A Walk To Remember

Author's Note: Here I am retelling how the novel A Walk To Remember went. It is very short and I try not to reveal how the book ends.

When a boy, who has lost his purpose, meets the daughter of the reverend, his life is turned around. As the young couple fall head over heels for each other, a devastating secret is discovered that puts their relationship to the test.

DWA Fall 2012- Love is Love

Author’s Note: On September 12^th it was my parents 20^th anniversary. From seeing them, and how happy they were on their anniversary, it inspired me to write about them. I would like to dedicate this piece to them as they celebrate 20 years of love together. I named this piece Love is Love because you can't hide from it, so why not embrace it?

Now I know the feeling. The feeling all young adults gossip over about a month after their big day. It’s as if the sensations I am experiencing now and in this moment are a massive potion that is about to explode. This mixture that I am creating with every moment of this experience contains overwhelming excitement, but deep down I feel nervousness, as every young lady does when they come to this day. I let that emotion pass and withdraw it from the concoction of passion I continue to make. We are both 23 years old now, I could not wait for this day ever since my loved one asked me, “Will you marry me?”

As I am living all of the loveliest  emotions known to mankind, my bridesmaids surround me. They keep telling me how they believe my fiancé is the perfect man for me. Of course, I agree, I love this man with all of my heart. My bridesmaids and I all felt the same way while putting together final touches, it is eagerness. Which obviously means there never once is a second without laughter filling the room. Just being with my most dependable, yet comical, friends  prior to heading towards the alter made me even more impatient. Although, I knew the moment would come soon, incredibly soon.

Before I know it my bridesmaids are already up there and here I stand beside my father with our arms linked. My heart is beating a mile a minute as I place one foot in front of the other. While we are slowly walking, the tune “Sonata Pathetique ” rings through my ears. It’s such a beautiful piece; I now realize how enormous my smile is. That’s when I see him, and I mean really see him. His smile mirrors mine. I notice the way his eyes glimmer from the sunlight streaming in through the stained glass windows. Those eyes always get me; they’re a deep charming blue. Now, I am standing alongside my to-be husband. We meet eyes as the priest begins the ceremony. For a moment, I look into my future. Gray, old, and wrinkly, my husband and I stand with our hands inseparable. Without a doubt, I know we will love forever and always.

Continuing through the service, my smile remains beaming. It’s almost time for us to place our rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, symbolizing our marriage. As I am soaking in every moment, I spot the ring bearer approaching us. We say our verses and I dos. The gorgeous ring is now around my finger, but I am not focused on that now. All that is running through my mind is waiting to hear the announcement, to hear him declare who we are now. Everyone in the church is fully aware of the words the priest is about to state, “I now proclaim you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Even though I want to fall into his arms and stay that way for hours, I am courteous and kiss him with respect. I am now a married woman. Somebody pinch me! My husband and I stand in awe thinking how movie-like this feels. How we found each other is a miracle, but that’s another story. For now, I’m living, breathing, and drinking in all of the love and happiness.

It’s been 20 years now. These years have passed but our love for each other is no less than it was when we were united. Remembering isn’t a problem for me, and I know it isn’t for my husband either. From time to time I evoke the feelings of that day vividly. From the excitement down to the affection I felt towards my husband. Not only recalling that, but how I saw every emotion on my husband’s face when I walked down the aisle. These remembrances will never go away, and I’m glad because that was the most joyous day I ever experienced in my whole life. Through sickness or health, rich or poor, we will continue to share our everlasting love.

Speechless

 Author's note: This is something I wrote in response to the book Speak. I'm glad that I read this book and I hope others decide to read it too!

Melinda Sordino found herself in a crisis: she and her friends were gathered at a end of the summer drinking party. Unfortunately, a tragic event happened to 13 year old Mel while at the party. Ergo, she killed the party by calling the cops, although, drinking was not the reason why she did so. Speak, by Laurie Anderson, sends a message that tells us not to judge a book by its cover in life while associating humor beautifully.

This book causes readers to question what they’d do if in Mel’s shoes. Many would seemingly do the same as Melinda, and probably receive an identical punishment. It would have been logical for Melinda to tell someone, anyone, what had actually happened. On the contrary, she kept it locked inside of her, thinking no one would listen or trust what she’s saying to be true. To get the weight off one’s back, the wise thing to do would be consult with an adult or friend that is trustworthy.

Throughout the many hardships that were in Speak, the author managed to incorporate humor in each chapter. Though it is a serious topic, the author managed to include Mel’s sarcastic voice. The comedy in this book keeps readers entertained and creates the story to flow well. For instance there is a list of: “THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL”. Following that list they make another which is: “TEN MORE LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL”. Another one of my favorites from the many humorous quotes is: “It’s easier to floss with barbed wire than admit you like someone in Middle School.” Surely one will find themselves snickering while reading this book.

While remembering the almost dangerous amusement, there’s a major lesson learned. Similar to “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”, this lesson is: when not knowing the whole situation, it’s best not to make judgement on anything. This may make lives miserable. Take Melinda for example: no more friends, grades down the drain, and she’s literally speechless. Stepping into Melinda’s world for me would leave me with puffy eyes every day and refuse to move a muscle the whole day. Melinda is brave enough to actually go to school. This is definitely worth some applause.

This book contains valuable lessons and it is a pleasure to read. While giggling through Speak, you might find yourself shedding a few tears as well. After I finished this book, I found myself on the edge of my seat craving for more! Don’t you want to discover what’s held within the cover?

The Sun Will Shine

 Author's Note: This is a piece I wrote in response to the short story All Summer in a Day. The short story is placed in the future where people can live on Venus, no matter how badly it affects them and their behavior.

A proportion of rain to sunlight: seven years to two hours. Sadly, this is the life people in the short story All Summer in a Day have to live. One girl, Margot, was the only one who recalled the sun and the rays it gave off. Living on the planet Venus, Margot is going through depression in this book; the bullies and the teacher did not help.

Margot is faced with depression. There are many elements that are provoke her distress. Primarily, this was caused by moving from Earth to Venus. The Earth we live on takes in lots of sunlight daily, which is healthy for the body. Whereas, Venus shows the sun every seven years for about two hours. It was a dramatic adjustment that Margot had to make. Her loss of vitamin D was overwhelming when she moved to Venus. Without the Sun, there is a very high possibility of getting depression. For example, during the winter season, people do not receive enough sunlight. Therefore, they may have to tollerate seasonal affective disorder; also known as SAD. Amid the winter, days are shorter; light lessens. SAD mostly arises to people who are sensitive to light, or the shortage of it. 

Although lack of sunlight is a major factor in Margot’s depression, the bullies play a tremendous roll too. The offender, William, was very heartless towards Margot. For god’s sake, he locked her in a closet when the sun was predicted to reappear! Not a soul in that room wanted to ruffle his feathers and get caught up into being bullied along with her; so the students watched as William tormented poor, melancholy, Margot.

Considering the bullies in this story, don’t forget the character the teacher is. The teacher was a bully within herself. She left the classroom for who knows what. William took advantage of the time when she was gone and bullied Margot around. Afterwards, when Margot was surrounded by closet walls, the teacher went on with what she thought was her whole class to see the Sun. What she should’ve done, as a responsible teacher, is go through her class list and be sure that all of her students are with her. This teacher contributed to the bulling. 

In the short story All Summer in a Day, Margot suffered through depression on behalf of the tormenters and teachers at her school. Unquestionably, there is a way for teachers to contribute to the bullying. Not only the bullying is a problem, but bear in mind the lack of sunlight and how it is a major factor as well. To grasp the joy the Sun gives us take five to ten minutes out of your day to read the phenomenal short story: All Summer in a Day.

True Love

Author's Note: This essay is about a book Crazy Beautiful compared to a the movie Beauty and the Beast. It includes the message sent through both stories.

Call him crazy. Name her beautiful. Crazy Beautiful is an intriguing book about recovery and relationships. Lucius, the main character, is a teenager who never thought love would come his way after he lost his arms in an explosion of his own making. Immediately when he entered his new school, insults were thrown at Lucius. Other than one girl, Aurora, everyone at school thought this boy, Lucius, was evil-spirited and insane. This beautifully crafted book helps us realize that the heart and character are true keys to beauty.

Turned beastly from an enchantress: the only way to break the seams of the spell is to learn to love. Not only does Prince Adam need to learn to love, but he is also on a timer to do so. As soon as the last pedal from the enchanted rose spins to the ground, Prince Adam will remain a monster forever. On the other hand Belle, a girl from a small provincial French town, is dissatisfied with her life. Belle’s father Maurice fumbles and causes Prince Adam and Belle to meet. Love is not immediate with these two, it grows upon them. Beauty and the Beast is a magical tale that relates in many ways to the book I read. Both including the same message: the heart and soul of a person matters the most.

Aurora and Belle both face difficulties entering their high school years. Aurora’s mother becomes sick and dies before Aurora can even start to think about her college choices. Never to wish to go to a new school, Aurora now has to move not knowing she will find her true love there. Similarly, Belle is born with a strict father, Maurice, and is never to leave the house. Maurice doesn’t realize the next move he’ll make will put Belle and the love of her life together. Belle’s heart fell for a beast that no one cared for: Aurora’s heart melted for a guy that the whole town thought was mad! Both teenagers saw the inner beauty to the so called maniacs.

Lucius knew that he was going to get made fun of at his new school. The explosion that caused his arms to be torn apart definitely reassured the teasing! Everyday Lucius watched life pass as many fools would mock him to his insanity. “Was life worth it anymore?” he pondered. Could there ever be a chance for love to reenter Lucius’ life? Aurora gave him this chance. Lucius had to admit immediately when he noticed the way her luscious long black hair complimented her soft, adorable face, made him wild for her. No one should ever feel reassured that they will be taunted at school. Thankfully, I have never had to experience something like this. Approximately 50 percent of High School students admitted to bullying someone in the year of 2009-2010. Sadly, many people across the globe have gone through a heavy time with being bullied. It is unbelievable how so many teens are this cruel to their classmates. A more fairy tale type version of Lucius would be Prince Adam and how he was cursed by an enchantress which caused his ugliness. No one wished to be around this horror, besides a young woman named Belle. When Prince Adam miraculously met this young lady, it was as if he were dreaming a spectacular dream. He hoped and prayed that she wouldn’t notice or bother to see him drooling over the way she glides around like a delicate butterfly. The way this girl naturally has her curls flow in the wind, well, what do you want this lover boy to say? Belle made him crazy, crazy in love that is.

Not all stories end with a happily ever after! Every exciting story has a “bad guy” whether it be a human, illness, or major tragedy. For the book Crazy Beautiful it happens to be an immature teenager, Jessup,  who can’t accept the relationship Lucius and Aurora have. He works up jealousy in behalf of their affair. When Jessup’s teapot whistle blows, he spreads a tremendous lie about Lucius wishing Aurora would see Lucius as Jessup does. Beauty and the Beast may have more than one beast, Belle’s father Maurice. Maurice forbids Belle to leave the house and it is atrocious for her to speak to such a beast like Prince Adam. Maurice assumes that he made an unacceptable mistake. What he does not know is that Belle finds the monster Prince Adam and truly falls in love because of the slip-up he made. The jealousy some people have is unimaginable! People have to accept the ways of life instead of making other people’s lives miserable. Jealousy is one of the top reasons why people bully one another. If this one feeling was taken away from one and all, you’d be shocked at the sudden drop of bully reports.

No matter what the circumstances are, gorgeousness is showed through character and the soul not the outer appearance. Lucius and Aurora. Belle and Adam. No one wants them to be together, but they don’t care. Consider that true love. Nothing breaks them apart. Whether he be crazy, or she beautiful, everything works out when we close the book one final time.