I was a feminist before I even knew what Feminism was

I was sitting on one of those green plastic chairs with fold-able table and half listening to what my teacher was explaining in religious class. Although I much prefer seeing myself as a free thinker now, in the past, I had to take these lessons because let's face it, I have my mom to face if I didn't go.

Anyways, my teacher was saying something and a sentence he said turned my nonchalance into attention. "Girls are created from mud," the teacher explained coolly. Immediately, I remember clearly the anger building up inside me as I scowled, turned my head towards him and asked, "and boys?"

"Also out of mud," he stated. And I was like, "oh, okay" and went back to whatever I was doing.

I was 8.

Pampered baby of the family

In Primary school, I was so free

In Secondary school, I was free after school

In Polytechnic, I was free in the weekends

In University, I'm never free

My Preppy Look

It's been a long time since I've had a nice photo of myself taken, 

Everything's moving too fast

I want my life back. Everything's simply moving too fast, there's assignments due, work to be done, notes to memorise and CCAs to fulfil. I feel like I'm cramped up for air and I can hardly breathe, I want my friends back, I want my freedom back, I want my time back and I want my bed back without the thought of work endlessly cropping up in my head. 

Life will never get easier I guess.. The amount of stress will never dissipate. We just learn to live with it.

I took a Personality Test

It was wonderful! It's true, what it says about me --> I love life and my interests jump around a lot. I don't know what to say! But if you want to take it and have your mind blown just a little as well, click here.

Here's my results! I just had to record it down somewhere haha

ENFP- Description

Extraverted-Intuitive-Feeling-Perceiving

ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.

ENFPs have an unusually broad range of skills and talents. They are good at most things that interest them. Project-oriented, they may go through several different careers during their lifetime. To onlookers, the ENFP may seem directionless and without purpose, but ENFPs are actually quite consistent. They have a strong sense of values which they live with throughout their life. Everything that they do must be in line with their values. They see meaning in everything, and are on a continuous quest to adapt their life and values to achieve inner peace. They're constantly aware and somewhat fearful of losing touch with themselves. Since emotional excitement is usually an important part of the ENFP's life, and because they are focused on keeping "centered", the ENFP is usually an intense individual, with highly evolved values.

An ENFP needs to focus on following through with their projects. This can be a problem area for some of these individuals. Unlike other Extroverted types, ENFPs need time alone to center themselves, and make sure they are moving in a direction which is in sync with their values. ENFPs who remain centered will usually be quite successful at their endeavors. Others may fall into the habit of dropping a project when they become excited about a new possibility, and thus they never achieve the great accomplishments which they are capable of achieving.

Most ENFPs have great people skills. They are genuinely warm and interested in people, and place great importance on their inter-personal relationships. ENFPs almost always have a strong need to be liked. Sometimes, especially at a younger age, an ENFP will tend to be "gushy" and insincere, and generally "overdo" in an effort to win acceptance. However, once an ENFP has learned to balance their need to be true to themselves with their need for acceptance, they excel at bringing out the best in others, and are typically well-liked. They have an exceptional ability to intuitively understand a person after a very short period of time, and use their intuition and flexibility to relate to others on their own level.

Because ENFPs live in the world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. They place no importance on detailed, maintenance-type tasks, and will frequently remain oblivious to these types of concerns. When they do have to perform these tasks, they do not enjoy themselves. This is a challenging area of life for most ENFPs, and can be frustrating for ENFP's family members.

ENFPs sometimes make serious errors in judgment. They have an amazing ability to intuitively perceive the truth about a person or situation, but when they apply judgment to their perception, they may jump to the wrong conclusions.

ENFPs who have not learned to follow through may have a difficult time remaining happy in marital relationships. Always seeing the possibilities of what could be, they may become bored with what actually is. The strong sense of values, however, will keep many ENFPs dedicated to their relationships. However, ENFPs like a little excitement in their lives, and are best matched with individuals who are comfortable with change and new experiences.

