Harry Potter Premier

So, last night was the Harry Potter Premier. It was a big deal, at least for me, because this was my first actual movie premier.. You know, 12:01 showing, waiting in line, etc. And it was Harry Potter.

We were probably not the best prepared for the long wait (8:30-midnight) because we only brought a book and a pillow. Luckily, we sat inside the theater on carpet for a few hours. We both got sore sitting there as we read our book and watched all people walking up and down the hallway. True to form, there were quite a few people dressed up as Harry, Ron, Ginny, Cho, Snape, Dumbledore, Trelawney, Mcgongall, and Hermoine.

As far as the movie went, I don't want to spoil it for others, but it went much like the other films. There is just too much storyline from the book to include in a 2.5 hr movie. I liked the movie, but I like the books better. There is so much more left to the imagination in the books. I won't say what they included and what they left out, but the movies and books are two unique things.

Anyways, I better get back to work. Stay tuned for more.

My New Job

Yesterday was my first day at my new job. I now work in American Fork for a company called Gravity People, Inc. It is a recruiting service for senior and executive level positions mainly in the IT industry but have started to branch out into other sectors more recently. It was a lot to handle the first day: paperwork, orientation, training, shadowing other employees, etc. I did get to do some first-level screening by the end of the day, but I have lots more to learn.

The job environment is pretty good. Gravity isn't a huge company. They started in 1998 and have their main offices in San Francisco. The office in AF has less than 20 people, 12 of us who are researchers. We each have our own workstation and computer. Everything is computer based. I work M-F from 9 a.m. -6 p.m. (for now) and get an hour lunch break. My co-workers are pretty nice and easy to get along with. That's good. It's pretty casual too. We don't have to dress up much either unless exectutives from SF come in. Joel, the COO, came yesterday, but was casual too; he wore a polo shirt and jeans.

I get to ride the bus both ways. It isn't that bad. It takes about 45 mintutes each direction for a minimal fare. The same bus also stops at the State Developmental School in AF so we get some interesting personalities on the bus in the morning. All and all, I can't expect much more out of it.

I'm excited to learn more and become more comfortable with my job descritpion. But in the meantime, I'm making new friends and started down my new career path.

VIPs at the MTC

This last week I was privileged to help out with the New Mission Presidents Seminar at the MTC. I helped out getting things together the week before, including a trip to the COB (Church Office Building) in SLC, and helping during the week of the Seminar (Sat morn-Wed night). It was quite an experience. Besides being around many of the Brethren, here are some of the highlights:

Sunday afternoon, I held the door open for President Hinckley as he exited to his car. When he came through, he stopped and talked with just me for a brief two minutes. With sweaty palms, I stumbled through the conversation about my mission and former mission presidents. He was kind and genuine and sharper than ever. He said he loved going to Taiwan and it was so beautiful. We exchanged salutations and he was escorted away.

Monday, I listened to President Monsen chat with some of the secretaries from the MTC Travel office. He reminisced with the current MTC president about a visit he gave to the president's family many years ago. Then President Monsen recalled an old song he learned in grade school to help him learn Spanish. He made me laugh.

Wednesday, I held the door open and greeted President Faust. He was frail, but in good spirits. We exchanged hellos and he made his way in to his meeting. That night, I was assigned to escort Elder Bednar and his wife to his assigned dining room. He gave me a very nice compliment as I escorted him away from the crowds of mission presidents.

One other highlight was the chance to get to know many of the new mission presidents. I felt kind of sad when I had to leave them. In a few shorts days, I began to make friends and will miss them. They are wonderful people and always so friendly. They will leave many impressions on the areas to which they are assigned.

As it all came to an end Wednesday night, I couldn't help but think what amazing people they are. They are so calm and yet so strong. They are something of a different kind. I'm so glad I had the chance of a lifetime.

Harry Potter Goes Home Teaching

Many of you know the home teaching message for June was an article written by President Hinckley about the great war between good and evil. When I read the article, I remembered a few lines from one of my new favorite books: Harry Potter. Jaclyn and I opened found the following quotes from Book 2 and Book 5 and related to what President Hinckley was saying.

Book 2, p. 333: Dumbledore to Harry: "You are very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Book 5, p. 205-206: The Sorting Hat's New Song: Oh, know the perils, read the signs, The warning history shows, For our Hogwarts is in danger, From external, deadly foes, And we must unite inside her, Or we'll crumble from within.

When we shared it with the family I home teach, they found it very interesting. It worked so well particularly because the kids (11, 8, 6) all have read the books and could relate to it. Their parents even found it interesting. As we were finishing our visit, Mark turned to his wife and said, "I guess we'll have to read Harry Potter in a slightly different light now."

There is truth in everything, isn't there?