"This one time" should actually be a many time experience, but today we're focusing on Halloween in 2000.
My family was not the type to buy Halloween costumes. I still think store-bought costumes are lame and lack creativity. I'm all about piecing things together, working with what you have on hand, sewing things if necessary, or utilizing thrift store finds.
So back in 2000 (I was 14, Susie was 12), Susie and I discussed our costume ideas for the year. We sorted through our family costume box and looked at what fabric our mom had on hand.
We found this purple felt and decided that Susie would be a wizard! How would we make this happen? Well, we had two pieces of fabric. The large piece would work well as a the cape. I don't think I even had to cut it. I very simply lined the collar and create the loop for the sparkly rope to tie through.
The skirt. Again we were pretty lucky on the size of the fabric. It was easy to sew a seam up the side, put an elastic in the waist and cut a zig zag edge. And finally the hat.
Hello poster board. I glued it together to make a cone (and stapled it to make sure things stayed put). Then we glued on the extra fabric scraps. I remember we didn't exactly have whole pieces of fabric to cover the entire hat so we had to make things work. We used the shiny stars (cut out from scraps of school supplies) to cover any seams.
The BEST part of this story is that I barely finished all of this by Halloween. The next problem?
I still didn't know what *I* was going to do for a costume. I ended up throwing together a very makeshift Pippy Longstocking costume. It was less than excellent. It was actually kinda lame. Oh well, at least Susie's costume was cool. And we used that costume a couple more times over the years, plus for some school spirit activities when my first high school's colors were purple, red, and silver.
When it comes to modern language usage—especially concerning the ever increasing technology-related terms we use today—I get slightly frustrated with those who make claims like "'Text' is not a verb," implying a speaker cannot say "I'll text you the information."
From those people's standpoint, a speaker would instead have to say, for example, "I'll send you a text message with the information." (Don't even consider using any forbidden slang terms like "info.")
I admit. I am a descriptivist as far as grammarians go—if you can bring yourself to even slightly consider me a grammarian. In the world of grammarians, with many stereotypically described with a better-than-thou motivation to find every—any—mistake, I often feel as though I am the minority fighting for my voice to be heard, struggling for my beliefs to be understood, accepted, maybe respected. But the bombardment of those screaming "Y-O-U-apostrophe-R-E means 'you are.' Y-O-U-R means 'your" (Oh wait, that was Ross in "Friends") tends to overshadow my stubborn statements of "Yes, 'texted' can be used as a past tense verb of 'text'" or my response "I'm good" to questions of how I'm doing.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying you don't need to use an apostrophe and the extra "e" in "you're" or to not bother distinguishing between "there," "their," and "they're." While I'm not sure how to exactly determine what will eternally be right and wrong in overall usage of a language, there are accepted styles of language for various settings that you are simply expected to conform to.
To be taken seriously academically and in job interviews, there is one form of "correct" language and to be taken seriously in another setting, there is different form. I, for one, embrace the fact that I can speak differently than I write in a professional setting. That my academic writing differs from my writing on my blog. That I can speak one way with my friends and another with subject experts. That every day I can make up words and opt to include usage I wouldn't dream of in another setting.
I have control of my language.
Do you remember your teachers telling you to never start a sentence with "and"? Or the dramatics of the apostasy that follows if you split an infinitive? No doubt these teachers also emphasized that a preposition should never end a sentence.
These "hard-and-fast rules" reflect years of trying to control a language and fit it in a mold. (I love that I listed these three examples and then found all three mentioned in an article entitled "Three Grammar Rules You Can (And Should) Break.")
There may be some individuals somewhere who still insist on these rules.
Maybe.
Some nit-picky teachers are probably still teaching them. But really what is the point? Sooner or later, students and language users realize that the contorted, un-split sentence is awkward and, hey, look around, people are splitting the heck out of infinitives left and right.
Nevermind that not ending a sentence with a preposition is a rule that really has nothing to do with the preposition but instead wants to get rid of unnecessary words. ("I have no idea where this rule came from" is fine. "Where are you at?" might be better as "Where are you?")
