The world needs the Justice League... and the Justice League needs you, Superman

Today I had a killer history test. 50 minutes to define 5 words and describe why they are important, write 5 short answers 1 paragraph each, and 1 long essay of 4-5 paragraphs in length. It was super intense and I finished with 2 minutes to spare. To say the least my adrenaline was pumping hardcore. Then I read Les Miserables for an hour until my Stats Recitation class. This class ended within 5 minutes of when it began. Having no further need to stay on campus, I start hoppin' and boppin' my way home. Minding my own business, singing my own songs, you know the whole shebang. Well I was walking past the fry sculpture and I notice this really NERDY guy looking straight at me and smiling. I'm thinking that this is kind of weird. Then this guy waves at me and I say to myself “I don't know you, but yeah, okay, nerds are cool. I'll just smile and wave back.” So I'm a little weirded out by this point, just boggled really. The world of boys (and nerdy boys at that) ignoring Betsy is being shaken and it’s quite disturbing to say the least. So I get to the TSC and I'm noticing all these super nerds smiling at me. Kind of like smile staring me down. Now I’m really starting to get super uncomfortable. What is going on?! Why is the nerd population of USU pinpointing all of its focus on me? I just want to go home and eat! At this point I’m beyond confusion. And then I look down and realize that I'm wearing my new Justice League shirt. Superman is busting out of my jacket and I'm like, “Yeah I should definitely wear this more often.”

 "You remember what we did yesterday? We saved the world - again. You don't think that has any value, well think again, pal. The Justice League goes on, with or without you. Look, nobody can question your service or commitment to making things better. If you're quitting because you think you've already done your fair share, we'll throw you a parade. But if you're quitting because it's easier then continuing the fight, then you're not the hero we all thought you were. The world needs the Justice League... and the Justice League needs you, Superman."
-Green Arrow

Ninjas Only

Check out ninjago.lego.com.

I'm in love.

And totally boggled by awesome. 

I want the whole set!!!

The End.

My Most Fantastic News

I am going on a mission!!!! Yep, I really am. I just got back from talking with my bishop and we'll be starting my papers in March (which is in like a week! OMFG). We'll turn them in around April 9th and 10ish days later I'll have my call! I know this is news to  most all of you. If it's not then that's weird because it's most definitely news to me. I was going to wait until next spring and go with Kelsi, but over the weekend I was talking to my dad and he said that I should go now or not at all. So I prayed about it and now is it. I am sad that I won't be rooming with Kelsi next fall and that we won't be living in the coolest house ever. This is probably the hardest thing for me to give up, but I know it will be alright. Schoolwise, I have no idea what I want to do. I think a mission will help me, or at least give me some time, to figure out my life. I was going to run away to D.C. this summer...but now I get to run away to somewhere else for a much longer time. I'm excited, and nervous, and a little scared, but mostly I'm excited. It's weird, as I am typing this I feel so surreal. Am I really going on a mission? Am I really even old enough to go? It's so very strange, but yes I am going and yes I am old enough. CRAZY!

2011: Grace

Last night I should have been writing my final Archaeological Proposal. Last night I should have been reading the preamble of Communist Manifesto for my history class. Last night I should have been working out. Last night I should have gone to bed early. Well last night I didn't write my proposal, I only skimmed the preamble, I didn't work out, and I got to bed fairly late. Why did I not do all of these very important things? Because I was checking out fashion blogs, finding new music to listen to, and wasting precious time.

I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of time. I found a few new bands that I adore. Some of them are: Little & Ashley (they do the Kindle Commercials), She & Him (she is in 500 Days of Summer), Brigitte Bardot, La Madrague, and Pharrell Williams ( Despicable Me Theme Song).

In my blog wanderings I came across a few gems among which was In Life & In Fashion. The lady who writes the blog has a word of the year. I thought this was a really cool idea and was deeply inspired by it. Now I am going to have a word of the year. I wanted something totally awesome and new. Something unexpected and daring...I looked and looked for my word, but nothing jumped out at me. And then I had it. My word will be grace.

Grace is a simple word and yet it's completely complex. Do you know how many definitions grace has? Let's just say there are a lot. I don't even know where to start in defining it so I'm just going to take it a week at a time.

And thus, I, Elizabeth Jenne Cannon, in the utmost solemnity take grace as my word of 2011. In taking grace I will try with the best of my ability to be more graceful in all meanings of the word. La fin.

Running Ice Cold

I step out into the cold. I almost turn back to the safety and warmth that lies behind me as the frigid air bites at my face, ears, hands, and legs. I breathe in and it swells into my mouth; freezes my lungs. It promises power and life as it slowly thickens and chills my blood. I hop down the stairs from my apartment door. Hitting level ground I break out into a quick sprint-jog. The exhilaration of adrenaline rushes through my whole body. I’m unstoppable… free… powerful. I feel as if I could reach my hand out and conquer the world. It’s like a drug, this vibrant feeling of being alive. I’m addicted and I need more. I’ll always need more. My headphones blast music as my feet pump to the beat. Today started with T Swift, Picture to Burn. I usually don’t like to run to her… too slow, but sometimes I make exceptions. And anyway what better goes with power hungry than boy hating? Not much that’s for sure. I run down 7^th east to 10^th north and turn to the left. I hit the 4-way stop on 6^th east and turn to the left again. This is where I start to feel my blood and muscles ice up and where the run starts going uphill. The Adrenaline is wearing off now. I push harder because if I don’t, if I stop, I know that my body and muscles will freeze. Maybe not literally, but that’s what it feels like. Like I’ll turn instantly to ice and shatter at the blow of the harsh wind. I add a bounce to my run. It makes things a little easier. My music is still playing. Some pumped up rap song now. They’re the easiest to run to. Especially the cheesy never give up ones.  I want to stop now, but instead I focus on the words and the beat as it pounds through my body. I hit 7^th north and turn left again. This is the worst. The hill is so steep. My legs ache with almost no feeling. No matter how hard I push this last stretch it still feels like an eternity. 7^th east and I’m home. It’s a short run and I finish quickly. As I stand at the bottom of the stairs I burn. It’s so hot now. The heat is almost unbearable. It washes over my body like fire. My ears feel like they’re going to steam and whistle like a tea kettle.  I walk around the driveway to cool down. Catching my breath I take the first step at a wobble and then the second. Soon I’m up to the door. The rush still lingers in my body. It tingles my fingertips and toes as I reach for the door knob. Part of me wishes that I had never stopped. Part of me is hungry for more.

The Tale of the Pretty Princess and Her Knight in Shining Armor

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. She lived in a castle and had many fine clothes and servants who waited on her. This beautiful princess lived in a castle made of ivory. Her cares and worries were slight. Every day she had to make decisions like "Shall I wear the pink brocade with pearls or the soft blue satin with the white sash? Or maybe the jade organza with my gold jewelry from Peru...is it Peru? Maybe it is Switzerland or Africa…They are all the same really. I do believe the Prince of Tyranious is coming today... He is heir to the throne you know... I should definitely wear the jade organza. It's brings out my eyes quite nicely." Day in and day out her thoughts went so. Sometimes she broke a nail or scuffed a shoe...no wait, no, none of that ever happened to her for she never did anything that would cause such tragedies. 

She dreamed of unicorns and knights in shining armor like every good princess should. She knew that someday her prince would come and they would ride off happily into the sunset. this was her happily ever after. It was all she ever thought about. All she ever dreamed about. She breathed for that one moment. Met princes everyday for that moment…and yet it did not come. The princes never came in shining armor. They never rode in on magnificent white horses. They never had long beautiful graceful locks of hair. They didn't have deep powerful voices or majestic eyes. As a whole that is. Sometimes a Prince would ride in on a white horse, but then he would have a pimple on his forehead or greasy lank hair. 

She waited and waited. And while she waited and primped and primed, she ate fine foods like chocolate mousse and French macaroons, tiramisu, crème brulee and escargot. She ate duck and turkey, chicken and pig. Fried, grilled, battered, and baked. She ate cakes and pies and puddings and breads, exotic rices and cookies, soups and soufflés. She ate and she ate. She primped and she primed. She waited and waited and waited and waited. 

And then one day the sun did shine upon a knight in armor bright. With hair of gold that fell in locks upon his manly shoulders and broad chest. His horse was white as purest snow. He stood majestic, eyes aglow. His deep voice rumbled; his sword did flash. A clarion call, as he came through her pearly gates and up to her castle of ivory. He came and saw and rode away into the sunset that fine day. And there she sat and wailed and mourned and obviously ate some more. 

For when her knight in shining armor came he found that she was not what he did seek. He sought a princess fair and pure. He sought a woman of great beauty, virtue and courage. He sought one who would rule by his side and lift him up through troubled times. He sought and what he found was not, for this fair princess was but a shell decorated with fine organzas, brocades and silks, ruffles and jewels, cakes and puddings. 

He left her there and soon did find a lady who could none compare. He rescued her from fiery wraths. He rescued her from demons fierce. And then he took her to his castle great; where she stood beside him until the end. Through great storm and tempest, sun and shine, they faced it all with hearts entwined. And together they did make their own happily ever after and forevermore. The End.

Concerning an Earlier Post: Coming Home

I came home this break to most of my family having read my blog. That's not such a big deal except for the fact that I really didn't think any of them would have taken the time. I would just like to clear up a few things they got wrong. The post was really about Kelsi sticking york peppermint patties in my bears vest pockets and I just felt so loved when I got home. Now this is not a blog about Ethan Williams, how much I miss him, or how I am going to marry him when he gets home. It's been over a year and a half and we've both changed tremendously. We made the bear together at build-a-bear and so of course Ethan is his name sake. The fact that he has so many names is due to me letting my imagination get carried away far to often. Add to that a plethora of obsessions like superheroes and pirates and the outcome is... I can't even remember his full name. I also get nostalgic sometimes which makes me feel like mentioning the past. I'm sorry. I know it's annoying. I also know that girls that go on and on and on about their missionaries/boyfriends/Edwards/Jacobs/etc are just pathetic and I have very little tolerance for them. In fact I think if I read my blog on someone else's blog I would probably gag a good number of times.  Anywho, as most of us know, Ethan and I aren't even writing anymore so 'nough said.

We're flying blind man. Tell her we're flying blind!

If you haven't seen Disney's Prep and Landing, then I highly recommend that you see it. It was very clever and really quite funny. I'm even going to say that it is one of the best Christmas movies I have ever seen.

My family kicked off this year's Christmas season with our annual gingerbread house competition. My brother Jon and I teamed up and created the Provo temple. Out of gumdrops I sculpted the Angel Moroni, Santa and one of his reindeer, a ninja (complete with a katana crafted by Jon) and his bride, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Albus Dumbledore, Peeves, Moaning Myrtle, and the Grey Lady (These Harry Potter Characters were actually for the Hogwarts castle that never got completed...cough, cough...I mean Voldemort came and destroyed it. I also made Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron, but they were lost in the wreckage. Sadly I forget about the Fat Friar... I just plum forgot about him). In the end there was no actual judging, but if there had been ours would have won hands down. 

The Angel Moroni was my favorite. I really wish I had gotten a better picture of him.

A lot has happened over this very long Christmas break. My days consisted of waking up at 11...30... maybe 12... and going to bed much later. I've worked out a whole three times, had several green drinks, got ready a total of six times, and read a few chapters of Queen Victoria. On the 19th we had a family dessert party. I was in charge of two desserts so I made a tres leches cake and a cream cheese pound cake. Nobody really touched my pound cake... It was a little heart breaking especially since it is one of my favorites. The tres leches was a hit though, at least with my immediate family. I went on a real baking spree Christmas Eve that was a little more successful. I made marshmallows, fleur de sel caramels, caramel wrapped marshmallows, and, because nobody ate my pound cake, cream cheese cake bites. The marshmallows where extremely easy, the caramel was a bit more tricky time consuming, and there really isn't a whole lot to cake bites. Marshmallows and fleur de sell caramels are the big thing on foodgawker right now. I've been itching to make them all semester. French macaroons are also really big. I was going to make them. I was even really excited to make them, but I ran out of time and I couldn't get the almond flour fine enough. I also didn't have wax paper and that was a must so there wasn't even an attempt made for french macaroons. They were more like a daydream in the form of  a seeding dandelion in the midst of a soft breeze that slowly takes each seed away until they are all gone and nothing is left but a stem. Someday I will make them. I also tried making marzipan, but once again no almond flour. I made it any way and the whole mess hasn't even left the freezer... It scares me a little quite honestly. Someday I'll succeed at marzipan too. I must say that marzipan is one of my all time favorite candies. I absolutely love it to death times a billion trillion gazillion.

This is my niece Racharoo. She loves purses. Usually she will carry the cheetah and the black one around everywhere. Well I gave her two more and she carried all four of them around for days. It was adorable. Also if you ask her what Santa says she will go "Ho, Ho." And if you whistle around her she usually will try and whistle back. And when she gets excited about something, she will purse her little mouth up into a cheerio and go "Oooooooh. Ooooooh. Oooooooh" and jump up and down. She is kind of like a little puppy that is learning all kinds of new tricks. Most recently she has gotten into the habit of smiling really big and lifting her shoulders up so she has no neck and her face gets all squashed up. I call this her fat kid face. It doesn't help that she is a bottomless pit. She honestly never stops eating, but no worries she is still a tiny little thing and she runs it all off. AND I JUST LOVE HER TO BITS AND PIECES.

This Tale is Inscribed

To you, dear reader.
After many laborious weeks, nay even months, I have come to the end of one of the greatest book that I have ever read, A Tale of Two Cities. Oh raptures of my soul, it was beautiful. I do believe that everyone should read it.

My first Dickens book was a nightmare. Let's just say that reading Great Expectations  in a week + having to write a horrid paper about it + being in 9th grade + Mrs. Rosenlof = a very unpleasant experience.

I think my brother Matt had to read A Tale of Two Cities when he was in 9th grade. I don't really know. All I know is that my mom made us listen to the audio tapes on our one of our trips to California. That voice still plays in my mind... "It was the best of times, its was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." Stuffy, fake, high pitched, British accent. In other words, my Dickens experiences weren't very good, in fact they were quite scarring and it took A LOT to get over them. But I did and that's all that really matters. Maybe I'll even give Great Expectations another go...maybe. We'll see. I have a lot of books to read first.