Everything's Boring Now ...

... A Rant :)

 “I had no idea how much these quiet pleasures had retreated for my life while I was rushing around, and now I’m inviting them back in: still, rhythmic work with the hands, the kind of light concentration that allows you to dream, and the sense of a kindness done in the process”

- Wintering, by Katherine May 

I recently cancelled my Apple Music subscription to save money (following our decision to quit my full time job, as detailed in this post). 

As a result, on my way to work twice a week, I have resorted to listening to a total of 3 Owl City CD's that I obtained as a teenager. They have lived in the little in-between-the front-seats-compartment (I don't know what that compartment is called, LOL) in all my cars since my first Buick when I was 17. 

Even though the days of CD's are long over, I just never got rid of them. Partially because of sentiment (after all, Owl City Ocean Eyes was the first album I ever listened to that wasn't completely and obviously "Christian", and paved the way for me to experiment with music until I have the tastes that I do today), and partially because I was just too lazy/or didn't care to. 

The albums are Ocean Eyes, Mobile Orchestra, and Maybe I'm Dreaming, and even though these albums in their digital form are apart of my Apple Music Library, I haven't listened to them in their entirety in a long time. 

So I was surprised to find that, when listening to them for the first time in my car on the way to work, how utterly enjoyable it was. How happy it made me! 

It got me thinking... why is it that when I have unlimited options - a digital arsenal of practically every song I could ever dream of listening to - I am so much more... stressed?? Overwhelmed? Unsatisfied? Some of my favorite songs are on Apple Music that I can access, after all. But a lot of times, I won't even listen to the whole song. I'll listen through the first chorus, then skip!

I think a huge reason for the decline in many people's mental health in recent years is the introduction of unlimited media. But not just music. YouTube has every video about every topic you could ever imagine. Streaming services have practically every movie and show that you could ever care to watch. Social Media has every profile of almost every person you know, with endless updates about their lives, and endless opinions on politics, pop culture, health, parenting.... etc. 

Don't get me wrong, this is great and all. This is all very valuable and helpful in it's own way. 

But it's not just the problem of decision paralysis from all the unlimited choices and information overwhelm, something that I believe our brains weren't designed to handle in the first place. No, it's also the fact that we are all being robbed blind by subscription services. 

Think about it. A year of my Apple Music subscription cost me $10.99 x 12 months = about $130 bucks. 

You are telling me, after paying A HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS - that if I cancel the "subscription", I don't have the choice or the option to access ANY of my favorite songs anymore? 

So in essence, nothing is really MINE. Nothing is OWNED. 

In the olden days, you bought a CD, and then that CD was yours FOREVER. Even my Owl City CDs, TO THIS DAY are still MINE! I can still play them, I don't have to continue paying to continue enjoying them, and what's more, the songs aren't going to change if the world decides it's offensive for some reason for 10 years. 

So while driving along hearing my CD and having my thoughts. I thought to myself - this is the life to strive for. 

A life that owns instead of rents. A life that is grateful for what I have, which isn't everything in the world ever. 

There is no striving for everything I can't have, because I'm content with what I do have. And what I DO have, I'm grateful for and I take care of. 

A life that doesn't dull the pain of the mundane with hits of dopamine just to get by and feed the need of more more MORE. 

Because here's the thing ... the internet never ends. If I have an addiction to scrolling, here's the scary thing. There is no end to it. There is no limit. You could literally go on, and on and on. But it will never fully satisfy! 

I remember when I was a young teenager and I was getting into nail art (side note.... my mom didn't approve of the nail art. She thought nails should only be painted red, pink, or nude colors only. When I tried different colors such as purple as well as designs, she was gravely disapproving! I have no idea why, but it makes me chuckle today. LOL), I remember I would log onto Pinterest, which was still new and hot at the time, and search "nail art". And I WOULD ACTUALLY EVENTUALLY SCROLL TO THE "BOTTOM" OF THE PAGE because that was the END of the search results for "nail art"!!!! Nowadays, that just doesn't happen. 

It is my belief that a big learning curve for my generation (Gen Z, or the micro-generation, "Zillenial") was how to manage our own screen time, because it's not something our parents grew up with. 

As a new mom, I see plenty of online advice about not letting your kid have too much screen time, because there's actually some research on the subject now. 

But I'm still struggling with my OWN screen time, after 10+ years of cultivated habits from when I was a social media and internet-using teenager! My generation's parents didn't know how to deal with this phone stuff, because it all became available after they were adults.

It's something that I want to better in myself, so that I can raise my child with the tools he needs to be self disciplined. 

This is ONE of the reasons that I have avowed myself to start blogging more and regularly. To, in a sense, bring back the enjoyment of "slow internet". I have no idea if anyone still even reads my blog. Every one is out watching short form videos! Including myself, at times! 

But I want to get back to the slow, methodical, even ritualistic practice of the delayed gratification type of media, the type that takes awhile to put together, that helps me share thoughts and even understand my own values while I type them out. It takes practice, and honestly, a whole lot of unlearning and RE-learning. But I think it's worth it! 

Well, friends, that is all. This was a rather rambly, rant/vent sort of post. It was something that came to mind for me recently after actually giving up some things that I used to have "limited" options of. It got me thinking and so I wanted to share. If you haven't taken a break from your subscriptions lately, I recommend you give it a try! It might be "boring" for a bit, but that's where you start to see the magic! Not to mention your wallet will thank you. 

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you think that the introduction of streaming and the "unlimited" nature of the internet, has ultimately improved society or harmed it? 

Until next time :)

 

Fall is Here ~

~:Fall:~

leaves // crispy apples // flannel everything // chilly evenings // warm tea mugs // pomegranate pie scented candles // pumpkins decorated with crafty stuff // cold rain // huge sweaters // candy corn // crisp breezes // vintage coats // thanksgiving // combat boots // roasted pumpkin seeds // caramel // pumpkin pie Pusheen Cat // fuzzy socks // Orion in the sky // reading books by the hearth // brown leather jackets // sunshine on leaves // watching Sherlock // fluffy pajamas // dark red lipstick // the smell of coffee // the first snow // studying // Owl City's "The Real World" // leaves fluttering to the ground // black cats // forest green // corduroy // sleeping with a dog // red cardigans // the warmth of hugs that isn't there at other times of year // plushy sweaters //

 *   What does Fall mean for you?   *

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

~*~ Happiness ~*~

Happiness is:

Popcorn strings and paper snowflakes... all over the house

~*~
  d

Kermit the Frog

~*~
  d

Cold, starry nights in January
~*~
 d

Purple eye shadow
~*~
 d

My bare feet on the cold floor
~*~
 d

The term "always forever"

~*~
o

Writing my name and the date in a crisp new book

~*~
  d

Being called "good looking enough to be a goddess" by a stranger 

~*~
  d

FINALLY finding a note in a used book

~*~
  d

Adam Young: "Brave"
~*~

Han Solo: God's gift to television
 ~*~
  d

My new Instax Mini 8 Camera! #thanksmomanddad
 ~*~
d
Homemade tacos on a cold January afternoon
~*~
d
The sound of a typewriter 'ding'. 
 ~*~
d
Marlo Thomas (a.k.a. 'That Girl')
 d~*~

My birthday. :) 
 

Photo credit: ME.

I hope your January is going lovely, my friends. 

Alas, The Scores are Finished

So I gotta write a post on one of my favorite things of the year 2016.
The Adam Young Scores.
If you've been hanging around my blog for awhile, you've heard of them before.

What are the Adam Young Scores, you ask? Let me start with the 'Adam Young' part.
He's the guy who writes Owl City. You might have heard of Fireflies, one of his most popular songs. Like most Hoot Owls (for that is what they call us), Fireflies is what got ME started, about oh, 6 years ago. My brother would take me places in his car, and he would always play the song for me, among others.
Well, time passed, and for my 16th birthday, he gave me my very own album! Ocean Eyes still sits proudly among my other CDs.

