the weekend

Chris and I had our first "normal" weekend where nothing move related really had to be done.  I think it's safe to say we are officially moved in!  We're pretty organized and have mostly everything hung up on the walls.  We still have some home maintenance items to cover, but we are definitely feeling settled.  I love our kitchen.  Chris added knobs to the kitchen cabinets (and bathroom cabinets) that immediately makes it look more put together and nicer.  We have a newer dishwasher, that works like crap that we'll hopefully get replaced in the next two months, so that's unfortunate, but comes along with getting to know a new house.  I hope to take pictures and share them with you soon.
On Friday night Chris and I had a dinner and movie date night.  Since Christmastime we've tried to go see Les Miserables three different times.  Each time unsuccessfully for whatever reason.  Last time we tried it was because the movie theater was no longer playing it, I was super upset, because I specifically wanted to see this movie on the big screen.  So thankful for Chris, as he did some homework and found a theater in Denver where it was still playing.  We started the night at Big Easy Creole Kitchen in Cherry Creek.  Super good New Orleans style food.  We had great service, and great food.  The atmosphere is nice, and we will definitely be going back.

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Les Mis.  I first heard of this movie in HS.  When I was a Junior and going to London over spring break, we got tickets to go see this show.  My first thought was "what's the big deal?".  Back then I didn't really get it.  But I played along because all of my drama friends were thrilled.  Once we arrived at the show our seats were so high up we couldn't even see the very front of the stage.  I remember loving the singing and that they had a rotating stage.  But after the show, I still had a sense that was I was missing something.  Since then I've seen the show 2 or 3 times on stage (the last time was an amazing HS production!) and was really looking forward to seeing the movie, knowing it would provide more details. 
I loved it.  And now I want to see the show again and take Chris.  I wish I had more to say, but I don't think I could do the movie any justice.

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Saturday we had a early morning, taking the cats to get their shots, and checked up on.  Otis isn't adjusting well to the new house (pooping about once a week, right in the living room).  This is a problem in our house.  We have brand new carpet (installed in November) and I really don't want cat stains ruining our new house.  This is super tuff on me, and I just hope the pooping spells are done with.

I met my friend Sarah for lunch at Little Anita's.  I love my time with her.  It had been a super long time since we had gotten together, and I'm so glad that we did.

We did some errands, and got some curtains for the bedroom.  Then our friends Andrea and Ryan came over to check out the new house, before we headed out to dinner, for the first night of Denver Restaurant Week.  ...it's almost my favorite time of year.  We went to Ghost Plate and Tap.  This restaurant wasn't prepared for Denver Restaurant week.  Poor management all around.  The food and drink were decent, but the timing was horrible.  We got our first and second courses right away, waiting a good 20+ minutes for our entree, then dessert came immediately.  Had to keep asking for more water and drinks, and when our main course was waiting for so long the kitchen was so disorganized that they brought out our first and second courses AGAIN!  By the time dessert did come one of the desserts was out, and so another selection had to be made.  For whatever reason, the restaurant just didn't prepare for what was obviously going to be a busy night.  Needless to say, I would go back, but not for dinner.  They had some pretty awesome happy hour cocktails and appetizers, so if I were to go back that's what I would go for. 

Sunday was a snow day!  We got about 6 inches, so we left the house early to go grocery shopping for the week, and stayed in the rest of the day.  Chris was the amazing husband he is, and cleared the driveway a couple of times, along with going out to get the snow off of the satellite dish.  We played some cribbage (our new game of choice) and watched some TV with New Mexico Cheeseburgers cooking in the crock pot!

I had a great weekend with some quality people, and quality time well spent.

How was your weekend?

My Version of Happily Ever After

It was a year ago today when Chris proposed.  I've gone from engaged to married, and it feels so good.  With the world of thanks going on around us, I'm so thankful for so many things.  The past year has truly been one huge blessing in my life.  Not only have I been so blessed beyond my wildest dreams, the last year has been life changing.

Over the weekend Chris and I went to go see Breaking Dawn Part II.  We watched the first on Friday night so Chris could be up to speed, and it was great to re watch it before we see the second part.  I really liked the movie.  The additions that they added were great visually.  "Breaking Dawn" the book is my least favorite, and the part I enjoyed the most is when the narrative is told from Jacob's point of view.  I had hoped that somehow they would show this in the movie (although I'm not too sure how), but there was no mention in it.

