We are in COLLEGE people! COLLEGE

Today my professor of my Ancient Mayan Civ. class, handed back our midterm papers. I love midterms that are papers. So easy. As per usual, I did excellent on the essay even though I hardly read any of the book and really only spent 2 hours on the essay. Apparently the rest of the class sucked it up. My professor has proceeded to give an explanation on how papers should be written. Introductory clause, thesis statement, outlines, sources, etc..... Really?! Are we still in high school? We are in COLLEGE. Not only a university but the University of Utah. Geez. I signed up for a cultural class not an english class that will teach me what I already know. Such a waste of a 2 hr class that is already boring and today was even worse.

lalala

I've met this guy.....he is pretty great...just sayin

Don't Think So

Mormons are a most odd group....especially Utah Mormons. ColdStone Creamery sells apples that have been dyed to match the colors of the Young Women theme..... faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice & accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue. Why are they sending the message of "taking a bite out of my (insert quality)". "I know you want a taste of my virtue." This Mia Maid Advisor did not think that one through. High school pregnancy just increased dramatically.

It's Prom Season, boys and girls. Aw high school, when you thought you and your lover were meant to be. Ha! Poor misinformed suckers. Nothing says "Prom" like a live display of prom dresses because watching any Disney channel movie can't illustrate the magic that happens.... only the clothing store DEB can. At least it's cleaner than the Hogle Zoo.

Oh yay! A whole-stake devoted to the task of marrying off the social inept Mormons. There is a chance for you "Urkel" types out there. It is at the UofU Institute where they have a whole stake devoted to the task of marrying you off.....I am pretty sure this is a reason why I did not choose BYU. What in the heck is it doing up north at the red school? Good luck those of you in the Second Stake...hope the computer matches you with a keeper.

This "man", more like boy, shushed me and Erica today

during Sacrament Meeting. You don't shush us,

unless you have a death wish. Poor fool

doesn't know what is coming. FYI kid, your mom did a

number to the back of your head. Very stylish. Ladies are all over you and your attractiveness.

Yes You Are Single

Who really expects to meet their eternal companion at an institute dance? And after last night's awesome dance full of awkward people dancing around like chickens, why would you want to? Full on "chicken with no head" dance moves. That is really attracting me to you. Congrats. Now go call mom and tell her you've found that special girl who is ok with your awkwardness on the dance floor. This dance had a tie die theme. Nothing like proclaiming your single-ness with psychedelic colors. Does the institute president expect that you will walk in the gym, look across the room and find that one person whose shirt matches your own? Is it destiny? Fate? No its BS. Only the church has such extreme measures for "helping" us find out EC. These measures just tell me who I don't want to end up with. I differently don't want the guy in tight white jeans nor the guy who is writing scripture references on the decorative table decorations. How about a guy who laughs when I write something inappropriate to the scripture writer?

Apparently we aren't living properly until we've got that one person who can make you happier beyond compare. Personally, I want that one person who isn't scared of me. I try to act all "Little Bo Peep", because men like to be protectors. Doesn't Bo Peep get eaten by the wolf?

Yes girls, singing Meg's song from Hercules concerning love will certainly help you in your search for love. Especially when you add in high-pitched "oh yeahs". Definitely an odd mating call to employ.

Code Blue

The doctor's office is my second-least favorite place to go. The dentist office tops the list. Doctor's offices are a place with millions of bacterial and viral cells. Its the Mecca of sick people. As I sat there waiting,which is all you ever do, I saw the little kid corner full of toys. It had a sign saying "Kid Square". The sign should have said "put your sick child here so they can mix their germs with Jimmy's germs". Anywho, I went to the doctor's office because of a lump that appeared behind my left ear a couple days ago. Now being like any other child of the computer generation, I Googled "lump behind ear". Tons of links popped up that said it could be a cyst, swollen lymph node, or a tumor. Now being my dramatic self where health is concerned. I immediately freaked that it could be a tumor. Here is why: when I was 16, I was in and out of doctor offices and hospitals due to non-stop migraines. Sure the majority of the population gets headaches. You take an Excedrin or Tylenol and poof its gone. Well in my case I was having one continous migraine. I couldn't take drugs because I had allergic reactions to them and they also made the headache worse. Specialists checked me for anything, blood samples were taken, cat scans, MRIs, and others. Finally ended up at Primary Children's and they admited me. I was strapped to a machine that would pump medicine into my body every couple of hours. The medicine burned and I remember screaming in pain for hours. However, it worked. My headaches didn't disappear but took them from a 10 to a 5 which was heaven for me. I still have the headaches but I deal. If they get to a 10 again, its back into the hospital. Anywho, after that I always am nervous with things that could be signs of some serious sickness that result in headaches because I always have them so they aren't a good measure for disease. So I always go to the doctor just in case. And that's what I did. When I arrived I paid my copay and was informed that I would be seeing their nurse practitioner. They gave me a receipt and I saw the name of the nurse I would be seen by. Some colorfol language went through my head. My ex-fiance's mom was the nurse. At this point I am freaking a bit... ok alot. I was engaged 3 years ago. Ended messy. Words were said on both sides...blah blah blah. His parents never liked me. So I'm sitting in the waiting room consider whether to take off out the front door and never look back but what if I have a tumor? My angel and devil are arguing when I hear my name called. I really dislike standing on the scale for my weight to be written in a folder I have no control over. The asst. takes my blood pressure and says that it is low....Low! How can it be low?! My heart is beating 5,000x per minute. Like facing a firing squad beating. Then comes the sitting in the little room for who knows how long. I notice there is a window. I checked to see if it opens. No. Escape plan busted. Crap. I think of Thomas the Train, "I can do this. I can do this. I don't want to do this." The door opens and the woman who was almost my mother-in-law steps in. She asks me how I am, what I am studying in school, and other questions about the lump. I am fearful if she asks if I am married yet. Her son is w/ 2 kids. I decide that if she asks I am making up some successful lawyer/doctor boyfriend named Mark. He has blue eyes. However, Mark did not need to make an appearance. Well I don't have a tumor, I'm not dying, but my ear is numb from her trying to drain the lump. Next priority, find new doctor's office. Preferably one with a sexy, young, single doctor. I like the plan.

