My Friend’s Basement

*A story I wrote for my college Sophomore English Creative Fiction Class - My first ever attempt at writing fiction* Let’s Pretend I often wonder what life would have been like if everything went according to plan. That’s the thrill about life I suppose, that one can never expect the unexpected. I try to believe in the philosophy that everything happens for a reason, but on this winter day a blanket of nostalgia wraps around me, and reminds me of his warmth. ♢ I’ll never forget the first time I met eyes with him, I drowned in those luminous blue pools. I was only six and he was eight, but his front left tooth was missing so he looked younger. At first, he didn’t want anything to do with me. He probably wouldn’t remember, but when my ball first rolled into his yard he kicked it back so aggressively he only missed my head by a hair. It wasn’t until I walked up to ask if he wanted to play that his face softened and my heart dove into those eyes. It was a brisk Autumn day, bu...

September 23, 2018 I let our plants die Not intentionally It’s just hard to take care of something else When you can hardly keep it together yourself There’s always a metaphor to be seen in these kinds of things Right? The beauty of death and the joy of life I watched As their soil dried up and their leaves coiled shut I had determined their fate You cannot inspire the dead to live You cannot care if there’s nothing left to give

I still think about you Wonder if you think about me too Flashbacks strike like heat waves Every time I turn my face there’s a memory in view July feels so blue Emotions pour like monsoons There aren’t enough distractions to keep these thoughts away In a daze and left so confused What am I supposed to do? When the only solution is space.

We embrace the diversity of trees- the different colors of leaves but we turn a blind eye when it comes to our own kind the world is so much more than black and white than left or right you know? I think it's about time we deflate our egos take a step back and examine the whole globe realize that underneath we're all flesh and bones We have the power to help each other to embrace our diversity how we do within nature to not be afraid of the unknown but to look forward to the future

"but what if it doesn't come true?" "Ah, but what if it does!" My entire life I've been an avid thrift shopper. A lot of people don't like to have to hunt to find clothes they like, but for me- that's all apart of the fun. Some people like the risk of gambling at casinos, some with stocks, but my gamble is whether or not I can find what I want for under $20 at a thrift shop. For instance, for the longest time I was searching for a bomber style jacket that could keep me warm during the blistering winter in Flagstaff, AZ. I searched high and low at retail stores but couldn't justify spending $60+ on something that I didn't LOVE. You know what they say, when you know- you know . Anyway, nothing at the mall spoke to me, so I wandered over to Goodwill.  I hoped that they would have the jacket of my dreams, and sure enough in the "Men's" section I found the leather, warm, and cozy jacket I had been searching for. Of course, i...

I am whole I am complete I have found peace I've always considered myself an outgoing person. I don't enjoy being the center of attention, but I do enjoy striking up conversations with strangers and soaking up the joy of kindness and solidarity. Although, lately I find myself glancing down when strangers smile at me, or I awkwardly put an end to a spontaneous conversation. I just haven't felt comfortable in my own skin lately.  I mentioned in my "Clarity" blog post the positive changes I've recently made in my life. Along with those, another change I've been trying to implement into my daily routine is positive affirmations. I noticed that my mind has a lot to say, and a lot of what it says is garbage. I want my mind to be less like garbage, and more like a garden.  I'll plant seeds of gratitude, positivity, and light and nourish them with affirmations and self-love. I only want to introduce my garden to things that will make it ...

"Everything will work out and there will be more good days than bad ones" I've been reading a lot of non-fiction lately, mostly self-help kind of books. Although, out of all the proclaimed "self-help" books I've read, nothing has pulled at my heart strings like this autobiography. Ron Hughart is an amazingly inspirational person because of the trials and tribulations he has overcome. His autobiography includes his journey of living in a migrant family during the 1940's just after the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. This book has deeply shifted my perspective on life and has made me grateful for every blessing. To name a few are: having carpet on the floor, a bed to sleep in, clean clothes and water, and food in my belly. I believe this book should be apart of the English curriculum in schools because it is inspiring to everyone, especially migrant families. Hughart represents children whose parents are constantly moving in search for emp...