first roll of film

Well as promised I have got some pics for you from my new camera!  It's a fun little digital camera that is small enough to fit in my pocket and take with me everywhere.  Here are some first pics that I have taken:

Christmas Morning:

Christmas morning.. can you tell we had just woken up? (not together, obviously)

some of the siblings (we missed you Kat, Christy, Ryan, and baby Ava)

lil preston. kids make christmas so much more fun. 

 

harold and I are obsessed with this game on the ipad called DOFL ball. He currently holds the high score. 

If there is one thing I have had a lot of this christmas time is all the wedding receptions. This is Chelsey's Wedding and their reception that turned out great.

harold and I (wearing the scarf my mom gave him- cute!) 

I heart them. 

A great pic of us ladies, if I do say so myself

Mary Jane and Kevin (darling couple on the right) just got married last week. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera yet or I would have snapped some pics of their wonderful wedding. Kevin got officially inducted as an honorary candy shopper at their wedding. lucky guy!

One of my fave couples ever. they're great at hosting third wheels.

babes.

Got a picture with the bride (in the pink coat) before she left.  (the stranger struggled using a camera)

 

and alas, the reason we were celebrating. I wish I had a better shot of her great dress.

 The wedding turned out great and some of the girls pictured above did a surprise dance/skit for chelsey.  It was hilarious and if they don't mind I may have to post the video on my blog... ladies?

Well that's a wrap for the first roll of pics.  Don't worry, there are more to come soon.

new head..

Well actually I have a new blog header.. not a head.  But I figured if you saw "new head" as the title you might be more apt to read it.  So looks like I got your attention, but now the trick is to keep it. Don't worry, I'll keep it short. Basically I was getting sick of my old hearder and had some down time at work and decided to make a new one.  And being that I was at my work computer I didn't have Illustrator to make it so pretty sure I created this little guy in Paint... yes, the little painting game that has been on PC computers since the 90's and has not changed or upgraded since.  Hence the colors and lines don't look as good.  Keep this in mind when taking a peak... so whaddaya think?

Also,

When I typed in "new head" into google this is the first picture it showed:

creepy.

robots that look like humans creep. me. out. 

busy.

I've been busy this holiday season...

attending holiday festivities with this guy:

at the annual drew ludlow christmas party

shopping for family and friends.

eating. way. too. much.

preparing a relief society lesson.

attending winter weddings.

spending time with the fam.

watching movies. ps. true grit is amazing. go see it.

sleeping in, taking naps, and relaxing.

hiking with my mom and friend up the provo canyon- they go hiking almost every morning. and lemme tell ya, they are quite the hikers. I was keeping up with them rather then the other way around.

enjoying CHRISTMAS. (with the man above)

taking pics with my new camera.. pics coming soon!

so clearly there hasn't been much time for blog posts.  however I hope to be back in full force with more pics to my posts. Like my cousin said, "I don't care about your artsy-fartsy stuff, I just want to know what's going on in your life and see pictures."  well said, Kim. ;)

Hope your Christmas break was as good as mine.. and longer! (already back to work.. welcome to adulthood)

FILM: Joyeux Noel

I realize I have been slacking on the posting for the past while but it's hard to find time in the holiday season! Between Christmas parties, shopping, friends and family gatherings, etc I have found little time to write a post- let alone read blogs. (I think my reader is up to about 500 unread items.. eek!) However I found some time last night to watch a Christmas movie.  I love watching movies and I love Christmas so it is a no-brainer that I like Christmas movies.  This was one I hadn't seen yet but was suggested by my friend Mandi and it didn't disappoint. The movie is Joyeux Noel and it is a fantastic, touching Christmas film. The movie is set in the time of World War 1 and is about how the Germans, French, and Scottish cease fire and befriend each other on Christmas Eve.  It is inspired by a true story.  My words don't do the movie justice so go watch it for yourself because it is really a great film and quite an amazing story- a Christmas movie must-see.  

What are some your favorite Christmas movies you enjoy watching? 

What if Christmas..

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons.
It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

-Dr Seuss

For more on the true meaning of Christmas go here.


p.s.



don't ya just love Christmas music? I sure do- and here's one (of many) favorites.

grateful for louisiana

As promised, here is a post with pictures of my trip to Louisiana for Thanksgiving. Before going straight to Monroe this time around we decided to go early and take a trip down to Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  A big part of the reason we went early was to attend the LSU v. Ole-Miss football game which was amazing and we had great seats thanks to Harold's best friend's family.  And since we were already down south we decided to hitch a ride with Harold's friend down to Nola and he was gracious enough to also let us sleep on his couch.  New Orleans is great and most of my pics come from our time there.  We spent a lot of time walking around the French Quarter (great vintage and boutique shopping - minus bourbon street) and took a trolley train through uptown and saw some of the most amazing houses. Oh and did I mention it was like 80 degree weather?  After that we headed up to Monroe (North Louisiana) where Harold's from and had a great time with family, friends, bayou bowl, late night movies, horse rides, ping-pong and basketball tourneys, good food, car racing (wink wink), shopping and a bunch of other fun things..

Now I'll let these phone-captured pictures do the talking:

At LSU game - GEAUX TIGERS!
p.s. I need to buy new glasses- these are much too big for my face.

Best pals- Kent and Harold.  Thanks Kent and family for great seats!!!!

Mike the Tiger.  Yes, that is a REAL, LIVE TIGER in that cage- it is LSU's mascot.  For years I have been lobbying for BYU to get a real life cougar and now I see it can be done.  Although I doubt PETA is very happy with them.  But who cares, this is so cool!  I kinda wish I went there so I could visit Mike the Tiger in his $6 million habitat everyday.

After the game we went to a popular bar and played some shuffleboard.  Kent was a rockstar at it but I held my own for a  beginner.

Nothing quite like New Orleans- this is the Saints party bus that drives around on game days blasting music and carrying partying, drunk people.  

This little treat in my hand is called a Beignet, aka a french donut.  Can you say scrumptious?  It's like a soft little pillow of sweetness covered in powder sugar.  what more could a girl with a sweet tooth want? 

We walked into a mask shop which are very popular here- especially during mardi gras.  They were actually quite stunning and if I had a better camera you could see the colors and detail.  Too bad I don't get invited to too many masquerades.. 

This is where authentic jazz happens.  It was sort of a darker room so can't really tell but we listened to some good jazz by these guys and it was fantastic.  

I didnt take this picture (just found it online) but this is a glimpse of what the houses in uptown New Orleans looked like. Absolutely beautiful and amazing architecture. 

Now back in Monroe riding horses.  That's little Cutler (Harolds nephew) riding with me 

Like I said in previous post if you want to see more pictures of us in Monroe, head over to Mary Martha's blog because she took some great ones.

I had quite a great Thanksgiving and am thankful for all those that made it so great! (Especially the Abell's and Clawson's! What a trip!)

coming soon...

A post about my fabulous Thanksgiving trip to Louisiana.. This time we also took a trip even further down south and experienced Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Quite a fun excursion.  I took pictures on my phone (my camera is broken) however, since I left my phone charger in Louisiana the phone has now died and wont be able to get the pictures until I get my charger- which will hopefully be today.  Be warned that the pictures aren't great quality since they are coming from my phone's camera which has the zooming capability of just about what squinting your eyes can do..

But if you want a preview of our time in Monroe with Harold's family and Thanksgiving festivities, head over to Mary Martha's blog for some great pictures she took.  She's quite the closet photographer.

les miserables + deathly hallows

Can we talk about how great this musical/book is?  So last night Harold and I (and friends) went and saw the live concert production of Les Miserables.  Last night was the 25th anniversary of the play and they were hosting a special live production from London sent out to theaters across the nation.  It was more of a concert of all the characters singing all the songs than the actual play.  They still went through the whole story and had some minimal acting- but all-in-all it was all about the music - which is absolutely fine by me.  The music is spectacular and can bring tears every time. Our Jean Valjean was fantastic- his rendition of Bring Him Home was unreal.  Of course seeing the actual play live on the second row is tough to beat (did that when I was on my London study abroad) but we still thoroughly enjoyed the concert.  At the end they brought out the original 1985 cast for the musical and had them sing a few songs.  Yeah, the original Jean Valjean sung Bring Him Home again. double whammy.  They also brought out the writers of the play as well as the producer.  Hats off to them. If you  haven't got the chance to see Les Miserables, than I suggest you go.. and if you are from Utah, I hear it is coming to the Capitol Theatre this May.  You better believe I'll be going to that.

