Perfect Sunday

Happy Easter, everyone!!!

I've had a lot laying on my heart lately. Stuff that I've just recently been saying out loud to close friends and am mentally trying to get ready to write/post. Eventually, I will.

But, today? Today I am grateful. I was slightly down about Easter, but today I'm just thankful. Because, Jesus paid it all. He paid the debt for our sins, He overcame death, and He invited us to live with Him forever.

So, Happy Easter, everyone :)

1. What is your favorite type of workout to do?

Zumba. With the right instructor, it is so much fun and HARD work. I haven't gone to a class in a really long time, but I need to get on it.

2. What is your favorite guilty pleasure candy or sweet?

Candy - I love Milky Ways

Sweets - A Double Doozie from Great American Cookie Company

3. What is one thing you continuously forget to do?

I'm really bad at remembering to go to the Post Office and I'm really bad at remembering to water plants.

4. Do you prefer post-its or phone reminders? Why?

For personal date reminders, I will put it in my phone and a written planner.

But, I'm a Post-It Queen. Something about writing it down and putting it in a place I can see it just helps.

5. What is your favorite picture currently on your phone that always makes you smile?

Actually, I only have a couple pics on my phone, right now. I just cleared all the videos and pictures off my phone (using the Photo Transfer App)

Books Into Movies: The Bad

Yesterday, I listed my top three film adaptations. And, we're not talking about the Oscar ones (well.... 'The Godfather' won), but just regular books that turn into regular movies.

I have way more books-to-film that I like than don't like, but there are a few where I am like, "Huh? Did that just happen?"

Beware.... All of these are going to contain spoilers. If you feel like you want to read or see these and want to be surprised, then you don't need to read this post.

The Scarlet Letter

About 99% of us probably had to read this classic in high school and/or college. It has become such a part of our collective consciousness that all anyone has to do is refer to 'The Scarlet Letter' and everyone immediately knows what is being implied in the conversation. It's basically a part of our pop culture (hi, 'Easy A').

So, imagine my disappointment when I watched the Demi Moore film and saw that not only was it COMPLETELY destroying a literary classic, but it was just an awful film. Like, I'd rather watch 'Striptease.'

I mean, I get there is some poetic license. However, in this film it was basically the same names and time period.... that was it. Hester Prynne literally rode off into the sunset with her new family.

My Sister's Keeper

To be fair, this wasn't a bad movie. It actually was pretty good. You just have to put aside the book in order to enjoy the movie.

Again, I'm usually ok with detail changes. I'm ok with a film leaving out parts of the book. I can enjoy them separately. However, I do expect that if a film is going to be based on a book that the major stuff stays the same.

Like, the fact that in 'My Sister's Keeper' the Abigail Breslin character should have died. 

Yep. In the book, Anna ends up getting into an accident and dies. She ends up donating her organs.... and, in turn, saves her sister Kate (Sofia Vassilieva's character). That is the entire point of the book. A MAJOR point in the book.

In the film, Kate dies and Anna goes on to live her life.

Like I said, the movie was good. It was a tearjerker. Had I gone into it thinking that it was a regular movie with a regular Hollywood ending, I would have been fine with it. 

They just shouldn't have ever named it 'My Sister's Keeper.' Because when they did that, I went in expecting a very specific ending.

Dear John

How ironic that one of my favorite and one of my least favorites are both Nicholas Sparks' adaptations.

I feel about this one much as I do about 'My Sister's Keeper.' Overall, it was a pretty good chick flick. I did like the movie. It's just that the dramatic departure from the book's ending left me feeling like they shouldn't have ever named it 'Dear John' after the book.

Reading this back over, I guess my main problem with film adaptations is that the beginning and ending need to be the same. Yes, there will be some detail changes in the middle, but the overall experience needs to be consistent.

Imagine for a second if Voldemort would have won?

Or, think about the first time you saw 'Breaking Dawn 2' and you (along with the entire theater) started freaking out because it looked like they were going to kill off all of these characters that aren't supposed to be killed off?

