The Minion Challenge

Minions are small, yellow, feisty creatures that serve only the baddest villains of all time. They have served villains from Napoleon to Dracula. Most recently, Minions served the evil genius Felinious Gru, from Despicable Me. Sure, these minions are cute, comical, and up to no good. But, to me, these little guys DOMINATE the world today. My boyfriend's sister brought up the point that you cannot go a single day without seeing a Minion. These little yellow creatures are everywhere. 

For instance...do you want some simple Kraft Macaroni and Cheese? 

Well here, also-- have a Minion.

Do you need to drive anywhere?

 

Oh! Look! Two Minions on the side of the road! How convenient?

Hey, how about a Tic Tac to tide you over until lunch?

MINIONS.

How about a nice getaway trip to Vegas?

 

Don't worry, there are *creepy* Minions there, too. 

But alas, surely I won't see any Minions on a college campus today. 

BUT I LOOK UP FROM MY PHONE AND APPARENTLY IT IS BRING YOUR KID TO SCHOOL DAY BECAUSE I SEE A TINY HUMAN WITH A TINY MINION ON HIS BACK AND ALL HOPE IS LOST.

Therefore I stand by my argument that you can't go a day without seeing a Minion. 

Why is she so nice?

I have the most charitable mother on the planet. Whenever she sees someone in need, she goes out of her way to help them.

With the holiday season approaching, I see my mother's charitable acts more than ever. People always make comments about my mom saying "Why is she so nice?" "Why did she do that?" Sometimes I feel a little defensive thinking, "Well, why not?" "Why do you care if she helps someone else in need?" Instead of stonewalling the conversation, I turn this into the opportunity to share how AWESOME my mother is. Growing up, my mom had ONE pair of pants and TWO shirts. She had no pajamas.

The best part of this whole thing? My mom didn't know that I love telling her story. Her TRIAL became the OPPORTUNITY to make a change as she grew older.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Clive and Helen Jo Murphy, had taken her in after her stepmother kicked her out of the house because "Mormon Missionaries visited me at our front door." 

After she was kicked out of her house, she moved in with The Murphy family. They taught her what it was like to be part of a loving family. This was "something [she] never really had due to [her] parents' divorce when [she] was 5 years old." The Murphy's taught her a lot in the little time she was with them. They taught her how to wisely spend her money. They emphasized the importance of spending money on things you need versus things you want.

 When she was living with the Murphy's she had been accepted to BYU and was saving money to be able to attend mid-semester. 

"I was employed at a local Hallmark store and had been eying a crystal heart-shaped necklace, wanting to purchase it every time I received a paycheck. Brother and Sister Murphy counseled me to be smart and not purchase frivolous things and to keep my goal of attending college in sight. I saw that necklace every time I went to work, but heeded their counsel and didn't buy it."

 After months of working and saving money, the day had come to move from California to Utah. The Murphy family drove her to Provo in the middle of October to pursue her dream of obtaining a college degree. As they dropped her off at the dorms, Sister Murphy pulled out THE necklace and gave it to her as a gift from their family. 

Here is the best part. I get choked up EVERY TIME I tell this part to anyone:

"I asked how I could repay them for taking me into their home and for all they had done for me. They told me that I needed do nothing more than help others throughout my life. What's funny is that I wanted this necklace so badly, but have never actually worn it! Although it has remained boxed in my jewelry drawer, this necklace reminds me of the promise I made that day, in that dorm parking lot, to help others. I have done my best to do just that and hope I have made the Murphy family proud."

SERIOUSLY. My mom is a saint. Let's call her Saint Cheryl. 

Here's my challenge to YOU: Accept the challenge. Go out of your way to help someone else. I look up to my mom so much. She has taught me to go out of my way to do nice things for people. It's not hard to smile at someone, or wish someone a good day, or letting someone in on the road instead of speeding up.

Happy holidays! Go out and do something nice. 

San Bernadino and Prayers

Yesterday, December 2, 2015, there was a mass shooting in San Bernadino, California. Before I go any further I want to send my condolences to those affected. To the families, the businesses, and the community that was effected: My heart is heavy, and I'm sorry. I don't know what it is like, whereas I don't know anyone that has been involved in a situation like this.

What we know so far is that there were three active shooters. Two suspects are deceased, and one is detained. After a heated interaction at a holiday office party, two shooters entered the building in combat gear and began to shoot. Terrorism hasn't been ruled out, but it seems to be workplace violence based on the information the public has received. According the the Washington Post, police found 12 pipe bombs in the home of the suspects, along with more ammunition.

Anyways...the motives of the shooters are still unknown. This is terrifying. Aside from the sickening mass shooting, I am sickened by the fallout from the public.

