Five Songs That Changed My Life {13}

May 24, 2013 Filed Under: Five Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, I have another featured ‘Five Songs’ post for you! Interested in participating? Send me an e-mail at: mliss024@gmail.com

Previous Posts:
- Melissa’s Five Songs                    - Elle’s Five Songs
- Liz’s Five Songs                            - Lauren’s Five Songs
- Sara’s Five Songs                         - Jessica’s Five Songs
- Allyson’s Five Songs                   - Lisa’s Five Songs
- Maria’s Five Songs                      - Scarlett’s Five Songs
- Katelin’s Five Songs                    - Steph’s Five Songs

tree hugger

Angie is a tree hugging vegan who blogs at Angie Eats Peace. She is a lover of bulldogs, books, running, yoga and green juice. You can follow her on twitter or Instagram.

1. Colors of the Wind from the Pocahontas soundtrack

I was SO about this movie when it came out. I was 8 years old at the time of it’s release and was happy there was a Disney movie being made about one of my fellow brown girls (there was not many in the media when I was younger).

I instantly loved the song when I heard it, and even my 8 year old mind was able to wrap around the concept of respecting the earth, land and animals. It gave me a different perspective of how I viewed the earth’s natural resources and I think planted the young seeds of environmentalism and veganism.

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2. Cabaret by Liza Minelli

This song literally helped me find my voice. I was big into reading biographies and autobiographies when I was a teenager. I read Judy Garland’s, then rushed off to find one about Liza. From there, I learned more about her music and found myself in love with Cabaret.

I would check the audio cassette (remember those?!) soundtrack out from my local library and blast it as I cleaned, exercised or showered. I quickly learned all the words and would sing along as loud as I could, trying to imitate Liza (my apologies to my mom and sisters who endured this). Imitating Liza made me want to sing and sing some more, my karaoke mic hog persona was thus developed, and now it’s hard to shut me up.

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3. Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson

I never understood the full impact of this song, until I realized the video would make my little brother cry. He was about 5 years at the time, and as good big sisters, we were introducing him to the best music around and showing him Michael’s music videos. He became emotional while watching this music video, and in the future would ask us to change it when it came on. The video depicts various scenes of war, shootings, homelessness and poverty. My teenage brain must have grown callous to these images, but when I saw them from a child’s perspective and listened closer to the song, I realized how poignant the message was.

My favorite line, that I often quote and talk about with the high school students I work with, is “if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.” Thank you MJ, for reminding us to stop complaining about things we do not like and start the change within ourselves first. MJ forever!

4. Defying Gravity from the Wicked Soundtrack

I have seen this musical live 3 times now. It is THAT good. This song comes on at the climax of the show, right before intermission. It literally gives me goosebumps at a crucial part, when the highest chord is reached.

I appreciate the message of the song, and the show as a whole. The lyrics are incredibly inspiring for so many reasons, and relatable to anyone who has ever dared to take a risk, go against the grain or stand up for what they believe.

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5. La Vie Boheme from the RENT soundtrack

I was captivated the first time I heard this, while watching the movie. I found it simply amazing that such a poetic song had been written exactly about everything I loved and believed in, as though my complete essence had been transfused into one song. I could not believe I had not heard of it until the movie came out!

I quickly bought the soundtrack and soon racked up 3 live shows, as well (I was able to see one show with the original Mark & Roger!).

I am a huge fan of musical theater and it is so hard to pick a favorite, but I think I do have to go with RENT. Thank-you, Jonathan Larson.

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Currently {10}

May 22, 2013 Filed Under: Currently Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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I always love putting these posts together when I’ve been absent from my blog. It’s a great way to put an update together about this time in my life, and they’re fun to look back on too!

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Feeling… Very happy and content in life right now. I think it has something to do with lots of little things falling right into place- silly things, like finishing my room, and bigger things, like planning my vacation- but also because, honestly? Life is running really smoothly. I hope that doesn’t jinx it. It’s rare to feel so happy, my stress levels are constant but I’m finding ways to cope & manage accordingly. I think there is always *something* that can be improved in life, but overall right now? I’m not complaining.

