Kate and William Engaged!!!

I can't believe it, the day is finally here! Kate Middleton and Prince William are finally engaged!!!!!!! I really want to say how happy I am for them. Also, since I am somewhat of a wedding fanatic (if you couldn't tell from my previous posts) I would like to say that I'm really proud of them for waiting as long as they did. Considering all of the sad events surrounding William's parent's marriage, I think the royal family has learned a hard lesson. This wedding will be the first grounded marriage we have seen from them in a long time. 

Kate herself is a wonderful addition to the media. Though a lot of people are uninterested in her because she is a "commoner," I think thats exactly what makes her shine. She isn't worried about living up to anyone's expectations and so has lived her life like a normal, happy young woman. She is a great role model for young girls with her classy style and positive values. She is so easy to respect. (Something you don't see very often these days)

I can't wait for the wedding (I'm still trying to find a way to get there) and I can't wait for them to start their life together. 

Congratulations William and Kate, you really deserve all the happiness in the world!

Katy Perry- Firework

Just saw a tweet about this video and thought I would take a look. Its Katy Perry's new song, "Firework."

I've always liked Katy Perry, but had no idea she was willing to be so "real" with her songs. This is by far her greatest one yet. Truly enjoyed it and LOVED the video! Every time I hear the song I wish I could be watching the video as well! The video really amplifies the lyrics in a great way. Enjoy!

Magic Monday is Extraordinary

Warm Potato Salad? Check.

Well, Friendsgiving was a success and I can’t believe its already over! We spent so much time preparing, cleaning, learning about turkey roasting and coordinating who was going to bring what, and its already over! Now I’m sitting back, eating leftovers and getting ready to have ANOTHER Thanksgiving in a few days. I can’t believe it! I am so lucky. I had such a fantastic time with my wonderful friends and I know Thanksgiving with my family will be just as incredible.

Thanksgiving at my house isn’t what most would call “typical.” Like the many dishes on the table, there will be a mix of people from a myriad of backgrounds. Though we are now one big family, very few of us are actually related at all. Heres a breakdown of our crazy table:

Family Group #1: My mom passed away when I was 15 from breast cancer and in 2007 my dad remarried. My new stepmom, who is also a widower like my dad, has two children of her own. This makes a combined total of 5.

Family Group #2: Enter the in-laws. Both my dad and stepmom’s parents are deceased, but they are very close with their in-laws from their first marriages. So, though they no longer have children to visit, both sets of grandparents come to be with the rest of us anyway Add 4.

Family Group #3: The siblings. My mother’s brother and his family are always there, but they are only related to my grandparents and me. (Next is the hard one, stay with me.) My stepmom’s first husband’s sister’s husband also comes to Thanksgiving from time to time. She has also passed away and though he isn’t technically related to us, he is definitely family and so are his two boys. Add 6.

This makes a discombobulated table of 15 people. It is a table formed from the death of loved ones, but it is the happiest of tables because we understand that even loss can bring new blessings in disguise. Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. Now get your turkey on!

In love with Alexandre Desplat.

Just found this on youtube and had to blog about it! Alexandre Desplat, the newest composer to join the HP movie franchise, in a Behind the Scenes interview on the score he has composed and how it was recorded. The music sounds like its going to be absolutely phenomenal. Though the video only plays short snippets, I can already tell he has done a great job of building off of what was already there. Like the story and characters, the score has matured. The music seems to reflect the growth of this world we have come to know so well and the darkness it is so deeply devoted to fighting.  I am excited and terrified for the new HP movie at the same time. It will be the end of an era for my generation, but its been one of the most magnificent journeys!
Take a second to watch the interview with Alexandre Desplat and if you haven’t watched the newest trailor, click the link below! (pay attention to the muuuusic.)


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Trailer

Councilman Joel Burns and "It Gets Better."

If you haven’t heard about Councilman Joel Burns and his amazing speech to the Fort Worth City Council you are missing out on a wonderful addition to history. I just found his video and I think its phenomenal. Councilman Burns was moved to speak after hearing about the attacks on Gay teens in the area and was hit especially hard when a teen committed suicide after receiving unsupportive reactions from representatives at a City Council meeting. He asked to use his personal time at the City Council Meeting to express his support for “It Gets Better” and wrote the speech during his lunch hour that day. The speech he ends up giving is one of the most heart wrenching and emotional ones I have ever heard. Councilman Burns expresses himself  so clearly and shows so much compassion for others. He even gives out his telephone number at the end of the speech.Please take a second to watch this video, I know you will consider it time well spent. The topics aren’t always pleasant, but I think you’ll find it hard not to smile at all the love this man possesses.

A Few of My Favorite Phrases...