Boo!

Recently I have found my talking to various people about horror movies. Now I'm aware that the horror season is over, but I did just watch The Rite last night, which put me in a horror sort of mood. So here's a list of my top 3 scariest horror villains:

Pennywise the Dancing Clown - IT

I watched IT for the first time when I was about 4 or 5 with my aunt. I remember this because for a while afterwards (like 6 years :\ ) I was a little creeped out by shower drains. Haha, I'm aware that that particular scene looks completely fake, but it still scary me. Even now, I sometimes look down the drain and wonder if they still float down there...

Michael Myers - Halloween series (minus III)

Again I first watched these movies when I was very young and Michael Myers has always been my bogeyman. There are times late at night when I look out the window and I half expect him to be standing 20 yards away staring back at me, or hiding in the shadows. But I don't know if Michael Myers would be so frightening if it weren't for the amazing music score by (USC alum) John Carpenter.

Chucky - Child's Play

Let me clarify, I'm referring to the Chucky from the first three movies in the Child's Play series and not the horror comedy Chucky from Bride of Chucky & Seed of Chucky. Like the other two movies, I first watched Child's Play when I was young, and although I can't name any specific scene that scared me, I think that the idea of a child's toy being evil is the creepy part. Especially since I swear my Furby (remember those), would turn on by itself at night.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 23

Day 23 - A YouTube video



Let me sum up this video in one word: HILARIOUS! I don't remember how I came across it, but I'm glad I did. It's one of those videos I watch whenever I feel like a laugh.

The Duck Song is another notable video. Waddle, waddle :)

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 22

Day 22 - A website

Fail Blog

I recently found this website and think it's absolutely hilarious. It's one of the only websites that actually makes me laugh out loud. Give it a look and see for yourself

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 21

Day 21 - A recipe

I have long professed my love of soup. So here you go, my favorite chicken soup recipe:

You will need

1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 tsp.  oil

32 oz chicken broth

2-3 cups water

2-3 cups assorted fresh vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, etc)

1 env.  (0.7 oz.) GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix

1/2 cup instant white rice, uncooked

 

Make it

COOK and stir chicken in hot oil in large saucepan on medium-high heat  until chicken is done.

ADD broth, water, vegetables and dressing mix. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on low heat 5 min.

STIR in rice. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 min.


I usually buy a Read Pac bag of fresh vegetables, but I don't see why you couldn't substitute frozen vegetables. I also sometimes skip the rice, it's a very easy/versitle chicken soup recipe. I absolutely love it!

Inked

Lately I have been twinkling with the idea of getting a tattoo. When I was a kid I always told myself that when I was old enough I'd get a tattoo, at that time I had no idea what I'd get or where I'd get it, just that I wanted one. As I got older the whole idea of getting inked was less important, in fact I was no longer interested. But during the last few months I've once again become interested in getting a tattoo; in fact it's #170 on my bucket list. This sudden desire for a permanent mark has inspired me to think about and draw the image I would like. This is obviously a rough sketch, and the colors are not set, but you get the general idea.

Hummingbirds hold a special meaning in my family. In a way they are symbolic of someone I've lost, and they are such pretty birds. A family of hummingbirds lives in one of our trees and I hear them chirping about all the time. So wanting a hummingbird as potential tattoo was an easy choice, but for the second obstacle, location, location, location. I have three potential spots in mind, my hip, my rib, or my foot. Since these locations are not readily visible (expect my foot), I don't have to worry about the tattoo affecting any careers decisions.

Actually, location is the first obstacle, since choosing a subject was a snap, so then the real second obstacle is overcoming my uneasiness with needles. I say uneasiness because it isn't really a fear. I mean I've donated blood before and have gotten immunization shots and things like that, but I do get a little freaked out when I see needles. I guess it's because I anticipate pain, but I always find that it's never as bad as I had imagined.

Haha as you can see I'm not exactly ready to take my sketch to the tattoo parlor just yet. I still have some logistical asects to figure out, but this is definitely something I'm considering for the near future.

