Writing Prompt 36: An item from your wishlist

Prompt: Pick something from your wishlist and write about it.

Number 1 item on wishlist: Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

This game will be released either next month or in August.
I love every single Kingdom Hearts game, and I'll probably buy them all.
It combines two of my favorite things: Disney and Final Fantasy.
I also love the deep story and intriguing plot line. My favorite character is Roxas, because he is a thinker and his strength shows in all he has overcome. Ventus is a second favorite because he is similar to Roxas, in more than appearance.
The story may seem straightforward good versus evil, but it explores the world of the subconscious and the meaning of the heart. Symbolism is also important to the main tale. The main character's name "Sora"  means sky and represents his connection to so many people and worlds. The reoccuring themes of sky, sea and earth play out with Sora, Kairi and Riku; Roxas, Namine and Axel; and Ventus, Aqua and Terra. Nobodies are the product of someone else and their name is scrambled with an X to represent that they are shadows.
Honestly, I could go on forever about this video game series. It has some powerful and wise quotes.
This video game actually inspired me to write a new story, and the soundtrack is part of my writing playlist.
I can't wait to see what happens next, and the new Disney characters that will appear to make the game more fun :)
My Favorite Worlds are:
Beast's Castle
Twilight Town
and Radiant Garden
Atlantica is also on the list because it's under water ^_^

(picture of Twilight Town from tumblr and the game picture from Wikipedia)

Fairy Tales

Wisdom disguised as magic.
Lessons disguised as words.
On paper or air
the mystery unfolds.
Delicate details
Mysterious magic
Spells that are cast
Fulfilling or Tragic.
Some call them silly
others, pointless.
Some see the meaning
others could care less.
The power of a story
can only ring true
If the person that listens
Believes that they grew.
Each story brings something
a curse or a blessing.
Morals and Madness
Tales worth telling.
Scattered and evolved
they stand the test of time.
Bringing imagination:
the ring of a chime,
the glow of a star,
the shine of a pearl,
a wish and a dream,
adventure will unfurl.
The meaning in a flower,
a promise by a well,
the tune of a birdsong,
a tree that fell.
All these icons
bring something to start
a journey of the soul,
and a wish of the heart.

Books in the Photo
Once Upon A Time: a collection of stories by Hyperion
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis (recent find)
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Wildwood Dancing by Julliet Mariller
East by Edith Pattou

RumBelle Chipped Cup earrings :)

Here is the chipped version.
The listing on Etsy is here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/98555970/once-upon-a-time-chipped-cup-earrings

I enjoyed painting these :) Any comments are appreciated.

Blue china teacup earrings

These are based of the chipped cup in Once Upon A Time and made with high impact casting resin.
The listing is here on etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/98352653/blue-china-teacup-earrings

Chipped cup version coming soon :)

The window

Life is limited
through a window.
It's only as small
as you believe it to be.
Build it tall
and make it vast.
Don't restrict it
to the past.
Once you find
the road to take,
the window begins
to morph and shake.
It grows with courage
and shrinks with fear.
Changes with time
year after year . . .

So don't stop staring
at the sky.
Never stop asking
how or why.
Believe in yourself
and look to the stars.
If you persist
then you'll go far.

Fifteen Minutes

Gentle water lapping
In reeds of green and gold
Various birds flying in
Elipses brave and bold.

You wonder about the weather
Or how the sky is blue.
Underneath the ripples and waves
Reside fish that flip right through
Smooth breezes and murky air.
Everyone you see is there
Living in the moment
Forgeting pains of the past

Anyone can be this way.

Believe that it will last
Reliving good memories
Enacting who you are.
All these things can happen
Knowing you'll get far.

A moment of calm

Taken before work today. The weather was too nice to stay indoors.

Nostalgic Song: For Good

My Mom and I went to see Wicked and when the actresses sang this song, I couldn't help but remember all the wonderful people I knew, and who knew me at one point. The lyrics really say it all. Sometimes people come into our lives for a reason, and give us something to learn about life and ourselves. I dedicate this song to my Disney friends, from both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Without them, I wouldn't be as strong as I am today. I wouldn't have discovered that there were people just like me, and it was okay to be who I am. I also dedicate this song to my two best friends Becca and Miriam. Without them I wouldn't have believed in myself through my darkest times. All these people came into my life and changed me for good.

