Take Me Home by One Direction

            The second album of the very popular band, One Direction, is called Take Me Home. Take Me Home was released on November 9, 2012 and it includes singles like Live While We're Young, and Little Things. According to band member Niall Horan the third single is going to be Kiss You.
           Take Me Home begins with the song, the first single off the album, Live While We're Young and it finishes off with Summer Love. What I liked about the album was that it was catchy, I mean who doesn't love a catchy song, right? And I liked a lot of the lyrics, lyrics are always one of the main parts of a song, and I think the lyrics of a lot of the songs from their album, Take Me Home were nice and relatable to a lot of people. The lyrics should always tell a story and remind you about your own story and that's exactly what happens on this album.
         The album has a lot of pop and the lyrics aren't something completely new but they do add their mark of originality in some way, depending on the song. The vocals of all the members is just the beginning of the originality the album gets because each member has their own vibrant, voice. Each song tells a beautiful story and snippets of lyrics from songs all over the album are relatable.
        There is one song that is quite a change from their usual pop sound and that was Rock Me, the song is definitely something I wasn't expecting and it was nice to be pleasantly surprised. I would say that Rock Me was one of my favorite songs and the chorus is still stuck in my head. The lyrics to Rock Me are somewhat typical in a pop album but they had a certain beauty to them and they were definitely catchy and easy to learn. I would say that it would be a crime if this song didn't become a single!
         Other songs that really stood out for me were Live While We're Young and They Don't Know About Us.
         Live While We're Young is a simple, catchy song that anyone can sing and even if you hate One Direction, I guarantee that when you hear this song blasting on the radio, it'll be stuck in your head throughout the day. Don't deny it, I'm sure it has happened.
         They Don't Know About Us is like your typical forbidden love, the Romeo and Juliet story. Two, young lovers can't be together and every one is against them. This song is a beautiful story, it's been told before but the melody and the vocals give it a different spin. Again, this is another song that should be a single.
         Take Me Home by One Direction has a similar vibe to their first album and I like it, I wouldn't mind seeing them do more songs like Rock Me though. The more popular they get the more variety they should have in their songs. I give Take Me Home 3.5 out of 5 stars.

(515 words)

New Trimester

           Finally! A new trimester! The last one seemed to go on forever and ever, I think it was the longest one I ever experienced and probably the worst one I've done, you know grade wise. Yeah, my grades were definitely what I would have liked them to have been which is why I'm going to try different things this term in order to improve. Maybe you'll be able to find something you can use to improve on some aspect of your life. Anyways, here's the list:

      

• Actually pay attention to what's going on in class and have complete focus, or enough of it to do well in class. Yes, I know this one is a no brainer but last term, for a reason that I won't share, I just seemed to be distracted like constantly, it honestly didn't matter what class I was in. My attention was never really focused on whatever class I was in in that moment, half of it was there and I don't know about other people but I can't do well in a class if I'm not completely focused on it in that moment.
• Use a planner. I own one but like most people, I say that I'll use it in the beginning of the year and I do at first but then I lose the habit of actually using it. This trimester, I'll actually try, again, to use it every day. Otherwise I forget what's due on a certain day and that doesn't help my grades in any way.
• Get my homework done when it's first assigned. A lot of teachers, I would actually say most of them, give out assignments and they usually give us a few days to a few weeks to get the assignment done. So I think I'm going to try to get my homework done when it's first assigned so that way I don't have to worry about it later on and that way I don't have piles of homework building up on my desk at home because then it's depressing to look at.
• Get help from teachers. So last trimester I did pretty decent in most of my classes except two which would by Algebra 2 and A.P.E.S and even than I did better at a college level course compared to a regular high school class, not going to lie, it's kind of sad. Anyways, this trimester if I have trouble than I will definitely go ask my teachers for help. Last trimester, I rarely did but this time I will.

(423 words)

The List by Siobhan Vivian

          The List by Siobhan Vivian is a book that brings different elements to it. To me, it seems to be a mix of Pretty Little Liars (except a lot more tame) and Gossip Girl, which is different. 
       What happens is each year before homecoming, a list comes out. This list picks two girls from each grade, this list picks one pretty and ugly girl from the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior class. The List basically chronicles how each girl, who made this years list, handles being called pretty or ugly by the entire school. 
       I liked that this book had all the characters deal with this list in different ways. They all faced self-esteem issues, ridicule, and judgement from all their peers which is what school can be sometimes be like. So I like how honest this book was. The characters were all great, I liked the layers they had to them and I liked how my thoughts about them changed throughout the story. I like the sense of mystery added to it when we find out who created this years list. When we find out who made the list I feel like it comes out of nowhere, like it wasn't foreshadowed or really discussed much, so I feel like it should have been. In the beginning I really didn't wonder who created the list because I feel like the author, Siobhan Vivian didn't make it a big deal. So when it's revealed who created it I was sort of blindsided since it comes out of nowhere. I also felt like the book could have been a little longer, it almost felt rushed.
       Other than the fact that it felt rushed and there was a lack of foreshadowing, I think The List was a nice book to read. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.  

(306 words)

Red by Taylor Swift

       Red is the fourth studio album by Taylor Swift which was released on October 22, 2012 in many places including the United States, the U.K and Canada. Red is one of the most different, unique, and intricate pieces of her work to date and it probably won't be her last. With this new album, Taylor Swift transcends into a genre new to her, pop. Though she tries to include some elements of her country roots I think it's safe to say that she has officially changed up her style and this album is definitely not a fail.
       Songs I think are worthy of giving a listen to, if you haven't already, include: State of Grace, Red, I Knew You Were Trouble, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Almost Do, and Starlight.
      To me, State of Grace is the moment you realize you're in love and like her lyrics say, you never saw it coming. It's how you look back at those moments you've had with your special someone and you're like, "Oh my gosh, he can be the one." This song definitely highlights the process of falling in love with someone and the endless possibilities you can have with him. 
      Red has to be my absolute favorite song of the album! The song seems to describe all those feelings when it comes to love, it's imagery is beautiful. The lyrics are heartwarming and the beat to the song is simply amazing to listen and sing to!
      I Knew You Were Trouble is basically the song that says, "I knew you were trouble but I was willing to risk my heart to love you, which was stupid of me." That's what I got from this beautiful song and I agree with it, a lot. 
      We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. I feel like the title of this song says it all, it's that song you can sing along to because it's catchy and maybe some people will listen to it when they're bitter about a break-up, I feel like that will probably happen, I really do. 
        A song that I enjoy listening to is I Almost Do, I'd say it's one of my top five favorite songs of the album. I like this song because I'm able to relate to it. I know I say that a lot but the way I see it: If it doesn't touch you in different ways and forms, than it's not really something you're able to understand, which is stupid because you should be able to understand it and feel emotions running through you. I Almost Do is the kind of song that reminds me of someone I wish was still here with me and it explains how much they meant to me and I'll always look back with fond memories of that person even though it's been years. 
       Another marvelous tune on this album is Starlight, again this song would probably be one of my top five songs. I like this song because it describes such a beautiful love story in about four minutes. I'm probably going to be replaying this song for the next couple of days.
       All in all, I think Taylor Swift has succeeded with changing up her sound with the release of Red. Like always her songs are like excerpts of her diary and are relatable to many young girls. This album was filled with beautiful songs, lyrics, and it was fun listening to it! I give this album 4 out of 5 stars. 
         
(587 words)

Journaling

         Everyone has their own thing they do when they're bored, some would call that a hobby. Some people only have one specific hobby while others have a bunch of hobbies. Some play sports, some make videos, some make art, some create and listen to music, but I write. I write all kinds of things but the form of writing I use more often would be journaling. 

      Journaling is a way to express yourself, which is why I like to do it so much. Since I can be very reserved and shy, except with my closest friends, I usually am able to express myself best in my writing. Which I guess explains why I like my language arts classes. Since I journal so much I have a lot of them stored away with a bunch of my silly thoughts, ideas, diary entries, lyrics, and any other thing that I felt like scribbling into my journal at the time. To some it might be silly that I keep a journal but I think keeping a journal can be a valuable treasure. Years from now I'll enjoy looking back at my silly complaints and I'll make fun of myself for being such a drama queen. I'll be able to reflect back on moments special to me. Journals are thoughts that can never be lost or forgotten, they can be revisited. 

       So what do I write in my journals? I write a variety of stuff. I write lyrics, observations around me, my thoughts, my feelings about a certain issue, lists, summaries of future novels I'd like to write, and diary entries. If a person were to pick up my collection of journals for some reason than they would learn so much about me, you'd practically be probing through my brain. Which some of my closest friends would advise you not to do so.  

        I do other things in my journals as well. I tape in little mementos into the pages such as a ticket stub of a movie I'd been anticipating to see for a while, my old school I.D's, pictures, and a bunch of other stuff. 

