Wednesday 19 December 2012

My Bucket list

I tried but no more ideas are coming to mind. If you have any ideas that you think should be on everyone's bucket list, or tips on ways to complete some of the more ambitious points, feel free to comment and let me know! 


1.       Go to an airport, bags packed, and buy a ticket for an immediate flight anywhere in the world.
2.       See the leaning tower of pisa before it falls
3.       Go bungee jumping
4.       Sing the national anthem at an important sports event
5.       See the Egyptian pyramids
6.       See the Mayan ruins
7.       Swim with sharks
8.       Change a life
9.       Climb a mountain
10.   See the entire city of new York
11.   Discover something incredible
12.   See Paris with my mom and sister
13.   Live in another country for a while
14.   Fall in love
15.   Fall out of love
16.   See a volcano
17.   Write a novel
18.   Publish a novel
19.   See a tornado
20.   See the northern lights
21.   Travel by boat
22.   Watch the sun set in every continent
23.   Fly a plane
24.   Learn to speak Latin
25.   Pass a year of education in another city
26.   Buy a star for a loved one
27.   Have a phrase written in the sky
28.   Earn a starring role in a play
29.   Get a 7 in IB
30.   Master an instrument
31.   Give a big inspirational speech
32.   Be mistaken for a celebrity
33.   See all 7 wonders of the world
34.   Raise a lot of money for a good cause
35.   Stand up in the middle of a quiet movie theater and yell something clever
36.   Visit L.A.
37.   Listen to the bells of Notre Dame ring
38.   Build a house
39.   Attend the Olympics
40.   Buy something from behind a glass cabinet
41.   Make a huge snow fort
42.   Learn to ballroom dance
43.   Spend a night in a haunted house
44.   Celebrate new year’s eve in time square
45.    Sleep under the stars
46.   Go up in a hot air balloon
47.   Go water skiing
48.   Go on a safari
49.   Scuba dive
50.   Start a food fight
51.   Visit England, meet distant family
52.   Set off fireworks
53.   Learn to salsa dance well, then go salsa dancing for an entire evening
54.   Go to the moon
55.   Hula dance in Hawaii
56. Learn to draw one thing well
57. Spend one Christmas without snow
58. Learn how to skate
59. Write a bucket list of a decent length

60. Be completely at ease
61. Learn to dance
62. Go parasailing 
63. Go on a pirate ship
64. Be confident enough to stand on my own
65. Fill an entire wall with memories
66. Allow myself to lose track of time
67. Fill an album with memories

Monday 17 December 2012

Bucket list

I'm trying to write a bucket list and, with my goal of 100 things to do before I die, it's not going all that well. I have 57 items and I'm stumped. No matter how hard I search, even my goal of writing this list seems out of my reach! In writing a list like this, what does it say about you if you get stumped at only 57? Does this mean that I don't have as much ambition as I thought? That I'm already well rounded and have completed thing that would otherwise be on my list already? I'm not sure. None the less, this is something I need to complete. Wish me luck!!!

Reading Reflection #12

The Plague (end) so glad it's done. Had some nice peeks into the making of human nature. Doesn't hold attention well.

I'm done. I should also note that I only finished this book because I had to for class.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Reading Reflection #11

Here is my short reading reflection from twitter! Follow me if you wish @christinabaland

The plague (pg.174) Was cool, now all I think is "I get it. The death toll is going up. What else is new?" @cre8tiveHavoc #RR11 #boring

As a side note, I know this seems cruel, heartless, etc. but nothing is happening anymore. Only thing I'm getting out of this section of the book is filler and statistics. This seems like the type of book I'd enjoy only if I read the beginning, then flipped to the end! It's sad and all but it's so boring that I really don't care anymore. For the record, I'm not at all trying to brush off the severity of the plague, I'm just not enjoying the book.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Twitter fiction (again)


