This is me this afternoon in my office after our advertising lecture. The chocolate called to me. Advertising seriously works.... Also, Cadbury's chocolate is FAR superior than Hershey's. Just in case you were wondering.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Friday, September 18, 2020
It's okay to feel mixed about cuties
See my Psychology Today Blog post for my thoughts on the film, Cuties:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-media-mindset/202009/its-okay-feel-mixed-about-cuties
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Saving Hope
So if you know me, you know that I am obsessed with medical dramas. I've pretty much seen them all! ER, Grey's Anatomy, House, New Amsterdam, The Resident, Scrubs, Private Practice, etc. etc. etc. I wanted to be a doctor when I was a kid (and my dad is a doctor) so I've been fascinated with medical type stuff. In a different life I would probably become an OBGYN doc because I'm passionate about female health and I love the miracle of birth!
So I was excited when I found this Canadian media drama called "Saving Hope". This program has a bit of a supernatural element to it and some religious undertones, which I like (and is rare on TV these days). The characters are great and I only have one episode left!!
The craziest episode was one that was done a few years ago and was about a novel coronavirus that was discovered in Africa, was brought to the USA, caused severe respiratory distress, and had a high death rate. I think I watched this in April and I was completely shocked when I figured out the topic of the episode. Holy crap. Luckily, in this one, they quickly isolated the infected individuals and shut the whole thing down in like 3 days. Wouldn't that be nice?!
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Billy Elliot - A dance for the senses
I spent 10 hours today reviewing grant applications in a too hot room with far too few breaks and I am DONE.
Tonight I needed to veg, so I picked up a warm baguette, some meat and some cheese and set up camp in my hotel room.
I decided to watch Billy Elliot. This film came out in 2000, so is definitely not new, but I hadn't seen it yet.
I LOVED IT.
It's about a young British boy growing up in the 80s in coal country, who decides he wants to be a professional dancer.
I think I cried at least 5 or 6 times. The dancing was enchanting, the hard won relationship between father and son was touching, but the perseverance and grit shown by young Billy was the most beautiful of all. This film made me want to sing and dance and follow all my dreams at once. I love when good media has that kind of power.
I think what made it most touching was that my 6 year old, Liam, just started ballet this year. Liam is such a beautiful soul. My other boys are more rough and tumble and are all into soccer, while Liam just wants to dance. He talked about it for a full year before we picked him up the cutest little tap and ballet shoes. He is the only boy in his class and comes home grinning and twirling each week. Oh how I love my little guy. I hope nothing ever stops his spirit and his desire to pursue the arts.
The film is rated R in the states, but only 13+ here in Belgium, which is interesting. There is a lot of swearing, so viewer be warned. I feel like it accurately reflects life in a hardened family in rural England - similar to how my husband grew up. To me, it didn't take away from the film, but was a stark juxtaposition to the beauty of the ballet.
I grew up dancing and tried out for the drill team when I was 15 years old. I made it to the final round, before getting cut. My entire dance company made it - I was the only one who didn't make the team. I remember crying to my dance coach that evening and thinking my life had ended. Of course it did not, and I ended up getting involved in wonderful things in high school, but one consequence of this was that I stopped dancing for more than 20 years. This changed 2 years ago when my daughter asked me to try out for community theatre with her. I started dancing again and it ended up being the most beautiful, healing, empowering experience I have had in a very long time. Dancing is good for the soul and good for the heart.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
the Mindy project
Monday, November 12, 2018
Baymax or Smurfs?
First of all, my husband Paul, has another hand surgery on Thursday (so office hours will be cancelled). This is from his table saw accident from January. His pointer finger just isn't moving at all, even after 10 months of Physical therapy, so they are going to try to clean up the scar tissue and hopefully get it moving a little bit better. Here is a picture of him after his last surgery - not looking very happy. Your media moment: do you think he looks more like a smurf or baymax in this picture?
Poor guy. We'd love some prayers our way on Thursday if you happen to think about the Coyne family that day!
Also, I wanted to post this cute picture from our class Halloween lecture. Thank you to everyone who dressed up! I don't even like Halloween all that much, but teaching my fear lecture while dressed up as one of my very favorite media characters of all time made for a really memorable class for me!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
#metoo and airplanes
Saturday, October 13, 2018
A beautiful motherhood moment, brought to you by Matilda
We were talking for a bit and then she randomly started singing "My Shot" from Hamilton. Dang - she has most of those words memorized and there are A LOT of words in that song! She is going to be "Matilda" (the Broadway version) for Halloween this year, so I asked her to sing a Matilda song. She sang the song, "Quiet". It is such a beautiful song, and she has such a clear, pure voice. She looked up over the computer at me, and I was struck by one of those moments of motherhood where I just wanted to stop time. Hannah is 11 next month and is really growing into an incredible young woman. She is strong, and confident, and bossy, and just SO full of life, and I drank up every moment of that song. At the end I gave her a huge hug and whispered, "Never grow up. Ever". So then she had to sing me the song, "When I grow up"....also from Matilda and really made me cry. Ha!
Hannah and I really bond over Broadway songs. We sing them all the time to each other (sometimes belting them out WAAAAY too loud). Hannah loves to act in plays and early this year asked me to try out for a play with her. That is NOT my thing, so I told her no at first, but then ended up agreeing to try out...because when your daughter asks you to spend time with her doing something you love, you say "yes" even though it might be really hard and scary for you! We both ended up making it and performed in Payson Community Theater's "A Night on Broadway" (and I even got to sing Edelweiss as a duet! So much scarier than talking in front of hundreds of people like I often do for my job. AHHH!!) Singing and dancing with Hannah is one of my VERY favorite things to do with her and I am so grateful for the many, many ways that music touches my life and allows me to deepen relationships with others.
Singing "You will be found" - my sister and niece are also in the picture
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
New family pictures!
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Thank you, sir.
Yes - Gus from Psych is in West Wing (I told you it's a good show) - in the show he is the president's assistant (kind of like I am to Alan). It was a very, very simple thing, but our offices are next door and I have NEVER heard him laugh so loudly as when he opened my email. It made my day and I was struck by an appreciation of how media can bring us together in the small moments of our day.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Back to school
Monday, March 7, 2016
My kindness shall not depart from thee
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Could this be any more perfect for today's lecture?
Later this evening, my daughter, Hannah, wanted to show me something she had been watching. It was called "And the Tiara goes to..." At first I REALLY didn't want to watch. It sounded like the anti-Sarah and something I would hate. But she kept pressing me and telling me I would love it, so I gave in.
The program is an American Doll episode. Which I really do love in theory (I grew up with the stories). This particular episode centers around a beauty pageant. One of the girls (Julie) decides to just "be herself" in the talent portion and so instead of singing, dancing, etc., Julie decides to dribble a basketball. So cool! And then Hannah wanted to show me one more part. All the girls were being asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Answers included being a veterinarian, fashion designer, ballet studio owner, flight attendant, movie star, etc. All great things. Julie's answer brought tears to my eyes.
"President of the United States"
"Well...not right away. I'd have to go college and then maybe become a mayor. And I know it might be really hard because there's never been a female president, but imagine what it would be like if one day....girls were born and they never even remembered a time when there hadn't been a woman president. Those girls would just know it was possible and never know that it wasn't. I think that would be really exciting? Don't you?"
Here is the full episode and that great scene starts at 9:20. Well worth a few minutes of your time.
I asked Hannah later that evening if she thought she would like to be president someday. She grinned and said, "Absolutely!"
I am so thankful for this girl of mine. Boy, she can sure give us a run for our money sometimes (see my SFL351 lecture on emotion regulation!), but she is an absolute joy for the most part. She is really figuring things out and is mature beyond her years. She is kind, smart, empathetic, generous, and a true defender. When other kids are getting picked on - she is the kid to stop it. She knows who she is and she has a beautiful spirit. Hannah got baptized in January (see a few pictures below). It was a beautiful, perfect day. Right after she got the Holy Ghost she asked to bear her testimony. She talked about her faith in Jesus Christ and her knowledge that families will be together forever. She broke down in tears and left the stand sobbing, overcome with the Spirit. Sometimes, it is an absolute privilege being a parent. Love you Hannah. And if anyone could be the first female president - it would be you (well....or Hillary Clinton!) :)
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Best media couples?
