Spring // 2019

I got to hang out with my best friend:
It was really good to connect again because our busy lives kept us apart for almost 3 months... which is too long. We also decided to read 'The Circle Series' at the same time (a re-read for me) so that we could compare opinions. It's quite a series to swallow, but I am excited to go through it again.

I went to my third ever baseball game and rather enjoyed it:
Watching baseball in real life is more fun than I remember, and definitely more fun than watching it on TV. Apparently the STL Cardinals haven't been doing well this season; but I wouldn't know. All I know is they creamed the opponent on the night I went with my mom and sister and it was very enjoyable.

I spent a lot of time sick:
I endured a miserable three weeks with nausea, constipation, and jaundice, and it eventually put me in the hospital. They never did figure out what it was, and I got better naturally soon after the hospital visit. Most of the doctors thought it was Hepatitis A, but every time they tested for that it was negative. I am feeling great and I'm back to normal now, so... whatever it was it's gone now *shrug*.

We moved:
This time last year we moved into an apartment, but but as soon as our one year lease was over in May, we moved to a slightly larger (and nicer) townhouse, which I'm very happy with. I have my own room again! And I have a perfect view of the Western sky, and have been enjoying the sunsets every evening I'm home. God has truly blessed me in many ways.

I watched some movies and shows:
Five Feet Apart (2019)
It was ok- but not great. Pretty cliche and melodramatic. I feel like I would've liked it better had I seen it when I was closer to 16, but I'm 21 and it didn't do much for me.

The Office (2005-2013)
Not the cleanest show, and I'll probably not re-watch certain episodes, but it's very funny and extremely quotable. I can see why millions of people like the show. I feel like it's almost worth a one time watch-thru at least. For appropriate audiences. Idk.

Breakthrough (2019)
It was ok. It was kinda surreal watching a movie about an event that happened very close to my own hometown. It wasn't great but it wasn't a bad movie altogether.

Julie & Julia (2009)
What a sweet and heartwarming movie!! I watched it late one night with my mom, who also loved it.  I love Amy Adams soo much! I don't love Meryl Streep as well but she was good in this movie. I think there was a few cuss words but definitely worth a watch.

Smokey & The Bandit (1977)
Kinda funny, a little bit exciting, a tiny bit sweet, overall not really my thing. Sally Field helped a bit, as she is one of my favorite actresses. Overall, probably won't watch again.

The Matrix (1999)
Very intriguing. It wasn't my type of movie, and it didn't "change my life" the way some male family members told me it would, but I can see why it was revolutionary for it's time and why it was a huge hit, and it did get me thinking a little bit. Also I'm a Keanu Reeves fan now. Bless.

The Founder (2016)
SO FRUSTRATING AND UNFAIR. But also good. I loved it an hated it. Ugh.

Julie & Julia (2009)

I started reading books again:
~The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume II - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (currently reading)
~Scarlet - Marissa Meyer (finished)
~Cress - Marissa Meyer (currently reading)
~Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart - Bethany Beal & Kristen Clark (currently reading)
~Conscience - Andrew David Naselli & J. D. Crowley (currently reading)
~Where We Belong - Lynn Austin (finished!) Here's a post about it.
~The Circle Series - Ted Dekker (just started)

I am writing VBS lessons:
My VBS partner and I will be teaching the VBS lessons at our church again this year- we are teaching from the book of Acts about Paul's second missionary journey! The theme of this year's VBS is Athens - so everything is Greek themed! We're going to wear togas and leaf headpieces. It's coming up soon.. on July 15th. I can't wait!

On June 19th, my favorite job I've ever held had to let me go:
A small post is coming soon about that.

I tried being positive:
A post is coming soon about that as well.

A Few Other Things:
~It rained a lot, and some tornadoes almost tore apart my city. But we survived.
~God is faithful when I am faithless. He's also unchanging.Thank God.
~I have the best friend I could ask for.
~I discovered arguably the greatest most practical YouTube channel for introverts and people with social anxiety (like me...): Charisma on Command. Check it out. The psychology is super intriguing. And there's a recent episode on Keanu Reeves and introversion... i am cri.
~God used 2 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 32 to change my life.

