Words

I'm one of those people who gets sucked into pinterest, because honestly who doesn't?  There are just so many pretty things.  I've come across a few quotes/sayings on that lovely website that have resonated with me and I feel the need to share.  (Although, I've already shared them on pinterest, but apparently that wasn't enough.)  Here are some words that I agree with...

Bookish Review: Unbroken

I first heard about Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand from my friend, Eliza.  Eliza confessed to me, while she's not much of a reader, she loved this book.  I made sure to put it on my "to read" list.  Then I heard more about this book from my friend Talena.  I asked her what she thought and she simply said, "It's just one of those books everyone needs to read."  I then bumped Unbroken to the top of my "to read" list.

Unbroken is the true story of Louis Zamperini's life.  It follows him through his rambunctious and sometimes wild youth to running in the Berlin Olympics as a prodigy track star.  His running career is cut short by World War II, which leads to him becoming an airman with Army Air Forces in 1943.  His bomber plane goes down while on a rescue mission and Zamperini finds himself as one of the few survivors floating in a small raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with currents drifting him towards enemy territory. 

Hillenbrand does an amazing job painting the picture of Zamperini's life and describing the triumphs and atrocities he endured during WWII.  I agree with both Eliza and Talena, this is a book everyone should read.  There were many reasons I liked this book.  First, being that both of my grandpas served in WWII in the US Air Force.  As Zamperini described his life stationed in Hawaii, I thought of my mom's dad, red headed, just 18 and stationed in an air base in London and of my dad's dad, quiet, intellectual, stationed in a base first in Italy and then Egypt.  As Zamperini described the dangers of flying, let alone fighting, in the airplanes of the time and of the many friends he lost along the way, I ached for my grandpas' experiences.  While neither of my grandpas were pilots, but instead worked on base, I felt my understanding of what they may have seen and endured expanded a bit as I learned more about base life.  They were both so young.  My grandpas have both passed away now, but I was grateful for this book to perhaps understand their war experience a little bit more.

Second, from an educational point of view, I appreciated this book for helping me better understand WWII in Japan.  We often hear about the horrors of the concentration camps, but I wasn't as informed of the war with Japan and the cause.

Last, I loved this book for the example of sheer perseverance of Zamperini's and his surviving friends.  I found them inspiring.  I loved the spiritual experiences Zamperini shared that gave him hope.  I thought the insight into human nature of what people can survive was fascinating.  I really liked that Hillenbrand shows that coming home isn't the end of trials, because so many soldiers had to then face PTSD, flashbacks and other hardships they still had to work through.

I found my own stresses and struggles, while valid, seemed small compared to what all these men went through.  I felt by reading this book, I found extra endurance to move forward with my own trials, because their examples of strengthen strengthened me.  If you are feeling downtrodden by the life, read this book.  There are so many great lessons one can glean from Zamperini and his friends' experiences.

PS  This book also reaffirmed my extreme fear of sharks, just so you know.

Jan's Rating:  

To My Mom...

Happy Mother's Day to my dear, sweet, wonderful mom!  I'm grateful for your example, your sense of humor, your faith, your love, your compassion, you countless acts of service, your encouragement, the lessons you have taught me, your friendship and so much more.  I know they say no one is perfect, but I do think you are the perfect mom for me!  Love you so much!

Sharing Time

I keep on running into things here and there online and in the real world that I think, hmmm, I should share that on my blog. Consider this my personal Sharing Time, which quite honestly is every post.

• First, Opening Song of the post. Remember how I love Andrew McMahon, front man of Something Corporate, then front man of Jack's Mannequin, then kicked cancer and is just plain cool.  He released an EP all on his own.  This my favorite song from it.  It just makes me want to dance, which I do in my chair at work, unashamedly so.  (I'm not going to admit how many times I've listened to this song on repeat.)
• Talena shared this article with me and I found it so interesting.  It's pictures of what a weeks worth of groceries looks like from countries around the world.  Fascinating.  What a consuming country we are.
• Danny and I rented the movie "The Impossible" this week from redbox.  Many of you may have already seen it, but if you haven't, you should. Oh my goodness, so intense. It made me cringe and cry, but man I love movies that show the importance of family. I sure love mine.
• I saw this on pinterest and I thought of Danny's family.  Y'all should do this! They are the most amazing speed scrabble players I know. (Yes I did just say "y'all" because I love my Southerners.)
• Lastly, Closing Song for this post.  I really love Imagine Dragons' new music video.  I've already loved this song for awhile, but man what a good reminder.  We have no idea what other people are going through.  Let's all be a little more kind.

Another Weekend Has Come and Gone...

Last weekend was another jammed packed weekend of fun.  I suppose I could do updates of my actual weeks, but those aren't nearly as exciting, in my opinion.  Anyway, last weekend...

Friday

We went out to dinner with our wonderful friends, Rachel and Joey.  Rachel and I were once roommates, which was a beautiful time.  We went out for Thai food and I learned that the spicy scale differs from each restaurant.  Medium spicy at the last restaurant we went to was just right.  Medium spicy at this particular restaurant was scorching hot.  I went through 4 glasses of water.  However, other than that, we had fun visiting and laughing.

After dinner, being the thrilling people we are, Danny and I went to the grocery store.  It was needed.

Saturday

We got up on the early side to go to our nephew's baptism.  The cute, hilarious red head who I call General J on this blog.  It was a sweet event and J was super excited.  I was honored that I was asked to lead the music, even with a mistake or two.  Memorable moments: J and his friend singing a duet together.  They sang out so loud and clear, I was so proud.  Also, during one of the prayers, my three year old nephew B. Anu, chanted that he needed to go potty.  He just so happened to be sitting on my lap at the time, so I was a little nervous.  Fun times.  We gathered for lunch afterwards.  It was a fabulous, family time.

