Protect What Is Sacred. But What Is Sacred?

I started my day on a viciously cheerful note--uplifted by news coverage of a protest outside of an LDS church in Utah. The speaker sounded remarkably like a Mormon friend of mine who I adore. . . Or was it a trick of my imagination because no matter how "tolerant" I try to be, I still categorize people in my own mind?

But I digress. Ty was lamenting the protests outside "LDS' sacred places." I could hear the shouts of the protestors in the background and it sounded like a joyful party rather than an angry mob. I was happy and laughing at him, enjoying his audible discomfort and frustration. He talked about how much he wishes the No on 8ers would get over it and move on. "You lost. The democratic majority has spoken. Now move on."

But we will not get over it and we will not move on. We will constantly be there to remind you that your victory is hollow. All you've done is fund a speedbump on our road to victory.

What I am grateful for in Ty's words, was the use of the phrase "sacred places." I believe that was from an official statement of the Mormon Church in response to the protests. I realized finally how it is that a Church that has so many wonderful people that I love as members, can simultaneously spew such hate. This is something that had been bothering me for quite some time.

After law school, I clerked for a Mormon judge and he was the kindest, most compassionate and tolerant man I've ever met. How do I reconcile him, and all he represents to me, with what the official Mormon Church now represents?

I remember asking my judge how he came to be so tolerant and compassionate. Ironically, he credited his Mormon faith. Like he often did, he sat with me and taught me the history I never read in text books. He talked to me about the Mormon Trail and the persecution suffered by the members of his church. He explained how he and his Church could never be less than tolerant of others because of its painful history, because of the universality of suffering under discrimination and persecution. Based on that and numerous other conversations and observations, I formed the impression that the Mormon religion is a beautiful thing.

So what happened? Why is the Mormon Church now spewing hate. Why is it doing the persecuting?

Well, I have a couple theories, and one just occurred to me when I heard the official LDS statement. The Mormon Church views its property, its places of worship, as "sacred." I view all of God's creations as sacred. For me, there is no compartmentalizing of what is sacred and what is profane. We are all "sacred," our homes are all "sacred," and life itself is "sacred." So many of modern life's problems could be alleviated if we just kept that in mind and honored our planet and each other as sacred creations.

I used to think that my Mormon friends and I share the same God. That we just worship him in different ways. But I'm not so sure anymore. My God does not seek to separate or divide us. We are called to live in unity and to share our light and love with one another. Somehow the Mormom Church, as an institution, has lost sight of that. I hope that, like me, a devoted Catholic, my dear Mormon friends do not feel the need to follow the political agendas of their institution when it loses sight of what is truly sacred.

In love and light,
Glam

From Arid Desert to Alpine Oasis in 10 minutes!

On Tuesday morning, I joined one of my client groups for their annual "offsite." They selected an interesting locale for the first day of their offsite. Just East of Palm Springs, there is a tram ride that I had heard of, but never taken. I never really saw the point of taking a tram ride through the desert, and I am terriby afraid of heights and detest small crowded spaces. But since this was for work, and I really like this particular group of clients, I sucked it up and hopped into the crowded tram car and rode up the rocky hill.

I was immediately struck by how quickly this thing moves. It hauls a$% up the hill while simultaneously spinning around and around to ensure that everyone has a 360 degree view. Needless to say, it took me several minutes to get my bearings so that I could finally relax enough to shoot a picture or two.



My next surprise was how quickly we arrived at our destination. The base of the ride is over 2,000 feet elevation and we arrived at our destination, which is at about 8,600 feet elevation, in exactly 10 minutes!


We exited the tram and arrived at what, to my surprise, looks like an alpine forest, San Jacinto State Park.

Our meetings were pretty interesting, but I won't bore you with the details. My team did win the "Legoman" team building challenge, and my favorite comment was from the senior manager at the offsite who turned to us and said, "Why do you think you were so successful? I have to say, I was watching you the entire time and was convinced your group was going to finish dead last, because you seemed so disorganized." Well, at least we have the faith of our senior management. . .

When we arrived back at the base of the hill, which apparently is more of a mountain, we spotted these little guys sporting their Halloween masks a little early.

All in all, the offsite was a wonderful experience, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go.

I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids. . .

Friday night was the kid-friendly Halloween party for my in-laws. Although Hubby had to work, I took the kiddies out for a good time. Mini-Glam was a fairy, and I was just dreadfully exhausted mommy after a busy day of work and two hours of traffic.

Mini-Glam's tia and prima were a dog and cat, respectively.

These are my votes for cutest couple costume.

And cutest group costume.

We left before things got really going. Even the children in my Hubby's family know how to have a good time and party quite late. I had to leave because my little Anakin was verrrrry sleepy.

Ninos' Niño

*******Baby News Flash*******

El Rey's Ninos have had their baby boy, El Niño. He was born last night at 10:06 p.m. via emergency c-section. Mommy is doing very well and may be released from the hospital on Monday. El Niño will be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own and seems to be doing pretty darn well for a 4 lb 11 oz preemie. All prayers and well wishes for the newest member of the family are much appreciated!

Something in the Water. . .

Today I attended one of many baby showers that I will be invited to this season. It seems like almost all of my friends have either just had a baby or are about to have a baby.

This was the first bay shower for El Rey's lovely Godmother, "Nina." El Rey has the best Godparents ("Ninos") in the world and I am so thrilled that they are finally going to have a child of their own with whom to share their boundless generosity and love.

Mini-Glam decided to dress comfy for the occasion in a super-soft cotton Ralph Lauren dress that she received as a baptism gift:

The shower was hosted at a lovely home in Pasadena. I had been there before, because this was where Nina had her bridal shower when she married Nino.

This is a very warm and elegant home, so the bridal shower was warm and elegant as well. I was welcomed by the hostess and invited to sign the guest book.

The hot cocoa packets and "HERESHEIS" candy bars made adorable party favors.

I regreted eating beforehand, because the spread looked quite tasty.

Nina looked radiant!

The only things missing were games. I am sure that Nina must have requested to have a game-free shower, like so many women do nowadays, but I am old skool--I likes me some party favors.

At my last baby shower, I was the only person to win two! One for baby bingo and one for guessing the size of my sister-in-law's, sister-in-law's (no that is not a typo) baby bump.

Lucky for me, my in-laws are big on games and party favors. The competition at our family parties is fierce--no exaggeration. Here are the ladies playing a not-so-friendly game of musical chairs on Mother's Day. That's my husband's 80-something year old grandmother (and mother of 12) in the back. I failed to snap the picture on time, but my mother took out hubby's most competitive tia for a controversial win.

And here are the tias losing to the little boys at tug-o-war.

Alas! I guess cut-throat games are not for everyone. . . Boo!

Nevertheless, it was a very nice shower and I can't wait until the second installment on Saturday. But I have no idea what Nina is going to do with all her gifts. . .

PTA + PETA=TEE

Saturday morning, I took El Rey to a Kindergarten playdate at his new school. I still can't believe my baby is starting Kindergarten.

So what do you get when you mix a PTA member and PETA? My new favorite Tee-Shirt:



This PTA Dad was nice enough to let me take his picture, because I loved his tee so much. In case you cannot read it, it says:

PETA
People Eating Tasty Animals
All God's Creatures Look Best Next to the Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Word!

Magnifiscent Day

My last day as a woman of leisure was a pleasure.

There was so much shopping to do before I return to work on Tuesday. I needed to purchase a few business casual pieces in the next size up, since I still can't fit into any of my old clothes. Boooooooh! To chear myself up, I did what any glam girl would do: I bought makeup, perfume, nail polish and shoes! Those make me happy in any size.

My favorite purchases were a new shade of nail-polish from the Lippman Collection, and new fragrance, "Lil' Angel" by Hara Juku Lovers.

Sorry for the blurry pic.

I recommend (to my one and only reader) that you run, don't walk to Nordies to check these out (if you don't own one already). The fragrances are "magnifiscent," and best of all, do not appear to aggravate my allergies. I am especially thrilled about that, because after selling men's fragrances for three years back in college, I became deathly allergic to just about all fragrances. Now I can finally add a second fragrance to my list of tolerables--the first being Chance by Chanel.

The Hara Juku Lovers collection actually consists of five adorable fragrances. I selected Lil' Angel, because it is light, fresh and clean. Baby smells like coconuts so one can smell like suntan lotion all year round! Priced at a reasonable $45 each, how is a girl to resist collecting all five?!!!