January 24, 2011
January 23, 2011
Sunday Snippet
This will actually be a few Sunday's worth of snippets - I've been collecting. (Also, don't forget to check out this post! Surely someone wants something awesome sent them from the UK!)
I love my new ward. From the first time I walked in (a little late - it's WAAAY out-of-the-way) the members have been friendly and welcoming, and incredibly positive and upbeat. This is a seriously happy ward. Teeny - I doubt that we get even a hundred people out to Sacrament meeting, and a family that moved in around the same time I did doubled the Primary with their four kids - but really cheerful, and supportive, and considerate of each other. Someone is always walking up and introducing themselves, or just saying hello and how was your week, or hugging. Good times.
Jan. 9, 2011 (I'm trying to get in the habit) - "Faith is always pointed towards the future." (Sacrament meeting talk.)
Sunday School - We were talking about Elisabeth and Zacharias, and what happened to Zacharias in the temple, and one of the things I realized is that Z gets a bit of a bad rap, but not quite for the right reason. After all, his response to the message ("How can my wife have a child? We're too old for that!") is really perfectly rational and logical. The thing is not his response to the Lord's message, it's his response to the situation - temple, Holy of Holies, ANGEL. This is not typical. I think Zacharias was responding to what he thought he knew ("too old for children") instead of really listening to and feeling what he was being told. When the Lord speaks we have to get out of our own heads and pay attention to what He says and the Spirit confirms, and not our own experience.
Jan. 16 - "The Scriptures: Celestial Google."
"Pride is what leads us into temptation when we know better."
Remember - we are not interested in a "fair fight" with Satan. We are interested in stacking the deck, stockpiling supplies and armaments, and prevailing from the high ground. We must not allow Satan any footholds or advantages. (You also don't have to mix your metaphors - that's just me.)
"We do not discover humility by thinking less of ourselves, we discover it by thinking less about ourselves."
- It was Ward Conference, and the pianist was home sick. I volunteered to play prelude music, and immediately realized just how rusty I was on the piano. I was then drafted to play for Relief Society, and asked if we could do "Called to Serve" because it at least sort-of applied to the topic, and I was fairly sure I could play it (due to a long-ago traumatic Seminary experience that I won't go into here). Turns out I was almost right. Inaccuracies aside, I did play with gusto, and this got the 65+ chorister so fired up that she started dancing along while she led. It was HILARIOUS. (She's the sweetest, peppiest, most adorable little old lady I have ever met. Love her.) ((I have been practicing the piano at school all week, and even got myself a hymn book and Children's Songbook to work on - just in case. I'm betting I'll be drafted again at some point.))
Jan. 23 - One of the speakers told a story about being in a cab, and the traffic got snarled up (as it does). The cabbie asked if he could change the music, and (surprise!) popped in a Christian music CD. After just a few minutes, the traffic cleared and they were able to continue. The cabbie matter-of-factly commented on the driving situation by saying, "I changed the music and the Lord blessed me." This led to a conversation about their respective faiths, with the cabbie giving the member the Christian CD, and the member getting his address to send him a MoTab CD. Be an example of faith! And take openings to share and communicate truths when they are given!
- The Relief Society President has a fantastic Scottish accent. I can't wait until she teaches the whole lesson.
- A 90+ sister (the longest-running member of the ward - 61 years) told me to watch out for Jean (the chorister) as she was the head of the ward's "Looney Club". I nearly busted up right there in the chapel. I love these people.
This is my current computer wallpaper - it's the Parliament Building and Big Ben from across the Thames, taken around sunset on Jan. 6. Enjoy!
I love my new ward. From the first time I walked in (a little late - it's WAAAY out-of-the-way) the members have been friendly and welcoming, and incredibly positive and upbeat. This is a seriously happy ward. Teeny - I doubt that we get even a hundred people out to Sacrament meeting, and a family that moved in around the same time I did doubled the Primary with their four kids - but really cheerful, and supportive, and considerate of each other. Someone is always walking up and introducing themselves, or just saying hello and how was your week, or hugging. Good times.
Jan. 9, 2011 (I'm trying to get in the habit) - "Faith is always pointed towards the future." (Sacrament meeting talk.)
Sunday School - We were talking about Elisabeth and Zacharias, and what happened to Zacharias in the temple, and one of the things I realized is that Z gets a bit of a bad rap, but not quite for the right reason. After all, his response to the message ("How can my wife have a child? We're too old for that!") is really perfectly rational and logical. The thing is not his response to the Lord's message, it's his response to the situation - temple, Holy of Holies, ANGEL. This is not typical. I think Zacharias was responding to what he thought he knew ("too old for children") instead of really listening to and feeling what he was being told. When the Lord speaks we have to get out of our own heads and pay attention to what He says and the Spirit confirms, and not our own experience.
Jan. 16 - "The Scriptures: Celestial Google."
"Pride is what leads us into temptation when we know better."
Remember - we are not interested in a "fair fight" with Satan. We are interested in stacking the deck, stockpiling supplies and armaments, and prevailing from the high ground. We must not allow Satan any footholds or advantages. (You also don't have to mix your metaphors - that's just me.)
"We do not discover humility by thinking less of ourselves, we discover it by thinking less about ourselves."
- It was Ward Conference, and the pianist was home sick. I volunteered to play prelude music, and immediately realized just how rusty I was on the piano. I was then drafted to play for Relief Society, and asked if we could do "Called to Serve" because it at least sort-of applied to the topic, and I was fairly sure I could play it (due to a long-ago traumatic Seminary experience that I won't go into here). Turns out I was almost right. Inaccuracies aside, I did play with gusto, and this got the 65+ chorister so fired up that she started dancing along while she led. It was HILARIOUS. (She's the sweetest, peppiest, most adorable little old lady I have ever met. Love her.) ((I have been practicing the piano at school all week, and even got myself a hymn book and Children's Songbook to work on - just in case. I'm betting I'll be drafted again at some point.))
Jan. 23 - One of the speakers told a story about being in a cab, and the traffic got snarled up (as it does). The cabbie asked if he could change the music, and (surprise!) popped in a Christian music CD. After just a few minutes, the traffic cleared and they were able to continue. The cabbie matter-of-factly commented on the driving situation by saying, "I changed the music and the Lord blessed me." This led to a conversation about their respective faiths, with the cabbie giving the member the Christian CD, and the member getting his address to send him a MoTab CD. Be an example of faith! And take openings to share and communicate truths when they are given!
- The Relief Society President has a fantastic Scottish accent. I can't wait until she teaches the whole lesson.
- A 90+ sister (the longest-running member of the ward - 61 years) told me to watch out for Jean (the chorister) as she was the head of the ward's "Looney Club". I nearly busted up right there in the chapel. I love these people.
This is my current computer wallpaper - it's the Parliament Building and Big Ben from across the Thames, taken around sunset on Jan. 6. Enjoy!
January 22, 2011
Official Tourist
Here it is, folks! The One With Pictures of a Too-Touristy To Live London Location!
THE TOWER OF LONDON.
I was here a few years ago, with a family group of 11. We didn't have the chance for the guided tour, so I made sure to sign up this time around. This was our Beefeater - a.k.a., Yeoman Warder, a.k.a., Ceremonial (though real) Guardian of the Tower. He'd been in the military long enough to qualify for this job, and apparently also thought he was a stand-up comedian. We'll call him a "character" and leave it at that. This is Traitor's Gate, the water-gate where supplies were brought in and prisoners transported through before trial/execution. As we were neither supplies nor prisoners, we didn't actually get to go through.
This is the building where the Crown Jewels are kept - I didn't know those people, but they didn't move out of the shot and I figured they looked British and/or touristy enough to keep.
A Tower raven - six are kept on the grounds at all times, since a prediction back in the 1600's said that if the ravens ever left the Tower, the Monarchy would fall. One of the kings made it law to keep ravens around - not that he was superstitious or anything, JUST IN CASE.
Actors (not wax figures) in the re-creation of the Medieval Palace. Middle Ages hair probably didn't look much better.
I seem to be a little obsessed with taking pictures of Tower (of London) Bridge. It IS just on the other side of the wall, so I thought it made a cool shot. Sue me.
The White Tower - the original and actual "Tower" of the Tower of London. Built by William the Conquerer, it was designed to control the river, re-define the city skyline, and provide a place for massive parties. Basically your kingly version of a midlife crisis symbol.
One of the thirteen towers built into the first wall around the complex. (There's a second, which also had a moat, though that was filled in in relatively recently when the then-Queen realized that the overflow from the Thames turned one of her royal residences into an open sewer. Oops.)
Outside the Tower complex - the walls used to sit flush up against the waters of the Thames. (See what I did there?)
Here's a night picture of the Tower Bridge. I think it turned out pretty well.
Just to prove I was actually there, and didn't get the pictures from Google! (No Photoshopping, just a good angle and lots of practice taking blind pictures with my left hand.)
To round off the day, I had my first experience with fish 'n chips. And let me tell you, not only was it pretty (isn't it PRETTY?!?) it was also delicious. I'm guessing this is not actually typical of the genre. I'll definitely look for a street cart next time!
It was a great day - I had a tour guide, an audio guide, a drizzle, a downpour, gawked at the Crown Jewels (no photos allowed), and picked up a postcard of the Queen. Doesn't get much more touristy than that!
And... it's crossed off the list. Check!
Treats! Prizes! FREE!
(This article over at Slate.com has totally thrown me off my groove. It took me three tries to type the post title, and will probably cost me months/years of aggravation before I break the habit. I may have to fall back on the weight of Tradition and fuggedaboudit.)
My darling friend is doing a give-away on her blog, and in order to be eligible for it (which I totally want to be because she makes awesome beanies and my head is always cold) I have to pay-it-forward here. So:
I promise to send something handmade to the first 4 people who leave a comment here.
To be eligible, you must also post this on your blog, offering the same thing to 4 other people.
The rules:
It must be handmade by you (me)
It must be sent to your 4 people (you!) sometime in 2011
Step right up, folks, and get in on this offer! Remember, I make jewelry, clothing (and/or other things involving a sewing machine), and am currently in a postgraduate program in England that is all about making Theatre. Your chances for some type of British cookery and/or an original dramatic work of art are increasing by the minute! (And if you follow the links back, you could - possibly - sign up for several free-stuff giveaways by talented bloggers, and still only have to post the same offer ONCE on your blog! Not that I would do that. Probably not. Maybe. Shut up.)
Comment - NOW!
My darling friend is doing a give-away on her blog, and in order to be eligible for it (which I totally want to be because she makes awesome beanies and my head is always cold) I have to pay-it-forward here. So:
I promise to send something handmade to the first 4 people who leave a comment here.
To be eligible, you must also post this on your blog, offering the same thing to 4 other people.
The rules:
It must be handmade by you (me)
It must be sent to your 4 people (you!) sometime in 2011
Step right up, folks, and get in on this offer! Remember, I make jewelry, clothing (and/or other things involving a sewing machine), and am currently in a postgraduate program in England that is all about making Theatre. Your chances for some type of British cookery and/or an original dramatic work of art are increasing by the minute! (And if you follow the links back, you could - possibly - sign up for several free-stuff giveaways by talented bloggers, and still only have to post the same offer ONCE on your blog! Not that I would do that. Probably not. Maybe. Shut up.)
Comment - NOW!
January 11, 2011
December 31, 2010
December 28, 2010
Christmas Film Round-Up
In no particular order, here are at least some of the movies I watched between the end of term and today:
The Holiday - Love the festive chick flick! Kate Winslet is so amazing, she can even make a crush on Jack Black believable. And while I might not be interested in Jude Law in real life, he's a good enough actor to make his characters non-skeevy! Is there a Kate/Jude film out there somewhere?
Elf - Now I've seen it. I still don't understand the love. I'm going to have to go watch Stranger Than Fiction again to reassure myself that there is SOMETHING in which I can stand Will Ferrell.
White Christmas - It still doesn't get much better than the original and the best. Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby get more adorable every year! And the dresses! (*swoon*)
Love Actually - I've been hearing people rave about this for years, and I finally decided to give it a try. It is rated "R", which is why I haven't checked it out earlier, but my friends insisted it is pretty mild and didn't really have anything objectionable. (Except for the language. And the nudity - played for laughs. And the other nudity. And the language. And the sexual situations.) In all honesty, I have heard and seen worse here in the London theatre scene (and hated every minute of it, don't get me wrong) but even without all the sex/language/nudity (generally played in a very cheerful, upbeat way) I still didn't think it was a very good movie. I liked Valentine's Day better - the stories made more sense, I was more interested in the characters, and it didn't have the sex/language/nudity. Back on the "No R-rated Movies" bandwagon! Nothing there worth seeing!
The Hunt for Red October - Holiday movie? Well, there are flashing lights... Young, hot Alec Baldwin: Action hero. Old, hot Sean Connery: All-around hero. Merry Christmas to me!
Christmas in Connecticut - Found this last year for the first time, still love it. And one of my favorite parts is the submarine battle in the opening scenes. (I know, right?) Maybe all holiday movies should include submarines.
The Blind Side - I've just been meaning to re-watch this for a while. Man, Sandra Bullock is good. Man, Tim McGraw is charming. Man, I bet I will continue to get teary-eyed every time I see it.
Borrowed Hearts - Roma Downey and Eric McCormack; this is the kind of cheese-tastic unrepentantly goofy film that could ONLY work as a Christmas (made-for-TV) movie. Roma Downey sure was a sweetheart - and her accent only slips a couple of times. Ah, Eric McCormack's hair... a travesty, though a fascinating snapshot of "how did we ever think that was cute?!?". I could only download the first 70 minutes before I got shut out - silly as it is, I just had to get back in and watch the last 15. Had to! Oh, Borrowed Hearts, you take me back. Good times.
* * * * *
I will also vouch for Unstoppable, Harry Potter 7.1, Chronicles of Narnia: Dawn Treader, and Tron: Legacy. I am currently determined to own the soundtracks for the last two.
Now back to packing! (*cracks whip*)
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