Fill in the Blank Friday

Can I just say how excited I am that Friday is finally here?! I feel like I could sleep for days, and am looking forward to sleeping in this weekend, relaxing and procrastinating studying for my Accounting test that's due Sunday night.

Anyway, moving on from the humdrum that is my life, let's fill in some blanks! If anyone wants to participate, head on over to Lauren's blog, grab the blanks and have at it! 'Tis quite fun. This week is all about movies:

1. My absolute favorite movie of all time is either An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Debra Kerr or the 6 hour, BBC version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. *sigh*

2. My favorite movie as a child was The Last Unicorn. I used to rent this every weekend and imagined that unicorns lived in a stand of trees that was across from my house. I was a bit obsessed with unicorns as a child, and they still hold a special place in my heart. And yes, I do own this movie...it was $5 at Target a while ago and you would've thought I'd just won the lottery when I saw it. Just more proof of how cool I am...

3. The best movie quote ever is Mr. Darcy's declaration of love in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice: "You must know...surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on." Add in the incredible sunrise over a field of wildflowers to Matthew MacFadyen's perfect delivery of these lines and you have the ultimate, swoon-worthy scene.

4. My favorite actress is Rachel McAdams. I think she is absolutely lovely, versatile and talented. My favorite actor is Morgan Freeman. This man possesses more talent in his pinky finger than many other actors (in my opinion).

5. The movie I could watch over and over is Persuasion. You all have read many posts about my obsession with this story and movie, so I won't bore you with repetition, but I do love this movie.

6. My favorite movie genre is either Romantic Comedy (no shock, I'm sure) or Psychological Thrillers. I love trying to guess the twist before it happens, which I'm actually fairly good at. Oh, and I love a good indie or foreign film as well.

7. A movie I'd like to watch this weekend is Coco Before Chanel. I've had it from Netflix for nearly a month and just haven't made the time to sit and watch it. I've read amazing things about it, and love Audrey Tautou, so I'm sure it wont disappoint.

The one where I play catch-up in bullet form...

I've been a bad blogger...again. This seems to be a new pattern for me, which I should probably work on. But for now, I'll just thank you all in advance for sticking with me.

- My parents recently returned from the family condo in Florida and they brought back an old, hand-colored photograph of my grandfather that I have always loved. He's very young and crouched over a pond, exploring something. I think it's beautiful and I love getting to look at it every time I go into my bedroom.

- I saw The Back-up Plan this past weekend and thought it was great! It was funny and entertaining, J. Lo played her role beautifully and Alex O'Loughlin certainly isn't hard on the eyes. If you love a good chick-flick, I suggest making a girls night out of this one.

- I'm currently obssessed with Airplanes by B.o.B and Hayley Williams.

- I've been making an appearance back into the world of dating recently...I know, let's all have a collective GASP, it truly is the most appropriate reaction.

- I recently finished the book Jane Austen Ruined My Life and now I'm in a book slump. I just don't feel like reading any of the books I have from the Library or any that are on my bookshelves. But, on the plus side, I did receive my gorgeous copy of Persuasion in the mail, so I have been reading bits and pieces of that when I get the urge.

- I have a stack of packages that I desperately need to get in the mail (some are quite late!), but I keep forgetting until after the Post Office is closed. I hate when I do this.

- My mom and I went to a local dance production called Ripple this past weekend. It was very unique and I truly enjoyed it. The best part: the space that was used was incredible!! I mean, incredible enough that I want to have an excuse to throw a party in this space...or have a wedding reception there. Yep, that cool!

- I also saw How to Train Your Dragon...amazing! I seriously want a pet dragon now.

- I'm officially down another pant size and it feels soooo good! I'm pretty sure the last time I was this size was in high school. I love food and will never deny myself good food, but I've been eating healthier and have become a bit of a gym rat. I think I'll stick with this new me.

This article just made me laugh until I snorted...at work...don't worry, my coworkers already think I'm the crazy, yet funny, one so it works.

Fill in the Blank Friday

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It's time for Lauren's friday feature once again. Please, feel free to join in: just head on over to the little things we do..., grab the blanks and link up your post.

1. One song that always takes me back to my youth is Leader of the Pack by The Shangri-Las. The was my song when I was little and I would sing it like crazy. I still get nostalgic when it comes up on my iPod.

2. My first concert ever was Matchbox Twenty. I was in highschool, super close to the stage and nearly lost my voice from singing so loudly. It was a great first experience.

