Last Line

"He heard the rind of the steel against steel as a far door clanged shut." This quote is the last line to the novel Native Son. This novel was written by Richard Wright.
Wright was born on September 4th, 1908 and he died on November 26th, 1960. Much of his literature was focused on African Americans during the late 19th to mid 20th centuries.
Wright was married twice and had two daughters.

Native Son is about a boy named Bigger who killers two girls throughout the novel. One of the girls being the daughter of a very well known family. The other girl was Bigger's current girlfriend who he ran away with, then raped her, then killed her. Eventually the police caught Bigger while he was on the run and the grand drury found him guilty for murder, sentencing him to death. Towards the end of the novel Bigger comes to terms with what he has done and accepts his fate.

I found the story some what interesting but I wouldn't read it on my own. I think that this book would bother me because of all the misfortune and death, much like my views on "The Good Soldier". I think that Bigger didn't mean to kill the first girl, it was an accident. But I also think that Bigger felt like he had to kill his girlfriend, like he had no choice.

First Line

My first line is "This is the saddest story I have ever heard."
This line is the opening line to The Good Soldier: A Tale of Passion. It is a 1915 novel by English novelist Ford Madox Ford.
Ford Madox Ford lived from December 17, 1873 to June 26, 1939.
"The Good Soldier" is about multiple betrayals, affairs and misfortunes. In this story two people commit suicide due to loss of loved ones, one person goes crazy and cannot marry due to her extreme mental illness, and the last person dies as well. The story is told in a series of flashbacks in a non chronological order. I would not personally like this story because it seems very dark and depressing. It involves almost every character resulting in death by suicide, if not every character being very unhappy. This book also has a main focus of affair and adultery, to which I don't agree with.

Memorable Passages

1)      “I felt her absence. It was like waking up one day with no teeth in your mouth. You wouldn't need to run to the mirror to know they were gone.” ― James Dashner, The Scorch Trials

I think this quote is very powerful. It puts a lot of emotion into very few words. It is also very true, when you lose something or someone, you can feel them/that missing. You can feel that it is gone without proof of it leaving.

2)      “The betrayal meant he couldn't trust her anymore, and his heart told him he couldn't forgive her.” ― James Dashner, The Scorch Trials

This quote is significant because it symbolizes how although you can love someone, it doesn’t mean they won’t hurt you, and it doesn’t mean you can always trust them. In this passage Thomas is realizing that Theresa had betrayed him, and that no matter how much he loved her, he knew in his heart that he couldn’t forgive her for what she had done to him, despite his feelings for her.  

3)      “Stop it!“ Newt yelled. “Stop it now!“
Thomas has been frozen in place, crouching as he waited for an opportunity to jump in and help Minho. But he twisted around to see that Newt was holding his Launcher in shooting position, his eyes wild with fury.
“Stop or I’ll start shooting and not give a buggin’ piece of klunk who gets hit.”
….. Thomas couldn’t believe the sudden turn of events. He looked at Newt with wide eyes, glad he’d done what he had, and happy he hadn’t aimed the Launcher at him or Minho.
“I told him to stop,” Newt half whispered. Then he aimed the weapon at Minho, but it was shaking because his arms were. “Now you guys leave. No more discussion. I’m sorry.“
Minho held up his hands. “You’re going to shoot me? Old pal?”
“Go,” Newt said. „I asked nicely. Now I’m telling. This is hard enough. Go.“
„Newt, let’s go outside..“
„Go!“ Newt stepped closer and aimed more fiercely. „Get out of here!“
Thomas hated what he was seeing – the complete wilderness that had taken over Newt. His whole body trembled and his eyes had lost any hint of sanity. He was losing it, completely.
“Let’s go,” Thomas said, one of the saddest things he’d ever heard himself say. „Come on.”
Minho’s gaze snapped to Thomas, and he looked like his heart had been shattered. “You can’t be serious.”
Thomas could only nod.
Minho’s shoulders slumped, and his eyes fell to the floor. “How did the world get so shucked?” The words barely came out, low and full of pain.
“I’m sorry,” Newt said, and there were tears streaming down his face. “I’m .. I’m going to shoot if you don’t go. Now.” 

