This is the second book in the Francine Rivers series The Mark of the Lion. I had read book one and was enamored by it and I was hoping that this book would have the same effect on me. From the very first page of this book I was totally hooked. It was a romantic story about a man who went to the ends of the earth to get to experience life the way the woman he loved did. He is taking a journey to mourn her loss but the world has bigger plans for his travels and he discovers more than he bargained for. The man's sister is also plagued with a deadly illness while he is on this journey and he is forced to cut his journey short to be at her side to help her regain the hope she lost. The book had tons of adventure and there were so many unexpected twists and turns. It kept me wanting to read on so I could find out what was really going to happen at the end.
I love the way she writes because she really has a wonderful way of bringing you in to connect with each of the characters on a personal level. It’s often difficult to make the emotions and the situations of the characters relevant to people’s lives but these books do it with ease. I think that the writer gears her books to appeal more to females but I have also heard several positive reviews from men that have read her books. This is a great read to suggest for book studies because there is extreme depth to her writing. Reading her books has totally changed my life and I can’t get enough of her words. They jump off the page and soak right into my heart. After reading this book I still think of quotes and scenarios from the chapters because the ideas throughout the novel often apply to my daily life.
I wish the story did not have to end and I could keep reading about the characters forever. I recommend this book and hope you will love it as much as I did. If you are looking for a good read this isn’t the book for you because this is a great book and will blow your mind in every way. Let this book wrap its pages around you and comfort you will all things beautiful this life has to offer.
Rating: 9/10
Monday, December 1, 2008
Fireproof Review
I had never even heard of the movie Fireproof before a close friend told me since I was get married I absolutely have to go see it with my betrothed. I wound up sitting in the theater at 10 am on a Sunday morning with my fiancé waiting to see the movie my friend spoke so highly of. I was not immediately drawn into the story of a man whose wife was ready to end their marriage due to him being drawn to other women on the Internet. As the movie progressed I got more involved with the characters and their situation as the leading man was challenged by his father to do a 40-day love challenge. He got a journal from his dad and in it was a daily challenge that was supposed to show more love to his spouse in hopes of saving their marriage. As the man accepted the challenge day after day he never gave up fighting for love and in the end he really ended up finding himself and what was missing from his life. I wont ruin the movie and tell you if they ended up getting a divorce or not, which will hopefully encourage your curiosity to see the film. The movie was really about the journey to discover what the man needed in his life. He couldn’t fully share his life with someone else until he discovered what he was missing in his own life. It is such a great lesson of self-discovery that is taught throughout the movie and everyone can benefit from seeing this film. You should know this is a very, very low budget film but that does not make it any less important. Keep in mind that the acting may struggle at times as well as the visuals because this is not an extravagant Hollywood film like we are so used to seeing. I learned so much about marriage from this movie that it was totally worth seeing and I have talked to other friends who said it helped with their relationship too. If you are in a meaningful relationship that is doing great or if you are in one that is struggling this movie will help you grow in love. Even in the simple story and dialog a strong message rings through the film, “There is only one way to make your life complete.” You will have to see the movie to figure out what it is that people need to feel satisfied in their life. I hope you will discover this film and it will lead you to know more about yourself and your relationships. Take a chance and see a movie that you would not normally sit through. I guarantee you will feel revived and renewed after walking out of this film. Just remember to bring your box of tissues because it could get pretty emotional for you. Just take a minute to work on your love life and you will find all other things in your life will start to get better.
Rating: 9/10
Rating: 9/10
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
I have been seeing previews for the movie “Nights in Rodanthe” for weeks and have been anxious to see it. I talked to some of my girlfriends about it and they said they didn’t want to see it because they read the book and nothing could beat that. I decided I would borrow the book and read it to get me prepped for the movie.
As I got deeper and deeper into the book I started really getting involved in the story of a doctor who decided to retire and rekindle his relationship with his son. On his way to visit him he made a stop at a bed and breakfast in the town of Rodanthe where he meets a woman who ends up changing his life forever. This was a short read and it is easy to breeze through the love story. I liked that this book was an extreme romance because it captures something that is so hard to find in this world: love. It was an amazing story that revealed how, in one simple weekend, two people can experience a bigger love than they ever thought was possible.
The best part of this book is that it portrays love as being simple and easy, which is how it should be. The characters did not go overboard with complicated emotions but instead relished the beautiful joy of what love can be.
The lesson that I learned from this book was to be in the moment and just let love happen. Once we make things complicated for ourselves, love becomes something less great. The only thing that was slightly harder to relate to was the age of the characters. They are older and have life experiences that I don't... yet. The fact that they are older, however, does not take away from one of the best love stories I have ever read. If you loved The Notebook then you will enjoy this book just as much.
I walked away from this book wishing that it was longer because I just wanted more. There was magic in its pages and I hope you will discover how amazing a life with love can be through reading it. Take a night, curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and get involved in one of the greatest love stories of our time. Oh and after you read this don’t bother seeing the movie; it wont be as good, I promise.
Rating: 8/10
As I got deeper and deeper into the book I started really getting involved in the story of a doctor who decided to retire and rekindle his relationship with his son. On his way to visit him he made a stop at a bed and breakfast in the town of Rodanthe where he meets a woman who ends up changing his life forever. This was a short read and it is easy to breeze through the love story. I liked that this book was an extreme romance because it captures something that is so hard to find in this world: love. It was an amazing story that revealed how, in one simple weekend, two people can experience a bigger love than they ever thought was possible.
The best part of this book is that it portrays love as being simple and easy, which is how it should be. The characters did not go overboard with complicated emotions but instead relished the beautiful joy of what love can be.
The lesson that I learned from this book was to be in the moment and just let love happen. Once we make things complicated for ourselves, love becomes something less great. The only thing that was slightly harder to relate to was the age of the characters. They are older and have life experiences that I don't... yet. The fact that they are older, however, does not take away from one of the best love stories I have ever read. If you loved The Notebook then you will enjoy this book just as much.
I walked away from this book wishing that it was longer because I just wanted more. There was magic in its pages and I hope you will discover how amazing a life with love can be through reading it. Take a night, curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and get involved in one of the greatest love stories of our time. Oh and after you read this don’t bother seeing the movie; it wont be as good, I promise.
Rating: 8/10
Last Minute Hot Holiday getaways
With all the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season it can become such a stressful time of year. Why not try and get away this year and take some time to just enjoy the magic of the holidays again and take a vacation? It is a great time to tap into tons of last minute travel deals and get the most for your money.
In order to get the best deals offered you have to be extremely flexible and usually search for deals 2-3 weeks before the holiday. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that most deals with flights involved are only offered from select airport locations so not all locations might be in your city. The hottest travel deals can often be found in the very state you live in because it doesn’t take long to book a hotel and you usually can easily drive to the location of your vacation.
Often, a great vacation can be found within hours of where you live if you are located next to lakes or a ski resorts so it’s not necessary to book this trip far in advance. Another great option for finding deals on short notice is to utilize sites like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. For example, on the site Travelocity.com there is a specific section for booking last minute deals that can save you up to 70% off the price of the regular cost of the vacation. Most deals from sites like these offer great rates on trips to the east cost and usually require booking a New York flight.
Looking at airlines web sites is also great way to find deals because they often have specials a few weeks or days before you would leave. I personally am a fan of Southwest.com and their DING fares you can register for. Basically, you go to Southwest.com and register for alerts to be sent to your computer when fares in certain cities go on sale. These will tell you the specials for your select cities for the next two months or sooner. Most airlines allow you to sign up to receive specials on fights from your city, which is a wonderful way to get a cheap travel deal. You just have to be willing to travel during the week as most fight deals tend to be offered during weekdays.
Perhaps the best way to have a last minute vacation is to book a cruise. They can be the most cost effective vacation for two people and are especially inexpensive a few weeks prior to setting sail. There are several Internet sites devoted to showcasing cheap cruises and you can typically find trips that are 75-80% off the original price. These sites such as VacationsToGo.com or Cruisedeals.com offer the best rates for finding your last minute trip. Typically, the most advanced you can find these discounted rates are about 90 days in advance. Most of these sites are extremely handy because they collect all of the cruise deals and post them in one location so you can look at the whole scope of sales available. You can also set up a tracker to areas where you would want to cruise to and the sites will direct alerts to be sent to you 90 days in advanced.
Hopefully, you will find the perfect vacation that works for you to just help you get away from the stresses in your life. Be sure to always remember that vacations are for you to relax so leave the cell phone behind and step away from the computer and let yourself start to feel like you again!
http://www.societemagazine.com/world/59-life-travel/244-last-minute-hot-holiday-getaways
In order to get the best deals offered you have to be extremely flexible and usually search for deals 2-3 weeks before the holiday. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that most deals with flights involved are only offered from select airport locations so not all locations might be in your city. The hottest travel deals can often be found in the very state you live in because it doesn’t take long to book a hotel and you usually can easily drive to the location of your vacation.
Often, a great vacation can be found within hours of where you live if you are located next to lakes or a ski resorts so it’s not necessary to book this trip far in advance. Another great option for finding deals on short notice is to utilize sites like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. For example, on the site Travelocity.com there is a specific section for booking last minute deals that can save you up to 70% off the price of the regular cost of the vacation. Most deals from sites like these offer great rates on trips to the east cost and usually require booking a New York flight.
Looking at airlines web sites is also great way to find deals because they often have specials a few weeks or days before you would leave. I personally am a fan of Southwest.com and their DING fares you can register for. Basically, you go to Southwest.com and register for alerts to be sent to your computer when fares in certain cities go on sale. These will tell you the specials for your select cities for the next two months or sooner. Most airlines allow you to sign up to receive specials on fights from your city, which is a wonderful way to get a cheap travel deal. You just have to be willing to travel during the week as most fight deals tend to be offered during weekdays.
Perhaps the best way to have a last minute vacation is to book a cruise. They can be the most cost effective vacation for two people and are especially inexpensive a few weeks prior to setting sail. There are several Internet sites devoted to showcasing cheap cruises and you can typically find trips that are 75-80% off the original price. These sites such as VacationsToGo.com or Cruisedeals.com offer the best rates for finding your last minute trip. Typically, the most advanced you can find these discounted rates are about 90 days in advance. Most of these sites are extremely handy because they collect all of the cruise deals and post them in one location so you can look at the whole scope of sales available. You can also set up a tracker to areas where you would want to cruise to and the sites will direct alerts to be sent to you 90 days in advanced.
