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App Review | WordUp(Vocab Builder)

App review, English helper, Review / / , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  Attention all Readers and Writers. In today’s world, it is hard to grow up not knowing at least some simple phrases or words in English. But no matter how well you write and speak this global language, even if you are a native speaker there will always be a couple of words that you miss. But no one wants to go and carry a dictionary or thesaurus around during work/school/or even a conversation. Ok so you have your phone with you, that is Great…Until it runs out of battery! So how do you learn words and phrases that best suit you and your daily life and interests? Well, there are hundred different ways, but what seems to be a public favorite is  Wordup. Wordup is a fun and easy-to-install app on your phone and is available on google play and the Apple App Store and has 5 million+ downloads and users.

 

How does Wordup work?

  Wordup starts by asking you simple questions like your age range, why you want to improve your English, your favorite topics, and your field of work. Then it gathers all that information and makes something they call a Knowledge Map using the words that are most important in your life.  Once you mark words you know, it will help you learn the meanings of words that you don’t know using fun quotes, dictionary definitions, pictures, and fun youtube videos. The app lets you chat with AI forms of celebrities and public figures to help your English be top-notch.  This app even has a feature where it will give you feedback on your writing. 

 

Pros and Cons

This may be the most fun English learning app using AI and other tools I have come across. In my opinion, this app is the best to learn English especially if you live in a non English speaking country.  A small problem with the app is that many features that you rely upon to help you get better are limited for some time, if you are using the free version.  For example, with the free version, with the AI celebrities messaging feature you can only send up to 20 messages. Also, the app has this review feature where you go over words that you learned the previous day. In this feature you have 3 hearts, and you lose a heart each time you mess up a word while you are reviewing. When you lose all three, there is no way to get them back unless you wait until the next day, have the pro version, or you learn 100 new words. This I can understand can get on people’s nerves when all they are trying to do is practice words they already know. Another problem is that the app does not have a free offline version, to get the offline version you would need to upgrade to pro.  On the bright side, this app has won many awards and has helped many develop their English speaking and writing skills. 

 

Summary

In conclusion, Wordup is an innovative and engaging app that offers a unique approach to English language learning. By tailoring its content to individual users’ preferences and interests, it provides a personalized learning experience that is both effective and enjoyable. The app’s features, such as fun quotes, dictionary definitions, and interactive videos, make the process of learning new words and phrases exciting and interactive. Additionally, the ability to chat with AI forms of celebrities and public figures adds a touch of realism and practicality to the learning experience. While the free version of the app may have some limitations, Wordup’s overall benefits outweigh these minor drawbacks. The app’s success in helping non-native English speakers, especially those living in non-English speaking countries, is a testament to its effectiveness. With its numerous awards and positive reviews, Wordup has established itself as a leading tool for enhancing English speaking and writing skills.

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Summer gone totally wrong! Here is our protagonist looking like a rockstar while mentally having a break down !

A Summer Day to Remember

Mystery, Short stories / / , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“NOOOO!” Kaylee cried.  My face turned into one of those shiny red fuji apples that were currently on display in the fresh produce section near me. All I wanted this summer was a job where I could earn some cash. But little sister Kaylee had to ruin everything! 

School ended two weeks ago and that’s how long it took me to spend all my allowance for the whole of summer. But it wasn’t my fault that there were a bunch of cute and stylish outfits on sale. Even now as my bratty little sister cried her head off…I looked gorgeous. I pretty much slayed in my brand new white ripped jeans, crop top, and the perfect Drop Shoulder Drawstring Crop Hoodie to go on top. I mean I did not look like a model or anything, you can’t look like a model if you have freckles covering your whole face, red hair, and green eyes, but it was a major wardrobe improvement over my sweatpants and an old worn-out vintage t-shirt. I went into shopping spree mode when I saw the outfits on display and totally forgot about the tax. Now I am broke with no money for anything else this summer. Which is why I spent all morning clicking on every link I could find for summer jobs. I almost screamed when I found a job at the local grocery store within walkable distance, had the most basic qualifications, and was paying 20 dollars an hour! I grabbed my Converse immediately ready to snatch the job before anyone else could. But my “considerate“ mother had to make me babysit one of the worst creatures that ever walked the planet… 5-year-old sisters. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom but why did she have to make ME take care of Kaylee?! 

