Miss 1 Month

Did I mention that I graduated? It's been a month and it's been great. 

Miss My Heart is Beating Really Fast

I just finished my last final and my heart is beating really fast.

As I was filling out the last 5 questions on my bubble sheet for my econ exam, I almost started to cry. I can't decide it if was out of happiness because I will never touch economics again, or if it is because I am sad that my undergraduate degree is over.

Either way, my heart is beating so fast.

The teachers, people, jobs, classmates, friends, tests, papers, assignments, activities and opportunities that I have been part of here will never be forgotten.

Thank you BYU-I.

Miss Story of My Sister

Cut

By Mallory Guymon

She stood two inches taller than I, three pant sizes smaller than me, and one grade below me.  She was my baby sister, but I would never consider her a baby.

High school is never easy for anyone. Those who claim that it was—lied. This was even more true for my high school that was known for their competitive sports, arrogant attitude, and self-righteous behavior. My sophomore year went well being on the volleyball and softball team, having a “cool boyfriend,” and of course having a car. Going into my junior year my confidence was not so high.

My younger sister and I are 18 months apart so when I entered my junior year, she entered her sophomore year. She has the brains in the family and ended up taking the same science and math class as I. We even ended up in the same math class period together—that changed quickly.

Two weeks before school started, we both tried out for the high school volleyball team—I tried out for varsity and she tried out for junior varsity. The competition was high. We spent a week going through brutal sprints, jumps, rolls, and dives.

My sister has a vertical that obviously surpasses mine which is why I specialized in passing and bumping the ball. While I passed, she hit and she hit hard. Compliments rolled her way. I was happy for her.

Two days before school started, we anxiously awaited at home, still in our practice jerseys, the results of our hard work. We were told that the results would be posted on the gym doors after 8 p.m. Before we concluded tryouts our coaches asked us if we wanted to be considered for junior varsity, varsity, or both. I informed the coaches that I only wanted to be considered for varsity. If I didn’t make it, I didn’t want to play junior varsity.

My sister and I drove to the school, swerved into the gym parking lot, and linked arms as we walked towards the door. Our eyes scanned the two lists—13 girls on each. My name was absent and my sister’s name was on the junior varsity list.

There was silence.

We drove home in continued silence. I pulled up to the front rather than the driveway and said I would be home later. Tears ran down my cheeks and she closed the door slowly behind her and walked to the front door with her arms crossed and her chin down.

I went to see my cool boyfriend for sympathy an received a less than an adequate amount per usual. My mind raced and could hardly stomach the thought of going to school on Monday. Dramatically—my life was over.

I drove home at snail speed, and my mother met me at the back door. I sobbed in her arms and she listened, like mothers always do. She put her fingers through my hair and consoled me for a moment. I calmed down but still dreaded the next nine months of torture.

As my mother walked out the door, she turned around and mentioned that my sister came in crying, too. She thought she was the one who didn’t make the team. By the time she made out her words through her sobs, she found out that I didn’t make it.

My sister is still two inches taller than I, she got married before me and is currently expecting her fist baby girl in March. One day, that baby girl will have a sister and hopefully she will have a sister like mine.  

Miss Don't Be Weird.

How to Keep Eye Contact

By Mallory Guymon

Toddlers do it when they’re avoiding punishment, students do it when they ‘re avoiding giving the answer, and adults do it when they’re avoiding confrontation. What are their doing? Avoiding eye contact.

Many assumptions gather around those who avoid eye contact. It’s assumed that if one avoids eye contact they are nervous, insecure or lying. Keeping a visual connection can make someone feel uncomfortable in general but it may not indicate any of the previous.

You walk down the street, across campus or even around the house. Do you look up at a passerby? If you do, people may call you aggressive, romantic or just plain creepy. Having unbalanced eye contact can cause tense situations. For instance, maintaining eye contact with a gorilla can raise their temper and cause serious rage and danger.

