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Twilight the Movie

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:05:37 -0500

Okay, yes I am a Twilight fan … as you may have noticed from the layout. Last night thanks to Summit Entertainment I had the opportunity to watch the film, Twilight at an advanced screening. I was so excited!

Before the film started they gave away t-shirts & bracelets … I was lucky enough to get one of the t-shirts. Then they asked who were on Team Edward and who was on Team Jacob, which led to lots of screaming and shows of support. I do not want to give too much away and so I will do my best to make this spoiler free.

My first comment is that I believe that fans of the books will be pleased with the way Catherine Hardwicke (the director) and Summit adapted the stories to the big screen. While the film is not in the Academy Award category, the film was beautiful! Definitely visually appealing.

The studio did an amazing job with casting as each actor portrayed his or her part very well. I was especially pleased with Ashley Greene as Alice. She portrayed Edward’s fun loving younger sister exactly as I had imagined her. And Kellan Lutz is an amazing Emmett! I have always loved Peter Facinelli because I think he is so diverse and he didn't disappoint. I love the strength yet compassionate individual he makes Carlisle. Oh and Nikki Reed is fabulous as Rosalie … such a strong performance. I also was surprised by how well Billy Burke portrayed Bella’s father Charlie. I love the way they built the relationship between Bella and her dad.

The chemistry between Kristen and Robert is all that the fans hoped for. I love the small things between them show the intensity of the relationship between Bella & Edward. Personally I think that Kristen is the perfect person to play Bella. She is clumsy and yet portrays Bella as the strong woman that she is. Robert portrays Edward as the hesitant suitor who has strong feelings about what he is and how that affects Bella. So putting aside all the screaming fans, he really did an excellent job.

The part of Jacob is a small but important role in the first book/film. Taylor Lautner is awesome as Jacob Black. I can’t wait to see how he brings more to that part as the stories continue. (I have great faith that they will!) For those fans that are not Jacob fans I think that Taylor gives him a very likeable quality that most will see why these two characters are friends and build a relationship. Another thing I enjoyed was seeing Bella’s “human” friends brought to life. I enjoyed these characters and I felt like we were able to get to know them a little better.

My favorite scenes were the baseball scene and the scene where Edward takes Bella home to meet his family. I loved the humor that was added that helped the story flow. There are some differences to the story but mostly to help the story flow better as a movie and I didn't feel that they took away from the books.

I believe those who have not read the story will follow along easily yet for those of us who know the story well will enjoy the little details that were included. I can’t wait to go and see it again on Friday!

Thank you Summit Entertainment for giving me this opportunity!

A Life of Constant

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:11:37 -0500

One thing in life that remains constant is change. We can always count on things changing around us as it is apart of growing and learning. Over the past few years many of my friends have gotten married, started their families and even moved out of the area. Sometimes it feels like things are so far away.

A few days ago I received an invite to spend the evening with my group of friends; many of these individuals I have not seen in months. Part of me was excited while another part of me was nervous. We have all been going through various changes and I wasn’t sure what the night would bring.

Tonight proved to me that no matter what changes occur in our lives there is one thing that is always constant. Love. As I sat and caught up with my friends and then got wrapped up laughing over a game of “things” I had so many memories flash through my mind. And then to have arms wrapped around me in a hug and I found myself touched. That even though we all have changed that when we get together we share that one common bond.

3 Loves of My Life

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:38:33 -0400

Today’s love really combines three loves and the association of these loves are not things that you would normally put together.

First off anyone who knows me knows I love spending time on my computer. I really love my laptop and the things I get to do on it. My computer gives me the ability to keep in touch with family and friends via email, chat, blogging and Facebook. It allows me to do webdesign and html coding. I search news articles and pictures. I don’t even have a phone book because I use dexonline.com and whitepages.com to do my searching.

