March 2020 Happenings // what is even happening anymore
March 29, 2020Happy Sunday!
Well, it’s the end of March, and I think I can speak for the human race when I say: WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK IS HAPPENING ANYMORE. XD
Seriously, March was just one big pile of insanity that I wasn’t sure I’d survive. But here we are.
Maybe April won’t be as insane, and maybe we can all catch a breather. XD
(also, let’s begin the count now of how many times I say “amazing” during this post XD)
And by that I am of course referring to the elephant in the room: COVID-19. *sigh*
Look, I think we’re all sick of talking about this, so I’m going to make this brief: yes, this is becoming a big thing in the US, yes, we’re all stuck at home, yes, it’s not fun, and yes, we’ll get through this. I don’t really want to discuss this more than necessary, just because so many other bloggers are doing it so much better than I am. But let’s just keep praying so this gets resolved. <3
(Although I might make a parody post of “What it’s like for a public schooler to suddenly be homeschooled” - if you guys would be interested in that, let me know. XD)
In other news, homework has gone absolutely off the rails this month. Why is March always such a bad homework month??? *sigh*
BUT. I cleaned my room. Which is saying something, because it was an absolute disaster for about a month and a half. But now I can actually WALK THROUGH IT WITHOUT STEPPING ON BOOKS. *mind-blown*
And my friends randomly brought a surprise chocolate cake to school lunch one day, and we ate it and it was great. <3
The Illuminae Files. Another reread! Clearly I can’t go for 8 months without rereading this series. It’s just so ADDICTIVE. Nik is the best (of course) but the stakes are amazing and the format is amazing and the other characters are amazing, etc. etc. If only there wasn’t so much cursing in it . . . *sighs* I guess nothing’s perfect. :(
Newsies.
 |
| (from GIPHY) |
Blank Mastermind. I don’t see many people talking about this book for some reason, which is a shame because it deserves allllll the recognition. It’s by the amazing Rosey Mucklestone and it’s just amazing. I came for the snark, but I got the full range of emotions. XD I laughed, I cried, I gave it 5 stars and would heartily recommend.
Your Lie in April. *shaking breath* So I am not done with this show yet, but I am Very Concerned for everyone and am sure that I will be a sobbing mess by the end of it. I’ll update you in April.
Wait a second. I just realized that I’ll probably be finishing this show. IN APRIL. OH MY WORD THIS COULDN’T BE MORE PERFECT. (so maybe this’ll warrant a blog post. XD)
just NO ONE SPOIL IT FOR ME PLEASE BECAUSE I AM ALREADY SEMI-SPOILED AND I WANT MY HEART TO BE CLEANLY BROKEN. XD
 |
| (from GIPHY) KOUSEI MY HEART |
The Blades of Acktar. This is my first reread of the series and I THINK LEITH IS QUITE POSSIBLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME. *fangirls* His character development is perfection and just aaaaahhhhhh. *wording has failed yet again*
Lord of the Rings. My family and I rewatched this entire trilogy and, like usual, I was a sobbing mess by the end and couldn’t even finish the last movie. (THE GREY HAVENS SCENE, THOUGH *breaks down*) But why did I wait so long to watch these again????
I need to keep my thoughts about this series to a short paragraph, otherwise I’ll just go off on a six-hour long ramble. XD
 |
| (from GIPHY) *cue the sobbing* |
Lockwood and Co. As you may have seen in my vlog, I was about to read book 4. And I did. And it was incredible. And I’m bracing myself for book 5. I’m not ready for this series to end. XD
Okay, WOW, I’ve been too involved in the fandom world, clearly. Yikes.
Remember how I said I would write every day in 2020?
That has been an EPIC fail.
(Part of the reason is because I got sick this month. Again. Apparently my immune system has just HAD it with me, but it’s fine. XD But there have been some days when I was just so stressed and busy that writing . . .just didn’t happen. And that’s okay. The tiny bits of writing I HAVE gotten done have been good, I think.)
I meant to submit to two short story contests this month. I didn’t submit to any. But that’s okay too. Maybe in April I’ll try again.
(and that’s MY lie in April XD)
I haven’t prepared for Camp NaNoWriMo at ALL, so this’ll be fun. I think I’m going to write The Inhumans. But I’ve also been kicking around a story idea that I really really really want to write. *sigh* I still have *looks at the calendar* two days to decide. XD
(And here’s the link to my blogoversary post/vlog, because it was easy to miss. XD)
Meanwhile, around the blogosphere . . .
Merie @ Imperial Scribis has started a serial on her blog! It’s only two chapters long so far, but already my mind has been BLOWN by her writing style and the characters and EVERYTHING.
Emily @ The Ones that Really Matter shared a quarantine to-do list that has renewed my resolve to become a Jedi once more. XD If you find yourself being bored this quarantine season, check it out. :D
Kathryn @ In the Depths of Dreams shared some thoughts about the word surrender and this time of uncertainty. <3 <3
Skye @ Ink Calamities talked about some things she hates about fae books that I 100% agree with. (If anyone has good fae book recommendations, leave them down below!)
And let’s not even count the number of blogoversary posts that have gone around lately. Some of these include Faith’s amazing Q&A, Christine’s post with facts about herself, and Lia’s two Q&A posts. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone’s post . . . sorry!
——————————————————————————
So. Here comes April. Hopefully it’s less crazy for you, and hopefully we don’t all go stir-crazy from sitting around at home. (I hope all my fellow introverts are having a good time, though. XD)
-Nicole <3
How was your March? Have you seen Your Lie in April? What are you most looking forward to this month? Let’s talk!
46 comments
acckkkk I'm so sorry to hear that your life has been flipped upside down *hugs* if you need to talk, YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME. I'm 100% quarantined now HEHEHEHEHEHHHHH so I'm available pretty much 24/7 xD
ReplyDeleteAlso NEWWWWWWSSSSIIIIEEEEESSSS
aw, thank youu *hugs*
DeleteOh, nooooooo, WELCOME TO ISOLATION AND EXILE XD
<3 <3 <3 <3
THE WORLD WILL FEEL THE FIRE AND FIIIIIINNNNNAALLLLLYYYYYY KNOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW
March has been a lot. I've been meaning to watch Your Lie in April, and I guess it's the perfect time to watch it. XD
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shoutout! <3
Truth *nods*
DeleteYesss, we should all watch YLIA this month and compare our thoughts! XD
No problem! <3 <3 that post was EPIC!
Yes to the public school to homeschool post. ;) LOTR!! I just watched finished the movies last year, and yes, there was so much crying.
ReplyDeleteI will put that on the list for this month! ;) Oh, goodness, yes, the tears fell in thousands. *hugs*
DeleteI’ve started Your Lie in April, but I’m only a few episodes in. 💖💖
ReplyDeleteI feel like you're going to like some of the developments later on . . . ;) <3 <3 What do you think of it so far?
DeleteIt’s actually been a little bit since I’ve watched any of it, but I liked it. The music aspect really has me fascinated because I’m also a pianist. <3 <3
DeleteOoo, you’re a pianist? That’s so cool! (I think you’re going to really like some of the music aspects later on.) <3 <3
DeleteIt has definitely been the most interesting March I've ever known, that's for sure. o.o It feels like we live in some awful alternative universe. Like...is this even real??? I just don't even know anymore.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I would LOVE a fun post on what it's like for a public schooler to be homeschooled! I feel like I've seen it the other way around--homeschoolers going to public school before, but not vice versa. That would be funnn! :D
I've never heard of Blank Mastermind before. o.o *slips over to GoodReads to check it out* *comes back* OKAY THAT LOOKS REALLY GOOD. I love amnesia stories, and this one looks like a particular awesome one! *adds to to-read shelf*
It is TOTALLY okay you weren't able to write every day this month. There's so much stress and craziness going on, I think we all need to be kind to ourselves and take it easy if we need to. Plus you've been sick! So yeah, there is nooo shame there! Plus Camp NaNo is cooooming! We can hopefully add more words to things next month, yeah! :D
Awww, so honored to have my post linked! It's SO funny how many blogiversaries are in March! I don't know what it is about March that makes people start blogs, but it seems to be a trend. XD
I do hope you have a better April! We're gonna make it through this! *fistpump*
Oh, goodness, this has been a March like no other. It feels like we're in a B-movie. XD (or maybe we're in a horrible version of The Matrix. ????)
Delete*thumbs-up* I will definitely add that to the list! And I do think I've seen that kind of thing before, too . . . it's always interesting to see the differences of schooling!
I KNOW, RIGHT??? (and I found the amnesia trope to be done particularly well) I hope that you enjoy it if you read it! :D
Haha, that's very true - when the world's going crazy, the writing just doesn't happen. XD Woo-hoo, Camp NaNo! I'm very hopeful that I can Get Stuff Written. :) Good luck to you!
<3 <3 No problem! And yes, I agree, it's so interesting! XD Maybe I should do a research paper or something on it. . . . ;)
Thank you - and you too! *does the Baymax fist bump*
AHHH I'VE FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE ELSE WHO'S WATCHING YOUR LIE IN APRIL!!! i saw the first episode a few weeks ago and just never got around to seeing the rest, but now i really want to see it... in April. XDDD it'll be perfect! hopefully we can fangirl together ;)
ReplyDelete"(and that’s MY lie in April XD)" < asdjfhs i love your posts so much hehehe 😂 but i'm really sorry to hear that your immune system is low, sending warm wishes. <3 <3 and GOOD LUCK FOR CAMP NANO!! you got this, Nicole!!!
it was so great to read this post, your writing always makes me smile. :D i hope you're doing well and have a fantastic April, Nicole! <3333
AAAAHHHH YOU’RE WATCHING IT TOO???? *screams* Okay, but YES, watch it in April!!! (And fangirling together about it sounds fantastic, I would honestly be 110% up for that XD)
DeleteXD haha, thank you! <3 <3 Hopefully I can make it through April without incident. XD THANK YOU!! That’s the hope! ;)
Aw, thank you so much! I hope your April is awesome! <3 <3 <3
FIRST OF ALL: ILLUMINE FILES! AAH (AND LOTR!!!)
ReplyDeleteStill haven't read Blades of Acktar...but I will soon!
And I suggest Twelve Dancing Princesses by KM Shea for a good fae book! Its towards the end of the Timeless Fairytale series, but all the books are so good! And HILARIOUS! (And they're clean too)
ILLUMINAE FILES ARE INCREDIBLE!!!! (*FANGIRLING INTENSIFIES*)
DeleteHaha, you shoooould, Leith is the best. <3
Ooo, I’ll add that series to the list - it sounds super interesting! :D
Thanks for the shoutout Nicole!! And oh my gosh, i started Your Lie in April but i haven't finished it yet but maybe i will in April XD. Unfortunately i am still working as i am an essential worker and let me tell you, we've been crazy busy... I'm hoping everything will go back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good April!!!!
<3 No problem! Ooo, yes, you should totally do it! :D
DeleteOh, man, sending prayers and support your way! I hope things calm down soon. <3 <3
Thanks, and I hope you have a great April as well!!!
I WOULD LOVE A PUBLIC SCHOOLER-BECOMES-A-HOMESCHOOLER POST.
ReplyDelete*cries with you forever over LOTR* WHAT IS IT ABOUT THOSE MOVIES, MAN. I literally can't deal. D': Nothing tears my heart apart quite like they do. </3
It's fine that you haven't written every day this year, because I've written about -6 days this year. XD That's how it feels, anyway. WRITING JUST HASN'T BEEN HAPPENING FOR ME. But it's almost Camp and I'm hoping that'll change that! Yay for flailing our ways awkwardly through Camp NaNo together. xD
WE SHALL BECOME JEDI TOGETHER, NICOLE. We will emerge from isolation fully trained and one with the Force and AWE THE WORLD. Bring it on, April. xD
theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com
THEN IT SHALL HAPPEN. XD
Delete*sobs hysterically* I HAVE NO IDEA, BUT WHATEVER IT IS, IT WORKS TOO WELL. :_( I can’t watch them often because of MY CONSTANTLY BREAKING HEART.
XD I feel that - writing just Has Not Been Happening. XD I hope that Camp NaNo gives you some motivation and adrenaline to push through Once Upon! *high-fives* flailing through Camp awkwardly is probably going to be our superpower. XD
YESSS, LET US USE THE FORCE. XD XD *rubs hands together* But seriously, April has no idea what’s coming. XD
*sees 'Newsies'*
ReplyDelete*cries*
*acknowledges that I actually need to watch that movie sometime*
*cries with you* *agrees that you need to watch it* *it’s so so so good*
DeleteYES. YES, SOMEBODY FINALLY READ BLANK MASTERMIND. WE CAN FANGIRL TOGETHER NOW; IT'S SO AMAZING AND PERFECT AND HILARIOUS AND WOLFGANG DANKWORTH AGHHH
ReplyDeleteIt's been so crazy lately, but I hope you're doing well amid all of it!! And AH, Camp NaNo again?? Where has all the time gone??
Also, thank you for the shoutout <3
AAAAHHH YOU’VE READ IT TOO???? WOLFGANG DANKWORTH MY HEART AHDJFLSJKLDSH MOST UNDERRATED BOOK EVER AAAAHH
DeleteNo kidding - same to you? How have things been on your side of the Internet/world?
And I know, right?? How is it already almost April???
<3 No problem! :D
I KNOW WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. I lent it to a friend of mine, so you can feel proud of me? xD
DeleteNormal. Things have fallen into a monotonous routine and it is so, so weird and kind of really scary, but God is going to do great things in spite of it. :D
AGREED. Ooo, that’s a good idea - I will make plans to do that . . . XD
DeleteWell, normal can be good, even if it is under these circumstances - but I’m glad you’re staying safe and hopeful! :D <3
NEWSIES -- YES YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES OVER. *Deep Breath*
ReplyDeleteOK.
I'm going to be alright. XD
That movie is my literal jam right there.
OKAY BUT YES AGREED THE MOVIE IS AMAZING.
Delete*tries to take a deep breath* *fails*
but YES, the songs in that movie are phenomenal!!!
I too read Lockwood and Co!! I love the series so much it's awesome I love them alllllllllll. Btw, is your lie in April any good? I've looked at it a few times but have never watched it. I don't even know if it's in English...
ReplyDeleteAaaaahhh, yay, you’ve read them too! I would 100% die for those characters. XD
DeleteI haven’t quite finished yet, but it’s pretty good! I’ve heard that the ending is extremely sad - I haven’t hit that part yet, though. XD If you like stories about music, heartbreaking pasts, and a significant amount of foreshadowing, I think you’ll like it!
(I believe there is an English dub, so you won’t have to constantly read subtitles. XD)
I hope you have a lovely April!!
ReplyDeleteMarch was WEIRD!!! I hope April is better. xD
Aw, thank you, and you too! I hope April is a little less weird for all of us. XD XD
DeleteMarch has been such a crazy month + so many plans have been derailed! I am a major introvert and yet all I want right now is to go outside and do something social. Truly these are strange times. And yes, March is always so homework-heavy and I have major senioritis AHH. :o
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a "public schooler turned homeschooler" post. XD That would be such an interesting perspective.
Thank you so much for the shout-out! :) I hope you have a wonderful April, Nicole!!
Oh, man, I agree completely - especially on the socializing part. I never thought I’d WANT to get with people. XD *sigh* the senioritis is REAL though. But you’ve got this - only a few months left!!
DeleteHaha, I’ll get working on that post ASAP!
<3 No problem, Kathryn! And I hope your April is fantastic!!
ALKFJSLDKJ yes march has indeed been crazy. or maybe there's just been a lack of things going on, so at this point it's the opposite of crazy which is depressing :))))
ReplyDelete*dies* OH MAH GOSH I WATCHED NEWSIES THIS MONTH TOO FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I AM SO INTO IT IT'S DEFINITELY A NEW FAV MOVIE AND DANIEL AND CRUTCHY AND ALL THE LOVE AND PAPES I JUST CAN'TTT definitely fangirling so hard and won't be stopping any time in the foreseeable future ;))
yay for camp nano!! i am maybee gonna do it just to give myself a push to get writing more?? but anyhow good luck to you! :DD can't wait to hear about what you write.
Oh, goodness, yes, that is so accurate - both sides of the spectrum happened this month and it’s SO WEIRD
DeleteJKDLSSDKLFJDA YOU WATCHED IT TOO AAAHHHH OKAY
CRUTCHY AND DANIEL MY HEARTTTTT
HEADLINES DON’T SELL PAPES, NEWSIES SELL PAPES
honestly same XD
Ooo, yes, you should try it! (I mean, there’s all this free time now XD) and thank you! I miiiiight do a post on it sometime soon, we’ll see. . . . ;)
*chuckles* i may or may not have done a newsies bujo theme so i'll have to put it up on insta and tag you ;))
DeleteYESS we want camp nano posts please :D
YES DO IT :D :D that theme sounds amazing <3
DeleteHaha, I’ll put it on the list! ;)
March was...interesting. Like, what even happened?
ReplyDeleteBut at least April has Camp!! I'm quite excited to buckle down and get to work on my projects!! These edits of SSaS, while they are really fun, have been a bit tedious and I'll be happy to ship (lol) this draft off while I work on something else.
I just rewatched the first two LotR movies with my mom and sister, but we haven't gotten to the last one yet. I hope we can watch it, but my dad doesn't like them, so it might be a while before we get to them. Bummer. But the Gray Havens scene is sooooooo emotional. Like, who gave them the permission to hurt me so much? It's supposed to be a HAPPY ending, not a bittersweet one. #rightinthefeels
I hope April treats you well!!
I agree completely - March was messy. XD
DeleteWoo-hoo for Camp NaNo!! (*nods* that was a perfect pun XD) I hope your Camp project goes well!!!
Ooo, nice! I hope you get to the last one sometime soon, although I totally get it about your dad (for us, it’s my brother XD). But YES, THE GRAY HAVENS. *sobs* #willneverrecover
I hope the same for you, Sarah!!! <3 <3
Okay, yes to a public-schooler turned homeschooler post. That sounds amazing. XD
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'VE LITERALLY BEEN SEEING YOUR LIE IN APRIL EVERYWHERE. My friends have all been raving about it, and I keep seeing it pop up in my recommendations on Netflix. I really need to watch it...
Hopefully the insanity will settle down this April...And I hope you're not going stir-crazy! ;)
All right, with luck it’ll happen! XD
DeleteIT’S A SIGN, MADELINE. WATCH IT! I think the hype might be real on this one. . . .
Haha, yes, I hope your April is a little calmer than this month!
(And I’m actually doing okay! It’s a good time to be an introvert right now. . . . XD)
Ahhhh it's pretty chill, unfiltered life posts like this that make me miss blogging the most <3 I just love keeping up + connecting with everyone else. (Through a screen. Without the awkwardness of face-to-face conversation.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Skye's post, but I can also report that I have little to no patience with the current fae trend. Especially in YA and NA. Why must they all be so Capital H Hot and like Perfect and Cool and there's always a Fae Court and the Seasons are always important and it's just . . . it's all the same. Oh, and did I mention they're Capital H Hot?
Piece of advice that totally might be useless: I used to fail miserably at writing every day when I was trying to keep track of it in my journal. But at the beginning of this year I started using a site called WriteTrack to keep track of my writing, and it's worked super well. I think feeling like I'm accountable to some sort of "external" entity, even if it's just a website, helps me a lot. It's also nice because it's super flexible to adjust your daily word count goals depending on how busy you'll be that day, and you can also mark down days when you won't be able to write and it will automatically recalculate how much you should be writing on the rest of the days. Anyway, that's just my two cents on that matter. Good luck with Camp!! I hope you're feeling better.
- Eleanor
Aw, I love those types of posts too! <3 (Hehe, yep, avoiding awkward face-to-face conversations is half the joy of blogging. ;) )
DeleteOKAY BUT YES TO THE CAPITAL H HOT THING. *rolls eyes* it’s so annoying and I wish it would stop. And yeah, there isn’t much variety either! *sigh* hopefully soon a book comes that breaks this trend. . . .
Ooo, that sounds really interesting! I’ll have to check it out sometime soon - thank you for mentioning it! :D
And thank you! <3 (I’m feeling a lot better!)
March has definitely been insane. But we made it! We survived! We're okayyyyy. <33 XD
ReplyDeleteUgh I feel you on the planning to write and then NOT doing it. That was me this morning. YAY FOR CAMP NANO THO.
WE SURVIVED. We should get T-shirts (“I Survived March 2020 And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt”) XD
DeleteOof, thank goodness for Camp NaNo to kick us back on track! XD
Welcome to the comment section! I love hearing what you guys think and seeing you guys talk. Just remember to keep it clean, and as always, check back for my replies! <3
-Nicole