Imagination Overdose

WARNING: The uses of "imagination" and "image" are used frequently in this blog post. Prepared to be annoyed!

Imagine (v)- Full mental image or concept of; to believe in; to exist or be so; to suppose or assume.

My imagination is what keeps me sane, it's take on a huge part of my life. On a daily basis I constantly find myself in a dreamlike state, a world full of possibilities. People, places, ideas and everything in between creep their way into my thoughts. Pictures flying around in my mind, ideas and innovations are formed. Creating a new light for some who aren't "in touch" with their imaginative self.

My confession today, I use my imagination way too much for the average person. In short, I frequently have "Imagination Overdose".

To merely picture a world without the wonders of the human imagination, makes me sick to my stomach. Who would want to live in a world where we, as people, are all the same. No creativity to set us apart, no special traits that makes us unique, nothing. Just plain, simple, non thinking. If the world was that way, then I might as well be considered dead. I don't see any point in living in a place where my thoughts are shunned or my personal self is alienated because of the various concepts I create with my mind.

When I say I have an overactive imagination, I'm really not kidding. At times, I'll find myself having a conversation (details and all) with no other living person in the room. It's quite odd, and some would even suggest I get checked out for schizophrenia. No, my lovely readers, I'm not schizophrenic. No, I'm not denying a problem that I might have. I'm just me, I've always been this way. Talking to myself as if someone is sitting right there next to me, having a detailed conversation with the air, constantly acting as if I have my best friend over when in reality there really is no one there. It is odd, I won't deny that. It's even possibly creepy, but I'm used to it by now and I don't think I'd want it to change. I guess living with something like that, you just get used to it.

Aside from having ADHD, I don't have any problems with my mind. I've been tested, and I assure you, you're not reading the blog of an insane teenage nobody. Because clearly the blog states "Confessions of a Teenage Somebody". I was never a nobody, and I never will be. I firmly believe that all minds work differently. Some people are more logical, while others are just off the spectrum of Logic and into a whole different ballpark. I, for one, am proud to consider myself all over the spectrum. Every one person does have the human instinct to talk to themselves, sometimes it just happens but no one will admit to anyone. I've found tons of people fear what others think. You may say "I don't give a crap what people think." but really you kind of do just by stating that. Everyone does, I think its just a human instinct. Sorry, got off topic there! Maybe this topic should be another blog...I'll be pondering it.

Going back on track to the wonders of imagination! Did you ever happen to read a book and you don't realize that you're reading at all, you're picturing what is going on inside your head? It's kind of like a movie, in a sense. With every word you read, a new image forms creating a huge tornado within your mind's eye. A tornado chalkfull of inspiration, ideas, thoughts, emotions, creativity.

Within the mind we can create our own world, our own heaven and hell, our own universe. There are no rules to playing around with your imagination, do whatever you like, say whatever you like. No one will judge, for they are thinking strange things as well. Whether the thoughts exist in the real world or not, you can explore your options. The sky's not the limit, because there is none.

My imagination gets put to the test everyday. With a creative, unique and "think outside the box" thought process I have, it's easy to forget to stay in the real world. Sometimes, I wish to just stay put in my mind, my thoughts. I wish to never be anywhere but my safe happy place, where no one can hurt me.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

I love this quote, it's symbolic and speaks to me above most others. It was said by Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter (You were waiting for it, weren't you!). And this quote really hits home, I am always having an up hill battle with forgetting to live in the real world, and to stop dwelling on dreams and thoughts all the time. I'd rather stay in my mind then face the various problems I face everyday. This, my lovely readers, is my escape mechanism. Yes, I'll be the first to admit, I try to escape often. But sooner than later, I know what I have to do, face my problems head on otherwise they'll just escalate into a great cookie monster trying to eat me (Good analogy?).

