Goal

I want to be a better person.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

I catch myself saying rude things a lot.  I try to brush them off as jokes so it doesn’t sound harsh, but really, it’s awful.

I need to stop.  I want people to say only the best things about me.

And I’m not sure if that’s the case right now.

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I’m sure you’ve already seen this, but I still want to blog about it.

I work at the Harold B. Lee Library.  I’ve worked here for about 2 and a half years, which, in this time, has created my undying love for the HBLL and the LAO.

Well, I’m sure you’ve already seen this YouTube video because everyone and their dog has posted it on their Facebook profile about ten times.  But, I have to post it on here too because of my love for the library.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ArIj236UHs&hl=en_US&fs=1]

It was not created by my department, but done by the media productions lab on the 6th floor of the library (yes, there’s a 6th floor of the library) with the help of a HumorU student.  I wish I could take credit for it, but at least my claim to fame is that I work at the HBLL here at BYU!

Abbreves.

For you all that hang out with me on a regular basis, I use abbreves [abbreviations] almost always.

Some of the most common ones are the following:

  • Perf [Perfect]
  • Fav [Favorite]
  • Favs [Favorites]
  • Probs [Probably]
  • Maybes [Maybe]
  • Usge (pronounced like the beginning of usually) [usually]
  • Spesh [Especially]
  • Innaprope [Inapropriate]
  • Innagrope [Inagropiate- as it an inappropriate grope (yes, I know all gropes are inappropriate)]
  • Troom [Bathroom/Restroom]
  • Remembs [Remember]

This is just the beginning. I am constantly coming up with new ones.  They just slide right off of my tongue in my sentences.  Sometimes I switch it up a bit, add a few extra letters, abbreviate every word in each sentence, or repeat the same abbreve twice.  I don’t even think about doing it, it just comes naturally.

Lately, it’s been a bit of a problem.  It’s getting out of control.  But I just can’t stop.

I love my abbreves.

Revamping

“Life as Katie Lee” is lame and boring.

Does anyone have any good ideas for a blog title?  I’ve got an idea for one right now, but if you think of something clever let me know.

In the mean time, it’s time to redecorate.

A String Quartet Playing Classy-cal Music

If you are at work today and need a pick-me-up, this might do the trick.

Quotes from The Office- “New Boss”

Dwight Schrute: Oh here’s one, a string quartet playing classical music.
Michael Scott: You know that’s good, but that’s not classy. I need something classy, like the opening of a car dealership.
Jim Halpert: That’s it. Or Mr. Peanut.
Michael Scott: Yes!
Dwight Schrute: Mr. Peanut is not classy.
Michael Scott: He is.
Dwight Schrute: He is a regular peanut. He just happens to have a cane, a monocle and a top hat.
Michael Scott: That’s what makes him classy.

Pam Beesly: I can tell Michael’s mood by which comedy routine he chooses to do. The more infantile the more upset he is. And he just skipped the Ace Ventura talking butt thing. He never skips it. This is bad.

Michael Scott: [on phone] Michael Scott calling for David… well just tell him to call me ASAP as possible.

Charles MinerWho is this?
Michael Scott:
I was never given a name.

“Lines may divide us, but hope will unite us”

A couple of years ago, I spent the 4th of July in Washington D.C.  As I walked through the different memorials, specifically the Korean War Memorial, I finally realized what 4th of July was really about.

We live in an incredible country.  I know it has its problems, but we are so blessed to live with freedoms and democracy.  We are given equality along with opportunities.  And yet, none of this would exist without the great sacrifice of soldiers who gave their lives to serve our country.

Today I am really pondering on these thoughts and am truly grateful of where and when I live. It is particularly on my mind today because I watched a movie, called The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, last night.

In brief, the story is about a young German boy who befriends a Jewish boy in a concentration camp.  It is a little different from other Holocaust stories I’ve read or watched because the main character is a German.

The film made me realize how the war affected so many people, whether they wanted to be a part of it or not.  For example, in this German family, the mother does not understand what the prison camp really is at first.  But once she realizes what is going on, she can’t do anything about it or else she would be betraying her country and her husband, a soldier.  She slowly falls apart, along with her marriage, because she has no control of the situation and is helpless.

The 12 year-old daughter in this story also is affected.  Because of what she learns from her teacher and the soldiers that stayed at their house, she is brainwashed to think the Jews are a terrible influence on the country, and that it is their fault the country is suffering.  She does not know any better, she just believes what she is told and follows the example of others.

And then the young boy, the main character, is so innocent.  His mind cannot comprehend what is going on at the camp or why his new friend can’t just come over and play. Although he learns that he is supposed to be enemies with the Jews, he does not understand why; but because of his love and humility, he is able to unite with his new Jewish friend and tear down those barriers.

Although the movie was enlightening, it just keeps haunting me because you get a glimpse of the camp and what all the different people went through.  It makes you feel so much sadness for the particular Germans who were in a war they didn’t want to be in, just like the wife in this story.  And obviously it makes you feel such sorrow and remorse for the Jews who were imprisoned, separated from their families, and killed.  Then as I was watching it, it hit me that 6 million Jewish people died in the Holocaust in camps just like the one you see in the movie.  They did not live in a country with freedom, equality, democracy, or opportunities.  They were oppressed and never got to experience all the joys we have in life.

It made me think about how selfish we are when we feel sorry for ourselves because of a hardship or trial.  How ignorant are we when we think we are better than others or deserve special privilege simply because of who we are?  How many times do we catch ourselves treating others without respect, patience, or love?  Although these things are not as terrible as what happened to the Jews in the Holocaust, the principles are the same.  We need to learn from the actions of those throughout history and promote equality and, most of all, love.

This weekend, as you celebrate the 4th of July, remember how blessed we are to live in this powerful country.  Remember the freedoms and opportunities you have here and all the blessings you have because of those who fought for you.  Remember that with great power, comes great responsibility–the responsibility to fight for freedom and equality, the responsibility to stand up for what we believe in, and the responsibility to treat others with respect and love.

The Great Wave

I want to start off this post by saying that I love art.  But I know next to nothing about it.  So, other than the facts I have gathered from Wikipedia, my critiques and evaluations of this piece have no validity.  They simply are my thoughts.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa, by Katsushika Hokusai, is my new favorite painting.  I don’t know what it is about it that makes me love it so much.  Maybe it’s the mood?  The colors?  Or maybe it’s because of the unique style?

Or maybe I’m just a follower and love it because it is one of the most reproduced artworks in the world…

So I have to admit, I did a little Wikipedia-ing and found out it was was made in 1832 and was the first in a series of 36 depicting Mount Fuji throughout different times and seasons.  The other 36 aren’t my favs, but this work is incredible and, to me, looks way ahead of its time.  Can’t you just see this being on the front of a threadless t-shirt or something?

Maybe one day it could be a mural on my wall?  That would be awesome.

P.S. I really want to encourage comments on my blog.  It’s getting a lot of hits, but not as commentary.

So, please share with me your favorite piece of art.

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Lyrics to New Music

When my mom was my seminary teacher for a few years, one morning we began by singing a hymn but with another hymn’s text.  I can’t remember any specific examples of the ones we sang in seminary, but this past weekend, T.J. figured out a new one.

The song is “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus”–from our Children’s hymnbook:

“I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.”

Now, press play on this YouTube video, and start singing along…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_u2RO35z4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

Pretty Cool huh!?!

Pixels

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQT_VoLtyIY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999]

Isn’t this awesome?  Apparently it’s been on YouTube forever and I’m the last person to see it, but I thought it was pretty neat.