Musical Monday: All of Me by John Legend

Welcome to Monday! I have had this song stuck in my head for the past two days, so I thought I would share it with you. I've been listening to Pandora while I'm at work, and this popped up on my Lifehouse Station - I love it, and I hope you do too!




Jessy <3

P.S. Lindsey Stirling is amazing! If you haven't already, you should check out her YouTube Channel

Friday Favorites: Musical Edition

A while back there was a post going around Facebook, at least within my group of friends, that was a challenge to fill Facebook with music instead of Selfies. I will admit, I'm a selfie addict but I like the idea of breaking the monotony.

I was assigned to post a song by a band/artist whose name started with the letter N. When trying to pick a song I realized something, I don't like any current bands that start with the letter N. LOL I decided to post something old school for #tbt and my song was from New Kids on the Block. lol

Since I didn't share any of my current favorites I thought I'd share them with you. :-)

Here are a few of my favorite bands/songs from the past few months:

I've been on Pandora more than usual and am loving my Lifehouse Radio. These are some of the songs that I've found, and grown to love:

A Drop in the Ocean - Ron Pope

All We Are - Matt Nathanson

Broken - Lifehouse

Collide - Howie Day

Demons - Imagine Dragons
I love, love, LOVE Imagine Dragons! They are awesome!

From Where You Are - Lifehouse

Let Her Go - Passenger

Shooting Stars - Edwin McCain

After going back through them again, I've found that they are kind of melancholy but beautiful at the same time. I hope you enjoy them. I'm always looking for new music. Leave me a comment and let me know some of your favorite artists/songs.

Jessy <3

Crushed and Created

Ok, so as you may have figured out I love a variety of music. Music is a way of expressing myself and who I am. If I am depressed, I listen to depressing music just to know that someone else gets depressed too. If I feel empowered, I listen to something that feeds that empowerment. Lately I have been in the need of some new music, new artists, and something different but I just could put my finger on what my mood has been. Every once in a while Spotify (aka Pandora on steroids) will send me emails with artist suggestions so I picked one of those artists, started a radio station for them, and fell in love.

I'm sure you're curious as to what I fell in love with so here are some of the artists that I've found: Ryan Calhoun, Elise Lieberth, Jason Walker, Sara Haze Jon McLaughlin, and Caitlyn Smith. I was getting very tired of mainstream music so the new voices, EP albums, and covers are a wonderful change of pace.

The real purpose of this blog post is to share a song that I came across in my new music discovery; it's called Crushed and Created by Caitlyn Smith. Lately I have been feeling very crushed. I've been depressed, work is stressful and full of drama, I'm coming up on my 30th birthday in January and in some aspects I'm not where I thought I would be, and it's hard for me. This song talks about the fact that we are crushed and created the same way. Life is a cycle of things that die, so that something else can live.

The bridge talks about being stronger in the end. I don't think, ok I know, when it comes to my current situations I'm not strong BUT this song provides me hope. It serves as a reminder that I may feel crushed, discouraged, and out of place now, but it won't always be that way. At the end of these tests and trials, I know that I will come out freer, wiser, and stronger; everything will work out in the end, it always does.





Jessy <3

P.S. If you don't know about Spotify, you're missing out. Spotify gives you the chance to not only listen to random songs like Pandora, but you can also create your own playlists. You can Star songs to go back to later and it's perfect for music addicts like me. Check it out HERE!

101 Progress - Marpril

Marpril [mahr pruhl] 
   noun
     1. combination of the months March and April

   Origin: 
      April 2013; Jessyism


I thought that title needed a little description. Anyway... It's time for a 101 in 1001 update. I haven't posted since mid February so here we go! 

~ Learned the harmony for "We Are Young" as sung by the Glee Cast. I can only sing it with the Glee Cast version, but I can sing it nonetheless!
~ Got a Pen-pal!!! YAY!! So I am bad and never sent off my postcards to the ladies in Canada and Spain BUT, I have a new pen-pal who lives in the states! She's a blogger friend who is also doing the 101 Challenge. We both wanted pen-pals so Voila! Pen pals! lol We have both sent and received letters so that makes it completely official!  

~ Since I have a pen-pal that obviously means that I did send a letter, and it was to a new friend! :)
~ I helped Andy start up his new catering business (Officially started on April 1st)
~ I own 100, yes 100, bottles of nail polish! Half way there and it hasn't even been a year yet. Oh, I forsee more than 200 bottles by the time my 1001 days is up.
~ I have 306 pens/pencils for my collection.

Song of the Month:
February: Mood Rings by Relient K
March: Like a Prayer by Madonna I swear that woman followed me around on my shoulder for at least a month!! (btw...that music video is very bizarre)
April: Belle from Beauty and the Beast I have woke up with very random songs stuck in my head this month everything from Pop and CCM to songs from Disney movies.

Jessy <3

P.S. I am still refusing to talk about my weight loss, and my reading goals. You can ask me about my weight loss goal AFTER my hubby's baking class. 

