This book was very helpful, informative and uplifting. Each chapter is about a different skill you can develop in relation to the Holy Ghost. It is easy to read and full of good quotes and useful scriptures. At the end of each chapter is an assignment you can do on your own to develop the skill talked about. It took me longer to read this book than normal because I wanted to really do each activity. There are lots of stories, examples and practical advice in each chapter to help you improve your relationship with the Holy Ghost and improve your listening ear. The book is not too long but it is full of good things. I enjoyed reading it and felt like it helped me a lot.

Whisperings of the Spirit at Amazon.com

The new Fringe episode, And Those We've Left Behind, made me think of the 2nd season episode White Tulip. And Those We've Left Behind is like White Tulip in that someone wants to change time to get their loved one back, and they end up killing others in the process. In the end of both these episodes they find they can accept things as they originally happened and love their spouses like they are (by dying with them, or by caring for their Alzheimer’s self). Walter was the same in that he couldn’t accept what time first gave him in Peter’s death; he wanted to change the universe to travel to an alternate world and get a new son.

Loop #1 for Peter in And Those We've Left Behind

 

 

 

 

 

Loop #2 for Peter in And Those We've Left Behind

The time jumps with Peter and the Greens in this episode were not linear but more circular like in White Tulip. A machine is used to go back to the same place again and again, that is where the loops develop. For example; two different things happen in the same situation. He examines the train area then they drive away verses his he touches car then appears back in their driving vehicle. Like in White Tulip each time loop adds on to the previous loop and also takes the place of the previous loop; like the book having the writing from before plus a little more, or the Dr. Peck gaining more Faraday implants each time. I’ve made a diagram of the time loops.

 

 

Loop #1 for the Greens in And Those We've Left Behind

Right before Loop #2 in And Those We've Left Behind

 

The Fringe Report made a diagram of the time loop in White Tulip. You can read about it here, or see their podcast about the episode here.

The Time Loop in White Tulip.

 

I got my Fringe episode pictures here.

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Cordelia’s Honor is my favorite book. I just read it again recently and I still love it.

Here is my review:

Enemies have to join sides to save themselves and everything dear to them. This is a book full of adventure, love, politics, war, relationships, and wonderful characters. The writing style is easy to read, enjoyable and clever. I just read this one again. My 6th time, yet I still had to stay up all night to finish. I love it. Cordelia is my favorite character not just in science fiction but in all fiction. I love seeing how she thinks and what she does. That is why I’ve read these books so many times. She is strong and smart and empathetic and feminine and resourceful. I can relate to her and want to be her.

The book is a compilation of two books: Shards of Honor and Barrayar. But the stories fit together smoothly with the same characters in each and the second book taking place right after the first one. Barrayar won the Hugo Award for best novel.

Here is the description from The Science Fiction Book Club:

“On a mission for Beta Colony, Cmdr. Cordelia Naismith is thrust into a trial by fire when aggressors from Barrayar level her base. Captured by the infamous Vorkosigan, she has no hope of survival. But Vorkosigan is a brave and honorable man—an old-style aristocrat with treacherous enemies. Forced to make peace with him, Cordelia will become an outcast on her own planet...and the Lady Vorkosigan on his.
On Barrayar, Cordelia is ready to settle down...until the Emperor dies, and Aral becomes guardian of the infant heir to the throne. Soon, he's the target of assassins who fight with bio-war technology in a dynastic civil war. And neither Aral nor Cordelia guess the part their cell-damaged unborn will play in Barrayar's bloody history.”

***

The book is easy to find online or in bookstores, or as an audiobook. You can also find the two books separately if you’d like.

At Amazon: Cordelias Honor Omnibus

At Audible.com Shards of Honor Barrayar

There are several printings of the individual novels with different covers. You can view them below.

Lois McMaster Bujold is one of my favorite authors and I love all of her books. I got to meet her in 2009 at the Dragon*Con Science Fiction convention in Atlanta and she is a great person too.

Here she is signing my books.

There are some nice videos of her interviews and a Q&A she did on Youtube. She has a blog and a webpage that are great to look at.

Her official webpage: http://www.dendarii.com/

Her Blog on myspace.com

Videos on Youtube.com

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The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance By Elna Baker

Added Oct 30th 2011:

Just decide what is important to you, and live your life and don’t freak out.

I was thinking about this book in the last few weeks. And I have some more thoughts to share. While reading the book and now thinking back on it the girl who is telling the story, she seems very young. In the book she is 20-24 and I was 28 as I read it. Many times many of her problems and worries seemed like ones all young college students have or worries I had and had worked through or let go of. After I turned 24 and was still a single Mormon girl I decided to not worry and just trust marriage would just happen when it happened. I can’t force some things so I’d just do the good things I could and go on with life.

In the book she seems to spend  a lot of her time trying to live up to stereotypes or live down stereotypes that she thinks apply to her or may apply to her. She was fighting to follow these outside motivations instead of finding her own internal personal motivation; choosing what is important and precious to her and going forward. She wavers many times in this. This is part of the struggle to become an adult, which seems to be one of the ideas in the book, and that I mentioned prevouly. What she learned or gained from all her experiences is not told to us plainly in the book, so we have to see what we can get from the situations she shares with us.

Some of the themes are ones I mentioned about the struggle to grow to adulthood, or to decide if our childhood faith will be the faith of our adulthood, also the idea that life can be crazy and we just have to keep on keeping on.

Wrote on June 29th 2010

You don’t stop growing once you are 18. Becoming an adult is a process, becoming who you are, knowing who you really are is a process; with a learning curve, failed tests, excitements, awesome events, and questions, and confusion. This story was about a girl becoming a woman, a person learning who she is, what she wants, how she thinks, and what she believes. This was a story about stereotypes and preconceived notions. Stereotypes the world has of us and stereotypes we have of ourselves. The ones we try to deny and the ones we try to fulfill. About women, Mormons, single people, men, sisters, overweight people, boyfriends, pretty people, artists, couples, parents, girlfriends, sex, faith, fame, family, happy endings, choices, fairy tales, careers, the real world and life and adulthood.

This is a story of a person growing into herself and changing and seeing her past and hoping for the future, optimistic yet not sure at the same time. It is an honest and compelling story. It is easy to read, yet also hard to read. I see her life and can relate to her with alacrity yet it is hard to feel all those things we don’t know we feel. It was like me and my life but slightly different, or more like me than I’d like to admit. It was all the things that run through your mind but never say out loud. What we all think but never say.
I stayed up to 7 am to finish the book. I wanted to turn the pages and read more, yet also feared what might happen next. It was a book I’m glad I read, and one I am still processing.

My Shelfari page: http://www.shelfari.com/heatherg

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003F76C7A/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=elna+baker
http://www.shelfari.com/books/5493582/The-New-York-Regional-Mormon-Singles-Halloween-Dance



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Margo Cooper – Scientist!

Margo Cooper fell in love with astronomy as a child and that love only grew. Her dream was to see far away stars and planets not our own. She dedicated her time to preparing for the space exploration mission she dreamed of. She was ready when it happened.

Margo Cooper is a dedicated student of astronomy and physics. She works hard to lean all the skills she needs to someday work at NASA or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her dreams of joining an outer space or planetary exploration mission keep her energized and focused. She is one of very few in her field and she means to excel.

You can download the eBook at Smashwords for only $1.99 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/97342

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Time to get ready

“FOX has issued the first two videos in a brand new Fringe Web Series — “Past + Present + Future.”

Narrated by John Noble, the series streamlines the overarching mythology for those yet to take an intrepid dip, while containing value for dedicated fans.” source

The links for all 12 videos are on this page. Watched together they form a kind of recap video and summary of the story. They are all very well done and interesting to watch.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future"

“An introduction to the epic and emotional tale of Fringe, narrated by series star John Noble.”

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- A Tragic Past"

“Walter Bishop does the unthinkable to save his son Peter, in the second installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.”

“There are 12 videos in the series, with two being released every week day through to the 16th.”  Watch at Fox.com

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- A Tale Of Two Walters" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M60dkkuYLf0&feature=colike Walter's actions have very different repercussions for he and his alternate, in the third installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- Fringe Takes Flight" http://youtu.be/v-vLxOlbZ1I Olivia Dunham is pulled into the world of Fringe Division, in the fourth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. 

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- Echoes Of The Past"  http://youtu.be/dXw4b76GClk  it is discovered that many of the Fringe cases have connections to Walter's past work, in the fifth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- The Other Side" http://youtu.be/fTzWV40FS6U  Fringe Division in the alternate universe is in an epic race against time, in the sixth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- Over There"  http://youtu.be/mr5ChoH-KIE  Walter & Olivia cross over to the alternate universe in the hopes of rescuing Peter, in the seventh installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- A Double Agent"  http://youtu.be/3Q-HJw9EF8s  Our Olivia is trapped over there, while their Olivia takes her place over here, In the eighth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future.  

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- The Journey Home"  http://youtu.be/7VpP8gQjTLo  The two Olivia's are each desperate to find their way back home, in the ninth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- Facing Destiny"   http://youtu.be/qZJp9gqfxBg  Peter faces his true destiny and risks everything to save our world, in the tenth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- The Future is Now"  http://youtu.be/06s6q9sg0aM  Peter finds himself fifteen years into the future, in the eleventh installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

FRINGE - "Past + Present + Future -- A Different Choice"   http://youtu.be/4_Gw2gYgniA  Walter and Peter are desperate to change future events, in the twelfth installment of Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

Recaps of all Fringe episodes are here.

The lovely River Song showed up again in the latest episode of Doctor Who. (Let’s Kill Hitler) It was fun and crazy and wonderful. I made some screen caps of River Song from the episode. There is not too many but feel free to look at them and take them and use them however. You can find them here.

 

Here are some preview pics for you to look at:

The Safety Kids series of albums are educational songs for children written by Janeen Brady. There is one on Personal Safety, Drug Safety and this album on Pornography Safety. It explains things in an easy to understand way and has catchy songs. The songs are set in a story with dialog of kids at a Safety Kids meeting. In the playlist online, like on the CD, I have the songs as they are in the program and then the songs only with no dialog before or after them.

You can buy the CD’s here. They each come with a coloring activity book as seen below.

 

I saw the The Tree of Life today and enjoyed it very much. I went to the matinee showing and there were only six other people besides me in the little local theatre. They all were completely silent while watching the film; except in the last third of the movie the old man in front of me was sniffing and whipping his face, and a couple that left in the end credits quietly whispered to each other. I left the movie feeling calm, refreshed, happy and contemplative. I walked home in the sunshine and summer breeze without turning on my phone or checking the time.

What is this movie about? This was not an entertainment movie, more like an educational film or an inspirational film. In many ways it was like going to an art gallery or a museum or a symphony: with time to see and hear things and also time to think over each piece and form your own thoughts about it. It was beautiful. In one way it can be described in a line that the father says to his sons in the movie. “Subjective: it means it comes from your own head, your own idea, it can’t be proven.” It is also in the line said by the grandmother. “We all move on, everything changes, nothing stays the same.” And it can also be described in the mother’s words about “Nature versus Grace.” The idea of our duel impulses of hate and destruction or love and creation.

The movie is a contemplation on life, the natural world, and the divine in the setting of family life and growing up. We are given many chances to think during the film because there not a lot of dialog or distractions. All the music is classical, instrumental, hymns or opera. In between scenes of the characters in the family we see scenes of nature on our world or the wonder of outer space and the stars. In these we get a chance to feel and think what the family is thinking and feeling. We also get to have our own memories and connections come into our minds.

The movie uses lots of imagery as symbols. The sun and sky, trees and growing things, and water: rivers, lakes, and oceans. It made me think of the water cycle; clouds that rain, flowing water, then evaporation: constant change that also repeats; water that feeds plants, plants that reach for the sun. Water is the universal solvent, a force of erosion and change. Water also holds the life of oceans and of the cells in our bodies. This imagery is also like the stars in the galaxies; the creation of planets and suns in the ocean of the universe. Change in sudden and mighty ways or gradually like the growing of a tree. It made me think of God our Father in Heaven and Creator and also think of the idea of Mother Earth and Father Sky.

 

This movie is very personal and real. Less like watching a narrative and more like reading journal entries, hearing whispered prayers and reading thoughts while eating dinner or walking down the street. Not all of it is chronological, just like our memories and daydreams also pick and choose and jump around. We know these people; the disappointments in a career and life, learning about mortality and trust, losing your innocence, joyful play as a family and little rivalries and competitions. We know about chores, seeing our parents fight, our first crush, helping our mom, running down the street and seeing ourselves grow and seeing how we are and how we act. We know this family because we have also seen or done these same things. That is why the times of contemplation in the midst of the movie give you something to recall and to consider. No names for people are said until the middle of the movie so you can imagine the people as anyone, as yourself. I’m sure each of the other people in the theatre with me thought something different - yet something very the same.

I had thought about seeing this movie but had delayed. I went after a friend of mine saw it and liked it and said she’d like to see it again. I’d also like to see it again.

This movie is rated PG-13 but has no swearing or gore or sex, so young children would be alright seeing it. The only question is how much they would understand, enjoy and be able to sit still for.

I recommend this movie for all. It was a wonderful way to spend a quiet afternoon and inform my weekend.

Doris Murphy in A League of Their Own says, “I was always made fun of because I played ball, like I was weird, but after seeing all of you I can see it’s alright.”

I watched this movie recently and it made me think of other movies I’ve seen of amazing and inspiring women. When we see their stories, real or fiction, it makes us feel good, it makes us feel energized, and it makes us proud to be a woman.

I have put down some of my favorite movies about wonderful women. I recommend all of them to you. Also let me know your favorite female films and why they make you feel good to be a woman.

 

A League of Their Own -1992 PG 128 min. Stars Geena Davis as Dottie Hinson and Lori Petty as Kit Keller. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/

I finally saw this movie and wished I’d seen it sooner. It was enjoyable and inspiring; one I want to own and watch with my future daughters. I can not only tell them “This is a movie about women baseball players.” But “these things really happened.” It was a great look at what kind of women played the sport and how they are not so different from all of us.

 

Contact – 1997 PG 150 min. Stars Jodie Foster as Dr. Ellie Arroway. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118884/

This was a movie that I love and it inspired me as a teen. Ellie works hard to succeed in a male dominated field and has the passion to do it. The story of picking up radio signals from outer space in very interesting and I enjoyed it. The movie may be fiction but Ellie’s intelligence and determination were very real. Based on the book by Carl Sagan.

 

Warrior Queen – 2003 PG13 98 min. Stars Alex Kingston as Boudica. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338806/

I enjoyed the whole movie and especially the character of Boudica. It’s 100 AD she has to unite the native tribes of Britain to fight off the invading Romans. She was a determined and fierce leader and you can empathies with her struggle to keep her land and way of life. An interesting and engaging story and a look at a part of history I’m not as familiar with. I recently discovered this film and I recommend it.

 

Nim’s Island – 2008 PG 96 min. Stars Abigail Breslin as Nim Rusoe and Jodie Foster as Alexandra Rover. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410377/

This is a lovely story about a smart and independent girl and a woman who overcomes her fears in order to help a friend. I enjoyed the whole film as an adventure, comedy and a story of friendship.

 

Temple Grandin – 2010 PG 103 Min. Stars Claire Danes as Temple Grandin and Julia Ormond as Eustacia. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1278469/

Temple loves science and learning how things work. Despite having autism she learns and becomes an expert in her field. I liked how her mother and aunt were her big supporters and helped her to do all that she could do. It is a great story about an interesting woman and the movie was very enlightening.

 

Errand of Angels – 2008 PG 91 min. Stars Erin Chambers as Sister Rachel Taylor. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1029285/

I completely enjoyed this movie. I often recommend this movie to friends and have given it as a gift as well. I felt like it really captured what life is like as a young female missionary; and how it is to live in a foreign country with people you don't always understand. This is a drama about real people, with real feelings; no crazy unbelievable things or characters.

 

Secretariat – 2010 PG 123 min. Stars Diane Lane as Penny Chenery. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028576/

Penny knows what loves and what she wants to do. Her determination is inspiring. She has to work hard balance her work and her family. It’s great to see her also encourage her daughters to also go for their dreams like she is working to do.

 

Whip It – 2009 PG13 111 min. Stars Ellen Page as Bliss Cavendar. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172233/

This is a story about growing up and finding your own passion. I loved this movie. It was exciting and touching and fun and charming. Ellen Page is great as the main character. We get to see the world of Roller Derby and all the people who are in it; fascinating. I'm glad I watched this one.

 

Joan of Arc – 1999 PG13 140 min. Stars Leelee Sobieski as Joan. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178145/

Seeing the story of Joan was very a enlightening. I loved this one more that I thought I would. It was amazing and touching. The ending brought me close to tears.