When I Met The Members of NKOTB!

Item #11 on "People to Meet" section of "MY BUCKET LIST..."

Hey everyone!  :)  Well...on June 30th, 2011, I had an amazing day!  I became a special 5-star VIP at the NKOTBSB concert, here in Phoenix, AZ!  Yes...you guessed it!  I finally got to meet and hang out with ALL 5 MEMBERS of NKOTB (New Kids on the Block)!!!  In this blog entry, I am going to try and describe to you, this absolutely blissful experience...

When I first got to the US Airways Arena (where the Phoenix Suns play), I got to attend a pre-show party.  During this party, I got to meet and hang out with Joey McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Jon Knight, and Danny Wood!  There were lots of kisses and hugs going on!  They were all so nice...but they all looked so exhausted!  While they were all so nice and very gracious, there was just one group member that stood out to me, from the rest.  Not only is Joey McIntyre one of my favorite members of the group, but he was soooo incredibly sweet!!  None of them disappointed THIS longtime fan!!  :)  I then received a gift bag, that contained some intimate bedtime apparel...  xD

Then, after that, I got to watch and listen to them do a sound-check!  I then got escorted to my seat...which as front row, seat #1...at the head of "the big penis" stage ("the big penis" = the stage design).  LOL!  Before I knew it, the show was starting!  Jordyn Sparks was the opening act - - and she was amazing!  Then... when NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys) got on stage, I was in complete and utter BLISS!!  They were phenominal!!!!  Beyond AMAZING!!!  Not only did both groups sing many of their old songs...but they also sang some of their songs together!!  They then sang they're new song (that they sing together), "Don't Turn Out the Lights"...and it was AWESOME!!!!!!  I love that song!  :) 

***That's me all the way on the left, standing next to Jordan Knight!  :)

I've taken so many AMAZING pictures...that are included in the link, below!  Check them out, and I hope you all enjoy them...just as much as I do!  This night was DEFINITELY one for the books...  It was a night, and a memory, that I will NEVER EVER forget!!  AMAZING!!...  <sigh>  :)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150244723392074.344991.662317073&l=eef258f5db&type

 

My List of Zac Efron Movies

Item #18 on "Things to do" section of "MY BUCKET LIST..."

Hey everyone!  :)  Well, I've started to complete my list of Zac Efron movies that I have seen, and those that I have not yet seen (but will be, very soon!  I've been watching quite a few of them, on my free time...).  

Below, I will not only list all of his movies that have been released (to date), but I will also include whether or not I have seen it, and what I thought of it...  I will list them, in the order that I've seen them.  The list of Zac's movies that I have yet to see, are in order of the year that they are being/were released.  I hope you enjoy this listing, as well as my personal thoughts on each of the movies...as I see them...  This particular blog entry, will be ongoing, meaning I will continue to update it, as I watch the movies...a work-in-progress, if you will...  So, please keep a look-out!  Enjoy!!  :)

Listing of Zac Efron movies that I HAVE SEEN, so far:

