2016 in review

Well, another year has just whipped by. Seems like yesterday I was preparing to go to Disneyland for Christmas but I just did Christmas and a whole other year in between. 2016 was quieter in a lot of ways for me, traveling especially due to no exotic trips. However, on the whole, 2016 was pretty good to me in a lot of ways. I know a lot of people are saying how hard 2016 was on them and I know a lot of crappy stuff happened in the world. A lot of crappy stuff happened to people in my life too. But just me, I've been doing alright. Also, I avoid election stuff in large part (I still consider myself informed, I just don't become foaming at the mouth) and I don't pay attention to the politics on FB, so that keeps my blood pressure under control and keeps friends in my life. Anyway, let's see what I was up to this year, shall we?

Movies/Shows: (I don't know why I review this? But I do)
Race-this movie is about Jackie Robinson's life and culminates in his Olympic appearance at the 1936 games in Berlin, Germany. They actually did a really great job telling this story and of course there is plenty of drama both on and off the track. And Olympics? DUH.

Suffragette-tells the story of women's sufferage in Great Britian, they went through very similar things as we did in America. It made me hold my right to vote even more precious in my mind, because, you know, that didn't use to be a thing for women. It is a heartbreaking movie but well worth watching.

Fuller House-revival of the show Full House. I used to watch it all the time as a kid. I loved the pilot episode where they basically had all the old characters come through and re-hash all the lines we know and love. They even had the twin boys who played Jesse and Becky's kids! No Olsens though. But after that...the show is a lot dirtier than it used to be. Lots of innuendo in each episode. Which is disappointing because the old show was so wholesome. And it is more about the adults-DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmie-not the kids. They have a second season on Netflix now, but I think I'll pass.

When Calls the Heart-this tv series is based off a Jeanette Oakie book and Hallmark made it, so it's pretty cheesy. It's like Dr. Quinn, but this time the gal is a teacher and the guy is a Canadian Mountie, but it's still a "town out west" where the girl has to learn to be a rugged woman. BUT. There's a Canadian Mountie. He is one of the most handsomest men I have ever seen, those dimples and blue eyes...and I also learned that he is Australian-so in real life he speaks like an Aussie. Woah, baby. And it's wholesome and has plenty of romance.

Parenthood-Finally saw the final season of this show. I got pretty attached to the characters over the years. Also, they show pretty far into the future how the family members turn out. So it was pretty exciting for me. And I am so relieved that Joel and Julia stayed together, she was such a wanker.

The Great British Bake-off-British people bake things and compete against each other. Things I learned: 1. America has nothing on British bakes, pastries, cakes, etc. They invented "Tea Time" so obvs. I had no idea what 75% of the things they were told to bake were. Granted, they were probably obscure things sometimes. 2. British reality shows are so pleasant and happy. British people have a collective weird sense of humor and they are just so nice to each other. If that show were in America there would be a lot more swear words and stink-eyes. It's also really fun to see what these people make and how hard they sweat and toil all from the comfort of my own couch. I don't have to do all that work! I saw two seasons this year and it was delightful. Also, Studio C did a parody of it and it is hilarious.

Fixer Upper-Who doesn't love Chip and Joanna Gaines. I already devoted a whole blog to this show. I hope I get a new season added to Netflix soon.
Pete's Dragon-This was a remake of the 1977 version. When I was like 11 I watched this movie every day for like a month straight, suffice it to say I was a bit nervous for the new one. But I really liked it. It's very different from the old one, Elliott is more of a pet than a sidekick, the beginning of the movie where Pete is orphaned is one of the saddest things in cinema you'll ever see. The movie was filmed in New Zeland so it is gorgeous. And I love how they set the  movie in the 1980s so there are no technoligical things that conflict with the believability of thestory like RADAR tracking or cell phones. I approve.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them-I had mixed feelings before this movie came out. I like to keep the Harry Potter world contained. I don't like when they mess with the story. I could have done without the "19 years later" chapter in HP 7. It ended up being ok though because while it is set in the wizarding world, it doesn't change the HP  story at all. Side Note: I refuse to read the play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" because of this. I was also nervous because I did not like Eddie Redmayne in Les Mis and he played Newt Scamander. I ended up liking him ok though. I did enjoy the movie a lot. I liked that we got to see the wizarding world in the USA and see some new wizards. The character that was a muggle was all of us when we learn about wizards-it was cute. The movie was a lot darker than I was expecting, especially with the "Second Salemers" and that other dark magic. If you know about HP there are some hints about things to come. They mention Gellert Grindewald, who is the dark wizard that Dumbledore is known for defeating. I heard they want to make five of these movies. So I think at least one will culminate in this battle. But guys! Do you think they'd take it all the way until Voldemort first round-like James and Lilly Potter? Umm, don't know about that.

