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My 2020 NaNoWriMo Experience

This year, I decided to try something new. During November (National Novel Writing Month), I wrote a story, or at least part of a story everyday. It was hard sometimes, but I had a great time working on it.

Usually, most writers aim to write around 1,500 words a day, but I decided to do a mini experience with 300 words per day.

Here are some NaNoWriMo experiences.

Lazy Days:

Some days, I had absolutely no idea what to write about. My advice for those days is to keep pushing on, maybe you’ll get an idea burst.

Idea Bursts:

Idea Bursts are amazing. They basically are a whole cloud of ideas, so that you can write a ton of words for a while without stopping.

No Story Arc:

When I started this experience, I did not have a plan in mind. I started writing without a plot line and just built my story around my previous writing.

Writing the Ending:

One day, I had an (almost) lazy day. That’s when I decided to work on the ending. I couldn’t think of anything of write at the point I was at, so why not try to write an ending? I had a lot of fun with it, and it helped me get unstuck that day.

I have written 11,573 words in total! I am going to edit my story in December, and I will definitely share some more of my experiences then!

5 Things I am Thankful For

2020 has been a strange year. There is the whole COVID-19 pandemic, and small other things that make this year feel like the worst. However, if you take a look at your day to day lives, you’ll see quite a few things which make you grateful for the life you’re living right now. Here are a few parts of my life I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving.

  1. Getting into the middle school I wanted- I was very, very nervous leading up to the middle school selection deadline. One day, my mom announced that I had gotten into the school which I had wanted, and all of my worries vanished. I’m currently attending that middle school and really happy there!
  2. My teachers- My teachers, old and new, were always kind and helpful to me. They have helped me through my struggles and always been there for me. They always incorporate a bit of fun into the learning for a great day.
  3. My friends- even though I can’t meet up with my friends, that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun with them through online chats and video calls. I love hanging out with them and they incorporate a lot of fun into my day!
  4. Books- books are always there for me. I love to pick up a random book and dive into its pages and stay immersed in the story until I have to leave. Books are another fantastical world for me and they are an amazing way to pass the time.
  5. Technology- if not for technology (meaning laptops, phones, computers etc.) then I would not be able to attend my classes, not be able to learn much, and not have a “school” to go to. Because of my laptop and other important devices around me, I can learn, talk to friends, and make new friends. Technology is awesome, just because of that.

Those were some things I am thankful for in this strange year of 2020. What about you? What are you thankful for?

How to make a Quick and Easy Payasam

This Diwali, I learned how to make a simple and quick payasam. It was delicious and I really enjoyed the making of it, so I decided to share the recipe with you! By the way, this is a shortcut payasam which takes only about 15-20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp warm milk
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom seeds
  • pinch of saffron
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 3 tbsp chopped nuts (you can also add raisins)
  • 1/2 cup roasted seemiya
  • 2 1/2 cup warm whole milk
  • 1/2 cup condensed milk

Directions

  1. Soak the saffron and cardamom in the 3 tbsp warm milk and set to side.
  2. In a non-stick pan, heat ghee, and fry nuts.
  3. Once the nuts are golden brown, remove and put on a plate.
  4. In the same pan, add the seemiya.
  5. Add the 2 1/2 cup whole milk to the seemiya.
  6. Let it cook for 7 minutes.
  7. Now add the condensed milk.
  8. Add the nuts and the saffron/cardamom/milk mixture.
  9. Let it simmer for 3 minutes.
  10. Enjoy!

Happy Deepavali!

A light shines in dark times
Hope follows behind
For it is Deepavali

Spend time with family, friends
Play games, eat good food
For it is Deepavali

Done for today, time to sleep
Go to bed, happy
For it is Deepavali

I hope you enjoyed these haikus about Diwali! Happy Deepavali to all of you reading this!

My 2020 #mgbooktober posts

Last month, I participated in #mgbooktober on Instagram. #Mgbooktober is a fun book challenge which requires you to post something every day. I decided to share a few of my favorite posts on my blog as well. You can check out my other posts on Instagram and hopefully follow me!

