Another year older
Hello again, everyone! I hope everyone is doing well and taking care of themselves. I am writing today’s blog post two days after my birthday and have lots to catch up on.
But most importantly, I did something AMAZING yesterday…not only did I get to go to one of my favorite local bookstores in DFW, Talking Animals Books, but I got to meet R.L. Stine!!!
Yes, THE R.L. STINE ~ Goosebumps author/legendary writer/Bob ~ and let me tell you, this experience was absolutely wonderful! He not only has a kindhearted demeanor but he is hilarious…he shared interesting fun facts about how he became a children’s horror writer, shared what he’s been currently working on, and I learned that he has written about 300 books which is CRAZY. Getting to actually meet him and hearing him discuss his writing journey was truly inspiring (especially since he started writing when he was 9 years old like WOW ok talented from an early age, we see you!!).
Of course, I grew up reading his books (although it took me awhile to get into the horror genre, he was one of the first authors that opened my eyes to embracing the world of horror) so I was terribly indecisive about what book I’d have him sign (with the event ticket package I purchased, you got to be a part of a Q&A portion then have one book (or item) signed by R.L. Stine and a photo with him)…I ended up having him sign a book of his that I have NOT read yet called Beach House which is a mystery/thriller about a murderer that kills these teenagers staying at a beach house. The most interesting part? It alternates between a timeline in the 1950s and present day (the book was written in 1992, so I’m assuming it alternates between the 1950s and 1990s…forgive me Mr. Stine if I’m wrong haha). Anyways I’m rambling, but when I sat down next to him to get my book signed, he smiled and said “now this was a fun book to write” which made me feel very happy but also excited to start reading it! I shared with him that I hadn’t read Beach House yet but that I read almost all of the Goosebumps books growing up and that it was so nice to meet him in person.
I will admit, I was quite starstruck, so I probably zoned out from pure astonishment during the interaction…but it was truly such a cool experience overall.
On Thursday (my actual birthday), my sweet fiancé, Sergio, took me to Oklahoma City for the day which was very fun. We had lunch at Hideaway Pizza, visited The Floating Bookshop & Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, walked around Myriad Botanical Gardens, and ended the day with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art!
The past few days have definitely been busy but good…as I turned another year older, I feel very blessed for this life that I’ve been living despite all of the craziness that has been thrown my way (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and I’m grateful for every part of it that got me to where I’m at today.
So, if you’re reading this, thank you for being a part of my journey.
Recent movie(s)/tv show(s):
Bridgerton — I am absolutely in love with this show…everything from the costumes/wardrobe to the design elements (especially seeing the lavish balls!) to the characters. I have recently loved this show so much that I had a friend of mine do a Bridgerton themed photoshoot for my birthday (thank you, Diane!!). I still have yet to read the books (they’re on my never-ending list of books I have yet to read, sorry!) but I have loved the show so far…especially with Eloise’s season coming up next.
Nine Perfect Strangers — I’m still watching this show and oh my goshhhhh it is a crazy whirlwind! I honestly went into this show blind - think wellness retreat + self-improvement vibes - but something about the retreat facility is a bit off…I won’t share anymore but highly suggest watching it! There’s 2 seasons, I’m about to finish season 1 and will be jumping into season 2 ASAP!! Plus, there are some great actors in both seasons.
Recent book(s):
Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey — ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT ALRIGHT!! This was a very great read, I listened to this book on Audible, so it was cool hearing Matthew McConaughey read it and share some poetry and prayers close to his heart. On top of being an actor & a proud Austinite, I had no idea he was a poet until this book came out. Would highly recommend to anyone who is newer to the poetry genre, a huge poetry fan, or even just a fan of the actor himself.
Thank you for reading! Until next time.
