Goals NOT Resolutions

I've never done New Year's Resolutions. I don't like them because I know if I make them I will just break them. New Year's Resolutions to me are like assigned reading lists: no matter how much I want to read the book on the list, it's required now so I really don't want to read it. The same thing goes for "resolutions," once they are put on paper I don't want to do them. Even if I wanted to lose twenty pounds or exercise more or whatever, it's now on a list and that takes away some of the appeal. I've always decided to make goals for myself instead but still I don't always follow through. Well, my friend Kortnee has inspired me to write down my goals because of her latest blog. So, call me a copycat (and then I'll call you five years old) but here's my list of goals. I figure if I write them down (or type them up) then I can be held responsible for them. 


Here we go:


1.) I am going to finish editing and adding to my novel from NaNoWriMo (ReWitched). 


2.) I am going to submit my novel to at least 4 publishers.


3.) I am going to finish one short story a month and put it up for sale on Kindle. At the end of the year, I am going to compile the stories into an anthology and add a new story and put it up for sale. (This one may look ripped from Kortnee's list but we made the goal together so it works.)


4.) I am going to start seeing the chiropractor at least once a month. You see, I have been putting off my visits, saying that we could use the money for something else. It's true, the bills add up but so does my pain. So, I am going to start making sure I go frequently to keep my back in shape. 


5.) Bill and I already decided to start eating better. I am going to add to this and say I am going to cut down my portion sizes. I have a bridesmaids dress to fit in for November. More importantly, my back needs less weight to make it feel better. My goal is 30 pounds or 2 dress sizes (not sure which will come first).


6.) I am going to finish my novel Everything You Want, a novel I have been working on for YEARS and have in my head and need to transcribe to paper. 


7.) I am going to do my back stretches before bed at least four times a week. I am thinking Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so that I have a break in between. 


8.) I am going to read at least one book for pleasure a month. This is huge when you have a large pile of assigned reading...have I mentioned I hate assigned reading?


Alright, I think that's enough goals for one post. I wouldn't want to overwhelm myself. Thank you Kortnee for giving me the added kick I needed to put these down. I am thinking I will do blogs to follow my progress on my weight loss. I will also keep everyone updated on my writing. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year! In 2011, I made great strides to being the person I want to be. I moved, I enrolled in graduate school and I did something very important to my health: I let go of a lot of resentment that I was holding in for a few people. I stopped letting them have control over me. So that was 2011, I hope 2012 leads to even more growth. Here's to 2012 being a great year!

Oh and I am going to the beach more...

That's not a goal, it's a reality. :)

I love quotes so here are some quotes to push you toward whatever goals you want to accomplish this next year. Feel free to share your goals in the comment box (I always love to hear other people's goals).

"You can decide right now that negative experiences from your past will not predict your future."

-Terri Cole-

"When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened."

-John M. Richardson, Jr.-

"Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future."

-Denis Waitley-

"The important thing is this: to be ready at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you could become."

-Charles Dickens-

"It takes a deep commitment to change and an even deeper commitment to grow."

-Ralph Ellison-

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change."

-Barbara de Angelis-

(Thanks to these sites for the pictures:

http://www.maurilioamorim.com/2011/08/becoming-a-change-agent/

http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2011/04/1_it_is_not_the.shtml

http://jonesbeach.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=100058)

Books as Art

I've always considered literature to be works of art. Now, artists are taking this idea to a whole new level. Artist Guy Laramee carves books into sculptures and make amazing 3D landscapes. Here are some pictures of his work from his duo series The Great Wall and Biblios:

Now, the art lover in me is seeing these pieces and marveling at how beautiful they are and wondering how Laramee created them. However, the book lover and author in me is going, "What did you do to those books!?" This especially happened when I saw the sculpture that said "rare books" in the description, meaning rare books were used. Take a look:

These are really cool but I don't think I could tear apart a book. The nerd is me is screaming right now. What do you think? 

My New Addiction: Once Upon A Time

Once Upon a Time is ABC's new Fall show that airs on Sundays at 8/7 central. I don't have cable yet (haven't gotten it since the move) so I was really disappointed that I would have to miss this show since I'd been looking forward to it since I saw the preview for it in the summer. Luckily, I recently found that ABC has all of the episodes on their website. I had thought they only did this for the reality shows but I am so happy that they are putting these up because now I can catch up. I started watching the shows two days ago and am already almost caught up.  In fact, I have one show left until I have to wait for new episodes like the rest of the world. The reason I caught up so quick is that this show is purely awesome!

I am a huge fan of fairy tales. I studied the works of Grimms, Hans Christian Andersen and more in college and I always love a good modern twist on the classics. Here I must emphasize the word good. A good twist pays tribute to the classic while creating a new entity. Once Upon a Time does this! I was excited yet skeptical when I saw the previews, now I am sold. The story centers on the idea that the Wicked Witch, in her revenge against Snow White, put a curse over the entire realm of fairy tales that sent them into a realm where there are no happy endings, aka the modern world we live in. This sent all of the characters to a place called Storybrooke, Maine. The only hope of breaking this curse comes in the form of Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter, Emma, who was sent to this realm magically before the curse hit. Now all of the characters are trapped in this small town with no memory of their former lives unless Emma can break the curse. She isn't aware of where she came from either and is less than convinced when she is told this tale from her long lost 10-year-old son (given up for adoption) who has tracked her down to break the curse. He found out about the curse in his fairy tale book and, though everyone tries to convince him it is just a story, he is determined to free the characters from the realm. Are you still with me? I promise it's not as confusing as it sounds. Once you start watching, you pick up what you are meant to know and are slowly given the rest of the information.

(Emma)

The show transitions from the fairy tale land and to present time Storybrooke seamlessly and each realms' stories mirror the other's. Also backing up this show is a great cast. Ginnifer Goodwin plays Snow White and what's great is that Snow White isn't an ordinary damsel in distress, she pretty much kicks butt! Jennifer Morrison plays Emma, the one who is the hope for the characters even if she doesn't want to be. Lana Parrilla plays the Wicked Queen and does a great job of portraying evil but an evil that you know has more to it than just the stereotypical bad-guy personality. Robert Carlyle plays Mr. Gold, aka Rumpelstiltskin, and he is convincingly creepy and crazy yet humorous to the point that you want more. There are so many good portrayals in this show that I could go on and on. I will mention one more though. Jared Gilmore plays Henry, Emma's 10-year-old son that she gave up for adoption at birth, and that young boy does an amazing job! He keeps up with the adult actors around him and is adorable.


The show is from two of the writers from LOST, Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsi. I never watched LOST but that show managed to last for a long time so I am hoping Once Upon a Time lasts for a while. It's already been renewed for the rest of the season, new episodes begin in January, so I am hoping it stays around for at least a few years because the lighthearted humor mixed with some serious points creates a nice blend that I like to watch. If you like fairy tales, you should like this. Don't get too busy examining them to see if they match up (although, so far, I am finding a lot of similarities), just enjoy the show...I know I am!

Evil Queen

Mr. Gold

Henry

Snow White

Ebook Release: "Sparkly Retail Death"

My second short story, "Sparkly Retail Death," is now available for purchase from Amazon. It can be read on Kindle or on the Kindle app for iPads, PCs and MACs. Thank you to Kortnee for all her hard work editing and to Neil Wells for my awesome cover! Thank you also to my wonderful support system for pushing me forward with your encouragement. Bill, mom, dad, Sarah, Gabe, Kortnee, you are a few of these wonderful people and I can't tell you how much it means to have you behind me. (These are just a few, there are more. Sorry if your name isn't listed.) Thank you also to my followers on here, twitter and facebook for the ongoing support.

Story Description: (Short Story) Jeff has been working as a manager in a retail store for the past two years. Every day is a struggle as he works with rude customers and dim-witted employees. There is finally hope for him when he receives a call to interview for his dream job but, when he is faced with a night of working with his two worst employees, this hope might prove to have arrived too late.

