#MRS: personal

[myrandomscribbles]

2024 Recap

Two days into 2025 and I just realized that I've forgotten to wrap up my year. Though uneventful, there have been a few notable moments and some glimmers here and there that helped me get through it. So without further ado, here's another [long-ish] personal post, my own "2024 Wrapped"!

First of all, let me start by saying Happy New Year and I hope that everyone had a lovely & safe celebration! (Fingers still complete, I hope) Now this would be the first time I'm doing a recap of my year as a blog post, but one of the things I wanted to revive is my passion in writing. I have been spending a lot of time in the drawing & video editing department - don't get me wrong, I love it in there - but I kinda miss my first love, writing. With that in mind, I (re)started this blog not just to fill it with thoughts & rambles, but also to oil up my rusty writing gears. At this point, I want to thank those who have somehow found their way here and either liked, reblogged, or simply read my posts ❤️

This year has, unfortunately, been one of the worse ones. I spent most of it just at home, watching the days pass by and waiting for something I wasn't sure was going to happen. And sadly, I lost more than I gained. In 2024, I lost many of my beloved pets. The pain I had to go through each time is immeasurable because to me, they are my children. To pay tribute to them, I'm currently working on a painting of all of them at the rainbow bridge. It's still a long way to go, and I hope to share it here soon. I also lost a loved one, my career (or professional life, rather; I wouldn't consider virtual jobs as a career per se), and towards the latter part of the year, my health - slowly. The severe stress that I have undergone in the months of 2024 has caused me show symptoms of a likely aneurysm. As I am not yet financially capable of undergoing an MRI of my brain, I have to take extra care of my health and hit the breaks whenever I am about to burst into the Hulk.

Despite all of that, I still have a few things to be thankful for. I'd like to highlight two of them though - probably the happiest I've been the entire year. First is my trip to Vietnam in September, where I also celebrated my 30th birthday. It was a first time experience for me because not only was it my first time in the country, but it was also the first time that I got to travel with a group of friends so that was really fun.

Another highlight of my year is an actual dream come true - my all time favorite boyband, Big Time Rush actually came to Manila. I grew up with their music and it has saved me many times. It felt so surreal to see Kendall, Logan, Carlos, and James get up on that stage because never in my wildest dreams that they would think of coming to visit my country since their fandom was not as big as One Direction over here. Boy was I wrong - and a good thing that I was! One of the most memorable nights of my life for sure.

So that's it for my personal side of 2024; there wasn't really much to tell there, like I said. But in spite of all that, I'm still thankful that I got to reach a new decade of my life, and well, my family and I have made it to a new year. ✨

But hey, what's a post on this blog without going through my favorite bits of pop culture? :D For the next part of this recap, I'm gonna list my top five favorites from various categories this past 2024! And hey, quit with the judging because our likes and preferences are always subjective :D

Favorite Movies

Dune: Part Two

At this point, I don't understand how this is not getting more recognition this awards season. Just because it came out earlier this year should not be the case! And I don't know if I'm with the majority on this one, but this was loads better than Part One.

Wicked

I have an entire blog post review dedicated to this film, so you can just go check that out. :D

Challengers

This film was as steamy as the bloody sauna Art and Patrick were in. Not sure if anyone has made that a one-liner review in Letterboxd yet, but here it is for you lol. My favorite thing about this film though is that they literally executed the film and the three characters' relationship in the form of a tennis match. Whenever Art wins a set, he has Tashi. And likewise when Patrick wins a set, he also has Tashi. That last scene was also insane it deserves Best Editing.

Greatest Hits

This was one of the films that went under the radar this year. I remember someone on Twitter calling it a romcom, MY BROTHER IN CHRIST IT IS NOT. Lucy Boynton is so good in this and David Corenswet, well, there's a reason he's Superman. Such a touching film about grief and acceptance, please go and watch it.

Twisters

The amount of times I will show up to the cinema for a Glen Powell? The limit does not exist. That man is a MOVIE STAR! Including this one, his last three films were all hits in my house. Like I literally went to a last screening on a rainy Sunday evening just to see a movie about tornados LOL

Favorite Performances

Zendaya in Challengers

Definition of girlboss. Who's doing it like Tashi?!

Ryan Gosling in Fall Guy

Ryan Gosling has become one of my favorite actors in recent years. He's just so naturally funny, especially in this one, and he needs to be in every film I'm so serious.

Ariana Grande in Wicked

Ariana went to the Kristin Chenoweth School of Pink Popular Squealing, she told me herself.

Rebecca Ferguson in Dune: Part Two

Not gonna lie, if you look up the word "mother" in the dictionary, one of its definitions is just a photo of Rebecca Ferguson in Dune: Part Two. Lady Jessica, what can I do for you on this fine evening?

Maya Hawke in Inside Out 2

When they first introduced Anxiety in the trailer, I did cartwheels. I can't believe that 1) they actually included the one thing that keeps me up at night and 2) they got the perfect voice in Maya Hawke to bring her to life.

