Ok so after my last post I wanted to share some songs with you that can cheer me up any time. So this time I figured I'd grab my Ipod and tell ya what my most played songs are.
#10: Mad - Cassie Steele
This year Cassie released this song through Itunes and I LOVE it. I got it a minute after the midnight release and it has been playing daily ever since. Why I love this song? First of all because of the lyrics. She says it's ok to be flawed and a little crazy sometimes, as long as you're being yourself. Awesome message!
#9: Sex and Candy - Cassie Steele
Another Cassie song. Yes I'm a big fan of Cassie's and she's awesome and i'm not obsessed at all with her or something and I'm making this sentence waaaaay too long. Ok so this is another recently 'released' song and I love it. This came out shortly after the 'Mad' single and is a cover version of the original song. Which I still haven't listened to though to be honest.
#8: Skipping Stone - Alexz Johnson
Another Canadian singer who is just brilliant. I became familiar with her through the series 'Instant Star' and after that ended I kept an eye on this awesome girl. I was actually very lucky when I got to meet her when she was touring through Europe and she also came to Amsterdam. Obviously I made sure to buy a ticket and go (with a dear friend of mine of course) and she was so sweet and lovely and her voice is just amazing. I'm waiting impatiently to hear new material.
#7: Last Rose of Summer/Walking In The Air - Celtic Woman
This is a song that is just amazingly beautiful. Yes it's a double positive. These women have angelic voices and this song is just so amazing. Chloe Agnew is the one who sings this song and it is just so amazing and soothing. Just give it a listen.
#6: Empty Handed - Lea Michele
As you all know Lea released her debut album at the beginning of the year. Most people would expect the song 'If you say so' would be my fave but no. I love it and it's such a good song and it clearly shows how much she loved Cory but this song is just a little gem. It's hard though to pic a fave from her album, but my ipod don't lie and this is my number 6.
#5: Cups - Anna Kendrick (from the movie Picture Perfect)
I love this movie sooo much. All about the love for music and all that... This song has been stuck in my head ever since the first time i watched the movie and we all know the cups moves and I'm proud to say that i've finally 'mastered' the move (don't expect a video of me doing it though). It's just so good to listen to.
#4: Stuttering - Fefe Dobson
I first heard this song when watching an episode of the short-lived series Hellcats, back in 2011. She was a guest performer and I just fell in love with this song. There was a time when I wasn't listening to it but lately I've been listening to it again. Worth a listen.
#3: Crushed and Created - Caitlyn Smith
By now you'll get the picture, I find great music by watching television series. This song was used in Make It Or Break It, that show about elite gymnasts. I don't remember which season but I got my hands on the song shortly after watching the episode it was in and it has been on my playlist ever since. It's all about getting stronger after a bad time and how you learn from it.
#2: I Want You - Cassie Steele (the rough version)
Back in the day I received an email from Cassie's dad with this song attached. It had just been recorded and it sounded awesome. They wanted to share it with me for my hard work on Cassie Steele Online, her fansite which I run. This song was rereleased with her Shifty EP, and it had been given a pop-jacked but this version i just love too much. You can listen to the song on the site's official youtube channel (and there is a direct link next to her name.
#1: Us Against the World - Play
Lately I've been going through my files again and listening to songs that are really testimonies of my youth. This song was used in the movie 'Holiday In The Sun' which was one of many movies starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. It's also the one with Ben Easter and Austen Nichols. This song was so playful and fun and just innocent and just awesome to listen to. I don't know what happened to these girls but this song is my current number 1.
To be honest, this is really my top 10 today. It could be different tomorrow. I have just a real broad taste in music and I love finding new artists to listen to and track. So if you have any suggestions let me know :)
Monday, 30 June 2014
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Top 5... songs that get me crying
This might seem a little emo after my last post but I keep thinking about posting top-fives and felt this would be a good fit when looking back.
This is my top 5 songs that I love listening to but that does get me emotional.
