HAPPY SUNDAY!!! *tackle-hugs you*

Wow, it has been a longgggg time since I've written a blog post, and I do apologize for that. The past few months have been weird and crazy and fun, what with school and all. But now that exams are done, I can FINALLY sit down and start writing blog posts again. And this time, I don't plan on disappearing for a while. <3

Anyways, to get myself back in the blogosphere, I'm doing the Sunshine Blogger Award! I have been tagged for this six times. I probably should have done it earlier. It's fine. XD

THE RULES

1. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you and link back to their blog(s) so others can find them. All right, a huge shoutout to Sarah @ Pen of a Ready Writer, Lacy @ The Life of an Elf, Bethany @ Scribbled Fiction, Ash @ Starlight Strands, Rakayle @ A Story Detective, and MovieCritic @ Movies Meet Their Match for tagging me! You need to check out their blogs - they're all so kind and incredible! <3

2. List the rules and display an award logo on your blog post. 

3. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you. So, plot twist, I'm not doing this. There would be 66 questions to go through, and I don't think anyone wants that. XD Instead, I'll pick my favorite 3-4 questions from each blogger.

4. Ask the nominees 11 new questions. This was a struggle for me when I did this tag last time. We'll see what happens. XD

SARAH'S QUESTIONS

What's your dream work space aesthetic? 

. . . I have literally never thought about this before, but it's such an interesting question!

I really like the library aesthetic - bookshelves around every corner, pages rustling, stuff like that. But if I were to work in that environment, I would have to make sure I couldn't see anyone. For some reason, whenever I work in a crowded library, I get really distracted. *shrugs*

What's a subject in school that surprised you by not being as awful as you thought?

Chemistry! I mean, don't get me wrong, the math aspects are still awful. But the non-math elements are super interesting, and I'm hoping it's helpful for a future story. We'll see.

. . . who am I kidding, the main reason I liked chemistry in high school was because we got to make lava. It was pretty great. :D

What song's lyrics have had the most impact on you and why?

I don't think I could narrow down any song that's influenced me throughout my life. I only started listening to music regularly about . . . three years ago? But in 2020, "Pompeii" by Bastille has definitely impacted me - especially the line "But if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?"

So many things changed this year, but at the same time it feels as though we've reached a new normal of sorts. And this song really reflects that feeling for me.

LACY'S QUESTIONS

Favorite scene from a book (can be a WIP)?

Wait. Favorite scene EVER? *screams*

Okay, okay, that's too broad. I'm separating this into two categories:

- Scene from one of my WIPs: it's a tie between (a) a scene in Project Chaos involving Aspen (which made me cry) and (b) a reunion scene I'm planning for the Inhumans (which I'm sure will make me cry). 

- Scene from a different book/movie/show: I think the "Hello, Zuko here" scene in season three of Avatar: the Last Airbender might have to steal this award. It's just . . . it's just awkward perfection, what can I say?

In your opinion, what is the most overrated emoji?

The high-five emoji. I didn't understand it was a high-five emoji for the longest time - I thought it was a prayer emoji. And besides, when do you ever use the high-five emoji anyways?? It just seems so pointless to me.

What do you have a possibly unhealthy stash of?

Besides books? too many books can never be unhealthy Right now, it'd have to be junk food. I have an absurd amount of chocolate stashed in my bedroom. The sadder part is, I'm going to eat it all myself.

Would you rather have a pet giraffe or live in Antarctica with the penguins?

I LOVE THIS QUESTION SO MUCH. And while I'd love to go penguin-sledding in Antarctica (if you know, you know), I think I'd rather stay warm and have a pet giraffe.

I will admit, though, I don't know where I would keep said giraffe. I'm sure I could figure something out, though. 

BETHANY'S QUESTIONS

What is the song you know every word to?

The entirety of Hamilton. I wish I was kidding, but at long last I think I've got the entire musical down. (okay, maybe not Say No to This, but let's be honest, I don't want that in my head)

You're going to battle against the boss villain. What fictional mentor are you bringing back to life to give you advice?

Um. There are too many to choose from. I don't know if I can do this. 

Right now, I'm thinking I want Brom from the Inheritance Cycle. I don't know why. I just think he would give great advice that would take into account all my physical inabilities. aka my lack of muscle, strength, and speed

In your opinion, what is the best book in the world?

I literally have no idea why I picked this question, because I don't have an answer for it. XD

Actually, never mind, I have an answer: the Bible. ;)

ASH'S QUESTIONS

What's your favorite color and why?

My favorite color is teal. It's a gorgeous color! definitely has nothing to do with the fact that I once shipped Sophie Foster with a certain teal-eyed boy, definitely not

What inspired you to start blogging?

This is actually a really long story, but essentially one day I stumbled upon Katie Grace's blog (A Writer's Faith), thus discovering the blogosphere and becoming driven to start blogging. 

If you were given $1000 to spend right now, what would you do?

Probably panic, because I'm very indecisive and horrible at snap decisions. So basically I'd waste this golden opportunity to partially pay for college and buy books.

RAKAYLE'S QUESTIONS

What movie did you last watch?

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation! We recently bought the six-movie collection of the MI movies and are slowly going through them. This one, #5, was pretty good - although I still stand by my opinion that Fallout is the best one. 

One YouTube channel you recommend?

you all know what's coming

Personally, I highly recommend TwoSetViolin, a classical music / comedy channel. ;) Their content is precisely my kind of humor, and I learn things about classical music from them! (I've even considered making a fandom letter for them, but also . . . they're real people, and it feels weird. XD)

But if you're tired of my non-stop promotion of this channel, I'd also recommend Dein0mite. He's a lesser-known piano channel who is very educational when it comes to memes. While his humor is also spot-on, he's worth watching just because you can tell that he loves playing the piano. 

(I kid you not, Megalovania started playing while I wrote Dein0mite's description, and if you're familiar with his channel, you'll know why I'm FREAKING OUT OVER THIS.)

What language do you want to learn?

Korean! I have a Korean friend, and she's really inspired me to learn the language. 

But I didn't realize how hard learning Asian languages would be to an English speaker. If anyone has any advice, please let me know. XD

Have you ever played Minecraft? 

Um, HECK YEAH I HAVE. That game deserves all the hype it has ever received. I don't really play it anymore (*cries*), but I hope that someday I have the time and motivation to pick it back up again!

(let's be honest, though, the real reason I don't play anymore is because I had a giant wooden mansion in survival mode and one day I accidentally set it on fire -_-)

MOVIECRITIC'S QUESTIONS

Are there any movies you like better than the book they were based on?

Actually, yes. I much prefer the Rise of the Guardians movie (the one with Jack Frost) to the book series on which it's based.

Now, don't get me wrong - the books are good. But something about the movie is just so magical and fun, and the books don't really capture that, in my opinion. I would still highly recommend both, though. :D

If you were in an action movie, what would be your weapon of choice?

First off, if I was in an action movie, I would die about five minutes in. BUT, if I somehow managed to survive those five minutes, I'd probably want a gun. I don't know how to use guns, but it'd probably go better than if I used knives or (heaven forbid) straight-up martial arts.

But can I please just be the behind-the-scenes tech person that never fights, like Benjy in Mission Impossible? XD

What are the best and worst books you've read so far this year?

Ooo, this is really hard. I think the best books I've read so far would have to be the Lockwood and Co. series by Jonathan Stroud. It's a fantastic series about children who fight ghosts for a living, and it's just EPIC. (Lockwood the character is also legitimately amazing <3)

As for worst . . . maybe A Map for Wrecked Girls? It wasn't really my type of story, and it had a LOT of mature content that I don't believe was well-written. Another book I didn't like this year was Jacob's Room by Virginia Woolf. It was a school read, and I just did NOT like the overall experience. :( 

What are your thoughts on time travel?

TIME TRAVEL IS SO COOL IN FICTION - when done right. looking at you, Flash

THE TAGGED

*sigh* we've hit this part again, haven't we? 

By this point, I think most people have done this tag. If you haven't done it yet, you're tagged. No exceptions. XD

And your questions to answer are as follows:

1. What's been the best part about your day today?
2. Most anticipated book or movie release of 2021?
3. Current favorite song?
4. What's something that surprised you about blogging?
5. What drives you to get out of bed in the morning? 
6. Chocolate or caramel?
7. Show us three GIFs that describe your blog post writing process.
8. A book that changed your life?
9. Describe your ideal day.
10. If you could delete any food from existence, what would it be and why?
11. Least favorite social media platform?

those questions should not have been that hard to create XD

It's so good to be blogging again! I've missed talking to you guys, and I can't wait to share more random content with you all. Thanks for sticking around. <3

-Nicole <3

How's life been for you these past couple months? Do you play Minecraft? What's your weapon of choice? Let's talk! :D