high school were women. I work as a tutor in the Math lab and though there are about half as many female tutors as male tutors but those women are just as smart as the men in there. The days of mindless women are passing as more and more women find their love of the math and science fields.

#5 Process Analysis

Ch. 7, "In Your Journal" Assignment:

What did you think of the funeral industry before reading the selection? Have your views of death and the funeral industry changed after reading it? Were your views influenced at all by the graphic description in the essay?

            My views on the funeral industry were that they worked to respect the dead. They were there to help those who had suffered the loss of a loved one. I have had two of my grandparents pass away and then had funerals. I remember my grandpa looking very fake in his casket, but he looked restful enough. The funeral homes reminded me of churches with their lobbies with couches and chairs, and quiet, reverent atmosphere. I also had the daughter of a funeral home director in my psychology class in high school. Her house was attached to the funeral home and my teacher took full advantage of the slightly morbid and rather hilarious jokes.

What I didn’t think about was that it really is a business industry, and a large one at that. Oh, boy, this article gave me a reality check. I had never thought about what they must have had to do to a corpse keep it from looking so… dead. Some of the things they talked about doing to the dead body were a little disgusting to think about. It wasn’t the language they used (they were actually very tactful in their word choice) but the process itself. It was a very intriguing and enlightening article, and I know the knowledge and insight you must have to be a mortician is impressive, but sometimes I’d rather just think that my grandparents were buried without alterations… *Sigh* Yeah, I think I’ll try to keep it that way.