Just an FYI--this post has a real spoiler alert (Like they all don't--Haha!) But, if you haven't read the books, this could actually sort of ruin the series for you. I recommend skipping this post and reading the next one. ;)
Day 5 - Saddest Moment
I know that I may be agreeing with the majority here, but the saddest part of the Harry Potter series was when Dumbledore died. I don't think that I have ever cried that much over a book…even when I read Where the Red Fern Grows. Dumbledore was a huge part of why I loved the books, and I was devastated when he died. I understand why he died and what purpose it served in the long haul, but he will always be one of the ultimate heroes in the book to me.
Things have been sort of crazy lately. I haven't been able to sleep, which I think has a lot to do with my pillow. I really want an Alpaca pillow! (LINK) Look at that thing! It is magnificent!!! I have to admit that I have a thing about pillows. I have like 7 of them, but I am always on the lookout for better pillows! If you have any suggestions, let me know!!! I am a stomach and side sleeper. IDK if that matters, but yeah.
Well, that is it. I hope you re all doing well! I actually get the chance to speak in church on Sunday. I am WAY nervous about it, but I'm sure it will end up okay.
I leave you with a "Harlem Shake" video. SUPER hilarious and random! :)
I'm posting more than once in a week! Aren't you so proud of me??? Anyway--here is the HP Challenge:
Day 4 - Favorite Villain
Favorite villain, huh? Well, I have a few, but I'll do what I did last time and pick one from the books and one from the movie.
From the books, my favorite villain is Rita Skeeter. I completely hated her in the book. I was so indignant at how she portrayed Harry, and was outraged at how heartless she was! I know that she was not the most evil of the villains in the book, but just the fact that she was lying to the public and they believed her mad em so upset while reading the books. She got hers though.
In the movies, my favorite villain is Snape for sure. Aside from the amazing story that surrounds the character (is he REALLY a villain???), I LOVED Alan Rickman in the role. He did an amazing job of portraying Snape. I loved to hate him! Haha!
Villains in Harry Potter are almost as important as the heroes in the story. Harry would not have grown to be the man he was at the end if it weren't for the Dursley's, Snape, Rita, Voldemort, Wormtail, Greyback, Bellatrix, and everyone else. Those people helped to shape the world that Harry became the hero of just as much as the good guys.
It's the same with our lives. Would I have been happier without some of the villains in my life? Yes. Would I be the person I am today without them? No. I may have become more than I am, but I am happy with where I am in life and what I have accomplished.
I was bullied a lot in high school by a group of people that I considered my closest friends. I won't lie by telling you that I am completely over it, but I do know that I went my own way and have found success on my own terms.
When you are different or special, people can get jealous or angry
because you are outshining them. People often will try to knock you down
or take what is special about you away. It's hard to stand up to
that...especially when you can't see the world past the hate surrounding
you. However, I would encourage you to see the world for the beauty
that is there. You are special. You are wonderful. Don't let anyone take
that away from you. You don't have to be the same as the people around
you to find happiness. You can rise above it all and find real joy.
Shine the way you are. Things get better. :)
Well, that's it for today. I really hope that you have a fantastic
weekend. I was on YouTube the other day and found something that will
make some of you smile... :) It is AMAZING!!
It's a Tuesday, and a post by my good friend Carol reminded me that I needed to blog today. Here is the HP Challenge--
Day 3 - Favorite Character
These are pretty tough! Haha!!! I love everyone in the book. They were written so well...but if I had to choose a character in the book (no movie influence) that is my favorite, it would probably be Hermione. She is the most loyal friend to Harry, and she is amazingly smart and clever. I'm actually surprised that she is in Gryffindor House because she fits the profile of Ravenclaw much better. However, I guess if she was in Ravenclaw that she wouldn't have been able to be a part of Harry's crazy world. You have to wonder if the reason she was sorted into Gryffindor is due to the fact that her, Ron, and Harry's destinies were intertwined. Wouldn't that be cool if the sorting hat knew what would happen and placed Hermione, Ron, and Harry together intentionally, so they could save the planet from Voldemort? It is an interesting thought...
With movie influence, I would say that my favorite is Neville (aka Matt Lewis). Aside from the fact that he came out of the movies the best looking of all of those guys--he was freaking amazing in the movies. It takes a skilled actor to make you think he is a loser, and then flip it on you and become a stud. Seriously. I thought for sure that he was super lame, and that he could/would be replaced later in the movie series...boy was I wrong!!! Haha! He is freaking beautiful!
