New Years Resolutions for 2024

Well 2023 is nearly over and 2024 is nearly upon us. I've gained a lot of new experiences, achieved some goals and made some new friends this year. With the New Year, resolutions are always at the forefront of our minds. We always plan to achieve some goals, whether they be professionally, academically or just small things to strive for. By the end of the year, most of us may have accomplished a few, may have forgotten about a few or just thrown out the list altogether. Here are some of my New Year Resolutions:

• Publish My Solo Book

If you've continued to read my blog for the past few years, I have shared a few tidbits of me writing my solo book. I am still writing this book but its nearly finished. I hope to publish it in 2024 and you'll be the first to know of a release date or a preorder date. The process has been very long and I've been working very hard to get it into your hands.

• Goodreads

I have been noticing a few of my favourite people to watch on social media, mainly BookTubers, have been participating in the Goodreads Wrapped, which is basically Spotify Wrapped but for Goodreads. I do have a Goodreads account but I never really updated it. I essentially only have a list of books I want to read that is not organised and consists of mostly Tiktok recs. Next year, I want to actually utilize Goodreads and maybe even review a few books on there, we'll see how we go :)

• Senior Year

I'm heading into my first year of senior year which means I'm in the big leagues now. What I do academically this year truly will have an impact on my future. All along, I have just been studying the night before and I want to try and start studying a few weeks before to better prepare me. I do say this every year so we'll see if I actually stick to this or not. 

• Start Writing More

I want to start using the tools I have around me and start developing more stories. This blog has been a very fun, recreational activity but I want to try and write some more although that may be hard when I'm balancing senior year as well.

• Stop Caring About My Reputation

As any teenage girl living in this modern society, our reputation holds a very important part of our lives. Who we are seen with, who we associate with and especially what we seem to be to other people. Everyone has a very different version of themselves they present to certain people and while that will never go away - intertwined into our very core as a human being - I suppose I want to stop caring what other people think of me so much. A lot of people dropped out this year, leaving us with a smaller group of students. Most of which I will never see again. This is definitely the year to start trying.

• DRIVE

This isn't so much of a resolution but a goddamn fact. I am the youngest out of all my friends (yes, ALL of my friends) so they all have their license and I can't even legally take the test to get mine. The element of surprise is also ruined because I am so desperate to have it that they would all expect me to get it as soon as my birthday is over. Some of my friends have had birthdays passed and they haven't taken the test so fingers crossed, there is a 1% that I may get it before them. 

This is literally all I have for my New Years Resolution. I always only do a few anyways so I don't feel like I'm restricted because I HAVE to accomplish these. Maybe that's what should be on my New Years Resolutions next year. Have more resolutions...

Work Experience at ABC Radio

The following week, I did work experience at my local ABC radio. ABC is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and is the national, local and emergency broadcaster. It is funded by the Government and provides radio, television, online and mobile services everywhere and at any time. 

I experienced the high intensity rush of the mornings, when they produce their on air breakfast show. It's a very crazy time, where they have to screen calls, make sure everything is running on time while preparing for tomorrow's show as well. They have a smaller office than many of the other local radio shows which meant that most of them left earlier because they had taken the early shift for the show. Having less people also meant that those who had a job there had to have a wider variety of skills and be able to not just present, but to source local news as well. I also learned that a lot of their news stories were sourced from local residents who called or texted them. 

I was taught how to use their systems, such as Radio Assist 8 (NETIA Software) which is what they operate with when they chop up and stitch their audio. All their audio files, from anywhere in Australia are located on this system and I had some fun, stitching together some news files and some music files! I also came with one of their reporters to two events, a small press conference where I had to wear the construction uniform and a walk against violence. I captured photographs of both events and I learned a lot, such as how to perform during a fast paced circumstance. This wasn't quite as long a journey as it was to the city of Sydney because it was my local radio and I could catch the train on my own. 

My supervisor, Caroline left some very pleasant words for me on my post work experience report:

"She takes direction well and has shown a great ability to learn new skills quickly."

Caroline Perryman

Content Maker/Producer

On my last day, I was asked to give a short interview live on ABC Breakfast with their radio presenter where we spoke about my writing, hobbies, personal life and other stuff. Thank you for having me and I really enjoyed my time!

Work Experience at TV Week Magazine

I did a week of work experience at Are Media, specifically TV Week Magazine. Are Media is Australia's leading content company with 27 media brands, 5.9 million readers a month and has been a provider of truth for Australian women. TV Week is one of the many media brands they own and focuses on TV information, with the biggest television guide and star interviews. It was launched in 1957 and is an Australian icon in the world of publishing.  

I met some of the nicest people during my short stint and I learnt a lot of things about the industry, like copyediting and interviewing people. I arrived as they were all rushing to finish up three editions of magazines before their holiday break so it was very busy but they all took the time to ask me about my day and we all had some conversations, opening up about our personal lives. I listened in on an interview and it was quite interesting for me to see how you interview people over a phone call, especially when you can't distinguish body language. I also got to hold some copies of magazines that hadn't been released yet (if you want to buy the latest copy of TV Week magazine, you can find it at Coles, Woolworths or any newsagent). 

I had a very early start getting to the city of Sydney everyday, a two hour journey from my house to Are Media but it was a very rewarding and fulfilling experience and I would do it again if I could. There was a Starbucks coincidentally right across the street and it was all really busy, with people rushing to work. I also met a friend who was also doing work experience (hi Emily!) and we would get lunch and walk to the train station in the afternoons.  

At the end of the week, my supervisor, Stephen had to fill out a post-work experience report and left some very kind words for me.

"She has great writing skills and I encourage her to keep working"

Stephen Downie
Editor - TV Week

I learnt a lot doing work experience and they are a very sweet bunch of people! Thank you so much for having me Stephen, Lucy and Simon.

Flashbacks

Between exams and figuring out my work experience (more updates on that...), I have been quite busy so here is another story I wrote a year ago that I have let see the light of day:

First grade, Lexie Williams stole my seat. Second grade, she beat me in a colouring competition. Third grade, her star was placed higher than mine. Fourth grade, she got first taste of the ice cream even though I raised my hand first. Fifth grade, her whole family got uprooted and moved across the country. I never had to see her face again until ninth grade, when her family moved back. I hated seeing her face everywhere I went. Tenth grade, she got top of the year while I came second. To her. Eleventh grade, she chose the same classes as me and I’m still convinced it was purely to make my life hell. Thankfully, I got top of the year. Senior year was basically a competition on who would get the better university. But, shocker, we both got into Yale. University was too big a place for us to be each other’s only competitors. So I haven’t seen Lexie Williams in a long time. But yet here she is, sitting opposite my boss. 

“Miss Cooper. Come in,” my boss, Rachel motions for me to take a seat next to the devil. 

“What's going on?” I ask, staring back and forth between the two. 

“We have an exciting new story for you. Sage Brown is currently in New York, filming his latest travel segment and we want to send an investigative journalist to scope him out,” she explains. 

My heart leaps a little. I’ve been dying to write a news piece of this calibre since I first started at RW Company. But the joy is dimmed a little when I realise I have to write it on Sage Brown. 

“Then what's she doing here?” I glance at Lexie, who doesn’t look at all shocked. 

“We agreed to print the story in our newspaper and the Brettson’s and naturally, they sent someone to oversee the writing,” Rachel hesitates. “You two will have to cowrite the piece,”

“No way,” I fold my arms. As much as I hate to admit it, Sage Brown is one of the hottest new names that everyone knows about. This story could be the one that could make me a household name and I’m not stupid enough to do it with Lexie Williams, who would take all my credit. 

“We specifically wanted you because of your style of writing. It's incredibly similar to Lexie’s which is why we think you two would be a good fit,” Rachel says.

I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “The answer’s no,”

“It could be one of the biggest stories you’ve ever written and you know it. Are you really gonna pass on that?” Lexie speaks up. 

“What's going to stop you from taking my credit?” it comes out of my mouth before I’m able to stop it. 

“Nothing,” Lexie says simply. “I just won’t,”

“And I’m meant to believe your word? Answers still no,” I shake my head.

“You’ll get an all expenses paid trip from London to New York, a platinum card from Mr Brown himself to use on any of your expenses, professional or personal and your names will both be in print. Emphasise on the both,” Rachel says.

“An all expenses paid trip?” I ask. That had to be taken into consideration. It had been a long time since I had flown to New York because the plane tickets cost me twice my rent. 

Rachel nods. “If you can’t make a decision now that's fine but you need to make one by the end of the week,”

“I can do that,” I nod.

“Good. You two are both dismissed,” 

The second Rachel’s door closes, Lexie hisses to me, “Seriously? This could be the story of our lives for both of us and you’re really going to think about it?”

I quicken my stride but Lexie manages to keep up with me. “I’ve had my experiences where my work has been stolen because I agreed to deals like that. Forgive me if I wanted time to consider it,” 

“For the last time, I didn’t steal your maths test and cheat off it,” I can just hear her rolling her eyes. 

“I’m not talking about that,” I snap. “But you so did,” I murmur.

“Well then what can I do to convince you to take this job?” Lexie says, exasperated.

“Why do you need it so badly?” I turn around. 

She gave me a look like I was so dumb, “Money, for one thing and revenge,”

I raise my eyebrow, “Revenge?”