This post right here really got to me:



As Americans, there isn't much we can do. I definitely can't do anything about this problem from "Happy Valley, Utah." It is natural for people to want to do something about a problem. In this scenario, there is not much we can do but send good vibes and pray. I'm not forcing anyone to be religious. If you don't believe in prayer, that's your call. I'm not going to shove religion down your throat. But what does Daily News intend to achieve by publishing this? What good does this do? Does it distract the attention from the shooting itself? What are your motives Daily News? Whether religious or not, this is horrible journalism. People are dying, and you choose to pick on people praying? You choose to push down people who are trying their best to stay positive? Whether or not you believe in God, THIS IS NOT JOURNALISM. Daily News prides themselves in reporting news, but this isn't news.

Say "Yes!"

One week ago, I got an email from my professor telling me that he had an opportunity for me. 

I just thought it would be something small, like a visit with a local PR firm. Well, I was way off. He invited me to join 14 other Public Relations students to attend the national conference for Public Relations students across the U.S. 

I was speechless. I had been waiting for something to tell me that I was worth it. This was the moment.

This isn't just a post about me bragging, I promise. There is a reason I'm telling this story.

Say "yes" to opportunities. This is a very extreme example, but I'm glad I said "yes."

Although I was nervous and I felt like my hands were going to fall off, I made it to Atlanta, the home of the conference. I have already made connections with the other students on the trip. 

I'm happy. This is my time to do something I'm passionate about. Do something once a day that scares you. 

A Feminist Post by an Anti-Feminist

DISCLAIMER: I don't see anything wrong with being a feminist. I believe that everyone is entitled to what they believe in, whether it is for or against something.

On that note, here's my rant:

The other day I was talking to a group of guys at my apartment complex. I mentioned that I really wanted to get a massage because my arms were so sore from my last bi & tri workout. One of the guys laughed at me, and said "Gee, if I were to say that I would sound like a tool, but you're a cute girl so it's fine."

I laughed and looked at him and told him that he had no clue what that was like. I went on to give the example: Guys who date a lot of girls are players. They are worshiped. Their buddies high five them when they hear the stories. On the other hand: Girls who date a lot of guys are sluts. They are frowned upon. They are slut shamed.

Why is it okay for a guy to date multiple girls, but it's not okay for a girl to date multiple guys? It's a sick schema that society fills.

Just let that sink in next time you call a girl a slut for dating around. 

Resolution: Calling someone a slut isn't going to make you any better of a person. High-fiving a player doesn't really mean much, either.

20 Things You Can Learn From "Friends"

20 Things You Can Learn From Friends

1. "We were on a break!" aka Don't take breaks

Taking breaks is never healthy in a relationship. Either you work things out, or you break up completely. There is too much uncertainty when you are on a "break." There is a reason one of you want to go on a break, so just let it happen.

2. Don't date someone who cheated on their last significant other to date you.

Barry (Rachel's almost husband) cheated on Rachel with her maid of honor, and then they got engaged. While they were engaged, Barry cheated on her with Rachel. Cheaters will most likely always be cheaters. It's not worth it.

3. It wasn't Smelly Cat's fault.

...

4. Sometimes the person you are supposed to be with has been there the whole time...

You should never count anyone out when it comes to dating-- especially if your reason for not dating them is because "you are too good of friends." Monica meets Chandler through her brother, Ross. One day they realized they liked each other and became one of America's favorite couples. Sometimes you gotta take your friend out of the friend zone, and to the end zone. 

5. Sometimes people mess up, even when they are trying REALLY HARD.

Rachel volunteered to make the Thanksgiving dessert. She wanted to make a traditional English Trifle. Two of the pages got stuck together and she ended up putting beef into the dessert.  In the end, there are the people who love you even when you mess up.

6. Take big risks.

Rachel moved to the city and cut herself off from her dad. Although she started small, she pursued her dream career in fashion. She ended up working for THE Ralph Lauren. Which leads me to my next point...

7.  Get a job in the industry you are interested in, even if it's not your dream job. 

Rachel got her first fashion job working at Bloomingdale's as a personal shopper. Although she had bigger dreams, she ended up taking the job as a personal shopper. Through Networking, she was able to work her way up in the company and then went on to work for Ralph Lauren exclusively, which was definitely a dream come true. 

8. If your baby is crying, try cheering them up by singing "Baby Got Back" or any other cheap rap song. 

Babies are cute, but they aren't cute when they are crying. Turns out, babies really do got back. 

9. Date when you're ready, not when you're lonely. 

Being single SUCKS sometimes, especially when your friends are dating. But, one should never make a rash decision in dating just because you are lonely. Rachel ended up dating a high schooler that stole her clothes just to make Ross jealous. It backfired in the end. 

10.  It's okay to be nervous, but don't make things weird.

Chandler is a businessman, but he often ends up with his foot in his mouth. It's okay to make jokes when things get shaky, but keep things professional. 

11. You aren't going to be good at everything, so find your calling. 

Joey may not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but he had a lot of great qualities. He found that he loved acting, and he was actually really good at it. Find what you are good at, and act upon that. 

12. Soulmates aren't a thing, lobsters are.

Phoebe has the theory that finding a mate is like two lobsters that find each other. Pheobe wisely stated: "She's your lobster. C'mon you guys. It's a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life. You can actually see old lobster couples, walking around their tank, you know, holding claws. ... See? He's her lobster!" 

13. You control your happiness. 

Obviously...

14. You determine your destiny. 

In the Pilot episode, Rachel runs out on her wedding and realizes that there is so much more to her life than what people think. Rachel came to terms that people were trying to run her life for her. They had already predetermined her life for her. She came back by saying: "It's like all my life everybody keeps telling that I'm a shoe. You're a shoe, you're a shoe, you're a shoe! But what if I don't want to be a shoe anymore? Maybe I'm a purse, or a hat... I don't want you to buy me a hat, I'm saying I am a hat! It's a metaphor, daddy!"

You can be whatever you want to be, whether it's a purse, shoe, or hat. Do what YOU want. 

15. Don't lie. 

Chandler gets into a relationship with his toxic ex Janis. He doesn't want to break up with her, so he tells her that he is being transferred to Yemen. She goes with him to the airport to see him off, and he actually has to get on the plane. His lie turned out to be an expensive one. 

16. Don't sneak around, it will probably backfire.

Chandler and Monica got together in London on a whim. They didn't want to tell anyone at first, but little by little the rest of the crew found out in different ways. It would have been easier to just tell the truth instead of sneaking around. 

17. Set your values in advance, and don't change them. 

Phoebe fell in love with Mike. They wanted to move in together but were halted when Phoebe found out that Mike didn't want to get married or have a family. Phoebe stuck to her guns, because she knew that she wanted to have a family of her own. Mike realized he loved her enough to get married in the long run, and they lived happily ever after. 

18. No matter how cute something is, don't put yourself through the pain. 

Monica bought her dream pair of boots, but they hurt so bad that she couldn't even wear them. Monica only wore them to prove that it was money well spent. Yes, beauty is pain...but there are other alternatives to looking cute vs. killing yourself to look cute. 

19. Don't be scared of change.

Chandler's job took him to Tulsa, Oklahoma three days a week. Although this upset him, he learned that this was what was best for him at the time. He then learned that he was in wrong job the entire time, and came to terms that change was a good thing. 

20. Your friends will always be there for you...

...even if it hasn't been your day, your month, or even your year.

Cauliflower Pizza

Whether you are Gluten Free, Carb Counting, or just trying to eat healthy, than this is the pizza for you. I originally found this recipe through Pinterest. There are a lot of recipes out there, but I think this one is pretty good especially for beginners. Cauliflower pizza can be delicious. This recipe will make one individual pizza. I usually eat half of it, and save the rest for the next day, and it's equally delicious. 

Cauliflower Pizza

Yield: 1 individual pizza
Time: A little under 40 minutes
Results: Delicious

Ingredients: 

For the Pizza Crust:
1 head cauliflower
1/3 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (I buy the block of cheese because it is cheaper than pre shredded)
About 1 Tablespoon of Italian Seasoning (or oregano, whatever floats your boat)*
A pinch of salt
1 egg

For the topping (For traditional cheese pizza):
About 1/2 cup pizza sauce or tomato sauce*
About a 1/2 cup of Mozzarella Cheese*
And whatever toppings you want (Precooked meat, Vegetables, etc.)

Stage One: Cauliflower Rice
PREHEAT OVEN TO 450 degrees
1. Wash the cauliflower and cut into flowerettes if they are not already precut. Let Caluiflower dry as much as it can. You can pat them down with paper towels or regular towels. 
I bought precut from Costco and used half of the bag.

2. Put cauliflower into a food processor (OR if you do not have a food processor, grate the cauliflower) until it looks similar to rice.

3. Put the "cauliflower rice" into a microwave safe bowl, cover, and heat for 7 minutes. 
4. Fluff the rice once it is done. (NOTE: At this stage, the cauliflower can be eaten as rice! You can use this recipe up to this point for Cauliflower Rice.

5. Put the "rice" into a tea cloth and squeeze the water out (Note: It WILL be hot. So wait. Be patient.) The crust will crisp better when the cauliflower is dryer.

Stage 2: Pizza Time
6. Put the cauliflower "rice" into a small to medium bowl. 
7. Add 1/3 cup mozerella cheese, one egg, and about 1 tablespoon italian seasoning. Mix.

8. Put the mixture on a greased pan (I used Pam) and shape however you would like.

9. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is starting to brown. YOU CAN STOP HERE IF YOU JUST WANT "BREAD" or "BREADSTICKS.

10. Take out, turn the oven off and turn the broiler on. Add toppings to pizza and put back into the oven until cheese is melted and bubbling. (I love sprinkling garlic salt on top of everything, it's delicious). 

11. Remove from the oven, let cool for about 5-10 minutes, cut, and ENJOY!

This can be reheated the next day. 

THIS RECIPE WAS ADAPTED FROM here, I just made my special changes!