Long Time, No See

Hey guys, I'm actually back! I'm sorry for not updating consistently. I was literally writing drafts and just never got around to posting any of them, so now I have to go back and rewrite a bunch of them. This semester has been a lot of getting used to: being 2 hours away from home, having independence, no real rules, etc. I love it here down in Huntsville and I really do love what I'm doing, but it's just been a lot of changes. I pushed blogging to the side so that I could focus on myself and school for a bit, which seems to have been a good move.

I'm sitting in the middle of finals week right now, which so far has not been as bad as people have said. Then again, I'm not really in any hard classes and I've been studying for the only final I've been worried about. I definitely think it all comes down to preparedness and taking care of yourself, because everyone I know who is hardcore struggling isn't taking care of themselves: no sleep, eating junk, a little too much alcohol. I'll make a how to survive finals post later, once I go home for Christmas. I know I'll still be ahead of the curve there since most of my friends have two to three weeks and I have less than a week remaining.

This semester has flown by, and I can't believe I'm creeping close to being 1/4 of the way through my time here at UAH.

Some general life updates:

• I went to Live on the Green for labor day weekend, saw 5SOS (again!) back in Nashville, and also saw Ed Sheeran after begging for tickets for 7 years. The best artists from LOTG this year were Larkin Poe, Mikky Ekko, and X Ambassadors. (I got sick before Jimmy Eat World so I was super sad I missed them, but it also meant I got more sleep, which was probably a good thing.) Ed and 5SOS are amazing, and I'd definitely see both of them again. 
• I've had a lot of romantic ups and downs, but out of respect to them, I won't be posting much about that. You can always privately ask if you need any romantic advice though!
• Even when you're sitting on a pretty scholarship, college is expensive, especially when you have health issues that make your $1600 meal plan useless so you have to constantly cook. I'll probably make a post about this as well, but that's definitely for another time later.
• I deleted my {public} instagram in order to be able to focus on other forms of social media. If you'd like to keep up with me, I recommend using tumblr or pinterest. I do have a private instagram, so please message me on one of my other forms of social media for access.

Stay tuned for more posts, since the semester is almost over and I have more time to focus on writing!

Throwback Thursday Tunes

Today's blog post is inspired by Spotify's #ThrowbackThursday playlist, but is in no way affiliated with Spotify.

2006 was a great year for pop music. If I had to limit myself to a year of pop, I would choose 2006 or 2007. Here are 30 of my favorites (in no particular order):

1. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
2. Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers
3. Dirty Little Secret by All American Rejects
4. Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
5.  Promiscuous by Nelly Furtado
6. Maneater by Nelly Furtado
7. SexyBack by Justin Timberlake
8. Run it! by Chris Brown
9. My Love by Justin Timberlake
10. Who Knew by P!nk
11. The Way I Are by Timbaland
12. Hips Don't Lie by Shakira
13. Clumsy by Fergie
14. Fergalicious by Fergie
15. Glamorous by Fergie
16. London Bridge by Fergie (okay the entire album was great)
17. Ridin' by Chamillionaire
18. Gold Digger by Kanye West
19. Stickwitu by Pussycat Dolls
20.  Smack That by Akon and Eminem
21. Who Says You Can't Go Home by Bon Jovi
22. Jesus, Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood 
23. Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer
24. Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz
25. Summetime by Kenny Chesney
26. When You Were Young by The Killers
27. Grillz by Nelly (I'm glad this trend died. #NoShame)
28.  I Write Sins Not Tragedies by Panic at the Disco
29. Dance, Dance by Fall Out Boy
30. Everytime We Touch by Cascada

Review: Handwritten by Shawn Mendes

Handwritten is Shawn Mendes' debut album, consisting of 12 songs.

Favorite Song: Life of the Party
Least Favorite: Air

1. Life of the Party

I really love the piano and the lyrics to this song. It was the first song I heard by him, and it's my favorite.
Favorite lyric: "Take your shot, it might be scary. Hearts are gonna break, but we don't have the time to be sorry."

2. Stitches

"Stitches" has some of the most relatable lyrics on the entire album. The music videos did an excellent job of conveying the meaning of the song as well.
Favorite lyric: "Just like a moth drawn to a flame, oh you lured me in, I couldn't sense the pain. Your bitter heart cold to the touch, now I'm gonna reap what I sow."

3. Never Be Alone

This is one of the acoustics, and the lyrics are really sweet and it's just a cute love song. (I don't have actual thoughts about this song other than ahsdhfhdlhf, and I don't think that counts as a review.) Favorite lyric: "Take a piece of my heart and make it all your own so when we are apart, you'll never be alone."

4. Kid in Love

"Kid in Love" sounds like Hunter Hayes meets Ed Sheeran meets John Mayer. Basically, I'm in love. (Pun not intended!)
Favorite lyric: "If this is what it's like falling in love, then I don't ever wanna grow up."

5. I Don't Even Know Your Name

This is another song that sounds like John Mayer meets other singer-songwriters, in this case, Sam Smith. If John Mayer were a 16 year old boy, he would be Shawn Mendes. I'm sure of it.
Favorite lyric: "I'm dying, my love, you punched a hole right through my heart."

6. Something Big

This song sounds more dance-able than his others, but it's not really my style. His vocals are killing it, however.
Favorite lyric: "It's like that feeling when you're 'bout to win the medal and you worked so hard that you knew you wouldn't settle."

7. Strings

"Strings" is such an upbeat and fun song. It's the kind of song that makes you think of the guy you're seeing.
Favorite lyric: "Darling I want all the strings attached. I love it when you look at me like that, and you're the only girl that brings me back 'cause baby I want all the strings attached.It's like always and forever. I won't let a moment pass, and when I'm with you I feel better. I want all the strings, all the strings attached." (Oh my, that was a long lyric!)

8. Aftertaste

This song is the one that reminds you of that one ex you're somewhat over, but not quite. The instrumentals and his vocals are amazing and complement each other well.
Favorite lyric: "Turns out that no one can replace me. I'm permanent, you can't erase me. I'll help you remember me, one more kiss is all it takes. I'll leave you with the memory and the aftertaste."

9. Air

It's pretty good, but Astrid's voice gets on my nerves and it's an extremely repetitive song. The verses are extremely short in comparison to the chorus.
Favorite lyric: "Always tryna put your two cents in then expecting me to change. Tried to fix me up but I'm not broken. All you do is leave me stained"

10. Crazy

This song reminds me of the song "The Reason" by Hoobastank in terms of both instrumentals and vocals. The lyrics are beautiful as well. I adore his acoustics.
Favorite lyric: "That I just got this crazy feeling I've been making someone wait for me, for me. You're all I think about when I'm awake, part of every night and every day, and everything's a mess when you're away."

11. A Little Too Much

I enjoy the fact that this is an acoustic song. I feel like acoustics highlight his voice much better than full instrumentals. 
Favorite lyric: "Sometimes it all gets a little too much,
but you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up."

12. This is What it Takes

It's a good song, but it should not have been the final song on the standard version. It practically kills the vibe.
Favorite lyric: "And if this is what it takes, then let me be the one to bear the pain.Oh if this is what it takes, I'll break down these walls that are in our way."

Overall:
The album is extremely good, but it's loaded with acoustics. If you like the acoustic vibe, you'll adore this album, but otherwise, I suggest specific songs.
8.5/10
Needs improvement in repetitiveness
Excellent vocals however

Summer Playlist

These playlists are much shorter than my usual ones, but with all the warm weather, I'm spending more time in the pool where music isn't the smartest choice.

Dean Winchester:
Coming for You by The Offspring
Talking Body by Tove Lo
Losing My Religion by R.E.M.
Spoonman by Soundgarden
Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots
No Sleep Til Brooklyn by Beastie Boys
Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
Paradise City by Guns n Roses
Walk this Way by Aerosmith
Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
Enter Sandman by Metallica
Hells Bells by AC/DC


Sleep:
Photograph by Ed Sheeran
Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson
The Only Way Out by Bush
She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park
Stitches by Shawn Mendes


Party:
Trap Queen by Fetty Wap
Partition by Beyonce
Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj and Beyonce
Worth It by Fifth Harmony and Kid Ink
Stutter by Marianas Trench
Talking Body by Tove Lo
Amen by Halestorm
Lovin So Hard by Becky G
Gas Pedal by Sage the Gemini
Get Ur Freak On by Missy Elliot

March Playlist

I listen to so many genres of music, and this proves it. These playlists go from movie soundtrack to emo to rap within 5 songs. 

Workout:
"Get'cha Head in the Game" from High School Musical
"Bounce" by The Cab
"Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa
"Gas Pedal" by Sage the Gemini
"Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns n Roses
"Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship
"Savages" by Breathe Carolina
"Paradise City" by Guns N Roses
"SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake
"Centuries" by Fall Out Boy
"Immortals" by Fall Out Boy
"Break the Rules" by Charli XCX
"Sugar, We're Going Down" by Fall Out Boy
"Wild Boy" by MGK
"Lolly" by Maejor Ali
"Last Resort" by Papa Roach
"Kick Me" by Sleeping with Sirens
"The Phoenix" by Fall Out Boy
"Swimming Pools (Drank)" by Kendrick Lamar
"Uma Thurman" by Fall Out Boy
"Stutter" by Marianas Trench

Study:
"Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon
"Rolling in the Deep" by Go Radio
"Bounce" by The Cab
"My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit
"Gas Pedal Remix" by Sage the Gemini feat. Justin Bieber
"Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne
"Sugar" by Maroon 5
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" by Jet
"Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship
"Shake It" by Metro Station
"Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake
"Rehab" by Amy Winehouse
"Harlem" by New Politics
"I Don't Wanna Be In Love" by Good Charlotte
"Swimming Pools (Drank)" by Kendrick Lamar
"How to Love" by Lil Wayne
"Wait on Me" by Rixton
"Backseat Serenade" by All Time Low
"Gas Pedal" by Sage the Gemini
"Face Down" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
"She Knows" by Ne-Yo
"City of Ocala" by A Day to Remember

Party:
"My First Kiss" by 3OH!3
"Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship
"Wobble" by V.I.C.
"London Bridge" by Fergie
"Miss Missing You" by Fall Out Boy
"Only" by Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown
"Like a G6" by Far East Movement
"Bass Down Low" by DEV and The Cataracts
"SOS" by Rhianna
"Now or Never" by Outasight
"The Walker" by Fitz and the Tantrums
"She Knows" by Ne-Yo
"I Don't Mind" by Usher