Watched
TV show
American Vandal
The show is a mockumentary done in the style of Serial or many a crime documentary show or podcast. Instead of following a murder, the show tries to solve the mystery of who spray painted thirty-six penises on teachers' cars in the high school parking lot. I had pretty low expectations of this show going into it. I never thought I would get so invested in this case, but I did. Not only does this show poke fun at the genre, but it also is a love letter at the same time. Additionally, it is one of the most accurate portrayal of high schoolers and high school I have seen on TV. Go watch it, so I can talk about it with you!
TV Finale
Insecure
This show continued to be great in its second season. The second season finale boldly split into the three points of view of Issa, Lawrence, and Molly with overlapping events. The audience gets a satisfying conversation with Issa and Lawrence that gives both of them closure. So many finales feel the need to end with a big, soapy cliffhanger. Here we have characters quietly repeating past mistakes, while still making the audience wonder how they are going to end up.
Sitcom Episode
"Dance Dance Resolution," The Good Place
I binged this show this fall. I don't think I truly appreciated this sitcom until I watched this episode. Without giving too much away, this show continuously subverts what is expected. It also has a talented, diverse cast, and is just so smart. This episode in particular has the running physical gag of Janet falling down, which is always funny. It has the added bonus of a bevy restaurant puns like "From Schmear to Eternity" and "Knish From a Rose."
Movie
Coco
This latest Pixar/Disney offering is visually stunning. The plot is a little clunky in some places, but overall this was a great movie. I bawled during the last thirty minutes of this movie, and I do not usually cry at movies. I also liked Get Out a lot.
Music Video
"New Rules" by Dua Lipa
I do not watch a whole lot of music videos. However, watching this video made me like the song more. It isn't over-the-top and doesn't have huge special effects, but the simple choreography keeps your attention. I'm still waiting for a GIF of when they pony by the pool.
Video
Selena Google Doodle
I just found this google doodle incredibly charming. What a great way to celebrate Selena!
Seen/Read
Fiction Book
Noteworthy
I read thirty-five books this year. That is down a couple books from last year. There were many books I started but didn't end up finishing. Frequently I will lose interest or it is due back at the library before I can finish it. There were many books I liked, but didn't love. Noteworthy is one of the books that I liked a lot. It follows a high school student who dresses like a boy to join the school's male a cappella group. This book is funny and appealed to my music nerdiness.
Non-Fiction Book
Hunger
Roxane Gay's memoir is deeply personal. She tells the story of when she was gang raped as a child. As a defense mechanism she gained weight and became super morbidly obese. Her memoir details what it is like to have a marginalized body. There were several times I found myself relating with her observations, and other times when I was unsettled. There aren't enough non-fiction and fictional representation of fat people, so here's hoping this book is a start to seeing more.
GIF
"Sure, Jan"
This GIF isn't new. It was my favorite though.
News E-mail
The Skimm
Living abroad it is sometimes hard to keep up with the news. I started subscribing the Skimm, which is a daily e-mail that summarizes the news. It gives enough information to know the major events that are happening around the world. There are also links to articles that I can go to for more information.
Website
Bustle
Bustle is a website that "is for and by women who are moving as fast as you are." I check it almost daily. It is my go-to for social sciences/pop culture reading.
Listened
Throwback Song
"The Middle"
I listened to "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World on repeat when I first moved to El Salvador. I even wrote a blog post about it. "The Middle" was one of the songs I then started to hear everywhere.
Breakout
Julia Michaels
There was so much good music in 2017. I couldn't pick a favorite song. There were comebacks, and a lot of new releases from favorite artists. Julia Michaels wrote many of your favorite pop songs. This year she also released her own EP, and it is so good.
Lyrics
"Truth Hurts" by Lizzo
I listened to a lot of the Minneapolis-based singer Lizzo in 2017. Her song "Truth Hurts" has some of my favorite lyrics of the year. Here are some of my favorite lyrics:
"That's the sound of me not calling you back."
"I put the sing in single."
"Ain't worried 'bout a ring on my finger/so you can tell your friend, "shoot your shot when you see 'em/It's ok, he already in my DMs."
Album
Rainbow by Kesha
I liked Kesha's previous music, but was blown away by her new album. The album reflects Kesha's personal struggles, including her legal battle with her former producer Dr. Luke. The album showcases her musical chops while also being empowering. Like any good album, I continue to go back and listen to it. My favorite song is also constantly changing.
Podcast
She's All Fat
Everyone has a podcast nowadays. There are so many great ones. The one that I most looked forward to was She's All Fat.Last year I learned more about feminism from the podcast Call Your Girlfriend. This year I learned a lot about body positivity and self-love through She's All Fat. The podcast is two fat women talking about their experiences of being fat. It informs while being chill and entertaining.
Rando
Form of Communication
Voice Messages
Last spring my friend Jess visited me. Her friends would send her voice messages on What's App. I was very confused by this. Why would you send someone a voice message when you could just text? This year I have come around to sending voice messages on iMessage and Messenger, mostly because I like getting them. They can be longer than text messages. It's also closer to having a real conversation with someone when they are far away. There's just something about hearing a person's voice.
Game Changer
Sun Protection Clothing
This summer when I went to Borneo with my mom, she bought us both sun protection clothing. I burn so easily. It was a real game changer not having to worry about getting burned or constantly putting on sunscreen.
New Food
Fried Plantains/Beans
A tipico breakfast in El Salvador is eggs, beans, fried plantains, and cheese. I never get tired of this breakfast. I especially like the fried plantains with crema and the beans.
Feature on PowerPoint
Removing the Background
This year I started using PowerPoint more. I use it more with lessons in the classroom. I also use it as a kind of photo editor. My favorite feature is removing the background on pictures. Then I can put a new background, like in the picture above.
Person I've Never Met
Lin-Manuel Miranda
For the second year in a row, Lin is my favorite person of the year. This year he continued to be incredibly charming on Twitter. He and his wife, Vanessa, are expecting another kid. He helped raise awareness and money for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. He is also bring Hamilton to Puerto Rico next year, where he will be playing Hamilton once again. He's just the gift that keeps on giving.
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