“Yeah,” Lexie turns away. “Don’t bother asking,”

I shrug, “Okay,”

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Q: Pick a Taylor Swift song you CURRENTLY resonate with:

a) "I waited ages to see you there, I search the party of better bodies, just to learn you never cared"

b) "I never grew up, its getting so old"

c) "This is how the world works, you gotta leave before you get left"

d) "I've got a hundred thrown out speeches I almost said to you"

e) "dreaming 'bout the day when you wake up and find that what you're looking for has been here the whole time"

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Q: Pick a lyric from GUTS you CURRENTLY resonate with:

a) "I don't get angry when I'm pissed. I'm the eternal optimist. I scream inside to deal with it"

b) "And I tell someone I love them just as a distraction. They tell me they love me like I'm some tourist attraction"

c) "I got the things I wanted, its just not what I imagined"

d) "Feels like my skin doesn't fit right over my bones"

e) "Said I was too young. I was too soft"

the study session

Disclaimer: This scene doesn't appear in my book

Characters:

Celeste Albus

Riven Markham

Kyton Robertson

Trinity Albus

Celeste Albus:

Scarlett has abandoned me. She has left me in the library to face the clutches of my final exam. I’m slightly irritated at her because it seems her father or her brother has been drawing her attention away a lot lately. This is the fourth time she has canceled on me last minute and I can feel my best friend slipping away.

I’m crammed in a hidden corner of the library with my head buried in a book. Most of those who are in the library are students my age and regularly attend classes with me so the novelty of the heir has worn off. Unfortunately, a select few of the younger years spotted two tables across from me and have been whispering and staring at me all afternoon. Scarlett usually takes the edge off but she's not here so I grit my teeth and sink further into my seat. 

I don’t look up as someone slides across from me but my body reacts faster than my mind does. My warmth reins in as I battle for control of the temperature. Instinctively, I glance up to meet the sharp, fierce eyes of Riven Markham as he slides his books onto the table.

“Riven,” I say curtly, my eyes drawing back to the textbook. 

“Celeste,” he responds, equally curtly. 

Riven Richard Markham. One year, my elder. 

“What do you need?” I sigh, making a note in the book.

“More like, what do you need?” he arches an eyebrow.

“That is the worst pick up line ever,” I let out a laugh.

“Tell that to Ky,” he picks up his books before throwing them aside.

“Kyton Robertson? How are you friends with that kid?” I finally put my book down. 

“You realise he is the son of one of the most powerful members of your council?” Riven asks. “Why are you studying?”

“Final exams,” I explain.

“I did those last year,” he says, picking up his books again. 

“I get it. You’re a year older than me. Stop flaunting it in my face,” I say, not impressed. 

“I’m not flaunting it in your face, I’m stating pure facts,” he says, matter-of-factly. 

I notice half a shadow peering into the library and I recognise her immediately. Its my younger sister, Trinity Albus who loves the library as much as I yearn to be in the forest. Riven turns around and meets her eyes. She immediately scurries out, afraid to speak to him. 

I pick up my pen and I wish to be in the forest.

Teaser

"Despite years of an unbridled flame burning at her core, she could still enjoy the natural warmth"    Celeste Albus 

20 Days: 20 Taylor Swift Songs

Taylor Swift JUST announced Australian dates with the amazing Sabrina Carpenter which gives me permission to post back to back Swift posts. So I'm going to tell you my favourite Taylor Swift song for the past twenty days of June. 

02/06/2023:

The Alcott (feat Taylor Swift).

Technically, this counts because she is featured quite a bit in this song. I saw a tiktok edit of How I Met Your Mother and then the song got stuck in my head.

03/06/2023

Hits Different

"I pictured you with other girls in love... then threw up on the street" - a classic example of unhinged lyrics that you can scream along to.

04/06/2023

Ivy

"so yeah... its a fire... its a goddamn blaze in the dark and you started it... you started it" that whole part lives in my head, rent-free.

05/06/2023

State Of Grace

06/06/2023

Come Back... Be Here

"This is falling in love and you are worlds away" "And I don't wanna need you this away" - every relationship ever.

07/06/2023

If This Was A Movie

08/06/2023

Hey Stephen

I have a strong feeling this song will reach my Spotify Wrapped.

09/06/2023

The Last Time (feat Gary Lightbody)

I was in a mood that day.

10/06/2023

Karma

11/06/2023

The Lucky One

12/06/2023

Dear Reader

Such a good song and deserves more hype

13/06/2023

The Story Of Us

begins my speak now era

14/06/2023

Sparks Fly

this entire bridge

15/06/2023 (also my dad's birthday!)

Haunted

this song will remain one of my favourites till the end of time

16/06/2023

Better Than Revenge

in an angry mood

17/06/2023

I Bet You Think About Me (feat Chris Stapleton)

18/06/2023

All Of The Girls You Loved Before

19/06/2023

Snow On The Beach (feat Lana Del Ray)

this song is ethereal

20/06/2023

Delicate

21/06/2023

Our Song

had this tune in my head playing for the entire day

Taylor Swift Word List: Folklore/Evermore

If anyone has listened to folklore or evermore, they would know the sheer amount of words that Dr Taylor Swift has placed that many don't know the definition of. I'm here to help. 

All definitions are from Oxford Dictionary or Merriam-Webster.

Folklore:

mirrorball:

revellers: a person who is enjoying themselves in a noisy or lively way.

the last great american dynasty:

gauche: unsophisticated and socially awkward

illicit affairs:

illicit: forbidden

clandestine: done secretly

mercurial: subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mind and mood

the lakes:

elegies: a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead

eulogize: praise highly in speech or writing

calamitous: involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous

evermore:

long story short:

precipice: a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one

dorothea:

lark: a source or quest for amusement or adventure

ivy:

incandescent: strikingly bright, radiant or clear

champagne problems:

midas touch: the ability to make money out out of anything

gold rush:

contrarian: opposing or rejecting popular culture

evermore:

unmoored: (of a person): insecure, confused, or lacking contact with reality

Short Scene: Twisted

With assessments building up over this past month, I haven't had a lot of time to create some new content. I wrote this little scene in 2020:

I hiss in pain as my bruises knock together. My bruises were turning black and purple over time. I glance at Axel. I was expecting him to fall over in pain but he was remaining strong. Even after all that had passed between us and every lie he had told and been told. Every betrayal. My cheeks flush as I remember the last few days and I can’t imagine how it must feel for him. 
My eyes linger on his face before he feels my gaze. Our eyes meet for a split second before I turn my head and stare at the wall. I can’t bear to look into his eyes. The eyes I used. The eyes I also betrayed. 
“Manio, Reese,” a voice from behind me calls out. 
I swing my head back to see a girl that looked a few years older than me standing firmly with her hands on her hips. She meets my gaze with a challenging look. She has long blonde hair and emerald eyes. I straighten my back, not letting anyone see me, retreating into my shell and stare right back.
She blinks and then breaks her gaze, “I’m Lynn and I’m looking after you guys while you're here,”
“And where’s here?” Axel bites.
Lynn holds his gaze for a few seconds before hesitatingly replying, “You're on Midnight, the sleekest boat-“
“I don’t think this counts as a boat,” I interrupt, my voice even. 
Lynn glares at me, “ It's an underwater boat, we are currently in the ocean tunnels,” 
“Submarine,” I hear Axel mutter.
“Hey,” Lynn glares at him. “In case you haven’t noticed, you two are in the presence of a person who didn’t exactly grow up as important as you, Axel or had enough money to get by, Jade. My family grew up rough, surviving because people like Kayo and Lee were there to help us and while you're here, you obey us,”
“Well Lynn, in case you haven’t noticed, you're standing in the presence of two people who have suffered a lot in the past week,” I snap back, my face flushes. “And no matter how much you resent people like Axel or me, we don’t exactly live all sunshine and roses,”
Lynn and I stare at each other waiting for the other to break. 
Axel clears his throat, “If you girls are done, I have a question,”
Lynn doesn’t break her gaze but raises her eyebrow.
“Lynn, if you're implying that you can’t survive without help then how do you have a submarine, sorry, an underwater boat? Only the government has one,”
Lynn looks away, her face red, “ We stole it,” in a small voice.
“Who’s we?” I ask slowly.
Lynn sighs and looks at me. “I’m sure you know how unfair the rules are between lower class people and higher class people, and why we even need to be “classed”,” she looks pointedly between Axel and I. 
I can’t bring myself to look at Axel though I know I’m burning up. 
“When the harder rules, like wearing wristbands to signify what class we are, came into play, it was getting harder for us to survive. So Kayo, Lee, a few other people and I joined forces and we became The Shadows. We had a goal to change the future, overthrowing those above us,”
“I think you have to ask yourself, do you want a better future for yourself or do you just want vengeance?” I say slowly. “Because if we become the leaders, we will not be any better than the people making the decisions today,”
Lynn is silent for a while. I can see no one has ever questioned this goal. “It’s just a goal. An imperfect one,” then in a softer voice. “Alex, my brother, thinks our goal is a dream. Impossible. He doesn’t stop us but he doesn’t join us. I think I’m starting to believe that,” her eyes glaze over, in a long memory.
I take a step forward and gently touch her shoulder, “At least you want to change the future and have people with you,” 
I flinch when I say ‘have people with you’. Before Axel and Matthew, I had never once felt like people cared about me. I was fragile. I still am but parts of me have changed.
Axel eyes me. I know he sees that in me and I can see it in him. 
Lynn smiles sadly at me, “I wish, the shadows were ready to stop before you two came along. Now everyone thinks you guys are miracles,”
I scoff, “Miracles? We just two broken teenagers,”
Lynn shrugs, “Miracles come from the strangest places even if you guys are pains and I can barely stand to be in the same room as you,” 
I grin, the familiar bite is back. “Before we have another emotional conversation-“
“Tell us what’s gonna happen today,” Axel interrupts. 
Lynn walks towards the door, I didn’t notice it before, and says over her shoulder, “Come with me,”
Axel and I exchange glances before we follow her.
The hallway is crowded with people in black masks. Every single one of them has an emblem of a silhouette. All of them avoid my eyes and some even clear the path for us. Axel is met with disgusting looks. We are both out of place here. We don’t belong in a place where we stand out. But now I don’t know where I do belong. I am an outsider in both. The people in my “class” see me as a rebel, a traitor and will sentence me to execution. The people here see me as someone higher than them. Someone not worth their time. And I don’t think they will trust us.
Lynn leads us through dark twisting corridors before stopping at a dark blue door. She knocks
“Enter!” a deep voice booms. 
“Aah. Our two guests,” the voice says as Lynn brings us in. It's a man a few years older than Axel. Maybe twenty two, twenty three. “You may leave Lynn but stand guard outside the door,”
Lynn nods and retreats.
“Well well well. Two higher ups,” the man sneers. “I’m David,”
I am fighting the urge to laugh right now. He looks so pathetic right now, sitting in a chair looking down on us. He is sitting so tense. Axel and I are both deadly and he knows it. Axel alone has had military training since he could walk and I’m a natural fighter. David wouldn’t dare try to attack us. We would overpower him quickly.

Writers Guild of America (WGA) has gone on strike!

For the first time in 15 years, the Writers Guild of America or the WGA will go on strike, leaving Hollywood movies and shows to shut down production and press releases. The last WGA strike happened between 2007 and 2008 and lasted 100 days. It cost the Californian economy $3 billion. The strike is occurring because the WGA failed to reach an agreement for higher pay from the nine largest studios such as Netflix, which are represented through the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). It is said that this could severely impact the autumn TV season because writing usually starts during May or June. The WGA represents 11,500 writers and other members.

This is an important issue to address because it often appears that writers are not valued enough in the industry. We are responsible for more than most people think. Actors may star in front of the camera but without a writer, they would not have a story to act out. Half of TV writers work at minimum salaries, as opposed to 2013-2014 where only a third were paid that little. The WGA is demanding better pay, expanding protections to cover all television writers, a mandatory minimum staffing required for each episode of television, a guaranteed number of consecutive weeks of work, share of compensation from the streaming revenue and many more reasonable requests that they deserve to have. There is also the fear of AI or robots replacing the writers and a request for safeguards from studios to prevents AI generating new scripts from writers previous works. 

Shows that will currently be impacted are late night shows such as The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Saturday Night Live, The Late Show With Steven Colbert and Late Night With Seth Myers. They have shut down immediately and will air reruns. Network television shows like the Emmy-award winning Abbott Elementary and Yellowjackets have also ceased writing. Streaming shows like Good Omens, Cobra Kai and Stranger Things are also affected and writing has stopped. Many actors have supported this strike. Brett Goldstein, a writer and producer on Ted Lasso told The Hollywood Reporter, "It's time writers were paid a fair wage, it seems a real shame that all this good stuff was made by writers, all these people and there are writers who are genuinely struggling to afford to live. It just seems insane. You need writers,"

While the impact of film and television may not be felt right now, we will certainly feel it if the strike continues for an extended period of time. The Actors Union (SAG-AFTR) and the Directors Union (DGA) are also in negotiations with the studios and their deadline is June 30.

Excerpt From My Book

I have been hard at work creating a solo book that I hope to self-publish soon. While it isn't finished, I can reveal a short excerpt. This is a memory from my main character, Celeste Albus:

It was January 1st and I was nearing seven years old. The clock had struck ten minutes past midnight and I had woken up for a glass of water. I heard laughter as I glided silently down the especially long staircase and creeped to the kitchen. I passed my father’s study and I clearly wasn't as stealthy as I’d hoped because he called out to me.

“Celeste?” he called.

I stopped dead in my tracks, hoping and praying he couldn’t see me and would forget I was there. I closed my eyes and silently counted to ten but I could hear his footsteps reaching the ajar door of the study. The light lit up the dark hallway and illuminated our faces. 

My father looked stressed and distracted and he rubbed his head more often these past couple of days than I had ever seen him. His dark brown eyes, that I didn’t inherit, search mine. 

“Care to explain why you’re awake at this time, young lady?” he rubs his head again.

I feel myself beginning to shrink beneath his blistering gaze but I pull my posture up. 

“I wanted a glass of water,” I defend myself. 

My father sighs, like I’ve insulted him. He always comments on how defensive I am. Says that if I feel no shame, I won’t filter my words or my actions. My mother just says I’m a born fighter. 

Laughter grows louder from the common room. It just annoys my father more. He has dark circles under his eyes and I doubt it’s because of the loud parties occupying every part of the kingdom.

It’s my grandmother.

The Queen, Daphne Corran-Albus, is sick. She has been, for the past couple of months but no one had been amiss. Even now, ignorance plagues the court. Only the immediate family knew and despite my parents calling in favours from every inch of the kingdom and beyond, nothing was helping. Even the Healer Guardians couldn’t stop the sickness, only stall it. 

“Let’s go to the kitchen,” he says. I take that as a sign to grab his hand.

He pushes the doors open and my eyes adjust to the light. Our head chef, Francesco, who is from Rykon, is busy making coffee. I yawn loudly and Francesco registers our presence.

“Your Majesty!” he sweeps into a long and dramatic bow. “What can I do for you on this fine night?”

I giggle and Father manages a small smile. “Francesco, it's the middle of the night. I’m sure my wife and her friends can manage making coffee on their own,”

The chef frowns, “I am more than happy to help, sir,” he assures us.

My father sees no use arguing with him and is about to grab a glass when the chef blocks his path. 

“Anything you want, I give,” his accent giving way. 

“One glass of water,” I pipe up, holding up one finger. “Please,” I quickly add.

Francesco hands it to me with a wink. 

I down it quickly before scurrying to the dishwater and placing it in. I dart back to my father and we leave the head chef back to serving his coffee. 

Father leads me back to his study and closes the door. This is the first time I’m really aware of his study. The chairs are ginormous and his table reaches my neck and I'm just able to peek my head at all the sheets on top. The walls are painted a forest green while the furniture is the colour of tree trunks. I lay a hand on the smooth walls, marvelling at how cold they are. 

“Celeste, take a seat,” Father says, pacing the room. On occasions, he likes to gaze out windows when he’s thinking. There are no windows to be found. 

I place myself down on the chair closest to me and cross my legs, waiting. 

“Who are you?” he asks, taking a seat.

I’m unsure of how to answer. So I don’t. Instead, I wait patiently. 

“Celeste, it’s a simple question,” Father says, leaning forward, hands clasped. “Who are you?”

Still unsure, I say hesitantly, “Celeste Albus,”

“Good. That’s a start,” he nods, leaning back into a more relaxed position. “What are you?”

I answer that almost immediately, with no hesitation in my voice, “The heir,”

Father’s face curls into a smile. I silently take that as a win. “You will be the most powerful person in the kingdom. The most privileged,”

I sit up, wondering where this is going. 

“You will have everything,”

“Like new weapons,” I perk up. I had been begging my father to finally start my sword-fighting lessons but he refused to give me a sword. 

“Yes but not just that. You have food, clothes and a roof above your head. You will have everything at your fingertips Celeste. Not everyone in the kingdom has what you have,”

I wonder why he’s telling me this. In fact, I wonder why he brought me to his study and not tucked me back into bed. “Mama always tells me to mind my own business,” I remind him. 

“Yes that’s true,” Father nods. “But as rulers, it's our job to make everyone’s life a better place. If someone is sick, we have the medicine. If someone needs a home, we find them one,”

“So it's our job to make everyone happy?” I question, uncertainly.

“If we could make everyone happy, we would. But it’s not that simple. When you grow up, you’ll understand how hard it is. But our job is to make sure everyone survives,"

#2 Forced Proximity in Romance

This trope can be very complicated and thrown together in a way that doesn't work or a scenario that is magical and is the core of the story. It is rarely used as a singular trope in a story, instead its used to combine different tropes together. Nevertheless, it moves the story along quicker and always creates excitement. Most people, when they think of forced proximity, they think literally. Being stuck in an elevator together or having to live in the same holiday cabin for a certain amount of time. But it can also mean other things, such as taking a job together, being reluctant allies, etc.

Logically speaking, this trope takes two people away from the comforts of their own world, forces them to be in a position that they wouldn't normally be in and add a person who they either never thought they would have to be stuck with or never thought they would talk to, period. This trope is more flexible than others and it can throw two characters into the same position over and over again until they realise their feelings for each other. 

Forced proximity also moves along a plot point. If conflict arises, putting those two characters into forced proximity, it allows the plot to move along quicker. A book doesn't have to be limited to just forced proximity. In fact, this trope usually intertwines with other tropes. It works best with enemies to lovers or an office romance. 

Examples of forced proximity in film is: 

• The Hating Game (starring Lucy Hale)
• The Proposal (starring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock)
• What Happens in Vegas (starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz)
• Purple Hearts (starring Sofia Carson)
• Leap Year (starring Amy Adams)

Examples of forced proximity in books is: 

• From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
• Happy Place by Emily Henry
• Final Offer by Lauren Asher
• A Court Of Thorn And Roses by Sarah J. Maas

If you want to read about another trope, love triangles, click here.

HARRY STYLES; SYDNEY NIGHT 2

I SAW HARRY STYLES! 

Harry Styles did a tour of Australia last week, starting at Perth and ending at Sydney. He performed two shows at Sydney and I was fortunate enough to attend the second show with my mother. It was his final show in Australia, making me even luckier as it was a special one.

The show was on Saturday and we bought the tickets on Wednesday. We weren't planning to go because I was waiting for another concert but my mum has listened to As It Was and really wanted to go. So we looked to see if there were any tickets left and there were! They were Level 6 but you could still see him on the big screen. 

I live an hour and a half away but because we had seats, we only needed to be early for the merch. The doors for the stadium opened at 5pm so we left the house at 1pm. We arrived at Accor Stadium at 2:30pm. We walked around, trying to find merch. I wanted the blue jumble crewneck but it was sold out from the first night so we tried to find the yellow one. At the first merch stand, they only had it in the small so we walked around the whole stadium, trying to find the other merch stands. They finally had it in a large, so we bought that. 

We waited around for a bit and then went inside when the crowd had died down a bit. We had to climb a long ramp because we were right at the top. Then we sat down and waited for two hours before Wet Leg, the opening band, started playing. The crowd was electric and when they finished, "Best Song Ever" by One Direction started playing and the crowd just grew louder. By the time, Harry actually came on, everyone was so impatient.

He was ethereal on that stage. None of us could believe he was real. He started with Music For A Sushi Restaurant and the crowd lit up. I was standing up and screaming. Then he did Golden, Adore You, Keep Driving, Daylight and Woman. I sat next to this girl who was two years older than me and during Matilda, she sang the whole time that everyone kept giving her bad looks. I felt so bad. Then Harry sang Little Freak and that was one of the songs I was desperate to hear and the lights looked so good. 

Satellite was one I was looking forward to hearing but it turned out to be one of my most favourites, live. The chorus was so good with everyone else screaming along. Then Cinema came along but my iPhone storage had ran out. I had checked my photo storage but had completely forgotten to check my storage as a whole. Luckily, I quickly deleted some apps that I didn't need and managed to continue filming and dancing along to Cinema as well. I had taken a glimpse of the setlist but I was surprised that TPWK was so early but everyone was up on their feet and dancing along. Then WMYB and everyone knows that song. Late Night Talking and Watermelon Sugar were quite popular as well because they are singles and even those who don't really like Harry Styles know them. Love of My Life, the second song I was desperate to hear, came up next and again, the lights in the stadium were gorgeous. Sign Of The Times was next and that song is so beautiful and iconic. Then, as a special treat, Harry brought Daryl Braithwaite onstage with him to sing "The Horses". Then he said a massive goodbye speech and sang As It Was and Kiwi. Then he sprinted away and the whole stadium went silent for a brief second as we all registered the fact that we wouldn't see him again.

We decided to drive back home so we left at 11pm and arrived home at around 12:30am. The whole drive, I was looking back at the videos while trying not to fall asleep. The concert didn't seem real and I can't believe I got to see Harry and he breathed the same air as me.

This is a video I took from Matilda. (video is owned by me):

Reputation; Taylor Swift

Reputation always rank high on any of my album rankings for Taylor Swift. It holds personal meaning for me and it was the first album I ever listened to from her. Although I was aware of Swift from 1989, I didn't really listen to her music until Reputation. Although it was incredibly hard, I've ranked the songs from her album by MY personal preference and how the meaning behind them impacted me. This is not by which song is "the best" or which is "more lyrically better". This is from me.

15. Endgame feat Ed Sheeran and Future.

I can repeat the entire post-chorus and verse 3 off the top of the my head (I hit you like bang, we tried to forget it but we just couldn't). This song wasn't horrible or terrible. I just preferred the others. 

14. Look What You Made Me Do

This is the perfect comeback song and in fact, the first song I heard in passing. It was a bit too repetitive for my taste but its the perfect song to scream and be angry with. Its a song about revenge and the music video is beautifully shot and ICONIC.

13. ...Ready For It?

Whenever I want to listen to this album, because it is the first song, I overplay it many times. I've had countless moments where I press play, get through this song, but have to pause it because I've had to do something else. I still enjoy this song but I have overplayed it many times.

12. So It Goes

This is the song I listen to the least. I was going back through the songs, humming through them and I don't really listen to So It Goes enough to actually know the lyrics off the top of my head, except for the chorus. So its not that I don't like this song, its that its terribly underrated that I haven't listened to it a lot.

11. New Years Day

If I were to hum any song from this album, I would hum this one. Its a song that embodies calmness and its a great song to slow dance to. I prefer songs that you can sing along to, with more pop beats, which is why I'm a reputation girlie, not a folklore girlie (although I love folklore!). New Years Day can be too slow for my liking sometimes but its not a bad song and I know its criminal to rate it this low.

10. I Did Something Bad

This is Reputation to its core. Swift talks about the public perception of her and throws away every rulebook in this song. If you need something to scream, this is the song for you. Although reputation isn't just about revenge and angry, you can't get any more reputation than this song.

9. Dress

THE BRIDGE IN THIS SONG IS EVERYTHING!! It depicts Joe and Taylor's relationship and their introduction to each other. It's a fun one to sing on tour (not that I went) and the vocals!!

8. This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

This song is about the media spinning and twisted all her words, especially about how she brought friends with her on stage on her 1989 tour. Its a fun one to sing and I hum it sometimes, even when I'm not aware I'm doing it. It gets stuck in your head.

7. Don't Blame Me

This song enters the "legendary" and "iconic" titles of Taylor Swift. It is not in the Top 6 because it has gotten overplayed on platforms such as Tiktok but the vocals in this are INSANE. Period.

6. Gorgeous

If I don't know what song to play, I play this one. Gorgeous is such a vibey and happy song and the LYRICS. (Ocean blue eyes, looking in mine, I feel like I might, sink and drown and die)

5. Getaway Car

The goddamn bridge in this one. That's all I have to say. THE BRIDGE. Also I still want a music video for this. (We were jet-set, Bonnie and Clyde (Oh-oh), Until I switched to the other side, to the other side, It's no surprise I turned you in (Oh-oh), 'Cause us traitors never win)

4. Dancing With Our Hands Tied

This is the very first song I ever listened to by Taylor Swift and it wasn't because the shopping centre had decided to blast it or because it was number 1 on radios. I was on an airplane and I wanted to close my eyes but I wanted to listen to music. I didn't really know any artists but I remembered Taylor Swift. So I searched her name up and it came up with her most recent album during the time and I pressed a random song which happened to be this one. The lyricism in this one is amazing!

3. Delicate

This is track 5 on the album and follows Swift pattern of putting vulnerable songs on Track 5. Its an incredibly delicate song. The first tracks were more upbeat and angry but you hit this song and it starts to become scary that someone loves you and wants to be with you, despite your reputation. It also one of the most catchiest chorus's ever. 

2. King Of My Heart

Top 2! THE BRIDGE ON THIS ONE AGAIN! I'm convinced Miss Swift writes the best bridges. Why this is on the top 2 requires no explanation. It just is.

1. Call It What You Want

Favourite song off the record and I didn't even need to think. I can nearly rattle of the lyrics, word by word for the majority of the song. 

4 Book Recommendations to add to your TBR!!

 "A reader lives a thousand lives before he die... 

The man who never reads lives only one" - George R.R. Martin

Minor Spoilers may be found but nothing revealing:

4 book recommendations that you should definitely check out, in no particular order:

1. Inheritance Games Trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

(#1 Inheritance Games, #2 Hawthorne Legacy, #3 The Final Gambit)

This is a massive MUST READ!! It is a mystery that is meticulous, exciting and well written out. The books can be understood as a standalone, with each book having its own core mystery although the series itself interconnects. It is written beautifully. When each book ended, the ending made sense but when the next book came along, that also made sense too. It was such a good series that it is definitely worth the read!! A love triangle is also found in this book between heiress, Avery, older brother, Grayson and younger brother, Jameson. I am firmly Team Grayson, although Team Jameson wasn't too bad... Inheritance Games is a well written and interconnecting mystery series that you need to read!

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why -- or even who Tobias Hawthorne is.
To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch -- and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

2. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard:

(#1 Red Queen, #2 Glass Sword, #3 Kings Cage, #4 War Storm. #5 Broken Throne is a collection of short stories but is necessary to understand the conclusion)

This is among the first ever YA series I read and still remains among my favourites. I can not repeat this enough but for those who like to read the ending before the beginning (no shame, I am included in that group of people), I would advise against it. There is a heartbreaking twist in it that I assure you, you will NOT see coming and it is better to experience the full shock of it. Another love triangle can be found here between Mare, Cal and Maven. Red Queen is a fantasy-dystopian series that really pushes the boundaries of the imagination. Incredibly invested in it and well worth the read!

This is a world divided by blood—red or silver.
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.
But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance—Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

3. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

(#1 Shatter Me, #1.5 Destroy Me, #2 Unravel Me, #2.5 Fracture Me, #3 Ignite Me, #4 Restore Me, #4.5 Shadow Me, #5 Defy Me, #5.5 Reveal Me, #6 Imagine Me, #6.5 Believe Me. #1.5, #2.5, #4.5 #5.5, #6.5 are all shorter novels, NOT written in Juliette's POV and are significantly shorter than the novels. Although I believe they are necessary, you do not need to read them to follow the story)

You really think I wouldn't put this series in? I must admit, this is not my favourite. I did not love this series as most people suggest. I will say that the relationships found in this book are unlike any found in the real world. Another love triangle (this is a mere coincidence, believe it or not, I don't entirely like love triangles) is found between Juliette, Warner and Adam. It is another fantasy-dystopian series and it is perfect for those who enjoy long series, with many books in the Shatter Me-world. 

I have a curse
I have a gift
I am a monster
I'm more than human
My touch is lethal
My touch is power
I am their weapon
I will fight back
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war—and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

4. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

(#1 The Selection, #2 The Elite, #3 The One. #4 The Heir and #4 The Crown follow the story of America's daughter)

The Selection Series is a dystopian-romance series focused around America (the main character, not the country). Perfect for those in a reading slump as it is easy to read! A love triangle is also found (again, a coincidence) between America, Maxon and Aspen. The love triangle takes a larger part of the book as the series is romance-focused, unlike the others, which is fantasy-focused. The romance is a plot whereas in the other series, they are more of a sub-plot. Worth the read and if you enjoy it, it is worth reading Eadlyn's story (America's daughter) as she follows a similar path to her mothers. 

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.