Orchard House

God's will

2011-04-20T11:03:00.002-05:00

I am now, finally, really beginning to understand this. Thank you, Lord.

http://odb.org/

oh, to be an adventurer.

2011-04-07T15:31:00.001-05:00

For some reason, this story just made my day. It's quite delightful!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42467925/ns/world_news-americas/

new year, new songs

2011-01-01T11:00:00.002-06:00

Some are old friends, some are new discoveries. Happy 2011!

1. Between Sheets - Imogen Heap

2. Borrow Mine - Bebo Norman

3. I Like It - Enrique Iglesias (feat. Pitbull)

4. I Would Die 4 U - Prince

5. I'll Never Leave You - Rogue Wave

6. A Lack of Color - Death Cab for Cutie

7. Lean Like a Cholo - Down

8. Let Him Fly - Patty Griffin

9. Man-Revolutionary! - Rogue Wave

10. Modern Man - Arcade Fire

11. Not Alone - Patty Griffin

12. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

13. When It Don't Come Easy - Patty Griffin

day of unsatisfying shopping

2010-11-13T18:27:00.003-06:00

I would like a pair of affordable lace-up boots....

....very badly.

good weekend

2010-09-07T17:07:00.003-05:00

This Labor Day weekend, I made a trip to Nashville. It was the best weekend I have had in a long time. It was full of good coffee and talking into the wee hours of night with my lovely friends and seeing flannel shirts on bearded young men around every corner. The weather was so nice - fresh fall air, crisp and cool. The people are warm, and the environment, relaxed. I can easily see myself living in a city like this. If I had to move anywhere at this moment, Nashville would be the place. But it is not time.

Among the things we did:

The Shakespeare Festival in Centennial Park: Love's Labour's Lost (a lesser known, but of course delightful, comedy from the Bard). And it was free!

Stood in line at The Pancake Pantry for one hour, passing the time with complimentary coffee and ducking in and out of a cute little store and chatting.

And it was totally worth it. Michelle with old-fashioned buttermilk, Lauren with sweet potato.

A treat from Las Paletas, a dessert popsicle shop. I had chocolate strawberry. Yum.

I was sad to leave!

something good i read and something good i found out today

2010-08-13T20:56:00.003-05:00

Daniel 3. And to accompany it:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.

Isaiah 43:2

And what did I discover?

Sufjan Stevens. The Tabernacle. Atlanta, GA. November 6th.

Tickets went on sale today.

Do you have those musicians that you simply must see perform live in this life? Sufjan is one of those. I was fortunate enough to see the only other one I really have (so far) last year, that is, Coldplay. And they did not disappoint.

I will be there.

cool beans

2010-08-11T21:16:00.003-05:00

I was walking around Books-A-Million tonight and stumbled upon one of those "fun summer reading" tables. I found four things I really wanted to purchase....but didn't.

1. A Rosetta Stone "Learn Spanish" Box Set

Pretty much the moment I arrived in Guatemala, my interest in the Spanish language was reawakened. I just love the sound of it! And, why not be bilingual? It can only help you. I know my experience there would have been even more rich if I wasn't always having to communicate with the people through a translator. Have I made any effort or taken any steps to expand my high school Spanish knowledge base? Well, not yet.

2. "A Very Short Introduction" from Oxford University Press

I have never heard of this book series, but I'm so intrigued. They are these thin little books that provide a thoughtful, reliable introduction to everything from "Film Music" (which really intrigued me!) to "Animal Rights" (hmm..). And they have pretty little covers (though I know we shouldn't judge them by that...). I wanted to buy them all.

3. My Listography

I have seen this book before, and every time, I want to get it. Obviously, I like lists. This notebook gives you the opportunity to record your life in lists. "10 Superpowers you've always wanted", "Nice things you've done for other people", "Favorite Games". I would just love to sit around all day....and list.

4. A brand spanking new copy of The Catcher in the Rye

I've only read it the one time, back in the 10th grade. But I remember loving it (if you don't like it, you're a phony!). It's just a classic, and I think in honor of the recently late J.D. Salinger, it's time for a reread.

year one, down

2010-08-10T21:05:00.004-05:00

I graduated from college one year ago today. I can't believe it has been a whole year. I don't feel like I've moved very far (literally, haha). I have lived in my parents' house, month after month. Watched television and eaten meals with my family, night after night. Worked restlessly at a bank, day after day. I don't have a lot of exciting stories from this year.

I know I sound like a brat. Ungrateful, even. And I know I often appear pessimistic.

But I know God is still God, and He is working everywhere, in schools and in friends' lives and in India and in corporate offices, and I am growing in Him. And for that I am thankful, and in that I find rest.

Now if I could just get over myself, and start living out this quote that my friend Sarah shared on her blog not long ago, and that I haven't stopped thinking about since:

Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls, and interesting people. Forget yourself. - Henry Miller

And (dare I say it again?) I really, really, want to begin writing at least weekly, if not daily, like my friend Michelle has committed to do.

I read today in Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening that Christ is the "spring of our actions". That really excites me. I am not a "make it happen" type of person. I'm a "watch it happen" person (thus, movie freak). But there has to be some action. And I think action begins when we start obeying. And the Spirit tells us how to obey. I think I don't see action in my life because I am fearful, and lazy, and I resist His beckoning. I'm mostly talking about little things here, like phone calls and preparing my own meals and practicing playing my guitar instead of just staring at it. Through daily obedience, I think God invites us to see the bigger picture, because it takes the focus off of ourselves. So that's what I'm going to try to do.

guatemala

2010-07-09T07:31:00.003-05:00

I am leaving for Guatemala today (well, technically tomorrow morning) with seven others from my church. I am very excited! We will be gone for one week. If you happen to be reading this, please pray for the people of Guatemala and my team.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ will dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

wednesday.

2010-06-02T21:32:00.002-05:00

It's been a hard day.

But somehow, reading a chapter or two of Donald Miller's A Million Miles In A Thousand Years at night before I go to bed puts things in perspective and makes everything look a little brighter.

Thanks, Don. God is using you.

emma

2010-04-30T19:55:00.002-05:00

I am in the highly enjoyable process of reading Jane Austen's Emma. "Process" may seem like a negative word, but I do not mean it this way. If you have read her, maybe you know what I'm talking about. She is the queen of lofty language, and to me, it is so beautiful. But, it is not read without difficulty. I find myself having to reread sentences here and there, and very slowly, carefully. I have to pause to look up words in the dictionary. This is so I can extract the full meaning of what Austen is saying. That's the thing about lofty language - you have to work harder to decipher the sentence, but it is so rewarding in the end because Austen, or whoever, has told you in the most delightful, detailed terms what is occurring, how it's occurring, and how those involved are feeling. For instance, look at this sentence that tells of Emma and her clan being snowed in during Christmas, and her brother-in-law's change of mood:

"These days of confinement would have been, but for her private perplexities, remarkably comfortable, as such seclusion exactly suited her brother, whose feelings must always be of great importance to his companions; and he had, besides, so thoroughly cleared off his ill-humour at Randalls, that his amiableness never failed him during the rest of his stay at Hartfield."

It's pretty packed with word-age. "Private perplexities"! I love it! What a way of saying that Emma is anxious and not willing to share her feelings with anyone. And the phrase about her brother-in-law, Mr. John Knightley - "whose feelings must always be of great importance to his companions" - is this suggesting Knightley is one of those "if I'm not happy, no one's happy" kind of person, or is everyone just concerned about him because he is so loved? I'm still not sure, but it's fun trying to figure it out.

I'm adoring this novel so far. I love the characters - Emma is such a snob, her father so fussy, her friend so comically innocent, and Mr. Knightley, the main Mr. of this Austen, is so attractively confident. Jane Austen is so clever, and Emma seems to be more playful and fanciful in plot and style than her other works. Out of her six major novels, this is the third I've read (the other two being Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice) and I was really excited, at first, about not knowing the story beforehand - because before I read the other two, I had seen the movies, so I knew what was going to happen. It took me only a few pages of reading Emma to remember, "Oh yes, Clueless was totally modeled after this novel." (I mean... Elton/Mr. Elton? Same character!) I had forgotten. So, a lot of the major romantic plot twists are no longer twists - I pretty much know what's going to happen. But no matter, for Jane Austen, in my opinion, can do no wrong.

finally!

2010-03-20T18:43:00.002-05:00

Guess who has finally written a new book? One of my favorite authors, Francine Rivers! And maybe she is one of yours too. If that be the case, I wanted to share this news with you. My sis and I discovered it while ordering our coffee and Barnes and Noble today. They were advertising it at the counter. I can't wait to read it!

HER MOTHER'S HOPE: Now available!

February 12, 2010 | 0 comments

The first part of an unforgettable epic family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter and the very nature of unconditional love. On the eve of the First World War, fiery Marta Schneider leaves Switzerland and her difficult childhood behind, determined to find a new life on her own terms. Barely out of her teens, Marta is haunted by a devastating loss that fuels her ambition to one day own a hotel. From the cramped quarters of a French housekeeping school to the portrait-lined halls of a stately English manor, Marta becomes a hard working domestic who has little time to dwell onwhat might have been. Instead, she draws her strength from what could be. Then, Marta meets Niclas Waltert, a man just as determined as she to forge a better life in a new place. Niclas captures her heart and together they endure the harshness of life as tenant farmers on the vast prairies of Winnipeg, Canada, before following the promise of the American dream and migrating to the agriculturally rich Central Valley of California. Marriage and motherhood bring both joy and heartbreak, as Marta must surrender her long-held ambitions for the sake of her husband and children, including her daughter, Hildemara, upon whose shoulders her own hopes now squarely rest. Only the strong survive and Marta is determined to raise a daughter as strong as she. But as Hildie reaches young womanhood and another war is fast approaching, those hopes become too heavy a burden for Hildie to bear. Born with a heart to serve others, Hildie pursues her calling as a nurse, something Marta can’t understand. Marta’s years of hardnosed parenting have left Hildie still hungry for her mother’s love…and now for her mother’s respect. Amid the drama of WWII, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own. She wants her daughter, Carolyn, never to doubt her love—but the challenges of life conspire against her vow and the only person who can come to her aid is the person she remains so desperate to please: Marta, her mother. With hallmark touches of brilliant prose and gripping characterizations, Her Mother’s Hope is a rich, moving epic about faith and dreams, heartache and disappointment, and ultimately the resilience and tenacity of love.

Oscar Night

2010-03-09T18:07:00.011-06:00

I'm a little late with recording my thoughts about The Academy Awards on Sunday night, but I must share them, for it is one of my favorite events of the year.

First, let's talk awards. No real big surprises except for the fact that Avatar did not take the Best Picture title. I did have a suspicion that The Hurt Locker might sneak up and win. Has anyone actually seen this movie? I haven't heard of anyone that has, but apparently its amazing. We'll see. Second big thing...I am very happy for Sandra Bullock. I think her performance was just perfect in The Blind Side. Honestly though, I think Gabourey Sidibe as Precious was even more perfect. I watched that movie for the second time last night, and I just can't get over how realistic her character is. After seeing her in interviews and on the Red Carpet, I am even more convinced of her acting skills, since she is absolutely nothing like Precious (her voice especially!). But way to go Sandy! And didn't she look like an Academy Award winner? Beautiful.

Favorite moment of the night: The John Hughes tribute. As I've already mentioned, I loooove John Hughes movies. Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club were probably the first movies that I recognized as "favorites". Though his movies were never what we would call Oscar-worthy (though I think they maybe should have been!), he was still an important figure in Hollywood, and I was touched they highlighted him with a tribute at the awards.

Now, on to fashion.

Favorite Dresses

Demi Moore

Rachel McAdams

Anna Kendrick

Overall Favorite Look of the Night

Sandra Bullock

...and Dresses I Had Problems with

Charlize Theron

Sarah Jessica Parker

Undecided

Zoe Saldana

But...I want to say it worked for her. I love the colors. Those kind of look like pom-poms, though.

That was fun! I need to blog more often. Someone hold me accountable!

happy valentine's day: continued

2010-02-14T18:05:00.003-06:00

I have to add a little something to my V-day blogging. This is both the most hilarious and most offensive valentine I have ever received, and it is from my loving brother-in-law. If you knew our relationship, it might be more amusing. But even if you don't, it's funny that they actually make these!

happy valentine's day

2010-02-14T13:22:00.001-06:00

Is Valentine's Day ever on a Sunday? I don't remember it ever happening. I think I like it. It was nice going to church on the "holiday of love". Everyone was wearing pink and red. My celebration has so far consisted of: going to see Valentine's Day last night (it was actually really funny; a tad cheesy, but that can be expected) and eating Russell Stover chocolates out of the heart-shaped box my mom gave me. Yes, my parents still give me valentines.

I started wondering today about Valentine's Day...you know, what it really means. All holidays have a basis, and I don't know what V-day's is, so of course I went to Wikipedia. The modern day "definition" of Valentine's Day is one we are all familiar with: "a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery (haha, how often do you hear that word?), and sending greeting cards". But where did it all start? With the annual honoring of two Christian martyrs, both bearing the name Valentine, on the date of February 14th. There were no romantic links to the holiday until the 14th century, possibly instigated by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer. I don't know where I'm going with this, I just thought it was interesting that it was originally a Christian holiday. Up until today, I really thought it might have been invented by a candy or card company.

Aside from V-day: I keep meaning to write more often, but I lack self-discipline. I just have to face it: I'm finding out that I am not much of a creative writer. Ideas for what to write about do not spill out and overflow for me. Maybe I like to write when given a topic and not when having to come up with one on my own. Or maybe I do actually have things worth sharing, and I judge them as not worth sharing. Thus, the dryness of this blog. Does anyone else have this "blog struggle"? I do apologize and hope to be a more active writer!

i have a friend and his name is oscar

2010-01-27T19:16:00.004-06:00

Oscar noms were announced today! The big shock: TEN nominations for Best Picture instead of the usual five. I thought CNN had made a mistake. So I checked into IMDB because I know they don't lie. And it is true. Apparently around 5o years ago, that's how they used to do it. I still don't know how I feel about it. My pick: Precious. My prediction: Avatar. Ok, enough of this dorky Oscar buzz post....but before I go, the complete list of nominees I must share.

book recommendation: into the wild by jon krakauer

2010-01-18T11:40:00.000-06:00

The 2007 film Into the Wild stirred me so greatly that I had to know more about the life of Chris McCandless. Luckily, I found that this movie was actually based on a book by a man named Jon Krakauer, a writer who had similar feelings of intrigue after finishing an article he was asked to write about McCandless in Outside magazine in 1992, soon after the young man's death. For the next three years or so, Krakauer immersed himself in extensive research, meeting with family members, friends, and acquaintances, collecting journal entries and letters, and even visiting the exact spot in the Alaskan wilderness where McCandless starved to death, to find some answers to the questions surrounding the tragedy and to see a little more clearly what it was in the first place that made the 24-year-old "supertramp" leave everything he knew behind.

A little summary: In 1990, 22-year-old Chris McCandless, remarkably intelligent and fed up with middle-class life and modern society in general, graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. A month later, he donated his entire savings to charity (over $20,000), drove out west, and never spoke to his family again. Abandoning his car a few weeks after embarking, he became a permanent hitchhiker, relishing in tramping around the U.S. for the next two years, meeting interesting people along the way, living a minimalist life-style, completely independent of responsibility and every element of his former life. Alaska was his last big adventure in the spring of 1992, where he lived in an abandoned bus in the wilderness for four months in complete solitude before starving to death.

So why did he go? And what is so interesting about his particular story anyway? As Krakauer points out, there have been many men, young and old, just like Chris who left society to be on their own, sometimes doing very dangerous activities in remote parts of the earth, who were either found dead or never seen or heard from again. Krakauer himself strongly identified with McCandless, being an avid mountain climber as a youth and young adult, once climbing the dreaded Devil's Thumb in Alaska with stubborn determination, an act he thought, "would fix all that was wrong with my life...in the end, of course, it changed almost nothing." Maybe it is that, upon finding out who Chris really was and what his life had been like, it's a little easier to see why he wanted to get out and it's almost admirable to see him actually try to discover a life of what he called truth.

I don't think he should have severed his relationship with his family; this is not what I admire. His lack of understanding in the area of forgiveness is not something we can scorn, but rather only something to be saddened by. What is beautiful about the story of his walk into the wild is that he was willing to give up everything he had in worldly terms (a college education, possessions, career, modern distractions) to find truth. He knew none of these tangible things could fill him up or make him happy. Only truth. And to me, this is a such a clear testament to the fact that our souls are not satisfied, not really, until we find it.

I think he missed it. But I also think he was very close. In a letter to an elderly friend he met along the way to Alaska, Chris writes, "You are wrong if you think joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living." Chris knew the splendor of God's creation, that it was praiseworthy and to be enjoyed. But he vastly underestimated the beauty of humanity because all he could see was that it is fallen, and therefore missed the truth that is Christ. Reading a post on the blog, "Of First Importance" last week, these statements reminded me so much of Into the Wild: "He (John, who recorded one of the Gospel accounts) tells Jews that the truth and self-expression of God has become human. He tells Greeks that the meaning of life and all existence has become human. Therefore, only if you know this human being will you find what you hoped to find in philosophy or even in the God of the Bible. The difference [between any other great figure and Jesus] is the difference between an example of living and one who is the life itself."

It is not for me to judge and say he missed it, for in that bus it is possible he came to the truth as he neared his end. We at least know that he realized isolation doesn't really work; several of the notes marked in books he was reading at the time indicate this, including his exclamation, in all caps, quoting a line from another book, handwritten in a page of Doctor Zhivago: HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED.

Bottom line: great book and well worth the read.

the golden globes

2010-01-17T17:15:00.002-06:00

It's Golden Globes night!!!

I am pulling for:

- (500) Days of Summer (Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy)

- Tobey Maguire (Brothers, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama)

- Joseph Gordon-Levitt ((500) Days of Summer, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy)

- Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture)

- Mo'Nique (Precious, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture)

And, I did like Up in the Air also, just not especially pulling for it.

Movies I have failed to see, but want to: The Young Victoria, An Education, Avatar, A Serious Man, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Up.

Favorite dresses (so far): Emily Blunt, Maggie Gyllenhaal

I'm excited!

"contentment" by mrs. charles e. cowman(streams in the desert)

2010-01-06T07:27:00.002-06:00

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"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11).

Paul, denied of every comfort, wrote the above words in his dungeon. A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened." "No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can."

"Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's heritage
Can do it so well as you."

They who are God's without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored an hundredfold.

it's 2010

2010-01-02T21:03:00.003-06:00

Ah, fresh start. I know the fact that it is a new year does not necessarily mean we are in a new place in life, though it may for some, but I still consider it to be a fresh start, and the transition into this new year has made me especially excited. (The very first thing I did in 2010 was laugh rather wildly, so I think that's a good start.) Maybe it's because last year was kind of difficult, with the whole transitioning out of college thing. I have a whole mental list of new year's resolutions, most of which are small, but very important. For example: "Don't look at the clock so often during the workday, or at all, if possible." Another is to write more...(surprise). And there is the usual "Work out an exercise schedule and stick to it", which I have made for about the past four years. Again, I will try. : )

More excitement (having nothing to do with the fact that it is 2010): I got an Itunes gift card for Christmas and have spent about the past three days trying to find songs/albums to buy. After composing a "wish list", deleting and adding as I searched, and taking into account a few past suggestions from others, I found 16 songs that I am really excited about "getting to know" and would like to share them with you, because I think they are beautiful.

1. Cello Song - The Books, feat. Jose Gonzalez

2. Behind Your Eyes - Jon Foreman

3. White as Snow - Jon Foreman

4. From This One Place - Sara Groves

5. How Will He Find Me - Deb Talan

6. If You Find Her - Future of Forestry

7. Laden With Guilt and Full of Fears - Sandra McCracken

8. O Love Incomprehensible - Sandra McCracken

9. Thy Mercy My God - Sandra McCracken

10. Maps - Rogue Wave

11. Publish My Love - Rogue Wave

12. Moth's Wings - Passion Pit

13. Nantes - Beirut

14. This Breaks My Heart of Stone - Red Mountain Church

15. Waste Another Day - Brooke Fraser

16. Your Arms Around Me - Jens Lekman

Enjoy! Or don't. Either way.

a christmas tradition: little women

2009-12-17T16:16:00.003-06:00

A few nights ago, my sister and I held our 4th (possibly 5th...can't remember) annual Christmas-time viewing of one of our favorite films, Little Women. Her husband joined us this time, which was a little distracting since he made fun of it throughout : (. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant two hours, as always.

How can I explain my love of this movie? The story is so simple and sweetly triumphant. It is about growing up, sisterly affection, wanting to do something great but not knowing how, and most of all, love. This film has had such an effect on me that I even named my blog after it. Orchard House is the name of the March's home and is the main song title of the movie, which is truly one of my all-time favorite instrumental pieces. An orchard is a place where things grow and are cultivated, usually trees. In Little Women, it is the March girls who grow into young women, and on here, this blog, it is me attempting to cultivate my writing skills and capture some of my growth as a young adult. Thus, "Orchard House".

So grab your sisters, your friends, or whoever, and watch Little Women this holiday season. I suggest hot chocolate to better the event.

*I know LW is not necessarily a "Christmas movie". But, it was originally released during the holidays, and it is etched in my mind as a Christmas movie - it just has that essence. Enjoy!

london (i wish) fog

2009-12-13T16:40:00.003-06:00

Observation of the day: Fog is beautiful. I knew this already, but it is an especially foggy evening and it looks so lovely surrounding the many trees in my front and back yards. I'm appreciating it for the first time in a long while. So, if you're privileged enough to have it, enjoy the fog. Try not to drive in it, though.

You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it...

Psalm 65:9

movies i have seen, as of late

2009-12-08T20:19:00.001-06:00

It has been a while since I have "movie-reviewed". I did it in bulk a while back just to see if I really enjoyed it, because I always have sort of joked about how I think I'd enjoy being a movie critic. And you know, I don't know if I really do. I just feel silly trying to write about movies in that much detail and be so critical. And trying to be so clever. I just don't have the energy when I get on this blog. Nevertheless, my love of movies remains, and I want to share my thoughts, so....short summary of opinions for now. And have I seen some good ones in the last few weeks! (By the way, I have realized I'm not as eager to review movies I didn't enjoy so much, like Couples Retreat and Where the Wild Things Are - not a sign of a true critic).

The Twilight Saga: New Moon. I think this movie was really well-done, despite what critics say. It must be viewed in the context of this story and its target audience. This means, among other things, that yes, Robert Pattinson does seem overly-dramatic, because that is his character. Bella and Edward's relationship is sickeningly unhealthy and kind of annoying to watch, because, yep, that's the way Stephenie wrote it. I feel like this film series should get a little more credit. They have done a good job with the base material. And, this doesn't usually happen, but I think I liked this movie better than the actual book...

The Blind Side. Wow, good movie! I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I thought, "Hmm, Sandra Bullock as a blonde, Southern woman...no thank you." She did wonderfully. As did Tim McGraw (he can act) and especially, pretty-much-newcomer Quinton Aaron who plays Michael Oher. I didn't know about this story at all before seeing the movie, and it is a beautiful one. What really stirs me is the way the Tuohy family took in Michael not to make themselves look good before men, but because it was simply within their reach to do and it was the right thing to do. It reminds me of this verse: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." Proverbs 3:27. They took the resources they had, being good stewards of their wealth, to help a young man live day-to-day and to give him opportunities for a future outside of a crime-ridden neighborhood.

Precious. Claireece Precious Jones' story will hurt your heart, bottom line. I am in gross awe of what goes on in some homes. I think everyone should see it. It's heart-breaking, and very funny at times, too.

Brothers. You've seen the trailer, right? And you think you've figured out the movie, right? No. Way different than I thought, which is always refreshing : ) and in this case, good. It's intense, but an intense that you can handle. It's upsetting without being disturbing (to me, there's a huge difference). Tobey Maguire is Oscar-worthy, for sure, in his role as marine Sam Cahill. And, with Tobey, Natalie Portman, and Jake Gyllenhaal, it's impossible to have anything but a great movie.

dresses from anthropologie

2009-11-28T18:59:00.001-06:00

This is the result of browsing the internet to get some "Christmas list" ideas. I don't really want anything in particular, but of course my Mom wants to have something to go by. I don't need anything, especially not these super-cute dresses from Anthro. Just dreaming!

Thanksgiving Day 2009

2009-11-26T21:07:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone has had a nice day off with family and friends, enjoying wonderful homemade food, and that you've had a chance to stop and feel thankful for all these things. I know I almost didn't really stop to think about giving thanks. I was pretty preoccupied most of the day with eating food and looking forward to more food and trying not to be awkward at my always-kind-of-awkward family get-togethers. But it was a good day.

Truthfully, I don't want to list out every little thing I'm thankful for. I've got to get up early tomorrow for work (black friday/iron bowl day? sadly, yes.) so I need to go to bed. But what is encouraging is this: over these past three or so days I've been trying to think of everything I'm thankful for, all that I've been blessed with, every little small delight of every day life, and downsize it in to blog form. And the truth is that there is so much to choose from...and I've realized just how much we have to be thankful for. Have I said "thankful" enough?

