3.10.2010

Just a tad out of my comfort zone.


Did you all get your flier for BYU Women's Conference in the mail this week?
Well, I got mine.
And I must admit, I almost had a heart attack when I opened it up and saw my name in print.


I guess it's officially official.
I will be speaking at Women's Conference.
I've known about this since the end of December.
But I've been living in denial.
I've felt quite certain all along that I would get a phone call taking it all back.
"I'm sorry...we had you confused with another Erin H. Meeker."
or
"It's come to our attention that you're total crap and that just won't do."
But now my name's in print.
So I guess this is on.

How did I get involved in this??
Good question.
Obviously, it's because of my awesome spiritualness.
No?
Okay, okay. It's because I happen to have a good friend on the planning committee.
(Love you Amy.)
A friend that has never heard me speak, I might add.

When I got the letter back in Dec saying that I had been "invited" to speak at WC,
I burst into tears.
Literally.
Then I read my topic: "Urgent Demands and Deep Breaths: Managing Stress"
And I threw the letter on the ground.
Clearly I know a lot about managing stress.

So ladies, please come to Women's Conference.
It is going to be completely incredible.
But for heaven's sake, don't come to my session.
Because I'm a total sham.
(Although my co-presenter seems quite lovely.)

P.S.- Amy- I promise I will do my very best.
P.P.S.- And don't worry - I won't use the word "crap" in my talk.
P.P.P.S.- And everyone- if you have any thoughts on managing stress...send them my way.

19 comments:

pat said...

dad and I also immediately opened the flyer to look for your name -- we feel so honored to be parents of a speaker. Can men come?

maddie said...

CANNOT WAIT! you bet i'm flying home for this. you're literally one of the best speakers i've heard too - something you got from patty (although she's still quite gay - i don't want her to get cocky from this). i'm so excited, i just can't hide it! oh and i know nothing about managing stress - i usually end up sobbing, stomping out of the room, etc.

Julie said...

Erin! So cool! I am dying to go now... I totally want to hear you speak about managing stress!! I am totally in need of that talk too!! Good luck! You will be awesome!!

jill said...

Erin...I am thrilled you are speaking at Women's Conference!!! I have been wanting to go this year and so now I have a good excuse to drag my mom and come down there!!! You are going to be terrific! And I can't wait to hear you! Plus---what a great subject---you will be so fun to listen to!!! Love ya!

Chelsea said...

maybe talk about how a nice diet coke and 'us' magazine is a great way to de-stress! no?

haha

Really Erin? Really... you were invited to speak? Of COURSE you were because you are a rockstar mom and incredible example to women!! I know you'll be absolutely amazing. I'm very VERY sad that I'll miss you by about 5 days! Can I hear it online after the fact? I almost feel like I have a famous sis-in-law. I'm calling it right now- within 10 years you'll be speaking in general conference!

Stacey said...

Yeah!!!!!! Erin I'm so so so excited for you! I wanted to go before, but now I REALLY want to go!!! You're going to be A.MAZ.ING!!!!! Congratulations! You're so awesome!!!

Mark and Meghan said...

erin, you will be great. deep breaths! :)
my mother in-law is speaking too, so i was planning on going to hers. what day do you speak?
hope to make it to yours too! :)
good luck!

Andrea said...

Wow!! I would be really freaked out too. LUCKILY, I would never ever in a million years have anything to offer at women's conference. Phew! But YOU on the other hand, will do amazing. I wish I could come!!

By the way, I like the diet coke and a magazine tip. Works for me. :)

matt and eve lloyd said...

I cannot think of anyone more qualified..you are such a great speaker. I can't wait to hear it!! I have told everyone I know that my sister is speaking at women's conference..it makes me feel so so cool.

Tyler and Dru said...

first of all....total crap is going a little too far. you're just slight crap. :) Ern you know i think the world of you and can't wait to hear you speak. i think no one is more qualified! i will be there 100% and am trying to recruit everyone i know to come support. i'm sure you're really happy to hear that. love you!

Church Fam said...

Oh man I wis right I could go. Do you think you could speak next year too? :) You are going to do awesome.
Now let's see if I have any tips...when I start to get really stressed during the day, I usually start sending Ty anoying text that I'm in need of back up at the homestead, not that this really helps. So I guess I could use this talk.

Good Luck!

Church Fam said...

So that is suppose to say I wish I could go.

LynnEl Springer said...

Amy was soooooooooo smart to chose you to speak! and YES men can come! Don't you remember Seth and me looking for you last year when Amy spoke - so you could get into her class? And Andrew was there too! and so was my stepfather-in-law! Bring them on! I can't wait to see you and Nate!! And hear you speak! Love it!

Chelise said...

I so BADLY wish I could be there- you awesomely, awesome woman you! All my luck!

LeAnn said...

Wow Erin that is so exciting!! You are going to be great!! You are so amazing!! Good luck

jill said...

:O gasp!
i actually think i might try to go now! i don't receive such fliers as this one. i've probably been delisted for good reason. i've never really tried to go, but NOW i have a reason! heaven knows i truly do need some managing stress advice. i adore you and your mad writing skillz.
i will bring you an icy cold diet coke--the real stuff from off campus-- (and maybe some skittles and/or something chocolatey) to help calm your pre-speaking nerves.
you are going to be fan-freaking-tastic. :)
the other jill (m)

Emily and Austin Gray said...

Congratulations, Erin! I'm sure you will be marvelous!

I had the opportunity to speak at Women's Conference in 2006. My topic was way out of my comfort zone too (working with the less active?!) and I felt like the youngest person there but it was an incredible experience. Let me know if you want to talk it over! egray1@norwich.edu.

The hardest part for me turned out to be figuring out what to wear. I just couldn't bring myself to wear a jelly-bean color blazer like the women all do at gen. conference! :)

Brian and Amanda said...

You will do awesom!!

Kearl said...

Oh, wow! Talk about a stress. You will do awesome. You survived the non-triplets as babies in an amazing fashion. This is nothing in comparison. My tip is that I honestly have to give myself a "time-out" some days. It's usually in the bathroom (b/c that door locks and they've been getting better about giving me privacy there). I read for 1o minutes, something funny in Uncle John's bathroom book, and then I'm ready for life again.