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Personal Soundtracks

February 14, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Personal Soundtracks

There are certain musical albums that remind me of certain times in my life. I’ve thought of this often, how the music takes me back to the memories and feelings of those moments. Have you noticed that as well? Here are some of the albums that whisk me back in time.

RENT Soundtrack. During my senior year of high school my band class went to see RENT and I fell in love. I bought the soundtrack and listened to it nonstop. My favorite time of the day was always curling my hair before school in the morning, singing along. 
Aida Soundtrack. I discovered this musical right before I left for Senegal and I took it with me. (Thanks to RENT and Adam Pascal, aka Roger and Radames.) I listened to it most nights as I tried to fall asleep, which was hard to do because of how hot it was. Yep, this totally takes me back to a foam mattress surrounded by a mosquito net, a blanket balled up at the foot of my bed because why on earth would I need one, and sweat. 
Wild Hope, Mandy Moore. I listened to this the spring that I learned how to process film and develop photos in the darkroom. I’d press play on my iPod and walk in to do my work, playing around with the settings, watching it develop in the first bath before moving it through the rest. I also think of the melting snow and water running down the sides of the street on my drive to class. I listened to this during my weight training class that spring as well. Surprisingly, I really got into the class! I don’t know why this was my music of choice, but it was, except it during the cardio portion of class. For that I listened to Madonna. 
Mamma Mia! Soundtrack. For about six months my idea of ultimate relaxation was to clean the kitchen. Yeah, I don’t understand it either, but every day I would dance around the kitchen, singing along with Mamma Mia! as I washed dishes, scrubbed the stove and pulled everything off of the counters to clean behind them. If I wanted to switch it up I’d put on Keane, Hopes and Fears. 
The Black Halo, Kamelot. I have a lot of memories associated with this album as it’s one of the most played in my iTunes library, if not the most played. But I listened to it a lot at school when I’d walk across the river. I always walked on the uncovered portion of the bridge, even during winter, because I liked seeing how the river changed with the seasons. I loved it when the weather was nice and the crew team was out. 
Anthem (from Ghost Opera, Kamelot). This was the song I listened to on the cold winter days when I trudged through the snow from my study area to the worst French class in the history of French classes. 
OneRepublic takes me back to a novel that I wrote a few years ago, because I did a lot of daydreaming and plotting at the same that I discovered their albums. I love those characters!
What about you? What songs/albums take you back?
About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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