Back from the "sad"

O.k., so here it is: Post #199. It almost feels like a penultimate one, but fear not, gentle readers, I will not be stopping at 20o.

I am sorry for the lack of posts as of late. My excuse is that not only did I call into work "sad" the other day, I have been using "sad" as an excuse to avoid many things. Washing my car, cleaning my room, doing the dishes (thanks to Denise for helping me out here), and also writing on the blog.

If you are following Denise, you will know that there is a hole in our lives right now. I also miss Leita terribly. Her memorial service was on Saturday, and I wish I could sit down with her to find out what she thought of it. I think she would have loved to hear her mom talk about her early life. I am pretty sure she would have forgiven me for singing pretty shakily during my song. I know she would have loved to hear Denise's words about their friendship, and seen the beautiful video presentation she put together. I really would like to know what she thought about the crazy lady, who, during the "open mic" session, said that she hadn't known Leita. This did not stop her from telling the story of when her roommate, Cindy, had died from cancer 30 years ago. The story was long, but at least it was mildly inappropriate as the lady implied that Cindy visited her on a regular basis. I suppose that like Cousin Stickles, funerals brought back her own sad loss.

Anyway, things are slowly getting back to normal. I have been promising a HP6 review, so here it is: I didn't especially love it for the following reasons

1. It wasn't as dark as I wanted it to be. It almost felt like a romantic comedy at times, and the intense parts of the movie were few and far between.

2.They added stuff that I didn't like, such as the burning down of the Weasley's house. Huh?

3. The Harry and Ginny story wasn't great. I prefer the kiss in the book, and when , in the movie, Ginny bent down and tied Harry's shoes, I couldn't stop myself from yelling "Barf"!

4. I thought Daniel Radcliffe's acting left much to be desired. He did such a great job in the 5th movie, and so I expected the same level of emotion and intensity in this one. However, he just seemed embarrassed to be part of it all, or kind of like a guy who just wandered in to Hogwart's.

5. Dumbledore's death happened too quickly, and the movie ended too quickly after he died. In the book, the scene in the tower where Dumbledore was begging Snape to kill him was heart-breaking, but in the movie, it just went by so quickly.

6. I HATED the reveal of Snape as the "Half-Blood Prince". It came at the most inappropriate and awkward time, and it felt like they just threw it in at the end because they realized that they had just let that aspect of the plot get buried under everything else, and they had better hastily tie it up. When Snape suddenly says "I'm the Half-Blood Prince" it was way too cheesy, and I had to restrain myself from yelling "I'm the Half-Blood Prince in the manner of "I'm Darby Shaw!" It is probably a good thing that Jess wasn't there...

After all of that, I didn't hate the movie, I just thought it could have been better. Maybe I am just getting tired of HP movies. So, bring out your torches, and lynch me any time. I know that most of you are still mad I didn't like "Wolverine", and that I am still refusing to see "Star Trek".

I think I am just getting crotchety in my old age.

See you on the 200th post!!

"The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising..."

Here is the ice-cream combination that I invented last night: key-lime ice cream with raspberries and marshmallows. Oh, Marble Slab, you do indeed bring delight.

I am going to see Harry Potter tonight, and so the next post should hopefully be a review of the movie. I would get to it tomorrow, but it might interfere with my plans to find a tree and lay under it all day. It is supposed to get to 31 tomorrow, so I can't think of anything better to do...

Enjoy the heat!!!

Dear Leita,

You have been an incredible support to me through all the years that I have known you.

Remember when you were the Compassionate Service Leader and were ready to help with anything? I am sorry that I didn't use you more. When I wanted to plan a party for Denise, you were there to help make it happen. When I wanted to get my dream of a Mid-Singles group off the ground, you came up like an organizing fiend and it became a reality. Our first activity was such a success, and it was due to your advertising and ingenuity. I don't know how I will continue it without your dedication and perseverance.

You were an amazing friend to me. I remember we had a girl's sleep-over about 3 years ago, and you brought the game "Girl Talk". It was the first time I had played it, and there is a picture of me out there pushing a penny on the floor with my nose. You always reached out to me when I was anti-social, and I was so glad to find out that we were actually family!! In the last year, you have shared some of my favorite experiences and events, from birthday parties to the Mid-Singles Conference in June. I will always treasure the experience of tag-team speed-dating with you. I thought we were a dynamic duo! I am sorry I ditched you on the Saturday for the lamest of all reasons, and I wish you would have told us how sick you were feeling. You always thought of others before yourself, though. I wish I could have been a better friend to you. I wish I had been less selfish.

You will continue to be an inspiring example of someone who has great faith in Jesus Christ. This was evident in your faithful temple attendance and your endless service to others. As you lay in the hospital, you were more concerned about the mid-Singles activity, and us remembering friends' birthdays than yourself. Your quiet acts of compassion were noticed, and I know that you will be serving even more people now that you have the full capacity to do so.

Let's be honest, there were things about you that drove me crazy. You lived by extremely high standards and you wanted everyone else to as well. I am afraid that many of us failed you numerous times. You always wanted to include everyone, even when there were people we couldn't stand to have around. Once you had an idea, you would see it through until the very end, even if it was uncomfortable for others. You were driven and determined, and you often got me out of my comfort zone. Thank-you.

Leita, you will be missed more than words can ever express. I am a better person for having known you, and I hope that you are well and happy and working hard and laughing with all of our awesome ancestors. Please say hi to them for me!

Love,
Jenny

A bright and blustery good morrow to you all (I actually don't know what that means...) I am blogging in celebration that I have finished the "Term End Reflections" for the two students I work with. I h-a-a-a-a-a-t-e paperwork, and when I get it finished, I like to spend at least 30 minutes doing something completely frivolous. I can't count the email I sent to my Dad about the program for the reunion (accompanied by many frantic texts to various family members: "Will you be performing?") because that is only work of another variety...though not technically College related. Good thing my boos is away for the afternoon.

Anyway, that was a ridiculously long intro, so I will get to the crux. Young Women's Camp is this Thursday. I am alternately hot and cold about it, but I am semi-excited to purchase a day-pack, hat, and wine gums, assemble a tinfoil dinner, borrow a sleeping bag from Jean, get some ear plugs for the girls who will be sharing my tent, and try to come up with some awesome ideas for the firesides I am organizing.

It is so interesting to be doing these things in the role of a leader. There is a lot more work, and you have answers for things, but it is nice to have people look up to you. Just another step on my journey to adulthood, I guess.