That playlist that gets you through...

We all have one. Here's mine. On a Monday. How novel.

1. Below My Feet by Mumford and Sons 

People, listen up. The lyrics to this song are absolutely gorgeous and the last minute of it could bring the hardest man to tears. It is so powerful and beautiful and intense. I love it.

2. Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song) by Oscar Isaac and Marcus Mumford

Are you even surprised that this is on here? You shouldn't be.

3. Black Flies by Ben Howard 

"No man is an island." 

4. These Days by The Black Keys 

5. Farewell by Alan Menken

Well of course something from Pocahontas was on here. It had to be. Like I can't even stop crying right now as I type this. Oh gosh...

+ h a p p y // l i s t e n i n g 

&  

+ s t a y // g o l d 

And a love for Pocahontas.

I have the deepest one. She was my go-to costume as a little girl. She was my spirit animal and I was pretty darn positive I was hers. My mom always tells me that when I would watch the movie, I would cry probably three times during the movie, after colors of the wind, at the end of just around the riverbend...and then of course...at the farewell. The bane of my eyes and throat and nose. A bane that no other Disney movie can bring me well, other than The Circle of Life from The Lion King. That always gets me. But yes...my mom would be in the kitchen or sewing something or reading the paper and I would be in the living room watching Pocahontas and the end would approach and I would get all close to the television, not wanting to miss any buzzy VCR sound or any word coming out of Pocahontas's lips. And my eyes would start to get all blurry and she would tell John Smith not to go and he was like, I have to, and then he asks her to come with him, and she can't because she needs to save her tribe from the evils of the white man and then he's like okay well let me kiss you. And then he's like "I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you." And as a kid, I guess my heart was super-ultra love juice gushy,  because tears would start plopping from my eyes at that moment. And then they would lift him away...and then the orchestra would come in. And the farewell would begin and the sails would be set and the anchors would be raised....and I would just try to swallow that lump in my throat but it would never work. And it was just so hard....and then and then the worst part. Pocahontas would start running and my hands probably were wringing through my hair at that point and I was probably making audible gasps and minor sobs. And run she would through that forest wanting to see him that last time and the chorus would swell and then she would reach the end of the rock...and there was the boat, and there was "colors of the wind" in a glorious chorus playing beautifully and powerfully in the background and he would say goodbye and slowly and beautifully she would say it back. Wingapo. And I would lose it. Big crocodile ploppy tears falling accompanied by sobs from the fire of the belly and my mom would walk in and say "mija, what's the matter?" and with my raspy croaky toady crying throat I would muster a nothing...or a why did he have to leave? 

And to this day...it still gets me. And I'm not even ashamed. And my mom still comforts me when I cry about it. And even hearing the instrumental, which I will post...hearing that instrumental still makes me cry. I don't even care if the story is completely and perfectly politically incorrect. It is still my favorite. And nothing makes me happier than when people said I looked like Pocahontas in my engagement photos. I mean what more could I ask for? Pocahontas today. Pocahontas tomorrow. Pocahontas forever. That's all. Stay gold. Stay as gold as the colors of the wind and that eagle that so amazingly soars off of Pocahontas' arm in that one incredible scene. 

5 Facts Saturday: Top 5 Favorite Disney movies

Fact #1: My all-time favorite Disney movie is Pocahontas. I know, I know, the story is not accurate in any way, but seriously who cares when it has the best love story, and most beautiful orchestration ever? I was in Yellowstone this past week, and it always gets me in a Pocahontas mood. My siblings and I sing "Just Around the Riverbend", and "Colors of the Wind" when we are driving through the park. I love it. I will also include this, the last minute and 30 seconds of that movie makes me cry like a little baby. Seriously I cry so much when I watch that movie.

Fact #2: My second favorite you ask? The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It is definitely one of Disney's darker stories, but the music is so beautiful and the story is just so captivating. It does have mature themes in it for sure, but I didn't really understand them as a child.  I mean Frollo is the ultimate creeper, but the story of Quasimodo is really quite beautiful and inspiring. Favorite song: "Out There" (so inspiring it makes you want to cry, you live your dream Quasi!) Favorite Moment: When Quasimodo climbs to the top with the dying Esmeralda in his arms and cries "SANCTUARY!" as he lifts her above his head "tarzan" style. It's just so powerful. If you don't like the storyline, just listen to the music. It makes the movie. And then in the end you really do figure out "who is the monster and who is the man?"

Fact #3: Third favorite. The Lion King of course. I am crying the first 5 minutes into the movie. The Circle of Life gets me every time. If you didn't notice already, I cry a lot when it comes to Disney movies. It's a really symbolic movie. It is a reminder that we must always remember who we are, and never forget our purpose in life. Lions have a way of teaching you that.

Fact #4: Mulan is my fourth favorite. Mulan is just a powerful heroine. She really doesn't quit with the awesomeness. She has a good heart and she is always wanting to do the right thing, even when people look down on her for it. She just wants to be who she is truly meant to be.  She saves China for heavens sake! Do you know how many people there are to save in China? Yeah a lot. You go girl!

Fact #5: Final favorite Disney movie on my Top 5? Beauty and the Beast. Who could ever learn to love a beast? Belle, of course! It's a story that teaches you to love someone for their heart, soul, personality, and character. Not their looks. I also love the music and the fact that Belle is a bookworm.


I love all Disney movies so be sure to share with me your favorites! Have a great weekend everybody. Be safe. Eat good food. Stay golden!