A Few Tidbits

For those of you who're looking for things to cure you of boredom during the summer (just kidding :)), here are a few things to take a look at. A lot of them were recommended by friends, but a few are just random things I came across:

-A cover of "Firework" by Cimorelli (these sisters are really talented, check out their other videos)

-Airplanes Medley Mash-Up by Megan Nicole

-Another Mash Up (Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, etc.)

-Just a Kiss ~Lady Antebellum, Cover by Madilyn Bailey

-Enchanted ~ Taylor Swift, Cover by Megan & Liz (these girls are great as well, check out their Youtube channel)

Each Ending is a New Beginning

"You don't get another chance. Life is no Nintendo game." -Eminem

oh, Eminem. As much as I love your music, this quote made me stop for a moment and go "wait, whattt?" I agree that our lives are about as close to Mario Kart as black is to white (if only you could pick up Question Blocks in life that would give you extra powers :)) but does that mean that we can't have second chances? No way. I actually sort of understand where this quote is coming from, considering that he's probably had a hard life and is just sharing his personal experiences, but I don't think that that's necessarily true.

Well, now that we're talking a bit about music, let me quote from what used to be one of my favorite songs (let me apologize in advance if you disapprove of my music taste...anyhow, that's not what's relevant right now):"sometimes goodbye is a second chance" [bonus points if you can guess what song!... because I'm not telling ;P] Anyways, this particular line spoke out for me because most of us, when approaching our life, see the "end" of things as...well, the end. Is it possible that we can actually see these ends as the beginning of something new, though? Sure, it's not like the whole Nintendo "okay, you lost one life? oh well that's okay, moving on to your next brand new sparkly life" thing, and I understand that everything won't be perfect, but maybe sometimes the end of one "chance" is the opportunity to start on an even better one.

Unwritten

She remembers when you used to blend into the faces of a crowd

just one among many others.

There,

but really not.

She remembers really seeing you for the first time,

as you walked into that door

hopeful,

but doubtful.
She remembers when there used to be a glass door between you and her,

standing like the unwritten rules of your friendship,

open,
except not.
She remembers the countless painful days of ignorance,
when silence spoke more than words...
when really all you both wanted most
was it to end.
But most of all she remembers that one special day
that you finally opened up...
"hello."

Summer & Sunshine

You might be wondering why there is a lovely blank space over there-- but, to be honest, I really don't know. All I know is that Blogger has been extremely...uncooperative, and therefore, you might have to grow close with that blank space, because it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon :/ For that same reason, well...there goes all the tabs that used to be on the toolbar to your right. I apologize for the possible inconvenience, hopefully everything gets back to normal soon.

Haha anyhow, I guess that I didn't get the chance to officially wish you all happy summer (or Sun Ultimately Makes Most Everything Right, that is) (: To those of you who have been dedicated readers of my blog throughout this school year, thanks, you guys are what makes posting on here worthwhile (: Our weather, which has been acting just a tad bit bipolar seems to be getting into the summer mode though, because looking out the window right now I see...sun! The last weeks of school seemed to pass by in a breeze with end-of-the-year projects and finals and here we are, the fourth of July. I'll admit that I feel slightly bad for not posting as regularly that I hoped, however, in the midst of traveling, hanging out w/ friends & just plain enjoying summer, I'll try to check back here frequently. (last year I tried the one-post-per-day challenge...let's just say that that didn't work out the best :)).

Anyhow, have an absolutely wonderful Fourth of July and enjoy the sun (while it lasts!) Sidenote: I fell in love with that cupcake the minute I saw it...doesn't it make the 4th of July seem so much more appetizing? Just kidding (;

who are you?

You are a star.
A star...

whose five delicate point are glowing

but still have yet to meet their absolute best.

who perhaps has dimmed

and faded

and maybe even dissappeared,

but always comes back, brighter and stronger than ever.
A star.

Now you are...

the moon.

Who lights up the closing dark sky

of yesterday.
and parts before a new tommorrow may begin.
but whose silver light-barely there
brings hope to the vast night.
The moon.


And finally, you are...
A beautiful human being

who has made themselves

unique-
an individual.


Who has picked up new things,
grown,
and
seeks a brighter future.


Who has collected memories
had experiences,
and created dreams.
Who are you?
You are [insert your name here].

oh how I love Winnie the Pooh. (:

A Note or Two

"Music is a total constant. That's why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in your or the world, that one says the same, just like that moment."

-Sarah Dessen, Just Listen

I just wanted to share a little thought that I had when I came across this quote while reading Just Listen (good book so far by the way!). I was actually just revisiting a bit of older music...(well not really that old, some from a few months ago, but still) and the funny thing that I realized is that with almost each and every single song, there are memories and thoughts connected to it. For example...hmm, listening to Hot N' Cold reminds me of the days of singing this on our bus in sixth grade as a big group (: Other songs remind me of other things, like I'll listen to song and remember perhaps...the first time I heard it, or maybe a particular moment/time when I heard it that maybe stood out to me in some way or another. They can remind you of places, conversations, memories, and even sometimes people. It's really much more than eight notes strung together in some random way or another to appeal to people...it just is so much more than that. I guess...that's just the beauty of music. Just wanted to share that note or two (no pun intended ;)).

Here I Am

dreamers are believers, believers are fighters.
these are the people who shall forever inspire...
mountains and valleys,
oceans and plains,
hopes and dreams,
sun and rain.
so here I am world; close and then afar,
closing my eyes, wishing upon a star.