My imagination is my life, my air, my heart and my soul. I wouldn't ever exchange it for anything on this planet, ever. And yes, that includes a one-on-one meeting with the queen of Harry Potter herself, Jo Rowling. I surprised myself with that last sentence too! My imagination is what keeps my sane, along with tons of other things as well. If in the event that I would lose such a treasured gift, more than likely, I'd suffocate from my being bottled up, to not expressing myself in anyway. I rely on my mind, for imaginative ideas and otherwise.

My solution to my confession, hopefully not lose my grip on the reality of life, by hiding in my imagination. To be still creative, passionate and imaginative! All the while working peacefully with the reality I live in everyday.

TTFN!

Letters of Change

Here's the letters that I wrote to my New York senators at The Rescue in NYC for Invisible Children. They were both roughly the same, so think of this like a happy medium, the best of both worlds and the masterpiece that just might change the world! (Maybe...not that far! But I can dream can't I?). So here it is folks, the "happy medium" letter that was written in under 30 minutes! Some things are added in, I'll probably post a picture too! But first...

My confession today, I wrote a Letter of Change. This will make a difference, my voice (along with so many others) will be heard. United as one, our Letters of Change will create justice, peace and happiness. As they say, "All for one, and one for all."

"Dear Senator Schumer and/or Senator Gillibrand,

My name is Angelia, I'm seventeen and a junior in high school. I got involved with Invisible Children about two weeks ago, and ever since I've been working to advocate a cause that I fell in love with. In the past two weeks I have barely had a thought that didn't contain what's happening in Northern Uganda and Congo. This noble cause has changed my entire life.

Just think: Rebels burst into your home, they take you son or daughter. Both genders aren't given a choice, freedom's are taken away, rights as human beings no longer exist. A47's shoved into the boys' shaking hands and screaming girl's cry out in pain as they are taken captive as sex slaves. Tear's streaming down both cheeks, they're told "If you cry, we will kill you" Is that a world you really want to live in?

So I urge you, please let's rescue these child soldiers and children from enslavement in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Since President Obama has been elected into office, we as a country have been chanting "Change has come to America" and "Yes we can". Let's change it up a bit, "Change will come to Northern Uganda and Congo" and "Yes we will bring home these child soldiers, these children that have been abducted. Yes we can rescue them, united as one. One country, one heart." The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) must be stopped. Enough is enough, this won't go on any longer. They must be brought to justice.

Please Senator(s) I beg you, help rescue these children. They've seen and done horrors that no one person should ever encounter. They've seen the true evil in life, but it doesn't have to be that way. Life is beautiful and inspirational, show these children what life can potentially be. Rescue them, and bring down the LRA forever.

Sincerely,

Angelia Simeti"

So that's about it! Some stuff was added in there, but for the most part, everything that was on my papers came onto this laptop screen. Seeing as I only took two pictures of one letter, you'll be getting the somewhat abridged version.

(Ignore my messy hand writing, it's usually neat. And all my scribbles too, it happens alot.)

My solution to my confession, I will keep writing Letters of Change. I will keep pushing my government to take action. I will, united with Invisible Children, end this war.

TTFN!

Proud Activist + The Rescue NYC

Three thousand people came to the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. Three Thousand people walked across the bridge to make their voices heard. Three Thousand people slept on the cold, hard ground for children that they'll never meet in their lives. Three thousand people protested to end the on going war in Northern Uganda and Congo. One of those three thousand people, was me.

My confession today, I'm a proud activist.

The Rescue. To honestly say that this event was the best thing that has ever happened in my short lived life, would be a MASSIVE understatement. The energy was incredible, the passion was invigorating, the voices were hopeful, the people were amazing. We in New York City stood at three thousand people, united as one in hopes to end the war in Uganda and Congo. As a unit, we made the sacrifice to spend twenty-four hours in the streets. On the night of April 25th, we all shared one voice, one hope, one heart. Together, we created media attention to catch the eye of the people who don't know. Together, along with One HUNDRED other cities, we spoke for the voiceless child soldiers and people in Norther Uganda and Congo.

