My Snowday Must- Haves

     So, this week we all got a couple extra das off of school, which was very nice but bittersweet, as we could not leave the house and if you were like me, you got bored fast. So, I want to share with you what keeps me entertained and happy on a snowday.
     First of all, warm drinks. There are many choice drinks, such as coffee, or hot chocolate, but my favorite hot drink is green tea, just because all you have to do is put the bag in water and it'll taste the same every time. Warm drinks make you feel cozy and warm, which is exactly what you need. Fun snacks are important too, I like to go with something like a smoothie that'll remind me of the summer. This week I made a watermelon smoothie, which was very refreshing and made me feel like I wasn't trapped inside because of two feet of snow and hurricane force winds.
     Next, good movies are necessary. I usually go with really deep movies or action movies- not necessarily chick flicks, but ones that'll make me think and distract me for a long time. Some really good movies are: Palo Alto, Submarine, Attack the Block, and The Silver Linings Playbook. All of these aren't very well known, so its nice to watch something and not be influenced by everyone's opinions of it. Netflix is important too in this case, I recommend binge-watching a series for the entirety of the day.
     Also, a good playlist doesn't hurt. On these kind of days, I usually like calmer music, like some rap, but for the first half of the day I just had to stream Fifth Harmony's new album Reflection (out February 3rd, its so good I suggest buying it) because iTunes did a first listen type deal on iTunes radio. After I heard the angels descend from heaven in music form, I put on my rap playlist, which has artists like Tyler, the Creator, and a lot of Mellowhype. I like really chill music when its cold out, so rap is just the thing.
     Finally, blankets. Need I say more?

    

I Am the Messenger: The Fourth Ace

     In the fourth part of the book, Ed is given an ace with the names of three movies, which he must decode with the help of Bernie.  Turns out, this time the three people he must help are Marv, Richie, and Audrey.
     Richie was first. Ed watched him practically do nothing for days at a time, and eventually confronted him. Rich told Ed that he just wants to... want. So, Ed made him realize that he should get a job, which he thinks is a good idea. I liked this message because  Ed got to help his friend break through the barrier he felt between himself and the life he really wanted.
     Marv's message was my favorite. Ed knows that Marv's message will have to do with money, so he tries to ask for some. Marv tells Ed the story about how his ex girlfriend was pregnant with his child, and is saving money to give to him later on. Ed realizes that Marv has to meet his child. So, they go to his ex's house, and Marv has trouble getting out of the car. But eventually he does, only to find out that his ex's dad refuses to let them in. Eventually she calls him though, and Marv sets up a time to meet his family for the first time. For the first time in forever, Marv is extremely happy.
     The third message is for Audrey. Ed knows that for Audrey, she must learn to love. So, he brings a CD player over to her house after Simon, her boyfriend leaves, and dances with her. For that moment in time, they feel the love they have for eachother very strongly, which I find very cute. I liked Ed and Audrey together from the beginning, and hope eventually they get together.
     Even though Ed thought he completed all of this adventures, all four aces, a lot is waiting for him. Its sad that the book is over- I really enjoyed it, but like the author said, Ed will continue to live even if the book is finished.

I Am the Messenger: The Third Ace

     In the third part of the book, Ed is faced with many challeges. He receives the third ace at the Sledge game he plays with his friends every year. He was expecting the ace of spades, but was pleasantly surprised when he got the ace of hearts. This time, three book titles awaited him, meaning he had to go to the library and decode the titles to get the addresses. He ended up with Glory Rd., Clown St., and Bell St.
     On glory road, a very nice family awaits him. I liked this message the most because yet again, Ed makes people realize that its the little things that count. They were a very happy family, but when Ed saw their Christmas light display, he realized that a lot of the happiness was skin deep. The family struggled a bit with getting by, so Ed knew that the least he could do was buy them new lights. The family put them up, and for a while everything seemed absolutely perfect. The family seemed more united, and its crazy how a string of lights could do that.
     Come Clown St., Ed was ordered to wait in a restaurant called Melusso's and see what happens. Eventually, Ed's mother comes in with another man, and Ed is confused and feels every emotion at once. He decided to confront his mother, and she said that she can't stand him because he reminds her of his father. He's very confused, but this message was good for both of them to realize more about their relationship.
     Bell St. On Bell St., a movie theatre was waiting for him with a friendly man named Bernie in it. He hasn't had many customers over the past few weeks, so he was surprised to see Ed. He offered him a free showing, and he could bring a lady. So, he brought Audrey, and while they were in the theatre watching their movie, they invite Bernie down to watch to. When it was time to change the reel, they notice a man is up in the room already. Ed knows its the man who has planned this entire quest, so he tries to catch up to him but fails. A reel for Ed was left, and when they watched it, Ed's journey so far was documented on video. I thought this was the most suspenseful message of the book to be honest. I can't explain it, but I felt like I was there in the theatre with Ed and Audrey, and it scared me just as much when the man in the room wasn't anywhere to be found.
     The third ace was very suspenseful, as well as heartwarming. I expect great things from the fourth ace now.

I Am the Messenger: The Second Ace

     In the second ace of I Am the Messenger, Ed receives another ace, this time the ace of clubs. This time, it only says 'say a prayer at the stones of home,' which throws Ed off. He can't seem to crack the code, until a man gets into his cab one night and brings him to the river Ed and his brother used to play at when they were young. On a rock, three names are engraved; Thomas O'Reily, Angie Carusso, and Gavin Rose.  Whether it be giving someone an ice cream cone, or a good beating- Ed has to help these people realize that sometimes its the little things that make a big difference in your point of view.
     When it comes to Thomas O'Reily, I think this was my favorite message of the three here. I liked how Ed helped the preacher get more people to his service using a party. I think it really showed how bringing people together makes a difference. I also enjoyed how Ed brought Thomas and his brother together. After not talking for so long, Ed's idea of free beer and a party brought them together and I thought that was beautiful.
     I thought the message with Angie was very nice as well. When it comes to the little things, I feel like a lot of us take those for granted. This message made me realize that I too take a lot for granted, and should be more thankful for the little things my parents do for me like drive me to track, and give me money to go to the mall. It's crazy how an ice cream cone could make Angie's children realize the same thing.
     I wasn't moved by Gavin's message, simply because I'm lucky enough to have a very strong relationship with my sister. I did like it though, how Ed helped the brothers realize how much they actually do care for and need each other. I think its really important to have a good relationship with your siblings because throughout your life, you will be with them the longest. It is important to be able to talk with them and be as close as possible.
     Overall, I really liked this ace. I hope later on, Ed helps even more people and makes more people realize how special the little things really are.

I Am The Messenger: The First Ace

     The book I Am the Messenger is a thrilling book where we see Ed, a 19 year old cab driver, bring a robber to justice. Right after this robbery took place, Ed received a poker card in the mail with three addresses. He realized that he needed to go to these addresses, and witness or help out any situation that was to occur. The first address was home to a three person family: a mom and her daughter, as well as a drunk father who raped his wife regularly. The second address was home to an old woman named Milla who is very lonely- she has been since her husband Jimmy died some sixty years ago. The last address was home to a fifteen year old girl named Sophie. She was a dedicated runner who usually ran barefoot, but during races she'd wear spikes, which hindered her performance and confidence.
      In my opinion, I think that so far the book is very interesting, and it keeps the reader attached. I think that Ed shows extreme courage when it comes to going to these addresses in general, and he solves the problems in very creative ways. When it comes to the first address, I did not see the gun coming. It was chilling that Ed had to kill a man, because he didn't know what horrible consequences were to follow if he didn't. Regardless of the plotted murder, I found the second address and Milla's story the saddest. She has been alone for years, and has a very poor memory, so when she sees Ed she immediately calls him Jimmy. She made him read to her, and eat dinner with her. Ed actually enjoyed going over. He felt connected to Milla in the sense that he could relate to her sadness. I felt very bad for both Milla and Ed- Ed had to act as if he understood what Milla was talking about, and it was hard for him to move on to the next address because Milla felt as if her dead husband has come back.
     I related to the third address the most. When Ed followed the runner girl on her runs every day, I kept thinking about summer when I used to do what Sophie did. When Sophie lost her races despite her best efforts, I related to her even more. So, to see Ed be able to help Sophie gain confidence and prove her skill, I felt like Ed was acting like my coach here- he was the one who helped me gain my confidence in running. That was my favorite part of the book so far. I loved their friendship so much as well, and hope they stay close throughout the book.
     So far, I Am the Messenger is a great book. I feel like Ed will help more people throughout the book, and learn more about himself this way too. I can't wait to find out whether or not the alcoholic man of the first address was actually killed, and if Sophie ever ends up winning a race. I hope everything unfolds in the next few parts of the book.

EPIPHANIES

     Epiphany (n.)- a moment of sudden revelation or insight

     Throughout my life, I knew I wanted to be successful. I wanted to be independent, and I wanted to control my life and my destiny. Once school got more important to me, this slowly drove me insane, since if I wanted to be successful and make enough money to support myself, I needed to get into a college with a good reputation, so I could get said job that'll satisfy me. This would take effort, and the constant reassurance that a little stress will pay off in the end.
     I wanted to be an engineer- half because I thought maybe I'd enjoy it and feel accomplished, but half because I knew it'd make me big bucks. I wanted to concentrate on the environment, and design windmills and new concepts that would save the world from this climate change and warming crisis.
     I wanted this very badly, or at least I made myself believe this. You see, I've always wanted to have a creative career as well; I went from wanting to be an interior designer to an architect to a chef about thirty times in elementary school. But, as I got older and researched more, I found that the internet always had those websites that said "10 worst college degrees that'll make you no money" and anything I wanted to do was always #1. Dreams=Crushed.
     This battle between going for the money, or going for the sake of liking something controlled my decisions and no matter how hard I researched and tried to plan my future as an engineer, the spark never came. It never clicked with me. It never gave me butterflies. But last night, I stumbled across what an Art Director is, and I cannot explain the butterflies in my stomach. I got these chills, and I had the epiphany that I can have both. I can have mad cash and do what I love. Of course, I'd have to work up to that, and it will take time and effort, but I feel confident in my abilities and I know that this is the career I have been looking for ever since I was in third grade.
     It combines everything I've ever dreamt of: design, art, power- everything. With this degree, I can go into the beauty industry- something I adore, and work for companies like L'Oreal or Makeup Forever, some of my favorite brands, and I can travel the world and do what I love. I woke up this morning and the first thing that came to mind was this new dream, and that is how I know that this one will stick with me because you know what they say: "Your heart belongs to the first thing you think about when you wake up, and the last thing you think about before you go to bed."
     The epiphany that sparked this was that when I opened up my drawing book for the first time in a week or so. I realized that I cannot stay sane without some sort of artistic outlet in my life. If choosing between money and art is something I had to do, I knew that I'd be far happier in a shack with a notebook and colored pencils than I ever would in a corporate environment for eight hours a day.