Top Ten Songs I've Been Listening To

Hot Tunes!

I have somehow managed not to do one of these posts since April of 2017 and I could have sworn I wrote one in like November but apparently not! So with no hesitation let me introduce you to some songs I've been loving recently! ~Em

10. "Swim" by Mating Ritual

"You got time to pick the places that you'll fall"

9. "Headphones" by WALKTHEMOON

"You know you could learn a lot from a good pair of headphones"

8. "Fight for Your Castle" by Don Brownrigg

"Fight for the kingdom, boys, make it home"

7. "Unbelievers" by Vampire Weekend

"Want a little grace but who's going to say a little grace for me?"

6. "Rivers and Roads" by The Head and the Heart

"Been talking 'bout the way things change"

5. "Agora" by Bear Hands

"You like to hang out but I don't, I don't leave the house 'cause I can't"

4. "So.Good." by Johnny Stimson

"So tell me everything about ya so I can watch you move your lips"

3. "I Need a Forest Fire" by James Blake

"To burn it like cedar, I request another dream"

2. "Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea" by Fall Out Boy

"Even at the best of times I'm out of my mind"

1. "New Machines" by Vinyl Theatre

"And it's madness looking for the end of science to begin"

Update On School

Update On School

Once again I lied and said I would write a post like two weeks ago about how my semester is going, but of course I didn't do it. I didn't end up having time on the day I said I was going to and then just haven't really felt motivated to write about school. But I know that I need to update you guys on what's been going on in my life recently! 

I can't remember if I already told you guys what classes I'm taking this semester so I'm just going to go ahead and do that again in case I haven't yet. I am in Human Trafficking, Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Advanced Creative Writing, a Directed Study, Senior Seminar, and Wind Ensemble. 

So far I have really been enjoying my Personality class and Abnormal Psychology class. I know that these will be beneficial for me in the long run for pursuing a career in counseling. Creative Writing has also been a lot of fun. The professor for Creative Writing is one that many of my friends have said I MUST take a class from before I graduate and I have enjoyed his insight on Creative Writing quite a bit. The only problem with that class is that it puts me in a major reading mood but I don't have time to read for pleasure with all of the reading I have to do for class. 

My favorite class so far has been my directed study. The topic is death, which may sound morbid, but I have gotten to read some fascinating books and learn a lot about death culture, the industry, and even about fictional works with ghost stories. 

Wind Ensemble hasn't been as exciting for me this semester and I think that is because I loved every single song we played last semester so it is hard to match that level of excitement! We're playing a couple of songs that I really love this semester but there are a couple that I just feel meh about. Next weekend we're actually having a reunion for band and playing a concert so that should be exciting to welcome back some band alum. 

We're in the process of doing recruitment parties for SAI right now so hopefully we will take on some new members, especially since four of us are graduating in May. We're also about to start a fundraiser for our philanthropies called Centimeters of Cents where we'll be collecting change to donate and if we raise $300 we're going to have a donut party. 

That's pretty much all that's going on at school right now. I did turn in my resume and application for an Admissions Counselor position at school so y'all be praying for me that I can get an interview if that's what is in God's plan for me and for me to have peace if it isn't what is in the plan. I'm going to write another Top Ten Songs I've Been Listening to list right after this post so be looking forward to that if you've been needing some new music recommendations! ~Em 

January Reading Wrap-Up!

What I Read In January!

Hey friends and family! I know I haven't updated you guys in a while but I definitely convinced myself that I had already written a back-to-school post, which apparently I didn't do. That's not what this post is for though, I will write a school update post tomorrow! I'm writing tonight to tell y'all about what I read in January! I ended up reading 7 books and overall it was a great reading month! These are in order of how I read them this past month. ~Em

Summary: Simon is a high school student who has been hiding that he is gay but is outed by someone at school. He has been emailing a boy that goes to his school and wants to protect his growing relationship with this anonymous boy. This book was so cute and Becky Albertalli writes teenagers very accurately! I'm excited (yet a little skeptical) about the movie coming out this year called "Love, Simon." Rating: 4/5

 Summary: Lazlo Strange is a librarian who has a passion for a lost city called Weep. No one besides Lazlo really believes that Weep still exists but he is dedicated to researching it. One day some leaders from Weep arrive in Lazlo's city in search of delegates to help them with a special task. It is an adventure/journey story filled with an amazing magic system. I LOVED THIS BOOK! This is definitely a new favorite for me. I loved Laini Taylor's writing style and have never rooted for a romantic couple as much as I rooted for the main couple in this story. I can't wait for the sequel to come out! Rating: 5/5

 Summary: This was the first book I read for school this semester, which was for my directed study. This book gives C. Wright Mills' views on how social sciences should be pursued. I struggled a lot with this read because it was written quite a long time ago and the views of how social sciences should be studied is dated and haven't really aged well. Rating: 2/5

 Summary: This was the second I read for my directed study. In this book, we get the story of the death of Abraham Lincoln's son, Willie. The story is told from the perspectives of various ghosts in the cemetery where Willie is buried and also has parts that are told from different works that have already been published. The story was great and I loved the way it was written. I have never read anything like it. Rating: 4/5

 Summary: Caitlin Doughty tells many different stories about her experiences working in a crematorium and gives great lessons about life, death, and what to expect. This was funny, emotional, and just overall a great read. This was another book for my directed study as well. Rating: 4/5

 Summary: This was the last book I read this month for my directed study and is really hard to explain. It follows the perspectives of JoJo, Leonie, and a ghost named Richie on a trip to get Leonie's boyfriend, Michael after he gets out of jail. It explores racism, drug addiction, dysfunctional families, and many other controversial topics. I didn't really like this one. I found Leonie to be a highly unlikable character with no redeeming qualities and it was just overall tough to read. Rating: 3/5

Summary: Mary Lennox, a spoiled brat who has lived in India her whole life. has to move in with her uncle after both of her parents die. She is well taken care of at her uncle's place but there are many secrets kept from her. She grows bored of staying indoors and one day discovers a garden that has been unkempt and strives to bring it back to life. This is one of the only classic novels I have ever read and enjoyed. I got a beautiful edition with many wonderful pictures that made the reading experience even better. Rating: 5/5