Surviving the REAL World

A New Tomb Raider

2011-09-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

I know that posting this more than a year in advance is a little bit odd. But I saw this trailer for a new video game coming out next fall and I couldn't be more excited for it. Many of you know the name of Lara Croft but every time I see the movie or anything to do with the old games I don't feel any sort of connection to the character. I guess I should state that recently I have become really involved in video games. I have always played Nintendo. Mario Kart, Zelda, Super Mario Bros. But at my old job the people I worked with played Playstation and XBox 360 and I became corrupted and I am now a gamer. Although I can say that I do not play the online games or the games that require monthly payments. Back to Lara Croft. The game series is getting rebooted and I love the direction they are taking the character. She actually looks like your average person. No tiny waste, giant chest, and no ginormous lips.

A New Life

2011-09-15T17:09:00.001-07:00

I AM NO LONGER A CREATURE OF THE DARKNESS. After a year and a half of being a vampire I have found the cure. It wasn't an easy transition. I got some nasty sun burns since my skin was not used to seeing the light of day and I had difficulties staying up past six in the evening. But I have done it. I can now walk in the sunshine without experiencing any sort of pain. It is now possible for me to sleep along with the rest of the world. But best of all, I can hide the fact that I am a former vampire by going to school full-time. Life is good.

Some people may want nothing more than to become a vampire but I couldn't wait to earn my slot among the living.

Childhood Ends

2011-08-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

I know this post is over a month late. In my defense this is probably the most difficult post I have written. Not because I'm telling some depressing story (ok maybe it is) but because I have to tell about the end of my childhood. When I was about ten years old I was introduced to a brand new world of witches and wizards, quidditch, and a school all about magic.

Never having been much of a reader I owe my love for books and my career choice to this series. J.K. Rowling showed me that a book doesn't have to be just words on a page. I can enter new worlds and make new friends just by reading. I found myself captivated and the rest is history. A girl who hated reading is now an English Literature major who desires to be a book editor, and like millions of others out there I waited in line for hours for both the books and the films.

When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first came out summer of 2007 I was able to avoid the sadness and the feeling that nothing would ever be the same that came along with the end of the series because I had more movies to look forward to. Harry Potter wasn't over yet. Two more movies still had to come out. Since at that time they hadn't announced that they were splitting Deathly Hallows into two films.

As the time drew nearer for Deathly Hallows part two to be released I found myself both excited and terrified. I would finally be able to see not just read the final battle. But then it would be over. No more waiting in line all day to see the next film. No more Harry Potter themed parties where I could be a total nerd and dress up.

At 12:30 in the afternoon my sister Josie and I got in line. Yes I was in line for twelve hours to see a movie. Why does everyone think that was such a bizarre thing to do. It was Harry Potter. As I started talking to the people in line with me I realized that everyone there was just as excited for the film as I was and wanted the day to move faster but at the same time we all found ourselves wishing that it wasn't ending. I discovered that I am not the only person that has gotten teased because of an obsession over a film/book series.

Most of the people I work with don't understand why I would take a night off of work just to see a movie. I would always explain that Harry Potter is my childhood. I grew up alongside Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They were my friends growing up and still are. Too which they would explain that they are just fictional characters in a book. And continue to tell me that I am a dork to which I would respond, "I'm not a dork, I'm a nerd there's a big difference."

Back to waiting in line. While waiting in line cars would honk at us as they drove by in their air conditioned cars and make fun of us calling us, and I quote, "Nerds, get a life". We actually turned into a fun game. The group next to me went and stood at the side of the road and "cursed" the cars that drove by with their wands. And we began laughing and saying that those people were just Twihards that are jealous because they don't have as awesome fans as Harry Potter.

We played board games, shared our favorite memories and moments about the films and books. And at about 10:30 we were escorted into our theater and got to wait another two hours sitting in the theater waiting.

As the film started I was actually surprised at how silent the theater was. At every other midnight showing I have been to the audience has started cheering and screaming their heads off. But not this time. You could feel the anticipation. The movie was awesome. Of course it was. A few minor things bothered movie but you can't please everyone completely. I was surrounded by the sounds of sniffling. It started when the Professors start to defend the school and got a bit ridiculous when Snape died. But that was one of the best parts. A bunch of teenagers and college students all getting teary eyed over a movie. It, was, awesome!!!

I am still a bit depressed that I no longer have anything Potter related to look forward to. I have tried to fill the void with video games and new books. But I have realized something. Nothing can take the place of Harry Potter. Nothing can be better than spending twelve hours in line for a movie. Or staying up all night so that I can finish reading the latest book.

Thank you J.K. Rowling for creating such a magical world. And thank you to all those involved in the films for doing such an amazing job of bringing the school I wish I had been able to go to to life.

X-Men: First Class

2011-06-22T06:58:00.001-07:00

In the year 2000 the first X-Men film was released. It was amazing. It introduced some of the most well known mutants flawlessly. Unfortunately, since then the X-Men franchise has just moved further and further downhill. After the pretty good X-Men 2 the series absolutely fell apart with X-Men: Last Stand and X-Men Origins.

So when I heard that they were going to be making a film about Professor X and Magneto I was a bit worried. Both characters are so well known and after the last origins film (X-Men Origins). Magneto is probably one of my favorite villains of all time so I was worried that they would fail to deliver yet again. My worries began to slowly dissolve after I saw the trailer for the film. It looked like the film was actually going to be good but then again so had all the others.

All doubts were thrown out the window when I saw X-Men: First Class. The storyline couldn't have been better, the casting was spot on, and the action was awesome.

I found myself struggling to see Magneto as the bad guy he is later on in the series after learning everything he had been through at the hands of the Nazis. I loved being able to see such a different side of Professor X. A fun guy who likes to go to bars and pick up women by talking to them about genetic mutations.

