Another year, another failed Blogmas. I like to be consistent. 😂 This year my excuse isn’t work because I had less shifts than I’ve ever had in December thanks to 20% capacity in malls. My excuse this year is . . . um . . . well, I’m not actually sure what it is. Lack of motivation? I was excited for the holiday season back in October, but something inside me fizzled as the days went by. I didn’t put up my family’s nativity scene or watch my favorite Christmas movie The Nativity Story. In fact, I barely watched any holiday movies. I did listen to a fair amount of festive music, but that was about it. If you’re feeling left out in the cold over here on my lifestyle blog, I didn’t do Vlogmas for my YouTube channel either. I desperately wanted, nay, needed to be in the Christmas spirit this year, but I just couldn’t muster up the energy to celebrate. Despite an undercurrent of sadness draining my energy, I still managed to have a lovely day at home with family on the 25th. I watched The Santa Clause & played Crash Team Racing with my brother, cooked a repeat of Thanksgiving with my mom, & watched the Lakers game with my dad & brother. The Lakers beat the Mavericks! 💜💛 We ended the festivities with a fire, popcorn, & Wonder Woman 1984. I didn’t like it as much as the first movie, but it was still a lot of fun to watch. Highly recommend! After that my brother & I watched Friends until midnight, the official end of Christmas. I guess all of that is a good metaphor for 2020, feeling down but making the best of the situation. In the words of Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane, “From now on we’ll have to muddle through somehow so have yourself a merry little Christmas now.” 💚 🎄 ❤
H A P P Y H A N U K K A H 🕎 M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S 🎄 H A P P Y N E W Y E A R 🎉
Subscribe to my blog to receive email notifications, and check out my other links listed below.
• Early 2015 – I borrowed DVDs from the library and watched Gilmore Girls for the first time in my life; at some point, I transitioned over to Netflix. Fun Fact: I created the draft of this blog post in April 2015.
• Unknown Date – I stopped watching the show in the middle of season 7, episode 14.
• September 2017 – After a long break, I returned to Stars Hollow and finishing everything including the four new specials.
* * *WARNING: IF YOU KNOW THAT CRITICISM OF THESE CHARACTERS WILL UPSET YOU, I SUGGEST YOU THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE READING THE REST OF THIS POST.
It may come as a surprise that I took such a long break before resuming my marathon. At the risk of sounding snobby, TV characters that are bratty or fickle get on my nerves, and those adjectives describe Lorelai & Rory on their worst days. If you need more specifics, I got sick of Rory being whiny; Lorelai acted like a best friend which made her daughter lack respect when she decided to put on her mom hat. Their relationship irked me, and the way their relationship affected the other relationships in their life irked me. Before you send out a search party with a warrant for my arrest, you should know a bit of background about the TV shows I watch. Gilmore Girls was a modern, realistic show that dealt with relatable issues, which is commendable. I watch very few shows that are realistic or take place in the current day. The drama got to be a bit much for me so I had to take a step back, but please don’t leave with the wrong conclusion. I love the citizens of Stars Hollow and consider myself a fan, even though I’m not as die hard as others in the community. Taking a break is exactly what I needed because I really enjoyed the last few episodes of season 7 as well as the specials on Netflix. I’ve even started watching the show again from season one. Everything worked out! 👍🏻
I recently reread the first three books of The Baby-Sitters Club series, and the nostalgia was overwhelming. I remember being inspired back in the day to make my own “kid kit” and be the best babysitter EVER. I’ve been blessed to care for children of all ages, and I like to think that I made some kind of positive impact on their lives. This is starting to sound heartwarming so let me put on the brakes because this is not about the good times. Be honest; you’re here to laugh at my expense. 😂 This is a more accurate description of what you’re about to read:
Just to be clear, I am a responsible babysitter, and nothing dangerous has ever happened in my care. The tales I’m about to reveal weren’t directly my fault, just a handful of humorous and unfortunate events.
– Board Game Gone Wrong –
The brother & sister I was babysitting suggested we play chutes and ladders, and I eagerly agreed because I thought it would be fun to relive my childhood. I have to be honest and tell you that I got beat fair and square. I didn’t come in first place nor did I come in second; I was dead last. This particular board game is meant for kids, and even though I had no intention of beating my young companions, I didn’t think I would be so terrible. We hadn’t been playing long before the sister turned to me and said with a straight face: “You’re really bad at this game.” There is nothing quite as humiliating as an insult from someone who is less than half your age. I haven’t played that game since.
– Late Night TV –
This particular situation was mostly my fault, but have no fear because it had nothing to do with my young charges. For an extended period of time, I had a steady babysitting job with a family who lived in my neighborhood. One night while sitting at their house, I decided to watch some television after the kids were sound asleep; of course I had the parents’ permission. It was late at night, and there was a thunderstorm brewing. Of all the things I could have watched, I settled on a crime show. That was my first mistake. I eventually decided TV was a bad idea, and picked up the book I brought with me which just so happened to be a mystery. That was my second mistake. My third and final mistake was leaving only one lamp on. I’m not sure why, but I never turned on the room light to make myself feel safer. It was a tense few hours. I didn’t know nighttime could be so noisy! I can’t even tell you how many times I checked the doors and windows to make sure they were locked ( once I built up the courage to do so ). When the parents arrived through the garage, I naturally thought they were murderers until they stepped into the house and greeted me by name. That was the last time I ever watched a crime show or read a mystery while babysitting.
– I Cry Fowl –
I will ease you into the fourth and final story with the typical babysitting story of a bird in the garage. It happened while I was outside with the “chutes and ladders siblings” for some fresh air and playing time. While taking a brief break from the sun, a curious bird joined us. He was harmless, but I couldn’t help panicking. The brother’s personality was unpredictable, and I pictured him opening the door and accidentally letting our new winged friend inside the house. Of course I had to cage (get it?!) my fear so the kids wouldn’t panic and do what I just described. I spoke softly and encouraged them to stay still so the bird wouldn’t feel threatened. He explored a little more and flew away, never to bother us again. Crisis avoided! I swear the animal kingdom is out to get me.
– Dino and the Popsicles –
I realize that the title sounds like a cool band name, but the following events are anything but cool. Literally! I was once again babysitting my neighbors, but this time it was during the day. The parents provided popsicles and told me the kids could play outside. Simple enough, right? WRONG!! When the time came, the siblings grabbed their cold, refreshing popsicles, and we ventured outdoors into the unbearable heat & humidity. After some quality playing time with their dog Dino, the sister informed me that she had to use the restroom. I thought nothing of it until she went to turn the doorknob, and nothing happened. I thought the door was stuck because that is normal in Texas, and I gave it a try. Nothing happened, and my heart started to sink into my stomach. I took some deep breaths and reminded myself that I had to stay calm because I was in charge of two kids and one dog. I made my way to the front of the house to try the garage door; I brought along the sister because she was old enough to stay calm and help me with the code to open the door from the outside. I managed to get the garage door open, but the door to the house was locked, and we had no luck finding the spare key. Trust me, I searched high and low. I had told the brother stay in the backyard with the dog; thankfully the garage wasn’t far from the gate so the sister and I pulled double duty keeping a close eye on them. Unfortunately that didn’t work. The little boy gave in to his curiosity and opened the gate before we could reach him. That wasn’t my main concern. Remember who he was with!! I spent the next 10-15 minutes running up and down the street yelling “DINO!!” No, this is not an unaired episode of The Flintstones. I desperately tried to shepherd him into the gate held open by the sister while simultaneously keeping my eye on the brother because, as you already know, he was very unpredictable (typical at his age). He tried to help by joining in with his small but mighty voice, but really it was just more noise and extra stress. Finally I got that darn dog into the backyard and locked all of us in. I had a mischievous dog and two sweaty, sticky kids in my care, and I felt helpless. I hated to pull them away from something important, but I had to inform the parents of our predicament since I had tried every other way to get back inside. Thankfully I had my phone on me so I called and left a calm, collected message. I spent the next hour or so keeping the kids distracted on the trampoline until their parents came to our rescue. I profusely apologized and fully expected to never work for them again. The parents shocked me by apologizing about their faulty lock, which they forgot to tell me about before leaving, and applauded my ability to stay calm in a stressful situation. I did indeed work for them again, and thankfully the preceding story was the worst experience I ever had, both with them and with babysitting period. It was a tough experience to go through, but I learned a lot.
