Ha Bracha | A Blessing Over 2021

January 2, 2021January 3, 20215 Comments

Sanders, Alexandra. https://www.etsy.com/listing/753734852/2021-happy-new-year-cardgarden-birds?ref=shop_home_active_14&frs=1&crt=1.

It’s a gross understatement to say 2020 was a rough year so I won’t say it. Instead I’ll look forward to the new year with cautious optimism & lots of prayer. Speaking of prayer, I recently heard Joshua Aaron’s Hebrew cover of the song The Blessing, & it is a spiritual experience. It’s the perfect prayer to lead us into the coming year so I recommend you find a quiet spot, close your eyes, & let the song wash over you. Wishing you & yours a healthy 2021! 💙

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” ’ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” – Numbers 6:22-27

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzqrWae5lK4

• 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 •

Yevarechecha Adonai, VeYishmerecha • The LORD bless you and keep you • יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ⁠

Ya’er Adonai Panav Eleycha ViChuneka • Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you • יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ⁠

Yisa Adonai Panav Eleycha, VeYasem Lecha Shalom • The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace • יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

Yehi chasdo aleicha le’alfei dorot • May His favor be upon you to a thousand generations • יהי חסדו עליך לאלפי דורות

Mishpachtecha viladecha • Your family and your children • משפחתך וילדיך

Dorotecha achareicha • Your generations after you • דורותיך אחריך

Rucho telech lefaneicha • May His presence go before you • רוחו תלך לפניך

Letsidecha achareicha • Beside you and behind you • לצידך, אחריך

Misvivecha belibecha • All around you and within you • מסביבך, בליבך

Hu itcha • He is with you • הוא איתך

Baboker uvaerev • In the morning in the evening • בבוקר ובערב

Betzetecha uvoecha • In your going and your coming • בצאתך ובואך

B’sivlotecha beoshrecha • In your weeping and rejoicing • בסבלותיך ואושרך

Hu itcha • He is for you • הוא איתך

Hu itanu im kulanu • He is for us, He is with us • הוא איתנו עם כולנו

Hu itcha • He is for you • הוא איתך

Shalom • Peace • שָׁלוֹם

• 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎵 • 🎶 •

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Disney+ Marathon Day 17 | November 28

November 28, 2019March 12, 20202 Comments

Source: https://www.eonline.com/ca/photos/18894/blast-from-the-past-18-stars-who-appeared-in-disney-channel-original-movies/702401

🍁 H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G ! 🍂

9am – Rise & shine! 🌞

9:30am – Editing + Lizzie McGuire 💻

S1E20 – Educating Ethan

12:15pm – Making Green Bean Casserole + Lizzie McGuire 👩🏻‍🍳

S1E20 continued!

I have no idea why it took me THREE HOURS to finish one episode. 🙄

12:30pm – Editing + Lizzie McGuire 💻

S1E21 – Lizzie Strikes Out

S1E22 – Untitled Stan Jansen Project

2pm – Thanksgiving Meal 🦃

5pm – Editing + Gotta Kick It Up 💻

Sí, Se Puede!

Since Marshall Middle School is located in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood, I want to highlight a few of the lead actresses:

America Ferrera is Honduran 🇭🇳

Camille Guaty is Cuban & Puerto Rican 🇨🇺 🇵🇷

Sabrina Wiener is Peruvian 🇵🇪

👁 Spotted: Susan Egan | She is the voice of Megara from Hercules, one of my favorite Disney characters & one of my favorite Disney movies. She’s also the original Belle from Beauty and the Beast on Broadway.

7pm – Editing + Jump In 💻

👁 Spotted: Corbin Bleu | Of course you know Mr. Bleu from the High School Musical trilogy, but you may also remember him as Coltrane from Phineas & Ferb or Johnny Collins from Hannah Montana. He also made the *GASP* crossover to Nickelodeon; he made an appearance on The Amanda Show & Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.

👁 Spotted: Keke Palmer | Another Disney/Nickelodeon crossover actress! Keke cameoed in Degrassi: The Next Generation & Just Jordan and starred in True Jackson VP & Winx Club. For her Disney resume, it’s worth mentioning that she was Cinderella on Broadway; it was the Rodgers & Hammerstein version, but that doesn’t make her any less of a Disney princess. 👑

👁 Spotted: Shanica Knowles | You might recognize her as Amber Addison from Hannah Montana. She also cameoed on Unfabulous which completes the Disney/Nickelodeon crossover trio!

