Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Great little One! whose all-embracing birth

Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.

~Richard Crashaw

2015 Appreciation Post

     My absolute, final appreciation post! For something that was suppose to be a one time post, I think I've done pretty well with an unexpected blog series. I've enjoyed doing a monthly appreciation post and allowing readers into my world of what I love. Whether it's actors, royalty, cities and countries or just what interests me in general.

Blogging

     2015 has been a good year, not a great year, but a good one all the same. However, for my website, 2015 has been explosive. As I said in my vlog pilot, I had only done 60 posts in 2014 and I had wanted to do more this year. I broke my blogging record in May with not only 21 posts in one month, but a total of 66 posts in 5 months! By the end of this month I would have made over 135 posts total; that's 75 more posts that last year!!!

     This year, I participated in two blog parties, both hosted by Bella Delallo, The Lord of The Rings Blog Party in February and A Very Musical Blog Party in October.

•      Created my first tags, 5 Female Characters and 5 Male Characters.
•      Wrote my first blog series, Assemble and Unite
•      Had a continuing monthly vlog series
•      Continued with my movie reviews, but worked primarily on expending the history category. 
•      As well as participated in numerous other tags over the months

      

World News

     I've tried to keep up with the world news that interests me, primarily the birth of Princess Charlotte Cambridge who has become quite the darling, as would be expected of any new royal baby : ) I am so happy for the whole family! Also, the 63 year reign of Queen Elizabeth II who has now surpassed her great-great grandmother Victoria and seems to have no plans of stopping!

     The Pope made an historic three day visit to America this summer, stopping in New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. While I was unable to keep up with his visit, I had the opportunity to read about his life, his theology and his religious standings since visiting the U.S. and I have to say that I hold a great deal of admiration for him. While I may not agree 100% with his religious views (not as a Catholic, but as a leader of Christianity), I have come to the belief that many of his words and comments have been taken grossly out of context and radicals (such as the LGBT and women's rights) have only been using his more modern ideals and twisting them around only serve their continuing selfish purpose. 

      The Planned Parenthood scandal has had me in a flurry of anger toward the disgusting and inhumane use of unborn babies, but also relief in knowing that doors have been thrown open. Now the world has had a real look at what Planned Parenthood really is and slowly the whole organization is beginning to crumble. 

     Another scandal(s) that rocked 2015 are the two Duggar scandals both involving, Jim Bob and Michelle's oldest son, Josh. The first scandal was the revealing of his molestation of five young women, four of them being his sisters, when he was 15. While many people came down on the Duggar's with vengeance and ill-will, many stood by Josh and the family, including Fox News. The second was the hacking of the Ashley Madison website that arranged secret affairs. Josh's name was found on the site and once again, the Duggars were thrown into the den of lions. However, little to no mercy has been shown to Josh or his parents, but there has been a great deal of support for Anna.

Movies and Television

     I was so happy that I was able to see so many good movies this year! Including the top 3 summer blockbusters, Cinderella, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Jurassic World. I also saw The Minion's Movie and Inside Out, both I loved! It was a great movie summer and I haven't had one of those in a very long time.

      Of course, how can I not mention British drama!!! This year has been an explosive year for BD, with the continuation of Downton Abbey - Season 5, which was absolutely wonderful and even had me in tears on several occasions and also, season 4 of Call The Midwife, that while I thoroughly enjoyed, I had some problems with certain unneeded content. When the season finales of both shows came and went, BBC and ITV premiered their new series, Poldark (a mix of 18th century Robin Hood with no small amount of Downton Abbey drama thrown in) and The Crimson Field (Call The Midwife meets the 4077). 

     It was also a summer of mobster history as I spent 8 weeks completely immersed in AMC's The Making of The Mob: New York. Not only was the mini-series absolutely addictive in its period drama filming, but so were the historians and authors that made the history of the Mafia in all its infamous glory all the more real and exciting. 

