I've seen Sam Claflin previously in the Hunger Games series and liked his character. I wasn't sure quite what to expect with this movie. I knew already what the ending would be, but was still interested to see how it all came together.
I found Emilia Clarke's character, Louisa to be fun and bright. Her family is barely making ends meet, but she meets each day with a bright smile. She's had a series of jobs and is again looking for another job. Finally a job pops up at a nearby castle as a caretaker for someone with a disability.
Louisa goes for an interview. On the way her skirt tears a little and is a but scandalously short. She tried to hid the tear and interviews with a lady in her 60s. She's hired. Next, Louisa meets the person she would be helping, named Will. She's surprised to find that he's young and her age.
She finds out that he was at him prime when hit by a motorcycle as he walked to work. He lost use of his limbs, his job, his friends, and his girlfriend. With the accident he also lost his spark, hope, independence, and will to live. He used to hike, swim, travel, ski, and everything in between.
He's definitely not warming up to Louisa. He's often quiet and brooding. He has a doctor who comes to check on him.
Louisa wears the most outlandish, eclectic clothes. She has a boyfriend, that always seems to be training for some kind of physical competition.
Through time and her spunky personality, Will starts warming up to her. They talk and share their lives.
Louisa overhears that Will has looked into going to Switzerland where assisted suicide is legal. His parents asked him for 6 months before he goes through with it. Louisa wants to quit, but her dad loses his job.
She decides to try to change Will's mind. She talks him into going to a classical concert with her, even though that's never been her style of music. They dress up and she really enjoys it.
She invites Will to her birthday dinner with her family and boyfriend in their modest home. He surprises her and comes. Will ends up giving her her favorite
gift from something they talked about that she loved from her childhood. She's ecstatic. Meanwhile, her boyfriend gives her a necklace with his name on it.
The boyfriend invites her on a trip, but later is comes out that he wants to go to run a race there and his friends are coming with.
Louisa's dad gets a job in maintenance at the castle.
She and her boyfriend break up.
Will talks with Louisa about how he misses Paris. She says they should go. He says no, he wants to go as the "old Will," when he could walk. Finally she talks him into a beach vacation. His doctor comes too. Will stays on the boat as he talked Louisa into going scuba diving. He gets to see her experience new things. They fall in love. They talk about his plans to end his life and he still plans to go through with it. Will wants Louisa to go to Switzerland and he there with him when he ends his life. Louisa is shocked and she's done. She's heartbroken. She quits.
Will and family leave for Switzerland. Louisa decides to go. She races off to Switzerland. She's there with will and his family as he passes away.
Will left Louisa money to go pursue her passion of fashion in Paris. So there she is thinking of him and living her life. She's experiencing things that she never could've afforded to do. His love changed her life in so many ways. I think we're all looking for a life like that. <3
Monday, August 28, 2017
Monday, August 21, 2017
Letters for Emily by Camron Wright
This year, I've read two other Camron Wright book, the Rent Collector and the Orphan Keeper. I loved one and was on the fence about the other, so I decided to read his other book, Letters for Emily.
It is about a family; a separated couple (Laura and Bob) and their young daughter (Emily), and his aging dad (Harry).
The son and aging dad have a strained relationship. The daughter-in-law and granddaughter visit the aging grandfather often. He's slowly losing his mind, has constant care, and has a mental illness.
Suddenly, Harry passes away. Soon in going through Harry's things, they find books of riddles. They are homemade books made with great craftsmanship. Soon they find that the riddle's answers open up files on Harry's computer. The stories all tell more about Harry's life. His wife died when their kids were growing up. Harry wasn't a loving father. Through his letter's his kids learn of his love story with their mother.
Meanwhile, as Bob and Laura are separated, he moves across the country to work in pharmaceutical sales in San Diego. The distance doesn't help his relationship with Laura. The book of riddles and the game of it all helps bring them together.
Bob is starting to see a lady that works at one of the doctor's offices that he visits. Laura busies herself taking care of Emily and with the riddles.
They find out that Harry left his house to Emily. Bob's sister, Michelle and her husband are sent the book of riddles. Her husband is convinced it leads to lots of money.
Through the book and files, they learn that Bob and Michelle's mom was coming to reconcile with her husband when she died in a car accident.
Bob, Laura, Michelle, and her husband meet up to search the house and solve more riddles to read more files. They find a safe, but it's empty.
Through the stories, Laura decides to drive across the country to try to renew her relationship with Bob. Bob realizes that he may lose Laura, so he calls her, but can't get a hold of her. He thinks of what happened to his mom and fears for Laura. He realizes she must of driven to see him despite winter storms along the way. Is it too late for them? Meanwhile, after a long journey, Laura's car breaks down not far from Bob's apartment. He decides to go out to find Laura and Emily and there they are! They walked to his place. Somehow everything they've been through brings them together. They're a family again and have a second chance, which is more than Bob's father could ever have asked for.