Time for another story from the misadventures of Lauren Michele Stewart! Just kidding. This tale is actually very thought-provoking. *GASP*
Back in my college days Spanish dramas were my escape from reality, Isabel, Los Hombres de Paco, & Un paso adelante being my personal favorites. On top of that, I listened to a lot of Spanish music in an attempt to perfect my ear for the beautiful language of España. Never in a million years did I think that music and TV shows in another language would affect me around English speakers, but it did indeed happen. One day while I was in class, my ears started to interpret English in a different way. At first I thought I was just extremely tired, which is normal for a student, but careful listening proved that I was indeed hearing what sounded like the only other language in my life: Spanish. At one point I silently prayed that the teacher and students wouldn’t talk to me because I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. Even though I was hearing a familiar language, my brain wasn’t distinguishing the words. After a few minutes everything went back to normal, but I never forgot what happened.
The experience gave me a higher level of respect for both polyglots and immigrants learning a foreign language. I wasn’t necessarily scared or overwhelmed, but it was unexpected and left me feeling disoriented. I don’t necessarily have a moral or a mind-blowing message to share with you. I just thought the experience was unique, something I’d never heard of before. I wish my tongue had miraculously become bilingual in that moment and remained so. 😂 As a side note, I highly recommend utilizing television and music as immersion techniques for learning a language. I am by no means fluent, but I understand a decent chunk of Castilian Spanish. I refer to a specific type because that is what my ears are accustomed to; I have a very hard time understanding accents outside of Spain. 🇪🇸
Subscribe to my blog to receive email notifications, and check out my other links listed below.
I did it! I bought a jumbo Disney pin. Call me insane if you must, but I feel good about my purchase. I know that not everybody will understand the draw of Disney pins and the desire to spend money on them. Honestly, I can’t tell you much more than “It’s just plain fun.” This particular pin holds a lot of significance with me as a Disney fan. Keep reading to find out why! My Youtube video is provided down below for those of you who want to watch the opening process and see more of the pin.
I tried my best to take a picture that did it justice because this pin is heavy, glossy, colorful, and magically beautiful. Moving on to the moment of truth. I will keep you in suspense no longer. Can you guess the significance of this pin? Drum roll please…
Tarzan, Aladdin, and Hercules are my top 3 favorite animated Disney movies!!
How cool is it that I found a pin featuring the couples from those three movies?! As long as I live, this pin will remain in my possession. I want to mention a couple more cool facts. All three of these movies feature male protagonists. Interesting! I am obviously more fascinated by heroes than princesses. ;) Tarzan, Aladdin, and Hercules had shows on Disney Channel respectively, and I watched them every week on the TV at my grandma’s house. <3
I know I’m a little late to the party, but wild horses couldn’t stop me from paying tribute to this show. Rizzoli & Isles will always hold a special place in my heart because it is one of the few TV shows, if not the only, that I have watched from episode one to the show finale. I finished what I started, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. The cast did not get half as much recognition as they deserved for their unbelievable chemistry. There were many tears and many laughs, and I enjoyed every single moment. To the cast and crew, thank you!! I will forever be a Rizzoli & Isles fan. <3
* * * I want to say a special thank you to the Rizzoli & Isles crew for including a mention of Barry Frost in the finale. Lee Thompson Young will always be a member of the R&I family! <3
If you’re wondering what the heck is going on, here’s a basic synopsis: Since DC Comics threw their moviemaking hat into the ring that Marvel has dominated since the 2000s, fans have split down the middle, and it is heated. Relax! I’m not going to pick a side and start an argument. I’m here to talk about my disappointment. If you like a movie embraced by the majority, no one bats an eyelash. If you like a movie despised by the majority, all hell breaks loose. Why do people feel the need to bully individuals who like a certain movie?! No amount of argument is going to change someone’s personal feelings. You can hate a movie, but don’t attack someone who liked it. It isn’t difficult to walk away without saying something, especially on the internet.
