Laughing

My favorite quote was in an article in BYU magazine! I feel like I'm famous or something! Stardom achieved! It's even my quote on Facebook! Though, I guess W.H. Auden could be as well known an author as they come.

The article on laughter is an excellent one. You can find it here. It was written by an English professor at the Y. Every once in awhile I really just wish I had stuck with my English major.

So, the other night I was reading a book with my niece, Juliette, that she had to read for school. She's in Kindergarten, so it was a beginning reader. The text of the book goes something like this:

Clifford bakes a cake.
KC will help bake the cake.
Amy will help bake the cake.

KC has the milk.
Amy has the sugar.

and etc. etc.

I was joking with her the whole time about how it was the MOST EXCITING BOOK I HAD EVER READ. She, of course, knew I being sarcastic, and we were struggling to get through this page turner because we were laughing so hard. I even told her to tell her teacher that her aunt said it was a page turner. The next day I asked her if she told her teacher what I had said about it, she said yes, and that her teacher had laughed. Oh, how I love to make people laugh.

While we were reading (I don't know how we even decided to do this, because it wasn't discussed; however, I think I've talked with her before about how I think it's fun to fake laugh) we started to have a contest to see who could fake laugh the longest. So, we are laughing and laughing and laughing. The reason this all started was that Juliette was lying on top of me trying to get through this heart stoppingly (not a word, I realize) exciting book and she was taking forever to do so because she was laughing so much. So, when our laughing finally dies down she says to me, "I won. You know why? Because I was laughing for real." Oh, how I love her.

Juliette is just about the cutest girl in the world. You should see the girl hula hoop. She is AMAZING! I've never seen anyone as good as she is. She can go on and on forever. It's so cute to see her little body move back and forth. And, of course, she is laughing the whole time. Her laugh is the most contagious thing in the world.

And why are my people and my blog archive all the way down at the bottom? Can anybody help me out with this? I can't change it in the layout. I don't know how it ended up down there. The appearance of my blog (as you know) is of utmost importance; therefore, this needs to be corrected.

How does one become famous?

I was contemplating the other day how people really get places in life and become famous (of course, I realize those two ideas are very possibly not synonymous with one another), and then I decided that maybe it all boils down to people being completely outrageous and voicing strong opinions.

So, I've decided to become famous. Though, I struggle to have strong opinions on many political matters, just because I frequently feel I don't know enough on the subject to form them, maybe I know a lot of ridiculous people. Making fun of these ridiculous people could make me famous.

Along similar lines, my brother-in-law was debating with me the other day about whether or not weird people have friends. And his argument was that weird people definitely have friends because they marry each other. I had to stop him right there, because I wasn't talking about marriage at all, but rather that the higher people are on the weird scale they have fewer and fewer friends. While they may find someone to marry, that doesn't mean they have friends.

Grocery Lists, To Do Lists, Men List...

I've been reading this quick read by Alexander McCall Smith and I've found some noteworthy quotations.

Some of you might remember this post. While I was not the one to create my "list of potentials" it seems there are others who support the notion.

"This is a good number to choose from," said Mma Romtswe. "Not too large a list of men, but not too small."

Mma Holonga looked at Mma Romtswe uncertainly. "You do not think it strange to have a list, Mma? Some of my friends..."

"I'm not sure if you should worry too much about what your friends think, Mma," she said. "I think that it is a good idea to have a list. What is the difference between a list of things to buy at a shop, or a list of things to do, and a list of men? I do not see the difference."

and later...

"There would be something to worry about with each of them, she thought pessimistically, but then she corrected herself, reminding herself that it was no use giving up on a case before one even started."

Please be aware, I do not have a list. Come on, people. Though, I know people that make lists for every aspect of their lives (hint --- I'm related to them, of course). However, I agree that the matter of finding a husband seems to be a pragmatic one and one that could be simplified down to making a list. I also (of course, you all know this) tend to be pretty pessimistic when it comes to finding a match with whom you can't find something overtly annoying about (I love that "match" has now become a part of my vocab since I've been on the site). However, maybe I'm wrong and love, falling in love, and accepting people as they are is really possible.

I guess I could always just have a friend do the following for me, which just seems so incredibly weird, but whatever. I heard about some people who bought a billboard along I-15 in Utah to put up their sibling's picture to advertise him as being available.

Oh, I'm so sick of this post. An annoying topic. I know!

I really do love this city.

When I left for UNLV I didn't rule out moving back to the D.C. area at all, especially since I knew I didn't fit in in Vegas pretty much immediately, and felt maybe D.C. wasn't such a bad place after all. However, I certainly didn't ever imagine being back in my parent's house. My parents are on a mission in Ukraine and their absence is the only reason I am inhabiting their house for the time being, in addition to the facts that I'm saving money and I have absolutely no commute to where I am working presently. It just makes sense to be here.

My parents rented out the upstairs floors and put in a kitchen in the basement. It seems like our house isn't big enough to have a second kitchen, which is true, but it's tiny and doesn't have a dish washer. Hunter is living with me in the basement. He was anxious to get out of his apartment in Bethesda. Life is becoming more normal with my parents gone, and the stress of my thesis eradicated. However, I don't know if I feel like I've taken ownership over my life. I don't know if it'll be possible living in the house I grew up in. But maybe that just doesn't matter. I'm doing okay/am happy, I guess. There are so many wonderful things about the house I grew up in and I'll elaborate a bit. I love that I live right on the Potomac with a running trail for easy access (and it's fun to go over to the Maryland side sometimes too). I love that there are so many beautiful (and huge) homes in the neighborhood. I live right off the beltway, which makes getting around really easy.