🎶 This song is still a J A M, & the entire soundtrack is still perfection. 🎶

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3-JA49q-0o

Final thoughts for the day: Even though I had to work on the computer, it was still a nice, cozy day watching childhood favorites on Disney Plus & eating yummy food with my family. 🧡 I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I’m off to bed because I have an alarm set for 4:30am. Oh the joys of working in retail on Black Friday! 😭 Good night! 🌙

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

D I S N E Y + M A R A T H O N D A Y S E V E N T E E N A R T

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– Lauren Michele ❤

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Disney+ Marathon Day 7 | November 18

November 18, 2019November 19, 20193 Comments

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/now_you_see_it_2005/

8:30am – Rise & shine! 🌞

9:30am – Breakfast + Hanging out in my brother’s room 🍳

2:40pm – Blogging + Now You See It 💻

4:15pm – Bath + Now You See It 🛀

The “final battle” between Danny & Max is unbelievably cheesy, leaning towards the bad side of the line. But, I still have a special place in my heart for this movie because the concept is cool, & I’ve been in love with Johnny Pacar since Junior High. 🎩

6pm – Blogging + The Princess and the Frog 💻

I didn’t like this movie the 1st time around, but I’m giving it a 2nd chance because everyone else seems to like it. I really want to like it! 🐸

👁 Spotted: Two easter eggs! Right before the title appears, you can see a woman cleaning the Magic Carpet from Aladdin on her balcony. There is a float in the Mardi Gras parade near the end of the movie that resembles King Triton from The Little Mermaid. Why those two films?? All three have the same co-directors: John Musker & Ron Clements. 🎥🍿

Update: I am so confused. I didn’t love it the 1st time around because jazz music & New Orleans culture aren’t really my thing. This time around, none of those things bothered me in the slightest. I must’ve not been in the mood before because I’m definitely part of the fan club now. I even teared up during THAT scene! 💚

8pm – Blogging + That’s So Raven 💻

S1E1 – Mother Dearest

Still know EVERY SINGLE LYRIC in the theme song. Classic! 🎵

S1E2 – Test of Friendship

I grew up with ICONIC trios on Disney Channel: Chelsea, Eddie, & Raven. Gordo, Lizzie, & Miranda. Huey, Dewey, & Louie. Joe, Kevin, & Nick. Kim, Ron, & Rufus. Lilly, Miley, & Oliver. Just to name a few! 🎉

S1E3 – Party Animal

At the end of the episode when the snake is in bed with Mr. & Mrs. Baxter, you can see Rondell Sheridan starting to smile. I love when actors break! 😆

S1E4 – Wake Up Victor

S1E5 – A Fish Called Raven

👁 Spotted: Spencer Redford from Pixel Perfect as an annoying school reporter

🎵 BOYZ! WE ARE THE BOYZ IN MOTION! WE GIVE YOU OUR DEVOTION! 🎶

S1E6 – Smell of Victory

Final thoughts for the day: Since I got a late start, 2 movies & 6 episodes is pretty darn good. Especially when you throw in the time I devoted to emptying my DVR to make room for HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES. 🎄 Since today is day 7, let’s wrap up week 1 of my 30-day Disney+ marathon. The streaming service itself is still experiencing a few bugs. The controls are not always responsive on my iPad; sometime I have to shut down the app & restart it because the blue circle won’t stop spinning; & random things will happen every now & again like my watchlist having every movie & show appear twice. All that being said, I’ve been able to use the app every day for one week. My week 1 totals are 12 movies & 56 episodes. Can’t wait to dive into week 2. See you tomorrow! 👋

I will leave you with this sneak peek at the NEW Lizzie McGuire show:

View this post on Instagram

Somebody wake me.. #lizziemcguire

A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Nov 18, 2019 at 6:07pm PST

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5B5d33D9ew/

. . . Lizzie McGuire in Lisa Frank . . .

