I feel like Tuesday has just crept on me these past two weeks... I like doing the Tuesday Ten's, but life is a bit crazy right now with school-work, nannying, and an involved church calling. This week, however, I have things listed above in the browser already, so I'm ready to go... I guess that's every week. I'm just sayin' that I'm doin' it - haha!
1 - Dry Humor Magician meets a Kid.... Awesomeness ensues.
2 - Hunger Games Quotes Fridge Word Strips! Love these - want these.
3 - Mario Winans "I Don't Wanna Know" REGGAE mix! I liked this song before... Love it now.
4 - The Pass of All Passes (POAP)! My bestie, Sam, got one last year and I regretted not getting one too! It's legit. You can go to certain Real, Blaze, and Bees games, go to either Seven Peaks or Trafalgars, go to the aviary or raceway, and even ice skate. You get more than you pay for if you use it only a few times... cause it's only $30! I'm down!
5 - Colton Dixon! He's a contestant on American Idol and I LOVE his music... However, even more than that. I love his passion for his faith. He's not afraid to stand up for what he believes in most. About his outward faith he states, "...it is a part of me and I want to share it—no matter what, good or bad outcome. It is me." I like him a lot - and the article below!
http://celebs.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981214876
6 - Salt & Vinegar Chips. I use to hate them, now...
7 - Fashion Star. What a cool show concept! I never would have thought to give it serious thought to watch, but it was on after The Voice, so I just watched it... LOVE the idea that I can buy the clothes right away if I wanted to... So cool! Plus, not all the clothes suck... Score.
8 - David Archuleta spotted during General Conference. Well, Conference in general was a highlight and favorite of my week, but that will get it's own entry... It was that good.
9 - Unscripted interview with Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Elizabeth Banks - Hunger Games and Hanson themes are present and thus, I am in love... It's a great "non-interview interview."
10 - David Archuleta's "Forevermore." Here's his most recent music video... Love the sound and the song - I hope it's successful at least on soft rock stations - Haha!
I wasn't going to do the Tuesday Ten this week, but I can't resist... So, I'm thinking it's gonna be a chill week and I'm going to do my top ten things about Spring. Here goes:
1 - Popcorn Trees. Eliza and I were admiring the blossoming trees all day and I'm in love with how gorgeous they are EVERY year...
2 - More light at night... I like that it's later into the evening and just more light time in my waking hours.
3 - Bonfires. These are also a Summer thing, but they always start in Spring and I am STOKED for bonfires and the get-togethers that happen because of them.
4 - Skirts with no leggings of tights! I love that I don't have to wear another layer to keep warm on my legs.
5 - Tans. The beginning of getting tan starts in Spring and it makes wearing those skirts with no leggings, as spoken about previously, much more acceptable and cute.
6 - Fresh strawberries! I've eaten fresh strawberries for the past four days and I'm in love...
7 - Spring/summer lovin'. Even when nothing happens, there is always "love" in the air and it's funny to watch others start mad crushing on random others... and doing it myself.
8 - Book time! Half of Spring is caught in the school term, but the other half is pure freedom (aside from my job), which means more time any time to leisure reading. I LOVE catching up on what I WANT to read! This summer I plan to scour a million and one scripts, re-read The Hunger Games trilogy, read a few church-history books, start finally reading Divergent, finish the complete works of William Shakespeare, re-read the Book of Mormon and New Testament, and go through a few other new books. I'm stoked.
9 - Rain. I love it when the rain in April/May comes... Rain storms are a favorite of mine.
10 - Flip-Flops! Yep - bring on the flip-flops and sandals! I'm more flats person than anything, but during the Spring and Summer I am often wearing flip-flops or gladiator sandals. Love em'!
2 - Glitter Nail Polish. It's almost/kinda/maybe sandal and flip-flop weather and I LOVE my pink glitter toes and nails... They just make me a little extra happy when I look at them!
3 - Gotye's song, featuring Kimbra, "Somebody That I Use to Know," and the really amazing video. Check it:
4 - This quote:
I believe this. You may not. That's okay. For the video of this quote (I wanted to make sure that Obama had actually said it) then watch this video (link below). The whole clip is actually quite good in my opinion...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOwzy-vKaFI
5 - I have nothing on Baby Jamie and his mad Table Tennis skills...
6 - My Inhaler! I used it for the first time last night and I could RUN. I mean, my shins were killing me at the end, but I felt no pressure in my chest when on a treadmill! I've never breathed like that... never. When I was nine I remember having issues with breathing when working out... I feel like a whole new person, which is why I love my inhaler.
7 - Upliftothers.com - I love this site and the message it gives about handling tough things in life and holding onto hope and faith. There's a video on there called, "Why Life Matters," that I adore:
8 -Basketball Shorts... Oh, how I LOVE basketball shorts to lounge around in..... a lot.
9 - Bon Qui Qui's "I'm a Cut You!" Hahaha - This is hilarious! I actually love Anjelah Johnson in general! Haha... She is SO funny - look up her video "Nail Salon" for a stand-up routine of awesomeness, actually....
10 - "Nail Salon" by Anjelah Johnson! OH, so funny.... I love it. I've watched it about four times... in a day.
Here I am... It's another Tuesday and I am posting my favorite things for the week. I'll continue this trend for at least a few more weeks and then evaluate if I wanna keep it up... I kind of like being able to keep track of all of my favorite things in one space. I KNOW that's what pinterest is for, but still... This is like my journal right now, and I like it!
