therealriver1

[therealriver1]

Creative Pursuits

I've been working on a really special project for a while now. It all started when I read a book that I had purchased at Bargain Books last year. My first romantasy book and introduction to the genre. I suppose that book was the catalyst that set all this into motion. That book had sparked my creativity, igniting a flame that had long been dormant. It made me realize how much I missed writing and made me want to write my own story. I had started writing a story called Rebellion on Wattpad during 2014 that I had never finished. Turns out I was merely scratching the surface back then. There was so much I did not know about seriously writing back then. I wrote those first three chapters on a whim and merely did it for my own satisfaction. I also had no idea what I was doing. I only started thinking about writing seriously as of 2024. Writing had become my new hyperfixation. I had fell down the rabbit hole of YouTube searching for answers. There was a lot of information out there and I absorbed all of it. I had come across countless channels providing writing advice and tips. I also found some really great people who shared valuable gems of knowledge. The more content I consumed the more excited I got. I found it so inspiring to find this new community of writers who were on the same journey as me and I could not wait to dive in. I felt this strong affinity with these strangers online who were just starting out like me.

Applying what I learned would be the true test. Even now I am still learning. I do not think the craft of writing is something you can fully master. I am always looking to improve my skills by reading more books and taking the knowledge I have accumulated and adding it to my own story. That brings me back to Rebellion. The half-baked story I had uploaded to Wattpad years ago. I decided I would take that story and rewrite it by transforming it into something new. I kept the characters but I also changed a lot of plot points that I had for the original story. I started by rewriting those first three chapters and after that I continued writing new chapters. It was the most that I had ever consistently written. When I hit 36k words a switch went off inside of me. I had never experienced anything quite like it. Writing your first draft and pushing through came with a set of challenges all on its own. Especially when it came to getting stuck or running into plot holes. I think that it is all apart of the process and it has been such a cathartic and fun experience for me. I was determined to finish this novel. I had the whole story mapped out in my head. All I had to do was pour it out onto the blank page on my word document. So, I kept writing and I am still working on that manuscript today. For now I refer to it as 'project rebel' however I will be changing the title in the future.

Now for the reason that inspired this improptu post. I had started a new tiktok account specifically for my writing because I wanted to share updates and connect with similar folks in the writing sphere. Since posting I had received multiple messages from people interested in knowing more about my story and offering help. I thought that now would be the perfect time for me to introduce some of my writing to a new audience.

A quick synopsis on my novel before I share a little teaser. My story follows a young woman named Emmalyn Thorne as she navigates the pressures of royal life and finding out who she wants to be. In the midst of all this chaos she finds love and discovers who she was meant to be. My story is inspired by the Edwardian Era period and is set in 19th century England. The main focus of my story is romance with some fantastical elements. It also explores some relevant themes found in the modern world today. The more I write the more my story unfolds. I admit I have somewhat strayed from the original concept but the core ideas are still there. With all that being said I will be engaged with edits and revisions after completing my manuscript. I also have a lot of formatting to do. I do plan on submitting my work to some publishers when everything is ready. Please look forward to it. Below I have shared a small excerpt from my work in progress.

***

Chapter 14

[ I released my grip and stepped back allowing him to land a blow. "Can you stop with the theatrics, Em. It is so obvious that you are holding back. This is not how I want to win." Reid spoke in frustration as he continued to hammer at me with his wooden sword. I skillfully parried his moves, leaving no openings. "There she is. The real Emmalyn." Reid said, laughing. "All right then. No more going easy." I proclaimed. A confident grin plastered on my face. I spun my sword in my hand, showing off a bit for the crowd as I got serious. The sweat was dripping from Reid's face as he got ready to block my next move. I toyed with him first, acting as if I was going to strike. The other men murmured in disappointment as they looked on. I finally charged, heading straight for him, just before I reached him I dropped to my knees sweeping the sword under his feet. Reid landed on his back, holding up his arms as I stood over him, my sword pointed at his chest. Earl alone applauded with fervent admiration as the other men quickly dispersed. I held out my hand to Reid and lifted him up. "Looks like you have got an admirer among the new recruits." Reid said, raising an eyebrow. "Show off." I just shook my head. "Well, I had fun. Thanks for humoring me." Reid dusted of his clothes, putting back his sword. Across the other end of the courtyard Victor and Harold waved at him. "Do not tell me you are going drinking at this hour? I was hoping we could talk" ]

