Category: Junior Literary

What would you do if your child thought they were a monster? How do you explain emotions, feelings, things that are bound to happen: pain, love, loss, life, to one so young? You don’t. Or you do and hope they turn out alright. There is no proven way to grow up. Pain is necessary. Love is subjective. Children are incredibly programmable. 

I think about the things I was taught when I was young and wonder how many of my beliefs were chosen by me, and how many were simply handed to me before I knew I could question them.

I believe I am responsible for everything in my life. That is a belief I have chosen in recent years (and am still working on). Not necessarily because I caused everything, but because if I take responsibility for what has happened for me, there is no one left to blame. I am not a victim of anything. It works for me.

Everything is as it should be. Even the things I don’t like. Even the things I disagree with. There doesn’t have to be a “should.” Everything is subject to change, and that’s okay. If I want to change anything at all, I have to change something within myself.

Maybe that is why I try to avoid spending too much of my energy obsessing over all the ‘wrong’ that can exist. I do not believe any good would come out of me dropping everything to hyper-fixate on problems I cannot immediately solve. I also want to reach a point where I can observe what I consider wrong in this world without feeling the need to fight against its existence. Just things to notice, accept if I can, and let go of.

I want everything to flow smoothly.

But do I?

Occasionally I imagine a life where nothing is ‘wrong’ and it sounds unbearably uneventful. Maybe that’s a limiting thought. Fun, dramatic, beautiful things can happen without disasters. A life can be eventful without being painful. But sometimes it sounds like a nice break.

Speaking of breaks, there is escapism.

I wish I could drown everything out. I don’t fully know why. Some part of me does, probably, but I don’t want to deal with that any time soon. Denial. I don’t know how long I’ve been doing this.

I have spent so much time trying to understand whether I want to be here, whether I want to stay happy, whether I want anything at all.

I want to be content. Whole. Alive. I sometimes mistake detachment for peace. And sometimes it is. But I think there is something in me that wants success, certainty, more life. I realize those are normal human desires. But at the same time there is a part of me that would just love to not feel anything. Not want anything. Not even numbness. Just free. But maybe that’s why I am here. To learn and accept.

I can’t make sense of a lot of my thoughts most of the time. Or I just don’t want to. I’m trying to improve that. Trying to grab them more often and solidify them in front of me so I can look at what’s actually going on inside of me and deal with it rather than keep pushing it around and away.

I’m just trying to figure myself out and not only have little glimpses of realization only to overthink it all and drift back to inceptions. I need to remind myself that it is okay to stay adrift for a while though, as long as I eventually find some grounding path. 

I don’t have a coherent idea of what I’m doing with my life yet, but I’m still here, still questioning, still choosing to keep going, and even if I don’t figure it all out it will still be worth it. I choose to believe so.

I don’t know why this is what my thoughts spilled into but I’m glad I got this out of me. Thank you.

Video games, a modern equivalent to reading in the 17th century for kids and adults. The way you can get lost in the story to the point you feel as if you were the character. Like you are in the world. The feeling of being someone or something you’re not really gives the reader, and the players, the ability to imagine everything. The main difference is that when you read a book, you read about the characters. Whereas with a game, you are the characters. More or less. But that’s not the point of this,is it. The real meat of the matter is how the game is created. How it’s made to make you feel about the world around you. Where books can only describe your surroundings, video games actually show you what you should be seeing, and on top of this, the environment itself might tell its own story. So join my insane ramblings on what makes video games good and appealing.

To start this introduction off, I will just say this for all those people who are like “I only play video games that have good graphics.” or the people who i have suggested games to and they tell me, “this looks awful, and it’s so low polly.” Just because a game looks poor in resolution or graphics, doesn’t mean that the game is bad. It’s called game design. Anyone with half a brain knows what minecraft is and is aware that the entire game is made of pixels. And yet, it’s still one of the most popular games in the world, with 212 million people playing monthly. Personally, I don’t care if one blade of grass took twelve days to render, and you put the newest physics engine into it so it would have dynamic wind physics. If the game sucks, I’m not gonna play it. But that’s going a little off topic. There are three, count them out. Three main aspects to game design that, in my extensive yet still expanding knowledge of games, makes a good quality game. Art design, story, and music. These three will be the subject of future discussion. And you’ll probably ask about how the game functions, or the game play loop. I’ll get there eventually, but for right now, we’re going to focus on the more artistic aspects of game design. But don’t think I’m simply brushing off bad game play because that also makes a game terrible. I’m looking at you Marathon. But these parts will be featured in later discussion.

