The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

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     I stayed up until after midnight last night finishing TVD series and I must admit, I was very impressed by all of the show had to offer. From the storyline, the characters, the music and even the costumes (there are several flashback scenes from Virginia 1864). I was surprised the to find out the the books series the show is based on is actually quite old. The series started in 1991 and has continued since then.

     What makes this show wonderful is the characters, especially the three leads, Elena, Stephan and Damon. All of them had their own unique characteristics and interesting personalities, combined with the supporting cast of characters who all contribute to the ever suspenseful story.

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Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder)

     A typical love story of a mortal girl (Elena) who falls in love with a handsome immortal man (Stefan) may seem stereotype and even a little redundant. Then comes along the wild rebellious older brother (Damon) who gives no thought to rules and humanity and the story becomes very interesting, very quickly. As I watched I began to compare notes between the characters in TVD and in Twilight and the contrasts were incredible. So incredible, that I feel like an idiot for not seeing it sooner!

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Elena Gilbert // Katherine Pierce

Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert and Katherin Pierce

     In the small town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, four months after the death of her parents, Elena Gilbert is determined to pull her life back together. She goes to school, she smiles, she says she's all right and everything seems all right. The she runs into a very handsome, quiet man in the school hallway and everything in her world changes from that second. Elena is catapulted into a dark dangerous life that constitutes of secrets, lies, betrayal, love and death when she finds out that Stefan Salvatore is a vampire. 

     Kindness, compassionate and generous are the qualities that people know Elena by, but her greatest are courage, friendship and the ability to see the good in others around her. As well as the ability to love, Elena is very self sacrificing and is willing to put her family and friends in front of her heart to protect them. She expects the best of people, no matter who they are and what they may have done (mainly Damon) and has a very strong sense of right and wrong.

     I loved the character of Elena within the first 5 min. of the show. When she met Stefan, I was inwardly groaning, expecting the lovestruck Bella Swan syndrome of obsessive love. I really didn't see it though, there was curiosity and question asking, but it was quite subdued (thank God). When she and Stefan do fall in love, Elena becomes happier and more content with life, but her happy world comes crashing down again when she finds herself in the midst of a brewing war between the humans and vampires of Mystic Falls.

Nina Dobrev as Katherine Pierce

     That begins when she finds out that her new love has been heartbroken by a certain young women from long ago (1864 to be exact). A women he said to be the most beautiful women in the world, but was also selfish and cruel. That is Katherine Pierce, who not only messed around with both the Salvatore brothers,  but was also the one that turned them to vampires and made their lives a living hell. Elena learns that she is a descendant of Katherine's, which is why they look so much alike, and then finds out the scary fact that Katherine is coming back to Mystic Falls to finish what she started with the Salvatore brothers and to destroy the town and its inhabitants.

Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert

     If I would choose between Bella Swan and Elena Gilbert as the better heroine, I would say that Bella Swan shouldn't even be in the heroine category. After watching Elena's development through season 1 from a shy insecure orphan to a strong and independent young women, I began to see how Bella Swan really is selfish, self centered, arrogant and downright cowardly.

     When Elena found out that Stefan was a vampire she immediately wanted him gone and wanted nothing to do with him for the safety of her family and friends. Bella was so obsessed with Edward as a vampire she gave no thought to anyone else in her life. Elena knew she could do just fine without a guy in her life (even though it was painful), but Bella's attitude when Edward left her in "New Moon" was nothing short of childish. While I enjoyed Elena's generous personality with others around her, Bella doesn't give much thought to anyone regardless if Edward is in the room or not.

     And I can just add that Elena is much prettier than Bella and at least she knows how to laugh as well (seriously, she has the cutest laugh ever!!!)

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Stefan Salvatore

Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore

     I'll be honest, I was expecting a brooding, woe is me, "You shouldn't be with me, I'm a monster!" shallow love interest. Brooding (sometimes, because he's shy) yes, but the rest was absolutely not existent. Stefan Salvatore is the complete opposite of Edward Cullen. He follows Elena around because he is interested in her, but not in her blood. Her striking resemblance to his former love interest Katherine is what really draws him to Elena, but when he realizes that Elena is nothing like Katherine, he finally finds happiness. He wants to be accepted by people in Mystic Falls without revealing who he is and in general, wants to be a good person.

