Justin Bieber for the Elderly

It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the skies are blue, and there's a light breeze. I had just finished studying for my chemistry test and was feeling uplifted by how much I understood and felt confident with. The Hart building was straight ahead, so I decided to stop in and see what free fitness classes were being held tonight at 8:00. I had tried to attend a pilates class a week ago to see what it was like, but I ended up being busy that night. 

I opened the doors, walked down the stairs, and headed toward the small dance studio that had the list of classes posted on the door. The doors were open, and as I got closer I could hear the tune of "Baby" by Justin Bieber coming from the studio. I expected to see a bubbly energetic female aerobics instructor at the front of the room, leading a group of girls in a "super fun and totally awesome" aerobics routine. However, as I approached the doors and took a look inside I saw something very, very different.

This lady's a champ.

Old people. The elderly. Those of an advanced age. You get my drift. They were sitting on giant balance balls, doing a military press with free weights. The instructor was short, muscular, and male. He was shouting, trying to encourage those that had lost their balance and fallen off of their balance ball. Looks of strain, anguish, and pure discontent occupied the faces of the old people. And Justin Bieber was blasting in the background. 

I took in the scene, unable to fully comprehend it. As I walked away I started to silently laugh to myself as I thought about how perfectly hilarious that scene had been. I picked up my cell phone to call my little brother, because I knew he would appreciate it just as much as I had. 

And while it left me with visions of old people wobbling on giant balance balls trying to lift weights, it's okay. 

There's a pilates class tonight at 8:00.

Facebook Stalking: The Newest Way to Scope out a Date

She vigorously clicks the mouse as she scrolls through every one of the 2,496 pictures of him that are on his Facebook profile. From his pictures it looks like he knows how to go out and have fun, goes to the gym a lot, loves to spend time with his friends, is talented at the guitar and piano, and is very photogenic. His profile pictures show that he hasn't had a serious girlfriend in a while, so there's not a big chance of lingering feelings. And the posts on his wall show that everyone that knows him loves him. 

She closes the window and smiles to herself, excited for her date with this young gentleman that weekend. 

Sadly, this happens all too often. The Facebook Stalk has almost taken place of a background check. If a girl gets asked out by a guy, she will do her best to Facebook Stalk him as much as she can. Looking through all photos, scrolling through posts as old as two years ago, and reading his cheesy biography on his "Info" page are the typical items on the Facebook Stalk Check-List. And it isn't just girls that do this. Guys will do the exact same thing.

So, with this knowledge, I think people set up their Facebook profiles in such a way as to be appealing to others. They post photos that make them look like a fun person, an interesting person, and a well rounded person. Even if the guy can't really play piano or guitar, you are likely find a picture of him posing with said instruments. And even though he has only gone on two hiking trips in the last 20 years of his life, those pictures dominate his profile sending the message that he's adventurous. 

Without purposefully doing so, I think Facebook is not just a social media site, but also a dating site. Without the explicit "Personality Tests" and "Matching of Interests", people still send all the same messages through their Facebook profile that a dating profile would. 

So if you have a hot date this weekend go ahead, Facebook Stalk them. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it's really useful. However, just don't put full credit in those pictures of him holding a guitar or standing on top of a mountain. 

I Had to Share

I love Conan. His show takes a night full of stress from anger to lots of laughter. One of my favorite episodes is when John Krasinski visits his show. The marionette thing is the BEST! Once John does the drunken marionette, you can stop the video because the best is over. But the whole clip is fantastic.

Click here to watch the video!

My Husband Loves Me

And I love us. 

If you can't tell, Derek is puffing out his cheeks and seconds after the picture was taken, he blew a raspberry on my lips. 

I Remember

I remember when I was able to watch my sister board her plane and then stand with my face pressed to the window as it took off.

I remember when I ignorantly believed that terrorists were a thing of the past.

I remember when our country felt secure.

I remember when I wondered what a national crisis would be like.

I also remember the morning of September 11, 2001.

Ten years ago today I woke up to a quiet house. That was not the norm. Usually I could hear the sound of the treadmill or the bowflex in the room down the hall as my mom did her daily workout. However, that morning I could hear my heart pumping. I climbed out of bed rubbing my eyes and stumbled my way down the hallway to my mom's room. I saw her sitting up in bed with her knees drawn to her chest and her eyes glued to the TV. She saw me come into her room and I climbed onto her bed and snuggled up to her. I watched the live coverage of the first tower burning, and then saw on TV as the second plane crashed into the second tower. My mom called my dad at work and talked to him. I don't really remember their conversation very well, but when my mom hung up the phone I remember her saying something about World War III.

She told me to get ready for school, so I quietly obeyed. When I was downstairs eating breakfast my mom explained to me what happened that morning. I was only 11 years old. Not old enough to completely comprehend the weight of what just happened.

When I got to school my teacher was quiet. All the students were whispering to each other. The day went on as normal at my small elementary school in Graham. 

Ten years later, I am 21 years old.  I'm married to my best friend. I go to school at Brigham Young University-Idaho studying Exercise Physiology. 

I can no longer watch my sister board her plane or press my face against the glass as it takes off.

I no longer ignorantly believe that terrorists are a thing of the past.

I know what a national crisis feels like.

And I will always remember September 11, 2001.

Little Women

I have finished the first two books! First was the Secret Garden, and now I have finished reading Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." It was incredible! It was really slow at first, making it very difficult for me to get into the book, but I carried on and after the first four chapters I was genuinely interested. After ten chapters, I couldn't put the book down. There are 47 chapters that fill 476 pages, so needless to say I didn't sit down in one day and read the whole book. It has consumed a week of my life, but it was wonderful! I think it is a great book that every girl should read at least once in her life.