Book Review: Three Cups of Tea & Book Club!

I just finished this book a few days ago and I still find myself thinking about it. This book is life-changing. It made me feel bad that I waste .95 nearly every day to go to the gas station for a drink because that .95 cents collectively if I saved it over the next month could literally pay for one girls education for a whole year! I am insanely jealous of the life that Greg Mortenson leads helping these children in the war-torn Middle East to gain access to a good education and establish some peace for them. Literally the only way to end violence and ignorance is through adequate education starting with children. He is a remarkable man with a wonderful heart and is doing something about the problems he sees in that area of the world. If you haven't read this book, I would recommend it to ANYONE! There is a whole chapter at the end about how you can donate to his charity: Central Asia Institute.

I decided that Tuesday, February 12th at my house would be a good day to have my first book club. I will post a reminder and time and such later. ANYONE who would like to come is invited if you have read the book or not. Come talk about the book or simply just come to be in good company!

We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet...

What a bittersweet time it is for me. I have loved, respected, honored, and cherished our beloved Prophet since he was named President of our church at the age of 15. His love and care for the youth of the church touched me deeply at that time. I remember being present for his famous "6 B's" fireside when he mentioned YW should not have more than one set of ears pierced. My friend Lou and I sheepishly looked at each other in embarassment for we both had double holes and vowed to take them out immediately following the fireside. I did so and I have proudly never gone back. His strength, encouragement, and warnings for his fellow church members have given me comfort through some of the darkest hours of my life. I will miss him dearly as so many of you, but I am also full of joy at the thought of his reunion on the other side where he will be sure to numbered as one of our Heavenly Father's good and faithful servants.

Jerry O' Connel spoof on Tom Cruise

Just press pause on my playlist before you play this video. It is a HILARIOUS spoof on Tom Cruise and I am still laughing!

Three Cups of Tea

This is the newest book I am reading. I am enjoying it so much that I decided it would be fun to do a book club with it. I have never done a book club in my life (mostly because I don't have much time to read anymore) but I think it would be something fun to do since it is so cold outside and everyone is secluded in their homes. I was hoping to have the book read by the 14th of February and have the book club night sometime that week. If you are interested please let me know. Feel free to tell anyone you think might want to join in that they are welcome. The more the merrier!

Here is the synopsis for the book:

The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban's backyard
Anyone who despairs of the individual's power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan's treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools-especially for girls-that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson's quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.

Steve & Barry's

This post is to all my girlfriends out there looking for a great deal. Steve & Barry's is a chain store that just opened up in Murray. I am so excited for this store because it is SOOOOOOOOO cheap! The other great thing about this store is that they are now carrying clothing lines designed by many famous people including Venus Williams, Amanda Bynes, Stephon Marbury, and my favorite line 'BITTEN' by Sarah Jessica Parker. Her line is amazing and everything is $19.98 or less! She has an amazing black and white houndstooth coat that has my name written all over it and yes it is only $19.98. (picture above) However, I saw something on T.V. today that said that at the new Steve and Barry's store everything in the entire store is $8.98 for a limited time. This includes shoes! Holy Cow.....I can just imagine all the shoes I can get for $8.98!

Here is the address for Steve and Barry's in Murray:
5546 South Van Winkle Expressway, Murray, UT

The link for Steve and Barry's is now on my blog so you can link yourself there if you want to check it out!

Happy Shoppping!

New Year's Thought

I see not a step before me as I tread on another year;
But I've left the past in God's keeping-
the future His mercy shall clear;
And what looks dark in the distance
may brighten as I draw near.
-Mary Gardiner Brainard

New Year's Resolutions

Well, it is officially 2008! I have such great hope and excitement for this year. My lucky number is 8 and so I am hoping this will be my year, heaven knows I need it! I have made some very basic New Year's Resolutions this year considering where my life is at. I am not going to name them all because I don't want everyone I know checking up on me but here are a few of the more obvious ones:
(Feel free to comment on any issues you may have)

1. Get Divorced
2. Lose Weight
3. Get Divorced
4. Stop Drinking Caffeine
5. Get Divorced

That's not so bad, right?
Happy Freakin' New Year!