I Just Wanna Be A Girl!

'Hold On' by Chord Overstreet is a song commonly associated with The Vampire Diaries. It plays during the season finale when the characters say their final goodbyes to Stefan Salvatore. This is what the song is best known for in the series. The lyrics are as follows "Can you hear me screaming 'Please don't leave me?' Hold on I still want you Come back, I still need you" Stefan is undoubtedly one of the most important characters in the series. He has touched the lives of everyone. This song is an elegy to Stefan that the other characters deliver. They are all telling him that they need him. They just wish he could come back to life.  I, however, think the song could fit into another scene as well. The scene where Elena and Damon have their big argument in season 5. The lyrics go "Loving and fighting Accusing, denying I can't imagine a world with you gone" Here, Elena and Damon are having a huge fight. They both feel like their relationship is ...

The inspiration for this post came from the lyrics of the song 'Try' by Colbie Caillat. I first heard it on an Instagram reel and then went to listen to the whole song. The lyrics I really like are   "You don't have to try so hard You don't have to give it all away You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up, You don't have to change a single thing" The song starts out with the singer naming the things that a girl has to do to be liked. They are all stereotypical things like putting on makeup, getting a manicure done, curling her hair, and making sure she is slim. All these are related to a woman's physical body. The way people expect women to do this is kind of like body-shaming. Why does she have to fit a standard of beauty?  Next, she talks about romantic relationships. The singer points out that a woman is considered desirable if she has a lot of romantic relationships. But, at the same time, she is called a slut and a whore if she does so. Wha...

Why do guys think it's okay to tease a woman for not being feminine? No woman can be a girly girl all the time. Why do guys think it's okay to tease a woman for being a woman. Like - dude - make up your mind for god's sake, please. You tease us for being feminine and for not being feminine. What on earth do you want us to do then?  Sometimes, a girl doesn't want to travel in the ladies' compartment on the train. That's okay. Right? Guys, do you know what happens in there? You literally can't breathe. If a woman is traveling - with her companions - in the general compartment, most men try to give her a bit of breathing room. Or, have you considered that she isn't comfortable traveling on her own? Is that not a valid reason to travel in the general compartment with her friends? Why does that have to be a question of her femininity or independence? Does that mean she is dependent, cowardly, or irresponsible? I don't think so.  Why do guys have to say ...

You feel your heart pounding in your chest. There was something that triggered you. It could have been a song or a voice or even a word. Your throat dries up and you feel a lump. You feel tears welling up in your eyes. You close your eyes and try to distract yourself, but your heart just hurts. You feel empty inside and drained of all your energy. All you want to do is curl up in a corner and let your emotions crash over you. You try to move past it but you just can't. Everything you see after that moment brings back memories. You can't stop them from flooding into your head. You can't stop them from taking over. There are so many people around you asking you what's wrong, but you can't bring yourself to tell them. They will just think you are being silly. The only thing you can do is let your feelings take over you. You can't stop them. Tears keep leaking out of your eyes at random times, even when you are laughing. You both want to remember and want to forget ...

I've recently started a new writing project that's going to be written completely in second-person perspective. I wanted to talk about what this means.  So, everyone knows that there are three writing perspectives. We are familiar with two of them; the first-person and third-person narrative. Let's take a moment to recall what they are. In the third-person narrative, there is someone outside the story who is taking us through it. In the first-person narrative, the storyteller is the speaker.  The second-person narrative is very rare (or so I have heard). This type of writing addresses the reader, making them the protagonist. It puts the reader in the middle of the action. I have always loved reading books from the first-person perspective. I thought it felt like a very personal experience that put me on the spot.  However, when I read my own second-person writing, I felt like it was even better. My writing is fantasy. I was thinking of the effect it would have if the stor...

There's this thing that people believe... 'Just 2 days. If you want to know whether someone really loves you or not, all it takes is 2 days. Don't make any sort of contact with them. If you can't wait that long, think of this. Do you want to spend the rest of your life knowing whether they reciprocate your love or not? Brace yourself and wait for them. If they seek you out, you know that they value you. If not, you have your answer. It's time for you to leave.'  It's easy to say this or even to think about it, but it's really hard to follow it. How can you stop talking to someone who has become a part of your daily life? It's almost impossible. You will find yourself trying to cheat and contact them somehow. You will want to send them a sign that you want them to contact you. But, don't call them. Don't text them. Nothing.  You will realize how important you are to the people you love. You will know how much you mean to them. This will boost ...

