The Price of Fame

I wonder some times if being famous is almost equivelant to selling your soul to the Devil.  The Devil being all the harassing photographers that swarm around the Stars like Bee's on Honey.
I, being an average american blend in the crowds fairly well, I tend to forget the importance of being free to go where ever I like and do what ever I need with complete space and freedom. 
Kristen Stewart, as we all know does not like the camera's or the spot light, but she got caught with another man, who is indeed married with two children.
I feel like everyone has made mistakes and has their own indiscretions to live with, hopefully we learn and grow from our mistakes.  Kristen Stewart is only 22, she is very young and I am sure that she will indeed make many more mistakes in her life time.  But I believe that she should be allowed the opportunity to greive in her own way and with space.  After all, she is an American and has the right to her freedom and privacy.  Whatever Kristen Stewart did in her private life is her business .


Below is a picture snapped of Kristen Stewart as she is walking, grieving, with tears in her eyes and being followed by inconsiderate hungry cameramen snapping her picture. 

I think we should spend a little more time focusing on ourselves and our own actions.  

Breathless

Kelly Jean, get out of bed, "Okay mom" I murmur in my quiet cracked voice.  As I climb out of my bed and my little feet touch the floor I fly back up in the bed and under my covers.  "Mom, I can't go to school today, I'm sick".  My mom sits on my bed and pulls my blanket off of me and starts tickling me, whats wrong are your feet cold?  I laugh and squeal, Mom please drive me to school, "no honey, the cold is good for you, it makes you strong".  My mom grabs me and pulls me out of bed, chills run through my body, I run and grab the warm clothes that my mom set aside for me and I put them on quicker then somebody running with their pants caught on fire.
After I eat my bowl of Captain Crunch, brushing my teeth and combing the knots out of my hair I climb into my snow suit and all my winter gear.  My big sister grabs me, here, let me help you with that scarf, you might need to double up today, it is very cold and you better be able to run!  Run? I can hardly walk in all this stuff.
My sister grabs my arm and pulls me out the door, I am immediately taken back by the sharp wind which leaves me immediatly "breathless".  My sister starts running, and I try to move my little first grade legs and follow her motion.  My sister has quite a bit of distance  on me, trying to keep up I fall over in the snow, my sister is long gone and I struggle to get back up on my feet.  I finally squirm to my feet when another sharp wind nearly knocks me over taking my breath away, I stand with my feet firmly planted in the snow keeping my balance, my eye's watering from the cold.  I am breathless and frozen in place and I feel this amazing warm sensation running down my legs, it feels deliciously wonderful, then I realize what I have done…

Book Club

I'm starting a book club, I may be the only member now but one day it could grow to be two or three members; who knows the possibilities are endless.  ;)  I love to read as you know and write, and I think it is a waste for me to not review these books.  
I am going to list a few books that are in my pipeline for review.

 Night Road

Firefly Lane

Home Front

And Finally…

E L James 

Fifty Shades of Grey

Books in my pipeline to read and review

Movie and book reviews

As I have been writing my first Novel, I have been reading books like crazy, it really is great indulging in all of the different and creative writing styles out there.  I am gearing up to start reviewing these books,  At the same time I am a huge movie buff so I would like to start throwing my review of both books and movies at you.

Oasis of the Sea's

July 14th.


It is so hard to believe that it is the middle of July, this has been a crazy summer.  The highlight of my summer was most certainly going with my daughter to Fort. Lauderdale and spending a couple days their before walking on the most amazing ship, the Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Sea's".  As we walked on the ship I felt a hint of emotion, though I would never admit this.


Our trip started with two days in Fort. Lauderdale, we had fun swimming in the Ocean and the infinity pool, we ate at several great restaurants on the beach and also spent a few hours getting manicures and pedicures.

Oasis of the Seas

We arrived on the ship and honestly it was so enormous I felt like I was in the Mall of America.  There were so many people it was crazy.  Once we got to our state room we were greeted by our sweet room attendant.  The room was incredible and I believe the one thing that is really important when you go on a cruise is to have a ocean view balcony.  It was glorious. (see picture below, St. Thomas from our balcony)

I provided much entertainment on Sapphire Beach in St. Thomas when I tried to pet an iguana that was sitting next to me.  It was looking at me with these sad puppy dog eyes so I reached down to pet it and it grabbed a hold of my middle finger and would not let go, it was like a piranha.  I guess I tasted kind of good to him.  He wouldn't leave me the entire time I was at the beach, everyone was freaking out over this little guy, no matter how hard I tried to get rid of him, he wouldn't leave my side.

