what to see, and not to see

Here's a list of movies I have seen recently. and my opinions.

SEE: Temple Grandin

This movie is fantastic.  It is based on a true story of an autistic woman who is an animal behaviorist that has a big hand in helping the cattle industry, as well as her issues of being autistic during a time when know one really understood it. It is such an interesting film and so insightful in trying to understand autism.  The movie was well made and Claire Danes acting is superb.  Not your typical film, but give it a chance and I think you'll like it.

DON'T SEE: Unknown

If you were like me and thinking this recently released film would be almost like the sequel to Taken, it's most definitely not.  Very anti-climactic and Liam Neeson is half the man he was in Taken.  The whole movie I felt like I was waiting for it to get good and exciting.. and then it ended and I was still waiting. And it didn't help that the acting was that great either.  I'd say save your $9 and wait 'til the dollar theater or redbox. 

SEE: Evita

Harold and I watched this a month or so ago but it is a fantastic movie.  Based on the musical Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  If there is one thing you should know about me is that I love Mr. Webber and his musical talents- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an absolute favorite of mine. So it came to no surprise that I would enjoy another one of his works.  Plus it is based on the true story of Evita which is very interesting.  A poor girl that makes her way to the top of the social class and ends up as wife to Argentina's president.  The people love her and she does a lot to help them.  Great music, great story, and an overall great film.  It's a true musical so there is really hardly any talking at all- everything is sung.  Oh and did I mention MADONNA is Evita.  She does a great job.

That's all folks. 

Next on the list to see: Never Say Never. We'll see if I catch the fever.

dream home

How precious is this house? Well turns out this little beauty is for sale in South Carolina, which could potentially be one of the places we move to come this June for Harold's job. There's a few other places that we could be sent to so we'll just have to play the waiting game for now.

Looking forward to the future (May 14th in particular!)

save the date.

I forgot to mention in the last post but we've picked a date..

May 14, 2011 

I feel so great about this date. I love the idea of a spring wedding.  I love flowers, blossoms, sun, and warmth- and I think we all know that there is nothing better than those warm spring days after dealing with such a cold, harsh winter.  So here's to praying and hoping that May 14th will be warm and sunny and basically the best day ever.  I feel really good about it.

hope to see you all there!

the story.

Thanks to my soon to be sister, Mary Martha, she was able to capture some great pictures of me and Harold's engagement.  Before the pics I'll share a quick version of the story..

February 1, 2011: Harold and I had made plans to go to dinner for my birthday because I was going to miss it due to a business trip.  While on his way to pick me up he suggest this great little restaurant up in Heber called The Spicy Lady, where we have gone before.  He told me there was a guy playing a guitar that night and it should be a fun time. However he made it very clear that it was my birthday and my choice and so if I didn't want to no pressure.

Well the guy knew me too well and knew that I would definitely go along with it.

So up the Provo Canyon we go!

In the car ride I bring up my trip to Houston and what he is going to do while I am gone.  He tells me he is going to go hunting and then casually "remembers" that he needs to get his gun and that if we have time could we stop in Wallsburg, where his family's ranch is, to get his gun.

The only if we have time convinced me and I didn't think anything of it.

So as we are getting closer to Wallsburg I tell him that we will have time and may as well stop before dinner to get it. 

So easy for this guy.. I mean I suggested that we stop. He didn't even have to convince me to stop before.

Well we pull up to the ranch and I notice there is a light on inside but again I just think someone forgot to turn out the lights.

completely oblivious.

We get out of the car and are walking to the door and as we approach it, I can see through the windows on each side, all the splendor within.

candles. hundreds of them.

roses everywhere.

petals all over the ground.

giant pictures of us blown up real big.

and a giant sign that says "will you marry me?"

Well at this point I finally caught on. go figure.

We entered the house and as we get inside he says he has a question to ask me..

I wonder if it is the same one on that extra large sign, hanging from the ceiling?

Well my man got down on his knee, pulled out the ring and asked me for my hand.

ahhhhhhhhhhh.

I said yes. 

and we kissed, laughed, hugged, and carried on. 

It was very surreal and I couldn't believe that I was actually engaged.

Oh, and did I mention he had a whole dinner ready waiting for us- martinelli's and all?

It was the best "birthday dinner date" ever.

After our special moment I was informed that Mary Martha had lit all the candles so she was hiding in her car behind the barn whilst he was asking me. So after we had our moment she drove out and came in and took pictures of everything. Here's just some of the pics of our little "engagement photo shoot"

the reenactment

It was the most amazing evening. 

I love him.

-love, the future Mrs. Abell

YES

It's true, I'm engaged and couldn't be happier!

(more pictures coming soon)

part 3, Guatemala

Alas, the Belize pictures come to an end.  This last roll of pics come from our day trip to Guatemala where we visited the Mayan ruins in Tikal.  These were some amazing ruins.  I have seen some ruins before in Mexico but these definitely outdid those. Huge temple after huge temple, Tikal is quite a site to see.  If you ever get the chance, GO.

(so I felt like I had to do these pictures extra large as to try and show the magnitude and magnificence of the ruins)

this tree was suuuuuper tall. and don't you think it looks a bit "suess-ical" 

the first ruin we saw.

trying to spell "tikal" at the top. not sure what the person in the middle of "I" and "K" is doing..

we are far above all the greenery and jungle. If you look in the distance you can see a couple of ruins, plus some mounds that are more temples and buildings that just haven't been uncovered

the whole gang on top of one of the temples- trust me, we're up real high.

Harold is all that is left of the human pyramid we made ourselves in front of this. hence the reason he is on all fours.
the foundation.

taking a break from all the ruin hiking (and all those steps)

Harold and his little guatemalan buddy. He served his mission here and loved being with the people again

more ruins

try and notice how big this temple is and how small the people at the top are.

amazing.

more ruins hidden in the jungle (this was taken on top of a temple)

Jaguar Temple (the sand part to the left that you can see half of is where they did the sacrifices, for some reason I always thought they did it at the tops of the temple but I guess not.)

These were rooms- often wear royalty and nobles lived (Adam and JEss sitting on the steps)

more ruins surrounding the temple, where the royalty/wealthy lived

On our way home we passed this amazing lake in Guatemala that is supposedly their "cleanest" lake, not sure if that actually means much, but it was enough to convince us so we all jumped in and after watched sunset on the dock.

Harold and I

Annie and Alex. such a precious picture.

the whole crew plus another couple that was on the tour too. A great day to end such a great trip.

cheers to a great trip, great people, great food, great weather, and great memories. (I think we need to make this a tradition, eh guys?)

The End.

part 2.

As promised, here are more pictures from my trip to Belize..

Harold and I drank a lot of this on the trip. I heart fanta. don't ya wanta?

our hotel made this awesome floral arrangement while we were away..I thought it was such a clever tropical creation- especially with the conk shell being used.  

our hotel had canoes you could take out and it's own little private dock.

the boys

the gals

 Harold and Celisa admiring "supper" - fresh lobster

One night we went to a reggae club and we were the first ones there and had the whole dance floor to ourselves.  It was hilarious and we had a great time dancing the night away with a fluorescent pole..

  

Turns out Trent is quite flexible 

 

pole dancers.. kidding! it was just fun and games, guys

a couple of the places that we went to had swings for chairs- including the reggae place.  Such a fun idea I thought.

Celisa got some braids thinking it was only 5 belize dollars (like $2), turns out it was $5 USD

The rest of us joined, although we could have easily done 2 french braids ourselves for free ninety-nine. oh well. the ladies were nice and fun to talk to.

Annie opted out for the french braids and got what is called "around the world" braid.  I think there was a miscommunication because I don't think this is what Annie was planning on. Regardless this hairstyle was hilarious and out of her face- not to mention she got her 5 US dollars worth, win-win.

We left the island and went inland Belize to San Ignacio. We got a local tip from one of our braiders about a cool natural waterfall/pool hangout that the locals go to that is free.  We jumped on the idea and landed in this beautiful oasis:

Investigating the water depth (it's also a bit higher from the water than you think)

Harold may look unsure here but he jumped in too

I feel like we look photoshopped into this background- but no joke guys, it's real.

the falls were located outside of town so we got dropped off by a guy and was told to meet him back in an hour or so along side the main road. some were a bit worried he wouldn't come get us but he most definitely did. great guy!

best buds

our view in San Ignacio at our hotel. take me back.

Well that's a wrap, folks.  Only one more batch of pictures left and that is of our little excursion to see the ruins in Tikal, Guatemala.. stay tuned!