One must always be careful of books...

"One must always be careful of books and what's inside them, 
 for words have the power to change us." - Cassandra Clare

When I was much younger I hated reading. I only read the same simple books over and over again because I knew I could read it and read it well. Once my sister tried to get me to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Obviously I would get hooked to reading with Harry Potter. Nope.

Now give me a chance to explain. I read the first page and gave up because I thought it was boring but really I think I was still a little too young to exactly understand the story. When I was a little older I tried again and this time I latched on. I proceeded to read the rest of the Harry Potter books that were out at the time and as each new book came out, wait for my sister to finish reading it first. 

In between waiting for the next installment in Harry's life I began to branch out to other series books. Redwall, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Circle of Magic and other Tamora Pierce books. I also delved into the world of manga. I loved reading. I would totally immerse myself into each world and could not wait to find out what happened next, but at the same time I also wanted each story to last as long as possible because I loved it so much. I distinctly remember one summer every morning I would go into my sister's room and read on the floor while she read something else or was on the computer. It was a nice little ritual and is a nice nostalgic memory I have with her. I would always make sure I would read at least one chapter, maybe two, but I would always have stop myself from reading "too much" so I could extend the experience. 

The summer before I started high school is when reading for fun abruptly stopped. This is when book assignments took over my normal reading time. I enjoyed a lot of the books we read in school, they were always interesting and a few have become my favorites and are on the reread list. There were also quite a few I just did not get or care for, and I have to admit I did not read a couple of books. 

With school and life I felt like I didn't have anytime for reading for pleasure, yet so many of my friends seemed to manage it. After a while of reading nothing other than assigned books I felt like I couldn't get myself to make a commitment to another book that I didn't have the time really sit and take in. I had an ongoing list of "to read when I have time."

In reality I did have that time I just needed to make it. And I finally did after The Hunger Games movie came out. I had heard of the book a while ago and had added it to my list, but when I went to see the movie it really hyped me up to read it. I think of all the books I read, The Hunger Games series was the fastest I've ever read. I didn't think about taking my time, I couldn't get enough of it and it felt so good to not be reading something I had to for school. Unfortunately I went another long stint without leisure reading. And I didn't really notice. This broke when I read The Fault in Our Stars. That year and the following my family and friends gave me a copious amount of books for my birthday and I ordered some myself. 

Again some time passed before I actually read these books because of school and life. But also I noticed that I was spending all of my time on the internet. One day I decided I really needed to work on the pile of books collecting dust next to my bed. I replaced some of the time I would normally watch YouTube to read. First I started with a nonfiction albeit still YouTube related, Grace's Guide, and then delved back into fiction.

And I missed it so much. 

There is something different about reading nonfiction vs fiction. I enjoy both but fiction is my chance to escape to another world. Even though I read and loved The Fault, so much time went before and after reading it, that it felt like an anomaly. I started The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, gifted from my siblings. I felt that enthusiasm of anticipating a chance to sit down with a book and was finally spending consistent time away from a screen. And even better one of my best friends had already read the series so I had someone I could discuss what I didn't understand and share theories with, and she could relive it all over again.  

Now I'm glad that I've gone through all those assigned readings. I understand more. I spend more time thinking about the meaning and importance of what is being said and admiring the author for being so clever. My favorite part of English was discussing books, which is even better when it's with a book I'm enthusiastically reading. As books are so integral to the characters in The Infernal Devices, I couldn't have a better series to relearn about my love and admiration for books.  

I took to taking a book with me when I went out in case I had time to read, which once came in handy. I got stuck waiting out a storm and luckily had my book with me. The building I was in was full of comfy chairs, dim lighting, and I could hear the rain outside. The atmosphere was so nice and very appropriate for the setting of the book (I even have an app for white noise and listened to a crackling fire). Later that night when I got back to bed I continued reading because I needed to know what happened next. 

A strange thing happens when you read fiction. You care for these characters and start worrying about what's going on in their life as if they're your problems. I constantly will stop mid-page and think "so what does this mean for so-and-so" or "but what about him!?" The reason I began writing this post is because I've become so emotionally invested that I had to take a break after finishing a really emotional part, I couldn't even finish the chapter. 

So I was sitting in bed wrapped up in a comforter picking up where I left off with the storm still going on outside and I had to stop in the middle of an exciting, intense sequence in the story to look up from the book, and say out loud "I f*cking love reading."

