The Post in Which I Write My Thoughts On Ernest Hemingway's Short Novel Called The Old Man and the Sea, But Before Reading Past Page 64... So I Am Basically Exactly Half Way Through the Story .. And Here Are My Thoughts

So yesterday I began reading The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. It is quite short, so I was able to read half of it in two sittings (the first sitting started at 1.. and the second began at 11 at night).

Honestly I expected the book to be MORE boring. Its not as boring as I thought. I don't feel like I'm reading a story yet... I feel like I'm intruding on this poor old man's thoughts. He's always talking to himself, and I feel like the boy should be with him.. not me. I can't help him.

Anyhoo... I think that the old man will have an epic struggle with the sword-fish but in the end he will triumph over the fish. I think that he might die.. or the boy might die.. just because someone always dies in classic literature. But hahahahahah I would like to be wrong.

I want a happy ending for these two characters (the old man and the boy). The fish can die!!

The Post In Which I Write About What My Ears Heard at the Summer Well Music Festival [Day 1]

So after English Camp (and a family vacation to the mountains of Austria) I went to Summer Well...

Basically it was a music festival with maybe 4 bands that I knew, and 6 that I was introduced too.

In order of performance:
(names that are in bold are the bands I knew before the festival)

Day 1:

PRIDES
Chloe Howl
The 1975
John Newman
Bastille

Day 2:

Reptile Youth
Tom Odell
Miles Kane
The National
Placebo

When I bought my ticket in April (I've been waiting for a while) I looked up Tom Odell and really liked his style. But more on that later!

Prides (stylized PR/DES), a trio from Glasgow, Scotland, started off the Festival with some really awesome music. Like I really enjoyed their set. I would classify them as synth-pop and would rank them with the likes of CHVRCHES and maybe Passion Pit with less twee. But after the festival I made a point to find more of their music.

Prides - "The Seeds You Sow"

So after Prides was Chloe Howl. Thought her voice was really good, but I didn't get into any of her songs that much. Just a typical pop singer. I will say that since she is from the UK that instantly puts her above most of the pop music from the States. I don't know why, but I enjoy British pop more than American pop.. so this festival was the place for me (almost all the bands were from the UK!)

Following Chloe Howl was The 1975, a band I had listened to before. After the festival my opinion of them was the same.. if not worse. hahaha I think there are four songs of theirs that I like.. many of them sound similar so during the concert I was unsure of which song they were actually playing. They simply sound very similar and I'm not a die-hard fan. (Like my sister and hundreds of the other screaming girls at Summer Well. Rebekah caught a sweaty towel the drummer threw out and wrestled it away from another girl that claimed "he threw it to me")

The reason I didn't like them much after the concert was because the lead singer seemed like such a jerk.. and he started the concert acting like he didn't even want to be there. Maybe he was trying to do the whole "I'm-a-rock-star-and-I-don't-care-about-anything-except-my-hair-and-my-self." I don't know.. but here is one song of theirs that I do quite like.. and the guitar part in the beginning is so recognizable they started playing it mid way through the concert.. then stopped abruptly and said, "Just kidding" then they started another song! LOL

The 1975 - "Robbers"

John Newman was highly anticipated in the crowd. I could tell because right after The 1975 left the stage, the crowds pressed in closer. People wanted to be as close as they could to the stage for Mr. Newman. And he gave a show! Goodness me. The kid could dance and sing, and he had two back up singers who added just a bit of a "gospel" sound to the set. It was, as Brits would say, brilliant. As Romanains would say.. a fost genial. And it was. I knew most of his songs, so it was quite fun to sing along and groove to his music!

from my device.

John Newman - "Love Me Again" (Such a fun song)

(the whole band during "a completely inappropriately titled" song "Overjoyed." Its quite slow and somber..)  

(I was quite close)

BASTILLE was the show of the night for me (and lots of other people in the crowd. I actually ran into two of the teens from English Camp. They loved Bastille as much as I did, and during the concert we were singing the loudest right next to each other).

 Not only are they one of my favorite bands (only Mumford & Sons and Coldplay rank higher on my list). Also Bastille is a relatively new band (only one album, but loads of songs) so they are fresh for me. All of their songs are in my top played list on iTunes. So I like them quite a bit. 

Their show was so cool for so many reasons. I hope I remember all the points. 

1. For a four-piece band (and the help of some audio tracks) they sound amazing live. The lead singer is able to hit all of the notes he hits on the studio recorded versions and it was just such a wonderfully performed set. All of the songs sounded perfect. I can't think of anything that didn't sound awesome. 

2. The lead singer said "Multumesc" after one of their songs that received extra loud applause, and everyone went crazy. In stark contrast to The 1975, Bastille was so respectful. Not only did they keep saying how excited they were to be here, but when they played their slow, piano-driven song "Oblivion" and the audience all pulled out lighters of telephones and swung them over their heads to the beat the lead singer paused for a moment and looked at and murmured (just loud enough for us to hear) "Wow...." then he continued on. It was so cool to see how excited and truly grateful they were to be doing what they love - play good music - for a living. I didn't feel this from any of the other bands. All the other groups (except Prides actually) had this air of importance. Prides and Bastille were the only only bands that seemed genuinely pleased. I know I may be reading too much into things (like I do) but (not like it bothered me) but Prides and Bastille were also the only two groups that didn't cuss and request, "Make some F***ing noise!" I respect this, Bastille played their music and were thrilled that thousands of people knew their tunes. . 

3. They played almost all of their songs. Since they were headlining the first day, they had the largest time slot and were able to play many of their songs. They played slow ones, and fast ones, and had us crouching down,  only to get up during the chorus and jump up and down ("the only dance move I know how to do" - Dan Smith, lead singer). And THEY PLAYED AN UNRELEASED SONG. It was called "Blame" and was super, super awesome. I can't even describe it. I keep saying cool and awesome.

4. Near the end of the concert the lead singer said, "So we have one more song..." and knowing that the song was "Pompeii" because they hadn't played it yet I started singing loudly, "Eh eh oh eh oh eh eh oh eh oh" (just like the start of the song) and soon everyone in the audience had joined me. With a smile of humbled joy the lead singer shook his head and said, "Oh.. you know us too well." And then they started the song.

Bastille - "Pompeii" (this is pretty much exactly the same performance. Except at Summer Well the lead singer took a fan-made poster from the crowd and held it up during this song. It read "How Am I Gonna Be An Octopus About This" which is a possible mondegreen of the real lyrics "how am I gonna be an optimist about this!" Also: So cool how there are drums set up all of the stage so the singer can move around and hit them too!) 

Thank you BASTILLE for such a wonderful time and great show. It was certainly a once in a lifetime experience for me. 

Also.. thank you for attempting to say "La revedere." You said "multumesc" better! 

And now my favorite Bastille song (even though it is impossible to choose one).

Bastille - "Laughter Lines" (un-official video, but sorta fits the mood)

THE POST IN WHICH I WRITE ABOUT THE FINER POINTS AND PARTS OF ENGLISH CAMP [BONUS: I DON'T TURN OFF CAPS LOCK]

HERE IT IS.

BOOM.

IT ALL STARTED WITH ENGLISH CAMP: THE AMAZING RACE!

TOOK THE TRUSTY, NAVY BLUE DACIA LOGAN UP TO THE BRASOV AREA. MET THE ORGANIZING TEAM, AND WAITED FOR THE SIXTY SOMETHING TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO ARRIVE. AFTER THEY ALL CAME, THE REST OF THE CAMP WENT BY LIKE A BLUR. IT SEEMED TO LAST FOREVER, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT DIDN'T SEEM LONG ENOUGH! IT WAS THE STRANGEST BLUR.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AMAZING RACE ENGLISH CAMP (IN NO ORDER):

1. THE AMAZING RACE PART

WE WERE ALL SEPARATED INTO TEAMS OF ABOUT 13 (ALTHOUGH WE HAD ABOUT 10 THE FIRST DAY) AND WE WERE GIVEN THE DIRECTION - "FIND A TRAILER (MOBILE HOME TYPE VEHICLE)"

SO OUR TEAM STARTED RUNNING UP, ON, AND OVER (AND DOWN) THE HILLY TERRAIN AROUND US. BY THE END OF THE RACE, WHICH WE FINISHED IN FIRST PLACE, WE HAD MILKED A COW, TRADED A SNICKERS BAR FOR A PIECE OF BREAD (BELONGING TO A VERY OLD WOMAN WITH A VICIOUS DOG ON A CHAIN THAT LOOKED JUST STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD HIM BACK), TAKEN A SELFIE WITH FARMERS WORKING IN THEIR FIELDS, AND OF COURSE RUN ALL OVER THE HILLS. AS TIRING AS IT WAS, IT WAS LOTS OF FUN.

