Pitch Perfect 2

Last weekend, my mother and I spontaneously decided to see Pitch Perfect 2. Pitch Perfect is one of my favorite movies and the sequel is one of my most anticipated movies of 2015. Pitch Perfect was one of the biggest movies of 2012, earning over 100 million. Pitch Perfect follows Beca (played by Anna Kendrick), a freshman at Barden University who gets involved with the university's all-girl acapella group. With hilarious co-stars like Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and Lilly (Hana Mae Lee), both movies make you laugh out loud.

I had very high expectations for this movie, and it did not disappoint. I loved the conflicts the girls had to overcome, especially the comedy woven into it. The incredible music, new characters, and awesome setting made it even more enjoyable. Plus, Flula was in it!!

If I had to chose, my favorite songs would be the Bellas' Worlds mash-up and the Riff Off. Fat Amy's song was also amazing:P I also loved the end-credit song, "Crazy Youngsters" by Ester Dean.

However, it didn't blow me away. It wasn't worse than the original, but it wasn't the best sequel I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, I loved it; it will definitely be on my favorites shelf. I think the reason why is all the great, hilarious lines were included in all the trailers and clips. I was still laughing in the theater, but I had already memorized the lines already.

Overall, I give Pitch Perfect 2...

4.5 out of 5 stars.

My Trip to Europe

As an assignment for school, I had to write an essay on the places I have been and the places I would like to go. I have been lucky to visit many incredible places at such a young age, so this assignment was relatively easy for me to complete. For the essay, I focused on my trip to Europe back in 2013. At the end of 2012, my uncle moved to Liverpool, England, which was the perfect excuse to go. So my mother and I jumped across the Atlantic Ocean and spend three weeks of our summer vacation travelling around Europe.

We went to three places: Liverpool, London, and Barcelona. In Liverpool, my uncle took us on a tour of "The Beatles Landmarks." If you did not know, the world-famous 60's rock band The Beatles originated in Liverpool. We went to a few of the members' childhood homes and other landmarks. We also went to the Cavern Club. The Cavern Club has featured up-and-coming musicians since it was first opened in the 50's, including the Beatles.

The Globe Theatre

In London, my mom and I let our inner tourist out. We went to the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, and the Globe Theatre, which was my favorite. The Globe Theatre is one of the most famous theaters in the world because of one man: William Shakespeare. This theater was the first place to perform the plays written by the revolutionary and world famous playwright William Shakespeare. While there, I saw costumes and props from my favorite Shakespeare plays, such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more.

La Sagrada Familia

Lastly, we went to Barcelona. I loved Barcelona. We went to the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo, two of the architect Antoni Gaudi's most famous buildings. At the Sagrada Familia, you have the option of taking an elevator up to the top and them making your way back down on foot. The views were absolutely breathtaking. I could see the Mediterranean Sea, Tibidabo Amusement Park, and more. That was undoubtably my favorite part of the entire church. Plus, I got to practice my Spanish-Speaking skills;)

I learned three things while in Europe. First off, people with Liverpool accents are almost impossible to understand (no offence, Liverpudlians). Secondly, if you ever find yourself in Barcelona, do not bump into anyone and keep your bags close. Lastly, I want, rather I need, to go back.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Over Memorial Day weekend, I finished The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. Set in Alaska during the 1920's, this book follows an elderly couple struggling with keeping their marriage afloat after being unable to have children. As they try to get through the harsh Alaskan winter, they spontaneously build a girl out of snow. The next morning, she's gone, and a few days later, a girl wearing the same scarf and mittens Mabel put on the snow child emerges from the woods. As Mabel and Jack grow attached to the girl named Faina, they find themselves mending their relationship without realizing. But they start question if she's too good to be true. Are they imagining it all, or have their wishes been granted in the least expected way?

I fell in love with this book the second I started reading it. The first chapter is Mabel considering suicide, and coming close to committing it. Even though that is a very serious topic, it instantly hooks the reader with Ivey's incredible poetic writing style. I have never been a huge fan of books written in third-person. When it comes to third-person, you either pull it off beautifully or you flop. This book was definitely not a flop. There was no other way to write this book. What I also found interesting was Ivey never put quotes around Faina's words, nor Mabel or Jack or whomever's response.

This book is one of the best books I've read for school as well as one of my personal favorites. Five out of five stars!!!

Hint Fiction Continued

Do you remember my Hint Fiction post from last week? Well I decided to take one of them and make them into a super short story!

Endings

Sweat dripped down my brow as I concentrated even more. The ending is always the hardest.

The first 75 pages or so are always the easiest. Those are the glory days of writing a novel. You're so excited about the new characters and the new plot and the new conflicts. Then you get to the middle of the story. This is usually the hardest part because it's hard to not make it boring. You have to keep the reader intrigued until they get to the end. It's a challenge, for sure.

Then there's the ending. You have so many versions of a perfect ending that you don't know which one fits best. But then you find the perfect ending, and the last 50 pages are smooth sailing from there.

I finally get there, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

---

Hope you enjoyed this short and sweet post:)

My Music Library Playlists

Just a little update:)

On my Spotify account I have playlists of all the songs mention in My Music Library!

My account is seaisabella so if you want to go follow them I will create them as I create new editions of My Music Library.

I have My Music Library #1 completely already and I will create 2 and 3 soon:)

Love ya!

My Music Library #3

For this edition of My Music Library, I'm going to be sharing songs that inspire me:)

1) "Young Blood" Bea Miller
I have loved this song ever since it came out last year. This song says 'We may be young, but we can still extremely kick ass!' That is the only way I can explain this song:P I listen to this song when someone down-grades me and I just want to scream 'I'm not a baby! I can handle myself and my problems just as well as you can!' This song is the perfect combination of F you and incredible music.

2) "Brave Honest Beautiful" Fifth Harmony
When I ask some of my friends about Fifth Harmony's album Reflection, they say their least favorite track is "Brave Honest Beautiful." I myself wasn't a huge fan of the song when I first listened to it, but it has grown on me as I listened to it more. It has a great message, the girls' vocals are perfection, I love Meghan Trainer's verse, and the lyrics are so cool! I mean, Beyonce, Shakira, Rihanna, AND Madonna are mentioned in the chores! What more could you ask for?

3) "Brave" Sara Baraeilles
I love this song! It's so fun and upbeat but meaningful and heartfelt. I remember in an interview Baraeilles said this song was for one of her friends who was having trouble coming out. But when she released it, the message reached multiple audiences. People suffering for all different reasons listened to it to get through the tough times, myself included.

4) "Afterlife" Ingrid Michaelson
I discovered and fell in love with Ingrid Michaelson the second I heard this song. I heard "Girls Chase Boys" on the radio and I liked it, but I LOVE "Afterlife." I'm still unsure on what the exact message it, but it still lifts my spirits when I need it to.

