celebrating my friend’s success

 

Stop by my pop culture blog every day this week and get to know my best good friend, Cerella D. Sechrist, author of Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Cerella will be sharing personal stories, pop culture favorites, and even participating in the challenge of writing about One Word. Plus, there will be DAILY GIVEAWAYS! Check back daily to join in the conversation and celebrate the release of Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

 
Learn more about Cerella D. Sechrist by visiting her blog at The Cerella Life.

 

one word: more

 

I’ve mentioned here before how much I love bright, shiny things and how tempted I am to make impulse purchases and spend far too much — even when spending for a valid reason or good cause. It is my nature to want and to do more. I’m the first to tell you that I have an obsessive personality. Just enough is just not enough. It’s too little. I work to perfection, I overdo almost everything, and I’m always thinking about what else there can be rather than settling into what already is. I’m the kind of person who can easily miss what’s right in front of her. And I often do. It’s not easy for me to be still and just live in the richness of the moment. But God is always at work in me.

During the past year I’ve become deliberate in how I view the world around me. I’ve taken time to unplug from the busyness, and I’ve challenged myself with a daily project designed to turn my focus outward and see all the beauty that exists around me. I’m learning to appreciate the moments of each day. And I’m learning to make do with what I have right now. I’m still obsessive and still have an addiction to “want,” but God is helping me channel those traits into more productive outlets. For now, that’s enough.

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This post was derived from the list of inspiration words gathered on Ali Edwards’s blog and from the concept of writing about one word.
 

upcoming guest :: Cerella D. Sechrist

Beginning Monday, February 1st, author Cerella D. Sechrist will spend a week right here discussing her new book, Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and sharing with us some of her own pop culture influences. There will be 5 days of interviews, personal stories, special topics and DAILY GIVEAWAYS in honor of the book’s official release on Tuesday, February 2nd. Make plans to join us for a week of celebration and chocolate-covered fiction!
 

Read the first chapter and order your copy today!
 

 

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Oscar Ritual 2010 : UP IN THE AIR

January 22, 2010 at Studio Movie Grill, Addison Texas
 

 
To be honest, I was on the fence about seeing Up in the Air. On the one hand, reviews have been glowing, and there was initially much talk of Academy Award nominations. I love actress Vera Farmiga and have always enjoyed the work of director Jason Reitman. But on the other hand, I’ve come to mistrust the movies of George Clooney in recent years, and with the film getting an R rating, I was very hesitant. It came down to two simple things: free tickets + lack of other titles that both my friend and I agreed upon. This time, it all turned out for the best.
 
Up in the Air is even better than the word of mouth has declared. It is funny and touching and poignant, and all of the main characters are well-developed and gifted with sharp dialogue and genuine personalities. They are, in truth, like real people you would meet in real life. And I can’t really remember many movies lately that felt like that. Clooney is finally back to the level of acting that made him great in television, and Vera Farmiga is simply radiant. She provides the film with such spark and depth, and her character has more layers than any other in the movie… though it’s not completely evident until her story plays out completely. And then there is the much-praised newcomer, Anna Kendrick, playing the naïve, young go-getter shadowing Clooney’s veteran corporate downsizer. She is vibrant in every scene, stealing them out from under everyone she plays opposite. The beauty of this cast is that the two older actors graciously play to Kendrick’s scene stealing turn, making this a true ensemble film despite its central star.
 
I was very, very impressed with Up in the Air and found myself hanging on every word and rooting for each of the characters, even when those characters were in opposition. It made for a delightful movie-going experience! This is a film that can be seen again and again without ever becoming tired. And if the Academy is going to honor it, I believe that’s well-deserved.
 
 
image from Internet Movie Database

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celebrating my parents

 
Today my parents celebrate 43 years of marriage. A very long time ago they made a verbal promise to each other, in front of me and my sisters, to never divorce and to work through anything that threatened their relationship and us as a family. As their oldest child, born only two years into their marriage, I’ve been witness to some critical moments in their partnership, and I’ve seen them fight vehemently to restore harmony. I’ve seen tears and anguish and mistrust and honest, wrenching pain, and then I’ve seen them come through all of it into a more stable, more loving, more deeply committed relationship than either probably ever imagined possible. They are a true success story and a testament to making it work no matter the cost. I am blessed have witnessed this. I am blessed to have such an example in my life. The fact that they are now stronger, healthier and more in love than ever before is not lost on me, and should there come a day when I find myself considering marriage I will have no fears and no rose-colored views. I’ll know exactly what to expect and what will be required of me. Because of my parents, I know that love can last a lifetime.
 
Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! We are so blessed that God gave us to you.