Love Will Keep Us Together

The title is such because that song has been in my head, not sure why, and I can't think of a way to title the thoughts I'm about to post.

We had our first MLK Commission presentation at our school today and it coincided with a conversation I had yesterday. First, to find out more about the MLK Commission and its Adopt-a-School program, visit their website: http://community.utah.gov/MLK_commission/adoptaschool/index.html.

The conversation yesterday was about being non-Mormon in Utah and do I feel treated differently. My answer to that one would depend on the day. Most days I feel great about living here, I love the education I'm experiencing, as well as feeling I might be broadening some people's minds. Other days I feel angry. Sometimes I think that anger is justified (see coffee maker not allowed in school post) and other times I think that anger is an irrational reaction on my part.

Today I sat through the 3 presentations that Michael Styles did on behalf of the Adopt-a-School program and as I listened I vacillated between feeling really excited and feeling worried. Excited because of the enthusiasm of the students and hearing them talk about issues they obviously deal with in their lives. Worried because I know there will be adults who think we should not be talking about this kind of thing in a public school. What kind of thing do I mean? Differences.

Why do we shy away from talking about things that are so obvious? I think it is because we don't want to offend others, right? Or is it because by talking about such things we have to really look at ourselves and question our own beliefs and actions. Do I stereotype people based on race, religion, socioeconomic status? Yes. Have I been proven wrong? Absolutely! Am I trying to learn and be more open to other ideas? Yes, but it does scare me sometimes, because I feel comfortable with my beliefs and it is hard to fully accept another person who believes differently than I do, because by accepting them I might be saying I could be wrong!

So I like to go around saying I'm open-minded and accepting and tolerant and all those wonderful things that one is suppose to say, but I'm not always and I know that and I appreciate it when people feel comfortable to talk about what they believe. Thank you.

This probably wouldn't happen in any other state

Soph's friend just asked her if she knows who Joseph Smith is and Soph said, "Who?" Her friend then started singing about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young...la la la. She said, "They're prophets." My child (and this is one of the reasons I love her) then asked, "Do you know who MoMo is?"

Since we're on this topic... I attended a debate against an atheist and a theist the other day at USU and I was telling Sophie how it is her friend's dad who is the athiest. Soph asked, "Why doesn't he believe there is a god?" I told her I didn't know and she should ask him. She guffawed, "Mom, I can't ask him about religion!" Hey Soph, don't you know we're in Utah! If you can't talk about religion, well, then you can't talk about the big ole elephant in the room.

Turn that Volume WAY UP!

Sophie's school does this really cool thing to reward students for positive behavior. It's called The Flight of the Owls and the students, and staff, absolutely love it! Sophie was one of 10 students who got to participate this time and I couldn't have been prouder!! Her exclamation when it was over was, "That was deafening!" Being allowed to run in the halls with the whole school cheering is a really cool thing.

What you do in Logan for fun!

This is a special video for my nephew, Ryan. The apartment building across from us was torn down. Now we're anxious to see what's going in its place!