 

101 Progress: "Once a Month" Fail

O.Kaaay... Well, it's been a while. I thought I would take some time today and blog about my 101 in 1001 progress. I have been really busy lately and haven't posted anything about my progress since September 2012. I guess I didn't meet the "Blog about my progress every month" challenge. I have decided that on my next list I am not going to put a deadline (like once a month) on myself. Life is just WAY too busy for that. So here is my update and some snippets about my life since September.

Accomplishments:
~ Visited Sarah & Rachel in October 2012, we had a blast! It was actually pretty relaxing and I will have to blog about it, because fun was had by all.
~ Hosted a Christmas Craft Party at my house in December. I had Crystal & D'Arcy, as well as Peggy & Sarah over to make Christmas ornaments. I think this is going to quickly become a Christmas tradition. :) 
~ Got a nice digital camera for Christmas so I guess I don't need to buy one.
~ Finally got nail stamps!!! My mommy gave them to me for my birthday. I love her. :)
~ Actually hung a picture in my office. I know hanging one picture probably doesn't really count as "Decorating" your office. But hey, it's a start - don't judge me. LOL
~ In January, I finally got the guts to dye my hair a freaky color. I bleached my hair and then used a wash-out color to dye it red/pink. It was awesome; the reactions from everyone were classic. LOL

~ My latest accomplishment is finding a pen pal!! I actually have two! I am part of the 20 Something blogger community, which I'm not really active in. But they sent out a request for postcard buddies and I jumped at the chance! I just got my two names on Valentine's Day so I haven't had a chance to contact them yet, but one is from Canada and the other is from Spain, so I'm pretty excited to get to know them! :)

Things that I have kept up with:
~ Pedicure of the month; Okay I didn't do a cute pedi in January but I did paint my toe nails. And I haven't done anything this month, but the month isn't over :)
~ Song of the month!
   October 2012 - Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5; For some reason that song was STUCK in my head like the whole month! I even made it my ring tone for a while.
   November 2012 - Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt; Ok, so I just randomly picked this song because nothing stuck out for November, but I was technically already listening to Christmas music.
   December 2012 - Mele Kalikimaka by Bing Crosby for Mark Anderson, who retired from MCC and moved to Hawaii
   January 2013 - The One that Got Away by P!nk; I love this song. :)

Count Update:
I currently own
  ~ 88 bottles of nail polish, 96 if you count nail polish pens. (I count them, so 96...lol)
  ~ 295 pens/pencils for my collection. I am pretty proud of the fact that 278 of those are pencils; I only have 17 pens! :)

Things I am refusing to talk about:
~ My weight loss goal... um...yeah.
~ My "progress" on books that I read.
~ Letters that I have written - I sent Christmas cards to some people, does that count?

I think that concludes the list of accomplishments over the past few months. I have been busy with school, I finished ENG102 last semester. And I'm currently taking PSY101 and BPC110 (a very basic computer class). I am taking the BPC class so that I will have a study-buddy for Math, but I am actually learning a few little tricks that I didn't know about Microsoft Office. Hopefully my schedule will allow me to blog more.

Until next time,
Jessy <3

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!! Today marks the end of our Music Advent so I have two songs that I want to share because they both have different messages that I want you to remember today. The first song is Hallelujah (Light Has Come) by Barlow Girl. I know this week some of the Christmas songs haven't really been "classic" Christmas carols but I wanted everyone to remember the meaning of Christmas. Sunday I talked about Christ being a gift to us, today is the day to celebrate and remember that God gave us His only Son to show His love; I can't imagine that kind of love. That is the ultimate act of selflessness. Parents, could you imagine giving your only child away to someone who needed them? I can't and I'm not even a parent. This song is sung as though it is Mary singing about Christs' birth. She is in awe of this little baby and she is praising God that He allowed Christ to come down and save us. Such a beautiful song, keep it in mind today as you celebrate with your loved ones.

The second song that I would like to share is Where Are You Christmas? I think this is a good song to end our advent. I just heard this arrangement a few days ago and fell in love with it. I like instrumental music but I think the little girl at the end adds so much to the song. I almost cried the first time I heard it, just sayin'. The message that I want you to gain from this song is that the joy and peace of Christmas doesn't have to come just once a year. Keep your heart and mind open with thoughts of love and joy, and you can have that Christmas feeling all year round.

 

Where Are You Christmas w/ lyrics 

I know that life is hard and it's difficult to keep those thoughts of love and joy all year. So just remember that there is someone out there who loves you so much that He gave you His son. It is that love that should drive your year. Show compassion to those around you, think of others before yourself, and you will receive blessings that you never thought possible. 

  

^"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:7-9

Merry Christmas and God bless, 

Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - Merry Christmas Darling

Merry Christmas Darling.../dreamy sigh. This song is dedicated to all of those friends and family that I can't be with this Christmas. I want to wish my Mom and Dad, Alex, Bailey, and Michael, Aunt Beth, as well as all of my in-laws, a very Merry Christmas. I can't spend Christmas with any of you this year and I just want to say that I love you all and I miss you.