So, here is this week's Tuesday Ten, written & created with love! Haha:
1 - Pumped Up Kicks DUBSTEP. This dancer is LEGIT! I am not kidding when I say that he can move so smooth you feel like he's not putting any effort behind it - which we know ain't true. He is the real deal. The song is decent - love the remix - and the dancing is sublime.
2 - The Londoner Blog. I found this blog because it was a post called "The Anti Diet," which is an AMAZING post and clicking on the blog name will take you to that specific entry. However, the entire blog is awesome, with gorgeous pictures, fun stories and trip descriptions, and cute fashion looks. I love it!
3 -Chris Brown's "Turn Up the Music." The video is a bit weird & trippy, but I ended up really liking it a lot! The dancing in the video is AMAZING, the song is SO much fun (whether when driving in the car or working out), and I love Chris Brown's music - a lot. P.S. The remix with Rihanna is SICK!
4 - Ten Thousand Haiku. I love Haiku poems and poetry in general... Thus, I love this site. FYI - a Haiku is a 5-7-5 syllable poem. Click on the name to take you there, but here are some examples below:
"Quiet in the room
Stacks of dark light on the floor
Nothing in the room"
"This has become work:
The sun setting behind me,
Calendar on fire"
5 - Karmin's "Brokenhearted." I LOVE this song! It makes me SO happy every time I hear it and I love singing along. Plus, I adore Karmin and where they came from... Music majors gone YouTube and getting a recording deal out of it = awesome. They are original and unique in many ways and homegirl can rap really well for a white girl! I wanna do what she does... Rap and Belt. Done. Here they are on SNL:
6 - Say Yes to the Dress. I've had so many (I mean, SOOOOOOO many) friends get married or recently engaged that I started looking at different types of dresses with/for some of them and over the past few months. Somewhere along the line, I fell into watching this show... Now, I'm obsessed. I think it's crazy how much a girl will spend on a dress for a day and I love watching all the crazy styles go on them. I'm a MUCH simpler girl, but it's a guilty pleasure to watch and better than most other trashy, reality TV.
7 - One Direction's "One Thing" and the VIDEO! I love these boys and they're fun pop-music! It's just FUN. Plus, I think the lyrics to this song are adorable - "Get out of my head, and fall into my arms instead..." Story of my life (well, everyone's life!) and I think it's cute! :) PLUS, the video is shot in the streets of London and on a double-Decker bus! Be still my heart... I'm London obsessed!
8 - Pretzels. Perhaps I've said this before, but I can't get enough of pretzels... Plain, salted, chocolate or yogurt-covered, soft or hard... I love pretzels. The way into this woman's heart might just be pretzels...?
9 - My mom. I have the best mom in the world. Really... I know that most people believe this about your mom and you might be right - FOR YOU. However, FOR ME, my mom is the best mom (hands down) that I could ever have. She cares about me and what makes me happy. She allows me free expression and loves me for who I am, no matter if that correlates of contradicts what she thinks or feels. She is supportive of me and knows what I need, when I need it. She believes in me and helps me through all my problems. She listens. Also, she loves the things that I love and is passionate about similar things... When I called her today after class just to tell her about my day and how excited I was about teaching someday, she was excited with me. She really is my best friend and I only pray that I continue to let her know how special she is to me because I was/am SO blessed to have her in my life and eternity.
10 - Sam & Ashley's Videos on "Mornings With Matt." My friend, Ashley, married her husband, Sam, a few years back. Four weeks after their first child he got into a snowboarding accident and became a paraplegic. Ashley has ALWAYS been a strong woman - even at age 14 I remember specific example of how she led and befriended others with Christ-like love. She's a powerhouse and these video give a taste of what they've been through as a couple and where they are now. She is currently pregnant with their second child and I am SO happy they'll be parents again - what a lucky kid! :) Take 4 minutes to watch one of their videos:
1 - "I Like You" video... I know. It's cheesy as all get out. However, I like it. It's endearing and cute... I "like" it... a lot.
2 - Healthy = Happy Blog. I am now of this calorie counting kick and have been looking up low-cal ideas, and motivational blogs. Yep - I admit it freely. It's been great and I stumbled onto this blog and fell in love with the organized chaos. It's funny, motivational, give ideas/picture, quirky - everything I want. Enjoy by clicking on the link in the name above...
3 - JFK on Mormons. JFK is one of my favorite political figures of all time for many reasons. I recently discovered this speech excerpt he gave at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 26, 1963. I think it really neat and shows a great respect level for a religion he was not a part of, but supported in the right to be free to choose.
4- Awkwardness. Yep... I love awkwardness and how awkward I often am in my DAILY life. Charlie Brown also loves awkwardness, as displayed below:
5 - Greensleeves otamatone??? I have NO clue what these little noise-makers with faces are, but I was laughing so hard watching this... Only the Japanese could create these - love it. They sound like a really musical duck... The duck might be more pleasant. Haha!
6 - DJ Earworm - United State of Pop 2012 (Mashup - World Go Boom). I love all of DJ Earworm's yearly mash-ups! Check out his one from past year too if you haven't before... He does a great job of mashing things up and then allows you to download them free on his site. LOVE this!
7 - Nail Polish! I just love being able to change the colors of my finger and toe nails as often as I'd like and give myself a whole new look. I like to do crazy designs too... I love nail polish - a lot!
8 - Angry Birds+Scriptures = PURE AWESOMENESS.
9 - Why I Work Out Poster. I don't really work out because of what the poster below says, but after I read it, I've thought it a few times while running. Dang... I would have died FAST in those Hunger Games! While we're on the Hunger Games topic... 3 WEEKS! EEK!!! :)
10 - "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen - Feat. Justin Bieber, Selena, Ashley Tisdale & MORE! Haha... I posted this on facebook too... I'm obsessed with the song and these random celebs dancing around to it! The fact that Carly's real video is even better and down from You Tube right now makes me a bit sad. I was gonna past that one too... Oh well! Here ya go!Sidenote: I've probably watched this about 14 times... really.
1 - "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction. I know they are cheesy, and young, but I kinda love them and their hit song! The just won a Brit award for this song as #1 single, and they have a cool story of how they all came together - hand-picked by Simon Cowell. I love them and I love this song!
2 - Invincible Summer quote... (and even the way the picture looks):
3 - Pneumonia Pronunciation. I laughed SO hard when I watched this... and the many other videos on this guys station. He is HILARIOUS and his pronunciations are CLASSIC. Enjoy the best 0:08 seconds ever - and then, enjoy again!
4 -J.K. Rowling's future adult novel! I am SO stoked to read more of her writing and can not wait to see what she has up her sleeve! :) Click on the link above to see the announcement on her website about it!
5 - Sophie Grace and Rosie go to the Grammys! I am in love with these two little girls and am enjoying watching Rosie get more talkative. Sophie Grace is insane talented for an eight year old, and I have no doubt will do big things as she gets older. I know that Sophie is a bit annoying at times, but she's a LOT like me at her age - just FULL of energy and song! I love these girls and all their Ellen videos.
6 - Modern-day Shakespeare Sayings! We say a LOT of stuff in our common, everyday language. You probably didn't even know that half of the things on the poster below... check it out and I'm willing to bet you'll be surprised. Sidenote: I want this for my future classroom!!!
7 - Clumsy Thumbsy! Ellen has started this new segment every once and a while on her show where she reads "auto-correct" text mess-ups... I LOVE text mess-ups... a lot. "Did you write that on your 'smart phone?'" I'm posting two of these vids because they are THAT good....
8 -
"Dear optimist, pessimist and realist,
While you argued about how much water was in the glass, I drank it.
Sincerely, the opportunist"
9 - Drew Ryniewicz's cover of "Bound to You" (originally by Christina Aguilera). This girl has a great voice and mad talent for a fifteen year old... or any age for that matter. I'm a huge fan since her X-Factor debut and am kinda shocked she has yet to be signed after. I love her... just press play and listen while you search the web or lay back and chill.
10 - So You Think You Can Dance - SLC Style! I was able to go with a large group of friends to watch the SYTYCD Auditions that were taking place on Saturday in SLC. It was SO much fun! I freaked out a little bit when Nigel Lythgoe got out of his car, and even more so when Adam Shankman got out of his. Haha! I did the "woot woot" train noise when Mary Murphy walked out and cheered my lungs for all the dancers. There were some AMAZING dancers there today! One bigger guy started breakin' and we all thought, "He's really good," until his did a back hand-spring onto his elbows and a power slide. After that we thought, "This guy is freaking amazing!" Haha... There were a handful of really great guys (Charlie and Adrian to name a few) and two or three girls (Merrisa? Was that the red-haired girl's name?) I really liked... It was just cool to see it all go down and get the unedited version. LOVED IT!!!
This week was a crazy one with my computer to the point where mad Trojans attacked it and it was in major need of being FRIED. Thus, I come to you from virtually a brand-new feeling computer. Haha! It's back to having NOTHING on it and being free of any virus - thank goodness...
Now, with that info behind us, I bring you the Tuesday Ten for this week!
1 - Mick & Sugar -En Krije Sil Ik Dy! Haha... Yes, it's what you are thinking. I bring you "You're The One That I Want" from Grease in Dutch! Hahaha... No, I'm not crazy. This video is a bit famous over there and quite HILARIOUS, but also, by a Struiksma!!! I love my family.
2 - New Boots!!!! I got these boots ysterday for $15 at JCPenny's on clearance and was SO excited about it!!! I've been looking for cheap priced, well-made, brown, mid-high boots and finally found them today. I am VERY pleased with my purchase!
3 - Olivia Binfield and her poetry! This little girl is AMAZING! She has a unique passion for animals and wants to help save endangered species, partially through the use of her poetry. Watch her audition (really starts at 2 minutes in!) on Britain's Got Talent and how incredible she is because it is worth your time! It is the cutest thing, funny, and SO creative!
4 - Sheryl Garner. I love this video of an urban school teacher talking about the importance of friends, family, education, and being LDS. I'd like to think I've got a little of her zest for life, teaching, and the gospel as well. It's fabulous! Go to mormon.org to find out more about what Sheryl and I believe!
5 - England. I know, I know... this is an obvious one. However, this week I was/am REALLY missing it! I miss how many amazing places are close by and how many things there are to do in England alone. I miss the theaters and London in general. I miss the culture, the people, the cheap baguettes, the red buses and phone booths. I miss the amazing museums and the history there... I really wouldn't mind moving back someday.
6 -This Means War. I went and saw this movie with my friends, Amy and Andrea yesterday and LOVED it! I know that there are a few parts where some friends might be offended by topics for a very, very brief moment, but overall, the film was funny, cute, and action packed in many ways. I loved it! :) Plus, it has Reese Witherspoon (whom I love!) and two ridiculously good looking men - Chris Pine and Tom Hardy... Yes, please.
7 - "Anywhere Anything" by Gabe Bondoc. I found this guy a few months back thanks to a friend's facebook page - haha! This is on of his original songs and I think it's great... I would buy his album and play it regularly in my car. He's 100% my style!
8 - Netflix. I know that I'm behind the times, but these past few weeks I've had it, I've grown slightly obsessed. I can watch many of my American shows AND British shows - what an amazing invention!
9 - Two AMAZING Dancing Kids! These children are incredible dancers/acrobats (from Russia's Got Talent, I think?) and I was memorized watching them. Believe me, you'll want to see this video!
10 - "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars. I love this song, and not because it's from The Hunger Games movie soundtrack... though that's a plus. Haha! I love this song and it's so overwhelmingly my style right now. I'm in the "winter-curl-up-under-a-blanket" mood.... :)
1 - Zamzar.com- I am in love with this site because it allows you take a PDF file and convert it to a jpg. (picture) with the press of a button, without downloading anything else onto your computer. It's great! It emails you the file and you just download the link and have the jpg. LOVE it!
2 - Lindsey and Adam's "Remember When it Rained", SYTYCD Canada. This is an AMAZING dance piece that I discovered via YouTube. I wish I had known how amazing So You Think You Can Dance Canada has been! I know that America's is pretty rad too, but Canada really has some superb dancers and choreographers. Not to mention, some of our choreographers have gone over to their show to lend a hand too, which is awesome. This was one of the MANY videos that I found, which was AMAZING dancing!
3 -When In Rome. I watched this movie this past weekend and have to say, I'm shocked at how adorable it was! I feel in love with this cute tale (feat. Kristin Bell and Josh Duhamel) and am already craving to watch it again... Good thing my parents own it, and that I happen to live in the loft above them. :) I also LOVED the soundtrack!
4 - Lost in Motion. I guess I'm really into dance this week... This is immensely cool.
5 - Dorothy Perkins. I am obsessed with this UK clothing line/store and browse her site often. I have yet to buy something off the website, though I've come close a few times. I simply don't NEED anything... but when I do, I'll be checkin' back! I do have stuff from the store because of my 2010 travels over there. I love this store.
6 -Operation Beautiful. This is a website where people strive to let others know that they are beautiful. People are encouraged to leave notes on random mirrors in different locations saying "You are Beautiful!" or "You are perfect just the way you are!" I think that young girls especially (thought everyone does) are constantly battling with self-image issues and seeing these little pick-me-up-notes could do wonders... You never know, but it's worth a shot to help someone's self-esteem!
7 -Adele. I KNOW there is a lot of hype about her and right now I am actually NOT going to talk about her music - though that is for SURE amazing... I want to touch on something else. I love her quiet confidence and beauty. She talks about making music for the ears, and not the eyes. She's NOT about the industry. Here are two quotes from her that I adore:
"I like having my hair and face done, but I'm not going to lose weight because someone tells me to. I make music to be a musician not to be on the cover of Playboy."
I could do well remembering that... Not that I have ever wanted to be on Playboy - Um, NEVER. However, I get caught up and sometimes blame things on my size or don't try because of my size. That's rubbish - and it's ending. I've said it a million times and I'll probably say it more. It comes in waves... Right now, this wave is more like a tsunami. That's a good thing in the case.
"The focus on my appearance has really surprised me. I've always been a size 14 to 16... "
Me too.... always. I'm not ashamed. It is what it is... Adele is hot, and you know what? SO AM I. :) Get ready, world... It's time for Linze to flaunt it.
8 - Keeper of His Light. I am in love with this song... I learned it a long time ago and had forgotten about it, but it went perfect with FY 2008. Ah, memories... Haha! I'm thankful that I know "He is reaching out to guide us," and can put my trust in Him - Him, being my Savior, and friend.
9 - Dad's Pork Chili. OH MY WORD. My dad made this AMAZING batch of pork chili - a HUGE batch - and the recipe trashed any recipe of before, any salsa of before, any 7 layer-dip of before... Yep, it was that good. I add a bit of cheese, warm it up, and eat it with tortilla chips, on burritos or eggs... Mmm. It's one of this week's favorite things!
10 -SMASH! I am a HUGE fan of this new show Smash, and am stoked to see how it develops... It's all about Broadway and New York and the theater! Here is the AMAZING song from the pilot, "Let Me Be Your Star." I'm in LOVE!
I feel like every week I barely have time to fit in school, work, and a little bit of socialization... but I MAKE time to blog a little bit and at least do my weekly Tuesday Ten. It's a nice little break for me and I really enjoy leaving a bookmark for my favorite videos or sites, discussing favorite things with my friends/family, and just writing things that keep me going throughout the week... which is kinda funny when I'm sometimes talking about eyeliner of videos of 6 year-old science experts. Eh!
So, with out further adieu, here are my week's Top Ten things!
1 - Little Kid's Inspirational Speech About Bike Riding. This video if a past favorite that has been recently rediscovered. THEN, they showed a short excerpt from the video after the Superbowl and I had to laugh because it was already on my "top ten" list for the week. I am just so in-sync with the media... Wait, is that a good thing, or...?
