May Recap

Books
Books read to date: 22/50
Pages read to date: 5303
Finished

Savour The Moment
The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel

Continued
Wise Man's Fear
Started
Water for Elephants

Savings 

Monthly savings: $25.07

Year-to-date savings: $281.99

Book Journey

Connecticut, Scotland

Movies

Thor!
This is defnitely a movie I recommend seeing. I love comic book adaptations. I can't say I know the story of Thor very well but the movie was good. Chris Hemsworth is amazing and he needs to make more movies. Pronto.

Pirates of Carribean 4.
It was good. It was the same as the rest of them. At some point they should stop making these.

Fitness
Aerial yoga has sparked an interest in yoga for me again. I've started to take on my own practice at home, but I'm sad to say it's not going well. I'm not dedicated enough.

22/50: The Exile: Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Becca from BookNerdBecca recommended that I read this book since I've read Outlander. I put it on hold at the library and finally it came in. It took me one day to read it. It certainly helps to have read the novel first so you can fill in the blanks.

While I'm not a huge graphic novel fan, I appreciate what Gabaldon did here. She gave us another side to the Jamie/Claire story and helped us understand a few things the book didn't explain.

Great artist as well. The detail of the major scenes were beautifully drawn. Claire was just as stunning in this graphic novel as she was in my head. Jamie was almost spot on from what my mind created while reading the novel. Black Jack Randall looked like the evil bastard that he was and the rest of the Scots fit the profile.

After reading this book I'm eager to get back into the series. I miss Jamie Fraser!
SBC 2011: Book in a genre you don't normally read - Graphic Novel - 15 points
Book Journey: Scotland

View all my reviews

Chic Fit Geek's Harry Potter Challenge

I have lasted a long time without reading or even spoiling Harry Potter for myself.

Currently I have read books 1 - 3 and watched the first 2 movies (not that I remember much since it was a long time ago). After that I am still clueless as to what happens in the series. I pride myself in that. I'm not sure how I did it, but I did.
The time has come to finish the damn series and join the rest of the muggles in the world.

With the release of Part 2 of Harry Potter 7, I have come to the conclusion that I need to get  my butt in gear and read on. My friend has asked me to see the final movie with her in the theatre, so I have until July 15th (or shortly after) to finish all the books, and the movies. Think I can do it??

I am just finishing up Wise Man's Fear. A large and superfantastic book (GO READ IT! .... after you read Name of the Wind...) Once I'm finished this one, I will be diving head first into the last 4 Harry Potter books.

Here's the goals
Finish Wise Man's Fear - most likely this weekend as long as Frenchie understands the need, which he does since he read it and has been itching to discuss it with me
Read HP and the Goblet of Fire
Read HP and the Order of the Pheonix
Read HP and the Half-Blood Prince
Read HP and the Deathly Hallows
Re-watch Movie 1
Re-watch Movie 2
Watch Movie 3
Watch Movie 4
Watch Movie 5
Watch Movie 6
Watch Movie 7 part 1
Watch Movie 7 Part 2 - in theatre

I have until July 15th (or shortly after) to do the above and....
Get married!
Go on a honeymoon for a week at which point I will switch to reading a few of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I've been told they are definite honeymoon material kind of books *wink*

I've been told it's doable. I work a full time job M-F and teach dance one night a week. I typically read 1 book every 2 weeks, but I've been known to read more depending on the length and how invested I am.

If you want to participate, let me know! I haven't found very many folks in this blogging world that haven't read them yet.

Wedding Wednesday: May 25, 2011

24 DAYS!!

The Final countdown is on! It's coming so quickly now. Things are falling into place and there are just a few details to finish up. The accomplished list is finally larger than to the to-do. This past weekend was 3 days long so we got a lot finished. There are still 5 people remaining to reply to the wedding. We're two weeks over the reply date. We built in a buffer, but it's dwindling fast. We need our numbers by NEXT FRIDAY already! AAAHH!! I can't believe that!
What was accomplished:

