Watched: 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'

Number 33 on the AFI movie list is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I thought this movie was brilliant. From the very beginning, I was drawn in with the characters. Jack Nicholson was so great in this role (but when is he not?) and the supporting cast of characters was very intriguing. I see why this made the top movie list, although I think 33 is too high - that being said, I haven't seen most of the 32 above it, so I'll reserve judgement. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who has not seen it - which I highly recommend - but the ending really surprised me. This movie would be great for a college film class, although I am sure many curricula already use it. Fabulous movie and very entertaining.

 #33 on the movie list. Done.

August Wrap-up and on to September

Since we last met, I:

• Became an MBA graduate!! (#1)
• Cooking: Made Hush Puppies, Peach Pie, Fortune Cookies, Swedish Meatballs and Crepes
• Bible: Read Numbers
• Movie List: Watched The Graduate (#17)

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried:
Caramel Brulee Frappuccino: This was pretty good, I don't remember it being that memorable though.  2 Stars
Tazo Passion Brewed Tea: Awesome. I drink this one at home too, but they always seem to taste better when you go out! 3 Stars
My goals for September: 

• #93: Tackle a couple of movies on the movie list
• #9: Write a letter to an old friend
• #45: Make Soap
• Continue to read the Bible
• Continue with my drink list

Thanks for following along!

Watched: 'The Graduate'

You know the movie. 1967. Dustin Hoffman. The intriguing Mrs. Robinson. I am not really sure why I had never seen this movie before. I had not even seen parts. My husband can tell you that I am the queen of "Oh I have seen that movie...well, parts of it". I hadn't even seen a sliver of The Graduate. My husband - shocked. "That's a classic" he says. "Who hasn't seen The Graduate?" Well, I hadn't. Until now.

Thanks to the American Film Institute's List of the Top 100 Movies of All Time, I have now realized that dream. I am one step closer to seeing the top 100 movies ever made. Awesome.

So what did I think? I thought it was really good. I even thought it was funny at times. Dustin Hoffman gave a great performance (and he looked so young didn't he?). It was not what I thought it was going to be -- You know when you have an "idea" of how things are but when you actually experience them, you were way off? That is how I felt about this movie. But I liked it non the less.

Would I recommend it? Sure would. It is one of those classic movies I would say you should watch just to say you watched it, yet come out liking it at the same time.

#17 on the movie list. Done.

#1 Become an MBA Graduate!

So, if you have been around, you'll notice that my posts have gotten a little farther apart. That is mainly for two reasons. I have been working hard updating and networking with my main (cooking) blog, Mangoes and Chutney. Secondly, I have been working towards finishing my MBA.

I am happy to say that Mangoes and Chutney is almost where I want it to be...feel free to check it out! I have also officially graduated with a Masters in Business Administration!! Whoo hoo!!! That is number one on my list and probably the most important to me. Needless to say, it is over and I am so happy and proud. #1 down (literally)! Follow along for the rest!

#1. Done.

June Wrap-Up and on to July

Since we last met, I:

• Went a month without buying anything not a necessity (#55)
• Cooking: Made a Key Lime Pie, Graham Crackers and Lemon Pie
• Bible: Read Leviticus

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried:
Strawberry Viviano Smoothie: This was okay. It tasted more like a protein shake than a refreshing fruit shake. They do put protein powder in it, so that would explain it. If I want a refreshing shake, I'll just go to Smoothie King. Makes me nervous to try the chocolate and orange flavors. I would not go out of my way to get it again, but it was not bad. 2 Stars
White Mocha Frappuccino: This taste just like a white mocha latte (go figure). Very good, but a little sweet. I would get this again, but not as often as some of their other frozen blends. 3 Stars
Iced Coffee: This was okay. Didn't blow me away but it wasn't bad. If I want a cold coffee drink though, I would steer towards the frappuccinos. 2 stars
Chai Creme Frappuccino: Mmm, this was really good. Think Chai tea, blended with cream and frozen. A real treat. 3 stars


My goals for June: 

• #93: Tackle a couple of movies on the movie list
• #19: Buy Something from Etsy
• #29: Make Some 4th of July Cupcakes

Thanks for following along!

