Fairwell

logophile

Dear Creative Writing,

Wow. And just like that a year has come and gone by. I have to say, its been a good time CW.

There were some days when this was the only class that I looked forward to. There were times when I groaned upon coming into class and see a movie up on the projector.

Let’s see…what all have we done together? We started only knowing one or two people and now we know everyone. We made mobiles and letters to The Princess Bride. We created blogs and spilled our guts to the world. We watched Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse and completely grossed ourselves out over Everyday.

 

Now it hasn’t always been just a good time. There were times when it took all your restraint not to cuss someone out during class or to leave the classroom and just keep walking.

But I believe that you will look back on this year with happy thoughts just as I will.

 

 

This isn’t a complete goodbye. I’ll be here next year with the literary journal to torture you with my writing some more.

 

 

On a different note, why did someone decide to say “farewell” to someone when they are leaving? Its basically saying to someone “I hope that nothing interferes with your departure because I don’t want to be with you anymore”

Or maybe that’s just my mind making up stuff

 

 

Anyhow, for the last time this year…

 

Logging out,

The Logophile

trinity college library - dublin dan boss via Compfight

No Where to Grow pt 6

logophile

And so I went about my life.

Day after day

Week after week

Month after month

Year after endless year

 

There came a point when I hoped that I would die. That I would die so that the Return could take me away from this awful cycle. That whatever miracle happened that Ana Blubarr was reborn wouldn’t happen again.

 

 

My plants flowered and withered. Snow fell and melted. Thoughts came and went. 

But the same one stayed and repeated itself in my head over and over and over again.

Let this end. Let this end. Let this end. MAKE it end.

 

One day, one ordinary plain day, I didn’t go out. I didn’t go to work or to the grocery store. I slept for hours or sat on my couch. I watered my plants and ate food that dwindled every day. 

…I gave up

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Days, maybe weeks later, I woke up to a shadow covering my face.

No Where to Grow pt 5

logophile

I didn’t talk to him again after that. But I could always feel him looking at me. Following me.

For awhile I thought nothing of it, that he was just some random person. I went to a post-secondary school and learned what I needed to learn. I got a job and moved up in life. I bought an apartment that was slightly outside of the city where I could grow some plants and keep a cat. 

All the while he was following me. Sometimes it was encouraging. When I showed up for my first interview his shadow outside the window provided a silent support. When I walk home alone at night, the cool brush of his breath reminded me that I would be safe from harm.

But other times it was threatening. I would go for a drink with a perspective partner and they would suddenly cancel and avoid me. I would wake up in the morning to the sound of one of my plants falling, my cat still snuggled into my pillow. 

 

It was always the same meaning, the same message. I’m still here. I’ll protect you from harm. I’ll be beside you forever, and nobody else will be.

 

 

Occasionally I would try to tell someone about him. That there was a person from my past life that had been stalking me for years. They never believed me, but that didn’t matter in the morning when they were found dead in their bed with no evidence pointing toward a suspect.

After awhile I stopped going out. I went to work and I came home. I went to the store and I came home. I said my “hello”s and my “how are you?”s. I watered my plants and I watched TV. I pet my cat and I went to bed.

The same routine. Over and over and over again.

 

My mom eventually stopped calling. After a few years I think she even forgot that she had a daughter. 

School reunions came and went. Neighbors moved in and moved out. Even my cat died in the middle of the night, his little paw reached out on top of my hand.

My plants were the only company I had left. But I couldn’t risk them too, those silent soldiers that guarded me from the looming darkness. I watered them and spread fertilizer. If one grew too big I would buy a bigger pot and change it, like a mother changing her baby’s diaper. If one died I would throw it out with the trash in the morning.

I didn’t know how many years passed like that. The only reason I even knew that it was my birthday was because a small picture would show up on my bedside table. Always of me doing something in my mundane life.

With a shadow stretching out from the edge towards me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay so yeah you can probably tell that this is almost the end. I can’t see more than two more of these. Lowkey turned into a creepy story but oh well

“This Year”

logophile

“We’re all a little weird and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love” -Dr. Seuss

“We drink the poison our minds pour for us and wonder why we feel so sick” -Atticus

“‘Goodbye’ is a sup we must all drink from. What a beautiful and devastating truth” -Erin Van Vuren

“Donn’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me” -Al Capone

“So many speak, but few share. So many hear, but few truly listen” -JM Storm

“Maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it” -Unknown

“I’ve always liked quiet people. You never know is they’re dancing in a daydream or if they’re carrying the weight of the world” -John Green, Looking for Alaska

“You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star” -Friedrich Nietzsche

“Understand me. I’m not like an ordinary world. I have my madness, I live in another dimension and do not have time for things that have no soul” -Charles Bukowski

“Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly” -Neil Gaiman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah I’m a nerd and made a joke with the title. its the year in quotes

haha im hilarious

One

logophile

One

That is all there is

Just one

Not two

Three

Four

Five

Or six

 

One thought

One word

One move

And it is gone

 

What could it have been?

What could break it?

What…

Was it?

 

Was it you?

Was it not?

What could have torn you apart?

 

What you did not know

Was that it was thin

And small

So much so that the very air

Could have been the cause

 

“It was not” you say

‘It was like the sea,

And sand

Like the earth

And sky

We were us

I was her

She was me

We were

One”

 

I shake my head

The sand is one

The sea is one

The earth is one

The sky is one

Can’t you see

That one plus one

Is two?

‘And’ and ‘or’

Yin and Yang

One can still be one

Even when there are two

 

So, you see,

You were not One

Your one took over her one

You took

But gave none

 

So all it took was one

One more pull

With no push

And she was gone

 

That was when you knew

That one plus one is not one

But two

 

Next time

Will you know

That the only way that one plus one is One

Is when one gives half

So two halves can make a whole?

How To: Learn A Foreign Language

logophile

Wassup

So I’m sitting here looking at my class’ assigned topics with the words “How-To-Manual” and thinking…”what in the world am I going to do?”

And then bada bing bada boom the Duolingo owl came for me. Figuratively, of course. They haven’t been able to perfect that piece of technology…yet 

 

So here I am writing a manual on how to learn a language. Obviously there are multiple reasons to learn a language and different things you need to learn first depending on the reason. If you’re a tourist, you most likely want to start with common things like “Where’s the bathroom?” or “I need help!”

For this manual, though, I will be talking about ways to learn a language as though you want to learn the language for life. Let’s get it!

 

 

#1: Look into Language Learning Apps

But Logophile! Why do I need to get an app first? Well readers, that’s because no matter how dedicated you are you will not be able to learn a language just through self-study. And face-to-face lessons are expensive and most likely only happen once a week. With an app, you can learn whenever/wherever you want, get daily reminders, and (most of the time) not pay for them! Its a win-win-win.

Here are some language apps that I know of:

Duolingo

Related imageFor those of you that didn’t get my reference from the introduction

<– this is the Duolingo owl. He threatens you if you miss your daily lesson.

Anyway. Duolingo is The number one language app. Its free, has over 30 languages, has organized lessons that you have to learn to move on, and ways to listen and speak the word you’re learning. It’s designed to make you actually retain what you learn, and to make you learn the language faster. You can pay for extra services, such as no ads, or learn for free. I’m using Duolingo myself to learn a language and its awesome.

 

 

Drops

Image result for drops appDrops is personally my favorite app to use. Unlike Duolingo, no crazy bird is going to come after you if you miss a lesson. 

What makes Drops unique is that it uses drawings and animations to convey the word you’re learning instead of just the word in your daily language. This way, you don’t keep connecting the new language to your old language. Drops uses several different interactive techniques that help you learn faster. For example, if you’re learning a language that uses a different alphabet, you actually draw the new characters on your screen.

The only downside to Drops is that you’re only allowed 5 minute lessons every 12 hours. Of course, you can pay for unlimited, but I’m cheap so I don’t 🙂 

 

 

There are way more than these two but these are my personal favorites and the ones that I recommend. Depending on your target language there are apps that specialize in just one language, so check those out if you can.

 

 

 

#2: Look Into Physical Books

 

If you’re like me, then you like to have something that you can physically feel. Its why I can’t do EBooks or audio books even though I love the idea. So even if you aren’t able to carry it around everywhere, a physical foreign language book that you can make notes or draw in is a great way to learn. And its great for cross-checking your sources. I myself don’t have one (again, because I’m cheap), but most book stores have a whole section of language learning books.

 

 

 

#3: Create a Journal

 

Now, you might be thinking, “I am NOT 10 years old I don’t need to write in a journal!” or “I tried to write a journal YEARS ago and i just couldn’t do it”. 

Well hun let me teach you a little something. Do you know what the hardest thing about learning a foreign language? Its not all of the translating and memorizing, if that’s what you’re thinking.