Maintaining eye contact can be a taboo subject for the common person but for a celebrity, it’s a routine. Both Barbra Streisand and Michael Jordan have a habit of forcing hotel workers to turn and face the wall when they enter a room, goes the tale. Some even say Nicole Kidman insists her makeup artist refrains from making eye contact. Recently, musical artist Katy Perry’s tour rider indicated in the section covering her driver’s behavior that the chauffeur is to “not to start a conversation with the client or stare.”

Source: kyliecox.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

To determine an amount of adequate eye contact depends on the situation. For example, if you were being interviewed for a new job, eye contact would be important throughout your interview. Continuous eye contact is not necessary but sincere eye contact with the hiring manager can establish an unconscious trust.  

  

If you were resolving a complication with a friend or spouse, eye contact could determine the whole mood. Avoiding eye contact with your spouse as you discuss a close friend of the opposite sex that you have, could lead them to believe that your behavior is untrue. Listening to a friend vent about their bad day or bad boyfriend may not require the same sincere eye contact.

There are situations where it is not necessary or critical to a relationship. Walking down the street and looking at your feet or talking on the phone is not seen as offensive to most individuals. It is especially not required to look someone in the eye when you are driving and having a conversation with him or her—that’s just dangerous and illogical.

There is no doubt that eye contact is important to have but it can be determined per situation. Now, you look me in the eye and tell me you don’t believe that. 

Miss Controversial

Whatever You Do, Don’t Vote

By Mallory Guymon

In the 2008, Senator Barak Obama won the United States presidential election by almost 200 electoral votes. Out of all of those votes, your voted didn’t matter.

Whatever you do, don’t vote.

As we approach the 2012 election, don’t go to the polls. Every moment that you watch a debate, listen to radio commentary and read a Wall Street Journal article, consider it wasted time you will never get back. Don’t watch, listen or read that garbage. Your vote doesn’t matter.

There were more voters during the 2008 election since the 1968 election where republicans voted President Richard Nixon into office. We all know how that turned out. And President Bill Clinton? Do we even have to mention that political office? History has shown us that your vote will make things worse.

If you go to the grocery store and they don’t have what you want on your list, do you end up buying unneeded items? This is like voting. If none of the opponents fit you political views, don’t vote for them and end up buying an unneeded item. People who are apathetic to voting are told to not complain about the resulting president but, one could say they would complain more if they did vote for the candidate and were let down by the candidates bad decisions.

Why be forced to choose between the lesser of two evils? If you have a molded banana peel and tray of soggy bread to choose from, would you? No, you wouldn’t. It would seem illogical—like voting.

When you give your vote, you give your freedom. We live in a country with freedoms that no other country will ever experience. Political activist claim that voting is a freedom but, in reality, we are forced to choose someone who will make our choices for us. We lose our personal accountability by giving it to someone else when we vote and, that is a freedom we can’t afford to give away. If voting is a right, it is also a right to not vote.

Forerunners also declare that our vote for them will make us equal. So we get in line in front of a person who was convinced by their parents, spouse, teacher or friend to vote and make a difference, even though they aren’t aware of the views of any of the candidates, that person ends up negating my vote and confirms that the process is a waste of time.

Don’t trust that your vote will matter and don’t trust that your chosen candidate will deliver. They will say what you have to hear to lure you to the polls. They don’t owe you anything and in turn, you don’t owe them anything. For example, President Obama promised to cut national debt and ended up spending more than he promised to save. If you voted him in office, way to go. 

When you go to the polls this November, choose to stay in bed instead. Do you want to make things worse for our country? With the majority of registered voters heading to the polls last year, we saw what happened and I suggest we learn from history.

Whatever you do, don’t vote this November. Don’t vote.  

Miss Finals, finally

Most people feel like finals sneak up on them. I disagree.

It's finals, finally.

I have 3 more finals to take and then I am done! Knowing that I have a job lined up now makes it hard, I admit, but I am still going to finish strong. 

And then, it will be time to celebrate. 

                                                                         Source: gusandlula.com via Kitty on Pinterest

Miss Time Management

Lat night I was up until almost 3 a.m. My poor husband.

