Category: Junior Literary

Okay, this blog is completely out of my comfort zone, so bear with me. I decided to interview myself because I would like to share some things about myself so here we are!

What is something you are certain you’ll never experience?

Me- Meeting my soulmate. Getting married. Someone falling in love with me. All the mushy stuff, lol.

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Me- My favorite thing about myself is my compassion. It’s also what I hate the most. My compassion for others hurts me most of the time but I would much rather hurt because I care so deeply than hurt someone else because I don’t care at all.

What do you think about most often?

Me- I think about my past and what I could’ve done differently. Thinking about what I’ve done keeps me up at night. I would change so much if I had to chance to.

What is something that offends you?

Me- Okay, this is going to sound weird but it really offends me when people interrupt me when I’m speaking. It makes me feel like what I have to say isn’t important enough to finish saying and what they have to say is more important. It’s also my biggest pet peeve.

If you could go back and change anything, what would it be?

Me- I would change who I hung out with in my 9th and 10th grade years. No hesitation. I got myself into a lot of trouble and honestly had the worst times of my entire life during these two years. If I would have surrounded myself with more positive people, I feel like I would’ve been a lot happier and less self- destructive. 

If you could watch everything that has happened in your life until now, would you enjoy it?

Me- Absolutely not. Like I previously said, 2017 and 2018 were THE worst years of my life. I wish I could take it all back and never look back again. I would change who I hung out with, what I did, where I was, etc. I’d change EVERYTHING. 

Would you sacrifice yourself for a stranger?

Me- Absolutely. I wouldn’t even hesitate. Or that’s what I like to think. This is where my compassion comes into play. I like to think that I would give my life for a stranger. Unless they’re a bad person. Then I wouldn’t. I would do it for an innocent bystander but I wouldn’t do it for a murderer or anything. 

What does your ideal life look like?

Me- Working as an author or publisher, making good money, and having a happy marriage. Maybe have a kid or two. I don’t know for sure yet.  

 

Well, hello. The month has officially drawn to a close, so this will serve as my September synopsis. Good luck surviving this post. Enjoy. (:

---

When August bled into September, no evidence of change presented itself. But September did, however, surprise me.

I remember August, and I remember first moving to MSA. A lot has changed since then. For starters, everything seemed so unfamiliar and daunting. I had a hundred ignorant questions, and I let stress consume me. Not only that, but I realized just how much my creativity had died. If you have never felt this way, let me clarify by saying that it was absolutely awful. Everything had become so mundane, and what was left of my shriveled creativity eluded me.

September started off relatively uncertain. I knew that I had experienced growth since the start of the school year, but I did not know the exact amount. But as the month progressed, everything changed. I could actually see the growth in vivid detail, and that astounded me. My first week here can only be described as  a mess of clumsiness, held together with duct tape and a fear of the unknown. Although the unknown does not necessarily terrify me, I do not find ignorance particularly pleasant, and I definitely felt like a blubbering idiot.

Anyway, yes, I kind of slipped into an odd routine, and I found the prospect of September dull. But this month actually surpassed August. I will say that a lot of unexpected variables elbowed their way in, but they ended up being not too bad. This month, my room has not caused me any problems, so I find that pretty awesome. And although I have the entire space to myself now, it does not bother me. I have brought a few plants, and they never fail to be great company. I would also like to add that the stress has become reduced. Everything is tolerable right now, and I hope it remains that way because I am actually able to breathe. I have more time to spend outside since I no longer spend a heap of hours on homework, and I find walking fairly pleasant. My only disagreement, however, is with the sun and the warm weather.

All in all, during September my writing improved, my number of questions decreased, and my environment became more familiar. I also feel happier than usual. More of my personality can seep through without judgment, and this has led to an odd clash of identity. I know who I am, but I have almost forgotten this piece of myself, if that makes sense. Anyway, I look forward to whatever October holds. I only hope that the next nine weeks will be manageable, hah.

Oh, yes, a quick interruption: Do not forget to eat tacos (“tahcos”) and fries that taste like happiness. And I would also like to add that I still miss my cat terribly.

