My Life So Far

Hullo, lovely people:)
Wow, these past few months have been both odd and amazing, with lots of good things to read and movies to watch. And some of them have been so incredible, I had to share:

Little Boy is a movie that came out this year, and I don't know why it's not more well-known. It's absolutely superb! Set during WWII, a small boy's father-and-best-friend leaves to go to war. And this boy will do anything to get his dad back. The preacher tells him if he has faith, the impossible can happen. But it will require him to be kind, to visit the sick and the sick-in-heart, and even befriend the old local "Jap". But as the war continues, the adults in his life begin to worry. Will faith really be enough to bring his father back? Or will they end up having to break the hard truth to him? And can his simple love and faith stop the prejudice that threatens his new Japanese friend?
I. have. never. cried. so much. during one movie. Good tears and sad tears. The story is told simply and powerfully. I haven't seen a movie this good in years.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri (trans. Eileen Hall): I picked this up a couple of months ago expecting it to be boring. Far from it. It was absolutely enchanting! A very small girl named Heidi goes to live with her gruff grandpa in the Swiss alps. He doesn't like the local villagers and they don't like him. But Heidi's simple love of her grandfather softens the old man's heart. There are complications in her life and in the lives of others, but Heidi has a way of bringing hope and healing to people with her  personality, as well as helping her grandfather to believe in God again. It was a beautiful read, and the descriptions were stunning, and her interactions with people were both thought-provoking and funny.

Also coming up this weekend is General Conference, one of the highlights of my year! This is where the leaders of my church speak to us and it's broadcast all over the world. The topics are inspirational and spiritual, concerning issues of the day and how we can strengthen our families and our relationship with God. The great thing is, you don't have to belong to this church to watch--there's something in it for everyone:) So, I invite all of y'all (dear me, that rhymes) to watch it with me this weekend and get inspired! Click here for more info.

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I Love People

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Fire with Fire

Remember back when books had struggles between light and dark, not grey with black?
It is a curious trend I notice springing up in most literature, especially YA. The "good guys" are grey and fighting against a even worse threat.
I'm not saying antiheroes are bad, but at least there was a time when these anti-heroes learned their lesson and changed themselves and their world for the better. That is becoming increasingly rare.

Nowadays books are not so strict on the distinction between light and dark.
What are they telling us?

"It's okay to kill fellow children if you're trying to survive."
"Doomed souls like vampires and fallen angels make good romantic companions."

Now, many good books I know have characters that do take a brief walk on the dark side. But once the lesson is learned they turn towards the light and abandon the dark--they even defeat the dark with their new-found light.
Where did that all go?

You remember the old books? I mean, look at The Dark is Rising! The entire series is a literal Light vs. Dark!
Believe me, if Tolkien had never written The Lord of the Rings, and if it were written today, it's be some story of how a hobbit fought evil with the aid a possessive ring. It'd be grey vs. black.
Tolkien avoided that. The ring cannot be used by anyone. It is evil and cannot be used for good in any manner, shape, or form.

I suppose what I'm saying is that I wish that books nowadays didn't focus so much on fighting fire with fire (although I do see the need to defend yourself from evil by fighting.)
I just wish there were books nowadays where love, compassion, and truth could conquer overwhelming darkness.

Give me less darkness. I want light.

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Mythical

If there's one collection of Greek myths I love, it's The McElderly Book of Greek Myths. It has to be one of the only collections I shall ever buy for my children.

The first reason, of course, is the narrative. Instead of treating the people scattered throughout the tales as stiff, black-and-white archetypes, Mr. Kimmel gives them character, explians their weaknesses and describes their strengths. He really makes them human (if human can be used to describe the mythical beings in the stories.)

Take this example from "Pandora's Box":

Epimetheus came home. He found Pandora lying on the floor...Her eyes were red from weeping.
The overturned box lay in the corner. He knew at once what had happened. "I am so sorry," Pandora said. "I broke my promise...I only meant to take a peek. Instead I ruined everything."
"Don't be sorry," said Epimetheus, taking her hand. "You made a mistake. That is all. the fault was mine. I should have explained what was in the box and why it had to remain closed."

It also has the occasional laugh, as shown in "Persephone and Hades":

Persephone let out a shriek. The ruler of the Underworld was frightening enough. Seeing him in
love was absolutely terrifying.

Even Medusa has depth. She is evil, to be sure, but only came down that path after becoming embittered by the curse that took away her beauty. 

And the romances are told in such a  beautiful way--even if most of them are tragic. (As a poster for the opera Orpheus and Eurydice once said: "Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy goes to Hades to get girl back.")

