Corisca

I am on the ferry coming back from Corsica.

[I am a very hard time writing this because the sappiest, least original, terrible, most annoyingly love-sick music is on some stupid loop: and the worst part is, it’s in ENGLISH! It’s not even in French! It is the worst playlist of American music ever imaginable. ˙˙ baaaaaaaaayyyyyyyybyyyyy, it’s not your faaaauuuuuuult ˙˙ ]

It has been a fantastic two weeks of family, activities, nature, swimming, hiking, cooking, exploring, and more.

Our first travel day was very intense: we left New York at 9pm on a Friday evening, and flew, going forward in time, to London. We arrived at Hethrow Airport at 8am, which was actually 3am our time, so it was a night of really little sleep.

What I really remember from the day was sleeping everywhere I had the chance (on subways, park benches, museums, monuments), and the announcements, with the voice of a British automated lady, that you heard on the Heathrow express. It kept replaying again and again and again and again... I’m pretty sure I memorized it and can do it in the exact voice.

Still, it was pretty cool to be in London! I’ve had a fascination with British accents for so long, and it was so fascinating to be in a place where every single person around me had one!

We were only in London for 12 hours, because we took an evening flight to Nice, France. We got to our rental apartment at 12am, and didn’t get to bed until 2am. I think I’ve always had some sort of slight travel anxiety; often when I’m in a new place and I’m going to sleep, I start to feel really off, uncomfortable, and slightly scared, even at my age now. The bed was hard, the room was tacky, my head hurt: all these little things just piled up and I honestly felt so shut down and nervous.

I eventually fell asleep, though, and the next morning my brother and I woke up at 12pm! We left the apartment, bought some amazingly delicious pizzas with rich, creamy cheese and meat, and boarded the ferry to Corsica.

The ride took 6 hours, but my dad, brother, and I shooed my mom away and began a birthday card making factory for my mom’s birthday, which was 2 days away! I had brought a bunch of art supplies from home and we each made her our own card and one big, colorful banner.

We arrived on the island late at night, and took a taxi to the rental car company, and then began a 3 hour drive to our rental.

When we finally got to there, in the town of Belvedere Compomoro, there was no need for any travel anxiety because the apartment was so cute and quaint and perfect. Apartments that we stay in are almost always tacky and so poorly decorated, and I’ve always had a love and curiosity for design, and I really liked this place from the minute I entered it.

Roman and I shared a bed (technically, we shared the bed with his stuffed animals too (-__-), so I only got about a third of the bed, but we both (or should I say the five of us) immediately fell asleep.

The week began with a swim in the gorgeous sea at the Compomoro beach. The water was like a paint pallet of every shade of blue imaginable: baby blue, turquoise, navy. After a swim, some soccer, a picnic, a photoshoot, and reading, we took a hike up and over the stunning cliffs along the coast. I love looking out and seeing just the ocean and sky at their vastness. It’s always so hard to believe that there’s more beyond what the eye can see, because often it looks like the ocean goes on forever.

-wait a minute.

I have just realized that I'm really not so interested in all the specifics of this trip.

What about the feelings, the tastes, the sights, the beauty of Corsica?

The sounds, the ocean, the rocks, the heat?


The quiet, the peace, the energy, the movement?

The poetry of the waves as they shift, the sand as it blows in the wind?

The sights of the sea, the views, that come although are simply different expressions of the same thing, are each so uniquely beautiful?

The walks along the coasts, feet slipping as rocks slide beneath you, but the relief and confidence when you reach the top?

The pleasure that comes from a bite of mouth-watering, creamy cheese on a crunchy, crisp slice of bread?

The pain for your feet when you step on rocks on your way to the water but the feeling that it's all worth it when you emerge into a gorgeous, clean, clear, vast ocean?

The freedom when your body can float and swim and splash and dunk?

The inner triumph when you dive for a ball, catch it, and then fall into the water?

The delight of the ocean as it cools and awakens you?

The radiance of the sun as it heats your body and puts your mind at rest?

