Draper Temple

Today I made it to the Draper temple! That's the third Utah temple (besides Provo) this summer. I've fulfilled my bucket list goal! :)

(Special thanks to Melissa for getting me there!)

Disney Bounding

Have you ever heard of Disney Bounding?

If you haven't you should check out the official website here: http://disneybound.tumblr.com/ (Warning: It can be addicting!). Basically the idea is you create modern, everyday outfits that are reminiscent of Disney characters. Some outfits are subtle, others are more obvious. The key seems to be your intent.

I thought this was an adorable idea. Turns out I've been doing some Disney Bounding in real life without knowing it.

My purse, for example:

I admit I loved it because it made me think of Cinderella. It's subtle enough that people don't necessarily think Cinderella when they see it... but Hayley and Lori totally picked up on it.

So this summer one of my goals was to Disney Bound in public (subtly). Today I Disney Bounded as Charlotte La Bouff (to Church, of all places!)

Charlotte was an easy choice because everything she wears is pink, which happens to be the best color in the entire world. My dress is not a perfect match of course, but it's close enough for Disney Bounding! I'm going to call this a win (and possibly invest in a feather boa... Of course I won't bring that to church with me! :)

The Hills are Alive...

Tonight Melissa and I went to see a local theater production of the Sound of Music. It was very well done... I was impressed! The musical is quite a bit different from the movie... I feel like politics were emphasized a lot more (or maybe that's because as a child, WWII references went over my head). Rolf was nicer (even though he sided with the Nazis, he still cared about Liesel and wanted to protect her) and Liesel was a bit of a ditz (sadly). Elsa (the other woman that Captain Von Trapp almost marries) had a much bigger part. It was interesting to see.

At the end, we got to the scene where the Von Trapps sing at a festival while the Nazis wait to take them away. During that portion, cast members dressed as Nazis started patrolling the audience, walking around and scanning the crowd with cold cold eyes. Nazi banners were hung up everywhere. It freaked me out a little... Looking up at the swastika, and knowing that a few decades ago, within my grandparents' lifetimes, the Nazis were a very real threat. There were indeed public gatherings with this very symbol in places of high honor, and Nazi soldiers patrolling the crowds.

It brought to mind a movie I watched recently, Hotel Rwanda. Another terrible instance of genocide...

I am no expert on genocide. But it seems to me that it relies on two things: people who join in and people who passively let it happen. These stories brought some interesting questions to my mind: what would I do if I were faced with such a situation? What if I had lived in Nazi-occupied Europe? I don't think I would have jumped aboard the Nazi bandwagon... I hope I am right about that. But what I wonder is, would I have been brave enough to risk my life to do the right thing? To try to save my fellow men? Or, would I have ducked my head and not rocked the boat, sat passively by and let the Nazis do their thing in the hopes that if I did they would leave me alone? In the musical, Elsa and Max point out that Captain Von Trapp is endangering his entire family by standing up to the Nazis. Did that scare many into silence? The thought of their children paying for their bravery?

I don't know what I would be like in that sort of situation. I've never experienced it and I hope I never will. Of course I hope that I would be the hero, but I can't know for sure what would happen.

All I know is that I want to live my life in such a way that I'm always ready and willing to stand up for what's right. I probably won't be called upon to give my life in such a situation... but I want to live so I am prepared to stand up for what's right no matter what.

Mt. Timpanogos

Made it to the Mt. Timpanogos temple today! It is gorgeous!
I only need to make it to one more temple and I'll have fulfilled my summer bucket list goal!

Got a manicure!

Some of you may have noticed my original goal was to get a pedicure... But I wimped out. Didn't really like the idea of people touching my feet.

But, a manicure I can handle! I went to the BYU salon and got shellac nails. It was really relaxing... I might have to go back!

Hiked the Y--check!

Thanks to Melissa for coming along on my adventures today! :)

Here is some photographic evidence that I hiked to the top of the Y.

Salt Lake Temple--check!

Today my friend Melissa and I headed up to do an endowment session at the Salt Lake temple. It was really cool being inside and seeing the endowment rooms for real--I've seen pictures before and I've seen the temple model in the visitors' center, so in some ways it seemed familiar.

But the pictures don't capture all the intricate details of the decor. The pioneers built this temple from 1853-1893 (yes, it took them forty years!!!) and they made it as beautiful as they could. Even the doorknobs have beautiful hand carvings.

I definitely want to go back again sometime!

Work on My Novel: Progressing...

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? National novel writing month? It happens every November. Writers are challenged to write a 50,000 word novel in only 30 days! I've tried lots of times, but never finished.

Well, now NaNo isn't just for November! I got an email a couple days back inviting me to Camp NaNoWriMo, "an idyllic writer's retreat smack-dab in the middle of of your crazy life." Apparently it happens in July. It's like NaNo, but more laid back. You set your own goal of how many words you want to write in a month. It doesn't have to be a novel. And, if you want, you can sign up to be in a cabin. You are randomly assigned 4-6 cabin mates to help cheer you on (or, if you have friends doing it too, you can request them as cabin mates).

This seems like a perfect way to help me achieve my goal! My BFF Hayley is signing up for it too. Anyone else want in? Let me know your username and we can be cabin mates. :) (Mine is maskedangel.... I made it up back in high school, don't judge!)

Rent a Puppy: Completed :)

Her name is Hanna. She is a cocker spaniel mix. :) Isn't she adorable? She was super hyper, always running around and wanting to play. She had the cutest way of running--she'd hop around like a bunny! Her walk was adorable too. She wouldn't just walk, she'd pick her feet up and prance. Very ladylike.

Summer Bucket List

1. Attend a live session at the Salt Lake Temple  June 8, 2013
2. FINALLY hike the Y! June 8, 2013
3. Find a cute pair of modest shorts (or multiple pairs!) June 10, 2013
4. Finish writing my book! (Or at least make a dent in it)
5. Visit the Living Aquarium
6. Visit at least 3 temples outside of Provo (SLC counts!)
1. Salt Lake temple June 8, 2013
2. Mt. Timpanogos July 13, 2013
3. Draper August 1, 2013
7. Rent a puppy  June 1, 2013
8. Go to a planetarium show
9. Go to an outdoor movie  Did one better and went to an outdoor musical on July 13, 2013
10. Go to 7 Peaks Water Park
11. Get a manicure June 27, 2013
12. Disney Bound in public Disney Bounded as Charlotte La Bouff July 14, 2013