New Job and Old Professors

Aloha everyone!

So this concludes the second week at my new job alone. :) I really like it a lot. I have a ton to do, and it's nice to be busy. I think that the only complaint I have is that I need a better chair. I might just get my own chair, but we'll see. I'll talk to my boss about it later next week.

So, I was thinking about my blog, and I realized that I am in the middle of a blog challenge! Hahahaha! I can't believe that I forgot! So, here it is.

Day 7 - Least Favorite Professor

©Michael Greenholt All Rights Reserved Unless Otherwise Noted Harry Potter Characters and Names ©J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers

I think that my least favorite professor would be Professor Umbridge. I literally hate her. I don't know if it is possible to hate a fictional character, but I do. Just the fact that she was so prejudiced against magical creatures, and her haughtiness makes me really really dislike her. Plus, she was RUBBISH as a teacher. I cheered out loud when the centaurs and Fred and George showed her what's what. I just totally hated her.. . and still do. I think the only redeeming quality she had was her love for cats…although I think that is just because I imagine that she looks somewhat like that angry cat from internet memes. ;)

See?! Exactly alike!

Well, I need to head off to bed. This week has been pretty awesome. I have decided that I want to start working out next week... I think I'll mostly do walking, stretching, some yoga maybe...who knows. :) I leave you with a commercial that I watch when I want to get PUMPED! Of course I would never be influenced to watch this because of my new job or anything... ;)

It's ALIVE!

Yes. It is true. I am still alive! Haha!

I know it has been quite a while since I've written anything, and I'm not sure if anyone still reads blogs anymore, but I just had a lot on my mind and felt like I needed to get it off my chest. Here is what I imagine all of you saying:

So much has been going on, and I don't even know where to begin. I guess the first thing I'll talk about is my Dad. A few weeks ago he had what is called a grand mal seizure. It's the worst kind of seizure that there is, and it was pretty scary for all of us. We still don't know what the cause was or what exactly we can do about it other than medication...so yeah. I guess that is the least complicated of all the stuff going on.

I also got a new full-time job. It has been such a relief to get something full-time, and I'm glad that I have it. I think I have realized that I like to have down time, and having a shift-type job (instead of a regular 9-5 type) basically means that I have no life. I have also decided that I need to do more creative things. I have stopped doing things really creative in the past 5 years, and I realized that I need creativity in my life in order to feel relaxed and centered. It has been a while since I have even thought of an entirely creative endeavor, so I am really excited about it! :)

Next is I am tired of being overweight. I know that I am in control of this, and I am trying to be better about what I eat and not to be so sedentary all the time. I think as my schedule starts to even out that I will be able to find a good balance. My biggest problem is motivation. I can't find anything that motivates me. I will start working out or start on a new eating regimen, but as soon as my resolve is tested I cave. It is so frustrating. I need to definitely work on self-mastery, but I don't even know where to start. I can get it together in all other aspects of my life, but for some reason this is the one that is eluding me. It is so frustrating. Health is something that I cherish, but when it comes to weight loss, I don't know where to start. I'm working on it, but it is hard to go it alone. I know I'm not alone, but yeah...

I have also been more lonely than usual lately. I am typically really good at managing my loneliness. Most people don't even know that I feel lonely. However, more often lately I have been missing having romantic love in my life. It's silly that at the time I feel I am most repugnant, that I am longing for love more than I ever have. Maybe my self confidence is a result of that feeling. I'm worried about feeling like this because I am prone to lash out at people.

I have been reading this blog called 40 Days of Dating. It is a study of two friends with opposite relationship issues that decide to date for 40 days and see how it changes them. I won't ruin it for those of you that want to go and read it, but I have to say that it really opened my eyes. I have a lot of issues and if I learned anything from the study, it is that I need to seek out professional help. I self-sabotage in my personal relationships and goals, and go as far as to cutting off potential relationships (no matter how remote the chances) because I am scared of being hurt or abandoned.

If I could go off on a religious tangent, I think that it is very applicable here. I was at a friend's ward today and the Bishop of the ward was speaking. His talk was so amazing, and there was so much that he said that directly related to me. However, the thing that I have been turning over and over in my mind is, "Receiving remission for your sins and retaining a remission for your sins are two different things. You receive remission of your sins through repentance, but you retain a remission for your sins through service." I feel like I have been so full of doubt, fear, anger, guilt, and just plain unhappiness that it has crowded out the Spirit of peace and joy in my life. Service is something that i truly enjoy, but rarely am able to find the opportunity for. I have been thinking a lot about volunteering on a semi-regular basis somewhere. I think the service would help me to be better in my own life.

Okay. I'll finish here because I need to hit the hay. If you read the whole post, THANKS! If not, it's all good. Here is a song to get you going. :)

Teachers and Unicorns

Aloha!

Today has been a LONG day, and I am currently supposed to be writing a paper, but I have writers block, so I figured blogging would help. We'll see I guess. :)  

Day 6 - Favorite Professor

This is a hard question because as I have never been to any wizarding school (shocking, I know), I want to learn EVERYTHING!

If I have to choose just one, I would say my favorite professor was Remus Lupin. I am a kinetic learner--meaning I learn by doing. I found his teaching methods to be highly effective. And, let's be honest--the students at Hogwarts never learned as much in one year in Defense Against the Dark Arts as when Remus was professor. (This is of course not counting when Harry taught them, as he was not an official professor, but more of a club president. Along this note, was anyone else disappointed when Harry became an Auror instead of a teacher? I just always thought he would be better suited in a teaching role. He did so well!)

Learning has always been a passion of mine, but can you imagine learning magic? Like actual magic, and it isn't like satanism or whatever weird stuff there is out there. I just think a world with magic would be so awesome. Of course the responsibility of it all would bring the other side of things.

I have always said that there cannot be light without darkness. You couldn't have a world with incredible and fantastic magic without having incredible darkness as well. I don't think that there is another lesson in Harry Potter that I learned as well as along with that incredible power is also responsibility, and when that responsibility is misused, horrible things can happen.

We can see evidence of the misuse of power anytime the news is on. I actually try to avoid news because it makes me so sad, but like Martin Luther King Jr. said, "nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." I guess I better choose something other than ignorance. Haha.

Anyway, I am really starting to worry about my talk on Sunday. I can't say that I have really started writing anything, but I think about it almost every hour. Haha. I'll start on it tomorrow, it's late.

Well dears, that is all for now. I will leave you with this. It is one of my favorite lullabies.

Pillows!

Just an FYI--this post has a real spoiler alert (Like they all don't--Haha!) But, if you haven't read the books, this could actually sort of ruin the series for you. I recommend skipping this post and reading the next one. ;)

Day 5 - Saddest Moment

I know that I may be agreeing with the majority here, but the saddest part of the Harry Potter series was when Dumbledore died. I don't think that I have ever cried that much over a book…even when I read Where the Red Fern Grows. Dumbledore was a huge part of why I loved the books, and I was devastated when he died. I understand why he died and what purpose it served in the long haul, but he will always be one of the ultimate heroes in the book to me.

Things have been sort of crazy lately. I haven't been able to sleep, which I think has a lot to do with my pillow. I really want an Alpaca pillow! (LINK) Look at that thing! It is magnificent!!! I have to admit that I have a thing about pillows. I have like 7 of them, but I am always on the lookout for better pillows! If you have any suggestions, let me know!!! I am a stomach and side sleeper. IDK if that matters, but yeah.

Well, that is it. I hope you re all doing well! I actually get the chance to speak in church on Sunday. I am WAY nervous about it, but I'm sure it will end up okay.

I leave you with a "Harlem Shake" video. SUPER hilarious and random! :)

Knock You Down

Woo Hoo!

I'm posting more than once in a week! Aren't you so proud of me??? Anyway--here is the HP Challenge:


Day 4 - Favorite Villain

Favorite villain, huh? Well, I have a few, but I'll do what I did last time and pick one from the books and one from the movie.

From the books, my favorite villain is Rita Skeeter. I completely hated her in the book. I was so indignant at how she portrayed Harry, and was outraged at how heartless she was! I know that she was not the most evil of the villains in the book, but just the fact that she was lying to the public and they believed her mad em so upset while reading the books. She got hers though.

In the movies, my favorite villain is Snape for sure. Aside from the amazing story that surrounds the character (is he REALLY a villain???), I LOVED Alan Rickman in the role. He did an amazing job of portraying Snape. I loved to hate him! Haha!

Villains in Harry Potter are almost as important as the heroes in the story. Harry would not have grown to be the man he was at the end if it weren't for the Dursley's, Snape, Rita, Voldemort, Wormtail, Greyback, Bellatrix, and everyone else. Those people helped to shape the world that Harry became the hero of just as much as the good guys.

It's the same with our lives. Would I have been happier without some of the villains in my life? Yes. Would I be the person I am today without them? No. I may have become more than I am, but I am happy with where I am in life and what I have accomplished.

I was bullied a lot in high school by a group of people that I considered my closest friends. I won't lie by telling you that I am completely over it, but I do know that I went my own way and have found success on my own terms.

When you are different or special, people can get jealous or angry because you are outshining them. People often will try to knock you down or take what is special about you away. It's hard to stand up to that...especially when you can't see the world past the hate surrounding you. However, I would encourage you to see the world for the beauty that is there. You are special. You are wonderful. Don't let anyone take that away from you. You don't have to be the same as the people around you to find happiness. You can rise above it all and find real joy. Shine the way you are. Things get better. :)

Well, that's it for today. I really hope that you have a fantastic weekend. I was on YouTube the other day and found something that will make some of you smile... :) It is AMAZING!!

On and on

It's a Tuesday, and a post by my good friend Carol reminded me that I needed to blog today. Here is the HP Challenge--

Day 3 - Favorite Character

These are pretty tough! Haha!!! I love everyone in the book. They were written so well...but if I had to choose a character in the book (no movie influence) that is my favorite, it would probably be Hermione. She is the most loyal friend to Harry, and she is amazingly smart and clever. I'm actually surprised that she is in Gryffindor House because she fits the profile of Ravenclaw much better. However, I guess if she was in Ravenclaw that she wouldn't have been able to be a part of Harry's crazy world. You have to wonder if the reason she was sorted into Gryffindor is due to the fact that her, Ron, and Harry's destinies were intertwined. Wouldn't that be cool if the sorting hat knew what would happen and placed Hermione, Ron, and Harry together intentionally, so they could save the planet from Voldemort? It is an interesting thought...

With movie influence, I would say that my favorite is Neville (aka Matt Lewis). Aside from the fact that he came out of the movies the best looking of all of those guys--he was freaking amazing in the movies. It takes a skilled actor to make you think he is a loser, and then flip it on you and become a stud. Seriously. I thought for sure that he was super lame, and that he could/would be replaced later in the movie series...boy was I wrong!!! Haha! He is freaking beautiful!

I also LOVED the first Dumbledore in the movies. He was so loveable and a sweet old man. When they changed directors, I always had the feeling that there was a darkness surrounding Dumbledore's character. Adversely, in the books (even as a darkness actually DID start surrounding Dumbledore), I always felt he was a beacon of light, hope, and positivity. It is interesting how that came across to me--as I am sure many people have completely different opinions.

Anyway, things are pretty cool here.I work, go home and do school...Not really a lot to report. Oh, actually--I do have something! A couple friends and I became screeners for a locally run documentary film festival (www.docutah.com). We are starting tonight, so I'm pretty excited!

Thanks for reading and tolerating my obsession for the Harry Potter series. As a reward, I leave you with this:

Whew!

Well, this week has been crazy. Aside from battling procrastination (which is an hourly battle, let me tell you...) I have had to do school, been doing some side jobs, and have been busy doing regular work too! Hehe! It's all good. I like to be busy. It's tiring, but I figure I'll sleep when I'm dead. I'm also sort of not excited about today's challenge, but here it is:

Day 2 - Least Favorite Book in the Series

Book 2 for sure (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). I have never liked book 2 as much as I like the others. I can't really put my finger on why. It is just...not my favorite at all.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. I have an awesome wedding to go to, and it's exciting. :) Anyway, have a great weekend and I'll see you on the flippity flop!

Late, Late, Late...

Hi!!!

I know. I'm late. If you know me at all, I am usually. However, I can honestly say that this time I was legitimately busy with school and work. Anywho moving right along.

LET THE HARRY POTTER CHALLENGE BEGIN!

Day 1 - Favorite Book in the Series
Whoo! Hitting it hard right out of the gate, huh? This is a super tough question. I totally love the entire series, but I think probably book 4 is my favorite (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).

The tri-wizard tournament is such a great platform to introduce the scope of the wizarding world. Plus, I really think that it is the first time Harry feels the weight of who he is and what he is capable of for the first time in the series. I love the Hermione/Ron dynamic in the book and how Ron is incredibly jealous of Viktor Krum, but cannot admit it. I just really really love the book and think it's super fun.

As I'm thinking about it, I also enjoyed the fact that it was sort of before Harry started brooding over the fact that he has to save the world. It's still a semi-innocent time for him in that he is just emerging out of his naivete into a world that is much darker and intense than he expects. I also loved how long it was. This was the first SUPER long book in the series and I just couldn't/can't get enough!!!

My favorite line from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is...well, I have a few. Here is the one I found the funniest:

"Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers. "I'm not putting them on," said old Archie in indignation. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."

Here is the most inspiring:

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

And the most quintessentially Hogwarts:

"By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Raven claw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition."

I'm not sure if I told you that I am a part of Pottermore. It's super fun because you get a wand, and you get sorted into a house... IDK. Maybe I'm just a huge nerd... ;) Anyway, I was sorted into the Hufflepuff house. At first I was OUTRAGED. Seriously. How could I be in Hufflepuff when I was so OBVIOUSLY a Gryffindor?  I mean, really? C'mon Jo Rowling. Hehe.

However, after doing some reading on Hufflepuff on and off the Pottermore site, I realized that I am a Hufflepuff. Here is some light reading on the Harry Potter wiki on what Hufflepuffs are: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Hufflepuff

And Jo (aka J.K. Rowling...did you know we're on a first name basis?) herself said this of Hufflepuff House:

"This may surprise people, but it is the truth...In many, many ways, Hufflepuff is my favorite House. Here's my reasoning, bear with me. There comes a point in the final book where each House has the choice whether or not to rise to a certain challenge, and that's everyone in the House. The Slytherins, for reasons that are understandable, decide they'd rather not play. The Ravenclaws, some decide they will, and some decide they won't. The Hufflepuffs, virtually to a person, stay, as do the Gryffindors. Now, the Gryffindors comprise a lot of foolhardy and show-offy people, that's just the way it is, I'm a Gryffindor, I'm allowed to say it. You know, there's bravery, and there's also showboating, and sometimes the two go together. The Hufflepuffs stayed for a different reason; they weren't trying to show off, they weren't being reckless, that's the essence of Hufflepuff House. [...] I can only say to you, that I would not be at all disappointed to be sorted into Hufflepuff House."

I hope I'm not coming off as defensive. I merely want to educate you on Hufflepuff House...which is actually why I love Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the most...because it is the only book that has a Hufflepuff in the spotlight--Cedric Diggory. :) Growing up I had the HUGEST crush on him. Yes, he was a bit thick...but he was loyal and had integrity. Way to represent Cedric.

So, that's it for today. I'm not sure if the Harry Potter Challenge will be a daily thing, but I am going to try to post when I can (or more accurately when I remember...sorry!). For now, I leave you with a little bit of my own magic. :)

New Year

Wow. This is incredibly late, but...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hehe. Better late than never is my motto. ;)

Anyway--how have ya been? Hopefully your New Year has been incredible so far. Mine has been good...there has been foreshadowing for how tough this year will be for me, but I look forward to it. I think I've come to the conclusion that I operate at my best when there is a little adversity going on.

I am turning 29 this year which happens on the 29th of March. People call it your star year or golden year or whatever. I think with all the stress and craziness that I can foresee that something incredible will come of it.

One of my resolutions this year is getting better at journaling my life. I am doing this in a couple of ways: through and actual journal--yes, these still exist; through an app I Kickstarted called 1 Second Everyday; and through this blog.

Last year I feel like I was not as positive as I could have been on this thing. Most of my struggles in the last year have been personal in nature, and I have used this as an outlet for sure. However, THIS YEAR I am planning on taking it to the next level. You all take the time to read what I have to say, so I will make sure that it is fun and quirky...just like I typically am!

Moving right along...

If you know me at all, you know that I love to read. I get VERY involved in the storyline. I don't know if "involved" is really even a strong enough word...but I can't think of anything else yet. So, like Harry Potter... I LOVE Harry Potter. I wish Jo Rowling could write that story forever. It doesn't even have to be books either. Like Dr. Who. I started watching the more recent seasons... I freaking LOVE that show man. Anyway. Harry Potter. I am literally addicted to it. I love it more than life. I am a part of this cool website called Pottermore--which actually perpetuates the story and creates a more robust imaginary world surrounding it (like I needed it)...but yeah. Love it. 

SO--a part of this year is going to be a 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge. :) You guys get to actually see in real life how crazy for the books I am and why. ;) I am pretty serious about it, so there may be philosophical stuff going on... IDK yet. I'm not sure where it will take us, but know this--it will be amazing. I'll start it tomorrow, but here are the days if anyone wants to follow suit:

30 DAY HARRY POTTER CHALLENGE

Day 1 - Favorite Book in the Series

Day 2 - Least Favorite Book in the Series

Day 3 - Favorite Character

Day 4 - Favorite Villain

Day 5 - Saddest Moment

Day 6 - Favorite Professor

Day 7 - Least Favorite Professor

Day 8 - Favorite Subject

Day 9 - Least Favorite Subject

Day 10 - Favorite Shop in Diagon Alley

Day 11 - Most Beautiful Character

Day 12 - Most Missed Dead Character

Day 13 - Favorite Book Cover

Day 14 - Favorite Tri-Wizard Tournament Challenge

Day 15 - Rate the Houses From Most to Least Favorite

Day 16 - Favorite Animagus

Day 17 - Favorite Unforgivable Curse

Day 18 - Favorite Horcrux

Day 19 - Favorite Deathly Hallow

Day 20 - Funniest Moment

Day 21 - Most Emotional Moment

Day 22 - Aspired Quidditch Position

Day 23 - Favorite Patronus

Day 24 - What You Think Your Patronus Would Be

Day 25 - Favorite Dursley

Day 26 - Favorite Wand

Day 27 - Favorite Magical Ability (Animagi Transformation, Metamorphmagi, Parselmouth, Flying, Seer, Appartion and Disapparition, Legilimency and Occlumency, Veela Charm, Magical Resistance)

Day 28 - Favorite Death Eater

Day 29 - Favorite Portrait

Day 30 - Favorite Spell