It was great to be able to learn the backstory of how and why Magneto and Professor X went from being friends to enemies.

Plus, the introduction of some awesome mutants without making the audience feel like they were getting information overload was a huge plus.

Highly recommended. I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Super 8

2011-06-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to say about this movie except awesome.

You can't exactly go wrong combining J.J. Abrams (Star Trek) and Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones). Both are masterminds when it comes to film making.

The film follows a group of friends as they witness a train wreck and come to realize that there was more than just mundane objects aboard the train. The screenplay couldn't have been better and the cinematography was breathtaking. I highly recommend this film to anyone. You won't be disappointed.

A Perfect Ending

2011-05-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

I know that the idea of what this post is about is pretty depressing. But I really do believe that when someone passes away that although it is sad and hard to deal with, it isn't the end. And I have decided that I really think funerals should be a little bit like this. More of a celebration of life than a farewell.

Embrace the Weird!!!

2011-04-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

It doesn't matter who you are we all have something about us we would like to be different. Whether it be a lack of a particular talent, the way we look, or anything else you can think of. So my question is. After you watch the video below what would you put on your "shirt"? Mine would definitely be "can't dance". It would be great if I could have some sort of control over my body but that just isn't the case. Oh well. I'm a weird dancer and I know it. We need to embrace what we don't like about ourselves or what makes us stand out in a crowd because that is what makes us different and special in our own unique ways.

Only two more months!!!!!

2011-04-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

YES!!!!! I have been waiting for this trailer since November. November!!!!!

Yes it may be weird that I am blogging about movie trailer. Or the fact that I am this excited for a video that is less than two minutes long. The fact that I have watched it close to fifty times since Wednesday should not be surprising for anyone that knows me.

Although it has been a long wait, the wait was worth it. Thankfully it looks like the director has fulfilled his promise to make the final battle bigger and better than it was in the books. Which isn't that hard in my opinion.

So what are your opinions. Does the trailer make you wish it was July already? Are you excited or could you care less that the end of a ten year journey is drawing nearer to the end?

The King's Speech

2011-04-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

The King's Speech. A film about the Duke of York as he struggles with the idea that he may have to step in as king since his brother is not all that responsible. As everyone knows the king is someone who has to deliver speeches (duh!) and at this time the wireless was in use which meant he would have to make the speeches to his entire nation and possibly the world. Which would be difficult considering the fact that he had a stammer.

The film follows the Duke and his wife as they struggle overcome his stammer by going to a man named Lionel Logue and using his unusual methods.

I don't think a movie has ever captured my attention and my emotions as well as this film. The acting couldn't have been better and the screenplay was spectacular. The film easily transitioned through the various emotions flawlessly.

The film relates to basically everyone. I know that none of us will probably ever have to give a speech to an entire nation knowing that we cannot speak probably. And we will never have to rule an entire nation. However, at some point everyone has had to overcome some sort of trial or difficulty. Everyone has felt like what is expected of them is more than they can handle.

This film will keep you captivated from start to finish I guarantee it.

A Movie All About Girl Power!!!

2011-04-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the movies with some friends from work. We went and saw a film called Sucker Punch. Going into the movie I knew that it was either going to be totally awesome or completely lame. I can happily say that it was awesome. A film that is completely about the empowerment of women is definitely my type of movie. The greatest thing about it was that they showed how a girl can take control of their life in the most bizarre way. The film follows a girl who goes by the name of Babydoll. After her mothers death she and her younger sister inherit her mothers fortune. However, as most stories go the step father wasn't too pleased about this. I'm not going to mention what happens next due to the fact that it will spoil the beginning of the film and take away from what the film is trying to show but I can say that Babydolls actions make it so that her step father can put her in an insane asylum. The story then shows how Babydoll plans on escaping by going into a fantasy world where Babydoll enlists the help of a few of the girls that are in the asylum with her. It alternates between this fantasy world and another different fantasy world.
The story is awesome, and the actors do a good job of portraying their characters. Many times during the movie I found myself thinking that the fight sequences reminded me of a video game boss fight. Another plus to the movie. It had an ending that I didn't see coming at all. And although it isn't the ending you find yourself hoping for while following Babydolls journey it is still an ending to be happy about. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that likes to see chics kick some serious butt.

Two inthusiastic thumbs up!!!!

2011-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

I always love finding a new book to transport me to a different world. But that doesn't solely apply to reading fantasy novels. Isn't it amazing? By simply reading something as simple as a book you can become anything. A pirate, a witch/wizard, a hacker, anything you want. Any book can transport the reader to another world. Whether it be a book that actually takes place in a different world than ours, a historical fiction, or simply a novel that makes you see the world a little bit differently. I love reading books that teach me something new. And it is amazing how regardless of where or when the book takes place it can always teach the reader something.
Unfortunately until recently the amount of reading I have done outside of something for school is dismal. But that all changed about one month ago.

Over the past month I have found myself captivated by a series called Millenium Trilogy. Written by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson the series takes place in Sweden and follows a woman who has a secret past and a journalist intent on uncovering the truth. The first book in the series is called the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Followed by the Girl Who Played With Fire and finally the Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
For those of you have a hard time getting through difficult material maybe this series isn't for you. The series deals with some VERY adult material and can get graphic in certain places. But for those who think you can push through the rough spots I highly recommend going for it. The main character Lisbeth Salander is one tough chick. She takes what people do to her and instead of cowering in the corner saying poor me she goes into the world and does everything she can to regain control of her life.
If you do decide to read the series don't give up on the first book. It takes a while to get going but once it does it doesn't stop. I have never been more entranced by a novel(s) and I don't think I have ever become so involved in a book. My heart raced faster and faster with each page I turned. One of the best series' I have ever gotten my hands on.

A New Feat?

