A fantastic practicum experience has ended and I want to commit to writing seriously. I am the type of person to tackle one cause at a time and focus solely on such cause, accomplishing it and then moving on. Hence the reason why my blog I am sure has had virtual tumbleweeds blowing past.
Seen as I am finding other causes to take up in order to tide me over and to fulfil my New Years Resolution of writing more, I want to take up the challenge of writing 1000 words a day.
Yes it will be a challenge for me, but I want to earn my badge of 1000 words a day for at least 6 days a week as the sabbath is the day of rest :)
I want to be able to reflect, create journal/diary entries and (fingers crossed) post my ramblings on this blog.
HOWEVER (yes I deliberately stress HOWEVER) as a pre-service Teacher I understand the value of using laptops in class BUT the quality of handwriting has seriously dropped from year 9 onwards. I thought my chicken scratches are bad as well, because I am greatly dependent on writing on the laptop. To add to the challenge I want to be able to improve my quality of writing by completing part of the cause on a notepad. Hopefully I will be able to rewrite/edit the handwritten pieces of the blog but we shall see – commitment to my blog has been hard with all the distractions but I am working on it!
My deplorable handwriting has left many people to wonder what I have written. It is a sore spot of mine and I often have people question what I have just written. A Teacher in primary school and intermediate school used to assign me extra homework in the school holidays because she couldn’t read my “chicken scratches.” It has been hard and I have modified how I write in so many ways but the true nature of my handwriting comes out when I need to write quickly (in lectures) or when I cannot be bothered. There has even been scenarios when I have wondered what I have just read :S
In order to improve literacy, I would like to implement 100 words etc challenges to my students. I would like my students to be able to write creatively and imaginatively if I become an English teacher which is a method in my masters. Perhaps class time, say 10 minutes or so, students can write as much as they can. In a unit I undertook in undergrad, that was how one Tutor suggested we unlock our ability to write. It really worked and it allowed me to be at ease writing. Instead of sitting tense, wondering what and how to write creative non-fiction this exercise helped. What we had to do was writing any thoughts we were thinking – don’t plan what to write and if your thoughts jump then start writing that down too. Do not worry about not finishing your sentences just get it down on paper. I liked it because in a sense it was writing spontaneously.
Example:
I like Michael Jackson’s voice in the Jackson 5, I wonder if I sang as well as a child in Maori. Breaking Dawn was great – headache much – Diana is awfully quiet, creeps me out – need to change the music on my itunes, I am over it. I like Iron Butterfly – I want a butterfly tattoo like a monarch butterfly wings on my ankles for some reason – trying to keep my eyes open – I hope Paris is on her best behaviour tomorrow – sunrise over Mount Manaia is beautiful as I wish I were in Whangarei to be able to witness the majestic beauty of this Mountain.
It doesn’t need to be quite like mine, but you get the gist of moving from what I am thinking about to the next thought. Perhaps this exercise will be beneficial in gaining a badge for this challenge.
While I have decided that improvement in my handwriting was one reason for this challenge, I also love writing for enjoyment. Why? Because most of my childhood was spent wishing I could write. Learning Maori and not being able to read or write fluently in English I yearned to be able to write. I like being confident in writing and appreciating the ability to do so. I don’t take being literate for granted and I enjoy getting pen to paper to bring to life the ideas swarming around in my head. Such as the “great novels” I am tossing around – visualising the characters - heroines and love interests; the orientation; the complications; the resolutions; the coda. I like organising the ideas in my head and pragmatically go about transferring the ideas into print. Because I am quite a thoughtful person – in decision making that is – I do not want to cheapen the ideas that have come to mind therefore it my duty to revise and rewrite these characters and scenarios despite my aversion for it. Yes, I had writing drafts. The reason being that the raw ideas I have thought of (in my way of thinking) are perfect. It was how I envisioned it and transferred it into a written format. BUT it is something we all have to do as Writers, because these raw ideas are like a slab of marble that need to be refined in order to produce a work of art. Michelangelo did not crack the chisel a few times to produce Pieta, rather it was a time consuming process but the end result meant that we today can still admire the beauty of. Writing is an art form therefore we should take it upon ourselves to critically revise the written work we produce, despite it being tedious in nature.
As this is one of the first rambling I have written in a while, I am counting this one towards the challenge. My integrity will allow me to earn the badge therefore if I cheat I am only cheating myself in the end.
Happy Writing!
- Mallory
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Carefree...
Hello July,
Taking joy from life’s little pleasures, I would like to angle my writing (well, my half pie attempts anyway) towards inspirations.
Which brings me to this soul filling song – Samantha Stollenwerck’s “Carefree.”
It summarises my life at the moment In a way it explains how I have always been:
“I’ve got my feet on the ground, my head in the clouds, I follow my heart it’s in the right place. I’ve got my soul on my sleeve 100% guaranteed. I ain’t got nothing on me but my carefree.”
Which was taken from the chorus.
Her music is soulful and bursting with rays of sunlight. Very sunshine stellar. No wonder she describes her music as “Cali-soul” – a blending of soul and pop rock.
I live fusion, I like blending and I have eclectic taste.
Im still trying to find myself but living in this moment, I love feeling carefree. To Kris Kristofferson “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose” and I tend to agree, to be free to let go of the restrictions and live.
I work hard in life to live regret free. Regretting something is crying over spilt milk – nothing can change it. Instead, I learn from it and move forward. Never regret anything.
I leave you with this pearl of wisdom from Samantha Stollenwerck:
“I’ve got no regrets, I know life is not a test. I give it my best...”
Taking joy from life’s little pleasures, I would like to angle my writing (well, my half pie attempts anyway) towards inspirations.
Which brings me to this soul filling song – Samantha Stollenwerck’s “Carefree.”
It summarises my life at the moment In a way it explains how I have always been:
“I’ve got my feet on the ground, my head in the clouds, I follow my heart it’s in the right place. I’ve got my soul on my sleeve 100% guaranteed. I ain’t got nothing on me but my carefree.”
Which was taken from the chorus.
Her music is soulful and bursting with rays of sunlight. Very sunshine stellar. No wonder she describes her music as “Cali-soul” – a blending of soul and pop rock.
I live fusion, I like blending and I have eclectic taste.
Im still trying to find myself but living in this moment, I love feeling carefree. To Kris Kristofferson “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose” and I tend to agree, to be free to let go of the restrictions and live.
I work hard in life to live regret free. Regretting something is crying over spilt milk – nothing can change it. Instead, I learn from it and move forward. Never regret anything.
I leave you with this pearl of wisdom from Samantha Stollenwerck:
“I’ve got no regrets, I know life is not a test. I give it my best...”
Monday, June 20, 2011
Post Practicum Report
On the 10th of June I said goodbye to my placement school with a heavy heart. I had fallen in love with the students there, all three of the classes I taught, and wondered how I was ever going to cope without them. I am still wondering. The sadness has slowly started to melt but rarely (in the last two weeks at least) I have thought about the kids every day.
I approached my focus days (5 days over 5 weeks) in which I went to observe the classes with great apprehension. Ugh, meh, bleh. I was fuh-reaking out! And to be placed in a catholic school nonetheless!
I met my supervisor and was well underway. I still had my shyness about me, but as my practicum progressed I found my feet.
I taught 2 year 7 classes, one in English and the other in History, and 1 year 9 class for english. I wanted the prac to be over at first. So much to get through and to tell you the truth standing at the front of the class (to me) is akin to standing there naked. Because I was putting myself of the line and right up the front there is no hiding from the students. Their piercing eyes see all.
Being comfortable with the kids and behaviour management were the hardest to do. But learning names and relaxing really does help. A key point I would actually highlight for any pre-service teachers is to LEARN THEIR NAMES! They will be quite chuffed that the Teacher knows who they are, it gives more flow to your lessons and it gives you better behaviour control over the class. It becomes apparent who the trouble-makers are and you can work from there - tell specific students to hush or move them etc. In regards to the behaviour management...Im working on it :S but it ain't easy.
For the better part, the kids were angels. Sure there was chatter and a little disruption, but nothing drastically bad. As a teacher, I dont mind chatter. Being in a catholic school, I have to say that the students are well behaved.
One of the best experiences I had was going to pastoral class everyday. It is like home-room but with my supervisor it is more like a family. The year 7s would sit with the year 10s or a year 11 with a year 9 student. Students develop another family in that class and I enjoyed being a part of it every day.
I taught mixed ability students and nothing pleased me more than when a learning support student had a love for history and despite his learning needs he managed to achieve 77% on the half-yearly. He worked so hard and he suprised both I and the supervisor. It was overwhelming because these were the moments I lived for in my four weeks there. In english class, the unlikeliest students would surprise me with answers. I tried to listen out to students who were quiet within the class to give them a voice. This is key because all kids should have a chance to talk/speak to the class at least once.
It was hard not to get attached to that school. Teachers are so immersed there. They not only teach within the subject area, but they also take debate teams and sport. Both of which I was a part of. I helped out with a year 7 debate team and enjoyed it so much. They won their debate and made me proud.
One of the best experiences I had was taking the basketball team and rediscovering my passion for it. The year 8 boys, at first, were uncoordinated at best. They did not mesh and did not know how to play together. But they were hungry for it. They loved to play and wanted to practice. I was so surprised by it because they showed up at the staff room willing to play. I had a few practices with them and they began to gel and work together. Never was I prouder of them than on my final day where they all played hard and just narrowly missed out on a win.
I never forget that school. Especially my year 7 class who made me a giant poster which I will always cherish. This experiences just reinforced what it felt like teaching and educating. I miss being a part of the kids 9-3 life but, if God wills it, I might be back :)
All in all, it was inspiring. It meant hard work, getting up early, lesson planning, sport coaching and staff room mingling but I enjoyed my 4 weeks there and wished that it was at least 10 weeks.
I will take with me the knowledge I learnt there and will infuse it into my teaching to ensure that all my kids have a love for the learning, which I am to do as an educator.
Adios for now
I approached my focus days (5 days over 5 weeks) in which I went to observe the classes with great apprehension. Ugh, meh, bleh. I was fuh-reaking out! And to be placed in a catholic school nonetheless!
I met my supervisor and was well underway. I still had my shyness about me, but as my practicum progressed I found my feet.
I taught 2 year 7 classes, one in English and the other in History, and 1 year 9 class for english. I wanted the prac to be over at first. So much to get through and to tell you the truth standing at the front of the class (to me) is akin to standing there naked. Because I was putting myself of the line and right up the front there is no hiding from the students. Their piercing eyes see all.
Being comfortable with the kids and behaviour management were the hardest to do. But learning names and relaxing really does help. A key point I would actually highlight for any pre-service teachers is to LEARN THEIR NAMES! They will be quite chuffed that the Teacher knows who they are, it gives more flow to your lessons and it gives you better behaviour control over the class. It becomes apparent who the trouble-makers are and you can work from there - tell specific students to hush or move them etc. In regards to the behaviour management...Im working on it :S but it ain't easy.
For the better part, the kids were angels. Sure there was chatter and a little disruption, but nothing drastically bad. As a teacher, I dont mind chatter. Being in a catholic school, I have to say that the students are well behaved.
One of the best experiences I had was going to pastoral class everyday. It is like home-room but with my supervisor it is more like a family. The year 7s would sit with the year 10s or a year 11 with a year 9 student. Students develop another family in that class and I enjoyed being a part of it every day.
I taught mixed ability students and nothing pleased me more than when a learning support student had a love for history and despite his learning needs he managed to achieve 77% on the half-yearly. He worked so hard and he suprised both I and the supervisor. It was overwhelming because these were the moments I lived for in my four weeks there. In english class, the unlikeliest students would surprise me with answers. I tried to listen out to students who were quiet within the class to give them a voice. This is key because all kids should have a chance to talk/speak to the class at least once.
It was hard not to get attached to that school. Teachers are so immersed there. They not only teach within the subject area, but they also take debate teams and sport. Both of which I was a part of. I helped out with a year 7 debate team and enjoyed it so much. They won their debate and made me proud.
One of the best experiences I had was taking the basketball team and rediscovering my passion for it. The year 8 boys, at first, were uncoordinated at best. They did not mesh and did not know how to play together. But they were hungry for it. They loved to play and wanted to practice. I was so surprised by it because they showed up at the staff room willing to play. I had a few practices with them and they began to gel and work together. Never was I prouder of them than on my final day where they all played hard and just narrowly missed out on a win.
I never forget that school. Especially my year 7 class who made me a giant poster which I will always cherish. This experiences just reinforced what it felt like teaching and educating. I miss being a part of the kids 9-3 life but, if God wills it, I might be back :)
All in all, it was inspiring. It meant hard work, getting up early, lesson planning, sport coaching and staff room mingling but I enjoyed my 4 weeks there and wished that it was at least 10 weeks.
I will take with me the knowledge I learnt there and will infuse it into my teaching to ensure that all my kids have a love for the learning, which I am to do as an educator.
Adios for now
Friday, May 27, 2011
Its been a while
Sigh.
No excuses, except for the fact that I have been out doing what I have wanted to do for so long!!!!