Music:
~Bee Gees "Too Much Heaven". I love those chill vibes. ☀
~Studio Ghibli Piano Music. Perfect for taking a walk with a twilight sunset.
~BTS "Make It Right". Pretty much any BTS song is guaranteed good vibes.
~Queen "Spread Your Wings". A newly 'discovered' Queen song for me.

Spring Words:
Sunsets
Crescents
Chills
Chopin
Ablaze
Golden
Quiet
Change
Wait

☆ // Amaris // ☆

How was your Spring? Did you do anything you've never done before? What has God done in your life lately?

New Blog Look // Spring & Summer 2019

Good day, peeps! I just wanted to share that I have a new blog look! I was going for cool toned Summer vibes, with a hint of sunshine.

It will be fun to look at this post in years to come and see what the blog looked like, so that's the reason for this post, and this picture:

I hope you like the new look, and I hope your Spring is gong well, peeps!
-Amaris

Favorite Things of March // 2018

How March went.

{books.}

The Complete Sherlock Holmes {Volume II} - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
After disliking a couple of ACD's short stories I tried for a British Literature class in 9th grade, I decided to give the literary Sherlock another chance as a 20-year-old... and I'm glad I did. I am enjoying this volume immensely.

Cloaked - Rachel Kovaciny
Just finished it on the 2nd of April, actually. It was good, but nothing to get really excited about.

Show Them Jesus - Jack Klumpenhower

Still working on this one; but I'm really learning from it.

{movies.}

Bruce Almighty (2003)
Kinda funny, but also very inappropriate. So. It's a pass.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Waaayy more morbid than I had anticipated. But I kinda liked it too. The cinematography was really pretty and the acting was great. So. *shrug*

Sense & Sensibility (1995)
Not as well-loved as P&P '95, but a good movie just the same.

The American President (1995)
I so wanted this to be good (the trailer looked bomb), but it just... wasn't.

Turner and Hooch (1989)
Oh my gosh, so cute and funny. I will definitely re-watch at some point (check out the parents guide on IMDB before you try it, tho).

The Imitation Game (2014)
A re-watch. Still as good as I remember it.

{stuff.}

Essential Oils Locket

At one of my jobs (the craft store job), we have begun to sell some lockets that include a little absorbent pad inside to moisten with essential oils.
It's seriously great; I put my immunity oil (my favorite oil) in the necklace, and it lasts all day, right under my nose. The locket is cute, too.

Trader Joe's Creamy Tomato Soup Seasoned Crackers
Have you tried these? If you have a Trader Joe's near you, pick these up next time, cause they're pretty good.

Taco salad at work
One of my favorite lunches to bring to work (at my other job; my embroidery job) is homemade taco salad with romaine lettuce, tomato halves, black beans, Trader Joe's green salsa (my favorite salsa in the world hands down), Fage yogurt, grated sharp cheddar (always sharp), chopped avocado, and halved olives (I love black olives to death), plus Chalula hot sauce (love this cause it's not too hot and it has great flavor), with juice from a lemon sprinkled all over. And... I think that's it. But yeah. It's my favorite lunch right now. I would take a picture, but as I mentioned in a few posts ago, my camera is either lost or gone forever so I have no way of showing you things. *sadness*

One last thing:
My Surprise
Well, I promised to reveal my surprise to you guys in my March Highlights post. That is, my little item that I've been saving for. Unfortunately, because of certain issue regarding car maintenance
(#drat cars #drat adult life too),
I haven't bought it yet. So it will take me another two weeks of saving (or so) before I can afford #The Thing.

But I will let you all know when I have it! I am quite impatient myself.

{updates.} 

We are still moving.
And still busy. But hey, at least at this point the whole house is super clean.
 I hope you can live with The Storybook Journal looking like Winter for a little bit longer, my friends, because when you're moving...

It's in the works, though. It will be looking like Spring before long, so hang tight.

