I'm in Love

Obsession: ob·ses·sion

1: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly : compelling motivation obsession with Twilight>

Addiction: ad·dic·tion

1: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as romance novels, heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

Love

1: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of basketball>
2: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration love>

I am easily excited. Easily pleased. It is one of the few good child-like qualities I possess. But people don't always share the same enthusiasm I have for everything. Not that I can pretend to understand, how can you brush off some of the simple pleasures of life without so much as a little squeal of happiness? These little treasures in life come by the basket full, but I've noticed that there are a few things that I have just really become attached to. I used to claim that I was obsessed, or addicted - but those have such negative connotations; I didn't feel right about expressing my adoration for these certain things that just make me SO happy. It can only be described as love.

So these are the things (In no particular order) that I am currently in LOVE with, and I have no problem dropping the L-bomb.

1. Twilight. I read the whole series around the the time that Eclipse came out. I read all 3 books in less than 3 days. I was smitten immediately. The writing may not be brilliant, but the characterization is. Edward and Bella (and Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, Jacob, etc. etc.) are very real to me. I love them as I would my own friends. They are amazing. Because Stephenie Meyer gave birth to them, and not only that but knows them more intimately than I ever will, I love her too. Thank you Stephenie for bringing them into my life. (And thank you, Katie and Courtney for being in love with them first!) I can't WAIT until August 2, when the 4th book is released.
2. The Twilight Movie. I had to put this separately because I recognize that this movie is not going to be exactly like my beloved Twilight series. They will change things - take out scenes, add weird effects that probably won't be needed, etc. But as I keep track and people continue to show me interviews, clips of the sets, casting slides, and stuff like that, I continue to be more and more excited about the movie. The cast seems to have really good chemistry, and I think that is what is going to make this movie. I am so thankful that Breaking Dawn comes out in August, otherwise I would have to wait until December for the movie without any reprieve to my NEED for all things Twilight.
3. Marcia Lynn McClure and the Clean Romance Club. Yes, I am in a club called the Clean Romance Club. Where people like me enjoy the intense sexual tension that results in awesome make-out scenes but nothing else, and true love that ignites almost instantly to ridiculously attractive men that make the heroine's mouth water for want of a kiss. The fact that they hardly ever have shirts on, can survive attacks by mountain lions, Mexican bandits, or evil villains make them all the more attractive. Adding the complete inappropriateness from the 1800s (which is harmless by today's standards) and I am completely in LOVE with these books. I don't care if the storyline does repeat itself with each new book. I love them!
4. Ludo. I saw this band as an opening act for some other band that I can never remember the name to - and fell in love. I can listen to two of their songs over and over and over and over without getting sick of them. Drunken Lament and Love Me Dead are two of the best songs I have ever heard, and I am super excited to receive their CD in the mail in a week or so. Until then, I will continually listen to their music through their website.
   
5. Blogs. I check them constantly for any update on my friends. It is so exciting to finally have a way to know what is going on without talking to your friends... lol. I really do love reading about the random things that happen, or thoughts that occur to my awesome friends.
6. Mangoes. Mango sorbet, Mango frozen fruit cup, fresh mango. Mango inside jokes. Yum. I just love them.
7. Spending money. Very detrimental to trying to save for tuition. But I love to spend money. On myself, on my friends, on my family. For the company. It doesn't matter whose little plastic card or paper money I am swiping or passing over to be put in the cash register. I love to do it. I love that if I type in a number, it automatically puts a new little present in the mail for me to receive in 7-10 days. I love the fact that a few coins can get me a bag of Gardetto's from the vending machine. It is wonderful. I just wish I had more of it.
8. The sun. And with that, supposedly comes warm weather. Although, it has been really deceiving lately. I look outside and see the beautiful buds on the trees, the tulips, the blue skies, and the bright sunshine and walk outside to into the bitterly cold wind. What's up with that? I'm completely irritated with the cold. But, we are getting to the end of it. I'm sure of it (no proof, just going on instinct and 22 years of experience) and the warm weather will be upon us!
9. Eva Ibbotson. My new favorite author. I'm not usually a big fan of detail, but she does a wonderful job. I've bought three of her books, and I'm waiting for the fourth to arrive.
10. The Finer Things Club. This is a new club that we've started at work. It is the reason for me allowing myself to buy another Ibbotson book because it involves a book club. We get to go eat at wonderful new restaurants. And we are really a club, with motions (votes) and soon to have a blog of our own.
11. Basketball. This is a love that runs in my blood. But with the Jazz doing well this season. The opportunity to watch it on the big screen in HD, and more free time than I am used to - I love it even more. I just wish I were friends with D. Will or Matt Hardring. Man, that would be awesome.

I love you too.

OH MY GOODNESS... I totally forgot. Here are some more:

1. Chocolate and hazelnut. I think this may be the best combination in all the world. Chocolate and peanut butter comes in a close second. Very close. But there is something about chocolate and hazelnut that is so decadent. So delicious. And wonderful.
2. Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. I absolutely love this combo. I love them separately and I especially love them together. One day when I am rich, I will purchase ALL of their movies and relish in their black and white simpleness while LOVING every second of their friendly banter with their co-stars. They are so funny, and so awesome. Every movie I've watched: The Philadelphia Story, Bringing Up Baby, etc. I've just loved them. Ah, Cary Grant... he's just dreamy.
3. John Mayer, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, John Mayer... need I say more?
4. Church. This sounds corny sometimes. But I swear, there is something so rejuvenating about spending Sunday the way you are supposed to. And something so comforting as to go to church knowing that the same thing is being taught in churches all around the world. (Give or take a few lessons...) I love our church. I don't think I can get into exactly how wonderful it really is, but honestly...
5. Dresses. I gave up dresses when I was 12 years old in exchange for skirts and shirts. I haven't worn a dress, unless required (for graduation, weddings, etc) since. However, over the past few months, I have again tried the dress and found that it is very desirable. If you find a dress that fits and accentuates what it should, it can be quite delightful! The last couple of times I've gone to the store for new clothes, I've come out with a new dress. My newest acquisition is probably the most expensive item of clothing I've ever owned. However, I love it. I'm going to keep it. (Even if I haven't taken the tags off quite yet...)
   

agitabas

(that's "we are moving" in Latin)

It's a common theme among Provo-ites at the end of winter semester. Everyone is moving. Usually I'm involved - only if my final(s) are on moving day too... - but this year it is different. It seems as though everyone is moving away!

And I have too much stuff. How is the relevant? Well, I've been packing for 40 hours over the past few days (OK, maybe there were some breaks in there, and a trip to Sam's Club, and some burst of creativity that inspired me to write for a little bit... There's no studying in that 40 hours, so don't even look for that.) BUT there is also A LOT of packing in there too.

Back to my lament: I guess I should be used to everyone moving away, as it seems to be the story of my life. I've had so many "best friends" move away. The first friend that I can remember moving away is Tawny Johnson. I have really great memories of going to her house on Sundays and spending the night, playing Mancala, and saving her life by running to her house from the neighbors to retrieve her inhaler. She was the first asthmatic I've ever met. I don't know what happened to her. Then the Wrights, who move to Utah and changed their name to the Belnaps. I did not keep in touch with Ashley, but when my parents come to Utah, they always make a stop at the Belnaps, who are just as fun and crazy as I remember them. We had fun times with that family! Of course, then there was the Schwendiman family. I was devastated when they moved to sunny California, even though Paige was pretty excited about it (at 12 years old, I felt very betrayed by that, Thanks a lot Paige!) We kept in touch for a while, and then just didn't. It has been really cool to be able to reconnect out here in Provo, only to watch her leave for Nevada this summer. (This time, I'm not betrayed...don't worry. I'm very excited for you guys!) Jessica Bradfield moved to Arizona after 8th grade. Karen Zelnick and a BUNCH of people left for college throughout my high school years, along with others who left for missions. I've survived them all.

