Getting Informed

 

So I've been sitting in the Kennedy Center for the past two and a half hours doing some reading for classes (the black couches are the best).  And for anyone who's been in the Kennedy Center before, you've notice the news is constantly playing.  Today it's CNN.  Here have been the top stories today: the Georgia governor apologized for not responding well to a recent Atlanta storm; the Boston Marathon bomber may receive a death penalty; because the petition to deport Justin Bieber has received over 100K signatures, the White House must respond; the Super Bowl this Sunday is a big deal.

 

I hardly watch the news.  To be honest, I'm not that interested in politics and governments which I feel consumes most of the news time.  But today, I was reminded how important it is to be informed in one way or another.

I'm a Hayniac!

Ok guys, time for a confession.  I'm a country music girl through and through, I'm so crazy for Hunter Hayes!  And for those who don't know who he is, check him out.  He writes all his songs, which is pretty cool.  But the coolest thing about him is that he performs EVERY instrument and EVERY part on his album!  He plays over 30 instruments on his album alone!  Talk about a talented guy!  And I can seriously listen to his album for days.  I discovered him when I found the song, "Wanted."  I'm sure a lot of you have heard it before.  It melts my heart.  Every time!  I can't stop smiling when I hear those lyrics.  Ah they're so good!  Then there's "I Want Crazy."  Man, he did it again!  That song is my jam.  When I'm alone driving in my car, that song is blasting 9 out of 10 times.  It's such a happy love song!  His debut CD, as well as his Encore CD, are must-haves in my car.  Mmm I just love him.

 

And then, Facebook decides to surprise me and tell me he has a new single!  Yay!  This one isn't quite my usual style (lovey, adorable, heart-melting), but this song is really, really good.  Even if you're not into country music, you'll like it.  It's a very powerful song with great lyrics.  What do you guys think?

 

What would I do without you, Google?

I am so grateful for Google!  For countless reasons!  There were a few moments today when I was especially thankful:

1)  Google Maps.  My fiancé drove to Midvale today for an interview, and he had brought his laptop to use for directions.  I got a call from him explaining that his computer died and he lost the directions to the interview.  So I pulled up Google on my Android, found the facility and address, and gave him directions.  I'm grateful for Google's convenience and for its easy navigation.

2)  Google Docs.  Need I say more as a college student?  They are so awesome for study groups, study guides, group projects, and so much more.  Again, this feature from Google makes studying and college life a lot more convenient and simple.

3)  Google Doodles.  There wasn't a Doodle today, but I love when there is!  Especially the ones that are interactive.  I can be so easily entertained with those Doodles and they help brighten my searching experience.

Thanks for everything today, Google!

I Finally Heard the Call

I did it.  I finally watched Duck Dynasty.  Jumped on the bandwagon!  Over the long weekend, my fiancé and I took a road trip up to Meridian, Idaho to visit some extended family.  And over Thanksgiving break, he and his family watched this constantly.  The show seemed weird and didn't appeal to me at all.  But when he asked me to give it a chance, I agreed.  Just because I love him.  And you know what?  I laughed pretty dang hard!  Those men and their relationships with each other are hilarious.  And the best part is that I have never seen my fiancé laugh as hard as he did when we watched this show.  It was so entertaining. 

I'm not going to be a true follower of this program.  Aside from how everything seemed to be staged and planned, the show was great.  It made me laugh, and I just can't help staring at their beards.  Their morals and values represent pure patriotism and what it means to be American.  I liked the fact that every episode ended with a family prayer and dinner.  I believe the Robertsons' values are just what some people need to be reminded of.  Family is everything.  And these folks understand that. 

I'm a fan.

Game Over

What can be more fun than spontaneous dates with your fiancé?  Almost nothing!  Last Saturday night, we went to dinner and the BYU basketball game.  Afterward, we wanted to go to the dollar theater.  The only good movie that even sounded interesting was Ender's Game.  I've never read the book.  Scratch that, I've never finished the book (I started it a couple summers ago and couldn't get past page 30).  Because I wasn't super interested in the book, I didn't know how I'd like this movie.

But I did!  I think my favorite part about it was the graphics and special effects.  I can't help but think this was the perfect time to make this movie in terms of programming and effects.  They pulled off the 2086 world perfectly.  It wouldn't have seemed as real had they made the movie any other time.  I also thought the actors were brilliant.  Little Ender.  Wow, his intensity and emotions drew me in.  I consider myself a very empathetic person, so I was hooked on his emotions right away.  Harrison Ford can literally pull off any role he plays.  He was so perfect for the Captain.  And Viola Davis.  And Abigail Breslin.  Man, all these Academy Award actors helped the movie a ton!

My only critique is timing.  The bulk of the movie takes place when Ender is in commander school.  When the movie finished, I felt like he was in school for a matter of days, or even hours, and then he's expected to become a commander of the entire fleet.  I don't know how they could've made it any better, but I just felt rushed.

Overall, great movie with incredible effects!  I'd say it's worth the $1.25.

Seminoles > Tigers

Here goes my first post.

I'd say I'm a pretty decent football fan.  It may be the cheerleader genes and experience in me, but I get sucked into the competition and rivalry of it all.  This is especially true when it comes to BYU football.  College football in general.  When I'm watching a football game where I don't have any preference for any team playing, I quickly pick one right at the beginning of the game and root for them.  Not necessarily the most strategic or logical way of doing it, but it works for me.

This was the case this past Monday night.  My fiancé and I decided to have our FHE at The Wall and watch the BCS Championship.  His idea.  But I agreed quickly.  Sounds like a fun-filled Monday night.  I quickly noticed that I was the only girl there actively watching the game.  Everyone else was, of course, fanatic boys cheering against each other of who would win the game.  Quite entertaining to watch.  As a part of my usual routine, I quickly picked Florida State as my team.  Mostly because I was kind of sick of hearing Auburn's name shouting across the room.  And my fiancé was rooting for Florida State.  So I did too.

The game was so exciting!  Florida State played an embarrassing first half, and I was sure that Auburn would win it..  But to my surprise, the Seminoles pulled through and beat the Auburn Tigers 34--31.  Such a fun championship game!  The atmosphere at The Wall was so exciting and energetic, and I loved it.  The other competitive boys, the continual shouting to the players, the constant yelling over the karaoke night, and having my team win the championship made for an exciting night of a media- and advertisement-filled night.