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. Sunday, 16 June 2019 .

It's been quite a week. And then it's been quite a weekend. Actually, I realised today that it's been quite a month. So busy. So hectic. So. Much. To. Do. Is it because we've only got six more months of 2019? I don't know but everyone around me seems to be in the same boat.

I don't really have that much life update at the moment mostly because it feels like all I've been doing is work/thinking about work when I'm not at work. There hasn't been much time for living lately. Yesterday was the first time in a while where I truly felt relaxed! I was up bright and early and went to brunch with my little brother and my friend Simon. We ordered quite a feast at Oyster and Chop but gosh their breakfast fare is so delicious and so well-priced. I'm definitely coming back for more!

We went for a walk around town after to get my brother new shoes and also treat ourselves to some Mecca goodies. I stocked up on my HG Mario Badescu spray and some Lanolips because winter + being sick has been brutal on my lips. I haven't been able to wear lipsticks in ages! I spent the rest of the day assembling a clothing rack and sorting out my closet once and for all. It was oddly relaxing and I can't wait to automate my morning routine by having my clothes on clear display. I also cleared all the clothes off my couch and sat on it this morning while having my breakfast smoothie. Life really is about the little things.

I realised something while I was sat there, though. I'm not the tidiest person in the world and have some hoarding tendencies that I get attached too so I have ended up with quite a lot of stuff. Most especially stuff I have no room for. So downsizing and getting rid of things that do not spark joy is actually really essential for me. And most of the time I get so overwhelmed with tidying (because I don't wanna do it/I don't wanna spend my very little time of not working doing more work instead of relaxing) that I don't want to start. I just kinda pretend the clutter isn't there and I'll do it another day. Then I'd carry on but it was always at the back of my mind and I'd feel guilty for not doing it. It's a cycle. But I realised today that actually the decluttering is only a short investment of time, and when I do get it done, I'll have the free time to enjoy and relax completely without guilt and without that voice in my head saying I should be cleaning. I don't know if I'm explaining this right, but it feels cathartic.

So I'm actually excited to get more decluttering done now because I know after this I'll literally have so much time to do what I want! I started writing fiction again on Saturday night and it felt so good. I'm currently halfway through a book, there are places to sit and write in my flat that's not littered with stuff. It's so silly that I resisted this for so long! I can't wait to get rid of more stuff! On that note - HMU if you need all the things.

This week is a bit hectic but I'm feeling so much more relaxed and ready to handle it this week. But for now I'm off to lounge in the couch (we watched Murder Mystery on Netflix and it was epic) because my dad is launching his own TV show on channel kordia on Free View TV and the pilot is showing tonight! So so proud. Happy Sunday!

. Saturday, 8 June 2019 .

It started with a simple question on an Electric Kiwi Facebook post: Why should we choose you and who would you take?

I decided the best thing I could do was to be honest so I tagged one of my bffs and replied with "And I want to go because I'm thirsty for Nicholas Hoult *insert crying laughing emoji*

I mean, that was a good enough reason, right? And so the thirst gods looked down on me on that fateful day, decided that I was the chosen won, and on Monday aftertnoon my fate was sealed. I was heading to X-Men Dark Phoenix thanks to that random entry generator and Electric Kiwi.

Is there anything better than a mid-week movie? I think not. I love when screenings happen on a school night - having something to look forward to after a long day at work, immersing yourself in quite literally, another world, for a few hours or so. X-Men: Dark Phoenix was exactly that kind of film.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix is the thrilling conclusion to the X-Men series and focuses on Jean Grey's story after being struck by a powerful force while on a mission in space. As the most powerful mutant of all, Jean must face her inner demons before it's too late.

It's a hero/anti-hero synopsis that I find interesting because often, the greatest battles that take place are the ones inside of us. Needless to say, after a great game of bowling with the Electric Kiwi team (I was terrible but the fries were delicious), I was so excited to see this!

Majority of the reviews I've read so far are pretty negative. Critics have argued that it was pointless, a disappointing conclusion to the saga. That the film really didn't have a storyline or clear narrative. I think if you're a super fan of the X-Men franchise, it's easy to have high expectations. After all, wasn't this their big finale? I think while it lacked those big, action packed scenes, the movie is ultimately about Jean Grey's inner turmoil. She was battling something within her, and that's a hard sequence to depict on film and to do it with justice.

I'm coming at this from a not so die hard X-Men franchise fan perspective who appreciates strong characters and a storyline that's entertaining and easy to follow. Perhaps this makes me unqualified to review the film or at the very least, not the best person to chat to about it. But I did enjoy it and think that it could be a standalone film to see even if you're unfamiliar with the franchise.

It played on themes like choice, freedom, and the many shapes and sizes that make up a family. It was arguably shorter for a final film of a massive franchise, but I think that all came down to the film's narrative. I think the best parts of it was not the big fight sequences but the more sombre, vulnerable parts. It's not enough you see superheroes really embracing their vulnerability and humanity, but X-Men: Dark Phoenix gave us that.

Is it one those poignant films that defines a generation or immortalises our current time? Probably not. It is the kind of film, though, that is immersive enough to hold your attention throughout its 1hr 54m running time. The characters are strong albeit a little underdeveloped (especially the rest of the X-Men ensemble although I do understand that this film is all about Jean Grey's story so naturally this would be the case) with enough twist and turns there that I didn't expect. It's a film that is surprisingly more emotional than it is action-packed, and perhaps a great date night film that's got something for everyone.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix is out in cinemas now. Watch the trailer here.

Thanks again to Electric Kiwi for the invite and 20th Century Fox NZ for supplying images for this review.

. Friday, 31 May 2019 .

I actually took this photo on Wednesday when I was working from home. I honestly think the secret to working from home is to still keep your routines. I got up at the same time I normally would, showered, washed my hair, got changed (into comfy clothes still but not my pyjamas), and just got it all done. The three hours total it saved me in commuting really made me so productive! I started at around 7:30 am and only noticed it was 6 pm because it was nearly dinner. But god it felt so good to cross things off my to-do list, especially ones that have sat there for ages. Ages.

The downside to working from home? Resisting the temptation of jumping back in bed and hiding under covers. I took a photo of my bed to torture me because it was the first sunny day in a while and I love the way the sun hits my room. Just. Look. At. It!!!

This weekend is my first completely free weekend in ages and it's a long one too! I plan on doing absolutely nothing. Taking it easy. Staring into the ceiling kind of nothing. It is so needed! I'm not even going to worry about the emails I need to answer. I mean, I'll try...

But for now, the couch is calling. I'm about to do a phone interview with a journalist for a story they're working on about Wellington on a Plate (side note but I love that my personal brand is literally me always eating and now some people are coming to me for expert food advise on mainstream NZ media. Almost like that time I became a professional avocado commentator). Always Be My Maybe is out on Netflix. I have a whole pizza and chicken wings to eat. Happy long weekend, friends!