Several Thoughts

First, I've seen two good movies over the past few weeks that I recommend: Happy Feet (I've seen it twice) and Casino Royale. Both great movies, however, I wouldn't take your child to see James Bond...stick to Happy Feet. Did anybody else who has seen Happy Feet have an urge to adopt baby penguins? Maybe it was just me. Did anybody else who has seen Casino Royale want to desperately be James Bond's girlfriend? Maybe it was just me. Hum...

This time one month from now I'll be moving into a new home. Still in Abilene, however much smaller than the house I currently live in. This will be an adjustment, but I am SO excited. Three reasons for my excitment: I will no longer be living with boys (boys is plural because my brother's friends are always at the house); my new roommate is so freakin' funny it's not even, well...funny. We're going to have a blast; and last, I get to decorate a new space! Doesn't everyone love a fresh start?!

I visited Lubbock this past weekend for a friend's wedding shower. It was so good to see the girls who came to town for the shower. I often miss my good friends from college. Weren't those the days? Homework was important. Social club issues were important. What to do on the weekends in Abilene was important. Stressing about how many chapel absences we had was important. Really? How important are those things now? Being able to see your best friends anytime of the day was taken for granted. Laughter and pranks were a part of everyday life. Those were the days. It was so good to be with those friends again, laugh and joke around. But, I couldn't help but notice that things are different. I'm assuming this is what happens as you "grow-up." Conversations turn to jobs, fiances, weddings, law school, family, political issues, etc. When did we get so boring? (I am in no way degrading fiances, weddings, law school, etc. I'm proud of all of my friends) Before too long, we'll be talking about jobs, husbands, kids, finances, church groups, politics, PTA, etc. Not that those things are bad by any means. I just find it humorous that we're growing up. I want our times spent together to be carefree, light hearted, and unconsumed by daily life. The problem is, our lives have changed. In college, we all had common denominators: club, school, friends. All of us for the most part had the same interests, the same schedules. None of us have the same interests or schedules anymore. We all have different jobs, some are engaged, some are single, some are married, some are in school, some live in houses, some rent apartments, some live in the same town, some are alone in their town. Things change, and so we have changed. Our time spent together has changed. Our relationships have changed. None of this is necessarily bad, and it has in no way changed how much I treasure these friendships...it's just different. What a journey we're on!

On a lighter note, within the next day or two, I'll be an aunt! I mean, not really an aunt. Don't worry...my sister isn't having a baby and my brother hasn't gotten anybody pregnant. However, one of my best friends is currently in the hospital waiting for her first son to arrive. Have no fear...I will be posting pictures as soon as little Sutton gets here!

A Great Return

For those of you who have been reading my blog for the last year or so, you'll remember a time when I was quite the movie goer. And, you'll remember a time when I would blog about the movies I had seen and provide a "Jennifer review" if you will. Well, until now, it had been quite awhile since I had visited a movie theatre, however recently I've had the pleasure of seeing two new movies, so I thought I'd briefly discuss them.

A few weeks ago, my friend Lisa and I went to see Marie Antoinette. I'll bottom line this one for you...wait for the DVD. It was a mediocre movie with a fabulous soundtrack. My main frustration: the majority of the movie is set in France and not a single lead character has a French accent. Hello?! I seriously doubt Marie Antionette or Louis XVI sounded as if they grew up in the Midwestern United States! The movie dragged a little and towards the end I to yell out..."Go ahead and send her to the guillotine...we know how this story ends!" Overall, the movie was ok, but as I stated earlier...wait for the DVD.

Tonight, however, I saw an outstanding film. My two friends, Lindsey and Lindsey, and I went to see The Prestige. Bottom line on this one...if you haven't seen it yet, go see it! And pay close attention! It's a thinker. For me, it was one of those movies you leave the theatre talking about. One of those that you want to see again to catch the things you didn't catch first time around. The performances delivered by all three of the lead actors were fantastic. But, how could you go wrong with your three leading men being Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Michael Caine? And to top it off, the film featured supporting actors David Bowie, Scarlett Johansson and Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly lead). And, unlike Marie Antoinette, the accents of the characters matched the film's location which was London the majority of the time. Needless to say, all three of us were impressed with the film and it will definitely be one I'll add to my movie collection.

Next one on my agenda...Stranger than Fiction with Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson, both whom I love!

This weekend I'm going camping with some friends from college. Should be a fun time! I'll write about it when we get back.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I attended what I believe to be one of the greatest universities in the U.S. My great university is celebrating it's homecoming this weekend and I couldn't be more excited! I love this time of year. Fall has begun, school spirit is in full swing, friends come back to our alma mater and for a few days, life seems to be very similar to the good old days in college. Of course, things have changed...the school has received a face-lift, friends have gotten married, friends are getting married, friends have new jobs, friends have new degrees, friends are finishing degrees...but with all of those changes, our friendships have stayed strong and for a few seconds when we are all laughing and reminiscing, time stands still as if nothing has changed.

Basically, I'm just completely excited to see my friends, enjoy the festivities, and witness the energy on campus. For the love of the purple and white!

A Good Quote

One of my best friends had the following quote posted on her MySpace page:

"I beg you...to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."

Just thought it was an interesting quote.

A New Stage

Everyone will be remembered, and if that's the case, you have to ask yourself...how do you want your story to go?

How do you want to be remembered? By what you did for a living? By what you accomplished? Or, by how you made people feel?

Everyday is another chance for you to decide who you want to be. A chance to challenge yourself to be a different version of you. A braver version. A person who isn't afraid to grab joy and take it for a spin.

Letting go is never easy because hanging onto the past feels good. But sometimes it's only when you let go that you can make room for the rest of your life to show up.

But as hard as you think it will be to leave the old you behind, sometimes when you do, it's the most alive you've ever felt. Standing at the jumping off point is a weird feeling.