Before my parents left we had a little outing to the tidal basin on the Sunday of General Conference. We were there at just the right time. It was beautiful and it was fun to go out on the paddleboats with all the kids.

And of course I was asked to speak in the Langley ward in a couple weeks. Will I ever get away from being S. and L. Swift's daughter? Probably not. That's okay. It's just now I have to speak in church because of them.

Dark and disturbing?

My friend just told me on gchat that my blog posts have been pretty DARK lately. My response? I laughed, because I totally know it's true, and wrote "Good. I'm glad I can show my dark side." The thing is, is that I have a hard time with some movies that have a dark tone/message. I mean I like them because they are always thought provoking, but I normally find that the benefits of watching such a movie do not outweigh the costs. For example, "Fight Club." I just end up feeling weird (and dark). I hope my blog posts haven't been disturbing. I have been going through a hard/stressful period though.

My brother, Hunter, has mentioned someone he knows who he thinks is "going through a hard time" and I always get annoyed with this, because I've met the kid and he seems totally fine. When Hunter mentions this he doesn't provide any explanation as to why he thinks this to be so about this kid. And this is because there isn't any reason/explanation. The kid is not "going through a hard time." He's just simply emotionally unstable. It's important to state things clearly. I've been "going through a hard time" because I was stressed about finding a job, starting to substitute teach at the school I used to teach at before grad school and it not going incredibly smoothly, having to live with my parents as they were getting ready to go on a mission, finishing my thesis. I've had a lot going on. However, I'm not "emotionally unstable." Just clearing that up.

However, actually, Hunter just found out that this guy's brother just overdosed and died yesterday; so yes, having a brother that does drugs would maybe be cause for "going through a hard time," but I think he's been doing drugs for a long time.

I think it's really easy to feel completely overwhelmed in life. Being an adult kind of sucks.

Not daddy's little girl.

I realize there are no perfect families, but I just have to vent about this...

So, my whole life I've had a hard time interacting with my father. And, I think one thing that doesn't help the situation is that my mother is fairly open with me about things my father says to her, about me. For example, I will hear from my mother "Your father said that you (insert fairly negative comment here, like...) could be helping out more around the house." or "would look better if you ..." This maybe sounds like reasonable complaints from my father. But, the thing is, is that I don't need to hear it from my mother. My mother should decide whether or not she agrees with the statement and deliver it me as she believes it should be. I grew up (and still feel this way) feeling like my father is always critisizing me and that I am never good enough. I will never forget my father asking me (so, this is coming directly from the source and not from my mother) as I was walking out the door one day to go school, if I didn't want to brush my hair. My hair didn't measure up to his standards, and he wanted it brushed, or just different. This is hurtful. Especially to a girl in her teens who is going through a lot of other crap. And of course, he probably doesn't recall saying this to me, but I will always remember. Kids are sensitive, or maybe I just am. When I was going through my fat years (and there still may be more to come -- who knows), I knew that the pressure to lose weight from my parents was mostly coming from my father.

I have a great father. I realize this, but it's hard for children to feel like they are never doing enough or meeting their parent's expectations. My dad grew up under some really hard circumstances; so what he has provided for in a family is amazing and he may believe that we are a perfect family, but we aren't and part of me wants him to recognize the fact that we don't get along and that's okay. However, I know that hiding the true facts (that you all don't get along) is a necessary way in which families interact and remain somewhat intact.

I'm just not daddy's little girl. I don't know if I ever have been. I think I grew up really quick.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Another short tangent --- in addition to the huge number of other activities, events, and people they are interacting with, my parents do A LOT of work around the house. It is great that they are such do-it-yourself type people, but it stresses everybody else out with whom they interact. They've got a lot going on right now with getting ready to go on a mission - HIRE someone to do all the yardwork. HIRE someone to help with packing. HIRE someone to put in the stone walkway. I realize these are all expenses, and maybe they don't have the funds. I also realize that even if they do have the funds, they maybe feel these are all things they can take care of on their own and allocate their funds towards other things. I understand this. Certainly. However, DON'T make your kids feel bad for not helping out. This isn't our life. It's yours. We've got our own lives to keep in order or get in order. I've said it once, and I'll say it again -- I don't think kids should feel the pressure of a budget. Even your adult kids should be taken shopping every once in awhile. Am I right? Besides for Christmas or birthdays. Buy them something nice. Pay for groceries. My parents don't do this, and there's a good possiblity they don't want to infringe upon my independence, which they know is necessary since I'm an adult and everything. They also feel it's necessary to teach responsibility. I get it. I know how to be a responsible adult. Been doing it for awhile now. This doesn't mean that not having to pay for a needed dress or sweater every once in awhile wouldn't be very appreciated.

And. done.

Kate Winslet and lingering...

I just think she's beautiful, and smart. Pretty much my all-time favorite movie EVER is Finding Neverland. It is such a beautiful and creative, heartfelt movie. I bawled the first time I saw it, and probably every time.

I actually haven't seen her recent movies. Has anybody seen The Reader or Revolutionary Road?

I'm watching The Holiday on TBS right now. Yes, pathetic. It's my Saturday night activity, but I've been working all day on my paper, and just now deciding I can't handle anymore.

So, this line of Jack Black's just makes me wonder...

Jack Black kisses Kate Winslet on the cheek and the line is: "Sorry, that I kissed you twice, and then lingered a long time on the second time." Granted Jack Black and Kate Winslet are a somewhat odd couple, but I love the line and delivery. And I am just wondering when someone will linger over me.