Over time, of course I got to liking his other albums too, 'All Things Bright and Beautiful', 'Maybe I'm Dreaming', and his LATEST album, 'Mobile Orchestra', which I just love.

Anyways, the guy's really talented.
He records his own noises and then layers them with the computer to make music. How awesome is that?! Some might say it's not really 'music', but I disagree. If it sounds good and I like it, who cares how it's made? Besides, some of it IS real. I mean, have you heard this guy's piano?! That's real! And so is his voice, which I love as well.
Anyways, no amount of talking down to electronic music will make me love Adam's music any less. The words speak true to me, and they have helped me get through some of the toughest times in recent years.
If you're a teenager and don't have Owl City, I gotta say I'm sorry for you.

'Tidal Wave'

At the beginning of 2016, in February, he came out with the first 'Adam Young Score'.
It was called 'Apollo 11;, and it 'told' the story of America landing on the moon. I actually didn't care for this one very much, so I wasn't too excited.

BUT THEN.

In March, 'RMS Titanic' came out, and BOY.
I was BLOWN. AWAY.
See, the Titanic has always been one of my favorite stories in history. And here was MUSIC TO GO WITH IT. But not just music. Noises like the ship is creaking and breaking apart in the ocean.
As I listened, it was like I was right there on the ship. Among the chaos, desperate for the only hope for survival: the lifeboats.
It was like a soundtrack without the movie.
What's more perfect than that?
Then I found out that he does these music/soundtrack/depiction thingies every single month. Boy was I happy.
It's kind of like when you subscribe to a really cool monthly magazine. Every month, you're there at the mailbox, waiting for the newest issue to come out. Craving to get your hands on it.
That's the kind of blissful anticipation it was for me.

I, the one who loves history, and learning, and music, and Owl City most of all, was getting the most amazing 'subscription' every single month.
Of course, it's over now. The scores are done (for the time being).
That's why I'm writing this post NOW instead of months ago.
The last score came out December 1st, 2016. 'The Endurance: Shackleton's Journey'.
I am sad that it's over, but I will always remember what fun they were. And of course, they're still on YouTube!

After all of that, I have to say "Thank you, Adam Young."

And now, of course I had to write down my top five favorite scores for 2016, as well as a few others.
So here they are. If you've never heard the Scores before, I would start with these. :)

1. Corduroy Road (A beautiful depiction of the Civil War just before it ended. I absolutely adore this one. There's piano, sounds of the rain falling in a Civil War camp, a rewrite of Amazing Grace and EVEN ADAM YOUNG'S VOICE... It's all so beautiful I could cry. Definitely my favorite out of all of them).

2. RMS Titanic (The story of the Titanic has always been close to my heart. I just love learning about it and my love for Titanic history is wrapped up into this beautiful musical package, complete with Irish themed music and "Nearer, My God, to Thee".).

3. Voyager 1 (The story of a lonely space probe traipsing across the galaxy. I like this score because it's practically the exact same as me: A tiny bit beautiful, a little strange, somewhat mysterious, a little dark at times, but altogether, quite amazing. Plus, stars and galaxies and moons and dark matter are among my favorite things in the entire world).

4. The Endurance (this is the most recent score to come out. I probably know the least about this score's historical representation than all the others, but I still have a fantastic time listening to this one. I loooove how it's so LONG. It gives me more to listen to, more to love. This one also has some pretty cool sound layering. In fact, Adam Young made a video about how he layers sounds for this score. It's pretty neat to watch)

5. Last but NOT least, Project Excelsior (first of all, that's just fun to say. Excelsior. It makes me think of Gomer Pyle {don't ask me why} and I just love the sound of it. Anyways, the music is quite pretty, less flowy and delicate sounding than some of the other scores, but really cool. There's some guitar music and a tiny bit of piano near the end. Love it).

