Happy New Year!

One of my new years resolutions was to blog more. So what if it's already April? I knew I'd get to it eventually. I've actually been pretty big on resolutions this year. I've already checked off a few things and I continuously add things to the list. I think "new years resolutions" is the name I'm giving to what is really just wanting me to be more proactive in life and do the things I think about instead of just always thinking about them. The first thing I checked off my list this year is the full 10 day completion of the Master Cleanse. Here is my main thought on the Master Cleanse. It's pretty stupid. But it's something I've tried (unsuccessfully) to do so many times in my life that it haunted me. Maybe I'll do a more thorough post on that some day. Some day. I also took up the guitar and actually feel like I'm making pretty good progress with it! I resolved to read at least 1 book a month, which could potentially sound like a wimpy amount of reading to you. But to you I say, stop judging me. I have a pretty short attention span when it comes to reading (or any activity that requires any amount of focus) so I tried to keep it realistic. So far I've read 6 books and it's only April so, awwwwe yeah. Oh I also moved to Tacoma, WA. That's less of a resolution and more of a current event though. Why did I move here you ask? Uuggh I've already typed so many words. Can't we talk about this later?

Oscar Predictions!

Actually, I'm not doing that. I would rather say who my favorites and least favorites are. Which does not necessarily reflect who I think will win, sadly.

Best Picture of the Year:

Favorite - The King's Speech. I loved A LOT of these movies, but I'll go with this one.

Least Favorite - The Kid's are Alright. I actually HATE this movie.

Actor in a leading role:

Favorite - I have to go with Colin Firth from the King's Speech.

Least Favorite - none. I thought they were all good performances.

Actor in a supporting role:

Favorite: John Hawkes from Winter's bone. Again, a ton a GREAT performances, but he really blew me away in this role. He's my favorite, but I also LOVED Christian Bale in the Fighter. I'd be happy with that either.

Least Favorite: Mark Ruffulow in the Kid's are Alight. Absolutely nothing even remotely interesting about this character or how he played it.

Actress in a leading role:

Favorite: Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone. Hands down should win this. Do I think she will? No. But she should. AMAZING job.

Least Favorite: Natalie Portman in The Black Swan. I don't think she did a bad job, but I think just about any decent actress can do what she did with this role. It wasn't special at all. They say she's the favorite to win which I think is really sad.

Actress in a supporting role:

Favorite: Hailee Steinfeld. This girl really impressed me, more than any other actress in this category. But I think this is another category loaded with a lot of talent.

Last Favorite: Jacki Weaver from Animal Kingdom. An underwhelming movie and an underwhelming performance.

Animated Feature Film:

Toy Story!

Art Direction:

Inception

Cinematography:

True Grit

Costume Design:

Alice in Wonderland

Directing:

David Fincher for Social Network

Documentary:

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Editing:

Social Network

Music (original score):

Hans Zimmer for Inception (another hands down)

Sound Editing

Inception

Sound Mixing
Inception

Visual Effects
Inception

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

My favorite is The Social Network

Writing (Original)

The Fighter

If I didn't pick a category, it's because I didn't have an opinion.

Survey Steal from Hannah

Hannah posted this on her blog so I'm copying. Here it goes!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Took a photography class

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't keep many of the no. But I have very high expectations for this years list!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My cousins Megan, Diana, Maria and Sarah.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My dog, Wes. :( It was awful.

5. What trips did you take?

Just a couple weekend trips, one to Santa Barbara and one to Las Vegas.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

An apartment!

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day I called of my wedding. DRAMATIC MUSIC. Yeah I said it. Well it's true.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

4.0!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

My relationship. Hah!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I got lupus! "NO YOU DIDN'T", screamed Hannah. Fine I got Mixed Connective Tissue Disease but that sounds stupid.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Gary. My car!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My sister's Hannah and Amy for graduating their respective educational institutions.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Oh Mel Gibson for sure.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, and lets not lie...clothes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I got to Club 33 at Disneyland! (Yes I am stealing some answers from Hannah)

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

There are MANY songs that will make me think of 2010. It was a "narrate you feelings with songs" kind of year. But I'll go ahead and narrow in on Pusuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? IMMENSELY happier
b) thinner or fatter? Probably about the same, maybe a little thinner :)
c) richer or poorer? Poorer. Definitely poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise, reading, and writing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating junk, being online, spending money.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Word for word steal from Hannah:
Christmas Eve I spent with my family eating dinner, cracking crackers, wearing paper crowns, and watching pugs play with each other in the living room. Christmas morning we opened presents with the fam.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Sure did, with Quinoa!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I realized this year that I really love TV. So I'll only name a few of the shows I watched the most, 30 Rock, Community, Modern Family, and *guilty* Cougar Town.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read?

Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. I won't lie, it was the only book I read. I am ashamed.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I got into a lot of music this year. A LOT. My favorite though, is probably Kid Cudi

26. What did you want and get?

A school plan and a new car.

27. What did you want and not get?

An apartment

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Inception and True Grit.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 24 and saw Conan O'Brien and She and Him! It was awse!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If I lived in or closer to Los Angeles.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Someone else described it pretty well to me; Boots, skinny jeans, and jackets.

32. What kept you sane?

Amazing friends, good music, and prayer.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Nate Berkus is pretty dreamy. Hah, i don't know I can't think of anyone.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I'm pretty detached these days. I guess I care about health care the most since it effects my family and I so much. But really....meh.

35. Who did you miss?

My dog. :(

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I met a ton of amazing people this year. My friend Will introduced me to a group of people that I'm so glad to have as friends.


37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Happiness is a choice.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I'm on the pursuit of happiness
and I know everything that shines ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good

Everything is Fine

I've been in a really good mood lately for no reason in particular I guess.

Yesterday me and my sisters and some friends worked hard on Emily's wedding invitations. Then I went out to Huntington Beach with where I spent the night at my friends house. She had to go to work early this morning so when I woke up I went for a walk on the beach. Then I got a fruit and yogurt parfait and Vanilla latte from McDonalds. Then I drove home with no traffic, and got a call from my boss to come in for some extra hours today. I went home, worked out, took a shower and now I'm off to work. Nothing eventful has happened but I do start my new classes tomorrow and my new red hair is getting a hilarious amount of attention. So I guess basically everything is fine. Which makes me think of one of my favorite country songs "Everyting is Fine" by Josh Turner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlOjsJ4pCDY

Have a good week everyone!

The Year is Still New

So, I didn't get around to posting a New Years Post on time. So what? The year is still new and here it is!

I had an awesome New Years with my friends Denise and Nicole. We celebrated in Huntington Beach.

It wouldn't be New Years without a couple of terrifying clowns, now would it?
(yes I was talking about this picture, obviously! lol)

It was a great way to ring in the new year, and I for one am a total 2011 hopeful.

So I've thought long and hard about my resolutions and here they are.

1. Go on a trip. Be it alone, or with friends, I would really like to go somewhere fun this year and have a really good vacation. And since some Utah trips are inevitable this year I will precursor this with saying Utah doesn't count!

2. Get an A in anatomy. Really this applies to all my classes, but I really need to have an A in anatomy so the emphasis lies there.

3. Finish a screenplay. I have a couple old, unfinished screenplays so it can be one of them or a new one. It just has to be a completed script.

4. Learn a new piece on the piano. I've really let my piano skills go over the last few years. I would like to buckle down and learn an entire song, start to finish. I'm great at starting...not so great at finishing.

5. Sew a dress I actually did this last year, but I ruined it in an unfortunate hemming incident. Lesson learned? Sewing and emotional turmoil do not a pretty (or wearable) dress make. I would like 2011's dress to be a bit more complicated anyway.

and finally

6. Read 12 books for leisure. Yes 12. That is one for every month. I made this resolution last year and I read 2. Disgraceful. Meanwhile I'm pretty sure my cousin Julie actually met her goal and then some...I believe the final count was 106? So I can do 12. Like I said, 2011? It's going to be different this year.










