Famous Quotes by Jon David Vawdrey...

At our home my father is famous for the things he says and most of the time it rubs off on the rest of us. This is the intelligent conversation that we had tonight...

Dad: Ellie-poo you need to go to bed.
Me: You just called me poo!
Dad: Yeah, just like Winnie the Pooh.
Me: I hate Winnie the Pooh!
Dad: That's un-American!
Me: Duh, you probably don't even like Winnie the Pooh.
Dad: Yeah, cause he is retarded!

Most of my friends quote inspirational lines from books their dad's have probably written and this is all I get from my dad when we are in a disagreement...

"So there! Were square! You wear Levi underwear!"

Or when somebody asks him to do something he always says...

"Maybe I will... and maybe I won't." (with a mischievous smile)

But that is why I will sincerely love my Papa/Popsicle/Poppie Seed/Pops/Daddy and Father Forever!

Judy Garland in Concert...

I fulfilled one of my dreams today! It felt so amazing! I have always wanted to have the opportunity of being in the audience of one of Judy Garland's incredible performances but since she died in 1969 my dreams were crushed before I was born. The Utah Symphony organized a tribute to Judy and played along to her as she was projected singing on a scrim. They made it seem so real. They introduced her like she was there and she took a bow and acted as though she was in our presence. The ideas portrayed were incredible. Her life story was narrated and she sang her favorite songs. I was blown away. I learned so many new things about her that I hadn't ever known. Such as her real motives behind her work, the downsides and heartbreaks, her joys and passions and best of all the inspiration she projected. She was such an phenomenal entertainer I seriously could not believe her talent. I knew that she had a one-of-a-kind voice but she was so much more than that. I was blown away by her personality and individual way of thinking and in turn she has affected my thought process.

“Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else”

This totally discribes her personality. She did't conform to what anyone else thought and she was content about that decision. Her will power was ridiculously strong and her independece was beyond compare. I really admire her for that. Anyone who can survive in this world with that frame of mind should be recognized. Sometimes I feel like there is so much compeition in everything that people no longer have the integrity that they need to uphold to be a healthy human being. Idividuality is what makes us likeable. Not to sound harsh but, what is there to like in anyone who is exactly like the person sitting next to them? I am glad I am me and if there is anyone who wants to know it.... I am E to the llie and I love being me!

Always,
Ellie

My Favorite Things...

The Greatest Feelings:

One of my favorite feelings in the world is when somebody knows something about you that you don't know that they know... does that make any sense? For example when somebody you look up to knows your name. Number one it makes you feel special that you are noticed as an individual, and number two they are actually talking to you! Or when someone passes you a note and they compliment you on something you have been striving to do but don't think anyone has noticed and they point it out. I think it is so admirable about a person when they can pick out those great attributes.

Another great feeling is when you feel kind of out of place somewhere and a friend goes out of their way to be with you. It really makes you feel worthwhile. Sometimes people are surprised when they find out that really deep down I am a shy girl. I love to talk but if I am in a situation where I feel out of place I loose all communication skills. I am really trying to work on that though : ) I really appreciate it when they just say one kind thing, whether it is just a hello or a compliment, it helps spark my social self.

Journals:

I LOVE journal writing. Thoughout the day, when I have experiences I always say to myself "Ellie you have got to write this one down." I have two different journals. One is for my everyday thoughts and adventures and the other is used to describe the people around me. What I mean by that is, I describe all of the great attributes about my friend's, family members, neighbors, classmates, etc. I try to pick out their healthy habits and good morals and ethics. This is a healthy way for me to recognize their purpose on this earth. When I know who they are and what they are striving to be I can better comprehend their actions. I take into consideration that people act and react in different ways to experiences and that is what makes them an individual. Sometimes I even try to apply some of their great attributes into my life.

Another type of journal that I have is what I call my "Reminiscent Box." It is where I keep all of my physical memories... science fair awards, pictures, articles, and notes. In the last three years of school I can't say I have thrown away one note that I have recieved from someone. Even if it is something small, I appreciate and love it. It uplifts me and it helps to remember experiences in a fun way.

Looking back on memories is so refreshing. When I have had a frustrating day I like to sit down and read and learn about how much I have grown and the fun times I have had. Journals are one thing that will always bring me up!

Off to the fair...

Last Saturday I had an enjoyable time spent with my family at the State Fair. We had not gone for a few years and felt that it was about time to catch up on the latest pigs, goats, canned food products, artwork and of course Peter's favorite... the rides. I got to see many exciting and interesting things on the topic of artwork including a BUTTER SCULPTURE! It was huge!!! and it was of variety of farm animals!

We also got to view the best grown flowers in Utah. They were SO beautiful. There were some Dahlia's with blooms bigger than my hand. It was incredible.


Next we went to visit all of the cute animals... and some not so cute. I really liked the cows because they have the most beautiful colors of fur, and the goats were fun to look at as well, but the sheep... well we will just say that they aren't very photogenic... just see for yourself.

And...

Yes... that is a sheep not some crazy deformed child-eating animal from the forest.

