Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

This movie came out yesterday and after inundated with the trailer on TV, I knew I had to go see it right away. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a beautiful heart-wrenching story about a young boy's journey to find more time with his father after losing him in the 9/11 attacks. Through his tremendous heartache and determination, he is able to overcome multiple fears as he treks through the city of New York to discover more about his father.

After uncontrollably (but silently) sobbing throughout the entire movie, I am so glad I made the decision to go see it. The poignant acting and cinematography were wonderful and I certainly am recommending everyone to see this if you can! It's an incredibly sad movie, but very touching at the same time. Just don't forget to bring tissues... lots of them.
 

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Something Borrowed

"Something Borrowed" has been one of my favorite books ever since freshman year of high school. It was a quick read with a great plot that kept me on my toes. I was ecstatic to learn last year that it was being adapted into a movie this spring, and was even more excited to learn that John Krasinski was starring in it (my favorite!).

This movie came out last Friday and you can believe that my friends and I went to see the matinee showing right before we had to move out of our dorms for the summer. It was a wonderful romantic comedy about friendships being tested when guys come into the picture... especially when the guy may or may not be the best friend's fiancee. Yikes!

I think the movie did the book justice and I was very pleased with the actors' portrayals of the character. Kate Hudson's character was conniving, confident, and crazy all at once. Ginnifer Goodwin's character will make you feel sympathetic for her, even if she was the "bad girl". Colin Egglesfield will make you swoon every.single.time he was on the screen, guaranteed. John Krasinski's character was sarcastic and charming at the same time (much similar to his Jim Halpert character on The Office). At one point, he says "Well I'm the only asshole that gives a shit about you!" Um, who ever knew that my heart would melt at such a line!?

"Something Borrowed" was funny, charming, and heartbreaking all at once. It's a great movie to either see by yourself or with a group of your girlfriends. I highly recommend going to see it and reading the book too if you haven't already! (Plus, there's a great dancing scene of Kate and Ginnifer dancing and singing to "Push It" by Salt n Pepa)

Have you read the book or seen the movie?
Did John Krasinski make you melt too!?

Beyond the Blackboard

I was flipping through the channel guide earlier tonight when I came across this Hallmark movie on CBS. I took one glance at the plot and turned it on right away.

Beyond the Blackboard was an inspirational, moving true story about Stacey Bess, a young teacher right out of college, who placed her prejudices and fears aside to establish a classroom at a homeless shelter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Through the trials and tribulations of caring for her family, her students, and herself simultaneously, Stacey Bess defied the odds of being an unexperienced, brand-new teacher and guided these once helpless children down the right path to a positive future.

As much as I wanted to be a teacher when I was deciding what I wanted to study in college, my head and heart led me elsewhere. Regardless, I strongly believe that there is a "teacher" in me that wants to come out from time to time and after watching this movie, I definitely felt that "teacher" in me start to emerge to the surface. To see how much of an impact that Stacey Bess made on these children only strengthened my desire to have the same impression on others in my future.

Water for Elephants

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Newport Public Library and found out that they had a "bookstore" in the basement of the library. I had never even seen a bookstore in a library before, but what amazed me even more was that the books were all donated by either the library or frequent readers. I could tell that many of the books were barely read so I decided to take full advantage of this. I was able to snag all of the following books for only $7! What a bargain!

1. Prep :: Curtis Sittenfield
2. The Last Lecture :: Randy Pausch
3. For One More Day :: Mitch Albom
4. Bitter is the New Black :: Jen Lancaster
5. Water for Elephants :: Sara Gruen

I've been wanting to read Water for Elephants for quite some time and have heard great reviews so I was very excited when I found it for $1!

Not to mention, the movie will be coming out on April 21 and I can't wait to see it! I simply cannot turn down a Reese movie. This role seems very different than any other role she has played before so I am looking forward to seeing her performance in this movie.

Have you read Water for Elephants?
Are you going to see the movie?

No Strings Attached

... the movie, not the *NSYNC reunion tour if there ever was one.

My friends and I went to see the matinee showing of No Strings Attached last Friday when it came out. I was expecting a lot of intimate scenes and sex-related jokes, which did happen a lot. However, it was such an adorable and funny movie. Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher have excellent chemistry. It was very weird to see Natalie in a different light, compared to her character in Black Swan, but I really enjoyed seeing the light, playful, flirty side of her.

One may automatically assume that No Strings Attached is a chick flick, but I believe it's targeting to both men and women. The subject matter -- friends with benefits -- is something that everyone can experience and both genders are able to see the two separate perspectives in the movie.