Finding Dory-very cute sequel to Finding Nemo. Hearwarming and you cheer for Dory. Lots of fun new sea creatures. Pixar wins again. I did see Moana, I liked it, but not my favorite Disney movie.

Honorable mention-New seasons of Grantchester and Poldark and Endeavour. and old seasons of Lewis on amazon. Thank you PBS for keeping me supplied with period dramas and cop shows!

Books-I've got 36 books from this year added to my Goodreads-not all are long, some are youth or children, and I don't always add a book to my list, especially if it is a bad book, I don't want others to read it. But here are my tops:
Seeds of America (Chains, Forge) by Laurie Halse Anderson-these are YA novels but very good. I still need to read the 3rd and last one

Romeo and Juliet-William Shakespeare-I actually didn't like this one. Romeo and Juliet are stupid teenagers whose hormones get the best of them. Also, there are not that many great lines. I read it because I hadn't before and it's just a general knowlege that one should have. Not my favorite though. Lots of other better Shakespeare available.
Lean In for Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg-I learned a lot from this book. It got me thinking about how I act in the workplace and helped me identify barriers that all of us have in the social and political aspects of jobs and careers. It also amped up my feminism a bit. My favorite was a chapter a guy wrote about how he and his girlfriend split duties at home. I still remember a phrase he said about cooking dinner. When he cooks it's not that he's "cooking dinner for his girlfriend" because that connotes that she is the one with that responsibility and usually cooks. He is simply cooking dinner for the both of them because that is what one does when one is in a relationship/partnership. Lots of food for thought. I highly recommend.

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson-think early Downton Abbey years before WWI but not in a castle but the southern english countryside. I liked her writing style, she uses big words, and it was a big fat book. Sometimes you just need a big fat book to read.

The Lake House by Kate Morton-her books are a bit formulaic but I thought this one was one of her better ones in a long time. There is always an incident that happened long ago that somone is trying to figure out the mystery to. I just really enjoyed the mystery of this one, almost like a ghost story. She is a good writer too, so I could put aside the assumption that it would be similar to her other books. Probably in my top two of hers.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain-I have been realizing my introvertedness in recent years and this book was a great boost to my self-esteem and helped me identify my strenghts as an introvert and also how to deal with myself and others who are introverts. I recommend to both introverts and extroverts especially if you are in a relationship because odds are you are both one or the other.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah-a good book but it left me very unsettled after reading it. Very haunting and dark at times. Like I had to watch a Disney movie after. Has some mature themes so be wary if you are sensitive.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson-I read this one because I liked her other book. It was pretty good. Again, I liked her writing and it was a fat book. Old-man curmudgeon gets drawn out of his ways by a new person in his life. Also a bit of a "lifestyle" sketch-as in you kind of just follow a group of characters for a set period of time and see the different episodes they experience. Not necessarily a huge plot per se. There's probably a better litterary term for this, but I wasn't an English major.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown-I enjoyed most of this book. But in a way I kept feeling like she wasn't getting to the part that was supposed to help me change and be more vulnerable. She talked a lot how being vulnerable is hard but worth it and how it pays off in different ways, but I sort of felt like she didn't get to the point I was expecting. But I think she's got more sequels so maybe that was a plot on her part. Also, I enjoy studying behavior and behavior change and it gets your mind thinking a lot. It was interesting to take notes on vulnerability and I hope some of the things I learned will help me be more vulnerable because there are great rewards when you are.

The Martian by Andy Weir-This was a very quick read for me, also I watched the movie first so I had Matt Damon in my mind while reading. But it was funny and really cool to read about what travel to Mars might be like. It was also pretty funny at times. I liked the part where he determines he's a Space Pirate. Also, I have no desire to go to Mars. At all. I would die.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman-another story about an old man curmudgeon but it was pretty good. Also the author is Swedish so I felt like I was getting an international flavor to my literature.

