All Eyes on Me in the Center of the Ring...

Water for Elephants


I am in the lovely town of East Lansing, Michigan this week for training.  I have not been to a truly "college" town in quite some time, so it's been interesting.  It is the home of Michigan State University - go Spartans - lol!  My co-worker, Savita, and I took a walk on Monday evening and found a shopping center - I swear, sometimes I think it's wired in for me to know where shopping is no matter what.  The funny thing, it seemed like we stepped into a time warp and ended up in 1983, or what I remember of that year since I was only 4, well more so, what I could imagine. The strip mall was run down and in serious need of renovation.  I kept looking around expecting to find a 5-7-9 or County Seat.  We stopped in World Market and walked around in search of tea. The hot tea selection at this training was not at all up to par.  I loved World Market, why don't I go there more often??  That will change for sure now.  They have a very lovely Masala Chai Tea , by the way.


We went to dinner last night at a very delicious seafood restaurant called Mitchell's.  I wish they had one in Texas, I would eat there again.  I had the Arctic Char - Shanghai style.  Arctic Char reminded me very much of salmon but with a milder flavor - if you ever see it on a menu - try it!!


This evening we decided to forgo dinner in favor of a movie...and popcorn of course.


We chose Water for Elephants.  It was not my first choice initially.


You guys know I am a ravenous reader.  I do not recall when the book, Water for Elephants, came out nor remember hearing anyone talk about it before the movie.  I am typically a read the book, then maybe watch the movie later kinda girl.  There are so many times when I even read the book years before it is made into a movie, so by the movie comes out, I can rarely recall the book.  And there are so many books I love where I just cannot bear to watch the movie as I know it will pale in comparison.


Needless to say, my expectations were low.


I was incredibly pleasantly surprised.  I LOVED this movie.  It was sweet, touching, a sheer delight.  I adore Reese Witherspoon and she was great in this role.  I really enjoyed seeing the wardrobe, beautiful.  And Robert Pattison is extremely dreamy in his role.  I will not give the movie away, but I was smiling when I was leaving the theatre.  As well as thinking how much I want to read the book.  The  book should be really spectacular especially since I enjoyed the movie.  

I highly recommend this film!

Tomorrow evening we are dining at a place called Clara's .  The restaurant is in an old Michigan train station.  So, I'm looking forward to soaking in some local flavor.  


What I'm Reading
I finished a book called Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allen.  It was a Kindle freebie, or at least it was when I downloaded it.  I guess the free books do not always remain free?  It was Christian fiction which I enjoy from time to time.  I am currently reading another Kindle freebie.  But for most of this trip, I have been poring over the bridal magazines I purchased at the airport.  YES, I finally broke down.  We have some venue visits coming up and I have received some great advice from my friends.  The magazines have given me ideas and I am really starting to put together my "vision".  I have become a bit obsessed with tablescapes also (don't ask - lol).  I can't wait to talk to my BFF Heather about them and get her input, she's a professional.  For real!  She's an interior designer.  


I come home on Friday.  Jerod will be leaving for the weekend to visit his aunt in San Antonio before I arrive home, so it will be over a week since we have seen each other...absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?  But, my daddy is picking me up and I am hoping I can squeeze a dinner in with him that night.  I have not spent much time with him in the past month and I sure am missing him!!!  Saturday I get to attend the baby shower of one of my oldest and dearest friends - I can't wait.  Sunday is Mother's Day at my grandma's.  


I hope you are all having a fantastic week!


Title Disclosure:  It's the lyrics from the Britney Spears' song "Circus".  I attended her concert when she was on tour last time in 2009.  She put on an excellent show, I really enjoyed it.  Her Femme Fatale tour is currently on sale now.  It does not look like I will be attending :(  The tickets are really expensive even for the not-so-great seats, I'm hesitant to look at the better seats...sigh..oh well.