Top 5 Friday: Disney Villain Songs

Hello, everyone! I was puzzling over what my Top 5 Friday would be about when I realized that I haven't posted anything about music recently.

So here we go with my favorite Disney villain songs!

5. Mother Knows Best from Tangled

4. Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmations

3. Friends on the Other Side from Princess and the Frog

2. Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid

1. Be Prepared from The Lion King

I know I didn't talk much about these videos.

I'm sorry.

I'm really tired.

I've learned the important lesson that too much stress and a long to-do list every day causes you to get sick.

And feel terrible.

And tired.

So long!

-Hannah

PS: I'm planning something really big that I can't wait to share with you!

Unfinished Book Series'

Hello, everyone!

Just in case you were wondering why I didn't post another library haul, I didn't actually get anymore library books this week. I have way too many to read right now!

That is why I am doing something different today.

I was thinking last night about all of the book series' that I have started and haven't finished.

It's kind of sad...

I'm going to try really hard to complete as many of these as possible this year.

Here's my list.

1. Heist Society by Ally Carter

I have read the first book in this series and I am half way through the second one. I still, however, have the third book to finish this year. Ally is writing a fourth one that will come out soon as well. 

2. Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley

I've been reading this series for a while and I am about to finish it. I only have one more book to go!

3. 39 Clues by various authors

I have read the first book in the series and that's it. I know there are other series' associated with the 39 Clues, but for right now, I'm just sticking with the originals.

4. Seeds of America by Laurie Halse Anderson

This is another one of those series' that I have read the first book of but not the rest. I actually one the second book and have started it. I just haven't finished it. Her new book comes out next month and I can't wait to see what it is about!

5. Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

I am so excited about reading this series. The author has written the first three with the fourth coming out in 2015. This series is different from the others in that I haven't started it. When I get my other books out of the way, I'm planning on starting it.

6. Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

I am really enjoying reading Ally Carter's books and I can't wait to start this series. I think this one will come after the Lunar Chronicles!

7. Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielson

The first book in this series was recommended to me by Lune and I absolutely loved it. It was filled with so many surprises! The second book was really good as well. The last book came out yesterday and I could barely contain my excitement! I have been waiting for this book to come out for a while now and I cannot wait to start it.

8. Two Rings Series by Madison Louise

This is the series that I feel most guilty about not reading. I mean, my friend has been writing it since we were, like, 12 or 13! I have read the prequel book and started the first book, I just haven't finished it. 

9. Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

I have heard really good things about this series. Ginger has even read it! The books are rather long long and I just haven't had the time to attempt them yet.

So there you go.

A list of all the series' that I desperately need to finish. 

There are more, of course.

Such as the Swordbird books by Nancy Yi Fan. 

Still, these are more important.

I'm planning on creating a page about the books that I finish.

What book series' do you still need to finish?

So long!

-Hannah

Top 5 Friday: Saddest Books

Hello, all! Here's another Top 5 Friday and today's topic will possibly bring back horrible memories of reading and throwing books across rooms.

I think there is a reason that Tom Riddle put a piece of his soul in a book (technically a diary, but whatever).

Anyway lets start with number 5 and work up!

5. Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

These books aren't as sad as they are unfortunate, but I'll say that I almost cried at the end of the last one. Just thinking about these books puts me in a bad mood...

4. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Surely I was not the only person to find this book very depressing. All the way through I found myself upset. Nothing went right. It took me three times as long to read this book as the other two. 

3. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

I found this book depressing. I think we all did. Seriously? What author decides out of the blue that they want to do that?! There was no reason to! The worst part was that the character wasn't a Christian!

2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

This book is great all the way through and it is a quick read. Then you get to the last chapter. Ugh! It's their innocence that kills me! Just so you know, it is one of those Holocaust books that I obsess over...  

Now...

The moment you've all been waiting for...

What will my number one choice for the saddest book be?

It's not The Fault in Our Stars (not allowed to read John Green books)...

It's not Eleanor & Park (not allowed to read Rainbow Rowell)...

It's not House of Hades (not allowed to read that either!)....

I didn't even pick Harry Potter (which, for the record I CAN read)!

Drum roll, please!

...............

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is the easiest book to cry in. The end will rip out your soul! Don't even cheat and just watch the movie! There is no way to accurately portray the sadness that occurs in this book. I highly recommend this to everyone in HIGH SCHOOL. This is definitely my favorite book of all time!

I hope you enjoyed this Top 5 Friday.

Leave your top 5 saddest books in the comments below!

So long!

-Hannah

PS: I'm still working on that Teen Night post....

Another Library Haul!

It's Tuesday and I feel like the only things I post about right now are Library Hauls and Top 5 Fridays! I've got to work on that...

Anyway, because it's Tuesday I went to the library again!

I'm really trying to limit the number of books I get because I already have so many that are due next week, not to mention that I'm currently reading The Help which is 444 pages long.

Unfortunately, I didn't follow that rule too well today.

Here are the books I got.

1. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

I don't know a ton about this book other than the fact that it is kind of like a Sleeping Beauty/Holocaust mash-up. I don't know how that is going to work, but it sounded interesting.

2. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

This is another one I don't know a lot about. The description sounded interesting and I've heard that it's good so I thought I'd give it a try!

3. BETWEEN Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 

Let me clear something up first. The reason that I have put "between" in all caps is so that you will notice that it is NOT "50 Shades of Gray." May I repeat, NOT! This is instead a book about the holocaust in Lithuania. Yes, I'm rather obsessed with books about the holocaust, but they're usually so good and well written!

4. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

This is the second book in the Heist Society series. I absolutely love this series! They're even making a movie with Elizabeth Banks (A.K.A. Effie Trinket) producing it! I loved the first book in this series and I cannot wait to read this one.

5. Holes by Louis Sachar

This is a book that I think we all own for some reason. I never actually read it, but after I saw polandbananasBOOKS's short review of it I though I'd give it a try. 

6. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

I've started to be a bit bolder in the YA section of my library. Usually the books have rather frightening covers and names like "Cut" and "Meeting Him." (I confess to making up that last title, but their a lot like that!) So lately I have been on a quest to find good books in the YA section and this is one of them. It is about a girl who goes to an etiquette school where she learns to fight (not to seem morbid or anything. I don't like violence, I just like action adventure!). There are multiple in the series with a few still to be released. The best part? I checked on Goodreads and no one has shelved it as "romance." Seriously, a YA without romance? I'm so excited!

I don't know when I will actually get to these books because, as I said, I'm currently reading The Help. I'll try to keep you posted as well.

I'm going to try to post about our last Teen Night soon!

So long!

-Hannah

Top 5 Friday: Best Movie Heroes

Hello, everyone! Once again, I must say that I'm sorry for not posting. I'm so busy right now and not to mention, my computer was sent to the Apple store and I'm not a fan of my dad's laptop.

Anyway, today's topic is the best movie heroes.

We will be starting with number five and working up!

5. Mulan from uhh... Mulan!

Mulan is just cool and she ends up saving all of China (even though the Hans do end up taking over, really)! Not to mention, she has an amazing side kick. My favorite part, she puts intelligence and fighting for what's right over love.

4. Haymitch Abernathy from Hunger Games

Compare Haymitch to Katniss. Yes, she ended up overthrowing President Coin and all, but who was the brains behind it all? Who invested time in her and got her worked up enough to do everything she did? It was all Haymitch. 

3. The Avengers from... Avengers

They are the AVENGERS! They are pretty much required to be on this list. They took down a whole army. Just them. Yes, they're victory was a little too easy with closing the portal and conveniently killing the entire army (like Phantom Menace!), but still. They are the world's mightiest heroes. Well, except for the next two heroes on my list.

2. Harry Potter from...once again, Harry Potter

Okay, do I even need to explain this. Harry has been an amazing hero SINCE HE WAS ONE! He was even willing to sacrifice his life when he was only eleven. If you are a Harry Potter nerd, you'd notice that this picture is from the most heroic scene from the movies. So, I hope you get the picture, only the next heroes can beat Harry Potter.

drum roll, please!

.............................

1. The eagles from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

These eagles turn up wherever the plot cannot come up with a decent way for the characters to escape. Seriously, every time. You can't beat the eagles! 

I hope you enjoyed this Top 5 Friday!

Tell me who you think are the top 5 heroes in the comments.

So long!

-Hannah

Library Haul!

I have designated Tuesdays as my "library day." Lia always has ESL classes which are at the school next to the library. It is quite convenient for Ginger and I. We get around an hour usually.

This is what I happened to get at the library this time.

1. The Help

I'm just going to stop now and say that I am so excited about this book. It is already really good and I'm on the second chapter. It kind of reminds me of an American Downton Abbey set in the 60s without the romance. 

