California Reunion

Last Monday, the much anticipated day happened...it was Ben's first day off of the year (other than weekends and big holidays)!

We spent the whole week in Southern California, family-reunioning with our Connors' side.

(For those of you who wonder why we go to Southern California so often...it's where I grew up, it's where my grandparents live, and it's where my parents have had a house for the last year because my dad has to do much more work there lately).

Here were my top five highlights:

1) Going to the San Diego Temple as a family
2) Going to Coronado for a night and spending lots of time at the beach
3) Going swimming multiple times a day, every day
4) Talking and catching up with siblings and spouses I rarely get to see
5) Finding out Seth and Leslie are having a boy and Sam and Natalie are having a girl (and finding out within forty eight hours of each other). Four of my sisters/sister-in-laws are all due within five months of each other and so far two boys, one girl, and one gender to be determined are scheduled to all enter our family by March 2nd, 2014! It's exciting to think of how much families will grow and expand during this time.

The rest of the summarizing I will leave for pictures...

The amazing window at my parents' home. 

At the beach!

I loved Silver Strand Beach because there were so many shells and sand dollars everywhere! I found a huge clam/oyster thing (the HUGE shell). It was alive--so cool but kind of scary...

A night in San Diego at the pier. 

The view of downtown San Diego from Coronado. I love San Diego. 

On the ferry on our way to Sea Port Village

Our nighttime ferry view

Coronado will always be a family favorite. It's so stunning. We stayed across the street from here. 

Part of the family who came to the beach!

The pool we frequented many times a day.

Seth and Leslie at Safari Park!

Coming back to California, I always fall in love with it all over again--so much to see, so much to do, and so little time. I sure love my family!

Pride and Prejudice (Two Movies, Two Takes)

 This is one of many of the nerdy posts series that come into my head when I should be doing other things, but the British Literature Master's Degree part of me wants to be analyzing and making connections--so here goes...for no reason at all...

I am one of those girls who loves their classic movies. I love my BBC classics--North and South, Wives and Daughters, Little Dorrit, etc.; I love my Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. And of course, I also love my Pride and Prejudice. I grew up watching the BBC five hour Colin Firth version, but when I was a freshmen in college the Keira Knightly two hour version came out in theaters. I was so excited to see one of my favorite stories portrayed in theaters! I left the theater swooning at the romance of the new version, but felt something lacking that I got from my BBC version.

For years, I have watched the short version with roommates and friends, all along silently critiquing the new version, over and over. For the first time since high school, I re-read Pride and Prejudice last week; I re-fell in love with the characters, the humor, the relatability and the overall moral of the story. Anxious to re-watch the Knightly version to re-evaluate my critiquing, I had the guilty pleasure of watching it Wednesday night while Ben was working on something.

It confirmed my thoughts, feelings, and sentiments on the Knightly version that I have had since the moment I first watched it. Here are my thoughts:

New Version Likes

1. I'll be honest, I like Jane much better in the newer version. The newer version portrays Jane as smiley but shy. The book portrays Jane as one who sees the good in everything and everyone; I imagine someone like that smiling lots--The BBC version's Jane was sweet, didn't look the part, and she almost never smiled.The new Jane wins!
2. Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightly) looks much more like the Lizzy described in the book and, in the end, does a better job showing her sorrow and regret of having mis-judged Darcy (similar to the book). The BBC version's Lizzy doesn't convey as much remorse for having mis-judged Darcy--a critical message of the book. However, all in all, I like the BBC's Lizzy better.
3. I love Charlotte in this one. She is so believable, and you can see the desperation of her circumstances (you don't feel that as much in the BBC version). 
4. The cinematography definitely wins on the new one. Hands-down. It's like watching a moving painting.
5. I like the fact that it conveys the main plot points in two hours. The fact that it is short lets audiences who would never watch a five hour Austen movie, enjoy the plot in two hours. 
6. It makes the Austen time period very relatable to the modern audience--it makes a point to explain the customs of the day, when the book and BBC version doesn't explain and just assumes, which would leave a modern, unaccustomed audience confused.
7. Mr. Darcy does a good job...(I love this actor in other British movies) I don't necessarily think he's a perfect Darcy, but I don't think he is bad either.

Okay, so why I really wanted to get on here and blog...here are my grievances against the new version...

New Version Grievances

1) The setting of the movie seems a bit off to me. There are times where it seems like they are portraying the movie in the mid-1700s and times where it seems to be in the mid-1800s (in terms of dress, etc.) Also, they seemed to portray the Bennetts as poorer than they are in the book. In the book, they aren't as well to do as others, but they aren't as near-destitution as the new movie loves to portray.

2) Lydia. Oh my--the Lydia in the new movie seems so non-believable to me, and she  honestly seems more like a twelve year old rather than a fifteen and then sixteen year old. Lydia is supposed to be annoying, but the overt acting of the new Lydia seems strange and forced to me. To me, the Lydia in the BBC version was much more convincing and, while irritating because of her character flaws, she seemed confident and more believable.

