Ah, yes, it's that time of year again. Time for millionaires to give each other golden statues as host Billy Crystal so perfectly stated. Yes, the 84th Oscars rolled around this Sunday and as always, Kathryn and I sat down to root for our favorites to win and also, to judge the fashion.
Billy Crystal did a fair job as host. I was expecting a bit more because of all the hype, but he was infinitely better than last year's hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco *SNORE*!!! The jokes were the usual level of humorous but the highlight of the night for me was the performance from Cirque Du Soliel (I believe that's the spelling). They were utterly amazing! I can't say flawless 'cause one of the guys fell off the guy he was sitting on top of, but that makes me love their group the more. They are able to mess-up. The routine was a night at the movies and was purely spectacular!
As for the awards? Well, the artist shouldn't have won best actor, best picture, or best director but everybody else deserved what they got. I was super excited for Meryll Streep who rightly got best actress for her performance in Iron Lady.
Now, on to the most interesting part of the Oscars: the fashion!!!!! I shall start with worst dressed: Jennifer Lopez. I would have originally picked Melissa McCarthy, but her dress was actually pretty; it just looked awful on her. Jennifer Lopez's dress would've looked hideous on anyone. Best dressed must be split into guys and girls. Best Dressed Girl goes to Penelope Cruz for her gorgeous, lavendar, off the shoulder, ball gown that was perfect throwback to Grace Kelly! Emma Stone's straight, cherry red, chiffon dress with a massive bow at the side of her neck was a close second.
Now, the guys were tough. They were not very well represented which was rather sad. Yes, they all looked nice, but none of them looked really amazing. I was going to give it to Kenneth Branaugh because he looked excellent, but then, out to present the award for best supporting actress walked Christian Bale. In a black tux, black shirt, and long, black tie, he looked absolutely amazing!!! Woo-hoo! I was very happy to give it to a guy who really earned it. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention that the close second place goes to Tom Cruise.
Anyway, so that's my critique of the Oscars. It may not be very important to others, but I always enjoy watching the fun. So long to the golden statue for another year!
Bon Appetit!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Watching Julie and Julia always makes me want to do two things; cook and blog. Well, three I suppose since 'eat' has to be in there somewhere. I often feel like I should work harder at becoming a better cook since I value cooking as a high skill for my future as a wife and mother. I want to be a woman who can make seared pork when she feels like it instead of being confined to casseroles. Don't get me wrong, casseroles are really good, but I want to know that I can cook something elaborate and have it taste amazing.
I don't know if any of you remember back in August when I took over the kitchen for a whole week. I enjoyed it immensley and vowed to do so once a month.
You know the saying so say it with me, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." (Side note: I just read that poem for my Lit. class and was very surprised that the now famous quote is quite different from the original text.) Anyway, yes, life happened and cooking took the very back seat of my 12 passenger van life. I know it sounds like I'm complaining and that I have the most hectic life in the world. And, I suppose I am complaing, but I don't mean too. It's just that lately, the idea of cooking anything except perhaps an egg for my breakfast is simply a joke. I know I don't have a very hectic life, but this school year (especially this semester) has been busier than my life's ever been, and it's been a struggle.
Anyway, I have a plan. This is a going to be a terrible run-on sentence so bear with me. After I get through my awful Driver's Ed class (2 weeks left), and I finally balance my schedule, which I hope to do by the end of those two weeks, I will endeavor to cook at least 2 meals, most likely dinners, every month. I know, a bit of a step down from a week, but that's the only way you achieve goals. You must start small if you ever hope to finish.
These meals will be true adventures. One thing I want to become excellent in the kitchen is grilling. Well, I suppose that's not technically in the kitchen, but you know what I mean. So, some of them will be on the grill. There's a turkey burger recipe of Bobby Flay's that I've been dying to try out. Also, I want to make a risotto. While it might be a pain, I want to do it simply to say I've made a risotto. I'd like to make Beef Burgonyone. And yes, I know that's not how you spell it, but I really don't feel like going into Google to find the proper spelling. Another thing I'd like to do? Make eggs benedict. I think eggs benedict would be simply lovely if I made myself eat it. It always looks so delicious, but I was never one for eggs over easy. I like my yolks solid. However, I've begun to branch out with slightly looser yolks and have actually enjoyed them. Why, just the other day, I followed Mom's example and fried two eggs (without breaking the yolks) and put them atop toast. I cut open the yolks and let them ooze onto the bread. It wasn't half bad. ;)
So, this cooking escapade will begin, hopefully, when my class ends. The reason that I'm waiting till after it ends, is because the class is from 6:30 to 8:30 and dinner is always rushed on Mon.- Thurs. Come to think of it though, except for that class, my Wednesdays are fairly empty so perhaps some small adventure on those days? We shall see.
