Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert!

I first saw an ad for the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra playing the film score to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone last year. I wanted to go so badly, but I was going to be out of town during the show. I was so disappointed! So when I saw that they were doing it again with the Chamber of Secrets, I knew I had to get a ticket!

I decided to go all out in my Hufflepuff uniform! I hadn’t been able to debut my new robe or cardigan yet, so I was very excited for the chance to do it! I’m usually a pretty shy person and don’t like to be noticed with my outfits, so I was a little nervous that I was going to be too extra.

But my fears were instantly put aside when I arrived! Lots of kids (and plenty of adults) were dressed up in the Hogwarts best! Wands, robes, scarves, and ties were seen everywhere! I felt really confident in my outfit, and was really happy that I decided to go all out! I definitely learned that if you love something, don’t be ashamed about it! Have fun, be yourself, and experience the magic!

 

Me and my Potterhead friend Whitney!

 

I would totally do this again! Since I’ll be moving to Arizona this summer, I’m already stalking the Phoenix Symphony to see when their shows are!

Have you been to one of these movies in concert before? What did you see? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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6 Reasons Why Slytherins are Amazing

Or perhaps in Slytherin, You’ll make your real friends, These cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends. // The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

This is part of a series I’m doing on each of the Hogwarts’ houses! You can check out Hufflepuff here (Ravenclaw and Gryffindor coming soon!)

Slytherins get a lot of bad rap- mostly because of our boy Draco Malfoy and many of the Death Eaters. Oh, and maybe because He Who Must Not Be Named himself was in that house. But a few bad apples don’t ruin the whole bunch! I’m here to tell you 6 reasons why Slytherins are super awesome.

 

Image from Pottermore.com

 

1. Slytherins are ambitious. If you need something done or want something desperately- the Slytherins are your friends! They aren’t going to let something they want slip through their grasp. They’ll work their tails off until they get it. Nothing is too hard for them!
2. Slytherins are cunning. The snake isn’t the mascot for Slytherin house on coincidence! Slytherins cook up plans that are almost fool-proof every time. They can read between the lines and find the loop-holes in almost everything. Slytherins aren’t going to let a few snags get in their way!
3. Slytherins are resourceful. They aren’t wasting time or money willy-nilly because they can’t make up their mind. They’re going to plan out what’s needed and find the best deals to make it happen. If you’re having a party, you’ll definitely need to look up your nearest Slytherin for help. They’ll make sure it’s the best it can be (remember they’re ambitious!), but also make sure it’s not going to break the bank if it doesn’t have to.
4. Slytherins are leaders. Slytherins are the ones you can look up to. They’re the ones taking the ship by the wheel when everyone else is floating in the breeze. They’re going to stand tall for their beliefs- no matter what. You might even call them traditionalists! They’re that solid rock that we all need in our lives.
5. Slytherins have charisma. People are drawn to Slytherins. They just have something about them! They have big personalities that make people appreciate what they have to offer. They’re going to draw people in.
6. Slytherins are disciplined. Once a Slytherin makes up his/her mind about something, they’ll stick to it. Starting a new workout plan? The Slytherin isn’t going to quit three days into it. Trying to get on the honor roll? The Slytherin is going to study every day for it. Looking for a job promotion? The Slytherin is going to be the best employee he/she can be. They’re not quitters.

 

Image from Pottermore.com

 

Obviously, these traits aren’t just for Slytherins! There are plenty of charismatic Ravenclaws, disciplined Hufflepuffs, and resourceful Gryffindors. The Sorting Hat listens to your desires, so you can be in whichever house you feel like is the best fit!

What house do you belong in? Do you have any other ways that Slytherins are amazing? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Fandom Fashion: Po-Zu Rey Boots- Why You Should Definitely Be Buying These (Even if You’re Not a Star Wars Fan)

If you’re a Star Wars cosplayer (especially if you do Rey), you’ve probably debated on purchasing the official Rey boots from Po-Zu. I’m currently working on putting together a Rey cosplay (TFA/Scavenger), and decided to splurge on the Po-Zu boots!

Image from Starwars.com

And boy am I glad I did!

I cannot say enough good things about them! I was super nervous because I was ordering internationally. If they didn’t fit or something was wrong, I was going to have to fit the bill to return/exchange them, and I didn’t want to do that! Especially because they do have a pretty hefty price tag. I was really careful to measure my foot exactly like the instructions said. I also read the reviews A LOT.

When I finally hit the purchase button, I was even more nervous! But they showed up in about a week (which is amazing since they come from Europe and I live in Hawaii- the USPS can’t always deliver me a package from the mainland in that short of a time period!). The box was gorgeous, and the shoes were packaged so nicely! They were even more beautiful in person.

Then came the moment of reckoning! I put the shoes on and they were a perfect fit! I tried them on with regular no-show socks, and the fit was amazing. I haven’t tried them on with thick socks, but they will still be able to fit because I had wiggle room. Plus, I’m going to be moving to Arizona this summer, and planning on cosplaying with them there (and crossing my fingers to join the Rebel Legion!). I don’t want to be sweating in them, so the regular socks will probably be my go-to.

The fit was perfect, but the comfort level was off the charts. I have never worn a shoe that was as cushion-y as these! I definitely could walk around a convention center, hike up the stairs on Ahch-To, and battle with Kylo Ren and not feel sore! I was worried that the shoe would be a cosplay-only shoe, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be living in them all fall/winter!

You might be thinking, well I’m not into cosplay and I’m not wanting to have any galactic boots, so why should I get these? One of the coolest aspects of these shoes isn’t that they are screen accurate, comfortable, or just plain awesome. It’s that they are ethical and natural! These shoes weren’t made in sweat factories by children. Also, none of the materials used are harmful to the workers in the factories. Because of the care and concern put into these shoes, the price is higher. But these aren’t shoes that you’ll throw away after a season. These are shoes you’ll be able to wear for years. They won’t end up with the millions of pairs of shoes that end up in landfills. And since they’re natural, when you do decide it’s time to part with them (which will probably be never for me!), you’ll feel better about it!

The company also makes casual Rey shoes (inspired by her tabards), tennis shoes with porgs, Rebel/Resistance shoes, Chewbacca boots, and Rey’s Jedi boots! Men can grab some screen accurate shoes of Finn and Poe, stormtrooper boots, and Star Wars designed tennis shoes as well. And most of these shoes come in children’s sizes too (which are less expensive, so if you have small feet you can save yourself some money!).

You can still join in on the fun without Star Wars themed shoes though! Po-Zu has lots of other “regular” styled shoes that you can purchase!

Have you purchased these boots? Or any shoes from Po-Zu? I’m definitely planning on getting some more in the future! Let me know which ones I should get in the comments!

 

 

 

Spoiler Free Review of “Star Wars Battlefront II: Inferno Squad” by Christie Golden

It’s all for the glory of the Empire, honey, and don’t you forget it. // Dahna, Star Wars Battlefront II: Inferno Squad

As evil as the Galactic Empire was, I absolutely love reading about it- especially from the perspective of those working for it. I guess it feeds into my Dark Side a little bit! So when I saw this book at Target, I decided to give it a go.

I’ve never once played any real Star Wars video games (unless we count Lego Star Wars on my Gameboy Advanced!). I don’t even own a video game system. (I know- I’m a disgrace to nerd culture.) So I was a little worried I would be completely lost while reading this. I also never read the prequel for the original Battlefront game. But you definitely do not need to to have played the video game, or read the prequel for the first video game. I thoroughly enjoyed the book without any of the background knowledge.

The story was intriguing, and seeing the “special forces” of the Empire was a lot of fun. If you like reading about spies, you’ll also enjoy this book! At times it seemed like the story was a bit slow (especially at the beginning), but as you got into it the plot thickened and got a lot more interesting.

After I read the book, I did decide to go and watch the cutscenes (or “movie”) from the video game. It’s basically the in-between times of the game-play with the story-line. It definitely added perspective to the story! Even if you are like me and don’t play video games, I highly recommend doing this! You can watch it below, but be prepared that it’s almost 2 hours long. You can also watch the “up next” video which shows some set-up to The Last Jedi.

Iden Versio was definitely a favorite character of mine. Her character was developed in a way that made you sympathize with her (which you don’t always feel when reading about the “bad guys”). The book also makes watching the cutscenes more emotional!

Have you read this book? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

6 Reasons Why Hufflepuffs are Amazing

You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true, And unafraid of toil; // The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Today is an unofficial (but official on social media) Hufflepuff pride day! It’s also the first day of spring which seems pretty fitting to me! (Although, as a Hufflepuff, I’m more autumn-leaning!)

Hufflepuffs don’t seem to get a lot of respect, and they’re often pinned as the weak ones or the “leftover” house. When I took the test on Pottermore, I was honestly sorely disappointed to get Hufflepuff. I would have gladly taken anything else. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I really was a Hufflepuff, and we Puffs are pretty awesome.

Image from Pottermore.com

Here’s why:

1. Hufflepuffs are loyal. Insult a Puff (and while they may be a little upset for a while), they won’t hold it against you. They’re forgiving and understanding. We tend to look for the positives in people. We’re not going to let a silly misunderstanding, a lack of judgment, or hormones change how we feel about you.
2. Hufflepuffs are hard-working. People often see us as just hanging around the Herbology greenhouses or stuffing our faces with cookies. While we might do this occasionally, we are driven people. Give us a task that we enjoy, and we will spend all of our time, resources, and mental strength on it. We don’t do things halfheartedly.
3. Hufflepuffs are creative. This is true about all of the houses really, but I think we Puffs are pretty good at it. Since we see the world in a different light, we can use our imaginations at a whole new level. Who is the person daydreaming in class? It’s most likely a Hufflepuff. Who’s that person frantically jotting down that story idea on the bus? Probably a Puff. Who’s spending their weekend working on a new piece of art? You got it, probably a Hufflepuff.
4. Hufflepuffs are kind. This goes along with being loyal- we’re going to stand up for you no matter what. We look out for the little guy. We make friends with the ones who don’t have any. It’s almost like we have a radar for those people who might be unloved. Need a friend? Hufflepuffs are there for you!
5. Hufflepuffs are cozy. We’re not the party-ers. We’re not the daring adventurers. We’re not running around like crazy trying to get things done. In fact, you’ll probably have to push and prod to get us out of the house to a big gathering. Most of us are introverts, which mean we recharge by being alone. After a long day at work or school, we’re going to be found reading a book with a cup of tea. We’re going to be on a walk in the woods. We’re going to be snuggled by the fire. It doesn’t mean we don’t like loud gatherings, but they can be overwhelming. So if you need someone to just sit quietly with you, look up your closest Hufflepuff.
6. Hufflepuffs are good listeners. We’re usually not trying to be the center of attention. If you’ve got a problem, we’ll listen. We might not be able to solve it, but we’ll definitely be there for you. We’ll give you a shoulder to cry on. We’ll smile and nod. We’ll make you a cup of coffee to warm your soul.

Obviously, many of these traits can be found in other houses too! I know super kind Slytherins, Ravenclaws who love to listen, and Gryffindors who are so creative! The great thing about your Hogwarts house is that you can have all of these traits and belong to whatever house you’d like- because the Sorting Hat always takes your opinions into consideration!

Sorting hat scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

I’d love to know what house you belong to! Do you think there are some other ways that Hufflepuffs are amazing? What are some characteristics that make YOU amazing? Comment below!

(And don’t worry if you’re not a Puff- I’ll be blogging about ALL of the houses in the future!)

 

A Tribute to Star Wars: Rebels- March 2018 ComLINKS

*This post is part of a link up started by Jenmarie over at Anakin and His Angel. Each month she has a different galactic topic for us to explore and write about. This month we’re talking about our favorite scene from Star Wars: Rebels Season 4!

Image from Starwars.com

*WARNING: Star Wars: Rebels Season 4 spoilers ahead*

I was definitely late (very late) to the party when it came to Star Wars: Rebels. I don’t have cable, so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pay the money to buy the show on Amazon for a kids’ cartoon. But after watching The Last Jedi, I decided to give The Clone Wars a try (I just really needed something to tie me over until the DVD release!). It was on Netflix, and I figured if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be out any extra money. And then if TCW was good, I would purchase Rebels

I’m so glad I tried it. The Clone Wars started out a little slow (and the animation was a little weird to me at first), but I ended up loving it! (And becoming a major fan of Ahsoka Tano in the process.) Since I knew Ahsoka appeared in Rebels, I decided I would pay for the show. And just like with TCW, I am so glad I did!

I binged watched all 4 seasons (except for the last part of season 4) in about 3 weeks. I laughed and cried all the way through it. I loved watching Ezra grow as a Jedi, seeing Sabine find out who she really was inside, laughing at Chopper’s sarcastic beeps, watching Zeb build relationships with the crew, seeing Hera’s compassion, and watching Kanan grow as a mentor. Seeing Ahsoka become an even stronger person than she was in TCW was also amazing!

It’s hard to pick a favorite scene in season 4 because it was such an emotional roller coaster. I can still barely think about Kanan’s death without getting that emotional jerk in my heart. What really got me was right before he died, when his eyes became clear again. He could physically see Hera one last time. (Sorry, is someone cutting onions here???) Honestly, I felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest.

