Words as Beacons of Light

"Let me be clear that all voices need to be heard in the public square. Neither religious nor secular voices should be silenced." 

-Quentin L. Cook

"Let There Be Light!" the title of Elder Cook's talk loudly proclaims. This made me think-- what am I doing to make this world a little brighter? What can I do better?

As a writer, I rely on my words. I form them, mold them, to most closely represent my feelings. When I feel strongly about something, I write it. Why should I avoid writing about my religion?

I  know religion and journalism don't often mix, however, my job, as a journalist, is to be a watchdog. I am expected to herald democracy and protect it with every word I have. How can I protect such a divinely guided institution without getting a little religious? Elder Cook mentioned a comment made by Clatyon Christensen (this is a beautiful article by him) about democracy. In Elder Cook's words:

"He pointed out that in societies where the citizens are taught from a young age to feel accountable to God for honesty and integrity, they will abide by rules and practices that, while unenforceable, promote democratic ideals."

I'd never quite thought of it that way. I've learned, through my religious beliefs, to do some things because I know they are right. This has spilled over into my secular life also. I do not obey the laws of my democratic nation because I am afraid of the punishment. I obey them because I know they are good, or at least, know I should. 

I'm trying, in the roundabout fashion I know I should avoid, to say this:

Words can be used as clear and shining beacons guiding those in the darkness to the light. As a Journalist, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an American, I will use words to guide others. It is the least I can do.

It is Happening

Okay. I am a Pre-Journalism Major. I need to do pre-journalism stuff. That means I need to keep a blog. This means I need to tweet.

Have I been avoiding this? Desperately.
Will I any Longer? NO!

Here is my thought process:

I keep a blog because I have to for class. I tweet to my teacher that I wrote my blog post.

However, I want to be a journalists. I want to reach people and try and make them care about the random thoughts that are in my head. So, I start now.

I will start being Folly. I will start tweeting my Philosophies.

If that makes no sense to you, follow this link...

It's a bird, It's a plane...

It is no secret that I want to fly.

On the surface, this is proven by my statement that I will one day get my pilot's license-- that is, if I ever get enough money/stop feeling guilty for going against my mother's wishes (Apparently I'm too flighty-- I told her that was a sign... she didn't laugh).

Deeper however, I think I actually want to fly-- like me... physically. No one call the mental ward-- I'm not going to attempt anything. I know it's impossible, but every once in a while I get the opportunity to prove that defying gravity is not reserved for the love child of the Jolly Green Giant and Hermione Granger (Sorry Ron!). Whether it's taking the ATV's for a hair-raising spin around the track (and solidifying my dad's resolve that I will never be allowed to own a motorcycle) or jumping off a zipline on a ropes course, it's nice to feel the rush of wind that lets me know I'm doing something impossible

-- for a little while anyway.

Planes, Patriots and Pancakes

I LOVE Airports. Really, I do. I love that so many different types of people coalesce under one roof. Everyone is aimed to go somewhere, everyone has a future. Each person is on the verge of what could be an exciting adventure. There is never so much untapped potential in one place. Because of my Love for airports, my weekend started out great-- fantastic really. Right after class I went straight to the airport, on my way to LAX to visit my sister, brother and nephew.

Here's another reason why my weekend was fantastic. I LOVE Fireworks. We didn't get any of the illegal ones (aren't we such good law abiding citizens) but we did buy this massive pack of ground fireworks. They were a blast-- only burned myself once (or twice)-- and we were quite pleasantly surprised when the Tanner's across-the-street neighbors starting firing the most wonderful set of illegal fireworks-- all the fun, none of the risk.

Happy Fourth everyone! I need to take a minute from my superfluous blog and say something really important. I want to thank all those out there who are sacrificing everything for this country. Thank you for putting aside your families and your freedoms to keep both safe for me. Your bravery, I know, is often forgotten. Your sacrifice is often set aside to make room for complaints and nay-sayers, but on this day I want you to all know that You are the heros that run this country. You are the reason I wake up every morning knowing I am free to do what I want. Thank you, and God Bless.

And the final reason my weekend in Rosemond, CA rocked? Crazy Otto's Diner. Holy Heck, let me tell you. I got a triple stack of pancakes, hash browns and two eggs over medium. Sounds relatively reasonable for someone with my stomach, right? Well, these pancakes might have been God's Gift to the Mohave Desert. Please imagine a frisbee-- you know, the normal sized ones-- add about an inch in diameter-- maybe two-- yeah... that was my pancake. Talk about heaven on earth-- I found it in a Diner. I will be visiting this glorious place often-- It gives the Hub reason to be jealous!

Now I'm in the Airport-- watching potential walk by. I'm comfortable, I'm at home and soon I will be home. Ahhh, the simplicities of life.

Happy Independence Day!

Those That Inspire

I am often inspired (Hence the blog title).

Often, these inspirations turn into songs.

Lately, these inspirations have affected more than the chords on my guitar.

I am often inspired by people I know.

I see them in their day to day lives.

They live to be something more than they are, to be something bigger than themselves.

I am often inspired by people I've never met.

I see them in a single small moment of their life.

They'll never know that what they did helped me to see my life in a different way.

I am sometimes inspired by people I've never seen.

I hear about them on the news.

They want to change the world, and they won't rest until it's a better place.

I am often inspired by people that don't exist.

I read about them in story books.

Their Fictional presence opens the mind to heros that never back down from truth.

Thank You to all those who inspire me.

Some of you know who you are, Some of you have no Idea.

I am a better person because of you.

Allie Crocker :D

Hello World!

As you know, or don't know, I am working on becoming a good cook. Yes! You see, I decided I need to profit my family in some way-- Kendell is the knitting, crocheting, doctoring one of us, Kelly is the sewing, speech fixing, home-makeing one, So I decided that I am going to be the cooking one :D

That's right, You might as well start calling me Allie Crocker ;)

So, Since summer break I have made eggs a million different ways, pasta as always, cookies-- which still needs some work-- but at least they taste good, and then came mother's day :D

I decided to make a cake, and muffins. They were DELISH!!! Yep :D

So, this is my sour cream cake with white frosting. I decorated it myself, and made it from scratch :D... I didn't actually like the cake, but I think it was the type... my next cake will be a White Cake with Buttercream frosting

Oh, Life is Good!

The Laze Days

Hello world!

I am currently on Summer break-- though now that I am in college, I should refer to it as Spring Break, since that is the term I'm skipping :) I know I should be ecstatic to be free from school, exams, and working hard-- but I'm not. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss the exams in the slightest, but I am beginning to run out of things to do. I can almost hear the millions of television mom's telling me to go play outside, or read a book or learn how to cook or something like that, but that is my problem! I've been doing all those things... and I still have free time!!

Ugh... Hard life, I know :P.

Besides my odd sense of boredom, life is going pretty well, My dad and I finally got the Motorcycle running (with more hinderance than help from me, may I add) so I've been able to take that out... It is so much fun! Everything I imagined-- I feel like I'm flying! Too bad I'll never be allowed to get a real one, but I guess I'll work with what I have :D

So far my summer tally is:

5 and 1/2 Books Read

1 Motorcycle Reconstructed

4 Erin's Promise Performances

6 Meals Cooked

0 Meals Ruined (I know, I'm shocked too ;))

2 Lego Creations Built

and 46 Days until I can start school again

Here is the first of my lego creations... my house :D Awww... how cute, I know. I couldn't bear to destroy this one, so it is currently sitting on my dresser-- the windows and doors open and close... how sweet is that :D

This is my Robot man... He is holding a flower... he also lasted all of about 2 minutes before his arms fell off... he is currently in a million pieces in the Lego Container... poor guy :D

I guess all I have left to say is...

Life is Good

Major Crisis

Do You know what I love about this blog title, it makes it seem like there is something going on in my life-- when really it is just the same old same old. Confused? I'll let you in on a secret... this is a play on words... I'm not having a Major (as in huge and drastic) Crisis... I'm having a Major Crisis... As in that thing I have to specialize in while I attend the University of My Choice :D

So, Let us get down to business. I have so far had 3 majors this year, Nursing (EPIC fail... not a good choice for someone who cant really do the science stuff), Music Education (Not only did I get rejected-- but it's not a good choice for someone who doesn't want to teach for the rest of her life), and now... drum roll please... International Relations (Ahh, Perfection).

So: My top 2 reasons as to why I think this one will stick?:

1. It is what I have always wanted to do, ever since I was really little-- and by really little, I mean however old you are when you realize that Law and Politics could actually be a career. I don't think I want to be a Supreme Court Justice anymore (too much time and not enough time for a family) but I want to do something to help-- anything to help.
2. I'm going to be doing music on top of it. No, I'm not insane-- I just don't want to ever give up my violin, and if I can continue to sing, I would be honored. I guess we'll just have to wait and see where BYU think I fit best.

So, We'll just say that I haven't been this happy to study since before I changed my major from Political Science to Nursing before school even started. I'm ready to travel this road and see where it takes me. Who knows? Maybe I'll find what I'm looking for :)

17 Days, 2 Hours and 26 minutes

As you can see, My blog has officially been taken over by the best sport in the nation: Baseball.

As you can see, there is only 17 Days, 2 hours and 25 minutes (now) until the Braves Season Opener.

As you can see, except for the accent of yellow (the best color known to mankind) we are officially in Braves Colors... or America's colors-- considering the Braves are the best team in America, I think that's appropriate. (if anyone dares to bring up their record now, may they feel the wrath of Uncle Sam :D)

As you have probably guessed... I'm a little bit far away from my Braves.

It's actually kind of funny if you think about it. Back when I lived in Atlanta, I took for granted my ability to go to Turner Field whenever I wanted-- and by that I mean, I hardly ever went. However, now that my Braves have been taken away from me (and by that I mean, now that i've taken myself away from the Braves) I desperately want the opportunity to go and see them. Funny how life works sometimes.

Well, I have a substitution. The BYU Baseball team is pretty good, and my allsport pass gets me in to all the games :D... that's right... I am a BYU Baseball fan. Too bad I hardly know anything about them... minus the fact that I really like their hats. I went to a game the other day... but because Utah has the strangest weather I could ever imagine, it snowed out... and here is the frustrating part... We had been down 12 to 2 right before it started snowing-- most people had lost hope (I hadn't... I never lose hope). Then, in the 7th inning (i think)-- as snow was slowly beginning to blanket the painstakingly groomed field-- we came back with overwhelming power. We scored one home run after the other, and then, when the score board read 12-10, the refs called the game!!! I couldn't believe it... we were going to make the most epic comeback ever. I waited during the entire delay, but I had been in Draper earlier that day, and knew that it wasn't getting any better. Oh well, there will be other games, and one day I will watch as we bring Washington down :D