A picture of Sapphire Beach, St. Thomas

We left Sapphire Beach to check out Coki Beach, I believe this has to be the most beautiful beach in St. Thomas.

St. Maarten's Orient Bay was probably the high light of our trip, we had the best time, the water was so clear and it was fun playing in the waves.  The only problem was at this beach bathing suits were optional.  Can you imagine an 80 year old man walking with a cane and wearing nothing?  

Royal Caribbean is the cruise ship to choose, they do everything possible, going out of their way to make sure that you have the best trip possible.  My one struggle with being on this ship is that I don't know how I could go on another cruise after having the best.

  

Dear Kris Sloan Rice,


I am thinking about the letter you sent me several years ago, your very words were "you were a mistake, you were not suppose to be born, what do you not get about that".
Honestly, I think that I am starting to understand more then ever, my life has been like living 42 years with terminal cancer only with no end in sight.  "Being held a prisoner without bars".
I want you to know that I am going to start rock climbing training, reading books, getting all the gear needed for a spectacular adventure in August.  I am going to find my way to India, Mt. Everest, I am going to climb as high as possible, I hope to spend a night looking at the stars and taking in the beauty around me.  When I reach my highest point I will be soaring like an Eagle high above the clouds.  I am going to go out like I came in; you high on LSD, me high on Mt. Everest.
I want you to know that I do have a voice, my mother was very abusive, she scared the hell out of me, Paul, my ex-husband beat me, slammed me up on walls, stuck his middle finger up my nostrils while beating me.  After I finally left, he abused my son Sam.  Paul is such a nice man that no one would believe me, do you know what it is like to be called a liar when you are begging for the people that matter to know the truth?  Do you know what it is like to experience hell and be told that you are a liar?  
Mt. Everest is my Journey, Mt. Everest will be my voice.


Kris, you should be ashamed of yourself,

Zumba

May 25 is my daughters graduation, let me take a look at the calendar…Today is March 29, 2012 that would make it fifty seven days until graduation and seventy seven days until Aarika and I leave for Ft. Lauderdale where we will spend two days before boarding the Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.
I have to admit that my thighs are a huge magnet for cottage cheese!  So I have started a 77 day challenge in this challenge I am going to face all of my fears "big crowds" classes offered at LA Fitness such as Zumba, Kickboxing, step aerobics and cycling.  I have been running and I was really excited when I timed my miles this past Monday and realized that I was running a 6 minute mile.
Before I get started on my Zumba class that I did last night at 8:00pm I want to tell you that next Wednesday I have to go see my Doctor and because this date is 04-04-2012 I am going to lose 4 pounds in honor of April 4th.  Can a person lose 4 pounds in a week?  I am not sure but I am going to do it!!
Zumba
in order to really understand me you have to know that I do not like to participate in activities which include large groups.  And you have to know that I don't like mirrors!  People tell me all the time how beautiful I am and they can not understand my low self esteem.  I think this comes from the way I was raised maybe?  Yesterday I ran 3 miles, walked my dog, road my bike and at 7:00pm I looked at the clock and start making excuses for not going to this class. "NO, Kelly, come on you can do this"  At 7:40pm I was putting on my Brooks and feeling sick to my stomach; so I quickly jumped on my feet running down my stairs tripping over my dog; into the garage and jumping into my car; carefully pulling out of my driveway so not to run over one of the hundreds of joggers in my very active South-Side neighborhood.  I arrive at LA Fitness as everyone was walking into the class; looking around I noticed hundreds of beautiful ladies. OMG… this room was surrounded with mirrors from floor to ceiling.  I put my stuff down and found a spot, looking to the left I saw myself in a mirror and nearly jumped out of my skin, OMG I need to go now.  I wanted to run as fast as I could but I planted my feet until the music started.  Once we started to move I realized how much fun it was.  I even found myself loving it and smiling, when we did our turns and I found the mirror in front of me, I would look down, I couldn't look at myself.  What matters is I had a lot of fun, and I can't wait to do it again.  My fear of participating in a large class was stupid.  Just as stupid as my fear of mirrors, I know that I am beautiful, I am blessed with my looks and I need to start embracing myself and loving who I am.  With help, maybe that will happen.
Tonight I will be doing step aerobics, I am really clumsy, but I'm pretty good with step aerobics at home so I should be able to pull it off.  Am I nervous?  Absolutely!  however tomorrow at 9:15am is the cycling class and if I can get through that I can get through ANYTHING.


