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Went to see AVATAR tonight.

WOW.

I was a little worried that I would be disappointed... I mean, it's James Cameron. He's set quite a precedent for himself! (Terminator, Terminator 2, Titanic, etc) Titanic was the most expensive movie ever made at the time, and went on to become the highest grossing movie of all time. It came out when I was a freshman in high school. So yeah, I remember going with a huge group of girls and going crazy over that movie. And I actually loved Terminator 2 growing up. My older brother, John, thought it was awesome and I have fond memories of us watching it together.

Plus, I am an Entourage fan, and they make a big deal about James Cameron on there... and he is awesome as a guest star :)

So I just really didn't want to be disappointed. I knew it would be good... but once again, it is hyped for it's "break through technology" - 3D film making, and it is one of the most expensive movies ever made.

I thought it was incredible. James (as in my James... not Cameron) was a little disappointed in some of the plot movement - the extra dialogue to somewhat spoon-feed you (to make sure it is appealing to ALL audiences). But that didn't really bother me so much. It truly is beautiful. The Eden-like planet they create is gorgeous, and the indigenous people of Pandora, the Na'vi, have a beautiful awareness of energy and love of their land. Cameron's attention to detail is remarkable. The Na'vi are SO COOL looking (and they are HUGE)!

I just thought the whole premise of the Avatar Program was so fascinating. They create genetically engineered human-Na'vi hybrids. A human who shares genetic material with an avatar is mentally linked to it, allowing them to control it while their own body 'sleeps'.

And I must say... watching a movie in 3D rocks my world. I felt like I was back at Disney World watching the Michael Jackson movie :) It's a little more expensive... but if you have the chance, go see it in 3D. It is so worth it.

In case you haven't seen any - here's a preview.


Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

I Love The Interwebz

I had such an awesome surprise in my email tonight!

On the ferry ride back from Put-In-Bay the car in front of us said "Poodles" on the license plate. I got excited because I could see lots of doggies in the windows :) I got out and went to meet my friendly ferry neighbors. They had a toy poodle who was 2, a miniature poodle who was 9, and a standard poodle who was 6 months: Penelope, Prudence and Bernie
Penelope, the Standard Poodle was HUGE and she still has a lot of growing to do. But I loved how she acted as though she were a lap dog just like the other two. I'm used to thinking of poodles having the traditional "show-dog" hair cuts, and I did not realize how awesome their hair is just natural!!!! It was as massive as my own - which is probably why we bonded so well.

The couple and I talked a bit about our time on the island and I told them I had been performing at the Beer Barrel. Well... low and behold, they found me online and sent me the sweetest email tonight!!! They even attached a picture of "my newest fan" Penelope:


She's so fun! And I am so happy to have a picture of her, now!

Speaking of Penelope... I HIGHLY recommend the movie "Penelope" with Christina Ricci, Catherine O'Hara, and Reese Witherspoon. It was a smaller film, but was quickly added to my list of favorites after seeing it on my cruise to Alaska last year! I love Christina Ricci and Catherine O'Hara always does such a great job in the "psychotic mom" roles :) The scenery is beautiful - very storybook. It's just a good heart-warming film. Nothing mind-blowing. Just downright good.

Peace. Love. And Penelope (GO WATCH IT! NOW! I'll time you. Run)
~natalie

From JJ's BBQ to Africa

Something about a giant baked potato with the best pulled pork BBQ I know of just makes the world make sense to me. I LOVE the Pulled Pork Potatoes from JJ's in Columbia. And ummm.... most anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with their fruit tea as well. I even have the recipe and use it frequently at Thanksgiving, Christmas... you know... days when JJ's isn't open. :)-

After loading up on JJ's today, Jessie finally got to catch me up on the videos I had yet to see from The Raining Season's trip to Sierra Leone. It amazing what perspective does. It's heartbreaking, inspiring, uplifting, and overwhelming all at the same time to watch the footage from their trip. These children and these people have been left with so little. Their country is in ruin after a brutal civil war. Children who are suffering can't get the medical attention they need because there's always someone who is worse off. It is hard to watch. But it is beautiful to see something being done.

I am so inspired by the work the Raining Season is doing. And they are helping people brick by brick, drop by drop, and grain by grain. The people of Sierra Leone are so grateful. Seeing an entire people that know nothing but poverty, who are thankful for a bowl of rice each day, and seem so happy.... It's beautiful.

After talking and watching the footage with Jessie, I was heading back to my apartment with a quick pit stop for my sister. I went to her best friend's house to pick something up for her. Now, Stephanie's best friend Suzanne. Wow. I know her first 2 children. But I hadn't really gotten to spend time with or meet the rest of her kids. There have been 4 additions since the last time I saw her!!! How crazy is that? I had the best time talking with and getting to actually spend time with her children. Children just fill my heart. They LOVED Cinnamon and let me bring her in. They were having a ball chasing her around the house! (Not sure how Cinnamon felt, but she's pretty good at holding her own. With 7 nieces and nephews... she's gotten pretty used to it!)

This is Caleb, Annabelle, Michael, MillerAnne, Joshua, Grace, and Mallory (Mallory is "technically" a neighbor, but let's face it - she's family!)



Suzanne is such a beautiful person. She is actually going to Uganda very soon. And her 2 oldest children who are around 10 and 12 are going with her. I have just spent the last 30 minutes reading and looking at the blogs of Amazima Ministries. Amazima is what inspired Suzanne to make her trip to Africa.
Katie is a 21 year old girl who first went to Uganda at 18. She fell in love with the people, and her heart was broken as she saw so may children just sitting idly on the side of the road. She started this foundation which has grown tremendously over the last few years. Her stories are so moving. And I encourage everyone to at least read some of her stories. It will impact your day in a beautiful way.

I spent part of my night catching up on some accounting, and I found a movie about Coco Chanel which sounded like a good working/listening movie. Boy was I wrong!!! I was having trouble focusing on my work because she was such a captivating woman.

At one point in the movie, they are discussing how frustrating it is that men seem to have so many advantages (this is the early 1900's) Her friend says,"That's just the way the world is. Not like you can change the world." Coco replied with "Why not?"

Beautiful.

Here's to whatever your light is in the world - music, fashion, mission work, cooking....

Peace, Love, Fiddle, and doing what we can to change the world

Batman!!!!!!!!!!

Midnight showing! Let ya know how it turns out :)