Month: April 2013

42

April 12, 2013 — 1 Comment

Yesterday we went and saw 42. For those of you who don’t know (like I didn’t until about an hour before the movie) 42 is a movie about Jackie Robinson, the first African American man to play in Major League Baseball. 42 is Jackie Robinson’s number. It’s the only number in baseball that is retired by every single team.

Can I just say, the movie was incredible. The actors (Yes Harrison Ford was in it, and yes I am slightly in love with him even though he’s old) the dialogue, the action, everything was perfect. When I go see movies like that it makes me so sad about the past, but so hopeful for the future. It helps me see that someone can make a difference, that things can change for the better, and every individual matter. When I go see historical movies like that it makes me want to learn all I can about the people who  the stories are about. Ask my friends, they’ll tell you. For instance, in Europe I almost bought several books about Queen Elizabeth because I was so fascinated about her. But that’s a different story.

So the moral of the story is that you should go see 42. It’s an incredible story about a man that we don’t hear enough about.


Trust me, go see it. Even if you don’t like baseball (but really who doesn’t like baseball. It’s the American pastime.) It’ll make you look at things so differently.

WARNING if you go see this movie there is some profanity and especially lots of use of the N word. They do not condone the use of this word at all, but just be aware that it’s in there.

News April 12, 2013

April 12, 2013 — Leave a comment

New York Times Headline: Rare Accord in Gun Debate on Fixes to Mental Health System

Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook, lawmakers have been quietly forming plans on how to advance the treatments of the mentally ill. Many of these plans are to finance better mental health centers, train teachers, and help Medicaid cover these mental illnesses. Many plans stand a good chance of being in the final gun control bill the Senate is now working on.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: In Immigration Debate, a Focus on New York Dairy Farmers


Dairy farmers have become the unlikely target in the immigration debate. With many New York dairy farmers hiring labor from South America, the fear that they will be deported or required not to work is a reality. 
Click here to read the full story.

What I’ve been learning

April 11, 2013 — Leave a comment

Again, there’s not really anything crafty or delicious to blog about. And my life has been crazy crazy crazy but it’s the boring kind of crazy, so there’s not much to blog about there….so I thought I’d just blog about a few things that I’ve been figuring out the past few weeks. Nothing major, but I need to get some of these things out, somehow, right?
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  • You can feel closer to someone who’s thousands of miles away than anyone close by.
  • Music is the best therapy.
  • The family size bags of Hugs/Kisses is worth the money, guaranteed!
  • When you are excited to go to a class and do the work for it, you know you’re in the right place.
  • Sometimes you have to be yourself, and own it, no matter what other people think or say.
  • It’s important to remember that life is short, so apologize now and forgive now and don’t stay mad. It’s not worth it.
  • You can go to the airport and pretend you’re picking up a Swedish foreign exchange student. I would actually recommend this, it’s quite fun!
  • Two is better than one. Take that as you will!
  • College is stressful, but so much fun. Wouldn’t trade it for a minute.
  • If you try hard enough you can eat more than your weight in sugar daily. But you have to be willing to work for it.

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    Welcome to America Lyska! Or welcome back from California Alli…either one works

News April 11, 2013

April 11, 2013 — Leave a comment

Washington Post Headline: North Korea’s threats, campy videos are drawing Internet attention

North Korea propagandist videos have been surfacing on the Internet and have become a sensation almost overnight. With video threats of attacks on the U.S. and South Korea being widely viewed online, experts are saying that for the first time in history, North Korea has gone viral. 

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: Senate Votes 68-31 to Allow Debate on Gun Legislation

Today the Senate voted for a major piece of gun legislation to be brought to debate in chamber. This is the first such piece of legislation to be brought to the floor in two decades. 

Click here to read the full story.

News April 10, 2013

April 10, 2013 — Leave a comment

New York Times Headline: Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal on Checks of Gun Buyers

Earlier today, both Republican and Democratic senators reached a compromise measure about gun safety. The measure involves expanding background checks to those buying guns from gun shows and online. This compromise indicates that more gun safety measures will be taken by Congress in the near future.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: South Korea and U.S. Gird for Missile Test by North Korea

The U.S. and South Korea are on the lookout for the North Korean missile that experts believe could be launched “at any time now.” This longer range missile could have the potential to hit not only South Korea, but also Japan, as well as American military bases as far away as Guam.

Click here to read the full story.

Month 4

April 9, 2013 — Leave a comment

It’s official, bring on month 4! Randy’s been out three months now, and they’ve been so hard but so great! He’s learning so much and I’m learning so much, and I’m loving being independent and being a crazy college girl! It’s so awesome. I am so proud of that boy and the person he’s becoming:)

As a crazy college girl, I cook for myself. Domestic right? So last night I made one of my favorite rice dishes and it’s always a hit at our apartment, so I thought I’d share it here! Presenting…..

This is so easy and so delicious!

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·         6 Tbs. margarine or butter  (can be reduced to 2 Tbs.)
·         2½ cup water
·         1 small Onion, diced
·         5 chicken bullion cubes
·         2 carrots, medium to large
·         3 cup Minute Rice
Sauté onion and carrots in margarine.  Coat rice with margarine-carrot-onion mixture.  Boil water and dissolve bullion cubes to make chicken broth.  Add broth to the rice mixture, bring to boil and turn off heat.  Cover and let sit for about 10 minutes.  Add cooked peas if desired. Serves six at 225 calories per serving.