Music:
"Can't Stop the Feeling"-Justin Timberlake it just makes you want to get up and dance
"Shut Up and Dance" -Walk the Moon see above
"Brand New"-Ben Rector see above, but also gives you some pump up confidence type feeling
"Hold My Hand"-Jess Glynne kind of a different style for me but I really like it, it's a cute song too, and also good for dance parties
"I Can't Feel My Face"-The Weeknd-I just like it ok?
Hamilton-finally heard what all the hype was about. I listened to the songs on YouTube. While I am not a total Hamilton fanatic I have mad respect for what Lin-Manuel Miranda has done and put in song and prose. It is also a cultural phenomenon and it will be interesting to see the effects it has on culture in general. Also, Leslie Odom Jr's voice is as smooth as buttah.

Concerts and Shows:
Jon McLaughlin in Spokane-he was an opening act for a band named Parachute. We missed some of his set and he didn't have a full band, but he was still really good and I finally got to see him. Michelle thought he was super hot too. Parachute was lame and all their songs sounded the same and Michelle and I were older than a good number of people there and we left early.

Newsies in Spokane-my second time seeing it but got to take the family this time. We all really loved it. I love all the dancing and the tap in "King of New York" is AMAZING. Such a fun show that most people will enjoy. Pops really dug it. "Seize the Day" will make you cry and shout "Huzzah!" Also, a Trump rally just got done at the convention center next door the day of our show-so that was interesting.

Pacific Northwest Ballet in June-The most sublime and amazing ballet I have been to. I already blogged about it. Such a fun trip. Mom and I still talk about it.

Pacific Northwest Ballet in September-This time we took Dad, Stephen and Meagan. We stayed in a hotel in Bellevue and during the day we hit up the Dahilia Bakery, Nancy's Sewing Basket, and saw the Dale Chihuliy glass exhibit at the Seattle Center. The ballet was wonderful. I loved the show in June more, but I did very much enjoy the Balanchine number "Symphony in C".

Hamlet by Hanford High-I took my friend Michelle, while it was a long play the local high school did a really good job and Hamlet is my favorite Shakespeare.

Trips:
AZ in February-yearly birthday trip a bit later in the month. I got to go swimming in February! And play with my niece and my sister and brother-in-law. Just a great place to visit that time of year.

UT in July-got to see a lot of peeps and did a lot of fun summer-in-Utah things. I went to the Salt Flats which was a cool experience, saw lots of fireworks, and went on a lovely Alpine hike with G where we saw a moose

OC in August--very fun family vacation to the coast. Tillamook ice cream. ocean, fun baby to play with, lots of fun and games. Just needed a tad more warmth. But I did get to throw the Olympic opening ceremony party of my dreams

AZ in November-came at a much needed time in life, so good to get out of town and away from a lot of stress at home. Ate Thanksgiving al fresco in 75 degree weather, got to go to the zoo with my niece, went hiking, saw Christmas lights and spent some good time with family and playing with my cute little niece.

A few trips to both Seattle and Spokane for ballet and shows and also we found mom a place in Spokizzle that sells pineapple dole whip. (But it doesn't anymore apparently).

Temples-
Provo City Center-gorgeous. I think I blogged about this one already.

Mesa, AZ-an older, pioneer style temple, but still wonderful. I loved all the words above the lintels of the doorways.

Random happenings:
-Got $71 from a class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo-it was from several years ago when I would get up to 10 calls a day from a number claiming to be Wells Fargo
-Broke the side mirror on the passenger side of my car (a really dumb thing I did), Atticus, and fixed it!
-Took the GRE for a second time-it's been over 5 years since the first time I took it and I had to take it again because at one point this year I was contemplating applying to graduate school. It was harder than last time because they changed the test and also my brain is slowing down. Let that be a lesson to you kids! Also, why does the TC not have a testing center where one can do this?!
-Bonnie Roos' wedding-just yay. Also, it's so good to be able to attend a sealing and hear the sealing ordinances and promises. Keeps me in the right perspective.

-25 YEARS of friendship with the Mormon Ghetto kids-I was able to celebrate of sorts with Kira and Kameron. Dude. 25 years is a LOT especially when you consider that we are all only around 30 years old. We've grown up playing together and growing to people I love as family. We've seen each other through thick and thin and it is amazing that we still get to see each other so much. These people have known me as a chubby kid, awkward teenager, young adult figuring out life, and they know me so well. These are my people.

all the heart-eyes

Blessings from the Wide World of Sports:
2016 RIO OLYMPICS Simone Biles and the Final Five. Enough said. Also, why didn't I write my traditional blog about the Olympics? I'll have to do that. I did write about Bob Costas though.

CUBS WIN-Chicago Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years in a nail biter of a game 9. I am still having heart palpitations about this one. Just really great baseball and a game to talk about for the next 108 years. So happy they can still make baseball like this. Go Cubbies!

