Reading: For this year I decided that I would like to read a minimum of 1 book every month. Last year I kept starting books and then never finishing them but this year has been going well for me. I’ve already read one book (via audible) and am on track to finish possibly 2-3 more depending on how often I read. I’ve been using audible as well as hard copies of books – depending on the book. The one that I am finishing up on is Do Over by Jon Acuff. If you are looking to advance or change your career trajectory I would highly recommend picking this book up! NOW!
Watching: I haven’t really been in the mood to watch much tv lately but I had some family members that introduced me to a Netflix original series called Sweet Tooth and I’ve really been enjoying watching it. It is a bit wild because the world is going through a pandemic in the show but the enjoyable part is that there are babies being born half animal and half human. So something a little different. If you like a little adventure and a little bit of chaos you should enjoy this show as well.
Listening: The latest projects I’ve been listening to is The Weeknd and Adele. Something upbeat and something a bit somber. A good mix of both. I’m actually using my SoundCloud account for once – stepped away from my go-to Pandora account (I know, I know, what century am I living in?).
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Do you enjoy singing? Even if you don’t necessarily like your singing voice? Well welcome to the club! Some of us were not born with a naturally beautiful singing voice but that doesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to sing or enjoy singing.
I may not have the best singing voice but I absolutely love to sing and these are my top 10 favorite karaoke songs in no particular order:
Set fire to the rain – Adele
Paint me a Birmingham – Tracy Lawrence
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Disclosure – Latch feat Sam Smith
Into the Ocean – Blue October
Holy Water – Big & Rich
How to save a life – The Fray
Mr. Brightside – Killers
Take Me to Church – Hozier
Remedy – Adele
What are your favorite karaoke songs? Let us know in the comments.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.
Hey ya’ll. Time to share with you what I have been reading, watching and listening to.
Reading: I recently started reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu. This isn’t something I would normally read, however, I always hear such great things about it that I thought, why not read it.
There are also some other books that I am reading and will share in future posts.
Watching: Since I’ve watched nearly every episode of my favorite shows I decided to start watching a new show. We chose to start Schitt’s Creek and it has been a laugh fest ever since. Schitt’s Creek is about a wealthy family that loses it all and ends up in a beat up town that the father figure purchased as a joke for his son.
It stars Chris Elliot as the creepy mayor that lends to a lot of cringe-worthy moments. The parentals are played by Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara and I think they make a great on screen couple.
Listening: Aside from listening to old school R&B I have also been listening to newer music as well. Though I’m not up-to-date on every new artist I have been enjoying ones that I have discovered along the way.
New music is always great – especially when I discover a new artist that makes a great project, however,when an artist that I used to listen to comes out with a new project I can’t help but take a listen. When I found out that Brandy had a new album out I couldn’t help but dive right in. Her new album is called B7 and it does not disappoint.
If you’re on Insta you may have watched the recent Verzuz with her and Monica – that really took me back to when I was a teenager thinking I knew what love was all about. I sat there reminiscing.
Her beautifully raspy voice and harmonies took me back to all her other projects. She had me swaying back and forth as well as bopping to the groove. I still can’t believe this is her seventh album. I missed going through all of her more recent projects and only listened to a few songs here and there but I chose to listen to this album in its entirety – and I am so glad I did. This album seems a but more personal for her and like that she is being vulnerable. My favorites are Say Something, Rather Be and Borderline.
What have you been watching, reading and listening to? Let us know in the comments.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.
So you have half a day available to binge watch on Netflix shows? Excellent.
In my original post on What to Binge Watch on Netflix I shared mainly Sci-Fi, Murder Mysteries and Comic Book series so I thought I would share some other genres in case that isn’t your thing.
What to Binge Watch on Netflix: Part 2
WARNING: Sharing this list with others is highly recommended so that you can binge watch with them and not feel guilty.
Grace & Frankie: Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are hilarious in this comedy about 2 women who have to put down their differences and attempt to cope together when they discover their husbands are not only partners at work – but life partners as well. I think the ladies chemistry is so great, the humor (mixed in with some sadness due to the unfortunate reason they are forced to bond) is fantastic. Adding Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen to the cast was a genius move.
Black Mirror: For the sci-fi lover.
Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Season 3 is coming so you still have time to catch up.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.
It really is amazing how long American Idol has been on television. I am almost in disbelief that this season will be its last. I keep thinking that at the finale they are going to announce that they are actually going to go just… one… more… season. But I have a feeling they really are going to close the curtains and say goodbye. Knowing that this is the end got me thinking to what my favorite American Idol performances were.
For the first 5+ years I would tune in to see my “favorites” every week and vote for them in hopes that they would make it to the next round. I even had a couple of people that I knew through friends and family that went to auditions here in Hawaii (you can see one of the video’s below.) So here are my favorite American Idol Performances (in no particular order.)
Fantasia Barrino – I Believe
This was one of my all time favorite American Idol performances because it was so full of emotion. I felt like I was in church listening to someone’s testimony. It was so touching and powerful. Even through those tears she proved why she deserved that winning spot. *drops mic*
Sing it Tasia:
Kris Allen – Heartless
I loved Kris and after he did this performance, it really sealed the deal for me. He went from trailing behind and being boosted straight into the winner’s circle. His rendition of this Kanye hit was unexpected but done so well.
Check Kris out:
Adam Lambert – Tracks of My Tears
Why Adam didn’t win… ok… not gonna go there. But this version… really people. Adam is a PERFORMER and I was so happy that he did not go overboard with this. [Side note:I don’t see it as overboard, but ya know… American Idol]. There was just enough tenderness in it and I know others enjoyed seeing this side of him. It was a beautiful performance.
Please… let Adam entertain you:
William Hung – She Bangs
So… I remember the exact moment that I was watching this episode. I was sitting in the nail shop getting a pedicure after work. The nail shop wasn’t too busy but there were enough customers and nail technicians there that it felt like we were having a viewing party. When William Hung was being interviewed all I could think to myself was… this… should… be… interesting. I just knew regardless of how great (or horrible) his voice was about to be – Simon was going to grill him. Boy was I right. When William started singing and “banging” around everyone in the nail shop literally stopped what they were doing and stared – I am guessing saying to themselves “is he for real?” – and at the end nearly all of us starting laughing so hard. And along came Simon with his sassy response. I was laughing because it was funny but also because that man was passionate about what he was doing – I thought it was adorable. When Simon chimed in I felt bad, but I still giggled a little. His audition is probably one of my favorite American Idol moments.
Watch William Hung perform Rick Martin’s ‘She Bangs’:
Candice Glover – Lovesong
I really love(this)song [see what I did there?] Unfortunately, so many people have attempted to sing it and failed… miserably. Until Candice gave it life again. Her smooth and jazzy rendition really put me in the feels and I simply do not understand how she is not FAMOUS after that performance. I mean… come on… Mariah Carey went on stage and tossed glitter at her!! Randy Jackson said it was “one of the greatest performance’s in the HISTORY” of American Idol. Come on people. I think I voted for her the most out of any American Idol contestant.
Check Ms. Candice out:
Jessica Sanchez – And I Am Telling You
This young woman had such a big voice coming out of that petite body. Keep in mind she was just 16 years old. She was singing like a grown ass woman. *ahem* It is like she swallowed a soul singer and they are trying to escape her.
Jessica tells you that you’re gonna love her:
Jessica Sanchez – Dance With My Father
If you don’t get the feels hearing her sing this… something is wrong with you. Seriously. I could just write a whole post about Jessica Sanchez on American Idol… maybe I will… ok… no I won’t. But really… she just has a natural talent.
Hearing her sing is really inspirational and you hear her speak – she has some wisdom in her even as a teenager. After I finish this post I need to look up what she has been up to lately. She deserves the best.
Grab some tissues and get in your feelings:
Anoop Desai – Thank You
This was totally unexpected and I laugh every time I hear Simon talking about Anoop’s clothes and totally dismissing his vocal ability. Simon had to find something to say so he didn’t have to immediately admit that he liked what he heard. I liked some of Anoops other performances and really love some of the music he put out but his audition was really great in my opinion. Also… I cannot confirm/deny that I may have had a little crush on him.
Anoop Dawg:
Isaac
Let me say this… I know Isaac… he is a family friend. As far as the person in that audition… I only sorta know him. Ha! I have heard Isaac sing in person – and he is way better than what he sounds like in the audition. Even in the audition he wasn’t as horrible as some people are but that is besides the point. I just found it hilarious that he went out and tried to bring back some “fans” – that actually seems like something he would do – American Idol or not. I loved that he stood up for himself to the very end and didn’t care what anyone else thought.
Isaac’s confidence is what makes his audition one of my favorite American Idol performances:
Bonus: Local Girl, Paula Fuga
I put Paula in here because she is from Hawaii… and… because she has a lovely, soulful voice. Even though she didn’t make it past this audition on American Idol, she did end up with people that appreciated her vocal ability.
Here is Paula’s audition:
Here is Paula Fuga performing ‘Country Road’ with Jack Johnson:
Lastly, Paula Fuga at TEDxMaui speaking about being homeless in Hawaii as a child and reaching her dreams:
After reading about my favorite American Idol performances, what are YOUR favorite American Idol performances?
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.
This was a busy week for me. It seemed like it really just flew by. I didn’t have the time I would have liked to have for certain things but it is because I wasn’t organized and chose to do other things instead. I had plans for this weekend but I really just need the weekend to recover from the whirlwind that is my life.
The most exciting thing that happened for me was going to see The Avengers: Age of Ultron. I really enjoyed it, however, some of the time I wish there was more action involved. I did like that they went more into some of the characters backgrounds – that was a nice touch. I was a little bummed at the lack of Thor in the movie though. lol
I can’t believe that Mother’s Day is already here. I hope all the Mother’s out there have a beautiful weekend. I send my love and respect to all of you. Being a Mother is one of the toughest jobs in the world. I am not a Mother (yet) but I am up for challenge whenever that day comes for me. I asked my Mom what she wanted to do for Mother’s Day and she said “sleep” – lol – she has been working super hard lately so sleep is what we shall give her. Everyone have a great weekend!
Aloha,
Rose
What are your plans for this weekend?
Did you watch Avengers (or any other movies recently)? If so – how did you like it?
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you decide to purchase something featured here. This commission will be invested back into hertaintedlips.com as well as help me buy a cheap bottle of wine or some Starbucks. For more information please read our disclosure page.
