The Carrie Diaries, EPL and The Shred Day 5

Happy Saturday night!!  Right now I’m watching a marathon of Hot In Cleveland on TV Land.  Another rockin’ Saturday night at my house!! lol

So, in my last post I mentioned that I’d finished reading The Carrie Diaries and would post a review, so here goes…..

To be honest I wasn’t really expecting much since, if you’ve read my previous posts, I haven’t really liked Candace Bushnell’s previous books.  As we’ve all come to know, this is supposed to be about Carrie Bradshaw before Sex and the City.  Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything of the Carrie Bradshaw that we’ve all grown to know and love from the series in this book.  I think she did a disservice to the character by trying to tie it, as a prequel, to Sex and The City.  She would have been better off starting a whole new character and gone from there.  Then she could have had a whole new series.

But even so, overall I enjoyed the book.  I really didn’t think of it as our Carrie Bradshaw, but a different character so that I could enjoy it as a separate entity.  Ms Bushnell still tries to cram everything and the kitchen sink into the storyline to try and cover every cliche teenage angst known to man–and then some.  Honestly, she really needs to learn some restraint–as well as how to edit.  And if she’s going to tie it to the series, I wish she would have at least went back and watched the TV series before submitting this to her publishers if she really wanted it to be a prequel to the show.   It’s much more enjoyable if you don’t tie the two together….honestly!

There were several discrepancies in the book including the fact that in the show Carrie said that she didn’t know her father, that it was just she and her mom.  But in the book her mom is dead and she has an overprotective father and 2 younger sisters.  Yet, if she had that father in the show, would she have had all of the relationship issues that are the cornerstone of her character??

Also, remember David Duchovny as her high school boyfriend who comes to visit her while staying at the psychiatric facility?  Yeah, well he’s nowhere to be found. And, yes, they discuss her 2 previous boyfriends before Sebastien Kydd, her boyfriend in the book.

And besides the discrepancies, compared to the series, I have a question:  In what state is there a law that people under the age of 18 can go to a bar or restaurant and order alcohol???  The book starts in September of their senior year–I doubt they ALL, if any, were 18 years of age at that time.  I know that I didn’t turn 18 until spring of senior year–and I was older than most of my friends, so……hmmmm

So, this afternoon I went to see Eat, Pray, Love.  Is it exactly like the book?  No, of course not.  Does it matter?  No, of course not.  Could you imagine anyone other than Julia Roberts playing the part of Elizabeth Gilbert?  No, of course not.

The book was fantastic.  And, honestly, once I finish reading all of the books I currently have checked out of the library….I really want to re-read it.  I actually own this book…purchased a long time ago but just got around to reading a couple/few months ago.

The book was changed to fit everything into a 2 1/4 hour movie.  Everything was summed up okay and  some things were left out (which was okay).  The only thing I didn’t like about the movie was the way they changed scenery (between Italy to India to Bali).  It was startling and a little confusing.  It would have been nice if, at the beginning of each place, they would have just put “Italy”….or “India”….or “Bali” on the screen in the first few seconds of the sequence.  Yes we knew what was coming, but it didn’t need to be so jarring.

But, let’s not nitpick.  The movie was beautiful and it made me want to visit each and every place.  Richard Jenkins was terrific as always and really did steal the scenes he was in.

And how can you not love Javier Bardem?!  I’ve always been a fan of his and he is also terrific in this movie.  I love the scene when he is saying good-bye to his son, who is leaving Bali.  It was touching and made you love his character even more.

Even if you haven’t read the book go see this movie as you will not be disappointed.  The book is a tough read to start out, but once you get past the beginning, you just get immersed in the story and it’s hard to put down.  Through Elizabeth Gilbert’s writing you are transported to each place.  I really did feel that I was in Italy, India and Bali.  It, like the movie, made me want to visit each of these three magical places!!

I did manage to squeeze in The Shred-Day 5.  I put my all into the workout and really concentrated on each exercise and found that I was able to do the push-ups without slowing or stopping (although I still did them “girly” style).  It’s still a tough workout but I’m getting better at it.  I’m still on level one and will probably stay on it for a while–possibly the whole 30 days.  Maybe the next 30 days I’ll move to level 2 and then level 3 for another 30 days???  That kind of sounds like a plan!!  Well, I’ll just play it by ear….

Hope everyone’s enjoying their weekend so far…….

The Shred-Day 4 and a little yoga with that

Can’t believe another Friday has come and almost gone……

I am happy that the local forecast calls for low to mid 90′s starting today through next week.  The weather has been a lot cooler lately and I was fearing that fall was making its arrival already.  So, I get to enjoy hot weather for at least another week or so.

I did do The Shred today (day 4).  It’s difficult but I feel like I really got a workout even though the workout itself (level one) is only 22 minutes long plus a warm-up and cool down.  I know it says a 20 minute workout, but I timed it and it’s more like 22 minutes not including warm-up/cool down.

I’m working out my push-up issues.  I’m still doing them “girly” style (using my knees) but the form is better and I can feel I’m getting a little better at them.  Hopefully by the end of the 30 days I can at least do a couple of military style push-ups (regular ones).

While I still had my exercise “high” I decided to pop in another dvd before it faded away.

amazon.com

Yes, Ali McGraw-Yoga Mind & Body.  I haven’t done this dvd for a long long time.  I have done yoga poses recently but not a 45 minute routine.  And, as I realized……there is a huge difference!!  It was harder than I remember, but then again I was in better shape last time I attempted it.  Although I had a hard time doing a couple of things, I did finish it and that makes me happy.  My body feels better and I know that I will definitely be doing this routine again….and on a more regular basis.

