15. Conclusion

I loved this blog assignment. :) Growing up, I actually created a couple blogs and really enjoyed writing posts. I was tempted to copy and paste some of my old blog posts, but I didn't: my sweetness overcame my spiciness. ;) I could see myself actually continuing this blog in my future since I like the calm, comfortable look it has, and some of my posts aren't half bad! I noticed that I mostly wrote about my family, religion, and sports. These things definitely define who I am, so it was interesting to see that I actually wrote most about those.

14. More Sugar Than Spice

I just thought I'd explain why my blog is named "More Sugar than Spice" so you're not totally confused! My mother wrote me a poem with this title when I was about twelve years old. She's written an individual poem for each of my six brothers and me. I used to have it fully memorized, but I only have the first half memorized now. Here's the full poem:

"More Sugar than Spice

More sugar than spice, more leather than lace.
Serenity beams from your beautiful face.
My baby, my comrade, my golden girl
Having you in my life completes my world.

My student, my teacher, my palette, my mirror,
What will we teach each other down here?
The adventure ahead is a secret so fine
A celestial bond is yours and mine.

Your fierce strong spirit and sharp keen mind
Are masked by sweetness, gentle and kind.
Your faith and obedience a treasure so rare
My life would be empty without you there.

The things we will do and the journeys we'll take
The glads and the sads and the memories we'll make
Are what I have dreamed of my whole life through
There is no way to say how much I love you."

I love my mom. Like the title of her poem for me, I try to have more sugar than spice in my life. I try to be sweeter than meaner. :) I hope my blog posts have and will continue to reflect more positive messages than negative ones!

13. "Don't Make Excuses, Make Adjustments"

I don't know who originally said it, but my late father said this quote to my brothers and me frequently growing up. "Don't make excuses, make adjustments." When my father passed away, a good friend from our Escondido, California stake made the quote into this cool printout and put it in this frame. He and his wife gave it to me, my mother, and my six brothers. I still have it up in my room in my apartment. I try very hard to live by this saying. I know that if I don't finish an assignment on time or if I don't make it on time to an important event or if I lose my father at the age of twenty years old that the only thing I can do is make adjustments in my life. Making excuses or blaming others for my problems will get me no where. I am so grateful for my parents for not only telling me this saying, but also for being examples of it. My mother has made major adjustments to her life after my father passed away. She impresses me every day with how hard she works to serve others while also taking care of herself. I have zero excuse to be mad or angry at anyone since I can't control anyone. I can only control my attitude and behavior. So I choose to be happy and work hard. I'm not perfect at it, but I will continually adjust my life to try to be a little better each day. I know that's what the Lord would have me do. I know it's what my father would have me do. :)

12. Tennis

I love tennis. I actually love basically every sport. When I was younger, I loved playing basketball and soccer most. I played both basketball and soccer on competitive teams most of my life. I tried T-Ball for a year, but did not like that! Then I did volleyball in middle school along with basketball. When I got to high school, I stopped all of those sports and decided to try something new. It threw off everyone I grew up with since they were expecting me to play high school basketball since I did it my whole life (I actually had been practicing with the Varsity team when I quit so my friends and family were quite surprised). I wanted to try something new. I had lost my love for basketball. That's when tennis came along. :)

Tennis is such a mind game. It's a team sport in the way that your total matches won decides if your high school team wins, but otherwise, it's very much an individual sport. I played singles which is literally just me against my opponent. I had only played team sports, so this was very new to me. I like the challenge that tennis is to the mind. It really showed me how my mind affects my play. It also showed me how my mind really just affects my performance in life overall. When I was doubtful and nervous, it showed in my games. When I was confident and hardworking, it showed in my games. When I was doubtful and nervous, it showed in my life. When I was confident and hardworking, it showed in my life. I realize the value of confidence in life. You have to believe in yourself first to start the journey to achieving what you want. If your mind isn't in it, your body and work ethic won't be either.

11. A Tribute to Utah's Fall

I just thought I'd write a little post about fall in Utah. I love fall. Fall reminds me of football, family, fashion, friends, any more f's I can think of... fries? ;)

Fall specifically in Utah is awesome! I'm from San Diego, California so I've never experienced seasons or an actual fall. Although I love where I'm from, I also love Utah's fall!

Although BYU's football team is struggling this year, I love the college football vibe that permeates the world during fall. Well, at least it permeate's my family's world since I have six brothers! I loved watching the BYU football games when I had my ROC pass the first two years I was here at college. Also, I loved that my brother got to play in a game against Savannah State my freshman year when he was a walk-on Quarterback for BYU. I very much enjoy watching football, especially with my family!


Fall is the time to see family as well. I love being with my family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and whenever anyone wants to visit BYU to watch a game or see me and my brother who are still attending BYU.



Fashion and friends and fries. I love fall clothes so much. It's my favorite season to dress up for with sweaters, boots, and scarves. :) And I love being with my friends while eating fries or going on canyon drives or watching football games or watching movies. It's just a great time!