Get a grip

I feel like writing but I hardly know what to write. My mind is not my own right now. I feel like my head is completely full, but full of what I couldn't tell you. It's like it's filled with nothing, and yet filled with everything. I'm not entirely sure if that makes sense, but right now I can't make sense of my thoughts. It's odd because I feel like there are 15 different thoughts floating around in my head, and when I feel like I'm going to be able to concentrate on any one, it slips away and some other thought takes it's place. So far it has been a continuous cycle. What to do, what to do?

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 20

Day 20 - A hobby of yours

A hobby? Hmm tough question I don't really have hobbies, or I guess things that I like to do I don't consider hobbies. Is drawing a hobby? If so, then I guess drawing is a hobby of mine. I've been drawing since as long as I can remember, and although I know my skills could be greatly refined, I consider myself a fair drawer. I took one art class my senior year at USC, where I learned to work with different dry media. It was fun class and I really enjoyed it but the dreaded charcoal got all over the place, it was a mess. I keep a book with some of my artwork, but ever since receiving a Bamboo fun drawing tablet for Christmas a couple of years ago, I prefer to doodle on computer using Corel Painter.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 19

Day 19 - Your idea of the perfect first date

When I read this question one answer immediately came to my mind, and if you've watched Miss. Congeniality, then you probably know the answer too.

"I'd have to say April 25, because it's not too hot and not too cold, all you need is a light jacket." - Cheryl Frasier, Miss Rhode Island

I don't think there is such a thing as the perfect first date, haha they are filled will awkward moments and nervousness. I really wouldn't care where my date and I would go, as long as the conversation was fun. I think for me conversation is probably the most important part of a first date. Conversation aside, the way my date makes me feel is also extremely important (comfortable vs. uncomfortable) to me, but then I guess that might go hand in hand with conversation.

I went on a first date recently and to say it was a disaster would be an understatement. Haha the conversation was mostly one sided (me), and whenever my date did decide to speak his manner and tone wasn't inviting to say the least, which made me feel extremely uncomfortable all throughout dinner. I like to think that I'm easy to talk to, and yet on this particular date all my efforts were in vain. It was definitely an interesting experience and I'm only disappointed that at the end of the date I wasn't told that I was on MTV's Disaster Date, and I had won $60.

I don't think I'm asking for much, I'm not even asking my date to spend money, because as long as the conversation was fun,  I wouldn't mind trimming trees on a first date.

Squeaky clean

I've never been a routine sort of person. As a kid, my activities and schedule would change on a daily basis. Even now most of my day is spent playing it by ear, however there is one thing that I do religiously, wash my face. In that respect I have a routine as rigorous as most military chores.

My five step skin care method is as follows:

Step 1: wash face (Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash )
Step 2: Use a toner (witch hazel)
Step 3: Under eye serum (Aveeno Active Naturals)
Step 4: Spot treatment (Aveeno Clear Complexion Moisturizer)
Step 5: Moisturize

This routine I do nightly, and although new products may be substituted in, or other steps added (baking soda mask about twice a week), these 5 steps always remain the same, and always in that order. And yet, like so many others my face is not as clear as I wish it were.

My problem is the sensitivity of my skin. I don't mean to say that my skin is easily irritated by strong products, because it is not, but my skin's healing properties are less than desirable. I scar poorly, a trait both my brother and I inherited from our dad. So whenever I do break out, and my inability to resist leaving said blemishes alone, I get dark spots.

Currently that's where I'm at, trying new ways to remove/lighten said dark spots. Tonight I applied lemon juice to my face after reading about lemon's bleaching properties on various blogs/forums. I also found a couple of other home remedies like nutmeg & honey, apple cider vinegar, and sandalwood paste. I have every intention of trying all these home remedies until I find something that works. But like a true scientist, I will work through my list one by one, giving ample time for each method to work.

I will update with my lemon juice progress in about a week, but until then thank goodness for makeup :)

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 18

Day 18 - Your celebrity crush

I have a couple celebrity crushes but today I will talk about Brody Jenner. I just recently started following Brody Jenner on Twitter after reading an article on him on some tabloid magazine. I use to watch his show Bromance on MTV and have always though he was good looking. For some reason it wasn't until recently that I think he is utterly gorgeous! Look at him. I can't think of one thing I would change about him physically. He's confident, playful, and just looks like a fun guy to be around. He's definitely in my current top 3 celebrity crushes!

