Christine:
00:00:12
hello and welcome to the Muir Project. We are your hosts, Christine,
Alexandra:
00:00:17
and Alexandra.
Christine:
00:00:18
and today we're inviting you to settle in with us for a good old fashioned cozy catch. No big agenda, no perfect script. Just a conversation between two best friends about everything that's been going on lately, what we're loving, what's driving us a little crazy and all the little things in between. Somehow we're already almost halfway through the year, and honestly, we're just trying to keep up one coffee, one playlist, and one chaotic group chat at a time. So grab your comfiest blanket, pour yourself something delicious, and let's get cozy on the couch and catch up. All right, so cozy catch. I'm so excited we're doing this today. I feel like we haven't done anything like this since we've started the podcast. And I just like the idea of us sitting down and just sort of giving, giving those, listening a glimpse into what a typical conversation is like for us when we haven't had a chance to catch up in a while. So we're gonna get into all the things today, everyone.
Alexandra:
00:01:22
uncommon for us if we haven't caught up or we keep missing each other. We'll spend two and a half, three hours on the phone just gabbing about whatever's been going on.
Christine:
00:01:30
Yeah what we loving lately, what we hate in lately. What's, what crazy thing happened? Speaking of crazy things, this is a little tangent before we dive in. So this is so dumb. I, one day this week, Friday getting ready for work, get in the car open the door, close it, and somehow I managed to close a bee in the car with me and. For those who don't know which is most of you, I'm very afraid of bees. I'm slightly allergic to them. So I've been stung two times in my life and it's the worst feeling ever. So I was like just immediately paralyzed with fear and I'm sitting in my front seat and I'm like literally trying to backend over the center console and like, how do I get this P out? Because I hadn't had a chance to turn the car on. So I didn't wanna move to spook it, but I also knew I had to do something or else we were just gonna have a standoff in this car for who knows how long. So. I quickly turned my car on and thank God for automatic window. Like I just pressed the button down and the window lowered all on its own. And the bee went out and I quickly closed the window again. And then I was just like, I took a deep breath and then I just started laughing at myself because how ridiculous that was. No one was around to see it, but I was just like, okay, happy Friday everyone. This is how the day started.
Alexandra:
00:02:53
Friday. A little acrobat
Christine:
00:02:56
yeah,
Alexandra:
00:02:57
to get you going, and you're like, maybe it
Christine:
00:03:00
having bent that way in a very long time. So yeah, that's just a little funny thing I hadn't updated you on and it just popped into my head. I was like, let's start off with that because that's so stupid.
Alexandra:
00:03:12
No, but
Christine:
00:03:13
but anyway,
Alexandra:
00:03:14
in there and you're like, if you ever, do you ever get spiders crawling across things and you're just like, I driving down the highway and I can't do anything about this,
Christine:
00:03:21
I know.
Alexandra:
00:03:22
there. Please don't come this way.
Christine:
00:03:23
Right.
Alexandra:
00:03:24
from?
Christine:
00:03:25
did you get in here anyway? Yeah, me and insects.
Alexandra:
00:03:30
Not friends.
Christine:
00:03:30
I sometimes it's sometimes I can deal with it. Sometimes I'm like, don't come near me.
Alexandra:
00:03:36
You are like, I like you afar. Just stay outta my personal bubble,
Christine:
00:03:42
You have a purpose in the world's ecosystem and I respect that. You just don't need to interact with me. We don't need to, we don't need to like cross paths. And if you believe in reincarnation, I did not hurt the bee. The bee left. So hopefully, if that is in fact what happens, I don't come back in a next life as a bee knock on wood.
Alexandra:
00:04:02
Yeah. Or spiders. I, yeah, a lot of spiders.
Christine:
00:04:06
And something I've been experiencing as living alone in a very old building silver fishes. Have you ever seen those?
Alexandra:
00:04:15
I
Christine:
00:04:15
Have you not?
Alexandra:
00:04:15
of legs.
Christine:
00:04:17
They're like,
Alexandra:
00:04:19
yeah.
Christine:
00:04:19
got
Alexandra:
00:04:20
Do you
Christine:
00:04:21
holy,
Alexandra:
00:04:21
over at my apartment in South Orange and I think I screamed like a tiny child and I got a, 'cause there was one under the fridge I was just like, what the heck is this? And Christine's
Christine:
00:04:32
what? What's it, what they're gross. And I understand they have a reason to be on this planet, but
Alexandra:
00:04:40
too
Christine:
00:04:41
I'm sorry, I don't know what to do with it. It's so many legs. They can be so big.
Alexandra:
00:04:47
You're almost like, here, can I write you into a contract for rent like that? That side's yours.
Christine:
00:04:52
You can have the, you can, the underside of the fridge is your domain. You just stay there.
Alexandra:
00:05:00
Yeah.
Christine:
00:05:01
Yeah. So anyway, a little tangent about insects for everyone to start your day, but. Let's dive in, shall we? So, so the first thing we wanted to catch up on is travel for this year. A lot of things we've been talking about hoping to do, seeing what we can make happen. I know together, we had talked about doing a trip with our moms. We've been talking about doing this for a very long time. I wanna take Alex and her mom with my mom up to one of our favorite spots, which is Newport, Rhode Island. It's so beautiful. And it's just my happy place and I want them both to experience it. So that's,
Alexandra:
00:05:45
are so beautiful. I'm like, Ugh, I'm gonna, I can't wait to go.
Christine:
00:05:49
yeah. 'cause I don't know if you've ever been up there. Have you been to,
Alexandra:
00:05:54
Island.
Christine:
00:05:56
what about Massachusetts, which is not far like Boston.
Alexandra:
00:06:00
either. So Boston's on the list eventually when, it was so funny, when I think when we were first friends and you're like, oh, I love going to Newport. Newport Beach. I was like, oh, you've been to Newport Beach, and I'm thinking Southern California, Newport Beach. And you're like, no. And I was like, oh, no, not been
Christine:
00:06:19
But yeah, but I never, I don't even know if I really realized there was a Newport in, in California. So, just another thing that I love about our relationship is we teach each other new things almost every day,
Alexandra:
00:06:32
other Newport.
Christine:
00:06:33
the other one, but yeah, Newport, Rhode Island is so beautiful. If you've never been, it's a tiny coastal town in Rhode Island. It was the vacation home for the wealthy back in the Gilded era. So there's a beautiful section. Of the island. I don't know if it's an island, actually the beautiful section of the town that is preserved by the Newport Historical Society. And you get to go and tour these gorgeous summer cottages as they called them, but they're literal mansions gilded to the nines.
Alexandra:
00:07:09
I think
Christine:
00:07:10
o
Alexandra:
00:07:10
to Summer cottage like that.
Christine:
00:07:13
yeah, it's o opulent. Oh my God, I can't talk today.
Alexandra:
00:07:17
It's
Christine:
00:07:17
it's super opulent. Super gilded gold filigree everywhere. It's, they're honestly beautiful. And if you've ever watched the show the Gilded Age, I think it's an HBO show that's sort of akin to Downton Abbey, but it's the American version takes place. In New York and then up in Newport, because that's where a lot of these people vacationed. So yes, we've been wanting to take Alex there forever and we thought it would be a great trip for us to do with our mom. So we're trying to figure out when we can make that happen. We had to initially try to do it end of
Alexandra:
00:07:53
June, I think one of the dates you had thrown out was Father's Day and we're like, Nope. Can't do that.
Christine:
00:07:58
Yeah. We for, I was like, whoops. He's forgot that was that weekend. My bad.
Alexandra:
00:08:02
dad.
Christine:
00:08:04
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:08:05
And
Christine:
00:08:05
then we talked about last weekend, the last week, but as we're gonna hear more later, Alexandra has some exciting work updates, so it just wasn't the right time. So we're trying to figure out when might be a better time to do that. And we wanna make it really special, so.
Alexandra:
00:08:24
And then you've thought about thinking about it. You talked about Newport in the winter, like Christmas, all deck for the houses. So part of me is like thinking like, oh, maybe that will be a good time, possibly because that sounded so pretty. And some of the pictures you've shown were just gorgeous.
Christine:
00:08:40
Yes, we did that not this past Christmas. The Christmas before. We went up the day after Christmas, and it was That was our first time going up that time of year ever. And it is off season, so it's a beautiful opportunity to see the mansions decked out for Christmas, but there isn't a whole lot going on because it's really a summer town. So, some businesses closed down in their off season. I don't recommend going on. I don't even think you can go on a sale in the harbor that time of year, all of which. Not to discount going that time of year. I loved it. It was a cool experience, but
Alexandra:
00:09:20
like
Christine:
00:09:20
it's definitely, it's its peak in summertime. So we will figure out when we can make that trip happen for us. But as we sort of settled into, since Alexandra moved down to North Carolina, we like to do our yearly trips down and up to visit each other. So the plan is to have her come visit me in New Jersey in December, again, maybe around my birthday or a little sooner.
Alexandra:
00:09:47
little longer and catch up with an old college roommate as well. And actually maybe get to spend more than two days,
Christine:
00:09:55
Yeah, the
Alexandra:
00:09:56
there for, what, three days?
Christine:
00:09:57
three,
Alexandra:
00:09:58
cool.
Christine:
00:09:59
three and a half. Yeah. Yeah. It was cool. We did a lot. We are, we're getting there. Well, you finally can breathe a little bit after finishing your program and getting your Master's and, yeah, I'm just sort of excited to see what, what will come this year, what will come next year, and the years to come into in terms of our trips to visit each other. So
Alexandra:
00:10:20
Because you've talked about the Gilded Age mansions and, I'm sorry, summer cottages up in Newport. And I've been to the Biltmore Mansion a couple times here in Asheville, so I'd love to take you, Christine, to go
Christine:
00:10:32
yeah. Yeah, we've been talking about that. Yes, because it's funny, on one of the tours I went on, like for instance the Vanderbilt family very influential family of the day, and even today, the family still has their name holds a lot of weight. They had multiple summer homes not just in Newport. They had one down in, I think South Carolina over in Europe and maybe France or something like
Alexandra:
00:10:59
Wow.
Christine:
00:10:59
multiple mul, uber wealthy, like of the time. So they definitely. Didn't have any shortage of vacation homes. But it's just cool to see.
Alexandra:
00:11:11
for a week and, oh, let me go
Christine:
00:11:13
Exactly.
Alexandra:
00:11:14
week.
Christine:
00:11:15
Right. Right. You really just close your eyes and throw a dart at the map and just figure out what house you have nearby. But it's really cool to sort of step back in time and see what it was like to live. Then because the tours they set up are really fascinating, that not only do you tour the home, but you go down and you in one of the mansions in particular, you go through the kitchen and you learn about the staff that like, help run this estate 'cause it's not a little cottage and it's very cool. So I'm really looking forward to showing Alexandra and her mom around Newport and excited to see what we get up to later in the year when you come back this way. And who knows? We haven't I haven't yet figured out this, the latter half of the year yet. If I'll be able to make it down again to visit. But we had talked about going out to Asheville Biltmore. You've said before that the holiday season, it's beautiful down there that time of the year, so,
Alexandra:
00:12:17
Yeah. I Ever seen the house decked out for the holidays. I've always gone later winter, so it's still really beautiful. Like I haven't been in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom.
Christine:
00:12:29
That's true. I do love gardens.
Alexandra:
00:12:32
Yeah. So there's a couple
Christine:
00:12:33
Yeah, there are. I would love to give a little update on potential trips that I'm thinking about doing this year. So I'm very excited. Summer is just around the corner and I love the beach. If you don't know already, I love the ocean. I love my beach time and I love living in Jersey because we have the Jersey shore, so it's an hour, not even an hour drive sometimes to get my beach in. So I'm very much looking forward to that this coming summer. 'cause I didn't really do a whole lot last summer, now that I'm thinking about it. So I'm trying to capitalize on that. And then my sisters were in town just last weekend for my mom. My mom's birthday, she had a big birthday this year. She turned 60. And her and my sister Tori actually share a birthday. So they're both April 13th. And so they came, my sisters came to celebrate. We had a nice big party for my mom, but we also got to celebrate with Tori 'cause we weren't with her on her actual birthday. And started talking about, I've wanting to do a sister trip with them for years. And I'm like, let's figure out how to make this happen. We don't have to go anywhere crazy. So we're, I think we're thinking about doing a trip down to Nashville. I haven't been down there since 2023 when she first moved out there. I think I came out to visit her before the 4th of July. It was when I had gone down to visit you first. And we went out to the Outer banks also. Really great trip by the way. Highly recommend. Very cool. Excuse me. And then I went out and visited Tori in Nashville. So I haven't been since. And so we're thinking about doing that. I think that is gonna be July, yes. July potentially. So, more to come on that. And then I also always, you know, think about this in re in retrospect, but I never am a tourist in my own town. I really wanna try and stay maybe a little closer to home this summer. Do more things locally. There's always so much going on and I wish I just take better advantage of that. So, Whether that's going to. One of the local parks or there's always like fun different community events going on in the summer, whether it's the jazz festival or Montclair has a great movie, film festival, jazz festival pride, all the things. So much fun, fun stuff going on right here in my, where I live. So I wanna try and do that this summer.
Alexandra:
00:15:08
It really was a lot of fun rocking around Montclair last time I came and visited you. 'cause it
Christine:
00:15:12
yeah,
Alexandra:
00:15:12
time I think we really had time to actually walk around your town. And I was like, this is such a cool place to live. And I think there's so easily you could do new stuff all the time, so.
Christine:
00:15:24
for sure. Yeah, it is a fun town. There's. Great restaurants, shops, there's always something going on. So, just wanna experience that a little bit more while I am, while I'm here. And then I was thinking about this past week. I've been, I don't know if it's gonna happen this year but maybe next year. Definitely trying to make this trip I've had in mind for years. Finally happened. I've been dying to do a road trip from Washington down to Northern California.
Alexandra:
00:15:54
Okay.
Christine:
00:15:54
don't know if we'll do California up to, to wash to Seattle or the reverse, how it's all gonna work out. But I've always wanted to do it. I've always wanted to do a road trip. There's such beautiful scenery, coastline parks. I wanna go see the redwoods. So this week I was thinking more about that trip and I'm like, I wanna figure out how to make that happen and who, whether. I go by myself or my sisters come or whatever the case may be, I wanna do it. And yeah, that's, those, that's what I've been thinking about travel wise.
Alexandra:
00:16:31
and
Christine:
00:16:32
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:16:33
go down a little bit further, but I think going through California can be a minimum eight hour drive.
Christine:
00:16:38
Yeah, I was looking at it. I found, I came across an article of this photographer who did this trip. He started in San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge. He, and he documented the whole trip, took beautiful photos, started there, and worked his way up to Seattle. So I think I looked at it and like from from the San Francisco to just like the. Redwood National Forest at like upper part of Northern California, that in itself is six hours. So, yeah, I have to figure out how, like, how that would all work. But then from there up to Washington, it's, I think I'd have to double check, but it was like 13 hours. And so once you left, California was from there to Washington, it wasn't as long distance wise. So anyway I don't know. I have to, I have a lot of research to do on that, figuring out what places I wanna stop or all of that. Yeah. But how about you, Alexandra? Are there any other trips percolating in your mind, or
Alexandra:
00:17:48
For
Christine:
00:17:49
have you had a chance to think about it at all?
Alexandra:
00:17:52
Now a friend talked
Christine:
00:17:53
I
Alexandra:
00:17:53
going to Sedona next year, but I
Christine:
00:17:55
pretty.
Alexandra:
00:17:56
mostly going to be in-state stuff. There's day trips out to Raleigh or Charlotte or some other places, because I'm seeing some shops that I wanna go to or like different food things just to go see different like museums. I went to the Raleigh Museum of Art or Raleigh Art Museum. Can't remember which way it goes. Recently when they had. Their exhibition, art in Bloom, I think it was called.
Christine:
00:18:25
Oh, pretty
Alexandra:
00:18:26
a bunch of art I'm gonna call 'em florist floral artists who came and did an interpretation of a painting in flowers.
Christine:
00:18:35
ooh.
Alexandra:
00:18:35
Live flowers are freshly cut flowers. So the artists would come in for a week and refresh their pieces. So that was really beautiful. So I'd actually like to go back to that museum and then do, spend a little more time in Raleigh
Christine:
00:18:47
Cool.
Alexandra:
00:18:48
when it's not, you know, art and think it's art and blue, some that exhibition and then do other things. So I think that's going to be mostly that, mostly kind of getting in the swing of my new job. So, and then trying to take care of everything else. And mom's had some health stuff, so I wanna get her totally And I hate to say up and running like a computer, but good to go before we all head up to Newport because I want her to enjoy it and feel comfortable walking without. She's had a, like a knee and then she's had a couple, she's having a bout of sciatic nerve pain, so trying Her all squared away and all back to rights before
Christine:
00:19:25
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:19:26
push her to the limits with walking. I think that's it so far this year. and then of course coming up to see you and making sure I get in time to see a college friend while we're near the city See her new baby and catch up on life.
Christine:
00:19:39
Because you said that they just bought a house. Right?
Alexandra:
00:19:42
I think so. I think that's what they said. They were either looking or just purchasing. So
Christine:
00:19:47
That's exciting. I can't believe that the, you, it was like just, It's much, much longer than I realized, but that we went to their wedding and now they have a kid and bought a house and all this stuff, and I'm like, Hey
Alexandra:
00:20:02
I'm still living my life.
Christine:
00:20:04
still single.
Alexandra:
00:20:06
You are like, I'm just
Christine:
00:20:07
It's all good. It's all good. Everything happens for a reason at its own pace, but
Alexandra:
00:20:12
yeah, that'll be cool.
Christine:
00:20:14
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:20:14
to figure out my, li myself, my life.
Christine:
00:20:18
Yeah. Well, so much is, you've been doing so much you were working towards that big goal of your MBA, so now it's sort of. Okay, that's behind me. What do I do with myself and time now? What do I wanna do? You know, rediscovering things. Figuring out what you want.
Alexandra:
00:20:36
I'd
Christine:
00:20:36
Totally get that.
Alexandra:
00:20:37
DC I think that would be really fun. I went a year or two ago, I think, with my sister and our friend, and I'd love to go back. I feel like that was such a short trip that it would be really. like a hop, skip, and a jump.
Christine:
00:20:50
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:20:50
so I feel like you said, not really taking time to explore your own state. I think More of my goal.
Christine:
00:20:56
For sure. I think we talked about doing a trip together. 'cause like it's a,
Alexandra:
00:21:00
we can
Christine:
00:21:01
I mean,
Alexandra:
00:21:01
in the middle.
Christine:
00:21:02
yeah, meet in the middle. I take the train. You take the train. It's a little bit longer, but of a journey for me, but I don't care. I'll travel anywhere.
Alexandra:
00:21:09
I think it's still like a 14 hour now that might be wrong. Eight. It's quite a, it's an hour drive
Christine:
00:21:13
yeah. Fair. Fair. Yeah, I think it's a few hour. It's like a. So I don't know. Anyway we'll figure it out. But yeah, I haven't been to back to DC I think I've only been really once and it was when I was in middle school. So I would love to go back and experience that city. I've was near it several years ago, right before the pandemic and everything shut down in March, 2020, I went for a bachelorette to
Alexandra:
00:21:44
Oh, that's
Christine:
00:21:44
Old Town Alexandria, and that was beautiful. I don't know if you've ever been to that town. It's got so much charm. It reminded me a lot of New Orleans when we were walking by the water and we were looking at the, that, that square there. Very similar. It's right by water. It's got old cobble stone streets and a lot of charm and it's really nice. So
Alexandra:
00:22:09
Okay. Yeah, we could do a
Christine:
00:22:11
something.
Alexandra:
00:22:11
DC and then maybe go out into
Christine:
00:22:13
Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:22:14
That sounds like it
Christine:
00:22:14
for sure. Now we're gonna ask you guys in the comments, you should let us know what travel plans you're thinking of doing. Big or small. It doesn't have to be anything major.
Alexandra:
00:22:23
But while we're talking about travel plants, Christine, what are
Christine:
00:22:27
yes.
Alexandra:
00:22:27
traveling around the holidays?
Christine:
00:22:30
So I've been doing that a lot these last several years. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun. You, I've experienced different areas at a very festive time of the year. I don't think, I think it's split a lot of the times where some people don't do it. So it's not always as busy, but it's.
Alexandra:
00:22:50
Yeah
Christine:
00:22:51
still. So it's not if you're traveling to an area where it's still off season, it's still peak for them a little bit because of the holiday season. So it's a lot of fun. Everyone's cheery most of the time. Happy or happier around the holidays, but it can be a really hard and a really big drain because the years wrapping up you have already, like whether you went all out celebrating before you went on trips or it's just, there's a lot going on at the end of the year. So, so it can be really difficult and. I've, having done it the last years, this year, I think I'm gonna say I'm not gonna travel this coming holiday. Just gonna stay, put, rest, relax, recharge. But that's not always a choice for people. I know for my sisters in particular, they both live outta state, so no matter what, they're traveling back home to New Jersey to be with my parents and myself. But yeah. How do you feel, Alexandra? Have you done much traveling around the holidays before?
