JUST, NO.

Man, guys. This week.

I never want to do it again. Like, ever.

I have spent more time sitting and staring at a computer this week (thanks, midterms, papers, and projects) than I have in my whole college career. And it was miserable. I never want to see a google doc staring me in the face again! I think I can actually feel my muscles turning to dust from lack of use. UGH.

Even writing this post is making me want to throw myself on the ground and scream and kick and whine and cry like those crazy kids you see at Walmart sometimes. I'm just so, so, done with technology and media. No more TV, no more computer screens, no more social media, and no more movies! Just kidding on that last one. I don't think I could go a weekend without watching a movie. #movieproblems

But I digress. Especially on a week that has been so devastatingly beautiful outside every stinkin day, the very last thing I want to do is be inside typing on a computer or laying on my lazy butt.

So, this is my media post for the week. If you want the one with stuff in it besides hating media, here it is.

I'm out.

Everyone Look At This.

Everyone look at this music video.

It's sad, but also very cute in a weird sort of way. I like it.

Also, everyone in the world should be obsessed with Kina Grannis because she is wonderful and talented and the best thing ever. AND SHE'S MARRIED TO IMAGINARY FUTURE AND THEY ARE SO CUTE I COULD DIE. Their babies are going to be so musically talented it's gonna be ridiculous.

Here they are singing together because adorable:

Happy Friday, ya'll.

Nerd Alert: I Watch Kid Shows And I Like It

I'm not a total weirdo. I don't watch and enjoy just any kid show. But there is one show that I suppose is for kids, but it is easily the coolest show that has ever graced the TV world.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

I will unabashedly love this show forever. It is just too cool not to love.

This obsession does not stem from childhood reminiscence. I saw this show for the first time as a senior high school. Yep. Remember how my parents don't believe in paying for tv? Well, because of that I was never exposed to Avatar until my friends were having a marathon one night. At first, I was resistant. "I'm not into that anime kind of stuff." FOOLISHNESS. This is not your run-of-the-mill "anime" and now that I've seen it, I don't even put it in the same category.

The (extremely watered-down) premise of the show is this: people can control elements, and there is only one person, the "avatar" who can control all four elements. Epic adventures, awesomeness, and hilarity ensues. Just watch the trailer:

I wish I had thought about this show when we talked about prosocial media in class, because this show is a PERFECT example of prosocial television that is great for middle childhood aged kids (or if you're 21, whatever). Of course it has violence, but every act portrayed has consequences, has justification, and revolves around good vs evil. The main character, Aang, is a monk for crying out loud. Being the Avatar, he has the responsibility to bring balance to the world, which requires kicking some bad-guy butt every now and again. But there is never a moment/episode that he does not struggle with it enormously, because he is so determined to resolve things peacefully and in a way that won't hurt anyone.

It's all just so great. Seriously. The script is mature enough to be entertaining for a much older audience, but the lessons taught are SO great for kids. And if you made the mistake of seeing the movie without ever seeing the show, than have no fear, because the two are absolutely nothing alike.

Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Confession: I love Valentine's Day.

Second confession: I'm not even a little sorry about it.

I don't see what there isn't to love about letting the people around you know that you like them a whole lot. And not necessarily in a romantic way, but in a "Hey! I think you're great!" kind of way. It's the best.

This week I was lucky enough to find this awesome video of guys singing to girls they don't know. It's much less creepy than it sounds. Just watch.

ADORABLE. Letting people know they are awesome -even when you don't know them- is always a great idea. People should do it more often.

So whether you're taken, single, have your eye on a special someone, or are taking a break from love and stuff: get out there today and let someone you know that you're thinking about them! Even better, let somebody, even if it's a perfect stranger, feel special. Everyone deserves it.

You're Welcome.

I came across this adorable video this week. Amidst the stress of approaching midterms and a million projects, papers and assignments due, it's nice to see pure, unadulterated happiness. If Ellen isn't prosocial media, then I don't know what is.

Here are parts one and two of Ellen having a little boy named Elias on her show. First of all, he is by far the sweetest, most hilarious six year old I've ever seen, and he is just overflowing with compliments for other people. You can't see him and help but smile. Oh, and he's a 7-year old piano-playing prodigy who has already played at Carnegie Hall. You can be impressed now.

I loved the first, but I think the second interview is even better.

If you're ever having a bad day, just watch some Ellen. It'll do ya good.

Rain

As I'm sitting here on my couch in my cozy little apartment, I'm grateful to have a roof over my head instead of being stuck outside in the rain. 

But at the same time, I look outside at the very Seattle-esque weather today and can't help but feel joy in my heart for things I so often take for granted, like the rain. 

I'm feeling all sappy and stuff because of this sweet video that I'm sure many of you have already seen at this point thanks to social media. But in case you haven't, you're in for a treat. Here's a little girl experiencing rain for the first time.

There is absolutely nothing more precious in this world than the wonder of a child. The best moment is at :27 when she reaches her hands to the sky and just lets out the most honest "WOW" I've ever heard. 

For whatever reason, this video did more for me than just fill the daily cuteness quota. It struck a chord within me on a level I never expected from a silly youtube video. It has made me think about appreciating things a little better in life. Life is hard and comes with it's troubles, but really, everything around us is just. so. amazing. 

There should never be reason to lose that wonder. The world did not become less marvelous and awe-inspiring, but we've just become complacent with allowing the extraordinary to become ordinary. I hope we can all take a note or two on this little girl's enthusiasm over a little rain and learn to enjoy life a little more.

Super Bowl Surprises

Let's have a moment of silence for the Broncos.




Thank you. Moving on to what's important: good things about the Super Bowl. Because for once, there were so many!!

If you didn't watch, I understand. First of all, not everyone loves football. Secondly, who could even want to love it when the commercials are primarily composed of beer and half naked women?

No thanks.

But this year, something about the whole Super Bowl was completely different. So different, in fact, that it kept my husband and I talking the whole drive home from my sister's house. Instead of focusing on the beer, hyper-sexualized women, dirty jokes, and straight-up potty humor, the Super Bowl had a sort of...soft feel to it. Commercials included puppies, soldier's homecomings, "if you're happy and you know it," a new definition of American unity, and the most adorable return of Cheerio's best spokesgirl.

It pretty much blew America's mind.

Not to say that the old ways were obsolete, but there was really an entirely different atmosphere about the commercials and the Super Bowl production itself. The pre-game show included a wonderful tribute to how awesome the U.S.A. is and a beautiful segment to pay respect to one of the announcers (commentators?) who couldn't be there due to the death of his father just a few days before. If you've got some time, you can watch that here:

Tell me you aren't impressed. Seriously, cool points to the pre-game show producers, because wow. Not to mention the second tribute to the troops during the incredible half time show by Bruno Mars.

I will shamelessly freak out over that performance. It was so good. My favorite part? No naked women. Not a single one. Granted, there was a shirtless 51-year-old dude rocking out pretty hard (thanks, Red Hot Chili Peppers), but somehow that isn't nearly as offensive to me as thirty 20-somethings walking around in what (sort of?) used to be some kind of bathing suit before somebody's Catnip-crazed feline got a hold of it and tore it to shreds.

Bottom line: Bruno Mars blew everybody away with actual talent and pure entertainment, without any need of gimmicks to pull it off. With the exception of the first song (and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sorry), it was good old fashioned performing at it's best. Here's the finale song with troops dedicating the song to friends, family members, etc. If you're me, get the tissues:

It was so refreshing to not have to switch stations because of the crude content that usually accompanies the Super Bowl. I am really hoping that everything that happened this Super Bowl is a sign of things to come and not just a fluke!

Warrior

Last night I had the opportunity to watch the movie Warrior for the first time. If you haven't seen it, here's the preview:

Then again, maybe don't watch it. I feel like it's almost better going into the movie blind and without expectations. This preview simply does not do it justice.

Much to my surprise, I really loved this movie. The story is fairly deep and complicated, so I won't spend the whole post talking about the plot line. But this movie was incredible. It was so packed with emotion and stress unlike any movie I have seen in a long, long time. The movie is centered around mixed martial arts, and some of the fight scenes are pretty intense and hard to watch (note: I'm also a BABY), but the movie as a whole was really amazing. Not because of the fighting, but because of the relationships portrayed in the movie between these two brothers and their father.

I couldn't help geeking out as the entire Family Processes SFL 160 class (amongst a slew of bits and pieces from other HD classes) ran through my brain for the whole movie as I analyzed the relationships between each character. Dorky as it may have been, I love movies that can make you think that way! Not necessarily in a Human Development mentality, but movies that just make you think and dig a little deeper. Plus, I'm a sucker for movies with deeper meaning, especially when that deeper meaning is the complexity of human relationships.


Although the movie focuses on the sport of fighting at face value, the real storyline of familial hurt and healing was done in such a powerful way that you can't help but feel effected by it. If we hadn't been in the presence of other people while watching it, I would have been sobbing. Emotional problems, amiright?

I highly recommend Warrior it to anybody! What are some good movies you have seen that left you with strong emotions or deep thoughts?