Writing… I’m not writing on my blog very often, but I have made a conscious effort to save a few drafts for the summer and try and schedule some posts when I can. The truth is anytime I sit in front of my computer, I have the immediate  urge to work- but not in a bad way. CONFRONT Magazine is still going along swimmingly, and now with my added workload for CASA Cares, I always have e-mails to organize/answer and other various things to write.

Recently written on Confront…

- Feature article on Armin Van Buuren
- Interview with UK singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas
- Album review for Andrew McMahon’s brand new EP ‘The Pop Underground’
- Some music recommendation from me, to you! Meet a band called Cartel 
- You can also read about my Australian music crush, band ‘The Money Go Round‘

Reading… Another hobby of mine that has gone by the wayside lately; I’m currently reading ‘Before I Go To Sleep’ by SJ Watson (it’s on my summer reading list!) but I’m having some trouble getting into it. I can’t read more than a couple chapters at a time because it feels SO repetitive. I’d really like to finish it because I hear only fantastic things about it, but truth be told I’m excited about a few other things on my bookshelf.

Listening… I have SO much new music, it’s basically the greatest thing ever. Some current new finds (thanks to Confront Magazine, as well as some friends!) A few of my newest and favorites? MS MR (for fans of indie/electro music, similar to Florence and the Machine), Westward the Tide (for fans of indie/folk like Of Monsters and Men) and at this precise moment I’m listening to Montreal band Groenland (indie/pop, really fantastic stuff!)

Eating… Terribly! So! Terribly! Except I’m eating lots of salad, so that has to count for something, right? I’m going through this weird phase where I need semi-Greek salads with almost every meal. I cut up some feta cheese, add some olive oil, and I’m just happy as can be.

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Wishing… For a little bit more nice weather. We had a week of beautiful sunshine, but it’s basically been gloom and rain around here for the last week and a half, and it’s going to persist on and off for the rest of the month. On the bright side, it forces me to remain indoors and focus on school (maybe? Kind of?) but on the downside, I just want to sit outside and get some Vitamin D already!

Enjoying… Lots of new music, ridiculously organized e-mail inboxes (why did it take so long to learn about colored labels on Gmail?! WHY?!), iced coffees, having work/school meetings on a terrace now that the weather has warmed up, the hammock & new travel photos hanging in my room right next to me, and the act that in just ONE month, it will finally, FINALLY be my summer!

Drinking… Still lots of coffee, but on the warmer days I treat myself to an iced version! I also went a little crazy today and got a black tea lemonade at Starbucks. Look at me, branching out!

Learning… No matter how much I want to be motivated in each one of my classes, sometimes they’re just NOT fun. Financial account in the summer? No one can make that remotely interesting for me, I’m sorry. I’m looking at making my Bachelor’s degree more interesting for myself to compensate for these more boring classes, though. Although my management courses can be very administrative, I’ve learned SO much. I’d also like to take more marketing classes, which I’ve quickly realized is a much bigger passion to me in the business world than I had realized!

Missing… I guess sometimes I miss having more free time, but I do alright in that department, for the most part. I’d love to have more time to read (I know, I know, you make the time!) but truth be told I really am SO busy and so determined to work as much as possible to feel productive. Sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down, because missing something silly like free time and reading? That’s totally fixable.

Using… My massive agenda like my life depends on it. Well, mostly I feel like my life kind of does! I write absolutely EVERYTHING in there, and I don’t plan a single meeting, work shift, or concert, unless it’s opened in front of me. It has helped me keep my stress levels under control SO much. I once read that taking time to plan yourself out and write lists is actually helpful for stress/procrastination, and I have to agree that so far that seems to be true.

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And what’s currently going on with you?! 

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Summer 2013 & Other Adventures

May 21, 2013 Filed Under: Everyday Stories, Roadtrips!, SO EXCITING!, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For a little while there, it kind of felt like 2013 was going to be… boring. I know better than anyone how quickly that can change, but it’s just one of those silly fears I have every time a new year begins.

