A flower in the desert

I’ve been neglecting my blog lately but I’ve been doing really well.

In life I find we get so caught up with what is wrong with this or what we are upset about, that we take very little time to appreciate the little things that make us happy.

Driving on my way home from work I concentrated on what has been making me happy and it was a very pleasant drive.

Things that make me happy:
• Cold, crisp autumn days
• Salmon-colored sunsets
• Driving with the windows down
• Singing and rocking out in my car
• Working in the suburbs
• Picturing my future
• The sky at twilight
• Reading a great book
• Finding Matte at a café in San Francisco yesterday

Now the list could go on and on, but these were just a few things that have made me happy lately.

I’ve been pretty involved with Kiwanis lately, which is nice, but I keep having that nagging feeling that I could be doing more.

A week ago at our staff meeting this man came and spoke to us (in French, as someone translated for him) about this amazing work he is doing with disabled people in Africa. Apparently they are the most shunned people and their disabilities break families apart because usually shortly after the disabled person is born, the father leaves the family because he feels that he has failed them in some way. This man talked about how he took the most inept people (disabled) and gave them purpose, found some sort of talent in each one of them. He spoke of the amazing change it brought to the communities and the families as these people where transformed – fathers come back and the community has something to stand behind.

“Even a flower can bloom in the most barren desert,” he said.

He didn’t speak very much English, but before he left our office (sometime after the staff meeting) he made it a point to go around to every person’s desk, shake his or her hand and say that quote in English to us.

His visit has touched us very deeply and I can’t shake the feeling that I want to do more to touch people’s lives. I don’t know what it is yet, but I know I want to do more to give back.

Recently, while covering a story involving some junior high girls, I was reminded that junior high girls are of an age where I no longer find kids annoying. I actually found it quite refreshing to be among the students and I think I want to do something more with girls who are that age. Being in junior high was a very difficult time for me, as I am sure it is with many girls.

Maybe I’ll become a tutor, but I’d rather interact with these girls at a social level. Help them somehow that way. There are a couple of avenues I am looking into – but that is what I am set out to do right now.

I know it sounds dumb but I want to help someone bloom. I can think of several people in my life who have helped me bloom, but I want to be that for someone else.

Bad, horrible moment in fashion

So Lauren and I went on our annual San Francisco shopping trip. The day was.... interesting. I was completely visually assaulted.

Really the 80's had to come back? Really? SO HORRIBLE.

This is the first time I have ever been shopping and felt like I am too old to buy into it anymore.

Check out these photos of some of the "fashion" I witnessed. Man models can't even make this crap look decent.


Am I just getting too old, or am I right? The 80s and the 90s should never be repeated. And repeating them does not make you fashionable. Acid washed jeans? Seriously?

The worst 80s offense was when I saw an 80s almost Jazzercise-esque display.



Layering neon colors did not look good then and it looks even more ridiculous now, unless you are wearing it as a Halloween costume. This was so offensive I had to capture it with my camera.

But I believe the worst of the worst was caught by Lauren on her phone.




Leggings are awful awful awful! Especially when they are on 40 somethings trying to act young. And if you are going to wear them, please, for the sake of the people standing or walking behind you, COVER YOUR ASS! No one likes panty lines.

On my to see/read list

So sorry I haven't been updating my blog, I've been lazy.

I'm using this post as a list of movies I want to see this summer and a list of books on my to read list.

Movies:

My Life in Ruins, June 5, trailer: This looks cute and will have many shots of Greece, which I LOVE.

The Proposal, June 19, trailer: This looks goofy and I haven't seen a Sandra Bullock flick in forever!

My Sister's Keeper, June 26, trailer: I teared up just watching the trailer. I somewhat question the choice of Diaz as the mother, but it won't keep me away from the theatre.

The Ugly Truth, July 24, trailer: Sorry, but who doesn't love Katherine Heigl?

Funny People, July 31, trailer: This looks decent, I'll be interested to see the supporting comedy and if they can pull it off.

Julie & Julia, August 7, trailer: Amy Adams and Meryl Streep together again?! Yes please. Plus cooking unhealthy food with no experience, so great.

Post Grad, August 21, trailer: Alexis Bledel, enough said. Plus, no one makes movies about how bleak life looks right after you graduate college. It's about time.

Books on my to read list (more so I don't forget what I want to read):

"My Sister's Keeper," By Judy Picoult: I have to read this before I see the movie, so it's been bumped up to the next book I am reading.

"Firefly Lane," By Kristin Hannah: Picked this up at Target. Looks like a nice, light summer read.

"The Man of My Dreams," By Curtis Sittenfeld: Currently devouring Sittenfeld's third novel loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. I missed this book when it came out (her second novel) and I love everything by this author, so will have to read this one.

"The Soloist," By Steve Lopez: Heard nothing but good thing about this book.

My new obsession

So my new obsession is my new phone and Twitter. That is what is up with me.

Since someone told me to update...