It was amazing. I was breathless so many times, and not just from the blistering heat or the many boxes and lights I helped carry. But from the people who care, the people who helped make our voices heard for the children. I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't cry, because I did. It all felt like a dream, I never believed that there was so many people who actually cared. Sure, I saw the number on the site for New York City. But I really don't think it hit me until that night, when we all stood as one. That night, I made so many life long friends. People who are just as passionate about this cause as I am.

I'm so unbelievably thankful that I got involved with this outstanding cause. I've been hardcore advocating since the past two weeks, urging anyone that will listen to just go out and lend their support. And it really paid off. I didn't expect anything in return, I didn't expect that I'd care for people I only just met, I didn't expect anything to be so moving. What I got in return was nothing any one person could ever give me, a sense of true belonging.

In the Harry Potter fandom, I feel as though I can truly be myself. That I never have to hide in fear of being on the receiving end of a joke. I never actually met a hardcore Harry Potter fan like myself, I never sat down and talked to them face to face. Never in my life have I felt more at home than online with this amazing fandom. But it's not the same as being face to face with someone who is just as passionate as you are. I hope to meet all my friends here on the ning, as well as myleaky. April 25th was the day that I felt like I found my home, my mecca, my sweet and safe haven. People, just like me, want to make a difference. Never in my dizziest days, did I think I'd feel such an amazing energy as I did that day and night. It was indescribable, amazing and magical (all pun intended :D ).

On our way in Manhattan, my mom was trying to find her way to the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park. Our LRA campsite for the night. Seeing as she didn't listen to my directions at all, we got lost. Effectively making me late to the volunteer meeting before The Rescue. It was about 9:30 or so at this time. There was an accident going from the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn bridge to the Brooklyn side (does that make any sense?). So there was NO WAY I could have gotten to the meeting even remotely on time. Our solution: walk, across the Brooklyn Bridge and down to the park.

And so we did, me and my two friends! I carried a HUGE box of rope (2,00 feet!) more than half of the way, which sounds crazy. In short, we got lost (I have no idea how this happened honestly). We asked a police officer for help, and he escorted us to the park. I met the rest of the volunteer team, and I even met Laren Poole, one of the CEOs of Invisible Children. He was amazingly awesome in every way imaginable. That day, we volunteers did some hardcore manual labor. But it all paid off that night, to see the smiling, hopeful faces of the people who cared about children that they will never meet in their lives. It was all so worth it.

Around 2 pm, me and the abduction site team went to New York City Hall, our destined abduction site. At around 5:30 pm we started the walk, peaceful and meaningful. Over 3,000 people showed up at the site. And it was amazing. My group was the last to go, effectively ending the walk with mostly volunteers who didn't stay behind to make sure there wasn't any stragelers. When I got into the park, Laren was speaking. He was stating why we were staying the night, the cause we were sacrificing twenty-four hours for, the children we were speaking for. His speech was moving, touching and so heartfelt that tears formed into my eyes.

Later on, all 3,00 people formed an ocean of bodies and we did some photo opts and documentary footage for the next Invisible Children movie about The Rescue. This, made me almost bawl out in tears right then and there. The atmosphere was full of hope and impending change. We all felt that night that we WERE going to make a difference, our voices WERE going to be heard, we wouldn't leave until we got rescued.

Around 8 or 9 pm that night, New York CIty got rescued! Chris Lowell, Yin Chang, Jon Turtletaub, Amy Eldon Turteltaub, Jay Baruchel and Teresa Palmer all came out to rescue us! They're speeches were inspiring and outstanding as well. Just perfect. After being rescued (and a bit before), we were told to start writing our letters to our government officials. For me, it was Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, my New York senators. They, along with numerous others, were supposed to come out and rescue the brave souls who bared the the night in the park. But they never showed, whether they had another engagement or something important, we'll never know. But what is important is that NYC got RESCUED!

