The Park at Sunset

Setting the scene: A crowded park, with the sun beginning to set

It's absolutely Autumn now. A soft glow of gold outlines everything.

I walk past the crowded field of grass and playground, heading for the bridge for a nice view. I walk with my ipod. The music mellows the atmosphere from crowded to comforting. I walk past the swing set and a boy on a tricycle waves at me with a smile.

"Hello." He says, and I notice that he's missing a tooth. I smile, wave and say hello as well. He pedals past me and I can see the bridge now. A few joggers can be seen on the path. They eventually pass by me with their bright jackets and steady pace. Near the bridge a couple is walking their dog. I smile and wave, but the lady looks away. I shrug and keep going. 

It's a nice walk, and I always enjoy stopping at the bridge to admire the view. It reminds me of a scene in one of my favorite stories, where a couple meets at a bridge in London, if only to talk for a few hours. Circumstances separate them, but they both stay true. 

I begin to wonder if I'm waiting for destiny. The bridge is rickety and unstable beneath me. A few couples walk past me holding hands while taking a stroll, biking and just out enjoying nature. 

I walk on.

It's a peaceful moment, and I'm caught in my music. I'm enjoying the late sun, the beautiful gold, red and orange hues. I'm with nature, yet I'm typing all this on my iphone. Whoever sees me could suspect me of texting, which I find amusing. Some people actually do stare, and I try to suppress a giggle as I smile and wave to each person passing by. 

A pink haze brushes the horizon. Sunset. My favorite time of day.

The music on my ipod varies from classical instrumental to drums and lyrics. Each song affects my pace and helps me keep moving, staying distracted by the steady rhythm of footsteps, music and fresh air. 

Every now and then I say hi to the people who walk, jog or bike by me.

The first star pokes out of a blue and purple sky. To me, this is the most enchanting time of day. In about thirty minutes, it's all over. The sun sinks lower in the sky, and I'm no longer in Twilight Town. I'm in a dusty neighborhood just walking home.

Book Challenge Day 15: Your favorite male character

Jem Carstairs from The Infernal Devices

This was actually a very difficult decision. There are several male characters that I can put in this catagory. Landon from A Walk to Remember, Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars, Costin from Wildwood Dancing, Adrian from Beastly and Dexter from This Lullaby are some of my favorites. But it had to be Jem. 

Jem is not only a shadow hunter, he is also a violinist, romantic and a loyal friend. Jem is faced with a terrible fate. The very poison that he was tortured with has become his drug in order to survive, but it is slowly killing him, and he knows he only has so much time on this world before he is gone. Jem is wise and patient. He is also funny and kind. His character has the most difficult journey in the series, and his choice between living and surviving is a difficult but admirable one. He becomes a very important character in the series, and he was the character that kept me reading. I don't won't to spoil the series, so I won't reveal his fate, but I will say that Jem was my favorite character in the series, because his story was the most human. He had to face his weakness, make a life changing decision and decide what type of life he would have. Jem actually taught me about inner strength that is so subtle, it is hard to recognize at first. Once Jem discovers his inner strength, he doesn't rely on fate. He does what he can to be the hero he always wanted to be. 

Writing Prompt 54: Love is . . .

Love is hope during adversity, and finding perfection in the imperfect. Love is music during silence, and a fairytale during reality. A flower in a field of grass. A mystery. Sometimes love can seem like a rumor or a lie. Sometimes love is a rose with thorns, or a leap of faith. Love is a dance that no one knows the steps to. It's a strange magic that is only felt when you stop expecting it to happen. Love is beautiful. A work of art from a far, and a puzzle from within. 

Love is the whisper of your heart. The feeling that helps you understand why you exist, and what you should do. Love is a game, a story with two points of view and a wish from the heart. Love is light in the darkness and beauty in life. 

Love is never the same for anyone.

What is love to you? 

Writing Prompt 53: Who inspires you?

So many people inspire me.
My Dad. My close friends and family, and many famous or well known people throughout history and up to modern day.