Forrester: Paragraph three starts...with a conjunction, "and." You should never start a sentence with a conjunction.
Jamal: Sure you can.
Forrester: No, it's a firm rule.
Jamal: No, it was a firm rule. Sometimes using a conjunction at the start of a sentence makes it stand out. And that may be what the writer's trying to do.
Forrester: And what is the risk?
Jamal: Well the risk is doing it too much. It's a distraction. And it could give your piece a run-on feeling. But for the most part, the rule on using "and" or "but" at the start of a sentence is pretty shaky. Even though it's still taught by too many professors. Some of the best writers have ignored that rule for years, including you.
Maybe this is all a result of the English language completely and definitely going down the drain. The teenagers are ruining our language! Text messaging and e-mail will be the end of all that was good and all that we cherished!
...
Calm down people. Yes, here is where my passion for descriptive grammar and usage steps in. I think I pretty regularly make conscious decisions about what I say and how I use the English language.
I do my research, choose my side of any usage issues and them may proceed to respond "I'm good" to the question "How are you?"
How many times have you heard the phrase "Ain't ain't a word, and you ain't supposed to say it." But is it not widely used informally? I don't personally use "ain't" on a regular basis, but I love belting "Ain't it a shame that every time you hear my name you can't think straight" with Kellie Pickler like any country music-loving gal.
While technically "ain't" may not be a word in standard usage, it IS everywhere and can't be denied. It might drive some people crazy, but who can say that "ain't" can't be a "proper" word? Why were "haven't," "who's," "doesn't" and "you're" chosen, but "ain't" left behind? This is not me advocating for a wider use of "ain't." I'm just saying that our usage is based on tradition and expectation. Someone, somewhere, sometime made a decision and we've all followed along.
Let's take a look at the book titled "The Lexicographer's Dilemma: The Evolution of English from Shakespeare to South Park." The author, Jack Lynch, is a professor of English at Rutgers University and was the editor of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary. In the book Lynch describes how we got "proper English" and that grammar isn't made up of rules or laws like the law of gravity or moral rules like those against thefts.
Instead usage rules are fallible by people and subject to change.
"Most of these [rules of English] probably describe the speech habits of of some class of people, once upon a time. It will tend to be the upper class of people a generation or two ago. And that's what many people decided proper English is," says Lynch.
Stated simply, I advocate for grammar usage based on the needs and desires of the people who use the language. I embrace language change and get excited when those changes evolve, are identified, and then accepted. Disregarding various opinions and arguments of whether those changes are for the better or worse, I appreciate the notion of a group of people taking control of their own lives—or in this case, their own language. Language as a whole should embrace change, especially those reflective of a current culture and lifestyle.
Happy Monday once again! I've kinda been a blogging slacker this past week, but wow, I've had a good run. After initially quitting my job, I knew I would need something to keep me accountable and motivated. For me, that has been my blog. I hope to continue keeping up as much speed as I've maintained the past couple months, but will probably allow more leniency as well.
Today's Motivation Monday is another quote by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf from the Priesthood Session of the October 2013 General Conference. Apparently Uchtdorf just speaks to me.
"You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it now."
Uchtdorf states this phrase near the end of his address, and I love the example he shares to demonstrate his point. While skiing, Uchtdorf fell and—seriously—couldn't get up. That is, until he's grandson came over and simple said "You can do it now."
And he did.
What does this say to me? Well usually the only person keeping me from succeeding at whatever is...me! Whether the task be physical, emotional, mental, or anything else, a main key in being about to accomplish it is your personal attitude and dedication. That said, sometimes we all just need a little reminder that, hey, we CAN do this. And sometimes all we need is someone else to believe in us too.