And for a final bit a "newness" for the new year, my hair:

Yes people, it's red.

2011, don't let me down!

A Quickie!

Decemeber has been a crazy month and blogging has been at the bottom of the list! But here I am for a quick update and all the best intentions of a better post to come. Soon! (WINK) But honestly, it has been super busy with final projects, my birthday, Christmas shopping, Christmas, a new job, a new car, and the end of fall semester. Speaking of which:

BAM!




This blog is as good as any refrigerator for report card posting, right??

I guess I'll go ahead and introduce you to my new car as well.



His name is Gary, and he's a 97 Toyota Corolla, And he's just great. I love him! Haha It doesn't take much to make me happy, I guess.

Well I'm 24 now, a little taller (not really), a little smarter (thank you College),a bit richer with Christmas (thank you Amy for the amazing Keurig machine, mom and dad for the iHome, and the wonderful friends and family who kept it green this year (WINK WINK)), and the happiest I've been...maybe ever.

Life is wonderful and I am so excited for 2011. But this isn't my New Year post, I want to do a better New Year post. But if I forget, then...this IS my New Year post. So, Happy New Year everyone!!

Love,
Mari

Farewell letter to Thorn

Today I took my car to the junk yard to be retired as it won't pass smog and needs some major repairs that aren't worth the cost.

Here I am, taking Thorn for his last drive ever.



So here is my goodbye letter to the Thorn in my side.

Dear Thorn,

I know we haven't always been on the best of terms, and sometimes I've said some things that you probably didn't really appreciate. But the truth is you were the first car I ever bought (against my better judgment) and I'm going to miss you.

Remember the day I first brought you home? Boy you were a strange combination of things. Eight balls screwed onto all the locks, brass knuckle and skull stickers plastered on the windows, an "I'd rather be Snowbording" license place holder, and a Hillary Duff cd in the cd player. You were a strange looking thing with your moon roof duct taped in, but I...liked you. Then when you wouldn't start the very next morning I liked you less.

Yes you really taught me some valuable lessons Thorn. Like how I apparently am totally crap at picking out cars. Oh! And the maximum amount of times per year I can use the free towing service on my Triple A membership (6). But most importantly, never buy a car with that relies on duct tape for anything.

But we had some good times didn't we? And I have to admit, while you CONSTANTLY wouldn't start, you never left me stranded anywhere. You always had the decency to crap out on me at home. Sure you caused me to be super late for work a few times, and eventually caused me to miss a job interview but it could have been worse. I mean think of all those times I had to drive out to Irvine last year, you never stranded me out there soooo thanks for that.

Hey remember that time I thought you weren't gonna start while I was at the mall? I gave you the most heartfelt 10 minute pep talk about how I knew you could muster up the the strength to start and it totally worked! You started! It was a bit unfortunate however, that I had accidentally pocket dialed my then boyfriend who overheard the whole thing...including several minutes loud singing that followed....with no radio.

Or how about the time I refused to get you repaired again and you sat in the driveway for 3 months with your back window stuck down? You provided the neighborhood cats with a very comfortable place to stay. Those cats loved you, and I think you loved them too.

Yes Thorn, it's been a long and interesting ride, but the road ends here. It's bittersweet to see you go. Especially considering all the money I'm out. But it could be worse. So thanks for...always giving it a good try. The truth is, I think you were already dead once, and someone cruelly brought you back and filled you up with junk yard parts. You're tired and broken and I think you're happy to be laid to rest once again. I'm just sorry they had to write the word "crush" all over you...


...some people lack sensitivity.

I may finally be removing the thorn from my side, but somehow, you take a (TEENY) part of my heart with you.

Goodbye Thorn. May you rest in peace. (But more likely....pieces)




Love,
Marianne





Sooooooooo, anyone have a car for sale?