Underrated Movie

Last night after Yoga class I came home sweaty and happy only to find that when I walked in the door that someone had left the television turned on. When I looked at it I realized that a movie was about to start so I sat down to see what it was. When I realized that it was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, which is a movie I've had on my "movies to watch" list since it came out I naturally had to stay and watch.

I don't think that people gave this movie enough credit. It was a pretty good movie. Now granted I never read the books so I don't know how it measures up to the original story, but I thought the story line was good and that the actors did a good job telling the story and keeping me interested. 

Of course it could have just been all the feel good endorphines running through my body from just exercising, but I don't think so. 

What did you think of Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief? 

The Yoga Project

A few years ago I took a yoga class at UT Arlington and I absolutely loved to practice. Since then I have discovered that my cable provider has free ExerciseTV yoga videos that you can download so I've been doing those every once in a while, when I had the house to myself (which is next to never). I like practicing in a group setting where we are all flexing and bending towards our own inner peace. However, I don't like having me inner peace intruded upon by staring roommates that can't seem to make themselves scarce for an hour and insist on sitting on the couch to watch me stretch and contort myself while I try to balance on one foot as if their piercing eyes and the confounded looks on their faces aren't invading my practice. I've asked several times for them to join me but they refuse, so then I ask them to go somewhere else and stop staring. But the next time it's the same story over again so I eventually stopped practicing at home which meant I had stopped altogether.

Until I heard about The Yoga Project, a studio in Arlington that practices Baptiste Power Yoga done in a room heated to 95 degrees. It sounds pretty intimidating when you read the description, but they offer a $3 Basics Class on Saturdays that sounded like a good way to check it out. I invited a couple of friends to check it out with me that were also excited about trying a yoga class. If it was terrible and we hated it then we only lost an hour and $3 so we set out not really knowing what to expect.

When we got there we filled out the waivers, paid the $3, and went inside to lay out our mats. When we got inside we noticed that people had their mats laid out but on top of their mats they had long towels that covered the mat and a hand towel and water bottle sitting next to their props. When we asked what was up with the mat towel the lady in front of us told us how much we would be sweating and that they mats can get slippery. So we followed their lead and laid out towels as well.

During the class we did sweat! But it was absolutely incredible I left the class feeling detoxified and like I had a great work out. I've been back twice so far and I really kick myself that I didn't sign up for the $39 unlimited classes for a month offer that you can only get your first time. But since I'm still a student its only $10 a class for the regular classes and I have my eye on a class tonight that I would like to attend.

Practicing Yoga really does wonders for my health, happiness, and sanity. I am so glad that I have once again found a way to practice and I highly recommend stepping onto the mat to anyone.

Namaste

My New Little Garden

After going to the grocery store and getting remarkably little for $52.76 I have decided that there are a few things that I can do to alleviate the strain on my little paycheck: 

1. Check the store circulars to see if any stores have what I need on sale
2. Check for coupons before I head to the store
3. Grow some of my own food

Now do not worry, I'm not about to go coupon mom on this page. : )

I have however begun what I hope will become a prosperous garden. Today I planted two tomato plants in my little patio. Even though there is not a whole lot of space in my back yard there is enough for a few extra plants. If this goes well there is one particular bush that I would not mind putting out of its misery in order to reclaim some extra garden space. 

I went to Ace Hardware today and picked up two little tomato plants, some fertilizer, a soaker hose, and 2 tomato cages.  When I got home I cleaned up the little planter, trimmed the bush that is already there, and planted my two little seedlings. Then I wrapped the soaker hose around the cages so that I just have to turn the faucet on and they'll get a nice big drink. 

If this works out, I plan on also planting potatoes, peppers, and strawberries. I thought about corn, but they get a little to big and you have to plant corn early in the spring around Valentine's Day. 

I also rescued this little guy from sure demise since it was right were my tomatoes were going to go. I figured I'd grow it like a bonsai, and it will have a nice indoor air conditioned life.  

I'm not sure what kind of tree it is, but its a cute little one and has nice leaves. I really hope it survives the transplant. 

Sh*t My Dad Says

If you haven't read Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern then you are really missing out. We've all had parents and they've most assuredly said something or done something that was ridiculously embarrassing or crazy and this book hilariously connects with its reader on that level.

I was wary at first when my boyfriend handed it to me. Having seen the television show and deeming it not worthy to take up space on my DVR, I was apprehensive about the book but since it was only about 150 pages and came with a glowing recommendation from my boyfriend I figured that I'd give it a try.

I read the whole book, laughing the whole way through at the humorous anecdotes and the similar situations I had with my own parents. Definitely add this to your list of books to read.

Strippers in a Children's Movie.... Really?!

Last night my sister and I went to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 at the movie theater. It was a pretty good movie, but we're a little dorky sometimes so we like that kind of cute movie. Being the kind of movie that it was with a target audience of the age of 6 to 12 years old, there were quite a few children in the theater and one of the trailers which is also supposed to be a kids movie was rather baffling. Check it out........



BAD KITTY!!! Keep your clothes on!

I don't know about you, but I really don't think that young children should watch a strip tease, even if the character is animated. With the music and the trowing of clothes, you can't deny that it's a strip tease!

Strippers, cats or otherwise, do not belong in children's movies.

They can get enough of it on prime time broadcast TV: http://youtu.be/JnAHuCInLWo

Good-By Spirit!

Yesterday NASA announced that after over a year of silence from the Mars rover Spirit, which has been on Mars for about 7 years, they are hanging their hats and listing her as MIA.


Spirit Rover

Spirit landed on Mars in January of 2004 for a mission that was to last 3 months. Since then it has gathered quite a bit of data including evidence that Mars may have been wetter in the past then it is now. In March of 2010 Spirit stop sending signals which some believe was the result of a particularly harsh Martian winter which did not allow Spirit to get the solar rays it needed for power. Without an adequate supply of power the electronics in Spirit would have been particularly susceptible to the extreme cold.

Looking forward the NASA Rover Team is preparing to launch the next generation Rover called Curiosity this November which will gather data to determine if Mars ever has or ever will support microbial life.

I know that I will not forget Spirit or Oppertunity because they are one of the first NASA Missions that peaked my interest and a true testiment to modern day engineering.

The Other Boleyn Girl

Now that finals are over I have actually had time to sit down and read. I started my summer with The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory which has been on my reading list for a while and subsequently travelling with me every where in my car just in case I get a moment to read. I finally sat down over the last three days and finished this wonderful story.

It's a story about duty and desire. A young woman who's family trusts her about in an attempt to gain power, titles, and riches. In her world everything is for the family, she must forsake her husband to gain favor and then dutifully serve the one who steals away everything she has earned and achieved.

Historical fiction is by far one of my favorite genres and Gregory does an incredible job telling the story of Ann Boleyn from a unique perspective which through out the story stays true to major historical events. If you're in the mood for an entertaining book which is also a little bit of a guilty pleasure I would definately recommend The Other Boleyn Girl.



"The Most Happy"