Alexandra:
00:23:54
Not so much around like the Christmas, winter holidays. I've troubled in college for Thanksgiving and the Easter spring holidays. I don't know. It's it's interesting sometimes, like if you're going because of family, that can be both exciting but also draining 'cause it's travel. And depending on how much, how well you get along with your family, that can also be, you know,
Christine:
00:24:14
True.
Alexandra:
00:24:15
positive or not. So, not so positive for some people. But like you said, I mean, it's already that time of the year you're ending things of you're either going out for Christmas or doing all these, you know, just getting together with people. And I feel like here in the States, it's like we, we back up and we both love Halloween. Lot of my close friends are birthdays in the fall, early winter. Winter. So it's like birthday Halloween birthday birthday, Christmas birthday.
Christine:
00:24:42
Yeah, it's funny.
Alexandra:
00:24:43
a lot. So I love just kind of chilling. And I don't feel like I've really had a chance to do that the past few years, particularly with. I feel like I've been, though I haven't had a class during the winter shutdown, it's immediately gearing up for the next semester trying to get in everything you have to do for what you wanna pull together for people. And the past few years struggled with feeling like, not pulling enough together for people because just feeling so time crunched. But yeah, I think travel holidays only if you really enjoy it. it's different. If you're traveling 45 minutes to go to a family's house for dinner, you're like, yeah, there might be time to just suck it up and go if you're not really close with that family or, you know, An hour and a half away. But if you have to get on a plane, travel, I don't know, maybe if you
Christine:
00:25:32
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:25:34
If not I think it's also okay to say, Hey, I just need some time for myself. It's a lot to do. Any holiday, so
Christine:
00:25:41
Yeah, I'm curious. I would love for those of who are listening, if they are interested in sharing, have you ever chosen to not travel? Like whether you are single and living alone and just need to stay home, or you make the choice to just, you know, celebrate with friends or local family and not go yeah, I'm just curious to hear what other people's experiences are like and what goes into their decision making and yeah, so I would love to know. Love to hear.
Alexandra:
00:26:15
I think we have truly covered the topic of travel. Christine, how
Christine:
00:26:19
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:26:19
into something that you mentioned in the beginning, like what we are loving at the moment
Christine:
00:26:23
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:26:24
loving, what might be driving us crazy things that we are like, ugh, this just this trend just pass on? Should we start books?
Christine:
00:26:33
I think we should start with books.
Alexandra:
00:26:35
All
Christine:
00:26:35
Let's we could talk forever, so let's just start and get going and move on.
Alexandra:
00:26:39
Okay. We might have to hold ourselves accountable to time here because, you know,
Christine:
00:26:43
Yes. 'cause we could really
Alexandra:
00:26:45
books.
Christine:
00:26:46
Exactly. We really could.
Alexandra:
00:26:48
All right.
Christine:
00:26:49
Why don't you, why don't you kick us off,
Alexandra:
00:26:51
okay.
Christine:
00:26:51
Alexandra?
Alexandra:
00:26:52
I know that we had posted a little while ago in our current reads post about the books that we're reading and I was listening to Why Rule Works by David Hamilton, and there's a chapter on, I think it's chapter two on meditations, and it brought up something interesting 'cause he was talking about the similarity, but differences between mantras and affirmations, which made me think of our first episode, or no second episode that we did last year. And so I kind of wanted to update what we had said based
Christine:
00:27:29
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:27:30
that he had researched and found out. And it's actually a really cool book if you're into like more boo woo practices, spiritual, it kind of gives you a lexicon for talking to people who maybe are not as into that aspect and more scientific background. So it's kind of a fun read. I love it. Or listen. He's got a Scottish accent, which is
Christine:
00:27:48
Oh,
Alexandra:
00:27:48
fun to, to listen to.
Christine:
00:27:50
Scottish accent that you can understand. 'cause sometimes that accent gets a little hard for me to,
Alexandra:
00:27:56
it's understandable.
Christine:
00:27:57
okay. Good.
Alexandra:
00:27:58
I think I showed Christine a video of a bakery I follow in, in the Highlands of Scotland. And that's a tough accent. There's sometimes
Christine:
00:28:05
It can be.
Alexandra:
00:28:06
and I'm like. What,
Christine:
00:28:08
I need subtitles, but I'm standing
Alexandra:
00:28:11
I'm with you, I promise. I think,
Christine:
00:28:14
I think
Alexandra:
00:28:14
no, but this is very, it's like a very enjoyable listen Scottish accent. Like you can easily understand. It's
Christine:
00:28:20
Good.
Alexandra:
00:28:21
beautiful. It's keep talking. But these are some direct quotes from that second chapter. So, Dr. Hamilton is a PhD was talking about, the word mantra is derived from two Sanskrit words, manas mind and tra tools or instruments. So literally a mind tool. And that in Hindu, in Buddhist traditions, a mantra is a sound, a word, or a short phrase that is in toned, repeatedly during meditation, contemplation, and prayer. He noted that a key difference between an affirmation and a mantra is that while the former, an affirmation tends to be a positive statement. The latter or mantra is a mystical utterance that is considered sacred and to have deep spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. Ohm. Is the most sacred of Al mantra as it refers to ahman, which is the soul and or self within and Brahman ultimate reality, truth, universe and divine. Supreme being. He goes on to say that mystics say that the sound produces vibrations in our consciousness that align us with a universal consciousness. That many mantras are words or phrases that are associated with love or compassion, or are statements of spiritual insight. that. Another key difference between affirmation and a mantra is that an affirmation tends to require a determined mental effort to make a focus statement. While a mantra requires much less effort, it is more passive and has a calming effect. It goes into some of the science of like brain imaging that they had done to show that affirmations tend to activate the. Parts of the brain that align with or a associated with concentration, whereas mantras tend to deactivate that part of a brain and calm those regions. So I thought that was really interesting. 'cause I think a lot of what we were talking about in that sayings and mantra leaned more affirmation based than traditional mantra. And I just thought that was so cool. 'cause I never really
Christine:
00:30:17
Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:30:18
the specific difference,
Christine:
00:30:20
I certainly didn't.
Alexandra:
00:30:21
was so cool. I was
Christine:
00:30:22
Sometimes I think I, yeah, sometimes I think I've used those words interchange like
Alexandra:
00:30:28
Interchangeably.
Christine:
00:30:29
yeah, but now we have a better understanding of what is the difference. Interesting.
Alexandra:
00:30:34
and I like that, that I think he goes on to talk about like one of the wellknown mantras, I don't know if it's Buddhist or tradition, but oh, money padme. Something, I think it means something like the jewel in the lotus, but I, it's like, it is very different when you think about, I would say, I guess now called more traditional mantras and how they are very, can be very rhythmic and very calming versus this statement that I'm trying to affirm or manifest. So it is really interesting now that I think about one is like I'm activating parts of my brain for concentration. One is like I'm calming myself and I'm just aligning my vibration. So
Christine:
00:31:15
Okay. Well thanks for that little lesson and update. I think that's really fascinating.
Alexandra:
00:31:22
I was like,
Christine:
00:31:22
Thank you. Very cool.
Alexandra:
00:31:23
nerd out.
Christine:
00:31:24
I will let you nerd out anytime
Alexandra:
00:31:26
Alright, so Christine, you wanna kick us off on books, the other,
Christine:
00:31:30
on the books. Did not?
Alexandra:
00:31:32
books.
Christine:
00:31:34
Sure I can, I'm happy to. So, first off, I've really been reading a lot this year more than anything else. I haven't been really watching very much or listening to very much, but I have been reading, I'm actually very close to hitting my reading goal for the year. And I wanna see if I can like, maybe double it. We'll see. We'll see.
Alexandra:
00:31:55
I think
Christine:
00:31:55
Well, yeah,
Alexandra:
00:31:57
the year, so.
Christine:
00:32:00
if I keep up this rate, I may just do that. Who knows. So I've been reading nonstop and some of the favorites that I've. Listened to or read so far from this year is Thrown of the Fallen by Carrie Maniscalco, which if you're not familiar with her, she I've loved, she has had, this is her third series, but it's actually within the same world of one of her previous series. So we've both listened to stalking Jack the Ripper. Right. We both loved that. She then I've, I read a few years ago and Alexander just started the Kingdom of the Wicked Series, which the Throne of the Fallen takes place in the same world. But that's one of that's one of my favorites so far this year. It's, if you're not familiar with the series, it how do I do this in a nutshell? So,
Alexandra:
00:32:55
to cram into
Christine:
00:32:56
yeah, basically. Exactly. Basically there are. Seven princes of hell and they all focus on one of the seven deadly sins. So Kingdom of the Wicked focuses particularly on the Prince Wrath and his story, his love story because they are romances. And then kingdom of the Fallen, sorry, throne of the fallen not kingdom, throne of the Fallen is focuses on a new prince. And it it's a great time. It's,
Alexandra:
00:33:32
Which Prince does it focus on?
Christine:
00:33:35
oh, see, I've read two she's released two and now I need to remember, let me look that up really quick.
Alexandra:
00:33:39
It's like
Christine:
00:33:40
I think it's envy, but let me double check. so. This story revolves around Prince Envy and his, his romance and basically the, this is gonna be a series, but each book is gonna be a one-off. So it's focusing on one sp specific prince and their love story or romance or whatever the case may be.
Alexandra:
00:34:01
Right. That's, you think you said it was the Dark and You series
Christine:
00:34:03
I,
Alexandra:
00:34:04
in that series, the first four books were on one couple, and then all the others have been like one offs with same world related
Christine:
00:34:11
Exactly. Yes. And this is new adult, so there is plenty of steamy, spicy moments. And it's a good time. It's fun it's playful, it's fun to sort of, because you meet the other princes in the original series, but you don't really get to know them. So this is a fun insight into them more. And so that, that's was one of the main, so far, one of my favorite books that I've read this year, I've also really enjoy, I love a good mystery murder mystery. Who done it? I read the House across the Lake this year, which I should give. Let me look up the author of that one. I didn't write that down. Silly Me. Riley Sager, I believe is that author, but I'm just gonna double check.
Alexandra:
00:35:01
I feel like I'm looking for some good murder mysteries, although I might want to reread a series that I haven't picked up in a while. That's
Christine:
00:35:09
which one?
Alexandra:
00:35:09
a a two part series now. The original series is the, I think it's called the Fatal Series. So the first one is Fatal Affair, and it's about a metro DC cop and somebody who worked for a senator. So like a politician and each book obviously. Is a standalone, it's a different case, but the characters, the detectives, the people related to them all cross. And then of course, there's now a second spinoff series, which I won't give the title Series title too, because it would reveal too much if anyone was interested.
Christine:
00:35:44
oh, interesting. Huh. Okay.
Alexandra:
00:35:47
Although I was talking to my sister about it and
Christine:
00:35:50
I,
Alexandra:
00:35:50
talking about the most recent one in the new series, and we're like, yeah, the main character's kind of pissing us off, but I guess To read it. Maybe it'll get better, so,
Christine:
00:35:57
maybe it'll get better. I always like to give it the benefit of the doubt let me see how it evolves, because sometimes they do that on purpose. Authors.
Alexandra:
00:36:05
back in the next one, I guess. We'll give it to you.
Christine:
00:36:08
All right, cool. Cool. But yes, the house across the lake was one of, not only one of my favorite books I've read this year, but has been one of my f favorite mysteries that I've read recently because I really wasn't, it had some good unexpected things happen. I don't necessarily want to give too much away, but you would be, you think you know who the villain is and then
Alexandra:
00:36:34
Surprised it's not.
Christine:
00:36:35
surprises come. Yeah. So highly recommend that one. And then I. Also another one I mentioned in our favorite current reads that we posted, the people you meet on vacation is just a fun, lighthearted romcom by Emily Henry. And it's actually being adapted into a film. And it's starring the actress, I'm blanking on her name at the moment, but she, if you watched My Lady Jane, she's the main actress from
Alexandra:
00:37:04
Oh, okay.
Christine:
00:37:05
show in this movie that's coming out. So
Alexandra:
00:37:09
to say how disappointed I am? That show's not coming back
Christine:
00:37:11
I'm so bummed that it's not coming back. And mostly I think it's because Amazon did, its such a disservice and how it marketed that show, Like it truly is. I've been describing it as like Ella Enchanted for Adults,
Alexandra:
00:37:25
Yes.
Christine:
00:37:26
the breaking the fourth wall.
Alexandra:
00:37:28
market that was in love with Ellen Enchanter, which
Christine:
00:37:31
He really could have.
Alexandra:
00:37:32
rewashed, but it's so freaking good.
Christine:
00:37:35
Yeah. Yeah. It is so thick and good. So she's gonna be starring in this adaptation of this book by Emily Henry. A fun read, great beach read, great or non beach read. Read right now. It's so good. And then I've also delved more this year into the dark sphere.
Alexandra:
00:37:53
Mm-hmm.
Christine:
00:37:54
Has recommended stuff to me. I've recommended stuff to her, but I've read Quicksilver Lights Out Hunting, Adeline Hunting and Hunting. I've read both. What else? I read the first book in the Lord's series. The Ritual, right?
Alexandra:
00:38:11
the rich yes, the ritual. I love how that one builds it as like a university. I'm
Christine:
00:38:16
Oh yeah. Dark College Romance. Yeah. No, they don't.
Alexandra:
00:38:20
college? There is no. If you just accept that they really don't go to class and that they somehow still graduate, then I think you'll be fine.
Christine:
00:38:29
And then become like leaders in the world. Yeah. It doesn't,
Alexandra:
00:38:34
up. The whole series is so fucked up. And if you
Christine:
00:38:38
well, I've only read the one, so I haven't gotten back to the rest of the series yet. But Yeah, so I've read some, like varying degrees of dark romance. So like some that are not as dark and graphic as others. It's definitely read the content warnings. One, take care of yourself two. But if you wanna try something different that's a little like taboo, I feel like there's plenty of good books out there that, that will scratch that itch for you.
Alexandra:
00:39:09
Did I tell you what happened when I was reading the Lord Series on my Kindle app?
Christine:
00:39:13
I don't know if you did
Alexandra:
00:39:14
So it was so funny. I just I knew that I had seen from things on, you know, social media oh, there are trigger warnings dah. Like it's a
Christine:
00:39:23
Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:39:24
all this stuff. Okay? So I jump into reading it. I never saw the freaking trigger warnings, and I'm just going through and I'm like, damn, okay, ho. What, and
Christine:
00:39:35
should really warn you before you read this.
Alexandra:
00:39:38
not that. Luckily I didn't have any issues with it, but
Christine:
00:39:40
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:39:41
into the second one and I'm like, man, they really, it's so odd that they don't include the trigger warning. So I'm just going through, by the third book, I finally realized that Kindle was taking me to the prologue, the skipping the title page, like the table of contents, the
Christine:
00:39:57
yeah, it does do that.
Alexandra:
00:39:59
oh. So Did. I just, Kindle was like, eh, assume
Christine:
00:40:04
gonna just,
Alexandra:
00:40:06
You
Christine:
00:40:06
you know what you're getting into,
Alexandra:
00:40:09
Here we go.
Christine:
00:40:10
right? And you were so kind. You gave me that little heads up
Alexandra:
00:40:14
go back.
Christine:
00:40:15
I, she wasn't sure how I was gonna read it. I actually listened to the first book, but yeah, she's there are trigger warnings. Take a look at them before you get into it. And I was like, that is a helpful tip.
Alexandra:
00:40:27
You're like, oh, what?
Christine:
00:40:29
Ooh. Yeah. Yeah. It, and you know, it's, it takes a little bit of adjusting and it is not for everyone, but I'm having a great time.
Alexandra:
00:40:39
I will say, that's something I noticed on your list. That's also on my list,
Christine:
00:40:44
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:40:45
and it was really fucking good. It was so good. It was so funny, and it was kind of, it's weird to say that it was lighter a dark romance.
Christine:
00:40:52
Lights out Girl. Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:40:55
was funny as all get out
Christine:
00:40:57
it was very funny. And it was so I read that after reading H both H
Alexandra:
00:41:03
hunting and then haunting. Haunting,
Christine:
00:41:04
Haunting and Hunt, which. Dark as hell, especially h hunting, God dammit, they're so similar. But it was, so, it was, it was really good. It was funny, it was lighthearted. I, and then something I think a lot of people sometimes complain about is the insta love that happens in a lot of these romance genre in general can be, I'm like, why the hell are you here? It's fictional. It's not supposed to make sense of, so what if they're like in love with each other after locking eyes or spending two minutes or stalking them on social media or whatever the case may be?
Alexandra:
00:41:44
To live it. You don't have to do that. You don't have to fall
Christine:
00:41:46
no
Alexandra:
00:41:47
But leave my romance books alone.
Christine:
00:41:50
leave. Yeah. Let me live in my world of my bubble. My bubble. But yeah.
Alexandra:
00:41:55
I feel like I, if anyone wants to listen to it, read it. your
Christine:
00:41:59
I've heard good things about the audiobook.
Alexandra:
00:42:02
I, yeah, I haven't listened to a preview, but I just read it and it was great. 'cause I
Christine:
00:42:06
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:42:08
What is this? Spoiler alert. That's the word. I was like, I just love the whole accidental murder. And then they're like, yeah, the couple that slays together stays
Christine:
00:42:20
Stays together.
Alexandra:
00:42:21
And you're like, and then it just snowballs.
Christine:
00:42:26
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:42:27
It's so funny. Oh, what's so great? It's a good time.
Christine:
00:42:31
Oh, it's a good time. I had a, I had fun with that one. But, and then I'll wrap it up really quick. My last little update. Some, well, actually two things. Something you got me onto hockey romances. I will say I haven't delved outside of the pucking around universe yet,
Alexandra:
00:42:50
I'm
Christine:
00:42:51
and I know that is a hot topic. Yeah. Yeah. I know that. And I know that is like a hot topic for people. There could be a lot of controversy around that series, but leave me alone. I'm having a good fucking time. Okay.
Alexandra:
00:43:05
You
Christine:
00:43:05
this all started when,
Alexandra:
00:43:06
Be.
Christine:
00:43:07
yes, this all started. Alexandra came up to visit around my birthday this past year. We went to the Rip Bois in New York and Brooklyn. Fun. If you are in the Brooklyn, New York or New Jersey, like if you can get there, I recommend going. It's a great time. They also have a location in California.
Alexandra:
00:43:25
Oh,
Christine:
00:43:26
Yes. Yes. I think
Alexandra:
00:43:29
that might be a trip. I have to
Christine:
00:43:30
Los Angeles maybe.
Alexandra:
00:43:31
Oh, I have to go back to my state. Okay.
Christine:
00:43:34
So, she picked, that's one of the books she picked up. She had heard something about the story and was interested. No, you hadn't heard. Oh, I thought you had seen something about it.
Alexandra:
00:43:46
that sounds fun.
Christine:
00:43:47
Oh my gosh, my bad.
Alexandra:
00:43:49
thing about it.
Christine:
00:43:50
Okay, well now we know a lot about it.
Alexandra:
00:43:56
I think your first comment to me after you started, just like, how did you not talk to anyone about
Christine:
00:44:00
I, yes. So she read it and then I started after her and I couldn't not talk about it to her. I was like, how did you not say anything to me? Because usually we talk about our books. Well, I just had to talk about it, so I was very surprised she didn't. But yeah,
Alexandra:
00:44:19
think I'd mentioned the hockey thing before and you're like, ah, well, you know, I was like, okay, well, you know,
Christine:
00:44:23
yeah, I wasn't necessarily on board, but It was available to listen.
Alexandra:
00:44:28
the hockey romances?
Christine:
00:44:29
I'm fully in, I'm also like, what other sport romances could I get into? Let's see,
Alexandra:
00:44:34
a serious for you. If you want
Christine:
00:44:36
I, yeah.
Alexandra:
00:44:37
Pause for research, I have to
Christine:
00:44:39
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:44:40
actual title of the series.
Christine:
00:44:41
What sport?
Alexandra:
00:44:42
all the sports.
Christine:
00:44:44
Oh, all sports.
Alexandra:
00:44:46
Oh, interesting. She must be changing the covers and my no app must be updating it. So it is the play by play series by JC Burton. The first book is the perfect play, and then it kind of goes through, so you asked what sport it is. It's kind of like all the sports. So the first one is a football romance. The second one, baseball. Then there's hockey, football, baseball, race, car driving.
Christine:
00:45:13
ooh.
Alexandra:
00:45:14
Football, hockey, football. But there's a couple, couple other sports in there. I don't, Not been any basketball. So I think I found that
Christine:
00:45:25
Interesting.
Alexandra:
00:45:25
Like a teenager college. So that was probably one of my first forays into, sports, romance books. And they're really fun. It's all the characters, it's one-off books, but they're all connected. So you'll kind of meet the couple or the people who will be in the next book. So that's
Christine:
00:45:44
Well, that's fun.
