Roshambo November 16, 2008

You never really knew
the things you learned would matter;
the things you did and didn’t do would someday find you;
the things you hate the most :
the lessons on piano,
the books you read in Sunday school–
I swear I’d trade in anything to be young again.

And all these things
are lessons in living

It seems like we’re all fighting to be more than who we are.
Life’s been a test of virtue and humility so far.
‘cause give and take don’t matter either way.
Fuck up and draw the lottery;
Roshambo for poverty.
Destination: anywhere but here.

Here I go again,
feeling sorry for myself.
Am I getting old at heart–
too old to pretend
that everything’s alright?
Have I had a choice?
Walking past a threshold
into the change
and your life’s never the same again.

And all these things
are lessons in living.

It seems like were all fighting to be more than who we are.
Life’s been a test of virtue and humility so far.
’cause give and take don’t matter either way.
Fuck up and draw the lottery;
Roshambo for poverty.
Destination: anywhere but here.

My mind’s open.
I scream for better things.

It seems like were all fighting to be more than who we are.
Life’s been a test of virtue and humility so far.
’cause give and take don’t matter either way.
Fuck up and draw the lottery;
Roshambo for poverty.
Destination: anywhere but here

 

So keep your head up high
stretch inches into miles
because Brooklyn wasn’t built in just a day
focus on important things
be your own gun like every ghost that held you down was gone
keep them close enough to know that your moving on

Jesus Land November 13, 2008

Author:  Julia Scheeres

 

Genre:  Memoir

 

ISBN:  978-1-58243-354-7

 

Intended Audience:  Because of some graphic content, I would say this book needs to be read by a mature audience, male or female, over the age of 16. 

 

Summary:  Scheeres shares with us her story of growing up in a multi-racial family in rural Indiana in the early 70s.  Her story is both heart-breaking and heart-warming as she shares with us the indescribable bond she shared with her adopted brother, David, as well as the hatred and opposition they faced because of the color of his skin.  Their parents’ extreme religious views and racism leave them on their own through much of their childhood, and discovering the world and all its harsh cruelties brings them even closer together.  When they start to ‘rebel,’ their parents send them away to a Christian reform school in the Dominican Republic.  Their years at the reform school turn out to be an unimaginable struggle, and their relationship is the only thing that gets them both through.  Jesus Land is a story of a couple of misfit kids learning to survive in a hostile environment and how their relationship is both strengthened and tested by race and religion.

 

Review:  This book is amazingly well written and contains a message far deeper and more important than anything else in contemporary fiction.  Religion, adoption, abuse, and racism are the foundation of this novel, and are all significant in culture today.  Everyone should experience the un-clouded, non-sugarcoated realities of the world, which this book so beautifully lays out.  Anyone who’s ever questioned themselves, their religion, or their family can identify with this book, and I highly recommend it to EVERYONE.  This is probably the best book I’ve ever read, and I strongly feel that reading it will change your outlook on the world forever.

 

Rating:  5 out of 5

Pun Fun November 11, 2008

There’s a great scene in the movie “Definitely, Maybe” where the main character professes his love for this girl, and she replies with the comment, “Your shit is a mess.”

 

If I had to give one statement about my life right now, this would be it.  “My shit is a mess.”  Maybe the movie helped me realize it, or maybe I’ve just spent enough time in this in-between stage and am now ready to move on, but I feel like I am coming around the corner and can almost see the bright light ahead of me, but can’t quite seem to get there fast enough.  I have spent the past year completely ridding myself of any and all responsibility, and now that I’ve spent my time being irresponsible, I’m ready to step up to the plate and take life on full force.  Enter: New Responsible Kindra.

 

I finally feel like I know what direction I want to go in, I have an idea of how to get there, and I’m so excited about everything the future holds that there’s no room for irresponsibility or bad decisions.  The person I am today is completely different than the person I was a year ago.  I am so much more self-aware, I know what I want, I am excited about my future career and studies, and I know where I stand as far as my level of responsibility.  I had to go through this period of irresponsibility to become the person I am today, and I don’t regret that one bit.  But now that I know who I am, it’s time for me to get a real job and start looking towards the future and an actual career.  It’s time for me to take my schoolwork seriously and not mess around with my classes or registration.  It’s time for me to start spending my money responsibly and move out on my own. 

 

I’m just going to end this little ramble with some quotes from songs or movies or whatever that have stuck out to me here lately.

 

“Your shit is a mess”- April, Definitely, Maybe

 

“All failures and bad breaks Just accept yourself And find something that brings you closer to complete”- Bayside, Masterpiece

 

“Nothing good comes easily; Sometimes you’ve got to fight.”-311, Amber