Hello, friends! This will definitely be one of my less popular blog features. However, it’s one that I’ve been itching to do for a long time. So stats be damned, to be honest.
What exactly am I rambling about? A few weeks ago, I talked about a bi-monthly wrap-up feature that’s dedicated to media content that I’ve consumed and enjoyed. On Twitter, I asked people to vote for a cute name. The most popular choices were Cup of Content and Bits & Bytes. Ultimately, the former won out!
✨ Cup of Content ✨ is a new, shiny blog feature that was inspired by two things: (1) my love for sharing stuff and making information accessible; and, (2) my habit of keeping track of whatever tickles my fancy.
In other words, I’m mainly writing this feature for myself — which admittedly isn’t how I usually operate. As much as possible, I try to find the right balance between what’s personally meaningful to me and what’s valuable to the readers of my blog. But in this case, while I do hope that you find something that resonates with you in these blog posts, I’m chiefly writing for my own catharsis. If that makes sense. (Plus, I think that this is a good way to get to know me!)
Oof, this is a terrible introduction to a new feature that I’m excited about. But whatever. Without further ado, here is the first-ever volume of Cup of Content. This particular volume is dedicated to thought-provoking videos, online articles, blog posts, as well as my latest obsessions for the past few weeks.
Cup of Content
Cup of Content is a bi-monthly feature where I share compilations of content that I recently consumed, that left a lasting impression on me, or that I personally find valuable. It also highlights my latest interests and obsessions outside of books. In other words, Cup of Content consists of bits and bytes that tickle my fancy.
My Latest Obsessions
Ever since BTS dropped Dynamite, I’ve been scouring the Internet for more of their performances. Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t the first time that their music piqued my curiosity and interest. In fact, I started paying attention to BTS after their carpool karaoke episode with James Corden. However, Dynamite had me binge-watching 5 hours’ worth of their videos. So in that regard, their latest song is definitely a game-changer for me.
Currently, I have a soft spot for Jungkook and Taehyung. Nonetheless, I have no intention of officially joining the fandom. It’s nothing personal. I’m just not fond of fandom culture in general. I’m more comfortable with being a casual listener.
Unfortunately, I’ve also fallen into the rabbit hole of mindless “reality” television. I’ve been in a weird mental space throughout this month, and it’s really affected my daily routine, work ethic, and productivity plans. Additionally, none of my usual forms of escapism were working.
Out of desperation, I’ve been spending more quality time with my two younger sisters, and it seems that their current poison of choice is reality TV. Specifically, reality TV that revolves around the world’s most notorious celebrity family and a seemingly random group of wealthy, pregnant Australian moms.
Yeah. I don’t know what to say either if I’m being completely honest. But in case you’re wondering, we’ve finished 4 seasons of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and 2 seasons of Yummy Mummies. I’m really not proud of it.
Bits of Media
Netflix has really been my closest companion for the past few weeks. Admittedly, it is also the cause of my obliterated sleep schedule. But hey, at least I finally revisited New Girl and watched its series finale.
- Umbrella Academy (watched seasons 1 to 2)
- New Girl (watched seasons 1 to 7)
- Lucifer (watched seasons 1 to 4)
- Friends (rewatched seasons 1 to 2)
- Love, Guaranteed (film)
- 365 DNI (film)
Bytes of Content
? Booktube & Videos
- Discussion: Do you read critically or read for enjoyment?
- Discussion: Consumerism on booktube
- Planning: Kpop journal with me
- Planning: Digital reading journal
- Planning: Organizing as a reader and student
? Blogs & Articles
- Article: #AReaderEveryDay Cotabato: “There are no bookshops here”
- Article: Why I Hate Subtle Asian Traits
- Article: Advice for Engaging in Influencer Marketing on Instagram and Tiktok
- Discussion: How is the booktok community changing reading?
- Discussion: On annotating books and financial stability
- Discussion: The #ownvoices label has lost its way
- Discussion: Reading romance while demisexual
- Discussion: Struggles of a brand new book blogger
- Resource: How to format a book review with WordPress Block Editor
- Resource: How to make your blog and social media more accessible
? Miscellaneous
- Freebies: Downloadable phone wallpapers from my favorite local artist
- Twitter thread: 10 Filipino heroines you should know about
I’d love to hear from you!
? What are your thoughts on this new blog feature? I’m still playing around with the formatting, but y’all can expect Cup of Content to be a wee bit more chaotic in its succeeding volumes.
? What media have you been consuming lately? What’s a film or series that you recently watched and would recommend?
? What’s your opinion on reality television? Is it your guilty pleasure, too?
I have been binging on Lucifer this month. Such a fun show.