In London back in 2007. I need to go back.

Also, Harry Potter 7 comes out tonight and I couldn't be more excited.  You better believe I am going to the midnight showing, will be dressing up, and will be extremely tired the next day at work- but all worth it for the HP.  Luckily this is only part 1 and this wont be my last day of attending opening night of something HP related. Maybe they should create a Harry Potter musical.  How great would that be? Combining like two of my favorite things.. could it get any better? I submit that it could not.  Call me crazy, call me weird, call me whatever, but I'll be an Harry Potter fan for life.  This post explains it all.

aren't these movie posters awesome? and Helena Bonham Carter makes an amazing Bellatrix. even though I hate Bellatrix. RIP sirius.

birthdays in louisiana

Last weekend I went to Louisiana with Harold to attend his Grandma's 85th birthday.  She is the classiest lady and looks absolutely fabulous for her age- a true southern belle.  It was a short trip- got in friday night and left sunday evening, but still enough time to have some fun.  The luncheon for her birthday turned out great and there was even an after party- Harold's little nephew turned 2 and we celebrated with a little party after the luncheon.  A day of birthdays- which as some of you might know is a great day since I love birthdays so much.

Mary Martha (Harold's sister) took some great pics on the trip and here is one of my faves from the luncheon.

the little boy is harold's nephew - cutest little guy

Needless to say it was a great trip- I even got to see the small country town where Harold was born and spent the first 9 years of his little boyhood adventurous life. I think like 100 people live there and there are these really cute, old white churches- we're talking pre-civil war here.  They are like the ones you read about in books or hear about in country songs. precious.

But turns out this short trip wasn't enough for us- Harold and I are actually going back to Louisiana for Thanksgiving- and going early to visit Baton Rouge and New Orleans first. So excited!

good thoughts

"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." -Roald Dahl


I love this quote by Roald Dahl- remember reading his books when you were little..? The Witches, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, or my personal favorite The BFG.  All such good reads, I just love how imaginative and clever his writing is.  Well this quote is no exception and oh so true.  Something good to always remember. 


My good thoughts today: scuba class tonight, go to louisiana in 3 days, this video, and the Reese's in my purse.


what's yours?

remember, remember

..the 5 of November!

Ol' Guy Fawkes

Today is Guy Fawkes Day.  A day of celebration for those in the UK.  Since I lived there once upon a time ago I celebrated it while I was there and have always tried to remember the holiday since.  and for those of you who don't know it is a celebration of the day Guy Fawkes and associates tried to blow up parliament.  He was caught before it happened so many see it as a day of thanks.. sort of like our Thanksgiving I suppose... The holiday is spent by having huge bonfires (often people burn doll like versions of guy fawkes) and fireworks.  When I celebrated it there I was in a little town called Whitam in the Essex area- we went to an entire festival the town was throwing with one of the biggest bonfires I have ever seen.  (This is also where I was introduced to Kate Nash's lovely music, as they were playing it over the speakers).

and here's the traditional poem they use:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence [or By God's mercy] he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Hulloa boys, Hulloa boys, let the bells ring.

Hulloa boys, hulloa boys, God save the King (Queen)!

And here's a great movie to celebrate the day...V for Vendetta


HAPPY GUY FAWKES DAY

breaking news!

