Does anyone remember this girl from iCarly? A friend of mine posted this video on facebook the day. I couldn't believe it was her. She sounds excellent! Much better than I usually expect from teens who were on TV about the same time.
Isn't that surprisingly good? I thought so.
-B
What singers of this age do you secretly enjoy?
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Quote of the Day
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something
you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger
than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing
is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
― A.A. Milne
― A.A. Milne
Winnie the Pooh was always a childhood favorite and always brings inspiration to me whenever I seem to need it. I will always look to A.A. Milne for a quote to get me through the day.
Happy Travels!
-B
Happy Travels!
-B
Monday, June 24, 2013
Interesting Reads: Paris in Love: A Memoir
Eloisa James is a favorite author of mine. Every time she has a new book come out I'm usually at the store that day (or a day or so after) in order to buy it and gobble it up. This pattern has changed in the last few years as I have gotten busier and graduated college. That is why it has taken me this long to read Eloisa James' memoir Paris in Love.
Unlike other things she writes this book was not a novel. It is a compilation of stories in more or less chronological order of occurrences and happenings when her and her husband moved themselves and their two children (Luca and Anna) to Paris for a time. I found just the idea of dropping everything and moving to Paris for a year to be truly exciting. I did similar things in college where I went to new places not knowing anyone but this was a true adult version of my dream.
One of my favorite sections of the book was entitled "Of Rice and Men." James tells about how love and rissoto will always be linked together in her mind. She first learned to make the Italian deliciousness of risotto after her boyfriend of 10 years broke up with her. The recipe that she used came from Paul Bertolli's Chez Panisse Cooking. Her art of cooking involved cooking, reading romance novels, and "crying every now and then when it seemed the heroines had a better life" than her while stiring the risotto to perfection. She tells how the risotto helped to heal her from her breakup and help her secure her Italian husband's family. This section along makes me want to learn how to make risotto in the true Italian form.
Throughout the book James is reading a Paris memoir by her relative Claude, that had been written almost 100 years prior. In a particular section James draws a comparison between herself and Claude. They both went to Harvard, both moved to Paris at a point in their lives, both wrote memoirs, and both wrote novels that were not admired by the literary establishment. They both also had opinion pieces in the The New York Times. One on Italian Politics and the other on the use of the term "bodice-ripper."
She also used a marvelous quote from Miuccia Prada to describe the French's take on fashion; "Being elegant isn't easy. You have to study it, like cuisine and art." This quote really inspired me. It is really true. Fashion is an art form. You have to study it and learn how to do it.
Unlike other things she writes this book was not a novel. It is a compilation of stories in more or less chronological order of occurrences and happenings when her and her husband moved themselves and their two children (Luca and Anna) to Paris for a time. I found just the idea of dropping everything and moving to Paris for a year to be truly exciting. I did similar things in college where I went to new places not knowing anyone but this was a true adult version of my dream.
One of my favorite sections of the book was entitled "Of Rice and Men." James tells about how love and rissoto will always be linked together in her mind. She first learned to make the Italian deliciousness of risotto after her boyfriend of 10 years broke up with her. The recipe that she used came from Paul Bertolli's Chez Panisse Cooking. Her art of cooking involved cooking, reading romance novels, and "crying every now and then when it seemed the heroines had a better life" than her while stiring the risotto to perfection. She tells how the risotto helped to heal her from her breakup and help her secure her Italian husband's family. This section along makes me want to learn how to make risotto in the true Italian form.
Throughout the book James is reading a Paris memoir by her relative Claude, that had been written almost 100 years prior. In a particular section James draws a comparison between herself and Claude. They both went to Harvard, both moved to Paris at a point in their lives, both wrote memoirs, and both wrote novels that were not admired by the literary establishment. They both also had opinion pieces in the The New York Times. One on Italian Politics and the other on the use of the term "bodice-ripper."