Hope you enjoy!

Tales From an Insomniac

Once again sleep has decided it doesn't like me. I don't know what I ever did to sleep. I was faithful to it, I even took naps often! I enjoyed sleeping in, rolled up nice and warm in my comforter. Sleep and I had a great relationship. Then something happened...sleep left me and ran far, far away. Well, if you want to get technical about it, I was in a car accident and was cursed with Stress-Induced Insomnia.


For a while this meant that I wouldn't get to sleep until about four or five in the morning and I'd often only sleep a few hours due to pain. Slowly the lack of sleep built up against me until I was becoming a bit of a mental nutter butter. This is when I was put on sleep meds...ones that didn't work. I tried a bunch of over the counter medicines that didn't work and was then introduced to Ambien. Ambien worked, it knocked me out cold but it also didn't allow me to wake up very well. I was a zombie for half of the day and, if I had to be up by a certain time, it was worthless because of how incoherent I was. I started refusing to take it so that I could make it to appointments on time which then led back to, you guessed it: NOT SLEEPING. This is when one of my doctors suggested Melatonin, a natural sleep medicine. 


The Melatonin worked. I would drift slowly off to sleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling mostly refreshed. The only problem was I had to make sure I got a good eight hours of sleep in so that I wouldn't have troubles waking up. I used the Melatonin long enough to ease my sleeping pattern into a more normal time of going to sleep around midnight...still not normal, but better. It seems I am now stuck in this pattern as I now don't usually take my Melatonin. I got tired of calculating when I would have to be up and now I just suck it up and sleep when I can.


I know I need to start taking my Melatonin again but I hate set bedtimes. I also hate pills of all kinds and I tend to get a lot done in the middle of the night. Tonight I wrapped presents and a few weeks ago I decided to randomly clean the bathroom. My wonderful boyfriend sometimes wakes up surprised because he didn't hear me do things (like clean the bathroom). Anyway, I sit here again missing sleep. I love sleep. Sleep just doesn't seem to love me anymore. I was the child who could sleep through a tornado and fall asleep within minutes. I can still sleep through a storm, it's getting me to sleep that's the issue. 


Now I sit here thinking that I should just take a pill...but then I might not wake up early enough to finish my to-do list. Maybe I'll just start taking them again tomorrow and suffer one more night. I accept that the insomnia is partially my fault now but I don't feel like correcting it tonight, not when I've gotten so much done.


*In my midnight wanderings I found some fun stuff. There's a comic below and here is a website that lists poems about insomnia. Some of them are kind of funny, some are a bit depressing so read with care.*

(Thanks Paulette for the cartoon.
Click it to enlarge it.)

And if anyone is curious this is a site on Insomnia cures and treatments...I may be reading some of this. 

The Life of a Former Boy-Bander: Nsync Edition

I was in the car on my way home the other day and an old Christmas song from Nsync came on. I admit, I still know the words and can still decipher which one of them is singing...sad eh? This got me thinking though, whatever happened to all the boy bands? Obviously they broke up but I mean, what happened to the members? More importantly, why do I care? I don't know but I'm curious so I'm going to find out where these guys went. We all know that the Backstreet Boys and the New Kids on the Block tried to resurrect their singing careers and bring back their boy bands. To this, a lot of us went "WHY!?" but there were some happy fans out there so I won't criticize...well, not too much. So, what happened to Nsync?


In 2002, they broke millions of girls' hearts when they decided to take a "break." Every girl knows what the words "we need a break" means in a relationship but fans kept hope alive while Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez started their solo albums. That hope was killed when the official website shut down in 2006 and the hope was further stamped on in 2007 when Lance Bass said it was official. Uh duh, they didn't make a CD for four years and Timberlake's career was on fire, of course it was over, but for those few delusional fans with hope it was really really over. Before anyone asks, I lost interest long before this having put my Nsync CDs aside when I started High School (I still listened a bit I will admit but it was then that I became a closet Nsync fan). So where did these guys go? Let's take a look.


The easiest one to track down is, of course, Justin Timberlake.

Yup, that's little Justin when Nsync first started out. He was 14 when the group began. He and Chasez provided the lead vocals for the group so it isn't surprising that in 2002 he released his solo album Justified. After proving he could sell over 10 million copies world-wide on his own there was no looking back. He released Future Sex/Love Sounds in 2006. After selling another 10 million copies of this CD and multiple Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Justin decided to take a break from recording to focusing on his acting. His films have included Black Snake Moan, Shrek the Third, Friends with Benefits, Bad Teacher and the Academy Award Nominated movie The Social Network. He has also become a frequent host/guest star on Saturday Night Live and won the Emmy for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series" in both 2009 and 2011 for his appearances on the show. He also formed "The Justin Timberlake Foundation" which promotes music education in the schools. To say that Timberlake made a name for himself outside of Nsync would be an understatement. He has made sure that people know he is more than choreographed dance moves and spiffy costumes. He is also more than the boy we once knew as the one who wore matching denim outfits with Britney Spears...yeah, I had to remember that moment. He has been dating Jessica Biel for a long time now and dresses much better than he did since that horrible moment. For this we can be grateful. My props go out to the man for making a name for himself when he could have rode the Nsync fame until they vanished into obscurity.

Oh boy, it's worse than you remember isn't it?

Thanks iVillage for the flashback!

Almost 32 years old now, the boy now

dresses better. I am glad he is doing so well!

Next up: Lance Bass!

Remember Lance? Of course you do! He was the quiet, sweet guy in the group that stole many girl's hearts with his deep voice and gentle disposition. What happened to Lance? Well, in 2002 he tried to pursue his dream of being an astronaut and went through cosmonaut training. He planned on attending the Soyuz space capsule but sponsors pulled out and he was denied a seat on the voyage. In 2006, Bass came out to People Magazine with the declaration of "I'm Gay!" To some, this came as a shock. Afterall, he dated Danielle Fishel (Topanga on Boy Meets World) and locked lips with Emmanuel Chriqui in their movie On the Line. For the rest of us it was a "yup, saw that coming" moment. Either way, the boy is gay and he is out. I think the teenage Lance fan in many women cried when they read that magazine. Anyway, Bass hasn't been nearly as prominent as his friend Justin but he appeared on Dancing With the Stars in season 7 and placed third with his partner Lacey Schwimmer. He has also done a few small roles in a handful of movies and tv series but no starring roles since his teen-targeted movie On the Line in 2001. He has been very involved in charities however. The Lance Bass Foundation helps children of low-income families with health needs and he launched "uBid for Hurricane Relief" to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. He also appeared on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and donated money to a camp for disabled Russian children. He also released a memoir in 2007 titled "Out of Sync" in which he addresses his sexuality and his life as a member of Nsync which was a big step for the normally quiet Nsyncer.

Poor Lance may never see space.

Lance is now 32 and stepping out

into the spotlight a bit more.

Joey!

Oh boy, remember how often that boy changed his hair colors? Blond tips, red hair, PICK A COLOR MAN! But still we loved him. He was the goofy one and teenage girls loved it. After the break-up, Joey went on to act in a few movies, most notably My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Other than this, and a few titles most of us didn't see, we didn't see a lot of Joey from about 2003-2007 on screen. However, he was on stage in the plays Rent  and Little Shop of Horrors from 2002-2004. In 2007, Joey became a contestant on season 4 of Dancing With the Stars (yup, he paved the way for Lance). He was paired with Kym Johnson and took second place to which I still say, "He was robbed!" but thus is life. Dancing seemed to reignite Joey's on-screen career. He went on to host The Singing Bee, guest starred on some TV shows, made a handful of TV Movies and, as of 2010, he is the announcer on The Family Feud. Putting aside from show business, it is nice to note Joey has had a full family life since Nsync. In 2004, he married long-time girlfriend Kelly Baldwin and they have two little girls, Briahna (age 10) and Kloey (almost 2). It looks like Joey has found a nice balance between a family life and a career. Joey will be 35 in January.

What a cute family!

I still haven't seen anyone

top his Jive!

Chris Kirkpatrick, where have you been?

Who could forget those horrible, HORRIBLE braids? I thought they were horrible even when I was 12 and thought this group was awesome. Don't worry, the braids have disappeared but unfortunately for Chris the photos and memories of that terrible fashion choice live on....anyway, Chris was the member of Nsync that was accredited with forming the group. He was also the oldest member and is one of the harder ones to track down. He didn't launch a movie career but he did do a voice for The Fairly OddParents cartoon. Remember popstar Chip Skylark on the show? Yup, that was Chris. Other than this, we didn't see much of Chris until 2007 when Chris appeared on the VH1 reality series Mission Man Band. Yeah, you read that right: Man Band. The premise of the show was to take four former boy banders, put them together in a house for a month and see if they could create music and a stage presence that would wow people into loving pop bands again.  (Jeff Timmons from 98 degrees, Rich Cronin from LFO (may he rest in peace) and Bryan Abrams from Color Me Badd were also on the show). In January of 2007 the band performed at an Orlando Magic basketball game where they were booed off the court...I guess we know how well the Man Band idea was accepted. Chris was part of another reality music show in 2008 when he appeared on the second season of CMT's Gone Country. The idea of this show is to guide celebrities into a new career path of country music with the help of Big and Rich's John Rich. Chris didn't win but Rich said that he had one of the strongest songs of the season, and a possible chart topper, with "That'll Get Ya By." It also appears that Chris was part of a band called Nigels 11. There is a website dedicated to the band and a MySpace page but the MySpace page hasn't been updated since 2009 and the main website hasn't been updated since early 2010, with no tour dates listed, so I think it is safe to say that Nigels 11 is no more. There isn't much information on Chris besides this. He doesn't appear to be married and still seems to be trying to catch another taste of the fame he had with Nsync. I never watched Mission Man Band but I remember a friend of mine commenting on how much of a douche Chris seemed to be...I might go look at old episodes to see if it's true.

Chris is now 40.

And Finally: JC Chasez

I was a young JC fan once upon a time. When JC and Justin decided they wanted to pursue solo careers in 2002, I hoped that I would enjoy their CDs...I admit that I didn't buy either of their cds though I listened a little on the radio. In 2004 JC released Schizophrenic and the only sales information I can find say that he sold around 170,000 copies...not quite the millions that Timberlake sold. Chasez was also dropped from the 2004 Pro Bowl's half-time performance due to Timberlake's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" with Janet Jackson. The NFL feared that lyrics from Chasez's song "Some Girls Dance with Women" were too sexual and they were headed toward a terrible repeat. JC began work on a second album, The Story of Kate, but that was never released due to his separation from Jive records. Don't feel too bad for him though. He has gone on to write songs for David Achuleta, Backstreet Boys (yup, the former "enermy"), Girls Aloud and more. He has also been a judge on America's Best Dance Crew since 2008. He has also guest starred on a few TV shows and done a few movies with his most recent one, Red Sky, being in post-production. No plot has been released on IMDB at this time for Red Sky. As for JC's personal life. He's not married, no kids and has recently been battling rumors that he is gay. He claims to be straight and single so there isn't much to know about that. 

His hair sure was Schizophrenic

in this picture...

JC is 35 now.

So, there you have it. That's what happened to the members of Nsync. Justin kept being a superstar while the others settled into different forms of fame. JC and Joey seem to be living comfortably, Chris is struggling to find another band and Lance has finally begun appearing in public more. Well, that settles the questions that popped into my head...and all because I heard a song on the radio. This launched me into detective mode. Maybe I'll do this again soon with 98 degrees or another boy band that has been lost through the years. Until then, I hope you enjoyed!

The song that started this post.