On Sunday, I visually plan my week. I plan what assignments are due, what tests to take and what study groups to hold. I also schedule my tutor, configure my work hours and other outside activities that I am involved it. There are so many things to consider and usually my head is spinning by the time I am done figuring it all out.

Last night, it was keeping me awake and I was very frustrated. Thank goodness for great husbands. He taught me a great principle: Plan Monday.

We went over what I am planning to do today and even planned on planning Tuesday on Monday night. It really helped me calm down and get a grip.

When you have a hectic week coming, plan one day at a time and manage your time on a daily basis.

Miss Choke

All growing up, I played competitive sports. I started off dancing, then played softball, soccer, volleyball and even badminton. At every level that I played, I experienced pressure. Obviously the pressured varied from my t-ball game to my fast-pitch softball game that would take us to the Little League World Series if we won. But the pressure existed. 

Throughout those years, my dad tried to teach me about how to deal with the pressure by telling me, "Don't choke!" Countless times I went up to bat and turned my head to see my dad waving a 20 dollar bill at me mouthing, "Home run! Don't choke." My feet would sink deeper into the dirt.

Throughout the years, I have tried to figure out how to not choke. I've tried saying a prayer, taking a deep breath, focusing on the 'ball', closing my eyes, over-eating, taking a class that teaches me how to take tests, etc. Regardless of all those tests, the way I avoid 'choking' is by being prepared.

At BYU-Idaho, we believe in a model of learning. Check it out here. I use to teach classes to freshman on campus on how they can apply this learning into their studies and life in general a few semesters ago. I truly believe in it and I have seen it work in my studies as well as my personal life.

As I embark on my final classes and tests of my undergraduate degree, I am reminded that I have prepared, taught my classmates and I have pondered and done my work. I can now step up to the plate, clench my bat and take a swing. No choking necessary.

Miss Cap & Gown

I picked up my cap and gown today. Was I nervous? No. It's strange that I don't get those butterflies that I used to get when it was the last week of the school year--every school year. The anxiety and adrenaline must be weighing too heavily on my stomach for the butterflies to fly.

In the meantime, I will eat my cupcake from BYU-Idaho Alumni and be satisfied that I completed one final today and only have 5 more to go.

Miss PR Please

I thought I would take a moment to write my view on the BYU-I skinny jean ban.

                                                                                              Source: gap.com via April on Pinterest

Before you read on, you may want to read this: Testing Center Reminds Students of Dress and Grooming Standards

Last night in the grocery store I received a text from my brother that read, "Hey, what no skinny jeans?..." I was so confused.  I was with friends and around the same time they began this discussion. I wasn't surprised to hear that our school newspaper, The Scroll, wrote on such a controversial issue. This is a student run newspaper. Students will try and find any bit of headline appealing subject possible.

My friends and I went on last night discussing the topic and even ended up making a run to the school to grab the remaining newspapers left ina the closest building to us. After reading the article we realized that the article was very well written--no issue there as assumed. The problem was with the unprofessional comments made by the testing center.

Articles and broadcasts are flooding all media outlets because of the comments made by BYU-Idaho Testing Manager, John Dexter. The most surprising comment to me was the fact that he recognized the students overzealous execution of the rule but then ended up making the same mistake with his quote,"If a student prays and they think that the tight ‘formfitting’ clothing is accepted by the Lord, they have not asked, or have not asked the right question, or they have chosen an answer for their own gratification. I don’t believe the Lord would give approval to anyone to be disobedient to the CES Dress and Grooming Standards."  Oh. My. Calm down. He even said this after prefacing that he can be a little rash but that he modified the statement so that it is not too harsh. My question is how does this man define 'harsh'?

The point is--bad PR move. Although this is a school newspaper, you should never take that lightly. I don't know if he was misquoted (which I wouldn't doubt because of the reputation of the newspaper) and I don't doubt that John Dexter is a good man but as an administrator on campus, he should have been more cautious and stuck with the facts and left out the praying part. Esh. Religious or not, you don't tell someone that they did or didn't get an answer to their prayers--especially in that tone.


Well, needless to say, there is some clean up to do. University Communications has come out with a statement. Better late than never.

BYU-Idaho has not identified “skinny jeans” as a specific violation of the dress and grooming standard.  We are aware of the incident in the Testing Center, and the Student Honor Office has worked with the Testing Center to correct the issue.

The wording in the BYU-Idaho dress and grooming standard regarding formfitting clothing is as follows: “Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing. It should not have slits above the knee or be formfitting.”
The foundation of this standard comes from “For the Strength of Youth” which states, “Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner.”
The Testing Center has not made any new standard, nor has there been a ban of a particular piece of clothing.  The effort of the Testing Center as well as with other employees and students is to encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.

Miss What If

I bet you think I am going to talk about something sappy right? Like, "what if all my dreams came true!?" No. I am not talking about that.

I am talking about the what if calculator for my classes. Each of my classes have an online grade book that I can access to see all my assignments and submit assignments. It has completely phased out paper and it's awesome. I look at it several times a day but every other week I use the "what if calculator" feature. This feature calculates what your grade will be if you got a certain percentage on a project or paper or test.

Since the semester is concluding and I am graduating, this calculator and I have developed a close relationship. Not only do I use him daily, I think about him often. Today, for the 3rd time this week (it's Tuesday, mind you) we met again.

Here is the verdict on my final tests and papers in order to recieve decent grades:

                  Exam Grade               Final Grade
Economics:       40%                         80%
Law:                 87%                         90%
Media Writing:  50%                         80%
Finance:            60%                         80%
Mass Media:     65%                         90%
DNA:               70%                         80%

I am not to ashamed to admit that I am looking at the least possilbe grade to pass. After taking 19 credits this semester, my shield is down and I am vulnerable and I am okay with that.

Good thing I have my man, what if calculator, to make me feel better.

Miss Finish Line

Now is the time to sprint for the finish line.

I graduate from Brigham Young University--Idaho in three weeks. Three weeks, people. How do I feel about it? I haven't decided. Some days I feel like I couldn't leave campus fast enough because my brain is going to explode from trying to figure out whether Wal-Mart should shut down if Safeway moves into the neighborhood or how to calculate my retirement and write a will...heavy stuff, right?

All-in-all, I am utterly grateful.

I took a survey today in anticipation of being a graduate that asked if I feel like BYU-Idaho has prepared me for life. Yes and YES. BYU-Idaho has been an incredible experience for me. Here are a few things that I have been reflecting on the past few weeks:

• I have learned how to speak in public and train people on how to become leaders
• I know how edit photos
• My GPA is higher because I get a free tutor
• My resume is stacked because of all the programs that are offered
• The students rule and run the school
• Full-time faculty members are amazing, hands-down

Many more thoughts will be crossing my mind in the next few weeks but I am ready to sprint and finish strong.

Miss Frog Diet

Have any of you heard of this book? Well, I need to read it, and then do it.

Tomorrow, I am going to 'eat the frog' before the weekend. There--I said it. I am now accountable.

Miss Midterms...

This week is midterms and I have a little humor for you.

You know you spend too much time in the library when...

• You have a designated area and the computer remembers your passwords
• Your tutor says, "I'll see you next week," without even asking if you are signed up
• You spread out your work across 2 work spaces like it's no big deal
• You wash your grapes you packed for lunch in the drinking fountain
• You go to 'your' designated stall in 'your' bathroom
• You know which computers are slower and faster than others
• You know all the shortcuts 

Yes. This would be my experience in the library the last few semesters. However, I feel like studying at the library is best for me. My husband rather study at home but I work better in the library so we usually strike a compromise.

I have 4 midterms and I have taken 2 already. I got a 93% on my law midterm and an 81% on my mass media midterm. I'm feeling lucky...I still have my micro-economics midterm and my finance midterm.

