Throwback: Pop Music from the 90's/2000's I Loved As a Kid!

Do you ever feel like things were much more simple when you were a child? The world wasn’t so harsh, it wasn’t so complicated, you didn’t have to adult like you do now. You could just play outside, or with one of your many toys (if you were still into toys then. I mean, if you were a tween, you stuffed your Beanie Babies, Barbies, and stuffed animals in the closet and tried to act as cool as a teenager as you could around your friends), fight with your sibling over who got to go online (you know, if your mom or dad didn’t have to use the phone), or play some music on your ultra cool state of the art fun colored cd player in your room as you drink a Fruitopia (do you remember Fruitopia? I miss those drinks so much! Especially the green one! Bring it back!) and eat some bagel bites. And you know what kind of music ruled the world in the late 90’s, early 2000’s? No, not punk or rock: POP. Pop ruled the world. Or, at least my world.

So I present to you, some pop music from the 90’s/2000’s that I loved and obviously shaped me into the wonderful, strong, beautiful, and socially awkward woman I am today! So blame them for the mess I am, not me.

And yes, I will be listening to these musician’s/artist’s songs while I write their little blurbs. You know, just to get in the nostalgic mood of my youth. Not because I still like them or anything. They’re guilty pleasures, not my actual taste in music. (You’re seeing right through my lie, aren’t you? Dang it!)

Backstreet Boys

“Backstreet’s back, all right!” Dun dun nun nun nun dun dun dun dun… (You know you were doing that with me in your head!) Ugh, these five boys. The flashy, baggy clothes and the questionable facial hair. They were just the bad boys of the boy bands. They had no qualms with being a little nasty and adult (but kept it roughly PG for obvious radio play). I had their first album self-titled album, and let me tell you, I played it on REPEAT (and it was an enhanced CD. Do you remember those? If you put it in your disc drive on your computer you could play little special features. Mine was just a clip of a music video so it was pretty disappointing). And then when their second album “Millennium” came out (so perfectly titled, because in 1999 we were ALL obsessed with the 2000’s and what the future and Y2K would bring!), WHOA. My friends and I were just amazed. That album brought us the beauty that is “I Want it That Way” (“you are….my fiiiiirrreeee….”), “Larger than Life,” “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” (SO heartbreaking and moving). To me, they peaked there, but I think it’s nice that they’ve reunited (“Oh my god, we’re back again!” Sorry. I had to) and are having a good time making music together. It makes my little millennial heart happy. Oh, and like all boy band fans, my friend and all had our favorites. Mine was Nick. That blonde hair, parted right down the middle. Mmm. 90’s perfection.

N’Sync

N’Sync. They were pretty much Backstreet Boys’ little brother. Slammin’ and iconic songs though, and actually my favorite of all the boy bands. In fact, they were the first concert I ever went to. It was a magical night in the nosebleeds, where I could barely see them through my mom’s friend’s binoculars. So magical. My very favorite album of theirs was the “No Strings Attached” album, which I must have played a billion times (though their first album was still really good. “Tearing Up My Heart” is still so catchy and “I Want You Back” still gets me singing along to it!). “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Just Got Paid” (which I still think of everytime I get paid), and “Digital Getdown” (remember how dirty we thought that song was?? I mean, it was, but looking back now, I’m just thinking about how unsexy dial up internet really was). But let’s try to forget that oddness and awkwardness that was their third album “Pop.” My friend even got me one of the marionette dolls of Justin Timberlake (I wanted Lance, but my friend couldn’t find a Lance one. So sad. My favorite and ultimate crush was Lance for so, so long. I know, I know. But we didn’t know back then, now did we???), that they sold around the time “No String Attached” was released. I should have treasured it and kept it in the box, but I was too tempted to play with it and check if it was actually wearing underwear (it was. Black boxers). I wish N'Sync would be like the Backstreet Boys and reunite, but that Timberlake fellow seems adamant not to. C’mon, Justin, do it for the fans! (And for the rest of the band, I don’t think they’re quite as busy as you at the moment.)

