30somethingandsearching

Do you watch the Oscars every year?

Will you watch tonight?

Do you see the movies that are nominated before the big night?

I watch every year and I will watch tonight, but I rarely see any of the films.  Once in a while I may have seen one or two, but not very often.  Though, the majority of the films nominated look like they might actually be enjoyable.

So, why do I watch? 

To see what everyone is wearing, of course.

I’m not one to follow any celebrities closely in the news or read the rags for bits of info.  If they show it on the mainstream news, I find out about it, otherwise, I am clueless and couldn’t really care less.

I do love seeing them all glammed up though.  It’s the one night of the year that the celebrities go back to Old Hollywood with the ball gowns and fabulous hair, not to mention the shoes and accessories.  I imagine Fashiona will have a recap of the best-dressed celebrities.

I also hear all the buzz and hoopla about the nominees, which then inspires me to watch the Oscars to see who wins. 

photo credit: oscar.com

I know there is a bit of a disagreement among critics as to whether or not the late Heath Ledger is deserving of a nomination, let alone the win, for his role in The Dark Knight.  

They are also discussing if the award will be presented to Heath Ledger’s daughter Matilda. 

I keep seeing commercials for the Academy Award special Barbara Walters is having prior to the Oscars.

She is interviewing Hugh Jackman, which makes sense as he is hosting the Oscars,

photo credit: moviesditsky.com

Anne Hathaway, who is nominated for Best Actress In A Leading Role for her work in Rachel Getting Married,

photo credit: oscar.com

Mickey Rourke, nominated for Best Actor In A Leading Role for his work in The Wrestler,

photo credit: oscar.com

 and the Jonas Brothers. 

What? 

The Jonas Brothers?

I can’t help but sing “one of these things is not like the other.”

Is this their attempt to get a younger demographic or is there a reason I don’t know of for having the Jonas Brothers on this show?  Am I missing something?

This season on The Biggest Loser, I am moved by the kindness and sense of community among all of the contestants.

Last season, I was disgusted with the way some of the contestants behaved and this season is like a breath of fresh air.

There are always some contestants that I feel connected too or cheer on a bit more than others.

It is usually someone in whom I see a strength or a great pain they need to overcome.

It is usually a woman that learns her own beauty and power.

This season, there are several that are standing out to me.

Tara (a 23-year old former model), of the green team, has been a powerful contestant from day 1.  She does not give up.  She fights for every pound every moment of the show.  She is definitely an empowered woman.  Her drive is inspiring.

(Tara on the left)

This week they had a challenge, which was to climb a tall hill to retrieve a key that would unlock the door to the gym.  Only 2 teams (4 contestants) would find the key that unlocked the door giving only those 4 contestants access to the gym the entire week. 

There were dozens of keys and they had to keep going up and down the hill until the 2 keys were found.  It was blazing hot out and they kept running up and down.  Tara was up and down that hill more than most other contestants.  She was throwing up from the physical toll on her body, but she kept going.  That is determination.

I was thinking, wow she is a machine.

A few scenes later, Tara showed us a more vulnerable side.  It was good to see that everyone, including someone as strong as Tara, could experience a moment of weakness.  It is okay to be scared.

Another contestant that stands out is Mandi, mother of 2 boys, from the yellow team.  This is a woman that came to the show with little self-esteem and had no idea of her own self-worth.  She is a competitor, though.  Give her a challenge and she will fight till the very end.  She does not give up.  She shows her weaknesses to the world, but when it comes down to it, she is just as determined as Tara.

(Mandi on the left)

The third person that stands out to me is Kristin, from the purple team.  She is currently the heaviest woman in the house.  Last week, after working her butt off, she gained 2 pounds.  She was devastated.  This week, she lost 12 pounds putting her under 300 lbs for the first time in 8 years.  She is trying to lose weight to have a baby. 

(Kristin on the left)

What I love about Kristin is her attitude.  She never complains.  She just does whatever her trainer tells her to do.  A woman of her size would normally be hindered by the weight and unable to complete some of the tasks let alone be a competitor.  She always does well and makes it look easy.  In the challenges amongst the contestants, she fights hard to win.  She has come in second a few times beating out the men, even winning a tough challenge last week through sheer determination.

I love seeing this kind of strength in women.  The kind of strength that proves you can do anything you set your mind to.  The kind of strength that tells the world you are someone to be reckoned with.  The kind of strength that says you can overcome any obstacle.

I’d love to see these three in the finals.  I’ll be rooting for you, ladies.