What is the best way to prepare for a midterm? I took some advice from my teacher via The Wall Street Journal.

 

The only thing I would add to this list is take occasional breaks...which is why I am blogging right now. 

Wish me luck!

Miss Innovation

"Innovation is more than just being creative, it's about finding new platforms for growth." Clark Gilbert

The College of Business and Communication Summit went so well! I got to campus at 7:30 AM and left campus at 7:30 PM. A long day but well worth it.

I learned so much from the speakers. Here are my notes:

Curtis Peterson-

• Don't lose faith! You will find a job. 
• You may not end up in the field of work that you expected. 
• Internships are crucial, whether the company is big or small.

Susan Preytor

• Do I want to be an entrepreneur? 
• Non-profit isn't always the best option for a business is you are working with investors. 
• You need resources to create.

Clark Gilbert

• There are two aspects to innovation.

1. Sustaining Innovation-to maintain creating and changing norms to create a profit.
2. Disruptive Innovation-companies innovate faster than customers' lives change.

An few examples of disruptive innovations are: the kindle, the ipod, the telephone, the electric car and online media. All of these inventions took companies out of their comfort zones, took a step into the dark and plunged into the future.

This presentation hit me the hardest. As I reflect upon the Talent Activities program, which I am the area director for, we have made many changes this semester. We went on faith, with little logic, but are seeing results. Some good and some 'learning experiences'. Regardless, I am glad that we made them because I know they will help the program in the future.

In a late post, I will talk about the innovations we have made this semester in the program. Stay tuned. :)

Mrs. Scared to Death

Hi, All. I'm back.

Semester is done and here are the results...

Not bad. It got me a partial academic scholarship (never thought I would say that) in addition to my full-ride leadership scholarship that I have again for next semester.

I'm pretty happy with the results-all things considered. Being a newlywed, taking 17 credits, working 20 hours and then being director over an events program (volunteer)...it got crazy. In fact, Nephi and I almost cried driving out of town on our first vacation. We were so happy, relieved and had some legitimate bagagge and angst against this semester. The hard part for me, personally, was that I had so many classes to work on, it was hard for me to just enjoy one. I gave about equal amount to each class, in the end, but didn't fancy one over the other. I did learn a lot and felt immense growth and more drive towards graduating and starting a 'real job'.

This is where the real tears come in...

No more excuses, it's time to start applying for my first 'real job' post graduation. My emotions race daily with the thought of what is going to happen in December when I graduate.

Am I going to be one of those graduates who has a job lined up and walks into the office first Monday after graduation? Am I going to be one of those graduates that wakes up the day after graduation, grabs the classifieds and starts applying? Or, am I going to be one of those graduates that is going to start applying early, to 15 + places, get 2 interviews and have nothing to show for it except 15 different cover letters?

I fear all 3, especially option 3.

Ambiguity in life plans has never been my strong suit. I am working on it but I do have a strong belief in a system that has worked for me in the past - work your butt off, pray, be good, follow-up and be yourself and things will work out. This theory has proven to work, however, I am still scared to death...

This is where I am at. Thinking every waking hour about where I will be in 5 months. How I will support my husband. How I will feel accomplished. How I will stayed motivated when pushed down. How I will hold back all the tears.

I don't know, but I am willing to find out and prove my theory, right.

Wish me l u c k. (And let me know if you hear of any job openings in eastern Idaho)

Mrs. New Job. Well, kind of.

Since January, I have been working for University Communications as a project manager. It's been such an incredible experience that it is hard to explain. I have grown so much! Job, after job, I always think I can't learn more than I did in the past job or internship-but I always do!

Some of the principles that I have learned is:
*The client is not always right, you just need to make them feel that way.

-I know immediately, all your heads turn to your neighbor and scoff, “Psh, PR. A whole bunch of spinning is what she is doing.” My response would be, yes and no. Yes, this job is PR and no we do not spin the truth –we just give the client a new perspective.

*I am a student, but I am powerful.

