Link Lovin'

I have several post ideas in the works, but it will be a few days until I have them up and running. So, I thought it would be fun to do one of those linking posts. After all, y'all seemed to love it so much last time.

So here you go. You are about to get a glimpse into my brain this past week, the things I wanted to share with you, etc.

**This picture, from Barbados, makes me want to go on a tropical vacation right NOW. Those blue waters, those sandy beaches. Sigh.**

*I have been soaking these up this week.....and I have my 30 day countdown going on!

*I find this current couple so darn cute.

* This movie and this movie are on my to see list. Though I bet I will see the former one first =)





*I still love color blocking and I find this ensemble, at left, absolutely stylish.

*You have GOT to try this cupcake recipe. Everyone will thank you...trust me.

*I'm currently in love with this song....I know. I'm bad =)

*One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite musicals EVER! I need to watch this movie again soon.

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So there you go...It's my link loving for the week. As always, it's fun to show you what I love, what I think....who I am....

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, my wonderful readers and friends today. And everyday.

How Then Shall We....Smell?

The roses are out in full force here. Their brightly color hues light up yards and parks all across the city. Pinks, reds, yellows, and whites, of all different shades, can be found and in one particular park, over fifty different varieties can be found. It's the place where every citizen has to go at least once a year. After all, my city is at its best when the flowers are in bloom.

Hawaii Five-0--My Thoughts on Season 1

Title: Hawaii Five-0--Season 1
Starring: Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park
Airs on: CBS
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) is a decorated Navy SEAL, but right now, he's just looking for answers. You are bound to have them when you have an ultimatum from a criminal's brother who states that if you do not let his brother go, he will kill your father, Jack McGarrett, a highly decorated and respected police officer...you get in an ambush which kills said brother and as a result, your father is brutally murdered. To top it off, you hear it go down on the phone. It's any wonder that upon returning home to Hawaii for his father's funeral, the thought of catching the man who killed his father was at the forefront of Steve's mind.

New Blog Template!

It gives me great pleasure to finally unveil my blog's new look to each and every one of you!! Miss Edie is a friend of my mothers and after I saw what a terrific job she did with my mother's blog, I decided to have her create an entirely new template for me as well.

You see, I'm such an eclectic person; it is really hard to find just one already made template that screams "me." I can usually find a color scheme I enjoy, but not always the graphics themselves. Throughout the past six weeks or so, Miss Edie and I have been exchanging e-mails about what I did want for my blog, what I didn't want, etc.

What we came up with is indeed very much indicative of my personality. The color pattern is bright and cheerful, which is something I try to be (most of the time. It doesn't happen every day, just ask my family =P) The swirls and sparkles add quirkiness which I gravitate to. Trust me, friends of mine know that every Award Season, I like at least one sparkly gown. The one shouldered dress encompasses my love of fashion and its modest, classic nature....but the one shoulder does make it slightly modern....like me. Gerber daisies are my favorite flower and the Cross...who am I without the cross?!

Of course I cannot put everything into the header that I would love to. I mean, cooking, football, movies would all blend together and I'm not sure it would have been cohesively. As it is, this works and I am so very happy.

You might ask about my Scripture tag. You see, this verse holds a very special meaning to me. God has used 2 Corinthians 12:9 at so many different periods in my life, times when I feel so weak and helpless. He has reminded me that His grace is all I need, my weakness makes Him great. And yes, you probably also noticed the Facebook thing too....I figured a few of you might want to connect with me on there, so now you technically know how to find me...only my privacy settings might not let you. We shall see =)

Anyway, I am so happy that now with this new look, I can continue to carry on with blogging, feeling yet again rejuvenated to share my thoughts with y'all. (Not like I wasn't before but you get what I mean). I have so many posts that I hope to write in this coming week. Among other things, you'll have "Hawaii Five-0" and "J. Edgar" looking at you, so stay tuned for that!

Miss Edie--from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your heard work in making this blog exactly what I wanted it to look like. May God bless you abundantly!

Two Steps Back

Life is a journey. From the time we are born until the time that we die, the Lord takes us from point A to point B and everywhere in between. Along the way there are mountains and hills, days with storms and days with abundant sunshine. There will be moments where you feel that life is going well; you have everything under control and are making progress regarding those problematic areas God has revealed to you. You feel on top of the world.

And then there are the moments where you feel as if you keep taking step after step in the wrong direction. For every one instance that you do something right, you do two things wrong. You hang your head in frustration. After all, you should know by now what God has for and wants from you. But for some reason, that isn't clicking in your mind. Your sinful nature, which is always present, reveals that you are still a finite human being in need of Christ's strength and grace.

Do these scenarios sound like any of you? Or is it just me?

In the past week, I was reminded by the Lord that just because I think I have faith and trust about an issue doesn't mean I actually do so. I felt like I was no longer taking steps forward in surrendering this situation. Instead, I took a step back. I doubted my Father's Voice; I questioned his plans for my life. I knew of truths that He had revealed to me, but in a moment of weakness, I played "doubting Thomas." I, even just for a second, envied someone else's perfect plan when I knew full well that God did not want that scenario for me just yet.

I'm disappointed in myself. It doesn't matter that my doubts and "questioning trepidation" lasted for  only a split second. The point is that I had them. I took my eyes off of God's roadmap, especially since it did not resemble where I thought I would be five years ago. However, just as when you get lost on a road trip and you turn the navigating over to someone better equipped, I turned my road map for life once again over to the Lord.

Wrong turns and missteps and actually lead us to some of the grandest sights or dearest memories. It's the same with our life's journey. God teaches us no matter what road we take or how many steps backwards they constitute. They, by God's grace and mercy, help refine us and shape us more and more into the men and women after His heart.

So yeah, I momentarily messed up this week. I confessed it and turned my matter, once again, over to my Father above. I'm resolved to hold all the more tightly to His hand as I navigate these waters, as I know I will have many cases of them in the upcoming years--and unless things change in my personal life, I will still have moments of envy and doubt as to my own happiness. But God is sovereign. God is good. He loves me in spite of my unworthiness. And so, I praise Him. I trust Him. I keep believing that He will get me where I need to be at the right time, despite the distractions along the way.

New Year's Eve--A Movie Review

Title: New Year's Eve (2011)
Starring: Halle Berry, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Biel, Bon Jovi, Katherine Heigl, Sarah Jessica Parker, Abigail Breslin, Ludacris, Sofia Vergara, Michelle Pfieffer, Hilary Swank, Seth Meyers, Hector Elizondo, Josh Duhamel, Robert DeNiro, Lea Michele, Zac Efron. (WHEW!)
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars


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Sometimes, our years do not go the way we want them to go. We have unrequited dreams, that list we crossed nothing off of. It's the year in which we don't seem to grow as a human being or it is the year in which everything good is held from our grasp. It's the year that we just want to have over. The upcoming year holds so much potential and promise, even if it is just for a short time. So every December 31st, people gather all over the world to toast the dawning of new days. Anything seems possible. But there is still that one day left to go. The ball has still to drop, the champagne is still to be uncorked.

It is on this day, New Year's Eve, that stories and people intersect, even in a big city such as New York City. You have the woman in charge of handling Ryan Seacrest and getting the Times Square celebrations off without a hitch (Hilary Swank.) You have the husband and wife (Seth Meyers and Jessica Biel) awaiting for their first child. There is the man who has to give an important speech (Josh Duhamel) only he is more focused on the memories of the nameless woman he met last New Year's Eve. There is the aspiring singer (Lea Michele) who is stuck in an elevator with a holiday hater (Ashton Kutcher) You have the chef (Katherine Heigl) who is bitter towards her ex boyfriend (Bon Jovi). See? There are yet more people walking and living on this day--this New Year's Eve--what none of them know is that the year really does hold great things for them. Waning moments do not matter in the least.
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I remember the very first time I watched the ball drop in Times Square. It was a momentous occasion as I got to stay up MUCH later than my usual bedtime. However, I also remember thinking that the ball drop was not what I expected and, well, frankly boring. I thought it was an event highly overrated and considering I still don't watch it, I must have the same sentiments. After "New Year's Eve"'s predecessor bombed, more or less, at the box office, I figured that this "sequel'" was also going to be overrated (and the critics didn't like it to begin with). I must say, though, that this movie pleasantly surprised me.

The casting department definitely went with the attitude of "go big or go home," for every name on this list was an A list star. You have Emmy winners, Oscar winners--those are good things to have in a film. While this movie did not give members like Hilary Swank and Halle Berry much opportunity to shine, everyone did do the best with what they were given. However, the downside with doing a movie such as this is that you don't get to dwell on just a few particular characters. You get a cursory glimpse into many lives. That being said, there were a couple of more "poignant" vignettes than others. I loved Zac Efron helping Michelle Pfieffer fulfill her New Year's Resolutions in the span of a few hours (even if the age difference was majorly awkward.) I loved the funny story line of Seth Meyers and Jessica Biel trying to compete with another expecting couple for the first baby due in the New Year.....I am not an Ashton Kutcher fan, however, and this movie still did not endear him to me.

If I had to gripe about one particular thing, it would be the weird pairings between people. I get that opposites attract, I really do, but seriously? What was with the age differences? Ashton Kutcher and Lea Michele? Or Josh Duhamel getting with one of my not so favorite actresses? Ah well. It isn't for me to know the mind of the writers. What I do credit them with is keeping the content very low. This is a mild PG-13 rated flick. There is one "F" word and a few other basic profanities. There is also a tiny bit of innuendo (mostly involving a maternity doctor and then Sofia Vergara. Big surprise, huh?), but nothing that usually comes with romantic comedies nowadays.

I would say that if you are looking for something fun and festive to watch, give this film a try!

Snapshots of a Happy Two Weeks

The easiest way to explain why I have been absent is to show you. The old cliche "a picture is worth a thousand words" really does apply in this case. Y'all here were very much in my thoughts and every time I thought about writing, something got in the way. If I were you, I would want to know what those things were.....only I might just be a nosy individual =)

 I was busy drinking Starbucks. I think my total was six =P

Swimming with my "little brother", Ronnie. Since I have met him, he has gotten so big!

Taking science/nature walks with Ronnie and Anna. 

Photo ops with five of the most beautiful Christian girls. And in case anyone is curious,
I am the oldest and the shortest =D

Talks with my Aunt Suzie. Oh some of the interest discussions we had!

Tal

A weekend trip to Gettysburg

Around Memorial Day

The opportunity to meet Neesie, one of my long distance friends for whom
Gettysburg was also the halfway point

Sara gets to be in this one. I also finally met her for the first time in four years!

Seeing The Hunger Games for the third time...and borrowing my friend's shirt =)

Actually walking through a creek

Spending two wonderful weeks with my Pittsburgh family,
though not by blood, they hold a special place in my heart. Always

And to quote Michael Scott:
"Goodbyes Stink!"

Thank you, Lord, for having blessed me richly with these!

Three Rivers--A TV Review

Title: Three Rivers--Season 1
Starring: Alex O'Loughlin, Katherine Moening, Daniel Henney, Christopher Hanke, Alfre Woodward, Justina Machado
Aired in: 2009
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars


Hospitals are sometimes the bearer of bad news. People come in for treatment all the time and occasionally, the treatment comes a little too late. Not everyone who walks through the doors of Three Rivers Regional Medical Center is quickly cured; in fact, some of their patients are the most desperate, in need of surgeries, transplants, that will save their lives. That is where Dr. Andy Yablonski (O'Loughlin) and his fellow surgeons step in.

There are various different personalities in this hospital. Dr. Yablonski is a workaholic, much to the detriment of his marriage, but he is still extremely personable with patients and physicians alike. Dr. Miranda Foster (Moening) is feisty and won't take no for an answer; she is determined to get what she needs for her patients. Dr. David Lee (Henney) is the more flirtatious surgical resident, but this does not stop him from doing his job and seeking to do it  well. Dr. Sophia Jordan is the head of surgery, the proverbial glue that holds everything together. Along with Ryan Abbott, the dubbed "transplant coordinator," these men and women seek to find viable organs for dying patients. It isn't an easy job--and just because someone in need of, say, a lung gets one doesn't mean instantly they are better. However, for these doctors at Three Rivers, it is extremely rewarding. If there is even a change to save a life, they will take that chance.

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I have this paranoia of doctors, so why I first decided to tune into this show (as it kept popping up on my Netflix Recommends list) is beyond me. I believe it was because of the show taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which as you know, is somewhere very near and dear to my heart. I like reminders of the place where my dearest friends live as often as I can. =) And as I watched, they mentioned landmarks and places that I had either been to or had heard of. That was quite a thrill. I also loved that for a medical show, it was more "warm hearted." It was a show that made giving life a concept of value and something to be considered. (For the record, it reminded me of why I am an organ donor)

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why this only got one season from CBS. Considering that CBS's shows usually rake in an audience of ten million and up per week, and this did not, I can "see why" CBS axed it. However, I also believe that if it had been on NBC or FOX, it would have continued to air. The cast had reasonable chemistry, there wasn't any content (in the entire season, there was one brief season. That's it.), and it was always an enjoyable forty-five minutes of my viewing pleasure. The one downside, perhaps another measure aiding in its downfall, was that 'Three Rivers" never delved into the personal lives of the characters involved as one would wish. I'm a girl who wants to know about a person outside of the office and inside of their mind; I want to know what makes them tick and the people who do so. As much as I searched for it, "Three Rivers" didn't do this on the scale that I wished, certainly not on the same wave length that "Grey's Anatomy" was doing at the same time on a different network.

However, I thank "Three Rivers" for one huge thing: my current fascination with Alex O'Loughlin. I'm not ashamed to admit it--that guy is one of my favorite viewing pleasures right now. I added him to my "Why Can't Doctors Look Like Them" list. I mean, the guy is good looking, just be honest. I have begun the first season of "Hawaii Five-O" because of him (and now I am loving the entire series. Only that is a review of its own when I finish up watching Season 1 and trust me, there will be a lot of praising Alex O'Loughlin then =D) *Cough*

If anyone can get their hands on a copy of this gone to soon series, I encourage you to do so. It's nothing spectacular, but I say that it is definitely worth viewing. I am so glad that I gave it a chance,  despite the fact that I love shows that last longer, MUCH longer, than thirteen episodes.

A New Issue of Femnista

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Online Publishing from YUDU

I know, I know.....it has been a while since I have been on here. I'm telling you, vacations are a lot of fun! Between the movies, the food, the conversations, the excursions, the time with friends, I didn't stop much to take a breath, let alone write on my blog. However, I am ready to be back in full swing. My only question is if you are! =D

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the new issue of "Femnista." This issue, we are showcasing literary women. We cover everyone from Nancy Drew to Katniss Everdeen. For my submission, I targeted Anne Shirley, that feisty red head from whom I learned a couple things this go-around. I am sure that all of the other contributors are just as excited as I am about this issue!

Head's up--next time, it's all about Sci-fi/fantasy. It's going to be magical =D