My cousin and his family are back from France for the summer and I finally got to see my three favorite little French speakers in the world!
After a big hug they stepped back and started with the compliments...
"Marie I love your hair!"...
"I love your nails!"...
"Your makeup is beautiful!"...
"You're so pretty!"
To which I replied:
"Now I remember why I missed you all so much!"
Gotta love family.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Harry Potter Day
At risk of writing things that don't make sense (I told someone earlier that I "took a nap in my parking lot"), I'm posting to share a couple photos from yesterday.
These were desserts being served at the student food court on UVU campus. There were Butterbeer pudding cups, Cockroach clusters with licorice wands (you could tell thy were cockroaches because of antanae made from black licorice). I love Harry Potter spirit!
After the movie--which I loved!-- I felt like an entire chapter of my life has come to a close. Melanie kept the fun going. Dressed as Bellatrix, she approached a woman dressed as Molly and they did their own rendition of the death of Bellatrix to top off an already theatrical night.
NOTE: these are unedited pictures from a cell phone. Judgers don't judge. You know who you are.
When I got there, makeup was being done on Travis as Voldy. He kind of looked Blue Man Groupish, but once it was more grey he looked awesome. Rumor has it that he even won a wand for such awesomeness. (And to think he originally was going to take off the costume before seeing the movie!)
Rachel-the-seamstress proved that she was Rachel-the-makeup artist. Melanie had decided she wanted me to be Bathilda Bagshot (yes, technically not a Deatheater, but I think the idea came from the fact that I was bringing snakes). I kept forgetting I even had the makeup on until someone would comment on how great it looked.
My friend Chessie came with me to the photo shoot as well. She kept on about how she wouldn't dress up, that it wasn't her thing, that blah blah blah blah blah. Excuses, excuses. One mention of a poofy skirt that Melanie had and she transformed into Cho Chang gone bad faster than you could say "Avada Kadavra".
These were desserts being served at the student food court on UVU campus. There were Butterbeer pudding cups, Cockroach clusters with licorice wands (you could tell thy were cockroaches because of antanae made from black licorice). I love Harry Potter spirit!
After the movie--which I loved!-- I felt like an entire chapter of my life has come to a close. Melanie kept the fun going. Dressed as Bellatrix, she approached a woman dressed as Molly and they did their own rendition of the death of Bellatrix to top off an already theatrical night.
NOTE: these are unedited pictures from a cell phone. Judgers don't judge. You know who you are.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Harry Potter Eve
Ah, Harry Potter! I remember when I first picked up book one, which lay feathered out with use from Matthew, who had already caught the bug. I finished it one morning in first hour my senior year of high school and I was itching for the next... but couldn't wait to get home for it... so I started book one again.
My family calls me "obsessed". I call myself "literate". And perhaps even "with it".
So with it, in fact, that I'm with the cool people. You know the ones. The people who dress up, stand in line for hours, go to midnight releases; the works. When HBP (book six, for the Harry Potter uneducated) came out, I mimicked the green dress Rita Skeeter wears in the fourth movie, making a purse and all. The kiddo who came with me dressed as Fred AND George. I made a sweater with a "F" on the front and a "G" on the back, and he spent the whole night at the release party switching it from one side to the other. (I must find my picture of the two of us!)
Needless to say, Harry Potter has brought some good times. And last night, there were just a few more.
My friend Melanie from school is holding a Deatheater photo shoot tonight before the movie we're going to. She's coordinated all sorts and variety to come dress up and embrace their inner nerd. To help with this, I volunteered with the sewing on some robes for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!
And cast in the role? Our dear professor Travis! If the fact that we're going to these lengths isn't quite enough, he came over for a fitting. The most entertaining fitting of my life, actually. As it was said last night "Voldemort wouldn't have a one-size-fit-all robe". We started pulling and prodding and hold-your-arms-up-demanding.
After realizing it was pointless to pin back the gads of fabric on the sleeves, I quite simply got out scissors and eyeballed it. It would have been easier if he didn't keep pulling his arm back in fear.
"You gave me an A this summer, I have no reason to cut you," I told him.
"And there's more grades to come," he threatened as Melanie extracted some personal revenge by taking photographs.
Luckily Melanie's friend Rachel knew better than me how to do alterations (it's one thing I've never had much practice at). Soon we had everything pinned up and ready and Travis went off to make his elder wand as we had some crazy times, using Melanie as our mannequin. Travis doesn't know this yet, but we're going to have a "who wore it best contest" tonight at the photo shoot.
Today will be made interesting as we start on makeup and bring my friend Gus the Snake on set. More pictures to come! And may you enjoy Harry Potter Day as much as I will!!!
My family calls me "obsessed". I call myself "literate". And perhaps even "with it".
