Here are some of my favorite things from February 2023!
Entertainment
Streaming service(s) might change from the time of writing this post due to the services’ contract with the movie/TV show networks.
鬼滅の刃 (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba): Mugen Train Arc (2021) | Season 2, 6 episodes
I was putting off watching this arc because I kind of spoiled myself with what happened to one of the characters, and my little anime heart didn’t think it would handle it. Nevertheless, I knew I had to watch it sooner than later, and concluded that I love the mystery of this arc. I love that we get an inside look into one of the characters. I was used to Nezuko’s cuteness in the first arc, so I wished that she had more screen time during this, but I did understand that this arc focused on someone else’s story, and I respect this arc for it. Overall, this arc was pretty intense. There wasn’t a lot of comedy this time around, but I appreciate the storyline.
Maturity Rating: TV-14 • Genre: Shōnen Anime • Original Language: Japanese • Streaming Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll
The School for Good and Evil (2022)
I honestly did not expect the movie to be as good as it is. I thought it would be a generic spinoff from previous fairytale movies, but it surprisingly has a couple of interesting twists here and there, especially during the final battle. Overall, I think this is a great family night movie, and I wouldn’t mind a part two, as long as the actors reprise their roles.
Maturity Rating: PG-13 • Genre: Fantasy, Family • Original Language: English • Streaming Platform: Netflix
Uncharted (2022)
Thanks to the 2004 Action/Adventure film, National Treasure, my interest in adventure/mystery films involving treasures ignited. I do not know how I skipped out on Uncharted until now, but I was thrilled to finally get to see it. -sidenote- I think this was also the first movie of Tom Holland’s that I’ve watched. Back to the movie – it was exciting! It has been a while since I was able to get into solving a mystery along with the characters, and I greatly appreciate that the storyline strayed away from the typical “guy and girl fall for each other somewhere along the journey” trope. The ending is seemingly alluding to a second part, and I look forward to one, with the original cast reprising their roles of course.
Maturity Rating: PG-13 • Genre: Action, Adventure • Original Language: English • Streaming Platform: Netflix
We Have A Ghost (2023)
At first glance, this may seem like a shallow ghost story with no set storyline or basis, but it was surprisingly deeply moving. (I cried toward the end.) It became as deep as the stories told in the TV series, Ghost Whisperer. The acting could be developed a bit more, but it didn’t bother me too much. Thinking of this movie has brought back the deeper emotions I felt when I initially saw it, and the messages of the movies are almost often what help me determine if I love it and if it has impacted me in a meaningful way. And this movie’s storyline has achieved that.
Maturity Rating: PG-13 • Genre: Family, Fantasy • Original Language: English • Streaming Platform: Netflix
FEBRUARY PLAYLIST
Lifestyle
ADOPTING MOON
Around November/December last year, one of my neighbor’s dogs gave birth to three puppies. Garfield had mated with her, and one of the puppies already resembles him in the looks department. There is a big chance that this puppy could be Garfield’s offspring and that is why I made the decision to adopt him from my neighbor.
My other dog, Garfield, is still missing and has been missing for about four months now. I will never forget Garfield. Every night since he had gone missing, I would look up to the sky and stare at the moon, hoping that Garfield is alive and roaming somewhere on the island, or at least being well taken care of by someone. I pray that we may reunite soon and that he and his pup will have a loving relationship.
And this is how my pup, Moon, got his name. Every time I look at him, I am greatly reminded of Garfield, and I look forward to the days when Moon’s personality will show itself.
Gratitude
I AM GRATEFUL FOR...
- Bonding with my dad;
- Posting various products on my Etsy shop;
- Welcoming Moon;
- Reuniting with an old friend;
- Gifting my parents something sweet.
A gratitude list does not have to include major life events (but include them when they do happen). Simple blessings, such as showering with clean water, are overlooked privileges to be grateful for.
Incorporate or reserve at least 10 minutes of your daily routine to write at least three (3) things you are grateful for.
We all need a good reminder to keep our feet on the ground.
“Look at that. The ocean is at our door.” – Sōsuke, Ponyo