As I said at the beginning, the movie also makes me want to blog. Blogging is so much fun. It's not really quite the same as having an open blog when everyone can read your stuff; and your words are sent into the void, still, it's lots of fun. I'll check in with you all later.
Bon Appetit!
I don't know if any of you remember back in August when I took over the kitchen for a whole week. I enjoyed it immensley and vowed to do so once a month.
You know the saying so say it with me, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." (Side note: I just read that poem for my Lit. class and was very surprised that the now famous quote is quite different from the original text.) Anyway, yes, life happened and cooking took the very back seat of my 12 passenger van life. I know it sounds like I'm complaining and that I have the most hectic life in the world. And, I suppose I am complaing, but I don't mean too. It's just that lately, the idea of cooking anything except perhaps an egg for my breakfast is simply a joke. I know I don't have a very hectic life, but this school year (especially this semester) has been busier than my life's ever been, and it's been a struggle.
Anyway, I have a plan. This is a going to be a terrible run-on sentence so bear with me. After I get through my awful Driver's Ed class (2 weeks left), and I finally balance my schedule, which I hope to do by the end of those two weeks, I will endeavor to cook at least 2 meals, most likely dinners, every month. I know, a bit of a step down from a week, but that's the only way you achieve goals. You must start small if you ever hope to finish.
These meals will be true adventures. One thing I want to become excellent in the kitchen is grilling. Well, I suppose that's not technically in the kitchen, but you know what I mean. So, some of them will be on the grill. There's a turkey burger recipe of Bobby Flay's that I've been dying to try out. Also, I want to make a risotto. While it might be a pain, I want to do it simply to say I've made a risotto. I'd like to make Beef Burgonyone. And yes, I know that's not how you spell it, but I really don't feel like going into Google to find the proper spelling. Another thing I'd like to do? Make eggs benedict. I think eggs benedict would be simply lovely if I made myself eat it. It always looks so delicious, but I was never one for eggs over easy. I like my yolks solid. However, I've begun to branch out with slightly looser yolks and have actually enjoyed them. Why, just the other day, I followed Mom's example and fried two eggs (without breaking the yolks) and put them atop toast. I cut open the yolks and let them ooze onto the bread. It wasn't half bad. ;)
So, this cooking escapade will begin, hopefully, when my class ends. The reason that I'm waiting till after it ends, is because the class is from 6:30 to 8:30 and dinner is always rushed on Mon.- Thurs. Come to think of it though, except for that class, my Wednesdays are fairly empty so perhaps some small adventure on those days? We shall see.
As I said at the beginning, the movie also makes me want to blog. Blogging is so much fun. It's not really quite the same as having an open blog when everyone can read your stuff; and your words are sent into the void, still, it's lots of fun. I'll check in with you all later.
Bon Appetit!
Witnessing Dusk
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Yet another poem. Inspired by walking outside and noticing the sky during dusk.
The purple sky
So oft forgot
Tricked by the break
Of heavens' king.
Plum firmament
Rashly passed o'er,
Unseen for the
Launch of new life.
Few eyes witness
This beauty of
Concision, here
But till stars rule
I count with those
Bless'd for the chance
To see beauty
Of a gone moment.
The purple sky
So oft forgot
Tricked by the break
Of heavens' king.
Plum firmament
Rashly passed o'er,
Unseen for the
Launch of new life.
Few eyes witness
This beauty of
Concision, here
But till stars rule
I count with those
Bless'd for the chance
To see beauty
Of a gone moment.
A Pomegranate Kind of Day
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Have you ever had a pomegranate? Except for once that I remember when I was little, I haven't had one since yesterday. Mom had just brought home groceries, and I'd begun to tuck away the apples into the crisper drawer. As I put the bag of apples in, I espied a lonely pomegranate nestled between some lemons. Hmm, why do we have one of those?--my thouhght.
"Hey Mom, we've go a pomegranate in here. It looks shrively."--my words
"Oh yeah, I bought that at Christmas for Dad to eat. You said it looks shrively?" -- Mom's words.
The pomegranate was henceforth unearthed from the lemons and the newly deposited apples to be scrutinized as to it's state of "shriveled-ness." Mom cut into the fruit to discover that it was perfectly acceptable for eating and since it's was now cut, should be dismantled. She grabbed a spoon and set to work removing the seeds. It looked a bit tedious, so I joined her. Soon after, I decided that there must be a better way than scooping two seeds out at a time. I made a cut into the outer skin of the fruit and then peeled it back. It worked perfectly and was immensely easier.
After finishing, I started snacking on the seeds. Let me tell you, those things are REALLY good. They burst and then you get the crunchy part. (I don't care for the crunchy part much, myself. Still, the juice/fruit part is worth it.)
Anyway, that was all yesterday. This morning when I woke up, I selected waffles as my breakfast. On went the butter. On went the syrup. On went a scattering of pomegranate seeds. Experiment result? A-Mazing! Man, like the best waffles I'd had in a long time.
Now, Tues. and Thurs. I eat lunch at the college, but upon arriving home, I was really hungry. However, I told myself it really wasn't that after lunch so I couldn't justify eating again. After waiting as long as I could, I came downstairs for food and decided upon a bowl of cereal. (It's about 4 at this time.) Out comes the cereal. On went the milk. (Yes, I use just a smidge of milk to moisten the cereal.) On went a scattering of pomegranate seeds. Experiment result? A-Mazing! It was so good. I'm telling you. It was terribly crunchy but delicious! Now, we head over to dinner. We were having salads that night, atopped with eggs, dried cranberries, chicken, feta cheese, and bacon for those silly people out there who like bacon. (You silly people, you!) Well, guess what I added to mine? That's right! Pomegranate seeds. Experiment results? Not A-Mazing, but still good. It was hard to get them under all the lettuce, but the bites which contained them were seriously "pomegranate-fied."
So, I've become a pomegranate eater. They're quite a bit of work to take out from the peel. Still, it's worth it. If you've never eaten one, or haven't had one recently, I urge you to go out to the store and purchase one so you may join me in partaking of the little seeds full of "Joy Juice."
"Passion fruit spray?" --Elf
"Hey Mom, we've go a pomegranate in here. It looks shrively."--my words
"Oh yeah, I bought that at Christmas for Dad to eat. You said it looks shrively?" -- Mom's words.
The pomegranate was henceforth unearthed from the lemons and the newly deposited apples to be scrutinized as to it's state of "shriveled-ness." Mom cut into the fruit to discover that it was perfectly acceptable for eating and since it's was now cut, should be dismantled. She grabbed a spoon and set to work removing the seeds. It looked a bit tedious, so I joined her. Soon after, I decided that there must be a better way than scooping two seeds out at a time. I made a cut into the outer skin of the fruit and then peeled it back. It worked perfectly and was immensely easier.
After finishing, I started snacking on the seeds. Let me tell you, those things are REALLY good. They burst and then you get the crunchy part. (I don't care for the crunchy part much, myself. Still, the juice/fruit part is worth it.)
Anyway, that was all yesterday. This morning when I woke up, I selected waffles as my breakfast. On went the butter. On went the syrup. On went a scattering of pomegranate seeds. Experiment result? A-Mazing! Man, like the best waffles I'd had in a long time.
Now, Tues. and Thurs. I eat lunch at the college, but upon arriving home, I was really hungry. However, I told myself it really wasn't that after lunch so I couldn't justify eating again. After waiting as long as I could, I came downstairs for food and decided upon a bowl of cereal. (It's about 4 at this time.) Out comes the cereal. On went the milk. (Yes, I use just a smidge of milk to moisten the cereal.) On went a scattering of pomegranate seeds. Experiment result? A-Mazing! It was so good. I'm telling you. It was terribly crunchy but delicious! Now, we head over to dinner. We were having salads that night, atopped with eggs, dried cranberries, chicken, feta cheese, and bacon for those silly people out there who like bacon. (You silly people, you!) Well, guess what I added to mine? That's right! Pomegranate seeds. Experiment results? Not A-Mazing, but still good. It was hard to get them under all the lettuce, but the bites which contained them were seriously "pomegranate-fied."
So, I've become a pomegranate eater. They're quite a bit of work to take out from the peel. Still, it's worth it. If you've never eaten one, or haven't had one recently, I urge you to go out to the store and purchase one so you may join me in partaking of the little seeds full of "Joy Juice."
"Passion fruit spray?" --Elf
Not Enough Hours in the Day
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I believe 'Not Enough Hours in the Day' will be the montra for this semester. I seem to be incredibly pressed for time lately: not only in trying to accomplish all my required school, but also having some liesure time. There has to be some kind of fun throughout the day, otherwise one gets in a bad mood. Or, I get in a bad mood. Like today.
I woke up not really in a bad mood, just a bit out of sorts. I wasn't my usual perky self. Well, I insisted that I would just shake out of it as the day went by but when it hit 1:30 and it had yet to shake out, I made a big decision. I would put off my school to take a nap. I set my alarm to go off after a half hour of sleeping 'cause I knew I'd fall asleep fast. Well, my alarm went off, and I cracked my one eye open enough to shut it off. I awoke for real when Mom came home.
(My dream was that Dad had gotten home from one of his work-related road trips at midnight. We'd all gone outside to help his unload the car when he found a small kitten in the front yard. It's body was clear and it's head was blue and around it's neck were this wavy/spiky things like a lion's mane. Well, we took it into the garage and it talked to me and told me not to pet it 'cause the wavy things would give off an electric shock. Well, the "next morning," there was this random girl staying with us who everybody seemed to know but I knew that it was the kitten changed into a girl. I asked her her name when we were alone...and I woke up.) Why couldn't have told me her name faster?!?! But, an incredibly weird dream.
My reading has been lagging behind because of the limited time and having to choose what I do. Still, I'm trying to get through a book called Crossed. It's the sequel to Matched which is a fairly popular trilogy which the third book has yet to be released. For any of you who read The Giver, Matched was a good deal like that and so was a bit boring because it seemed like I'd read everything already. However, about half-way through Matched, it got much better and ended really well. Crossed has been excellent so far. It would probably have already been finished but...you know why.
My classes are going fairly well. At the college I'm taking, Algebra, History 2, and Eng. 2. History is fairly uneventful but the teacher, while a bit strange, is 10,000 times better than my Hist. 1 teacher. Algebra is more enjoyable than I expected, so that's a plus. My Eng. class is pretty funny though. I have the same teacher as 1, because I thought she was great. Well, she's still great but the funny part comes from the reading assignments. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff I've had to read! And, really, there's nothing technically funny about them, but it's because they contain such random, creepy, and inappropriate stuff that makes me laugh.
Recently, I watched two movies at the Drive-In theatre that's in Tomball (The Showboat Drive-In). My family really enjoys going because it's $5 for two movies, and it's an altogether different experience than simply going to a regular theatre. The movies that we saw were Joyful Noise and War Horse, both new to us. We'd heard so many good reviews about War Horse that our high hopes fell quite a bit as we were confused. In fact, I was bored through a good portion of the movie: the portion that I wasn't crying heavily in, that is. Joyful Noise was unexpectedly hilarious. There was a little more language than I would've liked, and one REALLY random and slightly creepy story bit that if you've seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about. Still, it was a really fun movie.
I woke up not really in a bad mood, just a bit out of sorts. I wasn't my usual perky self. Well, I insisted that I would just shake out of it as the day went by but when it hit 1:30 and it had yet to shake out, I made a big decision. I would put off my school to take a nap. I set my alarm to go off after a half hour of sleeping 'cause I knew I'd fall asleep fast. Well, my alarm went off, and I cracked my one eye open enough to shut it off. I awoke for real when Mom came home.
(My dream was that Dad had gotten home from one of his work-related road trips at midnight. We'd all gone outside to help his unload the car when he found a small kitten in the front yard. It's body was clear and it's head was blue and around it's neck were this wavy/spiky things like a lion's mane. Well, we took it into the garage and it talked to me and told me not to pet it 'cause the wavy things would give off an electric shock. Well, the "next morning," there was this random girl staying with us who everybody seemed to know but I knew that it was the kitten changed into a girl. I asked her her name when we were alone...and I woke up.) Why couldn't have told me her name faster?!?! But, an incredibly weird dream.
