My New Mission

WARNING: this is lengthy. It is OK to just look at pictures. Also, tenses are all over the map. Please ignore.

It has been quite some time since my last update and there is a reason for that.

Very shortly after I wrote that last bit about my wisdom teeth, I was struck with an idea that seemed to fester with such uncontrollable persistence that I finally did something about it.

That idea was to go on a mission.

The thing I did was sign up for one.

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept/process, here is a short explanation:

In my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Mormon]) young men and women have the opportunity to spend 18 months to 2 years giving humanitarian service, meeting new people, and most significantly introducing those people to our beliefs.

Other churches have similar programs for their members. Some key differences, however, include paying for it ourselves, only communicating with one's family through letters, avoiding media, wearing suits (skirts/dresses for me), and having no control over where you are sent.

Going on a mission is completely optional, as is accepting your assignment. Although, most people who are willing to leave their lives behind for so long are also willing to go wherever they are needed.

Some people go to crazy new places. This is my friend, Taylor, and he is currently in Ghana.

Others are sent somewhere closer to home. My good friend Maddie just got back from Tacoma, Washington!

Wherever you go, the things you do are the same: tell people about the Church.

So, the point is, I'm going on a mission! I didn't want to post anything publicly until I knew where I was going and the process takes a LONG time.

First you have to go through a lot of interviews to make sure you are mentally and spiritually prepared for such a huge change in your life.

Then there's all the paperwork, I mean REALLY! I've never had to fill out that much paperwork and I applied to 5 colleges!

There are a lot of doctor and dentist visits to make sure you are in good health, and then (if you're like me) you have to catch up on all the shots your mom was nice enough to let you skip in elementary school.

When all of that is finally finished, you have to talk to MORE people about your willingness and preparation for this enormous change.

Then, finally, you mail your stuff to the Church headquarters in Salt Lake City and then you sit and wait. And wait, and wait, and then wait some more. And then you'll think it's here but it's not so you continue to wait.

Then, one day, you'll walk past the mailbox on your way to dinner and think, "hmm, maybe I'll just look for fun" and there will be a giant, white envelope with your full name printed on the front.

You will promptly ditch your dinner plans and run back up to your apartment where you will freak out for exactly 18 seconds before ripping open the envelope and reading the first paragraph.

It is different for everyone and this is what is said in mine:

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish Language."

Needless to say, I freaked out. My dad served his mission in Buenos Aires as well and I've grown up hearing amazing stories about his time there. I could not be happier about my decision to go or the assignment I received.

¡¡¡ Argentina !!!

Giving my wisdom away

(Please ignore the horrible title and allow me to complain for a second)

One week ago I had my wisdom teeth brutally taken from me. I was knocked unconscious, sliced open in four places, and four of the teeth that God gave to me were ripped from their sockets. The Oral Surgeon, or as I like to call him: Klepto McGee, tried to soften the blow by charging me money to cut open my mouth. I think he was a little confused about who was supposed to be paying who.

Then, as if to make up for his horrendous actions, he offered me a slip of paper with his permission for a pharmacy to give me certain medications. Mr. Charming didn't even offer to pay for those! Nope. So somehow this con artist has convinced ME to pay HIM to cut me open, swell up like a chipmunk, and give him five of my teeth. (yea, I said five. That's how he tricked me! Claiming another molar had to come out anyway and he'd do it all at once to save me the pain of going under twice. He's Harold Hill except with teeth!!).

Four days after the assault, shooting pain in my jaw forced me to drive back to the scene of the crime and have him stuff some form of bandage back into one of the holes he had created. After the initial pain, the demon gauze began working it's black magic and left me in a slightly loopy state that got me to agree to yet ANOTHER visit to him in a few days in which he removed the demon gauze. Which led to the accidental removal of stitches and bone graft material, which led to another visit, which was a 30 second meeting with old Klepto who told me everything was fine and then disappeared.

I've set up a meeting with him on Thursday. Unless he convinces me that he is sorry for his actions and legitimately ready to change his ways, I may need to alert the authorities. I'm not sure what joy a grown man gets from knocking out 20-somethings and stealing their teeth, but I'm sure there is a program he can enroll in.

Let this be a warning to all of you out there. This man is sick and dangerous. Guard your God-given teeth with vigor or you might just find yourself in my shoes: without wisdom teeth, but a little bit wiser nonetheless.

The Move

I live in Salt Lake now. Technically it's South Salt Lake, but the mail I receive does not differentiate so neither will I.

The move was, well, awful. I have so much stuff I fear I should be on one of those hoarding shows that exposes what being a gluttonous American looks like. I like home decor! Sue me! But I finally have everything up here and my Provo apartment is full of new residents. 25% of my stuff is still in boxes, but that's a normal percentage and I'm very proud of my progress.

I have a new roommate who I found on craigslist. She hasn't killed me yet or stolen any of my belongings, so Im pretty sure she's cool. Also she went to MIT AND worked at NASA. So, by anyone's standards, she's cool.

I've started applying to grad schools. It's hard. I'm not smart enough for these applications let alone the schools themselves, but we'll see what happens in the next 6 months or so. Perhaps my dream of being a dolphin trainer will finally be realized! Oh wait, wrong dream. Perhaps my dream of being a college professor will finally be realized!

