The holidays are a time for laughter, warmth, and those little moments that make family life wonderfully chaotic. In this poem, I’ve captured the joy, the chaos, and the tenderness of these special days— from bumpy bus rides and overfed children going astray. I remembered that even before our holiday started, my parents were already arguing about one thing—food. The bus trip would be long, the stops brief, and according to Mum, hunger was simply not allowed.
Wishing you all a holiday season filled with laughter, love, and happy memories with friends and families.
Till next time
Reference:
May, N. (2021, August 10). A2 poetry portfolio and reflection: CWG100 creative writing, Curtin University [Unpublished paper]. Curtin University.
While many moviegoers have already seen the eighth and final chapter of Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning in May 2025, I decided to revisit the 2023 Dead Reckoning Part One, because something is captivating about this seventh instalment. I’ve seen both, but this is one of the franchise’s most daring and entertaining entries. It links Ethan Hunt’s past and future while setting up for a compelling grand finale.
Taking a closer look at the mission: The impossible spy genre that spans seven films over three decades.
Only one person can save the entire universe when the world is in great danger. It took him only two hours and forty-three minutes to save the world, simply by his death-defying motorcycle ride off a cliff in the Alps, the car chase in Rome that went a bit too long, skydiving over jagged mountain terrain, and fighting the wrong guy atop the Orient Express train through the Alps.
If you choose to accept your mission, Tom Cruise will deliver more action scenes—scene after scene—as the superhero agent Ethan Hunt.
The seventh instalment of Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One took the global box office hit after its release on July 12, 2023, intensifying 20th-century technology. Dead Reckoning is impossibly full of action and surprises. But what surprises me the most is that the title is unclear and difficult to interpret and understand. So, what does Dead Reckoning mean, anyway? “Dead Reckoning” is a subheader that adds an ominous feeling of great fear or apprehension, a little threatening, and thoroughly moving. So, if you reckon the bad guys are dead, it’s not what it means. That is why I consulted the Cambridge Dictionary, which says, “Dead Reckoning is a way of calculating the position of a ship or aircraft using only information about the direction and distance it has travelled from a known point.”
Since “Dead Reckoning” is a navigational term, the thrilling opening scene set aboard the Russian submarine is a great way to start the movie. With vision and directorial style, it pushes the boundaries of action and suspense slightly more. However, Christopher McQuarrie explained that aside from its true meaning, the title stands for something else. It represents a direct similarity between the words, not only for Ethan Hunt but also for a few other characters. Their past lives are beginning to catch up with them, and they must deal with their choices to stay alive. In other words, so many things are coming to the surface from Ethan and the members of his crew’s past lives that they must deal with to complete their dangerous missions and save the world from various threats.
Bruce Geller created the series Mission: Impossible, a group of government secret agents known as the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) from September 1966 to March 1973 on the CBS network for seven seasons, then returned to television for another season on ABC from 1988 to 1990. The Cold War, with American and Soviet tensions, provided a backdraft, leading to the 1950s’ severe suffering after the war. The series had no action. It was all about those precision moves, spy games that you could barely follow what was going on until the plot put together the puzzles, and you began to feel the rush.
Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One movie is the seventh entry in the franchise and has a two-part finale, both of which are timely reminiscences on the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In Part One, Ethan Hunt and the IMF team embark on the most dangerous mission to track down a terrifying form of artificial intelligence known as “The Entity” that is everywhere, has a mind of its own and endangers the world if it falls into the wrong hands. Once slotted together, two pieces of figures with a cross give a person access to The Entity. Ethan Hunt’s mission is to stop it from slipping into the wrong hands.
The movie delivers an endless rollercoaster of action, perfectly blending jaw-dropping stunts with a plot that keeps you guessing constantly. Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is at his best, running unstoppably with his upper body held upright. At 61 years old, his trim and compact physique showed no signs of slowing down. His endurance outsized his magnificent stunts, and the ensemble cast added depth to the powerful thrills. The pulse-pounding sequences and unexpected twists reaffirm the franchise’s mastery of the spy genre.
Producers Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, and Leifur B. Dagfinnsson showcase their expertise by perfectly integrating heart-stopping action sequences with a well-crafted storyline. It kept viewers engaged with its electrifying action and heart-stirring stunts. Although opinions from the public on the movie may vary, the film put together an entirely different plot that adds depth to the characters, delivering a unique blend of suspense and scenes that keep the audience guessing.
The film touches on fears and challenges by engaging the subjects of technological warfare and global uncertainty and reflecting each period’s evolving zeitgeist. It is a thrilling action movie that mirrors present-day concerns.
Some quotes and sayings help us see familiar things fresh, inspiring us to rethink, feel, and dream. These reflections are gentle reminders to live more fully, love more deeply, and listen more closely to the quiet wisdom within.
A perfect kiss happens when two hearts take control.
A perfect kiss is more than just a touch or passion; it is a promise, a whisper of souls, and two hearts connecting in mutual love, trust, and surrender.
Be the person you want to be.
You are the artist holding the brush, painting yourself with courage and shaping your destiny until the reflection you see is the one you have long dreamed of and the best version of yourself, instead of waiting for a change to happen.
Dance under the stars and enjoy the silence of the night.
Live the moment and cherish nature’s beauty, calmness, and simplicity. Let the night be your stage and the stars your audience, in the quiet darkness, twirling freely, unburdened and alive.
Don’t ask how long love will last, nor doubt if love is less.
Love is a living, breathing force—timeless, tender, and true, cherishing what exists now, without measure, and comparing its sparkle to the past.
Each step is worthwhile even though it takes a mile.
Every small step carries a dream, and each footprint marks your courage to keep moving, even when progress feels slow; every effort adds to a meaningful journey.
Give your life every reason to live.
Fill your days with joy and laughter, and your nights with wonder and peace. Embody it with purpose and passion. It’s a garden where you can savour the air and enjoy everything surrounding you.
Music eases the mind and puts all worries behind.
When music wraps around the heart, it whispers what words cannot—it comforts restless souls and helps weary thoughts find peace.
Take time to listen when someone’s heart is in misery.
The kindest gift we can offer someone is to listen and allow another heart to breathe its pain.
Think like you are the boss when sending your message across.
Let your words stand tall, not in pride but with self-assurance and clarity. What comes from conviction carries its own quiet power.
When two souls are united, a new journey begins.
Love is like a sunrise, bringing a new start beneath their mutual light. It’s a partnership between two people creating something together, sharing growth, discovery, and mutual transformation.
We all play a significant role in protecting our homes from disasters and imminent dangers by ensuring they are safe, clean, and beautiful. But what about our real home?
HE posted an ad — Urgent! — “For sale: The Blue Marble.” It is surprisingly cheap; it’s a steal, so be quick.
Take a tour of the Earth and drift through distant space. Its location is brilliant — the third rock from the sun. This fantastic planet is simple and elegant; It’s divine, it’s heavenly — only five billion years.
Do you see the clouds rolling across the bright, clear sky? The ocean is blue, like a soft, early-morning hue. The open land is vast and deeply mysterious; Like a naked soul, it dazzles and remains noble.
The vast continents are mountainous and mightier; Like a strange, distant lover, they’re farther and higher. The landscapes of the islands are deeply melodic; Like timeless classic music — perfect and exquisite.
The grand and picturesque streams flow into waterfalls, Dancing like ballerinas in rhythmic motion. Whilst the chilled, romantic rivers meander softly Beneath the sunset’s fiery red and orange glint.
The owner will sell to a conscientious buyer. The wealth is unlimited — a gift beyond measure. There are complex challenges for the new owner: To bring unity to future generations.
The tenants have lived here for a million years or more. A great number will come, and a great many will go. The Earth has endured through humanity’s ambition, But the tenants seem unconcerned — it isn’t kind, it’s torn.
The climate is changing, and Earth is getting hotter. It’s your home — it’s precious — it needs care and protection.
–Ninagracia
Till next time,
Cheers
References
Blue Marble – Image of the Earth from Apollo 17. (2007, November 30). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov
Following the “Writing Exercises” section of Chapter 8, Burroway, J., Stuckey-French, E., and Stuckey-French, N. (2015) suggest that, based on the idea of writing a false statement about yourself and allowing the “I” character to develop, you can create a character unlike yourself, giving you the freedom to practise voice, reliability, and audience awareness.
Here’s what I came up with.
This post is an assignment I submitted on August 10, 2021, for CWG210 Writing Short Fiction at Curtin University. I have adapted it into a blog post to share it with a broader audience.
