Twilight-Not My Highlight

Twilight finally came out here in Korea on Friday. I saw it yesterday and I'm going to have to be completely honest with ya....

The acting, absolutely horrible. I loved Alice, Alice was everything I'de hope she'd be. She just wasn't in enough scenes. Rosalie was also perfectly wretched, just like she was supposed to be, however she was NOT the most beautiful woman in the whole world like she was supposed to be. Bella was the worse, especially the hospital scene, I couldn't stop laughing. Where was all the passion she felt for Edward? Where was the love. She always looked at him as if she despised him. She was supposed to be absolutely captivated by him. I didn't see it. Edward was not quite as bad as Bella, except he always looked and acted like he was either constipated, as Nikki put it, or going to cry. Even Clint asked why Edward was crying when he wasn't.

The special effects were so completely far from special it was actually funny. With todays technology, those vampires should have flown through the air with grace, not like they were swinging from harnesses. They looked unstable most the time. Like they wanted to swing and flale their arms around to keep their balance but couldn't.

There were only 3 scenes that I enjoyed. The first kiss, the baseball game and when they pulled up in front of the school and walked in together. That was the only scene that Edward was remotely good looking.

I kind of feel like Stephanie Meyer was way too anxious to see her dream come to life on the big screen. If she hadn't have been so over anxious she would have been able to see how horrible the production of and acting in the movie was. I heard that the next movie, New Moon, will be produced by the same guy that produce American Pie and The Golden Compass. So hopefully it will be better. And hopefully the stars of the movie will take some acting classes before then.

Book Review # 4

Book: The Chronicles of Narnia-The Magician's Nephew
Author: C.S. Lewis
Finished: December 12, 2008
Pages: 95
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Year: 2006, originally 1955

Its interesting that this is the first book of 7 in the Chronicles of Narnia but it was actually the 6th book to be published. I absolutely LOVED this book. Very easy reading and full of so much fantasy and imagination. I think the reading level is about ages 9-12. I love how short the chapters are. I found so much symbolism in this book, as I'm sure most people do. I know there are a lot of books that have been written about the symbolism behind C.S. Lewis' writing. I just might have to read one once I finish all 7 of the Narnia books. I will definitely be buying these books.

NO NO!!

Yesterday I was reading or on the computer or something when I realized it was very very quite. So I peaked my head into the living room where I thought Mo was playing and she wasn't there so of course my heart skips a beat and I imagine her lying face down on the floor somewhere not breathing. So I looked behind the chair and couch and then looked in the bathroom and then the kitchen. There she was, innocently eating chip crumbs out of the bag she pulled from the garbage can that I left out while cooking dinner.

This is her new thing. Whenever I tell her "no" she hides her face so I can't see her.

Merry Christmas

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Book Review #3

Book: The Kingdom and The Crown Volume 3-Behold The Man

Author: Gerald N. Lund

Finished: December 8, 2008

Pages: 704

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Year: 2006

Behold The Man is the final volume in this series of books. It is a fictional story that takes place during actual events happening during the New Testament times.

This book was a little bit longer than the first 2 and I felt like it was full of unnecessary details. On many occasions the author described every last detail of the food on the table and I found myself skipping entire paragraphs because I wanted to get on with the story. He also repeated a lot of history that he had explained in previous novels, like the details of the Passover meal and other Jewish traditions. I also felt like the ending was cluttered and full of chaos, and then it ended abruptly.

I still loved this book. I loved the entire series. I loved the way the author depicted the Roman soldiers as they arrested Christ and then later crucified him. I have never learned so much from a fictional novel. As I mentioned in my first book review, Lund does an amazing job at siting his facts and distinguishing between what is fact and what was added by the author to make for a better plot. He quotes many biblical scriptures and historical manuscripts at the end of each chapter. I feel like I have a better understanding of the New Testament because I now understand more about the culture and religion of the time. I definately understand some of Christ's parables better (like the parable of the 10 virgins and the oil lamps).

Clint and I may eventually read these books together. I think it would be fun to read a chapter and then find the corresponding events in the New Testament and see if we can't learn even more that way. I just can't get over how much I learned about Christ's life and ministry.

Birthday Girl

My mom asked for a lot of pictures. So here goes

When I see Mo like this I know it means I'm going to have a messy diaper to change. I guess its the most comfortable and efficient way to poop?

Its SO cold here. Way colder than any cold I've ever felt in my entire life. We bought this new coat for Morgan in Itaewon last weekend. I thought I'd be smart and get one that is a little big so she can grow into it. But it ended up being a lot bigger than I realilzed.
December 7, 2008
We went shopping at the PX in Yongsan on Saturday. We were just going to pick up a few gifts but it turned out that they were having a huge sale. So we ended up getting lots of fun stuff, including a Christmas tree, lights and ornaments for 30-40 % off! We (I mean Clint) decorated it after church yesterday. It turned out cute.

Morgan thought it was her toy and she got in big trouble for playing with it.

After getting in trouble she stood at the table staring up at the tree just screaming. It was so funny I had to take a picture.

Okay, its a little on the Charlie Brown side, but it makes me SO happy to have something Christmas-y in our apartment. It was starting to get a little depressing around here.
Clint is going to be super busy with work this week so we decided to celebrate Mo's birthday last night. Here she is opening her first gift from Clint's friend Steve.

And this is what happened when Steve took it away from her to take it out of the box.

Its a video game that she can play as a baby and as a toddler. Its just buttons that she pushes right now, and as she grows it changes into a joystick with more advanced games.

Clint and I got her a shopping cart walker.

I made cupcakes and Morgan was in heaven! She devoured the frosting pretty quick.

One hand just wasn't getting it all in her mouth fast enough.

The night ended with an early crashing of the birthday girl. I thought she'd be up all night after that cupcake.

Promotion

Today Clint was promoted to CW2. (Chief Warrant Officer 2). Morgan and I were able to go over to the company and pin (actually Velcro) his new rank on him. The commander had some really great things to say about Clint and I'm so glad we were there to watch and support. Also, he is the Equal Opportunity Officer in his unit and he graduated from that training last week. The pictures of that didn't turn out, that's why I haven't posted them. Unfortunately these ones aren't that great either. Sorry.