Several weeks ago I was talking with my oldest sister about how I hadn't been feeling very productive. I lacked my usual drive. I lacked my go-getter and productivity seeking personality. I felt like I wasn't accomplishing any of the things I needed to be doing and was instead falling further behind and, as a result, feeling overwhelmed. Being the sister with a just-do-it attitude, she immediately grabbed a pen and paper and asked me, "Well, what do you need to get done tomorrow."
She wrote everything down and followed up with the next evening. Guess what. I accomplished everything I needed to.
We've done this for a couple weeks now, and I've seen that little extra accountability building my personal attitude of oh yea, I can do this.
I like to remember those simple phrases from President Uchtdorf when I think about things I want to accomplish or do...or be. I am strong. I am capable. And I can do whatever I need to do. Really.
Why are we so often more inclined to fear than we are to move forward with confidence in ourselves? How often do we NOT do something because we don't think we can, that we aren't worthy, that we are inadequate? I don't want to live a life dictated by my fears. I want to live confidently and make bold decisions.
Which is why I loved this quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf's address in the Saturday morning session of the General Conference of the LDS Church.
"Doubt your doubts before you doubt you faith."
Simple.
Why do we typically doubt our faith first? Why do we question our abilities?
As I was writing this, I had something on the back of my mind that I was hesitant to accept. That situation may not have been straight up doubt, but I realized that I just needed to embrace the situation and doubt my doubt.
Are you doubting something? Now think...is that thing your doubt or your faith. If it's your faith (positive things about the great person you are and the great potential you hold), reevaluate the situation. Turn it around and choose to doubt your doubt instead.
General Conference takes place in four general sessions this weekend at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on each day. Feel free to follow along via social media as well using #ldsconf.
Seriously, I love Conference so much. Part of it is the simple opportunity to just focus on church stuff for a couple days. I love getting together with family and friends and spending quality time with them. Then you add in the opportunity to listen to modern-day, living prophets share inspired messages that directly relate to me, to my life, and to my challenges and questions.
One thing I'm excited to bring back is my word art designs featuring excerpts from the conference. Check out Oct. 2011, Oct. 2011 Part 2, April 2012, I can't believe I didn't do this for last year's conferences AT ALL! Crazy. This year though...the results will be epic. Just wait.
Oh, well I'm at it, I just wanted to share my post from this same day last year (Oct. 5, 2012). It was also the weekend before General Conference, sweater weather, Zumba highlights, etc. It made me smile...but then again, it is all about me.
September was a great month—one that mostly revolved around U-Jam and excellent weather. I'm very excited about what October will bring. I've already put to use boots and scarfs, and the weather has been heavenly. It *may* have snowed this morning, but it's already sunny and the air has a crisp, cool feel to it. With that, let's take a look at my life in Instagrams.
Sept 5 was my brother's 22 birthday. "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22!" I took him to dinner to celebrate and we had fun.
I did a lot of U-Jam stuff in September. In addition to learning my routines, filming a video demo and sending that in, and shadowing current classes, I also worked on my "cool" factor. I've learned that the best way to pull off the hip hop look is...well...don't care what I wear and honestly...wear what I might wear to bed. :) Sweatpants are awesome.
We had fantastic weather this month. And for me that means, rain, rain, clouds, thunderstorms, and more rain. I love it... I love it, I love it, I love it. Check out the flooding in this parking lot.
Again, more U-Jam. I'd find empty studios to practice in and get used to rocking the baseball hate.
Ah, 1 p.m. with a temperature under 60 degrees. Take away the heat, world, and bring back fall air.
I decided I need to read more, so my latest run to the library resulted in me bringing home this stack of reads. My one rule was that I had to get some fiction books.
LDS General Conference is this weekend but the last weekend in September was the Relief Society broadcast...so kinda like a sneak peak to the full conference weekend. I'm pretty excited to spend this Saturday and Sunday listening to the modern prophets and apostles.
When I was a junior in high school, I landed a job working at the one and only Build-a-Bear Workshop.
A brand new store was opening in the mall near where I lived in Virginia and I was one of the original staff brought on for the store opening. I remember the interview included a lot of personality questions and random things like asking what animal I think I would be. I'm fairly certain I said something about being a butterfly and something about being social and friendly.
