My life is awesome

So, I'm driving home last night, and as I drive by a local Verizon store, I see this guy

Actually, first I saw a whole bunch of bright lights in the Verizon parking lot, and a guy in full Jedi gear who looks like he took a wrong turn on his way to a Comic-Con.  I slow down a little bit just in time to see him (or it) - a lifesize R2-D2 is there in the parking lot as a crowd of fans look on in awe.  You would've thought that they were lining up to see a REAL celebrity......and according to myself and other sci-fi nerds, they were.

I got so excited.  I really, really wanted to get my picture taken with him (or it??), but I had the sister missionaries in the car with me (coming back from an awesome temple tour), and it was near their curfew, so we had to drive on by.  But my already awesome night just got a little bit awesomer.  *Sigh*  I love my life!

Turns out, the "celebrity appearance" was because of this

the new Droid 2 phone from Verizon.  I still don't entirely know all the stuff that it does, but it looks super-cool.

Just another one of those new gizmos that we've lived without for a bazillion years, yet now can't survive without them.  Kind of reminds me of a battery operated pith helmet with fan

(Can you guess what movie this is?  Click here to find out!)

 Or most of the items in Sky Mall.

You know, one of those items that make us wonder, "Why is this necessary in life?"

Because it's awesome.

"And that is all that love's about....."

I suddenly found myself in the mood to watch "WALL-E" this weekend.  And then, while channel surfing today, I found it was on Disney XD, and so I watched it AGAIN.  (I guess I was more in a "WALL-E" mood than I thought!)  So, since I've got WALL-E on the brain, and since it's about time for another blog post, I thought I'd dedicate this one to my favorite robot.  Enjoy the visual feast. :)

(Seriously, how can you not love this guy?)

 The first time I saw "WALL-E," I loved it - it's a Pixar film, after all, so not loving one of their films, is like saying I don't love oxygen - yet I couldn't see myself owning the movie because of it's "darker" undertones (i.e. the save-the-planet agenda, the dehumanization of the world through technology, etc.).  But, of course I caved and bought it.  And it totally gets better every time.

 The artwork is absolutely phenomenal - it's easy to forget the film is computer-generated.
Awesome fact courtesy of IMDB - 
The makers consulted with (totally amazing) live-action director of photography, Roger Deakins, to learn how Deakins would light and shoot scenes if it were a live-action movie.

Sure, there are the environmental themes of the film, but what makes the film so moving is the humanity WALL-E is endowed with - his quirks, his imperfections, his dreams, his yearning to connect to others.  I would assert that what makes WALL-E so lovable is that he is the Everyman........or the Everyrobot. :) 

Another fun fact:
"Director Andrew Stanton and the Pixar team watched every single Charles Chaplin and Buster Keaton movie (the short films and the features) every day during lunch for about a year and a half. This was to inspire the possibilities of pure visual storytelling."

Look at this face - so much emotion in those eyes!

Of course, being the romantic that I am, what I especially love about the film is the love story between WALL-E and EVE.  Just watching them together makes me want someone to hold hands with....

I want WALL-E as a boyfriend. ;)

Gorgeous artwork, adventure, romance, inspiring messages.....What more can I say?  This film just makes me happy. :)

And so, to echo the words from the song, "...it only takes a moment to be loved a whole life long."
Ok, so he's a robot, and - oh, yeah - he's not real.  But it's films like this that make me appreciate the simple joys in life - like love, friendship, and the beauty of the world.

All Growns Up

I finally did it!!!

After 2 colleges, one associate's degree, a mission, and many steps off the beaten path, I received my bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University! 

That's me!









Mom and Gina flew out to attend my graduation, and it was so wonderful to all be together to celebrate!

Me and Mom outside the Marriott Center after commencement.

With Gina before leaving for commencement.

Sisters!

It was so much fun having all of the "Gabriel Girls" together again!

With Mia!

Even my best friend, Lisa, came to convocation!

 Mia and Gina got me a present for graduation - a graduation cap and gown for Buddy, my build-a-bear.  (And yes, I took him with me to convocation.  But he didn't walk across the stage with me haha.)















Even though it took me longer than many to receive my degree, as I contemplate my path to graduation, I am so grateful for the people, places and experiences that have been a part of my life for the past 2 1/2 years.

I'm especially grateful to have received my degree from BYU.  Never in a million years did I imagine that I'd ever be a "cougar," but it turned out to be the exact place I needed to be.  I have been so truly blessed with the most AMAZING experiences and opportunities - and I'm so excited for what's in store for the future!