Merry Christmas!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I had a lovely time with my family, playing games and watching movies. It was a very good day, and a very merry Christmas!

Grad Dress!

I thought I'd share my grad dress! I'm very happy with it, and got it for a relatively good price.

The Lady and The Cyborg: Dialog and Non-Verbal Body Language

http://io9.com/5937800/concept-art-writing-prompt-the-lady-and-the-cyborg

Non Verbal Body Language

Dialogue

It has been almost 2 months since the Cyborgs came to the city. The world was at war, and the human species were not ready for intruders from other planets. The Cyborgs agreed to guard the city, as long as they would be in complete control. The humans had no choice, it was a matter of life or death.

A young lady sits on a bench, a scowl on her face, her arms crossed as she looked down at the ground, as if something was troubling her.  

"My lady."

A deep voice comes from behind her, but it is not one of a human. A Cyborg guard stands tall behind her, staring down at the lady on the bench. "You look troubled," he speaks quietly, still standing at attention. Cyborgs were not supposed to speak freely to the civilians, unless they were giving orders. 

"You know exactly why I'm troubled," she speaks quickly under her breath. "I can't even talk to you in public without causing a scene."He faces her, but continues to look straight ahead, as if she wasn't even there. 

"You know how this words, my lady, we cannot be seen together... not like that."

"But why?" she yells, turning quick to face him. She stares at him, desperation in her eyes, looking for a response, but he continues to stare forwards. A minute passes by, tear rolls down her cheek as he tilts his head down to her.

"My dear," he says, quickly but clearly, "this is how it has to be."

She stands up. The square is beginning to clear out, no one is allowed to be in the square before dinner, a rule the Cyborgs brought with them. They both glance around the square, everyone is gone. She pulls him close to her, wrapping her arms around his back.

"This is torture," she sobs into his uniform which is sticking to her cheeks. "Why does it have to be like this, we can't even share glances without being punished!"

He rests his chin on the top of her head,wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"In time, my dear." he states, holding her closer to him.

"I don't want to wait," she says quietly, her tears subsiding. "I want to be with you."

He pulls himself back, wipes the tears from her eyes, and holds his palm to her cheek.

"And I want to be with you too."

Dialogue Questions

We followed two girls around the hallways, and we listened to them for about 3 minutes until they turned a corner where it might be really obvious that we were following them. We also followed a group of 2 guys and 1 girl. It was weird to write down everything they were saying, but I listen to peoples conversations all the time so it wasn't that weird. One thing we noticed was the manner in which they spoke. The two girls spoke like they were good friends, being very honest and agreeing with each others opinions. The other group didn't seem to be very good friends, it was a very one sided conversation with the girl trying to impress the 2 guys. This could be applied to your writing by knowing who your characters friends are, your characters conversation would be more personal with their friends than a group of people they barely know. Peoples character can be revealed through conversation by the tone of their voice, and also through exaggerations they use. If the conversation is very one-sided, that person may just be talking for the sake of talking. When more than two people join a conversation, it becomes louder as everyone is trying to get there ideas heard, or it becomes a conversation between 2 people with 1 person listening. It's surprising to hear how many conversations are just pointless. I don't think any of the people in these conversations are benefitting from talking about how annoying their parents are. Written conversations usually have a point, and are there for a reason. They are often very descriptive in describing body language and emotions in their voice. Spoken conversations tend to be very pointless, and don't contain much meaning. You wouldn't put a spoken conversation into a story, as it doesn't benefit to the plot in any way.

Banner Illustrator

Heres a link to the amazing artist that created these great images of the 9th, 10th and 11th Doctors!

http://alicexz.tumblr.com/

http://www.alicexz.com/

POWER SONGS

Here are some of the songs I've been enjoying lately, some are obviously a bit inappropriate so viewer discretion!

Lady Gaga "Do What You Want" FT. R. Kelly

I heard this for the first time on SNL and its so great. Lady Gaga is fabulous.

Lily Allen "Hard Out Here"

I like this song a lot, it's obviously satirical and interesting. The song contains a lot of rude language, so watch out for that. But over all, super catchy

Britney Spears "Work B****"

Another song with inappropriate language, but soooo catchy, it just makes you want to work harder. 

Imagery Passage

1. I chose this passage from the book Insurgent. Since we've been talking about imagery in our class, I've started to notice how much different types of imagery there is in this series. This passage appealed to me because the imagery makes me feel like I am in the characters place. The way she describes how she feels when she touches the gun, and her throat tightening, it was very descriptive and makes the reader feel like they are that character. 

2. Kinesthetic imagery is the most common in this passage. The character thoroughly describes what she feels and how she is feeling physically. 

3. I think the phrase "my throat tightens like I am having an allergic reaction" is the best example of kinesthetic imagery. It's really effective because the reader then imagines themselves having an allergic reaction, they begin to feel how the character is feeling.

4. I think the imagery is mostly negative, in the way the character compares her feeling to an allergic reaction, and that she feels suffocated. 

5. I believe the mood in this passage is anxiety, as all the characters descriptions of imagery are somewhat stressful and make the reader nervous to find out what happens next.

6. The purpose of this imagery is for the reader to get a better sense of what the characters sees, and how they character feels. The descriptions of imagery makes it very clear what the character is doing, seeing, and feeling.

Late Night Alien Stick-Up

http://io9.com/concept-art-writing-prompt-a-late-night-alien-stick-up-1461304648

This was the first night Harvey left the office after 10pm. The meeting lasted longer than expected. It was nearly 10:35 pm, the sky had already been dark since 5. Harvey's apartment is nearly 10 blocks away, and the next bus wasnt for an hour or so. This would have upset Harvey earlier in the day, but he was glad to be out of that cluttered, dingy office surrounded by the smell of his co-workers stale stench.

Harvey stepped out of the building, and feels the heavy, moist texture of the air. It must have rained while he was cramped in that windowless board room. He begins to walk down the street, his brown loafers splashing in the puddles, holding his briefcase in one hand and slicking his hair back with the other. His briefcase was organized and clean, containing the words “Harvey Branson” on a polished piece of brass. Appearance was important to him, as it would be for any agent of the government.

The city is silent around him, except for the sudden breeze he hears gust past, pushing leaves with it. It’s a cold, fall night, colder than the last. Harvey begins to regret not bringing his coat like his wife suggested. He only realises how cold he actually is when he feels the goose bumps arriving on his arms. Harvey questions whether he is actually cold, or if he might be afraid. He has walked down these streets many times before, but never at night. His pace quickens with the thought. Busy with the thoughts of hurrying home, he barely noticed the footsteps behind him. Before he had time to turn around, a hand covered his mouth and shoved him into a phone booth.

Harvey thrashed at the stranger until he felt the head of a gun on the back of his skull. He stopped where he was, not moving a muscle. He looks down at the hand on his mouth. The stranger’s skin was blue, why on earth did this man have blue skin? He felt a weight on his shoulder, but it wasn’t a familiar feeling, not like a hand or a backpack. He looks in the reflection of the glass phone booth to see a monkey grabbing on his coat. He hears it squeal in his ear, followed by a deeper voice from the man.

“Call your boss, we have a little situation we’d like to discuss.”

Thoughts from Future People

This is an interesting topic that I have actually thought about. It's crazy to think about a life without medicine and like without indoor heating. But I think that will be the same situation for future generations. One thing I think they will question is why we used oil in our vehicles. Hopefully in the future, we will have cars that run on electricity rather than fossil fuels. I bet they will wonder how we could do such a thing to our environment (hopefully, because that will mean somethings actually changed). Another thing they might think is how could we discriminate someone based on their ethnicity, race, gender or sexuality? How could someone be less of a person and not deserve equal rights if they're a woman or if they're African American? It's crazy that this is still an issue in todays society, and hopefully in the future, it will be seen as something you should be ashamed of believing.

Minions for a Week

If I had minions for a week, I'd be extremely upset. Despite everyone thinking they are cute and charming, I think the opposite. Their voices are irritating and remind me of a weird kid I met at summer camp. Not a pleasant memory. I would like them if they were useful to me, they could make me snacks when I need for gymnastics and lunches for school. They could give me massages and fetch me chocolate milk whenever I please (which is a lot). They would have to provide food for themselves, and not speak too loudly as their voices are insufferable.

have a good day everyone

Meeting Colin Mochrie

I am so happy I got to meet Colin Mochrie. He has been one of my idols ever since I was younger, rushing home from swimming practice to try and catch Whose Line is it Anyway before it was over. I have gotten a lot of my humour from this man, for which I am grateful. I'd never thought I'd meet someone I looked up to so highly (that's probably why I didn't say a word to him, I was too starstruck). It was pretty awesome.

Women Crush Wednesday

I thought I'd share some of the actresses that I'm in love with.

Jennifer Lawrence

J Law is fabulous. She's very relatable to young girls and promotes healthy body images. She's a total bomb shell.

Marina Diamondis

Marina makes great music with her band Marina and the Diamonds. She's a great female figure for girls, and she music focuses on being a strong woman.

