FHE Video Project

The Stake FHE Oscar night will be on April 18. In order to prepare for this event, our group will be submitting a video made by our family.

John and I have chosen three ideas that we liked best and have outlined below. Please use the poll on the side to choose which of these ideas are your favorite. Please take into consideration the following:

• We want to include as many people in our group as possible.
• We are all busy, so editing will be kept to a minimum. That being said, we want the best movie there, so...
• Depending on the movie, we will be filming on the 6th (at the Bishopric's) and more so on the 13th - please make an effort to be to these last FHE activities before the end of the semester.
• John and I really loved all the ideas. So thanks for your efforts yesterday.
• More info will be made available as we continue to work on this.

The IDEAS

Hot Tub Mockumentary - this movie will follow the interviews of several people remembeing the good times with the hot tub. The hot tub will not be mentioned during the actual interviews, until the very end. This will make it seem like we are talking about a wayward/lost friend.

• "We used to have so much fun together, and then one day... it was like he wasn't even trying anymore."
• "Our relationship started feeling so empty...so I had to find someone new."
• "I met all my friends through him, and now...he's not even a part of my life."

Why we like this idea: It really hits home with the Omni residents and will be able to include the majority of our group.

Another spin on this idea would be doing an actual documentary style video, with a narrator. OR, having the "Hot Tub" have a voice talking about the good times, before he was falling apart and useless.

If you vote for the hot tub idea, please leave a comment as to which version of this idea you like.

Music Video/Dance off - Choosing a favorite song and choreographing a music video.

Why we like this idea: There isn't much script writing necessary. Which means no corny lines and no flubbing up your words.

Problems: Deciding on one music video we can all participate in. Choreographing... some of us can not do simple aerobics because they can't learn the steps, let alone a full feature music video.

"LOST" Spoof - Traipsing through a wooded area in survival mode, while flashing back to our old lives. Flashback ideas: Becca dancing in her room. William winning the jackpot after smoking everyone in poker. ETC.

Why we like this idea: Honestly, it just was really funny in my head.

Problems: This will probably take the most time, energy and creativity. We'd have to be really on the ball and shoot in parts throughout the week.

Leave a comment or email me with any questions. The poll will close on Monday, April 6, at 2:00 pm (I think...around then, though) and John and I will announce the winner at the Bishopric's home that night.

Love you!

Shooting Star

I was in Provo Canyon tonight standing around a bonfire and admiring the stars when I happened to witness a shooting star...and then a few minutes later another one.

I can't help but admire the beauty God has created for us. As cold as it has been, and as much as I have hated Utah the past week - it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful it can be. Up in the canyon surrounded by the Uintah mountains with the stars out in full force. It's breathtakingly beautiful.

On top of that, I was at the bonfire with some good friends, and had a total blast. This year has been by far the best year out here in Utah. I've spent an entire year at the Omni - our ward is great, I have such good, fun friends...and I'll be really sad to be moving out next month. I've never been sad to move out of anywhere before (except home, of course) and I just hope that the friendships I've made are the lasting sorts even though I'm moving across town.

Take a minute to wish on my falling stars. I couldn't think of anything good - so I'm giving them to you.

For those of you who read this...

I found two entries that were in my drafts and have since published them. They are still in chronological order from when I started the entry...which means you might miss it. If you want to read the new-ish posts:

Click here for Our Miraculous Bodies - musings of a tired person.
Learn about my awesome stake conference.

And...a picture, just for fun.This is from Kira's bridal shower. We don't know why we are all wearing black - it just happened like that. However, I think we were subconsciously mourning the loss of our beloved friend. (Also...my hair looks fairly tolerable in this picture. Which, has been the first time since I cut it that I liked it. FYI: I have not been able to recreate the look since.)

...Twi[cough]light...

So, it's been a while since I posted anything regarding this topic. While doing research for a paper (I swear!) I stumbled across a blog entry comment that made me nod my head in agreement.

