Author: admin

Each day when I wake up and I start to dress
I think of my schedule and I start to stress.
From workouts to testing to homework galore,
Each is so draining and class is a bore.
I’m not hardly sleeping, I’m tired and sick
So I’m always exhausted and my running’s not quick.
It’s time for APs and finals– I really hate tests.
Plus concerts and track meets. I am so stressed!
Graduation is coming, the end is in sight.
But I won’t ever get there if I don’t sleep at night.
All motivation has near ceased to exist,
But of all things still to do there’s quite a long list.
And off the side, A brain operation?
Just thinking of that takes all concentration.
In the back of my mind are things I must leave:
All friends and family until Christmas Eve. (not really)
I have to leave Provo and all that I know–
The Creamery, Rock Canyon, great runs, and the snow.
Life is still splendid, I’m so very blessed.
But despite all my bessings, I’m still very stressed.

This is honestly the worst part of this terminal illness I’ve been diagnosed with. I have no motivation to do my homework, go to class, do well in track, or even get up in the morning. It may sound like I have depression, but this is much worse than that. (That may be offensive. I don’t mean it to be.) A good remedy seems to be an extended stay in Hawaii. But for now, I delight in continuing my demotivation through this my favorite website: despair.com.

Here’s a little spanish lesson. If you want to say “I’m tired”, then you say “Estoy cansada”. If you want to say “I am an innately tired person” you say “Soy cansada”. I am an innately tired person. My dear mother has been telling me literally all of my life to go to bed early. Did I listen? Of course not. Did I obey? Heck no. Did I ever get enough sleep? No ma’am. I fear this lifestyle I’ve developed over the years has finally come back to gobble me up and throw me into the Pit of Despair. I can hardly try to escape. If I were to give one piece of advice to kids going to school, it would be my mom’s constitution: SLEEP! Sleep as if your life depended on it. Because guess what? It does! And not only does it keep you alive, it improves your immune system, allows for chemicals such as dopamine and seratonin to more easily enter the pituitary gland, thus enabling you to think clearer, run faster, be happier, be more sensitive to the spirit, have more effective scripture study, avoid seizures (I’m not kidding), and so much more. Sleep deprivation has been a form of torture for centuries. And what do you know? I’ve been torturing my self all this time just as victims of the Holocaust were. Of my very own will and choice. Luckily enough for me, I’m heading off to a very relaxing atmosphere were none of my classes start before 9:40. Why I took Early Morning seminary I’ll never know. But I just really don’t recommend running on 5-6 hours of sleep for 4 years. Rest is good for the blood. (That’s from the Halloween Bugs Bunny.)

I have to stay up all night, so I may as well write a little bit. Me and my dad just went to Avatar, and I was amazed. Both art and story were incredible. I find it interesting that the number one grossing movie of all time, Titanic, has now been surpassed by this very film. And surprisingly enough, both were written by James Cameron. I’ve decided that he must be loaded and a creative genius. Both beneficial things. I imagine all of my thoughts on this fine film are exceedingly obvious, but I’m going to write them anyway, for my sake.

I thought Avatar was an excellent social commentary on the United States in Iraq, as the other world is depicted as a paradise, and is bombarded by humans solely for money. This sounded just a little bit too familiar. It seems that we are there, in a place with problems, but possibilities for happiness, interfering with what could be a solid community and country. And a bonus is there: oil. This translates to both money and power. In the case of Avatar, the other world has rock worth millions, and the humans will go to every destructive extent to obtain it. The alien world is greatly affected by the presence and assistance of one good man, Jake Sulley. Previous attempts to assimilate the “aliens” into out culture were beneficial. They learned English if nothing else. But once the other humans enter, it is absolutely no longer help, and only power-motivated violence. It seems this is the case with us as well, hopefully at a slightly lower degree. I loved the ending, when it showed the US army being escorted off the planet and onto their planes. The narrator (Jake) says, “The aliens went back to their dying home. Only a few were chosen to stay.” I thought it was beautiful to show the other side– maybe we really are the aliens. In fact, by actual definition, we are aliens in the Mid East. And maybe our country really is the dying one. Is physical destruction worse than mental, cultural, and social deterioration?

