Just loved this sweet tale about young love and the gift of redemption. It follows a famous country singer as he hits bottom and heads home to realize he didn't just leave behind his fiance, but a baby girl too. SURPRISE! He has a lot of lost time to make up for. But will he leave them again?
Monday, March 4, 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Part 3: My Trip to Virginia
I toured Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia with a friend that was going there. It was like the inside of a hotel conference area. Obviously, super colonial looking.
While on campus, I also saw the iconic University of Virginia Rotunda. It was beautiful.
Next, we checked out The Ordinary at Michie Tavern. We bought the tour with staff dressed in period clothing. The tour was okay and we were taught a period dance, which was interesting. Then we checked out the average gift shop. We stopped by the tavern for a drink and dessert. I got the apple crisp and it was pretty good.
While on campus, I also saw the iconic University of Virginia Rotunda. It was beautiful.
Next, we checked out The Ordinary at Michie Tavern. We bought the tour with staff dressed in period clothing. The tour was okay and we were taught a period dance, which was interesting. Then we checked out the average gift shop. We stopped by the tavern for a drink and dessert. I got the apple crisp and it was pretty good.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Music: God Only Knows by for King & Country
The radio station, K-Love has been playing a song I really like. God Only Knows by for King & Country has some powerful lyrics.
What I love about God is that He knows what we're going through and exactly how we feel. He knows each and every person inside and out. Not only does he know us, but he loves us. He loves us enough to save us from our sins by sending us Jesus.
GOD ONLY KNOWS Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Wide awake while the world is sound asleepin'
Too afraid of what might show up while you're dreamin'
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody would believe you
Every day you try to pick up all the pieces
All the memories, they somehow never leave you
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody would believe you
[Chorus]
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows how it's killing you
But there's a kind of love that God only knows
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
But God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows
[Post-Chorus]
There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love
[Verse 2]
You keep a cover over every single secret
So afraid if someone saw them, they would leave
Somebody, somebody, somebody sees you
Somebody, somebody will never leave you
What I love about God is that He knows what we're going through and exactly how we feel. He knows each and every person inside and out. Not only does he know us, but he loves us. He loves us enough to save us from our sins by sending us Jesus.
GOD ONLY KNOWS Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Wide awake while the world is sound asleepin'
Too afraid of what might show up while you're dreamin'
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody would believe you
Every day you try to pick up all the pieces
All the memories, they somehow never leave you
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody would believe you
[Chorus]
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows how it's killing you
But there's a kind of love that God only knows
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
But God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows
[Post-Chorus]
There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love
[Verse 2]
You keep a cover over every single secret
So afraid if someone saw them, they would leave
Somebody, somebody, somebody sees you
Somebody, somebody will never leave you
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Movie #12: Alpha
The trailer for Alpha really caught my attention, so I was thrilled when my local library got it in. I love movies with animals.
It takes place in Europe thousands of years ago. A chief of a tribe goes on a hunting party to prepare for winter. His son, Keda is finally ready to join the hunt, despite the fears of his mother about her only son going on this dangerous trek. He leads with his heart and is not a killer.
Keda gets tattoo just like his dad's of the stars, which was essentially a map home.
Off they go and the first night, Keda's only other new fellow hunter gets attacked and eaten by a lion.
They finally track down a very large herd of buffalo and they plan their attack. They charge the buffalo, which causes the animals to have nowhere to run other than off a cliff.
As Keda tosses a spear and hits a buffalo. The buffalo gets mad and charges Keda. It tosses Keda up and off the cliff. His father is devastated and sees that Keda has landed on a little ledge. His father keeps vigil up above it night and day, but Keda never moves. The rest of the tribe processes the buffalo meat. When they're done, they go to their chief and tell him that they all must leave and head home before winter. Keda still hasn't moved, so they know that he's died. His dad makes a little stone memorial for him. His father leaves devastated.
Keda hasn't moved since his fall over a day and a half before. Suddenly, he awakens. He realizes he's on a ledge on a sheer face of a cliff, hundreds of feet above the ground with less than 100 feet from the top. Vultures try to eat him, which Keda fights off. He tries to scale to the top, but it's too hard. He awakes one day to rain; torrential rain. It washes away the buffalo carcasses, trees, and everything else. It washes Keda down into the flood. The current carries him, but eventually he makes it to dry ground.
He uses his tattoo to guide him the very long journey home. Animals try to attack him along the way. While being attacked by wolves, he injures one. Since it can't continue with the pack, it sticks around. Over time, they become friends. Keda learns to hunt and make a fire. The trek home is so long!
Keda falls into a frozen lake and nearly dies. His wolf friend, Alpha tries to help. There's a blizzard, so without his warm clothes, Keda becomes sick and weaker. On the way home, Alpha disappears with a pack of wolves, but comes back.
They arrive at a tent, to find it's owner frozen to death. Onward they journey.
Winter is so harsh, it seems impossible that they'll ever make it home. Both Keda and Alpha have grown so weak and thin.
Against all odds, they make it home to Keda's village. His mom is shocked and so happy to see he's alive. He begs her to take care of Alpha who has collapsed. Turns out Alpha is a female who is having puppies! Keda's parents are so happy to have Keda home.
It takes place in Europe thousands of years ago. A chief of a tribe goes on a hunting party to prepare for winter. His son, Keda is finally ready to join the hunt, despite the fears of his mother about her only son going on this dangerous trek. He leads with his heart and is not a killer.
Keda gets tattoo just like his dad's of the stars, which was essentially a map home.
Off they go and the first night, Keda's only other new fellow hunter gets attacked and eaten by a lion.
They finally track down a very large herd of buffalo and they plan their attack. They charge the buffalo, which causes the animals to have nowhere to run other than off a cliff.
As Keda tosses a spear and hits a buffalo. The buffalo gets mad and charges Keda. It tosses Keda up and off the cliff. His father is devastated and sees that Keda has landed on a little ledge. His father keeps vigil up above it night and day, but Keda never moves. The rest of the tribe processes the buffalo meat. When they're done, they go to their chief and tell him that they all must leave and head home before winter. Keda still hasn't moved, so they know that he's died. His dad makes a little stone memorial for him. His father leaves devastated.
Keda hasn't moved since his fall over a day and a half before. Suddenly, he awakens. He realizes he's on a ledge on a sheer face of a cliff, hundreds of feet above the ground with less than 100 feet from the top. Vultures try to eat him, which Keda fights off. He tries to scale to the top, but it's too hard. He awakes one day to rain; torrential rain. It washes away the buffalo carcasses, trees, and everything else. It washes Keda down into the flood. The current carries him, but eventually he makes it to dry ground.
He uses his tattoo to guide him the very long journey home. Animals try to attack him along the way. While being attacked by wolves, he injures one. Since it can't continue with the pack, it sticks around. Over time, they become friends. Keda learns to hunt and make a fire. The trek home is so long!
Keda falls into a frozen lake and nearly dies. His wolf friend, Alpha tries to help. There's a blizzard, so without his warm clothes, Keda becomes sick and weaker. On the way home, Alpha disappears with a pack of wolves, but comes back.
They arrive at a tent, to find it's owner frozen to death. Onward they journey.
Winter is so harsh, it seems impossible that they'll ever make it home. Both Keda and Alpha have grown so weak and thin.
Against all odds, they make it home to Keda's village. His mom is shocked and so happy to see he's alive. He begs her to take care of Alpha who has collapsed. Turns out Alpha is a female who is having puppies! Keda's parents are so happy to have Keda home.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Part 2: My Trip to Virginia
The next day, my friend and I checked out Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. I'd always wanted to go. The house tour was informative and the grounds were so beautiful and well-kept. The history was eye-opening! The house had a little snack shop and their chocolate ice cream was good stuff!
Cafe at Monticello was also impressive with the variety and quality of food. Mmm, the lemon bars!!!
I was super impressed with the Shops at Monticello. They had everything from sweet potato butter to pottery to flower plants and seeds grown at Monticello. Oh, and the sweet potato butter is so good!
Time at Monticello was well-spent and a step into the past.
Cafe at Monticello was also impressive with the variety and quality of food. Mmm, the lemon bars!!!
I was super impressed with the Shops at Monticello. They had everything from sweet potato butter to pottery to flower plants and seeds grown at Monticello. Oh, and the sweet potato butter is so good!
Time at Monticello was well-spent and a step into the past.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Movie # 12: The Upside
I love a feel-good movie with a happy ending. I haven't been a Kevin Hart fan, but the previews for his new movie looked so good.
In addition, to Kevin Hart, it also stars Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman.
Kevin's character, Dell is out of prison and jobless. He must get signatures to show that he's looking for a job. Cranston's character, Phillip is a quadriplegic whose is filthy rich. Kidman's character is Yvonne a woman who works for Cranston.
Dell is just trying to get his needed signatures when he walks into the interview's for a Life Auxiliary for Phillip, essentially someone to help with Phillip's care and take him around. Phillip hate's all the applicants. Dell barges into an interview after waiting for hours. Phillip likes his straightforward nature and offers him the job to the horror of Yvonne. Dell isn't sure he'll take it, he just came for a signature. Phillip tells him to think about it overnight.
The pay convinces Dell to take it. He's at odds with his son's mother and son. His son, Anthony and baby mama live in a crappy apartment. Dell hasn't helped with anything.
He takes the job, which comes with a live-in apartment. There's definitely a learning curve for both of them. Dell must help with physical therapy, transportation, and changing Phillip's catheter, which proves to be very awkward. Along the way they become friends and have fun together. Their friendship has a lot of bumps, but Dell brings life and fun into Phillip's dull life.
I was reminded of Bruno Mars' fun song, Perm during Phillip's birthday party scene. So good:
Watch the movie; you'll love it! My friends and I sure did!
In addition, to Kevin Hart, it also stars Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman.
Kevin's character, Dell is out of prison and jobless. He must get signatures to show that he's looking for a job. Cranston's character, Phillip is a quadriplegic whose is filthy rich. Kidman's character is Yvonne a woman who works for Cranston.
Dell is just trying to get his needed signatures when he walks into the interview's for a Life Auxiliary for Phillip, essentially someone to help with Phillip's care and take him around. Phillip hate's all the applicants. Dell barges into an interview after waiting for hours. Phillip likes his straightforward nature and offers him the job to the horror of Yvonne. Dell isn't sure he'll take it, he just came for a signature. Phillip tells him to think about it overnight.
The pay convinces Dell to take it. He's at odds with his son's mother and son. His son, Anthony and baby mama live in a crappy apartment. Dell hasn't helped with anything.
He takes the job, which comes with a live-in apartment. There's definitely a learning curve for both of them. Dell must help with physical therapy, transportation, and changing Phillip's catheter, which proves to be very awkward. Along the way they become friends and have fun together. Their friendship has a lot of bumps, but Dell brings life and fun into Phillip's dull life.
I was reminded of Bruno Mars' fun song, Perm during Phillip's birthday party scene. So good:
Watch the movie; you'll love it! My friends and I sure did!
Friday, January 11, 2019
Music: Never Alone by Tori Kelly ft. Kirk Franklin
I love powerful, uplifting music that helps point me to God and remind me of His truths. This song definitely does that. I so enjoy Tori's rich, soulful voice. Remember we are never alone, God remains with us.
Never Alone Lyrics
In my time I've traveled some roads
A rolling stone
Nowhere feels like home
And I've seen people come, then they go
Life is just a story of some highs and some lows
Tell me do you believe in miracles?
I'm standing here before your eyes
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I'll carry the shame
But I know somebody, He calls me His own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Everybody wants to be king
We put all our hope inside material things
In Your light I now understand
That everything I have ain't everything that I am
Oh, but sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough
But that's when love says You're mine, oh no
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I'll carry the shame
But I know somebody, He calls me His own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) no, no, no, no, no
Oh, I may have took some time
But now I realize
My imperfections were a part of Your plan
And if all things work together in the end
The broken will be beautiful
There's not a hole too deep
That God's love is not deeper still
You've come too far to give up now
Let's go!
I've cried many rivers
(I've walked through some pain) oh, no
(I've seen my world crumble)
(And I've carried the shame) and I've carried the shame
But I know somebody, He calls me His own
Can you hear heaven singing out
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) oh, you're never, oh yeah
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) oh, no, no, no, no, no, yeah
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) oh, no, no, no, no, no, yeah
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) alone
Songwriters: Kirk Franklin / Tori Kelly
Never Alone lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Never Alone Lyrics
In my time I've traveled some roads
A rolling stone
Nowhere feels like home
And I've seen people come, then they go
Life is just a story of some highs and some lows
Tell me do you believe in miracles?
I'm standing here before your eyes
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I'll carry the shame
But I know somebody, He calls me His own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
Everybody wants to be king
We put all our hope inside material things
In Your light I now understand
That everything I have ain't everything that I am
Oh, but sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough
But that's when love says You're mine, oh no
I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain
I've seen my world crumble
And I'll carry the shame
But I know somebody, He calls me His own
I can hear heaven singing out
Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) no, no, no, no, no
Oh, I may have took some time
But now I realize
My imperfections were a part of Your plan
And if all things work together in the end
The broken will be beautiful
There's not a hole too deep
That God's love is not deeper still
You've come too far to give up now
Let's go!
I've cried many rivers
(I've walked through some pain) oh, no
(I've seen my world crumble)
(And I've carried the shame) and I've carried the shame
But I know somebody, He calls me His own
Can you hear heaven singing out
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) oh, you're never, oh yeah
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) oh, no, no, no, no, no, yeah
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) oh, no, no, no, no, no, yeah
(Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone) alone
Songwriters: Kirk Franklin / Tori Kelly
Never Alone lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Part 1: My Trip to Virginia
This August, I was able to go visit friends in Virginia. I'd never explored this part of Virginia before and I relished the opportunity.
The night I arrived, a friend and I went to meet other friends in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. I enjoy checking out the downtown areas of the places I visit. After doing some research, my friend found Bebedero. The decor at Bebedero was warm and cute with light yellow and orange lanterns on the ceiling. The food was not my favorite. My tacos were too spicy to enjoy. The margarita was way too strong too. I'd skip this place.
After dinner, we walked to the Draft Taproom for drinks. I've never seen a bar like it. You go in and they give you a card that you can put onto each tap to track how much of each you select. I tried all the ciders and really enjoyed them. I liked that I could try an ounce and see if I liked it before getting more. I wish there were more places like this.
The night I arrived, a friend and I went to meet other friends in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. I enjoy checking out the downtown areas of the places I visit. After doing some research, my friend found Bebedero. The decor at Bebedero was warm and cute with light yellow and orange lanterns on the ceiling. The food was not my favorite. My tacos were too spicy to enjoy. The margarita was way too strong too. I'd skip this place.
After dinner, we walked to the Draft Taproom for drinks. I've never seen a bar like it. You go in and they give you a card that you can put onto each tap to track how much of each you select. I tried all the ciders and really enjoyed them. I liked that I could try an ounce and see if I liked it before getting more. I wish there were more places like this.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Gender Games Book Series by Bella Forrest
I recently finished the seven books in the Gender Games series by Bella Forrest. It took me roughly nine months to read all the books. Previously, you may remember my great addiction to the Hunger Games series. I've also read the Divergent series. The Gender Games series reminded me so much of the other series' that I so enjoyed.
The premise was that there were two countries; Matrus and Patrus. Matrus was female-ruled and dominated. Males living there had little to no rights. Patrus was male-run and women living in there were essentially property with no rights of their own. Each warred against the other.
Violet is an orphan along with her brother in Matrus. Her brother, Tim has failed the test given to males to only keep passive males. She doesn't want him sent away to some sort of work camp, so she tries to smuggle him to Patrus, but they're caught. He's essentially sent to work camps and she's sent to a youth prison. She loses track of him from there. She's deemed essentially a criminal and lives in a detention center where she fights to the death for her life. She keeps getting in more trouble. At one point, to try to get her brother back, she agrees to go to Patrus to work undercover with a guy named, Lee to steal back an egg stolen from Matrus.
So she heads to Patrus, where she gives up all her rights. She "marries" and lives with Lee and his dog, Sam. Lee works at science facility that houses the egg. Violet can't go anywhere by herself during the day. Lee asks Patrian warden, Viggo Croft if Violet can hang out with him during the day for pay. A warden is essentially a law enforcement officer. She shadows him to the gym where he trains and around as he does his job. He seems quiet and rough around the edges. They fall for each other.
With Lee's help, Violet does some recon on the area in preparation for their mission which will be several months away. Violet hates waiting. Over time she comes to know and like Viggo. She hates that Lee wants to make Viggo the fall guy for their mission that now includes blowing up the science facility with King Maxen in there while stealing the egg.
They carry out their plan and head to Matrus. Lee has Violet wait on the room while he visits the Queen. After Lee comes back, he sends Violet to visit the Queen and her advisor, but Violet walks in the see that Lee has murdered them. She runs to the roof and Lee is taking off without her, trying to pin the murders on her. Violet catches the edge of the airborne vehicle and won't let go. She shifts the balance and Lee topples out to his death in the gardens below.
Violet tries to assess the situation. Did Lee really try to set her up? Who was he working for? Who can she trust? Violet grapples with trying to learn how to navigate the vehicle. She finds a note that helps her understand what's going on. She ends up in the Green, a dangerous area with deadly air and animals. She crash lands in a tree and falls out. She uses Lee's gear to survive. Finally, she sees what's going on. All the rejected boys of Matrus are housed in a building in the Green for HORRIFIC scientific experiments which enhance their skills. She finds her brother, but can't get him and the other boys out. She needs help.
Patrus pays Viggo to find and murder Violet. He now hates her as he feels lied to and used for her egg-stealing mission. They find each other she convinces him that she was also lied to by Lee.
If I summarized all SEVEN books we'd be here all day, so check out your local library and read the books for yourself. They'll leave you on the edge of your seat. The ending wasn't all the closure I ever needed, but it was a good end to this terrific series. I sure hope it's made into a movie.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Music: Red Letters by Crowder
This fall, I've been loving the new Crowder song, Red Letters.
Crowder shared on Multitracks.com, "'Red Letters' is a moving testimony of the way Jesus has freed us from our sin and shame. It utilizes significant imagery as it walks through our desperation to the moment when Jesus took our place on the cross and we received His gift of salvation." Red letters bring to mind that the words of Christ are written in red in the Bible.
Here are the beautiful lyrics:
RED LETTERS
There I was on death row
Guilty in the first degree
Son of God hanging on a hill
Hell was my destiny
The crowd was shouting crucify
Could’ve come from these lips of mine
The dirty shame was killing me
It would take a miracle to wash me clean
Then I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
Felt like lightning hit my veins
My dead heart began to beat
Breath of God filled my lungs
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
Yeah, the Holy Ghost awakened me
When I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
For God so loved the whole wide world
Sent his only Son to die for me
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus changed my destiny
Thank You, God, for red letters
When the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
The prison walls started falling
And I am a free man today
© sixstepsrecords
Crowder shared on Multitracks.com, "'Red Letters' is a moving testimony of the way Jesus has freed us from our sin and shame. It utilizes significant imagery as it walks through our desperation to the moment when Jesus took our place on the cross and we received His gift of salvation." Red letters bring to mind that the words of Christ are written in red in the Bible.
Here are the beautiful lyrics:
RED LETTERS
There I was on death row
Guilty in the first degree
Son of God hanging on a hill
Hell was my destiny
The crowd was shouting crucify
Could’ve come from these lips of mine
The dirty shame was killing me
It would take a miracle to wash me clean
Then I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
Felt like lightning hit my veins
My dead heart began to beat
Breath of God filled my lungs
And the Holy Ghost awakened me
Yeah, the Holy Ghost awakened me
When I read the red letters
And the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
For God so loved the whole wide world
Sent his only Son to die for me
Arms spread wide for the whole wide world
His arms spread wide where mine should be
Jesus changed my destiny
Thank You, God, for red letters
When the ground began to shake
The prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
The prison walls started falling
And I am a free man today
© sixstepsrecords
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