• Email other guest hotel with new contact information
• Song list provided to DJ
• Photographer shot list completed and returned
• Put together ceremony programs - 24 left to do, but we need a sunny day
• Met with Wedding planner - Best decision ever!
• Made a few flowers changes
• Thank you notes for shower written and sent
• Called remaining RSVP's - 5 people to reply, but they have contacted us and we're waiting for work situations and travel arrangements
  

What needs to be done in the next 3 weeks: 

• Decide/Buy parents/readers/videographer thank you gifts
• Write toast to parents/bridal party and wife and husband
• Collect list of taxi’s people can call
• Decide on more table number pictures
• Buy Booze
• Attend second Stagette and Frenchie attend Stag
• Meet with Priest and deliver everything he needs
• Seating chart - delayed until we get all RSVP's back
• Provide numbers to the caterer - delayed until we get all the RSVP's back

Special Fitness Friday: Aerial Yoga gets on TV!

I realize I'm not posting this on Friday, but I couldn't wait.

Last week I taught Aerial Yoga on a special night. We filmed the class for a TV series called Fuel that is local here in Calgary. I was so incredibly nervous. I'm the type of person that will do as many photos as you want. I love photographs and being in them. Video is a completely different story. You can retake it if you screw up. (not entirely true, but you get the point).

Aside from feeling nervous about being filmed, I haven't been teaching Aerial Yoga for very long. I teach a beginner drop-in class and it has been great fun learning along the way. To have a TV show come in and film made me question myself and my ability to instruct.

We had two students come plus the TV show host, Kevin. He has been doing a series of different kinds of exercise offered in our city. I was thoroughly impressed with him and he made me feel so at ease. He came in and made everything exciting and fun. He also did every move I threw at him.

Watch the video!

Kevin made a stop a few weeks before to one of our Advanced Pole classes. Tori is an awesome instructor. I have the pleasure of learning from her every week.

Wedding Wednesday: May 18, 2011

ONE MONTH!!!!

4 WEEKS

31 DAYS!!!

 I am just a wee bit excited at this point. I can't wait to be married!!! Frenchie and I have been living together for 3.5 years. Dating for 4.5. I've been told that the little piece of paper you sign changes everything. My hope is that whatever changes, is for the better. Being able to call Frenchie my husband instead of a boyfriend or fiance means so much. I'm over joyed and there is so much love.

The to-dos.... I'm hoping this list starts shrinking soon...

What was accomplished:

• Confirm wedding night hotel room
• Attend Shower/Stagette
• Rose bowls washed

What needs to be done in May:

• Email other guest hotel with new contact information
• Decide/Buy parents/readers/videographer thank you gifts
• Write toast to parents/bridal party and wife and husband
• Collect list of taxi’s people can call
• Decide on more table number pictures
• Provide list of songs to DJ
• Buy Booze
• Put together ceremony programs
• Meet with Wedding planner
• Attend second Stagette and Frenchie attend Stag
• Go over flowers and make any changes
• Call remaining RSVP's
• Meet with Priest and deliver everything he needs
• Write thank you notes for shower
  

Movie Review (4 of 2011): Thor

Thor: 4 Stars
Actors: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman
Rating: PG

For men, lots of action and who doesn't want to be a mythical God?

Be a part of the Avengers?

For women, Chris Hemsworth. Period.

The best 5 minutes of the entire movie involve this

Love that V line!

Now that the men have rolled their eyes, and the women have picked their jaws off the floor and wiped the drool off their chin....

The movie was great. Entertaining, funny and a typical superhero movie. Thor is banished out of Asgard to Earth for being an arrogant, war-hungry son. Obviously more to it than that, but you'll have to watch to see why.

You've already seen why I love Chris Hemsworth, but let's dive into it some more. His character,  although arrogant, is confident, charming and those blue eyes combined with his smile would make any girl swoon. He's a great actor and I hope that he makes more movies. He just jumped to the top of my list of "we're going to any movie he's in"

I didn't know the story of Thor before I went to the movie. He's part of the Avengers so I must see it and the rest of them because I love superheros! Storyline is basic. Worlds are warring, Earth is caught in the middle, superhero saves the day. The story isn't why we go. We go because everyone wants to be a God, or love a God, or catch a glimpse of one.

