I Did What?

WHAT THE....

This past semester I have been observing students at one of the local High School's trying to gear up to student teach, (UGH) and today I got a chance at teaching.  I didn't mind teaching, it was not terrible.  I was lucky enough to be in an advanced nutrition class with mostly seniors.  The "super seniors" were very well behaved and there was only once that I stopped and looked at two girls chatting.  I stopped talking, gave them a look that said, "Ladies, I'm in charge now zip it!" Nicely, YES NICELY glared them down until they stopped talking.  Fair enough, right?

Okay, let's get to the "WHAT THE..."  My teacher, whom I have been observing, asked that I teach for about 20 minutes on the introduction into Lipids - FATS, and other chemistry related junk.  I got completely honest with her a few weeks back, and told her straight up that I don't care to be a teacher anymore...(wondering now if I ever wanted to teach in the first place....I'm digressing here....)  She assured me that I would do a great job teaching, and from what she has already observed from my being in the classroom she said I would be good at it???  What does she know, but whatever?  I told her I am happy to be here and do whatever is asked of me, and when I student teach (at this same school - totally happy about that) I will keep a positive attitude and do my best.  But, come graduation I am heading to the skies to be a flight attendant, if the Lord be will'n of course.  If that's not the case, then what the heck, I'll put my teaching degree and license to work.  Somewhere, hopefully???  Still, I am hoping for the skies baby, the deep blue skies baby!  Again, I'm digressing!!!!!

So, my practicum teacher asked me to teach on lipids.  I studied up to find that lipids - what I am studying now in food science actually goes really well with this nutrition teaching lesson.  I decided to be all cutesy and make a fun little toddler game - "Memory" out of all the lipid terms.  I made color copies of lipid based pictures, put them on red and yellow paper (to match their school colors), and then when the student would make a match with one of the lipid terms we would then discuss that picture/term.  I had pictures of Cheerios to represent cholesterol, a girl throwing up to represent bile which is made from cholesterol, a jar of Mayonnaise to represent phospholipids that create emulsions, and so forth.  Of course I made several other pictures/terms, but this is boring stuff, that involves chemistry and we all know how much I love chemistry....  Speaking of chemistry....as the pictures in the game got turned over, and the matches were made we came to a term known as Triglyceride.  Oh no, this is where I suddenly got all chemical on my students and started talking about saturated fats and unsaturated fats, WHAT THE!!!  Saturated and unsaturated fats always gave me such a headache I could never understand what they are and how they work.  Now all of a sudden I'm spouting out these terms like it's my favorite subject in the world.  I thought for sure that once my chemistry hootenannies were over and done with I would be completely rid of that terrible subject.  Just ain't so ya'll.  I was pouring out chemistry terms like soda pop from a fountain.  Again, WHAT THE?!?!?  Here's to saying I guess this battle of chemistry is actually doing some good in my life, for whatever reason.

Yeppers, I had to teach today, and I did the unthinkable by talking about chemistry, which I never in a million years thought it would be of any use.  I was proven wrong with that hypotenuse???  Seriously, more chemistry crap coming out of my mouth!  Stop the madness!  To end my little teaching stint we ended with a clip from the good o'l John Candy era, and watched a short clip from The Great Outdoors to finish my lesson off with another lipid term known as satiety.  Which is how fats make you have that feeling of being full - you might feel that here in a few weeks after Thanksgiving...just saying.

When all was said and done I actually enjoyed teaching today, and maybe this teaching thing won't be so bad after all?  However, I still need to get through next semester with student teaching and all it has to offer.  In fact, I just found out who I'm student teaching with, and where I'm student teaching at.  I will have two foods classes (cooking classes), an adult roles class, and my most exciting class interior design. I will be observing/helping out in a pro start cooking class, and an advanced sewing class.  Sadly though, when I got the high school calendar I immediately sat down and counted/marked all 60 days I have to be in the classroom.  I start January 9, 2012 and will end April 3, 2012 - happy day!!!  Won't it be interesting to see how many more "WHAT THE's" I end up having....

Three Cheers for, "The Help"

Last year at this time my book club was reading the book, The Help.  I hadn't really heard very much about it.  I started reading this book and immediatley fell in love with it.  After one chapter into the book I grabbed a pad of paper and a pen and kept it with me through out the rest of the book just so I could write down quotes from the story.

Here are some of my favorite:

• "You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important."
• "Every morning, until you dead in the ground, you gone have to make this decision.  You gone have to ask yourself, "Am I gone believe what them fools say about me today?"
• "All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries."
• "Ugly live up on this inside.  Ugly be a hurtful, mean person."
• "No one tells us, girls who don't go on dates, that remembering can be almost as good as what actually happens."
• "The day your child says she hates you, and every child will go through the phase, it kicks like a foot in the stomach."
• "It seems like at some point you'd run out of awful."
• "Frying chicken always makes me feel a little better about life."
• "I'm sorry, but were you dropped on your head as an infant."
• "Got to be the worst place in the world, inside a oven.  You in here, you either cleaning or you getting cooked."
• "I give in and light another cigarette even though last night the surgeon general came on the televeision set and shook his finger at everybody, trying to convince us that smoking will kill us.  But Mother once told me tongue kissing would turn me blind and I'm starting to think it's all just a big plot between the surgeon general and Mother to make sure no one ever has any fun."

The story is set in the 1960's, in Jackson, Mississippi.  It's about white women and their hired "help."  One of the white ladies, Skeeter is in her early 20's, and a college graduate.  As the rest of her friends are in their early 20's, and popping out babies, using their hired help to take care of them and their babies.  The story mainly focuses on Skeeter, a white girl, and two black maides, Abileen, and Minny.  The three of these women come together and write a book called "The Help" sharing stories about how the white ladies treat the black ladies in the town of Jackson, Mississippi.

I won't say much more to this story except that if you have not read this book THEN YOU NEED TO READ IT!  As soon as we finished reading and meeting at our book club I called up my Mom, and said, "We just read the best book ever!  It's called The Help and you need to check it out immediately!"  My Mommy did what I said, and she immediatley fell in love with it and then told all her friends to go read it.  After telling my Mom I then told my Boss at work.  Within a few days she had checked out the book and was loving each page.  Then between my Mom and I, we got my Sis to read The Help, and she soon fell in love with the story as well.