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Day 12 of October and #mgbooktober ! Today’s prompt is a book that got you out of a reading slump. I don’t really have reading slumps, but if I just need a book to read, I always go for this one. I love reading the ending in which Sophie realizes who she really is and knows that she is and will always be loved by Agatha, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. This scene is so sweet and always brings tears to my eyes. If you haven’t read this series, I totally recommend it to you. Current Reads: 1. Of a Feather by @daynalorentzbooks 2. The Elephant’s Girl by @celesta_rimington #schoolforgoodandevil #sge #ilovethisseries #ilovethisbook #lovethisending #amazingbook #sophie #agatha #anadil #dot #hester #tedros #theschoolyears #thecamelotyears

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Day 24 of October and #mgbooktober ! Today’s prompt is a fictional book setting you wish you could visit. I have always wanted to go to Camp Half-Blood and meet the demigods like Percy, Annabeth, or Piper! Ever since I started read this series, it has been my dream. By the way, I’m a daughter of either Poseidon or Athena. What about you? Current Reads: 1. A Woman in the House (and Senate) by Ilene Cooper 2. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Unexpected Reads: 1. The Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop 2. One Last Word by Nikki Grimes #camphalfblood #percyjackson #percyjacksonandtheolympians #heroesofolympus #demigods #halfbloods #campjupiter #goodseries #goodbooks #annabethchase #pipermclean #7demigods

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Day 26 of October and #mgbooktober ! Today’s prompt is a book that made you laugh. I love this series and Mr Lemencello’s crazy and wacky imagination. It’s so amazing to just open a book and fall into a new world with magical and bizarre games. This series has taken me on a wild ride and I am constantly excited for the next one to come out! Current Reads: 1. The Graveyard Book by @neilhimself 2. Over the Underworld by Adam Shaughnessy #mrlemencello #thetitaniumticket #chrisgrabenstein #goodauthor #greatseries #ilovethisgame #ilovethisseries #ilovethisbook #thisissuperfunny #boardgames #kylekeeley #akimihughes #miguelfernandez #sierarussel #andrewpeckleman #charleschilington #ireadmgbooks #ireadmglit #ireadmg #ireadmgfantasy #ireadmgfiction

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3 Spooky Reads for This Halloween

Halloween is a great time to explore some spooky reads. That’s why I have put together a list of 3 great Halloween reads.

  1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
    This spooky book talks about family, friendship, and courage. This book is perfect if you want to have a bit of a scare, but not that much. The whole idea of the book is fantastical and I love it. This has definitely been one of my favorite books this year and I definitely recommend it to you.
  2. Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega
    This book talks about friendship and family. I got immersed in the story of the 2 friends, Syd and Lucely and their crazy adventure with ghosts. The magical element in this book was perfect and I know that I definitely loved it. I totally recommend this. It was such a great book!
  3. Nightbooks by J. A White
    This book is a modern day Scheherazade story, just woven a bit differently. It talks about friendship and trust and how you can overcome someone with love. The idea of the magical witch, Natasha, is enough to give anyone shivers down their spines, but as you continue reading and get a closer look at her life, you start to realize what has happened leading to her. An amazing and spooky read, perfect for Halloween.

These are some of my favorite Halloween reads! What are your favorites?

A Spooky Tour

I wrote a brochure for a ghost tour that takes part in Houston and Galveston. Here it is!

Hello and welcome to Ghosty Graveyards, the best ghost tour out there! In this brochure, I will be explaining all the spooky sights you’ll see on your tour! 

First, the bus will meet you at Finn Hall at 8:00 PM sharp. We suggest that you eat a good meal there before you board. Trust me, you will need to eat well.

While we ride the bus to the Niels Esperson and Mellie Esperson buildings, you’ll have the chance to take a good look out the window. It’s a short ride, so be ready to hop off as quickly as you came in! 

So, let me tell you a bit about the building (these facts plus more will be told during the tour). Mellie Esperson had the Niels Esperson building made for her husband, you guessed it!, Niels Esperson. He was a real estate and an oil tycoon. Right next to his building is Mellie’s building. Mellie’s building is not very tall and is constructed in a very different fashion. Mellie’s ghost haunts the elevator, making it malfunction and close and open randomly.

Now after those 15 minutes spent there, we’ll get back on the bus for the 3 minute (yes, only 3 minutes) ride to the Julia Ideson Building. You’ll listen to violin music on the ride there and you’ll find out why in a few seconds. 

Ok, so we’ve arrived at the Julia Ideson building! In November 1936, 79 year old groundskeeper, Jacob Frank Cramer died. When he was alive, every night he would go to the 3rd floor and play his violin. Nowadays, you can hear him and his dog late at night, making music. Sometimes, you’ll even see his sheet music scattered around! 

Let’s hop back on the bus. We’re going to go to the Spaghetti Warehouse. It’s a 5 minute drive so buckle in and relax (as much as you can on a ghost tour of course!)

We’re here! The story behind the Spaghetti Warehouse is that the pharmacist living here died by falling down the elevator shaft. His wife died soon after that. Now, they haunt the second floor by making objects float, rearranging furniture, making dishes dirty, tapping guests, and pulling their hair. Sounds pretty creepy, huh?