I wasn’t a huge fan of writing twitter fiction. I felt very restricted by the character limit and writing out each tweet got old pretty fast. I can see that it was a bad choice of mine to write an extended story like this because I had way too many tweets. I’m really proud of the way I wrapped up the story, but I’m also just glad that it’s done. I’m not sure what I think about actually putting my writing on twitter like that. It’s not as edited as I like my writing to be before people read it so I’m really iffy.
                I enjoyed reading twitter fiction a lot. I read some of a lot of people in the class’s tweets and overall, really enjoyed them! I wanted to say something but my comments, no matter how much I mean them, always read as if they’re half-hearted. I really loved seeing how everyone took on this task though! I also read Elliott Holt’s tweets. This was the story about a woman at a party on a roof who went over the edge. I liked this story so much because it got you thinking. I also was impressed by the way that she made twitter accounts for some of the party guests and tried to show the story as if you could understand the events of the evening only through the tweets of these three people. Only thing I wasn’t too much a fan of was the fact that some of the tweets didn’t seem real, and I found myself asking “Who cares?” to the occasional tweet. I look at twitter in a bit of a different light now. I’m thinking that it would be really cool to actually make a twitter account for one of my characters and let them come to life a bit more. It’s neat how even twitter can be used as a means of publishing your work, although I’m not sure if I’ll ever tweet a story again, it could happen, and it is something that I’m very glad to have tried. 

Monday 3 December 2012

Twitter Fiction


1 Each breath he takes sends a shiver down my spine. It’s a dark, damp night and everything’s about to begin again he just doesn’t know it yet

2 He took away my childhood, killed everything in me that was pure. He created a monster; all I want now is his life.

3 I will kill his hopes just as he killed mine, tare them from his heart and rip everything he cares about to shreds. 

4 I’m glad to have never learned his name. He told me to call him king.

5 He made me kill my family….He told me, “If you don’t do it, I have a fate much more fun in mind.” I can still remember that taunting smile.

6 My house was beautiful. It was all white and it was huge, with windows letting in light at all the right places.

7 This house was where I grew up. You could feel the love seeping through the walls and greeting you in the driveway

8 I stood outside and could no longer cry for the last people that loved me. If I didn’t do it, the king would do worse.

9 I knew that he would have killed them in front of me, used me as some kind of prop. Then, once it was all done…he’d kill me too.

10 The king told me how it must be done, and my outfit worked accordingly. Each weapon was hidden out of sight, but within my reach.

11 I wore a belt with knives and needles under a loose fitting shirt. A small gun was in my boot, there were so many more.

12 The needles held a strong tranquilizer in case I fumbled…I wouldn’t need them. 

13 Even with so many weapons hidden, the king wanted me to kill them with my bare hands.

14 The weapons were each for an “in case” situation. In case they started to run, I was to put three bullets in each of their heads.

15 A warm wind blew past me, then my watch beeped so I approached the front door.

16 I knocked twice as instructed and my mother answered the door quickly. She was always so excited to have company…

17 She gasped, “It couldn’t really be-“She was still in shock. I cut her off in a flat voice “It is.”

18 Her eyes were wide and I knew exactly what she was seeing in me.

19 I had sad, dead eyes; my hair was limp and lifeless, but my body was strong, lean…lethal.

20 “Oh my god.” She breathed as tears welled up in her eyes. “John!” She called over her shoulder, then she pulled me into her embrace.

21 My dad came running, then stopped in his tracks. The moment he saw me he was speechless.

22 My resolve was quickly weakening, the hard mask on my face; melting away and, all of a sudden, I was 12 again.

23 I pulled out of my mother’s embrace and just looked at them. I started crying, but all I could do was stare.

24 My dad stepped forward to rest his arm around my mom, and memories long forgotten flooded my mind once more.

25 I could remember everything, my loving family, all of my friends, coming home after school; I nearly forgot why I was returning.

26 “Mom…Dad” I said, tears thick in my voice, making it crack and break in funny spots.

27 “Would you like to come in?” My dad asked, trying hard to hold back his emotions; he had always been too proud to cry.

