Guest blog: September

My twin sister, Tai, is an avid reader like me. She could totally have handled A Level English Literature but she has a strong aversion to essays and was boring and went down the Sciences route. I'm kidding. She's not boring; she'll be a great pediatric doctor one day. Anyway, she's interested in blogging but too lazy to make her own blog (her words, not mine!). So, we found a solution to this and decided that she'll guest blog for me from time to time. I'll be reviewing Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' soon but this is Tai's 'September'. Enjoy.

    September. This is the month many young people dread most. No more late nights, no more summer holidays because with school starting again, surely the idea of ‘fun’ must no longer exist. Personally, I wish the holidays lasted longer because I’m not particularly keen to start school again. I’m sure adults reading this must be internally rolling their eyes, probably thinking that I should stop complaining as compared to the grown up world of working, having six weeks off is a luxury. With that in mind, it’s greedy to want more time off school, but that’s not why I’m hesitant to resume.

   This school year will be my final one before university and without a doubt the most important of my life so far. I guess you could say I’m a bit nervous to be thrust into the grown up world because it is in this school year that I will turn 18, and legally be an adult. Sometimes I do get scared and worry about what the future will bring, which I’m sure we’ve all done at some point. It may not be regarding school like me, but everyone has areas in their lives that cause them stress. What keep me going are two scriptures that are very close to my heart. The first is 2 Timothy 1:7- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

    My mum used to read this to me all the time when I was younger, and it’s stuck with me since. So if God hasn’t given us a fearful spirit, why fear or worry about situations? God is looking out for us, so things will definitely turn out right. The second verse is Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

   God has big plans for us. For each and every one of our lives, actually. So there’s no point in worrying about the future because God’s got it all sorted! Just continue to trust in Him, and things will look work out in the end.

  Finally, to everyone going back to school this month, endeavour to make this year the best one yet. Try not to get stressed or feel overwhelmed. Remember God has plans for you. I personally know I’ll be keeping hold to that this year!

Racism hurts

  On my way to work the other day, I had a bit of a 'mare. I was listening to music through my headphones when suddenly, a drunk man came out of an alleyway and stood right in front of me. He then proceeded to call me a 'f*cking black c*nt' as well as many other colourful things. I was petrified because there was nobody close by and I thought he was going to attack me. He circled me for a few seconds, called me the derogatory term for 'coward' repeatedly, a word that rhymes with 'wussy'.

 Thankfully, I was right outside my workplace so I quickly ran in. I was so scared and shaken that I had to go to the toilets to calm myself. I've never personally encountered such racism and it was a harrowing experience. I should have defended myself instead of just running away. I should have done something...anything!

 I think back to the 1960s and the prejudice that African Americans faced. I also think back to the Civil Rights Movement and peaceful protest. If I had retaliated and sworn back, then I would have been no better than him. I can't even say that I'll never experience something like that again because the world is full of mean people. Racism hurts but I thank God that I didn't get hurt. Well, at least not physically.

I love you, Mr Darcy

   During the summer holidays (ah, I miss them already!) on a random whim, my sister and I decided to watch the 2005 adaption of 'Pride and Prejudice', the one with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfayden. I'd never seen the film before, but I had read the book and seen the Bollywood version, 'Bride and Prejudice' when I was about ten years old and loved both. The novel mostly follows the Bennet family, the witty second born Elizabeth especially and deals with the importance of a 'good marriage' for the less wealthy as well as other issues such as the class system, the role of women and education in the Georgian era.

  Pride and Prejudice is loved by many and it has been adapted numerous times, the popular 1995 TV series and Bridget Jones' Diary being examples, both starring Colin Firth as 'Mr Darcy'. Ah, the popular 1995 TV series...I must admit that my teenage eyes have not yet grasped the appeal of Colin Firth in 'the lake scene', which is ranked in many polls as one of the most memorable scenes in British television but I'm sure that the appeal will come in due time. I really enjoyed the 2005 film because it brought so much life and youth into Austen's best loved classic, whilst still adhering to the novel. Its beautiful swooping shots also made me, a firm city dweller, appreciate the English countryside more. Kiera Knightley's performance as Elizabeth was well deserving of the Oscar nomination, her on-screen sisterly relationship with Rosamund Pike's 'Jane' being believable and quite sweet. As a sucker for romance and handsome men, I fell for Matthew Macfayden's Mr Darcy and even sought out the alternate American ending which was heavily romantic and swoon worthy. Although English critics despised it, I personally loved it as I have a cheesy heart and I'm a fan of the cliched 'Hollywood kiss'.

  The film rekindled my forgotten love for Pride and Prejudice and I took the novel with me to read again in Paris. I'm kind of an Austen keeno- she has an unparalled way with words, evidenced with Elizabeth Bennet's wit and vivacious conversations with Mr Darcy. In my opinion, gentle declarations of love such as the ones that Austen uses in her works outdo the smuttiness of some of the so called 'literature' of today. (Fifty Shades of Grey, anyone?) It could be said that Elizabeth is an early feminist role model; she defends herself and her family on occasion, never allowing herself to be belittled by those who see themselves as superior to her and she refuses to conform to the norms of the patriarchal society.

  Pride and Prejudice gives insight into the world of the Georgian era, when marriage was essential for fear of  poverty, in the case of the Bennet family or becoming an 'old maid'. This is why women often fell into loveless marriages in order to prevent this, exampled by Charlotte Lucas' (Elizabeth's best friend) marriage to the odious Mr Collins. The novel's title gives away the novel's two main themes- it is Darcy's pride that initially prevents him from viewing Elizabeth and her family as his equals and this pride results in him insulting Elizabeth's vanity by saying she is 'not handsome enough' to tempt him. The words cause Elizabeth to be prejudiced towards him for the majority of the novel, as she refuses to see any good in him - 'vanity, not love has been my folly'.

  As I re-read, I found myself wishing that men of today were more like Bingley and Darcy, with pleasant, loving words and more. Someday, I want my own Mr Darcy, someone who will love me enough to go the extra mile for me, inconveniencing himself as well as willing to to participate in a few verbal spars with me from time to time! (I can be quite adamant to my own opinion sometimes, hence why this blog exists).

   Right, enough of me dreaming up my perfect husband. Pride and Prejudice is a really good story that is timeless and a story that one can read over and over again. If you haven't read it, you must!

Rating- 5/5 *****

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pride-Prejudice-Jane-Austen/dp/184317569X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347287103&sr=1-1

Adventures in Paris

  Last weekend, I was in Paris for a 'long weekend'/ short getaway with my sister, brother and Dad. We go to France whenever possible because my Dad used to live there and he still has a lot of connections there. These visits are also ample opportunities for me to practice my French with natives; many of them were impressed with me, huzzah!

   This time however, things were a little different because my Mum wasn't with us and my Dad was completely in charge, l'horreur! It was really sweet to see how completely lost he is without her. Even shopping for the things that we needed during our short stay was a struggle as Mum usually handles those things, so my Dad was completely out of his depth. Massive shout out to all mothers out there and my Mum especially for being there; we are all lost without your care!

La Défense in the day

  In general, I really enjoyed the trip. Paris is one of my favourite cities in the whole world and I'm always happy to go there. We stayed in  La Défense and we saw amazing architecture and buildings! During the trip, I bonded with my siblings (Cringey I know, but this was probably my last holiday with my brother before I go off to university next year, sad times), I got over some bitterness that I won't dwell on and I was reassured by the fact that God has a plan in all situations- Jeremiah 29:11.

La Grande Arche de la Défense

 


The only downside to the trip was this guy that we met who felt the need to tell me (after only knowing me for an hour, might I add) that my choices in regard to university courses were 'completely wrong' and 'too easy'. He even had the audacity to tell my father that he should force me to do Economics and French or any course related to Business as those would be much better and 'challenging'. The nerve! Thankfully, my parents are very reasonable; they trust me enough to let me make my own decisions and they would never dream of forcing me into anything.

  It really annoys me when people like that man believe that they know best just because they're older. As it is my own life, which I only live once, I think that I am entitled to live it doing whatever I feel is right for me.

  Right, rant over. A review of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' is coming soon.