2011-03-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember the cds I have wanted to buy haven't been the latest bands newest cd, but the soundtrack to the last movie I saw. It may be because I have grown up hearing instrumental music due to the fact that I grew up playing the violin or it could be some random fluke.
I recently got online and looked up a list of all the scores that have been nominated/won the academy award for best original soundtrack. The list couldn't be more daunting. With scores from movies I have never even heard of and others that I didn't even realize had oscar worthy scores. But I have decided that on top of slowly building up my movie collection, I will also slowly get my hands on all of the scores that won and possibly the ones that were nominated but didn't win.
What do you think? Is it a good idea or am I biting off more than I can chew?

And for those of you who are wondering. I am deciding how best to express my opinion on this years Oscars before I write about it.

A Movie About Facebook?

2011-03-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

I know what you are probably thinking. How the heck can a movie about facebook be any good. I thought the same thing. When I first saw the trailer I declared right there and then that I would not be seeing this movie in theaters or outside of theaters. Well, I lied. Although i didn't see it in theaters i just had to watch it, despite my feelings about it, when it won so many awards at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. Well, I will admit here and now that I was completely wrong about the movie. The way it was done was awesome. Instead of showing how it was founded and then showing the lawsuit it showed the preceedings of the lawsuit throughout the movie. Making it so a point in the case was shown through a flashback of the characters. The acting was phenomenal. Jesse Eisenberg did amazing, along with Andrew Garfield. The script couldn't have been better and the opening scene captures the audiences attention. This movie makes it into my top five favorite movies of 2010.

Let me just say. If I had seen this movie prior to the Academy Awards I would have actually picked it to win some awards.

Robin Hood

2011-03-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

I know that this is not a new movie. Well not new for me, it was released about one year ago. So I am just as surprised as anyone else that it took me this long to see the movie. I blame it on not wanting to go to the movies by myself and having no one to go and see it with me.
A film about the beginning of the legend Robin Hood. I thought that it was a very well done film. Of course you have to know that due to the fact that there are countless stories about how and why Robin Hood became who he was there are quite a few differences with this movie and others done before it. The action sequences were amazing. I think the acting was great but my mom may disagree with mesince she is a Russell Crowe hater. The scenery is breathtaking. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good story, a little bit or romance, and plenty of action. And the fact that the main character isn't basically running around in tights and a long green shirt is a bonus. And just know that this is about how Robin Hood came about not about the stealing from the rich to feed the poor.

Drinking = NOT good

2011-02-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Do I even need to say anything?

A New Blogging Tradition?

2011-02-19T07:03:00.000-08:00

As you all know, watching movies whether they be old or new is one of my favorite ways to pass the time. So I believe a new tradition for blogging is in order. Whenever I see a new movie that I believe is worth seeing I will blog about it.

I Am Number Four. A film about a boy who is from another planet that had its population wiped out. He, along with a few other survivors, came to earth. Now I won't give away too many details so I don't spoil the plot.

I thought that the movie was extremely well done. Is it the best movie I have ever seen? Not even close. No movie can come close to Star Wars Episode V. Would I go and see it in theaters again? Absolutely. My brother has recently told me that that is the way to know what I truly feel about the movie. If I won't go see it again in theaters it probably isn't that great but if I would like to see it again in theaters then it is definitely worth your time. The film had an interesting story and I found myself wanting to know and see more. Although the acting wasn't the best I have ever seen, the actors did a good job.

After seeing the film I went to Borders and picked up a copy of the book it's based off of and I can't wait till I take my Bio test so that I can start reading it. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes action. But if you go and see it be warned that it is a little corny in some places but overall a fantastic film. And also know that this only the first in a series of six. With the second book coming out in April. Hopefully the film does well in the box office so that the rest of the series can be made.

What do you think? Should this be a new blogging tradition for me?

My Inner Child

2011-01-31T08:13:00.000-08:00

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge film and television person. I will watch just about any movie so long as it looks like it has some sort of promise. Last month I roped two of my cousins into going and seeing the Disney film Tangled with me. I'll admit that I was mainly going and seeing it because one of my favorite actors, Zachari Levi, voices the character of Flynn Rider.

Over the past few years I have been slightly disappointed in the films that Disney has made, in exception to the ones paired with Pixar. So as I was walking into the film I had no expectations. I had heard that it was the best Disney had done since Beauty and the Beast but I didn't want to get my hopes up. After all, Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite animated film plus it is the only animated film to win the academy award for best picture.

I can say is that I was blown away by the film. And it isn't just because Alan Menken composed the music for the film. If you don't know who he is, he is the guy that composed Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, etc. Duh. It truly had the feel of the good, old Disney classics.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. It is a hilarious movie with well thought out characters. The story is fantastic, the music unforgettable, and it is just plain awesomeness. Unfortunately it didn't make the cut for the academy awards but it's a winner in my eyes. If only Toy Story 3 hadn't come out last year.

A Day in the Life

2011-01-19T11:26:00.001-08:00

9:30 p.m. Tuesday night: wake up wake up wake up

10:30 p.m. Tuesday night: walk out the door and drive to work

5:45 a.m. Wednesday morning Lacy from HR shows up and SURPRISE!!!!! we get to get drug tested. Problem, I went to the bathroom 30 seconds before she showed up.

7:45 a.m. Wednesday morning finally finish up with drug tests for the entire group of people I work with and I leave to drive to school.

8:15 - 9:45 study for school while waiting for fist class to start

10:00 English 2010 starts and we talk yet again about how to go about researching for our paper

11:00 Biology 1010 begins and I am thrown into a world I don't want to be in. I'm an english major science is not my thing

Normally I would be heading home right now but to my inability to fully understand biology I get to hang out at the school till three so I can meet with my professor in order to see if my biology dumbness can be cured.

Oh and to help pass the time I am going to try and see if I can donate my blood at the blood drive. I am a good vampire. Instead of stealing blood from other humans/animals I give it away.

