The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Last weekend, I went to Universal. I especially went to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter "mini" park. It was Amazing!!
There are three rides. The rides are Harry Potter and the Hidden Journey, Dragon Challenge, and The Flight of the Hippogriff. Harry Potter and the Hidden Journey is a 3D thrill ride where you don't need 3D glasses and move from room to room, battling a dragon, spiders, and dementors, and was my favorite as you walked through Hogwarts to get to the front of the ride. The Dragon Challenge ride is a thrill roller coaster that used to be the fire and ice dragon roller coaster. The Flight of the Hippogriff is a family coaster and used to be a unicorn roller coaster.
They have an area that is supposed to be Hogsmeade, with shops and restaurants from both the village of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I shopped in Honeydukes, the candy shop, and bought Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate frogs, Fudge Flies, and a honeydukes milk chocolate bar. I was literally like a kid in a candy shop! LOL!
Also I ate at the Three Broomsticks restaurant (I waited in line in the pouring rain to get in!), and drank Butterbeer! It tasted like ( and which it was) creme soda and butterscotch. :)


I went to Ollivander's (I waited in line a little over an hour), and saw an interactive wand show. After that, I bought my own wand and many Gryffindor house items. Definitely, if Hogwarts were actually real, I'd want to be in Gryffindor. ;)

Overall, I had a blast! :)

P.s.: Quick book and poetry update: I have been reading The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: Eclipse Novella - it is really good so far. I have about three new poems that are currently in the works at the moment, too. :)

Love,
Alyssa

Poem Reference in books

Last night, I just finally finished reading Heat Wave - awesome book, especially if you love the TV show Castle. I have recently found that now two books I have read, in fact, have a reference to a well known poem and one of my favorites by Robert Frost. The poem is called "Fire And Ice."

The first book I have read that has a reference to the poem is the Twilight Saga book, Eclipse. The poem is quoted in the beginning pages before the actual book starts. In Eclipse, I think she refers to the poem as a way to describe the decision Bella is faced with. 'Fire' being in referring to the werewolves because they are hot and 'ice' being in referring to the vampires because they are cold.

The second book I have read that has a reference to the poem is the book, Heat Wave. One of the shops the detective and writer visit is named "Fire and Icing." The writer character, Rook quotes the first two lines of the poem.

The poem: "Fire And Ice"
"Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if I had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice."

- Robert Frost

It is pretty sweet when books reference poems. Maybe I should refer to a poem (though not particularly this exact one), if and/or when I write a book myself someday.

- Alyssa

Poetry Progress

I am currently working on writing new poetry, and getting published and getting out there. So far this summer, I have two new poems written and will be writing many more. These new poems will be part of groups of my poetry to be submitted to magazines so they will not be available online. In addition to writing, I am reading a lot of books and finding poetry to read to keep me inspired. I may someday post a review of any books I read this summer so keep a look out. :)

Love,

Alyssa