Question: When did tan skin become the “in” thing? Can you pin a date or time period on it? Chinese women do everything they can to cover their skin when walking outside; most American women do everything they can to uncover their skin while in the sun. True, I think most of us will agree when I say we love the sun. I haven’t seen much of it lately (thanks a lot, Utah), but I’m confident it will show its pretty little face sometime soon. But with that happy sun, comes a little “Debby-Downer.” I’ll secretly admit to you that I’m always a little depressed when I read the medical reports my mom sends me about how detrimental the sun is to my skin. Argh. I’m not sure why I keep reading those if they just strike fear in my heart about cancerous moles the size of my head. However, in this instance, I will admit defeat and say, “Mom, you are right.”

By profession, I am a teacher. I teach choir to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Given all that happens in middle school, singing can be a challenge. You have changing voices (or, worse for some kids: unchanging voices), the pressure to look cool, shifting social landscapes, evolving relationships with members of the opposite sex, and on and on. All of these things can make singing extremely difficult.

"The greatest thing I've ever did was marry [my wife]," 82-year-old Gary Goodson told slate.com while reflecting on questions about his life so far.

The words come from the war chapters in the Book of Mormon.

Dear Dave,

Utah State University senior Kaulin Curtis was sitting in class early Tuesday morning when he got a text from his girlfriend telling him to check his email. Little did Kaulin know that he was in for perhaps the happiest surprise of his life.

I have known my friend Kimberly for over 20 years—we grew up together, my mom was her teacher, her mom babysat me. Kim was a bridesmaid at my wedding and my sister's wedding—she is essentially an adopted part of our family. She is 3 years older than me and has taught me some of the most profound and sacred lessons of my life. My whole family would agree that she is one of the most incredible people we've had the privilege to know in this life.

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