A A A A A A A A A A H H H H H H H H H H ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

D I S N E Y + M A R A T H O N D A Y S E V E N A R T

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Disney+ Marathon Day 2 | November 13

November 13, 2019November 18, 20193 Comments

Source: http://www.saturdaymorningsforever.com/2017/11/doug-disneys-doug.html

9am – Rise & shine! 🌞

9:30am – Christmas music + Shower 🚿

10am – Blogging + Doug 💻

S1E1 – Doug’s Last Birthday

S1E2 – Doug’s New School

S1E3 – Doug Grows Up

11am – Breakfast + Ducktales 🍳

S1E1 – Send in the Clones

Magica uses “Bibbidi bobbidi boo!” to keep Mrs. Beakley under her control. Also, Magica’s brother Poe was turned into a raven, & he uses “Evermore” & “Nevermore” often, a reference to Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Raven. Those are just two of MANY easter eggs in Ducktales. 😲

S1E4 – Where No Duck Has Gone Before

. . . I blinked, & suddenly episode 5 was playing. I thought I was so invested in the show that I lost track of time. NOPE! Certain episodes are missing in the lineup so I only watched two. It seemed like 5 because of the episode numbers.

11:30pm – Getting Ready For Work + Ducktales & Emperor’s New School 💄

S1E4 continued! ( D )

S1E1 – Rabbit Face ( ENS )

“He’s gotta ACE. THAT. TEST.” Such a catchy theme song! 🎶

S1E2 – Squeakend At Bucky’s / Kuzco Fever ( ENS )

2pm – Work 🛍

4:25pm – 15 Minute Break + Emperor’s New School ⏰

S1E3 – Empress Malina / The Adventures of the Red-Eyed Tree Frog Man

7pm – Dinner + Emperor’s New School & Goof Troop 🍲

S1E3 continued! ( ENS )

S1E1 – Everything’s Coming Up Goofy ( GT )

8pm – Blogging + Goof Troop & Emperor’s New Groove 💻

S1E1 continued!

S1E2 – Axed By Addition

S1E3 – UnReal Estate

10:30pm – Bath + Ducktales 🛀

S1E5 – Armstrong ( mislabeled as Hero For Hire )

*Note: I made up for my earlier mistake & watched a 3rd episode of Ducktales.

Can we talk about how creepy Armstrong is?? He’s a robot that becomes power hungry & uses his technological abilities to wreak havoc. In 2019, that is S C A R Y.

Final thoughts for the day: Ducktales is amazing, & I forgot what a gem Emperor’s New School is. Also, we need to talk much MUCH more about the friendship between Kuzco & Pacha. I am so excited to be watching this stuff through older eyes. It validates my memories of an amazing childhood in the 90s & 2000s. There’s a bit more variety coming soon from my list so hang tight if you want to hear about films & shows that have yet to be mentioned. I ended the day with 12 TV episodes & 1 movie. We have 28 days left. On to day 3! ➡️

D I S N E Y + M A R A T H O N D A Y T W O A R T

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– Lauren Michele ❤

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Quarter Life Crisis

November 9, 2019August 20, 20202 Comments

Source: http://getwallpapers.com/collection/joy-inside-out-wallpaper

As of November 5th, I am 26 years old. Year 25 was NOT a walk in the park for me. I have really struggled with energy & motivation & purpose this past year. I am so passionate about what I do online, but being defeated time after time after time is so deflating. My Instagram, Twitter, & YouTube follower counts barely go up from month to month. I stay up late editing videos & writing blog posts, but it feels like no one cares when I make my work public. I worked for weeks & hours on my Tarzan video for the Disney+ Dream Job contest. I was so incredibly proud of what I produced, & yet I didn’t get one of the five spots to watch 30 Disney movies in 30 days for $1,000. Instead of breaking down barriers, I feel like I’m beating my head against a wall that isn’t going to budge. Is year 26 going to be better, or do I have to accept that I’m not meant to do this any longer?!?