I got this Christmas present for my husband, Paul, this year. The glare is a little bad, but you get the idea. We like to watch TV shows together and these are some of our favorite couples from some of our favorite programs including The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Friday Night Lights, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, and of course a whole lot of Disney.
I think my favorite media couple of all time is Eric and Tammy Taylor from Friday Night Lights. They have a realistic marriage, with trials and problems, but they are also extremely supportive and caring to each other. I remember once Paul and I were in the middle of an argument. We had kind of stomped off to our separate rooms and Paul came back and said something about an episode we had just watched where Eric and Tammy have an argument, but they were able to work it out in a really beautiful way. This inspired him and he came to fix things pretty quickly.
I really do think that media can be inspiring. There is almost no research on media and romantic relationships, but I suspect there is some sort of effect. I just need to do the study now.......
Who are your favorite media couples and why???
Monday, February 8, 2016
Two Cathedrals
As you know, The West Wing is my all time favorite show. There is one episode called "Two Cathedrals" (season finale of season 2). In my opinion, it is the finest 43 minutes and 57 seconds of television. Ever.
A scene kept running through my head. President Bartlet is considering running for re-election and unexpectedly experiences a tragedy in his life. After a funeral he has this conversation with God. Be warned - there is a little language.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVgK5HKj3P4
President Bartlet is a highly religious man. But I think this scene portrays the raw pain that many of feel when we experience significant trials in our life. As I watched, I wondered. Is God just a "feckless thug"? Are we really in control of anything in this life or does He just play games with us? What's the point of trying our best - of giving our all - when it can be taken away so easily. I've related to this scene several times in my life, especially this year, and I cried as I watched it again today.
However, the episode does not end there. Bartlet has a profound conversation with someone who points out that "he's having quite the day". She reminds him that God does not *cause* accidents and that there are a lot of people who are "worse off than you". They talk numbers. How many children are born in poverty. How many people don't have health care. How many people are incarcerated, etc. President Bartlet realizes that there is still work to do. There is still hope.
There is a fierce storm. Bartlet enters the fray and makes the decision to run for re-election. He does not give up, even when the task appears insurmountable. It is my very favorite scene in any program I have ever viewed.
https://vimeo.com/56378248
As I watched this tonight, I was filled with hope. My 2 year old, Liam, had crawled out of bed and was snuggled next to me, playing with my ear as he likes to do. I felt warm and I felt loved. Bad things happen. It's not right and it's not fair. It's easy to feel hopeless and to feel like giving up. It's easy to blame God even though he gives us nothing but His grace. He knows exactly how much life can suck sometimes and He will not leave us comfortless. He will send a 2 year old and an inspired episode the West Wing to lift you up. There is still hope. And there is still a lot of work to do here on this earth. Watch this. I'm ready.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Octonauts
Friday, January 15, 2016
A League of Their Own
So, you can imagine how excited I was to watch this at a girl's night with my only daughter, Hannah, age 8. Here we are all snuggled up.
And I love the deep look at sibling rivalry between Dottie and Kit. It's pretty intense and I can relate on some level. There is a little sexual content which we fast forwarded, but not much. If you haven't seen this, go out and watch it immediately!!!
In honor of this beautiful movie, here are my top five favorite movie quotes from A League of Their Own. My siblings and I might quote some of these to each other regularly.
1. It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great.
2. Oh piss on your hat.
3. You ever hear Dad introduce us to people? "This is our daughter Dottie, and this is our other daughter, Dottie's sister." Should've just had you and bought a dog!
4. You think there are men in this country who ain't seen your bosoms?
And of course...
5. THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!!
What is your favorite "girl power" movie?
Monday, January 4, 2016
Potty training
Just a quick one for today - we have been talking to our 2 1/2 year old, Liam about potty training. We've got the potty out a few times, but haven't been really serious about it. Yesterday, on the way home from church, Liam, said "Daniel Tiger goes the potty". I said, "You are right! Do you want to go to the potty like Daniel Tiger?" Liam said "YES! In MY potty!"
*Our gorgeous little man*
You see, there is a whole episode about going to the potty on one of Liam's favorite shows, "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood". My 11 year old calls this particular episode, "the worst show in the entire universe" and always complains loudly when it gets turned on. But it's pretty cool that my 2 year old understood the concept of the episode and wanted to change his behavior after viewing this particular episode.
So.....thank you Daniel Tiger! And watch this space for potty training news in the future.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Should I start my child in Kindergarten this year? - Academic redshirting
Monday, March 30, 2015
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb
Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
Monday, March 23, 2015
This is 40....
In other news, Paul and I watched the movie "This is 40" on TV (edited) over the weekend. Oh heavens. The characters were pretty much me and Paul (though crazier and meaner). So many of the conversations they had, we have had. My personal favorite was the toilet scene. The mom likes to run and is really concerned about the effect of media on her kids. They even look like us just a little bit. And it's all about transitioning into your 40s, which heaven help me, is not too far away! The woman was freaking out about turning 40 but then decided just to have "joy" and live in the moment. Which I think is great. When I was a kid I thought 40 was SO OLD. Most of you are in your early 20s and are probably thinking the same thing! But I will actually BE in my 40s in just a couple of years. Which, if you ask my grandma, is still pretty darn young :)
Monday, March 2, 2015
Chicken Little Saves the Day!
Last week I was having a rough day. I had a killer day at work and then a killer day at home. I had just put the kids to bed and was lying on my bed, kind of lethargically. My eldest, Nate, came in and asked what was wrong. I told him I had just had a really bad day and was tired. He started scratching my back (which is what I do for him when he is sad) and gave me a big hug and said, "you know what, mom? Today was only one day. And it's over. And tomorrow is a totally new day and you get to start all over!" I was super impressed by his insight and asked him why he thought of that. His answer: Chicken Little (the movie).
Well, wherever the source, this message totally made my day. I gave him a hug and walked him to his room, tucked him in again and gave him a kiss. He smiled and said, "I think I should give you a pep talk every night". Definitely, kid. Definitely.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
TV shows for couples?
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Babies in movie theaters?
Enter......young mom with a baby. Both Paul and I looked at each other and sighed.
Now I have nothing against babies. I have a baby. I really like him. But I didn't pay for a babysitter for my kids so I could listen to YOUR baby cry during the movie.
About 20 minutes into the movie, the baby started fussing. The mom tried to comfort the kid but no go. She kept on trying and still no go. After about 10 minutes (which felt REALLY long!) she took the baby to the back of the theater. Where the baby STILL kept fussing. And fussing. And fussing. After another 10 minutes, she finally left.
I understand that this young mother probably needed a break, which is why she went to the theater. However, I don't think she got a very good break. And she disturbed the entire theater for a good chunk of the movie. I also don't know why she picked a Friday night showing. If you want to bring your baby to a movie you could try an afternoon showing where there would be hardly anyone there. Your crying baby is just fine in church. A quiet movie theater? Not so much. And I SWEAR that this is a Utah thing, because in the 7 years we lived in England we NEVER saw a baby in a movie theater, unless it was a kid show.
I would love to know your thoughts on this. Do babies belong in movie theaters? Yay or Nay?
Friday, January 16, 2015
Good times with Téa
1. Strong, powerful, moral female lead character
2. Intellectual dialogue and topics
3. NOT trashy!
4. About politics, which is something I'm very much interested in now (thank you West Wing!)
It stars Téa Leoni who is FANTASTIC. This made me want to rewatch one of my favorite movies, The Family Man. It came from Netflix last night and my husband and I watched it even though I was dead tired after work. Apart from one sketchy shower scene that definitely earns it's PG-13 rating, I would highly recommend this! It is very rare in today's media that traditional family values, such as marriage and children, are emphasized this much. It makes me stop and realize what REALLY is important in my life. It all comes down to family. Without my family, I would be nothing. Especially without Paul, who is my rock, my equal, and the love of my life.
So thank you Téa for some good times lately - they almost make up for ruining my life in Jurassic Park 3 :)
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Halloween pics 2014
Here is what I posted on Instagram. I got to be a professor....my favorite thing!
You'll see we have Professor Snape, Professor Trelawney, Harry Potter, Hermione, another Harry Potter, and one very cute house elf who did NOT want to wear his ears! :)
Yes, we have two Harry Potters - this is because Aidan absolutely worships Nathan so wants to do whatever he does. It's VERY sweet and I'm glad Nathan is such a great example to him.
