All Requests

I have some promising posts to come, but for now I just wanted to show you the new look and playlist :)

xoxo miss jer bree

ps if you have any post requests or things/events/people you want me to talk about... lemme hear it :)

Gender Stance

Alright so i had to write an initial position paper for my Psychology of Gender class... Here is what i came up with:

When it comes to differences between men and women, I believe there are three main distinctions. The biggest difference, in my opinion, is that of anatomy. The physical differences have much broader range than that of personalities or roles. This brings me to the next major diversity that I observe: roles. Because I am a religious woman, I strongly uphold the gender roles as outlined in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. I believe that because of our physical and spiritual make up, as gender is an eternal trait, we have tendencies that typically come more naturally to one gender than to another. The last difference that I note is one of intent or attitude. This is where most stereotypes are generated. Although often exaggerated to extremes, I believe many stereotypes are based on loose fact. Women tend to heed and express their emotions more than men and have a propensity to handle situations differently as well. Although one gender is not limited to such attitudes nor actions, a decent amount of individuals within the gender represent the stereotype.

I was not raised in the traditional family, but rather as an only child with a single mom and many complexities of some dads/moms and siblings. Also included in my family mix are half brothers, my deceased father, and grandparents or cousins/aunts executing essential roles. These dynamics have shaped many of my sex and gender views.

I have experienced a fascinating internal pull of desires between wanting to fulfill the stereotype of traditional woman and longing to perform the role of woman that I was raised on. I am eternally grateful for my wonderful mother and family, but I have always had a battle of occasionally wanting ‘traditional’. In the end, I seem to stay true to my upbringing. I plan to obtain a Doctorate of Psychology, and intend for my husband to have as much involvement with chores and child-raising as I do. As it seems, this goes against the stereotypical family. Often times, when I share such aspirations, I am given a, “good for you!” or “what makes you want that?” This can become frustrating because I was raised with my family or the ‘norm’ to me, and what is ‘traditional’ as two different outlooks.

My female role models have taught me that women should always be empowered, yet not outspoken, independent and reliable, but lady-like at the same time. For this, I have been at times named a ‘feminist’. I don’t care to label my beliefs or views, but I suppose others find security in separating me from the ‘norm’. I love the movement our world is currently facing where women are gaining a voice and respect in both the home and workplace. But it also concerns me that many women are using their voice to become more selfish and abandon their responsibility as mother and nurturer while chasing personal gains such as excessive travel, careers, or a new mate.

I am interested in the psychology of gender because, as mentioned above, I still lack some surety of my stance. I want to explore my own beliefs further and the assumptions and implications that follow them. I also want to be able to better understand others’ positions on the topic and how they approach sex and gender.

Sleeping and Laughter

Last night, Niecie and I went to Aunt Cathy's bridal shower dinner. It was yummmy!!! Afterwards- we headed to some random house to be extras in a movie they were filming, then headed home to do homework and watch church videos. About 1 in the morning we decided it was bedtime, and thus we both crawled into my twin size bed.
Okay now this would all be a very normal story... except that sleeping, for me, is a story in itself. I am a crazy sleeper. A crazy, violent, out-of-control sleeper. Most things I won't mention... but I can tell you about a few ridiculous experiences...

The first time I slept at the Joneses home, they caught me laughing in my sleep. Kiiinda creepy...
The next sleep over with Niecie, I held her hand...
The next one... I tried to put my fingers in her mouth and snuggle with her...
The next one... I smooshed her against the wall and had two fingers on her nose...
Yeah, not things that I am proud of. Oh and there's more, but we'll leave it at that for now.
The wall smooshing and fingers on nose took place last night which is why i brought it up.

Anyway... I woke up late today. My class starts at 9:30... which is the exact time i awoke. So I jump out of bed and rush to school. I pull onto campus with half an hour left of class- not too shabby. I run in the door and sit down, look around, jump up and run out. ...wasn't my class. So then i look at the sched and apparently on fridays we only have a 30 minute lab. Kill me. I totally could have slept in 2 more hours!!! So now i'm in the lib killing time. (and heaven forbid i actually do something productive like homework).

Oh but you know what that story reminds me of! Haha okay so yesterday I was ready for dance class, but standing in the hall listening to my voicemails. I finally get done, and with a minute to spare, race thru the empty halls and fling open the dance room door taking a large, over-zealous stride into the class- but the stride is cut short as i instantly halt my momentum, my brows shoot up and jaw falls as a whole class of ballerinas in mid combination turn their heads toward me... i pivot faster than i've ever pivoted before and shoot back thru the flung door into the hall, almost running into another late classmate who bursts into laughter after seeing what just happened. We both laughed our way into the correct room and proceeded to tell the whole class of our hilarious tale.