Which is Witch?
I’m a witch, and that’s the truth. My friends at school don’t believe me, and even my bestie laughs at me. I’m talking in front of this camera to prove to everyone that I truly am a witch. So, watch me.
First, I like everything black. Why? Because I am a witch. I wear black skirts, shorts, jeans, dresses, T-shirts, and hoodies. Believe me, my undies are black, too. Uh-uh! I can’t show it. It’s against the witch’s protocol.
My nail polish is black. Have a look, it looks great on my long, pointy fingernails. Black eyeshadows bring out the best of my big, dark brown eyes. My lips look luscious with black lipstick. Mwah! Of course, my long hair looks fantastic in black. That’s why I dye it black. I hate my blond hair. My mum is blond, you know. Shh!
A few months ago, I went to an Asian store and bought this broomstick. It’s not cheap, you know. I am still trying to figure out how to make this thing fly. But don’t worry, I’ll have a wild ride with this broomstick someday. I’ll fly towards and on the other side of the moon. Oh well, before that happens, I need to lose 10 kilos first. Can’t take chances of crashing.
Whenever I want to do something, I check my horoscope. We can’t be too careful these days. The moon behaves very unpredictably. Sometimes, I use my tarot cards for guidance.
And whoever says that witches are middle-aged or older women is lying. Hey, look at me. I am a sweet sixteen-year-old witch. I possess endless powers within me that I have not discovered yet. Don’t worry, I’m working on it. All I must do is unleash all my hidden power for the world to see.
Witches use magical tools. I don’t have one, so I took our old wooden spoon. I am just hoping my mum will not notice that it is gone. Also, I can perform spells using herbs. I tried to use it on my sister to make her sick. She never believed me. She yelled at me and said that it was not my power that made her sick. She said I was stupid to mix too much sage and chamomile herbs in her pasta. Gosh, I hate her!
Just a word of warning to all. Don’t make me angry… because I can turn someone into something. I have a spell that can do that. Perhaps I can start with my sister. I hate cockroaches, so I could turn her into a cockroach and spray her with Bygone insect killer. Yay, she would be gone forever.
Ouch! What was that about?
“You can’t do that to her. You’re not good at spelling.”
That was my older brother. He smacked the back of my head. See that? He didn’t know he would be on TikTok. He thinks he is good at spelling because he can spell brioche and croissant. Why wouldn’t he? He’d been working at the bakery section at Woollies.
I don’t understand why no one believes me. Even my name—Ophelia Addams—says it all. Isn’t that enough proof?
“Ouch! Not again.”
“That was a coincidence.” My dad smacked the back of my head. He will be on TikTok, too. Shh!
“My surname is Addams, and you were named after my mother.”
Dad repeatedly told me a long time ago that the Addams Family was not related to us or real. Why not? I could feel some connections with them.
“I must go out for a while. I need worms for bait.”
“Dad, I have a spell for that. I can give you a bucket of worms if you want.”
“You’d better stop all this nonsense, will you! I would turn you into a giant worm if you don’t.”
I don’t believe it. My very, very own dad? How could he do that to his daughter without showing it to me first? Gosh people!
Till next, Cheers!
References
Burroway, J., Stuckey-French, E., & Stuckey-French, N. (2015). Writing Fiction: A guide to narrative craft (9th ed.). Pearson.
Burroway, J., Stuckey-French, E., & Stuckey-French, N. (2015). Call me Ishmael: Point of view. In Writing fiction: A guide to narrative craft (9th ed., p. 315). Pearson.
I hear so much anger all about me When a scarlet glow burns me to a crisp A strong cyclone crushes my glorious land Then a severe drought shed leaves in stress.
When a fierce earthquake shakes my restless core The avenging floods purge out the debris To the half-conscious, guilt is deep-seated But to a hungry child, nothing matters.
It’s hard to imagine when hope is lost When the justice system is colour-blind Your abstract knowledge could destroy my home Like a roaring landslide of earth and stones.
A once green meadow now dried and barren I ask the nimbus clouds to block the sun Then the mighty ocean yells in despair Those toxic wastes are poison to my gut!
My quest for love, peace, and equality It is like a river, sluggish and stagnant I call the storms to clean the air and skies But the wild tsunami engulfs the land.
