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So, I broke down and decided to try Netflix. I love it, which isn't a hard thing to do. I can get all the independent and foreign films I love, while also enjoying Internet streaming.
This past week, I watched Sweet Land. It is a beautiful, simple love story that tells the story of Inge, a mail-order bride who comes to Minnesota during the 1920s. She tells her story to her grandson through flashbacks. She endured a communication barrier and racial intolerance. Her character demonstrates a fierce determination and subtle grace. This isn't a fast-paced movie, but it is eloquent and delightful. I highly recommend it.
I found this article interesting. It talks about how the design of your neighborhood could impact your body weight.
Speaking of neighborhood design, this might also be a good time to write that I found a place to live this fall. I am going to be living in the Incline Terrace Condominiums at 1032 East 400 South in Salt Lake. It puts LauraLee right by the U, and I will have quick access to Trax. I am really just relieved that we found a place in our price range that has a good location.I am still working on a job. I will keep you posted.
Ever wonder what people are thinking about? Here you go.1. I still need to find a job for this fall. I keep coming back to the general idea of working for a group like the United Way. Natalie met a girl yesterday who works there and says she is leaving in the next few months. She is a grant writer. I need to send some emails.2. Still looking for a place to live in Salt Lake. LauraLee and I went hunting yesterday. It was actually good because I realized how much I am going to love living in the city. I found the condo of my dreams. It is in a historic building on 3rd south that has been renovated. It has old, blue tile going upstairs, dark hardwood floors, and is located across the street from Greek Souvlaki (a great Greek restaurant--I am craving their food right now). People have been wondering if I wanted to buy a condo/house, and I have been against it. But, walking into that condo changed everything. I actually wanted to buy. Since I don't have a job yet, there is no way I can. Besides, I realize the smart house-buying thing to do is put down 20%. Anyway, I guess I am glad that the perfect place actually exists.3. I went to Sam Weller's in Salt Lake. What an amazing store. I am ashamed I haven't been there before. Go. You won't regret it.4. Yesterday, Emily told me about an experience with Grace this past week. She was talking on her fake cell phone. When Emily asked who it was, she said she was talking to Nana Cook. Ethan told her she couldn't be talking to her. She said, "I can on my phone."5. A student of mine sent me an email asking if I do lunch groups with students or if I would go to lunch with him (although he prefaced it by saying he wasn't asking me out). He wants to hear about how I feel about things other than 316 Technical Writing. I am not sure how to even begin responding to that one.6. How can I best water my grass? Yes, I am always trying to figure out how to cover it all, even those hard-to-reach places.7. I watched Penelope the other night with Natalie. I love that movie. How often do we not trust/like ourselves and that changes everything?8. What else do I need to get ready for Mary-Kathryn's bridal shower tomorrow? I know I am forgetting something.9. I need to buy muslin for the bookmaking projects Jenny is helping me with. We are taking old books, removing the text blocks and replacing them with new blank paper. We will rebind it for a usable book. I also need to call Becky about finishing our sewing project: bags.10. One week from today I will be in Yellowstone with my family. We are leaving Thursday for the Park and then making our way into camp by Saturday. I can survive one more week in order to be there--a place where everything somehow slides clearly into perspective and where I can greet my true self along the edge of the lake.
My friend sent me this article about Bulgaria. It offers a very compelling and realistic view of the country. If any of you ever wondered what Bulgaria was like, here you go. Oh, and if you decide to visit Bulgaria (since it is very affordable) I will gladly go as your tour guide and translator.
I don't often write about TV shows, because I don't really watch any shows (because I don't have a TV). But, I have discovered a show I really enjoy ( I watch it online). Anyway, it is called Eli Stone. I know that many of you will say I only watch it because Jonny Lee Miller plays Eli ( I originally enjoyed him in Mansfield Park). Well, yes, that was my initial draw, but it really is an entertaining and fun show. He plays a lawyer who starts having visions (supposedly due to a brain aneurysm) that help him help other people. It also has an unapologetic moralistic/religious theme running through it. I now have to watch them as they re-air them, since I didn't discover this until recently. It is good television. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
I love nachos. I love the really cheap, almost-plasiticy kind you get at ballparks, but I also love really good, hearty nachos. Joanie introduced me to Cafe Rio nachos this afternoon. They really are wonderful. They aren't on the menu, so you have to ask for them, but it is worth it. We had pulled pork and all the fixins. Go tonight--you won't be sorry. Note: These pictures are not of Cafe Rio nachos, but it will get your mouth watering.
Have you ever heard of this? One of my students in writing a paper on it. It is very intriguing.
Well, how can you not be happy about the Fourth of July? I certainly enjoy the day for all the festivities. This year turned out to be a lot of fun, although it was a little different than years past.
Friday morning: Joanie and I walked Center Street, while watching the parade as we went. I was impressed with the large balloons and the unceasing royalty floats. We walked our way to the Freedom Festival that housed booths, food, music, and good times. We ran into Thomas, Erin, and Rachel, which was fun. I bought some stained glass pendants, but we mostly just looked around. We did try deep-fired Oreos. Now, before you cringe you should know that they were actually very tasty. They also had deep-fried Twinkies, but we decided that we couldn't splurge that much. We also bought cotton candy and snow cones, just to round out the entire experience.
Friday Afternoon: Natalie came to Provo and we went up to Sundance with Jeri and her family. They have a family cabin up there and we went to celebrate together. We hiked to Stewart Falls from the bottom, which was a first for me. 
It was beautiful. It was great fun to walk with Molly, age 5. She and her sister really enjoyed the falls. We talked about all kinds of things and discovered small green, hanging caterpillars.
Friday Evening: We had a BBQ and enjoyed the amazing cabin. It is a swanky old cabin that was built to have parties. Evidently, Robert Redford has attended a party in the cabin. What really gave it away was the fact that three of the drawers in the kitchen have built-in glass storage rings. Yeah, you know they do a good deal of hosting when each glass has its own space. Nat, Jeri and I spent the night there and lounged the next day. It was great. We talked, ate, played great card games (Five Crowns, Linkity, and another I forgot the name of) and also managed to watch a little Persuasion. It was a very chill and relaxing July 4th. It was wonderful. (The pics are a little blurry, but you get the general idea.)