[therealriver1]

The Last and Final Part 4/4

⦁ Rogue 2007 (This one has got to be one of my favorite killer croc movies set in the Australian outback) ⦁ Pitch Black 2000 (If you liked Doom then you'll love this sci-fi/horror film starring Vin Diesel) ⦁ National Treasure 2004 (A thrilling adventure film starring Nicholas Cage. If you liked Relic Hunter, you might enjoy this one) ⦁ There's Something About Mary 1998 (All the men are in love with Cameron Diaz in this wacky rom-com) ⦁ The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants 2005 (A cult classic that keeps me smiling from ear to ear) ⦁ From Dusk till Dawn 1996 (A creepy film about killer vampires directed by Robert Rodriguez) ⦁ Drag Me to Hell (Also check out Sam Raimi's Evil Dead if you like horror) ⦁ Columbiana 2011 (Zoe Saldaña is absolutely badass in this action-packed thriller) ⦁ Chef 2014 (Food porn. All the food looked so good it had me salivating! A charming film starring Jon Favreau and Sofía Vergara) ⦁ Splice 2009 (A sci-fi film starring Adrien Brody performing controversial science experiments. This movie is not meant for sensitive viewers) ⦁ Fright Night (I never watched the original that was released in 1985 but this one starring Colin Farrel as the bad guy was pretty good) ⦁ The Beach (A film that you need to watch at least once starring Leonardo DiCaprio) ⦁ Gorgeous 1999 (A feel-good comedy/action film that is lighthearted starring Jackie Chan and Shu Qi) ⦁ National Security 2003 (A fun action film starring Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn as security guards) ⦁ E.T Extraterrestrial 1982 (A charming alien film from director Steven Spielberg. We used to have the DVD at home, and I would watch it all the time) ⦁ A.I Artificial Intelligence 2001 (A futuristic fantasy film about a robot child that wants to become a real boy much like Pinocchio. A real gem of a movie that had me crying at the ending) ⦁ The Devil's Advocate 1997 (Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino as the devil. Need I say more?) ⦁ Interview With a Vampire 1994 (Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise as vampires. That's all I'm going to say) ⦁ Bicentennial Man 1999 (A touching film starring the late Robin Williams as a robot butler) ⦁ Norbit 2007 (Eddie Murphy as Rasputia was so funny you will laugh out loud!) ⦁ Malibu's Most Wanted 2003 (I might say this one is a guilty pleasure but so is everything else on this list) ⦁ Kung Fu Hustle 2004 (If you still haven't watched this please do. This wild lighthearted comedy makes for a good time) ⦁ Enter The Dragon 1973 (A Bruce Lee classic that is a must-see!) ⦁ Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars 1985 (Starring Summo Hung and Jackie Chan this is one of my favorite action comedies to watch) ⦁ The One 2001 (Jet Li playing multiple versions of himself was so cool) ⦁ Hide and Seek 2005 (Robert De Niro & Dakota Fanning were both great. You need to see this if you haven't) ⦁ The Rundown 2003 (Great action flick starring Dwayne Johnson) ⦁ Nacho Libre (Jack Black is so funny in this movie, it was really entertaining to watch) ⦁ John Tucker Must Die 2006 (A playful comedy that's fun to watch) ⦁ Shanghai Noon 2000 (Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson make such a fun duo) ⦁ Ghost Ship 2002 (Ghosts on a ship! Need a say more?) ⦁ Space Sweepers 2021 (A great Korean film 8/10! I liked it very much I just don't know why it took me so long to watch it) ⦁ Game of Death 1978 (A gripping action film starring the late martial artist Bruce Lee makes this another classic to watch) ⦁ Shaolin Soccer 2001 (Another fun comedy from Stephen Chow, the same director that gave us Kung Fu Hustle. This movie is equally hilarious) ⦁ Solo: A Star Wars Story 2018 (There are so many Star Wars movies and I enjoyed all of them but there are just too many to mention) ⦁ Star Trek 2009 (A solid movie in my opinion and a great franchise) ⦁ Letters To Juliet 2010 (I got to see this in the cinema and thought it was such a sweet rom-com) ⦁ Thor Ragnarok 2017 (Yes, I liked the first Thor movie, but I liked Ragnarok more)

