If you missed last night’s episode, you missed almost nothing.  She was sick for more than half of the episode.  The other half was centered around the crazy lunatic who tattooed a shield covering a heart and a rose on his wrist symbolizing his love for Ali and in remembrance of this experience. 

For all of you who missed last nights’ episode, here’s your recap… well, actually the entire show was entirely boring… a waste of a good hour of my life.  All I can say is…

We start off with Ali and Kasey’s 1-on-1 date in which he expresses his eternal desire to “guard and protect her heart”:

And, Kasey dreams of their wedding day and …..

Meanwhile, back on the date…

Not long after the date, she explained to everyone her fears about Kasey’s relentless obsession about guarding the heart.  They held a secret meeting at The Lion King Stage.

They staged the attack, but were surprised at Kasey’s power of love forces… it seemed like nothing would stop him!  He came armed with a bad tattoo and….

Thankfully, the magic unicorn was able to distract Kasey and divert his attention.  She led him back to his home-sweet-home, filled with love, laughter and chocolate chip cookies… a place where his heart was safe…

As he gets ready for beddy-bye, he reminds himself…

Who are my favorites? 

Still Roberto… OLE!  So sexy!

Chris, the landscaper from Cape Cod (yum)

And that scrapbook guy… is is Kirk?

I’m glad that weather-boy got the boot last night.  He bugged and was too short.

Well, toodles!

Last night included two your stereotypical staged, dream-dates that you would expect from The Bachelorette.  There was the “Hollywood Glamour” date with the vintage car and the Hollywood Sign and the Las Vegas, private jet, Ferrari, fancy suite date.  The other was a group date on the beach in which they posed for a charity calendar which can be purchased on abc.com. 

This week’s show wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be, but I’m hoping that next week’s episode will deliver some more juice!

Here’s this week’s quick wrap up:

Thanks for stopping by A Novel Menagerie! 

My sister and I argued about how “fab” Ali was during the past season.  Truthfully, I was happy that Jake picked Vienna.  Although I liked Ali, I didn’t personify her as this super-awesome chick that I think much of America did.  But, I do pride myself on being open minded and I’d like to see what ABC offers up this season. 

After looking forward to the season premier, I discovered that the show seemed to drag on.  Usually I adore oohing-and-aawing over scrumptious babes, but these 25 men I did not find famously hot, intriguing, nor remotely worth two hours of my time.  I did, however come up with several questions about Ali since we last saw her on last season’s The Bachelor:

♥ Has she put in hair extensions? ♥

♥ Had Collegen pumped into her lower lip? ♥

♥ How much did ABC pay her to leave her job in San Fran? ♥

♥ Why does Chris Harrison keep calling her America’s Sweetheart? ♥

Shall we start off with my never-to-be-humble impression of the men:

Unfortunately, die-hard fans, there weren’t a ton of memorable moments from the premier, however I can share a few of the highlights… 

Overall, the scoop is that Roberto and Cape Cod Chris are the two at the end.  Rumors have it that two guys have girlfriends.  I am also guessing that it is Jesse (whamp whaa) that has ther mental issue (wrist cutting issue) that we see in the previews).  In any event, we’ll keep counting ‘em down week by week.

Thanks for stopping by A Novel Menagerie! 

I’m still ranting and raving, fuming and moaning about Nicole Scherzinger being invited to dance on the show.  Even with her little emotional break down last night and her open invitation for us all to come to rehearsal so that we may witness how hard this is for her, I still can’t buy into the fact that she wasn’t a dancer to begin with.  Naturally, someone with dance ability is going to be able to pick up new styles easier than somebody with little or no dance training.  It makes me wonder who they will invite on next?  Brittney Spears?  After all, she’s had no “ball room” dance training.  It’s ridiculous that Nocole’s even on the show to begin with.  Let’s get back to the regular famous people who are not in the music industry where dancing is involved.  PLEASE!

Needless to say, she and Derek scored a perfect 30 for their 50′s rendition of a Paso Doble and did a marvelous Fox Trot.  I did not look forward to either dance.  Frankly, it was like watching when the pros dance when they have the guest stars sing.  I’m not excited for their performances at all.

"Lucy?" "Yes, Ricky?" "Are we dancing in sync?" "Yes, Ricky!"

Evan, however, is my little sweetheart.  I really like watching his rehearsal video.  He is quirky in his own way and I really like that about him.  Is it just me, or does he seem to have a crush on Anna?  Anna is married to DWTS Alum Jonathan Roberts, who is not dancing this season.   It just seems like she is his little sweetheart and he made this comment last night that he really enjoyed dancing with Anna, especially the romantic dances.  Hmmm…

I have no doubt that Anna is happily married to Jonathan, but it’s cute to see Evan and Anna.  This is the first season that she’s really gotten past the first 2 or 3 dances because she’s never been paired up with a strong partner.  I think that these two have a solid chance at the semi-finals and I always look forward to what they do.  I loved their waltz, but found their futuristic Cha-Cha-Cha a tad funk-kay! 

Omi-Arigato Mr. Roboto... COME ON... Come On!

"Oh, Anna... this is so romantic..."

Niecy, Niecy, Niecy… you are my girl.  But, I think it’s time that you go.  I know that you’re having fun.  I realize that you are working harder than most.  However, I just think that the competition just has you beat, Babe!  It’s between you and Ocho… Let’s just say that the Paso Doble didn’t help much, Girl.  Niecy’s Vienese Waltz, however was quite lovely.

Bruno accused Niecy of waxing the floor with her dress in this spin...

At least it wasn't as bad as Kate Gosselin's Paso Doble to Paparazzi!

Moving onto my favorite couple, Erin and Max… You know, I must say that every season I hate Max with a firey passion.  I never want his team to win.  But, there is something about him with Erin that I just adore.  It’s like she brings out the inner teddy-bear in him.  I like their dynamic.  Their Argentine Tango was OUTSTANDING!   She was terrified of the leap that he wanted her to do, but in the performance, she did it.  I was really proud of her.  I didn’t like their 80′s Rumba so much, but their Tango was so outstanding that I just had warm fuzzies for them all night.  They deserve to go to the semi-finals!

A gorgeous pose at the beginning of their outstanding Argentine Tango!

Overcoming her fears, she lands it perfectly!

"Look deep into my eyes...." "Whatever you say, Cheryl, Baby..."

"I'm pimpin' it like Dennis Rodman!"

OK… so, who do you like?  Who’s going home tonight? 

I don’t have the time nor capacity for a full, engaging and witty recap… but, I do have time to spout out my utter disappointment:

• Nicole (aka Pussycat Dolls Lead Singer) has no business on this show.  She’s obviously an awesome dancer.  Putting her up against Buzz Aldrin or Kate Plus Eight is comparable to putting up a blind, one handed, no tongued person who always dreamt of cooking against Emmeril Laggase.   Give me a break!  They need to set some rules about who can and who cannot be on the show.  It’s totally unfair.  Look at this picture!

Anything you can do, I can do better...

•  Kate Gosselin wearing some scary-ass make-up, with an 80′s-esque side pony-tail, attempting to do a Paso Doble to Paparazzi by Lady Gaga?  Close your eyes and imagine… it’s like as gross as being a straight woman and romantically kissing Bruno Tonlioni.

You could have kept all this, John!!!!

• My girl Niecy Nash… who doesn’t love a girl who appreciates her “jiggly parts?”  I LOVE LOVE LOVE her.  Like Carrie Ann said, she is a very emotional dancer.  She and Louie Van Amstel did this forbidden love affair dance from the 60′s in the form of a waltz, which was okay.  But, then they get into preaching about black and white marraiges being illegal and gay marraige being illegal and they got way off track.  It was kinda distracting.  I hope they get back on track next week.

"Smooth as butter..."

• Jake and Chelsie walked like Egyptians for their QuickStep and gave a good performance via a mediocre dance.  I just like seeing if Vienna is in the audience and what she is wearing.

"Do I remind you of Harrison Ford, Chelsie?"

• Pamela (hide my wrinkles, watch me bite my fingers in a sexy way, listen to me flirt with Damian, look at my boobs) Anderson is a total trip.  Is she on some kind of testosterone or sex hormones?  Does she hit the dance floor just after sniffing pheremones?  I mean, the woman is so seemingly sexually charged the entire time.  Just dance Pammy-Whammy.  It’s okay.  Calm down.  Honestly.  It’s wierd!

"Tommy Lee liked my dance, but he didn't vote for me."

•  What’s his face, the Olympian gold skater…. oh, Evan… he’s good.   I like his dance partner.  They came in first place.

• Dug the heck out of Maks getting all kinky with his blindfold on his ESPN sportscaster Babe-A-Licious.  She’s one of my top 3 picks.  Like her.

"You must trust me, Erin..."

