On The Lightning Thief

Once upon a time last summer I was introduced (by the vivacious duo Delanie & Melanie) to Percy Jackson, the half-blood/demigod/heroic adolescent son of Poseidon. Yes, that Poseidon.



It wasn't long before I was quite taken in by Rick Riordan's nifty little series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Though Percy doesn't quite compare to THE half-blood hero (we can thank J.K. Rowling for that...and no, I do not mean Harry), his character, kindness, and humor make for quite the enjoyable ride through Riordan's modern day oxymoronic Ancient Greece.

Seriously, these books will make you happy. Aside from the refreshingly unique adventures and twists spun throughout the U.S., the character development is highly satisfying, particularly in the cases of Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. Not to mention how satisfying the Percy-Annabeth thing is. I'm not usually smoozhy (or I do not like to claim to be, at least), but this little coupling really is right up there. Needless to say, I love these books.

Read them. Please. Just do it.

Last night, after months of happy anticipation, I had the opportunity to go to the midnight showing of the The Lightning Thief, an adaptation of the 1st Percy Jackson book. Did you catch that? ADAPTATION. And a loose one, at that.

I'm still trying to figure out my response to this movie. It seemed targeted to a young audience (which is okay), and that did make it rather silly at times. No, it did not hold very true to the book (where on earth were the Titans!?). No, not very much at all

But it is fine for what it is, and I did enjoy it. You know what else? I'm actually grateful it wasn't very true to the book. That allows me to think of the books and the movies as two separate entities. I can appreciate what I can from the movie (admittedly, the water-wielding was pretty cool), and still love the books just as much.

And there you have it.

Kindle and Char

It has been a beautiful Monday. I woke up this morning after a perfectly splendid dream, in which BYU had become a pirate haven! Campus was paved in rough cobblestones and the RB and SFH had graciously made room for a bay complete with lamp-lit sailing vessels. We received grades by meeting our professors (with swords drawn) in battle. It was amazing. The fantasy was made complete by a victory against Dr. Crandall, bouts of fog rolling across the Law building parking lot, and acts of heroism by the Heritage Halls freshmen.

Why isn't school like this?

Unfortunately, this wonderful dream took place during my Teaching Literacy Class. I guess my alarm clock wanted the day off :). But that was okay, too, because it meant that I spent the remainder of my morning reading an email from a nice missionary, making a package for said missionary, tying a quilt with my mother, and watching bits of Sense and Sensibility. Perfect.

6 Things

Happy, happy, happy. Here's why:

1. It's the golden glow of the evening.
2. I get to philosophize with Jenny tonight.
3. My hair is to my waist.
4. Ralph and Leisel married one another in real life!
5. Cameron is nearly home!
6. Wintry Evening Air.

Can I borrow your water bottle for a minute, Bethany? ::sneaky smile::

What is there to say?

I've been sitting at work for the past 2 hours or so with very minimal workish work to do. To occupy myself I've been chatting a bit on Facebook with wonderful Ukrainians and Ukrainian returned-missionaries (yay!), and pondering what to blog about. Who does that?

Oh, I know who!

My posts need a little bit more spontaneity, yeah? I think so, but that isn't really something you can plan. Aw, forget it. Here are a couple of ideas of things I've been thinking about on this lovely Friday:

The reception of the applesauce oatmeal muffins I made for my El Ed Planning & Management class today.

Why I straightened my hair this morning. (It's fascinating, I tell you...)

The story of my teacher chucking a water bottle (MY water bottle!) at me three times in class today. With everyone watching.

Ducks, ducks, ducks, ducks, geese, ducks.

Blogging about blogging again, Bethany? Bad. Here is something great to sum up my cynical feelings about blogging...and hopefully bring a smile: Click me!

The Caldecotts

This week I've made a goal. Each time that I walk past the Juvenile Lit. section in the library (which, by the way, is all the time) I will read a Caldecott Medal winner. I've only been at it 2 days now, but it is so very delightful! As a future elementary school teacher, and mother, and pursuer of all things childishly fascinating, I love partaking of these beautiful children's books. This week I have been delighted by:

Saint George and the Dragon
(Author: Maragaret Hodges, Illustrator: Trina Schart Hyman)

This fun little knights-princess-dragon book was the 1985 winner and it almost has an 80's feel. That is, an 80's feel mixed with medieval fantasy. Fun stuff. It's based on the Christian tradition legend of Saint George that inspired the apparently-good film, George and the Dragon. Haven't seen it, but it's on the list.


...and...

Tuesday (Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner)

Flying lilly pads laden with frogs. That's all there is to say, but it is worth the few minutes it takes to read it...or look at it. David Wiesner does the nifty tell-the-story-through-the-pictures thing. 1992 winner. Wiesner also won 2002 and 2007...Definitely worth your time. Do you remember what it was like to be 5 and think pictures of flying frogs were the greatest thing you'd ever seen? If you don't, or if you do, go read this book.

Look! I have like...5 Followers

Wait a second, who are these people? Oh okay, I know who they are now. My apologies to you if you are one of them! Your identity is still intact.

So, I still don't really know how I feel about blogging. I certainly enjoy reading other people's blogs (Janeal and Ashley are superb...hmm, maybe I can figure out how to do that nifty linky thing to their names...), and I certainly enjoy writing random posts and having cute customizable options, but still...

Yes, I haven't blogged since August or September or something. It is because I'm just not crazy into it yet. But who knows? This post, this one right here. The one you (whoever you are!) are reading right this second! may get me going. Maybe :). It is worth a shot.

I kind of really highly very much so doubt that many will read this, but that is besides the point. Kind of. :) I'll just write about what I want and what I think, and we'll see where that gets me. Lahit!

Because every blog post needs a picture...

The Office Next Door

I only have a few more weeks working at my beloved BYU Evening Classes before I will hand off the job to my beloved Susan. As such is the case I have been thinking a good deal about how fun it has been to work here for 2 years and 2 1/2 months. Sound cheesy? Yeah maybe it is, but I've still been thinking about it lately. Today I've been laughing to myself about all of the things I have heard and observed in the office next door to ours. The BYU Conferences and Workshops employees have a fascinating variety of topics to converse about. I'm pretty much up on each secretary's personal lives, school lives, family lives, and let us not forget love lives. I've heard all of their proposal stories, first dates, study abroad stories, fashion tips, and favorite candies. Now, I'm not stalking anyone or even being creepy. I just sit at my registration desk for 20 hours a week and you cannot help but hear what others say. One of my favorites happened just last week. Secretary #3 was telling secretaries 1 and 2 about this charming young man in her ward. She described his tremendous qualities and how she was in love with him. It was all in a very sweet lovey voice. Then, in a very different, very aggressive voice she suddenly yelled out, "Just ask me out, dang it!" My co-worker and I burst out laughing (and then quickly stifled it). Girls are so funny.
This makes me think about how I observe people. People are just so fun to observe! You can learn a great deal about someone by just listening to them and not being part of the conversation. It gives you a moment to reflect about things and to try and be the better person that you really can be. Sometimes it is a little disheartening or disappointing to hear certain things from people, but a lot of the time it makes me have more faith in individuals, and in their goodness. And that makes me very happy! It helps me re-realize that each of us truly is a child of God, and of great worth. I don't ever want to forget that.

And now, a random picture of Kermit and Robin: