10 Things I Learned This Semester

In no particular order:

1. I'm a terrible, terrible blogger.
2. Insect invaders must be fought quickly, using the strongest possible methods.
3. Going to three academic conferences in one month is totally exhausting, and also kinda fun. 
4. I HATE Las Vegas, with a fiery passion of hatred.
5. The amount of things I have to do stresses me out more than the overall amount of work I have to do. Lots of little projects and tasks are more stressful than a few big ones.
6. Two computer screens are better than one.
7. If you yell and complain and sulk and snark in your prayers, God doesn't get mad. He's just glad you're still talking to him.
8. Telling people you study metadisciplinary discourses sounds impressive, but is really hard to explain.
9. Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon is totally awesome, and excellent music to study/write/grade by. Seriously, how did I not ever hear this album until a month ago?
10. Sometimes, the people close to you are not lovable. Love them anyway. Sometimes, you are not lovable. Allow yourself to be loved anyway. Love is a gift; it can't be earned. Strive to live up to it anyway.

And now for something completely different: 

Last month I gave a presentation on "Why We Need Stories" at an LDS Mid-Singles "Expert Night" (Kind of like a mini, Mormon version of a TED conference). I included this painting, "Once Upon a Time", by James Christensen, in my PowerPoint because, well, look at it! It's gorgeous! This has been one of my favorite paintings since I was a kid. But check it out: there's a Weeping Angel standing there in the corner! Those sweet faerie creatures have no idea that they're all about to die. Curse you, Steven Moffat!