Get Over it Millennials

I just heard a few numbers that don't settle well in my stomach. The average college graduate is leaving with close to $80,000 of student debt. I also heard that 11% of college graduates from 2013 and on have decided to stop trying or not try to get a job. So let me get this straight.....The Obama administration is forgiving a few billion dollars worth of loans; I think this is wonderful for moms and dads trying to make ends meet, supplying for a family, working hard! I am slightly disturbed that 11% who don't want to try to work are able to be forgiven of their debt AND qualify for the welfare program. I am not talking about those incapable of working. I am talking about those who have decided to stop trying or frankly are picky due to the fact that they HAVE an education. They would "rather not work at all than work at a job [they're] over qualified for." I'm quoting someone I know that will remain anonymous. I did call to ask about my student loans and check on forgiveness; I do not qualify because my annual income before taxes is too high compared to my household...I support just myself. I was asked 5 different times if I was SURE I didn't support anyone. And if I was SURE I wanted to submit that on paper because how many individuals I support depends on how much money they would forgive. I would rather not lie, and put back in to the economy that I signed, specifically stating, I would be "borrowing" from. Therefore, I pay student loans monthly. I also pay $1000 in taxes a month. I get little to no money back because again I support "just myself". And the more I pay my loans down, the less interest I can declare. Alas, NO, I do not support just ONE, I am supporting the 11% that gave up. They are now debt free and I am putting food in their mouths and a roof over their heads. I have not one, but TWO BACHELORS and began working as a part time teacher at the Missionary Training Center in order to get on my feet when I moved to Utah, while LIVING with a family that was not my own. I am crediting that I needed help, and was humbled by those that did help. They HELPED me, not enabled me. Then again with my TWO BACHELORS I started working full time as a receptionist, living on my own, and having purchased a car with cash I had saved during my part time job. I was essentially a SECRETARY. I use that term, because I was and AM DAMN proud of where I started with my two bachelors degrees. YES, I did a job that a woman in 1965 could do WITHOUT an education, but guess what? It doesn't matter. I WENT to college, I PROVED that I could work hard, that I could learn, that I was well rounded enough to do anything, and it was time to put my money (and the money I continue to pay back) where my mouth was. I wanted to be good at my job. I thrived on my self worth as an educated woman in the millennium and would stop at nothing until I could say I was proud of my work at the end of every day. THAT is why I got promoted. THAT is why I travel the country training others on a software that was created in Denmark. THAT is why I make as much as a man in my position....I ASKED. Because I knew I worked hard I had no problem asking for a raise, and then asking if any man was making more than I was and would expect the same salary. That wasn't an issue, in fact, I make more. But because I knew I was proving my value, I had no shame in making sure there was equality. And before anyone gets on the "you shouldn't have to ask" band wagon....you will never progress in ANYTHING in life, man OR woman, if you do not ask. No one is going to outright offer you a raise, so suck it up, prove why you're worth is and ask. Men...I'm talking to you too. And THAT is why I am providing food and shelter for those that don't want to start where I did. Get over yourself Millennials. Learn to WORK and take pride in YOUR WORK.

The New Norm For This Morm

Living in Utah as a Young Single Adult (YSA) has its challenges. Culturally, Mormons have gotten married in their early twenties and pop out a few angels well before 27 (my current age) and complain about needing grandchildren before 50 (not my current age). I usually can't go to an event, such as a wedding or a work function without being asked, "So are you dating anyone?" I have gone through ups and downs emotionally wondering what was wrong with me since I always answered, "No," or "Actually we just broke up." MULTIPLE times in the last few weeks this specific conversation has come up and I have come to realize...I am pretty dang normal! There are a LOT of beautiful women my age and older that are not married. We are all in the same boat, trying to figure out life and some seem to handle it better than others, but overall...I'm generally happy! I am living well, I have a job, I travel often, I have an AMAZING family that's growing, I have a superb support system of friends, and I am doing what I can to put one foot in front of the other! The reality is....YSA women are different. I am different, and that is ok. I don't NEED a man to be happy. I certainly want one, but my happiness isn't going to depend upon him. There is a new norm. We aren't getting married at 19...some of us are getting life experience to assist us as wives and mothers in Zion! I want to live in the NOW! It's not easy...I long for the day when I have someone to go home to...to lay next to and kiss goodnight before I snuggle with my own pillows and fall asleep on my side with my space.

