I Am A Storyteller

Hello Everyone,

So recently I came across the realization that I am a story teller. Yes, that old person who sits around fires doing nothing because they have lived an entire life, telling other people bits of wisdom and humorous satires. Maybe not that majestic, but I would like to think of myself as that kind of person.

I was walking and talking with my friend Alyssa, not this one, and she was telling me a story. Correction.  She told me a sentence about her day. I laughed and looked her in the eye, saying," If that was me, this is how I would say it."

Not changing a fact, but embellishing the truth, I retold her information.  We both laughed as I acted out the part of a girl being poked in the eye, and I spoke of the lesson I learned from not watching where I walked.

But this alone was not what got me thinking about how I am a storyteller.  For one event cannot cause a label like that to be true.

Later I sat in the car with Alyssa, yes this one, speaking of something that happened to me that day.  I had to tell a back story for her to understand this story, than went on a rant with a few more that I had.  We both laughed, and I accidently ran into my car horn in my uncontrollable squeals scaring the other students who were heading home.

It got me to thinking, I love telling stories.  I just love it.  I have lived some great times too! Why don't I tell stories?

So on here, whenever I have a new or old story to tell, I will be sharing them with you.  Mostly funny, a few meaningful, and maybe one or two sad. But I would really like to share something with you guys, and I hope that these let you know a little more about us, and how crazy my life really is.

Love,
Amanda

Fangirl Fridays: Mia Thermopolis

Here's one thing about growing up; sometimes you can't properly cherish something for what it's worth until you get older. That said, I don't think I fully realized how great Princess Diaries was in its time, nor did I realize how much I could relate to Mia Thermopolis.

First, let's be clear, I am not a princess and Julie Andrews is not my grandmother (oh how I wish), but Mia is one of us. For one thing, she is socially awkward. Prime examples include setting fire to a diplomat's sleeve and getting a brain freeze from pear ice-cream, all in the same night might I add. That said, watching the movie made me realize the extent of our similarities, especially in terms of our shared athletic ineptitude as well.

But most importantly she is seemingly invisible to the masses, and she has no intention of becoming visible any time soon. As an introvert, I relish sometimes in anonymity. Part of this is because I am modest; I don't like attention drawn to me, because then awkward levels rise and self-consciousness settles in.  I think that's why it's so easy to relate to Mia; she exhibits all the trials and tribulations that all teenagers undergo (i.e. puking during a school debate or just being sat on). But  when her royal grandmother drops in, all of sudden the spotlight is on her whether she likes it or not. Thus the movie follows her story as she tries to grow accustomed to her new role. Inevitably it got to her head, but who wouldn't? She shows that even the most down-to-earth people can succumb to the temptation of popularity.  I don't believe that the world is made up of introverts and extroverts; rather, we both carry traits of each group, with one being more prominent than the other. That said, I think all of us have a part that likes being heard. We like to be acknowledged. It's what we do with the attention that we're given that matters the most.

 It really hit home in the end when Mia reads a letter from her deceased father saying that the "brave may die, but the cautious never live". Watching the movie as 17 year-old teenager trying to come to terms with an impending future racked with the unknown and responsibility, I realized that I shouldn't be so afraid of speaking out. Towards the end, Mia makes a speech, soaking wet wearing a hoodie and jeans, awash with a new sense of confidence, where she accepts her role as princess. By accepting this role, she understands that importance of using your voice to change words into actions. With that she embraces herself, coming to terms with the influence that she has so that she can make a difference in the world.

So within the span of 2 hours, we see the transition of a socially awkward teen to an awe-inspiring princess which goes to show that having a voice isn't such a bad thing after all. That is why I love this movie so much: it is the perfect mix of humor and wit wrapped up with a wonderful moral message that any generation can take with them. And that's why I admire Mia Thermpolis, because she taught us that we can grow out of our awkwardness and that princess or not, you have every right to speak your mind.

Movie Review: The Maze Runner

Hello Everyone,

This past weekend I went to go see The Maze Runner in theatres.  I was fortunate to see it very quickly after it came out, one day exactly. 

If you could care less and just want to know about this movie, skip this paragraph.

Now I must confess something before I share my review...
I am one of those crazy fans that reads books years before they are movies and then judge people when they watch the movie first.  No, your argument on why the movie is better is not valid, please try again never.
But I picked up the maze runner a few years ago to read the back. Boy stuck in maze. Cool. No memory. Awesome. Girl comes along. Bleh. All are teenagers. Juvenile. And I promptly returned the book to the shelf, never to read it. 
Recently I saw the Giver, dang another book I forgot to read, and they played the trailer for the maze runner.  IT LOOKED AMAZING. I texted Alyssa on the way home knowing she had read it. Two questions is the only thing I needed: is it a romance and is it juvenile? No and no.
Life got in the way, and I saw the movie first.  I am now in the process of reading the book and love it, so just remember this review is coming from someone who hasn't read the entirety of the book.

Click picture to follow link.

So the movie went something like this.

Running.
Trapped.
Running.
Asian kid saying," You are dead."
Thomas being like," Nah brah I got this."
Running for his life.
Death.
Running.
Chronicles of Narnia brat continuing to be a brat.
Running.
Death.
Escape?


If you know nothing about this movie, here is quick review that will give no spoilers.
Thomas wakes up in a cage with no memory, surrounded by teenage boys and four giant walls. He is quickly accepted into the society that was made by these teens, but is constantly questioning what is outside the walls, the maze.  Each morning runners go out amongst the ever changing paths looking for a way out.  But they must return before the gates close or they will be trapped and killed by creatures called Grievers that haunt the maze at night.
Everything is going well until Thomas asks too many questions.  Than people start being attacked. When Thomas breaks one too many rules, the clan is try to decide his future, only to find another person has come into their society through the cage. But this time it is a girl.
With more attacks happening and some even during the day, the group must decide: trust Thomas, a newbie kid who has brought them into trouble or fight a battle that seems hopeless.

So pretty awesome sounding. The movie never had a dull moment. It went from wrestling scenes to attacks to running. Let me just say there was lots of running. The movie really connects the viewer to the characters, and in the final scenes when everything changes, tears might (probably will) be brought to your eyes.

This movie is a must see. While it does not follow the book exactly, it still hold the basic information and tells the story of survival in an intense action packed way. I am planning on seeing it again after I have read it, if that tells you anything about how much I loved it!

Enjoy,
Amanda

Attending Hell

Hello Everyone,

I figured that Alyssa and I had been working on our series for a while now so I wanted to write a post about something else.

School has been very busy for both of us.  Being seniors, we have school and college preps and extra circulars and sports and clubs. Blogging just has to come second most days, if even at all. I'm sure that most of you can understand that one though.

But something else happened to me today, something that could happen to any introvert. (Or any person really)

I needed to be checked out of school at 1:30 to go to an appointment.  I went to the attendance and had it all worked out so that she would call me down a few minutes before to sign out.

So I went all day enjoying the fact that I would get out of Spanish 40 minutes early. I am sure that everyone has had that feeling, the joy of knowing you will get to skip out of a room filled with kids working their fingers to death. You, feeling the brisk air on your walk into freedom....

1:25 came around and no call.  My teacher knew I needed to leave so she asked if I wanted a pass to go.  I said I would wait for the call.

1:30 came and no call.  My teacher offered another pass, but I again I said I could wait.

1:35 came and no call.  My teacher didn't even ask but just slipped me the pass in a silent agreement that my swagger of joy would now just be a quiet meander of shame. No call means no bragging.

I arrived to the office and she was on the phone. She, the woman who held the fate of my release in her hands, or on her desk I guess.

I waited till 1:40 for her to get off the phone.  Just stood there feeling like nothing.

When she did put the phone down, she looked me in the eyes and in the most annoyed, demeaning voice I have ever heard said," I didn't call you yet."

"My teacher sent me." That was it. no more words. I could feel the hate coming from her eyes.

She tore the pass from her desk and threw it at me.  I had to grab at it before it hit the ground.  Then I was running.  No skips of joy for me, but instead sprinting for my life.

I just cannot believe some people.....

Well I hoped you enjoyed another humorous story in the life of me, all I can do is say at least my life is better than someone who finds joy in torturing kids.

Love,
Amanda

An Introvert's Tools: Tumblr

"What do you do in your free time?" 

I do not own this picture. Picture courtesy of Google Images.

I've never liked this question, and I still don't,  mainly because I feel like any of the answers I give are not sufficient enough. Sports are out of the question, primarily because I don't participate in physical
activities. I don't have a specific hobby nor do I do anything remotely spectacular. That said, semi-advanced warning: I tend to be verrrry self-deprecating. Alas, I feel as an introvert, most of my free time is invested towards fandoms, writing, reading, and... of course Tumblr.

