confessions of a man-hater

Recently it seems that every girl I know has a boy in their life that is doing something very stupid. I've had multiple conversations with girls about the hurt all these boys have caused. The conversations inevitably end in frustration, exclamations of loathing and anger, feminist declarations, and a whole bunch of things that boys are doing wrong. And it always ends with an "I hate boys."

I'm totally guilty of adopting the man-hating persona. Throughout my life I've been told I am intimidating and scary, that I need to be nicer to boys, and that I give off this "I don't need a boyfriend" vibe. While I may come off that way (I'm working on it), it's high time I acknowledge how much I really do like them. Maybe the boys in our lives will be better because we look for the good in them and not the bad.

In my attempt at reconciliation, here is a short list of reasons why I love boys:
They see things in a more linear and simple way. Girls get lost in the dark and twisty webs of their minds. Boys offer a much needed straightforward perspective.
In general they tend to be funnier than girls. Humor is so important in life and I'm grateful for the boys in my life that make me laugh.
They push you to do more adventurous things. It's really hard to get a group of girls to go hiking. Add some boys to the mix and you'll be up in the mountains in a jiffy.
They genuinely want to fix problems. This definitely a point of contention (I just want you to listen to me; I don't want you to fix it!), but I think that it shows their love and respect for you if they want to help solve your problems.
They are strong and more physically apt than I am. Cannot tell you how many times that has come in handy.
They can hold the priesthood of God, which links us to them eternally.
Pretty much they are just really cute. (especially when they wear this. I'm totally a sucker for a man in uniform).

Boys are great. Even when they are not.

your reforming man-hater,
M

motion

Life has been set in motion. I feel like all these little moments and pieces of my life have been set in motion to add up to something. I don't know how they all fit together but somehow they do. I've heard several people talk about how 2012 is going to be their year. It holds promise, potential, and life. 2012 is my year too. It began with me starting my lasts at dear old BYU. It will involve several amazing trips, moving away, starting anew, belonging to a new home and (hopefully) a new school. It will mean more fun times with friends, random adventures, time to read, time to live. Each day I wake up with a sense of being on the edge of something great. Guess what? It's a great place to be. But the funny thing is, I'm not anxious for things to change. I'm learning to love this now. And I'm finding reasons to live in this moment instead of longing for the past or future. As the great C.S. Lewis wrote, "this is the eternal now." "This moment contains all moments." The first presidency message this month is about living a full life. As my home teachers taught me this inspired message, I couldn't help but feel the truth of these words:

Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.

You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

And this song (as cheesy as it is) keeps coming to mind.


I hope your 2012 holds as much potential.

love love love
M

Newsflash: I LOVE MY MAJOR

I do I do. I love that I have professors who love love love what they are teaching and translate that into how they teach. I love that I take classes that push me to think in new ways and are not just about regurgitating information. I love that I am trusted to learn material, to take my own education seriously and not have to babysat through busywork. I love that it's not about getting an A, but about learning. I love that my professors facilitate discussion and push us to learn writing, presentation, and speaking skills.  I love that my classes are small and personal.

Oh and I love when professors say things like: "there you are on a date and then all of a sudden someone sticks you with a dirty knife" to start off a discussion on the immune system.

loving little life (still!),
M