Currently: DEC 2021 Edition

Hi Friends! 

It's been awhile. I was having to work extra hours for work, filling in for some people, and then I went away for a 10 day beach holiday with my family which was wonderful (although it rained most of the time *sigh*). Life doesn't stop. There has also been some other stressors and difficulties that have arisen in my personal life, and I've been having to take time to come to terms with them, and deal with it. 

All that to say, I will be getting some time off work (nearly two weeks?) over Christmas, and blogging is one thing I am hoping I can return to during this time. I have a stack of half finished posts in my drafts that I am excited about, and hope to get out to you shortly. In the meantime, here is a little life update of where I've been at lately, in bullet form because that's always fun. ;)

via Pinterest

Reading:

• "With Every Letter" by Sarah Sundin - I have just finished this one, and did really enjoy it! I rarely read that genre, but it was quite well done, and a sweet story. I'm a sucker for war romance stories, anyhow.
• "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan - this was a re-read for me. I read it a couple years ago and really grappled with what I thought. It's a challenging read - I don't agree with all of it, but it's a good thought-provoker. 
• "Alternative Shakespeare Auditions for Women" by Simon Dunmore - this is mostly just to educate myself more for auditions and theatre in the future. ;) I've already bookmarked some particularly good ones, and rather enjoy whispering them out loud dramatically.
• "On The Way Home" by Olivia Gwyn - this is a poetry collection book by a dear fellow blogger, Olivia! I purchased it off Amazon and I'm so eager for it. I've already read a third and can't put it down.

via Pinterest

Watching:

• Bleak House - this is the miniseries that BBC did years ago. It's a re-watch for me. The show is a little slow-moving (and so looong) but hey, that's Dickens. ;) Esther is such a dear.
• White Collar - it took us 2 FLIPPIN' YEARS to finish re-watching this darling series! My two older sisters and I have had such contrasting work shifts we struggled so much to find a night when we were all home and not having to go to bed early for work. But we finished it, and now I'm sad haha. xD
• Dune (2021) - saw this one in the cinema last weekend! It was actually really good! I knew absolutely nothing about the story - I hadn't even seen the whole trailer - but went with a group of friends. I was blown away by Timothee Chalamet's acting and let's just say I am now kinda obsessed with him.

STOP IT GUYS
via Pinterest

Listening to:

• Christmas music! - Duh. I posted on Instagram a couple of months ago asking for some recommendations and got some fantastic ideas from my fabulous friends. I purchased Josh Garrel's "The Light Came Down" album and Pentatonix's "The Best of Pentatonix Christmas", as a result. Also enjoying all Sleeping at Last's Christmas songs.
• Sunday in the Park with George - I listened to the entire soundtrack (and when I say listen to - I have to sit down and intentionally think through it all as I listen, so it's often a big deal haha). Very fascinating. Clever, clever music. I love admiring other people's creativity.
• Podcasts - always, all the podcasts. Particularly digging any and all "Whoa! That's Good" episodes. So encouraging and uplifting. I always come away with some things to chew on.

via Pinterest

Singing:

• Songs for a gig! - well, that has just passed, actually, but for a solid 6 weeks we were madly preparing for a 2 hour show with 2 setlists of our own choosing. 4 of my siblings (and myself) along with 1 of our friends formed the band, and we played a mixture of country, Bluegrass, gospel, blues, pop arrangements etc. A nice variety. I had 3 solos and multiple group songs. It was a great experience!
• I'll Stay by Riley Clemmons - this is a song I've been working on with my singing teacher and ugghhh, it's one of the hardest I've ever done. I've been playing around with different sounds using my voice, and specifically working on a controlled belt and this song has almost conquered me. xD But I'm so determined I shall get that belt downpat, some day.
• Solveig's Song - another song I'm working on with my singing teacher, on the completely opposite end of the spectrum haha. The timing has been very challenging for me, but it shall not defeat me. ;)

via Pinterest

Writing:

• Editing for work - I've been blessed with the opportunity to do some other tasks and responsibilities at my receptionist job. Now, alongside admin work, I'm also doing marketing and editing/proofreading for the company, and oh my goodness, I love it so much! Who knew editing could be so much fun.
• Journaling - always and forever. Journaling, bullet journaling... all the journaling.
• Blog posts - Well, hopefully. :D

via Pinterest

Appreciating: 

