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May, 2010

  1. American Idol Lee DeWyze

    May 31, 2010 by Leanne

    The newly crowned 2010 American Idol Lee DeWyze celebrated his win with a motorcade parade down Hollywood Boulevard today (May 31) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ending with a guest appearance at The American Idol Experience.

    I watched every single episode of this year’s show and was really torn between who should win – Crystal Bowersox or Lee.  They both were fabulous singers but with completely different styles.  Lee really started coming out of his shell the last few weeks and won the audience over with his shy personality and his great vocals.  After seeing him today work the crowds, he really does seem like a genuinely nice guy. I’m happy for him that he won, and I have no worries for Crystal whatsoever.  She’ll go on to also have a stellar career as well.

    Lee signs autographs for the fans at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Memorial Day (May 31, 2010)

    The finale moment of the American Idol Experience where Lee DeWyze congratulated the shows winner.

    Lee DeWyze on stage giving good luck wishes to the performers.

    Brody – the man in the middle – was the winner of the day’s first show at American Idol Experience.  He’ll go on to compete in the finale show.

    And finally, I became a photo-journalist of sorts today – when WESH picked up my TwitPic from the parade.  Pretty cool!

    Category Disney | Tags: ,,,,,, | 1 Comment

  2. And then…TURBULENCE!

    May 28, 2010 by Leanne

    It was my second flight to and from Los Angeles in 10 days.

    After four hours and fifteen minutes of flying, the pilot came on the loud speaker and said “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re in our final descent into the Orlando area with an approximate landing time in just about 20 minutes. We ask that you turn off your electronic devices and stow away your personal belongings.”
    A sigh of relief. Just about home. Gladly it had been a very nice, mellow flight.
    We departed Los Angeles at 7:55am PT and it was now around 3:15pm ET.
    About 30 seconds after the pilot announces our descent it happens:  BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. And my stomach falls out below me.
    What the heck???
    Up and down – BOOM BOOM.
    I’m clutching both hands on whatever I can grasp and close my eyes. I’m silently praying “Dear God, please let us land safely. Dear God, Please let us land safely.” Over and Over.
    I peek out to see the couple across the aisle holding on to each other.
    I look over at my boss who’s calm as a cucumber looking out the window.
    I close my eyes again. Pray. Pray. Pray.
    I look over at my seat mate, an elderly gentlemen who is reading his book as if nothing is going on.
    I’m thinking to myself. “What’s wrong with this man? Doesn’t he know our lives are in danger?”
    I’m clutching the seat as hard as I can.
    After what seems like an eternity it smooths out again.
    The flight attendant comes on the intercom to tell us the pilot says the worst is behind us, but we all need to remain seated until we land.
    Twenty seconds goes by then we hit it again. BOOM BOOM BOOM
    This time it only lasts about 30 seconds.
    Then it gets calm again.
    I’m in an aisle seat so I don’t have a great view of what is going on but I can finally see signs of home.
    Feeling calmer I grab my camera.

    I see downtown Orlando.  I see Lake Eola.  I sense relief. I think – all is well with the world again.

    From this point on it was smooth sailing. Or rather, smooth flying.

    We landed, as they say, “Without incident”.

    I’m happy to be home.  And thankful to God.

    Category Daily Life | Tags: ,,,, | 2 Comments

  3. Eating Right

    May 23, 2010 by Leanne

    My travel life has definitely picked up in the past few weeks which has delayed me from my blogging duties.

    After my annual physical earlier this month and meeting with the dietitian I’ve made a commitment to eating healthier.  And this comes after I thought I already WAS eating healthy.  With the exception of my monthly indulgence in calamari with Mike, I rarely ever eat anything fried. I seldom ever touch pizza or any kind of pasta. I eat brown rice, not white rice (rare exception of the sushi encounter).  Whole wheat bread never white bread.

    The new changes in my routine will be to eat more organic in my food selections and to cut back on red meats and pork, use natural sweeteners over artificial ones, eliminate caffeine, and start eating more fruits and vegetables – organic, of course and to eat more foods rich in antioxidants.

    The first step I took may seem trivial but was a major ordeal for me – giving up my morning Diet Dr. Pepper.  I did this not only because of the dietitian, but because my dentist also advised the same thing.  The dentist believes that the soda was ruining my gums.  So, it’s been 21 days since my last Diet Dr. Pepper.  I know I’ll have one again soon, but I won’t be going back to a daily routine of 2-3 day. I think God will forgive me if I have one a month.

    Eating organic is definitely more expensive and harder to stick to but I’m going to give it my all.

    Any of you live the organic life?  How has it impacted you?

    Category Daily Life | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment

  4. Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

    May 2, 2010 by Leanne

    Yoga.

    Downward dog.  Plank. Sun Salutation. Warrior. Child’s pose.

    Breathe out the toxins. Breathe from the abdomen.

    I’m learning folks – I’m learning.

    I started taking yoga classes for the first time on a regular basis last month.  I’m 5 weeks into it attending 2 classes a week and attempting my own work out at home on occasion.

    I went into it thinking I wanted to focus on flexibility which would lead to a leaner look.  I quickly learned I am so not flexible and it has nothing to do with the body-type.  I see a person with what appears as a “not-so-great” physique being able to twist, turn, flex and hold poses I can’t even fathom!  The instructors are great though. They remind us  in every class that we’re all made differently and not everyone will ever be able to do the same poses with great flexibility. That does make me feel somewhat better.

    The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is how important the breathing is.  It is by far the number one element to learn.  I find myself focusing on breathing through the nose and from the gut all day long. The instructors tell us this will help us in all areas of our lives – in mentally focusing, in ridding our bodies of toxins, in better digestion and so much more.

    At today’s class we learned the phrase “loka samasta sukhino bhavantu”.  It was a little odd to chant this – as I am not a chanter. But I did it.  You can Google the phrase and see what it means.

    Namaste.

    Category Daily Life | Tags: , | No Comments