You know those people they show on American Idol tryouts? The really bad ones who think they're good? Well check this out and prepare to have your expectations destroyed. It's Susan Boyle singing on Britian's Got Talent.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Maiden Voyage
It's official! My truck is registered! Hallelujah.
I would like to thank my cousin Jonny for all his hard work on rebuilding the carburetor, getting me a special discount at the parts store for that ridiculously expensive part that was the problem behind all this mess, and doing it all for free. It's a good thing he likes cars. Also, I extend gratitude to my father for supporting me with his work on the truck and buying some services and parts it needed as well. This would not be possible without you. :)
I look forward to driving my truck around this summer and sleeping in the back on starry nights like on the night of it's unofficial maiden voyage. May the Utah plates bless it and protect me from future disasters (long story if you haven't heard it).
P.S. Thanks, Dad, for putting on the plates <3Friday, March 6, 2009
Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month so this post is dedicated to women!
I got to attend a couple of events at Westminster celebrating the month. First was a presentation by Carolyn Jessop, former FLDS member and author of Escape, the story how she ran away from polygamy and the FLDS church's oppression with hr 8 children. Her story was incredible. I am going to borrow the book from my friend as soon as I can and recommend you read her story as well. The thing that she emphasized the most is that if something feels wrong to you, then you are probably right and should act in accordance to how you feel.
I also went to a class as part of the open classroom project. It was an advanced French class and the students in it had prepared presentations on wonderful French women in history. They included Aliénor d'Aquitaine, Camille Claudel, Christine de Pisan, and George Sand (that is her nom de plume. Her real name is Amadine Lucille dePain.. I think). Aliénor was the most interesting I think, perhaps because the woman who prepared her presentation was the most thorough. Aliénor lived from 1122 to 1204, around 80 years which was unheard of at the time, outliving most of her children. She was married multiple times but always retained sole control over her region of France. She joined crusades and even led 300 other female warriors bare breasted into Jerusalem (I think that's the right city, someone should double check me) ha ha. She lead revolts against her former husbands and was the mother of Richard the Lionheart. Really interesting and powerful woman.
After the Parlé en Francais, I attended a panel discussion titled "Look Like This and Be Sexy." My communication professor Kim Zarkin and two other professors, one from nutrition and one a human performance and wellness professor each presented on different but related topics. Kim discussed the roles that the media can play in women's body image. She discussed the ways that women are presented in the media and the problems that can arise if we don't talk about how they are problematic. I hope to take her class "Race, Gender, and the Media" next fall. Next was a presentation about nutrition and the interesting facts about BMI - for example, recommended BMI numbers are actually lower than they should be. She also gave some tips on eating healthy. Women she said need to make sure they get a lot of water, fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and iron (especially for menstruating women). The last woman spoke about the five pillars of wellness and how sometimes exercise addition can take the form of bulimia and anorexia. Health is an overall balance of Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Social, and Intellectual activities. I really wish I was able to attend more of the Women's History classes and lectures.
A few books I have been reading also tie into this posts theme so I will tell you about them before signing off. First is Women in Utah History: Paradigm or Paradox?. It is a collection of scholarly articles written about women in Utah History - duh - but it compares their history to the history of women in the U.S. in general. There are some interesting similarities and differences as women's roles and rights were changing with the Western expansion of the U.S. and the Mormon settling of Utah. The essays address issues of polygamy, legal status, religion, education, employment, arts, politics, and more. I highly recommend it so far.
The second book I have read/am reading is Cunt: a declaration of independence. I also highly recommend it. I will describe it with a quote from the back of the book: "An ancient title of respect for women, the word 'cunt' long ago veered off this noble path. Inga Muscio traces the road from honor to expletive, giving women the motivation and tools to claim 'cunt' as a positive and powerful force in their lives. With humor and candor, she shares her own history as she explores the cultural forces that influence women's relationships with their bodies." This is a beautiful, funny, motivating book that has changed my view of womanhood and the responsibilities I have as a feminist. I warn my more conservative readers that she is on the liberal end of things, but you could probably guess that from her bold title.
That ends my cunt loving post :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Blake's 4th date
Last weekend, I took Blake out on the 4th date I've ever taken him on. Lol, I swear there have been more..... but he says it was the 4th. I don't remember what the other 3 were besides a near death experience at Antelope Island, which discouraged me from planning another date for quite some time. When I say near death, I am not exaggerating. Most of the dates I plan have major complications, it's a reflection of my horrid planning skills and general bad luck. I am happy to report that this date was a success.