     And finally, my mom got my family and I addicted into a new British crime series, Broadchurch starring David Tennant as a broody, but brilliant detective determined to right the wrongs of his past, when he investigates a murder in a small seaside village. The show is nothing but mindblowing and every character of the show holds secrets that eventually ties each one of them into the investigation. A great watch!

Personal

     As far as my personal life, which I would like to keep personal, I can proudly say that I have finally finished school and am satisfied for graduation!!! I'm going to take another semester until official graduation in April, and my classes are  all history, English and religion, a well deserved fun semester!!!

     In October my older sister invited me to Great Wolf Lodge for a few days as a birthday trip. If you've never heard of Great Wolf Lodge, it's an indoor water park and hotel for families, but it extends beyond the water park with interactive role play games such as MagiQuest and Shadowquest. My niece and I spent two days playing MagiQuest and WOW! I thought it would be a kid's game, but it was actually quite difficult, but it was sooo much fun! If you're into magic, roleplay, scavenger hunts or all of the above, Magiquest is your game. 

     And the presidential election is coming up and as crazy as it sounds, I actually look forward to them. As of right now, I'm not sure who I'm voting for, seeing as it's rare for the Republican party to actually have a long list of reasonable candidates, but I'm totally enjoying the drama for now : )

So long 2015!

It's been a crazy, but wonderful year!

Vlog #12 - December

My final vlog for 2015!

Site announcements on what's going, what's staying and
 what's coming up in 2016.

X-Men: Apocalypse

OMG!!!!

Alex is back!

Where's Logan?

 Moira is back!

Where's Logan??

Peter is back!!!

Where's Logan!?!?

Sansa Stark has an American accent!!

Still wondering where Logan is!?!?

We finally get to see how Charles lost his hair!
(Weeps silently for the loss of Jame's McAvoy's beautiful hair)

I don't want this story be all about Jennifer Lawrence

However, I wouldn't care as long as...

Logan shows up!!!

Site Scavenger Hunt

For an end of the year game I created a website scavenger hunt : )

Basically, to get the answers to the quiz below, you have to search through my website, so you will need to have my website in a separate tab or window as well.

I've made it as easily as possible, but the primary sections you'll be going through are

My Life

Movie Reviews

Series and Link-ups

The quiz is timed and so you'll have 8 min. and 25 sec. to complete it.

Little Things #5

1.) Having no homework: Seriously an amazing feeling of relief!

2.) Watching Disney Classics: Robin Hood, Beauty and The Beast, The Lion King....

3.) Summer thunderstorms: In Virginia, they're stunning!

4.) Celine Dion: From the time I was 8 years old, I've loved her!

5.) Spending hours on Tumblr: There should be a word for Tumblr addiction

6.) I will never love my thighs: Hate them.

A Very Musical Blog Party Edit

     I went back to my last post on days Nine & Ten and wrote my 5 favorite musical facts instead : )

Check them out HERE

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. 

~Edward Sandford Martin

Vlog #11 - November

Talking about my 25th birthday (November 23) and listing 
my 25 likes and dislikes.

History Appreciation Post

Top: Moses, Deborah, St. Francis of Assisi
Middle: Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth I, George Washington
Bottom: Suffragettes, Robert Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II

     I love history! My favorite time period would be the Edwardian Era that span from 1901 to 1920 (give or take a few years), but I love any kind of history in general. Of course, what makes history interesting to me is the people. People create history, they record it, they live by it. I have many favorite historical figures probably too many to name, but I managed to narrow down my absolute top historical people that I admire.

1.) Moses - Truly one of the greatest prophets and leaders of the Bible! Everything about him from birth to death is an incredible account of a life destined for God's greatness. My top Biblical hero.

2.) Deborah - One of the most controversial Bible figures as well as the most obedient and bravest of all of God's judges. Deborah was chosen by God to lead his people when men continued to fail. She was a judge, prophetess, wife and warrior whose life deserves more praise and less condemning. 

3.) St. Francis of Assisi - The composer of my favorite hymn ("All Creatures of Our God and King") and definitely a man who had no problem defying convention and control. St. Francis spoke of God's world with reverence and unending joy. Although I'm not Catholic, I have always greatly admired St. Francis for his true devotion to his faith, his God and his love of all life.

