How J.K. Rowling Shaped My Life

Ever since I was little, I've been an extensive reader. I learned how to read in preschool, and from then on I grew as a reader. By the time I was in kindergarten I could read on a second grade level. By the time I was in second grade, I could read on a fifth grade level. One of the series I remember reading in second grade was Harry Potter. I heard from all the other kids how amazing it was, and not wanting to miss out on any fun, I decided to try them out for myself. I immediately fell head over heels in love with them. The way J.K. Rowling writes is like she is opening a door into her own world, and inviting you in for a visit, or for me, more like permanent residence. For example, every time I read about Harry returning to the castle and walking around the corridors, it felt like home.
(picture source here)
After reading the books, I felt like I viewed life in a different way. I could not only make infinite jokes and references to the books, but I also felt like Ms. Rowling gave a piece of her characters to me. I'd like to think that the reason I actually began to care about school when I was younger was because of the studious nature of Hermionie Granger, who I really look up to because of her brains. I really likes the values of the Ravenclaw House (one of the four student divisions).  She proved to me that you can get out of almost any situation if you are mentally prepared for it. Ms.Rowling also showed me that greatness is inside everyone. She didn't let the rough patches of her life, such as her divorce or money troubles,  stop her from creating arguably one of the most influential young adult fiction series.
One of the amazing things about the series is that it is so easy to make friends with people who have already read the books because you can easily relate to them due to feelings experienced through the books. Many of my friendships today were formed because of common interests like Harry PotterShe proved to me that when everything seems to go wrong all at one time, it's important to keep moving forward, and channel those problems to create something extraordinary.
With over 375 million copies sold it's safe to say that the series is popular. However, with sites like pottermore.com the books can be taken to an entirely new level, which is nice for people who have already read the books, and are waiting for something new.

This biography of J.K. Rowling was crucial in the writing of this post.

Thoughts on Love

Today, I realized a few things about love. First, I discovered that when you fancy someone, you tend to romanticize them in your mind, and create a version of them that you'd imagine them to be. In your mind, they can do no wrong. They are always there for you, to comfort and support you, and they won't ever leave or hurt you. You can tell them anything, and they'll listen. That leads me to my second point. Why are we so afraid to let people to know how we feel? Humans spent over 2000 years (give or take a significant amount more depending on how you look at it) perfecting language. So when we have something important to say, why is it at that moment most of us are at a loss for words? Surely embarrassment can't be the only reason that holds our feelings back. Is it that we're so afraid of losing that person that you'd rather have a platonic relationship to keep everything like it is instead of chasing your dreams? Or do we fear rejection? Or looking like a fool?

I hate to break it to the people that think that way, but unfortunately, relationships commonly involve embarrassment, looking like a fool, and sometimes rejection. But love is risking these things in order to keep the dream alive.

But don't get me wrong. If you aren't in a relationship, don't rush into one. Goodness knows I haven't, and I turned out just fine. Quoting one of my favorite songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ZwnmJgC-g by Charlie McDonnell "I've never really been in love, and that is fine by me. I'll sit at home and refine the person I want to be. Because I’m still young and not prepared to waste my time..." I think these lines of the song capture how I feel almost perfectly. True, I have never been in love, and I'm not prepared to waste my time (not to mention I have quite a bit of maturing to do), but it's not okay with me. I might make jokes in person, but that doesn't mean that I'm not afraid of growing up and being alone. I have this stupid idea in my head that since no one has really shown interest in me, no one ever will, which is probably not true. However, there's nothing I can do to make this idea go away. Why is that? Because I'm silly and young, and I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Ponder this, dear readers.

If you like thinking about things like this, I suggest reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I just finished, and I'm about to re-read it to make sure I soaked it all in. Warning: it contains some mature/ young adult content, but the deep philosophical meaning hidden within the pages is worth sifting through the vulgarity.