In the mean time, I will enjoy my space and my pillows, and my ability to do whatever I want and when I want. There is a time and a season for all things. 

Tommy Monson

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have the privilege of hearing from our Prophet and other church leaders on a bi-annual basis. These meetings are called General Conference and usually fall in April and in October.

This morning as I sat in my Tantan's old room, getting dressed, I had general conference talks playing from this past October. As I watched and listened to President Monson's address from the Sunday morning session where slowly he started to lose strength and lean on the podium...I was filled with the Spirit reaffirming to me President Monson's calling as prophet, seer, and revelator. There was something so humbling to watch this man who communes with God to fall victim to mortality in front of millions of viewers. There were many responses on social media when the talk streamed live; members expressing their desires to hold him up, people questioning a church with a failing leader, others saddened by his health. My mind was drawn back to the moment I saw that talk live and I remember praying for him to gain strength, to have the ability to finish his talk, for him to be borne up in his calling, and today it hit me to think of all of those who did the very same thing! How amazing it must have been for our Father in Heaven to hear MILLIONS of prayers for the same prophet, asking for him to gain strength. The Bible Dictionary says that some prayers (or blessing) are predicated upon us asking for them...I really believe that President Monson was able to get through his talk and FIGHT the natural flow of mortality BECAUSE of God's children united in prayer, for one cause. I just really appreciate this man. His current state reminds me of King Benjamin during his last address where his strength was failing him, and he attributed is ability to address the Nephites to his God! We reference that address constantly in the church, and perhaps because this is my first time to have such a love for a prophet and watch him decline, these parallels are so profound to me. I don't want President Monson's addresses to cease, but I know there is a time and season for all things, including mortal life. You are a prophet Tommy, and I don't need to meet you to know it!

As my heart has pondered this experience this morning, I feel a great need to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for this next conference!

Sasha M. Photography

After being "flu-ish" for 24 hours what better way to pass the time than to blog! Man, it has been a while. So many changes have occurred in my life just in the last year. Here, let me update you: I started teaching seminary!! WAHOO! It was awesome...and then I stopped teaching seminary. Long story short, I could say I really really liked it, but my soul wasn't completely invested. I didn't love it like I had thought I would. I stayed at my job at good ol' Hearing Life working with the elderly, and then I got a promotion! A traveling promotion!! WAHOO! It was awesome...and then turns out traveling is really not all that glamorous when you're doing it 15-20 days in a month. Then I went to Europe. Best 10 days of my life...I had a chance to clear my head and see some BEAUTIFUL sites at the same time! My favorite places were Cliffs of Moher in Ireland and Mevagissey in England! I left a piece of my heart in those places and look forward to visiting again! Then I got home from Europe and was kind of promoted again at my job, and this time....WAHOO! I work from home when I'm not traveling and then travel about 3 weeks every 2 months...very manageable!

My life having some steady pace never lasts long! Over Christmas I let one thought of "I'd like to buy a camera" turn in to a very serious(ly expensive) hobby! I've always loved taking pictures and finding new ways to look at the world, but I'm finally at a place in life where I can take it seriously! I did buy a camera and I got photoshop, and now I've officially started charging to take photos! It's an interesting world...photography...it's a lot of "learn as you go!" Today I launched Sasha M. Photography! I still don't have a signature on my photos because unfortunately....I'm pretty certain I need to buy a new computer. After having an awesome camera and the awesome ability to edit...my 8 year old computer can not keep up. But I'm grateful, really! I'm happy to see that my life continues to grow, even if it's not always in the "direction I planned."

God is good! These are some pics I took just last weekend at my sisters!