And here we have another month down in the year. Things are picking up and I’m making some life-changing decisions that I’m nervous but excited to conquer.
Entertainment
Streaming service(s) might change from the time of writing this post due to the services’ contract with the movie/TV show networks.
遊戯王! デュエルモンスターズ (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters) (2000-2004) | 5 SEASONS, 224 EPISODES
I began watching this last month but decided to include it in this month’s favorites. I was a huge collector of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards when I was a kid. I’d ask my dad to take me to stores that sold them and wanted to get my hands on all of the cards. I remember even playing trading card battles with the neighborhood kids. Yet throughout all this, I had not seen one full season of Yu-Gi-Oh! until this year. So, I honestly don’t remember how I began collecting cards. Nonetheless, I was finally able to complete the series, and the nostalgia for collecting the cards has resurfaced.
I absolutely adore Yugi and his friends. The story has shown me a great deal about what true friendship, courage, and belief in oneself means. One of Yugi’s greatest strengths and mottos is to have “trust in the cards.” And, although the reference is literally towards the cards, I’d like to reinterpret this as trusting in oneself because, in the end, the cards may hold powerful, unique monsters within them, but it is up to the player’s skill, faith, and love they have towards themselves that allow them to be victorious. Aside from Yugi, I relate a lot to his best friend Joey. I think he is one of the characters who demonstrated a lot of growth and confidence in himself and has shown unbelievable strides to become a better version of himself as the series progressed.
Maturity Rating: TV-14 • Genre: Shōnen Anime, Action • Original Language: Japanese • Streaming Service: Hulu, Netflix
Family Matters (1989-1998) | 9 SEASONS, 215 EPISODES
“Did I do thaaaat?” and “Look what you did!” are two of my favorite lines from the most beloved geek Steve Urkel. I saw this series years ago and have always admired its comedic nature, so I thought it would be nice to relive my childhood and watch it again. The sitcom has always been a feel-good type of entertainment, whether I needed a good laugh for the day or a lesson to hear for the rest of my life. I’ve always enjoyed their Christmas seasons the most because I find them incredibly heartfelt, and they give me the warm feeling of home.
Maturity Rating: TV-G • Genre: Comedy, Sitcom • Original Language: English • Streaming Service: Hulu
ナルト (NARUTO) (2002-2007) | 5 SEASONS, 220 EPISODES // ナルト疾風伝 (NARUTO: SHIPPUDEN) (2007-2017) | 21 SEASONS, 500 EPISODES
I saved this for last because it has honestly become one of my absolute favorite TV series and anime of all time. I began watching Naruto this year and I’m honestly speechless with how emotionally fulfilling it is. Though it may just be an anime, the lessons and experiences the characters go through could very well be applied to the real world.
I have so much praise to give Naruto that it could honestly deserve its own post. I would just like to point out that the series, and Naruto the character, have been my driving force these past few weeks. Naruto has reminded me that we create our own destiny and that as long as we believe in ourselves and what we aim to accomplish, we can achieve anything. We may get knocked down along the way, and instead of mourning what we lost, we should continue working harder and more passionately every day. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves and allowing our darkness to determine how we treat the world around us, we should focus on bettering ourselves, emotionally and physically, in order to strengthen our skills and abilities, and eventually gain the love and respect we owe ourselves since the beginning.
Naruto is a series that can make someone cry one moment and then laugh the next, within 5 minutes. It is a series that anyone of all ages can enjoy and learn from. It is a series that allows us to truly look deep within ourselves and encourage us to follow our hearts.
I would like to quickly pay my respects to Osamu Kobayashi, Naruto’s director, scriptwriter, and animator, who passed away this month. Though I may not have seen the anime for long or know Mr. Kobayashi on a personal level, he leaves behind a legacy for future generations and will always be remembered by every shinobi in the world.
Maturity Rating: TV-PG • Genre: Shōnen Anime, Action • Original Language: Japanese • Streaming Service: Netflix (Naruto), Hulu (Naruto: Shippuden)
READ MORE: REASONS WHY I’M INSPIRED BY NARUTO
Gratitude
I AM GRATEFUL FOR...
- Having video chats with long-distance friends.
- Spending more time outdoors.
- Personal growth.
- Posting every day in April.
- Changes.
A gratitude list doesn’t have to include major life events (but do include them when they do happen). Simple blessings, such as showering with clean water, are overlooked privileges to be grateful for.
Incorporate or reserve at least 10 minutes of your daily routine to write in any notebook at least three things you’re grateful for.
We all need a good reminder to keep our feet on the ground.
“What defines us is how well we rise after falling.” –Unknown
