Book Recommendations: "Real World"

"Real World" 
(Or, I review almost every John Green book in one big post)

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Read it. John Green has become quite adept at writing realistic, yet original teenage characters. Gus, Hazel, and Isaac are some of the best examples of this. The book is a bit on the cheesy side if you step back and think about it, but it's high school romance. That's okay. Besides being a really good rom-nov, it's also really deep. It explores sickness and death and hope and love in a way that you don't often see in fiction. It stirs your soul and gives you a new viewpoint on people whose stories are not often told this way. It feels very real, very honest.

Eleanor and Park*

by Rainbow Rowell

Set in the 80s, Eleanor and Park is a beautiful story about love and secrets and comic books and mix tapes. It's such a... pretty book. Which is weird, because it's actually quite dark. Eleanor and Park are both very different characters that what you would normally read about. Park is quiet and shy and small and elegant and Asian. Eleanor is big and obvious and new and fat and ginger. There's also hardly any dialogue in the book, which is really hard to pull off. A lot of it happens in their heads. It's very poetically written. This book is kinda hit and miss with people, some -- like me -- love it, and others (like Holly) don't. But it's a very unique and lovely romance, so if that strikes your fancy, read it.

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl is verrry different from Eleanor and Park. Cath is off to college, and literally everything in her life is changing. She is a super nerdy, socially awkward fanfiction writer who is terrified of change and being on her own. Her twin sister, Wren, is ready to grow up, to be her own person, much to Cath's terror. I love how Rowell explores growing up and loving a story and basically says "Hey, it's okay to be a nerd. It's cool to be a fangirl. And it's definitely okay to let go of some things." I really connected to this book and highly recommend it to anyone who would rather read Destiel fanfiction,or rewatch A Very Potter Musical or cry over "The Angels Take Manhattan" than deal with the real world. Oh, and Rainbow Rowell just recently published a book about Simon Snow, who Cath writes fanfic about in Fangirl. So that's super exciting. 

We Were Liars

by E. Lockhart

This book is amazing. I really don't know how much to tell you, because it's a book you just have to read. Basically, think "perfect," upper-class family with secrets and issues galore. This book is... shocking, and heart breaking, and so elegantly written. It's a bit of a ghost story, a bit of a mystery, a bit of an exposé. I realize this is the most vague description of a book ever, but I really, really think you just need to read it. 

It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini

Craig Gilner has worked hard for what he wants since forever. But now it's all too much. After enrolling in the school of his dreams, Craig gets overwhelmed and becomes very anxious and depressed. He gets suicidal and ends up in mental hospital. The book is partially based of Vizzini's experience in a psychiatric hospital. It's a different view on depression, and mental illness in general. I, being slightly obsessed with psychology, really liked this book. It feels far more accurate than most books about depression/suicide. Craig has issues, but he never blames it on people, he doesn't play the victim. Which is refreshing to read. 

Looking For Alaska*

by John Green

The first book John Green published, this book is so good and so frustrating. John Green doesn't wrap everything up and explain it nicely, the way you'd like a book to. No, he writes it like it's life: Sometimes you don't understand why. This book has some of the most amazing quotes and really showcases John Green's talent as a wordsmith. There's so many wonderful things about this book; the antics everyone gets into, the mix of humor and tragedy, the suspense, the mystery, the characterization of Alaska and her contradictory-ness, the 10th Anniversary cover (I'm in love with this cover), the quirks of all the characters. 

Paper Towns

by John Green

Yeah, okay, I really like John Green's writing. Paper Towns might be favorite of his books. For those of you unfamiliar with the books, Paper Towns is about a boy named Quentin. Q has a plan for his life. He wants the stereotypical American dream. He'll graduate, go to a good college, get a good job, have a family and house with a white picket fence. One night, Margo Roth Spiegelman -- his adventurous, slightly crazy, super attractive neighbor -- brings him along for a madcap night of revenge. Q has the best night of his life and is sure that afterwards the two will be best friends (at the very least). But the next day, Margo is gone. Q and his friends search for Margo, eventually going on a cross-country road trip, looking for a girl who doesn't want to be found and a town that doesn't exist. This book explores life and personhood -- both our own and everyone else's.

