Her heart did go on....

Kate Winslet - one of my most favorite actresses ever. From The Holiday to Titanic - she can do it all. She is one of the classiest actresses out there. She is never in any scandals or a trouble maker among Hollywood. She has always been a lady and also an incredible performer.

Finally, this year in The Reader she was recognized for her amazing abilities and received the Academy Award for Best Actress. She had some pretty stiff competition as well.

One of my favorite things about the awards this year was how they did the presentation of announcing the nominees for the Best Actor/Actress awards. If you have no clue what I'm talking about - instead of just regular presenters they had 5 of the past winners of the award come out and talk about the nominee, their performance and their overall character and career. It was very moving.

Now after Kate Winslet won the award for The Reader - I kept forgetting to go see the movie. And months later it is now on DVD and I finally rented it!

Now for those of you who know nothing about the movie, it is set in Germany beginning in the 1930s I believe and goes up to probably the late 80s. I can't give too much away but it begins with Kate Winslet's character Hannah having an affair with a teenage boy. During their affair, she always had him bring home books from school and read to her. Further down the line their affair ends- they go their seperate ways - Michael goes to law school and unfortunately, Hannah joins the SS and works at a Nazi concentration camp. I don't want to give too much away but later in life their paths cross again and Michael is torn between his love and care of Hannah with his moral obligations.

This movie took so many unexpected twists and turns for me. So, hopefully if you have any desire to see it you don't know too much about the film and can be surprised all the way through. I also was very intriged with the movie because of the Holocaust/Nazi Germany/Germany in general part of the movie. For anyone that knows me, you know that I have a morbid fascination with the Holocaust and can't get enough of learning about it in all aspects. I'm a weirdo - I know. But for whatever reason, it took a hold of me and I will always be interested in it.

All in all, Ms. Winslet gives an incredible performance (like always) and I'm so glad that her as an all around artist and actress was finally recognized.

I HIGHLY recommend this movie. It was one of the best I've seen in quite a while. Well, not including 17 Again - but it was up there. hehe

After browsing through blockbuster, which I hadn't been in quite a while, I realized that there are so many movies out on DVD that I want/need to see....Milk, Doubt, Henry Poole and so on.

Definitely looking forward to those - but I most definitely recommend The Reader for your next trip to the video store.

PS: They will eternally be my favorite couple together. I think they are soulmates.

This is the last chance....

Tonight I spent a couple hours with 20 some teen/preteen girls painting nails, doing hair and putting on temporary tattoos - and the best part was High School Musical 3!!!
That's right - tonight my "little" and I attended a fun filled evening of girlie stuff.
I've been matched with my "little sister" Nina for about the past month and a half. This was our second outing and we had lots of fun.
Not to mention the fact that I got to watch High School Musical 3 and felt better about it because it was "for the kids." haha I'm a closet HSM fan and secretly wish I was one of them. I wish I got to sing and dance like that all over high school! Those years would have been SO much better. lol
In any case, things have been going well with my match. She is 12 years old, going on 18. It's kinda crazy because she is 12 yet she is taller than me. haha I guess I never had that growth spirt. She also looks about 16, which to me isn't the greatest thing for a young woman. Either way - she is a very nice girl, but definitely in need of a mentor type person, which I guess would be me. She comes from a different kind of home - including having a father who is in prison. She also lives in a pretty bad neighborhood. And to tell you the truth, I am actually nervous being at her house and in her neighborhood at night. I'm pretty sure she isn't comfortable either because she always wants me to walk her to the door and its not far from where the car is parked. She is a tough girl who has been through a lot but she is very sweet. She can be very shy at times, but other times I can tell she wants to open up to me and talk about things more, which I like. I think every kid should have an adult like that who they can talk to about anything - things they don't feel comfortable talking to their parents about.
We are still getting to know each other - so I'm sure the comfort level will ease up and things will be more fluid.
I'm still really happy that I decided to become involved in this program. Not only am I (or at least I hope I) am making a difference in a young person's life - which is the most important part - but selfishly, I'm happy about it because it continues to give me perspective on so many things. There are so many people in need of help right here in our community that most of us don't realize it because we just don't see it. Yet, it is all around us. There are so many disparities and so many differences in communities and ethnicities and economic backgrounds.
Here is an example of this: Tonight at the HSM party - the room was full of white woman as Bigs and 90% of the littles were african american. This is in no way a racist comment - just a reality in our community of unfortunate circumstances. But it is so nice and hopefully to see a room full of committed women who take time out of their busy lives to be a mentor and give back.
I definitely have to hand it to the BBBS organization for all that they do and how committed they are to making this program a success. They plan SO many different events, mostly free of charge, that are fun for bigs and littles alike. It helps to have events and ideas of keeping the mentor/mentee relationship fresh and exciting. The worst thing is the idea of people going through the program and then once the novelty wears off and they actually have to start doing and planning things - they are over it. The events are wonderful! I can't wait for our pizza party next week! Woohoo!

I encourage all of you to do whatever you are able to do to give back. And if any of you are interested in being a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization...please let me know and I'll hook you up!
Here is their website if you're interested in learning more...
BBBS

PS: I have a massive crush on Zac Efron - guilty as charged.

I'm like the ring leader...I call the shots....

It's gonna be a CIRCUS!!!!!!

Friday night - Britney Spears LIVE at the Target Center!

With Special Guest - The Pussycat Dolls!

It is FINALLY here!!! Not only have I been waiting since December 1st when we bought the tickets, but I've been waiting since the LAST time (and only time) I've seen Britney in concert which was back in 2001! That last show was the only time brit has ever been in concert in MN, besides when she was here as an opener for *NSYNC at the Orpheum. Can you even stand it???? I can't!

Here is a picture that I personally took from when I saw Britney in concert. YES, I was that close. She had a big stage and a walkway to another little stage and we were in the second row of that little stage. It was AMAZING!

As most of you probably know - I LIVE for these pop concerts. It is the greatest time for me; I'm in my own little world and I scream and sing and dance and am completely in my element. As many of you that have been to concerts like that with me, you know. hehe My latest pop adventure was back in October when my sister and I went to see New Kids On the Block! One of the most fun nights I've ever had with my sister. I still remember when they first came out on stage, we are going nuts, and then my sister turns around and points to her eyes and is mouthing to me, "I have tears in my eyes!!!" lol It was great! It was the first time Eliz and I had seen NKOTB in concert and considering that we were NUTTY over them when we were younger, it was long overdue! hehe

ANYWAYS - focus...britney....

So this Friday, my very good friend Theresa and I will be taking on downtown Minneapolis for an amazing night! Since now I'm working 1/2 days on Friday, Theresa was able to get a 1/2 day as well so we will start our night early!

We will be getting together at her house around 2. We will get our hair and makeup did and gear up. Heading down to Mpls around 4...we will stake our place at whatever restaurant/bar we end up at. The earlier the better, because with a concert like BS on a Friday night it is going to be CRAZY!

The show starts at 8:00pm - so we will be in our seats and ready to go. The Pussycat Dolls are opening which I am super pumped about for two reason...

A) They kick ass. They are so entertaining - AMAZING dancers and just put on a great show. Always fun to have a fun opener to get you even more excited for the main act.

2) I'm excited because I am friends with the tour manager of the Pussycat Dolls and he is totally hooking us up with tickets! Wooohooo. Our current tickets are decent, even though we bought them right away when tix went on sale, but they aren't the greatest. I'm not sure where the seats are of the tickets that Bryan will leave us at Will Call on the day of the show - but I'm pretty positive they will be SWEET! He hooked me up with tix the last couple times PCD was in town opening for Christina Aguilera and Black Eyed Peas. I have no doubt that these tickets will be just as good! :-)

After the show, T and I will be hitting up downtown and dancing like only britney can. haha We were thinking about hitting up the 90's - you KNOW they have to have a britney after party going on there!

All in all - I couldn't be more excited to see my Britney once again. One of my very favs - who I've been a cheerleader for from the very beginning. Even through the rough times when everyone said she would never bounce back. I kept the faith and always knew she would be back and better than ever!!! That's why I heart you, Britney!!! I almost bought this t-shirt I saw online once but I haven't been able to find it lately - but on the front, all it said was - Britney Spears Changed My Life

I WANT IT! haha

I've been with Brit since that ugly yellow jumpsuit...lol....and I'll be with her 4 ever.

If only she could meet me - I know we would be great friends....

ps: I'm never giving up hope........