Well, as some of you may already know this book has recently been made into a movie.  I was not there opening night as I hoped I could be, but I recently found some time in my busy schedule to go see the movie.  Some of you may think that books should not be made into movies, but this book made the perfect movie.  It was brought to life on the big screen in such a way that it did not ruin the book, or make an awful movie adaptation.  I was so pleased with the outcome, and how closely Hollywood followed the book.  I found myself yelling at the characters, crying along with them, and laughing at their antics, that came to life even more in the movie.  There is one incident in the book that was very big, yet the detail was saved for the very end, and was only just a small part (trying not to ruin the book/movie).  However, the movie took this very big incident and glamorized it, if I can use that word, bringing it full force throughout the movie.  I was clapping at times because the movie had "glamorized" this major incident, yet small part of the book.  So, I want to say, well done Hollywood, well done.
Can I just give three cheers to this book, and three more grand cheers to a movie that follows this book so well.  Also, three cheers to first time author, Kathryn Stockett, who didn't give up on writing this book.  This was her first book, and she was actually turned down 60 times before anyone would pick up her book and read it.  What a great example of preserving.  Three cheers for sure!

Next book or movie on your list - The Help, I promise you will not be disappointed!  Now quit reading my blog, and go read the book or go see the movie!!!

Technology - Good, But Also Bad?

What did we ever do before technology?  Don't you hate when people say that?  We got by just fine.  Don't' get me wrong, I love technology, I think it's great, but I also think with all good comes some bad.  My latest technology behavior has allowed the bad to seep in quite a bit in the past few weeks.  

I have been feeling for some time that my habits of using/dealing with technology are getting out of hand.  About a month ago two of the girls I work with decided to do a "media fast" which was to cut out movies, TV, Facebook, and music.  As they told me their plans I thought to myself what a great idea - good luck to the both of you.  But, I also thought to myself, I should try to cut at least Facebook out for a month, or something.  Not that I got on Facebook that much in the past, but as of recently I have spent FAR TOO MUCH time on that social network.  And what am I accomplishing on there to begin with - NOTHING!  

Just yesterday I was on the phone with my cousins wife Shellie, and the topic came up - "technology, and how it's taking over our lives."  She told me of a friend of hers who decided to do this "no technology day" once a week.  As I continued to think about this during the day I decided that I need to take one day of the week where I don't have any use of technology.  I have decided that I will do Sunday, only because it's a day where I know I won't have any need of the computer, texting, TV, and movies. It would probably be hard to do this during the week when I am in school, and at work.  On top of all that I am teaching my Gospel Principles class on Sunday which is about "Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy," and figured that one way of keeping the Sabbath holy would be cutting out technology.  

Listen, I'm not PERFECT by any means, but a person can try!  So, I am going to try! 

Let me begin with texting.  I have done my fair share of hanging out with people and in the middle of "hang out" I'm texting another person - I try not to do this, but if they start texting someone I just go ahead and text someone also.  I'll show them, right?  That is a huge irritation of mine, texting when you are with people - totally rude.  So is texting at church, but we won't get into that today.  Next media downfall of mine, is TV.  I don't have TV anymore, thanks to the cable company who finally caught on that we shouldn't be hooked up.  It's been 4 months without it and I really haven't missed it that much.  However, I have turned to other things - like the internet, and more frequent Netflix watching.  Speaking of internet, I am grateful for my neighbors who were nice enough to give me their password to use the internet.  The other thing I am grateful about is that by using their internet I don't have full bars so it doesn't allow me to watch videos online unless I'm willing to wait hours for the movie to download and that would be a negative...I'm not that patient.  So, how do I watch my show Glee and other instant movies - oh yeah, I wait until I'm at school, or my parents house.  Which both of those places don't allow much time for movie or TV watching.  I'm not watching much TV these days, and my movies at this time are about two at a time per week due to work/school/life.  Lastly, it all then comes back to this wonderful world wide web.  I'm an addict to Gmail, Netflix, Blogger, allrecipes, Goodreads, and that social network Facebook.  It needs to stop, it all needs to stop.  I need to get this technology lifestyle under control before I lose all control.   

This is what I'm going to try to do on my one day off of technology a week.  

1. No Texting!  I will do phone calls only on this day.  Besides, what happened to the old fashioned "calling someone" to shoot the breeze.
2. No TV (already do that) - so, in my case NO MOVIES!  I will read a book, or study my next lesson for Sunday school.
3. No COMPUTER.  PERIOD!  No computer for me means, no solitaire, no playing with photo's, no iTunes organizing, and anything else that has me using my computer.  Oh hello, the internet - none of that will be going on.  Duh!
4. No Internet.  As stated above.
5. I want to say no music, but I feel that some music is okay to listen to.  Maybe eventually I'll just cut it all out.  

*  As for my latest social media addiction I am going to limit myself to once a week on Facebook.  I can do this, I did it before, and I need to start doing it again.  Besides, my brother hates Facebook and already gives me a hard time when he catches me on there.  He usually say's something like, "Are you on Facebook?  I want you to get the hell off of there in my house!"  Rude, huh.  It's all out of love.  He's right though, he is most definitely right in my opinion; I need to stay the hell off Facebook for a while. (Side note:  Facebook isn't all that bad - there are people from my mission that make me grateful for Facebook because it has helped me stay in contact.  Facebook does have some positive things...)

I can't say this is going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it to try.  (I bet this reminds some of you of my mission homecoming when I said no more "Friends" TV show...the worst part about that whole thing is my families wonderful dedication to recording all the episodes that I missed as I was out serving - then me asking them a month before I got home to get rid of all the VHS recordings they had made...only to find out several years later they released all the episodes on DVD - who knew???) 

What are your thoughts on no media, is there anything else I can do to limit myself? 

Dear Hollywood, Thank You For Making Some Good Movies!

