Tag: The Sunshine Blogger Award (2x)

This is the first blog award I've ever been nominated for! And by two people! So thank you, MC and Hamlette! I'm really excited to answer these questions. (Less excited to try to come up with 11 questions of my own, lol).

Praecepta

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog. (Thanks again MC and Hamlette!)
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Hamlette's Questions:

1.  What's something good that's happened to you this year?
Wow, there have been so many good things that have happened to me this year, it's hard to pick just one! One of the better ones was getting my black belt, for sure!
Also, the thing-that's-happening-in-December-that-I'm-not-telling-you-about-yet. That is an excellent thing!

2.  What was your favorite movie when you were ten years old? 
I'm not entirely sure I remember, actually! But probably The Incredibles.

3.  Have you ever discovered you now like a movie or book that you used to dislike?
Ummm...I can't think of any times. I'm more likely to discover that I dislike a book I used to like. 😅 Although the first time I watched Ella Enchanted, I really didn't like all the divergence from the plot--but now I appreciate the movie as its own thing, and enjoy watching it. (I still like the book better, though, don't worry.)

4.  How long have you been blogging?
Since May! So, about six-ish months, give or take.

5.  What's your favorite joke?
Hmmm...do I have a favorite joke? I do enjoy Dominican-Franciscan-Jesuit jokes, here's one of my favorites:

A Dominican, a Franciscan, and a Jesuit escape a sinking ship. They're sitting on a tiny life-boat, and sharks begin to circle, and bump up against the boat. Obviously something must be done. So the Franciscan says:
"I will imitate St. Francis and speak with the sharks."
He moves to the prow of the boat, and says, "Brother Sharks--" and CHOMP his head is bitten off, and he falls into the water.
The Dominican and Jesuit are nonplussed, but the Dominican says,
"Well, I shall imitate St. Thomas Aquinas, and reason with the sharks."
So he moves to the prow and says, "Sharks, you should not eat us because--" CHOMP, he goes headless into the water as well.
The Jesuit is now shaking in his shoes, but he feels the boat begin to move, and realizes that the sharks are pushing it. They push it all the way to land, and deliver him safely on shore.
Before they can leave, he turns and asks "Sharks, why didn't you eat me?" 
The head shark responds, "Professional courtesy."

Oh, now you've gotten me started, here's my other favorite:

A group of Jesuits and a group of Franciscans are fighting in a bar about which order is most beloved of God. A telegram abruptly arrives, addressed to both groups, so they stop fighting to open it. It says:

"My dear children, please stop this useless fighting. I love you both equally. 
Signed,
God, O.P."

Funny, yes? And I always have to reassure people--I do know that there are good Jesuits. :)


6.  What's a movie or book that people are surprised to learn you enjoy?
Oh gosh, um...I think I surprise people with my movie preferences more often than by book preferences, so here are three movies that are in my top ten that people are surprised I like:
Quiz Show
Pirates of the Caribbean (apparently I don't come across as a pirate-y person? But I...kind of am.)
Deep Impact (I definitely don't come across as a scifi fanatic, but thanks to Aragorn, I have been introduced to at least one Very Favorite in the scifi genre)

7.  Do you play croquet?
I have in the past. But very rarely, and not usually according the rules. It's not my favorite game.

8.  How many blog posts have you published?
This is my 54th, I believe.

9.  What's the next book you plan to read?
I had been rereading a bunch of my childhood favorites off my shelves this week...I even made a list of the ones I was going to read. But as of the day I'm writing this (Thursday morning), I have become overwhelmed with Grownup Stuff I Need To Read, so I actually have What I'm Going To Read This Week/end very much lined up:

Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Anderson (school/recommended by Merry)
Above Suspicion by Helen Macinnes (recommended by Sarah Seele!)
The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson (next in a series)
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (recommended by my aunt)
Word To Caesar by Geoffrey Trease (school)
The Eagle by Rosemary Sutcliff (school)
And then I'll go back to the rereading. :)

Although I may mix it up a bit, depending on whether I feel like reading two WWII books right in a row. XD

(And no, I probably won't get through all of this this weekend! Who do you think I am? Actually...don't answer that. That first sentence was probably untrue.)


10. What's the next movie you plan to watch?
I believe my siblings are hoping to watch Inside Out for Family Movie Night tonight, so I'm planning on watching that with them.

11.  Do you want to build a snowman?
Not particularly? They're hard to form with the snow that falls where I live, and my hands get cold, and then it doesn't look great in the end. I'd prefer to go sledding, thankyouverymuch.