With time to think, the full reality of what had happened hit Thomas like a falling boulder. Ever since Thomas had entered the Maze, Newt had been there for him. Thomas hadn’t realized just how much of a friend he’d become until now. His heart hurt.
He tried to remind himself that Newt wasn’t dead. But in some ways this was worse. In most ways. He’d fallen down the slope of insanity, and he was surrounded by bloodthirsty Cranks. And the prospect of never seeing him again was almost unbearable. [...]
He pulled the envelope out of his pocket and ripped it open, then took out the slip of paper. The soft lights that ringed the mirror lit up the message in a warm glow. It was two short sentences: Kill me. If you’ve ever been my friend, kill me.
Thomas read it over and over, wishing the words would change. To think that his friend had been so scared that he’d had the foresight to write those words made him sick to his stomach. And he remembered how angry Newt had been at Thomas specifically when they’d found him in the bowling alley. He’d just wanted to avoid the inevitable fate of becoming a Crank.
And Thomas had failed him.
Newt suddenly twisted around and grabbed Thomas by the hand holding the gun. He yanked it toward himself, forcing it up until the end of the pistol was pressed against his own forehead. “Now make amends! Kill me before I become one of those cannibal monsters! Kill me! I trusted you with the note! No one else. Now do it!”
Thomas tried to pull his hand away, but Newt was too strong. “I can’t, Newt, I can’t.”
“Make amends! Repent for what you did!” The words tore out of him, his whole body trembling. Then his voice dropped to an urgent, harsh whisper. “Kill me, you shuck coward. Prove you can do the right thing. Put me out of my misery.”
The words horrified Thomas. “Newt, maybe we can—”
“Shut up! Just shut up! I trusted you! Now do it!”
“I can’t.”
“Do it!”
“I can’t!” How could Newt ask him to do something like this? How could he possibly kill one of his best friends?
“Kill me or I’ll kill you. Kill me! Do it!”
“Newt …”
“Do it before I become one of them!”
“I …”
“KILL ME!” And then Newt’s eyes cleared, as if he’d gained one last trembling gasp of sanity, and his voice softened. “Please, Tommy. Please.”
With his heart falling into a black abyss, Thomas pulled the trigger.” 
― James Dashner, The Death Cure

So obviously this passage is lengthy, but I felt that a reader needed to read it all instead of little pieces of it. Having it all together really forces you to feel all of the emotion and power behind it. For those of you who have read any of the Maze Runner series, I’m sure you blubbered like a baby during this chapter, much like I did. The significance behind this passage is yet another example of how Thomas loses most everyone in his life, mainly the people closest to him. This part of the story stood out to me because it was devastating and shocking. If you are emotionally involved in the story and you have read the previous two books before this one, you’d know that this part of the story has major significance throughout the rest of the series.

4)      “Minho looked at Thomas, a serious expression on his face. "If I don't see you on the other side," he said in a sappy voice, "remember that I love you.” ― James Dashner, The Death Cure

This quote of The Death Cure book really shows how much the Gladers meant to each other, even though they never expressed it. In this moment two best friends are forced to split ways for the good of the group, not knowing if they would ever see each other again. This happens often times throughout the entire series but this never before happened between Minho and Thomas. This quote really shows the bond between the two boys and how hard it was for them to say goodbye to each other for possibly, forever. 

If I Were In Charge Of The World

If I were in charge of the world,

I’d cancel standardized test scores,

The ACT,

College loan depts.,

And also hallway sweeps.

If I were in charge of the world

There’d be free gas.

Free education and,

Mental health for teens would be taken more seriously.  

If I were in charge of the world,

You wouldn’t have to be 18 to work at most retail stores.

You wouldn’t have to watch what you eat.

You wouldn’t have bad hair days.

Or “That’s gay”.

You wouldn’t even have class at 7:50 AM.

If I were in charge of the world,

A Take 5 candy bar would be a vegetable.

All clothes would be free.

A person who sometimes forgot about homework

And sometimes forgot to do chores

Would still be allowed to be

In charge of the world. 

Pillow Talk

There is no greater feeling in the world then fresh sheets, and clean blankets. Climbing into tightly fitted sheets that smell of fresh linen, is a sign that you are loved. That someone in the world wants you to sleep well and comfortably.

Lying in bed is my favorite pass time. Surrounded by fuzzy, soft blankets, and a dozen pillows. Whether I’m watching my favorite movie for the eighty-seventh time, or curled up with my favorite book, if I’m in my warm bed I’m happy.

Waking up early in the morning is so difficult when your bed is hugging you tightly and you never want to let go. Stepping out of bed and into reality is the hardest part. Floating in a sea of blankets and pillows, like dreaming on a cloud. The only thing keeping you from being lost at sea, is the responsibilities you can’t leave on the shore.

Your bed can make minutes feel like seconds, and hours feel like moments. You lose track of the world when you’re in your bed. Like there’s no reality, no time, no worries. Just you and your thoughts, wonders, dreams. Your bed is your very own, a place to lose yourself or find yourself. A place to feel vulnerable and insecure, and nobody has to know about it. A place to cry, laugh, smile, scream. A place to get away from the world.

"The Caged Bird" Inspired by Maya Angelou

The caged bird stays
in one place

The caged bird with clipped wings
that keep him from soaring into the blue,
keeps him from touching the clouds

The caged bird that sings beautifully
only to be heard by the four walls
and metal bars surrounding him

The caged bird that only feels
sunlight on his feathers
at certain times of the day
when the sun shines through
the blinds of a window

The caged bird that longs
to spread his wings
and feel wind beneath them

The caged bird that imagines
escaping the bars and
exploring the world.

"You day I'm a dreamer" My Dream Day Schedule

If I had a day that I was completely free, if I could have everything I ever wanted, if I got to forget about my responsibilities, I would use every second of it to my full advantage. I wouldn’t waste any time by sleeping, I would wake up bright and early. I would take a very fast plane to The Mall of America and start my day by shopping. I would buy anything that caught my eye. I could finally afford the style of clothing I have always wanted. I would step outside of my comfort zone and try new clothes I wouldn’t normally wear, because, why not?

After I got all of the shopping out of my system, I would shop some more, but this time for makeup. I would go to Sephora and Ulta and buy all of the most expensive brushes, palettes, and skin care and hair care items. I would buy all of the bold lipsticks and contour kits I have been hesitant to try.  I would buy it all, maybe even the whole store.

Then I would fly to Italy for lunch. I would order all of my favorite foods. I would try everything. I would eat until my stomach hurt, until I couldn’t possibly take another bite. I would take my time eating lunch, I would saver every bite I took so I could remember how amazing it was.

After lunch I would buy my dream car; a Mercedes G-Wagon. It would be matte black with matte black wheels and tires, and an all-black enterer. Then I would buy my boyfriend his dream car as well and let him customize it. After making the best purchase of my life, I would make the next best purchase. I would buy the Nike Company, that way I could keep making money, and be set for the rest of my life financially.

I would also buy my parents everything they deserve. I would buy them a vacation home and winery in Sicily. I would let them design their dream house in their dream location, and hire building to build it for them. I would buy them new cars, and a boat. I would pay off any of their depts. and do’s. I would make sure they didn’t have to work so hard anymore, they have done that enough. I would make sure they were taken care of for life.

I would start a saving account for my niece and nephew so that they will have a college fund. I would pay off my sister’s dept. so that she wouldn’t be so stressed anymore. I would set her up in a nice home in a nice area for my niece to start kindergarten. I would send my brother off the his favorite botanical garden in Europe so that he could make it his own. I would pay off his student loans and college tuition, and I would buy him a cat.

I would hire a chauffeur for my Memaw so she wouldn’t have to ride the bus to the grocery store when she needed milk and eggs. I would make sure she was happy, and had everything she ever needed or wanted. She deserves the world and I wish I could give that to her.

Then I would return home and try on all of my new clothes until I found the perfect outfit. I would mess around with my new makeup until I felt flawless. Then I would drive my new car to meet up with Beyoncé and have dinner. We would laugh and drink champagne and make jokes and take a million selfies together. Then Beyoncé and I would drive our matching cars to her concert. I would get to watch the concert from back stage and dance and sing all night. After the show we would fly back to Missouri and when I got home, every item I have saved on my Wanelo would be waiting for me there in dozens of UPS packages. Then Beyoncé would tuck me into bed and sing to me until I fell asleep.  

That would by far, be the most perfect day.   

Maya Angelou Questions

Question 10) I think that writing is harder at times. You are your own worst critic, especially when you are producing something that comes strictly from within you. I have a problem with thinking that everything I write isn’t worth reading. I have a hard time with being creative with my words and painting a picture through my words. I want to be able to write something that just perplexes people, and fascinates them. I want to write things that are deep and mysterious and make people wonder how I even thought that up. I feel like my writing is very straight forward and bland and I wish I could change that. Or I guess I wish I knew how I could change that. I also tend to have writers block when it comes to happy topics. I feel like I write the best when I’m going through rougher patches of my life, I think it brings out a lot of raw emotion. I think it brings out emotions that you don’t feel every day and it makes for very true, pure writing. Like you aren’t leaving anything out. I find that the easiest writing for me.

Question 5) I feel like I could learn more by talking less and listening more. I have difficulty listening to people without thinking of what I’m going to say next, and actually hearing what they are saying. I don’t do it because I’m inconsiderate, or because I don’t care about what the other person is saying, I just see it as I’m trying to relate to them and agree with them. I also think that by pay attention to what other people are telling me, I would be better at taking advice. I think that if I was always listening to other people, it would teach me to be a better person because I would be learning from other people’s mistakes, I think that would also come from watching people as well as listening to them.

Question 11) I think that you continue to learn every single day, no matter what age you are. What about surgeons? Doctors and surgeons are in medical school and internship years until they are in their middle twenties. I would hope that they continue to learn even after the age of twenty five. I think you can always learn new material, it may not be as easy to pick it up quickly, but I do think you can always learn new things. As well as lessons, I think you learn lessons about yourself and your life constantly. I think you learn from mistakes too. Life can test you on so many things and so many levels and you can only learn from them. Also, new people come into your life constantly and they can help you grow intellectually and emotionally. They can also walk out of your life and that teaches you something entirely different, but it will still teach you and you still learn a lesson from it.

Question 3) I think you can choose what has power over you. I do think that paying too much attention to bad things does have an effect on you and it can consume you if you think about it too much, thus giving it more power than it should have. It’s like if someone is saying things about you that aren’t true and you react to it, then it gives that person power over you. It lets that person know that it bothers you, and you’re thinking about it, which is exactly what that person wants, and that’s only giving them more power. But if you ignore that person and what they are saying, then it doesn’t matter, because you’re not letting it have the power to have an effect on you. If you know what they are saying is not true, then let it go. Who cares if other people believe what they are saying, you know you, you know the truth and that’s all that matters.

 

7 Line Poem

Very soft lilac

Like a pink honest rose

That grew only on mountain top

Like a new highland, I suppose

The rock rose is the name of this majestic flower 

Sweet like a precious violet

But harsh like the deepest wine

Color Haiku Two

Misty Summer Day

Sprinkler blasting,

Kids playing and laughing

In a summer haze.  

Color Haiku One

Tropical Coral

In the bright, hot, sun

Sand shining in the light,

Stuck between my toes.

Paint Color Acrostic

Coffee with cream that races through my veins, doesn’t seem to help my sleepy eyes,

On the early morning skies.

Faint light streaming in through cracks in the blinds,

Forgetting to start the day, and wake up my mind.

Everything seems better after my

Everyday coffee.

White, tiny, little snowflakes clinging to my windshield

In my bones I know

That winter

Has finally arrived.

Cringing to the cold blast of wind that seems to

Rattle my bones and

Eat away

At the warmth that was once in

My body. 

   Once upon a time, a princess named Elle prepared to be wed. On this day, Princess Elle wore a glow upon her face that nobody had seen before, she blushed pink and smiled from ear to ear. She held a bouquet of beautifully pink peonies, and soft white Angel’s Breath. She wore a lace, white, ball gown style dress with a very grand train trailing behind her. Her vail had lace flowers around the edges, and wore long down her back. She arranged for the whole castle to be dressed with pink flowers of all kinds; Hydrangeas, Peonies, Dahlias, and Carnations. She had only the most luxury and finest dining wear for her guests, and they feasted on the most divine meal the whole kingdom had ever eaten. Everyone in the entire town knew that Princess Elle’s wedding would be unforgettable.

But no amount of detail mattered to Princess Elle like she cared about her Prince. Just thinking about Prince Henry made Elle’s face blush red, her heart beat faster, and butterflies stir in her stomach. They adored each other, it wasn’t hard to see. You see, Princess Elle knew that Prince Henry would be her husband since she was a little girl and she’d dreamt about this day for quite some time. Finally it was here.