And, I usually don't do this, but WAR EAGLE for tomorrow!

thanks 2

2009-11-25T21:58:00.002-06:00

I have been listening to this song: "He's Always Been Faithful" by Sara Groves. Everything in the past He has done and is doing now...isn't He so worthy of thanks?

Morning by morning I wake up to find

The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine

Season by season I watch Him, amazed

In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He’s always been faithful to me.

I can’t remember a trial or a pain

He did not recycle to bring me gain

I can’t remember one single regret

In serving God only, and trusting His hand

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He’s always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song

The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long

God has been faithful, He will be again

His loving compassion, it knows no end

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful

He’s always been faithful to me.

More things that I'm thankful for...

My time at Auburn. College was four years long. I had eighteen previous years before attending Auburn. But most of my convictions and life perspective that I have now were shaped by those four little years. Auburn is where I really began to grow spiritually. In short, I think a whole lot differently now than I have for the greater part of my life, and it's crazy to think about what I was missing.
Blogs. I have found over the past few months how great blogs are for keeping up with the lives of friends who are not physically right beside you. You can hear about his or her day just with a click of a mouse. I know, I know, you can call, but sometimes it's kind of hard not to get into a game of phone tag. Also, it's fun to read blogs of people you don't know. There are a lot of interesting peeps out there. As far as my blog goes, I am thankful to have it because it's kind of like a challenge for me - to be myself. I'm trying to use it to share things vulnerably for the good of others, without worrying about anyone judging how good it is or how cool I am. It's a challenge every single time.
Good Health. I think all of us who generally have good health totally forget to be thankful for it. Or maybe it's just me. If we remember to be thankful for it, we will probably work harder on maintaining it (I'm talking to myself here). For instance - I have legs, not everybody does, so I should take joy in running! Am I being weird? It's getting late...
Trees. What if the whole earth were desert? That would be a pretty bleak world. Trees are beautiful, and I am thankful to have so many in my back and front yards (my mom's insistence on "privacy").
Ice cold water. I am convinced that nothing on earth is more quenching of legitimate physical thirst. It is by far my favorite beverage. And I am thankful we have clean water here, as many in the world do not.

I'm getting tired. Maybe tomorrow I will not write a paragraph about each thing I am thankful for, and just list random little ones. After all, there are endless simple things to be thankful for.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow!

thanks

2009-11-24T16:51:00.002-06:00

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

Thanksgiving is Thursday. I think this week might be a good time to list some of the things for which I am thankful. I believe it's important, well, really essential, that we give thanks all the time, everyday, for good things and bad things. But since we have a national holiday called "Thanksgiving" and everyone has got "thanks" on the brain (or maybe just food) I think this might be fun. I'll stretch the list out over the next few days - things I'm thankful for always and things I'm especially thankful for today.

I am thankful for...

God. That He exists, that He is good, that He sent His Son for us, that He loves us, that He talks to us, that we can talk to Him, that He is sovereign and the blessed controller of all things, that He is creative, and for all the other infinite things He is. All the rest of this list, anything I can ever be thankful for, is from Him and for Him.
Family. I am talking blood-kin. It is really cool to think that there are people who have been around since you were born, day in and day out, who know your history and know you like no other people in the world. They have shaped you in a way that no one else has. I know family looks different for everyone. Specifically, I am thankful to have two parents who love each other and a sister and a brother-in-law who are my best friends.
Friendship. The truth is, people need people. You can't really exist with out some connection with another. A beautiful form of this connection is friendship, something I am still learning about and appreciating. I do know that I'm thankful for every friend I've ever had - think about how many friends, even acquaintances, you've been blessed to have over the span of your life, even if you don't keep in touch anymore. They were necessary for that moment in your life.
Food. What a gift! We have so many different kinds, so as not to grow tired of any one thing. And, it's an excuse to hang out with people (how many people did you "grab lunch" with in college?) And the fact that we have it in abundance in America when there are literally millions out there who don't, I am thankful. I am not, however, happy that we don't seem to want to share the wealth.
Music. Music is such a mystery to me. Isn't it beautiful evidence that some invisible things are very real? The fact that sooo many different compositions can be created out of thin air, just using a few instruments and voices, or without one or the other, and that they can evoke such emotion in us, is mind-blowing - and a huge blessing.

Today, I'm thankful for...

My bed. Bet you didn't see that one coming. But, since I have been sick, I have spent mostly all of my time in it, and it has been quite a place of solace for me. And every time I see The Blind Side trailer, it makes me very thankful that I have a bed (it's true).
Doctors/medicine. It's a huge blessing we have the resources to make us well when we're ill, and I think I take that for granted a lot.
C.S. Lewis. I've been rereading The Great Divorce today and will probably finish it tonight (it's a really fast read). If some of Lewis' books seem a little over your head (sometimes, I just have to refer to the dictionary way too much while reading him), you should try his fiction. They are easier and way thought-provoking.
My mom and dad. The roommates are being especially thoughtful and helpful to me while I am under the weather. Yes, I am being babied. And yes, I enjoy it (every once in a while : ) ).
"Shelter" by Sandra McCracken. Sarah listed this on her blog as one of her favorite songs ever, so I decided to look it up. Whoa so good. I have been listening to it pretty frequently the past couple of days. Thank you, Sarah!

More tomorrow.

sick

2009-11-22T17:00:00.003-06:00

After about two full weeks of frequently sneezing and a bit of a runny nose (sorry if you're grossed out), I think it's official that I have contracted a pretty bad cold. I knew this for sure yesterday afternoon when my mom and I had just gotten to the beach to shop for the day. I had this sudden terrible sick feeling that hasn't left me since. So, I have been in bed all day, trying to take it easy so as not to get any worse for the work week. I really don't want to get anybody else sick, like, the public that I constantly interact with at my job...so I probably shouldn't even go. But I think work is a little different than school. You can't just miss. And I know I get time off, but I don't want to have to do that right away. And, hey, I may feel totally better by the morn!

In other news, I saw New Moon last night.

Ultra dramatic pic, eh? I want to give a real review of it after I see it again. But I will say that I really enjoyed it, possibly more than the first, and...as much as I can never decide between Edward and Jacob, I am definitely leaning more towards the wolf pack these days.

And YAY for Thanksgiving Week! Hopefully I will be making some time to do some "I'm thankful for..." posts throughout the week.

true

2009-11-18T21:35:00.002-06:00

I know of nothing more agitating to the soul, nothing that so unsettles and disquiets, as the contemplation of the self.

Elisabeth Elliot

back to the tube

2009-11-14T15:28:00.000-06:00

Growing up, I loved TV. Since I was little and all the way through high school, I basically had shows lined up that I could not miss most nights of the week. And I pretty much had the Disney Channel memorized 7th-9thish grade. As a college student, though, I kind of bailed on TV. I dedicated most of my watching-time to movies. I think it's because I was actually busy in college, unlike childhood and high school, where I had the routine "school in the daytime, hang out at the house/do nothing at nighttime". The college life "routine" is so unpredictable and fast-paced, is it not (in a good way, most of the time!)? Only in the last half of my college experience did I pick up on "Greek" and "The Office", both of which I still struggled to keep up with despite their goodness.

But now, as a new post-grad for the last three months, and just recently employed, having more than enough time on my hands because of the lack of an established schedule and virtually no friends in town (with very precious exceptions), I have fallen under the weekly TV line-up spell yet again! Here's what my nights look like lately:

Monday:
Greek

The best thing to come out of ABC Family, maybe ever. The season actually just ended, so come to think of it, Mondays are open again for me.

Tuesday:

The Hills The City

I am quite surprised at my new addiction to two of MTV's basically-scripted reality shows. But I cannot stop watching. I've watched "The Hills" from time to time, and have always been annoyed by it (and still kind of am). There's really no explanation for why I'm interested. There is virtually no content. "The City" is the better show of the two. There is actually a plot to each episode, not solely about relationship troubles, but rather, career issues. I really like to see how each of the girls deals with the assignments they're given and their sometimes (well, most of the time) difficult bosses and work environments. And, it all revolves around fashion, which is fun!

Wednesday:

Cougar Town

Ok, so, Courteney Cox is actually funny. Who knew? I realize she was on one of the best comedy shows ever, but she was always my least favorite Friend. When I first heard about "Cougar Town", I thought, "That show will fail." But I think it may succeed! Courteney plays a crazy Miami divorcee, Mom to a high-school senior, and date-er of men close to twenty years her junior. Her escapades, along with the witty banter with her assistant played by Busy Philipps (one of my all time favorites - see "Freaks and Geeks"), are surprisingly really entertaining to me.