The end truly got me thinking.  The ending was done really well.  I loved how they went through each character in each movie.  Truly showing the creative side of what this movie has touched.  During the end I had to do everything in me to not break down and ball.  I somehow held back all of my tears, but I wanted to just sit and cry.  Seeing this movie and seeing how each significant character goes on in life with their Happily Ever After is just so perfect.  Of course, I get it, it's a movie, based purely on all things fiction, and life isn't perfect, but I just love a happy ending.  And while I'm thinking about Bella, Edward, and Jacob's happy ending, my mind drifts to my happy ending.  Then I went back to a different emotional state that was also triggered by the ending of a movie. 

I remember when I went to go see the Sex in the City movie with my friend Sarah in the early part of 2008.  I was a horrible version of myself at that time, and at the end of the movie I bawled.  I just sat in my seat and cried and cried.  I was hurt that all of the characters in Sex in the City got their happy ending, WHEN would I get MINE!  I was questioning everything then.  I wasn't in a good place physically, mentally, emotionally.  I definitely didn't love me then, why would I expect love from someone else? 

Holding  back tears during the end of Breaking Dawn brought back those emotions from crying at the end of Sex in the City.  This time, tears of thankfulness.  I was able to reminisce in the struggles that I've had to get to where I now am.  And now I truly appreciate where I've been and what it is that I now have. 

I'm weird really when I think about how these movies affect me and my life.  How they trigger different moments and trials.  It's just a movie, it isn't real.  But it does affect real part of my life, and I guess that is how I get attached. 

Parts of me also get emotional because it's the end of the Twilight Saga. (again, weird).  I remember when the first Twilight movie came out.  I was just beginning to gain curiosity about these books, and contemplating actually reading them.  I then read them, and I watched the first Twilight movie while I was recovering from my lasik eye surgery.  I watched Twilight for the first time in the movie theater when my cousin Kari came up for a girl's weekend to watch the midnight premiere of New Moon.  The viewing of Eclipse was done on a much smaller scale while my parents were visiting.  Then last year my cousins were here for the premiere viewing the first Breaking Dawn.  Since first watching Twilight to now, that spans almost 4 years!  So much has happened, and while watching the end of Breaking Dawn on Saturday I was thinking about all of it.  And it's a lot.  I've had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  I've changed a lot.  My friends and family have seen it all.  I want to thank them for being there for me, and for continuing to be there for me. 

I'm so happy to now have Chris, and to have him in my life.  I'm beyond grateful for having created my own version of happily ever after.  Even sweeter is knowing that "after" is far from being here, and we have a lifetime to create so many more happy moments!