4.) St. Joan of Arc -  Like Deborah, Joan believed to be chosen by God to lead when men failed. Although her life is vague at most in history, there is no denying that she changed the world and that God divine grace was with her the whole way through. Over 900 years later, St Joan of Arc continues to inspire.

5.) Queen Elizabeth I - Kings and queens come and they go in and out of history, Queen Elizabeth I was a queen whose life was much more than a history lesson. She is one of the most courageous and brilliant monarchs to ever wear Edward the Confessors crown and sit in his chair. Queen Elizabeth I brought England out of darkness and into the light and continued to spread that light clear into the New World.

6.) George Washington - What kind of Virginian would I be if I didn't mention George Washington?? A general, a gentleman, devoted father, loving husband and an ardent patriot who believed in the rights of mankind as well as the decency of human living. I still believe him to be the greatest of out Founding Fathers.

7.) The Suffragettes - I don't think women today could possibly understand the true sacrifice that these wives, mothers and daughters made to create an equal place alongside men. Sacrifice, courage and honor are only a few words that could be considered understatements to the lives of these women who never backed down, gave up or surrendered.

8.) Senator Robert "Bobby" Kennedy - As a longtime Kennedy fan, I have always found the late Robert Kennedy to be a paragon of what a true American should be. Robert Kennedy was fearless and unafraid when it came to dealing with adversaries and enemies, but also possessed great generosity and truth in his own personal life and beliefs. He was a great man who still remained a good man.

9.) Queen Elizabeth II - By the time Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1953, the monarchy were simply celebrities whose lives sold newspapers. However, Queen Elizabeth's is hardly fodder for tabloids, but rather a life the has been spent in duty to her God, her country and her family. An extraordinary woman who has lived a life of pure and consistent dignity and grace.

Downton Abbey Confession #22

In 1941, Marigold Crawley Gregson will be eighteen.

I hope she joins the war effort in some way to avenge her father who was murdered by the Nazis.

Law & Order

L-R: Detective Mike Logan, Sergeant Max Greevey,
Executive A.D.A Ben Stone and Paul Robinette

     One of the longest running shows in television history, Law & Order premiered in 1990 and has had a successful and continuous run since then. Law & Order has inspired two spin-offs while continuing with the original series and has allowed England to have their own British version. Needless to say, Law & Order could be considered television treasure. The show, in its most basic form, gives an inside look of the day to day work of the law enforcement and the judicial system of the district attorneys who work directly with the police. The most intriguing aspect of the show is watching both the process of the police investigations that eventually lead up to the court cases.

     Many of the shows storylines are taken from real life crimes, investigations and court cases and sometimes the good side wins and sometimes the good sides lose. When it premiered in the 1990, Law & Order dealt with the heady issues that other shows steered away from such as AIDs, abortion, drugs, racial discrimination, homosexuality, rape and molestation. 

Right: The Order - Sergeant Max Greevey and Detective Mike Logan
Left: The Law - A.D.A. Executive Ben Stone and Paul Robinette

     The show always starts off with the investigation of some kind of crime (it's not always murder) in New York City. Through interrogation, solving and no small amount of trial and error Detective Mike Logan and whoever his partner is at the time (there are three different sergeants in the first three seasons) have to acquire instinct, skill and understanding to locate and catch the criminals and eventually hand them over the district attorney's office to prosecuted by the state.

     When in the office, Ben Stone, a hard-ass by the book attorney and his partner, genius, but reserved Paul Robinette determine the criminal's fate and the victim's justice. The life of an attorney is wearing and exhausting and there are times, where even Ben's strong moral code of ethics is challenged. While there is right and wrong within the court system, there is hardly any black and white in many of these cases. 

     I never realized how closely the law enforcement and court systems worked together and most of the time, these cases have all four men (as well as their superiors) working together. Unlike most shows that have side stories involving the personal lives of the lead characters, Law & Order sticks solely to the cases and the off the clock lives of the leads are only pieced together by conversations throughout the seasons.

