Joys on Birthday day

Much much thanks for all the happy birthday wishes from my Leaky friends! And...my Facebook/school friends! As my birthdays go, it was a phenomenal one. I got sang to in English by my class and my teacher was the first person besides my dad to tell me Happy Birthday (Oh, and STS, but you kind of cheated and told me yesterday ) I also got sang to in Math and French yesterday. My sister took me out to lunch at Chipotle and then when we got back my friends sang (yep, again) during the few minutes that were left. And I had a pretty easy day, too! It was a two hour delay and we didn't do very much actual work...or get much homework, so I've mostly just been watching the caucus. Speaking of the caucus, SUPER TUESDAY, Obama is doing pretty well. He's won about 10 states so far and is doing well in others that have yet to be called. Really, when they called Connecticut in his favor, I was SO happy. That's just politics oriented me...And he's actually ahead in Colorado right now, too! He won our precinct, which means that my dad and stepmom did their job VERY well. Yes, it was a bit disappointing they couldn't be home with me for much of tonight, but I'm rather enjoying celebrating all the little victories on my birthday. All right. Sorry. Enough of politics from me So, back to birthday. I got an amazing iPod from my mom!!!! Also, I got a lot of books that I didn't get for Yule: The Princess Bride, The Book of Merlyn, Peter Pan, and The Neverending Story. Two repeat books that I'll exchange for store credit and maybe, possibly, buy the DH deluxe edition with because it makes me happy. That, or get a few other books that I still want. I also got an HP journal, a Best Buy gift card, an HP drawing from my friend, and......December Boys!!!!! SQUEE!!!! Now, if only PotterCast 137 would come out and make my birthday even better. (Ah, also happy birthday "gift" was making page 3 of top overall posters on Leaky) Mary Rose, especially, left me a message that made me a little teary-eyed with happiness: Happy Birthday Kat! You're precious and I love you dearly. You deserve a fantastically wonderful day (to match your fantastically wonderful self!). *smiles happily* Oh, how sweet she is! Yea, so overall, it was a pretty dang good birthday. I still say though, that birthdays always feel strange because I don't feel older, even though I really am. Honestly, I feel the same way I did yesterday, if a little happier because of the nice gifts and wishes. My Leaky friends were especially sweet and funny with their wishes. But, really, I'm the same 14 year old I was. But technically I was born 15 years ago, so I'm 15 now. *sigh* Birthdays are strange, aren't they? Again, thank you very much to all who wished me happy birthday. I don't have enough time to list all your names, but you know who you are!

Paper for Terminus

Okay, I just clicked the "confirm" button to send my idea for a paper to Terminus. And now I'm incredibly nervous. Darn, why do I always have to do things that make me so nervous?!?!?!? *sigh* Anyway, I could really use some feedback!(thanks for your feedback already, [b]STS[/b]!! It helped me decide to send it)

Title: Connecting through Harry Potter

Summary: JK Rowling is an amazing author, and she uses her fantastic writing ability to connect to people all around the world. When most people read Harry Potter, all of their prejudices about people seem to disappear, as is often seen around the fandom. She even manages to connect to the so-called “different” people of the world through Luna and Neville. This presentation explores the way Jo connects to those people and how she has helped so many of us by just writing her amazing books.

Biography: I am a 14 year old high school student from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have been in love with Harry Potter since Goblet of Fire came out in 2000, but only recently found the magical world of online fandom. I love to write poems and stories, and am currently writing a book about Rwanda. I also love traveling, the ocean, reading, running, swimming, and playing with my cats. Thanks to the HP fandom, I have met some of my best friends and heard some of the most interesting ideas, and I hope for more of that at Terminus.

