Happy Birthday to my Fiance'

I think I might enjoy when Chris' birthday rolls around even more than he does with each year that passes.  As you all know, I'm a birthday person.  There's just something about a day that is all about ME!  Even though today is all about Chris, I've had a lot of fun gearing up for the day!  This is the only birthday he will have as my fiance' (yes, we set a date!) so I want to make it extra special for him.  I won't get too mushy here, but I absolutely love this man.  He is an amazing person with a heart of gold.  He truly helps me and pushes me to be my best self.  I am grateful for our friendship, our ability to laugh and have fun together, and our shared values.  We make a great team, and I look forward to making it all official on paper later this year.  Here's banking on this being your best year yet my love!

Now, in honor of the birthday boy, let me take you on a little stroll down memory lane...

Chris turned 30 after we'd been dating for close to a year so I had a lot of fun helping him put together a party in Albany with friends from near and far that year.  I even baked a cake :)

The next year, we kept it low key, but I whipped up some cupcakes and got Chris some great gifts!  Mainly a Jets mini-helmet signed by fellow Pitt Panthers Darrelle Revis and Curtis Martin along with a pair of Rangers hockey tickets.  Still not entirely sure how I managed to pull all that off exactly.  It's a very tricky process for sure!

Last year, I made some personalized cookies...straight cash, homey! And we had a fun filled sports day beginning with cheering Newcastle to victory before breakfast to Pitt at Madison Square Garden to watching the Knicks on big screens at Clyde's Wine and Dine that evening.

Any guesses on what this year has in store?  

Andrea :)

*P.S. - Check out my instagram (@alhadventures) if you are curious to find out sooner than later...

Oscar Review: The Wolf of Wall Street

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture

Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio)

Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill)

Directing (Martin Scorsese)

My Review:

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Leonardo DiCaprio is one of my all-time favorite actors.  I was perhaps mildly obsessed with him in my younger years.  And while I think he did have a great performance in this movie, I really didn't like the film overall.  It was just too much for me...especially since it is based on a true story.  There was too much vulgarity.  Too much nudity and unnecessary demeaning sexual acts and references.  Too much positivity regarding drugs and alcohol.  Too much disgusting behavior.  And also WAY too long!  I do think the story itself is an interesting one, but I believe I would have rather read about it than seen it.  As I mentioned, Leo does a great job acting, but it was all just too much to take in for me.  There was one particular scene toward the end that I am sure was a doozie to film that had me laughing for a bit, but otherwise I just felt gross watching this one.  Though it did have a handful of comical moments, I don't really recommend it at all.

Did you see The Wolf of Wall Street?  What did you think?

Andrea :)

Mini of the Month: February

I wasn't very excited when I saw that Toffee Crunch was the Mini of the Month for February.  I'm not a fan of chocolate cake so this mini had its work cut out for it from the start with me.  The staff at Baked by Melissa seemed confident that it had been quite popular though.

Ingredients: Chocolate Cake, Caramel Icing, Chocolate Drizzle & Toffee Crunch Topping

Toffee Crunch is a totally new flavor.   Never seen before...and possibly never seen again.  Once I worked up the appetite to try it, I was pleasantly surprised.  I think the icing balanced out a bit of the chocolate flavor so it wasn't too overwhelming for a non-chocolate cake lover.  The toffee (which is one of the most popular versions of taffy worldwide) was a surprisingly tasty topping as well. 

Would you enjoy the Toffee Crunch mini?

Andrea :)

Runners Tell All: My Running Story

Back in my middle school basketball days, I hated conditioning because it meant running. And that wasn't fun...at all! I moved on to high school where I joined the track team. I didn't like running any more than in middle school, but I learned a few tricks of the trade and stuck with it for the camaraderie...and a crush I had at the time :)  A few years down the line, I moved to New York. I made some great friends. Those friends ran. What's a girl to do when all her friends run?

