Hey, Hey, Hey!

Hey, Hey, Hey, it's college girl Hannah here to give you a brief outlook on college life as I now know it to be in my infinite wisdom that amounts to a little less than five weeks of higher-education.

First and foremost--the first weekend of college sucks. At least in my case, but I have a feeling I'm not the only one. You don't really have friends yet, and if you have friends from high school there, they're trying to make their own new friends and are too busy for you...sorry. But it's just a matter of anticipation and not really having anything to do. There are small activities planned here and there, but nothing to take up a whole day. And you know, if you're like me, you just want those classes to start up so that you can get in a rhythm, so that you can be busy and have a schedule. Being busy helps a lot to distract from the inevitable sickness for home. Sorry guys, I don't care how tough you are--home sickness is a real thing, and you can't deny it. I can't really give any advice on how to conquer the first weekend better than I did, which I didn't at all. I called home several times a day bawling my eyes out (she says under her breath). The thing to remember that everyone keeps telling me, yet I'm not fully convinced of, is that every freshman in college is in the same boat as you--new environment, new people, outside of their shell. You just gotta go for it. Don't have any regrets.

Secondly, if you actually successfully participated in your high school AP classes, you are most definitely prepared for college level reading 'cause...it ain't a cake walk, let me tell you. I'm talking hours of reading, of memorizing, of online homework that you think is useless but you'll be begging for that online homework when you're in a class that only has one exam/paper grade. That's another thing--do your homework if you're teacher is generous enough to provide you with such an opportunity. Not every class is that lucky.

Thirdly, and I personally find the most difficult--you have to find a balance between getting your homework done and socializing. Being social is a GIGANTIC aspect of college, but so is the actual. School. Work. Do your work! Your parents are not paying thousands of dollars for you to waste! But go out in make friends. I'm lucky in my Living Learning Community (my HAMily) that we're a tight knit group with open door policy. If you're in  your room, unless doing personal things (phone calls, showers, etc.), you're door is open so that you can converse, connect, and make friends. If you're dorm isn't like this, I strongly encourage you to make it so. This is an excellent way to make friends and form a line of communication. You might really wanna use that person's George Forman Grill who lives down the hall--but how are you going to use it if you never talk to the owner? Exactly.

Fourthly, (I promise I'm almost done) be PROACTIVE. I wanted to be a part of the music department, but they weren't going to contact me. So I went to them and found out the information I needed, even if it was a little late. Oh well. I'm still taking private lessons and practicing as often as possible. If you see a club you like, go to it. If you don't see a club you want to be a part of it, make it happen. I'm going to try to form a creative writing club here...we'll see how far that goes. But just put yourself out there, don't be afraid to try new things...you never know what you'll find.

Okay almost done. So people say it's cool to leave your laundry alone...yeah, that's a lie. Don't do laundry unless you have the time to do sit there with it. I'm not saying someone will steal it. There's a guy in my HAMily who left his laundry, and some other guy mistakenly thought it was his, so he took it. (Don't worry, the HAMster got his laundry back). But you just never know what people are going to do. I personally am not going to risk hundreds of dollars worth of clothes. And do laundry as often as possible. The rooms are small and musty--you'll start to stink.

So I'm done! I'm going to try to give as current updates on college life as I can. For those of you curious, I'll explain what my HAMily is in my next post. Keep reading and stay lovely!!

Yours,
Hannah

Big news everyone!

So five years ago, I set the goal for myself that my novel would be published by the time I graduate. A few years later, I adjusted that goal to at least having my novel sent out to agents and editors before I go to college. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have arrived at an extremely happy medium!!! Audrey Press, a local publishing company, has shown interest in publishing People of a Different Tongue!!!!! We have already signed the letter of acquisition, and book contract negotiations will begin in November. Keep your eyes out for more news concerning the publishing of People of a Different Tongue. You can also follow my page on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/hannahErials?ref_type=bookmark

Thanks everybody!! Can't wait to see what's in store for the next part of this journey!!

Themed Movie Nights

Ladies and gentlemen, I have discovered a great injustice on the internet. Last year, a few of my friends and I started monthly (for the most part) movie nights. All our movie nights have a theme, and if possible, we try to match food to said theme. Anyway, I was looking for a new movie theme last night, and guess what? I couldn't find theme nights anywhere. Whenever I typed in themed movie nights, all that popped up were movie decorations. Lame right? So anyway, I thought I'm not the only one that might appreciate some themed movie night inspiration! Here ya go:

Greek:                                                            Italian:
   My Big Fat Greek Wedding                           Letters to Juliet
   My Life in ruins                                             Eat, Pray, Love
Teenage Masterminds:                                   Southern:
    Ferris Bueller's Day Off                                Steel Magnolias
    Catch Me If You Can                                     The Help
                                                                           Fried Green Tomatoes
Classics:                                                          80's Chick Flick:
     Back to the Future                                         Pretty in Pink
     Young Frankenstein                                      Sixteen Candles
     Blues Brothers                                               Breakfast Club
Pets:                                                                Marvel Comics:
    Air Bud                                                           Hulk, Captain America
    Flicka                                                              Thor, Iron Man
    Dreamer                                                          Avengers
Baseball:                                                         Independent Film:
     Sandlot 1 and 2                                              Juno
     Field of Dreams                                             Little Miss Sunshine
     Angels in the Outfield                                   The Way, Way Back
     Million Dollar Arm
Wedding:                                                         Food Junkie:
     Bridesmaids                                                   Ratatouille
     Bride Wars                                                     No Reservations
     You Again                                                      Julie and Julia
Sci-fy:                                                             British Lit:
     Star Trek 1&2                                                 Romeo & Juliet
     Aliens                                                              Hamlet
     Men in Black                                                  Much Ado About Nothing
     Independence
Jason Bourne:                                                 Mythology
    Bourne Identity                                                Percy Jackson 1 & 2
    Bourne Supremacy                                          Hercules
    Bourne Ultimatum                                           Troy
    Bourne Legacy
American History:                                          Law:
    Lincoln                                                            Legally Blonde
    Gettysburg                                                       To Kill a Mockingbird
                                                                             A Time to Kill
Music:                                                             Band:
    August Rush                                                    Almost Famous
    Mr. Holland's Opus                                          School of Rock
    The Soloist
90's Teen:                                                        Halloween:
    10 Things I Hate About You                            Addams Family and Values
    She's All That                                                   Edward Scissor Hands
    Boys and Girls                                                  Hocus Pocus
Bruce Willis:                                                   Sandra Bullock:
    Die Hard                                                           Miss Congeniality
    RED                                                                  Miss Congeniality 2
    Armageddon                                                     The Heat
Vince Vaughn:
    The Internship
    Delivery Man
We're doing the Indie Movie Night Next week :) Have fun and enjoy!

How to Write a Novel While Successfully Surviving School

High school is no slice of cake. No matter what classes you're in, what type of student you are, or how many activities you're involved in. It's four long years of hard work. Let us count the countless activities you must partake in whilst in these four years:
       1. Waking up early five out of seven days (sometimes more if you work)
       2. Going to school between 7:30 and 8 am
       3. Sitting through seven hours of classes and teachers talking mostly about things that you really             don't care about but have to pay attention to to be successful.
       4. Partaking in after school activities (A.K.A. Marching band, clubs, private lessons, tutoring, community service, jobs)
       5. Completing several hours of homework (sometimes all nighters depending on your previous record of procrastination)
       6. Having friends and a social life (although that's not the most important thing in life, FYI)
       7. Catching up on recent movies and good TV
       8. Reading the best books (because to be a good writer, you have to read and read more)

And that's just a very short summary. Now add writing a decent sized, thoughtful, interesting novel into all that. You need about ten more hours in the day right? Well, here's the thing... Multitasking is your BEST friend. You know, maybe do a little homework, take a break and write. Turn on your favorite TV show, pull out your laptop or journal. Believe me, unless it's a show like Sherlock, TV does not need your full attention. Weekends are also you're best friend. Get your weekend homework done early so that you have the entire two days to just relax and write your little heart out. If you finish your class work early, pull out your journal and write and page or two.

The key to being a high school novelist is knowing how to utilize every minute of your day. Spare moments are crucial. Just know when to steal them. It's okay if you don't write the entire novel in a couple times. Take your time. Make sure every word counts. This is something you love to do, right? I know I love it. Don't make it into work, or else you won't love it anymore. Don't force anything, and don't tire yourself out to where your work is just meaningless words scribbled onto a page.

But remember...high school is your first priority. I know it seems overrated, but without a high school diploma, life will be hard. And I don't mean, the TV's not working; I can't find a pen hard. I mean real life hard. So study up, make good grades, and graduate! And...go to college. I'm not kidding. Just keep your priorities in mind, and always remember to love your writing!

Goodbye, America!

Can I be more excited? Tomorrow afternoon at this time I will be on a plane to Germany! From there, I will zigzag to Austria and Switzerland! This is my first time out of the country, and I cannot wait. I've been packed for a week and have looked up all my destinations. I'm going to try to blog, but it just depends on my level of exhaustion and if I have access to Wi-fi. However, stay in tuned. There will be pictures and a recap of my amazing adventures!!

I'm sitting here watching Pretty In Pink. I love 80s movies, but I have a confession. I wouldn't love them if it weren't for one of my favorite people in the whole wide world.
Three years ago, I had major surgery on my wrist that involved cadaver bone, screws, a plate, and rotating the bone 360 degrees...just to give you an idea. Sounds like fun, right? Well, in a full armed splint for three weeks and quieted by the drugs, I didn't really have anywhere to go. My best friend had just moved away, and I mean, it was summer...no one was really in town. But then there was my youth pastor--a woman that had become like an older sister to me. Being an only child and living a significant ways away from any family, you kind of make your own local family. But anyway, I digress.
My youth pastor, a mirror image of myself in some odd years, came over for a movie marathon. My mom naturally needed a break from being my caretaker. So with Mom gone and a couple movies, an 80's marathon was definitely what I needed. For the life of me, I cannot remember the first movie we watched...all I remember was that it had Freddie Prinze Jr. in it. But then we watched Pretty in Pink. She was astounded that I'd never seen this apparently monumental movie! I mean, come on--it's Pretty in Pink!! So we watched it and I loved it. We talked, but I still watched it and fell in love. Then I watched it again after she left. And I watched it again that night when I had restless leg. I watched it again the next night when I had restless leg yet again.
To her, it was just a movie night. I'm sure she remembers it, but it's no bright memory in her past. But to me, it meant and still means so much. I mean, sure she introduced me to one of John Hughes' best films. But she sat with me for maybe five hours...talked to me in my drugged state, laughed with me at Duckie and mourned with me when Blane started acting like a jerk.
Now, she's leaving. I mean, it's not far...30 minutes at most. But I'm going to college an hour and a half a way which means it's more like two hours. No more movie nights or afternoon pedicures or just hanging out in her office that could possibly be the place where all missing items in the world end up. (Missing some shoes? They might be under her desk.)
I leave for Europe in a week, and when I return, she won't be preaching in the pulpit. Her office will be filled by a new pastor. I won't have anymore Wednesday Bible Studies at my favorite coffee shop with her. Life's changing so fast, and I'm not quite sure how to deal with it. I know she's the one leaving, but don't they say sometimes it's harder for the people that are left behind? Maybe it will be easier once I'm at college, experiencing new things, making new friends, gaining new knowledge. But for now, I'm gonna miss her. And I don't care what anybody says, I'm still gonna call her.

But now I can't watch Pretty in Pink without thinking of that rainy July day, talking, being introduced to the brilliance that is John Hughes' mind. I challenge everyone to think of their Pretty in Pink moment and remember it for always. You never know when that memory will be all you have.

Bullied

Here is my first short short story to be posted. I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think!

Bullied: By Hannah Rials

Suddenly, Marie was in a corner, portfolio clasped tightly against her chest as she glanced furtively from left to right. Had they followed her? Was she safe? She could see her art classroom, just a few feet away—a sanctuary in a school of torture. When no one appeared around the corner, she allowed herself to relax, to take a deep breath. Instead of sucking in her flabby stomach, she let the muscles go, her shoulders falling with them. The knots in her back uncoiled, and she slowly loosened her tight fists.

She could feel heavy tears weighing down in the corners of her eyes. She blinked away the forming drops and bit her quivering bottom lip. She could still feel the spot on her head that no longer has hair. They’d torn it right out. Quick as a prowling cat, she only realized what had happened when she looked down and saw a chunk of her greasy, unwashed hair in the girl’s hand.

“Try showering,” they’d hissed, giggling as they threw her hair into the trash.

They’d circled her like a flock of vultures, waiting for her to cry, to crack like she had countless times before. Marie had continued walking through the crowded halls, her eyes down, staring at the spotted floor tiles. A jab to the back. A nail clawing into her arm. Someone stepping on the back of her worn in converse. Then her portfolio was gone , pulled right out of her callused hands. She heard their piercing giggles high above the chatter of the hall. Then the one sound she dreaded most—“RIPPPPPP!” Then another, another, and another…

…She looked down into the portfolio—only one painting left. How to explain this to her teacher?…

…They’d danced through the crowd of students, pulling her hair, whispering names in her ear, names she dare not remember. Her ruddy face grew even redder—red as the blood on her scalp…

…She gently touched the hairless spot, now coated in dried blood, covered by the rest of her greasy, dirt-brown hair…

…Then she’d walked right into them, waiting for her, cruel girlish smiles on their perfectly plastic faces. She couldn’t go back, and she couldn’t go forward. So she stopped, parting the sea of students like Moses, except they weren’t opening her escape; they were opening her to torture.

The girls took slow, calculated steps. Marie tensed, ready to sprint if they touched her, except she didn’t get the chance. All at once, they converged on her, knocking her to the ground, ripping at her hand-me-down clothes, scratching her bare skin, calling her those horrible names, giggling all the while, .

They were prepared for her tears and her futile attempts at escape. However, they never once expected her to scream. Why would they? For all they knew, she was mute. So when she did—when she let that terrible, unparalleled scream rip through the empty hallway—they leapt back in fear, not of her, but of the awful sound. 

This gave her a window of opportunity. She snatched her nearly empty portfolio out of one hand then sprinted down the hall, not turning back to see if they’d followed…

…She glanced down at her now broken watch just as they turned the corner, their piercing sights set on her. No one else was in the hallway. They were closer to the art room than she was. She was a deer in headlights, frozen in place and time. One girl giggled. The others just stared silently like sirens, willing Marie to crumble and fall to her demise. She sunk her teeth into her bottom lip and closed her eyes waiting for what was sure to come.

Then…the bell rang. The sound of their high-heeled footsteps stopped. Her eyes remained closed. When the heels clicked again, she cringed, except, she realized, they were growing fainter until they disappeared all together. Only then did she open her eyes, warily glancing down the hall, the sound of their giggles echoing in her ears. 

The door to the art room opened and her teacher stepped out, looking at Marie ignorantly, waving her into the room. Once, just once, she looked back over her shoulder after the girls.

She was safe…for now.