Music: Selena Quintanilla Perez

My life has always been filled with music. I have such a deep appreciation for all types of music and it is something that has always brought my family together. Today I wanted to do a post in honor of a very special musician that truly influenced me in life. Selena Quintanilla Perez. She was a Mexican American singer who greatly influenced Latino music in bridging the gap between traditional Mexican music and current pop.  

She was a Grammy award winning Latina musician that was on the rise of super stardom when she was tragically killed when she was 23.  I can honestly say that I can remember vividly watching the news the day of her funeral and seeing her casket surrounded by white roses. 

When the movie came out in 1997 with Jennifer Lopez I fell in love with Selena. She became a hero and a person I wanted to be when I grew up.  In my mind I would sing, I would dance, dress like her, and I would be famous like her haha. I felt such a deep connection when I was younger because she was a Mexican American woman who was beautiful, successful, and seemed like she could be my sister. She loved to sing, dance,  and she even had to learn how to speak Spanish. That was my favorite thing about her! I am a fourth generation Mexicana to be born in California and I don't speak a word of Spanish. She was someone I felt was so similar to me and I truly idolized her. I remember constantly watching her movie and crying at the end, because I felt her loss every time I watched the movie (I was dramatic haha). I would play the soundtrack over and over again until I knew all the words. My earliest memories is sitting by myself and playing Dreaming of You over and over again. I truly love and cherish Selena and I am so happy that she is still honored and remembered today. <3

Books: All things Jane Austen

Hello everyone it's been awhile! So since I have so much time on my hands I have been reading tons of books. I am currently on a Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, historical romance kick. I love it!!! I am a huge romantic and mix some history in and I am a goner ;).

My love for Ms. Jane Austen started when my mom and I went and saw the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. I remember sitting there and being in aw of the costumes, the scenery, the romance and now I can't get enough. It opened my eyes to the wonderful world of Regency romance. haha After that fantastic experience I started to read tons of books including my mothers romance novels....haha Don't judge me. Some of those novels I read were Jane Austen's books and of course watching all the movie adaptions.

SO I have been watching and reading tons of Pride and Prejudice goodness since my surgery. As we all know that there are tons of adaptions of Ms. Austen's books. I have read some of them and though most of these are not fantastic works of literature they are fun to read.  Any suggestions lol? I really liked "Mr. Darcy's Little Sister" by C. Allyn Pierson. It was fun and it was interesting to see who Georgiana Darcy got with. haha

Beside reading I have been watching adaptions of Austen's books. My favorites so far I of course love the 2005 version of Pride and Pejudice that started it all, the version with Colin Firth, and I love the 1940 adaption with Laurence Olivier. They literally brighten my day when I watch them. I think this weekend is going to be an Austen weekend! Here are some pictures of my favorites! Enjoy!

Anyone see a pattern? haha Thanks for reading! 

Health: Inspiration

Hello everyone so as we all know I am doing my best to live a healthier lifestyle and so far so good. However I am human and I am struggling a bit. Sometimes you need some inspiration to get you back on track. I just wanted to share an experience that has helped remind me why I am on this journey.

I have been walking at a local park with my mom and we have worked our way to two laps (2 miles) around the park. The other day we went walking and on our second lap my mom starts saying she is not feeling well at all and she needs to sit down. The walking path is a mile long and we were about half way done and as we sit there she tells me I have to go get her a drink. We discovered that she hasn't ate in awhile and she thinks her sugar is low. She is a diabetic and low blood sugar can be fatal for her and I had no idea what to do because this has never happened to us before. I ran to our car in the parking lot to get money and to buy her a drink and to get some candy for her. She was pale, shaking, and cold to the touch when I got back. We sat down as she ate and we both agreed that it was a very upsetting ordeal.  She was fine but it definitely scared us and made us very determined to change our lives and become healthier.

We don't ever want to experience that again. In my family we have a long history of health problems. It's terrible and we decided that enough is enough. So we are trying to eat better and we are going to keep walking. Our goal is to make sure that we have no more health scares. Losing weight is important but being healthy is our top priority now. Wish us luck and thanks for reading <3

Giving Back: New Years Goal (I know it's late)

So I have been thinking of ways to stay busy while I'm recovering from surgery and I have come up with my new years resolution. I have decided that I will make 50 scarves for Operation Gratitude to send over seas to troops during their holiday drive. It's a great organization that sends care packages to active service men and women.  One of the many things in the packages is a handmade scarf and this year I want to really contribute to reach the 50,000 goal OPG has set. So I want to make 50 crochet scarves I'm pretty sure I can do it. So far I am working on the first scarf. haha 

Here is a link to Operation Gratitude it truly is a great organization and a great way to get involved. 

http://www.opgratitude.com/

Health and Fitness: It is official!

