Kimi ni Todoke Review

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Kimi ni Todoke, also known as From Me To You, is a Japanese romance manga written by  Karuho Shiina and adapted in different ways such as the Netflix adaptation. The anime has two seasons as of now, but a third season is confirmed to be aired on Netflix.

In the story, the main protagonist, Sawako Kuronuma, is misunderstood and is called a ghost because of her appearance and because she resembles the ghost from “The Ring”. The high school student is often called “Sadako” which is the name of the ghost she resembles instead of her actual name, Sawako. The protagonist lives this life until Kazehaya Shouta, the popular guy at school talks to her and actually calls her the right name. 

Because of Kazehaya, her life started to change and she started to make friends and be happy despite the obstacles she faced such as rumors and many misunderstandings. Sawako and Kazehaya then start to like each other and they get together by the end of season two. 

I really like this show and I definitely recommend watching it. I love how their interest in each other develops and I like how friendship is portrayed in this anime. The main leads are super adorable and I like their interactions. I suggest watching the anime first instead of the Netflix adaptation because the Netflix adaptation is more complicated to me but it’s my personal preference. Like I said, I definitely recommend watching it, especially if you want to feel giddy and happy.

Lovejoy: An Album Review

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Lovejoy is a indie rock band that is founded by William Gold, who goes by Wilbur Soot. The members include Ash Kabosu on drums, Joe Goldsmith on guitar, Mark Boardman on drums, and Wilbur on vocals and guitar. On October 14th, 2021, they released an album titled Pebblebrain. It features seven tracks, of which four of them I will be going over.

The first song is “Oh Yeah, You Gonna Cry?” This energetic piece is about a man, presumably someone Wilbur knows, who hasn’t gotten over his ex-girlfriend yet. In it, Wilbur states that the girl was too good for him. It’s sort of adding insult to the man’s injury, as from the lyrics you can assume that Wilbur is in love with the girl as well.

Next up is “Model Buses,” which is a reference to the UK’s prime minister’s strange hobby of crafting models of buses. The song is about a girl, presumably the same one from “Oh Yeah, You Gonna Cry?”, who is now single and fears a new relationship. Similar to beliefs about the prime minister, they are both “Scared of the future”

“Spitting spite as fast as saliva,” sings “Concrete,” a song in which Wilbur finally gets together with the girl but things don’t seem as well as he thought they would. The lyrics seem to insinuate an unhealthy relationship between the two, saying “If I had it my way, you’d sleep on the concrete floor.”

Finally, “Perfume” is my favorite song in the EP. Initially, it was going to be scrapped from the album until his friend, Tommy, told him not to. It tells the story of after their breakup, with the girl going back to her old ex. Wilbur says, “I can still smell her perfume,” suggesting that he misses her. Unlike the other songs, we get a view from the girl’s perspective. The lyrics show how she wanted to be in a relationship, saying “It seems like all her friends abruptly fell in love, and she was in the dust.” This was most likely the reason for their break-up, as she wasn’t fully committed to the relationship, instead using it for a better status.

In total, the Pebblebrain album is one heck of a ride. Not only that, but the songs are incredibly catchy. I highly recommend this to any pragmatic lovers, who don’t want a fantasy love song and instead a reality check on how tough love can actually be.

Listen and download music by Lovejoy free with your library card on Freegal.

Would Life Be Easier Without Governments?

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I’ve always thought that life would be so much easier if everyone just governed themselves, and was in charge of their rights and property. Humans have, after all, imposed war, famine, unjust societal standards, and a plethora of other issues upon themselves; no natural forces have really contributed that much to the unhappiness and restriction within our society.

What would happen if there was no government, or a system of hierarchy? Someone could own an endless amount of property and have as many liberties as they wish. But, to make it just, everyone else would have those same exact freedoms, too. This also means that if I declare a certain amount of land to be mine without any legal resources binding me to it, my neighbor could just as rightfully claim that land to be theirs and kick me off. I wouldn’t really be able to do anything about it, and I would probably get angry. If this system were to exist in our world right now, every little thing would end up in a stalemate, and wars would probably be a lot more frequent.

No matter how good you think your idea of perfect personal liberties are, there will always be someone near you with opposing thoughts regarding what those rights should be. If those ideals were to be extremely different, people would most definitely break into chaos. For example, you might think that it is wrong to own multiple firearms (even if it is for self-defense) but your neighbor may think it is right. Not only can some sort of conflict ensue, but because there would be no legal consequences to your neighbor’s actions, you may also start to feel unsafe, which is in violation of your natural rights.