She also used a marvelous quote from Miuccia Prada to describe the French's take on fashion; "Being elegant isn't easy. You have to study it, like cuisine and art." This quote really inspired me. It is really true. Fashion is an art form. You have to study it and learn how to do it.
One of my favorite lines was towards the end of the book. She describes Paris in the rain.
"Today is rainy, cool, and windy. The sky is silvery gray, like
the watered silk skirts of a
Victorian lady, long widowed, and still regretful."
Her conclusion to her book and to that of her year in Paris really moves the point of why her and her husband uprooted their lives and their children's lives for a year in Paris. They, as a family, learned to talk to each other, eat and squabble together, and play together. They "learned to waste our moments - together. And then we brought that lesson home with us."
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Cups
This song has been making its rounds and I am no exception to its popularity. I have never seen Pitch Perfect all the way through so when I first heard this song I had no idea that it had been made popular from the movie. I was watching different music videos on YouTube and found this. It is really catchy and now that it is on the radio it never seems to leave my head. (I also think Anna Kendrick is amazing hello Up in the Air with George Clooney)
Happy singing readers,
-B
Happy singing readers,
-B
Thursday, June 20, 2013
A Tribute to West Virginia - Senator Jay Rockefeller
"Fifty years ago, I was on the outside looking in. A young man in awe
of a state knit so tightly and beautifully – a place whose people are so
closely connected but welcomed me and shared their treasured home.
A place where the mountains touch the heavens and dirt roads lead to home. Suppertime is family time and neighbors always give with both hands.
Where summers mean 4-H camp and sugar maples glow in the fall. Winters test resilience and the sound of spring peepers bring us joy.
It’s a place where glass is blown and handmade quilts get blue ribbons. Buckets of blackberries end up in cobblers. Ramps have their own festival and buckwheat does too.
Where doors are held open and smiles are shared generously. Where we call friends “aunts” and “uncles” because they’re just like our own.
A state whose pride wells with the crack of the Mountaineer’s musket. Who cherishes a university that grew strong out of impossible tragedy.
It’s where John Denver sang of misty moonshine and Rocket Boys reached the sky.
Where we know the sound of train whistles and the smell of newly-baled hay in the sun.
Where we raft our rapids and fish our streams. Hike our trails and ski snow-covered slopes. Climb our peaks and camp in valleys.
It’s a state where weddings are planned around football schedules and prayers said every night. Kids catch bugs in mason jars and know the state song by heart.
Where friendly small towns make us proud and front porches have swings.
Where veterans are hometown heroes and patriotism means more than waving a flag.
It’s a place where hard work is marked by empty coffee thermoses and coarsely stained hands.
Where coal lives beneath our land and underpins a way of life. Steel has been forged and helped build a whole nation.
Where struggle doesn’t mean defeat; it inspires us to fight harder. Where tough times bind us together and we shout our successes from the mountaintops.
It’s a peaceful place where the mountains hold us close and the view from our window reminds us we’re part of a larger story – of something special.
We ache for it when we’re away. And we smile when the words “Wild and Wonderful” greet us at the state line.
On West Virginia’s birthday, I am thankful for my state. I found myself at her potlucks and in her hollows. I found my life’s passion, a call to public service, in her people – work I am deeply grateful to have done for 50 of her 150 years.
I found my forever home."
A place where the mountains touch the heavens and dirt roads lead to home. Suppertime is family time and neighbors always give with both hands.
Where summers mean 4-H camp and sugar maples glow in the fall. Winters test resilience and the sound of spring peepers bring us joy.
It’s a place where glass is blown and handmade quilts get blue ribbons. Buckets of blackberries end up in cobblers. Ramps have their own festival and buckwheat does too.
Where doors are held open and smiles are shared generously. Where we call friends “aunts” and “uncles” because they’re just like our own.
A state whose pride wells with the crack of the Mountaineer’s musket. Who cherishes a university that grew strong out of impossible tragedy.
It’s where John Denver sang of misty moonshine and Rocket Boys reached the sky.
Where we know the sound of train whistles and the smell of newly-baled hay in the sun.
Where we raft our rapids and fish our streams. Hike our trails and ski snow-covered slopes. Climb our peaks and camp in valleys.
It’s a state where weddings are planned around football schedules and prayers said every night. Kids catch bugs in mason jars and know the state song by heart.
Where friendly small towns make us proud and front porches have swings.
Where veterans are hometown heroes and patriotism means more than waving a flag.
It’s a place where hard work is marked by empty coffee thermoses and coarsely stained hands.
Where coal lives beneath our land and underpins a way of life. Steel has been forged and helped build a whole nation.
Where struggle doesn’t mean defeat; it inspires us to fight harder. Where tough times bind us together and we shout our successes from the mountaintops.
It’s a peaceful place where the mountains hold us close and the view from our window reminds us we’re part of a larger story – of something special.
We ache for it when we’re away. And we smile when the words “Wild and Wonderful” greet us at the state line.
On West Virginia’s birthday, I am thankful for my state. I found myself at her potlucks and in her hollows. I found my life’s passion, a call to public service, in her people – work I am deeply grateful to have done for 50 of her 150 years.
I found my forever home."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Quote of the Day
"We must all make the choice between what is right and what is easy."
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I absolutely love quotes from Harry Potter. Even though they seem to apply to something none relevant to our lives they always seem to apply.
Happy Travels!
-B
Monday, June 17, 2013
Interesting Reads: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is her tale of self-discovery on a 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to the Bridge of the Gods at the Oregon/Washington boarder. This told the interwoven story of Strayed's time along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and stories of her earlier life. She used her time on the PCT to take account of her life and the direction it was going.
This book was a journey of self-discovery for me as well. It re-inspired me to enjoy my love of the outdoors this summer and especially hiking. It also brought home to me to not take anything for granted. Enjoy every moment as much as possible and never undervalue the people who mean the most to you. However, it also told me that at some points in your life bad, horrible things can happen in your life and their is little you can do but pick up the pieces and try to move forward.
I really enjoyed the Times article on the book. I felt it described the good parts and gave insight into what the book was truly about.
Happy exploring!
-B
Any books to recommend?
Saturday, June 15, 2013
I Volunteer as Tribute
"I volunteer as tribute!"
- Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games
The line, made famous from The Hunger Games, started from an emotionally compelling scene in which the main character Katniss Everdeen volunteers herself to take her younger sisters spot in the usually deadly Hunger Games. The movie trailer made this line even more well known and popular. With this popularity "I volunteer as tribute!" has become a popular response to statements and questions, especially in the form of internet memes.
This realization came rushing at me the other day when I was watching TV with my roommate. Upon seeing a commercial to something that I don't remember she responded, out of no where, with "I volunteer as tribute!" I was slightly confused at first. I then realized to what she was referring and had a good laugh.
May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor...
-B
Friday, June 14, 2013
Biltmore Estate
I had the pleasure this last Monday to experience one of the most magnificent places I have ever seen in the United States. It had the architecture of a French Chateau and the furnishings a grander European past. I am talking about the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.
This majestic Chateau style mansion was built by George Washington Vanderbilt III between 1889 and 1895. According to their website the house has "4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces." There are many 16th century tapestries, a library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall, an indoor pool, and a bowling
alley. I really don't believe there are even words to describe the grandioseness of this house and the surrounding gardens, not to mention the expanding grounds, forests, and village.
I was lucky enough to enjoy the gardens first thing in the morning before the sun was fully up and it was relatively dry. After the gardens my mom and I proceeded to the main house. We spent about 2 hours taking the self guided tour of the house. It was spectacular! I could have easily gotten lost if there wasn't signs and a rope to guide us and half of the house is closed off to the public. After the house we continued on to the neighboring Antler Hill Village which contains the Biltmore Winery, a selection of restaurants, the barn and farmyard, and the central outdoor recreation rental.
For a grand total of $44 (I bought the tickets 7+ days in advance) I got access to the house, the grounds, the winery, endless recreational opportunities, and Antler Hill Village. It was well worth the cost and gave me and my mom a day of fun and excitement to break up our road trip.
If you ever have the opportunity to stop by I would highly recommend it! Check out more here.
Happy Travels!
-B
Do you have a favorite historical place?
I was lucky enough to enjoy the gardens first thing in the morning before the sun was fully up and it was relatively dry. After the gardens my mom and I proceeded to the main house. We spent about 2 hours taking the self guided tour of the house. It was spectacular! I could have easily gotten lost if there wasn't signs and a rope to guide us and half of the house is closed off to the public. After the house we continued on to the neighboring Antler Hill Village which contains the Biltmore Winery, a selection of restaurants, the barn and farmyard, and the central outdoor recreation rental.
For a grand total of $44 (I bought the tickets 7+ days in advance) I got access to the house, the grounds, the winery, endless recreational opportunities, and Antler Hill Village. It was well worth the cost and gave me and my mom a day of fun and excitement to break up our road trip.
If you ever have the opportunity to stop by I would highly recommend it! Check out more here.
Happy Travels!
-B
Do you have a favorite historical place?
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Quote of the Day
I've decided to share a quote a week in order to inspire and make you think. If it reminds you of anything feel free to share.
"In order to move on, you must understand why you felt what you did and why you no longer feel it."
- Mitch Albom, Five People You Meet in Heaven
Happy Travels!
-B
Monday, June 10, 2013
Interesting Read: Bitter is the New Black
Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a
Condescending, Egomanical, Self-Centered, Smartass, or Why You Should
Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office
This memoir of a "condescending, egomanical, self-centered, smart-ass" was recommended to me by one of my good friends Nicole while we were wondering around the bookstore the other day seeking retail therapy in the form of books. At first I was a little bit doubtful that I would enjoy this book though the summary on the back sounded alright and it came highly recommended to me. I am extremely glad that I ignored that bit of doubt because this book was fabulous. It was very inspiring and moving to hear about one women's experience during the economic downturn and how she was able to keep moving forward despite many drawbacks. Jennifer Lancaster has become rather successful through her blog and more memoir style books concerning different life events.
Her details about how she handled rejection and kept positive (some times) about getting laid off and continuously job hunting have helped me in my current job search. I could not be more grateful for the timing that this book had in my life. I wait with baited breathe for my email to ding saying I can check her next book out at my local library!
Have a wonderful day!
-B
Do you have a favorite memoir? If so what is it and why?
"This is the story of how a haughty former sorority gal went from
having a household income of almost a quarter-million dollars to being
evicted from a ghetto apartment in less than two years. It's a modern
Greek tragedy, as defined by Roger Dunkle in The Classical Origins of Western Culture:
a story in which "the central character, called a tragic protagonist or
hero, suffers some serious misfortune which is not accidental and
therefore meaningless, but is significant in that the misfortune is
logically connected."
This memoir of a "condescending, egomanical, self-centered, smart-ass" was recommended to me by one of my good friends Nicole while we were wondering around the bookstore the other day seeking retail therapy in the form of books. At first I was a little bit doubtful that I would enjoy this book though the summary on the back sounded alright and it came highly recommended to me. I am extremely glad that I ignored that bit of doubt because this book was fabulous. It was very inspiring and moving to hear about one women's experience during the economic downturn and how she was able to keep moving forward despite many drawbacks. Jennifer Lancaster has become rather successful through her blog and more memoir style books concerning different life events.
Her details about how she handled rejection and kept positive (some times) about getting laid off and continuously job hunting have helped me in my current job search. I could not be more grateful for the timing that this book had in my life. I wait with baited breathe for my email to ding saying I can check her next book out at my local library!