I have joined Weight Watchers online! yaya It has been an experience so far and it is only day 1. My goal is to lose 40 pounds and I know it's going to happen. The site and all the counting is a little confusing but I have time to figure it out. Wish me luck :)

Fashion: Lea Michele

This Chica was working the red carpet at the SAG Awards yesterday. This beezy is wearing an Oscar de la Renta blush crepe de chine caviar bead embroidered gown, Sergio Rossi shoes, Tiffany & Co. jewels, and a Daniel Swarovski bag...yeah I would like to wear this when I'm 24 too,please. Haha I love Lea Michele and this girl is always dressed to impress. Loved her when she was in Spring Awakening and love her even more in Glee. I can't wait for Sunday new episode! For more SAG 2011 fashion pics check out this link here.

Yes I know that link is just a bunch of sexy men...just humor me lol. Although LL Cool J creeps me out, Justin is the only cutie from the social network, and Christian Bale just needs to shave! Haha I'm just saying...enjoy!

Health and Fitness: A New Beginning!

So since November of 2010 I have not been able to do any physical activity at all. So for the past three months because of my injury and recovery time I have gained back the weight I lost when I was at school! It's very disappointing and I can't help but feel so upset. Especially these past couple days I have been feeling awful. However I am turning over a new leaf and I will be joining weight watchers hopefully on February 1 or 2!! Thanks to my gram and momma I will try this program out and I'm hoping for success! I mean have you all seen Jennifer Hudson? She looks fantastic and I definiy want that for myself. To look and feel great inside and out. Wish me luck! I will post updates!

BOYS: Henry Cavill

OMG Greatest news ever! So just found out that my husband Henry Cavill is going to be the next SUPERMAN!! ahahahaha He is so amazing I am so happy I might actually go see the movie haha. He has tried to get a role ever since The Tudors and he has been denied on numerous occasions. Not anymore! YESSSS!

Books: Suggestions!

The hardest part for some is finding the right book to read so I thought I would make it easier. I made a list of books I absolutely adore with links to amazon, and pictures of movies based of the books for your convenience! Enjoy and let me know what you think of the list.

The Outsiders
Read this in middle school and still remains one of my favorite books. After I read this book I desperately wanted to be a greaser haha. It really touched me because when I read this I was going through a very tough time in my life. This book just helped me escape and helped me move past my troubled times.  I have three copies of this book and two versions of the movie (the original release and the directors cut). The movie is amazing!! I highly recommend this book because it's just a "tuff" book haha. Read it than watch it!! Trust me you wont be disappointed

To Kill a Mockingbird
Read this in high school and fell in love with the characters. Makes you feel like a little kid again but touches on some deep issues.  The movie is amazing and made me realize I have the biggest crush on Gregory Peck the actor who played Atticus Finch in the movie.

Jane Eyre
Just read this book this past summer 2010 and I fell in love. It's a beautiful story. It's a classic and it was not what I expected at all. It's the definition of a Gothic Romance novel. Plus you can't help but fall in love with Mr. Rochester he's so freaking adorable and moody (sighs) hahaha I can't wait for the movie to come out this March the last version was made in 2006 and it was so good!

The Five People You Meet In Heaven
Such a  great read. It is short but oh so very touching.  A story that just touches your soul and makes you think about your loved ones you have lost in a way that makes you smile.

Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent
Just read this about a week ago and it was amazing. I love Broadway musicals and I adore Rent so I had to read this book. It was so touching and really throws you for a loop. I spoke a little about it in one of my past post and I simply can't express how much I enjoyed this book.  It is very sad but so passionate and heart felt.  If you have a passion for musicals and don't mind a little boy and boy action (the author is gay) READ IT!

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Okay so in this instance the book is way better than the movie! I hate to say it but it's true the movie is still fun to watch but this book is ten times better.  My 20 year old cousin Stanley read it and he loved it haha.  It has some great music refrences and is just a fun book to read.

Long time no see

So since I have last posted I had major back surgery and I am taking the second semester of schOol off to recover. Yup I am the 19 year old who had two herniated discs and the pain was so bad I had to have surgery. Yup I was in the hospital for 15 hours with my family and it was something I never want to experience again! I mean hospitals are already pretty awful anyways but being the patient was a different perspective for me. I rather not go through that again Even though I'm doing really well for with my recovery. I'm up and about walking around and I feel good. I have to watch my posture 24/7 though. Meh I'm glad that I only have to worry about posture instead of nerve damage or something.

I went to a bookstore today and got a ton of books and one of them being Without You by Anthony Rapp. It was so good!!!! I felt so many similarities with the author and myself in regaurds to his mother and her illness. I was expecting this book to be a simple read but oh man was I wrong. It was so powerful and heart felt that I stayed up all night reading it. I haven't slept...don't judge me haha.I would recommend it to anyone and I will probably have my brother read it. He needs too! It was beautiful and I felt like he was telling it like it was and he didn't sugarcoat anything. Made me realize that people aren't want they seem and that there is no day but today. <3