5) "Warriors" Imagine Dragons
I'm also in loved with this song. The thing I think I loved the most is the lyric "We are the warriors." Whenever I'm feeling lonely I listen to this song and I feel like I'm in the group with just one listen. Plus, I love Imagine Dragons:)

6) "Part of Me" Katy Perry
I'm a fan of Katy Perry. I think that she gives her listeners a taste of her queen-of-pop side but still being a serious artist. This song reminds me to not change myself because of other people's opinions or actions. Ironically, this reminds me of Stargirl :P. And I think this was kind of already addressed, but it's Katy Perry--that's all you need to know.

7) "People Like Us" Kelly Clarkson
When this song came out, I immediately loved it. I have been a fan of Kelly Clarkson for a long time, and this song was the cherry on top. The message it absolutely beautiful and I don't know what I would do without this song.

8) "Smile" Mikky Ekko
I first heard this song of the Paper Towns trailer (if you haven't seen it, you need to rethink your life choices:P). Thank God YouTube said what song it was as it was playing. If that little annotation wasn't there, I would have probably cried. Anyway, this song it just so good. At that time, I only her Mikky Ekko on Rihanna's song "Stay" and I loved him then, but now I think I need to listen to more of his stuff.

9) "Don't Forget Where You Belong" One Direction
I have listened to One Direction ever since Up All Night. However, I wouldn't say I'm a die-hard fan. I like their music and I support them, but I don't life, eat, and breath One Direction (Sorry Directioners). I got to say, though, Midnight Memories might be my favorite album by them. First, it is unlike anything they have ever done up to date. It's a mix of rock and pop just like Four, but this one is just different is some way--I can't pin-point what is different, though. "Don't Forget Where You Belong" is one of my favorite songs from Midnight Memories because all their vocals are incredible and the message of the song is so inspirational and heartwarming:)

10) "I Lived" OneRepublic
Ahhh! I love OneRepublic!! I want to make this one short and sweet, so all I have to say it I love this song and it gives me hope for humanity:)

11) "Smile" R5
My best friend's sister is a huge R5 fan, so upon her relentless recommendations I listened to their album. I need to thank her a million times over. This song is one of their new singles that I'm guessing is going to be part of their second album and I couldn't be more proud. First off, the cover art is amazing. Secondly, the song is so different from any of their other stuff. It shows their maturity and them proving they're not the stereotypical pop band. I can't wait to hear more new tracks!

12) "Really Don't Care" Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd
I. Love. This. Song. I am a shameless Lovatic!!!!! Why hasn't Cher Lloyd and Demi Lovato happen until now!? Cher's rapping with Demi's killer vocals creates the most kick ass song of the decade. If you are wondering what I dance to in front of my mirror then now you know. And have you seen the music video? I couldn't be more proud.

13) "Warrior" Demi Lovato
Another Demi Lovato song! Shocker there! "Warrior" is the last track on her album Demi and she couldn't have ended it any better. It's basically all piano, has insane range, and has the most incredible and personal lyrics. This song is one of the most important songs in my library.

14) "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" Sia
Oh, don't we all just love Annie? Except for Ms. Gamzon, of course. This song is from the new 2014 adaptation of Annie, which is definitely worth watching, by the way. Sia, being the amazing singer that she is, adds her own twist to the iconic song and makes it more appealing to our generation. I don't know about you, but I'm still a huge fan of the original;)

15) "Superheros" The Script
I have been a fan of The Script for a while. Their album No Sound Without Silence came out last year, but it didn't get a ton of attention in my opinion. But I sometimes that's a good thing. I love when my favorite songs aren't over-played on the radio; they feel like my own. ("Flares" and "Superheros" are my favorite tracks.) "Superheros" says that being a hero doesn't mean you have to save someone's life. You can be a superhero by just saying hi to one of the classmates you rarely talk to you. You don't know what that could do for them. Sometimes I need to be reminded that I am making a difference by just being happy and smiling at someone as I walk pass them.

So that's it! I hope you gained something from these songs and I hope you go listen to them! You can tell them I sent you;). I'm already working on My Music Library #4 so stay tuned:)

Hint Fiction

I recently discovered Hint Fiction. Hint Fiction is a story of 25 words or less that suggests a larger, more complex story. Most people post their Hint Fiction on Twitter because of the limited amount of characters you can have in one tweet. I think this way of writing is cool because it's so mysterious and unpredictable, plus anyone can do it.

Here are some I wrote:

The People-Outlined Hallway

The petite girl stood in the center of the hallway outlined by other high schoolers. Her hands shook and sweat. She wanted to cry.

How to Block the World Out

She pulled her headphones over her ears to block the world out.

Their Safe, Enchanted Place to Escape

The library was their enchanted place; their safe place. It was where they could escape it all.

Endings

Sweat dripped down my brow as I concentrated even more. The ending is always the hardest.

Improvisation and Life

"Improvisation is making it up as you go," he told me. "It's almost like life."

Now I want to make a Twitter just so I can post these:P

What do you think these are about?? Comment your answer!

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is a contemporary novel about a high school in Mica, Arizona that is suffering from being utter and completely ordinary. But then a girl named Stargirl comes to town and changes everything. She is unlike anyone the narrator Leo as ever seen. She's out-going, extremely kind, and widely unique, while everyone attending Mica High School are trapped in the Status quo. As Stargirl continues to surprise, Leo finds himself falling for her unintentionally. Stargirl and Leo's relationship goes against everything Leo and others have ever known. Tensions rise, and no one knows if or when Mica will go back to normal. But do they want to go back to normal?



It took me a little bit to figure out how I felt about this book. It was definitely unlike anything I have read before, but it was a whole other scale of different. However, I realized it wasn't the book itself rather it was Stargirl. At some spots I thought she was labeling being creepy as being friendly, and it was a little unsettling.

However, what Stargirl stood for and represented I loved. I think Spinelli used Stargirl to convey the theme to the reader. From what I understood, the theme is to be yourself no matter what others say or think and you will be happy. Stargirl was true to herself even though she was shunned for it, but in her eyes, it was their loss because she was the happiest she could be.

I also liked the book being from Leo's point of view rather than the obvious (Stargirl). It gave the reader both ways people viewed Stargirl--a weird outsider or an outgoing, friendly girl.

Even though this novel did have it's flaws, it was definitely effective literature. The overall message and theme is very relatable to all readers, especially teens. All of us have struggled with identity and being true to ourselves at least once in our lives; it's part of adolescence. But reading about Stargirl shows the reader that it's okay to be yourself even if the people around you judge you for it.

**** I give Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli 4 our of 5 stars.

College

For me, college is the light at the end of the tunnel we call high school. Almost everything I do involves school and how it will help me with college in one way or another. All the checks I receive as gifts I put into my college savings account. (Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa. Love you!)

As you probably know, I am a writer. Therefore, I want to go to major in English and/or writing. Of course, that is subject to change, but that is what I have in mind as of right now. I have multiple ideas for which colleges to look into once the time comes, but there is one college that I am absolutely captivated by: Stanford University.

There are many reasons to why I love Stanford. One is the location. I live in New York State where we have the coldest winters you could possibly imagine and them some. So I want--no, I need to move to California. I need to get out of the cold for at least a year! Plus, I have always wanted to move to California after high school.

Second of all is the financial aid Stanford offers. Believe it or not, Stanford is one of the best colleges in the country in terms of financial aid. I would like to come out of my first four years debt free, and Stanford seems to be a place where that is possible. Even though I am saving up, money will definitely be a deciding factor for which school I decide on.

Lastly, it's Stanford. It's Stanford University. It's known world wide as one of the most prestigious and flat-out amazing schools in the United States. However, they only accept about 5% of applicants, meaning I may have a very slim chance of getting in. But that won't stop me from trying.

Some people think I'm crazy for thinking about college when I'm only in my freshmen year of high school, but in my opinion, it's never too early to think about it and research. Senior year  is right about the corner! College is a dream I have been dreaming for years; just thinking about it makes me smile. I will meet completely different people in a completely different place. It will hopefully be the biggest adventure of my life.

Ahh! I can't wait!

The Mountaintop

On April 21, 2015, I saw Geva Theater's production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. The Mountaintop follows Martin Luther King Jr. on the last night of his life, spent in a Memphis Tennessee motel room with a feisty maid named Camae. As the play progresses, Camae forces Dr. King to confront his doubts and imperfections, making him reevaluate his decisions regarding the Civil Rights Movement and his personal life. But the most important lesson King learns is letting go and putting his faith in others to continue his legacy.




The Mountaintop was one of the most incredible plays I have seen in a long time. First off, there  is only two people on stage the entire time. This is incredibly hard for the actors and puts a lot of pressure on them to put on a great performance. The two actors in the adaptation I saw were phenomenal, especially since it was their debut at Geva Theater.

If you have seen or read the play then you know about the major plot twist. For me, it was very interesting and I didn't see it coming AT ALL. I thought was very unique and made the play different from any other.

Lastly, the final scene. Oh my goodness. In Geva's version, there was a video montage playing on a back drop as Camae narrated and Dr. King watched it. I don't want to give anything away, but I may have shed a tear or two.

I would recommend The Mountaintop to everyone in the entire universe. However, I would recommend seeing it performed as well as reading the play. I will hopefully get around to reading it in the near future. Martin Luther King is one of my idols, so seeing this made me appreciate him even more and understand that he is human just like anyone else.

Is Fanfiction Literature?

If you did not know, fanfiction is fictional writing featuring real life people that is usually written by a fan of a musician/musical group, TV character, actors, etc.

Right now, I am reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. In this novel, fanfiction is an important part of the narrator's life, but some think it is childish and an abomination to literature.

I have heard about this argument as fanfiction has grown in popularity over the past few years. But what really got me thinking about this was a video posted by a YouTuber named Ariel Bissett. In this video, Bissett addresses the controversial topic and her personal opinion on the matter.

To me, any written work that the author puts time and energy into is literature, like Ariel said in her video. However, if someone writes everything so it's based on celebrities' life and real life events, then they're basically writing a biography. That was sort of confusing so let me give an example.

Say a One Direction fan writes a Harry Styles fanfiction. As they are writing it, news breaks about one of Harry's relatives passing away. If they incorporate that real life event into their story than it's not creating their own conflicts for Harry or other characters to overcome. However, if the story is in an alternate universe, like an apocalypse per say, then that is literature because the writer is creating their own imaginary plot conflicts. The author is just using a real life person as someone to visualize as one of the characters within the story.

I still don't feel like I am being 100% clear, but I think you can catch my drift.

In conclusion, differentiating fanfiction from literature is solely based on what kind of fanfiction it is. The key is finding that fine line between imagination and real life.

Valedictorian by N. K. Jemisin

"Valedictorian" by N. K. Jemisin is yet another post-apocalyptic short story from After. This story takes place in a world where humans are segregated and trapped in a place called the Firewall: "'Outside of it, there are billions of people on the world. They're just not your kind of people'" (Jemisin, 57). There, the children grow up in a rigorous learning environment. Once high school graduation comes, the not-so-smart kids are taken out of the Firewall by the robot-like people that hold them there and no one knows what happens to them. However, the smartest person in the graduating class is also taken out, but just like the others, no one knows what happens to them. The main character, Zinhle, is one of the smart ones.


Throughout the story, Zinhle struggles with knowing she will be taken out of the Firewall and into another world filled with the people who have kept her isolated for her entire life. However, she doesn't want the alternative, which is fake being dumb and get taken out. The other alternative is to get mediocre grades and have an unknown fate. For example, most girls purposely get pregnant in order to not qualify for being sent out of the Firewall: "'Have you considered getting pregnant?' her mother blurts one morning..." (45). Despite the risks, Zinhle continues to excel in her classes.

This story was a little iffy for me. I loved knowledge being a major aspect in all of the characters' lives. However, I feel like this was meant to be a regular story, not a short story. In other words, I think it was too short and needed to have more of a shocking and impacting ending. If this story was to be continued and turned into a book I would definitely read it.

My Music Library #2

In a post a few days back, I told you about my favorite musical artists. Today, I'm going to talk to you about the music I am loving right now:)

*List is in no particular order*

1) Pure Heroine Lorde

If you have not heard of Lorde then I would be very surprised. She is one of the most respected artists out there despite her young age. Pure Heroine is one of the best albums I have listened to so far this year, "Glory and Gore" undoubtedly being my favorite.

2) "I Want You To Know" Zedd featuring Selena Gomez

I love so many things about this song. First Off, the cover art is amazing!! Secondly, the music video is amazing!! And, lastly, the song itself is so good. I really hope these two make more music together in the future.

3) "Shut Up and Dance" Walk The Moon

Whenever this song comes on the radio, I am singing like no one is listening. I have never listened to Walk The Moon before this, but I will be looking into more of their music to see if there is anything I love as much as "Shut Up and Dance."

4) "Smile" Mikky Ekko

I first heard this song on the Paper Towns trailer (which you should go watch:P) and the rest is history. "Smile" is a song that makes you feel. It's that one song that always lifts your spirits when you're feeling down. 

5) "Adore" Cashmere Cat featuring Ariana Grande

When this song came out, I was ecstatic. "Be My Baby," Cashmere Cat and Grande's first collaboration, was absolutely amazing. So when I saw "Adore" on iTunes, I immediately put it on repeat. I never heard of Cashmere Cat before "Be My Baby," and now "Adore"...I need to check out his music. 

6) It's About Us Alex and Sierra

I have had this album on repeat for months! I watched them on X Factor and was overjoyed when they won it all. So when their album came out, I became obsessed. The thing that I love about them is that they are so different and unique from other artists I listen to; they have created their own sound. My favorites are "Little Do You Know," "I Love You," and "Broken Frame."

7) Let The Road Rixton

You may know Rixton from their chart-topping hit "Me And My Broken Heart," but they're so much more than that one song. Let The Road shows all the band's strengths and abilities that a debut album should. The song I was surprised by the most was "Let The Road." This song is seems to be acapella, which I did not expect from this band in a million years. I also love "Appreciated," "Beautiful Excuses," "Hotel Ceiling," "Speakerphone," and "Whole," which is basically the entire album.

8) "Stars" Ricky Dillon

Ricky Dillon is one of my favorite YouTubers out there. He is a major trend-setter in the YouTube community and knows exactly how to make me laugh. I do like him as a singer, but, to be honest, he is not one of my favorites. However, "Stars" is my favorite song off of his debut EP RPD. I can't pin-point what I specifically like about this song; I just love it:)

9) "Nothing Without Love" Nate Ruess
Do you remember the band Fun.? Do you remember the 2012 smash hits "We Are Young," "Some Nights," and "Carry On?" Well that's Fun. I love them, but they seem to have gone off the map for a while. I know they have not broken up, they're just not making music at the moment. But, the lead singer Nate Ruess has released his song "Nothing Without Love," and I love it! The extremely powerful lyrics are perfect for Ruess' voice. I'm looking forward to what Fun. and Nate Ruess create in the future.

10) "Up" Olly Murs featuring Demi Lovato

As you know, I am a huge fan of Demi Lovato. I also love Olly Murs. When "Up" came out I practically died. Their voices are amazing together and the overall premise of the song suits the two perfectly. I also love the album this is featured on: Olly Murs' fourth studio album Never Been Better.

11) SUCKER Charli XCX
Since the release of SUCKER, Charli XCX has proved that she is so much more than a one-hit-wonder. She has created her own genre of music, mixing Pop and Party to create an everyday-club kind of feel. "Doing It" featuring Rita Ora, "Gold Coins," "Famous," and "Breaking Up" are my favs:)

12) "Sweet Despair" Cher Lloyd
Cher Lloyd's album Sorry I'm Late was one of my favorite albums released in 2014. "Sweet Despair" has been one of my favorite songs off the album since my first listen. I just love the song in general:)

13) TRXYE Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan is an Australian YouTuber and singer/songwriter that released his first EP TRXYE last year. It reached number one in over 30 countries, topping Sia's album 1000 Forms of Fear. He also took the 17th stop on Billboard's Top 21 Under 21 in 2014. It is an understatement to say Sivan is killing it. His EP was released in August and I'm still listening to it constantly. There are no favorites--they're all my favorite. I can't wait for the full album that is said to be released this year.

14) Chapter One Ella Henderson
Most of you may know Ella Henderson from her smash hit "Ghost" that has taken over the radio for months on end. But I bet few of you have listened to her full album, but you definitely should. This album showcases Henderson's killer vocals perfectly. I don't think there was any better way for her to make her debut. "Empire," "Pieces," and "Missed" are my favorite tracks.

15) Nick Jonas Nick Jonas

Way back in the day, I was a huge fan of The Jonas Brothers, and to be honest, I still am. However, the trio is now longer making music as a group, but Nick Jonas is. When "Jealous" was released I became extremely excited for what he had in store for the future. And, boy, did he not disappoint. His first solo, self-titled album became a huge hit, featuring "Jealous" and "Chains," as well as a breathtaking duet with Demi Lovato. My favorites are "Chains," "Wilderness," "Avalanche" featuring Demi Lovato, and "Nothing Would Be Better."

So that's it:) This list definitely doesn't include all the songs I am loving; there is many, many more. But this gives you an overall picture of what I am listening to at the moment. I will probably do another post like this in the future because I listen to music way too much.

Happiness Poem

During the third marking period, we did a poetry unit in one of my writing classes. Within this unit, I wrote multiple poems, all different types and with different premises. This one is modeled after "Happiness" by Robert Hass and is definitely my favorite out of the ones I have written. Hope you enjoy:)
----
Happiness
Because yesterday morning the man on the subway
read from his book with hurried eyes,
waiting to see what happened next--
and because in class
he read the book under his desk,
hoping to professor wouldn't pull him out of his fantasy--

and because this morning the man finished the book
with a smile on his face--
and with that smile still plastered across his face
he pulled his headphones out of his front jean pocket,
his phone from his back--
I overheard his music as he sat next to me
(he was listening to my favorite),

happiness
because he gave me one of his earbuds for the rest of the ride.
----

How was it? Was it good? Let me know:)

After the Cure by Carrie Ryan

"After the Cure" by Carrie Ryan is a post-apocalyptic short story included in After, a collection of short stories of apocalypse and dystopia. But this story was different from all the others in the book. First off, this one was interesting and easy to understand unlike other stories in this book. Secondly, it is told by one of the 'enemies' so to speak, not a person defending themselves against the enemy. Lastly, the story takes place after the world ended, meaning the human race in rebuilding itself.

In this world, a disease that turned humans into vampire-like creatures was the world's downfall. But now there is a cure, and the infected are being brought back to their original human form. Vail, the narrator of the story, was one of the infected and is now one of the cured.

The Recovered, the ones who were cured, faced problems within society. It was expected that once the infected were cured that they would naturally reintergate into society and be pardoned for anything they did while infected: "DON'T BLAME THE VICTIM; BLAME THE DISEASE, is emblazoned across every crunbling billboard" (Ryan, 27). But there were those who thought the Recovered should be segregated from the rest of the human race; some even hunted the Recovered. The Recovered were persecuted not only by society but by themselves: "I was a monster. I hunted and killed other people..." (21).

Throughout the entire story, Vail deals with trying to remember what her life was like before she was infected: "I pace restlessly through the house, trying to piece together how I once spent my time" (36). She also copes with remembering what it was like to be infected: "My breath is ragged, dreams of sharp teeth and succulent skin still clinging to the edges of my vision" (34). However, even though what she did while infected haunts her, she misses it in a way: "When we hunted, we were sleek and beautiful in our unity, calling to each other as we ran... In our own sick way, we all meant something to one another" (36). Despite knowing what Vail did, you can't help but feel for her.

"After the Cure" was very interesting to read; it was very eye opening and unique compared to other apocalypse stories I have read in the past. More specifically, "After the Cure" is the only story from After that I understood and enjoyed thus far. In all honesty, if this wasn't required reading, I would not be continuing on with this book. In order to create a good, high quality apocalyptic story, you need the necassary amount of world building and explaination to the situation civilization is in. "After the Cure" is the only stories that has done that out of the stories I have read. Like I said, this is required reading, so I will continue reading and hope for another story like this one.

Masterclass 'Homework'

If you read my previous post, you would know that I attended a masterclass with Boris Fishman, author of A Replacement Life. During his talk, Fishman gave us a challenge: write a short story in only 100 words. At first, I was very intimidated. I have written a 500 word short story, but never 100. But later in the day, during Spanish class actually, I decided to take on this challenge, and this is the result.
 ----

I pulled the gun out of my bag. Dad just shook his head.

"What are you doing, Mira?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm taking my life back."

"What are you talking--"

"No!" I shouted. "You have beaten me my entire life. That's 30 years, Dad."

"Mira, you're not thinking clearly--"

Then I shot him.

The cold metal slipped from my sweaty hands and fell onto the cracked concrete, landing right next to him.

I could justify my mistake; the man tortured me for 30 years. But all it took was 30 seconds for the pain to end.
----

I don't know where I got that idea... I promise I'm not some crazy killer!!

It's hard to believe that was only 100 words, right? I thought this exercise was really interesting. Fishman said this would make us revise and edit our work, which is important skills you need in order to write good quality work. I think this exercise did just that. It made me get rid of unnecessary words and recreate sentences so they explained things in the best way possible.

This exercise is for people who have trouble describing situations without confusing the reader and writing unnecessary things that are irrelevant. I will definitely be using this in the future.

Boris Fishman Masterclass

Boris Fishman, author of A Replacement Life

This past week, our writing class attended a masterclass with the author Boris Fishman, author of A Replacement Life. A Replacement Life follows Slava, an aspiring Russian writer working at the legendary magazine Century as a researcher. Slava's grandfather, Yevgeny, is a survivor of the Holocaust. But the German government beg to differ. As part of the recovery process, the German government pay Holocaust survivors as a way of trying to make up for their suffering. But Yevgeny doesn't make the requirements to receive these payments according to the German government. So Slava sets off on trying to convince the German government that he, Slava Gelman, is a suffering Holocaust survivor in order to prove the system wrong.

Sounds cool, right?

During the talk, Fishman gave us some very valuable advice on perusing a career in writing and writing itself. As I was looking over my notes from this post, I saw three things that really stood out...

1) Don't let technology take over your life for the sake of your writing; stay alert. You may see someone walking on the street and think of an idea for what could lead to your first novel.

2) Don't rely on your memory. If you see something and get an idea, write it down.

3) Revision and patience are key to being a good writer.

Of course Fishman said many other great things, but these were the three that I feel will stay with me. But he did say one thing that is not really advice, but more like a quote: Fiction is timeless; Journalism is right now.

Before I started story writing, I was very interested in Journalism. I thought it was the career that held everything I love: traveling, writing, and meeting new and interesting people. But now I am more interested in Fiction. This is very similar to Boris Fishman--he was, and still is, a Journalist, but then he journeyed into Fiction, which lead to A Replacement Life.

Because of this masterclass, I feel like Fishman will become on of the authors I look up to. His story is incredibly interesting and he puts all of his life and writing experience into his work. After attending his masterclass, I will definitely be reading A Replacement Life, as well as the novel he has coming out next year.

My Music Library #1

I. Love. Music.

I listen to music when I write, when I'm doing homework, when I clean, when I can't sleep at night, when I need help. Music is in my life ever second of everyday. I mean, I'm listening to music right now. (Lorde's Pure Heroine is gold, go check it out.)

The definition of music is vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

But it's so much more than that.

Music is the anthem to our lives. It can give us power, happiness, and respect. It can even be the thing that gives us purpose. It can bring people together, but also tare them apart.

In this post, I'm going to list some of my favorite artists and songs and why they're important to me.

1) Panic! At The Disco
This one is almost self explanatory. I mean, they're Panic! At The Disco. That's all you need to know. "This is Gospel," "Girls/Girls/Boys," and "Collar Full" are just some of my favorite tracks from them, but "Girls/Girls/Boys" might hold the highest level of importance. The song has a great message, so go listen to it:)

2) Fall Out Boy
Oh my goshness, Fall Out Boy!! Their albums Save Rock and Roll and American Beauty/American Psycho are the soundtracks to my life. I love "The Kids Aren't Alright" and "Jet Pack Blues" and "Young Volcanoes" and "Save Rock and Roll" and everything else.

3) Fifth Harmony
These girls are incredible. Their album surprised me in the best way; their music has matured along with themselves. (Camila's my fav by the way:P) "Brave Honest Beautiful," "We Know," and "Reflection" are probably my favorites from the album, but "Leave My Heart Out Of This" never gets old.

4) Imagine Dragons
In the past, I have always liked their music, but ever since their second album came out, I have been obsessed. Their sound is so different and unique from everything else on the radio. "I'm So Sorry" and "I Bet My Life" are my favs from Smoke + Mirrors. I also love "Warriors," "Monster," and "Radioactive"-- especially the Kendrick Lamar version.

5) Jack and Jack
I hold so much respect for this duo. They got their start on Vine and have been killing it since. There's so many to choose from, but I love "Right Where You Are," "Like That," and "I'm In." ("I'm In" is on SoundCloud.)

6) Ariana Grande
This girl can sing!! My Everything was one of my most anticipated albums of 2014, and it did not disappoint. From My Everything,  I love "One Last Time," "My Everything," "Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart," and "Why Try." From Yours Truly, "Honeymoon Avenue," "Tattooed Heart," and "Daydreamin'." Plus, she is the collab queen!!! "Almost Is Never Enough," "Right There," "Best Mistake," "Break Free," "Problem," "Be My Baby," "Bang Bang," "Adore," the list goes on and on and on.

7) 5 Seconds of Summer
These boys are pure amazingness!! They have literally taken over the world with their catchy-but- meaningful music. Their entire album is amazing, along with "Daylight" and "Greenlight."

8) The Vamps
Yet another British band that has taken over my life (not really:P). Their album, Meet The Vamps, is incredible-- "Another World," "She Was The One," "Risk It All," "Wild Heart," just everything!!

9) Shawn Mendes
This one is definitely one of the best rising stars of our century. His album is coming out in a matter  of days and I can't be more excited. The songs that have been released already are absolutely amazing and his EP from a few months back is still on repeat.

10) Sam Smith
I. Love. Him. If it wasn't for Sam Smith, I don't think mainstream music can be saved from all the garbage out there--he has put meaning and emotion into his songs. These are the songs that should be on the radio, not songs about sex and partying. His album In The Lonely Hour is pure gold as well as the songs he has remade with other artists, like "Lay Me Down" featuring John Legend. 

11) Taylor Swift
I have been a Taylor Swift fan ever since her first album came out way back in 2006. I have watch her grow and change as an artist over the years and I am one of the fans you love her new music. 1989 was my most anticipated album of the years, Ariana Grande's being second. I know for a fact that I will be listening "Shake It Off" for many many years.

12) Meghan Trainer
Meghan Trainer is not even close to being a one-hit-wonder to me. With her album Title, she has proven that she is so much more than "All About That Bass," musically and lyrically. Some of my favorite songs by her are "What If I," "Like I'm Gonna Lose You," "Bang Dem Sticks," and "Walkashame."

14) Maroon 5
This bandddddd. Their most recent album, V, was on repeat in my bedroom for months. "Maps:" don't even get me started on the cover art. "Sugar:" those high notes kill me. "Leaving California:" I have no words. "It Was Always You:" there are no words to describe the amazingness of this song. "My Heart Is Open:" why hasn't Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine happened before this??? "Lost Stars:" you make me cry.

15) Demi Lovado
Demi Lovado has been one of my role models since her Disney days. I have looked up to her while she was on Camp Rock  and Sonny With A Chance and my love for her as only grown since Unbroken and Demi have been released. She is such a great performer, singer, songwriter, and, most importantly, she is living proof that you can overcome anything life throws your way. Her music lifts me up when I'm down and makes me want to dance around my room like no one if watching. Thank you, Demi, for being an inspiration to us all.

Wow, that just got all deep...

Anyways, those are just some of the artists that I love and are constantly listening to. Hope you enjoyed:)

PS- this is only a fraction of what I have in my Spotify library. Maybe I will post more things on music in the near future...:)

A Little Bit of Poetry

Here is a poem I randomly wrote. Hope you like it:)
----
The Victim

I never thought I would be the victim.
I was always a witness;
never the criminal.

I don't know what I did.
Everything was great and then
BOOM! Not great.

They taunt,
tease,
hit.

They make my private life public.
Display my problems in the hallways;
Bare my reaction like a reality show.

I've never done anything to them.
They're pitiful, really.
But their words still hurt just as much as their punches.
 ----
 I don't think it's that good, but there you go:)

John Green

John Green is one of most popular authors among teenagers in the 21st century. He is also one of the most respected and well-known internet personalities out there. He and his brother, Hank Green, run the YouTube channel 'The VlogBrothers' with over two million subscribers and are the creators of the online video conference VidCon. Green is the author of Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, The Fault in Our Stars, Will Grayson Will Grayson (co-written with David Levithan), and Let It Snow (co-written with Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle). Both Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines are recipients of the Michael L. Printz Award. The Fault in Our Stars was adapted into a movie, released in 2014, and the Paper Towns film is set to be released this summer.

I am a huge fan of John Green. I have read almost all of his books and cannot wait for the July movie release of Paper Towns. Here's the trailer if you haven't seen it:

If that isn't one of the most beautiful things you have ever seen then I don't know what is.

Green's writing has influenced me and my writing in incredible ways. He was the first contemporary author I read, which helped me with improving my contemporary writing. He also incorporates so much humor into his books so effortlessly, which influenced me to have some of my own woven into my stories. Even though I am still growing as a writer, John Green has helped me learn new techniques to draw readers in just by reading his work.

Now, I spend my days anxiously waiting for the day John Green comes out with a new novel.

PS- there is a glitch on my post on Dystopian Literature. The spacing is all off for the first half of the post, I don't know what's up with it. Sorry:/

Apocalyptic Literature

Ah, the legendary apocalypse. 

If, or when, the world is going to be destroyed and who or what is going to be the destroyer is a question that fascinates almost every human being on Earth. Some people have dedicated their lives to studying the possibilities of an apocalypse, but others have chosen to write about it.

The thing that is so fun about this genre is no books or series is the same; they all have different 'versions' of the apocalypse. This is one of the main reasons why I have been studying Apocalyptic Literature for this marking period.

One of the most critically acclaimed apocalyptic books is The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey, along with the sequel The Infinite Sea. In this world, aliens have invaded Earth in a series of waves. The books begins at the start of the fifth wave, and what it will bring is still yet to be determined.

 After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them.

(Taken from The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey.)


These are the only apocalyptic books I have read, and they have definitely set the bar extremely high. The books are narrated by multiple characters and are written in both first person and third person. The characters' are so dynamic, each having their own distinct voices and personalities. Plus, the writing is absolute gold. Some of the character's rants seem like they're taken right out of the TV show Scandal (Yeah, they're that good). Yancey also mixes the right amount of humor and sarcasm in order to make up for the horrible situation these people have been put it.

 The Fifth Wave is being turned into a movie, starring Chloe Grace Moretz as Cassie, and is to be released in early 2016. (I'M SO EXCITED!!)

Like any alternate universe, there is a lot of world building involved in writing an apocalyptic novel. You need to write it so the reader understands the world, but it still a little lost in terms of what will be discovered next. In simplest terms, an apocalyptic story needs to be understandable, but mysterious.

Through learning more about apocalyptic writing and reading apocalyptic stories, I am very intrigued and excited to write my own.

Dystopian Literature

The technical definition of dystopia is a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding. In simpler words, a dystopian world is a place where suffering is an everyday thing. 

This is one of the genres I have studied for the past ten weeks or so as part of Writing for Publication.

 I have read multiple dystopian books and series. For example, Legend by Marie Lu, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and more. However, the most popular dystopian books out there are The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. Not only are these trilogies international bestsellers, but they have been adapted into some of the biggest movie blockbusters in the 21st century.

The Hunger Games is set in a world were 12 districts with their own individual characteristics are ruled by the Capital. Once a year, each of the districts have to offer up a boy and a girl, ranging from the ages 12 to 18, as tribute for the uprisings that took place generations ago. These 24 teenagers will be brought to the Capital to fight to the death until only one survives. 

These are some of the most cruel, cry-worthy books I have ever read. Although the writing and characters are brilliant, the plot is absolutely horrifying. It's kids killing kids! However, as the series progresses, Katniss, the narrator, becomes an extraordinary hero and symbol of hope for the ones who see no point in having any. The premise of the books are terrible to think about happening even in an alternate reality, but the underlying messages are something I still live by, three years after reading and completing the series.

 Then there is The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. 

Told by a young woman named Tris, Divergent is in a world were society is divided into five factions, each with their own values and character traits. Amity farm the land and are always happy and kind. Candor values honesty and order; these are the layers. Erudite are the smart ones who value knowledge and logic--some people think they are the know-it-alls. Abnegation, which is Tris' original faction, are the selfless ones. Since they are public servants, they are trusted to run the government. Then there is Dauntless, who are brave and fearless. Their duty is to protect everyone inside the fence surrounding the city.
 Lastly, and not officially included in the system, are the Factionless--the people who don't fit in anywhere. Everyone who goes into the faction system fears become one of them. However, there are a small number of people who fit into more than one of these factions. These are the Divergent, who are seen as a threat to the faction system. 

When Tris takes the test to determine which faction she is in, she discovers she is divergent. In order to survive, she needs to hide within a faction and try to stay out of the spotlight. The Divergent Trilogy follows Tris as she attempts to survive and change the way the world sees people like her.

Tris and Katniss hold so many qualities that I would like to possess, but they also have to learn about themselves and overcome their inner struggles just like any other human being. What I think is interesting is that Tris and Katniss can't be labeled as heroes. Although they both possess heroic qualities, they both have made mistakes that cause inner and outer conflicts.

This is what I love about dystopian literature: the common themes and events that occur force the characters to become more dynamic for the readers' enjoyment, Tris and Katniss being perfect examples. It seems that the dystopian genre gives women the opportunity to become strong, fearless protagonists, Tris and Katniss again being perfect examples.

I am looking forward to the future of dystopian novels and how that will effect literature in general. I will definitely be reading more dystopian in the near future.

Celebrities

Every human being on the plant knows of some type of celebrity, whether isn't a pop star like Taylor Swift or a well-known local. They're everywhere. People wait in lines just to breathe the same air as them. You would be surprised what fans would do for their idols...

Celebrities seem to have it all-- money, fame, influence, and much much more. But 'having it all' also includes paparazzi following them all over, fans crowding around them everywhere they go, and absolutely no privacy. They have it all, the good and the bad.

My inspiration for this post is something that you have probably already guessed: Zayn Malik leaving One Direction.

Now I'm not a huge fan of One Direction. Yeah, I buy their music and I have a favorite member, but I'm not absolutely insane about them.

So when Zayn left, yes it was a shock, but I literally shrugged and said 'okay.' I got home and started surfing the world wide web, like one does, when I found Instagram and Twitter posts and YouTube videos with girls crying their eyes out and even cutting themselves. Yeah, that happened.

So here's a message to you One Direction fans:

My condolences go out to you for Zayn's departure from One Direction. This is a sad time for the fandom, I get that, but is a single pop star worth hurting yourself over? Zayn left because he was unhappy. And I know more than anyone that if you are in an unhappy situation, you need to get out of it. So don't be mad at him. He is so brave for doing this-- I probably wouldn't have had the guts to do what he did.

Plus, it's not like the entire band is done. Harry, Louis, Liam, and Niall are still at it.

It's okay.

And who knows? Maybe this will be like The Backstreet Boys. Kevin did leave, but now they're back together and going on tour. Maybe Zayn will rejoin in a few years and everything will be right in the world once again.

Just don't give him hate. If you're a true fan, you would tell him it's okay and we'll miss you.

I don't want anyone to think that I eat, sleep, and breathe One Direction; this has just been a trending topic and I wanted to give my input:)

Hope you have a great day!

PS- tell me if there is any typos please (insert cute monkey emoji)

Social Media

Hello:)

I just finished reading The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler.

It's set in the year 1996. Now, if you didn't know, internet wasn't a thing back then; over half of all American teenagers had never searched the world wide web. In order to get internet, you needed a CD-ROM... I still don't know what that is exactly.

Anyways, the protagonists Emma and Josh get a hold of one of these CD-ROM things and discover a website called Facebook... But Facebook hasn't been invented yet... So they're looking at their lives 15 years in the future.

I'm already doing a project on this book for my English class, but this book really got me thinking about how different life was for teenagers in the 90's versus present day.

Like I said before, internet wasn't a thing. Check out this video:

In today's society, kids are growing up in a digital age, and even though there are many benefits that come with advanced technology, there are also some disadvantages.

First of all, cyber bullying. The technical definition of cyber bullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person. This has become a growing issue among teenagers ever since websites like Facebook have been created. People feel like it's okay to bully someone online because no one can know for sure who is doing the bullying. ABC Family even made a movie about it called Cyber Bully. It's actually a really good movie. You should watch it sometime:) (It's on Netflix)

Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad-- you wouldn't be reading this if it wasn't for good old Apple Incorporated. But now that we have this amazing technology, we need to learn how to use it wisely. Don't get me wrong, most people I know use technology for the right reasons. But there are still those who don't.

Now here's a fun fact about me: I don't have Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, none of that. I only have my Gmail. I know, I'm an alien.

My parents don't allow me to have any of the popular social media accounts. And even though it sucks sometimes, I like that I don't have them. I have my phone and email and that's all I need.

How about this...
If you have any social media accounts, I challenge you to go offline for as long as you can. Try it out. And who knows what will come out of it.

Hope you have a great day my little candy apples!
Bye bye:)

PS- Read The Future of Us!

PPS- tell me if there is any typos please (insert cute monkey emoji)

Personifying a Month

Prompt: Personify a month

September is awkward and shy. She walks through the school corridors with her head hanging and her hands covered by her sweater sleeves.

But she doesn't have to be awkward and shy because she's beautiful. Her long hair flies gracefully behind her as she walks. Her big, round eyes twinkle like diamonds.

As she goes through the year, she blossoms. During the winter sports season she brought the Milton High Girls Basketball team to win the championships. Just last week, she starred in the school play.

But then Summer comes to town and we don't see her for two whole months. Then September comes back, and September is awkward and shy ones again.

Personifying a Season

Prompt: Personify a Season

Spring is beautiful. She wears dresses everyday; she doesn't own pants. She wears blue to remember the forget-me-nots. She wears pink for the cherry blossoms, purple for the lilacs. She dances in the fields of newly-bloomed daises; swims in a warm sea of marigolds.

But then she goes away, hibernates. She's there one second and gone the next. We all want her to leave so Summer can come. But then Fall comes, and then Winter. By then all we want is Spring to come back. And she always does. She's so gullible.

When we kick winter out, Spring comes to our side and makes everything and everyone come alive. The bears wake up from their deep slumber. The flowers yawn and stretch their limbs. The salmon push upstream. People step onto their porch with a cup of whispering coffee and smile in the fresh sunlight. Everything comes alive.

Spring does that. But then we want her gone. So she leaves. But she comes every time.

The Thief of Always: Ch 4-7 (Part 2)

The Thief of Always Chapter 4 - 7 Prompts (Part 2)

Prompt #4
I walked through the building, surveying for any signs of life that would threaten mine. Nothing set of warning, making me exhale with relief. I lowered my gun that now served no immediate purpose and tucked it into the waistband of my jeans for save keeping. Now that I could get comfortable, I studied the different rooms in the abandoned building. The first room was just an office with a desk shattered to pieces across the floor and a dusty old computer in the corner; once so useful and almost essential to life, now completely and utterly useless thanks to the end of organized civilization. I shut the door on that room, mentally marking it useless. The next two rooms consisted of empty shelves and dressers with drawers half open. Judging by my findings so far, the people that lived here got out in time. They packed and left in a hurry, escaping right before they came crawling into our world. If they were still breathing is another question I will never know the answer to.

I searched every room but one. The closed door was covered with posters of countless people and things. A band dressed in black and leather looked oddly friendly next to a Polaroid picture of a baby. I slowly and hesitantly entered the room. Light from the setting sun showered through the sheer white curtains. Unlike the other rooms, this one wasn't emptied out. The walls were a pale pink with abstract swirls of magenta. More posters covered the wall above a desk that was littered with books and office supplies. My breath got caught in my throat when I saw the Geometry textbook. This room belonged to a child.

I ignored the sad feeling in my stomach and continued searching the room. A guitar hung from a hook on the wall. Multiple purses and bags hung from the doorknob to what I guessed was a closet. At least seven books were piled on a small table next to the four-poster bed. The pale pink curtains were all closed, concealing something laying on the bed.

I cautiously opened the curtain closest to me. I gasped for breath and stumbled backwards at the sight. The curtain remained open, still showing me the body of a dead girl.

The Thief of Always: Ch 4-7

The Thief of Always Chapter 4 - 7 Prompts

Prompt #2

This was the place where I last saw them, the hill on the outskirts of town. It was a little after midnight and the moon projected its milky blue glow upon the group, making them mere silhouettes against it. They were all standing in a circle, smiling and chatting under the twinkling stars without a care in the world. I had difficulty sneaking out that night so I was running late. I jogged through the maze called our neighborhood until I reached the base of the hill. I saw the silhouettes; I remember smiling when my eyes first landed on them. I trekked up the hill. Once I reached the top they all turned with smiles that made their eyes glow and wrinkle at the corners. Then the ground started to shake and the smiles faded. We all tried to stay firmly planted on our feet, but all failed. We all tumbled down the hill and towards the lake at the bottom. I could sense our fear as we rolled uncontrollably down the slope to the forbidden water; the place we were specifically told to never go near. But nothing could save us from the murky water. One by one we splashed into the unused water. The water was so thick that ripples were nonexistent; we entered the darkness silently.

I swan ashore the moment I was able to. When I looked back, no one was following me. But then my dear Masie emerged with a gasp. She struggled through the water, calling to me for help. I was about to drive back into the water when something pulled her under. Splashes and screams muffled by the disgusting water came from the place she went under. I tried to reach for her, but she was too far out. Suddenly her violent splashes and distressed calls ceased, and I was the only one left in silence. I waited for someone else to emerge, for any sign of life. But nothing came. I called 911 and waited, unmoved, right on the shore. I knew someone or something did this to my friends. I promised them I would find out. And I would destroy it.

Fears

I have just recently decided to post tonight. I don't know why, I just am...

Anyways, I wanted to talk about fears. It is a very common thing since... since forever. I don't think any one is truly fearless. I think we have fears that are kept hidden deep into our minds that we don't even know exist. For example, I don't think I am afraid of birds, but you never know...

I promise I'm not trying to freak you out, but it gets you thinking right?

My fears are pretty straight forward; I have four major fears that basically haunt me. I have been afraid of spiders and snakes ever since I can remember. I was probably just born with those. I am also terrified of thunder. I know, I know it's childish, but I have a reason! I feel like the universe is made at me or something. So whenever there is a thunder storm, I climb into bed and curl up into a ball until it's over... Okay, maybe I don't necessarily do that but sometimes I do!

Lastly, I have the worst stage fright you could possibly imagine. Some say that they get extremely nervous before they go on stage to sing in front of a sold out stadium or right before the curtain rises on opening night of the play they're staring in. But with me, the nerves never stop. Throughout the entire performance, whether it's a simple class presentation or a crowd full of strangers, I am terrified of messing up. 

This is my brain: Okay, you can do this. It'll be  piece of cake. Oh god, there's a lot of people... and they're all starring at me. Why are they starring?? Does my hair look okay? Is there something in my teeth? Am I naked?! OH GOD!!

Sad right?

HOWEVER, I do not frown upon  my fears. And you shouldn't either. We are all afraid of something, whether it's something as simple as an animal or something really deep like rejection. But, hey, when you're terrified of going on an airplane, I'm right next to you, shaking in my boots about having to talk to you at some point on the flight. We're all the same. We all have different fears and phobias but we react in the same way. So you're not alone in the least.

Wow! That just got all deep and inspirational! Hope this helped you or made you laugh. (It's okay if you laughed, by the way; I laughed too :D). Here's you're challenge: post you're fears in the comments below. I won't judge:)

Sincerely,
Wonderland

PS- tell me if there is any typos please (insert cute monkey emoji)

Age of Miracles and Public Education

Yay! First post! Hi peoples!

It's crazy to know that you- yes you right there- are reading my words off of the world wide web. Weird right?

Anyways, let me give you a summary of what is going to be on this blog. I'm a ninth grade creative writing major at School of the Arts. This means I will constantly be blogging about reading and writing. I love to read contemporary novels and a sprinkle of fantasy here and there. I love John Green, Veronica Roth, A.S. King, Ellen Hopkins, this list goes on and on and on.

Right now, for example, I am reading The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. This novel follows a middle schooler name Julia who, writing in past tense, looks back on the time when the rotation of the earth started to slow, also known as the slowing. I'm currently on chapter 12 and it's... interesting. To be honest, I'm starting to get scared that the slowing might actually happen. I guess that means the novel has had an impact on me...??

Now this is obviously an abrupt transition but I really need to talk about this. I want to talk about Public Education. You have probably heard about this on the news about every other day for months now but all those reports are missing something. Let me ask you this: do any of the countless newspapers give a student's opinion? None in my city.

Where I live is one of the worst school districts in the state, let alone the country. That is not my personal opinion, blame the surveys. Even though my school has the highest graduation rate in the city, it's still a mess. We're on the state's watch list and our classes are constantly being observed by representatives from the state or the district. The Education department, or who ever is in charge, think these observations and surveys are going to help but they're 100% wrong.

But wait! Here's a brilliant idea! How about we listen to the people who are learning in those classrooms and the people who are really affected by the school's education quality. Do you sense the sarcasm? Good.

I have told countless teachers and classmates about this idea and they support it. Then they say "but..." and my heart sinks because I know what they're going to say; it's the same every time. They say, "But the state and district think you're unreliable." Unreliable!? Give me a break!!! How are the students unreliable?? We're the ones that are suppose to benefit from public education so are we unreliable!?!?!?

I have accepted the fact that change probably isn't going to happen while I'm still in high school. The real reason I want to do this is for the kids I babysit and tutor after school because they need and deserve a better education for when they're going through the system themselves.

Okay, okay, my rant is over. This my personal opinion and it's 100% okay if you don't agree. I just needed to get my voice out and into the world.

I know I'm not the only one that feels like this. So if anyone reads this, get those fingers tapping across that keyboard and comment your opinion.

Sincerely,

Wonderland

PS- tell me if there is any typos please (insert cute monkey emoji)