I put a Thing on my sidebar and I'm unnecessarily proud of it
This is kinda random, but I figured out how to put a Goodreads widget on my sidebar! Yeah, I'm really bad with technology stuff. Which explains why I get overly excited about these things. So yeah. Now ya'll can see what I'm currently reading. What up.

{Other.}

So I tried a new TV show last week. The Mentalist. It's a little too edgy for my taste, but there were things I really liked about S1E1, and what's more I felt an instant (and somewhat eerie) connection to the protagonist, Patrick Jane (played by Simon Baker). I'm even more sure about that last bit after I discovered this post, as I too am an INFJ personality type.  To be honest, he was almost exactly like me! I think it's so cool to find a fictional counterpart in an unexpected place.
Seriously though; from now on, even if I don't continue watching The Mentalist, every time I hear of or see Patrick Jane around the Web, I'm going to be like:

Aw yeah.

These posts by Naomi:

The Note on the Wall - #1
The Note on the Wall - #2
The Note on the Wall - #3

There are more parts coming, but these are the ones I've read so far, and mmm I just love them. #please write a book

This song by Cory Asbury:
Reckless Love
I love this song so much; it's a new song but for some reason it reminds me of my childhood...? *shrug* Anywho. It's a great song. Give it a listen.

~*~
Well, that's it. Sorry to keep you waiting for nothing in regards to my 'surprise'. But hey, at least you know what I did this month! That's sure important, right?

-Amaris

p.s. I saw the first ladybug of Spring yesterday.

Small Birdie, Big God

A post I wrote a couple days ago.
 --
Today, being Friday (the day that I wrote this), I went through the Starbucks drive thru to get a frappaccino. There's nothing extraordinary about that, but while I was sitting in line for the pay window, I heard in the tree above me, the most crisp, cheery, and lovely sound. It was a series of twitters, ranging from shrills, titters, and tweets, to loud whistles.
I looked up and saw a mockingbird.
It was the first mockingbird I've seen this Spring, actually.

  I know that mockingbirds are among the more aggressive breed of birds, but I have personally always loved them. I always found it amazing that one bird could 'copy' so many others in the song it makes. Its little whistles can make all sorts of sounds, at all different volumes.

I was thinking about this on the way to work whilst sipping my coffee, and I began to think about all the people in the world who don't believe there is a God at all.
It made me sad that some could suppose that such an intricately designed bird could have no Maker. That all of this (meaning the whole world) just randomly happened.

I am not a genius. I am not above-average in intelligence, nor do I even have a college education.
But I, even I, can't imagine all of this -mockingbirds included- without a Designer. I can't imagine things not having a beginning from an intelligent Being Who put it all into place.
Actually, it is to our benefit that we believe in a God who made all things. For He made us, and that means He cares about us!


// 1 Peter 5:7 //

"... casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."


I don't know about you, but I want a piece of That.
God loves the world. Whether they believe in Him or not.
I would rather there be a God who made everything and cares about me, than refuse to believe in Him at all. 
It's something I've decided to put my trust in, and I don't think I'll be disappointed.

-Amaris

I AM QUITE ALIVE

Ah, my blogging friends, forgive me for my negligence! I have had the most swimming adventure. I say 'swimming' because I actually did some swimming. In a river. With currents and everything. And my best friend had to save me. Hooray.
So I went to a remote cabin in the woods and spent four days there and swam in said river, which made my arms and legs hurt like the dickens the day after, but it was still all too fun to matter.
And I used an outhouse for the first time.
 #yay
 #so fun
 #ya'll should try it
 #just kidding don't

And I played a ridiculously fun game called SPOONS during which you had to FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE because everyone practically killed each other trying to secure a blasted spoon for themselves and WE ALMOST BROKE A CHANDELIER PLAYING THIS GAME and which I had never played before but hip hooray for me because I beat everyone except my mom.

And I hung my clothes on an actual clothesline to dry in the sun.
And I drank 18 different bottles of soda pop in all sorts of outrageous flavors such as "MacFuddy Pepper Elixer" (which I actually enjoyed--call me a liar if you want to), and "Candy Bacon Soda Pop" (You can Google these if you don't believe me) and "Caramel Soda Pop" and "Shirley Temple Soda Pop" and basically ALL THE SODA POPS.
And I don't even 'drink' soda.

Not my image...

And I took lots of beautiful photos with my Mini 8 Instax Camera to keep the memories forever... and I also took some pictures with another camera that I took with me and I wanted to show some of them to you but I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO UPLOAD THEM I'M SORRYYYYYYYYYY
*****
And SO MUCH OTHER STUFF.
WE HAD A CAMPFIRE.
AND I SAW A SLUG ON MY CHAIR.
AND I LEARNED THAT UNQUINTESSENTIALLY IS A VERY LONG WORD.

IT IS SUMMA-TIME, MY FRIENDS!
Ahem.

And when I got back from my 'weekend of weekends', I did something ELSE very exciting... Well, first I had the stomach bug (which was NOT exciting, believe me), but after that, .......
I also...........
...........
 drumroll, please...........
..
......
.....
......
.......
.....
......
.........
I bought my first car!!!!!!! HOORAY!!! :D
Ta-da!
*lots of confetti and fanfare*

Aren't I so grown up?!?!?!?!?!? (No, don't answer that. We both know I'm not).
Do you realize what has happened?!
Do you know what this means?!
I can now go places.
Did you hear me?
GO.
PLACES.

HOORAY.
#so excite
#much happy
#very drive
#w-o-o-ww

I apologize for the obnoxious way in which I am portraying my excitement to you. I know I am really quite nuts.

I suppose I must now come to the real reason for this post. That is to warn you that you won't hearing from me for a couple of weeks. (There. Aren't I so proper now in warning you this time? Instead of just leaving you to wonder weather or not I've disappeared from the face of the earth. You ought to pat me on the back.) I am going away to a sort of training camp thingy (same as last year), and it will take up 90% or more of my Summer. Which leaves very little time for blogging and all that. If I can squeeze in a small post here and there, I'll be lucky.
But don't expect that.
I am blessed that the Good Lord has seen fit to give me His business to do, and I intend on making the most of it.
So.
That was the real reason for this post. 

And now I must leave you.
I must get to packing.
Literally. Lots and lots of packing.
-Amaris
p.s. Forgive me for any grammatical errors in this post, but I haven't time to check myself. Hopefully all is well.
GOODBYE.

Spring Favorites // 2017 + A Ghost Story

A rather random list of my favorite things from this Spring. Enjoy.

: WWI History :
If you follow me on Goodreads, you might have seen a couple of WWI books here and there, and that's because I have been looking for a couple of good books to help one of my siblings understand WWI better. I think I already mentioned my recent interest in this particular subject, but let's just say I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

But I feel like I'm a little short on movies. Does anyone know any good WWI movies besides War Horse, Testament of Youth, and All Quiet on the Western Front? I feel like there are a million World War TWO movies, but One? Where are they?

: Movies, etc. : 
Sully [2016]  (REALLY good 5 out of 5 stars {I was thinking of doing a whole post review on this one because I enjoyed it so much... Would you all enjoy a review post for a change?)
The Case for Christ [2017] (ALSO REALLY GOOD 5/5 stars)
Duck Dynasty Season 10 [2015-16] (Hilarious, as usual 4/5 stars)
Call the Midwife Season 6 Christmas special [2016]  (so enjoyable because it's been awhile since I've seen this show 4/5 stars)
All Quiet on the Western Front [1930] (SO SAD but also really good 4/5 stars)
Loving [2016] (kind of slow and unsatisfying, but it had a few good parts 1/5 stars)

: Studio C :
Going back and watching some of my favorite sketches has filled up quite a few of my evenings lately. Might I suggest a few favorites?

Middle School Kid Ruins the News

The Janitor: Gym Jocks

Boy Band Breakup

A Kindergarten Fight for Love

Weighty Matters

Foreign Exchange

State of Mind

Welcome Back Song

Man of Interest

: Learning :
To drive! :D You guys, I am so close to getting my car and my license, I can almost taste it (that sounds kind of weird, actually).

