Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Secrets of a Fair Weather Blogger

I feel like lately all of my posts have been rants about people or situations in my life, at least on this blog. My other blog seems to be where all of the magic happens, and that makes me feel bad. I mean, yeah, a big part of the reason behind this blog is so I can talk about things I can't on the other one because everyone IRL has the other one, and sometimes I just need to complain about them or work or whatever. But my friends on this blog don't only need the whiny me, they need the fun me! So let's get a little more personal, shall we?

I wanted to share a secret with all of you. One that my family members can never find out about or I will never hear the end of it. Before I tell you, I need to let you all know that I was raised in the LDS faith. No, we are not polygamists (polygs get excommunicated, btw), and no, we are not Amish. Yes, we believe in Jesus, and yes, it is the same Jesus as the rest of the Christian world. Now that we have that out of the way we can move on.

My religion taught me to never drink alcohol, coffee, or tea, to never smoke or do drugs, so I didn't. Growing up it was a religious thing, but as I got older and spread my wings, it turned into a personal choice.

Since graduating from college, I have officially become what people in my religion call, "Jack Mormon." Meaning I am a member, but I rarely attend services. I also don't follow all of the rules. Some would say I don't because I think they are an inconvenience to my life, but the reality is, I just don't think God cares as much as my religion teaches. I believe that as long as I am a good person, and do my best to be a good person in this world, that is what really matters. I don't think I will spend an eternity in hell because I like to indulge in the occasional Star.bucks frappuchino. I think a frapp compared to stealing or murder is small fries, and not something God will really condemn me for (the frap, of course).

I mean, does this look like the face of a villain?


"I love puppies, laying on the beach, and drinking the occasional frap."

I further don't believe that God will send all of my non-mo friends to hell because they drink on occasion and don't attend church. I think of all the things he would send people to hell over, a shot if whiskey wouldn't be one of them.

Now that we have dispensed of the prelude, I can tell you all my dirty little secret. Last Friday my teammates and I went to our weekly lunch. That day also happened to be the birthday of the only other girl on the team. To celebrate, one of my coworkers ordered up a round of baby bellini's (it was an Italian restaurant). At first I opted out. I mean, I've never touched a drop of alcohol in my life.

Take a moment to gasp.

I have always wondered what it tasted like, but my curiosity never got the better of me. I just never cared. I have often thought about what I would tell my daughter when she got to an age where she could drink alcohol, legally or not. Would she do it because her mother never did? Would she laugh at me to all of her friends? Or would she respect and find pride in the fact that her mother never did? Well, if she is anything like me, she will like knowing that her mother gave it a try and could honestly say it wasn't something she cared for. (I can say this because one of my perfect Mormon parents took a swig back in the day.)

So to be a part of the team and celebrate my coworker's birthday, I had my first alcoholic drink! I can honestly say it is not something I care for. But at least now I can say I tried it and didn't like it. I don't think I will become an alchie any time soon.

Now just for grins and giggles, I leave you a somewhat silly picture of me one day after I dyed my hair dark brown for fun. My dog didn't recognize me when I got home and growled and barked at me for 5 minutes while my husband laughed his butt off. This was back during the height of our infertility treatment days, so you will have to excuse the Infertile Acne. :)


Booyah! Sexy infertile mama curled up on the couch with her #1 pooch!

8 comments:

Shanel said...

yep.... I agree with what you posted here about God... that's a whole other coversation within itself but yeah.... you shouldn't feel condemned over those small things... religion bad... God good... btw cute pics and glad you at least tried the drink:)

Anonymous said...

I didn't have my first drink until I was 28. First it was a religious thing growing up, then it was a personal choice because my family (extended, not immediate) had a bad history with the stuff and I didn't want to get sucked into that. Then I had my first drink, and I can honestly say it is something I can take or leave. Yes, there are times when it is fun to get tipsy with our friends, but those occasions are so rare, it is almost laughable. And if I woke up tomorrow and there was no more alcohol in the world, I don't know that I would even notice.
On another note, good for you for at least trying it before you made a judgment call :)

The Hopeful Elephant said...

I love this.

I'm a non-mo and I like a glass of wine.

I'm going straight to hell---but IF I go, I'll save you a seat next to me, OK?

xoxoxo

Leah said...

I loved this post! I feel like I just learned so much about you!

When I met you a few weeks back and you said you were from Utah, I almost asked you if you were Mormon, but then I didn't because why do we assume everyone from Utah is Mormon? Although I'm guessing the majority are.

I also didn't know you didn't drink alcohol. Good for you! It's definitely a personal choice (or religious choice) and you need to do what's best for you. And I also don't think that God will send everyone to hell if they partake in alcohol, or caffeine, or things like that.

Me personally. . . I can't wait for a glass of wine and a Mt Dew full of caffeine as soon as this baby is done cooking. :)

Suzanne said...

The puppy you're holding in the picture is so cute! Is the puppy yours? Your attitude toward religion, spirituality, and God is the same as mine. I'm a Baptist, but I don't believe that all non Baptists or even non Christians are headed for hell. Our God is the god of the entire world, I think he is far more accepting than most religions give him credit for.

I'm glad that you tried the drink. Honestly, I think you have to develop a taste for alcohol. It takes time. I miss my ocassional wine and champagne drinking, but I can't drink at all now since I take anti-depressants. Alcohol and anti-depressants don't mix. Sigh ...

AnxiousMummyto3 said...

Proud of you for taking that first step and having a drink! It's fun isn't it!! I love those pics of you too. I laughed at your caption and no, you don't look like a villian LOL

Noelle said...

What a fun post! You are LDS! I have to say that I love your views about your non-mo friends. In high school, my best friends were LDS, including my boyfriend. But they were incredibly strict, and needless to say my boyfriend and I didn't last because of his views on what would become of me when I died. It really is funny...I have had so many close friends who were LDS, so it doesn't surprise me that you are :)

Thank you for writing such a fun post!

S.I.F. said...

I love (LOVE) Belinis! But, I was pretty sure once upon a time that I might actually be an alchie (crazy college days!) so that could be why! Since finding out that alcohol increases estrogen (even my beloved red wine), I have pretty much abstained and it's been easy enough.

Point being - I am totally impressed by you!


And you're gorgeous!!