• Spring/summer rain! - Seriously, we haven't had such a wet spring for years and years! Flooding has even occurred and it's not even JANUARY yet, guys. Crazy. But I love the green outside and the storms that have been rolling in... even if that means I can't go the hydro classes I signed up for. *frowns*
• Coffee. So much. - Yeah, my coffee intake has really skyrocketed in the past 3 months. I think it coincidentally collided with when we were rehearsing for our gig multiple weeknights on top of my working the two jobs and doing everything else I normally do on top. That might be it. And now I just have it 'cause it's nice. ;D

Okay, I'm not quite up to Lorelei's intake yet ;)

• Quiet moments - they are few and far between, but I'm trying to be more intentional in making time to just be still, even if it's just a few minutes every day. It might sound silly, but I really struggle with this. I'm always go, go, go to the next thing, and run around with a mental to-do list in my head 24/7, but sometimes, it's important to rest, and breathe and speak a few words to God in the stillness. Especially outside, when the sun is setting.

via Pinterest

Struggling with:

• Single wings/kickback tap dance steps - so I'm ridiculous enough to be learning an intermediate/advance tap dance routine (but it's so fun, and it's a routine for Another Day of Sun from La La Land so how can you not?!). Within this routine are complex steps such as single wings and kickbacks etc. I was definitely NOT taught those in my beginner tap class, so I've watched countless YouTube tutorials on how to do them and some of them say it takes 2 years to get some of those steps and I'm like "heck no! I don't have time for that!" xD
• Saying no - Yeah, that's no secret. I suck at saying no, I also suck at making decisions. I'm not mature enough for this, guys.
• All the political drama etc happening right now - without going into further details, the current situation in Australia regarding a certain virus and restrictions that have happened, with lockdowns and societal exclusions... it's all just an absolute massive headache. And it's so political it's almost funny. But so infuriating. Australia is not in a good state right now and I've never seen it more divided. I don't think I've ever been more concerned about the future. It changes from week to week, and people are losing their livelihoods and freedoms and houses. It's awful.

via Pinterest

Learning:

• To choose a few things and do them well - ohh boy, that's a big one. As Jordan Lee Dooley often states, it's so important to steward your time, your resources and your energy well. And I've been very reckless about that. I want to do all the things, all at once. But I'm learning how valuable it is to cut down on a few good things, in order to make the most of what you DO have, and not give half-heartedly to everything. An example of that is, I will be quitting my cafe job at the end of the year (such a hard, sad decision :() and going part-time with my reception job next year, so I'm no longer exhausted trying to juggle two jobs.
• It's OK to not be OK, but it's not OK to not tell anyone - yeah, a bit of a mouthful. But true. This year has been one of the hardest - if not THE hardest - years I've ever experienced. And there have been many times where I wasn't OK, but found it hard to tell someone. And yet, when I do, everything becomes so much easier. And I wished I'd told them sooner. So to anyone out there who is finding life a bit too rough at the moment, this is your nudge to tell a trusted friend or family member, and reach out for some help and support. I PROMISE you won't regret it.
• You can't expect to progress if you're not prepared to commit and practice consistently - ain't that the truth. I'm a big achiever, but I'm also guilty of cutting corners to achieve things faster and perhaps less thoroughly, so I can get on to the next thing (especially when it comes to my hobbies). But that kind of defeats the point. So I guess this goes hand in hand with what I said about stewarding things well - carefully choose what you want to invest in, and steward it well, committing to doing it to the best of your ability, and consistently. 

via Pinterest

I could probably continue, but that will suffice for now. I've been keeping busy with work and singing and hydro classes and allll the Christmas parties and events hehe. On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for Christmas right now? I think I'm about an 8, but it's inching higher with every day. Now I'm off to go wrap some Christmas presents! 

Let me know in the comments how you all are doing, and what's been keeping you busy!

The Give Thanks for Books Tag

Rachel was kind enough to tag me with this one a few weeks ago, so just ignore the fact that I'm so late thank you. ;)

The Rules:

1. Thank the person who tagged you. Thanks Rachel! ;)

2. Fill out the tag. Well of course.

3. Share the tag graphic in your post. Done.

4. Tag four friends. Scroll to the bottom to see who.

5. Provide a clean copy of the tag for easy copying. Scroll to the bottom to see what.

The Tag:

G - A book you're Grateful to a friend for recommending: "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Actually, just all her books. I probably would have never bothered to go and read one except one of my friends insisted I should give them a go, this title particularly. I'm so glad I did; now I've read more of her books than I can count.

I - A book that fires your Imagination: "Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien

I know that's a standard answer, but there is no other answer better. His work sparks my creativity and fires up my imagination more than any other author I've read. 

via Pinterest

V - A book with a Vivid setting: "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

 I can hear the ocean, I instantly see myself sitting in the morning room, with the bouquets of flowers placed around the room. I can feel the motor of the car as they drive along, and I can picture the maze of rooms, and hear the creak of the stairs in the west wing.