Hello everypony. I’m going to come up with a clever greeting soon enough, but for now we’re just getting words out. My blog is going to be a place that I HOPE feels like a conversation during a family gathering with your cool aunt. I want to talk about EVERYTHING here. I never want you to be afraid to tell me that my blog needs work or that it just sucks. I’m always open to criticism. The main topics I know I’ll talk about at least once are listed below. 

1. Marvel
2. DC
3. Religion
4. My friends 
5. School 
6. Life hacks 
7. Organization tips (it’s kind of ma thing) 
8. Many more!

First impressions are very important, and this is mine. I hate when I meet someone and all they do is talk about themself, so why would I make MY first impression something I hate? Instead, I’ll describe how I hope you’ll interpret my blogs, my ideal reader, and a surprise topic. Wait. Those are kind of all about me. Yikes. I tried, people, I tried. Anyways! I hope my blog will feel like a one-on-one conversation with a friend. I never want someone to feel discriminated against or offended by anything I put here. Despite the fact I’m basically talking to myself here, I want you to feel like this is somewhere you can open up. 

Without further ado…my ideal reader! My ideal reader would be a teenager for sure. Someone who doesn’t judge people before knowing them. A TEA DRINKER. An enjoyer of cinema and books. A person who was born in the summer. Wait. That was oddly specific? Because I just snuck my about me in on you!! It felt too vain to say, “I’m Bailey now read all about ME!” So, you read about me unknowingly. Boom. Obviously, I’m not my own ideal reader. My ideal reader is anyone who wants to read this 

Next topic! 

I know I may look boring, but I’ve got taste, people. Might I introduce you to my favorite thing? MY LITTLE PONY. Peak cinema. I grew up with My Little Pony. It’s hard to beat. I like to think I’m the most like Twilight and Pinkie pie, but of course that isn’t up to me. 

 I’ve had many people come up to me in the past and tell me that I’m too for My Little Pony. I think that’s silly. You should always do what makes YOU happy. 

I think this concludes my first blog. Thanks for hanging with me. Love you, bye!!! 

Has anyone else watched “House of the Dragon,” or is it just me? The first season, from the visual shots to the casting, was pure perfection to me. Then again, my entertainment taste has been regarded as questionable. But, as the new seasons have begun coming out, people who have been fans of the books since they first came out have become irritated by the decrease in book accuracy. The story goes that the decline in quality started long before the author of the books, George R. R. Martin stepped back from the show. According to various sources, the director of the adaptation, Ryan Condal, strayed from the book before the show even aired, causing disagreements between the creator of the books and the maker of the show.

Me personally, I’m one of the fans that are annoyed by the wandering plot, especially with season three now airing a new episode every week. As someone who has read the books, I understand that not everything can be book-accurate, especially when it comes to fantasy books being put on the big screen. The dragons aren’t going to be as large as I read they were, I know that, but at the very least, the costumes can be somewhat precise for the story’s royal family. Rhaenyra had lavish taste, guys, take notes—she was a teenager who had the best seamstresses in the realm, of course, she shouldn’t be dressed in ill-fitting, basic dresses. The problem is, it goes so much further than costumes simply not being exact—it’s entire plot lines being rewritten in ways that likely will not tie the ending together as the book did.

What is the point of adding random side storylines that add absolutely nothing to the overall plot? You tell me. The show is starting to seem more like a fanfiction of the book, rather than a conversion of the book itself. And believe me, if you start viewing it that way, it will make your mood improve. But, for me, it’s gotten to the point where I no longer find interest in watching the show. I haven’t watched a single episode from season three, nor have I even finished season two. If there’s anything in the episode worth watching, it’ll be posted on tiktok with just the right amount of seconds to make me watch. And any controversial and overall ‘weird’ scenes in the episode? People will talk about that, too.

There could have been so many better ways to adapt the book into an actually enjoyable show, but it is simply far too late to save what was made of it. Until things start becoming accurate, book fans will be outraged by what the show has become. “House of the Dragon” is burned into the internet, and likely will not be getting a revision to appease viewers anytime soon.

 

 

Have you ever walked into a room and a smell hit your nose that wasn’t quite right? It may have been dirty laundry, the toilet, the bathroom, or the owner of the room. No matter what the smell is- it most likely came from odor-causing microbes. A microbe is a microorganism, most likely bacterium causing fermentation or disease.

 

Bad smells come from fungi, bacteria, streptomyces, and other nasty microbes. Microbes feed on organic residues like skin cells, sweat, food particles, and more. They also thrive in moist, warm places like fabrics (mainly polyester), food storage areas, and humid basements. They can spread because of direct contact, like a smelly microbe touching wet surfaces like foams, plastics, or rubber. Microbes tend to break down organic matter and release compounds such as, amines, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur-containing thioalcohols, and short chain fatty acids.

 

Every microbe carries a different scent. Molds and fungi often produce a musty, mildew like odor in damp and humid areas. Gram-negative anaerobes result in bad breath. Candida bacteria obtain a yeasty smell, and honestly who wants to smell like a bakery worker. Staphylococcus Lugdunensis creates an earthy hay-like smell.  Streptomyces produces an organic compound called geosmin which gives soil its earthy smell. Staphylococcus Hominis is known for producing a pungent smell caused by the breaking down of sweat components. NO ONE WANTS TO SMELL LIKE THIS OR SMELL THIS!!!

 

There are many ways to prevent microbes from spreading. Control moist surfaces. This means fixing leaks, keeping surfaces dry, and avoiding placing wet items in humid areas. Improve ventilation. Let your air circulate to reduce humidity and trap those nasty smells. Disinfect using EPA approved disinfectants on frequently used items and surfaces. Wash your hands regularly. Use hand sanitizer if soap is not available. Keep perishable food items in the refrigerator within two hours of buying (one hour if room temperature is over ninety degrees). Wash your clothes in hot water because it kills bacteria and fungi on clothes. Dry clothes completely to avoid the buildup of mold and mildew. Clean all spills immediately. Replace your kitchen sponges weekly even if they look clean, they harbor bacteria. Use paper towels or sanitization wipes instead of sponges on countertops (they are disposable). Using air purifiers with HEPA filters helps reduce airborne microbes. Clean and disinfect shared tools. Inform your household members so they can take the necessary steps to prevent the smelly microbes.

 

I don’t really like writing. It takes forever to come up with an idea, and when I do come up with something I have no clue how to execute it without sounding like a 12 year olds first post after discovering tumblr. I don’t understand poetry and I hate flash fictions, if I write something while I’m sad or angry I feel like I just sound edgy. My loves always lied with performance arts, but I HATE performing. I get shaky and nervous and my voice cracks or goes ridiculously high out my usual range and its humiliating. I do draw but I never show others, especially now that I’m at a school where every other person is a visual arts student.

Now, you may be wondering, (motioning your words as a sock puppet) “why are you at an arts school if you hate all the forms of art and why are you a literary student if you don’t like to write” well that is a great question! I don’t know. I know I can write, that’s how I got in in the first place, but I’ve been stuck on what I’m gonna do when I inevitably realize I’m not cut out for this, I mean the last serious piece I wrote before my portfolio was when I was 14. I considered switching disciplines, maybe I’d be better in theatre, but then comes back the point of my performance anxiety, so I was feeling stuck for a few days when that hit me.

Its been on my mind since I got here but I think I finally figured out my issue. Its not that I hate writing or I’m scared of performing, Its that I’m immediately setting certain expectations for myself for stuff that I have barely any experience in and I’m being my own critic and I’m biased against myself. I know some of my ideas for stories aren’t that bad, my acting could use some work but thats normal, because I’ve never been an actor before, but when I’m looking at it from an outside lens and comparing it to established writers or actors relatively it looks.. Pretty bad in all honesty. But thats okay!!!! 

Its taken myself and embarrassing amount of time to realize I’m judging myself harsher and quicker before anyone else could, and I think a lot of people do that and don’t realize. You’re not gonna be the best at something (unless your me because I’m the best at everything) but you should still be proud of the work you do put effort into. For example, this blog post!! I’ve had no clue what I was gonna write, because I thought all the ideas I had were kinda meaningless or stupid. Thats actually how I’ve been thinking of most of my literary assignments (pls don’t do this I’m gonna end up in procrastination purgatory soon) but now that I actually sat down and wrote it, I like this a lot. So to whoever’s reading this, do whatever you’ve been putting off because you have no ideas for it !!! you will regret it if you don’t take it from me.

This is an activity blog! 

This blog contains a form of activity the whole class can take part in. If interested, please scroll to the bottom of the blog for the resources required and for the description of the activity! 

Recently, dating back to a month or so ago, I’ve been drawing in a journal using only pencils and some charcoal here and there. However, I only ever drew on the left side of the journal whenever I had a spontaneous idea to draw something. Usually, I’ll have more visual art tendencies rather than a writer’s tendency.

