Always A (Bigger) Bright Side

Posted: May 2, 2011 at 7:50 am

Downfall: Running late. It doesn’t bother me much when others run late to things, but for some reason it drives me batty when I personally am late. Even by just a few minutes, like I was for my lunch date with Lee.

Bright Side: I was late because I plowed through a productive morning with a 7 mile run, getting grocery shopping finished, and taking care of little ones.

Downfall: A mad sunburn. On one arm. Oh, the attractiveness.

Bright Side: Sitting outside for a fabulous lunch to celebrate Lee’s birthday.

#alttext# lee lunch

I couldn’t make her birthday party last weekend since my parents were staying overnight and it was the only night Peter & I could have our date. I knew I wanted to spend some time with her for her birthday though, so we planned a lunch get together. We met at the World Peace Cafe – a vegetarian cafe with great food based off organic, locally grown products.

I ordered a grilled veggie sandwich with the sun salad on the side.

 world peace cafe lunch world peace cafe salad grilled veggie sandwich

And an unsweetened raspberry iced tea to drink.

iced tea

So, so, so good! The sandwich was light tasting but filling and the salad had all the necessary items (fat, fruit, nuts) with avocado, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. The food and, most importantly, time with a good friend certainly justify my lobster arm.

Downfall: Black Swan.

 black swan

Peter & I watched Black Swan on Saturday night. I kind of hated it. I understood the underlying messages in the movie, but it all bored me and just seemed too weird. Plus, I would get the chills seeing all the ribcage action. I know that is part of the ballerina thing, but it still bothered me.

Bright Side: Having a simple, relaxing night with my husband. This little treat we picked up didn’t hurt either…

 DQ11Q2011P_CarmToffCookieBliz_28

Downfall: The weekend is now over.

Bright Side: I have a busy, but good, week ahead and feel refreshed going in to it after some yoga and quality discussion yesterday in church. God showed me, for the umpteenth millionth time, that His understanding and wisdom far exceeds our own. That great things are possible when trusting in Him. That following Him always leads to a bigger, brighter side of life. Now, hopefully, that refreshed feeling will last me. For at least a day or two. 😉

  • Have you seen Black Swan?
  • What bright side have you encountered recently? 

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63 Comments to “Always A (Bigger) Bright Side”
  1. Lee says:

    I went to CVS and bought a big bottle of sunscreen! No more uneven tans! Sorry you didn’t like Black Swan. I liked it but it’s definitely very weird.

  2. I haven’t heard good things about Black Swan from anyone, so I actually have 0 desire to see it.

    Bummer: seasonal allergies
    Bright Side: it means it’s spring, and I’m only 1 season away from meeting my baby! 🙂

  3. katie says:

    God keeps showing me this too Tina! I guess we all need to be reminded of it….A lot!! The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God…And His strength is made perfect in our weakness!

  4. Mandy says:

    Sounds like a good weekend 🙂

    Yes, I’ve seen Black Swan. Psychologically speaking I thought it was really interesting… but yes very weird and dark too. I wouldn’t say I loved it but I didn’t hate it either.

  5. marcia says:

    I saw Black Swan. I am glad I watched it alone. It was ok. Weird. Artsy fartsy. 🙂

  6. I wasn’t a fan of Black Swan either. It kinda sucked

  7. Kelly says:

    I actually REALLY like Black Swan. I thought Natalie Portman was amazing and completely deserved her Academy Award she got for it. Plus I liked the message that perfection is a self imposed standard that when focused on to the extreme causes nothing but failure.

  8. I have not seen Black Swan but it is next in my Netflix queue! I’ve heard such mixed reviews of it that I want to just see it for myself.

    • Tina says:

      That’s the main reason I wanted to see it too. All the different views of it intrigued me. I really did like the message of it, and the acting is good, but on a whole it kind of bored me.

  9. Mellissa says:

    I didn’t like Black Swan either, I watched it Saturday night and kept asking what was going on. Such a weird movie!

  10. Mmmm DQ blizzards….drool…. attractive image 😉
    I saw Black Swan and while I thought it was fairly enjoyable, I wasn’t blown away like a lot of people were. I think one of the reasons was because so many of my friends hyped it up for me, talking about the “twist” and other craziness in the movie. Yes, both of those aspects were evident, but like you said, it was kind of just weird!
    I do like the message of it though, agreeing with Kelly’s post

  11. I have heard not so many good things about Black Swan which is why I still have not seen it but that blizzard looks amazing so I may have to try that!