First "real" race - a Race for the Cure 5k with friends in Central Park

I signed up for my first race because of the encouragement of those friends. These amazing ladies showed me that running is more than just a way to get some exercise. They showed me that it can be a way to challenge yourself, to build community with others, and to unwind and reflect on life. Over time, they've taught me that it's ok to not be fast as long as you continue to race against yourself. They've taught me that it's ok to set lofty goals because you just might surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish when you put your mind and body to the test. They've taught me that it's ok to enjoy running, but even when you do, sometimes, you just have to make yourself get out there and go. 

Four years after that first race, I completed the NYC Marathon. Not very fast, but smiling all most of the way!


Andrea :)

Oscar Review: 12 Years a Slave

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture

Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender)

Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o)

Directing (Steve McQueen)

My Review:

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This movie is incredibly well made, and the actor and actresses are phenomenal.  It is very difficult to watch though.  It is a depressing true story.  A free black man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is enslaved early on in the film.  The quality of his life immediately diminishes severely, but his hope and spirit is not broken.  He is well-educated, and he knows what he needs to do to survive.  It does not make his journey any less heart wrenching or easy, but it does make it different than some of the others he encounters.  It was difficult to watch because as Americans the slavery we are taught about in school is unfortunately painted in the best light possible.  This movie shows slavery for the harsh reality that it was for our country.  It is sickening.  It is vile.  It is twisted to seem acceptable by the slave owners.  This movie is a must watch for everyone.  It is the first time I have ever been to a theater when the entire audience was simply dead silent as they exited the room while the credits rolled.  This film leaves an impact and should be used for years to come as it shows the true colors of racism and slavery in our country's not so distant past.  I hope this film wins Best Picture as it truly deserves the honor.  It does have a handful of graphic scenes and does use some inappropriate language, but is worth watching even so.

Have you seen 12 Years a Slave?  What did you think?

Andrea :)

MLS, anyone?

Way back in the fall of 2010, Chris helped me mark off the first of many tasks he'd be roped into on my bucket list.

I had experienced professional football, basketball, and baseball a good number of times in my life, but I had yet to mark off Major League Soccer.  Being a huge soccer fan, Chris was more than willing to help me cross this one off my list. 

 

We ventured out to New Jersey (ironically) to watch the New York Red Bulls take on Real Salt Lake in a remarkably warm October match up.

I was excited to take in the whole experience and had an enjoyable time.  The thing I liked most was watching the mass of hooligans behind one of the goals as they stood and cheered throughout the match.  It was also exciting to see Thierry Henry play since I actually recognized that name from his international play.



By the end of the game, I was asking Chris when we could come back and watch them play a more well known team or a team with more well known stars.  I won't say I had caught the soccer fever, but I was intrigued.  It wasn't nearly as slow paced and boring as I had imagined it would be for all those years.  We had a fun time...and they even gave out free beanies :)

If you haven't given soccer a chance yet, I definitely recommend checking out the action live before totally dismissing it.  It is MUCH more exciting in person than on tv.  We've been to several games (though I'm not certain any have been MLS) since this experience.  I've enjoyed the atmosphere just as much each time.  I really like watching the US team play in friendlies when we get the chance!

Have you ever been to an MLS game?

Andrea :)

Oscar Review: Philomena

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture

Actress (Judi Dench)

My Review:

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This movie was my favorite of all the Best Picture nominees this year.  It is another true story...and a heartbreaking one for sure.  I was wrapped up in every moment of this film.  I was so intrigued by the story that Chris bought the book (which I believe will have even more details) for me as a Christmas gift shortly after we had seen the film together.  I haven't made time to delve into the book just yet, but I did love this story.  Both Judi Dench (Philomena) and Steve Coogan (a journalist whose company was footing the bill for their joint search) were great in the movie.  They possessed the wonderful ability to add bits of humor throughout the heart wrenching journey to find Philomena's long lost son.  I think this is a film that everyone should watch.  It is unbelievable to see how unwed mothers were handled just a few short years ago by a well known religious organization with no remorse to boot.  So sad and truly shocking to watch.  I promise you won't be sorry you watched this one!

Have you seen Philomena?  What did you think?

Andrea :)