~Hannah
First (official) blog post
Content warning: contains topic(s) of anxiety, sex/sexual assault, (light) cursing, and a whole lot of words…
Well, I started typing this, and I was off to a solid start…then, I tried inserting an image and kapoof … no more text :(
But, I’m still here, and SAVING MY WORK this time so that if it happens again I’m prepared haha…oh well. C’est la vie, right?
sweats nervously
sweats more nervously than before because I truly want to re-type as much as I remember but I don’t think that’ll happen so fuck it we’re starting over LOL
OKAY here we go…again…
Hi! So for those who don’t know me (or even if you do), my name is Hannah. I typed out a whole intro earlier (but my social & mental batteries are running close to empty) so I am going to do my damn best to win you over with a few words about me, yap about some things I’ve been enjoying recently, and so on and so forth. My anxiety is slightly amped at the moment but I just took another propanol (shoutout to my therapist & primary care doctor woohoo) and am chugging a Dr. Pepper, so I'm just going to go with it and see where the typing takes me!
I am a 27 year old Pisces (almost 28, but have the back pain of an 80 year old woman), I’m a poetry writer when I’m not working as a residential concierge full time, and I love traveling/making new memories/cuddling with the love of my life and our two dogs/reading books/listening to music/Michael Bublé/Pedro Pascal/writing/moving my body/etc…
My hope for this blog is to dedicate myself to posting at least once a month - hopefully more - and creating a sense of comfort and validation for people in a meaningful way. With the stressful events happening in the world, especially recently, if I can even make one person laugh or smile or just feel seen, I’ll feel content. So, if you’re reading this, know you are seen, heard, loved, and appreciated.
I’m also going to be sharing my favorite movie(s)/tv show(s) for the month and what I’m reading currently (I constantly have 5+ books on my “Currently Reading” list simultaneously - because would I even be officially diagnosed with ADHD if I wasn’t trying to read multiple books at once?!) and would love to hear back from y’all - whether it’s talking about the same tv show or having a common interest in yapping or just want to vent about random things, know that I am here for you (sometimes I’m awful at responding but I swear I’m trying to be better about it…half the time I respond in my head and don’t respond IRL…big issue oops). Would also love to hear back if you have suggestions/requests for what to talk about next…could be anything from what I’m listening to on Spotify (Blue Monday by New Order because how can a song about people’s least favorite day of the week be SO GOOD?!??) to what my thoughts were about the Super Bowl halftime show this year (I LOVED IT, Bad Bunny is truly wonderful as a musician and person, did I mention how much I absolutely loved it, 100/10 would highly recommend). I’m here for it all, and I hope you are too. <3
Recent movie(s)/tv show(s):
The Sopranos — currently watching this show for the first time all the way through (yes, I’m late to the party, I apologize) and almost done with the last season. For anyone who has watched this show, I hope you bob your head and sing the intro song like I do because (dare I say) it’s a certified banger (IYKYK). The actors are all phenomenal in their own ways and I’m glad that I’m watching this show…it’s equal parts funny, serious, insane, and just outright authentic.
Sorry, Baby — this movie is truly so good…it’s a comedy/drama (or as I like to call it, a dramedy) about a woman who gets sexually assaulted (trigger warning: does NOT show the actual SA but shows the aftermath and how she carries herself through life after). My sister recommended this movie to me and I have been recommending it to anyone and everyone. Whether you’ve experienced what she has or know someone who has, it’s a very honest but impactful glimpse of her experience…which is very validating as someone who has experienced this. The comedy aspects can be appreciated in her personality and the way she (eventually) heals bit by bit after a traumatic event.
Recent book(s):
(currently reading too many books but here are two books I just finished recently that I’d highly recommend)
Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy — I listened to this book on Audible (which is narrated by the author herself so I loved it already) and was hooked on the writing…Half His Age is a fiction novel about a young woman who begins to have an intensely raw, sexual, romantic relationship with her high school teacher…all while navigating life with a mostly-absent mother in a trailer park, the brutal honesty exhibited through female rage, and mirrors life experiences of the author through this book.
Poetry Comics by Grant Snider — read this book on a whim (and in one sitting). Loved the beautiful simplicity of the poems and comic illustrations paired together and enjoyed the dual visualization of poetry and art. A great book to read if you drift more towards graphic novels and/or are new to reading poetry.
That’s all for now! Until next time.
~Hannah