You Learn

I am listening to Alanis Morisette's "You Learn" as I write this afternoon, and it at the present moment it's really striking a chord with the events in my life. For the past month, I feel like I've had "my heart trampled on" and while it's caused me enough pain and anxiety to last for the remainder of the year, as I listen to her repeat "you learn" over and over it makes me see the sun through this cloudy mess. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, manipulated, and empty but we learn so much in these moments, it ultimately makes us a more complete person. While I'd like to think that people don't hurt each other, I know, and have experienced firsthand the unfortunate effects of humanity's evils. It was depressing me the other night, as I was contemplating how people can honestly be so hurtful. I was thinking and came up with this: not all people are bad, if we just keep pushing through the tough times, and continue treating others the way we would like to be treated, we will eventually find the good. I keep hearing the phrase "karma is a bitch" and find myself wondering if maybe this is indeed true. Life is cyclical, what we project eventually rebounds back and we must consider this before the moment we are in the receiving end. In spite of the recent disappointment I've been feeling, the most influential statement I've heard from friends has been this, "don't change. Don't change who you are, or let yourself become bitter towards relationships. Don't let him ruin your spirit." The more I consider this advice, the more I agree. Why let someone bring you down, when it's ultimately going to be affecting you? Why surround yourself in negativity, when you weren't ever there to begin with? Why think in darkness, when there is so much light around us? This may seem on the philosophical side, but it's true. We each have the ability to make our lives what we want them to be. I want to live in love and peace, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Happy for Hepburn

This past weekend I treated myself to a couple of films from one of Hollywood's best-Audrey Hepburn. She is my favorite classic actress, as she exudes beauty, wit, humor, charm and grace that only few women can. I am of course quite familiar with Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, and can now add Funny Face and Paris When It Sizzles to the list. I enjoyed each movie, especially because they were both set in Paris which automatically intrigues me. Her dancing was wonderful, and I found myself laughing out loud several times at her amusing comments toward her leading man. Audrey's stage presence is immediate, as soon as the viewer locates her on screen they are instantly captivated by her unique voice and wide eyes that illuminate the character she plays. Her costumes, designed primarily by Hubert de Givenchy in the majority of the films are absolutely fantastic as well. I can't get enough of her stylish sheath dresses and wonderfully flamboyant headwear! Audrey Hepburn has earned her fame completely, and after seeing one of her movies, one is sure to be enamored with the loveliest leading lady of twentieth century cinematography.

A Royal Affair

So it's officially spring which means...a ridiculous amount of assignments due within days, if not hours from each other. I have been trying to organize everything out, but any way I slice it, I'm going to be swamped certain weeks. However, it's okay because this year is rapidly coming to a close and next semester will be senior year!!! Can't even believe it.
Anyway, over this post I would like to talk about a topic far more interesting- the royal wedding! I don't know about anyone else, but personally I am dying to watch this event. I am practically jumping in my seat to see what Kate's gown will look like, she's so classy and stylish I know she's going to be glamorous. Maybe it's because she rocks great hats, and I'm a big hat kind of girl, but I think her fashion is wonderful. William, on other hand has been a favorite of mine for many years, and I think they make such a lovely pair together. The very idea of getting married in Westminster Abbey, where so many British poets, royals, and important others are buried is truly awesome. I can't even imagine being able to walk through the building, let alone share my nuptials there. I like how Kate has already decided to arrive at the Abbey in a streetcar and then exit by carriage, as is customary procedure. I don't blame her for wanting a tad more privacy, I'm sure she's going to be a little nervous and would prefer to have a less flamboyant entrance. Altogether, I think it's going to be an incredible ceremony and I am so excited for William and Kate as the next generation of the House of Windsor!

Classy Ladies

As of late, I've been rather obsessed with a few historical women. I've always been interested in history, particularly women's history because I find it far less predictable and tremendously more enchanting. The first leading lady I find myself dying to learn more about is Marie Antoinette. As far as I'm concerned, that woman had the best passion for fashion, and became royalty in one of the Europe's most glorious countries, France. She was the queen that knew how to live, and although she may have had an alternative fate from the guillotine if she paid more attention to the rising revolution, I still find her respectable. She was elegant, charming and in a way, trapped in a flamboyant world.
The second lady I've come to develop a great interest about is Abigail Adams. I chose her as the topic for my biographical essay in my United States History course and in the process have grown immensely fond of the woman. One leading cause of my fondness for her is because she was an advocate for women's rights and strongly urged her husband John to "remember the women" in his doctrines. Abigail was also a major part of this nation's beginning, and is commonly referred to as one of our "founding mothers" and a "lady liberty" because of her impact socially, and politically during America's birth.
The last historical woman I am hoping to be transfixed by is Madame Toussad. I stumbled across a new book in Barnes and Noble just the other day and was drawn to a lovely cover of a woman standing in front of a garden that resembled the grand jardin de Versailles. She was wearing a detailed yellow gown that looked to be from the 18th century and at this point I could not resist. The book is an account of Madame Toussad, the famous wax artisan who began her career in France and gained much popularity and recognition after creating the wonderful likenesses of... Louis XVI and MARIE ANTOINETTE!!! How awesome is that?! I definitely plan on reading this novel and can already feel myself typing a follow up post on this blog!

Book # 1- Heart of the Matter

So I wrote in my post below that my goal was to read 20 books this year, and I just finished book #1 of 2011 this weekend- Heart of the Matter by the talented Emily Giffin. I have three of her four novels and each time find myself thinking about the story and the characters long after the book has been closed. Heart of the Matter was my favorite so far because it examined the lives of two seemingly different women and drew the reader in to really care about the fates of Tessa and Valerie. Tessa Russo is a mother of two and wife to a highly praised plastic surgeon Nick in the affluent community of Wellsley MA. She recently quit her job as an English professor to be a stay at home mom with her 5 and 2 year olds. Valerie Anderson is a lawyer and single mother who works her tail off in an effort to compensate for her son's lack of a paternal figure in his young life. One night while Charlie attends his first sleep over at his friend Grayson's house his world is changed forever as he accidentally falls into the campfire Grayson's parents foolishly provided for energetic little boys. Charlie is rushed to the hospital with second and third degree burns on his hand and face as he is placed under Dr. Nick Russo's care. Nick and Charlie develop an instant connection and Valerie is warmed by the father-son like interactions she observes. Meanwhile, Tessa is finding herself struggling to find happiness in her domestic domain, and feels a shift in her and Nick's marriage as the weeks progress. Nick seems to have lost his enthusiasm for dining out, disciplining his children, and for the romance Tessa is desperately trying to evoke. As Nick begins to heal Charlie with skin grafts and they become used to seeing each other on a daily basis, Valerie starts to let her emotions take over. She knows he's a married man, but just look at him with Charlie! she thinks, he's the perfect man for both of us. Tessa meanwhile is noticing the distance more than ever in her outwardly "perfect marriage" according her best girlfriends April and Cate and her intuition suspects Nick might be having an affair after several questionable clues arise. I will not ruin the ending but I was thoroughly impressed with the way Emily Giffin crafted the ending such a way that makes the reader beg for more. Tessa and Valerie's struggle was realistic, their emotions raw, and their choices compelling. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wishes to explore a story of love, and ultimately forgiveness.

New Year, New Me

Well now that 2011 is in full force, I decided to write a post concerning my new attitudes and resolutions for the new year. My goal is to set attainable, realistic expectations that can actually be applied to my life instead of the outrageous, life changing ideas many come up with on a whim, simply because it sounds good at the time. I want to really make these resolutions work and in this effort, have decided to share my list so I may be constantly reminded by this blog and fellow readers! They are as follows:
1.) Be less critical (in general)
2.) Eat healthier (meaning less sweets!)
3.) Follow a workout routine and make a commitment to myself to get in better shape
4.) Write my book
5.) Read 20 books this year
6.) Go somewhere I have always wanted to go
7.) Finish my quilt
8.) Go to church more often
9.) Do not get a sunburn this year
10.) Always live by the philosophy "enjoy life, don't just get through it."

I'm certainly motivated for this year, and hopefully I will be successful with these ten practices, hope this is a great new year for all of us!