Having an ENFP parent can be a fun-filled experience, but may be stressful at times for children with strong Sensing or Judging tendencies. Such children may see the ENFP parent as inconsistent and difficult to understand, as the children are pulled along in the whirlwind life of the ENFP. Sometimes the ENFP will want to be their child's best friend, and at other times they will play the parental authoritarian. But ENFPs are always consistent in their value systems, which they will impress on their children above all else, along with a basic joy of living.

ENFPs are basically happy people. They may become unhappy when they are confined to strict schedules or mundane tasks. Consequently, ENFPs work best in situations where they have a lot of flexibility, and where they can work with people and ideas. Many go into business for themselves. They have the ability to be quite productive with little supervision, as long as they are excited about what they're doing.

They have a strong need to be independent, and resist being controlled or labelled. They need to maintain control over themselves, but they do not believe in controlling others. Their dislike of dependence and suppression extends to others as well as to themselves.

ENFPs are charming, ingenuous, risk-taking, sensitive, people-oriented individuals with capabilities ranging across a broad spectrum. They have many gifts which they will use to fulfill themselves and those near them, if they are able to remain centered and master the ability of following through.

The Arrow and The Song

I shot an arrow into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For, so swiftly it flew, the sight

Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For who has sight so keen and strong,

That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak

I found the arrow, still unbroke;

And the song, from beginning to end,

I found again in the heart of a friend.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I'm Dark Inside

Sometimes, I feel like I'm dead inside, and dark.. Just detached from the world. Of course that's not the case with people who know me. When you ask the people in my social social what they'd think about me, the answers you would get are how jovial and enthusiastic about everything I am, how I'm an extrovert and how they cannot believe it when they hear that I'm an introvert. They say that they think I make friends easily and that I don't have a problem making a comfortable environment for them to interact in. They think I'm pretty and confident.

They're more than just mistaken,

I am extremely insecure, I just don't show it. I am confident simply because I can fake it. I am noisy because I'm afraid I'd have no friends, And making so many friends doesn't give me time for myself that I need to relax in. Making so many friends makes me sad that I'll lose the real ones. The reason I always look happy is because I don't show it when I'm sad.. that I know not everyone wants to hear others' problems. You need to learn to fend for yourself. And that...

reminds me that no matter how many friends you have, there will be times when you'd be alone in the dark.

And you realise that only you can fight your own battle

30 DPC: NTU Hall 3's view (#06)

I need some peace

30DPC: To a time well shared (#05)

Friends can be made

they come by quite easily

but the truest of hearts

they'll save you readily

30DPC #04

When the sun has set

and the darkness pours

I will still be here

forever yours

30DPC #03

The collaspe of a bird's nest

30DPC #02

I want a vacation

to a faraway land

with tranquil waters

and soft white sand

30DPC #01

We're nothing but small pieces of the puzzle of life

30 Day Photo Challenge

Today, I will start regaining my love for photography. I used to like taking photos and capturing my love for the world but after a few bumps along the road, which led me to leave my dslr to pack my bags and go, I just sort of gave up.

HOWEVER, I've decided, it's time I got back up and finish what I started.

Matt Cutts said in TedTalk that to cultivate a habit, create yourself a 30 day challenge. With small sustainable changes, they're more likely to stay with you. So, I'm going to put that to the test and take a photo every day for the next 30 days to keep my passion for photography alive. 

So do look out for posts titled 30DPC which represents 30 Days Photo Challenge --> Get ready for some surprises :)

"What are you waiting for? I guarantee you the next 30 days are going to pass whether you like it or not, so why not think about something you have always wanted to try and give it a shot for the next 30 days," he concluded. 

Details of Challenge

1. Photos can be taken with DSLR or phone
2. It can go through Instagram filter
3. It can be taken by me or with the help of someone
4. It has to come with a caption, description or poem

Give me him

I want to fall in love...

I want my heart to beat fast

just like a pair of doves

a relationship that will last

Well I chanced on a guy

who i frequently see

roaming around in dorm hall

like a greek god almighty

He's tall he's suave

he's crazily smart

my heart then pounds

oh... my dear heart

He holds me 

with his steel grey eyes

a look so enchanting

like a stunning sunrise

Never have I seen

a man so desirable

to have captured my heart

a love unattainable

Hey Mickey, you're too fine

'One, two, up!'