The Imagination

There's a place
where stars don't grow old.
The world is bright
and not so cold.
Life and love
are side by side.
People have no reason
to run and hide.
With each shooting star
a wish is made.
Dreams will never
disappear or fade.
The imagination will always be
an artist's humble sanctuary. 

Perspective

                    "When you have a problem, don't go far. Go high."- My Girl Korean Drama

          This quote is all about putting things in perspective. I learned this when my family and I went for a drive to have a picnic for Easter in the mountains. Unfortunately, the lake was closed, but we did find this nice look out spot on our way into Colorado Springs. The view was beautiful, and it reminded me of this quote. Standing there, and watching the tiny dots of cars drive on a road no wider than my thumb gave me some perspective on my worries and problems. My Dad always tells me that my problems aren't always as important or stressful as I make them. Sometimes it takes a moment like this to show me that it's true. When you are on top of the world, and the entire landscape is stretching out around you, you forget your problems for a while and just enjoy the view.

Serenity

   Sometimes beauty
        is subtle and shy.
   It goes unseen
       as you fly by.
  The little details
        like color and tone
       become tiny fragments
         in a mind dense as stone.
                      If you focus too much
                                on the future or past
                                        the beauty will fade
                                             and these moments won't last.
                                            The time that you treasure
                                                                  will only thrive
                                                                    if you recognize detail
                                                                              and know you're alive.
                                                                              Worry and doubt,
                                                                                 frustration and fear
                                                                                   will hold you  back
                                                                             if you do not adhere
                                                                                     to those short moments
                                                                                   that help you believe
                                                                                        life is worth everything
                                                                                            you can achieve.
                                                                                             So whenever you're busy,
                                                                                      tired or stressed.
                                                                                        Look for some beauty
                                                                                               and give your mind a rest.

Writing Prompt 35: Top 10 Movies

Prompt: My Ten Favorite movies

I loved this movie when I was a kid. (Already a fan of epic adventures.) My aunt would put this on the TV whenever I came over and my eyes would be glued to the screen.

This story holds a special place in my heart. The film came on T.V. very often, and whenever it did, I couldn't change the channel. (Of course this is another epic quest film- starting to see a pattern here? he he)

Does this one even need explaining at this point? Favorite fairytale and a Disney Princess that loved books and adventures just as much as I do!

The book series I grew up with on the big screen. Priceless.

How I got through High School. These movies will always bring back memories of screenings with my Dad and my friends. A very epic saga. I also love the books ( of course).

 

I watched this movie so many times when it first came out, and read the book before I saw the movie. I love everything about this film and book (even though they are very different). Tristan's journey to move on from the past and build his own future will always be meaningful to me.

My favorite Hayao Miazaki movie. I love Howl. And, Sophie's journey to self confidence captures the magic of this film. Howl's return to humanity and Sophie's  newly found confidence help both characters find a home and give them courage to fight for what they believe in.

This movie really explores the inner and outer conflict of good vs evil. The story also revolves around the meaning of real strength. Steve Rodgers discovers the power of having a good character is stronger than brute strength.

Not only is this film beautiful, it is about living life instead of worrying about what will happen. Marlin's journey from a paranoid father to an understanding parent showed him that he could change his circumstances once he changed his perspective.

A modern reverse Beauty and the Beast story about changing your fate and breaking free.

        I love so many movies, and in general I love action packed, fun films. This was actually a very hard choice. But these films spoke to me the most. Each story taught me a different lesson. The Dark Crystal inspired many worlds in my imagination. The Last Unicorn taught me that sometimes stories have a bittersweet ending. Beauty and the Beast defines my idea of a relationship (getting to know each other and going at your own pace). Harry Potter brought magic into the real dramas of school life and adolescence. The Lord of the Rings inspired my first fantasy story with its memorable characters and epic plot. Star Dust taught me the lesson of how to heal a broken and deceived heart. Howl's Moving Castle gave me the courage to believe in myself and what I can do. Captain America showed the inner conflict of doing what is right without allowing others' judgement to control your life. Finding Nemo showed me that life will happen, so it's better to live it instead of worry all the time. And finally, Penelope taught me that sometimes the actual obstacle holding you back from your dreams is really just yourself.
        So there you have it. Ten movies that I don't get sick of, and remind me what life is about. This list may change over time. Different stories and characters are always influencing my life and my journey as a writer. But that's the beauty of stories and tales. They grow and change over time. The same message and meaning through a new lens and dream.

What movies make your top ten list? What have you learned from them?

The Comfort of a Mask

       
           In my mythology class last year, my teacher told us that Halloween is the most revealing holiday, even though it is displayed as the most disguised. The reason is, a person's costume reveals something about them. it could be a personality trait, a similar emotion or even an admiration for the character. Under masks, we can reveal anything we want. What we are really afraid of. How much we actually care. I find this very interesting.
         Actors can relate to a specific role they play. People pretend to be characters from TV shows, movies and books online all the time. So what makes these aliases revealing? Why did the person choose that specific character or symbol to represent themselves by? This goes beyond nicknames, although sometimes nicknames reveal an inside joke among friends or family. Names in general can be revealing about a person, depending on the situation or the attitude a person has about their name. Many authors choose their characters' names very carefully to foreshadow or to reveal a specific part of the character.
         So what motivates people to act, dress or pretend to be someone other than themselves? My mythology teacher would say, "they are revealing someone they want to be or someone they already are." I think this makes sense, in many situations. It doesn't have to be Halloween. This is true with secret admirers, role play, even in writing stories. After all, author's generally relate to their characters, even in a small way.  I believe that this applies to actors, even singers and artists. 
         There is something comforting about a disguise, alias or mask. It is a way to reveal the self without worrying about judgement. No one will be surprised if you are not yourself. But in a way, you are being more true to yourself when you don't worry about what people think. The characters, archetypes and names allow a person to be honest and act truthfully. This is very common in movies, where a character is either forced to or chooses to pretend they are someone else, and then he or she discovers their disguise may be who they really are.
        Whatever you wish to represent reveals a lot about you. Name brands, costumes, keep sakes and aliases are all comfortable ways to show who you are. In a way, a disguise is like a story. It is a lie that tells the truth.
        (I thought about this when I read Dengeki Daisy today, since Kurosaki sends Teru messages under the alias of Daisy. Even after Teru discovers his identity, he admits that none of his messages were a lie, because he could be himself without any pressure of judgement on his character.)
      ( As a side note, many super heroes also discover this when they must compare their two identities.)

Dengeki Daisy Polyvore set- School Days

I made a Polyvore set inspired by Dengeki Daisy and added the cellphone and necklace for a sentimental touch. This manga is tied with Fruits Basket on my list ^_^
As always, you can find more info on the set here: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46874906

Respect

I am nice.
I am not a pushover.
I am kind.
I am not a footstool.
I will respect you
if you respect me.
I will listen to you
and I will do my best to understand.
But I wont
allow you to control me or my life.
I won't
let you walk all over me and take advantage of me.
I have my own limits.
I am a human being.
If you don't realize this,
you don't know me
and, maybe,
you don't know yourself.
It is not unreasonable
to expect respect.
It is not selfish
to stand up for yourself.
And it is not wrong
to treat a human as a person.

Mood Music: Go the Distance

Inspirational Song: Go the Distance - Disney- Hercules


Aside from Beauty and the Beast, this is my favorite Disney song. It gives me hope. This song is all about doing what you can do to get where you want to be. It's a powerful journey that is driven by the motivation to believe in yourself no matter what.

As my friend Kim requested, here is a list of things I did to "Go the distance":

The Disney College Program - one of the best decisions I ever made
Becoming an English Major - one of my easier decisions determined by my book collection.
Telling my crush I loved him- one of the bravest things any person will do
Standing up to a bully- always a difficult thing to do
Reconnecting with people- I'll never regret this decision
Enduring tough times- I'm still here
Writing a novel - I finished two
Entering Writing contests- I'm still doing this one
Applying for the ABC/Disney Program - reapplying next month!
Applied and got two jobs- incredibly important
Talked to someone I missed for a long time- a big step for me
My blog- still writing an entry every day
Two scripts for two classes due at the same day- definitely a challenge
Two published works in the Crucible magazine for UNCO- something to be proud of
One published article for a Disney fan magazine- a super exciting feat ^_^
The Yunalesca boss fight in FFX- for those who know my video game experience, this is a major deal


 What have you done to "Go the distance"?

My first public article: The Evolution of the Disney Princess

I published an article in MouseMag, a digital magazine by Disney fans for Disney fans. My article is in MouseMag issue 6. It's about the evolution of the Disney Princess, and goes through the qualities of each character. It's so exciting to see my name in print ^_^

You can download the digital copy or buy the magazine in print here:  http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/367262

Destiny- Revisited

"Destiny isn't the path chosen for us, but the path we choose for ourselves" - Megamind

       I read in a book yesterday that living is not a passive practice. Although many people believe they are sitting on the sidelines, they are actually making a choice to sit on the sidelines for themselves. I admit that I used to be one of these people. Now, however I try to challenge myself everyday whether it is in writing, my tasks at work or my approach at problems. 
      To be honest, this idea has appeared in many things throughout my life. In Avatar the Last Airbender, Aang is given a similar speech when the fortuneteller is proven wrong. It's mentioned in Once Upon A Time when Emma gives Ashley a pep talk on people and their opinions. But the reality of this lesson can only be experienced in life and dealing with situations that conflict with who you are and who other people want you to be.
       Even the big dreamers like Walt Disney, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln had to deal with nay-sayers, and the way they dealt with these opinions determined how far they climbed the ladder to their goal.  The truth is, only you can decide who will influence your life. So what does this have to do with destiny? Control is a powerful thing, and no one but you should have it over your life. People will pressure you if you let them. It may even surprise you to discover who is trying to take control. What matters is that you never lose sight of who has the power to decide your future.
      I'm not saying that destiny is easy.  Sometimes that's one of the reasons people let others push them around. There is a certain comfort to not feeling responsible for yourself, but that dies quickly once you realize you have lost control. It is a test of will, strength and endurance when someone acts like they have the power to control you. That is the purpose of destiny. It's like a hero's quest, and a coming of age journey. Destiny is not something given to you. It is something you must learn and decide for yourself. There's a reason for all those stories and songs.
     Once someone discovers a path toward their goals, their destiny is right in front of them. This is one of the traits that make a character appealing. Strong characters know who they are and what they want. Powerful characters believe in themselves and understand that a goal must be earned. Like Hercules in the Disney movie, he could only discover what he was capable of once he believed he could "go the distance." Based on my experience today, destiny is a choice someone makes by believing they can and persisting until they get there.

Mood Music: I'm gonna Fly

"I'm Gonna Fly" by Sydney Forest is a beautiful song about finding out what you can do in life. This song was created for the movie Kiki's Delivery Service by Hayao Miazaki. Kiki's story is about growing up and creating a life for yourself. A wonderful film and an amazing song :)



This song reminds me what it takes to get where you want to be.

Behind the Mask

Behind the mask
of a happy face
are tears and pain
that's hard to erase.
Maybe it's self pity
or a cry for help.
But there are days
I can't take
the mask off the shelf.
The tears come without warning.
The anger without control.
Everything's a battle
between what I feel and know.
It's not something to be proud of
This emptiness I hide.
Lost and lonely.
Hurt and angry.
Living off of pride.
Regardless of the problem
solutions are not easily found.
It's not a matter of who to blame
more a clearing of ground.
Internal and external battle
when will I find my strength?
to deal with this . . .
to still persist . . .
the road with endless length.
Whether anyone can understand
I'm sure that they can guess
Behind a mask of happiness
is a mortal mess.

Anastasia outfit

It was originally for a different character (not Belle by the way), but then I found a blue dress that reminded me of Anya, so I went with it :)
Original set and details here: http://www.polyvore.com/antasia_anya/set?id=46446190