Dinner for Schmucks

This movie is pretty stupid.  I was worried the second we put it in the DVD player.  I will admit that it started off being pretty funny but went downhill quickly.  It is one of those movies were so much stuff goes wrong, it really starts to piss you off.  The only thing cool about this movie is that the main characters are named Tim and Julie and they live happily ever after.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Tim and I finally finished this movie (it took us three attempts because it is so long).  I never saw the first Wall Street but that didn't seem to matter.  You don't have to see the first movie to understand this one (although I would like to see the first one).  This movie was okay.  It was kind of confusing and a lot to follow at times.  I don't completely understand the stock market so that is why I thought this movie was confusing.  Also, I thought the ending was stupid and predictable.  This is definitely a movie you rent.  Don't buy it.  I don't ever see myself watching it again.  

Conviction

Tonight we watched Conviction.  It is the story of a woman who goes to law school to fight for her brother who was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.  This movie is based on a true story and stars Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell.  Both actors do a great job.  The movie shows how this woman sacrifices her entire life to fight for her brother, whom she believes is innocent.  I would definitely recommend renting this movie.   The story is entertaining and you won't be disappointed.    

Park City

On the last day of our trip we decided to check out Park City.  You can literally snowboard and catch a lift right in the middle of main street.  The city was really neat.  It snowed the entire time we were there.  We shopped and explored all day.  Also, Tim's cousin Adam drove in from Idaho and joined us for the day.  It was nice to just be a tourist and to enjoy our last day.  After exploring the city we all went back to Salt Lake to pack our stuff and relax for the evening.  To top off the trip, we went for dinner at IN-N-OUT Burger.  I have only heard about this place but had never eaten there.  There are literally only 3 items on the menu but that place is awesome.  Below are the pictures from our last day.  Our snowboarding trip is over but we had a great time.  I can't wait to go again next year.

  

Snowbasin

Yesterday we ventured off to ride at Snowbasin.  The other two mountains we've ridden (Snowbird and Brighton) were east of Salt Lake City.  Snowbasin is north of the city so it was nice to head in a different direction.  It is pretty awesome that in three days we have ridden three different mountains.  Snowbasin was awesome.  The resort area was very nice and the runs were wide and spacious.  Snowbasin had gondolas that took you to the top of the mountain, which was pretty cool.  Also, at the top of the mountain there was a resort with a restaurant and some killer views.  Snowbasin is where the men's and women's downhill races took place. Since it was our last day we really wanted to get some great riding in.  Unfortunately, for all of us we were pretty much spent.  My feet were cramping for every run but I suffered through it since it was our last day.  We had a blast and although we were all pretty exhausted and our muscles killing us, we had a great day.  Below are some pictures.

White Powder Anyone?

It snowed!! We woke up to find that the storm we watched last night left us a foot of fresh powder to ride in!  Today we rode at Brighton.  This is my favorite mountain so far.  This mountain is what I imagined out west riding to be like.  The runs were very long but wide open.  There were also tons of tree runs.  Snowbird was definitely awesome but much more intimidating than Brighton.  Our first run was an experience.  Somehow, Tim and I got separated from Sean and Matt and before we knew it we were going down a black diamond full of trees.  Riding on fresh powder is completely different and my legs were feeling it.  It felt like you were gliding across the snow, which was an awesome feeling.  I really loved every aspect of today.  The riding was perfect.  By the end of the day my confidence level was back up.  We had a lot of fun and the conditions couldn't have been better.  After we called it a day on the slopes, we headed back to Salt Lake and hit up a few local ski shops.  Sean also took us to a little park where we were able to get some great pictures of the city.  This place is beautiful.  Below are a few of our pictures from today.  

Welcome to Utah

We arrived in Utah for our first (well my first) trip out west to shred!  I can't tell you how excited we have been.  We made it to our friend Sean's condo in downtown Salt Lake at about 1 a.m. (which is 3 a.m. Knoxville time).  We hit the sheets and then got up at 7 a.m.  We ate breakfast and then headed for the mountain.  Today we rode at Snowbird.  Let me just say that snowboarding out here is nothing like snowboarding at home.  I was definitely nervous when we got there.  Sean suggested we take the tram for our first run.  Little did I know the tram took you to the top of the mountain.  I definitely got over my fear quickly.  The mountains out here are sick!  It have honestly never seen anything like it.  We rode for a solid 4 hours today.  Tim was smart enough to buy us an Osprey Hydration Pack (like a Camel-Bak) which helped to keep us hydrated.  We really had a great day!  I am totally exhausted.  Currently, we are watching a snow storm so tomorrow should be AMAZING! Below are a few pictures of Snowbird.

Blue Valentine

Love and how quickly people fall out of it is what this movie is about.  A married couple try to get back to where they were when they fell in love but fail.  As you watch their struggle for the happiness they once had you realize that life has gotten the best of them.  This movie shows how quickly people change and how quickly you can find yourself just going through the motions.  Marriage is hard and takes effort.  That effort is required 100% of the time.  This movie shows how easy it is for people to forget what it was that brought them together in the first place.  It is a sad movie and shows that not everything in life has a happy ending.  What I have taken from this movie is this: if you want a happy ending you have to work for it and work for it every day of your life.

Brazeiros

Last night, we celebrated Valentine's Day by going to Brazeiros (a Brazilian steakhouse).  I can't tell you how excited I was.  Overall, the experience was fun and entertaining.  After you are seated you are given a round coaster-like item that has a green side and a red side.  Your waiter/waitress then explains that after you have had your salad from the salad bar and are ready for your meat selections, you simply turn the coaster to green and meat servers will start coming around.  The meat selection was definitely awesome.  My favorite meat was the house special (no idea how to really pronounce it).  The salad bar I was less impressed with.  Don't get me wrong, it was very good, but I felt it was lacking in variety.  You are also given three sides that are served family-style at your table.  These sides included mashed potatoes, fried bananas, and some other item that was described to me as Italian cornbread.   My husband liked this Italian cornbread and said it tasted like cornmeal mush but it definitely did not taste like that.  Finally, after about an hour of tasting different types of meat we were finished and ready to throw in the towel because we were so full.  Now, let me warn everyone about this next part which is THE BILL.  Do not go there if you are not ready to drop some serious cash.  The entire experience has a set price which is $32.50 per person and this does not include gratuity.  We also got some Brazilian drink that our waiter recommended which added another $15 to our bill.  All in all we were out the door spending over $100.  I am definitely glad we went but I honestly don't see us ever going there again!  

The King's Speech

Last night I watched The King's Speech.  A word that comes to mind to describe this movie is phenomenal!  I was completely captivated by King George VI and his lifetime struggle with speaking.  I felt connected to a man that wanted to rule England but lacked the ability to speak to his people.  Words have such a powerful impact and this movie shows how powerful and important words can be in our lives.  I would recommend this movie to people of all ages.  Overall, this movie is money well spent (except I didn't spend money because I got to go for FREE--thanks Marci)!