Announcing: Movie Madness

I have decided on the theme for March. In truth, I decided on the theme for March a while ago and have finally decided to reveal it.

The theme for March is...Movie Madness!!



During March, I will be highlighting movies. This means a playlist built around great songs from movies. It means lots of movie reviews, as well as movie suggestions. And certainly not last, it means movie-related book reviews. I will also unveil a movie-related contest and my favorite movie of all time.

I'm really excited about this theme and hope that you will join me in celebrating some of the great movies out there.

Feel free to suggest movies in the comments for me to think about including in March.

Around Charleston: Cypress Gardens

Above are lovely shots of the swamp land at Cypress Gardens. It's a lovely place where you can take a glass-bottomed boat tour of the swamp or trek on the nature trail around the swamp. If you're lucky, you might even see an alligator! In addition to the swamps, the gardens also has a reptile house and butterfly house to enjoy. The last time I visited was on a field trip with kindergartners last year, so most of my pictures contained kids (hence the limited supply of good shots).

Interesting tidbit about Cypress Gardens? It has been featured in several movies, including The Patriot, The Notebook, and North and South.

If you would like to learn more about Cypress Gardens, you can do so by visiting http://www.cypressgardens.info/.

Plans for the Blog

Wow guys. I don't even know where to go. I feel as though I'm out of it after missing yesterday. I had a lot of blogs to catch up on. I read lots of posts, but didn't comment on any today because I wanted to get to my own posting. I hate letting things stack up, but sometimes you have to take that time to listen to your body. I think the unusually cold temperatures have been making me more tired than normal.

Today I'm going to focus on things I want to try out for the blog in the new year. I figured January would be a good time to try out some new features.

Upcoming features:
1. Interviews - with followers & other bloggers
2. Book Reviews
3. Recipe Reviews
4. Writing Advice
5. Songs of the Day (continuing this one)
6. Movie Reviews
7. Contests

I know there's more and I'll include them when I locate them, but for now, that's a list to get you excited. I'm going to try to get things organized and ready to go this weekend as I have a busy semester ahead of me.

Keep an eye out tomorrow (hopefully) for pictures of my new haircut!

Song of the Day: "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis
I chose this song in celebration of Elvis' birthday today.

Yesterday's Song of the Day: "Twilight" by Vanessa Carlton
I chose this one because it kept coming up on my CD player on the way home. I've liked this song for years. It's an older one, so I thought I would remind people of it.

What's in an age?

Have you ever been questioned about your age or assumed to be older or younger than you really are?

It happens to me all the time. I'm currently 23 and people constantly accuse me of being 16. While this isn't the worst thing in the world, it can certainly be frustrating sometimes.

Take today for example. My mom, sister, and me went out to dinner together. We went to the local Chuck E. Cheese. To help protect children and insure they leave with the right adult, they give each group that comes in a blacklight stamp with a number. A child's number must match with the adult to leave the premises. As a teacher, I think this is fabulous.

But, it can be troublesome when you are obviously past the pre-teen age. Even in high school, we would enter and my dad would tell them "Oh, they don't need stamps" and it would all be fine. My parents knew we wouldn't leave without them. It's never really been a problem before.

Today, however, we enter and the worker gets the stamp ready. My mom says "we don't need stamps." We all stand there, ready to enter, and they question our (my sister and mine) ages! I'm quick to respond that I'm 23 as I've been in similar situations before. As we're entering the restaurant, one worker says to the other "I thought she was 16." This annoyed me. I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps I need to listen to yesterday's song of the day and remind myself that it's only words.

What about you? What annoys you?
Do you ever get mistaken for a different age? How do you feel about it?

Song of the Day: "Elephant Love Medley" (from Moulin Rouge) featuring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman
This song was actually chosen by my sister, Crystal. I asked her to help me choose a song and this was her suggestion. Her reasoning? It's a mix of some of the greatest love songs. Plus, it comes from her favorite movieMoulin Rouge.

Month of Holidays: Day 29

Our top 5 lists of the decade continue! Remember, these are all in my opinion and I welcome your own lists!

Top 5 Blockbuster* Movies of the Decade
1. Pirates of the Carribean
2. Troy
3. Lord of the Rings
4. Prince Caspian
5. 10,000 BC

Top 5 Lesser Known* Movies of the Decade
1. Elizabethtown
2. Undiscovered
3. Tristan and Isolde
4. Stardust
5. Casanova

Top 5 Bands of the Decade
1. The Killers
2. Shinedown
3. 3 Doors Down
4. Blue October
5. The Fray

*Blockbuster movies are ones that were well known when they came out. Lesser known movies refers to those movies that I've enjoyed that people give me that confused look when I mention the title of it. You may or may not have heard of these.

Also, I recommend heading over to http://twotowrite.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-contest.html for a cool contest.

Song of the Day: "The Dance" by Garth Brooks (since we're remembering the decade...)

Month of Holidays: Day 21

This post is not going to be made of win for two reasons - I've got a cold (just in time for break) and there's some family drama taking place tonight. However, I was determined to keep with my daily record for the month. I have not missed a day of our holiday posts and I'm not about to start now.

So, onward with the countdown song!

"On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me,
ten lords-a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids-a-milking,
seven swans-a-swimming,
six geese-a-laying,
five gold rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree."



Today's list was going to be ten things that make you leap for joy (or make you happy). I'm going to try my best to give you mine, but no promises.

My list:
1. writing
2. spending time with my family
3. teaching
4. pets
5. making new friends
6. shopping
7. reading a good book
8. watching a good movie
9. dragging out the old Barbie dolls and creating stories with them
10. getting comments from wonderful readers!

What are ten things that make you leap?

Song of the Day: "Jingle Bells" by Bing Crosby

Month of Holidays: Day 18

The countdown continues and so does our song. Plus, I have some exciting videos for you of my dog unwrapping a few of her Christmas gifts! My break has officially begun and I'm excited to just relax and probably write.

First up, the countdown song...

"On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
seven swans-a-swimming,
six geese-a-laying,
five gold rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree!



Today's list is of my top seven non-animated Christmas movies.

Here goes:
1. Borrowed Hearts
2. The Holiday
3. Love Actually
4. Holiday in Handcuffs
5. The Santa Clause (all three!)
6. Jack Frost
7. The Christmas List

What are a few of your favorites?
View a list of Christmas Movies here: http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/christmas_movie.html
From what I can tell, it is not a complete list.

And the fun videos:







Song of the Day: "Christmas Pipes" by Enya

Month of Holidays: Day 17

It's me again! With our Christmas countdown!

So, let's get to the lyrics for today. I have another surprise for you after them!

"On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
six geese-a-laying,
five gold rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree!"



Today's list - what are your six favorite animated Christmas shows?

Mine are:
1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. Frosty the Snowman
3. Disney's Christmas Sing-a-long
4. Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas
5. Balto (Not really Christmas, but definitely winter)
6. Charlie Brown's Christmas

What are yours?

And...now...for...the...SURPRISE!!!

To: All of You
From: Me

The card below was made especially for all of my wonderful friends, family, and followers.



Song of the Day: "Jingle Bell Rock" by Neil Diamond

Lots to do....this will be short

Sadly, this blog is going to be short. I have a lot I want to get accomplished tonight and little time to do it in.

Last night at 1 A.M., Crystal and I went to see New Moon. It was much better than I had expected. We had lots of fun and even dressed the part (just for fun...we really are not crazed fans or anything).



I had class Friday night and Saturday, so my brain is still pretty worn from it. It was my Race, Class, & Gender course. I will have to share some of my opinions someday with the blogging world. I have learned a lot that I would love to share - when I find the time.

Right now, I am going to go edit the next chapter for Two to Write and then do some other writing after that. I am taking a break on NaNoWriMo for tonight. Unless I get creative that is.