It would have completely made the films suck.

So, let that be a lesson, filmmakers. Do you hear me? When I go see 'The Great Gatsby" later this year, Leo better die.

Random Thursday: Books to Movie

I *LOVE* this week's topic! As a self-proclaimed entertainment geek, I'm always excited when one of my favorite books is turned into a movie. In fact, I took a class in college that was EXACTLY about books turned into films. Every week, we had from Thursday until Tuesday to read a book. On Tuesday, we would watch the film. On Thursday, we would discuss the differences.

It was one of my favorite classes in my college career, lol.

Also, I'm pretty good about being able to separate the two. I'm ok with seeing the movie for what it is and not getting too bogged down with the details that they had to leave out. As long as the main point and major details are left in, I can handle some changes.

So..... My Top 3 Books Turned Into Movies (I'm also linking to the IMDB page)....

The Notebook

Seriously, this is one of my favorite books and one of my favorite movies, EVER. Love both.

 Here is the interesting thing..... There were several details changed. The main one being the length of time they were separated. 

Also, the WAY the story is told is completely different. In the movie, it goes back and forth between present time (old Noah and Allie) and the story of their past. We see all parts of their relationship from the time they meet until they get together forever. In the book, most of the story is told on the night they reconnect. Throughout their dinner, they touch upon moments in their past, but don't really delve into it as much as you would think. The movie actually shows MORE of their relationship than you read in the book. It's hard to explain, but I read the book several years prior to the movie coming out and then I read it again after. I was surprised by how different and how much the same the two were.

Why do I love these so much? Because, the differences don't really matter. When you are watching/reading one, it all sort of melds together. They compliment one another so well that experiencing the two gives you a better and richer view of the story and relationship.

The Godfather

'The Godfather' is another one of my favorite movies. A lot of people don't even realize that it was a book, first. The main reason is that the book isn't nearly as great as the film (usually, it's the other way around).

The book is ok.... I actually really liked it, but I have a weird obsession with all things Mafia. However, Mario Puzo wasn't exactly the greatest writer of all time. The story is more T&A than anything.

The film? Incredible. Yes, Puzo is listed as one of the screenwriters, but I have a feeling that Francis Ford Coppola did most of the clean-up. 

 Harry Potter Series

This one may be cheating, but I still claim it.

With the change in directors over the eight films, there are certainly some films that are better than others. And, there are LOADS of details changed, especially in a few films (um, 'Goblet of Fire' anyone?).

However, seven books turned into eight films.... all of which captured the world's interest... is amazing.

I *love* the books. I *love* the films. I even *love* the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal. All capture the magic and all of them (in their own ways) get the main point.

So, there are my top three books to movies! Just for fun, I'm going to go the opposite direction tomorrow. I have my Top Three WORST Film Adaptations.... so, check in tomorrow for those! 

 

 

  

 

Wednesday Wonderings

I'm really glad that 'The Voice' is back on! I didn't watch the first two seasons, but got hooked last season.

Also? I *LOVE* Usher and Shakira. As amusing as I found Ceelo, I love me some Usher. And, please do not ever bring back Christina. Shakira is funny and so less diva-ish.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of divas.... As much as I love Keith Urban, I just can't watch 'American Idol.' 

NM just ruins it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Someone referred to me as popular the other day.

I actually laughed.

That is a term that has never been applied to me. Ever.

I've never been one of the "cool" kids. I have lots of friends and have a lot of fun, but am definitely never a part of "the in crowd."

I just thought it was so funny.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last week, my family went to Via Napoli at Epcot for Noah's birthday. The only other time I've been was with Kristen and her husband.

Their pizza is amazing........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Based off of my FB newsfeed, I have an amazing amount of politically vocal friends.

And, based off of the fact that they are pretty much split down the middle of the equal or not equal profile pictures, I have a wide variety of friends with a wide variety of views.

I'm guessing that means that I'm pretty awesome and able to have friends that don't necessarily share my opinion. (Kidding. Kind of)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My uncle sent me a 5 lb bag of Gummi Bears. I can't remember the last time I ate Gummi Bears.

My WW self and my PMS self are currently at war.

Operation 30: Week 2.2

  The week before last, I came down with a nasty sinus and respiratory infection. Not only did it inhibit me from doing any sort of physical activity that wasn't absolutely necessary, but it has set me back in the jogging department.

A month ago, I could jog for ten minutes, walk for a few minutes, and then hit up another ten minute jog. Not the greatest, but still pretty good.

Now? I'm like a 60 year old chain smoker.

 

Pre-sick, I'd decided to go back to Week 3 of the C25K mainly to slowly rebuild my muscles since I hadn't been consistent with jogging. And, the intervals are good for fat burning. However, now, I *need* to go back to rebuild my lungs. I'm huffing and puffing after 2 minutes. I should have expected this as soon as I got the infection. My voice was hoarse for a week..... which means, for me, that it's affecting my lungs.

Anywho.....

Last Week's Workouts:

Tuesday -Week 3, Day 1 C25K

Thursday morning - Week 3, Day 2 C25K

Thursday evening - Walked for 50 minutes


Grade: C - ....... Get it together, Jess.

Let's make some goals for this week......

1) Workout at least 4 times.
2) Complete Week 4 of the Couch 2 5K 

Sad

Saturday was my big work event. Work-wise, it went off flawlessly. Just wonderful.

However, there was all this personal drama with all the staff and it took away from how happy we should have been that things went well. Like, it was everyone, but let's just go with my drama.....

FD brought BSG. 14 Hour Day. Yay.

BSG pretended to smile at the right moments, etc, but basically made it clear that she didn't want me there and was annoyed that I had the nerve to infringe on her day.

Um, hello. This is my job. I HAVE to be here. Your presence, however, is optional. I don't go to your work and act like I don't want you there.

Then, through a series of events, it hit me like a ton of bricks that the day before was the 1st Anniversary of my Aunt Jan's death and the next day (yesterday) was the 9th Anniversary of Mike's death. Like, in my head, I obviously knew it. But, I'd been so busy and preoccupied throughout the week that I hadn't had time to process and feel it. So, unexpectedly, when none of our listeners were around, I burst into tears. Emotional meltdown. Then, I cried even harder that I couldn't have kept it together until the whole day was over.

A couple people comforted me. Let me cry.

FD? Turned his back and pretended he didn't see me crying. BSG? Literally stood there, dancing to music on the overhead, and continued her "Baby, baby, let's go!!!"

My sister and my intern? Ready to punch both of them. Because no matter what, when someone is visibly upset, it is not appropriate to stand there and dance.

Remember. This is the same FD that was with me the night my aunt died. The best he had to offer at the end of the night was a one armed hug and a "Feel better."  

Later on in the day, I hear from various sources how THEY were having arguments throughout the day. How he asked her to go away and give him some space, at least twice. And, how he made it known to a few people that.... "she is extremely, obsessively jealous of Jessica."

Maybe I should have known this before. Maybe I DID know this before and convinced myself otherwise. However, it hit me that as long as they are together, FD and I can't be friends. She will never be ok with it and I am tired of fighting it.

We can't be completely out of each other's lives because we work together, but other than that, she wins. I'm just done.

This morning, he came bebopping into my office. Trying everything in the book to get me to let him off the hook..... tried every angle available to him to broach into "safe" conversation so that he would know I was ok with him without having to actually ask.

I'm just so done that I didn't have the heart to even pretend. I gave him one or two word answers until he finally left.

About 20 minutes later.....

And, now, I'm just really sad. Over the past month, the romantic feelings have gone away. Not to say they wouldn't come back under the right circumstances, but they weren't there. It was just friends. Close friends.

Until you add in BSG, who can't handle it and him not being able to handle both of us and me not being able to handle being the "most of the time, unless my crazy jealous girlfriend is around" friend.

But, I'm tired. And, really, really sad.

Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

Curl up on the couch with a blanket, my jammies, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book or movie.