#5 Cry - Mandy Moore
This song I first heard when watching the movie 'A Walk to Remember' and this song was in the end credits. If you've seen the film you know what I'm talking about. This song is especially emotional if you've just watched the movie, so don't expect the waterworks every time you hear it, but I have shed my fair share of tears when listening to this song so it has to be in my top 5.
#4: Gravity - Sarah Bareilles
To be honest, this is not a song that brings me to tears every time I listen to it, but it's soooo good. I heard this song for the first time when it was featured in the second episode of the Vampire Diaries and it really added to the moment. Ever since then I've been playing the song every once in a while and it is just one that I keep going back to.
#3: Roots Before Branches - Room for Two
This is a song I heard on Glee, when Rachel was moving to New York and Finn decided to stay in Lima. I loved the song so much that obviously I had to get my hands on it. This can get my teary eyed, especially when seeing that scene again. So sweet.
#2: Flying without Wings - Westlife
This is a song that has kept the tissue producers in business for the past few years. I picked this song to play at my grandfather's funeral and as a result I couldn't listen to it for almost a year and a half after that. The fact is, we used an instrumental version during that service and even that was too painful. To this day this song can bring me to tears, especially when they sing it live. During their farewell tour I cried multiple times. With that being said, it is an amazing song and the lyrics are so gorgeous so give it a listen.
#1: I'll see you again - Westlife
Another Westlife song. This one is especially emotional because of the lyrics. It's all about saying goodbye to people you love after they die but never really saying goodbye after all. They say that you'll see them again. There is a video of their live performance of this song online, and that one is especially heartbreaking when you know the background of the group. The two guys in the middle had just lost their dads and you can really feel the emotion. This is that song that, no matter how many times I listen to it, even now I my eyes get watery. This is a really good and beautiful song but I warn you, don't listen to it when you've just lost someone.
I promise, next post will be a little more cheery.
xo Chantal
This is my top 5 songs that I love listening to but that does get me emotional.
#5 Cry - Mandy Moore
This song I first heard when watching the movie 'A Walk to Remember' and this song was in the end credits. If you've seen the film you know what I'm talking about. This song is especially emotional if you've just watched the movie, so don't expect the waterworks every time you hear it, but I have shed my fair share of tears when listening to this song so it has to be in my top 5.
#4: Gravity - Sarah Bareilles
To be honest, this is not a song that brings me to tears every time I listen to it, but it's soooo good. I heard this song for the first time when it was featured in the second episode of the Vampire Diaries and it really added to the moment. Ever since then I've been playing the song every once in a while and it is just one that I keep going back to.
#3: Roots Before Branches - Room for Two
This is a song I heard on Glee, when Rachel was moving to New York and Finn decided to stay in Lima. I loved the song so much that obviously I had to get my hands on it. This can get my teary eyed, especially when seeing that scene again. So sweet.
#2: Flying without Wings - Westlife
This is a song that has kept the tissue producers in business for the past few years. I picked this song to play at my grandfather's funeral and as a result I couldn't listen to it for almost a year and a half after that. The fact is, we used an instrumental version during that service and even that was too painful. To this day this song can bring me to tears, especially when they sing it live. During their farewell tour I cried multiple times. With that being said, it is an amazing song and the lyrics are so gorgeous so give it a listen.
#1: I'll see you again - Westlife
Another Westlife song. This one is especially emotional because of the lyrics. It's all about saying goodbye to people you love after they die but never really saying goodbye after all. They say that you'll see them again. There is a video of their live performance of this song online, and that one is especially heartbreaking when you know the background of the group. The two guys in the middle had just lost their dads and you can really feel the emotion. This is that song that, no matter how many times I listen to it, even now I my eyes get watery. This is a really good and beautiful song but I warn you, don't listen to it when you've just lost someone.
I promise, next post will be a little more cheery.
xo Chantal
Sunday, 22 June 2014
How to.. deal with loss
I was actually planning on discussing how to get good grades, but in light of recent events in my family I decided otherwise.
