I’m terrible at writing “introductions” so, let’s see how this one goes……….
Oscar Wilde once said “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” so, I’m trying to follow that advice by starting a blog. Back in my early years of middle school, I read a book called “Girl Online”(which is basically about a teen blogger) and that’s what originally inspired me to become a blogger. It’s been years since I read that book but, the idea of blogging never left me.
I’m planning on making this a semi-anonymous blog(in the sense that I will be using pen names when I’m talking about people in my life) but, I will still be writing about myself and my life as it a lifestyle blog. I know lifestyle is vague but, I’m planning on writing reviews on movies and books, talking (and maybe ranting occasionally) and whatever else I can think of. I hope this blog is not a complete utter fail but, even if it is I’m going to have fun while failing:) Thanks for checking out my blog and maybe you enjoyed reading this introduction or, found it amusing or, a complete waste of your time but; either way, this should be a fun experience and it would be great if you could join me on this journey.
XOXLUCY P.S. XOXLUCY is my username and Lucy is not my first name(I’m not including my first name for anonymity) but, it is one of my names. Comment down below your guesses;)
Music is such a powerful form of art that has the ability to inspire, to help cope with problems, and to just make you feel infinite. Sometimes you hear a song and it’s like the songwriter took the words right from your mouth. Some songs feel like they are written just for you and others are so catchy that you can’t help but hum them while your working. The most beautiful part of music is that no one person will get the same thing out of a song. Even though songs are heard by millions, it means something different to us all.
Credits to Pinterest as per usual
i don’t wanna be you anymore- Billy Eilish You always need a song to sing when your down and this one is the perfect one for me on days where I don’t want to deal with myself. When I first heard this song, it just immediately resonated with me. “Don’t be that way, Fall apart twice a day”. My emotions just seem to run all over the place and I sometimes hate that I’m always such an emotionally driven person. Sometimes it’s tiring being yourself because like Billy said, “You are always you. Forever. That’s terrifying.”
I’ve Got You Under My Skin- Frank Sinatra Before I could even read at the benchmark for my age, I could recite all the lyrics to this song. Sinatra is a timeless classic and on the weekends in my house, that was all we ever listened to.
Lost in Japan- Shawn Mendes Any soundtrack of mine is also not complete without a Shawn Mendes song. Lost in Japan is unlike the majority of Shawn Mendes songs with a very 80’s sound. The beat of this song is everything and whenever I hear it, I’m ready to jam.
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic- The Police Out of all the Police songs, this is one of my favorites because the poeticness of the song and the addictive melody just make you fall in love with it. The refrain “Every little thing she does is magic” is sweet and makes you think about how when you love someone, your obsessed with everything they do and they can’t do anything wrong in your eyes.
Other Side-Ruelle “I don’t want to know what it’s like to live without you, Don’t want to know the other side of a world without you”. These lyrics are the definition of romantical and it makes me want to smile every time I hear these lyrics. The concept of not wanting to live without this one person because you love them that much is pretty powerful!
Careless Whisper- George Michael George Michael! Enough said! Period!
Yesterday-the Beatles I don’t think it’s possible to have a playlist without including at least one Beatle song. Yesterday is reflective and thought-provoking and the melancholy melody just gives me all the feels!
If you couldn’t already tell by this post, I love music and it’s something that I can’t go through a day without. I love how poetic songs can sound and I also enjoy music with a catchy beat. My music genre is not specific to one era or one genre and I have my parents and siblings to thank for that. When I was younger, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Bobby Vinton were all that ever played in the house so; I got exposed to music from the 40’s onward. My music taste consists of songs that date back to decades before I was born along with recent music. I think music is something so special and reflects the era and the period at hand.
What songs would be on your playlist on your life? What genre of music do you listen to the most? What decade of music is your favorite?
Classics are books that have issues and ideas that span across time, influence other works to come, and make people question their beliefs. While classics are no doubt influential, some seem out of date and no longer containing issues of the world today.
I asked a few friends of mine to help me compile a list of classics that they enjoyed reading so as to make this post a tad less biased. Some people may be dissuaded not to read classics because they find them either long and boring or unrelatable but, these are some that I believe are worth a read!
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn This is one of the ultimate bildungsroman about a young girl in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. This is a book that will appeal to many people as it follows Francie growing up and maturing. Some may argue that nothing truly happens in this novel but, the beauty of this book is in the simplicity of the plot but the complexity of Francie. While this book is not my favorite on this list, I do believe it is a sweet story and one that I will always remember reading.
The Outsiders This is another coming of age story(as many books seem to be) but it is done so eloquently and it is a book that has the ability to resonate and hold a spot in everyone’s heart. The division in social classes between the rich socs and the impoverished greasers is a focal theme and a general summary of the book as a whole. Ponyboy(despite his unfortunate name) is one of my favorite literary characters of all-time. He lives in a world where everyone seems to think everything is black and white and learns to understand that nobody is all good or all bad. This was an unexpected read for me and in no way could have predicted that I would be bawling at the end.
This line gets me every single time!!!
To Kill A Mockingbird When you read some classics many years after they were originally published, it can be hard to relate to and find some common ground but; To Kill A Mockingbird has resonated themes of racial prejudice and injustice that pertain to our world today. In short, the book is about Atticus Finch trying to prove the innocence of a black man in the South in the 1930’s. On the surface, this may seem to be very predictable but Harper Lee managed to tell this story through the eyes of a young child which helps bring nuance. To Kill A Mockingbird is a classic for a reason as it focuses on the injustices of racism and teaches , readers, a message of walking in somebody’s shoes before making predetermined judgments.
Anne of the Green Gables Anne Shirley, the protagonist of this (yep you guessed it)coming of age book, is feisty and stubborn but also imaginative and true to herself. Is it possible not to fall in love with her? Anne of the Green Gables tells the story of the adventures of Anne after she is mistakenly adopted. Despite the fact that Anne of the Green Gables is a series, this book can be read and appreciated as a stand-alone. It’s often hard to find a character like Anne in literature so we must hold on to Anne’s goodness and her ability to find the best in the worst situations.
a memorable moment 😉 🙂
Fahrenheit 451 “It was a pleasure to burn.” One of my favorite opening lines that really sums up the entirety of this dystopian novel. This book is all about books and the importance of books!! Without spoiling too much, Guy Montag is a fireman in a society where they burn books and he is starting to question that policy. This book is really something and like nothing, I have read before. This is yet again another classic that will stay with you long after,slowly creeping into your thoughts!
The Great Gatsby The infamous expression “money can’t buy happiness” is best shown in this book where everyone is obsessed with wealth. That with the concept of the American dream brings this book to another level and makes it deeper than any other love story. The definition of a tragic love story is defined by the Great Gatsby along with the theme that the American dream is unattainable. So why is the Great Gatsby such a great classic if it seems to be all misery? The Great Gatsby has the allure of being set in the roaring twenties as one of its highlights. The flappers, the wild parties, and the jazz culture of this era all contribute to the tone of this novel. The roaring twenties are one of the most fascinating periods which, is depicted throughout the entire novel. The Great Gatsby is also a book with many good life lessons and ideas and thoughts that will leave the readers thinking long after they finished the last page. It is hard to capture in words how enticing this book is and it is best just to read it and figure it out for yourself.
Frankenstein One of the stories almost everyone has heard about (also sometimes known as the modern Prometheus ) a young scientist who creates a creature in a scientific experiment. This book’s rendition of greek mythology makes the readers really ponder and reflect and, it is not as simple and basic as it may seem from an outsider’s perspective. The struggle between the gray area of good and evil is a theme in this novel and provokes thought.
Pride and Prejudice It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Pride and Prejudice is a phenomenal book. Where to begin on this book that has impacted so many books after it and continues to do so. The language, the witty dialogue along with good insults and, the numerous iconic quotes all contribute to the eloquent and sophisticated writing style of this novel. All the characters are well written and the Bennet family could easily have been a 90’s sitcom family with all their contrasting personalities laced with drama and also, their strong family bond(Claudia Connor 7 Reasons You Need To Drop Everything To Read “Pride and Prejudice”). Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most beloved female characters in literature which is because of her stubbornness, her affection for her family, and for being such a strong female presence at that time. Elizabeth is a role model to us all and Pride and Prejudice couldn’t have had a more likable and intriguing main character. While this book may just seem like another generic love story it is, really about family and societal class and how love can overcome social class and wealth.
“My good opinion once lost is lost forever.”
“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
“You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.”
Do you agree or disagree with these choices? There are many other classics that did not make this list because there are too many but, these are some of the highlights! Anyone would like to see a part two with classics not worth reading?…..
The barbie dolls of my youth were beautiful to me and I played with them for hours on end. Now looking back on them, I realize what toxic role models they were, not just for me, but every other child playing with them. My sister and I had a vast collection of barbie dolls but despite having so many, they all looked very similar. Tall, skinny, hairless, straight-haired, and overall flawless. As I grew older and left my barbie dolls behind to collect dust, my new role models became people in TV shows, movies, and in my life. While they were no longer labeled barbies, they still reflected that barbie ideology of being and looking perfect.
Perfection is a word that many of us strive to live by but, perfection does not mean beautiful. I think in our world we are often pressured by society to look a certain way. For example, why is not socially acceptable for women to be hairy or just have hair on them? Hair is a natural occurrence for a body and nobody should feel ashamed of having it. Are we ashamed of our other body parts?
I remember when Amandla Stenberg had unshaven armpits on the red carpet for The Hate U Give back in 2018. Everyone seemed to be commenting on that fact while I was wondering why they felt the need to comment. “To shave or not to shave, that is the question as we dash through a shower every morning – but luckily,it’s one where there’s no “correct” answer. “(Jennifer Lance). Grooming is important but we shouldn’t feel pressured to shave to conform to society’s norms and standards.
