Best of October: A Month in Review

I was going to wait until next month and wrap October and November up together, but with me getting married and all in October, I thought it deserved its own post. ;)

Most Popular on Instagram & Notable Events

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I have a new foolproof way to get more than 100 likes on an Instagram picture! It used to be simply "include Jonathan in the photo," but now I think "include wedding dress" would work as well. ;) I've calmed down on posting wedding photos a bit recently, but that's just because I'm waiting for our professional photos to come back. Be sure to follow me on Instagram at @mcstroup if you want to see those babies when they're available! (I'm also known to post photos of books, coffee cups, and vacation destinations near and far.)

Travel Tuesday: At the Home of the King.

Welcome back to Travel Tuesday! After devising suggested prompts for the past two weeks, I thought I'd leave this week wide open regarding the topic. I already shared some Instagram photos of my trip to Tennessee last fall, but today I thought I would go into more detail and share some photos of our afternoon at Graceland.



Graceland, as you probably know, was the home of Elvis Presley. I have to admit, I had always expected a much bigger and more lavish home, and I was somewhat surprised when we pulled up to the exterior. It's not that the house was not large; I just picture something very different when I think of a "mansion," and the house looked fairly traditional from the front yard. The inside definitely did not disappoint, though, as each room was more eclectic than the last. The upstairs rooms are not open to the public, out of respect to Elvis and his family, but we explored the ground floor and the basement.

Best of December: A Month in Review

December: The end of 2013. The month of Christmas. My first NFL game. Rocking a sock bun on NYE in the city. Here's the best of last month in my life and on the blog:

Most Popular on Instagram & Notable Events

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December started off on a high note when I attended my first NFL game with Jonathan and his family. (But I'm definitely rooting for the Panthers tomorrow—sorry California friends!) We also visited a nearby Christmas tree farm to chop down our tree, which neither of us had ever done before. (And the tree is definitely still up in the living room, lights and all. Whoops!)

Other notable events of the month included two holiday parties with Jonathan's co-workers and a night out in San Francisco to celebrate the New Year. Jonathan and I went to a NYE party at a lounge near AT&T Park with his sister and cousin and their significant others. I even participated in a dance-off! He told me I was a "pretty good dancer." I admitted he was better. ;) 

Best of November: A Month in Review

Who else thinks 2014 should be a lot farther than 25 days away?! Even though this year has gone by way too fast, I must admit I'm getting pretty excited about writing my "year in review" post for 2013. This year has been eventful and full of "firsts" for me, which are always fun to record. For now, though, let's review what happened at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life (and in my "real" life!) during the month of November:

Most Popular on Instagram & Notable Events

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November was full of fun events, as illustrated in my Instagram feed from the month. Jonathan and I either had people visiting us or were traveling every single weekend. My mom and sister came into town and helped me pick a wedding dress (I'm not sharing pictures of that for obvious reasons haha), Jonathan and I took our engagement photos, I ran my first half-marathon with my sister in Monterey, and my family was able to spend Thanksgiving together in San Diego. (Even our dog, Brady, was able to join us!)

Struck to the bone in a moment of breathless delight.

Photo via Instagram

You know what my biggest first world problem is? I've been out of the country for the two biggest movie releases of my life: The final Harry Potter film and Les Miserables. However, I saw both movies the day after I flew back to the U.S., which means I was able to see Les Mis on New Year's Day. I didn't expect the movie to be better than the play; Les Mis will always be a stage production first for me, then a movie. (And, of course, a book.) However, I was very impressed by the movie and definitely plan on buying it when the DVD is released. It will be a great movie to have running when I'm doing other things around the house. I could easily write pages about the 2012 adaptation, but I'll just share my brief thoughts here:

What I learned from Les Miserables.

Jessica hosted a very creative Book Chat today over at her blog, Sweet Green Tangerine. She challenged us to create a musical playlist based on a book, which I think is an awesome idea. I was having trouble thinking of an appropriate to book to use when I finally realized my favorite story is already a musical! So I'm going to put a little spin on this prompt (hope you don't mind, Jessica!) and share with you some life lessons presented in the music of Les Miserables. Enjoy!

Image via Bunthorne's

Playlist: Childhood Alternative

Source: Uploaded by user via Tori on Pinterest

Remember those posts I start and then never finish? This is one of them. I've been meaning to share with you my ultimate 90s rock-alternative playlist since I posted my first playlist back in January, but just hadn't gotten around to doing it. Finally, two things happened that convinced me to finally sit my butt down and finish this post: 1) I found this playlist on Spotify, which Thought Catalog called "The Best 90s Playlist Ever, Ever," and 2) I won an iTunes gift card from a giveaway at The Lovely Mist! Well, I did a little analysis of the 317 songs on the Spotify playlist, and this is what I determined:

Things that make go "hmm."

Hello all! Happy weekend!

Source: tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

This pin represents my plan for today: Drink copious amounts of coffee in order to finish Catherine the Great in time for the Final Four games tonight! And so I can count it for the Winter Nest Book Challenge, which ends tonight. But of course, first I'm here to give you my interesting link round-up for this week. And if you missed my commentary on the young adult fiction debate that was in the New York Times on Thursday, please check it out and share your thoughts.

Photos of Swedish students with all their earthly possessions piled up around them show how to “live with less.”

A fascinating essay on the fashion evolution of the NBA and black America. Biggest “hmm” line: “Americans weren't used to seeing rich black kids, which is why we were asked to watch The Fresh Prince through the eyes of a poor black one.”

This blog.

This pin.

This very unique, Modern-Family-opening-credits-inspired vacation video.

My grandma always said she liked going to Mass when she traveled because it was the same everywhere. This beautiful post from C’est Christine captures a similar feeling.

An awesome infographic about interns in New York City. (The survey pool only included 100 people, but it covers a nice variety of topics. Plus, my friend Becky helped!)

What are your weekend plans? Also, I can't decide if this song is so bad it's good, or just bad. What do you think?

Bookworm humor.

It's time to link up with Jessica at Sweet Green Tangerine for her weekly book chat! The theme this week is "funny book/character," and though I don't often read funny books (remember how hard it was for me to find a "book that makes me happy"?), I couldn't be happier with the timing of this book chat because there's a video I've been dying to share with you! I've tweeted about it and pinned it, but I really wanted to include it on my blog, and I was waiting for a day that wasn't taken up by a link-up. So, instead of writing about the funniest book I've ever read, I'm just going to include some of my favorite book-humor videos, pins, etc. from the world wide web. Enjoy!

This literary rap is the video I referenced in the opening paragraph. I discovered it through a Goodreads tweet (they were really excited about their shout-out at 0:50). My favorite line is "Checked in with a pseudonym, so I guess you can say I'm Mark Twaining," but there are plenty of other good ones in there. Which part is your favorite?

Source: Uploaded by user via Kari on Pinterest

I found this Hunger Games-inspired text message conversation on Pinterest, and I could. not. stop. laughing. (But now I've had the LMFAO song stuck in my head for days ... ugh!)

 

Source: mlkshk.com via Megan on Pinterest                     Source: smosh.com via Megan on Pinterest

Of course, I couldn't share a funny Hunger Games pin without giving some love to the wonderful world of Hogwarts. There's plenty more where these came from on my Harry Potter Pinterest board, if you're interested.

Things that make me go "hmm."

Time for week two of my new series - "Things that make me go "hmm." Enjoy the little tidbits I've gathered from across the web over the past week! But first, this video:

 Don't feel like you have to watch the whole thing, but watch about the first minute or so and
then skip ahead to 2:15. You won't want to miss it!

  

A beautiful argument for the written word (and against book-banning).

Did you know: LeBron bikes to work "all the time"!

Looks like students aren't the only ones who obsess about higher SAT scores.

Your community doesn't have to be rich to have a good library system. Good to know!

This was quite funny to me, considering I read Jonathan Franzen's Freedom on my Kindle and hated it. But somehow, I don't think that had anything to do with the fact it was an e-book....

30 travel terms that don't exist but should.

And finally, the most relaxing song of all time. You're welcome.

Playlist: Workout Jams

Source: aslishka.tumblr.com via Duygu on Pinterest

The author of one of the blogs I follow, 25 Before 25, is hosting a fun workout music swap. I got paired with Meghan over at The Perfect Compilation Tape, and my mission is to share a 10-song (minimum) playlist for her to try out. First, two things:

Update: Les Miserables casting choices.

Remember last month when I went on a bit of a rampage about the Les Miserables casting? (It turned out to be my most-read post of January, actually. Lots of other Les Mis fans out there, I presume?) Well, one of my gripes was that Taylor Swift was rumored to be under consideration for the role of Eponine. Today, I discovered that's no longer the case! Instead, Samantha Barks - who played Eponine in a West End production of Les Mis for a year - has been cast. Now here's an Eponine I can get behind. Can't wait for the movie!

And in case you needed more proof:

Oh, and did I mention how adorable she is? Just check out her reaction when she found out she had landed the part - while onstage for another production. Plus, she's already brunette!

Playlist: Road trip!

Today began my official move to Santa Fe! It's only a 15-hour drive from Columbia, so it's an easy drive over two days. It still gets pretty tiring driving though western Kansas by yourself, though. (I always thought Nevada was the ugliest state in the union, but now I think Kansas is giving it a run for its money! Although Kansas is more boring than actually ugly.)

Source: nataliemerrillyn.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Over my years of mini-road trips (mostly to and from airports), I've developed a list of songs that help keep me awake in the car. Some are upbeat, some are not, but they are all effective stimulants because I love singing along to them! Here's a sampling of my favorites. Try some of them out on your next road trip! Enjoy.

• Defying Gravity - Wicked (This is always my first wake-up song when I'm feeling sleepy. Let's just hope there's not a hidden microphone in my car somewhere; that is a sound the world does not need to hear.)
• I Woke Up in a Car - Something Corporate
• We Found Love - Rihanna
• On My Own - Les Miserables
• All or Nothing - O-Town
• Your Love is a Song - Switchfoot
• Send Me on My Way - Rusted Root
• Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People
• It Only Hurts - Default
• If I Die Young - The Band Perry
• Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann
• Heavily Broken - The Veronicas
• Desperately Wanting - Better Than Ezra
• Crack the Shutters - Snow Patrol
• That's the Way It Is - Celine Dion

If I decide to pay more attention to the road and not flip through my iPod for specific tracks while driving, I have two tried-and-true solutions:

1. Set my iPod to play all songs marked as the genre "Soundtrack" (all Broadway and Disney songs).
2. Hit play on the Love & Basketball soundtrack that's always in my CD player.

I also have an extensive playlist composed completely of '90s alt-rock tunes (titled "Childhood Alternative"), so there are many amazing songs I am not including on this list - including various tracks by Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, Fuel, Counting Crows, etc. - because they have their own special place on my iPod.

Do you ever use music to keep you alert? Which songs do you prefer?

To love another person is to see the face of God.

A few months ago, I accidentally stumbled upon an IMDB listing for a 2012 version of Les Miserables. The only cast members listed at the time were Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean (how amazing is that?!), Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert (once again - amazing!) and Anne Hathaway as Fantine (I like Anne, but I guess I always pictured Fantine as older ... and blonde). This discovery might seem trivial to the average movie-watcher, but I absolutely love Les Miserables.

I literally grew up with the story and soundtrack of Les Miserables. I even got to see the play on stage when I very young; I still vividly remember the scene where Eponine crawls over the barricade to Marius, her chest drenched in the brilliant red of fake blood. The day before my family moved to California, we played "One Day More" on repeat throughout the whole house. This was when I was 7 years old, and I knew (know!) every word. When I was 11, I read the book by Victor Hugo for a class reading assignment. (Man, were those war chapters dense. But I still have my own copy!) Even today, "I Dreamed a Dream," "Who Am I?" and "At the End of the Day" are go-to songs on my iPod when I'm on a long car ride and need to sing something to stay awake. 

After my initial discovery about the new film, I regularly checked IMDB for updates. After all, if this movie really was (is?) coming out in 2012, how could they not have a full cast listing yet? Emma Watson was later listed as "rumored" to play Cosette (which was super exciting for me!) and Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen (rumored) were listed to play the Thenardiers. (Madame Thenardier is kind of the Bellatrix Lestrange of Les Mis for me, so that's just perfect!)

Since then, Emma Watson has (unfortunately) been replaced with Amanda Seyfried for the role of Cosette. What?! I'm very disappointed by this. It's not that I was totally set on Emma playing Cosette (I don't know anything about her voice), but there is just something about Amanda Seyfried that rubs me the wrong way. In the same article where I read Amanda would be playing Cosette, I read Taylor Swift might be playing Eponine. What?!?! On My Own? A Little Fall of Rain? How can Taylor sing these as they deserve to be sung?! Plus, isn't Eponine brunette? I guess Taylor can dye her hair for the role, but we all know what she really looks like.

Sorry for my little venting session. I am definitely still stoked to see the movie (opening night, no doubt), but I'm a little disappointed with some of the casting thus far. After listening to the soundtrack for two decades, I have a certain image in my mind, and this just isn't living up to that.

P.S. - The title of this post has been one of my favorite quotes for as long as I can remember. It's currently listed under my quotes on Facebook, but I also remember having it featured on my MySpace profile. Imagine how long ago that was. The quote is, of course, from one of the many wonderful songs in Les Miserables!

Are you familiar with the story of Les Miserables? What do you think about the casting choices?

Maybe that's why she left.

I don't know what it is about my sorority house, but country music was on in the bathroom at 4:45 a.m. again this morning. This time, it made me think about my previous post that posed the question, Would you rather date someone horribly vain or wildly insecure? I picked horribly vain, and my thoughts when I heard this song confirmed that decision.

Photo via Pinterest.

Do you remember

the day I turned to you and said

I didn't like the way he was lookin' at you?

yeah

How he made you laugh

you just couldn't get what I was sayin'

it was my imagination

So do you believe me now?

I guess I really wasn't that crazy

and I knew what I was talkin' about

Everytime the sun goes down

he's the one that's holdin' you baby

yeah me I'm missin' you way 'cross town

so do you believe me now?

After listening to these first two verses, I just couldn't help but think if he hadn't been so concerned about the other man in the first place, she might not have ever left. She might not have even noticed this other man fancied her, or she might not have been pushed over the edge by his insecure tendencies, or maybe they never would have had problems if he didn't focus on potential problems that weren't even tangible yet.

So yeah, I think I'd rather date someone horribly vain. At least I could fight fire with fire and brag on myself all the time, instead of needing to constantly reassure him and go out of my way to make sure I didn't do anything to make him question our relationship.

If you didn't answer last time, what's your answer now? Who would you rather date?

Love like crazy.

So, I usually don't post things that have no other purpose than to inspire (do I?), but this song came on the radio this morning around 4:43 when I was getting dressed for work, and it's been stuck in my head all morning now. I'm not a huge country fan, but sometimes you do have to appreciate the lyrics.

Photo via Pinterest

Be a best friend, tell the truth
And overuse "I love you."
Go to work, do your best,
Don't outsmart your common sense.
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy.

- Lee Brice

"Love Like Crazy"

A new way to worship.

Tonight, I had my first experience at a non-denominational worship service. I am usually pretty reserved about my faith (despite what writing this blog might insinuate), so I was a little nervous about attending at first. The service was pretty much what I expected, though, and I would definitely go again!

A few of the other interns and I attended Passion City Church, a local church focused on a university-aged audience. I was particularly excited when I learned Passion is the home of Christian musician Chris Tomlin! Unfortunately, he's on tour so he wasn't singing tonight, but Kristian Stanfill was more than an adequate substitute.

Courtesy of Kristian's Facebook page - not from the service.

That was the first thing that surprised me about the service: the music. I expected a lot of songs, and I expected them to be amazing, but for the first 45 minutes I felt like I was at a concert. (Not that it was a bad thing, just surprising.) It was great to be somewhere where the congregation sang so passionately because I didn't have to worry about anyone hearing my less-than-pleasant singing voice.

Overall, I enjoyed the service. It was different than what I'm used to at my home church, but the messages shared during the sermon were the same. I found I could relate to the anecdotes, and nothing in the service made me feel uncomfortable or hesitant about my own faith. I still plan to practice my specific denomination, but I really enjoyed my time at Passion, and I will probably be back again before the summer ends.