85. Complete 20 hours of community service at Generations Crossing. (20/20)

I finished my hours at Generations Crossing on Tuesday. I loved spending time there. I hope to still go back from time to time even though my hours are complete. In the past, I have worked with active older adults. I was glad to get experience with adults who are less active and have various disabilities. The adults always seemed glad to see me and I was glad to see them. I heard many interesting stories. I also enjoyed observing the intergenerational interactions. I hope to incorporate the experience into my thesis.

14. Watch all the movies in AFI’s 25 Greatest Movie Musicals. (13/25)

I watched Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Although I liked the movie better as it progressed, mostly I found it disturbing. The "brothers" behaved appallingly. This definitely was not my favorite musical.

I knew I did something else last week...

21. Read 10 other books. (2/10)
Last week I read Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter. I've had it sitting on my shelf for about a year and I was having trouble sleeping so I just started reading. It was a good, beachy kind of read. A little out there, since it was set in the present but the main character kept flashing back in time and talking to Mr. Darcy. Overall, a fun read for fans of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice.

Yesterday, I read The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. It was a typical Nicholas Sparks book, minus the fact that they actually live happily ever after. It would have been more believable if he just killed the wife. It was almost too miraculous and happy. Still, a nice read if you are looking for something that is easy and a little romantic.

23. Start or participate in a book club.
I got the ball rolling for this one last week. I'm going to work on a reading list over the summer and we will get started in the fall.

53. Bake cookies for someone twice a semester. (1/6)
I baked some cookies last week using Andes mint chips. I shared them with Andrea and Diana, so I believe this counts.

54. Have friends over for dinner twice a semester. (2/6)
I am counting this done twice for this semester. I had the Bible Study over back at the beginning of the semester. Other people have come over and eaten with me. I didn't have as much time to plan something big for this semester. I will do something more specific in the fall.

65. Attend 5 JMU events: speakers, concerts, art exhibits, etc. (1/5)
I went to see Exit 245's end of semester concert. It was awesome, as usual.

Progress from the last two weeks

As they say on Dancing with the Stars elimination shows, I will now reveal my progress in no particular order.....


15. Watch all of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musicals. (5/11)
I watched Carousel, which I found harder to get into than the others. Although, it does have what I consider one of the prettiest Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, "You'll Never Walk Alone." Then again, it also has "June Is Bustin' Out All Over," which will very easily get stuck in your head and be the only words you remember from the song. Annoying. However, if you enjoy carousel music, you will get to hear it many times. Hence, the title.

14. Watch all the movies in AFI’s 25 Greatest Movie Musicals. (12/25)
I really enjoyed Guys and Dolls. I'm glad I finally watched it. I wish I could go see the show with Lauren Graham now. I've talked about it enough. Guys and Dolls is very funny and also has two interesting love stories. Of course Frank Sinatra is always classy, but I also really liked Marlon Brando in the movie. He plays Sky Masterson. I thought he was quite handsome, which surprised me considering what he looked like later in his life. One of his lines I liked: "It is my understanding that the Constitution of the United States allows everybody the free choice between cheesecake and strudel."


I have also updated my weekly movie watching and music listening in their original posts. I have started using a cd of the 50 Most Essential Pieces of Classical Music to guide my listening for classical music. Most of the songs I use for new bands I hear on tv shows or see as the iTunes single of the week. Usually, I don't like the iTunes singles of the week, but I have lately. They have had some fun, catchy beats.

I have also decided to postpone my read the Bible in a year and start again later. It just hasn't worked out well for me so far.

90. Add something new
I am adding my lamp painting project to my list. I have started it, but I haven't worked on it in a while. I will definitely have more time to work on it this summer.

13. Watch all the movies in AFI’s 100 Years 100 Movies list. (21/100)

I watched Some Like It Hot (1959) today. I would recommend seeing it if you haven't already. It is quite funny. Although I always have to wonder with movies like this how the other characters can't tell that the "women" are really men. Much like Clark Kent and Superman are the same person!. Come on, Lois Lane!

100. Convince 2 people to do 101 in 1001 with me.

Complete! Both Andrea and Emily have now made their lists and blogs. I'm pretty sure that's the easiest thing I had to do on my list. :)