I was listening to 'Long Live' by Taylor Swift and when I heard these lyrics, something hit me. These words turned themselves into a farewell letter.  Will you take a moment? Promise me this That you'll stand by me forever But if, God forbid, fate should step in And force us into a goodbye If you have children some day When they point to the pictures Please, tell 'em my name Tell 'em how the crowds went wild Tell 'em how I hope they shine Long live the walls we crashed through I had the time of my life with you The letter that I visualized was something you would write to someone you loved with all your heart - whether platonic or romantic. It wouldn't be something you would share with them. It would be something that just gives you some closure. You don't want to part with them. You are asking them to stay with you forever. But, you soon realize that sometimes, it's just not meant to be. They might be your whole world but it just doesn't matter ...

Can I just say... you have to forgive yourself. You have to understand that things aren't always your fault. You can't keep blaming yourself for things that are out of your control.  If you hurt someone, ask them for your forgiveness. If you mean something to them, they are sure to forgive you. Once they do, it's time for you to forgive yourself.  Now, imagine that the other person is someone who considers you to be their best friend. Think of how it would hurt them if you kept blaming yourself. They have forgiven you and they just want you back. They understand that some things can't be controlled. Even though they were probably very hurt or angry, they got over it. The whole point of their anger or sadness was so that you knew not to repeat the same mistake over again. But, what's the point of it if you are going to blame yourself and isolate yourself and keep away from them. That's just totally counterproductive.  Would they have gotten mad or sad if they did...

I wanted to share a very heart-touching story that my professor shared with us in class today. The message of the story was that forgiveness and apologies can't wait.  Here it goes... he recounted an incident that happened years ago. It was about one of his former students. This girl got into a tragic accident and passed away. During her funeral, her best friend was inconsolable with grief. At first, I thought that this was normal. Sorrow at her best friend's demise. He went on to tell us what she told him. She told him that she and her friend were fighting. Her friend had tried to apologize to her multiple times, but she didn't accept it. She was planning to apologize to her friend soon. "Where do I go apologize now?" she asked my professor. My professor was at a loss for words.  I realized that we never know what's going to happen next. Our emotions - once we decide that we are going to act upon them - shouldn't be suppressed. I don't mean to say act...

Today, I was completely helpless and dependent on my friends. I had a pretty bad wound on my leg. I could barely take two steps without help. I started my day confidently, hoping I would be self-sufficient. That turned out to be a huge joke. I soon realized that I couldn't put any weight on my leg.  Luckily, I had invited a friend to help me get to class. I limped all the way to my block and my friend helped me up the stairs. Throughout the morning, a lot of people asked me if I was okay, including one of my professors. I eventually had to go to another building for my next class. Another one of my friends walked me half the way. I had to hold onto his arm very tightly in order to get down the stairs. Another one of my friends did the same for me when I ascended again. Later in the afternoon, the pain I felt was too much to bear. I couldn't take it anymore and succumbed to tears. One of my professors was my savior. He took me to the hospital and stayed with me until my brother ...

Today, I had the marvelous opportunity to release my first two books; my debut novel, "Werewolves of Brooklyn: Siege of the Dokkalfar" and a compilation of my blog entries "I Just Wanna Be A Girl."  I had been eagerly anticipating this day for the past few weeks and had also been putting work into technical aspects of the event. Writing has always been my dream and passion, so I had put a lot of love into my work. The day I could finally reap the benefits had arrived.  I had three special guests to witness the release of my books; my brother, Anderlin, and two of my oldest friends, Ani and Sri Siva. They were eager to accept my invitation and didn't disappoint. My brother greeted me with roses as a token of congratulations. They sat in the front of the auditorium with me and cheered me on as I went on stage.  I was really nervous and tensed as I walked up. My hands were trembling slightly. Honestly, I felt like the moment went by really quickly. The chief guest ...

