So I said that I was going to write a lot of rants on this blog, and here's the first one. I'm not really good at expressing my feelings through talking, so when I'm upset or mad it's much easier for me to write about it. Ok.

So this is a picture of my grandparents' backyard from last December.

It's very pretty, and I've always loved it because of the many trees there, especially this really gigantic one that I marked in the picture. I don't have any better pictures of it, but it's huge, and so tall and very very beautiful and I love looking at it and the trunk is so big I can't even wrap my arms around it. It's been there forever, and it's a huge, crucial part of my grandparents' backyard. 

So imagine what I felt when I saw this today. 

I don't really know what to say because I guess maybe I shouldn't really be sad because it's not my backyard or my tree and it's not like I have a special connection to it or anything but when I saw it I just started crying because it feels so wrong and it feels like something's missing. Not just that but knowing that this pile of logs and sticks was just last week a beautiful, tall, powerful, majestic, living tree, housing dozens of animals, makes me feel so upset and dead inside.

I guess I shouldn't ever go to some like massive deforestation zone or anything if this one tree completely messed me up so much rip.

ALSO, here's what my grandma said afterwards. "There are plenty enough trees out there anyway, don't worry about this one." That's a brilliant way of making yourself feel less guilty. If everyone said that as an excuse to cut down a tree there would be no more green left in the world.

dumb things people say to vegetarians

1. "so now you can't have burgers/fried chicken/steak/(insert food with meat in it here)? That's so sad!"
um... no. i made the choice to not eat meat anymore, because i don't want to eat meat anymore. So I CAN eat meat whenever, but I don't. Want. To.

2. "you're not going to get enough protein."
If I had $1 for every time someone said that, i wouldn't be broke anymore. I have nothing more to say on the matter.


3. "it's just a phase these newfangled teenager generations are going through, you'll forget about it in 6 months."

4. "you sure you don't want to try this burger/fried chicken/steak/(insert food with meat in it here)? Positive?
oh, i'm sure.
"Okay... You're missing ou-ut!"

5. "Wow that takes a lot of determination. I could never live without burgers/fried chicken/steak/(insert food with meat in it here)!"
Congrats. Want a cookie?

6. "Is this a diet?"
No.

7. "Animals were brought on the earth for people to eat!"
^One of the most self-centered things I've ever heard.

And last but definitely not least...
8. Plants are living things too you know!! You might as well become a breatharian if you want to save lives that much!1!!1!!11!
You're hysterical. Wow, such funny. Well done.
 

the way of kings - brandon sanderson

There's a reason why this book looks like it went through hell - it's because it's freaking awesome. It's over 1200 pages long and I never once got bored throughout the entire thing. I actually read like 500 pages of it on the airplane ride to Turkey.

Plot: I mean there's 1200 pages of plot, so it's kinda complicated to just write about it in a few sentences. But I'll try. There are 3 main characters: Kaladin, Dalinar, and Shallan. Kaladin is this guy who's whole life has been super difficult, and he's ended up being a bridgeman (a part of a group of slaves who have to run with bridges on their backs into battles) in an army against a hostile species called the Parshendi.

Dalinar is one of the most powerful generals in the war against the Parshendi. He lives his life based on a strict code of honor. However, at the beginning of the book he begins to have strange and unexplainable visions. His visions lead to him being disrespected and mocked by the other generals in the army.

Shallan, the female protagonist, is the daughter of a broke and failing family. She decides to get money for her family by stealing an item that can make gold called a Soulcaster from a scholar named Jasnah Kholin.

There are also a ton of secondary characters who are important to the story, and the stories of all 3 of the main characters connect. I promise I haven't spoiled any of it.

Review: I love love love love love
love
this book so much. The writing is very simple- it exists just to tell the story, so you don't have to worry about finding hints or clues in the words. Because of this, the book kinda transports you directly into the world of The Way of Kings, and it doesn't even feel like you're reading anymore. I looked up a couple of times during my airplane ride and found that I'd read 150 pages. I was literally living the story in my head. The plot is put together really well, with no plotholes. The author has managed to build a whole world from scratch and has made it completely believable, which is a huge accomplishment.

Basically just read it. The second book is already out (and I'm going to go buy it ASAP) and the third book is apparently coming soon. 11/10 would recommend.

✌ ✌ ✌