For Shits and Giggles

Gotta case of the Mondays? Look no further...

My NYC Bucket List: My First Blizzard

About a month ago, I experienced my first ever blizzard. It wasn't freezing so much as it was...er, challenging. Waking up to the blizzard, I had NO INTENTIONS of even going outside. I had my french cookies, and my cup of coffee, and I was content with watching the madness from the window.

But then, my Chicagoan roommate forced me to go outside. I get abused here often, folks. 

Nah, just kidding. It was a ***winter wonderland*** outside! 

Venturing outside was pertinent; we were on a mission to get some wine for our day inside. It was all for survival, guys. A video of the journey: 

We returned to safety just in time to plug in the Christmas lights, make pancakes, and pour the bubbly. 

And so I ✓ my first NYC blizzard off my list! 

11 Years (A Blogiversary Post)

Tomorrow--Feb 15th--marks my 11-year blogiversary.

When I started this blog, I was a sophomore at San Diego State University and a mere 19-years-old.

OLD PHOTO ALERT!!! I look like a baby. A sorority baby, that is.

I'm now 30 and have lived in London and moved to New York within that 11 year time frame. I've completed both a Bachelor's and Master's degree. I've had over 8 jobs since that time, including working at an oppressive smoothie shop, being an after-school teacher with adorable kiddos, taking a job as a copy editor, and most recently, landing a career that I love as undergraduate advisor for international education (a cause I can get behind).

All I can say is...wow, life. I don't think 19-year-old Ashley knew what was going to come in the next 11 years, but she couldn't have dreamed it all up, anyway.

I took this photo the other night at my friend's bday party, and I realized I no longer look like a baby.

There's experience and life behind those eyes, now. About 11 years worth.

A Three Sentence Movie Review

1. Brooklyn

In Theaters

I saw it twice in theaters and I'll gladly proclaim it the movie of the year. This is a film with well-developed characters, top-notch acting, and a true focus on human emotion--I couldn't expect anything less from a screenplay written by Nick Hornby, the writer of High Fidelity. If you've ever moved away from your hometown, especially to a different country, you will connect with this film so fervidly you will surely be brought to tears, just as my friend and I were, sobbing in our seats as the credits rolled.


2. Making a Murderer

On Netflix

SPOILER: I'm not so convinced of the clear agenda of this documentary--that Steven Avery is innocent. I was, however, horrified by the events that led Brendan into prison, and I think it's a travesty that a young life is wasting away due to (in my opinion) unlawful practices by a clearly corrupt police force. Whatever way you lean, this is an interesting and compelling look into the theory that, yes, it's not so difficult to be framed; a chilling thought indeed.


3. You're Not You

On Netflix

Worth a watch because of the two lead ladies and their excellent acting. Hillary Swank plays a woman who is diagnosed with ALS, and her once perfect life starts to slowly dissolve around her, except that she becomes best buds with angsty Bec (Emmy Rossum). Not as touching as Tuesdays with Morrie, but still gets you in the feels.


4. World of Tomorrow

On Netflix

Only 17 minutes long, and a bit strange at first, but you NEED TO WATCH THIS. I didn't know a little cartoon could uplift me in under a half hour, but this sure did. After watching, you'll no longer fall in love with rocks.


Picture credits 1/2/3/4