Nelson Mandela - 5 Lessons You Taught Me

How could I ever forget you?

How could I ever not honor you?

Nelson Mandela has been a positive force in my life for as long as I can remember. He wasn't just a president, in fact, he transcended the position. He was a singular entity of sheer willpower that I will never forget. In my darkest moments, he has been there. In my surest moments, he was there.

Here are the 5 Lessons that he taught me:

1. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Education can be defined as two things, systematic instruction or an enlightening experience. Whichever way you do define it, Knowledge is Not power but the application of knowledge IS. Don't just learn something for the sake of learning it, find a way to apply what you know.

2. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

Do not be ignorant in your confidence or forget that we are all human, EVERYONE feels fear. Remain humble even when you do conquer.

When Oprah was reminiscing she told us about a backstage story involving Nelson. He was there for his first Iconic interview with her and he asked if he could meet the other guests of the show that day. When they told him that he was the only one, he was shocked to hear that the entire show was going to be about him. Now that's humble.

3. It always seems impossible until it's done.

Possibly my Favorite lesson! Going to tell you a story: A while back the world's strongest man was Sergei and for the longest time the most he could power lift was 600. Because he was so conditioned to believe that 600 was all he could lift. In his mind, body & soul, that is all he could lift but one day his trainers hatched a daring plan. Instead of his usual daily lift of 600, they put on 602. Now because of Sergei's belief, he lifted it! "Sergei! Sergei! Do yvou know vhat yvou've just done?!" They shouted. Ofcourse after that someone did 605, then someone else did 610 and so on and so on. 

Mount Everest must've seemed insurmountable until someone dared enough to do it and then how many have conquered it now? Hundreds. 

4. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

We rise by lifting others. Do you really want to reach the top, clawing, kicking and screaming against all the others? Or would you rather find like minded individuals that her positive and empowering to share in your journey? I promise you have someone to share your dreams, fears, thoughts and ideas with is a truly magical experience. 

That being said, living a life in service to mankind and the betterment of this world, the only world we have is a beautiful purpose to have.

5. There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

Where would we be if Nelson hadn't risked it all for the freedom of his people?
Can you imagine your children or you not knowing the True Wonder of Harry Potter had JK Rowling settled for the life society deemed fit for her?
What if Barack Obama settled for a quiet life in the suburbs or the doubt that "a black man could never be president of America"?
Dream Big. Take Massive Action.

#MandelaObama
Obama is in town to honor Mandela! 2018
Check out his lessons here:

Barack Obama: 5 Lessons You Taught Me

Bonus Lesson: 

In closing I'm going to leave you with an Infamous quote that Nelson is often mistaken for being the orignator of, it's by Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words

• I’d love to keep connected with you! 

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~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Script: Interview of a Teenage Blogger Queen

Inspire. Create. Write. TM

Model: Taz Noble

INT. PROD HOUSE – TALK SHOWROOM (SHIANE DAILY) – CONT’D

FADE TO:

INSERT THEME OPENING CLIP

PAN SHOT:  to the talk show host

Shiane Hawke stands (broad, welcoming smile), with arms outstretched to greet the in-house audience as well as the viewers.

SHIANE

Welcome back! Thank you for watching. Today we’ll be talking to the multiple award-winning and critically acclaimed, Grace Ann Scott. Dubbed the Blogger Queen by her worldwide fans.

(pause for cheer)

Shiane makes a show of touching her ear as if receiving communication there. She holds up a finger as added.

SHIANE

(CONT’D) Wow, okay I’m getting word now ….that Grace has just entered the parking bay! Let’s have a look shall we?

CUT TO:

EXT. PARKING BAY - DAY

B-ROLL: Wide-angle shot of the thousands of girls & women, shouting and screaming in fandom behind the barricades. Cross-cut to Grace getting out of the car w/ 2nd cam on the cheering fans.

Close ON: Grace waving and greeting the crowd. WHEN(Grace decides to sign autographs or bags, ZOOM IN on 2nd camera to cap action)

SPLIT SCREEN: Cam 1 to stay on the cheering crowds. IF(any emotional girls/women, ZOOM IN). Cam 2 to follow (handheld) Grace into the building.

FADE TO:

INT. PROD HOUSE – TALK SHOW ROOM – CONT’D

DUAL CUT: Cross cut b/tween Cam 1 on Shiane & Cam 2 on Grace.

Dainty hugs shared b/tween Shiane & Grace as to not smudge anything. They get seated at a cross angle to the cameras.

SHIANE

(exultant expression)

Grace Ann Scott! OH. MY. GOD. As I live and breathe. Let me start by saying I’m a huge fan of the ‘GraceConfessions’ website. I never go a day without checking it.

GRACE

Awww, thank you for having me Shiane but it is me who is the fan of you. I’ve watched you for years now and all my fans know it.

SHIANE

Well try as you might to be humble Miss Thang, you’ve created a revolution. That letter you released from Maya is absolutely heart-breaking & uplifting! Is it true that she’s the newest member with her own section on the website and everything?

GRACE

(smacks her hands together)

Yes! Oh my God! I’m so excited for her. Maya is just a complete phenomenon right now and she’s inspiring girls all over the world. I have big plans in store for her.

SHIANE

That’s amazing Grace, I know all the tweens are loving you for that. Plucking some random from obscurity and giving her a life only celebrities get to live. On a more serious note, is it true that you & Maya share a very special bond? Can you tell us about it?

GRACE

(visibly saddened, looks down)

Maya’s letter really resonated with me because I too lost my mother at a young age.

(shakes head out) (MOS)

(CONT’D) Yet I know that Maya is one of a kind, thoughtful, funny, totally teddy bear hug you to the wall caring. I would be ‘besties like toasties’ with her in any lifetime.

B.G(Background): Producer waves to Shiane to advise on the time limit.

SHIANE

Well, without further ado let’s get this show on the rolly polly, shall we? So you’ve been called the Blogger Queen, the Queen of Beauty, the Grace connection. Can you tell us how this all started?

GRACE

(laughs nervously at the attention)

Oh please, I ain’t no Queen. I have friends around the world, not loyal subjects. (laughs). Basically, my ‘besties like toasties’ Ashley & Nicole were complaining about how all the websites were extremely hardcore beauty or extremely hardcore anti-beauty. But there was nothing in the middle, nothing light-hearted and fun. That’s what the ‘GraceConfessions’ is all about, keeping everyone completely up to date with beauty but by keeping it real & quirky which is what most of us are, is it? Quirky.

SHIANE

(claps)

Yes! How true that is girl! Now, I hope you don’t mind but ever since it was announced that you’d be here, the fans have been tweeting us up into a storm. There’s been so many questions asked & we’d like to get a few of them answered.

GRACE

Ofcourse I don’t mind. Ask away Shi.

SHIANE

(looks to the crowd in anticipation)

Here we go. Grace, the fans would like to know, What is your skin care regime?

GRACE

I’m a CEM kinda girl. Cleanser, Exfoliant & Moisturizer. On certain days, I apply the eye cream, toner & a mask.

SHIANE

Perfect, ok question number 2. Becka from Sydney wants to know, Do you wear makeup every day?

GRACE

Oh yes, it’s just a part of who I am. Alittle goes a long way.

SHIANE

I like this one, What is your favorite beauty brand?

GRACE

Well ofcourse it’s MAC, MAC for life but I’ve really been enjoying a Japanese brand lately. It’s called Shiseido.

SHIANE

Really? Maybe I should give it a go as well. Question number 4 from Brighton in London, What are your beauty sins? Oh! Speaking of this, you site gets thousands upon thousands of these on a daily basis. Which one is your favorite?

GRACE

Brighton! Such a cool name. It’s true I’ve read every beauty sin I’ve thought possible and still more pours in every day. I would say it’s not washing out my makeup before bed, some days are just more exhausting than others. My favorite would be the one a guy posted a while ago about how he shaves with baby oil. We’ve had so many guys come back and say they tried it with great success. It was really funny and incredibly humbling to see guys use the site too.

IN B/tween shots of laughter from the crowd.

SHIANE

Gracy, so modest. Ofcourse guys follow it, it wouldn’t be a revolution if they didn’t. So What’s in your make-up bag at this very moment?

GRACE

I think the more interesting question is, what isn’t.

(laughs; short bursts)

Let’s see my key items that I can’t live without are Eye Shadow, Eye Liner & Lip Stick.

SHIANE

Oh yes darling, I couldn’t bear to not have that on me. Ok, let’s see hmmm the next question is from Teddy in Texas. She says, You are late for a meeting and can only put on one make-up item before leaving the house what do you grab?

(Grace & Shiane look at each knowingly and at the same time s/o)

Eye Liner!

(giggling ensues, crowd joins)

SHIANE

Yes, it really is the only thing worth having isn’t it. Right then, Grace Ann have you ever uh, I think the phrase they used is, “ugly cried” and have your mascara run in public?

GRACE

(laughs childishly)

Veronica Roth

That’s a new one!.....I thank God for water-proof mascara otherwise, there would have been plenty of insta-Blair witch project photos of me out there by now.

PAN OUT: Crowds reaction.

SHIANE

(waits for crowd to die down)

Ally and she adorably she signed this as Ally Not McBeal, is a housewife in Wisconsin asks If you could dye your hair any colour what would it be?

GRACE

In honor of the great artist Prince, I’m definitely going to say ~Purple Rain, Purple Rain~ (sings in perfect pitch)

SHIANE

Wow, you’ve got some pipes on you girl. Question number 9 is, How often do you wash your hair?

GRACE

I try to do it every day but during my busiest weeks, it’s most likely every second day.

SHIANE

Taraji from Kenya would like to know, Are your eyebrows on fleek? Wait what in the holy heavens are eyebrows on fleek? Sounds positively demented.

GRACE

(giggles and claps on legs)

Don’t worry Shi, it’s an American thing...mostly. As with most things beauty related it started with Kim Kardashian & her eyebrow war with the wonderfully goofy Cara Delevingne. Kim won by bleaching her eyebrows and the trend ‘eyebrows on fleek’ was born. It's a variation of the word 'flick' or eyebrows on point if you will. So my answer is, yes (giggles) and I do enjoy watching those who do it too.

Posted by Brinton Parker

SHIANE

Really? You Americans are really some’fin else you know that?

B.g: Producer rolls out his hand.

(CONT’D) Let’s continue, shall we? Question 10 is Do you Contour?

GRACE

I love how this isn’t a model exclusive thing anymore. Yes! I love to contour. Ashley is the greatest at it and always does mine before we hit the town.

SHIANE

We’re almost done here. Minali from South Africa would like to know if you thread or wax?

GRACE

Minali, I love these names. Well Minali, I thread ofcourse but there’s just something’s better left waxed, you know. (winks to cam 5)

PAN SHOT: crowd

SHIANE

Last question Grace Ann, What would you call your own beauty brand?

GRACE

(exultant expressions)

I’m so overjoyed that you asked that question. (body language to the crowd). I’m very excited to announce that the ‘GraceConfessions’ site is well on it’s way to launching it’s very own beauty brand!

PAN SHOT: Crowd reaction, ZOOM IN on exultant expressions.

SHIANE

(visibly excited)

Don’t leave us in the dark now Grace Ann, tell us what it’s going to be called.

GRACE

(looks around w/ mysterious smile to build anticipation)

………….It’s going to be called The Grace Kelly! (crowd erupts, waits for settle down) Yeah, we’ve gotten the permission from Miss Kelly’s estate and everything. The Olsen Twins are one of our big investors.

SHIANE

Bloody Hell! I cannot wait to try this new brand out, you simply must not forget to send me samples. Also, it seems another popular must have from the twitter-verse is a Quick Fire round. In which I give you two options and you pick one in rapid succession. Ready?

GRACE

Awesome sauce! We play quick fire all the time at sleepovers. Go for it.

SHIANE

Gel or Acrylic

GRACE

Gel

SHIANE

Liquid Liner or Pencil Liner

GRACE

Oooh pencil is a golden oldie but I’m going to have to go with Liquid on this one.

SHIANE

Yes me too Luv. Matt or Gloss.

GRACE

Daily it’s Gloss all the way but special occasions… bring out the Matt finish.

SHIANE

Salon or DIY

GRACE

DIY. Ashley would say, personal stylist.

(laughs from crowd & Shiane)

SHIANE

Curled or Straight

GRACE

Curled

SHIANE

Bold Lip or Dramatic Eyes

GRACE

I’m especially fond of the Egyptian eyes.

SHIANE

Oh yes! Me too! So intriguing. French Tip or Nail Art

GRACE

French Tip

SHIANE

Floral or Musky notes for your perfume

GRACE

Floral

SHIANE

Makeup wipes or Micellar Water

GRACE

Oh, we love Micellar water.

SHIANE

(claps hands together)

Grace Ann, that was a lovely round of fan-based questions, don’t you think?

(looks to Cam 7)

(CONT’D) Thank you all for tuning into Shiane Daily. Grace insisted we answer the fan questions first as you all mean so much to her. Join us after the break where Grace and I will be interviewing some potential candidates for the ‘GraceConfessions’ position right here in the UK!

B-Roll: Wide-angle shot as theme music plays in the background of cheering crowd.

Cross-out: Cam 5 to close on Grace as she waves to the crowd.

FADE OUT: Commercial Break. 

****************************************

Authors Note*

Please Note* That this was just me being creative with a Blog Tag writing prompt and might not entirely reflect the true form of a script as I didn't want it to be too technical.

The First Photo was modeled by local Cosplay Icon, Taz Noble and refers to my original short story on Wattpad, called the “The Lady in Blue Heels.”

Update* “The Lady in Blue Heels.” is now available on the blog!

Mommy Blogger: How I found out I was Pregnant

Mommy Blogger: How I found out I was Pregnant Part 2

You can also read the Prequel to this titled: Confessions of a Teenage Blogger Queen

It’s filled with love, romance, intrigue, drama & suspense. Get to know more about Grace Annelise Scott.

The Blog Tag provides bloggers with daily Writing Prompts in line with a weekly theme.

If you're interested in taking part either follow the link or click on the image below which will take you to the Aesthetically Blog-tastic Website.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

How to apply the Motivational Press Core Values to Your Daily Life

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

Buenas Dias!
I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend, mine was spent out of the house in motivation to catch Pokemon. For the first time in a long time, my dad & I went for a walk together. It was a great bonding experience for us. The Pokemon GO app is taking the world by storm and getting people/gamers out the door in adventure.

But alas it's the start of a new week and it's imperative to start it off with a bang. Akasha Garnier, who recently celebrated the First Look at her Cover Reveal: Shine Through the Noise here on the blog. An amazing friend and mentor I've met via social media, recommended an awesome company to me, Motivational Press. 

Meet CEO Justin Sachs

The first thing I went to was their mission statement & core values, what immediately stuck with me was the universal message that I could see within them. I realized, "Hey I can actually apply these to my daily actions." My thought process was that I needed a change, I needed new direction and an action plan. Motivational Press Core Values provided just that.

Thanks to the application of these Core Values into my daily life, I not only received two payments from one client in one day but I also recently celebrated 50,000 Pageviews reached on the blog for the first time this month. The last milestone was 20,000 in a month and my goal was to reach 50,000 next. I had no expectation that it would be this soon but I can assure you, 80% of that outcome was based on applying these values.

How to apply the Motivational Press Core Values to Your Daily Life

1. Deliver Extraordinary Service

Believe anything worth doing is worth doing exceptionally well. Differentiate yourself by doing things in an unconventional and innovative way. Go above and beyond the average level of service to create huge WINS for yourself, your clients and/or your company.

2. Embrace and Drive Change

Recognize that any industry is in the midst of transformation. With the arrival of new technology, not only handle the fast-paced change constantly evolving in the world, but also embrace it with open arms. Never accept or become comfortable with the status quo but always think of ways to change processes, perspectives, and opinions, hopefully for the better. Success always lies outside your comfort zone.

3. Create Fun and Interactive Collaboration

Be committed to making the world around you a little more fun and a lot more interconnected. Realize that it's good to laugh at yourself every once in a while. Your work shouldn’t be synonymous with drudgery. Always look for a chance to fully engage in your work and bring out the fun and interactivity in it.

4. Be Adventurous, Creative and Open-Minded

Be bold without being reckless. Do not be afraid to make mistakes because, after all, that's often the best way to learn. Takes risks and be open to your clients/company taking risks too. As long as you learn from them as a team and use them to make better decisions in the future. Believe that your gut feeling can always be tested and evaluated before released publicly. Everyone can develop a gut feeling about business decisions as long as they are open to new ideas.

5. Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication

Become an open book. Your honesty when interacting with others leads to strong relationships built on trust and faith. Use those relationships to accomplish so much more than you could otherwise. It’s not easy getting there! Always strive to act in integrity, be compassionate and loyal, and be a good listener. At the end of the day, it’s not what we say or do, but how we make people feel that matters the most.

6. Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit

You should want to build a family, not just a team with your colleagues. Serve those you lead by removing obstacles and enable your team/clients/company to succeed. As a family, you should watch out for each other and care for each other. Work together and play together because those bonds go beyond typical business relationships.

7. Do More with Less

Always be on the lookout for how to make yourself more efficient and improve your daily operations. There’s always room for improvement and you should always feel a sense of urgency when making those improvements. Strive to not only be a great service company/independent consult but the greatest service company/independent consult in the world. Strive to set and exceed your own high standards for getting more done with the same or even fewer resources than before.

8. Be Passionate and Determined

What should keep you at the forefront of other industries out there? It’s your passion for your business and your culture. Be inspired because you believe in what you are doing and where you are going. Don’t ever take,“That’ll never work” for an answer. Have a positive and optimistic attitude because it inspires everyone around you to achieve more and be more.

9. Be Humble

Know that despite all the great things that you have accomplished in the past, there will always be challenges ahead. No matter what happens, always be respectful of everyone. Learn to love to celebrate your individual and team successes, but not in an arrogant or boastful way. Believe in a quiet confidence because in the long run your character will speak for itself.

To help with this I do a Gratitude list at least twice a week. A gratitude list is a list you write up of All the things you are grateful for as of that date. You might just be surprised as to what appears there especially the first thing that pops up in your mind. It will help keep you humble, realize that there is less to complain about and relish in all that you can be thankful for.

I know without even knowing you that you have massive greatness within you, the power to change the world in untold ways. You need only have the WILL & NERVE to go out there and become.
This is a great start and action plan for you to achieve all that you have ever dreamed of and more.
Believe in yourself, apply these core values into your daily life & most importantly, take massive action, not tomorrow or the day after but take action Now.

Do come back and share your feedback on how this application has affected your daily life. All are welcome.

I'm going to leave you with my favorite motivational quote by Mark Twain.

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

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Noticed the Big Sign/Badge on the right-side of my blog, did ya? Yes, The Blog Tag. An amazing community that supports & encourages bloggers by providing them with weekly themes & daily writing prompts in reference to those themes. Join the Fun :-)

© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words

• I’d love to keep connected with you! 

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~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

#PokemonGO - 5 Lessons You Taught Me

Happy #PokemonDAY y'all!

So excited & honored to be doing this post. I have been a massive fan of Pokemon since childhood.
From the weekly tuning into the animated TV show to the collecting of those Tazos to the endless hours of playing the games that came out. So I believe I'm uniquely qualified (insane hours clocked on all things Pokemon related), to talk to you about the latest phenomenon called #PokemonGO and why it's literally spanning across generations, oceans, and motions throughout the World.

But first, let's watch the Trailer:


AMAZING right?!!! {That was rhetorical}

So what is #PokemonGO?

It's a free-to-play location-based augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic and published by The Pokémon Company as part of the Pokémon franchise.

Meaning>>> The game allows players to capture, battle, and train virtual Pokémon who appear throughout the real world. It makes use of GPS and the camera of compatible devices.

Why Should you care?

I'll tell you why, my curiously awesome friends, I'll tell you the 5 Lessons #PokemonGO has Taught Me. 

1. Get Up & Go!

As I mentioned, I've been playing the Pokemon games for years upon years, but in all that time where was I? Stuck at either my desktop PC or rooted to a comfy couch with my Gameboy in hand. There was that occasional "on the go" gaming but it was never a motivating factor.

What I love about this game is that it gets you moving in a way that others before haven't. Think about it? What's the last game you heard about that had a Vast amount of people actively and positively looking forward to leaving the house/office during peak hours. Since the game is GPS based and provides you with endless hours of fun with only a gentle nudge out the door. No matter how much you might hate moving around for whatever reason or how inactive you think you are this game will Change all of that.

How's that for a mind-bending plot twist? Haha!

2. You never know 

...What's going to cause disruption on a WorldWide Scale!

Within two days of its release, Pokemon GO overtook Tinder in daily active users on Android.

Now it's near surpassing Twitter, one of the mainstayers in social networking for the past several years.

This is pretty huge - Twitter has invested hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly a decade to build its userbase to its current state, and Nintendo is managing to potentially beat that after a week. That's INSANE! in the membrane {just had to say it}

The marketing aspect of this is mind boggling even more so than viral videos or adorable kittens. There's no adequate nor even a wanted formula to describe Magic, it just happens. 

3. Diversity in a time of Adversity

Pokemon GO is making people, especially gamers much nicer & friendly. Where they use to be secluded and avoided human contact like the plague, are now out there interacting with gamers, no people, on a face to face basis. Social gatherings have been booming but at the heart of it? Resonation. Fellow PokemonGO gamers from all walks of life at all the ages & colors too are now socializing in comradery over their adventures and places been. Pick any park, go to it and just see all the human interaction going on. 

4. Disruption is to Change what is Nessecary

Yes, there will always be haters and naysayers, don't even bother with what they've said about Uber or Twitter just compare bank accounts. Then compare with the above positive, life changing tweets. 

Change is met with resistance from those that are too use to the way things are. 

Success lies outside your comfort zone, it has never been found within it.

The businesses & people that have adapted to it have seen a sizable increase in customers & experiences. It might not have been the "plan" but they've risen to the challenge in new innovative ways that just makes me smile. 

5. Have Fun!

When was the last time you went for a walk? With a friend or family member?

When was the last time that was actually and truly a fun filled experience?

Read this post from the Trophy Wife Style

In it she talks about her experience from an unknowing user to a fully fledged trainer who has awesome bonding moments with her kids through the game. - Loved reading it.

I've physically seen both people I don't know and people I do know jump into this game with unbelievable enthusiasm & vigor.

Read this awesome post by Dorkly.com titled:
8 Reasons Why Pokemon GO Is the Most Important Game of the Decade
As soon as I got the game I told my dad, I said, "Dad, let's go for a walk and catch some pokemon."
He was surprised, to say the least since he's been trying to get me on walks for years and smiling brightly at my sudden burst of interest in activity of any kind. 

You have got to take any chance you get to have FUN, this is just one of them and boy is it entertaining.

***

In honor of my supreme fandom of Pokemon

Here is my sketch of the Original Starters

Squirtle, Bulbasaur & my personal favorite Charmander

From left to right: Squirtle, Bulbasaur & Charmander

Check out more FanArt Here

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara

Once upon a time. In a land far, far away. Far from the eyes of mortal men, lived the most 
beautiful Fairy Queen the Fae Kingdom had seen in a many a moon. Stories of Queen Shakira spread far and wide, stretching to the very edges of the Fae Kingdom. She was known for her incredible passion and grace, neigh a fairy in all of creation had ever been known to be as inspiring as she was to her kinsfolk.

Princess Kitara

Chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp, the morning chimes pierced into the very recesses of my mind to gently wake me from my slumber. I yawned very ungracefully, ruffled my hair more and finally got out of bed, stretching my wings ever so far. With a sluggish movement, I hovered to the balcony doors and with a deep breath, I pulled them open. I closed my eyes and smiled as the morning sun and scent
enveloped my senses. 

With a start, I caught myself and realized I had now hovered just over the balcony’s borders. I laughed, a triumphant laugh, today was the day. My 321st birthday, I was finally going to do it. For as long as I could remember, the only thing I had ever wanted in this world was to go on a great adventure, the kind that legends are made of, the kind that was both exciting and dangerous. Ever since I was little, I was taken to see every inch of Faeora, every kind of fairy and every moon since. Of course, the expeditions were planned by my mother, the Queen so the Fae Knights were always around me, suffocating my every move.

It was almost as if mother had tied them with an invisible tether to me. Knowing her, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

There was a soft knock on the door, three taps. Hoorah! It had finally arrived; I opened the door carefully and looked around nothing. Hmm, that’s odd, something pulled on my gown.

I looked down to find the tiniest and most adorable fairy girl. “Uhm excuse me miss, the master asked me to gives this to you. Uhm please don’t tells him I’m late, I like sweets you sees and well I uhm got distracted by somes.”

The way in which she talked was funny enough but looking into those big brown button eyes, how could I refuse such an honest request. “Of course, I will not (for one thing I had no idea who the master was), kindly convey my sincerest thank you to the master. And here you go.” I handed her a gold coin, “Go get distracted by a few more sweets from me, ok sweety.”

She skipped away with a large smile on her freckled face.

In truth, I really couldn’t wait to open the package. Years of befriending the right Fairies, and subtle hints, and of tiptoeing around the topic had finally yielded results. I carefully opened the package and in it, was surprisingly only two pages. I skeptically opened the first one with a frown. It was a letter from the ‘Master’.

“Dearest Kitty Kat.” (obviously a ridiculous attempt at obscuring my identity)

I venture not to think why any fairy would request such a ‘thing’ from me. However, be that as it may you once saved my favorite flower from a hardship and that I can never repay. However, consider this my attempt at such. The second piece of paper is a map to what you are looking for. Please do remember the following rules, as not doing so will most likely get you killed or worse (what was worse than being killed?):

The 1st and most important rule, do NOT fall in love with a mortal.

The 2nd and most important rule, do Not trust anyone especially those that claim to be Fae.

The 3rd and most impo-"

The rest of the letter was burnt off, hmmm that’s weird and why was every one of his rules the most important ones. But that was soon forgotten as I opened up the map, “I cannot believe it.”

It was in a place I had visited constantly but never thought to look. The bath and dress up was a breeze with magic, with a wiggle of my index finger, it was done. I grabbed my already prepared travel sack, which I disguised as a tiny ruby red ring to go on that very same index finger. Just as I was about to leave, an invisible hand stayed me. Sigh, thinking back to that day only a few days ago……

Kitara had just entered the dining hall to find her mother dearest at the window at the very end of the hall. Mother stood poised and direct, as a Queen should, most regal in her rule. With her dark and languid black hair, and piercing green eyes. Kitara would have been the splitting image of her mother had it not been for her father, The King’s icy blue eyes and deep dimples. She tried to remember a time when her mother was full of smiles and warmth; it seemed like eons upon eons ago, so much so that the memories almost seemed fake. No, the mother she knew, the mother she had come to know could never have been such a mother. 

It must have been memories Kitara had made up in her head to compensate for such happenstance. Although Kitara knew what had changed her, it was a story she had been told by almost everyone in the kingdom no one more so than by her Mother. It was the day her Mother had lost everything. You see a Fairy’s wings were her very soul and according to legend, her Mother’s wings were the most magnificent in its beauty. 

It was the day she had lost her wings and the day she had lost the King, her husband and Kitara’s father to a human hunter. According to legend, he was the only mortal to ever enter Faeora and on that day tragedy struck the Kingdom. Leaving her kinsfolk with a very healthy and pretty endless fear of the mortal world. Ever since then, Mother has been on a tireless campaign to ensure Kitara was never hurt or harmed in any way. She increased the Fae Knightship tenfold and ensured a detail of 7 Fae Knightship at all rotatable hours of any given day. They were called the Galicia and were comprised of the most heroic and stoic warriors in all the land. Sometimes you would only need those 7 to win a war and yet now they were stuck babysitting the already over-protected princess. Kitara approached her Mother reservedly, nervously fidgeting with her morning dress.

“Mother.” She bowed.

“You’re 7 minutes late Kitara, I would have taught you by now that a Queen is never late only ever early, would I not?” Her mother replied still looking out that damned window.

Kitara knew better than to retort. “Yes Mother, I am very sorry Mother.”

“Come, we will have breakfast quickly as your day is scheduled with many an endeavor.”

They sat in tensioned quiet, her mother very delicately eating while Kitara hadn’t the stomach for this morning’s scones with picanut fillings. She took a deep breath and said, “Mother, my 321st birthday is next week and you promised I would get to go on an adventure outside the Kingdo-“

A fist slammed on the table. The Queen regained her composure yet fire still burned in her eyes. “I promised you no such thing young one. You are my daughter and as such you have obligations to your kinsfolk before any such meaningless and immature adventures.” This time, she sighed and with gentler eyes said, “My dearest Kitara please do not start this again, I am only doing what a Mother must to protect her daughter. Her daughter whom she loves very much. But such a love comes with conditions; I could not bear to lose you too. Maybe in a few years or so.”

Now it was Kitara’s turn to fume, “You did not promise? You did not promise? You do exactly the same thing every time Mother; you try to guilt me with Father’s passing. I am not him nor you, I am but both of you. I want to go on an adventure! You’re not fair at all! Argggh.” She stormed off to her room vowing to follow her dream even if it meant disobeying her Mother, the Queen.

I was jolted back into the present by Sebastian, my dearest friend, and a changeling. Meaning he could transfigure into anything he so desired, his favorite form of which was a sea blue feathered sparrow.

~You best get a move on princess, we haven’t the time for regret~ he said through telepathy.

Of course, he could talk but it was his own private joke to talk into my head like we shared a secret. My ring got heavier the further away from the castle I became; it was as if a weight was on my shoulders. However my excitement at the adventure to come far outweighed my guilt. 

~Shh, you’re thinking too loud. We’re here.~

I paused at the giant white oak tree, the very tree I had spent many a day reading and sleeping under. According to the map, this was the spot, a keyword was labeled next to it “Aspermortantium.” She read aloud, suddenly the ground started to shudder and a wide arc opened at the base of the colossal tree. I looked around and with one final glance at the castle in the distance, slipped into the unknown.

Queen Shakira

Shakira stood at the very same window she had become accustomed to for the past three hundred and twenty years. It was at this very window that she had seen what had irrevocably changed her life forever. Lord Barathus, how she hated fighting with Kitara but if she didn’t be so firm, the girl would be frolicking with Mountain trolls! Such an adventurous spirit, which she cursed because it came from her. Yet she did not realize just how important she was, how vital her survival was for the Kingdom. You see Shakira was losing her Magical essence and would soon be very much mortal, ever since losing her wings the magic has been seeping out of her slowly but surely. Soon she would be no longer the Queen of Faeora, just another faceless mortal doomed to suffering and disgrace. She needed to make sure Kitara was read-

Something caught her eye; it was Kitara’s eye! At the very topmost hill with the great White oak tree. The portal had been opened! However did she?! “Captain Verhad! Captain Verhad!!!” Shouting at the top of her lungs.

The captain and a squadron of Fae knights stormed the dining hall with murderous purpose. “What is it my queen”, asked the captain.

Shakira turned her cheek to the window to avoid giving away any further concern. “I said Captain Verhad, had I not?” She waited for the footsteps to die out before turning to the Captain, fool of worry in her face. Tears now streaked her perfect face, “Kitara has found the portal!! I do not know how but whoever told her will be severely punished. You MUST go after her, I would go to but only true Fae or Mortal may pass through and since I am neither I will only hinder you by such trivialities. Please captain, save my one true daughter.” The captain was out the hall without another word, he had already staked his life on protecting her many years ago, there was no need for a remittance. Oh Lord Barathus, please do not let her know the same pain that she did all those many years ago.

Johnny Padelaki

Man, I hate this shop, I hate the smell, I hate the books, I hate my grandfather for making me work here and I hate my father for letting him make me work here. It was an antique for Christ sakes, nobody hardly ever came to an antique bookstore to buy a book, why, when you can read the latest game of thrones novel at exclusive books. Arrggggh it was so suffocating.

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to go on an adventure and as soon as I get my Anthropology and archeology degree, I am as good as gone from this squeaky old place. I could almost hear my rackety old grandpa now, “Young man, this shop has been in our family for generations. Why my father owned it and his father before him and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. It is on sacred ground and must be preserved.” Sigh, I hated to disappoint the old man but I needed to get out of here and live my life. I was so going get a job at the archeology society of great London and volunteer for any and every expedition there was.

Crash!!!! A loud thud followed by what sounded like a mountain of books falling (yes it had happened before unsurprisingly in this heap of tattered old books). I followed the sound to the study in the back, noticing that the books had fallen to reveal a long forgotten family heirloom. The Mirror was something he was told to never ever touch. Oh well, I only had two more days before graduation, what could one-touch do. Although it felt like an uncontrollable urge, like a gravitational pull. As my fingers roamed the ceremonial engravings on the frame, it started to warm up to the touch. A force knocked me off my feet and into a shelf. I came to at the smell of lilies, my vision blurred but my curiosity of that heavenly scent pulled me forward. I blinked several times before I saw her clearly. I girl who looked no older than I did, was lying on the ground unconscious from my observations. Dark black her and the kind of beauty that would make a man’s, this man’s heart stop beating. She opened her eyelids and from them the most dazzling eyes he had ever seen.

They were a piercing blue with flakes of green, no almost whitish blue in them. It was almost as if they were dancing in her irises. I am left speechless, even as a puzzled frown formed on her beautiful face as she looked around taking in her surroundings. Wait, what the hell was going on, there is no way just no way had she come out of the Mirror right? Right? No that’s absurd.

“Good day kind sir. Forgive me but I seem to be out of sorts. Is this what is called the Earthen lands? Ouch, it seems I have hurt one of my wings, no matter it will heal shortly”.

Now it was my turned to do the puzzled frown although I imagine I looked quite foolish to this goddess from the Mirror. From a frickkin mirror? Things like this can’t just happen. “Earthen Lands? If you mean Earth, then yes. Wings? I’m sorry but what wings?”

Now it was her turn to frown again, she glanced behind her back and so did I. “Do you not see them?” I shook my head. “-hmm that is most peculiar. I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen Shakira, protector and savior to all the Fae, successor to the throne and protected by the Galicia. And who might you be kind sir?”

I blinked a few times trying to remember and understand that. “I’m Johnny Pedalaki and uhm no title,” I said nervously hoping I didn’t have soot all over my face from the explosion or whatever it was that brought this girl into my life.

The front door was pushed open with such force that the bell on it rang then broke, then fell to the floor, “Gimme all yo money!!- wait, hey no one is here. I thought you said there was always some kid here Henry.” Said the first guy.

“Dammit man don’t use my name! He’s always here. Be careful, he knows some kinda Kung Fu shit I ain't never seen.”

I rolled my eyes and looked down at Kitara, holding out my hand and muttering, “Mirror explodes and beautiful girl pops out then the store gets robbed by anti-geniuses, man when it rains it pours.”

Kitara piped up, “I am not familiar with that expression Johnny Padelaki no title”.

I put a finger to her lip, marveling at her and said: “It’s just Johnny, whoever are you?”

“I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen-“

I smiled and interrupted “Never mind, come with me and you have to be quiet.” I pulled her towards a very old closet, she was behind me now, and God she smelled good. I felt dizzy but at the same time, I was not going to let anything hurt this undeniably beautiful creature. I motioned for her to stay put. Henry and his partner entered the room looking around. Firstly they only had a baseball bat and each of them had no protective clothing on, what morons. I burst out of the closet like a barbarian, man since when did I get this reckless. I threw myself at Henry, I knew this guy, he grew up down the block from me and now here he was trying to steal from me and hurt what is mine. I don’t know where this rage came from, maybe it was from all those years in the shop who knows but I pounded fist after fist at his face. A loud pop rang in the air followed by a sharp pain at my side, which was only superseded, by the most excruciating and exploding pain I had ever felt, I toppled off to the side off of Henry’s bloody face. Clutching my own side in agony and to avoid losing any more blood. Damn this frickkin hurt, no one ever says how much it hurts. The guys in the movies always make it seem like nothing and get up. I couldn’t even see straight let alone move.

I heard the closet door open again and Kitara stepped out, I tried to get up but cursed, I was useless I couldn’t even save her. Man, why had I been so reckless? Henry’s accomplice, let’s call him DonkeyFace said: “Well looky what we have here, damn you look fine baby come give daddy some sugar.” I could see enough to tell

Kitara was pissed. She rushed the guy, no not rushed actually flew at the guy and grabbed him by the throat with one hand lifting him up. DonkeyFace was choking for air, then she wiggled her index finger and he crumpled to the ground like dead weight. She turned to me with concern in her gorgeous eyes, man what I would give to never have to see that worry in her eyes ever again.

“Arrgggh, sorry I’m so useless,” I grunted, disappointed in myself.

Kitara knelt down and gently hovered her hand over my wound. Miraculously I watched in awe as the wound closed, I felt the bullet inside me dissolve into sweet nothingness. “I am so glad you are in good health Just Johnny, you have been so kind to me and I like your eyes, I wish to see nothing ever bad happen to you” I chuckled, She liked my eyes? I frickkin loved her eyes! She placed her hand over my heart and closed her eyes; wow was she going to heal my soul or something now. Her eyes popped open with delight, she smiled and it just melted my heart “You have Fae blood in you, it’s faint but still there.” Again it was my turn with the Willy Wonka puzzled frown,

“Uhm that’s weird, maybe it was a transfusion or something. Am I in trouble?”

She laughed, it was the most entrancing sound I had ever heard, “No silly, it cannot be transfused it is part of who you are. And no you are not in trouble and now neither am I hahahah.” Kitara stood up and magically produced a large ivory colored sword that shone like the moon. “Dearest Johnny Padelaki of no title and my savior. By your forefather the Fae Bronson (Hey! That’s my great granddad's name), and by my Mother before me, I dub thee Fae Knight of the Royal

Bloodline. Do you denounce all in the name of your Queen and kinsfolk? To swear only to serve and protect those you are charged with in innocence?”

Silenced prevailed, my mind was so jumbled but hey if it meant I got to see more of her what the hell. “Uhm I guess so.”

With that, she plunged the sword so deep into my chest that I’m pretty sure it came out the other side!

*************

Authors Note

Sorry! No Zemlja Dosta Chronicles this week, giving you some time to catch up on the story.
Here are all the chapters:

Chapter 1 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Chapter 2 - The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Chapter 3 - The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Chapter 4 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara was written as a bedtime story. I asked my big sister what she wanted for her birthday, told her she could have anything and she said she wanted a story. So, abra kadabra, voila here's the bedtime story I wrote.

Part 2 of this story will be released next week as it was just too long to put in one blog post and hopefully, it's entertained you enough to look out for next weeks release.

Photography by AlfonzoWords

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres