I don't know why they say Venus and Mars. Mars and Venus at least have something in common; they're planets. It's more like Mars and a bowl of cereal.

**Disclaimer: do not read if you haven't watched Source Code, and don't want the ending spoiled for you.

So... last night I watched Source Code with my parents. That movie con-fused me! It was uber good, but what the heck happened at the end?
Opening Scene:
Jake Gyllenhaal wakes up on a train super confused. Cute Girl sitting across from him: "You give really good advise. I deserve better than him... blah, blah, blah..." Instant thought of viewers: they end up together. He walks around the train super confused, then the train explodes. Jake finds himself in a self-contained tankish thing. He's still confused.
You then find out that he is a pilot that fought in Afghanistan, and he was now supposed to find out who bombed the train. He doesn't want to. All he wants to do is to talk to his dad. They won't let him. They then send him back to the train multiple times. He does everything but find out who blew up the train. He isn't very good at following directions (but is good at looking good).
He finally finds out who bombed the train. They (in real life) find the guy before he can blow up Chicago. Jake's not done yet. He wants to go back for 8 more minutes, and see if he can save everyone on the train (mainly his girlfriend whom he goes on 8 minute dates with). He finally talks Agent Goodwin into letting him do it behind the head hancho's back, but tells him that she's taking him off life support after the 8 minutes are up (oh, by the way, he's mostly dead because of something that happened in Afghanistan).
In 8 minutes Jake defuses the bomb, catches the criminal and handcuffs him to some stairs, calls his dad and tells him he loves him, sends Agent Goodwin an email telling her what's up, and kisses his new girlfriend. He saves the world!
After the 8 minutes are up Agent Goodwin takes him off life support (in real life), but guess what... he's still kissing Cute Girl (in fake life). They get off the train, and live happily ever after.
The next day (in real life), Agent Goodwin gets his email. It's the day the train got bombed again (but the train didn't get bombed), and Jake is still alive on life support. End scene. WTH?!

I asked my brother-in-law about it today. He said, "Nicole, it's a fake movie. It's all fake." I realize this, but I would still like it to make sense in my poor little head.

We should be grateful that we're not Native Americans who got their land stolen in exchange for smallpox infested blankets.

Today I had an overwhelming feeling of appreciation for life and I would entirely ungrateful if I didn't write about it. I went over to Canyon Elementary today to visit some of the girls I taught with last year. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with them for my first year of teaching. I am so blessed. Heavenly Father knew that was where I needed to be. I don't know where I would be if it weren't for Jamie, Angie, and Nicole. When I was driving away I noticed some of my students from last year playing football on the field, so I stopped to wave. They saw me and ran over to say hi. I am so grateful for children and the sweet spirit they carry with them. I am so blessed to spend six hours with them everyday. I can't wait to have my own children. Oddly enough, I am grateful for my single years. Don't get me wrong, I want to get married and have a family of my own more than anything, but I'm grateful for the time I have had to get things figured out. I feel as though teaching is going to be a big thing in my life, and I'm grateful that I have some extra time to get it all down. On the way home from the school I was able to witness the gorgeous sunset that took place tonight over Utah Lake. I stopped to take pictures of it. I don't document things enough. I am grateful for nature, and the beauty and peace it subtly brings into my life. I'm also grateful for digital photography, so I can take as many pictures as I want so I can get the perfect one. These are just a few of the things I am grateful for. I am so blessed, far beyond what I deserve. I have a loving family, friends, and Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for their examples, love, and constant support.