2. ZIP LINE AND ROCK CLIMBING

THE NIGHT BEFORE, AT AROUND MIDNIGHT, I WAS ASKED IF I WANTED TO HELP SET UP THE ZIP LINE AND I SAID OF COURSE I WOULD. SO SIX (OR FIVE, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE) HOURS LATER I WOKE UP TO SET UP SAID ZIP LINE THAT HAS BECOME A SORT OF TRADITION AT ENGLISH/ADVENTURE CAMPS. THEN TWO OR THREE HOURS LATER THE REST OF THE CAMPERS CAME AND I SPENT MY AFTERNOON "CATCHING" PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE ZIP LINE AND UNDOING THE ROPES AND HARNESSES THAT KEPT THEM SAFE THROUGH THE 6 SECONDS OF FUN ALONG THAT LINE. IT WAS REALLY FUN! MY OTHER HELPERS GOT BORED BUT I DIDN'T. NEAR THE END OF THE ZIP LINE I WAS RELIEVED OF MY DUTIES SO THAT I COULD TRY THE ROCK CLIMBING THAT WAS SET UP A WAYS DOWN THE ROAD. THE ROCK FACE WASN'T TOO DIFFICULT, BUT I THINK THAT WAS ALRIGHT BECAUSE IT GAVE SUCCESS TO PEOPLE WHO HAD NEVER ROCK CLIMBED BEFORE.

3. MAKING MUD FROM THE EARTH ITSELF

ANOTHER TRADITION OF SORTS AT THESE ANNUAL CAMPS IS A WATER DAY. IT STARTED AS FUN GAMES WITH WATER BALLOONS, BUCKETS OF FREEZING WATER, AND A SOAPY SLIP N SLIDE. BUT IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO A NEW LINE OF FUN - WATER AND MUD DAY! IN ADDITION TO WET T-SHIRTS AND  SOAP SUDS WE NOW PLAY TUG-OF-WAR THROUGH A PEN OF MUD. (AND OF COURSE AFTER THE TUG-OF-WAR A FULL OUT MUD BATTLES ENSUES.

THIS YEAR WAS NO DIFFERENT... EXCEPT THEY FORGOT TO BRING A BIG SACK OF DIRT TO MAKE THE MUD (YES THE REALLY DID THAT LAST YEAR).  SO, WE HAD TO FIND A BUNCH OF LOOSE DIRT OURSELVES, DIG IT UP, AND ADD WATER UNTIL IT WAS A CREAMY BROWN MUD. AND COURSE WE MIXED IT ALL UP BY GETTING IN AND DOING A SORT OF GRAPE-SQUASHING DANCE... BUT WITH MUD. IT WAS DEFINITELY A MEMORY...

(SOMETHING LIKE THIS.. EXCEPT NOT REALLY AT ALL)

4. PLAYING VOLLEYBALL

OF COURSE THERE WAS A TIME SPENT PLAYING SPORTS. AND VOLLEYBALL WAS LOTS OF FUN. OBVIOUSLY I WASN'T THE BEST AT IT (BECAUSE I HADN'T PLAYED IN A YEAR) BUT IT WAS STILL SO MUCH FUN.

5. CAMP FIRE AND DIGGING FOR GOLD IN MINES

AND ACCORDING TO TRADITION WE END THE LAST NIGHT WITH A MASSIVE CAMP FIRE, AND WE ALL STAY UP UNTIL EITHER 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, OR 6. LAST YEAR WE LEFT EARLY, SO WE DIDN'T GET TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF THE CAMP FIRE, BUT THANKFULLY THIS YEAR WE DID! THE FIRE WAS ABSOLUTELY HUGE... AND THE SKY WAS FAIRLY CLEAR SO ALL WE COULD SEE WERE STARS.. AND FLASHES OF LIGHTNING AROUND THE EDGES OF THE MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE. I WAS ACTUALLY THE LAST PERSON OUT AT THE FIRE.. AND I HAD SOME GOOD CONVERSATIONS AND ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS THAT I CAN'T ENJOY IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE I CALL HOME.

