I'm a Tall Enthusiast

"You're really tall!"

"Oh really? Wow, thanks for telling me that. I never noticed."

First of all, I, Emma, am really not that tall. I'm almost 5'11".  The average height for an American male is 5'10" (it's true. seriously, google it) and the average height for an American female is apparently 5'4". Maybe I feel like I'm a giant, because I was always a head taller than everyone until about my sophomore year in high school. But at that point, the boys had caught up to me and some had even passed me.  Yet, without fail, I somehow still get all the tall comments.  Heck, I'm not even over 6 feet!  I like being tall, it has its advantages.  I can always reach things without getting a stool.  I've been able to ride the rides at amusement parks much longer than people my age.  I can see over people's heads in the movies and in crowds.

Here are some of my favorite comments I've gotten over the years. More than ten times.

"How did you get to be so tall?"

"Oh, you know. Lots of stretching. Every night I'd stretch my arms high up to the ceiling, and next thing you know, I'm huge."

"Woah. Where did you get your height from?"

"I'm not really sure. My dad's basically my height."
"You must play volleyball."
"Nope, I don't actually."
"Basketball?"
"Nope."
"Man, what a waste of your height!"
"Thanks." Walk away thinking, wow. You're short, you must play miniature golf.


Standing in the sun. Small people follow you around. "Hey, can you just stand...right there?" Right in front of the sun? I get to be used for shade! Wow! Lucky me!  Exasperated sigh, "Sure."
"Wanna share some height?"
"Oh yeah, no problem. Here's a couple inches."

"You can't wear heels! You're just tall enough to the point where you're not intimidating. That'd just be scary." Well thank you, I've always wanted to scare people!
 
Twice, twice this happened to me. My little brother Ben's friends whisper into his ear:
"Woah! Your sister's HUGE!" 
Hey. Pick on somebody your own size. Tall people have feelings too.
I feel bad for anyone with long legs who tries to sit in the Marriott Center at BYU. I have to sit sideways in order to fit.

Studies show that tall people are happier and make more money.
And after reading this clip (http://www.prlog.org/10529749-jokes-about-being-tall.html) below.
I really do embrace my height. Seriously.

Tall ladies may also be subjected to attempted ridicule over their height. Likewise it's important that they are emotionally equipped to have the strength to deal with such juvenile behaviour as using jokes about tall people. Tall ladies should be proud of their tall stature, but may also choose to be cognisant of their clothing so as not to over play their height. At all times they must keep in mind that the advantages of being tall far outweigh the disadvantages of being tall. Hence coping with the occasional tall person joke should be seen as one of those occasional hazards of being tall.
If you choose to tell jokes about tall people in public, be aware of the hurt they could cause. Most times it will be innocent fun between friends and us tall people will not take offence, especially if we are not within earshot. But think before you joke about tall people. For some innoffensive jokes about tall people and lots more on the joys of being tall, please go to http://www.beingtall.com.

Really? Tall jokes are a hazard? I actually find them quite hilarious. And no, I don't downplay my height.

Now, I'm just gonna go put on those heels I own so I can be 6'2".  Hopefully I don't scare anyone :P

Adolescent Adults on Television

According to research done by the Parents Televison Council, the average child between the ages of 2 and 17 spends approximately four hours every day viewing some sort of media - that's between twenty and thirty hours a week.  The media influences children's interpretation of values and morals.

Characters on "tween" shows have a disrespectful and condescending attitude toward their parents and other adult figures. 

While teenagers throughout the ages have always felt anger and resentment toward their parents, the portrayed attitude of teenage characters on television amplifies this attitude, decreasing teenagers' respect toward adults. Adults in teenager sitcoms are portrayed as adolescents in order to appeal to a younger audience.

For example, on the television show iCarly on Nickelodeon, the parents of the main character, Carly, are not cast.  Instead, Carly lives with her older brother Spencer, an artist, who lets her do anything she pleases.

In this picture, we see the immaturity of the "adult" figure in the show.  While this is fun and entertaining for iCarly's viewers, it  subconsciously influences them to think that "cool" adults act childish, and so they respect their parents less.

The only other adult figure in iCarly is Mrs. Benson, Carly's friend's mother, who is portrayed and exaggerated as an irrational, crazy, strange parent (fig 2).

Get More: iCarly Episodes,iCarly,iCarly Games

Fig 2: "iMove Out: Asparagus." iCarly. Nickelodeon. Nick.com. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.

While Mrs. Benson has good intentions and is teaching her son valuable lessons, she does it obnoxiously. The show makes virtues, eating your vegetables and not swearing, seem ridiculous, crazy, and comical.

Modern media takes this approach, but older media took the exact opposite approach.  For example, in The Donna Reed Show, family life was portrayed as traditional, orderly, and almost "too" perfect.  Figure 3 shows the opening credits that would play before an episode would air:

Fig. 3: The Donna Reed Show. ABC. 24 Sept. 1958. Youtube.com. Web. 3 Nov. 2011

This portrayal of the "perfect" family life is also ridiculous, because most Americans, even in the 1950s, do not live this way.   The media should not portray parents as adolescents in order to relate to their primary audience. Should the media portray parents realistically -- as human beings who also make mistakes? Or should it portray parents as perfect human beings with all answers? Shows for teenagers on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon should portray parents as people with a positive influence - humans beings that can make mistakes, but are rational and act the way they do out of love.

Works Cited

"Sex, Violence, and Profanity in the Media Fact Sheet, TV Statistics - Parents Television Council." Parents Television Council - Because Our Children Are Watching. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. 

Thankful for Roommate Picture Adventures (and a camera)

yes, I am still obsessed with leaves changing color. I think it's romantic.

This is a giant pazooki we made. YUM. Number of calories? Too many.

Here we are at a pretty outlook over Utah Valley. Pretty sunset. And I'd say we're all beautiful :)

Giant sleepover in the family room. Halfway through the night I went back to my bed. Karina and Sarah slept out there all week.

~Halloween~

  We were lost boys from Peter Pan. I'd say well look pretty legit. I think.

These pictures say it all. I would just like to say I won. But, that's really not that surprising :) I'm pretty much 5'11". Don't mess with me ;)

Halloween party at Grandma's house. Those are worms made out of jello that Aunt Holly made. Eyeball pizzas Aunt Heather made.  Delicious swamp water was also there, and graveyard cupcakes. Yum.

And yes, these are our camping out pictures for President Monson's devotional. It rained. We left. We didn't sleep. But we did get some pictures for proof. Yes, we are tired, sleep-deprived college students.

A Book of Mormon Story

"Our Beloved Prophet"

November is Gratitude Month

"We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet"

Today I was in the same room as President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was amazing.

Little story:
Last night as we were all cramming in homework after an awesome halloween party, we decided that we should get good seats to the devotional. So we camped out in front of the Marriott center. Yep. And then.... it started raining. We made it till 6:45, then we went back home. So, no, we didn't get too much sleep or very good seats.
But it was fun :) I'm just really tired...what a great start to my week.

But, the devotional was amazing.  President Monson talked about how we need to be an example of the believers.  He said that in a world today where religion is becoming less and less valued, this light we are to show the world is dimming. It is is our duty to "keep it aflame."  And so we ourselves must believe.
He referred to the Lion King, and he said:
Look inside yourself. You are more. Remember who you are.
Remember.  You are sons and daughters of God.

Love Jesus Christ with all of your heart, and remember that He is the light.  He is our light, we can follow Him and follow his example, accept His grace in our lives, and we will find true happiness and joy.

He is knocking. Now we just have to open up our door, and keep it open.