Golden Vlog // March

Hey y'all! Rhys and I are back with March's Golden Vlog. He is rascal in this one, moving all over the place, and stealing the spot light quite a bit!

I had a phone call from my mom, so you get two videos because I don't know how to edit them into one!

5 Things--Old School Blogging

So, I was tagged by Kristen at 31 Million Seconds to participate in a link-up called Old School Blogging. And I thought...some of y'all might want to get to know Justin a bit more. Thus, we both will be answering these questions!

This was one of our engagement pictures in May 2012. Awkward. The photographer asked me to have a serious face for this picture. I can't do serious faces on command...awkward. So, it's representative of a lot of situations in our life--us laughing at my awkwardness! =)

5 Things I Have a Passion For

Tayler:

1) My husband--He is my everything.

2) My religion--I am a Mormon.

3) Books--I love to read.

4) Wales--Cymru am byth!!

5) Teaching--It has always been my dream job, now it really is my job!

Justin:

1) Tayler. 

2) My faith in God and all that is attached to it.

3) Food. I really like food. Especially good tasting ones. And free ones.

4) Numbers. You can say as little or as much as you want with numbers.

5) Video games. Sometimes you just need to smash.

5 Things I Would Like To Do Before I Die

Tayler:

1) Have either a short story, poem, or novel of mine published. Speaking of which, I really should find time to work on them! x_x

2) I would love to go either hangliding, para-sailing, skydiving, or bungee jumping...something exhilarating that has the connotation of flying. I would love to be able to fly.

3) Go back to Wales and England. I miss it so much, and seeing pictures of this year's study abroad on my Welsh professor's facebook and Instagram does not help the ever-growing yearning I am feeling. It's been 3 years since I've been there.

4) I would like to become fluent in Welsh. I'm "proficient" but there is still quite a lot more I need to learn and still quite a few grammar concepts and a ton of vocab! I should get a Welsh Book of Mormon to study!

5) Be elected teacher of the month/year/county/state/school district. Something like that. Teaching is my life, it's my calling. I see all these movies about inspiring teachers and it inspires me to try my best!

Justin:

1) Have one of my children publicly announce how good of an influence I was without me hearing it.

2) Get a chain restaurant to name a meal after me. (Already partially done)

3) Coach a highschool JV volleyball team.

4) Run a 10k.

5) Dunk!

5 Things I Say A Lot:

Tayler: 

1) "So"...I've noticed that, especially in blogging and journaling, I start too many sentences with "so." So, I've got to stop that poor habit.

2) "Exacerbated"... I love the word! I need to write a post on it, like I have my other favorite words.

3) "Do I look cute?"...I always ask Justin this, and I think it gets on his nerves...

4) "Are you proud of me?" Can be used seriously, or playfully/silly-ly. This definitely gets on Justin's nerves.

5) "What do you want for dinner?" Aka...Justin, you decide what you want me to cook or we will go out to eat and you are still deciding that. Also, gets on Justin's nerves.

Justin:

1) "Flip a coin"...more often I don't care of the outcome, so you may as well flip a coin. Get's on Tayler's nerves.

2) "I'll tell you what"...Used when answering a question. Taken from my father. Slightly annoyed that I do it.
3) "Hmmm, yeeesss" (pronounced exactly how you think it should be)

4) "Mrph"...used when moving from a comfortable spot.
5) "Don't ruin my story with your logic."...seriously! I tell it way better!

5 Books/Magazines I Have Read Lately:

Tayler:

1) Currently reading With the Heart of A King by Benton Rain Patterson (on the Spanish Armada issue between Elizabeth I and Phillip II)

2) Life of Pi

3) Happiness Project

4) The Secret History of the World 

5) The Bro Code (made for the sitcom: How I Met Your Mother)

Justin: 

1) Haha. 

2) Nice.

3) Try.

4) Tayler.

5) I don't read.

5 Favorite Movies:

Tayler: (super hard! It changes every day)

1) Lord of the Rings trilogy

2) Pirates of the Caribbean series

3) Secret of Kells

4) Narnia (lion, witch and wardrobe)

5) Titanic (I know, I know, but I do love it!)

Justin:

1) Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves

2) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

3) Hook

4) Aladdin

5) Remember the Titans

5 Places I Would Love To:

Tayler: 

1) Wales

2) Wales...via England and Scotland

3) Japan

4) Italy--Venice, specifically

5) Patagonia, Argentina--it's a Welsh colony! No lie!

Justin: 

1) New Zealand

2) Tonga

3) Spain 

4) Japan

5) Antartica

I now tag....

1) Danica from Black with a Chance of Cheetah

2) Suzzie Vehrs

3) Ginny from Buttergirl Diaries

4) Elizabeth from The Bradleys

5) Diedre from Love, the Skinnys

Life of Pi

I remember when my IB English teacher mentioned she was going to teach Life of Pi to another one of her classes. I wondered what it was. When I learned it was more of an introspective book about a shipwrecked Indian boy, I knew she would love teaching it. My teacher loved Buddhist and Hindu philosophies and had recently just taught my class Siddhartha. I was determined to read it because friends of mine and my English teacher liked it.

That was 2008.

When I heard the movie Life of Pi was coming out this year, I realized I still hadn't read the book, and probably should, with all the positive attention it was getting (and not like the fanaticism the Twilight series got. Just so you know, I am not a Twilight fan at all!). 

Introspective, reflective books aren't necessarily my favorites. I love fantasy and historical fiction because they are full of intrigue, magic, and adventure. Life of Pi is most definitely not that. I did enjoy the first part, though, when Pi was describing his childhood and his introductions with religion. For some reason, I just kept thinking of Kite Runner in how others around him affected his philosophy on life. I do like that Pi argues you can belong to more than one religion. In my eyes, different religions have wonderful, beautiful themes about them. As you could tell with my review of The Secret History of the World, I do truly believe all religions are connected with each other, so it would make sense that Pi would see the logic in being a Hindu, Christian, and Muslim all at the same time.

However, where my problem lay is that the main plot of the book is his survival on a life boat. It seemed too Robinson Crusoe for me and I hated that book. That is one thing I typically don't like about survival stories, no matter what length, no matter what audience. They are all typically the same:

"Today I did inventory of my supplies. I have ## of this, ## of that, and ## of these."

"I fished and was able to get a fish after hours of trying."

"I tried a new food I never thought I'd eat, but I'm starving, so I have to."

"My life was almost ended today because of ____ but I was saved from death for some unknown reasons to me."

"I miss my life and my family."

It's a little repetitive and boring to me. I liked his interaction a lot more with Richard Parker and his attempts to train the tiger, than I did Pi recounting what he did to survive. It was a very slow-paced book, but at the same time, an easy, quick read.

I did really like the end, when the two Japanese workers came to interview Pi. They wanted a "real" story, and Pi gave them a parallel story with human survivors rather than animals. Almost immediately after the first paragraph, I was able to identify each human survivor with the animal and realized, it may or may not have been true, and Pi may or may not have envisioned this alternate reality to deal with all the trauma he'd been through. I really, really liked that. Then, after his story ended, the Japanese talked among themselves and explained the whole parallelism to us. I was able to figure it out on my own--it wasn't that hard. I don't think it was needed to spell it out for us. 

Over all, I'd give the book a 3.5 out of 5. 

The day I finished the book, I immediately rented the movie. My family had seen the movie, although they hadn't read the book, and they had good things to say about the movie. I also heard it was a beautiful movie.

It was true: the movie cinematography was beautiful. I was astounded--each scene was like a painting. But, that kind of reflects Pi's view of the world and the events he was a part of. However, beautiful as it was, the CG stood apart, and it bothered me a bit, especially when it came to the animals. The acting wasn't that great either (but I do think adult Pi did a good job). 

I also wish they had shown when Pi was blind and his conversation with the other blind castaway he runs into. I also wished we had seen the other reality of the story, with the human survivors. Not necessarily all the bloodshed of it, but just some visuals would have been nice, rather than just slowly zooming into Pi's face as he told the story. 

Overall, I'd give the movie a 2.5 out of 5.

Don't forget about the Honey Lemon Designs prints and decorative pictures Giveaway here!
Also, don't forget about the sponsored giveaway on Bailey Dailies here!

Date with the Dinos

Jurassic Park was the first scary movie that I loved. I was about 9 years old the first time I saw it. The dinosaurs were so real! However could they not be real? I was about 14 or 15 when I saw the third, then about 18 when I saw the second. Yes, I watched them out of order. (But honestly, that is the order of how well I liked them.)

One of Justin's old roommates is an illustration and concept design major. And he is good! You can look at his art here. But, he is obsessed with dinosaurs. He's always loved them and always loved drawing them. Lucky him, he got hired by the BYU Paleontology Museum and draws dinosaurs for them...for work!

This is one of Josh's dinosaur pieces.

Josh and his wife invited Justin and I on a double date--to go to the Dinosaur (Paleontology) Museum after hours and watch Jurassic Park with the dinosaur bones! We had never been to the Dinosaur Museum before, and Justin had never seen Jurassic Park! I know! I was surprised, too!

So, we go, and Josh gives us a quick tour of the small museum, and then we go behind closed doors to the paleontology department's workshop.

Josh knows many of the Paleontology professors and knows what dinosaur many of the bones are from.

There were many bones still be excavated and carefully studied.

Josh and Justin went in search of comfortable chairs, so Josh's wife Emily and I went walking through aisles and aisles of bones, rows and rows deep and high. It was astounding to see how many bones the warehouse had that weren't even in the museum!

Josh showed Justin how to use a new excavating tool--it's like a air-brush with rotating blades...it doesn't hurt soft things--Josh had it going on our fingers, but as soon as it touched rock, dust went flying and we could make etchings. It's a neat tool to help excavate fragile, small bones and fossils.

We went through the actual Museum next and look at the different fossils and dinosaur bones. It was pretty neat walking through. There was even a skull of a triceratops and oh my freaking goodness, it was huge! Just as tall as me, and that wide as well! There was a skeleton of a pterodactyl, a couple raptors, even an ice age giant sloth!

We went near some of the skeletons of the raptors and carnivores and set up our chairs, popcorn, and a TV to watch Jurassic Park. It was very fun to hear Josh talk about the raptors and to sit next to the bones while watching the movie. 

Afterward, as we were picking up, Justin and I spotted a perfect picture opportunity...

Justin being eaten by a T-rex head!

It was a very fun date and really neat to see where Josh works and some of his paintings and signs hanging up all over the museum. Please check out his site because he is AMAZING!

Gone With the Wind

Sometimes it's hard being a history teacher in Utah, especially if you are a Mormon who did not grow up in Utah being a history teacher in Utah.

I grew up in the Church, as did both sides of my family for generations back. My dad decided to join the Marine Corps, which meant my entire life was moving every few years. I have lived in numerous different states with numerous different subcultures influencing me and my friends. I've lived in Utah 5 years now and I'm still receiving culture shock sometimes.

Mostly, I grew up in Virginia. And learned about the Civil War with a slightly southern perspective. (I lived in northern Virginia--Stafford County--and they realize that the north won and that was right to have happened. However, Virginians are stubborn people throughout history and have a lot of state pride.) So, as I taught U.S. History this year, I decided to take a more Confederate side to the Civil War as Utah is, for the most part, conservative Republicans and will always teach the North's perspective.

Again, just to clarify--I wanted to show the South's perspective...I do not agree with them, nor wish they had won, but as a historian, I find it interesting to view things from not the pervading point of view.

My students learned about the bumbling, self-doubting generals of the North, and I loved seeing their reactions after I told them that each were either fired or quit due to a failure in battle. Whereas, the South had 7 out of 8 of the military schools in the US at the time as well as numerous good military tacticians from the Mexican-American War. My students had previously also studied the fundamental differences of the North and the South: religions, philosophy on freedom, politics, society, and economy. They realized that not all plantation owners were evil, no; that for the most part, slavery was a necessary evil. We had watched a few documentaries and a few scenes from Gettysburg. We looked at the disturbing photographs from the Battle of Antietam. 

Now, here's the thing I don't like about the Nebo district: school gets out Friday, May 24. Grades are due by Mon, May 20.  When students know this, especially middle school students, how does the administration as well as parents possibly expect us to keep them willing to learn and do academic activities? To make it worse, that Monday yearbooks are being passed out, Tuesday are award assemblies, Wednesday the whole school is going to Lagoon, Thursday is an arts assembly, and Friday they get out at 11:15.