2. What is your favorite thing to do on a summer weekend?

I enjoy grilling out with family or friends. Usually some pool time. A baseball game. Catching a good summer movie to get out of the heat!

3. What is your favorite spring activity?

Disney World.... not too hot or crowded. Same thing with concerts. Take a lot of walks outside.

4. What is your favorite way to spend a winter day?

Same thing as a rainy day, if it's super cold, lol. Really, I just enjoy when it gets cold in Florida!

5. What is your favorite season and why?

Fall.... when the humidity starts to drop and there is hope of nice weather. Also, you have the holiday season and fun traditions to look forward.

6. What is the best birthday you ever had?

I had A LOT of awesome birthdays when I was young. My mom always made them special.... pool parties, parties at amusement parks, etc.

As an adult, my favorite birthday was my 25th. One of my best friend's got married that day and it was just a FUN day. Even though it was her day, I got to get my hair/makeup done, wore a really pretty dress, had all my closest friends around, ate a yummy dinner, a delicious cake, and a DJ/dancing. None of it was for me, but it was great, lol.

Blurbs... Thoughts.... Semi-Consciousness

I have a major work event tomorrow. Like, huge.

Where a lot could go wrong.

And, I have to spend a nice chunk of the day in the presence of BSG.... Thanks a lot, FD.

Is it Sunday, yet?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week has been a workout FAIL, FAIL, FAIL.

I started having allergy issues on Friday. By Saturday night, I couldn't breathe through my nose, was feeling heavy in my lungs, and had to sleep on the couch all propped up. By Monday, I was in full blown sinus infection. Tuesday, I went to the Dr and came out with a ZPack, allergy meds, and something for the nasty fever blister I'd developed on my lip.

My nights have consisted of Neti Pot and a bunch of sleep.

As of now, I'm still snotty (gross) but it's manageable, my voice is slightly hoarse but on the mend, and my fever blister is 3/4 healed. Here's hoping for full recovery in the next 36 hours.

Why I even bothered to set workout goals for myself is beyond me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love Grey's Anatomy. Like, it's so good this season.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beyond preparing for our major work event, things have been INSANE all of 2013 the past couple of weeks .

Last week, we had several different events. This week, we had one event in the office.

Three of them included celebrities.....

Tracy Lawerence

Brantley Gilbert

Sheryl Crow...... YES.... Sheryl Crow.

Random Thursday: Pet Peeves

I've been slightly out of it, lately.... Or, I feel like I've been slightly out of it.
However, this week's edition of Random Thursday was up my alley.....

Pet Peeves.......
Hearing People Chew - It. Drives. Me. Insane. I can't stand loud chewers.
"I Could Care Less." - I fight myself not to correct them. It is COULDN'T care less.
Rubbing Pages - When someone has a book or stack of papers, it makes me cringe when they rub the paper between their fingers before turning the page.
The "Walk Into A Room While Starting A Conversation Regardless Of The Fact That A Conversation May Already Be In Progress" - My family and my coworkers are pretty horrible about this. I may be the only one who experiences it more often than not. A couple weeks ago, my intern timed it.... within 15 minutes, SEVEN people entered my office mid-sentence, completely interrupting the conversation actually happening in my office. We never actually finished a conversation and I got so annoyed that I just stopped talking to everyone.
I have others, but those are the four that come to mind.

Operation 30

I originally had a cheesy "Toning Up Tuesday" title. Then, it hit me.... I want to lose 30 lbs before I turn 30. Use that cheesy title, instead.

Last Week's Workouts:

Sunday - Walked for an hour

Thursday - Walked for 50 minutes

Saturday - Walked for 50 minutes


So, I exercised three times. I earn a "C" in the exercise department. Could have done worse, but could have done better.


Let's make some goals for this week......

1) Workout at least 5 times.
2) Complete Week 3 of the Couch 2 5K

Sunday Social

1. What is one movie you are terrified to watch?

That new Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin movie. Scares the crap out of me.

2. What is one TV show you have always wanted to get into but haven't yet?

Parenthood.... It looks good. I like a lot of the actors in it. Just can't get into it.

