Dem Good Ol' Vets

Is it just me or are my titles getting more and more uncreative? Ah well, I s'pose. Well yesterday was Veteran's Day and I was glad I could honor those great veterans that helped make everything a little better. My mom's dad was in World War II for a time, fighting mostly in the Pacific. We have an old video where Ryan interviews him about his life experiences and he talks about the war and fighting in the Pacific. Now I don't remember all of what he said, but I do remember him saying that he'd been close to death at least once. Something about getting a grenade thrown down at him as he stood in a manhole but then he threw it back up just in time. I might've messed that up, but scary nonetheless, no? Just imagine if that were you. At one point, his regiment got into a nasty battle in which he was shot in the leg. I think the shot shattered the bone to where there wasn't much doctors there could do for him so he was sent back to the States. Eventually later he found out that shortly after he left, his entire unit was killed. Crazy, huh? Good thing he left or else I might not be here!

Anyway, Courtney and I took Dallin and Adam to Mesa's Veteran's Day Parade. It was fun, even though the parade dragged on a little much. It was long mostly because there were too many big gaps between the different "exhibits" (I dunno, what do you call them?). Saw most of the bands. Poor Westwood; it was so teeny! And of course Mountain View's was the biggest. Well we ended up leaving the parade a little early because it kinda seemed like the boys were getting a little bored so we hiked all the way back to the parking garage. I almost felt like a mom this whole time, lulz. We stopped by Sonic afterward to get a quick treat and it was hilarious--Adam made a little cough and next thing we know his head is lolling to the side. He was out, man. But I had already ordered a little "Vanilla Cup" for Courtney to feed to him (she was sitting in the back between the boys). We got the ice cream and it took a few tries before Courtney got him to slightly open his eyes when she said "ice cream." She started spooning it into his mouth but it was like was a zombie or something; his head was bobbing around and his eyes couldn't decide what to do while his mouth instinctively swallowed down the ice cream. One of the funniest things I've ever seen. He'd fall back asleep for a minute but Courtney would prod him again and his head would pop back up. Eventually, however, he finally woke up. Brought 'em back home where Adam played and Dallin watched Power Rangers before Marily finally called wondering where we were (Courtney was supposed to call her earlier!). I hope they still had fun with their aunts though, even if the parade was a little unexciting.

Being that it was Veteran's Day and we remember wars, I just have to say that I love war history. I love war movies. I dunno what it is. I'm thinking perhaps Ryan somewhat instilled this in me. I just find it all so fascinating. I love learning about what happened and what technology they had and how many casualties there were and what tactics were used and where the battle took place, etc., etc. But I think more specifically I have a slight bit more passion for World War II stuff. I think I just have a love for that era. I dunno; I'm weird. Unfortunately, there were too many good war features on different channels on TV that I couldn't watch one whole one; I kept skipping back in forth. But I would love to learn much more because really I know very little. I'm hoping that once I graduate I can have a bit more time for some personal research just because I want to know. I also have a sudden urge to watch war movies. Just last night I was looking up top 50 war movies on IMDb and I want to see them all! Well, most. But I'm sure there are tons more great ones out there that aren't on the list so if you have a favorite, please let me know! I'm cool with any war period but like I said, I tend to gravitate more towards WWII stuff. And here's where I say which war movies I love: Saints and Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan, Kelly's Heroes, and The Great Escape. Actually I think I've been pleased with all war-time movies I've seen but those ones just jumped out at me and I highly recommend them all. Kelly's Heroes and The Great Escape have slightly lighter tones and are fun, while Saints and Soldiers and Saving Private Ryan are dramatic and moving. I am overjoyed that in my sudden mood for war movies, two great-looking ones are coming out! The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Valkyrie. Now I don't know too much about The Boy in the Striped Pajamas quite yet but I do know that I definitely want to see it. Problem is, though, is that it's currently only on limited release. I don't know if they were planning to widen the release in a few weeks but I'm not sure I want to wait to take that risk. The next day it is showing is Friday, November 21st at the Harkins Camelview 5. Well I'm actually looking on movietickets.com right now and it says that a showing is on Nov. 21st but it shows that there is one on Thursday, November 20th. Hmm...Either way, I really want to try to get to it. Anyone interested in going with me? Valkyrie is the other one I really want to go see and I'd love it even more if someone would go with me! It's about Colonel von Schtauffenburg (I've probably mispelt it; bear with me) who helped orchestrate an internal plot to assassinate Hitler. It's being described as more of a thriller but I'm really excited for it anyway. It opens December 12 (DUDE, I should totally take Ryan! His birthday!!!) and stars Tom Cruise, lawl. It's just hard for me to take him seriously now. Oh you Scientologists. Ha. Random tidbit: according to Danny, the website 4chan (which I may explain later, don't worry) has supposedly declared war on Scientology. Oh ho ho, how those guys crack me up. But YES, let me know if you'd like to go with me to see it sometime. Well I oughta go to bed now, but before I do, take a look at a trailer for Valkyrie!


(P.S. Here's a birthday shout-out to Lachelle! Happy Birthday! Love you, sis!)

What A Day

I voted today! Hurrah! Pretty cool that the year I turn 18 is an election year, eh? My first time voting was Courtney's too. Ch'yeah, I felt pretty cool wearing my sticker around campus today. Although I am pretty tired; my system doesn't do well after waking up at 4:30. x_X

Today in seminary, our study skill was "modernizing" where we would modernize scripture stories (dur). Anyway, I came up with this one in two seconds--see if you can guess the story! xD

An evil was growing in the world and its influence subtly affecting everyone. This evil had a plan to take over the world, but its secret somehow leaked. One man knew of this secret and decided he had to tell the world to save it. The man kept no facts hidden and pleaded with everyone to see the danger, trying to persuade them that he knew how to prevent it, but no one seemed to want to listen. The people finally tired of the man and his ridiculous claims and deemed him insane. He was shipped off, never to be seen or heard from again, almost as if he died. Yet there was one individual who took the man's words into account and felt like the man had been telling the truth. This converted man left all the other unbelievers but began to spread the word and warn people. More and more started to see sense in his words and eventually people were able to protect themselves from the evil's murky plot.

Gold star for whoever guesses correctly!

Some updates:

• Bummer about Obama. Sucks that I have to become an adult under him. A little worried, to say the least. Hopefully, however, he'll only last for 4 years after people realize what a mistake they made. Honestly, why can't more people get some brains?
• Prop. 102 passed! Hallelujah! I read a big long argument about gay marriage rights on Facebook though and it's very irritating. I'm trying not to be mean or overbearing so I'm refraining as best I can but I just feel so angry! Some people are just jerks, y'know?!
  

Oh Where Oh Where Has The Little Girl Gone?

So I realized that I haven't written in my blog for a while and it's pretty lame. I need to. I like to. Who knew talking to yourself could be so therapeutic. But I haven't seemed to have the time. Soonish, hopefully.

That's all.