She Dragon.

There was this girl the other day, on campus, who had an extreme amount of eyeshadow. It was so bright, that I almost mistook her face for a neon sign. Too much of a good thing can be bad, and in this case, it was. She had the Dragon eyes; which is a red flag. Initially, she might seem appealing, but when you dig deeper, you know there is a story to be told. As in our case, Shrek provides the story, doctrine, and principle of the 'She Dragon'.

"Dragon is never given a proper name in the [Shrek] films. Her fire can melt metal in seconds, such as Prince Charming's sword in the third film. She has a taste for knights, her favorite dish. She even has a recipe book for preparing them for dinner. In the first film, Dragon is charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle, and is therefore initially seen by Shrek and Donkey as an antagonist. While Shrek tries to rescue the princess, Donkey finds himself at the mercy of Dragon. However, in terror, he successfully, but unintentionally, wins her over. Shrek and Donkey manage to escape with Fiona, leaving Dragon behind. Dragon returns later in the film, having escaped the volanic keep, and reunites with Donkey. She flies him and Shrek to Duloc to prevent Fiona marrying Lord Farquaad, whom she later eats. Dragon and Donkey begin a relationship, and at the end of the film, when Shrek and Fiona get married, Fiona tosses her bouquet and Dragon catches it. She looks over at Donkey, who then looks at Shrek with surprise and slight terror. After Shrek nods to Donkey, giving them his blessing, Donkey accepts Dragon as his mate," (taken from Wikipedia). Then they make some kind of ugly flying jackass. The end.

Women, with dragon eyes, are like the dragon. Initially, violent, even willing to murder. Which can be attractive, even fun, I guess. Somehow, in their insanity, the dragon woman will fall in love with you. However, you did nothing to promote that feeling, nor did you reciprocate that feeling. You were merely interested. You are forced, not by the laws of nature or love, rather the laws of submission, to give into them. If you do not, they will eat you; they love eating people. In the end, you will make ugly looking babies. 

When you see a woman with dragon eyes, you become interested. When you become interested, you say too much. When you say too much, you get into trouble. When you get into trouble, you get end up in a commitment. When you have a commitment, you make rash decisions. And when you make rash decisions, you wake up to an ugly baby. Stop making rash decisions. Don't look at women with dragon eyes.

NOTE: I do not have any real experience in this field. But I know a many men who have fallen to this con. Thanks to their experiences, I have dodged that bullet. Her eyes tell the story. And she either has F.P. or the murder gene, for sure.

Hopeless, according to... everyone.

I am 24... In this Mormon culture I am ancient, especially considering that I am getting close to that age of 25. That's a bad number to hit when you are single. Brigham Young said that a man who was 25 and unmarried is a menace (A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger) to society. I am certain that I will become another menace. I do not know how I've managed to remain single in this fast relationship world. I'm such a fool. I should've been in a hurry and married the first broad I dated. [I hope you are catching the sarcasm.] 

Let be real though, I do feel like my age marks me. I am hesitant to tell people, because I can see them hold back their gasp of shock. Then, their shock, turns into matchmaking. They wanna fix me, like I am their service project. If they could just line me up with Ms. Right, then maybe they can sleep at night, cause I am their responsibility. 

This is a real concern for those who love me; my family, bless their hearts, are very worried, and I get that. My mother thought I would be married six months after my mission. Phew, thank heavens I did do that. No offense Melissa, but.. yeah.... I am the last member of my family who has yet to be married (Steven gets married this June). So, naturally, everyone wants to set me up. Just this last Christmas break I had a former young men's teacher corner me and try to set me up with a "girl that would be perfect for me." He taught me when I was 16. He obviously KNOWS me. 

Call me jaded, cynical, whatever, the blind date thing-- getting set up, is a farce. It doesn't work. I can't think of a single blind date that resulted in a lasting and meaningful relationship. They have all been casualties, train wrecks, just bad. Maybe it's user error, but I doubt that. I am not saying that those dates and interactions weren't helpful, they have been, but the whole match making is doomed from the beginning (the expectations from both parties lead to a superficial interest and involvement). 

I'm over it. So, no thanks Uncle Rod, I don't wanna date your egotistical niece. No thanks Brother Sorenson, I'll pass on your friend. No thanks Mom, I love you, but it ain't gunna happen. It might be easier to have a sign, "Unmarried. 24. Undecided profession. Loves the Lakers. High blood pressure. Selfish." 

Institute

Institute is a wonderful program. It is inspired. Classes are interesting.But I have some real issues with it.
    Teachers. I thought we were a lay ministry. Why are they being paid? I really don't have that big of an issue with it, I just don't understand it. I do not like how they call people out. This is not a calling, not a priesthood office, so how can they act like they have those responsibilities only granted to those who are called to a priesthood office?
   Then when people act fake. Anyone. It drives me nuts. When people speak just to impress. When people pray just to be heard of men. Institute is for people to learn more about the gospel, yet people use it as a spring board. Testimonies and comments should be real. I think next time I am going to call people out.... Also, institute is not an AA group. Some problems should be kept in and shared with certain people.
  My biggest problem is cuddly couples. Irritation to the nth degree. STOP IT! Grow up. This aint't a theatre, not your couch at home, this is a public classroom. Act like it. I had one couple sit in front of me last year. They never quit touching each other. I think PDA's are weird, but in a church setting, super awkward. Save it for later.