MC's Questions:

1.  What book do you wish your favorite actor or actress could have starred in an adaptation of? 
The first question is really who my favorite actor or actress is! Emma Watson? Maybe? Or Anne Hathaway? I think a live-action Howl's Moving Castle with Emma Watson would be really fun, although she's not necessarily how I usually picture Sophie. Or maybe Emma Watson as Ruth in The Morning Gift. That, my friend, would be amazing, especially with Eddie Redmayne as Quin. I want this now. Immediately, if not sooner.

2. Are there any movies you like better than the book they were based on?
The Princess Diaries, 100%. The books are horrid, but the movie is gold.

3. Comedies or dramas [or do you like them equally]?
Generally dramas? If by "comedy" you mean slapstick-laugh-a-lot or just generally only-funny movies. I like movies with story and theme, and only the occasional joke--not ones based around hilarity. I'm sure now MC, you're going to come and tell me that I have no idea what a Comedy OR a Drama is. *hides*

4. If you were in an action movie, what would be your weapon of choice?
What. Is. This. Question. Ummm...probably a dagger or a pistol? Something small that I could do lethal things with. But I mean, now that I'm a black belt, my hands are an equally good option, I think. XD

5. Is there a particular song that you would show to people if you were trying to explain yourself -- your personality, your heart, your aesthetic, your inner landscape -- in musical form?
Aaaaahhhhhhh no. I'm too complex to be summed up in one singular song. (Plus I don't know that many, really? Haha). There are a few that, combined, may come sort-of maybe close (ish):

"Speechless" (Naomi Scott) As Aragorn says, my attitude towards the world is "tank treads"
"Belle" (Emma Watson et al) I relate to Belle SO HARD in so many ways.
"On My Own" (Samantha Barks) There are some days...
"When Will My Life Begin" (Mandy Moore) The sheltered homeschooler song. :)
"When I Grow Up" (Cast of Matilda) I still think that "when I grow up" things will be better.
"Waving Through a Window" (Ben Platt) Seriously, what is this "social code" thing?
"Restless" (Audrey Assad) So much of me is in this song.

6. What non-story-related hobbies do you enjoy?
Photography, quilting, embroidering, gardening, designing landscapes, and working with animals. I also love to sing (I'm in choir, and a mezzo soprano for those curious), and I play the piano at a high-ish level. 

7. Top three favorite TV shows [fictional or not fictional or both]? 
The Great British Baking Show
Secrets of the Zoo
The Mandalorian 

The Mandalorian is kind of on here by default, because those are pretty much the only TV shows I watch... XD

8. What are the best and worst books that you've read so far this year?
Umm...how am I supposed to remember everything I've read this year? And pick a best and worst?? Okay, I guess I'll limit it to new reads, at least?
Best: The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Worst: A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard (I'm sure there was a worse one? But I can't think of it off the top of my head)

9. What is your favorite movie that was made during the Hays Code, 1934 - 1968?
Mmm...I haven't watched a lot of movies from that time, but probably Roman Holiday. So good!

10. If given the opportunity, which movie scene would you re-do?
The only one I can think of off the top of my head is that weird one in Harry Potter 6 when Ginny ties Harry's shoe. Super cringey...let's do something else, how about!

11. What are your thoughts on time travel?
Like, in books? Because in real life, my thoughts are: it's not possible. In books, it's really, really hard to pull off well, but it can occasionally be done. 


And I'll nominate:
Megan Chappie @ The Pen and the Cross
Bethany @ Scribbled Fiction
MK @ Sarcastic Scribblings
Kenzie @ Smudged Thoughts
Lia @ The Singing Writer
Julian @ Saver of Memories
Sarah Rodecker @ Pen of a Ready Writer
Sarah Seele @ Sixty-Something Trees
Jenelle Schmidt @ Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
Olivia @ Meanwhile, in Rivendell
Jem Jones @ Jem Jones, Writer

My Questions

  1. What is a genre that you didn't think you would enjoy when you first started reading (or watching) it, but now really do?
  2. What is the best piece of advice someone has ever given you?
  3. What is something you like to eat that your family (or housemates) think is weird?
  4. What is your favorite book to reread, and how many times have you reread it? 
  5. Who is your favorite artist? What's your favorite piece of art by them?
  6. Have you ever traveled out of your home country? Where did you go?
  7. Who are your favorite and least favorite authors?
  8. What is the best book you've had to read for a class?
  9. What is your favorite season (or month)?
  10. Why did you choose your blog name?
  11. Who is a blogger that you think everyone should follow? (You're not allowed to say me, even if you want to, which you probably don't. XD)
What was your favorite and least favorite book read so far this year? Who's your favorite actor/ess? Did you enjoy my Catholic humor, or were you confused? XD

Comments

  1. Great answers! The first few times that I saw Ella Enchanted I didn't like it at all because it was so different from the book, but now I enjoy it for being its own thing, too. Cary Elwes makes such a good villain!

    My mom thinks Quiz Show is hilarious and has been trying to get my sisters and me to watch it. I've never known someone else who has heard of it!

    Oh, what do you think of Inside Out? I have a strong love/hate relationship with that film. Meaning, I really didn't like it, and still don't, but I'm beginning to appreciate it. Slightly.

    Emma Watson as Sophie??? I didn't know that I needed that but now I do!!!

    The Princess Diaries movie is so good! My sister and I can't go a day without quoting it! <3 I have no experience with the books, but I'm not interested enough.

    Haha, no you have the difference between a comedy and a drama correct! :) Most comedies try to make everything funny and it usually feels forced to me. Usually I end up laughing way more with a drama just because the little things sprinkled through the movie are so good and feel natural.

    In your case, just using your hands for the weapon question is a perfectly good answer. XD

    Such a good list of songs! There are only two that I haven't listened to. Seriously, "Waving Through a Window" is SO RELATABLE. I have motivational playlists for all of my characters that I listen to while writing their POVs and two of the main songs for one of my girls are that and "Speechless". Have you listened to the full musical Dear Evan Hansen? Oh, or have you heard Owl City's version? So good!

    Ah, Roman Holiday. <3

    Thinking about it, there are a million scenes that I would redo in HP 6, but that one was the worst. XD

    Your questions are so much fun that I feel like answering them here in the comments. Hm, I might be back later to do that...

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    1. Thank you!
      Cary Elwes does make a good villain...although it's a bit weird to see him in that role after The Princess Bride!

      You really should watch it! It's both hilarious and deep, which is a combo that doesn't happen a lot nowadays.

      Well...I think it's funny. And the way they do the architecture of the brain is both hilarious and accurate. But also: I don't think it's possible to make characters out of the emotions, because now the emotions have emotions...how many layers of brain are we putting in here? So I think that part is a bit ludicrous, but I can still enjoy the animation, jokes, etc. (Sadness is hilarious, especially since she more or less embodies how I often approach the world. XD)

      I KNOW! I need it now, too.

      It is SUCH a good movie! (Hmmm...I've watched it three times, and I think I need to watch it again.) Don't ever read the books. :)

      Oh good! I was a bit worried about that. Yeah, I don't like the forced feelings of comedies; if I'm in the mood for humor, I prefer dramas which are funny, like Zootopia, or Tangled. (I think those are dramas?)

      Haha, I'm glad you think so. XD

      Ah, I KNOW, Waving Through a Window is kinda The Introvert Song. SO relatable! My extrovert brother does not understand it at all, and it's very funny. I have listened to all of DEH, and I really enjoy it! Especially Requiem, that one might be my favorite. And I haven't heard Owl City's version--what's Owl City?

      <3 So much love for that movie.

      I knoooooowwwwwwww so bad.

      Oh, I would love to hear your answers! Feel free!



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    2. Yes, yes, yes, to all of that!

      Owl City is a music project by a guy named Adam Young which really experiments with electric music (techno pop?). All of the songs have so many layers, it's really cool. Have you seen Wreck it Ralph? He did the song, "When Can I See You Again" from there. Usually he only does the songs that he composes, but "Waving Through a Window" is an exception because (I believe) the songwriters specifically asked him to do a version. Pretty nifty!

      Ah, time has been taken away from me! But, I will answer the weird food one to make you ponder my sanity. I like the combination of peanut butter and mustard. XD

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    3. Ooh, that sounds super cool! I'll have to check it out--I love songs with many layers (hellooooooo Hamilton).

      I totally understand! And that is a bit of a weird food combo...but I can sort of see how it might be yummy in some situations. XD

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  2. Oooh, you have so many good answers to these!
    This isn't really in order, but it's just what I thought while reading this:
    -Ella Enchanted! Yes, that movie is so good, and the book is really, really, really good. Have you read any of Gail Carson Levine's other books?
    -The Princess Diaries movie is WAY better than the books. I read the first one, and just thought, "meh." I don't hate it, but it's not s favorite of mine.
    -YES REDO THAT SCENE PLEASE. It was just so.....un-Ginny.
    -Ooh, I really need to read Howl's Moving Castle, don't I? I've heard so many bloggers recommend it.
    -Waving Through A Window is so relatable. As are, like, all of the songs that you mentioned.
    Oh, it's so cool that you're a mezzo-soprano. I'm an alto, bordering on contralto, which means it's kind of hard to find songs I can actually sing.
    Ooh, your questions are EXCELLENT. Do you mind if I steal this?

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    1. Thank you!
      -Yes, both movie and book are great! I think I've read all of GCL's other books, and definitely enjoyed them!
      -100%! The movie is the opposite of meh. :)
      -I KNOW! Ginny would not do that.
      -You really do! It's excellent.
      -I know, it is! Ooh, but alto voices are so pretty! It's true, though, it can be hard to find good alto songs.
      I don't mind at all! Steal away! I would love to see your answers.

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  3. I've been wanting a live action Howl's Moving Castle for forever. Emma Watson could be really good. The Mandalorian is pretty much the best tv show out there right now anyway.

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    1. A live action HMC would be so amazing! The Mandalorian is pretty awesome, I must admit.

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  4. Loved reading your answers! (Wow, those were some hard questions you had to answer... though, looking over the ones you asked... yeah... those are gonna be tough, too). Thanks for tagging me!

    I enjoyed your jokes! And congrats on getting your black belt, that's super awesome. Now you are ready to star in a dystopian novel.

    Okay, I really love the Ella Enchanted movie, and it's nice to find someone else who can appreciate it for what it is (as opposed to just being angry over what it's not, which is an actual book-to-film adaptation, LOL).

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    1. Thank you! Haha, I did give you some hard questions, didn't I? I'm looking forward to seeing your answers!

      I'm glad! And thank you--but I really don't want to star in a dystopian, haha.

      I know, Ella Enchanted is great! You just have to be ok with forgetting that it has anything to do with the book, and then you can appreciate it. :)

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  5. Thanks so much for tagging me!! i can't wait to get to it!

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    1. You're welcome! I look forward to seeing your answers!

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  6. Wow, it took me a sec to get that second Jesuit joke...but it was hilarious when I did. As was the first. XD

    *renews resolve to watch Deep Impact*

    Question: Did Rosemary Sutcliff write two separate books, entitled "The Eagle" and "The Eagle of the Ninth," or is "The Eagle" an alternate title for "The Eagle of the Ninth"?

    Indeed, sledding is far superior to snowman-building. You could create a semi-enduring work of art or you could hasten the heat death of the universe by turning a bunch of frictional energy to heat as you whizz down hills on sleds and get soaked and have to warm up by a roaring fire and have nothing to show for it but some empty hot chocolate mugs. Where's the choice here??? Sledding is clearly the way to go. (I mean. It's actually fun. Snowman-building is frustrating if you're not much of an artist. And sad when all the snow melts and the snowman just kind of...lingers...and wastes away...slowly...)
    Okay, that was a weird tangent and it's over now.

    This was such a fun post to read! And I love your questions too, so thanks for nominating me! ("Nominating" is so much more official-sounding than "tagging," I love it. xD)

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    1. Haha, I'm glad you liked them! The second one does require a knowledge of Catholic order abbreviation, which makes it somewhat less...obvious.

      *refrains from telling you again how good it is*

      "The Eagle" is just a retitle of "The Eagle of the Ninth". I'm not sure why they retitled it...the first title is honestly better. But I just put what's written on the book. XD

      (Okay, I am dying. Thank you for that paragraph, it made my day). I mean really, why would we not hasten the heat death of the universe? It's fun! Mandatory roaring fire warming, as well.
      I am not much of an artist (at least, not a sculptor), and I don't really like snow that much, thus snowman building is not for me.

      Thank you! I'm really excited to hear your answers. :)

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  7. WAIT I NEVER COMMENTED ON THIS. And I need to because I have a Dominican joke.

    Dominican: What heresy were the Jesuits founded to combat?
    Jesuit: Protestantism.
    Dominican: What heresy were the Dominicans founded to combat?
    Jesuit: Albigensianism.
    Dominican: Have you ever met an Albigensian?

    (Sorry not sorry to our dear Protestant brethren, haha. We love you, we really do. <3)

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    1. XD XD XD I love this so much! But also because it's true! (Thank God--those Albigensian were bad news.)

      (Definite apologies to our Protestant brethren...we love you, but we will laugh about you on occasion. XD)

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