Life Lessons Through Film

I'm pretty sure I've told y'all before that I'm a projectionist at work, meaning I work with the digital projectors as well as the film projectors. Sometimes, things just don't work the way they are meant to work and a few days ago one of my projectors had a little accident. 

All that black stuff on the floor is a cute little movie called The Lorax. When I saw this mess when I went to check on the movies I nearly had a heart attack. I'd never had to deal with any real film issues before so this was pretty new to me.

To fix this tangled mess of a movie I had to patiently sit on the floor and feed the film onto the correct platter with the rest of the movie. It was a boring, tedious, tiring, at times even a little frightening Of course there were also moments when the film would simply slip through my fingers, doing exactly what it should but then it would catch and I would have to follow the film into the mess and work out the tangles. When the last little bit finally slid through my fingers, the relief and happiness at being done was almost too much for my little self.

As I was sitting in church today, it hit me, life is just like that tangled mass of film sometimes. There are times in our lives when we're just scooting along no problem when suddenly we get off track and things just seem to pile up and it seems like nothing will ever be the same. There are times when we must look to our Heavenly Father for that extra help in unravelling a particularly difficult knot in our life. Eventually everything will work out though. There are a few eternal truths and that is one of them.

Oh, Hello there officer...

I'm not one to break rules. I follow logical advice. I don't go exploring in places that it's obvious that they don't want outsiders. I'm cautious, so what. Well, those natural character traits of mine have been tested over the past couple days.

Looking back the story I'm about to relate is pretty funny and I'm going to enjoy telling it but at the time I was beyond anxious.

So, a new..er friend of mine wanted to show Rachael and I something on campus so he had me drive back behind a building by the agriculture equipment. We turned off the car and started walking away when suddenly Jon stops, putting his arms out to signal us to stop as well. He then frantically tells us to get back in the car. Once back in the car and trying to calm down, Jon explained his sudden desire to be back in the car, a security car had just backed out of the building we were parked somewhat behind. He tells me not to turn my car on and not to do anything but I'm really just wanting to get out of there. Even though, now looking back we really weren't doing anything wrong or bad so we probably wouldn't have even got in trouble. There's just something about authority and darkness that freaks me out. So I make a decision, turn on the car and suddenly my headlights flare into life. I reverse and get ready to get out of there and the security guard is standing in the middle of the road waiting for us.

From the backseat Jon is coaching me, "Okay, Bri, just let me do all the talking. I can handle this, it's going to be okay." As I press the button on my window I say, "Alright, Jon. This is all you." But here's the thing, as soon as the window was coming down, I freak out and start talking a million words a minute, making up some story about being lost and just wanting to get off campus. Believe me, I was mortified by every word coming out of my mouth and how scared I sounded.

Now, let me tell you something else about last night that just added to everything. Gale. Force. Winds. Strongest wind I've ever been in, in my life. The dust was even thick enough that you couldn't see for very far. Just seemed to make everything that much creepier.

After dropping Rachael off, we made our way out to the cemetery just because we could. Once we were out there (after getting lost once) it was pretty late and the wind was adding a giant chill to the air, we turned the car off so that there were no lights at all. Luckily by this time I wasn't waiting to see some crazy man. Jon suggested that we go lay down on top of a plot. If it hadn't been so dang cold I would've wanted to stay a little longer because the stars were so bright. So gorgeous. You could see every one of them. I miss that. I love the stars. But two seconds out there and I was shacking with cold. So we left.

Basically, my weekend was an adventure. Perhaps one that I didn't want at the time but one that I'm glad to have had.

Call Me, Maybe?

People are so creative and silly. I've come to the realization that people have an affinity for creativity if they just let themselves. The reason for this sudden idea comes from a fun encounter from a few days ago. So, I spend a lot of time on campus, just sitting there reading or doing stuff on my laptop. Well, the other day I was doing just that and I was watching music videos. I happened to watch this one

and just as I was finishing it and moving on to the next music video on my list when a young man dropped a piece of folded paper next to my laptop. He walked away before I could say anything. Of course I opened the paper and it said "Call me, maybe?" His name and number. Funny much?!

Of course with the cleverness of how he went about giving me his number, I text him so he'd have mine.

We went out last night and it was really fun. There was a Dance Battle up on campus that we decided to go to (totally incredible by the way, the students here are so talented), went for ice cream, and played some ping pong. He and I have backgrounds in tennis so it was an interesting experience. It's been a little bit since I've gone on a real one on one, declared date, with a guy who called me to set it up, who picked me up and opened all my doors. It was refreshing :)

On a totally unrelated note...The Hunger Games has been released! I went to the midnight premier and holy heck....it was AWESOME! I loved every single second of it. They really did an amazing job with this adaption. Casting was spot on in my opinion; the actors really nailed their parts. Especially Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, these two actors completely and utterly made you believe in the reality of their characters' existence and I loved every second of their screen time. I saw it twice in a ten hour period and still want to see it more, that's how good it is. Everyone should find the time to both read the novel and watch the movie.

Who's your daddy?

Last night, as I struggled to fall asleep I was thinking about the men I've dated and am dating and I came to a realization. I have the BEST dad in the world. I mean, I've known that for ever but it really hit me last night. My dad has provided the perfect example of the ideal husband and father. Growing up, I never saw him angry with my mom, never raise his voice or become impatient, instead he was endlessly kind, generous and patient with everyone in the family. I can still remember him rocking me to sleep at night when I was no older than 6 and the silly songs he would make up as I was trying to catch those Zzz's.

My dad always thought of my mom before himself and I never really realized that until later in my life. When my mom needed a new car, my dad was fully supportive and even though he wants a new truck let my mom go find a new car. He dutifully provided for every small and big need that any of us needed. He made it possible for my mom and I to do all sorts of really fun things.

Basically, I know that's the kind of man I want to end up with, someone who is so extremely selfless and kind, generous and hardworking, patient and spiritual. You all might think you have the best daddy in the world...but you'd be wrong. Sorry, that's just the way it is in all actuality. My dad trumps all other dads out there. The end.

Snowman, Mommy, 2000!

It snowed a while back...it's snowing now. Ever since the very first snowfall, I've wanted to play in the snow but something always got in the way or else I just didn't feel like it when I had time. The other night, I was with a friend of mine and as we were driving by this park around 11 at night, the snow was calling my name; it was just so perfect, untouched, this gorgeous expanse of flawless white. I looked at my bud and asked him to stop the car so we could go run around in the field. Sadly, we didn't stop.

A few nights later though, I was able to get him to go with me to make this giant snowbaby. Oh, did I mention that it was uh midnight when we did this? Yeah. Most spontaneous thing I've done in awhile and I LOVED it! Although I didn't do very much of the work (he basically did everything except for packing snow around each section), I still take partial credit for this huge masterpiece. Sadly, the next day when I went by to check on Ted  (the snowman) there was a big ol' stick in his chest. So sad. And now he's completely toppled over. I'll make another some time.

On another note, my mom is in town! She leaves in the morning but it's sure been fun. I love having my mom around, I'm lucky to have such an incredible woman as my mother. Fortunately for me, she's coming back in just a few weeks. She doesn't like the weather though...

Oh yeah, we've reached over 2,000 pageviews! Not that big of a deal but I'm excited. Whoop!

Musings of a Food Poisoned Mind

I had my first experience with food poisoning the other day and let me tell you, it is NOT fun at all. The way I felt, death was a serious possibility. Though I did learn something from this experience that you should all learn, never make a promise to yourself when you're sick. It's not smart.

As I was laying in my bed, contemplating the choice that had landed me in that very place (to eat some fast food) and I made a very rash vow. I said to myself, "Bri. Do you like feeling like this? Ha. You are not ever allowed to eat fast food ever again." At the time, I was all for not eating fast food again but right now I'm really cravin' a cheese burger. Basically, I'm not going to follow my little proclamation.

On a totally unrelated note, I had a really good night last night. People here in the Burg are so silly, I am in awe of the things that young men will do to put a smile on someone's face. I went to some new friends' apartment last night and they were sitting around their living room listening to smooth jazz, while checking the stocks on their iPads, while dressed in dark wash jeans, button down shirts with sweaters over the top and suit jackets and dress shoes. I couldn't take any of them seriously, but I loved it none the less. Funniest part of the whole thing was the fact that I had been considering inviting one of the young men over that night but I had decided against it just because I didn't know what we would do or whatever. But when I checked my phone I had a text from the same young man asking me over. Crazy coincidence eh?

Well, happy President's Day to all you blog readers out there. I hope it's full of shopping, relaxing, and or productivity for ya.

ASL, Coincidences, Letters, and Shooting

Yesterday was Tuesday, which means that I had the opportunity to go to devotional. Normally, I sit in the upper levels but this time I sat in the hearing impaired section with a friend of mine who is an ASL student. It was an incredible experience. Not only was the devotional particularly good, but I couldn't keep my eyes off of the signers translating for the deaf students around me. Sitting there I realized that I wanted to be able to do that too. I decided that I have to take ASL next semester, I desperately want to learn how to use my hands and facial expressions to communicate with the people who are unable to hear, like I can. 

Somehow, I think I was supposed to be sitting in that very spot on that very day to come to the realization that ASL is something I really want to learn. My sister made a comment a little while ago about coincidences. She said that she's realizing more and more that there really are no such thing as coincidences, everything happens for a reason and works out for a reason. The people we meet, when we meet them, the experiences we have, when we have them. So true. I've always believed that but it was just something that I really needed to hear right then. Things really do happen for a reason, even if I don't realize it until much later or maybe even if I don't ever figure out the reason. Sometimes, I'm not supposed to understand why someone was put in my life because it's part of their story, not mine.

3 stamps...that's why my first letter never made it.

Also, I got a letter yesterday, all the way from AFRICA! Jealous? One of my friends is on a mission way over there and I couldn't be more happy for him. It's beyond words to watch a young man change over the course of two years through letters. I don't even know how to describe the difference I see in the missionaries I write to.

Last little tidbit for all you readers, I went shooting yesterday. Yeah. I know, I'm turning into a little Idaho girl. Not exactly sure how I feel about that yet. But I had fun so I guess I'm somewhat okay with the idea. I have to say the best part was the smell; it was like fireworks. Awesome I tell you. Hopefully, I'll be a great markswoman someday. We'll see about that....