One more cute picture of the bigger kids! I really love this one.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Elder Holland's talk
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
LinkedIn fail
My grandpa was literally the smartest person I knew (he was vice president of Texas A & M and created the research park at University of Utah) and I would give everything to connect up with him again. Alzheimer's is a horrible, horrible, disease and I hated watching the man I knew lose his mind.
My daughter, Hannah, standing in front of Grandpa's sign at the U.
An old picture of grandpa and me.
Thanks for the painful reminder LinkedIn......
But good thing families are forever, cause I'll be able to "connect" with him again in a very REAL sense someday!!! Take that, LinkedIn!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Red Rock Relay - Park City
Last Saturday was the Red Rock Relay! For those of you who haven't done a relay race, here is how it works. There are six people on your team and you each run two different legs of 60+ mile race. We did the Park City one and it was from Midway up to Park City and then back to Midway.
Honestly, this has been one of the hardest, but most fun things I have ever done! I'm not really a runner. This is hard to admit in Utah county, where it seems like everyone runs! But my good friend, Shanna asked me to be on the team so I spent the last three months training. This has been really nice, because I feel like I am about in the best shape I've been in since college.
The night before the race we all stayed up in Midway. I can't remember the last time I have ever laughed that hard! I won't get into it, but let's just say, "what happens in the van, stays in the van". I love these girls!
Race day - up at 5 am. My two legs were #6 and #12, so I had a looooong time to wait.
My first leg was 3 miles straight up hill. And I do mean UPHILL! I ran a good portion of this, but had to walk some. Okay - why is this post about media? Well, you know from our music lecture that my go to running song is "Put our hands up" by Macklemore. After two miles, I was pretty much at my limit and I thought - okay, time for Macklemore. But as I scrolled through my iPod I came to realize that that song (and 4 of my best others!) weren't on there! I added a few songs right before the race, and somehow much have deleted my five very best songs! I actually started to get all teary and felt a little defeated. But the next song was "I will wait" by Mumford and Sons and when that banjo started playing I started to run again. I made it to the top, had a giant asthma attack (thank goodness for inhalers!) but finished!!
No idea why I am smiling in this picture - I wanted to vomit at this point!
Here are a few pictures at the top of the mountain right after my first leg.
My second leg was the very last leg of the whole race. 8.33 miles straight downhill. Which hypothetically should have been easier than the uphill one.....but it wasn't! The first mile was out of a dream. I felt fast and strong. There were no cars, no other runners, the weather was perfect and I was running through groves of aspen trees. The colors were beautiful - everything was bathed in a gold light as the sun was setting through the mountains. A few leaves fell and I jumped up to grab at them. Truly magical.
Well, then the road started getting REALLY steep. In fact, as I was at the top of the mountain, I looked down at the valley and thought, "wow, that is gorgeous! That must be Provo in the distance! Breathtaking". I soon came to realize that I was going to run down this giant mountain and it wasn't Provo in the distance, it was Midway! In all, I ran down 3,500 feet, all the way from Park City to Midway. At mile 5, I began to get really distressed. My knees were burning at that point, and I had hurt my hip so every step felt like fire. My van gave me some good support but I wanted to give up. What I would have given for an uphill at that point! Again, I wished for my go-to songs. Where were you Katy Peery??? It is crazy how much music matters in a time like this!
I pushed through the final 3 miles and ran through the finish line (my leg was the very last race). My team ran up to meet me but I had to walk away since I started to cry. It was both a physical pain and emotional release of actually finishing the race.
Obligatory selfie at the end!
Would I do it again? YES! It was a great experience to exercise self control to hone my body into a place where it could actually finish this race. Our bodies are such a gift from our Heavenly Father and they can do amazing things! It was actually a very spiritual experience. I prayed for most of that second leg and felt strengthened right when I needed it most. It was good to push my body to the limit to see exactly what it could do. I loved watching my teammates succeed. We all finished our races, even though some of them were very difficult. I've been very sore the last few days, but it was all worth it in the end! In fact, my team just texted me and said there is a "rivalry relay" running from University of Utah and BYU next year, and I'm all ready to sign up! Go Cougs!