One Month

I can't believe that it's been a month. Where have the days gone? Not a day has gone by where there isn't some sort of small reminder of you, and even if I get sad, I'd like to keep it that way. I try not to be super sad though, I like to think of all the great memories. I like to think of how lucky I am to have known you for 17 years of my life. And I definitely like to think of how I couldn't have asked for a better birthday buddy and Tia. It's been hard, but we've all been coping with this as a family and I know you'd love that. I'm so thankful that you've made us so family oriented because we would've never been able to get through this without each other. As much as I miss you, as much as we all miss you, I know you're okay. I'm glad that you're not suffering anymore because that just wasn't fair. Earlier, my mom and I were talking about the afterlife. She said that she believes that after you die, you go to someplace where all of your family members are. Before you left us a month ago, I'd never thought about what happens after. Since then, I've been thinking a lot. I really hope my mom is right. It makes sense doesn't it? Your family is there for you no matter what, so nothing should change up there in Heaven. I look forward to the day that we're all reunited up there. It'll be just like it used to. When I go visit you later on today, I'm going to think of all the memories. I'm going to think about how you never had to yell at me (yeaaaah :D), the past 17 birthdays that I was able to share with you, and the thing I'll think about most is all the wisdom you left behind. It's really a beautiful thing. As I think about each family member, I see what you gave them. There truly is a piece of you in all of us. I'm going to miss the little things most of all. I'm going to miss all of us going outside while you smoked your cigarette and you and my mom exchanging the "chisme." I loved listening to you guys talk. Once my mom asked why I never joined in on the conversations and I just said, "I like to listen." It's true. It was so fun to listen to you. I would love when you said something funny, because I would start to laugh and you'd look over to me and crack a big smile. It almost felt like we had some kind of inside joke going on. It must've been a Scorpio thing :) Ohh we miss you so much. It'll never be the same, but we're all learning to adjust and most importantly, we're taking on this transition period together. I love you and miss you so much, it's crazy. I'll be sure to take care of my mom because I know she misses you most of all. I'll always be here to talk to her, just like you were. I love you Tia Sylvia. I miss you. See you soon <33>
Love,

Alexis

Top Ten!

Due to lots of homework, AP classes, and a lack of good ideas, I think that the next few posts will be dedicated to facts about me. These will be very short and simple, but uhm....I'm short and things that make me happy are simple :D So here we gooooooo!

Top Six Movies

1.) Fight Club-1999

My favorite movie of all time. I've seen this movie so many times that I'm sure I know all of the words. It's a great reality check! The plot is intense and the underlying themes are a punch in the face (pun intended). The thing I always liked most about it was that the movie isn't what you expect, so WATCH IT:) It's a little long, two hours and fifteen minutes, but with all the fighting and never ending twists and turns it keeps you hooked. Edward Norton, who plays the main character, gives acting gold. No one was better than Edward Norton in the 90's. Oh and I did I mention that Brad Pitt is in it?;)

"Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who've ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off."

2.) Pulp Fiction-1994

Forever on my top ten list of movies<3>an exercise in Tarantino's technique and style and he does it so well. Pulp Fiction is just one of the those classics that everyone must see!

"Well, there's this passage I've got memorized, sort'a fits the occasion. Ezekiel 25:17? "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers! And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"

3.) Almost Famous-2000

A greaaat movie! And as a matter of fact, my mom showed this one to me:) I love this movie so much because it's centered around the rock and roll scene of the 1970's, which is definitely my favorite time period for music. And this movie is pretty much an inner dream of mine. Becoming a rock journalist for Rolling Stone and getting to go on tour with a band all while writing the cover story on them. Ahhh sounds good! This movie has a great feel for the time period it really captures life on the road. Beautiful! And with an amaaaazing soundtrack :)

"I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if ya never take it seriosuly, ya never get hurt, ya never get hurt, ya always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends."

4.) American History X-1997

You want an intense movie? Don't rent some cheesy, unrealistic action flick. Get American History X! American History X kicks America in the shin and yells, "There's still racsim hereeeee!!" Starring Edward Furlong and Edward Norton (he's too good!), the movie follows the young Danny Vinyard in the race war in Long Beach, California as he truly looks into his feelings about racism. With the present day shot in color and the past shot in black and white it is as visually stimulating as it is mentally. It really makes you think, which any good movie should do.

"There was a moment... when I used to blame everything and everyone... for all the pain and suffering and vile things that happened to me, that I saw happen to my people. Used to blame everybody. Blamed white people, blamed society, blamed God. I didn't get no answers 'cause I was asking the wrong questions. You have to ask the right questions."
"Like what?"
"Has anything you've done made your life better?"

5.) Requiem For A Dream-2000

A very graphic, truthful, and scary story about the dangers of drugs and what happens to users. A requiem is a mass for the dead and since drugs have ruined the dreams of the four young people the movie follows, they must have a requiem for their former dreams. This is one you must see. It's not easy to watch and it doesn't have a happy ending, but it's a movie that'll continue making you think weeks after you've watched it.

"I'm somebody now, Harry. Everybody likes me. Soon, millions of people will see me and they'll all like me. I'll tell them about you, and your father, how good he was to us. Remember? It's a reason to get up in the morning. It's a reason to lose weight, to fit in the red dress. It's a reason to smile. It makes tomorrow all right. What have I got Harry, hm? Why should I even make the bed, or wash the dishes? I do them, but why should I? I'm alone. Your father's gone, you're gone. I got no one to care for. What have I got, Harry? I'm lonely. I'm old."

6.) Shaun of the Dead-2004

American humor gets old after a while. It's pretty repetitive. British humor (or should I say humour?) is not boisterous as American humor is. It's very smart and requires listening. There isn't a British comedian better than Simon Pegg! Shaun of the Dead follows Shaun and his best friend Ed, two normal guys, living a boring life...that is until....there's a zombie outbreak! Spoofing that string of zombie films that came out that year, Shaun of the Dead nails it on the head. There's also a very great meaning about modern life and how disassociated many have become.

"How's that for a slice of fried gold? "

7.) [500] Days of Summer-2009

Definitely the cutest movie that I've seen this year, but as it says in the beginning, it is not a love story. The main thing I loved about this movie was the end. It gives everyone some hope:) See it, see it!

"We've been like Sid and Nancy for months now."
"Summer, Sid stabbed Nancy, seven times with a kitchen knife, I mean we have some disagreements but I hardly think I'm Sid Vicious."
"No I'm Sid."
"Oh, so I'm Nancy..."

Those definitely aren't all of my favorite movies, but they're the top ones. I would go into more detail but it seems that I have Chemistry Homework...whoops!

Anyway, a quick list of other favorites and must see's:

-The Departed

-Reservoir Dogs

-Rocky Horror Picture Show

-Edward Scissorhands

-Goodfellas

--Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2

-Natural Born Killers

-True Romance

-And everything else Quentin Tarantino or Tim Burton touched :)

Until Next Time!

Love,

Alexis, Movie Lover!