Gems of 2012

We women are a different breed altogether! The actresses on this list can act and they have proven it. Follow them and see where their careers lead them.

GEMS OF 2012
Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games)
Amanda Seyfried (Jill, Gone)
Scarlett Johanssen (Black Widow, Marvel’s The Avengers)
Anne Hathaway (Selina, The Dark Knight Rises)
Charlize Theron ( , Snow White and the Huntsman)
Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy, Pitch Perfect)
Emma Watson (Sam, The Perks of Being a Wallflower)
Kate Beckinsale (Lori Quaid, Total Recall)
Evangeline Lilly (Kate, Lost)
Natalie Portman (Jane Foster, Thor)
Zoe Saldana (Dora Jansen, The Words)
Liv Tyler (Arwen, LOTR)
Jessica Biel (Stacy, Playing for Keeps)
Emma Stone (Gwen Stacey, The Amazing Spiderman)
Halle Berry ( , Cloud Atlas)

Men! Men! Men!

Men! Men! Men! How many of you are astute people watchers of the male species?! I know I am. In this post, I would like to present a list of actors in Hollywood to watch over the next year.. Have you ever seen them act before? Which movie? Did you like the movies? Did you think they acted well? Let me know in the comments section! 

RISING STARS OF 2012
Ian McKellan (Gandalf, The Hobbit)
Andy Serkis (Gollum, The Hobbit)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Necromancer, The Hobbit)
Martin Freeman (Bilbo, The Hobbit)
Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Marvel’s The Avengers)
Channing Tatum (Mike, Magic Mike)
Jeremy Renner (Aaron Cross, The Bourne Legacy)
Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne, The Hunger Games)
Taylor Kitsch (Lt. Alex Hopper, Battleship)
Chris Evans (Captain America, Marvel’s The Avengers)
Dane DeHaan (Andrew Detmer, Chronicle)
Domhnall Gleeson (Levin, Anna Karenina)
Jake Gyllanhall (Dastan, Prince of Persia)

Great Novels of 2012

Lists, lists, everywhere! Don't you love 'em! In this post, I will provide you with a list of best reads of 2012, based on "experts" around the web. Tell me what you think. And again, add to the list if you want through the comments section. Here we go:

Behind the Beautiful Tomorrows by Katherine Boo
Wild by Cheryl Srayed
House of Stone by Anthony Shadid
The Mansion of Happiness by Jill Lepore
No Easy Day by Mark Owen
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowlings
The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

Lists! Lists! Lists!

I am a lover of lists. I make lists for shopping, lists for singing, lists for chores, lists for places to visit, lists for people to meet…you get the drift J Soooooo, I want to share some of them with you. For this post, I am going to offer up my impression of the BEST movies of 2012. Let me know if you agree. Also, in the comments section, give me your own list. 

• Dark Shadows
• Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer
• Life of Pi
• Skyfall
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• Argo
• Taken 2
• The Bourne Legacy
• Marvel’s The Avengers
• A Thousand Words
• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
• Snow White and the Huntsman
• Parental Guidance
• The Lucky One
• Cloud Atlas
• The Vow
• Moneyball
• The Hunger Games
• Battleship
• Rock of Ages

Farewell, My Lovelies...

As the year comes to an end, I would like to take a moment to remember those who left us this year. For me, some of these personalities had a great impact on me, and so their deaths make me feel very sad. Others lived long and industrious lives, spreading comfort, courage, and hope in their wake. There lives stood as role models for millions. So without further delay, I present you with a list of those who memories will live on in us for years to come. 

Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 10, 2012)

Houston was the greatest pop star of a generation! Her music was legendary, and it touched the hearts and imaginations of fans all over the world. So it comes as no surprise, then, that the world was shocked when they got the news that “the Queen of Pop” had died.

Andy Griffith (June 11, 1926 – July 3, 2012)

Andy Griffith was charming and personable in every role he played. In the early days, his role in The Andy Griffith Show made being ordinary and living the simple life appealing and acceptable to the masses. Then, as Matlock, he used these same qualities to solve crimes that changed and intensified with the times.

Donna Summer (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012)

The “disco” legend of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s lost her battle with cancer at the age of 63. But her legacy as a black female singer will live on through the popularity of her songs, including “Last Dance” and “She Works Hard For the Money”.

Larry Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012)

The oil magnate that you loved to hate on prime time TV (Dallas) was also the conventional  businessman who lived a most unconventional life because of a certain genie (I Dream of Jeanie). His return to primetime recently proved that old age may slow you down a bit, but it can’t stop you if you don’t let it!

May the powers that be watch over the icons and lead them to a better future.

Breaking Dawn: Part 2 Review

I was fortunate enough to be able to watch “Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2” on its opening weekend. I have to say, it was fabulous! No longer did we have to watch Bella, the main star of the show, struggle with self-doubt and the awkwardness that comes with adolescence. In Breaking Dawn:Part 1, she carried the “alien” baby to full term and died giving birth to a bouncing baby girl. Then, against all hope, Edward’s “love venom” brought her back to life.

Now, in Breaking Dawn:Part 2, with eyes blazing and an unquenchable “thirst”, Bella is welcomed into the clan of the un-dead and led on her first feeding frenzy with her true-love VAMPIRE mate, Edward Cullen. Mmmmmmm….yummy! But the fun doesn’t stop there! As Rennesme, Bella and Edward’s love child, grows at warp speed, trouble brews in the caverns of Western Europe. What that is and how it is resolved is left for you, the viewer, to find out on your own. See the movie…and then break out the bubbly!

What is Diwali????

Diwali is the most joyous time of year for Hindus, and yet so little is known about it by the American population. So I took it upon myself to enlighten those unfortunate souls who have been missing out! Diwali is the most prominent Hindu holiday of the year. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, all over India and throughout the world. It is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil, as illustrated by the events of India’s religious past.  For Hindus, Diwali is a five-day event:

·         Day 1: Dhanteras

This day is dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth. On this day, Hindus buy utensils or other objects made of precious metals, for good luck. Businesses owned or operated by Hindus close out their financial records for the year and start anew.

·         Day 2: Chhoti Diwali

This day is dedicated to the Goddess of Time, Change, and Death. On this day, Hindus indulge in fragrant baths and then dawn new clothes. They share special Diwali foods with family and friends.

·         Day 3: Diwali

This day is dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth, Properity, and Beauty. On this day, Hindus perform elaborate ceremonies, worshipping the Goddess. Before any such ceremonies, Lord Ganesh is worshipped. Hindus clean their homes thoroughly and decorate them by placing rows of earthen oil lamps everywhere.

·         Day 4: Padwa/ Govardan Puja

This day is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who saved the world from floods by lifting Mount Govardhana and allowing all the people to take shelter under it. On this day, Hindus cook mountains of food, to represent Mount Govardhana, which are later distributed to devotees and other townspeople.

·         Day 5: Bhai Duj

This day is dedicated to the relationship in ancient India between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for the longevity and prosperity of their brothers, and brothers bestow their sisters with gifts and eat a meal together. It is meant to strengthen the ties between brothers and sisters.