B*Witched

Oh, B*Witched. These ladies were my GIRLS! I loved them so, so much! From the first moment I heard “C’est La Vie” I was hooked. “Rollercoaster” was also amazing, and “Blame It On the Weatherman” was so sad and beautiful to my 9 year old self. I also loved that they were Irish, with their cool accent, that they wore all jean outfits (SO cool!), and each had their own emblems (cat, shamrock, a B, and a star, I think?). I had the official B*Witched book, written by the girls (I think I may still have it somewhere!), and was one of the first to buy their second album “Awake and Breathe” (not as good as the first, but still had some good songs on there. “Jessie Hold On” is a fun Irish-Western diddy) at the store the day it was released. I was so happy a few years ago when I learned that they had had a reunion, released a CD, and went on tour! I didn’t know it at the time, of course, but I loved listening to their new music and watching all the stuff they had Youtube, like the British TV reunion documentary they put out (so much drama! Me-OW!). B*Witched will always have a special place in my heart and I still listen to their music when I’m feeling nostalgic and happy.

Aaron Carter

I guess I had a thing for blue-eyed, blonde, singing brothers, okay?? If you thought I loved Nick Carter and Lance Bass, then you had NO idea how I felt for Aaron Carter. I was literally in love with him. I had his albums, posters, everything. I was convinced I was going to marry him (sad, but true). When I listened to his songs, I pictured me as his love interest and believed it. Sigh. I remember watching that Lizzie Maguire episode where he kissed Hilary Duff and feeling that knife of betrayal in my heart. That first heartbreak...I’ll remember it always. (Do you guys remember that Aaron Carter/Hilary Duff/Lindsay Lohan love triangle that happened? So stupid but so riveting at the time!) His music wasn’t the greatest (he pretty much sounded like he was talk singing- I do NOT want to call it rapping- on his first albums) but you have to admit, his version of “I Want Candy,” “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It),” “That’s How I Beat Shaq,” and honestly, so many more were really fun to listen to then. Now...now, not so much. But it was fun when it was happening! And that’s all that really matters, right? (I’m cringing really hard right now thinking about the fact that I liked his music. It must have been pubescent hormones or something)

Spice Girls

B*Witched may have been my favorite girl group ever, but the Spice Girls were my first experience with girl groups and they. Were. EVERYTHING. Everyone loved the Spice Girls and they dominated the world. Not only was their music incredible, from crazy fun bops about female empowerment but their outfits were iconic (who else could bring platform shoes back? No one but the Girls!) and their personalities were just SO fun and spunky. And nothing was cooler than having a British accent in my youth. So fancy. So exotic! And of course you had to have a favorite Spice Girl. Were you a Baby? Ginger? Sporty? Scary? Posh? I never had one I truly identified with (I loved them all) but I was always Posh or Sporty, probably because I was a brunette and my friends always picked their favorites before me. But it’s amazing how one simple song (remember how we used to giggle at “2 Become 1”? Heehee, it was about DOING IT. Teehee) can take you back. I was in the pharmacy the other day and “Spice Up Your Life” came on and I literally remembered every single world and wanted to start “slam it to the left” cause I was having a good time remembering how much fun it was to feel so young and free and just filled with joy and hope and girl power. And then I picked up my birth control and got back to adulthood. Sigh.

And the Spice Girls movie, Spice World? Don’t even get me started. I think it’s a masterpiece of satire and surrealism, so don’t come after it saying it’s a bad movie. I will come for you.

Destiny's Child

Are you even a real Destiny’s Child fan if you don’t even remember that they originally had FOUR members in the group? Ugh, you call yourself a fan! (I’m kidding!) But the trio of Beyonce, Michelle, and Kelly were so cool, in their matching-but-not-matching outfits, their super cool dance moves, and such catchy songs like the female empowering “Survivor” (with the awesome music video set on a jungle island where they literally had to SURVIVE), “Say My Name” (such a bop!), and of course, they gave the world the song and the phrase “Bootylicious.” Looking back, it’s weird that we didn’t see Beyonce for the star she was going to be, because obviously she got the most lines in the songs and all the runs and it seemed like Michelle and Kelly were just providing backing vocals, but hey, what did we know then? But honestly, when Beyonce played the Super Bowl and Kelly and Michelle came popping out of the stage during “Bootylicious,” I popped out of my seat and rejoiced at the reunion. The girl were back! If only for part of one song. But it was enough to appease my childhood self.

