It's almost the end of 2015. Lord how did we even get here? It feels like just yesterday I was saying goodbye to 2014, and here we are - on the verge of a new year. The best thing about new beginnings is the excitement that comes with possibility. Who knows what next year will bring?! But my favourite thing to do during the final moments of the year is to reflect on things you've achieved throughout those 12 months. Blogging has been such a huge part of this year (and my life even), and I'm so proud of how far Creative In The Arts has come. I've been blessed to meet so many wonderful like minded people, and have engaging discussions with you all on my posts.
So what's the best way of wishing 2015 goodbye? Looking back on the most outstanding posts that I am proud to have written this year for all of you wonderful readers. So weather you've just stumbled across my blog by chance to today, or seen it grow over the past couple of years - thank you. You've made this all the more worthwhile.
Without further anticipation, here are my favourite posts from 2015. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Here we are again. I can't believe we're at the end of another year already! Time is just going way too fast I swear. To end the year in style, I decided to put together a list of songs that I fell in love with this year to kick off the annual favourites of the year list. So without further ado, let's get started!
Christmas is my favourite time of year, because it's a beautiful moment where family and friends come together and just be. In our busy lives - dominated by work, school and social media - when do we just sit down and have a conversation with each other? When do we show our appreciation for each other by putting thought into our words to each other, other than our own birthday's?
This time of year is also a wonderful reason to remember how blessed we are. We are lucky that we have a roof over our heads. We are lucky to live in a country that provides free health and how much opporunity currently exists. It's so easy to see the negiative things around us, especially with the events that have happened over the past couple of months. It's wonderful excuse to remember the beauty of the world, and celebrate it on this blessed holiday.
So to all of you, Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful day, filled with joy, laughter and most importantly pudding!
Teen TV Dramas love their forbidden romances, don't they? There's something quite romantic about the idea of two young lovers, fighting against all odds for their love. Nothing can keep them apart. And what's more forbidden than a minor falling in love with an adult?
On this season of Finding Carter, Carter finds herself working illegally in a local bar at the tender age of 17. She immediately finds herself drawn towards Jared, her boss and bartender. Despite finding out the truth about her age, Jared keeps Carter on as a fellow employee and continues their ongoing relationship. If that doesn't set off warning bells from the start, I don't know what does. As we know now, this relationship isn't as fun-loving and carefree as initial thought. Carter may have fallen hard, but Jared is bad news wrapped up in pretty shiny warping paper, waiting to explode.
I am a Muslim and I am tired. I'm tired of mourning for innocent lives lost in this unnecessary bloodshed, claiming to be in the name of religion. But tell me what greater sin is there in Islam then to take a life of another? If we are not even allowed to harm an ant or a spider in our own homes, how can you even think of harming another human being? How is this act of sin acceptable? The Quran clearly states, 'I made you different from one another so you can learn from each other'. Tell me, by killing humanity, how exactly are you going to follow through with that notion? What did these innocent people, living their everyday lives do, to deserve meeting their deaths? This grief we carry should not be a regular occurrence and yet it is. My ears are numb and my heart is heavy. All because of this plague of terrorism.
I'll let you in on a little secret that I don't think I've told anyone before. Well, until now that is. Every year on my birthday, I take some time out of my day to reflect. I reflect on the achievements I've accomplished over the past year, mourn the loses that change brings and prepare for the year ahead. It's almost like a tradition - pre new year. So in celebration of my birthday this past weekend, I wanted to just take some time and reflect.
Let me take you back in time to last year. I was fresh out of university with my newly qualified degree, ready to take on my next new adventure. I had just taken up a new full-time position to support my future endeavours, and was actively pursuing my personal and career ambitions. But like many who leave university, I was still figuring out all the pieces of the missing puzzle. I felt so overwhelmed by the culture shock of no longer holding the title of student, and the life that came with it. I had no clue how things would be in the next couple of months, let alone a year. But despite all that, this past year - no matter how puzzling it seemed to be - has been one of the most enriching experiences I've had in my life. Though nothing went according to plan, everything worked out for the best. Life gave me what I needed - nothing more and nothing less. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that ...
Growing up, Digimon was my favourite animated series - ever. After a long day spent at school, I vividly remember running out of the passenger seat of my dad's silver Nissan into the living room and switching on television at 3:30 sharp! Back then in the late 90s and 00s, when an episode aired you saw live then and there, and that was that. No catching up online. No second chances - zilch. How times have changed, eh?
I clung to each episode with such curiosity, eager to know what would happen next. And even after all this time, I still love this show with all my being. Now that's not to say that the cheesy pre-teen dialogue doesn't make me cringe - I mean seriously guys? Some of those one liners ... Nope. But this was one of the first shows I fell in love with, where I was genuinely captivated by dynamic characters and meaningful storylines. I was hooked. I'm so excited for the upcoming Digimon Adventure Tri episodes coming our way. I can hardly wait! So on this segment of Life Lessons, I'm proud to present the lessons I learnt from Digimon Adventure.
Since I can remember, I have found myself absolutely fascinated by North Korea. In a world where we have unlimited access to information at our fingertips, it baffles me that a nation like North Korea still exists. Kept under the tight-knit reign of the most hated man in the world, Kim Jong Un, civilians are sheltered from outside influence leaving them at the mercy of their nation. It was once a land filled with mystery and complete secrecy, completely isolated from civilisation. But as more and more North Koreans escape the clutches of their nation, the horror that they faced during their time there, is now being shared amongst the general public. North Korea is a living breathing dystopian nightmare novel come to life, where the tightly wound government continues to spread propaganda in full force. It is a place where critical thought is shunned, and the key to survival is obedience and witful tact. After all, the best way to keep it's people loyal is through fear and lack of knowledge. So much more easier to control.
Halloween - it's the time to celebrate all things scary and spooky, and the season of horror. Over the years, I've made my dislike for horror very clear. I can not watch horror films. Why? Because I imagine myself in the victims positions', being hunted down by a nameless creature with no moral compass. Gosh if that isn't terrifying enough, horror films make you feel like you're on the verge of the end of your life, which you can't help but remember before you go to sleep. Every ... single ... detail. Yup - I'm not having nightmares for weeks on end thank you very much.
But thanks to my lovely wonderful friends over the years, I have been forced to endure the terror of these movies year after year. During that time, I couldn't help but notice so many amateur mistakes. Seriously, are these characters trying to kill themselves on purpose? So in celebration of all things spooky, here are a few tips of what not to do in a horror film. A survival guide if you will.
It's that time of year. November is coming, and NaNoWriMo is upon us. After taking part in NaNoWriMo last year, I learnt a lot from the experience and decided to offer some advice to the newcomers taking on the task this year. Writing is such an intricate task, and everyone's writing process differs significantly. There's no set way of writing a novel. Some prefer to create outlines of everything they've ever written. Others prefer to write the whole story in chronological order. And the rest? Well, we tend to write the whole thing out of order and pray to God is comes together - sooner rather than later!
I truly encourage every single one of you to take part in this - weather you write 50,000 words or even 5000. There's a real spirit and dedication that comes from taking part in this event, and it's so worth the pain and tears. I encourage you to make this time your own, and use it to your advantage. So my fellow writers, without further ado, here a few ways you can prepare for this year's NaNoWriMo!
The life of a fangirl comes with many perks. Being part of a close-knit community that understands and shares your undeniable passion and admiration is a beautiful experience. There is nothing that can compare to those deep lengthy discussions about the storylines you love, to the characters you envy, leading late into the night.
The fangirl life is a rite of passage for most into the online universe. And yet despite it's founded status, the status of fangirl often gets so much stigma surrounding it in everyday conversation. But the amount of skills you learn from the fangirl lifestyle is incredibly valuable and underrated. Don't believe me? I'll prove it to you! Here are six important life skills that every fangirl has experienced in her online journey.
Since childhood, I've always held a deep fascination with star signs and astrology. Yes, I know there is absolutely no scientific evidence that any of these personality traits and qualities are true, but that doesn't mean one can't indulge the soul right? The truth is I love thinking about the qualities people have, and having the ability to explore that. Starsigns give you the opportunity to really think about who you are and aspire to be, regardless of how true they really are. They can be a brilliant starting point in the quest to personal development.
So when Madison Reed's Hair-O-Scope was brought to my attention, I could hardly pass up such an opportunity. After-all Sagittarius are known for their love of adventures, aren't we? So let's see how true these qualities are, when it comes down to the individual.
Who runs the world? Girls of course. No lie, we really do. There are some amazingly talented and awe-inspiring people in this world, who've accomplished great things and continue to work hard to achieve their ambitions in life. Earlier this year, I posted about the men who I admired for their hard work in and creative artistry, which you can read here. So it's only fair that I return that same amount of admiration to these inspiring females, who continue to take my breathe away.
These inspirational women not only conquer their select industries, but also the world benefiting so many others from their achievements too. They are the rolemodels of today, and the ones to watch for years to come. So without further ado, here are the women I admire.
I have a confession to make to you, people of the internet. For the longest time, I've kept myself very far away from Wattpad. Why? Mostly because I was sceptical. For years I entertained my cravings for online fiction on sites like Tumblr, Fanfiction.net, where I didn't need to sign up for an account to exclusively access stories. So what made Wattpad so different, so special from these other sites? Why should I sign up to a website specifically just to access content? So I kept my lingering thoughts silent, and ignored the pressure of the hype surrounding this new enigma.
One night of aimless scrolling and fictional cravings, I impulsively decided to test the waters to see if there was anything worth viewing on Wattpad. I mean if I'm going to condemn a website, I might as well see what the big hype is all about. Maybe I'll even discover a few reads in the process. And once again ladies and gentlemen, the joke is on me because hilariously, Wattpad has become my latest obsession! Who would have thought? So for all you other sceptics out there, let me tell you why I think Wattpad is unbelievably awesome!
To gain closure from the relationships that no longer are, Lara Jean has written love letters to all the boys she's ever loved meant for her eyes only. But when her unsent letters are mailed out, Lara Jean finds herself in a rather peculiar situation.
Jenny Han's captivating novel, 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before', is a charming novel that will sweep you off your feet. It'll leave you feeling wonderful, warm and so nostalgic. This story is a beautiful read for a late summer afternoon, when you're looking for an adventure with an adorakable dash of the feels. It's a great pick-me-up if you're feeling a little blue, and wonderful treasure to the soul. I'm still smiling even just thinking about it! It's a coming of age story about family, high school and learning to love. An absolute pleasure to indulge.
We Were Liars - a book that needs no introduction to those who have stumbled across it. But for all of you who haven't, let me tell you it's an unforgettable novel that will leave you breathless. For a young adult novel, We Were Liars deals with some really heavy emotional situations and life obstacles that are worth paying attention to.
Just to let you know before we begin, like my book review of the novel, this post will be full of spoilers. So if you haven't read the book, I urge you not to read this post until you have. Because going into We Were Liars blind was the best decision I ever made.
'We Were Liars' - the book that captivated me and destroyed my fragile heart into a million pieces of the feels. A couple of months ago, I was blissfully unaware of how this deep dark mystery would keep my mind turning as I devoured each page. To say anymore would ruin this story for you, if you haven't already been mind-blown by its content.
So here's what I'll say to all you blissfully unaware people. We Were Liars is a unique mystery that leaves you gasping for more. The anticipation and climax will leave you utterly breathless and unsure what to do with yourself. Or even how to process the events of the novel and life. Read it, I dare you. It is a book you won't forever for many months to come.
- SPOILER ALERT -
Seriously avoid reading any reviews or material relating to this book if you have not read We Were Liars. Going into this book blind was the best decision I ever made.
Seriously avoid reading any reviews or material relating to this book if you have not read We Were Liars. Going into this book blind was the best decision I ever made.
Dear Kate and Chris,
You may remember we meet almost two weeks ago on your UK Tour round the country. I can only imagine how many people you've seen and come across, who've gushed their happiness and delight to finally have the pleasure of meeting you. Just like I did. There was so much I didn't get to say in those short minutes with you, so I figured I would write you a letter to put everything into immortal words here on the internet.
First of all, you both performed incredibly. You took my breath away from the moment you sung with such passion and raw emotion. Gabrielle Ross was an incredible act who prep the stage for you, with her sassy vocals and glittery make-up. Tyler - I loved how you combined the old with the new. I found myself moved beyond words as you murmured the lyrics to 'This Is Where My Heart Breaks', and yet moments later, I was jiving along to Loaded Gun. The fact that you could create such an upbeat atmosphere, and alter towards a sombre mood so swiftly and gently was beautiful. One of my favourite memories during your set was singing along with you to Missing You. Never in my wildest teenage dreams did I ever think something like this could ever happen! Combining the nostalgia with a fresh hint of new flavour definitely left me in awe of your musical ability, and pretty jealous in fact. Thank you for entertaining me with your story about bouncy castles in Glasglow as well. Who doesn't love a good anecdote between songs?
Kate, I remember spending my afternoons listening religiously to your song tracks, and just falling in love with every inch of your lyrics. They were the soundtrack to my summer nights and winter walks. Your breathtaking rendition of 'Hallelujah' was the first I attached myself too, and when you play it that night - it somehow took me back to those very moments of my teen years. Then, when you sung, 'It's Only Life', I found myself moved beyond words. The emotion you portrayed just took me to another world, and moved me to tears. I will definitely treasure that video I recorded most when life hits me hard - as it usual does. Secretly, I do wish you had played 99 Times, No Good and I Don't Wanna Be - maybe you could next time?
You both were a huge part of my growing up. You are my childhood, teenhood and adulthood all rolled into one. You were part of the movement that inspired me. I can't believe I was blessed with the opportunity to see you perform live - how electric! And also to meet you. Words can't even describe how I feel about that moment. I only wish it could have been longer. There is no community like One Tree Hill - thank you for being an integral party of that. Thank gosh Tyler, you are no Chris Keller in real life. No matter how charmingly hilarious he is on screen, your lovely nature and personality are a pleasure to be around and witness.
The truth is One Tree Hill like for so many other people out there was my guide. It taught me the beauty of true friends, facing the struggles of relationships and life to get to the bright side of the rainbow. It taught me how to become stronger, when the entire world seems to be pushing you down. That night, I began to fall in love with One Tree Hill all over again as you revived those memories through your songs. As you sang 'Missing You' Tyler, Naley played in my head. As you Kate played It's Only Life, I vividly recall thinking this was the song that always encouraged me to take risks and pick myself up after the hard pitfalls of life. It was wonderful to be reminded of that message after all these years. I wish I could put into words how much that night meant. Tree Hill truly is my home, and you brought it to life centre stage.
They say that the best things in life are the most unexpected and they were right. I wasn't sure until six hours before the concert that I would get to be a part of that crowd that cheered you on, and I was. It was an absolute pleasure, and I can't wait until the next time we meet! Until then, I will keep replaying those memories through the videos on my phone, and pray that some day soon I may be blessed with the opportunity to see you again.
With All My Love,
Fatema
After five long years of waiting, enduring the longest dragged out mysteries in the history of television, it finally happened. The big bad A was finally revealed after all the tortuous horror Charles put little Allie and the Pretty Little Liars through. But was it really all we imagined the moment to be? Let's talk about this in glorious detail!
You've been working away at those applications on your computer trying to find your next adventure. That job that you've been searching for all along, as the unemployment label hangs over your shoulders. Regardless of what people tell you, there are actually some great benefits that come from being in unemployment, though it may not seem it at the time. Make the most of the time you have alongside the job hunt, by keeping busy and using this time to better yourself. Trust me when you have a full-time job that takes up all of your time, you'll be thanking yourself later!
1) Learning a new skill
Weather it's HTML coding, filming, painting or even baking, this is the time to try to learn something new for yourself. Not only will you learn another skill and gain experience that may potentially become beneficial for you in the future, but it'll help with you own personal growth and development during this time. Future employers will recognise this as a use of your own initiative and willingness to learn, and create opportunities for yourself.
2) Travel
If you have the money and the opportunity, go global. If not, stay local. Discover the environment around you, and appreciate the quiet atmosphere of nature and places yet undiscovered by you. Especially while the kids are still in school, and the adults are working away. Appreciate the slow time before rush hour kicks in, and before you become one of those working people. There are hidden treasures around the city you love, why not discover them?
3) Working on your Bucket List
Is there something that you've been wanting to do for a while now? Maybe learning how to ride horses? Watching all the academy classics? Now's the time to get to it. Maybe they'll inspire you in some shape or form as well! Most of the brilliant ideas in life come to us when our minds are preoccupied with another task. How many jaw-dropping ideas have you had shampooing while in the shower?
4) Spend time with friends and family
Once you're working it'll be harder to keep in touch, especially if you have to move to another city or even country. So make the most of the time you have, and create memories along the way that can cheer you up when you're feeling the blues as well. Friends and family can also provide perspective and be our sense of hope in our darkest hours, so treasure them.
5) Start a blog
Blogging is one of the most underrated fulfilling hobbies one can have. It'll give you a platform to discuss all the times you love, meet people who share similar interests and also teach you invaluable skills that you may not have learnt otherwise. The blogging community is one of the most friendliest of all on the interwebs, so why not join?
Do you have any job hunting or tips that may be helpful for the job search? Sharing is what makes the world go round!
Dear Hollywood,
I've been watching your films since I was a child. Captivated from the age of five, I've appreciated the art work and cinematography embedded in your feature film productions that inspired a generation. I fell in love with your storylines that taught me emotional integrity, and the appreciation of a good - and terrible - battle scene. I invested into characters' personalities and lives - all created by the talent behind the neon lights. Oh Hollywood, you made me fall in love with the endless possibilities of fiction and inspired me to use my imagination, when the world told me to believe in realistic cynicism.
Set in a futuristic world where the battle amongst an alien threat draws near, the Enders Game tells the story of a young boy called Ender and his journey through battle school training - a potential key to the survival of mankind.
For years and years, I have heard so many brilliant things about this novel and it truly does not disappoint. This book was incredibly thrilling and thought provoking. It explored the depths of human morality in the face of physical and ideological war. I have never felt so thoroughly amazed by a standalone - that had so much to give. This novel is incredible - and if you love dystopian fiction you need to read this now.
After all that waiting, summer is here! Lovely sunshine basking your skin on the day. Cool milkshakes to drink away the heat. The ability to leave your footsteps on the sand in the sandy beach. Such a beautiful feeling! Here are some songs to add to your summer playlist.
During my dedicated hours of television watching throughout my life, I couldn't help but notice that there are a number of songs that I would hear pretty often. Songs that are just so universally aesthetic, they can be applied to a number of situations, providing different meaning every single time. Maybe it's the fact they are pretty versatile - that they can relate and even be extracted to fit certain sequences. Through using particular parts of the song, or highlighting particular lyrics by the increasing the volume on certain aspects.
I've found these eight songs on more than one television show I've watched at least, and so here they are in their fine glory.
It's that time of year again - where graduation caps fill Instagram feeds, and universities get busy with preparing graduation memorabilia. I remember graduation day pretty vividly. Walking up those steps onto that grand stage and claiming my degree, was a feeling unlike no other. I remember feeling like I has truly conquered education, and I was on top of the world. Seriously, I wouldn't stop jumping up and down that day with such excitement. Embrace that moment, and remember that feeling as you take your first steps into adulthood.
Admiration - most people mistaken it for a crush or developing love. But true admiration is when you respect and are impressed with a person or a subject, and you can't help but feel drawn to them. And these men are exactly that - impressive and inspirational. They have accomplished so many great things in their lives, and conquered the world in ways I can only hope to do myself in future. They are people who I would love to meet someday, and would love to know more about. If only, someday could be today. So without further ado, we have ...
When I was younger, I was never really fond of reading. That may surprise you considering how I regularly post about novels and book signings. Believe me, I tried. I just could never find the right book that peeked my interest. My parents tried hard too - taking me to the library every Saturday, and asking the librarian to help find books of interest. But no matter what I read, I did not care of the stories I was reading, or the characters in these books.
In hindsight this lack of interest probably had more to do with the fact that, all the books I read were written in third person narrative. I've always preferred an much more intimate personal connection to others - a first person narrative, which is probably why those books I read never appealed to me. Somewhere along the way I just gave up. It just wasn't for me. Well ... just then anyway.
It's time for another Life Lessons segment, and today we're going to be talking about the movie Bride Wars. At first glance, Bride Wars is a cheesy rom-com - capitalising on the bridezillas of the earth, and the billion dollar wedding industry that profits from them. But the movie surprisingly has some very thoughtful and insightful moments. Not only was I entertained, but I also took away some valuable teachings from this film. So without further ado, let's begin!
In The DUFF, Bianca actively seeks to change the label attached to her name, through enlisting the help of her neighbour Wesley Rush - a charmer amongst the ladies. She finds herself on a journey discovering her identity and road to self-acceptance.
I remember when I read The DUFF at seventeen - barely out of secondary school and learning to explore the world around me. I found myself captivated by this story because it addressed so many important issues that teenagers face in the modern age; politics between families, social hierarchy between their peers, and defining labels that are so hard to get rid of. I loved the message of the book, so I was excited when I heard it would be brought to life.
Although the movie was enjoyable - it was so far from the story I had envisioned on screen. I had waited so long, only for the story to be sabotaged and destroyed on screen for no true purpose. This movie slaughtered the book I fell in love with. And while it was enjoyable, it was so far from it's true potential. What had the makings to be a brilliant story in it's own right was completely upstaged by the producers attempt to become the 'next big teen story'. So heartbreaking indeed!
The Big Bang Theory has had audiences laughing for almost eight years, but behind the humour are some questionable characteristics of representations that I haven't been able to ignore. Although I have enjoyed watching the show and admit it is quite entertaining, there are some factors within The Big Bang Theory that don't sit well with me at all. So without further ado, here are the three reasons why I have a problem with The Big Bang Theory.
Disclaimer: This is a reflectively critical post about TBBT. It is not meant to offend fans or condemn the show, but illustrate the issues within the show from a critical representational perspective, and create a space for discussion on the subject matter. Please take this into account when you read this post.
With Season Five right around the corner, now is truly the best moment to reflect back on some of Teen Wolf's iconic moments from the show. This cast has been through it all - near-life-death experiences, high school drama and identity crisis. It's safe to say it's been a whirl-wind for the Beacon Hills gang. But as we all know in true Teen Wolf fashion, the worst is far from over. Jeff Davies makes sure of that. So to prepare ourselves for the emotions yet to come, let's count down the best ten moments of Teen Wolf so far!
(PS - by no means is this a comprehensive list of every single amazing moment that Teen Wolf has had. God if it was, we would be here a really long time ;)
Note: This post contains spoilers. Readers enter at your own risk ...
To constantly put down your efforts, it is time-consuming, and often not even necessary. You need to relax. Stop that brain of yours and take a second to breathe. Ask yourself, in very that moment, did I do everything I could - with the resources available to me in that time - to the best of my ability? Think carefully with no buts. Then take a second and breathe. If the answer is no, then you have something to work on in future, which is great! More room for improvement and expansion. But if the answer is yes, then take the time to just appreciate the job you've done. No matter the outcome.
Often we are too harsh on ourselves. We need to give each other a break. You are not defined by this project you're working on. You are not defined by your mistakes either. You are defined by your essence, your soul and your personality. So take some time out of your everyday route and be kind to yourself. Treat yourself to something you love once in a while. Tell yourself even when things don't feel like they're okay, that they will be someday soon. If you aren't already, become your best friend. The world can be a cruel place, and sometimes break you in ways that aren't even imaginable. So why are you being so hard on you? Be good to you. If you don't, who will be?
Being in your 20s is an interesting period of time. You're happy, free, confused, lonely and lost all at the same time. Taking the words right out of Taylor Swift's mouth. But the thing that gives me the most comfort through this rollacoaster ride is this is where you are suppose to be. This confusion and path of uncertainty is what will lead you right to the very place that you are supposed to be. The decisions you make will somehow come together to form a beautiful picture, showing you how each moment of trumiph and despair led you this moment. But until then, we have music as our comfort. So here's what's on my 20s something mix ...
What songs do you feel encapsulate the 20s?
Image Source 1
Sometimes in life you find yourself with some free time on your hands, and just no real idea of how to fill the void. You just wish you had some kind of activity or subject to keep your mind entertained without having to break the bank. Especially all of you guys who are saving for some future plans of travel or fun. So without further ado, here are some ways of entertaining yourself for free.
Adulting // the transition from teenhood into adulthood. It's an interesting period of time, where you find yourself slowly maturing into the new and established version of your parents in the millennial form. Something you swore you would never do! It's inevitable, but it's also amazingly refreshing. This is the time where you're truly finding who you are, and who you want to be. It's miserable and magical at the same time, but that's part of its charm. How many of these factors can you relate to?
Told from the perspective of two teenagers, All The Bright Places is a story about two lost souls who find themselves struggling to come to terms with their difficult situations in life, and find a form of comfort in each other as they fall in love.
All The Bright Places has the most original and unique perspective I've read in YA fiction in a long time. It's an engaging story which left me intriguing at the very beginning, and hooked at the very end. It is truly one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read - even more than The Fault In Our Stars - and I'm so glad I picked up this book. I urge you to read this novel. All The Bright Places has a very important social message that you need to know and understand as you begin to explore the world around you and meet people from all walks of life. Everybody has their back-stories, their struggles and dramas. Some of these people may even be Theodore Finch in disguise.
Spoiler Alert - please don't read any more of this review, until you've read the book. This is a book worth reading in suspense. Trust me, you'll thank me.
On this month's challenge of A Year Of Happy, the aim is to ....
Have a dance party in your room to get those good endorphins flowing! Invite your roommates, your parents, your dog, or just go solo - then share your playlist!One thing I always love to do round this time of year is give my room a much needed spring clean. I love having that music soundtrack to keep me on track while rumaging through lost item, unwanted pieces of paper and lost hair clips that you finally found. It's so cleansing for the soul and a great way of feeling refreshes and energised just in time for the summer months. So without further ado, here is my Spring Clean playlist.
What's on yours?
Television is one the most visually engaging platforms there is. Why? Because you watch these fictional characters grow on screen through their struggles and heartaches you come to care for them. You emotionally invest in their stories and their surroundings in the comfort of your own home. You become so deeply attached and see them evolve into the person they are today. So when a particular television networks decide it's time to 'let them go', you find yourself frustrated and angry for not being able to see their story through, for not been given some kind of true conclusion to their adventures.
Sound familiar? I'm sure every single person has that one television show that they loved so dearly, cancelled way before it's time, before it reached it's climax. Over the past several years, I have found a few of my favourite TV shows ripped away from their prime glory by television executives. Here are a few of them ...
Starting off as a goofy light hearted show, The Flash has come a long way since it's first episode - setting up character arc's and grounding for the future, while entertaining audiences in the present. This show has had one of the most well rounded first seasons I've ever seen in the history of television - with the right amount of drama, intensity and relationship dilemmas. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Flash, and I urge you if you have not see this show already to watch it. Weather or not you are a fan of the comic books, I promise you it will not alienate you ...
Highlights
The characterisation of Dr Wells through this first season has been incredible. I couldn't have expected that jaw dropping outcome. From our very first glimpses into his dark self from the beginning, to uncovering mysterious of his true identity with the team, it's been an absolutely pleasure finding out the story behind Dr Wells and Eobard Thawne. Seeing everybody come together one by one and releasing the sinister nature that lurks behind those glasses was one of the best parts of this season. An evolution of a character who was once thought to be good corrupting everything he had worked to create - well that's a first!
One of my favourite and heartbreaking moments of this season is when Bary Allen goes back in time and witnesses his mother's murder. Stopped by his future self from saving her, he pulls his willpower together to resist the urge, but is rewarded by getting to speak to her one last time. It shows such courage, such depth to his character. Grant Gustin broke me down hard. That acting in that moment was so on point. That scene is one of the most iconic moments on the show so far - hands down. Guaranteed to always be remembered!
I'm so excited for the future of this show. In those final moments there were snippets of future events including an appearance from Killer Frost, Barry Allen suck in jail and an appearance from another Flash from another universe. It was utterly overwhelming, and yet I wonder if these are all from some parallel universe, now that Barry has found himself stuck inside the worm hole. What world exists if Eddie is no longer alive, meaning that Eobard Thawne never existed? My mind is boggled and I need Season 2 to explain everything to me! Come soon October, come soon!
Shortcomings
When the episode 'Out Of Time' (1x15) aired, emotions were ever so heightened. Barry had to stop a tidal wave from coming on to Central City, he and Iris were finally together and Cisco - upon discovering the truth of Dr Well's identity as the Reverse Flash - was silenced to death by Eobard Thawne. I was so sure that we had finally reached the climax - where everything was going to take off. Things were going to start blossoming to their full potential and develop further into oblivion.
But instead when the next episode aired Rogue Time (1x17), we were faced with an ordinary everyday experience at STAR Labs, fighting average crime again instead of dealing with the events of the past episode. It was a real let down, going back into a routine of introducing characters, which in that very moment I didn't have true interest in. My energy was so focused on weather the group would the identity of Dr Wells, my interest began to falter. I wish they had given us something significant to tie us over - like Eobard Thawne conferring with Gideon on his future plans, or his thoughts on Barry's time travel experiences. It really would have helped transition the excitement accordingly - instead of leaving everyone so disorientated!
Conclusions
The Flash has a wonderfully enriched blossoming future ahead, and everything we have seen is only the beginning. From the villians we have yet to face, to future wormholes and universes I'm so excited to see what Barry Allen will face next. It's clear to say that Season 1 has been a well rounded set up for the future, but what the future holds only October will show. So excited!
So what did you think of this season of The Flash? Hit or Miss?
After finally escaping the maze, the gladers find themselves face to face with creators who put them there, and deep within The Scorch Trials - which may be the toughest obstacle they've faced in their journey so far.
When I first saw the trailer to The Scorch Trials, I wasn't really sure how I felt about the complete detour the producers had taken from the book - to be excited at the possibilities of this change or horrified that this adaptation is straying so far from its original path with no true return. But after getting over the initial shock, I feel so excited!
As you may recall from my book review of The Scorch Trials, that I had really enjoyed the book, but had found that at certain intervals James Dashner has truly dragged out the story line. This caused that ever so gripping mystery to turn stale until it's climax. These changes in the story may help prevent that from happening, and it can help to create a more well rounded story that can stand on it's on as well! So much potential, so much further development from the books. Can September come any sooner please?
Continuing on from the fatal fall that left Oliver Queen on the brink of death, Season 3B finds itself exploring consequences of past actions and mysterious of the Arrow's future in Sterling City. Team Arrow find themselves soul searching and questioning their identity outside of Oliver, while trying to keep Starling city safe. So many mysterious and events lurk in the path of Team Arrow, as they collide against the league of assassins forces and the devil Malcolm Merlyn himself.
This season blew my mind. It's crazy that our biggest concern was about weather Oliver was truly alive. Who knew there were actually things worse than death and being imprisoned on an deserted island for five years? What started of as an identity crisis for Team Arrow turned into a fight for survival, where trust is no longer a given.
Between Olicity, a budding relationship developing between Felicity and Ray Palmer, and tension between Team Arrow and the league, this season was jam-packed and so thrilling! It's only unfortunate that the season finale rushed it's end conclusion, tying up storyline way too neatly packaged.
Spoiler Alert: Readers enter at your own risk.
Whenever you flick through university catalogues, you'll always finds statistics of what graduates are up to six months down the line. When I was applying to university almost four and a half years ago now, I remember how important I thought league tables and graduation statistics were. I remember considering them to be the holy grail of life and success. I paid extra attention to those statistics of where my peers - years ahead of me - were going, and what they has achieved. I remember thinking clearly to myself that the people who weren't employed simply hadn't tried hard enough. After all if you went to a good university and worked hard during those years, it is impossible to not get a job straight after completing education. That is the end goal right? A job? But I was entirely wrong.
There are so many lessons you can learn from fiction, from how to deal with heartbreak and what not to do when you enter the woods. Earlier this year I watched the fantastic movie musical Into The Woods, which takes all the classic fairy-tales we know and love, and explores the dark consequences that come from their ultimate wishes.
As you probably know from my review, I was absolutely captivated and enchanted by the film and fell deeply in love with it's soundtrack. But the more and more I think about it, this story has some real life valuable lessons that you can learn from. So without further ado, here are a few ....
Continuing on from last month's mixtape - Oh So Brokenhearted - I've decided to compile together songs to give some creative inspiration to the writers out there trying to cultivating a living and loving romance. And also to the music lovers out there who want a few songs to listen to - as well.
Personally, I've always found the turning point in novels and stories, of when a main character begins to fall for someone to be so intriguing and ever so endearing. Love - or deep like even - when it's most unexpected is the most adorable. Life is unpredictable at the best of times. You truly can't control what your heart feels, and sometimes you can't even see it coming. It starts with admiration, and slowly but surely becomes something more. Then again love can hit you like a ton of bricks too can't it? Completely irrational and unpredictable.
So dedicated to all of you crushing on someone out there, weather you've met them for the first time or known them for a while now, this is for you.
What do Miley Cyrus, Arianna Grande, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato all have in common? They were once all children, who dreamed of taking the stage and performing with all their heart and soul to a crowd that would listen. Children who actually managed to reach that dream before they hit their 20s. The teens who have literally grow up in the limelight, and have fortunately, developed successful careers in Hollywood. But they did not make it there un-scarred.
As these young stars have grow up, they've found it difficult to mature into adulthood and shed their childhood star images. Why? Because that's what people have come to recognise them as - child stars. Individuals who literally embody the essence of childhood - especially those who grew up alongside them, watching them year after year right before their eyes.
Once you're a child starlet - especially a Disney one - you can't really escape. The world has watched you grow up in front of their very eyes, and they are not quite ready to let that image go. Being pigeon-holed in this way makes it very difficult for the world to take you seriously, especially as you attempt to develop as an artist and mature into a young adult. These child stars are almost imprisoned in the image of these roles, which gave them their stardom with no true escape; no light at the end of media scrutiny. The irony! So what do many of them do? The extreme opposite to shed and reject that very image.
I remember in my first year of university, I took a module which discussed how woman in popular culture were either stereotyped to be innocent or promiscuous. There was no 'true' middle ground. When you take a look at the recent examples of Disney/Nick child stars, it's hard to not ignore that theory. Sometimes the only way these artists have found to truly break out of that image, is by crossing the ultimate line defying the image they once held. Rejecting any form of innocence entirely. While I accept that everyone has a right and is granted the freedom of creative personal expression, it's almost like these stars have been unconsciously pushed into making their choices. Would they have presented themselves this way, if they didn't have this stigma held over them? If they were coming into their careers now, would this have been the route - or the even image - they would have chosen?
It's not fair that these young adults are being judged and held accountable for moral responsibility, purely because they reached their fame as kids. The amount of pressure that puts on a young adult who is still trying to figure out who they are is cruel and unjust. But unfortunately it's a system that's hard to change, but maybe discussing it can be the first step forward. Even just acknowledging it can be healthy step towards changing the status quo.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Image Source 1 2 3 / Edited by Creative in Arts
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