I absolutely LOVE glitter nail polish. What I hate is trying to take it off. The cotton ball sticks to the pieces of glitter and rips into little shreds. It takes forever to take it off and leaves me frustrated.
My mom shared her stylist's secret with me: Step 1. Put nail polish remover on a cotton ball. 2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil out large enough to cover your nail. 3. Put the cotton ball on top of your nail with the remover side down. 4. Put the foil over your whole nail, crunch it down so it keeps the cotton ball on your nail. 5. Wait 5-10 minutes and remove.
Hello to all my new readers in Russia, Ukraine, and Germany.
Since the movie, A Walk in the Woods isn't in the theaters anymore and isn't yet on DVD, I decided to read the book. To be honest, I didn't know the movie was based off of a book until I saw it while Christmas shopping.
I love the book, it's a fairly easy read. It's by Bill Bryson and he's now my new favorite author. He's written a lot of travel-related books that I plan on reading.
A Walk in the Woods is about the time Bill and his friend, Katz walked the Appalachian Trail. They had some many adventures and misadventures. Bill gives the history of the trail and the areas they travel through. At times there's too much side info for me, but I skip it over when it gets to be too much.
In the book, Bill and Katz are in their 40's. They fight each other, the weather, and other hikers. I often find myself laughing while reading it. Try it and see what you think.
Late October, I took my beloved Jetta to the mechanic and found out she (my Jetta) needed a $1,000 repair. Well, the car was nearly 15 years old and wasn't worth much more than that, so I had to get another car. I didn't want another car; I had been working on contentment, but I didn't really have a choice. To make matters worse, I'd only just thought about starting to save money for a new car, that week. Not good timing.
So, what did I get? A beautiful 2014 Honda Accord Sport.
This is a picture of my car under 1/4 inch of ice.
So thankful for this car: smooth ride, better gas mileage, power windows (Jetta didn't have this), dual chrome exhaust, back-up camera, roomy trunk and inside, heats up fast, more horsepower :), key FOB will actually unlock my car when I'm further than 5 feet away (Jetta was challenging), seats are comfy and supportive, tinted windows, defrost works FAST, time left on warranty, , the cutest little rear spoiler, and sensors that work. God has been gracious to me!
Every little girl grows up watching and cheering for good to overcome evil in the movie, Cinderalla. Every so often the movie gets remade. So, the question is, how did this version stack up?
Well, this one brings some well-known stars Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Cater, and Lily James (the infamous, Cousin Rose from Downton Abbey. One of the evil stepsisters is the actress that plays Daisy Mason on Downton Abbey (Sophia McShera). The ever versatile Helena Bonham Carter plays Ella's Fairy Godmother.
It starts with a beautiful, sweet family of three who live in a lovely house. Alas, the mother gets sick and passes away. Before she dies, she tells her daughter, Ella to have courage and be kind.
Ella and her dad live just the two of them for years, but over time he gets lonely and decides to get married. Ella supports him and wants him to be happy. That is, before she meets her awful, new stepmother (played by Cate Blancett) and wretched stepsisters. Ella keeps a positive attitude despite their snarky comments. Her dad has to go away of business and next thing you know Ella lets herself get talked out of her own room in favor of the far away, scary attic. News soon comes that Ella's father has gotten sick and died.
With money no longer coming into the house, soon the servants and cooks are all let go. Who is to do the work for the demanding stepmother and stepsisters? Ella is; she works tirelessly, often she falls asleep reading by the fire. Her stepmother and stepsisters cruelly call her, Cinderella.
One day while riding her horse, Ella sees a wild stag running from the royal hunting party. She helps the stag get away and meets the royal party. She has a good conversation with one young, handsome member of the party, who unbeknownst to Ella is the prince. She persuades him to quit hunting the poor animal.
The prince is under pressure to get married, specifically to have an arranged marriage. He doesn't want that. He decides to host a ball for everyone. Ella is so excited to go and prepares her nicest outfit, her mom's dress. She goes down to leave with her "family." They think it's preposterous that she even thought she could go. Her cruel stepmother tears Ella's beloved dress and leaves for the party. Ella is comforted by her only friends, mice. Soon while outside, an old lady approaches and asks for a drink. Ella obliges and the old lady turns out to be Ella's fairy godmother. Her fairy godmother gets her ready for the ball, including fixing and upgrading Ella's dress. A pumpkin is turned into a carriage. She's given comfy glass slippers. A goose becomes a driver and a lizard becomes part of the team as well. Ella's mice friends become beautiful, white horses. Away Ella goes to the ball, looking radiant. Her fairy godmother gives her the ability to not be recognized by her "family" and warns her that everything will change back by midnight.
Though arriving late, Ella makes a grand entrance and the prince is awed. They dance and talk; true love. The clock strikes 12 and Ella must leave. She runs and leaves behind a glass slipper. The prince sends people after her, but alas she gets away.
The prince continues to face pressure to marry and to do so strategically with a princess from another country. He instead decides to seek far and wide for Cinderella. The news travels that he wants to marry the girl from the ball. They line up every maiden far and wide to try on the glass slipper the mystery girl left behind, but alas, no Cinderella. So, there's one house left, Cinderella's. Cinderella's awful family leave her oblivious to the prince's arrival and declaration that every maiden try on the slipper. The stepsisters aren't matches, thankfully. While getting ready to leave, one of the prince's attendants hears the voice of a maiden singing. They find Cinderella and that she is the owner of the slipper. The prince is overjoyed, they wed, and happily ever after. Ella's positive attitude kept her getting bitter, as many would in her position.