Was I EVER wrong! 2013 has been wonderful. I think I was worried that if I didn’t travel through as many continents or take as many planes as I did in 2012, this year just wouldn’t match up. But I have been able to keep busy and happy in so many different ways. Through planning charity events with CASA Cares, school, going to concerts, working for CONFRONT, spending lots of time with my family and with friends, and planning small road trips to new cities, 2013 has been treating me really well.

casacarescolors Showing some school spirit on behalf of CASA Cares at another committee’s event! 

I have a few more road trips planned in the summer months- my favorite kind of road trips- and I also *just* last week finally booked my vacation for the summer. The scary idea that I wouldn’t travel anywhere new this year? Gone! I’ll be visiting FIVE new places-  I’m going on a cruise!

In early August I’ll be hopping a flight to Miami with my family for one week of sun and beach. A potential visit from one of my absolute best blogger friends Stephany, and then my travel BFF will be meeting me on Day 6 in Miami. On Day 7, we board a 7 day cruise with Carnival that takes us through Cozumel, Mexico/Belize City, Belize/Mahogany Bay, Honduras/Georgetown & Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. It seems like a pretty intense cruise with a port city almost every day, but I absolutely can’t wait.

cruising Can’t wait to see Mahogany Bay in real life! 

Before my two weeks of wondrous travel through Central America, I’ll be heading to Toronto (one of my favorite cities for music) TWICE in June/July, and I’ll be heading to the state of New York for another concert in July as well. I’ll be celebrating my birthday in mid-July (so, maybe it won’t be in Brazil and I won’t have my own personal fireworks, but I’ll get to spend time with friends!) and really, who knows what else this summer has up it’s sleeve?

to I haven’t been to Toronto in almost 2 years. I miss this city so much! 

For now though, I’ll focus on getting myself through my summer class (my motivation isn’t doing so great, neither are my study habits!) and I have a few really amazing concerts coming up here in Montreal before I start visiting other cities. Life has definitely been keeping me busy, and I promise I’ll never start a new year with the same kind of fear that I did at the end of 2012!

What does summer 2013 have in store for you?

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PressReader: A Review

May 20, 2013 Filed Under: Blogs & Blogging Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m a frequent taker of the public transportation (like, almost every day), so a lot of my reading and catching up on social media tends to happen in those 2-3 hours. Up until pretty recently, Twitter used to be my go-to place for news. I know, I know, that’s kind of terrible, but it’s always been so simple to read everything I needed to know in 140 characters or less. I’ve always *wanted* to read more actual, real-life news, but just never got around to it, and the few accounts I follow on Twitter, I likely missed a lot of those tweets. Basically, my social media time on the bus often ends up being more about my friends’ lives, than the lives and the issues in the rest of the world.

But then, I discovered PressReader. The app works on all android and smartphone devices, as well as blackberries, and computers (Windows/Mac OS). It has over 2,300 newspapers and magazines from around the world, all in one little, convenient application. You can browse different papers by country, language, or alphabetical order. Every time I opened this app, I learned something entirely new about the way it works. Although I love e-readers, I’ve always loved a real book/newspaper/magazine more- but I must admit, PressReader makes it really difficult not to thoroughly enjoy reading right from my iPhone.

When I’m not reading my favorite local newspaper (I don’t read MUCH news, but I’ve just always loved The Gazette) I’m usually browsing recent Top Stories around the world. I like to call this my ‘adult Twitter feed’. I’ve also downloaded a few full issues to play around with the features, and realized how great the design of the app was, but also the simplicity to use, as well as the actual quality of it.

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Instead of explaining all the rest of the neat features, if you’re interested, you can watch this video about it (which I did, and ended up learning a dozen new awesome things):

The app has definitely sparked my interest in local and international newspapers. Although I may never turn into that girl who reads the news every single day, PressReader has 100% given me the added motivation to turn off Twitter for a little while, and update myself on what’s happening in Montreal as well as in the rest of the world. Oh, and if I’m being totally honest, it helps that my favorite local newspaper has comics printed at the very back, which I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid. Since I’ve had this app? I’ve gone back to being a 7 year old, reading things like Garfield/For Better or For Worse/Stone Soup, but with a little 2013 technology added into it!