Marion Cotillard

I love this ladies face. She's in some of my favourite movies like Inception and Midnight In Paris. I would like to be her.

Rooney Mara

I first saw her in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which I enjoyed. I think she's GORG.

Demi Lovato

She is truly fabulous, I love her music and I think she's a great female figure for young girls to look up to.

SAMESIES

Thought I'd share this hilarious video my sister showed to me a couple nights ago. It makes me laugh every time I watch it.

Reading Assignment #5

1- Helping a slave run away #YOLO

2- I aint never seen 2 families hate each other 4 no reason at all

3- Feelin' bummed out, he was too young to die, yes indeed #RIP

4- Back in the raft w/ @Jimtheslave #homesweethome

5- Met the King & Duke today, got us some troubles ahead I suspect

6- Tickets to the Royal Nonesuch, on sale now! #norefunds

7- How can anybody believe such a sham?!!? #clueless

8- I hate having to choose, either way Im doin' something wrong #decisions

9- All I wanted was the raft to me and @Jimtheslave, is that too much to ask?!\

10- Reunited with @TomSawyer 

11- Of course, we cant do anything ordinary @TomSawyer

12- (Retweet from @TomSawyer) RUNNIN' FROM THE COPS! #YOLO

13- Tom has a bullet in his leg, the only person who's happy 'bout it is @TomSawyer

14- @Jimtheslave is now @Jimthefreeman. I knew you was white inside!!

15- Can say with confidence that I am Huck Finn!

Newspaper Blackout

HEISENCOOKIES

(made on the series finale night of Breaking Bad)

Meeting Gabrielle Douglas

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be in a movie about Olympic gold-medalist Gabby Douglas. It was very surprising, as I didn't expect her to come to Portage la Prairie to see her movie being made (she isn't in the movie). My friend and I stood near her for about 15 minutes debating on whether or not we should ask for a photo, and knowing we would regret it if we didn't. Luckily, another group of girls came along and asked for a photo so we jumped in with them.

Six Word Memoirs De-brief

What did I learn about storytelling?
These 6 word memoirs are a great demonstration of how stories don't need to be lengths of books to be considered stories. 6 meaningful words accompanied by a picture can mean more than a whole novel. I noticed a lot of memoirs made my fellow students that are very simple, but must have a lot of meaning. It's very interesting that a few simple words can mean so much to one person. It allows people to express themselves quite easily, rather than writing paragraphs to explain what they want to say.

Where did I show my knowledge about using storytelling skills?
I showed my knowledge of using storytelling skills by the punctuation in 6 word memoirs. Commas and punctuation marks can add so much to a sentence, and reshape the message completely. It's important to use punctuation properly, so you are able to portray your idea correctly. I thought I used pictures to tell the story as well. The picture can draw a person in at first, and then have them read deeper into the story.


What did I learn as a reader, writer, thinker, storyteller?
I learned that there are many different ways to tell a story. One short sentence can mean more than a book in its entirety. It was difficult to think of a meaningful quote using only 6 words, but I felt the limitation allowed me to narrow down the words that actually meant something. It was interesting to see what everyone else came up with, and to see what matters to other people.

Quickwrite: Uncomfortable Conversations

http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/post/54883096355/758-write-what-disturbs-you-what-you-fear-what

I agree that success is often earned through uncomfortable conversations. Since success isn't often easy to get, you have to go through situations you would not normally want to go through. When I need to have uncomfortable conversations, I worry about it for at least a few hours. I get so worked up about things like talking to someone, and usually it ends with me feeling better than before. The last uncomfortable conversation I had was probably about gymnastics with my dad. I just spill out my feelings if I'm feeling down, and even though I really don't want to talk about it, I know he usually makes me feel better. If I keep things hidden, I just continue to feel awful, so that's why I decide to talk to someone about it. The next uncomfortable conversation I'm planning to have is about volunteer forms, and I'm nervous because I don't want people to ask me questions but I know I have to do it. It will be for the best once I've gotten through it.

Quickwrite- ROBOT

My robot slave, I mean servant, would help me with many things throughout my day. I would like my servant to help me pick out an outfit in the morning, and just tell me that I look fabulous so I don't second guess myself. Robot servant is too long of a name, so I would name him Thomas. He would look and sound like Thomas from Downton Abbey because he is beautiful, and I wouldn't mind hearing his voice everyday. Thomas would make me breakfast and lunch because I never get around to doing that in the morning. I would also enjoy massages since I'm always in need of one after gymnastics. If Thomas is a robot with feelings, I would let him have time off on holidays, and leave the house as he pleases after 7 pm.

#8- Experiences

While in London with 2 of my sisters, we were able to go on the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Being a Harry Potter fan, as well as someone who wants to pursue a film career, this was an amazing experience. There were so many props and costumes, sets and information about the films I've never heard before. I used a photo I took from the tour of Dumbledore's office. I didn't add any filters to the photo because the photo is really nice on its own. I added a fancy text because I think it fits well with the elegance of the photo. I'm really happy I was able to go on this tour, it inspired me to work hard enough to create something that I can be proud of and enjoy just as much as I enjoyed his series. 

#7- Great Memory

When my sister was living in London for school, me and Justine decided to save up money so we could visit her. We ended up doing some traveling, and one place we went was Edinburgh. We got the cheapest hotel room we could (because we only saved so much money). We were expecting the smaller, ugliest room they had, but when we walked in, we got the complete opposite. When we opened the door, we all gasped. The room was huge, the windows were huge, the ceiling was beautiful and the room was just screaming for me to do a handstand in it. I chose this font because I think it looks like the text they'd use on tourist shirts in Scotland. I put an exclamation point to show how exciting this day was for me.

#6- Hate

This is one of my most hated songs at this current moment. It's crazy how music can be so catchy and insanely offensive at the same time. When this song first came out, I was totally into it. If it was on the radio, I would jam out hardcore. Now if I ever hear it, I immediately change the station. When I first enjoyed it, I knew how horrible it was, but it was so catchy, so I decided that by not buying it, I wouldn't be supporting it. I blurred out the other songs in the photo to add emphasis to the song title, as well as an arrow. I used an equals sign to "prove" a point I was trying to make. I would never, ever pay money for this song.

#5- Confession

Last year, I noticed that many people in my classes would fall asleep at the most random times. I thought it would be funny to take photos of them sleeping so I could show them later, and there were so many opportunities to take them. I chose to include all the photos I've taken of people sleeping in this memoir. There isn't any significant punctuations as I didn't see any necessary. The text looks kind of old-timey and boring, which relates to school and school is the reason all these people are asleep.

#4- Love

I really don't know what kind of person I'd be today without my twin sister. Growing up with an exact replica of you is sometimes really difficult, but I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. I made this photo slightly black and white to show how the photo was taken back in the day. I didn't use any punctuation in this memoir because I didn't see it necessary for the message. I like that this picture shows how similar we are, we still are very similar today.

#3- Past

I chose to put three different photos for this six word memoir. I've included a photo of me at a gymnastics competition the year that I decided to quit gym, and the next two are from the past year when I had decided to come back. The photos show my progression in gym, and how much better I've done since then. I chose to use three photos so I could add emphasis on each line of the six word memoir. I also added emphasis to the memoir by adding commas, which represented the passing of time in each photo. Gymnastics has been apart of my whole entire life, and I like how this photo represents it. It's really difficult making a comeback, especially when you left the sport despising it, but I'm very happy I'm back. I don't think I could have ever gotten this far if I didn't take a break first.

#2- Family

I think this 6 word memoir fits really well with this photo. I like the way the photo is blurry and sort of chaotic, as well as me looking really depressed. The phrase "you'll do anything for them" along with this chaotic photo seems like a perfect match. I chose not to add any filters or borders for this photo, just because I like the photo on its own and how naturally crazy it is. I put a comma after family to add emphasis to the pause and how I'm explaining you will go to great lengths to please them. I chose a white text because it is an easy colour to see with a darker background, and a white underline to make the text more obvious.

#1- Me: Obsession

The image I used to describe my passion/obsession was a picture of me and my sister with season 2 of the show Sherlock, one of our absolute favourite shows. I think the words fit very well to the picture, as the picture accurately represents how excited I get about this show and how highly I think of it. We took this photo on the night my parents decided to surprise us by leaving it in our room without us knowing. I didn't add any effects to the picture (just a border for the text) because I like the "in the moment" feel of it. It is pretty obvious it was taken with a computer camera, and I like it that way. I didn't use any punctuation to my sentence because it is a general statement that doesn't need any punctuation except for a period at the end.

Here are some of my favourite comics from the blog breaking bad comics. (i dont think there's any spoilers, but its mostly just in context of the show)

Dear Photograph(s)

Dear Photographs,
Oh, how I miss being young and careless. Not worrying about grades, paying for university or what I'm going to do when I'm older. But at the same time, I'm glad I've grown up to the person I am today. Thanks for the memories.
Ashlyn

Blast from the Gymnastics Past

In 2010,  I had decided that I was going to quit the sport I've been doing since I was four. At the time, it was probably the best thing I could have done. I was going into high school, and I didn't need all the added stress 19 hours of gymnastics a week can bring. Half way through my grade 10 year, I decided that I really missed doing gymnastics, so I took a chance and decided to try my luck in gym once again. I had to get back in shape, which was crazy difficult. But I had a lot of motivation, I wanted to be better than before. I had a better mind set, and I was determined to concur any fears of gymnastics I had before. And I honestly did just that. That same year, I joined into the same level that I had quit from once, and I competed in competitions as a Provincial Level 5 Open (open is gym term for 16+).

WARNING, Ashlyn is about to sound extremely cocky.
I honestly could not have asked for a better year. I got first place all around in every competition I competed in, including one in Calgary that I have never been to before. At the Western Canadian Championships, I finished 2nd all around, and competed in the bars, floor and vault finals. I finished in 2nd on floor and tied for 3rd on vault (bars didn't go so well, ended up with 6th). I'm definitely a different and better gymnast from when I quit. I've worked very hard over the summer of 2013, and for the first time in my life, I will be competing as a national level gymnast, and I'm ecstatic!

I've decided to share a video of my gymnastics competition from 2010 compared to the same one in 2013. I think it shows how much I've changed as a gymnast, and how I've greatly improved from where I was before.

Video includes- Floor routine from 2010, floor from 2013, vault from 2010, vault from 2013, back tuck on beam in 2010, back pike in 2013

I love watching award shows, and one of my favourite things to do when award season rolls around is to write down some guesses of who's going to win. My sister Justine and I write down the categories and then we put who we want to win and who will win (because its different a lot of the time). I thought I'd share some of my past award show guesses, along with the Emmys that are on tonight!

Digital Footprint

Reading Survey

The best book I’ve ever read was The Fault in our Stars by John Green. This book was just so fabulous. John Green’s books have been a favourite of mine for the past couple years, so when I heard he had a new book coming out, I was incredibly excited. My sister and I pre-ordered the book (pre-orders were signed so obviously we were going to jump on that). The book came to Chapters faster than it did to our house, so we went there first. Since we had heard some of the pre-orders were not signed, we decided to buy one from Chapters, as there was many signed copies there (our pre-order ended up not being signed, so good for us). I think this is one of the first books that has actually brought me to tears. I read the book in less than 2 days, and that’s when you know a book is great. I just couldn’t put it down. When books are great, I find myself thinking about them when I am not reading, and I get excited to continue. The characters were likable and very mature for their age. Since both main characters either had or had had cancer, you knew something was going to go wrong (and it sure did). Not only did that make you want to continue reading, but Hazel and Augustus’s relationship was growing and it was exciting to see how well they went together. I really loved every page of that book.

My favourite author is (no surprise) John Green. I’m sure that is going to be the answer of many young (female) adult readers. I love John Green as a novelist and also as a person. He does a lot of good in his life and tries to make the world a less-sucky place to be. Lately I’ve heard many people complaining (on the internet, obviously) about how he writes and things he says on his Youtube channel. People are angry that he writes about a traditional quirky girl that is cute and different, and a guy falls in love with her without trying. This is ‘supported’ by people exclaiming that John Green supposes every girl should just be quirky and different and that’s how they’ll find love, when that’s clearly not the case. I think this idea is reading way into what an author does. Authors don’t write stories with the intention of changing you into their character, or suggesting at all that you should be this way in your life. No one writes about a serial killer or a drug addict in hopes that you may become one some day. I think it’s just ridiculous to be offended by this fictional story. A story doesn’t need to be realistic to be exciting. People have been saying that he’s “disgusting” and “gross” for writing such things, and it’s honestly hard to read. I feel like he works very hard to make the world a good place to be, and to see people call this guy disgusting for a story he wrote? It’s really unbelievable. He is still my favourite author, and someone that I’d absolutely love to meet one day.

The last book I read was called Stolen by Gabrielle Zevin. I’ve read another book by this author in grade 9 titled Elsewhere, and I remember enjoying it. This story was about a young girl named Gemma. On her way from England to Australia, she is drugged and kidnapped by a man named Ty who is in love with her. It’s about Ty slowly trying to convince Gemma to love him. I really enjoyed this book because there’s so many questions to ask, like how she is going to get out of there, and will she end up falling in love with him even though he took her away from everything she knew and loved? Towards the end, I found myself hoping they would end up together, which was weird because he sucked at the beginning. All together I thought it was a nice book.