TCP#68: My Neighbor Totoro

Hello Couchers! Welcome to the December 7th edition of Tuesday Couch Potatoes where we post about a movie each week. From this Tuesday and the succeeding Tuesdays, we will feature movies that are more family-oriented and well. "christmassy", if there is ever such a word.

For this Tuesday's feature, the theme is Family Adventure Movies. If you have seen a movie about a family's adventure, come share it with us here. My pick is the 1988 Japanese anime film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki entitled My Neighbor Totoro  (となりのトトロ, Tonari no Totoro). I recently watched it here in Germany, but it was dubbed in German much to my dismay. I didn't understand everything although I understood what it was generally about. I learned that it was re-released by Disney with a new dub in 2006 (after Fox's expired in 2004) and I just need to get my copy! Do you have any?

This is just one great film about sisterhood, friendship, the ecology and family. Here's a synopsis of the film:

This superbly animated children's tale is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, one of Japan's most beloved animators. The story follows Satsuke and Mei, two young girls who find that their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O Totoro, the biggest and eldest Totoro, who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital, O Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like most films released by Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, this family-oriented feature has a powerful ecological theme. The English-language version of this film wasn't dubbed until many years later, explaining the presence of actors such as Dakota Fanning in the cast (who wasn't even born until 1994). ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

And a preview:

I really loved this movie and I know you will too. This film is not just for children but for adults as well.

What's your Family Adventure? Come share it with us this week by entering your TCP entry's link URL in the thumbnail linky below:

Your participation each week here on Tuesday Couch Potatoes is very much appreciated! I hope you can join us again next week for Santa Movies.Thank you once again for sharing your movie with us Couchers! May you all have a good week and a Happy TCP!

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A Gift Like No Other

Getting tired of giving traditional gifts this Christmas? Sometimes, shopping for Christmas gifts can be monotonous and unexciting especially if the items on display are just similar as last year's, only this time with a different packaging and promotional campaign. As the giver of the gift, we would like to give one of a kind and unique Christmas presents to our loved ones right?

Did you know that every person has his or her "bucket list" so to speak? It's like a list of things that they would like to do in their lifetime, some attainable, some unimaginable. If you take the time to ask what's in that list, chances are high that they would like to do something that would give them that heart-stopping adrenaline rush like parasailing or skydiving, witness a sporting event like car racing in real life, or better yet learn how to fly a helicopter. Or make that childish dream of swimming with the dolphins a reality! 

If you would like to help them cross out even just one item on that list, it would surely make them happy and will forever be grateful to you for the opportunity. So this Christmas, give your loved one that one special gift they will surely treasure for the rest of their lives. After all, experience IS the best gift there is!

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Mommy Moments: Last Christmas

I can't believe it is already December! Soon, it will be Christmas Day.. If my countdown is right, there are only twenty one days to go before Christmas. I know everyone is excited! I am, especially now that my little girl is very much aware of things.

It's all about Last Christmas this Friday on Mommy Moments. So what did we do last Christmas? Last year was a first for many things for us. It was our first Christmas in Germany. We attended our first Christmas party with the Sto. Nino group and my little girl was so happy to receive her first gift from a German Santa Claus. :D

We went to England for the Christmas holidays last year. We visited my husband's brother and his family because it has been a while since they last saw one another. We also thought it would be a great way for our little girl to bond with her cousin who is almost her age. 

It was a great Christmas, spent with family and friends. We also got to visit London for the holidays and although it was cold and wet most of the time, it was all definitely worth it!

How did you spend your Christmas last year? Come share it with us here on Mommy Moments! Just click on the badge below.

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Christmas = Winter Wonderland

The last weekend of November saw us delighted and excited to see the first heavy snow fall. I thought it came quite early this year but who cares. Seeing the delight on my little girl's face was more than enough for me. Even getting all my blogs listed in the best web directory could not compare to the happiness that I feel watching her get awed by the soft, white snow flakes.

It was no surprise though that she got more delighted when we shopped for Christmas decors and put up our Christmas tree last Saturday. She was so excited that she wouldn't go to bed without seeing the tree up. She even took her time hanging the Christmas balls, wooden toys, angels, stars and other tinsels on the tree. Although this is not my little girl's first Christmas, this is our first Christmas here in Stuttgart. I have a feeling that it will be a great one. Our first Sunday of Advent went pretty well! My little girl lit the first candle, we sang Christmas songs, and it just warmed my heart.

I am so looking forward for the coming days!

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