But the main reason I adore this collection are Pep Montserrat's illustrations. They add such passion and drama to the stories! The emotion in the pictures, coupled with Mr. Kimmel's writing really bring it all to life.

Take a look:

"Now is the time. Kill your father!"

I never wondered what Daedalus and Icarus might have felt
when they were imprisoned--until this illustration.

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Which Avenger Are You? a quiz

A personality quiz I made for fun after seeing The Avengers for the second time.
Man, I love that movie.
(Please do not use or re-post without my permission.)

Which Avenger are you?

1. You are at a party. You:
a) Retreat to the punch bowl and talk to no one.
b) Get a clear scope of the room and take stock of who you know and don't know.
c) Become the life of the party. You're here to have fun.
d) Marvel at the lighting and decorations.
e) Associate only with your closest friends and ignore those you don't know.
f) Meet new people and ask them questions about themselves.

2. You wish for people to describe you as:
a) Efficient.
b) Successful.
c) Normal.
d) Strong.
e) Just.
f) A leader.

3. How would you spend your day off?
a) Hit the gym.
b) See the sights in your area.
c) Spend time with your closest friend.
d) Do things no one else has done before--break records.
e) Party. How else do you do it?
f) Do something relaxing, like listening to music.

4. Your perfect spouse would be, chiefly:
a) Intelligent and able to hold a conversation.
b) Someone who can also simply be your best friend.
c) Someone who is attractive and appreciates your skills.
d) Someone who can be tough and yet sweet.
e) Kind and gentle.
f) Someone you need who also needs you.

5. Pick a food. (No, shawarma isn't an option.)
a) A tender steak.
b) A burrito.
c) An open-faced sandwich.
d) Anything spicy.
e) Anything foreign.
f) Your comfort food.

6. You've just been given responsibility over an entire project. How do you react?
a) You don't like responsibility but you'll do it.
b) Do it all by yourself.
c) You assign different parts to team members.
d) Get ideas and listen to your team for their ideas.
e) Do most of it, asking advice only from those you trust.
f) Hand out assignments but bear the brunt of it yourself.

7. You choose your clothes based on:
a) How comfortable they are.
b) The name-brands.
c) How many things you can actually do while wearing them.
d) How attractive it makes you look.
e) If they will last long.
f) If it's considered 'nice'--as in, you could wear it to a job interview.

8. When faced with a new problem you:
a) Keep your cool and attempt to obliterate it.
b) Shrink away at first but then deal with it later.
c) Attack and destroy it.
d) Create a step-by-step plan to get through it.
e) Search for the right thing to do morally.
f) Take a step back and study it from all sides before making a decision.

9. What does your room usually look like?
a) Full of gadgets (TVs, computers, video games, etc.)
b) Pretty clean.
c) Dim-lit and secluded.
d) With books and papers scattered everywhere.
e) Tastefully decorated, yet comfortable.
f) Neat, and everything has a place.





Answer key:

Questions 1-5: 
Thor: f, e, b, a, a
Captain America: d, f, a, d, c
Hulk: a, c, f, e, f
Black Widow: e, d, c, f, e
Iron Man: c, b, e, c, b
Hawk Eye: b, a, d, b, d

Questions 6-9:
Thor: d, e, e, e
Captain America: c, f, d, b
Hulk: a, a, b, d
Black Widow: e, d, a, c
Iron Man: b, b, c, a
Hawk Eye: f, c, f, f

See which character's results you have the most of.

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A Break

I am going to try and rearrange my schedule, so this September I'm going to take a break from blogging. Don't worry (if you are worried); I will be back in a month.

Cheers!

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Sometimes

If you've been following this blog, you'd know by now that I love The Lord of the Rings. I've read the books three times and watched the films countless times. I own Lord of the Rings Trivia and play it with gusto.
But sometimes, somehow, people seem to lose sight of the books, and the man who started it all as they celebrate the actors' birthdays and watch the latest Peter Jackson vlog.
Myself included.

Sometimes I just want to take a break from the world. Sometimes I just want to curl up with the books and and enjoy them in their purest and simplest form.

And I can't help but wonder, is this just me?

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To Peter Jackson:

No.
Do not, I repeat, do not make The Hobbit a trilogy.
I can understand a two-parter; it's a deep book.
But a trilogy's just pushing it.

I respect your movie-making skills. But do this and I can guarantee you that you're going to have a lot of extremely upset people on your hands.
Yours truly included.

PS--If you really want to use that extra footage so badly, do an extended edition! 