     He can be romantic, but what I loved most about Stefan was how he made an attempt to know the other residents of Mystic Falls, most especially those who were close to Elena (Edward never made that attempt in Forks). He didn't stalk Elena 24/7 and gave her friends and her family a chance. As the show progresses, I loved seeing Stefan's kindness and generosity come forward toward other people, he didn't believe in manipulation, but rather patience and understanding. 

     Not to say that he doesn't struggle with who he is. Like all vampires, Stefan struggles with the desire for blood. He stayed off if it long enough to resist is, but even someone as strong as Stefan is not all powerful to resist the temptation of blood. In many ways, Stefan reminded me more of Jasper Hale (Edward Cullen's brother) than Edward Cullen himself and the more I watched and observed his character the more the resemblance between the two vampires became apparent.

      Stefan has much to deal with, whether it's blood lust, heart trust or just general day to day living, but then comes the problem of his older brother Damon. Just when Stefan thinks he might have everything under control, his wild rule breaking older brother swoops in and steals the scene in Mystic Falls and then Stefan knows there is really trouble. In spite of his brother's short comings, Stefan is determined to see some good and humanity and Damon.

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Damon Salvatore

Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore

     "The Vampire Diaries" wouldn't be what it is without the Damon Salvatore. Arrogant, narcissistic, self centered, manipulative with no trace of humanity or goodness, Damon seems to be the classic antagonist for a vampire franchise. Every character has their story, even the villains and Damon's story is the most compelling story on the show. He may not care about humans or humanity in general, he may not care about the choice between life and death and he may not care about his brother's concerns about him, but what Damon does care about is a heart that has been broken and a soul that has been alone for 145 years.

     Damon's  purpose to returning to Mystic Falls is not to terrorize his brother (which he does successfully), but to bring back from the dead, Katherine Pierce whom he still loves in spite of what she did to him. He will stop at nothing to accomplish what he believes to be right and doesn't care who he has to kill, manipulate or turn to do it. In the midst of this, Damon comes across Elena, his brother's new girlfriend and he is intrigued, but cares nothing really for Elena and her human ways. 

     Slowly Elena's kindness begins to work into Damon's cold heart and she believes him to be good, even when he doesn't and his own brother has given up on him. As the Damon's character progresses in the show, he starts out as the villain ready to wreck havoc on Mystic Falls and ends up becoming an unlikely hero to the people there.

     What I love most about Damon is that even though he is the main villain, he is also the comic relief of the whole show, which is probably why he is so popular. All of his dialogue is made up of either sarcasm or sexual references (usually toward Stefan and Elena). He is probably the most charming vampire villain I have yet to see on television. One minute you want to drive a stake through his heart and the next minute you want to do everything in your power to save him. Damon is also unpredictable, therefore he is untrustworthy and you are are at constant odds to know which side he is actually on or if he is on any side at all.

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Love In a Hopeless Place

Elena and Stefan

     Elena's relationship with the two Salvatore brothers couldn't be more different. With Stefan she feels safe and protected. They both have the same goals and dreams. They understand each other, better than others do. She doesn't have to doubt Stefan and his motives and always believes that Stefan will do good no matter how bad the situation may become.

     The love between Elena and Stefan is not obsessive love, but pure honest love. Honesty is an important issue to them and without honesty they cannot love completely and wholeheartedly. When Stefan falls into dangerous blood lust, Elena pulls him out by confronting her guilty past and reassuring him that there is a reason to live even in a world dominated by darkness. Elena has Stefan's love, not by wining or complaining, but through her kindness and generosity toward others.

     For Elena, Stefan is straight forward, his mysteries are explained and questions are answered as she walks beside him in perfect harmony and contentment. Stefan is her calm in the storm and her warmth in the bleak cold nights. Stefan is all the good and honest and right in the small town of Mystic Falls and Elena considers herself very fortunate and blessed to be loved by him.

Damon and Elena

      And then there is Damon. Damon Salvatore who teases, provokes and annoys Elena to no end. All the two of them seem to do is fight non stop about everything. Damon thinks it's ridiculous that a mortal can live happily with a vampire. He scoffs at the idea of vampires being able to do good in the world. He first sees Elena as a nuisance who gets in the way of his plans, but slowly realizes that there is more to her than warm blood and a beating heart.

      Elena dislikes Damon from the moment she first meets him. She already has to put up with male drama from her brother as well as her ex-boyfriend and she really doesn't need it from her new boyfriend's brother. Overtime Elena, in her good way, believes that Damon possesses some kind of goodness. If he wants to bring his long lost love back from the dead, that must mean he has a heart that still loves.

     Their relationship becomes complex with each episode. Damon becomes fiercely protective of Elena and even comes down on her own brother for disrespecting her. When another vampire threatens to bring danger into Mystic Falls, Damon retaliates and says,

 "You do not come into my town and threaten the people I care about. Going after Elena? Bad move. You leave her alone or I will rip you to bits."

Elena in return defends Damon and believes there is more to him that what is seen on the surface. Even she has her limits though and when she is pushed to the edge she can give up Damon entirely. 

     Where Stefan's path is straight forward and clear, Damon's is winding, twisting and confusing, not knowing where it begins and where it may end. Damon is the storm that Elena can never seem to calm and his coldness only makes her hate or love him more, depending on how he has made her feel.

     Stefan is the answer that brings light and Damon is the mystery that always lurks in the shadows, not wanting to be found.

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The Vampire Diaries

     I am really surprised at how much I have grown to love this show! I'm not a huge fan (yet), but it's a good watch. Being a vampire show, there is graphic violence and sexual content as well as drug use in the beginning. The storyline is strong and engaging and the episode soundtracks are great. Above all, I love the characters, there are the characters you absolutely love and characters you absolutely despise with a passion.

     I've started Season 2 and so the story just gets deeper and darker.

And the characters just get better and better!

"All I Need" by The Temptation Within

Featured on The Vampire Diaries Season 1 - Ep. 19 "Miss Mystic Falls" 

This is my favorite scene from the entire show where you get a glimpse into Elena and Damon's beginning relationship. And the song itself is simply beautiful.

Surviving The Panem Arena

Contest of Epic Literary Survival

Mordor or the Panem Arena

     In a battle to the death or to destroy the one ring, we will present 5 objects of random which you will then use your great and imaginative minds to tell us how you would use them to survive the hostile literary environment.

Panem Arena

1. A book (of your choice)

    
Well, first I would get 'friendly' with the Head Gamermaker (coughSenecaCranecough) and have him hand over the game plan (I assume it may come in book form) to me, which Cinna conveniently manages to hide in my jacket.

2. Box of paper clips

     
I would dump the paper clips out of the boxand put a few tracker jackers inside. I would then throw the box to a tribute chasing me down.     

3. Volley ball

     
Throw the volleyball at some mutts from the top of a tree to distract them.

4. Pair of toe socks

  
Did what Rue did and use them on my hands for gloves on cold nights.

5. Frying pan

   
When I'm done with breakfast I can take out a few tributes in their sleep and steal their weapons.

Thor 2: The Dark World

Agghhhhhhhhh!!!!

I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!

New Show...

So, I just started watching season 1 of "The Vampire Diaries"

and all I can say is...

Stefan and Damon Salvatore of Mystic Falls, Virginia

Well done Virginia!

 (Ignore the fact that it's a fictional town full of vampires, witches and werewolves)

The Bible (2013) - Part 1

The Bible (2013)

     When I first saw the preview for the 2013 miniseries, The Bible, I was partly excited and partly skeptical. In this day of constant secularism and ignorant assumptions of the Word of God, society will do everything in its pathetic power to deny the historical accuracy of the oldest written history in the world. My family was interested though and on the night of its premiere, we, with caution and anticipation, stepped back in time and rediscovered The Bible.

    The story starts with Noah and his family, shut up on the Ark with the animals during the 40 day and 40 night flood. With the thunder rolling, the waves crashing and the mighty Ark rocking to and fro with Noah and his family being tossed from one side to the other, Noah recounts the Creation story (in a riveting Scottish accent!). From the first day of Creation, to the making of Adam and Eve. He recounts the beauty and freedom the Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden and their beautiful relationship with God.

Adam and Eve

     All was perfect and good in God's eyes. Then wickedness, deception and disobedience enters in the Garden and God's perfect plan falls to dust and ashes as his most beautiful creations are tempted to eat from The Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. Banished to live a life of punishment and separation from God, Adam and Eve are sent away from the Garden forever and made to live alone. Although, God watches over them, he is distant and lets their punishment for their sins follow them. It follows in their children and the generations to come afterwards.

     It is seen in the slaughter of Abel by the hands of his brother Cain and then in the wickedness that the whole world has succumbed to. Eventually God tells Noah that he would send a great Flood and wipe out all the wickedness and evil that the world possesses; only Noah and his family are spared. After the great Flood, the world begins again and God will find a new leader and a new people that will forge the oldest and greatest nation in history, The Jews.

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Abraham

The Father of Many Nations

 "I will make you a great nation

and I will bless you,

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you

and whoever curses you, I will curse;

and all the people on earth

will be blessed through you."

~ Genesis 12:1-3

     A good man, an honorable and above all an obedient man. Abraham's obedience is his greatest attribute; it's obedience that gives him courage to the impossible, even it means letting his nephew and only heir go, welcoming three strangers into his home and defending the new faith of his people.

     And then there are times when his obedience is tested to the limit, most especially when it comes to the sacrifice of his long awaited son Isaac. Heartbroken and terrified, Abraham takes his son to the alter and prepares his sacrifice, but his obedience is stronger than fear and God is pleased. This is a man who can lead and can raise a people. This is a man who is going to Change The World.

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Moses

The Prince Who Became a Prophet

  "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all my wonders that I will perform among them. After that he will let you go."

~ Exodus 3:19-20

   A story of constant survival by the hand of God. Moses has been raised in the Pharaoh's palace, but comes to the heavy truth that is actually the son of Hebrew slaves that have lived in bondage for almost 500 years. Confused at his state of life and where he belongs, Moses runs away to the wilderness where he finds God. Some 30 years later, God appears to Moses in the form of a Burning Bush and commands him to return to Egypt and free his people.

   Clearly frightened about the prospect of returning to his former home, not as an Egyptian prince, but as a prophet declaring God's word "Let My People Go!" Moses finds courage through faith and his obedience guides him through the Egyptian land. Through conflict, plagues and pain, Pharaoh frees the slaves, but freedom does not mean a life on happiness and comfort. There is is still suffering, toil and sorrow. God's gives to Moses his law, The Ten Commandments for the Hebrews to live and learn by. Moses' courage and obedience is rewarded and he turns over the role of leadership to Joshua, his most faithful follower.

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Joshua

General of the Lord

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave or forsake you.

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, 

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

~ Joshua 1: 7

     After Moses' death, Joshua is given the heavy burden of leading the Jews out of the wilderness and continuing their journey to God's promised land. Joshua was one of the first biblical warriors of the Bible and lived a life of constant and complete obedience. He led by examples of courage, loyalty and honor. In many ways, Joshua was a greater and stronger leader than Moses and many of the other leaders before him. As a warrior he was fierce and formidable. As a leader he was cautious and wise. He gave glory to God and never let the Jews forgot who their true leader was and where they deliverance would always come from.

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Rahab

A Prostitute Who Had Faith to Obey

"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

~ Hebrews 11:31

      It takes the most unlikely people to do God's will, whether it's in slaves, prophets or even prostitutes. Although little is known about Rahab, she is honored for her courage and obedience by hiding Joshua's spies during the seize of Jericho. Frightened that her family and child may be in danger, the spies reassure that there is nothing to fear, Rahab agrees and allows them escape. Surprised by her willingness to help, one of the spies hands Rahab a scarlet cord and tells her to tie it upon her doorpost when the walls of Jericho fall. She obeys and Rahab and her family spared from destruction. Rahab is honored for her faith and fortitude, even though she wasn't a Jew and became one of the most honored predecessors in the line of Jesus.

