Day 9.. Of the Challenge of the Blog

Something you’re proud of in the past few days

Well, I got started on my South Beach diet.. By started I mean I wrote down the grocery list.

Blog Challenge.. Day Ocho

Day 08 - Short term goals and why

1. Well, this is my LAST semester! Yay!!! So I'm going out with a bang. 4.0? I think so.

2. Quad-weekly (4 times???) gym attendence.. It is much needed.

3. Heathly cooking.. Anthony and I have been making extremely healthy meals for the past month. It has been great. It's amazing how great you feel after eating things your body actually NEEDS.

4. Actually read EVERY book assigned. This is tough one.

5. Be more patient... (Not just short term.)

Blog Challenge.. Lucky #7

Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has had a big impact on you

I love the Salt Lake Temple, but it is every temple that has had a big impact on me.

This past year I have had so many struggles with people I never thought I could have bad feelings for. But I realized that their feelings towards me and my choices are not my problem. And I just need to give up my hurt feelings and live my life the way that I choose, while hoping and praying that they will come around...I have always been able to go to the temple when I am struggling with something and I don't think I could have made it through this year with out the guidance and love I receive from my temple attendance.

A place you won't be judged.

This a place to get away from the wordly wants and desires.

A place you can get answers.

A place you can get focused on the important things in life.

A place for peace.

A place to go when you have nowhere else.

The Kite Runner

I finally finished The Kite Runner! It took me forever to read this book! I started it at the beginning of the summer, but I have no time to read books I actually "like." I finished finals on Friday, and last night I stayed up until 2:30 am finishing it! I couldn't put it down. It was great... Definitely recommend it. Just a disclaimer: there is a scene that is very explicit and made me s very incomfortable. But what we have to realize is that things like this really do happen in life and that is all this book is about. Life in Afghanistan.

This book is about 2 boys that grow up together in Afghanistan. One boy, Amir, is a wealthy and priveledged kid who lives with his father. The other boy is Hassan who is a servent in Amir's house. They are extremely close; like brothers. It talks about their lives growing up as the Taliban invades Afghanistan. It definitely helps Americans take a view into the lives of the Muslims we have created negative stigmas for. I have gained compassion for those in the Middle East.

Now I have so many new reads to finish before school starts on the 25th! Such as:

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns (same author as Kite Runner)

2. The Journal of Ann Frank ( I want to do a lesson plan with it)

I need to Finish 3. Wicked (it's been almost a year since I started)

4. Mercy by Jodi Picoult (Favorite Author)

5. Odyssey by Homer (I think I need a study guide for it!)

6. Uglies ( I can't get into it)

7. Hunger Games

8. My Friend Leonard (sequel to A Million Little Pieces)

9. 13 Reasons Why

10. The Lovely Bones

Okay, I probably won't read these all, but at least I have a plan!

The Belated Yellowstone Post.

Over the 24th of July Anthony's parents took us to Yellowstone! It was so fun. I am pretty sure that I have been there before, maybe when I was 5, and I loved it. It is kind of a memory making place for Anthony's family. They used to go all the time, even though Athony hadn't been since he was 8... So I am not sure how many times they actually went.

His parents rented the cutest cabins for all of us and it was a great place to just get away. (NO cellphone service...)

It was great. Sorry the pictures are so messed up. I don't know how to fix it.

Day 6.. Challenge

Day 06 - Favorite super hero and why

I have never really been into the super heroes, but since Batman does necessarily have "super powers" I will go with Batman. He is hardcore. And with Christian Bale playing him I don't think anything can go wrong ;) I also like when Val Kilmer played him, but Christian Bale is just all the more better. And doesn't remind me of Iceman.

Cinco... Challenge

Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

When Anthony and I were dating, he moved out to California for a summer to do sales. In July of 2008 he flew me out to stay a week with him and we went to San Francisco. It was so fun!

We went to Alcatraz. It is probably my favorite

vacation so far. I loved going there. Especially because I

saw The Rock with Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery.

In town, there is a little market place and we saw this sign. When we told the owner that Marché was my name he said, "Who would ever name their child Marché.. Don't they know what it means?"

And of course. The Golden Gate Bridge.