Then something occurred to me. 

I applied to both disciplines at the beginning of the school year and had got accepted into both but could only choose one, so I went with my first passion, literary. I love literary with all my heart; it’s always been a part of me and a part of my life but sometimes the literary brain needs something more, that’s where the journal came in handy. 

Thinking about how the right side of the book had always been empty and dry whenever my drawings on the left were completed (and too tired most the time to draw another image on the right.) I decided one day to fill the right side of the book to be a form of writing that contributes to the drawing on the left, and then suddenly I had a new piece and a visual representation. 

This idea has been with me for a long time now. It’s not every day I draw or write in the journal. I treat the journal as a collection of poems and small flash descriptions of what I have drawn or what I felt in the moment. I’ve also gotten many new ideas just from revisiting old drawings and poems I’ve written. 

Some poems I have written have returned and have been added to my journal and instead of drawing first I entered the literature first and drew the visual representation last. 

If you’re not much of an artist in the visual department, you don’t have to draw. Photography is another great utility for a writer. Almost anything can be pulled from a moment in a photograph, hidden feelings, secret messages, colors, and so on!  (I also think photography would be a great idea for our class to practice as well. It’s a type of literary art and builds skill with having to use a camera and your surroundings to your advantage as a writer. This would be enjoyable for the Media discipline also) 

Or you could just simply journal. <3

I think this is a healthy idea for our class and can be repeated throughout your life as a writer to log ideas and pieces in a creative way and to your aesthetic: 

For example, a few fellow bloggers who I follow along with have very unique aesthetics and it perfectly fits their character and personality: 

Sarah: Ladybugs, Love, kid cartoons

Nick: Westerns, Ghosts, Trans

Robin: Music, Theatre, friendships

Jaleigha:  Red and Blue foods, Stitch. 

Danny: Mythologies, Astronomy, Trans 

So on, so forth! 

At the start of the next school year, I would like to share some of the works I have done within the journal that will have hopefully be completed. You do not need a specific genre, or anything attached to the journals contents unless you want there to be one. This is all you! Your creativity and your ideas. 

Activity: 

Due to the fast-approaching conclusion of the junior year at Mississippi School of the Arts, I thought it would be a good idea for everyone who will be attending next school year to do something like a writer's journal. It's like Morning Pages, suggested from "The Artist Way" by Julia Cameron, but in my eyes a lot more engaging, fun and gives you a lot more time. 

Resources needed:
 
. A journal, notebook, sketchbook, or pieces of paper in a binder. 
. Pencil, Pens, or other visual art utilities you'd like to use. 
. Camera/phone, for pictures if you want them. 

ALERT/NOTICE: These are your journals; you do not have to partake in sharing anything you have written over summer break if you are not comfortable. If you would like to show you at least participated in the activity: simply place your thumb gently at the edge of the pages and pull back, the pages should flip rapidly. You DO NOT have to complete the journal it can be just a few pages. 

Fill the journal with whatever comes to mind. If you plan to continue and make a series of journals, I highly suggest numbering journals in volume form with the date the year you began and the date year you ended with.
If you think the journal needs such; Give it a title! Hell, slap some stickers on it, doodle in the corners, enjoy the process! Make it yours and something to reflect on when you grow as a writer and who you are and what you wish to accomplish in life! 

Tip: It also gives you topics and ideas to blog about next year! 

Since this is my last blog for the year, I wanted to reflect on the year and write about my experiences this year. I have had a great year overall. There have been some struggles though. I think when some people decide to change their life or flip it upside down they think everything will be great and no struggles will be had but those people are wrong. I think a many believe this due to the structure of movies but that is a whole side rant I won’t go on.  Without struggle you don’t get to where you need to be. Without struggle you don’t grow and without struggle you can’t find who you are. I have had struggles this year but it is within those struggles I have learned about myself and others. I think that people put a pressure on themselves and on this place when coming here as new students to be perfect and happy but it isn’t always like that. If you want life to be a rollercoaster you have to have lows. I think a lot of people loose that way of thinking especially with the internet shoving the idea of being perfect down everyone’s throat. It isn’t important to be perfect it is important to live and experience. Some may argue that it is important to be happy but well I somewhat disagree. I think being happy is a great thing that is needed but I just don’t think that is the bigger picture, the meaning to life if you will. It is far more important to be human. 

I have had a great year so far and have really had some great experiences. I have made some great friends and met incredible teachers. I have found what I want. I have also found my voice and my motivation. I have found my peace. 

