I must admit my addiction. I love movies. I love analyzing, enjoying, laughing, and crying. Movies are wonderful to experience because they make one feel transported into an alternate reality. My addiction for movies has grown so bad in the past two years that I consider myself a regular. Some months I am them each week...or more. No, I am not made of money, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made for entertainment purposes. At least that is what I tell myself as I lay in bed every night wondering how to pay for college. The following is the list of movies I have already seen or want to see in theaters this year.
The Lego Movie
Divergent
Noah
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Rio 2
The Amazing Spider-man 2
Fed Up
Godzilla
Blended
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Maleficent
The Fault in Our Stars
How To Train Your Dragon 2
Guardians of the Galaxy
The Giver
If I Stay
The Maze Runner
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Meet the Mormons
Big Hero 6
Penguins of Madgascar
The Hobbit 3
Night at the Museum 3
Into the Woods
Annie
Unbroken
I averaged a movie every other week this year. What can I say? I'm a movie junkie. Next year I will have to find time to blog a review about each movie I see. #NewYear'sResolution
Friday, December 5, 2014
Black Friday Deals! (13)
Black Friday is my Christmas present to myself because I know that nobody else knows my sense of style quite like I do, and well let's face it: I love clothes. I must say that I do find it unfortunate to have never experienced Black Friday when it was actually on Friday. The midnight and 1am openings were probably way crazier with all of the hysteria. Now, you didn't even have time to take a nap after Thanksgiving feast before you have to rush off to the stores that open at 5pm!
I'm not complaining. After all I ended up going anyway, but I still would have gone if it would have been 12, 2, and 4. Deals are deals, and retail stores should learn to practice mercy and have compassion for their employees who want to spend the holidays with family...not crazy people.
Items purchased:
Leather jacket
Plaid peacoat
Jeans
Two watches
Ties
Socks
Gloves and Scarf
Multiple Sweaters
Jewlery
Blazer
DVDs
Boots
Picture Frames
Paintball Poem (12)
Many people I love (my dad, brothers, friends) enjoy paintballing, so I wrote them a metaphorical poem relating the game of paintball to the game of life. It is fairly cheesy, and inexperienced individuals will not understand the brilliance of it. Nonetheless here it is:
Paintball: The Game of Life
By: Chelsea Woodrum
Another welt, another blow
Into the dead box I must go
Dorito One, Snake Two
The enemy lies out of view
One by one they all die
Until there is just one more guy
We all watch from afar
Knowing his skills aren't up to par
We all are teammates by trade
And our brotherhood will never fade
Devotion is our inspiration
While fame is our aspiration
The game of life, some may say
Paintball is our day to day
And just like life’s a battle still
We put our all in every drill
Our enemy lies across the field
With only a bunker as his shield
We arm ourselves with balls of paint
Even though our spirits are faint
We lost the first and second round
And still the battles all abound
The war is ending as of now
With one more shot we’ll take a bow
Pistachios (10)
I attended my first behavioral lab the other day, and my experience was far from normal. I would claim it to be a little traumatizing in fact.
In the Tanner Building, I gathered in the hall with other students as time passed and we inched closer to our impending fate. The door creaked open and we filtered in one by one. We each sat in front of a computer and could not see outside of the makeshift cubicles that had been created.
There were two parts to this behavioral lab. The second part was much less traumatizing, so I will start there. Basically, I listened to 10 audio recordings of different people singing "Let it Go" and "Happy Birthday" and then ranking them. I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I am most likely the least musically inclined person on the entire planet and, who knows, I could be tone deaf! After the tedious surveying of vocals I indicated to the instructor that I was complete and got up from my chair.
Back to part one though. After being seated we were instructed on how to proceed. The first question was to describe how a pistachio tastes. Wait, what? I have never eaten a pistachio. So, of course I made it up. The next question was how do you see yourself when you picture yourself eating a pistachio? Again, I have never eaten a pistachio. I start to feel like a complete idiot and incapable of participating in the lab. Then we get to a stopping point and the instructor comes over to each of us individually. When the instructor came to me he motioned toward a box covering a bag of pistachios and utter a few simple words. Words I heard as: "Open the bag." I didn't hear anyone else opening their bags, but I decided to go for it anyway.
BIG MISTAKE! The pistachios exploded everywhere with a loud burst. I was petrified. I tried to hurriedly clean them up but there were dozens scattered all over the desk and floor. The instructor came over shocked, possibly enraged and irritated. He told me to continue forward with the survey and not to mind the pistachios. Ha. Not to mind all of the nuts covering everything I can see in vicinity? Oh, ok. From there I finished part one and transitioned into part two.
Finally, the lab was complete. I walked into a room and the instructor told the girl in front of me that the computer was a random number generator and she would be generated a number from 1 to 10. If she got 10 she would win. Sadly, she got a 6. So she returned to the hallway we originally gathered in. Suddenly I found myself next. The instructor didn't re-explain the guidelines he just pushed the button. And, guess what? 10! Congratulations! You won! I stared at him in disbelief. In my mind I couldn't help but wonder what on Earth I would win. Then the second instructor walks in the room and hands me, none other than, a bag of pistachios. Embarrassed, I laugh and explain how I was the one who opened the bag. The two instructors exchanged looks and then ushered me out the door.
Ha. Life can be so funny sometimes. Awkward, traumatizing, and many other things, but it's always good to laugh 9especially at yourself).
In the Tanner Building, I gathered in the hall with other students as time passed and we inched closer to our impending fate. The door creaked open and we filtered in one by one. We each sat in front of a computer and could not see outside of the makeshift cubicles that had been created.
There were two parts to this behavioral lab. The second part was much less traumatizing, so I will start there. Basically, I listened to 10 audio recordings of different people singing "Let it Go" and "Happy Birthday" and then ranking them. I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I am most likely the least musically inclined person on the entire planet and, who knows, I could be tone deaf! After the tedious surveying of vocals I indicated to the instructor that I was complete and got up from my chair.
Back to part one though. After being seated we were instructed on how to proceed. The first question was to describe how a pistachio tastes. Wait, what? I have never eaten a pistachio. So, of course I made it up. The next question was how do you see yourself when you picture yourself eating a pistachio? Again, I have never eaten a pistachio. I start to feel like a complete idiot and incapable of participating in the lab. Then we get to a stopping point and the instructor comes over to each of us individually. When the instructor came to me he motioned toward a box covering a bag of pistachios and utter a few simple words. Words I heard as: "Open the bag." I didn't hear anyone else opening their bags, but I decided to go for it anyway.
BIG MISTAKE! The pistachios exploded everywhere with a loud burst. I was petrified. I tried to hurriedly clean them up but there were dozens scattered all over the desk and floor. The instructor came over shocked, possibly enraged and irritated. He told me to continue forward with the survey and not to mind the pistachios. Ha. Not to mind all of the nuts covering everything I can see in vicinity? Oh, ok. From there I finished part one and transitioned into part two.
Finally, the lab was complete. I walked into a room and the instructor told the girl in front of me that the computer was a random number generator and she would be generated a number from 1 to 10. If she got 10 she would win. Sadly, she got a 6. So she returned to the hallway we originally gathered in. Suddenly I found myself next. The instructor didn't re-explain the guidelines he just pushed the button. And, guess what? 10! Congratulations! You won! I stared at him in disbelief. In my mind I couldn't help but wonder what on Earth I would win. Then the second instructor walks in the room and hands me, none other than, a bag of pistachios. Embarrassed, I laugh and explain how I was the one who opened the bag. The two instructors exchanged looks and then ushered me out the door.
Ha. Life can be so funny sometimes. Awkward, traumatizing, and many other things, but it's always good to laugh 9especially at yourself).
First Blind Date = Tears (9)
November 21, 2014 was the first time I ever went on a blind date, and honestly I had no idea what to expect. Luckily, I knew the couple we would be doubling with. Greg, the funniest guy I have ever met and roommate to my date, and Miss Riley Duck, my gorgeous roommate. The date itself was a lot of fun, but the part I want to touch on is the part that touched me most. At the end of the date, the final YouTube video we watched was a Mormon Message. Leave it to the return missionaries to pick the saddest one. Enduring Love is the name of the video we watched. Enjoy!