Alexandra:
00:45:45
one. If you want like different sports and then some, I don't know. Oh, I remember how I got into hockey. Hockey smut and hockey romance. I, there's a audio book narrator I really like, and I dunno if we've talked about this in the podcast before, but I was looking at other books. She narrates under two different names and came across this one book written by Helena Hunting. And it was the start of her, I think, fourth series in the same world. So kind of all connected, but you can read 'em as a standalone. And it was called, if You Hate Me and I love the Narrators with Good Time, it's Mud. And so from that I went back and I pretty much all of Helena Hunting's books in those series. And so I read from the very first series, which. Fucked. And then it's, it that, then the second series, then the third, and then finally to the Toronto Terror Series, which I'm loving so far.
Christine:
00:46:43
Oh,
Alexandra:
00:46:44
got a couple one-off books that are about characters in that, but not necessarily main characters in hockey. So,
Christine:
00:46:52
okay.
Alexandra:
00:46:53
I think she's got one coming out that's again in the world but may not be totally linked into the series. So I'm
Christine:
00:47:00
I'm wondering, did I download anything by her, because that name is familiar. No, not yet, but I, yeah, she's on my list to read that.
Alexandra:
00:47:12
she's very funny. I, all the characters I think have, they're such good stories. I know that I included it, chase
Christine:
00:47:20
Mm-hmm.
Alexandra:
00:47:21
I think in the current reads, and
Christine:
00:47:23
Yep.
Alexandra:
00:47:23
the spinoffs, the, but not in the main series of the Toronto Terror one. And then I, we both listened to audio books Might be an Audible original or an audible only, but it was one called Know Your Newlyweds and it was a full cast, but it almost reminded me of the old radio shows where they do a lot of sound effects and music with it. So it's not just a full cast narration, it's all these other things. It was really, a fun, listen, it was short. I think it was like maybe five hours, but it was
Christine:
00:47:56
Oh,
Alexandra:
00:47:57
It was really
Christine:
00:47:57
that,
Alexandra:
00:47:58
I would listen to it again.
Christine:
00:47:59
that's cool. Nice.
Alexandra:
00:48:01
into the duet narration or the full cow, full cast narration. Yeah.
Christine:
00:48:07
Okay. Alright, cool.
Alexandra:
00:48:09
Any books you haven't been loving before we move on
Christine:
00:48:11
Ooh, that's a good question. There's been some that I'm just like, eh, there hasn't been any that I did not finish. I think the last book that I really didn't like, I haven't read anything this year that I really didn't like, but last year I read a book by Lee Bar Dugo, which is an author I have heard lots about. There are other books by her that I'm interested in reading, but this one just didn't do it for me. It's ninth House by Lee Bar Jugo. I read that last year. I just, it wasn't for me. But there's been some that are just meh, but I like didn't mind.
Alexandra:
00:48:48
it.
Christine:
00:48:49
Yeah, I didn't mind. Like right now, actually I'm listening to a book, what's it called? Pretty Little Savage, I think is the name of the book by Lucy Smoke. I um,
Alexandra:
00:48:59
about that one. Yeah.
Christine:
00:49:01
I downloaded through Audible my my subscription, like you get access to some titles that are like included in it. Essentially, you don't have to use a credit or pay for to download and listen to it. The whole trilogy was available and I was like, you know what? Why not? I, it could be also that I've just been listening to a lot more sm s money, spicy stuff recently. There hasn't been a whole lot of that. There's been a lot of like buildup, but I'm 80% of the way through. I have three hours left and I haven't had that payoff yet. So that's a little annoying. But something that has wrecked me, but I'm so happy that I have read. So I've finally, it took me long enough, but I have delved into the world of Fanfic fan fiction and I have dabbled in the past, don't get me wrong, but this is one that I really went in and I went in on specific. Pacific ship that I think a lot of people, there's a lot out there to read of this ship and a lot of people probably might be able to guess. But I finally have started reading some Dani fan fiction, which if you don't know what Dani is, where the hell have you been? Are you what? What's going on everyone? So Miah is the Draco Hermione ship from Harry Potter. We have talked before about Harry Potter. It's what got me into reading when I was in middle school. I have a lot of mixed feelings about Harry Potter right now, but that's because of the author. So we don't have to dive into that. We've talked about this before Alexandra and I, but These fanfictions are written by some very talented writers. I. And some might be wondering. I wanna see, I'm gonna leave it out there. Any guesses on what fan fix I've read? Oh,
Alexandra:
00:50:51
Go write your answers in comments.
Christine:
00:50:53
go bring your answer in the comment really quickly. So I started getting these recommendations on TikTok and I started getting, seeing a lot of different things about Mion, but specifically Manacled. A lot of people will know who are in the Mion sphere, will have heard of Manacled, have probably read Manacled. It is quite the story. I read it within a week, five days I believe. And if you know how long that book is, that's insane. I did not sleep, I just couldn't put it down. I don't wanna get necessarily too far into this 'cause we have lots of other things to talk about, but I just want you all to know I have arrived, I have started reading Dion. I have read Manacles. And then the one that I read and I actually listened to because someone did a podcast of it on, I think it's on Spotify, where each chapter, each episode is a chapter of the fanfic. And that one is called Secrets and Masks, which wrecked me as well, but in a entirely different way. So yeah, that's my last little reading update. Everyone. I've been busy. What can I say? Is there anything else any other books, Alexandra, that you've got percolating in the back of your head that you haven't talked about yet?
Alexandra:
00:52:20
One I'm gonna hold onto for a minute. And then, you know me, I love a good book about tarot, so that's always somewhere in the mix. So,
Christine:
00:52:29
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:52:30
recently got the, where'd it go? I think the Light Sears. So it's in tandem, the author Chris Ann, she made a light Sears tarot deck, and I think it's tarot for light. Sears is the expanded version of her guidebook. And I feel as a, we've talked about, I'm a card reader, Sometimes the struggle you know, people are like, well, you don't really need to read a guidebook to know cards. I'm like I kind of disagree with that because I think anything I do read, it can just, all it will help is improve me. Really excited. So she's got full color. I. In full page illustrations of her cards in that deck. And then she goes into like the seeker side and then the shadow side. So more like of a reversal. And so I really love I think it's really her only deck that I've truly connected with. So I really love to see the different symbology that she kind of puts into different things. And I really just hope that by reading it and kind of absorbing what this artist sees, when she looks at different symbols and signs then I can extrapolate that and expand it onto other decks that I read. So, I love to nerd out about tarot. We all know that. So I
Christine:
00:53:36
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:53:37
much time harping on that 'cause I could be here all day. So why don't we delve into movies and
Christine:
00:53:42
Okay,
Alexandra:
00:53:42
Christine,
Christine:
00:53:42
let's do it.
Alexandra:
00:53:43
reading, but
Christine:
00:53:44
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:53:45
the what on your watch list?
Christine:
00:53:46
So recently, not a whole lot, but I recently watched this just came out on Netflix. LA this month, earlier this month, end of last month called the Life List starring Sophia Carson is so sweet. It's I, it might be based off of a book, I'm not sure, but it was a great sort of sweet movie to watch. Heart Full of Heart, it's about a young woman after her mom's death figuring out who she is again, and has these messages from her mom that she purposely sort of set up a challenge for her daughter to do after, and this is revealed to her after her passing. So it. It's a sweet watch. If that is something you are interested in, I would recommend I started but have not finished and I am loving the residents on Netflix. Alexandra also wrote this a note about this for her. I'm interested to hear her thoughts, but I haven't finished it yet, so
Alexandra:
00:54:47
Okay.
Christine:
00:54:48
no spoilers.
Alexandra:
00:54:50
all righty.
Christine:
00:54:50
That's a great, that's like in the Who done it genre vein. It gives me like only murders in the building vibes. It gives me knives out vibes. It's a good time. That one for those who don't know, is also on Netflix. It is a TV show that, and basically what happens in Murder happens at a state dinner in the White House, and the greatest detective in the world is called Into Come and Solve it. And she is a quirky woman. She's a hoot, but she's quirky and I like her a lot. So. Definitely what one of the things I'm loving lately. Excited to finish. And then lastly, I just started and it just started airing weekly. On HBO Max, they released one episode a week, the last of a season two has started. I don't know if you know anything about that, Alexandra, but it is a TV show that is based off of a video game that it is very beloved in the gaming community. Season one I watched last year with two of my best friends. We did a weekly or watched together. And we are, we've started season two and I actually started playing the game. I'm gonna try and be a gamer, maybe. Who knows?
Alexandra:
00:56:04
Okay.
Christine:
00:56:06
I haven't played I've never been much of a gamer. I played video games as a kid sometimes, but it never was never anything I. Necessarily dedicated a lot of time to, but this in particular I'm really interested in playing the game, so I actually started, didn't get very far. I'm very bad. I die really quickly,
Alexandra:
00:56:28
That's okay.
Christine:
00:56:29
you know, it's a learning curve, you know, I'm learning. I, it's exactly, I'll get better and by the end of it, I'll be a pro maybe, who knows? I guess it's 30 plus hours of gameplay, so there's plenty of practice.
Alexandra:
00:56:42
Yeah. Cool.
Christine:
00:56:44
Yeah. So that's what I've been watching and loving recently.
Alexandra:
00:56:47
Nice.
Christine:
00:56:47
How about you? What about,
Alexandra:
00:56:49
I feel like I should talk about it because the residents, you mentioned it, I,
Christine:
00:56:52
okay.
Alexandra:
00:56:53
I stumbled across it because the trailer was just so funny
Christine:
00:56:57
Mm-hmm.
Alexandra:
00:56:58
and I didn't mean, in a way it was like captivating. It was clearly a who done it, it looked like it was gonna be comedic, but interesting. And I love that the show just keeps you guessing the whole time. And I stopped
Christine:
00:57:11
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:57:11
and I showed it to my mom. And so then we started watching it together and by episode six we're like, how is there still more?
Christine:
00:57:19
Oh, that's where I'm at, by the way. I'm at episode six. I've watched it. Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:57:23
I'm not gonna say a thing 'cause
Christine:
00:57:25
No, please.
Alexandra:
00:57:26
But I love the way it's told It is the present is where they're doing. What is it a senate hearing, a Hearing looking at this murder inve and like the investigation into the murder. Is it truly a murder? Is it not all that
Christine:
00:57:39
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:57:40
the actual murder and the whole investigation process takes place in the past, and it is, so in some ways it's so choppy. So you're getting bits and bobs with the information throughout the whole show, and you're like, I think I've figured out. We know who's done it. And then it's oh, nope, here we go. And there's this whole other line of questioning and she's going this way and. I think one of my favorite things it's definitely not spoiler for you, Christine, but I think it was like the first episode where the greatest detective in the world, she's a birder. I love that. She's just the whole thing so she can go birding. But the agent who's I guess assigned to her and help her, he setting up the, in one of the investigation, like interview rooms and he's what's that? And she's paper, what's it for? Writing for what words? And it was just the way in which it was delivered was absolutely. Funny, their whole dynamic, the entire show was great. And
Christine:
00:58:35
yes.
Alexandra:
00:58:35
I love, she's I'll ask the questions. And he's well, I wanna ask the questions and da. And so she's you will not, they go into a thing. And so he doesn't, and they bring in the first person that we see interviewed and he, she doesn't say a peep. And he's well, you wanna know about this, right? Da. He's well, I'm not gonna tell you I, I don't have to stay here. So he gets up to leave, he gets to the door, he's well, you probably wanna know about this. So he starts telling, he's well, that's it. I'm done. I'm walking out. Goes back to the door and then he turns around and says something. And like she has not said a word the entire time. He finally spills all of his guts,
Christine:
00:59:06
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:59:06
and then the FBI turns to her and she's FBI Agent turns to her and he is you asked the questions and it was just but I was talking to a coworker who was interested in the show, but in the. Scenes where it goes, bass, it's like fast-paced jazz music and she doesn't like that. So I thought that was really interesting. Been rewatching it 'cause just to see if I can catch some of the things earlier. And it was interesting how much I didn't really notice it, but yeah, it does pick up the pace and starts to make you like, kind of get into it. So I, that was really interesting. but other shows that I've liked, I've been enjoying Matlock and El Smith. Elspeth is kind of like a, a crime show, but it's more, it feels more like who done it even though you know who did it in the beginning and you're kind of watching this character Figure it out. So that's really fun. Matlock is like a legal drama and that's really interesting. It's picking up I don't know if we're at the end of the season, but my gosh, I think it's already slotted to come back. So I'm excited. I think both of them are. And then I love Sweet Magnolias, a new season released. It went March.
Christine:
01:00:14
Yes, I think so.
Alexandra:
01:00:16
I hope they do another season.
Christine:
01:00:18
I haven't yet watched it.
Alexandra:
01:00:19
So I won't tell you
Christine:
01:00:20
Okay.
Alexandra:
01:00:21
It's cute. And so I think I was talking about this with my sister and I love, loved more girls. There's That I really love and enjoy. I used to rewatch it about like once a year, once every year and a half. And then my most recent kind of watch through, I stopped halfway through and I couldn't stand, like half the characters were pissing me off, like Lole and Rory so much. And then I had found Sweet Magnolias and I feel like Sweet Magnolias has kind of filled that void of where Gilmore Girls has left me disappointed. So, so yeah.
Christine:
01:00:57
Okay,
Alexandra:
01:00:57
And
Christine:
01:00:57
cool.
Alexandra:
01:00:58
I've been rewatching some ones that I love haven't really ventured into new ones, but the life list is on two watch list. So.
Christine:
01:01:07
Oh, okay. Fascinating. I didn't know You haven't washed it yet. Cool. I recommend it. It's good. It's sweet.
Alexandra:
01:01:13
So that's my movie list.
Christine:
01:01:16
Okay, cool.
Alexandra:
01:01:18
Where do you wanna go to next?
Christine:
01:01:20
Well, let's quickly, I just wanna touch on, I don't know if you have anything to say, but podcasts that I. Love to listen to and always find my way back to, I kind of go in two directions when it comes to my podcast.
Alexandra:
01:01:34
okay.
Christine:
01:01:34
crime or comedy? True crime. I always love listening to Crime Junkie. Ashley and Brit are great hosts. I love how Ashley always sets up the story and Brit ads in her commentary.
Alexandra:
01:01:49
Okay.
Christine:
01:01:51
Good time. Good time. I have with those two. And then I also love laughing when I just want to put something mindless on and just giggle. I love listening to the Tony and Ryan podcast,
Alexandra:
01:02:02
Okay.
Christine:
01:02:03
are two friends who I think they used to work with each other in radio and then decided to do this podcast. They started in, I think during the pandemic, but they are from Australia. They released. Daily, I think during the week, Monday through Friday. And they're like 30 minutes or a little more, a little less. And they're just funny. They're just, they talk about everything and nothing. And it's a good time. But I also, I haven't listened to scripted podcasts in a long time, but a couple of recommendations in that in that realm is the Bright Sessions and Wolf 3 59. Those were two really great podcasts that I enjoyed listening to for their story, for the for the quality of what they did in terms of the editing and sound design and everything like that. So yeah, that's, if that's something you're interested in listening to, I recommend those two podcasts, the Bright Sessions and Wolf 3 59. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:03:02
Oh, very nice. Okay, so crafts, any
Christine:
01:03:06
Yes.
Alexandra:
01:03:07
that you've been into.
Christine:
01:03:08
With, well, you know me, I love a good craft. I love to get creative and get my hands dirty or busy doing something depending on the craft. So recently, I haven't done a whole lot recently, but what I did do this past Christmas was I personalized a gift for a friend. I basically thrifted a jacket of jean denim jacket, and she's like my horror movie gal. We, this past year we started watching old horror movies and we have a whole long list and we're constantly sending each other stuff. I think we're gonna go see that movie Sinners next Week. I don't know if you've heard anything about that one. It's starring Michael B. Jordan and Haley Steinfeld.
Alexandra:
01:03:55
interesting.
Christine:
01:03:56
And it's. Kind of, I don't know a whole lot about it, but it takes place in like Jim Crow era in the south, and there's vampires. So I've heard really great things. It looks really interesting. I think we're gonna go watch that on Tuesday. But back to the craft that I was talking about, I personalized a jacket for her and I basically painted a image on the back for her. And I added patches and I did some embroidery because that's another, that's one of my favorite crafts that I've been getting into more and more over the years is embroidery. It's a great thing to do while listening to something like a audio book or a podcast. And I love sort of seeing it all come together so that, that's what I've been, that's what I've been into crafting wise lately. How about you?
Alexandra:
01:04:44
I haven't really had a whole lot of time for actually doing crafts recently. However, I did get kind of obsessed with the idea of book rebinding 'cause of all the At the end of last year. So I've ordered some things to do that. I'm missing some key pieces to do that time and space, but it is something that I would like to do. It just, it looks. Sort of relaxing, sort of like very methodical, there's a process and Creative. So that is something I have not yet tried, but want to, and hopefully by the end of this year I will have say I have rebound my first book, I actually bought a book for Christine, one of her favorite books to,
Christine:
01:05:19
Oh yes.
Alexandra:
01:05:20
So, it'll be a while, but
Christine:
01:05:23
That's okay. No worries. I appreciate that. I'm excited to see it. Once you do have the time to do it. I know you wanna like practice on some other things too. Kind of get the hang of it. There's no rush. Love. It's all good. It's all good.
Alexandra:
01:05:39
that is not something that is anywhere near the gida of my to-do list right now. Also, I'm missing
Christine:
01:05:43
okay.
Alexandra:
01:05:43
key pieces to do it
Christine:
01:05:45
fair. No worries.
Alexandra:
01:05:47
All righty.
Christine:
01:05:48
I like something to work towards.
Alexandra:
01:05:50
Let's get into the last one for this section, and that's pop culture.
Christine:
01:05:54
Yeah. What, so what have you been loving and hating lately? In pop culture?
Alexandra:
01:05:59
So I think I've been hating. I don't know, and I don't know how I feel about it, but has had a massive resurgence. I feel like every
Christine:
01:06:09
Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:06:10
somebody in a Twilight jacket in, you know, twilight's coming up on Instagram and like Fun of it or like comedy sketches on it, but also like news about,
Christine:
01:06:19
Yeah. And so much merch and so much like Lego has is releasing stuff. Twilight, like all of the graphic tees are back like twilight's back.
Alexandra:
01:06:31
about the Legos twilight We
Christine:
01:06:34
yes.
Alexandra:
01:06:34
and there was a toilet.
Christine:
01:06:36
Y yeah,
Alexandra:
01:06:37
was like,
Christine:
01:06:38
she's back. I mean, hey, that was an era of my life that I will never, I'll look back on and be like, okay, that was me, you know? But like it's always gonna have a special place in my heart. But I find it really funny to see it because like people loved it when it was coming out. Then people really did not like it.
Alexandra:
01:07:01
hated it.
Christine:
01:07:02
they hate it. I think people love to hate it, I think. And, but right now in particular, maybe it's like the nostalgia of it. 'cause it has been 10. Almost 10, 10 years since the last movie came out, which is crazy, by the way.
Alexandra:
01:07:18
I still feel like Though, you know, for it to hit this kind of popular resurgence. But that's just me.
Christine:
01:07:24
Hey, I don't know. I don't know what to make of it, but I'm going with it, I guess. I mean, I've only I not, I don't have any desire to reread it, but who knows, maybe one day. I definitely do love rewatching the films and laughing at some of it.
Alexandra:
01:07:39
I feel like I do rewatch and reread them every so often. And it was funny 'cause I think I started rereading the series last year, right? It through the series last year. And we were talking about this and we were writing our notes and I was like, oh my gosh, you know what I don't love? That's comeback. I don't hate it, but I don't love it. It was Twilight. And Christine was like, oh yeah. I was like, yeah, also, and by the way, I'm rereading it and it got stuck. I never finished rereading it. So, since we, we talked about this episode and like what made a note about this. I have since finished the one that I hadn't finished.
Christine:
01:08:11
Oh, which one was it?
Alexandra:
01:08:13
Midnight Sun, so I decided to
Christine:
01:08:14
Oh.
Alexandra:
01:08:15
Twilight, then I went right, right into Midnight Sun, which might have been a mistake on part my part because, you know, having at that point just finished Twilight. I'm like, let me reread the story from other perspective. So I actually finished it this morning before we started recording
Christine:
01:08:29
Oh, wait. Wow. Okay.
Alexandra:
01:08:31
check.
Christine:
01:08:32
funny.
Alexandra:
01:08:32
I literally got stuck at the end and I was like, Ugh, can't get
Christine:
01:08:34
Was that your first read of Midnight Sound, or had you read it before?
Alexandra:
01:08:37
No, I've read it before. So after the series came out, I was really interesting, like I was really into the series, and there was a whole thing about Stephanie Meyer. She stopped writing it because somebody, I don't know how true this is, but I feel like this is what I remember from back then. Somebody had gone through the trash and found an old draft or copy, and so she stopped writing it and put what she had up online. And I read it when it was up online up to like maybe chapter 17.
Christine:
01:09:04
Yeah, I remember that too.
Alexandra:
01:09:06
a
Christine:
01:09:06
I think I did the same
Alexandra:
01:09:07
she finished, she finally finished it. So I read it and I was like, ah interesting. It's really, it's interesting from a different way. And then I'll get back into to New Moon after that and go through the rest.
Christine:
01:09:18
new moon's like a rough one.
Alexandra:
01:09:22
yeah. Yeah. I,
Christine:
01:09:26
Well, let me know how you, how that goes for you.
Alexandra:
01:09:29
It's interesting. I think it is, if you've never reread it and you were in love with it as like a teen, it may be worth a reread.
Christine:
01:09:39
Okay. I probably haven't,
Alexandra:
01:09:41
of the characters
Christine:
01:09:42
I don't think I reread the books. I think I only read them once and then I never reread them. So maybe I still have all my copies of the original series. I don't have Midnight Sun and I don't have Life and Death. Life or Death. Life and Death that
Alexandra:
01:09:59
interesting too.
Christine:
01:10:00
the, that's the gender swap. Right. Okay. Yeah,
Alexandra:
01:10:04
it has a really different ending because
Christine:
01:10:05
I,
Alexandra:
01:10:07
you can't end that story the same way.
Christine:
01:10:11
okay, cool.
Alexandra:
01:10:12
I mean,
Christine:
01:10:12
Good to know,
Alexandra:
01:10:12
you gender flub and you can't have the whole series play out the same way.
Christine:
01:10:16
right? Yeah, I'm sure. What does it end with him being turned?
Alexandra:
01:10:21
Yeah. It's been a while, but yeah, I think so.
Christine:
01:10:26
Okay. I mean, I kind of figured like she's not gonna re. Rewrite the whole series
Alexandra:
01:10:31
that'd be
Christine:
01:10:31
with the gender swap. I think she did that for the 10th anniversary 20th. There was an anniversary that she did that for The book. I think. Maybe it was 10th, because didn't the first book come out in 20 2006? 2000. Anyway,
Alexandra:
01:10:49
have no
Christine:
01:10:49
Yeah, so twilight's back, We have some feelings about it. I also, as I mentioned earlier, have been full on in TikTok and Fanfic recommendations. It learns what you like, linger on. So it noticed that I was interacting with like darker romance content. And then after reading lights out, I started getting like the masked Man side of TikTok sent my way, which is, interesting. But Alexandria, I don't think you have TikTok, but if you ever do have, it's a wild time.
Alexandra:
01:11:26
Sometimes I feel like TikTok, like a lot of what ends up on TikTok, ends up on Instagram, so I'm like, at some point I'll see it.
Christine:
01:11:32
True. It does eventually make its way over at some point. But yeah, I think the only reason why I ended up with TikTok is, oh, I remember. So I had, I was down in Florida. This was like just after, I think this was 2021. So it was still covid, oy times, but things were slowly starting to open up. And I was down in Florida with my sister and her boyfriend of the time, of that time. And the Super Bowl was happening and it just so happened to be happening in Tampa, which is near where we were staying. Excuse me. And, something happened with her phone the day before the Super Bowl, and she's we're gonna spend like 10 hours at a bar. I don't have my phone. I need you to download TikTok right now. I'm like, okay. So she's the only reason why I downloaded the app in the first place. And then for some reason it took me several years, but I started to get into it more and more within the last year. And now I sort of split my social media time. I'll be on Instagram for a while and then I'll go over to TikTok, but I try to like, limit it as much as possible. 'cause sometimes it's just too much to just be on there forever and ever. But one of the thing other things that came out of TikTok for me because I'm also a musical theater nerd I love Broadway, I love theater, all that. I was starting to see content around this thing called Epic, which is a musical theater concept album. That is based on the story of the Odyssey, and it's so good you guys like, so it's not a full stage show yet. I think there's an intention to do that. But basically this started as this guy's senior project for college. And he just has stuck with it and he's created a whole musical based on the entire story of the Odyssey, which, and it's really good and it goes hard. So if you have some time to spare and wanna hear the story of Odysseus at all, I recommend It's a good time. It's a good time. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:13:43
Okay.
Christine:
01:13:44
that's a wrap on my on all of the pop culture and silly things that I'm loving these days.
Alexandra:
01:13:50
Nice. I feel like we're really giving the listeners a true in-depth experience of what one of our catch-ups are like. I
Christine:
01:13:56
Yes, I agree. Well, let's start wrapping this up maybe a little bit. Let's give some updates about work life, all that. You wanna kick us off? What's going on? You, we've sort of teased a little bit. You've got a new role at work.
Alexandra:
01:14:12
do have a new role at work. So I, I have a role that's more data and finance centered. So have moved a little bit out of straight administrative work, although, I'm still doing that until they hopefully can hire somebody and I can offload some of that off my plate. But partially why we're rescheduling the Newport trip is because the second weekend that we were potentially thinking about going is that last weekend in June. And the fiscal year for where I work is ends June 30th. And since it's my first year in the role, I was like, I feel like I don't think I can ask for time off at that point because kind of need to be there to figure out what's the what with the new role. So I've been knee deep in learning data stuff. I'm pretty with that. And my, the role, the admin role I had, I did a lot of that. So I'm picking up a little bit more there, which is exciting. And diving headfirst into the financial aspect, which learning under the person responsible for the budget and personnel stuff. I know, my gosh, have been moments. I think she was introducing it. Me too. At the first day, she was like, okay, how about you come in and we talk about the books and then my set of books and then we're gonna talk about this. And I think I looked at her and I was like, please tell me, you do not expect me to memorize and remember all this in one day. Please tell me there's not a test at the end of the day. And she's no, absolutely. And she's you ask good questions. And so I am learning yeah, there's a form that you have to do for different things and it's gotta be just so, and if the dates don't match up, you put in the information three times and it's a wild ride. I've had
Christine:
01:15:48
Oh my.
Alexandra:
01:15:48
correction, then I've had to void them. And then recent, yeah, it's been fun.
Christine:
01:15:53
Oh, wow.
Alexandra:
01:15:54
so it's been intense. And then recently, this past week interviewing for a lot of different roles that are open where I work and supporting one of the search committees and they were like, we want to talk to these people. And the chair was like, I wanna talk to them on Friday. And so scheduled six people. For the next day within 24 hours, fi finalize the last two interviews. The morning of it was a wild ride. And I was like, that's a lot. So it was just an intense couple of days and I was like, all right, it'll be fine. At some point I'll get my head above water. It'll be fine. But yeah, that's my work update mostly. So getting used to everything new, keeping
Christine:
01:16:33
Yeah
Alexandra:
01:16:34
wrapping my head around all this new information. But what's going on with,
Christine:
01:16:37
sure.
Alexandra:
01:16:38
for Chris? But what's going on for you, Christine? At work?
Christine:
01:16:41
There's a lot happening in our store, so. For tho I think, I don't know what I've shared with the class about my job, but I work for a small business here in New Jersey it is a Italian cooking school and marketplace, and I'm in charge of the marketing for the business. I do the newsletter, social media. We started a podcast and YouTube channel, so I have my hands on a lot of things. I love it. I get to be very creative, but currently we're doing a lot of store up a lot of updates to our store front. So that's been going on this week and I actually did some painting
Alexandra:
01:17:22
Oh.
Christine:
01:17:23
this week in the store and. Have been having a good time sort of helping the owner and reimagine how the layout's gonna be and how we're gonna me re-merchandise and display our products and all of this stuff. So that's been a big project. It's been in the works for a long time. I think Alexandra, I've been giving her updates along the way, so this has been like the culmination of a month and a half of things happening at the business. So we're very excited to see it all finally coming together and we should have everything ready by May 9th. So that's been taking up a most of my time. But in, in addition to that, we just celebrated my mom's milestone birthday and we actually held it at my work because they do private events there. So it was just really kind of like a cool moment to have people come to where I work experience what we do. 'cause some people have never been there before and I started to give them an idea of what updates are gonna be and how it's all gonna look different. And it's been fun sharing updates this week. 'cause we just started this past Monday, so it's been quite the transformation in just one week. So, it's gonna look totally different by May 9th.
Alexandra:
01:18:38
right around the corner, so
Christine:
01:18:40
It is. We're really just plowing through it, so, but it's all good and I'm excited to see it all come together and be a part of the process. So, yeah.
Alexandra:
01:18:51
Do you have any major life updates or anything that we haven't already covered in the book Sphere
Christine:
01:18:56
yeah,
Alexandra:
01:18:57
culture?
Christine:
01:18:59
a couple of things. Things I haven't yet done, but I'm looking to do. So for me, I'm looking to start dating again. I haven't opened my dating profile in a while, but I think it's time to do some updates and. Excuse me to, I think it's time to do some updates and get back out there. Maybe, I think I've talked about before, trying to see if there's like single type events that I could go to. And I was talking to a friend yesterday who said she might be interested in going to one with me just to try it out. You know, like she and I kind of, we were talking yesterday getting caught up and she's like also getting pretty burnt out in the dating app sphere. So she's open to trying something new. And it'll just be nice to have someone with you
Alexandra:
01:19:43
absolutely.
Christine:
01:19:44
potentially. So yes. Wanna try to start dating again. I feel like I kind of come out of hibernation, like into spring and summer because it's just, and I could be wrong, but I've found it easier to do dates in like the spring and summer months because with what I like to do, being outside or it's just a fun time of year to be out and about during the spring and summer. So, but other things, I'm looking to do some closet refresh. I've been, I shared with Alexandra before we hopped on that I went thrifting yesterday. I love to, to, and see what I find. But I need to do a little clear out to bring in some new pieces. Rethink what I want my wardrobe to be like. So that's also on the future, future agenda for me. I also have just not been home a whole lot recently. I've been back and forth between my parents' place the last several weeks, several months. So it's nice to finally be back home in my space. It needs some TLC. So later today I'll be doing some chores around here and gosh, I don't know the last time I've been to a grocery store, but I need to go to the grocery store today and grab some essentials for home. And it's a beautiful day out. So spend some time outside and yeah. One last little update from me is having. Figured out all the logistics yet, but I'm starting to feel like it might be time to move. I've loved living, I've loved living in Montclair the last several years, but I think it's time. I don't know. There's, I've just been, i's how I've been feeling recently. We'll, see,
Alexandra:
01:21:25
Yeah.
Christine:
01:21:25
I just, there's a lot of things factoring into this decision, but, you know, I just, I don't work nearby. I don't have a lot of friends nearby. My family's a half hour away. So while I love it, I don't spend a whole lot of time here. Like a lot of my time isn't spent in Montclair. It's where I sleep essentially. If I'm not staying at my parents or something like that. So have a lot more to think and figure out how that's all gonna work. But that's kind of the last big thing that's been, I've been thinking more and more of recently. So we shall see. We shall see, but how about you share what? What's new in your life, my dear? What? What do you got for us?
Alexandra:
01:22:10
I think the biggest thing for me that I haven't already shared is I've been in a real urge to purge pretty much everything. I, from clothing to old contacts, to Amazon wishlist lists. Like I need to, I'm trying to clear out stuff. So, I think I, I ordered from a company called Trashy. They're
Christine:
01:22:33
Yeah, you've told me about that.
Alexandra:
01:22:35
like them. You can get trashy cash, which I don't really care that much about. It is a bag for up to 15 pounds. But I like that if they can't
Christine:
01:22:45
Wow.
Alexandra:
01:22:45
it somewhere to be sold, like it's not enough quality, you, they'll take, they'll send it to partners for down cycling. So if, like you have old brass underwear, socks, clothes with a bunch of holes that can't be patched or worn, that they'll take that and they'll try to make it into something. So their goal is to try and keep as much fashion waste out of landfills. So I really like that. So I actually did send off my first Takeback bag. I bought a pack of three, and so I sent that off last week and it
Christine:
01:23:10
Oh, that probably felt great.
Alexandra:
01:23:12
stuff that I had sitting in my closet in a bag that needed to go for a while. I think an author, Denise Lynn talks about it in her book, energy Strands, but there's an idea of if you're trying to lose weight, if that's a goal and you've got a lot of clothing left around from when you were smaller or something you're hoping to get in. it's not something you truly love. Then holding onto that might be energetic weight that you can let go of. And just things that kind of clog up your life that don't allow new things to come in. So I think that's really what I'm feel like it's perfectly timed spring cleaning. Let's get stuff out of here. So I think I could get easily overwhelmed if I'm like, let me tackle my whole closet and drawers all in one go. So I'm trying to do a drawer at a time, a space at a time. And I think I'm gonna do this in two way, like in two passes. The first pass is gets stuff out. Anything that I'm like questioning, I'm like, I'm gonna put away, put it back in. back the next time through, see if I really will wear it, if I really do like it. If not, it goes. So I'm really in an urge to purge. So I did some of my Amazon wishlists. I've worked on my Etsy wishlist. I'm working my way through my old contact. I mean, like people I haven't talked to and over a decade that the likelihood that I would reach out to them or they would reach out to me is very slim. And if we did, let's be honest, most people are on like social media could, we could track each other down that way. So I feel like that's it. And also with that came the urge to purge some of my hair. We got a nice little haircut and yeah it's weird. It's very bouncy and I'm like, who am I? So,
Christine:
01:24:41
Yeah, the fir we hopped on earlier today and I, it was like the first time I've seen her since she's had it done. I'm like, oh my God, you cut it short. It looks so cute. I love it. I do. It looks so fun. It's so, it's probably easy too.
Alexandra:
01:24:56
Perfect for getting into the summer because it's It's not so hot. But I do eventually want to grow it back out, but I was like, you know what, this feels like a right time to cut some of it off. And get rid of that too.
Christine:
01:25:07
Nice. Yeah. I honestly can't remember last time you've had it on the shorter side, so it's looking good. Oh, oh, Oh, that's right. Yeah. You did. Wow. So that's been, it's been a while, But I do like it. I like how you cut it.
Alexandra:
01:25:24
Thank you.
Christine:
01:25:25
You're very welcome. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:25:27
think our last thing on other up stuff is do we want to quickly, briefly go over the things we talked about in our first episode about what we wanna accomplish with the podcast and touch base.
Christine:
01:25:38
Sure, let's do it.
Alexandra:
01:25:40
through that?
Christine:
01:25:41
Sure. Okay. So some of the things we talked about, number one, we're back to weekly episode drops, and we are so happy to be back. I know we've been having a blast, Alexandra and I filming these, recording these for you guys bringing them to you every week. We are still planning to have our little mini hiatuses sporadically. So this coming I think this is coming out in May. So yes the latter half of May, we're taking a couple weeks off, but then we'll be back with weekly episodes for you guys to listen to do. And how are we feeling? How are you feeling? You liking it?
Alexandra:
01:26:16
I'm
Christine:
01:26:16
Feeling good.
Alexandra:
01:26:17
and I think we've been, yeah, it's been so, so much more fun this semester. Semester. am I? What am I back in school?
Christine:
01:26:28
Well, you've been in school a long time.
Alexandra:
01:26:31
and I work at a university, so Stuck on a semester's schedule. yeah, I feel like it's been. Really interesting. I think I've really enjoyed the topics we've covered so far, so I'm really excited for our little break so we can plan a little bit further out, talk about what we wanna catch up on, where we wanna delve into. So I think it'll be really fun. I'm enjoying the season.
Christine:
01:26:52
Yes. We're definitely gonna be also talking about revisiting some meaningful topics season one. Yes, today even we had a throwback to our mantra episode. So yes, expect more from us in general with our weekly drops, but also revisiting some really fun conversations we had in season one. So, yeah, more to come on that, who knows? And I, in terms of growing our reach and engagement, slowly but surely, I, we've been posting more on social media. We've been getting more followers, more people interacting with our content. So it's happening. I had actually a friend from college reach out. She had listened to. One of our previous episodes just a few weeks ago when we were doing our conversations around friendship, and we, like many people, you know, you leave college, you just sort of lose touch. And she just so happened to follow along, has been following along with our podcast, listened to that episode and she reached out. I thought that was so cool. Which is kind of like the whole point of why we're doing this, you know, is connecting with people and hoping that what we're sharing resonates so that's cool. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:28:05
And then we talked about building support and sponsorships, which I feel like has taken a little bit of a back burner as we get back into the swing of weekly podcast drops, kind of working on that engagement and reach. That will come later as we build our foundations. So that's gonna be. I'm looking forward to that in the future. And I think the
Christine:
01:28:22
Absolutely.
Alexandra:
01:28:23
biggest thing that Christine had said she wanted to do for the podcast this year was deepen the conversations.
Christine:
01:28:30
Even more?
Alexandra:
01:28:31
do you feel like we have been diving in deeper, getting more vulnerable? What do you wanna
Christine:
01:28:38
I think so I definitely think we have, I think with season one it was something new for the both of us. You know, we already have a pretty deep and open relationship with each other. But changing that and, you know, engaging with people in each other on a different level takes some getting used to, there's a little bit of learning curve being comfortable, you know, recording yourself and putting it out there for the world to listen and comment on, you know. So, just in reflecting on how last year and season one went and how. I was hoping to move forward. You know, this was a bigger step. I wanted to just go a little, dig a little more, and I definitely think we've been doing that for one, I loved our therapy episode that came out just a few weeks ago, and it was fun to listen back and edit through that episode. And I think going forward, we just keep being ourselves, just showing up and being who we are, and it'll just continue to become easier and more natural for us. How are you feeling? Do you think, do you agree? Do you disagree? What do you think?
Alexandra:
01:29:46
I definitely feel like it is becoming more natural to be a lot more open to kind of just putting your voice or yourself out there and to
Christine:
01:29:56
Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:29:57
kind of thing.
Christine:
01:29:57
Yeah,
Alexandra:
01:29:57
sense,
Christine:
01:29:58
it can,
Alexandra:
01:29:58
over, I know we've talked about this. We're both very much perfectionists and if Do we wanna put it out? And kind of just getting past that hump of get outta your own way, do it.
Christine:
01:30:08
Yeah
Alexandra:
01:30:08
really great way to push and stretch and grow that way. And I
Christine:
01:30:13
absolutely.
Alexandra:
01:30:14
lot of really meaningful topics. I think we've also really done a good job of bridging topics across episodes and kind of like following a natural progression. So that's pretty I've That part.
Christine:
01:30:26
Me too. Yeah. I really enjoyed our conversations around friendship because it was so natural to take that, that topic in general, piece by piece. And I've loved seeing how it's affected people. I. To your point about it, it getting easier. You know, this isn't necessarily a natural thing to do. I love being creative, but I've never liked being sort of front and center. So this has definitely in general been something outside of my comfort zone. And then you are putting it out there for people. Once you put it out there, it's not yours anymore. It's a part of everybody else and every, and people will have things to say. And one of our previous conversations was about being misunderstood and you at least I had to come to a certain point where I had to be okay with the fact that there may be things that I share on here, or is said that may people may misunder like mis. Misunderstand what I'm trying to say. And that, that can be scary, you know, like opening yourself up to things like that. But at the same time, I've, I believe so much in what we're doing here and I think we're creating a beautiful space for anyone to just be themselves with no judgment or as little judgment as possible. You know, it's sometimes people will be how they will be, but always try and leave with kindness. So yeah.
Alexandra:
01:31:58
that note, are we, do you have anything, last minute updates, things we wanna
Christine:
01:32:03
I think I've talked enough. I don't know about you,
Alexandra:
01:32:07
I
Christine:
01:32:07
but
Alexandra:
01:32:08
be a nice long one.
Christine:
01:32:09
this is Buckle. Yeah. Strap in everyone if you've stuck with us for this long.
Alexandra:
01:32:14
Thank
Christine:
01:32:14
Well done. Thank you for sticking with us.
Alexandra:
01:32:17
Well that was a lot of ground to cover, literally and metaphorically from dreamy and slightly chaotic travel plans to pop culture rabbit holes we did not see coming. Twilight we're looking at you. living in a season that's equal. Parts go with the flow and where's my color coded itinerary, whether you're also whether you're also doing the holiday airport lines this year deep in trip inspo Pinterest boards, or just purging your closet like your ex's energy is still stuck in that hoodie. we feel you we're just, we've got big plans, even bigger to be read piles and somehow still haven't finished rereading, breaking dawn. But hey, life's not about checking all the boxes. It's about curating the chaos. As for those podcast goals, we set way back in episode one. We're checking in, adjusting the sales and giving ourselves the same grace. We always preach. Progress over perfection. Friends always. And such a tough lesson to learn. So until next time, plan the trip. Skip the guilt, rewatch the comfort shows. Let go of what or who you've thought of. Thanks for hanging around with us today. Be sure to DSM your thoughts and recommendations. We'll be back soon with more heart humor and maybe a little less baggage, emotional or otherwise, stay curious, stay cozy and stay exactly who you are.
00:00:12
hello and welcome to the Muir Project. We are your hosts, Christine,
Alexandra:
00:00:17
and Alexandra.
