Another so-called "power letter" for your reading enjoyment

President Bott,

I wish at this time to respectfully address the lecture you gave on Wednesday, February 20. You spoke of sisters serving missions and there were a few points that I noted that are contradictory, in my comprehension of the doctrines of the Church, to the teachings of the prophets.

First off, my main concern was the idea that you expressed concerning the relationship between a husband a wife. I believed the words you used were "subservient" and "subordinate," ultimately stating that a wife is not equal to her husband in gospel authority. You advised the sisters to not attempt to be "bearers" of the priesthood, and take the sideline in our marriage regarding the gospel so that our husbands could advance in their priesthood to become leaders. However, according to President Hinckley, women "are as entitled as are men to the Spirit of Christ, which enlightens every man and woman who comes into the world." In my understanding of the gospel principles, just because a women does not literally hold the priesthood does not mean that she is not equal to her husband in authority and that she should not exercise this authority. In order to become a truly Zion society, women and men must be equal in authority and responsibility both within the family and within the councils of the Church. President Kimball spoke to women, saying "We do not want our LDS women to be silent partners or limited partners in that eternal assignment, be a contributing and full partner." I believe that although women do not hold the priesthood right now in this life, they have every right to access it and utilize it, hence "bearing" it in essence to benefit their children and families. And again, even though men do hold within themselves the authority to perform certain sacred ordinances in building up the kingdom, according to John A. Widtsoe "No man who understands the gospel believes that he is greater than his wife, or more beloved of the Lord, because he holds the priesthood."

Moreover, I thought your comment telling the sisters to "get over their PMS" and stop being wusses was incredibly misogynistic and discriminatory. It is statements such as these that propagate the gender stereotypes that are so detrimental to the building up of Zion. Perhaps there are those women that do need to address certain emotional issues before they go on missions, but I guarantee there are an equal number of men that also should. Moreover, if females do act moody or otherwise challenged, it is because society has socialized them to act this way. There is nothing innately female that says I must become moody just because of my hormones; it is usually from what I have seen, an active decision to use hormones as an excuse to be rude to people. And in regards to girls not being as tough as the guys when it comes to handling the rigors of life, the strongest people I have met are usually women. Throughout history, women have performed a lion's share of the daily labor compared to the men. Even today in the world, the UN asserts that women perform 2/3 of the world's work yet receive only 1/10 of its income. Moreover, if girls are always told that they are not as tough and strong as the boys, they will be conditioned to believe it and then will become weaker. As a Church community, we must all recognize the systematic discrimination and structured gender roles that the fallen world has outlined in order to break a vicious cycle.

Again, I sincerely hope that ultimately this is not what you meant nor is it what all the other students took away from the lecture. Maybe I am unusually sensitized to these issues, but I would appreciate it if you would take the time to reevaluate your thoughts concerning women as missionaries and ultimately wives, mothers, and leaders within the Church. I know you have incredible influence over the hundreds of students you teach, especially the males. If you continue to teach them that the women in their lives are emotionally-unfit for missions and subordinate to them in marriage, they will listen. I fear that many of them will take these teachings and fail to develop celestial marriages based on divine equality as instructed by our Heavenly Father.

Sincerely,
Caitlin Carroll (801.318.0167)

CC: President Cecil O. Samuelson, Dr. Terry B. Ball, Dr. Arnold K. Garr

I just could not keep these little gems to myself

LDS housewives on "The Joy of Being a Woman":

"Give away all your haughty rights, prejudices, opinions, even the right to a divorce, even the children (actually they are his anyway, aren’t they?). Ask his advice on things, without even thinking what you would like first, and accept it. (You may slip back from time to time, but let him know that it isn’t permanent and that you are still dedicated)… Don’t allow yourself to have hurt feelings. If you have displeased him, just honestly tell him that you are sorry and that you’ll correct it… Your single and most compelling desire is to obey and please him 100%. As you do this you’ll never have to worry about yourself again: your needs, wants, or welfare" (Maxfield 1972, 198-199)

"I know that there are some women who might read these things and the idea of complete submission sends chills of agonizing fear into their hearts, but I have heard fear referred to as lack of faith" (Maxfield 1972, 200)

A beautiful night at the Cabin

Twas a glorious night at the cabin. There was snow-playing, tea-drinking, and fashion-showing. Now it's back to the daily grind of life. Bleh.

