Three Day Weekends Kill

Three-day weekends are awesome. Always. But they absolutely kill all motivation and prioritizing skills. Friday, I spent all afternoon swimming and watching movies. Saturday, I took a test and went to a concert cause I absolutely HAD to. Sunday, talked to the family, went to church, got home taught by my new home teachers (and, girl, they are FINE), and led my first ward prayer! (BEST day of the week, hands down.) Monday, hiked Squaw Peak (8.3mi), swimming, movie, FHE, more swimming. Today, I went to work. Then I'm supposed to go to campus. I didn't. I'm such a rebel. I came home and went swimming.  I'll head to campus soon for my class, but, during the summer, classrooms are for nerds and prisoners, and I am no prisoner! (Jury's still out about the nerd thing.) I am a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants. And right now, I want sun and swimming. Good-looking men, always. I have two more weeks of class and then finals, but I just don't know if I'll be able to hold on that long! The life of the long-suffering student is just too hard! All I know is that when I go home in 17 DAYS, I'm gonna be sunburned to a crisp or tanned to a hot babe. But I'm already a hot babe, so I guess since I'm going to burn anyway...

Squaw Peak, that ridiculous 8.3mi hike. But the view was amazing!

Just some morbid thoughts...

I haven't posted in two entire weeks! Well, that's soon to be rectified.

Anyways, I decided a few weeks ago, I need to write my will and testament. I don't plan on dying any time soon, but I have a decent amount in the bank and everything humanly possible should be done to avoid contention among my family members since there's plenty there already. (I would know. We're related.) Unfortunately, this is not my will and testament. That's still in the works. But on the subjects of death and legacy, I came up with a new bucket list!  The items on my old bucket list were either ridiculously petty or completely impossible. Soooo my bucket list:

1. Lead a legitimate protest.

2. Own and run my own burger place.

3. Participate in a free hugs campaign.

4. Spend a day on one of the Caribbean Islands.

5. Learn the entire Single Ladies dance.

6. Found my own humanitarian organization.
7. Work in a floral shop.

8. Attend the rugby nationals.
9. Compete on a game show, preferably Jeopardy!

10. Set foot on every continent, except Antarctica cause even I have limits.

11. Learn Nicki Minaj's rap from Super Bass.

12. Star in a youtube video that goes viral.

13. See a famous music artist/group live. (I've never been to a concert...)
14. Have my own wireless internet and name it "Potiphar's Wifi".

15. Own my own pickup truck.

There are other more serious and practical things I'd like to do in my life, like go on a mission (There's no question: I'm going.) and study abroad (hopefully in London next spring!) and other awesome stuff like that, but these are my dreams. And that's all I got!

The Underbelly of the Sweet Life

Well, I figure I could probably post something about my life instead of just my thoughts and opinions about certain EPIC action movies... So, here goes!

Three weeks ago, I moved! I'm living south of campus now, and it's farther from my work but closer to campus. I really like my complex. Everyone's friendly, and my ward seems pretty awesome so far. Maybe my wardies just give really good first impressions...  But I do have to say something: I heard that it's impossible to get guy friends once you're out of the freshmen wards because then all the guys are RMs, and they only date on the weekends, and they never want to hang out blah blah blah... Well, for all those people who say that BYU guys are always dating, I have yet to see proof. Either way, I need guy friends. No offence, ladies, but I grew up with six brothers AND seven sisters. I can't deal with the estrogen high. On a scale of 1 to 10, my interest in girly things (chick flicks, shopping, etc.) is about a 3.5. I'd rather watch Ironman or Taken over the Notebook any day of the week. I hate Titanic. And there I go getting on every girl's black list from here to the Atlantic. Pity.

Anyways, those boys can't go hiding behind their church shirts any longer. They're not going on dates every weekend, so it's time to get things rolling. People around here just need to get some guts and plan something randomly awesome. I will be one of those people, but in the mean time....

I joined the intramural ultimate frisbee team. I just need to get out of the house! Yeah...I've hated on ultimate most of my life. Like my entire life. Wo wo wo unto the hypocrite. It didn't help that every single youth leader who was BYU alumni made it a monthly mutual activity, usually in the dark. And it didn't help that I had the physical stamina of Cee Lo.

But in the last eight months, I've lost 40 pounds, and I love sports now! I don't feel stupid because I'm actually pretty decent. I guess I didn't like them before because I couldn't keep up. Now, when we have a game, no matter the sport, other people ask for a water break or are ready to quit when the game ends, but not me! I can keep going. That's what regular exercise and healthy meals can do. Walking 3mi a day probably helped a ton. I'm a Spartan! And an awesome soccer goalie by the way. My 6 year old soccer skills are resurfacing! Oh yeah! As for my ultimate frisbee skills.... Like the Kraken, they are dormant, hopefully soon to be awakened.

I can't believe there's only a little more than a month left in the spring semester! I thought it would last forever, but I'm almost halfway through, and I still feel like I have so many people to meet and causes to fight for before June 15 WHEN I FLY BACK TO ITALY!!!!!! In case I forgot to mention, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MY FAMILY!!! I know I will regret saying that 15 min after getting into our van at the airport, but right now, there's no one else I'd rather see. Except a single BYU rugby player at my door. One of those is ALWAYS welcome.