INVISIBILITY CLOAK INVENTED

ok, ok.  I'm getting ahead of myself. but I just came across a pretty legit article that claims we are one step closer to creating an invisibility cloak like the one in Harry Potter.  I know, I couldn't believe it either but read the article to see for yourself.  Something about bending light..

don't worry it's a short article:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20101104/tuk-step-closer-to-harry-potter-s-invisi-dba1618.html

Something about bending like and meta-something-or-other ..yada yada yada... but it sounds like the real deal.  I figure if we can do all the magical stuff iphones can do than why not an invisibility cloak ya know?

Anyways I just thought everyone needed to know this extremely important news. We're one step closer to the magical world. Next step: brooms that can fly. If only I could play quidditch..

Had to add this hilarious picture of Harry Potter from the first movie using his invisibility cloak.. what a youngster he is!

oh young harry.

I'm a harry potter nerd and proud of it. and yes I already have my tickets bought for the 7th movie.

scuba steve

Well from now on you can all call me Scuba Kellee if you like.  Why you ask? Well because last night I started my first class of scuba diving lessons.  I am doing it with a group of friends and we got a pretty sweet deal not to mention a great teacher who likes corny jokes just about as much as I do.  In our first lesson we spent a lot of time "in the classroom" learning the basics of scuba diving, along with jumping the gun and asking him ridiculous questions.. "have you ever seen a dolphin while scuba diving?" -[and insert any other cutey animal I hope to see someday while diving].  "what are my chances of seeing a dead body while diving?" "I'm scared of sharks.. are they going to try and bite me?" and on and on. so silly. As you can see some of us were a bit jittery initially but as time went by I think we all got a little more comfortable.  We eventually got to get in the water with all our gear and learn some of the basics including breathing under water.  lemme tell ya- it's quite the experience.  I felt like Harry Potter in the 4th book after eating gillyweed- minus the mutated gills. aka way cool. You're under the water and yet you can still breathe. It's hard to explain but trust me it is somewhat of a surreal experience- but totally cool.  Well after going through some basic drills our cool teach let us go to the deep end (ooooh) and play around.  Again way cool going to the deep end of the pool and hang out down there with no worries.  I was just disappointed we didn't find any lost jewelry or pool toys. All-in-all it was a great first class and I look forward to my next 3 class sessions and then my final- 2 open water dives. Let's hope I pass!

This is what I hope to do if I pass:

see a sea turtle - but not touch one because you're not allowed- this guy didn't get the memo apparently.

dive with a dolphin.. because I love them.

I want to be this lady aka amy winehouse look-a-like. seriously though, our instructor told us that sea lions are hilarious and super friendly.  So naturally I want to be friends with them.

FACT: scuba divers are more fun than normal people. (it's a scuba joke.. soooorry normal people)

halloween recap

This halloween turned out to be a total success.  

Harold and I dressed up as characters from the movie Up (if you haven't seen this movie yet go see it now, it is absolutely precious and a favorite of mine).  Well I was the house with balloons attached and Harold was the cute little scout Russel.  My ever so crafty sister-in-law created the "Up" house and it was done in absolute perfection.  Seriously everyone was so impressed, including myself, and Harold made an excellent Russel- I mean he practically looks just like him... well at least he is just as precious.. 

We began Halloween night with a fun party that my friends Michelle and Heather threw.  Michelle made yummy homemade pizza and we played the always favorite eatthedonutoffastringgame.. well my love for krispy kreme and all things donut really payed off because I beat all the girls and had the fastest time. something to be proud of eh?

dominating that donut.. slash making out with it.

these girls had no chance..

After that fun party we met up with Harold's buddies and went to a big dance party.  I initially thought I was going to swear those off this Halloween but something always pulls me back in...I'll be a provo all-star before I know it.  Well turns out I was happy I went because we had a great time.  Harold and friends thought it would be a great idea to hoist me up on his shoulders and work the crowd, making it look as if the house was really floating.  We took crowd surfing to a whole new level.  It was great- everyone in this big, mosh pit dance party was looking up at me and my costume. If I did a fist pump, they responded with a fist pump. The crowd was mine. Many people took pictures of the house and me- I'm hoping that it will find itself in everyone's halloween album and rival all the festival of colors pictures.. ha! like that could ever happen.  Well regardless it was a really fun night at the provo dance party scene and for a short bit I felt like I got my few seconds of fame. See girls, you don't need to be slutty to get attention. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of me floating above the crowd but perhaps you'll be able to find some on facebook