We have finally reached a conclusion! Phew, it felt like that list went on forever! That was my version of memorable movies to watch, and I am quite satisfied with my selection. I added a lot more older movies to my list because I felt like they were better back then. Every new release that I've watched recently has fallen short of my expectations, the quality is just not the same as it was back then. Every time I watch a new movie it just feels like something is missing. Maybe my standards are just too high. I will say I am picky person when it comes to what I watch and invest my time in hence I've decided to stay away from films for now. I will stick to watching tv shows and hopefully 2024 has better options for us this year. If a new movie does however pique my interest, I will be sure to rave about it to everyone.

Thanks for reading and take care!

[therealriver1]

Part 3/4 continued from the previous post. Due to text block restrictions I am forced to divide my post like this

⦁ Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2013 (A twist on the old tale of Hansel and Gretel) ⦁ Ninja Assassin 2009 (I was watching this before I even knew Jung Ji-Hoon aka Rain was a k-pop idol and I just thought the ninjas were so badass) ⦁ The Orphan 2009 (Isabelle Fuhrman the actress who plays the orphan was phenomenal in this role, very creepy) ⦁ The Island 2005 (An action/sci-fi film from Michael Bay starring actors Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson) ⦁ Beyond Re-animator 2003 (It's so bad it's good! There are two previous films in this series adapted from H.P Lovecraft. I'd suggest you start there. This won't be everyone's cup of tea, you will either love or hate it) ⦁ Aquamarine 2006 (I watched this in the cinema with a group of friends in my school days and it was such a fun time) ⦁ This Means War 2012 (I just loved watching Tom Hardy & Chris Pine together) ⦁ How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2003 (The chemistry between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey was so good to watch) ⦁ Rush Hour 1988 1-3 (I cannot believe this movie is already 36 years old! Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker were so funny) ⦁ The Mask 1994 (A looney comedy starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz) ⦁ Shallow Hall 2001 (A movie that teaches us that beauty is more than just looks) ⦁ Two Can Play That Game 2001 (All the ladies need to watch this one, but I'm sure the men will enjoy it too) ⦁ Boat Trip 2002 (A fun comedy starring Cuba Gooding Jr and Roselyn Sánchez. I've got to say this one is definitely not kid friendly) ⦁ King Kong 2005 (The Visuals were stunning! This movie was made by Peter Jackson the same man who gave us TLOTR and The Hobbit Series) ⦁ Simone 2001 (Starring Al Pacino. If you've heard about this then I am impressed) ⦁ Revenant 2015 (Intense and full of suspense. I couldn't stop looking at the screen waiting to see what happens next) ⦁ The Gods Must Be Crazy 1980 (A fun story showing the difference of how the Bushman lives compared to modern man) ⦁ Liar, Liar 1997 (Jim Carrey plays a lawyer who is a pathological liar in this zany comedy) ⦁ Django Unchained 2012 (From director Quentin Tarantino comes a great western that you cannot skip. I saw this one with my parents and all of us enjoyed it) ⦁ Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging 2008 (Adolescent film that doesn't feel like it's PG13) ⦁ Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery 1997 (Just for laughs! Mike Myers from Shrek is hilarious in this film) ⦁ Maid in Manhattan 2002 (Who knew Voldemort and Jennifer Lopez had such great chemistry. All jokes aside it is a great rom-com) ⦁ Kings Ransom 2005 (Starring Anthony Anderson and Regina Hall. I've got to say I thought the whole cast was funny) ⦁ Undercover Brother 2002 (You are in for a good time with this one. Another fun comedy to watch to lift your mood) ⦁ Codename: The Cleaner 2007 (Okay looks like I have quite a few comedies on my list. Starring Cedric the Entertainer & Lucy Liu) ⦁ Along Came Polly 2007 (Another fun comedy starring Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston) ⦁ Dracula Dead and Loving It 1995 (An underrated vampire parody comedy from Mel Brooks starring Leslie Nielson) ⦁ Banditas 2006 (Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz rob banks in this western style action-comedy) ⦁ The School of Rock 2003 (I'll always come back to this film. I cannot recommend it enough) ⦁ Alpha 2018 (Wolf alert! I repeat, this movie contains wolves) ⦁ Spanglish 2004 (An amusing comedy film starring Adam Sandler) ⦁ 1408 2007 (Room 1408, a horror mystery starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson adapted from a Stephen King short story) ⦁ End of Days 1999 (A dark horror film filled with suspense) ⦁ Heartbreak Kid 2007 (This movie had me laughing out loud) ⦁ The Sleepover 2004 (A fun teen movie about friendship) ⦁ Maid of Honor 2008 (Who doesn't enjoy a good friends to lovers' trope. This rom-com features a young Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan) ⦁ Who Am I 1998 (Another Jackie Chan film that I still think is funny and will always watch again)

