​When I was fifteen years old, I remember sitting in Homeroom in High School when my advisor expressed that I should look into a leadership program called, "People to People." He was informed that it was an organization developed by Dwight D. Eisenhower back in 1956 after he had experienced and witnessed the tragedy that WWII and the Holocaust had brought the world. With the intention and understanding that the only way fear could be washed away and peace could be made, was for people to understand one another. Mr. Eisenhower expressed that this mission would not be fulfilled by the government, but "...through the hearts of those who yearned for dignity, freedom, and peace. " This involved young adults traveling throughout the world, taking the time to learn about and live through each other's customs and ways, and ultimately share their own while building genuine relationships with those from all around the world. 

Needless to say, my parents agreed and I went on to apply to become a student ambassador of Wisconsin, who would travel to six countries in Europe over the course of one month, at fifteen. As I was going through the process of applying, and throughout the school year before the journey I would take, I was going through depression. I was my own worse enemy for so long, and it felt like nothing could take the pain away. I was wrong. 

Discovering the world through People to People changed my life forever. It is an enormous reason I am where I am at today and am the person who I've become. Actually, now that I think about it, People to People didn't only change my life, it saved it. 
​

​At fifteen, everything is very impressionable. I didn't know who I was, and I had no idea where to begin looking. When given the opportunity to venture 4,000 miles away from home with other people my age, though, it was an opportunity I sure didn't want to pass up. And who knows, maybe I'd find myself along the way?

This opportunity meant the chance to begin truly thinking for myself. Upon hearing or seeing something, what made my eyes and soul light up? Would something I read help me to understand what I'm interested in?  What kinds of questions am I asking, and what does that mean about me? Am I brave? Am I willing to get up and go out there in front of everyone? The truest teller of all, though, is throughout the time spent with 29 strangers of the same age group, how will they see me? Which talents and gifts will they see I have? Most of all, what kind of person will they think I am?

Of course, before leaving, I had no idea this journey would do all I said above for me, nor did I know it until after I returned home. Following my acceptance into the program, I found myself in a room at a state-central high school with 28 other high school students, of whom I've never met, from around the state of Wisconsin. I was number 22 (we were assigned numbers to count off by on the trip). In this room, and prior to, via quizzes at home,  we went over the courses in government, culture, geography, architecture, religion, daily life, and a small portion of the history of each of the places we were scheduled to visit. These countries included Belgium, The Netherlands, France, England, Wales, and Ireland. The 29 of us met every two weeks for about six months before our trip, learning different lessons along the way that would prepare us for our journey and the purpose it served. 

​When July 3rd, 2011 rolled around, we all said our goodbyes to our parents at the airport, hopped on a plane and made our way over to Amsterdam. The Netherlands was our first stop on the journey. Here, we learned how to make clogs, visited a local farm where they taught us how to make cheese, the significance of tulips there, and created a giant hay bale maze we were able to crawl through (it was absolutely awesome). We also experienced Anne Frank's Annex and further imagined the tragic life she endured - but found a way to make beautiful, made our way throughout the city of Amsterdam, learning how to speak basic Dutch, meeting locals business owners who told us about their way of life and what living there meant to them. 

We saw the Heineken factory, learned that cycling is the main form of transportation - and that road rage is a very real thing on any form of wheeled transportation, along with the fact that there are 165 canals within the city of Amsterdam, and besides bicycle, traveling by boat is the next highest form traveling from place to place. In fact, Amsterdam is regarded as the "Venice of the North!" I remember as I sat outside the place we were staying, writing underneath a willow tree by the river, and explaining in my journal that I had been opened up and found my true love - learning of new places and people and showing only love and light along the way. It was the first time I was truly happy with knowing who I wanted to be, and what got me to that state of bliss. 

Next stop on our journey was us learning how to make chocolate in Belgium, visiting different WWII war zones there - being told the history of the area and what it meant to their country, as well as being taken to a monument erected in 1950, dedicated to the United States Armed Forces who fought at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII, and there, understanding the true power of working together. 

This lesson further continued when we were taken to the beaches of Normandy, France, where we stood in the ruins of D-Day on Omaha beach, and continued on to visit a cemetery and memorial for those who died there that day. While we were there, there was a tribute to the U.S. soldiers, and because I had expressed my interested and love of singing with those I was on the trip with, I was asked to lead the group in singing the National Anthem, which was such an honor in a place with so much meaning. We also got to go through the Caen Memorial Museum, which touched on the Holocaust and its horrors.  Traveling to Paris was also included in our trip through France, so,  we also tried frog legs, escargot, visited the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Champs D'Elysee, walked through Montmartre, visited Sacre Coeur, along with many other historical landmarks and locations "The city of lights," had to offer. 

​England was next, where we met members of parliament and were able to enter the building and discuss their role in the government. We experienced many of the ventures of London including the Elizabethan Tower (Big Ben), the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, along with Westminster Abbey and saw Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theater. We ventured to Warwick Castle, where we learned how to joust, sword fight, launch a flaming ball from a catapult, and battle with Batons (this was one of my favorite days). Prior to this, we visited the Isle of Wight, where we stayed at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (or UKSA) and learned how to windsurf and sail a dingy boat. Throughout our trip, it was mandatory we kept a journal - one for the organization (which they read), and a personal journal for the things we didn't really want to share with anyone else. After going through and learning all of these opportunities of growth in England, I was absolutely blown away by how much my life had escalated in value, and how my mind had opened at the age of fifteen. Little did I know that where we were headed next, would truly impact my life forever and be the beginning of the paved path leading to who I would become. 
​

​After we were taught how to become medieval warriors, we made our way to Wales, where we learned how to speak Welsh, where I found my new favorite meal - Bangers and Mash, and where I gained the confidence and inner strength to break a board with my bare hand and repel down a castle wall (doing the Bernie). This proved to me that I could do anything I set my mind to as long as I believed in myself. 

The last stop on our journey was Ireland, where the biggest difference was made in my life. This is because Ireland is where we spent the most time with the communities and creating relationships that truly involved being with one another and building on human connection. Here we took boat rides through the lakes between the mountains and horse and buggy rides through them. We made our way to the town of Cahersiveen where we stayed and did chores at a local bed and breakfast, spent time with local teenagers, learning the music of Ireland's past, the Gaelic language, how to jig and dance, and where those who wished could get up and sing in front of the community. I did - I sang Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. The next day, we went out and dug peat for homes in the community, played Gaelic football with a local youth group, and from there, we chose to do different acts of community service throughout the town - a friend of mine and I chose to go to the nearby retirement home and sing the song we learned, " Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears," to a few of the tenants there. To say it was rewarding would be an understatement. 

We ended our journey with a scavenger hunt around the town of Cahersiveen, which under the circumstances of a sudden death round, my team - "Team 15% Off," won. ;) We were each given an "Ireland," hat as a prize. 

After countless bus rides, friends and memories made, and lessons learned, I sat there, within my own world, at the airport waiting for my parents to come to pick me up after my journey. I thought to myself, " I'm not ready to go home yet. I feel like my life has only just begun." And that it had. People to People changed my life in terms of having me discover that connecting with the world, the people in it, understanding who they were, where they came from, and what made them, them - is what I yearned for to take up each and every one of my days. To listen to them, make them smile, create with them, and open their minds as they had in mind, through who I am, is all I could ever want. The promotion of peace through taking the time to understand and be present with another human being from who you differ from (which is everyone besides yourself), without only listening to respond with one's opinion,  is really what this world needs to become stronger and less torn apart. 

Being able to see the world through my own eyes, and myself through the eyes of others and experiences I had over that month, taught me more about myself and this life than I had in those previous fifteen years. That month prepared me for the rest of my life in terms of having an open mind, finding differences beautiful, and taking the time to truly understand and ask questions when something didn't quite make sense to me. That month taught me that a life lived with passion and doing what I truly love is a gift well spent - and the gift of giving it to others as often as I can with as much love as I can is its purpose. Traveling at that young age to places I've never been before with people I had barely talked to, taught me to be brave, have faith in myself and the opportunity at hand, and to never ever give up on something that my gut told me was the right thing to do.

People to People encouraged me to always try new things, even if they scared me because that's what life is all about - constantly discovering who you are and how you can impact the world in the best way, just by being yourself. A daunting thought, that really isn't that daunting at all if you open your arms to it. 

That next summer I traveled with People to People to Harvard University on a week-long leadership summit, where high school students from over 48 different countries were present. While we were here, we did community service, learned to work together, and on our own, build a community service program of our own to take back to our hometowns to implement in areas of need. 