Now we’ll take a one hour drive to Galveston Island to see my personal favorite ghost appearance. This is where your electronics come in handy. We would love to hear a few ghost stories or cool (and creepy) facts about ghosts that you may discover! Also feel free to take a nap, we’ll wake you up when we reach. 

Well we’re there! Do you hear anything as you clamber out of our bus? Perhaps the flapping of sails? Maybe the cry of voices? If you do, look out to the horizon. You might see a ship. Now you might think “A ship! We see ships all the time!” Well, this isn’t a normal ship. It’s the ghost ship of Pirate Jean Lafitte. You might have heard of him. On November 1821, Jean Lafitte’s ship was ambushed and he was taken prisoner. The ship was said to have sunk somewhere around Galveston Island in the years 1822-1823.  Look! There it is! Do you see that magnificent ship sailing across the waters? It’s name is Pride and I think it certainly looks prideful. Well, that’s all for today, everyone! I hope that you definitely consider coming on my tour. You’ll learn even more crazy facts! After all, where else would you see a ghost ship? Thanks for reading and we hope to see you on our next ghost tour! 

Being The New Kid

Being the new kid is never easy, especially when it seems like everyone knows everyone. I wrote the fictional personal narrative based off of my experience as a new kid in dance class. This was a submission for my assignment in my Language Art class

I open the door to the dance room uncertainly and peep in. Kids are milling around, talking to each other happily. I gulp and step in, nervous. All the chatter comes to a stop and it feels like every eye is on me. The teacher catches my eye and nods, and I take a seat near the back of the room. I listen to the excited conversation, only catching a few words or sentences, and start wishing that I had bought a book. The teacher, Ms. Nair, clears her throat and we all stand up and start warming up. After we’ve warmed up, Ms. Nair says, “Let’s see Jimikki Kammal from Nimmy, Rithika, and Megha.”  Their dance is fun and energetic. Ms. Nair smiles, then scans over the group of kids watching. “Let’s have Niharika, Lipi, and Tara join them. I know you girls don’t really know the dance, but try to follow along. ” she says. I get up nervously and join the other 5 girls standing. As I start dancing, I remind myself to loosen up and have fun. The music starts and I nervously begin dancing, watching the other girls like a hawk, trying to pick up the dance moves. As the music goes on, I start relaxing and actually start getting immersed in the dance. At the end, Ms.Nair smiles, looks us over once again and nods. She hands us a costume to practice in and my mind spins. I’m in a dance group already! A girl who danced with me, Lipi, says, “Hey, you dance really well. Do you want to be friends?” I smile and accept her invitation. I’ve already made a friend! I’m really sad when practice is over and we have to leave for our next class. I’m very excited for the next class and what we will do there.

Vanilla Berry Lotion

I wrote a short story for my writing class recently. Our prompt was to write a story about any object on our desk. I wrote a realistic fiction story about my vanilla berry lotion.

I open the lotion jar and sniff its contents. The smell floods my body, sending warm and happy tingles all the way down. I close the lid, but not before taking one last longing smell. I follow Mom throughout the beauty shop, my mind still on that sweet lotion. All I know is that I must have it before it runs out, because surely a lotion with such a smell would run out soon. “Tara!”my mom snaps. I jolt to attention, not sure if she had been calling my name before. “Well?” she asks. I guiltily shrug, not able to picture what she might have been talking about. Mom sighs, exasperated and narrows her eyes at me. “I said,” she repeats,” that I am going to buy something here. I also asked you if you wanted to get anything.” I leap up, my eyes shining bright. I could get anything I wanted! I race to the front of the store, pick up the lotion and race back. My mom laughs at how quickly I’ve chosen. We pay and go home.

To this day, I still love the scent of that lotion and keep it on my desk as a reminder of that happy, lucky day.

Mint Girl Reads What Stars Are Made of by Sarah Allen

I recently read the book, “What Stars Are Made Of” by Sarah Allen. It’s a book that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time.

It’s about a 12 year old girl, Libby Monroe, who is born with Turner syndrome. This impacts how she acts in certain situations, but it doesn’t make her any less of a determined girl. When her big sister, Nonny, announces that she is pregnant, Libby is thrilled. She decides to make a deal with the universe. If she is able to give credit to Celia Payne, a lesser known scientist , through a Smithsonian contest, then Nonny’s baby will be fine. She tries hard to get Celia into her school textbook, but when that doesn’t work, she is heartbroken. Along with her friends though, she creates a new stunning project.

I loved learning about how Libby overcomes her shyness and is able to show who she really is in this book. I think it was a sweet book and I could never put it down.

In this book, y0u will learn how Libby makes friends and comes to realize that she is perfect, just the way she is. I really enjoyed reading this book and thought it was amazing. I definitely recommend you to check out this book if you haven’t read it.