So, I weighed myself this morning.  I wasn’t going to but thought, why not??  Let’s find out where I’m at for the week.  Well, so far I’ve lost 2 lbs this week.  I was surprised and very very very very happy!!!!  Can you tell I’m happy??!! lol

As for what I’ve eaten today:

breakfast: 2 Pop Tart pastries (woke up late) and Venti sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte

lunch: whole grain spaghetti w/ grated parmesan cheese

dinner: 1 turkey burger (2.25 oz), 1 cup grilled eggplant/squash, whole grain spaghetti w/parmesan cheese

dessert: 1 cup Breyer’s Snickers ice cream (yes, I caved)

I am no longer ravenous and only eat when I’m actually feeling hungry.  I’m trying to keep myself very busy so I don’t start grazing–that’s where the problems start!

As for water I have been SO thirsty today.  I drank 4 cups by this afternoon, which is like the old me!!  I have gotten to my 8 cup goal and hopefully I’ll get in another cup before bedtime. Now THIS makes me so very happy!!

Finished reading The Carrie Diaries.  I’ll post a review tomorrow.  I’ll give you a hint……it’s mostly positive.

I started reading another book today….Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin.  So far I like it.  Although I’m only through Chapter 2, a lot has happened and I am already hooked.  It was hard to put it down but I really had a lot to do today.  So, can’t wait to read a little more tonight.  I know I’ll be done with it by tomorrow.  Then I’ll start Something Blue…..yes, I have both books.  I checked them out of the library.  I was on a wait list for both, as well as The Carrie Diaries.  I’m reading them before all of the other books because I know I won’t be able to renew them if I can’t get through them by their due date.

Actually checking books out of the library, rather than buying them, has been a good thing for me (especially when I’ve gotten them after being wait listed) since I know there’s a deadline and if I can’t finish by that date……too damn bad for me!!  I have tons of books all over my house that I’ve purchased over the years waiting and begging to be read.  But since I own them, I know I’ll eventually get around to them……or will I???

Well, the San Francisco Giants baseball game just ended….they lost to the San Diego Padres and I am exhausted!  I really hate Friday night TV because there is nothing on except Say Yes To The Dress on A&E.  So, that’s what I’m going to watch until bedtime.  And, maybe do a little reading….

And, of course, the movie I have been waiting for has finally opened:

I will definitely be seeing it this weekend….probably tomorrow.  And, in the meantime, Oprah is re-airing the Eat Pray Love show with Julia Roberts today.  Well, I missed it this afternoon, but it’s on again in about 20 minutes on a local Sacramento channel and then again at 1:00 am on ABC.  Yes, I already saw it……but I just have to see it again before I go see the movie!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

The Year of Me

Yesterday I finished reading Eat, Pray, Love.  Can I just say I truly love this book!  It is everything I thought I was  searching for when I was going through my divorce 5 years ago.  But, I think I am able to get more out of it now.

Looking back, I realize that I would have never been able to appreciate this book while going through that time of my life.  I had allowed too much negativity, misery, and depression in and didn’t have the strength, or support system, to climb out of the hole I had dug myself into.

It’s funny, but that old saying is true:  “When good and bad things happen to you…you find out who your real friends are.”  Although my friends wanted me to be there for them through their triumphs and tragedies (& I was), they were nowhere to be found when I was in need.

So, I had to slowly, but surely, “pull myself up by my bootstraps” and move on with my life.  I won’t lie, it took a long long time since I had to figure it all out for myself.  Through many starts and stops I have been able to get my life back.

At the beginning of this year I made a list of goals I wanted to fulfill in 2010.  I’m really bad about starting something and then never following through.

But for whatever reason….this year seems to be the year I truly am ready to make some real changes in my life.  Do I know what changes I want to make?  In general, yes.  Now that’s where the book comes in.  No, I am not planning to follow Elizabeth Gilbert’s trip through Italy, India, and Indonesia (Bali), although it does sound good!!  But it has helped me get closer to making some decisions that I have needed, but been reluctant or afraid, to make for a long time!

I have made 2010 the Year of Me.  That’s right!  I have been devoting myself to self-improvement.  It’s been a long, sometimes painful, process so far but anything worth having is worth working for, right?!

As for my friends?  I have stepped away.  I need to decide what types of people I really want, and need, in my life.  True friendship is give-and-take (not just take) and a real gift!!  Are the people I’ve surrounded myself with over the years worthy of the title of friend?? We shall see.

Also, I feel that for this process to work I need to spend time alone.  And for those of you afraid of that fact, don’t be.  You have to like yourself before anyone else can like you!  So, if you don’t want to be alone with yourself, how do you expect anyone else to want to be with you??  Just a thought!!

Sex and The City 2 is finally here!!

I’m a huge fan of Sex and The City so you know I was more than excited that there would be a sequel! I have been counting down the days for 5/27/10– opening day of SATC 2.

The movie was completely over the top, of course, as well as funny, serious, and a little raunchy at times. Oh, and the clothes!!  You know the clothes were fantastic!!  But for anyone who is a fan of SATC…..it definitely does not disappoint!!

I saw the preview of Eclipse, from the Twilight series.  I cannot wait to see this movie!  It comes out 6/30/10 and I will be there on opening night!

They also showed a preview of Eat, Pray, Love.  I have had the book for so long but have yet to read it so I pulled it off my bookshelf and will be reading it this weekend.  I know, the movie doesn’t come out until August, I think, but I don’t want to wait until the last minute!!

No, I did not run or workout today.  This week has been a big fail for me in the exercise dept.  But I promise to get it together after the Memorial Day weekend.  I wish everyone a fun and safe holiday weekend!!