powerful

One of my facebook friends shared a link to this article on buzzfeed.com called "The 45 Most Powerful Images Of 2011". Some of the photos depicted things I don't necessarily support or agree with, but you can't deny that they are all extremely compelling and dramatic photos, capturing important parts of history.

I want to share a few of my favorites, along with the captions posted with them on the original article (again, you can view the whole article here.)

What a year it's been! I think after seeing this article, it kind of came into perspective for me. A lot of major things happened this year. Tragedies. Successes. Violence. Acts of Kindness. What a world we live in. This article sums it up in a pretty straight forward way. I am so impressed with all the photographers that captured these intense, vivid images to share. Photos like this really make these things real, even when they are all happening far from home (for me at least).

Robert Peraza, who lost his son Robert David Peraza in 9/11, pauses at his son's name at the North Pool on the 9/11 Memorial. 

(Getty Images / Justin Lane)

Members of the national security team receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House on May1. 

(Reuters / HANDOUT)

Two lights from the former site of the World Trade Centers shine for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

(Reuters / GARY HERSHORN)

A monstrous dust storm (Haboob) roared through Phoenix, Arizona in July.

source: danbryant.com

A man sits in front of a destroyed apartment building following the Joplin, Missouri tornado. 

(Reuters)

Chile's Puyehue volcano erupts, causing air traffic cancellations across South America, New Zealand, Australia and forcing over 3,000 people to evacuate.

(Reuters)

Firefighters of Ladder Company 4 - which lost seven men on 9/11 - perched together on their aerial ladder, watching a news bulletin in Times Square declaring that Osama bin Laden was dead on May 2.

source: lens.blogs.nytimes.com

Slain Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson's dog "Hawkeye" lies next to his casket during the funeral services in Rockford, Iowa. Tumilson was one of 30 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan on August 6 when their helicopter was shot down during a mission to help fellow troops who had come under fire.

5 things

1. let me tell you a story: Devin always leaves for work about half an hour before me, but we wake up at the same time. Today, after he left, i noticed he forgot his phone (which doubles as his work phone. which means he uses it a lot throughout the day). so, i finished getting ready faster than usual, skipped grabbing any kind of fuel (usually apple cider or a granola bar), and headed down to his office early enough that I could still make it to work on time. I was much faster than i thought, and there was hardly any traffic on the freeway, so i got to sandy with about 20 minutes to spare. the other thing about commuting to work on the freeway every day is that you can never tell what traffic will be like. Some days, crashes will slow it down from Murray all the way to Lehi. other days, there are hardly any cars on the road. It generally takes me almost exactly 30 minutes from my house to where I nanny, but I often get off the 114th south exit 5-10 minutes early, and just take the long way to the house to kill time. Since i didn't grab anything to eat this morning, i decided i might as well kill time somewhere, rather than just drive around wasting gas and getting frustrated in traffic. I had noticed Daylight Donuts before, just in passing, but it came to my mind. It is morning. And donuts are breakfast food (to me, at least. best breakfast you could ask for?!)

The result? 96 cents TOTAL for a delicious original glazed donut. Probably the best I've ever had. And I didn't even had to feel embarrassed about never having cash/change, because the cashier ran my debit card anyway! Some places have a minimum amount you have to reach before you can use a card. Maybe that's for credit cards? I have no idea. I'm always too embarrassed to try, so I will either get more things, or scrounge for change. But also, i had no idea it would be so cheap in the first place! Great discovery nonetheless. I'm thinking this might become a regular thing...

2. The Rockstar Diaries has done it again! She posted about this foundation, and the wonderful people behind it. We've all heard of The 5 Browns, right? amazing piano siblings? They are not only amazing, but they have an incredible story, and what they've gone through has inspired them to help others in similar situations, and spread the word about stopping abuse. Like them on facebook!

3. Finding this gem:

4. pretty things

5. hilarious things: (I would never really call myself a harry potter fan. i didn't read the books (unless you count that one time i tried to read the first one like 10 years ago but don't recall doing so), i've seen some of the movies. i love them, but i'm not crazy about them or anything. but THIS... this is just hilarious. or maybe it's just me. i get a giggle every time. OMG, Malfoy. You act like I even care... bahahahaha

in the news

SO. I've been on the look-out lately for some awesome new blogs to follow, and I have found a handful that have benefited me for sure.


FOR EXAMPLE, rockstar diaries. ever heard of it? this lady is amazing. she lives on capitol hill, has a beautiful baby girl, and an awesome life. last Sunday, she was featured in the Washington Examiner, talking about her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the impact her religion has on her marriage and motherhood. You can read the Q&A here. (I recommend it! It's short.)


I really loved this article. It's awesome to see members speak openly about what we believe, and have it viewed in a positive light. I think she did a great job of representing the group of us that is "Mormon mom/wife bloggers". It was done so tastefully, on both Naomi's end, and the reporter's. I'm impressed!


With everything going on in the political campaigns with the members who are running, and the negative light that has shed on the church and it's members in some cases, it's nice to see that it's not all bad. There is some good out there, and it's really good!

articles and embarrassment

couple things.


A: sometimes, I re-read my posts, because a lot of the time, I write these late at night, or in a hurry, so I don't really remember what I'm saying... and I apologize profusely. I make so many typo's! Sometimes, I go back and edit my posts to fix them, but not always. This will probably keep happening too. I type fast, late at night, and usually with a lot of different things running through my mind -- so it is what it is. But I'm still sorry.


B: I clean up my computer a lot, and I don't mean my actual computer, well I do that too, but I mean, my files. I go through and delete old stuff, and organize on a very regular basis. I was going through Microsoft Office files of old school papers and found a file called "Katie's Published Articles" -- with every single article I ever wrote for the Dixie Sun!


I had a moment of pride, like a proud parent, more than a cocky athlete, really -- but there were a LOT of stories in there, all stories that I worked really hard on. All stories I am very proud of, regardless of all the stuff I had to go through to get them! Being a journalist is a TOUGH job, and I have a lot of respect for those that do it! There were about 75 stories in there though! If any of you understand anything about journalism, and being on a fast-paced, high-stress Newspaper Staff -- you know it's something to be impressed by. And if you don't understand... be impressed by me anyway, haha!


I have to share these with you though. There are 2 comic opinion pieces I did back in the day, and they are pretty entertaining. There were a few different sections of the paper: News, Sports, A&E (the section I was the Editor for), Lifestyles and Opinion. I think that's it... anyway, the Opinion section was always small, and was mostly made up of Editorials, political comics, and the weekly columnists that wrote pieces for each issue, but every once in awhile, the Editor would have people from the staff take a shot, and write an opinion piece on whatever they wanted. I was super intimidated by that kind of freedom, so I only did it a few times. 2 of those times, I wrote funny ones.


I crack myself up:


Keep in mind, though, that these are Newspaper articles, written in AP style... so it's different. Not what people are used to reading. Also, AP style makes it sort of difficult to have a sense of humor.


Disney Princesses Offer Good, Awful Examples (actual headline... not written by me... written by the Editor)


Several people argue for and against the statement that Disney’s princesses are a bad influence on young girls.
I can’t decide if I agree or disagree with this, so I will cover both sides of the issue at hand. I only see problems with a couple of the princesses which could definitely be causing such a bad rep. Jasmine, the Arabian princess in Aladdin, starts her “bad girl” streak with her costume choice: a midriff-baring top and over-done make-up.
Her choice in clothes is not the only thing about her that proves her “bad girl” personality. Toward the end of the movie, Jasmine attempts to seduce Jafar, the sultan. I don’t know about you, but I think it could have easily turned into an outlandish PG-13 sex scene at that point.
I get a strong feeling that Jasmine must have been a teenager going through puberty. First, the skanky outfit, and on top of that, her attitude is totally seditious. She raises her voice to her father on multiple occasions and gives him the classic sixteen-year-old girl attitude. After that, she sneaks out of the palace—to be with a boy—a street rat! Gasp!
I see a pattern in most Disney princesses, because Pocahontas and Ariel also disobey their fathers to be with boys. This is suggesting to the young viewers that it is okay to break the rules as long as you are doing it for “love.”
Other than that, Cinderella has a weird thing with small rodents which may or may not have rabies, and Snow White is living with not one, not two, but seven men, but other than that, these girls are pretty nice.
Oh, and if you count Mulan as a princess (she’s not usually on the paraphernalia), she too disobeys her father and dresses in drag! Now I’m no expert, but I highly doubt that cross-dressing is the way to get the attention of Shang, the warrior leader captain.
Each princess has some good qualities, well, except for Aurora, a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty, but in her defense, she really does just sleep during the majority of the movie.
Cinderella and Snow White both befriend forest creatures, and Belle tames the psychopathic mutant beast man. Jasmine accepts Aladdin for his poor, stealing self, and Ariel only rebels against her father in the name of love… and curiosity.
Pocahontas does her own good by not only trying to learn about the strange new settlers before judging them, but also by putting John Smith in his place when he calls her people savages, then educating him on the colors of the wind and the spirits inside inanimate objects while she asks him strange questions about bobcats and the blue corn moon, all mixed together in one popular song.
Snow White and Cinderella must have been great friends, because they both cleaned enough to compensate for everyone else, and both were slaves of evil older women, and Belle don’t lower her standards for nobody—not even Gaston, the ladies man!
So, I see the good and the bad in each Disney princess, but honestly, I say the argument should be put to rest! These princesses are meant to solely entertain young girls, and they definitely do their job, regardless of how us big kids see them.




{can't find the actual headline for this one... but's it's about DATING IN THE WORKPLACE}


Dating in the workplace has been a common policy for most companies since the beginning of time.
Why then, am I surrounded by gushy, mushy, lovey-dovey couples every time I walk into work? I know my company has a policy, but it is obvious that managers are letting it slide.
Of course, there are pros and cons to dating in the workplace: work is a great place to meet new people, it makes your job a more positive experience. You also get to spend that additional time with your partner that other couples are usually reluctant to spend apart.
But, you will, undoubtedly be the punch line of every joke, and the subject of all the gossip in the break room. And what if you break up? Wouldn’t you still have to see each other on a very regular basis, if not every single day?
That would force all of the positive aspects of dating in the workplace to become your dreaded fate. If you or your ex-partner met someone else in the workplace, jealousy would take its toll. You would hate going to work, and the result of that would most likely be taken by your clients or customers.
This being your consequence because, let’s face it, it is a very, very rare occurrence that relationships end mutually and happily for both involved.
Not only are you making everyone else in the company feel awkward and distracted, but you will create the exact same situation for yourself if the relationship ended badly.
There are those couples that try to keep their relationship a secret for as long as possible, which in my opinion only makes it even more embarrassing when everyone finds out, because they will realize all the little things they missed over the past three months that you have been “secretly” dating, and will tease you relentlessly for said “secret.”
I also think there is a fine line when it comes to staying professional. When you go to work, you should always feel at ease with your supervisors and co-workers, which elicits friendly activity. But when, exactly, does friendly cross over to flirty? And where is the line between flirting and sexual harassment?
Dating in the workplace is inappropriate and unprofessional, so maybe—hopefully—you will think twice about that cute guy in IT, or the new receptionist.


Oooh... these articles make me realize how much I do not miss being at Editor. Or on a newspaper staff at all, really. THAT is also another story for another time.