Nicki Lefever: July 2008 Archives

Last night, I watched "The Last Lecture: A Celebration of Life" on ABC's on "Primetime." Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch died on Friday. The 48-year-old died of pancreatic cancer. He left a wife and three young children.

His story touched me to the point of tears and sobs.

His "Last Lecture" video has been seen by millions on YouTube. It's more than an hour long, but if you have time to watch, your life will be touched.

Although most movie lovers would say this movie is oozing with cheese, I am not afraid to admit that I loved every break-dancing, back-flipping, chest-popping moment. It just makes you want to get up and dance. And it's set in Baltimore. Take a look at the trailer.

I am a sucker for "America's Got Talent." I could do without the terrible auditions and annoying judges, but the entertaining acts are really worth it. Check out this unsuspecting act.

I was probably raised on baby bottles filled with Turkey Hill iced tea....no joke. Growing up in Lancaster County you drink nothing else. Especially when your uncle works there.

Anyway, I drink diet now (not like that's any better for you) but sometimes Giant is out of it. So, I picked up Turkey Hill Diet Chai Spiced Tea in the Nature's Accents line. Sounded exotic and pure.

After a grueling, yet gorgeous 35-mile bike ride through York County, I met a friend for lunch in York.

The plan was to meet at 1:30 p.m. at Bull on Beaver (the cafe in White Rose Bar & Grill).

Who doesn't love a deal?

At Restaurant.com you can purchase $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10.

One of my favorites Bogey Macaws in York Township is on the list. So is York Blue Moon, Fuddruckers and Harrigan's.

Has anyone ever used this service? I noticed that you have to spend $35 to even use the $25 and some places add 18 percent gratuity before the discount. Are the restrictions worth it? I might have to find out.

I haven't cut ties with Netflix, yet. Read here to see what I'm talking about.

The last arrival was "Definitely, Maybe" starring Abigail Breslin (whose grandparents live in Lancaster by the way) and Ryan Reynolds.

On my day off, I popped it into the DVD player and started watching. I didn't even invite Nate, my husband, to watch it with me. It's a chic flick, and he despises those.

But a few minutes in, he sat on the couch. And never got up.

After a visit to My Three Sons in Stewartstown to learn how to make rice pudding, owner Evan Krause told me about their breakfast buffet. I was thinking it was kind of unique for an Italian/Greek fusion restaurant to have an all-you-can-eat bonanza from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings, but they do.

I also bet a lot of people don't know about it.

If you haven't heard, local singer DaNica Shirey won Total Pop Star an online contest. Click here for Erin's story.

I can remember the first time I called DaNica's house after she was chosen as a finalist for "Showtime at the Apollo" when it came to The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York in 2004.

The wonderful new expansion to Hersheypark comes at the sacrifice of the Canyon River Rapids.

While I could never live up to Erin's action-packed weekends full of dancing, dining and pink nail polish, my weekend was full of summer traditions that included Amish auctioneers.