So with it, in fact, that I'm with the cool people. You know the ones. The people who dress up, stand in line for hours, go to midnight releases; the works. When HBP (book six, for the Harry Potter uneducated) came out, I mimicked the green dress Rita Skeeter wears in the fourth movie, making a purse and all. The kiddo who came with me dressed as Fred AND George. I made a sweater with a "F" on the front and a "G" on the back, and he spent the whole night at the release party switching it from one side to the other. (I must find my picture of the two of us!)
Needless to say, Harry Potter has brought some good times. And last night, there were just a few more.
My friend Melanie from school is holding a Deatheater photo shoot tonight before the movie we're going to. She's coordinated all sorts and variety to come dress up and embrace their inner nerd. To help with this, I volunteered with the sewing on some robes for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!
And cast in the role? Our dear professor Travis! If the fact that we're going to these lengths isn't quite enough, he came over for a fitting. The most entertaining fitting of my life, actually. As it was said last night "Voldemort wouldn't have a one-size-fit-all robe". We started pulling and prodding and hold-your-arms-up-demanding.
 |
 |
| Another use for a wand |
After realizing it was pointless to pin back the gads of fabric on the sleeves, I quite simply got out scissors and eyeballed it. It would have been easier if he didn't keep pulling his arm back in fear.
"You gave me an A this summer, I have no reason to cut you," I told him.
"And there's more grades to come," he threatened as Melanie extracted some personal revenge by taking photographs.
Luckily Melanie's friend Rachel knew better than me how to do alterations (it's one thing I've never had much practice at). Soon we had everything pinned up and ready and Travis went off to make his elder wand as we had some crazy times, using Melanie as our mannequin. Travis doesn't know this yet, but we're going to have a "who wore it best contest" tonight at the photo shoot.
Today will be made interesting as we start on makeup and bring my friend Gus the Snake on set. More pictures to come! And may you enjoy Harry Potter Day as much as I will!!!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Daddy Day
Happy Father's Day everyone! Especially to my own Dad!
I've always been what you might call a Daddy's girl. My dad has been one of my greatest examples and my biggest helps. From advice to rebuilding a VW bug for a laurel's project, he's helped me in every way imaginable.
One of my favorite memories of my dad was when I was young and he used to tease by responding with "okay, Fred." I can remember, while thinking it was funny, also being irked at the nerve that he would call me by a boy's name.
"My name's not Fred!" I'd protest.
"Alright, Barney."
It could go on forever, really. He'd cycle through a list of dorky boy names and get me going at the same time. A few years ago I asked he if did that to all us kids and he said while he did, he got the most reaction from me.
Dad's always played games with us. Even when he was tired and laying in the middle of the living room floor, he'd make attempts at catching us as we ran around screeching "It's the tickle monster!" I'm grateful for a dad who was always there for us, to play, to teach and to assist. Thanks Dad! And Happy Father's Day!
I've always been what you might call a Daddy's girl. My dad has been one of my greatest examples and my biggest helps. From advice to rebuilding a VW bug for a laurel's project, he's helped me in every way imaginable.
One of my favorite memories of my dad was when I was young and he used to tease by responding with "okay, Fred." I can remember, while thinking it was funny, also being irked at the nerve that he would call me by a boy's name.
"My name's not Fred!" I'd protest.
"Alright, Barney."
It could go on forever, really. He'd cycle through a list of dorky boy names and get me going at the same time. A few years ago I asked he if did that to all us kids and he said while he did, he got the most reaction from me.
Dad's always played games with us. Even when he was tired and laying in the middle of the living room floor, he'd make attempts at catching us as we ran around screeching "It's the tickle monster!" I'm grateful for a dad who was always there for us, to play, to teach and to assist. Thanks Dad! And Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Book club!
Monday night, I went out with a couple friends (names shall not be mentioned to protect the innocent... and embarrassed). When we found out that one of the gals in our group had bought the book Flirting for Dummies we decided to go check out said book at her apartment.
While flipping through the pages, I got an idea. A terribly funny idea. A wickedly, wonderful, hilarious idea.
"Us two need to buy it and we can have a book club!" I blurted out. I'm not great at keeping wicked, wonderful ideas to myself after all.
"I can't be seen with a book like that in my room!" _______ said. (She knows who she is.) "I'd have to hide it under my bed!"
Nevertheless, we ventured to Barnes and Noble where we found out that title wasn't in print, but was online.
"Wait!" Says I. "They have it in e-book!Now you can hide it away on your computer, _______!"
______________ was not impressed.
Of course _________ still bought it and ____________ is going to have to go back and review the first chapter for this week.
