Perks (A review)

I read the book "Perks of Being a Wallflower" in November during Nutcracker season. I loved the book and actually read it in under 24 hours. Tonight (last night-whatever) I had a movie night with my cousin who is home from college. After watching part of Magic Mike (entertaining-yes, but it got old fast) we decided to watch the movie. Neither of us had seen it and my cousin hadn't read the book. It was honestly the best, most emotional movie I have ever seen.

 Since I haven't read the book in such a long time, I can't really give a fair comparison but from what I did remember the movie held pretty closely to the story with the exception of there being less focus on Charlie's family. The acting was fantastic, Logan Lerman was the perfect Charlie. He was exactly how I pictured him. Emma Watson was perfect as usual. She played the role of an "outcast" amazingly. I really liked the character Candice (Nina Dobrev) and wished that she had a bigger part.

As far as the plot goes, I really like that I could relate to some parts, wish I could relate to some parts and cry about others. All of the characters were both relate-able and easy to sympathize with. The main plotline was both based on extraordinary events and very relevant events. The entire film was very heavy emotionally. I'm not one to cry during movies, but on several occasions there were some tears.

For those of you who read the book, the poem that Micheal gave to Charlie was not in the movie but I just wanted to let all of you know that tonight as I re-read it I got ridiculous goose-bumps and again wanted to cry. Another thing the movie/book has is amazing quotes. From "we accept the love we think we deserve" to "In that moment we were infinite", there are just so many. Just do a Google search.

Like I said before, this is easily the best movie I've seen in I don't know how long. I recommend that each and every person gets a chance to watch/read it.

Blood Donation!

Today our school had a blood drive and I donated my blood! In the past I've been under the weight requirement but I think they relaxed it a little this year. I was definitely nervous. I ate a big breakfast that included eggs and my usual breakfast drink. My appointment was the first one at 8:30am. My friend and I got down there and they didn't take us until a little later.

The first thing we had to register and drink a bottle of water and read some information about donating. After that a nurse took me into this little cubicle and asked me some questions and then pricked my finger for a blood sample (I didn't think it was bad, though most people say that that's the worst part). She used the sample to see if I had enough iron in my blood, which I did. She, like most doctor's was skeptical that I would have enough since I'm a vegetarian. I actually really like my nurse, we talked about cooking Easter brunch and pintrest. After that I had to do a survey on the computer. Then she came back and got that all set and I went to the bathroom.

The next part was the actual donation. I laid down on the table and my nurse explained what she was going to do. Then she marked my veins (which she said where nice) and put on the iodine treatment. After this I turned my head the other way because blood and needles make me queasy. She got me set up and I was good to go (minus the slight burn from the iodine, which is normal). The donating took less than ten minutes and I was ok up until the end. I started to feel really weak. I was very happy when she came over and said I was done. Most people say the get light headed, I didn't feel like that but I felt like I was going to cry. I wasn't in pain, but you know how your face feels right before you cry? That's how I felt. I laid down on the bed for a little while and then went over to get snacks and a drink. They had a fantastic selection. I also got an iHop coupon and a t-shirt.

Throughout the rest of the day I was fine, but I did feel dizzy/felt like I was going to cry after lunch. I was also very tired. People also told me I looked paler than normal. I was lucky though, because quite a few people did pass out. One girl actually had to go to the hospital, but they found out that she has mono so it wasn't just the donation. Another girl actually passed out when she saw the first girl pass out. That was one of the scariest things I've ever seen (she didn't even donate blood). I honestly felt like I was going to faint after that. Anyways I made it home and had to take off the bandage thing, that hurt a lot.

I think that the donation was worth it, but I'm not planning on donating again anytime soon! I would tell everyone who is donating to PLEASE eat and drink a lot before you donate. And take it easy afterwords!

To my dearest sister

To my dearest sister (age 11),

As you begin to gracefully enter your teen years, I will be leaving mine behind. I’m sure that you have heard many a time that your years as a teenager will be the best of your life. I can’t help but agree. As a sixth grader this year I’m sure that you are already beginning to realize this. I hope that the rest of my letter will provide you with a look at what is in store for you, as well as offer my advice.

In my eyes being a teen girl is much more fun than a teen boy. As a member of the female species, your body will magically morph from that of a little princess to a wonderfully awkward potato. I can’t describe it any other way. Some days you’ll rejoice because what’s better than being the base of French fries and potato chips? Other days you’ll realize how strange you actually look, but don’t worry it’ll pass rather painlessly. In addition, there’s no doubt your face will become distorted and you’ll have a 2 year streak of bad hair days, but that builds character right?

Who cares what you look like anyways? If you do turn into the type of person who looks in the mirror at least once a day, you’ll discover fantastic goop known as “beauty products”. You’ll be able to transform your potato self into a beautiful goop covered potato. But never fear, with some hard work, you can even make it look “natural”.  Most of your “friends” will also become interested in what you’re wearing. Now, clothing is tough because if you wear what everyone else does you’ll get busted for copying, but if you wear something different you’ll be sentenced to the “loser table” for being weird.

Being sent to anywhere but the popular table is social suicide. Having a clique of girlfriends is an integral part of surviving your teen years. What teen experience would be complete without a group of girls who eat lunch together every day and have Saturday night slumber parties and wear pink? Now beautiful adolescent sister, these girls probably seem like they will be the most important people in your life, so you should probably go and introduce yourself now, right?