4:15 arrive home

4:45 climb into bed

10:00 wake up

10:30 it is back to work.

I LOVE MY LIFE. maybe not right now though

Support Our Troops

2010-08-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

One thing that truly bothers me is the people who don't support our troops. You may not support the war but how can you not support the men and women who put their lifes on the line to make sure we can keep what makes this country such an amazing one.

Still Alive

2010-06-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

Yes I am still alive. Although my family would say I'm not alive and have transformed into a full blown vampire. I had no choice in the matter. You can't be a regular human being and work graveyards monday through friday and occasionally saturday. Evolving into a vampire is the only technique I'm willing to use to survive. Energy drinks just don't seem right.

What I've been doing:

Work Work Work

Movies

Television

Reading

Bouldering

Festival of Colors

2010-03-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Saturdays. Normally a day for me where fun, if any, doesn't begin until late in the afternoon. Yesterday was a completely different story. Sleep in till ten. Yes I know that is late but I really enjoy sleeping. Get ready for the day and make sure I am wearing a white shirt. At 2:15 I'm out the door heading to Spanish Fork with a group of friends. Upon reaching Spanish Fork we realized that we should have gone a little bit farther down the freeway to avoid the massive amount of cars on main street. After over an hour in the car we finally arrived at our destination. The Harikrishna Temple. For those of you don't know what this is, it is a hindu temple where every year a festival takes place called the Festival of Colors. Hundreds of people get together to celebrate peace. You may ask how we do people do that in a festival? The answer is quite simple. We throw chalk at each other and up into the air.

Counting down from 20 you could feel the anticipation in the air. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Suddenly you can't see anything but a cloud of dust. Although it may be hard to breathe it is quite a liberating experience. There is dancing, food, and plenty of chalk. Heading home you could tell which cars were heading home from the festival. Not only by how the people in the car were all very colorful but that each car was packed like a can of sardines with sometimes seven or eight people in a five passenger car. The looks you get when walking home along a busy street all colorful and wearing a shirt that looks like it hasn't been washed in months is quite funny.

And a shower has never felt quite as good.

But if you don't like getting hugged by random people or having random person come up and ask you if they can use your shirt to see if they can get a face imprint on it it may not be the festival for you. LOL.

The face imprint thing happened to one of my friends just after we got there so his shirt was nice and white. The perfect canvass for this young artist.

Best of 2009?

2010-01-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge film person. I love watching movies and invest a lot of money in seeing them in theaters. There is a lot of talk going around on some websites right now regarding what films are the best of 2009. Their list includes: Transformers 2, Avatar, New Moon, Star Trek, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Up, The Hangover, Blind Side, Monsters vs. Aliens, and Ice Age 3. Now out of all those movies I have seen all of them except the Hangover which I hear was freaking hilarious. Movies a think that deserve to be up there are Avatar (James Cameron is like a god when it comes to breaking the boundaries and doing things that have never been done before), Star Trek (Live long and prosper my friends need I say more), Blind Side (Sandra Bullock gave the best performance of her career in that movie), and maybe Transformers (good action, lacking in plot).

I know it may be a surprise to you that I didn't put Harry Potter 6 or New Moon up there. I did see both of them multiple times in theater but I have found that they both were lacking. Harry Potter 6 concentrated on all the wrong stuff and left out some pretty big things and New Moon was just like Twilight. Entertaining but didn't do the book any justice. I will admit it was a heck of a lot better than Twilight.

Movies that deserve to be on that list that aren't: Invictus (wow just wow), and Sherlock Holmes (nothing needs to be said there except Robert Downey Jr.).

So what movies do you think deserve to have all the glory and which ones do you think should burn?

p.s. How can you not say that movie that got this from this doesn't deserves to be the best movie of all time?

After Before

Now that is just plain beauty and art.

Our Life on Stage

2009-12-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

My religion teacher showed me this video and I couldn't help but see how real this video is. This is our life shown in a skit.

Nothing too exciting

2009-12-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I last posted something, so I figured that I needed to write something. Nothing too exciting is going on here. I am just studying my brains out for finals next week and trying to make it so that I can get the grades I want in the classes I have been struggling with this semester. Although it will be nice to have a break from school for a few months it will still be difficult to leave. New friends have been made this semester that will hopefully last at least a few more semesters. Papers have been written that make we grateful that I believe what I believe. Choices are needing to be made about what I should do this coming year. Hopefully, all will work out in the end.

p.s. the picture was taken waiting in line to eat In'N'Out. Yum yum yum.

Downtime between classes

2009-11-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

I was sitting in one of the buildings at my school waiting to talk with my Psychology professor about the latest test and what I can do to further improve my grade when I visited a website about genocide awareness. I didn't realize or know how mnay different places there are that are in danger of genocide. The website is www.ushmm.org. I highly recommend visiting it if you want to know more about what can be done to prevent another holocaust from happening in our lifetime.

Halloween 09

2009-11-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

What an exciting Halloween this year. On Friday myself and two other friends went to the movie store to go and get scary movies for our marathon. Unfortunately, the majority of the scary movies left were either rated R or were just plain stupid looking.

After scouring the store we managed to get The Grudge, The Ring Two, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Red Orchid, White Noise, and Disturbia. Upon returning home we decided that we should make a tent in the front room. After pulling the sheets off of our beds and lots of thumb tacks and duck tape we finished our masterpiece.

After finishing our masterpiece we decided to make some popcorn and watch one of our "scary" movies. Hoping to get scared we put in The

Grudge. For those of you who don't know what this movie is don't worry about it. The Grudge had its moments, although they were scarce and few, where we got scared. But the possibility of losing sleep because we were just to scared wasn't a problem. We all slept like babies that night or morning. Upon waking the day was spent watching the rest of the scary movies in our house. Which turned out to be really fun.