So, I make do. I decide to show Gone With the Wind next week. It's a long movie, it's from the Southern perspective, and it has to do with what we're learning, so it would solidify the southern perspective in their minds.

Now, I thought it was PG, so I knew I'd have to get parent permission according to district policy (again, culture shock that you have to get permission for a PG movie). I also wanted parents to be aware that they would be watching a movie all next week. But, I didn't realize that it is actually rated G. Most parents have already signed the permission slip and some are even excited to have their kids watch this classic. But, I got a surprising email from one parent who was surprised and disturbed that I would even consider showing this movie to my 8th grade class. She sent me a review on it she found:

The film centers around the Civil War-torn South and includes severalk scenes of war-related violence, such as wounded soldiers dying, and Scarlett O'Hara shooting a Union deserter. The sexuality isn't as overt as in contemporary movies, but it's still pervasive, as Scarlett is clearly a bold, sexually attractive woman who manipulates men with her looks. Additionally, there are several kisses (a few very passionate ones), a scene that implies a husband has forced his wife to go to bed with him, and even the inclusion of a minor character who is a good-hearted "lady of the night." The alcohol and cigar use is also frequent, although mostly because there are so many parties in the movie. Parents should be aware that the depiction of African Americans is problematic and stereotypical -- the slaves seem to actually enjoy their lot and are either superficial and ignorant or fussy and smothering. It may concern some parents that the Confederate South is portrayed as having been a place of gentility and charm.

I have seen Gone with the Wind numerous, numerous times. It was made in 1940, so I know that sexuality and violence isn't really portrayed...why would Hollywood risk that? All it is harmless innuendos and a loud noise of a "gun" with an over-exaggerated, "I'm dead!" death scene. This mom said it was too violent and sensual for her son and she didn't want him seeing those terrible racial stereotypes. Now, I understand that she may not have seen the movie, nor have grown up in the South, so that is where her ignorance comes from. But even with the "racial stereotyping", the sad but hard truth is, that is actually what the South was like during the Civil War. I found this review and I absolutely loved it because it explains the whole part as to why I am even bothering to show Gone With the Wind:

If the central drama of “Gone With the Wind” is the rise and fall of a sexual adventuress, the counterpoint is a slanted but passionate view of the Old South. Unlike most historical epics, “GWTW” has a genuine sweep, a convincing feel for the passage of time. It shows the South before, during and after the war, all seen through Scarlett's eyes. And Scarlett is a Southerner. So was Margaret Mitchell. The movie signals its values in the printed narration that opens the film, in language that seems astonishing in its bland, unquestioned assumptions:

“There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South. Here in this pretty world, Gallantry took its last bow. Here was the last ever to be seen of Knights and their Ladies Fair, of Master and of Slave. Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization gone with the wind.”

Yes, with the capital letters and all. One does not have to ask if the Slaves saw it the same way. The movie sidesteps the inconvenient fact that plantation gentility was purchased with the sweat of slaves (there is more sympathy for Scarlett getting calluses on her pretty little hands than for all the crimes of slavery). But to its major African-American characters it does at least grant humanity and complexity. Hattie McDaniel, as Mammy, is the most sensible and clear-sighted person in the entire story (she won one of the film's eight Oscars), and although Butterfly McQueen, as Prissy, will always be associated with the line “I don't know nothin' about birthin' babies,” the character as a whole is engaging and subtly subversive.

Remember that when “GWTW” was made, segregation was still the law in the South and the reality in the North. That the Ku Klux Klan was written out of one scene for fear of giving offense to elected officials who belonged to it. The movie comes from a world with values and assumptions fundamentally different from our own--and yet, of course, so does all great classic fiction, starting with Homer and Shakespeare. A politically correct “GWTW” would not be worth making, and might largely be a lie.

The boy of this mother came up to me and was very embarrassed about the fact that he isn't going to be allowed to watch Gone With the Wind next week. He told me that he hasn't been able to watch any PG or above in the past 3 years! Culture shock! And I always considered myself a Molly-Mormon! 5 years, and I am still being blown away at how some kids are raised here in Utah. 

Teaching friends, mother friends, Utah residents...what do you think about this? (Also, don't forget about the Giveaway here!)