My goal is to look good in my dress for my daughters graduation, and to feel confident on our vacation.  On the Oasis there is a rock climbing wall, that is my goal; I really want to climb that wall!

Good Evening

Wow, some way to get started on a blog I have completely abandoned it!!  As many of you know I have been very sick for nearly 3 weeks and I am happy to say that I am finally feeling better.  I had the flu, strep throat, my uvola was swollen and dragging down my throat, the pain was piercing into my inner ears!  I have had a flu shot for the past 10 years and this is the first year that I have come down with the flu having the shot.  I guess that is pretty record one out of ten. (I'm sure the crazy weather hasn't helped)
Since I have been feeling better I have been going crazy cleaning and running around with my kids and friends and I will not take another day for granted when I feel good.
Needless to say with being sick I have put this blog on hold as well as my book.  I feel words forming in my brain and I want to write, but first I have to put studying into high gear because I have a test next Thursday in Algebra.  The last test I got a smiley face on my paper and it looks like I received the highest grade in my class.  Yesterday after I left class Mr. Lyon stopped me and said "Kelly you need to be sick more often when you test".
You all say a prayer for me because I need another good grade on this test.  I am looking at another school for RN which has the prereq's built in,  It is very expensive however it is so hard to get into the Nursing Program at Ivy Tech, you have to have straight A's and do very well on the TEES test.

An alternative to Reality Television

Are you getting tired of Reality Television which is increasingly taken over our television in the past decade?  When we think about role models for our children who do we think about?  It scares me to think that many teenagers find Kim Kardashian and Snooki as being role models. The Kardashian's are splashed all over the television and media, along with Jersey shore, The Real House Wives of Beverly Hills, Orange Counties and other major city; I wonder how many of the "Real House Wives" are actually married?  As we watch Reality Television unfold every week the drama gets heavier and heavier.  With the Real House Wives of Beverly Hills, we see a bunch of wealthy middle age woman acting like they are in high school only worse.  You would think that people with money and influence in a community would act a little more rational, clearly this is not the case.

Here are some refreshing alternatives to Reality TV ...

The New Girl- This is a comedy starring Zoey Deschanel as an adorable girl who moves in with three single guys and changing their lives in unexpected ways.  This is a light hearted and fun comedy.

2 Broke Girls - two girls living in New York City find themselves trying to raise enough money to open their own cupcake business.

The Gifted Man- This is a drama about a brilliant and charismatic surgeon who's life changes forever when his diseased ex-wife begins teaching him the meaning of life from the "hereafter".

Revenge- I absolutely love Revenge!  The story is great, the setting is in the "Hampton's" and Madeleine Stowe plays Victoria, it is so great to see her back!  Thinking back, I am almost certain that Madeleine Stowe was in a movie called " Revenge" with Kevin Costner.
Amanda Clarke moves back home to the people who framed her father David Carke for treason which put him in prison for life.  Amanda grew up in foster homes and eventually ends up in Juvenile Detention.
When Amanda turns 18 she acquires her fathers wealth, her father died in prison.  Her father leaves behind a box for Amanda with evidence and a journal explaining that he was not responsible.  Amanda switches identities with Emily Thorne and starts on a journey of condemning the people who framed her father.  One by one with the contents of the box she is able to get the Revenge she so badly needs.

Once upon a time- Emma Swanson was abandoned at birth and is contacted by Henry on her Birthday. Henry  is the boy she gave up for adoption many years ago.  Henry needs Emma's help because he believes that she may be the missing daughter of Snow White and the Prince Charming, who according to the fairy tale book, sent her away to protect her from the evil Queens curse.  In Story Brook the magic has been forgotten but these fairy tale characters are very much alive and living under a curse which has force them to live in modern day times having no memory of the former lives.

There are so many wonderful shows out there, alternatives to Reality Television, I have only named a few, please feel free to add any suggestions that you might have.

Numbers!

I have finished my wonderful Math Lab and I am happy to say that I am all caught up for the big test day which is Thursday.  I still have a lot of studying to do before Thursday but I am going for the gold, an A+!

I have also been blog hopping; I am in total awe by all of the creative and talented writers.  I am learning so much through all of you!

As for my current creative side I believe that my brain is being completely distorted by numbers, Algebra! 

Which brings me to my final thought:  WORDS are so much better then NUMBERS! 

Another Earth

Another Earth~A must see
Kelly's Ratings: 10
Directed by Mike Cahill and calibrated with Brit Marling.


On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet in the solar system and ambitious young student Rhoda (Brit Marling) and an accomplished composer John (William Mapother) cross paths in a tragic accident.


At first glance I thought this could very well be a cheesy movie, but as I sat for a few minutes and watched my jaw fell to the floor and this movie had my complete attention.  I rented this movie when it was first released on DVD and I was thankful however for being able to watch this movie in the comfort of my own home because I cried endlessly.  This movie was beautifully written and directed.  When the movie ended, I wanted more.  I don't remember any movie that I have seen that left me wanting more.


This movie is perfect for a day like today, when it is more …….

keeping it simple

I would like to start sharing my book with all of you.  Right now it is titled "The Birth" but this is subject to change.
I am connecting really well with the main character in the book, Abby.  The book begins in 1969 and takes us to the present day.  Abby is 21, she has an incredible job as an Airline Stewardess but one night in Paris will change Abby's life forever...
Currently I am on Chapter five, I need to go back and do some revisions and eventually I would like to start sharing some excerpts from the book with you.
As I have shared in an earlier blog, this book surrounds the issues of adoption. It is a fictional book however you will learn the heartaches of what Birthmothers had to endure back in the 60's and 70's.  In many cases these young woman would give birth and their newborn would be taken away from them, to never see their baby again. This book will also share the heartbreaking experiences that have touched the lives of both Birthmother's and the babies that they were forced to give up.  It's an incredible story being told in a novel.
Adoption has greatly impacted my life so whether I am sharing an excerpt from my book or blogging, the book and my life are like two parallel lines that flow in its own path but eventually get off-course and intersect.

Separation Anxiety-is it them or me?

This is my Son Sam, on this particular day Sam made the winning touchdown in the last minute of the game.  The coach picked Sam up and put him on his shoulder and his teammates all crowded around him and I was such a proud mom.  I kissed him in front of his team mates and as you can see by the look on Sam's face that he did not like that.  So, I tried the "knuckle thing" and that worked much better for him. more …...

Bora Bora the most beautiful place on earth

There is nothing like being on a beautiful, secluded beach with the person you love most.
Your partner in life & best friend.  Love is such a wonderful thing and when you have found the love of your life you will know because everything else in the world will seem right.
I listened to a woman speak tonight about how desperatly she wants to find the love of her life, I told her that when you least expect it, he will find you~

The gift that keeps on giving

As I was watching Barbara Walters "10 most fascinating people", Derek Jeter, of the New York Yankee's was being interviewed.  I remember looking down at my phone and checking twitter to see what people's comments were, one tweet from a gal said "Derek Jeter, a man with a special gift" and she was not referring to "baseball".  It is said that Derek Jeter has dated many of the most beautiful actresses, sharing his special gift.  
When I do a blog I like to spend some time searching for some fitting pictures, it gives me a little time in collecting my thoughts.  I personally found this picture above to be very fitting, as you see the art work is of a couple, I see what would be an attractive couple, but I'm not totally convinced because I can't see their faces.  How well do you really know the person that you are dating before endeavoring into another phase of your relationship?  So many things remain to be unseen, we should all take the time to ask our partners the right questions, because it may be, that unless you ask, you may not be told, the "unseen", which could ultimately change the rest of your life and remember that the rest of your life could be a very long time. more .......

My life is anything but glamorous.

As I stepped out of my bed some time before six this morning, I ran to make sure that my daughter was awake.  I stumbled over a book that I threw out of bed last night, "Life is not a Reality Show" by Kyle Richards.  I picked it up, threw it with a pile of books in a box  labeled "Goodwill", knowing quite well that I have no intentions to finish reading this book.  Living a glamorous life can offer opportunities, like perhaps a book that lacks any talent and will probably become a best seller.  "My life is anything but glamorous".

Today I got the kids off to school and was getting ready for class. I look in the mirror and what do I see, the typical; Jeans, t-shirt and a sweatshirt. Looking down I notice today is an exception.  I am not wearing running shoes, I sigh and think really Kelly?  I am wearing a pair of muddy hiking boots.  This is my life...

Some people would say that more .....

2012, A New Year, forgiveness, hope, love & faith

We always start a New Year with the things that we would like to change about ourselves, or make better, an American tradition, our New Years resolutions.
My resolution this year is of course my weight, as many others, the gym starts out crazy at the first of the year. I want to be in wonderful shape for my daughter's graduation; I want to be able to feel comfortable in front of a camera and have a lot of pictures made with her.  I truly hate camera's, I always have. (this will be a gift for my daughter)  Of course, there is a selfish reason for this which is my ex-husband's wife will be there, she can't be more than a size zero, she has a killer metabolism, and she doesn't even work out!! 
My other New Years resolution's more .........