Its dumbing yourself down. 

Think about it. Technically speaking, when you are learning a new language, you are starting off on square one, level zero. In that language, you ARE 10, or even younger than that. But most people want to just take off. They’re thinking that they need to learn how to say this and that…but that’s not how you started learning your native language when you were 3. THAT”S how you start learning a language. So the best thing to do is start writing in a book. You can organize it anyway you want. “Dear Diary, today I learned that ‘car’ is ___” “‘Car’ is ___. ‘Apple’ is ___.” Or you can write IN that language. Use the words that you know and try to convey your thoughts. 

Image result for foreign language journal  Image result for foreign language journal

Just write.

 

 

 

#4: Watch/Listen to Media in That Language

Let me tell ya something. I have learned (and actually remembered) more words and phrases in my target language listening to their music and watching their TV shows than actually studying. 

If you need to learn a language quickly (like you’re taking a trip to that country) then doing this is the absolutely best way. Now why is that? well number one it shows you what the social culture of that country is. Number two because it shows you how people actually talk in that language on a day to day basis. If you’ve ever met someone who has learned a new language but hasn’t spent a long time around people who natively speak it, then you know that they usually sound very stiff, very formal. “Hello. How are you? I am good. Thank you” 

Like a robot.

But we don’t want to be a robot now do we? So we watch their media and listen to their music.

 

Netflix

  Image result for netflix

Netflix has been known to have many shows that are in different languages. They aren’t the cream of the crop in my opinion, but they would be useful in learning that language.

I know that they have shows in:

Mandarin        Spanish

Korean          Portuguese

Japanese

 

Viki Rakuten
Image result for viki rakuten

Okay so if the language you’re learning is Asian then Viki is the best thing for you. The only reason I know is because the language I’m learning is Korean. Its a free app that literally has hundreds of TV shows and movies per language. It has Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and (even if its not a language) Taiwanese shows. To keep it free it does have ads (usually 30 seconds) but you can pay for premium which takes care of that.

 

 

 

 

As for music, well, just check Youtube. 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay so this is the end of all that. I don’t know if this was really helpful but its the best that I can offer 🙂

The best advice that I can offer is to STUDY STUDY STUDY

 

 

Logging out,

The Logophile

 

No Where To Grow pt 4

logophile

I saw him next when I was 18. In those two years there were times when I would forget about him. But that would never last for long. I would always end up remembering that day at the resource station. 

It was my last day for schooling. My friends and family were all rushing about in a haze of lights from the photostops*. I could have cared less about having evidence of that day. The only thing that would be recorded in my Archive would be the year and what the name of my school is. If I grow up to be important enough these pictures might make it into a museum, but even that too will be destroyed before my next life. 

I’ve lived enough lives to realize that now. It doesn’t matter what you have or what you leave behind after you die. Nobody will remember you in your next life anyway. You won’t remember you either.

 

I was standing aside from the groups of people roaming through the school when I hear a click and a flash of light blinds me.

“Mom I told you I don’t want any pictures taken!” I whirled around and he was there, an antique photostop in his hands.

“You were always like that. Didn’t want your pictures taken. But I always took them in secret when you weren’t looking,” he looked down and smiled at the photostop, “Too bad this little guy is so loud”.

I stood there for a moment and stared. He spoke so casually, like I was still Ana.

I cleared my throat and spoke, “Listen. I know who you are and who you were to my past self. I don’t know how I was born since you clearly still remember her but that doesn’t matter anymore,” I looked up into his eyes, “I would like it if you kept away from me in this life. Ana Blubarr is dead, and if you think stalking me will make me feel what she did, you’re wrong”.

He seemed startled by that, his feet shifting back. He stopped, looked down at the photostop, and then back at me.

“That’s fine. I didn’t mean for it to come off that way. But,” he paused, and the corner of his lips tilted up, “that doesn’t mean I won’t do it again, though”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*A camera                                                                   

No Where To Grow pt 3

logophile

It was when I turned 16 that I saw him. He was standing on the corner across from me, watching as I ate with my friends at the resource station close to my neighborhood.

He looks exactly as he looked from my previous life. I remember that. Of course I do. He played such a large part in my previous life that it was recorded in my Archive. 

“Ana Blubarr.” That was the person I was before. “Died age 28 in 7134 AR* from a terminal illness. Parents were Al Blubarr and Zora Telimon. Race was mixed Diferen** and Wipple***. Graduated from Richmot Preliminary School and then went on to study molecular biology at Harland University. It has been recorded that she chose this career in order to create a cure for her lover, Seo Hyunjoon****, the only known immortal who lived past the Return. [Archive for Seo Hyunjoon has been missing for 18 centuries. It is assumed he is in possession of it.] Previous life was Ina Quati*****.”

 

He didn’t stay for long. Our eyes met and held for a split second…and then he was gone. It was times like these that I wished that Archives held more details. What were you to me? What was I to you? Why did I Return if you still remember me?

My friend snapped her fingers in front of my face and dragged me back to the conversation. We discussed the school project we had been assigned and ate the nutri-meals****** that we had ordered. My mind was somewhere else though.

It was spinning with the ghosts of the past that had come to haunt her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry that was short but I wasn’t really feeling that scene after coming back to it after a few days. 🙂

 

 

 

*AR is this story’s version of BC or AD or BCE or whatever you want to say; it  stands for “After the Return.”

**Pronounced Dif-er-in; an ethnicity located somewhere the India-Bangladesh area

***Pronounced like ripple but with a w, idk; ethnicity located on the Icelandic island

**** Pronounced so-hyun-june

***** Pronounced kwa-tea

****** A popular form of food that provides the needed amount of vitamins and calories per meal; stands for “Nutrition Meal”

Even the Smallest Word Counts: My Take On Fox News’ ‘3 Mexican Countries’

logophile

So for this post I am not going to use my usual font just because this is a serious matter and I feel like I should write it in a serious manner.

 

In other words…

Welcome to my rant! 🙂

 

 

For those that don’t know,  on Sunday, March 24, Fox News made the mistake of having “TRUMP CUTS U.S AID TO 3 MEXICAN COUNTRIES” on their banner while talking about the current political event.

Image result for 3 mexican countries

Of course, those that have looked at a map or have one iota of common sense know that Mexico is just one country. While the company did issue several apologies and the reporters who were talking about the subject did not make an error, I find it is still important to talk about this. 

 

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/31/media/fox-news-mexican-countries-stelter/index.html

In this article on CNN, the author talks about the issue and why it was, and is, offensive to many people. No matter that the event itself is very controversial and is hurting millions of people and families, the fact that such a mistake was made hurts Fox News’ already damaged reputation. 

 

I am not going to go into politics because that is a maze that I don’t want to get lost in so I’ll get straight to the point. No matter if you are talking one on one with a friend or broadcasting on a nation news station, you should always mind your words. Just one word can flip your world upside down, as I’m sure that is what happened to the Fox employee who made this mistake.

 

Since I am the logophile I thought it was important to address this issue and do a friendly reminder that everything you do can and will be used against you in real life and the internet.

 

Be careful out there.

Logging out,

The Logophile

 

No Where To Grow pt 2

logophile

I stay there for awhile. That empty whiteness. There’s no way to actually tell how long I was there.  It wasn’t like I had a time keeper.

When I first came here I was afraid. Everyone had talked about it, so I knew what to expect; yet all of the talk and historical journals hadn’t prepared me for it. 

 

In one of my past lives, I read about the world before the Return. Back then, they believed in something called “religion”. There were many of these religions, if I remember correctly. The people then didn’t know what had happened before them, or what would happen after them. So they created these “religions” as a way of comforting themselves. 

Interestingly enough, only one of those religions believed in reincarnation. The name of the religion has been lost for centuries, but I’ve always wondered what the followers of that religion would think if they were alive after the Return. 

There is no religion now. We know what came before us, and we know what will come next. This place, this empty world is the only thing that we don’t know about. Some people swear by it, so I guess we do have a type of religion. For me, this space is just a holding area. The waiting room before going into a healer’s office. The station before the shuttle gets there. A place to think about what I’ve done and what I still want to do. I am still young compared to others who have Returned hundreds of times. As far as I can remember, I’ve only Returned about thirty times. 

 

 

 

It was after I recalled my twenty-second life that the white expanse around me started to shift around me. I felt my body-the body of Ana Blubarr- start to compress and change into that of an infants. The whiteness swirls and draws away into a pinprick of light far away from me. Like a shoe that’s been worn too many times, my mind knows what will happen next. The pinprick of light is extinguished; I see and feel nothing until the feeling of rubber surgical gloves touches and grabs onto me. As the hand pulls me toward where the light was, two thoughts float into my consciousness just before it is wiped blank for my next life to take over: How long has it been? and “Is that person finally…dead?”