Weekend Recap

My cousin and his wife went to Europe, so I substituted their primary class today. I did it once in April and it was the best Sunday I have had in years-I honestly wonder sometimes if I missed my calling in life by not being an elementary school teacher, because I think that fifth and sixth graders are so fun. When a little girl gave the closing prayer she said, "Thank you for church, thank you for our families, thank you for the substitute teacher pause, the funny one."

Yesterday afternoon I went to a movie from Quebec called Incendies. It was nominated for an Academy Award in the foreign language category and when I saw a preview, I got hooked and wrote down the title in the book I was carrying. I talked my Turkish co-worker into going with me, because Turks are usually pros at plodding, melodramatic movies that end in tragedy (my favorite).

It was based on the Lebanese Civil War, but they never come out and say that it is Lebanon. I hadn't read anything about the movie previously, but not knowing if it were set in Syria or Lebanon made me so crazy that I texted my Lebanese friend from the theater to ask. Watching movies on Netflix has spoiled me, because I can always pause it to look up whatever I want.

The end of the movie is super disturbing and the audience did not handle it very well. As the closing credits rolled, several people remained in their seats, sobbing violently. One guy tenaciously tried to sooth his weeping girlfriend, but she continued wailing inconsolably. Others loudly stated that they would need some alcohol in order to sustain the blow. There were also people sitting silently, staring at the screen in a catatonic trance. I felt like I was reliving the school day after Selena died (let's just say that I had lots of paisanos there).

Afterwards, we stopped in a card shop and as we were browsing, my co-worker picked up a card that said, "I'm Sorry." She asked, "You are buying this for me?" Confused, I tried to think of something I had done. I replied, "Huh?" She laughed and said, "For making me go to that movie!" I guess I have a lot of cards to write... My family deserves about 50, although I think that we are even due to all the episodes of Survivor I have seen.

And lastly, I need another Internet based favor. Please go to The Mormon Bachelorette (this is a hyperlink, not sure if it looks like one) and like my friend Steph's profile. Thanks.