Letters to Electra - Marian vs. Changes

26/6/15

Dear Electra,

So many things have happened this week that I cannot compress into one letter. If I were to rate the events of the past five days, I'd score it a 7.7/10. Meeting my friends and learning a great deal at school were two of the significant factors of this week.

My school will be competing in a speech and drama competition against other schools in a couple of months' time. Since I'm now a year nine, I plan to audition with 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes. I chose that particular poem because Anne recites it beautifully in 'Anne of Green Gables' and also because it has such an exhilarating tone to it.
"The wind was a torrent among the gusty trees.
"The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas."
- Alfred Noyes, 'The Highway Man'

On Tuesday, before completing a Spanish exam, Gwen and her classmates entered the class while CHEWING ON GUM! This wasn't how I imagined Gwen to be! When I asked her why she and some of her classmates were eating, she replied: "Because I want to. People change, Marian."
Next, I began to taste the bitterness of tension. Ophelia, the girl sitting on the other side of me, patted me on the back to relieve the tension.
"HOW IN THE HECK DO I STAY CALM IN A STRESSFUL TIME LIKE THIS? We have to grow up," I exclaimed, "and CHANGE!"
Sentiments began to broaden. Inexplicably, Gwen then talked about how someday we will be mothers.
"I will never become a mother," I admitted.
"Oh, you will. I know it," Gwen stipulated. "I will, too. Someday."
Last year I've decided that I shall grow and die an old maid, or that I shall be married into the career of biochemistry and writing. I shall also shun the people who criticise my decision of remaining a bachelorette/spinster.

Before I close this letter, I'd like to greet Dr. Dad a splendid happy birthday for tomorrow! You may be growing older, but the flowers and the trees and your own children shall remind you of how youthful the world remains. Enjoy it as it lasts.

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★ 

Letters to Electra - Emotional Girls

17/6/15

Dear Electra,

Remember that Filipino shared lunch I wrote about in the past letter? While I was munching on some delicious viands, Giovanna, my classmate from last year, approached me and began a positive chat. Abruptly, in the midst of our conversation, she mentioned that the form class I am in is the best out of all the other form classes in year nine. When the words slipped into my ears I was appalled, astonished, and amazed! Giovanna is part of the accelerate class and she said that out of unforeseen circumstances. Look, Electra, I'm not trying to offend my class, but in this world of psychology the intelligent are more disciplined and well-rounded than many people. I adore my classmates as much as I adore school itself. We help each other out in times of despondency and plain, unromantic boredom.

I am currently in English class writing to you rather than completing my work. We are studying a marvellous topic named 'Curiosity Killed the Cat'. This strand encourages us to research events that took part on our birthdays. If nothing interesting happened on our birthdays, Ms. allowed us to research about people who share the same birthday as us. None of the events that took place on Sept. 13 captured my fascination. Instead, I chose to research about Roald Dahl (Fact of the day: my father doesn't know who in the world he is! What a kettle of fish!) because he created an extraordinary world when the bibliophiles thirsted for it most.

"Dear old world," she murmured, "you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you."
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★ 

Letters to Electra - "A Fresh Pair of Eyes"

12/6/15

Dear Electra,

It's FRIDAY! The day when all desolation is dismissed by delight. This day has been a mix between melancholy and merriment: firstly, I took a difficult exam on religion; secondly, I had social studies and English (two out of my five favourite subjects at school) today; thirdly, I gained the most frightening test score of my year nine career; fourthly, my school's Filipino group and I ate an appetizing shared lunch (or, as Kiwis tend to call it, a "free feed"); fifthly, Willow Pape lost a member; finally, Willow Pape and I had a marvellous lunchtime feasting on leftover cake (albeit losing said member).

Two days ago, I baked a pound cake (which was the main reason why this letter was not published two days ago - I was breathless!). The recipe I followed to make this cake was from the bonus section of Puffin Classic's edition of 'Anne of Green Gables'. I decorated the pound cake with saccharine vanilla icing and chocolate chips. I have modest virtues, but I shall say that I followed the recipe excellently and it was not a bit too dry nor too saturated. Even Charisma marvelled how soft the cake. You should've seen the astonished looks on Sierra, Gwen, and Charisma's faces when they took their first bite, Electra! (Sakura was not at school today and Sabrina is on a diet).

Once I announced my novel to Dr. Dad, he advised me to get a "fresh pair of eyes" to scan every chapter I've written so far. I needed someone who was intelligent, a close friend, and someone interested in what I do. Well, since my book is headed towards teenagers, Gwen would be the best candidate. She's been very supportive and enjoys where the story is going. She's also desperate to read chapter three, which I am currently planning. I remain in the hopes that you and Gwen will clutch onto a hardback copy of my book in a few months' time.

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★ 

Letters to Electra - What is Revealed Shall Remain Revealed

3/6/15

Dear Electra,

Remember that novel I mentioned to you about a few months ago? I am re-writing it because I have changed it from first-person to third-person. When I read 'Anne of Green Gables', I began to believe that first-person wouldn't describe the sceneries of my story well, and I want other characters' points-of-view to be included also. I began re-writing it after 'Beauty and the Beast' finished; and still writing the midst of chapter two. I took a risk and read the first chapter to Gwen in music yesterday, and now she's desperate to read what I've written so far in chapter two. Are writers allowed to reveal a whole chapter of their books to others? I wouldn't necessarily ask you since you're not a writer yourself, Electra. Oh well, if Gwen read it, she will never forget it.

This letter shall remain short since my life has been uneventful lately. I have mountainous stacks of homework to complete and upcoming tests to study for. A new 'Pictures Into Words' post will be released this week to ask for your forgiveness for the petite length of this novel.

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★ 

Marian's 2015 Reads - 'Anne of Green Gables'

1/6/15

via http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/

Title: Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M. Montgomery
Publisher (of this edition): Puffin Books
Original Publisher: L.C.Page & Co.
Publication date (in this edition): 2008
Original Publication Date: 1908
Pages: 427

For this book review, let us travel back in time to when technology did not conquer our everyday lives. By "traveling back in time," I mean reviewing a classic novel such as 'Anne of Green Gables'. I stumbled upon this franchise when I was scrolling through Tumblr and saw a post about Anne and Gilbert. After watching the three movie adaptations, I decided to read the first book.

'Anne of Green Gables' is the story of a despairing red-headed orphan named Anne Shirley who is adopted by two siblings named Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The adoption of Anne was quite fortuitous since Matthew and Marilla intended to receive a boy, but as Anne develops her new life at Green Gables, the foster parents begin to love and decide to keep her. In the early midst of the book Anne reveals that her dreams include staying at Green Gables and meeting a female kindred spirit. Serendipity swoops its way into the story as Anne meets Diana Barry, and swears to keep their friendship eternal just minutes after they first meet. As I have mentioned in my recent 'Pictures Into Words' segment on EAM, Anne and Gilbert Blythe did begin their relationship on the wrong foot, but as the end approaches you'll be able to finally read about how this pairing became friends - one of my favourite parts from this novel.

The author of this book, Lucy Maud Montgomery (L.M. Montgomery), came up with the concept of this storyline from her surroundings in Prince Edward Island, the same main setting in this novel. From a forgotten source, I read that Anne Shirley was the character Lucy Maud dreamed to be. 

I'm not an orphan, my hair may not be a rich red and I certainly do not come from Canada, but I feel as if Anne and I are kindred spirits. We are both stubborn, read a lot of books, share the same age and have broad imaginations.

As cheesy as it sounds, I cannot possibly express how much I adore this book series in words only. I'm already reading the third book within a few weeks! L.M. Montgomery is now my favourite author. I definitely recommend this book/book series to people who appreciate the simple country life or have magnificent imaginations. Stay tuned during the upcoming weeks as I review the whole series (if I can find 'Anne of Windy Poplars' and 'Anne's House of Dreams')!

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★ 

Pictures Into Words - Anne and Gilbert's Wedding

29/5/15

via anne.sullivanmovies.com

Ever since the girl smashed her slate onto the boy's noggin, Anne and Gilbert have always been ready for this day. The lady in white had a short flowered veil, complementing her beautiful snow sprinkled lace gown. Her auburn hair was tied up in an elegant updo as a sheaf of graceful tulips occupied her right hand. Anne's left arm interlocked with her beau's as if she were holding onto him for dear life. Gilbert wore the WWI uniform instead of the traditional groom's tuxedo, his hair ever so dark as nightfall.

Anne was aware that Gilbert was to leave her in pursuit of defending his country soon, so the couple insisted that they were to marry immediately. Although Anne was deeply saddened to hear about her new husband's department, she gazed into Gil's twinkling eyes until every spark, every star and every piece of their romance was rendered apparent. 

Every person at the wedding understood that the couple would soon separate but nevertheless clapped and cheered as if there were no burdens in Anne and Gil's life. They adored the way Anne and Gil's fairytale formed - from academic rivals to fervent lovers.  

- M ★ 

Marian's 2015 Reads - 'The Diary of a Young Girl'

via blendspace.com

Title: 'The Diary of a Young Girl'
Author: Anne Frank
Publisher: Contact Publishing
Publication date: 1947
Pages: 339 (includes afterword)

In English, we were given a selected range of books to study. The novels ranged from 'Holes' by Louis Sachar to 'Goodnight Mister Tom' by Michelle Magorian. I chose 'The Diary of a Young Girl' because my English teacher especially recommended my classmate to read it at least "once in your life," and because I've never read material written during an era of war.

This novel is in the form of diary entries written by a Jewish teenage girl named Anne Frank. Her diary entries began a few weeks before her and her family went into hiding and concluded three days before they were captured in 1944 by policemen. The novel begins in an untroubled note on the 12th of June, 1942 when Anne writes:

"I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support."

When I read this passage I suddenly found out that Anne never had a true friend. It's as if she were a deaf person who never learned sign language and had to keep her innermost thoughts crammed inside.

My English teacher instructed us to think and write about the main protagonist's strengths and weaknesses. This is what I wrote:
"I enjoyed discovering Anne's creative flair when she writes her diary entries. She describes her outrages and content moments in such descriptive expressions. She is resilient - when being criticized by her peers, she wasn't afraid to reveal her feelings to Kitty. She is knowledgeable about the Roman and Greek empires and their mythical gods. There was a part in the novel where she writes about what the Annexe residents' favourite subjects are, and when hers was mentioned Anne included 'Greek Mythology'. There are also various times when she has mentioned these passions. 

"Some of the observations I've made of Anne is that she was ignorant and rude. She opened the curtains at some times when her peers told her not to since it would reveal that they were in hiding, and her irresponsible connection with Peter seemed obnoxious for two youthful people. I didn't like it when her and her mother quarrelled over Anne's petty complaints.

Anne's exasperation against her appearances was difficult to read about in the book. Early in the novel she writes about whether she has a fair complexion or straight teeth. This part made me more vexed about myself, especially in physical aspects."

I recommend this diary for teenagers who seem to struggle with insecurities or who are contempt. I strongly believe that Anne can get you back up on two firm feet.

- M ★