Favorite Intro and Conclusion

Pride and Prejudice Opening lines:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.


This introduction is so successful because it first introduces a common idea, then points out the flaws of the idea. By so clearly stating the opposite of what the rest of the book says, the ridiculousness of the first statement is clearly seen.

The Help (Conclusion)

I really love this movie, and the conclusion I feel is extra effective. It really works with ethos to get a response. The fact that Abeline is having to leave this little girl who loves her is very emotional. The fact that the reason she is leaving is so unfair makes the call to action at the end especially effective. As she talks about everyone having a story, she makes a call to action to listen to people, talk to people and care for people. This hits home at this point in the film because we have just seen a very emotional scene that could have been avoiding had Hilly thought of someone other than herself.

Thesis Proposal

 I’d like to draw attention to the Mormon women identity that is prominent in the church. A Mormon woman gets married young and in the temple. She has many children and then stays home to raise them. None of those things are bad. What’s bad is that this template for a successful and happy life is engrained in girls from the time they start primary.

            I remember Young Woman lessons teaching of marriage and families. My teacher would place a picture of her own temple wedding on the table and tell us how within the next five to ten years that would be us. She would teach of how nothing could ever replicate the joy of becoming a mother and how no career could replace the memories of staying home and raising your children. The problem with what was repeatedly impressed upon me while I grew up wasn’t that it was wrong, it simply did not account for all the twists and turns that mortality throws on us. Many women will not marry young, may not be able to have children, or may have to work.

            If a woman is unable to achieve the Mormon ideal that was impressed upon her she feels like she has failed. If she doesn’t get married, she feels as though something must be wrong with her. If she can’t have children she feels like she can no longer have this “irreplaceable joy” that children bring. If she must work she fears that her children will suffer the consequences of not having a mother at home.

Logically, we know that this is not true, and we recognize that every person will face trials and uncontrollable circumstances. So why is it that we immediately judge an unmarried graduate of BYU as flawed and look down upon the young couple in our wards who are without children? Why is it that the children of the woman who works are “deprived” in our minds? It is for the very same reason that woman who do not achieve the “Mormon woman identity” feel like they have failed. Culturally, it is all we are taught.

In order to change this view, we need to change our culture to be more like that of the gospel doctrine. Young Women need to be taught the become women like the one in Proverbs 31. We need to emphasis that The Family: A Proclamation to the World states that “individual adaption” is acceptable under circumstances. We need to stop teaching and expecting life to simply follow the path we set out for it.

Free-write (AKA my brain vomit)

I'm not entirely sure how this is supposed to be formatted. I essentially scribbled down my thoughts for 20 minutes. I have no clue if this will make any sense, but it basically follows my train of thought while I tried to narrow my ideas down to one topic for my op-ed.


THINGS I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT:

• modesty
• including/associating with non-members
• various forms of families that work
• allowing people to change

Modesty- Over done

Including/Associating with Non-members- BYU isn't the best audience for this, being that the number of non-members that students or faculty interact with regularly is very small. Not relevant enough

Allowing People to Change- Too vague

Various Family Structures- A non-judgement piece. Try to convince people that the "optimal family" isn't going to work for everyone, and to make allowances for unique family situations that still work.

Various Family forms:
Focus on Motherhood and working mothers.
Goal: Stop Shaming mothers for trying to make life work. "Optimal" situation is not every solution.

Evidence:
Family: A proclamation to the world
Proverbs 31
A general conference talk?
Family/ personal stories or experiences

Side/ argument: We need to stop judging women who work so harshly. We need to recognize that life isn't going to be perfect for everyone, and that certain situations will require different solutions.
Life isn't one size fits all.

I really hate introductions. Really.

If I had to choose between eating pumpkin pie, killing a cockroach, or introducing myself, I would choose pumpkin pie every time (and that's only my 24th favorite dessert!). But really.... I HATE introductions. I'm fine with the basics: "What's your name?" Abi "Where are you from?" Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's when they ask for something interesting about me that I panic. Interesting?! INTERESTING?!! You expect me to not only introduce myself, but be INTERESTING?

I could very likely be the most boring person ever. I have 2 answers that I have used my entire life for that dreaded question. "I run" and/or "I'm the second of seven children in my family." The latter works well everywhere but Utah. So, now that I live here, I'm down to one thing. I run....

So as much as I'm sure that you guys would love a long narrative about my running career, I'll keep it simple. The longer the distance the better. I was very competitive in Cross- Country throughout middle school as well as high school. I was forced to do track, and hated it. I've done more 5 Ks than I could count, and have completed a half- marathon.

That's it... If you aren't sleeping congratulations! I know I'm boring.... I should have just made stuff up.... BUT HONOR CODE and whatnot. 

I guess I should put pictures now....

My lovely Cross Country team. 

Hey, It's a me.

My cute family (My older brother is on his mission in New Zealand).