• Buzz & Ashly… I wouldn’t mind watching them every week.  It’s the judges who I just wish would shut up.  Stop with all the patronizing and excuses.  Just let them dance, say something nice, give them the crappy score, and move on.  Stop being mean.  He knows he’s old!

Doing the father, daughter dance...

• Chad OchoCinco-Siete-Ocho-Nueve-Diaz did a fairly good job in his Paso Doble.  This fake crush on Cheryl is overdone and simply… LAME.

"That's right, woman!"

• The soap star and Edyta will be in the bottom 2 tonite… sorry, Charlie!

"But, I am getting better..."

In September of 2009, I had died and gone to heaven when I had the opportunity to review a Nicholas Sparks book for Hachette.  He’s absolutely one of my favorite authors, EVER!  And then, Kathy like totally turned my brown eyes green and got to interview Sir Hunky Author in person.  (I secretly wanted to kill Kathy, but love her to much to do so… ugh).

I had noted in my review that I had read that Miley Cyrus had been cast as the heroine, Ronnie.   This bothered me to a large degree because Ronnie seemed to have a harder edge in my mind’s eye.   Miley felt to “Disney” to be Ronnie for me.  And, yet, I’ve never missed one of a “based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks” movies.  I couldn’t let Miley deter me.

But then…I missed the movie Dear John.    Of course, I read Dear John.  I planned on seeing the movie.  I never thought I would miss it.  But, like everything else, life got busy.  I missed it.  Now, me… the lover of all things  Nicholas Sparks, actually has to catch it on rental.  (Oh, the shame).

The twins asked me if they could read The Last Song.  I absolutely allowed them.  They loved the book.  They cannot wait to see the movie and are dragging me (no excuses) to see it on Friday night.  I’m looking forward to seeing it and, more importantly sharing it with my girls.  What makes it the coolest is that we’ve all read the book. 

This all got me thinking, we also read Percy Jackson & The Olympians together and didn’t see the movie.  There are many books that I haven’t seen the movies that correlate.  I should be more supportive of my favorite authors by also seeing their movies.  Right now the twins are reading The Boy in Striped Pajamas.  Note to Self: I am going to rent them that movie when they are done with that book! 

Now, off of my tangent and back to The Last Song, I’ll let you know how the movie was next week.  I’m most curious to discover whether or not it is as good as the book.  It was, after all, the first time that Nicholas Sparks wrote the screenplay before the book!

The Book

Ronnie’s father, Steve, has been divorced from her mother for over three years.  While Ronnie and her younger brother, Jonah, live in New York with their mother, Steve lives in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.   Although it is the last place on earth that she wants to be, Ronnie is forced to spend a summer with Jonah at her dad’s beach-side home. 

Steve is a professional pianist who once taught at Julliard.  Since his family was separated, his daughter Ronnie has refused to play the piano to spite her dad.  Ronnie is outwardly unhappy about Steve’s home, the piano situated within it, and the full 3 months of visiting that she is facing.  For Ronnie, it seems like more of a jail sentence than a summer with her family.  With little respect for authority or her father’s rules, Ronnie takes off the moment she arrives at his home.  She heads straight down to the boardwalk/pier area where a carnival happens to be in town. 

Trying to avoid her father and Jonah at the carnival, 17-year old Ronnie heads over to watch a nearby volleyball game.  As she casts preconceived ideas into her mind about the crowd and the people of the community, she is suddenly hit by a volleyball player who was in pursuit of the ball.  The result of their collision was Ronnie being drenched by her soda.  Shortly thereafter, Ronnie meets Blaze, another wayward teenager who helps her out by giving her a dry shirt.  The two teens make a connection out of their mutual parent-hating, society-rebelling mind-sets.  Blaze introduces Ronnie to her friends, none of which would be “parent-approved.”  The worst of the bunch is Marcus, a troublemaker who earns money at the pier and the carnival by tossing fireballs in a show.  

Marcus & his gang invite Blaze and Ronnie out to Bower’s Point to drink and hang out.  Later that night when Will overheard Ronnie’s father talking to Officer Pete about his daughter’s whereabouts, a concerned Will told Pete about the kids being at Bower’s Point.  You see, for Will there was something special about that girl, the one with the rebellious streak and the purple stripe in her hair, that he couldn’t let go of… something in her eyes.   He was officially intrigued.

After the complete and total humiliation of being hauled off Bower’s Point and breaking up the party, Ronnie is brought home by Officer Pete.  Considering how badly the first night in Wrightsville Beach was, how would she be able to tolerate the rest of the summer… tormented by her father’s rules, annoyed by an wealthy society where she obviously didn’t fit in, and trying to navigate her way through her friendship with Blaze despite the fact she didn’t approve of Blaze’s friends, especially Marcus. 

