I Just Have to Mention Some Last 2014 Things.

I know, you’ve seen a lot of 2014 recaps…but I promise you, this is the last one you will ever see from me. I realize I have talked about the books I’ve read (if you’ve read my previous blog you would see my Top Ten of 2014) but I haven’t really talked about anything else about 2014. I must say 2014 was a tough year, but there is still some good from it. So here’s some more highlights:

Musically, 2014 was the year for:

First Aid Kit became a new favorite for me (uhm, have you heard My Silver Lining? It’s such an amazing song). Mighty Oaks won my heart with the song Just One Day. Andrew McMahon…we have such a history and I cannot let go of you yet (check out Cecilia and the Satellite or Canyon Moon). Ben Howard…you just seem to get me. Keep Your Head Up is probably one of my favorites. Only Love is good too.

Now, I also do love a little bit of rap. This year Doomtree has been pretty big for me (I listen to Bangarang a lot). Childish Gambino…he’s good. I miss him dearly as Troy on Community, but he is talented. I think Shadows is my favorite by him (but warning, it is a bit explicit. I don’t agree with the language, but he has talent). Lecrae. I wish I had listened to Lecrae earlier. He is amazing. I love Nuthin but Say I Won’t is pretty good too. I love that he uses his talent in a positive way. Foxes is not rap. She sings Clarity (you know…Zedd did the mix). I love Let Go For Tonight so much. She is talented and more people should pay attention to her and less to other pop musicians.

NEEDTOBREATHE has become an all time favorite. Seriously, their songs make me smile, make me sob. They speak to me. This year Brother has been on repeat as well as Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. The Lone Bellow…can’t remember how I found them, but I am so glad I did. You Never Need Nobody and Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold…fantastic songs! Noah Gundersen…his songs give me chills. He did a song for Sons of Anarchy called Day is Gone and it is so good (that show had great music. I’ll catch up on that one day). I also love Poor Man’s Son. And then…Vance Joy. I’ve been a bit obsessed with him. I love Riptide but I also love Emmylou and Mess is Mine. Glad he’s getting some recognition this year.

I am not going to add honorable mentions. I was in a bit of a musical funk minus a lot of these guys. That happens sometimes, and I seemed to fill that funk with really bad pop music. Hence my new love for Ed Sheeran.

Movie-wise, 2014 had some good ones:

Ok, I must say I watch WAY more TV shows than movies these days. I dunno why, but I do. But there are two I watched on Netflix that I loved, a lot. I mean I loved all the other movies I’ve seen this past year. Mockingjay, The Hobbit, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Fault in Our Stars, etc. But I think more people need to watch these movies!

How I Live Now was actually really good. I really like Saoirse Ronan and I thought this movie was interesting. Synopsis: An American girl, sent to the English countryside to stay with relatives, finds love and purpose while fighting for her survival as war envelops the world around her. It’s on Netflix last I checked, and you should watch it now! Here’s the trailer:

Stuck in Love is one I honestly did not think that I would like. But to this day it has stuck with me and I keep thinking about it and how I should watch it again. Synopsis: An acclaimed writer, his ex-wife, and their teenaged children come to terms with the complexities of love in all its forms over the course of one tumultuous year. I just think that this particular movie puts it together in a cool way. It was definitely worth watching. Trailer:

In the department of TV, 2014 involved some binge watching:

The 100 is one of my new shoes for this year. I honestly can’t explain my love for it. It’s a somewhat cheesy CW show that I love so much. Synopsis: Set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity’s lone survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet. I think everyone should watch it. It takes a few episodes but then stuff happens. Jake and I have actually yelled at the TV during this one. It’s filled the void that Jericho left in my life last year.

Once Upon a Time is another favorite. You all know my love for fairy tales, and this just puts it all in one place. I love the twists and turns this show takes and how all these fairy tale characters end up being connected to each other and so involved in the lives of each other. It’s all on Netflix (minus the current season) so it’s pretty easy for you to get in on the action.

Now, this is kind of new for me…but Jake and I have been super into New Girl. I watched it before, but watching it with him is so much better. It may be the fact that he and Nick Miller are essentially the same person, or that we can compare other characters in this to people we know in real life but who knows. We love it.

A few others I’ve been super into are Scandal, The Walking Dead, Gotham, Parks and Recreation, and Gilmore Girls (I WILL FOREVER REWATCH!).

Some other highlights from 2014:

I went to my very first Minnesota Wild game. My friends bought me the tickets for my birthday and I had the best time even if they didn’t win. I do miss my MN teams over here in WI.

I moved to Wisconsin. To the heart of Packer country, which is rough since I have a strong dislike for the Packers. This is me and my sister recreating family memories when she visited in the spring. When we were kids we drove through on our way to Michigan and my little brother stood in front of the sign and chanted “I HATE THE PACKERS” and we got many dirty looks.

I went fishing. Was it my favorite thing in the world to do? No. I hate fishing. But I had fun being out on the water and showing my family that I could kick their butt at any fishing contest even if I refused to touch the fish or any of the bait. I was the founder of the feast.

Went to Lake Michigan for the first time in years! I love the sandy beaches and the water that doesn’t hurt to go in (I’m talking about YOU Lake Superior). Plus, I got to take two of my best friends who had never been over there before. We had such a fun day out there, minus all the bug bits when we attempted to go hiking.

Reunited with some of my best friends in high school! Gotta love going home for the 4th of July. I miss them dearly!

More reunions at Mazeppa Daze. These two got me through my senior year of high school and I was so excited to hang out with them.

MAZEPPA DAZE!

I ran a 5k, well kinda. I walked a lot of it. But this is the 2nd year that Jake and I have done the Ugly Sweater Run (and Cherise too). Its such a fun way to start off the holiday season. Next year we dress even tackier!

Last, but not least, there’s this guy. It’s been a tough year but he has been there for me no matter what. I honestly can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate him and all that he has done for me. We’ve stuck together through all the crap of 2014, and I sure hope that 2015 brings us something exciting. Something good that makes us both smile. Can’t wait to experience it all with him.

Well, that about does my 2014 recap. I am looking forward to all that 2015 has to bring. I have my goals, but I know that even if I crash and burn I have some awesome people by my side and a faith to keep me going. Wishing you all the best and I hope your new year has started off right.