Every person will - at some point - have to deal with losing someone in their lives. This could be as small as losing a pet or or big as losing a (close) relative. Now I'm only speaking from my own experience, which at this point in my life it seems a lot, but I feel that this is the only way to address it.
My first funeral I attended was that of my grandmother. She had been suffering from memory loss and with it losing all awareness of the present. She lived in her own world. It was early in the morning when our phone rang. It was my uncle calling, telling us that we should get in the car and come over because it was going to be over shortly.
We were too late, and my mother decided to go back home after saying goodbye and then return for the funeral. To this day she regrets not being able to help organize the funeral and giving it her all. She still feels that she hasn't said a proper goodbye.
After that, this I remember well, my grandfather died. At the time I was still studying Journalism and again we received a call very early in the morning. It think it was around 4:30 am. Again my uncle. We had to come over quickly. This time my other uncle was standing outside of the home where my grandfather lived and quickly he brought my mum inside. My third uncle brought me to his home where my niece and nephew were and to give my mom and his wife some privacy. My mom was in time, this time, and she got to say her goodbye. Afterwards we stayed with my aunt and uncle (the third uncle, and my mums youngest sister) and we all helped with the arrangements for the funeral. I wrote some envelopes for the cards and found a song to be played during the ceremony. (Flying Without Wings - Westlife - Instrumental version.) With both my grandma and grandpa I drew a picture of butterflies that was layer next to them.
The last funeral I attended was that of my oldest uncle. He was married to my moms oldest sister. This was during the second week of this school year. He was suffering from cancer which is a disease that is very common in our family. His daughter has breast cancer and is in her last stage of her life and my niece from my moms second oldest sister also has a form of breast cancer.
Today i saw an update on Facebook that hit me hard. The daughter of my recent past uncle wrote that her biggest wish would be fulfilled when her husbands sister and her family would be coming over. especially the words "... for the last time" hit me hard.
Now, how can you deal with loss? First is probably to talk about the person. But be honest, you can't really do that right away. You have to calm down first. But when you're not too emotional anymore you can start talking about the nice times you had with this person. Remember the good times, and yes even the bad times. Celebrate the lives they had.
Then comes the time when that anniversary comes around. The first time I realized that my grandpa was gone for 6 months was early on in the new school year. It was the same date as my student finance would payout another month. Exact date. It hit me hard and got me tearing all the way home. What can you do? I think that you just have to let it go. Cry if you need to. Just don't put it away and not feel. You have to feel. If you don't, you'll end up botteling it up and it will come out at some point.
For me it was difficult to listen to that song i had picked, even though during the funeral it had been instrumental. It took me another year and a half after that. Slowly but surely i could listen to the song again without crying. Not at first though. The first notes could get me balling and that would go on until the song had ended. But again just go through it.
And, well, all you can do is just go on. So like I said, remember the person by talking about them, celebrating their lives and just love them as much as you did before. Time heals all wounds, or so they say. I can only speak for myself but I have to agree. As you can see I can talk about it now so yes I have dealt with it, but something like that little comment "...for the last time" can sure hit you hard. I'll have to attend her funeral at some point but I hope that it is still a while from now. I just don't want to loose another person in my life.
Every person will - at some point - have to deal with losing someone in their lives. This could be as small as losing a pet or or big as losing a (close) relative. Now I'm only speaking from my own experience, which at this point in my life it seems a lot, but I feel that this is the only way to address it.
My first funeral I attended was that of my grandmother. She had been suffering from memory loss and with it losing all awareness of the present. She lived in her own world. It was early in the morning when our phone rang. It was my uncle calling, telling us that we should get in the car and come over because it was going to be over shortly.
We were too late, and my mother decided to go back home after saying goodbye and then return for the funeral. To this day she regrets not being able to help organize the funeral and giving it her all. She still feels that she hasn't said a proper goodbye.