But now... now I am being abandoned as husbands get jobs or go off to med/law school, or whatever the reason is. Courtney is leaving for California, Jessica is headed to New Jersey, Reina left for Massachusetts. Laura is headed to Salt Lake (OK, so that's not that big of a deal... but with the price of gas SKY ROCKETING, who knows when we'll see her?) Jared is headed back to Ohio before turning in his mission papers, and James has been on his mission for a while now. It's just insane!

And I'm moving across town. From the peaceful, traffic-retarded (meaning, there is none) to the hustle and bustle of 500 West (I might shoot myself) where there are lights, and speed limits... The best part of course, is that I am moving back into BYU approved housing, which means NO STORAGE space and as I pack box after box after box I'm wondering, where is this all going? There is no way it is going to fit under my bed, even if I put it up on 8 cinder blocks! How did I accumulate so much stuff, and why can't I throw any of it away (I did gather 2 trash bags and 1 box of clothes/stuff for DI and throw away a small amount - just not enough to make a dent)? I've lived for a year with basically my own bathroom and a whole extra bedroom for storage space - that's not including 2 closets that I more or less took over, and a basement storage area! What is all this crap!? Surely it isn't crap, because as I packed it up, I knew I could not part with it.

And as I've been packing and readying for the move on Monday (we have to be out on Monday) I have NOT been thinking about my final, which is ALSO on Monday (go figure - as mentioned before, it would not be moving day without a final. I'm surprised, though grateful, that there isn't a plane ticket involved as well.) Factor in the lack of a truck, the fact that I can't move into my new place until NEXT week, and that stupid final... and you've got my life right now.

Awesome, huh?

Why I like Stephenie Meyer and why I'm excited about the movie.

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am quite literally obsessed with the Twilight series (honestly, if you're not, I can't relate to you. How can you not?) Stephenie Meyer is awesome and she posted the following on her website:

I (Stephenie Meyer) know everyone is anxious to hear some updates on the movie. I've been too crazy busy to do a lot of blogging about it, and then I've also been afraid of spoiling anything for those who want to be surprised. So I'll just tell you a few short, non-spoiler stories and give you one new picture:

This is me with the humans—who don't get enough love—and director Catherine Hardwicke in the "Forks" high school cafeteria. I got to watch the filming of several key lunch scenes, and see how amazingly well the actors were portraying those human characters. Watching them be Mike and Eric and Jessica and Angela and Tyler made it feel strangely like it all might just be real—which was a crazy feeling. So the humans get two thumbs up from me. And Greg (Tyler) wants us all to know that Bella would definitely choose a guy with an awesome van over some vampire.

Funny story: on April first, I got to watch as they shot Bella's first scene in the hospital (after the above mentioned van careened into her) with Charlie (Billy Burke) and Carlisle (Peter Facinelli). Between takes, Peter came back to the monitors where I was hanging out with Nikki Reed (Rosalie), and producers Greg Mooradian and Gillian Bohrer. Nikki and I were talking about how Kellan Lutz (Emmett) kept eating during the Cullen's cafeteria scenes (Kellan is always hungry) and how the editors would have to cut around that. Greg asked the question many of you have asked: what happens to food eaten by a vampire? (He referenced the infamous bite of pizza Edward takes in the book.) I explained the icky truth—they eventually have to cough it back up. Peter was listening to all of this very quietly, and then he and I had the following conversation (I'm paraphrasing, because I don't have a vampire's perfect recall):

PETER: So vampires would never eat food, unless they are trying to fool humans? They would never eat at home?

ME: No, of course not.

PETER: Huh.

ME: Why do you ask?

PETER: Well...when we were filming one of the scenes in the Cullen house, Esme brought me a bowl of Raisin Bran. I was eating it through the whole scene. I don't think they could cut around it, because I was chewing through some of my lines... I guess that wouldn't make a ton of sense for Carlisle to do, though, would it?

ME: (slightly panicky) Er, no. It really wouldn't.

PETER: Oh, well.

ME:

PETER: And also, April Fool's.

(The part I can't covey here is how convincing he was. Peter is, after all, an excellent actor. He got Kristen/Bella at dinner, too, so I wasn't the only one.)

6 fun facts from the set:

1) While watching the playback from a very intense scene with Bella and Edward, the girl next to me literally slid right out of her chair—I think her bones melted. She also may have stopped breathing for a few seconds, too. I know I did.

2) Mike Welch can dance.

3) Hugging Kellan Lutz is the closest you can get to hugging a vampire; he is made of granite. (But please do not try to hug Kellan without his permission. Thank you.)

4) Portland is too cold. For anyone. But especially for Arizonans.

5) Jackson Rathbone can really play the guitar. Our taste in music is not exactly the same, but we found common ground with Radiohead's Creep, with which he then serenaded me.

6) As you might guess, I do a lot of internal swooning on the set. However, I have an excellent poker face.

To conclude, I would like to make a few comments about Rob and Kristen, who are the true heart of this movie. First, they are both amazing actors. Second, they are channeling Edward and Bella like nobody's business. Third, you might want to bring a paper bag to the movie, because their on-screen chemistry may cause hyperventilation. That is all.

--Stephenie

Spring

I love spring. I really do. Spring in Utah, well...it's about a week long. We have snow, cold, more snow, a nice day, and then more snow. As soon as the last snow storm comes through (around May) it's time for the heat. I wish it could stay like it was today. The sun was so warm! The mountains still snow-capped, but the buds were coming on the trees, the flowers are so pretty, and the breeze was cool enough that I wasn't roasting in my car. It was wonderful! Consequently, it is bad for sitting in an office, but great for cleaning out the car and doing outside housework. Love it!

On a separate note, I've been listening to Ludo's Love Me Dead for a week now - over and over. Meghan is probably completely sick of it, but I can't help it. I haven't enjoyed a band as much as I do Ludo since I discovered Muse. People confuse me when they don't share my love for the amazing music I stumble upon. Oh well, it's what makes my day bright.

This week has to be carefully managed. I have my one final coming up, and since it is comprehensive, it is going to be hard. I got a 96% on my last test, and was ecstatic. I think I probably told everyone I knew. But, it won't be enough to pull my grade to an A. You see, I started the semester attempting Stats, yet again, and it really killed me at the beginning. And so, I have to work really hard to make sure I get a B, and don't let my grade drop below that. In some classes, I would kill for a C - but Geography of Latin America deserves a B. So I've got to find time to study. On top of that, of course, I will be working most the week. On projects that should be done. And even still more, I have to be out of my apartment the same day of my final (the 21). I can't move into my new place until the 28th. So it will take skillful planning and a little time off work in order to accomplish such a feat. Luckily, I am quite accustomed to being without a bed (I often fall asleep on the couch) and so I will be able to pack that up and get rid of it among other things as the week progresses.

Today was very productive as I cleaned out my car, washed it, and then watched the Jazz game (they beat Houston... it was a pretty lame game - even with the technical fouls).

I am very hopeful to survive this week - I just hope I endure it well, and get the desired results from it.

Getting Schooled

Things I've learned this week (and it's only Tuesday):

1. You do not necessarily need brown sugar in chocolate chip cookies.
2. Provo police do not know how to work yield signs.
3. Even when I'm losing my voice, I'm still louder than the majority of people.
4. I have a very attractive family. (Don't take that the wrong way; I'm only saying that we are a very good looking bunch.)
5. My name is a grandma's name.
6. I do not like tilapia.
7. Brazil is more urbanized than I originally thought... turns out they aren't completely poverty stricken and living in 3rd world living conditions. I feel really ignorant after this.
8. Venezuelan dancing is sort of risque. I'm surprised they approve it on BYU campus...lol.
9. My phone can not go 2 days without being charged.
10. Playing Collapse when you have a presentation to give the next day is NOT a good idea.
11. Finals are this month!
    
12. I do not really like to hear myself talk. After a minute or so, it kind of freaks me out. This usually results in me leaving out half the intended information I was to share. Dang it.