There are also so many friends that I wish I was spending time with too. I am not going to name names because I don't want to forget anyone. lol You all know who you are. :) I would love to have one year when I could gather all of my family, and my friends (who are my extended family), to have Christmas with Andrew and I; I guess I have to start playing the lottery. That would be the most awesome Christmas ever. /let down sigh...Until then just know that I love you; I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Sending Christmas Wishes,
Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - I Celebrate the Day

I older I get the more I see commercialism taking over the simplicity of Christmas. The real reason that we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate Christs' birth, not see how many presents we can get underneath the tree, or who has the best decorations outside their house. The reason we give presents is because Christ was given as a present to us, and I think that has been forgotten. I love this song because it reminds me that Christ is a present that was sent from God; he was born so I can live with Him someday. I urge you to remember Christ's gift not only at Christmas but always. Lets try to take away the Christmas commercialism and focus on helping others, spend quality time with family and friends, and remember what Christmas is all about.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

^{Luke 2: 8-14 NKJV}

Remembering Christ this Christmas,

Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - All I Want for Christmas is You

How could I forget this song?! It's a classic! They play it every year, on all of the Christmas stations. Maybe to a fault. lol Doesn't matter, I still love it!

What is your favorite Christmas song? Is it one of the ones I've listed, or do you have another one?

Music Advent Calendar - The Grinch Song

The Grinch...of course I couldn't go the whole 25 days without putting this song in there. Have you ever actually listened to the words to this song? They are hilarious!!

Hope you don't have a Grinchy Christmas,
Jessy <3

Musical Advent Calendar - Carol of the Bells

Okay, so as I was saying, I am definitely finding new arrangements that I love. This video combines a new arrangement with lights. I love it!! I've always loved it when people make their Christmas lights sync with music, they are brilliant and have more patience than me. This song is just pure awesomeness!

Enjoy!
Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - The Christmas Song

Ahhhh, the Chipmucks; I love them! They are so cute. This has been one of my favorite songs since I was a little kid. I love how they want to sing it over and over, I would've let them. lol

Your Caroler,
Jessy <3

A Day of Silence

Today is the blogger day of silence for the victims of Newtown so I will only post once but I have a song that I want to share. I had a different song picked out for today's Music Advent Calendar, but this one seemed more fitting for a day of silence. Casting Crowns takes a classic song and makes it truly beautiful.

Peace on Earth is something that we strive for but like recent events prove, the Earth may never attain real peace. This song says, "There is no peace on earth...For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."

Even though there may be no peace on Earth this song also holds a promise that says, "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men." Only God is strong enough to give the peace that passes all understanding. I don't know why such horrendous things happen but one thing is for sure, God always uses everything for good. Even in the darkest hour, He gives us a glimmer of hope and love.

Today I pray for the people of Newtown, I pray that God will give peace to those families that are without their children this Christmas. My prayer is that God will take this horrible situation and use it for good and my hope for you is that you will remember what Christmas is really about. Put the Christ back in Christmas this year; hold your family tighter, show love to others, and open your heart and mind to what God has to show you.

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

With Love, 
Jessy <3 
 

Music Advent Calendar - Silent Night

Silent Night, what a classic. I love Olivia Newton John's version, she has such a pretty voice

Your Caroler,
Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - Mary Did You Know?

Mary Did You Know is a song that reminds me of Mom-mom. She used to have Kenny Rogers album and would listen to it over and over at Christmastime. I also love the message in this song.

Is there a Christmas song that makes you nostalgic?
Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Mele Kalikimaka reminds me of Mom-mom, this song reminds my Mom of Mom-Mom. I had never seen the video for it before. It's not quite the video that I had pictured but it makes me laugh. Was I the only person who thought Cousin Mel was a guy? Probably...lol

Lover of Fun Christmas Songs,
Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - Mele Kalikimaka

Mele Kalikimaka /happy sigh....This song reminds me of Mom-mom, my Grandma, not really sure why but it does. It makes me smile every time I hear it. :)

Wishing you a Hawaiian Christmas,
Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - Il est né le Divin Enfant

I had never heard this song in French until this year. I've heard it sung in English by ze French Peas. So I'll include both just in case you haven't heard the song before. I'm sure some of the words are different, but you'll get the gist. :) Enjoy!

Lover of French Carols & Veggie Tales, 

Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar - Santa Baby

Okay so a few days back I told you that there are some songs that must be sung by certain people, this another one. I love Santa Baby, but it MUST be sung by Ms. Eartha Kitt. She makes it sound so flirty and fun, and that's how it should be. Are you picky about any Christmas songs and their artists?

 

Your Picky Caroler, 

Jessy <3

Music Advent Calendar- Angels We Have Heard on High

This song was one of my favorites when I was growing up. It brings back fond memories of Christmas plays, and singing in our small church's choir. :)

Your Reminiscent Caroler,
Jessy <3