Categories
Bits and Pieces

Destiny

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.

Categories
Poems

Making Someone Laugh

The best feeling in the world
Is making someone laugh
No matter how sad or angry
You are,
No matter how envious or upset
They are,
You are able to share
That one moment
Of pure happiness
Where all is right
With the world.

Categories
Bits and Pieces

Kwame Alexander

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.

Categories
Book of the Week Books

Book of the Week

As some of you may have noticed, I have gotten out of the habit of posting Book of the Week. I think one way to help me get back into this category is to change it up a bit. Instead of choosing an exceptional children’s book each week, I will describe the book I am reading that particular week. This week, for example, I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Feel free to comment thoughts about each book (no spoilers, please!) and of course, reading recommendations.

Categories
Reviews

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Crossover by
Kwame Alexander
Is b r e a t h t a k i n g.
With trouble
Lurking in
Shadowy corners.
And deep sadness
Hidden beneath
Humor.

Joshua Bell
(The main character)
Has you hating him
Loving him
Wishing on stars for him and
Tearing out your hair for him.

His brother, JB,
Doesn’t have his priorities straight.
In fact, they’re so crooked
You want to toss the book
Out the window.

For me, the novel started out s l o w
But once I kept reading,
It started to flow.

I was as hooked as a fish.
But then, that horrible
Kwame Alexander
Ripped out my heart
And stomped on it.

This piece
Was astonishing,
Amazing,
And flat out
Beautiful.
I was

H

A

N

G

I

N

G

On until the last
Word.

Thank you,
Kwame Alexander
For making me never
Want to read again
Because nothing
Will ever be this
Good.

 

Categories
Poems

The Battle of Basketball

The court
Is a battlefield
A raging war
Between two teams
Determined
To emerge victorious.
We fight like
Soldiers
Defending our
Territory.
The beautiful
Simplicity
Of fighting
For a cause you find
Worthwhile.

Categories
Think

Gray

Life is not black and white. It is a mixture, a big blurry mess of gray. A tornado of different colors, mixed together as one.

Why can’t people be gray? Not black, not white, but gray? Where we meld as one person, one player in the game of life. Not caring about skin, age, culture, religion. Just caring about the fact that we can all work together to create a better world. To play a better game.

Categories
Reviews

Into The Woods

Disney’s new movie Into the Woods is an eerie, playful twist on the stories you know and love. Although the previews for this movie appear intriguing, I would not recommend it. It has characters that aren’t relatable, and an overall unclear message.

Though Into the Woods is a comedic musical, which I usually enjoy, I found it weirdly disjointed. The scenes felt like they were thrown together. The storyline made no sense to me, as the characters repeatedly bump into each other in the enormous forest. How would they find each other over and over again, if they were wandering through the huge amounts of woods?

Another odd thing about the film was the characters themselves. It was hard to relate to any of the main characters because the story kept jumping around. Some of the relationships were absurd, such as Rapunzel, her prince, and her mother. Rapunzel barely knew her so-called “true love”, and her mother had no reason to lock her up. In fact, the witch had no reason to take the child at all! They just wanted to throw another princess in.

My favorite character was probably Red Riding Hood, portrayed by Lila Crawford. She was a sparky, comedic character who I felt took the role of Red Riding Hood to the next level. My least favorite was Cinderella’s prince. I found Chris Pine fell short, and came across as a self-centered idiot, not a kind, charming prince.

Into the Woods was funny and spooky. However, Disney crossed the line between funny and weird. Overall, though it is a nice change of pace, this movie was a major letdown.

Categories
Bits and Pieces Think

This Is Life

This is Life. Life is a big bundle of twists and turns, ups and downs, and in-betweens. Life is complex and delicate, but also simple and powerful. Life can make a person. Or, a person can make life. That’s what I want to do. I want not to choose which path I go down, but to make my own. I will pave my own sidewalk of life and I will take it one step at a time. And once I’m past my prime and my life is nearing the end, this is what I will say:

“Dear Life,

I gave you everything I had-thank you for giving me so much in return.”

Your family, friends, and career are what life gives you in return. So milk it for all its worth, I beg you. Because it’s not just life-it’s your life.

Categories
Bits and Pieces

New Year’s Resoloution

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. 🙂