Confused about "destiny"...

After watching the movie Slumdog Millionaire, I have a lot to say about the idea of destiny. So, the whole movie is supposed to be centered around the idea of destiny, and things being meant to be. Jamal is destined to be with Latika through a series of events that unfolds throughout his life, and in the end he wins the girl. He credits this all to "destiny". This is confusing to me because it seemed more like it was Jamal's choice, rather than his destiny. It was his choice to pursue looking for her. It was his choice to stay a moral person. Is it still destiny if it is what you choose?? Because I thought destiny is predetermined, which would mean that technically you cant choose it, if its already predetermined. Jamal could have easily abandoned Latika, become a gangster like his brother, and he would have become much more wealthy. So, maybe the fact that he chose the harder route is a reason to believe it is destiny. I have always believed that if something is meant to happen, it will happen and you will have no control over it. If two people are "destined" to be together, then they will somehow randomly bump into each other on the street corner. This is completely against the turn of events in Slumdog, because throughout the whole movie Jamal is searching for Latika. That being said, im beginning to think destiny isnt so simple after all, and it has many terms and conditions.

The Great Perhaps

Recently I have read the book Looking for Alaska by John Green. It is all about a boy named Miles and his search for his own "great perhaps". A great perhaps, in my opinion, is an event, person, etc. that makes your entire life worth while. He begins his quest for the great perhaps by enrolling in a boarding school. Here, he meets people that truly lead him to his great perhaps. To me, the idea of a great perhaps is something that excites me. It gives me motivation to seek adventure and live life to the fullest. In addition, the emphasis of the importance of friendship and family really made me realize how important these things are, rather than material things. The best "great perhaps" is the one that involves a person, or a moment.So I look forward to one day discovering my great perhaps,  because without a great perhaps, what would be worth living for??

Phenomenal Woman - Maya Angelou

"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me."

I chose this poem by Maya Angelou to blog about because it intrigued me. 

This woman writes about how she is neither good looking nor  have a

 model body. You would think a poem like this would be about self pity,

 but Angelou actually states that these things dont matter.

 What is more important is how you carry yourself.

 This could have to do with confidence as well as your 

personality in general. I think this poem is beautiful because the author

 is so genuinely happy in her skin. 

 She owns up to her imperfections, but rebuttals them by saying she's still

 fabulous and gets all the men!  I admire Maya Angelou because I believe that

 if all women think in her mindset, the world would be a much

 better place. 

The Fault in Our Stars (and the search for a real-life Augustus Waters)

A few weeks ago I watched the trailer for the upcoming movie The Fault In Our Stars. Up until this point, I told myself not to read the book because everyone had already read it and I refused to give in and read a book just because everyone else has (I have a weird hatred for following the mainstream trends). However, after watching the trailer, I couldn't help myself! I had to break down and order the book. Once it was delivered, I devoured the book in a few days and I am so glad I chose to do so. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green moved me in a way no other book has. The whole time I was reading the book, I had come to the conclusion that Hazel would die in the end. But when John Green threw me a curve ball and Augustus died instead, I felt heartbroken and empty because this character that I felt so connected to was no longer alive in the literary world. The story unfolding in the book allowed me to realize the very real fact that life is too short to not live it to the fullest and enjoy every minute of it. I also came to the realization that I am utterly heartbroken at the fact that Augustus Waters is only a fictional character, but I will settle with re-reading the book a few times and seeing the midnight premiere of the movie.

Why We Broke Up

In the past few weeks i have been reading the book titled Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler. I must say I am so glad Mrs. Healey got it and suggested I read it, because I feel as if I were meant to read this book. First of all, the author of this book is the same person who wrote A Series of Unfortunate Events, and I was in love with those books. I was very shocked to realize that the author of such dark and creepy books is capable of creating such a masterpiece that I can relate to. Why We Broke Up is written in the viewpoint of a girl who has recently broken up with her boyfriend, and is retelling their story in a letter to him. I must admit that I can relate so much to their relationship, and have seen this turn of events in my own past. Unfortunately, I wish I could have been as confident as Min. I wish that I would have been absolutely sure of what I wanted, instead of just making a rash decision and hoping it was the right choice. Whereas Min is confident in her decision to breakup with Ed (so far she is, anyway.. I haven't gotten to the end), I was once unsure about what I wanted and couldn't figure out what was the right choice and what was the wrong one. However, as I am reading this novel, it has further helped me to realize that I need to be confident about my choice and know that I made my decision for valid reasons. It is almost like Min is telling this story to me in order to help me feel reassured that everything happens for a reason and will be ok in the end. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age. This story Min tells is one that I think everyone has gone through at one point in their lives. Even though the heartbreak was strictly meant for Ed and Min, I feel as if my heart is breaking for them and for myself all over again, and that is why I would recommend this book. Because I believe that every once in a while, everyone should be reminded of their first love. 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

In the movie, Li Mu Bai has a need to teach Jen, and nourish her power. I think this is because he sees so much potential in her. She exceeded her original teacher, and became far more talented than her. In addition, Li Mu Bai is drawn to her because she was talented and stealthy enough to steal the Green Destiny, as well as fend off the guards who tried to protect it in the movie. However, even though Li Mu Bai is so interested in her, Jen shows no respect nor interest in him at all. She only has interest in being stubborn and having possession of the Green Destiny. Jen likes to be different from all others around her, and her fighting style is a reflection of this. Whereas Li Mu Bai is graceful and tends to anticipate his opponents moves, Jen is volatile and rash, and tends to attack viciously. However, Li Mu Bai's patience combined with Jen's aggression would make for a truly dynamic duo.  In addition, I believe Li Mu Bai has the mindset that people should always be given the option to change for the better. This is exemplified through his perseverance to talk to Jen and persuade her, as well as let her survive. However, even though Li Mu Bai doesnt have the opportunity to physically train her to fight, he still has a lasting effect on her in the end when he dies. This causes Jen to change for the better, even though she eventually kills herself. 

this is a sappy emotional blog post.

So, over my Christmas break I decided to read Dear John by Nicholas Sparks for, like, the hundredth time. But this time I read it, it kind of had an affect on me more than any other time. Dear John tells the tale of a classic summer love story, ruined by the hardships of long distances and military life. Nothing too out of the ordinary for a Nicholas Sparks book, right?? Wrong. To me, this story had an underlying message: don't settle for anything half-ass in life. When Savannah and John fell madly in love, I knew they were meant to be together forever. But Savannah was too weak to endure a relationship with a soldier, so she left him for a man whom she thought she loved more. In my opinion, this is the most heartbreaking idea in the world: things not going as planned.This idea can greatly relate to my life because I am so afraid of not reaching my full potential in every way, shape, and form in my life. When I am eighty years old, I wanna say that I did everything right and wouldn't change a thing. I think this is how most people view their lives, so why did Savannah leave her soul mate for someone else just because it was easier? At the end of the novel, the author even reveals that Savannah had loved John all along and ultimately still does! So, I have decided that all throughout my life I am going to make absolutely sure that my 80-year-old self will approve of all of my present choices. Nothing will be the easy way out or half-ass!

"Dark times lie ahead of us and and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right." - Albus Dumbledore

Silver Linings Playbook

After seeing the movie Silver Linings Playbook for the 7 billionth time in a row, I finally decided to read the book by Matthew Quick. The story begins in the novel exactly as it does in the movie: a man named Pat is wandering through his day at the mental institution he currently lives in. He keeps speaking of a woman named Nicky, who I later learned is his wife. Pat is in the mental institution because he one day walked in on his wife cheating on him with another man. Pat was so enraged he almost beat the man to death. (Who can blame him, though?) Pat then was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and sent to the mental institution for four years. Pat is visited by his mother who has decided to take him out of the institution and bring him home to be with his family. As odd as this may sound, I greatly admire Pat. His motto is "excelsior", which translates to mean "ever upward". He chose this motto because he believes in silver linings, despite all of the hardships he has faced. He keeps moving forward with his life. Pat's character is beautiful because of his perseverance to win Nicky back, which he demonstrates by avidly working out and doing all of the things Nicky loves in a man. This dedication and love he has for her, despite the fact that she cheated on him, is a very moving topic. The idea that this man loves his wife so much that he would completely change not only himself but his outlook on life is an idea that is unfathomable to me. One can only dream of having someone love them in this way. All the while, I am hoping and wishing Nicky will take him back, and they will live happily ever after. But then I meet Tiffany. Tiffany is a relative of a friend of Pat's, and she is just as beautifully messed up as Pat is. She and Pat engage in a strange friendship in which they both seem to reluctantly need each other. In a way, I get the feeling that they are helping each other. This part of the novel almost frustrates me because I was unsure of how to feel. On one hand, I wanted Nicky to realize Pat's love for her. On the other hand, I couldn't help but be excited when Pat and Tiffany are with each other. WHO AM I ROOTING FOR??! Finally, though, I found the answer: I am rooting for both sides. I am hoping Nicky realizes Pat's love and therefore realizes what she is missing out on, but I am also wishing Pat and Tiffany fall in love because they ultimately bring out the best in each other and understand the extreme difficulties life sometimes throws at people. They deserve to be together, and they deserve their silver lining.

The Definition of a Human Being

If you were to define the word "human" in the dictionary, you would probably get a generic answer. A dictionary definition would most likely say that a human is a living breathing creature that can think, function, and choose between right and wrong all on their own. This definition is correct, yet incorrect all at the same time. It is true that a human lives, breathes, and can make decisions all on their own. However, that definition doesn't even begin to describe everything there is to know about being a human being. The true definition of a human being is as follows:

Human Being:

- a living, breathing creature that is capable of almost anything. What they decide to do with their lives is up to them.
- a living, breathing creature that sometimes is faulty and makes mistakes. Lots of them. These mistakes result in a new and improved human once they learn from their mistakes.
- a living, breathing creature that has the ability to care about another more than they care about their own self. (This includes parents, friends, husbands, wives, siblings, etc.) This ability allows humans to come together and make the world a better place.
- a living, breathing creature that also has the ability to become a monster. Due to their "free will", they have the option to not only improve another human's life, but they also have the option to ruin or destroy another's life.
- a living, breathing creature that is beautiful in all of its imperfections                                                                                                                                                

A change of topic

As a final summary to my previous three blogs, I want to use this fourth journal to express my love for individuality. Like Tally and Shay, there's no better feeling than being yourself and loving who you are. In addition, I love the idea of not giving in to conformity of society. Stick it to the man! No one owns us or who we are as individuals. Therefore, I believe that doing what you want is freedom, and loving what you do is happiness. America is known for their virtue of freedom. So why not live up to that idea and live life to its fullest while we still can?

Shay

In my reading today I have met a new character named Shay. She and Tally have become friends through their curiosity of the people who live in pretty town. Shay and Tally go on adventures together using their levitating hoverboards. I really enjoy Shay because I think that she, too, is a model of individuality. When Tally begins to give in to conformity, Shay talks some sense into her. Tally begins day dreaming about what she will look like after her transformation into a "pretty", and Shay shows no interest. I admire Shay because of her idea that we can't all look and act the same, or else the world will be pretty boring.

Tally

As I have read further into the novel Uglies, I have been able to identify with a few of the characters. I have met the main character, Tally, and I have begun to realize the similarities between her and myself. When I first meet her, I immediately notice her need for rebellion as she is plotting to sneak away from the boarding home in which she is staying. She is planning to visit her best friend who has recently become "pretty" and has moved to a new place that is strictly for "pretties". I enjoy Tally's personality because I admire her need to rebel from the idea of conformity in her world. I can identify with her, in a way, because I also often find myself wanting to go against the social norms I currently live in. The idea of individuality and the need for moderate rebellion in the novel Uglies has me very interested to see how the rest of the novel will unfold!

Uglies

At the beginning of the school year I was asked to use class time to read a book of my choice. I had forgotten to bring a book from home, so I resorted to borrowing one of Ms. Healey's. This book would be a temporary read, I told myself. I would bring in one of my own books from home and everything would be okay. I chose at random and began to read the book Uglies by Scott Westerfield, and I am glad to admit it was a good choice. The opening chapter includes a girl who has waited her whole life to become pretty. In her world, a person turned into a "pretty" once they turned sixteen years old. Up until that point, a person who is under the age of sixteen is seen as an "ugly". This plot is very interesting to me because I believe this is a parallel idea. The younger generation of our society is so pure and not yet exposed to the materialistic things of the real world, such as appearances; but as we get older we begin to experience more of the real world and how false and judgmental society can be.  I am looking forward to reading further into the book and seeing how the characters react once they become "pretty".