six word memoir #1

In my family, basketball has always been one of those things you're just born to love. It's in our blood. And I always have loved it. When I was younger, I’d see my brothers playing. They’d teach me new moves and help me improve old ones.  I quickly developed the same passion they had for the game. Up until high school, when that passion slowly starting dying. Mostly because I let other people and other things bring me down. Sometimes I think about it, and miss the sport so much. Even though I still play, it’s just not the same.

I made the photo black and white, because my feelings toward basketball aren't black and white anymore. It’s something in between. Something bittersweet.

"sorry" (5)

Whenever a discussion about overuse of the word "sorry" comes up, I automatically think of a something my math teacher once told me.

I was writing a test. And, just like any other test I'd ever written, I was the last one finishing up. Half an hour after class ended. I obviously felt bad, making him wait so long, just so I'd be able to finish. So naturally, I apologized. He replied with something like, "you're not sorry. You'll do it again next time." So I said something like "maybe. I'm just so slow. But I do feel really bad." Which is when he told me, "you're not sorry though, you just feel badly about it."

Since then, I almost think that when someone apologizes. If they had the chance, would they change it? Or would they do the same thing over again? To me, that's what deprecates actually feeling sorry, and simply feeling bad.

inspiration (4)

Last week, being the Terry Fox Walk and all, I'd been hearing a lot about him and his story. We all know who Terry Fox is. The young Canadian who ran one-legged across Canada in hopes of raising money for cancer research. Right?

Well, I learned a lot more about this great Canadian that I never really knew before. How he was so honest, determined, dedicated, tough, and aspired. Plus so much more.

In my English class, we got into a discussion on how someone like Terry Fox becomes so great. Why him? Why not you? Why not me? Why not now? Can anyone go above and beyond? Some people believed that in order to make a change or an impact so huge, you had to have previously experienced something tragic. Something life changing, which basically inspired you to change. Then we thought, maybe nothing traumatic needs to occur in your life. Your eyes just need to be opened. Open to possibilities, open to differences.
The whole discussion really just got me thinking. About who can go above and beyond? How is that determined?

I believe, that all you need is a little inspiration. Inspiration that leads to passion, along with enough perseverance.

writing reflection #3

So Friday westarted our first actual writing assignment: Six Word Memoirs. I found it alittle rough at first, compressing such vast thoughts into such few words.There’s no way to make it not sound blunt. Once I got going though, thoughtsand phrases kept coming to me, the whole process becoming much easier. I choseto stay in the classroom to write, simply because I like the idea of having a proper surface to write on - a desk. As long as I’m listening to music on my iPhone, Ifind it pretty easy to concentrate. Whatever else that’s going on aroundbecomes irrelevant anyway. My thoughts and my music drown out all possibledistractions. I’d say that part went fairly well. Overall, when we wereintroduced to the Six Word Memoirs I thought it was a super cool style ofwriting. Not gonna lie, I was excited. The idea that you can fit an entirelife, an entire story, into six words is a pretty neat concept! I’d definitelyconsider that a pro of the writing style - how it’s so compressed and simple, yetso compelling and thought-provoking. With that, there’s always going to be a greyarea. The part left out, the words unsaid. Where the audience has to readbetween the lines in order to draw conclusions and fill in the blanks.Depending on the situation, it could be a pro or con. Personally, I think it’sall part of the fun. By creating my own Six Word Memoirs, I learned that as awriter I often prolong things I want to say, rather than get to the point.As a thinker, I realized I’m not too big on past self reflection. Present,sure. Only I have a hard time remembering details from the past, and I alwaysfind it difficult transferring my thoughts onto paper or into words. To me, thehardest part is really just finding the right words. Especially as a perfectionist.On the other hand, the hardest aspects always tend to be the most rewarding.

As forblogging, I’ve really been enjoying it. I think it’s a neat idea and concept,to have a sort of network between our peers. Whenever I’ve written in the past,it’s almost always been for the sole purpose of letting things out. Ideas oranything I feel strongly about, really, I’d write. It’s just been an outlet.Something personal. Only now that all my thoughts I decide to post are beingopen to the public, it’s neat too. People can so often be connected throughthings they’d never say. So, this week, I’m setting a blogging goal for myself.I’m going to add one or more Personal Additions every day (this week.) Startingtoday. I’ll achieve this simply by posting about whatever happens to be on mymind that day, or inspires me, or intrigues me.

reading reflection #3

Book: The Book of Negroes

Author: Lawrence Hill

Pages read: 20-44

Sometime within the past week or so, I finished reading The Pact by Jodi Picoult. It’s tough to say what the moral or message that the story really has. There are probably so many, depending on how deep you decide to look or to analyze. To me, the message is that there are many different kinds of love, as well as different types of relations. It makes us question how well we really know the ones we love.

                Personally, I really enjoyed the style of writing. How it’s split into three parts or “books.” That allows for a much clearer distinction of the different aspects of the story bring told. Splitting up the novel into sections (not chapters, but bigger sections with chapters within, kind of like their own sub-books) also makes it easier to tell the story from multiple characters perspectives, which I really like. The only downfall, some readers may find the change in narration confusing or difficult to follow.

                Friday’s class I continued reading The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, which I recently began. I’m just getting into it, and already a ton has happened and progressed in the storytelling of Aminata Diallo. It’s difficult not to admire her character. When she was just a young girl, she witnessed both her parents’ deaths. Right before her very eyes, as Aminata herself was being kidnapped. That takes courage. It’s at that point that our strength of character really shows – when we have no other choice than to be strong. It makes me wonder how this poor girl will escape the captors.

Also, “Book One” is the two lonely words on the very first page, leading me to believe the story will be split up – one way or another – into sections of her life being told. I can honestly say I’ve already learned so much from the words of the author, having only read 44 pages. For example, “to gaze into another person’s face is to do two things: to recognize their humanity, and to assert your own,” I have never thought about that sort of thing. It’s interesting though, and I’ve been able to have a lot more insight. I know I’ll definitely enjoy The Book of Negroes.

hate 'em or love 'em for the same reason (3)

Kanye West. I, personally, love him. Not because I agree with the way he acts or the things he says, but because I admire the fact that he can act that way, and he can say those things. How he reacted to Taylor Swift winning Best Female Video Of The Year at the 2009 VMA's, for example, people won't ever forget. Because it was arrogant and uncalled for - but it was honest and true. Or how he stated, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," as the result of Hurricane Katrina.
He's so raw, and so hones,t that I find it hard not to admire someone like that. Someone who has the courage to tell it like it is, and to speak their mind. Mostly though, I love Kanye West's music and his lyrics. So many of my favourite quotes especially, are from his songs. Even if you're not a fan of his, or don't particularly like his music, I feel that he at least deserves respect for all that he's created in the music industry, and whatever else. After all, respect is earned. Maybe not as a person, but as an artist. Give him credit for that.

the only limits we have, are those we place on ourselves (2)

All because these elephants tried once, and failed, they'd never dare to attempt breaking free again.
The first time I read this, I thought it was so interesting. How we have the potential to hold ourselves back because of failure.
So many of us have this exact mindset. We lack determination, or confidence. Simply because we tried something once without succeeding, or were told we wouldn't succeed.
In reality, the only thing keeping us from anything really, are the doubts we have for ourselves.

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