A Catch-Up

Hello! It's me! (Anyone think of the Adele song just then?) No, but really, it's actually me. This is the first post in a couple months that hasn't been pre-scheduled. That's because I'm officially on winter break and have finished my first quarter of college! And wow, has a lot happened. I will definitely give you the run-down on how my first quarter was and show you pictures of my dorm room (that's my dorm room above, by the way), but for now, I'm just going to write up a simple post sharing little things that I've been loving lately.

What I've Been Reading
Actually, I haven't read a really good book in a while. The last few I've read have only been mediocre. I think the last really good book I read was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It was a different sort of book, in a good way. I liked it a lot.

What I've Been Listening To
So many things! Firstly, the most recent One Republic album came out a couple months ago, in October. I've listened to it so many times! I think my top favorite songs are Future Looks Good, Born, Better, and Human.
Also, I've been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack nonstop. I was a bit late to this bandwagon, mostly because I didn't really get it. I didn't understand why people enjoyed listening to the soundtrack of a musical that they will never see in-person. I was mistaken. It's so good! I didn't have any trouble following the story. I also discovered these videos (1 and 2) on YouTube and have watched them multiple times!! (Just skip the long Obama speech at the beginning.) They're even better if you've been listening to the soundtrack for a while, then you get to match the voices to the people and they look way different from how you imagined them (at least, that's how it was in my case).
Okay, last one. The Serial podcast. I finished Season One and am halfway through Season Two. It's basically a crime show in podcast form. It's very entertaining, and it's a true story.

What I've Been Watching
Honestly, I've been watching a lot of YouTube and not a lot of TV or movies. Besides Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, of course. If you haven't seen it, you must! I've been on a renewed Harry Potter kick lately. I've reread the first two books in the series and am starting on the third. I've also become very fascinated by J.K. Rowling. I didn't realize what an interesting person she is! I've watched all three of these interviews (1, 2, and 3) on YouTube and found them all super captivating.

What I've Been Smelling
That might have sounded a little weird, but I had to find a way to share one of my favorite little things about the Christmas season. Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I get out my Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint lotion. I love this scent. And since I only let myself use it during December, the scent reminds of the holiday season. You know how a smell can take you right back to a feeling or place? It's like that.

It's good to be back on the blog. And a bit weird! I must admit it was nice to have a post go up automatically every Sunday morning without me even thinking about it!
I'm so glad to have my first quarter of college under my belt and am looking forward to spending a whole month with my family, enjoying Christmas! Hope you're all having a great, and not too stressful, December so far. See you next week!