And I was in the air. 

Today, I was at the cheer-leading tryouts, I wasn't even supposed to be there. My friend, Laura, just pulled me along because she wanted to try it out and I didn't have the heart to reject her. Initially, I was kind of apprehensive about going to the hall where the try outs was happening, mainly because I'm not that flexible girl with super light weight. I'm that 1.72m tall girl weighing 58kg, give or take 2 kg. But then my seniors said that there are no such thing as heavy fliers, just weak base.

I was even thinking of going for the base- like supporting the fliers. So basically, the fliers are those people who go up in the air doing all the crazy stunts that seems easy but takes so much effort and courage to do. The base, on the other hand, are those you see bringing everyone up, allowing them to stand in the air like some kind of freaking ninjas. PLUS, I learnt the basic elevator stunt which I'm so glad I learnt! 

But that's almost it, I don't think I'm cut out for Cheerleading, it seems fun and even though they said I did pretty good as a first timer (I think I did like peanuts compared to what they're doing right now), I don't think I'm gonna go back there. For one, time is something I have to sacrifice if I go for this co-curricular activity which I'm kind of not prepared to do. Two, it's important to be flexible which I'm obviously not so meh~ 

At least it was a good experience, I really enjoyed it! :D

University

It has been 2 weeks since I've started school in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The stress I'm feeling is indescribable, so different from my polytechnic days. There's so much to do and yet so little at the same time.

What I found though, is that it is easy to feel small here, to feel insignificant and not good enough. You meet so many smart, innovative people who inspire to do more with your life. You meet the trailblazers, the geeks, the trendsetters, the go-getters etc. all in one place but it's different this time around. It's a different set of people from the ones you meet back in secondary school or poly or JC. Their way of thinking has matured, they've become somewhat more confident. 

But then you find that you're unique, yourself. You find that you too have something to contribute to this melting pot of wonderful people and that you're equally talented. 

I'm lucky to be here and though the stress of grades are piling up and the need to socialise has become a burden on me, I will strive. I will learn to balance. I will make sure that I have the time of my life here in NTU. And I'm pretty sure I will have the best time of my life in the next 3.5 years.

Once in a Blue Moon

My first time on a group date. Arranged by hostel.
A good date nonetheless

Telunas 2014

I brought my family to Telunas last April on 18, 19 and 20th April 2014 and we had a fabulous time!

STAGE ZERO

Of course, initially, as I had recounted, my siblings were extremely reluctant about going someplace where internet was not available. 

"What the hell! There's no internet? What are we going to f------ do there?! Wahhh.... Seriously, I don't want to go there anymore." Honestly, it was like they were about to wage a protest against me. If I was a tour guide to Telunas and my whole group were a bunch of tech geeks, they would be pissssssssed.


STAGE ONE
Upon arrival at Sekupang Terminal, we were supposed to find the staff of Telunas --> They would be wearing blue and ready to pick us up the moment we arrived. True enough, they were standing there, waiting for us, return tickets and list of names on hand. 'Emily?' (She mispronounced my name, Emilia) Not wanting to embarrass her, I went ahead and acknowledged that as my name. (Which would turn out to be a bad decision considering I had to endure her calling me by a stranger's name for the next 2 days)


STAGE ONE POINT FIVE

Because we were provided the express service, us and other tourists toward Telunas were able to skip the long queue for passport check at the customs. Our passports were all placed together with a Telunas staff and we proceeded towards out Sampan boat. She explained that she would return our passports to us once she received it. However, just as we were all ready to board, a tourist started making a fuss.

"Why can't we have our passports now? If we queued the normal way, shouldn't we have our passports by now?" The staff tried to explain that it was faster this way but he insisted on having his and his family members' passports with him. I can understand where he is coming from, your passport is your identity card the moment you're overseas so you have to keep it with you at all costs. Apparently, as I found out 2 and a half days later, they kept the passports in their safe and would only return them to us the moment we paid our bill. That's sneaky is what I think.

As a result of that, the Telunas staff had no choice but to bring the guy back to the terminal (which is a 10 minutes walk away from the harbour where we were currently at) to retrieve the passports.