Well the party didn't stop there.. we continued on in the festivities and headed over to the stewart's house to enjoy a little karaoke party.  I wish I had pictures from this- (the ice skating couple and gollum and frodo were particularly great) it was a night filled with some classic renditions and great costumes.. and of course more sweets.  I was a sugary fiend all day.  Well the late night karaoke sesh was the perfect end to a fantastic Halloween.

we love halloween

Don't you just love Halloween?

paul the octopus

Unfortunately it wasn't until today that I heard about this Octopus named Paul.  I say unfortunately because Paul the Octopus died today. Morbid, I know.  But what makes Paul so cool (besides that him and my dad share a name) is that he was an oracle of sorts- apparently he had a perfect record (8 for 8) for predicting some of the World Cup games, even predicting the final game.  Since octopuses don't talk (doi) they placed two plastic boxes with an octopus treat inside and the flags of each country on top.  He would then grab the country's flag with his tentacle and lift it up to get the treat- that being his prediction.  What a peculiar thing this all is.  However when I saw this news story today I knew I had to pay my respects to the little 8-legged cephalopod- that's octopus in scientific lingo.  I've attached a video below to show his final prediction.  A little scary- perhaps not suitable for younger eyes or kids that have nightmares.

I am not sure if I am more amazed by his prediction or his ability to open up this box. All his tentacles wrapping around it make me a little jittery.  Creepy little things but kinda cool, no? Well regardless, I think I may have just found my halloween costume...

RIP, Paul.

have you heard?

Celine's coming back to the Colosseum.  

the one and only.

so dramatic.

That's right. Celine Dion is coming back to Vegas to play at her favorite spot, the Colosseum.  I was absolutely thrilled when I heard this because I was devastated that I missed my chance back in the day when she used to have a regular show there.  While some of you may mock me for liking Celine Dion, you can't deny that the woman's got talent. Plus she is an entertainer and her show I am sure would be nothing short of magical.  Just imagine hearing It's All Coming Back to Me live. Gives me the chills just thinking about it. Well for those interested her first concert is March 15 and goes on through the summer.  You better believe all be road tripping with all my besties to go see it. Right girls?  

p.s. pretty sure as I was looking up pictures of celine, my co-worker came over and saw my screen covered in pictures of celine. awkward?  a little. 

newsies + lady gaga =

..a really good youtube video.



Never thought you'd see those two in the same sentences? neither did I.  However when my bff sarah sent me this video I loved it so much I knew I had to share it with the rest of you.  But don't think that is all, I have ulterior motives in this post which is to get you readers who haven't seen Newsies to go and watch it. now. It's a fantastic musical created by the one and only Kenny Ortega (This is It, High School Musicals, Gillmore Girls, etc.).  This rendition with Lady Gaga may be fun but the real deal is even better.  Between the dancing and catchy songs, I could seriously watch this movie over and over again.  Oh and did I mention Christian Bale plays the lead Jack Kelly who is oh so dreamy?  Seriously if you haven't seen it go watch it now.  And if you have, come over and watch it with me cuz I am thinking I need to watch it ASAP.

"You get your picture in the papes, you're famous.  You're famous, you get anything you want.  That's what's so great about New York."  -Racetrack 

FILM: babies

notice the caption: "everybody loves babies"
why yes we do.

Well it's no doubt that the documentary Babies was a film that would interest me- anyone who knows me knows that I am kind of obsessed with the little guys.  So I finally got the chance to see this film a couple nights ago and I of course loved it. Surprisingly enough the movie is all about babies. 4 of them.  They are all born about the same time but in different places (San Francisco, Namibia, Japan, and Mongolia) and in completely different circumstances.  There is really not a lot of dialogue in the film (why would there be, babies can't talk) but I was kept interested regardless.  Not only were the babies absolutely precious, but it was interesting to watch them grow and see them develop.  Sure I could probably come up with a deeper analysis and talk to you about a compare and contrast of the babies upbringing but ultimately it's just a cute film about babies growing up.  What's not to love about that? nothing, I tell you. So if you love babies and have 1 hour and 19 min of time to spare, than this might be a fun choice. 

CAUTION: it may make you baby hungry, so for any young [married] couple out there not ready to have a baby, proceed with caution. you can't say I didn't warn you... 

p.s. speaking of babies... how cute is my niece?!?! I'm such a proud aunt.

pic taken by her mom from her blog- but had to share it!

rooting for all of you..

So today I read an uplifting list that my fabulous sister-in-law blogged about a day or so ago and I loved it so much I had to share a favorite part as well.  The list comes from the book Prudent Advice: Lessons for My Baby Daughter (A Life List for Every Woman) and the rest of the book looks absolutely darling that I just might have to buy it on amazon.  

I need this book.

Amongst many wonderful things I read in the list my sister-in-law highlighted, one of my favorites said this:


Root for other people:
"We all tend to envy other people's successes. It's not intentional; somewhere in our DNA it seems to be programmed that for every success for someone else, there is one less success for us. For every book published, there is one less book we will publish; for every baby had, there is one less baby for us to have. Of course, that is illogical. Fight off those thoughts; there is an unlimited amount of potential for everyone in this universe. Championing others is kind, and even more, it's a display of optimism that will seep into you and color your view of this life."  
-Jaime Morrison Curtis


Isn't that fantastic? How easy is it for all of us to sometimes get down on ourselves because we compare ourselves to other people's greatness. Instead shouldn't we focus on celebrating each other's greatness and creating our own?  

So here's to celebrating all you great people out there. I admire all of you.  Some of you are brainiacs getting your masters degree, while others are the wittiest and most clever writers I know.  And others take stellar pictures or make the cutest crafts that Martha Stewart herself would be jealous of.  Some of you have the most precious babies, hot husbands, and a closet full of fab clothes that naturally I'd be super jealous of, but instead I am rooting for all of you who are doing great and beautiful things in your own unique way, and am glad to call you friends (or people I'd like to know on my blog subscription list).  

Who are you rooting for?

ms. mom

So my mom has been gone for 3 weeks which means in the meantime I have taken over the role of commander-in-chief and been playing mom. thankfully she gets back in 6 days and you better believe there will be a celebration like no other when she returns. Between taking my siblings to school and swim in the morning (pretty sure swim is at 530 AM, tell me about it), driving them all over town, and feeding them, I have been ready to surrender the white flag to motherhood.  I promise I love my siblings and like to help, but all this mom stuff wears me out.  It doesn't help either that I have caught a terrible cold that does not seem to want to go away, although you'd think with all the water I'm consuming I would have drowned it out by now. not so. Well luckily things have gone just about as smoothly as you could ask for. No accidents, no dropping grades (as far as I know...), no house fires, and the kids even have clean clothes and a mostly tidy house to come home too.  boo-ya. but now I think we are all ready for mom to regain her rightful throne and get this ship back in to tip-top shape.  I've always appreciated my mom but my appreciation has increased ten-fold since I've taken over for her.. and that appreciation extends out to all you other mothers, both new and seasoned, out there. It's tough stuff and you deserve a shout out not just on mother's day. So here's to you moms (especially mine) for being selfless in everything you do and doing A+ work for the noblest job out there. here's to moms.

speaking of moms.. this is a picture of my baby neice, ava.  she is clearly very precious and has an awesome mom who takes great pics and makes the most precious stuff for her. 

