Newtown

I'm sure you know what this post is about by the title. By now I would assume most everyone will have heard of the tragedy that occurred in that sleepy, peaceful town. And I'm sure you, like me, are having trouble processing it all. 

Hearing about any shooting is always heartbreaking. These type of mass murders, senseless and unprovoked cause a special kind of pang in our hearts. However the addition of children, Christmas and the sheer number of victims just takes this to a whole new level. 

Reports are putting the children's ages between five and ten. Five years old. At that age I was afraid of Ursula in the Little Mermaid, and burst into tears if my mother let go of my hand in the supermarket. These are babies, at that age of perfect innocence, when the world is ripe for exploring and beginning to make rational sense. To think of children that age being murdered it unimaginable. Those left behind will never be the same either- how are they supposed to go back to their school and see their old desk or graduate from high school knowing they were 20 people short? 

With Christmas around the corner I can't get the image of parents left with piles of toys and gifts, presents that will never be opened. It is said that to loose a child is the most painful thing in the world, but for them to be taken so violently, so senselessly? 

Then there are the teachers, who ran towards the sound gunshots. The principal who's first thought was the protection of her students. The teachers who remained calm in complete chaos. I hope that, faced with the deaths of twenty children, the adults who died will be remembered equally. 

I'm not going to shout about the shooter. I am of the belief that no sane person could commit such an act. The man was deeply ill. If it comforts you to curse him, by all means do it, because doing something so awful is hard to excuse or rationally consider. The act was, however, irrational and no amount of thought or debate will truly explain it. 

I don't know who I'm writing this for. Maybe it's for people who feel like me, horrified and useless. Maybe for those who lost someone. Or maybe just for myself, to try and articulate it all. Regardless of why, if it helped you to see someone share your emotions and confusions then it was worth writing. 

And I'm sorry, but now is the time for gun control discussions. There's a reason tragedies like this are much rarer outside the US. People are people and I do not believe Americans are any more violent than Irish, but Americans have guns and we don't. And I don't think it's disrespectful to talk about it, and I hope none involved think it is. If there had been a gas explosion safety regulations and gas maintenance would be the talking point. But it's guns, as personal a subject as religion for many. Unfathomable as it is to me, I realise that this is a part of US culture. But that a mentally ill person can have guns and bullets is incomprehensible. Bear in mind that, until he pulled the trigger, his actions were legal. 

This will be in the news cycle for weeks, and will most likely prompt gun control debates for months to come. But the people of Newtown and the families of the victims will carry this with them forever and for that my heart goes out to them. 

Until next time,

Jenny

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity...

So I started this week with an awful feeling in my stomach, but guess what? I'm halfway through and it's looking alright. Jenny- 1, 5th Year- 0 (apart from my minor meltdown in school however I am chalking that up to severe lack of sleep. cough.)

So it's that time of year when every teacher realised that Parent Teacher meetings are looming on the horizon and for some unbeknownst reason sets a test the week before. Oh teachers, you sly dogs, how can we keep up with you? 

This shocking development has lead to a test a day for me, with results being delivered afterward- in a variety of grade brackets, even within the same subject. Sigh. Consistency has never been my strong point. (Hehe, get it, 'cause it's been weeks since a post? Never mind.)

Anyway, the constant need to study has made me extremely productive...in finding methods of procrastination. So here are a few of my recent favourites! 

1. The Vampire Diaries

Don't. Even. Talk. Who has seen the most recent episode? Who jumped off their couch and victory danced? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Vampire Diaries follows Elena Gilbert (aka the gorgeous girl in above picture) in her town of Mystic Falls (most ominous/charming name ever right?) The problem is there are quite a lot of supernatural goings on and, being the protagonist, she gets dragged into it all. Shenanigans ensue, namely with Stefan and Damon Salvatore (picture above looking...mmmm...sorry got distracted). It's a fairly simple plot, can be a bit dull, but I am so invested in Elena/Damon that I genuinely stay up thinking about them. More just Damon really, but it's a problem nonetheless. Being Irish I resort to completely 100% legal means to watch it the day after it comes out in the US. Google will help you if you want to watch, non American friends. 

2. John Green books

I'm just going to put John Green books in general, even though I only just finished The Fault in Our Stars and am only 34% through Looking for Alaska (Oh Kindles and your swanky percentages). I'm just in love. They're charming and thought provoking- heavy but not- a mixture of simple language with strong themes. Eg, your perfect teen novel. The characters are quick witted and interesting and above all intelligent. However they don't sound like 65 year old scholars speaking through 16 year old bodies. They sound damn pretentious at times, but I know enough pretentious teens to completely believe in them as characters (even if I would be morally obligated to smack them in real life. Augustus, I'm looking at you.) The themes are universal and I highly recommend picking up a copy if you're looking for something new to sink your teeth into. 