Unexpectedly, Ronnie does discovers a nest of sea turtle eggs in the beach behind her father’s home.  It was this nest that led her back to Will, who volunteers at the local aquarium in addition to his volleyball playing days.  What she finds in Will is a friend of the truest kind.  One that will lead you to being the best person that you can be.   

 My Thoughts On The Book

This novel delivers several stories that tie to one another nicely.  It somewhat reminds me of his novel A Walk To Remember, an all-time favorite of mine.   This book has the story of Ronnie coming of age, discovering her true self, and falling in love for the first time.  This book also has the story of a family that finds a way to heal, forgive one another, and band together in the face of adversity.  Like most of Nicholas Sparks other books, it exudes the warmth and compassion that this reader loves!  He also writes in a Christian thread into this story, which I appreciated and enjoyed.

A prevalent dynamic in the book was the relationship between father and daughter.  Even though I was once a teenager, as a parent it surprises me to see how kids nowadays view their parents.  They are so quick to come to conclusions.  In this story, Ronnie formed opinions of her dad that were solely based on her assumptions.  She blamed him for so much that was wrong with the divorce and within their family life.  She put up a wall in between them.  Although Steve wasn’t the perfect father, he was a good, loving and patient one.  Like all parents, there was room for improvement, however he did have the ability to see the bigger picture where his daughter was concerned.  Steve held the wisdom to exhibit patience and allow Ronnie to discover the truth on her own.  His approach to parenting his nearly 18-year-old daughter with problems, paid off the right dividends because it brought them closer together. 

The Book Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving The Last Song a rating of 9 out of 10.  It has all of the components that a good novel needs… love, family, tragedy, God, and betrayal.  A seasoned writer, Nicholas Sparks provides it all!

Works By Nicholas Sparks

• Wokini
• The Last Song
• The Lucky One
• The Choice
• Dear John
• At First Sight
• True Believer
• Three Weeks With My Brother
• The Wedding
• The Guardian
• Nights In Rodanthe
• A Bend In The Road
• The Rescue
• A Walk To Remember
• Message In a Bottle
• The Notebook

Last night’s finale of The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love gobbled up 3 & 1/2 hours of my undivided attention.  In a way, it was like curling up with a good book, only better! 

In many ways I wish that I hadn’t read the spoilers and known in advance that Vienna would be Jake’s final decision.  But, what the audience discovered last night is that YES, they are still together and seemingly very happy.   But, let’s start from the beginning….

The finale took place on the gorgeous island of St. Lucia (*if you can’t fall in love there with no phones, traffic or worries, you can’t fall in love anywhere*).  Jake starts off the show by sharing that he’s “so in love with Tenley” and “so in love with Vienna,” but apparently for “totally different reasons.”  (*personally, if i were Vienna, i’d pitch a bit of a fit about that comment*)  He explains that Tenley appears to be “too good to be true” and that his physical chemistry with Vienna is “lightening hot!”  He expands on his feelings for Vienna by sharing that when he is with her he feels “content, warm and loved” and that he could picture her as his wife.  Ultimately, what he set his sights for was “the perfect girl for the next 60 years of my life.”  Unfortunately, he just didn’t know which one he would going to propose to.  (*i did*)

ABC foots the bill for the Pavelka Family to join the lovers in St. Lucia and Jake is very grateful that his family “shut down their lives” to help him fall in love.  (*but, didn’t he say that he was already in love with 2 people???*) So, Mom, Dad, 2 brothers and their wives get the VIP treatment in St. Lucia.  He tells the brood that he’s fallen in love so deeply.  He sets up Tenley as the perfect woman that she apparently is and Vienna as the most hated woman on the show.  Jake’s Mom responds to this information with, “Sometimes there’s something to that, Jake.” 

Mom: "You are perfect for my son." Tenley: "Did I mention my EX?"

First up for family review is Tenley-The-Great.  She enters the room and on cue exclaims, “Oh my goodness!” about the fact that the entire family is there to qualify the ladies.  Shortly thereafter, Tenley is spilling her guts about love, how great Jake is, etc. and Jake’s Pop starts to cry.  (*hmmm… her family cries on the drop of a hat, too… *) In her 1-on-1 time with Jake’s Mom, she tells Tenley, “When Jim and I are gone, it you girls who are the glue of the family.”  More tears.  But, never fail our predictable Tenley takes the opportunity to talk about her EX… AGAIN.  I think it was along the lines of, “I wanted to be one man’s wife and I value marriage.”  Cry. Cry. Cry.  (*oh, gag me with a spoon!*)  When Tenley gets Jim all to herself, she again shares about her EX and his family.  Jim cries again and we learn that Jim calls his son, “Jacob.”

Jake takes the opportunity to share with his mom that he doesn’t feel that Tenley knows his fun loving side.  She encourages him to share that side of himself.  The love-birds have a short chat in which he tells her that he’s hot and wants to go swimming.  She agrees.  They are running to the pool and stripping off their mikes.  In their clothes, they make out in the amazing pool.  The brothers jump in the pool in their clothes to join them.  But, the wives and Mom just wade with their feet and don’t muss up their dresses/hair.

The Pavelka Family’s reactions to Vienna are…

"Don't be a hater!!!"

• “She’s got a lot to live up to after meeting Tenley.”
• “She is kinda confrontational.”
• “I’m concerned about Vienna.”
• The opinion that Vienna poking fun at Jake is a “red flag.”
• Vienna was not “connecting well” with the family.
• The whole “brutally honest” thing is just an excuse for immaturity.  She should be more mature like Tenley.  (*”some day my prince will come…”*)
• Vienna is sweet and annoying.

So, as you can see… Vienna’s not fairing well.  She has a private conversation with the Sisters-In-Law in which they ask her, “Do you think he loves you?”  Her reply was, of course, “Yes.” 

“Do you think he loves Tenley?” they inquired.

“No.”

“So, won’t you be shocked if he doesn’t pick you in the end!” (*boo… hiss…. NOT nice sisters!*)

Yet, eventually she turns the attitudes around and there is a change of perception about Vienna from the Pavelka Family, although I’m relatively certain that Jim is still crying about Tenley.  Mom gives the “women are the glue of the family” speech to Vienna and she seems down with it.  All’s well that ends well with this meeting and we’re FINALLY done with Pavelka Family Time.

Moving onto my 2nd glass of wine…

Vienna and Jake have their final date in which they go to a sulphur hot springs.  Vienna doesn’t want to go in because it “smells like rotten eggs,” but once she feels the mud and concludes that they might have a pretty cool mud wrestling match, she’s more than happy to jump in.  She writes “I Love You” on his mud-covered stomach.  They leave the mud pit looking nearly like Aborigines and cruise over to a stream to clean off.  Vienna tells the audience that, in addition to the “major physical attraction,” she believes that there is only one soul-mate for each person in life.  She believes that she’s found her soul-mate in Jake. 

At her place that night, she gives Jake the promise ring that she wears (*long story short… her father gave it to her and it’s the reminder not to ever take it off until it is replaced by the wedding ring of her one true love*)  They have a wonderful evening and I’m just wishing we didn’t have to watch the Tenley date.  After Jake leaves, Vienna confesses, “It will crush me in a million pieces to find out that I just lost the only man that I ever fell in love with.”  (*sister, you’ve got a lot more life ahead of you… believe me… there will be others!*) 

As we approach the date with Tenley, we’re reminded of how Jake feels when he says, “It’s tough being in love with two people at the same time.”  (*gosh, i’d like to be in love with just one…*)  Tenley shares that she just wants to see Jake and “kiss him and hug him and just play with him… all day long!”  (*it is at this point that i discover the perfect advertiser for ABC:  an anti-nausea medicine manufacturer!*)  I mean, seriously.. she sounds like she’s talking about a puppy!  So…. (*sigh*), she’s obviously spent HOURS doing her hair and they end up going out on a boat to go snorkeling.  (*say ‘goodbye’ to that Pantene Hair*)  They see dolphins, snorkel, and the viewers are confused as to whether or not we are watching The Bachelor or The Little Mermaid. 

No onto the chemistry analysis… (*no prior schooling necessary*) 

Apparently Jake has concluded that he has a very fiery, physical chemistry with Vienna and an emotional chemistry with Tenley (*which completely freaks me out!*).  So Jake asks Tenley if she recognizes this predicament and ends up hurting the fragile Tenley’s feelings.  Apparently, she thought Jake’s biggest concern was that he wouldn’t be able to handle her.  (*i want whatever drug she’s taking*)  So, in her brokeness Jake is remorseful that he’s hurt her feelings and says, “She’s so kind, so sweet.  Oh my gosh, what have I done?”  (*maybe, just maybe they are perfect for one another*) 

The tearful goodbye with Tenley.

Tenley’s mission that night was to get that physical spark going.  She said that she wasn’t all that confident about Jake choosing her because of the whole “chemistry” thing.  When he arrives at the door she SPRINTS to open it.  They attempt to have fun and talk things through.  Tenley takes him to her bedroom and gives him a token of her undying love.  She then says, “Now I can tell you that I love you.”  Jake dons her the “Girl With A Heart of Gold.”  (*wasn’t that from the movie about the cop and the waitress who share a winning lotto ticket?*)  Anyway, this totally irks me because earlier he had said THE EXACT SAME THING about Vienna. 

I have loved falling in love with you and I loved feeling alive with you.  Thank you for giving that to me,” she whispers. 

Hurry... Vienna!

Jake gives her the puppy-dog face.  Apparently he explains his decision further by stating that he wasn’t comfortable being himself with her and that you just can’t force that feeling.  Tenley tells him, “My heart feels broken right now.”  In her limo ride she shares, “He brought a lot of life back into my life.  Now this is opening an entire new can of worms.  Jake will see the mistake he made and I feel bad for him.”  (*i think her true career calling should be writing cards for Hallmark*)

After the rain, there is the sunlight and thank goodness that Vienna is on her way.  Jake coos, “For 31 years I have dreamt of a moment like this.  I would NEVER ask for a woman’s hand in marriage unless I was 100% sure.  The decision is just way too big.”  From Vienna’s thoughts on her helicopter ride we learn, “Jake is my soul-mate.  I found my place in life and that place is with Jake.  It really is.  If Jake tells me that I’m not the one, I’m going to be comp;letelyu lost because when I found him is when I found myself.”  (*i never knew she was lost*) 

She approaches Jake.

“I’m completely in love with you,” she says.

He starts off by returning the promise ring.  Vienna looks frightened that he has chosen Tenley. 

“Vienna, I love youwith everything that I am.”

“I love you sooooooo much, ” she replies.

“Will you marry me?” Jake asks.

“Yes!  Yes!”

Cue the music:  On The Wings of Love by Jeffrey Osborne.  (*finally*)

(*i am now clapping*)

Moving onto the “After the Final Rose” episode, I just was DYING to find out if they were still together.  First we have the Tenley interview and face-to-face with Jake.  Her dress was just like Vienna’s on the finale, but shorter (*odd*).  Again she starts with “Oh my goodness!”  (*it’s her signature line*)  We learn that she is healed, ready to love again, etc. etc. etc.  Jake offers her a life-time friendship and she accepts. 

Chris Harrison and Jake discuss the horrible press that the tabloids have been giving Vienna and he immediately defends her. 

“Vienna’s my baby,” he states, “It’s like a fairy tale every day.  She is the kindest, most gentle person.”  And later, “She is the best girl for me.”

In defense of Vienna, I must say that I am a true believer in being the person you are supposed to be,  in spite of the consequences (good or bad).  Over the past several weeks,  I’ve maintained that Vienna was a favorite of mine and, to this day, I believe for the right reasons.  Being an “imperfect girl” (*uh… who is perfect… besides Tenley?*) who always says what’s on her mind herself,  I found a kinship and understanding with Vienna.  For being REAL,  she’s received a bad rap in the media and I find it unfair… and, simply… poor journalism.  Can’t the imperfect girl be the recipient of love and the happy ending?  I say, “YES!”

Despite the media’s influx of negativity,  just know that I couldn’t have been more surprised and happy than to see Jake and Vienna still a couple in love.  Jake adds, “I had no idea that one day I’d call her my wife.”  Vienna defends herself by intelligently pointing out that perhaps the tabloids should interview her current friends rather than the people she knew in Junior High.  

But the best part for me was watching a couple in love, dancing to “On The Wings of Love” as serenaded to them by Jeffrey Osborne.  At the end of the song he whispered to her, “I love you.”  In reply, she mouthed, “I love you, too.”

I’m a sucker for a happy ending! 

 Could it be true love?

Romantic hearts hope so.

Favorite Couple Pics:

Notes:  Ali is confirmed as the next Bachelorette.  She wants 50 guys to choose from, not 25.  The DWTS contestants are announced.  Jake will be joining the cast which includes Pamela Anderson, Chris Ochocinco, Aiden Turner, Niecy Nash, Evan Lysacek, Erin Andrews, Shannen Doherty, Buzz Aldrin (*can he do the moon walk?*), Nicole Scherzinger, and Kate Gosselin.   

For prior week’s recaps: