thoughts from my 17 year old self- modesty

So I was exploring the dark depths of my facebook tonight and found all of my old 'notes' {are those still a thing? I feel like they died out a while ago} Anyway- I found something I had written a little under 4 years ago and I was kind of proud of myself for writing it. There has been a lot of talk about Mormonism lately in the media and I have seen some stuff- mainly criticisms about the modesty guidelines written in the the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. Here is how I thought about modesty as a personal issue when I was a Junior/Senior in high school

"ok so this kinda inspired by the summer and walking around a lot of water parks lately.

"So i really dont get why girls feel the need to wear less clothing, im not sure if it makes them feel more comfortable especially in the hot weather but honestly im not sure."I personally keep my dress standards to clothing that covers my shoulders, chest, butt, stomach, and shorts that cover above my knee. This is a personal choice that is guided by the standards set by my chruch (aka: mormon/Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints/LDS). Although these guide lines may sometimes seem like "restrictions" i have come to love modesty and what it stands for. I believe by wearing respectable clothes it is easier for me to be comfortable around others because i dont have to worry if my underwear is showing or if i have anything falling out. I also dont have to worry about guys giving me negative attention, i know that when i cover up my body guys are more likely to be looking at me and noticing my personality other than noticing my body. I feel that wearing modest clothes projects an image that shows that i respect myself. The clothes i wear and the standards i set for myself are all choices and i am very passionate about modesty."I do not say any of this in judgement of others, i personally do not feel comfortable in revealing attire and do not understand why people wear little clothing, but i was raised with different standards than a lot of people and that probably has influenced my choices but that is what they still are: choices."The American Junior Miss pageant winner is a great example of what I believe. Lindsey Brinton is from Utah and she boldly stated during the pageant her feelings on modesty. She is an amazing role model for everyone. Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHdZYMKxLdM"

Not the best piece of literature I have ever read/written but what's important is the message.

Modesty is not a standard taught in the LDS church so as to not tempt men with our seductive curves. Modesty is very individual. I do it for myself- not for anyone else. A benefit might be that boys don't just notice me for my body but the main reason is to show respect. Respect to myself, to those around me {because no one really feels comfortable when you're clothes aren't functioning properly}, and most importantly it is a sign of respect to my Father in Heaven for the body that he gave me. I treat it with respect {also why we have the Word of Wisdom, no tattoos, etc.} to show that it is a gift that I value and want to keep in good condition.

Think about if you got a nice new car for Christmas- you had picked it out and someone you love a lot sacrificed to give you this car because they loved you too. This is your car- you can really do whatever you want with it. But would you drive it recklessly and fill it with fast food garbage and crash it into stuff? How would the person who gave you that gift feel about the way you treated the car they gave you? It's really a very similar situation. I take care of my body and respect it because it is a gift from someone I love and who loves me.

This is why we have modesty as a standard.

Things I Put On My Body: sunny side up

I have this weird thing where I have an inability to keep sunglasses for more than a year. I think it stems from the fact that in Seattle you only use sunglasses for 3 months of the year and then you put them away and they get stolen by gremlins or ex-con furbies {same thing I guess} or something. But I have had my share of sunglasses.

It all started in 8th grade- I fell in love with aviators. I loved that they were a bit different and that they looked good on me! I refused to wear any other frame of sunglasses until really my freshman year of college {that was about... 3 or 4 pairs of sunglasses later} I started off super basic- silver rims with blacked out lenses, then next year silver rims with brown tinted lenses, the next year was my favorite: yellow rims and black lenses. I still love them- but unfortunately the only things left of them are my memories and a few pictures. Nothing could replace them- I tried pink frames {cheap- bent super easy and just no good} dark blue {alright but still not the same}. I couldn't move on...

the last day I ever remember wearing these sunglasses- tear
Don't I look like I'm having fun wearing them?- no I don't play guitar #posertotheextreme

...until one summer I worked at Nordstrom Rack. Every day I would walk past the accessories and I just fell in love with these Betsy Johnson sunglasses- light pink leopard print across the top with brown #sassyyetclassy- they were even on sale for like $20 or something reasonable for "designer sunglasses". Some were a little over the top but there was one pair that were just the cutest things. I was too afraid to try them on- they were a Ray Ban style {well at the time I thought more Joe Jonas sunglasses} and I thought they might look weird on me. Finally I got up the nerve to try them on and it was magic! They fit, and more importantly they were super cute! I proceeded to purchase and love them. Those were the first sunglasses that I ever kept for longer than a year. I wore them through EFY and Jerusalem until one cloudy day when they remained in my purse. I had forgotten about them and all of a sudden I heard a snap. I had successfully snapped both of the temples {"arms"} off of the face of my glasses. They were dead- they died and I was sad. I would never find a pair like them- Betsy Johnson had similar styles but the leopard print on top was either bright pink or neon green with black- not the light pink leopard print with brown I had come to love. They were too much. I couldn't find a pair that I loved and since I didn't need any I didn't give in to the pressure.

maybe it was the tigger/eyore combo, maybe it was the ukulele, maybe it was Sarah
{it was probably Sarah}
but I just look happy with these sunglasses- right? I'm noticing a theme

Still happy! (hiking in Petra and mountain thing in Jordan)

This past weekend though I went to Las Vegas- the sun was shinning and my eyes were not covered. I decided that I needed new sunglasses and had seen some cute/acceptable ones from Old Navy so when I ventured to the mall with my grandma and aunt and cousins I found the blessed store and found those treasured sunglasses- more circular frames with a cool gold bridge, light brown leopard print- they passed the test. Fit, looked good, under $10 {what!??!} And therefore I purchased those suckers and have loved them ever since. {all 3 days} I can't wait to start my new life with these beauts!

Aren't they fun?

Since we're on the subject of sunglasses though I am also intrigued with cat eye lenses- Yay? Nay? I personally love these ones from Etsy- unfortunately someone snagged them up- bum deal man.

But aren't they SO cute?!

weekend we-wind: vegasssss

So after last weeks crazy-ness with the midterms and such I took a little vacation to my favorite unholy city- Vegas! Last time I went to Vegas with some of my freshman roomies- Macey (the local) and Kylee. It was so much fun just sitting out in the sun and going to the strip {note to self: make plans to do it again soon}

cheesin for the camera/the guy that took this picture... was a creep


love these girls

This time I went with my grandma and stayed with my Aunt and Uncle+kids for the weekend. We spent our time just hanging out, shopping, my aunt got to set me up with a boy in her singles ward that she's been telling me about for probably a year now. It was a lovely 75 degrees outside when we left Sunday afternoon. I got to wear skirts without leggings {and shaved my legs for the first time in weeks...}, no jackets. It was absolutely perfect!


drive to vegas/new sunglasses- Old Navy and the glorious sun/also drive to vegas


drive home from vegas-
2 different shots- not of the same place but cool how they fit together right?


my cousins- love them/Leah and I- she was kind of hesitant towards me all weekend... I wonder why?

highlights:
seeing familia
eating at BJs restaurant- {and subsequently slipping into a food induced coma}
I highly recommend the Pizookie
driving through cool canyons in Arizona
being warm!

Definitely will be doing that again after this crazy semester is over