Hunger Banquet nightmare

So, last night, our dear friend Thelma came into town from D.C. where she is saving Burma from certain destruction. In light of this, we had a giant sleepover on the hideaway bed in the "flat's" basement. Creepy creepy basement. I woke with a start in the middle of the night because I had a terrible nightmare about HB. I walked in, wearing my old ratty green sweatpants and a t-shirt. I look around the Wilk and there is not a single decoration to be seen. Moreover, Mary runs up to me freaking out because it started 10 minutes ago and I never decorated. I look on the floor and there are no blankets like I was supposed to acquire, but those portable little seats parents use at their kid's Varsity football game because they can't take the bleachers. I was terrified. I run in the bathroom and try to throw myself together, I grab this bag out of the trashcan and it has some Indian sari in it so I put that on. Then I walk back out and Mary is talking to some Aborgines in Aborginal language because they are going to dance for us. Then I look out and there are less than 10 people in the audience. Then I wake up. And then I make delicious muffins for everyone.

I feel as if I need to get workin' on my projects for HB. I cannot believe I only have three weeks left. Eeeeeek.

Man, was I angsty!

So, in my perpetual state of procrastination, I discovered this.

My blog from senior year of high school.
Some highlights:

"i just dance around my room naked all the time because i'm so happy"

"but then again, you could always run away from the lesbians undressing you with their eyes. that would be a plus." (apparently, I used to be a homophobe...)

"we're thinking it's either benjamin if she gets her way, or gavin if he gets his way. let's pray lauren doesn't give in, but gavin could grow on me too." (and so it has)

"i lost my kumquat virginity. yesterday."

"i sliced my heart out; so, you could eat it for lunch if you want." (again, the emo-ness... geeeeeeez Caitlin!)


and somethings never change:
"major procrastination going on. i hate writing papers."

happy reading.

Singin' in the rain

I found these old pictures on my computer today and they make me happy. Playing in the rain with Megan & Gavin, Gavin and his sniffy blankie.

Equal exchange chocolates

I just have to have a plug about this amazing chocolate. It tastes amazing, absolutely wonderful, and it's fair trade! I'm totally willing to pay a little more for this kind of thing. Yum.

"Our organic fairly-traded gourmet chocolate bars are a rich and delicious treat that supports small-scale farmers and their families. The bars combine famous Swiss standards in chocolate making with cocoa from the farmer cooperatives CONACADO, in the Dominican Republic, and CACVRA, in Peru; fairly traded organic sugar from cooperatives in Paraguay and Costa Rica; and milk (in the Milk Chocolate) from a cooperative in the U.S."

To find out where you can purchase it, check out their website.

I must say my favorite is the Very Dark Chocolate, but I also love the Dark w/ Almonds and the Mint Milk Chocolate.

My tribute

I pay tribute to you, mystery future spouse. On this Valentine's Day, I keep thinking WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?! Not that I am in any hurry to tie the knot, but it'd be nice to know what you're up to. One day, this will be us, on exotic adventures around the world, traveling the world and spreading hope and peace and love and tolerance... I now pay tribute to your [hopefully] amazing sense of humor, the fact that you've put up with me to the point of marriage is a testament to that. I love your devilishly handsome smile and your boisterous laughter. Not to mention you are probably an awesome kisser and you love holding hands. Hopefully you speak French, hopefully you listen to good music, and maybe you can love tofu also. Perhaps, you are off on some peace-keeping mission to Sudan or something. Maybe you're on your mission (maybe we'll meet on mine...?) Or maybe you're sitting on the same college campus, contemplating the whereabouts of me. Maybe we'll discover each other's existence this year, maybe next year, maybe in 10 years. Or maybe we already have met. Either way, wherever you are, know that on this fateful night, I'll be thinking of you and only you.

PS. Watch out for killer baboons.

V-Day

Ok, not Vagina Day. That's in March, right? Nope, I'm talking about the Valentine's Day thing. You know, the flowers, kisses, nasty little sugary hearts. I hate this holiday... however, I have not always been so cynical and bitter. Let me just recap the past few years.

February 14, 2008: Too bad it didn't work out with red-headed-French-speaking-Jew. Went to a celebration of love at my friend Lia's house for a few hours, then was scheduled to work from 9-1am. And this is where I sit, counting down the hours until this barf-invoking day is over.

February 14, 2007: Chris Gong. Cheesy love fest. I was forced to wear pink while he allowed himself to dress in black. He bought an animal heart at the grocery store, put it in a box of chocolates, and gave it to one of his vegan friends Ashley. It was pretty disgusting, but I was a sort-of collaborator, so that was pretty good. I ended up feeling awkward at Cheesy love fest so I walked back to the boys' house and fell asleep on the love sac.

