Hey Lily, What's a Horcrux? (AKA Why I'm Grateful For Harry Potter)

My real name is not Lily. This might surprise you, or you might be thinking, "Aren't you black? Why would a black girl be named Lily?" *cue yet another rant about how I constantly fail at being black* Anyhow, when I was younger I decided my name wasn't cool enough to publish under, so I picked a pen-name. I chose Lily because it reminded me of Harry Potter.

Most of my decisions revolve around Harry Potter.

So when tackled with the question "What book am I most grateful for?" (Answer it to win 19 amazing books here) the answer was immediately: Harry Potter. I have since paused. Should I say that a more heart wrenching, I-Tackle-An-Important-Issue-And-Make-You-Cry sort of book is the one that has defined me? I know many people will scoff if I tell them that Harry is the book I'd save in a fire/apocalypse, but it's true!

To me, Harry Potter is that book that tackles the issues none others conquered the right way, it's just not glaringly obvious in a book about magic. I refer to Harry Potter when I'm upset about my scar, because he certainly knows how I feel when it causes me pain and misery. I refer to Hermione and Ron when I'm worried about never finding someone to love, because they were meant for each other the entire time and they didn't see it. I remember the agonizing homework of Potions, Transfiguration and Charms when I'm struggling over midterms and I'm grateful for about five minutes that I'm not a witch (until I realize that I could spell my room clean if I was and I want to be one all over again).

Harry Potter has always been more than a book about witchcraft to me and I've always found a solution to my problems inside it. Too bad I'm not a witch, because seriously, I was born to live inside this series.

Also, HP is heart wrenching and I cry every time.

I Was Dead Last Week (AKA I'm Back For Good)

credit: my friend Devona

Recently, I died. It was a peaceful affair, I was surrounded by people I adore and I came back right away. My friend Kelsey decided to throw a themed costume birthday party--ZOMBIES--thanks to my suggestion and inspiring the Zombie Apocalypse (however fleeting) certainly ranks up there on my list of things I'm happy I caused.

What did we do on Zombie Day?

We went to the mall. We took the bus. Seventeen zombies on public transit, certainly a story for the grandchildren.

The reactions we got were mostly typical. We were fully expecting some scared children, some excited and some annoyed people. What we didn't expect was no reaction at all. You would not believe how many people were completely nonchalant to the Zombie Apocalypse. Many people on the bus looked up once, noticed they needed to move to make room for an incoming zombie, then ignored us for the rest of the trip. We were kind of worried.

What if we had been real zombies?! Those people were just asking to be infected!

Fortunately, the majority of responses were:

• "OMG! Zombies!"
• "Is today Halloween?"
• "This is just like The Walking Dead!"
• "You're scaring the children." *seconds later* "Can I be a zombie too, Mommy?"
• Actual fear. Oh my gosh, there was this teenage girl who cowered and screamed. Her friend dragged her away. It was the best thing.

credit: Kelsey's awesome mom (Her dad is the lead zombie in this photo.)

You probably get by now that the zombie story is a metaphor for coming back from the dead. I'm back and I'm going to infect you all with my love and affection*.

*Except not literally. You don't need to be my mindless love slaves, however appealing that may sound.

Also, I am not in any of these photos because there is not much photographic proof of Zombie Day online yet. I will let you know when you can see me undead.