today already.

Things that happened today

1. I was stuck in traffic for 3.5 hours. And got sick of all the radio songs. and the morning zoo on 97.1.
2. Talked to Andrew for exactly 100 minutes and 52 seconds.
3. Heard "Truly Madly Deeply" on the radio.... this is when the day started to get better.
4. Had Chick-fil-A for lunch.... with a cute boy. And it's not the cute boy you think it is.
5. finished the work day... which was shorter than usual because of the traffic delay. And when I say delay, I mean I got to work at 11:00am. I left my house at 7:26am.

But I'm going to go shopping and I'm going to dinner with some coworkers, and life is just peachy.

Also. Yesterday I met the most beautiful little 1-day-old girl. Check Rachelle's facebook page for pictures. But seriously, I teared up a little when I met her. Child birth is such a miracle. I just can't get over how amazing it is. Brad and Rachelle have been trusted with a sweet, special spirit to take care of. And they get to teach her and love her and protect her, and that is just so lucky. And so I just want to say congratulations to the happy couple and baby. :)

24

Tomorrow I will celebrate my 24th birthday. It will be full of laughter and merriment... although I will be woeful about my increasing age.

But tomorrow I will also celebrate something else... that is even more glorious and wonderful and supremely delicious. And do you know what that is? The one year anniversary of my last day of student teaching. I can commemorate the end of all sadness and stress in my life. The past year has been blissful, comparatively. I have a great job outside of the teaching profession. I have great friends. And great possibilities for my future. And I never have to set my eyes on that school again. I still have nightmares about it, honestly. It tortures me. But at least in real life, I don't have to go there. ever. And that is simply the best thought I could have, on my birthday, every year for the rest of my life.

ALSO. Tomorrow pre-sale begins for the epic US concert tour of the one and only One Direction. July 25, 2013, I will be there. And I will buy my tickets tomorrow.

And a random thought:

So I love it when people allow the post on facebook that says they got a new high score on angry birds. I'm like, "CONGRATULATIONS! What a load of time you are wasting on facebook....and angry birds! Your life must be so cool!" and then I remember that I was probably on facebook for the same amount of time... I was just looking at other people's pictures... and then I realize that trying to beat a high score on a dumb game is probably higher than photo stalking on the productive scale. But only just barely.

Who Says

1. raise your hand if you think JLo should stop recording music. I see that everyone's hands are raised. (I bow).

2. I am not ashamed to admit that I listen to "Boyfriend" on repeat daily. I haven't synced my ipod to my itunes in a couple of days, but the play count just in itunes is 36. The song is 4 minutes long. that's a lot of bieber time.

3. One direction. Have taken over and consumed my life, in a really great way. I never thought the boy band would be super cool again (at least for a really long time), but I was very wrong. One Direction has it all. And I am in love. with their whole album. and their cute little 18 year old faces. love them. Go to vevo.com, type in "one direction," and watch all of their videos. You will not even be able to hear the music "over their gorgeousness" (glozell).

4. See future post for my weekend in St. George--- a couple weeks ago. I have realized that my stg weekends are the most eventful recently... I hope that means it's just getting close to finals and all my friends who are students are occupied and that once summer starts my social life will start to get fun agan. I hope i hope i hope i hope. Because I miss my friends.

5. I just finished reading Mockingjay again. And it is so beautiful. I enjoyed it a lot more the second time-- I mean, I still have my complaints. But that's because the book is about a war. It's not going to end neatly and perfectly, exactly the way you want it. It's about pain and struggle and suffering, and somehow, it feels very real. Suzanne Collins gave the world a gift. And I hope people realize what she is trying to teach us. I love the way she paints life, imperfections of humanity, painful hope for the future, and how overwhelmingly, there is always something to live for-- even in the most desperate of situations. People go on living. They survive. And it's beautiful. It's colorful and dramatic and anxious and real.

6. When I read those books I have dreams about them all night--- for days. And it's not pleasant, but I like it. I feel like, if I have dreams about something, it means it has really left an impression in my brain. And that's cool. I want to be able to do that for people one day. Teach what I want them to know--- so that they think about it hard enough that it pervades their mind in sleep. But how do I do that? That, my friends, is the lifelong pursuit. Finding a way to make an impact on people. Teach them what I know. And I'm not talking about brainwashing, obviously. I'm talking about inciting crucial critical thinking.

A few words

On Hunger Games mania.

Have you seen this video?

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6743777/the-hunger-games-game

This is exactly what the book is about. Did anyone else read the book and have the following two thoughts enter their brain simultaneously? 1) THIS BOOK IS AWESOME! The pacing is phenomenal. It's so fast, but slows down beautifully to capture moments (like Rue's death, para examplar). I love the first person perspective-- I feel like I am in the book! And why doesn't she love PEETA? and 2) WHOA SOCIAL COMMENTARY.

'Tis the social commentary part that I want to discuss here.

The book is merely a futuristic gladiator-based society. The rich live in luxurious wealth and they do strange things to their bodies for beauty, fashion, and ever-changing trends. The poor live in subservience to the wealthy-- not necessarily because the wealthy watch them all day and tell them what to do-- but they are prevented from making any forward progression, and their supplies are so limited that they have no choice but to do only what they can to survive (not get ahead). The rich (and poor for that matter) all watch the gladiatorial Hunger Games competitions. They are fascinated by the drama, the suspense, the violence, the potential romance, the larger-than-life situations combined with human reality.

Any of this sound familiar? Does it, perhaps, sound eerily similar to our world?

Americans pride themselves on the American Dream; the idea that in America one can accomplish his or her dreams through hard work and endless opportunity. I believe that still exists-- I really do. But I think that too often the American Dream is crippled by government aid and lack of education, among other things (including, but not limited to, the ruination of the nuclear family and basic morals). Poverty runs in a cycle, and there is a reason for that. People have a hard time getting out--- just like the citizens of District 12.

We follow gimmicks and trends so closely these days that a one-finger nail-a-different-color trend can begin on Pinterest and be nationwide in like a month. The model on the Pitbull "Rain Over Me" video even subscribes. Music trends move so quickly that a UK-based boy band can enter the United States one week and have their album debut on Billboard at #1 the next (speaking of which, that One Direction broke all kinds of records this week. They were the first foreign entity to debut at #1. Not even the Beatles did that). It's miraculous. And not all bad. The information revolution is amazing. It has given a lot to the world. I'm just saying that we are slaves to trends. And they are often body-changing kinds of trends. Remember when it was cool in the 90s to have 2 earrings? That hasn't been cool (even outside of Utah) for the past 10 years. Little boys even used to have 1 earring. No longer. And people have surgeries to change their bodies. They get tattoos and piercings all over the place-- because they want to look different and they want to look cool (I am by no means supposing that I know and/or can identify all the reasons that people alter their bodies. All I'm saying is that they are often for shallow and/or self-conscious reasons). There is a standard for beauty in our society just like there is in Panem. And Suzanne Collins is able to lay out the situation in Panem in such a way that it seems totally realistic-- but altogether so far-fetched that many people (particularly the series' target audience, YAs) would not compare the Capitol to our society. But is that what Ms. Collins is trying to do? I think so.

And then we come to the Games. Have you ever watched Reality TV? Is it not virtually the same thing? Have you ever been to any sort of entertainment event (live) where the potential of someone participating could get hurt? And when they do, you stare, fascinated, and can't look away? Examples: rodeos. extreme sports. the average American football game. boxing. wrestling. anything that incudes stunts-circus acts, acrobats. gymnastics. The list is endless. And most of the time, it's pure fun. No one gets hurt, and it's just cool. But at the same time. We stare. We watch. We love it. And we follow reality shows--and talk about them--like they are part of our lives. Like we know the people involved. And it's so fun. The Hunger Games are OBVIOUSLY MUCH MORE BARBARIC AND MUCH MORE DRAMATIC. I don't deny that. But they are a type and shadow. They are an exaggerated example. Our society is obsessed with drama, violence, and sex. And Ms. Collins typifies that. She illustrates it. Paints a lovely little picture.

And her point is proved-- wait for it--- with the success of these novels. We absorb and love it. Drink it all up-- and because of the way it's displayed, it seems okay-- which exaggerates her point even more. This is portrayed, quite comically, in the video embedded above. It is also starkly visible in the fact that my baby sister is currently at what my mother called a "reaping." I'm not sure what this entails. All I know is that a "reaping" as described in the Hunger Games is something that no one should ever want to attend.

And these are my few words. on hunger games mania.

The blessed return of the boy band.

One Direction:


The Wanted:


this is why we love pop. and summer. and boys. and bands. and music in general. And let's not forget the greats: Jackson 5. The Beach Boys. The Beatles. Backstreet Boys. New Kids. NSYNC.

And now we have entered a new era of boys bands. and they are smoking up the charts. and blowing up Itunes. AND they are foreign. English and Irish, yes please.

?

I'm going through that kind of phase where I think about blogging just about everyday, but then when I sit down and have time to blog... I forget everything that I wanted to say.

I keep forgetting what I want to catch everybody up on.

My life consists of going to work and then coming home. And then it's either FHE, institute, the temple, the gym, The Bachelor, American Idol, roommates, fan club, Friends (I borrowed a favorites collection from my neighbor), shopping, or any other social event that happens to be scheduled to which I decide to make an appearance, fashionably late of course.

1. Speaking of the Bachelor, if you haven't seen this already, then you should see it now. I can't believe I didn't notice this from day 1:

It's funny because it's true. They even have the same hair!!!! ALSO. I've lost so much interest in the show recently that I didn't watch last week's episode except the rose ceremony, and I missed most of the girls tell all from this week. I mean, I'll watch the finale, but it's just not nearly as fun when Courtney isn't being mean. Sheesh.

2. I have decided that pop culture consumes WAY TOO MUCH of my life. And honestly, I have cut back SERIOUSLY on my iTunes usage lately. And I haven't watched American Idol in two weeks. The last song I purchased on iTunes was Chris Brown's "Turn Up the Music," and that was released the day after the Grammys.... so what was that, like mid-February!?! It's been like 3 weeks! And so... maybe I'll get a real hobby if I actually cut down on my media time. That would be cool. Maybe I'll go scrapbooking. Or else learn how to... I don't know... cook. I actually did make a resolution this year to learn more housewifery skills. I'm just betting they will come in handy someday. I mean, they've got to, right?

3. Speaking of Chris Brown, I'm loving R&B lately. I mean, I love it periodically, but there has been some magic going on in the R&B world as of late. See below. I watch the first video nearly everyday when I get on the bus. Why do I love Ne-Yo so much? And Jennifer Hudson is like the epitome of girl power. I swear.


And then HI. Brandy and Monica. Welcome back.


4. Work is alternately really awesome and/or actually kind of stressful. We get really busy sometimes. And sometimes I really just get sick of fetching things for people and/or shifting columns and stacks of books so that new items will fit on shelves. Amanda, I know you will be reading this, and you can attest to my grumpy demeanor on Monday when we were shifting. This is my formal and public apology for that...I was a snot. But seriously.

Sometimes I dream of the other kinds of jobs I could have at the Church History Department, and that makes me really happy. And sometimes I can't imagine staying in the same place for so long. As students and/or children we are hardwired for change. Every semester. Every year. Every other week for crying out loud. We have new classes, wards, friends, boys, etc., all the time. And the idea of committing to one thing for an extended period of time FREAKS ME OUT entirely. I'm guessing this is something I am going to have to get over very shortly. Nobody will want to marry a committment-phobe... and I'm hoping to get married, I don't know, within the next 5 years. That would be ideal.

5. Not being in school stresses me out for many reasons--- one of which--- is that I feel like I am getting dumber by the day. I know... it's probably in my head. But without academic reading, brain exercises, studying, memorization techniques, critical thinking, research, and writing, I think that neurons and synapses and craps in my brain are dying in truckloads. I just don't feel smart anymore. I think that probably has to do with the fact that I was never that smart to begin with-- I think I was just spectacular at fooling a lot of people (including teachers and administration at Dixie High School), but I did work pretty hard, and I miss that. I know, I could study on my own. I could do my own research, and I could write my own stuff. But where is the time and motivation for that? I spend a whopping 12 hours a day either working or commuting (or at lunch :)), and when I get home I am starved and brain-tired, and the evening's activities and TV sound like the best option... but really... I'm getting dumber. I am killing my brain more and more each day. And yet... the desire for grad school has all but left me. I mean, I want to do it eventually, but right now, I don't know, it just doesn't feel right. For crying out loud, I feel like a crazy person. I think this is a good time to use one of my favorite words- CONUNDRUM. This is a conundrum. One of those problems that I will complain about forever... but never seek a solution. Because deep in my heart of hearts I know there isn't one.

6. Speaking of no solutions, I think this is a concept that the male species does not understand. They like to solve problems. They like to hear the problems and then find solutions immediately. Without wasting any time. What I hate most about this is that it sounds 100% logical. Why wouldn't you immediately want a solution, right? Why not? Because sometimes you know the solution-- or else you don't know and you really don't care what the solution is-- and you just want to talk about it. Note to future boys (and current) in my life: don't try to solve my problems. Just say "wow. that's awful. [insert appropriate question here]." Because when you try to solve my problems and offer solutions, it just makes me feel like you think I'm dumb (see #5), because obviously, the answers to all my problems are just that easy. Anyway. 


7. I need more Harry Potter in my life. It's been a solid year and a half since I read one of those blessed books. I think that's the longest I have gone since reading Harry Potter 1 December of 2001. Harry Potter has been in my life for a solid 10 years. And what a good 10 years it has been. :)

8. On Sunday night I played mash with the fan club. It was one of the best moments of the year. The three of them picked all the stuff-- for themselves and their future potential life with me. They were basically fighting over marrying me (it originally started as a competition for a trip to the kissing booth, but I squashed their hopes and dreams rather harshly), which is something that a girl will always appreciate, I can assure you. In the end I married Ben, but lived the life that Drake wanted for us, and Mike was left out of the whole deal. I felt kind of bad. But ladies, if you ever need a boost of good feelings about yourself, just call up your fan club and they will make you feel better. They are excellent for intense Saturday night chats, runs to the Creamery for Graham Canyon ice cream (which is a delicious combination of graham flavored ice cream with chocolate covered honeycombs... basically frozen heaven), and on-the-spot games of clue and/or banana grams. And, I promise you, they will make you laugh. Harder than you have... since the last time you saw them. I love these boys. :)

9. I JUST REMEMBERED WHAT I WANTED TO BLOG ABOUT!!! holy!!! except... it's too late now, and I need to sleep. SO. Here's a hint... and maybe I'll write about it tomorrow. One word: grandpa.

Adios.

whoosh.