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You can learn more about PressReader on their official website: http://www.pressreader.com & download it for free through the app store! (You’ll just have to pay for the newspapers/subscriptions you make afterwards).

*I was not compensated for this review, however I did receive a free download of P.R for review purposes. That being said, all views are my own & I 100% believe this is a great app for people who are constantly on-the-go like I am, or anyone who enjoys the simplicity of reading right from a device!

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Five Songs That Changed My Life {12}

May 17, 2013 Filed Under: Five Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, I have another featured ‘Five Songs’ post for you! Interested in participating? Send me an e-mail at: mliss024@gmail.com

Previous Posts:
- Melissa’s Five Songs                    - Elle’s Five Songs
- Liz’s Five Songs                             - Lauren’s Five Songs
- Sara’s Five Songs                          - Jessica’s Five Songs
- Allyson’s Five Songs                   - Lisa’s Five Songs
- Maria’s Five Songs                       - Scarlett’s Five Songs
- Katelin’s Five Songs

stephcloset I am happy to be blogging on Press Play with Melissa today. Melissa and I have met recently through The Book Chat link up and found that we had some things in common. I was very interested in this 5 Songs feature for two main reasons, 1: Music has always had a very important place in my life and 2: I’m a real list-addict! So here are 5 songs that are particularly meaningful to me.

You can find Stephanie at her blog right here 

1. Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4rU-vRvyAg

I chose this song, but it is in fact the whole album that changed my life. Jagged Little Pill is the first CD (not tape) that I ever had. It was a gift for my birthday or Christmas from my godparents. It marked the real beginning of my love for music. When I started learning English through songs; spending time lying on my bed just listening to music; reading CD booklets from top to bottom, knowing the titles of all the songs that played on the radio; being the person my friends called when they wanted to know who sang something, or what was the title of that song, etc.

2. Crash and Burn by Savage Garden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i78olLC6YnY

My first music crush! I was the biggest fan, pictures on my wall, music on all the time, I even made a sign for my bedroom door with their logo. It was also the first big concert I ever saw, when I was sixteen, with my younger sister and no parent! I was hooked to their music with the first album but I have chosen a song from the second album because it represents my love for the band more. While I was waiting impatiently for the second album, I was super active on fanboards, websites, watching behind the scene videos and blogs and all those things. I remember watching a video over and over again that showed Darren practicing the sign language for the chorus of this song. I was already fascinated by languages at this point and so I had already memorized the sign language bit by the time the video came up months later. Sadly, I couldn’t find a link to the official video for you to see this. It was a very interesting music video.
3. Surfin’ in Tofino by The Planet Smashers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX-J-VrYeWY

Ah! The Planet Smashers! So many good concert memories associated with this Canadian band. We started listening their music when we were in high school, and as soon as we were old enough in Cegep, we started going to the shows. We would always be the first ones by the stage and dance on the ska punk beats all night long, sweating ourselves out. So much fun! It was almost like therapy. We even met the members of the band once and they were really nice. They recognized us from going to so many shows. To this day, it is impossible for me to hear their music and not start swaying along.
4. Colgando en Tus Manos by Carlos Baute and Marta Sanchez http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qExd-3oCTl4

 

This song was #1 on all the radios when I was living in Spain so that it played all the time. For my friends and I who were living there, it became sort of our theme song, along with Infinity 2008 by Guru Josh Project. It is a great song about how you stay connected when you are in love and you have to take care of each other but I would say that mainly, for me and for my friends from Spain, it is a reminder of the great times we lived together over there, all the memories from this important part of our lives.

5. Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU

This is the song that played when I realized that I was in love with K. It became our song after I confess that to him later and I always associate the song to our beginning. Incidentally, we have chosen this song to close our wedding ceremony, so that it also marks the  beginning of our life together as husband and wife. I loved the song even before, when I first heard it in 500 Days of Summer, but now it just has this extra meaning: the man of my life!

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This was a very fun list to come up with. I realized that it would have been quite different had I had to do my Top 5 favorite songs, as opposed to 5 songs that changed my life. Although I really those songs, it is mainly for what they mean to me, or more precisely, for what period of my life they send me back to and the memories they bring up. I am curious to know if any of these songs also have a special meaning for you or what would be your 5 most meaningful songs?

Thank you Melissa for having me over on Press Play!

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The Book Chat {24}

May 16, 2013 Filed Under: The Book Chat Tagged With: , , , , ,

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It’s been a while since I have had the chance to participate in The Book Chat (one month to be exact) but luckily I found some time today to sneak in a quick post. I love today’s topic, so I knew I had to find some time.

Today, we’re talking about bookshelves! 

A lot of people have been sharing the shelves around the internet that they absolutely love, and I’ll admit I have some saved photos on my computer of gorgeous bookshelves too. Seriously, some people are just so creative with the way they keep their books! But I wanted to use this book chat topic to give you a little tour of MY bookshelves, because I have a lot of them, and because they are some of my favorite things ever.

They’re not crazy fancy like some of the ones you may see around the internet, but they are filled with my favorite books, and they really make my room feel like my home. I know there are many people who don’t see a purpose in having tons of books (and instead enjoy the simplicity of an e-reader) but honestly, I am completely book-addicted and I love that I have shelves and books spread out throughout my entire room.

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This is my unread bookshelf. It’s the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning, and it sits right next to my staircase. So far, I’ve managed to avoid using the bottom shelf for books, and I’d like to keep it that way! With three dogs, those shelves tend to get run into a lot and I wouldn’t want to see anything ruined.

I also love having random little things on all my shelves. I have shot glasses from around the world, cookbooks, various souvenirs that I’ve bought from different countries in Europe, I have anchor bookends (you can see one on the top left), and I have a picture of Leo DiCaprio because, I have no idea why. But he fits in, doesn’t he?!

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These are the books I have already read. They also have a very specific order and organization that I think only *I* can see, but that’s what matters most, right? There are hardcovers on the top left, followed by mass market paperbacks, then I have a shelf of YA, and below that biographies. The second bookshelf has a lot of my FAVORITES (top two shelves), and graphic novels/fiction novels each have their own shelf too!

You’ll notice I avoid using the bottom shelves for anything of huge importance, again, because I have dogs and I don’t want to see anything get broken or ruined because of them. I also store all my DVD’s and CD’s on the far right (closer to my work desk), and I have a bookshelf for coffee table books in the middle, as well as an all-harry-potter shelf (of course!)

You’ll find on each shelf random souvenirs or gifts that I find make it look more homey. Some favorites? My chewbacca bobble-head, my ‘COWZINGA’ Big Bang Theory mug, my various travel souvenirs, and my Harry Potter & Ron Weasley dolls from when I was a kid. I can’t help having them out!

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For those of you that follow me on Instagram, this will look vaguely familiar. My room has been in ‘construction’ for the last year or so because I’ve been slowly turning into a travel-themed bedroom. Even my bookshelves show my love for travel, but this particular section of my room really showcases how much I love visiting new parts of the world. The far left is my brand new reading nook!

As of right now, that small bookshelf has some travel books and other various random things, but I’ll also be using it to hold my ‘currently reading’ books and other favorites in the near future. My Brazilian hammock has already been a great reading/napping area, but the whole living room area is my current favorite place to read. I’m thinking of adding some other book-type thing in the near future, but we’ll see how that goes.

& there you have it! All my books & bookshelves currently in my room. What do yours look like? Any favorites from the internet?

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On… University Life

May 8, 2013 Filed Under: School... and Whatnot Tagged With: , , , , ,

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Ever since I’ve started blogging, I think I’ve always written a celebratory ‘I made it through another year of school’ post once exams were over. In fact, I distinctly remember many posts in my archives complaining about exams, essays, and then rejoicing that it’s all over for the summer months.

The end of another year is always bittersweet, but I think this year even more so than ever before. Not only have I just finished the first year of my Bachelor’s degree (finally! In my program!) but I also spent the year with CASA Cares, planning events, working with charities, working with medias, learning to market through social media, meeting way more new people than I could have ever imagined, and finally learning to love University life the way I always hoped I would.