Review: The Hunger Games

warning *** Spoilers Ahead

Last night I saw The Hunger Games movie, and I have so much I want to write about. But I know I've already forgotten most of it. I was trying to make mental notes while I was watching it and I hope to get all of thoughts out because I can't stop thinking about all of it! So if this post is a little bit scattered and all over the place, it's just because I want to try and get it all out.
Chris and I went a group of my gym friends last night, all of us ladies have read the book and were excited for the movie.
First off, the books. The books are freakin' fantastic! Go read them if you haven't. So creative, adventurous, and face-paced. With that said, I started reading the trilogy about a month ago, and I'm about half way through the third book "Mockingjay". In general I'm a slow reader, and I usually only read on the bus to/from work. But these books I've been rushing through just because of the excitement of it all. So unfortunately I think I've missed a lot. And I was afraid I would forget some of the details while watching the movie, but I think for the most part I remembered a lot.
Let's start with Jennifer Lawrence. She played Katniss perfectly. And my goodness she is tiny. That scene where she's walking out with her skin-tight black outfit on to go out on the chariot. Wow...super tiny. Then Peeta...I thought they did a good job of making them seem like she's smaller than he is. Because have you seen all the press these two actors have done? She's way taller than he is, but in the movie you don't notice that. Which is good.
Speaking of Peeta, let's mention Gale. And the beginning of the love triangle that is started. I wish they would have shown more of Gale and his observance of the games. Because you know he's watching. And he is such a big part of the story even though he isn't completely visible in the first book/movie. But you know that he's still there. Does that make sense?
What happened to District Thirteen? Now we all know District Thirteen is no-longer. But did they even point that out in the movie?
And did I miss the whole kiss your 3 main fingers and hold them up in the air, thing? I have a feeling I did. Because I don't remember that in the book, and I don't remember getting any sort of storyline about that in the movie. So can one of you tell me the meaning behind that?, because I'm clueless. It obviously has something to do with some sort of solidarity. But in the movie you only see it in District 12, and in District 11 after Rue dies. Is it something only having to do with the poorer districts?
I wish they told more about the characters from the Capitol. Because I'm pretty sure I just skimmed over the background while reading the book. Like Effie Trinket. First they never even really introduced her, she was just there announcing the names and taking the tributes to the Capitol.
Speaking of characters. What happened to Madge? Wasn't she the one who gave her the pin to wear? And the good-bye's. I really wish they would have show Peeta's dad saying good-bye to Katniss.
Now moving on to the arena. One thing I really liked about the movie, was how The Hunger Games were essentially shown as a reality show. I never thought of it like this while reading the book. How there were basically producers creating this "reality" for the tributes. The huge room of all the people managing the elements of the arena. Very interesting.
I wish they would have shown Katniss going deaf in one ear. I can't remember how she goes deaf but I remember it in the book. I also wish they would have shown her thirst, and her wishing Haymitch would send her some. Then her realization that water was near by. In the book you get the feeling that Katniss and Haymitch have there own language, and that was never really portrayed in the movie.
The eyes. I really wish that they would have put the dead tributes eyes in the muttations eyes at the end. I think that was a pivotal part of the book, that the movie left out, and could have easily been done.
The hovercraft. Why didn't we ever see the hovercraft come and pick up the bodies? I guess that was an easy thing to leave out, and not something I necessarily missed, but just something I noticed.
And what about the cannon going off when Rue died, and the tribute keeping guard of the all of the food, and the tribute that killed Rue? I'm almost positive that when those 3 died, no cannon went off. I also wish that they would have showed the night-time list of lost tributes more than once. ...I think they only showed the first night, then one night with no tributes lost.
The berries. In the book she actually puts the berries in her mouth, then spits them out. I definitely thing the movie should have shown that.
President Snow is the perfect villain. I think the movie portrayed him perfectly. And the fact that each time the showed him he was around roses was the perfect set up for the future movies and the symbol he becomes with his use of roses.
I loved how at the end of the book you see Katniss' realization of what life is going to be like after the games. It's crazy how this story takes you once such an emotional roller coaster that you don't think about one situation relating to the next, because you are truly just trying to stay alive. How at the beginning you just don't want your name to be drawn. Then the good-byes. They thinking that you are most likely going to die. To surviving, being crowned victor. To the aftermath of realizing that you are alive, now a victor, and going back to your district as hero, and all of the expectations now that you are back. They all go together, but in the book/movie you just cross each thing one at a time. Not really thinking about the "big picture" because you are so focused on getting out of the tunnel.
Well, I think that's all I can write. Overall the movie was good, and I can definitely understand the parts that they left out, because you can't include everything.
Even if you haven't read the books, the movie is still a good one, and I would highly suggest you go see it!

Breaking Dawn part I

Lets travel back 6 weeks shall we?
Six weeks ago my beautiful cousin's Kari and Cheryl were in town from Albuquerque for the sole purpose of joining me for the midnight premiere showing of Twilight: Breaking Dawn part I movie...along with some cousin bonding of course. In additions to the midnight show we did lots of other things around Denver and Boulder.
We went to the Brown Palace Hotel, and had the afternoon tea.
We drove to Golden, and went on the Coors Brewery tour.


We even went out to a local bar, and had some drinks and fun.

cheryl, me, and, kari

Lots of fun was had, as I love these girls so much! Round two is already scheduled for part II!

step 60min

two funnies

over the past couple of weeks i've seen two movies.
last week i went out with my friend jill. we had lunch together to see Bridemaids. this was sorta like a farewell get together. over the past six months jill and i have become really good friends. jill and i went to HS together and have the same mutual best friend michelle. we've always known of one another through michelle, but never were "friends". then in january jill moved from washington DC to denver to get a little closer to home. unfortunately she wasn't able to find a job in denver, and is in the process of moving back to DC. her move makes me sad, because we created a great friendship super quick when she moved here. but i know we'll keep in touch and have adventures elsewhere!
Bridesmaids was a hilarious movie. seriously so funny. perfect for two single ladies like jill and myself. so honestly that's all i can really remember about the movie. i know it isn't much a review. but i would definitely suggest that you check it out.
a couple of weeks ago C and i checked out the Hangover Part II. i had heard that this movie was a bit over the top. and well it was, and with that it was also very funny. the jokes were pretty much parallel to the original movie just more extreme. rather than a baby there was a monkey. rather in vegas they were in bangkok. etc... the most romantic part of this movie (if you can believe there was such a moment) was at the end, at the wedding where they lit and let go of flying lanterns. it was seriously like a scene out of Tangled. it was gorgeous.
out of the two if you must pick one, i would go see Bridesmaids.

treadmill 30min/elliptical 30min

have you seen this?

check it out!

let the countdown begin!
five months away!
i can hardly wait, i have goosebumps!!!

treadmill 45min
elliptical 20min

the facebook book

book review
the accidental billionaires
the founding of facebook: a tale of sex, money, genius, and betrayal
by ben mezrich

i realize i haven't done a book review in awhile. mostly because i feel my book reviews aren't really all that great. usually i don't have anything too enlightening to say, regardless if i think a book is great or bad. when i read a book i usually tell myself to make mental notes of things i would bring up in a book review on my blog, but when i actually finish the book, all those mental notes are long gone! but i liked this book that much to write about it. not much the book, but the movie too.
i saw the movie back in october. the movie was great. to be honest the whole facebook world to me is quiet fascinating. this whole online social-networking thing is really just weird. it's crazy to think of how this website came to be. prior to the movie i had no idea it was a book. so the book was a pleasant surprise.
if you've seen the movie you know that it has a very specific attitude throughout the whole thing. and what's amazing about the book is that the book as the very same attitude. i loved the style of this writer. very dry, but funny, and lots of personality. i've never thought of a type of writing to have a specific type of attitude, but the way it was portrayed on screen is exactly how you would imagine it to be. which to me is pretty talented. the writer did repeat himself at times, but i think that was part of the betrayal part. the fact that you don't want to believe you are being betrayed. so you continue on in denial, until what was in your gut was happening all along.
unlike most book to movie adaptations, the movie actually had more details than the book. the movie went into details of the lawsuit against facebook and mark zuckerberg, which the book does not.
both the movie and the book are very entertaining. i would strongly recommend both.

treadmill 30min
elliptical 30min

Black Swan

I have to talk about this movie. Their has been a lot of praise of this movie. My mom and I went to go see this movie when I was home for Christmas. She recommended it, and I agree since I like all things dance.

First things first. This movie is weird and dark. I did like the acting, and the dancing. The ballet was beautiful. But honestly, that's about it. The actual story is about a girl with 2 personalities, dealing with demons...with that, the story is very dark. Which does make it interesting, but the characters never really deal with what is going on, so the movie ends without a point or with any questions answered.

Natalie Portman was amazing, and beautiful, and all of the actors did really well, but the fact that their wasn't much of an actually story to this movie just made it feel like such a waste of two hours.

Not too sure what all the hype is with this movie. Good acting yes, but no story. Just my two cents.

strike! 60min

taking the time

saturday afternoon while tina and i were downtown we went to go see the movie "eat, pray, love" i read this book back in november 2008. from what i remember of it, the book follows the movie pretty close. with that, i really enjoyed the movie. i think it is important to take time for yourself. whether it be a few extra minutes in the shower because you are a crazy busy mom, or you are alone all the time like myself, it's important to take that time and appreciate it. now i know how blessed i am to take these past couple years and focus on myself. but my friends who are wives and moms have different kinds of blessings. in the love from their husband, the touches and hugs from their kids. of course those things may never make an appearance in my life. i suppose what i'm trying to say is that we are all blessed in different ways.

back to the movie. the movie is about a woman unhappy in her marriage and decides to take a risk. she decides to leave all that she knows to travel, to be alone, and to get to know herself. if only all of us had the opportunity to take a trip around the world and travel for a year. when i read the book i immediately wanted to travel to where this woman went: italy, india, and indonesia. i hoped that the movie would show these places in a new light, but the movie didn't really do that. so with that i was a little disappointed. the visual didn't match the words of the book. during her travel she gets to try new food, experience different kids of faith, and find a true love.

lately when i've been home alone and all is quiet i've tried to focus on the fact that i'm not lonely, but that i'm alone. big difference. in the past i've definitely been lonely, which has caused some mild deppression. but i've gotten over that, and made my life what it is now without feeling lonely, even though for the most part i am still alone. i've grown to appreciate the silence while praying that it won't always be there. i'm focusing on making my life everything that i want, within the power that i have. to let go of the things that are not within my power.

treadmill 15min
barbell strength 60min

"eclipse" review

well i survived 3 whole days of the moving being out before i went to go see it myself. my mom and i checked it out saturday afternoon, and i have to say i really enjoyed it. my mom isn't into the whole twilight thing, and hasn't seen "new moon" so i gave her the run down of that book/movie before watching "eclipse" which got me that much more in the mood for the movie.



***spoilers ahead***

their were many things i liked about this movie and some things not so much. right off the bat i really enjoyed riley's introduction in the movie. i thought it was a great lead to show the story of the newborns and some of the details of creating the newborn "coven". another part of the movie i really enjoyed was the quilt that bella's mom made, and gave to her while she was visiting in florida. i thought that was a very sweet gesture, and had a lot of meaning.

in this movie i was finally able to put my finger on what it is that i don't like about edward. in the movies he seems to come across a little bit cocky. which i just don't like. example, when he says "he's checking to make sure you are still human." in the movie when they come back from Florida. i really don't like the way he delivers that line. and sometimes bella comes across and uncaring, which is another thing in the movie that i don't like.

in general i like hearing people's histories, or their story of how a person came to be who they are. i enjoy hearing and knowing people's life stories. so that's another reason i really enjoyed "eclipse" because you get to hear the past of the quileute's, rosalie, and jasper, and i was really looking forward to seeing the stories portrayed on the big screen. i wish a little bit more detail would have been given to what billy black had to say, but with what they did do, i really enjoyed. when it came to rosalie's story, i wish the movie showed rosalie going to bella, rather than bella approaching rosalie.

now onto jacob. i am a jacob fan. so seeing the tent scene was heaven for me. and even edward looked normal. seeing the two of them banter with bella in the middle (literally) was quite comical. ...although the way jacob was positioned he looked so uncomfortable. anyways, i really liked that part.
let's jump to one of the final scenes where bella goes to see jacob when he is healing from getting all banged up and bella knows that a part of her is in love with him but she knows she loves edward more, and is essentially "breaking up" with jacob. they took out the best line of the whole book!

The corner of my mouth turned up in a wistful half-smile. "I used to think of that way, you know. Like the sun. My personal sun. You balanced out the clouds nicely for me."
He sighed. "The clouds I can handle. But I can't fight with an eclipse."

not too sure how the screenwriter got away without including that line, but whatever.
and then when she leaves, you don't see bella grieve over the "death" of her what-might-have-been relationship with jacob. and that was kinda a big deal.

i did like bella's little monologue out in the field at the end of the movie. about her life she has chosen. it gave some clarity to the whole big picture of her wanting a vampire life.

lastly i did not like bella's engagement ring. i think it is ugly. the pave setting, and the cluster of diamonds. in the book their are details of the gold, and their are no such details on this ring. to me it is plain, big, and bulky.

barbell strength 60min
treadmill 20min
423

no hype this time

unlike the big spectacular that was a week long "new moon" fest leading up to a double feature of "twilight" then the midnight showing of "new moon", "eclipse" unfortunately isn't getting that attention. when my cousin kari came up to denver to see "new moon" she had also planned to be here for the premiere of "eclipse". but then we realized that the release date was right before a holiday weekend, and it just didn't work.
she's going camping with her family, and my parents are coming up here, so unfortunately for me there is no big production of me going to see "eclipse". and i'm a little bit sad about it now that the movie has officially come out.
i just re-re-read eclipse and am currently reading the short second life of bree tanner, and eclipse is my favorite book, and now the movie is out, and i haven't seen it! right about now it is kinda driving me crazy. i was almost half tempted to check it out tonight after the gym, but that just wasn't realistic. going in all sweaty, hungry, and still needing to clean up my house for my parents arrival tomorrow night. and then this weekend, my parents will be here, and we do have a movie in the agenda of things to do, but i highly doubt i can convince my parents to go see "eclipse". so i'm a little bit sad. so right now i have tentative plans to check it out monday night after my parents leave. i suppose waiting 5 days to see it won't kill me.

with all of that being said, reading eclipse for the 3rd time, i found some questions to ask about the book, along with some of the things i found while reading the first 30 pages of the short second life of bree tanner. stephenie meyer mentions that bree is the first newborn vampire that bella encounters. but technically isn't it riley? or is riley not classified as a newborn? with that, i found it interesting that stephenie does mention the killings that the newborns are creating in seattle, but nothing is every really mentioned about the disappearances of the newborns? is that because victoria is creating "stupid" vampires? ...people who won't be reported missing? just some random questions.
lets move to jacob. aww jacob. beautiful good for bella jacob. it really sucks how the end of eclipse goes by so quickly, that bella realizes her love for him, and then the book is done. anyways, where is jacob's mom? he has 2 older sisters, right? ...they are mentioned a couple of times. but i don't remember a mention of his mom. so i thought i would throw that out there.

...until Monday.

zumba 60min
579

full circle

yesterday morning i met my friend sarah to go see "sex and the city 2". i was looking forward to seeing my friend and going to the movies with her. you see when the original "sex and the city" movie came out 2 years ago, it was sarah i went with. it was 2008 i was sad and depressed, and sarah was pregnant 7 months with her first child. i remember crying at the end of this movie, because it seemed as though everyone got their happy ending, and i was sad because it seemed like i was never going to get mine. i felt so heart broken, actually broken all around and i just broke down. i think both sarah and i were both surprised by my sudden out burst of tears.
this go around was completely different, but in some aspects were exactly the same. sarah is now expecting her second child(next month)! as for me. i'm not sad, and i'm not depressed. i'm working on creating my happy ending.

as for the movie, even though i cried at the end of the first one i enjoyed the first one so much better. i would have to say that you can definitely pass on SATC 2. the story was just ok, and parts of it were just too much. especially some of the clothes. some of the outfits weren't even fashionable, it was like the wardrobe people were just trying to be over the top just to be over the top. and it didn't look good. and i'm all about having some R rated fun, and SATC is known for that, but in this movie it just wasn't good. it was like they put it in there just to have it in the movie. with that said, nothing really flowed in this movie. the destinations were amazing, so that was nice, but that was about it.
what i did take away from this movie is one of the quotes carrie said at the end. it had something to do with going along with tradition but decorating it your own way. as much as i would like to be living the "tradition" i thought my life would take ....love, marriage, kids, i'm decorating the tradition my own way. focusing on myself, being happy, creating my happiness.

STRIKE! 60min
689

mother nature

yesterday i went to go see the movie avatar. when this movie first came out i wanted nothing to do with it. i didn't really know what it was about, it looked like a sci-fi and i'm not a big sci-fi type of movie girl. so i had no interest. and then the numbers starting coming out as well as the oscar nominations, and all of the talk. all of that started to peak my interest, and i got a little bit curious. so i checked it out. i have to say i really liked it. i kept thinking about james cameron during this movie, and comparing it to titanic. the first thing that comes to mind about this movie is imagination. to know that someone thought of this whole other world, species, and language is just crazy to me. i was thinking about titanic and how the story of the ship was a true story, and that james cameron had that to go on when he created the love story in that movie. but this movie? nope, it all came out of this head!
one of the main focus points on this movie is mother nature. taking place of where it is that we live. this point of view i loved. i like to think of myself as "green" and that i do what i can to minimize my carbon footprint. this movie shows the future and what "could be". taking care of our planet i think should be a priority for all. there are simple things out there, that we can all do to help. all of us just need to pitch in.
this movie is very visually stimulating. the colors are gorgeous! the blues, purples, red, yellows, and whites. just beautiful. you can't help but stare at the screen. i would love to have jupiter has my backdrop! the trees, the green, it very well could have been my version of heaven.
if you haven't taken the time to go see this movie, go see it!
what did you think of avatar?

STRIKE! 60min

"the lovely bones"

book and movie review
the lovely bones
book written by alice sebold
movie directed by peter jackson

i'm kinda tired of being disappointed in movies. besides "up in the air" the last few movies i've decided to spend the money on at a movie theater have been not so good. with that said, i didn't enjoy the movie "the lovely bones". i suppose one of the challenges when you create a book into a movie, and you've read that book you have your own interpretation of it. as does the director/producer of the movie. the movie took out a lot of what i believe were pivotal points in the book, and they were nowhere to be seen in the movie.
this was the second time i've read the lovely bones. i read for the first time the summer of 2003. the book is very adult. and the movie not so much. it is story of a 14 year old girl who is murdered by a man in her neighborhood, and is never caught for this act of violence. the story shows how her family and friends are impacted by her death, and her view of what is her heaven. the book has so many characters and relationships that are built, that aren't even introduced in the movie. the book is very imaginative and creative, and i honestly couldn't wait for the movie to end. i do wonder how i would feel about this movie had i not read the book. and i really don't think i would have liked it, because of the lack of depth in the relationships in the movie.
i'm pretty sure i'll be giving up on movies for awhile. with love month starting tomorrow and all of the romantic comedies coming out, i think it'll be awhile before i decide to go to the movies again.

STRIKE! 60min

the re-read

ok so i realize the covers aren't in order. but that's ok.

so back in november i decided to re-read the twilight saga by stephenie meyer in preparation for the movie of "new moon". prior to this, i had never read a book twice. and now i've read four book two times. and can i say, the saga is so much better the second time around. i truly thought about making notes so i could give a summary that would be worth while for each book. but i didn't.
and i don't really have much to say except that i did enjoy it a lot more reading the books a second time. my favorite book is definitely "eclipse". the most recent book that i've read that made me cry for the first time was "same kind of different as me". and i think it is such a different emotion when you cry from reading a book. when i cried during my re-read of "eclipse" i felt like i could feel jacob's pain. jacob's hurt.
i truly can't wait for the release of "eclipse" in a short 5 months!!! because the film version of "new moon" was so much better than the film version of "twilight" i have high expectations that "eclipse" will be even better. i hope i don't get let down.
that brings me to "breaking dawn". this one dragged for me at the end. it was tuff to get through, one of the reason's being is in the middle of it i was home for a week, and didn't read it everyday like i had the previous 3. i hope that "breaking dawn" is made into a movie. i think it would only be complete. but at the same time, i question how that will be done? how will they create the characters in "breaking dawn". how will they fit all of that in one film? i've read that stephenie has the same concerns. i've read that "breaking dawn" will be made into 2 movies. and i think, how will that work?
i can't decide if i'll re-read it again. i suppose time will tell. for now i can definitely tell you i'm done with vampires for a while.

14 min elliptical
legs & abs
dance jam 60min

"up in the air"

yesterday i went to go see up in the air. my friend michelle recommended this movie to me. prior to her telling me about it i had never really even heard of it, and i'm not too much of a george clooney fan, but i decided to check it out.
this was a great movie. it is a great "life" movie and relates to what is going on in current day america. i myself believe that everything in life has a happy medium. with a good balance nothing is bad, but too much of something can be bad. and this movie represents one of those extremes.
it's about a man (george clooney) who travels 300+ days out of the year firing people and giving motivational speeches. he keeps himself very detached from life and relationships. his working life then changes when a 23 year old young woman comes in with a different way of working. he challenges this "girl" to live his life of traveling and showing that his type of work needs be done in person.
i would highly recommend this movie. it makes you appreciate what you have, and at the same time look for more value in your life. check it out.

STRIKE! 60 min

Christmas Week Recap

Saturday December 19th

• Dinner at Papa Felipe's
• Quality time coloring Mom's hair

Sunday December 20th

• Day with Shaun
• Breakfast at Le Peep where we ran into an old party friend of ours
• Did errands, and last minute Christmas shopping
• Spent 3+ hours at the Owl Cafe where I got a peanut butter milkshake!, played lots and lots of rummy, ended by dinner
• Went to go see "Brothers"

Monday December 21st

• Went to the gym in the morning with Mom had breakfast at Flying Star Cafe, ran into an old friend from Kindergarten
• Hung out and spent the night at Kari's

Tuesday December 22nd

• Up at 4:45am to get to the gym when it opens at 5am! Did a crazy hard upper body workout with Kari and her friend
• Had a yummy breakfast at The Range Cafe
• Got my hair did!

Wednesday December 23rd

• Went to the gym in the morning with Mom
• Had lunch with Sarah at Cafe Trang
• Went to Kari's to help her do some baking

Thursday December 24th

• Went to the gym in the morning with Mom and met Michelle there
• Ran into an old HS friend at the gym
• Went to breakfast with Michelle at Vic's Daily Cafe
• Celebrated Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Patti's
• Went to midnight mass at 9pm

mom and i on Christmas Eve

Friday December 25th

• Celebrated Christmas morning brunch at Aunt Deanna's
• Spent the afternoon with Michelle and her family, had dinner and played the card game Louie
• Watched "Up" and "Marley and Me" at home with Mom

mom, aunt deanna, aunt michelle, aunt patti, uncle billy, aunt kathleen on christmas day

Saturday December 26th

• Went to go see "Nine" with Mom, Aunt Kathleen, Aunt Patti, Aunt Michelle, and Cheryl
• Had the 4th Annual Girl Cousin Dinner at the Melting Pot with Nikki, Kari, and Cheryl
• Relaxed in Kari's hot tub

nikki, me, brad, kari, and cheryl

cheryl, me, nikki, and kari

riley and aidan

Sunday December 27th

• Had breakfast with Michelle at the Grove
• Packed and went to the airport

lots and lots of food

my parents came into town for Thanksgiving. i have to say i really enjoy not traveling for the holiday. we had a huge dinner. my job was to cook all the sides! everything was super good, and for that i am thankful!

This is the prep

We had green bean casserole and cream corn casserole.
(the green beans did come out a little bit burnt {not has bad as it looks}. i have yet to master cooking multiple things at once.)

....followed by stuffing, wine, and potatoes au gratin.

Last but not least, a delicious Honey Baked Ham, and flaky bread rolls.

after dinner we went to go see "The Blind Side". fabulous movie. it's actually pretty comical. which was surprising. check it out.

then we had dessert.
Pumpkin Pecan Pie from a Grande Finale! DELISH!

overall my thanksgiving was ok. i have some family drama going on at the moment which added some stress, but overall i was thankful to have my parents to celebrate with, and i was really happy to use all of my pretty kitchenware that very rarely use!

second time around

i'll get to the details of my weekend with Kari eventually, but first lets chat more about Twilight.

Last night Kari and I watched "Twilight" then this afternoon we went to go see "New Moon" again. I have to say it was better the second time around. I'm pretty sure this was the first time I've gone to see the same movie twice in one weekend. "New Moon" definitely has so much more emotion than "Twilight" and I truly appreciate the fact it followed the book much more accurately.

What I really want to talk about are manners. Specifically movie going manners. Kari and I went to a 1pm showing. We got to the movie theater at around 12:30pm. The theater was already packed and found seats in the 3rd row. A woman in front of us kept texting so I finally leaned down to let her know "that's really annoying". Two girls next to me kept talking so I finally said to them "girls please stop talking". Needless to say the midnight showing we saw Thursday night people were much more behaved. It just frustrates me because I paid $8 for this movie, and I want to be able to enjoy the movie and not be distracted by cell phone lights and whispering. During the scene with the Volturi and Aro speaks in a different language (Italian?) the girls next to me guessed that he was speaking Spanish. Really?! ...yes, I didn't get the guts to tell the girls to be quiet until the end. And for the people texting. If you think you can open your phone and text to your side and try and cover it and think that nobody can see your cell phone light, you are sadly mistaken. That is why at the beginning of the movie an advertisement comes on and says "no texting" and for the chatting girls "don't ruin the movie by adding your own soundtrack".

double feature

so yesterday my fabulous cousin Kari came into town for a much needed girls trip. although i will say the main motivation for her visit was to come join me for a showing of "New Moon"! and that's exactly what we did. late last night we went to a 9pm showing of "Twilight" followed by a 12:01am showing of "New Moon". needless to say we didn't get to sleep until 3am this morning.

it was a really fun experience. this was the first time i went to see a movie on opening night that was a movie that i was really excited for. this was both mine and Kari's first time seeing "Twilight" on the big screen, and although our seats were in the very first row, it was great to see. the theater had a couple of groups of girls that would scream and ohh and aww for their favorite boy which was a little bit annoying but too be expected and could have been worse. we switched theaters for "New Moon" and got much better seats. even better the audience for "New Moon" was much more respectful towards the movie going experience and the $10 paid to see the movie. no big screams when you first see Jacob or Edward without their shirts or weird randomness. which i truly appreciated because i fully expected it to not be a good movie going experience, but was just wanting a fun experience. thankfully i got both!

I really liked "New Moon" **spoiler alert**. As I've stated I'm a Jacob fan, and in this movie you really get to see him grow...and by that i don't mean just physically. you get to see him really care for Bella. you can see in this movie how much he wants to take care of her. the way he touches her, rubs her back, takes her hands. he's gentle. seeing his actions in the movie compared to reading them in the book, made me fall in love with Jacob just a little bit more. i really enjoyed the detail of the dream catcher and i thought that added a really nice sentiment to the movie and what Bella experiences. i also liked how the ended incorporated a little bit of "Eclipse". I've never been a big fan of books over movies, but with this particular series, the movies are great, but the books are SO much better. however, i definitely think that the two together do compliment themselves and i am looking forward to seeing "Eclipse". I'm currently re-reading the series to prep for last nights(this mornings) premiere and i'm so glad i did. this is the first time i've ever read the same book(s) twice. i'm currently about 200 pages into Eclipse and remembering some of the details that they don't show in the movie makes the books even better.