Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Happenings of the Month: March 2016

Happenings of the Month March 2016

Entertainment of the Month:

  • Movies/TV

I have a great love for old movies, especially ones with Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra. High Society happens to have both actor/singers, as well as the lovely Grace Kelly, and it is fabulous. In this musical, C.K. Dexter Haven (Bing Crosby) is a jazz musician who was once married to the beautiful socialite Tracy Samantha Lord (Grace Kelly). But they’re divorced, and now she’s all set to marry a different, “safe” man. Dexter is determined to convince his “Sam” that she’s happier with him. Into that whole mess comes the reporter duo of Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra) and Liz Imbrie (Celeste Holm). Things are about to get even more complicated. This film also contains the humor and talents of Louis Armstrong and his band. It has a couple of really fun song and dance routines, and it’s nice and clean.

  • Books

To be perfectly honest, I’ve read almost nothing this month. Which is just about the most depressing thing I’ve ever said… I finished 1984 by George Orwell, which I was reading for my Political Science class. Trust me, that book is immensely depressing, and it took me an immensely long time to read. Strange for such a small book. At any rate, I got an excellent grade on the paper I wrote for it. So that was rewarding.

I also finished the last book of the Fate of the Jedi series, Apocalypse, the other night. After getting deeper into weirder and darker things, I was hoping for an exceptionally satisfying conclusion. I didn’t get it. Apocalypse is one long battle, which is exhausting on its own merit. But, though it did technically end in victory, the series left too many loose ends for my liking. It’s a happy ending, but it doesn’t feel particularly happy. Honestly, it makes me regret the three months of valuable and rather scarce reading time I sunk into this series. So, I’m quite annoyed on that account.

I’m actually in the middle of a couple different books, including the autobiography of the great evangelist Billy Graham, Just As I Am. This book is crazy thick, but I’m enjoying it. He’s hilarious and I love reading about how God worked in his ministry.

  • Music

"No" (Meghan Trainor) - Anthem Lights – I’m not really into most of Meghan Trainor’s stuff, but this song is actually pretty good. I haven’t heard the original, but I love everything Anthem Lights does, and this is no exception. The video may appeal mostly to people who know the band, but it’s hilarious. And this song is super catchy!

"The River" - Jordan Feliz – This is easily my favorite song on Christian radio right now, talking about the peace of Living Water and prayer.

My Life This Month:

vienna-1148435_640This month has been…weird, honestly. My play ended, which was both good and sad. The whole cast was exhausted and I was struggling to keep up on my schoolwork. Any longer than four weekends would been too much. Yet it was sad to have it be over. This was my first non-church play, and I had an absolute blast. Most of my humor is still linked to the play, two-and-a-half weeks later, which is rather unfortunate when I’m not with castmates… I’m so glad that that was my first community theater experience. It’s good to move on, though. I have plenty to keep me occupied without it.

It’s rather surreal to realize that I only have a little over a month left of school. I mean, goodness, what happened to the semester? Soon I’ll be nannying again, which is a great job, don’t get me wrong. I know I’ll probably miss school, though. But it will be a good break. Trying to plan next fall is a little overwhelming.

I’m trying to learn how to live in the moment. Admittedly, this isn’t an easy concept for me; I tend to overthink everything. But, you know, that’s exhausting; I’m tired of trapping myself in a constant state of worry. It’s counterproductive for me, certainly, but it also hampers my relationships with others. I don’t want to do that. Still, it’s a process.

I went to a Zumba class for the first time last night. A friend wanted me to come with her, so I did, and I had a lot of fun. I’m sore today, and there were parts that were certainly difficult. I’m glad that I went, though. A good step forward in the whole “living in the moment” plan.

Other Web Happenings:

5 Things to Do While You're Still Single | This Incandescent Life

Live Kindly | Kindred Grace – This post has really gotten me thinking about Fair Trade and the things we buy a Christians. I’m still trying to decide what to do with it, though.


How have all of your lives been this month? Busy? Happy? I haven’t gotten to interact with you much. Let me know what you’re up to in the comments. Read any good books, watched interesting movies, or discovered new music?

8 comments:

  1. Good to hear from you, Rachelle! I was just thinking of you today. :) Glad to hear your play went well. Sounds like you've had a pretty good month!