Been doing a lot of movie watching lately, gearing up for the Main Event – the Oscars! I've been a little underwhelmed with the movies, they are all ending the same. Just because someone kills themselves does not make the movie deep. I'm really sick and tired of this plot. Suicide is not profound and worthy of thought. Stop glorifying it Hollywood. Seriously. I'm sick of it.

So- my commentary on the contenders –

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Ok. Seriously? This was the movie with the MOST nominations. That is so unfortunate. The movie was definitely worthy of its technical nominations, but BEST MOVIE?!? Please. This movie was a bad rip off of Forest Gump and Big Fish. They tried to fit too many life experiences into one movie, and it ended up being a big jumple of uneccesary scenes. In my opinion.

Frost/Nixon- Have not seen this movie yet, but will watch either today or tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

MILK- Best movie by far. This movie should win. Will it? No. Sean Penn will (or better!) get best actor, but honestly this movie was moving in ways the other movies failed in my opinion.

The Reader- I'll admit, a very unique story. It was very captivating. But really? The ending just got to me. Maybe because it was the umpteenth million movie I saw this year that ended in suicide. It's getting old people, really really old. Kate Winslet was great though.

Slumdog Millionare- This movie will get the prize, because it is sort of the unsung hero of the Oscars. I did like this movie and I'll admit it was extremely unique. I will not be upset to see this movie get its award. It came in second for me, behind MILK.

Other notes regarding movies:

The Wrestler- I did like this movie, but it just didn't move me like I thought it was going to. People really built this one up and I wasn't super impressed. Though Rourke and Tomei did good jobs. Once again, was the ending really neccesary?

Doubt- Hands down the best acting in any of the movies this season. I thought it was epic. Though I have never seen the stage version of this, I was so happy they made a movie version and I thought the casting was very apropos.

Rachel Getting Married- Very artsy, sort of film class sort of movie. Anne Hathaway's performance is worthy of her nomination and carried the movie in my opinion.

The Changeling- More specifically Angelina Jolie. This is awful. This is Hollywood bending over backwards to make sure its king and queen (UGH Brangelina) feel worthy and attend. Its utter BS. This role was not that great and in my opinon just an imiation of her performance in "A Mighty Heart." Which was a better movie. Instead of screaming for her husband, she is just screaming for her child in this one. Bleh. SHE. IS. SO. NOT. WORTHY. She seriously just needs to go away already. I'm sick of it.

Revolutionary Road- This was the snub of the awards season. I thought the acting was great and it was an interesting critism of how life "should" go with the kids, the white picket fence, etc. But once again, not an original ending.

So there is my recap. I would like to challenge the film makers in Hollywood to make a positive piece with superb acting. I'd like to see something a little more positive nominated for Best Picture. It's been a long time since we have glorified happiness. I guess that just doesn't sell, but I'm getting a little depressed with the choice of movies as of late. It's either total bublegum (Bride Wars, He's Just Not That Into You) or complete downers (everything nominated).

One more note. Finished watching Gran Torino last night. I went into it thinking I wasn't going to like it and was completely suprised. I really liked it and personally think it should have gotten some nominations itself.

I think I've got a location

I think I found the location for my wedding this weekend. Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027701&l=ba894&id=34700404

Google Reader is amazing!

So Google Reader, where have you been all my life? You allow me to never, ever have to visit the actual website of the many (and sometimes annoyingly ad ridden) blogs I visit. And you make sure I never miss a post. Your reader system updates in my tabs when something new is posted (just like an email!). So amazing. I don't know how I have missed out on this.

I am able to follow all of my gossip, narrative and newsy blogs. I can even follow local bloggers who I am a fan of. Essentially this wonderful little reader has made it so I never have to browse the internet again.

I realize I am figuring out about this technology a little late, but it is perfect for work. Because when you look at Google Reader, it essentially looks like an email webpage or whatnot. It's not the annoying ad ridden often glaringly obvious I'm-not-doing-work-related-browsing that so many of pages are.

Also on top of learning about Google Reader, I figured out how to make a screen capture today. Not that I need to do it that much it is something cool to know.

Hooray for technology!

P.S. Click on photo to enlarge to see what Google Reader actually looks like.

I got a kitty

So I went and adopted a kitty (she is 11 months old) today!
She has the most beautiful green eyes you'll ever see on a cat and she has markings of a tabby and tortoise!

I'm so happy!!!

I'm getting hitched!

So Mike asked me to marry him just before Christmas at the Sharks game. Yay! That is the ring above. It was his grandmother's (that is why it is on my pinky, we are getting it resized).

So now I'm planning a wedding. It's a lot tougher than I expected it to be, and I've only just begun the process. I've also chosen my bride's maids.



There is Lauren, my Maid of Honor.



Mira, my close friend from high school.


Kelsey, my close friend from college.

and....


Amanda, the little sister I never had.

So its going to be an exciting road these next few months. I'm hoping to have an August wedding and trying to keep it affordable for my parents might be a bit difficult but I'm excited!!!