The content that comes when you've made people laugh?

The juice that runs down your arms after you've bitten in to the ripest, most succulent peach?

The absence of noise yet the squeals of nature?

Being with the people you love the most and realizing how special they are to you?

The rocky beach with a private inlet for us that led way to the most beautiful body of water in existence that welcomed us on my mom's birthday, and the picnic that we had to celebrate her brilliance.

The fright of my brother at the sight of young, wild boys setting off firecrackers in every little nook and cranny possible.

The hike at Col de Bavella that led to a cliff that I bravely climbed first, where at the top there was a giant whole in the rock and through it seemed to be an entire, undiscovered corner of the universe.

The boat ride in Bonifacio that cruised along the coast and led us into a spectacular cave that sprouted up triangularly and had a natural carving in the top the shape of Corsica itself.



The topless beaches and my brother's natural, sly, but adorable weirded out fascination with the women.

The beach of Porto Legio and its beach with endless sandbars, radiant color, soft sand, sublime water.

My hair blowing as I peered out the window on our endless drives to explore the island.

Our constant visits to Spar supermarket for cheese, bread, plums, nectarines, cookies, sausages.

The citadel in Calvi and my tears wiped away by the positivity and comfort of my parents.

The banana nutella crepe that was utterly devoured as we sat, a play toy of the wind, overlooking the port, in which the average boats didn't seem at all worthy of the picturesque turquoise sea they lay in.

The 8 mile hike to Girolata, both within the green shelter of the forest and the roasting heat of the sun kissed cliffs along the coast, where the view truly increased in spectacularity after each step up. The weariness and fatigue just disappearing as we powered up the last mile with speed and determination.

The forty foot jumps from the massive cliff and the smack, painful yet exhilarating, as we hit the water. The "relaxacoaster" as we hiked up the Riviere du Fango, jumped from rocks, sun tanned like geckos, discovered the natural slides and jaccuzis hidden in mini gorges.

The endless family photos and the smiles that didn't even really have to hide reality because there truly was beacoup du happiness.

The interviews with waiters and workers and people, and uncovering reality through this questioning: hearing so many stories and then thinking about how amazing your own is.

The kayaking in strict silence yet the giggles that inevitably emerge when you break the rules; the row of turtles resting on a long on the side of the river that just seemed to be, not really feeling or not feeling, just being. The flowers and the plants and the lily pads and the water bugs that we went through as we paddled.

The meats from our weber grill that finally gave summer it's much-needed classic taste.

Just endless swimming, endless talking, endless hiking, endless laughter, endless games, endless tastes, endless beauty, endless family is what my experience in Corsica was all about.

Graduation!

Today I graduated from middle school at MS 51. It has been an amazing three years full of experiences that not only will I never forgot, but that have made the moment spectacular.

51 wasn't my first choice. I was actually going to go to this school called Quest to Learn in the city that primarily focused on creating with technology. But after I submitted my application, I realized that I wanted to go to 51. It was close, my friends were going there. So I switched my ranking on the application. And I got in!

I have to say, though: when I toured 51 I wasn't super impressed. And throughout the three years I have had quite a few awful teachers. But regardless of that, I have still had such a brilliant time.

Drama was definitely one of the high lights of my experience. From juggling to playwriting to shakespeare to musicals to plays to monologues to improvisation, I have learned more in drama that from any other subject. I've always been a natural performer; someone eager to be on stage and entertain. But drama at 51 has accentuated my abilities and given me a tremendous amount of skill, courage, experience, ability, and happiness.

Advanced math in 7th and 8th grade has been pretty great. I really learned that math is a natural language to me; it comes easily and it simply makes sense in my mind, and it's something that I will really enjoy. I think I want to go further somehow in math because it is something that is so logically pristine that it's eye-opening to me.
Advanced science this year made up for the flatness of 6th and 7th grade science. My teacher, Ms. Saka, is so passionate and determined in her field and I learned so, so much. I took the "Living Environment" course that is designed for 9th graders but it is an advanced class at 51. I've finally gotten a sturdy, strong grip on the concept of science and living things and the way life is built, and that will definitely help me forever.

ELA was honestly pretty terrible, all three years. I haven't loved my teachers and the curriculum has been really poor and boring and pointless...

French: 6th grade french with Madame DeWever was fantastic. I learned so much in just that first year of second language. But from there, it sort of went totally down hill. The teachers just weren't so passionate and precise and I truly learned nothing after that first year.

Social studies-eh. This year I had Ms. Maier, who is absolutely the worst teacher ever, BUT she has super cool style and is really funny and told us lots of totally random stories! She just got so distracted and off topic all the time that social studies just ended up being a total waste. 6th and 7th grade social studies was pretty okay though; both teachers were extremely devoted and I admired that.

But it's hard to be a teacher, at least from what I can tell. Especially as we got older, some of the kids just begin to not care and go crazy in class, and it's hard to deal with that. But I had a pretty great class this year. Some of the kids were INSANE; they would literally twerk and dance and yell and throw random stuff everywhere everyday during project real, which is the 20 minute "reading" period we have in homeroom after lunch every day. But it was funny and I was happy and I made some of the best friends I have ever had.

It all started on the first day of school when we had to chose seats in homeroom. My table ended up being Asia, Amber, Lily, me, Maya, and Jolene. Maya and Jolene were already friends, and they were also friends with Anjali, whom Amber and Lily were also friends with. I knew Asia from 2nd grade and Amber from 5th, and Lily went o 321 like me. And it all just sorta happened. We talked a lot and started texted each other and I started to eat lunch with them sometimes and I entered their group! Anjali and Paula were also part of the group although they weren't in our class.

And just, I have laughed like CRAZY with these people. We've made endless inside jokes, have gone on so many fun trips, have cried together, mourned together, hung out together, tell stories together, made memories together, sleepovers. Lily was one of my closest friends; we were kind of "Lily & Lola" as a pair and we made an unstoppable team! I don't know how I'm going to survive without her in high school. It's hard to believe we've only been friends for a year because I feel like I know all of them so incredibly well, and I've never gotten bored with them because each moment has been precious and awesome and fun and amazing. They are such a cool group of kids and each and every one of us brings something special to the table.

Today was a really fantastic day. I got to Grand Prospect Hall, the same place where we had prom, at 9am, and put on my blue graduation cap and gown and met my friends inside. We lined up and entered and had this huge ceremony and each student camp up and shook the principals hand a got a flower. After, I took a bunch of photos and then met my friends with my family at this beer garden. We hung out and talked with everyone and it was really fun and sad and sweet.

And then Ms. Bosco came over to us and told me that I had gotten into BARD manhattan! And that just topped my day. I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so incredibly, insanely happy! That was the best news. Now I don't have to worry all summer about where exactly I'm going to high school. AH I'm so happy.

It has been one of the bestest, fullest years of my life. I am so happy and thankful for my friends and family, proud of them, proud of myself. It's really been awesome. I cannot believe that it's over. I only really have four more years left until I have to really start building my own life. But I have had an extraordinary life, and I know that the experiences will only continue to be fantastic.



Ah.

You know how movies have a music soundtrack?
And when it's a super dramatic, this awesome song plays, and it just gives you such an awesome rush!
I wish life had a soundtrack.
When I'm walking, and I have my headphones in my ears, and the music is just loud enough that it just fills me with energy. That's all I hear, and it just feels so great.
I mean, jeez! Whoever's the DJ for life better learn to take some ques.

I rock out on the street when I have headphones in- I mouth the lyrics and kinda act it out. People look at me a little strangely, but I don't care because I feel do pumped!

