Everyday it’s the same.

I’m always living in your shadow.

Every night I see the light

streaming out from underneath your door.

I hear the laughs,

I see the smiles,

and I’ve never once joined in.

I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.

But did you know that

it stings me

whenever I’m rejected?

Did you know that

it hurts me

when laughing eyes turn cold when I walk in?

I just want to join in.

There is a lion in me

with teeth like swords

and a roar like a hurricane.

It fights like a fire,

and stings like a whip on the back.

It lives in my mind

and makes me a weapon.

I wish I was strong enough to break free.

There is a doe in me

with eyes like an X-ray machine,

with compassion like no equal.

It is silent like a rolling fog,

and is welcoming like a summer breeze.

It lives in my heart

and makes me understanding.

I wish it could fight the lion.

I know that some people find this movie really cheesy, but in my family, it’s a tradition.

It just simply isn’t Christmas time without it. I love the way Tim Allen potrtrays Santa Clause, and find the story line to be very convincing. There is also a lot of added humor, most of it by Tim, as both Scott Calvin and Santa Clause. So far, there are three movies in the series and another one on the way (the Krampus Clause). I'm so excited to watch the films again, and recommend them to anyone who hasn't already seen them.

I sit in terror

listening to shells

that drop from the sky

and shatter the earth.

I see the world

I once loved

broken and dead,

killed by the soldiers.

I cannot stay here

any longer.

I have to leave.

But how can I leave

my country,

my home?

I cannot leave.

I mustn’t leave.

Every day

the fighting gets closer.

I hear missiles

and tanks

and screams

and guns.

I see people I know

lying dead on the streets

in pools of blood,

with bulletholes in their chests.

I stay in hiding

in order to stay alive,

but hundreds of others

have been murdered.

For what?

Why do the shells

fall from the sky

turning once-loved

homes into nothing more

than rubble?

Why must I hide

from the soldiers each day,

waiting for safety

I fear never will come?

I have given up hope

that this ever will end.

I know I must leave,

but I cannot leave

my country,

my home.

In the world of romantic holiday features, falling in love and getting engaged in less than 72 hours is normal.

This is no different in Netflix’ A Christmas Prince, originally released in 2017. The all-new sequel to the first film is not the first of cheesy holiday romances, and will certainly not be the last. Directed by Alex Zamm (Snow and Tooth Fairy 2), it features Rose McIver as Amber, and Ben Lamb as Prince Richard, both returning from their roles in the previous film.

The storyline is not that complicated, and even if you missed the first movie, you catch up pretty easily. The movie takes place a year after the first feature, with the palace making plans for Amber and Richard’s upcoming wedding on Christmas day. However, Amber soon realizes that by becoming royalty, her entire life belongs to other royals. As she begins to doubt her decision to marry the prince, other smaller plots take place. First, it is revealed that the kingdom of Aldovia is in a financial crisis. With unemployment on the rise in the public sector and government employees striking over unpaid wages, the relationship between royalty and the public grows disastrous. The Prince’s continued preparations for a lavish wedding only adds to the tension between the country’s people. Second, Emily, richard’s younger sister, makes an appearance in the sequel, planning a Christmas play for the wedding. Her play is put in jeopardy, but as that portion of the movie is very small, I won’t go into any more detail.

One point in the movie that got me confused however, was when we were introduced to Amber’s dad, Rudy, for the second time. In the first film, he is portrayed by Daniel Fathers. In the sequel, however, John Guerrasio was casted into the role. In The Christmas Prince, we meet Amber’s dad, who had a more fatherly role than in the sequel, offering encouragement and advice. John Guerrasio’s portrayal existed for comic relief, saying things like, “I went to ceasar’s Palace once.” While the two Rudys are very different, they do have a few things in common: they’re from Brooklyn, they own a diner, and both are obsessed with hot dogs.

Overall, the movie, much like the first, wasn’t a total waste of time. However, compared to other holiday movies, there are other choices I would rather watch.

Rose McIver does a good job acting out her role, with some very theatrical dramatics. Of course, Ben Lamb sells his part, too. And, like every other romance holiday film, everything works out in the end.

Cast:

Amber- Rose McIver

King Richard- Ben lamb

Queen Helena- Alice Krige

Princess Emily- Honor Kneafsey

Mrs. Averill- Sarah Douglas

Count Simon- Theo Devaney

Rudy- John Guerrasio

My Rating: B-

This is my first review, so thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment, give your opinion, and leave a like. I’ll always accept feedback.

Dear me,

There are so many questions I need to have answered, and I don't know where to begin. What is the world like where you are from? Is everyone still so wrapped up in the technology that only a choice few take time to even read? Do people still keep secrets from those they are closest to, or has humanity started to bring back a sense of morality? I fear for what the future may bring, but always hope for the best. However, I cannot deny that I fear I may have changed, too. When you are living, what am I like? Do I hold on to my beliefs, or do I abandon all I've ever learned? Am I still as carefree as I am now, or have I for once believed what people say about me to be true? Have I been as kind as I hope I have? If not, where did I go wrong? I need to know exactly how to fix me if I leave the me I am now. So, me, I have one more question.

Who am I?

Hate.

All that comes comes to mind is how much I hate that word.

One word alone can destroy so much,

and I hate it.

People don't realize the weight of the word,

so they throw it around

and damage others.

"I hate you. I hate this."

I hate how that word works.

It tears things down whenever it's used,

and I hate the word for it.

Don't hate yourselves.

Every part of you is beautiful.

If you could see what I see

just by reading and feeling

the things you write

you'd realize that, too.

Don't fall into shadow.

Escape will be hard if you do.

The darkness that follows

will destroy you as much

as the things you are trying to avoid.

I think sometimes I am meant to be more.

More than I am, and more than I want to be.

I am who I am.

Life weighs different amounts for each person, bearing down on us.

Day after day, I carry a thousand pounds.

I’m tired of breaking my back.

Secrets are everywhere and it is so hard to hold on to my sanity.

If life is so difficult, wouldn’t it be better to just let go?

I think I’ll let go.

Christmas, to me, is the best time of year,

when people gather together and celebrate as one.

Christmas means sharing, giving to others,

Although, let’s be honest, it’s also about getting.

Christmas is kids staying up in the night,

hoping to see a certain someone stop by.

Chistmas to me means love all aound,

but others may have no one to celebrate with,

So Chistmas is also a time to give comfort,

to help those that otherwise has none to call family.

Christmas is hanging bright, twinkling lights,

and setting up the christmas tree.

Christmas is watching the kids open presents,

once lovingly wrapped.

Christmas is time to think of what we have,

while sipping hot chocolate around a fire.

Family, love, warmth, Peace, light, giving, getting,

That’s what Christmas means to me.