So run, don't walk, to the nearest theater and catch this movie while you can! I can guarantee you that Natalie and Ashton (and Ludacris... yes, I said Ludacris) will: 1) make you laugh 2) make you cry 3) make you wish you had a significant other (if you don't already, you lucky girls!).

Day Two: Favorite Movie

What is my favorite movie?

I love all kinds of movies. Chick flicks, romantic comedies, action movies, historical films - you name it, I'll watch it. I am a sucker for World War II movies; Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor, Inglourious Basterds, The Pianist = loooove. I will watch corny Lifetime movies and serious documentaries. I can count the number of times that I've seen Titanic, A Cinderella Story, and What a Girl Wants on both my hands and toes. In fact, I can say I went to see Titanic in the theaters when it came out in 1997 (I don't know who else my age has). However, there is one movie that always gets me. Whenever it's on television, I stop whatever I'm doing and proceed to watch the rest of the movie.

The Parent Trap (1998)

I can't tell you how many times I have seen this movie. I basically have every scene memorized and can quote a lot of lines. This is one of my favorite scenes. To this day, I still get a little creeped out by the little iguana...

I always thought Elizabeth James (R.I.P. Natasha Richardson) was the classiest woman, from the way she dressed to her British accent. I envied Hallie Parker as she got to participate in the photo shoot with the bride and try on all those dresses... *sigh* This is making me want to pop in my VHS and watch it right now.

Let's get together, yeah-yeah-yeah
Why don't you and I combine...

Wonderful Weekend

This past weekend was one of the best weekends that I have had here at school so far!

Friday's weather was beautiful. The temperature was in the low 60's and perfect for a button-up shirt, skinny jeans, and Sperrys! After class, my classmate and I had lunch at Panera before we went to our department open houses. For the Administration of Justice open house, the advisor had two special guest presentations. One man was from the FBI and the other is the former superintendent of the juvenile system in Rhode Island. After this, I am pretty sure that I want to work with in the juvenile justice system. It will be so interesting and more importantly, so rewarding! That night, I went to see The Blind Side with a couple of friends and it was the cutest movie I have ever seen. I don't think my heart ever stopped melting during the whole two+ hours of it. I am definitely seeing it again very soon!

Saturday marked the first day of spring and I was SO excited! I put on a long-sleeved white v-neck and my new, pink chino shorts from J.Crew, and my new navy blue flip flops with pink and purple flowers, also from J.Crew. To top off the very spring-y outfit, I donned a side ponytail with a pink flower hair clip (guess where it's from) that perfectly matched my shorts. After breakfast, my friends and I spent the day at the beach! We walked on the Cliff Walk down to First Beach, and we clearly were not the only ones who decided it was the perfect day for the beach. There were so many people, children, and dogs! We attempted to do some homework, but we ended up just taking in the wonderful warm weather and looking at the waves. At one point, the most adorable puppy named Molly came over to where we were and laid down so we could rub her belly, as if she hadn't had a care in the world. It was so funny and so cute!

LOVE the pink!

you can kind of see the puppy if you squint...

Yesterday, my best friend and I woke up extremely early to go into Boston to see the Blue Man Group! It was the first time for the both of us and we were very excited. We left Salve at 8 AM and got to Boston around 10 AM. The show didn't start until 2 so they said we could explore until 1:30. My friend and I ended up taking the T to the Prudential Center to meet her twin sister/another one of my bests (who goes to MassArt) for lunch. We went to California Pizza Kitchen, my favorite restaurant! After lunch, we hopped on the T to go back to the theater and went to the show.

If you haven't been to a Blue Man Group show yet, I suggest going in the near future! It was energetic, exciting, and funny at the same time. We were sitting in the first and second rows and had to wear ponchos in case the paint or other unidentifiable objects got onto us. The show was about an hour and forty minutes and I absolutely enjoyed it. I hope to go again sometime in the future with my family!

After this great weekend though, the rain decided to show up again. It's such a disappointment. Oh well, it can rain all week for all I care, because Easter break is less than ten days away and I cannot wait!!

Dear-Valentine's Day, it's RER's birthday!

After a long weekend at home for Presidents' Day, it's safe to say that I have been spoiled rotten at home because this week has kicked my butt! I wrote a five-page paper last night that was due today for my Seeking Wisdom class, and I have spent the majority of my day/night studying for THREE of my tests tomorrow. I absolutely cannot wait until 5:15 tomorrow afternoon when I can be done with it all... I don't know what I was thinking when I was registering for classes in November. Whoever told me that taking four classes in one day would help me lied. Thanks a bunch...

Over the long weekend, I went to see not one, but two movies! On Saturday night, my friend and I went to see "Valentine's Day". I didn't really have high expectations for this movie, because of the "all-star" cast. I experienced that once with "He's Just Not That Into You" and was extremely let down, so I knew not to get my hopes up the second time around. I definitely think "Valentine's Day" was cuter than "HJNTIY" and I especially loved it when Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher were together in the end! (P.S. Shame on you, Patrick Dempsey for breaking my heart in the movie! Please stick to roles that portray you as the perfect man, because that is exactly who you are!)

On Sunday, I finally went to see Dear John! I thought it was really cute and heart-wrenching. I was definitely trying to hold back tears. Of course Channing Tatum looked amazing throughout the whole movie. He definitely makes me swoon... What really impressed me was the amazing soundtrack! Comprised of songs by Rosi Golan, The Swell Season, and one of my favorites, Joshua Radin, I was really pleased hearing their songs throughout the movie. Props to the-people-who-created-the-DJ-soundtrack!

He makes my heart melt...

Today is my good friend RER's 22nd birthday! I couldn't have imagined the past summer or this school year without her. She is always there for me whenever I need my questions answered, some good advice, or for some simple motivation! Thank you for your rambling conversations, your inspiring quotes, and your good humor! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

"Do this thing, this type of thing. Put a little money in this type of thing. I got nothing to worry about. " - Peter Bjorn and John

Today marks the beginning of finals week, and I just got done with my first final in What It Means to be Human. I'm happy to report that I did very well! My professor complimented me multiple times on my oral presentation... *sigh of relief*. Now I can relax for a few hours, go Christmas shopping downtown, and then tackle my next assignment.

Surprisingly, I've been handling the preparation of finals week quite well. Watching movies, eating all my food in my care package from my parents, and reading The Time Traveler's Wife... time well spent, wouldn't you say so? I have one final every day this week, besides Friday, so I get to go home one day early (I'm definitely using that as motivation to kick some ass on these finals). I have confidence that I will do alright, if not great... although I do want to believe I will do great! Just have to keep the positivity level up and I'm good to go.

And besides... Christmas is only 11 days away!

"You just can't beat the weather here in autumn" - Chase Coy

I can't believe November is already here! Where did the month of October go!?

The rest of October was wonderful. I went home the weekend of the 24th to spend some quality time with my family. My parents and I sat down by the fireplace, roasted marshmallows, and watched a movie together. That Saturday, my mom and I went to the Natick Collection and I hung out with my Abington friends! For Halloween, my best friend here at Salve and I stayed at Massart with her twin sister (also one of my best friends). We ended up at a party in Brighton and we went back to her dorm and hung out afterwards. It was a very fun Halloween. Not too crazy, and very laid-back... just the way I like it.

Last weekend, the same friend and I went to see A Christmas Carol 3D in IMAX at the Providence Place! I was expecting it to be as good as The Polar Express (one of my two favorite Christmas movies) because it's directed by the same person; however, I found it to be slightly disappointing. It was cute (and somewhat frightening at the same time) though.

Speaking of Christmas... I am already looking forward to the Christmas season! It puts me in the best mood. I was at Derby Street on the first of November and they were already playing Christmas music! Here at Salve, my friends and I have already busted out the *NSYNC Christmas album (the best Christmas album ever). We went to Starbucks last week and got the Caramel Apple Spice... mmm. I love walking into Starbucks and smelling all the different, delicious aromas in the air. I love the little red Christmas cups too. I also cannot wait to go ice-skating in Newport, especially with one of my good friends who is coming down next month. She's been going to school in Wilmington, NC so I am very excited to see her! Ice-skating has always been one of my favorite things to do since I was little (I used to take figure skating lessons several years ago and wanted to continue, but unfortunately, it got to be too expensive). I'm so excited!

... Not to mention that the infamous Christmas tree has already arrived in NYC at the Rockerfeller Plaza! I have seen the Christmas tree here in all its glory before... absolutely gorgeous.

I'm getting a little ahead of myself though... let us get to Thanksgiving first!! Two more weeks until... all of my friends come home from college (especially those @ Syracuse, D.C., North Carolina, and Florida)... I have Thanksgiving dinner with my family... the annual Abington-Whitman-Hanson football game (GWP)... the Christmas tree is put up... lots of baked goods & desserts... PCC reunions... Black Friday for shopping... and many more fun-filled events in just a short weekend!