This Star Won't Go Out

by Esther Earl

The story of Esther Earl, a girl who died of cancer at sixteen years old. She inspired John Green to write the Fault in Our Stars, but her tale rarely gets the attention it deserves. This book will very much make you rethink how you live your life and give you a new perspective on things you used to take for granted (like breathing). It's such a wake-up call, I guess. I made it to page seven before crying, so there's that. Reading about Esther's life and then death will probably make you mad. It made me furious. I will give you a word of advice: Use that emotion and do something constructive with it. I don't care what, but I think a huge reason we need to read about Esther and others like her is to try to change things and make them better.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower*

by Stephen Chbosky

Gritty, dark, and intriguing, this book is a very honest look at high school life from the perspective of a wallflower. The main character, Charlie, is the quiet, chill type that everyone likes and accepts because he will never judge. Two seniors, Sam and Patrick, take him under their wing and show him all sorts of things. One of my friends said this book was the epitome of teenage angst, with every single thing that teens deal with in it -- sex, drugs, homosexuality, abuse... You name it, it's probably in Perks. I do really like the book, though. There's something... Relatable about it. I would recommend it. Plus it has a really good mixtape mentioned that you can find on Spotify. 

Into the Wild

by Jon Krakauer

The non-fiction account of Chris McCandless, who trekked across the U.S. (and some of Mexico) for about two years before ending up in Alaska, where he died. I really admire Chris. He had guts, and there's no denying he was smart. He was an idealist of the highest order, and he lived what he believed. I get what drove him. It's a wonderful mystery. It wouldn't be nonfiction if everything was cleared up. I wanted to hitchhike across America after I read it. Krakauer does an amazing job tying McCandless's story to similar stories from the past -- including his own. This is a really, really good book.

*Denotes mature content (i.e. language, sexual content)

P.S. There are links to the books on Amazon if you click the titles. 

Dear Everyone Who Has Asked For Book Recommendations: SciFi

I think I'm going to make this a little series, where I post a group of book reviews/recommendations every two weeks. So without further ado, here's a lot of book recommendations.

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic/Science Fiction: 

The Matched Trilogy

by Ally Condie

A dystopian society that has taken away choice + beauty. I appreciate Ally Condie's writing style so very much. The plot itself is not incredibly unique, but it was one of the first dystopian novels I read, and therefore has a special place in my heart. The characters and the writing are what make this book so very enjoyable. Cassia, Xander, and Ky are all well-rounded and interesting., and Condie's description and appreciation of beauty in the little things is so glorious. And the covers are sooo pretty. Get it on Amazon here.

The Lunar Chronicles

by Marissa Meyer

Science fiction fairy tales. I love, love, love these. Cinder pulled me in, and Scarlet and Cress were almost as good. I adore Cinder -- the character herself. All the characters in these books are so unique and so much more than the usual fairy tale character. I am a sucker for science fiction, and these books fit the bill. Space ships! Cyborgs! Aliens! They're down right stunning. Winter, the last book in the series, comes out in November, and I am very excited. Preorder it here.

The Partials Sequence

by Dan Wells

A sub-human species was created to be the perfect army... but the plan backfired. Now the few survivors left on Earth face not only these super soldiers but a disease that is killing their children and newborns. This book -- much like Unwind (below) -- very much deals with questions about morality and humanity. It's action packed, interesting, and really quite deep. Kira is a medic, determined to find the cure to the disease, no matter the cost. When a Partial is captured, Kira learns that the solution to her problem might lie with their greatest enemy. Click here to buy it. 

Unwind

by Neal Shusterman

A speculative fiction, Unwind explores a world where abortion is illegal, but an alternative “solution” has been found. Unwanted babies can be “storked” or left on someone else’s doorstep. From conception until 13, children can’t be touched. Then, with their parent's signature, they are can be sent to a Harvest Camp, drugged, removed of their blood, and taken apart. They are "unwound." Unwinding is considered a compromise for the ProLife and ProChoice people. The Unwinds -- some are problem kids, wards of the state, some are tithes (dedicated since birth to be Unwound) -- remain technically alive even after they’ve donated all their body parts. Everything is put to use in a Frankenstein-ian way. The book is haunting. It will shake you. Almost every character has a chapter to tell the story from their perspective - even the bad guys. You see everyone's motives and thought processes and vulnerabilities, which makes it about fifty times more intense. It is terrifying in a really powerful way. It will make you think really hard about the value of life, and what makes a person human. It questions humanity and love, God, death, respect, betrayal, hate, revenge, lost innocence, regret, neglect, fear, hope, leadership... In the first book, a bunch of kids ask each other at what point a person has a soul. If you ask me, that's the whole point of the books. Buy it now.

Ender's Game

by Orson Scott Card

This is a classic sci-fi book. Ender Wiggin is a child genius who is selected for Battle School -- a soldier training program. Ender quickly rises in the program, and it's clear that he's a natural strategist and warrior. Ender is a fascinating character, because he's both gentle and terrifying. His siblings, Valentine and Peter, represent both sides of him. The book explores Ender's growing up and his sense of morality. The people who run the Battle School push him so hard, and Orson Scott Card really explores that piece. How far is too far? Get it at this nifty link.

Avalon

by Mindee Arnett

Reminiscent of Star Wars, Avalon is about Jeth Seagrave and his team of thieves (known as the Malleus Shades. Talk about an epic name). The Shades are sent for their biggest score ever when they uncover a secret that almost anyone in the Confederation would kill for. Action packed, filled with twists and planet hopping and advanced technology and Jeth being awesome. This book is a quick, really fun read, and I absolutely adored it. Also, so much cover love.

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

This is one of Holly's favorite books, and a classic dystopia. The world has been removed of pain. Everything is regulated, safe. Jonas enjoys his life, how ever plain as it may be. Then he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, and he realizes what the world was like before. He experiences the pain and the joy and the color of life. There's a movie for this book, and though the differences are significant, the movie captures the point of the book really well. It's a celebration of life -- all aspects of it. Click here to buy it.

Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury

One of the first dystopian novels written, Fahrenheit 451 is about a world without books. Technology has progressed and people's lives are surrounded by screens and sounds. The book strangely parallels our world and our dependency on technology. Filled with amazing quotes about books and life, this book is haunting and compelling. Easily in my top five favorite books. I don't have a lot to say other than read it. It's here.

City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

Earth has been destroyed, but instead of fleeing, the Builders created a city underground. It has been successful, except now everything is running out. Food, supplies, electricity, are all in demand. Two kids start investigating, searching for a way out should the worst come. I read this as a kid, and I loved it. It's interesting, unique, and a fun story with high stakes. Guess what? You can click here to get it.

Red Queen

by Victoria Aveyard

This is my go-to book recommendation. I read it like the week it was released and holy wow I was in love. This is a) one of the most original books I have ever read, b) one of the most beautiful covers in the history of ever, c) so incredibly well-written if hurts. The gist of it is this: there's a world with two types of people, those with silver blood and those with red blood. The people with silver blood have powers (think X-Men) and rule over the Reds. Everything is fine and dandy for the Silvers and terrible for the Reds, until one Red realizes she, too, has powers. Containing a fast moving plot, minimal-ish romance, some seriously wonderful plot twists, this is one of my favorite books. Click right here to get it. Because you really want to get it. It's wonderful.

September First

Oh.

It's James Sirius Potter's first time going to Hogwarts today. 

And Teddy Remus Lupin's last. 

And I'm very emotional about it?