Although different from the other Cinderella movies, this was unique and sweet. I liked it. See what you think. :)
For a friend's birthday, while in DC, we went to her favorite restaurant, Uncle Julio's Mexican Restaurant Though it looked nice and had a festive atmosphere, it was awful. Took forever to get food for our party of 8. Steak was overcooked. We were there at least 3 hours. Wouldn't go back.
While in DC, late one night, we got a ride from Nesibu Limo. Our driver, John was a lifesaver! If you ever need a ride in the DC area, call John with Nesibu Limo. He's professional and kind: 202-270-3404. And no, we didn't ride in a limo. :)
The most recent Fast and Furious movie, #7 is said to be their last. With the passing of one of the movie's legends, Paul Walker, it's unclear how the franchise can continue.
This movie opens as Shaw first meets up with Hobbs, Dwayne Johnson, the "Rock." This time Jason Statham is the bad guy and is after blood. Shaw pulverizes Hobbs and needs Dom's help to bring Shaw down. Statham's character, Deckard Shaw killed Han one of the Fast and Furious crew.
Meanwhile, Paul and Mia's baby boy, Jack is around 3 years old now. They live in the same house, as always, in LA with Dom.
With Mia and Jack shuttled away to safety, Brian is ready to help the crew out. Mia worries that domestic life bores Brian. She hasn't even told him she's pregnant.
Letty is back from the dead, but things still aren't back to normal due to her memory loss. She breaks up with Dom and needs a break to "find" herself.
Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson fill out the crew, as always.
Kurt Russell even has a strong role as the guy with money and equipment at his disposal. He'll let Dom use the new cutting-edge, God's Eye software if Dom and crew will retrieve hacker, Ramsey. The job of gaining Ramsey is where the biggest action scenes take place. And surprise, Ramsey is a girl. Letty is back and ready to help her crew.
Like with all these movies, clues lead them around the world including to Dubai where Ronda Rousey makes a cameo as the part of a prince's security. She and Letty have an epic fight scene. Brian and Dom crash a billion dollar car through 3 buildings; nothing new.
They get Ramsey and the chip they need to give Russell's character to utilize God's Eye and find Shaw. The damage and body count runs high. Shaw doesn't give up without a fight, that's for sure.
I expected the ending to be sad, but it wasn't as sad as I thought it might be. Like the other movies in their series, this includes the themes of family, cars, speed, fighting, and heists. It is high energy and if it is the last, a great way to end the series.
Last year, I posted a music video for the song, "See You Again," which is prominent at the end of the movie. Here's the link to that post with the music video, See You Again.
I enjoyed the Gallery of Art-Sculpture Garden. We were able to stroll around in roughly 30 minutes. They have a beautiful, central fountain and many abstract sculptures. See my favorite sights.
We ate lunch at the nearby Pavilion Cafe. It's a hidden gem with salads, sandwiches, and pastries.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was really enjoyable with a variety of exhibits. They had a really neat safari photography section. I really enjoyed their minerals and gems exhibit. They had a really neat gift shop where I added a few more bracelets to my bracelet collection. :)
Starting Thanksgiving night here, it rained and the rain froze. So, we essentially stayed home all weekend. I hate missing church, but found a sermon on podcast by Matt Chandler called, One Life-Sacrifice It. I always enjoy his sermons and this one was no different. I found myself nodding along and hurriedly taking notes, not wanting to miss anything.
Points are things from it that Matt Chandler said that stuck out to me:
It focused on this scripture: Romans 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Living Sacrifices to God
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Source: Bible Gateway
-We are all broken, we have this in common
-Alone, we can't follow the 10 Commandments
-We are:
1: Guilty of Preferring Creation to the Creator
-We were created to stir up worship
2: Guilty of Believing We're Smarter than God
-We won't say it, but we believe it
-We disregard His plan
-We justify out rebellion by saying we know better than God
3. Fail to acknowledge God as Author and Giver of all things
-Psalm 139: God knit together our form
-All glory is due God for our talents, skills, and abilities
-We were created for worship
-If we worship the wrong thing, it'll betray us.
-We need to lay our hopes down and hold them loosely.
-We need to worship God today.
-He leads us into joy. Happiness is cheap.
-Joy makes us steadfast.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a must-see site that is iconic and well-known. There were guides there to answer any question you had. They shared with me there the wall contains 58,307 names. Too many names. :( Knowing that many people died in the Vietnam War was sad and shocking.
The Korean War Memorial was touching and best to see in person. Words can't adequately describe it.
One of my favorite newer memorials was the absolutely beautiful World War II Memorial.
I am a massive Nicholas Sparks fan. I've read EVERY book he's ever written. My favorites are: A Walk to Remember and the Last Song.
I was excited to read Nicholas Sparks' newest book, See Me. I broke my rule of not reading a book for fun during the semester, but I was on a waiting list at the library and couldn't give up my spot.
See Me is about a Mexican women, named Maria in her late 20s and her family. Since I'm Mexican, I thought it could be even more interesting.
All the books involve love and plot twists you don't see coming, so this one was no different. Let's see...Maria works in a law office. She meets a tattooed guy often on the wrong side of the law. Colin is going to school to be a teacher, tends bar, and is an MMA fighter. They come from very different worlds, but still fall in love. Shocking, right?!
A twist is that Maria gets a stalker. Yeah, I know; weird. Then the stalker gets violent. Then, there turns out to be 2 stalkers, but no one can figure out who they are until the end. Maria and her family's safety is at risk. Colin wants to protect her, but can't get in any trouble with the law or risk going to prison. Yada, yada, yada. They all live and stay together, while the stalkers face justice and unhappy fates. Pretty much just like we want plots to end, right?
It was an interesting read, but not one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks' books. Here's hoping they don't make it into a movie!