Hopefully, you will find the perfect vacation that works for you to just help you get away from the stresses in your life. Be sure to always remember that vacations are for you to relax so leave the cell phone behind and step away from the computer and let yourself start to feel like you again!
http://www.societemagazine.com/world/59-life-travel/244-last-minute-hot-holiday-getaways
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sleeping Beauty....NOT!
I am experiencing a sleep disorder. I can't stop having dreams about my wedding day. It would be fine if they were normal dreams where prince charming sweeps me off my feet but they are mostly dreams about what could go wrong on the big day. I have felt fairly at ease about the whole planning process but the more dreams I have the more I feel stressed that one of my dreams will come true. I have gotten advice from friends and they told me that it's good to dream about all the things that could go wrong because then I will have corrected every possibility by the actual wedding day. Throughout all these dreams I just keep feeling like all I want to do is just marry my groom. I think that so much of the wedding process is just planning and planning and often you forget to just enjoy the fact that you are committing your life to someone else. I know that no matter what happens on our wedding day as long as I marry Brad everything will have been perfect. I hope these dreams get out of my brain and I can just go on living my life being relaxed. Life is too short to worry.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Women Movie Review
My friend and I were sitting in this movie waiting to watch a movie that we were hoping would resemble the thrill we got from Sex and the City. What we ended up watching was a horrible mix of too much estrogen.
The Women is about a woman who finds out her husband is cheating on her and all her friends have already known about the affair. She engages in activities that make her feel wonderful again and gains her confidence back, while her friends go after the woman her husband is cheating with. All throughout this movie I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but nothing ever happened.
Halfway through the movie my friend and I were talking about leaving and getting our money back, but we waited, thinking maybe there would be a huge climax coming that we wouldn’t want to miss. There was nothing.
I never realized how essential male characters are in a movie, but this movie made me realize how much I appreciate the interactions between a man and a woman. There wasn’t a single man in this movie, and it totally failed to spark my interest. The plot was not interesting nor was the dialogue, and it had no riveting characters. It was a flop in my mind.
I would never recommend this movie to anyone and am so sorry I wasted my money seeing it. Save yourself ten bucks and get some good ice cream because that will bring you more satisfaction then this.
RATING 2/10
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
I have been seeing previews for the movie “Nights in Rodanthe” for weeks and have been anxious to see it. I talked to some of my girlfriends about it and they said they didn’t want to see it because they read the book and nothing could beat that. I decided I would borrow the book and read it to get me prepped for the movie.
As I got deeper and deeper into the book I started really getting involved in the story of a doctor who decided to retire and rekindle his relationship with his son. On his way to visit him he made a stop at a bed and breakfast in the town of Rodanthe where he meets a woman who ends up changing his life forever. This was a short read and it is easy to breeze through the love story. I liked that this book was an extreme romance because it captures something that is so hard to find in this world: love. It was an amazing story that revealed how, in one simple weekend, two people can experience a bigger love than they ever thought was possible.
The best part of this book is that it portrays love as being simple and easy, which is how it should be. The characters did not go overboard with complicated emotions but instead relished the beautiful joy of what love can be.
The lesson that I learned from this book was to be in the moment and just let love happen. Once we make things complicated for ourselves, love becomes something less great. The only thing that was slightly harder to relate to was the age of the characters. They are older and have life experiences that I don't... yet. The fact that they are older, however, does not take away from one of the best love stories I have ever read. If you loved The Notebook then you will enjoy this book just as much.
I walked away from this book wishing that it was longer because I just wanted more. There was magic in its pages and I hope you will discover how amazing a life with love can be through reading it. Take a night, curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and get involved in one of the greatest love stories of our time. Oh and after you read this don’t bother seeing the movie; it wont be as good, I promise.
Rating: 8/10
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture
A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers
I have read previous Francine Rivers books and she writes in a way that is so captivating that I am sucked into her words; she actually makes me want to be a better person. I expected nothing less from this book.
The story is about a young girl who loses everything she has and is forced into slavery. While being held captive, she falls in love with an aristocrat who she cannot be with because of the way society oppresses women. She seeks God in a time where Rome is left to suffering because of its own selfishness.
I must confess that I stayed up almost a solid week just so I could see what happens next in this book. It was amazing and unexpected how my heart was won over by the leading woman in this story. She had every quality that I strive to have in my life, and she had nothing. It humbled me to see how content she was in her horrible situation and I long to have the peace she experienced. I think I could spend my whole life trying to become the lead woman in this book and I would still fall short. I am not saying that this character is incapable of being accessible, because parts of her lie within all of us, but we have to believe in ourselves before we can tap into our inner strength.
There is nothing about this book that I didn’t like. I felt that the story and characterization was perfect. Often it is hard to get emotionally involved in a book, but this was not the case for this story. It was easy to read because I wanted to see what was on the next page. I think you will really be able to relate to the main character in the book and I hope she will work through you like she did through me. My heart has changed since reading this story and I look at love and life in a whole different way. Books don’t often affect me the way this one did and I am so thankful that I stumbled upon this amazing story.
I hope you will have the opportunity to open the pages of this book and let the message jump into your heart and eventually seep into the cracks of your life. This was the best book I have read all year and I will continue to be a Francine Rivers fan forever. This book was one of the three written in the Mark of the Lion series, so you have a couple more opportunities to read another great story. I recommend you get lost in this story and, when you are done, be sure to pass the book along so another special woman in your life can experience the joy.
Rating: 10/10
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Did you get your share?
Well tonight I am in awe of the mystery of love. Where is it, who owns it and where can we buy it? I am fairly sure whoever is the keeper of love might just be the richest person in the world but it's not sold in any store I can find or on Ebay so how does the owner of love make money? The truth is we all own it; a piece for me a share for you. Even that horrible woman who told you that your dog needs to be silenced has ownership. So why don't we feel rich? Maybe it's due to us owning such small portions of love because love has to be divided between so many. It could be that some people take other peoples shares when they rob them of their piece. It is personal belief that we spend all of our time investing in other places and not enough is spent on love. So many people, myself included, spend their lives relishing in the obligations of the world. We spend hours a day at our job in hopes of getting "that" client or hearing our boss tell us we did a good job. AND FOR WHAT? What's the rate of return on doing great at work. Sure, it can lend you some material goods and it can buy you that car you always wanted but I need to tell you that you will still be lonely, which means you didn't invest well. If we pour so much of ourselves into one earthly account aren't we missing out on all the benefits of the others? The point is people shouldn't refuse to invest in the good they already own because its free no monthly payments or interest. The more you tend to it and invest it in the more your shares will grow. Don't let a broker talk you out of this investment because there will always be people trying to take your share for themselves. Keep your piece and make it bigger by just investing in it. Take the time to let yourself fall in love. Keep chasing down that special someone and when your together you will realize together you had more shares than you did before.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I am your song...
Sometimes this life can get so rough,
It can make the young hearts turn tough
keep us watching, keep us waiting,
for something better to come along,
Please help me to sing....ohhh...please help me to sing
(chorus)
I am your voice,
sing through me Lord,
Help me to Stand,
Help me to show,
Come take my hand,
show me the way,
we're in this together, forever always
Please sing through me today---aayyyy aaayyy
So when life gets hard and the fights not won,
Don't give up, Don't give in,
You just got to feel that song within
God can make you stronger, You will never be alone,
if you just give yourself to him he'll make himself known,
Just keep keep fighting, keep on going
and the melody inside you will keep on growing..
(chorus)
I am your voice,
sing through me Lord,
Help me to Stand,
Help me to show,
Come take my hand,
show me the way,
we're in this together, forever always
Please sing through me today---aayyyy aaayyy
(bridge)
Lord fill me up keep me full of your song,
Help me to find the right words to go on,
lift me up and walk with me,
You are my passion so I will forever sing...
(chorus)
I am your voice,
sing through me Lord,
Help me to Stand,
Help me to show,
Come take my hand,
show me the way,
we're in this together, forever always
Please sing through me today---aayyyy aaayyy
Oh oh ohhhhhh wont sing THROUGH me to-day!!!
Copywrite Katie Moore 10/8/08
It can make the young hearts turn tough
keep us watching, keep us waiting,
for something better to come along,
Please help me to sing....ohhh...please help me to sing
(chorus)
I am your voice,
sing through me Lord,
Help me to Stand,
Help me to show,
Come take my hand,
show me the way,
we're in this together, forever always
Please sing through me today---aayyyy aaayyy
So when life gets hard and the fights not won,
Don't give up, Don't give in,
You just got to feel that song within
God can make you stronger, You will never be alone,
if you just give yourself to him he'll make himself known,
Just keep keep fighting, keep on going
and the melody inside you will keep on growing..
(chorus)
I am your voice,
sing through me Lord,
Help me to Stand,
Help me to show,
Come take my hand,
show me the way,
we're in this together, forever always
Please sing through me today---aayyyy aaayyy
(bridge)
Lord fill me up keep me full of your song,
Help me to find the right words to go on,
lift me up and walk with me,
You are my passion so I will forever sing...
(chorus)
I am your voice,
sing through me Lord,
Help me to Stand,
Help me to show,
Come take my hand,
show me the way,
we're in this together, forever always
Please sing through me today---aayyyy aaayyy
Oh oh ohhhhhh wont sing THROUGH me to-day!!!
Copywrite Katie Moore 10/8/08
Monday, October 6, 2008
Maid of Honor review
Since I am getting married, I felt compelled to see this movie.
Having a similar plot to My Best Friends Wedding, it is a tale about a man and a woman who have been best friends since college. They spend every moment together and don’t consider ever having a relationship until the female lead gets engaged. Then, all of a sudden, the man realizes he has loved his best friend all along and has to try to break up their engagement before she says “I Do” to another man.
Even though this movie is predictable at times, it has a certain simplicity that makes it charming. I felt it had just the right mix of comedy and romance to classify it as a cheesy-but-loveable film. I would not say it is the best romance ever produced, but it will fill your void for that much-needed unrealistic tale of love. And, as a bonus, the actors and actresses in this movie performed well and felt natural, as if the audience got a glimpse of a group of friends interacting with each other as they would normally.
If you know someone who will be prancing down the aisle soon or if it is your dream to meet prince charming one day, then this movie is a great choice. It is a perfect story to share with any female, and it will inspire you to keep on dreaming of that perfect someone who is still out there waiting for you. Don’t stop believing!
