Provo, Utah

We've been in Provo, Utah for 3 weeks and 4 days. I wish I could say I've loved every bit about it, but I can't. I do have to say that it is beautiful here. The mountains are right next to us. I'll start with the good things about being here. I got a job! I work at an Endodontist office. Yep, root canals all day, every day. It's also nice to have stores that I know, especially Costco! The Costco here is even open on Sunday!

Alright, on to the hard part about being here. First off, I hardly see Evan. I get home around 6 and he either is at school for a pre-dental meeting, or doing homework. Then he works from 8-12. Next is, I honestly don't know how non-mormon people make friends here. On Sunday's I go to church with Evan, but during Relief Society (Mormon church is 3 hours, 1 hour the men and women are split up, 1 hour there are mixed gender classes, and the other hour is more like a typical church everyone meets in the chapel area) I feel like a complete outsider. There are at least 3 activities a week which the women participate it, which was made pretty clear today I was not invited to. The women also do a declaration which pretty much says their purpose in life is to respect their husbands and have babies. At the end of the lesson I had to leave to take a breather because the level of exclusion I felt being there was overwhelming. I had to tell 3 different people that I was a visitor today. I should have just said I'm not Mormon and I'm only here because my husband wants me to. It was like I had a communicable disease. One thing I struggle with is that my sister in law is in Relief Soceity with me, but not once has she talked to me during it, or tried to include me. Its like she doesn't want to associate with me because I'm not Mormon and she doesn't want the other women to know we are somehow related.  Anyway, I talked with Evan and we decided I would not be going to relief society any more.

My new favorite activity, which Evan does not support, is non-mormon people spotting. Whenever I'm at a store I like to find all the people I can who are not mormon. Its much easier to spot non-mormon women. The big give aways are- wedding ring, but wearing a tank top or wedding ring with short shorts. I spot at least 5-10 when I go to Costco/Winco. Its somewhat comforting knowing I'm not alone.

I've only been here for a few weeks and am already feeling the Mormon Culture in its fullest. However, I hear it gets worse. I guess I'll let you know how it goes.