Summer has officially come to a close, with the last family barbecue during labor day weekend, closing it off exactly how it started. This summer was honestly not an easy one, between grieving, self-esteem, and really having a lot of time to learn a lot about myself. But before we deep dive into a full summer review (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) lets close it out with a look back on the last weeks of summer in August.

Big Time Rush Concert

No better way to spend the summer with some childhood nostalgia! I’ve been a Rusher since I can really remember when I first gained consciousness. I watched the show religiously and every summer when the sun would begin to set, the house would smell of a fresh bbq dinner and the windows were open to let the chill summer breeze join as at the table. All the while the new season of Big Time Rush would be playing on the television. Yes, I would make my whole family watch every new episode that premiered on Saturday. And y’know what? My parents loved it, they love Big Time Rush and they would get just as excited as I. I’ve been seeing BTR in concert since then, every year I would either go with my best friend or cousin who were also obsessed with them. So going back all together really just reminds me on how grateful I am to have them in my life and having shared those experiences with them so I can look back on nights like these with a lot of hope in my heart.

Preseason Eagles Game

With the end of summer and the cool fall breeze coming back, so is football season! The NFL started their preseason games in early August with the official season having started on September 4th. So I got the chance to see our third string quarter back, Tanner McKee, play against the Bengals. Which also confirmed that anyone can successfully complete the tush push, every other team is just a bunch of whiny babies. But of course with the successful tush push would have a final score of 34-27. The stadium was pretty open and business as usual, we made a quick stop to the Chickie & Pete’s located on the floor below us to try their buffalo chicken tenders, which I’ll never go back to original every again.

Doggy Yoga

For all of the activities to rile you up and make cinematic memories, it’s important to take time to slow down and breath in some gratitude. Morris Animal Refuge had a Doggy Yoga event at The Logan located in their well-kept courtyard. With the sun shinning bright and a cool breeze to chill your skin, Sadie, her brother Benzo, and Phoebe make sure to make the rounds and help participants hold their form.

It was honestly such a perfect day and a really great way to introduce the dogs to potential adopters. Its quiet, slow moving and keeps the dogs from getting too startled.

Movies I’ve Watched

So I didn’t see any new movies this month, I did however have a Studio Ghibli week long binge with my cousin! I had headed down to Florida to help take care of some family affairs and add the end of a long exhausting day a feel good fun movie was just the perfect remedy. And who has a better selection than Studio Ghibli? We watched: Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Arriety. Spirited Away is one of my favorite so I already knew it was going to be a hit. But I haven’t watched Kiki’s Delivery Service in an age, let alone as a fully grown adult. Of course, as usual, an absolute iconic movie and just such a fun idea. Arriety was the only one I was unfamiliar with but was absolutely obsessed with the premise. Your main character, Arriety, is part of a species known as Borrowers who are probably the size of a human finger and go by the motto, “take only what you need.” It’s a super fun story and really kept me on the edge of my seat!

Shows I’ve Watched

I’ve continued my deep dive into the Nautilus series which just wrapped up their first season, I’m currently an episode behind but holy cow. I absolutely adored this show and hope we see more from it! It did such a beautiful job of showing the vast beauty of the underwater world and the corrupt destructiveness of capitalist men. That when humans put their mind to it and remain curious, so many new things can be learned about the planet we share. I know I know, “it’s all fiction!” But the lesson is there, especially with the rise of AI nobody is remaining curious and deep diving for their answers. It has all become too easy and comfortable for humans. But errors and mistakes are important lessons and taking the time to research what your looking for is so stimulating for the brain. Remain curious!

In complete contrast, both in genre and location, I head up to space for this next show! Alien Earth. I’ve been obsessed with the Alien franchise since I watched the first movie in full a couple years ago. The movie is the epitome of sci-fi horror with its world building, its timeless lessons, and creative antagonist. You bet that when Alien Romulus was announced and playing in theaters I was first in line! I actually got some dope movie memorabilia for being there on the fan night, which I guess is what we are calling the Thursday nights before opening day. The show definitely has the typical first episode build up with not too much action and more story driven plot. But this is also the type of stuff I’m into, where you learn about Earth in 2120 and four companies run the whole planet, but there is a mysterious fifth on the rise who looks to play as God.

Books I’ve Read

This month for reading I’ve been keeping with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea which became a bit of a heavier read then expected. The world building is beyond clean cut and perfect but the language is a bit of a struggle to get through. Now the book was published in 1870, so that was to be expected. But it doesn’t take away from the story itself. As of right now I only made it as far as the major trading companies and the rest of the world theorizing about what this rumor of a “large entity” destroying ships out in the open ocean is.

I’ve also picked up another romance book that was recommended to me by a fellow volunteer, Twisted Games by Ana Huang. This was one of those books that I got through within the day. Or rather could have if I had not told myself to slow down. Quick synopsis and I’m sure the book girls will get it, it’s about a princess who gets a new bodyguard and they do not start off on the right foot. Ahh enemies to lovers. One day I’ll do a deep dive on why that is something that always gets me hooked, even in my fanfiction days. So if you’re looking to snuggle up with a romantic and spicy book for cuddling season, this is one that I would recommend!

Thank you for reading! Have a wonderful day!