To be honest, Kaylee isn’t a demon, I bet I was really annoying when I was her age. But she’s been acting extra annoying since last week. She chipped my mom’s favorite statue, “accidentally” ran over my dad’s garden, and randomly cut one of my favorite shirts up saying that she was making it look better. Now there was this. She promised me and not just promised me, she pinky swore that she would not make a scene, be quiet, and listen to me the whole time until my interview was done and we were home. But right when they were about to call my name for the interview she spied in the distance an abandoned elephant plushie on one of the shelves. 

“Kaylee…come on…you have a bunch of toys at home! Like that platypus stuffy!” I whispered to her, holding her hand tightly, “STOP making a scene now…if I get this job I promise I will buy you one!”

It felt hopeless even if she calmed down there was no way they would give me the job after this! This was so unprofessional. I looked around me at a bunch of strangers, some had a look of pity, and others just stared in awe. As I was about to rush me and Kaylee out of the store I noticed in the corner of my eyes a mum holding onto her child’s hand and looking at Kaylee as if she was a monster. 

Then she mouthed the words “She is crazy!”

I got down to Kaylee’s height. My sister was Not Crazy and she would not cry without reason.

“What happened, why do you want THAT plushie soo much?”  I asked her calmly. She stopped and looked at me so seriously that I thought we were going to discuss a business deal.

“I heard that exact plushie will grant you 3 wishes if you ask it nicely and I want Mom and Dad to be together again” She explained as if it was obvious. Our parents divorced during the school year, at the end of February.  I wasn’t really surprised because of how much they fought, but still, it crushed my heart when they told us. But every other weekend we switch and they still talk on the phone sometimes as friends, so it really wasn’t so bad. But I totally forgot how Kaylee was handling all of this.

“Where did you hear that exactly?” I said looking her straight in the eyes.

“In either a youtube short or TikTok, when I stole your phone” she replied looking impatient. 

I tried to hold it in but after looking at her for a few more seconds I busted out laughing. If people thought Kaylee was crazy then they would think our whole family was psychos. When I finally could calm down I smiled at her and held her hand more loosely.

“After my interview, I promise you ice cream and that plushie” I smirked getting up to face the employee in front of me.

“ I am ready for my interview, but could you watch her for a bit,” I asked little more relaxed as the crowd that gathered around me a few moments ago disappeared.

“No need, you are Hired! We have never seen someone handle a child that smoothly. Maybe it took some time but I am sure you will be a valuable employee. We need someone who understands kids and can be calm in difficult situations” she exclaimed in delight.  

She shifted the wooden clipboard from one arm to another and stretched out her free hand in front of me. I immediately shook it. After we discussed boring job details like when I would be starting, Kaylee, I, and that elephant plushie(Which I got for free!) left the store and headed down to the ice cream store around the corner.

Kaylee excitedly swung her legs under the table as she licked her cookies & cream with an extra scoop of cookie dough. Luckily I had two gift cards for this ice cream store or I could not afford that. 

“I have a question, Kaylee,” I asked, my smiling face turned a little more serious 

“Yeah, what? ” she replied as the ice cream started to drip

“Why did you chip Mom’s vase and run over Dad’s garden?…you know those are very important to them”  I questioned even though I think I know why now.

“Because….because…I thought that if Mom and Dad think that I was turning into a bad kid when they are separated then they would get back together to make me into a good kid.” she explained after some hesitation.

I grabbed a couple of napkins and wiped the sticky vanilla ice cream off her face.

“It was a good try, but they are divorced for a reason ” I sighed  

Kaylee just stared at me, as she finished the cone.

“Let’s go home..” I smiled as I helped her out of her tall chair.

When we got home, the lights were dark and Kaylee ran inside. My hand searched for the switch. 

“Wall, Wall, Wall, more wall, finally Switch!” I  exclaimed the same moment the light turned on and a bunch of people Shouted “Happy Birthday !”

The room stared at me and the only noise I could hear was the beating of my fast heart.

“OMG…when did y’all come here…Aunt Jane! Uncle Mike! dad? ” I said looking around the room.

“Hey, kiddo!” he smiled as he pulled me in for a bear hug.  

When he let go, I was just confused.

“Don’t tell me you forgot” my mom laughed as she walked me inside the house. Everything was covered in decorations. Balloons covered the floor. 