2. The World of Downton Abbey

Now I can feed my obsession with Downton Abbey even more! It gives more information about the history and how families likes the Crawleys would have functioned. It also gives you some behind the scenes information.

3. A Series of Unfortunate Events (the movie)

Most lovers of the book series were very disappointed with this movie and I am one of those. Still, Ginger really wanted to get it. We will be watching tomorrow night.

4. 130 Projects to Get You Into Film Making

5. Hana's Suitcase

Just so you know, this is a book that will feed my obsession with holocaust books. 

6. Disney songbook

7. The Official Illustrated Movie Companion for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

8. Disney's Animation Magic

9. Pirates of the Caribbean, The Visual Guide

10. The Fellowship of the Ring, Visual Companion

11. Mary Poppins (audiobook)

This one isn't in the picture. I got it after watching Saving Mr. Banks. I've read the book before and didn't enjoy it, but I thought that I'd like to try it again. 

As you can see, I'm kind of into visual guides for movies. I've looked through part of Lune's Hunger Games companion and she gave me one for The Hobbit. The ones that I got at the library are pretty interesting. 

I'm also trying to learn a bit about the behind the scenes of movie making so that is why I have so many film books. 

I'm not quite sure if I will be going to the library this Tuesday because I may be traveling or I just have enough books!

This is a picture of my print-out that they gave me. I think I set a new personal record! My 10 books, one movie, one audiobook, and four of Gingers books caused this. I'm pretty proud of it and plan on putting it in my Smash Book!

The books that I have finished from my last library haul are Heist Society by Ally Carter (5 stars, amazing!) and Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. I recommend both of these, though I'd wait on Heist Society if you were under 13 just because it is a young adult book and well...

I hope you enjoyed this library haul!

So long!

-Hannah

"Tonight's the Night"

Ginger and I are planning on having some fun tonight.

It is going to involve two things.

Dessert.

Movies.

Yes, it is Friday.

Ginger and I always take Friday nights to do something fun. We usually watch movies but occasionally we'll play LEGOs.

We see it as our time to watch PG-13 movies.

Lia has seen some more mature movies like Avengers, Thor, and Lord of the Rings but Ginger and I would much rather enjoy them instead of worrying about making sure Lia's eyes are closed.

Tonight will be different though.

It will be extra special.

All because of one movie...

Yes, we are going to watch Thor: Dark World tonight.

It came out digitally a couple of days ago so Ginger and I decided to pull together our money.

I can barely hold in my excitement! 

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are watching two other movies.

This is one of the few romances I can tolerate. The reason? It's raged PG. There could not be a tamer romance. I saw it a couple of years ago and loved it. I am kind of forcing Ginger to watch it, but that's okay.

We are also planning on watching The Incredible Hulk. I'm really hoping that we can watch this one last because I will most likely fall asleep during this one. I kind of feel like I need to watch this one though.

Three movies is a whole lot compared to what Ginger and I usually watch. Usually we just watch one movie and at least one of us will fall asleep. Lately, we have just been watching Agents of SHIELD and Downton Abbey. 

I did the math a little while ago. Watching all three of these movies will take approximately 5 ½ hours. That wouldn't be too terrible if we were starting at 9:00 PM like we usually do. Unfortunately, we won't be able to start until 11:30ish. We should be headed towards bed by around 5:00 AM that means. 

We're in for a long night.

We've been planning ways to stay awake. We might take our Smash Book stuff to do after Thor: Dark World. We're planning on eating plenty of food as well.

That means Ice Cream and Hello Panda cookies!

So, Ginger and I are in for quite a night!

Wish us luck!

I might post in the middle of the night saying how we're doing.

So long!

-Hannah

Top 5 Friday: Best Comedic Relief Characters

Hi, everyone! It's time for another Top 5 Friday! 

For this one I thought about all the characters that can make something serious, hilarious. Sound fun?

Here we go.

5. Merry and Pippin from the Lord of the Rings trilogy

They aren't as funny in the books, but you can't help admitting that they are the original Fred and George Weasley. My favorite scene with them is still when the are about to set off from Rivendell!

4. Mushu from Mulan

Mushu is hands down the best character in Mulan. To be honest, he's probably the best animal side kick that any Disney character has had. Not to mention, he's voiced by the same guy who voiced Donkey in Shrek!

3. Fred and George Weasley from Harry Potter

This one wasn't hard. Fred and George should be on every list of funny movie characters. They are just  downright funny.

2. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham from Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a very serious drama but they always leave room for Maggie Smith to work magic as Violet Crawley. She has all of the best lines and you could watch the entire show just for her.

1.  Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean

Yes. Oh yes. Jack Sparrow. Sorry. CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow. I really can't describe how I feel when he is on the screen in front of me. I just can't. He is just hysterical. 

I have to include this last picture of Professor McGonagall/ Maggie Smith and Fred and George.

She's not even trying to be funny yet she is! And then there is of course, Fred and George.

Anyway…

Who do you think are the top 5 comedic relief characters? 

So long!

-Jade Kanani

The Newspaper and Today

I told you I was in the newspaper! This is me and my dad in his office. I am holding his iPad with the AWH teen site on it. We got to have a full out interview with Emily Maddern and a photographer. We are on the front of the faith page in our local newspaper. 

At art class today, my friend, Savanna, and I were going around to all the tables that had newspaper on them (we were painting) to see if we could find this article. 

This has has been my life today. I didn't have time to do school before art class because I had two or three outlines and a quiet time to write. I still have yet to really start school! 

I felt so professional in this set up. I had my Bible on one side and my quiet time book on the other side. My computer keeps restarting spontaneously so I used it sparingly. I used my dad's laptop instead. 

So, I hope you enjoyed this quick and spontaneous update!

So long! 

-Hannah

T-Shirt Con Day 1

Sorry that I didn't get this in earlier. I've been so busy with AWH stuff and school. Here are the pictures for my AVENGERS T-SHIRT COSPLAY!

They aren't the best quality, but I did take quite a few!

Yes, I am wearing my pajama pants. 

I was about to go to bed when I remembered the pictures.

These are Iron Man fingerless gloves that I made. 

I decided to post this picture just because I look like I'm getting my soul sucked out by a dementor. 

In case you were wondering, I bought my shirt at JC Penny in the men's section.

Seriously, they don't have any decent shirts for girls!

I hope you enjoyed the first day of T-Shirt Con!

I'll post the second day whenever I can. 

So long!

-Hannah 

Quick Update!

Hi, everyone! It's been a few days... I'm really sorry that I haven't posted my T-Shirt Con yet. That is the next item on my blogger agenda. First, I thought I'd do a quick update on recent developments.

The first one may not seem important, but it is to me.

I went to the library. 

It was the highlight of my week.

I haven't been to the library in such a long time. 

I think it missed me!

The list of the books that I got is as follows: Lord of the Flies, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, The Council of Mirrors, Into the Spotlight (I couldn't resist getting a frivolous American Girl book!), Three Black Swans (a random pick), Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, The Hugo Movie Companion, Princess Academy, and Heist Society.

I started Heist Society yesterday and I absolutely love it!

I also got three movies, October Baby, The Incredible Hulk, and Letters to Juliet.

So, yesterday was a pretty wonderful day!

You may have noticed that I changed my name. "Jade Kanani" has been my pen name. My real name is Hannah Claire Dear. My sisters' real names are not "Ginger" or "Lia" either, but we'll leave their names a secret for now. I didn't really want to change my name, but considering the circumstances, it was necessary.

What are the circumstances, you may ask.

If you scroll up you will see all of my pages. I have added a new page entitled "Sign up for AWH Teen."

AWH Teen is a branch of Abide With Him which is a website created by my dad. It helps people have a good quality quiet time. I have created a teen version which is very similar to my dad's.

How it works is that every morning you will receive an email that will walk you through the six important steps in a good devotional time. You will also receive a short video (it is my dad for the adult version and me in the teen version) talking about the Bible passage that you read that day.

AWH has been going on for around a month now but AWH Teen will not start till February 10. I've been working on the first devotions for a couple of days.

So, to cut to the chase, I changed my name because my blog is linked on the AWH Teen page and I don't want to confuse everyone.

I highly recommend signing up for AWH Teen. It will be a great resource to help you have a closer walk with God.

I haven't taken a picture of the article yet, but my dad and I were in the local newspaper for AWH. We had an interview with someone from the faith section about it. I'll post a picture soon!

I also have a Twitter page now. My tweets are protected so you will have to follow me to read them. I accept almost all of my followers unless you are some creepy person or a spammer.

So, I'll get on the posts for the T-Shirt Con. I'll post today's, Tuesday's, and Monday's shortly.

So long!

-Hannah