    Books I've read this month are:
    Jackaroo (Cynthia Voigt)
    A Well-Timed Enchantment (Vivian Vande Velde)
    Wonderstruck (Brian Selznick)
    Les Miserables (Manga adaptation by Cyrstal Silvermoon. It was interesting to see.)

    My favorite movie I've watched this month was probably... not one single movie, but the whole new series of Agent Carter. ^_^

    In other news, I've been making a lot of progress on my latest book- a collection of fairy tales, including a novella. I have the proof right now and am making the final changes before I order the rest.

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    1. Aw, that makes me happy! :)

      Huh, I've never heard of any of those (except Les Mis, of course). Which was your favorite?

      Ah, yes, the wonderful Agent Carter. We finally got around to watching the finale the other night. 'Twas fabulous... I always appreciate my ship happening.

      Very cool! That sounds like a lot of work! I, sadly, haven't gotten much writing done at all. I feel guilty for not fitting it in, but I'm so overwhelmed at the thought of trying to fit it in. :/

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  2. March...Hm. What DID happen in March? I feel like nothing happened, but that's probably because I'm job hunting and networking. Being unemployed gives me the feeling that my life is on hold, but I know that's not really true. The great thing about these posts is that they make me look back and think 'you know, I did something after all, and it was pretty nice."
    Let's see. I had a 'wine and cheese' party on top of a knoll, had to get a tow-truck (man, was that ever fun), and took a lamb into an old folk's home.
    For music, I rediscovered my love for owl city. For books, I finally found and started reading C.S.Lewis' 'That Hideous Strength'. Now I can finish his space series!
    May I ask which play you were in? I have many friends and family who are/were in theatre, I know how engaging it is.
    Also, how is your political sciences class going? I feel as if that would be a hard one, but I wish it's one we would all take.

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    1. *laughs* Well, if these posts benefit you like that, then I am a very happy camper! I can understand the feeling. Job hunting has always been a sporadic thing for me, typically put on hold by school. What kind of job are you looking for, if you don't mind my asking?

      A tow truck, huh? Crazy! I've never had that particular experience. Sounds like you had some interesting experiences. Very fun!

      *grins* Owl City is quite wonderful. What sparked the rediscovery? Ah, I've never gotten past Perlendra, but I would like to finish the series, too.

      I was in an production of Anne of Avonlea, which was a blast! I played a rather minor character.

      PoliSci is going quite well; thanks for asking! My poor teacher has had all kinds of problems this semester, but she's a trooper and is determined to finish this class for us. I have the feeling we won't finish everything in the syllabus, though. We're behind anyway, and we have a habit of getting sidetracked on many PoliSci-related topics, especially the election. :D It is hard in some ways, but not necessarily in every way. I would probably advise Intro to American Government, actually, as one we should all take. But you're not wrong. :) PoliSci gives a really interesting world perspective.

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    2. It's also fun to hear about the blogger's month. It's like a chat over coffee. "So, how have you been lately?"
      My area is in ESL tutoring, but I'd also take something agricultural or artistic. Jack of all trades, master of none.

      I was looking up worship songs on youtube one Sunday, and Owl City's version of How Deep the Father's Love for Us came up. It was wonderful!

      I didn't know that Anne of Avonlea had been turned into a play. Sounds fun, I wish I'd seen it.

      See, the thing about politics is that it is such a tangled, tricky subject- and yet, we can't really do without it. I salute you, your teacher, and the rest of the class for braving the topic.

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    3. 'Tis true. :) Ah, ESL tutoring is such a neat field to be in! I think I might be too much of an English perfectionist to do it myself, but I admire you for it. :)

      Huh, I don't know if I've heard that one. I love his version of In Christ Alone, though.

      Yep, it was super cute, if I do say so myself. :D

      Haha, thanks. The problem with politics is that we put so much emotion into it (looking at myself here) that we can't always see or discuss things clearly. That's why it's so touchy.

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  3. My life has been not too busy (for once.) If you would like to read my answers to basically all of the questions you asked, I will be doing a post on my blog either today or tomorrow about my March highlights. (You can reach it via my profile.) It sounds like you had a pretty good month!

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    1. Well, that sounds interesting! I might have to hop on over and check it out. Thanks for stopping by, Bethany!

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