Reasons I Like, No, LOVE, Pride and Prejudice

First, as a disclaimer: although I may claim that I love Jane Austin, I really am only familiar with two works: Pride and Prejudice (which I have seen and read) and Sense and Sensibility (which I have only seen).




Pride and Prejudice has caught my heart and mind for years. I know it is a cliche to say that every girl can relate to Elizabeth Bennet and wants a Darcy. However, I only find myself relating very little to Elizabeth...and I don't want a Darcy. I'd much rather have a Bingley. But, here is my reasons why I love the characters:

Elizabeth: I admire her wit, her yearning of knowledge, her stubbornness, and her ideals. However, I feel I only relate to her in her love of reading, enjoying nature.
Jane: I admire her grace, her natural beauty and humility, her modesty. I feel that I am like her in her self-consciousness. I mean, it took me forever to admit that I loved, let alone liked, Justin.
Mary: Her need to do well and show it, her lack of talent in things she would like to share, her awkwardness in many social situations. I feel the same many times.
Lydia and Kitty: They are flirtatious and immature and feel they have a right to things...I would like to say that I don't carry those traits, but I am sure there are those who would disagree...

Darcy: I really admire his intelligence (and his fortune...that's always a plus), and I do admire how much he loves and protects his sister. However, I feel he is too proud, too cold, too judgmental. I wouldn't really want a Darcy.
Bingley: Is just all-around adorable! I love him to death! Such a sweet-heart! He is honest and shows his feelings. He goes after what he wants. He can sometimes be a dork. I love dorks. I'm marrying one!

There have been many renditions of Pride and Prejudice. Here are my favorite three:

Mormon Pride and Prejudice

Hahahahahahaahaha! Where to start! Well, this is the Mormon version of Pride and Prejudice. It is hilarious, and has so many innuendos to Mormon culture. However, sometimes it can be a bit too silly or comical. And the despair scene when Elizabeth and Jane have lost a man or been disappointed by a man...hilarious to the point of rolling on the floor! I totally relate to it! But, it's always good to add in either a Pride and Prejudice marathon or a Mormon movie marathon.

Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley 

Where do I start?!? I am actually quite jealous that my sister owns the movie, and not me. But, I do own the soundtrack. It is astounding, breathtaking. I could listen to it for hours and let it take my imagination away. I also just love Kiera Knightely--I think she does a magnificent job with Elizabeth Bennet. It is also pretty cool that I've been to the same manor that includes the bridge and pavilion that Elizabeth runs to when she is depressed in the rain. I love looking at the countryside. I just love the whole filmography of the movie.

Bride and Prejudice

Who wouldn't enjoy this movie? Bollywood works with British Films works with Hollywood! So freaking awesome is so many ways! I also really like this specific Darcy--he seems more human than the others, more self-conscious. I also like the colors, and the SONGS! Oh the Songs! Here are my two favorites:

No Life, Without Wife

Dealing with the idea of marrying Mr. Kohli (Collins) is weird to the Bakshi sisters.

Take Me to Love

This is when Darcy and Lalita fall in love. But, what makes it better is running in fountains of water, and the beach scene in which surfers, lifeguards, even a black Gospel choir join in the song. 

Quotes I Love

"Your mother insists on your marrying Mr. Collins. so from this day onward, you must be a stranger from one of your parents. your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, but I will never see you again if you do." - Mr. Bennet

"What are men compared to rocks and mountains." - Mary Bennet

Darcy: How are you this evening, my dear?
Elizabeth:  Very well...although I wish you would not call em "my dear."
Darcy: Why?
Elizabeth: Because that is what my father always call my mother when he is cross about something.
Darcy: What endearments am I allowed?
Elizabeth: Well let me think..."Lizzy" for every day, "My Pearl" for Sundays, and..."Goddess Divine"...but only on very special occasions.
Darcy: And...what should I call you when I am cross? Mrs. Darcy...?
Elizabeth: No! No...You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy" when you are completely and perfectly and incandescently happy. 
Darcy: Then, how are you this evening...Mrs. Darcy?

"You know what they say: no life without wife." --Mr. Kohli

"Not all of us can afford to be a romantic like you, Lalita. I'm afraid to let my prince charming walk past me." --Chandra (Charlotte)