Another one of my favorite parts of being a teen is when your potato self falls head over heels for some equally awkward boy. Of course you won’t see him as awkward; he’ll be the most beautiful thing to ever grace the face of the earth. No matter what he says or does, he’ll always be perfect. Always. Now at this point, you’ll probably go gossip to all of your pink wearing friends about this magnificent creature and they will do one of two things. The first (and more desirable) is tear him apart, crushing all of your hopes and dreams. The second is that they will inform you that they saw him first, and is therefore off limits. Regardless, that one will end quickly and you’ll emerge without any wounds.

Of course, all of those fun things happen in middle school. High school is the real adventure. High school is where memories are made, dreams come true, and where you’ll fall in love with the star football player and promptly get married. You’ll also be interested to know that people change a lot between middle and high school. Your little clique? Here’s my guess- one will get hooked on drugs, one will be the good girl, another a two faced…witch, someone’s gonna get pregnant, one of you will be that girl no one likes and one will be the resident wild child. Which one are you gonna be? My point is that middle school clique is gonna fall apart you you’ll get to make new friends. Isn’t that fun?

On top of all of your friends, you’ll have school work that matters now! I don’t know about you but nothing screams fun like the weight of your entire future riding on each and every test you take. As early as your freshman year you’ll get to learn all about college and how awesome it’s going to be.  Since I know you’re just as smart as me, you’ll most likely get roped into some sort of academic society. Don’t worry, it’ll be fun (and it’s much more than another line on your resume).

Around September of your junior year, you and all of your “friends” will become obsessed with the word “prom”. Believe me; I still get chills thinking about it. Prom is the be all and end all event of your high school existence. They say it’s even more important than getting married. Anyways you’ll spend all year looking at dresses and gossiping about prom dates. Because you’re going to go to the same school as I did, I trust you’ll have plenty of options. From the boy who keeps breaking your heart to that gorgeous senior to that kid you liked back in middle school, you’ll find someone. I’m sure you’ll have fun getting all dolled up, but the actual dance is the best. Since the school is so small you’ll practically have the whole dance floor to yourself, how romantic!

Somehow darling, you will find yourself half way through your senior year. You will be sitting on your bed like I am now, probably researching colleges. Or feeding your baby, or popping pills…depending on which person you chose to be. Anyways, at this point you’ll probably only have one or two friends left, the rest are too busy for you with their boyfriends and other petty things. I bet those pesky boys have stopped tugging on your heart strings (don’t worry; you can still probably steal a dance at their weddings!) I hope at this point you realize that you are a much better person than you feel like, and on the off chance that you’ve had a mental breakdown recently, congrats on surviving! Wasn’t that fun? Your teen years will be the ones you look back on and smile about, so make them worth it!

Your favorite sister,

Holly  

My Darling Sister

 

 

Late night thoughts

Ok, so my life has been basically flipped upside down by senior year. Everything has changed and continues to change amazingly fast.

 I have basically decided that I will be at Salem State next year, it's absolutely ridiculous to me to imagine paying back the amount of loans that I would acquire at a non-public in-state university. I'm ok with this, it's just really hard seeing everyone post in our Sweet Briar Accepted Students 2017 group about how they have sent in their deposits and everything. It's also really frustrating trying to get people to understand that just because you're not poor doesn't mean you can afford a private college. I hate that people can literally just pay their way into college. I worked so hard for the past four years to keep my grades up and I did get huge merit scholarships to the schools that I did apply to. They just weren't big enough. Ok, college rant done.

Another thing I'm troubled by is my "social life". Maybe it's just a senior year thing, but I have no idea who my friends are anymore. One second I think someone likes me, the next they're telling the world how much they hate me. Who knows? Maybe I'm better off friendless.

Speaking of friendless, I've been bitten by the wanderlust bug. I want to travel and see the world. On my summer bucket list is getting in the car on a Friday evening and driving all night and stopping when the sun comes up on Saturday. I'll spend the weekend in whatever little (or big) town I end up in and drive home Sunday night. I feel like that is the most spontaneous thing I could do, and I love it! Also, sleeping in the bed of the pick-up truck and stargazing is on the list.

I have some pretty big plans and just wanted to get them out there. I'll have more for you later!

Where to begin...

I don't even know where to start. These past couple months have been so unbelievably crazy. The most recent "big-deal issue" for me has been college. I've gotten in to all my schools except Elon (which I find out about on Friday) and my two last minute state schools (it'll be awhile). The frustrating thing is that this past Friday I came to the terrible, awful realization that unless I went to a state school I would be out 100K after four years. I would then continue in grad school for another 4 and be even more indebt. Since December I've been in love with the idea of going to Sweet Briar in Virginia, but literally had a mental breakdown when I realized that I just can't afford it. My parents have explained that they simply can't contribute to my education, as they have other things (like my sisters and house) to take care of. I totally understand but I'm just heartbroken. Since I came to the understanding that I'm most likely going to end up at a state school I feel like the last four years have been a waste of my stress. I have put so much effort into grades and the SATs in order to get into a prestigious school that is now no longer an option. I just wish I had been made more aware of these realities.

In other news, it's prom season again! I don't have a date or a dress but I hope that will change soon, there's nothing I adore more than dressing up. (Refer to last year's post: http://caught-in-reverie.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-know-how-time-flies.html)

I can't believe how fast senior year is wrapping up, it's absolutely crazy.

I'll keep you posted,
Holly