Another example of toxicity in society is the phrase ” One size fits all”. This slogan might not have intentionally been coined to be negative and might from a distance seem progressive but in reality, it discriminates against everyone who can’t fit in this size. There is no way that everyone is the same size which is why this slogan is so dangerous and often leads to body issues. Brandy Melville advertises this sizing policy of “One size fits all” and young impressionable teenagers look at this size to be beautiful and acceptable AND, if they don’t fit in that size than they believe they aren’t those things. With a slogan of a size that fits all, one would assume that stores with this policy would advertise all different body types. Instead, Brandy Melville and numerous other clothing stores only show tall (usually with a height of 5’7 as the “ideal” height) and skinny figured women. This all-inclusive policy is a myth full of a web of lies and, all of us that can’t fit into that one narrow size feel like we aren’t good enough.
Found this beautiful image on Pinterest
I have often(and still do) fall prey to this toxicity of body images in media and society. How can I not when it is all around us? When only a certain type of person is represented in fashion, we hold that to be the truth and it can greatly damage one’s self-esteem. This trend once again represents how society categorizes and ranks women on their appearances which is disgusting!! And the worst part of all of this is despite knowing how toxic that slogan of sizing is, many of us still secretly want to fit in that one size because it is ingrained in our heads from a young age. From barbies dolls to TV shows to celebrities to clothing stores, we all are pressured to look one certain way.
All rights to PINTREST again 😉
I don’t hate Barbie dolls(in fact they were the epitome of my childhood) but I do wish looking back, that there was more representation in skin color, body figure, height, hair type and not have that unattainable ideal of “perfection”. Perfection is overrated and it’s our differences that make us who we are.
I am writing this post for everyone who feels or has felt that they must do something to fit with the requirements of societal beauty. It’s a terrible path to go down and it only leads to enabling this vicious system that harms us all. I think it’s important to do what makes you feel beautiful and not to conform just because it feels “right”. We are all beautiful and I wish we didn’t live in a world that says differently and puts people down. Whatever anyone tells you, you are NOT being radical if you don’t wear makeup or shave or fit into that one size. We must end this cycle and learn to judge people not on how they look but on what truly matters!
I’m back from my disappearance on the blogosphere this past month and a half. At the beginning of July my computer, unfortunately, broke down and it has been a crazy process trying to get it fixed. My computer is still not fixed(though it should be very soon) so, I am currently working on this old laptop that was lent to us. This is my second time writing this post(because this laptop hates me and decided to delete all my work) so, I’m sorry if it seems like I’m not happy to be back blogging (because I’m ecstatic), it’s just tiring writing an entire post from scratch after having already written a good one. I’ve reached my quota for complaining so let’s get into some awards…. 😉 😉
The rules
Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.
I want to thank I Blog A Little Bit Of Everything for nominating me for this AMAZING award! Her blog is great and I insist that you all check it out because it’s really a little bit of everything;)
Answer the 11 questions given to you.
1.Would you rather only be able to read blog posts or write blog posts? I honestly can’t choose. Reading has defined who I am for such a long time but on the flip side, I love writing blog posts where I can share my thoughts and endlessly ramble.
What is your favourite hairstyle? Well the hairstyle I wear most often are buns(yep, I’m a total bunhead) but I love my hair out and curly which; is not really a hairstyle but I’m gonna roll with it.
What is your favourite season? Autumn. My birthday, sweater weather and hot apple cider!!
Do you use paper for your notes/lists/other things or do you use digital methods? Both!
What is your favourite blog to read? I read too many great blogs to choose just one but, I love lifestyle, poetry and book blogs the most;)
Do you prefer sweet or savoury snacks? Savory
What is your favourite snack food? Hummus and carrots and cheese boards.
If you could only drink one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be? Water. It’s basic but, it’s good and a necessity.
What is your favourite blog post idea that you never ended up writing? I can’t say because I might still write it… 😉 Never say never…
Do you like board games? If so, what is your favourite? Of course! For me, it’s between chess and A Ticket To Ride. Monopoly and Scrabble are some other good ones.
What is one random thing that makes you happy? People smiling and dogs wagging their tails!
Nominate 11 other bloggers and write them 11 new questions.
Three most used emojis
What is your favorite snack food? (Love this question)
Last song you listened to
Scary or sad movie?
How long does it take you to write a blog post? ( It takes me forever so, I want to see where everyone else stands)
Least and most favorite part about blogging?
Describe your perfect day
A movie that moved you the most?
If you could have any guest (living or dead)to interview on your blog who would it be?
Favorite GIF
How are you feeling today? (describe or rate it on a scale from one to ten)
If I have plans for the day than the sun but if not, rain all the way.
2. What do you love most about blogging?
I love being able to share my thoughts ,views, and opinions while; always getting such positive feedback(you guys are the best). Blogging is such a great outlet for my rants and to practice what I love doing, writing!
3. If you could fix one mistake you made in the past, what would it be?
I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my past but, I can’t think of one I’d like to change. I believe that our mistakes help us learn and grow to become better. It’s a positive way of looking at mistakes and helps remind me that “to err is human”.
4. What is one of your fav things to do with your best friend?
Visit a bookstore and spend hours searching and reading books. I do this alone for the most part or with my sister who shares my love for reading.
5.Hot air ballooning or sky diving?
Gosh, both sound terrifying to me. Probably hot air balloon by default of being less scary than the latter.
6. What is your fav emoji?
Laughing Crying
7. How long have you been blogging?
8 months, give or take
8.What is the last food you ate yesterday?