What I need is motivation. I need to start perfecting these writing samples and I can't very well do that if I keep wasting my time watching My Future Boyfriend and Spy Kids on Netflix. But then again, that could count as research. "What NOT to write to get into grad school"...

Eventually I'll be productive, I promise. But for now, there's an interesting episode of Psych that is calling my name and I need to dig through my box of DVDs to shut it up.

Home is Wherever I'm With You

On a whim I bought a plane ticket home. Turns out, they are non-refundable, expensive, and quickly taken from your bank account. Like, immediately. It ALSO turns out that my next paycheck was skipped in last week's rotation and now I have to wait a week for it. So, money issues. Yay adulthood! But I digress...

I'm going home. In September. For 18 days. Number one priority is to hang out with my mom and dad, recharge that family support thing, and remind them why I'm their favorite child. Second priority, though is graduate school. I have plans to visit at least five schools while I'm out there. VT, UVA, and ODU all have MFA programs in creative writing that I would love to be a part of (well, I dont know about loving ODU's program, but that is why I'm going to visit), and they are close to home which would be nice after five years of living in Utah.

What I'm really excited about, though, is the New England leg of the trip. I'm going to visit Boston University and Brown! Boston has one of the top MFA programs in screenwriting and Brown has this really interesting "electronic writing" emphasis to their creative writing MFA that sounds pretty enticing.

Schools that would be nice to hit but are not on the mandatory level are: Johns Hopkins, VCU, Hollins (I know what you're thinking, "A women's college, Amy? Really? That's ludicrous." Yes, but it has a screenwriting program. Also, if you'll notice, it is on the 'non-mandatory' level so quit your judging, you snobby reader, and let me be!)

While there I'd also love to visit some old friends. Namely Kelsey, Addie, Margot, Melanie, Jessica, and Ginny. So, call me!

And to be completely honest with you (although I don't know why I should because you're already judging me for looking at an all female school), I plan on making a trip in November to visit California schools. Specifically USC which has the top screenwriting program in the world. But, naturally, number one priority on that trip is Disneyland. I'm not dumb.

Harry Potter and the End of an Era

I just came from my third (yes, you read that right) time watching Harry Potter 7.2. Instead of doing a film review (A+-five stars-two thumbs up, by the way) I decided to write a letter to J.K. Rowling. I'm sure she reads my blog, so I'll just let her get to it when she has time...

Dear Ms. Rowling,

I’d like to be just one of many to thank you for Harry Potter. I, like millions with me, saw the final installment of the Warner Brother’s film adaptation last night. I, like millions with me, cried longer and harder than was decent. And I, like millions with me, am not quite sure what to do with myself now.

Comments like, “my childhood is ending” weren’t few and far between coming from those waiting in line with me. We’ve grown up right alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione. From Harry’s first Hogwarts letter to Albus Severus Potter’s concern about house placement we’ve hung on your every word. Everything the Golden Trio went through, I was going through as well (just without the magic and the constant threat of death). Harry had angst, I had angst. Harry fell in love, I fell in love. Harry defeated Voldemort and saved the entire Wizarding world, I survived high school.

Of course you had naysayers and, dare I say it, haters along the way. You knew that you would never make everyone happy with the way the stories ended or the casualties you left behind, but you trudged ahead regardless. You’ve made millions of dollars (pounds, really) with the books, movies, and new amusement park. From your humble beginnings in a café writing on napkins to working with some of the most influential people in the world you are truly an inspiration.

Harry Potter gave me something to look forward to for the last thirteen years. Even when the books were done (and trust me, that wasn’t easy either) we still had the films to rely on. Now that it’s all over, I feel a sort of emptiness. My life doesn’t revolve around a fictional character and his fictional world, but a large part of my childhood did and I'm a little lost without it.

So, where do we go from here? I think we’ll be ok. Some will find refuge in new books, new worlds to discover. Some will move on, grow up, make lots of money. Some may stay at Hogwarts, thriving on Pottermore and the countless special editions of the films sure to come out. Whatever it is, the Harry Potter-shaped holes in our hearts will get smaller or even disappear altogether and we will go on to live perfectly wonderful lives.

What will I do? Harry Potter meant a lot to me. But it wasn’t just Harry and his friends who inspire me, you do. Out of nothing you created a story so interesting, so powerful, so relatable that millions of people from all over the world, of every age, lined up at midnight and read until they fell asleep. Instead of whining about the end of something I love so much, I’ve decided to create something new to love. You had a great idea and you made it happen. With everything I’ve learned from Harry and you, I plan on doing the same.

So thank you for the stories, the characters, the world. Thank you for the morals, the flaws, and the inspiration. I hope to read more of your work someday and I hope you read mine.

Sincerely,

Amy Roskelley

Where is the love?

I've been watching an awful lot of movies recently. I watched all 7 Harry Potters to gear up for the release next week. And I've been trying to watch every episode of "Hey, Arnold" because, why not? Desiree made me watch My Girl last night which was not my idea of a good time, and every now and then you just have to watch Maid in Manhattan because, you do. You just do.

