The Opposite of Chocolate

Okay, admittedly I picked up this book because of the cute cover. I mean, who can resist a book covered in smarties?
The book follows Sapphire, who has fallen pregnant at fourteen and tackles many issues such as teenage pregnancies, death, abortion, love and choices. For me, I couldn't understand Sapphire's parent's reactions. Okay, Sapphire is fourteen. She's messed up. She has made a mistake. But she has to grow up pretty quickly and having her mum pull her in one direction and her dad pull her the other isn't going to help a confused, scared little girl. In my opinion, that is the message of the book. Choice. How old it can be made effectively. How maybe a parents decision isn't best for you. How a rushed decision and little knowledge can have real consequences.
So, if you take anything away from this book, take away it's message about choice :)

Catching up

Hey! Things have been hectic recently with school and family and such, so apologies for lack of posts. Again. I know I'm terrible.
But there have been some big changes. Like I'm in my last year before uni, which I'm already applying for. Also, I graded last night in karate to my brown belt so fingers crossed in a few years time I can go for my black! (only 2 belts left). Also I've been going to this GREAT youth group which has helped me explore my faith (I'm a Christian). If you don't mind I'd actually like to tell you a bit about my faith- you see apart from me and my Aunt, the rest of my family are Atheists. They've never held me back from what I choose to believe though. And I've successfully managed to go to my first church service since my granny died which was one of my must-do's. That and not eat so much chocolate. Oh well I've done one of them :)
Also fingers crossed I should have a baby cousin in the next month or so :D I can't wait :).
So what do you believe in? what are your must-do's? what do you think?

Borrowed from the lovely James

James is a guy who is totally sweet, and has been my friend for years. He is also rather talented in school (seriously, he's a genius), and this is a SONNET he wrote. It's amazing so I have asked if I can share it on here...
In my mind these thought keep me up all night.
With my heart pounding, as if its ran a mile,
Beating my ribcage with all of its might.
All for you; for your laugh and great big smile.
Beauty is not just on your surface skin,
But complete: hand to hand, from face to floor.
I just can't hide what I hold inside;
These feelings... Are impossible to ignore.
I don't know how to put these all across,
Does my sonnet work well at all? Are you happy? Cross?

My new favourite book

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'  by Stephen Chbosky, who writes this amazing novel episodically, under the name 'Charlie' by writing letters to an anonymous person who he doesn't know but he is told they will help. On a basic level it is a coming of age book as Charlie who is shy and awkward goes through his freshman year. But it is so much more than that. For a start it tackles issues such as suicide, homosexuality and sex which granted many YA fiction does. But it also speaks out to you. I love Charlie. He is actually, in a sense like me.
Chbosky also uses the most beautiful language to tell his story about how a song, or driving downtown or making a mixtape for your friends can make you feel infinite. And I read it, and felt infinite too.

I think way too much at 7:30 am

Or at least that's what I thought to myself this morning, walking to school in the crisp autumn air (that makes it sound nice, actually it was freezing). So here I am walking, without my usual iPod for walks on my own, which then forces me to think. Anyone else get that?
Anyway, I think we need that. Cos sometimes we don't let ourselves think. We avoid thought processes that are too difficult to approach, or have too much going on to just have a little thinking time. But the effects are amazing. Seriously.
Really, thinking about the hard stuff actually makes things seem more manageable. So sit, and think. What do I want? What do I need? Are there any people who are dragging me down? What can I change?

these are a few of my favourite things

friends, 
family,

Pop art,
Art deco,
 60's rock n' roll,
rock and pop music,
YA fiction,
 classical fiction,
  Travelling,
 old black and white photographs,
post cards,
 romantic/comedy films,
memories
Disney.
What do you like?

Happy Birthday to me :)

Its my birthday today, so I'm now officially seventeen years old! Already (it's only 8:45 am) I've had about 13 messages telling me of this fact. And I've opened my pressies from my family cos I'm a total little kid and its impossible for me to wait. So I'm now the proud owner of tights, a charm for my bracelet, a scarf, 7 pairs of earrings and a scrapbooking kit. Win! I'm meeting my friends in about 2 hours for a day in town (probably going to my favourite art gallery) then to Pizza Hut...mmm :)

I keep getting told we have to get the pizza with the cheesy bites crust (my friends have sick minds) because we used to go there every single time we went to town and order the same thing, and cheesy bites got ridiculed, thrown in drinks etc. I'm surprised we didn't get banned for life.

I'm apparently the 'baby' of the group cos I'm the youngest so today I've invited my cousin Matt (who is 6 months younger than me) out with us, but apparently I'm still the baby. Joy.  This photo (above) was taken by me on my 16th, and it's one of my favourite photo's ever. 

and the one to the right> 
is my favourite photo ever
It was taken last year, a few days before my 16th at my family party and it's the last picture I have of my grandparents together. I love it.