Fall is great! Also, sorry, I'm very much a picture person, so I apologize for the excessive pictures, but I hope I've adequately described my love for Utah's fall in this post!

10. My Father

I feel like my blog wouldn't be complete without writing about my wonderful father. He passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 30, 2016. Here is a Facebook post I wrote the day after he passed. I share this just to highlight what an amazing father he was and is to me. I'm grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.

 "I have a moment where I'm coherent so I'll make this quick before I fall apart again. I never knew you could miss someone this much. My world took a massive blow yesterday. Really, this is the hardest thing I've ever experienced in my life, but I'm my father's daughter and will endure (happily in the future) to the end, striving to be the best disciple of Jesus Christ I can be, like he did straight to the end. It's a blessing and a curse to have such an amazing, next-to-perfect father. He gives me so much to miss it's overwhelming, but he also gave and still gives me so much to love. I love you daddy. I will strive every day to make you proud and uphold the tremendous legacy you left behind. I miss you "tonses," so much that it literally physically hurts, but I know I will see you again. The knowledge you taught me about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the atonement gives me great comfort in this overwhelmingly tough time. Thanks for giving me the best dad I could have ever asked for and for showing me more love from a daddy in my 20 years than most children get in a life time. As you've always quoted to me and our family, I know your love for us is "a love without end. Amen." I know you're still watching over me, mom, the boys, the sister-in-laws, the grandchildren, and so many others. I feel that love and I will do every action possible to reciprocate that love by living the way you raised me to live as a disciple of Christ."

Even though I wrote this on July 31, 2016, I still absolutely feel this way about my father. My father's legacy affects me every day as I try to uphold it. I love him very much. I want to make him proud. The gospel is true. The Plan of Salvation is real. :)

9. "Rewrite the Stars" Song from The Greatest Showman Movie

I just love this song, so I thought I'd write something about it. This song was just released a few days ago. It's going to be in the movie, The Greatest Showman. Zac Efron and Zendaya sing it. They're two of my favorite actors and actresses, so I was already pretty excited to listen to it. But then I listened to the lyrics too and fell in love. Here's the lyrics for the first verse and the chorus.

"You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So don't keep saying our hands are tied
You claim it's not in the cards
But fate is pulling you miles away
And out of reach from me
But you're here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?

What if we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find
It's up to you, and it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
So why don't we rewrite the stars?
Maybe the world could be ours
Tonight"

I love these lyrics because of the way Zac Efron's character is choosing Zendaya's character to love. In my family studies major, I have taken a lot of classes having to do with relationships and marriage. These classes have adamantly taught that there is no "one true love." You have to choose a person to be with and commit to them. There's not some outside force that will keep you with your "one true love." You constantly need to work at a relationship and decide if someone is going to be your destiny. This song captures that principle a little which drew me in. Also, I just love how catchy the song is and I love this actor and actress! So I thought I'd share. Here's a link to the song. Hope you enjoy!

Rewrite the Stars (from The Greatest Showman Soundtrack)

8. My Thankful List

With Thanksgiving being just last week, here's a list of things I'm thankful for. :) I realize I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm so thankful I do!

1. My parents- My father passed away unexpectedly July 30, 2016. He left an amazing legacy behind. He was the humblest and kindest man I know. I plan on upholding his legacy for the rest of my life. My mother is still alive and her strength is amazing as I see her do online school, fulfill her Young Women's President calling, deliver Meals on Wheels to the elderly once a week, work in the temple once a week, watch over her grandchildren and children (me being one of them), etc. Her testimony of the Plan of Salvation is inspiring. I love her example to me! I love both of my parents!

2. My brothers- I have six brothers. They are basically six versions of my dad and I'm so grateful I have them in my life. They look out for me and are some of my best friends.

3. My sister-in-laws- All six of my brothers are married. Their wives are like sisters to me, some more than others, and I love the bond I have with them.

4. My boyfriend- He's amazing. His strength and obedience inspire me every day. I am grateful that I have someone who inspires me to better, yet loves me for the way I am and never forces me to change. I just want to change for the better for him of my own free will. :)

5. My college- I love BYU. I learn so much here. I love the spirit that is very apparent in this school. This school makes me want to grow in every aspect of life: intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc.

6. My job- I love my on-campus job. I have an amazing boss who is like a second mother to me. I am able to walk between work and my classes. I am also able to do homework during work sometimes which is a huge blessing.

7. My apartment complex/ward- I love living at Campus Plaza. The people are so sweet, humble, and friendly. I have the best roommates I've ever had here at college (and I've had some great roommates before)! The spirit of giving and humility is very apparent at my complex and it's inspiring!

8. My nieces and nephews- I love them. I love talking to them, playing with them, holding them. They are the next generation and I love seeing them make good choices.

I have way more things to be thankful for, but this is just a little list I thought of. Again, I'm so grateful I have so much to be grateful for!

7. The Persuasion Fun I Shared in Class

I shared the MetLife commercial, "My Father is a Liar" for my persuasion fun. If you're not familiar with it, you can click on the link below and watch before you read what I write about it.

I loved this commercial. It definitely tugs at the heartstrings. The commercial makers use pathos very heavily throughout the film. They have a father and a daughter as the main subjects, and they highlight their bond; a bond that everyone can relate to either in how they've experienced it or how they've always wanted it. When I showed my class members the video, I saw especially on the front row that all my classmates were crying because the father-daughter bond is very relatable.

In the commercial, the daughter writes about her father in a school assignment explaining how her father is a liar in how she recognizes how hard his life is, yet he still makes her feel like their life is fun and happy. She shows how aware she is of her father and that she loves him for doing so much for her. The words that pop up after the crying dad gets on his knees and hugs his sweet daughter solidify the inspiring pathos, "A child's future is worth every sacrifice."

Then, the commercial shows the father holding his daughter and laughing, and there's a call to action, "Pursue more from life." I love the use of these words in the commercial. The pathos and diction is very good at creating a desire in parents to act for their children!

"My Father is a Liar" (MetLife Heart-touching Commercial)

6. My Research Brainstorming

Topic- I am studying smartphones and their negative effects on adolescents.

Question- Because I want to understand why this generation's adolescents have a significant increase in emotional problems and suicidal tendencies more than earlier generations.

Significance- In order to find better ways to prevent those emotional problems and suicidal tendencies from developing in adolescents.

My audience is PRO smartphone use.

Who is my audience? Why do they find my claim initially unacceptable? My audience is the parents of this generation's adolescents. They find my claim about the negative effects of smartphone use to be a nuisance since they like how easily smartphones entertain their children so they don't have to.

What does your audience value the most? My audience values their time and ability to do things quickly. They value their ability to get things done efficiently, so that they have more time.

What does your audience fear the most? My audience fears not having enough time to do the fun things they want to do.

Audience Counterarguments:
-They argue that smartphones help them multi-task so they have more time to do the things they want to do which could be to be with their children more.
-They argue that their children won't be as connected with their friends or family if they don't have all the social media platforms that help them connect.

5. Ryan Hamilton Stand-Up Comedy

Ryan Hamilton is a hilarious stand-up comedian! I feel like he was trying to reach the single people who don't like partying or drinking. He used humor to make fun of his face and then point out that he's single and doesn't drink so he's not really one to party (and his friends don't want him around at parties since he doesn't drink). The words he used to make fun of himself actually showed how funny and witty he is. Even though he is a single person who doesn't party, he's still likable and fun to be around. He's able to show his audience that it's okay to be single and not drink. You are still a normal person. :) I'm not exactly the audience he was trying to reach since I am in a relationship, but I was single most of my life until recently so I see how well he reaches his audience. Everyone has been single, if not currently, in their life so anyone can relate to the stresses of trying to make friends and fitting in while being different. His humor is very relatable for a lot of people. It helps people realize they should just embrace their differences and be confident. I grew up in California and am Mormon, so I understand how different I was from all of my non-member friends who drank and partied. I never bothered to go to the parties since I knew I wasn't going to drink and didn't want to be around that kind of scene. I was still friends with all those people, but I didn't spend time with them on the weekends during those parties. Ryan is trying to help people realize you don't have to be a crazy party animal in order to have friends. Embrace your differences, talk to people, and laugh a little more. :)

4. 2017 October General Conference Talk by President Nelson

President Nelson gave an amazing talk in the Saturday afternoon session. He spoke about President Monson's admonition for people to read the Book of Mormon daily. President Nelson, being an apostle of the Lord, had incredible ethos behind his words. He stated how he felt that even he could improve his Book of Mormon reading.

He used rhetorical questions, "What would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? What would you not know? What would you not have?" His questions got my mind working and thinking. I haven't missed a day of reading the Book of Mormon since the 8th grade. That amazing book has affected every part of my life and I'm so grateful for it. His questions showed me how much I love the Book of Mormon and how tremendous of an impact it's had on my life. I can't comprehend how my life would be without the Book of Mormon. It would be drastically less calm and peaceful. With him knowing that his audience are members and nonmembers alike, President Nelson's rhetorical questions get people thinking, questioning, and desiring. It was a very good way to instill action into his audience. I, being one of the audience members, would know! I thought he had great rhetoric and found that he really stirred within me the desire to re-dedicate myself to reading the Book of Mormon more thoroughly each day!

3. Reading Improvement Plan

Before I read:
1. I will generate a purpose question about the text.

During:
2. I will revisit my purpose and make sure I look for the information that will help me achieve it.

After:
22. I will stop and ask whether I know the answer to the purpose question I asked when I first began reading.

Simply put, I want to better my focus on the content I read within writings. Thus, I will create a purpose question to help me actually retain what I'm reading instead of being distracted and taking forever to try to retain what I've read over and over again. :)