If there ever was a tool made for Introvert's, it's David Karp's creation: Tumblr. I don't want this post to be a glorification of Tumblr as I and so many others are so apt to do, rather, I want to highlight what it does for the introvert community. Tumblr is more than just reblogging pictures because as the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words," so looking at one's dashboard can say a lot about a person. Looking at my dashboard, you would notice that I am a fan of robotically-in sync Korean Boybands, SuperwhoLock, pretty pictures of exotic places, self-deprecating text posts, and the occasional bunny.
And for those who have the Tumblr mobile app can definitely make use of it's social avoidance capabilities although you may not see that in the iTunes product description. There are countless times when I'm in a social setting without anybody that I can comfortably interact with, so I resort to my hand dandy Tumblr app on my phone to casually scroll through my dashboard. Note that this has it's pros and cons, because I know I should advocate for more social interaction but when the situation calls for it, sometimes it's a good safety net to fall back on.

https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%253A%252F%252F33.media.tumblr.com%252F2e337a7e207736c71e16bd22a11751da%25
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(I do not own this picture) 

Another thing I like is that I have the choice of using pictures or words to express myself and in that way, I attract other people who share the same interests as I. I know several people who have "Tumblr friends". The term is pretty self-explanatory, but I find it amazing that you can make friends across the world and you can be bonded by just a common interest until you learn more about each other. (That said kids, practice internet safety because creepers and pedophiles) I wouldn't say I have any close "Tumblr friends" to speak of, but I have connected with other people through Tumblr and it's pretty darn exciting because I didn't have to do much social interaction to do it. As an introvert, it takes a lot of energy to open yourself to others but Tumblr can cut corners. I can be sitting in my bed just scrolling and make acquaintances or friends with a follow and a quick message.

And I don't know what it is, but there is something more secure about sharing your insecurities with strangers. I've noticed that since I've gotten Tumblr, there is something...almost freeing about putting everything from your "feels" to your actual feelings on Tumblr. They can be manifested in the form of text posts or just pictures. Even, I have succumbed to this at times, because even if I have put my feelings out there and there is a sense of relief that at least someone out there knows that I'm not happy. Sure they don't know me, and I don't know them, so of course they won't even give me their two cents to my plight, but the fact that they know makes all the difference. They just know and it's acknowledged.  To an extent, there is an absence of judgement and I will admit to having a fear of judgment, but I also think that that's a mutual fear that most people have. We are all afraid of judgement but in a way, Tumblr, and social media as a whole eliminates that. Maybe this is more of a personal trait rather than a introvert's trait, but I don't speak my mind very often, and Tumblr allows me to do that in more ways than one.That said, who would have thought that social media would have been the platform to bring introverts closer together? You could even say it's pretty ironic...

Lots of Love
Alyssa

Spending Time Like an Introvert: Studying

Hello Everyone,
Here is another instalment of spending time like an introvert.  I think most people will be able to relate to this post.

I found myself recently trying to remember what John J Pershing did exactly, or if that was even his name, and it dawned on me how much I hate studying.

Whenever I get a test back with a bad grade I mentally scold myself.  I tell myself that next time I will study for days, sleep well, eat a healthy breakfast, and ask questions.  But every time, somewhere between that day and the next test something changes. 

I get this idea in my head while I'm not at home, that today is the day to start being productive.  I plan out what I need to study and for how long. I then make a promise to myself that I can goof off in school because at home I will work hard.

Then I get home....

It's not that I don't want to study, it's that there are far better things for me to be doing.  And by better I mean funner. (that is not a word; maybe I should study more) So I say I will just study later.

Later never comes....

I then take the test knowing that something like this was mentioned but having no clue what the answer is. I sit and stare until something comes to me and just put that.

This is not my picture.

Now comparatively, I am a good student. I make all As and Bs, I just refuse to put that extra effort in.  So I really shouldn't complain.  But I know that for everyone, introvert and extroverts alike, doing things we hate is hard.  Just always try to remember the good that can come out of pushing yourself.

Love,
Amanda

An Introvert's Tools: The Hoodie

Whoever invented the hoodie will forever be in my debt;  it has facilitated my introvert way of living. Let us begin with its various functions.

First, the pocket: it is the most crucial capability of this device and it is by far the most cherished. If I had a dime for every pair of my jeans that didn't have satisfactory pockets, I would be a very rich woman right now. This pocket makes life incredibly convenient, starting with its orientation: it's right in the front. It makes the perfect hand holder. It decreases your awkward levels by a good 40% because it solves the problem of finding the appropriate place to put your hands. Do I put my hands in my pocket at the risk of looking disinterest or slouchy? Do I put my hands on my hips, or is that too cocky? Maybe I should cross my arms, but then that makes me look guarded. Or maybe I should just fling my arms spread eagle?! But that is what Hoodie pockets are made for! Not to mention, it's the perfect catchall for all your junk. As a natural hoarder, giant pockets are a must. I have carried a wide range of objects in my hoodie pocket starting with food, to phones, to just plain trash.

Also hoodies come with great evasive fucntions. Are you at the mall and you come across someone you know from school? well ne'er fear for you can simply throw on your hood. Possible awkward social encounter avoided!

In terms of fashion, hoodies are extremely versatile and socially acceptable  in almost every situation. It can be paired with skirts, jeans, and shorts. Perfect for fall and winter, it keeps you nice and toasty in the way that only hoodies can.  And if you want to achieve the perfect level of irony and/or utter distaste for the world, opt for wearing a Hoodie in the heat. (Brownie points if the hoodie is darkly colored to increase ironic levels). Plus, every subset of social group wears hoodies making it universal. And for introverts especially, wearing a hoodie can help you blend in with the masses  assuming that it's not an eccentric one. Preferably for me, I love wearing hoodies at home with pajama bottoms on lazy weekends. Hoodies are the ultimate garb for housing the headphones or your snacks when your ready to snuggle into your bed losing yourself in your tv show of the moment.

Most importantly, every hoodie is embedded with a story as told by its stains, its tears, it's fading prints, telling the world of the wearers story without him or her having to utter a single word. The hoodie is to the introvert as armor is to a knight or as a shell is to a turtle. It carries protection and the comfort of home all because of a hood and those amazing things called pockets!

I do not own this image; image courtesy of Pinterest

Side note: I can't believe I actually found a hoodie that is made to look like armor! How befitting!

An Introvert's Tool: Headphones

I know I touched base on this topic in a prior post, but I felt the need to expand on this subject. But wait! This post won't be the first nor will it be the last! I want to start a new segment which talks about an Introvert's Tools: objects that we Introverts can't live without and the  things that help define us as Introverts. (I struggle with explanations so hopefully you'll get the feel of this segment with this first post!)

I do not own this photo; image courtesy of Pinterest

If there's one thing an Introvert can't live without, it's headphones. In fact, I don't know how anyone could live without headphones. It's a devastating day when I leave my headphones at home and I spend my day kicking my butt for wasting my opportunity to listen to music.
The number one thing about headphones is its ability to create an untouchable bubble in which the outside world cannot penetrate. It's an unspoken rule that, if the headphones are on, the mouth is off. No one talks to you and you don't talk to them. As a introvert, headphones make the best avoidance devices against social situations.  For me, headphones are a must for various reasons: starting with focus. I need music to focus on homework because it helps me tune out as I am like a squirrel: I am easily distracted by outside noises, but I swear I'm not suicidal as squirrels have a tendency to be. That said, I find music to be a great motivator to do just about anything.

As a perpetual daydreamer, headphones facilitate my fantasies, because there are some songs that transport me to various places. For example, I love music scores which are the orchestral soundtrack pieces you hear in movies. So whenever, I listen to the Narnia soundtrack, I immediately envision myself in the shadow of a cliff where Cair Paravel perches majestically under the brilliant Narnian sun. Sometimes I'll be listening to All Time Low and I'll imagine myself ferociously strumming an electric guitar in front of a energetic mob of people. As you can tell, my daydreams run rampant when I listen to music. So when books don't satisfy my escapist cravings at the moment, I can always immerse myself in music. What better way to block out the rest of the world than through music or better yet, what better way to enhance the world around you? There are times when I can think of song that suits whatever situatin I'm in. For instance, if I could choose one song that could be the background music of my life, I'd choose Rooney's Where Did my Heart Go Missing and my day instantly gets better. Thus headphones are a crucial piece of weaponry in an introvert's arsenal whether it be blocking ourselves from the world or just making it a tiny bit better.

HEADPHONES FOR EVERY INTROVERT

I do not own this photo; image courtesy of Pinterest

The Headphones that scream quirky but in a cute kind of way. These are my kind of headphones. 

I do not own this photo; image courtesy of Pinterest

Classic style of headphones but are quite reminiscent of a rainbow sorbet. Yum! 

I do not own this photo; image courtesy of Pinterest

For those times when introverts want to (*gasp*) interact, what better way for other introverts to interact through introvert-like activities such as listening to music. 

I do not own this photo; image courtesy of Pinterest

And if you really have a fierce disliking for people (but hopefully you don't) then you can put on these babies where not a decibel of "outside sounds" can be heard.