Review: Encore! (Disney+ Original Series)

When I first heard about this series, I was skeptical since I didn't know anything about it. Is it a reality show? Does it feature different groups of people performing in a musical they did several years ago? The answer to those questions is yes. If you've heard of Disney+ through social media, then surely you've seen this show being advertised. If not, then I can help break it down for you.

Since this show is literally a musical reality show, each episode is filmed within a 5-day span. Of course, the producers only show footage that they think is worth the experience. If you remember how you felt when you experienced your high school reunions, this show has that same feeling in some ways.

Within five days, you get to know each group of individuals and what their lives were like in high school. The age range is typically between 30 and 60, and the location is different for most episodes. Now of course, this wouldn't be a reality show without a few dramatic moments, but none of it is scripted except for when it's curtain day and everyone's in costume.

So because the "cast" is comprised of real people, you can't really blame them if they flub their lines or trip over their own two feet. In other cases, you might find it hard to keep your eyes dry as you hear about their stories from the past. The theater for some is an escape from reality; for others, it might just be an outlet for their energy or a place to find that sense of community. Whatever you may see the theater as, you can't deny that singing/acting is one of the many ways for us to connect with other people.

When I was in high school, I chose to do marching band instead of theater. I was kind of a shy person as a teenager, so being behind an instrument was a fun way for me to be seen and heard. Not only that, but I did have a fun time being part of that community in particular. Sometimes, I wonder what my high school years would have been like if I had chosen theater instead, but overall, I can't say I regret going with percussion instruments instead of lending my own voice. I feel like most people, I'm able to hit the notes and carry a tune, but that's about it. It probably would have been hard for me to sing, dance and act all at the same time while being in front of a crowd, even if their faces were familiar.

So as a musical lover, I'd give Encore a full 5 stars for its entertainment factor. Each episode is something different, and each musical that they reunite to do is a fun experience in itself even if you don't know the music. I also love the reactions you get from each episode's cast after that last encore performance. To them, it's an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and that feeling somehow gets translated into the viewer's heart as well.

Hygge & Intentional Living: Why is it Important?

In one of my previous blog posts, I mentioned Hygge as I was comparing it to minimalism. I do believe that both lifestyles can bring a lot of joy into your life, but the approaches are different. For this post in particular, I’ll be exploring the hygge lifestyle in more detail.

It’s no secret that we can easily get overwhelmed in our to do lists or every day tasks that need to get done, or by the amount of projects that require our full attention. Hygge can help bring us back to the present moment, and there are a lot of ways we can go about that. Reading a couple chapters of a book, taking a warm bath or shower, taking a walk in nature, lighting a candle or using an oil diffuser is just a few of the many things we can do to help us feel warm and happy on the inside.

So why is hygge important, and what makes it a big deal? To know the answer to this is to ask yourself if you’re happy with where you’re currently at in life. Do you feel comfortable? Does your home bring feelings of coziness or contentment? This lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean you need to remove anything from your life like the minimalist lifestyle may suggest, but it does require some thought, intention and small actions to help you feel at peace.

If you’ve heard the words “intentional living” being used on social media, different blogs or YouTube, its roots are similar to the hygge lifestyle in some ways. The more you practice the act of living in the moment and being intentional with your time, the better you’ll feel about yourself and your surroundings. It doesn’t take much, but at the same time, it does require some effort.

The definition of intentional living is quite simple, but it's hard to achieve if you're looking at it from that angle of trying to obtain or achieve it like it's a one-time, objective goal. In reality here, happiness cannot be gained in the same way that we achieve other things like money, fame or other successes that we've worked hard on. It's more of a mindset shift; it's a conscious effort to rewire our subconscious thoughts about how we perceive happiness.

So for today, I want to encourage you to take five or ten minutes out of your day to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Most of the habits we have- whether if they're positive or negative- are changeable, but it takes more time to replace negative ones with positive ones. Discomfort doesn't have to be a bad thing here, and when you bring that into focus with intentional living, this one little action done consistently can lead to more personal growth; you just have to be open enough to make that happen. Good luck and have a great day!

New Anime Recommendations (Updated Watch List)

It's been a while since I've made an updated anime post, so here you go! Let me know if you watch any of these anime listed below, and I hope you enjoy!

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)- I honestly didn't know what to expect with this one, but one thing I know for sure is that the characters are unique and enjoyable. Essentially, Demon Slayer is about a boy (named Tanjiro) who loses his family to a demon who invaded his home. The only person who survived the mess was his sister, Nezuko, but she's not fully human. In order to make her human again, Tanjiro enlists himself into the Demon Slayer Corps.

Attack On Titan- This anime in all honesty is hard to follow sometimes, and the payoff for new plot developments is slow, but Attack On Titan serves a good amount of action that'll keep you on your toes. I think what's kept me reeled in is the music and action, as well as some of the dialogue. Eren is the main character, and he loses his family to an invasion of giant sized humans (known as Titans). These TItans may seem dimwitted or weird at first glance, but you'll definitely learn more about them as the anime progresses.

Food Wars! (Shokugeki no Soma)- So unlike the last two anime in this list, this one focuses on a boy named Yukihira Soma, and he does have parents. His mother isn't seen or talked about in full, but his father does have some involvement later on. To put the plot's story line simply, let's just say you'll have to grab a bowl, a mixing spoon and your competitive spirit in order to survive these cooking challenges! This anime takes place at a cooking school, and while the first impressions of some of the students may seem stereotypical, there's actually more to them than what meets the eye- that is, as long as you're looking to look past some nudity.

Dr. Stone- With Food Wars being my favorite anime to date, I'd have to say that Dr. Stone takes second place. With Senku being the main character of this one, the plot is very science-driven, but in a way that's goofy at times as well as light-hearted. In this world, all of modern society has been wiped out with its population being turned to stone. This means that the world must be rebuilt by none other than Senku himself. It may take years, and he can't do it all alone, but it will be done all in the name of science!