What was interesting about this story was that it was based off the story of the author, Camron Wright's grandfather, who like Harry had mental issues.
I was hoping I'd love this book, but I was kind of on the fence about it.
It is about a family; a separated couple (Laura and Bob) and their young daughter (Emily), and his aging dad (Harry).
The son and aging dad have a strained relationship. The daughter-in-law and granddaughter visit the aging grandfather often. He's slowly losing his mind, has constant care, and has a mental illness.
Suddenly, Harry passes away. Soon in going through Harry's things, they find books of riddles. They are homemade books made with great craftsmanship. Soon they find that the riddle's answers open up files on Harry's computer. The stories all tell more about Harry's life. His wife died when their kids were growing up. Harry wasn't a loving father. Through his letter's his kids learn of his love story with their mother.
Meanwhile, as Bob and Laura are separated, he moves across the country to work in pharmaceutical sales in San Diego. The distance doesn't help his relationship with Laura. The book of riddles and the game of it all helps bring them together.
Bob is starting to see a lady that works at one of the doctor's offices that he visits. Laura busies herself taking care of Emily and with the riddles.
They find out that Harry left his house to Emily. Bob's sister, Michelle and her husband are sent the book of riddles. Her husband is convinced it leads to lots of money.
Through the book and files, they learn that Bob and Michelle's mom was coming to reconcile with her husband when she died in a car accident.
Bob, Laura, Michelle, and her husband meet up to search the house and solve more riddles to read more files. They find a safe, but it's empty.
Through the stories, Laura decides to drive across the country to try to renew her relationship with Bob. Bob realizes that he may lose Laura, so he calls her, but can't get a hold of her. He thinks of what happened to his mom and fears for Laura. He realizes she must of driven to see him despite winter storms along the way. Is it too late for them? Meanwhile, after a long journey, Laura's car breaks down not far from Bob's apartment. He decides to go out to find Laura and Emily and there they are! They walked to his place. Somehow everything they've been through brings them together. They're a family again and have a second chance, which is more than Bob's father could ever have asked for.
What was interesting about this story was that it was based off the story of the author, Camron Wright's grandfather, who like Harry had mental issues.
I was hoping I'd love this book, but I was kind of on the fence about it.
Monday, August 14, 2017
My Trip to Detroit
Three weeks ago, I headed to Detroit for a work conference. Of all places, I was hoping the conference would be in a cooler location.
It was my first time in Michigan.
The conference was at Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.
It was 20+ miles from the airport to where we stayed in downtown Detroit. The drive was similar to a drive in any huge city, like Kansas City.
Outside the hotel was the Detroit RiverFront. It was beautiful. Right across the water was actually Canada. We enjoyed walking out there.
Once arriving and settling into our rooms, my coworker and I were starving. We finally settled on Jon Muer Seafood which was in the same building as the Renaissance Center. We sat outside to enjoy the view of the RiverFront. This upscale place had great food and I'd definitely go there again.
We visited Granite City and had a decent happy hour. They were also located in the Renaissance Center.
Our conference also had an outing to Comerica Stadium to the Detroit vs. KC baseball game.
And the Royal's, my team won!!!
Our last afternoon in Detroit, we checked out Belle Isle. It was so cool and from what we heard, the size of Central Park.
We also happened upon Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. The grounds were beautiful.
No trip to Detroit is complete without driving on 8 mile.
In all, I felt pretty safe in Detroit. I'd definitely go again and next time would bring my passport, so I can go to Canada. :)
It was my first time in Michigan.
The conference was at Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.
It was 20+ miles from the airport to where we stayed in downtown Detroit. The drive was similar to a drive in any huge city, like Kansas City.
Outside the hotel was the Detroit RiverFront. It was beautiful. Right across the water was actually Canada. We enjoyed walking out there.
Once arriving and settling into our rooms, my coworker and I were starving. We finally settled on Jon Muer Seafood which was in the same building as the Renaissance Center. We sat outside to enjoy the view of the RiverFront. This upscale place had great food and I'd definitely go there again.
We visited Granite City and had a decent happy hour. They were also located in the Renaissance Center.
Our conference also had an outing to Comerica Stadium to the Detroit vs. KC baseball game.
Our last afternoon in Detroit, we checked out Belle Isle. It was so cool and from what we heard, the size of Central Park.
We also happened upon Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. The grounds were beautiful.
No trip to Detroit is complete without driving on 8 mile.