February 14, 2006: Ate heart-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, my favorite meal of the day. Was given a venus flytrap by Craig Walton. Went bowling, accompanied by his roommate Ryan and my roommate Amanda. Good night, though this fling didn't last but a few weeks.

February 14, 2005: Bummed all day because I missed the love of my life.... oh the days of Rob Shuler. However, come 5 o'clock a package arrived from 1-800-flowers to my doorstep. A dozen red roses in a crystal vase. Man that boy had money. I liked it back then though.... however, I ended our year and half long relationship a week later for no reason whatsoever. Strange things we do.

February 14, 2004: Young love. After "Coming Home" where Rob was crowned King (of course), we went to the George Strait concert which was amazing. We then got sweetheart shakes from Sonic and hormonally ravaged each other in his car in the little stall. Haha. Oh to be 17 again.

February 14, 2003: If I recall correctly, this was a Valentine's Day party at Abby Thames's house and I ended up making out with Ryan Chesley, a much older and very attractive guy that was a senior at RNE. Hm.

Ok. So maybe I don't have the greatest track record ever...

Quote of the day #1

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. - Elie Wiesel

I've been resisting.. but now I'm just bored

Four jobs I've had:
1. Babysitter was probably the first; good money, good times
2. Lifeguard at Hunting Creek and Camp Vega
3. BYU jobs: TA for Anatomy and Histology, WomanStats coder, Viscom
4. Call center SLAVE.... just kidding, I hardly work

Four places I lived:
1. Columbia, SC
2. Fayette, ME
3. East London, South Africa
4. Provo, UT

Four movies I've watched over and over:
1. Garden State
2. Forrest Gump
3. Titanic
4. The Constant Gardener

Four shows I watch(ed)
1. Gilmore Girls
2. Grey's Anatomy, back when it was good
3. House
4. The Office

Four places I've been:
1. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
2. New Haven, CT/Yale University
3. Cape Town, South Africa
4. London, England

Four people who e-mail me regularly:
1. Dr. Hudson
2. BYU SID and Amnesty
3. Random TAs and Professors
4. My sister Lauren

Four favorite things to eat:
1. Vegan Lasagna
2. Orange Tofu from Rice King
3. Lentil Soup, homemade tomato soup, vegan chili, anything hot and delicious
4. Organic, fair-trade super dark chocolate :)

Four places I'd rather be:
1. Africa!! Anywhere and everywhere. My soul is there.
2. Charleston
3. Yale
4. Disney World

Four things I look forward to this new year:
1. My mission call?
2. HUNGER BANQUET!
3. Warm weather
4. Inquiry conference

Four people to tag:
1. Lauren
2. Devin
3. whoever else wants to waste their time...
4. your mom.

Lent

Every year, I try to give something up for Lent. In the hustle of this week and severe lack of sleep, I have overlooked that Lent started on Wednesday. Ever since I found out, I've been trying to think about what to give up... plastic utensils? refined sugars? TV?

and I finally came to a conclusion. FACEBOOK. So, don't expect to see me on there anymore. Per tradition, I will still be able to check on Sundays, which does not count according to early Christian tradition.

I like Lent. I'm not as aspiring Catholic by any means, but I think it's a time of personal self-reflection to decide what harmful practices in your life you could give up. Last year, I gave up Diet Coke. Haven't drank it since. Before that, I gave up ice cream... though I didn't follow that one through.

Ok, I just have to throw this one out there. There's three guys sitting at the table next to me in the Wilk, discussing prostate exams. Graphically. About how they hope that by the time they are 40 there will be a better way to do it. I want to say: do you know what they do during OUR exams? We get a speculum shoved up our vaginas. Not to mention childbirth... geez. Poor men.

Ok, back to work.

I blog in lieu of writing papers

Yes, that's right. I have a 6-page paper due tomorrow on the effect of literacy in women's lives in developing nations.... I've written 3 of those 6 (and not very well, might I add) and still cannot seem to focus. It is probably events as of late that are distracting me...

Pretty much, I am great. Right here. In this place in my life. I do not think there is more to life than being a Poli Sci major/Intl Development minor at BYU, vegan, chairperson of the Mood Commitee for Hunger Banquet, living in a dumpy apartment south of Campus, subjecting yourself to the torture and pure joy that is being a WomanStats coder, with a French-speaking-Jewish-redheaded-sort-of-boyfriend and a free 100 on your first New Testament exam. I like not knowing. I dread certainty. The future awaits me. Mission? Marriage? Children? Real job? Grad school? Law school? DC Seminar? Next WEEK? No thanks, keep it to yourself, future.