My Idea of Russia

So I am leaving to go on my mission to Moscow Russia in a little over a month and I am so excited, but I have decided that I need to stop watching movies about Russia, especially the action and adventure ones. Either that, or find movies that give a better impression of what Russia really is like. So far I have only watched movies that talk about the KGB or the negativity of communism. I now these movies are not a true depiction of what Russia is really like because of course it is Hollywood, but is still makes me a little nervous. Either way finding a movie that shows the positive aspects of Russia is next on my to do list.

Like My Mother Does

One of my favorite songs in the world is the one by Lauren Alaina called "Like My Mother Does." It is one of those songs that I listen to when I am feeling really homesick. It literally describes my mom and I's relationship perfectly. I love my mom so much and appreciate everything that she has done for me.

[Verse 1]
People always say
I have a laugh
Like my mother does
Guess that makes sense
She taught me how to smile
When things get rough

I've got her spirit
She's always got my back
When I look at her
I think, I want to be just like that

[Chorus]
When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself like my mother does

[Verse 2]
I never met a stranger
I can talk to anyone
Like my mother does
I let my temper fly
And she can walk away
When she's had enough

She sees everybody
For who they really are
I'm so thankful for her guidance
She helped me get this far

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
She's a rock
She is grace
She's an angel
She's my heart and soul
She does it all

[Chorus]

I hear people saying
I'm starting to look like my mother does

Books From The Past

This week I went to the public library and was looking through the juvenile section. As I was looking I began to see book after book from my childhood that I used to love and spend hours reading. It made me feel sad that I don't have the time to just lose myself in a good book like I used to. I love to read but reading textbooks just isn't as exciting as reading a good romance novel. I have decided that I need to make time to do what I really love...read.

Social Media And The Gospel

So in mission prep this Sunday we talked about different ways that we can share the gospel with others. One thing that someone mentioned that was really cool was the idea of using social media to share our beliefs. They made the comment that we are so willing to post every little thing that is going on in our lives throughout the week, so why not post about the gospel which should be a part of our lives every day.

Movies With Mom

It was so fun to go home this weekend and spend some time with my mom for Mother's Day! Of course we just had to watch a movie together like we always do. This time we watched a total 80's movie called Double Switched. I am pretty sure that it doesn't get more 80's then that lol. But it was fun just spending time with my mom and watching movies together that the rest of the family generally wouldn't be that into. Moms are the best...especially mine.

Reading Assignment

    Growing up my favorite book was called “The Gingerbread Doll” my mom would read this story to me every Christmas. This book was about a little girl that grew up during the Depression. Each Christmas what she wanted more than anything was a porcelain doll but of course each year her parents never had enough money. Instead her mom would make her a new doll every year. First it started out as a gingerbread doll, the next year it was a corn husk doll, and the next year it was a little rag doll. Although the girl never got the doll she wanted, she grew to love even more the dolls that her mom did give to her. 
    The “Gingerbread Doll” was my favorite book growing up because the mother in the book reminded me a lot of my mom. Although the girl in the book never got what she wanted, she was able to feel the love and understand the sacrifice that her mom was making for her throughout the book. That is exactly how my mom is, she is willing to give so much to make me happy and I know that she is willing to give so much. I think this book helped me understand the relationship that I had with my mother and the kind of relationship that I want to have with my kids in the future.

Disney!

I love Disney movies. I am pretty sure they are the reason that I have survived college...so far. There is just something about watching a Disney movie that reminds me of how simple life was when I was a kid and how it can still be simple if I make the choice not to let unimportant things way me down. I am pretty sure that it is a combination of the innocence and of course the music that makes Disney movies so amazing, without them I am pretty sure I would be lost lol.

Court On and Off The Screen

Interning at DCFS has been quite the experience. The other day my supervisor and I were discussing the policies and regulations that DCFS workers and law enforcement officers have to follow when they are interviewing children that are potentially being abused by their guardians. Those interviewing the children have to be very careful about how they conduct those interviews or information that is shared could be thrown out at court. Later that day, after I had this conversation with my supervisor, I was watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. It was interesting to recognize the different techniques the actors used throughout their interviews while talking to abused children in the show. There were times that the actors used the rules that my supervisor and I had discussed to their advantage. Other times they definitely broke some of the rules that my supervisor and I had discussed but those were simply ignored or brushed under the rug. This just made me realize how much TV manipulates reality to make their shows more appealing to the public.