Governments have the power to protect our inalienable rights and impose serious consequences on those who violate them, but with the guarantee of certain rights, other freedoms will have to be sacrificed. This idea of social contracts means that no one can ever really be entitled to every single freedom in the book if they want to peacefully (to some extent) coexist with other individuals.

In the end, it’s impossible to please everyone; not all people will be satisfied with the way central governments are structured. While I agree that our current ruling system has its faults, it is pretty successful at maintaining societal structure while still trying to defend everyone’s personal rights.

MOVIE REVIEW – The Little Mermaid Animated Saga

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(This review consists of the three animated The Little Mermaid movies produced by Disney, as the prequel/sequel tend to be forgotten about.)

The Little Mermaid Live Action was an enchanting remake. With the music and voices of live action Ariel (Halle Bailey) and Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), I was truly enraptured by the display. 

While both the original and live-action movies are classics personally, people forget about the sequel and prequels of The Little Mermaid animated movie. I remember watching the entire franchise and thinking, “Wow, we really downgraded and upgraded in a short amount of time!” Honestly, I just remember hating on Melody. 

The Little Mermaid is the “predecessor” of The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, a story that combines King Triton’s hatred for music after his wife, Athena, died, Flounder finding out that Sebastian has been singing at an illegal speakeasy, and Ariel’s toxic and manipulative nanny. I remember loving this movie. 

Through the movie, we learn more about Ariel’s sisters, and we can actually assign name to faces. Although the animation felt tackier (and somewhat creepier, in my opinion), it was a lovely prequel to a classic. In contrast, the plot felt underdeveloped, and has little to no correlation to the original, as if the writers were like, “Okay, so there’s this teenage girl, right? Right, so she likes to sing, right? Right, and she’s also rebellious — let’s add a controlling nanny and ban music!” This could’ve been a spinoff. 

Personally, I feel like the movie would’ve been better off dealing with King Triton’s story. For one, it starts off with King Triton’s wife, Queen Athena, literally getting kidnapped and possibly eaten by humans. He’s grief-stricken and thus banned music, something that Athena adored. I would’ve loved to see him go through every stage of grief while simultaneously making bad decisions and dealing with the evil nanny. 

And did I mention what they did to my poor Flounder? He’s as if a rebellious angsty teen went back in time. Overall, 6/10 movie. Could’ve been worse, but definitely didn’t tarnish the original too much. 

Now, onto The Little Mermaid II, a sequel to the original. Ariel and Eric’s daughter, Melody, is obsessed with the sea. She is just as rebellious as Ariel was in her teenage years, which causes some wonderful generational trauma. However, Melody finds refuge and comfort in Morgana, Ursula’s sister. 

Suddenly, I have a craving for seafood.  

I mean, it could’ve been worse! Totally. PLEASE. 

Characters were underdeveloped. Their personalities felt as though they were scribbled on a deadline. But what upset me the most was Ariel’s songs. In the original, she had a powerful, emotional, catchy voice!! I MISS JODI BENSON SO MUCH. In the sequel, it felt way too cheesy to be good. 2/10. 

But hey, we got Melissa McCarthy, so I don’t care. I LOVE MELISSA MCCARTHY. 

The Little Mermaid, The Little Mermaid II, and the live action version are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Candidly Cline: Supporting Roles

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Candidly Cline by Kathryn Ormsbee - Audiobook | Scribd

The book Candidly Cline by Kathryn Ormsbee is about a girl named Cline who dreams of being a singer/ songwriter. However, her mother doesn’t believe that being a musician is a suitable profession that would allow Cline to make a living. In this book Cline finds many new friends that help in unexpected ways, while, sadly, losing her best friend. Cline’s employer Mrs. Yune, her teacher Mrs. Johnson, and her partner Sylvie all help her in various ways. 

Mrs. Yune first employs Cline to babysit children at the church nursery. Even though Cline doesn’t attend church, Mrs. Yune happily lets Cline take the job because they have a lack of employees. This is helpful to Cline because the music camp she wants to attend has a high fee and her mother is not willing to pay for it. Later, when Cline is going to leave the camp, because she doesn’t have enough money, Mrs. Yune helpfully gives Cline money she was saving up so Cline could fulfill her dream. Mrs. Yune also comforts Cline after her best friend, Hollie, rejects her. Mrs. Yune is a very important character in this book, even if she is not the main character.

Cline’s music class is taught by Mrs. Johnson, a well trained and famous musician. Mrs. Johnson teaches Cline how to write songs and music. She allows Cline to join the class, even when she doesn’t yet have all the money for it. Finally, when Cline’s mother was not going to allow her to continue the class, Mrs. Johnson visited their house and convinced her mother to let Cline to stay. Mrs. Johnson helped a lot with Clines musical journey.

Sylvie is Cline’s partner in the music class and her friend. When Cline and Sylvie first met, Sylvie was in a bad mood, but at the next class the girls become good friends and connect through music. Sylvie was a big help to Cline when Hollie wasn’t being a good friend by comforting her and making her laugh. With their special connection they make a beautiful song and win a competition. The two girls quickly fell for each other, which was Cline’s main inspiration for their audition song. Their strong connection played a major part in the story, by not only helping them both find who they are, but also connecting them in a way only music could express.

Though these characters didn’t have major roles in this story they still were helpful to Cline. Whether they were comforting her, teaching her, or loving her they changed a lot of Cline’s life for the better.

Candidly Cline by Kathryn Ormsbee is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Going to the Angels Stadium: Guardians vs Angels 

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On September 8, 2023, mom, baby sister and I went to the Angels ball game. This is our 10+ ball games for this season, and we are getting better at driving to the stadium, parking and getting autographs and balls. Let me share what you could do to most out of going to a ball game from my perspective. 

Parking: 

  • Exit on Fwy 57 on Katella, take Douglass Rd to enter Angels Stadium Parking
  • Park by the “City National Grove by Anaheim” by the gate 1 ( I will explain you why park by gate 1 later) 

Gate: 

Use gate 1.

  • This is where they giveaway Yakult.
    • Yakult is a probiotic beverage created in Japan. They normally hand you 2 bottles, red and blue caps. But if you ask for more, they usually give them to you.
      • Ask for a FREE big A body tattoo sticker
        • Sometimes security people have it in their pocket. If not, go to the booth table by Trout Farm.
  • Booth table by the Trout Farm
    • Ask for a Free big A body tattoo sticker
  • Trout Farm
    • This is one of the place we receive autographs and practice balls from the MLB players. 

Game Result: 

Cleveland Guardians vs Los Angeles Angels 

6-3

MLB Balls

  • I caught my very first foul ball  hit by Angels #23 Brendon Drury. 
  • Guardians Major League Staff Assistant & Spanish Interpreter, Agustin Rivero, handed a ball to my baby sister
  • Angels #47 Griffin Canning handed me a practice ball from his glove
  • Angel gals #6 Peyton handed a sponge ball to my baby sister 

Autographs by 

  • Angels #60 Andrew Wantz gave my sister and I autographs on my glove and my sister’s headphone
  • Angels #57 José Soriano Autographed on my glove 
  • Angels Coach #80 Damon Mashore autographed on my glove 
  • Guardians Major League Staff Assistant & Spanish Interpreter, Agustin Rivero autographed on my glove 

Lady of Darkness: Book Review

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I was on Bookstagram the other day, and I found that many people were recommending this book, so it piqued my interest quickly! I read it, and I would say the book is better than I thought! Lady of Darkness is the first of five books, and it is a completed series!

The thing that I found interesting about this book is the fact that although there was romance in it, it didn’t obscure the whole plot of the book. The main heroine, Scarlett Monrhoe, 100% was involved in her own part of the story. Although she was influenced, she never strayed from her own personal goals.

SPOILER AHEAD:

From the first page of the book, you can pretty much guess that she was an assassin, but what the reader doesn’t know is that it goes so much deeper than that. Throughout the book, she’s mourning the loss of one of her sisters and her mother, and she goes through an insane amount of trauma.

For unknown reasons in the beginning, she’s somehow living in a mansion, with one of her childhood best friends, Cassius, under a rich lord who is in charge of her. The story starts picking up the pace when a mysterious man who is in charge of the lord’s armies spots her. From there, she starts training with him, as she is intrigued by the speed and agility that she equally matches.

There are multiple subplots going on at the same time, so it is difficult to explain all of them in order. However, as she is dealing with the mysterious man, children are going missing as well. So, she puts all her energy into finding the children and uses any methods possible to get a clue that might help.

As the story begins to tie together, we see that the mysterious man is the meeting point of all of her problems: her heritage, her mother, her sisters, the assassin lord…

I would say that this book is a good read for anyone who is feeling that rebel in them and wants to give this book a try!

The Fastest Fish

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Fish are those little guys swimming around in our oceans. Along with many other creatures of the sea. But today, we will focus on the three speediest fish around!

