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Category: lifestyle
My Favorite Superbowl Commercials
So last night here in the States everyone was gathered in front of their televisions to watch the Superbowl, the most-watched television event of the year. I’m not a big football fan, in fact I find it a bit barbaric (though I was happy for Peyton Manning and the Broncos last night) but I watch the Superbowl for the commercials. They are my favorite part of the broadcast every year. I don’t think the commercials are as good as they were when I was growing up, though. Anyway, here are my top five from last night. Feel free to chime in in the comments if you had some other favorites.
Helen Mirren – Budweiser Drunk Driving PSA
Honda Ridgeline – A New Truck to Love
Prius – Police Chase
Colgate – Don’t Waste Water
Subaru – Dog Tested
Books of 2015
So, according to my Goodreads Year In Books, I read 39 books in 2015. It’s so hard to pick a favorite this time. The clear favorite of 2014 was Fangirl, but this year I think there are a lot of contenders. So, I think I’ll go with a top five.
- To Kill A Mockingbird – A classic that I can’t believe it took me this long to read. I’ve never read a book that captures childhood so perfectly.
- Girl on the Train – A delicious mystery told by an unreliable narrator, set in the place that I should have been born, the UK. Love it.
- Rescue Me, Maybe – Words can’t express how much I love this book. A story of a young widow who copes with her grief and learns about unconditional love from the abandoned dog that finds her. A beautiful story with a great message and a lovely, hopeful ending. What could be better?
- 32 Candles – The main character, Davie Jones, is a little kooky, and I love her for it. A heartfelt, bittersweet rom-com about finding your happy ending a little later than you intended.
- Brooklyn – This one I was prompted to read because I heard raves about the movie version, though I hear the movie changes the ambiguous ending that I loved so much about the book. A poignant story about a girl torn between two worlds. Beautifully written and stays with you long after it’s over.
#GIRLLOVE Challenge
I was nominated by Hiba for the #GirlLove Challenge. Hiba is an inspiring, brave woman. I love reading her haunting poetry and appreciate her honesty in her slice of life, nonfiction posts.
So, the #GirlLove Challenge was challenge was originated by Lilly Singh to help eliminate girl on girl hate.
My husband watched the video with me, and he asked why girl on girl hate exists. I thought about it and realized it starts when we’re little girls. And I hate to admit it, some may disagree, but I think it’s worse among us brown girls. The most hurtful comments I’ve ever heard about my appearance or personality were from the mouth of another brown girl. We are picked apart because of our appearance starting when we’re toddlers. Who has the lightest skin, the longest hair, the best hair texture, the smaller nose, the lightest eyes. We are taught to compete with each other and compare ourselves to one another from an early age. I still notice it. Girls with features that society has deemed more favorable are singled out and praised while their counterparts look on, completely ignored. Don’t do this. Please don’t. Compliment girls on things besides just their looks. Tell them they’re loving, happy, smart, funny, charming, inventive, imaginative, etc. And if you do compliment them on their looks, compliment EVERY little girl in the group on their features, not just one. This breeds jealousy and bitterness among girls that blossoms into bullying and hurtful words once they’re tweens and teens, developing further into mean-spirited competition once they are fully grown women. There are women much older than me who I still hear make unflattering comments about fellow women and it just makes me so sad.
When someone makes a nasty comment about another woman’s appearance, shut it down. Change the subject, call them on it, or, if that doesn’t work, leave. Let them know that your world is a positive space.
Anyway, here’s what you do for the #GirlLove Challenge:
Tell your followers who inspires you, a famous woman who may be dealing with negativity on a daily basis.
Tell your followers who inspires you in real life, a woman you always interact with.
Tag five women bloggers who you love. Compliment them and tell them why you love them, and comment under their latest post with the link to your #GirlLove post!
- A famous woman who inspires me is Maya Angelou. I was so saddened to learn of her passing. She wrote stunning poetry that always gives me the confidence boost I need when I’m feeling unsure of myself. The best of her work in my opinion is Phenomenal Woman.
- My mother inspires me everyday. She has a quiet dignity that I know I will never be able to replicate. She has taught me that you don’t have to be the loudest or brashest woman in the room to command respect or attention, and to always take the high road. I try to do that everyday, even though I fail many times.
- The bloggers I would like to tag are:
- Pancake Bunnykins at A Real Messy Beautiful Twisted Sunshine
- Annie at What the Woman Wrote (I know this is your millionth nomination – you have to stop being so awesome!)
- Mandibelle16
- Alixa at AlixAnonyme
- Cherrytato at CherryTales
All of you ladies are such talented writers, very different but beautiful and inspiring in different ways. By all means, anyone, regardless of if someone nominates or not, if you feel inspired by the challenge, please write your own post as well. Spread the #GirlLove!
Writers Quote Wednesday – Star Wars!!!
Can you tell I am excited about the new Star Wars movie? I’m a lifelong Star Wars fan. I know my heart will lift tomorrow evening when I see these words scroll across the screen as the beginning strains of the familiar movie score fill the auditorium. These movies were such an escape for me, as they were I’m sure for generations of kids. I’m glad that I never lost the spark of imagination that made me fall in love with all of the characters, good and bad, in this far away galaxy. Seeing those words on the screen, the ones that start every Star Wars film, turn me into a kid all over again.
If you are a fan of the movies I hope you enjoy The Force Awakens too. But no, I’m not selling my tickets.
Animal Moment – Chickens
According to a Bristol University professor, chickens are smarter than human toddlers. New chicks can keep can track of up to five numbers. They can also grasp the concept that an item that is out of sight still exists, something that human babies don’t understand until age one. Read more here.
We Did It! NaNoWriMo
I’m done! 50,000 words, with a day to spare. I finished a novel! Going to celebrate tonight by drinking some red wine and eating too much pasta at dinner. But first, I will dance to my two-year-old niece’s favorite song!
To my fellow WriMos – if you haven’t finished yet you’re almost there! Congrats to the other winners!
Animal Moment – Turkeys
According to the Humane Society of America, “turkeys dig family and stick together. Wild turkeys forage in groups and roost in trees together. Turkey mothers diligently teach their young survival skills, and turkey brothers stay together for life.”
Read more about turkeys here.
Healthy 3 Ingredient Flourless Brownies
Just three healthy ingredients are needed to whip up these dense, fudgy chocolate brownies! Dark, rich and subtly sweet, these flourless chocolate brownies are naturally paleo, vegan, gluten-free a…
Animal Moment – Cows
Fun fact – according to PETA, Cows “are generally very intelligent animals who can remember things for a long time. Animal behaviorists have found that cows interact in socially complex ways, developing friendships over time and sometimes holding grudges against other cows who treat them badly.”
Enjoy the cute video:
Jennifer Terry 