Amy Ayres

London Part 2

I have finally put most of my pictures together from London.  On the left, you'll see a link to some of my favorites.  You can also view more on my flickr page.

I had such a good time in London and feels like forever ago that I was there!  I feel fortunate to have stayed with Alina and Nick, and got a taste of what it's like to live there and see everyday life.  I found it interesting to learn the terms they use for common things or sayings.

London

I returned from London earlier this week and had an amazing time!  I felt as if I were in a movie for at least the first 4 days.  It was great to see Alina again after 10 years.  It was as if no time had passed...we had great laughs and reminisced about the old times in Orlando. 

Boston and an Angel

This week I had the opportunity to go to Boston for work.  I was pretty excited about going because I had only been there one other time, and it was only to the airport.

When I told people I was going to Boston, I heard lots of great suggestions on where to go and what to see.  And then I had to remind them that I was going for work.  It is not often that I get to enjoy the cities were I visit for work. 

Summer, Lightning Bugs, and Family

Last weekend I went to Ohio to see my grandmother and aunt.  My mom and step dad were also there, making it a full house in my grandmothers 2 bedroom apartment.  It was my first visit to Ohio since she moved out of her house. 

My grandmother lived in the same house for over 50 years.  It was a house that was made of memories and love.  This house had a great basement, with my grandfather’s art work and jigsaw puzzles in one room, laundry room, and then a recreational room for the kids.  I loved watching my grandfather paint and him letting me “find” a piece to one of his jigsaw puzzles he spent hours completing.   When I close my eyes, I can still smell the dampness of the basement and see the sparkle in grandpa’s eyes.

Entertainment Week

I go through phases where I either read or watch a lot of movies.  When I start a book, I have a hard time putting it down.  I become very anti-social and fixated on the story.  When I went back to school 5 years ago, I didn't pick up a novel in 2 years because I knew the book would take a higher priority than the 10 page paper I needed to write.  Since I've been working at home, I've been hesitant to read for the same reason.  I work really well from home, but starting a novel could provide too much temptation.  So, this week I read one on Saturday and then another one last night.  I figured I wouldn't let a book distract me, I'd just finish them in one sitting.

Abercrombie Experience

I’d like to take a moment and confess a simple pleasure in my life.  Now just to give an idea of where I'm coming from…I am someone that once purchased a mens body wash because I loved the scent so much and wanted it near me. 

I’m not a big fan of the mall even though I really enjoying shopping.  I don’t often frequent malls unless I’m out for a specific purchase.  However, that all changed one day as I was in the Perimeter Mall looking for a dress for the upcoming 2006 Christmas party, I'm sorry - Holiday party. 

Movie Review: Elizabethtown

Here's the basic info on Elizabethtown: 
Released in 2005
Written and directed by Cameron Crowe (Vanilla Sky, Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous)
Main Actors:  Orlando Bloom, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, Kirsten Dunst

Overview of the plot:  Main character, Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) gets fired from his employer, learns of his father's death, and gets dumped by his girlfriend within a short time frame.  He heads to his father's hometown of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, to bring his father back to Oregon.  Along the way he meets quirky Claire Colburn (Kristen Dunst) and there is a spark of romance. 

My thoughts:  At first glance, this movie may appear to be one that would fall into the category of "Chick Flick" and only to be viewed by men on holidays or a birthday.  However, the movie's themes do not center around romance.  The romance adds to the story and carries the theme, but it is not dominate in the movie.