Netflix and Gym

This week I discovered a new favorite hobby. I've always known that I enjoy watching something while I workout to keep my mind off the exercise and pass the time. This is part of the reason why I have kept my Gold's Gym membership. I highly enjoy the Cardio Cinema. I got to watch the whole last hour of Taken 3, which I would never have watched otherwise and got a nice workout in before work one day. And now the gym wifi works on my kindle so I can watch Netflix!

I got a new Fitbit on the New Year and this week I started a challenge with my friends. It definitely got my butt in gear trying to meet and surpass my walking goals. I brought my kindle to the gym because I'm re-reading Wild, but I chanced the wifi just to see if it would connect and load Netflix because I had been binging New Girl and only had two episodes left. It worked! I walked through the two episodes which is a 44 min walk. Most of the time I have to reason with myself just to get a 30 min walk in. The next day I decided to start a new series that I would only watch in the gym. I chose Making a Murderer because EVERYONE is talking about it. This episodes range from 44-66 mins so for the next 9 or so gym trips I'll be getting a splendid walk in. I'm very excited. Here are some other things I'm thinking about watching in gym only. Are there any shows you think I should add?

Parks and Recreation
Daredevil
Lost (although I think I would watch this at home too)
House of Cards
Scandal
Criminal Minds

The Incomparable Mr. Depp

Hello darlings!

Tonight I'd like to showcase my favorite roles of the man who's been my favorite actor since 2003! John Christopher Depp II by my count has been in over 50 movies. He is such a masterful artist. He can be zany or terrifying, whimsical or heartbreaking. I was debating on whether to my top five or my top ten favorite roles, but I think I've decided on Top Five as I'll really have to think hard about it. So, without further adieu, my eternal #MCM, Johnny Depp.
 
1. Sam from Benny & Joon

This is my very favorite role of his. If you haven't seen this movie, you should check it out! You won't be able to help but smile. In my mind right now I'm picturing the scene in the diner where he makes breadsticks dance. I've found it for you guys. Please watch, it's my absolute favorite from the movie! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxTiMb32_FE



2. Captain Jack Sparrow

I won't lie, this is really the first role that got me to pay attention to Johnny. This is where the obsession started. This character got a lot of other people's attention. This role landed Johnny his first Academy Award Nomination. Captain Jack Sparrow is kind of like my spirit animal. I had a beta named Captain Jack. I called him CJ for short. And I also share something with the Captain and Johnny himself:

3. Ichabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow

Look at that picture! This is probably one of my favorite Johnny looks overall. He is just so good looking in this movie. He's also really funny! He does a really great scaredy cat. Sleepy Hollow is one of my favorite animated stories from childhood and he really brought the character to life. Man, I really need to watch this movie. It's really been too long. When I first saw it, I think I watched it about every other day for a month.



4. Edward Scissorhands

This movie. This movie just breaks your heart. I'm sad even having looked at pictures from the film. Since Halloween is coming up, I reckon I'll watch it. Heart in hand and fist full of tissues.



5. Whitey Bulger in Black Mass

Now, this is his latest movie. I've only seen it once so far (though I would already like to see it again). I was very impressed with him in this movie because I mostly completely forgot who he was. He didn't look much like himself and I was just lost in the character. I think this is one of his better roles, acting-wise. He really showcases how absolutely talented he is. Plus, the whole movie I was being driven insane by his blue contacts.

There you have it! My top five favorite roles of my favorite actor! I'm also going to share a website here that I have always used for all things Johnny: http://www.deppimpact.com/ Enjoy, loves. Goodnight!

Here's to you, 2015!!

Alternatively titled: Reasons why 2015 is one of my favorite years to date.

For some reason today I'm feeling all inspired and lovey-dovey. I've had two cups of coffee and studied for two hours so far. I've always just given Mr. Gus Gus a bath. In other words, I'm feeling decently productive after a week of feeling like I would never catch up with anything. This post is probably going to jump all over the place, but that's my personality..so love me, and bear with me.

This year kicked off with a smashing New Year's Eve party! NOT. My then roomie, Lauren, and I sat on the couch and watched an old movie in our comfiest pjs. I cannot even remember the movie except that it had the marvelous Cary Grant. I embraced my chill. No trying to go out to keep up appearances and hang out with people I probably didn't really want to be around. No pointless drinking because it felt like the norm. No, I was just deliciously me and quite happy. That has set the tone for my entire year so far.