After that, this I remember well, my grandfather died. At the time I was still studying Journalism and again we received a call very early in the morning. It think it was around 4:30 am. Again my uncle. We had to come over quickly. This time my other uncle was standing outside of the home where my grandfather lived and quickly he brought my mum inside. My third uncle brought me to his home where my niece and nephew were and to give my mom and his wife some privacy. My mom was in time, this time, and she got to say her goodbye. Afterwards we stayed with my aunt and uncle (the third uncle, and my mums youngest sister) and we all helped with the arrangements for the funeral. I wrote some envelopes for the cards and found a song to be played during the ceremony. (Flying Without Wings - Westlife - Instrumental version.) With both my grandma and grandpa I drew a picture of butterflies that was layer next to them.
The last funeral I attended was that of my oldest uncle. He was married to my moms oldest sister. This was during the second week of this school year. He was suffering from cancer which is a disease that is very common in our family. His daughter has breast cancer and is in her last stage of her life and my niece from my moms second oldest sister also has a form of breast cancer.
Today i saw an update on Facebook that hit me hard. The daughter of my recent past uncle wrote that her biggest wish would be fulfilled when her husbands sister and her family would be coming over. especially the words "... for the last time" hit me hard.
Now, how can you deal with loss? First is probably to talk about the person. But be honest, you can't really do that right away. You have to calm down first. But when you're not too emotional anymore you can start talking about the nice times you had with this person. Remember the good times, and yes even the bad times. Celebrate the lives they had.
Then comes the time when that anniversary comes around. The first time I realized that my grandpa was gone for 6 months was early on in the new school year. It was the same date as my student finance would payout another month. Exact date. It hit me hard and got me tearing all the way home. What can you do? I think that you just have to let it go. Cry if you need to. Just don't put it away and not feel. You have to feel. If you don't, you'll end up botteling it up and it will come out at some point.
For me it was difficult to listen to that song i had picked, even though during the funeral it had been instrumental. It took me another year and a half after that. Slowly but surely i could listen to the song again without crying. Not at first though. The first notes could get me balling and that would go on until the song had ended. But again just go through it.
And, well, all you can do is just go on. So like I said, remember the person by talking about them, celebrating their lives and just love them as much as you did before. Time heals all wounds, or so they say. I can only speak for myself but I have to agree. As you can see I can talk about it now so yes I have dealt with it, but something like that little comment "...for the last time" can sure hit you hard. I'll have to attend her funeral at some point but I hope that it is still a while from now. I just don't want to loose another person in my life.
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Falling like a brick
So as I mentioned in my last post, I've gotten back onto the so-called dating horse. Can I even refer to it like that? I wouldn't know, but I'm doing it anyway.
So yes I have begun dating this guy. I'm not going to say his name simply because I'd like that to stay private, I'm sure you'd understand. Anyway I've known him exactly 2 months now.
So I 'met' him on tinder. You're probably familiar with it but it's an app with which you can 'match' yourself up with someone with the same interests or maybe simply because you like his or her pictures. I'm not really into those things cause most people don't take it seriously and are just after sex but my classmates persuaded me to install the app.
For a while nothing much came out of it. In total I had been talking to 4 guys in total that in a way piqued my interest. One of them is the guy I'm seeing. Slowly but surely the other guys never replied anymore, and what can you do then but move on? So that is what I did.
That was until I had 2,5 hours in-between classes and I started 'matching' again. I ran into his profile and was lucky because he lived pretty close. He was working at the time but still managed to reply frequently enough. Immediately we had a topic, our mutual interests.
We started talking more and at some point we decided to meet in person.
What can I say? I loved every minute of it. He made me smile just as much as he did through WhatsApp and that is most definitely a plus.
Now there is this thing that is standing in our way, in a way. He has this ex-girlfriend and they hadn't been broken up too long before he started talking to me. That shouldn't be too much of an issue but so far it has become one. She broke his heart and he says he's not ready for anything steady yet. Though he is only looking for something serious though, but yes, he's not looking for anything right now. Can you see my problem yet??
