Ever since middle school, I've participated in Speech & Debate, also called Forensics. 5 years later, I'm so glad that I chose to do this extracurricular. But what is it, really?
Forensics is a high school (and sometimes college) extracurricular club, focused on oral presentation in varying forms. There are generally two sides: people who interpret a previously written work, and people who create and perform some form of original content (be it their own poetry, radio show, or debate). I personally participate in poetry, where I pick out a group of similar poems, and then interpret and perform them.
When I started forensics in seventh grade, I was incredibly shy--I was a smart kid, but I wasn't bold enough to ever really express my opinions! For the first two years or so in forensics, I was constantly being told to be louder. It is very apparent to me that being in an extracurricular that teaches me how to speak helped me not only with being more outgoing, but also with school projects and being a leader in groups!
You'd also be quite surprised how many kids do forensics; my school is one of the smallest teams in the state, with about 8-10 kids who regularly perform during the season. However, there are some schools that are huge, with like, 40-80 kids on any given team! I'm not the most personable while at meets, but if you're the type of person who likes to talk and meet people, forensics definitely has lots of people who are like-minded!
I have also found forensics a really creative way to express my thoughts and opinions. In poetry especially, people often perform about things that they care about--things like feminism, patriotism, politics. People in debate can talk about current events. People in informational can talk about a topic they're passionate about. Basically, if you want to talk about a subject you really care about, forensics is a really easy place to do that!
All in all, I wouldn't trade my forensics experience for anything. Even though our team is small, we really are a family, and being in forensics has taught me so much, recreationally, personally, and professionally! If you're looking for a fun extracurricular (maybe even just one to put on your college apps), this one is definitely a great and exciting options! If you've done forensics ever before, feel free to post in the comments telling me how it was for you!
Kekai
Monday, October 26, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Best Apps and Websites for Motivation, Inspiration, and Self-Help
Hi, my friends! Today I'm back again, this time with a couple specific sites and apps that I use to help me stay motivated, inspired, or productive. For me, productivity has been a real challenge (maybe I'll talk a little bit about that in a different post sometime!), but I've found that a combination of things have really helped me on the way to improvement, including quite a lot of websites and apps! Here are the ones that I've found most helpful. They're in no particular order. :)
1. Vent
Vent is a social network app that's basically made for VENTing about things that are upsetting or frustrating you. I've been using this app for a couple months, and found it extremely helpful for when I'm upset but feel like there's no one I can turn to at the time. The community there is very supportive, and it's easy to reach out to people about their problems or yours. The pretty aesthetic doesn't hurt, either!
2. Studyblr Tumblr
For those of you who don't know, there is a sizeable community on Tumblr made up of studyblrs, which are blogs dedicated to learning and studying. People who run studyblrs post pretty pictures of office supplies and notes, helpful masterposts, and generally support each other in the quest to be productive academically. Studyblrs are actually what initially inspired me to start being more productive--their pretty pictures make me want to work harder! I started my own studyblr myself a month or so ago: it's princessclassics, if you're interested in giving me a follow!
3. Stop, Breathe & Think
Stop, Breath & Think is an amazing meditation app that I just got recently. I've been interested in meditation for a long time; as someone with anxiety, I thought it might help me to ground when I'm stressed. With the help of Stop, Breath & Think, I've gotten started. SBT is highly comprehensive, with many guided meditations that you can access for free, all tailored towards your needs (I know there are extra meditation packs for paying customers too). They also have a self-meditation timer, so you can track un-guided meditation. SBT tracks your progress, awarding you with stickers and encouraging you to create a streak of meditating daily. It also keeps track of your total time using the app for meditation, which I find highly motivating. Meditation can be helpful for anyone--it helps you collect your thoughts and calm yourself down.
4. Habitica
5. Lifestyle Youtube
In my quest to be motivated and productive, I've found myself drawn more and more into Youtubers--not only is the site a place where I can relax and watch funny things, but I can also watch videos that motivate and inspire me to do good things. I also keep a running bookmarks page of videos about being happy or that make me happy. A couple of my favorite Youtubers that inspire me are Aspyn Ovard, Anna Akana, Jenn Im, and Bethany Mota!
Well, there you have it! There are my top five apps and websites for motivation, inspiration, and self-help. If you try any of them out, or use any of them already, feel free to leave a comment telling me which ones you like best! Feel free to share this post with anyone you think might find it helpful!
Thanks guys!
