Pic Spam: Michael C. Hall

My latest addiction: "Dexter". Thanks to my brother I'm now hooked to this show. As if I didn't have enough shows to watch.... Michael C. Hall portrays Dexter perfect and I decided to share some pictures of him with you.

50 Book Challenge 2013: # 20: The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett

Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Frances H. Burnett
Story: What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.But Misselthwaite hides another secret, as mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the rest of the house, lies her young cousin, Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic will work wonders on him
Start: june 1st 2013 End: june 6th 2013 Comment: This is one of the most popular children's books I believe. I read a lot about it, how much people loved it when they where younger. The plot sounded great, magical. The moment where Mary actually finds the secret garden is my favorite and how the place makes her feel. Beautifully descriped and I liked that the leading characters isn't your every day child. But for the rest this book didn't really give me the magic I was hoping for. I think I would've liked it more as a child, but most kids today wouldn't appreciate it. It has some good lessons, but I doubt if kids get them.
Rating: 2,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Animals I want to See in the Wild

After my wonderful adventure in Uganda, Africa last year I still have a big wishlist of places to go. And wildlife to see. I got to see some wonderful animals there, like gorilla's, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes and hippo's. I made a list of the animals I still want to see in the wild someday.

5. Tiger
My brother is taking a trip to India next year to see the tiger. If I had the money I would go too, because tigers are such fascinating creatures. So gorgeous and breathtaking.

4. Polar Bear
I woud want to go to the cold world where the polar bear lives. Just being surrounded by all the white, I think that would be amazing.

3. Orangutan
Apes are one of my favorie groups of animals and I always likes Orangutan's the most. Now I saw the gorilla's I have two favorites, but I would want to see them in the wild as well.

2. Grizzly Bear
I love all kinds of bears, but this is my favorite. Wonderful animal!

1. Killer Whale
My favorite animals, such enormous creatures with so much grace. I think it would be a mighty feeling seeing them in the wild.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Panda, koala, wolf, emperor penguin

Weekly Photo Challenge 2013 : Theme 22: Street

Here is this weeks theme.

This is actually one of my favorite photos. It was taken in the fall of 2012, when I was on a bicycle ride with my dad.

Movie Trailer Sunday (90)

Here are this weeks trailers.

Machete Kills
Description: Ex-Federale agent Machete (Danny Trejo) is recruited by the President of the United States for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man - he must take down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet.
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Carlos Estevez, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, Mel Gibson
Trailer: Trailer "Machete Kills"
Comment: I liked the first one.

Prisoners
Description: Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent's worst nightmare. His 6-year-old daughter and her young friend are missing, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, but a lack of evidence forces the only suspect's release. Knowing his child's life is at stake, the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. The desperate father will do whatever it takes to find the girls, but in doing so, may lose himself, begging the question: When do you cross the line between seeking justice and becoming a vigilante?
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Terrance Howard, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano
Trailer: Trailer "Prisoners"

Closed Circuit
Description: Two ex-lovers, Martin (Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall), find their loyalties tested and their lives at risk when they are joined together on the defense team in a terrorism trial.
Director: John Crowley
Starring: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciarán Hinds, Julia Stiles, Anne-Marie Duff, Jim Broadbent
Trailer: Trailer"Closed Circuit"

Ain't Them Bodies Saints
Description: Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara), an impassioned young outlaw couple on an extended crime spree, are finally apprehended by lawmen after a shootout in the Texas hills. Although Ruth wounds a local officer, Bob takes the blame. But four years later, Bob escapes from prison and sets out to find Ruth and their daughter, born during his incarceration.
Director: David Lowery
Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Ben Foster, Keith Carradine
Trailer: Trailer "Ain't Them Bodies Saints"
Comment: Looks really good.

Blackfish
Description: Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Starring: -
Trailer: Traler "Blackfish"
Comment: I just hope that people now realize it's not a good idea to have such a great animal in captivity.

In My Mailbox (99)

Seven officials and one private swap. I'm not a fan of churches, but this doesn't look like one. It's from Turku, Finland.

Sent: may 23rd 2013
Received: may 28th 2013
Distance: 1,441 km (895 miles)
Travel Time: 5 days

I also go another US mapcard for my collection. Manchester, Maine.

Sent: may 19th 2013
Received: may 28th 2013
Distance: 5,613 km (3,488 miles)
Travel Time: 9 days

A moviecard from Huzhou, China. I don;t know the movie though...

Sent: may 17th 2013
Received: may 28th 2013
Distance: 8,915 km (5,540 miles)
Travel Time: 11 days

This 'apple cat' came from Dhipropetovsk, Ukraine. It's kinda cute.

Sent: may 6th 2013
Received: may 30th 2013
Distance: 2,102 km (1,306 miles)
Travel Time: 24 days

These very cute squirrels came from Bilthoven, Netherlands. It's a Beatrix Potter drawing. I love it.

Sent: may 30th 2013
Received: may 31st 2013
Distance: 117 km (73 miles)
Travel Time: 1 day

This one came from Bacelona, Spain. Not my taste, but nice anyway.

Sent: may 27th 2013
Received: may 31st 2013
Distance: 1,101 km (684 miles)
Travel Time: 4 days

An this psotcard from Chemnitz, Germany is realy not my taste. It looks like a late 80's/ early 90's card. Where's Miami Vice?

Sent: may 23rd 2013
Received: june 1st 2013
Distance: 498 km (309 miles)
Travel Time: 9 days

And a private swap from my Polish friend. She knows how much I love the fall!

Thanks Puvu, Neal, Sim, Rem, Marieke, Santi, Lothar and Patricia for your cards this week.

50 Books Challenge 2013 Update - May

I'm a little behind again, because I only read three books this month. Basically because of one book, that really was a bit of a drag.

# 17. Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones - 5/ 5
# 18. The Child Thief by Brom - 2/ 5
# 19. The Snow Child - 4,5/ 5

Average: 3,8

Favorite of the Month: Mr. Pip

I'm very confident tht evenually I will reach my goal again. Really happy about this next theme, because it's the last month of school for me as a teacher before summer vacation starts:

I already picked up some great books that I know will get m on track again. I'll keep you updated on my challenge.