E - An Encouraging book: "Daring to Hope" by Katie Davis Majors

This isn't necessarily a light read, but it is an encouraging one. Especially if you're struggling with the goodness of God, or trying to find Him when the world is crashing down around you. I read it two years ago and it's still stuck with me. Katie Davis Majors has walked through a lot of pain and difficulty, and I believe she could speak into anyone's life and encourage them.

via Pinterest

T - A book that Taught you something: "Don't Give Up, Don't Give In: Lessons from an Extraordinary Life" by David Rensin & Louis Zamperini 

The whole book is literally life lessons from Louis Zamperini himself, who was an incredible man that lived an extraordinary life (true to the book's title). I have read this book twice and would highly recommend to anyone that loves to learn from older people and what they have experienced and learnt.

H - A Happy book: "How to be Lovely - the Audrey Hepburn Way of Life" by Melissa Hellstern

This is a super random book, but hey, why not? ;) This is a non-fiction, happy book filled with beautiful pictures of the actress Audrey Hepburn, with a commentary on her life, her fashion choice, her lifestyles etc. Just a fun, interesting little book.

via Pinterest

A - An Amusing book: "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde

What a nonsensical, hilarious story! Highly amusing, and a very quick read. I chuckled a lot.

N - A New-to-you book or author you've discovered this year: Nadine Brandes

To be fair, I discovered her last year, but I haven't really "discovered' a new author this year, and I've only begun to love Nadine's work more and more - especially so this year. I follow her on Instagram and I love reading about her parenting and lifestyle etc. She seems like such a lovely, fun person.

K - A fictional character you feel a Kinship with: Anne Shirley

I can't go past Anne Shirley. We are not one and the same, but we're pretty darn close. I had the joy of playing her in a community theatre production of "Anne of Green Gables" this year, and the amount of people that said I was born to play the role of Anne, or that I had always reminded them of Anne, was staggering. She's like a friend I've grown up with, and I get her.

via Pinterest

S - A book you want to Share with others: "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper

Ughhh, there are SO many I could have picked. (Close runner-up would be "Everybody, Always" by Bob Goff. SUCH a good book.) But this one I would pick because I think everyone, at some point, wonders, "what am I doing with my life??" This is the book for you. A friend gave this to me after I had been mentioning my struggle of feeling as though I was choosing the wrong things in my life, but I didn't know how to glorify God and yet still pursue the hobbies I enjoyed and things I liked. I think this book is applicable for everyone.

The Questions:

G - A book you're Grateful to a friend for recommending

I - A book that fires your Imagination

V - A book with a Vivid setting

E - An Encouraging book

T - A book that Taught you something

H - A Happy book

A - An Amusing book

N - A New-to-you book or author you've discovered this year

K - A fictional character you feel a Kinship with

S - A book you want to Share with others

I Tag:

Samantha @ Bookshire 

Miss March @ Sunshiny Corner

And... most of the people I'd normally tag have already been picked. So if you'd like to do this one, definitely feel free to grab the above prompts, and let me know so I can read it! :)

Hacksaw Ridge (2016) Review

Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I've done a movie review. Admittedly, I don't do very many - only on occasion, when I feel a movie deserves a full post. Well, the other week, I watched just such a movie, and I won't be able to get over it until I devote some time to explain how much I appreciated it. (Also, this post will be unashamedly littered with spoilers, so read at your own risk, or skip to the last 2 paragraphs.)

A brief summary of the plot: 

A true story of Private Desmond Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honour, even though he refused to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds. (He was dubbed a "Conscientious Objector", but preferred to be called a "Conscientious Cooperator".) During the bloodiest battle of WWII, he saved 75 men without firing a single shot. He was the only American soldier to fight on the front line without bearing a weapon. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braving the enemy fire. (He was even hit by snipers and wounded by a grenade!)

So first of all, no, this is not a horror movie - the title is eerie, I grant you, and the reason for it is also rather eerie. It's a war movie. It's also got a high rating (MA 15+ in Australia) for violence, for good reason. I will openly admit it was a violent movie, and not everyone's cup of tea. I do not enjoy watching violence, but I greatly dislike it if there is no particular reason for the movie to be violent, except to add "more excitement" or "intensity". No, thank you. But if it is a war movie, where the reasoning behind it is to give you a more realistic idea of what the people who serve go through, based off a real-life event... that I can handle. 

