Blindsight

It's been a very long time since a movie has moved me as much as "Blindsight" did. I cried through a majority of it. I'll admit, I do have a tender heart and this movie just kept pulling and pulling at my heartstrings and I gave in. Maybe I love this movie so much because it combines two of my passions: special education and international development.

I can't put it better than the website's description:

Blindsight follows the gripping adventure of six Tibetan teenagers on their journey to climb a mountain in the shadow of Everest. A dangerous journey soon becomes a seemingly impossible challenge made all the more remarkable by the fact that the teenagers are blind.
(http://www.blindsightthemovie.com/)

At intervals within the film the directors go to the homes of each of the teenagers to learn more about their families. They live in the most humble of circumstances, it reminded me a lot of the Philippines (and made me want to jump on a plane that minute to visit and assist those in impoverished countries).

In the midst of watching it, I found a new hero. His name is Tashi and he is actually from China. I don't want to give away his story because watching it without knowing his story will have a larger impact on you. But I just love him and want to have the courage and faith that he possesses.

Tashi with experienced Everest blind climber Erik Weihenmayer

Mostly this movie once again gave me the strong desire to make a change in the world. As mentioned earlier, some of my greatest passions in life include special education and international development. I was truly inpsired by the co-founder of Braille Without Borders, a Tibetan school for the blind founded by a blind German lady. Her story is just as unique and inspiring as that of the 6 youngsters in the movie.

One day I hope to have the courage, faith, and means to use my skills in helping those less fortunate than myself, especially children with special needs.

Please, please watch this movie!! I hope it inspires you and gives you more confidence in yourself as it did for me. You can find it on Netflix (or maybe it's at your local library). Or you can come over to my house and we can watch it and be inspired by it together. Each one of us has great potentional to make a difference in the world.

Bear World Rocked MY World!!!

I'm back in Rexburg this weekend and today we got to go to Bear World. Everytime I drive up to Rexburg, Bear World is sitting there on the side of the freeway and I think, 'that looks kind of lame.' Well today, I ate those words. I love seeing wildlife up close, and I especially love seeing baby animals and since I basically saw Bambi today, I was one happy lady. But I'm getting ahead of myself. To prove to you how awesome Bear World was, I am providing picture documentation below.

"I want to go in!"

 While we were waiting for Cammie's friends to arrive we went and petted the horsies.

BAMBI!! But where's your mother?!

The park prides themselves on this white elk.

Right before we entered the bear area we were warned by the park employee that the bears were really active today and some were climbing on cars. We were actually pretty excited to hear that.

Bears everywhere! I think we saw at least 30.

Adorable picture of my nieces Sammie and Katelyn.

 I absolutely ADORE this picture!

And this one too! One of KK's best.

"Kiss the bear."

Cute little cubs.

Angry bears

 More angry bears

Sammie staring down her arch-nemesis, the swan. Apparently the last time they were at Bear World she tried to feed the swan and it bit her whole hand. She gave me a very dramatic re-enactment (sans swan) of what the terrifying event looked like.

Petting animals is so exciting.

More Bambies. I just love them!

Every time Sammie tried to pet this deer it would push her off with its head.

Getting some deer food.

Puff Head

The BEST ride at Bear World

So amazingly scary!

Jeep ride

Sammie got to sit up front and ring the bell. She was so excited.

Back on the "rollercoaster"

 One last picture with the big bear.

It was so fun to play with the girls and see, pet and feed live animals. Thanks for taking us, Cammie.



We Be Jammin'

Once upon a time the Woolley family had a tree load of apricots in their backyard. Although they tried to eat all of those delicious juicy apricots as they came off the tree, their stomachs eventually got too full. The Woolley's were in a jam, too many apricots, not enough stomachs, what to do? Wait...JAM! That's it. So Adrienne went on her first ever jam making adventure with the help of her experienced jam-making mama. And here it is from beginning to end. 

Come on over if you want to give it a try. Maybe I'll even make some homemade bread...maybe.