Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T
Hello and howdy! Welcome to the second Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T of 2025!
I know this update has been post-poned, but the past couple of weeks have been a little crazy. I had my professional regional theatre debut in Waitress at Florida Studio Theatre, started working on some new projects, and have been getting back in touch with myself. Balance and cosistency are always in limbo, yet it’s important for us to remain in touch with all areas of our well-being. I believe it is important to note that now, more than ever as we transition into a new time for the States.
But, let's get into this edition of Mattie’s Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T!
R - Reading
As from last week’s report, I have started to read Iron Flame, the sequel to Fourth Wing. Honestly, there’s not much to say on this book yet. However, I’m sure I’ll have more to say on it with the third installment releasing this week!
On the other hand, I’ve been using my reading time to catch up on all the news coming from L.A and the wildfires rampaging through the area. With friends up and down the coast, I’ve kept an eager eye on reports and where I can help from where I currently reside in Florida. I know reading about the losses experienced, even from our distant places of comfort, brings feelings of hopelessness. But if you don’t read anything from the news or reports coming out of L.A, I do hope you at least watch this segment from ABCNews with a first person report from Alisa Wolfson. It is less than a 5 minute watch and provides a clear perspective about the losses experienced by the community and individuals. Check out the links at the bottom of the update to see where you can help and stay informed on the L.A fires.
E - Eating
When I visited my dad’s place as a kid, we had a pretty set rotation on what we were going to eat for dinner. Chick-fil-a, Battered Cod, and Chili [with a tortilla] were signature meals that I could regularly expect. Why these? Well, because they were easy meals that could be made relatively quickly. But there is one easy dinner that my dad made regularly that is equal parts nostalgic and delicious when I need an easy meal…
Dad’s Refried Bean Burritos! Far from authentic, yet extremely quick, simple, and in my own twist, nutritious!
As a kid, the burritos were made with a warm (microwaved) tortilla, a layer of refried beans, cheese, sour cream, and if we had it, some TacoBell Creamy Chipotle Sauce. That’s it! And that’s all I wanted as a kid.
Now as an adult, I jazz them up… slightly… very slightly. Because the entire point of this dinner was to be quick and easy. So now, I add in extra lean ground beef or fajita chicken for additional protein, a warm corn tortilla, queso blanco, lettuce, and diced peppers. It takes a food dad made me as a kid to a meal fit for a girl on the run!
P - Playing
My Spotify stats have recently been all over the place! Obviously, music is the best reflection of my mood. It allows me to externalize my emotions in a safe space, even if it isn’t the most comforting songs. Here’s what I’ve been listening to recently. You can interpret it however you like.
Jackson [Cover] with Trixie Mattel + Orville Peck
O - Obsessing
Keeping up with the nostalgic theme of this post, I’ve been using the past couple of weeks to rewatch some of my favorite movies. In fact, it’s a franchise. And unsurprinsingly, it would be the MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe], specifically the Captain America trilogy.
Sure, we could debate if I could truly say the MCU could be considered worthy of being nostalgic, but I was ten years old when I watched my first marvel film with my dad. Marvel, both the movies and the comics, was one of my first big obsessions with film and media. The only competitors to Marvel would have been One Direction and the Harry Potter series. The MCU quickly grew to be my comfort movies as a teenager and throughout the pandemic. So it was only natural that when I’ve been feeling down recently, I would go back to one of my favorite movies of all time – Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Over the years, I’ve heard plenty of film buffs critique the MCU and not every project has been a hit. But I will always keep these movies close to me because they are comforting and remind me over simpler times.
R - Recommending
I’ve never been a big fan of foundation. I own one, probably expired, foundation that is solely used for stage makeup. I much prefer a skin tint with SPF or nothing at all. Concealer is more my speed. Concealer is my main girl. Even when I have no one, I have concealer. Yet, concealers have not always loved me.
The most difficult part of going to purchase makeup for anyone is the process of shade matching. I don’t want to mix products together, I don’t want to re-warm my face with extra products, I want a product that is my skin but better. As a girl with olive undertones, everything is always too yellow or too pink. Yet I discovered my holy grail, the love of my life, the product I will purchase forever and ever amen – the Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer.
I am in no way say that you need to purchase this ASAP, since I am encouraging every to participate in Project Pan. But if you run out of a concealer or find yourself in the market any time soon, then this concealer is my favorite face product. It applies easily with any makeup tool and blends seamlessly into the skin. It also doesn’t leave my under eye feeling dry and has a skincare first formula.
T - Treating
My favorite coffee chain is Dutch Bros, yet there is not a one close by. Tears. I crave a Kicker Cold Brew or a White Angel Breve. With life getting a little hectic recently, I knew that I needed a beverage to remind me of my beloved Dutch Bros that was still cost effective.
Somehow I got really lucky and picked up a bottle of DaVinci Syrup in the flavor Irish Cream. Usually, I prefer Torani Syrups, but they’ve been on the expensive side recently. This Irish Cream flavor has changed my coffee game. It is delicious and simple to add. Now I’ve got my perfect syrup to add to my ice coffee or cold brew whenever I need to!
And that sums up this report! I’d also like to note that I am going to start sharing inmportant articles and resources at the bottom of these updates and potentially other posts. These aren’t to skew how anyone thinks, but just to help anyone out there continue to engage with the world around them. We’re not alone, and it’s so important to remain engaged and involved in your community. Please check out the following links to stay informed about current events:
Yale SOM - The Difference Between Sex and Gender
American Red Cross - Disaster Relief Services
To help people still displaced by the North Carolina Hurricane + LA Wildfires
Banned Books Masterlist - Vonnegut Library