This is a great time to be alive! The superheroes we grew up watching on TV are now on the big screen. We are getting films from DC and Marvel every single year. Why can’t we all just get along and agree that this is FREAKING awesome? If you like a movie, feel free to share and spread the love. If you didn’t like a movie, respect your fellow fans and consider keeping your opinion quiet or refraining from a review that is nothing other than a bashing session.
There’s only one way to end on a positive note. You’re welcome! 👍
The day/night has gone from bad to worse, and I am absolutely thrilled to be here telling this tale. Please don’t feel sympathetic because this whole sob story revolves around a TV show. Yes, that is where my life is at right now. A little less than one week ago, I discovered the show “Velvet” on Netflix. It takes place in 1950s Spain and revolves around a fashion store and the relationship between Alberto Marquez and Ana Ribera. Netflix has 2 seasons, but the show was just renewed for season 4 in Spain. I knew about the delay beforehand, but the last episode of season 2 still brought with it disappointment. My afternoon was spoiled by the realization that I had no episodes left to watch, at least for now. I shouldn’t have done it, but I gave in to curiosity and feverishly searched the internet for clues as to what happens in season 3. WORST. IDEA. EVER. If you are currently watching “Velvet” and do not want to know what happens, please STOP reading NOW. Seriously. SPOILERS AHEAD. You’ve been warned.
Alberto dies, and Ana, amidst the devastation, gives birth to his child. I am sure this news did not really affect you emotionally. Me on the other hand, I am a mess. I have been crying non-stop, and I feel like I’m going to throw up. Why such a violent reaction? I have no job therefore I had the time to dedicate several days of my life to Alberto and Ana’s love story. We, yes we, went through a lot of ups and downs this week. Finally, after two seasons worth of drama, they were together and happy. Of course something tragic had to happen. This is television. No one can be happy!! I was so anxious to watch the new episodes, and now I don’t think I can watch the show ever again.
Wow! I need a job. Or a hobby that pays well. 😂 I desperately need to watch something funny. Perhaps my favorite show “The Office.” If that doesn’t make me feel better, I am beyond help. Hint to Antena 3: Jim and Pam get married and live happily ever after. NO ONE DIES. Oy vey! Is that so hard?! Why is television so emotionally stressful???
Update: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alberto is alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The moral of this story is I overreacted without actually watching season 3 and seeing for myself every single scene, not just a clip on Youtube. I am so flipping happy right now but also mad. Really really mad. Unbelievably mad that I had to go through this whole ordeal within one hour. I send my sincerest of apologies to Antena 3. Lo siento! Keep up the good work!
Update #2: It is now 11am, and I am somewhat awake. I ended up watching a few episodes of “The Secret Life of an American Teenager.” After all, what I really needed was more drama. 😂
If you are interested in watching “Velvet” because this post was a fantastic promotion, here are the necessary links:
• The show is available on Netflix in Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
I hope all of you have a wonderful Tuesday. If you haven’t already, click the links down below to read my blog posts on the 88th Academy Awards. “See” you soon readers!
