Old Fashioned

I love a lot of old fashioned things. I love old fashioned movies, clothes and even old fashioned root beer. Recently, I've been having conversations with friends about old fashioned dating. You know, the dating where the guy picks up the phone and calls to ask a girl out for a date and then actually plans a date to take her on. The type of dating where the couple spend hours talking before even holding hands and then waiting for 3 or 4 dates or even 3 or 4 months before the first kiss. I remember this type of dating and yes it seems like ages ago, but everytime I think about it, it makes me smile. I remember being giddy about the prospect of being asked out by a boy. I loved talking on the phone with my prospective date days before the date and if the date was great, continuing the phone conversations after the date.

There was one time when I had gone out with this boy for a few dates and we were driving in his truck and I had my hand stretched out next to me and while driving he reached over and grabbed it. It put the biggest smile on my face. Even more awesome was that the car was manual.. he was definitely smitten.

So why all the nostalgia? Well, since that time, dating has become so unappealing and more of a chore and cause for several emotional breakdowns. The term crazy, normal associated with those admitted to a psychiatric facility, is now a common term placed on both men and women who have become overwhelmed with dating and in turn have resorted to uncharacterisitics methods to cope. ;)

My friends and I spend more time discussing all the dread leading up to the first date then we do talking about the date itself.

I've watched as my beautiful, smart and funny friends begin to doubt their qualities and worth, just because a guy doesn't text a day after a date. I hear my guy friends and their lackadaisical (yes, I had to google spelling) attitude they present to me about going out with "chicks".

The worst of it, is those people who are in unfulfilling and convenient relationships, just so they don't have to be alone.

Now, here is the good part of all this reminiscing and venting. I have decided to bring back the old way of dating!!! That's right, I am going to start promoting the good old fashioned date. The old way where the boy calls to ask out. Where two people take the time to get to know each other before all the smooching. I want to bring back the excitement of the first date, the first hand holding and the first kiss!! And YES, I think it's a fabulous idea!

I haven't quite decided how to "launch" this plan but the first person I am going to start with is me. :) I am going to act as quinea pig. The next guy I go out with has no idea what he's in for.

I realize that I be met with different viewpoints and opposers, but the way I am approaching dating now isn't working and it isn't fun and that just has to change in order for me to one day be betrothed. (love that word)

So wish me luck on this new venture and who knows..... I may just start a trend. :)

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Who I Am- the basics anyway

I said I would post my paper once I got done, so here it is. It's sounds pretty formal, but only because it was required. The assignment wanted be to define Who I was over What I was so you think there are things missing, there is a reason. Hope you enjoy it. It was a very positive and interesting experience for me.





This Is Who I Am

I believe that my purpose in life is to make a difference in the lives of others in a positive way. I believe that the personality that I have developed, from the time I was a child, has connected me with those I was meant to influence in some way. I believe that it is in my nature to be creative and I thrive when I am tapping into that creative spirit.
I believe it is important to stand up for what is right. I am not shy about sharing my opinion or concerns if I disagree with what is being presented. I believe in this so strongly that I have gotten myself into trouble, from time to time, for speaking up.
I value knowledge and continually strive to learn new things and develop an understanding of a variety amount of subjects and topics. I feel that it is important to have this desire in my life in order to improve my communication with others and to improve how I live.
I believe that what I think about myself affects how I treat others. When I feel confident and secure, I have a desire to serve and enjoy being around others and giving compliments. When I feel sad or depressed, I find that I am impatient and don’t enjoy social settings. I also become more sarcastic with those I am close to.
It is important to me to make others feel comfortable and accepted. I have lived in many different countries and states growing up. Living in these diverse areas, helped me develop a respect for those who are different from me. I gained great friendships through my willingness to learn about different cultures. This attitude has helped me adapt quickly to new environments’ that I have been placed in.

I believe that being kind and having a positive attitude has blessed me with many wonderful opportunities in both my personal and professional life.
I believe in God and know that this belief shapes the attitudes I have and the decisions I make in my life. This belief has been in me since I was a child and provides me with spiritual stability.
The relationships with my family and friends are vital in defining who I am. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the influences of my friends and family. I value what it means to be a friend, daughter, aunt and sister. Living out these roles has impacted my life in great degrees.
It is important for me, to contribute my talents, in order to improve the communities in which I live. When I make career and life choices, I always think about how I can use what I gain to influence those around me for the better.
I value honesty. It is important for me to be honest with people, to be honest with myself and for people to be honest with me. If I am living in a way which I feel doesn’t reflect who I truly am, I become depressed and withdraw from society.
I am easily affected by people’s moods. If a friend is in a good mood, I feel happy and positive. If I am around someone who has a negative attitude or is in a bad mood, I find that it can change my whole day. I think it is my belief that I can influence people in a good way that contributes, to this type of behavior. I always want those around me to be happy and if they aren’t it bothers’ me.
My goal is to have peace with who I am and what I am doing. Through my actions, I seek to feel that I have truly made a difference in this life.