Internet Offerings: James Corden Carpool Karaoke has probably been my favorite this year. He is so sweet and funny. The Adele one is the best.

On a more personal note-I feel good about some things I accomplished this year. I stretched myself in a few ways and dared myself to become more. I am working on doing things even though there is a possibility of not being successful. I still need to try even though I may fail. I am trying to teach myself to do hard things. I am also happy at my spiritual growth this year. I have learned both doctrinal and experiential and have had several profound  and personal spiritual revelations. I can also say that I've learned to identify the Spirit more in my life which I feel is the first step to following it. I have also spent time trying to mentally and emotionally prepare myself to turn 30 in 2017. I really didn't want it to be something depressing that I just dreaded. And I think I've done a good job and I actually have a good attitude about it. Even though I may be one of the oldest in my YSA branch I am embracing the fact that I am a role model and seen as wise and mature (at least I think) and apparently I dress well to others now. (I still don't think). I also feel a different kind of confidence than I used to, partly because I am more secure in myself and partly because I am almost 30 and a grown-A woman. One of the biggest surprises is that I have friends again. This time last year I had a goal to prepare myself to leave the YSA branch and go to a family ward by the end of 2016. I was sure that I would be the lone holdout that was around my age and that I'd be so sick of being alone and friendless. Honestly, a lot of the year was spent this way at church. I could go a whole three hours and not talk to anyone on purpose. I only went to church on Sunday and didn't do anything else at all. I don't know why, but Heavenly Father blessed some friends to come to the Richland YSA branch. In August, a gal named Mallorie moved in. She has been such a blessing to me and for my emotional welfare. Because of her I have also made friends with a few others and we sort of have a friend group now (it's still kind of new). I also started attending institute with Mallorie and that has been beneficial spiritually and socially. It's been very different than how I had expected this year to play out. I have also grown very close to my coworker, Stephanie. She a wonderful person to spend 40 hours a week next to. We entertain each other and get along well. I am grateful to get along so well with my coworkers.

One of the longest parts of the year was when my parents decided to remodel the kitchen. While it was worth the pain and anguish and the kitchen turned out really well, it was very very hard at times. I'd say I'd rather move seven times than remodel a kitchen. Well...almost. We had to microwave everything we ate and that got old after about two weeks. I learned the "better" brands of frozen dinners (healthy choice steamer bowls or marie calenders) and that they don't have any food in them at all. One time I broke down and bought an electric griddle so we could have waffles, eggs and sausage. We became creative in our cooking and eating. There was one night at the end where I literally ate my dinner on the stairs because I had nowhere else to sit and eat. It was also kind of a starvation diet because we couldn't store as much food and had to microwave, toast, or griddle anything hot. I became more familiar with things like salad bowls and the hot soup bars at the grocery store. We ate out more than normal too because sometimes you just want a hot meal. At one point I just wanted more vegetables so we went and got salads from Applebees (you know I was desperate because Applebees is blacklisted). Ugh, this time of life was not very appealing food-wise. In addition to the food there were other adventures like living somewhere else for three days while the asbestos was removed from our ceilings and getting barricaded from the upstairs when the painter left all the plastic sheets up. Mom and I had go out the back door in the basement, through the back door of the garage, in the front door, rip a hole in the plastic to go upstairs, and then rip another hole in the plastic to get into the upstairs bathroom and master bedroom. (Also, during all this, my shower wasn't working so I had to shower upstairs for about six weeks, so that was fun. Not.) Let alone moving all the stuff in our entire upstairs to the downstairs. It was kind of fun to have another couch downstairs but I was getting so claustrophobic with all the stuff in the basement. I was still able to do my exercise videos for a lot of it, but eventually I couldn't even do that because our entire living room was filled with stuff. We are back to a working kitchen now. Still figuring out where we want everything to be and learning how to use these fancy appliances. But the result is nice. What follows are some before and after pictures. I should devote a whole blog post to that...Anyway, this was a VERY large part of my year in 2016.

Granted, my year hasn't always been the best. Lots of family and friends have been suffering and that has caused me lots of grief and worry. But on the whole I'd have to say it's been pretty good. I'd give it a solid B+.

There is already a lot to look forward to in 2017. I have a trip to Hawaii planned with my friends Michelle and Stacey in February for my birthday. Weehooo! AND I have a second niece or nephew making their debut in June. I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR BOTH.

Anyway, fare thee well 2016. Bring on the 2017. Feliz ano nuevo!

Meagan