The screen widens, mirroring my eyes. My hands leave the pick-a-mix on my lap and instinctively come together, anticipation causing a slight, eager smile to appear on my lips. Steve Rogers is about to run straight back into my life.
*Contains spoilers.*
It was time for Captain America: The Winter Soldier... And it was seriously awesome.
Firstly, let's talk about Natasha Romanoff. She kicks evil butt. She is my hero and everything she does in The Winter Soldier is smooth and cool and all "I'm-so-awesome". This was not dissimilar from Nick Fury's role in the film: While he is all mysterious and unable to trust, his awesome presence and the admiration of him in the Marvel world is obvious (through the admiration in my and the characters' eyes) and it made me grin childishly. The introduction of The Falcon into the Marvel films is incredibly exciting. He is now one of my favourite Marvel superheroes; he's incredibly loyal and very, very cool.
Steve Rogers? The w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l Captain America? His character is developed further in this film; from his sensitive side to his passion for what's right to his desire to help people, Steve Rogers captures my heart once again. He brings the right amount of humour to the film and a handful of tragedy too, which leads me to sympathise with him further. Yet, he still is awesome and deserving of the greatest soldier title.
There are other characters that are in this film that bring a gorgeous amount of sugar, whether it be evil or good; it was bursting with awesome characters. The film is full of superhero action and gloriously acted emotion. The second Captain America is an awesome addition to the Marvel family of marvelous films. A lot more is learnt about Steve Rogers and how he's adjusting to modern times.
SO GOOD.
Wings & Shields,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Saturday, 29 March 2014
A Brighter Day
The sun is shining and the sky is blue in England as England and Wales are brighter places: We finally welcome same sex-marriage as legal.
You may or may not know that I've written a bunch of posts about my support for equal rights and so this day is a happy day! March 29th 2014 is an awesome day. Each and every gay or straight person, by my country, is officially recognised as equal.
I fluctuate about whether I believe in love or not, but browsing through the pictures of two men and two women that have married in the early hours of this morning, I can't deny the love written in their eyes. They're so deserving of this completely just law. Whether two men or two females are in love or not: Everyone is equal now and that makes me want to hi-5 everyone who made this happen.
The problem of bigoted attitudes still existing must rain slightly on this post. I'm going to get slightly pretentious on you: Those wispy clouds in the picture? They represent those who oppose same-sex couples being equal and the countries without this awesome piece of legislation. This world is a gloomier place without equal rights.
I'm embarrassed it's taken this long for something so beautiful to become legal and that this historic moment is marked in my life shames me slightly. It should have happened a long time ago, but all the same: I'm proud to be British.
Congratulations to all of the same-sex couples who are now married, to those who will be married and to all gay people. I couldn't be happier!
Sunshine & Blue Skies,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Friday, 28 March 2014
A Bit of Book Chatter | March
I've bought two books this month. I am incredibly proud. My pile of books is growing so quickly and whilst it does so, for months I've been buying three or more a month (which I know could be considered tame!). I have so little time to read (although I will always make a point to do so every day) that I'm drowning in books!
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
I became drawn to looking at this every time I was at a train station with a book section or any time I passed a bookstore. It just looks like a book full of charm and sweetness. It's the next book I will read (I am in need of a charming read); it's ready, sat at the top of my "to be read" pile, looking all shiny and new. The protagonist is called Don Tillman and is in search of a wife. His life, with the help of "the world's most incompatible woman", is about to become chaotic!
The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes
Being a huge fan of the awesome Jojo Moyes, I had to pick up The Last Letter from your Lover as it looks incredibly captivating. It is about Jennifer Stirling and Ellie Haworth. Both are living lives that seem to be perfect, but some things are just not right. In time, their stories interlink. I'm going to cry buckets. I just know it.
What have you read recently that you've loved? What have you bought? Let me know!
Ferris Wheels & Cottages,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
I became drawn to looking at this every time I was at a train station with a book section or any time I passed a bookstore. It just looks like a book full of charm and sweetness. It's the next book I will read (I am in need of a charming read); it's ready, sat at the top of my "to be read" pile, looking all shiny and new. The protagonist is called Don Tillman and is in search of a wife. His life, with the help of "the world's most incompatible woman", is about to become chaotic!
The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes
Being a huge fan of the awesome Jojo Moyes, I had to pick up The Last Letter from your Lover as it looks incredibly captivating. It is about Jennifer Stirling and Ellie Haworth. Both are living lives that seem to be perfect, but some things are just not right. In time, their stories interlink. I'm going to cry buckets. I just know it.
What have you read recently that you've loved? What have you bought? Let me know!
Ferris Wheels & Cottages,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
My 5 Favourite Nicholas Sparks Moments
So I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I, in turn, love incorporating he and his writing into my blog and today is another day for Sparks to sprinkle his magic. So, now, with my Nicholas Sparks books soaking my emotions, spread around me like beautiful statues, I will write a post on my top five favourite moments in his novels. This will undoubtedly cause me a lot of stress as I will go from one decision to another because his books are like my babies, but for the sake of a good list, I will troop on through. Side note: These moments, if you haven't read the novels, may seem pointless to you without other knowledge and is likely to ruin the novel for you.
*Contains deadly traces of spoiler.*
1) My absolute favourite Nicholas Sparks moment belongs to the letter from Carly Jo to Katie in Safe Haven. Carly Jo addresses the letter "To the woman my husband loves" and it's because of how much I love Carly Jo and Alex's relationship - despite never experiencing it narratively - that I, as the reader, need her blessing, because I also adore Alex and Katie's relationship and it's this line that rips my heart in two a little. This is so as it shows Carly Jo's selflessness and right to have my respect. Yet I also need her to be okay with Katie and Alex being together. So that's why, when she tells Katie to "love [Alex] forever", that Alex and his kids are "[Katie's] family now" and that Katie is her "friend" and has her "everlasting gratitude", I can't hold the tears back. This is my favourite Nicholas Sparks moment because even though not everything is perfect in the lives of the characters, in that moment, nothing could be more perfect.
- Safe Haven
2) I have re-read this next favourite moment so many times. It's the performance of the play Landon and Jamie are in and Landon turns to see Jamie looking "exactly like an angel". I have tears in my eyes as I write this as the sincerity of Landon's thoughts, the depicting of the feeling he's experiencing and the witness of him opening his eyes to Jamie is simply beautiful. A little of the emotion I feel is down to the words Landon utters: "You're beautiful." The rest of it is in this: "I'd nailed that line for the very first time."
- A Walk to Remember
3) Gabby's return to consciousness after a car crush was questionable. After a long, long time of sadness for Travis, Gabby's wife, and the reader, the wonderfully ominous feeling Travis was witnessing as he approached the phone, with a doctor on the other side, sends shivers through my spine. While we wait to find out Gabby's fate, I can still feel my heart hoping for the ending the two of them deserve. It's in these words that I feel complete: "She's awake."
- The Choice
4) I can't explain the serenity I feel when I re-read the end of this novel. As Jeremy still vows his life to logic and science and explanation, dismissing "miracles", Lexie slowly breaks the news that, much to Jeremy's logical mind's disbelief, she is pregnant. Jeremy couldn't have children and yet, with the woman he loved beside him and his belief in biology wavering, there the two of them are; the future of their family as real as ever.
- True Believer
5) Forgiveness is the reason why The Best of Me finds itself on this list. Throughout the novel Dawson is tortured by an accident where Dr. Bonner is killed, accidentally by him. He blames himself and so does Dr. Bonner's wife, Marilyn. When Marilyn tells Dawson, "you don't need my forgiveness anymore" and that he should "let this go", I feel a wave of relief. I hated the guilt he feels throughout the novel and I am for ever grateful for Marilyn Bonner's forgiveness and recognition that Dawson is a good person.
- The Best of Me
It should be noted that the end of The Last Song would be in the top five but I've already written about that HERE. I simply love this moment.
Writing about novels written by Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite things! It was awesome flicking through his novels and remembering parts and re-living my favourite moments. Have you read any Nicholas Sparks novels? Do you have a favourite moment from any other novels? Let me know in the comments!
Paintings & Turtles,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I love Nicholas Sparks.
*Contains deadly traces of spoiler.*
1) My absolute favourite Nicholas Sparks moment belongs to the letter from Carly Jo to Katie in Safe Haven. Carly Jo addresses the letter "To the woman my husband loves" and it's because of how much I love Carly Jo and Alex's relationship - despite never experiencing it narratively - that I, as the reader, need her blessing, because I also adore Alex and Katie's relationship and it's this line that rips my heart in two a little. This is so as it shows Carly Jo's selflessness and right to have my respect. Yet I also need her to be okay with Katie and Alex being together. So that's why, when she tells Katie to "love [Alex] forever", that Alex and his kids are "[Katie's] family now" and that Katie is her "friend" and has her "everlasting gratitude", I can't hold the tears back. This is my favourite Nicholas Sparks moment because even though not everything is perfect in the lives of the characters, in that moment, nothing could be more perfect.
- Safe Haven
2) I have re-read this next favourite moment so many times. It's the performance of the play Landon and Jamie are in and Landon turns to see Jamie looking "exactly like an angel". I have tears in my eyes as I write this as the sincerity of Landon's thoughts, the depicting of the feeling he's experiencing and the witness of him opening his eyes to Jamie is simply beautiful. A little of the emotion I feel is down to the words Landon utters: "You're beautiful." The rest of it is in this: "I'd nailed that line for the very first time."
- A Walk to Remember
3) Gabby's return to consciousness after a car crush was questionable. After a long, long time of sadness for Travis, Gabby's wife, and the reader, the wonderfully ominous feeling Travis was witnessing as he approached the phone, with a doctor on the other side, sends shivers through my spine. While we wait to find out Gabby's fate, I can still feel my heart hoping for the ending the two of them deserve. It's in these words that I feel complete: "She's awake."
- The Choice
4) I can't explain the serenity I feel when I re-read the end of this novel. As Jeremy still vows his life to logic and science and explanation, dismissing "miracles", Lexie slowly breaks the news that, much to Jeremy's logical mind's disbelief, she is pregnant. Jeremy couldn't have children and yet, with the woman he loved beside him and his belief in biology wavering, there the two of them are; the future of their family as real as ever.
- True Believer
5) Forgiveness is the reason why The Best of Me finds itself on this list. Throughout the novel Dawson is tortured by an accident where Dr. Bonner is killed, accidentally by him. He blames himself and so does Dr. Bonner's wife, Marilyn. When Marilyn tells Dawson, "you don't need my forgiveness anymore" and that he should "let this go", I feel a wave of relief. I hated the guilt he feels throughout the novel and I am for ever grateful for Marilyn Bonner's forgiveness and recognition that Dawson is a good person.
- The Best of Me
It should be noted that the end of The Last Song would be in the top five but I've already written about that HERE. I simply love this moment.
Writing about novels written by Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite things! It was awesome flicking through his novels and remembering parts and re-living my favourite moments. Have you read any Nicholas Sparks novels? Do you have a favourite moment from any other novels? Let me know in the comments!
Paintings & Turtles,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I love Nicholas Sparks.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Your Set of Things
I read a post of Louise's ages ago where she spoke about her "set of things" and I loved the concept so much that I had to write about it. It's the concept of having a set of good things, in the way of physical appearance and focussing on them rather than comparing yourself to what other's have.
I thought I'd start this post positively - by ignoring the want to bypass this idea completely and remind myself of bad features instead - and write my set of positive things:
♥ Eyebrows
♥ Cheeks
♥ Ears
♥ Legs
So, I like my eyebrows. Weird, but true. They're naturally a manageable shape and with a little bit of nurture, I like them! In turn, my cheeks are quite stroke-worthy soft and my ears are happy things on the side of my head. I like my legs. I don't have the typically gorgeous legs that are oh so gorgeous but I like my legs; they have muscle and I like that!
It's so easy to ignore what you like about yourself but you really shouldn't because others see your special features!
Once someone pointed out something I really disliked about myself and they put the most positive and genuine spin on it and now I'm much more content with this feature. I didn't like how often I'm a bit (or a lot!) rosey-cheeked but someone told me they like that; they said it shows off my happy personality and no one has ever made me feel so good about something I really hate about myself. They told me I'm rosy because I'm smiley and this made me really chuffed (and more rosy, no doubt!). I have read a lot about red, rosy cheeks because it can bother me a lot, and, while this compliment is enough to make me content with my rosy cheeks, I remember reading online that people are likely to find rosy cheeks endearing when you blush and so this makes me okay with them!
If you can't find your set of things, do not worry (but you have every reason to see your set of things) because if you stood in front of me and many, many people, we could find them for you. Your lovely freckles. Your eyelashes. Your sweet eyes. The way of your figure. Your perfectly shaped fingers. The colour of your lips...
One hugely important thing I have learnt is to not compare myself to others... ever.
Please find a way to realise that you are so deserving of enjoying and respecting you're body and set of things.
I would love for you to leave a list (or as many things you feel comfortable with) of things you like about yourself below. It took a lot for me to not write "sometimes soft cheeks" and "slightly toned legs" but I didn't because that's not the point, so please don't belittle yourself!
Blue Skies & Fluffy Clouds,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. A while ago I wrote a post about body confidence and you can read it HERE.
I thought I'd start this post positively - by ignoring the want to bypass this idea completely and remind myself of bad features instead - and write my set of positive things:
♥ Eyebrows
♥ Cheeks
♥ Ears
♥ Legs
So, I like my eyebrows. Weird, but true. They're naturally a manageable shape and with a little bit of nurture, I like them! In turn, my cheeks are quite stroke-worthy soft and my ears are happy things on the side of my head. I like my legs. I don't have the typically gorgeous legs that are oh so gorgeous but I like my legs; they have muscle and I like that!
It's so easy to ignore what you like about yourself but you really shouldn't because others see your special features!
Once someone pointed out something I really disliked about myself and they put the most positive and genuine spin on it and now I'm much more content with this feature. I didn't like how often I'm a bit (or a lot!) rosey-cheeked but someone told me they like that; they said it shows off my happy personality and no one has ever made me feel so good about something I really hate about myself. They told me I'm rosy because I'm smiley and this made me really chuffed (and more rosy, no doubt!). I have read a lot about red, rosy cheeks because it can bother me a lot, and, while this compliment is enough to make me content with my rosy cheeks, I remember reading online that people are likely to find rosy cheeks endearing when you blush and so this makes me okay with them!
If you can't find your set of things, do not worry (but you have every reason to see your set of things) because if you stood in front of me and many, many people, we could find them for you. Your lovely freckles. Your eyelashes. Your sweet eyes. The way of your figure. Your perfectly shaped fingers. The colour of your lips...
One hugely important thing I have learnt is to not compare myself to others... ever.
Please find a way to realise that you are so deserving of enjoying and respecting you're body and set of things.
I would love for you to leave a list (or as many things you feel comfortable with) of things you like about yourself below. It took a lot for me to not write "sometimes soft cheeks" and "slightly toned legs" but I didn't because that's not the point, so please don't belittle yourself!
Blue Skies & Fluffy Clouds,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. A while ago I wrote a post about body confidence and you can read it HERE.
Monday, 24 March 2014
A Blogging Dream Come True | 50 Members
In terms of members, my aim has always been to reach 50. Now I've reached it, I want to smile all of the time and talk about how wonderful the 50 of you are!
It's really frustrating because I'm sat here, staring at a blank draft with absolutely no idea what to write. It really might sound silly to some that I'm so happy about 50 members (although I hope saying so doesn't belittle how genuinely proud as punch I am), but this day really is awesome: One of my dreams has come true!
I blog anonymously.
This whole blogging experience is one of the best things I have ever done, but it's also incredibly scary. I adore writing. From writing about my thoughts to my favourite things to short stories, writing excites me endlessly. I'm so glad I took the leap to start blogging just over a year ago, sat in my room in the dark, - side note: I'm about to grate some cheese all over this post - ready for life to get even brighter because of my blog. I started my blog just over a year ago with trepidation bouncing through my fingertips but excitement in my eyes. I am unbelievably happy that my blog has developed and stayed quite true to what my blog was when it began.
I love my little space on the internet and any time someone leaves a comment to let me know they've liked a post or tweets me about a post, I feel completely humbled by it. These comments don't have to be written and that's what makes me flush a little. And that's why I'm red with excitement now: These awesome 50 people didn't have to follow me but I'm so happy that they did!
This post is a massive anti-climax for me (which contrasts largely with the extreme happiness I'm feeling... if you haven't got that throughout this post!) because I can't find the words to make this an awesome post, but, all the same: THANK YOU SO MUCH! To all of you 50 awesome people (plus those on Bloglovin'), if you're reading (but also to you reading in no way at all connected to my blog), I'm sending a lot of smiles and rainbows your way because you've really made my little (but big in my heart) blogging dream come true.
Thank you so much.
Brownies & Ice Cream,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P. S. My biggest fear of posting this is someone now unfollowing...
P. P. S. As I had a post ready for today, I will be posting it tomorrow!
It's really frustrating because I'm sat here, staring at a blank draft with absolutely no idea what to write. It really might sound silly to some that I'm so happy about 50 members (although I hope saying so doesn't belittle how genuinely proud as punch I am), but this day really is awesome: One of my dreams has come true!
I blog anonymously.
This whole blogging experience is one of the best things I have ever done, but it's also incredibly scary. I adore writing. From writing about my thoughts to my favourite things to short stories, writing excites me endlessly. I'm so glad I took the leap to start blogging just over a year ago, sat in my room in the dark, - side note: I'm about to grate some cheese all over this post - ready for life to get even brighter because of my blog. I started my blog just over a year ago with trepidation bouncing through my fingertips but excitement in my eyes. I am unbelievably happy that my blog has developed and stayed quite true to what my blog was when it began.