Here's my current list of them in no particular order:

The entire team behind the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, especially Bernie Su, Hank Green, Jenni Powell, Margaret Dunlap, Rachel Kiley, Kate Rorick and Jay Bushman
Ashley Clemments (Actress who played Lizzie Bennet)
The entire team behind The Autobiography of Jane Eyre, especially Nessa Aref, Courtney Christensen, Christina Bialik and Shaan Rahman
Alysson Hall (Actress who play Jane and script writer for the series)
Walt Disney (The maker of Mickey Mouse and animated and live action movies)
Hayao Miazaki (Creator of many animated films from Japan, including Howl's Moving Castle)
Ridley Pearson (Author of adult mysteries, and the Disney series Kingdom Keepers)
Rick Riordan (Teacher and Author of the Percy Jackson series)
Sarah Dessen (A mother and a YA author)
Sarah Beth Durst (A fantasy and YA author)
John Green (YA author)
Neil Gaiman (Fantasy author)
Tamora Pierce (Fantasy author)
Julliet Marlier (A fantasy and YA author of Wildwood Dancing)
Peter S. Beagle (Fantasy author of The Last Unicorn)
J.R.R. Tolkein (Author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings)
J.K. Rowling (Author of the Harry Potter series)
Kate Morton (Author of Mystery/Fiction)
Gail Carson Levine (Author of Children's Lit Fantasy Stories including Ella Enchanted)
Alex Flynn (Author of Beastly)
Jane Austen (Author of seven well known novels)
Natsuki Takaya (Author and Artist for Fruits Basket)
The Hong Sisters (script writers for Korean Dramas including You're Beautiful)
Park Shin Hye (Singer and Actress)
Suzy (Singer and Actress)
Amy Adams (Singer and Actress)
Emma Thompson (Actress)
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko (Creators of Avatar the Last Airbender)
Kazushige Nojima and Daisuke Watanabe (Writers of Final Fantasy X)
Tetsuya Nomura (Writer/Creator of Kingdom Hearts)
Mary Hoffman (Author of Fantasy/ YA series Stravaganza)

I'm sure there are more. Here's my Pinterest board dedicated to amazing people from history who inspire me:
http://www.pinterest.com/sarahbelle624/people-who-inspire-me/

Who inspires you?

The Swan's curse

She saw her reflection in the water, and she could still hear the wicked laughter of the sorcerer who imprisoned her there. Odette, once a princess, was now a swan. She didn't know if any of her family survived, or if the prince she came to love would ever find her. It was a cruel curse, but when was there ever a generous one? Would he remember her? Or would she slowly fade from his mind, replaced by a new princess. She could only wish night after night that he would find her, or even believe that she was still somewhere in the world searching for him.

Although she had to wait, she did go on adventures. She learned to fly, soaring over the lake. She would be human again, only for the course of one night under the full moon. There wasn't enough time for her to escape on foot. 

She made friends by the lake, and she told them stories. She asked them to help her find the prince. She ventured to the forest, terrified that the sorcerer would find and kill her. But she had a dream. She had a wish. Nothing could stop her from following her heart, and nothing could convince her that she would stay a swan forever. 

Of course she had her doubts. The castle was far, and the lake was miles from it, with a towering waterfall standing between her prison and the world. She knew that the world wouldn't break her curse. She would have to find the cure on her own. So she sang. She told stories, and each day she ventured further from her prison, and closer to the castle. As she flew, she became stronger. She could fly further from the lake, and need less time to rest her wings. 

And so, day by day, night by night, Odette searched for the prince. With each story she grew stronger, and with each journey she drew closer to her destiny. But she could not have done so without hopes and dreams. 

If I wasn't afraid . . .

If I wasn't afraid, I'd make a song album

Allow myself to fall in love

Go to South Korea now instead of later

Go to Disney World

Find the person I have had a crush on since Disneyland and tell him so

Run away

Travel the country

Travel the world

Publish my stories 

Sing on stage again

Get to know people from all over the world

Say what's on my mind

Bake

Take a road trip to anywhere

Audition for a musical

Promote my writing

Write in Venice

Write in Greece

Write in South Korea

Write in Japan

Go on a cruise

Indulge in a crazy shopping spree

Learn to dance

Face my past

Look forward to my future

Have kids

Be who I want to be

Learn to play the violin

Learn to play the piano

Talk to my role models 

Meet as many people as possible

Create powerful memories

Be a social butterfly for a day

Take a long hike

Swim in the ocean

Create a Tv show

Write a play

Write for Disney

Be an optimist

Date

Be impulsive for a day

Live a fairytale

Have a Disney wedding

Write for the Lizzie Bennet Diaries team

Try acting

Go back to school

Take a backpacking tour of Europe

Find true love

Make a cosplay photo shoot 

Become a voice actor

Be a youtube star

Put a single on itunes

Start a fundraiser

Live out of a suitcase for a month

Visit the most spiritual places on Earth

Attend a Tanabata Festival

Attend a real Cherry Blossom Festival

Meet a Kpop star

Talk to someone in Korean

Talk to someone in Japanese

Learn Greek

Learn to surf in Hawaii

If I were fearless

I'd live adventurously

One day, I will do these things

As long as I believe

and conquer my fears

one day at a time

The Celestial Bridge

The Water Goddess watched the bridge from her garden. Soah, the Water God's bride knew this bridge well. When she first crossed it, she was a human afraid that she would soon face death. Now she stood tall in divine robes, watching the mist that carried the incense of the temple's offerings. 

Sometimes she looked down at the water and whispered her family's name, watching them live their lives, proud of her sacrifice. Time was not as fast in the Celestial realm. Soah knew that her husband Haebeck wouldn't understand that it was hard to leave humanity. He had always been immortal, not caring or worrying about time. But Soah remembered rushing to the market for early deals, hurrying home before the night came or counting the seconds before it was dinner time. 

The palace was beautiful, but now and then Soah would miss her life as a normal human. Although she loved the Water God dearly, there was much to learn about becoming an immortal. She remembered stories about humans wanting to become divine. Never would she have guessed that one day she would go on that journey. 

It was times like this, with a hazy fog and beautiful lotus flowers, that Soah knew the price for divinity. Haebeck would remind her of her decision once he returned. They would sail on the Milky Way, visit the moon and journey beyond the sea of clouds and rain. She would meet more gods, and learn who to trust and who to be wary of. She would hear humans, especially from her village, asking for blessings.  

For now, Soah would watch the world from her garden, wishing Haebeck to return safely. 

Hideaway

It was my favorite place. Just by the water, the smooth rocks left just enough room for a path to jump across the bank. I could make a small campfire and grill pancakes by the spot where I used to imagine I was queen of the fairies. It all came back to me while I gazed at the area where I spent most of my childhood. Even now, with my grand sailing expeditions and my collection of merchandise from around the world, nothing could compare to the sanctuary of my imagination. I could almost hear our giggles and see the world from younger eyes as I sat across from the water and watched the dragonflies dart from one rock to another. The place was timeless and special. Not just any river bank. Here I sailed across the sea, became a divine ruler and survived a journey across a dangerous bridge. Soon my children would have these adventures, and discover a world so close and yet so far from home. 

It's time to move on

The entire world lies ahead, a long winding path that I can't even begin to understand. It's difficult to let go, move on and trust that my heart will take me to where I belong. The funny thing is, my path is not even similar to the path of anyone else. We all have different routes to take. Different times in life to grow and become what we want to be. This path is my own, but if I worry about what I will see when I reach my destination all the time, I will never even move forward. Who knows where my path leads. When and if things will happen the way I want them to. When I will find what I need, and learn the difference between need and want. I cannot see my destination from here, but I can see the path in front of me. Every day I move closer to wherever I will be in the future. Every day my journey continues and changes me in ways I can't even begin to comprehend. 

I've heard it said, many times, that it's not the destination. It's the journey. It's time to stop worrying about the future and regretting the past. It's time to appreciate the journey and just enjoy where I am now. What I'm doing as I follow this path is what I will look back on once I reach my destination. And, everyone wants a good story to tell.

Divine tears

The sun hides

behind the clouds.

Soft thunder 

rumbles.

This is my heart's 

sound.

Whenever I'm lonely,

watching people pass by,

these clouds come

from nowhere

blocking the sky.

As each tear falls,

the rain

patters on the ground.

The humans think

it strange.

But I know

the rain

is my aching

heart's sound.