Abstract: The Harry Potter books reach out to and connect so many people around the world, from so many different cultures, ages, and walks of life. Jo’s incredible writing connects people and makes them forget most of their prejudices or preconceived ideas about people that would otherwise be quite obvious. Even the “eccentric” ones are welcomed into the fandom by having Luna and Neville there with them. I am one of those people who are often seen as eccentric, but the people who read Harry Potter welcomed me like an old friend, without any teasing or big questions. But how is it that Jo manages to connect all these people, just by writing her books? Personally, I think it’s because she uses so many universal ideas about love and jealousy and friendship and death, ones that reach out to people everywhere, no matter what their background is. And by showing readers that Luna and Neville are just as strong and wise as other characters, despite their eccentricities and differences, Jo welcomes those who connect with Luna and Neville into her books and the fandom they helped create. So few books have the amazing ability to connect people all around the world, yet Jo manages to do it so modestly and perfectly. Questions about magic and even the belief in magic (if only in young children) are seen in almost every culture. A fantastic series of books that answers some of those questions and shows that maybe, lurking behind a wall and around a corner, are people who use magic wands and fly around on broomsticks, appeals to people far and wide who ask those questions. Part of the charm of these books, and perhaps the biggest reason they have been so successful, is the fact that they are so universally appealing. The careful way Jo uses her words and presents her ideas through her characters is so subtle, but it’s enough for a worldwide bond and fondness of the Harry Potter books. Granted, there are still plenty of prejudices for some readers, probably, and there will always be those who try to stop the Harry Potter books from being published or read. But there’s something they can’t ignore: these spectacular books have done something so hard—connected people from all continents, religions, and cultures, around something other than a world tragedy. That intense bond between readers of the Harry Potter books is likely to last a very long time—partly because of the universal ideas in the books and partly because of the way Jo uses people from different cultures and with different personalities as her characters. Frankly, I think the way she has managed to connect us all through a book—words, ink, and paper—is incredible, and definitely something not to be ignored or forgotten.

Jealousy

Okay, so let's see if anyone can figure out what I'm talking about. Small hint: It has to do with one of my big loves (not a person, a thing). Hem, Hem:

I'm friends with both of y'all in some way, but you hate her. You hate her just because she got the guy of your dreams, the one you wanted for yourself. But, honey, just a little reality check here. You would've gone out with him for maybe a few months, but I doubt you would've had the same strong relationship that she has with him. She's loved him since she first saw him that day at the station, and she never gave up on him, despite the guys she was with before him. And, honey, she caught his attention in a way you never could, and he caught her attention. He saved her life, sacrificed himself for her, and won her heart. She almost died because of him, never gave up, and finally won his heart. Through all the hardships, the tension, and the danger, they loved each other with a passion that's hard to come by. He had a difficult journey, and perhaps the hardest part was being away from her. He only broke up with her once, without him wanting to, to protect her life. She's kind and she's strong. She's sweet and funny. She's smart and brave. She's scared for him and wishes she could be with him the whole way. She's beautiful in so many ways. She's in love and, most important of all, she's HIS. And you hate her. Why? Because you're jealous, and it's getting in the way of you seeing her good qualities and realising that she's a good person. He's wonderful to her; she's wonderful to him. Together, they are one of the most brilliant couples the world has ever seen. Every time I see them or think about them, I smile. So you need to face the facts: The two of them are perfect for each other, and your petty jealousy won't change that. Even if you can't get over it (which is hard to believe), don't talk about it everywhere you go. Keep it within your group of people who feel the same way. Don't go rubbing it in the faces of people who like her. And don't criticize me for being her friend. It's not my fault you can't see past your jealousy the beautiful, strong person she is. I'm not letting you change me or letting your feelings get in the way of my friendship with her. And if you don't hear me this final time, I'm cutting you off. So, please don't come back to me begging for forgiveness when you come to your senses. Because, honey, I've had enough.

Okay, so some parts of this rant can be seen in different ways, but the purpose I wrote it for is kind of hard to find :) See if you can! If you think you did, send me a message.

Love and happiness,
Kat

A New Year and some Happy News

All right, so I probably should have done this a long time ago, but...well, these are my ups and downs from 2007:

Best: Joining Leaky/The Year of Potter/reading Deathly Hallows: Well, this probably doesn't need much explanation, but that really was one of the best times of my life so far! Finally reading those long awaited first words of Deathly Hallows, talking about it on here, discovering PotterCast...*sigh* So happy. Leaky and the Lounge have helped me get through so many things this year, and I've met so many great people that I hope I will stay friends with for the rest of my life! It was great to find a whole forum of Potter obsessed people. Mary Rose and Allie have been especially great!
Pirates of Penzance Play: This was the play that my broadway class put on at the end of 8th grade (in May). And it was really one of the funnest times of my middle school...career, you could say. For once I actually had friends that I could talk with and laugh with. And, I was actually getting some attention for my singing and dancing ability--I even got to choreograph some of the dances! We all had so much fun, so many inside jokes, and so many laughs.
Stepmom moving here: Well, it just made me so happy. I missed her a lot. We had a good time after Thanksgiving break. It was odd at first to think I had her for as long as I wanted and we didn't have to try to work things into a week or whatever schedule. But, now I'm loving it :D
New England Trip: So amazing. First trip my dad, sister, stepmom, and I had actually taken as a family where none of us were in our home, all of us staying in a hotel. I had the most amazing time, especially in Wood's Hole and New York.
Homecoming: Just so fun Again, I actually had friends. We all went to dinner and danced for hours. I got to be with my friends that I didn't see often because either 1. I didn't have any classes or 2. They moved high schools but still came to homecoming.
Deciding I was going to apply to Fountain Valley/my results on the SSAT test: Well, it was an accomplishment for me. My results on the admission test were amazing, and I was just proud of myself for finally coming out and saying, "Dad, I want this," because usually I have a hard time expressing what I want. I'm hoping I get in, because I'll be much happier there than at my current high school.

Worst: Well, some of these I really don't feel like sharing, because they are kind of personal and I've really only shared them with my journal and my 8th grade English teacher, but...
Relationship with my mom: It has been rocky for 4 years, and I had been sitting there trying my hardest to be understanding and loving and patch up our relationship, and I hadn't gotten anything back from her. Finally, Thanksgiving of 2006, I just snapped. And after that, we barely talked for a really long time. I think our lack of talking (besides saying "here's dinner" or "I need money for a field trip" or "I need something from my dad's") lasted until March. But even then I didn't make a point of talking to her and I was just miserable. It got considerably worse on July 11th (yes, right after seeing OotP ), and I stopped talking to her again. She still wasn't making an effort to care for me, and I had actually heard her say "I only keep her for the child support money." I was devastated and hurt and...well, you know. Living at her house was then miserable because I had no one to talk to. It's gotten a little better now, but it's not much past that state it was in March through July. And I still hate going to her house and try to do everything I can to get away (go out with friends).
My Birthday: Sadly, yes. One of the hardest days of 2007, actually. Because my dad had to be in New York to get interview for this documentary about Iraq. I was supposed to be at his house for my birthday, but I had to stay at my mom's. Which, needless to say, was...HORRIBLE, especially because it was in the November-March not talking point. And only one of my friends remembered by himself that it was my birthday. I was crushed, upset, lonely, and stressed out from all the homework and projects our teachers had given us...
Thanksgiving: Except for the first weekend and Thanksgiving day, it was a pretty bad break. I had so much homework that I had to do and it didn't feel like break at all because I'd get up and immediately start doing homework.
Friends: Or..."friends." See, I know perfectly well that I am the Luna of my school. But I had a pretty good small group of friends. Now, a lot of them have drifted away from me at the start of high school and ignore me now. And no one really seems to want to do anything with me, yet they still say I'm their friend. I'm just sick of it.

Okay, so now onto the Happy News/Day. Well, I'll start with the day. Today I went on a French club field trip to an exhibit on loan from the Louvre with stuff from Versailles that was incredibly interesting. Then, we went to a French restaurant where we spoke in French most of the time, ate amazing vegetable ravioli and scrumptious chocolate mousse =D Even the bus ride back was entertaining because we got caught in traffic and watched all the litter in the median and...found some pretty odd and amazing stuff!!

So, for the Happy News. It is about 75% certain that I am going to Terminus this summer!!! We just have to work out the dates with my mom so that I can go with my stepmom, but she is usually really understanding with switching dates and everything. Plus, as an added bonus, Mary Rose might be coming with me/staying in the same room, too!

So, yep, I'm very happy today!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Yule, Christmas, Hannakah, Kwanzaa, whatever. And, to quote GalleryCast, "if you believe nothing, Happy day." :) Well, so I opened most of my presents on Saturday, cause that was Yule, my religious winter holiday. Then, we opened the presents from my aunt and uncle on Monday because we always go up to Denver or Winter Park to visit them. And I got the presents from my mom today. Just in case the incredibly small amount of people who read this want to know, this is what I got: Books (yes, all of which were on my list): The Jungle Book, The Importance of Being Earnest, Wind in the Willows, Watership Down, Anna Karenina, Great Expectations, Wickett's Remedy, Peter and the Starcatchers, and Wife in the Fast Lane. HP Merchandise: The Psychology of Harry Potter (amazing book), DA sketch shirt, Harry Potter Gryffindor shirt, Order of the Phoenix DVD, and HP calendar Other: money, Wet Seal Gift card, Gilmore Girls Season 7 on DVD and a few repeat books that I'll return sometime and get different books or maybe a DVD or two I am very happy with all of it. So, I hope y'all had an amazing holiday season...but it's not over yet! We still have New year to look forward too! Much love!!!

Oh, Happy Day!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! OMG, the moment we've waited for for such a long time is here! JO is going to be on PotterCast! Isn't it just so amazing? :) I only wish I were John, Sue, or Melissa... Huh, so that's the most exciting thing that's happened in my life lately. I finished finals on Friday, and so far I have all A's. I'm still waiting for two of my grades to come back, but I'm pretty confident in them...I've mostly just sat around and read a lot since school ended for WINTER BREAK. Only 5 days until Yule, and still a blissful 17 days of freedom ahead of me! Indeed. A very happy day, today is. :D

Random Hary Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone thoughts...

