TunesDay is upon us!
Short post as today’s a busy, busy day for me. I hope you’re as productive as I’m hoping to be this week.
Lots of love,
Christina
Tag: music
Happy TunesDay: Collection 19
Once again, the close of a month! I don’t know why I’m always surprised when these final days roll around–it happens literally every several weeks.
A short post this week, as I’m trying to catch up to the day. Waking up late is great in theory, but in retrospect, I’m thinking of how much I time I wasted. Let’s just blame the cute kitten who slept in my bed in the morning. Yeah, we’ll blame her.
Have I mentioned that we’re fostering a kitten? SHE’S ADORABLE. People say cats are weird, and they weren’t exaggerating. Boxes, plastic bags, mirrors…everything is a toy for her. OH, TO BE YOUNG AND EASILY ENTERTAINED.
This week’s tunes are an amalgamation of hipster-esque indie rock. Sending productivity and youthful exuberance your way.
Cute cactus background made by Isabel Davis and found on Design Sponge.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 17
I always forget how much I appreciate the notion of home. Coming back to my hometown is usually a much-needed break from the monotony of everyday life. Being home reminds me that I am not always the independent, sometimes haughty adult that I feel like I need to be. It places me in the context of other people who knew me before I was who I am now and loved me even when I was a tiny mass of skin and blood and bone.
It is reassuring. Coming home, wherever that home may be for you, is clarifying and brings joy you may have forgotten you needed.
But, it also reminds me that I have grown- physically, mentally, and spiritually in some ways. Sometimes that growth aligns you with your home, but sometimes it also distances you further. It is a natural occurrence and though it’s sometimes surprising or overwhelming, everyone is an amalgamation of their past, present, and future–the people and places that comprise every aspect of each moment, and to me that’s a lovely thing.
I hope you all had a rejuvenating weekend, wherever you may have been.
Love and laughter to you and yours,
Christina
Background image from Design Love Fest made by Juliet Meeks.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 16 – Int’l Womxn’s Day
Happy Tunesday and Happy International Womxn’s Day to you all.
I’ve always had issues with days dedicated to specific things we celebrate–shouldn’t we celebrate the achievements of womxn and other minority groups everyday, and not just on a specific day or month?
But, as I’ve grown a little and seen different perspectives, I know how necessary it is to have a day that we consciously recognize our contributions to society–where we take up space and have our presence known in physical and non-physical (like the Twittersphere) places. It is crucial that we as womxn acknowledge our own strength, abilities, and intelligence. Having a day where the whole of society is forced to reckon with that reality is a small, but important step. I hope that it doesn’t stop there, though. Because on every day of every month of every year, I know womxn who struggle, persevere, and refuse to give up in the face of adversity. We deserve human dignity and respect on every day of our lives, not just in rare moments of societally-pressured clarity.
With that said, I hope this week’s playlist puts you in a good, loving mood. We all need a healthy dose of love, whether you identify as a womxn or not.
And to all my sisters in the world, know that you are important. Know that you are stronger than your weakest thought. Know that whatever has happened to you in the past, however many hurts you’ve faced, you aren’t alone. We are all survivors, not victims. I refuse to be perceived that way, regardless of how many backhanded, slut-shaming comments we get. I won’t give up on creating equitable spaces for us to finally, truly feel safe, and I hope you won’t either.
With all the love a small womxn can give,
xoxo Christina
background image from The Lovely Drawer.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 15
Sometimes, I just want to slink away, pack a few things, and lay out under the stars in a place where I can actually see the stars, not lights from too many cars and streetlamps.
I want to drink crap coffee from a thermos and cozy up next to a campfire, be wrapped in a flannel shirt and sweatpants.
I guess I should learn how to start my own fire sans lighter first. But, I’ll figure it out later. No time this week!
I take the GREs tomorrow (cue gasps and mandatory wishes of luck) and I’m utterly terrified, but need to find some way to keep my resting heart rate at a relatively healthy level.
This week’s set of tunes is an alternative, indie, folksy getaway from the stresses of our everyday. There’s some non-English surprises in the mix, so let me know how you feel about it!
Wherever you are or whatever you have on your plate this week, take some time to try and relax. I’ll be drinking lots of coffee and pretending my apartment’s scented candles are a campfire until this week passes.
Lots of love to you all,
Christina
*Special thanks to Design Love Fest for the whimsical campfire collection background*
Happy TunesDay: Collection 14
February is soon drawing to a close. Already.
The constant rate at which time progresses never ceases to amaze, and horrify, me. I always have to remind myself to take advantage of the days ahead and not sleep my mornings away. But, dreaming is such an appealing alternative to living the life we want, especially when that life is seemingly confusing and full of decisions to be made.
Hopefully this set of tunes will jolt us all out of the sedentary lifestyles, both physically and mentally, and remind ourselves to seize every opportunity possible.
Several Tuesdays of 2016 have already come and gone, and there are so many more wonderful Tuesdays ahead–we just have to remember to not be weighed down by the everyday.
Tell me how you keep motivated and focused during seemingly stressful & overwhelming times. Does music help? Does having company & friendships help?
Keep on moving and grooving until next Tuesday, friends.
xo,
Christina
Thanks to Jessica Chow for the sophisticated marbled background image.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 13
A long weekend always gets me in some type of mood. I’m anxious for the upcoming weekend, but know I shouldn’t be since I just had such a good break.
This past weekend was full of quality Galentines fun. For those of you living under a rock and/or have not ever been exposed to the wonder & awe that is Parks & Recreation, Galentine’s Day is celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day and is supposed to celebrate friendship with your best and closest gal-pals. Seeing as I don’t have a typical romantic Valentine, I spent the long weekend amongst my close friends. I gave myself some proper self-care and rejuvenated myself in the presence of those I love. We ate good food, drank coffee, shopped, strolled the beach, and fell asleep lulled by the simple company of truly wonderful people. I am, for lack of a better term, lucky. I don’t know how else to explain the reasons for why I am surrounded by magnificent and good people–like truly good and brilliant people. (s/o to my roommate and old roommates and their friends and sig. o’s.)
Despite the hardships that come and pick at me, weekends like this past one remind me to be grateful and to take advantage of the time we have together with our friends. They are, after all, the family we get to choose.
This TunesDay, I put together some feel-good tunes that hopefully get you through this minimized work week so you can spend the upcoming weekend fully present with those you love. I know Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day is over, but that doesn’t mean the lovin’ has to stop!
How will you keep the love going this weekend and beyond?
xo,
Christina
Big thanks to the lovely Piper Winston for the simply wondrous background image.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 12
Starbucks rolled out a limited edition line of Valentine’s Day inspired drinks. I guess like the multibillion dollar franchise, I’ll hop on this love bandwagon.
This week’s playlist is a series of tunes that I turn to when I need to feel hyped up about this little thing we call love.
Just as an aside, my playlist for heartbreak and sad, mushy feelings is entirely different, but maybe we’ll save that for another time.
To listen to some lovely tunes, click below!
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or it’s complicated, love yourself and treat yourself right! How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
As per usual, credits for the fun background image goes to Design Love Fest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 11
It’s February, it’s February!
I apologize for not sending out a TunesDay collection last week. Things got hectic (read: I got a little lazy and didn’t want to push out a TunesDay collection too late in the day).
But, a new month means new tunes and hopefully I won’t fall behind at all.
Last week was Peace & Justice Week at UCI, so I was busy with that. But to keep the social justice goodness going, this week’s music is inspired by some amazingly talented and soulful artists that remind me to push on and persevere through the world’s craziness.
What are some songs that keep you motivated and down for the cause? Let me know in the comments below!
*Beautiful banner background by Kristine Claghorn via Design Love Fest*
Happy Tunesday: Collection 10
Sorry for the Tunesday delay.
Normally I like uploading my posts in the morning so we all can have fun jams for the day, but life has other plans, we don’t schedule things correctly, and we have to shuffle things around.
I spent some nice time with friends, got breakfast, and was surprised with a parking ticket. But I shouldn’t let that get me down!
Here are some fun tunes to get you through your semi-midweek slump. It’s only 2PM and already so much to do!
I’m auditing an upper-division anthropology of development course for the next couple of months. While I’m excited to get back into the classroom, I’m nervous about being held to higher expectations since I’m not technically a student, but still have to do the same things as my peers. Today is my first day back in the saddle, so to speak, so wish me luck!
What are your plans for the week? Embarking on any new adventures? Let me know in the comments below!
ong going 