Our costumes for that night had been planned out for almost the entire semester. We were going with the ninja turtles. Since there are only four ninja turtles two of us got the challenge of coming up with something else. I drew the short end of the stick and was given the opportunity to come up with my own costume. I chose to be April O'Neil, the carrot topped girl that helps the turtles out. How do you think I did?

I chose to do a mixture of the new April and the old April. So my hair is more orange than red and I don't have a sword like the new April. The shoes were some sneakers covered with white duct tape that wrapped around the bottom of my pants as well. How was your Halloween?

Becoming a Bibliophile

2009-10-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that when I was younger I hated reading. The only way anyone could get me to read a book was by reading it to me out loud. The following story is how I became a bibliophile, or a lover of books.

“You need to read something,” my mother states for the hundredth time. “Miss Butler has required you to read a certain amount of pages, and reading If Only I Could Read over and over again doesn’t count.”

“But I hate reading, you know that.” I answer, ready to come up with any excuse to get out of reading the book my mother held loosely in her hand.

“Miss Butler recommended this book.” She says, hoping that my admiration for the teacher will win me over. “She said the school library won’t order this book so if you want to read it you need to get your own copy.” Seeing the look on my face she adds, “and one book isn’t going to kill you.” She holds the book out to me before continuing her battle with an eleven-year old girl that despises reading. “And you never know, maybe this book will be different than the others. I’ve heard great things about it. Your brother enjoyed it.” My mother waves the book in my face trying to get me to take it.

“Please, Nik will read anything you put in front of him.” I state rolling my eyes at the fact that my mom is trying to get me to read a book by saying my brother liked it. That boy will read any book no matter what it’s about or how long it is.

“We’ll read the first chapter together.” she compromises. “If you don’t like it, then I’ll find a different book for you to try out.” She holds the book out to me again, her eyes pleading with me to agree to her compromise.

“Fine, but I’m not going to like it.” I defiantly state as I grab the book from her outstretched hand and head over to the old, red couch to begin my session of torture for the day. I take a quick peek at the cover trying to find out what I have gotten myself into. The name Harry Potter written in funky, gold lettering catches my eye. Looking further down I see a young boy flying around on a broomstick trying to catch what I believe is a little, gold ball with wings. “Is that a unicorn?” I ask myself, and “what are the heads of three dogs doing on the cover of this book?” I sit myself down on the couch ready to see what this book apparently has that the dozens of other books were missing.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling,” my mom begins, praying that this book will spike my interest, and that I will finally see the world I am missing. “Chapter One: The boy who lived. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.” My mom continues reading as I am unknowingly sucked into the Harry Potter universe.

“So, what did you think?” my mother tentatively asks as she closes the book only to have me snatch it out of her hands. “What are you doing?” I ignore her, open up the book and begin reading from where we left off. “I take it you like it.” My silence answers any questions she may have about me enjoying this book. “I’ll just leave you to your book,” my mother states as she gets up off the couch and heads out of the room.

“Paige you need to come into the kitchen for dinner.” my dad calls from the doorway.

“Huh?” I ask. I just barely started reading. How in the world could it be time for dinner already? I mark the page and reluctantly close my book. With book in hand I walk into the kitchen and sit at the dinner table.

“How are you liking your book?” my mother asks.

“It’s all right.” I’m hoping that my mom won’t notice the lie. Seeing her knowing smile, I add, “Truth is I can’t put it down. I’ve never read a book that has done this to me.” My mom smiles at me and I know that I will never hear the end of how I couldn’t put a book down.

“I love Hagrid,” I think to myself while taking a break from reading. Giving Dudley the tail of a pig is absolutely brilliant. Even though Hagrid is eight and a half feet tall, he just seems like he would be so cuddly and fun to talk to. I just know I am going to end up liking him.

As the days pass I find myself falling more and more in love with Harry Potter. Getting to school by train and going to a school that has ghosts and moving pictures seems like my type of school. Plus, it’s hands on learning at Hogwars. How can I argue with that?

“Why does Ron have to be such a jerk?” I mutter to myself. I know that Hermione is a know-it-all and it would be insanely annoying to have someone like her tell you you’re pronouncing something wrong; but I don’t understand why Ron has to be such a jerk to her. Just because Hermione is a little bit different, it doesn’t give Ron the right to make fun of her and then not even care when he sees that he has made her cry.

“Yes!” I yell out. Harry and Ron have saved Hermione from the troll. A mountain troll. Imagine that. Finally, Ron has done something that’s actually useful. Hermione took the blame for the three of them not being in the common room, which kind of surprises me. Plus, it was Harry’s idea to go and find her so he just went up a whole new level in my book.

Quidditch, now that sounds like a cool sport. Flying around on broomsticks and trying to catch a little, gold ball called a snitch seems difficult enough. But add in avoiding two balls that seem to have minds of their own called bludgers seems way more complicated than my simple game of soccer.

“What the heck!” I cry to myself. “What is Professor Snape’s problem? What did Harry ever do to Snape to deserve having Snape try to kill him?”

“Paige?” My mother asks as she tentatively sticks her head in my room. “Is everything all right?” Not noticing that my mom is talking to me, I continue muttering to myself about how idiotic Snape is. “Paige, what is going on?”

I look up from my book and notice my mom standing in my doorway. “Nothing is going on. I’m just reading my book. Can you close the door for me?” I quickly say hoping she will leave me to my new addiction. She nods her head and closes my door leaving me to continue exploring my newly found world.

I went into the bathroom today and was disappointed when the mirror didn’t show me my heart’s greatest desire. I’m dreaming about flying around on broomsticks and using a magic wand to make things hover above the ground. Is it normal to do that when reading a new book?

