Alive

...and man it feels good! I still can't yawn or sneeze...but other than that - I have recovered.

The best part of being deathly ill and out of school for a few days? Seeing the kids' faces light up and get all excited when they saw me this morning. All the hugs and 'I missed yous' and 'where were yous?!?' are really sweet. I even had one kid tell me he prayed for me to get better so I would come back. Awwww!!! Srsly? The sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.

So in my temporary lapse in living - I did something unheard of. I saw New Moon 3 times. Yes. I am one of those people. In my defense - I went with different people every time.

What I liked:

The humans! Holy Crow (Yeah V - I said it). They were freaking hilarious. I don't know what happened to Mike. I mean he looks 20 pounds heavier and 10 years older than last movie (he's suppose to be boy next door cute)- but he was so funny at the movies. Jessica def wins for best comic relief. I mean she owned it. Def every bit the Jessica from the books.

Music. I was skeptical upon first hearing the soundtrack but they did a great job putting the right type of music in each scene.

Bella. Actually acted in this one. Didn't stutter, gasp, and blink the whole time. Her depression was absolutely heartbreaking.

Jake. Being my fav book in the series - I almost cross over to Team Jacob here. You really can see how life with him could be really nice and happy. He's just so lovable. But life isn't quite fair so as soon as Edward reemerges...it's all over for the 'almost team jacob' movement.

Edward. Need. I. say. more? He is a sexy beast even in the grandpa clothes.

Charlie. OMG he is sooooo freaking cute in this one! I love the way they're having him play the role.

Jasper's southern accent. *melts*


The Remember Me preview. Sweet Jesus! I was NOT expecting that Thursday night! And it was the first preview. I needed minutes to recover afterward. Srsly. Ask Veronica. I was freaking speechless.

The flow of the movie. It wasn't choppy. I didn't feel like I missed things. The acting was waaaaaay better. The chemistry was really good.

Things I didn't really like:

As stated- I am willing to overlook a lot in this movie b/c it was really good and easy to watch and like. However I did not like the whole "Alice vision" tragedy. I mean really - They look uber gay frolicking through the woods like that. I think Edward is totally cute in his outfit but srsly?!? WTF? When/Why would they EVER do that? I did like that you see the sun hit her at one point but by then I am so beside myself in embarrassment that I can't fully enjoy the moment.

The drowning scene. Really?!? It starts out with all this promise. But then -Why does it look like a FSE cardboard cutout floating upside down in the water with a dying Bella? I don't get it. It is awkward and weird.

The wigs. Ok come on now. How much money did Twilight make? Can they not do better than a $5.99 Halloween wig from Target? Srsly? Jasper needs to go back to dying it blonde and feathering it back like he did in Twilight. That wig ain't cutting it. And Rosalie looks like a cheap Barbie doll knock-off. Or some random girl who dressed up as Roaslie for Halloween (with a cheap wig).

The lack of continuity. They look soooo different from Twilight. And they are not suppose to change. Edward looks like he's aged. Rose looks cheap. Jasper looks like he belongs in the 70s. Alice looks pregnant. I mean I know they needed to make some changes/upgrades - but still I'm going to have a hard time watching them back to back in the future. *Like I said though - I am willing to overlook a lot of negatives based on the quality of the movie. This is one of those things.

Temporarily...Dead

Strep throat and Sinus infection will do that to a girl.

Plus, I'm a big sissy. I don't do... sick. And I don't ever remember being this sick.

The upside is that the meds are kicking in - the fever is going down and I can actually swallow again without feeling the wrath of thousands of razor blades and knives in my throat (it's just dull butter knives now). And I just had some solid food without dying.

So hopefully I'll be back to life soon.

Flying High

I have no words.

Movie was awesome.

Can't form cohesive thoughts about it yet.

I'll come down soon.

Then I'll post.

I've Gotta Feeling...That Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night...

"I think she's having hysterics. Maybe you should slap her."


~Alice










*crickets*












*jen picks self up off the floor*









Sorry - too much hyperventilating.






Had a fan girl moment...








We have our tickets!!! Using the ticket confirmation that's been on the fridge since September 12th. After some drama of hearing that Pam's daughter had a bad confirmation number and had to show bank records and fandango email confirmation. And STILL couldn't get tickets. They have to show up at 11:30 to find some dude - who will escort them in since they won't have actual tickets. Srsly!?!? I had plans to burn the freaking place down if that happened to us. You won't be able to enjoy hanging out with the crazies before hand if you're tracking down some 'dude' to get in.




