Jungle

I just read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle for my modern U.S. History class and wow that book makes you think. Sinclair wrote it to promote socialism, but the parts that most people remember are the horrible conditions at the slaughter house in Chicago. These were the sweat shops where meat, lard, and other products were produced in sickening ways. Because of this book, the U.S. government was compelled to look into the meat industry and that is why we have pure food laws today! Talk about media power!
There is so much I could write about this book, but the idea that affected me most was how quickly the hopeful, optimistic family (immigrants from Lithuania) were worn down. They were living in circumstances where, as hard as they could try, they couldn't rise above. The outside forces were just too strong and powerful. The more I learn about the world, the more grateful I am that I have opportunities to make something of myself and my life. Some people can have such hopes and desire, but won't be able to act on them in this life.
It was a hard read, but I recommend it to everyone.

I want EVERYONE to know this.

Today I was touched through the medium of song. My sweet roommates (who are sisters) sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" in sacrament meeting and that song always always helps me remember what I believe and what I have to be grateful for. I was talking to one of the girls afterward and we talked about how strong the Spirit was as they were singing. We talked about how amazing it is that if you do your part to prepare when you serve, the Holy Ghost will spread that desire of love and sharing of your testimony with everyone around you. My roommates had prepared, but they knew it was the Holy Ghost who provided our congregation with what we needed.
Today my favorite part of the song was I know that my Redeemer lives, so come what may. Life can be hard and get you down, but if you believe Christ, you can get through and do anything! It's like spiritually saying bring it on!

Emotion or the Spirit?

A while ago my dance director gave me a copy of this awesome song we used to warm-up to at the beginning of class. It's "I Can Go the Distance" from Disney's Hercules, but it's spliced with comments from general authorities of the church. It's incredible the way they put it together and it lets me see a more eternal meaning for that song.
I was playing it for my roommates last night and it was cool to see their reactions and get their input. I think a lot of the appeal of the song is the words, which are great and inspirational, but I know that music can have such an effect on our emotions and so that does play into how inspiring the song is.
I think in our church we often blur the line between feeling the Spirit and feeling strong emotions. Because I'm sensitive about mixing those feelings, I think I err on the side of putting a stop to my emotions so I don't get into the habit of thinking they're the Spirit.
How do we distinguish between the Holy Ghost and our (sometimes manipulated) emotions in uplifting media? The church often puts out videos that teach doctrine and have images of super sweet or sad things because it is a way to reach people, so I can't think that it's always wrong to try and affect people that way. Where is that line?

You are My Exception

I finally watched He's Just Not That Into You this week. Loved it! It was really so funny and so true. The only way it could have been better was if they took out this one nasty couple. There was adultery in it and although they didn't show it in a good light, I would have just nixed it--I'm just not that into that.
I really liked how honest the movie and messages were. It really makes you think. After watching it, my roommates and I all talked about times where the guy must have just not been into us. It was pretty funny. I agree with the message of the movie...you can make all the excuses you want, but if he's not trying to date you, he just not that into you. What do you think?

Media. It's all over.

This semester I'm taking a fabulous class called Media, Family, and Human Development. We get to discuss how media effects us, our families, our relationships, etc. As one of our assignments we get to create a blog on the media in our lives. So that's basically what I'm going to be posting about from now on (not that I ended up posting anything on this blog previously).

Two facts I learned from yahoo.com today:
1. Space has a smell! And it's quite unique. Some astronaut said so. He said he would never forget it. Isn't that interesting how smells really can stay with you for such a long time. Every once in a while I'm taken back to some memory, such as making "perfume" with my friend Lindsey when we were 10 or some boy I liked in high school, just from some scent wafting by...I wonder what space smells like and if it has a taste.
2. Starlings are the most hated birds in America. Ok, confession time. I actually already knew that because Professor Black of my bird biology class made that very clear to us. He is one of the funniest teachers I've ever had. Some things I learned from Professor Black: "If you want boys to notice you, wear silk skirt", if you're a polydontia you can eat all the candy you want and it's ok because you're teeth will just fall out and be replaced all the time, "If you're in the back seat, you'll get pregnant. If you're a bear.", and much more!

Although I didn't learn anything of serious value today, I realized that media can make you think and help you make connections between different parts of your life. Connections help you build on ideas and develop deeper ways of thinking-and that is valuable. I guess like most things, sometimes media is just what you make it.