Well- i've killed enough time so i think i'll go get ready for dance now.
xoxo miss jer bree

Where have i been your whole life?

*Disclaimer: this post was written under the influence of cold medicine.
Yes, i am aware it has been forever since i last wrote. It is killing me just as bad as it is killing you, if not worse. But have no fear for i have been making great use of my time. I have also been making terrible use of my time, but for now we shall focus on the former. I want to give you updates, thoughts, and exciting as well as not-so-exciting news. So here is how we will do it...

Lessons I've learned in the last little bit:

*Well today i got a letter, and it didn't take me long to learn that Bryan can still make me happier than any other guy on earth.

*I learned my college habits are not the best. I've begun my junior year of college now, and my body is definitely feeling it- every cafe rio pork salad, impromptu frozen yogurt, free on-campus pizza, and last minute krispy kreme doughnut run. My schedule is literalistically soooo not right. I do half my sleeping at night and the other half during the middle of the day. I eat one meal, including dessert, every 10 hours. I shower twice a day- a hot one to wake me up and an even hotter one to put me to bed. And lastly, i lead a double life of prestigious Brigham Young scholar by day and carefree partying social butterfly by night. Yeah. tell me about it...

*I learned my body likes to get sore and sick at the most inconvenient times. Oh and my monthly God-given ability also enjoys being of utmost inconvenience. Like this morning when I woke up to all 3 of those things and had to go test my dances. Grrrr.

*I learned i can't live without dance. After high school, i took my first year of college off. I was sick of dance, which is understandable considering i was practically born on a dance floor and raised there as well. I wanted nothing to do with dance when i graduated high school. That didn't last long. My next year of college i picked up ballroom, skiing, and jogging- hoping they would fill the void i insisted on denying existed. But despite my denial, I knew where my heart was- i must get a dance minor. And so this year and for the rest of my life i will dance. I love it and can't get enough no matter how many bad knees, sore muscles, or torn feet i endure.

*I learned God is the only way it can all be done. He is my task planner, time manager, personal motivator, and all around healer. He is the psychologist for the psychology major. He is the only way i accomplish as much as I do, and stay sane. He is everything.

*I learned that I am sooo blessed. My beautiful car- oh how i love my car. It gets me where I need to go (in style-not to mention) and is so very reliable. My adorable townhome. Such a luxury. My incredible roommates- boy did i get lucky with these 3 top notch classy, inspiring girls. My friends... they save me. Niecie- always supports my emotional weight when i have those weekly/daily meltdowns. I couldn't do it without her- she's like my better half. Behind every strong, successful woman is a friend like Niecie. She balances and grounds me, yet gives me some of the most exciting/ thrilling hilarious times of my life. And darby- she's the oh so wise one. Always willing to give advice, and love you no matter what you do. All my other friends- so so great. And my family- dang i'm a lucky girl! My mom. Well- ya'll know how i feel about my mom via previous posts. She is always lifting me up and letting me vent. Oh and what about my Jones family?? So wonderful.

Okay so now lets get some recent highlights:

-Mama Jones telling me that she can't have her white child getting bad grades or she'll send me to Provo college.
-My mother trying to get me to guess what she wants me to want for Christmas... such a joke! haha especially since i Despise surprises.
-Coming home to Britt playing MJ
-Niecie and I making Songs in swag minor- best.video.ever. If you haven't seen it yet, go to my facebook page now. it will change your life.
-Acting crazy and silly in dance class with all the other girls and boy lauren- because we're all so tired and sore.
-Wearing sweats to all my classes because i just don't care enough to put school clothes on after dance.
-Losing my crush whom i totally thought i would date to an SR... and getting an email from my missionary in the same day. And then seeing said crush on the exact day i got my missionary's letter. Tender Mercies.
-Insta-friends! Random people/strangers that you just click with. I experience about 8 a day.
-Piso Mo Hollar!!!!
-Criminal Justice. Ahhhh, thank heavens!!!!!!
-Getting ready to be a bridesmaid for Nik's wedding!!!
-Going to my lil bro's football games and watching him rep daddy all over!

Alright well the sickness is kicking in and i've put off studying long enough- i'll blog more later peeps.
xoxo miss jer bree