Carrots, onions and butter all in the pot getting ready to cook!
I love Wyler’s Chicken Bullion cubes 

All coated and ready for the water!
This recipe is seriously so good, not too unhealthy, and goes well with fried chicken (as seen above) or pork chops or just about anything!
Happy Tuesday everyone, and happy 3 months for me!

News April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013 — Leave a comment


New York Times Headline: Obama Invokes Newtown Dead in Pressing for New Gun Laws

While Congress is debating new gun control laws, President Obama made a trip to Connecticut to ensure the members of the community that nothing like Sandy Hook would ever happen again.

Click here to read the full story.

New York Times Headline: Early Line for 2016 Shows a Vice President Who’s Not the Favorite

In an early line up for the Democratic party in 2016, it seems that Vice President Biden may be trying to wiggle his way in next to former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. It’s very early to be looking at candidates, but those considering running are already getting their feet in the door. 

Click here to read the full story.

Weekend Fun

April 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

This weekend was so much fun and there is so much to tell!

Friday we had a murder mystery dinner date. Sounds crazy right? Yes. It was crazy. But it was SO MUCH FUN. Basically we were playing clue but we were all dressed like a character from the 20’s and all had goals and items that would help us get our goals. There was lying and cheating and alliances and backstabbing and a little bit of romance here and there. Fun right? It was.

Me and my girls, all dressed up and ready to go:)

I went with Hunter Fowers which was a blast! All in all, one of the best dates I’ve ever been on.

For our murder mystery dinner we had twice baked potatoes, barbecue chicken, and chocolate cake. It was quite delicious!

Twice Baked Potato Recipe

Ingredients:
As many potatoes as you want to have
Sour Cream
Cheese
Milk

Bake your potatoes on 350 in the oven for about one hour. Once the potatoes are soft when pricked with a fork, pull them out of the oven. Cut the potatoes in half and then scoop out all the white. Don’t rip the peel when doing this, just get as much of the potato out as you can. Mash the potatoes with milk and sour cream (a splashes of milk and a few spoonfuls of sour cream). Whip or mash until smooth and not lumpy. Don’t add too much milk and sour cream or it will be too thin! Should be the consistency of mashed potatoes. Top with cheese and put back in the oven until cheese is melty and potatoes are warm through.

And VOILA. Twice baked potatoes!

Last thing of the weekend! I got to spend time with my family playing volleyball and badminton and everything, and that was so fun! I got to see my cousins and grandparents which is always a treat. I got to spend some time with Randy’s family, which is always so much fun. I got to watch General Conference which was AMAZING! There were so many talks that were exactly what I needed to hear, and I love that we get to hear from our prophet’s every six months. I am so lucky to know what I know, to have heard what I heard this weekend, and to continue to getting to learn and grow in the gospel every day.

Happy Monday everyone!

News April 8, 2013

April 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

New York Times Headline: Margaret Thatcher, Who Remade Britain, Dies at 87

Margret Thatcher, the first woman prime minister of Britain, suffered a stroke this morning and died shortly after. Many British and American leaders alike sent their love and condolences to the family, including the Queen. 

Click here to read the full story.


New York Times Headline: Critical Week in Senate for Gun and Immigration Bills

Congress returns to Washington this week with two huge issues on the agenda: gun control and immigration. Congress is working on gun safety legislation after Sandy Hook, and an overhaul on the national immigration system. Hopefully decisions will be made and legislation will be created by next week.

Click here to read the full story.

Gabe-a

April 7, 2013 — Leave a comment

So yesterday I said goodbye to two of my best friends. Cade already got a huge long blog post because he moved out a while ago, and now it’s time for dear Gabriel.

Oh Gabriel. Where do I even start? Gabe is one of the funniest people I know. Not many people know him well enough to see how funny he is, but when you get there, it’s hilarious. Gabe has the most hilarious one-liners (seen by my #gabequotes tweets,) and keeps us on the floor laughing. Gabe is one of the sweetest people ever. He’ll act like he doesn’t want to do something, but then he’ll go do it for us in a heartbeat. He drives us EVERYWHERE, let us go spend time at his cabin, lets us punch him all the time, and just takes care of us. He is SO good to Sarah, which makes me so happy.

So dear Gabe, here’s to you. Off to Peru on Wednesday. Thanks for being one of my best friends, for being there for me whenever I need it, for driving me in the Jeep everywhere, for watching Star Wars with me and a giant bag of M&M’s, for taking me and Lauren for ice cream just to talk about Sarah, for making sure we had fun at the cabin and always letting us go there, for being yourself and always making me happy. You’re one of the best friends EVER and I’m going to miss you. Don’t forget you promised to write! Emails or letters or carrier pigeons, whatever it takes remember? 😉 Love you Gabe-a, Gabey, Gabriel, and all the other things we call you!! I’ll miss you and I know you’ll be a great missionary to those people and alpaca’s in Peru!

Yeah, this is Gabe. He’s the best:)
Also, hasn’t General Conference been great!!?? More posts on that later, but so far I have loved Henry B. Eyring’s talk about coming closer to Christ, Elder Bednar’s talk on the law of chastity, Sister Dalton’s talk about doing and being what Heavenly Father needs, and so many others! If you don’t know what General Conference is, missed a session or a talk, click here!
Happy Sunday everyone!