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The Children’s Book That Launched A Million Stories For Our Generation

This post was written two years ago but I figured that there should be a special reason for this to be published and frankly, I could not think of a better day than today.

Today we celebrate two decades of magic through the Harry Potter book series. In June 26, 1997, then struggling writer Joanne Rowling, finally had her debut novel released. It was called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, published under Bloomsbury Publishing in London. In the book, J.K. Rowling (a pen name assumed because the publishers thought the author should have a genderless tone), tells the story of a boy whose magical abilities lead him to studying in a magical school and defeating the world’s most evil wizard.

To this day, the Harry Potter series remains to be one of the most influential books our generation has ever seen. I could site all the awards and charts this book has been listed in but that would be a waste of time for both you and me (unless you came here for the information, in which case, feel free to click here). I could however, show you just how much impact it left in the lives of normal people, like you and me.

First, you can go check out this blog post that I wrote about a year ago about my love for Harry Potter and anything related to it. It’s password protected and the only way to unlock it is by knowing your standard spells. (Hint: You can check this page for the charm you need. Remember to type it as you see it!)

Second, if you’re tired of reading one blog post after another, go check out the YouTube playlist below. It’s a series of videos from a channel called CallMeIshmael which encourages people to call and relay their stories about a book they loved through his voicemail.

“I’m Dominique and I’m the girl who lived, too…”

-The Girl Who Lived, CallMeIshmael

5 Videos That Will Make Valentines Day Bearable

 

 

1. If you miss having butterflies in your stomach…

These kids will make you remember what it’s like to be so innocently attracted to someone without the goddamn complications life has to offer.

“We’re best friends, and I have a crush on her. She doesn’t know it… She doesn’t know that but I think she has a crush on me too.”

2. If you’re finally spending Valentines Day alone after years of being with someone…

Here’s a drunk Hannah Hart to tell you why you should focus on loving yourself before loving someone new.

“Because it shouldn’t be the circumstance that shapes you, it’s should be the way you react to circumstance…”

3. If the idea of V-Day has become so stale for you and your long-term partner that you’d really rather stay at home…

Maybe these cute trivia would make yo excited about the concept again?

“Women who believe in gender equality are more likely to be in a relationship than women who don’t identify as feminists.”

4. If you’re feeling frisky and you need some serious calm-me-down tune to listen to…

Then don’t watch this video. It’s gonna make you feel A LOT frisky. I blame the sax part. NGHHH.

5. If you want to remember what Valentines Day really is about…

Because marketing has ruined it for all of us. Here’s me, singing a love song that I think tells us what this day really is all about. Happy Valentines Day, b*tches. I love you!

 

To The Woman You Are, And The Woman You Used To Be

“Sana ‘wag kang magbabago.” (My wish is that you never change.)

I’ve been in a dozen debut parties and there was NEVER a time when I didn’t hear this spoken. Don’t ever change. When you’re 18, sitting on a makeshift throne, bedazzled in a gown with all kinds of beads and sequins, with all your relatives and friends in front of you, celebrating your lady-hood, this doesn’t seem to matter.

But it does. It does matter.

It matters because after a couple of years, when you’re 25 and left alone, working late at night, you will look back at your awkward debut photos and you’re gonna wish you asked your Tita why she said that, and what she meant by that. What was she feeling? What battles were she fighting back then, for her to have said that? Why is that at 18, you’re expected to change, and never change all at the same time?

It matters because you’re going to look back and realize and that you’ve changed, and you couldn’t have helped it if you tried.

It matters because by the time you realize you’ve changed, you’re gonna feel like you’ve lost your way and it’s all your fault.

It matters because by the time you’re 25 Sara Bareilles would release this song, and you’re gonna feel A LOT OF FEELS.

She’s imperfect but she tries
She is good but she lies
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won’t ask for help
She is messy but she’s kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up
And baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone but she used to be mine

This Is For You, 13-Year Old Pretty Girl

She just wants to be beautiful
She goes unnoticed, she knows no limits
She craves attention, she praises an image

She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor

Oh, she don’t see the light that’s shining
Deep within the eyes, can’t find it

Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain and cuddle woes away
Cause cover girls don’t cry after their face is made

But there’s a hope that’s waiting for you in the dark
You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are
And you don’t have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful
And you don’t have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful

She has dreams to be an envy, so she’s starving

You know, cover girls eat nothing
She says “beauty is pain and there’s beauty in everything
What’s a little bit of hunger?”
I could go a little while longer, she fades away

She don’t see her perfect, she don’t understand she’s worth it
Or that beauty goes deep within the surface
So to all the girls that’s hurting
Let me be your mirror, help you see a little bit clearer
The light that shine’s within

There’s a hope that’s waiting for you in the dark
You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are
And you don’t have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful

No better you than the you that you are
No better life than the life we’re living
No better time for your shine, you’re a star
Oh, you’re beautiful, oh, you’re beautiful

And there’s a hope that’s waiting for you in the dark
You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are
And you don’t have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful

And you don’t have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful

Even kids and puppets sound wiser than most of us sometimes

“Helping the people around you, that is simple. It’s easier than you think! You don’t have to have all the answers, you do not have to be super strong, you just gotta show up.”

“Sometimes I think I’m too short. But you know what, life’s too short to worry about being too short.”

“Sometimes life is tough, but so are you.”

“People who make the world better for other people are some of the best people.”

“It’s cool we’re on the same planet at the same time. Let us all be friends!”