Love stories are all wonderful and beautiful in their own unique ways and the story portrayed in the video above caused me to be overcome with emotion. It isn't everyday that we see successful marriages and when we do we most likely taken them for granted. I love the principle of selflessness that was addressed in this video. Marriage and family are about service, and it is amazing that we have been blessed with eternal families. I know that I want someone to grow old with. Someone who will live in the moment, but be able to remember the good times when bad arise. Someone who will be by my side through thick and thin. And until I find that special someone I know that continuing to develop these qualities within myself is essential. The quote at the end by Elder Richard G. Scott says it all:
"Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered...Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good, and the foundation of a successful marriage."
My roommate left that date with puffy eyes and mascara lines all over her cheeks, but she and I both agree that the last video of the night was extremely powerful and brought the Spirit into the room.
Love stories are all wonderful and beautiful in their own unique ways and the story portrayed in the video above caused me to be overcome with emotion. It isn't everyday that we see successful marriages and when we do we most likely taken them for granted. I love the principle of selflessness that was addressed in this video. Marriage and family are about service, and it is amazing that we have been blessed with eternal families. I know that I want someone to grow old with. Someone who will live in the moment, but be able to remember the good times when bad arise. Someone who will be by my side through thick and thin. And until I find that special someone I know that continuing to develop these qualities within myself is essential. The quote at the end by Elder Richard G. Scott says it all:
"Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered...Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good, and the foundation of a successful marriage."
My roommate left that date with puffy eyes and mascara lines all over her cheeks, but she and I both agree that the last video of the night was extremely powerful and brought the Spirit into the room.
My BYU Aha Moment (8)
They say: "Some things are better left unsaid." As a blogger I disagree.
All of the bases need to be thoroughly covered. Meaning: The truth must be set free, nothing wavering. My first semester Aha moment took place just the other day when I realized that I shouldn't give my number out to every guy that requests it. Conservation of time and preservation of the single life are now my top priorities as a college student. Who knew these qualities would rank higher than studying for Political Science 110?
The plan for the rest of the semester in order to conserve and preserve is to: (a) Give my number out to significantly fewer guys, (b) Erase the "Marry Me Now" sign that must be permanently pasted to my forehead, (c) Develop my friend-zoning qualities more thoroughly so no misunderstandings arise, and finally (d) Avoid, at all costs, eating alone at the Cannon Center.
Why are such measures necessary at this time? What event has pushed me over the edge and caused my dating frustration to peak? It all comes down to "The Cannon Center Asian Creeper" (individual's real name will not be included for privacy purposes).
It was a normal Wednesday morning at the Cannon Center in Provo, Utah. I had just sat down at a booth to begin my 7:30am feast...cereal, when an unfamiliar young man walked up to my table and asked: "Can I join you?" Instead of being rude and snappy like the non-morning person I am, I permitted him access to the booth bench across from me. He set his tray down, but before he could sit he recognized the couple sitting in the booth behind me. Oddly enough they had served in the MTC while he was there. He spent the next fifteen minutes catching up with them, while I swiftly finished eating breakfast. At 7:45 I got up to leave, and then is when the problems began.
"Hey! Wait up." The voice called from too short of a distance. I turned. "I'm sorry I'm such a bad boyfriend. I promise next time I will talk to you more." In my head I really questioned whether or not that line actually worked on girls. "Well, anyway, you are really beautiful and I think we should hang out. How about Friday?" He pressed.
"Ummm...I work Friday."
"Ok. Saturday?" He continued.
At this point I am extremely hesitant and scramble to find a way to be nice AND blunt. "We'll see." I reply.
"So, tell me something interesting about yourself."
"I'm a business major." I retorted.
"No. Something actually intersting." I'm sorry. What? Did he really just diss my major? WOW! Real smooth...
"Well, let's see...I..uh...published a novel."
"Wow, ok. I peg you as the romance novelist type."
"Yep."
"Ok, well can I get your number to coordinate with you." In my head I couldn't help but wonder why he was so persistent.
"Ummm, you can just see me around."
"But, I've never seen you here before." He pleaded.
"I've really got to go. Bye." And with that I quickly left hoping to never encounter him again.