Through my overload of media (not involving the study of camera movements, writing skill, or film theory, thankfully) I've been asking myself one question: Why didn't they hug?

There is a serious lack of human contact in today's movies. Oh there's sex of course (except in Harry Potter and "Hey, Arnold") which involves a lot of touching. Maybe a little too much touching. But the amount of innocent hugging is alarmingly low. I assume that directors think it's better to express thanks, love, or appreciation with a powerful look, a sweeping camera movement, or an orchestrated swell of violins. WRONG! In the real world, we hug.

Example: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
I'll set the scene for you: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are visiting Hagrid's hut. Ron is throwing up slugs after his faulty wand backfired while attempting to hex Draco for calling Hermione a "mudblood."
Incident: Hermione tells Hagrid what Draco called her. Hagrid is shocked and comforts her by insisting that she is the best witch in her year. The music is lovely, Hermione's tears stop, and everyone smiles. Really great time for a hug, yes? Yes. But did they hug? No. She doesn't even say "thank you!" Hagrid is a giant teddy bear!! If the director doesn't feel comfortable having characters hug him, I don't know what's wrong with the world.
What would fix this scene: A hug. duh.

I'm not going to put any more examples because that one was kind of long. Don't mistake my lack of examples with a lack of proof, though. The proof is there, all around, in every movie. Go watch one and you'll agree with me. Characters need to hug more.

Just another reason I need to be a screenwriter: I will fix the sad, sorry state of the classic embrace.

New Job is still the best

As you've read, I have a really sweet new job. It's pretty much the best thing ever.

Some updates, for your reading (and viewing) pleasure:

I go into the office in SLC on Mondays. It's awesome. I have my own little office with a desk and a giant window overlooking the Gateway Mall.

(That's my view)

I thought it was the coolest until I saw Eric's window on the other side. He's got a view of Temple Square but then, I guess he IS the creative director.

(That's Eric's View during the 2002 Olympics/ at Christmas)

It's still pretty freakin' awesome and I feel legit.

(That's me trying to be sly and take of picture of myself at work without my co-workers seeing me and making fun of me)

I also got my access card today! It's got a picture of me and I scan it at the door and it let's me in. I also sent in my first invoice and will be receiving my first paycheck soon. It's all happening so fast!

Don't mind my hair in that picture. I was trying to do something like this:It didn't work out.

Tonight, I'm talking to my mom and mid-call I get a call from my boss. I tell my mom I'll call her back and proceed to answer Peggy's call.

She says that there is a man in Australia who I need to interview. I get on skype to set up an appointment but he can't do it any other time but right that second. So I've just spent the last two hours talking to the 2009 winner of Australia's Biggest Loser! It was awesome. He's famous and so cool and has the most incredible stories.

Mostly he is an inspiration. He lost more than half of his body weight and has kept it off for two years! He makes me think that I can lose weight and be healthy too. Hopefully I don't have to go on a reality show to do it.

Basically, mom, that is why I never called you back.

But my job rocks. Keep your fingers crossed that they'll find me irreplaceable and essential to the shoot then pay for me to go to Australia and New Zealand for the filming!!

New Job

I got another job (because I'm not nearly busy enough: I still sleep at night)

It's actually pretty amazing. My church (click here) is pretty awesome but some people don't know that. So the church headquarters in Salt Lake City have created this campaign called "I am a Mormon." At it's most basic level, it's mini documentaries about Mormons all over the world. It's used to help people understand that we don't eat our young or worship seagulls. Just the normal crazy stuff like no coffee and three hours of church on Sundays. By portraying people doing normal things, they're helping to make Mormons less mysterious and more inviting.

Pretty awesome, right? Right! My job, then, is to call these potential subjects and get to know them. I interview them for an hour or so and come up with a good angle that the producers can take with them. I've had the job for exactly one week and have already done four interviews and have two more set up.

At first I was really nervous. I hate talking on the phone and words that are so clear in my mind often come out as "blsgrebfwnnuuuuhhhhh...." Not cute. But these people are so amazing. I ask one question and they just open up to me. Everything from scuba divers to farmers in New Zealand. They have amazing and inspiring stories. One woman made me cry when she told me about the obstacles she faced when adopting her daughter from China. Another couple told me about all the times they've almost died but through miracles were saved. I'm realizing that people are awesome. And not it the "dude, you're awesome, bra" kind of way. In a way that actually inspires awe. One woman visits orphanages in Thailand every year and raises thousands of dollars for them. Her story is incredible, but so is the man's who wakes up every morning at 4 am to milk his cows, run his farm, and then goes to the school board meeting.

I've said before that I hate people, but that's a lie. These friends (which they feel like and are... on facebook) are reminding me that there is good all around. We don't have to be bogged down by the negativity that is out there. Hurray for wonderful humans who talk to me, and hurray for the comapany that pays me to to do it. And hurray for the Church that brings them all together!

?

I've just realized the most terrifying thing about not knowing what I'll be doing when I graduate:


WHO WILL I SEE THE FINAL HARRY POTTER FILM WITH?!?!