Hermione Jean Granger, the brightest witch of her age. Now, that's not all she is. There is much more that people sometimes forget to remember about her.  One of the first things that we can look at is that she was socially awkward. In the first year, she didn't have any friends. Ron, of course, was quick to notice that and ridicule her. She was also called a know-it-all. She never really outgrew this title. Needless to say, her talent did come in useful in the future. But, it didn't stop her from being distanced initially.  The next thing is that she was extremely loyal, both to her friends and to her house. One such instance is when she helps Hagrid fight for Buckbeak. She manages to make time to help out her friend even though she has so much on her own plate. She has a kind soul. This is shown when she starts SPEW for the welfare of house-elves.  It's also important to know that she does have her flaws. She can be mean and she can be narrow-minded. She can be argume...

The most important rule in the 'girl code' is to rescue any girl who looks like she needs help. She might be your worst enemy, but you should never leave her alone in an unsafe situation. If she asks for help or signals you for assistance, you must help her.  The next one is to be honest. If a girl asks you how she looks or if something needs fixing, it's your duty and responsibility to be honest. You have to tell her if she needs to adjust her clothes or if she is too showy. (It's up to her whether or not she listens to what you have to say. You just have to make sure someone tells her. You never know if she is clueless or just attention-seeking.)  Then there is the basic rule about relationships. Girls, don't try to get with your friend's ex. Siblings are out of the question too (unless you have permission). Think about how the situation would make your friend feel. You don't want to have to choose between her and the object of your affection. That certain...

This is the title of a song from The Tortured Poets Department. To me, it feels like the singer is telling us that people have a habit of underestimating her.  I'm sure a lot of people feel like their abilities are often underestimated. People don't realize what you are capable of until you prove it. It's not enough to just say something. You have to show the world that you can do it. That's the only way you will earn their respect.  Here, the narrator is a monster or witch descending on a town who has shamed her. This town doesn't fear or respect her. She is trying to change that. She wants to show them just what she is capable of and terrorizes the town.  "So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street. Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream..."  The picture this creates in my mind is one of a devilish figure. She is all ready to be executed when she breaks her bonds and jumps onto the street. There's a party, where people are ...

This is pretty controversial. Most men think that women are people that need to be protected and aren't capable of protecting themselves. I believe that women are just as capable as men of protecting themselves. They will ask if they need help. I think there’s no need to smother them under the guise of ‘taking care of them.’ On the other hand, some women like to be taken care of. They might not need it but they appreciate it if a man takes the time and effort to take care of them. She definitely wants this man to know that she can protect herself and that she is allowing him to take care of her. Taking care of a woman is a hard job and men have to know what kind of woman they’re dealing with. Men need to know where to draw the line.  Women, I think, like to know that they are appreciated and cared for. However, in today's world, they are worried to show weakness. They are scared that they will be exploited if they show weakness - which is a pretty valid fear... Think about it.....

I am slowly learning that being a good driver isn't just about being confident in your driving. Self-confidence isn't all that matters. No matter how good of a driver you might be, you can't assure your safety on the roads.  I recently started driving myself to and from college. I knew I could do it. What I learned is that other people on the road are always in a rush. They aren't going to care that you are still learning. They aren't going to care that you are just being careful. They are going to be single minded and all they want to do is reach their destination as soon as possible.  Then, there are the buses. The bus drivers aren't going to care about you. You might be following all the rules and driving safely. However, that doesn't guarantee your safety. They are on tight schedules and have to reach each stop on time. Because of that, they have to drive this way. If they are worrying about everyone on the roads, they will never reach their destination....

This is the title of a book that I'm on the verge of publishing. It's my first book and I'd love you all to give it a read.  It's a story about a seventeen-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York, Andrea Morgan. She is a stereotypical city teenager. She lost her mother when she was young and was raised by her dad, an FBI agent. There was always something unique about her.  This is a typical coming-of-age story. This story has a strong platonic theme. It shows the love between siblings, even though they aren't related by blood. Through the course of the story, the protagonist learns what unconditional love is while she deals with loss and grief. Andrea finds her rightful place in her world. This book is aimed at readers between the ages of 11-14. The main reason I wrote this book was that most of our supernatural (vampire and werewolf) media is A-rated. I wanted my work to be something that younger readers could enjoy. I wanted it to be something that parents would fee...

Consistency isn't just something that teachers advertise. It's not something that you should just put out of your mind. There are some things that consistency gave me, that I think are pretty important.  The first one is that it gives me a sense of self-worth. When I do something consistently, I feel like I'm actually capable of doing something. I feel like I don't need anyone to tell me that I'm doing a good job. I know that I'm doing something useful and that I'm being responsible.  Next, being consistent shows other people that you are reliable. It tells people that they can trust you. These days, it's hard to find someone to count on. If you do something consistently, it means that you know how to appropriately manage your time. It's proof that the work assigned to you will get done. This is really important, especially in the professional world.  Consistency can also be extremely rewarding. For example, we were promised rewards like cash prizes ...

Why do people assume that things can only get done if you do them without any emotion? I mean, doesn't having emotions make you better suited to make decisions. You can make good decisions if you feel passion for what you do. Isn't passion an emotion?  On the other hand, sometimes I have wondered whether it would be more convenient to turn them off. I have to admit that they get in the way sometimes. Also, emotions hurt. They can make you lose your mind and lose your cool. They might lead to divides in relationships - any kind of relationship. You might feel like you are being too clingy or that your affection isn't reciprocated. Without emotions, you can simply focus on your goals. You can drive all of your determination into what you have to achieve. But, again, what's the point in accomplishing anything if you can't be happy about it.  Losing your emotions can also protect you. It can protect you from getting hurt. It can help you make reasonable decisions. (I do...

My inspiration today came from the lecture I listened to first thing in the morning. We were talking about the essay 'The Eloquent Sounds of Silence,' by Pico Iyer.  He says "Silence, then, could be said to be the ultimate province of trust: it is the place where we trust ourselves to be alone; where we trust others to understand things we do not say..."  The meaning that we derived from this was pretty intense and deep. My professor claimed that a true relationship doesn't need idle chitchat. A relationship where two individuals really trust each other completely doesn't have idle chitchat. They have serious sit-down discussions but they don't feel a need to always talk to one another. On the other hand, individuals who don't fully trust their partner feel the need to constantly keep up a conversation. She gave us an example of a husband and wife. She talked about how the couple don't sit around talking all day - maybe in the initial days of their...

I woke up this morning with no motivation whatsoever. I had nothing to look forward to during my day. For a few moments, I contemplated whether or not it was worth waking up. I did have to get up though. I got out of bed and got ready for college - still not looking forward to anything. I thought it was just going to be another mundane day.  My first two classes went by without action. My day became brighter when my brother woke up. He had an appointment and I got to accompany him. So, here's the thing... I hadn't seen my brother in a while and missed him quite a lot. I was pretty ecstatic to get to see him. I left campus to meet him. We had a chance to catch up as we were waiting. After the appointment, we drove around aimlessly for a while - which is something that we both enjoy. The best part was the light drizzle of rain. It reminded me of one of the first times we hung out. (It was pouring buckets that day.) As the rain picked up, we sought refuge at a friend's place.....

So, here's the thing. When you tell someone that you are going to do something, they end up counting on you. They might be someone who hates expecting anything from anyone. But, they can't help but believe you when you promise something to them. It could be really petty, or serious. In that moment, they trust you, whether they want to or not.  Now, imagine that the thing you promised them is something really important to the other person. It was something that they were really counting on. In the end, you end up breaking your promise. Imagine that this is a really personal situation. You were the only person they needed.  Think of the pain they would be going through. As I said before, they don't trust easily. But, they chose to trust you. They hoped that you would bring them relief. But, you couldn't. You couldn't keep your promise. You were their last hope. Now, all that's left for them to do is disappear. They were really hoping that you would be able to help...

Comfort can be found in many different places. Your comfort zone is a place where you feel safe or at ease. What you find comfortable might not be comforting to someone else. (That's important when you are trying to comfort someone. You don't want to force someone into something that they dislike.)  Your source of comfort could be reading a book. It could be listening to music or playing a musical instrument. It could be working out. It could be binge-watching your favourite TV show or series of movies. It could be walking or just sitting alone. It could even be eating. It doesn't really matter what it is that brings you comfort. The only thing that matters is that after you enjoy your 'activity,' you feel relaxed and at peace, and that the effects last for a while.  Your comfort zone could also be a person. They could be your home away from home. You could feel totally safe by their side. You don't even have to be with them physically. You could be talking to t...

Sometimes all you need is someone to talk to. You don't need to know them well. They don't need to be very familiar with you. That might make it easier for you. When you talk to someone you aren't close to, you feel like they won't judge you for not being yourself, because they don't know what your true self really looks like. You can just open yourself up to them.  When you start sharing your problems with someone, you feel like they are less daunting. You might not be looking for a solution to your problems. All you crave is someone who will take the time to listen to you. Unfortunately, that's hard to come by these days. People usually end up patronizing you. Finding someone who simply offers support is something that's really special and rare. After you talk to someone, you feel lighter. You feel like someone has heard your cries for help. Someone has heard what you have to say. You feel peace after being able to express yourself. For a little while, you...

When you lose your best friend, you feel like you lose a part of yourself. You find that everything reminds you of them. You are also reminded of the fact that they aren't around anymore. Everywhere you look, there's only emptiness.  Imagine your best friend. The one person who you could trust completely. You would quite literally put your life in their hands. You might not have known them for long, but the bonding that you share is inexplicable. They were your constant companion and were pretty much a ray of sunshine. You would turn to them if you needed anything at all. They were your source of inspiration and the only one who kept you going.  Now, think about this situation. You are the only one who has the time to miss your best friend. All you have is time and that hurts. It hurts so much you feel like tearing your heart out of your chest. You feel like it would be better to simply turn off all your emotions. You feel like a burden. You feel like you are clingy. You feel ...

I just published something a while ago (I'd rather not say what it was). I was astonished to find multiple little errors in my work. It might seem like a little thing to you, but imagine that you have the eyes of the world of you. You can't miss anything. Your grammar has to be flawless. You have to make sure that you don't leave any holes in your work (fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter).  You have to be sure you check your work over and over again. You might be sure that you wrote things correctly the first time, but I'm sure there are things that you missed. I mean, mistakes are okay. They are natural. But, the thing is, as I said earlier, you have the eyes of the world on you. You don't know who's going to read your work.  You need to make sure you know your facts. People reading your work might know more about the subject than you do. You can't make mistakes when it comes to basic information about the subject you're writing about. It...

Lady Danbury is - in my opinion - one of the most powerful and strong characters in the Bridgerton series.  Her troubles start early. She is subjected to marital rape multiple times. Her husband was an elderly man. During this time - time period - she couldn't raise her voice against the abuse she suffered. She was betrothed to him at the age of 3 and was pretty much raised for him - for his pleasure and to his liking.  When her husband died, she didn't know whether or not her son could inherit his father's title - Lord Danbury. She realized that her security was at stake. This was the time when the colored and white sections of the society first united. Financial security was very important. She needed to assure her family's well-being. She played a cunning game with Princess Augusta to ensure her fortune.  During this period, Lady Danbury was both a colored member of society and a woman. That meant that life was very hard for her. She secured a place for herself in th...

In my opinion, this song is pretty much a tribute to someone who the narrator misses more than anything. 'The Very First Night' refers to the first night that the pair spent apart. I think it's the night after they fell in love. They couldn't stay together. That was the moment that she knew how much she really loved the other person. It's obvious that you can't miss someone you don't love. To miss someone after knowing them for a short period of time is a sign of how deep the love is.  Over the course of the song, the narrator says that she doesn't let her friends know that she's brokenhearted after the relationship ended. She keeps it all to herself. She lets them believe that she is happy and content with her life when in reality, she's pretty heartbroken and lonely. The love she shared with this person was surprising. They fell in love unexpectedly. No one expected them to fall in love. In my opinion, that's true in every relationship. Rel...

There's a picture that the chorus of this song paints in my head. The chorus goes "'Cause I don't know how it gets better than this. You take my hand and drive me head first. Fearless. And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress. Fearless."  So here it goes. There's a girl who's usually very prim and proper. She prefers to stay indoors. She sticks to things she is familiar with and she doesn't regret it. She is the last person you would expect to be outdoors. But, for this one guy, she would set aside her morals. She would do anything for him.  This reminds me a bit of an argument between Damon and Elena from The Vampire Diaries. Elena says that she sets aside her morals and everything that she believes in for Damon. Now, this might seem toxic, but in the song, this just shows how pure the love between the two people is.  This perfect girl is willing to dance in a storm in her best dress. It shows that she cares for ...

I admit, I'm not an Evermore fan. But, there were a few lines from this song that stood out and demanded my attention.  "I was never ready, so I watch you go." This lyric shows us that we can't keep waiting for the opportune moment. We have to take things by storm. If we keep waiting, we might lose something that we love. We might never be ready for what could happen. But, we can't let that stop us from trying. You'll never know what could happen if you never try. Here, the lyric refers to a relationship. The narrator wasn't ready to confess her feelings for the other person, so she ended up losing him.  The beginning of the song talks about how the narrator broke someone's heart. She tells us how he left him stranded, and how she let go of him while dancing. She says...  "Your heart was glass, I dropped it." This line reminds me of something my friend used to tell me. "Trust is like a broken glass. Once it's broken it can't be f...

Let me get one thing straight. I just want to talk about the significance that Taylor Swift's Eras Tour had on young girls and swifties. I don't want to talk about any of the other factors now. The Eras Tour has created a huge impact on the lives of so many people. From learning the chants to guessing the surprise songs to making friendship bracelets to trade, there is so much more to the Eras Tour than a simple concert.  For starters, it's a place where women and teenage girls feel safe. I mean, have you seen the costumes that they prepare for the tour? They dedicate a lot of time to their outfits. These outfits aren't things that you can wear out on the streets. They might be representations of some of Taylor's songs or they might be similar to Taylor's own costumes. Some costumes are the Lover bodysuit, the Reputation bodysuit, and the Lavender Haze jacket. Here, girls and women can dress up however they want to and embrace Taylor and her songs.  Next, there ...

Everyone has different ways of showing their love. That's why we have the whole idea of love languages. This song talks about a beautiful relationship.  The narrator is telling us about the various reasons she loved her guy. She tells us about all the reasons he was a gentleman. She says that she couldn't ask for anyone better. I'm sure a lot of us can relate to this. We feel like the person we are in a relationship with is the best person ever and that we could never have anything better than that person.  Then she reminisces about their relationship before they were together. (This is what I think is happening. I can't say this is what the song actually means.) She tells us that their relationship wasn't always as smooth as it is now. She tells us that there were ups and downs. She tells us that they had plenty of arguments. But, she tells us that the relationship was like a rollercoaster. It was scary and unexpected, but it was still magical and exciting. Again, ...

What does it mean to be a girl's girl? It's actually pretty simple.  I think it's really beautiful to be a girl's girl. It's really important for women to support one another. It's all about a woman being kind or genuinely good to another woman. She is a girl who respects other women and who knows how to treat them. One of the main things to keep in mind here is to respect the girl code.  This trend can be put in contrast to the 'pick me girl.' A pick-me girl does everything in her power to push other women down in order to get herself to the top. She is selfish and is willing to sabotage others. She is easily jealous and covets things that other women have worked hard for.  A girl's girl, on the other hand, celebrates other women. She feels genuine happiness for her friends. She would do anything to help a girl in dire need of assistance, even though she might be her greatest enemy. She might harbor some enmity, but she would help the girl if it was...

It's the little things that matter more than anything that's materialistic. Materialistic gifts are nice to give and receive, but they don't come close to the little things. By little things, I mean the things that show you that you are important. Things that make you feel loved and appreciated.  Imagine how good you feel when someone takes the time to listen to you talk. They listen for hints of what you like and don't like. They take the time to get to know you. Those are some of the little things I'm talking about.  Another one is when a person makes time for you. No matter how busy they are, they make sure to spend some time with you. Or, they at least make sure to let you know that they are busy and that they will come to talk to you as soon as they can. They don't leave you waiting is what I mean to say.  They make you feel like a part of their life. Their future plans might include you - or rather, they include you in making big plans or decisions. They t...

There are a few lyrics in the song 'All Too Well Ten Minute Version' that stood out to me. The first one was "And you call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest."  The second one is "You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath." These are lyrics that touch my heart in one way or another every time I listen to them. The second one especially. It talks about the difference in the level of commitment that two people have to each other. To one person, it's not very serious. To the second person - the narrator of the song - the amount of commitment that she shows towards her partner and their relationship is magnanimous.  Going back to the first lyric now, one aspect of the lyric is that honesty - or the truth - does hurt sometimes. Her partner - or rather her ex - says some things to her that are really cruel. But, in the end, he was being honest with her. Yes, you should be honest, but can'...

Recently I spent a very memorable afternoon mostly in silence. I'm someone who enjoys hearing people talking. I like to listen to what people have to say.  That afternoon, however, I experienced a lot of beautiful things in silence. I realized that silence was beautiful. Silence gives way to many beautiful experiences. There are things that really can't be expressed in words. As they say, actions speak louder than words, and actions are most profound in silence, without words to draw attention away from them. Affection, for example, can't always be expressed in words. A hug can mean more than a verbal declaration of love or care.  On the flip side, silence can also express negative emotions. Silence can express displeasure. If someone is quiet, we assume that they are upset. If someone doesn't talk to us, we assume that they are displeased with us. Silence is quite powerful. Silence also is a tool through which we can find inner peace. We can take advantage of the silen...

When you see the word Wattpad, you probably think of an amateur writer. You probably think of someone who writes fanfiction. I, however, had a purpose when I started to publish on Wattpad. I had my own original work that I worked on for months. I had a children's book all written and ready to go. I felt like my work was ready to see the world. (Yes, I knew that a 12 year old wouldn't be on Wattpad, but I had to start somewhere, didn't I?) However, I didn't have a way to get it published. There was a phase when I read Wattpad regularly. Now, I finally had something to contribute. I decided to start proofreading and publishing my work.  My work was meant to be a children's version of a supernatural story. The world of supernatural literature is A-rated, but there are kids interested in it. That's what inspired me to write. I wanted to write something that was age-appropriate for a child of about 12 years of age.  A friend of mine was the one who gave me the final ...

A couple of days ago, I was addressing my juniors about 'ethnic walk' which is pretty much like a fashion show. When I was talking to them, I was thinking about what it gave me. I thought about what I gained from the experience.  First of all, it gave me confidence. For years, people had teased me about the way I walked. People always said my walk was weird in a way. Here, I saw that the way I walked could be used for something. I learned that it wasn't something to be shy about. It also gave me an opportunity to try something new. No one judged me when I made mistakes. People were patient as I learned. They took the time and effort to help me out.  Second, it gave me a group of people who I could count on. A group of people who made me feel safe. It's rare to find one person with whom you feel safe, but a whole group of people... that really is something. When I say safe, I don't mean physically - thought that definitely is important as well. I mean emotionally saf...

Can you really expect anything from someone else? Do you have the right to do so? Can you meet someone else's expectations? What do you do when someone expects something and you are so sure you can't deliver? You feel like you can never live up to what they ask of you - even though it's something that they really need.  Let's look at having expectations first. I think it depends on who you expect things from. You need to make sure that they are okay with you placing expectations on them. I, however, hate expecting things from anyone. In the past, everyone I have expected things from - no matter how simple - has let me down. A part of me just shies away from depending on anyone for anything. I only ask for things if I absolutely need them. But, in the end, it's not a surprise to me if I am disappointed. The main idea is not to expect too much. If you do, you are just setting yourself up for hurt. Ask yourself if it's worth it. If it is and if you truly believe th...

The inspiration for this post actually comes from two of my professors. For the sake of their personal anonymity, let's call them Professor A and Professor B. Professor A was telling the class a story about Professor B's first day working in college. So, Professor B was waiting outside the department room while Professor A noticed that he had been standing there alone for quite a while. Professor A invited Professor B inside the room and offered to give him some company. Later, Professor B thanked Professor A for his company and said something along the lines of "You didn't let me feel lonely," in gratitude. (Please excuse me if I didn't quote the sentence exactly.) When I heard this, I was reminded of a couple people in my own life who have never let me feel alone. These people remind me that I don't have to do everything on my own. They make sure I don't get lost - metaphorically. These few people make things worthwhile.  I consider myself very lucky...

When I was listening to this song, I was thinking of what story the song was trying to tell. This is my interpretation of what it's narrating.  So, the protagonist and narrator is a girl who's trying to get with this guy that she likes. She's been working on it for quite a while now and things are just right (finally). Out of nowhere, another girl enters the picture and steals him from the protagonist. The protagonist underestimated the woman she was competing with. Similarly, the other woman didn't know how much pain she was going through when she appeared out of nowhere.  The protagonist goes on to tell the object of her affection that the other woman is a fake. She believes that the woman should know that "stealing other people's toys on the playground won't make you many friends." This woman looks down at the narrator. She considers herself higher and better than the narrator. She thinks she's crazy. But, in the woman's defense, the narrato...