TV Review: The Bold Type

I recently discovered the Freeform show The Bold Type.  I had seen the trailers for the show a few weeks before I decided to finally watch it.  My initial impression was that the show would some how be similar to Ugly Betty.  To be honest, I thought it would be Ugly Betty meets Sex and the City.  Despite my thoughts about the trailers, I thought I would give the show a chance, and soon learned the truth - it is not even close.  Note: spoilers, although minor, ahead:

The Bold Type is about three friends who work at a women's magazine firm called Scarlet.  The three girls are Jane Sloan, Kat Edison, and Sutton Brady.  In the pilot episode, Jane went from being an assistant to being a writer.  Kat is in charge of the social media department.  Sutton is an assistant who wants to work in the fashion department.  The show also explores both their work lives and their personal ones.

A few minutes into the pilot episode, I was hooked.  I was curious as to how Jane would handle the new pressure and environment her promotion brings.  While Kat defends an article Scarlet was gutting because the photographer decided to back out of at last minute.  Unlike Jane and Kat, I was not impressed by Sutton.  At least, not until the end.  Sutton has great work ethics, but I disliked the "forbidden" work romance between her and one of Scarlet's lawyers.  However, after seeing her stand up for herself and tell the truth, which she realized not long before, that she wants more.

I still have a few episodes to watch before I am caught up.  I highly recommend The Bold Type.  It airs Tuesdays nights on Freeform.

Here's a link to the official trailer: https://youtu.be/q9Evo8pJTV0

College Advice - Part One - New Schedule/Disability Resources & Services

Me at a Women Rising event

Adjusting and Creating a New Schedule

Starting as a college freshman is stressful.  You have to adjust to an unfamiliar campus, class sizes vary, creating your own class schedule (which may or may not have an online class or two), and deal with twice the workload.  Doesn't sound difficult?  Of course not.  Now add on a job, family, and friends to the list.  Still think it's easy?  Newsflash, it's not.

Now what if you have a disability that limits you?  Attending college with a disability isn't easy, but it can be done.  I personally didn't, and still don't, have to deal with a job.  My social life wasn't, and still isn't, a problem either.  However, I did have to adjust to an odd schedule.

Freshman year I took a full-load.  That's 12+ credit hours.  Three of my classes were on campus scattered throughout the week.  The fourth class was online.  It wasn't hard to adjust to the schedule I had created because I knew how to manage my time.  I knew where to be and when I had to be there.  It made getting my assignments done a lot easier.  When I made my schedule, I kept in mind the distance between the classes.  I needed, well wanted, a flexible schedule.  I had to make sure I could get to class on time (parking and distance).  In addition, I had to make sure I had enough time throughout the day/week to get my work done.

I do have some bad news though -- I had to drop a class.  It nearly killed me to do so.  I couldn't adjust to the professor's teaching style.  Dropping the class had me reevaluate my learning style.  It also motivated me to work harder.

Disability Services At College and It's Benefits

Being a freshman, I didn't know about all of the resources I had available to help me.  I didn't quite know about Disability Services.  It's fair to say I didn't use the services that I had available when I first learned about them either.  I didn't take advantage of a note-taker until Fall 2014.  I was required to use their services twice for two different sciences classes.  It wasn't fun.  I'm not used to telling someone what to do.  I don't recall when I exactly took advantage of extended testing time, but I've used it ever since (only for classes I felt needed it - science classes).

I've since backed off of the services offered to me because I'm no longer a full-time student taking classes on campus.  If I need the services, I know where to go.

If you're going to be a college student next Fall, and you have a disability, find out where your school's Disability Resources & Services (or whatever the school calls it, I've heard two different names) are located and give them a visit.  Visiting them won't hurt.  They will answer all of your questions and tell you what you need to do to receive their services.  It was the best thing I ever did.

As you probably noticed in the title that this is part one of my college advice.  If there is anything specific preferably related to community college that you want me to discuss, please leave me a comment in the comment section below.

Heffron Drive Drops New Single 'Living Room'

Heffron Drive is kicking off the new year with a bang.  They are going on an international tour soon - which is fantastic!  On top of that, they just dropped a new single and its video today.  Their new single is titled 'Living Room'.  Check out the video below:



For those who don't know, Heffron Drive is a band that was created in 2008.  Heffron Drive was formed by Kendall Schmidt and his friend Dustin Belt.

'Living Room' is the first track off their upcoming EP.

If you want more information on Heffron Drive, to listen to more songs like 'Living Room', or to check out their international tour dates, click here.

A Bad Case Of Writer's Block

Hey y'all!  I've hit a road block.  I've got a serious case of writer's block.  It sucks.  I have the will to write, but I don't know what to write about.  I feel lost.  I've tried everything in How to Combat Writer's Block.

I've tried walking away from writing, watching a show (I'm officially caught up on the current season of The Vampire Diaries), going outside, and exercising.  None of these have successfully managed to pull me out of my writer's block.  Just writing doesn't help.  I've spent most of the holiday staring at a blank page.  I hate it!  The gif below is how I feel and look when I try to write right now:


via GIPHY

As I said before, I'm stuck.  It's time that I admit that I need help.  Do you know a way to fight writer's block?  Any particular topics you want to read?  I'm always open to suggestions.  I want to hear from you.  Let me know in the comment section below!

Ed Sheeran Resurfaces With New Music - 'Castle on The Hill' 'Shape Of You'

Alas, Ed Sheeran has finally released new music!  It's been over a year since Ed Sheeran gave his fans new music.  Ed Sheeran had gone incognito for roughly a year and resurfaced temporarily in November 2016 - only to have his cheek cut by a Princess (accidentally).  Yesterday he released not one single, but two!  Check them out below:

1. 'Castle On The Hill'

Personally, 'Castle On The Hill' is my favorite of the two.

Here's a live performance of 'Castle On The Hill'

2. 'Shape Of You'

End-Of-The-Year Recap/Goals for 2017

Hey y'all, this is my last post of 2016.  I can't believe 2016 is coming to an end.  It's been a bizarre year for us all.  Instead of dwelling on this year's bizarre and sadly disappointing events, let's do a year ends recap of 2016.

Shocking events of 2016:

1. The electoral college made Donald Trump our new president
2. Bragelina have called it quits - things didn't end well
3. Both David Bowie and Prince passed away this year
4. Actress/Author Carrie Fisher passed away
5. For Harry Potter fans, particularly my older sister, Alan Rickman passed away
6. Aleppo crisis

These are a few things I could pull off the top of my head.  I know there are plenty of others things I could add.

I'd like to take the time to create a list/reflect on of things I've accomplished/done this year.  

• Went to the AMC Convention in Tulsa back in July - This was a goal I had in this post
• Went to Newark, Arkansas and saw where my Grandmother grew up when she lived there
• Explored Blanchard Springs Cavern in Arkansas
• Saw Offspring live with my brother Chris, sister Brittany, and cousin Celeste
• Saw Demi Lovato (Grammy nominee), Nick Jonas, and Mike Posner (Grammy nominee) live at the co-headlined (Nick & Demi) Future Now Tour with Brittany and Celeste - This was a goal I wanted had in this post

I want to thank all my friends and family.  Thanks for y'all's support.  I'm glad to have shared these moments (offline) with y'all.  Toast to a new year full of new and exciting experiences!

I want to share my goals for 2017:

• Go the the AMC Convention in Las Vegas
• Start writing a novel
• Continue working on my BA in English (Creative Writing) - no I don't plan on teaching
• Post on my blog on a regular basis

I hope my goals for 2017 will continue to grow and be accomplished. 

I enjoy music and would love to share my favorite songs from 2016 (stream them on your favorite music player, if you want):

1. Body Say - Demi Lovato
2. Sleepover - Jamie Lynn Spears
3. Hate to Tell You - Katelyn Tarver
4. Million Reasons - Lady Gaga
5. Atlantis - Bridgit Mendler
6. Fight Song - Rachel Platten
7. One Call Away - Charlie Puth
8. Broken Glass - Sia
9. Without a Fight - Braid Paisley ft. Demi Lovato
10. Close - Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo
11. Used to Love You - Gwen Stefani
12. Queen of Swords - Idina Menzel

What have you accomplished this year?  What are your goals for 2017?  What were some of your favorite songs of 2016?  Please let me know in the comment section below.  I'd love to know.  Have a safe and happy new year!

Silent Night - Demi Lovato

Pop singer Demi Lovato has had a busy year.  She co-headlined a tour with Nick Jonas, released a her single 'Body Say' on tour, and recently became a Grammy nominated artist just to name a few things.  Just in time for the holidays, and despite telling fans she's "taking a break from music," Demi released a studio recorded cover of a Christmas classic -- 'Silent Night'.  Check out her rendition below: