Judy's World: June 2010

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Going Back to School

"Professor" Stuart

Well, Friday I began teaching the Public Speaking course at UVU. I have really resisted having to go back to work, but I know it will be good for me. Just the walking from the parking lot to the classroom and back will be a big boost for me! I have 25 students, and I am looking forward to the experience. Libby keeps telling me I will be able to do it just fine, and it's true that being back in the classroom gave me a bit of a lift. I am going to take several workshops to learn how to use their technology and management programs.

It has been a bit crunchy for me, all the travel and having only a day in-between trips, etc. and also I had to teach my Gospel Doctrine class today, so I had to prep for that and for a real lesson for class tomorrow. (Friday was just going over the syllabus and doing some introductions.) Libby has been so helpful, both in specific information and her enthusiastic encouragement.

It was great to be with Reed's family and now I have Miles, Jens and Christian here. I feel a little stretched to be having to work on a new teaching assignment and also trying to do some fun things with them. They are really good kids, though, and are entertaining themselves a lot of the time. I am so glad to have this time with them.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Just passing through...

I had a fantastic time with Libby this last week. It ended much too quickly for me, and now I will probably have to wait a year to see her again, as they have super plans for Christmas that don't include Utah... Tough when kids have their own lives! Libby provided invaluable assistance with my preparations for my UVU class. As well as moral support and cheerleading!!! Thanks! I took my camera, but no photos! I think Libby took a couple.

Andy and Amanda are making a quick trip to Tempe for a job interview for him at an animation company. They have also received an offer on their house. I sure hope this works out well for them. I had their kids here today, but since I'm leaving in the morning, they'll be with McTeer family the rest of the weekend.

I will leave for Tucson in the morning and go as far as Page. I am worried about my aches and pains and hope this won't be too hard for me. It will be a quick trip, but I am SO excited about having Reed's boys here for awhile! We'll take 2 days to come back, too.

I hope to get back to more regular posting when I get home. This going back to teaching is a little scary for me but I'm sure I'll enjoy it and just need to get my feet wet!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Short Update

I really enjoyed my time with Uncle Ralph. He didn't feel well enough to work on his life story, and he is concerned that his memory might betray him and allow in some inaccuracies. I guess as a Quality Control guru, he is much more bothered by the fear of "mistakes" than the rest of us! It was a lovely time with him. It rained most of the days, which I relly enjoyed.

I decided to come home a few days before doing to Libby's. I really needed to just crash for awhile at home, and it was good for me to be here. I was able to pay some bills and take care of some time-sensitive mail, as well as straighten the house a bit and feel more in control of my life. Amanda and the kids pulled the weeds in my back yard while I was gone. It really looks nice out there. I guess they enjoy doing it, so I'm suggesting they come over every couple of weeks. They can weed and I can take them to lunch or fix breakfast or something. The roses are bushing out and blooming and are beautiful! I'm glad I finally pruned them, and I'm glad I didn't ruin them! I have no other flowers around in pots, either in front or on my deck. Maybe when Reed's boys are here I can do a few! Jens is anxious to do some weeding and other work. Maybe I'll get them to help me clean the garage!

I will be with Libby in Indiana until June 16. I have a very busy June coming up and am glad to be over my neuropathy flare-up. The next few weeks should be a lot of fun!

Books and Movies

Good books recommended by Leah: Astrid and Veronika and The Women of the Silk. Don't know the authors, but really liked them both.
An Education. This is an excellent BBC movie with a positive message. Definitely PG-13, although pretty mild. I don't know that I think it's "best picture" material, or even "best actress" for her, just because I don't think the role was that demanding. But definitely a movie worth seeing and deserving of critical recognition.
Valentine's Day. It was just what I thought it would be: fluffy with too many story lines to really care about anybody, but an entertaining couple of hours. Not as bad as people are saying. Forgettable, predictable, contrived, but sometimes that's good enough!
Up in the Air. Excellent movie, George Clooney was terrific, and his character's personal journey very believable. I really liked it, would have preferred fewer F words and could have done without the brief nude female backside.
Leap Year. It was just what you would expect--predictable, dumb, and forgettable, but if that's all you expect, that's what you get. A couple of hours away from the rat race in a dark theatre, munching popcorn. Worked for me.
The Young Victoria. Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. This was a really, really exceptionally fine film in every way. Emily Blunt was astonishing as Victoria, and the film was beautiful to watch, the characters real and interesting, and the costumes and sets simply gorgeous. I hope it gets some awards. A number of people in it deserve recognition. Five stars out of 4!
Sherlock Holmes. I have become quite a Sherlock Holmes fan from watching so many BBC episodes, so I have a very definite vision of my own about this character. I did really enjoy seeing Robert Downey, Jr., one of my favorite actors, with Jude Law, another favorite. I thought they played very well together. However, I don't see Sherlock Holmes as a super-hero, action figure, with blazing guns, lots of explosions, and fist fights with everybody! In my mind he is very cerebral, methodical, scientific, and of course, eccentric. Robert Downey, Jr. captured some of his quirks, but the whole action-packed visual chaos thing just didn't do it for me. I think they were trying to get a "blockbuster superhero" out of the Sherlock Holmes personna, and it just didn't work for me. I am glad I went; I was very curious. But Jeremy Brett remains the ultimate Sherlock Holmes, in my opinion.
Invictus: This was a great movie to see on Christmas Day. I am always inspired by men and women "of the world" who follow the promptings of the Spirit and who clearly have been foreordained to do our Heavenly Father's work with his children. I am reminded that one need not be perfect to be an instrument in God's hands; nor is it necessary that I agree with all of his or her ideas or values to recognize the good works that are done. Nelson Mandela accomplished a wonderful work, contributing immensely, I am sure, to the growth of the Church in Africa by lifting the Africans within his sphere of influence.
Twilight: New Moon. What can I say? I think the kindest thing I can say about this movie is that it was obviously not written for my age group! For the mosr sophisticated among you, may I just say, this is "Le Bad Cinema." Oh, dear, there's just too much material to get started with a description of the stupidity of it. The appropriate emotional development level for this one is probably 15 or under, but the material is totally unsuited for anybody under 21. On the other hand, I should hope that anyone over 21 wouldn't be interested in such drivel. But now if someone asks me about the book, I can say, Oh, I've seen the movie! As usual, it's "good Mormon" fiction if the characters don't sleep together. Do they sell the books at Deeret Book? I'll have to see if Sheri Dew agrees with my assessment of their immorality...
Blind Side. If you like footall, this is a football movie. If you don't like football, it isn't! It isn't too corny or sentimental, I didn't feel manipulated. Enjoyed it very much.
This is It! Michael Jackson was so incredibly talented. It was really fun to see him working with the cast and doing bits and pieces of his greatest hits. If you recognize his talent and creativity, you'll like this documentary.
Everybody's Fine. Very good movie. Family angst, probably everyone who grew up in a normal family can relate to. This one is happier than most such tales--family not quite so dysfunctional as the usual movie family. Loved it, DeNiro is superb.
Bright Star. This is the true story of poet John Keats's love affair with Fanny Brawne in 1818. It is beautifully filmed, with well-developed characters and marvelous acting. I loved it, and it's rated only PG. A must-see for anyone who enjoys quality cinema. It was a feast for my soul.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Very clever and visually exciting adaptation of the favorite book. I quite enjoyed it, and it must be spectacular in 3D!
The September Issue. The Devil Wears Prada pretty much got it right. This documentary of Vogue editor Anna Wintour toned it way down but it was fun to watch and thank goodness none of us are working at Vogue.
Fame. OK, it's a corny remake of an old movie, but the kids are attractive and interesting and it was just kind of a no-brain feel good film. Thumbs up.
My One and Only. It was very fun, lots of nostalgia stuff, highly recommended.
Julie and Julia. Loved it twice!
500 Days of Summer This was a fun indie film which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
The Proposal OK, Sandra Bullock always plays the same kind of parts, but this was fun enough and a "feel good." OK, my son says it's not "clean" but it was basically unobjectionable from my perspective.

Judy's World