The Things You Wait For Always Eventually Happen

There are so many choices and decisions we have to make in life. Constantly. There are little choices that we make everyday, like simply choosing what we're going to wear, what we're going to eat, what we're going to do.
But then there are those bigger choices. Or at least you have the illusion that they're bigger. They're the choices that supposedly affect your future in a greater sense. The decisions that we think about so much, but never really think we'll have to actually make a final choice. The idea of the choice is some fantasy we ponder over so, so very much: but, at least for me, I don't truly believe I'll ever actually have to make the choice. Like somehow it will just happen.
But when the time when you really have to sit down and decide once and for all, it's scary. Everything you've ever thought on the matter comes rushing back, and each time you lean towards one side, something about the other pulls you back. And it's a constant see saw. And it's not allowed to lay perfectly balanced and in the middle, because you can't every have both. You have to chose.
I think I was raised with the philosophy of "both." Like if I wanted to try a cookie and a cake, my parents would let me have both. Maybe they thought it would help me form my own opinions and decisions by trying everything.
 But now, making decisions is so, so hard for me! Every time I'm positive with my choice, I feel a sudden urge of guilt and regret. I'm never happy with one. I want both. Both. Or at least a combination.
Oh, if only you could design your own world.

I'm referring to high school.
Bard or Stuyvesant?
I really, honestly don't even know at this point.
Yesterday, I was so set on Stuy. Now, I think Bard just might be for me.
For some weird reason, I feel like I'm gonna lose my outer life, my home, friends life, with whichever school I go to. But I guess wherever I go, I can be me, and I'll still have time and choices and options outside of school. I don't know.

I also really, really hope I stay friends with the friends I have in eighth grade now. They're really special. I have so much fun with them.

Lily, Jolene, Maya, Amber, Asia, Ione, Momo, Grace, Cloe, Hannah Lola, Lucy.

I hope I become a singer/songwriter during high school.

I hope I write another book: like a good, young adult juicy book.

I hope I design something big and useful and awesome.

I hope I have fun.

I really, really hope I'll stay happy wherever I go.

I hope my life turns out okay.

No, not okay.

Fantastic.



Honestly, it better be great. I'm working hard.

Experiences

This past weekend, I did a program called Spark at MIT. I got to take a variety of classes and really get a taste of what college is like. I took an Introduction to Data Science class, a Cosmology class, an Introduction to Programming in Java, How to Navigate a City, the History and Culture of the Internet, Conceptual Calculus, Quirky Linguistics, Psychology of Shopping, and a physics class called "Why are Carrots Orange?". It was really fun! I really want to go to college now, and I felt so professional taking notes and sitting in seminars and lectures. Since I went all the way to Boston just for one night, it felt like a mini business trip!

I feel like I've had so many awesome, advanced experiences in my life. I've explored most every field; science, math, english, technology, design, and more. I'm really lucky to have done all of these things, and I've learned and had so much fun.

I also just got my high school results back. I got into Stuyvesant, and Bard Queens, even though I wanted Bard Manhattan and put it first :(

These are great choices, and even though it's a hard decision, I think I'll have a great time either way. But most of all, I'm just happy and excited! There are so many great things to do in life!

When I was 9 or 10, I started realizing that all books had happy endings. 
Before, reading was so real for me: I would get scared for the characters, and feel like I was in their world.
But then, I started to notice that their lives always turned out perfectly. I started hearing people say, "Life doesn't always have a happy ending." But it did! At least in books.
I would start to be disappointed because I always knew the main character would be safe and happy by the end of the book, so what was the point of reading the story if I knew the ending?
Even now, when I watch TV and the plot is very sad, I know it's all going to work out for the characters.
And in my life, things usually seem to work out in the end.
So I pretend I'm in a book, and I'm the main character: nothing can hurt me, because it will work out in the end.

The Crack

I am so, so happy. My first novel has been published! After a couple years of editing, reformatting, rewriting, and more, The Crack is available for purchase on Amazon!

This is a thrilling moment for me, and seeing my work in the hands of the public will inspire me to keep writing and keep creating so gradually, my ideas will be open for everyone!

I'm so excited!

If purchased through this link, a percentage of the profit will go to my middle school, William Alexander 51.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Crack-Lola-Lafia/dp/1494453282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387147964&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Crack+Lola+Lafia