The kids and I saw the new Pixar movie Inside Out last night. It's as good as everyone has been saying, and I agree with a lot that has been written about what an important movie this is for kids. To have a representation of what it means for memories to be lost or viewed differently as you grow up is complicated fare for children, but it rings true, and may give many a better perspective on those ideas as they grapple with them in their own lives. Plus, just being a good Pixar movie, it's clever and visually rich and has many jokes aimed squarely at adults that kids will grow to understand later which keeps it entertaining for everyone. This movie will also provide you with a good cry. (Only Mona didn't cry, but she almost never cries during movies. She also roots for the raptors and the snakes over the bunnies, etc., during the nature shows we watch because "they have to eat too," so she's got a realistic streak that keeps her on an even keel when it comes to entertainment. I cry at everything.)
In any case, without risking any real spoilers, I wanted to share my thoughts on one small segment of the film that I've been pondering since we left the theater: The scenes from inside the parents' heads.
My own space apart from the babble of the internet
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
What Day Is It?
I was checking Facebook this morning before heading out to swim and was reminded it's the birthday of my cousin's daughter. She's five today, which is exciting, but then I remembered that her birthday is the same day as our wedding anniversary!
I kind of forgot we even have an anniversary. I looked at Ian and said, "Hey! Happy Anniversary!" and he looked surprised and then smiled and said, "Oh yeah!"
Then we took a moment to do the math and realized it's been 18 years. We are a whole-legal-to-vote-person-amount of married. Kind of cool!
I remember years ago in college my family threw me a surprise birthday party one year, but since I obviously didn't know about it I started the day feeling disappointed that nothing special was happening. I was just going with Ian to my grandma's house for dinner the way we did every Sunday. But then I realized that what was an ordinary kind of day for me was better than what many people get for a special occasion, and I had a lot to be happy about on my birthday. And then, of course, I got to be super extra happy anyway when we pulled up to grandma's and realized everyone had gathered there.
But I never forgot that genuine sense of contentment and joy that I came to just thinking about how good I have it in my day to day life. Today's anniversary is like that. I love my marriage. I like it just the way it is day to day. I don't need the super extra happy to enjoy it. Big gestures and special things can be fun and exciting from time to time, but I wouldn't trade that for how nice my life is in general at its most ordinary.
My husband spent the day doing all manner of things to keep our household running smoothly and to make our lives better. I hope I was as helpful to him. I think we're a good team. (Even if we're not good at remembering to, you know, check the calendar sometimes.)
I kind of forgot we even have an anniversary. I looked at Ian and said, "Hey! Happy Anniversary!" and he looked surprised and then smiled and said, "Oh yeah!"
Then we took a moment to do the math and realized it's been 18 years. We are a whole-legal-to-vote-person-amount of married. Kind of cool!
I remember years ago in college my family threw me a surprise birthday party one year, but since I obviously didn't know about it I started the day feeling disappointed that nothing special was happening. I was just going with Ian to my grandma's house for dinner the way we did every Sunday. But then I realized that what was an ordinary kind of day for me was better than what many people get for a special occasion, and I had a lot to be happy about on my birthday. And then, of course, I got to be super extra happy anyway when we pulled up to grandma's and realized everyone had gathered there.
But I never forgot that genuine sense of contentment and joy that I came to just thinking about how good I have it in my day to day life. Today's anniversary is like that. I love my marriage. I like it just the way it is day to day. I don't need the super extra happy to enjoy it. Big gestures and special things can be fun and exciting from time to time, but I wouldn't trade that for how nice my life is in general at its most ordinary.
My husband spent the day doing all manner of things to keep our household running smoothly and to make our lives better. I hope I was as helpful to him. I think we're a good team. (Even if we're not good at remembering to, you know, check the calendar sometimes.)
Monday, June 15, 2015
On Not Drinking
I don't drink. I've never had a drink. I have no interest in drinking.
This is just a regular fact of my life, so I don't give it much thought, but a little while back on a long drive with a cousin she asked me "Why not?" and I had to provide an answer. It's interesting to try to explain something about yourself that you don't usually articulate, and it's easy to forget that something that is normal for you is different for other people. I forget that drinking for many people is a common experience, so in case anyone is curious about a slightly different perspective, here's mine.
This is just a regular fact of my life, so I don't give it much thought, but a little while back on a long drive with a cousin she asked me "Why not?" and I had to provide an answer. It's interesting to try to explain something about yourself that you don't usually articulate, and it's easy to forget that something that is normal for you is different for other people. I forget that drinking for many people is a common experience, so in case anyone is curious about a slightly different perspective, here's mine.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Latin Lessons
After almost four years we are finally getting around to Latin lessons for Quinn.
I'm not sure why he's always wanted to learn Latin, but back in 2011 to distract him from his impending tonsillectomy, I ordered him a copy of Latin is Fun online and he was really excited.
The problem was I didn't know Latin, and I wasn't qualified to teach him. We got him other materials (he even has a copy of The Cat in the Hat in Latin), but without someone to guide us with accepted pronunciation we were kind of lost. Latin wound up on the back burner, and there is always so much else to do it was easy to keep it there.
But I recently had a conversation with a friend who has a son the same age as Quinn who is learning ancient Greek, and he recommended we contact the Classics Department at the local university in order to find a tutor. Turns out the same man teaches both Greek and Latin and was happy to fit in Quinn for lessons. We've had two lessons so far and it's been a lot of fun.
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| Quinn, age 4, excited about his new book |
The problem was I didn't know Latin, and I wasn't qualified to teach him. We got him other materials (he even has a copy of The Cat in the Hat in Latin), but without someone to guide us with accepted pronunciation we were kind of lost. Latin wound up on the back burner, and there is always so much else to do it was easy to keep it there.
But I recently had a conversation with a friend who has a son the same age as Quinn who is learning ancient Greek, and he recommended we contact the Classics Department at the local university in order to find a tutor. Turns out the same man teaches both Greek and Latin and was happy to fit in Quinn for lessons. We've had two lessons so far and it's been a lot of fun.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Book of Mormon
