Category: Bits and Pieces

So you may have noticed some changes in this blog over the past few weeks. The biggest change is the icon on the top of my blog page. I’d like to explain this icon and share a little bit about why it’s there.

I designed this icon myself, for this year’s National Book Festival. When I heard that theme was “I Cannot Live Without Books” I was beyond excited. Then, I thought it would be cool if I had a shirt with a logo for my website. So I drew a rough draft and a friend of my mom’s turned it into this amazing icon. Then my Grandpa uploaded it to the site.

I can’t wait to see if my t-shirt brings in more readers. If not, I will still be happy. Either way, I cannot wait for the National Book Festival.

I open my eyes, accepting that sleep is unattainable and a scene from a movie unfolds before me.

It is a sea of stars, a maze of bright lights, a shower of wonder and beauty.

A cool breeze floats through the tent, and I feel at peace. Snuggled in a sleeping bag with the Milky Way above me, I finally have the key to sleep.

A cool breeze, a clear mind, and a warm heart.

  First, the beautiful mountains. 

Next, the fluffy clouds. 

After that, the shimmering lake. 

Finally, the gorgeous skyline. 

Flying over Illinois is bliss. And though for only a short time, I am here. 

In Chicago.

  
After seven long months of waiting, this day has finally arrived. Tonight is the night I will see my favorite singer, Taylor Swift, live in concert. I’m very excited because not only are Swift’s songs catchy, they are meaningful. This concert will be a long one, but a very fun one. I am stoked! 

Every year, I get so excited for summer vacation to start. I’m ready for school to be over, and summer seems like the perfect break. It’s different, fun, and just plain awesome!

And yet, every year is the same! I spend my mornings at swimming, I spend my days sitting around, wondering what to do, and I always say “This year I’ll hang out with my friends every week”… And I never do.

Summer is just like a big tree. It provides shade and comfort, but soon it will not block out the heat; the truth is that summer is 80 days of boredom. It looms overhead and creates a depressing atmosphere.

But this year will not be depressing or boring. And this time I mean it. I will do everything in my power to ensure that I have a fun, relaxing summer. So for now I have to go, but have a good summer everybody.

My imagination takes me to a place far away from reality, hidden behind clouds of daydreams. Tucked away between mountains of hopes and wishes, I spend my days meandering on sandy beaches, trekking through snowy mountains, and swimming through blue rivers. The sky is always bright, the grass is always green, and the sea foam is bubbling with light. The world is mine to explore. I soar above the clouds, flying into the sun. Its warmth keeps my heart beating as I leave all my problems on the Earth below. But then, I blink and I land with a thud in reality. However, I still feel the sand between my toes, the wind in my hair, and the snowflakes on my tongue. My imagination never leaves me. And neither does yours.

Destiny is a funny concept. The thought that I live for a reason, that my life has a purpose is a warming one. The idea that I have a bright future is reassuring. On the other hand, the choices we make every day affect our future. So how can we have a set destiny if life is changing every day?

It’s an interesting topic. Some might call destiny a magical, wonderful thing, while others believe “destiny” is just coincidence in disguise.

As for me, I know what I believe. A destiny isn’t set in stone. But it isn’t just a myth. You make your own destiny, with the decisions you make every day of your life. That is what I think of destiny.

Last month, I had a “College and Career Project” due in Language Arts. I was asked to make a presentation about my plans for the future. At first, I was really excited about it. However, as the month went on, I realized I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. My whole childhood I’d grown up with the dream of becoming an author, but a couple weeks ago, that dream seemed impossible. I thought I’d known what I’d wanted to do, but suddenly I was in a slump.

That all changed today. Because today I met the author of one of my favorite books ever, Kwame Alexander. If you saw my review of his novel The Crossover, you know how greatly the book impacted me. Today I met Mr. Alexander at a small bookstore signing, but it was one of the biggest moments in my life. I now know that if I work hard, and stay determined, I can and will become and author someday. Thank you, Kwame Alexander. You are an inspiration.

This year, I want things to be different. I want to do more around the house. I want to hang out with my friends and family. I want to read more books. (Duh!) But what I really want to do, is post more on this blog. I haven’t posted since November, and I feel bad about that. So this year, I’m going to keep reading, writing, and posting. I hope you all have a wonderful first day of 2015, and I’ll see you soon. 🙂