There are still cities out there who need rescuing! We went from one hundred to approximentley three or four cities awaiting their rescuers. Please, help them get rescued! Bring these brave souls home so we can all start doing even MORE work to help end this on going war in Uganda and Congo. Go to www.invisiblechildren.com or www.nightof.therescue.invisiblechildren.com and see what YOU can do to help EVERYONE be rescued. We won't rest until every single city is rescued and we let people know that this isn't okay to ignore this problem. We said "Never Again", so why is it still happening?

To sum up everything I felt at The Rescue in New York City in three simple words: amazing, hopeful, inspiring. I loved every single minute of this event. The aching muscles, the sore throat, the blazing fever , the scorching sunburn: was all worth it. And I'd do this all again in a heartbeat, just to see the faces of the hopeful, the voices of the activist, the determined looks of the inspiring. I wouldn't hesitate to do it ALL over again.

My solution to my confession, keep working to find justice in the world. I'm no super heroine, but I can damn well try as hard as I can to be like one. I will save the world. I will make change. I will break down the walls of injustice. I will not give up, ever.

TTFN!

Severely Depressed

I've been thinking lately, how can one person get into such a deep depression that they can't pull themselves out? How did I get out of that horrid place, and how did I get there in the first place? Yes, you read correctly faithful readers, at one point (not too long ago) I was in that state of mind. You wouldn't have guessed from my "happy-go-lucky" mood and demeanor, but I've been in a dark place. Those were bad times, bad times.

My confession today, I was severely depressed.

Just to assure my rabid readers (Rita Skeeter's taking over my writing! AH!), I am NO longer under the "dictatorship" that is depression. No, I am extremely content and happy with myself. Although I do have those moments where I'm obviously not, but I try to take them in stride. I can only deal with so much, any one person can only deal with so much. And sometimes, you just break because you can't hold on to such negative things anymore. I broke at one point, and it was bad.

Those were dark times, dark times. I truly believed that I was alone in the world, and no one would take on the task to come and rescue me. I was a firm believer that (for lack of a better phrase) my life sucked and it wouldn't be getting any better in the years to come. I honestly thought that no one wanted to be around me, no one wanted to help me through my problems, no one wanted me. Not so much in the sense of romance, but in the sense of camaraderie, friendship. I thought no one loved me, but I was wrong.

Through the Summer of 2008 I became increasingly isolated. And to be honest, it scared me to death. I didn't realize the extend that I was going to not be in contact with people, it was unhealthy. As my depression got worse, so did my temper and attitude. I remeber constantly snapping randomly at my family and friends. I remember always taking things the wrong way, and I basically made myself think that everyone was out to get me. But they weren't.

Around about the last few weeks of August, I cracked. I was so devestatingly close to a nervous break down it was quite scary. I cried all the time, and at the most random moments too (it was weird, not gonna lie). I'd just get really quite and listen to nothing, or I'd get very angry and start randomly shaking from my anger. I remeber the day I finally lost it.

Naturally it was sunny and gorgeous outside, I was sitting in my newly painted Sunshine Yellow room. It was bright, happy and cheerful. The exact opposite of what I was feeling at that moment in time. I just sat there, sunshine blazing through my closed window. My air-conditioner running on high, and it was freezing up there. My gaze was transfixed on the wall in front of me, my pictures of happier times were smiling back. It was almost as if they were taunting me, saying silently that I might never see happiness again. A carefree times with no worries but if your ice cream was going to melt before you ate it. I stared, and stared, and stared until my eyes were burning with unshed tears. One lone tear made it's way down my pale face, and then another. Until I just couldn't take it anymore, the weight of my depression was crushing me and I finally snapped under the pressure.  I cried for hours, lonely and alone in my cheerful room. My mind was blank, I couldn't even think. I tried, goddess knows I tried to think of something, anything. But nothing ever came.

Until an hour later. I snapped up into a sitting position, I had an epiphany. I was not going to stay like this, I was going to this monster that crept it's way into my way. I was going to stop this, no farther will I sink into oblivion. If no one is coming to rescue me, then I'm just gonna have to rescue myself. I knew I could do it, I did do it. With extra help from lovely people of course, but my mentally changed at that point. I was no longer going to be susceptible to this monster. Nope, never again will I go back to that dark place. Ever.

It took a few months, and I'm still healing and working everything out. I have to dig deep to find what really made me get to the point where I thought I wasn't going to return. To be honest, I really don't like digging deep. It only brings up horrible memories of things I'd much rather forget. But I won't stop, I'm gonna keep going. Although I'm not fully recovered, I'm just about there. I made it, I fought what I thought was the impossible and I came back alive doing it.

"Everything happens for a reason."

Tons of people say it, most mean it. But I'm a hardcore believer, everything does happen for a reason. Maybe I got into that severe depression, and came out victorious, so I could be a stronger person. Stronger than I started out with, stronger than I ever imagined.

My solution to my confession, stop thinking negative thoughts. It won't get you anywhere, and to say that might be easier said than done. But it's all a mental thing ya know, you think you can do it, you will do it.

I'm off, sorry I didn't post this earlier! I've been busy doing tons of amazing things with my life, I think everything is really falling into place :)

TTFN!

Happy

I'm BEYOND elated right now! Euphoric happiness is coming off of me in waves! I can't even begin to describe the state that I'm in right now. Wait for it...SQUEEEEEEEEE! (in true Sue Upton fashion). It's almost as if Happy Nargles have taken over my mind and Imperioed me into such a state. They're no Emo Nargles, YAY!

My confession today, I'm happy.

Speaking of things Harry Potter related (don't you just love segways?), I have uber exciting news explaining my I'm so unbelievably happy. On Wednesday, I was offered a staffing position and co-leader position on a project at...the Harry Potter Alliance! This is so amazingly squeeful! Honestly, the news just hit me now. Weird right? I think I was in complete shock for about 3 days or so. Guys, A CO-LEADER on a project and STAFF MEMBER?! ZOMGYAY! I'm going full on teenage fangirl right now, but I could care less. I still can't really believe it, me on the HPA as a staff member. Me, Angelia Louise Simeti, the seventeen year old Harry Potter obsessed girl who never knew that she could really make a difference in the world. Me. This is huge- No, this is epic. Epically EPIC.

Here's the story: This all happened after my blog post (see previous blog post) was posted on the HPA main site. I've gotten such amazing feedback from people, it's just brilliantly outstanding! I started talking to some of the HPA members about a possible project where the HPA and Invisible Children combine their awesome forces, and rid Northern Uganda and Congo of this Voldemort (Joseph Kony). I had a Gryffindor moment, and decided to take the idea to the head honcho himself, Andrew Slack. He co-founded and is the Executive Director of the HPA, he's just an all around amazing person trying to save the world like the rest of us. I emailed him via HPA Common Room, and I told him about a possible future project involving the HPA and Invisible Children together. This is what Dumbledore would love, to help these kids and other suffering from genocide around the area (especially in Darfur). Considering the fact that I was in school, I couldn't check my email frequently. Because I totally would have been going on every minute constantly refreshing, seriously. He emailed me back saying it was a great idea, and he'd love to create a partnership with Invisible Children. He even stated that my "passion was electrifying", I almost died right there. THERE'S MORE! He said and I quote: "I would LOVE for you to take the lead with me in developing this partnership...Would you be interested in joining the HPA staff? I know that myself and the rest of the staff would be thrilled to have you on board. There's much that needs to be done and it would be excellent to have you with us, doing it!" 

I don't think I've ever squeed so loud in a public place before, not to mention my high school library full of kids my age. After squeeing loud enough for all of Deer Park High School to hear, I was reduced to a state of speechlessness. To say I was shocked would be a massive understatement. Quite literally, I couldn't form words. The sounds that my mouth omitted were little squeaks of excitement and gasps of breath. Within 5 minutes of staring at my screen, my best friend (who was beside me of course doing a project for her English class) looked over to me and asked what was wrong. Slowly, I turned to her. My eyes wide and tears quickly filling them, without saying a word I pointed to the computer screen in front of me. After she read the email Andrew sent to me, she was shocked as well.

"Oh my god"

I nod my head a little, still not believing what I just read.

"You're speechless?!"

Again, a nod answered her question.

"Angelia, you're never speechless."

Finally I broke my silence by basically shouting "I KNOW! OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD! SQUEEEE!" Needless to say, I was beyond excited about the news. After I was done squeeing my head off (probably every junior in there looked at me funnily, but I didn't care), I basically ran to the main desk and asked if I could use the phone. I called my mom, and she was beyond excited too! I hurriedly explained to her what Andrew said and she was just as shocked as I was. The teacher who was monitoring the library desk overheard my excited chat with my mom, and told me to tell her everything (she's one of those laid back and easy to talk to teachers). I proceeded to tell her everything, I was way too excited to keep my voice down. So I'm guessing every damn person in the library heard of my newly found staffing and co-leader position.

My solution to my confession, nothing. I'll continue to bask in my happiness for as long as I want. Everyone deserves to be happy at some point.

I'm finding that I've been epically failing to update this almost everyday. Two words: EPIC FAIL. But you're still getting a story anyway! Even if it is a few days late :D

TTFN!

Abducted

This is blog post straight from the HPA ning. (Without the spelling mistakes thanks to Emeline!). Enjoy, and be aware.

‘So I Just read and article about and signed up for Invisible Children. And I was honestly floored, I had no clue that any of this was even happening. Sure, I had a slight idea of child soldiers, and violence happening in Northern Uganda and Congo, but to the extent shown in the video: No Way.

In a certain aspect I feel terrible, I constantly tell people to break the cycle of ignorance and do something in the world. Yet, this war has been going on for over 20 years and I didn’t even have enough sense to read about it? I feel as though I’m a major hypocrite in some way, although I know this may not be the case. So I’m gonna do something about “my ignorance” to child soldiers in Northern Uganda and Congo. I’m abducting myself, as are many others to take a stand against Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers. April 25th, in over 100 cities over the world people will abduct themselves to free those who have been unfortunately abducted. I ask anyone who reads this: Sign up! Be abducted and let these child soldiers know that they aren’t alone, we’re going to fight for them until this war is finally over. That’s it, the gloves are off now. Let it be officially stated that Angelia Simeti has joined the Invisible Children cause and IS NOT giving up on these kids without a damn good fight.

My heart literally broke as I watched the wonderfully made 30 minute video on the terror thats been happening for over 20 years. I sat on my comfortable, little couch. Never expecting something that would alter my life forever. I have the luxury to sit here and type this, while kids my age (seventeen) are fighting for their lives (as well as their families I’m sure). I complain everyday about school, family, friends, such trivial things compared to what’s happening in Northern Uganda and Congo. There’s people MY FREAKIN’ AGE who’ve seen such horrors, that I couldn’t even begin to describe. I can’t relate to them, I can’t say “I totally understand what you’re going through” because I don’t. Plain and simple, I have the privilege and honor of having a safe environment, with loving people around me, a school that cares enough to push me to my fullest potential (albeit, sometimes it doesn’t seem that way). But these children, these teenagers are denied the basic nesscessities that we, as teenagers and as younger children, need in order to grow up. To become more mature.

Every child should have that privilege- no, that RIGHT. It’s their birthright. They deserve everything I’ve been given, if not more. If I honestly could just walk up to Joseph Kony and make him stop this reign of terror he’s had for so long: I’d willingly die a happy woman. If I could give these kids the opportunities that they’ve missed, I could say that my life’s work and mission is complete. I wish, I hope, I even pray that this will all end.

Alas, I know it won’t. Not until something’s done, not until we show the world how much WE, as human beings, want this to change. WE have to stand up together, we’re stronger in numbers than we are individually. Since President Obama has been officially elected into office, we’ve been chanting “Change has come to America”, “Yes We Can”. Let’s change it: “Change has come to the WORLD, We stand together and fight ALL the evil that’s been plaguing the world”, “Yes WE UNITED TOGETHER can bring justice for the child soldiers in Northern Uganda and Congo.”