        My point is journaling is definitely something everyone should try at some point. Try it and if you don't like it than that's fine, at least you have the satisfaction of saying you tried it but it just wasn't for you. So far I have successfully completed two, they both chronicle my sophomore year of high school. Right now I'm on my third journal with Paris, France on the cover cause I have a weird fascination with France. Anyways, I'm more than halfway through it and it chronicles the beginning of my junior year. I feel like I'll journal for the rest of my life, maybe I'll let my future kids read them and maybe their kids will read my journals, it seems kind of cool if you think about it. 

(484 words)

         

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

         Anna and the French Kiss is written by Stephanie Perkins. The book is about teenage girl, Anna Oliphant, who is sent off to boarding school, in France, because her dad feels like she should gain experience in a different culture. Initially, Anna isn't so happy because she isn't ready to leave behind her home: Atlanta, Georgia as well as her friends and her crush who can potentially become something more. She's also weary about starting her senior year in a different country, with different customs, trying to make new friends, and learning who she is and what she really wants.
     What initially drew me to this book is the cover, I know the saying: Don't judge a book by its cover. The thing is, I do judge a book by its cover, if the cover is appealing in any way to me than chances are I'll pick it up and read the summary on the book. When I saw the spine on Anna and the French Kiss, it immediately drew me in because the Eiffel Tower was on it. Since I'm totally in love with anything French related I knew I had to try this book, so I did and I didn't regret it.
      Lately I've been reading a lot of paranormal books so it was refreshing to take a break from those and to immerse myself into this book which was like a scoop of strawberry ice cream! 
      I loved the quirky character, Anna and I loved seeing how she got through this huge change. If I were in her place though, I think I'd be ecstatic to go to Paris! True, I'd miss the people I care about but it's not like I'd cut them out of my life completely. Anna wasn't happy at all going to a boarding school in Paris but she eventually grew to love it. In the end she didn't consider it her home, she didn't consider Atlanta home either but she did find something else that she considered home and it was super adorable! 
      The romance, was definitely something I adored about this book. It was something typical and something everyone is able to relate to because like all of us, Anna can't help but wonder if the guy she likes is into her as well.
       This book was really cute, I loved how the story takes place in France, Anna is amazingly quirky and easy to relate to, all the other characters like St. Clair and Mer are really fun to read about, and the romance in this book was adorable! I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

(438 words)
      

Don't Panic by All Time Low

        Don't Panic is the fifth studio album released by one of my favorite bands, All Time Low. It was released just recently on October 9, 2012 and some of the singles so far released include: The Reckless and the Brave, For Baltimore, and Somewhere in Neverland. I haven't really talked about album covers before but the album cover All Time Low did for Don't Panic is just absolutely amazing and cool. I've see an album cover similar to this cover one other time and that was Foster the People's, Torches. I think both albums and album covers are cool in their own way.
        Anyways, the album begins with The Reckless and the Brave which is different from all the other All Time Low songs I've heard, I would personally say. But it's not a bad kind of different, it's refreshing to hear and I feel like this song could be the anthem to those people who just don't care what others think and it just cheers them on. Lyrics that make me believe this include:

                           Long live the reckless and the brave

                             I don't think I want to be saved

                                My song has not been sung

                                         So long live us

At one point in the song they also say:

                        Looking back at a life on the other side
                               I realize that I didn't fit in
                       Didn't hate it, but I didn't quite relate it
                             To my precious little world.

        The Reckless and the Brave is definitely worth listening to if you haven't already and while you're at it you might as well check out the rest of the album, why just check out one song?
         Songs off the album I really enjoyed listening to, besides The Reckless and the Brave; include Backseat Serenade featuring lead singer of Hey Monday, Cassadee Pope; If These Sheets Were States; and So Long, Thanks for All the Booze.
        Each song has something in common they all have a good melody to them that I enjoy and great lyrics, I just love lyrics to songs, they're just as important as the melody if not even more important. Another thing I always look for in songs is if I'm able to relate to them. I mean it's kind of pointless if you don't have some sort of connection in the music you listen to. And All Time Low's music does that for me, I'm able to connect to it, they have amazing lyrics, and they have great melodies you can to along with your friends. 
        The song I absolutely love, and I believe should have a music video, would be the song: If These Sheets Were States. The lyrics to this song are very relatable to most people and I'm able to develop a connection to them which is what I love about the song. In addition it has a funny sort of twist to it and the melody is great! Definitely a song you should check out.
      The album is great and I definitely can't wait to download all the songs, I give Don't Panic by All Time Low 4 out of 5 stars. If you want you can check out their song, If These Sheets Were States below.

(479 words, not including lyrics of song: The Reckless and the Brave)