My love of escapism

Okay guys, I don't think its a secret that most of my pleasure reading and watching movies and TV, I use as escapism. I thought I would blog about what I use to escape when the world is just too much for me to handle.

1. Books- most of my favorite books take place in the 19th century though some of them take place from the Roman Empire to WWII.

If I am not reading something for fun I think I will collapse. I need it as away to think about other things besides school. Though I am not reading fast.

2. TV/Movies- My newest obsession with TV is Downton Abbey. I can watch and dream what it would be like to wear fancy gowns and have gourmet dinners served nightly and always have my hair perfectly in place.

3. My own writing- Though it is hard to get the energy to write, when I get the time (really when I make the time) I still love to write. Fortunately I am a very big journal writer and I try to work on this blog but I wish I got more of my story done. Oh well can't do everything at once.

4. My friends- I know it might sound silly but I do have to remember to hang out with friends and when I am with them no matter how stressed I am they can always make me laugh. Plus they remind me to keep my priorities in check (I love that about them).







The Civil Wars

5. Music- I am not any where close to being a musician but I have finally jumped on to the idea of how cool spotify is and I love listening to music. My favorite types are country (nothing too twangy)/ folk/ and a little bit of Blue Grass. I have discovered Sarah Darling, Sarah Jarosz, and Sara Groves (I guess I really like the Sara(h)s). I have also discovered The Civil Wars and I have let my once quiet love for country not to be quiet anymore. I always take suggestions for music so let me know if you have any bands I must listen to. So while I may not be a musician and I know nothing about chords or a melody there is something nice about having music on in the back ground that calms me down and lets me escape.

6. My faith- though it is not really escapism I feel I must include it here as one of the main things that keeps me going. All the things above are good at letting me escape sometimes my over worked under slept life but my faith this semester has really gotten me through some rough patches. Earlier this year I was very down about the question "what am I doing with my life?" "what I am here for?" and actually I still don't have the answers to that I know that the Lord does and I just have to keep leaning on him. (Even as I write that it sounds totally cheesey but its true).

Christmas Mindset already?

Is it bad that its not even Thanksgiving and I am already thinking about Christmas. I am very much a person who believes in one holiday at a time and I get mad at stores that put Christmas stuff out before Halloween. After having a sister that worked in a craft store I understand more why they get it because there is just so much stuff they have to put it out, but I still don't like it... I like Christmas to be sacred.

Growing up my mom wouldn't let us listen to a Christmas song or watch a Christmas movie till after we had watched White Christmas, which we did on Thanksgiving day or the day after. And I loved sitting there with my slice of pecan pie and maybe hot coco letting the Christmas season begin. My mom would fill the house with little Annalees and I got to do the nativity scene, which was always my favorite as it was really the only decorating I did.  Then when it was all gone, I remember the house looked so empty.

An Example of an Annalee

A Fontanini nativity set.

But now I see on facebook that a lot of people are already watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas songs... and I want to join in but I can't because I still believe Christmas should be sacred and we should wait till after Thanksgiving to celebrate the season of Christmas. But I so badly want watch my favorite Christmas movies and sing Christmas songs.

I know my mom reads, this and will probably be thinking "you are an adult, you can watch Christmas movies whenever you want." That true mom, I can but I like Christmas being at Christmas time. So I am holding out for after Thanksgiving to start decking the halls. 

I think I like the idea of Christmas because it means going home, seeing my family, and reliving traditions. I have a lot of fond family memories surrounding Christmas. It also means a time away from school and stress and I could use that right now. So maybe I am not jealous of the people already watching Christmas movies, I am jealous of the mind set they are in.

Okay that is my random tangent of the day.... If you are in the Christmas mindset already please consider Advent Conspiracy. The idea of it is to remember the real meaning of Christmas.

Fashion Time

Hey guys and gals (though I think gals will have more fun with this),

I have thought about this for awhile and have come the conclusion I need (well really I want) a new coat for winter. I have a big down coat but I don't think its very cute or girly but it is warm. So I went on Pinterest to search for winter coat ideas. And I have no idea wish one I want. I know I don't want something too trendy because next winter it won't be stylish... I keep things for years so my coat has to be good for years to come. Also while I usually go for color I think I need a simple brown coat (it looks more grown up).

Can you guys help me with some ideas?


In Brown perhaps... I am not a big red fan





I like this but how long will these ruffes stay in style?



Please tell me which one you think is best.

Remember it has to be warm, I live in Boston and it gets pretty cold.

Thanks for your help,

Blaire

What do you like to do?

Yes I am still here, just haven't really had the energy to have creative writing time (grad-school) but I did want to post something.

When I am not in school or work I have tried really hard this semester to hang out with friends. So a couple of Thursdays ago I went over to my friend's house as she was having a house warming party. And I struck up conversation with one of her new roommates. We went through the typical first questions, like what do you do? and then he asked me what do you do when your not in grad-school? I couldn't think. I feel like my life revolves around grad school. So I said something stupid I said "I watch movies." I think I said because watching movies takes like no mental energy and I use it as a total escapism from everything. For some reason that stupid answer has been playing over and over in my mind... I really over think things.

So to answer it correctly, and more interestingly I am writing this post. So what do I do when I am not in school and I am not working (excluding homework)



1. Hang out with my friends, I love all my friendships and they have blessed me so much. And yes we do watch movies.

I loved that show





2. I am also trying to read "North and South", people think I am crazy to do any fun reading but I feel I have to or I will collapse. Plus I have seen the mini series so I know what going to happen.

3. I also volunteer with my church helping coordinate the services and I help in the nursery. I love working with the babies. Holding babies actually makes me very calm and I love seeing them as they grow up into toddlers experiencing the world and full of questions and imagination.

4. I still try to write, rather it be this blog or still working on my story but sometimes my mental energy is gone and I can't think of good things to say.

5. And I love taking naps, I don't think as a kid I understood the beauty of naps but now I love them and look forward to naps.

So I guess this is what I do when I am not at school or thinking about school, or at work or doing homework. Okay I feel better not having a stupid answer out there in the universe.

I have learned one thing this semester know what you love and cling to it because it's what we love that keeps us sane.