The rest of the day was filled with chores.  I even tried out my green thumb and planted a few flowers in our little flower bed.  We will see how long they survive.

Sunday 

First, church, where we were asked to substitute in Primary.  We taught the 5-6 year old kids.  They were a bit of a handful, but we had fun.  We played our favorite game, the compliment game, where you toss around a stuffed animal and compliment the person you throw it to.  The kids seemed to like it.  They were very good at complimenting each other's ties and shoes.

After church, meetings, more meetings.  Then a quick video chat with Danny's brother and his family. I put up a few decorations in the backyard and we had a dessert night to celebrate Danny's graduation!  Danny didn't want to walk at commencement, but I felt like we should still have some type of celebration.  Here are a few pics from the get together.

Congratulations Danny!  So proud of you!

Danny and Joel being entertained by Master M.

Bec and the baby boys.

Family!

Coolest. Grandpa. Ever.

Darling.

Yay for friends!

Mary and her fam!

Thanks for coming everyone!

April on Instragram

April 2nd - I like when work takes me to different temples.  Just a little
photo shoot on the grounds of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

April 4th - I had high hopes for a warm spring.  It was quite the opposite.
However this particular day was nice and the flowers were blooming on
Temple Square, so it felt like a spring day.

April 7th - My cute niece Lady L. drew pictures of Me and Danny. I was
very please with how accurate she was with the hair.

April 9th - I went out to dinner with some friends to celebrate my
birthday.  My sweet friend, Rachel, gave me this beautiful flowers
as a birthday present.

April 10th - My birthday cake, mmmm.

April 11th - Capitol Reef.  Stunning.

April 13th - Mesa Verde.  Also Stunning.

April 13th - Spectacular View.  Thanks Colorado, it was fun.

April 18th - We did a photo shoot up City Creek Canyon.  I was hanging
out by the head of the trail waiting for our cast to show up.  They
were late, so it was just me and the duck.  I didn't mind it.

April 19th - Danny and my walk around the Capitol, all the blossoms in bloom.

April 19th - Snapshot of the State Capitol.

April 19th - Danny checking out the artwork of our friend Dave at
an art show.

April 19th - The evening ended with Thai food from Sawdee.  Mmm.

April 20th - Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.

April 28th - A view of the mountains during our walk at Sugar House Park.

April 28th - Popcorn popping at Sugar House Park.

Weekend(s)

You Guys! I had this plan last week to write about last, last weekend, because it was just so jammed pack with fun.  Now as I sit down, two weekends have passed me by.  I'll just have to report on both.  (Side note: April is over, insert sad face emoticon here. Goodbye birth month, it has been fun.)

Last, Last Weekend

Friday

• For date night, Danny and I went on a walk around the Capitol because all of the blossoms are in bloom.  It is like a mini cherry blossom festival, since our savings account doesn't allow trips to DC at this point in time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We then went to an art show of our good friend and amazing artist David Habben.  I found his art inspiring, very cool.
  
• Then we went out for Thai food to top things off, delish.

Saturday

• I went to the Tulip Festival with my mom.  She's a favorite of mine.  This is an annual event for me and my mom.  It is a great time to talk about life and glean from my mom's wisdom.  Plus, my mom and I have very similar senses of humor so you bet there is laughter.  Favorite quote from the day: "We are introverts, let's get away from these people here."  I'm not going to tell you which one of us said that.  Favorite moment: When it started sprinkling rain on us and we had the umbrella out and my mom and I skipped down the steps singing "I'm Singing in the Rain" with very small dance movements.  We don't like to draw attention to ourselves, so that's why we didn't have big dance movements.
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  
  
• I had to take a nap after the tulip festival, because I was all worn out with our wandering and chatting and photograph taking.
• Lesson planning for church.

Sunday

• Marathon Meeting Day!  First I got to teach the youth at one of the ward conferences I visited.  I made the goal to get every youth to speak.  I succeeded, mainly because I told them I was going to share a quote and then we were going to go around and every single person was going to share with the group their thoughts on the topic. Kind of forced, but it worked. Then break for lunch.  Next, I went to a training meeting with one of our YW presidencies which somehow turned into us teaching the young women's lesson as well.  Then Youth Committee Meeting.  Break for dinner.  Then back to the church for a camp fireside, which I burned more calories than consumed by scooping ice cream for multitudes of root beer floats.  Que the exhaustion.
• My mother-in-law was in town and spending time with Danny at home while I was in my meetings.  During my breaks I got to chat with her, which was nice.  Thanks for visiting Mama Wood.

Last Weekend

Friday

• Got dinner from Chipotle (I love their guac) and watched a few episodes of the show "Touch" on Hulu.  That show has sucked me in, but freaks me out at the same time.

Saturday

• I had to work for a couple hours (blah) and then clean the house (also blahish) But then, Talena came over and we made the most amazing dinner together.  Lemon chicken, roasted potatoes and asparagus.  Plus, Talena brought homemade rolls.  However, the best part of the evening was getting to chat with Talena for a few hours.  Talena, you're the best!  

Sunday

• Danny got a new church calling and I got to listen to his setting apart blessing.  It made me all teary.  Love that husband of mine.
• Danny and I were invited to tell the primary kids about our missions.  I was sure to teach the kids proper English terms like the rubbish bin and what real biscuits are.  Then I shared with them English biscuits, which was distracting but delicious.  Then in my sharing, I became all teary again.  What is happening to me?!  
• Sunday naps, made Thai food for dinner, called my mom and dad and beat Danny at a game of his choice.