The Great Gatsby

Recently my Mom and I saw the new version of The Great Gatsby. I read the classic back in high school and I read it again two months ago. I really love F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing. I only wish that I could write just as good as him. I've also read some of his short stories...all I can say is I love it! But back to Great Gatsby. The book in my opinion is one that stands out in my mind. The characters, the setting all make a statement of a story with in the 1920's. F.Scott Fitzgerald's writing style is one that takes you into the story and the characters as if you were a part of it too. This was how the movie was. I actually forgot that I was watching a movie. Leonardo DiCaprio really was Jay Gatsby, Toby McGuire was Nick Cannon and Carey Mulligan was Daisy Buchanan.  The music, the fashion, the actors and actresses, it all fit. I don't think I would change a thing. If it were up to me, I would give it an A+.

But it's not just a film with very good cinematography, music that intertwines today's music with artists such as Jay-Z and Kayne West and  music from the 1920's with artists such as Cole Porter, or Oscar award winning actors and actresses. No, I would say it's beyond that. It 's also about loving someone over a long period of time, and what people mean to people. How time changes things and what love truly is. For Daisy, it's loving Gatsby once before and then loving Tom Buchanan. And for Gatsby it's being committed to Daisy, but wanting her to drop everything for him, because of selfishness or selflessness? It's about how we have relationships with people, people who may be our next door neighbors and may become their best friend because we are all they have. It's what we mean to each other.

Left to Tell

Just two days ago I finished reading a book called Left to Tell, and I must say it is an amazing story. It's about a girl named Immaculee' Ilibagiza, who wrote the book and  her experience with the Rwandan Genocide. Reading her book truly made me so grateful for all that I have and realize that I complain about silly, petty things that have no value compared to the events that Immaculee' has gone through. She is a practicing catholic, and she had so much faith in God, and willing to die if it was God's plan for her. 

Left to Tell inspired me to be more faithful in God, even the small things that happen throughout the day.   It really pulls on your emotions and makes you appreciate life, and all the people that are in your life. She is an amazing women, and has so much courage and faith, it's crazy! A few years back, I also read another book by her called Led by Faith. It was just as good, and she talked about her life after the Genocide. If you want more information about her or this book, here is the website!
http://www.lefttotell.com/

The secret life of sees, but mainly bees

Recently I watched the movie The Secret Life of Bees and I admire the author Sue Monk Kidd, and her creativity and writing talent, which makes this story so good. Since I have also read the book as well. For those who are unfamiliar with this book/movie, it is about a girl who has an angry father, and no mother, yet wants to know about her and yearns for a mother figure in her life as well as to be loved. It's a coming age of story, which takes you to the growing and learning of the 14 year old girl named Lily Owens who eventually finds peace, love, happiness and more knowledge about her mother. It's not only for girls, since my brother watched the whole thing with my sisters and I. I hope someday I can write a story as good as Sue Monk Kidd with as complex, yet interesting and fun characters who make their world feel real to a humble reader. 

You may wonder why I put The secret life of sees, instead of bees in the title. Well, I wanted to bring up chocolate, preferably sees chocolate. Throughout the holiday season I have eaten enough sweets, mainly chocolate to last me awhile. Sees chocolate especially always gets the better of me, maybe it's all the numerous options to choose from, or just Mrs. Sees herself who softly says, take a bite of my chocolates, and nothing seems better than to do so. Whatever it is, I know that I am a sweet tooth, and like honey in the secret life of bees, it's decadent and creates a taste in your mouth that can be hard to describe. Lily thirsted for a mother, and for affection, which she never got at home. These are some of the most important things in life, that happens to be universal. As August Boatwright says in the Secret Life of Bees, everything needs to be loved. Though there are times when I wish I could control  more of my sweet tooth ways, it's important to see things the way they are, and see you the way you are. 

To not sugar coat things but let the light shine through... for the truth will set you free. 

So if you are anything like Lily who seeks her destiny, with 3 mother figures, finds peace and happiness, and is surrounded by bees who carry secrets, and the queen who sits on her throne; or anything like me, who wants eventually to write a somewhat decent story, then don't let your secrets crowd your head. Do what you love, and everything else will follow.