The Avengers

I saw the Avengers. And was blown away. The word 'epic' was created in preparation for the Avengers. The Avengers is the most incredible movie I have ever seen in theaters. Including Harry Potter 7 Part 2. Call me a hypocrite, but the Avengers is better. It's got everything: real humor, romantic tension, action, sacrifice, inner conflict, resolution, some of the most witty dialogue ever, and an epic battle that destroys New York City.

Nick Fury: There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, so when we needed them, they could fight battles that we never could.

Mark Ruffalo plays an older, more optimistic Bruce Banner, which is a refreshing change. In the most recent Hulk movie, it just seemed like the guy wanted a pity party the whole time. He probably deserved it, but I wasn't about to bring the dip. He was depressing. After Natasha convinces him to come out of hiding, Bruce Banner is willing and able to work with the Avengers. His personality is just endearing. He's wise and conscious of his decisions and their consequences, unlike many of the other, younger Avengers. The most intriguing element of his character is its bipolarity. Bruce Banner is so calm and relatively happy. The Hulk... I don't think I need to finish that sentence. Anyways, one of the best characters in the movie.

Tony Stark: Let's do a headcount: Your brother, the demigod; a super-soldier, a living legend who actually lives up to the legend; a man with breathtaking anger management issues; a couple of master assassins; and you've managed to piss off every single one of us.
Loki: That was the plan.
Tony Stark: Not a great plan.When they come, and they will, they'll come for you.
Loki: I have an army.
Tony Stark: We have a hulk. 

Iron Man/Tony Stark is amazing in this movie. The desperation of the situation reveals a facet of his personality that goes a little deeper than himself. He actually demonstrates compassion and selflessness. (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) He's actually willing to sacrifice himself to save others. Even so, he's still Tony Stark, snarky and quick. And poor Captain America just can't keep up.

Captain America: Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?
Tony Stark: Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

Captain America/Steve Rogers is a complete fish out of water. Out of his time and the military, he really doesn't have a clue. Having no sense of humor whatsoever doesn't help much either. In action, he's incredible, but, other than that, the poor guy needs a lot of help personality-wise. He's so serious!!!!! It drives me nuts! Bruce Banner, Thor, Tony Stark, and even Natasha have a little snark or some humor or something that gives them a little spark. Captain America is incredible, but he just doesn't have that spark.

Captain America: Is everything a joke to you?
Tony Stark: Funny things are!

Thor's confidence is just down-right awesome, as in awe-inspiring. He knows what he's doing, and he grew so much in Thor that his role as a wise, experienced leader is indisputable. One of the most tender points of the movie is when he's discussing Jane Foster's safety with Nick Fury. He's so obviously concerned for her, yet he is willing to put aside his personal desires for what must be done. Even so, his tenderness is reserved only for Jane Foster, and his confidence causes a few little problems, the most awesome of which is (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) the battle between Iron Man and Thor. Captain America eventually intervenes, but the whole fight is just incredible! It really demonstrates how much power is held by the Avengers.

Thor: Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard and my brother!
Natasha: He killed 80 people in two days.
Thor: ...He's adopted.

Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff is a boss! She's so hardcore, and dang! She get's things done! The control and power she has is amazing. And she doesn't even have superpowers or extreme technology. Also, unlike many of her fellow avengers, she has advantages in noncombat areas. She's a trained spy, and she uses her skills, and her skills are incredible. A quick side note: Her first scene is one of the best in the movie.

Natasha to Hawkeye: This is nothing we were ever trained for...

Hawkeye/Clint Barton is a beast. That's all. He makes an appearance in Thor, but he went uncredited because his role was so small. Anyways, like Natasha, he's a trained spy/mercenary. He has no superpowers or super technology. He uses a bow and arrows, which is so unexpected, but it has it's advantages. It's so refreshingly unique that it has its own sort of appeal. The way he works is so different compared to most "heroes" because his weapon of choice is so different. Perhaps the most fascinating point of his character is (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) that he switches sides during the movie. This is not done through his own choice. He is ... compromised by Loki. But Natasha pulls out her mad skills and saves his mind. Hawkeye is just ridiculously hardcore. See and you will understand. Putting aside the fact that he's a ruthless mercenary, we could have something. ;)

Captain America: You think you can hold them off?
Hawkeye: Captain, it would be my genuine pleasure.

Loki's a hardcore villain. However, he doesn't look like one. He's a good-looking guy, and in Thor, in a few short scenes, we saw his soft side. Nevertheless, his horrendous acts and choices as a self-proclaimed conqueror and ruler completely cancels out this kindness and deepens his character all the more. Even so, one of the high points of the movie has to be (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) when he's trying to insult the Hulk. Loki just gets what coming to him. Funniest part of the movie, hands down.

Iron Man to Loki: There is no throne. There is no version of this where you come out on top! Maybe your army will come, maybe it's too much for us, but it's all on you! Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be sure we'll avenge it!

And just because it's possibly the best quote in the whole movie:

Iron Man to Hawkeye: Let's go, Legolas.