Yes, dreams are coming true. It has been a hard road and the said road still has many pot-holes which shake it but I'm slowly learning. It is not easy, days can be quite difficult and tiny humans can turn into little heathens but I live for the moments when said heathens shock me. In a positive way that is! When the kid who doesn't complete his work each lesson actual does it or the kid with learning difficulties shows me his passion for history. Thats when I start to feel rewarded and appreciate the role that I play in these kids' lives. It is the moment when I see that my hard work has made an impact, perhaps they dont realise it but I can see it. I feel proud of all my students and with only 2 weeks to go, no doubt there will be many many tears as I leave. But this was my first prac and I will never forget it.
So, as I will no doubt be sobbing in two weeks as I complete my practicum I will hopefully get back on track with my reading
Catch you later :)
No excuses, except for the fact that I have been out doing what I have wanted to do for so long!!!!
Yes, dreams are coming true. It has been a hard road and the said road still has many pot-holes which shake it but I'm slowly learning. It is not easy, days can be quite difficult and tiny humans can turn into little heathens but I live for the moments when said heathens shock me. In a positive way that is! When the kid who doesn't complete his work each lesson actual does it or the kid with learning difficulties shows me his passion for history. Thats when I start to feel rewarded and appreciate the role that I play in these kids' lives. It is the moment when I see that my hard work has made an impact, perhaps they dont realise it but I can see it. I feel proud of all my students and with only 2 weeks to go, no doubt there will be many many tears as I leave. But this was my first prac and I will never forget it.
So, as I will no doubt be sobbing in two weeks as I complete my practicum I will hopefully get back on track with my reading
Catch you later :)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Reading experiences...
It was a surprisingly average outing last friday in the city with my sister. We were at our usual bookstore, the marvelous Kinokuniya. My sister entered into a lengthy conversation with one of the staff over the new books or lack thereof on account of her reading pretty much everything thats out. By the end of it, she had bought a fair amount of books and so far, I have read just one she has finished reading.
At first, I was a little lost reading (I blame it on my skim reading idiosyncrasy) it but half way through I was gripped by the plot. I really liked the protagonist, because she was written as a genuine school girl with her own demons to overcome. Some parts, or characters I should say, made me quite enfuriated and fired me up. The dual layer of the novel reminded me of that Buffy episode "Normal again" and added that extra part to the novel's "Who? What? Where? When? and How?" The Author does a good job of allowing the reader to experience the same anxiety as the Protagonist who is quite disorientated. The end was just as gripping, making me wish that the Author could spontaneously write the sequal for say tomorrow. That was how taken I was. It made me start thinking about the novel I want to write. I love books like that!!!
As a side note, my sister had the complete opposite experience where she was hooked from the start and did not like the ending. But to each his own.
Make up your own mind and read Cat Clarke's "Entangled."
On that note, I think I will finish what I have set out to do and that is put some effort into my own novel ideas!
So, until next time (hopefully soon)
Haere ra!
At first, I was a little lost reading (I blame it on my skim reading idiosyncrasy) it but half way through I was gripped by the plot. I really liked the protagonist, because she was written as a genuine school girl with her own demons to overcome. Some parts, or characters I should say, made me quite enfuriated and fired me up. The dual layer of the novel reminded me of that Buffy episode "Normal again" and added that extra part to the novel's "Who? What? Where? When? and How?" The Author does a good job of allowing the reader to experience the same anxiety as the Protagonist who is quite disorientated. The end was just as gripping, making me wish that the Author could spontaneously write the sequal for say tomorrow. That was how taken I was. It made me start thinking about the novel I want to write. I love books like that!!!
As a side note, my sister had the complete opposite experience where she was hooked from the start and did not like the ending. But to each his own.
Make up your own mind and read Cat Clarke's "Entangled."
On that note, I think I will finish what I have set out to do and that is put some effort into my own novel ideas!
So, until next time (hopefully soon)
Haere ra!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Absence makes the heart grow fonder...
Hello, Bloggersphere
I know it appears that I have been absent from blogging but as a part of my commitment to Uni I have to forgo the blog for a little while. Periodically I will post, probably to get something off my chest. Such as now!
I just realised that I have completed my Bachelor of Arts, a double major and sub-major. So it is nice to know that all this hard work is not for nothing. Now that I am working on my Masters, my time is filled more with source analysis and lesson plans. In a few weeks, it will be about working in class, as I begin my first practicum. Four weeks in schools as a Teacher, I am anxious but excited as I feel that my dream is being fulfilled.
With that being written, I will now begin to work on an essay that demands my attention.
Cheers!
I know it appears that I have been absent from blogging but as a part of my commitment to Uni I have to forgo the blog for a little while. Periodically I will post, probably to get something off my chest. Such as now!
I just realised that I have completed my Bachelor of Arts, a double major and sub-major. So it is nice to know that all this hard work is not for nothing. Now that I am working on my Masters, my time is filled more with source analysis and lesson plans. In a few weeks, it will be about working in class, as I begin my first practicum. Four weeks in schools as a Teacher, I am anxious but excited as I feel that my dream is being fulfilled.
With that being written, I will now begin to work on an essay that demands my attention.
Cheers!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Messy room, too many crafts and not enough time!
For the past 6 hours I have put together a playlist on itunes for “Cleaning up my room” and it has great hits – Dr. Hook, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Electric Light Orchestra, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 10cc, Rolling Stones, The Animals and of course the Beatles. I decided to skip Zepp and Floyd, because they are more for my meditative, creative and thinking moods. It took me roughly 10 minutes to put it together...then I found an interesting book, so I read that for a while. Then a brilliant idea struck me. Why not become a candle arranger and then I set about removal items from my bedside table. I lit probably 30 candles, so much so that my sister was blinded by the light. Eventually, the smoke alarm went off. The incense I got around to burning heating the glass and my “bright idea” to put it under cold running water resulted in the glass shattering. I left the candles burning as I painted. Because, I mean who wouldn’t want to paint by candlelight like all classic artist would...well, not too sure about that one but we will run with it. I let the painting dry as I then moved onto catching up on Glee Season 2. I waited for that to load as I check my facebook and played facebook games. I then moved to the lounge where I watched some Nickelodeon and Disney. I also sketched a new comic book character that I haven’t worked into my storyline yet. Of course, as I sit here and watch Kell On Earth I am writing this entry. Because I need to do something other than clean my room.
I am dealing with situations my way...by not dealing with them at all. By avoid the situation. You will probably notice that my entries will skyrocket as I go back to uni. I need the distraction.
I am thinking of going into our storage unit right now to get my craft bucket out of there. I always get inspired to clean my room but never quite got there. I think sometimes that 3 in the morning is an appropriate time. Possibly, subconsciously, I know that it will never be achieved.