-For example, as an intern, there were many moments where I felt like I was treated like a 'intern'. I had to prove myself over and over again and in the end, I felt like I still struggled to win them over. Here, I feel like my work is worth something and with every project I do well, I gain more respect, trust and stewardship. I love that feeling.

*The mission of the University is to serve the students.

-Each project I work on, in a roundabout, is always for the students. Your now nudging your neighbor thinking, “Duh, you work at a university.” Bust seriously. All my clients are sincere about helping the students understand the message they are trying to convey. It’s not about power or position. It's about people.

*My peers are amazing.

-I work with a team of graphic designers and web programmers, all students, all amazing. They shock me with their talents, daily. I have learned so much from them, not just about design principles, but about talent and expressing your talents. I want to be like them when I grow up.


Those are just a few of the many principles that I have learned here at University Communications. This job really was a miracle and I feel good and fulfilled in this position.

Now, along to my ‘new job, well, kinda’ scenario. My supervisor, I guess you could call her, was the Project Coordinator for University Communications. Instead of her just managing print, she does web, video and photo as well. She has a student project manager in each area that she works with but mostly she manages the bigger projects and the face-time. Fortunately, we worked in the same office and became great friends. She is a great example to me and I loved working with her. Recently, she was offered a new position on campus and she felt it was time for a change in her life and switched departments at the end of July.


With her leaving, there was an obvious vacancy that couldn’t be filled immediately. The job posting just closed and they are currently seeking a new employee. So, how have we been surviving? Me. Ahem, humbly. I am now in her position. And since school is out for the break, I am also the photo coordinator and the web coordinator. A doozy, eh? Nah. It’s been great.

I attend meetings with the director of University Communications, weekly, as well as manage projects in web, print, photo and video. I meet with the managers of each of those departments weekly as well and make sure they are all on top of things. Yes—it’s weird giving assignments and deadlines to men quite superior to me in age, status and pay grade (especially pay grade). But, they are all WONDERFUL to work with. They only enable me to be better. The other day during my meeting with the director he said that he doesn’t look at me as a student, but as a full-time working professional that is to represent University Communications. Wow—that was nice to hear.

Although I will only be in this position a few more weeks, I again, see it as such a miracle. Again, I have learned and grown so much. I hope this trial period is preparing me for something greater in my life. I know, wherever I apply and work [post graduation] I will be prepared because of the experience I have had here.


There is my new job summary and a small tribute to University Communications. Thanking you.

Mrs...photographer!?

Yes. I haven't blogged in forever. It's bad. I wish I could blog. Daily. I have enough to say, just not enough time. One day. Soon.


FYI, I have a photo blog. I am taking a digital imaging class that has taught me how to take pictures and edit them! We invested in a DSLR Cannon Rebel camera and we really like it! Check out my blog and the work I have done this semester!

Stay tuned. I will be back.

Mrs Life is Cake

 

Here is my schedule for the fall 2011 semester. My LAST semester of my undergraduate studies. Only 16 credits next semester, opposed to my current 17. Feel free to feel sorry for me...lend words of encouragement...put my name on the prayer roll....etc. 

But really, life is cake with this man. 

These past, officially today, 2 months have been incredible.

I don't know how I lasted the last 23 years without him.

Miss Challenge

I have to admitt. I love a challenge. And I love being challenging. (I know, it's really annoying.)

Two Examples:

Nephi and I did those rowing machines at the gym last night and we got pretty competative. We played this fish game that they have on the LCD screen and it was SO fun! About half way through, Nephi started complaining about his butt hurting but I kept pushing him. I complained about my hands at the end but didn't look at the till after...Yep. Blisters. I haven't gotten blisters since high school playing softball.

Another challenge that I am undertaking is my Spring 2011 semester at BYU-Idaho. I only have 33 credits left!

Here is my schedule:

Along with these 16 credits, I will be:

• Newly wedded to this cute boy.
• Working part time as a Project Manager over high level institutional print items at school.
• Director of Talent Activities on campus. (I'll blog more about this later)

Wish. Me. Good. Luck.