I have loved hanging out with my friends and I have loved the things I have learned. Each of these things I will carry with me through life. 

I have begun packing up my dorm and am taking a lot home this weekend. I will miss my dorm and all the fun I have had there whether that be waking up to the sun shining through the window on weekends, having friends over and hanging out while we sit on the cool floor, or even when I have had to sit at my desk alone or sit in the silence and work. I will miss it very much, well I guess you could say I already do. 

I will miss my favorite benches that overlook the street. I love how nice the campus is and how nice it feels to sit outside and breathe in the fresh air. I will miss going to T-Soup and Serios. I will miss going thrifting. And I will miss walking around town with my friends. 

I have grown here and I have learned here. I feel that this has been a great experience. A needed one as well. 

I would like to recap some of my favorite things that have happened this year as a reflection. As a memory saver. 

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Ole Brook festival

At the beginning of the year Brookhaven held a festival, which they do every year. It was just something to do. They had venders that lined the parking lots and streets by the railroad park. They had live music, some of our vocals even participated. That was the first weekend I stayed. I went to the festival with my dear friend Sarah House and we had a really fun time. They even played “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson, a mutual favorite song of ours. We hung out with a few of our other friends as well throughout the weekend. I ordered doordash for the first time as well and we participated in craft night which was fun. We made bracelets and painted random pictures. It was fun. It was my favorite weekend this year I believe. 

Workshops and Guests 

The workshops and guest artists this year have been amazing. I have really loved the workshops we have had so far. I really like being able to read others work and then receive feedback for your own. It also helps you feel less alone in the writing process. The guests we have had in class have also made it such a great year. They have inspired now projects and have helped us all continue writing in new ways. These are my favorite parts of class. 

New movies, new music, new people

I have found a lot of new media and art while being her at MSA. I have been recommended countless shows and movies and have also been recommended a few new songs and bands. It is hard in a normal environment to find people that like the same type of media as you but I think here it is easier. I would like to talk about a few things that I was recommended this year that stuck out. Ride the Cyclone. One of the best musicals ever btw. I can’t believe it took me this long to watch it. One of my suitemates even sang a song from it for the vocal cabaret, but I didn’t watch it till Sarah decided to introduce it to me. The music is top tier along with the set, choreo, costumes, and props. I found this to be  a great musical and since then I have watched it about two or three more times. Sarah also recommended a movie called Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind a while back. It has become one of my favorite movies. It is such an intellectually deep and thought provoking movie, which is the genre I usually go for lol. I have watch that movie about five times now and I can say with confidence that it is a great movie. I had heard about this movie before but I thought it wasn’t a movie I would really like but one weekend I watched it with my mom and it was amazing. (Sarah 10/10 recommendations fr) Now moving on to some other media I have been recommended. Danny oh Danny and Nick oh Nick……You both have recommended so many amazing movies, shows, and music that I can not list all of them lol. But I will say that all of the recommendations from you two have also been 10/10. I have also thanks to this school met a lot of new people.  I have had two roommates. Emmylan became one of my best friends even though she left. I met Sarah who has become one of my best friends as well. She makes a bad day better most of the time lol. She has taught me that having personality is cool, yes I already knew this but I always thought that my personality wasn’t what others wanted to see but Sarah has taught me that others want to see your personality and what makes you you. I have met Danny who has been such a good friend and we relate and agree on a lot of topics. I am so happy to have met them as well as all of the Jr. literary class. I have grown because of all of them and I wanted to say thank you to all of them for that. I have also been able to become friends with two seniors who are great people. They are kind, respectful, whimsical, and honestly some of the best people I have met. They make any experience better and I can’t believe they are leaving Monday. I’ll miss you Steph and Richie!!!! I have also met other various amazing people some many that I can’t name all of them either but if you weren’t named just know you still count and mean the world to me lol. 

Now some photos ………

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That was a long paragraph but it was worth it lol. Now I would like to talk about how this year has helped me as a writer. I have always struggled with finding my thing. I have always had so many things I want to pursue but I think that coming here has shown me how much I love writing and how big of a part writing is in my life. I have also had trouble finding my why for writing but I feel that this has helped me grow closer to finding my why. This year has also helped me find my process and find the joy of art again. I fell out of love for the process about a year ago and coming here was I think a step to help me out of that hole. I have since grown to love art much more, maybe even more than I did before I fell out of love the first time. 

This year has been a growing experience and a great opportunity that I will forever be grateful for. I am so sad that the year is already almost over but I am ready for where life takes me next. 

Love y’all!!! Over and out.