3. If I could create my dream music festival I'd want these bands to be there: O.A.R., Augustana, Rod Stewart, Elton John, The Fray, Taylor Swift, Mayday Parade, Poets of the Fall, Linkin Park, Rise Against, La Roux, Jason Mraz, Lady Antebellum, The Goo Goo Dolls, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Dashboard Confessional, Paramore, Silversun Pickups, Eric Clapton, The Roots, etc...I'm pretty sure this list could go on forever.

4. The best make-out/ "boot knocking" song ever is I'm not really sure...I'm not usually paying close enough attention to the background noise.

5. The best concert I've ever been to was Jason Mraz. He was insanely awesome live, and interacted with the crowd like nobody's business! I'm not sure if it's technically a concert, but Flight of the Conchords were also fabulous live.

6. A memorable music moment for me was the first time I remember hearing Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. I grew up listening to him, both as part of Cream and on his own, but I will always remember when I fell in love with that song. I was only about 7 (total guess, but I was young for sure) and my parents and I were road-tripping to New Mexico. It was nighttime, Mom was dozing up front, Dad was driving and I was supposed to be sleeping in the back seat, but I was hunting for constellations through the back window instead. Tears in Heaven came on and I was determined to learn the lyrics, so I listened to that song like I never had before and to this day I think about lying in the backseat and staring up at the stars whenever I hear it.

7. The song on my iPod that's getting the most play these days is Madly by Tristan Prettyman and Into Your Arms by The Maine.

On contentment

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I love days when I feel content. It doesn't happen every day and sometimes I can go weeks without feeling truly content, but when one of those days does roll around, I savor it.

Today is one of those days.

It just started pouring outside and the sound of the raindrops hitting my window makes me smile ever so slightly. I'd much rather be curled up on my couch at home, book in hand, teapot on the table with my patio door open so I can hear the rain, but I'm content nonetheless. I have The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack playing on my computer and a window to watch the rain out of.

I'm in a quiet mood today and I think it fits the weather perfectly. I feel calm and happy and am loving just rolling with this. Work is also quiet today and I like not being disturbed and not having to rush around with anything. I did enough work rushing the past couple of weeks and I'm perfectly content to have a few slow days or weeks. Before I know it, summer will be here, wildland fires will be burning across the country and I will have an ever-growing stack of invoices on my desk. Perhaps this is the calm before the storm.

I love feeling like I am where I am supposed to be in life. I often battle with myself as to whether or not my decision to stay in Colorado after graduation was a choice made correctly or simply out of fear of the unknown. I love the East Coast and I love to travel, but I truly, truly love where I live. I love my town, my apartment, my job and being close to my family. Perhaps I'm too close with my parents and should strike out a bit more on my own, but I'd rather be too close with my parents than estranged. And, I take comfort in the fact that I haven't lived at home since I was 18, I support myself (for the most part) and the relationship that I have with my parents is as much a friendship as it is parent-child.

I think the only thing missing from today are my besties. Jamie seems very far away in Australia and we've both been a little nostalgic, which never fails to make me weepy. But, I know she's so happy where she is that I cannot find fault in it at all. And, of course, I miss Corey. I got to see her fiance this past weekend, which was fabulous (because I love Matt!), but I wish Corey could've been in town, too; there's no true replacement for a best girlfriend. Luckily, she'll be in Colorado in 2 weeks and then I'll be spending my Memorial Day weekend out in Baltimore with her...May will be full of some much-needed bestie time! I always miss these two amazing ladies, but there is so much love, understanding, knowledge and strength in my friendships with both of them that I can always find peace.

Today is shaping up to be one of those days that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Inspirational

If you're looking for inspiration, need a good cry or want to see what true, no questions asked love looks like, check out Kelle Hampton's blog about how life changed for the better with the addition of her 2nd daughter, Nella who has Down Syndrome. Maybe it's the rainy weather or my quiet mood, but I don't know if I've ever been as touched as I was while reading her story.

Where in the World Wednesday

Last week I was in the middle of a Personal day and blogging wasn't a priority, so I skipped out on Classy in Philadelphia's Where in the World Wednesday. But, don't you fret, I am back in the game today!

The idea behind WITWW is to post a picture of you somewhere in the world. It doesn't have to be some place foreign or tropical; just somewhere you consider traveling. It can be from your hometown, or even a destination you've never been to before, but dream of visiting.

If you do decide to participat, feel free to use Feris' button and remember to post a link on Jess' blog so the rest of us can travel along with you!

Today I am enjoying the sunshine in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The wind was not so lovely, but the sun certainly was.

If you ever get the chance, eat at The Friendly Toast. The menu was varied, the food was tasty and the decor was one-of-a-kind!