The breadth of the sea under the ocean Is a paradise with a velvet view Don’t use me as a weapon for your gain My home is Xanadu, where dreams are real.
It is your home yearning for unity To reach its zenith is a distant dream.
–Ninagracia–
Till next time. Stay safe and take care of each other.
A few, many days at home and no place to go. Regardless of whether our mood to write has been pretty good or not, let us rev up our writing activities to lift our spirits once more.
These pictures may bring about stories in our minds or stir up memories of an event or emotion. The drawings are cheery, sweet, and somewhat silly, but funny. Along with this is a poem that may help us energise our writing activities. The quirky humour in the poetry may tickle our funny bones and spark our creative writing. You know, it’s like that sudden flash of light.
So here we go. Let’s all get started.
Caroline lives in a beautiful house
in a lovely street close to the doghouse.
She is too stingy to buy a clothesline
she’d rather dine with wine than pay a dime.
She hangs her washing every single day
at the backyard fence for the entire day.
Come hail and storm, or a drizzle of rain,
she whined and wailed, but she never refrained.
One stormy day, her jeans got blown away
flying, floating, trying to get away.
A dog chased the jeans to the nearby park
up high on the tree, he aimed for his mark.
Caroline cried, and she screamed at the dog
“Leave my jeans alone,” she ordered the dog.
“The cops are coming; you’ll be thrown in jail
for stealing my jeans; they’ll cut your toenail.”
A good Sergeant Woof promised Caroline.
“Let me take care of this, Miss Caroline.
I will handle your case with utmost care
I’ll make the dog pay, or I’ll shave his hair.”
“Why did you put me in jail, Sergeant Woof?
I didn’t steal the jeans; it’s mine, Sergeant Woof.
I paid for it, but I lost my receipt
I bought it at the shop on Kanine Street.
It’s true, it’s true; my name is Caroline.
And once again, my name is Caroline,
That pair of jeans is mine and truly mine.
I did not steal the jeans from Calvin Klein.”
Ninagracia
Have fun writing. Till next time. Stay safe and take care of each other.
The year 2020 rolled out so many challenges beyond our grip. It put us through severe tests, and we faced a series of trials. It stripped us of our privileges to enjoy life, to earn a living, and to be with the company of our friends and families.
The year froze to a stand-still. Our mental and emotional strengths were put into the spotlight – how courageous we are and how strong we are.
There are so many of us who might find no reason to celebrate Christmas because deep in our hearts, we carry so much pain and hurt. We think there is nothing to be thankful for.
Let us not look what is in front of us but look at a greater distance farther away. It will make things visible to us and illuminate the dark year that crippled our hopes and dreams.
There is always something to be thankful for, no matter how big or small it is.
Hopefully, if we could all look back, the new year that is just on its way here would be easy to welcome.
Let us all think of the true meaning of Christmas.
These quotations I collected might bring new hope for the new year and give us heaps of reasons to celebrate with our friends loved ones.
Don’t forget too that no one should never be alone on Christmas.
“Good news from heaven the angels bring, Glad tidings to the earth they sing: To us this day a child is given, To crown us with the joy of heaven.” – Martin Luther
“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.” – Taylor Caldwell
“Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries.” – George W Truett
“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” – David Jeremiah
“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.” -Mother Teresa
“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” – John R. Rice
“Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.” – George Whitefield
“Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas.” – Ronald Reagan
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
“Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.” – Helen Steiner Rice
“Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” – Oren Arnold
A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, but softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small. – Eva K. Logue
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” – Burton Hillis
“There is no name so sweet on earth, no name so sweet in heaven, The name, before His wondrous birth, to Christ the Savior given.” – George W. Bethune
“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.” – G.K. Chesterton, Brave New Family
“There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.” – Bill Mckibben, Hundred Dollar Holiday
“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” – Eric Sevareid, attributed, Opening the Gifts of Christmas
“Much of the beauty of Christmas lies in its challenge to look further, deeper, until we find its secret in the heart of God. But we never find that unless we look beyond the presents under the tree.” – Dale Evans, A Happy Trails Christmas
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” -Janice Maeditere
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” – by Andy Rooney
“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” – Marjorie Holmes
“Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.” – Pope Francis
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” – Peg Bracken
ninagracia.com 