Yep. I watched it today with the PC commentary, trying to avoid finals :D Here y'all go (and sorry for the huge lack of posting): Random Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie thoughts Oh, I love the Diagon Alley music. *gasp* C’est Hedwig! And, wow, doesn’t Gringotts look funny? Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa or something…Okay, I want all that money. Lucky, lucky Harry. 713, two vaults away from Sirius’. But it’s just a little package…VERY suspicious. *wink* Aww, ickle Danny: a wand. He sounds so adorable! Yeah, will Ollivander be back? He better, but I don’t recall seeing his name on the cast list. “After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, did great things. Terrible. But great.” Don’t die, Hedwig!!!!!! THE BOY WHO LIVED! *la gasp* Hermione...you're going to marry Ro-on!!!!!!!! Teehee. HUFFLEPUFF!!!!!!!!!! S.Q.U.E.E. Hah! Another Weasley, I know just what to do with you! LOL. Funny floating candles...WE GOT POTTER!!!!!!!! Aww, Harry and Hedwig. :) Oh, come on, Snape! Harry’s just taking notes! Bezoar—pay attention, Harry! It will save Ron’s life someday! Oh, wow, the ceiling of the Great Hall looks so cool in this movie! Ha! Fred got something from Mummy! LOL, I love Ron’s faces in this movie. Harry’s first time on a broom! SQUEE! And Ron’s hit him in the face. :) Poor ickle Neville… “What an idiot.” Bahahahahaha! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!! Harry caught the Remembrall. OMG, Wood. He’s so hot. The Grey Lady, wow. And, gasp, Hermione’s stalking Harry. “This is the third floor.” Woooood!!!!!!!! Seriously, I am in love with him. But you know, he held it in his hand in the movie. So that totally messes up the whole book seven plot. <_< LOL, Seamus’ hair. But poor ickle Hermione. Ron didn’t mean it, sweetie! He loves you! He’s gonna marry you! TROLL!!!!!!!!!!! “Thought you ought to know.” Seriously, who are half of these students? They’re so random! “I think the troll’s left the dungeon.” No doy, Ron. OMG Melissa—Shrek was cuter. Goodness. Oh, yes, Harry. Those ickle rocks are really going to help. *rolls eyes* Yes, Ron, COOL. Oh, wow, FIVE points. So amazing. Uh huh. Okay, this is one of my favorite lines: “I don’t really remember. I took a bludger to the head two minutes in. Woke up in the hospital a week later.” Alas, very comforting. I really love watching Quidditch though. And I’m glad they are leaving it in Half Blood Prince, cause I really wanted it in Order of the Phoenix. Angelina! See, why couldn’t they let her be captain? Hey, are you allowed to kick your opponents? Luna’s commentary better be in, and McLaggen. NO!!!!! Wood!!!! How sad. That should so totally be against the rules. I don’t think they are actually allowed to do that. Honestly, these stupid mean Slytherins. Angelina and Wood are trying to play fair and they aren’t even using talents, just being all intimidating. That broom stuff looks so uncomfortable and sickening…No wonder everyone thought he was puking when he got down. Alan Rickman looked particularly good looking when he flipped his hair off his face like that. Surfing on a broom…uh huh. Dan’s blue eyes still bug me. I mean, what are they going to do for the whole “look at me” scene? Will it just be that Lily had blue eyes? Urgh…why couldn’t Dan where contacts, especially now that he’s 18!? GO, GO, GRYFFINDOR! GO, GO, GRYFFINDOR! GO, GO, GRYFFINDOR! “That thing has a name?” “Shouldn’t have said that.” I love that about Hagrid. Snow! Hey, that’s like outside right now. In my town, anyway. (Note to self: an hour left in movie) “That’s totally barbaric.” Funny. I wouldn’t think an eleven-year old would say that, but it’s Hermione. I want a Weasley sweater. Or, better yet, I want to learn how to make one. Dear Harry: Here’s a Deathly Hallow. You deserve it. I don’t. I’m stuck with the f---ing Elder Wand. Sincerely, Dumbledore. LOL. OH, how creepy, it’s Harry’s arm just floating along there. I wonder if that filmy covering is really there in Harry’s view when he’s under the cloak. *crash* Filch: “You can’t hide!” Harry: “Yes I can, I’ve got this amazing Deathly Hallow. My daddy left it to me.” CRYSTAL!!!!!!!!!!!! =D No, Quirrell, you really don’t want Snape as your enemy. No one does. Oh, he flipped his hair again. So hot. *sigh* Filch is like…freakishly happy about that student out of bed thing. *gasp* C’est la Mirror d’Erised. Oh, wow, I love how they included the text in the movie exactly the way it was in the book. That makes me so happy. LILY!!!!!!!! JAMES!!! =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D It’s your mummy. You don’t remember me! Well, at leas the actors look like they could be Harry’s parents, despite the fact they are supposed to be 21, not like 35 or whatever age those actors are. “I look good.” Okay, Ron. Whatever. You don’t become Quidditch captain or head boy. Maybe if you’d gone back to school. Instead you go off chasing Horcruxes and become all emo and leave Harry and Hermione. But then you marry Hermione. And have two kids. And take a driving test. And……LOL, okay. Basically the mirror means NOTHING, Ron. Ha! “It does not do well to dwell on dreams Harry and forget to live.” I love that line. And I love Richard Harris as Dumbledore. He was so much better. HEDWIG!!!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!! You’re gonna die. So many people use that flying in the snow scene in tribute videos for Deathly Hallows, and now it will forever make me cry. Wow, okay. Suddenly all that snow disappeared. Bahahaha, even at this age Ron and Hermione are arguing like the adorable, almost perfect couple they are. “We know about the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone.” “Oh.” Norbert! Well, Norberta! Aww, isn’t the little dragon just so adorable? Granted, I’d never keep one as a pet, but I do have to admit they are incredibly cute. Just they could burn down my house. Or burn off my hair. So, yeah, not keeping one. Sorry Hagrid. “Qua!!!!” Of course McGonagall’s not gonna miss a chance to punish a Slytherin. Filch is PERFECT. Great acting. “Good god man, you’re not still on about that dragon are you?” “Yeah, but what if he don’t like Romania? What if the other dragons are mean to him? He’s only a baby, after all.” Great interaction. Poor unicorns…they’re so pure and innocent, why would you want to kill one? Oh, yeah. You are evil and you want to live. And you lost all your Horcruxes. Harry, it’s Quirrelmort! That’s a hint! *pokes Harry hard in the back* Hint, hint!!!! I wonder if anyone ever counts this event as an escape from Voldemort. Well, probably not, since FIRENZE saved him. Huh, for 2001, those centaurs are pretty dang good. “You are safe now.” Uh, NO, he’s not. And he won’t ever be. “You don’t think he’ll try to kill you, do you?” NO, RON!? He’s not! *rolls eyes* Yeah, but, Hermione, Dumbledore won’t always be around. In fact, he is killed by Snape in just five years. And Harris dies next movie. How sad. (Note: I keep hearing sirens from Melissa’s in New York) “How often do you come across a three-headed dog?” NEVER, Hagrid. Oh, hey, it’s the Grey Lady again, I think! See, Hermione, Dumbledore’s gone! Hermione’s face…LOL. Dun, dun, dun. It’s Snape and he heard them talking about him… “*gasp* TREVOR!” What’s Ron holding right there? Oh, it’s the cloak, I think. Duh, Kat. *slaps self on head* Oh, they messed up Devil’s Snare, too. I mean, it’s okay and everything, but you weren’t supposed to relax. And it was fire, not sunlight. Oh, and they messed up the key scene, too. The keys didn’t attack Harry in the book, they were just really, really hard to catch. “Well, it was worth a try.” Yes, Ron, all those keys are there but a simple Alohamora will work. Right. Seriously, where does Harry get these nice Muggle sweaters from? “This complicates things a bit.” No, doy, Ron. Wow, that’s a lot of keys. “As for me, I’ll be a knight.” Go, Ron. This is one thing you are actually really good at! I really like the chess scene in the movie, it was done really well, even with the crappy 2001 special effects. “Yes, Hermione. I think this is going to be EXACTLY like wizard’s chess.” LOL. But Ron really played this game really well. He managed to play it so only he had to get hurt. But it is quite obvious that it would be difficult for one person to do this on their own. “No, you can’t!” I love you Ron, you can’t die! “Not me, not Hermione, YOU.” Oh, wow, look how scared Ron looks! Oh, no, Ron’s dead already. *rolls eyes* They left out Hermione’s scene, though. I loved that part of the book. “Books and cleverness. There are more important things. Friendship and bravery.” I agree. Harry’s walk down the steps was filmed really well. Amazing. Quirrelmort! “Tell the truth.” Just like in Half Blood Prince. Oh, that Voldemort face is creepy. That’s some powerful stuff there, offering to bring back his parents. “Alas. Earwax.” I love this: as long as you are going to be breaking the rules, do something Dumbledore thinks is cool so he’ll give you all the points so you can win the cup. Yes, Draco, Harry is a gazillion times better than you. Deal with it. NEVILLE!!!!! Probably the only points he ever won for Gryffindor! YAY! I love how Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are just happy that Slytherin didn’t win. Funny. Aww, baby Harry. “Dudley” I love how Hagrid said that. Aww, it’s over. How sad. Bye, Hagrid!!!!! Dooo dooodoodoodoodooooooo. (my attempt at theme music) LONG movie. I’ve been sitting in this chair for 2 and a half hours. *dies*