 

And of course, a couple of honorable mentions that didn't quite make the list, but they're still pretty good:

Mount Rushmore: I just have to ask WHY IS THIS ONE SO SHORT. It's really pretty but it needs to be much longer. :(

Spirit of Saint Louis: This one came out pretty early in the year, so I feel like I've listened to this one more than the others. I have always liked the story of the Spirit of Saint Louis with Charles Lindbergh (especially since some of my family originally came from St. Louis), so this one holds a special place in my heart.

Miracle in the Andes: I didn't like this one as much as the others, but it DOES have some pretty piano parts, and therefore deserves a mention on the list.

So if you've never tried Adam Young's Scores before, try a couple of these out. :) I promise you won't regret it.
I mean, they're like soundtracks, only better. How is that not amazing?!
So though I'm sad the scores are finished, I am still super excited because APPARENTLY HE'S GOT A NEW OWL CITY ALBUM COMING OUT THIS YEAR.
YEEEEHEHHEEHHEAHAHAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! HOORAY FOR NEW SONGS!!!!

And he apparently said on Instagram that he might do more scores again sometime, after the new OC album and all that.
I, for one, will be holding my breath until that time comes.
Until then, don't assume you WON'T hear about them on The Blog. I assure you, you will.

Oh and before I go, here's a tip from Adam:

Ok, I'm done.
-Amaris

p.s. Have any of you guys heard the Scores before? Which ones are YOUR favorites? Comment below!

// 2016: A Summary //

Hello, my friends.
This is the post in which I re-visit all the best highlights of 2016. 
I am blessed to say that 2016 (in spite of the stress involving Nov. 4th) was a fantastic year for me. It was by far one of my most happy and productive years of my life so far (and I've only lived 18...).
It's the beginning of my illustrious career as an adult.
I saw things and did things that I have never done before.

I imagine this will be a long post, so I better get going.

APRIL:

I met my first famous person! That would be Markus Zusak, author of the Book Thief. :) He talked with us and told jokes and said "hi" to everyone (wow just like a real human) and then he signed all of our books! It was a pretty great experience, because I've never actually been to an author event before. Here's a post I wrote on my experience.

MAY:

I (FINALLY) graduated from ye old High School. How does it feel being graduated, you ask? Let's just say I miss school, but I also DON'T miss school... at all. And I don't like all the expectations that come with being 18-going-on-19. I mean, chill people. If I don't want to go to college right away (or even at all), that doesn't mean my life won't be a success, or whatever. Don't you watch Blimey Cow?

JUNE:

I spent two whole weeks away from home when I went to camp. We learned to teach Bible Clubs to little kids. I met some great (and not so great) people, and I feel like the experience really broadened my view of the world and people's opinions. It was really neat to see God work right in front of my eyes as we ministered to the kids and it was a blessing to everyone involved. Before you ask, YES I'm going again next year. :)

JULY:

I had my first surgery! No, nothing serious. I didn't almost die. I was only getting my tonsils out. It was quite a painful ordeal though, don't get me wrong. I mean, I was able to relax on the couch for 14 days, but I wasn't exactly comfortable. I ate Jell-O (LOTS of Jell-O), I watched Sherlock and Call the Midwife and did lots of browsing on Pinterest. Yay. So fun.

SEPTEMBER:

It's weird to call this one of the highlights of 2016, but I FELT MY FIRST EARTHQUAKE.
I've always wanted to feel one, which is why this was a big deal to me.
It wasn't a huge one, and fortunately, the earth DID NOT crack open beneath my feet and swallow me up into a deep chasm of nothingness.
I was sitting on my bed doing some writing (what else...) and I started to sway back and forth suddenly. I had no idea what was going on (I figured I was dizzy or something) until I saw some necklaces that were hanging on my wall swinging back and forth, and then I knew that HOLY MOLY THIS WAS AN EARTHQUAKE.
It was very interesting.
At least now I can say "Oh yeah, I felt an earthquake once..."

DECEMBER:

I wanted to add December in here because I actually had a great one. It was a little hard toward the end because of CERTAIN situations, but I enjoyed the Christmas season pretty good.
I went to like... *counts on fingers* 4 Christmas parties (usually I don't go to any), I actually tried out some Christmas volunteer work (thanks to my best friend for inviting me... you better know I'll be back to help next year), and I went to this beautiful street near my house where all these drama volunteers walk around as Christmas characters (Ebenezer Scooge, Kris Kringle, Jack Frost, Dickens Carolers, Santas from around the world, etc.) and you get to talk to them and collect their 'character cards' and they never once break character (not ONCE) and there's glowing lights and quaint little shops and homemade cookies and hot chocolate and the crisp Winter air and the gladness of Christmas cheer on the faces of everyone you meet.
It was simply glorious.
And that's coming from me, who is not usually a "Christmas loving person". Oh, don't get me wrong, I love JESUS, I just get tired of songs, and "Happy Holidays", and grinch music. And candy canes. Don't ever give me candy canes for Christmas. I will hate you.

And a couple of Random High Points:
The Best book that comes to mind: Gone With the Wind. Guys. This. Book. Let's just say it's one of the best books I've read in a long time. :) The Circle Series deserves an honorable mention here as well. This year I'd like to keep better track of how many books I read. It will be easier now that I have a Goodreads profile.
The Best movie: Wow, don't get me wrong but I actually didn't watch a lot of movies this year. I mostly watched TV shows. We did get VidAngel, which has enabled us to watch some movies that we couldn't watch before because of CERTAIN content, *ahem*, and that has been pretty cool.
While I'm on the subject of movies, also in December my best friend had me over to her house and I FINALLY SAW THE FIRST STAR WARS. That is, Number Four (A New Hope).
And GET THIS: I actually enjoyed it. I always thought it was stupid that everyone LOVED the Star Wars movies so much, but now that I have actually seen it, it isn't so bad.
A week later I saw the second movie (The Empire Strikes Back) with some friends, and I liked THIS one even better. I can't really form an opinion of the entire "fandom" yet, because right now I've only seen 2 out of 8 movies. Therefore, my opinion of what I've seen matters little at this point. (*whispers* except that I like it so far).
Moving on.
The best TV Show: You know the answer: Call the Midwife and Sherlock BBC.These two shows made up the majority of what I watched this year in TV Shows. What? No, I don't like British shows, why do you ask?

My Writing Progress: Actually I didn't write very much this year. As you can see, I WAS TOO BUSY. It seriously hurt, keeping my ideas all pent up inside. I'll tell you one thing. I don't 'do' New Year's Resolutions, but if there's one thing that I want to improve in 2017, it's my writing. That is, how MUCH I get done.
But it's just hard, you know? Let's just say that I hate writing first drafts more than anything in the world. :P
I do love my ideas and stories too much to let that stop me, so I just have to work on it.
*sigh*

Favorite Concert this year: I'm not really a 'concert person' (crowds and loud noises and big dark rooms with bright lights are NOT my thing at all. In fact they make me really nervous) but I do go sometimes if I like the artist well enough.
This year the best concert was MercyMe back in April. Seriously, I love those guys, and the concert was sensational.
For those of you who don't know MercyMe,  I gotta share a couple of their songs: Flawless (seriously listen to the words, people!), Greater (again, hear these words, my friends), and Wishful Thinking  (beautiful, I love this song).

Favorite songs and bands for the year: This year I really enjoyed those songs mentioned above, as well as two other songs I've mentioned in a previous post, Be the Change, and Through Your Eyes by Britt Nicole (she's been a favorite of mine for years). And of course Owl City is still one of my favorites, as well as Casting Crowns, Danny Gokey, and others.
Of course my very favorite music this year has to be the Adam Young Scores. But I am not going to talk about them at ALL right now because I want to write a whole post on them soon.

So: What are my plans for the new year? Get this: I literally have none. I'm just hoping it will be another good year. I kinda feel bad saying that 2016 was a good year for me, because a lot of my friends (both my internet friends and my 'real life' friends) are saying that 2016 was so ridiculously hard as well as emotional for them.
I express my sympathy and prayers for those people, but I am also grateful at the same time for how this year turned out for ME.
God did some great things in my life. He showed me how to take care of myself, He taught me to love my enemies (Yes, surprise, I do have enemies), and He told me who I was.
Not only am I a child of God, but I am unique and special to Him, just like everyone is.
This year I discovered the Meyer's Briggs Personality Type Indicator, and that helped me get to know the people around me as well as myself. It helped me discover that the Human creation is really such a special thing, and superior to all that God has made.
We have to remember that life is not about sitting around waiting for God to give us a good year. It's about trusting Him with everything, and believing who He says we are- in HIM. That is, his precious children. This is true in the good years AND the hard years.
That is what I pray for all of us in 2017.
Remember to enjoy life, for everyone only has one.
Life is hard, but let's not take for granted its lovely side.

AND THAT ABOUT WRAPS UP MY NEW YEARS POST.
Thanks for sticking around to the end! I know I will enjoy looking back and reading this in the years ahead. 
I wish you all the very best year! Keep on posting, my friends. I do enjoy reading about you all. Even if I could never meet most of you. :) As for me, I posted 29 times this year!
Just for funsies, here's my last New Year's Post. :)
Here is a good verse to sum up my year, and I hope you will be encouraged as well!

 2 Corinthians 5:1
"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

See you later!
-Amaris

October // 2016 // Favorites

What have I been up to, you say? 

I'm glad you asked! 

Watching: 

Death Comes to Pemberley. I wanted to wait until I finished the book before I watched it. It's really good so far. It has some beautiful shots, and I really like the actor for Darcy. 

Reading:

Gone With the Wind. And believe me, as wonderful and great as the movie is, I like the book ten times better. My favorite thing about it is that I am learning a ton about the Civil War, but the book does NOT sound like a Civil War textbook! :)

Wearing:
This hat. All the time. Because I can.

Eating:

Juice Plus smoothies and homemade cabbage and beef soup (a couple of favorites in my household).

Hoping for:

A white Christmas. I don't mind letting you know that it does snow during the Winter where I live. But it hasn't snowed on CHRISTMAS for like six years. I guess I can only hope that it might this year. *crosses fingers*

Looking Forward To:
The Adam Young Score for December 1st!

Enjoying: 

The Fall weather. Even if it's freezing in the morning and really hot later in the day.

Pinning: 

Onto my new Pinterest account. Sometimes, my friends, you just need a fresh start. 

Thinking Up: 

A new blog look for Winter 2016-17.

Believing: 

In John 16:33.

CRYING:
 OVER THIS PICTURE. *distant sobbing* Sorry guys, Titanic is one of my weaknesses. I don't have ancestors who were on the actual ship or anything like that, but I just get ridiculously sentimental over it every time. XD

LOOK AT THE TIME THO. *cries*

 

Drawing:
This random bubble that I saw on Pinterest. I guess it's good. *shrug*

Obsessing:

Over a certain movie that is in a genre that I usually don't like. I'm trying to think of "The Perfect Review" to write for you guys. :)

Discovering:
The more I get older (which is just a sorry thing in itself), the more I find myself agreeing with the parent's side in a movie, rather than the teenager's side.  *sigh* It's that thin dividing line, guys.

Listening To:
Britt Nicole's new song. (This is the only song on the album that I like, however. :P Not too crazy about the rest of it.) Also, Mount Rushmore, the new AY score for November. "Four Faces" is the BEST. It's seriously so pretty. Just CLICK AND LISTEN. You'll like it. :)

While I'm on that note: 
Realizing:
That I CAN and WILL do anything and everything in my house (especially housework) with Adam Young Scores playing in the background. Seriously, guys. These scores are a gift to my life. 

And now you know what I am up to!

Have a good day! Remember, you will never get to live 2016 again, so make it count for Jesus!
:)