This past weekend, all 150+ students that are involved in student life headed up North for some much needed rest & relaxation. Each association works for free, tirelessly, all year round, trying to interest students and bring about a greater University experience for everyone. At the end of the year? We all need this weekend away from everything. I REALLY needed this weekend away.

IMG_1944 Casa Cares repping our bright green shirts on Saturday morning!

IMG_1948 Lots of much needed relaxing in the sunshine on Saturday

It was the perfect way to end one of the best years of my school-life so far, and begin what will be a whirlwind, roller-coaster of a ride next year as the new president for Casa Cares. Getting involved was, by far, one of the best decisions I could have made. I have not only learned to love going to school, but I’ve met so many really awesome people along the way and I have had the opportunity to be a part of some amazing events.

I learned so much about myself in the last 12 months, and I have discovered that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. I know that when I think I have had enough, or I’m doing too much, or I’m too tired? I still have a little bit more to give. That’s not to say that I haven’t had my ups and downs between school and three jobs, there are times where I have been spread too thin & I have considered crawling into bed and staying there. But now that the sun is shining, summer is here, and I am going into another epic year?

I am reminded that I’ve totally got this. It’s been my motto since coming home from a summer abroad, and it still sticks. If something scares you, then it might be a good thing to try it. I may be nervous, but I’m ready for whatever the second half of my Bachelor’s degree has in store for me.

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I’m going into the summer months with a lot to do, but I don’t know if I could go back to a simple, quiet life and be happy anymore. I still need my quiet time, time carved out of my schedule just for me, but I have also discovered that if you love what you’re doing enough, it’s easy to work yourself silly, and still be ridiculously happy doing it.

University life, so far, has taught me that taking chances on yourself is okay. It’s not always going to be easy and fun, but it will always be ridiculously rewarding, in any aspect of your life. My comfort zone is a wonderful place, but it’s nice to leave it every once in a while and feel a little bit out of my element. It’s where I have learned the most about who I am.

Time to get through 6 weeks of summer classes, and then I’ll really be able to enjoy some free time before a crazy year ahead!

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Five Songs That Changed My Life {11}

May 3, 2013 Filed Under: Five Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, I have another featured ‘Five Songs’ post for you! Interested in participating? Send me an e-mail at: mliss024@gmail.com

Previous Posts:
- Melissa’s Five Songs                    - Elle’s Five Songs
- Liz’s Five Songs                             - Lauren’s Five Songs
- Sara’s Five Songs                          - Jessica’s Five Songs
- Allyson’s Five Songs                   - Lisa’s Five Songs
- Maria’s Five Songs                       - Scarlett’s Five Songs

katelin

Katelin is a blogger from Pasadena, who I discovered years & years ago on the blogosphere (one of the first blogs I ever started reading!) She writes about her day-to-day adventures with her husband, but is also an avid Hollywood/movie junkie, loves wine, and you’ll often find her posting pictures of her wearing various tutus. You can check out her blog Pretty Sandy Feet, and follow her on Twitter! 

1) Step by Step by New Kids on the Block http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay6GjmiJTPM

Oh. Memories. I have loved NKOTB for as long as I can remember. I’m pretty sure I was one of their youngest and most dedicated fans (besides my BFF Jen) and this song was always my favorite of theirs. When I finally saw them in concert two years ago I had tears in my eyes and when they performed this song, I was just so emotional. It’s just so quintessentially boy band and awesome and JORDAN KNIGHT people. I don’t think I need to say any more about that.

2) Fill Me In by Craig David http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdcmM9T8vD4

The summer of 2000 when I was 16, I studied abroad in Germany. I had so many amazing experiences and discoveries but the best thing I came home with was Craig David’s CD. I heard this song on the radio and I WAS INSTANTLY IN LOVE. It only helped than when I saw the music video that Craig was just as dreamy as he sounded. From then on out, everyone I met eventually knew that I loved Craig David’s music. It was my thing (heck, it still is). I even established a Happy “Craig David” Tuesday on college where I would only play his music (Fill Me In always getting the most play time) and eventually converted family and lots of reluctant friends.