Christine:
00:00:18
and today we're inviting you to settle in with us for a good old fashioned cozy catch. No big agenda, no perfect script. Just a conversation between two best friends about everything that's been going on lately, what we're loving, what's driving us a little crazy and all the little things in between. Somehow we're already almost halfway through the year, and honestly, we're just trying to keep up one coffee, one playlist, and one chaotic group chat at a time. So grab your comfiest blanket, pour yourself something delicious, and let's get cozy on the couch and catch up. All right, so cozy catch. I'm so excited we're doing this today. I feel like we haven't done anything like this since we've started the podcast. And I just like the idea of us sitting down and just sort of giving, giving those, listening a glimpse into what a typical conversation is like for us when we haven't had a chance to catch up in a while. So we're gonna get into all the things today, everyone.
Alexandra:
00:01:22
uncommon for us if we haven't caught up or we keep missing each other. We'll spend two and a half, three hours on the phone just gabbing about whatever's been going on.
Christine:
00:01:30
Yeah what we loving lately, what we hate in lately. What's, what crazy thing happened? Speaking of crazy things, this is a little tangent before we dive in. So this is so dumb. I, one day this week, Friday getting ready for work, get in the car open the door, close it, and somehow I managed to close a bee in the car with me and. For those who don't know which is most of you, I'm very afraid of bees. I'm slightly allergic to them. So I've been stung two times in my life and it's the worst feeling ever. So I was like just immediately paralyzed with fear and I'm sitting in my front seat and I'm like literally trying to backend over the center console and like, how do I get this P out? Because I hadn't had a chance to turn the car on. So I didn't wanna move to spook it, but I also knew I had to do something or else we were just gonna have a standoff in this car for who knows how long. So. I quickly turned my car on and thank God for automatic window. Like I just pressed the button down and the window lowered all on its own. And the bee went out and I quickly closed the window again. And then I was just like, I took a deep breath and then I just started laughing at myself because how ridiculous that was. No one was around to see it, but I was just like, okay, happy Friday everyone. This is how the day started.
Alexandra:
00:02:53
Friday. A little acrobat
Christine:
00:02:56
yeah,
Alexandra:
00:02:57
to get you going, and you're like, maybe it
Christine:
00:03:00
having bent that way in a very long time. So yeah, that's just a little funny thing I hadn't updated you on and it just popped into my head. I was like, let's start off with that because that's so stupid.
Alexandra:
00:03:12
No, but
Christine:
00:03:13
but anyway,
Alexandra:
00:03:14
in there and you're like, if you ever, do you ever get spiders crawling across things and you're just like, I driving down the highway and I can't do anything about this,
Christine:
00:03:21
I know.
Alexandra:
00:03:22
there. Please don't come this way.
Christine:
00:03:23
Right.
Alexandra:
00:03:24
from?
Christine:
00:03:25
did you get in here anyway? Yeah, me and insects.
Alexandra:
00:03:30
Not friends.
Christine:
00:03:30
I sometimes it's sometimes I can deal with it. Sometimes I'm like, don't come near me.
Alexandra:
00:03:36
You are like, I like you afar. Just stay outta my personal bubble,
Christine:
00:03:42
You have a purpose in the world's ecosystem and I respect that. You just don't need to interact with me. We don't need to, we don't need to like cross paths. And if you believe in reincarnation, I did not hurt the bee. The bee left. So hopefully, if that is in fact what happens, I don't come back in a next life as a bee knock on wood.
Alexandra:
00:04:02
Yeah. Or spiders. I, yeah, a lot of spiders.
Christine:
00:04:06
And something I've been experiencing as living alone in a very old building silver fishes. Have you ever seen those?
Alexandra:
00:04:15
I
Christine:
00:04:15
Have you not?
Alexandra:
00:04:15
of legs.
Christine:
00:04:17
They're like,
Alexandra:
00:04:19
yeah.
Christine:
00:04:19
got
Alexandra:
00:04:20
Do you
Christine:
00:04:21
holy,
Alexandra:
00:04:21
over at my apartment in South Orange and I think I screamed like a tiny child and I got a, 'cause there was one under the fridge I was just like, what the heck is this? And Christine's
Christine:
00:04:32
what? What's it, what they're gross. And I understand they have a reason to be on this planet, but
Alexandra:
00:04:40
too
Christine:
00:04:41
I'm sorry, I don't know what to do with it. It's so many legs. They can be so big.
Alexandra:
00:04:47
You're almost like, here, can I write you into a contract for rent like that? That side's yours.
Christine:
00:04:52
You can have the, you can, the underside of the fridge is your domain. You just stay there.
Alexandra:
00:05:00
Yeah.
Christine:
00:05:01
Yeah. So anyway, a little tangent about insects for everyone to start your day, but. Let's dive in, shall we? So, so the first thing we wanted to catch up on is travel for this year. A lot of things we've been talking about hoping to do, seeing what we can make happen. I know together, we had talked about doing a trip with our moms. We've been talking about doing this for a very long time. I wanna take Alex and her mom with my mom up to one of our favorite spots, which is Newport, Rhode Island. It's so beautiful. And it's just my happy place and I want them both to experience it. So that's,
Alexandra:
00:05:45
are so beautiful. I'm like, Ugh, I'm gonna, I can't wait to go.
Christine:
00:05:49
yeah. 'cause I don't know if you've ever been up there. Have you been to,
Alexandra:
00:05:54
Island.
Christine:
00:05:56
what about Massachusetts, which is not far like Boston.
Alexandra:
00:06:00
either. So Boston's on the list eventually when, it was so funny, when I think when we were first friends and you're like, oh, I love going to Newport. Newport Beach. I was like, oh, you've been to Newport Beach, and I'm thinking Southern California, Newport Beach. And you're like, no. And I was like, oh, no, not been
Christine:
00:06:19
But yeah, but I never, I don't even know if I really realized there was a Newport in, in California. So, just another thing that I love about our relationship is we teach each other new things almost every day,
Alexandra:
00:06:32
other Newport.
Christine:
00:06:33
the other one, but yeah, Newport, Rhode Island is so beautiful. If you've never been, it's a tiny coastal town in Rhode Island. It was the vacation home for the wealthy back in the Gilded era. So there's a beautiful section. Of the island. I don't know if it's an island, actually the beautiful section of the town that is preserved by the Newport Historical Society. And you get to go and tour these gorgeous summer cottages as they called them, but they're literal mansions gilded to the nines.
Alexandra:
00:07:09
I think
Christine:
00:07:10
o
Alexandra:
00:07:10
to Summer cottage like that.
Christine:
00:07:13
yeah, it's o opulent. Oh my God, I can't talk today.
Alexandra:
00:07:17
It's
Christine:
00:07:17
it's super opulent. Super gilded gold filigree everywhere. It's, they're honestly beautiful. And if you've ever watched the show the Gilded Age, I think it's an HBO show that's sort of akin to Downton Abbey, but it's the American version takes place. In New York and then up in Newport, because that's where a lot of these people vacationed. So yes, we've been wanting to take Alex there forever and we thought it would be a great trip for us to do with our mom. So we're trying to figure out when we can make that happen. We had to initially try to do it end of
Alexandra:
00:07:53
June, I think one of the dates you had thrown out was Father's Day and we're like, Nope. Can't do that.
Christine:
00:07:58
Yeah. We for, I was like, whoops. He's forgot that was that weekend. My bad.
Alexandra:
00:08:02
dad.
Christine:
00:08:04
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:08:05
And
Christine:
00:08:05
then we talked about last weekend, the last week, but as we're gonna hear more later, Alexandra has some exciting work updates, so it just wasn't the right time. So we're trying to figure out when might be a better time to do that. And we wanna make it really special, so.
Alexandra:
00:08:24
And then you've thought about thinking about it. You talked about Newport in the winter, like Christmas, all deck for the houses. So part of me is like thinking like, oh, maybe that will be a good time, possibly because that sounded so pretty. And some of the pictures you've shown were just gorgeous.
Christine:
00:08:40
Yes, we did that not this past Christmas. The Christmas before. We went up the day after Christmas, and it was That was our first time going up that time of year ever. And it is off season, so it's a beautiful opportunity to see the mansions decked out for Christmas, but there isn't a whole lot going on because it's really a summer town. So, some businesses closed down in their off season. I don't recommend going on. I don't even think you can go on a sale in the harbor that time of year, all of which. Not to discount going that time of year. I loved it. It was a cool experience, but
Alexandra:
00:09:20
like
Christine:
00:09:20
it's definitely, it's its peak in summertime. So we will figure out when we can make that trip happen for us. But as we sort of settled into, since Alexandra moved down to North Carolina, we like to do our yearly trips down and up to visit each other. So the plan is to have her come visit me in New Jersey in December, again, maybe around my birthday or a little sooner.
Alexandra:
00:09:47
little longer and catch up with an old college roommate as well. And actually maybe get to spend more than two days,
Christine:
00:09:55
Yeah, the
Alexandra:
00:09:56
there for, what, three days?
Christine:
00:09:57
three,
Alexandra:
00:09:58
cool.
Christine:
00:09:59
three and a half. Yeah. Yeah. It was cool. We did a lot. We are, we're getting there. Well, you finally can breathe a little bit after finishing your program and getting your Master's and, yeah, I'm just sort of excited to see what, what will come this year, what will come next year, and the years to come into in terms of our trips to visit each other. So
Alexandra:
00:10:20
Because you've talked about the Gilded Age mansions and, I'm sorry, summer cottages up in Newport. And I've been to the Biltmore Mansion a couple times here in Asheville, so I'd love to take you, Christine, to go
Christine:
00:10:32
yeah. Yeah, we've been talking about that. Yes, because it's funny, on one of the tours I went on, like for instance the Vanderbilt family very influential family of the day, and even today, the family still has their name holds a lot of weight. They had multiple summer homes not just in Newport. They had one down in, I think South Carolina over in Europe and maybe France or something like
Alexandra:
00:10:59
Wow.
Christine:
00:10:59
multiple mul, uber wealthy, like of the time. So they definitely. Didn't have any shortage of vacation homes. But it's just cool to see.
Alexandra:
00:11:11
for a week and, oh, let me go
Christine:
00:11:13
Exactly.
Alexandra:
00:11:14
week.
Christine:
00:11:15
Right. Right. You really just close your eyes and throw a dart at the map and just figure out what house you have nearby. But it's really cool to sort of step back in time and see what it was like to live. Then because the tours they set up are really fascinating, that not only do you tour the home, but you go down and you in one of the mansions in particular, you go through the kitchen and you learn about the staff that like, help run this estate 'cause it's not a little cottage and it's very cool. So I'm really looking forward to showing Alexandra and her mom around Newport and excited to see what we get up to later in the year when you come back this way. And who knows? We haven't I haven't yet figured out this, the latter half of the year yet. If I'll be able to make it down again to visit. But we had talked about going out to Asheville Biltmore. You've said before that the holiday season, it's beautiful down there that time of the year, so,
Alexandra:
00:12:17
Yeah. I Ever seen the house decked out for the holidays. I've always gone later winter, so it's still really beautiful. Like I haven't been in the summer when the gardens are in full bloom.
Christine:
00:12:29
That's true. I do love gardens.
Alexandra:
00:12:32
Yeah. So there's a couple
Christine:
00:12:33
Yeah, there are. I would love to give a little update on potential trips that I'm thinking about doing this year. So I'm very excited. Summer is just around the corner and I love the beach. If you don't know already, I love the ocean. I love my beach time and I love living in Jersey because we have the Jersey shore, so it's an hour, not even an hour drive sometimes to get my beach in. So I'm very much looking forward to that this coming summer. 'cause I didn't really do a whole lot last summer, now that I'm thinking about it. So I'm trying to capitalize on that. And then my sisters were in town just last weekend for my mom. My mom's birthday, she had a big birthday this year. She turned 60. And her and my sister Tori actually share a birthday. So they're both April 13th. And so they came, my sisters came to celebrate. We had a nice big party for my mom, but we also got to celebrate with Tori 'cause we weren't with her on her actual birthday. And started talking about, I've wanting to do a sister trip with them for years. And I'm like, let's figure out how to make this happen. We don't have to go anywhere crazy. So we're, I think we're thinking about doing a trip down to Nashville. I haven't been down there since 2023 when she first moved out there. I think I came out to visit her before the 4th of July. It was when I had gone down to visit you first. And we went out to the Outer banks also. Really great trip by the way. Highly recommend. Very cool. Excuse me. And then I went out and visited Tori in Nashville. So I haven't been since. And so we're thinking about doing that. I think that is gonna be July, yes. July potentially. So, more to come on that. And then I also always, you know, think about this in re in retrospect, but I never am a tourist in my own town. I really wanna try and stay maybe a little closer to home this summer. Do more things locally. There's always so much going on and I wish I just take better advantage of that. So, Whether that's going to. One of the local parks or there's always like fun different community events going on in the summer, whether it's the jazz festival or Montclair has a great movie, film festival, jazz festival pride, all the things. So much fun, fun stuff going on right here in my, where I live. So I wanna try and do that this summer.
Alexandra:
00:15:08
It really was a lot of fun rocking around Montclair last time I came and visited you. 'cause it
Christine:
00:15:12
yeah,
Alexandra:
00:15:12
time I think we really had time to actually walk around your town. And I was like, this is such a cool place to live. And I think there's so easily you could do new stuff all the time, so.
Christine:
00:15:24
for sure. Yeah, it is a fun town. There's. Great restaurants, shops, there's always something going on. So, just wanna experience that a little bit more while I am, while I'm here. And then I was thinking about this past week. I've been, I don't know if it's gonna happen this year but maybe next year. Definitely trying to make this trip I've had in mind for years. Finally happened. I've been dying to do a road trip from Washington down to Northern California.
Alexandra:
00:15:54
Okay.
Christine:
00:15:54
don't know if we'll do California up to, to wash to Seattle or the reverse, how it's all gonna work out. But I've always wanted to do it. I've always wanted to do a road trip. There's such beautiful scenery, coastline parks. I wanna go see the redwoods. So this week I was thinking more about that trip and I'm like, I wanna figure out how to make that happen and who, whether. I go by myself or my sisters come or whatever the case may be, I wanna do it. And yeah, that's, those, that's what I've been thinking about travel wise.
Alexandra:
00:16:31
and
Christine:
00:16:32
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:16:33
go down a little bit further, but I think going through California can be a minimum eight hour drive.
Christine:
00:16:38
Yeah, I was looking at it. I found, I came across an article of this photographer who did this trip. He started in San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge. He, and he documented the whole trip, took beautiful photos, started there, and worked his way up to Seattle. So I think I looked at it and like from from the San Francisco to just like the. Redwood National Forest at like upper part of Northern California, that in itself is six hours. So, yeah, I have to figure out how, like, how that would all work. But then from there up to Washington, it's, I think I'd have to double check, but it was like 13 hours. And so once you left, California was from there to Washington, it wasn't as long distance wise. So anyway I don't know. I have to, I have a lot of research to do on that, figuring out what places I wanna stop or all of that. Yeah. But how about you, Alexandra? Are there any other trips percolating in your mind, or
Alexandra:
00:17:48
For
Christine:
00:17:49
have you had a chance to think about it at all?
Alexandra:
00:17:52
Now a friend talked
Christine:
00:17:53
I
Alexandra:
00:17:53
going to Sedona next year, but I
Christine:
00:17:55
pretty.
Alexandra:
00:17:56
mostly going to be in-state stuff. There's day trips out to Raleigh or Charlotte or some other places, because I'm seeing some shops that I wanna go to or like different food things just to go see different like museums. I went to the Raleigh Museum of Art or Raleigh Art Museum. Can't remember which way it goes. Recently when they had. Their exhibition, art in Bloom, I think it was called.
Christine:
00:18:25
Oh, pretty
Alexandra:
00:18:26
a bunch of art I'm gonna call 'em florist floral artists who came and did an interpretation of a painting in flowers.
Christine:
00:18:35
ooh.
Alexandra:
00:18:35
Live flowers are freshly cut flowers. So the artists would come in for a week and refresh their pieces. So that was really beautiful. So I'd actually like to go back to that museum and then do, spend a little more time in Raleigh
Christine:
00:18:47
Cool.
Alexandra:
00:18:48
when it's not, you know, art and think it's art and blue, some that exhibition and then do other things. So I think that's going to be mostly that, mostly kind of getting in the swing of my new job. So, and then trying to take care of everything else. And mom's had some health stuff, so I wanna get her totally And I hate to say up and running like a computer, but good to go before we all head up to Newport because I want her to enjoy it and feel comfortable walking without. She's had a, like a knee and then she's had a couple, she's having a bout of sciatic nerve pain, so trying Her all squared away and all back to rights before
Christine:
00:19:25
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:19:26
push her to the limits with walking. I think that's it so far this year. and then of course coming up to see you and making sure I get in time to see a college friend while we're near the city See her new baby and catch up on life.
Christine:
00:19:39
Because you said that they just bought a house. Right?
Alexandra:
00:19:42
I think so. I think that's what they said. They were either looking or just purchasing. So
Christine:
00:19:47
That's exciting. I can't believe that the, you, it was like just, It's much, much longer than I realized, but that we went to their wedding and now they have a kid and bought a house and all this stuff, and I'm like, Hey
Alexandra:
00:20:02
I'm still living my life.
Christine:
00:20:04
still single.
Alexandra:
00:20:06
You are like, I'm just
Christine:
00:20:07
It's all good. It's all good. Everything happens for a reason at its own pace, but
Alexandra:
00:20:12
yeah, that'll be cool.
Christine:
00:20:14
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:20:14
to figure out my, li myself, my life.
Christine:
00:20:18
Yeah. Well, so much is, you've been doing so much you were working towards that big goal of your MBA, so now it's sort of. Okay, that's behind me. What do I do with myself and time now? What do I wanna do? You know, rediscovering things. Figuring out what you want.
Alexandra:
00:20:36
I'd
Christine:
00:20:36
Totally get that.
Alexandra:
00:20:37
DC I think that would be really fun. I went a year or two ago, I think, with my sister and our friend, and I'd love to go back. I feel like that was such a short trip that it would be really. like a hop, skip, and a jump.
Christine:
00:20:50
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:20:50
so I feel like you said, not really taking time to explore your own state. I think More of my goal.
Christine:
00:20:56
For sure. I think we talked about doing a trip together. 'cause like it's a,
Alexandra:
00:21:00
we can
Christine:
00:21:01
I mean,
Alexandra:
00:21:01
in the middle.
Christine:
00:21:02
yeah, meet in the middle. I take the train. You take the train. It's a little bit longer, but of a journey for me, but I don't care. I'll travel anywhere.
Alexandra:
00:21:09
I think it's still like a 14 hour now that might be wrong. Eight. It's quite a, it's an hour drive
Christine:
00:21:13
yeah. Fair. Fair. Yeah, I think it's a few hour. It's like a. So I don't know. Anyway we'll figure it out. But yeah, I haven't been to back to DC I think I've only been really once and it was when I was in middle school. So I would love to go back and experience that city. I've was near it several years ago, right before the pandemic and everything shut down in March, 2020, I went for a bachelorette to
Alexandra:
00:21:44
Oh, that's
Christine:
00:21:44
Old Town Alexandria, and that was beautiful. I don't know if you've ever been to that town. It's got so much charm. It reminded me a lot of New Orleans when we were walking by the water and we were looking at the, that, that square there. Very similar. It's right by water. It's got old cobble stone streets and a lot of charm and it's really nice. So
Alexandra:
00:22:09
Okay. Yeah, we could do a
Christine:
00:22:11
something.
Alexandra:
00:22:11
DC and then maybe go out into
Christine:
00:22:13
Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:22:14
That sounds like it
Christine:
00:22:14
for sure. Now we're gonna ask you guys in the comments, you should let us know what travel plans you're thinking of doing. Big or small. It doesn't have to be anything major.
Alexandra:
00:22:23
But while we're talking about travel plants, Christine, what are
Christine:
00:22:27
yes.
Alexandra:
00:22:27
traveling around the holidays?
Christine:
00:22:30
So I've been doing that a lot these last several years. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun. You, I've experienced different areas at a very festive time of the year. I don't think, I think it's split a lot of the times where some people don't do it. So it's not always as busy, but it's.
Alexandra:
00:22:50
Yeah
Christine:
00:22:51
still. So it's not if you're traveling to an area where it's still off season, it's still peak for them a little bit because of the holiday season. So it's a lot of fun. Everyone's cheery most of the time. Happy or happier around the holidays, but it can be a really hard and a really big drain because the years wrapping up you have already, like whether you went all out celebrating before you went on trips or it's just, there's a lot going on at the end of the year. So, so it can be really difficult and. I've, having done it the last years, this year, I think I'm gonna say I'm not gonna travel this coming holiday. Just gonna stay, put, rest, relax, recharge. But that's not always a choice for people. I know for my sisters in particular, they both live outta state, so no matter what, they're traveling back home to New Jersey to be with my parents and myself. But yeah. How do you feel, Alexandra? Have you done much traveling around the holidays before?
