French Lessons

Reasons I want to learn French


This may also be the reason I want to learn to disco dance.

I don't listen to Jack very much anymore but I still do think he is adorable with his surfer ways.


Fran may only be singing a French name the one time, but it still gets me and counts.


Don't worry he sings more French words in this one.


Maybe the above songs made me start listening to full length French songs. I was listening to them in the car and Debbie said "I can't understand what they are saying."


Such a sweet video


Monogrenade


I am so happy to add Muse to my list, sigh. Muse, I do I belong to you.

Happy Making

Tonight at Changing Hands in Tempe the author Scott Westerfeld had a signing for his new book Leviathan. Check out this awesome book trailer, (I am impressed with the narrator he has a very movie trailer voice)

I have not read the book yet (just purchased tonight) but after hearing Scott talk about it, I am super excited. And can I just say it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen/own. Just check out the inside. Lovely right?

Some highlights from the signing were...

When Scott was getting ready to show us his awesome book trailer (the envy of all authors(I said this not him)) he was in front of his laptop facing us (the audience) with his back to the screen which a projector was projecting the trailer on. After he got it going he moved and his head and started to cover a good portion of the screen, which made us the audience begin to giggle. Scott then asked "what is going on back there" and turned his head sideways, which the projector caught and he could see his profile covering half the screen. Which of course made everyone laugh more. He said something funny as he moved out of the way and started it again something about watching it with out author face. Britt will tell me, she remembered.

One of my other favorites was a question asked about how he came up with the slang in Uglies like Bubbly making, because he is a man. And I believe his response to the man comment was "spot on" brilliant observation huh. His response just made me laugh.

Debbie will like this, Scott called Tally a butt head.

A girl asked Scott if he received a lot of hate mail about in regards to a certain incident in his Uglies books. Scott said yes but it is just so sweet. He then mimicked the letters saying "Why Scott Why, I hate that you did that but I love your writing." He said he was happy that he could create a character that people cared about and had living in their head. Scott was great I was not only well informed but entertained as well, it was all very happy making.

Mimi, Brittney and I then got in line to get our books signed, while in line we discussed questions to ask Scott while up there. I was nominated to be the spokesperson since I have no problem making a fool out of myself. My first question took a little explaining. You see Scott's books come from questions he seems to always be asking why does this happen, why do we do this, and so on. So I asked him if his inquisitive mind got him in trouble as a child, he told me it was a good question but that he had great parents but that he did upset a teacher of his because she didn't know an answer a student asked and he did. But now I kind of wonder if he even asked his questions or if he just figured them out for himself. Because that what he seems to be doing with his books is answering questions.

Wait back up first I asked him to add la to my name so it would be Connie-la like from Uglies. He did not really understand what I was saying at first because I said it kind of weird and I wish I could remember what he asked me but I looked at him like he was smoking crack from Sherlock Holmes crack pipe. Then I think he re-processed what I said so it made sense and we all laughed at the confusion.

Then we asked about if he ever cast his characters, because I have done a lot of time looking for the perfect Zane. He said no and Mimi asked "because Zane's so special?" Scott had a good laugh over that. He then asked if I had found one, sadly no. He said he didn't cast his characters but he thinks Angelina Jolie would make the perfect Dr. Cable. Which Mimi reminded me that it was one of my picks as well.

***Spoiler***

Scott obviously realized that we were team Zane, not that we hate David but come on. It is like picking Superman over Batman. Superman was born that way he didn't chose it Zane choose, worked hard and risked everything, would David had done that in Zane's shoes? I don't know but there is another important factor here, Zane is HOT. Ok back to what Scott said, he told us that while in Portland everyone was team David and hating on Zane which he could not understand, so again he questioned it and realized...yep he is in hippy land.

There is just something so special about coming home with a arm full of books signed by someone who created a world that you love. Even if you sometimes get mad at him and have to ask "why Scott, why?".

Totally Happy Making

Bookshelves

There are a few things I want in life, but one of those is a library, but I will settle for a reading nook.

Today I stumbled upon a tumbler about bookshelves. The title says "book lovers never go to bed alone". Then has a quote by Henry Ward Beecher "A little library, growing larger every year, is an honourable part of a man's history. It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life."

Here are a couple things from the site that I liked.

A past Prophet of my church President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Each member [of the Church] should develop talents, read good literature, be engaged in quality cultural pursuits” (Ensign, May 1978, p. 101).

Here is my main book case, there are also stacks of books in my bedroom. Not to mention all the books I have lent out to family and friends. Once I get all my books back I think I am going to need another book case.

Movie Line Up

First up is Whip It (Oct 2nd)

I will be honest I am not 100% sold but with a cast like that, it should be good for a couple laughs. Right? And hopefully not just the ones in the trailer.

Where The Wild Things Are (Oct 16th)

Oh come on, it is just so magically delicious.

Gentalmen Broncos (Oct 30th)

If you didn't know that I love Jemaine Clement, well you do now.

New Moon (Nov 20th)

Like I need to say anything.

These Lovely Bones (Dec 11th)

I liked this book but it was really hard for me to get through. It was pretty much my worst fear growing up, losing a sibling but mostly my sister.

Avatar (Dec 18th)
It is better to go here and see it.

Sherlock Holmes (Dec 25th)

Oh yeah I am seeing this Christmas day.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Dec 25th)

I guess I will be seeing two movies on Christmas day.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my moms 65th birthday and I thought I would share some things you might not know about her.
When she was born her family lived in Queen Creek, she was the first girl after 6 boys.


While in grade school she hit a boy over the head with her tap shoe. I don’t remember why the boy deserved it but I am pretty sure he did. I love this story!


In High school she was involved with everything, I know she did student council, choir, cheer (at least one year), and she was even voted the queen of one of their dances I think it was a Cinderella themed dance.

She also really likes Johnny Mathis, I think he is her favorite artist.

She started dating my dad when she was 15. He asked her out by stealing the ladder from the goal post she was decorating for the football game. He wouldn't let her down unless she said yes.


She received many scholarships and attended Arizona State University where she got her teaching degree. She taught PE & Home Ec. at Mesa Jr. High.





My mom is probably the most capable person I know, she knows how to do it all and she is never afraid to do it. Her strength has supported her family and influenced many around her. Her love carries me through this life. Thank you mom for all you do, I love you so very much.

From Arizona To Alaska

Today I am celebrating the birth of my friend Lauren Nicole Barlow, it is hard to imagine what my life would be like if we were not friends.

What would I have done with out all her amazing BBQ's?

Who else would have entertained hot Italian guys with Debbie, Lindsey & I?

And really who else could manage to cover herself in mud with only using the tops of her three fingers?

Or would steal the toothpick holder from my home and give it to me on my birthday along with a cake while I was serving a mission.

Seriously the best Halloween costume EVER!!!

We have shared some great birthdays and a lot of good times. You may be sad about being 25 but I have loved the 9 years we have been friends. Happy 25th

Band of Skulls

We went to the wrong Zia at first and ended up having to drive across town. So we missed them perform but we got to meet and talk with them. And went to their show that night.

I don't normally go to concerts unless I know all a bands songs. But even with knowing a few of their songs the concert was awesome. I was amazed at the rocking that happened with just the three of them. The last song before the encore was so high energy the whole place was rocking. I am looking forward to seeing this band get big.