I’ll definitely be joining every month!! This was super interesting to read about – I’m gonna check out the content you just shared now 😀 I’m not big on reality TV, but all of my friends are currently watching the Portuguese new season of Big Brother so I end up knowing everything that’s happening hahaha
I love this new feature, as I’m always a fan of seeing the obsessions and loves of other bloggers ? I also just watched Lucifer and The Umbrella Academy with a friend and we both loved them so much (and of course I’m now also lowkey obsessed with them)! What did you think about them? Any favorite characters? ?
This is fun! I think it’s a nice way to share other things that have piqued your interest. And it makes sense that anyone who appreciates your writing and taste in books, might also find some pieces of joy or points of interest, here.
My sister-in-law and I used to sit and watch a couple hours of truly awful reality tv, and just sit there and colour, at least once a week. I really miss doing this. It was such a nice way to relax and be a little silly, and to be able to feel comfortable doing it.
Feel good series: Good Witch. It’s just so wholesome and good and a break from chaotic drama series.
I’m not familiar with this series. I’ll look into it! Thank you for the recommendation! ?
I adore this concept. I feel like these sort of posts are the best get to know the blogger posts. I must admit, I did go through a Kardashian watching phase, but have since stopped simply because I wasn’t interested in the very fabricated “reality.” I’m not the biggest fan of reality TV shows in general. I am a big fan of the Umbrella Academy though. I have a soft spot for those dysfunctional supherhero family dynamics haha. Who’s your favourite Umbrella Academy sibling? I recently finished a German show, Dark, and it’s one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while so that’s definitely one to watch.
I’ve only listened to a couple of BTS songs and they’re catchy, but I wouldn’t call myself a massive fan. Casual listener suits me just fine haha.
Ahh, I’m glad to know that you like the new feature. ? I’m still trying to figure out the type of ‘personal’ content that I feel comfortable sharing online, especially given that my blog’s been steadily growing and it can cause anxiety sometimes. Like, I do want everyone to get to know me beyond who I am as a blogger – but at the same time, personal boundaries need to be set.
For me, reality TV is less about the entertainment value and more about the opportunity to turn off my brain. As a (now-graduated) media student, I instinctively consume any media text with a critical lens – and that can be very mentally draining. There’s not really a deeper layer to reality TV, so it’s kind of like a brainwashing/recharging session. But I do agree that the reality presented in these shows is very much fabricated.
Umbrella Academy is great!!! I’m very fascinated by their dysfunctional family dynamics, too. I think my favorites are Klaus and Ben. How about you? Also, thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look into Dark.
Honestly, I’m more interested in their performances than in their music. I just enjoy seeing all the elements – from music to set design – come together. Which is why I’m fond of Broadway as well. So yeah, I think I’m an avid performance watcher but a casual music listener.
I always love this type of contents, it somehow felt personal and made us know the blogger more 🙂 I enjoyed BTS music but I admit, Dynamite is so catchy and is probably my favorite, it’s my go-to morning song!
Same here! I like content that’s more personal and that’s unapologetically about the blogger *outside* of their niche.
AND YES!!! Dynamite is really catchy, and I adore how feel-good it is. I’ve been listening to it at least twice a day.
Wow. I’ve never heard of Yummy Mummies, and I live in Australia…
What did you think of The Umbrella Academy?? I am low-key obsessed with it.
The first season of Yummy Mummies is really wild, especially the first few episodes. The second season isn’t as great. So if you feel like giving it a shot, I recommend watching until the fourth episode.
I think Umbrella Academy is great! There’s a lot of layers to it, which I enjoy. The cliffhanger in the finale almost ended me!!!
I love hearing these updates! It’s always fun to reflect back on what you’ve been doing, and it’s cool to see what other people have been loving lately! As for me, I’ve gotten really into instrumental versions of BTS songs?which is great for when I have to focus on school reading! Other than that, I’m rewatching the K-drama Romance is a Bonus Book (one of my favorites), but I’m a bit sporadic in watching the episodes and I have a habit of dropping shows oops. Keeping up with I-Land has gone a little better since the episodes are released every week! I-Land is a K-pop survival show created by Big Hit and CJ ENM, and, honestly, I hate it but I love it haha. These past few months have really shown me I love music-related competition shows?.
Hold on, I’m so overwhelmed by all these terms. ??? I haven’t listened to the instrumental versions of their songs – but I will now that you mentioned them! I’m also planning to eventually explore k-dramas, so I appreciate the recommendation. ?
i started a re-watch of agents of shield and i can honestly say it’s better than most of the marvel movies. the characters get really fleshed out and while there are aspects that could be improved, i love the fact that the mcs’ are very complex. i like it because while there are characters i dislike/loathe, there are 4 characters who are always amazing.
as for reality tv, i used to love watching those house hunter shows at my grandma’s house.
Oh my god. I used to be SO OBSESSED with Agents of SHIELD! But my engineering subjects took too much of my time and I haven’t had the chance to catch up on the latest seasons. I *do* have plans of eventually rewatching the series and reigniting my love for all the characters. ?