I'm special why?

For my ASL class this summer, each student had to put together a presentation with certain elements about ourselves. One of the required elements was a slide naming one reason why we are special or unique. As I was putting together my PowerPoint, I realized I was having a hard time narrowing my specialness to just one reason. Then I wondered how many reasons I could come up with for why I'm special. Here, off the top of my head, is what I thought of (excuse the ME ME ME-ness of this post - or don't, because isn't that what blogs are really all about?):

1. I was homeschooled my entire life until I went to college.

2. I went to college in the fall just after turning seventeen in the summer. I could easily have gone when I was sixteen, since I basically did nothing my sixteenth year after taking the ACT and applying to college.

3. I had NEVER mowed a lawn until I was married and was helping my husband do his parents' yard work one weekend. I think this happened because I had three older siblings who mowed the lawn (when we had a big lawn) and a very task-oriented mother who took over the mowing of the lawn entirely when we had a small lawn.

4. I apparently could do the full splits when I was 3 years old. My mama said I surprised her visiting teacher, who thought I was broken or something.

5. I used to hate my first name. Now I love it - Ruth is a very unique first name! Ditto Nancy, Naomi, and Esther.

6. My name gets mistaken about 50% of the time I introduce myself to someone for the first time for Marie. Not just "I'm sorry," or "I didn't catch that," or "Anything starting with an R," but "Marie." I have no idea why. Do I pronounce "Ruth" weird? Do I use two syllables or something?

7. I have always hated what people refer to as "delicious, homemade, filling, wheat" bread. I will stuff myself on potatoes, but not bread.

8. I took karate for three years and ballet for three years. People thought I was too young to be taking karate (because I stayed for my siblings' later classes and took them too) and too old for ballet (because I was 14 and had to start with the beginners). I didn't care. Both karate and ballet were fun, challenging, and exhausting in their various ways. I would neither change nor repeat my experience with either.

9. I used to suck my index and middle fingers on my left hand when I was little and couldn't quit until I was . . . guesses in? Well, I actually don't remember, but it was somewhere around 10 or 11 (old enough that I would diiiiiiieeeeee if any of my friends knew). I used to suck them while I smelled my delicious old and worn-with-love Cabbage Patch doll, Nancy. It's how I imagine getting high would feel like. Because of my addiction to fingersucking combined with an overdose of doll-smelling, my index finger has now bent slightly backwards and my middle finger leans to the side, leaving a gap between my middle and ring fingers that makes me look like I'm Spock.

10. I used to be TERRIFIED of swimming lessons. This one's ironic because of how much I LOVE swimming now. I would hide under my bed, sob, fake illness, and throw up regularly before leaving to go to the pool. Everything about the experience - touching and being touched by strangers, being forced to interact with other kids who I was embarrassed and often outdone by, being scared of drowning, getting water in my nose and ears, etc. - was a nightmare. My life improved 1000% when my dad took over and taught me one-on-one how to swim in the early mornings.

11. I think I have always been a very sensitive and emotional child who cries easily, but oddly I never considered myself one. I thought of myself as tough and tomboyish, and somehow got the idea that tough people didn't cry or that people wouldn't like me if I cried. I often got angry when I cried because I felt I had lost control. Now I've sort of accepted that I am the equivalence of an emotional hurricane, and cry all the time for all sorts of reasons, including seeing someone do something cute, watching a cheesy inspirational sports movie, watching a simple movie from my childhood that I never really connected to emotionally as a child (Animated Heroes Classics Christopher Columbus, I am looking at you), and of course, watching Miss Potter. Always, always, watching Miss Potter.

12. This one may sound a little weird, but I get some kind of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy from water, essentially meaning I feel close to God when I am surrounded by, touching, or observing water. It soothes, calms, exhilarates, refreshes, inspires, focuses, cleanses, and energizes me to an extent that nothing else (except for maybe my love for Matthew) has ever done for me. I can sit in a pool or alone in the ocean or by a waterfall for hours and be content. I sometimes cry when I'm running or walking by the Provo River because it's so BEAUTIFUL.

13. I miss the humidity of the South. I really do. Having lived in both Utah and Georgia, I can confirm that both are hot, sweaty, and to some extent miserable places in the summer, but the Southern air still has this sort of wetness and deepness about it that I find refreshing and comforting.

14. I've been in love with the name "Matthew" ever since my freshman year. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I ended up marrying my Matthew.

15. I had a surprisingly vivid prompting on my first date with Matthew that we would end up getting married if I asked him to hold my hand. I had been nervously debating about whether or not to ask him to hold hands before the date, and I'm still convinced that it was that one moment that set us on the course to where we are now. Thank goodness he said yes!

16. When I was a kid I climbed a tree to rescue a stray gray cat that later became our first family cat, Kim. Kim turned me into a cat-lover, which I have proudly been ever since. She was killed by a passing vehicle and seeing and burying her mangled body was one of the most traumatizing and deeply moving experiences of my life. Hers was the first death that absolutely devastated me as a child.

17. I've never broken a bone in my body. The closest I came was probably when my grandpa slammed the door to our van on my thumb by accident. It hurt like crazy for a long time, but nothing was broken.

18. My experience with braces and orthodontists was basically filled with epic torture and suffering (due to #9, no doubt). I've had wires come loose and stab me in the cheeks more times than I can count, including during our move to Utah. I also have had to wear Headgear and a Herbtz appliance for several years to try to correct my bite. I had braces for probably five years, and it felt like an eternity. For this reason alone, I would NEVER EVER EVER choose to relive my childhood.

19. I used to put ketchup on EVERYTHING as a kid. I put it on corn, macaroni and cheese, fish, any kind of casserole, lima beans, potatoes, even once in soup. But when I was telling this to a friend (at about age 7 or 8), he casually dismissed my boasts by claiming that his little brother liked ketchup so much he put it in milk. I was so shocked and disgusted by this that I had no answer, and it has always stuck with me. I mean, how could you put ketchup in milk? I draw the line at milk.

20. I've never been one to want to learn something because I was afraid the cool kids would make fun of me for not knowing it. I was always just fine with not knowing or participating in any of the movies, sports, music, TV shows, or popular trends that my peers grew up with. I can only think of one exception, and it's a weird one - roller skating. I taught myself to roller skate at age 15 because I was so determined that people not think I was lame or dumb for not being able to go on a rink without embarrassing myself.

21. I am the widest-chested woman in my family, and I was incredibly embarrassed about it growing up. I always felt like I didn't fit in with my sisters and mother, and wished I was flat-chested and scrawny. To compensate I basically slumped over and hid my chest all the time - until I took ballet, that is, and discovered the beauty of posture. Now I've learned to appreciate my figure (sometimes using the Busty Girl Problems website to vent my annoyances) and even to consider it one of my most attractive assets - having a husband who compliments you all the time is a great help!

22. I've knocked myself out three times. The first two times involved me running into something (a fabric bolt, a door) and waking up immediately on the floor with a slight headache but no knowledge of any time passing, when it is obvious from the concerned people around me that time has indeed passed. The third time was at the dentist's, when they were taking pictures of my mouth and I suddenly was hit with a wave of dizziness. They think I locked my legs. All I remember is being alone with the photographer one second, then having to lie down, then opening my eyes the next second and seeing a lot of people, including my mother, looking at me nervously and trying to find food for me. I'd describe getting knocked out as a bizarre and even weirdly pleasurable experience - it gets you a lot of concern and attention, for one, and it's a relief to feel that you didn't experience any pain or even lose any time falling asleep while you were "out." I felt the same way when I woke up (with no recognition that any time had passed) after my wisdom teeth were taken out. Too bad you can't be knocked out for every painful physical experience in your life.

23. I read the Bible from cover to cover somewhere around the age of 9. It took me roughly a year. I don't think I've ever done that since, but I'd like to.

That's all that I can think of for now. Guess which one I chose for my presentation (yes, it's up there).

June 2013 Media Inventory

I've been putting off writing about June. Now that I look at the list of movies I watched, I know why. Wowza - where did I find the time? Anyway, with no further ado-

Movies:

Seven Psychopaths: I was disappointed. The film delivered very readily on the blunt/easy/crass elements and not nearly enough on the intellectual/insightful/comic elements. It had a few good ideas and moments, but overall I didn't find it worth my while.

Clueless: Tee hee. Possibly the best Emma adaptation out there? Okay, I admit to being a fan of the Kate Beckinsale one. 

Horatio Hornblower I-VII: I've seen these films at the library for AGES, and it took almost a semester of people talking about Amazing Grace + a well-timed episode of Ioan Gruffudd in Castle to convince me to start seeing them. What. a. BLAST. I wish this was an ongoing TV series. I am absolutely a fan. Go Horatio! And my favorite seaman Matthews! And the very fetching Lieutenant Bush!

Persuasion (1995): I heart this version of Persuasion. A lot. It doesn't get better than Prince Caspian, Bois Guilbert, and Amanda Root. Plus everything about Captain Harville and the final scene is just perfect and amazing.

The Winslow Boy: I saw the trailer for this and got curious. It got a little drawn out and aimless in the middle and near the end (I confess for a little while I stopped caring about any of the characters' happiness), but overall was quite good.

Pan's Labyrinth: I got this for Matthew and me to watch on his birthday since he's been trying to learn Spanish. We both loved it. I cried. I may have to be banned from watching this once I become pregnant.

Persuasion (2007): Ugh. I can't stand this version, from the pathetically stuttering Anne to the Bath Marathon at the end. But I was able to write a 15-page paper about how messed up it was, so I guess I have to thank it for that.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green: I thought this seemed like a really sweet, gentle, adorable version of The Curious Life of Benjamin Button. Y'know, for teaching kids about life and death and stuff.

Sherlock, Seasons 1 and 2: I know this is not a movie, but I'm putting it here anyway because Matthew and I watched it together and were RIVETED. RIVETED, I SAY! If you haven't seen this modern version of Sherlock, I don't know if we can even talk anymore because I'm afraid of spoiling something.

Cold Comfort Farm: I'd seen this film before, but for some reason it seemed a lot funnier to me this time around. Probably because I saw it while taking a Jane Austen class. The woodshed bit had me in stitches.

The Woman in Black: Matthew was curious about this one for a long while, so I indulged him when I saw it at the library. It was pretty short and forgettable, though I remember there definitely being a woman in black.

Oz the Great and Powerful: I was surprised at how much I liked this film. It had its weaknesses, sure - wasn't the most creative and profound thing ever by any means - but it was nostalgic and funny and clever and much more enjoyable than either the super colorful Alice in Wonderland or Willy Wonka films made most recently.

Beautiful Creatures: I wasn't sure I would like this film - the story and themes seemed a little shallow and cliche - but the main characters were surprisingly relatable, emotional, and complex. I also loved that the whole thing took place in the South.

Akeelah and the Spelling Bee: Cute, super sweet film about a black girl entering a spelling bee. There's also an overworked Asian kid and an easy going Mexican kid in the bee. What were you expecting?

We Need to Talk About Kevin: I wouldn't recommend this to just anybody, but I think it has a powerful and disturbing subject that is worth wondering about. Honestly I think the book goes much deeper into the issues and themes being examined. The film is disturbing, graphic, and moving in its way, but the book was much more so in my opinion. 

The Double: Okay film I guess. The fact I forgot what it was and had to look it up to remember should say something.

The Shunning: Not really my type of movie, but had some really sweet moments.

Trollhunter: Now HERE's a film I can get behind! I took Matthew to see this at the International Cinema at BYU, and it was fantastic. Funny, creative, and wacky stuff. Not to mention it got me in the mood to see...

The Hobbit: Yep. More trolls. I enjoyed this even more the second time around. Probably because of subtitles. And maybe watching Martin Freeman in Sherlock had a little bit to do with it.

Books:

Persuasion: Excellent novel by Jane Austen. It's a quick and lovely read, and the character of Anne is so relatable and admirable.

Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters: I really don't remember reading this or why I read it. It took about a day or two and nothing stayed with me. I think it was mentioned in a class at some point or another. Also, I vaguely didn't like it.

Mud, Sweat, and Tears: I rather enjoyed reading this biography of Bear Grylls. I especially was enthralled by his thrilling adventure in climbing Mt. Everest - something I'm now 100% convinced I will NEVER do. There were also quite a few touching, profound insights that stuck with me about religion, people, and nature. He seems like my kind of guy.

A Child Called It: Disturbing and upsetting read - there were times when I got pretty mad. Even more disturbing when you read about the author online and are not sure what to make of his story. Definitely made me appreciate how great my parents were.

The Lost Boy: The sequel to A Child Called It. Not as engrossing. I got depressed/disillusioned afterwards and decided not to read the final book.

We Need to Talk About Kevin: It feels like it took me all month to read this book. It is long and tough and relentlessly depressing (as well as disturbing), but very well written and thought-provoking. It made me a little scared to have kids, but also helped reaffirm my beliefs and values about life and the dangers of going through life while being too detached and too cynical. I both deeply related to and rejected the main character, which I can't recall doing with another book to this extent.

Theater:

Pirates of Penzance: I was super excited to see this at BYU with Sarah since the best production I'd ever seen of PofP was at BYU some ten years ago. Alas, this production was not particularly impressive. It didn't help that the projected subtitles kept disappearing. The music and voices were all right, but the comedy, acting, and staging was just bland.

A Wrinkle in Time: I was mildly intrigued but not expecting a lot out of this production (I enjoyed At the Back of the North Wind more than A Wrinkle in Time, personally), but was really blown away by the creativity and quality on display. It was the first time I'd really seen the DeJong Theater manipulated and used so extensively and creatively (they had the audience sit on the stage so they could put characters on the far-off balcony). The story wasn't dull and the magic and special effects were charming (the audience especially enjoyed being fanned by huge, fragrant leaves whenever Meg and company went to a certain place). As for the acting, I was personally annoyed by Meg's character, but LOVED Charles Wallace (whom I found excessively annoying in the book) and liked everyone else.