“It is my birthday?” I asked stupidly 

“Of course, it is dear” Aunt Jane replaced sharing a look with my mom.

I felt so embarrassed, more embarrassed than when Kaylee was screaming in the grocery store a few moments ago. How did  I forget MY  birthday?

Hours later, after everybody left. I got up from my cozy spot on the sofa and grabbed another slice of cake. Kaylee who was staring at my huge pile of presents decided that she could not wait any longer, and grabbed the biggest one. 

“Open it!” she cried in anticipation 

“Ok..ok” I giggled tearing up the wrapping paper

The first thing I saw was a golden frame, was it a painting?

I tore more of the wrapping paper this time more carefully. What I saw next made my eyes fill up with tears. Dad kept his hand on my shoulder.

“I and your mom are not going to get back together but I want you to have a picture of your original family”  he corrected as I gently place the picture on the ground.

“Where should I keep it?” I asked looking at Mom.

“Where ever you like,” she said smiling at dad

“Thank you, Jim” She waved as Dad left the house.

“See you next week, kiddoes,” he replied giving me and Kaylee a wave.

I smiled, looking back at the frame, “I know exactly where to keep you!”

Summer gone totally wrong! Here is our protagonist looking like a rockstar while mentally having a break down !

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Book Review | The Cousins

Review, YA Mystery/Thriller/Suspense / / , , , , , , , , ,

The Cousins, written by New York Times bestselling author Karen M. McManus, is a thrilling and suspenseful novel. It explores the secrets and mysteries of a wealthy family with a dark past. The story follows three cousins – Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story – who are invited to spend the summer on their grandmother’s island resort, despite never having met her or each other before. Their parents are all clear on one point–not going is not an option. All the parents are interested in is getting back into their mom’s good graces and this might be their only chance. But it turns out life has another plan for this family tree. As soon as the Story kids arrive on the island they start uncovering a tangled web of lies, betrayals, and long-buried secrets that have been tearing the family apart for years.

 

Characters

McManus expertly spins a long tale of family drama and mystery, with twists and turns that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. While this story is only 336 pages long it still allows for a lot of emotional depth and character development. The creative characters each have their own unique personalities, motivations, weaknesses, strengths, and most importantly, secrets. Any reader will become more engrossed in the story due to the crazy family dynamics and relationships.

 

Setting and themes

Despite the beachy setting, this book has some dark undertones. What seems like an idyllic location to spend the summer is actually a mask for the crazy things that take place in the story. The island is merely a cover-up for the mystery, unease, and danger beneath the picturesque scenery. While The Cousins is mainly just a frightening mystery novel it also explores themes such as family, identity, and loyalty. The novel makes you question the nature of family and how much you will sacrifice to help someone that shares your own blood.

 

Dislikes and Likes

In my opinion, the book could have had more of a suspense and mystery element. The many twists were interesting and made you want to keep reading but they were also kind of random and some did not add much to the story. The book was also very slow-paced and things did not start getting really interesting until the last few chapters. I actually fell asleep a lot trying to read this book because some chapters were…I wouldn’t say boring but just lacked a bit of suspense.

Many mystery books I have read before (These were not Young Adults) had a bit more of a mystery factor than its book but other than that I actually enjoyed reading it. One of the main reasons I think is that I am used to reading and writing realistic and fantasy fiction stories. This book was one of my first books in the Young Adult Mystery Thriller genre. Being one of my first books it gave me a good understanding of what other books in this genre might be like. Also, it gave me an excellent introduction to the category in general. I also liked it because the characters were very deep. Although some relationships in the story seemed a little forced (*cough* Especially the romance between Jonah and Millly *cough* you’ll understand if you read the book *cough * Also I think I might have a cold) many interactions between characters were nice and were written in a realistic way.

 

Summary

Overall, The Cousins is a gripping and nicely crafted read that will appeal to many beginning fans of mystery and suspense. Our bestselling author Karen M. McManus has crafted a compelling story with well-imagined and planned-out characters and a richly detailed setting that affects the story in many ways. The novel is certainly a thrilling read for anyone who is new to the Young Adult mystery genre like me! If you are a huge fan of this author, you should certainly read this book. This book has sadly disappointed some fans of mysteries who have decided to try the book out because of its rave reviews. However, there are also many who love it. I’m in between loving it and hating it. This book may not be my favorite novel but it is really fun to read. It is definitely an awesome book to keep in mind when trying to find an enjoyable book.

