Un-Wordless Wednesday

I am breaking the norm today because I have a ton to talk about! I am not speechless by any means today. :o) So, I have finished reading Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. I didn't even take the time to put the picture up under my "Current Read" section of my blog. The book came in the mail on Saturday and I stole it straightaway to the pool with me. Laid out in the sun, played in the water only long enough to cool off, and went back to reading HP7. I had to be disciplined though . . . because I had to substitute for a Gospel Doctrine teacher in church on Sunday!! I was stressed!! I haven't ever really taught anything before so I read the lesson like 6 times. But I think I did pretty well. And then I logged my hours pretty fast Sunday evening, Monday evening, Tuesday morning and Tuesday night. I was up until 3:00 am finishing the book last night.

Amazing. I love it! I love it when everything comes together and things are explained. This was the most intense of all the Harry Potter books for sure. But I'm not complaining--I've always liked suspense. But now I am sad the series is done and I have finished reading it. I just felt like I should hurry and read it before someone slipped what happened at the end! Rumor has it that when 6 came out someone put a banner up over a road giving the end away. How do you avoid that?! I would be so disappointed. So now I can resume my list of books to read that continues to grow: The Black Tulip, The Kite Runner, The Nazi Officer's Wife. Sigh. :o)

Late Wordless Wednesday - First Roadtrip: to Provo!

Seen it! The HP5 Movie

So I love the Harry Potter series! I remember when I was dating a guy back in summer 2000 and he was big into Harry Potter and I was skeptical. I didn't get into until Fall 2001 when the first movie came out. A co-worker and I agree to bale a friend out and buy her two extra tickets to opening night. Neither of us had read the books before. We loved the movie! I went to the bookstore the very next day and bought all four books. I am now hooked and have been ever since then.So yeah, I saw the movie this last weekend and loved it . . . of course. Having recently read it, I saw where they had made a few changes but they weren't too significant. Go see it! Now if only I can survive until the new book comes out this weekend!!! :o)

Culture Night

Ah. I love what London did for me. I did a study abroad seven years ago to London and lived there for four glorious months. I made the bestest of friends there and they shared their love for the arts with me. I confess I don't love the arts as passionately as some, but I appreciate it and recognize it's purpose--to create a civilized society! Otherwise I might be a canyon/mountain-dwelling woman only! :o) Ok maybe not really.

Last night, some girlfriends and I saw Les Miserables up in Salt Lake City. I originally saw it in London for my study abroad, but it was so worth seeing it again. There was quite a bit that I had forgotten. Love it. The story line is moving and motivating! You walk out of there wanting to be a better person. And the music is lovely. I confess there is some music for other musicals that I like more--like The Sound of Music to which I am listening to right now. :o)

We also ate dinner at a delightful Italian restaurant called Trio. They had Crème brûlée on their dessert menu. Therefore, you know what I ordered for dessert. Yup, Crème brûlée. I had to try it! The Bellagio one was so nasty that I had to restore my faith in American establishments' ability to make it (with the exception of Bryce Canyon National Park's Lodge). And the verdict? Divine. It was delectable. I highly recommend it. In fact, I loved everything at the restaurant--the atmosphere, the service, the entrée, the dessert. Yes, I will go there again.

Independence Day

I love Independence Day! It is THE day to have a BBQ, to stay up late watching fireworks, bask in the sounds of the 1812 Overture, and celebrate our freedom brought to us by those that serve so willingly in the military, in public office, and in the civil service.

I began my day rollerblading on the Provo River trail and then I joined a group of good friends to see the movie Transformers. I went in with low expectations, thinking the movie would be all action and fighting and no story line and .. . . it wasn't! I was pleasantly surprised. It isn't quite believable, but it was fun.

Then for a little BBQ. Mmmm. Hamburgers, salads--potato, green, jello, fruit, cookies, root beer. I couldn't have asked for a more appropriate Independence Day BBQ.

Lastly we went to the home of a counselor in the bishopric of the ward I am moving into this fall to watch the fireworks. He lives up on a hill just below Squaw Peak and has a spectacular view of the city and the stadium. We watched the fireworks show put on by the Stadium of Fire show. I love it! Here is a cute pic of me and Ashlee watching the fireworks. And one of nearly the whole gang from the BBQ and the fireworks gathering.

Wordless Wednesday - Independence Declared!

I am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

Call me the Handy-woman. My new landlord paid for new bedroom door knobs to replace our existing ones with ones that will lock and unlock with a key. These new door knobs are meant to keep out the men that will be coming into our house on a daily basis for the rest of the month to finish the basement. Especially when one of them will have a key to house in his possession for the month. So I bought the new door knobs tonight and then replaced them too! Check me out. Check out those skills!!