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?