I worked there for over a year, and I think one more Christmas break. It was a great job for me as a high school student and I still get a little nostalgic when I walk by a store.
These pictures are from our Bearacademy Awards Party when we celebrated being open for a year. In addition to my one year of service and "Great 'Be There'" recognition, I also got the "Most likely to become a Britney impersonator" award. Because, yes, when I was younger and very, very skinny, people would often randomly tell me that I look like Britney Spears. (Like stop me in bathrooms or get people to take pictures of us together random.) I've never seen the similarity. :-)
If you are in many Facebook groups, I'm betting you know the person I'm talking about.
The one who uses the group as his or her own wall.
The one who posts three times as much as anyone else.
The one you want someone to have a talking to about the purpose of the group.
The one who doesn't seem to understand the scope (big or small) of the group.
I'm in my fair share of groups. Some of these are social/informational groups for various church groups I'm a member of. Some of these are for sharing ideas for teaching or choreography. Some of these are certain groups of friends interested in particular activities. Some of these are for the fitness instructors at a certain facility.
I love groups. I think they are super useful and help streamline where to find information and don't necessarily clog your feed.
But there are certain people...
For example...and now that I think about it I think the most abused groups of mine are those related to my fitness classes.
Anyway...for example, an instructor might post in a general instructor page about needing a substitute at a specific location where the sub MUST be on the payroll. This bugs me for two reasons. 1) Such a post that is only applicable to a small population should only be shared with that small population. That post belongs in a group for JUST that facility's instructors. 2) If no such group exists, the post belongs on that person's personal page. It is far more likely that she is personally friends with those people than finding those maybe 10 instructors among a group of 1,000.
Does that make sense?
My other favorite person is the one who just randomly posts quotes, pictures, or promotions for personal events. All the time. Sorry dude, I know you don't have as many friends as there are people in this group, but that stuff belongs on your wall.
Sometimes I just want to sit these people down to say, for example, "Hun, this page is for instructors to find subs, discuss schedules, share announcements, and coordinate events for the facility. Your daily motivational quotes and articles are great, but try posting them on your own wall rather than forcing everyone to weed through them to find content we actually need."
Looks like this post turned a bit into a rant. Sorry about that.
This whole post is reminding me of this skit by Studio C so check it out.
Does anyone else have a stack of gift cards that they just can't seem to get rid of? Don't get me wrong. I love receiving gift cards, and I appreciate the many people they have come from.
But when that balance gets pretty small, I have a hard time spending those last few dollars. A couple weeks ago I had the goal to—get this—spend all my gift cards! I thought it would be a fun weekend activity, but in the end I didn't find anything I wanted to buy. And when I go grocery shopping and such, I either forget or think it will be too much of a hassle to try to pay with five gift cards. I bet cashiers loooove that.
Next I thought, oh hey, I'll buy stuff online! ... But most online checkouts don't allow you to determine partial payments from those cards. And there I was stuck again.
I'll tell you that I did NOT get those gift cards spent...although I did empty a Walmart one.
However, I finally found the best way for me to spend those gift cards and get them out of my wallet.
AMAZON!
I can always find something to buy on Amazon. So when I discovered that Amazon actually lets you buy an e-gift card for any amount—yes, ANY AMOUNT—and adds that gift card to your Amazon balance. It never expires and will automatically apply to your Amazon purchases if you want it to. So clean out your wallet and add some money to your Amazon account.
How to Spend Your Gift Cards.
1. Call the number or visit the website listed on the back of your gift card. Find out the exact balance of the gift card.
3. Next to "Amount," select "Set my own." Then type the amount of the gift card you'd like to empty.
4. After clicking "Purchase" select "Pay with new card" and use the gift card info in the payment section.
5. Confirm your purchase and check the e-mail you mailed the gift card to. Click "Redeem now." This will automatically take you back to Amazon and add the gift card amount to your balance.
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