Strength of Women

I just don't seem to have the blogging time, or sometimes even the thinking time, to blog these days. I have yet to make the time anyway. But life is wonderful, meaningful, and autumn. I just had to post this video for safekeeping. Here's to women!

Money, Power and Wall Street

Watch Money, Power and Wall Street: Part One on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

This documentary is an extensive background on why and how the stock market crashed in 2008 and what was and is being done about it. Ben and I have watched 2 of the 4 hour-long episodes of this PBS series with jaws dropped to the floor with shock and amazement.

Honestly, you must, MUST watch this. Don't worry, I'm about the farthest thing away from an economist there is, and it's keeping my attention. And this is me watching it after 10pm at 38 weeks pregnant, mind you, so that's a significant statement. Besides that, it is truly brilliantly pieced together. And the two dozen or more interviewees are top-notch.

I'm chomping at the bit to watch the other two episodes. But I'm waiting until Ben gets back from his night rotation on the psych unit. Last time, a patient made a death threat on him. We'll see if that kind of atmosphere puts him in the mood to watch a documentary about the economic crash.

Great Expectations

I have not read Great Expectations. Not yet.

After watching this absolutely haunting and gripping portrayal of Dickens' famous work, I must read it.
Because I loved young Pip.
Because I couldn't stand that young adult Pip; I want to see through Dickens' own words that character development and see inside him more.
Because it made me want to be kinder.
Because it made me want to heal; to let go of any hurts and find more happiness.
Because it made me want to be closer to family.
And because it made me want to strongly encourage people with mental illness to get appropriate medication. Yikes.

Watch Great Expectations Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

The first episode stops playing online on pbs.org on May 1st, so watch it soon.

As Thou Wilt

I've felt more drawn to the Savior lately since watching this. Imagining his anguish, sensing his power, recognizing his humility, I've felt a more personal connection with him. In moments of impatience with someone or some circumstance, this image of him in the garden continues to come into my mind. Just that thought lifts the pride right away; patience somehow created in its place.

17 Miracles

I saw this film Christmas Day and it continues to be on my mind.




Watching the suffering and willingness of these characters has made me want to sacrifice for the cause of Zion. It helps me hold my ancestors and pioneer saints more dear.  It makes obvious my blessings. It makes me want to be more patient, more willing to submit to the Lord. It humbles me. Truly, a good and powerful film.

WikiSecrets

Do you consider a documentary a movie? Cause I just labeled this post a movie.

So, this particular movie has haunted me for weeks. You've heard about wikileaks? Well, this here will introduce you to Julian Assange and the whole lot of them. Haunting why? I'm trying to put my finger on that. I think it's partially the vulnerabilities and lurking dangers of our digital world.

Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.

But more than that, I'm haunted by the almost charming, strangely secretive, anti-government movement leaders out there working to unravel society. I'm worried about the people cheering for them. I'm reeling that it's in the name of "freedom". And that I can see them trying to redefine morality while they're at it.

I won't pretend I didn't see Code Pink make its appearance, Glenn.

The Butterfly Circus

If you have 20 minutes, you should watch this short film. Mostly to see this guy.

Soul Surfer

Super inspiring true story.

New Hamlet

Gripping, unbelievable performance. Shakespeare himself must have haunted this set as director. The best acting I have ever seen. Either that or the actors playing Hamlet and Ophelia are truly mad.

Watch the full episode. See more Great Performances.

The Great Escape

This movie is made from a true story of POWs escaping from a WWII camp in Germany. It is truly incredible to see how unified a group of people can be and what they can accomplish. I think it's a must-see.

Cranford

I read Cranford last year and liked it well enough. Imagine "Anne of Green Gables": likeable main character, small town, charming everyday life. But now subtract Gilbert, add about 50 years to her age and create for her interactions only with small town residents, other older women. Quaint; but even with Gaskell's exceptional writing, it needs a plot to get you through.

But it was originally published one story at a time in a newspaper column. Only later were they compiled into a book. So plot, that thing that keeps you reading, Cranford really doesn't have that. Though I did finish it. For Book Club's sake I think.

THAT SAID, this movie series is excellent--markedly more engaging than the book. It still contains the charm, but draws upon several other of Gaskell's writing to provide the missing plot. And with plot was also added, of course, a few sweet love stories.

Also, I think just about anything with Imelda Staunton in it has to be enjoyable. I'm watching the fifth and final episode later today so I'll see how it all ties together. But I give it my stamp of approval.

12 Angry Men

I saw this with my dad when I was a young teenager and remember being riveted. I saw it at the library and picked it up for Ben to see. In the end he said it was one of the best movies he'd ever seen.

