Here we are on a lovely Thursday afternoon, and I'm realizing I haven't blogged in almost a week...for shame! I suppose I could say that I've been too busy hanging out with people, that I've been reading and writing a bunch, that I've immersed myself in some new music; and while that all may be true, the fact of the matter is that I really haven't had anything blog worthy go on in my life.
Right now I'm listening to "World Spins Madly On" by The Weepies and I'm thinking about how true this song is. If you've never heard it, you should listen to it. It's about how no matter how still you stand, the world is still moving. No matter how much you might want everything to just stop and stay the way it is, that's not the way life works.
My last full week of school is next week, and that scares the hell out of me. I have summer ahead, but beyond that is my entrance to that big world out there. AH! I really don't know how this all will turn out, but I'm writing every night and hoping that this will be enough.
Tomorrow is the scheduled "senior skip day" so people can get ready for prom tomorrow night. For those of us lucky enough not to be going it means we can relax all day. Or that's what it SHOULD mean. I will be working starting at ten and then I have to pick up siblings from school at noon. Oh well, Cecilia and I will get some Taco Bell and then go over to my older sister, Suzanne's house. That should be fun.
I guess this is adequate in length...now I have to find something to do. I'm so bored! Three day weekend, nothing to do!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Never Cry Quotes
Last night I watched Saved with my cousin and I thought it would be cool for people to tell me their favorite Saved quotes because it has many classic lines. What I got in return was a bunch of people telling me their favorite movies to quote.
This included such classics as The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Heavyweights. It also included ridiculous suggestions such as Marley and Me.
I realize that I shouldn't expect anything more from my family. Their idea of culture is going on vacation. They also only think about Spanish in terms of ordering Mexican food, it's the same for Chinese. I guess that's part of the reason I read so much and watch so many diverse movies. I want to break the mold some of my family has set before me.
I know some of this was in humor, but seriously, there's a point when you've clearly crossed the line.
My thoughts go out to my friend who put down his dog on Saturday. This might help some of you realize that your comments didn't quite work the way you wanted them to. RIP Ginger, 13 years was a long time.
This included such classics as The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Heavyweights. It also included ridiculous suggestions such as Marley and Me.
I realize that I shouldn't expect anything more from my family. Their idea of culture is going on vacation. They also only think about Spanish in terms of ordering Mexican food, it's the same for Chinese. I guess that's part of the reason I read so much and watch so many diverse movies. I want to break the mold some of my family has set before me.
I know some of this was in humor, but seriously, there's a point when you've clearly crossed the line.
My thoughts go out to my friend who put down his dog on Saturday. This might help some of you realize that your comments didn't quite work the way you wanted them to. RIP Ginger, 13 years was a long time.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Complete Persepolis and Lifeteen
Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday...what do I write about on a Tuesday?
I just finished reading a graphic novel called "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi. It was a very interesting book about a girl growing up in revolutionary Iran and how this affected her life, views, and relationships. I usually don't read books that are so educational and non-fiction, but this one was really good.
My friend Aaztli had lent it to me when I lent her Will Grayson, Will Grayson so I thought I might as well take a look, and I was not disappointed. Marjane is a very interesting person and if anyone has a chance to check this book out, I highly recommend it.
This past weekend I helped give my last Luke 18 retreat with my youthgroup and I had a blast! Adoration on Saturday was amazing as always and I let the fact that this was my last retreat totally overwhelm me and let me have the best time I could possibly have. It's always nice to be surrounded by so many people who love and support you in your faith, especially when you have to give a talk as difficult as mine was for me. I gave the "hurting and making up" talk, and this is not always easy for people to do. I was so nervous, especially since I don't like speaking in front of people to begin with. Luckily I had friends to support me and pray for me, and I got through it without a hitch.
I really will miss Lifeteen next year.
I just finished reading a graphic novel called "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi. It was a very interesting book about a girl growing up in revolutionary Iran and how this affected her life, views, and relationships. I usually don't read books that are so educational and non-fiction, but this one was really good.
My friend Aaztli had lent it to me when I lent her Will Grayson, Will Grayson so I thought I might as well take a look, and I was not disappointed. Marjane is a very interesting person and if anyone has a chance to check this book out, I highly recommend it.
This past weekend I helped give my last Luke 18 retreat with my youthgroup and I had a blast! Adoration on Saturday was amazing as always and I let the fact that this was my last retreat totally overwhelm me and let me have the best time I could possibly have. It's always nice to be surrounded by so many people who love and support you in your faith, especially when you have to give a talk as difficult as mine was for me. I gave the "hurting and making up" talk, and this is not always easy for people to do. I was so nervous, especially since I don't like speaking in front of people to begin with. Luckily I had friends to support me and pray for me, and I got through it without a hitch.
I really will miss Lifeteen next year.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Hidden Memories
I read a book today called Circle the Soul Softly. It was a very inspiring book for me as an author because Davida Wills Hurwin does such a wonderful job portraying this girl, Katie, who is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and doesn't even realize it.
She knows something is wrong with her, and for a long time she believes she is schizophrenic because she has a lot of symptoms common with that disorder. That is until she remembers. You see, her dad was sick when she was younger and died when she was in eighth grade, but she doesn't have a lot of memories of that time. She only has a nightmare in which a monster, who is a man without a face is chasing her. You go through the novel with her and slowly begin to realize things as she does. Then one of her nightmares turns into a memory. The man without a face is her father, and he disappears to her as she disassociates herself from what he is doing to her. Her father came to her room when she was little.
I know this may sound weird to you normal people out there, but sometimes I wonder if I have repressed memories. I guess that's the author in me. I didn't have a good childhood, I've seen things that most people wouldn't imagine a little girl to know about, and it has made me see things differently. I don't think the same way as other people do, and I guess I should be grateful for this because it helps me write. But there's always that little part of me wondering if there is something deep down I don't remember.
I guess that's it for today. I hope I didn't freak you all out.
She knows something is wrong with her, and for a long time she believes she is schizophrenic because she has a lot of symptoms common with that disorder. That is until she remembers. You see, her dad was sick when she was younger and died when she was in eighth grade, but she doesn't have a lot of memories of that time. She only has a nightmare in which a monster, who is a man without a face is chasing her. You go through the novel with her and slowly begin to realize things as she does. Then one of her nightmares turns into a memory. The man without a face is her father, and he disappears to her as she disassociates herself from what he is doing to her. Her father came to her room when she was little.
I know this may sound weird to you normal people out there, but sometimes I wonder if I have repressed memories. I guess that's the author in me. I didn't have a good childhood, I've seen things that most people wouldn't imagine a little girl to know about, and it has made me see things differently. I don't think the same way as other people do, and I guess I should be grateful for this because it helps me write. But there's always that little part of me wondering if there is something deep down I don't remember.
I guess that's it for today. I hope I didn't freak you all out.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
It's in the Words
the words aren't coming to me very easily today, so i am going to type like david levithan's will grayson. that's right, he uses no capitalization unless he's very ANGRY or trying to prove a point. hmm... that's actually kind of interesting to me.
do you ever think that authors have reasons for typing things the way they do? speaking as an aspiring author, it is my experience that they do. wow, shocking right? not really. did you ever wonder why the teenage prostitute in catcher in the rye was wearing green? (ac, this is for you) i learned in my sophomore english class that this is because of the madonna/whore dichotomy.
the madonna/whore dichotomy is basically a stereotype for women. it says that either a woman is a madonna, meaning that she is innocent and young and takes care of others, or she is a whore, i'm figuring you know what this means.
back to the catcher in the rye. she wears a red coat symbolizing the fact that she is whoring herself out, as red is characteristically for adulterers and whores (seen in the SCARLET letter). but underneath this red coat is a green dress. green is a very innocent color. this means that even though she does whore herself out, she's actually a madonna! i believe that salinger is telling us with this girl that we can't judge people by their outward appearances.
i bet you didn't catch that when you read the novel, unless you read it for school like i did. if you know of any other instances in which the author is trying to tell you something, aka symbolism, comment it!
do you ever think that authors have reasons for typing things the way they do? speaking as an aspiring author, it is my experience that they do. wow, shocking right? not really. did you ever wonder why the teenage prostitute in catcher in the rye was wearing green? (ac, this is for you) i learned in my sophomore english class that this is because of the madonna/whore dichotomy.
the madonna/whore dichotomy is basically a stereotype for women. it says that either a woman is a madonna, meaning that she is innocent and young and takes care of others, or she is a whore, i'm figuring you know what this means.
back to the catcher in the rye. she wears a red coat symbolizing the fact that she is whoring herself out, as red is characteristically for adulterers and whores (seen in the SCARLET letter). but underneath this red coat is a green dress. green is a very innocent color. this means that even though she does whore herself out, she's actually a madonna! i believe that salinger is telling us with this girl that we can't judge people by their outward appearances.
i bet you didn't catch that when you read the novel, unless you read it for school like i did. if you know of any other instances in which the author is trying to tell you something, aka symbolism, comment it!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Prepare Yourselves!
Hey, y'all! I have a really bad cough thing, so I'm going to make this post a little short, I think.
Here's the thing, GRADUATION. That's right, it's coming, looming in the near future and we can't hide from it. I've been thinking about this today because I had my "exit interview" with the principal of my school. This basically means that he asked about teachers I liked or didn't like. He also asked if I was prepared for college. That's when I kind of freaked out in my own head.
Prepare for college! Ah! It sounds like I'm going off to battle, and that's something I really don't want to do. This is when my mind goes off into little tangents. I think of a lot of different things when I think about going off to college.
1.) Independence- I know we always think that things will be so much easier when we get to make our own decisions...but do we really want to make our own decisions? I mean, my mom even told me the other day that I have to make my own choices. I like to go with the flow, I thought I wasn't being picky, but no, I hate making choices.
2.) Distance- As I have said before, I will be the farthest I've ever been away from my family and this scares me. My older brother is moving back into town, and I will be the only one gone. I'm so used to having family everywhere that next year will be very hard to get used to.
3.) The Future- I really have to buckle down on my writing now if I want to have a novel published by the time I graduate college. I need to know my process and be able to devote a lot of time to typing and looking over the things I have. I also need to finish more stories than I start.
Saying this, I will be leaving you to type now...I need to have this done! Oh why can't I get all my ideas on paper and edited immediately?
Here's the thing, GRADUATION. That's right, it's coming, looming in the near future and we can't hide from it. I've been thinking about this today because I had my "exit interview" with the principal of my school. This basically means that he asked about teachers I liked or didn't like. He also asked if I was prepared for college. That's when I kind of freaked out in my own head.
Prepare for college! Ah! It sounds like I'm going off to battle, and that's something I really don't want to do. This is when my mind goes off into little tangents. I think of a lot of different things when I think about going off to college.
1.) Independence- I know we always think that things will be so much easier when we get to make our own decisions...but do we really want to make our own decisions? I mean, my mom even told me the other day that I have to make my own choices. I like to go with the flow, I thought I wasn't being picky, but no, I hate making choices.
2.) Distance- As I have said before, I will be the farthest I've ever been away from my family and this scares me. My older brother is moving back into town, and I will be the only one gone. I'm so used to having family everywhere that next year will be very hard to get used to.
3.) The Future- I really have to buckle down on my writing now if I want to have a novel published by the time I graduate college. I need to know my process and be able to devote a lot of time to typing and looking over the things I have. I also need to finish more stories than I start.
Saying this, I will be leaving you to type now...I need to have this done! Oh why can't I get all my ideas on paper and edited immediately?
Friday, April 9, 2010
Playlist April 5-9
Monday- Happy by Brandi Carlile: I really didn't do too much on Monday, but something made me really happy. I miss those days when not doing anything could be enough.
Tuesday- No Floods by Stefani Germonata: I had to work on Tuesday, but it was worth it because working makes me those paychecks. I always get really hopeful on days when I work because I imagine what life will be like later and I feel unstoppable.
Wednesday- I Don't Want to Wait by Paula Cole: I picked this song because of the title. I skipped posting this day because I couldn't wait to finish reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was AWESOME.
Thursday- My Little Corner of the World by Yo Lo Tengo: I took some time on Thursday to look at this old website (shelfari.com). I felt as though I'd slipped back into some other time and place. Somewhere that was mine, but part of something bigger at the same time.
Friday- No Sleep by The Faders: I feel like just doing wild and crazy things right now. Who knows...I might just stay up all night.
Tuesday- No Floods by Stefani Germonata: I had to work on Tuesday, but it was worth it because working makes me those paychecks. I always get really hopeful on days when I work because I imagine what life will be like later and I feel unstoppable.
Wednesday- I Don't Want to Wait by Paula Cole: I picked this song because of the title. I skipped posting this day because I couldn't wait to finish reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was AWESOME.
Thursday- My Little Corner of the World by Yo Lo Tengo: I took some time on Thursday to look at this old website (shelfari.com). I felt as though I'd slipped back into some other time and place. Somewhere that was mine, but part of something bigger at the same time.
Friday- No Sleep by The Faders: I feel like just doing wild and crazy things right now. Who knows...I might just stay up all night.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Washing Machines
Yeah, sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I have a legitimate excuse. I had to read! It was absolutely necessary and if you can't see that, I don't think we can be friends...I'm just kidding, of course we can be friends.
You see, I pre-ordered this book Will Grayson, Will Grayson on Amazon.com over the weekend and it arrived yesterday while I was waiting for the new washing machine to get to the house. Yes, I was waiting for the washing machine. You see, my mother couldn't be home to sign for it, so about three periods into school I get a text from my mom telling me that I should go home because the washing machine people will be there in about forty-five minutes. So I went to the office due to a "migraine" and called my mom who told me to go home. So they gave me a pass and home I went.
Now, I am not going to ruin this book for you because I believe you all should read it. But I will tell you that it is super amazing. If you don't like a lot of cursing, you may not appreciate it as much, but I have to tell you it is hilarious. I almost couldn't put it down long enough to watch Heathers last night, but of course "a best friends work is never done", so I had to. Not really, I really wanted to watch Heathers. I highly suggest that movie as well. But not for those who can't understand dark, sarcastic humor.
Well, I guess that's about all I have to say...I should probably go to the library and find something else to read. Oh, by the way here's a link to the book: http://www.readingrants.org/2010/01/15/will-grayson-will-grayson-by-john-green-david-levithan/
You see, I pre-ordered this book Will Grayson, Will Grayson on Amazon.com over the weekend and it arrived yesterday while I was waiting for the new washing machine to get to the house. Yes, I was waiting for the washing machine. You see, my mother couldn't be home to sign for it, so about three periods into school I get a text from my mom telling me that I should go home because the washing machine people will be there in about forty-five minutes. So I went to the office due to a "migraine" and called my mom who told me to go home. So they gave me a pass and home I went.
Now, I am not going to ruin this book for you because I believe you all should read it. But I will tell you that it is super amazing. If you don't like a lot of cursing, you may not appreciate it as much, but I have to tell you it is hilarious. I almost couldn't put it down long enough to watch Heathers last night, but of course "a best friends work is never done", so I had to. Not really, I really wanted to watch Heathers. I highly suggest that movie as well. But not for those who can't understand dark, sarcastic humor.
Well, I guess that's about all I have to say...I should probably go to the library and find something else to read. Oh, by the way here's a link to the book: http://www.readingrants.org/2010/01/15/will-grayson-will-grayson-by-john-green-david-levithan/
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Character Crushes
Alrighty, so yesterday I got philosophical on you guys and now I'm going to take on the flip side of some of the books I read. The unrealistically wonderful guys that I fall in love with. NO, this is not about the evil Edward Cullen. Don't even get me started on how much I detest that fake, sparkly, stalker vampire wannabe. The guy has no depth! Please, it's just like saying you have a crush on a celebrity because of their face which may be fake. I'm not saying I don't enjoy some guys' faces, but there has to be more than that!
Take for instance, my highest character crush William B. Landsman from Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. He's not perfect looking and he wears old fashioned clothing to go with his personality. And he's stubborn, so stubborn that he went to school with pneumonia and his lung had to collapse before he would leave his duties as editor of the yearbook. But he's the best friend a person could have. When Naomi needed a ride to see her ex, Will took her even though he was mad at her. He also made her this wonderful slideshow with pictures from the years she forgot to help her remember. I could talk and talk for hours about how great Will is because he has great characteristics. He's not a creepy stalker vampire.
A lot of my character crushes are from Sarah Dessen novels, and if you've read any of them, you can see why. Sarah gives these characters depth! She doesn't just say "they have this great crooked smile" (cough cough, Stephanie Meyer), but they also have faults, just like actual guys! No, being a vampire is not a fault! I will discuss a few of Dessen's guys.
Dexter: He is lanky and clumsy as hell, but behind his childish behavior is this really sweet guy who believes in love after everything he's been through that would convince him not to.
Wes: Sure, he's got the perfect looks "sawoon", but he is super shy and has a criminal record. He's also a great artist and very modest about his work as well.
Owen: Owen gets angry easily and has anger management issues. He's working on them though, and tells the truth because that's what he expects in return. He's a music expert and will enlighten you if you ask.
These are just a few examples, I could write forever about characters I've fallen in love with, but I'm sure that would get boring. But the point is that I don't look for guys that are perfect. I look for characters with depth. Which is something today's society has been sorely lacking in the teen population idol wise. We should work on that.
Take for instance, my highest character crush William B. Landsman from Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. He's not perfect looking and he wears old fashioned clothing to go with his personality. And he's stubborn, so stubborn that he went to school with pneumonia and his lung had to collapse before he would leave his duties as editor of the yearbook. But he's the best friend a person could have. When Naomi needed a ride to see her ex, Will took her even though he was mad at her. He also made her this wonderful slideshow with pictures from the years she forgot to help her remember. I could talk and talk for hours about how great Will is because he has great characteristics. He's not a creepy stalker vampire.
A lot of my character crushes are from Sarah Dessen novels, and if you've read any of them, you can see why. Sarah gives these characters depth! She doesn't just say "they have this great crooked smile" (cough cough, Stephanie Meyer), but they also have faults, just like actual guys! No, being a vampire is not a fault! I will discuss a few of Dessen's guys.
Dexter: He is lanky and clumsy as hell, but behind his childish behavior is this really sweet guy who believes in love after everything he's been through that would convince him not to.
Wes: Sure, he's got the perfect looks "sawoon", but he is super shy and has a criminal record. He's also a great artist and very modest about his work as well.
Owen: Owen gets angry easily and has anger management issues. He's working on them though, and tells the truth because that's what he expects in return. He's a music expert and will enlighten you if you ask.
These are just a few examples, I could write forever about characters I've fallen in love with, but I'm sure that would get boring. But the point is that I don't look for guys that are perfect. I look for characters with depth. Which is something today's society has been sorely lacking in the teen population idol wise. We should work on that.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Perks of Infinite Playlists
Today I finished a book and started reading another. This isn't an uncommon thing for me to do, but what is uncommon about this is the fact that the novel I finished reading was one I've read twice already in less than five months. It is my favorite book ever, and trust me that is something I don't say lightly.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a work of brilliance that I recommend to everyone who has the ability to read things "as a filter, not a sponge". Don't get me wrong, absorbing this novel is a wonderful thing, but when you can read it and put it in terms of your own life, it's so powerful. Charlie, a freshman living on the edges of the lives of seniors, experiences things that so many of us experience every day, but can never put into our own words. The feelings and actions in the novel are so provoking that it just blows my mind every single time I read it. The author, Stephen Chbosky, is a genius and I would love to possess half the writing ability he has.
This novel always gets me going on the idea of being infinite. At one point in the novel Charlie tells his best friends Patrick and Sam that he feels infinite. At first I could only imagine what this could possibly mean. It sounded so open ended, so open to interpretation. But then it happened to me. This is how I described it to a friend: "I feel like anything could happen. Anything in the realm of possibility, good or bad, could occur right now. The best part of this is that I feel like I could take it. It's insane. It's wonderful. It's overwhelming. It's more than I can say and everything I've ever said. It's just so...infinite. Period."
Also, I started reading Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Will tell you how that goes. Now I will watch some Rocky Horror, one of the things also in Perks. I love this movie!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a work of brilliance that I recommend to everyone who has the ability to read things "as a filter, not a sponge". Don't get me wrong, absorbing this novel is a wonderful thing, but when you can read it and put it in terms of your own life, it's so powerful. Charlie, a freshman living on the edges of the lives of seniors, experiences things that so many of us experience every day, but can never put into our own words. The feelings and actions in the novel are so provoking that it just blows my mind every single time I read it. The author, Stephen Chbosky, is a genius and I would love to possess half the writing ability he has.
This novel always gets me going on the idea of being infinite. At one point in the novel Charlie tells his best friends Patrick and Sam that he feels infinite. At first I could only imagine what this could possibly mean. It sounded so open ended, so open to interpretation. But then it happened to me. This is how I described it to a friend: "I feel like anything could happen. Anything in the realm of possibility, good or bad, could occur right now. The best part of this is that I feel like I could take it. It's insane. It's wonderful. It's overwhelming. It's more than I can say and everything I've ever said. It's just so...infinite. Period."
Also, I started reading Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Will tell you how that goes. Now I will watch some Rocky Horror, one of the things also in Perks. I love this movie!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
There's a Wall There
Sorry I have been so terribly neglectful lately. No, I haven't given up on my blog or been too busy to post...I've been suffering from Acute Authoring Absence aka Writer's Block.
That's right, I haven't been able to write anything in almost four days...it is killing me! I hate the fact that I'm leaving you hanging here, but the words just aren't flowing like they usually do.
The main reason I am posting today is to ask for prayers for my grandpa who is currently in the hospital. He had an episode on Sunday, thought it wasn't that bad, and decided not to go in to see a doctor until today. They had him go to the hospital for testing, and he was then admitted. I hope he's okay. Please, please, please keep him in your prayers!
That's right, I haven't been able to write anything in almost four days...it is killing me! I hate the fact that I'm leaving you hanging here, but the words just aren't flowing like they usually do.
The main reason I am posting today is to ask for prayers for my grandpa who is currently in the hospital. He had an episode on Sunday, thought it wasn't that bad, and decided not to go in to see a doctor until today. They had him go to the hospital for testing, and he was then admitted. I hope he's okay. Please, please, please keep him in your prayers!
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