Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Girl in Progress | Movie Review

“Being a kid is stupid. I’m moving on,” announces Ansiedad, a spunky teenager who decides to write her own coming-of-age story in the funny and heartbreaking new comedy, Girl in Progress.


Adapted from a screenplay written by Hiram Martinez, the latest film from Pantelion Films—the first major Latino Hollywood studio—open[ed] just in time for Mother's Day on Friday, May 11, 2012 and represents a new wave of cinema targeting the Hispanic movie-going population. But the film’s quirky, yet honest, take on serious issues many teens face when going through adolescence (or dealing with parents who still act like they are) makes it universally appealing for all audiences. 


Partly inspired by her English teacher at school (Patricia Arquette, TV’sMedium) who introduces the class to the concept of a “coming-of-age story” in literature, and partly fueled by her desire to grow up and distance herself from her immature, self-involved single mom (Eva MendesThe Other Guys), Ansiedad (Cierra Ramirez) begins mapping out her growing-up story in a flowchart on her bedroom wall.


Best friend Tavita (Raini RodriguezProm) is also helping out with the strategy, as they decide that Anisedad must transition from good to bad in order to quickly come of age. That begins with joining the chess club and winning some matches, followed by a total image makeover. Befriending the popular girl in school comes next so that Ansiedad, which interestingly enough means “anxiety” in Spanish, will then get invited to the wild parties which will then put her in closer proximity to the next major step in her transformative journey.


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Friday, May 18, 2012

Dreaming Over Breakfast

This weekend, take your daughter(s) to breakfast one morning and talk to her about your dreams. 
Tell them stories of when you were their age and what you dreamed about doing, who you dreamed about being and how you got to where you are now. Be honest with them. They'll love it. And they'll love you. 

Then, only after you've opened up first, ask them what they dream about.

Together, figure out how you can help each other fulfill those dreams. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A Mother's Lost Dreams // Part 2


I have to share this picture. I don’t know why but it makes me giggle and it makes me feel empowered at the same time.  When I look at this picture I feel like I’m looking at a mini-me from 25 years ago [which is ridiculous because I’m a brunette]
Each time I look at it, I quietly whisper, Do it! Go for it! Be a superhero in a tutu ~ You can if you want to.  Go tricycle after your dreams and don’t let anyone stop you!”  …and then, the moment fades. And I transition from that one happy thought to a moment where I laugh at myself. I ridicule the thought of me being a superhero in a tutu.  

When did this become me?  
When did I trade in my tutu for a frowny face?  
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full.”   
Wow. What a sweet, sweet promise.  God promises to give us life abundantly, and He’s already warned us that the enemy lurks about, waiting to devour and destroy our dreams, Our hopes, and Our future. 
Ladies, I IMPLORE you:  Don’t take this topic lightly. Don’t lose sight of your dreams.  And if it’s been a while since you’ve even felt the romance of dreaming – revive the feeling. Relive the memory. Get some new dreams and bring them to next week’s blog edition.  

When your daughter sees you dream, it’s powerful and inspiring.  When she sees you achieve your dreams, it’s empowering and encouraging.  And when she watches you pursue your dreams, persevere, and overcome the challenges that stand between you and your dream(s) …well, it’s downright life changing!  
- Written by Emily F.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Words for Mothers + Daughters

Encourage yourself and your daughters with these words this week. Make sure she knows how much you love her too!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Mother's Lost Dreams


Lost Dreams. Abandoned Dreams. Forgotten Dreams. Forsaken Dreams ~ any of those phrases conjure up some feeling in you?  Lately, it seems that I meet more and more women who tell me they’ve forgotten what their dreams are. They’ve forgotten how to dream for themselves. …in fact, they don’t know how to dream for themselves anymore. Can you relate? I can [sigh]
It seems that amidst the busyness of life, child rearing, family time, work, and a multitude of other commitments, we have forgotten how to dream. We have forgotten to make time to dream. We’ve begun to doubt our dreams, ourselves, and the beauty of believing in our dreams. We’ve somehow traded in our dreams for things like fear, doubt, and disbelief (aka – lack of faith.)   
This is a problem! You’re never too old (or too busy) to dream.  And in all honesty, I think you’re robbing yourself of all the goodness that goes along with dreaming. Dreams require faith, prayer, hope, conviction, action, perseverance, and passion. Wouldn’t life be a little more adventurous and gratifying if we lived with more of those characteristics every day? Imagine days FILLED with hope, love, faith, prayer, passion action, conviction and perseverance – sounds powerful to me!!!
So, let me beg the question: where did your dreams go? Where did you leave your dreams? And what might you have traded them in for? 
For the next two weeks – we’re talking about dreams. YOUR dreams.