Dearest Hollywood,

I want to thank you for the recent stream of movies you have been producing.  I just spent the majority of my spring break watching movies (THROUGH NETFLIX, OF COURSE).  I happened to time my Netflix just right, and was able to send out movies and get movies practically back to back.  Oh yeah, I totally have the system down for Netflix.  But Hollywood, I'm not here to testify and praise Netflix, I'm here to praise you on your array of great movies recently.  Where do I begin?  I don't really get out often to see movies in the theater because I am usually disturbed by obnoxious kids and adults.  However, my friend Lisa and I ventured out one lonely Friday night, at the spur of the moment, to go see the recent Adam Sandler movie, "Just Go With It."  Once upon a time I was a major Adam Sandler fan, (was a teen in high school and Adam was totally COOL!) I even wanted to have his babies!  I know, crazy?!?!?  So Lisa and I went and saw "Just Go With It" and yes, I was a little hesitant because the last Adam Sandler movie that I saw, "Grownups" was so LAME to me.  Such a waste of time.  But, I tried not to judge, and we went and saw.  Oh MY GOSH how good was this movie, SO GOOD!  I haven't laughed so hard in a movie in a really, really, really long time!  Of course there was one of those scenes that are in all of Adams movies where you are like, "really - does a human have to do something perverted to an animal?"  Okay, so I looked passed that scene and loved the rest of the movie.  Jennifer Aniston plays the luv interest, and because I am a fan of her I thought that she did a great job too.  My recommendation - if you need a good laugh, rent this movie, or heck, if it's still in the theater go see it.  Another side note, the little girl in the movie = DARLING!

Oh yes, back to you Hollywood.  You have also produced some great award winning movies that I actually agree on winning Oscars this year.  "The Social Network."  I know the majority of people out there use that social network called Facebook.  Well, you need to rent this movie and see where it all started!  My bro, whom I live with, hates Facebook.  I have to agree with him sometimes, but I got him to watch this movie with me, and he still hates Facebook.  However, he thought it was a pretty interesting story, and was amazed, like myself, about this Harvard college drop out who is now the youngest billionaire.  What the!?!  If I were to be a college drop out - well that would just be plain sad.  Very interesting story - totally recommend.  Another award winning movie you produced Hollywood was "The Fighter."  I love fighting movies like "Rocky" (only 1-5 though).  I figured I would like this one as well.  If you can look past the extensive "F" word out of Amy Adams mouth it's not that bad of a movie.  Mark Walhberg is now my favorite hottie to walk the red carpet.  YUMMY!!!  Christian Bale, and Melissa Leo also won Oscars for their roles in this movie, and were well deserved, in my opinion.  Melissa Leo, whom I have never heard of was also in another movie I took the time to watch called "Conviction" which is also a true story, and very inspiring.  However, both these movies were a little long for my attention span, but I stayed with them and was pleased with the happy endings in both.  Hollywood, I love when you make movies with happy endings - even true stories that end happily.

Okay, let's get back to more of those cheesy, romantic comedies.  That is where my heart lies.  During this week long movie watching I also viewed, "Going the Distance" - eh, "It's Kind of a Funny Story" - ohhhh, "The Switch" - yes and no, "Morning Glory" - another ohhhh, "Life As We Know It" - loved it, might have to buy it, "You Again" - cute, but once was a enough, and "How Do You Know" - boring, but liked the story line.  "It's Kind of a Funny Story" was not really funny.  It is about a young man who checks himself into a mental hospital for a week.  A lot happens in one week, he realizes life is going to be hard and suicide is not the answer.  There is a great rendition of the song "Under Pressure" sung by the cast - totally awesome!  "The Switch" was kind of slow, but I liked the story line.  And, I'm 100% in love with Jason Bateman!  Gosh, he is so dreamy to me.  I have to say that "The Switch" was a lot more tasteful and better than that STUPID Jennifer Lopez movie, "Back-Up Plan" - DUMB, with a capital D! "Morning Glory" was just a great feel good movie!  There was a little bit of romance, but the story was more about a young woman who loved her job and loved what she was doing.  It was kind of inspiring to me, and of course I teared up.  The movie "Life as We Know It" was probably my most favorite movie that I have seen in a long time.  I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more, and you know it, I cried some more!  The two main characters are set up on a blind date several years back by their two best friends.  The blind date was horrible, yet they still keep popping up in each others lives because of their best friends.  The friends are married, have a baby, then die in a car crash leaving their two friends they set up on a blind date (that didn't work out) as guardians to their little girl.  This movie reminded me a lot of the movie "Raising Helen" which is a movie I also love.  However, the story is a little different, and of course the main male character Josh Duhamel is so nice to look at!

Well Hollywood, I now have to get back to reality and can't spend all my time watching movies back to back.  But I do appreciate a lot of your recent movies, and ask that you keep producing so that people like me, who are obsessed with Netflix and movies, can continue fulfilling my life with these solid films.  I look forward to the next "up and coming" new releases to hit the big screen.  Until then, keep up the good work of making movies that I love and will even rent more than once on Netflix.

All my motion picture cinema love,
Libby

A Mid-Singles Mormon Dance, and Other Nonsense Dilemmas

Please don't laugh at me, but LAUGH WITH ME!

Before reading consider your life, and situation.

1. If you are married, have kids, etc. I know there are days you want to throw in the towel...if you feel like doing that think of me, and being 30 and single. Soon your sorrows will soon disappear.

2. I put myself into this situation ONLY because I was called to be a Singles Representative for my ward. Lord help me, and those in my situation!!!!!!!!!! (I would never wish this calling upon anyone...not even my worst enemy - okay, so maybe my worst enemy...)

A Mid-Singles Mormon Dance

"How do I get myself into these situations," I thought as I walked into the darkened cultural hall of the LDS chapel Friday night. I mean, I came and helped set up the place to make it look like a "Winter Wonderland," so do I really need to be back here, and try to attempt to dance - like a freak!

Bless the Church of Jesus Christ's Heart, but seriously, they have nothing for people like me in their mid (for my sake, "early") 30's to 40's. It's like, hum ho, you're 30 and not married? Well that stinks for you. However, we offer stake wide single activities and they are a knee slapper of a good time, so go - have fun and enjoy.

For the past two weeks I have been putting myself out there to people my age to invite them to this "Winter Wonderland" Mid-Singles Mormon dance. Every one's response has been, "Heck no, are you kidding me!" Or, "I'm busy that night, sorry can't make it." Busy my BUTT! I usually tell them back, "Like I want to go or do this either, but it's my calling and I need to stick it out, and try to fulfill it to the best I am capable of doing." To no avail none of my early 30 year old friends in Cedar City want to support me with coming to the dance. I'm not mad, because if the tables were turned I would probably not go. I will give them some credit, at least they have been supporting me at the Family Home Evenings and Firesides. So, thank you!