I know I know I know!! I talk about Disney A LOT. However, I couldn’t help writing a post about the Disneyland 60 celebration that aired on ABC tonight. Before I jump headfirst into all the amazing moments that took place, I want to mention two things that are not so good. Go ahead and call me a prude, goodie two-shoes, etc. I don’t care! I personally think that the revealing costumes in the opening dance number were inappropriate; this was a special in honor of a family friendly theme park, and families at home and in the park were watching. The second thing I want to mention isn’t bad, but it is somewhat of an elephant in the room and a detail that will most likely be mentioned by at least one person on the internet. Most Disney fans wont mind watching two hours of Disney-related television and freaking out over the nostalgia and memories. However, this two-hour special was more about Disney than Disneyland with the exception of a few interviews and fun facts throughout. I don’t really care, but the truth is the special was a tad bit unnecessary if you consider that the subject was supposed to be Disneyland. Moving on to the good stuff!
– Dance –
The “Part of Your World” dance number featuring Maddie Ziegler was short but beautiful. The flowy costumes, monochromatic blue stage, and underwater background set a tranquil, dreamy mood. Derek Hough lead a dance number set to “Step In Time.” I couldn’t help but shed a few tears when Dick Van Dyke stepped onto the stage and danced at the end.
– Music –
The musical performances were amazing! Here is a list of the songs performed in order:
• Helen Mirren was one of the first presenters. Her grace & eloquence was in fine form and the perfect way to open the show. She’s not a Disney princess; she is an honorary Disney QUEEN! 👑
• During the “Modern Family” cast interview, hidden Mickeys were discussed. Being the geek that I am, I began to hyperventilate when I realized that hidden Mickeys were placed within the interview setting. They were eventually pointed out, making me feel super smart. 😉
• I must admit I got teary eyed during the Disney girls montage. Hearing famous lines from the diverse group & interviews from female celebrities impacted by female Disney characters was touching. 💕
• It was really cool to see a sneak peek of Star Wars land & the Shanghai Disneyland Park. Soon, Star Wars fanatics will be able to board the Millenium Falcon in California 🌠, and Disney princess enthusiasts will be able to see the largest Disney theme park castle in Shanghai 🏰.
• Last but certainly not least, my favorite part of the entire show which occurred early on. While walking around Disneyland, Josh Gad visited Walt Disney’s apartment and mentioned a lovely fact: When working inside the park, Walt Disney would keep his lamp by the window lit to let employees know he was watching to make sure everything was running smoothly. Now, in his honor, the lamp is lit at all times. 🌟
During financial troubles, Walt took a leap of faith and created a mouse. His creation continues to have a worldwide impact.
“You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
Now I desperately want to visit Disneyland. I hope you enjoyed this post readers. “See” you soon! :)
Subscribe to my blog to receive email notifications, and check out my other links listed below.
Being the totally awesome parent that he is, my dad bought tickets to a 20th anniversary performance of Riverdance. The seats were one row back from the stage!! Unfortunately he got sick, but my mom sacrificed and took his place. ;) It was my fifth time seeing the show, and I still got emotional. It was absolutely incredible sitting so close and seeing the emotion and camaraderie between the dancers.
After the performance, my mother and I had a lovely dinner at Claim Jumper. Having said that, NEVER eat dinner at a mall on a Saturday. The restaurant was across the street from the theater, and by the time we ate, the show had been over for three hours. However, the salad I had was amazing and worth the wait. Here is a list of ingredients for those of you who desire such details: ahi tuna, crunchy noodles, red onions, tomatoes, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, feta cheese, glazed pecans, sesame seeds, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Everybody in my church subconsciously decided to make tamales and give them to my family at the same time. I dove in headfirst and never looked back. I want to clarify that my newfound appreciation is directed towards one specific variation: tamales with olives. My Mediterranean blood compels me to love olives, and I do. Tamales with olives are muy delicioso!
Plantain chips are the bee’s knees, and I want the world to know it. They are crunchy like dried banana but savory like chips. I recommend the lightly salted Pampa plantain chips because I strongly dislike heavily salted foods.
This delightfully scented concoction was a Christmas gift, and it has been my go-to lotion ever since. The keynotes are red winterberry, ruby apple, sparkling cranberry, snowkissed camellia, and crystal vanilla. It smells mostly floral with hints of berry and apple. Call me crazy but I almost always smell a hint of watermelon in Bath & Body Works lotions, this product included.
I struggle with insomnia, and one of the commonly known remedies is lavender. I researched and found several different products but ultimately decided to give the spray a try. Even though this spray from Bed, Bath, & Beyond isn’t made specifically for insomnia, it works. The scent is distinctly lavender and very fresh. I spray it all over my pillow and bed right before going to sleep. Sometimes I read a book post-spray, another helpful trick for treating insomnia.
I bought these candles to review the company for my Youtube channel. Even though the draw of this company was the rings hidden inside the products, I ended up loving the candles. The Frosted Gingerbread candle is spicy, and the Winter candle is woodsy. They can burn for up to four hours at a time, and the scent is detectable within a few minutes. For more information, watch my video:
I’ve been wanting an adult coloring book for a long time and used a recent family trip to Barnes & Noble as my chance to get one. It was a little embarrassing paying for a coloring book and colored pencils, but I got over my pride and did it. I can already tell this book will last me a lifetime because I haven’t even finished half a picture yet. Coloring is relaxing and a great creative outlet, and I highly recommend you give it a try. :D
I’ve already discussed this series on this blog so all I will say is this series is fantastic and impossible to put down.
“I live in a home full of strict rules, even for an Old Order Amish family. My Daed doesn’t believe in allowing our tradition of a rumschpringe. At its best, the running around years is meant as a time of extra freedoms that gives singles an opportunity to find a spouse. But sometimes young people take advantage of it, so my Daed all but forbids. Still, I have found love, and even though Paul isn’t Amish, I know that if I spent a lifetime looking, I’d never find a better man. He’s gentle and kind, and his sense of humor is every bit as strong as his sense of responsibility. But if my Daed knew of our friendship, he’d put an end to it, and I’d be grounded from stepping off the farm for even a stroll for months, maybe a year. Paul leaves Owl’s Perch each fall, and even though he writes me letters and sends them to his grandmother’s house, he’s never hinted at how he feels beyond friendship. Despite my Daed, despite that I’m only seventeen, despite that Paul goes away to a sea of girls each year, I choose to believe that he cares for me like I do him, and that love will find a way for us.”
Does anyone else love this TV show? I have been watching it since the first season, and the kids never cease to amaze me with their knowledge. The premise is children with high IQs competing for the title of “Child Genius.” Every episode features two rounds, each focused on a different subject such as math, history, or logic. For more information, follow this link: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/child-genius
I am in love with this miniseries! Netflix recommended it to me. The show follows a group of codebreakers post-WWII. Once the war ended they were required to move on with their lives without telling anyone what they had done. They find themselves brought back together by circumstance in order to solve a crime; this occurs three times. For more information, follow this link: http://www.pbs.org/program/bletchley-circle/
I have watched this show at least three times all the way through. It is definitely one of my favorite TV shows of ALL time. WOW! That’s a bold statement. I relate to this show on a deep emotional level because of my dance background. I understand the family-like bonds that develop and the struggles that come with being an aspiring professional dancer. On top of all that, it’s a great show. All three seasons are currently available on Netflix. For more information, here is the IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1551948/
I realize that I am way late to the “Gossip Girl” party but better late than never. I’m not that far into the first season, but I like it. It’s a good show to turn on when I have hours of work to get through. The show follows the drama surrounding a group of wealthy teenagers living in Manhattan. It is currently available on Netflix. For more information, here is the IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397442/
Subscribe to my blog to receive email notifications, and check out my other links listed below.
Lauren Michele ❤️ 