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 17

Day 17 - An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

This is by far my favorite painting, I've loved it for as long as I can remember. When I look at it, I see a quiet sleeping town being blanketed from all evil. It's beautiful. One day I will visit New York city and see this painting in person.

Psychoanalysis

Sometimes I feel like I should have picked a different major. Having formally been a student of psychology for five years, I have learned a great deal about people. However, it appears that in my attempt to learn about human nature, I have also found the inability to accept things that may not have a clear answer. I tend to over analyze everything, anyone who knows me can tell you that. I do not do this because I want to, it is simply in my nature and I find it hard not to do. I don't do it to be mean or spiteful, on the contrary, my intentions are always good. I'm just trying to understand...

After these messages, we'll be right back

A couple of days ago I listed my 5 favorite toy/food commercials from the 90's. As I was compiling my list I came across some other iconic 90's commercials. For me, GAP commercials were the most innovative/ingenious/entertaining commercials of the time. So I wonder, when I look back at the first decade of the third millennium, what commercials will I think of? And we have a winner: HP. I absolutely love the HP commercials, whether they be for there printers or laptops, HP product commercials in general are so entertaining.



It all started with this guy. I remember when this series of commercials came out, it was literally love at first sight. This definitely got the commercial recipe right: something new/different + fitting music = commercial success!




There was a series of these commercials advertising HP laptops. I chose the Shaun White one for no particular reason other than it was the first one to appear in the search. I guess sometimes I forget that people have different uses for their computers than I do. That is rather egocentric of myself, but I liked these commercials because it shows the diversity of computers.




This is my favorite commercial currently on air. I think this baby is so cute, and I love the song. The first time I saw this commercial it made me laugh. What does a baby speeding around in a walker have to do with printers? I don't know, but I like it!

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 16

Day 16 - A song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Looking back on today - The Ataris

This was an easy pick. I'm not entirely sure why but this song makes me cry or at least tear up every time I hear it. I first noticed this a year ago, while I would drive either back home or back up to LA, and I'd listen to the So Long Astoria album on my iPod. The song isn't particularly sad, in fact it's upbeat and I would say rather happy, but I guess you don't have to be sad to cry. I absolutely love this song, even if it does bring me to tears.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 15

Day 15 - A song to match your mood

Lisztomania - Phoenix

Hmm, I can't explain my mood, because I don't feel like it neatly fits in a any one category. I guess it's that no one emotion is stronger than the others...does that make sense? I chose this song because I absolutely love it, but the song makes no sense. I've looked up the lyrics on a couple of different websites but it seems that no two sources agree about the correct lyrics. In any case, this song has a catchy beat and brings a smile to my face.

Take two and call me in the morning UPDATE

Okay, yesterday I thought I was getting sick and today I am sick. This stupid cough won't go away but now I am also losing my voice! Laryngitis, I'm sure, I swear I get laryngitis at least once a year. I went over to my aunt's house earlier and took some kids cough syrup...why does cough syrup have to taste so nasty? Anyway, after about half an hour I felt buzzed, imagine that feeling buzzed from children's cough syrup. The worst part was that I didn't feel the cough syrup helped any. So what do I do now? What else can I take?

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 14

Day 14 - What's in your purse?

Okay, I will literally dump the contents of my purse out and list them:

• A purse matching wallet
• A grocery list
• Extra classic bubble gum
• Oil blotting sheets
• Pepper Spray
• Compact mirror
• House keys
• Tide to go pen
• Pink gel pen
• A compass
• Purse holder
• Goody spin hair pins
• A sticky eyeball
• Four receipts to various locations
• An eyebrow wand
• A bobby pin
• Business card to my dentist
• An "I Voted" sticker
• C.O Bigelow lip tint
• Maybelline volume xl seduction lip gloss
• Covergirl Outlast lip stain 
• Covergirl wetslicks lip gloss
• Rosebud strawberry lip balm
• A Goody ouchless hair elastic
• Three empty wrappers
• $1.29 in change

You may have noticed that I carry a fair amount of lip products and this is because I can't stand having dry lips. Those who know me will see me layering on lip balm or gloss countless times throughout the day. Funny enough I usually carry a couple cylinders of Burt's Bees lip balm with me, but I currently have one in my pocket and another in my car. Haha so it appears that I'm lip balm/gloss crazy.

The other oddities in my purse, the sticky eyeball and compass for instance were gifts from my cousins, and I just haven't taken them out yet. I also have a very bad habit of allowing receipts and wrappers to accumulate in my purse because I decide to throw them away.

And there you have it, the contents of my purse.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 13

Day 13 - A fictional book

The Giver - Lois Lowry*
It's been more than a couple of years since I read this book last, but I do remember thinking this was one of the best books I had ever read. There are two other books written by Lowry which form a loose trilogy, I skipped the 'second' book completely and recently read the third, which I enjoyed.

This book follows a 12-year-old boy named Jonas who is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but you don't have to take my word for it.**

* I had to restrain myself from choosing Pride & Prejudice or any other Jane Austen novel

** Haha that last part I wrote using Reading Rainbow as my model. Anyone else remember that show?

Take two and call me in the morning

Not even a month into the new year and I find myself beginning to battle with my first cold of 2011. I should have seen this coming. For a couple of days now I've woken up with a feeling of dust in my throat, but after a couple of minutes and some coughing the feeling went away. Since then, this dust in my throat feeling has persisted throughout the day and thats where I am right now. I keep clearing my throat in the attempt of getting rid of this feeling but to no avail. What can I take? Although I am a fan of modern medicine, I avoid taking medication for unnessicarily. I have however, been drinking Airborne but maybe it's a little late for that. Hmm I need some juice...

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 12

Day 12 - 15 facts about you

1. I like pineapple on my pizza
2. Captain Hook is my favorite Disney villain
3. I feel like a sap when I get teary eyed during a movie
4. I'm not bored easily
5. I like to play video games
6. I want a tattoo
7. I'm a hopeless romantic
8. Margaritas are my drink of choice because tequila is my liquor of choice
9. 
   I've only been to Las Vegas once, but I  want to go back soon
10. I want a chocolate lab
11. I like my steaks medium-well
12. I'm attracted to guys with dark hair and blue eyes
13. I want a new phone the myTouch 4G
14. I look up everything
15. I'm currently polka dot crazy
    

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 11

Day 11 - A photo of you taken recently

I was having a difficult time deciding on a picture to post, but to make things easier on myself I decided to post the most recent picture I've taken. I took this picture a couple of days ago just because my camera was within reach. I do have to say that the lighting could have been better, but in any case there it is.

Retroteevee

I read an article today where the author was putting down current children's television, which is exactly what I've been doing for months now. In any case, it started to compare previous children's programming (the 90's) and current programming, obvious conclusion is that there is no comparison. However, not all aspects of television were better in the 90's. Hands down, commercials are far superior today. But let me take you back, and list 5 of my favorite 90's toy/food commericals:

I don't even think that Blow Pops makes commercials anymore, at least I haven't seen one since this now classic commercial. Sour Apple was and still is my favorite flavor :)

This is probably my favorite game growing up. It's simple but I really enjoyed it. My cousins got a new Guess Who? game called Guess Who? Mix & Match for Christmas and it's a little lame. You keep track of who you are via a sheets of paper, which also makes this game less ecologically friendly. What a shame the game cards don't actually talk.

Now the title of the video says this Connect Four commercial was from the 80's. but I do remember this commercial  being shown while I was growing up. Again I wish the game pieces would actually move. It's not as iconic as the 70's version of this commercial but let's pretend the girl wins the game and the boy says "pretty sneaky sis!"

I had to add this commercial, because this was one of those shows I know I use to watch but feels almost like a dream. However, I do remember the line "I'm the baby, gotta love me!"