There are a few other artistic things I found intriguing. For one thing, they zoomed in on Jake’s eyes a few times during the movie. Each time, I think it depicted his increasing knowledge, as his mind (his human mind is controlling the avatar) sees and understands more and more. The final shot is of his eyes, this time the eyes of his avatar, his chosen permanent body. I loved when he said, “everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world and in here is the dream.” This was really the pivotal point in his growth. He says, “Look, at first it was just orders. And then, everything changed. Okay, I fell in love. I fell in love with the, with the forest, with the Omaticaya people, with you. With you.” Love is more powerful than anything else. It was also interesting that the way these people were able to fight and fly was by connecting their bodies to that of their “horses”, or whatever they are. There really is a physical and mental connection in everything. Faith and unity are big themes.

So pretty much, I thought Avatar was very well done. Language was bad, and there was a little bit more violence than I would have liked, but I thought it was phenomenal. On a side note, it was the most expensive movie of all time. I believe it. Anyway, this was a way long post, and I don’t blame anyone for glancing at the picture and not reading the post. This is what happens when you have to stay up all night.

We just had the annual Book of Mormon marathon, which we now call the Book of Mormon Feast. It’s always a great experience, and how could it not be? Reading the greatest book, gaining a testimony, eating incredible food, being with your dear ward family, having an all-nighter to talk about everything important… It’s my favorite activity of the year. But this year, I read it in Spanish, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I felt like I was able to relate to and understand the people throughout the book, and that I got to know them all a lot better. I don’t know if it was because I was visualizing them a little bit differently because I was reading in a different language, but I had so many insights into their characters and found myself thinking about how I’d act in their situations.

There’s a part in passing when on of the chapters ends “And as the Lord liveth, thus it is, Amen.” I would normally read this as just another passing phrase, but in my book, it said “Vive el Senor.” I felt excitement and joy as I read this powerfully triumphant statement: The Savior lives! I can just imagine angels singing and trumpets sounding as Christ comes again and we all shout and rejoice and joyfully proclaim that we know that Christ lives. But as I felt as I read that verse, I don’t need to seem Him or hear anyone else say this for me to know that He lives. It’s not possible to feel the spirit that strongly witness to me that the Savior lives for me to need any further evidence. I know that He lives.

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my savior, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Okay. The seven dwarfs refers to other awesome olympians who are awesome, but can’t compare to Shaun White in coolness. I’d first just like to say that I think Shaun White is as cool as they come. He’s a totally intense, ultra-skilled snowboarder, and that automatically makes him cool. But on top of that, he has sweet hair. And on top of that, he is extremely classy whenever they interview him. I’d say that he and Michael Phelps compare decently in athletic ability, even though the latter is more decorated. I dunno. But when it comes to class, Michael Phelps has virtually none (even when showed him at the olympics this year, he was texting the first time, and chomping on gum the second time) and Shaun White is overflowing with it. I love it whenever they interview him, because he speaks so well and says such good stuff. I’m not gonna write any direct quotes because I’m too lazy to search right now. But I can just admonish the 2 of you that read this to watch him and his interviews if you haven’t yet.

I read this great article in Runner’s World (which is an awesome running magazine) called A Few Rules to Run By. I’d really like to post it, but I think that might be plagarism. But you can read it at runnersworld.com. (I don’t know how to do links.) I loved this part, which wasn’t actually part of the article. It might not bring as many smiles and nods to non-runners, (that’s not meant as an insult) but I thought it was great. I couldn’t figure out how to make a table, so I guess this format works.

NAME: The Speed Freak
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:Buzzed hair. Supershort shorts. Racing flats. Twitch in one eye.
DANGEROUS?: Only if you get in his way.

NAME: The Weekend Warrior
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Warrior tube socks. Midsection paunch. Grin. Headphones.
DANGEROUS?: Only if you make fun of his socks.

NAME: The Penguin
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Plodding determination. Fanny pack.
DANGEROUS?: Only if you make fun of John Bingham.

NAME: The Charity Runner
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Selflessness. Tears. Matching outfits.
DANGEROUS?: No… unless you are anti-“awareness.”

NAME: The Ultra Guy
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Lean and tan to the nth degree. Quiet. Hard as nails.
DANGEROUS?: Only at an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet.

NAME: The Kicker
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: None whatsoever… until he or she unleashes a stiff, tight-lipped, arm-pumping sprint in the final 100 meters of a race.
DANGEROUS?: Lord help you if you get in the way of those pumping arms.

NAME: The Old-Timer
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Faded cotton T-shirt from the 1981 Peachtree 10-K. Scar on neck from melanoma. Twinkle in eye. Conspicuous lack of gadgets. Advanced age.
DANGEROUS?: Heck, no. These guys are great.

NAME: The Triathlete
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Ironman tattoo. Skintight unitard, possibly emblazoned with sponsors’ names. Comparatively large upper body. Vague smell of chorine.
DANGEROUS?: Only if you call him a unitard.

NAME: The Wacky Guy
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: “Antennas” headband, oversize novelty sunglasses, cowboy hat, kilt, superhero costume, etc. A grim determination to “have fun with it.”
DANGEROUS?: Probably not, although this guy might someday snap.

NAME: Joe Average
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: None.
DANGEROUS?: Almost certainly.

“They keep coming up with new ways to celebrate mediocracy. But if someone is really great…” -Mr. Incredible. (The quote goes on, and believe me, my sisters and I can quote this entire scene.) But the greatness of superheroes aside, I think the same thoughts can be going through our heads about our very own society. What do we value? What isreally great? Let me make a list of what I think is really great and worth some serious recognition and appreciation.

1. High-quality music… I’m just gonna lay this on the table– I hate standing ovations 90% of the time. But I see it at almost every concert I go to. In fact, I think we’ve reached the point that it’s rude to not stand up. The message of a standing ovations just isn’t what it once was. So what now? Do we jump on the stage and carry the performers on our shoulders all around Provo? How do we differentiate something good from something great? How do we recognize sincere appreciation? Or do we? Is everything just heaped into one pile of quality?

2. Gourmet food… For example, very delicious food made by Melissa (my uncle’s good friend and graduate of Culinary Art school in France.) Or Pier 49 Pizza. Or Zupas tomato soup. None of this McDonalds, Arby’s, or Taco Bell. I’m all about the real stuff. As critic Anton Ego says in Rataouille, “I don’t like food, I love it. And if I don’t love it, I don’t swallow.” That’s disgusting! But point made, I suppose.

3. Wonderfully new new snow… Now this is really worth some excitement. I don’t know of anyone who appreciates icy/ muddy snow, but we still can’t let the value of this novelty go down.

4. Good literature… Here’s where I sort of contradict myself. There’s definitely some less-than-great writing out there that I love. (A few books come to mind right away…) And yes, they’re fun. Leisurely reading is splendid. I love it. But if people go through their whole lives without encountering and experiencing some really great stuff, then I think they’ve really deprived themselves of some education. I admit, not all classics quite up my alley or refreshing in any way (*cough* Of Mice and Men. *cough* Grapes of Wrath. *gag* The Great Gatsby). But then again, what defines a classic?

5. A really good movie… Don’t you hate it when you finish watching a movie, and then you say, “Why did I just waste 2 hours of my life watching that?” It feels awful. As long as you’re just gonna be lounging on your couch, you may as well be getting some good stuff out of what you’re seeing. For example, I would say The Scarlet Pimpernel is definitely worth its time. I would also say that The Lord of the Rings– even extended– is worth it. And what makes these good? I think some of the most important things are the overall message, the soundtrack, and the ending.

6. Good art? I actually really like abstract art and weird things like that. But why pictures that a 2-year old could have drawn (literally) sell for millions, I have no idea. And it turns out this 7-year old kid just started selling paintings for millions. But apparently his really are incredible. But here we are again: what is incredible?

And the list goes on. I think we as a society define incredible, and put value on what we think is good. I think we need to re-evaluate what we really appreciate, and mirror it in our own lives as well. If we individually try to pursue excellence, rather than get comfortable with mediocracy, I think we’d create a much more educated and aware society. Just some thoughts.

I absolutely love satire, and this satire of Cliffs Notes is particularly funny to me since it’s highly applicable to school at this time. 🙂 I found this on the Onion, a satire website of which I am a big fan. So anyway… I get a huge kick out of this.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—In what she described as “the most emotional moment” of her academic life, University of Virginia sophomore communications major Grace Weaver sobbed openly upon concluding Steinbeck’s seminal work of American fiction Of Mice And Men’s Cliffs Notes early last week.

“This book has changed me in a way that only great literature summaries can,” said Weaver, who was so shaken by the experience that she requested an extension on her English 229 essay. “The humanity displayed in the Character Flowchart really stirred something in me. And Lennie’s childlike innocence was beautifully captured through the simple, ranch-hand slang words like ‘mentally handicapped’ and ‘retarded.'”

Added Weaver: “I never wanted the synopsis to end.”

Weaver, who formed an “instant connection” with Lennie’s character-description paragraph, said she began to suspect the novel might end tragically after reading the fourth sentence which suggested the gentle giant’s strength and fascination with soft things would “lead to his untimely demise.”

“I was amazed at how attached to him I had become just from the critical commentary,” said Weaver, still clutching the yellow-and-black-striped study guide. “When I got to the last sentence—’George shoots Lennie in the head,’—it seemed so abrupt. But I found out later that the ‘ephemeral nature of life’ is a major theme of the novel.”

Weaver was assigned Of Mice And Men—a novel scholars have called “a masterpiece of austere prose” and “the most skillful example of American naturalism under 110 pages”—as part of her early twentieth-century fiction course, and purchased the Cliffs Notes from a cardboard rack at her local Barnes & Noble. John Whittier-Ferguson, her professor for the class, told reporters this was not the first time one of his students has expressed interest in the novel’s plot summary.

“It’s one of those universal American stories,” said Ferguson after being informed of Weaver’s choice to read the Cliffs Notes instead of the pocket-sized novel. “I look forward to skimming her essay on the importance of following your dreams and randomly assigning it a grade. *That’s my favorite part.*

Though she completed the two-page brief synopsis in one sitting, Weaver said she felt strangely drawn into the plot overview and continued on, exploring the more fleshed-out chapter summaries.

“There’s something to be said for putting in that extra time with a good story,” Weaver said. “You just get more out of it. I’m also going to try to find that book about rabbits that George was always reading to Lennie, so that I can really understand that important allusion.”

Within an hour of completing the cliffs notes, Weaver was already telling friends and classmates that Steinbeck was her favorite author, as well as reciting select quotations from the “Important Quotations” section for their benefit.

“When I read those quotes, found out which characters they were attributed to, and inferred their context from the chapter outlines to piece together their significance, I was just blown away,” said a teary-eyed Weaver. “And the way Steinbeck wove the theme of hands all the way through the section entitled ‘Hands’—he definitely deserved to win that Nobel Prize.”

Weaver’s roommate, Giulia Crenshaw, has already borrowed the dog-eared, highlighted summary of the classic Depression-era saga, and is expecting to enjoy reading what Weaver described as “a really sad story about two brothers who love to farm.”

“I loved this book so much, I’m going to read all of Steinbeck’s Cliffs Notes,” said Weaver. “But first I’m going to go to the library to check out the original version Of Mice And Men starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise.”