Friday, October 23, 2009

parlez-vous francais?

The only good thing about French is the food. Image via here
I feel rather like giving up. I am now in my third semester of French, and it's awful. Just awful. Foreign languages and I do not get along. So why am I taking it you ask. Well, it just so happens that the greatest major on campus (that would be mine- English teaching), has one little flaw- it requires you to take four semesters of a foreign language. I understand that it should theoretically help me be better at English. But it realistically is not. And I hate it. I have an oral exam that I have to take today at 5 (t-minus 2 1/2 hours), and a written exam to be taken on Monday (the last possible day). I thought I understood, and then today I went to class and realized that the majority of answers I wrote down on my review sheet were incorrect. And I wanted to cry. I almost did, but I didn't want to give my teacher the satisfaction. (Actually, he's an ok guy- I'm just not really a fan- and he doesn't hate me, despite what I may like to believe). So, after spending an hour with my teacher yesterday trying to understand the concepts I am to be tested on, and still not comprehending them, I want to give up. I do not care about French, never have. I don't understand it. I can't read, write, or speak it and I certainly don't understand others when they try to speak it. For example, today I asked a quesiton in class (in my broken French) and my teacher responded (in his non-broken French). I didn't understand a word of his explanation, but I felt too stupid to say so, so I just nodded and said 'okay'. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get through this. But I guess we all have our trials right? And I guess this is mine.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

the haps

I realized I haven't put up pictures of GC. My friends and I went up for the Sunday afternoon session- so good! (all pictures courtesy of jamie) On a completely different note- look at how stinkin' long my hair is! I don't ever recall having it this long. And now it's driving me crazy. I'm in need of a good stylin' and new dos. Anyone have any advice of where I should go?

let the countdown begin

image via espn.com
College Gameday is coming to Provo. It's going to be amazing. T-minus 2 days. My friends and I are planning on camping out Friday night to get a good spot. And thanks to some sweet connections, we already know the secret location and might get some sweet hookups. Like they say- it's all about who you know.

Friday, October 16, 2009

deep thoughts on a friday afternoon

Working in the American Heritage office, I am kept up-todate on the recent happenings around the world that have an effect on this small community in which we live. Tuesday, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a devotional at BYU-Idaho. It was entitled "Religious Freedom". It is a brilliant, inspiring and thought provoking talk in which Elder Oaks discusses the importance of the First Amendment of the Constitution and how we as Latter-day Saints must do all in our power to protect and uphold it. Very powerful. Especially seeing as how Elder Oaks was previously a member of the State Supreme Court and was a clerk for the US Supreme Court. He is a very brilliant man. However, after his devotional, many people attacked him. They attacked his references to the unjust treatment of LDS supporters of Prop 8 in California and how he compared it to the intimidation of black voters during the Civil Rights movement. This is one of the most enraging, and sickening things I have watched and seen regarding this issue. I count it as a sign of the times for sure. I just want to say that I am proud of Elder Oaks for addressing such a controversial topic, and for sticking by everything he said. He had to know what would come as a result of some of the things he said, but that did not disuade him. I am proud to belong to a church that stands by moral truths and declares them with boldness and honesty.
I strongly suggest that you read Elder Oaks talk. You will be inspired to be a better US citizen and member of the Church, and he has some insights that I had never thought of before.

there's one in all of us

image via here
Where the Wild Things Are opens today. I bought the book on Monday in preparation. I love how simple it seems on the surface, but there's really a little more there than meets the eye. And now Spike Jonze has made this beloved book into a movie. And it looks stellar (as I've already mentioned). It has gotten great reviews. The move review article in the NYT is beautifully written. Seriously. I know I am English major, and it's nerdy to same that movie review is a beautiful piece of writting. But it truly is. Read it. You'll be inpsired and you will be itching to go see WTWTA. I know I am.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

picnics

I love picnics. I think they are such a lovely creation- eating+ sun + friends= a wonderful time. These pictures make me want to have a picnic in the park. And the weather today would be quite conducive for it I must say. Joanna over at Cup of Jo just posted these pictures from her wedding picnic brunch and I think it is a fabulous idea. Relaxed, calm, fun and loose- everything getting married ought to be (in my personal, unmarried opinion of course).

Friday, October 9, 2009

check me out

image via here
Check me out here. I am featured as a Friday Favorite on My Favorite Things!

ps: happy friday

Thursday, October 8, 2009

lovely

i couldn't resist- this image is perfection itself when capturing fall. Image found here

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

wild thing i think i love you

spotted via oh joy!
I can not tell you how excited I am for Where the Wild Things Are. It looks stellar (which, ps- is my new word). Urban Outfitters has come up with some genius ideas of pillows and t-shirt prints to honor this beloved classic. Brilliant!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

my happy thought

Right now, October is my happy thought. I've decided it's my favorite season. Beautiful fall colors, good food (pumpkin pie and caramel apples- need I say more?) and lovely clothes. Plus, football season is in full swing. What's not to love? (Besides midterms...)