Image from Nerdist.com

Fast forward to the finale and seeing Ezra sacrifice himself like he did made the tears flow again. But that last scene with Sabine and Ahsoka? I squealed with delight. And the kicker? And seeing little Jacen Syndulla, Spectre 7? I about fell out of my chair. That moment was the icing on the cake for an incredible run for this show.

So yes, this is definitely more than one favorite scene. But I think it’s impossible to narrow down to just one favorite!

Now that Rebels is over, I feel like I’ve lost some very good friends. (But the good news is I now own the entire series so I can visit them anytime I want!) But I’m really looking forward to see what new shows and ideas Lucasfilm and Disney come out with in the future! I would LOVE to see something with Sabine and Ahsoka, or even seeing Jacen as a member of the Resistance!

I’d love to hear about your favorite Rebels moment in the comments! Or let me know what Star Wars show you’d love to see in the future!

We will each be challenged- our trust, our faith, our friendships, but we must persevere, and in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you, always.

-Obi-Wan Kenobi (Spark of the Rebellion)

Learn how to join in on the fun here

Reaction to “Crimes of Grindelwald” Teaser Trailer

One of my top movies of 2016 was definitely “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” Getting the chance to go back to the Wizarding World was absolutely amazing. I loved the characters, the story, and of course the beasts!

Image from Pottermore.com

So like most Potterheads, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the trailer for the second installment of the series! I’m hoping for a lot of things in this film, so fingers crossed it meets my expectations!

If you haven’t seen the teaser yet, you can watch it below!

Getting to see Hogwarts at the beginning was just wonderful! So much nostalgia with that! And then you see some people apparating onto Hogwarts’ grounds, so I’m interested in seeing how that happened! Maybe the rule that you couldn’t do that came after this story?

Then we see a confrontation with Dumbledore played by Jude Law. I really am loving this portrayal of him, even though I sort of thought Dumbledore would be a little more eccentric! Especially since he is in Harry Potter, but I guess we don’t see too much of him in this teaser. He still might be! Or maybe he just gets more like that as he gets older!

We then see Newt and the gang in Paris! I’m really excited to be able to see the wizarding world portrayed in all of these different countries. The various cultures intertwining with the magical communities will be so fun to watch!

We get to see a little of Grindelwald, the magical circus, and Pickett (my favorite fantastic beast!)! The trailer takes a dark turn, showing what looks like a magical stand-off/duel/battle at the end!

I was a little sad we didn’t get to see Ilvermorny (I was really hoping we’d get a glimpse of America’s wizarding school!), but we still might! I was also hoping for a little more of Grindelwald in the trailer, but I definitely don’t mind waiting for the movie to see more of him.

All in all I was very impressed with the trailer, and I’m really looking forward to November to see the movie! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it in the comments!

 

 

Inter{galactic} Inspirations

Yesterday was International Women’s Day. Being a woman is such an amazing privilege, and I’m so thankful God created me as one!

Image from starwars.com

I wanted to take today’s post and celebrate some (I wish I could celebrate all!) of the amazing fictional women who’ve inspired me to become a better person. This list is in NO WAY complete, and is definitely not in order of importance!

• Luna Lovegood: Luna is simply amazing. I don’t think this list could be complete without her. She’s kind, she’s brave, she’s confident. Isn’t that something we all should strive for? So thank you, Luna, for helping me learn that it’s okay to be different!
• Eleven (a.k.a. Jane Ives): Stranger Things captured the hearts of Americans when it first debuted, and El instantly became a favorite of mine. She had a rough life, but yet she overcame it. She built friendships, sacrificed herself more than once, and discovered herself through it all. So thanks, El, for showing me what true friendship is all about!
• Hermione Granger: Who can forget the brightest witch of her age? Hermione inspired so many young girls to be smart AND brave. And she told us that the most important is friendship and bravery. So, here’s to Hermione, who taught me that being smart is great- as long as I’m still a friend!
• Princess Leia Organa: This princess doesn’t need saving! Leia showed us that you’re never too young to stand up for what’s right. From working as a senator, to becoming a leader in the rebellion against the Empire, to leading the resistance against the First Order as general, Leia proved that women can make a difference! Thank you, princess, for showing me that doing the right thing is ALWAYS the right thing!
• Katniss Everdeen: When her world was falling apart, Katniss showed us that family is the most important thing. Her strength and resilience through the hard times gave us hope when things are tough. So thanks, girl on fire, for being a light in the darkness!
• Rey: This girl from Jakku showed us that no matter your background, you can do great things. It doesn’t matter if you’re nothing and come from nothing- you have the power to change the world- as long as you believe there’s still some hope and good in it. Thank you, Rey, for showing me that anyone can do anything!
• Meg Murry: With a Wrinkle in Time coming out today, this list had to include dear Meg! Meg showed us that being different is okay. You don’t have to fit into the mold. And that love conquers all evil. So thanks, Meg, for being a warrior for love!
• Ahsoka Tano: While we have only met her cartoon version (so far!), Ahoska is a shining beacon for courage and love in a dark galaxy. She was never afraid to step up to do the right thing. She was willing to put her life on the line for a cause she believed in. Thank you, Fulcrum, for helping us to see what really matters in life!
• Lucy Pevensie: Queen Lucy the Valiant taught us that kindness is always the answer. Even when her own family didn’t believe her, Lucy didn’t give up. Even when her friend and brother betrayed her, she didn’t stop being kind. So thank you, Lucy, for teaching us that kindness is always the best way.

Image from Pottermore.com

There are so many other amazing fictional ladies I could mention- Padmé Amidala, Jyn Erso, Tina and Queenie Goldstein, Molly Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Elizabeth Bennett, Éowyn, Jo March, Professor McGonagall, Anne Shirley, Laura Ingalls, Wonder Woman, and so many more!

I’d love to hear about your favorite fictional ladies! Who inspires you to do great things?

A Letter to the Geek Girl

Dearest Geek Girl,

I get it. Being a geek girl can be hard. I heard those kids on the playground say “but that’s for boys” when you told them you watched Star Wars the night before. I heard the snickers as you pretended your pencil was a wand in science class. I saw the eyebrows raised as you unpacked the dozens of books for your dorm bookshelf. I heard your coworker say “I don’t get it” when you wore that awesome cosplay to the work Halloween party. I get it. Because I’ve been there.

It can be hard to be a geek girl. But it’s also the greatest thing ever! You have a passion. You have imagination. That’s more than most people ever get. You’ve seen the ones without it- walking around with their heads down. Going through life like a machine.

Not you. You’re like a splash of color on a drab background. You stand out. You make the world exciting. Embrace it. You’re like a unicorn in a world of horses.

So buy that new book. Wait in line at the bookstore for the midnight release. Dress up to see the new Star Wars movie. Build that cosplay you’ve always wanted to make. Get the Harry Potter inspired dishes for your house. Get tickets for the con you’ve always wanted to go to. Scour Etsy for the perfect fandom jewelry. Embrace the geek girl. That’s who you are.

Don’t try to be like everyone else. Because that’s boring. You are you. And you are a geek girl.

 

Spoiler-free Review of ” Phasma” by Delilah Dawson

“Submit your blaster for inspection.” | Captain Phasma

(Warning- possible The Last Jedi spoilers ahead! But if you haven’t seen the movie yet, what are you still waiting for????)

Captain Phasma (image from Starwars.com)

I was intrigued by Captain Phasma in The Force Awakens, as was pretty much everyone. But I didn’t care too much about her character. Yes, she was interesting, but I could tell that she wasn’t a focal point of the story.

But I will admit, her death in The Last Jedi was a tad sad. I was hoping to see more of an epic showdown between her and Finn. So I’m still crossing my fingers she somehow survived and will appear in Episode IX.

Since I’ve been on a Star Wars kick for my personal reading, I decided to pick up Star Wars: Phasma by Delilah Dawson and give it a go. Even though I wasn’t too invested in her character, I did want to learn more about her (and a stormtrooper in chrome armor is pretty awesome if you ask me!).

At first, the story threw me off a little. It was written in present-tense. For you non-grammar nerds, that just means it is written like it is happening now. (Example of present-tense: Alyssa is walking down the hall and sees her friend.) Honestly, that was somewhat hard to read. However, once you get into the book you find that Phasma’s back story is written in the past-tense and the other part of the story (which I won’t spoil) is written in the present tense. It makes a lot more sense the more you read.

Phasma’s story was interesting, although not what I had imagined her back story to be at all. But I really ended up liking the character who tells the story of Phasma as well as Cardinal (another stormtrooper in cool armor). I won’t spoil the book, but I found myself looking forward to their part of the story more than the story about Phasma.

I’ll be honest, this wasn’t my favorite book to read, but I do think it was worth reading to learn the back story of these characters. You even get to learn a little bit more about General Hux as well. The cover of the book is pretty awesome, and the Target copy comes with a cool poster! So even if you don’t love the story, the book will look nice on your shelf (and that’s always important, right?!).

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book if you’ve read it! Or your thoughts on Phasma in general!

You can grab the special Target edition of the book here. Or grab a copy on Amazon here.