Chocolate tart! 😉
9.Do you watch marvel, and if so, who is your favorite villain?
Killmonger from Black Panther. He’s an interesting character because he wasn’t inherently evil. His tough circumstances made him the person he was and he did make some valid points. I watched Black Panther a few days ago, so he’s the villain the freshest in my mind.
10. What book do you love/hate the most?
Okay, I’m one hundred percent overthinking this question but I don’t quite understand the question. Is it a book I either hate or love or, is it a book I love and hate. I’m going with option two because its interesting so, the book I have a love/hate relationship with is The Great Gatsby. While it is one of my favorite books but, I still have a weird relationship with it because of Daisy and Tom Buchanan. Enough said!(Maybe I’ll write about post about this on a later date…)
11. Would you rather go back in time, or go to the future?
Back to the future! Hahaha,I was just making an 80s reference but my actual answer is back in time.
3. Nominate 2-6(I did 7 but, shh I’m not counting) blogs that you think would enjoy this award and notify them
4.You may/may not create 11 new questions for your nominees(I’ll keep the questions and you can answer question 10 either way you want 😉 )
Before this post gets outrageously long I want to say I reached a 100 FOLLOWERS BACK IN JUNE!!!!! ( does a dance in a seat) 😉
I wouldn’t have been able to do this without each and every one of you. Your support and the fact that you enjoy reading my blog means the world to me!! A little shoutout to my sister who was my very first subscriber and continues to support and motivate me(love you)! So happy to be back and can’t wait to get back into the swing of things. I’m going to set Mondays as my posting days to stay organized but, from time to time I will also post sporadically during the week.
Keep being amazing and hope your all staying safe! How were all your summers?
Before we begin, I would advise those who did not finish the entire Harry Potter series not to continue on. While I was planning on not containing spoilers, I think it’s almost impossible to discuss the nature of Snape without discussing events and information from all the books. ~ You all have been warned
Now for all of you who have made it thus far, I’m going to be listing points in favor of Snape being good and those in favor of him being pure evil. Snape is an ambiguous character and one that is often debated over. I don’t want to include my personal bias until the very end so, well see how this turns out….
Good Snape
His love for Lily- They say those capable of love or those who have love in their heart cannot be pure evil and Snape’s love for Lily is clearly evident by the way he lived his life. Snape quite literally sold himself to Dumbledore to protect the love of his life despite, Lily being married to James. Yes, one can argue that his love for Lily led him to be selfish as he would do anything for her at all costs but, his love for Lily also instilled in him good moral values. Snape was the opposite of Lily in all ways possible and her goodness is what attracted him to Lily. While Snape did no emulate her goodness originally(aka when he joined the Death Eaters), after Lily’s death he continued to work for Dumbledore and the Order of Phoenix. Snape and Lily’s love is a Shakespearean love story in the sense that it does not end well for them but, it does demonstrate the power of love.Loving someone does not redeem past wrongs but, it can make you a better person. Snape and Lily’s love can be argued as one of the more powerful love stories in the Harry Potter Universe as Lily changed Snape for the better. It is safe to say that Lily is the best thing that ever happened to Snape and in the end, he did die in the name of love .
Lending Harry a hand – As points go, this may look like one of the weaker ones but Snape did in fact save/help Harry and, on multiple occasions for that matter. In the Sorcerer’s Stone when Hermione believed that Snape was trying to kill Harry by jinxing his broom, he was instead countering Professor Quirrell’s curse. We do learn later on that Snape was trying to repay James for saving his life once but, that is not the extent to Snape helping Harry out. In the Prisoner of Azkaban, Snape shields the trio when Lupin begins to transform into a wolf and in the Order of the Phoenix when Harry gives Snape the cryptic message, “he has Padfoot at the place where it is hidden”, Snape did his best to make sure Sirius was safe( he did lie to Umbridge in the process so, he gets major points for that) by contacting 12 Grimmauld Place and found Sirius was alive and well. Snape had a childhood grudge against Sirius but proceeded to make sure he was safe when Harry was worried about his godfather’s safety. Snape also served as a double agent for Dumbeldore by pretending to be Voldemort’s ally, fooling the most powerful dark wizard to live. Snape’s spying helped Dumbeldore gain information that pertained to Harry and helped out the Order of Phoenix. Snape also had the task to guide Harry to retrieve the Sword of Gryffindor and the hardest task of all, telling Harry that he must die.
Dumbledore and Harry forgiving Snape – It is no coincide that JK. Rowling included Harry forgiving Snape as it seems a sign of Rowling wanting her readers to like Snape. Dumbledore acts as almost an infallible character making the readers trust him more easily. Dumbledore trusting Snape reflects the point that readers should trust Snape if Dumbledore does. After years of being tormented by Snape, Harry finally realizes the truth and is able to call Snape the bravest man he ever knew. Harry’s capacity to forgive Snape after everything is both remarkable and in its own way inspiring as forgiveness is such a valuable life lesson.