I did see him again though; two days later in fact. This time I was prepared and frantically searched the Cannon Center for a familiar face. The girl I chose to sit by just so happened to sympathize with my situation and had been approached by the same young man just a few days before I had. Coincidence, I think not! This guy must be desperate, because I told my roommate about him and they same thing happened to her. It is crazy to think that there could be a great number of innocent freshman girls who have been exposed to such awkward return missionary tendencies. My heart goes out to each and every one of them.
In the end, from this story we learn: In order to influence others do not go about your task in creeper-like ways
All of the bases need to be thoroughly covered. Meaning: The truth must be set free, nothing wavering. My first semester Aha moment took place just the other day when I realized that I shouldn't give my number out to every guy that requests it. Conservation of time and preservation of the single life are now my top priorities as a college student. Who knew these qualities would rank higher than studying for Political Science 110?
Why are such measures necessary at this time? What event has pushed me over the edge and caused my dating frustration to peak? It all comes down to "The Cannon Center Asian Creeper" (individual's real name will not be included for privacy purposes).
It was a normal Wednesday morning at the Cannon Center in Provo, Utah. I had just sat down at a booth to begin my 7:30am feast...cereal, when an unfamiliar young man walked up to my table and asked: "Can I join you?" Instead of being rude and snappy like the non-morning person I am, I permitted him access to the booth bench across from me. He set his tray down, but before he could sit he recognized the couple sitting in the booth behind me. Oddly enough they had served in the MTC while he was there. He spent the next fifteen minutes catching up with them, while I swiftly finished eating breakfast. At 7:45 I got up to leave, and then is when the problems began.
 |
| The thought that must have been going through his head. |
"Ummm...I work Friday."
"Ok. Saturday?" He continued.
At this point I am extremely hesitant and scramble to find a way to be nice AND blunt. "We'll see." I reply.
"So, tell me something interesting about yourself."
"I'm a business major." I retorted.
"No. Something actually intersting." I'm sorry. What? Did he really just diss my major? WOW! Real smooth...
"Well, let's see...I..uh...published a novel."
"Wow, ok. I peg you as the romance novelist type."
"Yep."
"Ok, well can I get your number to coordinate with you." In my head I couldn't help but wonder why he was so persistent.
"Ummm, you can just see me around."
"But, I've never seen you here before." He pleaded.
"I've really got to go. Bye." And with that I quickly left hoping to never encounter him again.
I did see him again though; two days later in fact. This time I was prepared and frantically searched the Cannon Center for a familiar face. The girl I chose to sit by just so happened to sympathize with my situation and had been approached by the same young man just a few days before I had. Coincidence, I think not! This guy must be desperate, because I told my roommate about him and they same thing happened to her. It is crazy to think that there could be a great number of innocent freshman girls who have been exposed to such awkward return missionary tendencies. My heart goes out to each and every one of them.
In the end, from this story we learn: In order to influence others do not go about your task in creeper-like ways
Our Role in the Work of Salvation (2)
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, I know that it is my responsibility to attain Christ-like attributes
and serve as a representative of Him. Jesus Christ is the perfect example to
follow, because he led a life without sin. While on this earth, Christ
ministered to many people with the intent of bringing them to a knowledge of
the gospel. Before He even came to earth to gain a physical body, the Lord
communed with Moses and revealed: “This is my work and my glory - to bring to
pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). I know that through
Christ’s teachings and example I have a responsibility to myself, and my Father
in Heaven, to share the gospel with everyone I come in contact with.
I have been raised in a church that has continually
assured me of my importance as a member of the chosen generation. A generation
that has been given “the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to
prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work”
(Widtsoe). In this, the last dispensation, many of my brothers and sisters have
answered the call to hasten the work. Alongside them; I like General Conference
posts on Facebook, follow apostles on Twitter, obsessively search for family
names to take to the temple, and smile every day as a testament of the plan of
happiness in which I know to be true.
A
recurring importance that Elder Bednar addressed in his talks: “Things as They
Really Are” and “To Sweep the Earth as With a Flood,” is the work of salvation.
The work that we have all covenanted to hasten. With our many talents and
strengths, the members of this chosen generation will be able to open doors that
have previously been closed and abrasively shut on valiant saints in earlier
times. Technology is just one of the many resources we will use as we labor all
of our days bringing souls unto Him and continuing on our paths to eternal
life.
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