We ate at the Blue Iguana. Downtown was packed. There was a jazz game that night and we saw some High School kids in formalwear so it was prom somewhere, adding to the parking frenzy around Blue Iguana (it's in the same building as Benihana). But we lucked out and got a meter spot - yay! The restaurant was busy and we had to wait for about 20 minutes. We should have gotten there earlier because then we were pushing it to make the play we were going to afterwards. I ate faster than I have ever eaten in my life. Blake is always saying I'm a slow eater but I never believed him until this weekend when I went to Crystal Hot Springs. My friends and I ate at Beehive afterwards and I got my burger first and was the last one still eating. So eating fast was hard for me, but we managed to get there with some time to spare.
We saw Hancock County at my school. It was based on court proceedings for the trials of men charged with conspiracy to murder Joseph Smith. It was surprisingly good. The characters were well developed and it brought up a lot of universal themes which spurred intelligent and meaningful conversation all while telling an interesting story, strongly based in historical facts. Blake liked it a lot, as well which made this date a success :) (Here is an article about the play, from it's presentation at BYU, not Westminster, but I think it gives a good overview if you're interested.)
We ate at the Blue Iguana. Downtown was packed. There was a jazz game that night and we saw some High School kids in formalwear so it was prom somewhere, adding to the parking frenzy around Blue Iguana (it's in the same building as Benihana). But we lucked out and got a meter spot - yay! The restaurant was busy and we had to wait for about 20 minutes. We should have gotten there earlier because then we were pushing it to make the play we were going to afterwards. I ate faster than I have ever eaten in my life. Blake is always saying I'm a slow eater but I never believed him until this weekend when I went to Crystal Hot Springs. My friends and I ate at Beehive afterwards and I got my burger first and was the last one still eating. So eating fast was hard for me, but we managed to get there with some time to spare.
We saw Hancock County at my school. It was based on court proceedings for the trials of men charged with conspiracy to murder Joseph Smith. It was surprisingly good. The characters were well developed and it brought up a lot of universal themes which spurred intelligent and meaningful conversation all while telling an interesting story, strongly based in historical facts. Blake liked it a lot, as well which made this date a success :) (Here is an article about the play, from it's presentation at BYU, not Westminster, but I think it gives a good overview if you're interested.)
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Vagina Monologues
On February 7, I went to my school's production of the Vagina Monologues as part of our V-Day celebration. For those of you not familiar with what V-day is, check out the v-day website. My dad rolled his eyes when he heard I was going. I was a little nervous going because I had come across some potent criticisms of the monologues. (I like to do a little research on things before I participate, I do the same thing about buying anything besides clothes and shoes those are usually impuls buys, and I like tangents aparently). But I really enjoyed it.
I know my mother would be horrified at some of the monologues. They talked about all things vagina related; sex, orgasms, rape, the anatomy of the vagina, the words we use to talk about vaginas, birth, etc. It was a celebration of womanhood and a call to end violence against women. 90 percent of the proceeds all went to benefit the Rape Recovery Center in Sugarhouse. The other 10 percent went to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where women's bodies are becomming the battle ground of a war.
The last and most sad monologue was one that Eve Ensler wrote about an experience she had in the DRC. It was called "Baptized." She told about a 7 year old girl she met there who had been gang raped. From that crime, she had an extra hole in her body and no longer had the ability to control her bladder. While she was sitting on Eve's lap, she accidentally peed on her. Eve said at that moment she was baptized. I understand the critiques about the Vagina Monologues that come from both conservative groups and other feminists, but I don't see how you can criticize what Eve Ensler is trying to do with the monologues and V-Day. No woman or girl should ever have to be the victim of sexual violence or abuse, and that is what V-Day is all about.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
My Boyfriend's Back!
Yay! Just in time for Valentines Day :) even though I will be celebrating the holiday by working at the Joe and then hanging out with my girl friend Tara ha ha. Details on the experience as well as my reaction to V-day (probably including another long paper for school) to follow :)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My little Bro
I was looking through some old pictures on my computer and found this one of my little brother Luke from a couple years ago. I couldn't help but post it, he was so cute and still is. He used to climb up on the dishwasher door when he was little, that's what he is doing here.
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