RATING 8/10
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Life with you
The swing of a bat, the throw of a ball,
Looking at you I thought you had it all,
A loving spirit, you walked with Christ,
I always felt I was too unworthy,
Watching you minister, watching you preach,
I couldn't believe I could ever have the power to teach,
Growing to love you, but you didn't see
I realized my life without you couldn't exist,
Finally God turned your head, you looked at me,
Something inside me filled with the spirit of Christ,
You came to me, You changed my life
Since he sent you I know I'm fine,
Walking with me hand and hand, Growing up and growing wise ,
My life is clear and I can see my future,
Forever with you, forever in love,
We will be living witnesses that two heads are better than one.
Looking at you I thought you had it all,
A loving spirit, you walked with Christ,
I always felt I was too unworthy,
Watching you minister, watching you preach,
I couldn't believe I could ever have the power to teach,
Growing to love you, but you didn't see
I realized my life without you couldn't exist,
Finally God turned your head, you looked at me,
Something inside me filled with the spirit of Christ,
You came to me, You changed my life
Since he sent you I know I'm fine,
Walking with me hand and hand, Growing up and growing wise ,
My life is clear and I can see my future,
Forever with you, forever in love,
We will be living witnesses that two heads are better than one.
Keep running the race (poem)
But who am I that I should be sent,
not by my will but yours be done,
I will go where you send me by your grace,
For the battle has only begun and I need to set the pace,
something within me burns with hope,
showing love can slowly can turn the cold warm again,
Ever so steady is the desire of my heart,
I capture the emotion and write it in my book of melodies and art,
I can feel a new change blowing in the air,
As long as I keep up the pace a life can change,
Looking to you is my soul's inspiration,
Never will I tire of doing your work and will vow to always continue in deep meditation.
not by my will but yours be done,
I will go where you send me by your grace,
For the battle has only begun and I need to set the pace,
something within me burns with hope,
showing love can slowly can turn the cold warm again,
Ever so steady is the desire of my heart,
I capture the emotion and write it in my book of melodies and art,
I can feel a new change blowing in the air,
As long as I keep up the pace a life can change,
Looking to you is my soul's inspiration,
Never will I tire of doing your work and will vow to always continue in deep meditation.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
5 Best Computer-Based Tech Timesavers
The Internet is THE source for getting information about everything today: news, history and even finding mates. Surfing the net consumes our life and can take up hours of our day. The computer has become like a best friend to our generation and can really become a time saving tool if a person utilizes it properly. In order to help you get minutes back in your day, I decided to help you locate the 5 best Technology Timesavers, listed below (in no particular order):
1. Google - www.google.com
In order to save time in your life remember, “Google, Google, Google…” I am trying to pound that in your head because this site gives you access to anything your heart desires by just entering the name in the search box. It’s fast, easy and efficient. Many people are aware of the amazing searching abilities that Google holds but are you informed about the other items offered on the site that are sure to save time? Through Google you can easily access the latest news, Gmail, groups, blogs and calendars, translate languages and tons more. One Google feature I found to be extremely helpful is “Google Alert,” which allows a person to target a topic or a key phrase and get articles sent directly to their e-mails the minute they are published on the web. The newest Google feature to organize your life is “Google Health,” which allows you to easily organize your medical records online. The site is one of the most used internet sites and can help you save time by helping you find what you need fast.
2. Facebook - www.facebook.com
This social networking site can really work to your advantage if you become familiar with all it has to offer. It is great because you can have e-mail, create photo albums and find old friends fast all in one place. You have to be cautious, however, when using this site because you can get easily addicted, which will defeat the purpose of your life easier. As long as you use it to organize your life and feel the ease of having everything you need stored on your very own personal website then this site is something to get excited about.
3. Wikipedia - www.wikipedia.org
If you are seeking information for research or just want to know more about any topic, this site will be a huge help to you. You can easily write whole research papers by exploring all this free encyclopedia has to offer. This site is put together by thousands of volunteers and regular people who create articles in over 200 languages. Due to the collaborative effort of the volunteers it has become one of the largest reference sites on the Internet. It can be a great time saver if you are needing to find detailed information quickly then I recommend you turn to this site. (Editor's Note: Be warned, however, that the information can be changed by anyone at any time -- use something else for, say, a research paper or a memo.)
4. Craig's List - www.craigslist.org
Finding an item you need in a hurry can sometimes be a pain but by using this site you will easily have access to thousands of classified ads at your fingertips in seconds. You can also sell your items for free by creating a posting. You can view jobs, get involved in discussions and find housing. They even have a dating classified section that will help you find singles in your area looking for a night out. This is the place to find everything you need and I have personally had success with making a profit from placing an ad. This is defiinitely a way to save time if you need to have classifieds at your service.
5. Microsoft Office - office.microsoft.com
I am hoping everyone is familiar with the Microsoft Office Programs that include Word, Excel and Powerpoint. These programs are essential to have if you plan to write or run a business. They save you time by easily spell-checking documents, entering formulas for quick math and letting you create a great presentation. I know in my field of work I would not be able to survive without the using these great tools that make my job much easier. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I had to handwrite a paper and then mail it. The Microsoft Office programs allow you to do everything digitally and then quickly attach it through e-mail. If you aren’t fluent in these programs I would recommend you take a minute to get to know them better because it will only make you more marketable when looking for a job.
I hope you find try each of these technology timesavers because I know they will help your life to function better. Nothing is better then saving time in your day because then you can spend it on the things that really matter like family, friends and love. A famous person once said that a life without love is not a life worth living, so go ahead and get a few minutes back in your day to love someone.
1. Google - www.google.com
In order to save time in your life remember, “Google, Google, Google…” I am trying to pound that in your head because this site gives you access to anything your heart desires by just entering the name in the search box. It’s fast, easy and efficient. Many people are aware of the amazing searching abilities that Google holds but are you informed about the other items offered on the site that are sure to save time? Through Google you can easily access the latest news, Gmail, groups, blogs and calendars, translate languages and tons more. One Google feature I found to be extremely helpful is “Google Alert,” which allows a person to target a topic or a key phrase and get articles sent directly to their e-mails the minute they are published on the web. The newest Google feature to organize your life is “Google Health,” which allows you to easily organize your medical records online. The site is one of the most used internet sites and can help you save time by helping you find what you need fast.
2. Facebook - www.facebook.com
This social networking site can really work to your advantage if you become familiar with all it has to offer. It is great because you can have e-mail, create photo albums and find old friends fast all in one place. You have to be cautious, however, when using this site because you can get easily addicted, which will defeat the purpose of your life easier. As long as you use it to organize your life and feel the ease of having everything you need stored on your very own personal website then this site is something to get excited about.
3. Wikipedia - www.wikipedia.org
If you are seeking information for research or just want to know more about any topic, this site will be a huge help to you. You can easily write whole research papers by exploring all this free encyclopedia has to offer. This site is put together by thousands of volunteers and regular people who create articles in over 200 languages. Due to the collaborative effort of the volunteers it has become one of the largest reference sites on the Internet. It can be a great time saver if you are needing to find detailed information quickly then I recommend you turn to this site. (Editor's Note: Be warned, however, that the information can be changed by anyone at any time -- use something else for, say, a research paper or a memo.)
4. Craig's List - www.craigslist.org
Finding an item you need in a hurry can sometimes be a pain but by using this site you will easily have access to thousands of classified ads at your fingertips in seconds. You can also sell your items for free by creating a posting. You can view jobs, get involved in discussions and find housing. They even have a dating classified section that will help you find singles in your area looking for a night out. This is the place to find everything you need and I have personally had success with making a profit from placing an ad. This is defiinitely a way to save time if you need to have classifieds at your service.
5. Microsoft Office - office.microsoft.com
I am hoping everyone is familiar with the Microsoft Office Programs that include Word, Excel and Powerpoint. These programs are essential to have if you plan to write or run a business. They save you time by easily spell-checking documents, entering formulas for quick math and letting you create a great presentation. I know in my field of work I would not be able to survive without the using these great tools that make my job much easier. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I had to handwrite a paper and then mail it. The Microsoft Office programs allow you to do everything digitally and then quickly attach it through e-mail. If you aren’t fluent in these programs I would recommend you take a minute to get to know them better because it will only make you more marketable when looking for a job.
I hope you find try each of these technology timesavers because I know they will help your life to function better. Nothing is better then saving time in your day because then you can spend it on the things that really matter like family, friends and love. A famous person once said that a life without love is not a life worth living, so go ahead and get a few minutes back in your day to love someone.
The Women
My friend and I were sitting in this movie waiting to watch a movie that we were hoping would resemble the thrill we got from Sex and the City. What we ended up watching was a horrible mix of too much estrogen.
The Women is about a woman who finds out her husband is cheating on her and all her friends have already known about the affair. She engages in activities that make her feel wonderful again and gains her confidence back, while her friends go after the woman her husband is cheating with. All throughout this movie I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but nothing ever happened.
Halfway through the movie my friend and I were talking about leaving and getting our money back, but we waited, thinking maybe there would be a huge climax coming that we wouldn’t want to miss. There was nothing.
I never realized how essential male characters are in a movie, but this movie made me realize how much I appreciate the interactions between a man and a woman. There wasn’t a single man in this movie, and it totally failed to spark my interest. The plot was not interesting nor was the dialogue, and it had no riveting characters. It was a flop in my mind.
I would never recommend this movie to anyone and am so sorry I wasted my money seeing it. Save yourself ten bucks and get some good ice cream because that will bring you more satisfaction then this.
RATING 2/10
The Women is about a woman who finds out her husband is cheating on her and all her friends have already known about the affair. She engages in activities that make her feel wonderful again and gains her confidence back, while her friends go after the woman her husband is cheating with. All throughout this movie I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but nothing ever happened.
Halfway through the movie my friend and I were talking about leaving and getting our money back, but we waited, thinking maybe there would be a huge climax coming that we wouldn’t want to miss. There was nothing.
I never realized how essential male characters are in a movie, but this movie made me realize how much I appreciate the interactions between a man and a woman. There wasn’t a single man in this movie, and it totally failed to spark my interest. The plot was not interesting nor was the dialogue, and it had no riveting characters. It was a flop in my mind.
I would never recommend this movie to anyone and am so sorry I wasted my money seeing it. Save yourself ten bucks and get some good ice cream because that will bring you more satisfaction then this.
RATING 2/10
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Do you ever remember a time when life seemed perfect?
You were just spending the summer with your best friends and having the time of your life, thinking that nothing would ever break your friendship bond or move you physically apart.
Flash forward 4 years and you are now further from your girlfriends than you ever thought possible, both physically and emotionally.
If you can relate to any of that, then Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is a movie that will really hit home. It’s a simple story about 4 best friends who are all brought together again by a pair of jeans that magically fit them all perfectly. They all come home from college and discover the summer will be filled with their individual trips and classes rather than spending time together as a group. They are separated, and are growing further apart emotionally as the days go by. Eventually, without saying too much, the pants work their magic and remind them why their friendship is the most important thing to them.
Rather than just sitting in a movie for 2 hours and walking away with nothing gained, this movie caused me to do physical acts. After I got out of the movie I could not sleep that night. I just kept thinking about how much I missed my beloved girlfriends. I decided to write each of my girlfriends a note expressing how they have influenced my life. The reaction was overwhelming; it was amazing to know they missed our close friendship also.
The movie just inspired something inside me to try and recapture my fading friendships and make a move in a positive direction. Any movie that can start a revolution in your heart to make a change in your life is worth seeing. If you saw the first Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants then you will love seeing the girls back together again. If you have never seen the first, don’t worry, you wont feel lost. I highly recommend seeing this movie or at least taking a minute out of your life to recognize the friendships in your own life that maybe are attention-hungry.
But my main advice to you is: Don’t let the moment pass and to be there when your friends need you no matter how far you are. It is my wish for you that in all your friendships there will be something as simple as “pants” to bring you back together and bring life back into your relationship.
Rating: 8/10.
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture/46-societe-movies/75-sisterhood-of-the-traveling-pants-2-review
Outside Lands Music Festival
On August 22 I took my fiancé and headed to the Outside Lands music festival, which took place in San Francisco Golden Gate Park on August 22-24.
I had no idea what to expect from this festival; I just wanted to try something different for our “date night.” We defiantly got something very different than our typical “movie and dinner.”
The best thing about this concert was that you walk in and there is non-stop music playing. You could just feel the energy from the crowd as they piled into the park. As you can expect from any concert, there was a lot of amazing food from local restaurants, great drinks and interesting booths set up to occupy your time if you were not into the current band on stage.
As we made our way through the crowd we found a clear spot on a hill to set up our blankets and watch Beck take the stage. While sitting among the crowd I realized just how laidback many of the music fans were. Watching them share everything from drinks to illegal drugs, one just could not help but be amazed at how free-spirited the audience was. I have never seen people be so open before, and it made me feel slightly out-of-place and a little prudish as I yearned to remind them of the old D.A.R.E. campaign slogan, “Just say No!”
Honestly, though, once Beck started to play I hardly noticed the people sitting around me at all. The band was great and their music was perfect for the laidback setting. The only problem was that we had to leave in the middle of Beck’s set in order to get through the crowd and find a seat to watch Radiohead.
Once we got over to the other side of the park we had to make a pit stop at the ATM, which took over an hour due to the machines being broken. None of the vendors at the concert accepted credit card so cash was essential in order to get anything. Once we finally got our money we headed over to a local coffeehouse’s booth to get hot chocolate since it was freezing outside. While we were in line Radiohead started playing and it was perfect.
The band was just getting into the music when the sound cut out. I could not believe that the sound was malfunctioning at such a huge concert; people in audience were so upset. The sound cut out multiple times and it was very distracting. Eventually they figured out the glitch in the sound system and the band played a great set.
All in all it was a perfect night with great weather and the setting was mostly relaxing. Just being with the one you love while listening to great music in the background makes it probably the best night ever.
If you plan on attending this concert next year I would recommend getting there early, bringing cash, bringing blankets, bringing clothes, bringing snacks, bringing lots of water and use the bathroom before you come. This concert was very different than anything I have ever done before, but I think that is what I enjoyed most about it. It was a great adventure and the people there just make you feel totally comfortable with yourself. I didn’t get to stay for the rest of the weekend but I am assuming the concerts only got better. I would totally recommend going to this concert just for the experience and to hear some amazing artists perform. Consider this concert an adventure and tackle it head-on while dancing to the music.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Stand by me song
We all fall down,
Because there is too much on our back,
Not knowing where to go,
Because there's no clear path,
When trouble finds your way
and it's too much to keep on livin day to day
all I ask is that you Stand by me,
(chorus)
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
by me,
Life can be so rough,
It can really take a toll,
Each breath we take reminds us how fast time goes,
When no one seems to care,
I know forever in love you will be there,
I know you will always,
(chorus)
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
by me,
I am not as tough as I say I am,
I know you see right through me,
There is nothing that keeps me going on living like you,
because i know you will be the one to,
chorus)
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
For the rest of my life I only want you to be the one who will,
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
by me,
Ohhhh you always will, I know you will....STAND
(copyright katie c. moore)
Because there is too much on our back,
Not knowing where to go,
Because there's no clear path,
When trouble finds your way
and it's too much to keep on livin day to day
all I ask is that you Stand by me,
(chorus)
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
by me,
Life can be so rough,
It can really take a toll,
Each breath we take reminds us how fast time goes,
When no one seems to care,
I know forever in love you will be there,
I know you will always,
(chorus)
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
by me,
I am not as tough as I say I am,
I know you see right through me,
There is nothing that keeps me going on living like you,
because i know you will be the one to,
chorus)
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
For the rest of my life I only want you to be the one who will,
STAND..BY...ME,
No matter where I go,
I will always need you to be the one I know,
who will stand,
by me,
Ohhhh you always will, I know you will....STAND
(copyright katie c. moore)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Airport ride surprise
I guess I should put my silly airport story in writing so it remains in history for all eternity. First off I should tell you that while I was standing in the security line at the San Francisco airport I turned and noticed a extremely muscular red haired man; it was Carrot Top! Just seeing the freakishly built comedian up close was enough to set the tone for an odd trip. I was trying to snap a picture of him on my cell phone so he wouldn't notice and think I was a stalker. I ended up getting a picture of him tying his shoes after going through the line. Perhaps, the most odd thing about seeing him was that nobody cared that it was him. They were just like, "Oh that's Carrot Top," or "There goes Carrot Top." I guess being a Vegas star doesn't impress people like it used to.
So after the long flight from San Francisco I arrived in the Phoenix Airport after visiting my wonderful fiance and I was very tired. I sluggishly walked out to catch a ride home from my brother-in-law. Once I was outside he called me and said he would be arriving at the terminal in thirty-seconds. I saw his black BMW pull up in front of me seconds later and I thought it was odd he didn't get out of the car to greet me. Since I thought he decided to stay in the car and not help me with my bags I opened the trunk and threw my bags in. I opened the door and got in the car. I was about to say hello to my brother-in-law when I looked up to the front of the car and didn't recognize the man who was driving. I suddenly realized that I had gotten in the wrong black BMW, then I realized I HAD PUT MY BAG IN THE WRONG BMW!! I kindly told the people in the car I made a mistake and tired to explain how my family has the same car. Then I had to tell them I needed to grab my bag from their trunk. I was a little surprised that the people in the car were not shocked at all and didn't even seem to notice what happened. I grabbed my bag as fast as possible and tried to keep my face from turning bright red. As I was waiting on the curb my brother-in-law showed up in his white TAHOE! I was so embarrassed when the people saw that I was not even getting into a BMW. It was the worst but lucky for me I often have these "blonde" moments so I don't get embarrassed too easily. I am sure those people went home with a great story as did I. Remeber: "God is love." Rev. Katie
Monday, September 1, 2008
Step Brother's Movie Review
First of all I must confess, I LOVE WILL FERRELL! There is just something about his awkward curly chest hair that makes me laugh. I was excited to see this new film because I had heard great things about the movie from friends. I came into the theatre with no expectations and found myself laughing in the first five minutes. The whole movie is based on these two thirty-year-old men that are still living with their parents. They are forced to move in together and share a room when their mom and dad announce they are getting married. At first they hate each other but then they realize they have too much in common to not be best friends. Eventually, their parents get fed up with the laziness of the boys and force them to become adults, much to their dismay. There are tons of funny scenes that will be sure to make your mouth hurt from smiling by the end of this movie. If you are expecting a movie that is as humorous as Anchor Man, I am sorry to say you will be disappointed. This movie had its laughs and the plot was executed well enough, it just didn’t have the backbone to be a great comedy movie. Most of the scenes were forgettable and I didn’t necessarily want to recommend this movie to many, as it would only be appealing to those with a quarky humor. If you go see this, there will be plenty of laughable scenes, but for the most part you could rent this movie and be just as happy saving yourself money. In films, I don’t believe that Will Ferrell’s goal is to make an incredible film, I think his goal is to make people laugh and with this film his goal was achieved.
RATING 6/10.
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture
Mamma Mia Movie Review
Sitting in the theater waiting for Mamma Mia to start, I have to admit that I did not know what the movie was even about. The only background I knew was that it is a successful Broadway show and was trying to “make it” on the big screen. The movie opened with a singing number and from the moment I heard the soft, simple voice bust a melody I was hooked. The movie had it all: love, fighting, drama and tons of fun. Throughout the movie there is a girl named Sophie who is trying to discover who her father is so he can walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. The task of figuring out who her father is becomes more difficult than she expected when she finds out there are three men that could be her dad. The drama begins when she invites all three men to her wedding without telling her mother. The musical numbers were catchy and upbeat with the perfect mix of humor.
I found myself envying the 40-year-old women in the film, wishing I could have the energy and fun they had in this movie. Also, the scenery in this film is captivating as it showcases a beautiful village in Greece. After seeing this film, I looked into booking a flight to Greece, that is how appealing the landscape is with crystal blue water and romantic buildings. This is definitely a movie about women, FOR women, so I would recommend taking a girlfriend. The only downfall of the movie was the horrid warbling of Pierce Brosnan, which you don’t notice often because he is so good looking. I loved this movie because it was about a journey through womanhood, and as I sat next to my mom and sister laughing, I couldn’t help but relate to the characters in the movie. It captures the true spirit of every woman and indulges in the female fantasy to be a “dancing queen.” If you want to laugh and walk out of the theatre singing and dancing, then this is the perfect movie for you.
Rating 8/10.
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture
The Dark Knight Movie Review
Never has a movie had more anticipation surrounding it than the Dark Knight did this year. With all the amazing commercials and all the drama surrounding the passing of Heath Ledger, the movie was expected to be one of the top sellers this summer. It’s hard to go into a movie like that and not have high expectations. I sat, I listened, I even laughed and I loved this movie! Everything about it was well done from the special effects to the script writing. I really felt chills through my spine when I saw the joker, but at the same time he invoked a sense of comedy that made me laugh even when he was doing wretched things. By the end of the movie I wasn’t quite sure if I was going insane because I was laughing at the morbid scenarios that the joker was setting up in Gotham. I believe that it is the mix of psychotic humor and captivating action that makes this movie completely thrilling. I have been a Batman fan my whole life and this movie tops them all. It includes all the normal goodies you expect from a Batman movie, including innovative technology, great acting and exciting fighting scenes. I also loved how this Batman series is darker than the previous Batman movies. The darkness surrounding Bruce Wayne’s (Batman) childhood is fully explored in this film and several questions are answered about how the hero came to be.
Also, this is the perfect date movie because your man will love it as much as you do. It’s also got plenty of scary scenes that will provide the perfect cuddle opportunity. This is my favorite movie of the whole year and I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating 9/10.
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture
Bella Movie review
I bet you have never even heard of the movie Bella, which is why I feel compelled to make you aware of this riveting film. It’s not a major blockbuster with tons of action and it isn’t packed with movie stars either. It’s a lower budget film about a soccer player and a New York waitress who have the most empowering experiences of their lives on the same day. I cannot explain much more than that without spoiling the movie. It’s a simple story that highlights the simplicity of life and promotes the key message that, “something good always comes out of something bad.” This movie made me blissfully aware that life can change in just one second and none of it should be taken for granted. It filled me with the “Carpe diem” attitude and made me feel like I shouldn’t put off my hopes and dreams until later on in my life, but rather try to accomplish them today. Happiness in this movie was depicted as embracing relationships, loving those around you and being there for your friends when they need it the most. Be aware that this movie is a tearjerker! I am warning you because I have the mental picture of you sitting next to your potential boyfriend and watching this movie while the black mascara starts to pour down your face. The next thing you know he is running for the hills. Watch it with family, alone or a girlfriend. This movie might just change your life like it did mine.
Rating 9/10.
http://www.societemagazine.com/societe-culture
Are Celebrities Really good Role Models?
When you look back at the history of breakthrough female celebrities, the names Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Judy Garland come to mind. These women were strong role models and inspired future generations to change the way the world viewed women. The impact that pact celebrities made on the world seemed to be mostly positive, but can the same be said about the current generation of celebrities? Now the title of celebrity is not only granted to people who star in movies or TV shows but can also be bestowed upon musicians or socialites as well.
With all the partying and drug rehab you see celebrities doing it is hard to see through all the darkness that surrounds Hollywood and see someone who really stands out and makes a positive impact on society. In every magazine there are pictorials with emaciated-looking women being showcased wearing expensive brands while driving luxury cars. I am not sure how American woman can feel anything but discouraged by most of the celebrities. They are like goddesses in the sense that they are treated differently than normal Americans and are not bound by the law. How can this inspire women of our generation? There is no possible way to ever be like most of the women in Hollywood, unless you have millions of dollars to spend on material goods. Even if women had enough money to live like someone famous would they even want to?
Figuring out if celebrities are good role models comes down to figuring out what most people find inspiring. I personally get more inspired from women who put their family first and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Females who can change our generation in a positive direction or perhaps even push the inequality barriers that still exist for women today. The only famous women I can get motivation from are in the government arena. Women like Condoleezza Rice, Margaret Thatcher and Hilary Clinton. These women are promoting positive change in the world even if they are not on the cover of every magazine. They will be remembered for generations to come as being educated, strong, family oriented and devoted to making this world better. They outshine every Hollywood celebrity that is being stalked by the Paparazzi.
Bottom line: I think the celebrities are not good role models and there needs to be a wake-up call. Something has to change when all young women have to look up to as heros are promiscuous, beach-blonde women who flaunt their bodies and not their brains.
Hollywood is just not as romantic as it used to be and it’s gotten to be pathetic. I hope that our women in the United States do not aspire to be wealthy just so they can buy name brand things and party. I would hope they would want to gain wealth in order to do well in society and be able to help others who are in need.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people that are in Hollywood that are doing wonderful things to try and have a positive impact on the current generation, but the media fails to put them in the spotlight. The celebrities that are in the spotlight are those that fail to be a role model for others and only seem to be self-serving.
I hope that American woman would agree that celebrities are not good role models and that just because they are in the spotlight does make them idols. They are given the privilege of being in the public eye so they should use their fame to be someone who inspires women. I think our generation of women is smart enough to know that having lots of money or getting name brand items is not the way to have a complete life. Life is about what you fill your time with and the people you meet. So you need to ask yourself, who is your role model?
My article on http://www.societemagazine.com/world/56-world-news/72-are-celebrities-really-good-role-models
With all the partying and drug rehab you see celebrities doing it is hard to see through all the darkness that surrounds Hollywood and see someone who really stands out and makes a positive impact on society. In every magazine there are pictorials with emaciated-looking women being showcased wearing expensive brands while driving luxury cars. I am not sure how American woman can feel anything but discouraged by most of the celebrities. They are like goddesses in the sense that they are treated differently than normal Americans and are not bound by the law. How can this inspire women of our generation? There is no possible way to ever be like most of the women in Hollywood, unless you have millions of dollars to spend on material goods. Even if women had enough money to live like someone famous would they even want to?
Figuring out if celebrities are good role models comes down to figuring out what most people find inspiring. I personally get more inspired from women who put their family first and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Females who can change our generation in a positive direction or perhaps even push the inequality barriers that still exist for women today. The only famous women I can get motivation from are in the government arena. Women like Condoleezza Rice, Margaret Thatcher and Hilary Clinton. These women are promoting positive change in the world even if they are not on the cover of every magazine. They will be remembered for generations to come as being educated, strong, family oriented and devoted to making this world better. They outshine every Hollywood celebrity that is being stalked by the Paparazzi.
Bottom line: I think the celebrities are not good role models and there needs to be a wake-up call. Something has to change when all young women have to look up to as heros are promiscuous, beach-blonde women who flaunt their bodies and not their brains.
Hollywood is just not as romantic as it used to be and it’s gotten to be pathetic. I hope that our women in the United States do not aspire to be wealthy just so they can buy name brand things and party. I would hope they would want to gain wealth in order to do well in society and be able to help others who are in need.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people that are in Hollywood that are doing wonderful things to try and have a positive impact on the current generation, but the media fails to put them in the spotlight. The celebrities that are in the spotlight are those that fail to be a role model for others and only seem to be self-serving.
I hope that American woman would agree that celebrities are not good role models and that just because they are in the spotlight does make them idols. They are given the privilege of being in the public eye so they should use their fame to be someone who inspires women. I think our generation of women is smart enough to know that having lots of money or getting name brand items is not the way to have a complete life. Life is about what you fill your time with and the people you meet. So you need to ask yourself, who is your role model?
My article on http://www.societemagazine.com/world/56-world-news/72-are-celebrities-really-good-role-models
Saturday, August 16, 2008
My Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
I just saw the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and I loved it! My girlfriend and I went and enjoyed the amazing story about 4 girls who re-discover why their friendship is so important to them. The scenarios in the movie related directly to my life and my friendships. This past summer I have felt a gap in my friendships one that I have never experienced in previous years. It is not because the four of us don't love one another just as much as we did before, it's just change. Our lives are heading in completely different directions or geographic locations. Change is hard and you try to hold on to what you have left of each other: the memories, the laughter and the fun. Yet we are faced with the reality that we cannot go back we can only move towards the future. When I think of my three dear friends I love them each differently because they each bring out a different side of me that no one else can.
One is my drama queen. She is: my listener, the one who understands my past and my pain, the one who wants adventure, flirt, spice, Irish counterpart, better-half, daring diva, comedian at just the right moment, soft talker, skeptical, truthful songbird, the one who always understands my past and my future.
One is my baby. She is: my relationship therapist, sweet talker, cutie pie, adventure seeker, baby lover, emotional, cuddle queen, girly-girl, cowgirl, competitive, smart, lovable, irrational at times, always truthful, adaptable, spiritual, silly, understanding, kind, always blunt.
One is my dreamer. She is: my dream catcher, lovely, beautiful, sporty, youthful, busy, fierce occasionally, outdoor loving, passionate, religiously called, the one who makes me think, nerdy, quarky, loving, working, trendy, compassionate, a giver, the one who stands up for what she thinks.
The point is each brings something to my life that the other does not offer. They are totally different, which is what makes us work. Is there something like the "pants" that were bringing all the friends back together in the movie that we could grasp onto for a day to unite us all? Oh if only we didn't have to grow up and we might forever enjoy the simple pleasures of Boons, Cinnamon rolls at night and trying to sing duets. Life is tough when you figure out that time moves forward and not back. I keep on smiling because in my heart I know no matter where we go, no matter who we go with our friendships will remain forever. The friendship may not always look the same as it once did but it will always be there bringing us back together when we most need it. When I get married in December I cannot think of any other women I would rather stand by my side to align my past and walk me into my future. Everyone of us deserves a day in the sun I guess December will be mine and I will wait to see who will shine next so we can meet again. Forever I'll love you, Forever I'll care, Whether I am Near or Far I will always be there.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Fall Fashion Prediction: Clothing this fall is evolving into more structured masculine looks, for women!
Summer days are slowly fading and fall will be here soon. It’s time to go back to school in style and start tapping into the new trends of the season. This season think “Natural.” Stores will be filled with natural colors to enhance natural beauty. This fall the new “in” colors will be hues drawn from natural elements, such as leathers and woods. Golds, browns and rusts will be shown in every store this season. These colors create a great opportunity to mix and match pieces because everything will be easy to coordinate.
The main style for woman that will erupt this fall is a bohemian-whimsical nature. Everything from the popular T-shirt dresses with heavy belts and matching headbands, to sandals and flowered dresses. Vintage 60’s flare is also going to be in style this fall. In these designs, blues and deep purples can be found featured in the delicate details.
Patterns are back in style as well as the floral and plaids. Also, high-wasted pants and bubble skirts are still lingering this season. Long bulky coats in dark colors will be the highlight this fall, which range from jeans to A-line dresses.
You might notice female clothing taking on more masculine features coming this fall. Clothing will be taking a bolder, boxy shape. Much different than the rounded sleek clothing we've been used to. Grab hold of the Tux jackets and trousers made for women, which will flatter taller figures. Don’t be afraid to even mix in a tie into your outfit every now and then to give yourself that sexy tomboy look.