Kekai
Total Word Count: 14,036
1. Vent
2. Studyblr Tumblr
For those of you who don't know, there is a sizeable community on Tumblr made up of studyblrs, which are blogs dedicated to learning and studying. People who run studyblrs post pretty pictures of office supplies and notes, helpful masterposts, and generally support each other in the quest to be productive academically. Studyblrs are actually what initially inspired me to start being more productive--their pretty pictures make me want to work harder! I started my own studyblr myself a month or so ago: it's princessclassics, if you're interested in giving me a follow!
3. Stop, Breathe & Think
4. Habitica
Habitica is an app that is self-described as "Your Life the Role Playing Game". Basically, Habitica uses the style of an RPG to get you enthused about starting and ending good and bad habits. As you level up, you can accessorize, add people to a party, and do many other traditionally RPG activities. You level up by completing habits and gaining mana! I find myself looking forward to completing tasks, so that I can level up.
5. Lifestyle Youtube
In my quest to be motivated and productive, I've found myself drawn more and more into Youtubers--not only is the site a place where I can relax and watch funny things, but I can also watch videos that motivate and inspire me to do good things. I also keep a running bookmarks page of videos about being happy or that make me happy. A couple of my favorite Youtubers that inspire me are Aspyn Ovard, Anna Akana, Jenn Im, and Bethany Mota!
Well, there you have it! There are my top five apps and websites for motivation, inspiration, and self-help. If you try any of them out, or use any of them already, feel free to leave a comment telling me which ones you like best! Feel free to share this post with anyone you think might find it helpful!
Thanks guys!
Kekai
Total Word Count: 14,036
Monday, October 12, 2015
How to Be Productive on Long Plane Rides
Hey everyone! Kekai here, sorry about the long time between postings. Anyways, I'm here today to talk about something that's difficult even for the best of us: being productive on long plane rides--or any plane ride, for that matter. I've definitely been in situations where I've said, "Oh, I'll get that done on the plane ride there/back/in between!" and nothing's gotten done. Whether you're completing some homework, writing a novel, or whatever it is you need to complete, hopefully these tips will help you.
Be sure to be well-rested before your plane ride.
When I'm on a plane, the first thing I want to do is sleep--the whoooole time. When I went to Iceland and England last summer, I was planning on getting some writing done. I just slept instead! If you make sure you get plenty of sleep before the plane ride, and fuel yourself with food or caffeine once you're on the plane, it will be a lot easier for you to feel ready to get some work done once you've boarded.
Start as soon as you're in the air.
Seriously! The longer you wait to start your work, the more likely you are to drift off to sleep or do something else that's off-task. The sooner you get started, the sooner your work will be done; that's true in every instance, not just on plane rides.
Play some inspiring music (in your headphones).
Be sure to make a study/work/productivity playlist of some songs that motivate you before you get on the plane, or ensure that you have access to one that someone else has made. I've found that listening to music on a plane can feel kind of surreal, in a sense that you feel above it all and inspired. Whether it's New World Symphony or Anaconda, plug in to something that pumps you up!
Keep the window open.
That is, if your neighbors don't mind! Having the natural light filtering into your space can often help you feel more awake. On top of that, being able to see the clouds or sweeping landscapes below you can be a huge motivator. (I highly suggest just closing your window and sleeping on a red-eye...those are always the most difficult to work on--if you can do it, I applaud you!)
If you know them, ask your seatmate to hold you accountable.
Having someone else who's aware of all the work you have to do can really help you get it done. They can reward you with snacks if you complete your task(s), and they can equally punish you by withholding your phone, coffee, or neck pillow until you accomplish your goal!
Well, there they are! I highly suggest trying to get some things done while you're on a plane--it's a fixed place with no internet, so you really don't have much else to do but the things you really need to complete! I hope you all find these tips helpful. :)
Happy travels,
Kekai
Be sure to be well-rested before your plane ride.
When I'm on a plane, the first thing I want to do is sleep--the whoooole time. When I went to Iceland and England last summer, I was planning on getting some writing done. I just slept instead! If you make sure you get plenty of sleep before the plane ride, and fuel yourself with food or caffeine once you're on the plane, it will be a lot easier for you to feel ready to get some work done once you've boarded.
Start as soon as you're in the air.
Seriously! The longer you wait to start your work, the more likely you are to drift off to sleep or do something else that's off-task. The sooner you get started, the sooner your work will be done; that's true in every instance, not just on plane rides.
Play some inspiring music (in your headphones).
Be sure to make a study/work/productivity playlist of some songs that motivate you before you get on the plane, or ensure that you have access to one that someone else has made. I've found that listening to music on a plane can feel kind of surreal, in a sense that you feel above it all and inspired. Whether it's New World Symphony or Anaconda, plug in to something that pumps you up!
Keep the window open.
That is, if your neighbors don't mind! Having the natural light filtering into your space can often help you feel more awake. On top of that, being able to see the clouds or sweeping landscapes below you can be a huge motivator. (I highly suggest just closing your window and sleeping on a red-eye...those are always the most difficult to work on--if you can do it, I applaud you!)
If you know them, ask your seatmate to hold you accountable.
Having someone else who's aware of all the work you have to do can really help you get it done. They can reward you with snacks if you complete your task(s), and they can equally punish you by withholding your phone, coffee, or neck pillow until you accomplish your goal!
Well, there they are! I highly suggest trying to get some things done while you're on a plane--it's a fixed place with no internet, so you really don't have much else to do but the things you really need to complete! I hope you all find these tips helpful. :)
Happy travels,
Kekai
Friday, October 2, 2015
How to Keep Motivated and Inspired
Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of blog posts as of late, totally my fault, but the first month of school has been super hectic. It's not like a ton of people are reading this, but I feel bad anyway. :P I'll try my best to update once a week; I have a long list of posts that I can make now, too!
Nonetheless, I thought that today I might talk about something that I know is difficult for all of us: keeping motivated and inspired. I think one of the hardest things while writing is coming up with ideas, sticking to an idea, and actually putting your idea into action. So, what do? I've separated my list into those three sections.
Coming Up with Ideas
1. Dedicate a Pinterest board or a Tumblr tag to writing inspiration, and post anything that could possibly inspire you there. When you're hankering to write something but don't know what to write, check there.
2. Listen to a song you enjoy, or a song you've never heard before, and try to come up with a story related to it.
3. Create an "inspirational" playlist, and listen to it while you brainstorm ideas.
4. Just START WRITING, sometimes the best way to get ideas is just to begin the process--then at least you KNOW your brain is in a writing mood.
Sticking to an Idea
1. Dedicate a Pinterest board or a Tumblr tag TO ONLY YOUR NOVEL. Continually update this page with things that remind you of your story, characters, or your story's setting. I find that doing something like this keeps me super inspired about my story all the time, because I'm always seeing things that show me a new facet of my story.
2. Set a time that you're going to write. Stick to it.
Putting Your Ideas into Action
1. If this helps, outline your story or create a character sheet or character map. Use a bubble map to brainstorm your idea in more detail.
2. Start writing! Write every day. Write as much as you can, but if you really can only get a sentence or two on the page, that's better than nothing.
3. Don't give up! You came up with this idea, you've worked so hard to get it going, and it's going to be worth it when your novel is complete!
I hope that these tips helped at least a little bit. I find things like pictures, quotes, and music very inspiring and motivating to me, so I thought I'd share those ideas and a few more with you. Feel free to comment telling me what you do to stay inspired, or if any of these ideas help. I'll write you all next week! Thanks for reading!
Happy writing,
Kekai
Sorcera Word Count: 13,860
Nonetheless, I thought that today I might talk about something that I know is difficult for all of us: keeping motivated and inspired. I think one of the hardest things while writing is coming up with ideas, sticking to an idea, and actually putting your idea into action. So, what do? I've separated my list into those three sections.
Coming Up with Ideas
1. Dedicate a Pinterest board or a Tumblr tag to writing inspiration, and post anything that could possibly inspire you there. When you're hankering to write something but don't know what to write, check there.
2. Listen to a song you enjoy, or a song you've never heard before, and try to come up with a story related to it.
3. Create an "inspirational" playlist, and listen to it while you brainstorm ideas.
4. Just START WRITING, sometimes the best way to get ideas is just to begin the process--then at least you KNOW your brain is in a writing mood.
Sticking to an Idea
1. Dedicate a Pinterest board or a Tumblr tag TO ONLY YOUR NOVEL. Continually update this page with things that remind you of your story, characters, or your story's setting. I find that doing something like this keeps me super inspired about my story all the time, because I'm always seeing things that show me a new facet of my story.
2. Set a time that you're going to write. Stick to it.
Putting Your Ideas into Action
1. If this helps, outline your story or create a character sheet or character map. Use a bubble map to brainstorm your idea in more detail.
2. Start writing! Write every day. Write as much as you can, but if you really can only get a sentence or two on the page, that's better than nothing.
3. Don't give up! You came up with this idea, you've worked so hard to get it going, and it's going to be worth it when your novel is complete!
I hope that these tips helped at least a little bit. I find things like pictures, quotes, and music very inspiring and motivating to me, so I thought I'd share those ideas and a few more with you. Feel free to comment telling me what you do to stay inspired, or if any of these ideas help. I'll write you all next week! Thanks for reading!
Happy writing,
Kekai
Sorcera Word Count: 13,860
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