Friday afternoon in one of my classes I leaned over to my friend Jaime (who is 34, single mom of a nine year old, and has been married and divorced twice) and whispered to her asking what she is doing this Friday night. She tells me she is taking her daughter half way to Salt Lake so her ex husband can come pick up their daughter. I asked "how long will that take you?" She tells me she would be back to Cedar City around 8:00 pm. I said to her, "that would be perfect!" She is a little confused and I continue to ask her if she would like to attend this Mid-Single (and SAD) Mormon dance. She laughed and said she would be willing to go with me. Oh Jaime, BLESS YOU'RE HEART! (Jaime is a recent convert of a few years, not very active, and never HAD THE CHANCE to do the single scene in the church...call me what you want, but I thought this would be a great opportunity for her.)

9:00 pm rolls around and I look at the clock. Soon 9:00 pm turns into 9:30 pm. The dance has started, and has been going. Do I attend, or do I wait until midnight and show up just to help clean up? My phone rings, Jaime is texting to know if we are still going to this dance. I text her back and apologize for my lateness, and wishy washy attitude. Not really being a good example, I think. I finally decide to leave and the clock is now about a quarter after ten. I arrive at Jaime's house and once again, ask her if she is really up to going to this. We get in the car and I explain to her one more time what she is getting herself into. She tells me she is really okay with attending the dance, and she is coming mainly to support me.

We show up to the church, and enter to the sound of Justin Bieber's "Somebody to Love." We turn the corner towards the darkened culture hall. We enter, and see that almost everyone in attendance is on the dance floor trying to get their groove on. I turn to Jaime and mouth the word, "SORRY!" Still Jaime keeps a good attitude and we make our rounds to the 3 people I know. Because I can't dance and would rather not put everyone in attendance into convulsions, we make our way to the food table. The food definitely made up for everything else. The table was covered with vegetable trays loaded to the brim, chips and salsa, several seven layer bean dips, cookies and candies, and even those fancy little beenie weenies.

Jaime and I made our way to a table with a few people sitting down and asked if we could sit with them. I may not have been comfortable shaking my booty, but it's not hard for me to sit down and start a conversation. So, that is what we did. The table had two women and two men. We asked their names, and they asked ours. We each did the introductions, and small talk. That lasted about five minutes and then it turned awkward. Finally Jaime asked one of the guys at the table what he did for a living. He responds to her, with one of the worst pick up lines I think I have ever heard! "I've been in a few magazines, GQ is one you have probably heard of, and I've been in jail." Was I hearing all of this right? Jaime is one who can joke, and started to throw stuff back at him. Next thing I know he gets up and comes and sits down next to her and throws his arm up on the back of her chair and sits like he is a Bad A**! Then I notice he is drenched in cologne, but at least it was good smelling cologne, and his shirt is half way unbuttoned showing off a part of his chest. I have enough of his "cool dude, I'm the hottest guy here" attitude and see a guy that I know and I begin to chat it up with him.

As I am carried away into a conversation with my acquittance I see Jaime and Mister Cool Dude get up and head towards the dance floor. Jaime makes a gun out of her hand and points it to her head and gives me this look, of "what the hello did you bring me to - I hope you're happy?" The song is over and I am still talking away with my acquittance when I get asked to dance on the next song. I did not want to dance, and definitely not to a slow song. I tried many times to refuse his asking because we had just recently talked about his girlfriend - this can't look good! I finally agree and we go dance. The whole time as we are awkwardly turning in a circle (and I keep eyeing the girlfriend) I tried to act as if we were just in a deep conversation and made sure my hands were moving with me as we talked. Finally the dance was over and I thank him. We finish our conversation and I run back to Jaime to hear all about this guy get'n his groove on with her. I had missed their dancing and she goes on to tell me that he is a real winner - yes, we are all God's children, but still there are some odd ones out there. She clearly was not interested. However, I tell her that come Monday when she is back to work at least she will have an entertaining story to tell. Likewise. My story may be entertaining, or sad, take it however you would like. But, attending a Mid-Singles dance is not something I would want for anyone to have to go through. And yet, I still attended. The dance was coming to a close and I had never been so excited to help clean up after a church function like I had this Friday night. Within 20 minutes the culture hall was put back into it's proper order and Jaime and I were on our way out with not so much of a good bye, or see you later.

Jaime, along with myself had survived our first Mid-Singles Mormon Dance. I asked Jaime if she would ever do this again, and she told me that she would come to the next one just to support me. What could have brought me to tears made me laugh, out loud. Who in their right mind would want to attend another Mid-Singles Mormon Dance. Oh, that would be Jaime and I? Call us crazy, desperate, or sad, but if anything I hope you, the reader, are happy you are married, or if not married, still in that single age where the church has more to offer you.

I will continue to fulfill my calling, but I will be ever so grateful for the day they release me. It's either going to take marriage or moving to get me released. At this point I don't see marriage, and as for moving, I still have another year and half here! I know the Lord has a sense of humor - so I hope he's getting a kick out of watching me!!!

Dilemma 1 - YoU wAnT tO sEt Me uP WiTh a MaRriEd mAn?!?!?!