FILM: the painted veil

This movie review is on The Painted Veil.  I watched it a couple nights ago and while it was my second time seeing it and I still loved it.  It is a film set in the 20's located mostly in China, particularly in the rural parts.  Needless to say the scenery captured is ah-mazing. But regardless of the beautiful cinematography, the story itself is powerful and is able to stand on its own.  The plot is basically about a doctor (Edward Norton) fighting the cholera outbreak in a Chinese village and dealing with a loveless marriage and a wife who previously cheated on him. The outbreak and the doctors hand in it is interesting and historical but what really is worth watching is the story between the couple and the transformation they both go through.  It is not your typical love story but I found it to have more depth than most love stories I've seen in the movies.  There is a specific scene when the wife (Naomi Watts) is talking to the nun and the dialogue is particularly moving and shows an insight into what real love perhaps is.  It was so good Harold and I rewound it to listen to it again and we had a discussion about it and the underlying theme in the film.  I don't want to give too much away so go rent it and watch it for yourselves and you'll see what I am talking about.  And don't let your husbands, boy friends, or guy friends be shyed away by this movie. It's not a chick flick by any means.  Oh and did I mention the acting is great in this film? Naomi Watts and Edward Norton are the stars of this film and they do a fab job.  So if you are looking for a movie with some depth to it than I'd fully recommend The Painted Veil.

forever young

Most of you probably know that last year, my senior year in college, I lived in the most amazing house with the most amazing girls (and the most amazing couch).  We were and still are very obsessed with this amazing place, also knowns as the candy shoppe.  So if we are a little annoying with our candy shoppe jokes, cliquishness, and adding -ulls to every word, I apologize but if you lived there too you'd understand.  It was a place of happiness.  A true home away from home. A safe place. And a place we wished that time could've slowed down and the days there lasted longer.  Some of my greatest college memories happened there with those girls- right up there with my London study abroad (which if you know how much I loved it, is not easy to match).  Well in honor of our love and obsession, Kylie, the candy shoppe's own talented photographer, created this little video out of a photo shoot we did.   I thought she did quite a great job.  A great way to remember our good times there- including my hair disaster which is captured in this video.


candyshoppe. from Kylie Nixon on Vimeo.


Wish we could stay forever young and live in the candy shoppe forever.

thanks again, christopher c.

First landing of Columbus on the shores of the New World: at San Salvador by Currier and Ives

Happy Columbus Day all!  I thought I'd make a quick blog post to recognize this holiday for our dear ol' explorer Mr. Christopher Columbus himself. I'm really glad he sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and happened to come across our home sweet home.  Unfortunately he wasn't cool enough to get us a real holiday where we actually get work off (except banks, they get everything off).  Google didn't even do a cool homepage with some sort of clever columbus-inspired design. Sad because last week John Lennon got one for his birthday (it was actually pretty cool, if you clicked on the logo it played "imagine") and yet our own land's founder doesn't even get anything- I guess The Beatles were really that big.  I hear though, that NYC does a Columbus Day parade so it is good to know this day doesn't go completely forgotten.  Even better, my dear friend Cassie throws a Columbus Day party each year complete with DIY newspaper CC hats, sing-a-long songs AND she dresses up in a columbus-inspired outfit. She's an elementary school teacher so she rocks at stuff like this.  Well you better believe I will be attending again this year, her zeal for the holiday has really made me appreciate it, including the inspiration to write this post.  Let us not completely forget about the man who discovered America and take a second (even if work and Google don't) to recognize this guy.  After all, "HE IS THE MAN!!!"*

Some CC facts:

-His real name is Cristoforo Colombo- either way I am sure he prefers to go by Chris.

-In 1906 it became an official state holiday in Colorado- wonder why they were first? 

-1937 it became a federal state holiday- took us long enough, eh..

-And for whatever reason Nevada, South Dakota, and Hawaii don't recognize Columbus Day- sad.

*a lyric from one of the CC songs we sing at the party

well hello there..

found this little guy when walking into my house. for whatever reason I have a strange fascination with snails, so when I came across this infant of a snail I was kind of excited. tiny lil guy isn't it?  I've seen many snails before but never this small.  If you are wondering how I noticed it, well, I tend to have a strong inclination to anything in baby version, particularly baby animals (you should see the movie Earth with me), so naturally I was able to spot it.  Well I showed my brother and he informed me that snails are asexual. so they can all get pregnant and all have more baby snails. must be a lot of snails out there then. weird. not sure about this, but I still like you little tiny guy that greeted me after a long day of work.

ya, so I like snails, so what?