3rd fastest fish: The Swordfish

The third fastest fish is indeed a Swordfish. The fastest speed a swordfish has ever gone is about 60 MPH. A Swordfish has a very long and pointy sword-like bill, (Judging by the name) and that is what they use to catch their prey. They do it by simply stabbing their food, then swing the “sword” around to stun their prey, so they can eat it. The Swordfish usually eat other fish, and sometimes small invertebrates. These fish also have a special organ near their eyes, which is used to heat their brain and eyes. This helps for when they are very deep, because it helps the Swordfish see much better, and keeps them warm. If you see one of these fish, be careful, they’re really good at fencing!

2nd fastest fish: The Marlin

Time for the fish in second place, the Marlin. This fish is capable of reaching speeds of about 68 Miles per hour. Marlin fish are pretty big in size. They are the largest in the billfish family, which includes Swordfish. The Marlin has a bill very similar to a swordfish, but the Marlins bill is a lot less sharp. The Marlins diet is also very similar to a swordfish’s diet, both mainly eating fish. The heaviest type of Marlin is the Black Marlin, weighing at over 1,500 pounds! That is heavier than a Grand piano! The Black Marlin is actually the heaviest fish in the world! (Not including sharks, of course) Marlins are one of the biggest and heaviest fish ever.

1st fastest fish: The Sailfish

Now, the #1 fastest fish is the Sailfish! The speed of this fish is about 70 miles per hour, which is barely faster than the Marlin, by 2 MPH. Sailfish are another type of billfish, just like the marlin, AND swordfish. The sailfish got its name because- well, it looks like there is a big sail on its back. Another similarity of all these fish, is they all eat the same things, fish and octopuses. But one way the sailfish is different from almost every other fish is that its dorsal fin, (sail looking thing) is able to change colors! They do this to confuse prey, show emotion, and communicate with other Sailfish. The Sailfish is also one of the top predators, and they slash and stab their bill around when they are near a school of fish to hopefully get one of the little fish for a snack.

So now you know, these 3 fastest fish ever also have many cool things they could do, changing colors, to being REALLY heavy, and even having a sword!

Long Way Down

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Long Way Down written by Jason Reynolds is a phenomenal book that captures readers with both its round characters and twisting plot. Long Way Down is written in a different format than traditional novels.

The short poem format can either draw or push readers out. I found this format to be confusing but engaging. The concept of a character going down in an elevator and the chapters counting from six to one adds interest. While approaching sensitive issues like gun violence, Reynolds still manages to make a provocative story with a thrilling storyline. The main character, William goes through a series of “hallucinations” or conversations with people who have passed already in his life. Reynolds touches on the subject of The Rules, which is a set of rules that the characters follow. By mentioning this set of rules over and over again, it shows symbolism and gives the book a feeling of togetherness.

The poems in the story hold cryptic messages that leave the readers thinking. They occur a lot in the chapters and readers will have to spend time to really find clues in them.

However, what I like to look for in a book is an exciting ending that gives me a sense of closure. Long Way Down ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the ending up for debate. It’s an interesting way to end the book after all of the ups and downs that the plot has gone through.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Authors We Love: Franz Kafka

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As one of the most notable authors of the 20th century, Franz Kafka has continued to influence and inspire a new generation of writers. In order to understand the immeasurable impact Kafka has had on literature, we must first come to appreciate his story.

To say the least, Kafka did not have an easy upbringing. Born on July 3rd, 1883, Franz Kafka immediately found himself in an abusive and demeaning parental situation. While Kafka’s overbearing Dad initially halted his dreams of becoming an author, Kafka certainly did not fail to produce beautiful works. 

Kafka is well known for his ability to manipulate characterization as a tool to embody real life problems and situations. His most notable work achieving this feat is a novella titled The Metamorphosis.

The Metamorphosis tells the tale of traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who finds himself waking up as a bug-like creature one morning. Within the novella, Kafka uses Gregor’s character to emphasize the melancholic nature that lies within the overworked and underappreciated working class. This ability to commentate on the state of society within literature is a major strength of Kafka that has continued to live on in the efforts of following author’s.

Kafka’s influence lives on every day, and this impact in literature has even been coined with a term: Kafkaesque. Meaning “a characteristic of the oppressed or nightmarish qualities” shown within “Kafka’s world,” the term Kafkaesque has grown in great popularity in recent times. 

So, whenever you are reading a new book, consider the influence that Kafka may have had on the author. I guarantee if you learn to appreciate Kafka’s work, you will see the world in a new light.

– Taylor O.

Works by Franz Kafka are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.