BREAKING BAD

Breaking Bad is a TV show that I've been actively avoiding for years. My friends and family members would gush about how amazing it was and tell me that I was missing out on one of the best television shows of all time. But honestly, a show where the protagonist is an antihero really didn't appeal to me. I mean, it's about cancer and meth...sounds depressing, am I right? Anyway, I didn't understand all the hype this show was getting. So, I made it my mission to resist everyone's attempts in getting me to watch it.

But during final exams this semester, I was looking for a reason to put off studying. Naturally, I turned to my best friend Netflix. Breaking Bad popped up under my recommendations and I grew curious about why everyone wouldn't shut up about this show. So, because I had nothing else to do, I thought I'd give the first episode a try.

That was a big mistake.

Once I started watching, I could not stop. Finals Week is now a blur...I have no idea how I ended up passing all my classes because all I wanted to do was keep watching.

Every time I clicked "next episode," I was dancing with happiness:

Gif retrieved from http://www.funnyordie.com/lists/51e11b74ab/the-60-best-breaking-bad-gifs

Gif retrieved from http://www.funnyordie.com/lists/51e11b74ab/the-60-best-breaking-bad-gifs

If anyone interrupted me, my face would look pretty much like this:

Gif retrieved from http://www.funnyordie.com/lists/51e11b74ab/the-60-best-breaking-bad-gifs

I was totally sucked in. Food couldn't even tempt me:

Gif retrieved from http://www.funnyordie.com/lists/51e11b74ab/the-60-best-breaking-bad-gifs

And when I finally finished the series last week and realized it was all over, I felt a little like this inside:

Gif retrieved from http://giphy.com/gifs/12CbfCjhqq42Ry

What I'm trying to say is that I finally understand the hype. This show, despite its name, is good. Like really good. Like jaw-dropping, tear-inducing, nail-biting, stay-up-until-4-in-the-morning-to-see-the-next-episode good. 

Breaking Bad's going on the "Weekly Wonderful's Hall of Fame" (Actually that totally doesn't exist, but if it did, this show would be on it). The characters, the acting, the filming...everything was perfection. And the story was incredible. The show never dipped in quality, from the pilot to the series finale. Hands down, it is the best television show I've ever seen. And I don't say that lightly. I'm insanely jealous of anyone who hasn't seen the show yet, because it was such a thrill to experience for the first time.


Anyway...

Image retrieved from http://i.imgur.com/30cXC.jpg

Breaking Bad, thanks for such a beautiful ride. 

And in case anyone who's seen the show is in need of a few good laughs, check out these excellent remixes. Pardon the language (especially on the second vid), but they are so worth watching.

Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsqdmqRgrIc

Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzhW20hLp6M

My Sappy, Cliche Mother's Day Post

It's hard to even hear the word "wonderful" without thinking of my mom.

As her only daughter, we've always had a close relationship and I'm so lucky to have her as my best friend. She's also my fashion consultant. As you can see, she is extremely adept at that job.

In all seriousness, I can't say enough about my mother. But I can share some of my favorite memories of her: 

• Going to all the Twilight midnight premieres with me
• Having the world's best chocolate chip cookies warm out of the oven for us every year after the first day of school
• Letting me read a new book first, even if we're both really excited for it
• Staying out in the rain with me for hours at Disney World, just so her and I could ride the Dueling Dragons ride over and over again
• Road trips together full of deep chats, sunflower seeds, and Diet Coke
• Letting us kids skip school to go see the Pokemon movie
• Throwing us the ultimate birthday parties in elementary school
• Laughing at her own jokes so hard that she cries and snorts (I happened to inherit this trait)
• Dressing up as a witch every Halloween and brewing my class a steaming "potion" (rootbeer made out of dry ice)
• Sitting with me by the lake in New Zealand and watching the New Year's fireworks
• Letting me sit on her lap...even when I'm in my 20's. 

Don't believe that last one? I got proof:

So, that's my mom. She's my biggest cheerleader; she's been there for me through the good times and the bad, the tears and the laughter...and she's never once stopped believing in me. And she's taught me that in the end, the ones we love, our families, and our faith in God are the most important things. 

I love you Mom! And to mothers everywhere, thank you for everything you do! 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

General Conference: Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

This weekend, I was blessed to be able to listen to inspired messages from the leaders of my church in what we call General Conference. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I look forward to General Conference every April and October.

I think I needed to hear a lot of things that were said over the weekend, but one message struck me more than any other--and that was Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk on gratitude.

I'm someone who generally is only grateful when things are going my way. I often forget, in times of trouble, to be grateful to my Father in Heaven. Even more than that, I have a hard time when I think of things coming to an end. President Uchtdorf's words uplifted and encouraged me this weekend.

I'm grateful to be a member of this church. I'm grateful to have the gospel, which makes me happier than anything else in my life. I'm grateful for my Redeemer and I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father.

And I'm grateful that through God, there doesn't have to be an end. He gives us only beginnings.

The Ostrich Pillow

A long time ago, I saw a picture of something that I thought was a total joke. I was so sure that it didn't exist, that I never bothered to look it up. Well, I'm pleased to say that it does exist and the world is a better place because of it.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Ostrich Pillow:

Retrieved from http://9gag.com/gag/5410203

Yes. It allows you to sleep anywhere without looking stupid at all. Revolutionary. Everyone's doing it. 

Don't believe me? Check it out...it's the next big thing:

Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmTHaJnyn6A

This is not just the most wonderful discovery of the week...it's ranking as one of the most wonderful discoveries of my life. My aunt just had a birthday this week and this was her present. And while I'm laughing, I can't deny that I'm a little jealous. Actually, let's be honest, I'm a lot jealous. 

Of Puppy Love and Midnight Runs to Denny's

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

I've missed a week but you know what....I ain't even mad. It happens.

Probably the most wonderful thing that could ever have happened to me was coming home from Idaho to discover an adorable puppy running around Lanai. The cuteness killed me. 

I mean, look at my face full of pure joy:

(I know that puppy looks dead...but it's really just happily sleeping in my arms)

I really need to get a dog.

Anyway, that puppy's name is Indy and he's from Puppies for Rent. When they came back to pick him up, they brought 3 more puppies! I was in heaven.

Another wonderful thing was going to Denny's at midnight last Sunday because technically it wasn't the Sabbath anymore. So, my cousin, my brother, his fiance and I all got delicious strawberry-oreo milkshakes and enjoyed being together as a family and paying for food on "Monday morning." 

Puppies and late nights at Denny's. These are the cool things to do in Provo, kids. We have to keep ourselves entertained somehow. 

Movie Recommendation: The Lego Movie is Worth Every Ridiculous Minute

Lots of really wonderful things happened to me this week.

Some highlights include:

- Going to Soda Licious multiple times a day
- Hearing my friend's band play...and discovering they're actually really good. (Woodward Avenue...next big thing y'all)
- Attending a Jehovah's Witnesses meeting...and discovering they're actually really nice (But I'm still not going to convert)
- In N Out chocolate shakes
- Winning the "best interpretive dance" in my ice skating class. This involved acting out a light-saber duel during the Star Wars theme song, rolling on the ice and pretending to shoot people during the James Bond theme song, and (my personal favorite), re-enacting this scene from Titanic with Shea in the middle of the ice rink during Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On":

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"I'll never let go, Jack"

We definitely had the entire class in tears from the level of artistry we displayed in our dancing....but they might have been tears of laughter. Hard to tell.

The most wonderful part of my week though, was getting to see the Lego Movie. Austin and I could not stop laughing the entire show...I felt bad for his poor fiance who was stuck in the middle of us. Yes, it was absolutely ridiculous, but it was my exact type of humor and it reminded me of the days when I used to spend hours playing the Legos. *Nostalgia and humor are a good combination for me

 I laughed until I fell out of my chair...and then I laughed some more. And, they even sneakily threw in a cute and inspiring message towards the end. Honestly, I think it's the best movie I've seen in theaters so far in 2014. 

I heartily recommend it to anyone who is still a bit of a kid at heart. 

Retrieved from http://blogs-images.forbes.com/scottmendelson/files/2014/02/the_lego_movie_2014-wide.jpg

Why Everyone Should Drop What They're Doing & Watch Chuck

I watch a lot of TV. I love getting to sit down and de-stress while watching an episode, whether it's The Office, Downton Abbey, How I Met Your Mother, Seinfeld, The Fresh Prince of Belair, Sherlock...the list goes on and on.

I just finished one of the best series I have ever had the pleasant surprise of discovering: Chuck.

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If you haven't seen this series about an adorable geek who is thrown into the spy life, then you're seriously missing out. With the perfect mix of humor, action, and romance, it has a little something for everyone. And did I mention that the lead character is played by none other than Zachary Levi, a.k.a. Flynn Rider from Tangled?

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I love him. I really do. 

Chuck and Sarah are officially my favorite television couple of all time :) Too adorable for words.

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I'm only sad it's over. I legitimately was alone in my room at 3 a.m. bawling as I watched the last couple of episodes. They ended it so well, but it definitely left me an emotional wreck.

Chuck is honestly just plain, silly fun, but it had some surprisingly heart-warming moments too. Whenever I watched it, I always had this big, goofy grin on my face. I can't say enough good things about it. 

Watch it. You won't be sorry. It really is wonderful. 

Aces, Charles.

Rivers and Roads