Thursday:

Grey's Anatomy The Office

After a maybe three-season hiatus, I have returned to "Grey's". Plain and simple, it's a well-written show. I just got really tired of the relationship stuff, mainly that of Meredith and Derek. Luckily, this season they are probably the least shown characters and their troubles are basically resolved (so we think). Maybe that's why I like it again... Plus, tons of fresh new faces due to the Seattle Grace - Mercy West merger! (Wow, grace and mercy, just noticed that.)

And "The Office". Of course! Wedding episode - definitely my favorite of the season so far.

Friday:

Degrassi

Please don't judge. It's just funny.

Am I missing anything?

today = big step

2009-11-08T18:51:00.004-06:00

I am employed and I really can't believe it. God is so good and has faithfully answered my almost year-long prayer of what my "next step" will be, and I am at peace. To be clear, I'm defining this next step as place of residence and employment. For me, it is Dothan and training to be a bank teller/learner of all things "bank". Neither of these was my first pick. I'm living in my parents' house...I mean, c'mon (but I do love them). Job-wise, I'm pretty much still lost as to what God wants me to "be". But I do know He wants me to be obedient to Him, to love Him, to know and be known by Him, to serve Him and people in every small way He allows. And I'm excited to get to do that in this new situation He has brought me to!

Today was my first day at work and last night, I was trying to pick out the perfect "first day" business casual outfit. I was definitely struggling. I need to do some major conservative shopping. I actually looked up "business casual attire" in Google images and the above picture was one result. Yikes. Check out that "Most Recommended" outfit (and pretty much all the rest are disturbing, too, wouldn't you say?).

a lack of blogging in my life at the moment

2009-11-02T22:33:00.003-06:00

I miss blogging. I promise we will be friends again soon, Orchard House.

indecision

2009-10-15T16:39:00.002-05:00

Elisabeth Elliot's daily devotional really hit me today. It hit me hard.

Title: Indecision

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

It is painfully obvious that many young people today have an awful time making up their minds about anything. They're not "really sure" what college to go to, what to major in, whom to room with, what career to prepare for, whether or whom to marry, whether to bother with children if they do marry, when to bother with them, what to do with them if they get them, whether to attempt to instill any values in their children (not to make up your mind on this issue is, of course, already to have instilled a value in the mind of the child).

Garry Trudeau, author of the cartoon "Doonesbury," has noticed this prevalent indecisiveness. In one strip he has a young man appearing for an interview with the president of an advertising company.

"So you want to be an ad man, eh, son?" says the executive.

"Well, I think so, sir," says the youth. "I mean, I can't be certain, of course, but it seemed worth looking into, you know, to see if it worked out, if it felt right and... I... uh..."

I guess there's nothing new about indecision. James wrote about it in his epistle, and he shows that the remedy for it is trust. He tells us to ask for wisdom if we don't know what to do. "But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer" (James 1:6-8, LB).

I am the youth in this example. I haven't really been asking the Lord for wisdom in the area of my vocation. I believe He has a plan, but rather than actively seeking it with whole-hearted faith, I am more often throwing small pity parties for myself, continually regretting things in the past even when I know they weren't mistakes. Basically, I have been doubting. Praise God for these verses today! What a reminder to ask with faith.

book recommendation: the reason for god by timothy keller

2009-10-13T13:24:00.002-05:00

As a child, the plausibility of a faith can rest on the authority of others, but when we reach adulthood there is a need for personal, firsthand experience as well.

Tim Keller, The Reason for God

I just finished The Reason for God yesterday. Wow. I have never read an argument for Christianity quite like this, and I have definitely never seen doubts about God and Christianity, as well as religion in general, so well-addressed. By "well-addressed" I mean that Tim Keller, who is a Christian, discusses each common doubt, and all the threads of thought that would make a person doubt, without a condescending or judging voice. They are reasonable doubts, that many believers might have had or still have. There are also reasons for faith that are addressed. Thus, the book is divided into two parts: First, "The Leap of Doubt", in which Keller discusses the 7 doubts that he as a pastor in New York City has most often been approached with over the past twenty years, such as "How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?" and "Science Has Disproved Christianity". Second, he discusses "The Reasons for Faith" in which he not only states Christian beliefs, but why they are reasonable and valid, such as "The Problem of Sin" and "The Reality of the Resurrection". Keller includes thoughts from literary, religious, philosophical, and scientific thinkers, as well as pieces of real-life conversations he has had with contemporary New Yorkers throughout his years in the city.

This book is for skeptics and believers. I would recommend it to anyone who has an inkling we might not just be "hanging out here". To learn more, check out the website here.

comments

2009-10-11T18:41:00.003-05:00

Newsflash: Posting comments on this site is now possible. (I am not begging for comments here, it has just been brought to my attention that comments don't work on my blog, so my computer-savvy bro-in-law figured it out for me).

movie review: whip it

2009-10-05T16:09:00.004-05:00

Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is a success! Ellen Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a high-schooler living in a small Texas town outside of Austin, wishing for something exciting to come along in her life to distract her from her pageant-obsessed mother's demands. And something does come along when she sneaks into the city one night and discovers the ridiculous (ridiculously awesome) world of Roller Derby. She soon joins the league, meets a boy, and shenanigans ensue. I thoroughly enjoyed Whip It, a fun and inventive film, and I'll tell you why...

More than anything, it is the incredible cast that makes this movie worth seeing. And, of course, the fact that it is about Roller Derby. How often do those come around? Ellen Page, as she did in Juno, plays the leading teen-lady well while the rest of the "Hurl Scouts", including Kristen Wiig and Drew Barrymore, provide hilarious romp. Others in the Roller Derby pack are Jimmy Fallon, Andrew Wilson (yes, Owen and Luke have an older brother and he is a funny man, indeed), and Juliette Lewis, who is always amazing and is actually quite the "mean-y" in this role, which is new for her and very funny to watch. Alia Shawkat is the wild, but studious, best friend and Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern play Bliss' parents, the latter of whom I haven't really seen since Bushwacked, but is as big of a hoot as ever. The weakness in the cast would definitely have to be in the form of singer Landon Pigg, who plays the love interest. This is his first movie, and I'm not sure if he's planning on any others, but if he is...yikes. Yet, something about his character was oddly believable, so I have to give him some credit for being most like a "real person".

It's a good mix of comedy and drama, and good comedy and good drama, at that. So..."put some skates on and be your own hero", and see this movie.

movie review: away we go

2009-10-03T18:34:00.003-05:00

It's hard to tell yet, but I think I might have loved it. Sam Mendes has cranked out another awesome movie (see American Beauty and Revolutionary Road).

John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are a magic match as a couple who, upon finding out they're pregnant, embark on a journey across America to find a suitable home for starting a new life with their first child. They bee-bop from city to city, meeting up with friends and family and family-friends, all of whom teach them their own personal slice about raising children, building a home, and staying in love.

The look of this movie is beautiful and fresh. Whether they're stopping on the side of the road next to an endless green field or sitting on a trampoline in a brother's backyard late at night, the two lovers travel among natural beauty, with the enchanting music of Alexi Murdoch humming in the background all along the way.

I was very skeptical about John and Maya "working" as a couple on screen...I couldn't see it. I thought, "She's funny, and he's funny, and they're both very different kinds of funny...and how's that going to work?" But I was honestly and pleasantly surprised! They both retained their funny personas, but each played totally unique and original characters. By this I mean Jim Halpert is not in this movie, and neither is Donatella Versace (Get ouuuut!). I love John's character, Burt. He is so caring of his girlfriend and innocently optimistic and curious. It is just cute. And Maya, who I've never seen act except as an SNL funny-woman, is so quietly and sensibly witty as Verona. It is easy to watch them together. Along with these two are a string of actors that I always seem to enjoy. Maggie Gyllenhaal is hilariously annoying, and Allison Janney can do no wrong. Chris Messina and Paul Schneider also add a lot as two loving, but distraught, father figures.

This film is warm. It's an authentic look at two people who are in love, a steady, committed love, who don't have it all figured out, but are discovering it all together. They question the past and are anxious about the future. It's warm because we can relate to that. The conflict is simply...life.

being blessed by christmas music...in october

2009-10-02T17:05:00.002-05:00

I went for a walk in the park this morning with my mom. Oh how good it felt, what clean crisp air! It definitely feels like fall, but I noticed that the trees and shrubs around me are looking especially green, oddly. Maybe they appear the greenest right before their leaves start to change, who knows (probably not). They just looked so beautiful and lush today. (Mind you, I can't wait until they change into those pretty oranges, reds, and yellows). This song came on my shuffle...it was "Joy to the World" by Sufjan Stevens, which is on his AMAZING Christmas album. I was just completely blessed by it, the words and the music, as I was surrounded by His beauty in the park. This song is not just for Christmas. I think we should sing it year-round. Take another look:

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.

movie review: the last king of scotland

2009-10-01T17:56:00.005-05:00

But first, in honor of the first day of October, a quote from Anne of Green Gables:

"Oh, Marilla," she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs. "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? Look at these maple branches. Don't they give you a thrill - several thrills?"

On to the review. Before renting this movie on Netflix, I actually thought this movie might be set in Scotland. No, no, no....try Uganda. An Oscar-winning performance by Forest Whitaker plus James McAvoy was all I needed to know to be interested, never mind the story. And a story it is! In 1970, a young Scottish doctor (McAvoy) straight out of medical school decides to pack up and practice in Uganda, for an apparently much needed change of scenery. After being there for only a short time, he crosses paths with the newly elected Ugandan president, Idi Amin (Whitaker), who is soon impressed by Dr. Garrigan's ability to act fast in a crisis. Garrigan is invited to be Amin's personal physician, and he accepts. But what the doctor will soon discover is that the seemingly lovable president will resort to fatal measures in order to gain and sustain power and a good public image.

I can't say I wasn't disturbed after watching. Some of the images, one in particular, are too brutal to stomach. But this film was undeniably impressive and the story very intriguing. Garrigan and Amin's relationship is kind of mesmerizing, gradually evoking suspense throughout the film. Whitaker's performance really is deserving (he managed to be both vicious and hilarious) and McAvoy was perfect as the doctor, believably immature yet responsible. I also really enjoyed seeing 1970s Africa, from tribal villages to the president's beautiful mansion (he also has a White House!). And, the music was surprisingly really good, and definitely added to the exciting, adventurous environment that Garrigan gets to experience (in the first half of the movie, anyway). Once again, I learned a lot about another country that I didn't know before. Ida Amin was a dictator that ruled Uganda from 1970-1979, when he was finally overthrown, for good reason. Sadly, Nicholas Garrigan is a fictional character (I wanted his part to be true!) Overall, a good flick. Oh, but it also had like three of those unnecessary sex scenes that you will want to fast forward through, just so you know. Really not necessary.

on movie reviewing

2009-09-30T16:05:00.006-05:00

I'm on a movie review/film critique/whatever you want to call it kick. This is because 1) I have been watching many a movie lately (I have ample time, and I decided to do the one-month free trial of Netflix, which is going to be very hard for me to cancel in a couple of weeks!) and 2) (and most importantly) I love movies. If you know me at all, you probably know this. I love to watch them, talk about them, quote them, and learn about the stories and people behind them. I love them so much that I'm embarrassed about it. When I was 14, I started a list to record every movie that I had ever seen up to that point and every new one that I saw from then on (I stopped recording a few years ago). I have kept every movie ticket stub from every theater visit since 2004. I'm a huge imdb.com advocate.

And so what is it that I love about the screen so much? I'm discovering that it's a combination of several things. I'll go ahead and say they're entertaining (it is the "entertainment business", after all). Oftentimes, we want to just relax and see beautiful new places and faces. We want to laugh when life isn't so funny. But that is not all they can do for us. Some will say movies are an "escape" of feel-good bliss, but I'm finding the movies that are sometimes best are the ones that challenge the viewer to face something, some truth or difficult question. Also, film is an art form, a visual and audible story-telling. And what would we do without story? Through movies, we have the opportunity to digest stories in a visually-stimulating way. Screenwriters have a story to tell, whether it's their own or a famous novelist's or playwright's, and directors and producers and a multitude of others make that possible, with moving pictures. I think of movies as a reflection of human life, of our minds, our thoughts, of the questions we have and the joys we have seen and want to see.

It would be amazing to be a part of movie-making, but for now, I will enjoy sharing what I love, along with what I don't, about the films that are already out there. I have no formal way of reviewing, I just want to share a simple recording of my thoughts after viewing a new film (new for me, not necessarily new). And I promise that there will be no spoilers.

movie review: the kite runner

2009-09-26T19:38:00.004-05:00

I watched The Kite Runner Friday night, not knowing anything about it except that it is critically-acclaimed. I would have to agree with them - it was A+. I love movies that give me global perspective, even though that renewed perspective is often accompanied by recognition of my own ignorance. For instance, I didn't know that the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in the late 1970s. In fact, I know hardly anything about Afghanistan.

The Kite Runner is the story of two young Afghan boys growing up in the late 1970s, one very wealthy and one very poor, who are first separated emotionally by a horrible injustice and then physically due to political events. After living in the United States for over a decade, privileged Amir is called to go back to his homeland, and once there, finds an amazing chance to help his childhood friend. It is both heartbreaking and joyful, disturbing and beautiful. The acting, music, cinematography, dialogue, everything, was exactly as it needed to be for this story. Each element breathed the film's message, summed best in it's tagline: "There is a way to be good again."

I couldn't help but become attached to these characters and their struggles, unimaginable struggles. It made me angry, and I love to feel angry sometimes, when it's about the right things. And these things really happen. They are the result of the twisted mind of man, hungry for power, fueled with pride, serving self. But with hate comes the opportunity for righteousness to appear, to make things the way they're supposed to be, the way they will one day be, the way God intended them to be. This movie, to me, is a small celebration of that truth!

I would like to read the book one day, but now that I know the story, I am hungry for another by author Khaled Hosseini. So I'm going to check out A Thousand Splendid Suns, his second novel, which tells the story of two Afghan women and how their lives intertwine. It sounds kind of like the "girl" version of The Kite Runner, so that's exciting.

Oh, and I kind of want to fly a kite now. When was the last time any of us did that?

the autumnal equinox

2009-09-22T16:43:00.002-05:00

Today is the first official day of fall. Hooray! I celebrated by going to Michael's. Didn't really buy anything especially festive, only a scrapbook to record my adventures in Italy from over a year ago and other small things, but just being in there was enough of a treat. The store is just so celebratory of the seasons, wouldn't you agree?

I did not know that the first day of fall was called the autumnal equinox until this very year. Where have I been? Maybe I'm a dummy. I find this kind of funny because I probably wouldn't have even noticed this year if I had not listened to a new (I think it's new) song by Death Cab for Cutie called "Meet Me On The Equinox" last night, which will be featured in the much-anticipated New Moon, and thought, "What's an equinox?" They mentioned it on the Today Show this morning. There was that same funny word again, obviously having something to do with "equality" and the beginning of fall, so I looked up the term. Here's a portion of the def (from Wikipedia, my new best friend):

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the Sun being vertically above a point on the Equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens.

Many people think we will see 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of night over this day and the next, but I did some research and the people who know say that doesn't really happen except for people actually on the equator (my sources could be faulty...I don't really know what I'm talking about) but this slice of information is kind of neat to think about:

On the Northern Hemisphere's autumnal equinox day, a person at the North Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, signaling the start of six months of darkness.

On the same day, a person at the South Pole would also see the sun skim the horizon, beginning six months of uninterrupted daylight.

Gives me the creeps. I'm glad I'm not on the North Pole. Anyway, yay for sweet autumn days.

and the search continues

2009-09-17T10:45:00.002-05:00

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. - Psalm 32:8

I can't believe it is mid-September already. I had a silent goal to be employed by the end of the month, and I think I have to let that go. Not because it's already the 17th and I still don't have a job and there aren't any shimmering prospects, but because I'm putting unneeded pressure on myself. I am walking with the Lord, seeking His will, applying for jobs, sending out resumes and cover letters, and talking to people. In short, I am trying. I could be a bit more bold, though, as is usually the case with me, so I am working on that. In the meantime, I am enjoying the rest God is giving me! Right now, for His own reasons, He is calling me to a time of quiet with my family. As much as I want to already be in the workforce and have a routine, I can't pick the date as to when that happens. I'm thankful that I have a family that loves me and is supporting me as I try to pursue the things that actually interest me. To get to those things, of course, I must. have. experience. Isn't that always the case? And to be honest, I really haven't even had enough experience to know what those things are that "actually interest me", as I said before. I think I have some hints, and I think I know what my interests are not. So, my goal for the coming weeks, month, whatever, is to be employed somewhere - to get experience.