I urge you: shout it from the roof tops, scream it down your neighbor’s block, yell it from the depths of your soul! Take a stand, bring over 3,000 children home to their families. Rescue them, and abduct yourself. Urge someone influential, (whether it be a celebrity, icon, political figure or just some average joe who wants to stand up with you) to take a stand and abduct themselves April 25th.

Please, if not for yourselves and your heart: then for the kids who’ve been abducted from their beds, snatched from their families and everything they knew. Please, help rescue them! I’m abducting myself, and so should you. April 25th, in over 100 cities across the world, be there and show the world how much we care.’

Please don't hesitate to check www.invisiblechildren.com!

TTFN!

Selfish and Ignorant

NOTE: Sorry! I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I quite literally took a shower and passed out right after. Which was about 10:30, and that's extremely weird because I'm a "night owl" (Hedwig II anyone?). Anyway, on with the blog!

I look around my school cafeteria today, and I don't think I've ever realized how separated everyone was before. All into their own little worlds containing their vain melodramatic problems, unimportant information that doesn't concern anyone but themselves, and thoughts that don't show a care in the world about anyone suffering outside of their small protect bubble.

I can only imagine what is racing through their minds at that moment: family, friends, love, sex, parties, college. For the select few that carry other burdens, I tip my imaginary hat to them. Job well done guys, you're not being superficial! Cheers! But I'm not one to judge, for I have lost my way, where my morals stand and became just a superficial (and trivial) teenage girl. With nothing other to look forward to then shopping on a Saturday afternoon or drama-filled sleepover for Friday night. At one point, I was concerned with no one other than myself, my problems and my dreams. My very own love dilemmas and melodramatic quarrels that will end in an hours time. I considered my ignorance to be blissful, I only had to just simply reach my goals; and make sure no one back-stabbed me in the process.

In the past year or so, I've found my way again. I know what my morals are, how far I can push myself and how far I'm willing to go to achieve what I want. Within the past year, I've found parts of myself. Albeit, I still haven't found my whole self; but I'm working on it. However, as I've been on a journey of epic self discovery, I'm not at all comfortable with making myself out to be like a poster-child for change and teenage self discovery.

My confessions today, I'm selfish and ignorant.

As I've been discovering myself, worrying about my "love troubles" and wanting to escape high school by graduating early; I came to a realization that I've been turning a blind eye to the world and the happenings around me. I'll be the first to admit: I, Angelia Simeti, am ashamed of myself for not opening my eyes (so to speak) and seeing the world for what its come to be. People dying, whether it be by people or epidemics. Money flying out of our hands and into the wind, people losing their homes because of that. Everyone fighting with each other over the stupidest things. The one major problem that I'm still stuck on is, someone like you or myself is being killed by another human being as I type this. That ladies and gentlemen is called genocide.

Let me say, I am not stupid by any sense of the imagination. Quite the contrary, my intellect is actually great for a person my age. I'm fully aware that everyday someone dies. At one point in everyones lives, they will die. It's a natural part of the "Circle of Life" (Lion King reference if anyone caught that!). But, I had no idea that mass genocide was still happening in the modern day world. Sure, I've heard about genocide happening from a couple of years ago and from decades ago as well; but subconsciously I thought that all those problems were solved already. I was wrong, EPIC wrongness.

With that being said, I knew very little about what happened in Rwanda (I was only two) and what is happening in Darfur right now. To say that I had an idea would be an understatement that I am not particularly proud to make. What really got me was what is happening in Northern Uganda and Congo right now. Children are being abducted from their beds and their homes and forced to become child soldiers. People my age, seventeen, have done terrible things against their will. Things that I couldn't even fathom in my wildest nightmares.