AFTER THE FIRE HAD REDUCED TO MERE EMBERS AND SMOKE, I WENT INSIDE AND PLAYED A REALLY FUN GAME CALLED SABOTEUR. I PLAYED THIS (AND LOADS OF PING PONG) ALMOST EVERY NIGHT OF CAMP. THE GAME WAS SUPER FUN. AT THE START YOU PICK IF YOU ARE A DWARF OR A SABOTEUR, AND IF YOU ARE A DWARF YOU ARE TRYING TO LAY YOUR BUILDING CARDS SO THAT YOU CAN END UP AT ONE OF THE THREE END CARDS. ONE OF THESE OVER TURNED CARDS HAS A PICTURE OF GOLD ON THE BACK.. AND IF THE DWARVES END UP AT THE GOLD THEY WIN.  THE SABOTEUR, MUCH LIKE THEIR NAME MAY SUGGEST, ARE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE DWARVES FROM SUCCEEDING. SO WE PLAYED THIS UNTIL ABOUT FOUR, AND I FINALLY WENT TO BED.

6. SPEAKING IN ROMANIAN

AT THIS CAMP I FINALLY FELT CONFIDENCE IN SPEAKING OPENLY IN ROMANIAN. AT THE END OF THE DAY, CONFIDENCE IS ALL YOU NEED. EVERY MORNING THERE WOULD BE A 30-SOMETHING MINUTE TALK ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON. FOLLOWING THE TALK, WE WOULD BREAK INTO SMALL GROUPS AND DISCUSS. SINCE IT WAS AN ENGLISH CAMP.. OUR GROUP ATTEMPTED TO CONVERSE IN ENGLISH... BUT NO ONE (NOT EVEN THE CHRISTIANS) WERE ABLE TO DISCUSS MUCH IN ENGLISH. SO.. I SAID SOME OF MY THOUGHTS IN ROMANIAN.. AND THEN A DISCUSSION STARTED. UNFORTUNATELY THE DISCUSSION WASN'T ANYTHING TOO DEEP, BUT AT LEAST WE HEARD SOME THOUGHTS OFF THE NON CHRISTIANS IN THE GROUP.

ASIDE FROM THE SMALL GROUPS, I TRIED TO TALK TO LOTS OF THE CAMPERS, PLAY GAMES DURING FREE TIME, AND AT THE END FRIENDSHIPS WERE STARTED AND CONTINUED (FROM LAST YEAR). 

ALL IN ALL, THIS YEAR'S CAMP WENT VERY WELL. TOO BAD THERE'S PROBABLY NO NEXT YEAR FOR ME.. 

The Post In Which I Write My Thoughts, Specifically Those About Ernest Hemingway - And I Do So Earnestly

This post is saved for AP school work. I will not write anything about my summer adventures. I won't write about the English Adventure Camp, or going to Austria and picking blueberries and hiking on mountains beyond mountains. And I'm certainly not going to go write about the Summer Well music festival that I attended, and all the music groups I saw perform. (PRIDES, The 1975, John Newman, Reptile Youth, Tom Odell, The National, and my favorite BASTILLE).

Oops.. Well I guess I did kinda write about them. But anyway.. this post is for AP English. And I've been doing my homework.

So I read two of the articles about Mr. Ernest Hemingway. 

Iceberg and the short biography. 

Things I learned:

1. He was a journalist.

Cool.

2. He fought in World War I and reported during World War II. 

I think war really shaped his life - emotionally and physically. 

3. He was married 3 or 4 times... and seemed to sleep around a lot. 

BOOOOO!  When I read about his constant infidelity I kept loosing respect for him (because he sounded like a cool guy). 

4. He was a big adventure-lover. 

Pretty cool.

5. He has a very unique writing style.

I am intrigued (and maybe a bit excited) to read his work and see for myself!

6. He committed suicide. :(

I did not know this.