And all but 5 minutes of the film takes place in one room! It proves to me that people and thoughts can outdo humor or high-speed chase scenes. And it was nominated for Best Picture too, so I'm not way off the deep-end with this, okay?

Really, you have to see it. The one with Henry Fonda, not Jack Lemmon.

The Other Side of Immigration

I grew up just outside Portland, Oregon and many Mexican workers migrate there. I'm embarrassed to admit I sometimes harbored a "why have you come to my country?" attitude. Behind the unkind attitude, however, the question was real: "Why have you come to this country?"

This hour-long documentary answers that question. The director interviewed many Mexicans on camera. Their answers are so eye-opening. It gets to the root of the problem, and even offers some solutions. And most valuably, you see that this political issue involves real, intelligent, caring people with real families and real problems. I think everyone should watch this film!

Never mind the music.

"Temple Grandin"

Another great HBO movie. As I watched it I had the epiphany that most people are different from each other. New, I know. But really, I realized I subconsciously think most people are like me and if they're not that's strange. Some people don't like structure and do like shopping? Sure. And some people don't like being hugged but do like working with cows. And we all have something to learn from each other.

Also, Claire Danes' acting is just phenomenal.

"Gifted Hands"

We need more good movies in our lives, yeah? Here's one.

Careful with the last few minutes of this clip if you're a bit squeamish with surgeries.

The Sound of Music

So I like watching the same movies over and over. I prefer watching the same movies over and over. If it comes to seeing a new movie and watching a movie I've seen 100+ times, I'd choose the familiar. Weird, I know. But it's comforting to me. (Now Ben on the other hand watches movies mostly to know what happens. "If I already know the ending, why would I watch it?" Fine. I see his point. But I am in another school of thought.)

One of these movies is The Sound of Music. I love it. I love Julie Andrews, the music, the script, the cinematography, the characters, the acting, the location. The whole kit and caboodle.

Yesterday I put it on while I was making dinner. Pesto Pizza on french bread, that was divine by the way. I was more listening to the movie, but I think I know every camera shot so it's practically watching it. Anyway, I saw a new lesson as I watched.

It's the scene where Maria's praying in her bedroom, before Liesel climbs through the window. She just found out from Frau Schmidt that Captain von Trapp is thinking very seriously of marrying Baroness Schrader. Her prayer:

"Dear Father, now I know why you send me here: to help these children prepare themselves for a new mother, and I pray this will be a happy family in Thy sight."

Now, as we all know, Maria marries Captain von Trapp. So this "now I know" moment was right, but wrong. But in where she was wrong it was better than she expected.

These "now I know" moments are true to life I think. My life anyway. My freshman year of college I wondered if I should be a history major. I prayed about it and fasted. I received an answer flipping through the Doctrine and Covenants:

"It shall be given them even according to the prayer of faith... And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should...obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion."

I felt overwhelmed and grateful, "now I knew" what major the Lord wanted me to do. History. Eventually I transferred to BYU to pursue this degree.

One day at BYU while sitting in the Maeser building in my History 200 class, I felt strongly that if I studied history it would help no one. I questioned and prayed and felt to change to elementary education. And in retrospect deciding to teach has been one of the best decisions I ever made.

I didn't have to ponder long about my first prayer to know why the Lord originally wanted me to do a history major. He wanted me to pursue history because He needed me at BYU. He never said he intended me to stay a history major.

I thought I understood the Lord's whole will in the answer He first gave me. But as it turns out, there's more layers to every story and every answer. His ways and thoughts truly are higher. And better.

Gandhi the movie

24 January 2010

One person can do so much good. But to do real good takes real sacrifice. And real love. What would it take for me to do real good? I need to do more. I have to do more than just making cookies for neighbors. What should I be seeking? What do I need to sacrifice?

Gandhi loved to the point where he gave up everything. A good job he probably loved. Time with his family. Freedom. Comfort. His transportation. Even name brand clothes. I can’t feel selfish with Gandhi in mind. I can’t want nicer furniture or name brand diapers or a garage. I have to want to help people, and understand them and love them. I realize I do very little that’s really Christlike.

This makes me think I need to know Jesus better. I need to feel more that way about Him: I can’t feel or do or be selfish with Him in mind.

Also, if I’m to love people and care about their justice and their freedoms, how can I wear clothes from the Gap? How can I spend money on perfume or chocolate chips when people are starving? On the other hand, I’m not going to purposely dress sloppy thinking it’s going to help someone. I don’t want to feed my family beans and goat cheese because that’s what poor people eat. Why is it okay for us to live better, even when we’re poor, just because it’s our societies standards? How much should we give?