2 - The Voice. The show is back and I am ECSTATIC! I love this show... I love the judges and the concept. I am ready for it to be back... What would I love more? If I was on it. Haha! No, but really.
3 -Aerial Views. There's a blog that I found that has a bunch of random aerial view shots that I LOVE. There's one example below, but click on the words "Aerial Views" above for a link to the blog and to see all the other shots in the entry. There are MANY other ones across the internet, but there are a few that I love on this blog.
4 - "Today Was a Fairytale" (By: Taylor Swift) Fan-Made Video. This is ELIZA'S favorite thing of the past TWO weeks... If she had a choice, she would watch it everyday, all day... I'm not exaggerating. She just BEAMS when she hears the song, and more so when she sees the video. She gets all blushy and giggly when the little boy turns into a prince... Cutest thing EVER. So, this video is kind of a favorite, but more so it's E's reaction.
5 - "I Miss You" Cover by Alex Lambert, Andrew Garcia, and Josh... something. This cover is better than the original in my opinion... I am in love with it and LOVE Alex Lambert. It's too bad he hasn't used his connection to Idol as a real platform... He has SO much potential to me... I REALLY like his voice and chill style. This cover = GORGEOUS.
6 - Hunger Games T-Shirts! In preparation for the Hunger Games premier (I'm going a day early!), I have been checking out where I can get the proper attire for the occasion. That's right, ladies and gents... I need a HG T-shirt! Haha... Here are a few I like - thoughts? Which one should I get?
7 - 1988 Crystal Light Aerobics Competition. Oh my word... this video is THAT good. Haha! During last weekend's "girl's night in," we were looking up funny videos and THIS one was presented to me. I was DYING laughing... The outfits, the cheesy moves and grins, the tacky music... Oh - I love the 80s.
8 - Brittney Snyder. I found this girl's music a few months back, but have recently really listened to all of it and love her. I think she has a lot of talent and potential... I would buy her album! Haha... Check out her music and site by clicking on her name (or listen to the link below) - it all loads fast, so check out a few songs. Below is her most recent, but check out her first song - a duet with JB Ahfua from Am. Idol.
9- Play, Create, Explore. This website gives a million and one ideas for parents, babysitters, siblings, or nannies (hint, hint) to use for entertaining their kids and helping them learn to create projects, be innovative, explore ideas, and have fun with experimentation - which Eliza loves! Thus, I adore this site. Click on the words to check it out.
10 - "Break Again" by Charlie and Emily. My friend, Kate, posted about these guys she found on YouTube that did an amazing cover of "Someone Like You," by Adele. However, I love THIS song - "Break Again," which is an original piece. They blend well together and the girl's voice really is out of this world. Check out Charlie Puth and Emily Luther!
Here are my favorite things of the week... Enjoy. :)
1 - Filipino Traffic Cop Doing His Job Like the King! I love how much this guy gives his all to his job. I think that if we all just put our everything into our work like him and enjoyed it, we would all be predominately happier.
2 - Pinmill Earrings.I found them on Etsy and I want them... There are cheaper ones on Ebay, but they are windmills... Haha! I think these are simple, but adorable.
3 - This quote:
You can do anything, but not everything.
I am getting SO much better at this - I use to be terribly over-involved... but not I'm only somewhat over-involved... :)
4 - I Am Legend, wait for it... DARY. If this really were a movie, I would be all over seeing this.
5 - Carroll High School's Powder Puff Dance... I normally find these dances lame because they're really not that good, but this one is awesome! It's funny, the choreography is creative, and the boys are actually not that bad... I think it's worth a watch!
6 - Diversity Crayons. I don't know the actual title of this picture, but that's what I call it... I think it's powerful, and somewhat poignant - It makes you think. I want this for my classroom.
7 - Zupa's Tomato Basil Soup. Last night I took part in the annual, bi-ward Polar Bear Plunge. It was literally the COLDEST experience of my life! I jumped in and was SHOCKED (again, literally) by how cold it was, came up from the water, and could barely breathe. Once I got actually out of the water, my body felt like it was ON FIRE, burning away.... especially my toes. Haha! My good friends Aura and Chelsea were nice enough to have a bowl of Zupa's Tomato Basil Soup for me once I got out of the pool. It warmed my heart... and my body. Haha... I don't know if it really warmed me, but it is DELICIOUS!
8 - Blake Griffin's Amazing DUNK! I'm not a clippers fan, but this dunk was somewhat epic... feel free to put it on repeat and get an instant reply again and again...
9 - Laughs! I love to laugh and I LOVE other people's laughs. If you know me, you know I have seven different laughs. My friend, Dru, counted them one summer... It's pretty crazy. My friend, Ben, posted this video with a ton of different laughs... It made me smile. :)
10 - Jacob 4:10 -
"... seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."
I was reading this morning and came across this scripture. A reoccurring theme in the past few weeks of my life has been that FAITH is also having faith in the Lord's TIMING. I think this is perhaps the hardest part of life for me... I often know when I do and don't want things, so learning to take counsel from the Lord and not try to counsel him in what I think I need or what I want for myself is difficult. I love how the Bible Dictionary says it- "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant..." Our job is to ask for His will to come to fruition, and trust that His plan is better than our own. SCARY? Yes. WORTH IT? Definitely.
