Movie Quote Trivia Addendum

So I remembered three more movies I wanted to add to my favorite comedies. Here they are:

Movie #13:

1. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned for Sega.
2. [I'd like to say] about a million things, but I can't express myself monosyllabically enough for you to understand it all.
3. Look at me, look at me, you sloppy bitch!
4. You two are retarded for each other.

Movie #14:

1. You know how it is - You're out with a guy, you find him attractive, and suddenly everything he says sounds brilliant. Hairy legs are your only link to reality.
2. You had a sex dream about me!
3. You're beautiful, and no one's going to notice your chest.
4. Will everyone just calm down! For the love of God and all that is holy, calm the hell down!

Movie #15:

1. It's not about a dog. It's about a woman named Amanda. Who the hell names their dog Amanda?
2. You know who else I like that didn't get much play? Velma from Scooby-Doo. She was cool. She was a hip, hip lady.
3. You know William, from this light, you somewhat resemble a young David Duchovny.
4. Yo, I gotta have sex tonight! I mean peep this - They say here ninety-two percent of the honeys at UCLA are sexually active. Ninety-two of the women in Los Angeles at UCLA walking around going, "Class... or sex? What shall I do?" Ninety-two percent, yo!

Movie Quote Trivia

Last weekend my friends and I were playing a game where we had to think up funny movie quotes, and then on Monday for alternative FHE we had "Nacho Night" where we ate nachoes and watched Nacho Libre. Because of that, I've been thinking about some of my favorite comedies and the funny quotes from each of them.

So I thought I'd host a little trivia game. Can you figure out my top 12 favorite comedies based on a few quotes? I'm sure you can because most of them are pretty common, but give it a try. Also, I'd love to hear what some of your favorite movies and quotes are.

WARNING: Some quotes contain profanity.

Movie #1:

1. . . . that no-talent ass clown became famous and started winning Grammys.
2. I can't believe what a bunch of nerds we are. We're looking up "money laundering" in a dictionary.
3. Why does it say paper jam when there is no paper jam? I swear to God, one of these days, I just kick this piece of shit out the window.

Movie #2:

1. That was a pre-emptive "sh!" Now, I have a whole bag of "sh!" with your name on it.
2. It's Dr. Evil, I didn't spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called "mister," thank you very much.
3. I hate you! I hate you! I wish I was never artificially created in a lab!

Movie #3:

1. They think I don't know a buttload of crap about the Gospel, but I do!
2. Well, my favorite color is light tan. My favorite animal is puppies. I like serving the Lord. Hiking, playing volleyball.
3. But my life is good! Really good! I get to wake up every morning, at 5AM, and make some soup! It's the best. I love it. I get to lay in a bed, all by myself, all of my life! That's fantastic!

Movie #4:

1. I'm late for a jean folding seminar. Let's locomote!
2. Welcome to the world of the emotionally mature.
3. He will turn this place into a den of slack
4. Oh, PFLAG. I’m beginning to like the sound of that.

Movie #5:

1. Mer-man! Mer-man!
2. A eugoogalizor, one who speaks at funerals. Or did you think I'd be too stupid to know what a eugoogoly was?
3. Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.

Movie #6:

1. If I saw myself dressed like that, I'd have to kick my own ass.
2. That's your HOME! Are you too good for your home?
3. You eat pieces of shit for breakfast?

Movie #7:

1. Your brain has a thick candy shell.
2. My fellow nerds and I will retire to the nerdery with our calculators.
3. Brothers don't shake hands. Brothers gotta hug.
4. Did you eat a lot of paint chips when you were a kid?

Movie #8:

1. Math is a wonderful thing. Math is a really cool thing. So get off your ath. Let's do some math.
2. OK, Ms DumBum ain't your teacher today, I am, and I have a headache and the runs. So I say, time for recess!
3. God of Rock, thank you for this chance to kick ass. We are your humble servants. Please give us the power to blow people's minds with our high voltage rock. In your name we pray, Amen.
4. When I get up there and start doing my thing, people worship me! Because I'm sexy, and chubby.

Movie #9:

1. It's just skin, Steven.
2. There was this guy, he looked Asian... and he was speaking another language, I'm pretty sure it was... Asian.
3. Down, down, down. Red knight goin' down.
4. My thanks to you, fair wench.

Movie #10:

1. I went to rock and roll heaven, and I wasn't on the guest list.
2. I don't feel that I need to explain my art to you.
3. I tried to kill myself with a Lady Bic. A pink plastic razor with daisies on it and a moisturizing strip.
4. The fat man walks alone.

Movie #11:

1. I am the king of the echo people!
2. My cat can eat a whole watermelon.
3. I'm stuck in the middle of the desert with an asswipe and a frozen cat.

Movie #12:

1. I'm standing where my, uh, living room was and it's not here because my house is gone and it's an Ultimart! You can never go home again, Dr. Oatman... but I guess you can shop there.
2. I was sitting there alone on prom night, in a goddamn rented tuxedo, and my whole life flashed before my eyes. And I realized finally, and for the first time, that I wanted to kill somebody. So I figured since I loved you so much, it'd be a good idea if I didn't see you anymore.
3. Whoa, whoa, whoa, Chatty Cathy! Clip yer string.
   

My New Job

So I have a new job - and when I say "have" I mean "will have next year." For the past 8 years I've been teaching in the special education department at my school. I teach resource reading for 7th, 8th, & 9th graders, resource language arts for 9th graders, and a resource study skills class. I work with students who have learning disabilities, communication disorders, and emotional disturbances - a pretty diverse group. I love the teaching part, but the paperwork part has been dragging me down lately.

Although I've always taught in the special education department, I am qualified and licensed to teach regular education classes. So, when a reading teacher announced she was leaving the school and no one in the language arts department was qualified to take over for her (they all have English endorsements, not reading endorsements), my principal approached me and asked if I was interested. I told her I was, but I wanted to think about it. The more I thought about it, the more I decided I'm ready for a little change. I will still be at my same school, but I will not have to deal with all the paperwork and meetings that fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I will no longer have to administer IQ or achievement tests, write Individual Education Plans, write Behavior Intervention Plans, or conduct extra meetings. I will be able to teach - just teach!!

After thinking of all the things I wouldn't have to do, how could I say no? So of course, I accepted. Needless to say, the special education department at the district is not very happy. In fact, when my principal told the district director, the director responded, "Convince her not to [take the position]." However, I am convinced and determined. It also makes me excited for next year. I know, crazy, but I'm already looking forward to starting a new school year. So next year I will just be teaching regular education reading to 7th graders. That's it reading 7. I don't know what I will do with all my spare time.

Fashion Show - My Spring Line

So, I didn't work for the past five days. What does that mean? Shopping. I still have tags on some of the items and am considering taking some of them back, but I'd like to hear what all you fashionistas have to say. So . . . what's your fav? what's your least fav? etc. Without further ado, here's what I got:

Classic Easter Dress

White button-up and fab. blue skirt.

Toile-like black and white skirt with white jacket.

I wore this to the Salt Lake Temple on Friday and a total stranger stopped me to tell me how great I looked.

Jackie Kennedy Dress.
I love this dress, but when I sit down it goes halfway up my thigh.
Troublesome or Sexy?

Bohemian-like shirt with my magic jeans.

These jeans are not new - I've had them for about a month. They're magic because they are one size smaller than my normal jeans even though I haven't lost any weight. Besides that, three people have told me they thought I'd lost 20+ lbs because the jeans make me look thinner. It's all an illusion.

I can't decide about this shirt. Does it look like a Grandma shirt?

MS Walk

As many of you know, my dad, Ronnie, was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. This upcoming weekend, he is participating in the St. George MS Walk to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He wants to raise an additional $300 by Thursday (March 27th). Help him do this!! To donate on-line, click HERE. (Ignore the thermometer that states his money goal - it's inaccurate). If you don't want to donate on-line, you can write a check made to The Multiple Sclerosis Society and give it directly to me or Ronnie. THANKS!!

Profiles of People We Like

I've been really lazy about posting. I'm going to be better . . . but not right now. This is just a plug for a post on another blog. My friend, TJ, writes these really funny posts on a group blog we belong to (Leonard's Lawn). They're titled, "Profiles of People We Like." Anyway, he just wrote one all about me - "Profiles of People We Like - Mandy." To read it, click HERE.

lia sophia

A couple of years ago I received a pair of lia sophia earrings as a gift. I really liked them so I was excited to be invited to a lia sophia jewelry party last night. My friend, Megan, hosted the party and I went to support her, but also because I love jewelry. I had so much fun that Lesli and I decided to host our own party (our party will be Wednesday, April 23rd - if you want an invite, let me know). Anyway, I bought 7 pieces of jewelry for 98 dollars!! Here's what I got:

Item E - Ring

Item F - Bracelet

Item G - Earrings

The Earrings

The Earrings

Item B - Ring

Item D - The Earrings

Another Adolescent Lit Book

This week I read Whirligig by Paul Fleischman. I loved the message of this book. To me, the theme is summed up perfectly on page 70. Fleischman wrote, “The effects of an act traveled far beyond one’s knowledge. Everything we did – good, bad, and indifferent – sent a wave rolling out of sight. He wondered what his own accounting, generations later, would look like.” I tell my students this same message weekly. I ask them, “How are you going to contribute to your community? Are your contributions going to make your community a better place or a worse place?” A lot of the time my students reply, “I don’t do anything. I don’t make contributions.” I try to explain to them that all actions, or inaction, shape the world we live in. I think this book will help them see that.

