Reflection: Harry Potter

So it's been a dozen days since the release of the final installment of the Harry Potter series, but even so, people are still reblogging HP material on Tumblr, still tweeting about it on Twitter and definitely still posting about it on Facebook.  Let's face it...Harry Potter was a huge part of this generation.  Well not just huge...it was:

Monumental.  Phenomenal.  Fantastic. Mesmerizing. Magical. 

While people have been saying this is the end of an era, is it really? I mean I understand you won't be anxiously awaiting the midnight release of another Harry Potter book or the midnight showing of another Harry Potter movie.  However, you'll ALWAYS be able to revisit those adventures at Hogwarts, managing mischief flipping through over 4000 pages, soaring on broomsticks through over 1000 minutes and defeating You-Know-Who over and over again.

The magic continues on with the fans and 
everyone who continues to bring it to life.

"I don't think the end of the story happens tonight. Each and every person...will  carry this story throughout the rest of their lives and it will effect what they do."

- Daniel Radcliffe

It's synonymous to how Star Wars effected a generation 30+ years ago.  While the film series ended, the story continues with its fans, the conventions, the cartoons, the books,the toys and much more! And who could forget Star Tours at Disneyland?!  Especially since they just updated that so guests can experience over 50 different tours.

Like Star Wars, Harry Potter will be passed on from generation to generation, keeping the magic alive at Hogwarts...always.

"Stories we love best, do live in us forever.  Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."

- J.K. Rowling

P.S. And just for good fun, I took a Sorting House Quiz.  Usually I'm sorted into Hufflepuff (yeah, yeah, yeah), but this time I got Ravenclaw.  Definitely not complaining.  I feel like I fit into either house really.

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

Blog: SLACKING...

You know you're thinking it too...

Hey there followers!

I know. I've been slacking on updating my blog about my post grad life.  It's definitely been a good couple months since I've done some actually updating.  Honestly, a lot of things have happened too, concerning jobs, internships, movies, books, and life in general.

So I promise to make a better attempt to get back to writing and posting things more regularly.  I may also venture into the realm of Project 365, if time allows for it.  If you haven't seen one of those kinds of blogs, check out Rick's Project 365.  It is pretty fantastic, and he's quite the photographer too! :)

I sincerely apologize for not having written much lately...

NYC: En Route

Today's the day....! :)

I'm at the San Jose International Airport, waiting for my flight to Chicago/New York.  Thank goodness there's free wi-fi because we got here really early; we're talking a good two hours early.  With no one in line for tickets or security, we got through everything quickly.  Now it's just a matter of waiting...

So in the mean time...

As I embark on this journey to New York, I'm reading The Bell Jar, which just so happens to take place in New York City.  It's about a college girl who has a magazine internship. Oh boy. That's been a dream of mine; maybe I can make it happen!

I also started journal writing again.  As much fun as writing a blog, it's nice to go back to the paper and pen to jot down my thoughts of the day before going to bed.  The light of the computer keeps me up for an extended amount of time anyway.

The job search continues, but I do have an interview this week with Macy's. I'll have to give an update about that in another post...

Reading the New York Times, I found out they started building the new structures of the World Trade Center in New York City. It looks good so far! Hopefully I can check it out myself when I visit Ben, who is super stoked that I'll be there. Ah...It'll be good to see Ben and actually hang out.  Last time, he came to Portland, and I was super busy doing schoolwork and CPB events.  We didn't get to hang out much, but now that we'll be in the same city...! It'll be like ol' times in the ASUP office; well, kinda.

So I'm going to finish applying for a job with the New York Times...

See you in Chicago! ;)

BOOKS: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

After reading Wuthering Heights, I checked out what books I haven't read on my bookshelf.  Browsing over my Harry Potter shelf (yes, I have a shelf dedicated to the lightning-scarred wizard), I found The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which I received as a Christmas gift a couple years ago.

The book is a collection of wizard fairy tales.  It was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

I read one story a night, which was just enough to get through it in five days.  Good bedtime stories too.

I was most intrigued by "The Tale of Three Brothers" because it directly connects with The Deathly Hallows.  I recognized it within the first few sentences.  Guess I really am a Harry Potter nerd and definitely won't deny it.

Another story I found interesting was "The Warlock's Hairy Heart."  It was a bit gruesome (well, as gruesome as a children's book can be), but that was what made the story so twisted. 

Anyway, it was a quick read before finding a more challenging book.  Reviewing my bookshelf again, I found a couple unread books that were gifts or that I bought in high school.  I wanted to check out some other options I had but quickly became overwhelmed with how many books I wanted to read.  I wish my house had a database, like the library, so that I could see what books we had.  I was hoping to read The Count of Monte Cristo, but I don't think we have it.  So until my next BOOKS blog post...

BOOKS: Wuthering Heights

If there is one thing I missed while being in school, it's definitely reading for pleasure.  

I haven't been able to get into the groove of reading for years because each book was connected to a homework assignment - book reports, summer English Honors homework, chapter summaries, essay questions, papers, etc.  As much as I enjoyed reading some of those assigned books, I felt that I was often looking for that deeper meaning, instead of just enjoying the author's written word, taking in each description and truly appreciating the masterpiece that was written. Probably why I'm not a huge fan of Steinbeck (memo to self: try re-reading his work).

This might sound crazy, but even reading Harry Potter seemed like an assignment.  That was my fault though.  In summer 2007, I was determined to read the whole series before the seventh one came out.  I was a week off and then actually had to dive into the last installment.  I really enjoyed reading the whole series, but at some points of that last book, I was just like, "Man, they're still in the forest. *sigh*"

Well, with school done (for now), I've decided to try hitting the books once again and just reading for the joy of reading!

The first book on my list was Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.  I think I only have this book because I was supposed to read it for class but never got around to it.  Just kidding.  I started reading it but never passed the first two chapters because I was having difficulties following all the characters.  Finally, I read passed those first two chapters and found it to be an interesting yet complicated story.  The story follows and intertwines the lives of three generations of families living on the moors of England - lots of family drama, combined with romance, friendship and loyalty.  The relationships of the characters can get confusing at times, but I liked it.

I definitely feel accomplished after reading it.

Looking on my bookshelf, I noticed that there's actually several books that I haven't even opened.  I plan to read those books and then check out other books around the house.  Yeah...basically going to go through all the books in the house like Matilda.  Then it's off to the library! ;)

Speaking of the library, if you haven't already, you should check out this other blog I write for with my friends at UP: http://adventuresofrickandtarra.blogspot.com/.

I'm so excited for reading again! :D