Of course, the classics will still remain in style: A-Line skirts or dresses, white collared shirts and the perfect pair of boot-cut jeans. If you are unsure what to wear, you cannot go wrong mixing colors such as black, white and grey.
For a little added kick one night, add a reflective piece. There will be plenty of shiny silver and gold accessories and clothing available that will make your outfit pop. Be sure not to go overboard with the metallic accessories, these pieces need to be used sparingly so you don’t end up looking like a disco ball.
If you are wondering what the perfect date outfit is this fall, the age old “little black dress” still does the trick. If you don’t own one of these dresses be sure to go grab one. Make sure you feel like a goddess when you put it on because this will help you glow on any date you are on.
No matter what style you sport when you go back to campus this Fall, always remember to dress the way that makes you feel most comfortable. Just try to avoid wearing your Pajamas and slippers to class if you are trying to catch that special someone; I guarantee he won’t be impressed. If you feel good about what you are wearing then people will know that you are a confident woman; there is nothing more stylish than wearing confidence.
http://societemag.com/0808/self-fashion.html
The main style for woman that will erupt this fall is a bohemian-whimsical nature. Everything from the popular T-shirt dresses with heavy belts and matching headbands, to sandals and flowered dresses. Vintage 60’s flare is also going to be in style this fall. In these designs, blues and deep purples can be found featured in the delicate details.
Patterns are back in style as well as the floral and plaids. Also, high-wasted pants and bubble skirts are still lingering this season. Long bulky coats in dark colors will be the highlight this fall, which range from jeans to A-line dresses.
You might notice female clothing taking on more masculine features coming this fall. Clothing will be taking a bolder, boxy shape. Much different than the rounded sleek clothing we've been used to. Grab hold of the Tux jackets and trousers made for women, which will flatter taller figures. Don’t be afraid to even mix in a tie into your outfit every now and then to give yourself that sexy tomboy look.
Of course, the classics will still remain in style: A-Line skirts or dresses, white collared shirts and the perfect pair of boot-cut jeans. If you are unsure what to wear, you cannot go wrong mixing colors such as black, white and grey.
For a little added kick one night, add a reflective piece. There will be plenty of shiny silver and gold accessories and clothing available that will make your outfit pop. Be sure not to go overboard with the metallic accessories, these pieces need to be used sparingly so you don’t end up looking like a disco ball.
If you are wondering what the perfect date outfit is this fall, the age old “little black dress” still does the trick. If you don’t own one of these dresses be sure to go grab one. Make sure you feel like a goddess when you put it on because this will help you glow on any date you are on.
No matter what style you sport when you go back to campus this Fall, always remember to dress the way that makes you feel most comfortable. Just try to avoid wearing your Pajamas and slippers to class if you are trying to catch that special someone; I guarantee he won’t be impressed. If you feel good about what you are wearing then people will know that you are a confident woman; there is nothing more stylish than wearing confidence.
http://societemag.com/0808/self-fashion.html
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Dating a Friend-Can it work or will you just end up getting hurt? (my July article in Societemag.com)
Lately, you've been a little more attracted to your guy friend; he is suddenly funnier, smarter and oddly better looking as if it just happened overnight. You are starting to have feelings that you have never felt toward him and you are wondering if you should try and take your friendship to the next level. Before you go and jump head first into cloud nine it is important to consider the different relationship scenarios you might encounter when entering this relationship. Looking at these three scenarios will help you discover if your best friend might be the best mate for you.
Scenario 1: You could tell your best friend that you are starting to have feelings for him and he could tell you he doesn't feel the same way. Obviously, this is the most feared of all the scenarios because no one wants to be rejected, especially by someone they thought loved them. If this happens it can result in strain on your friendship because you feel one way and your friend feels another. When you try to hang out with your best again it can make for an awkward situation to be with someone who rejected you. I feel this situation can only occur if you read your friend's flirt signs wrong. For example, if your guy friend is dating other girls or always talking about other women when he is with you, then most likely he only has interest in being your friend. Trying to capture him when he is clearly not interested is never going to work no matter what your feelings are. Signs that your guy friend has thought about dating you are: he never talks about other women or dates other girls, he calls or texts often and he always makes some effort to touch you when you are together. If you are picking up any of those signs then it is a green light and you should ask him about being more than just friends. Two friends who are invested in each other's lives and are both willing to take their friendship to the next level can definitely work.
Scenario 2: You could tell your best friend that you are having feelings for him and he would feel the same way you do. You decide to try dating for a while and have fun but then something goes south. The relationship does not work out and you end up breaking up. You could feel better than those who experience Scenario 1 because it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. You might wish you never got into Scenario 2 because now you are not only down a boyfriend but you have lost a friend. It might not have worked because there are just too many differences in values, lifestyle or goals to work through when you became a couple. Things that do not matter much when you are friends often are important when you are considering sharing your life with someone. In this Scenario dating a friend does not work and you can end up hurt and crushed but at least you gave it a shot!
Scenario 3: You tell your best friend you are interested in having a relationship with him and the feelings are reciprocated. This is more of the fairytale scenario where you date, fall in love and live happily ever after. In this case dating a friend can work and work well. There is no reason that people with like interests and who have been friends for years could not have a successful relationship. Often, it is best to try and be friends with someone you date first so you have a solid foundation to build your relationship on. Dating a friend can definitely work, you just have to both understand that your relationship that you once had will change into something new. Many times that might be why couples that were friend’s first fail at having a lasting love because they do not realize how much things change once they are committed to each other.
Take it from me, dating your best friend can definitely work, I know from experience. At the end of this year I will be marrying my best friend. We met my freshman year in college and we were best friends for three years and did everything together. It was only after we started dating that we both realized that we had liked each other all along. If we would have been brave enough to take the chance and share our feelings with one another we might have been together long before. We were both afraid of risking the friendship we had but if we had only known what it would lead to we might have shared our feelings much earlier.
Dating your friend can happen, you just have to ask yourself if you have the courage to risk it all: your friendship, your emotions and your heart. If you never risk anything in your life you can be sure you will never gain anything either. If you think you love your friend then why not go for it! The only time you should hold back your feelings is if you read his body language and you don't pick up any signs that he is interested in you. The last thing you want to do is open your feelings up to someone who just wants to be your friend and that's all. Also, make sure this guy has a great personality and holds the same general viewpoints about the world as you do or else your relationship will never work.
My three pieces of advice for you on dating your friend is to go for it, never settle and always be yourself. If you do all those three things you cannot go wrong even if the relationship doesn't work out in the end because you will still be you and that's beautiful.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Review
This month has been an whirlwind of movies: Indiana Jones, sex and the City and The Chronicles of Narnia. I must say I thought Narnia was amazing. One of my favorite parts about these movies is the exciting soundtracks. The way the music is combined with the action makes for an unreal movie going experience. I have not enjoyed a movie this good since the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The Narnia series is more than just a movie, it is filled with hidden meanings and is really an exploration of Christianity. Throughout the whole movie I could not take my eyes off the action on the big screen. A beautifully written plot accompanied by superb acting makes this movie a favorite of mine for all time. I loved the first Narnia and I feel that the second is just as wonderful. During the whole movie I waited that special moment, the moment where I could see him: Aslan. He is magic to me. Everything he is just screams God and I love the visual awaking it brings when I see that mighty Lion. The movie had several other hidden meanings that pertained to the Bible, mostly involving the children and Aslan. What I love about this movie is that it just doesn't openly express Christianity it is in everything though if you look closely. This is a great movie for non-christians because it opens the door for a discussion without being too overbearing. It was filled with adventure, magic and all the glory of the Biblical stories that were written about thousands of years ago. I recommend it for all ages and there is nothing in the movie that is undesirable for parents. See the movie and discover all over again the magic of Christ.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Writing for a new magazine: www.societemag.com
I am excited to report I am writing for a new magazine. It's geared toward young twenty year old women. I hope you take a minute to check it out.
Beauty
Eco Friendly Highlights
Think you have to head to a salon to get beautiful highlights? No way! You can do them naturally at home..
Summer is here and it's time to get that hair sunshine ready, but this time don't grab for the peroxide, bust out the chemicals, or spend hundreds of dollars on getting your hair professionally dyed. Why not try dying your hair the natural way? Your hair will be the envy of all your friends as it glows and shines with natural highlights that you did yourself.
For blondes, the most popular way to obtain natural highlights is by applying lemon juice to your hair and then laying out in the sun. Don't overdo your exposure to the sun when trying this natural beauty remedy, as the lemon juice will bleach and dry out your fabulous mane. Be sure to follow up with intense conditioning after this treatment.
Luxurious natural highlights for blondes can also be achieved by using Chamomile. Just brew a cup of strong Chamomile tea, place in an empty spray bottle and spray onto the hair, then sit out in the sunshine and let the lightening begin.
Another natural dye favored by both blondes and brunettes is made from the rhubarb root. In order to create this lock-lightener, simmer the rhubarb root in about 3 tablespoons of water for 20 minutes. Once the dye is ready and cooled, pour over freshly washed hair. Repeat several times. To get even faster results, pour the dye in your hair and sit out in the sun.
A word to the wise: adding highlights to dark hair can be tricky because often the hair will turn an orange shade rather than the rich tones you are seeking. However, used appropriately, henna can be a great way to naturally lighten dark hair. Henna can be purchased in several health stores. In order for the henna to add beautiful highlights and not brassy orange, it needs to be mixed with another hair lightener such as Chamomile to create a paste-like substance that can be combed into the hair. Once the mixture is thoroughly spread throughout the hair, cover with a plastic bag and let it sit for about an hour, or leave on until desired color is achieved. If you want the henna to penetrate into the hair faster, sit in the sun and let your hair dry naturally, then be sure to wash out the dye until the water runs clear. Another benefit to henna is it actually makes the hair feel thicker because it coats each strand of hair with a protective layer.
Sage is another effective way to bring out the rich tones in dark hair for that summer glow. This simple concoction can be made by simply boiling sage for 30 minutes, cooling, straining and pouring through freshly shampooed hair several times. Wash out the sage with water after 10 minutes until the water runs clear.
Although there are a lot of natural concoctions to put on your hair, the best way to get highlights this summer naturally is to actually just go out in the sun. That's right, no chemicals or products needed, just step out into the sunlight and let your hair catch those rays. In order to enhance the sun's effect, you can wet your hair in the pool (beware of green hair; always shampoo and condition after exposing to chlorine), shower or take a dip in the ocean; wet hair attracts more sunlight.