Twilight is a huge controversy between the male and female sector throughout my peers, with some exceptions, and many of the men think that we are holding them to ridiculously high standards - impossible standards - and that Twilight is "emotional pornography." They find it hard to believe that any girl can fall in love with a vampire that (1) wants to drain you of your lifeblood, (2) sneaks into your bedroom and watches you sleep, (3) is super over-protective to the point of controlling, (4) is a little gloomy and pessimistic.

To the last one I say, he's more brooding than emo. And brooding is hot!

Anyway, the comment reads as such:

Mike Allen said...

Fellas, it's time we concede that Edward is every girls dream.

Let's list his qualities:

1. Superhuman strength - the ultimate "protector"

2. Has the desire to suck people's blood - the ultimate "bad boy"

3. Fights his desire to suck people's blood - the ultimate "bad boy with a big heart"

4. Has been alive for a hundred years and has read every book, and mastered every talent (piano playing, etc.) - the ultimate "smart and talented guy"

5. Exceptionally gorgeous - the ultimate "hot guy"

6. Desires Bella and only Bella (despite the fact that, considering his above qualities, he could probably have any girl he wants) - the ultimate "he loves me and only me!" guy

7. Lastly and probably most importantly, despite his own passionate desires, refuses to have sex with Bella even AFTER they're married - the ultimate "he cares about me and doesn't objectify me" guy

Whoever Mike Allen is, he's one smart cookie. I think he's hit the proverbial nail on the head. Unfortunately, he goes on to say the the ultimate protector/bad boy/hot guy/caring/faithful guy doesn't exist.

Too bad.

I'll take the hot brooding guy that makes me laugh, instead.

Draper Temple Dedication

The Draper Temple was dedicated yesterday, and I was able to watch the final session through broadcast yesterday. The last temple dedication I went to was the Columbus temple, and I couldn't help compare experiences.

Temples are amazing. The work, the ordinances, the covenants...The very fact that the temple is the house of the Lord, is incredible. One of the speakers quoted a prominent leader of another faith that went through the open house and said, "Being in the Celestial room is like sitting in God's living room." I wonder if he realized how true that statement is.

When I went to the Columbus temple, I was maybe 14. I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive one of the few tickets that were given to our ward in order to go inside the temple for the dedication. We were directed to a sealing room, where we sat quietly looking at the small television screen that would broadcast the session from the Celestial room when an usher came up to the four of us and asked us to follow him. I was afraid that we had done something wrong and were maybe going to have to leave the temple altogether. But the usher instead took us to the Celestial room, where President Hinckley would be to do the dedication. We were seated at the very back row - but the Columbus temple is one of the smaller temples and even at the back row, we could see the Prophet and those that accompanied him to the dedication. The choir was amazing, and I remember that there were people from not only my home stake, but my home ward and I was so proud to see that. As a ward, we had helped harvest the lilies that were planted in front of the temple. There was so much work and so much pride and enthusiasm for having a temple built in Ohio. To this day, the Columbus temple is my very favorite. I love it, and I think particularly it is because I witnessed it being dedicated to the Lord. I was there as it transformed from a beautiful building to a place where sacred covenants were made and ordinances performed.

I have only seen the Draper temple from a distance, as I drive on I-15 and pass by. Like the Columbus temple, it is a beautiful building. But more than that - it is a building where saving ordinances will be done, where people will be married. My friend Katy, in fact, has chosen Draper (last I heard) as the temple where she and her affianced will be sealed for time and eternity. The dedication was beautiful. We sat in the Marriott Center with hundreds of people and were told that the Marriott Center was to be treated as though it were an extension of the temple. Immediately, the place - filled - was near to silent. The reverence exuded from the place, and the spirit of peace flowed throughout. It's hard to describe the thrill that goes through you as you watch hundreds of white handkerchiefs float through the air during the Hosanna shout, and then knowing that people were doing the same thing throughout the state of Utah at the same time the Prophet and other apostles were as well.

It was magnificent. We are so lucky to live in this day and age where there are 129 operating temples around the world and 146 total (currently under construction and announced included). For more stats go here.