I figure it's a requirement in life to read at least one how-to book that no one should ever have to read. But as the book states:
"Never mind the energy crisis, we're facing a communication skills meltdown and it's everyone's responsibility to do their bit. Honing your flirting skills is a way to reconnect lines of communication and engage with other people..."
See? We're just doing our part! :)
While flipping through the pages, I got an idea. A terribly funny idea. A wickedly, wonderful, hilarious idea.
"Us two need to buy it and we can have a book club!" I blurted out. I'm not great at keeping wicked, wonderful ideas to myself after all.
"I can't be seen with a book like that in my room!" _______ said. (She knows who she is.) "I'd have to hide it under my bed!"
Nevertheless, we ventured to Barnes and Noble where we found out that title wasn't in print, but was online.
"Wait!" Says I. "They have it in e-book!Now you can hide it away on your computer, _______!"
______________ was not impressed.
Of course _________ still bought it and ____________ is going to have to go back and review the first chapter for this week.
I figure it's a requirement in life to read at least one how-to book that no one should ever have to read. But as the book states:
"Never mind the energy crisis, we're facing a communication skills meltdown and it's everyone's responsibility to do their bit. Honing your flirting skills is a way to reconnect lines of communication and engage with other people..."
See? We're just doing our part! :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Birthday!
I had an amazing (and productive) birthday! I:
1) Got up early and hiked Ensign Peak to get some good pictures of the Salt Lake Valley
2) Washed my car
3) Spent the morning with the Wrights (one of my favorite families in the world! They were in town and I jumped at the chance to see them!)
4) Brought nerdbomber Wright #1 with me to physical therapy and class (where one of my professors brought doughnuts I couldn't eat, since I'm still going strong with my New Year's goal... I felt bad... it was SO sweet of him!)
5) Went to Saltair with my class and said Nerdbomber came with so we could all take pictures.
Oh, and I opened a really cool gift from my mom and should be making lots of books very shortly!
Thanks all for the birthday wishes!
1) Got up early and hiked Ensign Peak to get some good pictures of the Salt Lake Valley
2) Washed my car
3) Spent the morning with the Wrights (one of my favorite families in the world! They were in town and I jumped at the chance to see them!)
4) Brought nerdbomber Wright #1 with me to physical therapy and class (where one of my professors brought doughnuts I couldn't eat, since I'm still going strong with my New Year's goal... I felt bad... it was SO sweet of him!)
5) Went to Saltair with my class and said Nerdbomber came with so we could all take pictures.
Oh, and I opened a really cool gift from my mom and should be making lots of books very shortly!
Thanks all for the birthday wishes!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Photo Illustration and Being Kind
So a couple weeks ago in my photo illustration class, we were given an assignment to photography "abuse". We could pick any kind of abuse. I chose BULLYING.
I'm sure we've all seen it happen. In my mind, bullying happens as much from neglect in noticing people who are beaten down by words and action than anything conscience we do. I was able to go down to the Vegas Valley and had a group of student volunteers to help me. My idea was to use two images for each concept: one with the problems that build up, the second showing someone being kind. There is a foundation that has permeated the Clark County school district in the best way possible. The Josh Stevens Foundation is an organization started in honor of Josh, who passed away a month before his 13th birthday. (Go to the link above to read more about Josh!) The idea of this foundation is to reward kids who are caught doing genuinely kind things. Their motto:
I'm sure we've all seen it happen. In my mind, bullying happens as much from neglect in noticing people who are beaten down by words and action than anything conscience we do. I was able to go down to the Vegas Valley and had a group of student volunteers to help me. My idea was to use two images for each concept: one with the problems that build up, the second showing someone being kind. There is a foundation that has permeated the Clark County school district in the best way possible. The Josh Stevens Foundation is an organization started in honor of Josh, who passed away a month before his 13th birthday. (Go to the link above to read more about Josh!) The idea of this foundation is to reward kids who are caught doing genuinely kind things. Their motto:
BE KIND!
So here's what I got during that shoot!
Just a little additional explanation: to me, the words that we're called get stored up. So I wanted to have the locker filled with the things that are sometimes said without thought. The students wrote all sorts of stuff on white paper and I used their hand writing. So they were definitely more than just models!
How often have you not done something kind because you thought people would think you were stupid? (Others as well as the person you may want to do something kind for) Moments I will never forget are those when I do something in spite of nagging worries and the person tells me "I needed that today". This set was one I did with that in mind.
The other half of this one didn't quite work out (I couldn't quite catch the right moment... the kids did awesome!) I think the idea in this one is a little more straight forward, but it featured our one guy who came.
A last thanks to everyone that helped make the shoot happen and everyone go visit the Josh Stevens Foundation. (There. I linked you twice. No reason to not go check it out now!)
I hope this is a movement that makes it nationwide.
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