: Trying to write :

My story... which needs a better name... and a better opening scene... and a better ending... and more subplots... and more goals... and better conflict... and.... and... yeah. 

You get the idea. 

: Making :
This necklace. I wanted to make a necklace that goes with all of my grey outfits, so.

: Loving :
1.Starbucks S'mores frappe
2.My dogs because I bathed them both yesterday and now they are so CLEAN AND SOFT AND CLEAN.
3.This teddy bear I found at Hobby Lobby the other day and I just had to bring him home.
He's my little friend now.

Say hello to Patrick, my little friend.

4. And in the makeup category: I am loving these few palettes that I found at Sephora on clearance! They were like $30, but I got them both for half off. :) I love the cool tones in the Vintage Filter one.
Sephora collection colorful eyeshadow filter palettes

: Reading : 

Crazy Love

Rachel's Tears

Good Call

A Woman's Strength

The Last of the Doughboys

The Reluctant Midwife

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood
The Bible (mostly Acts)

o

: Listening :
Tauren Wells: Hills and Valleys. I was pretty excited the other day when I heard this song on the NON-CHRISTIAN radio at my job.
Hollyn: In Awe. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of Hollyn (although, dare I say, a lot of teenage girls are) but even so, I simply adore this song.

I know ya'll are tired of hearing about the Adam Young Scores on my blog, but three of the songs (not whole scores, just specific songs/tracks) I have been especially enjoying lately:
o

I don't know, I just find it helpful to listen to these when I'm writing (which isn't very often these days, sadly).

But I haven't only been listening to music. It's been raining a lot lately (at least where I live), and I love to listen to the rain and thunderstorms.

I often wonder if God created rain just specifically to make me happy. 

 I went into work the other day and it was POURING rain, and on my way inside my feet got all wet and when I went in you could really hear the rain loudly inside and I just had the biggest smile on my face and one of my coworkers just looked at me like I was insane because of my big grin and my feet were slushing with water but I didn't care because it was raining so hard and I was so happy. 

Thanks be to God.

YEEESSSSHHHH

Don't get me wrong, my heart goes out to the people who's yards are under water right now, or who have floodwater in their basements. :(
That's never fun.
But anyways. Let's wrap this up, shall we?

Photo credit: ME. Feel free to pin. :)

: So those are a few of my favorite things this Spring!!! :
I realize that Spring isn't over yet, so, the question is, why am I posting this NOW, instead of when Spring is actually over on June 20th? Well, April is my favorite month, you see. (pretty sure I've mentioned that before on the Blog) And even though Spring still has a month or two left (technically), it pretty much ends for me after April is over. I don't know, that's just the way it is for me. *shrug*
At this point, I'm ready for Summer! 

Also, I promised you a Ghost Story written in the title of this post, So here it is:
*****

A Ghost Story That Took Way More Words Than I Thought I Needed, Yet I Have Presented It Here For Your Enjoyment 
*****
The past couple of days, I have noticed a strange occurrence every time I go up my stairs. When I get to the top, I can hear something like a muffled whisper of jumbled words just behind me. The first couple of times I heard it, I assumed it was just some noise created from me bounding up the stairs. Or perhaps I was brushing against the brooms hanging up next to the steps, and that was making the strange, brushing, voice-like sound.
So I didn't think too much of it.

But I kept hearing them every time I went upstairs. 

One day, I heard it all too clearly, and the noise that I assumed was just that- noise - became some thing more than that. Spoken words in recognizable English, directly behind me. It happened after I was in the basement tending to some laundry. I finished up, and headed upstairs. When I got to the top of the landing, clearer than ever, I heard it unmistakably: the whisper.

"Look. They're gone."

 Startled, I spun around, expecting to see someone, or something there. But no one. Not a soul. I went back downstairs to have a look around. 

There wasn't a thing. 

The idea that I might be hallucinating crossed my mind. Similar things have happened before with my all-too-vivid imagination. 