Bad Snape
Snape became a Death Eater-Despite the way J.K Rowling portrays Slytherins in the books, not all Slytherins are evil and, not all Slytherins are Death Eaters. After graduating from Hogwarts, Snape joined the Death Eaters and helped to facilitate Voldemort’s plans. Snape chose to become a Death Eater and that is a fact that cannot be argued. Sirius was a blood traitor and hated his family which is a path Snape could have easily chosen but, he didn’t. Though we don’t know much about Snape’s childhood, we know as much as it wasn’t easy but, then again who’s childhood in the HP Universe was easy? His rough childhood is not an excuse for becoming a death eater.
A bully-There is no denying that Snape was an outright bully who took pleasure in frightening children. His sole purpose in life seemed to be inflicting pain on his students. Neville’s biggest fear( the boggart in the wardrobe)is Snape which, should be proof enough that Snape was both intimidating and cruel. Snape critiqued Hermione’s appearance constantly and had it out for anybody who wasn’t a Slytherin(though he detested Gryffindors the most). Taking unnecessary points from their house, giving countless detentions, and simply giving his least favorite students bad grades are only some of the ways Snape endlessly tortured his students.Snape was bullied by the Marauders in his younger years but, that is no excuses for doing the same when he grew older.At this point, I’m completely psychoanalyzing Snape so, would it be a stretch to say that Snape tried so hard to make others hate him so he wouldn’t form attachments? It’s simply a thought that neither shows his bad or good but, just an observation on my part.
Snape being selfish- For the majority of his life, Snape only thought about himself and never questioned how his actions impacted others. Even though Snape loved Lily, he proceeded to call her a “filthy mudblood” when she stuck up for him. His humiliation and his want to save his reputation outweighed hurting his best friend. Even when Snape found out that Voldemort was going to kill the Potters, he was only concerned about Lily and not her husband or baby child. Snape’s reason to stop following and helping Voldemort was not because of all the atrocious things that Voldermort had done in his life but, because he wanted revenge for Lily’s untimely death. His love for Lily(despite it making him change as a person) made him selfish and he viewed Lily as an exception. Snape was born to hate muggles but his selfishness made Lily the exception to that while, continuing to hate other muggle-born wizards.
Trying to expose Lupin as a Werewolf- This is by far one of the worst things Snape has done and it was truly uncalled for. Lupin was a part of Snape’s childhood enemies but, Lupin was a more of a bystander to the bullying than anything else. Snape’s ability to hold a grudge is both hilarious and childish especially because Lupin has moved on. When Lupin came to teach at Hogwarts, he never personally antagonized Snape and Snape, was even making a Wolfsbane potion to help Lupin. Snape trying to sabotage Lupin by exposing his condition to the students was cruel and, led Lupin to quit. Yes, Lupin didn’t totally have his wolf side under control but, him leaving due to Snape outing him cost Hogwarts one of it’s best teachers.
My thoughts finally 😉 (I don’t know how to explain how hard it was for me not weighing my opinions in on literally every point but, I think it helped me to see both sides of this and not be blinded my thoughts.)
Up until The Order of Phoneix(where you’re introduced to the devil incarnated aka Umbridge who, makes Snape look like a saint), I had declared Snape the worst character in the Wizarding Universe(besides Voldemort of course). But in the last few books, I began to understand Snape for the complicated character that he is. Snape (like most people) isn’t just black or white, he’s more grey.Unlike other HP characters that are straightforward, Snape is someone who needs to be thoroughly analyzed. Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape helped me to love Snape for the twisted yet fascinating character that he is. I can’t excuse the way he horrendously treated Harry( and nobody can) but if Harry can find room in his heart to forgive a Professor who tormented him for six years straight, I think everyone is capable of seeing the good in Snape. We all make choices in our life that define who we are and Snape made many bad decisions but, no character is without fault. Even though his end goal was to do right by stopping Voldemort, Dumbledore made a lot of awful decisions on the way. He constantly kept secrets from Harry, sent Harry and his friends on a time-wasting hunt to find Horcruxes and other questionable things (hmmm, maybe the next discussion post will be about him). Snape’s faults are more on display in the series but that doesn’t necessarily make him a terrible person. I’m not trying to paint Snape to be a saint or some martyr but, in the end Snape chose to die nobly and I think that’s what truly matters.
Snape is a very interesting character and one that has many different levels. The complexity of his character is what makes Snape one of the more appealing and fascinating characters in the HP Universe.
Decide for yourself: Team Snape or Team anti- Snape? Let’s fight about this in the comments 😉 There’s enough evidence for either side so frankly, its a matter of opinion.It’s up to you to decide if Snape is someone who deserved redemption!
XOXLUCY
Also comment down below who you want to see me dissect next, Draco or Dumbledore?
Being a biracial individual, I haven’t faced a lot of racism directed at me but, I do feel that whenever I’m in a new environment I’m automatically being judged by the way I look. For a while, people used to call me an “oreo” because they felt I wasn’t “black enough”(whatever that means) and that deeply upset me. My interests and passions don’t make me or anyone else less than who they are.Instead of ostracizing a person based on how they look, we must judge a person by things that matter: their personality, their goodness, and who they truly are whether that is someone who makes you laugh or someone who is always there for you.
People in the past have commented to some of my friends that they look exotic and I know it’s not always meant to be offensive but, it can be interpreted that way. The word exotic means of foreign origin and unique which, can cause people to feel like their being demeaned. Racism comes in many different forms its something that is not going to go away instantly. Through education and getting informed, we can all help to battle racism and help spread awareness.
I own no credit for this picture, I found it on Pinterest and, I wish I could draw this well!!!
It’s hard for any person of color to feel completely accepted by society but, I hope as a society we can work to be more including and accepting of all people. A few years ago, a Haitian classmate of mine was traveling for spring vacation and my geometry teacher at the time obnoxiously asked ” Are you going to Africa?”. The saddest part of what she said was not how blunt she was but, the fact that the girl was not even African but she had assumed that. People sometimes assume that the Black Lives Movement only refers to Africans and African Americans but, it relates to all people of color.
The last few weeks have been heartbreaking to hear stories of racism and police brutality towards people of color. I’m upset that it took George Floyd dying for people to finally act out and realize what has been happening for years but, I have hope that we can try to correct past wrongs and bring justice to our world. This movement relates to me at a personal level but, I’m in awe in the numerous people who are also talking about this(whether on their social media accounts or through their blog posts) to whom it does not affect personally. Like every movement, we must all pitch in to make a world where we can each live in equality.We must all use our voices to speak out on the injustices occurring. Remaining silent is not an option! #blacklivesmatter
The word beauty is such a subjective word and one that means something different to us all. People use the word beauty to describe someone they find physically attractive but, the word means so much more than that. A person’s beauty is not simply their physical appearance but, their goodness and personality. We should not be defined by how we look on the outside but, who we truly are.
My blogger friend From a stranger to you wrote such a lovely post that deeply touched me and one that I would love to share with you all!!! This post is so raw and has such a magnificent message for everyone to hear and one that will resonate with everyone in the best possible way; “Because we were born beautiful” I could gush about how beautiful this post is for hours(because it truly is) but, I think it’s better if you go read it and see for yourself 😉
Beauty. Most people don’t think they’re beautiful. What does it mean to be beautiful? Does it mean to have a slender body? A fair skin tone? Straight hair? Is that beauty? The Barbie agenda? But I don’t look at a person with straight hair, fair skin, slim figure and call them beautiful. I rarely call people beautiful because it’s a word that can mean a lot of things. And I’m someone who is choosy about my words. I like to be as specific as possible. Because that’s the only way I can express myself. Beautiful. Does it mean that you look beautiful? What does it mean to look beautiful. The grey skies that are covered with thick clouds are beautiful. Not. I don’t think…
List 15 of your Small Joys (They can be as weird, random, and silly as you want to make them!)
Tag 5 blogger friends who bring you joy (and feel free to say why they bring you joy!)
Have fun with it!( I 100% did)
I’m back after a series of grueling exams that have thankfully come to an end!! Ideally, I should have studied weeks in advance but procrastination got the better of me. It’s great to be back and I’ll return to posting more frequently 🙂
Thank you to the lovely Bayance for nominating me for my SECOND award!!! I’m in disbelief at this point and I don’t even know what to say! 💕❤️I already love doing tags but, this one brought me so much joy(hahaha, get it) in thinking of things that bring me happiness. Thinking of things that bring you joy is such an important thing to do and it helped me appreciate all that I have and all that I’m grateful for.
1.Waking up bright and early (preferably before the rest of my family) Not that I don’t like my family but, I love waking up early and just having some quiet time to myself. After I shower, I turn on WQXR, a classical music radio station,( how retro of me, I know) and either read or reflect. If I wake up early enough, I’ll watch the sunrise which is such a calming experience.
Family Gatherings This consists of everything from communion parties to a mere social outing. I just love seeing and spending time with my family which, I don’t do nearly as much as I want to. I have a very extensive family and I haven’t even met all of my cousins! Every summer, we usually go on a big family beach trip which is one of the highlights of my summer.
Scrolling through the internet for memes/quotes from my fandoms This is a bit of an obsession of mine and one that I devote too much time to.The best way is to show you…… 😉
Why is this so true? Dumbledore needs to appreciate the other houses more. C’mon man, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are AMAZING!!
4. Summer days when the sun goes down at around 8pm Isn’t it so satisfying when it’s 7:40 and it’s still light outside?!When the sun is out longer it makes the day feel longer(which it actually is).
Getting lost in a book Okay, quick story-time for this one. One day(when I was younger) my mother and I decided to go to the library to check out some new books(this happens often because I go through books quickly). Anyways, I picked up some book in the YA section and just fell in love with it instantly. I decided to sit down on the floor behind a table so I could read in peace. About ten minutes later my mother had searched the entire library and had not found me. So she went up to the front desk and asked them to call my name. The first few times they called my name I didn’t hear because I was so invested in the book but, eventually I was like wait, is that my name being called? Anyways, I think you get the point. Getting lost in a good book is such a joyful experience that sometimes you stay up late just to finish it(guilty as charged).
Running in the rain Usually, when it raining its the perfect temperature: not too cold and not too hot. The breeze and the rain falling is refreshing and makes for the perfect outing on a rainy day.
