Top Tens {romance}

     Over the course of about six months, several people have suggested that I blog about my picks of my favorite movies, because honestly, I've seen many more movies than the average person watches in their lifetime. I don't really know why, but my family and I have always been "movie people" we'll watch anything from an old black and white film, to something in Imax 3-D, and its normal for us to watch parts of a movie each day while cleaning or doing homework  I don't really have a favorite genre or type of movie that i prefer, and if its good, in even the smallest way, ill watch it; and probablly like it.

     Anyways....last week when a friend suggested i share my favorite movie picks on my blog, I thought "Hey, why not?" So what I decided to do is each week pick a genre, and pick my top ten favorite movies from that genre. Keep in mind these are MY favorites, and I'm not a movie critic, so if you watch one and don't fall head-over-heels in love with it, its okay :) But i really think you'll like them, i hope! :)

     This week, i decided to pick the love genre. romance. NOT romantic comedy's, because those fall into the category of comedy movies, and are hardly ever actual stories of romance or love. So the list goes from my number ten pick....all the way to my number one!

[T E N]

The Notebook:

Although this movie has yet to make me cry, i do love the sweet story line.  The book is by FAR ten times better than the movie.Its a story of Noah and Allie, and how their lives tear them apart, but in the end, true love prevails and they end up living happily ever after.....kind of. The story is rather chicle, but the actors are wonderful, and over all its a sweet and cute movie.

[N I N E]

A Knights Tale: 

Oh where to begin with this movie. Its a great all round film as its funny, romantic, and has fighting, all set to modern music (the film supposedly takes place in the 1500's-1600's).  Although Heath Ledgers character, William is poor, he pretends to be of royal blood so that he can joust and earn a living. Little does he know that he will meet and fall in love with a girl, who actually is royal, and their love is enough to keep them together. Its really a sweet movie, and very well-done.

[E I G H T]

A Walk to Remember:

This movie is another book by Nicolas Sparks brought to film.  I love this movie so much because of just how pure their love is, and how much Landon truly loves Jamie.  I think i like this movie, because its shows true love isn't just a ooey gooey soft and chewy kind of feeling you get when you see someone you love, but that love is helping, serving and caring for one another.  It also shows how true love doesn't always mean happily ever after. Its a wonderfully, delightful movie!

[S E V E N]

Breakfast At Tiffany's:

To be honest, there is a lot I'm not so thrilled with about this movie. I don't know why, but its never struck me the way it seems to strike most of the world. However, I love the story, especially the ending. Holly Golightly does not by any means deserve such a charmer like Paul, but he loves her, and will follow her anywhere to be with her, and thats the sweet thing i love about romance movies, people never give up! And we can all be honest with each other, we all want that. and this movie delivers :)

[S I X]

Chocolat:

Okay, i adore everything about this movie, seriously if you haven't seen it, go to Blockbuster RIGHT NOW and rent it. It made me want to move to France and own a chocolate shop. Johnny Depp is ever suave and sweet in this movie. It is incredibly well made, apart from it being delightfully sweet, and so-good-you-can-almost-taste-it. Oh, and it also won best picture in 2000. Seriously people the romance between Roux and Vianne is one for the ages. This movie doesn't receive much recognition anymore, and is often forgotten, but its a keeper for sure.

[F I V E]

The Twilight Saga:

Okay, so don't kill me for putting The Twilight Saga movies on the list. I guess part of this decision is based on the books, which are the story of two people who shouldn't be together, but yet the overcome all odds to be together. Oh and in the meantime, Edward Cullen happens to be every persons dream boy. Yeah i love these movie's love storyline.  It's like nothing i've read, or seen a movie about, before and its very gentle in nature. Of course, i recommend it ;)

[F O U  R]

Titanic:

This is definitely one of the most famous love stories on the planet.  Jack and Rose and their adventure to find love on a ship, that ends up sinking to the bottom of the ocean. In many ways it kind of plays out as expected.  Rose is engaged to a mean, rich man who she thinks she loves, until Jack comes along, (and seriously....who wouldn't pick Leonardo DiCaprio.....?) and they fall madly in love with each other.  All in all tho it's an epic movie and the daring romance makes it all the more wonderful

[T H R E E]

Romeo and Juliet:

Before I sate the obvious about this film, and the love story that pretty much is the mother of all love stories, let me clarify something. The movie I love oh so dearly is Franco Ziffirelli's version, brought to the screen by Leo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, NOT Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the story. Okay, now thats out of the way; I LOVE THIS MOVIE. It you haven't seen it, please do! Its the same classic R&J tragically romantic love story with a twist, the whole movie is set in modern times. The costumes, music, locations and people all look like anyone you'd see walking down the street today, except, all of Shakespeare's wonderful lines are left in tact. Basically, its the same lines and words Shakespeare penned way back when, but set in modern day times.  The Capulet's and Montague's are rival gang families, and so on. It is an amazing look at the story, and makes it so much more.....realistic i guess. The story is so much sweeter and heart wrenching when it seems like it really, actually, maybe did happen. This film is not often brought up or remembered, but it is one lovely movie. 

[T W O]

Slumdog Millionaire: 

If you haven't seen this movie you're probably thinking, "What kind of romantic movie is called 'Slumdog Millionaire?'" Those were exactly my thoughts while walking into the theater and my mom telling me how great the movie was, and how sweet it was. But as the story unfolded it became clearer and clearer how Jamal and Latika's on screen (and off screen....) romance was one of the purest, and most unique love stories to ever be placed onto movie screen across America. I cant really sum up this movie, because SO much happens, but its beautiful, and PLEASE go see it. You'll love it, and its worth the time, and money. Plus i literally audibly said "AWWW!" during one of the closing scenes ;) 

[O N E]

Moulin Rouge:

 OBVIOUSLY, i saved the best for last :) First of all, this movie has a killer soundtrack...literally Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor have serious vocal skills.  This whole movie literally gives me butterflies every time I watch it.  Christian and Satine have a secret romance, that they have to hide from everyone around them in order for their play/musical "Spectacular Spectacular" financed by The Duke, who thinks Satine loves him.  The best part of this movie is the way Christian looks at Satine while pouring out his love in song for her.  I could literally watch this film every day of my life and not get bored. It is beyond spectacular and deserves much much more recognition than it has received. WATCH IT! and fall in love. It uses pretty much every famous quote or song about love and combines them to make fantastic songs (i.e. Elephant Love Medley or Your Song). i guarantee you that you'll love it.  Theres just something magical about the characters and story that I cant explain with words. You'll just have to watch it for yourself (:

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return"

Sweet Pea!

For the last three months, I've been begging my parents for a bunny, but i never thought i would get one, because we already have a cat.  Well yesterday morning my dad and i went to see the movie Takers, and have lunch at P.F Changs.

After we had lunch, my dad asked if I wanted to go anywhere else; after some talking we decided to head to downtown LA to the fashion district, Santee Alley in particular.  We walked around and I was looking for a watch that I had wanted for a while, and seeing who i could talk down to the lowest price.  Suddenly my world changed when I saw a little girl, carrying a small white cage, with a itty bitty bunny inside.  I asked them where they got it and they told me directions to the vendor who was selling the bunnies.  So i went down and......for $17 bought a dwarf bunny. He fits perfectly in my hand and is dark brown. I named him sweet pea <3 And im in love with him.

He's probably about 6 weeks old, and he is the cutest little bitty thing ever! My mom and i were watching a movie last night (The Lovely Bones....save your time and don't see it). I brought sweet pea out to the living room to lay on a blanket while we watched. He snuggled up right next to me and fell asleep. The best part? he totally kicks in his sleep....exactly like Thumper (: (: (:  Oh and he is quite the curious one.....my dad built him a little house and we thought the walls were high enough, but when i woke up this morning i looked down and he was there hopping around my floor. Too precious.

I think everyone should own a bunny, they're so cute and fun and adorable. Feel free to stop by and see him! 

(:

Yummy Asian Wraps

Tonight, I made dinner, because my mom has been super busy putting our house back in order after we got our carpets cleaned.  I decided to make Asian Chicken Wraps, from a recipe i found online.  The key to a good wrap is the sauce, and this sauce, is DELICIOUS.  They came out really wonderful, and my mom and I enjoyed them on our front porch. The recipe is super easy, light, and overall pretty healthy!

To make them you'll need:

4 cups shredded chicken

8 green, flour tortillas for wraps

1 red bell pepper (diced)

1 whole, large carrot (shredded/grated)

4 cups chopped lettuce (iceburg or romaine)

3-4 green onions (chopped)

1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar

1/4 cups of soy sauce

2 tablespoons peanut butter

********************************

Then you:

1.In a small bowl, combine: vegetable oil, vinegar, and peanut butter - whisk until blended

2. Add soy sauce, sugar, red pepper flakes and ginger - mix well

3. Put chicken, lettuce, bell peppers, carrot and green onions in a large bowl, and blend together

4. Add sauce to chicken mix and stir well. 

5. Heat up tortillas in an iron skillet for about 20 seconds each side; add chicken mix into them, and enjoy!!!

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

<3 B

Goodbye, Grandma

Easter Egg hunts. Ping Pong Gun fights. Santa. Jello. Thanksgiving. 5 hours of opening presents.  These are just a few of the memories that have taken place at my Grandpa and Grandmas house in Burbank.  Ive gone over to their house at least once a week since I can remember. One of the fondest memories is going over to their house on Christmas Eve to open presents with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and other close family friends.  It was about a 5 hour ordeal because my grandma would put together stockings for all of us (thats about 30+ stockings, might I add) and then each person had gifts from everyone else who was there, as well as about two or three presents from my grandparents. A few years ago, my grandma developed Alzheimer's disease and things were never quite the same, and its so sad to see people forget things that happens immediately. Other people that Iv'e talked to have always noted how the person's demeanor changes, and they usually become more irritable.  However, this never happened with my grandma, she is by FAR the kindest, godliest, and most patient woman I've ever met, and still is to this day.  This weekend she is being moved to a nursing home in Cambria, California.  Its going to be strange not having her living three blocks away, but its for her good.  Tonight we're having a going away dinner for her.  Sadly, she doesn't remember that shes even moving, or why she has to go to this nursing home. But when she is taken home to heaven, she will have a perfected mind and body, and I can not wait to reunite with her there :)

I love you grandma!!

Twelve Extraordinary Women

This week I was in the hallway and decided to stop and rummage through a box of books that my mom had set out.  Inside was a copy of John MacArthur's book Twelve Extraordinary Women. It sparked my interest, and so i began reading it!  If you haven't read this book, you really should! I'm not finished with it yet, but i love it already, and am so encouraged! The book starts off by talking about Eve, and her creation, temptation and life.  Its so powerful to just re-read some of the creation account, and the commentary in the book opened my eyes to just how much we can learn about womanhood from the creation of Eve alone.  The book also explores women like Sarah and Ruth, as well as Mary.  Its not just an account of these Godly womens lives, and the example they set for us, but it truly explains the role we are to take on as women.  It has encouraged my soul already! God loves everyone so deeply, but he has such a special role for us to take on as women after his own heart.  This book is awesome and i would encourage everyone to read it!

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

This past week I was at Regeneration Summer Camp in Glorietta, New Mexico. I love everything about camp, except the fact that it always falls on the week of my mothers birthday :(.  This year I called her for about a half hour the morning of her birthday {July 29th}, and another half hour that evening.  I am so blessed to have the mother that I do, and God is so gracious to allow me to have been raised by her, and have her as such a close friend and Godly example to me. Especially after THIS camp, thanks to the Lord, I am so much more thankful for her than I could have ever imagined possible.  

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

 I love you so much!!! Thank you for always caring about my soul, and that I do the right thing and honor the Lord. I do not deserve such a blessing as you, but I'm so thankful your my mom and I'm your daughter!! 

This Tuesday I'm taking her to dinner,desert and a movie for her birthday!! I'm so excited to be able to talk and have some serious one on one time with her!!! 

Happy Birthday again,  Mom!!

<3 B