Trash TV

I realized, that in general, some of my favorite television programs are complete trash. I am an intelligent Latter-Day Saint woman, yet some of my favorite television shows include: Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Beverly Hills 90210 (the old gang; not the current), Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill (past phase), and (secretively) The Hills (it's a love/hate thing I am going through). YET, I absolutely HATE crude programming, like Family Guy. The question begs to be asked, am I okay with the amount of sexual content in my choice of programs? I must be to a certain degree; after all, Grey's Anatomy wouldn't be the same if it weren't for the bed hopping, regrettable choices made under the influence, and awkward elevator moments. I highly doubt I would watch without that element of sex, tension and anticipatory excitement.

Even worse, I have found myself rooting for certain characters to "do it". I wish I could think of a recent example, but of course, it is currently escaping me. I have the same problem with movies too. Of course I know better, but in this fabricated reality, I don't have to worry about morals, the exaltation of the soul or consequences of the characters' behavior. Would I really want to watch something where no one swore, dressed modestly, and went on group dates, like night games in the park? Everyone home my midnight? I can't say it would keep me as entertained as some of the above mentioned programs.

My mind/life isn't completely consumed by this junk either. I am probably one of the only people that tunes in to past BYU devotionals, and that round table scripture study thing the old guys and occasional lady do. Aside from those two programs, I find BYU tv to be a total snore. I often think of my future children as motivation for change. I think to myself, would I want them watching this? When the answer is no, I know I am responsible for being the first agent of change. I don't know that I have come to a conclusion, but these have been my current thoughts on the subject.

Monday continued...

Now that I blogged about my fabulous weekend, I am left with the reality of Monday and the week ahead. I am up to my eyeballs with school-related projects that I have neither the energy or attention span to dedicate my time towards. I have been working on my note card for my media final and keep looking for ways to take breaks. I've gotten up to get a snack, read the ensign, fix my hair, wipe down my counter tops, reorganize binders, throw away notes from previous semesters. I am literally looking for anything (including blogging!) to keep myself from the work at hand. Well, back to the grind...

Monday

I have had an amazing weekend! Saturday morning I woke up, deep cleaned the apartment, went to pilates, lunch after with the girl friends, thrift store shopping after and then a trip up to the Conference Center to watch the Young Ambassadors perform. They were awesome! I also saw Grant, that guy that sang in our class the other week.

Sunday I went for a run, then church, then off to SLC again to make dinner with friends. After, we had the opportunity to meet and hear Elder Christofferson speak! It was a really neat experience. Elder Christofferson is from their stake. It was a very downlow, small-ish and intimate setting. I feel so blessed to have had experiences like this, being at a university where the prophet himself speaks at! I also created a healthy cookie recipe that actually tastes good. They're guilt free zucchini cookies. Love it!

Favorite Books

As part of an assignment for my media class, we have to dedicate one post about our favorite book as a child and our current favorite book. The favorite book that came to mind during my childhood was anything from the Ramona series. I can't remember very much from the series, but the things that come to mind make me laugh. I remember her doll named Chevrolet, because she liked the way it sounded. I think there was also a time when Ramona had green hair. These books perfectly capture the world of a child, for a child, without feeling like a "children's book" for the child reader.
My current favorite book is a tie between a long time beloved book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and a more recent favorite, The Hiding Place. I have read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn many times, and every time I finish wanting to read it again. It is the story of Francie Nolan and her life. The Hiding Place is a powerful, true story of a woman and her family that save the lives of many Jews by hiding them in a secret place inside their home/watch shop. It beautifully braids faith, family and routines and rituals in to this amazing story. I cried throughout most of this book! I was so touched and moved by the faith of this woman, and her goodly parents for having instilled in her the love of God and for all his people.

I'm in a relationship!

... with my alarm clock that is. Patiently, it deals with my failures (not waking up when I set it to go to the gym), puts up with my "5 more minutes" routine, doesn't take it personally when I tell it to shut up, sleeps by my side, helps me get moving when I don't want to, is the first thing I look at when I wake up to, and last thing before I fall asleep. At times, we have had our love-hate, but through it all, my alarm clock remains. Thank you alarm clock, for getting me out of bed most days, through thick and thin.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all! I have been taking pictures of all the things I would like to blog about but sadly, do not have a cord to hook my camera to my computer. Those thoughts will have to wait for another day. Today, I feel especially reflective as I have contemplated motherhood, marriage and where I fit in everything. I don't fit in any of those boxes, but I have decided to celebrate the day in honor of those that do. I made mother's day cards for friends and family, peach cookies and plan to make deliveries for the ladies I visit teach. I feel twinges of sadness at what I have lost but remain hopeful for things to come. Borrowing from a phrase of President Uchtdorf "Big gates move on small hinges". Small little me will one day do great things.

I love my sewing machine!

The adventure began at Savers in Midvale, UT. I found not just one, but two pairs of the fabulous, Lucky brand jeans. The manufacturers had placed an inconvenient tear in the denim, but for $1.50 (BELIEVE IT!) each I couldn't go wrong! (Sidenote/FYI: Savers is THE place to do holiday shopping; typically everything is 1/2 off.) Anyhow, I put a patch over the holes and went on my way. Unfortunately, the holes are in what some would call "high stress areas". Did I mention I ride my bike everywhere too? The patch didn't last for too long and eventually the tear continued. I left it for some time, but eventually the breeze was becoming more unpleasant. Over the weekend I made it out to Jo-Anne's and bought replacement patches. This time, I sewed the patches in so there would be no awkward relapses. I have an amazing Bernina sewing machine that does all sorts of fancy things. One of them, is replicating the "in" trend of patch work on denim. Even though no one will notice my handiwork (due to the uncomfortable location of the garment tear)I am really excited with how the project turned out. I only wish I had taken before photos so my followers could appreciate the giant hole in my pants! Thank you Bernina, I love you!