7. Writing and receiving emails “You’ve got mail”! Okay so maybe our emails don’t say that anymore when we open them but, I love receiving new mail nonetheless! As it turns out half my mail is from sites that I regret subscribing to and another 30 percent is devoted to mail from my school but, I take what I can. While texting is more convenient and quicker for sure, I just love that in emails you can write as much as you want and it feels much more personal.
8.The first sip from a cup of hot chocolate Full of perfect bliss because every sip after that gets better and better( can you tell I’m obsessed with hot cocoa?).
9. Reading diaries and scrapbooks from my youth From a young age, I was invested in writing so I would write (my handwriting up until fifth grade was atrocious so, it’s a mystery how my teachers could even read my work) in numerous books about everything and nothing. It’s a total blast from the past reading what I wrote many years ago and it’s also very amusing.! The things I cared about way back then seem so trivial now but, it’s also great to relive memories that I may have forgotten. If you want to get super nostalgic and sappy and emotional, I would really recommend doing this 😉
10.Cauliflower Gratin The ultimate comfort food that reminds me of home. Don’t let the cauliflower part fool you into thinking its healthy because its baked with cream and cheese!!!
11.Laughing They say laughter is the greatest medicine in the world and, there not wrong. I have been told that I am an “easy-laugher” because I can laugh at almost anything but, I can’t make others laugh often. My sister has the ability to find humor and jokes in the weirdest situations which I always find astonishing. The few times I do make her laugh are extremely rare so, I hold on to them. Listening to peoples different laughs is also quite amusing. My brother has what I like to call a wheezing laugh and he can sometimes even full outcry while laughing. A friend of mine has a more cackling sort of laugh and someone people have such a contagious laugh that everyone around them joins in laughing without knowing why.
12.Going to bed knowing you can sleep as much as you want because you have no prior engagements in the morning Summer vacation in a nutshell 😉
13.Animals(baby animals specifically because, aren’t they just the cutest?!!) Animals can just make you feel instantly better, I think its a skill that they have!
14.The idea of being locked in a library or bookstore I often fantasize about what it would be like to be locked in a library and I have thought this through very well. First of all, I wouldn’t want any old library or bookstore because it has to be someplace where the selection of books is great and would last me the entire night. I still haven’t found the perfect place but, its a work in progress. Secondly, I would bring some snacks to last me the night but nothing that leaves much of a mess behind. So basically vending machine snacks like M&M’s and Kit Kat’s(I need the sugar to stay up and read)! But most importantly, I would bring a few sweaters and a jacket because libraries can be freezing for whatever reason! Why does thinking about being locked up in a bookstore bring me joy? It’s an endless amount of books and, libraries and bookstores are like my second home. Do any you book worms want to join me in this hypothetical situation? This is mainly a fantasy because what are the chances I would get locked up in a library but, who knows? Never say never!
15.Capsizing a boat(hehehe) I am not a proficient sailor but, I love being at sea. I usually sail on Catamaran boats which are pretty hard to capsize but when it’s really windy, it’s a piece of cake. Cat’s(Catamaran) have two hulls so whenever it was windy, my brother and I would lift one of the hulls out of the water. Then the wind would push and the Cat would be vertical to the water. Contrary to popular opinion(I also didn’t know this before) but, when Cat’s capsize they don’t turn upside down(not usually at least) and stay vertical to the water. To get it back upright, we would have to pull on the netting and then jump back on the Cat. The whole process of capsizing and getting back on a boat is extremely thrilling but; if you (like my mother) don’t like getting wet or aren’t up for an unexpected adventure , then I would advise simply sailing 😉
Nominations:
Everything Me xx – Everything Me xx is such a lovely blog and her photography skills are out of this world!!! Every picture is so personal and precise that you feel that you’re in that moment.
Avocado Thoughts– Sera’s blog is amazing and I’m always looking forward to reading her latest post!!! Sera always makes me have a BIG smile on my face!! Oooh, did I also mention that I’m obsessed with her blog name!
cLuEless_CerEs– Ceres is such a genuine and enthusiastic person and her posts are always so thoughtful. Despite her protests, she is one of the SWEETEST people ever( yes, I see you there trying to deny what I’m saying).
Elsie LMC – Lucy’s comments are always so thorough and positive and you can tell she puts a lot of thought in her comments and in every post on her blog!!Lucy was also one of the first people to welcome me into the blogosphere and reading her blog always brings me such joy 🙂
Central City Girl – Brin’s posts are always fun to read and she manages to come up with such unique and creative content (tell me your secrets, how do you do that 😉 ?) I’m so happy she decided not to leave the blogosphere!
From a stranger to you– Arena is literally a ball of positivity, always bringing so much happiness to everyone!!!! Reading her blog(or simply talking to her) will make your day TEN TIMES better!!
Okay, so for those of you mathematicians out there yes, I did nominate six people instead of the limit of five(oops, sorry about that).Each and every one of your blogs are amazing and unique and, I stay up late reading them all 😉 Your support means the world to me and I nominate you all to do this tag if you want !!!!