And so, for another 20 minutes, we just sat at the dock, waiting for the man who's wasting our beautiful beach time since we couldn't just leave him behind without a transport to Telunas (we're just too nice).

I guess it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we ended up enjoying the view and buying a few snacks at the food stands nearby.

STAGE 2: ON THE SEAS

The boat ride towards Telunas was almost an hour long and the horrible noise emanating from the engine just made it even more unbearable BUT, if it's any consolation, the sloshing sounds of the water against the boat, the slapping of the wind against your cheeks and the breeze running through your hair should be able to ease that little bump.

Of course my tech geek brother had to bring his phone, he's practically married to it

Need I repeat that it was almost an hour's ride? 

But I have to say, the waters were stunning. I guess growing up in a city like Singapore, you rarely get to immerse yourself into nature despite the abundance of trees. 

STAGE 3: TELUNAS

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

- Nelson Mandela

Telunas was a beauty in itself, everything was still the same as it was when I left in 2012. It was amazing and I'm happy I was able to share it with my family in the 3 days we were there. We kayaked, had pizza, dock jumped, went fishing and just had a very laid-back, relaxing time-something we would never have gotten had we just stayed back in Singapore during the Friday holiday + free weekend.

I'm glad my sister and youngest brother mentioned that they wish to come back again one day simply because it was peaceful and they loved the beach.

3 Quotes on Finding Courage

Travel Plans for the Future

The Itch
Months ago, a whirlwind of wanderlust kept going through myself, Brenda, my sister and her best friend, Yu Miao. Because of the fact that we had been seeing all our friends around us going overseas for their much needed break: Joeslyn to S.Korea, Chloe to Thailand and Lin Na to Taiwan, we had the itch to go overseas too.

So at an impulse at the NATAS Fair, an exhibition showcasing all or most travel agencies in Singapore, back in late Feb, I made a promise with Brenda that we simply had to go to South Korea! And so we started collecting all the South Korean Tours brochures in the fair and rushed to some quiet place to contemplate our next move.

We even made it official by doing the pinky promise LOL


Making it Official 
Once we arrived at our quiet little spot (AKA a cubicle in a very clean, well scented and remote washroom) to focus on our findings, we realised that one of the brochures, bnbhero, provided us with choices to find accomodations in South Korea.

Of course, this started our ball running, from venues we wanted to take a gander at to experiences we wanted to try out. This discussion eventually strengthened our resolve to visit S.Korea.

Fast Forward to Now
We're 2 weeks away from setting off towards Seoul and I couldn't be more excited! It's a new place, a new environment and a new adventure :)

Brenda and I have decided that we shouldn't do so detailed an itinerary that we forget to enjoy and just delve into it. What I'm just focused on are my emergency contacts/venues like Singapore Embassy in South Korea and back up hotels just in case something happens with the rooms we booked with our host-to-be in South Korea.


Other Plans
hahaha this comes the fun part--> I don't want to jinx it too soon but I hope to visit UK soon with the help of my sister's close friend, Jeanette! She is studying at the University of Sheffield which is in the top 120 rankings in the world~~

Jeanette has already agreed to do so but my sister is still on the fence about it >> The date is tentatively set around June so my sister had better decide by January 2015 about this so we could book a good cheap flight.

I hope this works out because it would really be a good escape for me from all the pressures that university would soon give me.

Movies that'll give you the feels

Many times, movies have the ability to make people laugh and cry, drawing our inner emotions and providing a safe release of feelings that have been bottled up inside us. Everyone can probably recall or name a movie or two that really made them think, or cry or laugh until their own problems seem lighter.

The topic at hand is sad movies/tear-jerking movies. People enjoy watching them because they deliver what seems to be an unlikely benefit, making people happier in the short run. Research have found that watching a tragedy movie causes people to think about their own relationships, which in turn boosts their life happiness. The result was that what seems like a negative experience-watching a sad story- made people happier by bringing attention to some positive aspects in their own lives.

'Tragic stories often focuses on themes of eternal love and this leads to viewers thinking about their loved ones and count their blessings," said Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick from Ohio State University.

