trashy or interesting?

So, a confession I have is that I LOVE to read "People" magazines. I know they are filled with so much trash and filth, but they make time pass when sitting on an airplane or getting my hair done.

The last article I read was about the Duggar family. It amazes me how they seem to be a pretty "normal" family but have 18 children. I can't imagine having that many kids or even being a part of such a large family. People like the Duggar family are very interesting to me to read about and see their opinions and how they view life.

So yeah, there is a lot of trash in these magazines, but also you can find interesting material to read!

Digital World

When I was in Phoenix, it was so great just hanging out and having fun! I loved having my digital camera because we took some fun pictures and videos. It's so amazing that with just a simple digital camera, you are able to capture funny moments to remember. This is in the Phoenix Children's Museum in a play house, and is a motion vent that blows air. It was fun watching my 16 month old niece explore everything there!

the usual..

So, I know everyone blogs on the Olympics, but I too just have to give my little input..

Shawn White is AMAZING and I love watching figure skating--partners and singles. I absolutely love the two weeks that the Olympics are on. I feel like it brings people close and creates such fun memories of simply being together.

CELINE DION

So, I'd just like to announce to everyone that Celine Dion is COMING TO VEGAS 2011!!! Celine let me down, so I'm on to round two with her. I bought tickets over a year in advance for her concert here in Salt Lake last year, but she unfortunately got sick and had to cancel last minute. She rescheduled for a Sunday, but I sold my tickets... I'm counting on Vegas this time. Can't wait already!

Hello from Phoenix!!

I am currently at my sister's house in Scottsdale, Arizona just visiting. I have noticed that the media has played a HUGE part of my vacation already... First off, it was so convenient to have wireless Internet for my laptop as I sat waiting for my flight. I could check my e-mails, my blog, Facebook...just make time pass by. During the flight, media was constantly being used---including the radio the pilot and stewardess used to make announcements to us and to communicate to other pilots.

As we've been driving around, it is cute how the media catches the attention of my 1 1/2 year-old niece. She makes all sorts of "ooooos" and "wows" as she sees lights on restaurants and different advertisements.

The BOY In the STRIPED PAJAMAS

My favorite book right now is The Boy In The Striped Pajamas. It is a story told through the point of view of an 8-year old boy about the Germans and the Holocaust. His Dad is a Nazi official and runs a concentration camp in Germany. His family lives just on the other side of the fence from it. The young boy goes out to play in the yard everyday and becomes curious of what is on the other side of the fence. He makes friends with Bruno, who is also a young boy, but a Jew that is held captive in the concentration camp. The two boys are separated physically by a barbed wire fence, but their lives become intertwined. They spend time everyday together and build a strong friendship. Together, they experience a tragic death, which helps readers recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust.

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is a book that has made me realize the tragedies that took place during the Holocaust. It has caused me to view life in a different light because of how blessed I am. I can’t imagine going through all that those victims did. It is such a sweet story of how innocent and nonjudgmental young children are of everyone. The friendship between these two young boys was true and sincere.

Warning: The Swine

Back in November, my best friend's Dad's life was taken unexpectedly from the Swine Flu, leaving wife and young family behind. He was diagnosed with the Swine on Tuesday and then passed away the following Wednesday--after spending several days in a medical induced coma and under intensive care. It has been a difficult challenge that still presents consequences in many people's life.

Last night as I was reading my friend's blog, I started sobbing. Hearing her express her emotions and feelings about this difficult time in her life really had an effect on me. It's amazing how through media I was able to feel the sadness and sorrow that she is experiencing. Just from reading a computer screen, it caused my heart to hurt and ache for their family.

The media is often viewed in a negative light, but experiences like this remind me of what a blessing the media is in all of our lives.

Utah Jazz

Last night while I was at the Jazz Game, I realized how big of an impact the media has. At the Delta Center, I couldn't look anywhere without realizing the media (this class has made me so aware). There were advertisements everywhere and on everything, the loud speaker of the announcer, the big TV screen to watch the game and replays, commercials, coupons, cell phones... it was everywhere!

Awesome job Jazz for the win over the Mavericks!! Kirilenko, Matthews, Miles, Millsap, D-Will, Price, and Okur all had a great game, but Korver had the great looks :)