HOBY HOBY HOBY HOBY HOBY

The Brilliant Roger Anthony

"Always take another step. If that is to no avail take another, and yet another. One step at a time is not too difficult."
-Og Mandino-

Guess what's been on my mind. HOBY!!!! For those of you who don't know what HOBY is, let me break it down for you. Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership. It's a 3 day seminar for sophomores and it's just pure awesomeness. I get to go up to Aspen Grove for 4 days (Wednesday to Saturday) and be a junior counselor. That means I get to help be in charge of about 10 or so sophomores and unlock their potential! What could be better?
The pictures above are from something I did with a few other HOBY alumni called a CLeW (Community Leadership Workshop). We planned it and everything. My brother-in-law attended as a panelist and we were honored to have him there. It was then I found out that he's a HOBY alumni too! Cool, eh?
Anyways, we had our focus on the preforming arts. I got to be in charge of the drama kids. (I can't imagine why.) The girl in the picture above is my group. ha ha We combined a few groups to make everything better. And it was!
One of the most memorable things about HOBY is Roger Anthony. He's Australian and an absolutely amazing motivational speaker. I never get tired of listening to him. We were honored to have him be the keynote speaker at our CLeW. Who knew listening to someone for 4 hours could be so entertaining?
Well anyways, That's what I shall be up to this week and I am EXCITED!!!!! Can't you tell? I figured I'd stick this info up here for two reasons. 1) I'm terribly excited. 2) You'll know what I'm talking about in future reference. Hopefully, I'll have some pictures up at the end... of next week.
Wish me luck!

And Another Thought...

You may remember sometime last summer I posted a little something about how my perspective on life has somehow changed and I said that I would continue on another thought later. Well almost one year later I intend to fulfil that promise. So strap yourself in and let's get started!

While contemplating my unexplainable happiness (For a refresh-er, check out my blog and either click on "contemplations" or go to August 08 2009) and my desire to want to share it, the thought occurred to me that self-discovery might have something to do with it. It's like listening to a friend's problem. The answer may be obvious to you but no matter how many times you explain it to your friend they won't understand it. Some things you "get" to find out for yourself.

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This means I'm a mainstream Mormon. (NOT polygamist) I have often been told that we're here on earth to get bodies and that life is a test. Although this my be true, it's never been quite satisfactory for me. If God is all knowing, then why does he "test" something that he already knows the answer to? I'd like to take this a step further. I think this life is more about self-discovery.

A missionary might be able to relate to what I'm trying to say. If you just tell someone about the gospel and just say it's try you're not going to get very far. There is a reason why we are asked do have personal prayer and study. An investigator is asked to read the scriptures themselves. I'm sure conversion would not be as effective if the missionaries just read the scriptures to them. Would artifacts be as precious if we didn't have to look and dig for them? Would love be as cherished if it was shoved down our throats?

It's difficult me for me to put my thoughts into words. Sometimes I wounder if I was more eloquent if I'd be able to be more inspirational, but lame man terms are better when it comes to explaining things. Are you picking up when I'm laying down? Is it a lost cause? Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree. Maybe, just maybe, this is something you'll just have to find out for yourself. What do you think?

God speed!

My Bad = Your Entertainment

Sorry I've been gone for so long! I was on bed rest for 3 weeks.... I had pneumonia. But that's a story for another day!
While I was sick I had a lot of time to think. (Obviously) One of the thoughts that came to mind is how today's movies are all focused on someones mistake. All movies. Do we really enjoy watching other people mess up their lives or do we just lack creativity? Or is it both? Someday I shall write a movie that is not about someone making a mistake or causing trouble. Yes, there are a few exceptions like... I can't think of any. I know you think that we need it for story line and conflict and all that jazz but look at Beauty and the Beast! Maybe not the best example but there are some dang good old fashion movies. (I was wondering why I enjoy them so much.) Not that any of this is vital to your being but it's nice to get the idea and realization out there. Sorry if from now on you can't enjoy a movie because you realize it's just the same story over and over again. I still enjoy movies but of course I'm the kind of girl who does brand work then goes home to eat some steak.
Speaking of movies, here's a short film I find very funny. I watched it a lot when I was sick and I hope you'll appreciate it. It's called the Lady and the Ripper and was nominated for an Oscar. My advice is to watch it twice. (For those of you who know my cousin Rachel Anderson, the old lady reminds me of her... can't imagine why.)

I Got Me some Culture

"Corny answer is of course is that everyone who wants musicals are children in different ways, aren't they? So you think of them in different ways. There are things of mine I'm sorry haven't come here."

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Some time ago I went to a Sid Riggs Benefit concert that my sister and brother-in-law were in. This spectacular display of song and dance took place at Orem High School. I babysat my youngest nephew during the first performance then watched the second performance with my oldest nephew.
Near the end of the first performance my nephew got a bit antsy so we walked around the high school. Orem High is REALLY creepy in the dark. I would not be surprised if it's haunted. No wonder they're building a new one. I was lucky enough to have the add feature of a little boy saying ,"Daddy?.... Daddy..." Oh the adventures of babysitting. ha ha
I really enjoyed this years performance. It had a lot of songs from favorable musicals. (I must admit, I have a slight weakness for Aldalfo.) It also didn't carry a sense of doom. Let me explain. Last year I could not help but to feel sad. Especially when these two women were singing a song from little women. I kept thinking about how I'd never ever be able to preform in a play with my sister. I think that maybe last year I was just being a pill to myself. I still would love to preform with her in a play, don't get me wrong, but if it never happens I'll be okay. The world still turns.
Staying on the subject of my sister (he he he), Doesn't she look awesome? The above picture is one of me and her. The oldest and the youngest in the family. But you would never tell. I think she looks incredibly young.
I think the Sid Riggs concert may have inspired me. I want to get back on the stage. In fact, I'm going to try to sing again! (You heard it here first folks.) Conveniently I have made this announcement when I have lost my voice. But no worries! It shall come back. Some of you have heard me attempt singing or have heard me toy with the idea. Now I am putting it out there for all of you to know. So if any of you want to give me a free singing lesson....

Next up I got a 2-for-1 deal. Last night I went to see a friends performance and got to see 2 friends! I got my second dose of culture by seeing HMS Pinafore at the Valley Center Playhouse. (I've done a couple shows there; Littlest Warrior and It's Christmas Time Again) I went to see my friend play the part of Josephine. What I didn't know (or forgot) is that our friend played her love interest. (Another thing I like about show biz is that you are always running into friends.) A bit reminiscent of Pirates of Penzance and very funny, I was surprise to find that HMS Pinafore is a rather good show. I thought it was going to be a bit operatic. I recommend seeing it.
As I was waiting for the show to start a thought struck me. What is our culture? For the most part we think of Operas, classical music... that stuff. But if you think about it, that isn't our culture at all, is it? Our culture has turned to ipods and sports and foods. But I may be wrong. What do you think?
God speed.

P.S.
Apparently the film I was in had a couple of screenings at the LDS Film Festival at the Scera. Did anybody see it? (I here they're pushing to show it on TV in June)

I had a dream... and it sucked

But not too bad. I've been having some strange dreams recently. Remember- you have no obligation to read my blog. I'm telling you this one because I found a little bit of meaning in the end. (which is pretty muush the only part I remember) I was walking home with my brother from school. But it wasn't our high school. I saw peole there that were from I school though. Anyways, we were walking down a street and I kept going down while my brother crossed the street for some strange reason. So I started running (probably trying to beat my brother home. I don't know.) I somehow found myself on state/university street. I kept running past other students on a sidewalk that had trees on one side that kind of lumed over the sidewalk. (I'm cutting out details for your convinence) I somehow ended up by the freeway near Salt Lake. How an I tell it was Salt Lake? Because I could see the temple and both confrence centers and lots of trees. And I just knew it.

I happened to see some people from my school and they were just as lost as I was so I joined a group with a ferw guys. We had to go on some stairs and I saw people there from PGHS. (And some from other schools) So I go up the stairs with all the people just to be ushered into a room with a tv and lazy boys. By this piont I knew I was in a tower that was something like the stratosphere. (thus the picture) It swayed whenever the wind blew or when some one big walked around. At this point I had forgotten it was just a dream and was preparing for the upcoming veiw of DEATH!!! Ha Ha I'm just exaggerating about the death part. We watched a movie about the building and the view and we also watched about a hundered or so commercail of which I can only remember one. Needless to say I was getting pretty nervous. Then all of a sudden....

I opened my eyes. I have never been so relieved to see my room and to know exactly where I am. Just out of curiosity, I want to see what meaning you think I got from all of this. 4 10 good buddy!

Something funny has been happening

Here are a few of my favorite quotes of (semi)recent happenings:

• Yes I speak with an accent. Pay attention because this is how people talk in the Celestial Kingdom.
• In England we have a queen. If she came in somewhere and shot you in the head there's nothing you could do about it. Nothing.
• What crazy little happenstance!
• "Billy, you're driving the spork into your leg." "So I am. Hilarious."
• She's like 12!! There are child labor laws here.
• Career week is the word. (In relation to above quote.)
• "ugiewilgfsidugfkjdabgfauigr." (That's what playing games with a certian couple of guys sounds like.)
• Take a bath hippy! (Guess that movie!)
• "Mormon's can't be snipers." "Ya they can." "One shot one, One kill?" "Ya. Look at Nephi. One slash, one kill."
• Love, Elder dumpy trunks
• "We encounter drama, not only with plays, movies, and TV, but also everyday in our lives and in the lives of those around us." I really don't think the guy who wrote that knew just how correct he is.
• Peter!... I just broke something.
• "Aubrey!? Are you drinking hot chocolate?" "No. It's hot chocolate. I'm not THAT crazy."
• I love they guy but he's such a jerk. He's really great but I hate him. (It's becomeing a frequent saying.)
• "Does your sister sing?" ".... She won't sing."
• "Don't you hate when you think of something after the fact? It's kind of like this blog post."

So these are the ones I can remember at moment. I didn't put who's saying what because 1)I'm lazy. 2) I can't remember some of them 3)for the sake of the poeple who said it. I hope you enjoyed it. Happy trails!

A Holiday Message From...

(For those of you who get the email, you may need to check out teh blog to watch this.) At this time of year we find the Christmas spirit everywhere. EVERYWHERE! You may be suprised were it can be found. Let this short film stand as exhibit A.