My reading has been lagging behind because of the limited time and having to choose what I do. Still, I'm trying to get through a book called Crossed. It's the sequel to Matched which is a fairly popular trilogy which the third book has yet to be released. For any of you who read The Giver, Matched was a good deal like that and so was a bit boring because it seemed like I'd read everything already. However, about half-way through Matched, it got much better and ended really well. Crossed has been excellent so far. It would probably have already been finished but...you know why.
My classes are going fairly well. At the college I'm taking, Algebra, History 2, and Eng. 2. History is fairly uneventful but the teacher, while a bit strange, is 10,000 times better than my Hist. 1 teacher. Algebra is more enjoyable than I expected, so that's a plus. My Eng. class is pretty funny though. I have the same teacher as 1, because I thought she was great. Well, she's still great but the funny part comes from the reading assignments. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff I've had to read! And, really, there's nothing technically funny about them, but it's because they contain such random, creepy, and inappropriate stuff that makes me laugh.
Recently, I watched two movies at the Drive-In theatre that's in Tomball (The Showboat Drive-In). My family really enjoys going because it's $5 for two movies, and it's an altogether different experience than simply going to a regular theatre. The movies that we saw were Joyful Noise and War Horse, both new to us. We'd heard so many good reviews about War Horse that our high hopes fell quite a bit as we were confused. In fact, I was bored through a good portion of the movie: the portion that I wasn't crying heavily in, that is. Joyful Noise was unexpectedly hilarious. There was a little more language than I would've liked, and one REALLY random and slightly creepy story bit that if you've seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about. Still, it was a really fun movie.
Analyzing myself
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Every once in awhile, Kathryn and I will have deep discussions. Shocking, I know. Still, it's true. Well, in the discussion of tonight I happened upon something about me that I hadn't really thought about before. It's no secret that I talk constantly, without breathing, without letting anyone else speak. I have endeavored to rein in this chatter because people who talk like that to me...bother me. And while I've improved to some extent, I still have miles to go.
Anyway, the interesting fact I happened upon was the reason for my ceaseless talking. I want to share. I have so many stories about my life, about other people I know, about things I've read...I just have stories swimming around in the ocean of my mind, and I want to share them with people. I want others to live my experiences, to know what I know, to see what I see. When I stand amidst conversation, hundreds of stories pop up that relate to something that was just said. I open my mouth to share my experiences that "of course others want to know," and that's when I realize that I need to not hijack the convesation. This is someone else's chance to tell their stories, and they have just as many as I do.
The irony is what I am, and what I wish to be. I am a writer and wish to be a published author. I have stories in my head that I want to share with others. In my novels, I have full reign of the conversation. I can talk as much as I wish through my characters. I can express my views. I can share my experiences, my feelings, my ideas.
In the back of my mind, I always know that God is perfect. I know He has a perfect plan for my life, but once and awhile (as in tonight) something will hit me with the "perfect-ness" of God. He gave me an urge to share my life and my stories and then gave me a gift to express this urge. We are the children of a marvelous god. I am the child of the Almighty who knows me inside and out and has chosen to allow my passion to seep into multiple areas of my life.
Anyway, the interesting fact I happened upon was the reason for my ceaseless talking. I want to share. I have so many stories about my life, about other people I know, about things I've read...I just have stories swimming around in the ocean of my mind, and I want to share them with people. I want others to live my experiences, to know what I know, to see what I see. When I stand amidst conversation, hundreds of stories pop up that relate to something that was just said. I open my mouth to share my experiences that "of course others want to know," and that's when I realize that I need to not hijack the convesation. This is someone else's chance to tell their stories, and they have just as many as I do.
The irony is what I am, and what I wish to be. I am a writer and wish to be a published author. I have stories in my head that I want to share with others. In my novels, I have full reign of the conversation. I can talk as much as I wish through my characters. I can express my views. I can share my experiences, my feelings, my ideas.
In the back of my mind, I always know that God is perfect. I know He has a perfect plan for my life, but once and awhile (as in tonight) something will hit me with the "perfect-ness" of God. He gave me an urge to share my life and my stories and then gave me a gift to express this urge. We are the children of a marvelous god. I am the child of the Almighty who knows me inside and out and has chosen to allow my passion to seep into multiple areas of my life.
Ripples
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Another stab at random poetry. Enjoy!
Just a touch
Tiny impression
Spreading outward
Wrinkles growing
Interlocking spheres
Twisted patterns
Ripples
---
Just a touch
Tiny impression
Brushing heart
Gentle words
Lasting thoughts
Building feelings
Ripples
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