     A brilliant blend of cop show and court drama, I understand why Law & Order has never left the air, because it deals with the realities of life. The good, the bad and the ugly are all brought to the table to be dealt out with as much justice and equality as can be found. While a great deal of the program does deal with the horrific reality of city life, it also brings to light the incredible and tireless work of law enforcement and the court system that is needed if we want to live as free people. 

One final note...

      Ok....I'll be honest, I originally started watching the show because of Mike Logan. 

     A handsome, but hot headed detective who is following in the footsteps of his father, Mike gives a great amount of lightheartedness to the show with his witty personality. A brave cop and, above all, a good man, Mike was an immediate favorite because his personality was so opposite the the dark drama of the program. And yes, his looks play an integral part to my favoritism, but every crime show needs their obligatory badass heartthrob (like Derek Morgan from Criminal Minds) and Mike Logan brings to the show a certain degree of coming of age in his profession and carrying on the legacy that his own father started.

Bombing in Paris

Paris Attacks Kill More Than 100, Police Say; French Seal Border
By ADAM NOSSITER and RICK GLADSTONE NOV. 13, 2015.PARIS 

The Paris area reeled Friday night from a shooting rampage, explosions and mass hostage-taking that President François Hollandecalled an unprecedented terrorist attack on France. He closed the borders and mobilized the military in a national emergency.

French television and news services quoted the police as saying at least 100 people had been killed at a concert hall alone, and dozens more in apparently coordinated attacks outside the country’s main sports stadium and at least five other popular locations in the city.

Witnesses on French television said the scene at the rock concert was a massacre.

The casualties eclipsed the deaths and mayhem that roiled Paris in the Charlie Hebdo massacre and related assaults around the French capital by Islamic militant extremists less than a year ago.

An explosion near the sports stadium, which French news services said may have been a suicide bombing, came as Germany and France were playing a soccer match, forcing a hasty evacuation of Mr. Hollande. As the scope of the assaults quickly became clear, he convened an emergency cabinet meeting and announced that France was closing its borders.

“As I speak, terrorist attacks of an unprecedented scale are taking place in the Paris region,” he said in a nationally televised address. “There are several dozen dead, lots more wounded, it’s horrific.”

Mr. Hollande said that on his orders the government had “mobilized all the forces we can muster to neutralize the threats and secure all of the areas.”

President Obama in Washington came to the White House Briefing room to express solidarity and offer aid and condolences. “Once again, we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians,” he said. “This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Twitter erupted with celebratory messages by members and sympathizers of the Islamic State, the extremist group based in Syria and Iraq that is under assault by major powers including the United States, France and Russia.

The main shooting appeared to have broken out at a popular music venue, The Bataclan, where the American band Eagles of Death Metal was among those playing, and French news services said as many as 100 hostages may have been taken there. Some accounts said grenades had been lobbed as well.

A witness quoted by BFM television said he heard rounds of automatic rifle fire and someone shouting “Allahu akbar!” at The Bataclan.

Another witness who escaped the concert hall told BFM: “When they started shooting we just saw flashes. People got down on the ground right away.”

The police were ordering bystanders in the that area to get off the streets, French television reported.

French news media reported that Kalashnikov rifles had been involved in the shootings — a favored weapon of militants who have attacked targets in France — and that many rounds had been fired.
Police sirens sounded throughout central Paris on Friday night.

Unlike the attacks against Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in January, terrorism experts said the targets of the Friday attacks had no apparent rationale. Instead, assailants appeared to strike at random in hip neighborhoods on a Friday night when many people would be starting to enjoy the weekend.

“It’s a Friday night and there’s a lot of people out, a lot of tourists out,” said a senior European counterterrorism official. “If you want maximum exposure you do it like this, in the dark when it’s scarier and more difficult for police to act.”

Source: The New York Times

Little Things #4

 1.) I don't drink: Never have, never will and I don't think I'm missing out at all.

 2.) Finding a new tv series: YES!!!

 3.) I'm a 90's kid: And proud of it!