#55 Go one month without buying anything that is not a necessity

Looks like I made it! 

As hard as this challenge was, it was also very eye-opening. You wouldn't believe the little things you spend money on each month that are really unnecessary! Comparing last month to this month, there was over $200 that was just here and there purchases that were not needed. This challenge, I think will continue to be an ongoing one. Not completely cutting everything out (because you still have to have fun right?) but it will definitely cause me to look more at what I am spending. 

So, what kind of things do you purchase on a whim?
Things to ask:

• Do I want it? (Usually yes)
• Do I need it? (Usually no)

Evaluate your financial situation and if it is a time to spend.

Speaking of saving: I can add $10 more to by Louboutin savings (#83)! Cha-ching!

 
#55. Done.

Wrap up and on to June

So I have completely slacked out the last couple of months, but I am moving right along in the challenge. Finished a couple of things and it has been cool to revisit and revamp the list. I am really slow on the movies and books - but of course I knew those would be the longest and most involved part of the challenge. 

Since we last met, I:

• Wrote a Love Letter to my Husband
• Wrote a Living Will 
• Cooking: Made Marshmallows and Eggs Benedict
• Bible: Read Exodus and started Leviticus

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried: 

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: This was tasty. Hot chocolate with a little peppermint 3 stars 

White Hot Chocolate: This one was a little sweeter than all of the others, but overall, tasted like their original hot chocolate. 3 stars

Caramel Frappuccino: Good, but of all the frappuccinos I've tried, I wouldn't go out of my way for this one. 2 stars

Mocha Coconut Frappuccino: New to their menu this month, the BEST drink I have tasted so far. 3 stars

My goals for June: 

• #45 Make Soap
• #55 Go one month without buying anything that is not a necessity
• #60 Make a Cosmo Sheik Cocktail

Thanks for following along!

#34 Write a Love Letter to my Husband

Since our 5 year (really, wow!) anniversary was around the corner, I figured this would be the best time to complete this challenge.

I had written a love poem for him before, but it was more on the funny side, so I decided to do a more serious love letter to commemorate our 5 YEAR anniversary. Time sure does fly doesn't it? Nothing too fancy, but straight from the heart. I knew he would never see this coming because this is not something that we (maybe not a whole lot of people) do on a regular basis. I was right.

He loved it, I got praises and kisses. I also got the added pleasure of making him feel guilty because he didn't think of it first. Ha! Have you ever written a love letter to your special someone? How was it received?

#34. Done.

March Wrap-up, On to April

My March Goals

• Buy something from Etsy
• Send 10 postcards via postcrossing.com
• Visit a museum

How did I fare for March? Clearly, not so well. Things have been slowing down and I made a new schedule that seems to be working, so I can hopefully get back to everything I enjoy and rev up this challenge as well. 

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried: 

Pike Place Roast Coffee: Just their coffee. Imagine that. Very good and I see why people keep going back. 3 stars 

Hot Chocolate: The best hot chocolate I have tasted in a while. This is crave worthy. 3 stars

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Do I have to comment? So good. 3 stars

Tazo Calm Brewed Tea: Like it so much I bought a box from the grocery store. 3 stars

Looks like it was a good month for coffee drinking!

What I Have Planned For April:

• Plant a tree on Earth Day
• Write a love letter to my husband
• Read a book from my list (Eat, Pray, Love)

Thanks for reading, follow along with me will you?

February Wrap-up, On To March

I had fun this month organizing/expanding on some of my challenges.  I will try to post more throughout the month, it is just more fun that way! Hey, maybe I should add that to my challenge list ;) Here is what happened this month and what I am looking forward to:

My February Goals

• Go a month without buying anything that isn't a necessity (this one is tough for me!)
• Write a living will
• Learn to write my name in Japanese

I also started doing my "Drink List". This month I tried: Cafe Misto, Caramel Brulee Latte, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, White Mocha Frappuccino. I have got to say, there aren't a lot of drinks I have not liked. Bravo Starbucks, Bravo. Although I love this part of the challenge, my waistline does not- and neither does my wallet!

What I Have Planned For March:

• Buy something from Etsy
• Send 10 postcards via postcrossing.com
• Visit a museum

Thanks for reading, follow along with me will you?