I love my little space on the internet and any time someone leaves a comment to let me know they've liked a post or tweets me about a post, I feel completely humbled by it. These comments don't have to be written and that's what makes me flush a little. And that's why I'm red with excitement now: These awesome 50 people didn't have to follow me but I'm so happy that they did!
This post is a massive anti-climax for me (which contrasts largely with the extreme happiness I'm feeling... if you haven't got that throughout this post!) because I can't find the words to make this an awesome post, but, all the same: THANK YOU SO MUCH! To all of you 50 awesome people (plus those on Bloglovin'), if you're reading (but also to you reading in no way at all connected to my blog), I'm sending a lot of smiles and rainbows your way because you've really made my little (but big in my heart) blogging dream come true.
Thank you so much.
Brownies & Ice Cream,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P. S. My biggest fear of posting this is someone now unfollowing...
P. P. S. As I had a post ready for today, I will be posting it tomorrow!
Friday, 21 March 2014
Something New
THIS beautiful video has inspired me to write something about a feeling I've been enjoying.
I have been feeling something new.
Recently I've been experiencing the more "positive" side of my personality than the pessimistic side I often counterbalance any positivity with. I'm glad I've taken a conscious step to engage with positivity than progress through days feeling a little pessimistic about things.
For everyone, I know it's not a conscious decision that people can make and, if I'm honest, there's a reason that kick-started the permanent smile on my face. Yet, although this reason is what made me see the bright side of life, it is not the only reason that makes me feel happiness in my gut. I hope this isn't coming across as a I'm-so-happy-shove-it-in-your-face kind of post but one with a message to myself for when I'm feeling glum or slightly pessimistic: Tomorrow might just be your day, and if it's not, the day after could be.
I do believe in the idea of there being sunshine beyond the rain but it can be hard to forget.
Even though I am pessimistic, I don't consider myself as being negative. I believe they're different things. I have only just come to this realisation and I'm glad for it. I have sprinkles of happiness in every day that I love and appreciate, whether they're big sprinkles or small and I'm for ever glad for each of these moments. However, naturally, there can be a few storms every now and then and a few more showers, whether they're light or heavy. This something new, though, is making everything that bit sunnier.
I hope you had your umbrella for that fall of weather-y metaphors!
What I'm saying is that I'm feeling happy and I'm feeling positive. Yet, I'm happy most days just lacking the complete positivity to seize the day in whatever way I wish. Right now, with this something new, though, I have every "carpe diem" motive. This feeling has meant that I see every tiny or big wonderful, happy thing as awesome. Everyday, expected and predictable things are a lovely part of my days.
I think I'm ready for this something new.
Have a beautiful day/evening/night!
Rhymes & Love Songs,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
I have been feeling something new.
Recently I've been experiencing the more "positive" side of my personality than the pessimistic side I often counterbalance any positivity with. I'm glad I've taken a conscious step to engage with positivity than progress through days feeling a little pessimistic about things.
For everyone, I know it's not a conscious decision that people can make and, if I'm honest, there's a reason that kick-started the permanent smile on my face. Yet, although this reason is what made me see the bright side of life, it is not the only reason that makes me feel happiness in my gut. I hope this isn't coming across as a I'm-so-happy-shove-it-in-your-face kind of post but one with a message to myself for when I'm feeling glum or slightly pessimistic: Tomorrow might just be your day, and if it's not, the day after could be.
I do believe in the idea of there being sunshine beyond the rain but it can be hard to forget.
Even though I am pessimistic, I don't consider myself as being negative. I believe they're different things. I have only just come to this realisation and I'm glad for it. I have sprinkles of happiness in every day that I love and appreciate, whether they're big sprinkles or small and I'm for ever glad for each of these moments. However, naturally, there can be a few storms every now and then and a few more showers, whether they're light or heavy. This something new, though, is making everything that bit sunnier.
I hope you had your umbrella for that fall of weather-y metaphors!
What I'm saying is that I'm feeling happy and I'm feeling positive. Yet, I'm happy most days just lacking the complete positivity to seize the day in whatever way I wish. Right now, with this something new, though, I have every "carpe diem" motive. This feeling has meant that I see every tiny or big wonderful, happy thing as awesome. Everyday, expected and predictable things are a lovely part of my days.
I think I'm ready for this something new.
Have a beautiful day/evening/night!
Rhymes & Love Songs,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
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