Alexandra:
00:23:54
Not so much around like the Christmas, winter holidays. I've troubled in college for Thanksgiving and the Easter spring holidays. I don't know. It's it's interesting sometimes, like if you're going because of family, that can be both exciting but also draining 'cause it's travel. And depending on how much, how well you get along with your family, that can also be, you know,
Christine:
00:24:14
True.
Alexandra:
00:24:15
positive or not. So, not so positive for some people. But like you said, I mean, it's already that time of the year you're ending things of you're either going out for Christmas or doing all these, you know, just getting together with people. And I feel like here in the States, it's like we, we back up and we both love Halloween. Lot of my close friends are birthdays in the fall, early winter. Winter. So it's like birthday Halloween birthday birthday, Christmas birthday.
Christine:
00:24:42
Yeah, it's funny.
Alexandra:
00:24:43
a lot. So I love just kind of chilling. And I don't feel like I've really had a chance to do that the past few years, particularly with. I feel like I've been, though I haven't had a class during the winter shutdown, it's immediately gearing up for the next semester trying to get in everything you have to do for what you wanna pull together for people. And the past few years struggled with feeling like, not pulling enough together for people because just feeling so time crunched. But yeah, I think travel holidays only if you really enjoy it. it's different. If you're traveling 45 minutes to go to a family's house for dinner, you're like, yeah, there might be time to just suck it up and go if you're not really close with that family or, you know, An hour and a half away. But if you have to get on a plane, travel, I don't know, maybe if you
Christine:
00:25:32
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:25:34
If not I think it's also okay to say, Hey, I just need some time for myself. It's a lot to do. Any holiday, so
Christine:
00:25:41
Yeah, I'm curious. I would love for those of who are listening, if they are interested in sharing, have you ever chosen to not travel? Like whether you are single and living alone and just need to stay home, or you make the choice to just, you know, celebrate with friends or local family and not go yeah, I'm just curious to hear what other people's experiences are like and what goes into their decision making and yeah, so I would love to know. Love to hear.
Alexandra:
00:26:15
I think we have truly covered the topic of travel. Christine, how
Christine:
00:26:19
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:26:19
into something that you mentioned in the beginning, like what we are loving at the moment
Christine:
00:26:23
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:26:24
loving, what might be driving us crazy things that we are like, ugh, this just this trend just pass on? Should we start books?
Christine:
00:26:33
I think we should start with books.
Alexandra:
00:26:35
All
Christine:
00:26:35
Let's we could talk forever, so let's just start and get going and move on.
Alexandra:
00:26:39
Okay. We might have to hold ourselves accountable to time here because, you know,
Christine:
00:26:43
Yes. 'cause we could really
Alexandra:
00:26:45
books.
Christine:
00:26:46
Exactly. We really could.
Alexandra:
00:26:48
All right.
Christine:
00:26:49
Why don't you, why don't you kick us off,
Alexandra:
00:26:51
okay.
Christine:
00:26:51
Alexandra?
Alexandra:
00:26:52
I know that we had posted a little while ago in our current reads post about the books that we're reading and I was listening to Why Rule Works by David Hamilton, and there's a chapter on, I think it's chapter two on meditations, and it brought up something interesting 'cause he was talking about the similarity, but differences between mantras and affirmations, which made me think of our first episode, or no second episode that we did last year. And so I kind of wanted to update what we had said based
Christine:
00:27:29
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:27:30
that he had researched and found out. And it's actually a really cool book if you're into like more boo woo practices, spiritual, it kind of gives you a lexicon for talking to people who maybe are not as into that aspect and more scientific background. So it's kind of a fun read. I love it. Or listen. He's got a Scottish accent, which is
Christine:
00:27:48
Oh,
Alexandra:
00:27:48
fun to, to listen to.
Christine:
00:27:50
Scottish accent that you can understand. 'cause sometimes that accent gets a little hard for me to,
Alexandra:
00:27:56
it's understandable.
Christine:
00:27:57
okay. Good.
Alexandra:
00:27:58
I think I showed Christine a video of a bakery I follow in, in the Highlands of Scotland. And that's a tough accent. There's sometimes
Christine:
00:28:05
It can be.
Alexandra:
00:28:06
and I'm like. What,
Christine:
00:28:08
I need subtitles, but I'm standing
Alexandra:
00:28:11
I'm with you, I promise. I think,
Christine:
00:28:14
I think
Alexandra:
00:28:14
no, but this is very, it's like a very enjoyable listen Scottish accent. Like you can easily understand. It's
Christine:
00:28:20
Good.
Alexandra:
00:28:21
beautiful. It's keep talking. But these are some direct quotes from that second chapter. So, Dr. Hamilton is a PhD was talking about, the word mantra is derived from two Sanskrit words, manas mind and tra tools or instruments. So literally a mind tool. And that in Hindu, in Buddhist traditions, a mantra is a sound, a word, or a short phrase that is in toned, repeatedly during meditation, contemplation, and prayer. He noted that a key difference between an affirmation and a mantra is that while the former, an affirmation tends to be a positive statement. The latter or mantra is a mystical utterance that is considered sacred and to have deep spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. Ohm. Is the most sacred of Al mantra as it refers to ahman, which is the soul and or self within and Brahman ultimate reality, truth, universe and divine. Supreme being. He goes on to say that mystics say that the sound produces vibrations in our consciousness that align us with a universal consciousness. That many mantras are words or phrases that are associated with love or compassion, or are statements of spiritual insight. that. Another key difference between affirmation and a mantra is that an affirmation tends to require a determined mental effort to make a focus statement. While a mantra requires much less effort, it is more passive and has a calming effect. It goes into some of the science of like brain imaging that they had done to show that affirmations tend to activate the. Parts of the brain that align with or a associated with concentration, whereas mantras tend to deactivate that part of a brain and calm those regions. So I thought that was really interesting. 'cause I think a lot of what we were talking about in that sayings and mantra leaned more affirmation based than traditional mantra. And I just thought that was so cool. 'cause I never really
Christine:
00:30:17
Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:30:18
the specific difference,
Christine:
00:30:20
I certainly didn't.
Alexandra:
00:30:21
was so cool. I was
Christine:
00:30:22
Sometimes I think I, yeah, sometimes I think I've used those words interchange like
Alexandra:
00:30:28
Interchangeably.
Christine:
00:30:29
yeah, but now we have a better understanding of what is the difference. Interesting.
Alexandra:
00:30:34
and I like that, that I think he goes on to talk about like one of the wellknown mantras, I don't know if it's Buddhist or tradition, but oh, money padme. Something, I think it means something like the jewel in the lotus, but I, it's like, it is very different when you think about, I would say, I guess now called more traditional mantras and how they are very, can be very rhythmic and very calming versus this statement that I'm trying to affirm or manifest. So it is really interesting now that I think about one is like I'm activating parts of my brain for concentration. One is like I'm calming myself and I'm just aligning my vibration. So
Christine:
00:31:15
Okay. Well thanks for that little lesson and update. I think that's really fascinating.
Alexandra:
00:31:22
I was like,
Christine:
00:31:22
Thank you. Very cool.
Alexandra:
00:31:23
nerd out.
Christine:
00:31:24
I will let you nerd out anytime
Alexandra:
00:31:26
Alright, so Christine, you wanna kick us off on books, the other,
Christine:
00:31:30
on the books. Did not?
Alexandra:
00:31:32
books.
Christine:
00:31:34
Sure I can, I'm happy to. So, first off, I've really been reading a lot this year more than anything else. I haven't been really watching very much or listening to very much, but I have been reading, I'm actually very close to hitting my reading goal for the year. And I wanna see if I can like, maybe double it. We'll see. We'll see.
Alexandra:
00:31:55
I think
Christine:
00:31:55
Well, yeah,
Alexandra:
00:31:57
the year, so.
Christine:
00:32:00
if I keep up this rate, I may just do that. Who knows. So I've been reading nonstop and some of the favorites that I've. Listened to or read so far from this year is Thrown of the Fallen by Carrie Maniscalco, which if you're not familiar with her, she I've loved, she has had, this is her third series, but it's actually within the same world of one of her previous series. So we've both listened to stalking Jack the Ripper. Right. We both loved that. She then I've, I read a few years ago and Alexander just started the Kingdom of the Wicked Series, which the Throne of the Fallen takes place in the same world. But that's one of that's one of my favorites so far this year. It's, if you're not familiar with the series, it how do I do this in a nutshell? So,
Alexandra:
00:32:55
to cram into
Christine:
00:32:56
yeah, basically. Exactly. Basically there are. Seven princes of hell and they all focus on one of the seven deadly sins. So Kingdom of the Wicked focuses particularly on the Prince Wrath and his story, his love story because they are romances. And then kingdom of the Fallen, sorry, throne of the fallen not kingdom, throne of the Fallen is focuses on a new prince. And it it's a great time. It's,
Alexandra:
00:33:32
Which Prince does it focus on?
Christine:
00:33:35
oh, see, I've read two she's released two and now I need to remember, let me look that up really quick.
Alexandra:
00:33:39
It's like
Christine:
00:33:40
I think it's envy, but let me double check. so. This story revolves around Prince Envy and his, his romance and basically the, this is gonna be a series, but each book is gonna be a one-off. So it's focusing on one sp specific prince and their love story or romance or whatever the case may be.
Alexandra:
00:34:01
Right. That's, you think you said it was the Dark and You series
Christine:
00:34:03
I,
Alexandra:
00:34:04
in that series, the first four books were on one couple, and then all the others have been like one offs with same world related
Christine:
00:34:11
Exactly. Yes. And this is new adult, so there is plenty of steamy, spicy moments. And it's a good time. It's fun it's playful, it's fun to sort of, because you meet the other princes in the original series, but you don't really get to know them. So this is a fun insight into them more. And so that, that's was one of the main, so far, one of my favorite books that I've read this year, I've also really enjoy, I love a good mystery murder mystery. Who done it? I read the House across the Lake this year, which I should give. Let me look up the author of that one. I didn't write that down. Silly Me. Riley Sager, I believe is that author, but I'm just gonna double check.
Alexandra:
00:35:01
I feel like I'm looking for some good murder mysteries, although I might want to reread a series that I haven't picked up in a while. That's
Christine:
00:35:09
which one?
Alexandra:
00:35:09
a a two part series now. The original series is the, I think it's called the Fatal Series. So the first one is Fatal Affair, and it's about a metro DC cop and somebody who worked for a senator. So like a politician and each book obviously. Is a standalone, it's a different case, but the characters, the detectives, the people related to them all cross. And then of course, there's now a second spinoff series, which I won't give the title Series title too, because it would reveal too much if anyone was interested.
Christine:
00:35:44
oh, interesting. Huh. Okay.
Alexandra:
00:35:47
Although I was talking to my sister about it and
Christine:
00:35:50
I,
Alexandra:
00:35:50
talking about the most recent one in the new series, and we're like, yeah, the main character's kind of pissing us off, but I guess To read it. Maybe it'll get better, so,
Christine:
00:35:57
maybe it'll get better. I always like to give it the benefit of the doubt let me see how it evolves, because sometimes they do that on purpose. Authors.
Alexandra:
00:36:05
back in the next one, I guess. We'll give it to you.
Christine:
00:36:08
All right, cool. Cool. But yes, the house across the lake was one of, not only one of my favorite books I've read this year, but has been one of my f favorite mysteries that I've read recently because I really wasn't, it had some good unexpected things happen. I don't necessarily want to give too much away, but you would be, you think you know who the villain is and then
Alexandra:
00:36:34
Surprised it's not.
Christine:
00:36:35
surprises come. Yeah. So highly recommend that one. And then I. Also another one I mentioned in our favorite current reads that we posted, the people you meet on vacation is just a fun, lighthearted romcom by Emily Henry. And it's actually being adapted into a film. And it's starring the actress, I'm blanking on her name at the moment, but she, if you watched My Lady Jane, she's the main actress from
Alexandra:
00:37:04
Oh, okay.
Christine:
00:37:05
show in this movie that's coming out. So
Alexandra:
00:37:09
to say how disappointed I am? That show's not coming back
Christine:
00:37:11
I'm so bummed that it's not coming back. And mostly I think it's because Amazon did, its such a disservice and how it marketed that show, Like it truly is. I've been describing it as like Ella Enchanted for Adults,
Alexandra:
00:37:25
Yes.
Christine:
00:37:26
the breaking the fourth wall.
Alexandra:
00:37:28
market that was in love with Ellen Enchanter, which
Christine:
00:37:31
He really could have.
Alexandra:
00:37:32
rewashed, but it's so freaking good.
Christine:
00:37:35
Yeah. Yeah. It is so thick and good. So she's gonna be starring in this adaptation of this book by Emily Henry. A fun read, great beach read, great or non beach read. Read right now. It's so good. And then I've also delved more this year into the dark sphere.
Alexandra:
00:37:53
Mm-hmm.
Christine:
00:37:54
Has recommended stuff to me. I've recommended stuff to her, but I've read Quicksilver Lights Out Hunting, Adeline Hunting and Hunting. I've read both. What else? I read the first book in the Lord's series. The Ritual, right?
Alexandra:
00:38:11
the rich yes, the ritual. I love how that one builds it as like a university. I'm
Christine:
00:38:16
Oh yeah. Dark College Romance. Yeah. No, they don't.
Alexandra:
00:38:20
college? There is no. If you just accept that they really don't go to class and that they somehow still graduate, then I think you'll be fine.
Christine:
00:38:29
And then become like leaders in the world. Yeah. It doesn't,
Alexandra:
00:38:34
up. The whole series is so fucked up. And if you
Christine:
00:38:38
well, I've only read the one, so I haven't gotten back to the rest of the series yet. But Yeah, so I've read some, like varying degrees of dark romance. So like some that are not as dark and graphic as others. It's definitely read the content warnings. One, take care of yourself two. But if you wanna try something different that's a little like taboo, I feel like there's plenty of good books out there that, that will scratch that itch for you.
Alexandra:
00:39:09
Did I tell you what happened when I was reading the Lord Series on my Kindle app?
Christine:
00:39:13
I don't know if you did
Alexandra:
00:39:14
So it was so funny. I just I knew that I had seen from things on, you know, social media oh, there are trigger warnings dah. Like it's a
Christine:
00:39:23
Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:39:24
all this stuff. Okay? So I jump into reading it. I never saw the freaking trigger warnings, and I'm just going through and I'm like, damn, okay, ho. What, and
Christine:
00:39:35
should really warn you before you read this.
Alexandra:
00:39:38
not that. Luckily I didn't have any issues with it, but
Christine:
00:39:40
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:39:41
into the second one and I'm like, man, they really, it's so odd that they don't include the trigger warning. So I'm just going through, by the third book, I finally realized that Kindle was taking me to the prologue, the skipping the title page, like the table of contents, the
Christine:
00:39:57
yeah, it does do that.
Alexandra:
00:39:59
oh. So Did. I just, Kindle was like, eh, assume
Christine:
00:40:04
gonna just,
Alexandra:
00:40:06
You
Christine:
00:40:06
you know what you're getting into,
Alexandra:
00:40:09
Here we go.
Christine:
00:40:10
right? And you were so kind. You gave me that little heads up
Alexandra:
00:40:14
go back.
Christine:
00:40:15
I, she wasn't sure how I was gonna read it. I actually listened to the first book, but yeah, she's there are trigger warnings. Take a look at them before you get into it. And I was like, that is a helpful tip.
Alexandra:
00:40:27
You're like, oh, what?
Christine:
00:40:29
Ooh. Yeah. Yeah. It, and you know, it's, it takes a little bit of adjusting and it is not for everyone, but I'm having a great time.
Alexandra:
00:40:39
I will say, that's something I noticed on your list. That's also on my list,
Christine:
00:40:44
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:40:45
and it was really fucking good. It was so good. It was so funny, and it was kind of, it's weird to say that it was lighter a dark romance.
Christine:
00:40:52
Lights out Girl. Yeah,
Alexandra:
00:40:55
was funny as all get out
Christine:
00:40:57
it was very funny. And it was so I read that after reading H both H
Alexandra:
00:41:03
hunting and then haunting. Haunting,
Christine:
00:41:04
Haunting and Hunt, which. Dark as hell, especially h hunting, God dammit, they're so similar. But it was, so, it was, it was really good. It was funny, it was lighthearted. I, and then something I think a lot of people sometimes complain about is the insta love that happens in a lot of these romance genre in general can be, I'm like, why the hell are you here? It's fictional. It's not supposed to make sense of, so what if they're like in love with each other after locking eyes or spending two minutes or stalking them on social media or whatever the case may be?
Alexandra:
00:41:44
To live it. You don't have to do that. You don't have to fall
Christine:
00:41:46
no
Alexandra:
00:41:47
But leave my romance books alone.
Christine:
00:41:50
leave. Yeah. Let me live in my world of my bubble. My bubble. But yeah.
Alexandra:
00:41:55
I feel like I, if anyone wants to listen to it, read it. your
Christine:
00:41:59
I've heard good things about the audiobook.
Alexandra:
00:42:02
I, yeah, I haven't listened to a preview, but I just read it and it was great. 'cause I
Christine:
00:42:06
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:42:08
What is this? Spoiler alert. That's the word. I was like, I just love the whole accidental murder. And then they're like, yeah, the couple that slays together stays
Christine:
00:42:20
Stays together.
Alexandra:
00:42:21
And you're like, and then it just snowballs.
Christine:
00:42:26
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:42:27
It's so funny. Oh, what's so great? It's a good time.
Christine:
00:42:31
Oh, it's a good time. I had a, I had fun with that one. But, and then I'll wrap it up really quick. My last little update. Some, well, actually two things. Something you got me onto hockey romances. I will say I haven't delved outside of the pucking around universe yet,
Alexandra:
00:42:50
I'm
Christine:
00:42:51
and I know that is a hot topic. Yeah. Yeah. I know that. And I know that is like a hot topic for people. There could be a lot of controversy around that series, but leave me alone. I'm having a good fucking time. Okay.
Alexandra:
00:43:05
You
Christine:
00:43:05
this all started when,
Alexandra:
00:43:06
Be.
Christine:
00:43:07
yes, this all started. Alexandra came up to visit around my birthday this past year. We went to the Rip Bois in New York and Brooklyn. Fun. If you are in the Brooklyn, New York or New Jersey, like if you can get there, I recommend going. It's a great time. They also have a location in California.
Alexandra:
00:43:25
Oh,
Christine:
00:43:26
Yes. Yes. I think
Alexandra:
00:43:29
that might be a trip. I have to
Christine:
00:43:30
Los Angeles maybe.
Alexandra:
00:43:31
Oh, I have to go back to my state. Okay.
Christine:
00:43:34
So, she picked, that's one of the books she picked up. She had heard something about the story and was interested. No, you hadn't heard. Oh, I thought you had seen something about it.
Alexandra:
00:43:46
that sounds fun.
Christine:
00:43:47
Oh my gosh, my bad.
Alexandra:
00:43:49
thing about it.
Christine:
00:43:50
Okay, well now we know a lot about it.
Alexandra:
00:43:56
I think your first comment to me after you started, just like, how did you not talk to anyone about
Christine:
00:44:00
I, yes. So she read it and then I started after her and I couldn't not talk about it to her. I was like, how did you not say anything to me? Because usually we talk about our books. Well, I just had to talk about it, so I was very surprised she didn't. But yeah,
Alexandra:
00:44:19
think I'd mentioned the hockey thing before and you're like, ah, well, you know, I was like, okay, well, you know,
Christine:
00:44:23
yeah, I wasn't necessarily on board, but It was available to listen.
Alexandra:
00:44:28
the hockey romances?
Christine:
00:44:29
I'm fully in, I'm also like, what other sport romances could I get into? Let's see,
Alexandra:
00:44:34
a serious for you. If you want
Christine:
00:44:36
I, yeah.
Alexandra:
00:44:37
Pause for research, I have to
Christine:
00:44:39
Sure.
Alexandra:
00:44:40
actual title of the series.
Christine:
00:44:41
What sport?
Alexandra:
00:44:42
all the sports.
Christine:
00:44:44
Oh, all sports.
Alexandra:
00:44:46
Oh, interesting. She must be changing the covers and my no app must be updating it. So it is the play by play series by JC Burton. The first book is the perfect play, and then it kind of goes through, so you asked what sport it is. It's kind of like all the sports. So the first one is a football romance. The second one, baseball. Then there's hockey, football, baseball, race, car driving.
Christine:
00:45:13
ooh.
Alexandra:
00:45:14
Football, hockey, football. But there's a couple, couple other sports in there. I don't, Not been any basketball. So I think I found that
Christine:
00:45:25
Interesting.
Alexandra:
00:45:25
Like a teenager college. So that was probably one of my first forays into, sports, romance books. And they're really fun. It's all the characters, it's one-off books, but they're all connected. So you'll kind of meet the couple or the people who will be in the next book. So that's
Christine:
00:45:44
Well, that's fun.
Alexandra:
00:45:45
one. If you want like different sports and then some, I don't know. Oh, I remember how I got into hockey. Hockey smut and hockey romance. I, there's a audio book narrator I really like, and I dunno if we've talked about this in the podcast before, but I was looking at other books. She narrates under two different names and came across this one book written by Helena Hunting. And it was the start of her, I think, fourth series in the same world. So kind of all connected, but you can read 'em as a standalone. And it was called, if You Hate Me and I love the Narrators with Good Time, it's Mud. And so from that I went back and I pretty much all of Helena Hunting's books in those series. And so I read from the very first series, which. Fucked. And then it's, it that, then the second series, then the third, and then finally to the Toronto Terror Series, which I'm loving so far.
Christine:
00:46:43
Oh,
Alexandra:
00:46:44
got a couple one-off books that are about characters in that, but not necessarily main characters in hockey. So,
Christine:
00:46:52
okay.
Alexandra:
00:46:53
I think she's got one coming out that's again in the world but may not be totally linked into the series. So I'm
Christine:
00:47:00
I'm wondering, did I download anything by her, because that name is familiar. No, not yet, but I, yeah, she's on my list to read that.
Alexandra:
00:47:12
she's very funny. I, all the characters I think have, they're such good stories. I know that I included it, chase
Christine:
00:47:20
Mm-hmm.
Alexandra:
00:47:21
I think in the current reads, and
Christine:
00:47:23
Yep.
Alexandra:
00:47:23
the spinoffs, the, but not in the main series of the Toronto Terror one. And then I, we both listened to audio books Might be an Audible original or an audible only, but it was one called Know Your Newlyweds and it was a full cast, but it almost reminded me of the old radio shows where they do a lot of sound effects and music with it. So it's not just a full cast narration, it's all these other things. It was really, a fun, listen, it was short. I think it was like maybe five hours, but it was
Christine:
00:47:56
Oh,
Alexandra:
00:47:57
It was really
Christine:
00:47:57
that,
Alexandra:
00:47:58
I would listen to it again.
Christine:
00:47:59
that's cool. Nice.
Alexandra:
00:48:01
into the duet narration or the full cow, full cast narration. Yeah.
Christine:
00:48:07
Okay. Alright, cool.
Alexandra:
00:48:09
Any books you haven't been loving before we move on
Christine:
00:48:11
Ooh, that's a good question. There's been some that I'm just like, eh, there hasn't been any that I did not finish. I think the last book that I really didn't like, I haven't read anything this year that I really didn't like, but last year I read a book by Lee Bar Dugo, which is an author I have heard lots about. There are other books by her that I'm interested in reading, but this one just didn't do it for me. It's ninth House by Lee Bar Jugo. I read that last year. I just, it wasn't for me. But there's been some that are just meh, but I like didn't mind.
Alexandra:
00:48:48
it.
Christine:
00:48:49
Yeah, I didn't mind. Like right now, actually I'm listening to a book, what's it called? Pretty Little Savage, I think is the name of the book by Lucy Smoke. I um,
Alexandra:
00:48:59
about that one. Yeah.
Christine:
00:49:01
I downloaded through Audible my my subscription, like you get access to some titles that are like included in it. Essentially, you don't have to use a credit or pay for to download and listen to it. The whole trilogy was available and I was like, you know what? Why not? I, it could be also that I've just been listening to a lot more sm s money, spicy stuff recently. There hasn't been a whole lot of that. There's been a lot of like buildup, but I'm 80% of the way through. I have three hours left and I haven't had that payoff yet. So that's a little annoying. But something that has wrecked me, but I'm so happy that I have read. So I've finally, it took me long enough, but I have delved into the world of Fanfic fan fiction and I have dabbled in the past, don't get me wrong, but this is one that I really went in and I went in on specific. Pacific ship that I think a lot of people, there's a lot out there to read of this ship and a lot of people probably might be able to guess. But I finally have started reading some Dani fan fiction, which if you don't know what Dani is, where the hell have you been? Are you what? What's going on everyone? So Miah is the Draco Hermione ship from Harry Potter. We have talked before about Harry Potter. It's what got me into reading when I was in middle school. I have a lot of mixed feelings about Harry Potter right now, but that's because of the author. So we don't have to dive into that. We've talked about this before Alexandra and I, but These fanfictions are written by some very talented writers. I. And some might be wondering. I wanna see, I'm gonna leave it out there. Any guesses on what fan fix I've read? Oh,
Alexandra:
00:50:51
Go write your answers in comments.
Christine:
00:50:53
go bring your answer in the comment really quickly. So I started getting these recommendations on TikTok and I started getting, seeing a lot of different things about Mion, but specifically Manacled. A lot of people will know who are in the Mion sphere, will have heard of Manacled, have probably read Manacled. It is quite the story. I read it within a week, five days I believe. And if you know how long that book is, that's insane. I did not sleep, I just couldn't put it down. I don't wanna get necessarily too far into this 'cause we have lots of other things to talk about, but I just want you all to know I have arrived, I have started reading Dion. I have read Manacles. And then the one that I read and I actually listened to because someone did a podcast of it on, I think it's on Spotify, where each chapter, each episode is a chapter of the fanfic. And that one is called Secrets and Masks, which wrecked me as well, but in a entirely different way. So yeah, that's my last little reading update. Everyone. I've been busy. What can I say? Is there anything else any other books, Alexandra, that you've got percolating in the back of your head that you haven't talked about yet?
Alexandra:
00:52:20
One I'm gonna hold onto for a minute. And then, you know me, I love a good book about tarot, so that's always somewhere in the mix. So,
Christine:
00:52:29
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:52:30
recently got the, where'd it go? I think the Light Sears. So it's in tandem, the author Chris Ann, she made a light Sears tarot deck, and I think it's tarot for light. Sears is the expanded version of her guidebook. And I feel as a, we've talked about, I'm a card reader, Sometimes the struggle you know, people are like, well, you don't really need to read a guidebook to know cards. I'm like I kind of disagree with that because I think anything I do read, it can just, all it will help is improve me. Really excited. So she's got full color. I. In full page illustrations of her cards in that deck. And then she goes into like the seeker side and then the shadow side. So more like of a reversal. And so I really love I think it's really her only deck that I've truly connected with. So I really love to see the different symbology that she kind of puts into different things. And I really just hope that by reading it and kind of absorbing what this artist sees, when she looks at different symbols and signs then I can extrapolate that and expand it onto other decks that I read. So, I love to nerd out about tarot. We all know that. So I
Christine:
00:53:36
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:53:37
much time harping on that 'cause I could be here all day. So why don't we delve into movies and
Christine:
00:53:42
Okay,
Alexandra:
00:53:42
Christine,
Christine:
00:53:42
let's do it.
Alexandra:
00:53:43
reading, but
Christine:
00:53:44
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:53:45
the what on your watch list?
Christine:
00:53:46
So recently, not a whole lot, but I recently watched this just came out on Netflix. LA this month, earlier this month, end of last month called the Life List starring Sophia Carson is so sweet. It's I, it might be based off of a book, I'm not sure, but it was a great sort of sweet movie to watch. Heart Full of Heart, it's about a young woman after her mom's death figuring out who she is again, and has these messages from her mom that she purposely sort of set up a challenge for her daughter to do after, and this is revealed to her after her passing. So it. It's a sweet watch. If that is something you are interested in, I would recommend I started but have not finished and I am loving the residents on Netflix. Alexandra also wrote this a note about this for her. I'm interested to hear her thoughts, but I haven't finished it yet, so
Alexandra:
00:54:47
Okay.
Christine:
00:54:48
no spoilers.
Alexandra:
00:54:50
all righty.
Christine:
00:54:50
That's a great, that's like in the Who done it genre vein. It gives me like only murders in the building vibes. It gives me knives out vibes. It's a good time. That one for those who don't know, is also on Netflix. It is a TV show that, and basically what happens in Murder happens at a state dinner in the White House, and the greatest detective in the world is called Into Come and Solve it. And she is a quirky woman. She's a hoot, but she's quirky and I like her a lot. So. Definitely what one of the things I'm loving lately. Excited to finish. And then lastly, I just started and it just started airing weekly. On HBO Max, they released one episode a week, the last of a season two has started. I don't know if you know anything about that, Alexandra, but it is a TV show that is based off of a video game that it is very beloved in the gaming community. Season one I watched last year with two of my best friends. We did a weekly or watched together. And we are, we've started season two and I actually started playing the game. I'm gonna try and be a gamer, maybe. Who knows?
Alexandra:
00:56:04
Okay.
Christine:
00:56:06
I haven't played I've never been much of a gamer. I played video games as a kid sometimes, but it never was never anything I. Necessarily dedicated a lot of time to, but this in particular I'm really interested in playing the game, so I actually started, didn't get very far. I'm very bad. I die really quickly,
Alexandra:
00:56:28
That's okay.
Christine:
00:56:29
you know, it's a learning curve, you know, I'm learning. I, it's exactly, I'll get better and by the end of it, I'll be a pro maybe, who knows? I guess it's 30 plus hours of gameplay, so there's plenty of practice.
Alexandra:
00:56:42
Yeah. Cool.
Christine:
00:56:44
Yeah. So that's what I've been watching and loving recently.
Alexandra:
00:56:47
Nice.
Christine:
00:56:47
How about you? What about,
Alexandra:
00:56:49
I feel like I should talk about it because the residents, you mentioned it, I,
Christine:
00:56:52
okay.
Alexandra:
00:56:53
I stumbled across it because the trailer was just so funny
Christine:
00:56:57
Mm-hmm.
Alexandra:
00:56:58
and I didn't mean, in a way it was like captivating. It was clearly a who done it, it looked like it was gonna be comedic, but interesting. And I love that the show just keeps you guessing the whole time. And I stopped
Christine:
00:57:11
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:57:11
and I showed it to my mom. And so then we started watching it together and by episode six we're like, how is there still more?
Christine:
00:57:19
Oh, that's where I'm at, by the way. I'm at episode six. I've watched it. Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:57:23
I'm not gonna say a thing 'cause
Christine:
00:57:25
No, please.
Alexandra:
00:57:26
But I love the way it's told It is the present is where they're doing. What is it a senate hearing, a Hearing looking at this murder inve and like the investigation into the murder. Is it truly a murder? Is it not all that
Christine:
00:57:39
Yes.
Alexandra:
00:57:40
the actual murder and the whole investigation process takes place in the past, and it is, so in some ways it's so choppy. So you're getting bits and bobs with the information throughout the whole show, and you're like, I think I've figured out. We know who's done it. And then it's oh, nope, here we go. And there's this whole other line of questioning and she's going this way and. I think one of my favorite things it's definitely not spoiler for you, Christine, but I think it was like the first episode where the greatest detective in the world, she's a birder. I love that. She's just the whole thing so she can go birding. But the agent who's I guess assigned to her and help her, he setting up the, in one of the investigation, like interview rooms and he's what's that? And she's paper, what's it for? Writing for what words? And it was just the way in which it was delivered was absolutely. Funny, their whole dynamic, the entire show was great. And
Christine:
00:58:35
yes.
Alexandra:
00:58:35
I love, she's I'll ask the questions. And he's well, I wanna ask the questions and da. And so she's you will not, they go into a thing. And so he doesn't, and they bring in the first person that we see interviewed and he, she doesn't say a peep. And he's well, you wanna know about this, right? Da. He's well, I'm not gonna tell you I, I don't have to stay here. So he gets up to leave, he gets to the door, he's well, you probably wanna know about this. So he starts telling, he's well, that's it. I'm done. I'm walking out. Goes back to the door and then he turns around and says something. And like she has not said a word the entire time. He finally spills all of his guts,
Christine:
00:59:06
Yeah.
Alexandra:
00:59:06
and then the FBI turns to her and she's FBI Agent turns to her and he is you asked the questions and it was just but I was talking to a coworker who was interested in the show, but in the. Scenes where it goes, bass, it's like fast-paced jazz music and she doesn't like that. So I thought that was really interesting. Been rewatching it 'cause just to see if I can catch some of the things earlier. And it was interesting how much I didn't really notice it, but yeah, it does pick up the pace and starts to make you like, kind of get into it. So I, that was really interesting. but other shows that I've liked, I've been enjoying Matlock and El Smith. Elspeth is kind of like a, a crime show, but it's more, it feels more like who done it even though you know who did it in the beginning and you're kind of watching this character Figure it out. So that's really fun. Matlock is like a legal drama and that's really interesting. It's picking up I don't know if we're at the end of the season, but my gosh, I think it's already slotted to come back. So I'm excited. I think both of them are. And then I love Sweet Magnolias, a new season released. It went March.
Christine:
01:00:14
Yes, I think so.
Alexandra:
01:00:16
I hope they do another season.
Christine:
01:00:18
I haven't yet watched it.
Alexandra:
01:00:19
So I won't tell you
Christine:
01:00:20
Okay.
Alexandra:
01:00:21
It's cute. And so I think I was talking about this with my sister and I love, loved more girls. There's That I really love and enjoy. I used to rewatch it about like once a year, once every year and a half. And then my most recent kind of watch through, I stopped halfway through and I couldn't stand, like half the characters were pissing me off, like Lole and Rory so much. And then I had found Sweet Magnolias and I feel like Sweet Magnolias has kind of filled that void of where Gilmore Girls has left me disappointed. So, so yeah.
Christine:
01:00:57
Okay,
Alexandra:
01:00:57
And
Christine:
01:00:57
cool.
Alexandra:
01:00:58
I've been rewatching some ones that I love haven't really ventured into new ones, but the life list is on two watch list. So.
Christine:
01:01:07
Oh, okay. Fascinating. I didn't know You haven't washed it yet. Cool. I recommend it. It's good. It's sweet.
Alexandra:
01:01:13
So that's my movie list.
Christine:
01:01:16
Okay, cool.
Alexandra:
01:01:18
Where do you wanna go to next?
Christine:
01:01:20
Well, let's quickly, I just wanna touch on, I don't know if you have anything to say, but podcasts that I. Love to listen to and always find my way back to, I kind of go in two directions when it comes to my podcast.
Alexandra:
01:01:34
okay.
Christine:
01:01:34
crime or comedy? True crime. I always love listening to Crime Junkie. Ashley and Brit are great hosts. I love how Ashley always sets up the story and Brit ads in her commentary.
Alexandra:
01:01:49
Okay.
Christine:
01:01:51
Good time. Good time. I have with those two. And then I also love laughing when I just want to put something mindless on and just giggle. I love listening to the Tony and Ryan podcast,
Alexandra:
01:02:02
Okay.
Christine:
01:02:03
are two friends who I think they used to work with each other in radio and then decided to do this podcast. They started in, I think during the pandemic, but they are from Australia. They released. Daily, I think during the week, Monday through Friday. And they're like 30 minutes or a little more, a little less. And they're just funny. They're just, they talk about everything and nothing. And it's a good time. But I also, I haven't listened to scripted podcasts in a long time, but a couple of recommendations in that in that realm is the Bright Sessions and Wolf 3 59. Those were two really great podcasts that I enjoyed listening to for their story, for the for the quality of what they did in terms of the editing and sound design and everything like that. So yeah, that's, if that's something you're interested in listening to, I recommend those two podcasts, the Bright Sessions and Wolf 3 59. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:03:02
Oh, very nice. Okay, so crafts, any
Christine:
01:03:06
Yes.
Alexandra:
01:03:07
that you've been into.
Christine:
01:03:08
With, well, you know me, I love a good craft. I love to get creative and get my hands dirty or busy doing something depending on the craft. So recently, I haven't done a whole lot recently, but what I did do this past Christmas was I personalized a gift for a friend. I basically thrifted a jacket of jean denim jacket, and she's like my horror movie gal. We, this past year we started watching old horror movies and we have a whole long list and we're constantly sending each other stuff. I think we're gonna go see that movie Sinners next Week. I don't know if you've heard anything about that one. It's starring Michael B. Jordan and Haley Steinfeld.
Alexandra:
01:03:55
interesting.
Christine:
01:03:56
And it's. Kind of, I don't know a whole lot about it, but it takes place in like Jim Crow era in the south, and there's vampires. So I've heard really great things. It looks really interesting. I think we're gonna go watch that on Tuesday. But back to the craft that I was talking about, I personalized a jacket for her and I basically painted a image on the back for her. And I added patches and I did some embroidery because that's another, that's one of my favorite crafts that I've been getting into more and more over the years is embroidery. It's a great thing to do while listening to something like a audio book or a podcast. And I love sort of seeing it all come together so that, that's what I've been, that's what I've been into crafting wise lately. How about you?
Alexandra:
01:04:44
I haven't really had a whole lot of time for actually doing crafts recently. However, I did get kind of obsessed with the idea of book rebinding 'cause of all the At the end of last year. So I've ordered some things to do that. I'm missing some key pieces to do that time and space, but it is something that I would like to do. It just, it looks. Sort of relaxing, sort of like very methodical, there's a process and Creative. So that is something I have not yet tried, but want to, and hopefully by the end of this year I will have say I have rebound my first book, I actually bought a book for Christine, one of her favorite books to,
Christine:
01:05:19
Oh yes.
Alexandra:
01:05:20
So, it'll be a while, but
Christine:
01:05:23
That's okay. No worries. I appreciate that. I'm excited to see it. Once you do have the time to do it. I know you wanna like practice on some other things too. Kind of get the hang of it. There's no rush. Love. It's all good. It's all good.
Alexandra:
01:05:39
that is not something that is anywhere near the gida of my to-do list right now. Also, I'm missing
Christine:
01:05:43
okay.
Alexandra:
01:05:43
key pieces to do it
Christine:
01:05:45
fair. No worries.
Alexandra:
01:05:47
All righty.
Christine:
01:05:48
I like something to work towards.
Alexandra:
01:05:50
Let's get into the last one for this section, and that's pop culture.
Christine:
01:05:54
Yeah. What, so what have you been loving and hating lately? In pop culture?
Alexandra:
01:05:59
So I think I've been hating. I don't know, and I don't know how I feel about it, but has had a massive resurgence. I feel like every
Christine:
01:06:09
Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:06:10
somebody in a Twilight jacket in, you know, twilight's coming up on Instagram and like Fun of it or like comedy sketches on it, but also like news about,
Christine:
01:06:19
Yeah. And so much merch and so much like Lego has is releasing stuff. Twilight, like all of the graphic tees are back like twilight's back.
Alexandra:
01:06:31
about the Legos twilight We
Christine:
01:06:34
yes.
Alexandra:
01:06:34
and there was a toilet.
Christine:
01:06:36
Y yeah,
Alexandra:
01:06:37
was like,
Christine:
01:06:38
she's back. I mean, hey, that was an era of my life that I will never, I'll look back on and be like, okay, that was me, you know? But like it's always gonna have a special place in my heart. But I find it really funny to see it because like people loved it when it was coming out. Then people really did not like it.
Alexandra:
01:07:01
hated it.
Christine:
01:07:02
they hate it. I think people love to hate it, I think. And, but right now in particular, maybe it's like the nostalgia of it. 'cause it has been 10. Almost 10, 10 years since the last movie came out, which is crazy, by the way.
Alexandra:
01:07:18
I still feel like Though, you know, for it to hit this kind of popular resurgence. But that's just me.
Christine:
01:07:24
Hey, I don't know. I don't know what to make of it, but I'm going with it, I guess. I mean, I've only I not, I don't have any desire to reread it, but who knows, maybe one day. I definitely do love rewatching the films and laughing at some of it.
Alexandra:
01:07:39
I feel like I do rewatch and reread them every so often. And it was funny 'cause I think I started rereading the series last year, right? It through the series last year. And we were talking about this and we were writing our notes and I was like, oh my gosh, you know what I don't love? That's comeback. I don't hate it, but I don't love it. It was Twilight. And Christine was like, oh yeah. I was like, yeah, also, and by the way, I'm rereading it and it got stuck. I never finished rereading it. So, since we, we talked about this episode and like what made a note about this. I have since finished the one that I hadn't finished.
Christine:
01:08:11
Oh, which one was it?
Alexandra:
01:08:13
Midnight Sun, so I decided to
Christine:
01:08:14
Oh.
Alexandra:
01:08:15
Twilight, then I went right, right into Midnight Sun, which might have been a mistake on part my part because, you know, having at that point just finished Twilight. I'm like, let me reread the story from other perspective. So I actually finished it this morning before we started recording
Christine:
01:08:29
Oh, wait. Wow. Okay.
Alexandra:
01:08:31
check.
Christine:
01:08:32
funny.
Alexandra:
01:08:32
I literally got stuck at the end and I was like, Ugh, can't get
Christine:
01:08:34
Was that your first read of Midnight Sound, or had you read it before?
Alexandra:
01:08:37
No, I've read it before. So after the series came out, I was really interesting, like I was really into the series, and there was a whole thing about Stephanie Meyer. She stopped writing it because somebody, I don't know how true this is, but I feel like this is what I remember from back then. Somebody had gone through the trash and found an old draft or copy, and so she stopped writing it and put what she had up online. And I read it when it was up online up to like maybe chapter 17.