Mandy Moore

"Candy"

Okay, I’m not slamming Mandy Moore, but honestly, she kind of only has one good song, in my opinion, and that’s Candy. My friend had Mandy’s first CD and we would replay Candy over and over and over again. Remember me talking about those enhanced CDs? Well, Mandy’s first one was enhanced too and included the music video to Candy which is ICONIC and something my friend and I watched over and over again, like the song. But seriously, starting out the video in that lime green Volkswagen bug (sooo trendy and cool at the time!), those tank tops with the thin straps, the hair up in spiky sections, wearing her portable CD player like a crossbody bag??? Mandy was the epitome of 2000’s chic. And that song! So addicting, in a sickeningly sweet way that just makes you want to sing along in your room with your friends at a sleepover, hairbrushes in hand like microphones. If that song doesn’t take you back, I don’t know what will.

Aqua

"Barbie Girl"

Guys, this song. This song when it hit the airwaves and my school, was THE song. We didn’t know why this random band we had never heard of decided to write a song about being a Barbie Girl but it was catchy and we LOVED it. It was also slightly naughty with lyrics like “you can brush my hair, undress me everywhere,” which is exactly what we did with Barbies, but to an actual Barbie girl?? Scandalous! And the music video was so odd and the bald guy playing Ken was so creepy yet we watched it on repeat. Recesses were filled with the voices of girls singing “life in plastic, it’s fantastic!” on the playground equipment. Random one hit wonders like this always seem to make a certain time feel so special, as if it just stops a moment in time to make you really remember it. And thanks to this song, I distinctly remember bonding with my girl classmates over this inane, strange, and odd song by a band I never heard from again. Now come on, Barbie, let’s go party! (Ah ah ah yeah!)

Britney Spears 

And at last we have the princess of pop. Britney Spears was just so cool. Was her voice the greatest? Not at all. But were her songs, her dance moves, and her outfits on point in every possible way? Hell yes. From “...Baby One More Time” to “Lucky” to “Toxic” (and one of my personal favorites “Born to Make You Happy”) and so many more, Britney was everywhere, grabbing attention good and bad (remember when our parents thought she was so provocative and racy? Times were so much more innocent then when you look at today’s music. Like a school girl outfit could ever compete with whatever pop or rap diva is wearing nowadays. No one even bats an eye now!), and making waves while she did it. Every girl wanted to be her and every guy wanted to...umm...well, you know. (And remember when she and Justin Timberlake dated?? They were such a power couple! Dressing in matching all denim?? Talk about couple goals, guys. Celebs try these days with their significant others, but they truly can’t compare to the originals) But through all of her struggles and her not so great choice in men (coughkevinfederlinecough), she came out stronger (“than yesterday! Now it’s nothing but my way! My loneliness ain’t killing me no more… I, I’m stroooonger!” Sorry, I had to. It’s such a good song!) than ever. Even if you weren’t her biggest fan (I love her, but I’m not super into her), her music probably shaped your childhood and tweenage years without you even knowing it. And we will always love her for it. Keep on keeping on, Britney you queen!

And those were some of the groups and singers in the 90’s/2000’s that I loved as kid! Or tween. Whatever you want to call me at an awkward elementary/middle school age. Because trust me, I was awkward. I had such a fun time strolling down memory lane while listening to these songs, so I’m sorry if I rambled but the memories kept tumbling out! Who was your favorite pop group or singer you listened to as a kid? Do you still listen to their music or does it make you cringe now? (Like Aaron Carter now does for me. Eek) Let me know!

Stay Weird!

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International U.K. Snacks Taste Test!

Oh goodness. The time has come. I’ve been waiting for this moment for, well, since the last time I did a taste test, which happens to be about almost 3 years ago! After I went to England in 2016, I brought back a bunch of British candy to try, and oh my was it a fun experience! (You can read about my previous British candy taste test here!) I love the UK, I love candy and chocolate, what could be better than this?? I’ve been wanting to do another taste test for a while, and I think now is the perfect time. With the generous donation from Paul on my Ko-fi (thank you, Paul! You’re the best!) and finding the incredible U.K. snack box from SnackCrate (not sponsored, but if they if they want to sponsor me… send me an e-mail, SnackCrate!), I now have a whole bunch of British snacks (well, they’re mostly candy) to try! While the SnackCrate U.K. box sent me lots of things I haven’t tasted yet, it did send me a few candy bars I have tried before (see above link if you want to read what I thought of them), so I’m excluding the Lion bar, Crunchie bar, Flake bar, Maltesers (soooo delicous! And they sell them in the US now!!), and Double Decker bar since I know what they taste like (but that’s not going to stop me from eating them despite not reviewing them).

And I know, it’s U.K. foods again, but c’mon, guys. You should know by now that I’m a die hard Anglophile so it’s totally obvious I’m going to review my favorite country/kingdom’s food. So don’t think this is the last time I’m doing a British food taste test! But if you have any ideas for other countries’ snacks, candies, or foods I should try, let me know in the comments!

Now, let’s try some British snacks!!!

*Fun Fact! You know what’s not a good idea to order in the middle of summer with triple digit heat? A snack box filled with mostly chocolate items! I completely forgot about that until my SnackCrate box arrived. Thank god for the fridge, but sadly most of the candy bars are no longer in their natural shape. Oh well. I’ll try to remember that for next time!*

Toffee Crisp

What Is It/What’s In It? A candy bar with toffee, crisped rice, and milk chocolate.
How Does It Taste? Suuuper toffee-ish! It almost tasted like it had some wafers in it, but that might have just been the crisped rice and the fact that it was such a thick candy bar. But it was incredibly sweet, and as much as I like chocolate, it was much too sweet and toffee tasting for me (I’m not really a toffee person, to be honest).
Would I Eat It Again? Most likely not. Sorry toffee fans! (More for you!)

Wham Original

What Is It/What’s In It? Raspberry flavor (or flavour, if you’re a Brit) chew bar with sour crystals
How Does It Taste? Hmm. It seems to be a raspberry flavored taffy, with some “sour crystals” thrown in occasionally. Not the best tasting taffy I’ve ever had, it’s even kind of weak in flavor and seems to have a rather chemically taste along with its raspberry taste and the crystals don’t really add much. I think I’ll stick with my Laffy Taffy for now.
Would I Eat It Again? Not likely. But I love the idea!

Millions

What Is It/What’s In It? Vitmo flavoured chewy sweet made with the secret Vimto flavor (or flavour). What is a secret Vitmo flavor???
How Does It Taste? It’s a bunch of teeny-tiny purple balls, and when you first chew them you’d swear that its gum- but it’s NOT. It’s actually very chewy candy, but despite having grape, black currant, and raspberry flavors in it (I checked the ingredients list), it still kind of tastes like bubble gum, with a slightly stronger grape flavor. So weird, but I kind of liked it, not going to lie!
Would I Eat It Again? I’m not the biggest fan of chewy candies (when I want something sweet, I usually go for something chocolate), but I was pleasantly surprised by Millions. I just wished it had more of a grape, black currant, and raspberry flavor and less of a bubble gum one.

Curly Wurly

What Is It/What’s In It? Milk chocolate (bar? It’s kind of flat, thin, and ruler shaped) with caramel center (or centre, as it says on the wrapper). But upon opening it, despite it melting slightly in the box, the candy bar is in a swirly pattern! Pretty neat!
How Does It Taste? This literally tastes like a less chewy, stick to your teeth version of Milk Duds! Which I have to say is a plus, since I hate having to unstick Milk Duds from between my teeth (some people like that, but I already fear the dentist, so I don’t need another reason for them to criticize my teeth). But honestly, I thought this was delicious, and I’m not even the biggest fan of just chocolate and caramel. I’m definitely going to have to share this one with my mom, since she’s the biggest caramel fan in the world.
Would I Eat It Again? Probably! Plus, I love the swirly design of the candy bar. So unique and fun! And it explains the name Curly Wurly (took me a while, but I got there!).

Boost

What Is It/What’s In It? Milk chocolate bar with caramel and biscuit energy (What does that mean??? “Biscuit energy??”)
How Does It Taste? Like deliciousness wrapped in yumminess. It tastes like a British version of a Twix bar, which I LOVE. Chocolate, caramel, and cookies/biscuits? Just a perfect combination. Though I’m not sure what this “biscuit energy” is…? Does this biscuit have protein powder in it or something? Or are they just trying to sell it off as a candy/energy bar? Either way, next time I’m in the UK I’m going to buy them because it’s one of the best things I’ve tasted out of the box so far!
Would I Eat It Again? See above last sentence = yes, yes, a hundred times yes!

Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations with Jelly Popping Candy

What Is It/What’s In It? A milk chocolate bar with jelly popping candy in it. Guys, I’m scared.
How Does It Taste? At first, it tasted like regular Cadbury chocolate, but then I bit into a jelly popping candy and all of a sudden I couldn't taste the chocolate anymore, just some chewy, jelly like candy that I just kept chewing and chewing and chewing… I didn’t get any of the popping sensation, but I really don’t want to take another bite, haha. I’m not a fan of things like fruit flavored candy and chocolate together and this was like eating a chocolate bar with gummy bears in it. I can see how a little kid would love this though!
Would I Eat It Again? Definitely not!!

Walkers Cheese and Onion Chips

What Is It/What’s In It? Potato chips (aka crisps) flavored with cheese and onion (duh)
How Does It Taste? Very similar to Lay’s sour cream and onion chips (my personal favorite. Well, that tied with cheddar sour cream and onion Ruffles. So yummy!), but with almost more of a stronger bite. Like, it tastes heartier than sour cream and onion chips. It’s as if sour cream and onion chips are something you serve at a kid’s birthday party, but when adults are partying, they’re putting out cheese and onion chips. I’m truly digging it.
Would I Eat It Again? For sure! I love them and the States need these ASAP.

Tango Orange Original

What Is It/What’s In It? I think it’s basically just an orange soda, with bubbles and everything. Pretty simple.
How Does It Taste? You guys, this drink was good. Like, really, really good. I was expecting something super heavy and artificial tasting like Orange Crush, but this Tango drink was more like Orangina, but without the pulp (or bits, as I think the British call them). Very light, with a nice natural orange flavor. It was so refreshing, especially on a hot summer day, and I’m actually feeling very sad right now as I sip these last few sips.
Would I Eat- Or Rather, Drink- It Again? Yes! I wish I had a six pack of these because I’d totally have this again!


So that was me trying U.K. snacks from SnackCrate! What did you think of the selection they sent me? I wish they had sent me more snacks, as in less chocolate and candy and more savory and different things, but all of the items were still fun to try! If I were to try snacks/candy from another foreign place, which country’s foods should I try next??

Stay Weird!

Thank you again to Paul for his generous donation on Ko-fi that supported this blog post!

My First Year With My Cat, D.W.!

It has been exactly almost a year to the day since I adopted my cat, D.W.! I can’t believe it- time has gone by so fast! She’s been such a source of joy, love, and frankly, some annoyance (let’s be honest here), but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

A few months before I adopted D.W. last year, my cat of 14 years, Harriet, had passed away. Even though my family adopted her as a family pet, Harriet chose me and she was my cat and I was her person, so losing her was just devastating. I honestly didn’t think I would get a cat for a long, long time after her death. So it was incredibly surprising that D.W. came into my life not long after and I have to admit, having a new kitty to care for really helped me process and get through Harriet’s passing.

I initially saw a kitten on Facebook from a person I knew who took in rescue cats and kittens and thought instantly, “That’s my cat!” The kitten was the sweetest looking thing, white with grey and black spots. I just had to meet her. So I arranged to see her over at this lady’s house, where she has a whole KITTEN ROOM. I repeat: SHE HAS A KITTEN ROOM. She opened the door and a flood of kittens rushed out and stampeded down the hall. Trust me, it was the cutest sight you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s what I imagine my version of heaven to look like. Just a bunch of kittens racing towards me. Sigh.

But when I got there, the adorable kitten I wanted to see, was so shy that she avoided me! I got to hold her at one point (she was so tiny!), but other than that, I didn’t see her at all. I figured she might come around eventually, so I decided to check out the other, less shy kittens in the meantime. There was this one kitten who was all white, a lot like Harriet as a kitten, who was being silly and rolling around the floor. I thought it was cute so I snapped a few pictures along with some of the other kittens too.

I tried to play with a few of the other kittens, when I heard a cute little “mew.” I was sitting on the couch and turned to my left where I saw that little white kitten jump on the couch and walk over towards me. She (they confirmed she was a girl) was so curious and sweet, trying to sniff me and kept kitten-mewing at me for attention. She was purring like crazy and did this numerous times and I just couldn’t help it: I completely forgot about the other shy kitten that I initially wanted and I fell in love with this rambunctious white kitten. It was like she chose me and knew that this was meant to be. And it was.

In July, I got to take her home (she was so tiny! You forget how tiny kittens are when you first get them!) and she’s been such a fun and loving part of my family ever since. She’s certainly livened up the house and is so entertaining to watch and play with. I’m so lucky to have her and can’t imagine having any other cat but her. So in honor of this big one year anniversary, I wanted to list some fun facts, trivia, and mini stories about this silly kitten, now cat. Here we go!

• Before she came home, I tried to think of a cute name for her. Names are a big deal for a new pet! Do I go with a Harry Potter name? Luna, for Luna Lovegood? Something more Harry Potter-obscure for the purists like me, like Winky? (That poor house elf that cruelly got left out of the movies. And pretty much just had a cruel life, in general. The injustice of it all!) But then it hit me: my favorite TV show from when I was a kid: Arthur! Not the name Arthur, but the name of his little sister, D.W.! (Which stands for Dora Winifred, by the way) D.W. is just a precocious, sassy, and annoying character of a little girl, that I thought the name was perfect. And boy, was it perfect! Because my D.W. is just as sassy, precocious, and annoying as her namesake!

PBS

• D.W. came home with a crusty nose, an eye infection, and ear mites! Yuck! Do you know how gross ear mites are?? My vet let me look at them under the microscope. I wanted to say “how dare you for living in my kitten’s ears!” I also learned she hates medicine of any kind and going to the vet and will do anything it takes to avoid the thermometer up the butt. I have to say, I don’t blame her...

• She absolutely loves to nurse and knead on her soft blanket but when she was a kitten she tried to nurse on my neck! She ended up giving me a hickey that way! I literally had a hickey on my neck given to me by a tiny baby feline. So weird. And awkward to explain: “No, no, my cat gave me this. Yes, I know that sounds wrong…”

• She loves loves loves her big sister Violet (aka my mom’s cat). D.W. wants to play or cuddle with her all the time. Violet can only stand a little bit of it before she nopes outta there. But it is super cute to see them cuddling together!

• D.W. loves to meet new people and show off. She instantly wants to be friends with everyone and will make a big deal of playing and trying to scratch the furniture or join everyone at the table if we’re eating there.

• Loves to be a typical cat. Knocking things off of my shelves or dresser is her favorite thing. Especially in the middle of the night when I’m trying to sleep. (Good thing she’s cute…)

• Loves to eat but doesn’t like kitty treats (oddly enough). If you leave a glass of anything liquid out, she’ll stick her face in and try to either taste it or drink it. Other things she has tried to drink: Dr. Pepper, V8 juice, and juice with Miralax in it (don’t ask).

• Wants to see the great outdoors aka escape outside. Whether it’s the front yard, backyard, or even the garage, she’s escaped and I’ve spent many minutes frantically scrambling after her, heart racing. Maybe it’s time for a harness and a leash?

• Will jump up on the bed in the morning and cuddle with me, right when I know I need to get up. I think she knows I can’t resist a few kitty cuddles, even if that means I’m going to be late. Adorable, but annoying.

• She will let me rub her tummy. Which is a big deal, because I love all cat bellies and always feel the urge to bury my face in their floofy tummies. Which is usually a death sentence, but not with D.W.

• Is basically just an overgrown kitten. She still loves to play, cuddle, and nap, and just has the sweetest disposition. Sometimes. Usually.

All that being said, I feel like the luckiest human in the world for getting to have this great, sweet, slightly overweight (I call her a hefty honey), stubborn, quirky, loyal, and adorable kitten now cat in my life. She’s brought me so much happiness and love. I can’t wait to see what the next year is like and what adventures we’ll have next!

Thank you for reading this probably overly long post about my cat! I love her to bits, so I just can’t help it! Do you have any pets? What was your first year with them like? Any fun stories? Let me know in the comments!

Stay Weird!