"17 Again":  Released in 2009
I really loved this movie!!  I saw this movie, before Zac and I actually became friends.  It was the very first of his many movies, that I've actually seen...and I really enjoyed it!  It actually seemed as though Zac really studied Matthew Perry, personally, as well as his character in the script, in order to portray the younger version of Mike O'Donnell.  His portrayal was spot on!  Zac was AH-MAZING!!  Yummy, in fact...  "If he was an apple, he'd be a delicious!"  (an actual quote taken from the movie)  LOL!!!  Not only was this movie really funny, but it had a touch of romance and a touch of sports in it, as well...  My kind of movie!  Loved it!  :)
"High School Musical":  Released in 2006
I really loved this movie, and I cannot wait to see the other two!  Zac looked so incredibly young in this one!  LOL!!  But, it was really a cute movie...  I really enjoyed the musical parts, the acting, the dancing, plus the story line was really adorable!  :)
"Charlie St. Cloud":  Released in 2010
I really loved this movie!!  It's one of those movies that really promote thought - particularly about life and death, your loved ones, and moving on with life, after experiencing horrific tragedy.  Not only did Zac do a wonderful job, with his portrayal of the main character, but you can't help but fall in love with his character!  He was AH-MAZING!!  Yummy, in fact...  LOL!  Truly an amazing movie, as it holds so much meaning in the storyline.  Again, just like in "17 Again", it had a touch of romance, and sports in it, as well.  My kind of movie!  Loved it!  I honestly think he really got jipped when he didn't win the MTV Movie Award, for best male actor, with his performance in this movie...  TOTALLY JIPPED!!...  :(
"Hairspray":  Released in 2007
I really loved this movie!  I actually saw this musical on Broadway, in NYC, when I lived in NY...and I thought this movie remake was fantastic!  I think that Zac's portrayal of the character, Link Larkin, was amazing!  Loved it!  :)
"High School Musical 2":  Released in 2007
I really loved this sequel to the original "High School Musical"!  I felt as though there was a great transition from the original HSM.  Not only did I really enjoy the musical parts, the acting, the dancing, plus the story line...but, you are able to notice that Zac was really starting to mature and look a bit older in this one (even though I KNOW it was released only one year later)!  LOL!!  Loved it!!  :)
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year":  Released in 2008
I really loved this final chapter in the "High School Musical" trilogy!  There was a great transition from the 2nd HSM.  Again, I really enjoyed the musical parts, the acting, the dancing, plus the story line...  I loved how they were able to give the viewers closure to everything that was happening during all three of the movies.  A great ending...and it doesn't leave you hanging!  Zac, ummmm...looked really great!!  LOL!!!!  He was amazing!!  Loved it!!  :)
"Miracle Run":  Released in 2004 (TV movie)
OMG!!  I watched this movie...and I can honestly say that I was brought to tears for the entire duration of it!  This movie was so amazing, & so moving for me, that I literally cried throughout the entire thing! It EXACTLY depicts my life w/ my son! It was SO incredibly emotional for me! I don't even know what else to say, right now.  As some of you already know, I have an autistic son...and every single thing that this mom in the movie endured and had gone through, I had endured and gone through, at one point or another...  I know, personally, just how that mom felt during each and every moment of this movie!!  I am so glad that I went and ordered that movie, directly from Lifetime (which they specially burned onto a DVD for me, which I thought was a little weird at first)!!! That movie seriously touched me, in the most profound way possible!!! AMAZING!!... REALLY!!... Thank you so much, Zac, for doing a movie like this!  You're amazing, my dear friend!...  No wonder why I love you so much!!  :)

Preliminary listing of Zac Efron movies that I HAVE NOT YET SEEN (but will be, shortly):

(Information taken from Zac's IMDB profile)  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1374980/
"The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke":  Released in 2003 (TV movie)
"Triple Play":  Released in 2004 (TV movie)
"The Derby Stallion":  Released in 2005
"If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now":  Released in 2006 (TV movie)
"Me and Orson Welles":  Released in 2008
"Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III":  Released in 2010 (TV movie: voice only)
"New Years Eve":  Not yet released - Coming in 2011
"The Lucky One":  Not yet released - Coming in 2012
"The Lorax":  Not yet released - Coming in 2012
"The Paperboy":  Not yet released - Coming in 2012

All of the photos shown below are credited to Zac Efron, as well as his several fan pages on Facebook:

Surfers Healing Surf Camp in Malibu, CA (June 4th, 2011)

Item #13 on "Things to do" section of "MY BUCKET LIST..."

Hello everyone!  On June 4th, 2011, my son Kyle and I finally got the opportunity of a lifetime!!  :)  For those of you that do not know what/who Surfers Healing is - - it is a non-profit organization that, as a form of therapy, teaches autistic children how to surf  http://www.surfershealing.org!  After 5 YEARS of diligently trying to get Kyle into a Surfer's Healing Surf Camp, my cousin Arnie Costell (a former professional baseball player, with the NY Yankees) who lives out there in Marina Del Rey, CA, was able to pull some strings and took it upon himself to get us in!! 

For those of you that may know about this organization, you'd know how difficult it truly is to get a spot in one of these camps!  Once the camp dates are announced, on the web, the spots very often, are filled up within minutes!!  So, when I got the call from my cousin, on the morning of June 1st, not only was I completely surprised by the news that he had gotten Kyle in, but I was also so amazed, grateful, super-emotional, and so excited for Kyle...all at the same time!!  This camp that we got into had been filled up and "closed" for quite some time at this point!!!  I then rented a car, and Kyle and I then drove out together to CA!  We arrived out there, just 2 days later, on Friday, June 3rd.  After a warm reception from my cousin, and after getting settled into his home, we immediately started to get really excited about the events that would take place, the very next day at camp, on June 4th.

The whole experience, at the surf camp, at Malibu Pier...was not only an amazing one, for cousin Arnie, Kyle, and I...but it was truly a life-changing one!!  Not only did Kyle actually get up on a surfboard, for the very first time...but I was able to witness it all, in true mother's love and wonderment.  Not only were we able to experience the whole surfing experience, but we actually met and spent some quality time with a few celebrities, as well!  We met and hung out with, Mr. David Arquette (which I'm quite sure that most of you know exactly who he is - I'm pretty sure that no introduction is needed), as well as Mr. Scott Caan (son of legendary actor - James Caan; Dan-o, from the remake of the "Hawaii 5-0" television series; he has been in many movies, as well - - such as Oceans 11, 12, and 13, Gone in 60 Seconds, Into the Blue, Boiler Room, etc.), who very selflessly and amazingly spent his entire Saturday in the waters of Malibu, surfing with all of the children!  Never came out of the water, once, the entire day - until the very end, which is when we were able to meet and hang with him.  When I asked him about his time there at the surf camp, he responded, "I do this every single year, for the kids.  For one day, I can honestly say...it's not about me...which is why I stay in the water for the whole time, because I know that if I were to have come out of the water any earlier, I would have been bombarded with fans, press, paparazzi, etc.  It's truly all about the kids!  I do it just for them..."  Wow!  What a truly wonderful guy!!  :)  That was so nice to see and hear... 

It was all such an awesome, emotional, and wonderful experience for Kyle and I...and I am so grateful to my cousin Arnie, that he very selflessly was able to give Kyle and I such a wonderful gift.  I'll be attaching some links to photos from our Surfers Healing experience, as well as some YouTube video clips!  I hope you all enjoy, as much as we did!!  :) 


Link to photo album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150209938702074.337098.662317073&l=ce1d7e69a5

YouTube video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb5OgKf5y48

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV4PZr_5jdk

My Bucket List (Listed and will be completed in no particular order)

Things to do:

1. Sky dive
2. Bungee jump
3. Climb a mountain (symbolic, or real)
4. Run a marathon (a 5k will do)
5. Dance (perform in a show, again)
6. Get into the best health and physical shape of my life
7. Learn how to surf
8. Learn how to play the piano
9. Take a long road trip on the back of a motorcycle; allowing my hair to blow in the wind, while I deeply breathe in the fresh air around me
10. Ride in a helicopter
11. Ride in a hot-air balloon
12. Swim with dolphins, again
13. Take my son, to a Surfer's Healing camp in Malibu, CA
14. Attend an Olympic Games
15. Graduate from law school (top of my class)
16. Pass the Bar Exam
17. Become an attorney
18. Play catch-up, and see every single Zac Efron movie, that I have yet to see (regardless of how old or new) - - Partially done...
19. Thank people who serve and protect me and my loved ones (police officers, fire fighters, military, etc.)
20. Notice and admire the most beautiful sunrise/sunsets
21. Notice and admire the most beautiful flowers (and stop to smell them)
22. Notice and admire all living creatures (regardless of how big/small, beautiful/ugly, etc.)
23. Donate my time/energy/money to a worthy cause that is close to my heart
24. Help people in need
25. Write some more poetry
26. Spend some more time on my artwork (drawing, painting, etc.)
27. Witness the day that my son verbally says, “I love you, mommy!” for the very first time
28. Give my son all of the love, support, and tools that he needs to grow up and become an independent, successful, sensitive, loving, and generous adult – living with autism
29. Dance with my son, on his wedding day
30. Spend as much quality time, as I possibly can, with my family and closest friends
31. Constantly tell everyone in my life (friends and family), how much I Iove, adore, and appreciate them
32. Own a Chevy Corvette (new)

People to meet:

1. The President of the United States (regardless of who it is)
2. Gloria Allred
3. Sandra Day O’Connor
4. Finally, Zac Efron
5. Bret Michaels
6. Jenny McCarthy
7. Holly Robinson Peete
8. Patrick Dempsey
9. Reese Witherspoon
10. New friends and people to love (you can NEVER have too many of either one)
11. Band Members of NKOTB:
    • Donnie Wahlberg
    • Jordan Knight
    • Joe McIntyre
    • Jon Knight
    • Danny Wood
12. Band Members of Bon Jovi:
• Jon Bon Jovi
• Richie Sambora
• David Bryan
• Tico Torres

Places to go:

1. Canada
2. Italy
3. France
4. Great Britain
5. Australia
6. Ireland
7. Amsterdam
8. Portugal
9. Greece
10. Germany
11. Go on a relaxing/tropical get-away, with not a care in the world…  Where there are no forms of communication with the rest of the world…  Where I can sip some frozen adult beverages, as I am lying on a deserted beach…  While soaking up the sun’s healing powers
12. Take a cruise around the world
13. Backpack through all of Europe
14. Visit all 50 of the United States
15. Take a leisurely trip across the mainland of the United States, in an RV
16. Of course, Florida, where my entire family now resides…
17. Of course, New York, so that I can visit my hometown and all of my old friends…
18. Go back to Hawaii & Turks and Caicos

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!!!  :)

P.S.  If/when you see items that have a line striked through it (for example:  Played with my son), this simply means that it is an accomplishment/goal that has been completed by me.  :) 

My Introduction

Hi everyone!  :)  For those of you that do not know me, my name is Melissa Quinn.  I'm 35 years old (will be turning 36 this September), and I live in Gilbert, AZ.  I now have a "bucket list" of things that I really want to accomplish, during the course of the rest of my life.  We never know how much time we have left in this world, and I really want to live the rest of my days, spending as much time as I can with my wonderful family & and all of my friends (all of whom I love with all of my heart and soul – and that goes for ALL OF YOU!); doing all of the things and meeting all of the people that I've always wanted to, but never had the chance/opportunity to; continue to be the best human being and woman that I can be, and last (but definitely not least) - continue to appreciate the little things in life, that people tend to take for granted.  You need to “Live like you were dying…”, as Tim McGraw would say!  I intend to do just that… 

My list consists of some pretty lofty goals, whereas the rest of the items involve the ability to appreciate the people and places around me; the love that resides in my heart; my imagination and mind, as well as the beautiful world around me.  This is going to be a very interesting, challenging, yet extremely rewarding, adventure - - that all of you get to share WITH ME!  Are you ready?  I am going to take off…and there is no telling where in fact I will land next, and what amazing feats I will accomplish along the way! 

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Every single time I accomplish something that is on my “bucket list”, not only will I write about it on my (new) blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc., but I will also share any photos and/or video footage that I take along the way...  Nothing would make me happier, than to share my amazing experiences with all of you!  J  <3

COME AND FOLLOW ME!

My New Blog:  http://melissaquinnbucketlist.blogspot.com/

On Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/melissa.s.quinn

On Twitter:  @MelissaQuinn75

**  Please note that this is a big work-in-progress, and I most likely will be making changes to the list, along the way (either adding items, or possibly even removing some, as well)!