Allie Goes Back To College

Unfortunately, this past Sunday, Allie was feeling under the weather…so we decided to call off our Sunday Funday this week for a day of rest and recovery. But, don’t worry…she was already feeling better by the next morning! Yay!

We could not wait all the way until Sunday rolled around again to see each other…so yesterday Allie came to the Tom Shadyac class with Hannah, Natalie, and me. That’s right – Allie went back to being a college student for the night!

Allie and I - Class

Luckily for her, she ages well and fit right into the crowd of students several years younger than her. (And the fact that she took out a notebook and a pen to take notes helped with her cover too!)

Allie Taking Notes

Tom started out the class just right…he brought in tables to the front of the classroom and filled them with candy for us to have so that we felt like we were in a movie theatre. The only difference was that the candy was not overpriced…instead it was free! Boy, does Tom spoil us or what?

Candy

Candy 2

He even asked us to “please, silence [our] cellphones.” Okay, he didn’t quite ask us like that…he asked us to stick them where the sun doesn’t shine. But, that’s close enough, right??

Once we settled in and were munching on our candy, the lights went out, and the feature presentation began! This week we watched the movie Ghandi.  But, only Part 1…because the entire movie is just way too long. I mean there is even an intermission built into the movie! Anyway, that’s beside the point. The main focus of yesterday’s class was (and I’m sure you’ve already guessed it by now) “be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Because of its familiarity, this cliché seems to lose its strength in our everyday lives. But, when you really stop to think about it…this cliché is an extremely powerful statement.

Tom kept reminding us that what makes heroes like Ghandi so wonderful and inspiring is that what they have in their hearts can be found in your heart and in my heart. The only difference is that Ghandi, and heroes like him, dedicated their entire lives to amazing causes. And we, on the other hand, are sucked deeper and deeper into society and are shaped in a way that makes us behave how society wants us to behave. It is hard to be the fish swimming against the current. But, despite the difficulty, it is possible to be successful in making a change. Ghandi, and heroes just like him, are proof of that.

So, where do you even begin on your journey to make a change? Just like Ghandi said, it all starts with you and with me. “[You] be the change you wish to see in the world.” Or maybe you prefer the words of Michael Jackson…”if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change.”

We are the society around us. So, we can’t point fingers. Pointing fingers doesn’t contribute to progress, but instead only contributes to the poison of our society. (And in a way makes us hypocritical) For example: Tom mentioned that one day he was sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way to work and he was getting frustrated with the people in the cars around him for creating the traffic. But, then he realized that he was part of the traffic! He was contributing to the problem. So, in that moment, he decided to bike to work everyday instead of contributing to the problem. And that’s what he has done every day since.

Now, I’m not saying that everyone should bike to work. (Because I happen to love my car and traffic has never really bothered me. I know I’m weird.) But, what I am saying is the next time we are frustrated with an injustice in our society (whether it’s big or small), we have to ask ourselves if we are a part of the problem. And if we are, we must try to change it by starting with ourselves. It’s not an easy thing to do – change. In fact, change can often be uncomfortable. But, the change is possible. Because we are the society around us. Therefore, we can change it to become whatever we want. And just the possibility alone provides hope for our future. So, let’s change the world people!

All this talk about making a change makes me want to listen to Michael. So, just in case you’re getting that same feeling…here is the official music video for “Man In the Mirror.”

Okay, now that that’s over with…I must admit that when I heard we were watching the movie Ghandi, my excitement level dropped a bit. I knew exactly what the message would be; I had heard it many times before. But, by the end of the class, Tom managed to use the same message that had been told many times before to stir something in all of our hearts…the way he always does…and I left with a lifted excitement level for the next class!

Allie, too, enjoyed the class as well as her brief time as a college student again…so she decided to be a college student every Monday night! And that means I get to see my sister on Sundays and on Mondays!! How did I get to be so lucky?

Golden Globes Red Carpet 2013

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved loved loved watching award shows, especially The Golden Globes and The Oscars. I would beg my mom to let me stay up to watch every minute of it…but unfortunately, it always fell on a school night. So, I lost that battle. However, I was able to convince her to at least let me stay up to see my favorite part of the award shows, which is the red carpet!! Then, it was off to bed (as soon as I compiled my top 5 best dressed list of course) and she would fill me in on the highlights of the shows the next morning.

Thankfully, I grew up. And for several years now, I have been able watch every minute of the show before going to bed! This year was no different. I still love watching them just as much as I did when I was a little girl. My favorite part is still the red carpet. And I still compile a list of the top 5 best dressed! It reads as follows:

Number One

KateHudson - Golden Globes 2013

(Photo Credit)

Kate Hudson hands down won it for me. She looks stunning in this brilliantly designed Alexander McQueen dress. And her hair, makeup, accessories contribute wonderfully to this utter perfection.

Number Two

Julianne Hough - Golden Globes 2013

(Photo Credit)

I’m not the kind of girl that someone would describe as edgy. So, I was surprised at how much I loved Julianne Hough’s edgy princess gown…until I heard that the designer was Monique Lhuillier. Suddenly it all made sense! (She is a favorite designer of mine…I dream of wearing one of her wedding gowns). And the subtle gold accessories – earrings, nails, clutch – allowed for the dress take on all of the attention. Which, in this case, is exactly the way it should be. Well done, Julianne!

Number Three

anne-hathaway - golden globes 2013

(Photo Credit)

I must be honest. It took me a couple minutes to warm up to this dress…but the more I kept looking the more I fell in love with Anne Hathaway’s look. She looked effortlessly beautiful in the simple white peplum gown and delicate jewels. And my favorite part was the pop of bright pink on her lips!

Number Four

2013_Emily-Blunt-70th-Annual-Golden-Globe-Awards 2

(Photo Credit)

Another star added pops of pink to her killer look…Emily Blunt looked amazing in this gold cutout gown! Can you tell I’m really loving all the gold this year?? In my opinion, the bright pink jewels takes this dress to the next level of wow.

Number Five

naomi-watts-290

(Photo Credit)

From the gorgeous updo, to the matching jeweled earrings, the high-neckline and all the way down to the end of her train…Naomi Watts looks magnificently elegant in this scarlet colored dress.

Throughout the entire show, I just could not get over how cute this one particular couple is…so I decided to give out a Cutest Couple Award.

The Cutest Couple Award goes to…..

Ben-Affleck-Jennifer-Garner-Golden-Globes-2013

(Photo Credit)

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. Not only are they exquisitely dressed, but these two have also managed to remain completely down-to-earth despite all of their fame and success. They seem so in love and he even said in front of millions of people that she was his everything. Could they be any cuter??!! I don’t think so.

Well, there you have it…my top 5 best dressed list of the Golden Globes 2013! I can’t wait for the Oscars, which luckily is around the corner!

Dear 2013, I already love you!

Happy New Year!  It’s going to be a great year!  I am focused on my career and making my dreams come true.  Right when I got back from my Nantucket holiday with the family, I had an audition for an Indie short film.

Audition 2

^ Audition sides. Headshots.

Audition 3

^ Audition “selfie”.  Sorry. Had to.

Audition 4

^ View from Siren Studio balcony.  Waiting for audition.  Hollywood sign.

So did I get the part?  No, I didn’t.  BUT the producer called saying that he and the writer/director would LOVE to write and produce another short with me as the lead!  HOW EXCITING IS THAT?!? I am looking forward to collaborating with them.  This will be a great opportunity to be apart of the whole production process.  Brainstorming, script writing, casting, producing, scheduling, production, editing, marketing of the final product… maybe some film festivals!  One of my dreams is to eventually have my own production company.  I love being apart of a project from beginning to end.  Building something from nothing.  All very exciting!  I am so grateful to have this opportunity.