I had an interview with a company last week, for a position I knew I didn't really want, in the area of accounting. I interviewed for the aforementioned reason - to get experience. Not only general job experience, but job experience relating to my actual degree (wild, right?) And that has been my logic up until really this week. Get a job that relates to finance or accounting - even though you were never really energized by the work in your classes and you never seemed as interested in the work as your peers and your favorite classes were your English, Writing, and Art History classes - so you can attach some meat and some value to that degree you got. Before the interview, I was a little worried that my true interests would come out based on the questions my interviewers would ask and the fact that I do not want to be an accountant and that I do not really like accounting at all might be discovered. And that was exactly what happened. I was found out. I was honest. I cannot "fake it 'til I make it". I couldn't lie to them and tell them I wanted to be an accountant with them for the next five, ten years. The interview confirmed what I already knew about myself. If I have to lie about myself to get a job, I do not want that job. So now, I am on the edge of abandoning the business side of me once and for all....but you should know I tend to weeble wobble on that issue.

Am I a bore with all this "job" talk? Being human, that's the job we all have. And it's a good job. Quite challenging, though!

ba de yah, dancing in september...

2009-09-01T11:02:00.006-05:00

Ba de yah, never was a cloudy day... - Earth Wind and Fire

Sadly, it is a bit cloudy on this first day of September. But no matter, September has finally arrived! I have been pretending it is fall since mid-August, but now I am considering Fall 2009 to be officially here. The beginning of fall just makes me want to go out to Michael's and buy a bunch of art and craft supplies and fake flowers and pumpkins and all sorts of festive decor that I don't need. There is a freshness about fall that I never really appreciated until college, and I am excited to spend my first fall in my hometown since then. Have I said "fall" too much?

With the beginning of autumn comes the end of summer. The summer could not have closed in a better way for me than spending a blessed weekend in Fairhope, AL with some friends, relaxing by the bay, plus a little celebration of a friend's birth : ) Michelle's grandparents live in an absolute oasis in my opinion, a beautiful lot right on the bay, complete with a fantastic wharf. And oooh the food we were spoiled with...it was wonderful.

Two things I have become a big fan of as of late/at summer's end: Anne of Green Gables and (500) Days of Summer.

Let's start with Anne. I have always loved the movie, but had never read the book until now, prompted by my book club. I finished it this Saturday on the wharf in the late afternoon sunlight. It was such an "Anne moment" for me, surrounded by nature and all its vastness, beautiful friends, and quiet peace. I guess I call it an "Anne moment" because the heroine of this story makes one appreciate things, everyday things, that are actually of infinitely more importance than the things which often seem so important. For example, Anne, while in uncomfortable anticipation of year-end exams, "Girls, sometimes I feel as if those exams meant everything, but when I look at the big buds swelling on those chestnut trees and the misty blue air at the end of the streets they don't seem half so important." Anne Shirley is full of universal truths and inadvertent comments on society, and she is just plum funny. Lucy Maud Montgomery's style of writing is so whimsical and it matches perfectly with her title character's personality. And that is why I love this story, and plan to read the rest in the series.

I saw (500) Days of Summer about a week ago and wish I had written about it right after when it was fresh on my mind. But I do remember that I loved it. From opening (especially opening!) to ending credits, the experience was everything a "romantic comedy" cinema experience should be. As in, this movie proves that romantic comedies can be unpredictable, and they are usually better that way. (I do believe that there are many good romantic comedies that are predictable, also). I was very impressed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is not new to acting but is definitely new to leading roles, I think. He was surprisingly funny, too. Zooey Deschanel is one of my favorites and did not disappoint. She's so "spacey", and I love her for it. The style of the movie was brilliant. Very artistic! I don't have the proper words to describe why it was so brilliant, but it was. And we all know the soundtrack kicks. Just go see it, and don't watch the trailer first. I've found that movies, for me, anyway, are better when you don't know much about them first.

So goodbye summer, and hello fall. I am hoping it will be an adventurous one.

monday

2009-08-24T09:59:00.002-05:00

Feeling weak and powerless? It's probably because we are. You should read 2 Chronicles 20.

the summer "hot list"...and the "not list"

2009-08-08T22:09:00.004-05:00

I want to share the new things I have enjoyed or have become a fan of this summer in the form of music, movies, books, and many miscellaneous items. And here they are, in no particular order:

1. Brooke Fraser

A friend introduced me to Brooke's song"Albertine" a few months ago and I absolutely loved it. After receiving an Itunes gift card for my birthday in May, I bought her latest album, also titled "Albertine". Her voice is rich, her lyrics are insightful, and her music aesthetically pleasing. Other favorites include "Deciphering Me" and "The Thief". Check her out, yo!

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Dur. I don't think I need to elaborate here. I'm a big Potter fan, so yeah, this is on the hot list. I don't know if it exceeded my expectations, but it definitely met them and very much pumped me up for some re-reading of the books and the seventh movie (due out in a year...).

3. Weddings

This was the "summer of weddings" for me. Four of my friends got married, two for which I was a bridesmaid. They are beautiful couples and I was blessed by attending each of the ceremonies. And since all of my Auburn friends are now parting ways, the weddings were great excuses to see each other : )

4. Zachary Quinto as "Spock" in Star Trek

What can I say, I developed a bit of a crush. And a rather odd one, at that.

5. Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow

I bought this book at the beginning of the summer. I'd heard so much about this book over the past year, and, since the uncertainty of my future was and still is sadly causing me much anxiety, I thought it was the perfect time to buy it. It includes a twelve-week individual study in the back, which has been wonderful. One of my favorite quotes, actually not even of Linda's, but something she included in the chapter, "Content to Be Me": "He thought to gain a thing by doing, when the very thing desired was a being." - George MacDonald

6. Memphis, TN

My first visit to the city, and I approve. I was visiting friends, which was good in itself, and I just generally liked what I saw and where I went. This included a thorough tour of the Service Over Self (SOS) building and introduction to the organization (thanks, Colbs!), a Memphis Redbirds game, my first Memphis barbecue at Central BBQ, and a walk through downtown. On our walk, we stopped in the famous Peabody Hotel, which is "the hotel with the ducks", as Danielle calls it : ) We didn't get to see the ducks, but it was definitely a hoppin' and beautiful hotel.

7. "Arrested Development"

Ohhh wow. This might be the third funniest TV show of all time in my book, or tie with the other two ("The Office" and "Freaks and Geeks", of course). Buster's probably my fave.

8. A myriad of songs, namely, "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire, "A Last Reading" by Adrian Johnston, "Us" by Regina Spektor, "In a Sweater Poorly Knit" by Mewithoutyou, "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon, "Can't Take it in" by Imogen Heap, "Ageless Beauty" by Stars....

So some of these aren't exactly new, but they are new to me! And yes, I heard about most of them from movie soundtracks.

9. Shane and Shane

I am really, really late. They are great.

10. Job Searching/"Next Step" Seeking

It's exciting!

What "hot list" would be complete without a "not list"? Here are some things that did not impress me so much and kind of disappointed me this summer:

1. My Sister's Keeper

Yep, the book and the movie, which are completely and totally different. I wanted to be into it, but I'm just not.

2. Driving. Alot.

Normally, I love driving. You ask, "Who wants to drive?" and I will most likely raise my hand. But...I was on the road many, many an hour this summer, driving to weddings, showers, my Memphis trip, back and forth to and from the beach, Dothan, and Auburn....and it just. got. old. And what's worse, my music got old too : (

3. Construction in Auburn

Enough is enough. The alternate route meant I had to step over a fence every day in order to get to my classes in Lowder. Which means I couldn't wear my casual skirts to class. Which I was not happy about.

4. A lack of reading for pleasure

I'm not sure how this happened, but I probably read only 3 or 4 books this summer. I even failed to read Anne of Green Gables for my book club! I love reading in the summer and I simply didn't get to many of the books I planned on reading. Maybe it was all that driving/traveling.

5. The Hangover Hype

It was funny, but it wasn't that funny. IMDB users will understand this.

6. Limited Release Movies

Movie fans living in Alabama tend to get the shaft. How was Away We Go? Anybody see it?

7. Not catching the bouquet at any of the weddings.

... Just kidding. Kind of.

8. Mini-mester Classes

Don't let "mini" fool you. They are mini devils!

9. Jon and Kate Plus 8

A sad situation, and I think it would be better for them and for us if we all weren't so obsessed. Of course I don't really think anyone's obsessed anymore...

10. Job Searching/"Next Step" Seeking

It's terrifying!

A great summer, all in all. Oh yeah, one other thing I should add to the hot list: Graduating from college. Tomorrow!!!

John Hughes, 1950-2009

2009-08-07T21:42:00.003-05:00

John Hughes passed away yesterday. Because he is the writer/director of three of my first favorite movies ever and many other greats, I feel I need to make a little tribute to him.

Around the time of my sixth grade year, I was introduced to Sixteen Candles. And I became obsessed. It was just perfect. I'd never seen this kind of comedy before. And of course, I fell in love with the story. I wanted to be Samantha Baker, a shy but kind, independent and stylish girl who longs for beautiful senior Jake Ryan, and actually gets his attention, totally unintentionally! Believable? I'm still not sure. Nevertheless, I couldn't and still can't get enough. Plus, every character is witty and unique in their own way. Long Duk Dong, Grandpa Fred, and even mean girl Caroline, all have priceless lines. In a word, the man's a genius when it comes to teen comedy.

The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink also quickly became favorites (I guess Molly Ringwald is kind of my gur). The Breakfast Club is probably the most amazing character study of high schoolers ever (though this could be argued, since they are very stereotypical characters...) and I will never stop quoting it. Another beautiful story of unnoticed Molly Ringwald heroine pursued by popular dude is told in Pretty in Pink. It's pretty much ideal. You can't beat the last scene at the prom highlighted by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's "If You Leave".

What I'm trying to say is this: John Hughes was a huge part of my junior high and high school years. He might have set unrealistic standards for what I wanted my experience to be like, but I couldn't help but enjoy the sweetness and humor of it all. Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the Vacation movies I also love, but nothing comes close to the Ringwald trio.

One Hughes movie that I have overlooked for far too long: Some Kind of Wonderful. I must watch soon.

"We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all." - Andrew, The Breakfast Club

Thank you, Mr. Hughes.

sexy finance

2009-07-17T19:08:00.003-05:00

I just can't handle it when teachers in the college of business refer to class material as "sexy". This week, my real estate teacher did so. "We're not really going to talk about the sexy stuff this term, we just don't have time." Last semester, my strategic management teacher, during one of the first classes, announced, "Yeah, we'll get to the sexy stuff later in the term, but first we must cover this..." It has happened a few other times during my four years at Auburn. What "sexy stuff"? I still don't know what they're talking about. I'm sorry to break it to you, teach, but there is nothing sexy about finance, or business really, in my opinion. Anyway...

Despite the bitterness I have towards my sexy major, I have felt a little more optimistic about the job search this week. I haven't filled out any more applications yet, but I have several that I'm planning on. A lot of my friends and family are asking what kinds of jobs I'm looking at, so here are some of the job titles from different companies I am looking at:

Account Manager

Associate Account Manager

Financial Support Worker

Office Professional

Insurance Account Executive

Legal Assistant (pretty excited about this one)

Teacher in Saudi Arabia (it's not at the top of my list, but you never know...)

These are just some of the jobs out there that correspond to my major. What I'd really like to do is move out to California and start writing a screenplay, or go to film school, or write for a magazine of some sort, or maybe work at a publishing company. But the reality is, I don't think I've had enough experience in any area to really know what I want to do. I have been blessed with a college degree and I want to value it and use it, even if it's just for a year. I would love to go back to school for an English degree, but I don't know if that's what the Lord wants right now, or what I want. It's so hard to distinguish between selfish desires and Godly ones. When I think about writing sometimes, though I really do want to influence people for God's glory in sharing my beliefs, my thought process starts marathoning down Self Glory Lane. I'm afraid of any type of fame or pride that might come from work. But the odds are, I will meet it somehow, as does everyone.

This week, my memory verse was about temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). I tend to think I don't struggle with temptation much. This is far from true, as there are so many types of temptation, not just the traditional ones I think about. A verse mentioned at Crusade the other night helped me see just how much I do, in fact, struggle with it, specifically as it relates to lust for a good-looking post-graduate life, for all my peers to see.

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." -James 1:14

Speaking of "post-graduate", I saw a trailer a few months ago for a new movie coming out in August and I immediately identified with the protagonist. I may be in the same situation she is in in about a month, though I don't think a handsome Latino neighbor is waiting for me back in Dothan. Check it out.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/postgrad/

forced to trust

2009-07-08T20:31:00.003-05:00

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." - Galatians 2:20

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made....skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth" - Psalm 139:14,15 (emphasis mine)

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." - Luke 12:32

"...'Master, Master, we are perishing!' And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, 'Where is your faith?'" - Luke 8:24, 25

As far as I know, I don't have a single plan, event, appointment, trip, or any place to be at all after August 10, 2009. Not a one. I have no school schedule or work schedule or anything really from which to work around, and this is the first time that my situation has been such in my entire life. On the balancing scale (I just tried to type "scale" and it came out "scare", go figure!) of fear and excitement in regard to this new situation of mine, my thoughts tend to tip to the fear side way too often.

My fear emerges simply from this: a lack of trust in the Lord's sovereignty, love, and every other immense power He has. The above are some verses, some truths, that I have recently been and am presently clinging to, meditating on. I am trying to claim these promises and walk in the absolute truth of them. What amazing love! He skillfully wrought me. Whenever I feel like I'm kind of insignificant (kind of a no-talent consumer, you know?), I remember this. He wouldn't have so carefully and skillfully constructed me if I He didn't love me. This summer, He has definitely been stopping me, teaching me, and letting me just ponder His love and His purposes, purposes that are so much bigger than just me. I am far from abandoned, though my vision is blurred as to what God will do with me come August.

I am forced to trust.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8

the first in a while, eh?

2008-11-18T21:49:00.004-06:00

I'm tired of having this mindset that every one of my posts needs to be "perfect", as in perfectly shaped and perfectly coherent and perfectly written. It's probably why I've stayed away for nearly a month, which is sad, since I was sooo stoked about becoming a blogger (haha). I am prepared to let go of this mindset and am going to try my best at just being real and in the moment...let's have at it!

I went to a concert on Sunday night in Atlanta with some friends, and what a blessing it was. Thank you, Rachel! We saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They were AMAZING. It definitely exceeded my expectations. The music was beautiful - the most musical talent I may have ever seen live. Confession: right when we sat down, they were mid-song (we were late), and I don't even know what they were playing, but I actually started tearing up. I really got choked up. Yes, I daresay I have become more of an emotional person in the last few years. It's not a bad thing, I don't think. It's just that when something is really beautiful to me, I get teary-eyed. Anyway, it was basically a Christmas concert. That's what they play - mostly Christmas music. Sure did pump me up for the holidays : ) I think we were all pleasantly surprised at how much emphasis was placed on the birth of our Savior in the show. One of the members of the band narrated the first half of the show, sort of introduced each song, with a little more info about that holy night in Bethlehem. The whole concert was just kind of like a picture of Heaven to me, a glimpse of what it will be like. God's glory was there, on that stage and in those instruments and in those voices. If you ever have the opportunity, see them. They will not disappoint.

By the way, I think it is a requirement for every male member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to wear his hair at least 3 inches below his ears (extra points for below the shoulder). Fine by me.

the first of many

2008-10-24T00:18:00.005-05:00

After a few months of reading and enjoying a few of my friends' and acquaintances' blogs, I have finally given into the desire to start my own, and I am too excited about this new adventure! This is actually my second blog attempt. I don't know exactly what I hope to gain by doing this, or what I hope to give. All I know is that I want to write. My dad sent me a forward-type email about a year ago, I think, called "Lessons in Life". There are 50 of them. I go back to it from time to time, just for a little refreshment when I feel I am taking things too seriously. One jumps out at me in particular, always:

"A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write."

Very convicting for me, you see. I will hint to my family and friends and insist all day long that I am serious about becoming a writer someday. A real writer. Whether it be screenplays (hopefully so!), novels, or even magazines. Someday, that is. But in the meantime, right now, there is no active evidence in my life of my seriousness about becoming a writer. Now this is not entirely true, for I am taking a writing class this semester, which I am enjoying so very much. But still, it is not a daily, or even weekly, legitimate effort at practicing my writing skills.

So this thing is a place to practice writing, enjoy writing, hopefully share some insight/thoughts on a number of various subjects (there will be a lot of movie talk, that I can promise), and just share life. I don't really know what a blog is supposed to be. I know I don't want it to be something that I use for self-fulfillment, or to impress people. I made that mistake with my last one. I can see pride being a problem. "Look at me and my blog" and "I've got to go write about that on my blog!" and "Don't I look like an interesting person, readers?" are the real dangers for me. So I'll try to limit the talking about myself, though I'll probably fail. I sense the hypocrisy already. I mean, we have to talk about ourselves and our experiences, or no one would ever learn from anyone else, right? I will be talking about myself, obviously, but I just don't want to subconsciously be trying to glorify myself.

It's a little too late at night for me to end this cleverly or with a quote, verse, or lyric, so i will simply...end.