So It's Been a While/Daydreaming

So it's been months since I've written anything for this blog. When starting this my goal was to use it as a creative outlet I've never really explored before, improve my writing, keep a diary of sorts, and actually keep up with it. As school started that quickly moved to the back burner (more like the freezer). Anyway, I am going to try to keep writing occasionally but more than likely I'll only really post while on vacation. 

Moving on from that I thought I would talk about my brain. Specifically the daydreaming/story-telling part of my brain. I've tried to explain this to some friends before but it's a little odd. So when I go into a new place I always think about how the space would be used in a TV show, a movie, a musical, etc. I imagine how the scenes would be shot and what each part of the space would be used for specific moments. 

For example, the first time I went to my sister's apartment. The layout of the apartment is in a way where you can go in every room while making a circle through the apartment. And I thought about how this is perfect for a short film where there would be a one-take scene of a character walking through the entire apartment.

Another time when I was walking around campus with a couple of friends we came upon an area we've never explored before. There was some staggered concrete walls that you could walk on and I instantly thought, "this is where 'that' scene in a musical would happen, when there's some sort of rebellion and it's the rallying song that everyone sings in." I even showed them the blocking for each characters' solo in this made up song in this made up musical.

Now daydreaming is totally normal and I do it all the time. But I feel like this is a step up from daydreaming. It's just the amount of detail I instantly get to is a little weird. I mean I knew the apartment scene would be a short film not another musical or a movie, but a short film. I even like to imagine music videos even if the song already has a video. Honestly this is all very silly but I like it because I feel like I'm exercising the creative part of my brain. Maybe one day I'll actually write these scenes down, until then I will enjoy watching the scenes play out in my mind. 

Summer Days Drifting Away

Inspired by Alfie Deyes one of the many British Youtubers, I decided to make a list of 25 things I want to do this summer and document it in a journal. I thought this was a really good idea so I'm giving it a go. I have a mix of things on my list of really simple, easy things and some that takes a little bit more time and planning. I want to try to make a list every year so eventually I fill up the whole thing with fun memories. 

Here's my list:
1. Go swimming
2. Draw more
3. Write down stories
4. Pass Calculus I
5. Learn to skateboard
6. Get together with all my friends
7. Go shopping 
8. Dye my hair
9. Host a successful bridal shower
10. Sew more
11. Read more books
12. Start and finish a new (to me)series on Netflix
13. Bake/experiment with cooking
14. Go to the Perot Museum 
15. Run/play/walk in the rain
16. Write in this blog more
17. Craft night 
18. Paint on canvas
19. Pass Calculus II
20. Hair and makeup fun day
21. Have a BBQ
22. Go to a summer concert
23. Organize my music
24. Set up picture decor
25. Watch more movies

Summer is definitely is going by too fast and I've hardly accomplished this list! It's already heading towards the end of July which means I'll be going back to school soon...sigh (though I have been taking summer classes anyway). I'm really going to try my best to finish this list or at least do as much as possible. 

Summer Go-To

Here my summer go to outfits.

Casuals:

what's laid out:
Batman tank top - Cotton On

pink/white tribal print shorts - Forever21

liar's unite tee - Aeropostale
blue/white tribal print shorts - Cotton On

I like loose fitted shirts with printed shorts during the hot summer days. It's easy to just grab and put on without much thought. 

Rompers:

what's laid out:

neutral tribal print romper - Forever21

blue optical illusion(?) romper - Cotton On

green belt - Old Navy

The neutral romper is a little more casual than the blue one with the criss cross back and lower cut. The second when paired with a belt (and even some nude heels) is more sophisticated with the high neckline. The only problem with a romper is going to the bathroom...

Dressy:

what's laid out:

coral short sleeve - Express

black/white daisy skater skirt - Cotton On

blue and white stripped dress - ?

coral maxi dress - Wave

What I love about these "dressy" options is that they can be dressed up or down for a casual day running errands or a nice dinner out. 

Purses:

what's laid out:

coral sherbet shoulder bag - Payless

red/white/yellow stripped shoulder bag - American Rag

Yellow shoulder bag/clutch - Plato's Closet
Love Pink tote - Victoria's Secret

During the summer I don't like carrying a large purse so I opt to minimize what I carry. The large Victoria's Secret tote is a great pool bag.

Shoes:

what's laid out: Sandals

white Christian Siriano - Payless

tan Montego Bay Club - Payless

Mossimo Supply Co. - Target

Again I like easy/minimal work with my clothes in the summer and what's easier to slip on then a pair of sandals?

The best thing about most of the clothes shown is that they were on sale. The Express shirt and yellow purse was actually purchased at a sale at Plato's Closet last summer, everything from Cotton On was $5 and everything else is either somewhere under $15 or old so I've worn their worth. Knowing you got a great deal as you walk away with your shopping bags in hand is one of the most satisfying feelings (especially if you're prone to buyers remorse like me). 

Hope this look into my summer wardrobe was interesting - in a nutshell I generally go with something loose and simple. 

Salted Chile Chocolate Popcorn

I love cooking and baking, and I LOVE watching the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. Yesterday I did a little experimenting because I had a hankering for something chocolaty and something salty so I decided to try making chocolate cover popcorn. 

The ingredients: 

1 bag of microwavable popcorn

1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips 

1/4 tsp of cocoa chile blend 

a sprinkle of sea salt

The hardware:

baking sheet

parchment paper

small pot 

glass bowl 

spatula and/or spoon

Start by popping the popcorn. I used the microwaveable kind because it's easy and I already had it, but if you're concerned about the sodium level I would recommend stove-top popcorn because you can control the levels salt and oil more easily. 

While the popcorn is popping bring water to a boil. Once the water is boiling I switched the lid of the pot for a bowl that is large enough to sit nicely over the pot without touching the water. Add in the chocolate chips, again you can switch out the chocolate for any kind you like. When the chocolate melted I added in the chile blend. 

Spicy and chocolate seems to be a classic "unexpected" combination on all the food shows. The cocoa chile blend I used contains cocoa powder, chipotle pepper, and paprika. I think cayenne or even a little bit of hot sauce would be a good substitute. 

Once the chocolate and spice is all mixed together add in the popcorn in two batches. Since mine came in a bag I avoided shaking the bag to keep unpopped kernels and the salty oil at the bottom of the bag as much as possible as I scooped the top half of bag into the bowl. 

Gently mix the popcorn and chocolate together. Once everything is coated transfer it to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and add the second batch. 

Spread the popcorn out evenly and sprinkle on a little bit of salt. It might seem unconventional but it really isn't, salt helps bring out the sweet flavor of the chocolate and is another common mix. It'll take a while for the chocolate to set up and since it's pretty much summer where I live it was too warm to keep the popcorn out on the counter so I cooled it down in the refrigerator. 

Once the chocolate is set transfer to an airtight container. I only made this yesterday so I don't know how long it can keep I would guess 2-3 days, but knowing me it won't last that long...

This is a really yummy and easy snack that perfectly combines salty and sweet while the chile blend has a slow, subtle kick to it and if you're a little more adventurous just add more. Hope you enjoy!

The Daringest Duo

Karmin the Pop duo, and real life couple Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan have recently released their album Pulses and I was lucky enough to see them kick off the second leg of their Pulses tour in early April. 

The singers-songwriters’ style is a blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop, and rock; they have even described their own musical style as “‘swag pop’” in Rolling Stone magazine. When you compare their earlier work covering popular songs in their personal style, their EP albums Inside Out and Hello, and the new album/the concert Pulses there is a clear progression of their sound. Their cover album, Karmin Covers, is a collection of their popular covers from Youtube, ranging from Katy Perry and Taylor Swift to Chris Brown. The song choices no matter the origin of genre all tend lean towards a more pop sound but with Karmin’s stripped down instrumentation - piano, acoustic guitar, a wooden drum box, and the occasional trombone - with additional raps. Hello, their EP of original songs again features rap in a pop song, but also strong vocal anthems, heavier drum beats and also tends to be Amy dominate in the vocals. The Pulses album seems like the natural progression of their sound; a full length album that experiments with a variety of sounds but keeps to their origins. The music has clear influences of R&B and rap, but in concert with a live band they have an even stronger rock sound. I think this stronger sound is due to the electric guitar and drums that are much more prominent in a live concert due to the amps than in studio recordings; you can feel every beat. A live performance also allows them to change the phrasing or arrangement of a song, invoke audience participation, and use punch phrasing (inserting a different song briefly). 