Words and Wondering

If you ever happen to be scrolling through some of the posts here, you might notice that the spacing is rather odd...to be honest, Blogger is being quite frustrating right now and so I apologize for that...just know that I didn't intentionally make the spacing crazy (:

Anyhow, just a minute ago, I was staring at this blank post, wondering what to write (as often happens) but as I glanced around at my desk, I noticed a striped spiral bound notebook that I honestly haven't touched (as in physically wrote in) in...oh, say about two or three years. [brace yourself for a story] The funny thing is that this notebook brings back memories of quite an odd time that occured when I was reading Cornelia and the Audicious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Leslie M. Blume. I honestly thought that this book was alright if you're ever bored, but not particularly outstanding. But hey, when you're in fourth grade and need a book for reading time, anything will do (; haha just kidding, but anyways, back to the story. So, to give a brief background of the book, it's essentially about a girl who experiences different cultures as she travels around the world etc. (you know, the whole Eat Pray Love concept...except not really.) The thing about this book is that it introduces a bunch of foreign words, unusual phrases and such because the main character, Cornelia is...well, just eccentric that way. So I, for some reason I am still unable to understand, decided that I would record every single "different" word/phrase that I found in that book. Why? I don't know. But I do know that now I have over ten pages of those phrases in a notebook. Actually, here is a scanned page of it. (please excuse the messy handwriting)

For your reading pleasure (although you probably could care less :)) , here are a few:

quidnunc: one who is forever anxious to know about everything that is going o
bavardage: foolish or empty chatter

Arrete! C'est Ki L'empire De La Mort: "This is the Empire of Death" (because that will definitely be useful in the future :))

Chien bizzare: "a bizzare dog lives here" (I don't even know...)

incommodius: uncomfortable

linguistic recluse: person who withdraws from the world and into words
Parisology: when you use words that are unneccessarily complicated so that no one understands what you're talking about (well I guess that these words are useful after all :P)

Now, you might wonder why, out of the strange stories (oh and trust me, there are many :)) I could tell, I picked this one. Well, you see, the other day someone told me that "it would be much easier if the entire world spoke English. Why can't it just be this way?" Because...languages are what bring us together and unite us as people. Of course some people might argue that everyone speaking English might just further unite us in this way...but really, what's the fun in that? Different cultures and their own unique ways are what makes our world interesting and diverse and even though you might say that I'm not one to talk (because I'll admit it, I only can speak English and understand most of Portuguese)...it's fun to see what the world has to offer. Even for those of you who think that there's no point in learning any more vocabulary as long as you know the basics (enough to strike up a normal conversation with someone), sometimes, it just is useful...and even fun to have a few unusual words in your back pocket. Haha well anyways, I feel as if I just went on a "importance of languages" type rant that has no absolute connection to anything, but that notebook just brought back a few thoughts.
Alright well, Adios (;

Lavender Petals and Long Time No See

ahhh, finally, I can take a deep breath, sit down at my computer and revisit here...
why hello (:
I know, I know, I apologize for not posting in a while, but hopefully I'll get back to posting more regularly. To be honest, I can't believe that summer is coming along so fast, it seemed like only a while ago that the sun being out at seven never happened, but now...well, time flies. (:
Well anyhow, quick (quite random) update:

-I finished A Tale of Two Pretties (last Clique book! I know, I know, I'm addicted. (: anyways, make fun of that much as you want; Massie, Alicia, Claire, Kristen, and Dylan have become characters who've I've grown to get to know really well and it's dissapointing to have to say goodbye to them...ah well. Wishing them an ah-mazing future ;))
-I'm reading The Social Network right now...haha thank you for letting me borrow it (and then getting me hooked on it), anonymous person...you know who you are :) so far it's actually quite interesting, especially since Facebook is something that we seem to use quite frequently...maybe I'll post a book review once I'm done.
-Also, this is interesting, a song made entirely by Windows 7 sounds. I thought that it was pretty impressive...
-Oh and finally:

there will always be

a flower petal
that doesn't belong.
a lavender piece
that's made it way this far,

but really,
never quite fit.

days and days
the endless feeling of being out of place.

people look at the petal
and wonder why
it doesn't just fall
it would be much more beautiful...without.

more days
and the petal decides
that maybe it's time.
slowly and gracefully to the ground
it falls.
now, on the white windowsill
there is a small speck of purple.
that same lavender piece
that once never really belonged...
but now they stop for a second
and
stare.

see, the thing about this petal
is that it's beautiful

by itself.

On a Positive Note

"Even when the stars

stop shining,

when the tears begin to fall

like pouring rain...

even when it's hard

to keep on fighting,

when things will never be the same...

I want you to remember

with the very whole of your heart

that there's always a silver lining

a chance for a brand new start."

Along the Winding Path

at exactly 7:04 on Sunday morning, two people woke up.

The loud ringing of the metal alarm clock that lay on her dresser woke her up,

and as much as sleeping in seemed like an inviting prospect...

it was Sunday morning.

she had a place to go.

The loud honking of cars and buses on the nearby street woke him up,

and as much as a good sleep was really all he needed right now...

it was Sunday morning.
he had a place to go.

The click clack of her heels against the pavement.
She knew this path by heart,
been here a million times.
Pass the firehouse,
cross the street,
the winding trail-
with the hollow tree.
His dress shoes were most definitely not suited for this weather,
but nevertheless, he continued.

The crunch of the cobblestone path underneath his feet.

He knew this path by heart, been here a million times,

now the end of the trail.

He opened the rusty gate,

eyes traveled the place.

She saw the tombstone.
Though she had never been here before,
she knew where it was.

And somehow,

Although he had never been here before,
He knew where it was.
A step.
Then another.
And another and another and another.

Two steps.
Then a pause.
Then another and another and another.
8:01
Footsteps.
She stopped,
with the roses that we now wilting

in hand.

8:01

Footsteps.

at exactly 8:04 on Sunday morning, a sister and a brother stood at their mother's grave,

hand in hand.

so close yet

so far apart.