It makes me feel very old. I only read the books... five years ago, maybe six, but they mean so much to me and there's so much beauty in them, and in the fandom and I just can't deal and on days like this it hits you with the fact that this story that means so much and feels so important isn't even real and it's just.... It's weird. 

On one hand, the power of the language, my friends. Can we talk about how amazing it is that we live in a world where symbols can be rearranged into words and sentences and paragraphs and make up beautiful, wonderful stories that can reach millions and millions of people all over the world?

And, going slightly more abstract, the fact that this story started with just one woman's idea? And then it spread and it caught on and then people could share this story and could see in their heads the way she saw it and then other people picked it up and transferred it from words on paper into a movie? And actors portrayed these characters, portrayed them so well that sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the two? 

And then there's all the fans, who make fanart (art pictured here is courtesy of Viria) and fanfiction and fanmusicals and start things like the Harry Potter Alliance, and it just blows my mind how one little story about a boy can literally change the world. 

This is why I love reading and writing and stories. 

And I'm just really emotional right now so excuse me while I go listen to the Harry Potter soundtrack and read Harry Potter and wear my Harry Potter t-shirt and drink butterbeer and pl an a Harry Potter movie marathon and rewatch A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, and A Very Potter Senior Year and look at Harry Potter fanart and join the Harry Potter Alliance because I adore this story and I adore how much good has come from this story. 

Thoughts on the Library and Into the Wild

It is 1:08 am on Wednesday night and I'm still not asleep.

Nor am I cramming for finals or writing papers.

I love summer.

So far, summer has been rainy, quiet. I've read, swam, listened to Father John Misty and Tame Impala. I bought overalls and got in a wreck (but I'm fine and the other person is fine and the car will be fine). I've looked for jobs and eaten chocolate and had a picnic and stayed up late.

I worked at the library for four hours today (well. volunteered). I like working there. I think I would rather work at the library than a bookstore, unless it's a bookstore like Eighth Day Books or some other local/small bookstore. Chain bookstores just don't have the same... vibe. I mean, I love them. I take full advantage of Barnes and Noble. They have new books sooner than the library, their vinyl collection grows by the day, and obviously Starbucks is a perk.

But the library has a different aura to it. It's more personable. Maybe I only see it at the library because I work there, but the library is always bustling. Kids are looking for school books, adults are using the internet, teens are writing papers. It's so relaxed, but also always moving, always changing.

One of my favorite things ever is seeing what people read. It's fun seeing what books people put on hold and trying to figure out their personality. Today someone got an alt-J CD and We Were Liars (by E. Lockhart. AMAZING book) and I totally wanted to be friends with them. (Actually, that person came and picked them up and it was my small group leader from sophomore year. How crazy is that?)

Sometimes people ask me where books are or kids ask for recommendations, and it's pretty much the best thing ever. People asking you, genuinely asking you, about stuff you're passionate about is really cool. And sometimes there's really good parents who bring their kids to the library and play with them in the Children's Area and have imaginary tea parties. One time a girl and her little brother came and did homework and ate McFlurrys. It was really cute. Today a kid asked where the Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was, and I got all excited because I totally read that book in like fourth or fifth grade. He also got the first Warriors book (you know, the one about the cats). There's one old lady who has come a couple times, and she always ends up talking to the librarians for a really long time. Plus there's usually cookies in the workroom, and I always leave with two or three or ten books, so... yeah. I like it. It's fun being somewhere every week that I love, with people I really like. I'm the youngest one on Wednesdays, and I get the feeling that teen volunteers during the school year are a rarity. It's an honor, really.


State swimming is Friday and Saturday in Topeka. I'm an alternate, which is fine by me because a) there's little chance that I'll swim, and therefore no stress, b) I still get to go and hang out and cheer for my team, and c) my name is on the state shirt.

I'm very proud about that one, to be honest.

I'm currently reading Into The Wild, by Jon Krakauer. It is exceedingly fascinating and you should definitely read it. It's abut Chris McCandless, who trekked across the U.S. (and some of Mexico) for about two years before ending up in Alaska, where he died.

I really do admire Chris. He had guts, and there's no denying he was smart. He was an idealist of the highest order, and he lived what he believed. But gooosh I don't understand why he didn't pack more supplies, why he didn't wait until it was warmer, why he let himself starve. Lots of whys.

I'm only halfway through the book, so maybe it gets explained, but somehow I doubt it.

I get what drove him. I've felt it, that stirring, that urge to pack up and vanish one day. Were Margo Roth Spiegelman a real person, she would looove Chris McCandless. There are so many connections between the two.

And Chris was scared of people, of liking people, of connections and getting hurt. So I get that.

But... who just runs off to Alaska with out thinking through what you'll need? Without realizing "Wow, it's really snowy. I will need way more food." Over and over in the book, Chris proves he isn't stupid.

So why then? Why does he have a lapse in judgement when it is most crucial?

Also, why the third person journal entries? Actually, that is probably the weirdest part. That is what makes me question his sanity. Maybe he just liked third person, but it feels... off. Uncanny. Worrisome.

Ah well. Hopefully some answers will come through by the end of the book. But I doubt it. It wouldn't be nonfiction if everything was cleared up. It has to stay a mystery, I really do like this book, and I kind of want to hitchhike across America now.

Peace out.

Books and Talking and Twitter

Hi.
I am in a talkative mood tonight, apparently. I already sent a rather long email less than an hour ago, and another one this morning, and I journaled (which is a pathetically rare exercise for me, really) and I've Tweeted and texted quite a bit. Plus an article, which needs a ton of editing and it's due in two days and I'm kinda freaking out. :/
Anyway.
Lots of happy music playing today. Well, not necessarily happy, but music I know really well, I guess. My playlists of Spotify, instead of other peoples. A lot of Parachute, Bastille, and Relient K.
Started Into the Wild today. I'm in like, chapter two, and I am intrigued. I think it's gonna be really good. A side effect is severe wanderlust, but I always have that, so...
I have been thinking about Paper Towns a LOT lately. Those John Green books seriously get to me. It also has heightened my wanderlust, and also made me more aware of people. The Fault in Our Stars got to me because I related to it, because it got me. Paper Towns got to me because it made me think of others. I wouldn't say I liked it better than TFiOS, but I would recommend it more often than I would TFiOS. Because it's less popular, and more eye-opening, at least for me, and TFiOS... well, I think people miss the point of TFiOS. Which is a rant for another time.

^THIS PART HIT ME IN THE FACE AND IT WAS WONDERFUL.

This quote is so crazy true.

In other news, apparently I am some people's favorite Tweeter, which is one of the weirdest compliments I've ever gotten, but also one of the best. Why is this seemingly shallow comment one of the best I have received? Because it means people are relating to my words, even if there's only 144 characters of them. And that makes me happy.
I can't stop eating grapes, y'all. I don't know what's up with that.
Also, I REALLY WANT KRISPY KREME DONUTS LIKE RIGHT NOW.
Driving... yeah, I still hate it. >_< It's really hard being an adventurous person who hates driving. I've been able to get into the groove and enjoy it a couple times, but then I mess something up, just something small, and my confidence smashes into the ground and I get unfocused and doubt my instincts and it's a mess.
So, yeah, That's fun. -_-
I am really tired right now, so I am gonna crash (and by that I mean read and/or watch Once Upon A Time).
Farewell.

Disagreeing and Hating Are Not the Same

Dear Modern Culture,

Please learn this: Disagreeing and hating are not the same. Seriously.

There is a huge, huge, huge difference between hate and disagreement. I disagree with my family a lot, but that definitely doesn't mean I hate them. I disagree with my friends, but that doesn't mean I hate them.
So how come whenever someone gives an opinion that disagrees with popular belief, they are labelled as "hateful"? I genuinely don't understand this. (But, as I have often pointed out, there's a lot I don't understand about society and the world and modern culture.)

To put this in more understandable terms, Harry Potter hated Snape, Umbridge, and Voldemort.
He often disagreed with Dumbledore, Hermione, and Ron.
See the difference?
Good.

I'm not going to deny that some people can act hateful in the way they express their disagreement, but that is not always, not even often, the case.

So if someone could explain this phenomenon, I'd be grateful.

The End. 

I Need To Go Somewhere

Well, I got bored with Chemistry, and started writing... and this happened. Not sure how my thought process works, but yeah.

********

I'm supposed to be working on a lab report right now. Instead I'm procrastinating, sitting on the couch with music up and writing whatever comes into my brain.

Bunnies (no idea why I thought of that). Easter. Chocolate. Christmas. Presents. Operation Christmas Child. India. Elephants. Thailand. Thai food. The beach. Pirates. Hannah. The rest of the gang. Concert Choir. The Fault in Our Stars.

Okay, y'all need to read that book. Seriously.
If you want to know why you should read, click here.
If you want to know why I love this book, click here.

I really want to travel. Like, right now. I want to pack up my books and shoes and fly to India. I miss my "Indian" people. Of course, most of them aren't even there anymore. Some are scattered across the States. Others are in Thailand. But Hannah and Joel and Madelyn and Jonathan and Grace are there.
But then I'd miss my American friends. That's the worst part about being a TCK, guys.
I'm basically doomed to always, always missing someone.

Can I go to Europe? Please? I miss the chaos of traveling. I miss hearing twenty different languages in an airport. I miss seeing the ground drop beneath a plane. I miss landing and breathing in the smell of gasoline and smoke and cold air. I miss seeing ancient architecture. I miss riding on subways. I miss adventure.
I want y'all to experience it so bad.

It's hard though. It's crazy hard. It's hard to wait for hours in customs. It's hard to communicate when there's a language barrier. It's hard to keep track of where you get on and off of subways. It's hard to survive for ten hours on a crowded airplane. It's hard to not be in the same culture I grew up. It's hard to be so alone.

But I love it. Because I have always wanted adventure, and I got my taste of it, and now I want to submerge myself in cultures and languages and new things and beauty.

 Instead I'm procrastinating, sitting on the couch with music up and writing whatever comes into my brain.

My Extremely Splendid Four Days Off

A Summary-
Thursday: Sleep, cleaning, audio letter to Madelyn, Pottermore, A Thousand Splendid Suns
Friday: Starbucks, rain, pumpkin patch, A Thousand Splendid Suns, the discovery of the Veggie Tales Pandora station
Saturday: Rehearsal, library, The Fault In Our Stars, Hershey's kisses, Epic
Sunday: Church, cookies, blogging, Skype, White Collar

All in all, not bad. I never got to watch the Hobbit or eat Oreos, but okay. I'm sitting on the living room floor, getting thoughts out of my brain now. It's 12:01 am, according to the iPad. So I've been sitting here for a little less than thirty minutes. Before that I read To Kill A Mockingbird from 10:30 to 11, and then I lay in bed from 11 to 11:30, trying to sleep. I don't really like not being able to sleep. I'd like to be mentally present at school tomorrow, and I'd also like to wake up early enough to be a attractive at school (or as attractive as one can be in our school uniforms. #firstworldprobs) (that was the first and probably last time I use a hashtag).

Sooo now I'll waste time on Pinterest. v_V And write bio questions for the Blonde Mafia. xD

Ttfn

Wheaaahh.

That is my exhausted dying sound.
I had today and yesterday off from school. Yesterday we cleaned the house. Today we went to the pumpkin patch. Which I should talk about because it was fun, but I'm too tired. I'm laying on the couch right now, craving Oreos and The Hobbit. And also library books. It snowed today. The snow melted right when it hit the ground, but still. I'm so tired. >_< I was reading A Thousand Splendid Suns until 1:30 last night. That is a very sad book, and I'm barely half way through it.
Good bye.

People Should Seriously Read More. And Think More. And Be Less Stupid in General.

I hate stupidity in all forms. Especially when it comes to not reading.

I can deal with  faults.
All but one.
And that one is dislike and disregard of reading and books and literature.
It. Drives. Me. Crazy.
Some people have excuses. But most just claim they hate reading.
To which I instantly cry "HOOOOOW?!?!?!?!" 
The answer is, almost always "It's boring."

....

What?

How is reading boring? How are those words even in the same sentence?
Now, some books are just a struggle to read. For example, we're reading the Scarlet Letter in school right now. And while I like the story, I'm struggling with this book. But there are soooo many other books out there! There's knowledge and adventure and life and happiness and imagination and everything!

Do you know how much I've learned from books in my life?

A lot.

Respect. Friendship. Freedom. Love. Adventure. Hope. Choices. Mythology. Duty. How epic the world is and how brilliant people can be. How broken the world is and how cruel people can be. History. God. How to strategically design a fortress. How to make a sword. Cultures. People. How to be logical, for crying out loud. How to take over the world. How to destroy a world. How surprisingly often God shows up in books (that probably has a lot to do with my worldview, but still). How choices have consequences. Morals.

And a looooot more.

I've become hundreds of characters and been to thousands of places.

It's like, my personality, my mind, my soul, is a book. And every book I've read has added something to my soul book, be it a sentence, a paragraph, a page, or a whole chapter. They're helping shape me.

Nancy Drew and the American Girl books started it. And then I was reading anything I could get my hands on when I was like eleven. School books. Classics. Fantasy. It seriously didn't matter to me. I was almost addicted to the words and thoughts etched into paper. I was amazed at how books made me feel and think. Still am.

I think the most important lesson I've learned is how to relate to people. Reading has given me a heightened sense of empathy.

I wouldn't trade that knowledge for anything. How could anyone not want that?

I feel like, if people read more, they'd think more. They'd appreciate more. Intelligence would be so much more common. People would be less stupid. 

But they don't read. They live in their bubbles of stupidity. I hate it. Things like "YOLO" and the word "Cray-cray" drive me so insane. It's like people don't realize they have a brain that they can use to make rational decisions.

Personally, I don't want to go out and do stupid stuff because "YOLO". I want to make something out of my life and build it and use it to make things better for people. 

I hate stupidity. By "stupidity" I mean the conscious act of not using your God-given brain, whether it be by cheating on a test that you could easily pass if you tried, or by making a dumbed down movie, or by getting drunk for the sake of "YOLO", or anything. Can't you people at least try to be smart? I know you are, deep, deep down.

End of rant. 

Alright.

This weekend has been... crazy. I've barely been home. And now I'm reallllllyyyyyy sick of the human race in general. No offense. >_> I just want to watch TV and sleep and read. With tea.

Friday was the PLAN test (practice ACT) at school, which was terrible, but then we had a half day, which was good. I went home and watched Merlin and The Tigger Movie (splendid movie). Then I went to CYT rehearsal, and I was preeeetty grumpy. >_> Because Trinity's first football game in OUR AMAZING NEW STADIUM was that night, and I was missing it.
BUT. Then the weather was horrendous, and the game didn't actually start until like nine. So I still made it for a lot of the game. YAY!!! We lost, but it was still really fun.

Saturday my mood was much improved. I had rehearsal from nine to three, and then it went over, so that was exhausting, but good. We actually got a lot done, I feel like. Then I went home and got ready for Barn Dance. Which was basically 1000% epic. I rode the mechanical bull and lasted 11 seconds, thank you very much. I danced and ate M&Ms. We got pictures at the photo booth. It was me, Josh, and a bunch of juniors most of the night, which was really fun, actually.

And then I went home and crashed.

Getting up Sunday was a struggle. >_< But I did it and we went to church. After church, we looked at houses, and Dad saw a sign for a glider plane, so we had to go check that out. Then they dropped me off for the Drood cast party, which was basically snapchatting, the video of us (which is sooooo epic), and food. I had fun. x) Then I came home and did homework. -_-

Annnnd then today was boring again.
BUT HOUSE OF HADES COMES OUT TOMORROW SO ALL WILL BE WELL (for like 6 hours while I read it. Then I'm pretty sure my heart will break. Again.) AND I'M SO EXCITED!!!!! :DDD

The End.

P.S. I just made soup. And rolls are rising. I feel so accomplished. xD

Hey, hey!!

So our time in the States is almost over. It's been really fun. We spent a weekend with the Herndon side, Mom and Dad went to Florida and Mexico for a week, we stayed up til about 4 am watching Star Wars, and I landed an airplane three times! =D

Mom and I took a Pinch Hitter course, which just means we know how to fly an airplane if an emergency happens. I don't mean big, commercial airplanes, I mean little planes. :) It's been really fun. I have one more flying session, and I'm looking forward to it. ^_^

When Mom and Dad were out of town, our cousins came over and we stayed up watching Star Wars. We couldn't get a hold of the Phantom Menace or Revenge of the Sith, but we watched the rest. Mac is actually the only one who lasted for all the movies.

When we went to Tulsa, all the kids camped out. The first night us older girls watched Harry Potter too. It was pretty creepy, because we watched it on a laptop in the tent, and then had to walk through the dark, cold, silent, eerie night to give the laptop back to the adults. But we braved the darkness and completed our mission. :]

Oh, and last night Holly, Dad and I went to a Newsboys concert. Anthem Lights, Abandon and the City Harmonic were there too. IT WAS SO COOL!!!! When they sang Jesus Freak, the drum set went up, then tilted until it was completely vertical, and then SPUN AROUND!! and he KEPT DRUMMING!! It was crazy. We went for Holly's birthday, and we got to meet Abandon, which was really awesome. One of my friends introduced me to them, and I bought one of their CD's awhile ago. Here's a link to one of my favorites by them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTY1dj4HOG0

And then, today, we went to see The Hunger Games. The book was better, but it always is. I would tell you more, but I will not spoil it. I would give it 7 stars out of 10.

So what'cha y'all up to?? xD

Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Rings all nighter last night. Five kids (three girls and two boys, though one other girl came for the first movie. It was so EPIC!!!! It was the first time I'd ever seen the movies, and I really liked them. Of course, in the middle of the first one, I had to ask them to pause it and explain who was who, because I got so confused. But then I understood. My favorite character(s) were Pippin, Sam, Aragorn, and Legolas. Oh and the dwarf. I can't remember his name. One of my (many) favorite parts was when Legolas was "skateboarding" on a shield down the staircase, and shooting at the same time. I HATED Gollum. When he was nice I liked him, but then he was bad again, and he's just SO CREEPY!!! Violence, some parts were pretty gory, but all in all, I was OK with it.
Besides watching movies, we ate pizza, popcorn.....lots of Coke, and a bunch of other stuff I don't feel like typing out. We played a ton of Freeze between movies, a little bit of CatchPhrase, and over breakfast discussed Inheritance and Son of Neptune. We talked during the movies a LOT....*glares at the boys even though they'll never read this*It was so fun!!!

Now...good day, I must depart to read the latest chronicle of Eragon and his mighty dragon. Mwahahaha!!!!!

P.S. We were talking about Aragorn, all of us said Eragon at least once and they rest of us would "What are talking about??"

Sorry...

Sorry ya'll for not updating you in forever (3 months. I am a terrible blogger.) So, I'll start with our Wichita/Tulsa trip.
So we left on May 30, leaving our house around 10 pm and the airport around 2 am May 31. When we got to Wichita it was around 6 pm the same day.  I had strep like the one day which was OK because it gave me an excuse to sit around and read Harry Potter. :) We spent two weekends in Tulsa and I had CYT camp. All really fun!
We got back July 8, with Lilli and Aunt Mimi. We went to Commercial Street twice and got tons of bangles. :)
Got to go, I'll try to be more consistent with my blogging. :)