My Storytelling Debut

I really like comedy and have had aspirations to do some stand up comedy in the past. But as I watched more stand up, I realized that my style of comedy is more in the form of storytelling rather than shorter jokes that stand alone from each other. So I didn't think my comedy career would ever get off the ground.

But then a friend of mine (and reader of this blog) told me about Elna Baker. She's a storyteller, and she's Mormon. Here's a video of her storytelling (PG-13):

And then I borrowed her book from the library and read it in about two days. That's when I decided that I wanted to do comedy like her. Short stories, some punch lines, and some Mormon drama. I was sold on storytelling.

As I looked into it further, I learned about The Moth, where storytellers have the stage for a few minutes to wow the crowd. But I was living in Provo, Utah and The Moth is in New York, so I worked on writing my stories and improving my storytelling skills in front of a crowd of people.

I was serious about this. So serious that I discovered that there was a storytelling venue in Provo called "The Porch." Unfortunately for me, the scheduling didn't work out, so I didn't get a chance to share my stories there, or even attend a show. But I did scour its website and found a fellow BYU Law Grad's story (He's hilarious and you should listen to this story).

But tonight, fate of all fate aligned for me. My friend works for WDET and it sponsors Detroit's branch of The Moth and invited me to attend the show. I was excited about it because I had really wanted to see what it was like. I had no idea that I was going to tell a story while there.

Well friends, the topic was blunders. And in my life I really feel that if you don't have several embarrassing moments and blunders, you're not really living life to its fullest. So of course I have droves of stories that I could share. My friend convinced me to sign up to tell a story. (They pick 10 people at random from those that sign up and about 18 people signed up, so I wasn't a lock to perform).

I was chosen to go 4th. I was definitely nervous. I had only ever told my stories in a ward talent show and to my friends. I figured that a stage of strangers - and Detroiters - could be pretty harsh.

I told my story about first impressions where I participated in a speed dating event at BYU and then when I caught myself on fire by accident in front of a bunch of strangers.

I definitely got laughs and high fives. And an awkward hug from a very drunk man. I think I probably could have picked up a couple of guys had I tried a little bit, too. Who knew I had it in me?

My score wasn't that great, but I definitely feel like it was worth it and that I did a good job. I definitely want to improve my technique and tell more stories in the future.

How We Met

Being LDS and single means that a lot of my conversations revolve around dating. Having completed three years at BYU and only going on a date every other month (if that often) over the course of three years, I was a little surprised because I thought that all people do at BYU is date.

I was wrong. (all some people do at BYU is date) All grad students do at BYU is study. So that's what I did.

I recently moved back to Michigan after graduating from law school, and basically in my first interaction with other people (non-LDS), someone asked me out on a date.

Here's the story: I walk into the bank and see that the line only has two people in it, and rather than walking around all of the dividers (think airport security lines that weave back and forth), I just ducked under the barrier and got in line. The people behind me didn't. When the man took his spot behind me in line, I felt like I had to justify my behavior.

I said, "I just didn't see the need to walk all the way around." He said, "I thought about it too, but decided I needed the exercise."

I smiled and thought that was the end of it, but he continued to look at me as if I was supposed to continue the conversation. So I said, "yeah, I probably could have used the exercise, too, but then again, I have been biking a few times this week, so I should be ok."

So then we chatted for about 5 minutes until I went to the bank teller. I thought that was that, and it was flattering that this man would be interested in me. (I think I'm definitely getting better at reading when people are flirting with me, so BYU must have taught me something...)

I went out to my car and started to drive away when he basically barrels through the empty handicapped spaces and asks me for my phone number. I was pretty surprised, to say the least. Immediately, he called me to ask me if I wanted to get ice cream. So I did. (I don't think I can turn down ice cream).

It was a pretty bizarre experience for me. But I did enjoy the flattery. (Apparently my 5 minute conversation was "striking"). I don't think anything else will come from it because while eating ice cream I realized that we have nothing in common. But it would have been a cool "how we met story".