(To give you an idea of the level of gore we're looking at, Mel Gibson directed this movie - he also directed "Braveheart", "The Patriot", "The Passion of the Christ" etc... and this movie has also been compared with "Saving Private Ryan".)

So basically, if violence, even if it's a true story movie based on war-time settings, isn't your thing, this movie is not for you. But, if you can handle a bit of blood and gore, let me give you a few more reasons to watch this movie.

The main reason is because it's a true story! I read a bit more online about how close it was to what happened in real life, and it seems as though they were very accurate with their portrayal. Of course, there are always a few liberties taken - especially (in this case) with the romance between Desmond and his wife, but nothing dramatically different to the truth. And the main focus of the movie - when Desmond rescues 75 main, alone, on Hacksaw Ridge - is particularly intentional in every detail to be accurate. 

The story starts off giving you an overview of Desmond's life before the war. You see him fall in love with a girl, sign up for the army, and survive the brutal boot camp. You get a good picture of Desmond's character in this first section - he was a goofy, thoughtful fellow who didn't put much value on what others thought of him. (Can I add here that I really appreciated Andrew Garfield's portrayal? He played both the silly side and the intense, emotional side exceptionally well. And boy, did he have a ridiculously cute smile.) His romance with his wife - Dorothy - was sweet, although in parts not accurate to the true story. They were married, and stayed together for 49 years, until her death. 

It was difficult to watch his alcoholic father Elrond, but I guess that was the whole point. (Apparently, the movie exaggerated it, as his father wasn't abusive to his mother, nor was he that addicted to alcohol.) I spent ages trying to figure out where I had seen the mother, before realizing it was the lady who played the Aunt (/Mary Poppins) in Saving Mr. Banks. 

Sam Worthington, who played Captain Glover, is a household favourite of ours (hello, Aussie actors!) and it was great to see him in another role. He always makes the TV screen more pleasant to look at. :D

The first half of the film was basically a lead-up to the pivotal moment when one of his mates dies, and the entire army battalion have retreated and scaled down the dangerous ridge. Desmond stands at the top, hesitating. He couldn't bring himself to retreat when he knew so many of his fellow men were wounded, bleeding, and crying out in pain behind him. So he decided to run back behind the enemy lines, alone, dodging the bullets and grenades, and rescue the wounded. 

This was the most powerful part of the story. Desmond went back, slowly, one after another, dragging, pulling, carrying the wounded any way he could, attending to their wounds, then tying a rope around them and letting them down the side of the cliff. His hands were bloodied and raw, blood and mud covered his body, and sweat dripped down, but he prayed, desperately, "Just one more, Lord... just one more."

There's an article I read (it's fantastic - you can check it out here) where the real Desmond said he prayed "Lord, please help me get more and more, one more, until there [are] none left, and I'm the last one down."

He saved around 75 men, alone, within about 12 hours. 

It was truly incredible. Not only that, but the next day, they all went back up the ridge to fight again, and Desmond went with them. This time, he got badly wounded while protecting others. A grenade was thrown at them, and he kicked it out of the way, but it blew up and the impact shattered his leg and imbedded 70 pieces of shrapnel into his body (which gave him a life-long injury). Then, the men carried him on a stretcher, and while they were hurrying him back, they passed another injured man, crying out. Desmond slipped off the stretcher to help the injured man, and gave up the stretcher so they could carry him first. They eventually came back for him, and on the journey back he was also shot in the arm by a sniper. (There were so many other astounding, providential details - Mel Gibson actually left out some of these details in the film because he felt as though the audience would never believe it to be credible!)

The most disappointing factor was the ending for me (but even then, they made up for it). It ended with Desmond being rescued off the ridge and the other men lowering him down, just as he had done for the wounded. I wanted to see the after-war story, have a glimpse of the joyful reunion between Dorothy and Desmond, and see a little of their incredible life after the war. However, the film ended with photographs of the real people, and excerpts from interviews with the real-life Desmond Doss, and other people (including Captain Glover and some of Desmond's family members). So I guess I forgive them.

Not only was this film wonderfully produced, I was a better person for seeing it. It's a bit like what the movie and book "Unbroken" did for me, about Louis Zamperini; it reminded me of why I put my trust in God. It helped me realize how God can raise up men and women of valour in this day and age - people of faith, not just people from the Bible. Just because we live in the 21st century doesn't mean we are not to have the boldness and faith like Joshua or Esther or David did.

It also reminded me how important conviction is, and not only to have a conviction, but to live it. To live for what you know is true, and, by God's grace, to have the courage and strength to carry it out... that is the message that I took from this movie. And I think any movie that reminds you of truth, is a movie worth watching. :)