Over the past couple of weeks I've been spending some quality time with him and slowly but surely I've started to fall for him. I can't help it. It's driving me insane though because I know that he's not ready to commit, and I am. I just don't know how to deal with it.
I've been driving myself insane. Sometimes I just think that he's not interested in me in that way, but then when he's talking I get my hopes up and start thinking.... maybe?
Time will tell but it sure is annoying knowing that he's already impacting my life in such a way that I can't help but think about him when thinking about a future. God i'm falling hard.
So yes I have begun dating this guy. I'm not going to say his name simply because I'd like that to stay private, I'm sure you'd understand. Anyway I've known him exactly 2 months now.
So I 'met' him on tinder. You're probably familiar with it but it's an app with which you can 'match' yourself up with someone with the same interests or maybe simply because you like his or her pictures. I'm not really into those things cause most people don't take it seriously and are just after sex but my classmates persuaded me to install the app.
For a while nothing much came out of it. In total I had been talking to 4 guys in total that in a way piqued my interest. One of them is the guy I'm seeing. Slowly but surely the other guys never replied anymore, and what can you do then but move on? So that is what I did.
That was until I had 2,5 hours in-between classes and I started 'matching' again. I ran into his profile and was lucky because he lived pretty close. He was working at the time but still managed to reply frequently enough. Immediately we had a topic, our mutual interests.
We started talking more and at some point we decided to meet in person.
What can I say? I loved every minute of it. He made me smile just as much as he did through WhatsApp and that is most definitely a plus.
Now there is this thing that is standing in our way, in a way. He has this ex-girlfriend and they hadn't been broken up too long before he started talking to me. That shouldn't be too much of an issue but so far it has become one. She broke his heart and he says he's not ready for anything steady yet. Though he is only looking for something serious though, but yes, he's not looking for anything right now. Can you see my problem yet??
Over the past couple of weeks I've been spending some quality time with him and slowly but surely I've started to fall for him. I can't help it. It's driving me insane though because I know that he's not ready to commit, and I am. I just don't know how to deal with it.
I've been driving myself insane. Sometimes I just think that he's not interested in me in that way, but then when he's talking I get my hopes up and start thinking.... maybe?
Time will tell but it sure is annoying knowing that he's already impacting my life in such a way that I can't help but think about him when thinking about a future. God i'm falling hard.
Sunday, 15 June 2014
CD Review #1: Road Between by Lucy Hale
Lucy Hale just turned 25 today (omg she's only a few months older than me lol) and with that I wanted to review her recently released album.
Now, if you don't like the country sound and style of music, this album is not for you. However I have a hate/love relationship with it. Some sounds so good to me (see what I did here?) and some not at all. I guess it really depends on my mood (first) and of course the quality of the songs.
Lucy's album (titled 'Road Between') is just lovely. She begins with two topical country styled songs that really get you in that mood and as soon as the tunes of 'Nervous Girls' start I was swaying along with the music. That song is so nice and sweet and the lyrics really grab you. Especially the last few lines really tell us how all girls can be strong and beautiful. Love a song with a girl power message.
Maybe it's because I am getting back into the dating scene but I love her song 'kiss me'. It really explains what I feel when I'm on a date with this awesome guy and all you can think about is him kissing you. That feeling is great, just like this song!
'Road Between', 'Lie a little better' and 'That's what I call crazy' are just little gems on their own. Each song breaths warmth and gets you in the mood to dance around.
Then there is 'love tonight' which is really one of those songs that makes you get up from your chair and sing along with the lyrics while bustin' whatever moves you have in you.
'Just another song' is the last track on her regular album, but for those who have the deluxe album, you're blessed with at least 3 more songs. I was lucky to get the deluxe itunes edition :D so i can listen to those songs as well.
What can I say about this album? It is such an unexpected genre when looking at the phenomenon of actress/singer releasing an album but that exactly is what I love about Lucy. This girl just goes her own way making beautiful music with her amazing voice. I'm looking forward to hearing more of her tunes on a next album. Way to go Lucy! oh and Happy birthday!
Stars: *****
Monday, 9 June 2014
Book Review #4: Reasons Not To Fall In Love by Kirsty Mosely
I have been reading a
little less lately but with that being said, I do read new material and love
finding new writers to love.
One of those newly
found (to me) writers is Kirsty Moseley. This lovely woman has some awesome
writing out and I have to admit to reading 4 of her books directly after one
another.
Now I’m blessed to
have been picked to write a review about her upcoming short story. What can I say? Immediately I feel for the
protagonist (Bronwyn) who has to work two jobs to pay her bills while her
husband is playing games all day instead of trying to find a new job.
Bronwyn’s sister
finally has a baby, Evie, and while visiting her in the hospital, Bronwyn meets
a handsome guy, Harrison. He is immediately interested but obviously Bronwyn is
in a relationship so she doesn’t act on those butterflies that appear in her
stomach when he looks at her. They part ways and only see each other during
birthday parties.
We fast forward and
meet Bronwyn again. She’s still working hard and her husband is still the lousy
guy he was back 6 years when we meet Bronwyn. During one of Evie’s birthday
party Finn (Bronwyn’s husband) is openly flirting with the biggest flirt there
and if that’s not enough Bronwyn walks in on Finn and some young girl having
sex in their bed, she decides that’s it.
As soon as I read that
part I saluted her. This woman finally takes a stand and decides she’s worth
more than Finn is treating her. There is however a reason as to why she’d been
keeping up with Finn for so long that I as a girl can get though. What comes
after the break up you’ll have to find out yourself by reading the short story.
You won’t regret it. I’ve probably given away too much already so you’ll have
to find out for yourself why Bronwyn takes up with Finn for so long and how and
what this Harrison person means to her.
stars: *****
I have been provided with some links to where you can buy this awesome short story:
Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/Sx87V4
Sunday, 8 June 2014
Good material for 12/13 year olds?
As a teacher student I still find it difficult to find material that fits the level of these kids' english. I have to remind myself that this is a second language for them, though obviously it is for me as well. But what material is well fitted?
Lately I have been reading a kids book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. You may know her, you may not. This woman who was the daughter of a pioneer family wrote about her life in 10 books (at least there's 10 of them in the dutch translation) and it is all about how she grew up in a family that travels through the US in the 1800s. She describes certain chores in large detail and I love that.
This for example could be a good book series to use when teaching english.
But this is only one. These days there's so much material out there to consider. The stories they read in dutch could be too difficult to read in English. However, I don't want to make it too easy either. At that age i read harry potter (obviously in dutch) but would it have been easy enough to read in english? They know the story but could they really follow it if it would be written in a different language?
I'm asking you, yes you other teachers, who could help me with this?
What would be well suited material for 12/13 year olds who learn a second language. Should I think about kids books that are normally oriented towards kids younger than 10? or should O hand them books that their age read but then in english instead of our own language? I'm stuck. any ideas?
please leave a comment if you know something!
xo Chantal
Lately I have been reading a kids book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. You may know her, you may not. This woman who was the daughter of a pioneer family wrote about her life in 10 books (at least there's 10 of them in the dutch translation) and it is all about how she grew up in a family that travels through the US in the 1800s. She describes certain chores in large detail and I love that.
This for example could be a good book series to use when teaching english.
But this is only one. These days there's so much material out there to consider. The stories they read in dutch could be too difficult to read in English. However, I don't want to make it too easy either. At that age i read harry potter (obviously in dutch) but would it have been easy enough to read in english? They know the story but could they really follow it if it would be written in a different language?
I'm asking you, yes you other teachers, who could help me with this?
What would be well suited material for 12/13 year olds who learn a second language. Should I think about kids books that are normally oriented towards kids younger than 10? or should O hand them books that their age read but then in english instead of our own language? I'm stuck. any ideas?
please leave a comment if you know something!
xo Chantal
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