 4.) I love donuts: One of my many sugar weaknesses...

 5.) I love Starbucks: A hot chocolate and chocolate croissant or pecan tart and I'm in heaven : )

 6.) I'm really grateful for my family: While there might be some people that argue that fact, I truly do love my family.

AVMBP - Days Nine & Ten

Day Nine: Favorite book-to-screen adaptions

Day Ten: Free Day

     I just decided to combine these last two days together, because all the musicals I love, I have never read the books before!! And as for a free day, I'll give my 5 favorite musical facts.

1.) Sarah Brightman as Christine Daae

Steve Barton as Raoul and Sarah Brightman as Christine
in the original 1986 production of "The Phantom of The Opera"

      When Andrew Lloyd Webber was writing the musical "The Phantom of The Opera" he used his wife (at the time), Sarah Brightman as the inspiration for Christine Daae. Sarah was eventually given the role and unexpectedly set the standard for every Christine Daae in regards to her hair. In the book, Christine had long blonde hair, but Sarah had her trademark curly brown hair and kept it that way for the role and ever since the premiere 1986 performance, Christine Daae has always had long curly brown hair.

2.) Brothers

L-R: Michael Gruber as Munkustrap, John Partridge as Rum Tum Tugger
and Jacob Brent as Mistoffelees in "CATS" (1998)

      In "CATS" three of the main male characters are all brothers. Munkustrap the storyteller is the oldest, Rum Tum Tugger, the rebel is the middle and Mistoffelees, the magician is the youngest. After finding out this fact, I watched the 1998 movie production and suddenly the relationship dynamics between all three throughout the story made sense!

3.) Bridal Inspiration

     The 1954 musical film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was the inspiration for the 1968 television show Here Come the Brides, starring Bobby Sherman, Robert Brown and David Soul. The show starts shortly after the end of the Civil War and three brothers who are former lumberjacks make their way to male dominated New Bedford, Massachusetts to start a new logging company. To keep the the company running, Jason makes a deal with the the shady sawmill owner to get 100 marriageable women to New Bedford and stay there for a full year. The show only ran for 2 seasons, but from what I've heard, it's hysterical! My sister own both seasons and I'll start watching the show soon.

4.) 15 min. of Fame

     Andrew Lloyd Webber's first hit production, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was originally only 15 min. long. "Joseph" is one of Webbers most beloved shows because of its retelling of a favorite Bible story that remains accurate and respectful while livening it up with well written songs, enjoyable humor and incredible dance numbers. Webber was also genius in the way he used various styles of music in the show, from western to Rock and Roll. 

5.) My Fair Lady...or Queen

     Julie Andrews was the first Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical production of "Cinderella." Prior to putting on the glass slippers, she was playing Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady." Both Rodgers and Hammerstein were impressed with her portrayal of Eliza and were anxious to have her as their first Cinderella. Julie was 22 years old when she played in the televised musical and was a resounding success with all audiences.

AVMBP - Day Eight: Favorite Antagonist or Villain

Day Eight: Favorite Antagonist or Villain 

      I have to be honest and say, that I've been drawing a blank on this one for the last several days!! Most villains in musicals aren't really villains, but more like anti-heroes. So, I really don't have a favorite antagonist! The closest I can get is Javert from Les Miserables and Erik from The Phantom of The Opera. The men are not heroes, but I never saw them as villains, either. 

"The Music of The Night"
performed by Ramin Karimloo

"Stars"
performed by Norm Lewis

My favorite versions of two of my favorite songs!!!

Ramin Karimloo and Norm Lewis are absolute gold in their talents!

Stark Family Appreciation Post

     Originally this was going to be for my Game of Thrones S2-5 overview, but I decided to have the Starks as my October appreciation post topic : ) That being said...I have finally caught up with Game of Thrones (if you follow me on Pinterest and//or Tumblr, then you would already be aware of this fact) and I am so glad I continued on with the series now! There are many characters on the show that I love and admire and most of them just so happen to make up the whole Stark//Snow family.

     The Starks are just a great family who have done nothing to deserve the horrific treatment  they are faced to endure on the show. Every member of the Stark family suffers due to this war (some more than othes) and each member (with the exception of the youngest) play a vital role in the story. The Stark family is what ties in a good amount of the story. They're all spread out all over the country and almost every person on the show has come into contact with one Stark family member at least once. 

~ ~ ~

Eddard "Ned" & Catelyn Stark

Ned and Catelyn ~ Lord and Lady of Winterfell.

     Ned and Cat are introduced in the story as a very much in love couple with five rambunctious children (aging between 20 to 6), a lively manor house and an extraordinary northern realm to rule. Also, they have a foster son, Theon Greyjoy (who was actually kidnapped) and Ned's bastard child, Jon Snow, who is the bane of Catelyn's existence and she does not hide how she feels about her husband's illegitimate son. Jon Snow set aside, Cat and Ned are a very a happy couple who have provided a good life for the people who depend on them and have raised their children in the highest and most moral codes of living (and may have spoiled them a little bit). Not bad for an arranged marriage that neither one wanted in the beginning. So, life for the Starks in Winterfell is an absolute fairy tale. Until the king comes and the fairy tale dies, a very slow and painful death. 

     I loved Ned and Cat!! They were both wonderful parents who loved their children dearly and wanted to give them the best life possible. Like all parents, they're flawed and imperfect and must come to terms with their imperfections. 

~ ~ ~

Robb Stark & Jon Snow

Top: Robb and Talisa
Bottom: Jon Snow and Ygritte

     Two men who followed their hearts that led them to their untimely graves (Spoilers. Not sorry). Robb Stark is the oldest son of Ned and Catelyn, the pride and joy of Winterfell and the crowned King of the North. After his father is murdered and his little sisters held hostage, Robb sets off to avenge his father, bring his sisters back home and hope that he can bring peace as the new ruler of Winterfell, but not necessarily as the king on the Iron Throne. Robb does not desire power or position, he simply wants his family back and he'll do whatever it takes to bring them all home. Even if it means consenting to an arranged marriage for an ally treaty.

      Then in the midst of battles and blood, Robb meets a beautiful young doctor, Lady Talisa Maegyr, who brings a small amount of happiness to his dreary and gray days on the battlefield. Overtime Robb and Talisa fall in love and secretly marry which mares Robbs identity as an honorable man and noble king. As wonderful as Talisa was, Robb knew full well the damage that would be done if he broke his promise and he, his wife and their unborn baby all paid that price of that damage in their own blood. 

     Jon Snow, the unwanted bastard son of Ned Stark, is a dark and complex character who is gifted with incredible courage, intelligence, kindness and humanity. Jon longs to be excepted, but is also honor bound to do what is right, just as his father raised him. Jon becomes a Nights Watchman, an order of men who are bound by honor and duty to guard the 700+ wall the separates the civilized North from the Wildlings, a (supposedly) wild and vicious tribal people that are made up of many groups of peoples. 

      Eventually, Jon finds himself at the the mercy of these people, understanding who they are, how they live and unexpectedly falls in love with one beautiful, red-haired, Wildling, Ygritte. Jon is  actually happy and feels accepted among these people he was raised to fear and trained to kill, but he himself, understands what it's liked to be known only by what you are not who you are. However, Jon (like his father and half-brother) must come to the crossroads of choosing personal happiness or public honor and either way he will suffer for his decision.

~ ~ ~

Sansa & Arya Stark

Top: Sansa Stark and the Lannisters who she hated
Bottom: Arya Stark and Gendry, her friend, protector, and possibly more

      There was a lot of drama that could have been avoided if Sansa Stark didn't have her head in the clouds and her mind set on romantic illusions. Although, that's not Sansa's fault; that's just how she was raised, to become a lady, marry well (preferably to a prince or king) and have children. She is totally 100% a product of her environment. Sansa is introduced as a lovestruck 13 year old who is set on marrying the young crown prince and live a happily ever after; what she got instead was hell on earth with one of the most dysfunctional families in Westeros. 

     Sansa becomes a pawn in the dangerous world of politics, thrones and divided loyalties. The boy she thought would be her prince charming becomes her nightmare who terrorizes her to no end with his cruelty and abuse. Things only go from bad to worse with Sansa as the show progresses, but with each fall she picks herself back up, wipes off the blood and continues walking forward. Happiness of a long lost dream and Sansa slowly begins to lose herself in a never-ending cycle of lies and manipulation, but the unexpected always happens and Sansa still finds herself alive another day.

     And then there's the other sister...Arya. To say the Arya is a free spirit is seriously understating the truth. A full-fledged tomboy who would rather fight battles than sew dresses, Arya gets her chance to fight, but this is the real deal and there is no family for her to run to. She is completely on her own with only her small amount of swordplay training, her quick thinking and her genuinely charming nature to get her through. Sassy, but sensible, Arya is easy to remember and hard to forget, but she is a Stark and she will survive, she will live and she will get justice for the ones that were taken away from her.

      The closest thing Arya could possibly get to a romantic relationship (she's only 11 in S1) is found in her friendship with Gendry Waters a quiet 18-19 year old blacksmith from King's Landing who rescues her from a group of bullies. Afterwards, Arya and Gendry are pretty much inseparable as they are herded and sold off to the men who wish to control Westeros. Gendry becomes Arya's protector and her friend and both have an easygoing relationship that's a breath of fresh air for the show. When Arya and Gendry come to possibility of separating, Arya desperately wants him to stay with her, whether out of friendship or even love, but he is made to leave and once again, Arya is alone. 

~ ~ ~

Bran & Rickon Stark

Top: Bran Stark with his older brothers in happier times
Bottom: Rickon Stark on the run with his brother and guardians

      I've noticed a theme with the Stark family, the younger you are, the worse you're going to suffer. Robb and Jon lived pretty comfortably and didn't have many worries. Sansa was with the the abusive Lannisters, but she had a few allies to help her, Arya is almost entirely on her own and must rely on her wits. Then the two youngest boys, Bran and Rickon are betrayed by Theon Greyjoy and have to run away with only two servants to help them. While one may think that Arya has the worse of it, Bran and Rickon's happy lives ended the moment the king stepped foot in Winterfell. Bran is crippled after he witnesses a horrifying scene involving the Lannisters and afterwards, Rickon lost his mother who spent day and night at Bran's bedside. Then one by one, each family member leaves, not knowing if they will ever see one another again.

      Bran is pretty much the younger version of Robb. He has the same honest and kind nature, with a wisdom beyond his years. He cares deeply for other people and has potential to become a good leader only his story gets stranger as the show progresses and he wasn't even in S5. So we're kind of at a standstill with Bran. Rickon doesn't get much screentime, but what he does have is worthwhile. He's a sweet and sensitive 6 year old that deserves all the hugs a person can give him!!! Rickon left at the end of S4 and like Bran has not been seen since. 

~ ~ ~

      I know this was more characters profiles, but it's the characters and who they are that makes me so appreciative of this very well written family. I found Ned and Cat to be exceptional representations of loving but flawed parents who want their children to have the best lives possible. Robb and Jon are both good men who set out to build and not destroy, they were led by love and not power. Sansa and Arya remind me so much of my two younger sisters! It's so crazy watching the show and thinking, "What Sansa is doing, Molly would totally do!" or Arya will send off one of her pithy remarks and I'll think, "That sounds a lot like Emmy!" All that aside, I love both of the girls and their stories are my favorites on the show. And the youngest boys...I just want to hug and kiss them and give them cookies and tell them that everything is going to be all right!! Of course, this being Game of Thrones, everything is never all right.

      All I can say is that more families like the Starks should be written for both book and screen. While the Starks may not be the Weasleys' (another awesome big family!), the same truths of loyalty, honor and courage ring true in every single member of the family both living and dying.

NOTE: 

I just wanted to mention that I am shipping these two so hard!

 Like FedEx and UPS meet Amazon Prime shipping (and I haven't even read the books yet!).