I called to my sister to help me uncover the source of the sound. I had her stand at the top of the landing, and I went up and down the stairs several times, in hopes that the action would trigger whatever (or whoever) was making the noise. 

But I tried going up and down several times, with no results or conclusions whatsoever. No brushing against brooms, no bounding up the stairs, none of it worked.
My sister thought I was crazy.
Maybe I was.
But I know I heard that whisper!
 I decided to take a little break from the problem, and went about my day. But ever so often my mind would wander to the mysterious voice I undoubtedly heard clearly on the stairwell.
45 minutes later, it was time to do laundry again. I went downstairs and took care of it.
When I began to ascend the stairs, I told myself I would listen really closely so there would be no doubt about what I heard.
I got to the top of the landing and paused....
At first, nothing.
But then, out of the breathless silence, came the phrase, in a loud whisper from behind me that chilled my blood.

"Look. They're gone."

What. On. Earth.
Who in the heck is down there?  
What is?
I called my sister again, this time in near panic. I begged her to help me try to find the whisper once more. Reluctantly, she joined me as I went up and down the stairs countless times once again.
My heart pounded. What could this possibly be about?

Finally, I figured it out.  
*
*
*
Tune in next week to hear the chilling conclusion of this blood-curdling account!

(No, you didn't think I would tell you the entire thing NOW, did you? And let you spoil it for yourself by peeking at the ending? Hehe, you're silly)

*
 *

BYE
-Amaris

A Few Things I'm Glad Exist

First of all, before I dive into a few recent 'favorites', I have to thank you all for the support you showed me in the comments of my last post. I did a lot of praying before I put anything about Beauty and the Beast on  this blog, and I felt like the Spirit was leading me to share my heart about the issue. All of your comments just really encouraged me and confirmed that I did the right thing in that respect. So I just gotta say 'thank you' for that!

So anyways, here are just a few favorite things that I have been enjoying lately (and for good reasons!).
There are new things, as well as old things that I am returning to.
Enjoy!

Firstly:
SPRING IS HERE, PEOPLE..Well, not technically. The actual date of Spring is March 20th, but STILL. It looks like Spring, it feels like Spring, so therefore it IS Spring.
This is my favorite time of year. Early Spring, specifically. It's not full-blown Spring yet, but the flowers are just starting to peep around everywhere, and you have maybe a dandelion or two, and the grass is kind of half green and half yellow, and there's these cute little buds popping out all over the branches and the trees, and the weather is (for the most part) amazing... Just. Yes. *breathes deeply* *sighs contentedly* *because Spring*

Book Find: "How to Talk to Anyone". So I saw this book at Barnes & Noble, and it looked pretty interesting so I took it home. Fellows, I am really glad I picked it up. I don't know about you, but I can get pretty shy when I talk to people, and I have to admit that my communications skills are NOT the best. :P # this is what happens when a person cares more about reading and doing crafts and staying at home than actually going out into the world and socializing.
Anyways, I'm halfway through the book, but it has really helped me so far. It gives tips on starting conversations, carrying conversations, how to keep eye contact (which I've always been horrible at :P), as well as other tips and tricks to bring to the table when conversing with people. 
So I definitely recommend this book. It isn't super psychological and complicated, nor does it resemble a boring school textbook. Plus, I just find the cover super cute...? Anyone else?

Broadway: Newsies
I am aware that most of my followers have seen and loved Newsies. So you are probably excited about this part. I had never actually seen it before. I mean, I'd heard of it, but I'd never seen it. Nor have I heard any of the songs, nor have I ever watched any trailers for the Broadway show or anything.
I was a babe in the woods, when it came to Newsies.
Well, no longer. My friend's grandparents bought me a ticket to the three day event thingy in cinemas to see a live filming of the production.
AND. BOY.

I had no idea what I've been missing. What acting! What dancing! What voices! I had a super good time with my best friend and I enjoyed the show immensely.

And, once or twice., I may or may not have... *lowers voice*...occasionally... *glances around* ... kind of...*whispers*....fangirled.