I also LOVED the first Dumbledore in the movies. He was so loveable and a sweet old man. When they changed directors, I always had the feeling that there was a darkness surrounding Dumbledore's character. Adversely, in the books (even as a darkness actually DID start surrounding Dumbledore), I always felt he was a beacon of light, hope, and positivity. It is interesting how that came across to me--as I am sure many people have completely different opinions.
Anyway, things are pretty cool here.I work, go home and do school...Not really a lot to report. Oh, actually--I do have something! A couple friends and I became screeners for a locally run documentary film festival (www.docutah.com). We are starting tonight, so I'm pretty excited!
Thanks for reading and tolerating my obsession for the Harry Potter series. As a reward, I leave you with this:
Well, this week has been crazy. Aside from battling procrastination (which is an hourly battle, let me tell you...) I have had to do school, been doing some side jobs, and have been busy doing regular work too! Hehe! It's all good. I like to be busy. It's tiring, but I figure I'll sleep when I'm dead. I'm also sort of not excited about today's challenge, but here it is:
Day 2 - Least Favorite Book in the Series
Book 2 for sure (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). I have never liked book 2 as much as I like the others. I can't really put my finger on why. It is just...not my favorite at all.
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. I have an awesome wedding to go to, and it's exciting. :) Anyway, have a great weekend and I'll see you on the flippity flop!
I know. I'm late. If you know me at all, I am usually. However, I can honestly say that this time I was legitimately busy with school and work. Anywho moving right along.
LET THE HARRY POTTER CHALLENGE BEGIN!
Day 1 - Favorite Book in the Series Whoo! Hitting it hard right out of the gate, huh? This is a super tough question. I totally love the entire series, but I think probably book 4 is my favorite (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).
The tri-wizard tournament is such a great platform to introduce the scope of the wizarding world. Plus, I really think that it is the first time Harry feels the weight of who he is and what he is capable of for the first time in the series. I love the Hermione/Ron dynamic in the book and how Ron is incredibly jealous of Viktor Krum, but cannot admit it. I just really really love the book and think it's super fun.
As I'm thinking about it, I also enjoyed the fact that it was sort of before Harry started brooding over the fact that he has to save the world. It's still a semi-innocent time for him in that he is just emerging out of his naivete into a world that is much darker and intense than he expects. I also loved how long it was. This was the first SUPER long book in the series and I just couldn't/can't get enough!!!
My favorite line from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is...well, I have a few. Here is the one I found the funniest:
"Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers. "I'm not putting them on," said old Archie in indignation. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."
Here is the most inspiring:
"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."
And the most quintessentially Hogwarts:
"By Gryffindor, the bravest were Prized far beyond the rest; For Raven claw, the cleverest Would always be the best; For Hufflepuff, hard workers were Most worthy of admission; And power-hungry Slytherin Loved those of great ambition."
I'm not sure if I told you that I am a part of Pottermore. It's super fun because you get a wand, and you get sorted into a house... IDK. Maybe I'm just a huge nerd... ;) Anyway, I was sorted into the Hufflepuff house. At first I was OUTRAGED. Seriously. How could I be in Hufflepuff when I was so OBVIOUSLY a Gryffindor? I mean, really? C'mon Jo Rowling. Hehe.
However, after doing some reading on Hufflepuff on and off the Pottermore site, I realized that I am a Hufflepuff. Here is some light reading on the Harry Potter wiki on what Hufflepuffs are: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Hufflepuff
And Jo (aka J.K. Rowling...did you know we're on a first name basis?) herself said this of Hufflepuff House:
"This may surprise people, but it is the truth...In many, many ways, Hufflepuff is my favorite House. Here's my reasoning, bear with me. There comes a point in the final book where each House has the choice whether or not to rise to a certain challenge, and that's everyone in the House. The Slytherins, for reasons that are understandable, decide they'd rather not play. The Ravenclaws, some decide they will, and some decide they won't. The Hufflepuffs, virtually to a person, stay, as do the Gryffindors. Now, the Gryffindors comprise a lot of foolhardy and show-offy people, that's just the way it is, I'm a Gryffindor, I'm allowed to say it. You know, there's bravery, and there's also showboating, and sometimes the two go together. The Hufflepuffs stayed for a different reason; they weren't trying to show off, they weren't being reckless, that's the essence of Hufflepuff House. [...] I can only say to you, that I would not be at all disappointed to be sorted into Hufflepuff House."
I hope I'm not coming off as defensive. I merely want to educate you on Hufflepuff House...which is actually why I love Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the most...because it is the only book that has a Hufflepuff in the spotlight--Cedric Diggory. :) Growing up I had the HUGEST crush on him. Yes, he was a bit thick...but he was loyal and had integrity. Way to represent Cedric.