Well last night I had a major upset. I spilled an entire glass of cranberry juice next to my laptop which landed all over the keyboard. It wouldn’t turn on and I was afraid it was completely ruined. I did some major praying for help. This might seem a silly thing to pray for but my computer is very important to me and I knew that I didn’t have the money to buy a new one if it wasn’t fixable and even to pay someone to fix it would be hard. This morning when I woke up the first thing I did was check my laptop which I had let dry out all night. It still wouldn’t boot up. I was devastated! So I drove it over to my mom’s house and gave it to her to take to a repair shop after work. Well my mom being the kind woman that she is spent part of her day today on the phone with Dell’s technical support trying to get it fixed. They walked her through some things and after hours of waiting for news she called to tell me that it is working … the only damage right now is that the keys for the #5, D & J are not working. I figure I can deal with that for the time being and if they are still not working as of this weekend I will call a repair place to see about getting them fixed.

Now back to my three loves … I love my computer (see paragraph #2 if you want to know why)

I love my mother … I love that she took the time out of her busy day and last night to come help me with my problem. She is that kind of person. I didn’t mention this before but when she found out what had happened she drove the 30 minutes to my house bringing with her carpet cleaner (oh yeah … I have a nice pink spot on my living room carpet now) to help me get the stain out. She took me this morning to Starbucks (I love that place) to give me a boost to the beginning on my day and then spent today helping get my computer fixed. She is too awesome!

And third I love my Heavenly Father. He heard my pleas as I prayed to Him last night and this morning. My computer was not really all that important in the grand scheme of things but I think he knew how important it was to me. I know that He helped me in this situation and that He helps us in these small insignificant things because they are important to each one of us. I see His love around me all the time and even when I do not always recognize it or show my appreciation He is still there reminding me in so many different ways.

A Love of My Life: Jane Austen

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:20:36 -0400

My love for Jane Austen started in high school with seeing the film Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet & Hugh Grant. I fell in love with the characters and the story. I decided I needed to read the book so I went to the library to check it out. After two attempts I just couldn’t get into the book so I decided to just enjoy the movie. I never attempted again until many years later I was told I should read Pride & Prejudice. I wasn’t sure what to think since I knew that I had previously had a hard time reading Jane Austen’s writings. I became wrapped up in the story of Elizabeth Bennett & Mr. Darcy and to this day Pride & Prejudice is my favorite book. At that time I decided that I need to read all of Austen’s novels. I so far have also read Emma, Mansfield Park, and yes Sense & Sensibility (and this time I LOVED it!)

In vain have I struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

A Love of My Life: Giraffes

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:41:10 -0400

Giraffes. I love giraffes. For example I have this particular picture combining two of my loves as the wallpaper on my cell phone.

I am not entirely sure where my love for giraffes started but I now have a giraffe collection in the corner of my bedroom and every giraffe is special. They have been gifts and things I have bought for myself; they are wooden, ceramic, wax and come in the form of figurines, carvings, picture frames and stuffed animals; they come from New York City, Iowa, Utah & Jamaica.

Giraffes make me so very happy. I went with my mom and a friend to the zoo a year ago and took way too many pictures of the giraffes on my mom’s camera. My mom thought I was nuts!

“I hate the giraffeless new of this situation!”

Was feeling bored ...

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:46:18 -0400

1. Do you like bleu cheese? Yes. I have decided it is an acquired taste … I used to hate it but now really enjoy it!

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? NO!

3. Do you own a gun? Nope.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I usually just get the Cherry Limeaide which has it’s own flavor! Yummy!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor Appointments? Depends on what it is for. My last appointment I was … it was a follow up for my surgery.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I really enjoy them … especially wrapped in a crescent roll.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Chipmunk’s Christmas or Mr. Krueger’s Christmas

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Lately it is a big mug of Mt. Dew

9. Can you do push-ups? Very embarrassing ones … so I probably should say no.

10. Age? This year I celebrated the 6th anniversary of my 25th birthday

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My aquamarine ring

12. Favorite hobby? Photography

13. Favorite Actor: Tom Hanks

14. Do you have A.D.D.? Not diagnosed but wouldn’t be surprised

15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I talk too much.

16. Middle name? Mae

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: 1. I want to flush D’s head in a toilet. 2. Please don’t cry 3. I wish I was anywhere but here � well maybe not prison

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today? How about Saturday … Pork Chops, Cranberry Sauce, The Office Season Four DVD

19. 3 drinks you regularly drink? Mt. Dew, Water, Crystal Lite

20. 3 Current worries? Life, Life, Life

21. Current hate right now? D, Presidential Campaigns, Laundry

22. Favorite place to be? Home, with my munchkins, curled up in bed with a book

23. How did you bring in the New Year? I have no idea … did I stay home this year? Hmmm …

24. Where would you like to go? Athens or the Carribean

25. Tag three people. Brenda, Emily, Katie

26. Do you own slippers? Pink Fuzzy ones from Victoria’s Secret

27. What shirt are you wearing? A white long sleeved t-shirt with a red corduroy shirt

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don’t have any but I don’t think I would

29. Can you whistle? Yep

30. Favorite color? Orange

31. Would you be a pirate? Sure

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Faith Hill’s It Matters to Me and lots of Christmas & Primary Songs

33. Favorite girl's name? Emma or Grace

34. Favorite boy's name? Colin or Andrew

35. What is in your pocket? Nothing at the moment

36. Last thing that made you laugh? The discussion at work about Lube, Oil & Filters

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Hmm … don’t remember what I had … probably Strawberry Shortcake since pretty much everything I had was

38. Worst injury you've ever had? Probably getting like 10 layers of skin sliced off my leg by an idiot in grade school

39. Do you love where you live? I like it but wish it was a bit bigger

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 1

41. Who is your loudest friend? Hmmm …

42. How many dogs do you have? Two but they live with my mom … I miss them a lot

43. Does someone have a crush on you? I doubt it.

44. What is your favorite book(S)? Pride & Prejudice, Twilight, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Anne of Green Gables Series, Chronicles of Narnia

45. Where were you born? Aurora, Colorado

46. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears or Twix

47. Favorite Sports Team? The US Swimming Teams

48. What songs do you want played at your funeral? Love Me

49. What are you doing at 12 A.M.? Hopefully sleeping

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Do I have to go to work?

The True Joy in Life

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:08:00 -0400

I have been thinking a lot lately about what blessings children are. I am blessed to have seven beautiful nieces and nephews. Before I go on I should explain that situation since I have learned that the fact that I am an only child confuses people on how in the world I have nieces and nephews. Well it is a beautiful thing … my “family” is not the traditional type. My mother was best friends with a wonderful woman named Allie. She had two daughters (Brigitta & Betsy) and two sons (Matt & Peter). I have been friends with them for almost twenty year. Brig, Betsy & I went to high school together and use to ride to early morning seminary together. Allie & Betsy came with my mom and I when I entered the MTC. I have attended all four of their weddings and have spent almost every holiday with them. Unfortunately Allie passed away in 2001 and since that time the bonds of friendship between our two families has stayed close. The children from this family are some of the greatest joys in my life; they are my nieces and nephews. So there you have it … now back to the post...

My nieces and nephews bring me great joy and every time I am with them I think to myself what a blessing we are to have them here with us. Kaylee turns one year old in about two and a half weeks and it amazes me to think she wasn’t here this time last year and what a sad world it would be to not have her here. The same goes for the other six. My life wouldn’t be as good if I didn’t have their little spirits around me. There is nothing like having them put their arms around your neck and give you a hug and have them tell you that they love you. This weekend I spent part of Saturday with Betsy and afterwards hung out with her children. Clark and I got into a tickle torture fight which Bethany decided to join. Elinor then joined in and the girls had me tackled to the floor. Clark told them, “Don’t kill her. I like Allison.” In a way I found the situation humorous but then again I felt loved.

On Friday I went to lunch with one of my co-workers and we stopped in at the book store and as I was waiting for her to come through the door a little boy came up to me grabbed my leg and said, “Hi. Hi.” At first I thought maybe I knew him but as I looked down I realized I didn’t. I asked how he was doing and he smiled and went about his way. His dad just smiled at me.

Yesterday I took the time to visit with a good college friend of mine that I haven’t seen in a few years. Not long after I had arrived and we were sitting in her front room we heard her youngest daughter wake up. Her older brother opened up her door to let her out of her room and she came out crying. She looked at her mom and then walked straight over to me. She let me pick her up and then sat in my lap. Her mother looked surprised. My friend then told me that she never does that. It felt nice to hold her.

I love children. They have a beauty and innocence that always touches my heart. We are so blessed to have these special spirits walking with us in this life. They see past the social barriers that we often put up and look at the heart of an individual. They find joy in the simple things that life offers such as animals and fall leaves. They love you unconditionally and enjoy each moment spent with you. May each of you experience the love of a child.

Have you ...

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:18:55 -0400

(Just copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.)
I must admit that I am surprised that I have done as many as I have!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (ha ha ... not in an emergency but
for a parade)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (they won't let me anymore ...
dumb mad cow disease!)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Girls Day Out

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:32:57 -0400

Yesterday I was able to spend the day with Betsy. For those of you that don't know Betsy and I met in seventh grade when both of our families were living in California and we have been friends ever since.

We had lunch at Zuppa's where we enjoyed a delicious meal (the Wisconsin Cauliflower soup was awesome!) Then we hit up Ikea, Old Navy, Target and Barnes & Noble to do some Christmas shopping.

After our excursion we went back to Betsy's home where Abe was watching the BYU football game and the kids were watching Robin Hood. I ended up playing with the kids for a while. Clark and I wrestled and then Bethany jumped in and tried to save Clark from my tickle torture. Elinor borrowed my camera to take some pictures and Faith had fun making silly faces so we could take her picture.

It was a great day!

Twilight Trailer Released!

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:14:49 -0400

I am so excited about this movie and the fact that the full trailer has finally been released. So I decided to share it here!

My Co-Workers Think I Am Crazy

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:08:57 -0400

I have been listening to Christmas music this week while I have been working. Why when it is only October am I listening to Christmas music? Well the reason is for the past five years I have been waiting for Faith Hill to release her Christmas cd. There was even a release date last year. Well the album came out last week and of course I had to buy it ... hello it is Faith Hill! Well I have been loving it and listening to Christmas music always makes me giddy so I have been in the best mood. So you might think I am crazy too ... and maybe I am, but I am in a fabulous mood! So bring on the crazy!

The Anchor of our Souls

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:41:37 -0400

Hope.

That one little word has been on my mind a lot the past few days. Hope is defined as to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

I have been thinking a lot about President Uchtdorf’s words at Conference this past Saturday:

The hope of salvation is like a protective helmet, it is the foundation of our faith and an anchor to our souls.

Faith and hope go hand in hand. Hope helps us develop faith and strengthen our testimonies in our Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel. As we say our prayers and study the scriptures our hope grows, our faith becomes strengthened, our anchor becomes more sure. These actions bring joy and peace to our lives. I have seen this come true in my life as I have spent more time lately reading the words of the prophets in the scriptures. Areas in which I struggle seem to gain more perspective. My desire to have more faith is strengthened as I develop a hope in our Father in Heaven.

President James E. Faust said:

Peace in this life is based upon faith and testimony. We can all find hope from our personal prayers and gain comfort from the scriptures. Priesthood blessings lift us and sustain us. Hope also comes from direct personal revelation, to which we are entitled if we are worthy. We also have the security of living in a time when a prophet who holds and exercises all of the keys of God’s kingdom is on the earth.

I pray that each of us may gain the hope that we need. That we appreciate this gift of the spirit that has been given to us; for we all need this.

Hope is the anchor of our souls. I know of no one who is not in need of hope�young or old, strong or weak, rich or poor.

A Happy Meeting

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:00:40 -0400

On Wednesday I wanted to take my lunch to go down and meet one of my favorite performers who would be at the Deseret Book next door. Well nothing went according to plans being that it was not only payment day but a very crazy payment day. I left for lunch about 45 minutes later than planned and was positive that there was no way that I would be able to see him and get my cd signed. Yet I decided it was worth the effort to go at least see. When I arrived the table he had sat at was still there but it was empty. I asked one of the employees if he was gone and she smiled and said that he was still there. They took my cd over to have him sign it. He signed it and gave it back to his publicist. I said thank you and he turned around and asked, "Are you Allison?" I said that I was. And then he came over and gave me a hug and thanked me for coming. We spoke for a few minutes and I told him how he is the reason why I started listening to country music. He thanked me for telling him and gave me another hug. Collin Raye is not only a talented singer but a good man. It was a very special experience for me.