Have a wonderful day!
-B
Do you have a favorite memoir? If so what is it and why?
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Footloose
I saw the original version of this movie only a few weeks ago at my friend's house late one night. It was fantastic and I look forward to watching the more recent version of it. However, until I get that opportunity I would like to share this golden nugget of Blake Shelton singing one of my favorite songs.
This song just makes you want to get up and dance. No matter what terrible mood I seem to be in it always perks me up.
Have a Footloose kind of day!
-B
This song just makes you want to get up and dance. No matter what terrible mood I seem to be in it always perks me up.
Have a Footloose kind of day!
-B
Friday, June 7, 2013
It's off to College!
Yes my lovely readers you read that correctly. After a year off from school and a year after graduating I am going to be taking two online classes through a community college. Why am I doing this you might ask? Well I am more than eager to tell you. One of the classes I am taking is Business 101. In college I never got an opportunity to take a business class and I am beginning to regret it. My brother is taking this class as well so I figured what the heck. We can share the book and if nothing else it will prove to us which sibling is smarter (at least this time around).
I am also taking a class separate from my brother. I am partaking in a class titled "Gourmet Culture." It is going to be a look at the history of food in the U.S. and it's cultural impact. I am very excited to be learning in a class environment again. We'll see how it feels after a year off from classes. It should be pretty interesting to say the least. I'm sure I will be talking about it throughout the summer.
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and (hopefully) warm weather in their area. I am currently soaking up the last of the Florida sun between the massive amounts of rain that seems to come every afternoon and evening.
Have a wonderful day!
-B
I am also taking a class separate from my brother. I am partaking in a class titled "Gourmet Culture." It is going to be a look at the history of food in the U.S. and it's cultural impact. I am very excited to be learning in a class environment again. We'll see how it feels after a year off from classes. It should be pretty interesting to say the least. I'm sure I will be talking about it throughout the summer.
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and (hopefully) warm weather in their area. I am currently soaking up the last of the Florida sun between the massive amounts of rain that seems to come every afternoon and evening.
Have a wonderful day!
-B
Monday, June 3, 2013
Interesting Reads: Born to Run
I know I haven't talked about my running in awhile but believe me it's coming along....barely. I'm really not sure what I was thinking registering for such a crazy challenge but it is now my goal in life to finish it in an upright position. In preparation for this undertaking I have begun compiling a list of books to read that will (hopefully) make me more motivated. The first book on this list was recommended to me by one of my good friends. It was Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall. This book was more than I expected it to be.
I went into it expecting a book about a group of people who were born to run, who naturally have a better ability to run faster and longer than I can. This book, though it did discuss that sort of information, talked about how we have evolved and how our running evolved with us. It talks about the ultra and how people fuel for it and push through it despite multiple things that can go wrong. McDougall encased all this information in the story of his journey to run pain free through the traditions of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyons. The idea of barefoot running is also addressed as well as the evolution of the modern athletic shoe.
It was a very interesting read that I cannot recommend enough to anyone interested in running or learning more about running. I had originally rented it from the library for my Kindle and I have since bought it in paperback form.
Hope you have a wonderful day dear readers.
-B
I went into it expecting a book about a group of people who were born to run, who naturally have a better ability to run faster and longer than I can. This book, though it did discuss that sort of information, talked about how we have evolved and how our running evolved with us. It talks about the ultra and how people fuel for it and push through it despite multiple things that can go wrong. McDougall encased all this information in the story of his journey to run pain free through the traditions of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyons. The idea of barefoot running is also addressed as well as the evolution of the modern athletic shoe.
It was a very interesting read that I cannot recommend enough to anyone interested in running or learning more about running. I had originally rented it from the library for my Kindle and I have since bought it in paperback form.
Hope you have a wonderful day dear readers.
-B
Sunday, June 2, 2013
June is for..
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