Liz Taylor Bids Goodbye

Although Liz Taylor was already the glorified, golden girl before I was born, I felt sad to know that she passed away. My parents actually were a big fan of hers, so I grew up hearing her name in conversations among elders and, of course, admiring her face on magazines and many movies that replayed on the television. She was at the pedestal of the women who have the prettiest faces, that I likened her to a fallen angel.

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, in real life, Liz Taylor died at the age of 79 on March 16, 2011 in Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California because of congestive heart failure, a condition wherein the heart cannot pump oxygenated blood enough for the needs of the other organs of the body causing failure of the kidneys to excrete sodium and other body wastes. If this happens, the body retains too much fluid that swells up other parts including the lungs, thereby causing shortness of breath.

Although Liz had experienced numerous health problems in the past, her life had always been as colorful as the world she lives in. She was a talented actress through and through; a wife to seven husbands; a mother; a grandmother and a great grandmother; a survivor; and a humanitarian and HIV/AIDS activist. 

I believe she lived life to the fullest and impressed the world so much that she can live anytime she pleases. May eternal light shine upon you, Liz!

-- Ireen --

My Golden Globe Bet, Chris Colfer

Finally, people from the Golden Globe Award recognized what big talent this boy has. Chris Colfer is at the top of the list why people, like myself, fell and still in love with Glee, the comedy musical television series on Fox network that follows the high school lives and performances of members of a glee club called New Directions.  

The series was first introduced to me by a gay friend because of his amazement of Kurt Hummel, played by Chris. Well, should I blame him for that? Of course not.  Because, I, too, became a fan of Chris or Kurt.

When I first saw Chris' acts in Glee's first season, I found it very hilarious. My interests for Chris and for Glee grew more when I witnessed the musical talents that each member of the series possesses, and I then became a great follower. I really can't help becoming Gleek myself. 

Chris is definitely unforgettable in my memory especially with his renditions of Mr. Cellophane and Defying Gravity, and of course, his funny slot with Beyonce's Single Ladies.

Not only am I amazed how much talent Chris has in his cap, I'm as well impressed by the kind of personality behind this now tinsel town's figure.

A native of Clovis, California, whose real name is Christopher Paul Colfer, was an excellent student.  Back in his early days, he was a debater and a very good speaker, student leader, writer, editor, church singer, and a campus musical director.

Congratulations, Chris, for being Golden Globe's 2011 Best Supporting Actor for your part in Glee, and kudos to your future projects.  See more of Chris here.

--- Ireen ---

Despicable Me

A few days ago, I had a TV-thon with my kids.  We watched The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes, and Despicable Me.  The kids surely had fun. But of all three flicks, one stood out to be their ultimate choice: Despicable Me.

Released in July 2010 by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, Despicable Me is an animated 3D movie about a supervillain named Gru (Steve Carell), who, in his quest to steal the moon, had to use three orphans, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Grier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), against his prime opponent, Vector (Jason Segel).  

Softened by the cuteness and innocence of the children, he later had a change of heart leading to the rescue of the orphans who were kidnapped by Vector in exchange for a shrunken moon.

Orphans Margo, Edith, and Agnes

Despicable Me has become my kids' favorite since the first time they viewed it. However, they were made to understand of a  number of things: 

-- how lucky they were for not being orphans and not to be able to meet Ms. Hattie (Kristin Wiig), who forced children to sell cookies and put them in a "box of shame";

-- that it's not nice to have a despicable attitude; 

-- that it's not good to be a villain in reel or real life; 

-- that it's good to help but not for furtherance of an evil plan; and

-- it's not legal to steal the moon or to take anything that you do not own.

My youngest daughter loves the movie so much that she want it to be the last thing she would see right before sleeping, even just for a fraction of it, or even for five minutes, then she would fall into slumber. What she loves most are the parts when Gru tells the bedtime story and when some minions photocopy their yellow bottoms.

Same with my eldest daughter. She also loves the film that every time she says "please", she now accompanies it with "pretty." 

Well, Despicable Me is not at all despicable to me, or to my kids. It's actually a loveable one!

//rmis//