Reflection Piece

My feelings on blogging...

Blogging is not something I necessarily enjoy but I don't hate it. To me, it just seems more efficient and self-serving to take the first ten minutes of class to discuss what books we're reading with our peers rather than blog about it. I feel like there are certain things I can't blog about because A) it will spoil the entire book B) it will spoil the entire series or C) it sounds extremely dorky when I attempt to explain it.  I always seem to find myself on the computer Sunday night at eleven in a frantic, last ditch effort to upload a post before midnight (I always make it :) ). Over all, blogging was not a bad experience, but it's not one I would do voluntarily do.
 
My feelings on reading...

Reading is something I love doing. I finished the entire final book of the Harry Potter series in one day and am extremely proud of the fact. I love predicting what the characters' next moves will be and I find that it is a great way to do nothing. Reading is what inspired me to write, which in turn inspired me to try out for Power of the Pen, which led to several medals and publications and me co-coaching one of the Junior High teams. Reading is how I relax and is something I truly enjoy.


Freshman year...

I absolutely love high school. I came in knowing absolutely nobody and it was awesome. I could completely start over and begin school without any predispositions. I ran Cross Country (and loved it), participated in Writer's Block (and loved it), took an art class (and loved it), I ran Track (and loved it) and I made so many good friends. I became faster, smarter, and more social (meaning I finally got a Twitter and Snapchat). Mason has so much to offer and I'm really looking forward next year.

The Winner's Curse

The Winner's Curse refers to one's inability to back down and lose; often in the case of a bid in which the "cursed" ends up paying for something of little value at a steep price.

Although in most cases that something doesn't turn out to be a person.

This book, though geared more towards the female gender, contains universal themes present in society.

The Herrians have been enslaved by their former trading partners, the Valorians, and have been for the past ten years. Perhaps once the strongest country in the world, Herran is now under the control of the Valorian's emperor, and the society's elite.

Once, the Herrians had considered the Valorians weak, barbaric, and admired their beauty. Now only one stands true.

Amongst these ruling elites is Krestel, the daughter to the famous Valorian general. Some would say the gods favor her, blessing her with the ability to spot any mistruth as if it were a cloud in the sky, until she meets the God of Lies himself: a slave by the name of Arin.

Drawn in by his startling gray eyes (and the fact that he is a singer) she quickly becomes enthralled in a bidding contest, purchasing him to work as a blacksmith.

He slowly begins changing her perspective of the world she lives in, yet as they grow closer, Krestel is unaware of what other changes are just around the corner.

The Herrains are planning a revolution with Arin at the head. But as he gets to know the strong willed musician, he finds that his desires, once so crisp and clear, are blurring.

The book spins a tale of judgment and betrayal. It brings into light the darker side of human nature. When the tables are turned, and the slaves become the masters, they don't hesitate in inflicting the harshest of pains, despite having been there themselves.

Revenge is extracted in the most excruciating of ways and innocents are ruled as guilty. Thousands are slaughtered in the bloody mutiny.

Yet the book also showcases human capacity for change and forgiveness.

Arin and Krestel are able to recognize the mistakes of their past and become better people. Though it takes effort, they manage to let go of their resentment of one another and find it within themselves to forgive all the wrongs that had been done to them.

Despite the obvious racism and oppression, the author demonstrates the characters' progress towards a more civilized future built upon equality and freedom.

New truces are formed and old alliances dissolved.

Scandalous plots are uncovered and faith will be tested.

And with this, the book shows that everything is more than it appears.

That sometimes... a curse can be a blessing in disguise.