⦁ Bridget Jones's Diary 2001 (A great cast with a great plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this one)

[therealriver1]

(P.S This is part two continued from the previous post. Please scroll down to read the first half)

⦁ The Lovely Bones 2009 (This isn't a feel-good type of movie but still worth the watch) ⦁ The Brothers Grimm 2005 (Starring the late Heath Ledger with Matt Damon) ⦁ Pirates of the Caribbean 2003 series 1-5 (Definitely one if my favorite Disney films I'd say.) ⦁ The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe 2005 (I confess I never read the books, but I really liked the movie) ⦁ My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2002 (I loved it! I still rewatch it every now and then) ⦁ 13 Going on 30 2004 (Young me was obsessed with this film and watched it quite a few times) ⦁ The Holiday 2006 (I don't really like all those cheesy Christmas movies, but this one was the exception) ⦁ Into The Blue 2005 (I admit during this time I wanted to see every movie Paul Walker was in) ⦁ Mamma Mia 2006 (A musical movie that didn't make me cringe. It was so nice to see them singing ABBA songs) ⦁ Gothika 2003 (Not your typical horror but psychological horror. Not everyone thinks it's great, but I liked the plot) ⦁ The Others 2001 (I used to think this was so scary! I grew up on horror thanks to my dad, I watched a lot of them, and this was a good one) ⦁ The Sleeping Dictionary 2003 (Young Jessica Alba looked stunning. It's a slow drama but you might like it) ⦁ The Mummy 1999 (I actually watched The Mummy Returns first without knowing about the original. I like everything Egypt, relic or mummy related) ⦁ The Transporter 2002 (I do believe this movie was a hit at the time and the action is top notch) ⦁ Real Steel 2011 (Giant fighting robots, c'mon! This was so much fun to watch) ⦁ The Thing 1982 (If you can't handle gore, you might not like it, but I thought it was great! I even enjoyed the version that came out in 2011) ⦁ The Ghost in the Darkness 1996 (Based on a true story of killer lions, this one was definitely memorable) ⦁ Down With Love 2003 (I don't watch a lot of rom coms, but this was so good) ⦁ Uptown Girls 2003 (A charming film starring the late Brittany Murphy) ⦁ The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2012 (I of course watched all of the LOTR movies beforehand, but I enjoyed the Hobbit series more) ⦁ Wedding Crashers 2005 (If you are looking for a fun time then this one is a good choice) ⦁ Joe Dirt 2001 (Apparently there was a sequel that I never watched but I very much liked the first movie) ⦁ I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry 2007 (Adam Sandler and Kevin James pretend to be a married couple in this comedy) ⦁ X-men 2000 (I love all the X-men movies in the series) ⦁ Kate and Leopold 2001 (Your typical romance starring a young Hugh Jackman) ⦁ Hellboy 2004 (A cool action/fantasy film by director Guillermo Del Toro and it's based on a comic book in case you didn't know) ⦁ Van Helsing 2004 (Werewolves vs vampires in this one starring Hugh Jackman as the legendary monster hunter Van Helsing) ⦁ Meet The Fockers 2004 (I enjoyed this one more than the first film) ⦁ Awake 2007 (Imagine being fully conscious while under anesthesia and hearing and feeling everything that's happening around you. Starring Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba and Terrence Howard) ⦁ She's The Man 2006 (I know I can't be the only one who loved this movie when it came out) ⦁ Wild Hogs 2007 (This is definitely one of my fave comedies to watch) ⦁ Face/Off 1977 (A great thriller starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta) ⦁ The 6th Day 2000 (Another one of my favorites starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) ⦁ Beetlejuice 1988 (I just hope Beetlejuice 2 will be as good as the first one) ⦁ The Shining 1980 (Thrilling and psychological, I just had to add this to my list, it's a classic. Wonderful performance from Jack Nicholson)

[therealriver1]

Getting Back Into Writing...

I know I've been gone a while, but I don't plan on making any grand speech or introductions. I've considered closing this account multiple times since I don't know if anyone still reads my content or uses this platform. Nonetheless it's 2024 and I'm still here.

I started blogging on Tumblr as a hobby and because I really enjoyed writing. I still love writing! Writing on here acted as a journal for me, something that I could use to look back on years from now. Since I started writing with the intention of doing it for myself, I will continue to do so. I am glad to be back and will try my best to stay consistent. At the same time, I also don't want to force myself to write just for writings' sake. Instead, I'll write when I feel most inspired.

I had this idea of doing a "movie watchlist" based on my opinion of course. I wanted this list to be here for me in the future so I could see if my taste in movies has changed, matured or anything at all. Over the years I've watched a bunch of movies that I've enjoyed for different reasons. Movies were one good source of entertainment for me and my family growing up and brought me lots of fond memories. I remember being so excited to go to the video shop and pick out some of my favorites to rent and then going back home & watching it with my family. Dad and I would go to the video store and browse, sometimes taking longer than expected. I'd spend time looking at the covers reading the synopsis on the back before choosing anything. I was so proud when I picked something decent that everyone liked, I'd brag and say I had good taste! Those were the simple times when life was easy.

I digress. Getting back to this list of mine, let's just call it "Rivers' ultimate watchlist" for now. Like I said before this will be a random list of movies in no particular order from horror, comedy, romance, adventure, sci-fi and everything else in between. You might not know all of these movies or even like them but if you do find yourself bored and wondering what to watch, give it a try. I am sure you will find at least one good gem worth your time! I think I might do the same list for anime, kdrama, tv series and animated films later on and possibly update this movie list and add more titles.

Here's the list: ⦁ Harry Potter 2001 1-7 (The first four movies were among my faves) ⦁ Thirteen Ghosts 2001 (I don't know why but I've always liked this one) ⦁ Darkness Falls 2003 (A horror movie about the tooth fairy. This one will scare your kids.) ⦁ The Exorcist 1973 (The first one is still the scariest of all time. I also liked Exorcist: The Beginning but these are flicks I don't want to watch repeatedly or at night.) ⦁ Resident Evil 2002 (Yes, I know it's a video game adaptation and not everyone likes it. The very first one is a classic. I've also seen all the other movies in the franchise multiple times mostly because I like zombie action and Milla Jovovich) ⦁ Without a Paddle 2004 (A great comedy full of laughs. Definitely a fun watch in my opinion) ⦁ Euro Trip 2004 ("Scotty doesn't know!" "This isn't where I parked my car". I still remember the lyrics to the song. This one is a bit raunchy but in a good way if that makes sense.) ⦁ Me, Myself and Irene 2000 (Jim Carrey is great and so is Renée Zellweger. I really liked this one. Watch with an open mind) ⦁ Alien 1979 by Ridley Scott (I can't believe some people still haven't seen this. I love aliens and this one is a certified classic. You just have to see it for yourself. I've seen all the movies in the franchise and I'm still a fan after all these years. I'd happily rewatch any time.) ⦁ Blade 1988 1-3 (Ah vampires what can I say, I do love my supernatural movies! I think Wesley Snipes totally embodied Blade and was perfect for the role. I only recently found out that there's an animated version which features more of the lore from the comic books. The action in this movie is too good to pass on. In fact, my mom loved it so much she named our dog Blade) ⦁ Terminator 1984 (The second one is my favorite out of all the Terminator films, but I still enjoyed watching the others. There's just something about man versus machine that keeps you glued to your screen, that and Arnold Swarzenegger. ⦁ Zathura : A Space Adventure 2005 (I loved it! It's a kids movie but it's still a good) ⦁ Predator 1987 (Tying into the whole Alien vs Predator universe I naturally had to watch this. Prey is the most recently released movie in the franchise, do not skip this one!) ⦁ RV 2006 (Robin Williams is so funny, great family movie to watch together on movie night! ⦁ Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events 2004 (Some might say it's depressing, but the cast are brilliant actors and I thought it was a very clever film.) ⦁ Serenity 2005 (I didn't even know there was a show called Firefly linked to this movie. I only found out years later) ⦁ Pan's Labyrinth 2005 (Dark, twisted and brilliant but definitely not meant for everyone! This is a Spanish movie by Guillermo del Toro and still one of my faves. Please watch it with subtitles and not in dub. Also see Pacific Rim from the same director if you haven't watched it yet) ⦁ Jurassic Park 1993 1-3 (What can I say, I love dinos! The original will always be my favorite.) ⦁ Because of Winn Dixie 2005 (Great family film. Wholesome and heartwarming) ⦁ Dreamcatcher 2003 (This movie freaked me out as a kid, especially the toilet scene. I also heard there's a book so I might have to read it eventually) ⦁ Apocalypto 2006 (A really great film by Mel Gibson. If you can handle brutality, give it a try. It's definitely not for the faint of heart) ⦁ The Descent 2005 (If you're claustrophobic this movie will be your worst nightmare) ⦁ A Sound of Thunder 2005 (When I was young, I thought this movie had a really interesting concept.) ⦁ The Cave 2005 (It's similar to The Descent. It has that element of fear, the unknown and of course a mysterious creature) ⦁ Wonder 2017 (A really beautiful film with a great message) ⦁ Billie Elliot 2000 (The ending was so great! And I love the soundtrack because of Elton John. My favorite song from the movie was "electricity".)

(P.S I will be posting this in two parts because this was way longer than I expected!!)

[therealriver1]

What even is life?

Hello everyone. I hope you are having a good day and I hope you are staying healthy and safe during these uncertain times.

Where to begin? It’s been a hell of a year! I never thought 2020 was going to turn out like this. Corona virus has completely turned the world upside down. It has been rough on everyone. I had an idea of how this year was going to go and this is not what I had in mind. Covid-19 has completely changed our day to day. Everyone is affected globally. There really is no discrimination.

Countries are on lock down. People are jobless--starving, living in isolation and of course the death toll keeps rising. So far there isn’t any vaccine available or any end in sight.

I really do not know what the future holds at this point in time. The world is so different right now. Sometimes it feels like I’m living in an apocalyptic movie.

There is a new normal and we are all adapting. Sick people have to be quarantined. We have to wear masks when going outside and keep our distance from others as well as sanitise our hands constantly. Every country has its own set of rules and restrictions. Even alcohol and cigarettes have been temporarily banned. When you turn on the news there’s usually more bad than good news. It’s so scary to see the world we live in now. Nothing will ever be the same again.

These are extremely difficult times for us all. Some days you feel lonely and other times you question yourself and wonder if you are still sane but then you shake it off and move on. You wake up every day and you try to live your life as best you can. Yes, life is unpredictable and confusing but I believe change is coming. I have hope and I trust that things will get better.

Love yourself. Continue to live your life and remember what is really important.

******

I pray for those struggling who are not as privileged and are just trying to survive to see tomorrow. I am lucky and blessed enough to have my family by my side. They remind me every day of how good things can be.

I know other people aren’t as fortunate to be home or to see their families as much so I sympathise with them. Remember to stay strong. Keep pushing on and keep fighting! Maybe things didn’t work out as planned but accept that right here in this very moment is exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Life is short. Make it count and take this time to do something amazing for yourself.

You deserve all the happiness in the world, so go get it! ☺

-RIVER

[therealriver1]

BIG CHANGES ARE COMING

I usually know what to say, but right now I finding it difficult to start. It’s been a while since I’ve written anything noteworthy. Yet here I am again doing another entry. Anyway I recently celebrated my 25th birthday. Didn’t really do anything special. In fact it was just like any other day. I guess I still feel the same except I am only a year older now. The half of fifty, wow! As far as birthdays go I am happy to say that I enjoyed a quiet day with my family. I’ll probably have something better planned for next year or maybe I won’t make a fuss at all.

It has been a tough year I won't deny that. Definitely came with its ups and downs. Most of the time I was by myself which is both a blessing and a curse. When I’m alone with my own thoughts I sometimes overthink and that’s why I do things to occupy my mind. However I did give my mind time to wander a bit and reflect on the months that have passed and the New Year that lies ahead. I am in good space. I think I am stronger, wiser and more confident in who I am now. Yes, it was indeed a tough year as I mentioned before and I do not want to dwell too much on the bad. Instead I choose to focus on the positive. There were times where I felt hopeless. Without faith and conviction. Nonetheless I pushed through and continued to trust. Something inside me told me that this was just a phase. Another dry season in preparation for the rain that will soon come.  After all I do believe everything happens for a reason and that what goes around comes around. There is plenty I wish to share and I will tell you all about my journey. After all I am still on it. I still have dreams. I seek to rediscover my purpose. To reach my full potential and be successful. Yes, I do believe it is possible. If there is one thing I am certain of is that change is inevitable. That is the one constant in life. It is always changing. No matter how permanent situations may seem. It won’t remain that way forever. That’s what keeps me going!

                                                                   ***   Many days I had searched for answers. Any kind of sign to show me the way. Today I still seek it. What is the meaning of life? Where do I belong? Am I happy? The last one I can answer with an assuring yes, because I am in charge of my own happiness. If this year has taught me anything it is to expect the unexpected,. Therefore I am ready for whatever life throws my way next. Every morning I still wake up and get up and that makes me a fighter. I choose to keep going,. I am more than just a survivor!

  I know reading this probably won’t bring you the same satisfaction as it did when I wrote it. Regardless I still hope you can take something positive away from this.

In conclusion I hope this personal insight has given you some motivation to keep living. Writing and rearranging my thoughts is part of my creative process and helps me cope. When I write it’s like a release of energy and I just want to share some of that energy with all of you. Lastly, I just want to say that we all go through periods of hardships and it’s important to stay strong mentally because in the end you will come out victorious on the other side. So hang in there and keep fighting! I believe we all have the power within us to achieve great things.  As the year nears the end I am excited and hopeful for the future and where this journey will take me. Let’s continue to walk the path of life.

Special thanks to my amazing parents for all the support, I love you!

‘To thine own self be true’.

[therealriver1]

FIRST POST OF 2018

Hey guys, I'm back! I think it's been about 2 years since my last post. I've been doing a lot of reading lately and it's made me realize how much I miss writing. I have some free time on my hands now so I thought why not write a rant/review for fun.

Below I will be reviewing the movie Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. I'm aware this movie was released earlier this year but since it's still 2018 I though this would be an ideal choice for me.

Genre: Action, sci-fi , adventure.

Director: J.A Bayona

Writer: Colin Trevorrow

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, James Cromwell & Jeff Goldblum.

Plot: The second installment is set 3 years after the theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits human-free while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungle. When the island's dormant volcano starts erupting it creates a media frenzy, because this can once again cause the extinction of dinosaurs. Claire Dearing is called back on a rescue mission along with Owen Grady to save the remaining dinosaurs and capture the intelligent raptor Blue. Eli Mills pitches a wonderful story about how the dinosaurs will be brought to a new sanctuary without walls and where they will live free from human interference. However he leaves a few details out. It's only after arriving on the island that Claire and Owen discover they've been deceived. Naturally this is where the narrative of the story changes from good to bad.

I very much enjoyed this movie and I'll tell you why.

It's no secret I've been a fan of the previous Jurassic Park movies since I was little. Therefore my opinion might be a little biased. Jurassic World is a franchise on it's own which will also be a three-parter. Part 2 of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom has suspense, comedy and lots of action if that's what you're looking for. Good acting from the leads. Also they don't die easily which is a good thing.

New faces like Justice Smith who plays Franklin Webb brings in a lot of humor. You could really see he was scared like hell by his high pitched screams which made me laugh even more. I thought the design of the Indoraptor was genius. Part Indomonous Rex and part Velociraptor. It turned out pretty scary looking! CGI and special effects were decent. However, I did find the movie to be derivative in some parts. For some reason they always repeat the same.

My overall experience of this movie was fairly good and I still found it entertaining. With that being said I will give it 3/5 stars. I will probably watch the third movie as well. In fact I'm looking forward to it.

Other movies I am looking forward to seeing is Venom starring Tom Hardy, The Predator, Crazy Rich Asians and the horror The Nun.

I might also write another review for Marvel's Avengers Infinity War.

Thanks for reading!

God bless and lots of love.

- River

[therealriver1]

Turning over a new leaf

It is spring 2016. The time I usually reflect about past, present and future. I try to do this at least once a year. I’ve been on this place called planet earth for 21 years now, and while here I’ve learned some valuable life lessons about what’s really important.

One: Never take your family for granted Two: Don’t forget the friends who have been there for you through thick and thin. Thirdly: Take pride in celebrating your life, your achievements, your successes and also your failures.

Think about how much you’ve grown as a person and how life has shaped you into who you are today. As a woman who has been through so I many ups and downs in her life I can honestly say that I am proud where I am today. My parents are a huge part of me. They made me who I am today and I am so grateful to them for giving me the foundation of education, values, respect, humility & determination. Without them I wouldn’t be the Revelië I am today. My sister Alicia is also a huge influence in my life. She was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3 and ever since we got that news at the pediatricians office our lives have changed forever. I can only describe it as a roller-coaster of ups and downs. She has taught us so much and is still teaching us every day to practice patience, restraint and kindness. We are always thankful for progress. This year she is 11 and has come a long way from when she was 3. Everyday I look at her it reminds me to stay humble and loving to the world around me. She inspires me to do greater things. To become a better version of me. I have never loved anyone more than I lover her. She is the light inside the darkness that always fills my heart with a smile. I am extremely blessed to still have both my parents in my life and I just want to take a minute to thank God for always being that anchor for us when were down and low on faith. To anyone out there reading this right now, no matter who you are where you come from and where you are at this very moment. I just want you to know that God has a divine plan for each and every one of us and if you just keep praying and working hard and fighting for what you believe in, you will live the most abundant life you could possibly dream of. Stay true to who you are always. Wake up everyday feeling beautiful by believing that you already are.  Make a list. Set a goal and follow up on your hobbies. Dream, believe and do flourish in your talents. Be passionate, be YOU and the universe will see you. Remember that you are enough. 

For me 2016 has been filled with moments of joy and hurt but in between were also really fun times. We learn from the good and bad and we grow through the pain. Like they say: ‘You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.’ I can honestly say that I’ve evolved. I won’t use the word ‘grown up’ because nobody really wants to grow up and I am still 21 after all which is still very young. I look forward to 2017. The year that I’ve been most excited about #22 the year where I will do bigger and better things than last year.

I hope this has been insightful. I wish you all nothing but the best! May 2017 be a year of love, joy, peace and blessings. Most of all may you become the lead character of your own life story! Nobody else can do it like you.

Sincerely yours ~River

[therealriver1]

Missing this cuddle buddy of mine😊❤💋 #LittleCousin #SoCute #BabyLove #Kids #SpringTime #Family #instalike #BabyBoy #Trinity

[therealriver1]

Yo what y'all think of my edit cousin??? @lauren_poca 👻😸💚 #App #nofilter #backdrop #selfies #oceanbasket #resturant #instalike #smarties #studentlife #girlsnightout #proudlysouthafrican #browneyedgirls #CapeColoreds #MallRatz #lovelyladies #family #CuzzyLove

[therealriver1]

Celebrating this ones birthday <3 👌💑 #Throwback #Family #MomAndDad #CuzzyLove #BirthdayBoy #

[therealriver1]

Movie night at the mall!We watched Secret Life of Pets❤# family #CapeColoreds #Instalike #Cousins #AllAboutLastNight #GNO #potd #girlsjustwannahavefun 👑

[therealriver1]

My beautiful little sister!I love her bushy hair :) #family #sisterlove #siblings #tb #flashback #2005 #babyface #cutekidzofinstagram #autismawareness

[therealriver1]

"You took the time to memorize me: My fears, my hopes, and dreams. I just like hangin' out with you all the time. All those times that you didn't leave; It's been occurring to me I'd like to hang out with you for my whole life":STAY song lyrics from_ @taylorswift

[therealriver1]

When you get dressed up just to play videogames all day!!!🙆#selfie #gamergirl #videogames #selflove

[therealriver1]

Quote of the day...😊 #Qotd #writersofinstagram #bloggersofinstagram #dailyquote>