I've been "SUCKED" in

Yes, I have been sucked into the Twilight Saga by my best friend, Annaliese. About a month ago I was as oblivious as I could be about the whole thing. Of course I knew it existed because I am a human living on this earth, but I purposefully did not read the books or see the movies. Actually the two main stars, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (do they have one of those combined names like Brangelina or Bennifer?) REALLY REALLY annoy me. But Annaliese asked me if I wanted to go see the midnight showing of Eclipse with her and some other friends. After probably scoffing at first, I agreed, mainly as a way to spend time with her, especially since she will be moving to CA soon. :(

So I thought I should as least attempt to get caught up with what has gone on in the first two books/movies. She gave me all 4 books, which I didn't get around to starting for a little while, but I do have to admit that once I started reading Twilight, I got "sucked" in immediately. I actually even liked Bella and Edward, which I totally didn't expect to. My only problem was that I constantly pictured Kristen and Robert in my head, which drove me crazy. I didn't want that preconceived image of the characters--I guess a downfall of reading books after they've been made into a movie even if you haven't actually seen the movie, especially if you don't like the actors that played the characters. I watched the first movie with Annaliese two Mondays ago and it definitely was kinda hokey, but what I did like about it was the local scenery since much of it was shot in this area. I recognized the famous view of the Columbia River Gorge just east of where I've lived most of my life and they even held a prom at the Columbia Gorge hotel. It took me a lot longer to get into the 2nd book. Then I didn't have a lot of time to read over the past week, so I actually hadn't quite finished the book when we watched "New Moon" last Monday. This movie did get a little better and starting setting up the battle between Team Edward and Team Sharkboy, err, uh, I mean Jacob. I really wasn't sure where my allegiance was. Unfortunately I wasn't really able to read hardly any of Eclipse before going into the movie last night, but I actually think that ended up being better. Had I read the whole book, with it all so fresh in my mind, I would've been so super-critical of every aspect of the movie rather than just be able to sit and enjoy the movie. I will definitely finish the books and go on to the final book.

As for the Eclipse movie, it was a fun experience. I have never in my life gone to a midnight opening of any movie. When Annaliese originally asked me, she said it was on June 30th, which I automatically took as Wednesday night. I didn't find out until Monday afternoon when talking with Annaliese, that it actually was Tuesday night at midnight--techically June 30th. DOH! I was actually supposed to teach aerobics at 5:35 am Wed. morning but that wasn't going to happen when I wouldn't be out of the movie until after 2:00 am. Thankfully I was able to get a sub at the last minute. Annaliese's daughter and her friend got there at 2:00 in the afternoon to get in line and they were really close to the front. I wasn't able to get there until around 10:00 pm but just joined them in line. We did get good seats and then just had to wait an hour and a half for the movie.

Here's a photo of Annaliese and I waiting for the movie with her daughter, Shelly, behind her and Shelly's friend, Maria behind me. Maria, by the way did enough research prior to the movie to know the outfits that Bella would wear in the movie and actually purchased and wore the sweater that Bella wore in the final scene of the movie. Now, that's some dedication, or crazy obsession. She did the same thing for "New Moon."

I definitely feel like I was one of the oldest people in the crowd filled with crazy teenage girls. Despite all the raging hormones in the theater, I did enjoy the movie. It was by far the best of the three, and I will actually be looking forward to the next one. Agghhhh! I've turned to the dark side. As far as whether I am on Team Edward or Team Jacob (and yes, I know who wins in the end), I would have to say neither.

I am on Team

When I first saw Jasper (played by Jackson Rathbone) in the first movie, I just thought he was really weird--by far the strangest looking of all the Cullen clan and really not attractive. But in Eclipse they showed a scene of his origin as a vampire (I loved those scenes by the way) and I fell in love with that southern boy.

All in all, it was very fun, and I'm very glad Annaliese asked me to join in. Now, if I could just come up with some idea for a story that I could drag out into 4 books and then have them made into movies. Hmmm

Okay, now I do want to go back and post some photos that I had previously promised. Last I posted, Owen hadn't done his end of preschool program, and we weren't sure if he would. Well, he wasn't thrilled about it at first, but with a little bribery, he did great. :)

Then at the beginning of June, Hannah had her hip hop dance recital. It was a fabulous show and Hannah's class did great. It was wonderful because Grandma Sharon and 4 of her sisters were even able to be there to see it since they were at the end of their trip around Oregon. They had just driven from the Oregon Coast that morning to spend the last two days in Portland. Grandma Judi and Grandpa Mike and Grandma Carol were also there, so Hannah had lots of fans and they all thought she did fabulous. She and her friend Maya, had a great time.

So the kids have been out of school for two weeks now and we have finally been getting some actual summer weather after weeks on end of rain and cold. We haven't done anything too exciting but have just enjoyed not really having anywhere we've had to go. I can't believe that it is 11:59 PM on June 30th and that half of 2010 is over. Before I know it, we will be heading back into school and into the fall, but hopefully we can have a couple good months of summer to come.


TTFN--Ta Ta For Now!!