Christine:
01:09:04
Yeah, I remember that too.
Alexandra:
01:09:06
a
Christine:
01:09:06
I think I did the same
Alexandra:
01:09:07
she finished, she finally finished it. So I read it and I was like, ah interesting. It's really, it's interesting from a different way. And then I'll get back into to New Moon after that and go through the rest.
Christine:
01:09:18
new moon's like a rough one.
Alexandra:
01:09:22
yeah. Yeah. I,
Christine:
01:09:26
Well, let me know how you, how that goes for you.
Alexandra:
01:09:29
It's interesting. I think it is, if you've never reread it and you were in love with it as like a teen, it may be worth a reread.
Christine:
01:09:39
Okay. I probably haven't,
Alexandra:
01:09:41
of the characters
Christine:
01:09:42
I don't think I reread the books. I think I only read them once and then I never reread them. So maybe I still have all my copies of the original series. I don't have Midnight Sun and I don't have Life and Death. Life or Death. Life and Death that
Alexandra:
01:09:59
interesting too.
Christine:
01:10:00
the, that's the gender swap. Right. Okay. Yeah,
Alexandra:
01:10:04
it has a really different ending because
Christine:
01:10:05
I,
Alexandra:
01:10:07
you can't end that story the same way.
Christine:
01:10:11
okay, cool.
Alexandra:
01:10:12
I mean,
Christine:
01:10:12
Good to know,
Alexandra:
01:10:12
you gender flub and you can't have the whole series play out the same way.
Christine:
01:10:16
right? Yeah, I'm sure. What does it end with him being turned?
Alexandra:
01:10:21
Yeah. It's been a while, but yeah, I think so.
Christine:
01:10:26
Okay. I mean, I kind of figured like she's not gonna re. Rewrite the whole series
Alexandra:
01:10:31
that'd be
Christine:
01:10:31
with the gender swap. I think she did that for the 10th anniversary 20th. There was an anniversary that she did that for The book. I think. Maybe it was 10th, because didn't the first book come out in 20 2006? 2000. Anyway,
Alexandra:
01:10:49
have no
Christine:
01:10:49
Yeah, so twilight's back, We have some feelings about it. I also, as I mentioned earlier, have been full on in TikTok and Fanfic recommendations. It learns what you like, linger on. So it noticed that I was interacting with like darker romance content. And then after reading lights out, I started getting like the masked Man side of TikTok sent my way, which is, interesting. But Alexandria, I don't think you have TikTok, but if you ever do have, it's a wild time.
Alexandra:
01:11:26
Sometimes I feel like TikTok, like a lot of what ends up on TikTok, ends up on Instagram, so I'm like, at some point I'll see it.
Christine:
01:11:32
True. It does eventually make its way over at some point. But yeah, I think the only reason why I ended up with TikTok is, oh, I remember. So I had, I was down in Florida. This was like just after, I think this was 2021. So it was still covid, oy times, but things were slowly starting to open up. And I was down in Florida with my sister and her boyfriend of the time, of that time. And the Super Bowl was happening and it just so happened to be happening in Tampa, which is near where we were staying. Excuse me. And, something happened with her phone the day before the Super Bowl, and she's we're gonna spend like 10 hours at a bar. I don't have my phone. I need you to download TikTok right now. I'm like, okay. So she's the only reason why I downloaded the app in the first place. And then for some reason it took me several years, but I started to get into it more and more within the last year. And now I sort of split my social media time. I'll be on Instagram for a while and then I'll go over to TikTok, but I try to like, limit it as much as possible. 'cause sometimes it's just too much to just be on there forever and ever. But one of the thing other things that came out of TikTok for me because I'm also a musical theater nerd I love Broadway, I love theater, all that. I was starting to see content around this thing called Epic, which is a musical theater concept album. That is based on the story of the Odyssey, and it's so good you guys like, so it's not a full stage show yet. I think there's an intention to do that. But basically this started as this guy's senior project for college. And he just has stuck with it and he's created a whole musical based on the entire story of the Odyssey, which, and it's really good and it goes hard. So if you have some time to spare and wanna hear the story of Odysseus at all, I recommend It's a good time. It's a good time. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:13:43
Okay.
Christine:
01:13:44
that's a wrap on my on all of the pop culture and silly things that I'm loving these days.
Alexandra:
01:13:50
Nice. I feel like we're really giving the listeners a true in-depth experience of what one of our catch-ups are like. I
Christine:
01:13:56
Yes, I agree. Well, let's start wrapping this up maybe a little bit. Let's give some updates about work life, all that. You wanna kick us off? What's going on? You, we've sort of teased a little bit. You've got a new role at work.
Alexandra:
01:14:12
do have a new role at work. So I, I have a role that's more data and finance centered. So have moved a little bit out of straight administrative work, although, I'm still doing that until they hopefully can hire somebody and I can offload some of that off my plate. But partially why we're rescheduling the Newport trip is because the second weekend that we were potentially thinking about going is that last weekend in June. And the fiscal year for where I work is ends June 30th. And since it's my first year in the role, I was like, I feel like I don't think I can ask for time off at that point because kind of need to be there to figure out what's the what with the new role. So I've been knee deep in learning data stuff. I'm pretty with that. And my, the role, the admin role I had, I did a lot of that. So I'm picking up a little bit more there, which is exciting. And diving headfirst into the financial aspect, which learning under the person responsible for the budget and personnel stuff. I know, my gosh, have been moments. I think she was introducing it. Me too. At the first day, she was like, okay, how about you come in and we talk about the books and then my set of books and then we're gonna talk about this. And I think I looked at her and I was like, please tell me, you do not expect me to memorize and remember all this in one day. Please tell me there's not a test at the end of the day. And she's no, absolutely. And she's you ask good questions. And so I am learning yeah, there's a form that you have to do for different things and it's gotta be just so, and if the dates don't match up, you put in the information three times and it's a wild ride. I've had
Christine:
01:15:48
Oh my.
Alexandra:
01:15:48
correction, then I've had to void them. And then recent, yeah, it's been fun.
Christine:
01:15:53
Oh, wow.
Alexandra:
01:15:54
so it's been intense. And then recently, this past week interviewing for a lot of different roles that are open where I work and supporting one of the search committees and they were like, we want to talk to these people. And the chair was like, I wanna talk to them on Friday. And so scheduled six people. For the next day within 24 hours, fi finalize the last two interviews. The morning of it was a wild ride. And I was like, that's a lot. So it was just an intense couple of days and I was like, all right, it'll be fine. At some point I'll get my head above water. It'll be fine. But yeah, that's my work update mostly. So getting used to everything new, keeping
Christine:
01:16:33
Yeah
Alexandra:
01:16:34
wrapping my head around all this new information. But what's going on with,
Christine:
01:16:37
sure.
Alexandra:
01:16:38
for Chris? But what's going on for you, Christine? At work?
Christine:
01:16:41
There's a lot happening in our store, so. For tho I think, I don't know what I've shared with the class about my job, but I work for a small business here in New Jersey it is a Italian cooking school and marketplace, and I'm in charge of the marketing for the business. I do the newsletter, social media. We started a podcast and YouTube channel, so I have my hands on a lot of things. I love it. I get to be very creative, but currently we're doing a lot of store up a lot of updates to our store front. So that's been going on this week and I actually did some painting
Alexandra:
01:17:22
Oh.
Christine:
01:17:23
this week in the store and. Have been having a good time sort of helping the owner and reimagine how the layout's gonna be and how we're gonna me re-merchandise and display our products and all of this stuff. So that's been a big project. It's been in the works for a long time. I think Alexandra, I've been giving her updates along the way, so this has been like the culmination of a month and a half of things happening at the business. So we're very excited to see it all finally coming together and we should have everything ready by May 9th. So that's been taking up a most of my time. But in, in addition to that, we just celebrated my mom's milestone birthday and we actually held it at my work because they do private events there. So it was just really kind of like a cool moment to have people come to where I work experience what we do. 'cause some people have never been there before and I started to give them an idea of what updates are gonna be and how it's all gonna look different. And it's been fun sharing updates this week. 'cause we just started this past Monday, so it's been quite the transformation in just one week. So, it's gonna look totally different by May 9th.
Alexandra:
01:18:38
right around the corner, so
Christine:
01:18:40
It is. We're really just plowing through it, so, but it's all good and I'm excited to see it all come together and be a part of the process. So, yeah.
Alexandra:
01:18:51
Do you have any major life updates or anything that we haven't already covered in the book Sphere
Christine:
01:18:56
yeah,
Alexandra:
01:18:57
culture?
Christine:
01:18:59
a couple of things. Things I haven't yet done, but I'm looking to do. So for me, I'm looking to start dating again. I haven't opened my dating profile in a while, but I think it's time to do some updates and. Excuse me to, I think it's time to do some updates and get back out there. Maybe, I think I've talked about before, trying to see if there's like single type events that I could go to. And I was talking to a friend yesterday who said she might be interested in going to one with me just to try it out. You know, like she and I kind of, we were talking yesterday getting caught up and she's like also getting pretty burnt out in the dating app sphere. So she's open to trying something new. And it'll just be nice to have someone with you
Alexandra:
01:19:43
absolutely.
Christine:
01:19:44
potentially. So yes. Wanna try to start dating again. I feel like I kind of come out of hibernation, like into spring and summer because it's just, and I could be wrong, but I've found it easier to do dates in like the spring and summer months because with what I like to do, being outside or it's just a fun time of year to be out and about during the spring and summer. So, but other things, I'm looking to do some closet refresh. I've been, I shared with Alexandra before we hopped on that I went thrifting yesterday. I love to, to, and see what I find. But I need to do a little clear out to bring in some new pieces. Rethink what I want my wardrobe to be like. So that's also on the future, future agenda for me. I also have just not been home a whole lot recently. I've been back and forth between my parents' place the last several weeks, several months. So it's nice to finally be back home in my space. It needs some TLC. So later today I'll be doing some chores around here and gosh, I don't know the last time I've been to a grocery store, but I need to go to the grocery store today and grab some essentials for home. And it's a beautiful day out. So spend some time outside and yeah. One last little update from me is having. Figured out all the logistics yet, but I'm starting to feel like it might be time to move. I've loved living, I've loved living in Montclair the last several years, but I think it's time. I don't know. There's, I've just been, i's how I've been feeling recently. We'll, see,
Alexandra:
01:21:25
Yeah.
Christine:
01:21:25
I just, there's a lot of things factoring into this decision, but, you know, I just, I don't work nearby. I don't have a lot of friends nearby. My family's a half hour away. So while I love it, I don't spend a whole lot of time here. Like a lot of my time isn't spent in Montclair. It's where I sleep essentially. If I'm not staying at my parents or something like that. So have a lot more to think and figure out how that's all gonna work. But that's kind of the last big thing that's been, I've been thinking more and more of recently. So we shall see. We shall see, but how about you share what? What's new in your life, my dear? What? What do you got for us?
Alexandra:
01:22:10
I think the biggest thing for me that I haven't already shared is I've been in a real urge to purge pretty much everything. I, from clothing to old contacts, to Amazon wishlist lists. Like I need to, I'm trying to clear out stuff. So, I think I, I ordered from a company called Trashy. They're
Christine:
01:22:33
Yeah, you've told me about that.
Alexandra:
01:22:35
like them. You can get trashy cash, which I don't really care that much about. It is a bag for up to 15 pounds. But I like that if they can't
Christine:
01:22:45
Wow.
Alexandra:
01:22:45
it somewhere to be sold, like it's not enough quality, you, they'll take, they'll send it to partners for down cycling. So if, like you have old brass underwear, socks, clothes with a bunch of holes that can't be patched or worn, that they'll take that and they'll try to make it into something. So their goal is to try and keep as much fashion waste out of landfills. So I really like that. So I actually did send off my first Takeback bag. I bought a pack of three, and so I sent that off last week and it
Christine:
01:23:10
Oh, that probably felt great.
Alexandra:
01:23:12
stuff that I had sitting in my closet in a bag that needed to go for a while. I think an author, Denise Lynn talks about it in her book, energy Strands, but there's an idea of if you're trying to lose weight, if that's a goal and you've got a lot of clothing left around from when you were smaller or something you're hoping to get in. it's not something you truly love. Then holding onto that might be energetic weight that you can let go of. And just things that kind of clog up your life that don't allow new things to come in. So I think that's really what I'm feel like it's perfectly timed spring cleaning. Let's get stuff out of here. So I think I could get easily overwhelmed if I'm like, let me tackle my whole closet and drawers all in one go. So I'm trying to do a drawer at a time, a space at a time. And I think I'm gonna do this in two way, like in two passes. The first pass is gets stuff out. Anything that I'm like questioning, I'm like, I'm gonna put away, put it back in. back the next time through, see if I really will wear it, if I really do like it. If not, it goes. So I'm really in an urge to purge. So I did some of my Amazon wishlists. I've worked on my Etsy wishlist. I'm working my way through my old contact. I mean, like people I haven't talked to and over a decade that the likelihood that I would reach out to them or they would reach out to me is very slim. And if we did, let's be honest, most people are on like social media could, we could track each other down that way. So I feel like that's it. And also with that came the urge to purge some of my hair. We got a nice little haircut and yeah it's weird. It's very bouncy and I'm like, who am I? So,
Christine:
01:24:41
Yeah, the fir we hopped on earlier today and I, it was like the first time I've seen her since she's had it done. I'm like, oh my God, you cut it short. It looks so cute. I love it. I do. It looks so fun. It's so, it's probably easy too.
Alexandra:
01:24:56
Perfect for getting into the summer because it's It's not so hot. But I do eventually want to grow it back out, but I was like, you know what, this feels like a right time to cut some of it off. And get rid of that too.
Christine:
01:25:07
Nice. Yeah. I honestly can't remember last time you've had it on the shorter side, so it's looking good. Oh, oh, Oh, that's right. Yeah. You did. Wow. So that's been, it's been a while, But I do like it. I like how you cut it.
Alexandra:
01:25:24
Thank you.
Christine:
01:25:25
You're very welcome. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:25:27
think our last thing on other up stuff is do we want to quickly, briefly go over the things we talked about in our first episode about what we wanna accomplish with the podcast and touch base.
Christine:
01:25:38
Sure, let's do it.
Alexandra:
01:25:40
through that?
Christine:
01:25:41
Sure. Okay. So some of the things we talked about, number one, we're back to weekly episode drops, and we are so happy to be back. I know we've been having a blast, Alexandra and I filming these, recording these for you guys bringing them to you every week. We are still planning to have our little mini hiatuses sporadically. So this coming I think this is coming out in May. So yes the latter half of May, we're taking a couple weeks off, but then we'll be back with weekly episodes for you guys to listen to do. And how are we feeling? How are you feeling? You liking it?
Alexandra:
01:26:16
I'm
Christine:
01:26:16
Feeling good.
Alexandra:
01:26:17
and I think we've been, yeah, it's been so, so much more fun this semester. Semester. am I? What am I back in school?
Christine:
01:26:28
Well, you've been in school a long time.
Alexandra:
01:26:31
and I work at a university, so Stuck on a semester's schedule. yeah, I feel like it's been. Really interesting. I think I've really enjoyed the topics we've covered so far, so I'm really excited for our little break so we can plan a little bit further out, talk about what we wanna catch up on, where we wanna delve into. So I think it'll be really fun. I'm enjoying the season.
Christine:
01:26:52
Yes. We're definitely gonna be also talking about revisiting some meaningful topics season one. Yes, today even we had a throwback to our mantra episode. So yes, expect more from us in general with our weekly drops, but also revisiting some really fun conversations we had in season one. So, yeah, more to come on that, who knows? And I, in terms of growing our reach and engagement, slowly but surely, I, we've been posting more on social media. We've been getting more followers, more people interacting with our content. So it's happening. I had actually a friend from college reach out. She had listened to. One of our previous episodes just a few weeks ago when we were doing our conversations around friendship, and we, like many people, you know, you leave college, you just sort of lose touch. And she just so happened to follow along, has been following along with our podcast, listened to that episode and she reached out. I thought that was so cool. Which is kind of like the whole point of why we're doing this, you know, is connecting with people and hoping that what we're sharing resonates so that's cool. Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:28:05
And then we talked about building support and sponsorships, which I feel like has taken a little bit of a back burner as we get back into the swing of weekly podcast drops, kind of working on that engagement and reach. That will come later as we build our foundations. So that's gonna be. I'm looking forward to that in the future. And I think the
Christine:
01:28:22
Absolutely.
Alexandra:
01:28:23
biggest thing that Christine had said she wanted to do for the podcast this year was deepen the conversations.
Christine:
01:28:30
Even more?
Alexandra:
01:28:31
do you feel like we have been diving in deeper, getting more vulnerable? What do you wanna
Christine:
01:28:38
I think so I definitely think we have, I think with season one it was something new for the both of us. You know, we already have a pretty deep and open relationship with each other. But changing that and, you know, engaging with people in each other on a different level takes some getting used to, there's a little bit of learning curve being comfortable, you know, recording yourself and putting it out there for the world to listen and comment on, you know. So, just in reflecting on how last year and season one went and how. I was hoping to move forward. You know, this was a bigger step. I wanted to just go a little, dig a little more, and I definitely think we've been doing that for one, I loved our therapy episode that came out just a few weeks ago, and it was fun to listen back and edit through that episode. And I think going forward, we just keep being ourselves, just showing up and being who we are, and it'll just continue to become easier and more natural for us. How are you feeling? Do you think, do you agree? Do you disagree? What do you think?
Alexandra:
01:29:46
I definitely feel like it is becoming more natural to be a lot more open to kind of just putting your voice or yourself out there and to
Christine:
01:29:56
Yeah.
Alexandra:
01:29:57
kind of thing.
Christine:
01:29:57
Yeah,
Alexandra:
01:29:57
sense,
Christine:
01:29:58
it can,
Alexandra:
01:29:58
over, I know we've talked about this. We're both very much perfectionists and if Do we wanna put it out? And kind of just getting past that hump of get outta your own way, do it.
Christine:
01:30:08
Yeah
Alexandra:
01:30:08
really great way to push and stretch and grow that way. And I
Christine:
01:30:13
absolutely.
Alexandra:
01:30:14
lot of really meaningful topics. I think we've also really done a good job of bridging topics across episodes and kind of like following a natural progression. So that's pretty I've That part.
Christine:
01:30:26
Me too. Yeah. I really enjoyed our conversations around friendship because it was so natural to take that, that topic in general, piece by piece. And I've loved seeing how it's affected people. I. To your point about it, it getting easier. You know, this isn't necessarily a natural thing to do. I love being creative, but I've never liked being sort of front and center. So this has definitely in general been something outside of my comfort zone. And then you are putting it out there for people. Once you put it out there, it's not yours anymore. It's a part of everybody else and every, and people will have things to say. And one of our previous conversations was about being misunderstood and you at least I had to come to a certain point where I had to be okay with the fact that there may be things that I share on here, or is said that may people may misunder like mis. Misunderstand what I'm trying to say. And that, that can be scary, you know, like opening yourself up to things like that. But at the same time, I've, I believe so much in what we're doing here and I think we're creating a beautiful space for anyone to just be themselves with no judgment or as little judgment as possible. You know, it's sometimes people will be how they will be, but always try and leave with kindness. So yeah.
Alexandra:
01:31:58
that note, are we, do you have anything, last minute updates, things we wanna
Christine:
01:32:03
I think I've talked enough. I don't know about you,
Alexandra:
01:32:07
I
Christine:
01:32:07
but
Alexandra:
01:32:08
be a nice long one.
Christine:
01:32:09
this is Buckle. Yeah. Strap in everyone if you've stuck with us for this long.
Alexandra:
01:32:14
Thank
Christine:
01:32:14
Well done. Thank you for sticking with us.
Alexandra:
01:32:17
Well that was a lot of ground to cover, literally and metaphorically from dreamy and slightly chaotic travel plans to pop culture rabbit holes we did not see coming. Twilight we're looking at you. living in a season that's equal. Parts go with the flow and where's my color coded itinerary, whether you're also whether you're also doing the holiday airport lines this year deep in trip inspo Pinterest boards, or just purging your closet like your ex's energy is still stuck in that hoodie. we feel you we're just, we've got big plans, even bigger to be read piles and somehow still haven't finished rereading, breaking dawn. But hey, life's not about checking all the boxes. It's about curating the chaos. As for those podcast goals, we set way back in episode one. We're checking in, adjusting the sales and giving ourselves the same grace. We always preach. Progress over perfection. Friends always. And such a tough lesson to learn. So until next time, plan the trip. Skip the guilt, rewatch the comfort shows. Let go of what or who you've thought of. Thanks for hanging around with us today. Be sure to DSM your thoughts and recommendations. We'll be back soon with more heart humor and maybe a little less baggage, emotional or otherwise, stay curious, stay cozy and stay exactly who you are.