So, that's it for today. I'm not sure if the Harry Potter Challenge will be a daily thing, but I am going to try to post when I can (or more accurately when I remember...sorry!). For now, I leave you with a little bit of my own magic. :)
Anyway--how have ya been? Hopefully your New Year has been incredible so far. Mine has been good...there has been foreshadowing for how tough this year will be for me, but I look forward to it. I think I've come to the conclusion that I operate at my best when there is a little adversity going on.
I am turning 29 this year which happens on the 29th of March. People call it your star year or golden year or whatever. I think with all the stress and craziness that I can foresee that something incredible will come of it.
One of my resolutions this year is getting better at journaling my life. I am doing this in a couple of ways: through and actual journal--yes, these still exist; through an app I Kickstarted called 1 Second Everyday; and through this blog.
Last year I feel like I was not as positive as I could have been on this thing. Most of my struggles in the last year have been personal in nature, and I have used this as an outlet for sure. However, THIS YEAR I am planning on taking it to the next level. You all take the time to read what I have to say, so I will make sure that it is fun and quirky...just like I typically am!
Moving right along...
If you know me at all, you know that I love to read. I get VERY involved in the storyline. I don't know if "involved" is really even a strong enough word...but I can't think of anything else yet. So, like Harry Potter... I LOVE Harry Potter. I wish Jo Rowling could write that story forever. It doesn't even have to be books either. Like Dr. Who. I started watching the more recent seasons... I freaking LOVE that show man. Anyway. Harry Potter. I am literally addicted to it. I love it more than life. I am a part of this cool website called Pottermore--which actually perpetuates the story and creates a more robust imaginary world surrounding it (like I needed it)...but yeah. Love it.
SO--a part of this year is going to be a 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge. :) You guys get to actually see in real life how crazy for the books I am and why. ;) I am pretty serious about it, so there may be philosophical stuff going on... IDK yet. I'm not sure where it will take us, but know this--it will be amazing. I'll start it tomorrow, but here are the days if anyone wants to follow suit:
30 DAY HARRY POTTER CHALLENGE Day 1 - Favorite Book in the Series Day 2 - Least Favorite Book in the Series Day 3 - Favorite Character Day 4 - Favorite Villain Day 5 - Saddest Moment Day 6 - Favorite Professor Day 7 - Least Favorite Professor Day 8 - Favorite Subject Day 9 - Least Favorite Subject Day 10 - Favorite Shop in Diagon Alley Day 11 - Most Beautiful Character Day 12 - Most Missed Dead Character Day 13 - Favorite Book Cover Day 14 - Favorite Tri-Wizard Tournament Challenge Day 15 - Rate the Houses From Most to Least Favorite Day 16 - Favorite Animagus Day 17 - Favorite Unforgivable Curse Day 18 - Favorite Horcrux Day 19 - Favorite Deathly Hallow Day 20 - Funniest Moment Day 21 - Most Emotional Moment Day 22 - Aspired Quidditch Position Day 23 - Favorite Patronus Day 24 - What You Think Your Patronus Would Be Day 25 - Favorite Dursley Day 26 - Favorite Wand Day 27 - Favorite Magical Ability (Animagi Transformation, Metamorphmagi, Parselmouth, Flying, Seer, Appartion and Disapparition, Legilimency and Occlumency, Veela Charm, Magical Resistance) Day 28 - Favorite Death Eater Day 29 - Favorite Portrait Day 30 - Favorite Spell
You know...even though I am 28, I still feel like people treat me like a kid most of the time. I know that I am still really young, but I also think it's because no one really knows how old I am.
That's actually fine with me because it makes the moment when I feel like an "adult" much more poignant and important to me.
Here are some things that make me feel like an adult:
• When I walk into the post office to check my mail
• When I have a 4 digit balance in my bank account
• When I see young kids around town and think, "I remember when I was that young."
Well, I think I've officially crossed the threshold into adulthood. Why, you ask?
I bought a house.
Hehe. I know, right? There is a pretty long story involved, and eventually I may tell it to some of you. However, it ends with me buying a house and finally feeling like I've earned my adult card. :) (Does calling it an "adult card" instantly disqualify me??? ;))
Anyway. I'm way excited about it! It feels like I'm finally moving forward with my life! It's scary at the same time...it is a really big responsibility. BUT, it feels good. I like knowing that I have a place that's mine. AND I like knowing that if I need to, I can take care of my family and that I have a place for them. It's empowering.
Beyond that, I leave for vacation in two weeks.I'm way excited. It should be a great one. FB me or call if you want to see me! :)
Just an FYI--this post has a real spoiler alert (Like they all don't--Haha!) But, if you haven't read the books, this could actually sort of ruin the series for you. I recommend skipping this post and reading the next one. ;)
