I believe in Movie Trailers.
Unfortunately I usually like them much more than the actual movie.
When the editing of artistic shots, dialogue, music, and percussion are perfect it can actually be goosebump inducing.
Which is just a facade for a really good movie.
When it's really just a really good trailer.

This is a list of my favorite movie trailers. Although I don't think they're in any order. Well, I guess they are...

Letters to Juliet. Nothing really to say about this one. Trailer was better.



The Lovely Bones. This trailer was nothing like the movie which was rather dull and slow moving. Yet still faster than the book...the book was better though.



The Blind Side. Don't get me wrong. I actually really like this movie. It was really good and there were parts that made me catch my breath. But the movie trailer does give off goosebumps, and I dunno if I really got that in the movie. Like I said, the movie is still good though. So I guess if i were putting these in order, this would be towards the bottom...if one were the most liked trailer and least liked movie.



Life as We Know it. The movie was good. But all the funny parts were in the trailer. Which made the movie seem like it was going to be good, but then you already knew the funny parts.



The Time Traveler's Wife. The one movie that was better than the book. I've found it. But the trailer was better than the movie...I think. It's been a while since I saw the movie, but I remembered liking the trailer.



Morning Glory. The movie wasn't bad, it just wasn't the trailer. I loved this trailer, and watched it sooo many times.



I guess it's obvious that I like Rachel McAdams :)

Tristan and Isolde. This came out when I was in high school and I was so excited for it. The trailer built it up so much. The tv spots were just as good. Yet the trailer is the whole movie. Might have liked it better if I hadn't seen the trailer. But i did. And liked it better than the movie



I think that the most telling thing is that I don't own any of these movies. Although if someone were giving them away, or if they were on the $5 shelf at Target I might get some of them, mainly the last few.

I think that's enough for now. I had just planned to start this blog, but then it snowballed. And I know that I'm missing some. What about you? Which movie didn't meet your expectation that the trailer made?

A rare breed

I don't drink.
I never have.
And never plan to.
Most people know this about me.
But I usually get the same response.
"I've never met someone like you"
Hi, I'm Rochelle.

I feel like a lot of time people don't know how to respond to me. It has definitely made me an outsider in some circles. I don't get invited to events with people at work when they go to drink. I don't get invited to go out and party. So I don't get to create friendships with those people in the same way that they've befriended each other. I don't have stories about being so wasted or showing up to work with a hangover, or worse, still drunk.

I decided not to drink when I was 14. Something about it just repulsed me. But not in a judgmental way for people that do drink. I just didn't want anything to do with it. I'd seen the damage that it does when there's too much of it, and I swore to myself that I'd never be like that. I'd never put my kids through that. I don't know my limit, and I have no intention of finding out. Which is why I decided to never open that door. But to hammer boards over it instead. So I pierced my ear as a reminder for me. I think for years my mom thought I still just said that so I could get the piercing :)

Now that I'm 22, almost 23, people are shocked that I haven't had my first drink. Luckily, I have understanding friends, who are comfortable to drink in front of me (we even store their tequila for them at our apartment). I'm lucky that they don't heckle or pressure me. But it doesn't stop me from wanting to drink sometimes. There's just a grown up sophistication to it. Sipping champagne, critiquing the wine. It is a very social thing and sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on a part of social life. And truth is, I am. I've just decided that I'm okay with it. I think if I gave in I'd regret it the next day. I know this because the times that I have thought about giving in, the next morning I am relieved that I didn't.

If I gave in I think I'd be one of the arrogant people that say, "Well addiction seems to be in my genes, but it won't happen to me." I could be right, I may not have a problem with addiction. But the consequences are much worse if I'm wrong.

I'm so lucky that I found a man that has the same mentality that I do. People would always ask me what I would do if my husband drank. It was never a deal breaker for me. I didn't look for someone who didn't drink. That wasn't on my list. I didn't even have a list. Yet God was lucky enough to give me a man that I know will never pressure me. That I will never feel like I'm missing a part of his life. If anything we get to be the awkward people on the outside, together. And I know that there's a reason that we have the same mentality and value when it comes to alcohol. It's one less fight, one less thing to come between us. It's one less thing that makes us irresponsible of our action and words, because as humans we already have enough irresponsibility as it is without having the excuse of a substance.

People don't get us, but I'm okay with that. I know how I feel, I know my conviction, and I let people live how they want to. I laugh with people at their stories. I don't care if you want to drink. Drink! Have one for me. Just don't drive, and don't blame the booze.

At least once I get pregnant, it's one less thing that I'll have to give up.
I like who I am. And I'm not going to change for society's expectations. Or anyone's expectations for that matter.
Hi, I'm Rochelle.

This past week has been...interesting. I have the need to keep busy. If I'm home for an afternoon with nothing to do, I feel lazy. If I'm not cleaning, straightening, doing laundry, running errands, or at work, then I feel like I'm being lazy. I'm just not used to having this much down time. Yes, there were previous summers, but those always felt like a reward, a calm before the storm of the next semester. I know that I've earned a break and that I do need to relax, I just can't seem to. Not more than the time that I allotted myself before at least. I've worked 38 hours this week (including cleaning my parents house and my dad's office), cleaned the apartment, took a couple naps, celebrated our dear friend's birthday, read a book, and took a couple of baths to relax. Yet I still feel like I just putted around. No papers to write, novels and textbooks to read. Hopefully the coming week will be a little calmer. I just gotta make myself stop. Just like I need to make myself stop eating these pretzel M&Ms. MMMmmmm

Doug and I did get to go for a hike on Thursday. We went to Arroyo Verde park and did the loop above the park. I told Doug about the other times I'd been to that park. Reminded him of little kid videos of Devonna's birthday party. Told him about running the mile there for my school. Told him about our back to school day where we pitted freshman against seniors in Steal the Bacon. And told him about the play equipment that was gone. The swings with the ladder and platform above it. The train with the red caboose and tables where I'd eat Wheat Thins with Nana. And the fort, which was what we kids would tell horror stories about: Hobos peed in there! And slept. It was scary to us when we were little. And of course I pointed out the ice block trails in the grassy hill. It was a fun hike. I'm a bit out of shape, but it wasn't too hard of a hike, nor too easy. I did discover that it was a bad idea to wear Jack Prussel's and decided that I need new shoes. I got a bad blister on the back of my heel. Ouch! Here's a picture of us on our hike. It doesn't do justice for the view that we had though


On our way home we stopped by some apartments that I'd seen a sign for at the mall. They were nice. A little smaller than the one that we have. But way out of our price range. Unfortunately they want us to have three times the income of the apartment price per month. Yeah...if we had that we wouldn't be renting but instead paying a mortgage.

Like I said, I read a book this week. It all started when I saw a trailer for the movie and decided I wanted to read the book. By the way, if you watch the trailer, that really is the book. So if you want to read the book (which, eh), then don't watch the trailer. Or save yourself 435 pages and watch the trailer. It's called One Day by David Nicholls The book was okay, just predictable. Although I dunno what I expected when the adjective "Hearbreaking" is used on the cover by People Magazine. I'll have to see if I like the movie better.

Now on to the next book. I haven't quite decided which one I want to read. I think I'll choose Treasure Island, since I've never read it before...

But now it's time for bed and rest :)

Welp. I'm a graduated woman now. It's still a little surreal, although I must say that it is nice not having to go to bed early (like midnight) in order to get up for class the next day. Now I'm just working. Still part time for now, but that may change in the fall; it looks like Doug may be able to go back to school! I'm so proud of him for wanting to go back and even though it's been a frustrating road, I'm proud that his education is important to him.



The reason that I haven't updated sooner is that my computer is on the fritz. My ram is bad, so I need a new computer. We're shopping around for a new one, but until then, my internet excursions are unpredictable. And I'm actually looking at getting a MAC (shocker!). Pretty much because I finally have the time to learn how to use one without the threat of not being able to complete an assignment, and I'm tired of computer viruses.

Let's see. This is a rather boring post. In other news:

We're starting to look for an apartment. We don't know if we'll stay where we are once our lease is up, but we're prepared to give our 30 days notice if the price doesn't drop. So we started looking at another spot yesterday, which disappointingly had similar prices. We just want somewhere safe and accessible to the freeway and our jobs. A washer and dryer would be nice, but not necessary. We are praying that God will show us what he is providing for us, and until then we (really me) needs to trust and have peace that God is providing for us.