I'm going to let you in on something. In case you didn't already know, I don't like musicals. I might even go so far as to say I HATE them. That is not including a few exceptions, however. Such as 'Singin' in the Rain', 'White Christmas', and a few others. And Newsies, my friends, made the cut. Which surprised me, because I am not a fan of Broadway musicals in particular. They just bug me.

'Hamilton'? Nooo.
'Wicked'? PLEASE no. I DO NOT CARE ABOUT WHETHER YOU CAN DEFY GRAVITY OR NOT JUST LEAVE ME OUT OF IT PLEASE.

YouTube: Blimey Cow. I have really enjoyed Blimey Cow's videos lately. They have just been funny as well as eye opening to me. I try to show some of the videos to my mom, but she never likes them because "that guy talks too fast". XD I guess he does, but his content is still great!
And I have to mention how happy I am for Jordan because... *sniff*... he got engaged. I don't even know this kid, but I've been watching him for years and it's just so cool after watching all the videos he's made about the struggles with dating and courting and crushes to see that he has happily found his special someone...

*dries happy tears* Onto the next subject!
I have to mention Sherlock Season 4!!!!! (aka the best season of the best show ever). One of the good things about the fact that I've FINALLY watched this season is that I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SEEING SPOILERS ON MY PINTEREST FEED ANYMORE. I had to unfolllow like 2 of my favorite pinner's Sherlock boards (Abbie C.'s and Ashley Elliot's) because I kept seeing Season Four spoilers. So now I'm just going to hop over and follow them back because I've seen the episodes. *hops*
Abbie was decent enough to warn people of spoilers in her board title, which I was grateful for, but not before I ACCIDENTALLY SAW A FEW THINGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE.

This gets me every time. XD

Even with the spoilers I saw, the season took waayyyy too many unexpected and devastating turns.
I mean, just...*sniffs* John... Mary..... Sherlock.......... Redbeard................Molly.......*cries softly*
I can't tell you anymore. But I died like a thousand deaths watching it.

THIS EPISODE KILLED ME.

I'm usually not the kind of person to obsess over a TV show or a movie or anything, but if ever a show mercilessly ripped out my poor little heart, it was this show, this season.
For sure.

*crying*

And can we just take a second to appreciate what a great actor Benedict Cumberbatch is? He pretty much blows me away in every role I've seen him in (like, three roles other than Sherlock). I mean, seriously. He's the best.
*Salutes to Ben*

Yes, yes, and yessss.

I'm thinking of doing a 'Sherlock BBC' week on the blog sometime, and we can post stuff about Sherlock, and the show, and our favorite characters, and there can be a tag, and other Sherlock fun stuff, and you know.... what do you think of that? I'm not sure how many of my followers actually like the show, so it might be boring for some of you.
OR MAYBE YA'LL SHOULD JUST WATCH THE SHOW. AND WE CAN DO A SHERLOCK WEEK.
THIS IS YOUR CUE.
GO WATCH IT.
Ok, I'm going to end the Sherlock section of this post because I feel like I'm beginning to repeat myself.

Please Look at the Moon. Guys. I have been completely obsessed with looking at the moon lately. It is so pure and absolutely perfect and breathtaking and gorgeous. If you have the moon where you live (and I know you do), look at it tonight if you can.
Also, I'm pretty excited about those 7 new 'earths' NASA has apparently discovered? I was pretty intrigued at the news. The idea that there are other planets with water and air wayyyyy way out there is just so cool to me. *shrug* I don't know. I just like space, y'all.

It's been about 4 months and I'm still laughing at this meme. 
I had to share because guys... this meme. XD I just can't...
 

*laughs my little triumphant laugh*

Hooray for Writing: After almost a year of no writing, I've actually done a little bit of plotting on my story lately. Just this week I wrote TWO WHOLE TIMES. Which is way more than I have been used to.
It was great.
#Behold the most disciplined writer ever.
The story is coming along splendidly where it was at a standstill before, but I'm quite a ways from holding a physical book in my hands. :P Wish me luck, I guess.

Working my way through Star Wars: It's been an interesting ride, but I have a couple of friends who are helping me out in my journey as I watch this series for the first time. :) At this point, I've seen IV, V, VI, and I. I know I definitely like IV and V.
VI was OK, and Ep. I was a little weird... I'm just not sure how I feel about the whole thing, but like I said, it's been interesting. I am pretty excited to watch one of the recent  movies, though :) I've heard great things about Rogue One. But, *shrug* we'll see. :)

Coming to a Realization: I decided I will be totally fine if I never get married. I mean, I would be happy to GET married, but if God is like "actually you'll be fine single", then I am perfect with that. It gives me more time to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. And I have plenty of things to do with my life other than spend it with a husband and children.
But like I said, I'm trying to stay open to whatever God has in mind. Be it easy or hard.
#hopefully easy
#but probably hard

So that is what I have been up to lately, if anyone cares. :)
Thank you for reading!

It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most. It's making a great deal out of the little ones. -Daddy Long Legs.

p.s. See, I told you happy posts were coming. :) 

//: Read This Post ://

Oh good, you clicked on this post.
That's exactly what I wanted you to do. That's why I called this post "Read This Post".
Aren't I so convincing?

I should be a writer... oh wait, I am a writer.
But wait again, I haven't written in a long time because of reasons, so, maybe I'm not a writer.
I don't know.
I like to pretend that I am in my head, anyways.

But I didn't write this post to talk about writing.
I didn't really have ANYTHING in mind when I wrote this.
I was in a letter-writing mood, so I just wanted to write a letter to you.

This is the way I am in most of my letters to my friends... a bit random, a bit unusual, just... me.
 Of course, SOMETIMES my letters make sense. The parts where I cordially inquire about how the recipient's Christmas went. Or how their New Year's went. Or how they're doing, or how their puppies are doing...
And such.

Do you ever writer letters?  
They are rather old-fashioned, I know. But I like them, 95% purely because they are old-fashioned, and 5% because... well, I don't know. Because of other reasons.
(Like because I get to sit in my room and write my appropriate responses in my own time without the pressure of conversing face-to-face with a random person who expects me to give a reasonable response to their inquiries within a short second or two after they finish their sentence).

Have you gone outside and seen the stars lately? Or the moon?
I know it's dreadfully cold in most parts of the world, but perhaps brave the bitter chill tonight (or tomorrow night, if it's clear) to look up and see the magic. For, it is magic.
What looks like pinpointed diamonds at the tip of your outstretched fingers, are really tumultuous balls of fire billions of miles away. And the same God who created those dots-that-are-fireballs created you and me.
So look at them, if you can. Because you can't feel them or fly with them or hang in the air with them.
If you're lucky, you can spot Venus (my favorite planet). Just look for the brightest 'dot'.
Aaand I forgot where I was going with this.

Do any of you have a birthday in January? I do! *raises hand* Winter birthdays are interesting in themselves because pretty much always (unless there's unusually warm weather... and even then it's hard to plan ahead for that kind of thing) you have to do indoor type of stuff to celebrate. A fancy restaurant, a trip to the bookstore, a night at home with love and laughter, surrounded by people with glittering smiles who say, "How does it feel to finally be 19?!!" When I have absolutely no idea how to answer that question. Hm. Maybe I should Google it...

I'm working on a post of some of the stuff I did and presents I got (from people and from myself) for my birthday. Would you be interested in reading something like that?

I did get a book that I am REALLY enjoying so far (I'm like two chapters from the end...): Hidden Places, by Lynn Austin. I'm in love with practically all the characters (except for the mean ones...).
Have you read a good book lately?

Well anyways, I'm going to sign off now.
Tell someone you love them today.
Smile at a stranger. Be sure to look at their eyes. (They tend to be more touched when you do).

Smell candles that remind you of Spring, pet your dog (if you have one), wear your favorite comfortable clothes.
If you have a camera, take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Remember little things for no reason.
Read your Bible and relish the words in it.
Take a deep breath.
Goodbye, dears.

~Amaris

p.s. God loves you.