(And yes, that's Gary Coleman as Santa's elf)

Thanks to these websites for their help with information and pictures:

http://www.people.com/people/justin_timberlake

http://www.williamsbayschools.org/hs/departments/business/images/web/own/2011/nsync/biography.html

http://www.sportshollywood.com/askbass.html

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-03-07-lance-bass_N.htm

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2007/10/16/joey-fatone-and-2/

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/07/02/joey-fatone-on-starting-over-with-baby-kloey/

www.imdb.com

www.nigels11.com

Starbucks is Getting Me Through Higher Education

Tonight I headed to my last class of my first semester of Grad School. On the way I stopped at the campus Starbucks, got a Venti Gingerbread Frappuccino and merrily went on my way. It was then that I realized this has become a ritual for me this semester. I went to my Wednesday class with a Starbucks in hand. Why? Because my professor was very, very boring! He's a nice man but wow, monotone voice anyone?! After thinking about it, I realized my intake of coffee has gone up quite a bit this semester as compared to my life before I went back to school.

Here I must note that coffee does not affect me like it does normal people. I don't get caffeine rushes and it doesn't keep me up at night. I drink coffee for the flavor and for the warmth (because I am ALWAYS cold). My mom is a 2 pot a day coffee drinker and is the same way. She and I both can have large cups of coffee right before bed and sleep like babies.

So why does coffee make a difference in my school life? I've come to the conclusion that coffee gives me something to do while my professor talks. I sip on my drink and pretend to listen, I enjoy the flavor and it somehow magically transforms the professor into a tolerable man. But I also realized today that I have relied on coffee for much of my adult life.

I've been drinking coffee since I was about 10 years old and I am living proof that it didn't stunt my growth as I am 5'6 but hey maybe I should have been 6 foot ;) I drank coffee during my late night cram sessions for high school and depended on it even heavier for my undergraduate years in college. The Starbucks was my first stop before my early morning classes. Once again though, it didn't wake me up with the caffeine, the heat woke me up.

I even drink coffee when I have a good teacher. I don't drink as often with a good teacher but when I feel the need to have further concentration or warmth. After I graduated college I still drank coffee but not nearly as often. I had maybe a cup or two a day and I was satisfied. I also began drinking more coffee brewed at home. For some reason I would grab a Starbucks instead of making a fresh pot and taking it with me. Why? Laziness? I don't really know. There was something about Starbucks that said, "Ah, you deserve this cup of joy during your long class" that a normal cup of coffee didn't.

Now I make a pot of coffee AND grab Starbucks on most school days. I lost my travel mug...no idea how but I did and so my traveling coffee has been purchased. Either way, Starbucks and coffee in general have fueled my education. But, if not for the awakening powers, why does my coffee intake pick back up when I am in school? I have come to two conclusions: 1.) Coffee comforts me like the security blanket of adulthood. 2.) It provides something to mess with while my teachers speak. This is the only probably causes I can come up with but if anyone cares to add, I would gladly appreciate the comments.

I also drink coffee when I write but this is purely a coffee pot dependency and I drink about 3 times as much. Does sipping my cup of deliciousness make me think clearer? Why do these two tasks call for two different forms of the same thing? I think it's because the coffee in my house is here and I don't have to leave my computer for long to grab it while I write. Either way, I thank coffee for propelling me forward.

So given that Starbucks has fueled my education, don't you think they could make it cheaper? I think the price has raised since my undergraduate degree by at least a dollar and Grad or Undergrad, money doesn't grow on trees! (The price could also be a reason why I am brewing so much lately) Wouldn't it be nice if Starbucks had a student discount? I don't see that happening but next semester you will probably see me in the campus Starbucks once again!

Top 10 Movies to See in 2012!

Every year is filled with movie releases and we all have films that we want to see. Here is a list of the Top 10 movies I want to see in 2012. I don't want to put them in order of how much I want to see them, because that would be hard to chose, so they will be in order of release dates.


1. Beauty and the Beast 3D

Release Date: January 13, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Alright, "Beauty and the Beast" is not a new movie but it's one of my favorite Disney movies and it's coming out in 3D! I'm not a huge fan of 3D, I know I'm a freak. I think it is most likely because there are SO many movies in 3D these days that I miss the good old fashioned ways of movies. PLUS most 3D movies I have seen in the past year aren't really 3D, they just add a few tricks in to make a couple extra bucks. However, I am excited to see one of my favorites back in the theaters and I am hoping they do some great 3D work with this one that doesn't make me feel it is completely done for money.

2. This Means War

Release Date: February 17, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Romantic comedy meets spy movie. This sounds fun! Romantic comedies often have two men fighting over one woman. This movie promises that the men are actually fighting in a hard core spy way as Chris Pine and Tom Hardy's character's vie for Reese Witherspoon's heart. This won't be an Academy Award Winner but it looks fun! If all else fails, it has Chelsea Handler and she is hilarious!

3. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

Release Date: March 2, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Um, it's Dr. Seuss...need I say more? If so, it's from the creator's of "Despicable Me," which was an awesome movie, and it's animated! Some of the live action Seuss movies had parts that disappointed me. I think Dr. Seuss books should be animated. "The Grinch" was great but "Horton Hears a Who" was better. Also, Danny DeVito and Betty White are part of the cast of voices, what could be better?

4. 21 Jump Street

Release Date: March 16, 2012

Why I Want to See This: I don't usually look forward to remakes. In fact, I usually view them warily until they prove that they at least have some of the merit of the original. This one looks promising! Channing Tatum and a newly slim Jonah Hill star in this remake that once starred Johnny Depp. I can't wait to see if this is as funny as the trailer makes it look! 

5. Mirror Mirror

Release Date: March 16, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Yes, it's yet another re-imagining of a classic fairy tale but it looks like it will have a special charm and humor to it that will set it apart from a long list of remakes. The main reason I want to see it though? Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen! I haven't seen Julia Roberts in many movies in the past few years and I always enjoy seeing her and she will be evil, something she usually doesn't play. This excites me for reasons I can't explain. If that isn't enough to convince you, Nathan Lane plays the Queen's servant and he is pure awesomeness!

6. American Reunion

Release Date: April 6, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Those kids who made us laugh with their hilarious quests to lose their virginity are back and they are all grown up...kind of. The gang is back to reminisce at their high school reunion and lots of quirky, humorous antics are bound to follow. The best part is that they got the entire original cast back to make us laugh! Yes, that includes Jim's dad and Stifler's mom and it looks like something is going to happen there. I can't wait!

7. Marvel's The Avengers

Release Date: May 4, 2012

Why I Want to See This: 2012 will be a year full of comic book hero movies. This one combines everyone's Marvel favorites, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and more! The movie has an all-star lineup! The only recast from the previous films is Mark Ruffalo will replace Edward Norton as the Hulk. I think he will do an excellent job. It will be exciting to see how they meld together all the heroes to make one giant franchise film that mirrors the comics!

8. The Amazing Spider-Man

Release Date: July 3, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Let's face it, Tobey Maguire was getting a little old to be Spider-Man and, after the horrendous third movie, they needed to start over. This film will bring Spider-Man back to his younger days and his origins. Andrew Garfield looks like a promising new super hero and he has a great cast to back him up with Emma Stone, Sally Field, Martin Sheen and more. Admit it, Spider-Man looks pretty bad-ass! Let's hope he is!

9. The Dark Knight Rises

Release Date: July 20, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Anyone who knows me knows that Batman is my all-time favorite superhero! I have all the movies (yes, even the "bad" ones) and I have loved Batman since I was young. If I had to choose the movie I was most excited to see next year, it'd be this one. Christian Bale is back for the last movie in the trilogy and he will be battling Anne Hathway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane. The movie looks like it will be as amazing as the others and I am anxious to see how they end the series.

10. The Hobbit

Release Date: December 14, 2012

Why I Want to See This: Most "Lord of the Rings" fans will be flocking to see this prequel to the films. I have never seen any of the "Lord of the Rings" movies (I know, I am weird) but I have started reading "The Hobbit" and the entire series has been on my list of books to read since before my accident. I will be excited to see how the book is portrayed on screen after I have finished reading it. I have heard that the entire series has been true to the books, something very important to me, so I look forward to seeing this film.

So ends my list. There are many more movies that I want to see next year but these are definitely the Top 10. What movies are you most eager to see?

My Christmas Letter

This Christmas season has been a busy one so far and I don't see it getting lighter anytime soon so I have decided to blog my Christmas letter. People will get cards, hopefully everyone since I don't have everyone's addresses, but they won't include a letter. So this year's Christmas letter will be a Christmas blog. Enjoy!


To my Family, Friends and Readers,


This year is quickly coming to a close. It's been a busy year and I have a lot to report. As most of you know, I was accepted into the Graduate program for Library and Information Science at Long Island University, CW Post, at the beginning of the year. Since then, Bill and I have relocated. Before the relocation however, a lot happened.


I helped plan my sister Kristin's wedding and it went great! Kristin and Jason were married on June 4th and the wedding went smoother than I could have hoped. I spent the months before the move planning and going to doctors. I saw a brain specialist, pain specialists, chiropractor and more for months. I finally was cleared to go to New York after months of procedures and shots. I still see a chiropractor and have pain daily but I'm learning to live with it and things are getting better.

Me, Dad, Kristin, Mom and Sarah at the wedding.

The happy couple.

The Happy couple and

my two nephews, Gabe and Addison.

Also in June, we added a new member to our family: Oscar! He is a happy little Corgi and is already 8 months old. Time has flown by! He is happily roaming around the apartment looking for fallen food as I speak.

Oscar with his giant cookie!

In July, mom and dad packed us up and we left Colorado for New York, stopping along the way in Iowa to see family. It was great seeing everyone and I miss them already! We got to New York in August and moved into our apartment. Dad and mom carted the U-Haul as we made our way across the country. I'm so grateful they were there to help! 

Camping with the family on the way to New York.

Grandpa was the only one who noticed the camera.

Me, my cousin Megan and Bill.

Bill and I at the Field of Dreams.

We stopped there on our way to New York.

In August I started working for the first time in almost two years. It's been difficult to work through the pain but I am getting more used to it every day. Working retail around the holidays has been interesting (see the blog posts on it) but it's great to be working again.


In September, Bill and I celebrated one year of dating (we celebrated one year of knowing each other in July). We are very happy and I can't imagine my life without him by my side. He has made life so much better since my accident and he reminds me every day how lucky I truly am.

Bill and me at the zoo.

Bill and me at my first Jets training camp.

(Broncos are still my number 1 team!)

Also in September, I officially started Grad school. This semester has been long but it's been great to be back in the classroom. I've had to do some adjusting in my studying because of my brain but it is worth it. I am just glad I haven't had tests yet because my memory still isn't the best. The semester is almost done and I can't wait for next semester when I get to actually take some classes geared toward my future profession: Children's Librarian. I have one more paper to write and then I am on my way.


In November, I decided to do some big things concerning my writing career. First, I self-published an ebook, a short story, with the help of my editor, Kortnee. "Trapped" is now available for purchase and has recently been re-priced at $0.99. (I am still playing with prices to see what works). I also participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and finished a novel in 23 days. It is currently being edited by me before I send it to my editor. I'm also working on a short story to release for December. The goal is to release one a month. I'm also having one of my children's books illustrated to put on Nook. I'll be keeping everyone updated on my blog.

Now we are in December and things are finally starting to die down after a rush of homework. I'm working a lot because Christmas is rapidly approaching. I'm enjoying all the Christmas lights that are going up and hope to get my tree up this weekend. I also hope to get my cards out, presents wrapped and last school paper done. Maybe I'll find time to see the tree at Rockefeller Center since I've never been there...if not, there is always next year. It will be a busy month but it will be worth it. This will be my first Christmas without my family and I miss everyone terribly but I will be home in January to visit! I can't wait to see everyone! 


I guess that sums up the year. I hope everyone follows my progress on here concerning my writing and everything else in life. Thank you to my family and friends for their love and constant support and thank you to my readers for following me through this year.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Jilly

Happy Holidays from our house

to yours!