3. Imagine Dragons

So I stumbled across a new band literally in the past hour and I am in love. They are indieish but not more than just guitars, with elements of maybe Mumford and Sons, Fun. and the Killers? I don't really know how to describe music in all honesty so I highly recommend listening to the above song. How I found them is slightly embarrassing considering I just spoke of great literature but it was in the film promo for....The Host. Ok, I admit, I like the Host. Yep, that one by Stephenie Meyer...yep, THAT Stephenie Meyer. Don't shun me from the nerd club, please! I read it when I was 14 and genuinely enjoyed it and the film is coming and it's a fellow Irish person (Saoirse Ronan) playing Melanie and...yeah I can't wait for it to come out. But I digress! Listen to Imagine Dragons. Please. 

So there you have my little update and I leave you with that. 

Until next time, 

Jenny 

xxx

Update 2: An apology...

48 days until Christmas my friends! If you think it's too early to be excited I name you Scrooge and shun you! The lights are up on Grafton Street and Brown Thomas' top floor has been transformed into a cinnamon-piney wonderland, which is all I need to get in the mood. We've even started work on the school carol service, so there is no end to my holiday cheer! 

Now, down to business. You may have noticed there was a slight gap between this and my last post. Only, what, a week? And I have excuses! It was mid term and there were Halloween parties (which had me up until 5 o'clock in the morning) and friends birthday shenanigans (that involved large amounts of Coke) and sleep, wonderful sleep... Oh and I had an English exam today and yesterday, nothing big, just making sure I stay in Honours... Considering this blog is to aid my English it really was a win win situation for my teachers and you, fine blog readers! Ok, enough groveling, I'm sure you all survived! 

So guess what guys? If you've been living under a rock you should probably know that the US Presidential Election is today. It is literally neck and neck- not in a half assed sense either, I'm talking 50% Obama 49% Romney in nearly all of the swing states, or vice versa. A friend in school proclaimed today that if Romney gets elected it'll be World War 3, and while this is a somewhat dramatic statement I can't help wonder...

While I'm interested in the election I don't have the energy to stay up til the early hours to find out the result so I shall wake up to the news- either my parents in tears or cracking out champagne (extremely Democratic you see). So I wonder, what do you think of it all? Obama, Romney, couldn't give a damn? Do you even know who Gary Johnson is? (Libertarian candidate, Google him!) If you are American I'm going to be blatantly partisan and say GO OBAMA WOOOOOOOOOHHHHH! Remember, as Rosie the Londoner says, the world depends on you! 

So other than that I've been...

Wearing: Green Vero Moda Jeans (not on the website)
Drinking: Superfluous amounts of tea
Watching:  Revolution and Series 7 Doctor Who
Listening to: Baby It's Cold Outside (Glee)
Wrapped up in: The most comfy, cosy blanket ever! On sale in the Disney Store a while ago, red and white, good luck finding any left!

And with that I bid you adieu, 

Until next time, 

Jenny

xxx

Update Number 1, in which my feet nearly fall off...

On Saturday I decided to be a selfless, helpful friend. Out of the goodness of my heart I agreed to trapes around Dublin (namely Grafton Street) with le best friend in order to find said best friend a job. We set off merrily, armed with CV's all neat in plastic pockets, the horror that lay ahead unknown to us. 

For you see my friends, Jenny without food is not a pretty sight. Jenny after a ballet class without food and with sore feet is an even worse sight. And what does job hunting entail? Walking. Lots and lots of walking. I will preface this with my undying love for le best friend, but my god, by the end of the day was I ready to faint/cry/strangle her. Oh the things we do in the name of friendship. 

In case you're wondering, she got a job. On the spot, right there, couldn't be happier with herself. Then they asked if she was 18 and the hundreds of euros suddenly slipped through her fingers. While I laugh now, the sheer despair on her face was heartbreaking. That was the kind of day we were having folks! 

However, Dublin being Dublin, there were delights to be had that I felt should be shared with you so here are a few of the highlights that Grafton Street and the surrounding areas. Ah, autumn in Dublin, how I love thee. 

So there's a guy with a piano that casually serenades shoppers outside Brown Thomas. He's been there the past few Saturdays and just plays on his four wheeled piano, in his corduroy jacket and knitted scarf. I'm kind of in love with him in a soppy romantic novel kind of way, simple because...he plays in the piano in the middle of the road. It's times like this I love people. 

Another example of hope for humanity- the guy who makes bubbles. Again, a common occurrence on Grafton Street, usually accompanied by shrieks of laughter from kids and shrieks of horror from parents and suds get in their hair. Ah, the complexities of life. 

And finally, on the steps of Powerscourt shopping center, we find this gentleman who was- wait for it- ...playing the spoons. Honest to God, knocking spoons against his knee, completely obliviously content. Even the patch above his knee was worn out. I just couldn't resist snapping the picture, it was too perfect. 