To understand

the way human's live

is something 

no one can give.

This lonely creature,

lost in the rain

is simply a divine being

expressing sadness and pain

(Inspired by the Korean Gumiho Legends)

People are People

People are People.

They live their own lives.

Which isn't a bad thing,

because everyone strives.

Everyone has a dream,

a wish,

a goal.

Yet stuff happens

whether big or small,

and some people

they let small things

ruin it all.

I do it too.

Unfortunately, it's human.

We all make mistakes.

It's natural,

normal, even.

We all view the world

through our own little lens

expecting other people

to make amends,

to understand,

to do all the work.

Then when they don't,

we call them a jerk.

So what does this say

about the human race?

One with many emotions

and only one "face"?

All of our secrets,

all of our lies.

Sometimes we scream them

or bottle them inside.

But one thing that's funny,

or maybe even sad;

if we accept who we are,

things might not be so bad.

So next time I think

someone is a jerk,

or things in my life

never seem to work,

I'll keep this in mind

and stick to it too.

People are People

so

You just be You.

Snow at Cinderella's Castle

Frosted trees dotted the area around the castle. Cinderella couldn't believe it. This was her first winter in her new home, and she wanted to explore the castle grounds right when she took a step out on the veranda. The clouds overhead almost melded with the snow, creating a beautiful scene. She noticed that the river had not completely turned to ice, and a few animals were still roaming in the bushes and walking through the forest. 

She watched the snow move with the wind, adding a sparkle to the air. It was like fairy dust, falling slowly to the ground. Some of it melted in the river, while some disappeared with more snow.

"What are you doing?"

The Prince smiled as Cinderella turned around, her eyes wide.

"You spent winter like this every year?"

"How else could I have spent it?" He said with a laugh, "Would you like to walk around?"

"Can we?"

"Of course!" The prince said, holding out his arm. Cinderella looped her arm through his and grinned as the walked toward the forest.

"When I was little," Cinderella said, "My father used to take me ice skating."

"You haven't ice skated since?"

"I didn't have the time." Cinderella sighed, "I was always doing chores."

"Well now there's no time for chores," The prince said, "And I know the perfect spot for skating."

Cinderella smiled as they walked toward a frozen pond. 

"After you your majesty." The prince said with a bow.

"What about the skates?" Cinderella asked.

They both looked at each other and laughed.

"Let's go get some." The prince said, offering his hand.

Together, they walked back to Cinderella's new home.  

Fireworks

We held hands as the sky lit up with reds, oranges and blues. It was funny how one little vacation and one small moment out of all that time guarding the parks would be so perfect. As the music played, the fireworks danced, and Cinderella's castle became an outline compared to the bright lights and smoke. I knew Finn was smiling without even looking at him. Wayne would be somewhere cheering with each sucessful boom in the sky. 

"Amanda? You ok?"

Finn looked at me, and I realized that I had a single tear in my eye. After all we'd been through. After Maleficent, Chernabog, Ursula and Frollo, Finn and I had been able to conquer any obstacle in our way and honor Walt Disney's dream to keep the parks a safe and happy place. 

"I'm fine." I said. I could feel my cheeks burning. If Jez were here, she would have never let me hear the end of this. 

"You sure?"

I squeezed his hands and nodded. 

"It's just nice to know the parks are safe."

Finn gave me a lopsided grin and nodded.

"Yeah. Old Wayne can finally relax."

A sequence of cracks turned our attention back to the castle. Th grand finale was in full swing. As the music reached a crescendo, I decided to join the fun. With a small spell, a bright blue firework burst in the shape of a star after all the fireworks were over.

"You did that didn't you?" Finn asked me.

"Well, I am a Fairlie aren't I?"

"Oh yeah? Well I'm superman!"

In a way, he was. By saving the parks from the Overtakers, Finn was a true hero and he'd always be in my eyes. 