  12. Lizzie says:

    I saw Black Swan and wished afterwards that I had not (and so did the friend I went with!). While (as a film editor myself) I can appreciate the angle and story line and the acting, some of the scenes were just too much for me. The world isn’t all sweetness and light, and I get that, but this was too much ‘darkness’ to sit through in a dark theatre. I felt like I needed a shower afterwards!!

  13. Heather says:

    I have no desire to see Black swan. Not a big fan of creepy movies!
    My poor husband got totally sunburned on our run on Saturday. I called him lobster all day yesterday!

  14. I’ve seen Black Swan, and like you, it didn’t impress me much. It actually weirded me out a bit. I’m more of a comedy type girl anways!

    And an upcoming bright spot in my life right now is a visit to Atlanta this weekend! Woo can’t wait!

  15. I actually did like Black Swan but I understand how it might not appeal to everyone. I also totally agree with all the rib cage action being off-putting!

    The bright side of poor pacing in my half marathon is learning where I need to improve and spend time in my training! 🙂

    So glad you had a great weekend! 🙂

  16. Yes, we saw Black Swan as an in-flight movie (otherwise probably wouldn’t have seen it yet). It was pretty odd. Sad.

    Here’s my bright side: even though it’s wintery here in May, we are safe and haven’t had the devastating storms that some regions have had recently. You’ll hear it a lot around here. Grumble about the cold. Remember we are lucky that it’s only cold.

  17. I did see Black Swan and thought it was incredible. So well done, very creepy, and mind blowing. But not a “feel good” movie at all.

    Hmm, bright side: sunny days and high 70’s for great hiking!

  18. Congrats on the run! Sounds like a great lunch with Lee! I haven’t seen Black Swan yet. I love The Fountain, also done by Aranofsky and I know all his movies are hard to take in, so I need to be prepared for this one. I wish I could have that Blizzard! It sounds so good! Have a great Monday Tina!

  19. Jennifer Rahn says:

    Being late (both for myself and when I’ve got plans with others) is a pet peeve of mine. I need to learn to be a bit more low-key about being on time.

    As for Black Swan, I don’t think I can watch it, given the underlying anorexia and overexercise issues.

  20. I love this post, Tina. 🙂

    I have not seen Black Swan and I actually do want to see it even though I’ve heard its dark/weird. I saw The King’s Speech this weekend, and it was really really good!

  21. jobo says:

    Sounds like a great weekend! I love how you turned negatives into positives. you are so good at that. I haven’t seen Black Swan and don’t really want to, for those reasons you listed! confirmed!
    My weekend was a blur, but all in good ways, so it makes up for the fact that it’s Monday!

  22. I haven’t seen black swan yet but really want to! I’ve heard so many mixed reviews and just kind of want to determine for myself. I love how you’re looking on the bright side though…that’s a practice I could certainly do more!

  23. I haven’t see Black Swan but I had planned on seeing it. The bright side to the weekend being over is that I got to meet my new niece. It was amazing.

  24. Ugh I HATED Black Swan. It was just too psychologically disturbing for me. Maybe I don’t appreciate intense cinema, but I like feel-good movies…especially when served with a side of Blizzard 🙂

    • Tina says:

      Same here! I prefer feel good movies. I loved the message of it…but didn’t feel the need to spend 2 hours watching such intense drama and weirdness to get it. LOL

  25. Black Swan just looks so weird. I havent seen it yet, and I kind of want to just because, but Im a little afraid of it.

  26. Sounds like a nice day overall. Love being able to sit outside and enjoy a nice meal with a friend. I did see Black Swan and liked it. It was crazy weird, but I did enjoy it.

  27. Julie says:

    That blizzard looks amazing! …but I’ve never met a blizzard I didn’t like!

    You’re the first person I’ve hear that didn’t really like Black Swan. Everyone seems to think it’s pretty dark but they liked it. I have no desire to see it…and I think you just sealed it for me.

  28. I haven’t seen Black Swan, but I really want to see it. I feel like people either LOVE it or HATE it. Gotta love a movie that strikes up those kinds of feelings.

    Upside: definitely my half marathon PR.

  29. I’m glad you had such a nice weekend! I wasn’t a fan of Black Swan. It was just kind of meh…

    So sweet of you to celebrate Lee’s birthday with her!! Your guys’ food (and outdoor spot) look wonderful!

  30. i haven’t seen black swan, but i really want to, just to make my own opinion about it!

    downfall: i had a crazy insane stressfull weekend of wedding planning madness.

    bright side: i am marrying the love of my life in august and it is all so so so worth every pull-out-my-hair frustration!

  31. Lauren says:

    Love the positives out of the situations! The downside for me is 3 exams, but the bright side is plenty of time in between them and summer break to look forward to.

  32. Love this post. I was literally going to do one just like it today. Maybe I still will if that’s okay. 😉

    I haven’t seen Black Swan but I plan to sometime, have to be in the right mood.

    I had a horrible day yesterday but I think it somehow gave me clarity about what I want and brought me closer to God. I think it will drive good things for me today and this week.

  33. Meg says:

    I’ve been on the fence about black swan, mostly because I’m pretty sure I’ll hate it. I appreciate your honesty since a lot of people seemed to rave about it.

  34. Kara says:

    I haven’t seen it yet! It’s next on our Netflix list (but there is a wait).

    I really wish we had a DQ near here!

  35. I saw Black Swan recently and I was that impressed with it. I did like the way it was filmed though.

  36. Melie says:

    I have all sorts of weird tanning lines and it’s only going to get worse as summer training goes on. I kind of like it! It’s my proof that I have been running 🙂 If I use sunscreen and am not sunburnt then all is ok!

    I liked the black swan. But I give you that, all those bones and rib cages did get to me too!

  37. I did see it and actually really liked it! I had very low expectations. I thought it was unsettling and the camera work was unbelievable.

  38. vivoir says:

    Aww hello! I have just come across your blog and really, really love the positivity within it all- without it being some tree-hugging ditty!!!

    I’ve taken much the same approach in order to work through some troubles- trying to just take each day as a new opportunity and a new chance to make a discovery/ shed negative hangovers from yesterday

    I think that the main tool is being able to communicate with other people (tadaa blogs!) and being able to gain inspiration and different ways of viewing our individual situations. Bit deep, but in a nutshell I think it’s true

    With that in mind, though also appreciating that you are a busy Mom/ wife/ friend/ individual, I’d love your input re comments on posts I put up. A lot of blogs are US based as I don’t really think it’s taken off in the same way in the UK. As a result, I really want to offer my UK friends an insight into the fabulous support network that is over the pond!

    So come and say hello and follow me? I’ll be visiting FFF in order to actually learn something myself!

  39. Katie H says:

    I love looking on the bright side! Great job on the seven miles. Awesome! I haven’t seen Black Swan but I do want to. Though I’ve heard it’s super weird.

  40. I didn’t really like Black Swan either! It was so overhyped that I had really high expectations for it, and it just sort of fell short.

    I LOVE Blizzards, and that flavor looks amazing!! I haven’t had one in years- that might need to change 🙂

  41. Jen says:

    First, I love your sandwich and salad, and the blizzard….OMG good!!!! Second, I haven’t watched Black Swan yet, it’s in my Netflix queue though.

  42. Naomi says:

    TINA!! thank you so much for your support throughout this weekend it meant the WORLD to me!! i was thinking of you right before I hit that stage when my nerves were going crazy…I just kept my head up and pretended everyone was in their undies hehe

    omg so scared to watch the black swan! scary, creepy movies like that do nothing for me but scare lol

    glad you had a fab weekend! ill take a blizzard now 🙂

  43. Anna says:

    Bright side: Answer to several prayers and warmer weather!

  44. Sounds likes the bright sides outweighed the downfalls here 😉

    I saw Black Swan and hated it too!

  45. Melodie says:

    I am working very hard on seeing the brighter side more often 😉

  46. Scary movies totally freak me out. I am by myself a lot because of the husband’s military thing so I just don’t watch them. Bright side of my entire life – I finally found a young person to be friends with in Phoenix! Things are looking up!

  47. That salad looks amazing!

    I haven’t seen Black Swan yet but heard both extremes. You are either gonna love it or hate it…no in between.

  48. Sarah says:

    Congrats on the 7 miles. Looks like you and Lee had a fun lunch 🙂

    I really enjoyed Black Swan because I felt such an intense connection to Natalie Portman’s character. I fall into periods of extreme perfectionism one which included two years of anorexia. While none of my behaviors were as dark as hers, I remember feeling slightly paranoid that starbucks baristas were trying to make me fat by using full sugar syrup instead of sugar free or waiters/waitresses would bring me a non diet soda, etc. I think it’s so easy to get caught up in perfecting ones self you lose that grasp on reality. The movie actually helped me realize how insane some of my behaviors were and identify triggers that spark perfectionistic behaviors/attitudes. But I do prefer happy movies like Enchanted (which always makes me smile)!

  49. Lately, we are fans of animations. Last night, we say Happily N’ ever After. There are entertaining and left me with a good state of mind when I see that good always beats the bad.

    The downfall is that both me and hubs will go through a rough period of time, about a month of exams. The bright side is that after, we plan to go crazy for a couple of days and go to the sea side, just the two of us.

  50. lisa says:

    I didn’t like the movie either. I only watched it cause it got a ton of good reviews. Why??

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