Obscure Restaurant

What the pho?

Some friends and I have decided to start frequenting obscure restaurants. Last night we went to Pho Saigon (1830 W 3500 S) in West Valley. I am a lover of pho and ever since my favorite Vietnamese Restaurant closed, I have been hurting for a good bowl of pho. Obscure restaurant dining offered the perfect chance to find a good Vietnamese restaurant. I really liked Pho Saigon and would recommend it to someone looking for a good bowl of pho (or bun, if you're Alina).

Lesli J. Neilson at the Salt Lake Tribune wrote the following review about the restaurant: "Pho Saigon Noodle House: 1830 W. 3500 South, West Valley City, 801-746-7684. Small and large bowls. (Thirteen selections: $5.50-$6.30.) Semi-dark broth, overly sweet, contains cilantro, green onions and sliced onions. Proper noodle-to-broth ratio. Condiment plate included freshsawleaf herb. Booth seating and a lattice ceiling add charm to the setting. Chandeliers brighten up the place. Televisions playing Asian music videos might appeal to the younger set. Kitchy art and faux fruit serve as decoration. Accommodating service."

An American Plague

Victims from the Influenza Epidemic of 1918

A few years ago, I got on a plague/epidemic kick. At that time, I read half-a-dozen books all about diseases. Some of these books included:

• The Great Influenza by John M. Barry
  
• Invisible Enemies: Stories of Infectious Diseases by Jeanette Farrell
• Dr. Jenner and the Speckled Monster: The Discovery of the Smallpox Vaccine by Albert Marrin.

This week I was assigned to read An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy for my adolescent literature class. Like the other titles, this book was terrifying.

Jim Murphy described, in detail, the symptoms of Yellow Fever and the panic that gripped the city of Philadelphia during the 1793 epidemic. Murphy wrote, "The skin and eyeballs turned yellow, as red blood cells were destroyed, causing the bile pigment bilirubin to accumulate in the body; nose, gums, and intestines began bleeding; and the patient vomited stale, black blood" (pages 13-14). How could I not recommend this book?

I also have to recommend Fever, 1973 by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book is historic fiction. It follows the lives of fictional and historical people during Philadelphia's Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1973.

The Ultimate Fruit Loop

Because I have not been around many young children (at least since I was one), I may not have the best perspective, but I think Zack is one of the funniest kids around. Here are a few reasons why:

• I like to call him Fruit Loop, but he's not too fond of it. In fact, he's not to fond of any nicknames. Whenever I call him something beside his actual name, he replies, "I not _______, I'm Zack." This made for an interesting Halloween. To read more about that incident, click HERE.
  
  


Me and the Fruit Loop

• About a month ago I was given the task of setting up a train track that my mom had bought for Zack. This track had a lot of pieces and it was a bear (another replacement curse word - it will make more sense if you keep reading) to put together. After 30 minutes of fighting with this track, I was close to finishing it, with the exception of a few pieces. I could not figure out what to do with these pieces so I said, "What the hell?" Zack looked at me and repeated, "Yea, what the hell?" I love that he wants to be like me.
  
  
  
  Victory: The completed train track.

• Because of situations like the previous one, I've started to use the word "yikes" as a replacement for curse words. While we were in Disneyland something happened and I said, "Yikes." About 20 minutes later, when something similar happened, Zack looked up to me and said, "Mandy, say yikes." He's very perceptive.

• Because we were out of town on my birthday, Jeanine told Zack that we would go out to dinner at a place that had cake. When we went to the restaurant, Zack walked up to our hostess and asked, "Do you have cake?" The hostess laughed and said, "Yes, we have cake. Tell them it's your birthday and they'll give it to you for free." Zack replied, "But it's Mandy's birthday."
  

Why I Support Barack Obama

This will be my last political post (at least for awhile). I have recently had a lot of conversations with friends and family members about the 2008 election. I voted for Barack Obama on Super Tuesday. Now don't get me wrong, I don't agree with everything Obama supports, but he seems like the best option out there. Here are a few reasons why I support Barack Obama (most of these statements are taken directly from Obama's website):

• Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve a million more children. Obama will include measures to maximize performance and effectiveness across grantees nationwide.

• Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them.

• Obama will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward accomplished educators who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a salary increase. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well.

• Obama believes that we can do more to help autistic Americans and their families understand and live with autism. He has been a strong supporter of more than $1 billion in federal funding for autism research on the root causes and treatments, and he believes that we should increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to truly ensure that no child is left behind.

• Obama will give first-time, non-violent drug offenders a chance to serve their sentence, where appropriate, in the type of drug rehabilitation programs that have proven to work better than a prison term in changing bad behavior.

• Obama will launch the most aggressive diplomatic effort in recent American history to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East. This effort will include all of Iraq's neighbors – including Iran and Syria. This compact will aim to secure Iraq's borders; keep neighboring countries from meddling inside Iraq; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq's sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq's reconstruction.

• Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal. He will help the world's weakest states to build healthy and educated communities, reduce poverty, develop markets, and generate wealth.

• Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress.

• Obama will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce.

• Obama will set a goal that all middle and high school students do 50 hours of community service a year. He will develop national guidelines for service- learning and will give schools better tools both to develop programs and to document student experience. Green Job Corps: Obama will create an energy-focused youth jobs program to provide disadvantaged youth with service opportunities weatherizing buildings and getting practical experience in fast-growing career fields.

"The Francis Scott Key" Key

Lesli and I have been watching The West Wing, Season 1 on DVD. Lesli has never seen any of the episodes, but I have been a big fan from the beginning. Although Season 1 was not my favorite season, it's been fun to watch them again. I love Season 4. It is my favorite season. Here is a clip from Season 4's episode "Privateers." It is my all-time favorite scene from any episode of the The West Wing.

Republicans vs. Democrats

Those who know me, know I almost always vote Democrat. Not always, put almost always. Why? I don't agree with every position on the Democratic Platform, but I do agree with most of the issues that are important to me. Here are just some of these issues:

• Role of Government: Although NGOs (non-governmental organizations) contribute a lot to poverty relief, government is also needed. Government should ensure helath care, affordable housing, & social security to those in need.
  

• Health Care: "Democrats are committed to making sure every single American has access to affordable, effective health care coverage. We believe in investing in life saving stem cell and other medical research that offers real hope for cures and treatment for millions of Americans." (taken from the National Democratic Party Agenda)

• Retirement: "We will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, starting with pension reform, expanding saving incentives and preventing the privatization of social security." (taken from the National Democratic Party Agenda)

• Foriegn Policy/Diplomacy: "Our National Security must be built on International cooperation and on our leaders telling the truth to the American People before committing American troops to combat." (taken from the Utah State Democratic Party Platform)

• Protection of Civil Liberties: "Fairness requires that all citizens enjoy the full benefits of citizenship regardless of their race, gender, religion, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or economic status. Because constitutions are created to grant freedoms, preserve liberties, and limit government, Utah Democrats oppose any effort to amend either the state or federal constitution to restrict civil liberties. Utah Democrats encourage our government to protect against discrimination and victimization based on status." (taken from the Utah State Democratic Party Platform)

• Immigration: "Democrats are fighting for laws that will secure our borders, protect all U.S. workers and their wages & prevent exploitation of immigrant workers, reunite families, and allow immigrants who pay taxes and don't have trouble with the law a path to earn the opportunities and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship." (taken from the National Democratic Party Agenda)

Pirate Birthday Party - Arrrr

How does one best celebrate turning 30? Why, with a pirate themed birthday party, of course. On Friday I had one of the best birthday parties ever. Here are a few pictures.

Pirate Feast

Delicious birthday cupcakes

Katrina helping with the feast.

Team Honest: Me, Mike, & Larissa

Team Cheat: Tim, Alina, & Matt

Pirate Mike - sporting his eye patch.

Pirate Alina - sporting her jewels

Happy Tim - or maybe he's mad

Me with the pirate chest

(there's treasure in there, I promise)

More Politics - Mitt Romney

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been reading Jim Wallis's book The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America. On page 40, Wallis quotes Pastor Rich Nathan of the Vineyard Church of Columbus who said, "There are lots of us evangelicals who have found ourselves increasingly uncomfortable with the media's selection of a few people of decidedly conservative politics who are regularly called our spokespeople. Whenever I hear this handful of people talk, I think: This person doesn't speak for me."

That's exactly how I feel about Mitt Romney. Because Romney and I have the same religious beliefs (we both belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), people assume that we have the same political beliefs. When I've mentioned that I dislike Romney and would never vote for him, people have responded, "But you're a Mormon too, right?" Yes. Yes I am, but I dislike Romney immensely. Here's just one of the many reasons why:

When asked about detaining terrorism suspects, Mitt Romney stated, "I want them in Guantanamo where they don't have the access to lawyers they get when they're on our soil." He went on to say, "Some people have said we should close Guantanamo. I think we should double Guantanamo."

The moment I heard this statement was the moment I began disliking Mitt Romney. What does this statement even mean? It sounds like nationalistic, I'm-better-than-you rhetoric that's only purpose is to gain the support of right-wing nuts. In 2007 FBI documents reported that Guantanamo detainees were chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor for 18 hours or more, urinating and defecating on themselves and subjected to extreme temperature with temperatures close to freezing. Who does things like that? Americans? That's not the America I want to live in, nor do I want an American leader who wants to "double" a place that uses those type of tactics. I don't care what the cost.

Some may argue that those tactics are necessary to prevent terrorism. Really? Those are the tactics used by terrorists!! What does that say about America? It reminds me of Benjamin Franklin's quote, "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

This is just one of the reasons I would not vote for Romney. There are many others. Our political beliefs are pretty much opposites.

More from the Land of Disney

I know I said I was going to do more political posts (and I will), but here are some more pics from Disneyland.

Zack & Dougie

I love this face.

Me & Mitch

Doug, Zack, & Jeanine

Zack & his pirate friend

Me, Zack, & my mom waiting in line for Pirates.

Mitch having a ball in New Orleans.

Time to go home.

The Great Awakening

I've been reading Jim Wallis's newest book, The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America. As always, I love to hear what Wallis has to say. Every time I read something he has written or hear him speak, I connect with it. He has an uncanny way of expressing almost exactly what I think, feel, and believe in regards to politics. Although our religious backgrounds are not the same, our beliefs about how religion and politics are connected are similar. Because of this, I have decided to write my next few posts all about those thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in regards to politics.

Wallis has argued that as Christians our concerns should be "the slavery of poverty, the sexual trafficking of God's children, environmental 'creation care,' human rights and the image of God in genocidal places such as Darfur, and how the Prince of Peace might view or endless wars and conflicts" (page 25). I agree. Here is another excerpt from The Great Awakening (pages 26-27) that I agree and connected with:

The two greatest hungers of our time are the hunger for spirituality and the hunger for social justice - and the connection between the two has great power to motivate people to action. The world is especially waiting for a new social and political agenda drawn not from bickering partisan loyalties, blatant ideological bias, or corrupting special interests, but rather from our deepest moral values.

The issues that pose the most fundamental threats to our moral integrity and social survival [are] the world's dangerous levels of inequality, the perils of climate change and environmental degradation, the worst assaults against human life and dignity, the forces that undermine family and community, and the escalation of violent global conflicts of culture, religion, and power.

I strongly believe that faith matters and that it can make a difference, not only in our personal lives but also in our world.

The Happiest Place on Earth

For my birthday I went to Disneyland with my family. Here are a few pictures:

Zack, Me, & my dad in our nasty hotel room.

My grandpa with his favorite grandchild.

Me & my mom
(my grandma took the picture - she's not the best with a camera).

My mom, pretending to be scared (or maybe angry).

A couple of cool kids (me & Zack).

A better picture of me & my mom.

Precious picture of my parents.

Doug, Zack, & Jeanine.

Congressman Tom Lantos

Nicholas recently wrote about the death of Congressman Tom Lantos on his blog. Although I had heard that the congressman had been diagnosed with cancer, I had not heard of his death until today. I met Congressman Lantos while I was interning in Washington D.C. during 2000. I was very impressed with him at the time, and have continued to be as he's served in the House of Representatives.

Congressman Lantos, a Hungarian native, was the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress. Because of the atrocities he witnessed during the Holocaust, he became a champion for human rights and civil liberties. When Congressman Lantos announced he would not seek another term (because of his cancer diagnosis), he stated, "It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family, and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a Member of Congress. I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country."

One of my most memorable moments in D.C. involved Congressman Lantos. I had gone to his office to meet up with a fellow intern. We had planned to go to dinner and to a free Millennium Stage concert at the Kennedy Center. We changed our mind when Congressman Lantos asked if the two of us wanted to join him and his wife for a performance from the Capitol Steps on Capitol Hill. Of course we said yes. We walked with him to the Capitol (even using the "Members Only" elevator) and sat with him at his table. It was awesome!!

Although I have become jaded by a lot of politicians, it was refreshing to meet a member of Congress who had overcome the odds and dedicated years to help change the world for the better.