3) In Da Club by 50 Cent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qm8PH4xAss

I heard this song on my 29th birthday last week and instantly transported me to my 19th birthday. (Seriously, how is that song 10 years old already!?). It was my first birthday away from home, celebrating with my college friends and we went to a bar party and I danced ALL NIGHT LONG. I just remember being so happy and so loved and once  those lines “Hey shorty, it’s your birthday” came on, it was like the bar was packed just for me. That night I knew I had some great friends to hold on to.

4) JUMP (For My Love) by the Pointer Sisters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-3sPJkPOr0

We all know the movie Love Actually right? I mean how could you not? So yes. This song. From that movie. It’s a song that created an epic dance party with my BFF. A song that made me think of her and our crazy shenanigans every time it comes on. A song that makes me instantly happy whenever I hear it.

5) A Wink and a Smile by Harry Connick Jr. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VE-QkBAVGE

Not only does the man know how to do Christmas (seriously I own all of Harry’s Holiday albums) but he does love songs quite well too. This song is featured in Sleepless in Seattle which was always one of my favorites and the song was just so sweet. Fast forward to August 28th, 2010 and it was the song Matt and I danced to first at our wedding. It’s our song and it’s just, the loveliest. And every time I hear it or watch that movie, I’m quickly transported to our wedding. All the schmoop. Forever and ever.

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Always, Sometimes Never- The Travel Edition

April 29, 2013 Filed Under: Travel, Traveling Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m stealing this idea from Stephany, who recently wrote this exact type of post, but about cruises! Coincidentally, this happens to be a great way to share some traveling tips I’ve accumulated over the years. Things to do always, things to do sometimes, and things to never do:

While traveling, I always…

Overpack. I think I’m slowly getting better, especially now that I have started backpacking everywhere I go, but I still fill my poor backpack up until it looks like a turtle shell. I can never wrap my mind around not having EVERYTHING with me.

Try the local cuisine. I love food, as a general rule, but I’m not afraid to try new food, either. Unless it has noticeable limbs, tentacles, wings, or whathaveyou, I’m always up for a little bit of a foodie-adventure!

IMG_3195 A traditional Brazilian cook-out for lunch! 

Watch a sunset. This sounds a little bit random, but I’ve been in some countries where the sunsets are the most gorgeous in the world. Some of the most memorable include the sunset over the Santorini’s caldera & over the Mediterannean Sea in Italy. I could literally live in those kinds of moments.

IMG_1700 Sipping wine and watching the sun set in Santorini

While traveling, I sometimes…

Like to go out & be a little crazy. I mean, as a general rule I “sometimes like to go out”, but when I travel, I’m always up early, which means that going out and partying until late is rarely something I actually enjoy. Sometimes though? A little dancing in a faraway country is *just* what I want to do!

IMG_2548 A night out with my best girls in Mykonos!

Sleep in. Normally, I’m up relatively early, because I love enjoying every day to the absolute max. But every once in a while, the long days take a toll on me. I’m a sleeper by nature, so a sleep-in day gives me the chance to really enjoy my trip without burning out.

Try experiences out of my ordinary. In fact, it’s these moments while traveling that have really pushed me to realize that being out of my comfort zone is okay. I am a very anxious person and new things can be intimidating. I will often tell myself that I can’t do something because it’s just “not me”, but then I do it and I realize that it’s all in my head! My stand-out moment for this was when I agreed to do a hike in Cinque Terre, Italy. My BFF convinced me to do it, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’m by no means a very ACTIVE person. The adrenaline rush after the four hours was incredible. Jumping off a tiny sailboat into the middle of the Mediterranean sea was another relatively scary moment for me that ended up being a favorite! I try and do ‘out of my ordinary’ experiences as much as I can, and I think I’m getting better at it!

IMG_4612 Hiking the Cinque Terre trail, at the halfway point and feeling amazing!

While traveling, I never…

Say no outright. Sometimes, I try and convince myself that “no” is the better answer, but chances are if you make a case for something, I’ll come around. Plus, why say no when you’re in a faraway country? You never know when you’ll be back there. I give everything a fair chance, even if it’s scary.

img017 Even though I wasn’t crazy about the idea, I still took a chance and went exploring Mexican caves. It was amazing!

Leave my hotel/hostel without a map. I used to be afraid of getting lost, even in my own hometown. I’ve discovered that with a regular, paper map, I can find my way in even the most confusing of cities. I directed my friend & I through all of Rome without getting us lost once. The one time our map flew out of my bag in Paris? We got lost for almost two hours. It was exhausting!

Book transportation/lodging last minute. I need all of my stuff planned in advance. Sometimes, things can go wrong (like that time I booked a train to the WRONG city) but once I’m away from home, away from trustworthy internet, away from my native language? I want to have the least amount of worries as possible. I research everything in depth in advance, and everything is booked as far in advance as I can handle.

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What would make your list of always/sometimes/never while you travel?

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Preview to Summer Link-Up: 5 Books Every Young Woman Should Read

April 28, 2013 Filed Under: Reading/Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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The ‘Preview to Summer’ blogger book swap is officially under way! I’m so excited. We got our partners earlier this week and I’ve been having lots of fun getting to know a new blogger in the process.

Another Sunday means another link-up leading up to the final book swap, and I’m linking up on Spillerena!

Today’s question: What are 5 books every young woman should read?

There are a lot of books out there that young women should read, if we’re being honest. I think a lot of people will say that there are some classics that are an absolute must, and I wouldn’t disagree about that in the least. But I’ve never been very interested in classics. They have never appealed to me or impacted me the way some other books & characters have in past years.

I think everyone will have different favorites that they think are a “must” for future generations. In my experience (as a bookseller, working with teens) and in my own personal growing-up experience, there are some not-so-classic classics that I think every growing teen girl should read!

1. Harry Potter – the entire series by J.K Rowling (tell me you were surprised, honestly!)

I grew up on these books and discovered what falling in love with books, characters and words on a page was about. I would not be ME without those books, I would not know what it means to lay in bed for an entire day just to devour the pages that one of my favorite authors has written. Hermione was a character that I looked up to and, in a way, still do. Every young woman (and girl, teenager) should be able to have this feeling with books.

harry potter series

2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

I don’t even know where to start with this series. It affected me on so many levels growing up, it’s ridiculous. Tibby, Lena, Bee & Carmen encompass a little bit of what every young woman should be. Brave Bee, outspoken (and slightly self-conscious) Carmen, beautiful and modest Lena, and the creative yet nerdy Tibby. My friends were these girls. I became these girls. I vacationed in Greece with my three best friends and could only think of the Sisterhood. It’s a story of friendship that every girl out there should know!

sisterhood See also: my favorite book-to-movie adaptation, like, ever. 

3. The Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty

I read this series a little bit late, but it still affected me so much more than I realized at the time. Jessica Darling- she is ME. Or rather, she was me growing up. Every young woman should read Jessica Darling, because I guarantee we ALL have something in common with her as we go through our awkward teen years. She is funny, witty, discovers love, embarrasses herself on a daily basis, and learns that it’s okay to be YOU. She is a wonderful literary role model that every young woman should discover.

jessdarling

4. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Growing up, I was always told to travel as much and as often as I could. I’m sad I waited until I was an adult to discover and fall in love with the rest of the world, instead of uselessly spending my time and money as a teenager. 13 Little Blue Envelopes is a coming of age story for teen girls. It touches upon tough situations, love, heartbreak, and of course, travel. This book made me fall more in love with Europe than I already was, and Ginny Blackstone is an absolutely amazing exploration of what it really means to be a teenage girl going through life.

SONY DSC

5. the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison

I had to dig way back for this one, search through my Goodreads & look through all the books I have read. The fifth spot was tough to fill because I’ve ready So many great books that have potential for this spot, but I needed to put something that has stuck with me over time. I read these books in high school and they were exactly what I needed. Georgia is the best, most hilarious character I have ever read, and she just goes through the most ridiculous teenager moments, you can’t help but fall completely head over heels in love with this girl from the very first book. The entire series is worth reading, and I must admit it taught me a good lesson in not taking myself too seriously!

georgia

What would make your must-read list for young women?

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