We're still looking at going to Europe this July. Yesterday I got my passport photo taken and sent in my application for a renewal (I didn't get my name changed on my passport yet). We're really wanting to go and hoping that everything works out!

We finished our puzzle. Last night there were only about thirty pieces left so we sat down and did them.


Strawberries are in season and we've been eating them like crazy. Doug likes them with angel food cake, and I like them chocolate dipped. The batch that we made we also finished that night. And by we I mean me haha.


I found out why Doug normally makes the waffles: Oops!



I've started my summer reading with a book called "One Day". I saw the movie trailer so I got the book to read. I also bought some classics for our library including The Count of Monte Cristo, Treasure Island, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. We are officially out of book shelf space. We need to get a DVD holder. There's one at target that I really like, but I plan on waiting until after we move or decide to stay to get it.

I feel like I'm still catching up on rest from the end of the semester and graduation week (which was amazing). My parents flew Lauren in for my graduation (stoked!) and I got to spend a lot of time with her and my family and friends. We (Lauren, Uncle Grant, and I) even took Reagan to the Santa Barbara zoo. He said that his favorite animals were the penguins, followed by the elephants. He also got to feed a giraffe. He also loved the blue choo choo that went around the zoo.






Also, notice the new blonde hair :) I like being blonde again. I feel like me. And I feel like customers are nicer to me when I'm blonde at work (I probably look sweeter).

Today I'm doing the wife thing. I cleaned the apartment, am doing laundry, baked a cake, and am going to make sloppy joes for dinner. Yum!

Game of Life

The Game of Life has always been one of my favorite board games. It was fun to decide whether you wanted to go to college or just start out in life. With sweaty palms you pulled a salary card to determine whether you'd get $100,000 or $30,000 for your payday (if only it were like that now). And even if you ended up with only $40,000, you knew you had a chance to land on the blue space that allowed you to steal someone else's salary.

When I was little, I always hoped to be the cop, superstar, or artist. When I was older I realized that it seemed more beneficial to be the accountant or travel agent (more spaces worth more money to collect from other players).

And then came the time where you got to pick out a pink or blue stick and call him/her your wife/husband. You decided if you wanted them to drive or if you were a feminist and insisted on driving yourself. And we always named them (of course, now mine's always named Doug).

And with every roll I hoped I'd land on a space that gave me kids. I loved the games when my car was overfilling with kids. It was always a bummer when I made it through the game without one kid (but then was hilarious when I landed on the tile that made me a grandparent).

And then there was the house. As a kid you wanted the fancy Victorian or beach house.
As a teenager you realize you really do want the split level because it was only $40,000 and the insurance was cheap. Then there's the fact that you're never even living there, so who cares what kind of house you have?
Other events happened throughout this "life": Nobel Peace Prizes, Mid-life Crises, and Taxes due. Art shows, burglaries, and vacations. At the end you got to retire and hope that you had enough life tiles to win the game.

Today I was driving and I realized that I'm at the stop sign after getting married. I also laughed that I did it out of order of the game. And I already landed on many of those spaces:

Scholarship!
Buy Books and supplies.
Make new friends.
Part-time job.
Cram for exams.
Dean's List!
Write term paper.
Don't Drink and Drive.
Wedding Reception!
Happy Honeymoon!
Buy Furniture.
Car accident.
Taxes due.
Visit in-laws.
Learn CPR.
Vote!
Stock Market Slumps.
Visit Mount Rushmore.

And come Saturday I'll land on "Graduation Day!".

It was always such a futuristic game. A "when I grow up" game where you got to invent yourself (to a certain extent since a lot of it was luck of the draw and chance) and make believe what life would be like. But I am living that life. I'm still near the beginning of the board, but it's going to fly by over the next few decades. And hopefully one day I will land on that "Baby boy" or "Baby girl" space, and then later the "You're a grandparent" space.

Right now I just need to drink it all in and enjoy the ride.

Labyrinth of emotions

There are so many emotions that I'm feeling right now. I can't even describe it. My mom and I were talking about those emotion charts that Doug and I got when we were doing pre-marital counseling counseling that have the list of all the emotions so that we can correctly identify our emotions. Yeah, I feel like all the words describe me right now. Too much emotion for my small body.

I got my first California Lutheran University sweatshirt today. And I got sweatpants :) I'm graduating in a week from today, but I never felt the need to have a sweatshirt on campus. I wanted one for after I was done. Although I didn't buy the alumni one. I didn't want that kind.

I got to spend the day with my mom. We went to CLU to find us both sweatshirts. Then we went to the Thousand Oaks mall to find a graduation dress for me. We searched and searched. It seemed that we went into every store. In junior high/high school, I didn't like the shopping process because by the end of it I had mentally torn my body apart. I liked getting new clothes, but the process of finding ones that fit, being appalled at having grown again--mainly in the hips--and trying to make sure that I'd like the outfits as much as I did in the fitting room.

I still have problems with my body when I go shopping, but they're different ones. It'd hard finding clothes that fit my body in all the right parts. I like my body, but I am so disproportionate sometimes. Really, some items show it much more than others. I've got short legs and a long torso. You can see my rib bones all the way to my neck, yet I've got muffin tops hanging over my jeans. I've got a butt and a waist. So finding something that contains my hips yet hugs my chest can be tricky. And it isn't me, it's the clothes, but it can be discouraging.

My mom and I went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. I couldn't remember the last time I went to one. It was sooo good. Lots of good food, lots of laughing, deep talks, and chocolate mousse cheesecake.

After walking the mall up and down, perusing Macy's twice, and seeing the Siberian Huskies play at the pet store, I still hadn't found anything. My mom suggested going to the Saks 5th Avenue outlet on our way home. So we did that. And I finally found a dress! Praise God! I noticed that my shoes see to be wearing out though, so I'll be looking for some new ones this week.

It's just so crazy how good stress, like excitement, can be so draining. I hate that!

Tonight I was telling Doug how I was having trouble finding a dress that fit both my top and bottom. He was cute and said, "I have no idea what that is like, but I can comfort you." He's been so sweet lately as I've freaked out and just lost it. I remember that early in our marriage he really didn't know how to handle me when I was emotional and a wreck. He is such a fixer, so when there wasn't anything to fix, he was at a loss as to what to do. He's come to learn that sometimes I just need a good cry and then I'll be ok. So he'll just rub my back, hold me, and offer to make me tea or draw a bath. I love his support and love during those times.

Oh yeah. I dyed my hair back to blonde. It's weird seeing my reflection like this again, even though I've spent most of my life as a blonde. Although right now it's more of a strawberry blonde. Some of the red didn't want to let go. One of my co-workers did it that is going to the Paul Mitchell school. She's touching it up this week to make it look more natural and to lighten it more. I'll post a picture once it's done.

Now I'm super exhausted and just need to sleep for like 15 hours. But can't do that yet. Not till next week. Only finals left! And finish two more papers (but they're both half way done...go me!)

Good Friday

Growing up I didn't really understand Good Friday. I think I had a teacher that preached that she/he (since I don't remember who it was) thought that too much emphasis was put on Good Friday. That yes, Jesus died, but the point was Easter, the fact that he rose again. I think I lived with this idea for so long, that I let myself skip over Good Friday a lot, and focus on the resurrection and Jesus overcoming death.
Now that I'm older, and in a place where I'm evaluating why I believe what I believe in a way that I can defend it and really KNOW, rather than just recite it like a parrot. That was a fragment sentence. Oops. Anyways, now that I'm re-evaluating, I realize that it's really both. Yes, the point is the resurrection, because without it, there would not be salvation, there wouldn't be freedom in Christ. If Jesus didn't raise himself from the dead, then he wouldn't be who He said He was. He would have been just like every other man. But being God, He did rise from the dead, He did save us from our sin.
I feel like we can't really appreciate what He did until we understand what He went through. And what He went through isn't even comprehensible. I remember seeing the Passion of the Christ, and realizing that that was the watered down version. We can never know the pain and suffering He went through. We forgot the love of our Savior when we forget Good Friday. We forget His suffering and His Sacrifice. No, it isn't the focus of Easter, but it's a vital part to the story of Love.

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

I love this song and how much power it has.

Remember what our Savior did and how much He loves us.

"Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors."
-Isaiah 53

Amen!