Tip: Stay after the credits for this one too.
Tip #2: Watch for Stan Lee as a cameo and mentions of Stark

Movie Review (3 of 2011): Fast Five

Fast Five: 4 stars

Actors: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
Rating: 14A

I dragged Frenchie to this one. He didn't really want to see it because other than the very first movie in the franchise, the rest of them were mediocre at best. Fast Five was on par with being as good as the first one. No joke. I loved it! Let's be clear here for a minute. If you're going to go and see it, you are going to a Fast and Furious movie. There will be ridiculous car driving, cheesy lines, and scenes that are laughable. There are parts you'll say "that would never happen" and you'd be right. HOWEVER, it was awesome!

As an action flick junkie, I enjoyed every minute of this movie. Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson were fabulous together. The Rock buffed up huge for this movie and it was nice to see him in a semi-serious role over his past Disney movies. Give him a gun, a car and a people to chase after in hopes of catching them, throwing them in jail and losing the key and you're golden. Favorite line? "I'm in" I actually clapped my hands in excitment! Go kick ass Rock! YAH!

How can you not love these guys?

While I'm not a fan of Paul Walker and his acting ability, he did good as O'Conner again. He only has one way to act and it's not very memorable. Let's face it, Diesel and Johnson only have one look too, but at least its tough as nails and if you get bored with their acting, they'll flex their muscles and you forget all about it. That said, Walker played his role well. I love the witty coments and the way he thinks he's "hot s**t" and gets put in his place. His character grew up a lot for this movie and I'm thankful for that. The punk-kid-trying-to-be-badass wasn't working for him.

Ludacris always makes me laugh and I am now needing to get the soundtrack to this movie. Tyrese Gibson is a the tough guy who really isn't. Great job acting this one. The banter between these two was great comedic relief.

I recommend seeing this one if you are an action junkie or have seen the majority of the movies in the franchise. If you haven't seen the 4th movie, I would suggest it. Everything will make a little more sense.

I will say this: STAY AFTER THE CREDITS!! You won't regret it.



pictures: 1, 2, 3

Wedding Wednesday: May 11, 2011

Frenchie and I finally got somethings checked off the list over the past week. We are reaching our RSVP date and still waiting on 53 people. A few family members have yet to reply, but the surprising part is all of our friends on both sides.

What was accomplished:

• Wrapped bridal party gifts
• Bought usher and musician gifts
• Put slideshow together
• Buy wedding favours and stuff bags
• Ceremony programs printed

What needs to be done in May: 

• Email other guest hotel with new contact information
• Decide/Buy parents/readers/videographer thank you gifts
• Write toast to parents/bridal party and wife and husband
• Confirm wedding night hotel room
• Collect list of taxi’s people can call
• Decide on more table number pictures
• Provide list of songs to DJ
• Buy Booze
• Put together ceremony programs
• Attend Shower/Stagette
• Meet with Wedding planner
• Attend second Stagetter and Frenchie attend Stag
• Go over flowers and make any changes
• Call remaining RSVP's
• Meet with Priest and deliver everything he needs
• Write thank you notes for shower
  

Fitness Friday: Half Jade

After a few weeks of being frustrated with my wrist and being unable to accomplish any moves at pole class, I finally have something to show for it.

I am not incredibly flexible and have yet to get my splits, so I currently can't do a full Jade justice. I CAN however do a half Jade. It took me a few weeks to get the pole in the right spot so I didn't feel like I was going to crack a rib. I found just the right spot and I managed to pull it off 3 times last night. I can't wait to get back up there and do it a few more times.

I need to pull my chest up more to my knee to get a straighter line.

Half Jade

My wrist has shown some improvement with my new physiotherapy plan-of-action so I'm hoping I will be able to do more pole work in the coming future. I need to take it slow and not overdo it. The last thing I need right now is to back peddle.

21/50: Savour the Moment by Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The third book of the Bride Quartet.
I enjoyed it but not nearly as much as Vision in White. I did like it better than Bed of Roses. This one had more characters I could relate to.

Laurel's character is fiesty. She doesn't take any crap and I love that about her. she has a temper that can get her into a bit of trouble, but I love that part of her. She has worked very hard to get where she is now and she doesn't need reminding she is self-made.

Dell is the perfect man for her. He can handle her temper and knows exactly how to deal with her. Leave her alone when she's made and let her come to her own conclusion. If she's wrong, she'll figure it out and will apologize only once. Dell knew when to pull her in and tell her to shut up and listen, and when to let her go.

I wish there was more discussion about the weddings of Emma and Mac. These two characters are still very much a part of the book and I hope that in the fourth book one of them actually gets married rather than just engaged. As much as I love reading about everyone falling in love and getting engaged, I want a wedding to happen already!

SBC 2011: In honour of Earth Day, listen to an audiobook or read an ebook. - 5 points
Book Journey 2011: Connecticut

View all my reviews

Wedding Wednesday: May 4, 2011

We are now into May! Only 1.5 months away!We have 9 days to receive 58 RSVP's. I have a feeling we will be making lots of phone calls. (and by we, I mean our parents)

We kind of slowed down a little over the past two weeks. Easter took a bit out of us and it's taken a bit to get back into the groove.
We have a lot of outstanding tasks that should have been completed in April. They didn't NEED to be done, but should have since it would lessen the load in May.

What was accomplished:

• Take my dress to my parents for safe keeping
• Finalize reception music - need Mother/Son song
• Collect photos of Frenchie for slide show
• Complete ceremony program and print
• Picked up marriage license
• Take rings in to be re-sized

What needs to be done in May: 

• Email other guest hotel with new contact information
• Wrap bridal party gifts
• Decide/Buy parents/readers/musician/videographer thank you gifts
• Write toast to parents/bridal party and wife and husband
• Put slideshow together
• Confirm wedding night hotel room
• Collect list of taxi’s people can call
• Rent Easel (or buy) for the guestbook photo
• Decide on more table number pictures
• Buy wedding favours and stuff bags
• Provide list of songs to DJ
• Buy Booze
• Put together ceremony programs
• Attend Shower/Stagette
• Meet with Wedding planner
• Attend second Stagetter and Frenchie attend Stag
• Go over flowers and make any changes
• Call remaining RSVP's
• Meet with Priest and deliver everything he needs
• Write thank you notes for shower

April Recap

Books
Books read to date: 20/50
Pages read to date: 5340

Finished

Delirium
5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth
Safe
If I Stay
Bed of Roses

Started
Savour the Moment
Wise Man's Fear

Savings 

Monthly savings: $60.91

Year-to-date savings: $267.11

Book Journey

Calgary, Portland, Connecticut, Seattle

Movies

We went to Fast Five nearing the end of April.
In all honesty, it was a good movie! Very much on par with the very first Fast and the Furious. It had everything the series is known for. Cars, witty (cheesy?) lines, and some laughable parts.
Definitely worth seeing out of all 5 of the movies in the franchise.

Fitness
I didn't do a lot with Fitness last month. Still teaching aerial yoga and pole and loving every minute of it. With the wedding coming up soon, I need to get my butt to the gym!

It's Monday! What are you reading? (16 of 2011)

May 2, 2011 to May 8, 2011

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. 

I am reading a monster of a book right now. I love it, and although it is awesome to the point where I can't put it down, I won't be finishing anything in the next little while.  1000 pages is a big book!

I haven't checked in since before Easter, so here's what I did manage to finish over the past two weeks.
What I Finished

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
(The Bride Quartet #2)
(audiobook)
Review Here

Savour the Moment by Nora Roberts
(The Bride Quartet #3)
(audiobook)

What I Am Reading

The Wise Man's Fear (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 2) by Patrick Rothfuss

I bought this book in hardcover because I pre-ordered it. During my commute I was getting very little reading time because the train isn't the best place to read a hardcover. I had a tough time hanging on for balance and to the book.

I got a copy of the eBook for commuting purporses! My eReader is so much easier to handle. Now I can read it any where, any time and try to power through this monster a little quicker.

Have you ever bought multiple versions of one book?

What's Up Next

Water for Elephants by  Sara Gruen

(audiobook)