     (It's briefly hinted at that Rahab and the spy who gave her the scarlet cord fell in love, but I'll leave that to the watcher's decision...I think they did.)

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 Up next is Samson, Saul and David. Then we get to the New Testament! With those I'll get more onto the actor's portrayals, but all the actors were fantastic!

Randomness Tag

     Bella Rose tagged me for this, but after almost 3 years on Blogger, I still hardly know anyone, which is sad. I'm going to do it anyway and just have fun with it : )

RULES!
Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their sight (THANK YOU Bella)
Post 11 random facts about yourself
Answer 11 questions from the blogger who tagged you
Nominate 11 other bloggers

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11 Facts About Me

1. I have never read literature by Austen, Alcott or Dickens

2. I saw all 3 LOTR movies in theaters

3. My best friend and I have never met face to face

4. I have a habit of buying movies before viewing them

5. I want to get married in June or December

6. I have epilepsy

7. Queen Elizabeth I and Joan of Arc are my heroes

8. I'm a licensed child care worker

9. Writing fanfictions helps my to develop my own original stories

10. My favorite accessory is bracelets

11. Before I die I want to by one thing Chanel

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Somehow this picture reminds me of Bella : )

Bella's Questions

 1. Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables?

Hands down, Les Miserables. 

Phantom is good, by the melodramtic romance drove me crazy. 

I have no idea what Christine saw in either man, anway. They were both annoying.

2. Have you ever climbed trees in a skirt?

I've never climbed trees at all!

3. Did you ever own play handcuffs - and put them to good use?

Not that I can remember

4. When was the last time you went swimming in the snow?

It would have to snow here in Virginia long enough to accomplish that

5. Did you ever make your own bows and arrows?

No, I never had any reason too.

6. Were the witches in your childhood games ever good witches?

When I was a child, my parents were strict about witchcraft and wizardry. 

So witches were never an option.

7. Did you ever create a fantasy world into which you could escape?

I just escaped into other people's fantasy worlds. 

Narnia, Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Panem, etc.

8. Do you dream in color or black and white?

Color

9. Cake or pie?

Cake!!!

10. Are you a) 'early to bed early to rise' b) 'late to bed, late to rise' c) Late to bed early to rise.

b) 'late to bed, late to rise'

11. When you hear the word "magnificent" what's the first thing you think?

A lion, King Peter, Thorin Oakenshield

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Thanks, Bella! 

This was a lot of fun!

Pass The Parcel Blog Party

1. Name your top 5 favourite YA authors: 

 J.K Rowling, Ann Rinaldi, Lemony Snicket, J.R.R Tolkien and Suzanne Collins

2. What's the last YA book you read and what did you think of it?

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins. It was very dark and I wouldn't say that it had a happy ending, but more along the lines of a hopeful ending.

3. What's your favourite YA genre? (Dystopian, romance, sci-fi, contemporary, etc.)

Fantasy and history

4. Let's talk characters! Pick a character you love and tell us why?

Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter." She really is the greatest female literary character of my generation. Hermione is the perfect balance of intelligence, loyalty and courage that coincides with beauty, generosity and kindness. Because of Hermione Granger, girls weren't afraid to be smart, they learned that true leadership comes from being a loyal follower and that love and romance are two very separate ideals.

5. Top YA villain?

 That's hard...probably Voldemort or President Snow.

6. Top YA couple?

 James and Lily Potter

7. With dystopian on the decline, what do you think will be the next hot-trend in YA?

 History

8. What's the next YA book on your to-be-read pile?

 "The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare

9. What's the fastest time you've ever finished reading a book in? (And what was the book?!)

 2dys. "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban."

10. (And now for the burning question) Do you think books should be sorted according to colour or title? (This matters.) 

By title. Because by title there is a general order, but by color it's a personal order. So, by title is easier.