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Tales of Goldstone Wood Name Drawing

When I first picked up Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, I didn't think I would like it.
So the fact that I ended up loving it to pieces was quite a wonderful surprise.
I usually don't read too many modern authors, but Heartless was a breath of fresh air. I'm so glad I didn't judge it by its cover, because the story inside was beautiful and full of heart. (As a plus, it's clean!)

On the author's blog, Ms. Stengl is offering a drawing for a copy of her third book, Moonblood.

Yeah, I'm excited.

In order to enter one must blog and/or facebook about why people should read the series. They must also post the picture below. And in order to get your name put in twice, name your favorite character. (Mine is Aethelbald. Unlike most love interests in modern stories, Aethelbald is neither cold nor reptilian. He is genuine, and loves Una despite her flaws, and is never willing to give up.)

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Americans for Foreigners

by Norman Rockwell

Alright, so maybe I'm a little prejudiced. I am, after all, American. But I felt a need to explain. It's all fun and games to read the stereotypes of different countries. Until it's you.
I was flipping through "The Xenophobe's Guide to Americans"--just for fun--and I couldn't help but feel a little...insulted.

And I thought I'd better bust some myths about us.
(Note: This is just me. I can't vouch for every American.)


1. "Americans are loud, brash, and juvenile"

Not all Americans are alike. I'm sorry to say, but we're not. We have a national identity, of course--Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. But some of us are quiet and reserved while some of us are outgoing. We're all from different walks of life. Someone who lives in New York is vastly different from someone who lives in Arizona, and they're both vastly different from someone who lives in Minnesota. And yet we're all linked by the freedoms we have.
As for "loud and brash and juvenile"--yes, some of us are. Of course, the book also claimed that all Americans say they're different/better than the others, so maybe foreigners wouldn't believe me if I told them that I know lots of brash and materialistic Americans, but I also know many intelligent Americans who think before they speak.
What others call being loud and informal we call being friendly and outgoing. And though some of us form quick attachments to other people, a lot of us are more cautious in making friends. It takes time to really know someone.

2. "Americans are sloppy"

What foreigners call "sloppy" we call "comfortable". We don't go for stuffy and stiff. We didn't have five-hundred years of aristocracy to give us that. We wear what's comfortable, though I would like to point out that we dress up for important events like graduations and job interviews.
 And, no, we're not all fat. Some of us only eat out at restaurants five times a year, believe it or not. And yes, impolite people are looked down upon. It's very important to be polite in America. Although we couldn't care less which way to position the spoon on the plate after we're done with it. That's just not important. As long as you chew with your mouth closed, and don't interrupt someone, and be kind, you're polite.

3. "Americans don't travel much"

I know many people who travel to different countries. But the thing is, our own country is so varied and big that we travel here as well. And we love foreign travelers, and we love to talk to them about the world outside. Unfortunately, I know some Americans who, when traveling abroad, mistakenly think that everyone should speak English too. But they are not the rule.
Also, when we say "I'm Polish" or "I'm Italian", even though we never visited the country or spoken the language, we are simply describing our heritage. There is no need to explain that we are not literally Polish. That is quite obvious.

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Score, Anyone?

I love the Tangled soundtrack.
There's no getting past it--Alan Menken is a genius at coming up with catchy tunes with clever twists.
But the main reason I adore the soundtrack is the score. I can't help but feel that Mr. Menken is underappreciated in that department.
I mean, I absolutely adore the songs that the characters sing. But my main loves are the the instrumental ones on the soundtrack. Because who doesn't love "Kingdom Dance"? It was actually the song that--when I saw a clip for it--made me decide that "Hey, this movie might not be so bad. I may actually go see it."
And "Waiting for the Lights" is stunning, and "The Tear Heals" is utterly climatic.
My absolute favorite, however, has to be "Campfire". It's so beautiful, so romantic, and reminds me slightly of the works of James Newton Howard.

So, I just thought I'd get a little love for the score out there. It really is splendid.

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Quick After-Battle Triple Chocolate Cake

This is a delicious recipe from the Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede. I've had the pleasure of baking it numerous times, and I just thought I'd share it.
Note: If you don't have chocolate milk, simply use regular milk and double the amount of cocoa. And you don't have to sprinkle powdered sugar on top. For me, it simply ruins it.
Transcriber's note: This is the original recipe as used by the barbarian swordsman. Amounts and instructions for somewhat more conventional kitchens are given in parentheses.

First, round up the prisoners and have them  make a good fire. Pile shields around it to hold in heat.
(Preheat oven to 350°.)