*muah*
P.S. I also love how it says "he counseleth in GREAT MERCY..." He only wants what's best for us and, "Mercy is the compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved," made possible through the Atonement. Ultimately, if I have faith and change my will to His, he will give me more than I could dream of... and more than I deserve.
This week there are probably going to be too many videos for some of you... Others will love that. I simply know that some of my readers are NOT YouTube watching fans... bizarre, right? Haha! All the same, each video comes HIGHLY recommended.
1 - Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros Acoustic Cover (Jorge & Alexa Narvaez). I am overwhelmed with cuteness after watching this! This dad is awesome - He doesn't try to correct her movements, notes, performance, etc. in any of their videos.... SUCH a cool bond! I wanna end up with a man who makes time for his kids like this and realizes how much it means to a child. Favorite part is halfway through: "One day I'm gonna whistle?" Oh my word... too adorable.
2 -Every Newsie Shufflin'! Do you love The Newsies? Do you love "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO? If you said yes to both (or one) of those questions, you will like love this...
3 - Messy Monday: Ten Ways To Get a Girl to Like You. I KNOW that this guy kinda appears to be yelling at you, and is a bit young, but I kinda love this video. He gives legit advice for the most part, and I love his candy bar analogy at #3.... and think #5 is really funny. Just watch... Some will hate it. Some will love it.
4 - Katy Perry's Epic Flute Fail. I died because this is THAT funny... Okay, it is to me.
5 -Misha B - Rolling in the Deep Cover from X Factor UK 2011... I saw this a few weeks back and love EVERY part of it! I love the remix, the outfit, the giant Great Britain flag chair, the dancers, the lighting... I love it ALL! Is she not AMAZING?! I'm so sad she didn't win. You have to click on the title to watch it because it doesn't have an embedding code, but the two minutes are SO worth it!
6 - German Man Confused by "Party Pooper!" I thought this was hilarious... Pretty classic. My favorite: "Jennifer poops at parties, and peoples knows this? I poop at parties, but peoples don't know because I close the door."
7- Angry Birds in Real Life... Do you like pigeons? What about Angry Birds? If you said no to Angry Birds, you're crazy - even I love that game. The 17 second video below makes me smile every time - love it...
8 - Footloose 2011: Official Dance Tutorial - Fake ID Line Dance! I love online dance tutorials - how awesome is it that I can learn to dance from some awesome guys online?! Love that... I also love this dance! You should learn it too... now we HAVE to go line dancing so that we can use it, right?!
9 - "Coming Soon" Movie Releases... There are quite a few films in February that I am dying to see. Some of these are the following: The Vow, The Woman in Black, This Means War, The Lorax, John Carter, Mirror Mirror (I think I'm excited..), and... Hunger Games! Haha... I'm also excited about Act of Valor and Safe House, but they'll have to wait for a bit until I can get a differently rated version.
10 - The Hunger Games Trailer!!! So, sue me. I'm obsessed with the books and am already getting stoked for a movie that comes out two months from yesterday. Haha! If you have not yet read The Hunger Games series, they are WELL worth your attention. Get on that... and though a very good friend of mine has reseved me a ticket for the day before the film is released, I will gladly go and see it with you again. Haha! No, but really...
Here comes another "Tuesday Ten," and let me tell you... there are some pretty hilarious clips included below.
1 - 6 yr. old Solar System Expert: Brandt Bickford. Doesn't that name just sound smart? I know. I am in love with this little boy, who I would love to see now that he's 9 years old! He is HILARIOUSLY adorable and so stinkin' funny. He reminds me SO much of the boy I use to shadow a few years ago, Ez - I miss that boy immensely. Watch this interview Brandt did with Ellen (whom I also adore!):
2- Liquid Eyeliner. I'm obsessed. I have been for some time now... I have used it on the top lid for a few months and now I use it on the bottom a lot too... It stays all day, doesn't smudge or run and looks fabulous!
3 - Film Directors. The films specifically and the actors tend to get all the credit and attention, but in reality, a film SUCKS without a good director. A script needs someone with vision and an innovative approach to really transcend what's already been seen on the screen in the past. There are bad actors and then there are bad directors... Half the time when you walk away thinking, "The acting was just so terrible," it's really because the directing wasn't that strong. The actor(s) still might suck, but the direction of a piece or specific shot/line has a LOT to do with it. Thus, here are my faves: J.J. Abrams, Guy Ritchie, David Lynch, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Baz Luhrmann, Ron Howard, and though I'll catch some flack for this, M. Night Shyamalan. These are my favorite film directors as of late!
4 -Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies!I tried these tonight and they were quite literally the best cookies I have ever eaten. Ever. (Click on the cookie name for the recipe!)
5 - Gold's Gym Express. I have even written them a letter to express my gratitude...
Dear Gold's Express -
For the past few weeks we have been having a really hot love affair. I realize that we've grown closer and I feel stronger when I'm around you... You make me happy. I need to let you know that I'm really committing to this relationship.
