New TV Show Obsession: Felicity

Now that One Tree Hill is finished, I've been trying to find a new show to get into. Thank goodness for Netflix, right? I stumbled upon Felicity (starring Keri Russell), seeing as it was recommended. I remember hearing about this show around the same time as Dawson's Creek, Party of Five and the rest of those...but I never really watched or kept up with it at all. I was probably under the age of ten at the time, so that might explain it.
I was extremely bored late this afternoon, and decided to give it a try. From the minute it started, I was practically hooked. You see, a show has to really hit me in the first episode or I'll just quit watching. It's all or nothing with me! There's been a theme with the shows I watch: small towns, drama, eccentric characters that I feel like I could be BFF's with, and there's just a lot of heart in it. You can feel the warmth of each person and the script is much deeper than just another show for entertainment or shock value. I want a moral or lesson at the end of each episode, where the character feels remorse for a wrong action or there are consequences for not doing what they should have. I want to see the characters grow as human beings. I ended up finding that in this show!
I immediately clicked with Felicity. She's a college age girl that is trying to find her way in the world; finding out who she wants to be, really figuring out the dating game, and making decisions for herself in another state than her parents. It's a whole new world, and she's inspiring me to want to get out of my comfort zone, just based on the courage she's had to do it.  I also noticed that it was created by J.J Abrams (Lost), who is working on a pilot, Shelter, with Mark Schwahn. I am completely sold on that show already, judging by the hits they've had on their hands already.
I'm almost four episodes into Felicity, and I can already tell this will definitely become one of my favorite shows! I can't wait to stay tuned and find out what happens :)

~Shelby <3

My Favorite Fictional Couples

I have this problem where I sometimes lose track of reality and find myself living in the dream world of my favorite TV shows. So, periodically I end up in Tree Hill or Stars Hollow hanging out with the Gilmores or the Scott brothers. And sometimes I end up making their problems my own. See what a predicament that puts me in? I'm very involved and become extremely attached to my movies and TV shows; that's what the great ones are supposed to do, right? Right. Moving right along, I'm gonna give you a run down of my favorite couples of all time. I'm sure I've touched on this before, but I have absolutely nothing else to do so this is what I choose to spend my time doing.

Luke and Lorelai: From the very first episode to the very last, we all knew that Luke and Lorelai belonged together. They could drive each other crazy at times, but they loved each other. Their friendship in the diner grew as the years went on and I think that's why their relationship was as strong as it was. Lorelai was the only girl that Luke truly ever cared about enough to do some of the things he did, like building the ice skating rink, building a Chuppah, watching Casablanca with Lorelai, and the list could go on and on. Luke cared for Rory as if she was his own daughter, while her own dad, Christopher was away. Lorelai had a hard time loving people, but Luke she never had any problems with it. They both really screwed things up at the end when Lorelai slept with Chris and Luke pushed the wedding back because of April. I really wish they would've gotten the definite happy ending they deserved, instead of leaving it up to the imagination of the viewers.

Dean and Rory: I truly believe that Dean and Rory belonged together. From the very first episode, I always thought he was perfect for her. He was charming, smart, loyal, kind, and he loved her more than anything. He would've moved Heaven and earth for her, and maybe at times that could be the problem, but he always had the best of intentions. He treated her with respect, like every girl wants to be treated. Honestly, he's the perfect boyfriend in my opinion. He's the one that caught Rory's eye, and she was never even into guys; she focused on school too much. Although, in the third season they really did make him out to be entirely too clingy and that was a real turn off. But, she went straight to Jess who completely disrespected her and Lorelai. I don't think she ever appreciated Dean and loved him the way he loved her, and that always made me a little mad. Every time her and Dean broke up, she always ended up going back to him, it's like she was always waiting for him to be pining after her (And usually he was). I still think out of everyone she was with on the show, they had the most chemistry!

Nathan and Haley: If this couple doesn't help you believe in love, I don't know what will. They've been through it all and still continue to push past whatever obstacle stands in their way every single time. They were high school sweethearts who got married their Junior year and had their first kid the same day as graduation. They did things a little different than most people, but it always seemed to be working for them. Nathan and Haley were a very unlikely pairing, and a lot of their friends and family weren't too crazy about the idea at first. But, they proved them all wrong. They are best friends, they respect each other, they encourage one another, and they love each other. They do the little things for each other like taking the time to listen, spending time with one another, etc. They remind me of a real life couple that I know, and it's beautiful to see that they represent those rare couples that are still in love and will actually last, because they work at it and do whatever it takes to make it work.

I go way back with Cory and Topanga. If you're a 90's kid, I'm sure you did too. I always wanted to find my own Cory Matthews, because I thought he was the greatest thing ever. I loved the fact that when they were just little kids, they knew they were going to get married. Again, they defied the odds when their parents thought they were so young or that they should see what else was out there. They didn't need to see the world or date anyone else to know who they were supposed to be with. Even when Topanga's parents went through a divorce, and she started to doubt love, Cory reminded her of what they had together. He was patient, but he fought for her and what they had. No matter what people came in between them, no matter what obstacles hit them, they worked past it...TOGETHER. And that is the key to any good relationship. When they got married, I cried and still do every time as if I'm at a wedding for people I know.

Good ole Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper. My dad used to watch this show a lot on Nick At Nite when I was younger, and that was our thing. I grew to love Kevin and Winnie as if I knew them personally. They were the epitome of "young love", "high school sweethearts" and best friends. They were childhood friends that went through everything together: loss of loved ones, 7 minutes in Heaven, drama at school, and the inevitability of growing up. Everyone pulled for them to stay together, and in the end, they didn't. I watched the series finale in my Bible class my Freshman year of high school (don't ask). I was completely shocked when I found out that Kevin picked up Winnie at the airport with his wife...HIS WIFE, meaning it was not Winnie. I thought about it off and on throughout the day, and still could not believe it. But, I guess that's the way life works-sometimes things don't work out. Now, I watch the show back on The Hub and realize why it probably wouldn't have worked out for them (this is what I mean about that reality thing for me). Winnie always sort of thought she was better than Kevin, and just never seemed to care for him as much as he did her. It's saddening really, but as far as when they were young goes..I thought they were adorable.

 

Monica and Chandler: I think this picture captures them to a T. It's also one of my favorite episodes, because, well...look at Chandler's smile! HAHAHAHAHA. For many years, I always thought I was team Ross and Rachel. That seemed to be the couple that everyone pulled for. However, when I seriously got into the show and watched from start to finish, Monica and Chandler really took the cake. They were so completely different from one another (which seems to be a pattern here), yet they fell in love. He was crazy and a little immature at times, and she was a control freak who loved to plan and clean. Monica changed Chandler's views on marriage and he helped her loosen up a little. They complement each other so well. They just seemed to get each other, it didn't matter if it made sense to anyone else. Plus, they're just absolutely hilariously when they go back and forth with each other.

Who can forget Harvey and Sabrina? I loved them almost as much as Cory and Topanga growing up. They were high school sweethearts and just so adorable together. They understood each other and no matter how many times Sabrina did things that she couldn't tell Harvey about, he trusted her and let her do her thing. It was another situation that no matter who Sabrina was with, she always went back to Harvey...in fact, that's what stopped her wedding to Aaron in the last episode. I couldn't have been happier. I'm pretty sure I teared up when their "soul mate" pieces fit together perfectly. They were meant to be!

And there ya go...Those are the couples that I absolutely adore! They believe in love and working it out and isn't that how it should be? The best things in life are worth working hard at and fighting for. When you've got a good thing, don't just let it slip away.

That's all for now,

Shelby

xoxox

Filming Locations-WB (Friends, Gilmore Girls, Growing Pains)

One Tree Hill Says Goodbye After Nine Seasons

Some of my favorite quotes from the show!! And some pictures that cast members tweeted during the last days of filming.

Haley: I don't want to see you lose your dream.
Nathan: Lose her? She's right here and I'm never letting go of her.

"E.E Cummings once said, 'To be nobody but yourself, in a world which is doing its best, day and night, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.'" (Lucas)

"Henry James once wrote, 'Be not afraid of life; believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact." (Lucas)

Happiness comes in many forms -- in the company of good friends, in the feeling you get when you make someone else's dream come true, or in the promise of hope renewed. It's okay to let yourself be happy because you never know how fleeting that happiness might be. (Lucas)

There's no shame in being afraid. Hell, we're all afraid. What you gotta do is figure out what you're afraid of, because when you put a face on it you can beat it. Better yet, you can use it. Looking back on what I said all those years ago, all the hopes and dreams I had, I've come to the conclusion that if having things turn out the way you wanted them to is a measure of a successful life, then some would say I'm a failure. (Whitey)

Have you ever wondered what marks our time here? If one life can really make an impact on the world? Or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives... for better or worse!

Haley James Scott

 "I'd rather risk a short full life than have a long empty one." (Lucas)

"Not knowing is the hardest part." (Haley James)

"Why does it seem like every time things are finally going to be okay, something terrible happens?" (Peyton)

"I want to believe in the goodness of people." (Haley James)

"You can always come up with reasons to give up. But if you don't, you just might find yourself in places you never imagined." (Karen)

"Losing your way on a journey is unfortunate. But, losing your reason for the journey...is a fate more cruel." (Nathan)

"Our biggest regrets are not for the things we did...but, for the things we did not do." (Lucas)

"Life always has a way of figuring out how to surprise you." (Haley)

"These are the best days, aren't they? When we look back, these are the days we'll remember." (Brooke Davis)

"People disappoint you, I get that. But, what if you wake up and find one day that you're the disappointment?" (Peyton)

James Lafferty tweeted this of the River Court

Bethany kissed the door-I believe this was her tweet!

Bethany tweeted this picture

:*( (Tears) So sad!!! A fan posted this, I don't take credit for it.

This episode gets me every time!

Such an insightful show that will be missed! It taught a lot of life lessons, showed how different people can become friends, and how to get through the challenges that try to get us down. I hope it gets the series finale it deserves!

I Wish I Was Here..In Utah

The other day I was watching the season 7 finale of One Tree Hill, when they all go to Park City, Utah for the premiere of Julian's movie. They stayed at the big lodge resort in town, and everything was all snowy white. It made me miss my family in Utah (also in South Carolina now) and how we spent Thanksgiving there with them one year. It was FREEZING, but so much fun. It really felt like the holiday season. It's such a beautiful place; if you ever get a chance to visit... Do it!

Inspired by...Bethany Joy Galeotti

It's no secret that recently I've become obsessed with One Tree Hill, considering a good portion of my posts have been about the show! Now, I knew very little about the cast, other than Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush. I thought I'd do a little more research on the rest of the cast's background, and I was fascinated by all of them. I realized that they're all so talented in many areas of the business; they're filmmakers, writers, activists, musicians, and fashionistas.

The one that stood out to me the most was Bethany Joy Galeotti. I loved her character of Haley, and connected with her the most. The way she lights up the TV screen is pretty incredible. I started reading her blog (http://www.bjgofficial.com/), and was fascinated by her accomplishments. Her first love is the stage and theater, which we have in common. She's an old soul, and has a love for the glamour of old Hollywood (same here!), and even has a new project based on that called, Diamond Gothic. It's really interesting, and everyone is still questioning just what exactly it is. Follow it on Tumblr (http://diamondgothic.tumblr.com/).  As I read more about her, I realized there was so much more to her than just playing a fictional character on a television series. I love her commentaries on topics, places she travels to and shops at, and her ideas. I had no idea she was really a musician, half of the duo,Everly. I'm gonna check out more of their music soon! She's incredibly talented, and I can't wait to see how she showcases more of her talents and skills as One Tree Hill is ending.

Fictional Characters I Relate To The Most

If you put a lot of these qualities from these fictional characters together, for the most part, you would get me. I don't necessarily relate to their lifestyles or what has happened in their lives. It's more about who they are as people, and what they like to do.

Rory Gilmore:

Now, I'm not the overachiever like she is when it comes to school, but I am a book worm, and a Journalism major like Rory. I can be a little quiet, and I'm much more of the girl who loves to stay home and watch movies, rather than going out to parties. And of course, we're both close with our moms and have a love for pop culture.

Rachel Green:

When we first meet Rachel, she has just escaped walking down the aisle and stumbles into a coffee house totally lost, needing a place to stay. Now, this has never happened to me, but I relate to her in the sense that she's not exactly the brightest when it comes to the business world. She had never worked a day in her life before she was reconnected with the gang at Central Perk. She was brave, tackled on something totally new, and reinvented herself. I feel like I'm at that point in my life, where it's time for me to start branching out.

Haley James Scott:

Haley is the quiet girl, sort of a nerd in the first season, but as the series goes on...she grows into this beautiful, strong woman who will do anything for her family. I relate to Haley in the sense that again, she's the quiet girl, but she has a lot of qualities that no one knows about except for her close family and friends. I guess another big part of her character that I connect to is that she has a love for music, and makes it a dream come true. That's my biggest dream as well. (I didn't get married in high school haha).

Peyton Sawyer:

I'm not quite as dark and deep as Peyton, but she's very much into art and music, like me. She sees life in a different way and channels that into her art. I'd like to think I'm the same way. I write about the things that happen to me and that are going on around me. She feels a little lonely at times, and I have my moments...but we both know that our true friends will be there for us when we need them. And in the end, she finds her perfect match ;) I'm still waiting for mine! HAHA.