Source: https://giphy.com/gifs/disneypixar-disney-pixar-WBeGELD0ezW8w

How do I turn this into a positive? One step at a time. I may not have won a check for a Disney+ marathon, but I’m going to do it anyway. Starting November 12, I will be watching a Disney show & movie every day for 30 days. Don’t worry! You can follow along on here, Instagram, Twitter, & YouTube. Just use my links listed below to make sure you’re following me with notifications turned ON. 🍋 This is called turning lemons into lemonade. 🍹 I’m also trying to step outside my comfort zone & interact with people I follow on social media. Scary! 😱

🌻 Go enjoy your Saturday readers! 💛 Hopefully it’s cold & feels like the holiday season wherever you are because California is still HOT. 🥵 🙄 😂

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Life Update: Slumps, A Broken Heart, & Disney+

October 27, 2019October 26, 20192 Comments

Zawiła, Dawid. https://medium.com/thrive-global/this-year-pursue-meaning-instead-of-happiness-71e1bb3a3d8f. Accessed 26 October 2019.

This is a bit of a mouthful so please be patient with me. I’ve been inactive in all creative aspects of my life so don’t feel like I abandoned this blog for something else. I have been in not just a creative slump but also what I would call a life slump. We are nearing the end of a decade, & I feel like I’m going through a personal crisis, questioning my purpose in life & what I’m meant to be doing. At the end of the day, I am an artist at heart so none of this will be going away anytime soon. Writing keeps me sane, especially at times like this. That brings me to the next part of this saga.

A little less than two weeks ago, my dad drove himself to the emergency room. Three days later, he had open heart surgery. The next day he woke up with amnesia; it isn’t an extreme case but serious enough to require slow, detailed sentences & repetition. One week later he was able to come home, still showing signs of memory loss. To say my family is emotionally drained & physically exhausted is an understatement, but we are walking hand in hand through this journey & taking it one day at a time. Every day he shows signs of improvement, & I cling to those glimmers of hope because the lowest moments have brought me to my knees sobbing in prayer. Perhaps that’s where God wants me to be more often. I am so grateful for the overwhelming amount of prayers & outpouring of love. I know my dad is the best so I’m glad other people think so too. 😉 Onto the last part of this update!

I know this is a change of tone, but hear me out before you roll your eyes. Disney & reviews.org are offering $1,000 in exchange for watching 30 Disney movies in 30 days on their new streaming service Disney+. First of all, this would be a bright spot in my life after a sad ending to the month of October. Second, I am a Disney fanatic & binge-watcher extraordinaire, the perfect candidate for this “dream job.” Third, that money would be an amazing gift to me & my family. This is where I need Y O U R help so pay close attention. The application process includes social media following & a video reviewing my favorite Disney movie. The video is not on Youtube yet, but you can start clicking on each of my links & following me. What are you waiting for?? GO GO GO!!

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If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading everything I had to say. I appreciate everyone who has supported this blog. It means the world to me. 🌍 I promise it won’t be long before I’m back with a new post. Keep an eye out! 👁

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– Lauren Michele ❤

2018 Reading Wrap-Up

January 3, 2019August 21, 20203 Comments

For once, I completed my reading goal with time to spare & exceeded it by two. I set my goal at 55 and completed 57 books. Yay! 🎉 Now for the semi-disappointing news: I didn’t complete the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge. I could beat myself up, but reading is supposed to be fun, not a competition. Not all of the 2018 challenges matched up with what I wanted to read last year, and that is okay.

📚 A Classic You’ve Been Meaning to Read

📖 A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

📖 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

📖 Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

📖 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

📖 The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

📚 A Book Recommended by Someone With Great Taste

📖 As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers

📖 The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

📖 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

📚 A Book in Translation

📖 N/A

📚 A Book Nominated for an Award in 2018

📖 Obsidio by Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

📚 A Book Of Poetry, a Play, or an Essay Collection

📖 N/A

📚 A Book You Can Read in a Day

📖 Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn

📖 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

📖 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

📖 Scream All Night by Derek Milman

📖 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

📖 Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

📖 The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

📖 The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

📖 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Athur Conan Doyle

📖 The Little Android by Marissa Meyer

📖 The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene

📖 The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

📖 The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer

📚 A Book That’s More Than 500 Pages

📖 Gemina by Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

📖 Obsidio by Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

📖 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

📚 A Book by a Favorite Author

📖 The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters

📚 A Book Recommended by a Librarian or Indie Bookseller

📖 Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire

*Note: This category doesn’t (necessarily) count. Even though Hiddensee is on an IndieBound list, I didn’t read it because of their recommendation.

📚 A Banned Book

📖 N/A

📚 A Memoir, Biography, or Book of Creative Nonfiction

📖 The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

📚 A Book by an Author of a Different Race, Ethnicity, or Religion Than Your Own

📖 Gemina by Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (Australian)

📖 Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar (Persian)

📖 Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar (Persian)

📖 Obsidio by Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (Australian)

📖 The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (Dutch)

📖 The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel (Mexican)

*Note: The definition of “ethnicity” is different depending on who you ask so I relied solely on where an author was born. I didn’t include British authors because of my own family’s roots, but perhaps that was just overthinking on my part.

I also read:

📖 A Fatal Winter by G.M. Malliet

📖 Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

📖 Antidote to Venom by Freeman Wills Crofts

📖 Cress by Marissa Meyer

📖 Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

📖 Fairest by Marissa Meyer

📖 Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

📖 Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

📖 In The Woods by Tana French

📖 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

📖 Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

📖 Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

📖 Reign: The Chronicles of Queen Jezebel by Ginger Garrett

📖 Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

📖 The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

📖 The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

📖 The Centurion’s Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke

📖 The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

📖 The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

📖 The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd

📖 The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson

📖 The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

📖 The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

📖 The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

📖 The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene

📖 The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

📖 The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

📖 Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

📖 We Wish You a Murderous Christmas by Vicki Delany

📖 Winter by Marissa Meyer

📖 Written on the Wind by Judith Pella

Total: 9(ish) Challenges & 57 Books

⬇️ Here are all of my 2018 reading-related links ⬇️

• 2017 Wrap-Up | 2018 Reading Challenge

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vKpIwxNQxM&t=2s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HGW-XvQ6N0&t=9s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo45XqUaUFo

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyEZ9gzZb8c&t=288s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHZs4Lxxr30&t=714s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUz0HJjwdUg&t=1s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMmn3r4M4_Y&t=5s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BthNgFtCHOM&t=3s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyvAdtvthT8&t=14s

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORnYN7RZZDo&t=4s

📚 Stay tuned for my 2019 reading plans! 📚

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– Lauren Michele ❤

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Reflecting on 25 Years of Life

November 4, 2018January 1, 20193 Comments

Source: http://www.wallpapermania.eu/wallpaper/macro-autumn-wallpaper-one-flower-on-an-amber-leaf

This isn’t going to be easy for me to write so while I take a few deep breaths, please listen to this song (or at least part of it):

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFeJkfB4xKo

“This is a story that I have never told. I gotta get this off my chest to let it go. I need to take back the light inside you stole.”

A few years ago I choreographed a dance routine to “Warrior” for a talent show. I hadn’t danced in awhile so it wasn’t my best performance ever, but something inside me needed an outlet. After I finished, I had to run to the bathroom because I was shaking so bad & sobbing. I’m not open about things in my past because I don’t think it’s something the public needs to know. However, if you are someone who is still healing, you are not alone. Middle school and high school were hell for me, but college was even worse. I suffered for so long and then turned around and made my precious family suffer because of my anger. I was angry at myself for being weak & at God for abandoning me. I hope my mom doesn’t mind me sharing this, but she has told me that she thought she would lose me in college because I was so close to the edge without caring. There is no sugar coating this: I wanted to die.

Tomorrow I turn 25 years old. The broken little girl in middle school didn’t think she would make it this far. The angry college student didn’t want to make it this far. God brought me this far, and He isn’t done yet.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.” – Psalm 40:1-3

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– Lauren Michele ❤

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I’m a Terrible Blogger

November 2, 20181 Comment

Six months without a word. Boy do I have a real gift for consistent blogging! 😂 I have a couple of good reasons so bear with me while I make excuses. Number one, I had a two-month work project. Adulting at its finest! Number two, I’ve been going through a creative slump. I can only maintain two blogs & a YouTube channel for so long before I need a break from one or more outlets.