-Dr. Seuss, The Lorax (I LOVE this movie and would recommend it to you all especially today 😉 Even though it’s a “children’s” movie, it will make you bawl your eyes out. The message is very important and pertains to us all.
I was psyched for Earth Day this year because I was planning on attending a march/protest in my neighborhood(yes bonus points, I was also going to miss school)!! Recent events(cough cough cough, Covid19) have canceled this event but, it has not canceled the movement and the belief that we need to work to create a better world!
The coronavirus is causing havoc globally but, a silver lining can be found. This pandemic is surprisingly having positive effects on the environment. The pandemic is leading to a reduction in pollution and carbon emissions. It is sad that it has taken something as dramatic and deadly to bring positive change for the environment but we can still contribute to the positive change in the environment
Lol, I love this picture( thank you Pinterest😂)
Back to the tile/quote of this post, nothing is going to change if we don’t all pitch in to help. Our small actions may seem meaningless but they will contribute to the bigger picture. The bigger picture being a world where we can live where, global warming does not threaten us and we can all enjoy what nature has to offer to us.
HAPPY 50th EARTH DAY to all of you!! To get in the Earth Day spirit I would recommend watching the Earth Day Live Global program(@ earthday.org) or watch some videos about the earth and nature on the Discovery Channel or National Geographic(Oooh, both of these channels are so much fun to watch and the animals are adorable 😉 )In the next few weeks I’ll be posting some Earth Day crafts and ideas so, stay tuned! Remember, every small action you do counts!Something as simple as posting environmental positivity or #earthday on your social media to spread awareness to the movement counts as taking a step to help our world. Love you all💕💕, XOXLUCY
Hey, everyone!!! As many of you may know, April is known as National Poetry Month. I have fond memories of poetry month in elementary and middle school where my teachers made us write, read and dissect poems.And on the illustrious poem in your pocket day, my grade teachers would force us to come up to the front of the classroom and either read our own original creation or share poems of a famous poet in history. I clearly remember being terrified every year that day and being too shy to share my poems. Instead, I would resort to reading Annabelle Lee by Edgar Allan Poe(aka my favorite poem of all time). Any piece of writing is vulnerable because we fear that others will dislike our work and that will discredit our original thought of our work. I am by no means a poet but, I love reading and writing poetry. Short stories and novels are great as well but, I enjoy how poems can get a big message(or sometimes several messages)across in so few words. So today I’m going to be doing what I couldn’t do all those years ago and share some poems I wrote. Most of these poems are older(from three or four years ago) because the poems I have written this year are not yet ready;) Many of these poems are not great or anything special but, I remember really liking them when I originally wrote them so, here goes nothing. ….
Shoes
You start off new and shiny
And become dusty and tiny
When you are almost through
You start to have holes in you
It must be hard to be you
I’m sorry you have to go through this
It must be a pain
Especially when it rains
But what would I do without you?
Who am I?
Who am I?
Thirteen year old boy
Laughing and smiling
Carefree and full of life
Surrounded by loved ones
In a safe haven
Who am I?
Twenty year old woman
Terrified and lifeless, cold and bitter
Full of despair
Alone
Who am I?
Well, it depends on the day
I forget what I did yesterday
I forget what I did yesterday
Maybe I yelled
Maybe I screamed
I forget what I did yesterday
Maybe I cried
Maybe I hurt you
I forget what I did yesterday
But I know you still love me
No Name Poem 😉
Are you lost” they ask me
“Never”
I know my way home like I know my name
The path is easy but hard to follow with its many trees
But I am lost despite knowing my way home
The path is twisted and crooked this time
There are many paths but only one leads home
It gets darker with no hint of light
Desperate, I choose a path
But no matter which path I choose, none lead home
So I keep searching for home, until the morning comes
And now I find my way on a path so easy to follow
Thanks for reading poems of a young and confused me and if any of you want to share your poems, please leave them in the comments because I would LOVE to read them💕💕While this post is about poetry it’s also about not needing the validation of others to tell you your work is good.I’m not saying that it isn’t a great feeling to have others tell you your work is amazing(because it is ) but, you should also like your work because you created it and because you believe in yourself. One of the best things about poetry is that there is no right or wrong. I mean if you’re writing a specific style of poetry there are rules but otherwise, you can make it as long or short, as weird and random as you want. E.E Cummings was(and still is sometimes) considered a weird poet because of his unusual style of writing and the presentation of his poems. I remember looking at his poems and thinking it was almost like solving a puzzle. One of my favorite examples about how poems can be simple is, This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams. It’s a very simple poem but, there’s just something about it that makes people love it so much.
Okay, this post is becoming rather longer than I expected it to be and this idea was all prompted because of my younger brother haha;) He had an assignment to write a poem but, became frustrated because he believed he couldn’t write anything deep or meaningful. I tried telling him that not all poems have to be deep but, they could just be fun to read. So in a way, I have my brother to thank for this post!! XOXLUCY
OOOH, if any of you guys have poem recommendations please share them in the comments;) I’ll share so of my favorite poems below….
l(a e.e. cummings Because I could not stop for Death Emily Dickinson Annabel Lee Edgar Allan Poe O Captain! My Captain! Walt Whitman I, Too Langston Hughes
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