Save the Peak

So a while back Chad, JD and I decided to take a journey out to LA. We ate at this AMAZING Jewish restraunt with the best hummus ever. Stopped at an equally great Jewish bakery for some goodies and decied to drive to the Griffith Observatory. After an hour of trying to figure out how to get up there we finally made it only to discover it was packed. We noticed alot of people hiking up the hill near the Observatory so we decided to as well (I was wearing flats....keep that in mind). This hike had a great view of LA and the Hollywood sign. Funny enough the day we go was the day they covered it with "Save the Peak," in protest of a proposal to build houses by the sign.

Instead of this:

We saw this:

The hike had to have taken a few hours....and my feet did not fair well. Because I had flats on they got huge blisters and I had to walk down the mini mountain with no shoes which hurt. JD even mentioned a family that said in Spanish as I walked by them "That must hurt" lol. Hopefully next time we hike up this mini mountain the actual Hollywood sign will be out.

~N

100 Movies to see before you die

So I came across a list of the 100 movies to see before you die here. I have seen 23 out of the 100. How about you? I was thinking of renting a few and checking them out, since I should see them before I die and all. I think Im going to rent Sense and Sensibility, Schindlers List (I KNOW I should see this one since I was a history major and all!!) and Groundhog Day. Yeah can't believe I have not seen these movies but one that I did see from this list that suprised me was Thelma and Louise. I had always heard that was a good movie, so when it was on TV a few months back I watched it. Needless to say it was not what I was expecting at all. Now Waynes World makes sense when they do the "Thelma and Louise Ending." Another movie on this list that I actually enjoyed although it is gory and has profanity was Goodfellas. Whew that movie was pretty intense. Well now that you have heard a few of the movies I want to see from the list and ones I have seen....what about you?

~N

New Camera

So Chad got me a new camera and I am SO excited!! I have always wanted a professional camera and now I have one! He got it for me "just because" isn't that sweet? Here is what it has:

Features:

• 10 MegaPixel 1/2.3" CCD
  Boasting a maximum sensitivity of ISO3200, a 10.0-megapixel CCD sensor delivers high-quality images even in low light scenes.
  
• New Fujinon 12x Optical Zoom (33mm-396mm equivalent)
  12x optical zoom lens expands your shooting reach, covering a remarkable focal range of 33-396mm, bringing you close enough to capture subtle expressions.
  
• 2.7" LCD w/ 230k pixel resolution + electronic viewfinder
  Rounding out the FinePix S1000fd’s powerful feature set is a large, 2.7-inch high-resolution (230k pixel) LCD plus electronic viewfinder (EVF) and ISO levels of up to ISO 1600 at full resolution and ISO 3200 at 3-megapixel resolution.
  
• Face Detection with Auto Red-Eye Removal
  Software-based Face Detection instantly identifies faces in the scene and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure beautiful people pictures.
  After a shot is captured each detected face is instantly checked for red eye; if it is found, it is corrected automatically, saving the time-consuming process of fixing it later.
  
• Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization powered by high ISO
  A selectable mode, Picture Stabilization uses the heightened sensitivity of the FinePix S1000fd and high-speed shutter settings to reduce blur caused by hand-shake or subject movement. It allows the camera to automatically choose the correct light sensitivity and optimal shutter speed to produce clear, blur-free images.
  
• High Sensitivity ISO 1600 at full resolution
  
• Convenient mode dial + 13 shooting modes
  
• Full Manual controls for advanced photography
  Photo enthusiasts and advanced photographers have total control with manual adjustment options for various camera settings including resolution, ISO, aperture, shutter speed and more.
  
• New Panoramic Shooting stitches up to 3 shots together seamlessly
  The new Panorama Shooting Mode makes it easy to create impressive panoramic photos. This mode captures and combines max 3 consecutive shots.
  
• 4 x AA Alkaline Battery Power
  The ultimate in convenience and accessibility, using AA batteries means that, in a pinch, more batteries are just moments away.
  
• High-speed Shooting
  Capture the action with the High Speed Shooting mode: 7.5 fps at 2MP for 15 shots; 3.3 fps at 5MP for 6 shots; and 1.4 fps at 10MP for 3 shots.
  
• xD / SD / SD-HC Media Compatible Slot
  The FinePix S1000fd features an xD/SD-compatible slot, which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity/SDHC cards too.

*I borrowed all this info from here

My goal is to try my hand at professional photography as a side job and see where it takes me! Wish me luck!

~N

Homeless Cat

So my husband and I got a new computer chair. We ordered it offline because that is where we got the best deal. Its navy blue, i know....i know.....its not a very pretty chair for my computer room but we will take what we can get right? Anyway....after putting together our chair we noticed the cat playing in it. I wanted to throw it away but chad asked me to keep it. Now our cat practically lives in it. How funny is that? Rather than play with expensive toys and cat scratchers he lays in his cardboard box, scratches it and sleeps in it. I like to call him the homeless cat, because he looks homeless when he is inside.

~N

Free Food Friday!!

In honor of taxes being due a bunch of fast food restraunts and sit down restraunts are offering some sweet deals, and evn a few freebees......so im making a list(and checkin it twice...haha....ok lame joke here) and I hope you all are able to enjoy at least one freebee!

Chick Fil A: Thursday, April 15: 8 chicken nuggets
Friday, April 16: Fudge nut brownie

Jack-in-the Box: Free Fries on Friday!