Assemble ingredients:
Butter the size of a good spear head (1 stick butter or margarine)
A good fistful of brown sugar (1/2 cup brown sugar, packed)
A big fistful of white sugar (1/2 cup white sugar)
A couple of eggs (2 large eggs)
A good splash of vanilla (2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
Secret Magic Ingredient (2 Tablespoons blackstrap molasses)
Milk from a chocolate cow (2/3 cup chocolate milk)
A small fistful of cocoa (1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa)
Two or three fistfuls of flour (1 cup flour)
Pinch of salt (1/2 teaspoon salt)
Two pinches soda (1 teaspoon baking soda)
Hunk of chocolate, hacked into bits with second-best sword (1 6-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips)

Pick a small shield and clean it, then grease it up good. Sprinkle in a little flour and save it for later.
(Grease and flour a 13" X 9" pan.)

In somebody else's  helmet, beat butter and brown sugar and white sugar together—make sure helmet is clean before using! Add eggs and beat some more. Add vanilla and Secret Magic Ingredient and beat it all again. (In a large bowl, cream butter or margarine until fluffy. Add brown sugar and white sugar and mix thoroughly. Add eggs, vanilla, and blackstrap molasses, beating well after each addition.)

Stir flour, cocoa, salt, and soda together in whatever is handy. Add to batter, alternating with milk. Beat real good. Stir in chocolate pieces. (In a seperate container, stir flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda together. Beat into butter mixture, alternating with the chocolate milk. Beat for 1-2 minutes, then fold in chocolate chips.)

Dump batter into greased shield. Bake next to fire while gathering loot. Give helmet back to sucker who let you mix cake in it; promise him first piece if he gets too mad. Eat warm while counting loot. Serves two. (Pour batter into greased and floured 13" X 9" pan. Bake 35-40 minutes. Cake should be sort of flat and solid, not light and puffy. Let cool before cutting, or the pieces will fall apart and the gooey chocolate chips will get all over everything. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream. Serves a lot more than two, even if everybody really likes chocolate.)

I do not own. Belongs to Patricia C. Wrede.

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Take It In

It was a normal morning at the L'Enfant Plaza Station in Washington. People scurried through on thier way to work, almost totally oblivious to the violinist playing with his case open for donations.
He looked like any other street musician--jeans, t-shirt, and a baseball cap.

What they didn't know was that it was the world-famous violinist Joshua Bell.

He had been approached and asked to do an experiment: If a famous classical musician played like any other street musician, would anyone notice his music? Would people stop and listen to what they thought was a random musician, which was in reality a world-class violinist whose concerts cost some thousand dollars just to get in?
Or would he be ignored?

As Joshua Bell played Bach and Schubert in a tiny little station, most people ignored him. When interviewed later, most of the commuters simply said that they didn't even notice he was there. The reason? They were listening to thier ipods.
Some people actually were irritated by the music and talked louder on thier cell phones as they passed by to try and drown it out.

But some people did stop and listen. Very few people, but they did it just the same. They decided to stand there and take it all in.

When I heard this story, I couldn't help but wonder: Would I have noticed? Would I have listened? Or would I have been "too busy"?

Maybe sometimes we just need to slow down and take in every beautiful detail that life has to offer. The world could be filled with wonder if we just let it. Maybe I'm waxing a little too philosophical, but this story makes me want to slow down a bit more, smell the roses, y'know?

So here's a question:

Would you have stopped to listen?

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Reminder

This is a reminder that the Movie Quote Contest is still in full swing until Monday the 12th, and anyone who wants to join may do so.

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Movie Quote Contest

I got this idea of a Movie Quote Contest from Eldarwen.
Here's how it works: You leave a comment, telling me which characters said each quote and also which movie it's from. You need to include both.

No cheating!

The contest opens now, and will end on Monday the 12th.
Let's begin:

1

Character 1: Look, I think it's only fair to warn you that I'm practiced in the ancient art of...origami.

2

Character 1: If I could offer an opinion in regards to this scheme? It seems, uh, foolhardy, redolent with danger, and doomed to failure. Otherwise I can find no fault with it.

3
Character 1: What are you doing?
Character 2: I am Googling at 30 thousand feet.
Character 1: Are you supposed to be doing that?
Character 2: Welcome to the 21st century.

4
Character 1: You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

5
Character 1: Wait, you mean read?
Character 2: While we're still alive?

6
Character 1: You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?

7
Character 1: Now, what did you want to tell me?

Character 2: Something that, I think, will have a very big impact upon your life.
Character 1: I already have braces.
Character 2: No, it's bigger than orthodontia.

