I was going to write a blog post about the whole Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays debate/argument. Now I'm not going to. Because that's not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about CHRIST. After all that's why it's called CHRISTMAS. The whole MC vs HH is not about freedom of speech vs being politically correct and not offensive to other religions. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. --Luke 2:10-11 (NIV) Do you see it????? The good news of Christ's birth is for everyone!!! Jesus came to take away the sins of the world, because HE LOVES US THAT MUCH
It's not about what you say, it's about how you LIVE
so all we can do in 2013 is try to live the best we can!
How to do that, you might ask?
My advice would be to read the Bible about how Jesus lived and try to live that way.
Jesus lived a life of love and compassion.
I don't think he would be offended by people saying Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. In fact, I think Seasons Greetings is a really cute, um, greeting actually:)
The Christmas season is about love and compassion, because it is about celebrating Christ's birth.
I know there's a big debate out there about secularism and Christianity and I know that to be a Christian means to be against the world.
I think that Jesus would want everyone, even people who don't believe in him, to be with their families on Christmas.
Maybe those people will come to believe in him one day.
I hope so.
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and I encourage you to think about Jesus this season as you drive past the nativity scenes and the lights (Jesus is the Light of the world), as you snuggle with your kids or grand kids or pets (Jesus loved), and as you exchange gifts with your loved ones.
Jesus Christ was the best gift that was ever given and I would encourage you to take time to remember that.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Seasons Greetings everyone! Love, Rachel
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. --Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
Hosted by Jamie @ the perpetual page turner
See here for questions and to link up: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2012/12/end-of-year-book-survey-2012.html
Best In Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
I must highly recommend Nicholas Sparks books: Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk to Remember, The Choice (It's Nicholas Sparks so pretty much every book I've read this year by him)
I would also recommend the Lauren Holbrooke trilogy. It's about a modern day matchmaker, chocolate and coffee addict, oh and a Jane Austen Addict.
I'm never going to be able to finish this question, because I love books too much, so I guess I will just leave it here. There will be a upcoming post on all the books I've read and loved this year coming soon.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Anna and the French kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I read Lola and the Boy Next Door first which I absolutely loved, but Anna's story just fell flat for me.
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter. I had read so many good reviews of this one, but I didn't like it at all.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
A lot of books surprised me this year. I read a lot that I didn't plan on reading, pulled off the shelf randomly at the library. Talk about a vague answer:)
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
I thought I answered this already, but if I had to pick only ONE book it would be Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I am just crazy about Delirium and Pandemonium and cannot wait for Requiem to come out!!!
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
I discovered a lot of good dystopian/fantasy series: Eve, Shatter Me, Matched, Starcrossed, Graceling. I've only read the first book in the series for most of these, with the exception of Matched; I have read and do own Crossed as well. Eagerly awaiting for the moment I get my hands on a copy of Reached. I would buy it on amazon if I weren't a broke college student.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Fannie Flagg. My mom gave me Can't Wait to get to Heaven for my birthday and I loved it. So funny.
Susane Colastanti. I thought Waiting for You was so beautiful and I look forward to reading more of hers in 2013!!!
Elizabeth C. Bunce. I absolutely loved A Curse as Dark as Gold and am eager to read her two books about a thief. Book trailer for the first book is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9L4uH3f0b8
Justina Chen Headly. She wrote the completely beautiful book about a beautiful girl's journey: North of Beautiful.
Erynn Magnum for the Lauren Holbrooke series.
Lauren Oliver for Delirium, of course.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Foreman. Absolutely stunning and beautiful works. Deals with loss, love, and forgiveness.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year
Pride and Prejudice. I re-read it every year. I love it. I also re-read Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta every year too. She and Miss Austen are my favorites.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
A Million Suns by Beth Revis. The covers for these books are so stunning and beautiful.
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
I-I don't know! There are so many memorable characters. I would have to go with Francesca from Saving Francesca, Terra from North of Beautiful, Mia from If I Stay, Anna from Moonglass, Taylor from Jellicoe Road.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
Even though I didn't like the plot or the characters, I loved the writing of One Day by David Nicholls.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It's an absolutely tragic and sad book about the persistent determination of a man and his love for his cancer striken wife and their daughter.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
I can't believe I waited so long to read A Million Suns and I'm so glad I finally did!
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
There are way too many, but I will share my favorite Bible verse of the year.
Ephesians 1:4-6
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasureand will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (NIV)
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
I don't keep track of how long the books that I read are, so I really don't know.
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
The girl of fire and thorns, A million suns, Delirium/Pandemonium, Eve, The maze runner, Finnikin of the Rock...
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
My favorite friendship is Emmy and the guys in Take a Bow, another book I really loved. My favorite romantic relationship is Nash and Marissa in Waiting for you.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
I had read Jellicoe Road before this year (remember I re-read it every year) and this year I got to read Saving Francesca, which was really excellent as well.