Starbucks: Free coffee on friday if you bring in your own "tumbler" or to go coffee mug

Jamba Juice: Buy one get one free till April 25th

PF Changs: 15% off dinner on Friday!

Hope you enjoy, I know I will!

Hair Cut

I'm cutting my hair! I have been feeling frumpy and my hair just needs to be cut so......SO LONG UGLY HAIR!! yay! I'm getting it cut like Nicole Ritchie's hair above. I'm excited....yay for a change :)

~N

Rural Free Delivery-TV

I go to my parents house once a week to do laundry and get a great homecooked meal (not to mention catch up with my family!). Last week my dad had on this channel called "Rual Free Delivery" aka: The Farmer channel. I had never seen anything like it. We were watching people who collect and restore tracters like people who restore old cars. I didnt know people did this!! They also showed these funny commerials about chicken feed and other farm related things. I have to say it was so interesting seeing this. Living in California, I have never seen people like I saw on this channel.


Ok if anybody can show me how to post videos on here I would love it! Anyway here is a commercial that plays on RFD TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa4LBsmW8No
Definately not a commercial that we see on TV! How funny! There is such a huge difference in peoples intersts. Do any of you have a funny commericial or channel you have come across?

~N

Stuck

So.....I feel stuck. Do you ever feel that way? Stuck in the circumstances life gives you? I want things to change....but im so afraid to change things.

I got news that my uncle had a heart attack. He has Multiple Sclerosis so they can't do open heart surgery on him to fix things. They might not be able to do anything, which scares me. Even though I don't see him often it is still very sad. This causes me to feel guilty, I am alive and in good health and here I am complaining about my circumstances while my uncle is fighting for his life.


Sigh.


~ N

Would you rather

Would you rather....

Eat Mexican food everyday day of your life......


OR


Eat Chinese food for the rest of your life??

Real Simple

So I get a subscription to Real Simple (a Christmas present from my mom....yay mom!). It had some cool web pages to check out, so I decided to share them:

1. EPASSPORTPHOTO.com (At this website you can upload a picture of yourself and it will automatically fit it to passport size standards for you, this way you don't have to go get one taken. You can actually have a good looking passport photo! I wish I had seen this!)
2. Bookseeker.com (Here you can type in a book you just read and it will give you a list of similar books you might like to read!)
3. Webmii.com (This one seems really interesting. You can run a search on your name and this website will compile all the information the internet has on you)

I'm really glad I have this magazine, its full of great ideas and great organizational tools. I am definitely not organized and my apartment is often messy, so this magazine is a great way to encourage me to start cleaning!

~N

The News

I was a History major in college. I love reading historical fiction books and political thrillers. I also like keeping up with the latest news going on around the world. A few places I check out frequently are:

http://www.drudgereport.com/ (this website is great for political events occuring around the world, and also seems to have big news first)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/ (I love reading this news web page, it has links to each country and shares important events occurring at any given time)

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php (Just to keep up to date on all the earthquakes, floods, fires etc around the world)

http://www.jpost.com/ (The Jerusalem Post, always has insightful articles and views of American politics from an outsiders perspective)

If your not into reading the news, sorry! But I love it! I hope you are all having a great Friday. Please be in prayer for my father in Law, he is still in pain and uncomfortable.

~N

Sewing Machine

So I got this new Sewing Machine. It has been sitting in its box since September. I need help. I have never sewn or used a machine before. Anybody know of any classes I can take that are inexpensive? I would like to be able to sew blankets and pillow cases. Any suggestions would be great.

I know that I can get good fabric in LA at the Garment District. Are there any other places that sell great fabric? I'm open for any type.

If anybody has tips for a newbie I would be open to hear them. Thanks!!

~N

List List List

So I created a list of things I wanted to do in life while I was in college. There are a few things on that list I had already accomplished, so here is a revised list. I will try to keep you updated on how it goes!

Things I want to do:

• Run a marathon
• Go on a Safari
• Visit Brazil
• Learn a new language
• Be an extra in a movie
• Make pasta from scratch
• Visit the Anne Frank House
• Go to Auschwitz
• Become a mom
• Adopt a child
• Become a missionary
• Sing a solo in front of others
• Learn how to play the guitar
• Grow my hair past my shoulders :)
• Travel to India
• Meet a President (past or current)
• Visit the East coast (Washington DC, New York, etc)
• Go see the Pyramids in Egypt
• Read the Bible straight through
• Teach a college class
• Fly a plane (I could do this! my dad is a pilot!!)
• Try my hand at professional Photography
• Write a book
• Go to China
• Go to Israel
  
• Share my testimony with a group of women
• Have my own garden
• Sew a blanket for myself (I got a sewing machine for my birthday....but its still in the box)

~N

Life is a Highway

I am starting this blog because of others. I read several blogs and these women have inspired me. I hope to do the same for others who read my blog someday.
There are alot of uncertainties going on in my life right now. My husband and I are both in school to become teachers....haha....I know its almost a joke. We started school before all the layoff notices came. I know God will provide, He has in the past and He will again.
My father-in-law is in a battle for his life with cancer. It started in his lung and has moved into his stomach. He is in alot of pain. It is hard to see him in pain. He was always the guy cracking jokes and sarcastic remarks at family gatherings. Please keep him in your prayers, for his peace and comfort and for my mother-in-law's comfort as well.
Sorry, I don't mean to start this blog off on a sad note. Sorry!

~N