I can’t believe it. Professor Quirrel is the bad guy, not Professor Snape. I was positive that Professor Snape was the one trying to steal the sorcerer’s stone; but now that I look back it actually makes a lot of sense that it ended up being Quirrel. Professor Quirrel wouldn’t touch Harry when they first met. Plus, he was with Snape and Professor McGonagall when they found Harry, Hermione, and Ron in the bathroom with a knocked out mountain troll on the ground. “Oh, Quirrel is supposed to be really great at controlling trolls huh. Ha ha I just got that.”

“Yes!” I yell to my audience of stuffed animals. “Gryffindor won the house cup. Dumbledore went and gave a ton of points to Harry and his friends to make it so Gryffindor would win and not Slytherin.”

I didn’t know a book could do this to me. I have entered a world I didn’t even know existed until a few weeks ago. I know that saying a book has changed my life is kind of weird, but it’s true. I don’t know if I will ever be the same, but I do know this. A few weeks ago my mom told me I would like a book if I read it, and as much as I would like to prove my mom wrong by saying I hated it, I can’t. I enjoyed reading a book. Strike that, I loved reading a book. I can’t wait to continue my journey with Harry Potter and find out what happens next. My name is Paige Porter and I recently learned that a book can open up a whole new world. All you have to do is open the book and keep your mind wide open.

Are you like me and need just one book to suck you into the world of reading? Or are you like my brother who just always loved reading?

By the way, my sweatshirt in this picture is for Fred and George Weasley's joke shop.

I Believe

2009-10-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Music: The Universal Language

Since the time that I was a small child, music has been a part of my life. Around the ages of five and three, my brother and I would go to a music class every Tuesday and Thursday. At this music class called kinder music, we were taught rhythm, allowed to play the xylophone, and were introduced to classical music. In the world today we use music as a form of therapy for severely mentally handicapped individuals whose minds are like a small child’s. As you watch the handicapped individuals listen to the music and play their instruments you can see them change right in front your eyes. Smiles find their way onto their normally impassive faces, and their wheelchair bound bodies may even start swaying to the music. And if you’re lucky they may even start singing for you.

However, that is not the end of music’s power over us. Although we may not realize it, music has a huge effect over our emotions. If you played sports then you know that many times a song would be blasted over the speakers to get you pumped and excited about the game. Why is it that while at church hymns are sung and special musical numbers are performed? The answer is nothing controls what we feel more than music. When you hear an upbeat song you find yourself wanting to jump around, dance crazily, and scream the lyrics at the top your lungs. Have you ever watched an emotional scene in a film without the music present? If you have, you know that without the music present, it is nearly impossible to feel the emotion of the scene. For example, without the music present it would be nearly impossible to feel the emotion that Rachel McAdams’ character in “The Time Travelers Wife” is experiencing while watching her husband die from a fatal gunshot wound.

Henry David Thoreau, a famous American author and poet stated, “In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language.” No matter who we are or where we come from we can always understand the language of music. We can feel sadness, heartache, excitement, empowerment, and so many other emotions just from listening to a song. I adamantly believe that nothing is more powerful than music. It transcends culture and language barriers to bring us all something we desperately need, the chance to communicate with everyone around us.

What do you believe in?

Compassion and Honesty

2009-09-06T19:51:00.001-07:00

So I was reading a blog of someone else and she asked what it meant to be compassionate and to be honest.

What exactly does it mean to be compassionate and to be honest?

What does that mean. People today seem to be stepping all over each other trying to get ahead and when something happens they show no compassion towards what is going on around them. They move on and don't worry about what is going on in the world and just seem to work towards their own better good then the worlds. How do we show compassion for someone we don't know? Is honesty only telling the truth or is there something more to it? Does honesty only come about when asked to do something or asked a question or is there more to it?

So what do you think? What does it mean to you to "be compassionate" and to "be honest"?

Near death experiences, laughter, and sunburn.

2009-07-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

On the 24th of July my family and I decided to try something new. Although a few of us had been before the majority found this new opportunity exciting. After blowing up one raft and four innertubes we set off for the Provo River. Upon arriving we all entered the water one by one. Exclamations of how freezing the water could be heard and the quite funny site of one innertube deflating not long after its rider (Nik) sat down. Josie started floating down the river and in an attempt to stop herself she found herself hanging onto a tree branch while her tube continued its journey down the river. We raced down the river to recover her tube and Miranda decided she would climb on it instead. Along the way the four people in the raft realized that Muri, being the smallest in the group, should get out of the tube and into the raft so that Hannah, the tallest of the girls, could get in a tube. Now that was interesting to pull off.

A bridge or two we had to go under. We conquered one but got beat by the other. The raft decided to turn over and send all its occupants into the water to fend for themselves. After going through some not so fierce rapids we managed to get the occupants back in the raft but the river was not done. It had stolen two of our three oars. But we managed to navigate the rest of the river without further incident. With battle bruises and scrapes from the rocky bottom and slight sunburn on the shoulders. Feet and legs that you know are there, but you can't feel them so you hope the river didn't steel those as well.

Are you serious

2009-06-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

I was doing my daily reading of the multiple Twilight fansites when I came across an interesting post on the site newmoonmovie.org. The post was a link to an article someone wrote. All I can say is that I am hoping this was all some big joke on the writers part. Enjoy

Sexy vampires are destroying our nation's children

Movieweb.com

Buy photo

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (center) and the cast of "Twilight."

By John Houder

Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 8:05 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 8:05 a.m.

There has been an illness spreading across America recently that is more virulent and insidious than mad cow disease, swine flu and monkey pox combined. It’s spreading viraly through emails, blogs, text messages and tweets and infecting countless tweens, teens and young adults. While the disease has not yet proved to be fatal, there is no known cure and the symptoms can be terrifying and painful. The disease I am referring to, of course, is vampirism.

The epicenter of the most recent outbreak can be traced to the vampire-based Twilight book series, which has sold more than 42 million copies and spawned an equally popular movie adaptation. Young people across the country have been seduced by the story of a high school girl’s star-crossed love affair with a 107-year-old vampire and the pasty yet attractive actors who portray them. What’s more troubling than the pedophilic relationship between a 17-year-old girl and a man 90 years her senior, however, is the fact that the popularity of vampire culture is on the rise.

Another culprit in this vampire epidemic, or “vampidemic,” is HBO’s hit series "True Blood," which will begin its second season on Sunday. Many critics and viewers have been drawn in by the tale of a telepathic waitress in a small, fictional Louisiana town and her interactions with a contentious vampire community. Thanks to a synthetic blood alternative called TruBlood, vampires in this series no longer have to bite humans for food and are able walk the streets along with mortal citizens with minimal fear of persecution. Even before the show aired, a viral marketing campaign was implemented to spark interest by creating fake advertisements, Web sites and products aimed at the also-fake vampire demographic. Some avidly morbid consumers were distraught to learn that the TruBlood drink advertised online was not an actual product available for consumption.

While this kind of fervor has been seen with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, an interest in witchcraft and wizardry is ultimately harmless as most of the characters in Rowling’s novels are positive role models. The worst that happens is kids spend their allowances on wands, memorize cryptic incantations and start trying to summon dark spirits from the depths of the underworld. In other words, pretty typical kids’ stuff. With this latest trend, however, kids may be inspired to dress in black, dye their hair, start wearing eyeliner – or the sad male alternative, “guyliner” – and avoid the sun, leading to a crippling vitamin D deficiency. They may also be inclined to mimic vampire behavior by speaking in antiquated Victorian English, drinking exorbitant amounts of Kool-Aid or other red beverages packed with high fructose corn syrup and listening to techno music. Although vampire fashion is unfortunate – and “guyliner” borderline criminal – the real problem with children idolizing these bloodsuckers is that vampires are just creepy jerks.

Some cultures view vampires as pale, gaunt creatures lurking in the shadows, but many Europeans believe they have a bloated, ruddy or purplish appearance, most likely from the combination of decomposition and recently imbibed blood. Imagine how much more authentic but less popular the "Twilight" movie would have been with a puffy, red-faced Meat Loaf as the male lead instead of the dreamy, hollow-cheeked Robert Pattinson. Be advised, parents: Using attractive actors to play these otherwise offensive creatures is just one of the despicable tactics the pro-vampire propaganda machine will use to try and recruit your innocent children.

What they don’t want your impressionable kids to know is that the life of a vampire is anything but glamorous. In addition to resembling a chubby, blushing Larry King, vampires are relegated to a mostly boring existence. Most waking hours are used to quiet the constant hunger pangs caused by a liquid diet, and any free time is likely to be during late-night and early-morning hours, so running errands to the bank and most other businesses is extremely difficult.

Most people also hate vampires. In the Aftican country of Malawi during late 2002 and early 2003, mobs stoned one person to death and injured four others, including Malawi Governor Eric Chiwaya, because they thought the government was working secretly with vampires.

Despite the recent influx of vampire-related content into the mainstream media and the youthful enthusiasm that accompanied it, vampirism still remains a dangerous threat to our nation’s children. Unchecked interest in vampires can lead to unfortunate summer wardrobe choices, rickets and diabetes. We can’t afford to lose our kids to these flashy, sexy, fly-by-night vampire impersonators who continue to fill their heads with untruths about the vampire lifestyle. Do your part and get your kids hooked on something safe like street racing or “sexting” instead.

Wow!!

2009-05-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Well it sure has been along time since I've posted. Every time I have thought of posting I have been just to darn lazy to do it. But something came up that I can't avoid posting about. It was just too exciting to pass up blogging about it.

What a series! Six overtimes in seven games. WOW!!!!!! Ray Allen, how about those amazing shots, that seemed impossible to make. 51 points in one game. Unfortunately the team I wanted to win, failed to pull everything together in game seven it was still an amazing series that will be, in my opinion, an instant classic.

A Broken Heart

2009-02-02T15:47:00.001-08:00

4:32 kickoff time. My dad and I were glued to the tv for a total of four hours. Halfway through the game my team was down by ten and then they came back and got a three point game. The opposing team scored and gave the Cards less than one minute to score a touchdown. Ten seconds left and Warner goes to through but loses the ball while throwing. Officials ruled it as a fumble, but it wasn't an incomplete pass. On top of the Steelers getting a penalty against them. There should have been enough time for the Cards to make one play. Throw a deep pass into the endzone and pray that Fitzgerald would make one of his many impossible catches. But by not reviewing the ruling the referees basically gave the Superbowl win to the Steelers. Cries of frustration could be heard from our house as we screamed and yelled at the television trying in vain to get the officials to hear what should have been done. However, I feel that the Cardinals did a great job in the game and I will be cheering for you next season. Well done Cards you guys did a fantastic job.

A New Beginning

2009-01-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

Wow. It took me a while to actually get this post up. I have spent all week thinking about Obama and what he will do as our countries 44th president. But before I talk about Obama, can I just say that the performance for My Country Tis of Thee wasn't the best I have ever heard. However, follow that with a performance by Yo Yo Mah and I was in heaven.

While away at school I saw people who believed the most absurd things. One friend firmly believes that Obama wishes to make the United States a more communist country. "He wants to get a nationa

l police force." Some people even believed that he should not be president because of the color of his skin. I would be lying if I said that I didn't have my doubts about Obama, but he was elected by the people so shouldn't the people give him a chance. We are told t

o not judge others, yet people judge Obama before he has done anything.

I will give Obama the chance he deserves. And may our country protect him, and may he lift up our falling economy. Good luck Obama. My prayers our with you President Obama.

GO CARDINALS

2009-01-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

After years of heartbreak and cheering for a team that no one said could ever win, a day of celebrating was in order. After last weeks game against Carolina I couldn't believe that the Cardinals were going to the championship game. Last night cheers could be heard from our home as the Cardinals scored over 30 points against a team that had the 3rd best defense in the NFL and moved on to the Super Bowl. Go Cardinals, my dad and I will be cheering for you in two weeks.

Will it ever be enough?

2009-01-13T21:15:00.000-08:00

Driving long distances has never been something I have found enjoyable. Being a person who was cursed with car sickness, I will usually try and find a cheap flight to my destination, than be tortured by the inability to do anything in a car. After having forced myself to sleep on more than one instance of the car drive, and braving a blizzard we finally arrived at our destination. Good, sunny Arizona. Upon seeing the faces of smiling cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents the ten hours in a car was well worth it in my eyes.

I inhaled Mangos stuffed enchiladas, and after receiving my burger from In'n'Out I was in absolute heaven. I was spending time with my cousins who even

though almost every single one I "chill" with is either in Elementary school or Junior High I couldn't have been happier. I got slobber monsters from Zach, hugs from old friends, and remarks about how glad a certain young boy was that I didn't spend forever in front of a mirror in the morning.

The family gathered together and laughed with each other while playing the Wii fit. Everyone played, whether it was the young kids, the parents, or the grandparents, the cheers and laughter could be heard. Names were chanted to convince aunts, uncles, and grandparents to get up and show us what they got.

Monday evening was an absolute treat. Spent with both Free families we ate food, played games, and of course watched Avatar. I can't tell you how excited I was to finally be able to talk about avatar and not receive weird looks. I guess it is

a little bit weird that a girl who loves action films, fantasy novels, and tv shows with guns, things blowing up, a doctor who could care less what people think of him, would be so passionate about a kids animated tv series. Nevertheless I show my love for Avatar proudly. To be able to go up to a friend and touch her forehead and say "stole your bending" was like Christmas all over again.And having people around me actually knowing what I was talking about and people who knew who Katara, Aang, Sokka, and Toph is something I think I will never take for granted ever again. And seeing Twilight for the who knows what time with two very close friends was a treat. Lifting a friend out of boredum was a pleasure.

The time however just wasn't enough. The morning of departure was a bleak one indeed. Cousins were sad and clinging onto each other and promising to visit soon. Let me just say that even two weeks more would not have been enough. I would still have felt like I had only been there for a day and would still wish for the opportunity to see them all again.

The End Draws Near

2008-12-05T18:13:00.000-08:00

As the end of the semester draws near i ask myself, have I done everything I can to make this semester worth while and memorable? I did attend all of my classes. I am currently passing all of them, hopefully it stays that way. I have loved learning about all the different composers and different types of music in my Music History class. My Humanities class has been one of my favorites. A class where I get to learn about art, music, dance, and architecture is definitely my kind of class. Although Math has not been the easiest I am pleased to say I have done the best that I could do in that class.

End of the semester brings the horror of deep cleaning everywhere in my room. I didn't think that as many tornados came through my room compared to home. However, I didn't realize how much rubbish I had with me. I filled up a whole garbage bag with rubbish. I am thrilled to announce that I my dorm is cleaner than one of my rooms has ever been. Minus when I cleared everything out of my room in Arizona to move to Utah.

Although it will be sad to say goodbye to my roommates whom I have grown very close to over the past few months. I can hold my head high that I survived a full three months away from home without my mom there to do my laundry. I look forward to the new adventure that draws nearer each passing moment.

I am much obliged to all of you that helped me survive the real world for the first time.

Fun and Sad

2008-11-15T11:01:00.000-08:00

So earlier this month we got the first snow fall of the season. By now all of the snow has melted nut it was fun while it lasted. In Chapman Hall there is a small hill that we went sliding down on our stomaches. It was way fun. I have a video of me doing it but haven't figured out how to post a video on my blog yet. Never mind, I just saw the video reel at the top of the page. I am a little bit of a dork. Anyway we did that and it was way fun while it lasted.

Now for the sad part of the blog. College is amazing and I wouldn't trade being

here for anything. Well, maybe not anything. Last night I probably would have traded living away from home for a good home-made meal. Lol.College is an amazing experience. However, it does have some downsides. I never get to see my family a

nd friends (other than the ones that are here at BYU-I). And the food isn't nearly as good. Last night a few of my roommates and I drove half an hour to Idaho Falls so that we could eat IHop. Looking into our car as we pulled into the parking lot for IHop you would have thought we were pulling into the parking lot of Disneyland. We were all jumping up and down in our seats and crying out with joy. We were all so stoaked that we got to eat "real food" and not the crappy cafeteria food that we always have to eat here. I don't think I have ever downed so much hot chocolate in so little time. There were three or four of us who ordered hot chocolate but at the table when we left there was at least six cups. It looked like we had downed tons of coffee. What do expect when the mug is tiny and half of the cup is filled with whip cream. Anyway we all left feeling very content with ourselves. Once we arrived home we couldn't believe that we just spent around an hour in the car just to go to IHop and back. How weird can college get?

My Home Away From Home

2008-11-13T11:42:00.002-08:00

The longer I am at BYU Idaho the more I am starting to consider it my home. I know that no matter how long I am here Mesa and Orem will always be home. I am glad I chose to come to this school. We just had a discussion in my about proposition eight. And although it has already passed the fight for this is far from over. My teacher stated that we are beginning to feel what the saints of the beginning of the church went through. Although we are not being thrown from our houses and forced to leave our homes with no notice, there are saints in California who cannot even go to their usual building due to a fear for their safety. The more I study Proposition Eight the more I realize that this is a definite sign for the second coming. Politics was always something that was discussed in my family. My brother was way into politics when he left for his mission and I followed in his footsteps. I can't wait to come back to my home in Orem, sorry people in Mesa, and talk to everyone.