Gumption

I love Sunday afternoons. Sure I have homework that I could do but do I? Ha no. You see, we have Netflix. So instead of being subject to a couple movies, I have a plethora of movies (most of which I have never heard of). I found one that I love, The Holiday. It stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. Cameron and Kate's characters decide to escape their lives and switch homes for Christmas. As I watched the movie, i realized that film illustrates many aspects of my life. Jack Black's character Miles, illustrates my number cause of dating disasters:

Miles "Why do I always fall for the bad girl (or boy in my case)?"

Iris "You didn't know she was a bad girl."

Miles " I knew she wasn't good."

Miles falls for the bad girl who doesn't appreciate his efforts. Marissa falls for the bad boys who also don't appreciate her efforts. Miles goes on to ask "why he falls for someone he knows isn't good?" Yes, Marissa why do you fall for those who aren't good? My dating pool is mainly my singles ward. I have a good friend that says "dating in your ward is like peeing in a pool". Which is so true. Ironic isn't it? The church clumps you all together and the bishop says, "date these people you go to church with. Find your help-meet." He will tell you that "John Doe is a great guy" or "Jane Doe makes the yummiest cookies." In my experience, John Doe is not a great guy. He doesn't take girls on dates instead he will text you at 11:00pm asking what you are up to. He has no real intention of treating you like you should be. He just wants to see if he can get you to his place. Has no ambition for school and spends his time playing Call of Duty in mom's basement. Yup he's a keeper Bishop. I'll get right on that *eye roll*. So back to Miles' statement on dating those who are bad. Don't do it. They aren't worth it. They really don't care about you. Don't be their doormat. Don't let the few times they surprise you, push you to place them on the "good" side of the argument. In short, they are a waste of your time and effort because it won't be returned.

Now this realization has taken me awhile to figure out. And there will probably be guys I fall for but at least I can work on it. In the past week, I've started a new thinking. It is inspired by Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With The Wind. Many find that she was manipulative and greedy but she is one of the most known heroines in classic literature. She is real to us because each person has their faults. No one is perfect. She was a women of independence and strength during a time in which women were to rely on their man for support. She refuses to let people, circumstances, and even a war get in the way of what she wants. Alot of the personality seen in the 1939 film is due to the actress Vivien Leigh who starred as Scarlett.

In The Holiday, Arthur Abbot has Iris watch films which starred leading ladies of Hollywood's Golden Age. He tells Iris that in Hollywood, there are leading ladies and best friends. He states that she is a leading lady. He has her watch these women's films and she realizes that she has been missing gumption.

Gumption: Aggressive, resourceful, courage. Synonyms: Spirit, cleverness, witty.

Iris learns Arthur's message of taking the gumption she discovers in those ladies and applying it to her life. And now so will I. After all Iris declares "you're suppose to be the leading lady of your own life". So now I'm gonna have the gumption to do things that I haven't been reluctant to do previously....in fact I started a couple days ago before writing this.