I have been attending SUU for far to long. However, in my many years at this University I have made some truly great friends. One in particular is an older gentleman named Steve. Steve is a returning/non traditional, Agriculture Student, married, and pushing 50! We met last year in the tutoring center where I spend WAY to much time for chemistry. Right off the bat Steve and I formed a friendship. He loved to tease me, and I gave him the reaction he wanted. We had not seen each other since the end of last semester due to the Christmas holiday. The second week back to school he came into the testing center to take a test. After he was done he sat in my office and chatted with me for over an hour. During our little catch up/chat he asked how my dating life was going. Well, there isn't one. He then goes on to say that one of the guys from last semester (that would frequent the tutoring center) was now a tutor this semester. Okay, where is this going, I think. He then proceeds to tell me that he wants to play match maker and try to set us up. I was really hesitant because part of me thought that he was married. I was torn between my thoughts because I had never seen a ring on his finger. Still, I know that a lot of married men don't wear rings (and it kills me - if you are married then put/keep the blasted ring on your finger for crying out loud!!!!). Steve is adamant about trying to play match maker, so as I like to say, I told Steve that he could try to set us up because "I'M ALWAYS UP FOR A FREE MEAL!!!" A week went by, I had frequented the tutoring center and one night ended up being there with Steve, and the "new tutor," we'll call him "Tutor Guy," who may or may not be married. As the tutoring center was closing up Steve and I walked to our cars together. I decided I better ask Steve the status on his little match making. He then tells me, "So...sorry, but Tutor Guy...yeah, he's married." "WHAT!" I exclaim. Now, I said this dramatically because I know how Steve is, and I know that he probably said more than he needed to when trying to set us up. I wasn't upset or bummed to the fact that he was married (with two kids) because I had already felt that he probably was married to begin with. (Most people going to school that are guys and my age are married - it's a given, why bother!) The "WHAT" that I exclaimed was because I wanted every detail of how Steve approached and asked Tutor Guy out. Steve could see my worry and hear my dramatics and said, "Now just calm yourself down, I didn't say anything." I said, "You better not have said anything to embarrass me because I have to use this tutoring center and I don't want it to be awkward every time I come here and he is working!!!!!!!!!" Steve say's, "All I said was, are you dating anyone cause I think you and Libby should go out." Tutor Guy then say's, "Well, actually I'm married and have two kids, but thanks!" "Good Hell A MIGHTY - that's embarrassing." I say. Steve then says, "It's not embarrassing, if anything it's flattering to Tutor Guy." Really, whatever! Don't worry I'm still using the tutoring center...I just found out when Tutor Guy works, and will avoid those hours at all cost!!!

Dilemma 2 - WhY cAn'T i Be a MoRmOn oN tHe InTeRneT?

I'm trying to be a good Mormon girl. Partially because I really don't have much else going for me... The church has become more and more digital in all it's doings. I have noticed a few people (family and friends) making these "Mormon Profiles." (I totally encourage you to make one if you haven't already - great missionary tool!) One day when I should have been doing chemistry I decided to make one of these "profiles." Wow - did I ever get distracted. It was so much fun looking up people and reading their testimonies. I'm going to admit this too, I also saw it as a way to find a love interest. Gag - who does stuff like that? ME! Seriously, play around with it awhile and you'll know what I'm talking about. SO, anyway, to get back on track with my long winded, sometimes no point story, I decided to make a profile. (You can see mine by clicking here, or if you look to the left on your computer screen you will see a circle with the words "I'm a Mormon." Click on that.) I make my profile and finish it up. However, the church, or whoever does this website needs to read over what you wrote and make sure it's legit and church approved. Mine was pending for over a week! Believe me I was starting to question! After a few days they told me I needed to change some things. SERIOUSLY! What you can do on this profile is add your Blog, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. I don't Tweet, so I figured I would add my Facebook and Blog accounts. Apparently they had read my blog and liked it, thought it was cute, fun, etc. However, they did not like my use of slang and "appearance of evil type" pictures. One in particular, my "drinking cream soda in Alaska" picture. They even had taken a quote from my blog to show me that either I change it or I don't add my blog. So, because I'm trying to be a good little Mormon girl immediately went to my blog and changed the wording under the picture of me drinking cream soda. Finally a week later the church published my profile and I am proud to say, once again, "I'm a Mormon!" And Proud of it YO's! So eat that! ;)

Dilemma 3 - (Not really a dilemma) RaNdOm StUfF aBoUt a BoOk AnD mOvIe....

I just finished reading "He's Just Not That Into You." I also just watched the movie, "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World." Although the movie, "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" took me two times to watch because I feel asleep during the first viewing. I rated it 4 stars on Netflix. Now how come I can't find a dude like Scott Pilgrim - total nerd who opposite the book, "He's Just Not That Into You" is really into you! Scott Pilgrim - fought for his woman, was "into" his woman, and really wanted his woman! Putting in a plug for this movie - I didn't think I was going to like this film, but I had so many people tell me that I would. Just so all you people out there know. I did like it. There was enough romance, hilarious one liners, good music, and pretty nifty special effects. I tried watching it with my Bro and the whole time he tried watching it he keep using the phrase, "what the hell are we watching?" That made me laugh quite a bit, like said, along with the hilarious one liners.

* "You once were a ve-gone, but now you will begone."

* "He punched the highlights out of her hair!"

And lastly,

* "If I peed my pants would you pretend that I just got wet from the rain?"

As for the book "He's Just Not That Into You" who would've ever thought that such a small, simple, kind of nutty book could teach me, a single gal, so much! Every chapter had a guy that I have dated. It's true, if he is married he's just not that into you! If he disappears on you, he's just not that into you! If he is a selfish jerk, a bully, or really big freak...well, he's just not that into you. And of course the basic, if he isn't asking you out, calling you, or dating you well DUH - HE'S REALLY NOT INTO YOU!!! To all my single peeps out there this book is a must read.

And so, my life is full and abundant, I still truly love being single. I really don't have it that bad off. With one last thought, I hope you, the reader, enjoyed my antics about dancing, dating, Mormon's, movies, and books.

Favorite Things/Stuff of 2010

Libby's list of Favorite Things. So long 2010, and here is to the exciting year of 2011 to come. I can't wait!!!

Favorite Things of 2010:

iMovie for Mac's - love this program! So easy to use, and makes fun movies. (I just learned about & how to use it this year.) Move over scrapbooking I'm going to be doing video scrapping. Is that even a word or thing, video scrapping?

Escada Taja Sunset - perfume. Oh my gosh this stuff smells so good.

Activia - works wonders!!!

Mormon Messages. Weekly ritual to get on YouTube and see the latest video the church has put out.

Canning - canned my first jelly this year, and can't wait to do more this year!

The wedding dance - it inspired the wedding dance for Jim and Pam on The Office. (I want to do this at my wedding!)

Movies: (In no particular order...)

(500) Days of Summer

Adam

Everybody's Fine

Taking Chance

Brothers

Up In The Air

Leap Year

Remember Me

Paper Heart

Date Night

Babies

Just Wright

Flipped

These are all new releases of 2010 that I rated 4-5 stars on Netflix and I would totally recommend to anyone.

Music:

Bruno Mars

Kings of Convenience (not new, but was introduced to them this year, and love this band.)

Some Katy Perry songs

Lady Antebellum

Justin Bieber - just one song...and yes I'm admitting that I like one of his songs!

Almost all the songs of Glee (particularly their rendition of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry.)

TV:

GLEE - heck yeah! I am such a Gleek, and proud of it!!!

How I Met Your Mother

Sarah Palin's Alaska

Kendra

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

Big Bang Theory

(Yes I realize some of these shows have been around for sometime, but this year I was introduced to all of them, and LOVE them!)

Books:

The Help

The Life and Death of Charlie St. Cloud

Eat Pray Love

(Did not like the movies of Charlie St. Cloud/Eat Pray Love, but I loved the books! Also, I did read more books than just three, but those are the only three that really made an impression on me.)

Food:

Sweet Basil restaurant in little o'l Cedar City Utah. If you like Thai food then this is the place. Their pork pad Thai is AMAZING!

Trisha Yearwoods stuffed peppers. Did you know she cooks, well her recipes are amazing, and her stuffed peppers are now a new favorite.

Rachel Rays lettuce wraps...making my mouth water just typing about it. HEAVENLY!

New Years Eve party - the dip was so tasty and I could've ate the whole crock pot!

Cream Cheese Rotel Dip Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pack cream cheese (8 oz)

1 can Rotel tomatoes

½ pound meat – sausage or hamburger (optional)

Directions: Fry the meat, drain. Combine meat, cream cheese, and Rotel tomatoes. Let cook in crock pot until warm and melted. This makes a very rich and yummy dip. It’s not as pretty as the Velveeta dip which is orange colored. With cream cheese, the dip has kind of a gray color. Just close your eyes and dip away. Rotel Cream Cheese Dip is fabulous.

So those are just a few of my favorite things of the past year. I can't wait to see what becomes my favorite things of 2011. It's so exciting!!!!

Happy New Year!

Netflix, and a Bad Movie Review

I'm not so happy with Netflix these days. Netflix is my favorite, however, they took away one of my favorite applications. That application was my "friends." See, here is the thing with Netflix, they had this feature where you could have friends, and I had a lot. When you were friends with your "friends" you could see their Queue (pronounced by just saying the letter "Q" - unlike me who likes to pronounce it "Q-E"- not correct. Also your Queue is where you list your movies that you want to rent, and the order you would like to receive them). For the past two weeks I have been devastated over the fact that I can't see what all my "friends" are watching and rating. It really has put a damper on my life. Oh the life I live. So, because I just have SOOOOO much time on my hands I called Netflix to ask them if this "friends" application had moved, or got removed. Much to my disappointment they have REMOVED it permanently from the website, and don't plan on ever bringing it back. What a shame. I was in a bad mood the rest of the day. Okay, not really, but I was sad about it. I guarantee my Mother Dearest is not sad that they removed this feature, because she hated the fact that I could see her Queue and all the horror/weird movies that she rents. Hi Mommy, I know you are rolling your eyes at that comment. (Does that mean most likely you are going to call me and tell me to take that last comment off, right?)

Now, let me get down to business. As being "friends" you could also write reviews on movies - you can still do that, but none of my "friends" will ever see my review. So, to utilize my blog I am going to write a review on here - not that I have never done that before, because I have.

Movie: The Canyon

My Rating: 1 Star out of 5 Stars

Rating: R, for brief disturbing content - according to Netflix

Genre: Thriller - I never once got scared, bored, but never scared!

Time: 97 minutes I WILL NEVER GET BACK!

***Spoiler Alert*** (I am going to tell you the ending. But, I can guarantee you won't want to waste your time on this movie)

Two honeymooners, Nick and Lori elope to Las Vegas and then spend their honeymoon at the Grand Canyon. The two love birds want to do a "back country excursion" on donkeys to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The two newlyweds can't seem to get a permit at the snap of their fingers, when one night at the bar this old Mountain Man tells them that he can get a permit and take them down. Blah, blah, blah! On the first day of trekking their rustic Mountain Man Guide gets bit by a rattle snake and dies. The two love birds are left to try to survive and make it back to the top.

A bunch of boring survival stuff happens throughout the majority of the movie. They get tracked by wolves the entire time, and I kept thinking that the ending would be the love birds getting ate by these wolves. Not so. Having said that, I did my homework on this fact about wolves in the Grand Canyon, thus, the Grand Canyon does have an endangered wolf known as the Mexican Wolf which is approximately 5 feet long from end to end. These wolves in the movie were big, meat hungry wolves, that are not found in the Grand Canyon. Another thing that bothered me to no end was the fact that the girl, Lori, kept trying to get cell phone service - PALEASE! Really, come on? Everyone knows that you can't get cell phone service in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. So, to ruin the movie for you. Her newlywed hubby gets his leg stuck in a rock and the wife has to cut it out. Which brings me to my favorite line from the movie, Lori: "Here, you have to bite on this." As she places a piece of wood in his mouth to help with the pain she is going to cause by cutting his leg off. He say's, "I love it when you talk dirty." Gag! They did some great writing in this movie. She does cut his leg off and she gets him to hobble for some distance when the wolves attack again...where I'm still thinking this may be how the movie ends. Oh no, she ends up killing him by cutting off his air - plugs his nose and covers his mouth. Just moments after she cuts off his air a helicopter lands to save them. Yup, I just wasted 97 minutes of my life - kind of. I never waste anytime when watching a movie because I always make sure I am doing something, i.e. dishes, laundry, crocheting, SOMETHING. So, technically I did accomplish a lot why I watched this terrible movie.

Lastly, I am still trying to figure out why this movie was rated "R" because there was no sex, no violence, no disturbing images, and only one use of the "F" word. I have seen PG-13 movies dirtier than this one.

Take my word - don't waste your time on this movie.

OH GAG ME!!!

I'm ready to stick my finger down my throat and gag myself! Oh dearest sister, Jessie - please enjoy! This is for you and any of you who are Twilight fans. You won't see me watching this, but I may be seeing Eclipse again. THIRD TIME BABY!!!!