---

Wednesday’s Fun Fact:

Are you aware of the part of the brain that is the cerebral cortex? Well, in Latin, cerebrum translates to “brain” and cortex translates to “bark”. Basically, your cerebral cortex is brain bark.

Today is October 2, 2019, the time has finally come. The time for spooky season  😈 

I am so excited for Halloween this year, I mean, usually I always am; but this year especially. I feel like I always have high hopes for Halloween. I imagine my friends and I get dressed up as Bring it On characters and going to the hunted house. However, my Halloween always goes like this: I get dressed in all black to go to school and when the school day was over I would go home. Usually, later on, that night I will watch America Horror Story. Sounds sad yes I know, but this year will NOT be like the rest. This year will fulfill all my spooky desires especially because I’m in Artoberfest and the haunted house is on Halloween night. The whole day is just going to be a great spooky-spooky vibe.

So to keep tradition I have an October playlist for your listening desires!

Although this playlist is titled “Spooky Playlist” no songs on here have any demonic saying or message. However, most of the songs are pleasing to hear and I recommend listening to all the songs with headphones and full volume.

Personal opinion about some of the songs

The first song to be featured on the playlist is Nani’s Interlude by Raveena. I came upon this song by coincidence. I was listening to a radio playlist and when this song started I was like hold up- run this back. The peaceful melody that plays behind the narrator’s voice (which I assume is Nani) is so beautiful. I recommend listening to this song when you are writing it could maybe inspire some ideas.

The second song is Stand Still by Sabrina Claudio. I knew of Sabrina Claudio from her song Confidently Lost (which I also recommend). She has this certain sound with her music that is so beautiful, it’s like when you listen to this song you are automatically at peace. It is truly a magical experience also I recommend listening to this song when you are in your feelings.

The next song is Lay me down by Steve Lacy and let me tell you guys something I can write a whole blog post and playlist solely on Steve Lacy. That is how much I love him so dearly he is such a talented individual. Lay me down has an old school/ prince/ blues vibe if that makes any sense. I promise if you listen to the song you will completely understand me.

The last song I will be reviewing is Warm Winds by SZA featuring Isaiah Rashad. Just how I stated with Steve Lacy on how I can write a whole blog post and create a playlist. I can do the same with SZA, her music is transforming when you experience it. Her voice is very unique and has a sound that none else can ever intimate and with Warm Winds that exactly what she does. In the first part of the song, she sings as she is speaking to you and everyone else in the world. Including the last part, it’s a whole beat switch that she and Isaiah harmonize on gorgeously. I also recommend listening to this song full volume and while writing.

     This long awaited post (it probably hasn’t, but I’m going to act like it is so please play along) is my new short film review!! I know, I know, cue the fireworks, cue the confetti, cue it all! I have finally found my new outlet for short films. I don’t know if you remember, but in one of my previous short film reviews, I mentioned a film school named ESMA. Well, this school has been put in a playlist of over 600 CGI animated short films alongside many other film schools and studios. I think I’m going to post animated short films from now on, but we’ll see what the future holds.

     In my journey of finding a short film to post, I watched 5, maybe 6 films before I settled on this one. Now these films were amazing, but this one stood out the most. It beat out a short film of a dog and a cat going through a major caffeine rush, which was absolutely hilarious. It reminded me of all the junior lits and our growing addiction to coffee (even though no one wants to admit it!) This particular film was just so unique and cinematically beautiful. The music used was so melodic and just perfect for the setting of the film. It gave me ratatouille vibes in a sense. The French culture that was displayed was so beautiful and made me smile the entire film. The concept of the film was the best thing about it. Call me childish, but animated films warm my heart. It brings a sense of nostalgia of the years where I would just sit and watch cartoons all day. Oh! how I yearn for those days. I think I loved this film so much because of the feeling it gave me. If a film doesn’t move me inside, I don’t appreciate it as much as a film that does. Animation just brings out the child in me, and I often like to be remembered of my childlike ways. It reassures me that I’m not a grown up yet, thank God!

      Also, this film made me think of the Kentucky Derby and the infamous hat pieces that are displayed there. I think it’s only appropriate that I mention that one day, I too will be wearing my Sunday’s best with a giant hat on watching horses race. Why, I have no reason to be ashamed, so why not just say it! 

     Now with that little spill, let me actually breakdown the film and rate it.

-The overall graphics were really well done and accurate. I could see these characters as actual people. Graphics get a 10/10 for me!

-The music was so peaceful and accurate. I have to find the music used and add it to my music library to be honest. Music gets a 10/10!

-The plot was easy to follow, nothing confusing about it, but the fact the dialogue was in a different language threw me for a loop, and following the subtitles and trying to watch the film at once was an extra task I didn’t really want to do, but it was such a minor thing, I can’t really complain. 10/10 for me!

The overall film gets a 10/10 for me. Some might not see it as THAT good, but it was so good to me, I have nothing to complain about. I really recommend you guys watch this film! Share your thoughts with me on how you thought it was! Also, now that I have a steady outlet for short films, expect more of this series from me. I’ll stop talking now so you can watch, enjoy!

 

 

 

I really want a Checker’s burger but it’s 10:04 and I can’t leave in the middle of 2nd block just to drive an hour and a half for a burger. So, let me suck it up and move on with my life.

I guess this blog post will be a recap of my life at MSA so far, starting with New Student Day.

So, on New Student Day, I was anxious. Very, very anxious. I was wearing this ugly pink outfit and I didn’t have time to look like I wanted to be here, so I was scared that no one was going to accept me as their new peer. But, lo and behold, I met my senior, Carter, and my first friends here, Stephyne, Katie, and Hannah. I couldn’t stay for long, however, because my parents wanted to leave as soon as possible.

I didn’t speak to anyone that whole summer.

This past August was hectic. I left my best friends and my dog behind to pursue dreams I wasn’t even sure about. But, A’Naiya, my bestest friend, told me that it was worth it. She said that she believed in me and that was the only thing that got me to Brookhaven on August 2nd. I had to move in on the 3rd, but my family wanted to get there ahead of time so that they didn’t have to get up at 6 to  put everything in the car  and get on the road.

So, to recap all of August: I started off really strong. Then a few of us caught feelings, bonded over those feelings, and some of us got over those feelings (I am not included in that group sksksksk). But, if I’m being honest, August wasn’t too bad of a month. It was just very….fast. I didn’t expect it to give me whiplash, ya’know?

My best friend, A’Naiya Miggins.

September was way worse than August, and it was slow enough for me to actually process what was going on, which, simultaneously, made it even worse and better.

So, recap: I caught harder feelings.

That’s it. It’s over. I’m done. That’s all. I caught harder feelings. And I know what you’re thinking, you hypothetical logic speaker. “How did you catch feelings if you barely know her?” I just did. From day 1. I just felt it, ya’know?

 

No, but honestly, September has just been a terrible month for me, mentally. I just feel so…..off. I don’t want to sleep anymore. I don’t want to eat anymore. I just wanna lie in bed and disassociate. But that’s okay, I’m fine. That wouldn’t prove to be anything but detrimental.

So,yeah!! That’s my life at MSA thus far. Thanks for reading!!

Hey guys!

I know I usually post past work in between my big blog topics, but I’m switching things up! I wanna sort of let you into my world, so I am going to provide details and information that just tells you a little bit about me. I will also include pictures, so you’ll have a visual.

Fun Facts & Favorites:

• Horoscope sign: Gemini
• Color: Hot pink
• Ice Cream Flavor: Coffee
• Scent: Vanilla/Anything floral or girly
• Hobbies: Crafting, Having conversations, & Shopping
• Go-To Social Media App: Pinterest or Instagram
• Food: Cheese pizza, Steak, & Broccoli (not all together)

Accomplishments (in no particular order):

• MSA Literary
• Morgan Crosby’s Junior
• Published  in Call to Response by Write for Mississippi
• All A’s Honor Roll 2008-now
• Perfect Attendance 5 times
• Created an annual food drive (at my previous school)
• Recipient of the Citizenship Award 7 times
• 3rd Floor & Junior Literary Representative

Role Models (in no particular order):

• Ashley Graham
• Gloria Steinem
• Frida Kahlo
• Anne Frank
• Mary Lambert
• Rosa Parks
• My Mother

Photo Facts:

I grew up in the small town of Foxworth, MS. 

There, I got some of the best friends in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have ALWAYS been a cat lover

           

            

            

I am very BUSY and SUPER involved 🙂

                

  

 

 

MORE Facts About Me:

• I prefer Coke over Pepsi.
• I enjoy stuffed crust pizza without pineapple.
• I put my cereal in before my milk, as any normal person would.
• I put my socks & shoes on in this order: sock, shoe, sock, shoe. Don’t come for me.
• I like taking ugly “grandma” shirts cutting the sleeves off, and making them look decent*.
• I have an insane fear of heights & spiders.
• I can’t swim, but I love being in the water.
• I can’t drive, but I’m making progress.
• I like makeup on a good day.
• I sometimes think I’m lactose intolerant.
• If I could go back in time, I’d be a baking prodigy, so I could be featured on Kids Baking Championship.
• Law & Order: SVU will forever remain the best series in my ?.
• If I had a superpower, I’d want to read minds.
• My middle name is Arie, after India Arie.
• I wish I were a natural redhead like Callie & Bri.
• My mom is my favorite person in the world.
• I am half Hispanic, and I LOVE that about myself.
• No, I am not Hawaiian, but I do want to attend college in Hawaii.
• I love journalism with my whole heart.
• Mrs. Sibley is one of the best people I know, and I hope to be half the person she is

Random Pictures:

 

---

Next Blog Topic is……

White Privilege

---

Poll Time!

• Feminism & Equality of the Sexes
• Art Students: Should They Go For Something More Practical?
• Fashion
• Global Warming: Is It Happening?

Comment below!

A tree stands tall, bending slightly over as the top gets higher. 

It must be afraid to touch the sky. Or perhaps it wants to provide more shelter for when the clouds cry. 

Maybe the tree is sad, for the short nubs imply some arms were cut off. 

Is that why it hunches forward- its taken limbs lead it to despair? 

Or could it be slouched because it finds the fact of being taken for granted unfair? 

Whatever the reason, it is too unmotivated – too distraught to clean

 its wide trunk of the spotting moss that is turning white when it once was green. 

The moss’s color is fading, but the amount is growing

And now the tree must be sad because it’s true age is showing. 

Beyond the thin rings being added inside the thick wood that the eye can not see

More wrinkles and cracks appear in its bark giving the fear of growing old a guarantee. 

The thick, strong roots are embedded in the dirt beneath it

And ashamed of them, the tree tries to hide them in the ground… 

where it thinks, it thinks they can not be found. 

It wants to look independent, it does not want to rely on anything to hold it up-

Yet the part of the roots that show give away it’s weakness, although they may be short, 

The fact that it can not stand without their unwanted support. 

Thousands and hundreds of colorful small leaves 

Hang on the branches in light shades of green. 

They shine in the sun and capture the light on each of their surfaces

I place my hand on the rocky skin of the tree from the shade, was tinted dark

And feel the warmth of the absorbed sun in the gray bark 

And the hundred limbs branching out above me bring a cool shade 

along with the rest of the earth the tree has decided to lean over as it stands on display. 

-an ekphrastic piece I wrote based off a tree at msa.

Ever since I was little, I’ve found beauty in nature so easily and have given it human characteristics. When I would climb trees as a child, my small hands would grip a small branch not strong enough to hold my whole 40 lbs of weight and would snap off and fall far to the ground. I would apologize to the tree with genuine remorse and pat its rough trunk as to comfort it, then I would continue to climb.

This poem came naturally, as I have always been able to look at a living thing and assigned it an emotion and personality. I related it to an elderly person- when they get to the stage of self recognition concerning their feeble state, but take no responsibility for the necessary dependence they need. They want to maintain the independence they lose with age and not admit that they need support. Yet with the lack of youth, there is a great sense of wisdom, strength, and unappreciated beauty. With growth comes experience, and experience is admirable- whether it is found  in people, or nature.

 

The Big Easy

swoops of chocolate press lightly

and yellow kisses her skin

as she spins endlessly 

under the starry sky

jazz plays a smooth tune 

as she dances with the sax

and passes into a singer’s embrace

her body is floating on musical chords

she’s so careless, so free

and I can’t help but want to dance

with her on French Quarter

---

Last week I went to the MSA dance recital, and I was inspired by a dance that made me feel nostalgic. It was so lovely, and I could imagine a whole scenario with the dance. The dancer was under a yellowish light, and I believe the music was smooth.

I could just picture the whole scene in New Orleans. A person under a streetlamp dances freely, while jazz plays in the background. Perhaps, it’s even raining while they dance away. It doesn’t matter because all the person can focus on is their love for jazz, and dance.

I have such a deep love for New Orleans, so seeing this piece was truly beautiful. I used to go to New Orleans every summer, and stay at my Uncle’s house. We would go to the aquarium, the zoo, and the mall as well. I had so many amazing memories from there.

Though, after a while I did not appreciate New Orleans as much. It seemed boring after a while. I suppose that is because my 8 year old self already did the fun stuff.

Until I randomly decided to go last summer. I originally wanted to go to New York, but New Orleans was much more realistic. My mom and I went, and I felt a sense of joy entering the city. There was art everywhere you turned, and people doing their daily tasks. We stayed at a hotel nestled in the back of the French Quarter. Behind that hotel was a tasty Greek restaurant called the Halal Guys. The front of the restaurant was fully opened, and you could see the trolley pass by as you ate.

Speaking of the trolley, I was also infatuated with it. I never realized the seats could actually change different directions (it makes sense now because the trolley goes back and forth in different directions). My mom and I would just sit and look at old houses while it continued on the tracks. It was the most relaxing feeling I had experienced in a while.

Overall, the trip made me gain back my appreciation for New Orleans. So every time something reminds me of it, I am hit with a sense of love. Oh New Orleans, I can’t wait to go back to you <3

 

So before I get into this post, I realize I haven’t followed up on some of my recent series. Trust and believe those follow up post will be coming soon. With my short film series, I haven’t been able to find a short film I feel like posting. I want to post good content so just be patient with that. With my other series, I just haven’t had the motivation to do them, but I am a woman of my word and I will be sure to get those posts up soon. For today’s post however, I would like to share a video. Now, this might appeal more to my people who enjoy makeup. Though, if you are wondering about the world of makeup and want to get a taste of it, I would suggest you keep reading. My experience with makeup has been…short lived but is on going. My sister was the one who got me into makeup. She started around this age, mind you I’m 16 and she’s 20 now so she definitely has more experience than me. I would always watch her do her makeup and I would be so jealous because I wasn’t allowed to put on makeup yet. As soon as I turned 15, I begged my mom to let me start wearing makeup and she let me. She didn’t let me do a full face of makeup at first which is understandable. I knew she wouldn’t let me use foundation or concealer or lipstick yet, but I could do my eyebrows and lashes. I was perfectly fine with this since I thought it would be easier to learn how to do my eyebrows and lashes first anyway. My eyebrow journey was indeed a long one. I started off by using an eyebrow pencil, but once I learned how to do that I moved onto brow pomade. I want to insert some pictures so y’all could see, but me not being internet savvy, I can’t seem to figure out how. After mastering my brows, which I truly mastered over the past summer, I moved to lashes. Now this was a challenge. Putting on false lashes was the hardest thing to do in my life. My hand used to shake bad when I was working on a specific thing so that made it so much more harder. I eventually mastered it and now it’s like second nature to me. When I turned 16, I could finally do full faces. Luckily this would be the easy part. My sister did help me a lot at this stage, but she could only do so much. I practiced a lot over the past summer. When I say a lot—I mean a lot. I eventually got my routine down when I do a full face, but I still need more practice in this stage to fully master it. One thing that has helped me a lot has been Youtube videos. Yes, I’ve finally said it. YouTube videos have saved my life LOL. Specifically Jackie Aina. Jackie is a black MUA (Makeup Artist) who is just wonderful and so talented at makeup. Her tutorials have helped me so much. In fact, this whole post has led to a video I’m going to share. This particular video is one of her more, say, family friendly videos. Not that her videos are inappropriate but they do have some content that may not be for everybody. In this video, Jackie shares the screen with her lively niece Jade. This is one of my favorite videos because it is so cute to see her niece play around in Jackie’s makeup. I hope you enjoy!

