A Lenten Cleanse

Last month, a bunch of us bought the Groupon for the 3-Day Juice Cleanse from Peeled. Well, it’s finally time to cash in the Groupon and rid my body of its toxins. BLB and I are doing our cleanse starting tomorrow morning. Every two hours, we’ll have to drink 16 oz. of things like romaine lettuce, parsley and cashews. Yum?

Since we’re doing this, we’re holing ourselves up and away from society the next three days. That means the big KU/MU game tomorrow? We’ll be watching from home. In sweats. And we’ll find refuge in books and movies to keep ourselves sane this weekend.

Overall, reviews of the cleanse have been positive. So I should come out on the other side of this alive and not ready to ravage anything edible come Tuesday.

And I figured, what better way to start the Lenten season then by getting rid of all the bad stuff?

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner the next 3 days

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Yesterday, CNN Living re-published an article from Oprah.com about dreams that you should never give up on. I’m quite the dreamer, and have an ever-expanding list that I feel guilty moving away from. Like the dream of producing a Broadway play? Pretty sure my copywriter funds are never going to be able to make that one happen. And learning a second language isn’t going to be happening anytime soon, I could barely handle it in high school and college.

So how do you know what dreams to hold on tightly to and when to let the wind carry them away?

Leigh Newman proposed a list of 9 dreams that you should never give up on. That you should continue to strive and achieve at some capacity. My personal favorite one was “5. The dream of the amazing, life-changing trip you don’t have time for.” 

I’ve always been in awe of traveling, no matter where it was, just seeing a new setting and surrounding myself with complete strangers was always a thrill. And why many of my dreams involve travel. From seeing the sculpture in Dublin with my two eyes and standing underneath the Eiffel Tower with my mom to doing AIDS community work in South Africa and attending a Euro music festival that lasts three-days and requires me to camp.

But after seeing this Dream Never to Give Up On #5, I found myself reverting back to the idea of standing on every continent. To feel like I’ve touched all parts of the world and left an impact, even if it was with my feet.

So continent-exploring is back on the table. Maybe I should just turn all of my dreams into a “Around-the-World” trip to knock out more than a few birds with one stone.

Are there any dreams you find yourself holding on to?

The Art of Storytelling

Ira Glass tells us all to just keep on keepin’ on.

“The work you’re making will be as good as your ambitions.” via Brain Pickings

 

The Madness Is Back

March, you look simply stunning.

Quickie: Now Playing

All last week, I had this song on repeat.

Looks like this week doesn’t show signs of changing up.

And no, I still don’t want to buy a Chevy Sonic.

Lucy and Ethel

Today at work was the 7th annual Chili Cookoff. Last year, Rochelle and I entered and were Beany Gonzales during the Chili Con theme. This year, we partnered up again for the Valentine’s Day theme and created……

Lucy & Ethel’s BFF: Bean Friends Forever

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Fresh Air

February is honestly the worst month to be in Chicago. Despite only lasting 28 days, it goes on forever and ever. And then ever again. Which is why I’m retreating to the mountains to spend some gal pal time with Lisa and Amanda, actually start editing that book, start and finish reading two other novels and breathe in some fresh air while looking at stars.

Breckenridge and the Allen Cabin-sion, you look simply stunning. Adventures await upon my return!

Place Your Bets

I’m a pretty loyal Kansas basketball fan. Surrounded by those schools that I just loathe: Kentucky and Mizzou. When Kansas played Kentucky either this year, made a bet with Kentucky man, the loser had to wear the winner’s jersey. I lost. And I’m pretty sure wearing a Kentucky jersey burned off a few layers of skin.

Last weekend, made a bet with a Mizzou alum. The stakes: you have to wear your holiday party attire (it’s formal). So I did what any creative gal would do, I figured I could wear a tiara and carry a scepter and wear pearls. Oh, and do it all in a hideous dress in a rock chalk blue hue.

People in the office have finally likened me to a princess. Not sure if I really lost here…

The Moving Talkie

I recently finished the book, The Film that Changed My Life by Robert Elder. It’s a collection of interviews that Elder has with many of today’s top directors as they tell the films that changed their way of thinking. Their way of making. And their way of editing.

It got me thinking too. While a ton of these movies I haven’t seen, I thought for sure I would pick a movie that was a classic as mine. I thought of movies I watched growing up and continue to watch today, but did any of them really move me the way these directors were moved?

And it was then that I realized the film that truly has stuck with me, shaped me and continues to amaze me.

That film: A League of Their Own. To my mom, high school and college friends, this probably comes as no surprise. It’s a movie that I quote frequently, a movie I’m always watching and a movie I’m constantly recommending.

In his book, Elder always asked “Where were you when you first saw the film?” and “What about this film stuck with you?” I’m not a director, but I have been editing a lot of video at work, so maybe I am…

Where were you when you first saw the film?

I cannot remember where I first saw this film. It came out in the Summer of 1992, which makes me think I probably saw it with either my mom or dad simply because it was girls playing baseball, and I was a girl, playing softball. But I can remember the day I unwrapped the VHS on my birthday a few years later and the joy I felt seeing Dottie Henson, Jimmy Dugan and All the Way Mae on the cover.

What about this film stuck with you?

Apart from being a gal who enjoyed baseball, I love the drama of this film. And how it encompasses pretty much everything: love, sports, girl power, sibling struggles, war, a singing number, a dancing number and 1940s dress.

But I think my love affair with the film began when I met a “real” All-American Girl, Pepper Paire. It was one of those sports conventions my dad took me to. And it was filled with trading cards everywhere and then I caught wind of this “girl” ball player there.

She signed a photo for me that has literally followed me wherever I am. Always hanging from the same spot in the room, right by the door.. from my bedroom, to college, to Phoenix and now, Chicago. It’s very faded, her writing, “To Hanna! My best friend! Best Wishes!” is barely even visible. I’m sure my 9 year-old-self loved that “best friend” sentiment.

In fact, my 26-year-old still does.

Is there a movie that’s shaped who you are? And one you just find yourself rewatching from time to time (despite being able to play the whole movie in your head)?

All of the Lights

The Chicago skyline is going to have some bright, colorful lights to compete with at the end of the week. From February 10-20, Millennium Park (and Cloud Gate–or The Bean) will become Luminous Field. The work, by artist duo Luftwerk will take pedestrians on a sound and light spectacular, making the exhibit truly interactive.

I for one am pretty excited to see this from our office viewpoint, then go down and just dance crazily in the lights, among the lights and under the lights.