Fun on the 4th

I'm going to try to make this brief. We'll see how well that goes...

I spent my 4th of July in Orderville, Utah. I KNOW - Seriously, Yes seriously! My friend Lisa is from there, and I have been wanting to go over there and hang out. I know - seriously, yes! We (me, Lisa, and her roommate Erin) left Friday night and drove over the moun'an. That night Lisa's sweet sister made us dinner, then we helped decorate their float, and finally took a stroll through the dark streets of Oderville. The next morning it was off to celebrate the 4th (on Saturday - Mormon Style). The morning started with a HUGE free breakfast - I swear they served each person there a pound of bacon. I'm exaggerating...it was only a half pound per person. After breakfast it was time for the parade. Lisa participated so I took a picture. When the parade was done we decided to head into the bustling metropolis of Orderville and check out the sites.

One of the many "Rock Shops" in town - this one was the COOLEST!

Checking the sites went pretty quick for us so we went to Moqui Cave - it's north of Kanab. It was okay - not worth $5.00, but we met this nice gal who is getting ready to go on a mission, so I gave her plenty of advice on what not to do as a sister missionary, or how to act. She was an awesome tour guide and will make a good church site sister...if she follows my rules! ;)

Me, Lisa, and Erin (in front of Moqui Cave)

Dinosaur poop - it was in the Moqui Cave...about the only thing worth photographing.

After touring, it was back to Orderville for their "Soup Contest"and lunch. (The reason for the soup contest is that it's a tradition of Oderville going back to their "United Order" days.) All the residents in attendance get to sample the soups and vote. I WAS IN HEAVEN! I don't know why I even bought lunch when I could've just sampled all the good tasting soup I wanted. None of the soups I tried even won, but my oh my they were heavenly! After soup tasting it was more touring of the town, eating fruit pizza at Lisa's sisters house, then on our way home.

On our way home we took a little side trip to a quaint town known as Alta (I think, or maybe it's Alton???). It was such a pretty little town with some interesting "STOP" signs. They're so "small town" that their signs say "WHOA" rather than "STOP."

We didn't end the night watching fireworks, but figured we saw the best Cedar City had to offer during the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies. The 4th of July was grand in the small town of Orderville - who would've ever thought!

Come to think of it...we didn't need fireworks because we finished off the weekend watching Eclipse, and it caused me some major fireworks! LOVED IT!!!! Well, I loved it...Lisa...not so much!!!

So much for making this post brief...

The Video I Presented at In-Service

This is the video I made about how to boil an egg, for In-Service. Jessie (my sister) was so kind to help out - thanks Jessie. Bless your heart! Have I mentioned how much I love Mac's??? I love Mac's!!!

Book Review & Movie Review

I want to say that this may offend some, if you choose to be offended. This is my opinion, so take all that is written with a grain of salt. It's going to be Salty BABY!!!

*SPOILER ALERT*

Book Review: To begin, I finally finished that gosh awful book in the Twilight Series known as Breaking Dawn (one of my only New Years Resolutions - lame, I know, but I finished). Yes, it took me a year and a half to read. Only because I stopped soon after Jacob imprinted on Bella and Edwards daughter. What the heck - that is the most far fetched thing I have ever heard of in these books - "imprinting," and on a baby? Oh yes, Jacob finally found his soul mate...blah, blah, blah! (I know what you are thinking...these books are fictional and total fantasy. I know this, but really, imprinting on a baby...that's just weird, I don't care who you are - weird!) After taking FOREVER to finish/read I realized that the book contained about 300 pages of NOTHING! I could have finished that book a long time ago if she, Stephenie Bless Her Heart Meyers didn't go into all of that nothing to build up some fight that NEVER EVEN HAPPENED!!! Good gravy was I disappointed. I had loved the first three books (the third being my most favorite) and then to read the fourth book...well, such a sad disappointment. I guess I can say I finally read it. However, I will go see it, and I will probably own the DVD - I have to own it since I own the other DVDs.

Movie Review: Avatar = DUMB AS DUMB CAN BE!!! Oh I know it's the movie of "right now" and it's "so awesome," but it's a waste of time and money - take my word! I had made up my mind not to see, or even contribute to this movie. About two weeks ago at work, Monday morning as my boss and I were talking about our weekends she had told me she had seen the "best movie ever" known as Avatar. I immediately told her that I was not at all interested, but as she acted like a kid in a candy store, she proceeded to share her thoughts on the movie with me. After about 30 minutes - or what seemed like 30 minutes because she probably only talked to me about it for 5 minutes I had told her I probably will go see it, at least before it leaves the theater because I would have no desire to rent it. So, with my trusty friend Audra, who had already seen it and already thought it was weird, but wanted to know my reaction of this LAME movie, she had agreed to go see it with me. BLESS HER HEART - she has earned a spot in heaven just for sitting through that 3 hour movie a SECOND TIME!!!

All right - with all that said, that movie, Avatar, was nothing special, it was 3 hours of my life I WILL NEVER EVER GET BACK! (You liking my dramatic affects here...) Speaking of affects, the affects weren't worth 10 years of work, and so help me if this movie takes home a ton of awards at the Academy Awards I will never think the same of Hollywood - not that I think much of them now, but I think you get my drift. I don't really remember much from the movie, but after the first hour when I was ready to leave Audra wouldn't let me because we had paid money (good thing it was a matinee). So, to keep me occupied during the last 2 hours I started to people watch rather than movie watch, and started thinking of things that I could've been doing - only to stress me out. I should've just left and went and caught the last bit of When in Rome. Then at the very end of the stupid movie when the cartoon like character takes the human and holds him in her arms and weeps I started to laugh out loud...only to offend people who were seriously enthralled in this lame movie! I have never been so happy to leave a movie theater in my life, in fact, I even started clapping at the end just because it was FINALLY over! What I'm getting at here is that the movie Avatar was SUPER DUMB, and I was dumb for going to it, and adding to its billions of dollars. My Mother Dearest even told me it was my own fault for going and being disappointed since I don't like science fiction movies anyways. One nice little thing (very little thing) about the movie was, I quite enjoyed the music and could see myself falling asleep at night to the music. And, since I'm kind of a tree hugg'n soul, it's very tree hugg'n friendly. Save the trees! Save the trees! Save the trees! Better yet, let me save you from wasting your money on seeing this stupid, dumb, lame movie!