Annoyed

When I am annoyed with something or someperson(s), I listen to music
Things/people who throw me into a music frenzy:
-Girls
-Girls who act like friends but are not
-People who take advantage of others
-Boys who lie their way out of a lie they got caught in, no I don't believe you
-Boys who say they like you but hold hands with your friend. ya I'm not dumb
-The friend who holds hand with the boy, floosie
-Boys who like you but won't take you out to dinner, you are a waste of time
-Boys who pit girl against girl, honey I'm not playin your game
-People who can't take a hint

1950's

It's that time of year again. Cinderfella. Its an activity put on by the YSA in hopes that people will get married after being forced onto a date. You don't know who your date is until you walk into the gym. Freaky huh? For all you know, your date is someone you avoid or you could end up with a really hot guy. Well with my luck I'll get the creeper. Anywho, the only saving grace of this whole nightmare is the theme. This year it is a Decade theme. Couples dress from 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. I have the 1950s which I was first very pleased with. The 50s were an area where the hour-glass figure was the main highlight. That is me. After trying to find an outfit can I say that everything looks frumpy?! What the crap? I thought the 50's were classy and elegant not homely. I have spent so much time googling 50's fashion and going to costume rental places.

I originally wanted to go wearing a Poodle skirt, but then realized that every other girl wearing the 50s would probably wear one. And let's face it. Marissa dislikes doing the conventional, easy way. So I started my search.....

My next option was Marilyn Monroe. An idol of the 50's. However, I don't think the bishop would have liked this piece. But hey, bet I could have landed a few dates....

So then maybe a GREASE look but who really looks good in leather besides Olivia Newton John?!

So then the "housewife" look. Every hair in place, always perfect, has dinner ready, and is attentive to her husband's every move.... ya I want to send that message to these single mormon boys. A little too Stepford Wives.

Crossroads....do I do my original plan or do I think of something that will stand out? Ya I opted for the second too. So now I will be going in the classical pencil skirt w/ cardigan and heels look. Sexy, sophisticated, and unique...(hopefully a certain boy will like).....now if I can only figure out the hair.....

It Looks Questionable to Me?!

Tantor, your mother lied to you. The water is not sanitary and definitely has bacteria, at least the water that the Manilla 6 YSA Ward is drinking. The water is full of bacteria that I'm sure the Bishopric is responsible for.

"There are plenty of fish in the Sea" and they are all hooking up in the Manilla 6th pond. So we are all fish.... I hate fish. They do not taste good, too fishy. Plus comparing yourself to a fish? They just swim around and do nothing at all. Just swim, swim, right fin, left fin, right fin, left fin, avoid shark, and turn. Now repeat. Isn't it just so much fun! :/

Well if I am forced to be a fish, I'm one of the cute blue fish. The ones that you don't eat but spend enormous amounts of money to put in a tank with other cute fish and a fake castle in the middle. So I'm a fish, you are a fish, we are all fishes. Swimming around and around. The water has been contaminated. Fish right and left are twitterpated. Blue fish finding yellow fish and ugly fish somehow landing a gorgeous red fish. Seriously? A clown tiggerfish and a yellow angel fish from the reef creating their own little home? OK well, this blue fish is totally OK with the clown tiggerfish moving out of the pond. Not gonna really miss ya. It doesn't really make sense why the angel fish is falling for the triggerfish but I'm sure he is a nice fish.

The pond of Manilla 6 is full of bacteria attracting such fish together. This little blue fish is staying out of the way of clown fish, puffer fish, and most importantly eels. In fact this little blue fish doesn't want to be a fish, instead I'll be a dolphin or a turtle. "There are plenty of dolphins/turtles in the sea", wait that's not correct....does that mean I'm immune to the bacteria affecting the fishes? Watch out fishes, the bacteria is coming to pond near you. Soon you'll be twitterpated by the clown trigger fish, puffer fish, clown fish, or just an ordinary trout. Evade the eels. Just keep swimming.

Secrets of Me

* I don't realize when guys are flirting with me....SERIOUSLY. Ask my best friend. I just figure he is a nice guy talking with me.

* I typically am only interested in one guy at a time.

* My room is spotless and I don't know how to function in it.

* Based on what my institute teacher has said about Brigham Young, I don't think me and Young will be getting along in the next life.

* My all time favorite date would be to go to a park and look at clouds/ stargaze.

* Came within inches of kicking a guy in the head during Munch & Mingle today.

* I bond with people when we discover we dislike the same people. It is our common ground.

* My sister and I are working on plans to survive a zombie apocalypse.

* I do some of my best thinking while laying on the floor and staring at the ceiling.

* I have watched 10 episodes of Xena: The Warrior Princess in the last 2 days.

*One of my favorite movies is Easy A, not just because she does her own thing but because I agree with her. I would love for a guy to be outside my window holding a boom box, ride on a lawn mower, etc...

* I am not the type of girl who just shows up at people's house. If I wasn't invited, I won't be there.

* I am not mean... in fact I am a great friend to those who are good to me. However once you've betrayed that, things will never be the same.

* For once I want the guy to pick me, not the girl who acts like Lydia (Pride & Prejudice).

* There's this boy....he makes me laugh...drives me nuts...it sucks