I like my messy room. Everything I need is out in the open therefore within grabbing distance. I think that the mess grows because of that and because of my lifestyle. Instead of waking up an hour before I'm ready, I wake up 20-30 minutes before I have to go. If I don’t hear the alarm usually I have 10-15 minutes. Damn you snooze button!
Sad to say that my room is still a rubbish dump and I considered taking photos of it but I decided to hold off on that one because there was no way that I would embarrass myself.
But I am striving towards organising it and once again, shutting away my crafts until the end of the semester.
So I will post this entry and hop to it and hopefully become an efficient future teacher and person.
Aloha!
I am dealing with situations my way...by not dealing with them at all. By avoid the situation. You will probably notice that my entries will skyrocket as I go back to uni. I need the distraction.
I am thinking of going into our storage unit right now to get my craft bucket out of there. I always get inspired to clean my room but never quite got there. I think sometimes that 3 in the morning is an appropriate time. Possibly, subconsciously, I know that it will never be achieved.
I like my messy room. Everything I need is out in the open therefore within grabbing distance. I think that the mess grows because of that and because of my lifestyle. Instead of waking up an hour before I'm ready, I wake up 20-30 minutes before I have to go. If I don’t hear the alarm usually I have 10-15 minutes. Damn you snooze button!
Sad to say that my room is still a rubbish dump and I considered taking photos of it but I decided to hold off on that one because there was no way that I would embarrass myself.
But I am striving towards organising it and once again, shutting away my crafts until the end of the semester.
So I will post this entry and hop to it and hopefully become an efficient future teacher and person.
Aloha!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A review I just had to write
Ok, I have mentioned in a previous post that I have resorted to stacking my books in a plastic container. But I digress. This was my first pick of the bunch. Boy was I ecstatic. I don’t know what made me pick this book up, but the entire day on Monday 14th of February, I couldn’t put it down. Even when I had academic advising at uni, I couldn’t take my mind of it. It was so fantastic.
From page one, where you meet the protagonist as an abandoned child, you can’t help but feel for her. Sky Bright, of all the fiction novels I have read this is one character I could never be peeved at. Joss Stirling wrote this in a manner where you feel for her character. The abandoned orphan then became the new girl in a new country (something I am familiar with) and as I was reading this book it was like a breath of fresh air. No, this was quite suspenseful in deciphering the paranormal – was it about wolves? Perhaps vampire? And as I was reading it, I was so happy that it was other. I will leave it to you to figure it out, so go and read it!
Stirling set the novel in Wrickenridge, Colorado and it was apparent that this was experienced by the English Author because of the minute attention to detail that was built up from the get-go. The characters were genuine too. It is natural for the new girl, all the way from Richmond, England to be shy. But she was quite feisty too! Albeit inept at sports but she was authentic in her timidity but shone through on her love of music. The mystery sounding the protagonist’s love interest further adds to the suspense of the paranormal. I absolutely loved the first glimpse of Sky Bright’s love interest Zed Benedict on page 17-18 with his “bad boy” cohorts. It was intense! From then on, I knew Joss Stirling had me hooked.
I don’t want to give away too much of the novel, because I want you to read it and discover what a gem it is without you being too impinged by my love for this novel. I prefer to describe my emotions towards the novel then give away, chapter by chapter, what transpired in the novel. Take it from me, you will love it. If you are looking to read something that is paranormal, yet not your everyday vampire or werewolf paranormal, then this is for you. You will fall in love with Zed Benedict or 6 of his older brothers...see? Variety! (Zed’s all good but his brother, the character Xavier, sounds mighty fine too).
When I really love a book, such as this one, it doesn’t matter if it 2, 3, 4 in the morning I was stay up to read it. This lets you and I know that this is definitely a gem. It was the perfect book to read on Valentine’s Day.
I am eagerly anticipating Joss Stirling’s next novel.
Adios Amigos!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
My poor bookcase
I keep looking at it mentally yelling "Jenga! Jenga! Jenga!"
So I came up with a solution to remove the books I haven't read and put them into a large plastic container. I have my work cut out for me
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Soon enough, I am positive my bookcase will collapse
I have finally returned from a fabulous holiday in New Zealand for 1 month then another month spend of the sunny Gold Coast. My, have these 2 months flown! It kind of feels bizarre being back home, but I am so excited. I can't wait to settle in and be re-united with my bed!
I don't know whether I am over-thrilled or overly anxious when I look at my bookcase. My sister had been stocking me up with all the books she has amassed over the past 2 months and I can't even see my all time favorites because there is a lack of space! Soon enough, I am sure that it will be tumbling down. It is such a dilemma! Giving up my books is like surrendering a pet...sometimes even a child!
I best keep this entry short seen as I have a pile of books to read the size of Mount Everest. I am so daunted by the amount of books to read, I don't know where to begin. I will keep you posted on the books and try (emphasis on the word "try") to take a photo of my atrocious bookcase.
Sayonara!
P.S. I do tend to use the farewells of other tongues :) It has become a pet peeve of mind as I write them "What to use? What to use?" :P Go figure!
I don't know whether I am over-thrilled or overly anxious when I look at my bookcase. My sister had been stocking me up with all the books she has amassed over the past 2 months and I can't even see my all time favorites because there is a lack of space! Soon enough, I am sure that it will be tumbling down. It is such a dilemma! Giving up my books is like surrendering a pet...sometimes even a child!
I best keep this entry short seen as I have a pile of books to read the size of Mount Everest. I am so daunted by the amount of books to read, I don't know where to begin. I will keep you posted on the books and try (emphasis on the word "try") to take a photo of my atrocious bookcase.
Sayonara!
P.S. I do tend to use the farewells of other tongues :) It has become a pet peeve of mind as I write them "What to use? What to use?" :P Go figure!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
My guilty pleasure
Ok, I have read enough teen fiction via my fabulous older sister who buys every single on at K-Mart, Target, Big W, Kinokuniya, Angus & Robertson and QBD every month when they happened to be released. Thanks by the way, Sis. I happily tag along and present her with books that I think are great, which I haven’t read but she will look at me and say “Read it.” Rats! I got hooked on teen paranormal fiction just halfway through the year. Before that, she donated her vast collection to the library as we were moving house.
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it! Teen Paranormal is of course flavour of the month thats to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series but no this is not my guilty pleasure. Continue along!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and William O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd, trashy romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. Then later on I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda.
I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. This book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shades of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire and mortal falling for each other and it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that even then I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure. It still is, if you have happened to come into my home and seen my bookcase.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. A day in my life went a little like this - wake up, read, go to school, read, go home, read, dinner, read, bed. I was hooked onto books. Although a little obsessed but it was better than sitting in front of the TV for 7 hours out of the day. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello, The Notebook and plays and novels of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite. She is a must!
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart.
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), so I will leave it there for now. Although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading! And I will keep you noted on up and coming authors whom I love or new books I have fallen in love with
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it! Teen Paranormal is of course flavour of the month thats to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series but no this is not my guilty pleasure. Continue along!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and William O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd, trashy romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. Then later on I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda.
I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. This book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shades of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire and mortal falling for each other and it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that even then I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure. It still is, if you have happened to come into my home and seen my bookcase.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. A day in my life went a little like this - wake up, read, go to school, read, go home, read, dinner, read, bed. I was hooked onto books. Although a little obsessed but it was better than sitting in front of the TV for 7 hours out of the day. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello, The Notebook and plays and novels of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite. She is a must!
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart.
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), so I will leave it there for now. Although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading! And I will keep you noted on up and coming authors whom I love or new books I have fallen in love with
My guilty pleasure
Ok, I have read enough teen fiction via my fabulous older sister who buys every single on at K-Mart, Target, Big W, Kinokuniya, Angus & Robertson and QBD every month when they happened to be released. Thanks by the way, Sis. I happily tag along and present her with books that I think are great, which I haven’t read but she will look at me and say “Read it.” Rats! I got hooked on teen paranormal fiction just halfway through the year. Before that, she donated her vast collection to the library as we were moving house.
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Williams and O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. Before then I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda. But this book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shade’s of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire falling in love with a mortal and vice versa, it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello and plays and novel’s of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading!
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Williams and O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. Before then I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda. But this book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shade’s of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire falling in love with a mortal and vice versa, it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello and plays and novel’s of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
With a grain of salt...
What’s in a year? Why do we inflate it with all our hate? At least the Ancient Greeks had a goat and attached their woes and so forth to it, ineffectively creating a “Scape goat.” But why do so many people via facebook have to comment on how terrible the past/previous year was. I guess I always get a little curious about how people reflect in the year. You know, the “Oh 2010 is so bad” and “2011 should be so better.” I think that sometimes people put too much of the blame onto situations that have happened, overshading the good stuff. I had my ups and downs in 2010, but all in all it was a good year. I'm actually thankful that I can look back and laugh at what happened.
Exhibit A – my last minute assignment panics. Yes, I am the first to admit that despite being aware that I had an assignment due for 1, 2 and 3 I finished it the night before. But I like the stress. I live for it! It’s an adrenaline rush! The panic – will I finish in time? Have I saved it? What time is it? And voila! That last minute panic mode sends my mind into overdrive producing some of the best work I have produced. Just imagine if I really applied myself. I hated the situation, at the time, and kept mentally shouting at myself for being an idiot for leaving it late. I mean 10pm at night late. The sad thing was that I would give myself a 100 word an hour limit while I watched Flashforward. How sad. How hilariously sad. Suffice to say I passed uni! Last semester I got 3 credits and a distinction. Thank goodness for my photographic memory!
Exhibit B – My Death and Culture (Yes it was a unit at uni and yes I know it has a morbid name) speech. An awesome friend, Lauren, and I had to do a debate on “The funeral industry is completely about profit” with us being the negative team. It’s so hard to write a negative opinion on something that you don’t agree with. Lauren and I did a heap of research and the affirmative team had already met up a few times to discussion their position and strategy. Hello panic mode! Lauren and I managed to pull it together. We were supposed to be 7 minutes and each time I timed myself it came to a total of 8 minutes. Yikes!
Exhibit C – Babysitting my sister’s kids I took my 8 year old nephew and 6 year old niece to the park. After he chucked a hissy-fit he ran off. I walked after him, after collecting all our gear from the park. If you have been to the park in Hurstville on Dora Street near the oval, you will know that the fence around the oval blocks any view of the side street. So I hear tires screeching before I reached the side street and, with someone who is anxious as I, I thought for sure that he was he was kidnapped. I rounded the corner to the street as fast as I could and he wasn’t there! I looked up every frikin tree along the way (as he likes to climb them) and he wasn’t in them. I started shouting his name frantically, with my niece right next to me. I thought for sure he was gone. I knew that my eldest sister would kill me then resurrect me only to kill me again and again. I doubled back to the park as fast as I could and my niece shouted at me telling me he was at the park. He had run around the block or the oval I should say and right back to the park. I walked towards him – not knowing whether to smack his backside or cry. I started to cry. I called my sister and told her to scold him as I started crying. I think more so over the panic of the ordeal. Its something that happened to me in 2010 that I don’t hold against the year. It happened! But it doesn’t mean that the year was a complete toss-bag.
Exhibit D – The mounting of the anxiety, due to my coping methods sent me into overdrive. I have suffered from depression and learned to deal with it, but my old way of coping with life situations – by not dealing with them and holding them off for as long as I can before things start to go BOOM! – really affected me. I wasn’t looking at it as situations of anxiety until I really looked into it and finding coping methods. I got lightheaded like I was going to pass out; restless; hyperventilating; disorientated; etc; etc.
I think that we should assess every year. But don’t look back on it as something to forget or regret. We should live regret free lives and look forward to what is ahead. And STOP PLACING THE BLAME ON THE PAST YEAR!!! From my past experience with depression, its important to note that life is and will always have ups and downs. We shouldn’t be happy or mad all the time, but take each as it goes and with a grain of salt. And us Flavells, well I think more so my Maternal Nana's Taylor family, have a knack for laughing as we look back at deplorable situations. I think they give us a positive aspect on the past because there’s no point in mourning over spilt milk.
I know that I have New Year’s resolutions, which many people seem more than happy to be cynical about but I fulfilled last year’s one. It made me so proud! I got my learner’s license (Yes at the last minute! In December). So this year, I will embrace what the year has installed for me and work towards the goals that I want to achieve. Carpe Diem! Well, for a lady of the night (Meaning I am nocturnal by nature and not a Hooker) Carpe Noctem!
Kakite ano
Exhibit A – my last minute assignment panics. Yes, I am the first to admit that despite being aware that I had an assignment due for 1, 2 and 3 I finished it the night before. But I like the stress. I live for it! It’s an adrenaline rush! The panic – will I finish in time? Have I saved it? What time is it? And voila! That last minute panic mode sends my mind into overdrive producing some of the best work I have produced. Just imagine if I really applied myself. I hated the situation, at the time, and kept mentally shouting at myself for being an idiot for leaving it late. I mean 10pm at night late. The sad thing was that I would give myself a 100 word an hour limit while I watched Flashforward. How sad. How hilariously sad. Suffice to say I passed uni! Last semester I got 3 credits and a distinction. Thank goodness for my photographic memory!
Exhibit B – My Death and Culture (Yes it was a unit at uni and yes I know it has a morbid name) speech. An awesome friend, Lauren, and I had to do a debate on “The funeral industry is completely about profit” with us being the negative team. It’s so hard to write a negative opinion on something that you don’t agree with. Lauren and I did a heap of research and the affirmative team had already met up a few times to discussion their position and strategy. Hello panic mode! Lauren and I managed to pull it together. We were supposed to be 7 minutes and each time I timed myself it came to a total of 8 minutes. Yikes!
Exhibit C – Babysitting my sister’s kids I took my 8 year old nephew and 6 year old niece to the park. After he chucked a hissy-fit he ran off. I walked after him, after collecting all our gear from the park. If you have been to the park in Hurstville on Dora Street near the oval, you will know that the fence around the oval blocks any view of the side street. So I hear tires screeching before I reached the side street and, with someone who is anxious as I, I thought for sure that he was he was kidnapped. I rounded the corner to the street as fast as I could and he wasn’t there! I looked up every frikin tree along the way (as he likes to climb them) and he wasn’t in them. I started shouting his name frantically, with my niece right next to me. I thought for sure he was gone. I knew that my eldest sister would kill me then resurrect me only to kill me again and again. I doubled back to the park as fast as I could and my niece shouted at me telling me he was at the park. He had run around the block or the oval I should say and right back to the park. I walked towards him – not knowing whether to smack his backside or cry. I started to cry. I called my sister and told her to scold him as I started crying. I think more so over the panic of the ordeal. Its something that happened to me in 2010 that I don’t hold against the year. It happened! But it doesn’t mean that the year was a complete toss-bag.
Exhibit D – The mounting of the anxiety, due to my coping methods sent me into overdrive. I have suffered from depression and learned to deal with it, but my old way of coping with life situations – by not dealing with them and holding them off for as long as I can before things start to go BOOM! – really affected me. I wasn’t looking at it as situations of anxiety until I really looked into it and finding coping methods. I got lightheaded like I was going to pass out; restless; hyperventilating; disorientated; etc; etc.
I think that we should assess every year. But don’t look back on it as something to forget or regret. We should live regret free lives and look forward to what is ahead. And STOP PLACING THE BLAME ON THE PAST YEAR!!! From my past experience with depression, its important to note that life is and will always have ups and downs. We shouldn’t be happy or mad all the time, but take each as it goes and with a grain of salt. And us Flavells, well I think more so my Maternal Nana's Taylor family, have a knack for laughing as we look back at deplorable situations. I think they give us a positive aspect on the past because there’s no point in mourning over spilt milk.
I know that I have New Year’s resolutions, which many people seem more than happy to be cynical about but I fulfilled last year’s one. It made me so proud! I got my learner’s license (Yes at the last minute! In December). So this year, I will embrace what the year has installed for me and work towards the goals that I want to achieve. Carpe Diem! Well, for a lady of the night (Meaning I am nocturnal by nature and not a Hooker) Carpe Noctem!
Kakite ano
Sunday, January 30, 2011
An adventure to NZ...
Friday the 10th of December started off early...way early. We woke at 4 and left at 5 for the Coolangatta airport. It was probably the sunniest day in the time that we had stayed at the Gold Coast for the week. I felt kind of sad, that we were leaving the Gold Coast partially because the cold meant that the hot Queensland weather had subsided for the time being. As my sister’s family, extended family and I when through the hassle that comes with the airport; queuing up to check in our luggage, going through customs and then waiting to board the plane. The downside to travel, I say. The turbulence scared the bejeebers out of me. Unexpected ups and downs I looked at my sister with the thought that I am going to die. Suffice to say, we eventually landed quite safely then leisurely browsed the duty free shops, took 8 kids to the loo then ran to collect our luggage before finally meeting our ride. Auckland airport felt so small. We met up with the family at the car park outside of the airport and waited to get our stuff sorted. I was itching to get to Whangarei. The traffic was trying to deter me however, but fortunately we had an experienced driver and plenty of room in the vehicle. As we drove north I felt so much anticipation. The sights along the way always made me happy – the Sky tower, Auckland Harbour and even the countryside. Although it did look a bit brown as we drove through Albany. Apparently the north had been declared a drought zone. How sad. New Zealand to me had always been a lush green country, so the drought had slightly annoyed me. The little drive through towns like Wellsford, Te Hana and Kaiwaka always excited me, as it let me know that we were close. Then going past the Waipu sign and Marsden Point turn off really made me sit on the edge of my seat. At last, Mt Manaia and the two Sail sculptures before the entry to Whangarei had me (in my head) jumping up and down. We had made it! Then past the Paper Mill, the deconstructed Jumbo’s club and Rewarewa Road which, for some reason, made he happy to see something so familiar. Good ol’ Whangarei. We had arrived at Nana’s house within minutes. That lovely greyish shack that now sported a deck at the front. I felt warm just looking at it. Then the moment came where my lovely Nan came out of the house. It was wonderful! She was followed shortly by my favourite Aunty Shelley. Big hugs all around and it truly felt like home. Though Nan had the house done up, it always felt like home to me and all the tedious episodes throughout the day more than made up for our horrendous trip over. We carried the 10 ton suitcases inside and I couldn’t wait to take it all in. What a lovely feeling. Stowing away the suitcases under my bed, the room which I shared with Nana, I then went to go get a drink of water. With my cup. The fire-engine red plastic mug that had been mine since I was 5 years old and it truly made my day. Talking with Nan and hugging her and Aunty Shell was wonderful and then my Aunty Ngahuia and her family showed up. Such a wonderful time . Somehow that journey showed me that Sydney, Australia will always be my home but Nana’s house and Whangarei will always be my sanctuary. Its that warm and idyllic place in my heart that I think of to relax me. It also serves to remind me that it is my happy place, the magic being that that greyish looking house will always be a home for me to return to.
Friday, January 7, 2011
2011 Full of promise...
I get so attached to the holiday season. I think it is mainly due to the fun and excitement that comes with Christmas and New Years...more so the presents and food. December-January - if only I could live in this part of the year forever! 2010 was so kind to me - getting me through assessments and my final year of my Bachelor of Arts degree. Exciting even more so as I met great people who have become great friends to me at Uni. Playing cards and what not. I have been carried away writing a piece called "A salute to the Arts" which encapsulates my University experiences from 2008-2010. I guess I was reflecting on it last night and ended up writing 7 pages on the first few weeks alone! It really amazes me when I write down my journey at my growth in all aspects of life - study, uni, work, friends. Hence the carried away part. Reflection is good and it allows us to look back at situations with open eyes. Back to the present, this entry is more so for my resolutions. One being to keep updated with my blog as I have been quite lax in writing entries. Being on holiday in New Zealand and away from the stress that Uni brought, I have been back into crafts and such. Especially writing. Because I have been happy and free-spirited that I want to capture all these wonderful experiences. I hope to treat this blog like a diary and update it. YOU HEAR THAT, MEMORY AND LAZINESS?!?! LOL.
Mental note - places that I have really enjoyed in New Zealand:
- Whangarei
- Pataua
- Town
- Town Basin
- Barge Park
- House sitting
- Backyard gardening
- Spending time with Nana
- Crafts with Aunty Shelly
- Time with my sister and her family
- The beagles
Hopefully I will make time to write entries on the above. For the sheer joy of the experience and the memory that I can reflect on. But I digress
As I enter my Masters of Teaching I will be turning 21 years old (I feel like a Nana already), graduate from Uni, celebrate Mum's 50th, go on a trip with my sister to Bali and celebrate numerous birthdays and get together's. 2011 is looking busy already :)
Keep on, keeping on. Until then, Ciao.
Mental note - places that I have really enjoyed in New Zealand:
- Whangarei
- Pataua
- Town
- Town Basin
- Barge Park
- House sitting
- Backyard gardening
- Spending time with Nana
- Crafts with Aunty Shelly
- Time with my sister and her family
- The beagles
Hopefully I will make time to write entries on the above. For the sheer joy of the experience and the memory that I can reflect on. But I digress
As I enter my Masters of Teaching I will be turning 21 years old (I feel like a Nana already), graduate from Uni, celebrate Mum's 50th, go on a trip with my sister to Bali and celebrate numerous birthdays and get together's. 2011 is looking busy already :)
Keep on, keeping on. Until then, Ciao.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Writing Ideas
So i love writing with multi coloured markers in my A4 visual art diary. I love writing with my hands instead of typing, the only problem being that my handwriting is second to chicken scratches on a page.
I love mind maps, so i done i few and I will upload a few shortly from one of my novel ideas and a story board
will post soon!
promise
if i remember lol
I love mind maps, so i done i few and I will upload a few shortly from one of my novel ideas and a story board
will post soon!
promise
if i remember lol
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Quote
I was watching 'Never mind the bollocks...Here's the Sex Pistols' documentary. These words by Johnny Rotten summarised what I believe the power of writing holds for me :)
“How can you ban language? Words? How are words offensive? Why should I have to tolerate your interpretation of my words? I'm the one using the word, ask me how I'm using it, don’t tell me. And if you don’t like the way I'm using it, so what? It’s my right; it’s my freedom of expression. Without that we’re nothing but slaves.”
- Johnny Rotten
“How can you ban language? Words? How are words offensive? Why should I have to tolerate your interpretation of my words? I'm the one using the word, ask me how I'm using it, don’t tell me. And if you don’t like the way I'm using it, so what? It’s my right; it’s my freedom of expression. Without that we’re nothing but slaves.”
- Johnny Rotten
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Why I became a donor :)
I remember sitting in the RTA at Hurstville filling out an 18+ card in 2008. I had just turned 18 and had no license so I had to get this card.
On the second page was the part where you choose if you want to be a donor. I took a good hard look at it and I felt dread - What if I were alive and they cut out everything?!?! etc etc and I think its natural to feel that way.
But I ticked the boxes anyway. I ticked everything - heart, lung, liver, kidney, skin, cornea, etc.
"Why?" my sisters asked me. "Why would you want to give everything away??"
But I replied with "Why wouldn't I?"
In 1997, my uncle Wayne Flavell died of malignant bone cancer. Being seven at the time, my memory of him has become dimmer as time passes. Though he will always be in my heart, if had my way I would choose to have him in my life. That man who always remembered my birthday and would mysteriously appear on the day with a gift for me, who was the best brother to my father, who lived at the beach with a car much like the movie "Christine." So far it has been 13 years since he has died and if I could give him something minute such as bone marrow transplant to keep him alive to stop feeling like a tiny piece is missing I would in a heart beat.
As I made the decision to donate my organs I thought about my Uncle. I didn't ever want to feel this way again, I wanted to be sure that if my family was ever in need of a transplant someone would be there. For those who wait years for a second chance at life, I dont want to feel such turmoil. I don't want to be sitting in a doctor's office or at some hospital and being told that me or my family being told that we would have to be placed on a donor list and have to wait for someone else's misfortune to be able to get an organ.
It is everyone's choice whether or not to be an organ or blood donor but I choose to give. As a farewell to living, seeing and breathing in this world I give back the gift of life for those who need it most and hopefully, those who deserve it.
I leave my liver and kidneys so that they could take the bad stuff that life has dealt them and filter it so that the stuff that matters will hold true and stuff that is unnecessary will be excrete...and that is me putting it nicely :)
I give my corneas in the hope that my love of seeing, reading and looking at the world and knowing that by living you are making a difference. Take these eyes and stand strong, make a change for the better and read some more for me, mainly the romantic kind of novels. Look around you and hope others, those who are in need because there is no greater satisfaction than doing one good deed a day.
I gladly give my skin. I wear my heritage proudly through it and it is used as a shield. Skin in your first defense against the heat and keeps us cool. Feeling and touching is one of the best ways to learn about the world. The skin tells a story of its own, so wear mine as proudly as I do and do what you can to protect it.
I leave my bone tissue, so that you stand firm when issues in life try to knock you down. Know that I was raised with 3 sisters so I can hold my own and so will you. Bone tissue is what strengthens your bones, so I provide you with the glue that it will hold strong that which was bursting.
I give thee my lungs, because each time you breathe you are breathing in life. Suck in the air and breathe out the satisfaction that you will live to see new things. For me, breathing is the beginning of living. Nothing is better than breathing and it provides you with new experiences each day.
Most importantly, I give my heart. So that their world will be filled with lots of love. So that he or she can share their heart with someone else. I know that there are technical terms for how the heart works, but I believe that you have to want to life for it to truly function. Love is one of the most important feeling in my life and it will enrich the life of the lucky person who gets it.
By simply giving away what God blessed me with, I leave behind a legacy to those who were unlucky. I live on through them and I hope that they find joy in being able to live again. I give these people a new chance at life and that is a feeling that overwhelms me.
So, why don't you?
On the second page was the part where you choose if you want to be a donor. I took a good hard look at it and I felt dread - What if I were alive and they cut out everything?!?! etc etc and I think its natural to feel that way.
But I ticked the boxes anyway. I ticked everything - heart, lung, liver, kidney, skin, cornea, etc.
"Why?" my sisters asked me. "Why would you want to give everything away??"
But I replied with "Why wouldn't I?"
In 1997, my uncle Wayne Flavell died of malignant bone cancer. Being seven at the time, my memory of him has become dimmer as time passes. Though he will always be in my heart, if had my way I would choose to have him in my life. That man who always remembered my birthday and would mysteriously appear on the day with a gift for me, who was the best brother to my father, who lived at the beach with a car much like the movie "Christine." So far it has been 13 years since he has died and if I could give him something minute such as bone marrow transplant to keep him alive to stop feeling like a tiny piece is missing I would in a heart beat.
As I made the decision to donate my organs I thought about my Uncle. I didn't ever want to feel this way again, I wanted to be sure that if my family was ever in need of a transplant someone would be there. For those who wait years for a second chance at life, I dont want to feel such turmoil. I don't want to be sitting in a doctor's office or at some hospital and being told that me or my family being told that we would have to be placed on a donor list and have to wait for someone else's misfortune to be able to get an organ.
It is everyone's choice whether or not to be an organ or blood donor but I choose to give. As a farewell to living, seeing and breathing in this world I give back the gift of life for those who need it most and hopefully, those who deserve it.
I leave my liver and kidneys so that they could take the bad stuff that life has dealt them and filter it so that the stuff that matters will hold true and stuff that is unnecessary will be excrete...and that is me putting it nicely :)
I give my corneas in the hope that my love of seeing, reading and looking at the world and knowing that by living you are making a difference. Take these eyes and stand strong, make a change for the better and read some more for me, mainly the romantic kind of novels. Look around you and hope others, those who are in need because there is no greater satisfaction than doing one good deed a day.
I gladly give my skin. I wear my heritage proudly through it and it is used as a shield. Skin in your first defense against the heat and keeps us cool. Feeling and touching is one of the best ways to learn about the world. The skin tells a story of its own, so wear mine as proudly as I do and do what you can to protect it.
I leave my bone tissue, so that you stand firm when issues in life try to knock you down. Know that I was raised with 3 sisters so I can hold my own and so will you. Bone tissue is what strengthens your bones, so I provide you with the glue that it will hold strong that which was bursting.
I give thee my lungs, because each time you breathe you are breathing in life. Suck in the air and breathe out the satisfaction that you will live to see new things. For me, breathing is the beginning of living. Nothing is better than breathing and it provides you with new experiences each day.
Most importantly, I give my heart. So that their world will be filled with lots of love. So that he or she can share their heart with someone else. I know that there are technical terms for how the heart works, but I believe that you have to want to life for it to truly function. Love is one of the most important feeling in my life and it will enrich the life of the lucky person who gets it.
By simply giving away what God blessed me with, I leave behind a legacy to those who were unlucky. I live on through them and I hope that they find joy in being able to live again. I give these people a new chance at life and that is a feeling that overwhelms me.
So, why don't you?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Stellar images
Something to brighten up your day and waste hours looking at them, as if you were on holiday enjoying the view.
"Time spend wasting was not wasted"
- John Lennon
"Time spend wasting was not wasted"
- John Lennon
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Teaching, my passion
Im so happy that i get to follow my passion and for that, I thank my Mum and Dad for allowing me to study. Without them I would have to find my own way.
Growing up in Whangarei New Zealand and going to Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Rawhitiroa, I was restricted learning English. In fact, I never had a proper english class until I was ten and even then it was just one day a week.
I remember my first day. I was looking forward to going to my english class that I braved the torrential rain even when I was given permission to stay home. I had waited so long to learn this subject that nothing was going to keep me back. I felt so proud that on top of being gifted with learning the language of my Maori ancestors I would be learning the language of the world. English gave me the ability to excel as a Maori of which I could express in English.
Right now, I am in the middle of completing a Bachelor of Arts/Masters of Secondary Teaching. A long way, almost 10 years, since I began that first lesson. Many who know me are really surprised that I learnt english so late in life. They are usually surprised and it makes me feel proud.
I may be auto didactic but to get to a stage of being self taught I learnt from the best = Teachers.
I could tell you of the teachers who got me to this state: first of all, my family, my first primary teacher Whaea (Maori for Miss/Mrs) Tatiana. Matua (Maori for Mr/Sir) Alex Henare and most notable in my life Matua Ross Smith, Whaea Dorothy Waetford, Whaea Vee Almark and Whaea Ana Henare. If there ever was an Olympics for teaching, they would have taken out the gold medal. I felt that these teachers were proud of me and could see me as a student who loved to learn. Apart from serious illness, nothing kept me from going to school and wanting to know what we were going to learn about today.
Then, in December 2001 I moved to Australia and began middle school the following year. It was a whole new world and I was an alien in it. But where I had little hope in myself and my lack of understanding for english, like essays and assignments, I found it again in my teachers. Particularly my english teacher Mrs Brody who encouraged me to read (something I really love then and now) when no one else did. Ms Beasly my french teacher was also an inspiring lady, Mrs Harrison my Computing teacher and Mr Belinfante my art teacher, Mrs Sant and Mr Forrero my maths teachers. And I would like to add that Ms Rogerro, a substitute teacher, was one of the best. Part time actor, she was someone who was passionate about life and learning and she too saw something in me that encouraged me to find out what was shining so bright within me.
But the downside of the move was that I had no way of maintaining my link to my ancestors through speaking te reo. No one at home spoke it a part from my sister Stacy, who was ashamed to speak it. For me, it was like severing my umbilical cord to my ancestors by not speaking Maori every day and as a constant student I wish to pick it up once again.
Going to Penshurst Girls Middle School, I became comfortable and my education was steadily increasing. I had gotten into a set rhythm and I liked it; I knew what was expected of me and I was in my comfort zone.
That was until 2006 when I had to attend Oatley Senior High School. I absolutely hated the idea of attending a co-ed high school. I was comfortable and I hated change. There was no way to get out of it and my first week was filled with fear and uncertainty.
But my fear was soon relinquished. I had teachers that I was mature enough to not take this feeling for granted. I had teachers who I chose as mentors in my life Mrs Karen Vitale who I saw as someone like me. She was who I wanted to be and a teacher who taught her subject with constant passion and interest. Someone who would be in my autobiography. Another teacher,
Dr Robert Hamilton, inspired this blog. See, he is going through a legal dispute regarding him as a teacher and all I can say is that it is a shame. He is someone who touched my life and was more that a teacher, he was a human being. I know that his legacy will go on in me.
My 13 years of schooling, both Maori and English, has taught me that where I go in life, teachers are always going to there and needed. They make up the fabric of my life and I hope that by becoming a teacher it will be a tribute to what they have done for me. That I could be as passionate as they that I could inspire people life me. Where there is hopelessness there will always be an equally brighter light that would draw those who need it, so that this light would make them want to see a brand new day. I want to be that light.
Thats the key; to love learning and never stop. Always be thirsty for it, always want more because life is so short not to discover everything. We only have a small amount of time here so discover it: our history, current affairs, events, cultures, countries, space, occupations, maths, science all of it.
Grasp life by always being a student of the world and loving it.
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