As a redhead, I have had a love-hate relationship with my hair my entire life. I’ve heard some of the meanest insults and I’ve been asked the most ridiculous questions. I used to struggle with my hair because it is not the traditional carrot orange that is most often associated with being a redhead. My hair is a darker red, which is called auburn. My hair’s texture has changed drastically over the course of my life so far. When I was a baby, it was silky smooth with perfect ringlets. Then I cut my own hair. Then, it was straight for a while. Then I cut most of it off again. And now, my hair is in an awkward stage between wavy and curly. Some parts are super curly while others are either loose waves or board straight.

When I would get mad at something, all of my friends would call me “Ginger Snap”. *cue the eye roll*

Redheads seem to be the butt of jokes. Redhead children are often associated with being ugly (sorry, we don’t sugarcoat things over here) and I think it honestly depends on the redhead. Some of us aren’t too bad.

And if you have never heard “I’d rather be dead than red on the head” then you are lucky. I’ve heard it sooooo many times in the course of my school life. I went through stages of hating my hair so much that I dyed it an actual red. I would show you guys but honestly, I’m too embarrassed. It didn’t look bad or anything; I just love my hair now and it frustrates me to think that I didn’t love it before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, I’m done talking about my childhood trauma. Let’s answer some commonly asked questions about redheads!

“Do you have a soul?”

First of all… mind your business.

(Jk, I do have a soul. It’s borrowed, but it’s there  )

“You’re so pale. Why don’t you just get a tan?”

Why didn’t I think about that? Oh wait! I did. We can’t tan. According to gingerparrot.com, every human’s skin is made up of different level of Pheomelanin and Eumelanin. Eumelanin is a brown/ black pigment, which Pheomelanin is a pink/ red one. Redheads have a very high amount of Pheomelanin and a very low amount of Eumelanin. The pheomelanin pinkish color also helps explain why we have red hair. This lack of Eumelanin is responsible for pale skin, as well as lighter eye colors, such as blue, green or grey. In place of tanning comes an inability to protect itself naturally against UV exposure, so redheads tend to burn more quickly and frequently if not wearing sun protection.

“Is that your natural hair color?”

Nah. My mom and I have dyed it since I was born. Yes, it’s natural.

“I’ve heard redheads have a high pain tolerance. Is that true?”

Scientifically, yes. Personally, absolutely not.

“Do both of your parents have red hair?”

Actually, no. Only my mom does. My dad is almost the literal opposite of me, which is surprising since the red hair gene is recessive. I think they both have the gene but my dad’s dominant gene was his German heritage. He has dark skin and dark hair. My brothers are both the same way. We don’t exactly look like we belong together when we’re out in public.

“Is it true that redheads have anger issues?”

I don’t know if it applies to all redheads but I know that I have a very low level of patience and small things can cause me to become very agitated. It might just be my personality. It’s hard pretending to be nice all the time.

“Don’t most redheads have brown or green eyes?”

Yes! But my little combination is very rare. Having red hair and blue eyes is extremely uncommon. Only 1-2% of all redheads have it. I kind of wish I had brown eyes, though. They’ve always been the prettiest eye color to me. They’re also the most underrated.

“Brianna, how are you just so awesome?”

Awwweee! Thanks for asking! It’s most definitely the hair.

 

If you don’t have a redhead friend, I totally DON’T SUGGEST GETTING ONE. WE’RE EVIL AND VILE. The end 🙂