Answers I liked

[Owlet]

I love to hear what works and doesn't work for other people, and I was frustrated by the lack of studies I could find about this! Not being married (which made me feel kind of weird contributing an answer), I still love to read about that kind of thing so I can have a stronger marriage than my parents'. It's good to know that both situations can work.

[Portia]

72560: Those are good answers, but they just further emphasize to me the fact that people handle things differently, and "complaining" can mean different things to different people. Sometimes I complain about my husband to a close friend or family member, and this usually helps me realize that the thing that is bothering me is or isn't important, and it helps give me other perspectives. I'm not saying ignore your significant other, but we have friends and family to help us and it is okay to complain sometimes. /opinions (PS I LOVE MY HUSBAND (he doesn't read this, but sometimes I feel like maybe I only point out the bad things here :D (also we talk about everything)))

I think how much a wife and husband have been expected to work everything out on their own has ebbed and flowed over time. I am unusually close to my significant others, and don't spend tons of time with other friends, but I don't think complaining or teasing means that I automatically have a weak relationship or am a shrew. Then, when I read Conference talks where they're like "never had a fight ever!" I'm like "..." Plenty of spats between my parents growing up.

Now people complain about their husbands to other people, pay tons of money for it, and call it therapy.

[Whistler]

I try not to complain about my husband to others, but I did do it once when my friend was complaining about her husband. It was kind of illuminating actually (I came away with "well, at least my husband cooks and doesn't leave his socks everywhere").

[Emiliana]

I think it depends, like Whistler said, on what you consider complaining. Every once in awhile one of my coworkers and I will laugh about silly things like how our menfolk always forget to get towels before getting in the shower and so end up walking around getting things wet looking for one. And occasionally I'll talk to my best friend about more serious stuff, like how when Marx and I are both having anxiety issues at the same time it can be really hard. But I try to avoid saying negative stuff just for its own sake.

[Emiliana]

Owlet, I think it's great that you're actively seeking out positive relationship skills! Every once in awhile I start worrying that Marx and I are going to repeat the negative patterns* in our respective families and it gets me in a real funk. Our premarital counselor once said to me, "I hear you saying a lot about what you don't want your marriage to look like. So what would you like it to look like?" It was eye-opening for me, and it sounds like you're already thinking in that direction.


*of which there are a lot

[Owlet]

Thanks! I hope so. I never really thought about it that way, but I guess since I never really saw what my parents' marriage was like, I can build my conceptions from square one.

Also, was anyone else surprised by Rating Pending's ability to burn down a house?

[Portia]

Also, was anyone else surprised by Rating Pending's ability to burn down a house?

Please. Lab Science is just a polite term for arson.

[Portia]

Some fun recent answers. I liked humor in film, Calvin and Hobbes, and La Faux-Plage.

[Tally M.]

So...on that page that TEN linked to, there's some photos of when Jeremy was a missionary. He doesn't look the same without the characteristic longer hair and mustache.

[Portia]

So...on that page that TEN linked to, there's some photos of when Jeremy was a missionary. He doesn't look the same without the characteristic longer hair and mustache.

Of his many, many styles, I prefer the Beatles hair, no mustache.

[Emiliana]

Chipmunk sound waves: http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/72678/

A very clear, concise explanation from Owlet and interesting extra tidbit from LJ.

[Portia]

I like the idea of attending a year at BYU-H if he/she has a real commitment to the culture.

Also, I'd highly recommend joining the recently-founded Polynesian Club.

The mission of the Polynesian club is to share our love for our Polynesian culture and to perpetuate who we are and where we come from. This club will create a comfortable environment where all students, of all races can come together to learn and participate in Polynesian cultural activities in Utah.

Thirdly, never speak your desires of where you want to go out loud. My brother's dream was Western Europe (France or Germany), and he got it, but he didn't go around saying that. He learned the language (if you get called to NZ, aren't you likely English-speaking anyway?), kept his head down, and got lucky.

I do think it's cool, though, that he/she is seeking out an area of interest. Do the dance class! Folk dance is amazing.

[Katya]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/72811/

Congrats to Tootles on his/her* engagement! (If it was announced previously, I missed it.)

*I know which it is, but I don't remember if it's been said publicly.

[Squirrel]

Yep! It's here http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/72318/

[Katya]

Thanks, Squirrel!

Congrats to Tootles on his engagement, then.

[Giovanni Schwartz]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/72839/

This isn't the Jafar chick, is it?

Estimated Time of Arrival: IT TOTALLY IS. SOMEONE IS A TROOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!

[Portia]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/72839/

This isn't the Jafar chick, is it?

Estimated Time of Arrival: IT TOTALLY IS. SOMEONE IS A TROOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!

nineteen-year-old boys pretending to be girls us just so entertaining #eyeroll

[Concealocanth]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/72788/

I really really loved Genuine Article's story. Not only did it include a lot of gasp-worthy moments, but it came full-circle in this truly lovely way. Mad props.

[Whistler]

oh man, Genuine is such a good storyteller. the hypnobirthing tape story is pretty amazing too.

[Concealocanth]

She really is a great story teller! Glad you liked mine too. I just remembered the very saddest story of babysitting for that family: after a 5 hour marathon of babysitting, the dad handed me a crisp $20. The next day, I went jeans shopping (the worst) and the money fell out of my pocket in the dressing room. I didn't notice for about 5 minutes. I ran back into the dressing room and it was gone. Forever. OH THE PAIN IT STILL HURTS.