You just never know when you're going to meet someone interesting.

I went to dinner with my grandma and other family members tonight and I asked her how her and my grandfather met. She instantly perked up and said, "We were in the same square dancing class at the Jewish Community Center on Holbrook and Woodward."

That seemed like the perfect "how we met story," even if it was short and sweet.

A Little Pomp and Circumstance

(maybe a little more pomp than circumstance)

I made it! I graduated from law school! Woo Hoo! 

 Here I am in front of the law school. It has got to be one of the ugliest buildings I have ever seen in my entire life. 

 My parents and I. We did not plan for them to match my hood. But we did get comments on color coordinating. 

 Have you seen these headless horseman photos floating around the internet? My mom didn't get the best angle, but I thought it would be funny to try. It makes me laugh either way. I hope it makes you laugh as well.

 Getting hooded. This happened extremely fast. I felt pretty important. Special graduation garb is pretty cool.

My 1L yr study buddy. 

Honestly, I don't feel that relieved to have graduated. Mostly because I thought I'd be smooth sailing at this point with a good job and a pretty good life lined up for myself. Sometimes life throws you curve balls. 

I have much more in the way of loans than I anticipated because I didn't take a high paying job my second summer (I got offered one in Provo [but nowhere else], but I didn't want to live there, so I opted to get a much lower paying fellowship in Chicago and spent every last of the measly pittance it provided before I even made it back to Provo for my 3L yr. I think it was the best choice for me, but I do wish I would have made over 10K that summer...)

I feel panic, uncertainty, and stress. I don't know if I'm making the best decisions because I just don't know what is going to happen in the future. I hope that I'll be able to find a job here in Metro-Detroit. I mean plenty of people do it so I should be able to as well, right? I feel like employers should want to hire a capable, eager, young attorney. (so far they have proven me wrong, but there is still hope)

It made more sense for me to return home with no job than to venture off to a lonely city (DC or Chicago) with no job. I am still applying to jobs in DC because I can waive into the DC Bar, and I am still applying for jobs in Chicago that don't require IL Bar admission (or any bar admission for that matter). 

I really don't know what life is going to bring me, but I have to have faith that I have done everything in my power to have the most prosperous life possible. I may be envious of people who have prestigious jobs (or any job) and wonder why it hasn't happened for me yet. I keep telling myself that the perfect opportunity is sitting right around the corner and it's going to happen for me as well. With a little luck and a lot of faith, I figure I'll end up in a good place. 

[And if not, my parents just paid off their mortgage, so I know I'll have a place to stay for awhile]

First Impressions

There is a new organization on campus called gradCONNECT. It's to help people like me, meet other like individuals. (namely single grad students) (ok, only single grad students). It might seem weird to have organizations for single people, but it's BYU. And if we've made it to grad school unmarried, our outlook is grim (apparently).

Anywho. The organization is actually pretty fun. I went to its launch party last week and won $10 to a local restaurant.

They decided that a good way for us to meet each other would be to have small dinner groups potluck style. Tonight was the first dinner.

The dinner was fun and going well. There were 9 of us. Chatting. Enjoying meeting new people.

Then it came time for dessert. I'm not all about dessert these days, but no one was doing anything. They all wanted dessert, but we were all just standing around the table staring at it.

So I started cutting the homemade apple pie. Well, I leaned over a candle on the table. And I learned that fashion is dangerous, not just painful. I was wearing a scarf (one that I got on my mission ... tear). Scarves and candles do not mix well. The next thing I know, everyone is gasping. I'm ripping the scarf off and stomping out a fire.

So tonight's casualties: my scarf and probably 4 inches of my hair.



Sad events. But hey, now I have another great story to tell at the next gradCONNECT dinner...