The Ruins of Mount Gagazet

I stepped off the airship and onto the strange crumbling floor of Mount Gagazet's temple. Tidus, you've never been here. For some reason, these ruins appeared after Sin was defeated, and you well . . . you know. I've tried to move on, and Rikku has helped me more than she can ever know. We're traveling the world,  visiting different places in Spira. Places I would never have seen if I stayed a summoner. This temple, I think you would like it. You always did make a game out of every temple we went to. But this temple doesn't have an aeon. It even has machina! Brother and Rikku found this rock fromation hovering over Mount Gagazet. Khimari guards it well, leading what is left of the Ronso, and protecting this sacred ground. Up here, so close to the stars and moon, I feel like you're with me. I turn around, expecting to see you stare open mouthed at the waterfalls that fall through the clouds, and the floating rocks, similar to Djose where the lightning held them in place. There's even a platform elevator, but when we pressed the button, the results were . . . disasteriffic. Brother has been so kind, and he's allowed me to hide from the people who want me in power. 

I know if you were here, you wouldn't want that at all. Maybe you would want to travel, like me. See all of Spira, and explore areas we didn't even know about during our journey. We both know what too much power can do. As long as I'm here, I want to protect our places. The ruins of Zanarkand and the Macalania Forest. Even the Moonflow that you wanted to see at night. Each place I visit, and each sphere I find brings me closer to you. It had to be you. Why else would I feel like you're here, even now, waiting for me to bring you back? There has to be a reason. A reason this temple hoveres in the sky. A reason it reminds me of Zanarkand, the one you told me about, and why I'm not afraid to look down from the edge of the stone floor and see nothing but clouds and sky. It's beautiful, and maybe one day, I can bring you here to see the details of the statues, pillars and steps. I just know you'd love it. You might even be here, right now, guiding me to get back to you.

Bubbles and a Field of Flowers

They came when my eyes were closed. I would often run out to the field behind our summer house and find a cool spot of grass to lie on and face the sky. Today, clouds blocked the sun, but that didn't stop the children from next door. I heard their giggles and screams as I looked for a spot in the sky to stare at and forget the world. I closed my eyes for just a moment, listening to the flower stems shuffle from a soft breeze. Even if it rained, I wouldn't care. At that moment, I wanted to be alone, left with the faint sound of people in the distance, and the silent harmony of the flowers.

I opened my eyes, and that's when I saw them. Bubbles! When was the last time I blew bubbles? As I wondered this, more came, and I stayed where I was, watching a few pop on delicate flowers or land softly on a blade of grass. It amazed me how quiet they were. No one could hear them. 

When I was little, I imagined a whole world of memories was preserved in that one sphere, drifting wherever the wind blew it, and coming to an end at whatever destiny had in store. 

A friend once told me that you could carry laughter in a bubble. Even then, I thought it was ridiculous. But watching the colorful spheres play in the air, dodging flowers, bug and grass, I couldn't help but smile and giggle. Maybe laughter was carried in a bubble, and spread to the one who witnessed the bubble's end. 

"Stacy!" my sister called.

I knew that she passed the swing, where I had promised to be an hour ago. Another thing I learned when I was little was I could disappear in the flowers, and decide to reappear when I chose. My sister hated this power, and I heard her frantic footsteps coming toward me. 

I sighed, smiled once more at the buubles, stared a little longer to preserve the moment, then sat up to wave. The moment was over, just like a bubble, you're drifting along, then suddenly POP! you're back in reality. 

LBD 30 day challenge day 1: How did you find LBD?

I found out about the Lizzie Bennet Diaries by watching Pride and Prejudice online with the RumBelle Movie Club or RMC. They kept mentioning it, so I finally asked, and before I knew it, I had watched half way through what had been released at the time. From then on, I watched an episode during my breaks at work and finally caught up in about three days. After that, I was hooked, and recommended it to everyone I know.

Writing Prompt 48: Confusion

Prompt: Close you eyes and write about what immediately pops into your head.

Confusion seems to stalk me. It follows wherever I go, trailing fear, shame and hurt. It becomes a habit: wondering what I should do, who I'm supposed to be. How do I present myself to the world? When everything is falling apart? When I'm on cloud nine? Do I over do it? Do I boast? Do I whine too much? Do I cry enough? Do I ever give myself a break to just be?
Am I selfish? Self centered? Am I a bad person? Am I a good person?
How am I supposed to act? Is it okay if I don't act that way? Do I lie when I'm not okay? How do I avoid being a burden, when I believe I'm a burden?
It's a mess. These questions that buzz in my head. Over and over and over again I ask them. Over and over and over again, I must come up with my own answer.
What should I do? What do I want to do?
Listening to myself has never been easy. But not listening, that's even worse.
In most situations I am on a swing back and forth, not sure which way to go, not really moving, and not trusting either side.

Writing Prompt 47: What is your meaning of life?

42. Just kidding.

I find that a quote from Fruits Basket answers this question. Although in my opinion, living is the meaning of life. It's the great roller coaster, the ups and downs. Making mistakes, taking falls, but getting back up anyway. Appreciating what you have, and doing what you can. Believing in yourself. Growing and changing. Learning and teaching. So many elements come together during life. Change, loss, happiness, memories, moments you'll never replace. People you can't replace. Everyone has different reasons that they pursue their dreams, and they can only find that reason through the process of living.


 "We're all searching for a meaning to our lives. Everyone. We have to. Because ... no matter who you are ... I don't think anyone's born knowing the reason they're alive. It's just something you have to find as you go along. And it's different for everyone. There are as many reasons to live as there are people in the world. Maybe even more. So the reason for you being born, the reason you were put here in the world, I think it's something we have to find for ourselves. So we search within our hopes and dreams, our work, the people in our lives, in everything we do. And even if the reason you find is hazy or unclear, even if it's so tiny that you can hardly see it, the important thing is, is that you always have one. As long as I'm alive, that's what I want--to have a reason to go on. And you know, you can always find one, if you know where to look. The people in my life give me a reason for living ... I wanna live my life for the people that I care about. And someday, I hope I find someone who wants to live their life for me. So even when things are tough and it's hard to go on, it makes me want to try harder. Because, I'm not just living for me. I'm living for them, too."
~Tohru
          Fruits Basket

Writing Prompt 44: Writing

Prompt: Writing is my . . .

Writing is my comfort.
In words, I can pour
Hopes for the future, and
Dreams of what's in store.

Writing is my friend.
With trust I can confide
The stories I have lived through
And the fears that I hide.

Writing is my life.
Each day a new story begins:
Whether I am alone,
Or with family and friends.

Writing is my world.
With each character I learn
More about the world
And others in their turn.

Writing is my heart.
Emotions kept with care.
Something I can say
Without anyone really there.

Writing is so many things
Stories, poems and songs . . .
Messages of light and life
That keep me brave and strong.

Writing Prompt 41: Kindness

Prompt: Define kindness

When I saw this prompt, I immediately thought of a Fruits Basket quote that Tohru remembers from her mother.

Kyoko- "True kindness isn't something we're born with. It's something we have to work at. Not everyone has it. But I think everyone has the potential. Sometimes you just have to look really close before you can tell it's there.
Tohru (about her mother)- " . .  .she said that kindness is something that grows inside of each person's body, but it's up to us to nurture that kindness in our hearts. That's why kindness is different for every person. We’re all born with selfish desires, so we can relate to those feelings in each other. But kindness is something made individually by each person, so it’s easy to misunderstand when others are trying to be kind to you.”

I really agree with these quotes. I believe that everyone has a different version of kindness based on the experiences they have had with others. But I also think that whatever definition people give for kindness is also based on how they view themselves. 

Defining kindness is not an easy thing. I guess that's why it's a writing prompt. But this idea raises many questions. What makes a person kind? Does it really depend on how others view them? Why is someone kind, really? Are people kind once they experience pain and suffering?
I think kindness has to do with understanding. Once you know what someone is going through, or understand how they feel, it's very easy to be kind to them.

Kindness has layers.
There's the general kindness: holding a door open for someone, helping someone look for something, saying please and thank you.
There's a deeper layer of kindness: being there for a friend, helping someone in your family, doing what you can to make a loved one feel better.
But there's one more layer of kindness that goes on a more personal level: seeing someone in a situation you have been in before and helping them as best you can.
This is not always easy, and it is a rarity in many cases. Some people respond positively to kindness, and others take offense. Some people only want attention, and others are so stubborn they refuse to have anything to do with help.
I think my definition of kindness is doing what you can to help others around you.

The kindest people in the world know how unkind the world can be.