I could not list some of my favorite 90's commercials without including Power Rangers. I remember my dad telling me back in mid '00 that Power Rangers was the best selling toy franchise in the last decade. Funny enough, Power Rangers didn't need television commercials, because the tv show was advertisement enough.

It's easy to see how television commercials have changed. Advertisers have become smarter, have thought of new ways to advertise, have gone as far as consulting psychologists, some might consider these tactics ruthless, I on the other hand consider them ingenious. I do believe that there should be better regulations regarding advertisements towards children, but I'm fascinated at how advertisements are created these days.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 10

Day 10 - A photo of you taken over ten years ago

I wanted to post a picture from kindergarten, which had a funny story attached to it, and the expression on my face rightly conveys my feelings from the story; however, I could not find the photo album where that particular picture is housed. So I chose this picture instead, taken weeks before my 5th birthday. This picture was obviously around Christmas ('91), and as you can see my left wrist is in a cast. In my birthday post, I listed 24 little know facts about myself, and my broken wrist was an item on the list. I wish I would have saved my cast after it was taken off, I would like to see the names of the people who signed it.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 9

Day 09 - A photo you took

This picture was taken in 2008 while I traveled with the TMB to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If I remember correctly I took this picture atop of Sugar Loaf on our first outing. I love this picture because it reminds me of one of the best trips I've ever taken. I had so much fun! Not to mention it's my first trip to another country (other than Mexico), and because of it, I've made a promise to myself to travel more in the future.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 8

Day 08 - A photo that makes you angry/sad

I read this article a couple of months ago and these pictures really made me angry. I will not post them on here directly because they bother me so much. Being a student of psychology and taking a particular interest in child psychology and development, it is easy to understand why these pictures angered me so. It is my belief that some people should never be parents.

Interested to see what made my blood boil? You can read the article here.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 7

Day 07 - A photo that makes you happy

So I did end up choosing a picture I had saved on my computer. It's a Small World Holiday is one of my absolute favorite places during one of my favorite times of year. I cannot visit Disneyland Resort without wanting to ride It's a Small World, and I especially can't pass the opportunity to see it transformed for the holiday season.

Remember when...

Feeling nostalgic? I am. I'm not entirely sure why, well I do, but I'd rather not say right now. My 30 day blog challenge post for today is to find a photo that makes me happy. Well I thought the best place to look for such a picture would be in My Pictures folder on my computer, well I have many, many pictures and lets just say that some took me back. Anyway, I don't know if I will choose any of those pictures for my post, but it's always fun to go down memory lane.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 6

Day 06 - A photo of something you ate today

This is a picture of my dinner. It is/was a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito from Taco Bell. Funny enough I only identify 4 layers, but I guess this is because it counts the cheese twice: beef, sour cream, beans, cheddar cheese, and nacho cheese. It's a good burrito, though it can be a bit much.

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 5

Day 05 - Your favorite quote

I can't say that I have a favorite quote, nor have I heard a quote that stays with me long after I heard it. However, I watched the Princess Diaries earlier today and there is a quote from the movie I love. With a little research I found the owner of the quote.

"Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all."
—Ambrose Redmoon
 
In recent months I have found this quote to be extremely true. There have been a couple of occasions where fear is definitely present, but I'm able to muster up the courage to act because I feel it necessary. It is in these instances where I find that I have the most fun.

Just breathe

What do you do, when the only thing you should do is to do nothing? But by doing nothing, you feel like you're losing something important. Haha these are the types of questions I find myself needing to answer more frequently. I need to seriously stop letting the small stuff bother me, haha because in reality it's all small stuff. My solution this time is to take a deep breath, and have faith that everything will be fine, that I will be fine.  

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 4

Day 04 - Your favorite book

Hands down my favorite book is Pride & Prejudice! Haha coincidentally my stated my favorite movie was the 1995 miniseries of Pride & Prejudice, this is probably because instead of spending a day and a half reading the story, I choose to spend six hours watching Jane Austen's words come to life. I first read Pride & Prejudice in 8th grade and instantly fell in love. Since then, every time I read this most cherished story, I have the same feelings I did as when I first read it. I still laugh and smile. I still get a tingling feeling when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth meet at Pemberley. By far my favorite book, and I recommend it to anyone whom like me is a hopeless romantic.

Surprise!

I can honestly say that a year ago I took no pleasure in surprises. Let me rephrase that, I only took pleasure in surprises I knew about, which are not surprises at all. However, over the last couple of months I have grown to love surprises. Haha they are like little random presents, and come in so many different forms. I'm learning to truly appreciate the simpler things in life :)

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 3

Day 03 - Your favorite television program

By favorite television program, I'm going to assume that a current television program is meant. In that case, I think Weeds is my favorite. During this last season (the only season I didn't watch on Netflix) I wished that the week would hurry along so I could watch the next episode. This is such an interesting/funny show, and has some of the best season finale's ever! Unfortunately, this upcoming season may be there last :(

30 day blog challenge cont. Day 2

Day 02 - Your favorite movie

I thought about this all day trying to come up with the answer. I have previously made lists of my favorite movies, and usually avoid placing them in any sort of rank to avoid this specific situation. For me this is such a difficult question, so I had to ask myself this, which movie could I watch all day long for three days straight? My answer is Pride & Prejudice the 1995 mini-series. This mini-series is broken up into 6 episodes and is six hours long! Whenever I feel like getting 'lost in Austen,' I will watch my two part DVD set in its entirety. I absolutely love the story and feel that the casting of Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy could not have been better.

30 day blog challenge

Day 01 - Your favorite song

Almost anything from Dashboard Confessional. If I had to pick only one song, I would say So Impossible. This song makes me feel good. It reminds me of high school, and all the shenanigans I got myself into. It definitely brings back good memories. I also like everything Chris sings about towards the end: making out, and long drives, and brown eyes, and guys that just don't quite fit in :)

I accept the challenge!

Inspired by a friend, I will embark on a 30 day blog challenge. The items on my list are as follows; they are taken from her blog.

The 30 day blog challenge.
Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — A photo of something you ate today
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — 15 facts about you
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — What’s in your purse?
Day 15 — A song to match your mood
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Your celebrity crush
Day 19 — Your idea of the perfect first date
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — A photo of the item you last purchased
Day 26 — What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 27 — A photo of you and your family
Day 28 — An animal you’d love to keep as a pet
Day 29 — 5 of your biggest pet peeves
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Okay, you've seen the list, let us begin.

Medical scare

Just when I thought the stress and worry was over, it starts up again. As you all know, my grandpa spent the better part of December in the hospital. After a successful AICD procedure he was released and is recovering well. The relief from my grandpa's improved health allowed me to really enjoy the holidays with family and friends, but now the holidays are over.

It is only the first week of January and my family has already received a medical scare. One of my family members has swollen lymph nodes in their neck. We are waiting for a biopsy to be done before we really start freaking out, but the possibility of cancer is terrifying. I'm finding it difficult to come up with the right words to offer support to those involved, but I think right now, hugs show plenty of support.

What has all of this shown me? Life really is short. You can't take anyone or anything for granted. There is not enough time to hold grudges or be upset with others. Seize the day, everyday, because the truth is we do not know what is in store for us.

Movie time

Here is a list of my Top 10 favorite movie characters:

1.  Bridget Jones - Bridget Jones's Diary - Renee Zellweger
   Is there anything about Bridget not to like? Well at least I don't think so, shes adorable, funny and unpredictable. Haha poor Bridget, what sort of situation will she get herself into this time? I'm so excited because a third part to this series is in the works!
   
   
   

2. Fitzwilliam Darcy - Pride & Prejudice - Colin Firth
   I am absolutely in love with Mr. Darcy as a character. Sure he can be disagreeable and proud, but he is also caring and romantic. I also need to say that Colin Firth has been the best Mr. Darcy yet!
   
   
   

3. Jeremy Grey - Wedding Crashers - Vince Vaughn
   I love this movie and I think Jeremy is hilarious!
   
   
   
   

4. Capt. Jack Sparrow - Pirates of the Caribbean - Johnny Depp
   How can you not love Captain Jack Sparrow? He walks and acts like he's always drunk, but all the time knowing what's going on around him. For me, he is the only reason to watch the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Savvy?
   