For my 26th birthday I took myself on a vacation to New Orleans. There were many dissenters, mostly just nice people worried about my well being and safety. I even felt like not going for a hot minute and was considering cancelling the trip altogether. I'm so glad I didn't. Going on a vacation by myself (well, Gus was there too, but he only nods wisely for conversation) was a grand experience that I recommend for anyone trying to better figure out who they are and what they're all about. I used to think I always needed to be around people or have someone (romantically) to be happy. I have blast that idea completely to pieces this year. On what turned out to be an extremely long drive to the Big Easy (never driving in Texas ever again if I can avoid it), I came to have a better opinion of myself and realized I really like hanging out with just me. This has changed so much for me.

Last year was just a crapshoot in the dating game. I let myself be confused and assaulted by people on Tinder and OkCupid in the name of finding someone and not being alone. I went on second and more dates with people I wasn't even remotely into and basically just tried to find connections that were not there. (I'm not hating all of you! I've actually made at least one good friend out of all of it) This year I'm much more in tune with myself and completely okay with being single (for the most part..I have had my yelling at God, crying in the bathtub moments, but I'm only human!). I've chosen to only say yes to dates I actually care about. I'm not forcing connections anymore, I'm just feeling them and following my heart. I don't want to waste my time or anyone else's.

This year I've also taken myself back to school. (Darn Tulane campus being so beautiful and inspiring) I've been struggling recently between history and psychology. History is what I came back for. It is my one true love, but psychology is so attractive haha. I'm having self doubt here and there, but ultimately I'm just trying to live in the moment and learn everything that I can. To life and knowledge!!

There are so many more things I look forward to in the last few months of this year (it's insane how quickly it's gone by). Oh my goodness, next month is my big sister-niece trip to Florida!! We've been preparing for it all year and yet I still feel so unprepared. Before I know it this year is going to be over. I hope the rest of it brings great things for me, and for all of you!!

Much love,
Leah

Lobsterfest

Ahoy there, landlubbers! This week I marked another item off my 30 Before 30 list: Eat Lobster! This week I had a girl date with my guurrrl Lauren. We went to Red Lobster (and then Barnes and Noble, ending the night in books is my favorite!) and I got a collectible souvenir tumbler glass right out the gate! The atmosphere of Red Lobster was nice. The lighting was good and their music was totally on point. Now, I am not someone who likes seafood pretty much at all. I expressed this to our waiter (who totally reminded me at Michael Ealy--so cute!!) and told him that the only requirement I had was to eat lobster.He steered me in the direction of Surf N Turf, a good plan!

My meal came with a salad (I got Caesar), a stuffed lobster tail, steak, mashed potatoes, and a side (broccoli, all the way!) Everything tasted really good and was very pretty. I will say about my lobster that it did not taste fishy at all, it tasted like the butter sauce that was put on it which is what I need seafood to do for me so I'll eat it. BUT it was totally squishy in my mouth. I cannot abide the texture. I am glad to say that I've tried it, but I will probably not be eating it again. And I know I could never eat crab. Their legs are so beautiful and so real..it makes me sad.

Update on the rest of my 30 Before 30, here are the items I can cross off:
--Go on a date with someone over 50 (I am counting my Daddy and our movie date!)
--Eat lobster
--Volunteer (in, fact I reached out to my Disney family to volunteer more soon!!)
--Climb a mountain (with my bestie, Lauren)
--Give Blood

Next weekend I can cross two more things off! Stay tuned for my updates on my trip to NOLA!!

Top Ten Disney Villains

Sooooooooooo I love collecting all things Disney Villain. I thought I would do a breakdown of the worst of the worst ( in my humble opinion). Let me know who you think is the worst! Or who is your favorite. Here's the Top Ten Badies:

 

 

10) Maleficent- My girl, Mistress of All Evil. She is wickedly cool in her spell casting. She seems so smooth and unbreakable in her badness and she looks so very poised and high class while doing it. You go girl, work that thing.

9) Oogie Boogie- This dude is seriously creepy. He wants to do mean things to Santa Claus and that's just not cool. I can't really look at him without freaking out. Just this picture right now..I have to move on!

 

8) Doctor Facilier (Shadowman)- First of all, this man has a pretty dope wardrobe. He is definitely one of the darker of the villains with his "friends on the other side". I would not mess with him!

7) Cruella de Vil- If she doesn't scare you no evil thing will. I was just singing her theme song today. Those poor puppies! Like everyone has hobbies, Cruella, but why must you feel the need to murder innocent little creatures to wear as fashion? And she is an insane driver.

 








 


 6) Percial McLeach- This dirty, mean poacher! He's trying to capture a golden eagle which is one of earth's most beautiful creatures. He also wanted to let his creepy lizard eat the eagle's babies! He's a mean one for sure.

 

5) Jafar- This bad guy likes to use his sorcery to control people and turn situations to his favor. He tries to make a poor 18 year old girl marry him and that's just gross. He's gross. He could use some hygiene...