So I'll be brief - b/c I need to decide if I can take a nap in my excited state or if I need to just suck it up and brew some coffee.






What I'm looking forward to:






The Freaking Volturi (nuff said)

"How strongly opposed are you to Grand Theft Auto?"

~Alice

"I have to step out for a second. Don't do anything funny while I'm gone."

~Emmett

The Wolf Pack - I know right?!!? How would have thought... but no - I hear they bring the LOLz to this movie - with all the sadness going around... we'll need some LOLz.











Fun at the Movie Theater with all the crazies. I know I said I would NEVER go the midnight premier b/c of that - but I have a nice long weekend b/c of it and I couldn't be more excited!!!







I also hear that the end kind of leaves you hanging.... *squeeeeee* I'm actually kind of glad they're rushing these movies out. Eclipse will be out in like 6 months!! I can survive 6 months!!!






*just cause I LOVE me some Jasper - and NM Jasper isn't quite right.

Countdown to New Moon - Edward

1 DaY?!?! *hyperventilates in paper bag*

In the words of my darling Xavian from last year *stage whispers from across the room* 'Sweet Jesus'! Where did the time go?!? It seems like it was just yesterday that I got caught up in this whole crazy obsessiveness that is Twilight mania. (but more on that tomorrow - we have important things to discuss... like Edward) *swoons at the thought* *dizzy from all the swooning* ... Okay, you ready to swoon?

Edward

Everyone's favorite love/love to hate fictional Vampire Boyfriend

Edward, sweet Edward, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways... (in quotes, of course) b/c really...you don't need me going on and on (and you know I could) about him...

I didn't have to look to know who it was; this was a voice I would know anywhere - know, and respond to, whether I was awake or asleep...or even dead, I'd bet. The voice I'd walk through fire for - or, less dramatically, slosh everyday through the cold and endless rain for. Edward.

~Emmett (haha just kidding) ~Bella

"I looked at Edward. Sick as he was, he was still beautiful. There was something pure and good about his face. The kind of face I would have wanted my son to have."

~Carlisle to Bella, on changing Edward

Once you cared about a person, it was impossible to be logical about them anymore.

~Bella

"I don't know if she's going to get over it - I'm not sure if it's in her nature to heal from something like this. She's always been such a constant little thing. She doesn't get past things, change her mind."

~Charlie, about Edward leaving

At least I could be with him again before I died. That was better than a long life.

~Bella

I knew it deep in my empty chest - how love gave someone the power to break you.

~Bella

I thought briefly about how you were suppose to see your life flash before your eyes. I was so much luckier. Who wanted to see a rerun, anyway? I saw him, and I had no will to fight. My subconscious had stored Edward away in perfect detail. I could see his perfect face as if he was really there. My eyes were flooded with freezing water but why would I fight when I was so happy where I was. Even as my lungs burned for more air and my legs cramped in the icy cold, I was content. I'd forgotten what real happiness felt like. Happiness. It made the whole dying thing pretty bearable.

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~Bella, drowning after the cliff dive ( *sobs* I'd forgotten how sad that part is. )

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"You know, I've never had much patience with Romeo. Mistake after mistake. Could he have destroyed his own happiness any more thoroughly?

~Edward (good foreshadowing, glad you were able to work it out though)

"You will always be the most beautiful thing in my world."

~Edward to Bella *swoon*

Oh btw - I heard there is a brief EPOV scene after he calls to check on Bella and Jake tells him Charlie is at 'the' funeral. OMG I [HOPFULLY] will need at least a whole box of tissues to get through that scene.

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Your thoughts: Edward - Stalker or loving & protective boyfriend?

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Pics found through Google Image search

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Tomorrow...*deep breath* Character analysis wrap-up, Movie expectations and Beyond...

Countdown to New Moon - Bella

2 Days!!! *gets paper bag*







Bella. What to say about Bella? As annoying as she becomes in Eclipse and slightly through out Breaking Dawn - we still love her. Bella is heartbreaking in New Moon. Devastatingly, hauntingly - heartbreaking. I'm serious. It makes my heart and chest hurt to read some parts in New Moon. Bella is so relatable and familiar. I mean we feel like we either know her or we've felt like she does in the books. Bella's heartbreak is our heartbreak. Bella's depression is our depression. Bella's hope is our hope. I could go on... (but don't worry, I won't) Bella is an Everyman. Everyone can - at the very least - relate.



New Moon has to be my favorite book. I know many disagree. But I can't help it. Bella's fall into darkness is just as poignant as her budding friendship with Jacob, her want/need for Edward and her courage not only to go to Italy to save Edward but then to stand up to Edward and go to the Cullens for the vote. This is a powerful book.

Bella

(in quotes)

What was so great about mortality? Being a vampire didn't look like such a terrible thing - not the way the Cullens did it, anyway.

~Bella (Amen sister)

Get the Tissues...

The guilt made my head bow and my shoulders slump. I'd run them out of their home - just like Rosalie and Emmett. I was a plague.

~Bella, on Jasper and Alice

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What's the worst that can happen? I flinched. That was definitely the wrong question to ask. I was having a hard time breathing right. Okay, I thought again, what's the worst that I can live through? I didn't like that question so much, either.

~Bella



With shaky legs, I followed him into the forest. The evidence of his path had disappeared instantly. There were no footprints, the leaves were still again, but I walked forward without thinking. I could not do anything else. I had to keep moving. If I stopped looking for him, it was over. Love. Life. Meaning... Over.

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The waves of pain that had only lapped at me before now reared high up and washed over my head, pulling me under. I did not resurface.

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(The most heartbreaking and moving literary display of time elapsing that I've ever seen. Srsly go look at it in the book.)

October




November




December




January





Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls. But it does pass. Even for me.


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Picking up the Pieces...

******

"Did you seriously just STAMP your foot?!? I thought girls only did that on TV."

~Jacob to Bella

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"I used to think of you that way. Like my personal sun. You balanced out the clouds nicely."

~Bella to Jacob (don't think this is NM but still...)

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"I missed your birthday?" (Bella)

"Don't worry about it, I missed yours. What are you now, forty?" (Jacob)

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Even the voice in my head was making no sense today.

~Bella

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Oops get the tissues again...

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This part actually was more heartbreaking to me than when Edward left.

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(After Jake tells her they can't be friends anymore)

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Not as bad! Not! As! Bad! my mind tried to comfort me. It was true. This wasn't as bad. This wasn't the end of the world, not again. This was just the end of what little peace there was left behind. That was all. ... Jake hadn't been healing the hole in me... He'd been carving out his own hole. I wondered why I didn't crumble into pieces.

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Reuniting with Edward in Italy...

*****

It was very strange, for I knew we were both in mortal danger. Still, in that instant, I felt well. Whole.

~Bella

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Poor Bella. :( New Moon is NOT good times for her.

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When did your heart break for Bella?

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Tomorrow - Edward *swoon*

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Pic from thetwilightguide.com

Countdown to New Moon - Charlie & Carlisle

3 Days!!! Woo Hoo!!!


Charlie and Carlisle - my favorite two Book Dads.


Who doesn't love Charlie? He clearly loves Bella, even though he is at a complete loss as to what to do with a teenage daughter. He's not sure what to do about Edward. He loves his sports and good old Harry Clearwater's Famous Fish Fry. He does his best with what he has including; loving Bella from a distance and letting her find her place in the world - following her on her path on a 'need to know' basis. Charlie is a smart man - he does whatever it takes to stay in her life (as any good Dad would). While it may take him a little while to warm back up to Edward after his stunt in NM - and who could blame him -Bella was Death for months after Edward left - we still love him. B/c he is a Dad. And we always love our Dad.

Happy Charlie - Awwww could that be the infamous Scrapbook?!??! How sweet is he?

Charlie

(in quotes)

Charlie is a man of few words - it's hard to find direct quotes from him :)

*****

"Charlie sent me to look for you." (Sam)

Charlie? That struck a chord, and I tried to pay more attention to what he was saying. Charlie mattered, if nothing else did.

~ Bella, in the woods




*****
"I don't think I can live through seeing you try harder. I've never seen anyone trying so hard. It hurts to watch."

~Charlie




*****
"When your mother left ... and took you with her;" he began frowning, "well, that was a really bad time for me. But I handled it. ... You're not handling it. I think we both know it's not getting better."

~Charlie (*jensheartbreaks* - poor Charlie.)




*****
The sense of deja vu was nearly stifling by this point. At least, unlike last time -when I'd run away from Forks to escape thirsty vampires rather than to find them - I wouldn't have to say goodbye to Charlie in person.

~Bella when leaving for Italy




*****
"You should probably know that I'm breaking the rules right now. Well, not technically, since he said I was never to walk through his door again, and I came in the window...But, still, the intent was clear."


~Edward after returning from Italy (I always LOL at this line. Gotta love Edward for getting Charlie on a technicality, gotta love Charlie for telling Edward like it is.)

Heartbreaking Charlie - carrying Bella from the woods *sniff, sniff* (I'll def need to remember to bring the tissues Thursday night!!)

Carlisle

(in quotes)

There isn't much to say about Carlisle that hasn't been said. He is definitely what more people should strive to be like. I love his talk with Bella while he is stitching her up. I think it is one of the most powerful discussions in the whole series. His love for his family, especially Edward is astounding. His compassion and willingness for love and acceptance truly sets him apart.

*****

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"So I didn't agree with my father's particular brand of faith. But never, in the nearly four hundred years now since I was born, have I ever seen anything to make me doubt whether God exists in some for or the other. Not even the reflection in the mirror...

...

Edward's with me up to a point. God and heaven exist, but he doesn't believe that there is an afterlife for our kind. You see, he thinks we've lost our souls...

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But...I look at my...son. His strength, his goodness, the brightness that shines out of him and it only fuels that hope, that faith, more than ever. How could there not be more for one such as Edward?" ~Carlisle to Bella

*****

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-Just b/c I love this picture. But I think it also captures the fact that Carlisle is the central figure in the family. He is always the first one they run to/call. (think BD when Bella realizes she's pregnant)

Tomorrow: Bella

What do you think about Charlie and Carlisle?

Countdown to New Moon - Jacob

I can't believe it is finally here. I mean - This Week. 4 Days. Holy Crap. Where did the time go???


- to celebrate - I've collected a few quotes for each of the major characters from this book (major characters in my opinion). Since I'm doing it through book quotes - I won't have too much to say about many of the Cullens - b/c let's be honest here - they don't have a major part in this book.

Jacob

(why I am an 'Almost Team Jacob' in this book)


He brings Bella back. Who knows where she would have been without Jake. As much as I want to hate him, I can't.



Why I respect Jacob:



He makes Bella laugh again.


"I'd forgotten how much I liked Jacob Black." ~Bella (me too Bella... me too)

"I was enjoying myself - how strange." ~Bella

"I was laughing, actually laughing, and there wasn't even anyone watching. I felt so weightless that I laughed again, just to make the feeling last longer." ~Bella



Bella can be carefree and young with him.



"Here's to responsibility... twice a week." ~Jacob

He gave her someone to protect, someone to fight for even when all else was lost.

"More than anything, I wanted to be fierce and deadly, someone no one would dare mess with. Someone who would scare Sam Uley silly. I wanted to be a vampire." ~Bella thinking Sam had sucked Jacob into his cult


Why do you love Jacob?



Tomorrow: Carlisle and Charlie




*image courtesy of google image search

Life ain't always beautiful...

...sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down
It can break your heart...

But the struggle makes you stronger
And the changes make you wise...

No, life ain't always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine...

Life ain't always beautiful
...but it's a beautiful ride.


~Gary Allen, Life Ain't Always Beautiful

This is my motto lately.


Lately I find myself just worn out. Tired. Stressed. Overwhelmed. It just seems like there isn't enough time in one day. week. month.

But then I really stop and think about it - I realize it really isn't that bad.

I have always been able to get it together in order to get done what needs to be done. Call me a procrastinator. Call me lazy. Call me crazy. But I do better when I put something off until it can't wait any longer.

This is what I am doing now.


I have tons of work things to do. I have a 7 a.m. meeting tomorrow. And another one Friday morning. I have paperwork to do that needs to be turned in. I have a messy classroom that desperately needs to be organized. It seems like every time I have time to do it...something else comes up. Usually in the form of a meeting or just something more urgent.

I am glad to say that the main source of my irritation & stress has been removed. I didn't even realize how much stress I felt every day. Friday - I had to really think hard to remember why I decided to wanted to do this in the first place. And that's a sad thing to have to do. So imagine my relief to no longer have this person in my life. So I guess I'll have to eat my own words... "It'll be okay. Sunny days are ahead" And I don't mind eating my own words. Especially when they are nice words...


So for now...I guess busy is good. I'm reining in the overwhelmed feelings and taking one thing at a time. I'll get it done.

I'm letting go of the stressed out feelings. They're not worth hanging on to.

I'm reining in the tired. I'll sleep this weekend.

Gotta love the end/beginning of a nine weeks. [Oh... that should be written in the sarcastic font...just FYI]

In other news - our Girls Beach Getaway Weekend Fall '09 was awesome! It was really a good time to: Get away. Vent. Chill out. Shop. Eat at new restaurants (We heart Bob!). Get flipped off by people who thought I was driving too slow {I know right. Me. Driving too slow?!? WTF. } (excuuuuuse me though!! We got separated and I didn't know where we were going so we had to wait for Pam to catch up - that's alright though... it makes for a nice little inside joke now...). And of course watch Twilight. (Duh *rolls eyes*- there were people there who had only seen it once or twice...) We even got to play Wheel of Fortune b/c the WoF Bus is traveling the country and happened to be at the Coastal Grand Mall auditioning for the show. Since it is apparently Melissa's life-long DREAM to be on WoF [who knew?!?]- we stayed out there for 3 hours with fingers crossed that she would be picked to go up on the stage. No luck. But it was still fun.



By hour 3- I was so FREAKING cold I was cuddling with little old ladies and jumping around and screaming and WOOO HOOO-ing over lame hats and pictures of Pat and Vanna just to keep the blood circulating and warm. No alcohol involved. Good times. Srsly. [not sarcastic]

And in other AWESOME news: 9, count 'em ... 9. MORE. DAYS!!! Oh you know what I'm talking about. I can't believe it!!!

Sorry no pics though. I somehow didn't have my memory card in the camera and V hasn't shared the pics yet.

So all in all, my motto is pretty self explanatory. I'm working on the negative. Today was already better than yesterday. Tomorrow will be even better.

Facebook Stalking

I'm just gonna throw this out there - Facebook is awesome. I admit I was late to jump on the bandwagon and join FB - and the only reason I did was b/c I was peer pressured into it. But really - it has to be one of the best things out there. I mean where else can you see pictures from friends/family/complete strangers that 'tag' one of your friends in a picture... not only can you see all the pictures - but you can see them almost immediately after they are taken. No longer are the days when you have to go home to see the hard copy after they've been developed or have them sent to you in an email.

I'm rambling...

Point being - having almost instant access to pictures is nice. Especially when you are not expecting what you see.

Case in point:

Jason's Halloween pics surfaced sometime yesterday. I had no idea what he was going to dress up as since I FAIL at coming up with cool/hip/currently in style Halloween costumes. So you can imagine my surprise when I happened upon this photo.

Really?!? A MONK?!? Really? I'm actually glad I saw the picture b/c otherwise I would have never believed it. Our conversation probably would have gone something like this:

Me: So what did you come up with?

Jason: A Monk.

Me: *snicker* no really

Jason: Really.

Me: Yeah ok. NO srsly though. What you didn't come up with anything?

Jason: I told you. A Monk.

Me: um... ok do you not want to tell me?

This probably would have ensued for at least 25 minutes.

My brother...the Monk. There are no words. And srsly though - what/who is that dude next to you?!?!

However; the best part of fb stalking is seeing complete strangers. I've already decided that this next costume is the best EVER. Sorry Jason - even better than the Monk getup.

Are. You. Freaking. Kidding. Me? Oh you know which one I'm talking about.

Ok - I'm not even gonna say too much about the other two guys in this pic. Tom Cruise?!? Risky Business? Really?!?

Nope. Not even going there. Risky indeed... (haha I'm lame) I guess I could give you some points for that.

I have NO idea who the next one is suppose to be. But that hat is pretty pimpin'. It would go right along with my pirate costume.

And yeah there's Jason the Monk again.

But SRSLY?!!?? ALAN?!? From The. Best. Movie. Ever. The Hangover?!? OMG. So much WIN right there!

I about died. Not only is that the Best. Costume. Ever. - but hold on now -is that the same exact shirt?!? And do you actually own a pair of white pants like that?!?!

Or is this sold as a costume somewhere? Cause if it's NOT - You are awesome my friend. AWESOME.

Srsly compare the two pics.

It is the SAME shirt. Please don't rain on my parade and tell me it was a costume - b/c it is way better in my head if you actually own those articles of clothing.

I mean Phil is waaaaaaaaay better but Alan definitely the next best thing in that movie. Seeing this picture made me want to watch the movie again and re-live some of the best lines from my 2 fav characters.

Alan:

"That's right! You better walk on. I'll hit an old man in public!"

"...I'm a steel trap. Whatever happens tonight, I won't ever ever speak a word of it. Seriously. I don't care what happens. I don't care if we kill someone."

"How's my hair? Is it cool like Phil's?"

"Oh you know what? Next week's not good for me... the Jonas Brothers are in town..."

Phil:

"Would you shut up and drive before these nerds ask me another question."

"Would you PLEASE put some pants on?!? I feel weird having to ask you twice. "

"Hey it's Phil. Leave me a message - or don't. But do me a favor; don't text me. It's gay."