   
   

5. Dory - Finding Nemo - voiced by Ellen DeGeneres
   Dory was responsible for more than half of the humorous lines/parts in Finding Nemo. She was the comic relief for an otherwise serious-ish animated film. And always remember that when things look bad, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
   
   
   

6. Zus Bielski - Defiance - Liev Schreiber
   Based on a true story, I thought Defiance is an excellent movie, and Zus Bielski is a bad ass! He's definitely more of the strong silent type, and thought it was more prudent to fight than to hide.
   
   
   

7. Dr. Hannibal Lecter - Silence of the Lambs - Anthony Hopkins
   Voted the #1 villain by the American Film Institute, Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a likable villain. He's smart, interesting, and you never can tell what he's thinking.
   
   
   

8. Amanda Price - Lost in Austen - Jemima Rooper
   I wish I were Amanda Price. She loves Pride & Prejudice, and is given an opportunity to switch places with Lizzy and live the novel. Of course she knows how the story is supposed to end, and behaves in a way I would have, by keeping a close eye on Mr. Wickham, etc.
   
   
9. Tony Stark - Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr.
   His ease in manner and speak makes him a likable character. The fact that he is wealthy, and a bit of a play boy makes him both interesting and entertaining.
   
   
   

10. Kevin McCallister - Home Alone - Macaulay Culkin
    This kid is confident, resourceful and adorable, enough said.

Ghost of New Years past

This specific day, I'm sure, will forever more remind of the TMB. For two of the last three years, I spent New Years Eve and Day at USC. I will never forget leaving my family on/around December 27 to have winter band camp in preparation for the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game (The Granddaddy of Them All!). For two years I spent my birthday with my fellow bandies, practicing the halftime show all day, and doing a rally at night. Then, on New Years Eve, my section would gather together a little before 9 pm to celebrate an east coast New Years, so we could all get some rest for the next day.

New Years Day, our call time was at 5 am. We would meet at the Radisson Hotel across the street from campus for breakfast, and to change into uniform. From there we were bused to Pasadena to march in the Rose Parade, which was a HUGE hurry up and wait. Finally after waiting for a while, it was our turn to begin the LONG 6 mile march down the parade route. This is a parade that feels like it will never end, and since my section didn't have a TA those years, we relied on the kindness of other TA's for water, or jolly ranchers. The light at the end of the tunnel comes when you go under an overpass, and half a mile later the parade is over! I will never forget the exhaustion I felt, and the amount of perspiration I released, but also the amount of hunger accumulated. After the parade, we'd run to put our instrument away, get out of that heavy, hot uniform, and get in line for two In-N-Out burgers, bag of chips, piece of fruit, bottle of water, and can of soda. Haha it was the best meal ever! Afterwards, we'd get back on the bus, our legs aching, for a 20 minute bus ride to the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Once there, it was off the bus, back into our uniform, instrument out, and ready to win the game! After a couple of rallies, we finally would enter the stadium and get ready for our pre-game show. Then we'd take our place in the stadium and prepare to stand up for the entirety of the game (remember we had marched 6 miles earlier that day). I can honestly say that I was more nervous preforming at half time for the Rose Bowl, than I was for my first half time show in the Coliseum, because at the Rose Bowl the cameras are on zip lines throughout the field. Anyways, after about 5-6 hours of taking over the Rose Bowl, it was time for us to go back to campus. Back at the buses we had sandwiches from Boston Market waiting for us. Once back on campus, there was a huge line/wait to get back into the band office to turn in our uniform and pick up our Rose Bowl gifts*
As tiring as the day/week was, it is definitely an amazing experience, I would not trade for anything in the world. For this reason, January 1st will always hold a special place in my heart, and memories were created on this day that I will never forget!

*We've gotten some pretty good gifts, embroidered Ogio backpack, Rose Bowl band shirts, USC jacket with embroidery on the sleeve, countless pins, hats, and commemerative football program.

Happy New Year!

My New Years Resolution this year is simple: Make 2011, my best year ever!