3. What is one daring activity on your bucket list?

Zip-lining through the rainforest.

4. Would you ever travel alone?

Probably. I don't know that I could do a long trip without at least meeting up with friends.

5. What activities do you like to do alone?

Watch movies (so I don't feel bad if the other person hates it)

Read (a bit of a duh)

Weight Cycle

Yesterday, I was having a short little email convo with Jess and I became extremely annoyed with myself.

If you have been reading long enough, you are fairly familiar with my weight-loss journey. Over several years, I've lost 100+ lbs. It has taken a lot of starts and stops.... a lot of hard work.... and a lot of commitment (though, sometimes, that commitment wasn't always there).

Last Summer, I was at my lowest weight ever.... a whopping 120 lbs from my highest weight. And, I still had about 15 more that I wanted to lose to be at my goal.

Then, Fall happened. A lot of things came into play, but the short end of it is that I managed to gain about 10-15 lbs (depends on the week, really). And, it's still there.

And, I'm super annoyed with myself, because I *KNOW* what I need to do. I've been tracking my points very well for the past two weeks, but I *KNOW* I need more. In order to lose weight, I have to work out no less than 4-5 times a week. That is all there is to it.

I worked out twice last week. Not going to cut it.

I worked out on Sunday, but didn't yesterday and won't today (I have to work until 9pm tonight and didn't get up early to do it). Basically, I know that I need to go hard for the rest of the week.

I'm seriously annoyed with myself. Again, I know what I need to do. I want to do it, but I don't.

I want to lose 30 lbs by August 1st. Five months.

That is do-able. It won't be easy, but it is do-able.

One of my best friends is getting married on August 3rd.

I turn 30 on August 25th.

I'm going on a cruise on August 31st.

This needs to happen.

And, I need accountability. So, here's my declaration........

Every single Tuesday, from now until then, I HAVE to post my workouts.

When I do well, I need a virtual pat on the back.

When I don't do well, I need a virtual kick in the behind.

Anyone up for the job? 

Monday Madness

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I just saw this and wanted to share...... Scentsy is offering 40% off of their Campus Collection Warmers (while supplies last) this month. I got several of my family members their favorite team warmers for Christmas and they were an absolute hit.

No, really, they loved them. We are mainly a Gator family, so I ended up buying three of those.... Plus, one FSU and one Auburn. I had a couple guys in my family that were sad they didn't have their own.

The really cool thing is that a portion of the proceeds of the warmer goes back to the school!!

If you are interested in checking them out, you can peruse my page here!

Also, if you've ever considered selling Scentsy, I would love to talk with you. It is a great way to earn extra money! Feel free to email me with any questions!

Sunday Social: Top 5's

  1. 5 songs you'll listen to the rest of your life 1. "Let Go" by Frou Frou 2. "Love This Pain" by Lady Antebellum 3. "Good Life" by OneRepublic 4. "Hey Soul Sister" by Train 5. "Out Of My Mind" by Colbie Caillat
2. 5 things on your bucket list 1. Travel Italy 2. Get Married 3. Visit Hawaii 4. Go Whitewater Rafting 5. Go Ziplining through a rainforest
  3. 5 celebs you'd love to hang out with for a day 1. Carrie Underwood 2. Taylor Swift 3. Reese Witherspoon 4. Tim Tebow 5. George Clooney
  4. 5 things you always carry in your purse 1. iPhone 2. Wallet 3. Car Keys 4. Gum 5. Chapstick
  5. 5 books on your reading list 1. Gone With The Wind (currently reading)   Well, that's really the only one I'm focusing on, right now.  
  6. Share the last five pictures on your phone My interns working the mailroom last Friday for our Radiothon.....  

 

 

 

View from the stage during a tech rehearsal, for an event at work on Thursday...

 

 

 

Irelynne with her ducky cup....

 

 

 

Lydie-Lu and I snuggling after her nap on Friday.....

 

 

 

This morning, while walking my neighborhood, I saw this...... little tents for your plants....