A Brigham Young University Student Journal
by Rebecca Hamson Sometimes you just need a delicious dessert, and you need it fast. These incredible pumpkin chocolate chip cookies can be made in just 15 minutes (including baking time) and with only three ingredients!
by Cody Phillips When the basketball court inside Brigham Young University’s Marriott Center morphs into an enormous stage—makeshift orchestra pit included—you know something memorable is about to happen. Production crews and performers alike spend countless hours each fall preparing for BYU Spectacular a colorful and …
by Sarah Perkins
This has long been a favorite of mine, and if you happen to have a lot of zucchini that you just don’t know what to do with, it’s a great way to use it up!
by Melissa Hart Five. . . four. . . three. . .two. . . bang! The gun fired and the Pioneer Day Temple to Temple 5k began. I ran along the 5k route, happy to be running, loving the atmosphere of the race, and very …
by Jenna Hoffman The Provo Farmers Market is a whimsical weekend escape from the daily grind of school and work. Over the summer, my roommate let me tag along with her and now I can’t get enough of those little tents lining the sidewalk around …
I have a diverse educational background. I attended public school through fourth grade and all of high school. In between, my mother home schooled me and my siblings. I love and admire her so much for home schooling me. I was not an easy child to raise, and my mother was eternally patient. At the time, I resented her for teaching me at home. I desperately wanted to fit in, and I was convinced that my peers were judging me because I didn’t go to public school. Kids can be cruel, but let’s be honest; I was a bit of a drama queen.
I remember one afternoon—I was probably thirteen—I was throwing a teenage tantrum about it. I begged my mother to just let me go to school because I just wanted to be “normal.” She looked at me and asked if I was seriously more concerned about other people’s opinions than I was about bettering myself. I still remember how disappointed she looked when I repeated my desperate teenage desire to “fit in.”
I’m so glad she stuck it out.
I gained so much from my home school education. I complained and complained, but I became an active learner. Instead of taking the easy way and letting someone else be in charge of my education, I took charge. When I did go back to public school in high school, I was a different type of learner. I wanted to do well. I learned from my assignments and got good grades because I wanted to; Because I knew I could.
Every kid is different. My two youngest siblings love home school. They prefer the home environment over the pressure-cooker social situation in public school. I craved that social environment.
It’s not for everyone, but I think for parents who are financially and emotionally able to do so, home school is a great option. It allows children to develop personal responsibility, pro-activity, and a sky’s-the-limit attitude for life.
One of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Provo is also one that many drive past but few go inside. This is the Provo Library. It sits on the corner of University Avenue and 500 north, and looks more like a castle transported out …
It’s hard to find a dessert for just one or two, but this recipe is great for just that! And the cleanup is a snap! Only one mug, the icing bowl and a fork need washing. (This recipe was found on cookingclassy.com.)
This past spring, while chicks were hatching and new flowers were blooming, my nephew was born. Our whole family beamed with excitement as we held his tiny body in our arms. He was perfect. He still is, despite the diagnosis that came just days later; my nephew has Spina Bifida.
Because it is the most common birth defect worldwide, many of you have probably heard of this condition. However, for those of you who hDave not, here is the scientific definition: Spina Bifida (“split spine”) occurs when the spinal column does not close all the way in development, causing the spinal cord to protrude between vertebrae. Often the spinal cord can attach itself where it is not supposed to, sometimes resulting in paralysis.
About 2 out of 1000 children are born with Spina Bifida, which may seem to leave the odds in your favor, however, this is a relatively high number compared to most birth defects.The long term effects of Spina Bifida range widely from permanent paralysis, to limited physical activity, to complete recovery.
The cause of Spina Bifida is not known and can manifest in mild or severe forms. In mild cases, the patient may not even know they have the defect until an x-ray is taken of their back for other reasons. In these cases, the defect has no effect on the patient’s way of life. In severe cases, the spinal cord does protrude and spinal fluid can build up in a tag or lump on the child’s back. In these cases, treatment is often necessary. Usually surgery is required to put the spinal cord back in place, however one surgery is not always a permanent fix and the spinal cord can be put out of place again in the future causing physical inconveniences. The most severe cases result in instant paralysis.
My nephew’s Spina Bifida was more than mild, but to the relief of all of us, not the worst case scenario. He had the little tag on his back indicating the possibility of spinal fluid, but he could move from the very first, which was the very best of signs.
While we all, immediate and extended family, lamented the possibility of future struggles this perfect little boy would overcome, we also found joy in putting our trust into his doctors and faith in God. While my nephew is still too young for us to know anything for certain about the kind of life he will lead, so far his motor-skills and physical strength have not lacked. This precious little boy is already a hero and role-model to our adoring family.
You can read stories about people living with Spina Bifida from the Spina Bifida Association here.
For more information on Spina Bifida, and to see how you can get involved, visit these links:
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8028963/k.BE67/Home.htm
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/spina-bifida-topic-overview
By Rebecca Hamson Twice a year, Brigham Young University hosts a Boy Scouts Merit Badge PowWow which offers over 30 merit badge classes. Approximately 3,000 boys register for each session, and BYU students have the opportunity to volunteer as the merit badge counselors. This upcoming PowWow, …