At the concert the rock sound is very prominent with their intro “Geronimo” which starts with heavy electric guitar, bass and drums and then grooves into “I Want it All.” Starting purely with drums evoking clapping from the audience this song has a strong disco style with the “four-on-the-floor” beat, Nick plays trombone and from time to time, Amy adds in shouts,and mixing in the rock element there is even an guitar solo. Towards the end of the song Amy directed us to mimic her and sing it back. Before the start of their album title song “Pulses” the drums and piano played in the background while Amy directed the audience to sing the vocalizing part of the song in different sections of the audience. Then during the song she would point at each section to sing. A really cool moment was when the middle of the song breaks down to a quiet moment with just Nick on piano (and the audience singing), then the high energy is brought back up when all the other instruments join in at once. 

Throughout the show the duo moved around the stage with really high energy, punching the air, dancing, and even crawling at times. In the middle of one of the songs Amy even picks up a microphone that changes her voice into a male version. Both engage with the audience through their performances waving, pointing, directing the audience, and posing for pictures. At one point Nick jumps off stage (after shaking hands with security) and stands on the barricade and allows the audience to reach for him. What was also nice was when Amy introduced a song explaining how it was written and who helped them write and produce it. And at the end of their show they brought up an audience member to help perform their cover of “Look at Me Now” with them. (I would have died if they picked me, and I really wish they did :P).

 

I was really surprised at the range of the audience from people in their forties to children around ten and everything in between. Some of those older audience members were there with their children, but also seemed to be genuine fans of Karmin themselves. Due to their rise first initial of popularity through the Internet and Youtube I see how young-adult fans that are immersed in the Internet were attracted to the duo. That could also be said for the younger kids in the nine to twelve year-old age range since the Internet gives such easy access to their music. One of the older audience members near me said he was so surprised the first time he watched one of their Youtube videos when he heard Amy rapping and that’s what got him interested. It seems like it has become a family experience to listen to Karmin. Perhaps parents enjoy them because they provide clean rap lyrics that their young children can listen to. 

I believe the duo first gained popularity on their YouTube channel about three years ago that featured their covers and original songs. Their channel has over one million subscribers and their most popular video, a cover of Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” has over 89 million views. I became a fan of them when I saw them on The Ellen Degeneres Show perform “Look at Me Now” and proceeded to look them up on Youtube (and has inspired me to try to learn how to rap a little haha). I also saw them perform this past summer open for the Jonas Brothers tour. I really liked hearing them change the arrangement of songs from the studio version and use the perfect songs for punch phrasing. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the concert especially since there is always a new found appreciation for a band after seeing them perform live. 

Of course I'm no expert on music and I've probably missed a lot on their sound, but they are one of the few musicians that I actually know anything about so I thought I'd share that. Go check them out on Youtube (and their VEVO channel) and I believe they are still on tour so I really would encourage trying to see them if you are in the area. Even if you are a new fan you'll be glad you saw them because 1) you get be cool and go to a concert, 2)in the future their shows could be much bigger so you get a more up-close/intimate experience, and 3)you can brag to you're friends you saw them live! And of course check out their album Pulses! (also can be found here).

Cloud Atlas

Written, produced, and directed by The Wachowskis (of the Matrix franchise and V for Vendetta) and Tom Tywker (of Run Lola Run) with the score written by Twker, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil, Cloud Atlas is the adaptation of the 2004 book of the same name written by David Mitchell. Released in 2012, Cloud Atlas tells six stories exploring how life repeats cyclically and how actions of an individual can transcend time and impact one another. While the film is initially confusing it comes together as the story develops enforcing the theme of interconnection through its storytelling, character archetypes, and relics. The storytelling can be described as if each story is a book nested within the middle another, so before the first story can conclude another begins and is not finished until the very end. It goes back to the beginning at the end of the story as a reflection of life as cyclical. Starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Strugess, Doona Bae, and Ben Whishaw, the main cast plays different roles but the same archetype in each story. Another device used to connect the stories is objects and stories that make it through one story and affect the next, in fact in one storyline a character composes “The Cloud Atlas Sextet” that is discovered on vinyl in a later storyline. When each story concludes the unique storytelling allows the overall theme of life in repetition to allow those characters to have many different endings. Overall I recommend giving this film a try and as it can be confusing at first maybe use this character graphic. 

I know this movie is a couple years old but I had to write this for an oral report for a class and I thought it would be an interesting post. Hope you check the movie out and if you have seen it maybe watch it again and see if you find something new you didn't notice before.