Favorite Songs Released

Fortnight - Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone

Not gonna lie, TTPD is one of her lowest points in her discography (and yes, fight me on this! It can't always be good!) However, there are gems on this album. And the first time I heard Fortnight I was left in awe because who knew Post Malone sounds so good harmonizing on that outro that I can't get out of my head?!

Only One - Big Time Rush

They released a lot of new songs this year considering they went on tour but this has got to be my favorite! I had this on repeat before the concert and after the concert that it stayed atop my On Repeat playlist on Spotify. I'm actually surprised it wasn't my most played song when Spotify Wrapped came out lol.

Guilty As Sin? - Taylor Swift

This is another one of those hidden gems I was talking about, second out of three. One of the reasons why I love this song is because it instantly reminded me of Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney from Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey". Yeah, you're welcome :D

The Black Dog - Taylor Swift

This is the third of my favorite songs from TTPD. The lyrics of this song is just so painfully beautiful, the thought of being forgotten by someone who used to love and know you so well. Goddamit, Taylor. Also that bridge kills me everytime, UGH

Steal My Thunder - Conner Smith ft. Tucker Wetmore

Let me just put it out there that I obviously loved Twisters so I'm obviously a fan of the soundtrack too. Country is not really one of my top genres, but this film's soundtrack made it so likeable! I particularly love this track because of the scene where it was played in :D

Okay, I obviously need to still see A LOT of the films released in 2024, so this list is curated as of this recap and it will likely change later on. As I mentioned before, there was a huge bulk of the year where I was just severely stressed and had no such time to catch up on new releases. But I will! I will likely have another post in the future for every film that I loved and feel deserves one :D

As for the music, well, I said subjective!!! I'm not a huge music fan in terms of the artist - there are only a few artists like Taylor & Big Time Rush whose entire discography is in my Spotify. But in general, if I like how the song sounds, it goes into my liked songs playlist. End of story.

Anyway! That's it for my 2024 recap. What a year it has been. I'm actually going to try to go into 2025 with a new mindset of really just going with the flow. I'm going to try to not plan anything so much in the fear that it might fail and I'll just end up disappointed. Whatever happens, happens I guess!

[chloesimaginationthings]

Why Michael watches soap operas in FNAF

[phantom-kiwi]

Venom 3 spoiler warning but like

"Ride me cowboy", "we've been together for a year?", "Sometimes I think we would've been happier you and I living a life like this", them calling each other Thelma and Louise? Them talking about future plans and the camera directly cutting and staying on literal happy newlyweds?? "BUT I NEED HIM BACK" ???? A montage of their time together???? Hello ??? Symbrock nation can you hear me !!!!

[dongslinger--420]

When BoJack Horseman (2014-2020) said "you can't keep doing shitty things and then feel bad about yourself like that makes it ok. you need to be better" and "all we have are the connections we make" and "I really should've thought about the view from halfway down" and "sometimes you have to take responsibility for your own happiness" and "you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around, you turn yourself around, THAT'S what it's all about" and "things have to get worse before they can get better" and "in real life, the big gesture isn't enough, you need to be consistent" and "if we hadn't met each other until now, we wouldn't be the people we are now" and, my personal favourite, "every day it gets a little easier, but you gotta do it every day, that's the hard part, but it does get easier".

[lotus-pear]

looking cool joker !!

[hallowshumour]

WARNING‼️⚠️☢️

[canonically47]

what's with squid game and toxic/doomed yaoi and doomed yuri?

[goldinrod]

wonderlands x crossing! here's hoping brand new your world also has a fishing minigame

[jedi-starbird]

Palpatine: My boy, Master Kenobi is lying to you!

Anakin: ?...yeah? He does that? Lying is Obi-Wan's favourite sport. Bant told me that he was dropped on his head by Master Qui-Gon when he was a child and Master Qui-Gon was really tall, so the fall shook loose some things in his brain and now Obi-Wan is allergic to giving straight answers. It took me 3 years to figure out his favourite colour. and his birthday. 5 to figure out that he's allergic to shellfish. I once told a restaurant that Obi-Wan can't have shrimp and he told me to "stop giving information to the enemy". I've made a game of it really.

Palpatine: *muttering under his breath* ok try using shrimp next time

Anakin: what?

Palpatine: Nothing!

[hollis-art]

t'hy'la

[myrandomscribbles]

Sparkles of the Season: What Christmas Means to Me

Ah, the most wonderful time of the year. This is the general consensus but in my opinion, the meaning of Christmas is subjective to each person. Personally, I've always loved this time of the year growing up, but as I got older, the magic of it has struggled to hang on for me. But it's still there! Only just so.

Growing up, my favorite thing, as is any child's, was opening the presents. I was always so excited to find the boxes under the tree, checking on each one every morning until December 25th. I also loved the family reunions because it's when I got to see my cousins. My family didn't really have much grand traditions though; we simply prepared Noche Buena on the 24th, opened the presents at midnight, and that was it. Then we would head for Christmas mass the next day and to the family reunion after. We didn't have any of those family photos wherein we were all wearing the same color or matching outfits, posted with the caption "Merry Christmas from our family to yours!" Neither did we have those fun & chaotic family games during reunions. I don't know, it was weird that we never did it, but again, to each his own.

Now that I'm 30, some things have slightly changed. I'm now the one buying presents instead of [mostly] receiving them. The presents itself have changed too, of course. From toys and cash, I've started receiving more practical things like clothes and bags. Don't get me wrong, I'm very much grateful for these either way. (I love bags!) We still have Noche Buena on Christmas Eve, but the dishes [specifically this year] were simpler and less in quantity - financial situations play a big role in that for sure lol. Reunions are still happening, but now some cousins cannot make it and older aunts & uncles have already passed. We still don't do family photos though lol; my family was never one to do so because, well, I don't find our family to be a normal/regular/traditional one. (A story for another time that should not go on here.)

It's strange how things are still the same but it doesn't feel exactly like it was when I was a kid. But for one reason or another, the "Christmas spirit" still lingers around. Despite the changes, I personally try to find my own magic during this time. For example, I have grown to absolutely love gift giving. Though yes it takes money out of your pocket, but it's just so much fun! I enjoy every step from making the list, thinking of what the person will like or need, then dedicating one day to buy them in one go, and wrapping them while watching a good holiday movie. I even make it a point to buy unique-looking wrappers - I try to veer away from the usual red, green and white motifs with "Merry Christmas" on them LOL. That way, you'll know which gift under the tree is from me! I also love seeing the faces of my loved ones when they open their gifts - "I love it!" "How did you know green was my favorite color?" "This fits me just right!" These are real simple joys for me, and all the hard work pays off.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, despite losing the Christmas magic that I once felt when I was a kid, there's still a bit of sparkles and glimmers during the season. It just needs a different perspective in order to be found. I've learned, in the last few days specifically, that I have my own way of coping with this (and my family's situation) through making my own traditions - gift giving, unique wrappers, watching Christmas movies, making a blog post about the season. Aside from these, I found that watching people in public, specifically at the mall during this time of the year is a real gem. I can't explain it but seeing the kids at the toy section during a time when gadgets have taken over everything warms my heart. It's small things like these that remind me that even if I'm no longer a kid, the Christmas magic is still there.

If you've read this far, thank you for listening to my first personal ramble on here & Merry Christmas to you! 🎄❤️

[anbaisai]

local octopus shot on sight

Bonus of said prefect:

[yudol-skorbi]

i am at the point where if i dont finish now i'll newer finish so yeah the rest of the gaaaaaang

[multiversal-pudding]

A fun Danny Phantom idea:

One of those “mediums tormented by the fact they can’t turn Off the ability to see ghosts” types moves to Amity, and for the most part, it’s great! Like yeah maybe there’s still ghosts everywhere, but now they can react normally, because finally for once in their life everyone else sees the ghosts too. Granted, judging from what everyone else says it sounds like they’re seeing significantly tamer humanoid proper-manifestations than the near-incomprehensible masses of emotion, spectral energy, and whatever that particular spirit’s associated with they’re used to seeing, but eh- between how jaded they are to seeing stuff like that after all these years and the fact that in practice the response of “GTFO” tends to be applicable regardless of whether you’re dealing with a poltergheist in overalls who likes hucking boxes at people, a giant robot guy who’s yelling about world domination, or reality breaking fever dream vomit, it’s not too big a deal

…There’s just ooooone little problem

Which is that when people look at the Fenton’s youngest kid and when people see local town hero/cryptid The Phantom, clearly everyone ELSE is seeing two different people/entities, but in their case, all they see is the same wild plasma-lightning living tear in reality either way, and they’re afraid if they mix the two “identities” up they’re either A) gonna fuck up some poor kid’s life/put him and those around him in danger, B) piss off a very powerful spirit whose repeatedly proven why that’s a very bad idea, or C) both-

(Bonus points if it’s some completely mundane guy like Ted the Bus Driver/ the county deputy in training/ some poor janitor who’d be reasonably expected to come in contact with either one fairly frequently-)

[rainbow-sunshine-unicorn]

I’m obsessed with Kate and Anthony just having their arms interlinked while playing charades

Because there is literally no need for it, they’re already sitting right beside each other, shoulder to shoulder, and they’re playing charades, which is not something that requires them to move in coordination??? And, you can see the empty space on the couch beside Kate, so there’s plenty of space

But does any of that really matter to Viscount and Viscountess Velcro? Not even a little bit!

They will be interlinking their arms through a game of charades, because simply sitting next to each other is not enough, they must have, at least, four points of contact between themselves at all times

[lizardbrainlabs]

Your interpretation of Hector talking with Bauhauzzo post-game (if you can see that happening) would be neat!!

oh the horrors of knowing no one can fix the problem except for you