Throughout both of these experiences, I have made friends from all around the world, something not many 16-year-olds could say. These experiences taught me to live my life in love, in service, and in courage - standards I live by each and every day and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. 

So, if you, or if you have a child, is looking for a way to see the world in a new light with learning, peace, and growth beyond measure that will impact the rest of yours or their life - People to People programs are the way to go. I owe them so much for helping me become the human being I am today. 

XOXO

Mary Gabrielle Strause


Click below to find out more information about the People to People programs:

Good Tuesday to you my dear friends and family, worldwide! Today, I'm sharing a re-cap on what my life is looking like nowadays and just what Vagabond et Virtuosa is, and is to me. Tomorrow, January 16th will mark six months since I've launched this blog. Back in July,  this notion was a leap of faith into a place where I would further discover myself. I quit a job at a company that was seemingly "perfect" for me, but just as I left with the intention to create a life that revolved around who I was and what I loved most, that's what I found and continue to develop as each day passes (with the help of some guardian angels I call my family). Now, let me tell you a bit more about what this life consists of and what the future has in store.

In May, I graduated film school with a degree in Film and Digital Content and a concentration in directing and screenwriting, from Studio School LA (formerly known as Relativity School). Being a part of the inaugural class here (which overall was 21 students and seven film majors), with no previous experience in film, was definitely eye-opening and life-changing. I grew up writing and illustrating my own books, drawing and painting, creating and performing fun skits at our school's Cabaret, and from time to time, filming myself singing, "The Phantom of the Opera," on our family's camcorder, alone in my bedroom. That was the closest thing I got to filmmaking growing up. I guess you could say editing together fan videos from the couples in Harry Potter and Twilight on Window's Media Maker would be something I could add to my preliminary skills as a filmmaker as well! ;) Either way, the point is, I grew up in a very small town, where I was able to do so many things and had a lot of opportunity for its size, but never enough opportunity in the area in which I would give my future to. 

I moved to Los Angeles, California from Rio, Wisconsin at the age of 19, to be the underdog of my peers at a school that wasn't even accredited at the time. I left my little town and everything I knew, with the dream of creating these immaculate stories that would engage people's imaginations and minds. I envisioned theaters jam-packed with audiences watching my movies, crying, feeling, allowing themselves to be vulnerable towards their feelings. My largest hope was to create a sense of belonging in something make-believe, creating friendships with the characters on screen, understanding the beauty of being human, and most of all, give those watching the courage and inspiration to create a life for themselves that would consist of them going after their dreams and opening their minds to others. This still stands true for me today, but after growing through the beginning of my adult years of life within the entertainment industry, I've come to understand that I'm not going to give my life to it in the way so many end up losing theirs. 

Through five years of being immersed in many mediums of which this industry is built on - working on sets in multiple positions, working for companies involved with production, sales, distribution, etc., acting, modeling, working to become a writer, the list goes on and on, I've realized that it's a place where magic does happen, but it comes at a price.

The price is losing sight of who you are. It's changing everything from the inside out to be what other people want you to be. It's becoming cold over periods of time so no one can try to manipulate you, so other's know that you're the powerful one, or maybe it's because you haven't had someone genuinely ask you how you are in a matter of years. It's the matter of living a life by a set of check points and expectations that tear you apart inside, in hopes that someone, someday will read your script. The biggest price tag of all, though, is the idea of having to depend on someone else to dictate your future.

​This being said, I have met some incredible, down to earth, talented people who are just bright balls of sunshine ( I love them to death), but ask them how this industry's changed them, and they'll agree. That's why I left. That's why I built and am continuing to build this platform as each moment passes. When it came time for me to leave my industry job, I was told that I was doing the right thing. Coming from someone I look up to, they said they wanted to be a director/producer after they finished college, but then they wound up in an industry job that they still are currently at. Of course, they are executives now and are extremely successful and talented, but they never truly achieved that dream. 
​

I graduated with the same intention as I had going into Studio School, but had a much deeper understanding of who I was and what I truly wanted to do with my life. During my four years there, I had taken so many classes in acting, musical theater, illustration, and concept art on top of my filmmaking and screenwriting classes. Compared to being dedicated to just one of these crafts, I found myself whole when actively doing them all. I became friends with dancers and we shot concept dance videos together. I started taking headshots and editorial photos of my other classmates after a while. I was in musicals, directed "The Wild Party," and pieced together and student directed "Tarantino Night." I was introduced to Tom Southwell, the illustrator behind so many incredible films such as Bladerunner and The Goonies, concept artist for The Sandlot and Star Trek: Nemesis, and storyboard artist for X-Men among many other epics, who became a teacher, a mentor,  a friend, and someone much like family to me. With so many things that were like magic to me, I couldn't choose just one. I wanted my work to mean something, and I knew I wanted to share myself with the world through who I was, not through who people wanted me to be.

I also understood that through screenwriting, there was a chance that my stories might never be made into movies, and if you have read a typical screenplay, they aren't exactly literary masterpieces. Directors usually make what they will with them - they're a blueprint. I realized I didn't want that. I wanted to give the story to the world to imagine for themselves before anything was to be imagined for them. Therefore, I decided I'd go back to my childhood roots and write the book of the stories I've created first - then I'll adapt them into screenplays if the world wanted to see the movie. Also, if I wanted to make a movie, I would write it and make it myself.

With all of these things compiled together along with my love of travel, meeting new people, learning new things from those all around the world, inspiring young women, and the need to constantly create, I decided I'd take matters into my own hands and shape my own opportunity. So, I created Vagabond et Virtuosa. 

The mission of Vagabond et Virtuosa (or V&V), is to inspire female artists to go after their dreams, travel the world, and create wherever they go. This ideal came from so many thinking they had to move to a big city in order to become a successful artist. Of course, it doesn't hurt, but through this platform I've made it my purpose to share my experiences and my journey along the way to prove that needing to bend to the mold isn't necessary. Also, I find it extremely crucial for any artist to go out there and immerse themselves in as many different cultures as they can, as frequently as they can. This allows a chance to grow as a human being, the opportunity to create experiences to build off of in creation of any work of art, and to live a full life. 

This blog is made up of my travel tips, stories, and guides, learning experiences as an artist out in Los Angeles and how to succeed sooner than later, information on how to create a business for yourself and understanding the entertainment industry, analysis on different forms of artwork (mainly films) and how to learn to analyze them for yourself, and of course, healthy doses of inspiration and reminders that you are a gosh darn superstar who needs to share their gifts with the world. 

Yes, Vagabond et Virtuosa is a blog right now, but come the end of this week and into the foreseeable future, V&V is about to be so much more. With currently 10.3K visits to the website and six months of building under my belt, Vagabond et Virtuosa is about to become a community where my lady artists come together, create with one another, and take the leaps they need to in order to get out in the world sharing their gifts with it! 

This will begin with my Youtube Channel, where I will be posting cover videos and hopefully some original music down the road, along with vlog videos about my travel experiences and tips with working in different artistic mediums, behind the scenes to my photography sessions, the different films, concept dance pieces, and music videos I create, and especially videos of me on my different trips around the world, what inspires me while I'm gone, what new things I learn along the way, and of course, me creating while I'm on the road and sharing it as I go. 

From here, I will create different contests and challenges to have everyone be a part of, to inspire them to get their work out there into the world, and maybe join me on a trip or two! I would also love to collaborate with all who are willing! 

What's coming next is extremely exciting for me, and I absolutely cannot wait to start this journey! I hope you come along for the ride! <3 

Here's to making dreams come true!

Sign up for challenges, guides, travel tips, and updates here!:

Photo by: Johan Erik Lallerstedt

​The unknown can be a scary thing, and I think that's what we fear most. Not knowing where we'll be in five years, five months, five days, heck, even five minutes. How do we get to where we want to be? If we even know where that is? We might have an idea, and man it might sound like a dream come true, but is that possible? Gosh. Where do I go from here?

If I would rather live my life traveling the world and writing books about my adventures, teaching yoga through my own phone application, learning new languages and about people from different places, and sharing my art and soul to those willing to listen...is that practical? Would my family approve? How would I survive? How would I make money? Where do I even start something like that? Worst of all...what if I fail? Do I stop trying to achieve that dream life? Do I instead go for that 9-5 job where I know I'll have a stable living, but never actually having the life I want? The answer is: time isn't guaranteed - life can be taken away from you at any moment, so why wouldn't you use what moments you have doing what excites you compared to doing what you believe others' think is right? Just breath. 

Chances are, they'll be equally as excited for you if you tell them what you want to do, and if you have some sort of idea on how you want to get there. If they're not happy for you, who cares? Find a way to open your mind and go for it anyway. 

The unknown is an exciting place. Each moment into the future is a part of your journey. Who knows what will happen? Maybe you'll meet someone today who will suggest that,  "Hey, have you ever thought of singing?", or perhaps come across an old book in the library that has a forgotten letter inside, which maybe will lead to your next story? What's even more fun though, is that if you spend each of these days doing what makes you happy and spending this time taking one more step towards where you want to be (or where you think you want to be) your life will ultimately be that more fulfilling. If your biggest wish in life is to be happy, it goes along the lines of the saying, "life is a journey, not a destination," - if you're  doing something each day that makes your heart smile, your life will be a happy one compared to the wish of it being a byproduct of what you hope will be a good life. What I mean by this is: don't date that guy just because "he's got the qualities that every other girl would love, he will definitely treat me right and I'll have a happy life" - if it's not what you love, don't force yourself into a relationship where you don't feel something. Same goes for giving your time towards something that truly doesn't speak to you. 

Also, if you're spending your nights home after a long day of work, continuing the work of a job that doesn't fulfill you - quit it. If you'd rather be reading, or writing - painting, or maybe refurbishing that dresser that you found at the dump - do that instead! Create space or a business for yourself that will allow you to take a leap towards what you want your life to become.  Life is made up of the moments and how you spend them - not how you wish you had used them with the outcome you only imagined. Life won't change unless you do. Have an open mind, open heart, and always believe in the possibilities of a better tomorrow. 

The biggest and most important part of this life is to be true to yourself and understand the gifts you've been given. It doesn't matter what others think. Get that out of your head. Listen to yourself. Ask yourself the question, "What is it that I was put on this earth to do? How can I impact just one person at least, through who I am and who I want to be? What am I good at? What absolutely sets my heart on fire to the point of tears? How can I make that my life?" Take into consideration how the things you love make you feel. How do you feel? Picture yourself in that life and understand that it is absolutely a possibility to live that life - just as long as you take action towards it. Be realistic - and with that, I mean be realistic in your goals. You can't become a master chef in a day, or a week - things take time, but understand if you take action every single day, that life is much more possible and a million more times likely to happen - sometimes in a way you wouldn't expect.

Just like the saying, "You miss 100 of the shots you don't take," you're not going to win a Grammy if you never sing your song and put yourself out there. Just like if you have an idea for a book, but never write it. It will always just be an idea if you never sit down and do the work. The universe won't make its magic unless you take action and tell it to.

Take it. Take the life you want, don't expect it to be given to you. 

Don't let fear overcome you, especially the fear of failure. It's one of life's greatest teachers, and it actually moves you forward to where you want to be faster if you think about it. You just have to embrace the friend that failure truly is. It tells you what's not working, and if you ask for feedback - it tells you where you went wrong, so you're able to move forward without making that same mistake - just as long as you keep moving forward. That's the key. Also know, nothing has to to be permanent. If it doesn't feel right, don't stay. That's not to say that if something doesn't work, give up, it means, if you thought something would be one way, and it's doing you more harm than good, or it's not what you were expecting - spend your time trying something else. You won't move forward if you're staying in the same place for no purpose. 

There is never a clear path on how to achieve your dreams, but as long as you lean into opportunity, think of what makes you happy, and truly go for it with all of the confidence in the world - you can never say you didn't try and chances are, you'll be living the life beyond what you dreamed. Everything takes time. Your life is constantly under construction. It may look ugly sometimes, and you're unsure of what's actually underway, but know you have the ability to build something beautiful with it and things aren't always what they seem from an exterior point of view. Don't analyze it too much. Trust your gut, your soul, and just go for it - one building block at a time. You'll thank yourself in the end and see every day was an accomplishment.

Take your time. Breath. Enjoy each moment and take it in as it passes - making the most of it. 

There's nothing to be afraid of besides not allowing yourself the chance to live the life you've always dreamed of.


As Jim Carey said, "I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which, was that you can fail at what you don’t want so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love”

and

“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.”


Go for it, lady Jane. I have faith in you, and you should have faith in you, too. 

Next up on the popular film analysis radar is of course, Netflix's, "Bird Box". I mean, with 45 million views within the first week, how could I not dive in a little bit on this "post apocalyptic" phenomenon starring Sandra Bullock? Obviously, the answer to that is, "You have to," so here she blows, guys! Don't worry, don't worry, it's much shorter than my analysis on The Haunting of Hill House, but if you guys want to check that out too, the link is at the bottom of the page! ;) WARNING: there are spoilers involved in this piece...major spoilers, so if you haven't watched it yet, get out of here... then come back and read it. This film truly blew me away after diving in deeper that what met they eye of the film, so please, without further adieu, let's dive into "Bird Box:"

Photo from Netflix
​

"Bird Box" revolves around the story of, at first, a pregnant and emotionally unavailable woman, Malorie, who ultimately finds herself in the midst of an apocalyptic attack. This attack involves "beings" whom when you look at them in plain sight (yet they are invisible until the point of them approaching you - but they are still invisible to those watching), force you to commit suicide...which ultimately causes a mass killing of the human race. From here, Malorie is brought into this house with a group of people, because being indoors with any view of the outside world blocked out, keeps you safe...but not safe enough.

After all but one of her group survives within the house and she has her baby, Malorie flees with her baby boy, the newborn child of another housemate who died, and the one surviving member of the house to find a place where they could be safe together. They ultimately find themselves living in the middle of the woods, having trained themselves with blindfolds on how to survive, and in pursuit of discovering a community of which they could live with permanently. The story continues on with Malorie rafting down the river with the two children, having lost her lover (once housemate) right beforehand, with their blindfolds on, journeying forward against a battle with death in hope of finding a place where they can call home and live in peace. 
​

Though the name "Bird Box," is a curious one at first, if you look into the symbolism of birds along with the underlying message of the film, this flick and name have a much deeper meaning. As you know after watching the film, there is a box of birds that Malorie has kept safe after finding them in the supermarket . She heeded to their warning of danger there and used them as a tool and ally ever since. Though they protect her, and are a common physical importance to her throughout the film - you may wonder why such a small part of the overall story is the title of the movie? Well, my dear friends, let me tell you why. 

​Birds are regarded as messengers of the Gods and Heavens and represent a multitude of incredible things such as freedom and perspective, along with being the connection between the mundane and spiritual life. Their ability to fly is symbolic of the light of the spirit of hope, beauty, and transcendence. Birds are the sign of liberty to the soul and mind. They are full of spirit and are said to be the forecasters of future events, and the soul taking flight - which their flight is a metaphor for human emotions and moods. This brings us to our meaning of "Bird Box."

Do you remember at the beginning of the movie when Malorie is explaining her painting to her sister? All of these people are sitting together in a dark room in the painting, looking at their phones and paying no attention to each other. Her sister explains that, "It looks like a whole bunch of people sitting together, but they all look incredibly lonely." That painting is the base meaning of the film. In the painting, the dark room is representative of the box, and the people within it are representative of the birds. Just as the homes are the boxes that the humans are forced to stay and are able see within, and the humans along the way are liberated within the dark spaces with their emotions. This way, they aren't able to see the "light," or the outside world and it's distractions such as comparison to others through their phones, paying more attention to work instead of family, and failing to relate to people as everyone seems to be emotionally unavailable and unwilling to be vulnerable. By being forced to sit with others, in the darkness of their homes and pay attention to one another, they are able to emotionally progress and feel their feelings, as well as understand who they are, more so.

Just as when they are outside, needing to have their blindfolds on because their fate would rest in the hands of seeing one of those creatures, they base their trust in the box of birds, like I said above,  represent freedom and perspective, to be their eyes for them. This makes them rely on their other senses, such as touch, smell, hearing, taste, and when they can see - their emotions are heightened. I have a lot more to elaborate on regarding this and the meaning within my personal response further down. 
​

"Bird Box," uniquely differs compared to other post-apocalyptic films such as, "The Quiet Place," "It Comes at Night," "I Am Legend," and quite honestly, even, "Zombieland." Within all of these films, you are introduced to the characters in a non-linear fashion, where you meet them in the post apocalyptic world. This forces you to pay attention and pose the question, "How did they get here?" and you keep watching to find out. Just as the the rest of these films, "Bird Box," shares with you the rules of the world, such as, you'll see them if you look into the outside world, or like in "A Quiet Place," if you make a loud enough noise, even while you're inside, they'll come after you. Also, something these films have in common, besides in "I Am Legend," is that there are other survivors with the lead character that could be either enemies or allies throughout the film. 

How "Bird Box" differs, though, is that you cannot see the monsters within this film, nor do you really know how they got there (this is true for A Quiet Place too, actually), or really how the apocalypse even started. There is a deeper meaning behind this that I will flesh out in my personal response as well (for A Quiet Place, I believe the monsters represent the government, but we're not talking about that movie, so let's move on). Also, the lead, Sandra Bullock as Malorie is emotionally unavailable and lacks any form of human connection at first and throughout most of the movie. This kind of makes the audience dislike her and creates the thought that they're not even sure they want her to survive. There is a stronger thought to this as well regarding our society today and how we judge people without even asking them what they've been through, nor what they care about, or who they are. She doesn't say much or reach out, because she's afraid of not being able to connect, but you discover along the way, that she's wrong and she understands how to grow - which ultimately is the point of the movie. 

From a filmmaking perspective, suspense is created through not being able to see what's coming after the characters in the story - meaning that they can strike at any moment for any character. This is also true for using the blindfolds and shooting through them. You don't know where your character is. All you hear is them breathing heavier and heavier - their anxiety rising, probably along with yours as well. Also, they take you through houses and buildings that have previously been untraveled. This is true for most post-apocalyptic films, but arriving there without the sight or energy of knowing what's inside or whether it's safe creates the journey for the audience to join the character in not knowing what's going to happen next. Overall, this film relies heavily on sound design and editing to relay the story in pieces with the answers being laid out before you at just the right time. The cuts are moderately paced, allowing you to spend time with the character and their thoughts and feelings, compared to most of these films where there are fast cuts - which don't allow you to sit and think about what's going on half of the time. With really focusing on Malorie's character throughout the film, you're able to witness and feel her emotional journey, which is really what the movie is all about. 

Like I said above, the film is based off of Malorie's painting that we see in the beginning of the film. Malorie's sister, Jessica, explains that the painting "looks like a whole bunch of people sitting together, but they all look incredibly lonely." Malorie then replies, " Loneliness is just incidental, it's really about people's inability to connect." These two answers are completely relative to the painting, to us as human beings, and the world we live in. 

Many people have been upset about the fact that we can't see the monsters, nor is there any explanation about how the apocalypse even started in the film. Well friends, my answer to that question is that the monsters are our personal demons that only we can see, such as comparing ourselves to strangers on the internet, hurting someone you loved so badly then them passing away, looking at yourself and hating what you see, or really anything under the Sun that could hurt someone. This is why we can't see the monsters. It's the personal demons and pain of the characters following them. This is related to our inability to connect has human beings. This is why we are so lonely. We don't take the time to ask people how they are doing and what's going on in their heads. We don't take the time to care enough or listen. We have become a selfish society, who thinks the world only revolves around ourselves, but if we got off our phones and truly saw the world for what it was and the people in it, and gave reaching out a chance, then possibly we wouldn't be so lonely anymore. This refers to what Charlie was talking about in the movie, that "demons come in all shapes and sizes...that once judged...will be the end of us as humans."

Did you know that by 2020, it's predicted that worldwide, a suicide will be committed every 20 seconds? We put so much pressure on ourselves these days regarding work, a love-life, a social-life, what we need to accomplish, etc., and we never give ourselves enough time to understand that we are growing, along with time to practice self-love, take a walk in the park, eat a proper meal that is healthy and nutritious, and see the beauty of this world for what it simply is. Everyone is so afraid of being alone that they don't open themselves up to be vulnerable, to actually live life - the most beautiful gift we've been given. Therefore, what "Bird Box," is saying is that the apocalypse comes from ourselves - from the human race. Suicide is spreading like wildfire across the globe, and if we have to have that plainly explained to us, there's no wonder we can't connect. We don't look into the deeper meaning of things anymore. It's been expressed to me that "Bird Box," is an "okay" movie, I look at it and say, "wow," the writer really had something important to say, which will take me to my last point. 

The sense of sight is obviously a very important aspect of this film, as well as an extremely important lesson. We depend too much on it. We don't allow ourselves to use our other senses to enhance our lives and emotions, nor do we allow ourselves the time or chance to be introspective and discover who we truly are and how we feel. That was Marlorie's biggest struggle. Though she was an artist and painted her perspective on the world, she didn't have any perspective of herself and didn't share who SHE was with others. This is the point where she is the bird, and her soul takes flight throughout the movie, meaning the perspective of what she needed was not through her sight, it was through her mood and emotions - which eventually helped to free her at the end. This is why the term "Bird," is so important, because she is in her own "box" meaning her own body - seeing herself for who she truly is, to the point where they reach the School of the Blind - the community of hope and a place they can call home - and she gives Boy and Girl names based off emotions she felt for those she named them after, and she called herself their mother - which she was. Being that the place of solace in this world was a school for the blind, and once arriving, Malorie saw everyone talking and sitting by one another - happy, says so much. Most people there didn't and couldn't take an exterior point of view on who they met, they saw with their heart, not their eyes, which is why they survived and aren't lonely. They didn't allow the distractions of life to get in their way, they went with what they felt. 

This is why, at the end of "Bird Box," Malorie looks up while in the courtyard, to the birds flying around the covered terrarium after letting her's go. She has achieved freedom - freedom of emotion, spirit, and journey of finally being able to connect - she was let out of her box, and so were her birds. 


That's it for now, guys. If you want me to analyze another film, comment below! This was a lot of fun for me, as it always is, so keep em' comin'! Also, if you wanted to check out my last analysis on "The Haunting of Hill House," click the button below and it'll take you there!!

Thank you for reading!!! See you next, Monday! <3 

XOXO 


Mary Gabrielle Strause

Guys, the new year is fast approaching, and you know what else is coming in hot? OPPORTUNITY! Yes, that's it, the chance to finally get a grip on figuring out just who you are and what you were put on this Earth to do. It definitely takes some time to soul search, but in doing that, it means being honest with yourself. What does your life look like in your perfect world? What are you doing everyday that makes you happy? Are you spending that time that's normally spent on fulfilling the dreams of others at work, or are you using that time making your own a reality? Really, just take second to envision that life. Breath deeply. Soak it in. Now: make it happen.

This coming year, I promised myself I'd be in charge of my success as an artist. What this means for me, is that instead of sticking to writing screenplays and banking on an agent to land me a meeting with a production company in hopes of selling - I'm switching to writing books instead. Instead meaning - I'm going back to what I did as a child. I wrote and illustrated my own books like nobody's business. I pulled stories out of thin air and I still remember them dearly today. Except for now, the stories I have in my mind are epic, and why should I wait until someone says it's okay to write them? I'll self-publish and keep 70% of the profits. From there, adapt them into movies so either way I'll have the best of both worlds if one doesn't work out and have the rights. Here are a few guidelines I've followed to hold myself accountable for achieving my goals in 2019:
​

This is the key part to making any decision moving forward with your life. What is your purpose on this Earth? Mine is to create a realm for creative young women to expand their imaginations and realize their potential through travel. It's about being specific. With this, like I've said before, find a way to fulfill this purpose in a way only you can do and that will make you happy. From here, understand how it will help people, and discover a way how you can make a living while doing it. For me, it's this blog. I travel the world while creating videos, sharing my experiences, and writing books and creating art along the way - Hoping to eventually sell my work as a I go!
What does this look like to you? Thinking about it, what sets your heart and soul on fire. If you could tell everyone in the world one thing to help them lead better lives - what would you say? Imagine doing this for the rest of your life through your artwork. This is your purpose. 

When you fully understand what your purpose is, moving forward banks on sticking to it. Look into your imagination. You've decided what your purpose is, now, what does it look like? Where are you while you're working towards achieving it. Who is around you? What does it smell like? Are you in a room or are you in the middle of the woods? Are the walls green? Purple? How are you feeling? Butterflies? Are you cold? Are you in front of thousands of people, are you working in an attic on creating your gallery? It's all up to you to sit down, close your eyes, and feel yourself in the space of your success.

Next is seeing yourself achieving your goal. That means seeing the book you wrote on shelves in bookstores worldwide, its seeing over $25,000 in sales from your Etsy shop your first year, it's seeing yourself deliver a statue you created to a wealthy millionaire and having them adore every little bit of it. Visualizing your goal is seeing yourself where you want to be and having the confidence and resilience to know that it will happen. It will just take a little time - but it will take less if you believe in yourself and do something every single day to move you forward.

After you visualize yourself working with this purpose and fulfilling it, make a vision board of it. Illustrate it, print out pictures, cut pages out of magazines, whatever it may be - make something that you can physically touch and see every single day to keep pushing you towards where you need to be. 
​

Once you've decided what this next year will look like for you, choose three (only three) goals that you want to achieve that are related to your purpose and will enhance you as a human being. They can even be personal too. For example, mine are: 1. Finish and Publish Stella and Rooney, 2. Launch and stay Consistent with Vagabond et Virtuosa Vlog and Singing Cover Channel, and 3. Become Fluent in German.  These are all geared towards what kind of life I want to lead and my purpose. With these three goals, you will have three different aspects of your overall purpose to focus on.

With a year, you have twelve months that you can obviously divide into four quarters of three months. With each three month, or 90 day period, create a deadline and a goal within each of these goals to help you progress to where you ultimately want to be in a steady and realistically reachable pace. For example, your quarters should look like this:

First Quarter: January 1st - March 15th
Second Quarter: March 16th - July 1st
Third Quarter: July 2nd - October 16th
Fourth Quarter: October 17th - December 31st

By creating three sub-goals each quarter based off of your three main goals, you set achievable deadlines for yourself that you can actually succeed with. For example, my three goals for my first quarter based of of the larger goals for the year are as follows: 1. Finish first draft of Stella and Rooney 2. Obtain 5K subscribers to Vagabond et Virtuosa Youtube Channel 3. Be able to have basic conversation with my German friend, via FaceTime. These smaller goals to achieve by the deadline of the first quarter will keep the momentum going throughout the year to achieving the bigger goals you have set for yourself. 

Nothing is ever going to get done if you are too easy on yourself and don't stick to the deadlines you set for yourself. Stick to your goals and your quarterly goals so you can start the life you've always dreamed of living. The hardest part is always starting and staying consistent with progress, but it's necessary if you want to get from where you are to where you want to be. Don't cheat yourself out of doing a good job. It's also a great idea to reinforce and reward yourself for successfully completing your goals. This could be a weekend getaway to that cute winery up North, a dinner at your favorite restaurant, or simply a movie marathon with your favorite person. It's important to treat yourself for a job well done...now..keep going!!! Don't give up!

Fast forward 364 days and you've achieved those three, perfect, beautiful goals, and you're that much closer to living a life full of your wildest dreams on a regular basis and as full time job - except it won't feel like a job. Imagine that. A world where you are doing what you love every day, and challenges excite you? I don't know about you, but that's the life I want to lead. I bet that's the life you want to lead too. 

So please, do yourself the favor, put the work in and give yourself the life you deserve. You're in charge of the outcome . Might as well make it worth it! Now go out there and crush this year into the stars and make your marvelous magic happen! I'm so proud of you!!!

I found all of this marvelous goodness with the Classy Career Girl!!! Please, Anna Runyan is a genius!! Soak up everything she has to offer. Chances are, she'll push you towards everything you've ever been hoping and working for!! Check the link below:

https://www.classycareergirl.com/

To all who celebrate Jesus's birthday, Merry Christmas!! May it be filled with joyous memories, laughter, yummy food, Christmas movies and music, and maybe that book you've been wanting. Most of all though, I hope you spend it well with the ones you love and that mean the world to you. If you're not able to be around those you cherish most, give them a call, Facetime them, whatever it may be, let them know you love them and that they're cared about to the ends of the Earth, because who knows what troubles this year has brought them. Give those around you new hope and an extra heap of love this Christmas, because really that's what Christmas truly is all about.

The birth of Jesus was a sign of hope for everyone along with unwavering love. The moment the people of the world and land found out a savior was to be born, they didn't pack up their their belongings, but instead brought the most valuable things to them that they could find as gifts to give to Jesus upon being born. Gold, Frankincense, and Myhr were brought to Jesus's side,  but also think of the little drummer boy who thought he had no gifts that were fit to give a king. This of course wasn't true - because he gave the gift of music to share. This is really where gift giving on Christmas came from, and is symbolic in many ways, but put simply, it represents what I shared above, love, giving, and hope. This is what Christmas reminds us of each year to get us ready for the next. So remember this today, tomorrow, and throughout the weeks to come into the new year. 

Let the hope you have for goodness in the world thrive. Let the hope you have in yourself, and your belief that you can succeed flourish. Understand that the gifts given to you by the Lord were given for a purpose - to give them back to the people of the world so they can embrace it and continue to share it with others - just like the little drummer boy. If you're rich or poor, extremely busy or hanging out all day, when you walk  through the streets, give a smile to those you walk past. Continue to be the shining hope in humanity that love and light still live within us. Carry that passion, brightness, and serendipity wherever you go - because that is what Jesus represents, and why wouldn't you want to follow through with that mission? 

So today, begin the mindset that it's going to be a good day. Do this every day. Think of what makes you happy, smile, because really, what reason is there to frown? Share your gifts, whether it be your singing voice, magic tricks, or your mad hugging skills with those around you, because it truly will mean more and will be more memorable than that new iPhone they wanted. Share the love and light you have in your heart in hopes that good things are here and good things are coming, because that's what Christmas is all about. 

​

Photo by: Johan Erik Lallerstedt

​The unknown can be a scary thing, and I think that's what we fear most. Not knowing where we'll be in five years, five months, five days, heck, even five minutes. How do we get to where we want to be? If we even know where that is? We might have an idea, and man it might sound like a dream come true, but is that possible? Gosh. Where do I go from here?

If I would rather live my life traveling the world and writing books about my adventures, teaching yoga through my own phone application, learning new languages and about people from different places, and sharing my art and soul to those willing to listen...is that practical? Would my family approve? How would I survive? How would I make money? Where do I even start something like that? Worst of all...what if I fail? Do I stop trying to achieve that dream life? Do I instead go for that 9-5 job where I know I'll have a stable living, but never actually having the life I want? The answer is: time isn't guaranteed - life can be taken away from you at any moment, so why wouldn't you use what moments you have doing what excites you compared to doing what you believe others' think is right? Just breath. 

Chances are, they'll be equally as excited for you if you tell them what you want to do, and if you have some sort of idea on how you want to get there. If they're not happy for you, who cares? Find a way to open your mind and go for it anyway. 

The unknown is an exciting place. Each moment into the future is a part of your journey. Who knows what will happen? Maybe you'll meet someone today who will suggest that,  "Hey, have you ever thought of singing?", or perhaps come across an old book in the library that has a forgotten letter inside, which maybe will lead to your next story? What's even more fun though, is that if you spend each of these days doing what makes you happy and spending this time taking one more step towards where you want to be (or where you think you want to be) your life will ultimately be that more fulfilling. If your biggest wish in life is to be happy, it goes along the lines of the saying, "life is a journey, not a destination," - if you're  doing something each day that makes your heart smile, your life will be a happy one compared to the wish of it being a byproduct of what you hope will be a good life. What I mean by this is: don't date that guy just because "he's got the qualities that every other girl would love, he will definitely treat me right and I'll have a happy life" - if it's not what you love, don't force yourself into a relationship where you don't feel something. Same goes for giving your time towards something that truly doesn't speak to you. 

Also, if you're spending your nights home after a long day of work, continuing the work of a job that doesn't fulfill you - quit it. If you'd rather be reading, or writing - painting, or maybe refurbishing that dresser that you found at the dump - do that instead! Create space or a business for yourself that will allow you to take a leap towards what you want your life to become.  Life is made up of the moments and how you spend them - not how you wish you had used them with the outcome you only imagined. Life won't change unless you do. Have an open mind, open heart, and always believe in the possibilities of a better tomorrow. 

The biggest and most important part of this life is to be true to yourself and understand the gifts you've been given. It doesn't matter what others think. Get that out of your head. Listen to yourself. Ask yourself the question, "What is it that I was put on this earth to do? How can I impact just one person at least, through who I am and who I want to be? What am I good at? What absolutely sets my heart on fire to the point of tears? How can I make that my life?" Take into consideration how the things you love make you feel. How do you feel? Picture yourself in that life and understand that it is absolutely a possibility to live that life - just as long as you take action towards it. Be realistic - and with that, I mean be realistic in your goals. You can't become a master chef in a day, or a week - things take time, but understand if you take action every single day, that life is much more possible and a million more times likely to happen - sometimes in a way you wouldn't expect.

Just like the saying, "You miss 100 of the shots you don't take," you're not going to win a Grammy if you never sing your song and put yourself out there. Just like if you have an idea for a book, but never write it. It will always just be an idea if you never sit down and do the work. The universe won't make its magic unless you take action and tell it to.

Take it. Take the life you want, don't expect it to be given to you. 

Don't let fear overcome you, especially the fear of failure. It's one of life's greatest teachers, and it actually moves you forward to where you want to be faster if you think about it. You just have to embrace the friend that failure truly is. It tells you what's not working, and if you ask for feedback - it tells you where you went wrong, so you're able to move forward without making that same mistake - just as long as you keep moving forward. That's the key. Also know, nothing has to to be permanent. If it doesn't feel right, don't stay. That's not to say that if something doesn't work, give up, it means, if you thought something would be one way, and it's doing you more harm than good, or it's not what you were expecting - spend your time trying something else. You won't move forward if you're staying in the same place for no purpose. 

There is never a clear path on how to achieve your dreams, but as long as you lean into opportunity, think of what makes you happy, and truly go for it with all of the confidence in the world - you can never say you didn't try and chances are, you'll be living the life beyond what you dreamed. Everything takes time. Your life is constantly under construction. It may look ugly sometimes, and you're unsure of what's actually underway, but know you have the ability to build something beautiful with it and things aren't always what they seem from an exterior point of view. Don't analyze it too much. Trust your gut, your soul, and just go for it - one building block at a time. You'll thank yourself in the end and see every day was an accomplishment.

Take your time. Breath. Enjoy each moment and take it in as it passes - making the most of it. 

There's nothing to be afraid of besides not allowing yourself the chance to live the life you've always dreamed of.


As Jim Carey said, "I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which, was that you can fail at what you don’t want so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love”

and

“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.”


Go for it, lady Jane. I have faith in you, and you should have faith in you, too. 

Christmas is only a week away!!!! Can you believe it?! Then it will be the new year and you will be setting new and outstanding goals for yourself - which I'm especially excited for! For now though, if you haven't had the chance to get Christmas presents for your family yet and are looking to make it a bit more personal at an affordable price, let me help you out! If you're an artist like me and creating something only you can make is more your style  - here are few simple ideas to jog your imagination when it comes to special gifts for your family this Christmas season:

Of course, you want to give something so darn special to your mumma because you love her so much - and if you're like me, a gift that will make her tear up a little bit. This woman is so important to you, it's hard to think of anything that you could make her that could match her excellence and what she means to you. By creating something though, whether it's to pamper her, celebrate your family, or anything that will make her smile, she will love it no matter what:

Jar Cap Picture Magnets:

I found these little gems from the Unoriginal Mom, and they are a perfect way to take your mom through her most favorite memories every day. Here's how to make them:
 https://www.unoriginalmom.com/upcycled-mason-jar-lid-magnets/

Coffee Mug Holder:

Any busy mom bows down to coffee as if it's their religion, meaning they probably have a mug dedicated to each day of the week. Therefore, they'll need this fine and dandy little coffee mug holder so when they're running late on Monday, they don't have to open those pesky cabinets -  you mum can just grab n' go! Go over to HomeDesign Inspired and get to work on a gift your mom will love!! :

http://www.homedesigninspired.com/top-23-cool-diy-kitchen-pallets-ideas-you-should-not-miss/

Laundry Bin Full of Pampering Goodies:

So, we know mom's do laundry (they taught us everything) so why not go down to the dollar tree, buy some roped whicker, and go to town on making some DIY Soaps, body butters, Scrubs, a Candle, essential oils, etc. to really pamper your mom for all she does! Find out how here:

https://www.busybliss.com/dollar-tree-storage-bins/
https://www.suburbansimplicity.com/vanilla-brown-sugar-scrub/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542683823832976478/
​https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/DIY-Spa-Kit-36156429?crlt.pid=camp.T0RH49aJ7zxC
​https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4292562120494403/
https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/rose-clay-face-mask/

Chalkboard Serving Tray:

You know those infinite amounts of hot chocolate that you'll be drinking over Christmas time? Well, you're going to want to have somewhere to put them and a way of knowing who's cup is who's! Now your momma has a chalkboard serving tray to write everyone's name on to make them feel as special as she is to you!  Learn how to make them here:

https://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2016/08/diy-chalkboard-serving-tray-tutorial-youtube-video.html

​Favorite Recipe Book:

I know, you might think mom might not want to do any more cooking, but if you put some fun new healthy recipes of all different meal types in there that you think she'd like - she maybe will find her new favorite food! Who knows?! Go get yourself a binder and some fun patterns to type your pages on, and you'll have the perfect present! 
​

For your papa-bear, it's the same thing - you want to get him something special that he will remember forever and really pull on those heart strings. Also, I'm sure he won't be too upset if he gets beer, as sick painting of his favorite NFL team to put in his man cave, or maybe even a soup bowl you made! Whatever it is, if you make it or it comes from you, he will love it. 

Car Travel Kit:

You can never be too careful, especially when it comes to your dad! Make sure he's ready to go when it comes to car travel! Especially if he drives a lot!

NFL Team Crayon Canvas:

Whether you buy a canvas from Michaels and tape over the team's logo, and melt the crayons of the team's colors onto the canvas, or go ahead and paint something regarding his favorite team, there's nothing your dad would love more than your artwork up in his man cave. 

​Picture Frame of You and Dad:

There's something so sentimental about a photo of you and your dad that when he sees it, he tears up just a little bit with that half-smile while trying not to cry. I know this picture says Father's Day...but really, it shares the same love and care you have for one another and your relationship. 

Vintage Book Travel Tech Kit:

Next Memorial Day or Fourth of July, your dad is going to get so many compliments because of the bean bag toss game boards you made him! ( I absolutely refuse to refer to this as corn hole...it sounds gross). Either way - find how to make them here:

http://plan-to-build.com/over-engineered-cornhole-boards-with-twine-measuring-system-and-latches/
​

This guy probably gets on your nerves more often than not, but hey, that doesn't mean you don't love him! Christmas is the time of year where you're able to show him the gratitude you have for him - so let it be known! Lord knows he will always appreciate it and show you how much he loves you too. Here are few ways to ignite the holiday cheer with those you fear:

Shaving Kit:

With his bear-like beard-ness, it can never go unappreciated when your brother receives homemade shaving cream and aftershave! Throw in a razor or two in there, and you'll be loved forever! Find out how to make on Tag & Tibby!:

https://www.tagandtibby.com/blog/2016/6/7/homemade-shaving-cream-kit

Homemade Beer Kit!:
​

You know, if your brother is anything like one of mine, he loves his beer (especially if he's from Wisconsin), so why not give him all of the ingredients to make his own! Find out what you need here at Misfit Gardening:

https://www.misfitgardening.com/how-to-make-beer-at-home-step-by-step/

​Neck-Tie Pouch!:

I mean, nothing could look more official and elegant for your brother to put all of his bits and pieces in for when he travels on the road, or just in general! Make him a pouch out of ties you find at Goodwill! It will be fun! Especially if you fill it with a few of his favorite things! Find out how to make it here:

​https://www.polkadotchair.com/diy-necktie-zip-pouch/

Bacon Salt and BBQ Rub!:

Assuming your brother isn't a vegetarian, how couldn't he love some yummy accents to his meat-making adventures?! Give it a go! Find the recipes below!:

http://wishfulchef.com/how-to-make-bacon-salt/
https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/barbecue-rub-0

Leather Cup-Jacket Set!:

I mean, for all of those Rum and Coke's he drinks, might as well make him something that he can put multiple in at a time! Plus, with this stylish and sassy leather cup-jacket, he'll be drinking in elegance and his hand won't get cold! Find out how to make them on the Design Sponge:

​http://www.designsponge.com/2012/10/diy-project-leather-cup-jacket.html

Oh, the sisters...also a relationship that's often a rollercoaster throughout the year - but, I know you know what she likes and what makes her smile, and she of all people will appreciate you taking the time to make something for her instead of only buying her that Amazon Gift Card you were planning on. Take a gander at the ol' peace-maker's gifts listed below:

A Ruffled Clutch:

Nothing makes a girl smile more than a cute little clutch to put her change, lipstick, credit cards, or magic in! With this pattern and DIY help from Cailamade, you'll create the perfect gift that your sister will love! 

http://cailamade.com/ruffled-clutch-sew-along-making-the-pattern/

​Jewelry Box Made From Old Cigar Box:

Chances are you dearest sister has probably accumulated a lot of jewelry from her loved ones over the years, so why not make her a spiffy jewelry box out of an old cigar box just to show you how much you love her and want her to be organized. Who knows, maybe you could throw another piece of jewelry in there as another gift, along with a sweet note and gift card! Also, why not try for a framed jewelry holder? Either/or are beautiful and effective. Here's how to make the box from Annabode!:

http://annabode.com/diy-jewelry-box-cigar-box/

​Bird House Key Holder:

I mean seriously, how cute is this?? You want to know what else is cute? Your sister not losing her keys. So why not go ahead and make her this sensational gift that she can hang by her door when she gets home? Lord knows she won't miss it when coming in from a long night. Here's how to make it from Torie Jayne:

http://toriejayne.com/tutorial/bird-house-key-hooks

Fun Modge Podge Fabric Spoons:

If your sister loves to cook, these fun spoons will be the perfect gift to put some pazazz into her already amazing cooking! Learn how to make them from Alice and Lois below:

http://www.aliceandlois.com/diy-fabric-covered-wooden-spoons-handmade-gift-series/

Fabric Sunglass Case:

Your sis is just a ray of sunshine, you know she needs to protect herself from her own brightness every now and then, so why not make her a snazzy little sunglass case with a new pair possibly inside?! Can't go wrong, that's for sure! See how to make this fun little gift from Positively Splendid below:

https://www.positivelysplendid.com/sunglasses-case-sewing-pattern/


Before you leave, of course you can interchange these gifts and put your own spin on them - as you should - you know your loved ones most!!! Have fun with your gift-giving this holiday season and pack as much love as you can into each and every one of them! Merry Christmas, and cherish each moment with your loved ones!! <3

If you have any more suggestions, please comment below!! 

Love,

Mary XOXO

Needless to say, I'm a Christmas freak. I listen to Christmas music the first day of November. I light pine scented candles before I think about Thanksgiving. The day December 1st hits, I get my tree, decorate for Christmas, and begin binge watching every version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and all of the classic Christmas movies ever made. Heck, I'm even writing a mini-series about Christmas in Northern Wisconsin. There will never be enough Christmas in my life, especially living out in Los Angeles where there is no snow. 

With this being the case, my need for reinforcements in the building of Christmas cheer is great and necessary. Over the years here, I have found just the events to help boost up that special feeling of holiday spirit to get me just where I need to be by the time I get to visit my family back home in the Midwest. If you're like me and need some pep in you Christmas step, take a look-see at the best seasonal events in the Los Angeles area listed below!:

Join the Whos in Whoville for the infamous Whobilation at Universal Studios Hollywood!! If you grew up with How The Grinch Stole Christmas, you would love nothing more than to see the theme park decked in the most extravagant holiday decoration, snow, and to see the Whos dance and sing on stage with all of their Christmas cheer! You'll also see the Grinch trying to steal Christmas, but of course in the end feeling all of the love and joining in on the celebration. Not to mention - you'll have a photo opportunity with The Grinch's dog, Max - who is an absolute sweetheart.  Grinchmas and the Tree Lighting Ceremony happens every weekend from December 3rd until the 14th, then afterwards, it happens every day until January 1st, 2019! All the while, while you're at Universal, make sure to also visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to see the snow in Hogsmede an the beautiful lights displayed on the Hogswarts castle! 

Get your tickets here: ​https://store.universalstudioshollywood.com/PurchaseTickets.aspx
​

Sleepy Hollow is an entire neighborhood in Torrance, California right off of Robert Road where each and every house decorates in lights for Christmas! On top of this, most lights have their own theme that they stick to, whether it's A Christmas Story, Wrigley Field and the Cubs, Star Wars, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or even the video game Fortnite! Not to mention, after you park your car and are walking around the neighborhood, there are several homes selling hot chocolate, popcorn, hot dogs, sodas, baked goods, even soup! Of all the Christmas festivities to enjoy, bundling up and heading to Sleepy Hollow for the lights is my absolute favorite. The event of course is free, just make sure you park along the Pacific Coast Highway, Calle Mayor, Prospect Avenue, or Doris Dr. while you're there for ample spots so you can walk in on Robert Road. This event happens rain or shine the weekend after Thanksgiving - so go, enjoy, and respect the residents and their homes! Also* there are usually no public restrooms or porter potties - so hit the restroom before you go just in case!

Here is the address!: 23254 Robert Rd, Torrance, CA 90505
​

Ah! This place is the most fun - especially for the family! At the LA Zoo Lights, you enter the zoo at night and walk through a wonderland of sensational and mesmerizing neon light set-ups that more often than not, resemble zoo animals. With this walking experience, there is a lot of ground to cover, new light worlds to see, and although not all of the animals are out, you still get the chance to see the Koalas, the reptiles, and even Reindeer! Heck - you even get to feed them! Of course, there are snacks here too including hot chocolate and popcorn, churros and the like. The LA Zoo lights are something you don't want to miss! The dates here began November 16th and will go until January 6th! So hurry on over! 

Here are discounted tickets from Groupon!! Be sure to download the Ebates extension for cash back!:
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-greater-los-angeles-zoo-association-zoo-lights

If that link doesn't work, here's the direct link to the LA Zoo site:
​https://lazoo.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=31

Though the Christmas celebration happens the Sunday before Thanksgiving (this year it happened on November 18th), you can go to The Grove any time throughout late November through early January to see the magic The Grove has to offer! With a Christmas Tree that ascends into the night sky, lit for all of the town to see - along with the falling snow, the elaborate lights, wreaths, ornaments and decorations, spending time within the walls of this outdoor mall sipping coffee or hot cocoa will have you immediately feeling the Christmas spirit. While you're here, you could also get all of your Christmas shopping done, visit Santa Claus in his workshop, catch a movie, and grab dinner with your honey or best friends. What sounds better than that? Make sure you go at nighttime to feel the ultimate magic! The Winter Wonderland event (meaning the snow and seeing Santa) only lasts until December 25th though, so hurry - hurry! To stay up to date with other Christmas events at The Grove, follow the link below!:

https://thegrovela.com/events/

Here is the address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036

At the Queen Mary's One-of-a-Kind Christmas, happening from November 23rd-January 6th, 2019, you're able to explore the immaculate ship, its decks, and experience a taste of old Christmas with Carolers making their way throughout the floors, Santa waiting to greet you, beautiful lights and tasteful entertainment to enjoy throughout the night. Did I forget to mention that there will be several musical performances, an ICE SKATING RINK atop the ships sport deck, hot chocolate with Mrs. Claus, performances and snacks in Gingerbread village, and an 80 foot tall Christmas tree upon the Ship's bow. There are also additional opportunities such as breakfast with Santa and a holiday dinner show that you'll need separate tickets for, but of course are more than worth it - especially for the little ones! There are even a few tours of the ship included!

Check out tickets here: https://www.queenmary.com/tickets/
Groupon Deal:  https://www.groupon.com/deals/queen-mary-christmas-2018
​

Every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Hollywood Christmas parade comes to Hollywood boulevard and lights up the streets with music, gigantic balloons, TV, Movie, and radio stars, candy, fundraisers, volunteer groups, and more! This parade gives you a sense of Christmas and community spirit that truly ignites the Holiday season with a grandiose celebration for all of Los Angeles to come and enjoy (especially if your sports bar where you watch Sunday Night Football is on the boulevard). No matter the year, this is an event you wouldn't want to miss. Hosted by Laura McKenzie and Erik Estrada, its a night you won't forget. It starts at around 5:30PM, and will go for about two hours. Bring your chair, a blanket, and a bag for candy! 

There are also tickets to sit in the grandstands - a prime seating area for the parade! This way you won't have to jump or stand the entire time to see over everyone enjoying the parade. Though I wouldn't say it's completely necessary, if this sounds like your cup of tea - here is the link to getting tickets!:

http://thehollywoodchristmasparade.org/#
​

Of course, visiting Disneyland during the Holidays is a no-brainer, but if you're able - be sure to go within the first two weeks of December to miss the families coming over Christmas break!! With crowds that are almost unsurmountable during the later part of the month, you'll want the best chance you can get to see the beautiful holiday lights at Disney including Sleeping Beauty's Castle, The Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World ride, meeting Santa and the princesses, the Christmas Fireworks, and not to mention the Christmas parade which happens at 3:30PM and 6:30PM at the park. If you truly want to feel the magic of Christmas, along with how you felt as a child during this time, Disneyland is definitely the place to go. Remember, California Adventure is a completely separate park from Disney - though most definitely worth it! Be sure to get the Park Hopper pass!

Click here for tickets: ​https://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/

When I was fifteen years old, I remember sitting in Homeroom in High School when my advisor expressed that I should look into a leadership program called, "People to People." He was informed that it was an organization developed by Dwight D. Eisenhower back in 1956 after he had experienced and witnessed the tragedy that WWII and the Holocaust had brought the world. With the intention and understanding that the only way fear could be washed away and peace could be made, was for people to understand one another. Mr. Eisenhower expressed that this mission would not be fulfilled by the government, but "...through the hearts of those who yearned for dignity, freedom, and peace. " This involved young adults traveling throughout the world, taking the time to learn about and live through each other's customs and ways, and ultimately share their own while building genuine relationships with those from all around the world. 

Needless to say, my parents agreed and I went on to apply to become a student ambassador of Wisconsin, who would travel to six countries in Europe over the course of one month, at fifteen. As I was going through the process of applying, and throughout the school year before the journey I would take, I was going through depression. I was my own worse enemy for so long, and it felt like nothing could take the pain away. I was wrong. 

Discovering the world through People to People changed my life forever. It is an enormous reason I am where I am at today and am the person who I've become. Actually, now that I think about it, People to People didn't only change my life, it saved it. 

At fifteen, everything is very impressionable. I didn't know who I was, and I had no idea where to begin looking. When given the opportunity to venture 4,000 miles away from home with other people my age, though, it was an opportunity I sure didn't want to pass up. And who knows, maybe I'd find myself along the way?

This opportunity meant the chance to begin truly thinking for myself. Upon hearing or seeing something, what made my eyes and soul light up? Would something I read help me to understand what I'm interested in?  What kinds of questions am I asking, and what does that mean about me? Am I brave? Am I willing to get up and go out there in front of everyone? The truest teller of all, though, is throughout the time spent with 29 strangers of the same age group, how will they see me? Which talents and gifts will they see I have? Most of all, what kind of person will they think I am?

Of course, before leaving, I had no idea this journey would do all I said above for me, nor did I know it until after I returned home. Following my acceptance into the program, I found myself in a room at a state-central high school with 28 other high school students, of whom I've never met, from around the state of Wisconsin. I was number 22 (we were assigned numbers to count off by on the trip). In this room, and prior to, via quizzes at home,  we went over the courses in government, culture, geography, architecture, religion, daily life, and a small portion of the history of each of the places we were scheduled to visit. These countries included Belgium, The Netherlands, France, England, Wales, and Ireland. The 29 of us met every two weeks for about six months before our trip, learning different lessons along the way that would prepare us for our journey and the purpose it served. 

When July 3rd, 2011 rolled around, we all said our goodbyes to our parents at the airport, hopped on a plane and made our way over to Amsterdam. The Netherlands was our first stop on the journey. Here, we learned how to make clogs, visited a local farm where they taught us how to make cheese, the significance of tulips there, and created a giant hay bale maze we were able to crawl through (it was absolutely awesome). We also experienced Anne Frank's Annex and further imagined the tragic life she endured - but found a way to make beautiful, made our way throughout the city of Amsterdam, learning how to speak basic Dutch, meeting locals business owners who told us about their way of life and what living there meant to them. 

We saw the Heineken factory, learned that cycling is the main form of transportation - and that road rage is a very real thing on any form of wheeled transportation, along with the fact that there are 165 canals within the city of Amsterdam, and besides bicycle, traveling by boat is the next highest form traveling from place to place. In fact, Amsterdam is regarded as the "Venice of the North!" I remember as I sat outside the place we were staying, writing underneath a willow tree by the river, and explaining in my journal that I had been opened up and found my true love - learning of new places and people and showing only love and light along the way. It was the first time I was truly happy with knowing who I wanted to be, and what got me to that state of bliss. 

Next stop on our journey was us learning how to make chocolate in Belgium, visiting different WWII war zones there - being told the history of the area and what it meant to their country, as well as being taken to a monument erected in 1950, dedicated to the United States Armed Forces who fought at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII, and there, understanding the true power of working together. 

This lesson further continued when we were taken to the beaches of Normandy, France, where we stood in the ruins of D-Day on Omaha beach, and continued on to visit a cemetery and memorial for those who died there that day. While we were there, there was a tribute to the U.S. soldiers, and because I had expressed my interested and love of singing with those I was on the trip with, I was asked to lead the group in singing the National Anthem, which was such an honor in a place with so much meaning. We also got to go through the Caen Memorial Museum, which touched on the Holocaust and its horrors.  Traveling to Paris was also included in our trip through France, so,  we also tried frog legs, escargot, visited the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Champs D'Elysee, walked through Montmartre, visited Sacre Coeur, along with many other historical landmarks and locations "The city of lights," had to offer. 

England was next, where we met members of parliament and were able to enter the building and discuss their role in the government. We experienced many of the ventures of London including the Elizabethan Tower (Big Ben), the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, along with Westminster Abbey and saw Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theater. We ventured to Warwick Castle, where we learned how to joust, sword fight, launch a flaming ball from a catapult, and battle with Batons (this was one of my favorite days). Prior to this, we visited the Isle of Wight, where we stayed at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (or UKSA) and learned how to windsurf and sail a dingy boat. Throughout our trip, it was mandatory we kept a journal - one for the organization (which they read), and a personal journal for the things we didn't really want to share with anyone else. After going through and learning all of these opportunities of growth in England, I was absolutely blown away by how much my life had escalated in value, and how my mind had opened at the age of fifteen. Little did I know that where we were headed next, would truly impact my life forever and be the beginning of the paved path leading to who I would become. 

After we were taught how to become medieval warriors, we made our way to Wales, where we learned how to speak Welsh, where I found my new favorite meal - Bangers and Mash, and where I gained the confidence and inner strength to break a board with my bare hand and repel down a castle wall (doing the Bernie). This proved to me that I could do anything I set my mind to as long as I believed in myself. 

The last stop on our journey was Ireland, where the biggest difference was made in my life. This is because Ireland is where we spent the most time with the communities and creating relationships that truly involved being with one another and building on human connection. Here we took boat rides through the lakes between the mountains and horse and buggy rides through them. We made our way to the town of Cahersiveen where we stayed and did chores at a local bed and breakfast, spent time with local teenagers, learning the music of Ireland's past, the Gaelic language, how to jig and dance, and where those who wished could get up and sing in front of the community. I did - I sang Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. The next day, we went out and dug peat for homes in the community, played Gaelic football with a local youth group, and from there, we chose to do different acts of community service throughout the town - a friend of mine and I chose to go to the nearby retirement home and sing the song we learned, " Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears," to a few of the tenants there. To say it was rewarding would be an understatement. 

We ended our journey with a scavenger hunt around the town of Cahersiveen, which under the circumstances of a sudden death round, my team - "Team 15% Off," won. ;) We were each given an "Ireland," hat as a prize. 

After countless bus rides, friends and memories made, and lessons learned, I sat there, within my own world, at the airport waiting for my parents to come to pick me up after my journey. I thought to myself, " I'm not ready to go home yet. I feel like my life has only just begun." And that it had. People to People changed my life in terms of having me discover that connecting with the world, the people in it, understanding who they were, where they came from, and what made them, them - is what I yearned for to take up each and every one of my days. To listen to them, make them smile, create with them, and open their minds as they had in mind, through who I am, is all I could ever want. The promotion of peace through taking the time to understand and be present with another human being from who you differ from (which is everyone besides yourself), without only listening to respond with one's opinion,  is really what this world needs to become stronger and less torn apart. 

Being able to see the world through my own eyes, and myself through the eyes of others and experiences I had over that month, taught me more about myself and this life than I had in those previous fifteen years. That month prepared me for the rest of my life in terms of having an open mind, finding differences beautiful, and taking the time to truly understand and ask questions when something didn't quite make sense to me. That month taught me that a life lived with passion and doing what I truly love is a gift well spent - and the gift of giving it to others as often as I can with as much love as I can is its purpose. Traveling at that young age to places I've never been before with people I had barely talked to, taught me to be brave, have faith in myself and the opportunity at hand, and to never ever give up on something that my gut told me was the right thing to do.

People to People encouraged me to always try new things, even if they scared me because that's what life is all about - constantly discovering who you are and how you can impact the world in the best way, just by being yourself. A daunting thought, that really isn't that daunting at all if you open your arms to it. 

That next summer I traveled with People to People to Harvard University on a week-long leadership summit, where high school students from over 48 different countries were present. While we were here, we did community service, learned to work together, and on our own, build a community service program of our own to take back to our hometowns to implement in areas of need. 

Throughout both of these experiences, I have made life-long friends from all around the world, something not many 16-year-olds could say. These experiences taught me to live my life in love, in service, and in courage - standards I live by each and every day and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. 

So, if you, or if you have a child, is looking for a way to see the world in a new light with learning, peace, and growth beyond measure that will impact the rest of yours or their life - People to People programs are the way to go. I owe them so much for helping me become the human being I am today. 

XOXO

Mary Gabrielle Strause

Check out the link below to learn more: