The X Files

So, I have started watching episodes of the show The X Files.  I started with season one and I just finished season three.  Now only six more seasons, and two movies to go. 

I've always loved watching tv shows and movies that deal with the supernatural, or just plain science fiction.  There is just something about the strange and the things that go bump in the night that I love.  I'm not sure what it is about these shows, or movies, that I love so much, but there is just something great about being scared.  I mean right now as I'm writing this I'm watching the movie the Ring.  Great movie.

I find myself drawn to the horror and science fiction genres like none of my friends seem to be.  This of course makes it difficult to find people to go see these movies with when they come to the theaters.  But that's ok, I usually just wait till it comes out on DVD and watch it alone in my room at night.  Great way to watch scary movies, right?

The X Files is just the classic science fiction show that changed the way shows in this genre were seen.  Now it seems every station out there has at least one show that falls within this genre.  Now back to my movie.  Happy scaring.

TNT,
Words by Ali

M~A~T~H

I just started my summer classes last week.  One English class one Math class.  I haven't taken a Math class in nearly two years, since I transfered up to the U of U.  I though since it had been so long since I had taken a Math class that this one would be fairly difficult.  It is a Trigonometry class.

I realized in the past week how much I actually like doing Math.  Not just because I find most of it easy.  I really do like doing it.  There is just somehting about solving a math problem that I find to be fun.  As long as I understand what I am doing.

I think even though I am an English major I have to keep learning Math.  It will keep my brian smart, and I find it interesting.

TNT,
Words by Ali

A Road Trip

My Mom and I just got back from a week long road trip to Arizona, and I have to admit it was some of the most fun I've had.  Certainly the most fun I've ever had with my mother, and for an extended period of time no less.

The trip down to Arizona was between 10 and 11 hours, and we did the trip in one day.  We had a great time.  Listened to music, since I brought nearly every C.D. I own, talked about just about everything, and laughed at jokes that might not have been funny in any other setting.  The most miraculous thing about it all was that we didn't argue, or fight, once on the entire 11 hour car ride.  Usually we only need to be in the car no more than ten minutes before it starts, but not that day.  I'd been praying about it before we left, and God sure came through.

The four days we spent there had a few bumps, but the majority of the time was great.  We stayed at my Grandma's house, and we spent most of our time with my sister, Katie, and nephew, Levi.  The whole reason we went was because my Mom wanted to see Levi.  That is one smart, and crazy, kid.  I'm not just saying this because he's my nephew.  He is one of the most well reasoned two year olds you will ever meet.  He's also a laugh riot, and doesn't stop for a second.

On the drive back my Mom decided to break up the drive into two days, and we spent Friday night in Las Vegas. We had just as great of a time there too.  We did some gambling, but not a lot, and didn't win a thing.  I guess that's just Vegas for you.

We finally made it home safely Saturday night.  What I learned on this trip is that my Mother and I can have an amazing time out by ourselves if we just let ourselves have fun.

TNT,
Words by Ali

Next Celebrity Obsession

Every now and again I find myself in a new celebrity obsession. Not that the previous one just disappeared, but has lessened as another starts to take its place.  It can be a band, a specific musician, or (in this case) an actor.  Which actor might it be now?  Timothy Olyphant. 

He's not new as in I just found him as an actor, because I've known about him for quite awhile.  The first movie I remember him from is the very small role of the hitchhiker from A Life Less Ordinary.  It is more that I've rediscovered how much I enjoy his movies, and his good looks.

Most recently Timothy is the star of the FX drama Justified; which is about Federal U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens who is transferred reluctantly to his small Kentucky hometown.  The second season just finished and if you haven't seen Justified you should go and see it now.  Before season three starts.

So, of course being my NCO I went online and found out all of the movies he has been in.  That way I can go watch all of the movies he has been in that i hadn't seen yet.  Or re-watch the ones I had already seen, and loved.

I had already seen Hitman, Dreamcatcher, and Live Free or Die Hard but I had no problem watching them again.  More than once.

I had no idea he was in either A Man Apart or The Perfect Getaway.  They were both good movies, especially The Perfect Getaway.  One hell of a twisted ending, that I didn't see coming until it actually happened.  That is always a sign of a good movie.

If you haven't seen any of Timothy Oyphant's movies, or if you have, go see one of his movies I've mentioned. Or one of his other movies that weren't mentioned. It'll be worth it.


TNT,
Words by Ali

To Trust God

I almost didn't go to church last night. The reason being that I have two final papers due Wednesday for my classes and I thought I was going to be way too busy working on them. Well, I ended up getting more than halfway done with the longer of the two papers and I decided I needed to go.

I'm glad I went, for one reason because there are a lot of amazing people who go there and I love hanging out with them. The other reason was because I think that is where God wanted me last night. Steele gave an amazing talk, in our Proverbs series, about Trusting God. People would think, "I'm a Christian, I believe in God. So, that means I trust God." But that doesn't necessarily mean that's true.

Trusting God is more than just you believing He is real. It's about going to God with everything in your life, good or bad. It's about prayer, praise, worship, and so much more.

• God is love.
• God is good and kind.
• God is merciful.
• God is gracious.
• God is in control.
• God is wise.
• God is powerful.
• God is everything we have ever seen that is perfect, beautiful and holy.

Knowing this about God should make everyone realize that God deserves our Trust. In everything in our lives: Past, Present, and most certainly our Future. I know God has been trying to teach me that I need to read His word more regularly, and to pray more. And that is exactly what I'm going to do. I plan to start slow and work my way up to more. Every day I'll read:

• 1 Proverb
• 1 Psalm
• 1 chapter out of the New Testament

Yes, it will take me 260 days to get through the New Testament, but it's a place to start. And for God I know it is worth it.

Praise God for He is Good!!!

TNT,

Words by Ali

The Amazing World of Books

I'm sure you all know how much I love reading. I know I've mentioned it more then once here on my blog. It's probably one of the things I love to do most. Really, there's nothing better then to sit down with a good book. It don't matter if it's a hard copy, or an e-book on my Kindle.

I've recently realized how much I also enjoy listening to audio books. It's not quite the same as actually seeing and reading a book, but there's something about it that I love. It's almost like you get a completely different side to a story you may have already heard before. You hear things that you might not have caught while reading it.

I also like the act of listening (of course this is only when the person reading the story does it right). To be able to hear the different voices for each character it's like a play. You also realize that you have been pronouncing names wrong, but still go on pronouncing it wrong cause you like it better. Or at least I do.

Moral of the story. Get the audio book for one of your favorite novels, you may be pleasantly surprised by how you enjoy listening.

TNT,
Words by Ali

My Amazing Kindle

Hey folks, long time no see. I'm up to my old tricks of being a slacker. Doesn't mean I don't have anything to say though.

I've had my Kindle E-Reader for just over two years now. Can I just say I love it. I'll be the first to admit that it's not for everyone. But for an avid reader like myself, it is a must. It makes it so much easier to give me choices on what to read without having to bring five books along. It also keeps my back pack from breaking my back. Here are a few things I'd like to say about my Kindle:

1.) I have just started subscribing to two different newspapers on the Kindle, and it makes newspaper reading and staying up on current affairs so much easier. You must know what a pain it is to have to bring a huge printed paper on a train everyday. This is certainly easier. So, I'm currently reading The Salt Lake Tribune and The Moscow Times. If you've been following my blog, or you know me, you'll know why The Moscow Times. Oh Russia.

2.) It only took me two years to figure it out, but I've finally found a way to combine my e-books into collections. I still can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner. But you know what I think? Better later then never.

3.) I've also found that Amazon lets you publish your blogs on the Kindle, and people (That's you reading this) can subscribe to my blog if you have a Kindle or a smart phone. I think it only costs like $0.99 a month. I'm not the one who put a price on it, Amazon did. I'd give it away for free if it where up to me. It's still pretty cool though.

That's all for now. Let me just say again that I love my Kindle, and if you love books as much as I do you should definitely invest in one. It is totally worth it.

TNT,
Words by Ali

Little Things & Horror Movies

Well I made it to Arizona for Christmas. Some of you may know that I come down here every Christmas to see my family. We drive every year, and it is one long drive. I'm glad it's over and we're here.

On the drive down there was this horrible fog nearly the entire way. It got so bad at times that you could barely see five feet in front of the car. When it got this bad I couldn't help thinking that some creature was going to come out and attack us from The Mist. If you've ever seen that movie (written by Stephen King and staring Thomas Jane) then you know the kind of fog I'm taking about. It was that bad, and I was waiting for those creatures to attack. I'm joking, I didn't really think we were going to die by impossible creatures, but it was like being in that movie.

I have another story where I swear I was in another popular horror movie. We had just moved into our house, that we've been living in since I was a senior. It was probably a year or so after we moved in. I live on the top floor and have walk around to the front door to go up the stairs to my room. It was around ten on a Saturday night. I know it was Saturday because I specifically remember going to church earlier that night. I got home and I don't think anyone else was home, and the house was completely dark. I go around the corner to get the the stairs, it's still dark, and out of the corner of my eye I see something move. I turn to my left I swear on my life that there was someone with long dark hair standing in the oval mirror from The Ring. Of course it was just me, back when I had long hair, but it scared me to death. I had no idea that earlier that day my mother was going to buy this mirror and hang it up. That moment in the dark was the first time I ever saw it and it scared me to death.

So, my life isn't a horror movie. But there are some little things that happen or are hanging on the wall that remind you of these movies or scare you to death because of them. If I had never seen The Ring that mirror wouldn't have scared me. I love horror movies though so I was more than fine with being a little scared by everyday life.

TNT,
Words by Ali

To Be 24

This past Tuesday was my 24 Birthday. I can honestly say it was no different than when I was 23. It was almost like any other day, but then again it wasn't.

My day started when I woke up around 8 in the morning, which is normal. Then when I turned on my computer I already had over a dozen birthday wishes from friends and family on facebook. It made me feel loved.

I had a dentist appointment at 11:30 that morning. Everyone there, and I've known them the 10 years I've lived in Utah, wished me a happy birthday. When I was done I even got a $5 gift card for Cafe Rio, because of my special day. I'm not a huge fan of Cafe Rio but it was free lunch, and it was better than the first time.

I went to the bookstore, of course. I got myself a book of short stories by Russian authors, and the stories were both in English and in Russian. It's pretty nifty. Then I went to FYE and bought a couple of scary movies.

So far it's sounds mostly like a normal day. Except for the fact that I had more money than usual in my pocket. Let's not forget what I spent my time doing when I was at home. Being that it was my finals week in school I had a paper due on Wednesday. So, I spent most of the day finishing and then editing and fixing my 6 page essay. I think it went well.

That night I got to choose where we went for dinner, as is tradition in our family. I picked PF Changs.

All in all it was a good day. A lot of it was normal stuff, but it was special. Despite how it sounds. It was all the love I got from friends and family that really made the day special. All the posts on facebook, and the emails. As well as a phone call from my grandmother and my cousin. I really do have some great people in my life. I love you guys, and you know who you are.

TNT,
Words by Ali

The Price You Pay

It's weird how you don't really notice the price of things until your specifically trying to spend less money. If it's because you only have a little, or if you're trying to save. For me it's because I happen to really have no money to spend. So, when I have it I have to spend it wisely.

Now when you have three hours in between your classes you find yourself having to buy yourself lunch. Mainly because there's no way I'm eating PB&J for two meals in a row. That's just not happening. So, I buy myself lunch.

I try to find the cheapest ways to eat, and on campus usually isn't the best option. Even if the food is actually decent. It just so happens that fast food dollar menus are the way to go. You can spend $3.50 on a dollar menu instead of the $6 or $7 on campus.

What I've also come to realize is that even the cheap fast food restaurants are way more expensive than anyone actually may realize. I got 3 items from the Taco Bell dollar menu for a grand total of around $3.30. The crazy part is that I would have paid the same price for just the Mexican pizza I normally would have gotten and that was only one thing.

All that money going to waste on food. It's a little crazy, and yet I'll be the first to admit that every now and again I'll still be spending that money on food that I don't need, just because I want it. I just no have a better understanding that it's so simple to turn that $7 into only $3, all you have to do is try.

TNT,
Words by Ali