Wait, was I complaining about my day? Yes, my feet were past protesting and in silent mourning, and the hunger-induced dizziness was a little too strong, but who could leave a place like that in bad spirits? 

In other news I'm...

Listening to: Indie stuff á la Ingrid Michaelson

Eating: Everything around me! 

Reading: The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling (STILL ploughing through)

Dreaming about: Florida, warmth and Disney World

Until next time,

Jenny

xxx

My Unexplainable Obsession With American Politics

I blame my parents for this, as I do a lot of things in my life. (Lovely parents by the way, but hey, I'm a teenager.) As you can tell from the title, I am Irish. Yet I could not tell you the name of half of the politicians that sit in our Dáil, and I can barely distinguish between the various parties. While I am trying to rectify this I just can't force myself to be passionate about the subject. Politics, however, is one of my favourite topics of debate and I have spent long hours debating with anyone who is willing over any and every issue. The only difference? I have an unnatural obsession with American Politics. 

Before we examine this further I think we should look at the roots and that's where parental blame comes in. You see growing up Coronation Street and Match of the Day were replace in my house with Star Trek (which, I would like to point out, I violently rebelled against) and The West Wing. West Wing, I'm proud to say, I didn't rebel against, and there we find the root. 

For those who don't know (HOW?!) the West Wing is a political-melodrama which begins with the first term of Democratic President Jed Bartlett, an idealistic, speech-giving genius who is pretty much every Democrats dream President. Surrounded by witty, intelligent staff that uphold completely unrealistic morals for politicians, they are the White House Dream Team. Sam Seaborn (played by Rob Lowe) was Deputy-Communications Director and the love of my life from age 8 to 10. 

Even at such a young age I recognised the flair and skill that was the writing of Aaron Sorkin, West Wing creator. The West Wing was rapier wit at its best and if often teased for its continuous  walk through sequences of fast dialogue that are a dream to watch. It also played on your emotions, often tackling deep philosophical issues that mirrored real world situations. Below is one of my absolute favourite speechs of all time, let alone on the West Wing. 

With that as background to my political knowledge you understand my bias towards American politics already. If that was life in America how dull were the Irish, with their droning on and on without any real substance or dramatic viewpoint. Watching the Romney-Obama debates recently I've realised that that is politics everywhere, but that deep sense of drama I garnered from the West Wing has stuck with me nonetheless. 

Another brilliant thing in terms of debate in America is the two party system. It leaves so little room for nuanced opinion which is an obvious flaw, but you have to admit it makes for fun debate. The big issues in the US always seem to have an absolute right or wrong and the Irish multi-party system can appear a lot more wishy-washy. While the topic of abortion is still a political taboo in Ireland it can make or break an American politician's career. While equal-marriage is slowly and quietly being introduced here it is a fierce topic of debate in the States. 

Coming back to my parents, it was the Americans that always cropped up in dinnertime discussions, not the Irish or British. I've noticed even in school when references are made to politics there is rarely any made to Irish politicians. It's always 'Have you heard Barack Obama's speech?', not Enda Kenny's. A girl in my class knew Barack Obama but not Michael D. Higgins. 

Is this a good thing? As a soon to be voting Irish citizen, probably not. But so long as I get up to speed I'm more than happy to watch Philip De Franco dissect Romney-Obama debates, and read the New York Times political section rather than the Irish Times one. Because, which I may mock the Americans in many ways, I can't fault their politics for sheer entertainment. 

Until next time, 

Jenny

xxxx

Welcome and Hello

So, somehow you've stumbled upon this little blog. As this is the introduction I suppose I'd better tell you a little about myself and my plans (or lack thereof) for this blog. 

First of all my name is Jenny. I'm a 17 year old Dubliner, born and bred, hence the title. I dance, read, have an unusual interest in politics and a fairly common interest in fashion, make up and all things girly. I'm also going through the usual insanity that is the Leaving Cert, (only a month in and already begging for freedom), so these posts may be random and sporadic. Apologies in advance! School is actually on of the main reasons for the birth of this blog, or rather where I intend to go after school. 

You see my ideal career is journalism and every single journalist I've met has suggested blogging or writing of some kind as practice. Being quite a reserved person generally (watch as my friends scoff in disbelief) I've been uneasy but the time is nigh and what's the harm, really? So long as none of you are stalkers/ and or serial killers, of course! 

So now that this blog has been born, what do you have to expect as a reader? Fashion is most definitely going to be important, as well as politics. Any travelling or interesting places I visit will be featured, as well as what's happening in my life (think TV shows and new blogs- I'm afraid my wild nights out are few and far between!). I believe the phrase for these random-collection-of-everything blogs is 'Lifestyle', so I think we'll just go with that! 

Other than that I'm afraid there's not much else to say. I realise that leaves you with very little so you'll just have to have faith in me and watch this space! 

Until next time, 

Jenny