Sincerely - Thick, Beautiful, and Slowly Tonin'
6 - Paradise (Peponi) - Coldplay cover by The Piano Guys ft. Alex Boy - This piece is beautiful and the visuals are breathtaking. I love the piano and have a soft spot for Jon Schmidt - he just arranges things beautifully. I'm a HUGE fan of these guys and ALL their stuff - check out their latest, "Paradise (Peponi)" below:
7 - Tim Tebow. Yep - I'm on that bandwagon. I am not ashamed. NOW, that does not mean that I am now a Broncos fan or that I will ever be. I will never cheer for the Broncos against a team I like more because I like Tebow. Nope - I'm an Eagles and Chargers girl till the day that I die. I have the T-shirts to prove it! Haha... I really actually dislike the Broncos quite a bit. I just think that Tim Tebow is a legit man. He has a good heart and as I said before, the world could use a few more of him around - even if they are Broncos. Plus, if I could convert him, I'd be all over that! Haha... no, but really. (Click on his name for a link to an AMAZING story about him!)
8 -Kelly Clarkson's newest album, Stronger! It's an amazing work-out CD and I LOVE her most recent single off the album - However, the entire album is gold. Here is her song/music video "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." Enjoy!
9 - Mom, I'm Dating a MormonReality Web-series. I saw the sneak preivew for this today and I think it looks like it could be worth watching. We'll see, but it looks fun! I like the guy. I like the girl. It looks legit. I'm excited for the premier of the first episode on January 30th!!! The preview is below and the website is accessible by clicking on the title of the web-show above):
10 - Sh*z Mormons Say, by Stephen Jones! The video speaks for itself.
Sidenote: I say "Son of a Biscuit" and "Holy Hannah" ALL the time...
Here's this week installment of the "Tuesday Ten," which are things I am currently lovin' on!
1. I am in love with this idea... I'm not opposed to actually trying this.
2. One of my best friends, Chad, wrote this Samsung commercial -"Fashion Advice." Every time I see it I feel a little twinge of pride for him - he's pretty talented.
3. I love quotes. I love quotes about priorities and making an effort in relationships. I LOVE this quote.
4. I adore these Live the Language commercials! My favorite one is the Paris one below, even if it wasn't my favorite place to visit. I'd watch them all.... I'm awaiting the Germany one soon to be released!
5. Orbit Spearmint Gum! Yes, please.
6. George Albert Smith created his 11 Ideals to live by and I really like them. The one that stuck out to me the most is below :
"I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right."
If we all thought that way and tried to just love others, we would have a much better world and all be significantly happier. The only way a person will really change is if they make the change themselves - just love them, and hopefully others seeing you be Christ-like will make them want to be Christ-like. You can't ask someone to live up to YOUR ideals, when you're not perfect so YOU can't even live up to each one of your own ideals.
7. This is What Happens When You Give Thousands of Stickers to Thousands of Kids...
8. BBC Sherlock! Season 2, Episode 1 was just released and I watched it last night... My love for the show, and BBC in general, was reinvigorated.
9. Theater Methods - MAT 625. Yes, I just listed a class as a favorite thing! I had my first Theater Methods class last night and I just adore my teacher and the class in general. I am SO stoked about this semester!
10. The Not Acceptable R-word PSA Commercail. I am rather passionate about the entire "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign. We talked a lot about it in one of my classes last semester and it's just not okay to use the word "retarded" when someone does something foolish or dumb. It's tacky and a turn-off... and it's just not okay.
The year of 2011 was a completely fabulous one for me. I don't think that I realized how fabulous it really was until I took the time yesterday and today to look back and ponder on the experiences I had, life changes I took, and friends that I made. I am one blessed woman, and I need to show my thanks a great deal more! Haha... No, but really - I am a lucky girl.
Just to give y'all a taste of my life this past year, here are the top ten eleven highlights of this past year for today's "Tuesday Ten... Eleven." Here goes:
1 - My trip to Seattle! The first thing that I did when I came back from Germany was fly up to Seattle to visit my brother (Derek) and sister-in-law. Derek has been one of my best friends for 26 years and counting, and Cami has joined the ranks fairly quickly. I know that once I got back I would want to see them right away, and even better, I was going to get to see a brand new city and state! They took me all around Seattle and just spent time visiting with me - I could not ask for better siblings/through-marriage-siblings...? Haha! They are amazing and we always spend the majority of our time laughing and having a good time. Love it!
2 - Working the Sundance Film Festival! Not only was this a down-right awesome experience for the resume, but I also got to see a ton of inspiring, inventive, and even bizarre films that I might not have seen otherwise. Plus, I got to work the event and stay with one of my best friends, Chad, and make a new friend at the same time, Emily. I also ran into my friend, Jessica, from Paris while I was there! Small world... Even though I was a bit sick through part of it, I had a great time, learned a lot about the indie film industry, and formed some stronger friendships. I hope to do it again later this month, but I'm thinking time with work and Grad School are not going to allow it. We'll see!
3 - Finally attending Festival of Colors! I know this seems a minimal and weird highlight, but I've always wanted to go and so finally going was a highlight from this past year. It also was a kick-off to tackling a few things on my bucket list and that has been a whole other set of adventures...
4 - Becoming a Nanny for Eliza! I become a nanny for a second time in May and it has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Not only has the job aspect fit perfectly into my life and school schedule, but I also found a fantastic family to be a part of each week. I work the perfect amount of time and spend my days with the best little girl ever! She is well-behaved, kind, intelligent, hilariously adorable, and has amazing parents that I really gel with in all aspects. I can talk to the family about anything job-wise or in my personal life and I truly feel as though I have made friends in this family. I am SO blessed and grateful that I will continue to have this job through at least this next year. Love it!
5 - Stadium of Fire 2011! This year I was again given the opportunity to be a part of Stadium of Fire as an Assisstant Stage Manager, and took on some extra responsibility as the Special Talent Coordinator. It was a good chance to do some additional networking, learn more about SoF and the event process, and allowed me to meet some new people/form stronger bonds with some old acquaintances. Plus, Brad Paisley and David Archuleta were the entrainment, which was awesome! I'm not a huge Paisley fan, but we all know my love for little Archuleta...(Sidenote: He announced he's going on a mission! AH! So stoked.)
6 - Summer 2011. I realize how broad that is, but this past summer was simply one of the best I have ever had! In March, I become part of a new YSA ward and just grew to quickly love so many different individuals. Over the summer I spent time with many of them going to drive-ins, rodeos, Bees and Real games, swimming pools, pudding slip-n-slids, concerts, favorite restaurants, movies, Brighton sleepovers, etc. I had a LOT of fun! There are a few pictures below to help re-capture the memories... I don't think I've ever had a better summer. For real.
7 - Harry Potter 7: Part II -- A piece of childhood ended! Speaking of summer, this July brought the conclusion to an epic fantasy for many young adults my age that grew up reading the Harry Potter series. We were thrilled to follow Ron. Hermione, and Harry on one last adventure to defeat Lord Voldemort, destroy the horcruxes, and see kids turn into adults. Haha! That was dramatic in description, but truth be told, I'm dramatic - surprise. Haha! I love Harry Potter and everything the series teaches readers and viewers - the "ending to the era," though hard to face, was a complete highlight for my summer.
8 - CONCERTS!!! Another highlight of my summer (and fall) was the amount of amazing and/or just downright fun concerts I was able to attend. I saw Parachute (aka: Sparky's Flaw) live for the first time in years, Vocal Point (Okay, that was in March, but still...), Andrew Allen, He Is We, Jon Schmidt (again), Brad Paisley, David Archuleta (again - haha!), Explosion in the Sky, Lupe Fiasco, Sara Bareilles (FINALLY!), Sugarland, Cameron Rafati, Jason Derulo, and HANSON (Be Still My Heart - ABOUT TIME!). Hanson alone might have been the highlight to my year - amazing. It was a good year in music for me...
9 - Starting Grad School at Westminster! I made the random choice to start applying to Grad Schools with a focus in Education after subbing for the first few months back and finding no luck in the job world. I think if I was suppose to be just working right now one of the MANY jobs I applied for would have panned out nicely, but instead I was constantly forced back into the classroom so I could get a pay-check and make ends meet. I then realized how much I loved teaching and kids and could still follow other dreams and passions at the same time as teaching. However, a teaching degree would allow me a more solidified path. I checked out numerous schools, but I randomly emailed Westminster on a whim suggestion from my mother and it CLICKED. I sent an email for more info and an hour later received a phone call asking to set up a time for me to come look at campus.
I was skeptical - REALLY skeptical - but it was just RIGHT from the first meeting and on. I started the application process in the office that day, finished within the week, and was accepted the following week. It all fell into place and I knew it was were I needed to be and, for now, was what I needed to be doing in my life. I have GREAT teachers, the BEST co-hort ever, and really love studying education. I'm excited to be a teacher and I already see where change is needed... and am debating getting a PhD so I can go into Educational Policy and Reform. Me. A PhD. Maybe not, but before... I would never even have considered the notion.
10 - The birth of little Zoey Capri! On October 31st, my beautiful niece came into this world. I was ecstatic. Then, on December 20th I finally got to meet her and hold her in my arms for the first time... She is AMAZING. She is my favorite little girl in the entire universe and I can not wait until she's old enough to call her "crazy aunt Linze" for school or boy advice... I can not wait to see her again and I only wished she were closer by me (her and her parents, actually!). I love her so much and her birth was a huge highlight in my year and my life.
11 - Weddings! I had a few of my really good friends get married (and one getting married this Friday that we've been planning for this past year) this past year and it was SO neat to either be at their weddings, bridal events, or just visit with them about the whole thing. I am SO happy for all of them - Brandon, Jeannette, Sarah, Sam, and Kay. I'm glad I could in some way or another be a part of your lives and this special event for you! (More pictures of some of these are to come!!!)
Year of 2011, you were great to me! Now, I can hardly wait to see what 2012 has in store for me... Only time will tell! :)
*muah*
Sidenote: I had terrible stomach flu on New Year's Eve and was OUT! I didn't hear fireworks, yelling, or banging on pots and pans... nada. It was a pretty nasty two days of vacay. So, I also failed to recall what the first song of the year I heard was - a usual tradition... oh well! Next year? Haha...
Song of the Day: I'm gonna go with a little blast from the past... well, two years ago in the past. Haha! Here is a constant favorite, always-feels-good-to-hear-you song from Iyaz - "Replay." Enjoy and reply it... get it?! Haha... okay, just enjoy.
I am a singer, an actress, and a dancer. I am an educator and a life-long learner. I am a comedian. I love to laugh... and smile. I am spiritual and passionate about spirituality. I love sports, politics, reading, writing poetry, and I'm crazy about traveling! I work hard and play even harder... I hold no shame in my awkwardness, and embrace the unique. I am passionate and emotionally-centered. I have two webbed toes, love eyeliner and the color yellow, eat too many donuts, collect elephants, and am a personal paradox - living in planned spontaneity. Oh, and I love to write!
