Before the internet

People had it rough
No FB, Twitter, or Instagram love
There was far less inspiration to cheat off of

Before the internet

It wasn't enough
To rep good fashion, hair or even makeup
You had to be intelligent to make it and stuff... ;P

Before the internet

Jobs were push comes to shove
Needless to say, social media was far unheard of
Now all you need is a hobby your good at, semi...or, kind of

Enough followers and you'll be loved
Make money from home and randomly vlog stuff
A selfie here and there and that's enough

The internet, is it all just a bluff?

Halloweenie

There was a boy. They called him Jack. He was young and fearful of all things Halloween. He had never before experienced the tricks or the treats. But, he had heard whispers, rumors and stories around the day. Like all the others on his block, Jack sat on his porch Hallows Eve awaiting the horror to come. That night, Jack didn’t sleep a wink, he was too preoccupied searching the skies for witches and ghosts, the streets for ghouls and goblins, and constantly looking over his shoulder for anything that might spook him.

When morning rose, Jack decided it was safe to sleep till night fall again. He knew nothing would hurt him during the day. That evening, Jack sat on his stoop awaiting the menace, this time holding a candle. Around 6:30, he started seeing some hustle in the streets. It looked like people dressed in costumes. Jack was bewildered, for there was nothing scary about this. He saw kids dressed as Disney princesses, superheroes, even condiments. Sure, he saw a few unsettling costumes here and there, but knowing there was a kid behind each pleading for free candy was comfort enough. So, then what was so scary about Halloween after all?

My perfect ten

They say a baby is born every 5 seconds.

They also say a child dies every 10.

Labor strikes.

Unbearable claws tear at me from the inside.

“Get me out”, she cries

The pain curdles beneath my skin

Suddenly I no longer care about those around me

I’m worrying only about my own well-being.

An epidural, my only encouragement.

But the one true cheer leader through all this,

My husband.

I scream, so he reaches for my hand.

I whisper, “death is all too near”.

He laughs, as if I’m being over-dramatic…

Suddenly, I’m pushing out my screams and breathing heavily between.

Last push, he exclaims.

He kisses my forehead and I clench his hand tighter.

Mustering everything I have left.

(silence)

Finally, relief.

And, there she is.

An angel sent down to us.

As I hold her in my arms

Everything feels right, perfect.

I stare at her peaceful face, and begin to count

Under my breath

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

I kiss her little head and sigh.

Suddenly everything so perfect

Feels less than.

Robbed.

Those ten seconds will be my sanctuary.

Gone by guilt

Guilt.
It's there even when
Your slate is clean

White.
without ever being pure
Your lies become

Stains.
Unerasable by day
Inevitable by night

Guilt.
Lurks out of the shadows
As you're turned the other way

Secrets unfold and there you are,
standing alone

Everything. Gone.

Reality Check

Today, I decided to research my birthday in depth, and I ended up learning more about myself than I thought possible. 

While it terrifies me that I may have the same destiny as Bill Cosby, I found this specific snippet to be dead on...

After reading this, there was one question that popped in my head. Were my interests/career predestined? 

Let's see, I have a degree in creative writing and I gave birth to a poetry blog. Welp, I'd say my Zodiac has me pegged pretty damn well. So, I may be the epitome of a July 12th baby but I refuse to believe that I didn't pick these interests on my own. Because it's a tragedy to think that we may not be the writer of our own destiny. 

What do you think? Is it really possible that an individual's birthday could truly define his or her career path, or even future career path? I pose this question to whoever out there is ready for a reality check.

Best wishes, 

Alyssa King

The Belated Valentine

He was late in the worst of ways.
Such a date should not be forgotten!
How true do I stand before him
If he does not stand true before me
If he does not remember the day of which love beats.

He hushed my lips before I could speak,
Held my hand to his heart and sputtered,

"It is not the day that is celebrated, but instead love.
I may be late for yesterday but I will be yours for eternity.
Every day I'll hold you, love you and cherish,
my sweet sweet valentine."

A Silent Lesson

A boy sat quietly on a park bench, marked alongside a walking path. He spoke no words, just watched as two teens strolled by hand in hand. A few yards behind them was a middle-aged couple, softly bickering about something irrelevant. The boy tried to listen in but was too distracted by a cumbersome man walking his dog. He could tell they shared a special bond, since, wherever the dog tugged the man followed. Not far behind were two men walking particularly close, the boy thought. They stopped in their tracks, shared a gaze and quick kiss on the lips before continuing down the path. The boy sat there wondering if he was meant to witness these moments. As his eyes followed the two men he noticed an elderly couple sitting on a park bench just down the path a ways. Just like him, they watched and observed the chemistry in the park that day.

The boy thought to himself, believing our eyes were made to witness interaction between beings. Perhaps our eyes teach us how to love, he concluded.

Oh, to be young again...

What does being younger mean to you? Taught skin? Perky breasts? The world at your fingertips? Bingo! Let’s face it, age is more than just a number. It transforms you in ways unwanted. But, what if you could redefine yourself. What if you could reverse time and relive some of the greatest years of your life. Would you do it?

Last weekend, I started a new TV series called, Younger, based off of Pamela Redmond Satran’s Novel. And, I’m happily obsessed! The storyline is about a 40 year old divorcee, seeking a job in publishing after a 15 year long break. The main character, Liza, quickly realizes she’s been out of the business too long when her interviewers, younger than her, vulgarly reference social trends as if speaking a different dialect. Unable to land a job, her new roommate, Maggie, takes her out for drinks at a nearby bar in Brooklyn. After Liza gets hit on and mistaken for being 26, she realizes changing her age might be the key to success.

As a good friend, Maggie helps Liza alter her identity, which finally lands her a job as publisher’s assistant. But, passing for 26 becomes her job’s biggest challenge when she observes that generation Y has redefined, well, everything. Taking one day at a time, she begins to learn the millennial views: magazines = mentors, dating = trend, fashion = statement, and social media = bible. And, as the story progresses, more complications arise, each nearly revealing Liza’s true age.

Trust me, this dramedy (drama/comedy hybrid) is every woman’s indulgence. If your interest is peeked, check it out on TV Land!

Season 2 premieres Wednesday, January 13^th 10/9c. Tune in!

Happy Watching! 

With every best wish, 

Alyssa King

2015

Okay, so the last half of December was insanely busy for me. I've been meaning to sum up my 2015 in a blog post, but honestly I just haven't found the right time to do so. So, without further delay...

2015 came filled with new adventures and relived experiences, happiness, love, frustration, and well, just about any emotion a given year will bring (both bad and good). But, if there's one distinct reality last year brought, it's that I finally started to find myself. I came to realize who my true friends are, where I'm going with my career, who I want to be versus who I am, and the one person who accepts me for through all my insecurities. 

In 2015:
I landed a promotion
I made new friendships
Celebrated new beginnings
I found my love for pinterest
I entertained myself with new tv series
I married my best friend!!!
I was crowned newly 'King' 
Honeymooned through 8 different countries
Experienced the chaos of Oktoberfest
Took more photos than ever before
Overcame challenges
Learned new skills
And rekindled my love for social media

For me, 2015 was a year to never be forgotten.

2016, you've got a lot to live up to!

With every best wish,
Alyssa King