This all started Easter sunday morning, I was completely sleep deprived (I blame fanfiction and my unusual sleeping habits, given the fact that I was on Spring Break for the whole previous week). My eyes were sore from reading a long fanfiction, I decided to quickly go on the HPA "Common Room" on the ning social network before finally going to bed (c. 6am). Never thinking for one measly second, that one blog by a college girl in the UK would change my life forever.

Having recently become more heavily involved in the HPA, I naturally started friending people on the ning. I friended so many people at this point that I couldn't tell people apart who they were and what they did something around the site (that got updated minutely). This girl Lizzy posted a blog titled: "Calling Harry Potter to the Rescue". Of course having those words formed in such a way I decided: "Oh what the hell, I'll just give it a quick read, and comment on it. Then I'm off to bed." Lizzy changed my whole life, and I sincerely mean that. I read about the horrors she described in her blog post, and what is happening on April 25th, 2009. A rally to free those children that have been abducted by "abducting yourself".

Now, I won't go into details here (maybe next blog post) but after having read her blog post, I immediately went the website she provided kindly (http://www.invisiblechildren.com/). Then I continued on to read about the organization, its past projects, their mission and finally I watched the documentary the three young film-makers who run Invisible Children made. And I was pulled in willingly. I cried, I smiled and I even got so frustrated and angry that I had to put the video on pause and calm myself down. After watching the documentary and knowing enough about Invisible Children, I didn't hesitate to blog about it on the HPA ning.

Within a day or two, someone by the username of Shillelagh82 commented my blog (after Lizzy of course) and asked if she could post my blog on the site. Of course, I said yes, and for her to completely go for it, to spread the awareness of the cause! What I didn't realize was that she was posting it on the MAIN SITE. You can just guess my shell shocked demeanor when I opened up HPA to see my blog as the first headline of news. I was all smiles the rest of the day! The feed back I got from other HPA members was incredible. I expected to people to start catching on after having me bombard them with event invites, comments and discussion topics. I was floored, people are so inspirational sometimes! It's amazing!

My solution to my confession, I'm going to do pour my energies into more important and pressing matters instead of trivial things. I WILL NOT give up on these kids without a damn good fight!

I must go, I've been writing this for what seems like forever!

TTFN!

New

Hello! If you haven't already figured it out, I'm Angelia. I've been blogging for a couple of years now, nothing new with that. I had a LJ account, but it was "blocking my creative flow". For me at least it was. You can read my "In Case You Were Wondering" description, and that'll give you an idea about me. Some other vaitail information about me: I'm a proud Harry Potter and Twilight fan. Who would've thought someone could be obsessed with both! I'm a heavy sarcastic, see sentence before this one if you don't believe me.

Currently, I'm an activist. I suppose I always have been, but as of recently I'm really getting into the whole "saving the world" bit. It's actually quite rewarding in more ways than one. Being that, for me at least, it give me a sense of fulfillment and purpose. With that being said, I'm also a proud member of the Harry Potter Alliance (www.thehpalliance.org); which gives Harry Potter activists an outlet to use their knowledge from the books (and movies) and use it for something more... meaningful I guess you can say. We're fighting all evil around the world, one Voldemort at a time!

Along with being a Harry Potter and Twilight fangirl, I read like nobody's business. Quite literally, I always have a book on me. And if you see me, I'll more than likely be reading. I'm also an aspiring writer, hoping to get a few books published that I've been working so deligently on. As I type (and you read) this blog, I'm about almost half way through with my first work of outstanding literature! Albeit, I honestly didn't think writing a book would be as difficult as it's proven t0 be. But it's going much better than I would have expected it to.

I'm always in deep thought about something, whether it be trivial or not. Obviously stated from the titled of my blog: I am a teenage. Seventeen to be exact, so that'd mean that I'd be "of age" in the Potterverse! How exciting! When working on a project of sorts that I strongly believe in, I pour my heart and soul into it. Being the very determined person I am, once I set my mind to something, I always try to follow through with it to the best of my ability.

Sorry to stop so abruptly, I've go to get ready for school. This, along with fanfiction, being the main reasons for my sleep deprivation. 

TTFN!