 

 

Sources

Goodreads 

Amazon

karenmcmanus.com

 

 

 

 

 

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A Journey of Ups and Downs

Inspiring, Motivation, Short stories / / , , , , ,

I peered out my window as the person in the seat nearby settled into his seat. I was so relieved when I saw the big yellow bus pull up at the bus stop, shining its painfully bright yellow light through the rain. I did not want to stand any minute longer outside as my coat and backpack got drenched in the pouring rain. The heat of the bus restored some warmth to my face as I took down my hood revealing a messy ponytail I tied in the morning. Just as the bus started to move I took out my book. My parents were few of the only parents who hadn’t given a phone to their 6th-8th graders yet. Meaning I and a very tiny portion of others on the bus were stuck using their computers, reading a book, or doing nothing. And today I decided to read. I was lucky that the person who usually sat in my assigned seat with me decided to go by car this morning, so now I got more room for myself, plus the window seat. I read the final 9 pages of the book as the bus stopped at a red traffic light. I lost interest in my book as I reread the last page, I turned to look out my window which was filled with tiny droplets. I could make out a pedestrian and a dog getting soaked in the rain as they crossed the road onto the street. I always imagined life as a street, like a sidewalk, sometimes bumpy, other times smooth. It is full of twists and turns but it is also straight. My mind wandered as the bus started to move again. I realized that life is a journey of ups and downs, with its fair share of roadblocks and detours. However, it is how we navigate through these obstacles that define us. A bit farther from the traffic light was a group of construction workers working on something on the side of the street. The old bumpy sidewalk was now smooth. Perhaps we can improve our own life like how they are improving the sidewalk. It’ll be a hard and tedious task that might take ages but once we change and get to where we wanted to be, it will be worth it! My face lit up as I thought about this. The rain seemed to be more like a drizzle as the bus stopped in the school parking lot. My backpack felt just a little lighter as I stepped down to campus grounds. I was about to head to class when a spectrum of colors appeared in the distance followed by a lighter spectrum right underneath. A double rainbow!

 

“If a man can write a better book or preach a better sermon or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, even if he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door” – Ralph Waldo Emerson..a famous essayist

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The Start of Something Great

#Prose, Inspiring, Short stories / / , , , , ,

When the creator first started, I was a pile of mush, a splatter of something that wasn’t defined yet. I was blank, but I knew I was the beginning of something meaningful, but what? What was I supposed to be? I was hungry for something to feed my shapeless body. So the creator fed me, and I slowly got a few angles and corners. But I was still hungry, my embodiment wanted more of this magic mixture. So the creator gave me some more. Slowly I felt a tingle. My undefinable self looked more familiar to the eyes that surrounded me. The blob features and crazy angles I had before took on different shapes. But still, it wasn’t enough. I wanted more so the creator took a moment and stared into my hollow soul. He/she then dug around in his/her pockets and pulled out random items from his/her hat, but nothing he/she found pleased him/her. Until the creator found a bag that shined brighter than a light bulb. Inside was a string, a wisp of something yummy, something that looked amazing, and one of a kind. Each wisp had a different color and a different vibe. And the creator fed me this sweet string. Soon I felt my body, and the shapes that made it up became more connected and more composed. I had turned into something different. I was no longer a blob or a collection of figures. I was something more. The Creator fed me more and more wisps all of which tasted different but equally delicious. I was turning into something amazing. But my soul still felt hollow. I had a thirst for something euphoric. Then the creator poured something into my essence that made it no longer empty but filled with buzz, and energy. I felt that finally I had come to life. Color filled my lungs and mind. Now I can speak and communicate my meaning. I was now enlighted about my purpose in this world that was taking shape and color. The creator smiled at me. I looked around, there were more like me but we didn’t all look the same, or do the same thing. However, I could see that we all started the same way. We all were once blobs without a shape, soul, or mind. However, as our journey began we began changing in different ways that made each one of us unique. The Creator told us that we weren’t flawless, and weren’t what he/she had in mind initially. Nevertheless, he/she was happy with the outcome, and so were we. I looked out to my peers, and together we all shared a smile and we thanked the creator for giving us shape, soul, and a mind.

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A Friendship Forged Through Music

Inspiring, Motivation, Short stories / / , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Her voice sounded like an angel. Her flowy yellow dress made her stand out. If you are passing by, you would see her on a vast platform dancing, every move memorized. You would have seen her singing with such zeal. I stood on the sidewalk below with a slowly forming crowd.

“Go, Sophie!” I called out. A few eyes shifted toward me. Sophie smiled as I tried to slink away to the nearby palmetto. I watched her from the shadows.

I had only met her a month before, but it felt like I had known her much longer. We met on the first day of school – the third day of August. The sun was shining, as I climbed onto the bus. I walked down the aisle, looking for a seat when I saw her. She was wearing ripped jeans and a black graphic T-shirt. With her long blond hair lying straight down her back, she stared outside the window while listening to music through her white earbuds. I didn’t get a clear look at her face, but I knew I had never seen her before. Without thinking, I took a seat next to her. Initially, she did not notice me, but as I took my phone from my pocket, her attention shifted to me. She examined me, from my worn-out sneakers to my brand-new haircut. Looking into my eyes, she gave the slightest hint of a smile. Finally, I got a clear look at her. Her eyes were pretty unusual. One eye was a soft brown, while the other was a shade of blue. Her face appeared almost emotionless.

“Are you new here?” I asked as she was about to turn her head to face the window again. She looked at me confused as if I had just spoken in a foreign language. Then she yanked off one of her earbuds.

“What?” she questioned, her voice soft and gentle.

 I repeated my question.

“Yes, my name is Sophie,” she smiled.

“Leo,” I replied, getting ready to exit the bus as it parked in front of the school.

 I ran to the music room when I stepped onto the school grounds. The music room had instruments from all over the world. It is my favorite room in the whole school. I would sit on the chair in front of the piano and compose songs until the bell rang. However, when I stepped into the room, I saw someone else sitting in the chair.

“Sophie?” I whispered. She did not notice me. Her eyes were closed, lost in her playing. I watched her for a few minutes before she started to sing. Her voice was mellifluous, and it filled the room with a feeling of peace. I stared at her for a bit more, about to leave when suddenly, the melodious music from the piano stopped. Sophie paused, opened her eyes, and looked at me in surprise. She had her right hand over her heart like she was about to have a heart attack.

“Hey, sorry I scared you, but you’re really talented.” I smiled as she started to relax.

“Thank you…., but please don’t tell anyone what you saw!” she replied quickly and began getting her things.

“I will promise you if you tell me how you got here so fast,” I smirked.

 “I used that door” She pointed to a backdoor I had never noticed before, then she ran away to her first period.

Music was the bond between us. Every morning we both would sing and play the instruments in the music room. One day, I was invited over to her house after school. Her house looked like anyone’s home, but when I stepped into her room, it looked a bit less girly than I thought it would be. It had dark blue painted walls and posters of famous singers everywhere. She had a microphone and a karaoke machine in her room. On the opposite side of where I was standing, next to her bed, was a keyboard.

I ran to the keyboard and asked, “Are you interested in becoming a singer?”

 She looked at me, and she started nodding and blushing.

 “What about you?” she asked.

My fingers lightly touched the keyboard keys as I opened my mouth to speak.

“Me… I want to be a musician, play in front of a huge audience… maybe even sing a few times… I just want to perform.” I replied, turning the keyboard on.

“You are gifted on the ukulele,” she commented as I played a few notes.

“Yeah well I am too shy to perform in front of an audience even though it is my dream, it’s kinda silly I know…” I mumbled.

“Not to me, remember how spooked I was when you first heard me sing? I ran away from the music room the first chance I got.” she chuckled.

 I smiled, turning to face her.

“One day we will perform together and get rid of our stage fright!” I promised.

 “Deal!” she exclaimed as we ran downstairs.

After that day, every day, I would go to her house. We both would play music and sing in her room until it was time for me to leave. I slowly got to know Sophie’s background. Her mother died when she was 4, so her dad remarried. Her stepmom, unlike Cinderella’s stepmom, is kind and sweet. Sophie had a pet dog named Lola, who died last year of old age. I also learned that she lived in Paris for 14 years before moving here. I had fun playing my ukulele or her keyboard, while she sang into her microphone.

Then one day she decided that she was ready. We had been in her garage when she told me that she was planning to do a serenade downtown. That day, she practiced singing her favorite song while I strummed on my ukulele. Every day after that, our kinship for music grew.

Now, she was standing on a stage singing the song I had heard a million times before, but every lyric seemed brand-new. When the song ended, the huge crowd that gathered cheered.

“Encore!” a man in a white Hawaiian shirt called out.

Sophie smiled, her eyes glittered under the shining sun. I slipped out of the shadows and pushed my way to the front of the crowd.

“Encore!” I yelled with them.

Sophie looked at me and held out her hand. The crowd froze, waiting, watching as she pulled me onto the stage. In the corner was a ukulele. She handed it to me. Together we faced the quiet audience. She started singing as I strummed along. Just as we had practiced. I grinned ear to ear as the others sang along too. This was like a dream come true!

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forest, path, rocks-438432.jpg

Lost in the Fearful Woods

Mystery, Short stories / / , , , , , , , ,

The morning was calm as the sun rose between the mountains. There was nothing Papa ever wanted more than a home in the woods, its silence was soothing to him, unlike the bustle and noise of the city. I preferred the city, the quiet environment of the woods creeped me out. It was winter, the cold air, and white snow. Papa had already driven to work, and my school bus was to arrive soon. I ran out of our small house and looked down at my watch, 7:00. There were still a few more minutes before the bus came. I looked at the tall bare trees around me.


“A small walk wouldn’t be so bad” I mumbled to myself as I walked through a small path behind the house. The snow made a small soft crunching sound underneath my new red boots. A cool breeze swept past me as I walked, and soon the silence was lifted.

“The forest is waking up” Papa had said once when we were exploring one morning.

Sunlight streamed through the trees now. My eyes were drawn to the snow on the ground, as I tucked my hands into my jacket pocket. I did not understand why Papa loved the forest so much, just a bunch of tall trees and small animals. I used to love to take walks around the stores, malls, and theaters around our old home. The stores always had something interesting in their showcase windows. All there was in the woods were trees but there was something comforting about it, maybe that’s why Papa loved the woods so much I wondered as I walked around some more, lost in my thoughts. I went deeper and deeper into the forest, farther and farther from home.

“Growl!”

I shot back to reality. The wind was a slight bit colder, it was snowing. How could I not have noticed that before? I looked around. I have never been to this part of the forest. For how long have I been walking? I looked down at my watch…30 minutes!

I looked around for some signs that would lead me home. That’s what I did back in our old home, when I was ever lost I would either call Papa or I would look for something familiar that would lead me home. Nothing, the woods had nothing, and all the trees looked the same. I reached down into my pockets to grab my phone and use Google Maps, but they were empty. The falling snow covered up my tracks. It felt hopeless. I searched around for a place to sit and soon found a giant rock. I sat down thinking, trying to remember which way I had gone. I felt mad at myself for getting lost.

“Be quiet, listen closely” Papa smiled the day we moved into our cabin, he looked at me and then closed his eyes. I had plastered a fake smile and closed my eyes as he did, but I was not listening. I was listing all the things that could go wrong about Dad and me moving in my head. I rolled my eyes.

“What else did Papa say?” I wondered out loud. I tried clearing my head like Papa had told me to do, so long ago in third grade. I sighed, no idea popped into my head, not what I was expecting. I rolled my eyes again, what now! I sat there feeling cold, mad, and scared.

“Growl!” I heard again.

I glanced around, but nothing. I must be dreaming. Just then in the corner of my eye, I saw something reddish move in the shrubs. I got up and stayed very quiet. I stiffened as the figure moved closer. Quickly I grabbed a stick that was lying around in the snow. The red figure stayed in the shadows, as I planted my feet on the ground. Keeping a close eye on my surroundings. Just then the figure jumped from the bush it was hiding in. It was a small fox. I loosened my grip on my stick. I stared at the fox trying to hide any signs of fear on my face.

The fox sniffed around and then looked up, her beady eyes stared straight into mine. It was like this for a couple of minutes before I blinked. The fox ran away through a small path I did not notice earlier. The path looked familiar somehow. I followed the fox as it took a turn. I tiptoed trying to make the least amount of noise I could. Soon we came to a bunch of trees each marked with a blue arrow pointing right. Papa marked each tree in case we both ever got lost. The fox stood still for some time then she scurried away leaving me alone.

I smiled and followed the marked trees, taking every turn in caution, soon I saw our little cabin. I glanced at my watch again, “8:00” I read. My bus will come at 8:10. I rushed to the bus stop that was a little far from the cabin. Just in time, I thought as the big yellow bus stopped in front of me. I stepped into it, glancing behind, I guess the woods weren’t so bad, and actually, they are pretty exciting.

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The Sea of Thoughts

Short stories / / , , , , , ,

I am surrounded by a blue sea. Its waves that once were wild are now still. I am away from my family and friends, I have gone far, so far… I could go back to the land, to the soft grass under my bare feet, to the fields of roses and tulips, but no. I have decided to stay, in the middle of a great sea. I dare not go farther. I won’t go back. I remain still in my little boat, deep in thought. I have escaped my troubles, locked them in my chest of worries and problems. I look around my boat and see a fishing rod. I cast it in the waters.  As I wait for a bite, I open the chest hesitantly. I instantly drown in my worries. I take one problem out at a time. I sit wondering. Here I am in the middle of a vast sea on an even giant planet in a gigantic universe. My problems suddenly seem so small like it was just an unnoticed scratch. Stronger than ever I opened my chest and dumped my problems all at once. They slowly disappear as I figure out an easy solution to each one. I smile when I pick up the last problem. Suddenly I felt a bite on the fishing rod. I happily pull the hook out of the water. The hook had a big fish. I think of the fish’s family and let it go. I find one more easy solution for the last problem. The heavy chest I had before was now empty and light. My work here is done. I pack up and look around, I smile. I turn the boat to go back home. I say bye, to the sea of thoughts.

Photo by Nuno Obey on Pexels.com

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The Forever

Inspiring, Short stories / / , , , , , , , , , , ,

Faraway, I hear a whisper, so quiet and soft. Faraway, I hear a call. Louder and louder, it gets every minute. Soon I stand in internal darkness. I hear music and it calms my soul. I fall asleep, flying with the wind to a place hidden from the world’s eyes. I fly so far away from my home, knowing that I may never return. Light sparkly golden dust holds me high in the sky. As I close my droopy eyes. I see a mess of colors bouncing in my mind like bubbles. Then the colors are gone and replaced by the place I have wished to see my whole life. I feel a tingle of sadness. Once entered, I’ll never want to leave. For this place is the place of dreams.

 No! It is not dreamland, whatever that may be. This is “The Forever” you see. This is the place I wish to be.  Full of magic and fun. Full happiness and love. Soon my body feels light. Soon my mind goes blank. I open my eyes from my long nap, and I see a vision I have only thought to be a dream. I smile as my bare feet touch the wet dew grass. I look at the meadow before me. Fairies and pixies fly around me as I stare at this beauty. I hear that call again. Closer and louder than before. I walk through the grassland, following the voice I know is destiny. 

 I found my new home, a home of wonder. This is where I belong. This is the place that calls me. That makes me feel complete. But still, a part of me, cries in a dark corner, hoping to see my old home again. But now I have accepted my new home and there is no going back. So, I stand here in the Forever. Dancing and singing to my heart’s delight. Writing to my heart’s content about the many stories here. Wishing for you to come and join me. I’ll wait for you in the meadow where I first landed in “The Forever”. I’ll wait till it’s time for you to come to join me. But until then, know I remember you still while I’m far away in a place I can’t fully describe, and that I’ll wait for you to arrive.

A part of “The Forever”

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Silence

Poems / / , , , , , , , , ,

Silence, the steady silence.

I closed my eyes. 

And walked, strolling around the pretty plants and tall trees.

I could hear music. 

I could hear the bright lyrics. 

I could hear the sound of my heart thumping, thumping.

My mind stopped thinking. 

I could hear faraway whispers carried by the wind.

I could hear the sound of the rustling leaves of the Lind.

 I could hear the forgotten secrets of the world.

I could hear the chattering of the squirrels unsettled.

I could hear the singing of the blue jays. 

I could hear the lurking of animals all day.

I could hear many things, but all were because of the silence within me…

A Walk Through The Woods. Which Season Represents Your Life's Journey? | Forest photography, Nature photography, Photo

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