3) Mr. Wickham was poorly portrayed (given the book). You are supposed to like Wickham. Really like him, and when you find out that he isn't-oh-so-good, you are supposed to be shocked. In the new version, you never really like Wickham. You almost know he is bad from the beginning. It takes away part of the plot: the whole story (not just the relationship between Darcy and Lizzy) is supposed to depict the power of mis-judgment. In the new movie version, you don't feel the crushing feeling you're supposed to when you realize you mis-judged Wickam.

4) Mr. Bingley appears as a brainless, bumbling man in the new version. Yes, Bingley is supposed to be very agreeable and kind to a fault, but that doesn't mean he isn't smart or sensible. The BBC's version of Bingley is so incredibly likable and good that he is enemy-less. (I know Bingley was supposed to offer comic relief in the new version, but it totally changed his role, in my mind).

5) This contradicts something I said I liked...but this movie goes way too fast due to its two hours. You don't really get to know the characters. You see the build-up of the relationship between Darcy and Lizzy, but the growth and character development is missed in almost every other character.

6)The neglect of social customs from the time is appalling. Never. Ever. Would Darcy just walk into Lizzy's room in the middle of the night and hand her a note. That wouldn't happen. (In fact, the book and movie version, in my opinion, is much more romantic--he waits for her all morning in a lane because he knows she loves to walk and intentionally waits hours until her arrival: much better). Mr. Bingley's sister at one point wears a sleeveless dress. Who made that mistake? That would never happen then. It just looks so weird to see her in what looks like a 90s prom dress in the 1700s or whatever era the new movie is set in.

7) The dialogue from the book is practically omitted in the new movie. I know it sometimes has to be done, but no one else can say it like Ms. Austen. Tampering with the dialogue was an unnecessary change.

8) Reading Pride and Prejudice leaves you laughing because Austen knows how to use her humor by showing the reality of human nature; however, the director put a different spin on the humor in the story, making it modern and, honestly, cheapening the original, light humor found in the story.

9) You miss the moral of the story from just watching the new version. You don't feel the tragedy of Lydia running away with Wickham--the tragedy it brings to her family and to her self. The new version makes it look like Darcy paying for the wedding patches up the whole circumstance; when in the book, you realize it is so much more than that. I love that in the BBC version Lizzy says to Jane, "Until I have your goodness, I can never have your happiness." The BBC version and book show Jane as a foil to Lizzy and that while both have their strengths, Jane's thinking well of everyone isn't as bad as Lizzy originally supposed.

10) Mrs. Bennett, Lizzy's mother, seems too soft-spoken and unsure in the new movie. Mrs. Bennett is supposed to be a strong-willed woman who speaks her mind. Mrs. Bennett in the new movie seems to be clueless on what she is saying while the book and BBC version's Mrs. Bennett loves and knows that she states how she feels, and so she does it in a very intentional way.

All these grievances being stated, I recognize that the newer movie fulfilled its purpose: to appeal to modern audiences, accentuate the romance, and gain familiarity with a newer generation. And I'll admit, the extra romance appeals more to a girls' chick-flick part of her heart rather than the formal marriage talk that occurs in the BBC version. So really both are good and obtain their missions; I just prefer the mission's of the BBC one much more. What do you like more and why?

Go to Vermont

If you ever were wondering if you should go to Vermont, I will tell you right now that this teeny little state deserves a visit. In fact, this entire blog post is an advertisement of why you should go to Vermont :)

I have been dreaming for an excuse to go to the New England area for the last decade or more. Kim, my sister, just moved to Montpelier, Vermont with her her husband, Steve, as he embarks on his culinary school adventure at NECI. Two weeks ago my mom asked all the girls if we would like to accompany her on a six day trip to visit and sightsee--of course, my answer was a definite yes. Mary, my mom, and I embarked on our spontaneous trip (dreadfully missing Leslie, who couldn't go).



The week was a great sister bonding time, filled with fun memories. Like when the lady in front of us dropped her Tiffany's earring into the crack of the boarding tunnel, and my mom asked anyone (in the airport) if they had a knife to get it out. A knife. Hilarious. The hilarious part was everyone acted like it was normal to be searching for a knife after we already went through security, not even thinking about it, until Mary pointed out "seriously, a knife!?"

Montpelier is the smallest capitol in the U.S. It is charming and steeped in history. This is the first thing you see as you drive into Montpelier. It is one of the prettiest capitol buildings I have ever seen. The first day we mainly explored the Capitol, museum, and ate delicious food:

 



 

 




I loved Vermont for so many reasons. The green--oh, the green! I love the vivid green, the trees, and frequent lakes, rivers, brooks, etc. we passed. Hot summers are not my favorite, so going somewhere with a moderate temperature, frequent rain showers, and bursts of sun in seventy degree weather was heavenly. And of course, the fact that it fulfilled my want of not being born in the right time period...

 Staying in Montpelier made me feel like I was going back in time for a few reasons:

1. Its streets were old and graced with dozens of churches from the 1800s.




2. There was only one fast food chain restaurant in the whole city, Subway; all other restaurants were local, original restaurants. Vermont focuses on getting everything (from dairy to produce to meat) locally. I have never had better food.




At the Skinny Pancake for breakfast (crepes)!




Well everything I ate in Vermont was amazing, except this burger...which I ordered well done. I cut it in half to show my "rare" well done burger. Good thing I wasn't very hungry...



The Vermont Farmers' Market had fiddlers on the side, lots of Vermont's pure maple syrup, and all other organic type foods. It was the most authentic Farmer's Market I have been to.

3. All the homes were old and maintained their charm. Vermont, for the most part, doesn't tear old buildings down; it tries everything it possibly can to preserve and keep up with the original architecture.



I took a million pictures of the different homes--these are only a smidgen.



4. We didn't see one person on a cell phone the entire time.

5. Everyone walks slower, drives slower, and takes their time doing everything (including the food service....slow but delicious).

Now that I have tempted you to book a flight to Vermont, I'll share some of the highlights!

 

Kim and Steve's apartment was charming! We loved seeing their new habitat. 

Joseph Smith was mentioned in the Vermont History museum. So many of the early leaders of the church came from Vermont. I think it would have been so hard to leave such beautiful land.

This type of scenery was everywhere: the perfect frolicking fields.

We loved spending time with Kim and Steve! They were our amazing tour guides. 

This was at Shelbourne Farms--a cheese factory with hundreds of acres of scenry like this. 

The actual cheese factory. We were able to try about six different type of cheeses. This farm was charming and had so many different things to see. I loved it!

We were able to pet all the farm animals.

Kim held a chicken :)

I never knew I wanted a baby piglet...until now. 

Lake Champlain is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. It is also one of the biggest natural lakes in the U.S. There are shipwreck scenes below the water from the 1700s. The farm was located on the lake.

Although Shelburne Farms is a working farm, a bakery, and a cheese factory, it also has a manor built in the late 1800s that guests can now stay at. It was stunning. 

The view from the Inn

Sunday was my favorite day there because we were able to go to Kim and Steve's ward as well as Sharon, Vermont, where Joseph Smith was born. It is in the middle of nowhere with Mormon Tabernacle Choir music playing in the background. A sweet spirit accompanied the grounds there. 

The forest and walking trail at the site. This excursion rejuvenated my soul.

Early Monday morning we set out for Peacham, Vermont, one of the most photographed areas in Vermont. It was picturesque. The highways in Vermont wind around the most wonderful scenry with very little traffic, so you feel like you can get out and explore along the way with ease.

There was absolutely no one at this amazing lake!

Fall here is supposed to be breathtaking, but summer in Peacham presented its own beauty.

I love old cemetaries, and we got out at this one.

A random horse approached us in the old cemetary and wanted us to pet it. It was magical.

 

On the way back from Peacham, we stopped at a War Memorial. This little town lost so many in WWII, and many were lost from the same family--such sacrifice.

Our afternoon also consisted of a graveyard of an entirely different kind...we stopped at the Ben and Jerry's Factory (which is apparently a huge deal; it was as busy as Lagoon in Utah). The first thing we saw was the Flavor Graveyard which had each "retired" flavor and a little "memory poem" about it. It was my favorite part of the factory.

 

We ate Ben & Jerry's icecream, went through the factory tour, and listened to their very political agenda. Although Ben & Jerry's icecream is not my favorite (way too hard for my taste although I will never turn down icecream), I have to thank them for inventing Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough icecream. I don't know where my life would be without it :)

We ended the day by going to the Von Trapp Family Lodge, a ski resort in the "mountains" of Vermont. It was charming and quaint, and it was amazing to think that this was where the Von Trapp family actually settled and started the inn. It made me want to watch The Sound of Music.

There were pictures of the orignal Von Trapp family everywhere. 

We woke up to this misty view out of our hotel room on the morning of our departure.
 
This trip was much needed and loads of fun, even with it's preachy "go green" speeches everywhere we went. It was my idea of the perfect trip--a blend of family, sightseeing, and history.  It was honestly hard to come home to real life, except for the fact that I had missed my husband so much! And I brought back these little treasures...

My new syrup/dressing saucer

Their kitchen store had the cutest and cheapest hot pads--it was so hard to pick!

I tried many different pure Vermont Maple Syrups while there, but Goodrich's (a seven generation family brand) was by far the best--it was near Peacham. 

 

And coming home to this and a hug from Ben made coming home much easier :)