In all, I felt pretty safe in Detroit. I'd definitely go again and next time would bring my passport, so I can go to Canada. :)
Monday, August 7, 2017
My Adventures with Casper and Archie
I'm a dog person who took on cat and house sitting. I watched two feisty felines named, Casper and Archie.
Day 1
I forgot to put Archie's collar on when she went outside. So, I had to chase her around the yard, calling her name, and trying to put it on her. I'm sure it was a sight to behold.
That same night, I couldn't get her to come in. So, I'm walking around outside with my phone's flash light calling her name. About 12:30 am I spotted her, but she wouldn't come, like I was told she would. So, I went to get her by her collar and she hissed at me. At that point, I just left her outside, with access to the screened-in porch. The other cat, Casper was miserable without Archie. Then at 3:30am he started meowing outside my bedroom door. He was chunky so, food made him happier.
Day 2
Casper again woke me up at the crack of dawn with his incessant meowing. I tried to ignore him and get more sleep.
The cats were allowed to have their collars off in the house, but put back on before they went outside. Well, it looked like they kept losing their collars outside until I realized that with their fluffy fur they already had collars on and were now sporting two collars. Face to palm.
Both cats are gone at bed time, so there I am with my flashlight in the dark calling their names.
Day 3
More of Casper's early rising/meowing, but this time I got ear plugs and they helped. ;)
I forgot that I left the garage door with an attached kitty door open, so another long night of calling Archie and walking around in my PJs with my phone's flash light. Finally around 11pm, I saw glowing eyes. I hoped it was Archie, but had flashbacks to that Visine commercial where the lady accidentally calls in a raccoon thinking it's her cat. Thankfully, it was Archie.
Day 4
Did I mention the morning meowing?
It'd been in the upper 90s and 100s temperature-wise. I came home to poop in the hot screened-in porch...YUCK!
Day 5
M.E.O.W.I.N.G thank God for ear plugs.
In the end, I learned to co-exist with cats and I'm still a dog person. :)
Day 1
I forgot to put Archie's collar on when she went outside. So, I had to chase her around the yard, calling her name, and trying to put it on her. I'm sure it was a sight to behold.
That same night, I couldn't get her to come in. So, I'm walking around outside with my phone's flash light calling her name. About 12:30 am I spotted her, but she wouldn't come, like I was told she would. So, I went to get her by her collar and she hissed at me. At that point, I just left her outside, with access to the screened-in porch. The other cat, Casper was miserable without Archie. Then at 3:30am he started meowing outside my bedroom door. He was chunky so, food made him happier.
Day 2
Casper again woke me up at the crack of dawn with his incessant meowing. I tried to ignore him and get more sleep.
The cats were allowed to have their collars off in the house, but put back on before they went outside. Well, it looked like they kept losing their collars outside until I realized that with their fluffy fur they already had collars on and were now sporting two collars. Face to palm.
Both cats are gone at bed time, so there I am with my flashlight in the dark calling their names.
Day 3
More of Casper's early rising/meowing, but this time I got ear plugs and they helped. ;)
I forgot that I left the garage door with an attached kitty door open, so another long night of calling Archie and walking around in my PJs with my phone's flash light. Finally around 11pm, I saw glowing eyes. I hoped it was Archie, but had flashbacks to that Visine commercial where the lady accidentally calls in a raccoon thinking it's her cat. Thankfully, it was Archie.
Day 4
Did I mention the morning meowing?
It'd been in the upper 90s and 100s temperature-wise. I came home to poop in the hot screened-in porch...YUCK!
Day 5
M.E.O.W.I.N.G thank God for ear plugs.
In the end, I learned to co-exist with cats and I'm still a dog person. :)
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Recipe #36: Gordon Ramsey's Scrambled Eggs
Transparently, I've never made scrambled eggs correctly, even though that's my favorite way to eat eggs. I found that out while watching Gordon Ramsey make scrambled eggs on MasterChef.
Here's what he did:
1) Put three tabs of butter into a saucepan. Yes, a saucepan.
2) Crack eggs into saucepan
3) Alternate stirring the eggs on and off heat from 30 seconds for three minutes
4) After the three minutes, salt and pepper the eggs
5) Plate the eggs and add a teaspoon of creme fraiche
I followed his instructions minus the creme fraiche which I didn't have. Wow, were they terrific! Fluffy and light!
Here's what he did:
1) Put three tabs of butter into a saucepan. Yes, a saucepan.
2) Crack eggs into saucepan
3) Alternate stirring the eggs on and off heat from 30 seconds for three minutes
4) After the three minutes, salt and pepper the eggs
5) Plate the eggs and add a teaspoon of creme fraiche
I followed his instructions minus the creme fraiche which I didn't have. Wow, were they terrific! Fluffy and light!
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