After we saw all of the animals we went to the rides. Peter HAD to ride one called the "Zipper," because previous to coming to the fair he designed a rollercoaster with the same name! After we went to another ride similar to the "Rocket" at Lagoon but about half the size. Hee hee I could handle this one though.


I had so much fun with my brothers! They are always making me laugh. I am so glad that I have pictures so that I can look back at the fun times we have had together while we are all still living under the same roof!

Ya know what I'm sayin'?...

I haven't posted in a while, and I thought it would be nice to catch my buddies up on what has been happening in the life of Ellie... I have been dancing a ton! -explains the bruises, bumps, blisters and PULLED MUSCLES! My poor manicure and pedicure were for nothing! Ha ha I had two performances in the last two weeks but luckily I was only in a piece or two. The dance company performance was in opening assembly yesterday and it was swell. I was really pleased with the progress we made in the last week. The lighting, costumes, and of course the dancing looked and felt great. I had a blast being with all my girls. I was only in one piece for CDT. Basically the reason I went was to hang out with my BFFs for the day! I was with Maggie (Mama Peace) and Emma all day on Saturday last week. We carpooled in Emma's new car and jammed to music the whole way to the meeting place... which felt like we drove to Mars and back!

On a more serious topic... school has begun. The excitements of summer have ended and I have to get down to business. Four AP classes and pounds of homework means time to study, read, and prepare for anything that comes my way at school. My dad always tells me right before I start school, study hard, work hard, and when its time to play hard. I think this is great advice. If I work really hard throughout the week I don't have as much to worry about on the weekends. That is when I can take the time to do what my dad says and play. Mostly I am just home, but I like to do things I wouldn't get to enjoy throughout the week. Sew, watch movies, call friends, hang with my little brothers... and stuff like that.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about being patient. Patience for answers, patience with friends, patience for help, patience for excitement... patience for everything. Some times I get all flustered because I can be a very impatient person. If something is not stated to me the first time very clearly then I have to know the answer right then. Or if I am struggling to understand something about someone I want to clear up the situation then and there so that it is not haunting my mind. I read in an awesome book once that I should learn to take things one-step at a time. Rather than getting stressed and angry I should think about the situation calmly and then I can have the patience to solve the problem. Whenever I have a big day ahead of me I remember with the assurance that if I take the situation one step at a time, my day will run more smoothly and I don't have to be as worried. This schedule seems much more organized and relaxed to me. Ya know what I'm sayin'?

Fixed in the 50's...

Anachronism: something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time.

Mother is always calling me an anachronism and Alyson is always telling me I am weird for my interests. I have an obsession with anything from the 1930’s to the 1960’s. The language, the hair, the dress, the music, the BEAUTY. I am not much of a disco freak so the 70’s are O.U.T. I just recently ordered a black rotary phone in the mail just like my idol Della Street (Barbara Hale) had from Perry Mason which is my favorite TV show. Next on my list will be a typewriter…. but not the electric kind yuk! The first-half of the 20th century seemed so marvelous, although mother and father tell me it had its problems just like we currently have. War, economic problems, ya ya ya. Home life seemed so perfect, and women were women and men were men. The mothers dressed like ladies and didn’t try to dress like they were still 16 and the men wore a suit and tie and were gentlemen. I idolize that time. I love hippy music so the 60’s are perfect. In addition Perry Mason was on TV. I couldn’t live without my Perry! Everything seemed so decent and perfect then. I am sure I will rant about this topic much more throughout my blog because of my undying obsession and desire to bring back the 50’s!

A list of my favorite movie stars:
1) Cary Grant
2) Deborah Kerr
3) Katherine Hepburn
4) Judy Garland
5) Raymond Burr
6) Barbara Hale

An "Affair to Remember" was an affair to remember...

Movie Review!!!
Okay so suddenly the movie "An Affair to Remember," has jumped to the front of the line for favorite Cary Grant movie. I haven't ever seen a romance that was so incredible in my whole entire life... and if you think about it 16 years and nine months is quite a bit of time. The movie is about a young Casanova (Cary Grant) named Nicky Ferrante who is on a cruise from his home in New York to Italy to visit his aging grandma. On the same ship is a young singer named Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) who just happens to be taking the same trip. She does not want to get mixed up in a guy like Nicky but they happen to run into each other quite often on the ship and soon fall in love. Waiting at home Nicky is engaged to a very wealthy heiress (whom he doesn't love) and Terry has a boyfriend. Terry and Nicky truly fall in love on the ship and spend their entire time in Italy together. They decide that it would be in their best interest to leave each other for six months when they arrive home so that they can save up the money they need to get married and promise each other that after that six months is over they will meet on the 102nd floor of the Empire State building. They work hard to keep the promise but on that day Terry is in a tragic accident.... You must watch the rest if you are interested. It is utterly AMAZING! Movies today just don't appeal to me. I am not interested in the superheroes they are currently displaying, or the horrors, or even what they call "romances." Men in the 50's seem like they would be so much easier to fall in love with because they are such gentlemen. Just look at Cary <3 the perfect idol for all men. I never worry about what I am going to see in the classics because the producers would not allow anything crude or vulgar. I would recommend "An Affair to Remember," to anyone because it is so marvelous!