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else
Well I read the Lauren Holbrooke trilogy based on a recommendation from my Best College Friend. It also helped that she owned all the books and just let me borrow them:)
Well that's the end of the survey. It was actually tremendously helpful because it made me realize that I did actually read If I stay and where she went this year. I forgot because I didn't review them or list them on GR.
So I found this cool readathon today (hosted by Eileen at Singing and Reading in the Rain, Patrick at The Bookshelves, and Jen at Jen Rylands YA Romantics) and decided it would be great for me to do. It's all about finishing up the year strong on our book challenges. I have about 20 books to read by the end of the month to finish my GR challenge of 110 books. Think I can do it? Yeah, so do I.
Here are the books I'm determined to get through:
(note: all photos from GR)
I have a lot of books to read and I need to check out more, but these are the one's I've got right now! Feel free to comment below; after all, I'll need all the luck and magic I can get;)
So I had hoped that all of the changes to my blog would be complete by the new year, but it doesn't look that that's going to happen:( But it will some day, some day, some day... I feel like all I say is some day when it comes to things that I want to or should do.
I want to create a blog design, but I don't know how to and I don't know if I should just buy one with Christmas either (because that might be easier). I haven't really had the time to create one and I know I'll be even busier next semester.
So here is where I ask for advice. Did you create your own design and was it easy or hard to do? Because when I looked at doing it, it just seemed really overwhelming and I was worried I would mess up my blog doing it. I worry too much.
As for things I've wanted to blog about, turns out I haven't done much of that either. I wanted to blog more about my college life, but mostly I've stuck to doing song, book, and tv reviews. I think I watch too much tv.
I am really living life and am having many many many adventures that I would like to share with yall, but I'm LIVING!
I also have things I want to do in 2013. I want to write a book, which is something I've always wanted to do, but haven't done. I want to write a book. I want to believe in the beauty of my dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." It's just...I've never believed in the beauty of my dreams, so how can I now?
I also want to...there's so many things I want to do! I need to go do them, and although this is a lame ending to my pity party update, I also want to finish my GR goal of reading 110 books this year, so I guess I'll get off the blog and go read.
If you have an advice please leave it in the comments. I wish yall a Merry Christmas and I'll see yall soon!
photo from focus on the family's plugged in online
for their review see here: http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/perks-of-being-a-wallflower.aspx
Perks of Being a Wallflower is about a freshman in high school named Charlie. He's had a difficult life, despite his loving mother, father, and sister. As he enters high school, he meets two seniors, Sam and Patrick, brother and sister, who take him under their wings. Charlie starts to enjoy life with them and finds that being a "wallflower" isn't so bad. At least, he has some people to make his first year of high school a little bit better, people to eat lunch with, go to the school dances with, ect.. However, Charlie has a troubled past and memories resurface as he starts to lose his friends in their last months of high school. They are seniors and will soon go off to college. PBW is a terribly sad movie about how love is abused, but it does provide lessons on love and friends.
Sam and Patrick.(but especially Sam) bring so much good into Charlie's life and he into theirs. Maybe the lesson is that, despite everything, we can move on; we are always moving on with life. Charlie is a good kid, despite his troubles. He really falls in love with Sam, which she knows, but she falls for other men. Right before she is about to leave for college, Sam asks Charlie why he never asked her out, to which he says he didn't know if she wanted it. Sam tells him that putting someone always first isn't the same thing as love, and that he can't just put his life on hold for everyone else (which is what he's been doing for them the whole movie).
I think that PBW has many lessons about friendship, romance, and love, and that the big one is that "we accept the people we think we deserve." Charlie says this in response to Sam's question, "Why do I, and everyone I love, pick people treat us like we are nothing?" Sam and Charlie are both really sweet characters, and Emma and Logan did a great job in this film. It's a really difficult film to watch and I was really sad by the end, but it's worth watching.
So, overall the perks of being a wallflower....
The tunnel song
and here's the book passage of this part of the movie
The homecoming dance
We accept the love we think we deserve
These are some of my favorite clips from the movie. I highly encourage yall to watch PBF. Have a great Friday, Rachel
Thirteen-year-old Kathleen "Kat" Gallagher has had it with her family. The eldest of three children, Kat feels trapped ever since her parents’ separated and she has had to take on more responsibility than she feels prepared for. Everything changes on a frigid morning in mid-December when an accident propels Kat into unfamiliar territory.
Stuck in the place where people go when they have died before their time, Kat must face obstacles she could never have imagined.
With the help of other young inhabitants of the Realm of the Lost, Kat learns the true meaning of friendship and family.
I really enjoyed The Realm of the Lost; it's a very original story that deals with family and their dysfunction. That's just the way families are; dysfunctional, but wonderful. It's great being in family and being loved, and knowing that your family will always be there for you and come through for you when you need it the most.
I loved Kat's journey through the Realm of the Lost and her inner journey as well. She is a very strong female character is very well crafted in the novella. She undergoes a lot on her journey and comes out even stronger. I'm so proud of her! She's a truly excellent character and I enjoyed spending time with her.
I love how the novella is set out to answer, what happens when someone dies before their time, when they are too young to die? I'm glad it adresses this issue, because so many people in today's modern world, despite technology (you could even argue that because of the advances of technology) die too young.
In short, The Realm of the Lost is a wonderful little thing that I would gladly read over a study break. #collegelife :)
I would like to thank I am a Reader, not a Writer for letting me participate in the blog tour and introducing me to this wonderful author. I would also like to thank the author herself, Ms. Emma Eden Ramos. Keep writing!
Author Emma Eden Ramos
Emma Eden Ramos is a
writer and student from New York City. Her short stories have appeared in
Stories for Children Magazine, The Storyteller Tymes, BlazeVOX Journal, and
others. Emma's novelette, Where the Children Play, is included in Resilience:
Stories, Poems, Essays, Words for LGBT Teens, edited by Eric Nguyen. Three
Women: A Poetic Triptych and Selected Poems (Heavy Hands Ink, 2011), Ramos’
first poetry chapbook, was shortlisted for the 2011 Independent Literary Award
in Poetry. Emma studies psychology at Marymount Manhattan College.
Episode 5 is titled the Wolf and the Lion, which is perfect. Four important and notable things happen in this episode.
Context: Varys is a member of the king's court and a eunuch and a foreigner to Westeros from the Free Cities. He speaks few words, but when he does they come with deep wisdom.
1. Varys meets with Nedd Stark and tells him that the king is a fool and will be dead soon unless Nedd can save him. Nedd asks Varys why he is telling him this and Varys says that he had to be sure Nedd could be trusted, but now he knows Nedd is an honorable and true man, and maybe just be the only one in King's Landing other than himself.
Why this is important: It gives us information concerning Varys character and also affirms Nedd's character.
2. Arya is chasing a cat down to the dungeon and overhears two men talking. She hides inside the skulls of the Targaryn dragons and listens in. The two men are Varys and Illryio, the man who helped Danerys and arranged her marriage to Drogo. Varys says that events have been set in motion and the the lion and the wolf will soon be at each other throats and that war will happen soon. Arya goes to her father and tries to explain, but did not recognize either of the two men since it was dark in the dungeon, and did not understand what they were saying, as she does not play the game of thrones and is not involved in politics of King's Landing. She tries to tell her father what she heard, but is too confused. Varys later meets with Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish (a man I utterly abhor) who runs the brothels in King's Landing. Petyr reveals that he knows Varys met with Illryio for unknown reasons and Varys reveals that he knows Petyr is doing illegal things. Petyr vs Varys. I'm on team Varys.
Why this is important: It gives us information concerning Varys and and Petyr and helps us understand the politics game more fully between those at court. We also find out something about Illyrio that we didn't know. It also reveals some of the secrets behind the game, and there are many many, many secrets involved.
3. The king's council meets and discuss Daenerys Targaryen. Since she is now married with a husband, soon to be son, and army, she is a threat and the child will have a claim to the throne. The king wants Daenerys dead and the council agrees, all except Nedd who says that it would be dishonorable and cowardly to murder her. Nedd refuses and resigns from being the King's Hand saying he will not go through with it.
Why this is important: More fully helps us understand Nedd Stark and his character and is an example of how honor drives every decision he makes.
4. The King and Cersei also discuss the Targaryens. Their conversation is in the video below.
Why this is important: We find out about King Robert and about Cersei and their stories, as well as Cersei's political ideas concerning the Targaryens. She's very smart and interested in politics. I feel sorry that she's trapped in a loveless marriage and sometimes I think she would make a better ruler without him.
Episode 6 is called A Golden Crown and is really about Danerys (Dany) but also about Sansa, Arya, and Nedd.
Arya begins training with her dancing master master, Syrio, from the city Braavos. She's learning how to fight and one day may need it if the Starks and Lannisters go to war.
He also consoles her when Jamie Lannister attacks her father, injuring him, and killing one of her father's friends.
Sansa on the other hand isn't fighting, but making peace and being in love. Joffrey apologizes and gives her a necklace similar to the one Cersei wears. She forgives him in her fairy tale state being that he is still her one true love. I abhor Joffrey, just like I abhor Littlefinger.
Nedd Stark has an astonishing discovery because of Sansa, actually. When he tries to send the girls back to Winterfell for their own safety, Sansa says she can't as she must marry Joffrey and bear golden haired children, Lannister lions. Arya is more worried about her dancing master, but does mention that Joffrey is a stag not a lion. Sansa retorts saying Joffrey is nothing like his father.
The former king of the hand was murdered because he asked questions and discovered something he wasn't supposed to. Nedd Stark discovers the same thing with the help of his daughters. Robert and Cersei do not have children, as the three children they do have are actually the result of Cersei's relationship with her brother Jamie. Nedd confirmed this by reading the history of House Baratheon and that all of the Baratheons have black hair, whereas all of the Lannisters are golden haired.
As for as Dany goes, she goes far in this episode.
First, we discover that she cannot be burned by fire. Despite Illyrio's words that the eggs have turned to stone, she wonders if they might be hatched with extreme heat. She places them on the fire, but nothing happens. One of her servants come and sees Dany doing so and takes the egg from her, worrying that it will burn her. However, Dany is not burned at all, but the servant is. Dany tends to her burns.
Second, Dany is summoned by the crones who rule the city, the wives of khals slain in battle. She undergoes a pregnancy ritual in which she eats the whole heart of a stallion. It's bloody and gross, but she does it, looking at Drogo the whole time wanting to make him proud. She succeeds and the crones declare that their son will be The Stallion that Mounts the World a great conqueror whose coming is long foretold in Dothraki history.
Dany names her son Rhaego after her brother (Rhaegar, the one killed by Robert Baratheon) and the Dothraki chant his name. Viserys, her brother, realizes they love her and claim her, that she belongs to them, no longer to him any more. He goes to her tent to steal her dragon eggs, but Ser Jorah stops him. Viserys tells him that to rule one must be either feared or loved and that he has never been loved like the Dothraki love Dany. In a previous episode, Dany had a discussion with Ser Jorah, saying that Viserys could not rule even if he could conquer Westeros.
Dany also realizes that she the true dragon and gets one step closer to her own destiny.
Episode 7 is titled "You win or you die" and comes from the words of Cersei Lannister and may or may not prove to be true.
It begins with Tywin Lannister(first appearance!), father to Jamie, Cersei, and Tyron Lannister, talking to his son Jamie about fulfilling his destiny as a great man and that this war will determine the fate of their House. They can either become a great dynasty or they can fall. Tywin tells Jamie to march to Riverrun and overtake it (as it belongs to Catelyn Stark's house) and begin the war against the Starks.
In King's Landing, Nedd Stark meets with Cersei and reveals that he knows the truth about her children. That they are bastards and her and Jamie's children. And we get the famous line from Cersei: "when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." I think Cersei has the right to be angry with Robert for not loving her, because she was alive and they were given a chance, but he chose to continue to be consumed with his love for Lyanna. I understand that he loved and lost her, but he had another chance at love and he threw it away. Not everyone gets a second chance at love. If I were in her situation, I would also be angry.
It looks like Nedd Stark may be headed to the grave after his friend King Robert is injured in a hunting accident. King Robert names Nedd as lord protector of the realm until Joffrey is of age. Nedd rights "the rightful heir" rather than "my son Joffrey." King Robert also says that Nedd was right and that they should not murder the Targaryn girl (Dany) Varys, however, tells Nedd that the attack on her life is already undergoing and cannot be stopped now.
At least not by any of them. It is Ser Jorah that stops Dany from being poisoned. However, it turns out Ser Jorah is a royal spy for Varys and a boy gives him a royal pardon saying he can go home. Ser Jorah, however is very loyal to Dany and believes in her. So do I. She is the true dragon and has to have a great destiny. Angered at this attack, Drogo pledges to their son the Iron Throne and Westeros. I love how much Drogo has come to love Dany and how far he is willing to go for her and their son. I hope they have many more children and that Rhaego does grow up to become a great conqueror, the stallion that mounts the world.
It seems like Dany is going to get to go home after all. In an earlier scene she spoke with Ser Jorah about how Drogo does not want to cross the sea and conquer Westeros. Ser Jorah told Dany that the mad king, her ancestor, was born in the East and conquered Westeros because he has dragons. At that though it was her birthright, so is the East, even more so. There's also this really romantic scene that happens between Dany and Drogo that I will add here.
Back In Kings Landing, King Robert dies and Nedd writes to Stannis Baratheon (younger brother to Robert and rightful heir). Nedd is summoned to court by Cersei and Joffrey. Cersei tears up Robert's letter that says Nedd is to rule and that Joffrey is going to rule. That it doesn't matter what Robert said, because Robert is dead, no longer king, and there is a new king. Cersei tells Nedd that if he swears fealty to Joffrey, he will be allowed to return to Winterfell. Nedd says that Joffrey has no claim to the throne and Cersei declares him a traitor, captures him, and locks him in the dungeon.
On a happier, much better note, Jon Snow and his friend Sam take their vows and enter the Knight's Watch officially. This was one of my favorite scenes in the whole three episodes. I look forward to seeing where Jon will go in the future. Maybe over the wall to fight the dangers that lurk. Either way, Jon (just like Danerys) has a destiny to fulfill and he's on the right path to fulfilling it.
That's all I've got for now. I'll see you all later. Feel free to comment on favorite scenes, lines, characters, ect. Much appreciated, Rachel.
It begins with the Dothraki, across the narrow sea, in the east. They begin moving from Penthos and the free cities to the Dothraki Sea. Ser Jorah Mormont tells Dany that the Dothraki believe that grass will one day cover everything, as the Dothraki Sea is very vast and is covered in grass. He also gives Dany some dried horse to eat, telling her that the Dothraki have two things in abundance: horses and grass and that one cannot live off of grass alone. Dany struggles to keep with the Dothraki and fears Drogo, but Ser Jorah tells her it will get easier. I sure hope so for Dany's sake; I feel very sorry for her.
In Winterfell, Bran is unconscious about being pushed off the wall by Jamie Lannister. Catelyn refuses to leave his side, and we are rewarded with this moment from Tyrion Lannister:
Tyrion Lannister is one of the best of his house, as he seems to be more in tune with reality than some of the others. He goes to breakfast and tells them that Bran is likely survive and notes Cersei and Jamie's reactions, as he knows they have been having sexual relations. Cersei goes and visits Catelyn Stark at the beside of Bran and says that she lost her first child, a black haired boy, and that the gods will show mercy on them. I hope so too, because I like Bran very much.
Jon Snow says good bye to his family. Despite being a bastard of Nedd Stark, he is close to his siblings, especially his older brother Robb and his sister Arya. I absolutely love Arya and she is both my aunt's and my favorite character. Jon Snow gives Arya a sword so she can learn how to fight. Jon says goodbye to Bran and to his father, who says that Jon may not have his name, but does have his blood. Jon goes with his uncle, Benjen, to join the Night's Watch, a group of men who defend the wall and the kingdoms from what lives north of the wall: the white walkers. Even though they are thought to have been dead for thousands of years, the wall still stands and the Night's Watch still defend it. Tyrion is also traveling to the wall with them as he wants to see it. We also learn that not just the poor men and younger sons who honorably join the Night's Watch, but also criminals who are given the option of joining or dying.
While Jon Snow and Tyrion get to the wall, the royal party including the king,Cersei, Joffrey, Sansa, Arya, and Nedd, have traveled south, stopping at Crossroads Inn for the night. Joffrey invites Sansa to walk with him by the river, where they find Arya practicing her sword fighting with one of the boy's in the party her age. Joffrey tries to bully the boy, but Arya stands up to Joffrey who attacks her. Arya's direwolf comes to her rescue and bites Joffrey, Arya, the boy, and her direwolf run away but not before Arya throws Joffrey's sword in the river. Arya frees her direwolf, by setting it free so that it will not be killed for hurting the prince.
Joffrey falsely accuses Arya and her friend of attacking him, and she defends herself. The children of Nedd and Robert are already fighting! I can't believe Sansa wants to marry Joffrey; I really don't like him, and I'm disappointed that Sansa didn't stand up for her sister and tell the truth. King Robert does not approve that their children are fighting and decides that Nedd will discipline his daughter and he will disciple Joffrey. However, Cersei is adamant that the direwolf should die; however, Arya's could not be found as Arya set it free to run away. Cersei then declares that Sansa's direwolf should die. Nedd Stark goes and kills her, saying that the wolf belongs to the north. As he plunges the knife into the direwolf, back in Winterfell Bran Stark wakes up.
Very exciting episode. I'm exciting to see where Jon Snow will go with the Night's Watch and what will happen with the Starks and Lannisters. Tyrion is my favorite Lannister. I really like the Stark family, but would like to see more of Bran and Arya. I look forward to seeing her get to use that sword! I also am curious as to see if Bran remembers anything after his fall and what will happen to him once the Lannisters find out that he's woken up.
As some of you know, I went to NY for Thanksgiving to visit family. While I was there I did so many cool things, and my aunt introduced me to Game of Thrones. I think I would really like the books, but apparently the author still has three or four more to write, and so I thought I better just watch the tv show. I really can't stand it when I start a series and then find out it's not finished.
Episode 1 begins rather creepily. I'm not really sure what to make of it, but there's dangerous things in the snow that come from the corpses of people. There's also three riders, who are witnesses to the dead people, who disappear into the snow. One of these three people is later beheaded for treason as he goes mad and abandons his friends. Here is where we are introduced to the Stark Family, the patriarch Eddard (Nedd), his wife Catelyn, and their children Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon, as well Nedd's bastard son Jon Snow. Nedd beheads the traitor boy and Bran, Robb, and Jon go with him. Nedd tells Bran that their way is the old way and that the one who passes the sentence should be the one who carries it out.
On their way back, they come upon a dead stag and a dead direwolf female who has left behind six direwolf pups. Six direwolf pups for the six Stark children. Jon says that they are gift from the old gods, as the direwolf is the house sigil of House Stark.
Meanwhile, one of Nedd Stark's friends, Jon Arryn, also Hand of the King, has died. News of his death comes to Winterfell and the king and queen visit. King Robert and Nedd visit the crypts to see Lyanna's statue. Lyanna was loved and betrothed to Robert before she was kidnapped and killed by Prince Rhaegar of House Targaryen.
Across the Narrow Sea, in the free city of Penthos, the last of their house, lives Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen (also called Dany for short). Viserys plans to wed Dany to Khal Drogo, leader of the Dothraki in exchange to use the army to reclaim the Seven Kingdoms. Dany prepares by taking a bath that has just been poured and worries her maid worries that it will be too hot, but Dany does not seem to notice and enjoys the hot bath. After, Dany meets Drogo, who merely looks at her and rides off without ever dismounting from his horse.I feel very sorry for Dany as she is not treated very well by her brother and has never seen the seven kingdoms that is "home" for her. I'm curious to see where she will go after she and Drogo are married and she becomes a part of the Dothraki.
Next, we see Dany and Drogo's wedding day. She sits beside him and they watch the Dothraki men fight over women, her face emotionless. Dany is given three gifts: three dragon eggs that have turned to stone with the passing of time, a collection of stories from the seven kingdoms, and the loyalty of Ser Jorah Mormont, Drogo gives her a beautiful white filly horse. Drogo helps Dany on her horse and they ride up to the sand dunes where they have their wedding night.
Back in Winterfell, King Robert offers Nedd the position of Hand of the King and says that they should unite the houses, as they should have done if Lyanna hadn't died. Nedd and Catelyn come to an agreement that Sansa can marry Joffrey, as she seems to want to be queen and marry him. A feast is held and Catelyn and the queen talk about the engagement, and it is revealed that Sansa has not yet bled. Nedd accepts the king's offer, although he would rather stay in Winterfell. He also receives a letter that night saying that John Arryn was murdered by the queen, Cersei Lannister. We find out why when Bran is climbing the castle walls and discovered Cersei with her brother, Jamie Lannister. Perhaps John Arryn found out something he wasn't supposed to know...
Lyrics Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street Faster than the windPassionate as sin, ended so suddenlyLoving him is like trying to change your mindOnce you’re already flying through the free fallLike the colors in autumnSo bright just before they lose it all Losing him was blue like I’d never knownMissing him was dark grey all aloneForgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never metBut loving him was redLoving him was red Touching him is like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of youMemorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite songFighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there’s no right answerRegretting him was like wishing you never found out love could be that strong Losing him was blue like I’d never knownMissing him was dark grey all aloneForgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never metBut loving him was redOh red burning red Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes Tell myself it’s time now, gotta let go But moving on from him is impossibleWhen I still see it all in my head Burning red!Darling it was red! Oh, losing him was blue like I’d never knownMissing him was dark grey all aloneForgetting him was like trying to know somebody you've never metCause loving him was red yeah yeah redWe're burning red And that's why he's spinning round in my headComes back to me burning redYeah yeah Cause love was like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street http://www.directlyrics.com/taylor-swift-red-lyrics.html Review I decided to start the week off with a song review of Taylor Swift's Red. The name of the album is also Red and comes from this song. It's a song about her loving someone who didn't love her back. I think we can all identify with this and with the colors: blue, dark grey, and red. This is the color associated with love, but also with anger and the more distasteful feelings. Blue is associated with loneliness, the cold, and calmness. Blue is better than red (Blue is my favorite color:) Besides the chorus, some of my other favorite lines were "Loving him is like trying to change your mind Once you’re already flying through the free fallLike the colors in autumn" and "Touching him is like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of you Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite songFighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there’s no right answerRegretting him was like wishing you never found out love could be that strong"
I just love the struggle in TS voice as she can't decide whether or not she is going to love her or not, because she already loves him, but he doesn't love her back.Eventually she makes the decision that it's not worth it to her to love him.
I also really just liked the background music for Red; it went really well with TS's voice. The song is catchy and fast, but not too fast. It has a good beat and is overall a good song. It's not my favorite on the album (those would be the last time, starlight, and come back be here) but it is really enjoyable and I can see why she named her album after it. I think it probably means a lot more to TS than I'm interpreting, and now that's I've looked at is closer it's actually kind of a sad song. That's all I've got for this review, but have a good one and hope you enjoy this song! Rachel
Taylor Swift's new album came out! It's been great listening to all the songs on Youtube and I am now going to do a general overview of the songs on the CD, Red.
Songs.
1. State of Grace--it was way, way, way too long for me at approximately 4:55 minutes. I also felt like it was just too slow, except for the full chorus. I also thought the song was too ambiguous and I didn't understand what the lyrics were saying.
2. Red--the first few times I heard it, I thought it was just okay, but now that I listen to all the time, I really like it. It's a very catchy song and it's easy to identify the colors with the stages of love and breakup.
3. Treacherous--I didn't love the song, but I didn't not like it. It was just okay for me.
4. I Knew You were Trouble--I didn't like this one, because I thought it was too fast and the lyrics were mean, although it was catchy.
5. All to Well--This one is so sad! It's really sad as it's about a bad breakup, but I still really liked it. It's slow but it moves well.
6. 22--I really loved this one! It's so catchy and great to dance to and sing along with. It's really easy to follow and just overall a fun song. I also love how it's about getting lost in the music! What a thing to sing about! (I'm joking:)
7. I Almost Do--another sad but good one! I liked this one even more than I liked all too well. This is the song on the album that I listen too the most.
8. We are Never Ever Getting Back Together--I didn't know what to think when I first heard this one, as it is so different from her other songs. Now I really love it, as it is just so much fun to dance and sing to! My friends and I love it!
9. Stay Stay Stay--I didn't like this one, because I thought it was too repetitive and was just too pop-ish rather than country-pop.
10. The Last Time: OH MY GOSH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE!!! IT'S SO PRETTY AND BEAUTIFUL!
11. Holy Ground--I didn't love the song, but I haven't heard it that many times. It's not a song that stands out and I feel I casually listen through it. It's a little catchy, but not too much and it's more on the slower side too.
12. Sad Beautiful Tragic--take song #1 with different lyrics. It's way toooooooooooooooooooo slow.
13. The Lucky One--I liked this one, as it's catchy and easy to sing along too, but it's not one of my favorites.
14. Everything has Changed--This is a really excellent song overall. Love the melody and the pace. She sings it with a male vocalist, and I really like their duet.
15. Starlight--This is another OH MY GOSH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE!!! IT"S SO PRETTY AND BEAUTIFUL. It reminded me of Fearless from one of her previous album, so if you liked Fearless I think you will like Starlight
16. Begin Again--I really liked this one too. I didn't love it like I love songs #10 and 15, but it's still a really happy, somewhat slow song, but it moves well. I think it's one of the best ones on the album.
17. The Moment I knew--I really liked it the first few times I heard it, but after actually listening to the lyrics I just think it's really sad. However, it does have a faster moving pace than some of the other songs.
18. Come Back Be Here--I loved this one! It's a really great song that is similar to #10 and #15. It's not slow, but it's not too fast that you can't catch it.
19. Girl at Home--This song is catchy and very fast moving, although slightly repetitive, it works well because it moves so fast. A good one to sing along to, but it doesn't have the best lyrics.
That's RED for yall!!!!!
I will be doing (full) song reviews on some of them in December, so be on the lookout for that! Throw yourself a dance party and listen to some Taylor Swift! Have a great night, yall!
Tallahassee. In the pilot episode, we found out that it was the longest Emma had lived anywhere. Regina asks, "What did you like so much about Tallahassee?" In Episode 6 of OUAT, we find out Emma's back story and that she once had a true love. The episode, however, actually begins in FTL with the four girls (Aurora, Mulan, Mary Margaret, and Emma) along with Captain Hook approach the gigantic beanstalk that leads to the giants home. Only one giant is left, "the strongest and most terrible." The story of Jack and the beanstalk that we all know and love in our modern world, is not the case in FTL. According to Hook, the giants used the beans to plunder all the lands and Jack took an army up there and killed the giants (except one) and destroyed the beans. The four girls argue about who is going, but ultimately it is Emma would climbs up with Hook. I love the two of them! Emma is certainly worthy of love and Hook is definitely swoon worthy. I think I might be over Graham's death; Emma and Hook need to get together! I absolutely loved Graham and Emma together and I wish he had lived. I personally do not think Emma and Hook will really end up together, just because Hook is not trustworthy and he has different goals in life than Emma. Up they go! As the climb, Hook reveals to Emma that he can tell she was orphaned, because he spent time with the Lost Boys in Neverland and she has the same look they did. I think that Hook had been to Neverland before he went after Rumplestilksin cut off his hand. I think he must have gone there before, because in E4 (the Crocodile) he told stories about the places he went and the treasure he found. (or maybe that was William Smee who did that...?) Either way it just makes sense that he visited it before he became Captain Hook. I am very curious about his backstory in Neverland. When Emma and Hook reach the top, the giant's home has been destroyed. Hooks says it happen in the battle. They make a plan to use Mulan's powder to put the giant asleep. It works! They certainly make quite the team. They go into the giant's lair that is full of the treasure they plundered. Hook is more interested in the treasure than in finding the compass, which Emma is determined to find among the gold. The powder doesn't last very long, however, and soon the giant has woken up and is out to get them. Emma, using Jack's sword (yes Jack from the story) to cut the trip wire of an iron cage, which fall on the giant trapping him. She demands the compass, which he gives her, because he says Emma is going to kill him anyways, but that's what humans do and all humans are alike. Emma tells him that not all humans.
We also learn from the giant that Jack's army destroyed the magic
beans, not the giants. We get to hear the famous line, "That's because the
victors tell the story." Even though the giants were wrong to plunder the
lands, were the humans less wrong when they killed the giants? I am also
curious about this Jack character. His skeleton and sword remained in the giant’s
castle, but he still has his own story, and I’m eager to hear it. Emma is
allowed to leave with the compass and jumps from the beanstalk.
Meanwhile, Hook remains? Yep! As she pulls Hook out from
underneath his hiding place, and takes his open hand, she chains him to the
wall. Emma says she’s sorry, but also that she can’t trust him. That she just
needs a head start, but that he won’t be chained there forever. I expected
this, but think it may be a potentially dangerous thing to have done. After
all, Hook is not the type of person who stands to be bested, and we never knew
in the first place if he really was going to steal the compass for him and
cora! It’s a smart move in that sense, but what if Hook was telling the truth? Then
Emma and company have got an angry Captain Hook on their hands!
Back on the ground, Mulan was told to cut the beanstalk down if
Emma wasn’t back in 10 hours. Shortly before Emma comes down, Mulan sadly notes
that it’s been ten hours and takes out her sword. Snow notices and yells and
her, but Mulan strikes the beanstalk anyways, shaking it. Aurora and Snow are
both upset; Aurora screams “You’re just going to leave them up there to die?”
To which Mulan calmly replies, “They may already be dead.” Snow, however, will
not leave her daughter. She tackles Mulan and they struggle. As Emma jumps
down, she yells at them to stop. Mary Margaret runs to Emma, upset. She tells
Emma that they go home together. No matter what. I fail to understand why they
would have needed to cut the beanstalk down in the first place. After all, the way
of getting home is through the compass. I guess Emma to Mulan to do it, because
she didn’t want Snow to risk going up, if she in fact was killed by the giant.
I really enjoyed the reunion scene between MM and Emma, because MM really does
love Emma and I love seeing that in the show.
As the four girls go on to steal the ashes from cora, we get to
travel back to Emma’s past.
11 years ago, in Portland OR, Emma steals her beloved yellow BW
bug. From a guy named Neal Cassidy. Oh, wait, actually it’s not his car either.
Emma stole a stolen car from a fellow thief and thus begins their relationship.
Emma and Neal are later seen at a convenience store, Emma stealing from the
shelves and Neal distracting the manager with a map. When a real customer comes
in, Emma fakes going into labor and the two make a run for it. However, Emma
was only faking being pregnant. The two later go to a rundown hotel and Neal
talks about settling down somewhere. Emma asks, “is this what you really want?”
To which he replies, “what I really want is you.” It’s a really romantic scene.
Emma says okay and wants to know where they will go. Neal tells her to close
her eyes and point to a place on a map. She points to Tallahassee. So that’s
where they plan to go. Neal stole some watches a while back and Emma goes and
gets them out an airport locker. Neal plans to pawn them and tells Emma to meet
him somewhere and sometime later.
As Neal is on his way to his destination, he is stopped by none
other than August Wayne Booth! He tells Neal that Emma has a destiny, a curse
that she must break and that Neal is getting in the way of Emma doing so.
August quickly finds out that Neal is in love with Emma, but after showing him
something inside of his box, Neal decides to do what August calls “the right
thing.”
So, Neal goes to Canada. August calls Emma in and she is arrested
for possession of stolen goods. In Vancouver, Canada, two months later, Neal
meets up with August. August tells Neal he’ll send him a postcard when the
curse is broken. Neal gives him the car keys and the cash he got with the
watches and tells August to give them to her. (August sends her the keys, not
the money). It is there we find out that Emma was given 11 months in jail in
Arizona. The last scene is of her getting the keys—and also getting the results
of a pregnancy test.
This was the saddest part of E6. Emma could have had a home, a
normal life in Tallahassee with Neal and Henry. Only August ruined it. Whereas
I think he had the right intentions, I don’t think that Emma needed to go to
jail in order to end up breaking the curse. The Blue Fairy said she would do
that when she was 28 years old so I think Emma would have ended up in Storybrooke
eventually. But she could have had a family, with Neal and Henry and with their
other children! What they could have had kills me! The life and home that Emma
had always wanted was taken away from her by August. Instead, she ended up in
jail at 18 years of age, with a child that she gave up for adoption, so he could
have his best chance at life, never knowing if she would ever meet him or get
to see him grow up. (And yet, ten years later he becomes the most important
person in her life.)
Emma learns not to risk her heart. She learns not to trust. She
gets out of prison a different person. The carefree girl is gone, instead is
the Emma we’ve gotten to know. Tough and strong and independent. Yet, when Emma
gets out she still keeps and drives the stolen car to Tallahassee where she
waits for two years for Neal. August kept his word and sent him the postcard.
Will he end up meeting August sometime soon and taking a trip to Storybrooke?
Will he be reunited with Emma and get to meet his son? What will happen when he
sees Emma again? And when can we get to know what was in the BOX????
Please share your thoughts. After all I did just write 1,668 words
for you. Thanks, Rachel