Roommate Woes

What do you do when your roommate blasts Ricky Martin at 9:00 am on a Saturday in the year 2012? (If it were 1999, this might be a completely different story)

My solution, stare annoyingly at her open door as she comes down the stairs. Worked like a charm.

I'm not a music afficionado, but Ricky Martin? Come on? I might* even prefer Nickelback.

Another roommate blasts Christian Rock. Yeah. It's that bad.



*Probably not, but at least it's recent, right?

Happy December!

So a couple of years ago my roommates and I did the whole 12 Days of Christmas for a Secret Santa project. I wanted to do it again, so I started it tonight. I dropped off a Partridge Family cd and a pear on the doorstep of my home teachers.

I meant to take a photo to document. But I forgot.

So instead, you get to look at a photo of llamas. Some group on campus does "Carollama" where you go Caroling with Llamas. They meet in the law school parking lot. So when I was walking home tonight, I think they were packing up and I decided to take a photo. I really wanted to take a photo with me and a llama. But I was worried that I would get chastised. So instead, here are the llamas that go caroling.

Happy December!

Where is the time going? (and dating inquiry)

I haven't updated in awhile. But my life is going well. I'm feeling good about most things. Hopeful about my interview this week and hopeful about other life goals. In the past few weeks, I have been able to go on some adventures.

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park 

Pumpkin Patch in Santaquin, Utah, with my roommates

Another photo from the pumpkin patch 

San Diego with my last mission companion, Marti.

I've had some good adventures. Yesterday, I went hiking in Rock Canyon, and it was absolutely gorgeous. I cannot believe no one has taken me hiking there before! I would upload photos from that, but I'm too lazy.

Tonight, we had a dating fireside. I used to really hate any mention of marriage and dating because it just annoyed me to no end. Now that I'm older, I think I'm a little mellower, and I take things as they are intended rather than people accusing me of not fulfilling my obligations as a LDS woman. Overall, I think that the question selection was pretty poor, but the Stake President had some good points and counsel. One person asked why do all the same girls constantly get asked out while some "nice" girls never get asked out. A panel member asked her to clarify if the "nice" girls were the timid ones, and she said, the not conventionally beautiful girls. It was dramatic. (I'm 'pc'-ing the statement a little bit). I think that beauty and confidence are linked and that is part of the issue. One guy said, ask out the guys, they are flattered when a girl asks them out and they will say yes. She then countered saying, I have been rejected by guys more than girls would typically reject guys for a first date. It was all very intense. 

I personally have asked out many guys in my life, and it is scary, but it generally works out fine. I have been rejected as well, and that turns out fine too. Maybe a little awkward at first, but I'm pretty confident with myself that it has all worked out in the end anyway.

I am going to share my "Dating Tupperware Theory":

I think that we can analogize people to tupperware dishes. Many of them are the same shape and there are many different lids that look like they fit the container, but they don't end up closing properly. The lid just doesn't fit right. Most people have to try on a few lids before they find the one that actually fits. However, some people are star-shaped tupperware containers, and they can spot their tupperware lid from a mile away and it's the only one that fits. That is why you see some couples and think, "they were made for each other." (you know what I mean). But for most of us, it's a daunting task to try on all of the tupperware lids. One day, we'll find the right one, but we just have to keep on trying on different lids until that point.

(I tell this theory better in person)

I have a couple of dating questions that I wish the panel would have discussed.

1. Is it really true that the fact that I'm in law school is so intimidating to people that they don't want to date me? I really think that is terrible if it's true, because why wouldn't you want someone who is intelligent, can continue to carry on conversations, and has a life plan?

2. Why can I not get past the first date? How can I go from 'getting to know you' first dates to an actual relationship? I went out with a guy this weekend that I'd really like to go on another date with, but it took him like 3 months to ask me out. How can I spur the relationship to advance at all? How long should I wait around to a. see if he asks me out or b. ask him out on a second date myself? So much uncertainty. Why is dating so hard?

I doubt you've made it this far, but if you have any dating suggestions/solutions, I'd be happy to hear them and try them out.

I'm just not into poetry

Please note: I am a terrible person. I realize that. I'm working on it. But I thought I'd share with the blogging world, the joys of being in a BYU YSA Ward.

There must be something said about letting anyone speak over the pulpit in our church. Honestly, sometimes, I'm in shock that ANYONE converts to the gospel. I think it just goes to show that it MUST be true if you can feel the Holy Ghost testify of the truth of the gospel among all the crazy that is said over the pulpit. Let me illustrate the point with some experiences from my current ward.

I cannot handle it when all 3 speakers reference a poem. ALL THREE. I'm not kidding. It goes from a personal poem entitled "Old" (yeah, a doosy) to Shel Silverstein to Emily Dickinson to Robert Frost. (yeah, that's 4 but the last month my ward has been poetry crazy, so some of these were from 2 or 3 weeks ago). Just note, when you start sharing poetry, I stop listening. I know that General Authorities use poetry occasionally; it can be a great tool. I'm just saying, it's not for me. And if the previous speakers have already referenced poems, just skip that part of your talk. Please.

"Who's the better engaged person" War. I'm not kidding. 3 engaged people gave talks. The one 19 days out from her wedding date proclaimed herself the "winner." It's really awkward when you read off your Young Women "Marriage Standards" Checklist and say "RM - check," "willing to do the dishes, check" ... blah, blah, blah - check. Not funny or spiritual. Just.Plain.Awkward. Also awkward: telling us about your journey to get married. We don't need to know how many weddings you called off or proposals you turned down to get to this point. And some of us in YSA wards have a hard enough time getting a date, let alone 3 marriage proposals... thanks for rubbing that in...

Trying to show off with big words. I'm at a loss for the specific words that I wanted to remember, but let's just say, you don't have to prove to me how smart you are. Just because you used the word "Herculean" doesn't mean that you're smart.

This isn't really expressing the mocking that went on in my head during sacrament meeting today, but it was there. We should probably take the sacrament right after the speakers because I've already sinned by the time the closing hymn is sung. I hope to one day get to the point that Spencer W. Kimball was at in saying, "I've never been to a bad sacrament meeting." Clearly, I'm not there yet. One day... Just note for now, do not sit next to me in Sacrament if you don't want commentary.

Happy Palestine Day!

I generally really like all Holidays. They are fun and an excuse to each chocolate. Valentine's Day is pretty fun. But then I realized what Valentine's Day at the Law School* is like... People go overboard in decorating (which is why Law School is a lot like High School). But overall, I'm enjoying the day. I even got left a note by a secret admirer!

It's good to be loved. :) Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

PS: if you didn't click on my links, you should. You will find my new favorite website...

* Maybe not all Law Schools, but just BYU Law School?

Happiness is Just Around the Corner

BYU has an amazing thing called "International Cinema." It is my favorite thing in Provo. Each week they have 3 international movies for free. I go once or twice a month, but I think I may have to stop going. The movies are amazing. Seriously - great stories - moving, emotional (often about Communism), but I don't think I can go because they are just so DEPRESSING. EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.

My favorite by far has been Lemon Tree. Really an interesting movie that is worth finding on Netflicks or somewhere!

I saw The Color of Paradise last week and it is about a blind boy. Really, you don't know what the movie is about until 3/4 of the way through it. This one makes you pretty mad actually.
I know this isn't a foreign film. But International Cinema has made me realize that I like watching happy American movies where they live happily every after in the end. This movie made me pretty upset in the end. (I watched it last night and have been thinking about it since).
Overall, my verdict is that these movies are really well done, interesting movies, but so difficult at the same time. I think I need to watch Despicable Me or something light and fun next...

Pity Party

I want to preface this by saying, please don't feel pity or sad for me. I am the happiest I've ever been. Now on to the story.

So I live in an apartment with 3 other girls and we're not friends, we barely cross paths. I hang out with friends from law school, Michigan friends, or other people that I know one way or another. So today, I went to church by myself and sat by myself in all of the meetings.* We had a stake fireside tonight, and I again went by myself and sat by myself.

I walked past my home teacher (who was just assigned today) when I entered the building where the stake conference was and I sat a few rows behind him. (I probably would have sat by the people that I recognized, but there wasn't any space in their rows). I noticed that he kept looking back at me. Sure enough, just as the meeting began to start, when he was sure that I wasn't waiting for anyone, he comes and sits by me. I immediately said, "you don't have to sit by me, I'm fine." He said "no one should sit by themselves, and this is not a 'pity sit.' I'm you're home teacher and I want to start things off on the right foot." I said that I was fine and didn't need to sit by anyone and that I was embarrassed that he thought he had to come sit by me.

It is really interesting when you're the charity case that people think they have to befriend. Growing up in the church, you always read those stories in the Friend or New Era about the person that noticed someone always eating lunch alone so they went and sat with them and became their friend. Honestly, I'm a little offended that someone thinks they should be my friend because I'm alone, and not because they want to be my friend. That's probably very prideful of me, but it's honest. It was fine that my home teacher came and sat by me, but it really felt that he was doing it because I looked pathetic and he wanted to save me from that.

I'm going to chalk everything up to law school. I definitely don't have a ton of friends, and I'd definitely attribute that to attending law school and not having a ton of time to socialize. I do the best that I can with the time that I have, but I am not worried about my social life. I also think that I'm a pretty independent person naturally and portray that to others.

Anyway, the moral of this story is, the next time you see someone that is sitting alone, definitely go sit with them. It will probably make their day, but sit by them because you want to, and not because you're trying to put a sticker on your good deed of the day chart. And while you're at it, think about how they'll feel when they realize that they're a charity case or an obligation by way of calling and not someone you really want to get to know.

*On a side note, I don't attend meetings to socialize, I attend because I want to, and I know that the Church is true. This philosophy is not common enough among BYU YSA wards.

World's Largest Water Balloon Fight

This past weekend, BYU attempted to break the world record for the largest water balloon fight. They attempted to get over 4,000 participants and 120,000 water balloons. I have no idea if they succeeded.

The reason for the attempt and sponsorship by the school is that they want more students to stay at BYU in the summer in order to get the most use out of the facilities and resources, and to encourage students to take summer classes and graduate sooner. This makes me think that BYU-Provo is going to be shifting to a similar "track system" that BYU-Idaho has where students enroll in a Fall/Winter, Winter/Summer, or Summer/Fall semester program. I mean it makes sense. They already have the buildings - kids might as well be in class so they can get in and out faster. However, I do enjoy not having to take classes or do homework in the summer.

I think a problem that BYU has is that it is very affordable as far as college education goes (Super cheap and great programs - for the most part) and kids aren't worried about getting it done quickly because the expense isn't that great. Now, I'm not complaining. I'm grateful for the education that I'm receiving at a 1/3 the price of other law schools. I went to the University of Michigan for my undergrad and graduated a semester early for numerous reasons - the main one being that it would save me at least $6,500 in tuition. I don't know how I would feel about the track system being implemented, but that's probably because it doesn't really affect me as I already have a bachelor's degree. I think there are always pros and cons, but I really think that the summer is a great opportunity for students to do internships and get work experiences that really set you apart from other applicants. I think if they stress graduating in 2-3 calendar years instead of the 4-5 typical school years, it is going to put some students at a disadvantage because they are not gaining any real work experience. That's my 2 cents.

Here are the photos from the event. Blogger put them in reverse order, and I'm not going to switch it around because it always gives me problems. So enjoy...

The after (my scalp got burned at my part!)

The ammo - they gave everyone a bag of 30 balloons, I think.

The before... cheesing it up

Let's get this party started

The pink and green team crowd. The other team wore orange and blue.