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Who Am I?

So this semester I am taking 2 of my communication courses along with general courses and in both those classes we were asked to write papers describing who we were. Now some people might enjoy an assignment solely focused on themselves but a bit of fear entered me as I became to ponder on that question.

The basics of who I am are easy to define. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, but if that all that was required to produce for the assignment, then I would start to question the teachers' credentials. No, we are required to really define who we are and then the BEST part(I roll my eyes of course), have 3 people read it and see if they agree.

Now, those who know me may find my apprehension surprising, seeing as I tend to enjoy the subject of "me" quite fun to discuss more times then not, but I really have had difficulty in this assignment and as the date approaches wonder if I can produce a satisfactory paper.

I don't know if it was meant to lead me into "soul searching" but that is what has happened. It has led me to begin really defining who I am aside from those titles that I carry with great pride. What do I value, what type of person do I think I am, what are my strengths, what are my weaknesses? What sets me apart from others, what drives me and why do I think the way I do. Yeah, easy questions huh? (rolling my eyes again).

As I have been thinking through all these deep thought questions, I received an email from my dad one day saying that he found some pics of me in Japan that he thought I would like. As I looked at them, the memories of those moments came back and I started to think about me as a kid. I was a cute kid I think, despite the boy hairdo, I loved dressing up, I loved playing with my friends, loved being with my family, especially my sisters. I was shy at times but once I warmed up I made friends quickly, young or old. I loved to entertain, whether it was doing plays, singing or dancing. I loved to laugh. I loved to dream. I loved stories, I especially the ones my mom would read to us kids. I loved adventure and could spend all day exploring and I hated math.



So as I have been taking a trip down memory lane, I am come to a pretty cool realization about myself....... I really haven't changed. I still think I am cute, even with my fine, stringy hair, I still love dressing up, playing with my friends. I still love being with my family, especially my sisters. I still get shy when I first met people but warm up quickly and have lots of great friends young and old. I still love singing and dancing and while I may not do a lot of plays, I still enjoy the arts. I still dream big and love to read great stories. I still love adventure and still could explore different places all day. And I still love to laugh and I still hate math. :)




I know that there is a lot more to me then these basic facts, but it is really comforting to know that the personality that I started out with, continues with me today and there is a sense of peace that comes with that.

So wish me luck on the paper, and maybe if I am brave enough, I'll post the finish product.

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Too Cute for Words

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No more teachers...no more books..... oh.. wait!

So I finished my first semester back to school. It has been a most challenging experience. I remember the couple weeks... I think I cried at some point, everyday, and then I got into a routine and boom.. Finals done!

I never have thought of myself as school saavy. I think I barely graduated high school (I consider myself more of a creative, social spirit). So it has been interesting to see what subjects I excel in (pretty much anything requiring my opinion), and which ones I don't..dad don't read this part (math).

I have also learned that I am capable of a lot more than I thought and that even if I have to cry through this whole experience, in the end, it will be worth it.

In the beginning, when I wondered why any sane person would go back to finish school at 40, a thought came to my mind and I was reminded that any knowledge gained in this life, would bless my life in the eternities. So with that, let's hope someone in the afterlife will want me to explain polynomials.... ;)

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Young or Old?

I was in the Bishop's office for tything settlement tonight. He had a big glass bowl of candy and then a box of Sees' chocolates on his table. I was totally eyeing the chocolates and if it weren't for the fact I was still fasting, I would have asked to take one. As I commented on the abundance of sweets on the table, the Bishop says, "Yeah, the young ones go for the candy in the jar, but the seniors in the ward like the chocolates better...... Uhhh.... I'm just going to pretend he was speaking about the youth who are seniors in high school... :)

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A Fresh Start

It's been quite a long time since my last confession...oops I meant post. I always plan on being more consistent and then well, life gets in the way and I just have to make a fresh start.

This past weekend my little brother got married. It was the coolest wedding! It was so fun to see my brother so happy and feel so lucky that he found his wife Scarlett. As a sister, you not only want your siblings to find someone they love but someone that will love they dearly back and treat them well. Greg found that in Scarlett. They compliment each other and best of all, her wit blends in well with the McCann Clan.

The night before the wedding Lauren and I were hanging out in my brother Jerry's hotel room just talking with my sister-in-law Melanie and my niece Malia. As we were talking about the wedding stuff, Malia asks "Auntie Erin, when are you getting married?" I wanted to say "Oh, if I had a dime..." but I didn't. I just smiled and said "one day." And one day it will happen, and it will be great, and seeing how in love Greg and Scarlett are, that's what I am willing to wait for. So thank you for reminding me how grand love is and how waiting for the right one is totally worth it!

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I made it to 39!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Oct 13, 2010
That probably sounds more depressing then I really feel, but part of me can't believe I'm actually 39, I just don't feel it! I had a small gathering with some friends and then my roommate celebrated her birthday on the 29th and I joined her in a live action Clue Party, so I can say my 39th birthday was celebrated quite well... Clue Party This is our shoe shot!

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