This Is How I'm Going to Feel When I'm In LOVE!!!

I sure hope this is how I'm going to feel when I'm in love!!! It's going to be awesome!!! No, I'm not in love...I'm just saying when I am in love this is how it's going to be!

Finally! I saw New Moon - it's about time, I know!

I got a group of friends together, some old, some new, and went to finally see New Moon at the Zion's IMAX in Springdale. Totally worth the drive out there. However, I was kind of bored with the movie, not sure it if was because I had to use the bathroom through basically the whole movie, dang collectors cup I had to buy??? I will have to say I am neither a Jacob or Edward fan, I am a Mike Newton fan. He is just adorable, and funny, I laughed through his whole scene! I did get really excited when Jacob finally took off his shirt, and I got really sick when Edward took off his shirt - I mean really, they couldn't make him buff up, shave his chest, and do something about his odd looking nipple? Hmmm... With all that said, I will probably go see it again before it leaves the theater either in the $2.00 movies, or a matinee. Also, for the record I still am an Edward fan, but he just needs to keep his shirt on. Nobody wants to see that deformed titty!

Me, Malynda, Celeste, Lisa, Alicia, Kelli, Jessie, and Erika. All Excited to see New Moon for the first time...except for the three girls that have already seen it (Malynda, Kelli, and Jessie). Which reminds me, Jessie - you need to be considerate to those of us who hadn't seen the movie...you know what I'm talking about.

My friends, Lisa, and Alicia. Lisa and Alicia went to hair school long ago - and Lisa and I just became friends...small world!

Kelli, Jessie, and Erika.

Chugging my rootbeer...dang stuff, made my movie experience unpleasant. That cup is a keeper though, it's plastic and all!!!

The empty IMAX theater, we basically had it all to ourselves. SWEET YO!

My Baby!

The last two weeks have been dedicated to putting this video together for my Education Technology class. I have spent every possible moment working on this production. One of the Lab Assistants finally said, "It's not going to be an Oscar Winner!" I think he just got tired of me spending a lot of time in the lab, and needing lot's of help??? Well, it's not Oscar material, but I'm pleased with the outcome. A special thanks to my friend Holly, my sister Jessica, and my dear Aunt Debbie. (Yes, I spelt November wrong on the very end credits...GADS!!!!)

You Can't Say This Doesn't LOOK EXCITING....

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh I'm so, so excited. Can you tell? ENJOY! I may even become a Jacob fan...(Thanks Sally for the info on it not working...hopefully this one does.) NEW MOON, NEW MOON, NEW MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twilight Saga - Continued....

So, I thought I was over this whole "Twilight" schmilight, but as you can see - I'm not! OH MY GOSH - I get to get excited all over again! I might even become a Jacob fan - he is looking pretty darn attractive. Yummy! Well here is the official "New Moon" trailor! Ahhhhh - I can't wait!!!! I need to grow up, yes I know this!

Slumdog Millionaire

Wow this movie was an eye opener to the world of India - do people really live like that? This was a great drama, action packed, love story, that was full of intensity. The way the movie was filmed was different from any other movie I have seen, but I really enjoyed it. I also loved the music - it went well with the movie and scenes.

My favorite scene is when the little boy is pooping in their "outhouse" or bathrooms, and his brother locks him in. The only way out is to jump into the poop...I'm not going to say anymore about the scene, but it was SO FUNNY! And, the little boy is SUPER CUTE!!!

On a serious note, I hope I don't ruin the movie by saying this, but the way the game worked out (India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire) and completely went with his life growing up was so crazy and cool. I know this is a fictional movie, but it really makes you wonder about the trials and hard things you go through in life, and how you think it's hard at the moment, but then later in life it all makes sense. Great movie - I would watch it again!

One last note on the rating - it really wasn't bad for a rated "R" movie. I think I heard the "F" word maybe twice, and the violence is about as bad as a PG-13 movie. (Not trying to justify...)

I will say the only thing I did not like about this movies was the subtitles - SO HARD TO READ!!!

If you have young children DO NOT TAKE THEM TO THE MOVIE THEATER!!!

WARNING!!! This is one of my rare little rants - so I don't want any hurt feelings when you are done reading this!

WHY IN THE HECK (I'm watching my language - thank you) would anyone take children to movies that are adult movies. This evening I met up with one of my friends from Alaska, in Cedar. We decided to go to a Matin'ee of "He's Just Not That Into You" and this is why I wait for movies to come out on DVD.

We enter the theater about 10 minutes before the movie starts. It is empty, we find a great seat and patiently wait for the movie to start. People start to come in, old couples, young couples, and then two middle aged women with a FIVE YEAR OLD GIRL! Guess where they sit - RIGHT BEHIND ME!!! The movie begins and after ten minutes the little girl is bored with the movie - she should be, it's a movie for adults! To be the polite person that I am I do the head turn. You know where you just turn your head and sigh. Yeah - that's what I did! This continued through most the movie - the head turning. I almost lost it at one point and turned around and said, "SERIOUSLY LADY!" "Really, you really are bringing a child to this movie!" I didn't, I kept it to myself. However, I thought I'll put this on paper and teach everyone with children to not take them to movies - CALL ME! I will gladly babysit them for you just so I know you are not one of those people who takes their children to a movie just so they can squirm, kick my seat, and talk the entire time!

Lastly, the movie was great, even when I wasn't getting pushed on my chair. It taught me a lot of insight on men, or BOYS, and I will probably rent it when it comes out. Just because there were a few things that I missed during the movie!

Twilight First Complete Scene

They just had the MTV Movie Awards and they played a scene from...that's right, Twilight!

It's getting ever so close to the movie event of the year...Look'n AWESOME!!! Enjoy, my Twilight buddies!

(Also with all the hype out there for Indiana Jones - the Twilight Teaser had more views online than that Jones movie. Just a little tid bit of useless information for ya!)

Twilight Teaser

Okay, this is absolutely awesome...It's a teaser, and it is really TEASING me!!! I can not wait for this movie to come out - oh MY GOSH is it December 12, 2008 yet??? Enjoy, my Twilight buddies!!!