4) Shan Yu- I am so glad that he gets taken down by an awesome girl! Girl power! He wants to destroy entire civilizations and that is not at all nice. That scene where they stumble upon a village he had just murdered is still one of the saddest scenes of any Disney movie to me.

 

3) Governor Ratcliffe- All this greedy guy wants is gold and he won't listen to anyone when they tell him he hasn't found it. He is not very nice to the native people at all and they try to share their crops with him. It hurts my feelings.

2) Scar- Scar actually kills someone, his own brother! And he tries to have his nephew killed! He's pretty low down. He is not even nice to the only "friends" he has. I kind of feel bad for him being so alone. He should try being nice sometime.

 

 
1) Judge Claude Frollo- This guy rounds out my top ten. He is pretty evil. In the beginning of the movie he kills a young woman and then ends up taking in her hunchbacked son. Rather than actually showing him any kind of love growing up, he locks him away and forces him to work for him while belittling him. He later tries to force a young gypsy to be with him, threating her life and her clan. Someone beat him up.









 

Roomie Love

This month marks one year of living with Ms. Lauren. Or as I like to call her, Lorelai. I will admit I was a little nervous about moving in together at first, but overall this has been one of my happiest years. I would not have survived these past months without her. I love you, Lorelai!! Reasons why I love living with Lauren:

1. Staying at home and doing nothing and having a blast doing it. I love coming home and just having someone to talk to who has an interest in what's going on in my life. We have goofy evenings like Mary Kate & Ashley night, roommate cooking nights, Wii Game nights. We unsuccessfully tried to watch a weekly TV show together. And in the crazy crazy world of dating, it's really great to be able to come vent to her about what's going on.

  

2. Borrowing clothes, shoes, accessories. I do not do this all the time. For a long time I was hesitant to even go in her room if she wasn't there. But the other day she was out of town and I didn't have any shoes that went with my dress so I looked at her shoes and sure enough, she had something for me! And I got tons of compliments on them. :-D When she is here she likes to dress me up sometimes. And mess with my hair. It's like having a sister. (I still love you real sister)

3. Fun outings! What I have loved the most is all of our little fun outings to random festivals and awesome things in Oklahoma. Last year we went to Oktoberfest, a Cheese Festival, Christmas light scavenger hunt, Rocky Horror at the Boom, and many other shenanigans. Also, we just sing "Do you wanna go to Sonic?" or "Do you wanna go to Petty's" (to the tune of "Do you wanna build a snowman") if we want a drink or some ice cream so we never have to go alone! Last Saturday when neither of us really had plans she just asked if I wanted to get Katie's for breakfast since we both got up at like 7 (we're old). It's just really nice to live with your best friend. 

4. Built in Snow Buddy! The only thing I ever wanted as a child was someone to play with me on a snow day. Last Christmas Santa gave me my wish (he was obviously the real Santa) and granted me a snow day! And Lauren played with me in the snow! We found the old sled and sledded whilst being chased by the dogs, and drank hot chocolate after. She played board games with me and introduced me to the train game. It was fantastic. 

5. Emotional Support. This year I had my heart broken. Like into infinity pieces, no oxygen, don't want  to exist broken. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her. She has the really inspirational book and she would come into my room every morning and read me that day's passage. They were all about loving yourself and being strong no matter what you have faced in your life. Some days I still need it and I just ask her to please read to me from the book and she asks no questions. She completely put up with my up and down moods and my often tear filled face because she understands. 

Here's to one year of fun-filled, uplifting times and general awesomesauce. 

When You Just Smile

Today I went to the dentist. As I was laying in the chair trying not to fall asleep, I did some thinking about smiles. As I love making pointless lists of things I like, here is a list of celebrities who have great smiles! (In my opinion)

1. Julia Roberts. Her smile has to literally light up a room. Also, I really like her laugh. I don't get people who are judgey about her largish mouth. They're just jelly.

2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I mean, I just fell in love a little bit! One minute you're thinking hey this man could swing me around like a rag doll and the next dude, he's so cool! 

3. Kristen Stewart. I know, I know. I may be alone on this one. But look!! She CAN smile. Her face is doing a thing!

4. James McAvoy. I love when he smiles his full watt smile. Today I discovered that I LOVE the beautiful laugh wrinkles on everyone. He has fantastic happy crinkles.

5. Emmy Rossum. She has another one of those big smiles like Julia. I'm kind of jealous that my smile doesn't take up a good half of my face. I feel less happy than they are somehow.

6. Paul Rudd. Look at this face. I kind of feel like that's all I need to say. Look. At. This. Face.

7. Jack Nicholson. Wow. He's not always grumpy, sinister, creepy, etc. He has a fun smile.












Well there you have it my lovelies! Whose smile do you love?? Let me know! Now it's way past my bedtime so I must get some zzzzzz's.