Now that you have been given Mother Nature's secrets to lightening your locks, be sure to be smart when using the remedies listed above. Always wear sunscreen to protect the parts of your body you are not trying to lighten from the sun. Also, it is a good idea when dying your hair to try test patches on your lower layers of hair before applying to your entire head to see if the color turns out the way you had envisioned. Remember, using lemon in your hair can make your scalp extremely sensitive so be careful when directly exposing your scalp to sunlight. Always, always, always deep condition your hair after dying to avoid dryness that commonly occurs.
Now take your fabulous highlights out for a night out on the town; with a great pair of stilettos, some pout-perfect lip gloss and a martini.
-- Katie C. Moore
Beauty
Eco Friendly Highlights
Think you have to head to a salon to get beautiful highlights? No way! You can do them naturally at home..
Summer is here and it's time to get that hair sunshine ready, but this time don't grab for the peroxide, bust out the chemicals, or spend hundreds of dollars on getting your hair professionally dyed. Why not try dying your hair the natural way? Your hair will be the envy of all your friends as it glows and shines with natural highlights that you did yourself.
For blondes, the most popular way to obtain natural highlights is by applying lemon juice to your hair and then laying out in the sun. Don't overdo your exposure to the sun when trying this natural beauty remedy, as the lemon juice will bleach and dry out your fabulous mane. Be sure to follow up with intense conditioning after this treatment.
Luxurious natural highlights for blondes can also be achieved by using Chamomile. Just brew a cup of strong Chamomile tea, place in an empty spray bottle and spray onto the hair, then sit out in the sunshine and let the lightening begin.
Another natural dye favored by both blondes and brunettes is made from the rhubarb root. In order to create this lock-lightener, simmer the rhubarb root in about 3 tablespoons of water for 20 minutes. Once the dye is ready and cooled, pour over freshly washed hair. Repeat several times. To get even faster results, pour the dye in your hair and sit out in the sun.
A word to the wise: adding highlights to dark hair can be tricky because often the hair will turn an orange shade rather than the rich tones you are seeking. However, used appropriately, henna can be a great way to naturally lighten dark hair. Henna can be purchased in several health stores. In order for the henna to add beautiful highlights and not brassy orange, it needs to be mixed with another hair lightener such as Chamomile to create a paste-like substance that can be combed into the hair. Once the mixture is thoroughly spread throughout the hair, cover with a plastic bag and let it sit for about an hour, or leave on until desired color is achieved. If you want the henna to penetrate into the hair faster, sit in the sun and let your hair dry naturally, then be sure to wash out the dye until the water runs clear. Another benefit to henna is it actually makes the hair feel thicker because it coats each strand of hair with a protective layer.
Sage is another effective way to bring out the rich tones in dark hair for that summer glow. This simple concoction can be made by simply boiling sage for 30 minutes, cooling, straining and pouring through freshly shampooed hair several times. Wash out the sage with water after 10 minutes until the water runs clear.
Although there are a lot of natural concoctions to put on your hair, the best way to get highlights this summer naturally is to actually just go out in the sun. That's right, no chemicals or products needed, just step out into the sunlight and let your hair catch those rays. In order to enhance the sun's effect, you can wet your hair in the pool (beware of green hair; always shampoo and condition after exposing to chlorine), shower or take a dip in the ocean; wet hair attracts more sunlight.
Now that you have been given Mother Nature's secrets to lightening your locks, be sure to be smart when using the remedies listed above. Always wear sunscreen to protect the parts of your body you are not trying to lighten from the sun. Also, it is a good idea when dying your hair to try test patches on your lower layers of hair before applying to your entire head to see if the color turns out the way you had envisioned. Remember, using lemon in your hair can make your scalp extremely sensitive so be careful when directly exposing your scalp to sunlight. Always, always, always deep condition your hair after dying to avoid dryness that commonly occurs.
Now take your fabulous highlights out for a night out on the town; with a great pair of stilettos, some pout-perfect lip gloss and a martini.
-- Katie C. Moore
Friday, May 30, 2008
SEX and the CITY with a side of cider beer
The moment has arrived and I feel delicious. No I am not married yet and no I didn't get a huge tax refund but the event that I have been waiting for finally happened; Sex and the City, the movie, has arrived. I went to a midnight showing on opening night and it was perfect. I met my girlfriend at a bar before the flick in order to grab some cider beer and a martini. We filled our tummies with liquid dreams and I pranced over to the theatre in metallic heals. The setting was right and the audience was packed in. Suddenly I was awakened with that sweet sound I have been missing since the show went off air, the Sex and the City theme song. The audience cheered as the girls made their entrance. I loved it, every sexy minute of it. There was no scene that was too much and I got closure for every relationship. It was like one long two hour episode except it had better outfits and more drama. It was so appropriate that I sat next to three beautiful women as we laughed and related to the scenarios in the film. I am biased because I love the show and every character on it. I must admit Carry has my dream job and I would love to have the opportunity to write the way she does. There is nothing better to me than watching a writer explore the essence of who she is and the fashion is wonderful too. For this movie I would recommend only going with your girlfriends. Don't ask you significant other, trust me they don't really want to go and do not go with a mother or other close family member where certain nude scenes can be awkward. Everything was perfect and ended the way I hoped. Couldn't help but relate to the movie at the end of the night when it was just us four girls walking away in our heals. Hello Lovers.....
Friday, May 16, 2008
P.S. I Love You
Girls, ladies, women...hear me when I say, "DO NOT SEE P.S. I LOVE YOU!" Sad movies have never been my-cup-of-tea, but this movie is more than that it makes your heart drop. I will not ruin the movie for you but I can tell you that after watching it my eyes were as red as an apple. The plot of the movie is a woman is married and her young husband dies. Before he died he left a series of notes for her telling her how to live out her life and essentially move on. Maybe it hit me more because I am getting married and just could not bear the thought of this happening at the moment but the movie just killed me emotionally. I have not cried like that since I was a teenager and my mom wouldn't let me go out two nights a week, which I thought was social murder. As I get older I find I want to fill my mind with uplifting movies and thoughts. My three movie choices are chick-flicks, comedy or adventure. I have no category for drama or horror it just does not fit with the way I want to carry out life. This movie was just sad and after the movie and even later that night it brought me down. It was filled with small bits of comedy and it was written well overall but it was shadowed by the emotional depths the movie will take you to. If you are going to watch it I recommend you snuggle up to a good girlfriend and a box of tissue because no man will want to see this. My girlfriend and I both agreed that we thought the movie was good but we will never watch it again. I am not sure whether that means it was good or bad. If you love movies like Walk to Remember or BrokeBack Mountain, then this is your movie. Don't forget to grab your popcorn.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Moving on...
Well today I officially moved into my new home and am now in Phase 2 of my life this year. Phase 1 was graduating college, moving, getting engaged, Phase 2 is moving in with my sister before I get married and Phase 3 of this year is moving to San Francisco after I get married. This is the next step to moving toward being a married woman. I am excited to finally be at this step but am physically drained because of the move. I wish I could pass out for a few days and just rest my bruised body. Now I am living with my older sister and her husband who is 8 1/2 months pregnant. I am so excited to finally meet my nephew and am looking forward to having my fiance be home for the summer. So here I am tired, sore and ready to start my new phase in life. All I need now is a martini.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Boston Lady-song
If you have ever had a friend who you met and didn't like at first then you can understand my friendship with one of my best friends. No we didn't hit it off at first and no we didn't even like each other when we met. In fact, we were horrid to each other and constantly gossiped about our dislike for the other. Friends,true friends, get over all that. We grew to love each other and here is the song I wrote about it:
When I First met you, I always made fun of you,
Whenever your back was turned I bet you could feel your ears burn.
The thought of us being friends was as real as the fake smile I gave whenever you walked by..
and I said...to everone I know...
Who is she,
Can't ya see,
She don't mean a damn thing to me,
the way she stares,
the stylish clothes she thinks she wears
Well she better NEVER say hi to me.
Then one day you asked me for a ride,
I gritted my teeth and took the wheel,
Your charm slowly grew on me in that car,
The bond I thought we would never have made became real,
and then I said,
Who is she,
Can't Ya see
She is starting to become something to me,
Her beautiful hair,
And the way she has no fear,
Next time I see her I hope she says hi to me,
Well years went on and days went by,
She and I became the best friends in each others lives...OOHHHHH,
And now I say,
Who is she,
Can't Ya See,
She's everything to me
The love she gives
And the Godly way she lives
She better never say bye to me
I said she's here to stay
never want her to go away
she better never say bye to me oh no she better never say bye to me!
When I First met you, I always made fun of you,
Whenever your back was turned I bet you could feel your ears burn.
The thought of us being friends was as real as the fake smile I gave whenever you walked by..
and I said...to everone I know...
Who is she,
Can't ya see,
She don't mean a damn thing to me,
the way she stares,
the stylish clothes she thinks she wears
Well she better NEVER say hi to me.
Then one day you asked me for a ride,
I gritted my teeth and took the wheel,
Your charm slowly grew on me in that car,
The bond I thought we would never have made became real,
and then I said,
Who is she,
Can't Ya see
She is starting to become something to me,
Her beautiful hair,
And the way she has no fear,
Next time I see her I hope she says hi to me,
Well years went on and days went by,
She and I became the best friends in each others lives...OOHHHHH,
And now I say,
Who is she,
Can't Ya See,
She's everything to me
The love she gives
And the Godly way she lives
She better never say bye to me
I said she's here to stay
never want her to go away
she better never say bye to me oh no she better never say bye to me!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Short Story-Back In the Summer of 2005
At the terminal looking at my best friend walk away that I spent the last two months with I realized I was alone. The expectant summer that was to come seemed so dark and unexplored. I had notions about what I wanted to do with my school free days. I just completed my sophomore year in college and I decided that it was time to start making money so I could become more independent. This is a moment every young person experiences the transition from relying on everyone else to pay your bills to realizing that you are going to have to start paying the bills. Naturally, the first step to being able to support yourself is to get a job.
I already had a job working at the local Baseball stadium. I got the job when I drove by the park and saw a job fair going on. I decided that I would go in and try to get hired. I basically walked in, filled out some quick information and got told I was hired before I was even asked any questions. Needless to say I was a little shocked by the lack of interest in how I perform as a worker. My boss being a male was insisting even though I had no experience being a waitress I would do great. How did he know? Since then, I have been a desperately confused waitress for the last two months.
Working part time at the baseball park only took up a few hours during my week I needed to find other employment so I would have less free time. Summer can be so boring and silent when your days are filled with nothing. The heat in Phoenix is a sweltering 115 degrees. I got up early so I could start my job- hunting while it was warm and not an oven. The search began with ease and I felt confident about the hunt. Looking around a high-end shopping mall like a tiger hunting for my pray. It took roughly less than an hour for me to decide that I could not ignore the sweat pouring down my face. It was hot and I did not feel like looking for a job when I get exhausted from just walking from store to store. The point when I realized it is not going to get any cooler is when I decided that I could apply for all these jobs on the Internet. I went home with determination to find a job, which ended up being an afternoon of watching T.V.
In the next few days I was watching my roommate go to work at a local gym and I asked her if they were hiring. Before I knew I was in the gym filling out an employment application.
Getting an interview for the gym came shortly after I filled out the paperwork. I met with the Membership director and he escorted me into his office. The interview started with him explaining that he had already decided to hire me but would have to run through one or two questions just for procedure. Imagine my shock when this is the second job I got before I even opened my mouth. I do not know what the world is coming to when a person can look at you and decide if you are going to be a good worker or not.
I started work at the gym and it allowed me to be always on the move. I was feeling so lonely; I needed to do everything I could to keep my mind focused on other things. Summer is supposed to be the greatest times in a student’s life, but I could not wait for mine to be over. I was so alone at one point I decided I needed something to take care of.
My roommate’s family owns a farm and one day I asked her about getting a kitty to keep me company. She informed me that there were kitties running wild on her farm and we could go pick one to bring home. The drive to the farm was long but I was hopeful about finding a future cuddle buddy. When we arrived at the farm I was ready to rope my kitty. These kitties were wild so you had to literally chase them down and play and spend your afternoon playing a game of catch-the-cat. I spotted a black beauty, snuck in on it and using my GREAT WHITE hunting skills I caught my prize. Feeling a sense of pride with my new captured buddy I decided that I had to buy it lavish gifts in order to apologize for my previous stunt of stealing it from its home.
My roommate and I go the brilliant idea to take it into a local grocery store inside a large purse. We thought the little kitty would enjoy the comfort of the bag; we were so wrong. The little cat started yelping as if it were crying for someone to hear it and come to its rescue. Through the scratches we proceeded through the store down to the pet section. Even though the animal’s wailing was loud we thought we could get away with our sneaky cat antics. A store worker walked by our aisle and we freaked then when he kept walking we laughed at how nervous we got when he marched by. The same worker walked by again but this time turned into our aisle and hearing the screams asked if we had a cat in our bag. We batted our eyelashes and suggested his accusations were insane. Then as he kept pressuring us with questions and the cat’s cry got louder we broke and admitted our guilt. We did not get into trouble but got informed our hairy friend had to wait in the car. Humiliated I bought kitty litter and a collar.
Days were now filled with working and cuddling with my kitty. Things were starting to feel a little less lonesome. My kitty was lovely it slept so nice on the couch and would purr when it climbed into bed with me at night. These blessed moments I shared with my kitty ended fast. The cat went crazy! It would run back and forth in the apartment and then slam itself into our sliding glass door. It wanted out, it wanted to be free from the chains of my small apartment and I had the scratch marks to prove it. My roommate and I took that same drive back to the farm and left the demented cat at the ranch. There was supposed to be another litter of kitties at the farm and we decided we would try being kitty parents once again but instructed my roommate’s mother to not expose the kitty to the outdoors.
The summer went on and I tried to ignore the feeling of loneliness I was constantly experiencing. Working so much allowed me to never just be sitting around my apartment wallowing in my pity. The truth is I felt abandon by everyone. My family did not come visit, my friends went on vacation and I had no boyfriend. No one seemed to care about how I was or call to see if things in my life were going smoothly. The silence of summer was discouraging.
Working at the gym was extremely boring and I often watched the minutes pass on the clock. The ballpark was the complete opposite to working at the gym. The park was outdoors and in the middle of summer Phoenix can be dangerously hot. By the time I walked from the parking lot into the stadium I had to sit down and drink a whole water bottle just so I would not get completely dehydrated. I would be constantly running from one end of the restaurant to the other, taking orders from people as my sweat was dripping down my face. The work was exhausting.
The only company I had in my apartment was the new kitty I picked up from the farm a few days after we took the other back. Waiting on the couch for me to return, my feline friend gave my something to look forward to when I arrived home each night. I tried to read my Bible every night so I could talk with God. I often found my thoughts to be distracted by the empty feeling in my heart.
Nights were restless. The slow hum of my air-conditioning unit would eventually sing me to sleep. One night I tried to get comfortable and I noticed there was no familiar song coming from the air conditioning. The air was hot and stagnant. In the middle of summer my air unit broke. I tried to sleep through the heat, worried that I would die in the night from dehydration. I had to get up in the middle of the night and shower because I was drenched in sweat. The next few days at work were tiring due to lack of sleep because of my air situation. It was funny when my air stopped working I thought of the soldiers fighting in Iraq. The temperature of the summer ranges well over 130 degrees. They have to wear full gear all the time and suffer hardships for the good of our country. Their situations makes me humble because I can go stay somewhere else and escape the heat while they have no choice. I am not sure how they survive with no air conditioning but I was not going to.
The calls started to the airconditioning repair man and I made one each day for roughly three days. No one returned my calls in response to my inquiry about getting my air unit fixed. Sleeping became a regimen of getting up every three hours to bathe. Two weeks went by where I had to sleep in my own sweat; I was becoming furious. I had reached my breaking point. I called facilities to get it repaired but this time my tone on the message I left was anything but nice. I screamed my heart out and laid my foot down to the answering machine.
Finally someone came to fix my air conditioning. I was thrilled that my yelling tactics worked. Since the repairmen were going to be in the house all day I decided to go to the lake with my roommates. It was just the girls out on the boat water skiing and sun tanning. The day could not have been more perfect. The ride home I checked my voicemail and one of the messages was from the facilities crew saying that something happened to our apartment and I needed to call them immediately. I called back as soon as my fingers could dial the number. The guy on the phone explained to me that while they were fixing my apartment air conditioning unit they busted a pipe and water flooded my apartment. I was devastated.
It seemed like nothing about my summer was going right. The dreams that I had about how my summer would pan out were just not coming true. Every time I felt a hint of joy like going to the lake or having a kitty it would be taken from me and I would be left with my loneliness. Why was I feeling this way and why wasn’t anything going my way? Little by little I became absorbed in self-pity. The situations may have seemed like little occurrences but I felt like they were the biggest deal in the world.
Lying in bed one night trying to go to sleep, all the struggles I was feeling were running wild in my mind. I could feel a headache slowly erupting. Thinking about the summer days behind me, I was wondering where God was in the whole thing. I did not feel his presence. Perhaps the fault was mine that he was no longer my focus. I was so attentive to my own wants and needs that I did not pay attention to Gods.
Remembering all the days that passed in the last few months, all the emotions came rushing back to me: loneliness, loss, stressed, tired, and excitement. All the time I was ignoring the one who desired to be with me. I guess you could say that was the night I rediscovered God. When you accept Christ into your life you make a vow to always have a relationship with him. Although God never left me during my deserted summer days I may have left him. I discovered this was the soul reason I could not get the depression out of my days. The empty feeling was not because my kitty tried to attack my arm, it was because I did not focus on the love God was constantly shining on my life. It is sometimes so easy to ignore God because I cannot see him. I struggled with my faith and considered the rough summer a wake up call from my God. At the end of my summer I worked hard, got all my friendships back and learned that I will never have to feel lonely again.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reliving Prom
This weekend I got to do what many girls dream of redoing their whole adult lives; I got to go to prom. No it may not have been with a guy and no I didn't exactly dance but it was still a dream come true. In order to understand why I wanted to do prom over I will have to take you back to my youthful days and share my previous dances.
All throughout High School I had a steady boyfriend, I don't recommend any girl get serious until college, we dated 3 years out of the 4 years. He was rich and full of himself and I just felt lucky to have a boyfriend. During prom season of our junior year we went to two proms since we went to different schools. At my Junior prom we sat at a table because he didn't feel like dancing and then he wanted to leave early. At his Junior prom we sat at a table, slow danced a few times and then he talked about cars the whole night with his friends. Miserable. I was hopeful that senior prom would be better after we both matured a bit. When Senior Prom did roll around my steady boyfriend and I were a bit rocky so he was not even sure if I was his first choice to take to prom with him. He accompanied me to mine and just sat and flirted with other girls the whole night and again wanted to leave early. He finally decided he wanted to take me to prom and this time he really had fun, he even danced with me to a few fast songs.When I look back at how I let myself be escorted to THE event of the year by someone who didn't even want to dance with me it just makes me sick. Those are the ruined nights that I will never get back, or so I thought.
The other night I was sitting on the sofa with my roommate and she got a wicked smile. I said, "What?" Then she looked at me with those big beautiful eyes and said, "Will you go to prom with me?" How could I turn her down? Even my High School boyfriend never really asked me to go to prom he just assumed I would be his date. Keep in mind my roommate is a High School Math teacher so my role in prom would now be more observing kids and making sure they leave room for the Bible.
So Prom day rolled around and I came home and did my hair, with a little help, and got myself feeling beautiful. My roommate and I walked out the door with high expectations. As we arrived at the building where prom was we saw girls in beautiful gowns and the realization of what we were about to do hit me. I got nervous! We jumped into the elevator and we packed in with about 13 hormone ridden teens. When the elevator doors opened my eyes could not take in the beauty of the setting. Prom was on the 38th floor and you had a 180 degree view of the city. It was magical! They served desserts and I ate my fill. They had a variety of drinks and I drank my fill. My roommate and I talked and laughed, which was more fun than I ever had at prom before. After prom was over the night wasn't done. My roommate and I and a few teachers, yes teachers, went out to a few local bars and got our fill of the prom dancing we missed at the actual prom. No High School student wants to see their teacher "get low." We waited till after the prom to let the dancing queens inside us come out. We spun, jived and swayed all night long till our feet hurt and our backs were sore. Night complete.
The next morning I felt more hungover than I had in years and I didn't even drink anything. I was tired, hurt and in pain. When I finally saw my roommate she looked at me and said, "Wasn't prom just the best?"
I could honestly look at her and say, "Yes, best I've ever been to."
Guess all that's left is to get back our prom photos and keep them forever to remember my best prom ever.
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