As you can tell from the photo above, I have moved on from the spookiest month of the year because CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE!!🎄 My Christmas playlist has been on since yesterday, and I just drank my first peppermint mocha frappuccino of the season. I am feeling very merry and bright, although my feelings are subject to change after work tonight. 🙄 I let you down in 2018 as a blogger, but I’m going to try and make it up to you during the holiday season. I’m still in retail (UGH) so stay tuned for a roller coaster of emotions. Can’t wait! 🤪

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– Lauren Michele ❤

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• Previous Post: Avengers Assemble

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C O L L A G E :

2012. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2433396/. Accessed 2 November 2018. ( Top )

2005. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/winter-break-according-to-the-office. Accessed 2 November 2018. (Bottom)

My Disney & Pixar Bracket

March 28, 2018April 7, 20182 Comments

It’s been awhile since we last talked so why not do something that will likely rip us apart. 😂 We are in the midst of March Madness so naturally a Disney bracket is making the rounds on social media. I have very strong opinions when it comes to all things Mickey Mouse, but it was extremely difficult to make these “life-altering” decisions. I felt like I was choosing between children. I allow me to walk you through each category so I can relive the pain.

Brave vs Up – This was hard because I really like both movies, but I had to listen to my wee Scottish heart. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

Toy Story vs Toy Story 2 – I absolutely adore this entire trilogy so my answer to this category is WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE?!? In the end, I went with Toy Story because it’s the classic that started it all.

Cars 3 vs Coco – I haven’t seen either, but I went with Cars 3 because it’s the only one I’m interested in.

The Good Dinosaur vs Toy Story 3 – The Good Dinosaur is good, but it never had a chance against Toy Story 3 which makes me weep with little more than a thought.

A Bug’s Life vs Ratatouille – This is another tough choice. I would drop everything & watch either right now. I ultimately went with A Bug’s Life because I’ve always loved the concept & characters . . . which is also true about Ratatouille. UGH!!

Inside Out vs Finding Nemo – Why has Pixar made so many great movies?? 😡 I chose Inside Out, but both reduce me to tears so it could be a different answer on a different day.

Cars vs Monsters, Inc. – Cars is really good, but Monsters, Inc. is my favorite Pixar movie so this choice was easy.

The Incredibles vs Wall • E – I’ve never seen Wall • E so The Incredibles won by default, but I probably would’ve chosen it anyway.

Right side is complete! Moving on . . . to the left, to the left!! ⬅️ ⬅️ 😂

The Lion King vs Tarzan – I love The Lion King, but I chose Tarzan because it’s my favorite Disney movie. Duh!

Lilo & Stitch vs The Princess and the Frog – I chose Lilo & Stitch because it’s in my Disney top 10. Also, I’m not a big fan of The Princess And The Frog. Sorry (but not really).

Tangled vs Big Hero 6 – I’ve seen Big Hero 6 once, and it was okay but not very memorable. Tangled, however, is amazing. Flynn Rider has my heart. 💘

Frozen vs Moana – Frozen wins by default because *gasp* I haven’t seen Moana. 😭

Aladdin vs Hercules – My babies!! This category ripped my heart out of my chest, broke it, & stuffed it back into my body so I could relive the pain all over again. 💔 The only reason I was able to make a decision is because I have a set Disney trinity: Tarzan, Aladdin, & Hercules. That being said, Aladdin is pretty much interchangeable with Hercules.

The Little Mermaid vs Pocahontas – Ariel was one of my favorite princesses growing up but not so much anymore. These days Pocahontas is #3 behind Mulan & Jasmine therefore her movie wins this battle & my heart. 🍂 🍃 🍂 🍃 🍂 🍃

Mulan vs Zootopia – I love Zootopia, but as I’ve already mentioned Mulan is my favorite princess. 💚

Beauty & The Beast vs The Nightmare Before Christmas – I’ve tried to get into Nightmare Before Christmas, but it just isn’t happening. Beauty And The Beast will always hold a special place in my heart. 🌹

The time has come to choose between Tarzan, my favorite Disney movie, & Monsters Inc., my favorite Pixar film. I love both, but the choice is easy . . .

🍃 🌳 🐵 🌳 🍃 T A R Z A N • F O R E V E R ! ! ! 🍃 🌳 🐵 🌳 🍃