On Saturday night, we celebrated my friends’ (Katie and Katie) birthdays! They chose to have their joint party at South Broadway Athletic Club for Wrestling Night!

This was my first time at live wrestling…I’m not sure anything can really prepare you for it. You have to see it to really experience it. From the wrestler’s hyped up personalities, to the crowd’s taunts, there’s never a dull moment in the show. Check it out if you get a chance…Plus, drinks and snacks are super cheap!!

And, here are some things I’ve enjoyed lately…LINKS!  

Dream of living in a cabin in the woods? Check this site out!

My friend Kate posts about music here!

Must visit here someday!

]]> http://ashmastandrea.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/links-wrestling/feed/ 0 ashmastandrea wrestling wrestling 2 http://ashmastandrea.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/piano-practice-week-1/ http://ashmastandrea.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/piano-practice-week-1/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:02:23 +0000 yogagypsystl http://ashmastandrea.wordpress.com/?p=1347 ]]> I had my first piano lesson on Monday! I’ve found a teacher who I think I have a lot in common with. And, once things get going, I get to pick out the songs I want to learn!

Here’s a short video of me practicing. I go through the song once with one hand…then with two!! OOOOHHHH! My left-hand coordination needs some work, that’s for sure!

Notice the concentration….haha!

I’m really excited about this new skill! I find myself sitting down randomly throughout the day and practicing my scales!

Do you play an instrument?
Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn to do?

So far, I’ve seen a few of the nominated films (…those nominated for the Golden Globes that is…no word on those Oscar noms just yet…).

I watched “The Help,” while I was home for Christmas. I’d read the book and didn’t really have a desire to see the film. But, I’m glad I did, I enjoyed it…I’m on the Emma Stone bandwagon these days!

Last week, I saw “My Week with Marilyn.” It was a bit slow at times, but I think Michelle Williams deserved her GG award. She really embodied that role and mastered the essence of Marilyn. Before seeing the film, I watched a documentary on Ms. Monroe and was impressed by Michelle’s portrayal. And, the male protagonist was pretty cute too…

Last night, on what’s seeming to be a weekly movie date, a friend and I saw, “The Descendants.” Can I move to Hawaii, like, today?! It was funny and sad, real and fantastic, all at the same time. The story was well rounded and the acting pretty amazing. I really enjoyed this film…even though the subject matter isn’t that cheery.

Next week, it’s on to “The Artist.” I’m really excited to see it! This will be the first time, as I’m sure this film is for many, to see a silent film!

Still need to see:
“Moneyball”
“Beginners”
“Hugo”
“The Ides of March”
“Midnight in Paris”
…and, I owe it to Leo to see, “J. Edgar” (I heard it was kind of a snooze, so I’ll probably wait for that one to come out on DVD).

What’s your favorite movie from the past year?
Do you watch award shows? What’s your favorite part?

P.S. I realize the Globes recognize TV too, but I don’t have fancy TV and missed out on a lot of the nominated shows…I’ll have to check them out on Netflix asap!

My highlights: the red carpet (obvi); michelle william’s speech; leo; and watching it with friends (and no commercials)!

Here are a few of my favorite looks from the night:

….and, for the gentlemen, I really like this look…something different…

And, we can’t forget…

LEO!

Did you watch The Golden Globes? What’s your favorite part of award season?!

P.S. I’m seeing “The Descendants” tonight!
P.P.S. Yoga post over here. Learn to be your own teacher! 

I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind’s problems.

And, I know I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go.

I know it isn’t popular to talk about in some circles today.

I’m not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love, I’m talking about a strong, demanding love.

If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love.

And, the beautiful thing is that we are moving against wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love.

He who hates does not known God, but he who has love has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I like the idea of keeping goals in a visible place, being able to see what’s to come and what I’ve accomplished. I had a cork board in my office that could use a makeover…

This is what I came up with:

I wrote each goal on a card and divided up the cards among the 12 months.

For January, I broke the cards into 3 categories.

I’m keeping track of how things are going with each goal on the back of the card.

I think I’ll figure out some way to turn over each month and show off what I did!

How do you like to approach goals or to-do lists? 

*******************************************************************************

Here are a few things from around the Internet:

Another way to keep your goals in mind here.

Like stop motion videos and books? Watch this video.

I don’t know if I want to read this article.

Here are some photos I snapped on my iPhone (edited with Diptic).

I’d love to live in one of the homes on the park, beautiful Victorian and French inspired mansions! Sigh! Hopefully, I’ll at least make it to a house tour of them some day.

[Check out the Central West End House Tour from last year!]

If you’re not already, follow me on Twitter…I post a lot of Instagram pics on there!

I got Zach “Stepbrothers” for Christmas, so we watched that…more than once we’ll say…maybe with commentary! Netflix hooked us up with episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Bored to Death” and “The Adjustment Bureau.”

I hit up the library for “The Other Guys,” “The Good German,” “The Grapes of Wrath” (I’m obsessed) and still-to-watch “2001: A Space Odyssey .”

All those were pretty good…but, the best thing I’ve watched recently is streaming on Netflix!

From IMDB (best site ever, right?!) “Life in a Day“:

A documentary shot by filmmakers all over the world that serves as a time capsule to show future generations what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July, 2010.

The film offers a glimpse into the lives of others, a slice of their day, a bit of their story. Some parts are silly, some deep. All sorts of people and emotions are exhibited.

I’d like to watch again and see which parts I can relate to. I’m now thinking of what  my day would have contributed to this compilation. What was I even doing on July 24, 2010?!

***This is a side note: It also brought to mind that we are living in times of war. A war Americans are in. I forget that sometimes. Were all wars like that?! Have people always been able to forget about that massive shit storm going on “over there?!” Doesn’t seem right, and I wish it were over already.***

Do you remember what you were up to on July 24, 2010?
Would you ever submit your video to a project like this?

I think it’s only available for iPhone at the moment…maybe droids will catch up someday (hehe)! Here are a few of my favorite Instagram pics!

Do you use Instagram?!
Find me @ashmastandrea 

Also: check out this crafty Instagram Calendar!