Harry Potter: the Star of the Millennial Generation

Every generation has a film or two that was seen by so many people that it was able to set records and even change the way they thought. Films like Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, and the Star Wars Trilogy are a few the influential movies made in past generations. After seeing the newest Harry Potter movie, I believe that Harry Potter has become one the most influential fictional characters for this generation, on and off the screen. Both the Harry Potter books and the movies have become extremely popular. Almost anyone born in this, the Millennial Generation, will recognize the name "Harry Potter." The books and movies are often quoted and referred to. For example, words from J.K. Rowling's books were spoken by the valedictorian at my high school graduation. More evidence that Harry Potter is the star was the reactions and anticipation seen by middle school, high school, and even college students before another book or movie was about to come out. Everyone standing in line to be first to get the book or see the movie, talking with friends about Harry Potter trivia and facts, and surfing the web for Harry Potter sites and information are just a few of the actions made by millions of this generation around the world in behalf of Harry Potter. This is evidence enough for me that Harry Potter is the "star" of the Millennial Generation. Who knows how the films and books will influence us further!

How to be Creative with Your Food

Being in college, students often have little money to spend. So, when the times get tough, so do food options. Top ramen, refried beans, and canned vegetables may be the contents of their cupboards, and they get boring fast! So how can students with a tight budget bring some excitement to their dishes? Try new food combinations! Did you know peanut butter is excellent in providing texture to many foods? Try adding it to your top ramen. Pickles are amazing as well. They give lots of flavor. A new, exciting sandwich is made from sliced pickles and peanut butter on bread. Try it sometime! Basically, get creative with your food, or stay with the same old boring foods stacked in the cupboard.

Saved by Playing the Organ

Music plays such an important role in my life. It reduces my stress, helps me concentrate, and helps me feel the spirit. Since school began, I seem to be listening to music a lot, whither I'm at work, doing homework, or just relaxing. However, because I have so much homework, I have a difficulty finding the time to play music on the piano or my violin. In the past, playing my instruments has been my way of coping with life, and made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile. Now that I don't get the chance to play them very often, I treasure the time I do have to enjoy the piano and my violin.
On the other hand, I  have been taking an organ class this semester. While the class is difficult and the teachers are very critical, I have been able to find great joy in playing the organ. I enjoy being able to do something I enjoy apart from my usual schedule of classes, homework, and work; and it has become my creativity's new outlet.  Playing the organ is now my new way to reduce stress here at school, and I am sure it has helped me to do better in my classes. I have learned to love the way it sounds and the exhileration I get when I play the pedals. If I have learned to love anything about my classes thus far, it is my love of the organ.

Way Too Early!!

Today is Nov 4. There are approximately 50 days until Christmas. But what are retail stores doing? Putting up Christmas tress, displaying Christmas decorations, and telling their customers to start buying presents! We haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet! Did it just disappear? Retail stores need to put things into perspective. Christmas is the biggest season of the year for them, but putting up decorations don't necessarily make people start buying stuff sooner. All it does is make customers tired of Christmas by the time it comes around. To keep this from happening, stores should wait to put up decorations until Thanksgiving weekend. Anytime before that is way too early! Why can't more stores be like Nordstrom?

Why I Go to Church

Living without parents changes a lot of things. Suddenly, I am responsible for everything. I make my own food, do my own laundry, and manage my own schedule. While managing my own schedule can be a good thing, it can also be difficult sometimes. Deciding whether I should do homework, or watch a movie; take a walk or ride the bus; and the most important: go to church, or stay home. Before living on my own, this decision was simple: go to church with my family. I had friends to see and family to sit with. Now, I am on my own in an alien ward, without family or old friends. What once was an easy choice has suddenly become difficult.

So how do I make the decision on whether to go to church or stay home? The answer is to change my attitude. Rather than think of the homework I have, or how tired I am, or what food I want to eat, I should think of the blessings I receive when I go to church. I become rejuvenated through the spirit, receive revelation, and come closer to my Heavenly Father when I go to church. I am able to partake of the sacrament and learn new doctrine when I go to the meetings. When I think about going to church in this way, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. My decision becomes easier. I'm not saying that I won't have Sundays when I want to stay home, but I believe that this attitude will help keep me going to church every week.

An Autumn Rainstorm

I love fall! Everything about the season is wonderful. I love the multi-colored leaves, the chill in the air, and the rain. There is nothing better than opening the windows on a cool fall afternoon and listening to the rain pitter-pattering as I drink hot chocolaty goodness. I wish fall lasted the whole year long!

American Parents and their Food

As an American, I have grown up with food all around me. Think about it, Americans have it so easy! There is a food option for every situation. If we want food, we can go to a grocery store. If we are too lazy to make it ourselves, we go to a restaurant.  If we are impatient, we get fast food. If we are super hungry we go to a buffet. If we feel guilty about our weight, we eat "diet" food.  If we are super lazy we can even have our food delivered. I could go on and on.
Americans have reached a new level of ease when it comes to getting food, and so we have developed an obesity problem. Most people are aware of the issue of school food and obese children. However, the adults tend to avoid looking at themselves. While their children may be getting unhealthily larger, so are they, and it is often their own fault that both they and their children are become so unhealthy. The easiness of getting fast, greasy food, without even leaving the home, has led many parents to stop trying to find a healthy, more-time-consuming alternative to eat.
So how can this be solved? It's simple. Make parents aware of their own diet and it's effects on their  bodies, and they will be able to start helping both themselves and their children eat healthier.