8
Character 1: Who would've thought we'd have a black son before we knew a Democrat?

9
Character 1:Where's he going?
Character 2: To some remote and far away land where no one will ever find him. Like Paraguay. Or Iowa. 

10
Character 1: Are you from the future?
Character 2: Yeah, he is. I'm not.
Character 1: Well, that's brilliant. Do they still have sandwiches there?

11
Character 1: And, Daddy, they took my boot!

12
Character 1: We’re going to need three goats, an hourglass, one of us is going to need to learn how to play the trumpet while the other does this.
Character 2: I know a man with a goat.
Character 1: Good, then I can go like this!

13
Character 1: I met someone.
Character 2: Yes, the wanted thief. I'm so proud.

14
Character 1: You know, you really ought to be a little more courteous.
Character 2: Oh, Great. Now I'm getting etiquette lessons from a bilge rat.

15
Character 1: Ring, ring. Who is it? Destiny? I've been expecting your call.

16
Character 1: There is nothing like being Mayor. I get to sign resolutions, approve ordinances, submit budgets. And, in the Edible Parade, I'm the one sitting on top of the giant meatball.

17
Character 1: Where am I supposed to go?
Character 2: I don't know.
Character 1: You don't know, or you don't care?
Character 2: Pick one.

18
Character 1: It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children.
Character 2: But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey, our worldly clothes were given to the poor.
Character 1: What about this one?
Character 2: The poor didn't want this one.

19
Character 1: You'll be able to command light or fire, move objects, summon great strength and, of course, step through time.
Character 2: Can I fly?
Character 1: What?
Character 2: You know - shwoosh - fly.
Character 3: No. No I don't think you can.

20
Character 1: And what excellent boiled potatoes. It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.

21

Character 1: Doctor, to muse and blabber about a treasure map in front of this particular crew, demonstrates a level of ineptitude that borders on the imbecilic! And I mean that in a very caring way.

22
Character 1: Oh, to be young and to feel love's keen sting.

23

Character 1: Scars heal.
Character 2: No they don't. Wounds heal.

Character 1: Oh, yeah...what do scars do? They fade, I guess...

24

Character 1: Albuquerque. See, I can do it too. Snorkel.

25

Character 1: This mortal form grows weak. I require sustenance!

26
Character 2: Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall.
Character 1: Yep.
Character 2: Sharp rocks at the bottom?
Character 1: Most likely.
Character 2: Bring it on.

27
Character 1: Have fun stormin' the castle!

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Heroes

A list of all of my heroes.

Who are yours?

Florence Nightingale

She was a wealthy young woman with a chance to live a quiet, comfortable life.

And yet she gave it up to be a nurse. She saved lives then, and her methods have

saved lives now.

Aung San Suu Kyi

A peaceful fighter for Burmese democracy, she has been unjustly imprisoned (she was

just lately granted her freedom). But she has still not given up.

Joan of Arc

I may not be Catholic, but Joan of Arc still inspires me.

Ronald Reagan

He was a president who got things done. If he was our president today, our country

would be on the right track.

Albert Einstein

The most brilliant man the world has ever seen. He never listened to the critics.

Mother Theresa

She did so much good in this world and left behind a wonderful legacy.

Black Agnes

(Also known as Lady Agnes Randolph of Dunbar)

When her husband was way at war, the English Earl of Salisbury tried to take her castle, and

ultimately Scotland itself. But she refused to surrender, and fought him with everything

she had (which, admittedly, wasn't much.) And yet she was able to beat him back.

Gandhi

He was able to protest British rule in India peacefully, and I can't think of any one

more true to himself than he was.

Winston Churchill

The British Prime Minister during WWII, he learned from his mistakes and

was a major leader for the Allies.

George Washington

Our first president and arguably one of the best, and humblest of men.

Who else do you know would have turned down the chance to be a king?

Joseph of Egypt

He was far from home when he was carried into Egypt. And yet not only did he shine in

everything he did, but he resisted temptation and stayed true.

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One Painting To Rule Them All

Extremely random.

Artist is unknown.

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Stop SOPA and PIPA

I don't usually blog about politics, but...

The American government wants to pass a law that allows them to censor our websites and internet. That means that if they don't approve of a website they can shut it down and no one can say anything about it.
A government-controlled internet...What a horrifying idea! Imagine the government controlling where we get our information, and what information we get...

Stop SOPA and PIPA from passing!

Spread the Word!

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Guest Post

I wrote a guest post for Story Weaver's lovely blog "Writer Sense."
You can check it out here.

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Cello Wars

This is awesome.
My geek nerves are all a-tingling.

 

(Don't forget to check out The Piano Guys' more...er...serious videos.)

 

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