"Tragedies don't boost life happiness by making viewers thinkmore about themselves. They appeal to people because they help them to appreciate their own relationships more,” she said.

But why would people have to get sad by watching a tragedy to feel grateful about relationships in their own lives?

Knobloch-Westerwick said this fits with research in psychology that suggests negative moods make people more thoughtful.
“Positive emotions are generally a signal that everything is fine, you don’t have to worry, you don’t have to think about issues in your life,” she said.

“But negative emotions, like sadness, make you think more critically about your situation. So seeing a tragic movie about star-crossed lovers may make you sad, but that will cause you to think more about your own close relationships and appreciate them more.”

Research has also shown that relationships are generally the major source of happiness in our lives, so it is no surprise that thinking about your loved ones would make you happier, she said.

“Tragedies bring to mind close relationships, which makes us happy.”

Source: http://www.newsucanuse.org/how-sad-movies-make-us-happier/

I for one, at the moment, love sad movies. They really make me feel better after a long mind exhausting day. These movies enlightens me and i'd like to share them with you. Here are must watch enlightening/touching movies.

1. One Day

One Day is a film directed by Lone Scherfig. It was adapted by David Nicholls from his 2009 novel of the same name. It stars the beautiful Anne Hathaway and ever charming Jim Sturgess. 

Emma Morley (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) meets after graduation on July 15th, 1988. They spend the night together but agree to simply be friends. Over 20 years, on the same date, 15 July, we watch as the lives of the two protagonists unfold.

Book Descriptor:

Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? Twenty years, two people, ONE DAY.

The novel itself, attracted generally positive reviews, and was named 2010 Galaxy Book of the Year.

 “This is me.’" He handed her the precious scrap of paper. ‘Call me or I’ll call you, but one of us will call, yes? What I mean is it’s not a competition. You don’t lose if you phone first”

“Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance”

2. P.S I love you

P.S. I Love You is a 2007 American drama film directed by Richard LaGravenese. The screenplay by LaGravenese and Steven Rogers is based on the 2004 novel of the same name by Cecelia Ahern.

Holly and Gerry are a married couple who live on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. They are deeply in love, a normal couple that fight occasionally. However, Gerry dies suddenly of a brain tumor which leads to a downward spiral of Holly's life.

On her 30th birthday, a still distraught Holly receives a cake. In it, a message from Gerry...

Gerry Kennedy: What do you want? I know what I want, cause I'm holding it in my hands. You.

Gerry Kennedy: [calms Holly] Every morning I still wake up and the first thing I want to do is to see your face.

Gerry Kennedy: Dear Holly, I don't have much time. I don't mean literally, I mean you're out buying ice cream and you'll be home soon. But I have a feeling this is the last letter, because there is only one thing left to tell you. It isn't to go down memory lane or make you buy a lamp, you can take care of yourself without any help from me. It's to tell you how much you move me, how you changed me. You made me a man, by loving me Holly. And for that, I am eternally grateful... literally. If you can promise me anything, promise me that whenever you're sad, or unsure, or you lose complete faith, that you'll try to see yourself through my eyes. Thank you for the honor of being my wife. I'm a man with no regrets. How lucky am I. You made my life, Holly. But I'm just one chapter in yours. There'll be more. I promise. So here it comes, the big one. Don't be afraid to fall in love again. Watch out for that signal, when life as you know it ends. P.S. I will always love you

Patricia: So now, all alone or not, you gotta walk ahead. Thing to remember is if we're all alone, then we're all together in that too.

3. The Last Song

The Last Song is a 2010 American coming of age romantic drama film developed alongside Nicholas Sparks' novel by the same name. The film was directed by Julie Anne Robinson in her feature film directorial debut and co-written by Sparks and Jeff Van Wie. The Last Song stars Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, and Greg Kinnear.

The story follows a troubled teenager, Veronica "Ronnie" Miller (Miley Cyrus) who is sent to a Southern beach town for the summer to stay with her father. Through their mutual love of music, the estranged duo learns to reconnect. During the summer, she also falls in love the handsome and popular Will Blakelee (Liam Hemsworth) whose introduction involves crashing into her in a volleyball match and accidentally spilling Ronnie's milkshake on her.

The Last Song was released on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The film performed well for a Wednesday release, garnering $5,125,103 on approximately 3,300 screens at 2,673 theaters, for an average of $1,917 per theater, and topping the daily box office. It placed first at the weekend box office, making $36,203,000. Over the course of its five day opening, the film earned $65,590,000. As of July 15, 2010 the film had made $89,041,656 worldwide.

Book Descriptor:

Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them.

Jonah Miller: Mom says its because she has PMS.
Steve Miller: Do you even know what PMS is, Jonah ?
Jonah Miller: Of course I do dad, I'm not a little kid anymore. It's the Pissed At Men Syndrome.

Will Blakelee: Evening!

[he puts his chair on the sand. Then takes out a lantern]
Veronica 'Ronnie' Miller: Are ya movin' in?
Will Blakelee: Hey, if I wanna get some sleep, I'm gonna need something to scare off the racoons. They don't like bright lights or music.
[pulls out a radio and turns it on]
Veronica 'Ronnie' Miller: You're planning to sleep here?
Will Blakelee: Well, the truth is, the town sorta got together and we decided we just couldn't take another one of your bad hair days.
Veronica 'Ronnie' Miller: [she hits him with her book repeatedly] What's the matter with you?
Jonah Miller: [from the porch] This doesn't look good. You're not okay with this, are you?
Steve Miller: [shakes his head 'no']
Jonah Miller: Then we better maintain visual contact.
Steve Miller: [nods his head 'yes']

Steve Miller: [in letter to Ronnie] Love is fragile. And we're not always its best caretakers. We just muddle through and do the best we can. And hope this fragile thing survives against all odds.

4. Koizora, Sky of Love

Koizora (恋空 Koizora, lit: Sky of Love) is a 2007 film based on a cell phone novel of the same name by Mika. The film is directed by Natsuki Imai and it stars Yui Aragaki and Haruma Miura.

Koizora debuted at the Japanese box office on 3 November 2007. It grossed a total of US$36,684,020 in both Japanese and international box offices.

During her freshman year in high school, Mika Tahara loses her cellular phone, but later finds it in the school library with the help of an unknown caller. Throughout the summer, Mika and the mysterious caller continue to communicate, and agree to meet each other once school starts again. The caller turns out to be Hiro, a delinquent-like boy that Mika is initially afraid of but ends up falling in love with. However, there are many trials and tribulations ahead for them to be together.

 

Hiro: Where do humans go after they die?
Mika: Heaven.
Hiro: I want to be the sky. So I always know where you are.
Mika: Like a stalker.
[Hiro amused and smiles]
Mika: Clear skies will mean you are happy. Rain will mean you're crying. Sunset means you are embarrassed. Night will mean you are gently holding me.

 

Hiro: Mika... smile.

5. A Walk to Remember

A Walk to Remember is a 2002 American romance film based on the 1999 romance novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Shane West and Mandy Moore, was directed by Adam Shankman, and produced by Denise Di Novi and Hunt Lowry for Warner Bros. The novel is set in the 1950s while the film is set in 1998.

When a prank on fellow high-school student Clay Gaphardt goes wrong, popular but rebellious Landon Carter (Shane West) is threatened with expulsion. His punishment is mandatory participation in various after-school activities, such as the drama club, where he is forced to interact with quiet, kind and bookish Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), a girl he has known for many years but to whom he has rarely ever spoken. Their differing social statures leave them worlds apart, despite their close physical proximity.

At first, Landon was only using Jamie for help in the school play and treats her coldly when his friends are around but as he spends more and more time with her, he is surprised to find she is far from the person he thought she was and begins to question whom he really wants to impress.

Book Descriptor:

Every April, when the wind blows from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood...

Landon: Do you love me?
[she nods]
Landon: Will you do something for me, then?
Jamie: [smiles] Anything.
Landon: Will you marry me?
[Jamie smiles and kisses him]

Jamie: Are you trying to seduce me?
Landon: Why? Are you seducible?

Landon: I'm sorry she never got her miracle.
Reverend Sullivan: She did. It was you.

Landon: Our love is like the wind... I can't see it, but I sure can feel it.