Month: January 2023

If I had to choose a role model, I would choose Princess Eugenie. At age twelve she had surgery to correct scoliosis like me. She is one of my heroes because she showed me I don’t have to hide that I have this huge scar. She also showed me that a titanium spine is a part of who I am now, and not to be afraid to tell people about it. Princess Eugenie has also been an inspiration to me because of everything she does for scoliosis support. The princess has been my hero, thank you Princess Eugenie!

This month I read As Old as Time by Liz Braswell. This Story I based off the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Except its twisted. Belle, a bookworm from a small town in France was born just around the same time the Black Death started. And her mother, Rosalind an enchantress was forced to leave because of the hate towards les charmantes (the charming ones). After Rosalind’s disappearance, there was no memory of her or anybody with magical abilities left. The story follows Belle and her journey to discovering all her mother’s secrets, and many others as well.

I just loved the way this book seemed like my favorite story from when I was little, but turned out to have some parts where it was quite dark. This made me feel like I was reading a more mature novel. Also something fun about the book was how it switched between Belle’s present life, and her parent’s past. My favorite character was Rosalind. She was a great role model for girls my age. Rosalind always showed bravery, courage, wit and kindness. My favorite quote of hers was on page 13, when it states: “‘Nothing is unnatural about us!’ Her words were perfectly formed and accented; it was her emotion that nearly caused her to spit. ‘anything God makes is natural—by definition. And we, all of us, are the children of God!’” This shows that she was brave when a man was calling all charmantes cursed, she was willing to throw punches to protect those like her! My favorite line was from Belle on page 174 when she had tried to run away from the castle: “ ‘I command you winds!’ she shouted imperiously. ‘Take me home!…’ ‘…please?’ She added after a moment. Nothing.” I chose this quote because I thought it was funny to watch somebody so intelligent, get it into her head that she might be a charmante!

My word of intention for 2023 is helpfulness. I know I can do more to help out around the house. This year I will make my goal to help my parents and siblings with our daily house chores and do extra work, to make my parents lives easier. Another thing I can do to be helpful is ask my teachers if their is anything I could do around the classroom to help them out. Something else I can do is just the little things: help someone out if they fall, help a friend with homework, and help my siblings with all they need!