28 I nodded, because that was all I could do, and I stepped into my home.

29 Nothing had changed other than the people in the house. My parents had aged poorly, just as I’m sure I have.

30 “What happened to you? Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” My mother couldn’t hold it in any longer, her words blending together.

31 I shook my head and smiled an awkward smile at her as if to say “I’m fine, they didn’t touch me.”

32 “Would you like to see your bedroom?” My father asked. “Yes,” I responded softly.

33 My mom took my hand and led the way. They had kept everything exactly as I had left it…

34 This room was once filled with potential and hope. I couldn’t handle it all so I went to the hallway to catch my breath.

35 I walked to the top of the hall that connected to my room to try to compose myself. “Breath, just breath” I told myself.

36 When I was ready to go back I turned around, but was halted by a familiar voice.

37 “Is this house #8?” They asked menacingly. I turned and saw familiar bloodthirsty eyes peering out of a cardboard box.

38 “NO!” I screamed, It was the king. I turned and ran at top speed; I had to save my parents!

39 When I got to my room my parents were gone. Everything was coated in a thick, oozing layer of their blood.

40 “No!” I screamed again, the pain was crippling. I turned from the sight and the king was there. He grabbed my shoulders and…

41 My eyes sprung open. I screamed. I was lying on the floor with a strange man and woman peering down at me.

42 I sprung up from the floor and backed away. “Who are you?” I yelled. Their eyes widened and they grabbed each other’s hands

43 I looked down and realized at that I was clutching a knife. 

44 The woman stepped towards me and I yelled, “Stay back!” lunging my knife at her.

45 The woman stepped back and started to cry in the man’s arms

46 In quiet, measured tones, the man told me “We are your parent.” “I have no parent!” I responded.

47 Then, everything started coming back to me, and I dropped the knife. “I…I’m so sorry…” I started crying again.

48 I stepped towards them and they cowered away. “No.” My dad said, putting his hand up to me.

49 “Please, I…don’t know what happened…I’m so sorry.” I pleaded. They were scared of me now. I blew it.

50 I really started crying now but the looks on their faces never went away. We all stood there for a long time, just staring.

51 “I think you should leave now.” My dad said in a soft voice.

52 If you listen closely, I’m sure you could hear my heart breaking in that instant

53 “Please…” I cried once more. I blinked and my dad picked up my knife. After all of this time dreaming of coming home, they hate me. 

54 “Get out of my house!” My dad roared. I took a defiant step forward, and watched as a single bead of sweat drizzled down his cheek.

55 I snapped. “Kill me!” I yelled angrily. “Kill me now, because nothing can be worse than going back!”

56 I was sobbing again but he didn’t move. He couldn’t do it. “Kill me!” I screamed once more, losing my mind.

57 I grabbed his hand and thrust the knife towards my gut. He released his grip before the knife could touch me.

58 The knife clattered to the floor loudly, resonating in my ears.

59 I blinked and saw the king, his eyes glistening, his teeth ragged, his smile so cruel and blood curdling…

60 My eyes flew open and again. I was on the floor. This time there were no faces around me, no one even in the room.

61 I sat up slowly to see that I was still in my bedroom. I looked around and my knife had been taken away.

62 I grabbed at the floor around me, but it wasn’t there. Panic rose in my throat and I couldn’t breathe.

63 I jumped up and ran for the door…locked.

64 “Let me out!!!” I screamed, banging at the door. Panic was getting the best of me now.

65 I clutched at my abdomen and felt that my belt was still there, everything but that knife were still there.

66 “Please! Please let me out!” I remember being scared for my life. If I didn’t kill them, the king would, and then I’d die too.

67 No one answered. The piercing silence rang in my ears. I turned around and saw a note on my bed.

68 “A doctor is coming in the morning to examine you. Stay in here for the night, everything will be okay.”  -Mom and Dad

69 Someone else knew about me now, great. More clean-up to do after.

70 There was nothing I could do immediately so I lay in my bed, wrapped up in my cozy blanket, and enjoyed the comforts I have missed so much.

71 I could only have slept for minutes before I woke up and saw the king peering down at me.

72 I pinched myself and felt the pain, but he still stood there looking down at me.

73 I scurried out of bed quickly and stood so I could look him in the eye

74 Rule #3, If you want to live…always look authority directly in the eye.

75 Rule #2, If you want to live…never forget your manners.

76 My gaze slid down until I was looking at the floor. “I’m sorry. I can do better.” I whispered sadly

77 “You will do better.” He responded, disappointment thick in his voice.

78 The next thing I knew, the king was gone. He vanished out of thin air, just like I use to
.
79 My mouth fell open, and I stood there staring at empty space. What do I do???

80 I shouldn’t have gotten attached. I knew this would happen! I should have attacked the moment I stepped through that door! 

81 I had to kill them while they slept. If the king wants it to be done with my bare hands…so be it.

82 I lay in my bed and lost myself in thought for a while. I would strike at midnight. 

83 When I looked at the clock and midnight had come around, I was ready.

84 I stood from my bed and approached the door. It was locked from the outside.

85 I knew this house well enough to know that if I screamed right then, my parents wouldn’t hear a peep.

86 I kicked the door down in one try. This room was only meant to restrain a 12 year old.

87 The house was dark and so silent, I could almost hear my parents slow, helpless breath.

88 I took my time getting to their room, taking care to make no sound.

89 They were so peaceful. They slept side-by-side and were perfectly happy knowing just that the other was right there.

90 My mother was first, easiest. She didn’t struggle, but just floated off into oblivion.

91 My father was next, but when I walked over to his side of the bed, his eyes flew open.

92 He jumped back from me and looked to his wife, he saw that her breath had stopped immediately.

93 I don’t know how the fight went down. It was my blind training vs his blind instinct.

94 He put up a good fight though…I was pretty beaten up after it.

95 All I remember was the end. He wound up on the floor, and I crushed his wind pipe with my boot.

96 he then died, as I cried. The deadly silence rang, while only my blood was left to stain.

97 Silent as death, I walked away. Tears would never again fall; they never really cared for me at all.

98 I tried to leave the house, and then I saw someone. 

99 She was young and pretty beaten up. Her wide eyes stared at me…fear 

100 I went to attack and so did she. I tried to knock her out but she shattered, then there were millions of her.

101 When I went after one of the millions, it cut me…I don’t know how.

102 When I bleed on them they disappeared. I fell back, and they all cut into me.

103 I stood and ran out, none of them followed me. They just disappeared. 

104 I stumbled outside, and there stood the king with open arms.

105 “There you are! My little darling!” The king hugged me. “I’ll send clean up for you.”

106 He was so proud of me for killing them…

107 That was then…now it’s his turn.

108 It has now been ten years of constant murder, and I can’t do it any more.

109 I’m outside of his apartment building, and his light is the only one on.

110 I can feel the cold rain on the top of my head, each frozen droplet.

111 I walk into the building, bypassing that lock like it’s child’s play.

112 I go to his room and knock, then take a step back.

113 I step around the corner, out of sight from his doorway.

114 Rule #76, If you want to live…never be seen

115 He opens his door and looks around. I’ve never seen him like this before. 

116 The king’s thick brown hair is a mess, he wears sweat pant, and has no shirt to be found.

117 The king is in perfect shape, and a truly worthy enemy.

118 The king walks away, his door slowly shutting.

119 I scuttle over, silent as a mouse, and open the door wide.

120 I lean against the doorway and smile tauntingly, seductively.

121 “Evening, sir” I whisper, dragging out the word ‘sir’

122 “Kenny!” He answers. When he turns around, he smiles.

123 “Won’t you please come in?” I can see his heart speeding up, from the blood flow in the artery on his neck.

124 I walk in, knowing the power I now hold over him well.

125 He grabs my hand and kisses it, before leading me to the bedroom. 

126 Two of us enter his bedroom, only one will come out…

End