Who's your celebrity crush?

Clever, hilarious, brave and brilliant. My celebrity crush is the amazing Ellen Degeneres!

As I began to read the rules for this contest, my first thought was Johnny Depp because. . . well. . . he's a babe. However did he overcome his TV show being shut down three times for coming out of the closet on live television? Nope. Is he so funny that when the show comes to a close I find my sides aching from laughing too hard? Nope. Does he dance like the love child of Michael Jackson and MC Hammer? Nope, nope nope! Ellen Degeneres is my idol for many reasons, however I would say that the biggest reason of all is that she is such a role model for women of all ages, as well as people struggling with coming out of the closet.

She uses the influence that she has on the world for such a good cause and she makes you laugh while she does it! There are very few people that could make me consider changing sexual orientation, but with a sense of humour like hers, a heart of gold and a face that defines Cover Girl! Pshh, how could I resist!

I resolved to stay on my couch and watch Movie Channel flicks for the entirety of my 2010 summer holidays. The Bucket List inspired me to make my own bucket list. The first item I wrote down was: meet a celebrity.

As I sat on my couch watching film after film, I happened across the newly released The Lightening Thief. I’d read the books many years ago and loved the plotline. As I stared at the main character played by Logan Lerman, I fell in love.

It was more of an infatuation with the visually-appealing and articulate actor of a mere two years my senior. In other words, Logan was and still is my celebrity crush. And so, my daydreaming began.

I would have the chance to meet Logan if I were an actor (completely unrealistic). But, if I were a reporter, I may get to interview him. It was a silly thought which was almost as far from reality as the prospect of becoming a celebrity, but it provided the motivation for me to join Youthink. I didn’t think again about meeting him after that.

Two weeks ago, I received an email from Youthink titled “Interview Opportunity with Logan Lerman”. I sat there in shock before typing a hurried reply. I checked my email hourly to see whether I had gotten the assignment. Luckily, I did. Bucket list item #1? check! Best day of my life? Check!

Miley Cyrus anyone?! Those beautiful pearly whites, locks of hair and seductive voice. The whole package right there.

OH MY GOD, I LOVE YOU JUSTIN BIEBER!!!!! IF YOU’RE READING THIS ARTICLE, JUSTIN, PLEASE MARRY ME!!!! AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Just kidding.

All self-acclaimed “Mrs. Biebers” can lower their pitchforks; I am not another competitor vying for Justin’s affections (thank God!). Although Bieber’s, dare I say, borderline feminine vocals are acceptable to my ears, I truly cannot imagine myself swooning over a prepubescent sixteen year-old crooning for his “baby”. Having said so, no offense is intended toward those who pursue this teen star.

Although I lack a celebrity crush, I can understand why young girls would fall for Bieber’s charms. Doesn’t everyone have a special someone at school, at an extracurricular program, or at a banana parlor? (wait, what?)

However, we eventually realize that crushes do not last. After we familiarize ourselves with our object of admiration, we are usually “crushed” at the discovery of their inability to meet our expectations. Most people who brave the confession are often rejected, while others cling onto short-term relationships and suffer heartbreak.

But before you chide me for my dreary and hopeless perspective, let me elaborate. Infatuation-based bonds might not tough it through the winter, but deep, trusting and selfless relationships are like warm shelters in storms. Next time, before you leap into your love-boat, double-check your destination. Do your motives and actions match your values and goals?

Meanwhile, if your heart is still set on a glamorous wedding with Justin Bieber, good luck, and don’t say you weren’t warned!

Usually when I turn on the radio, I hear the regular songs. They all sound the same, talking about the same meaningless junk. And then, sometimes, a song comes on and it does something inside of you. You hear the story and get lost in the words; it is art. It is Elton John. You can only describe it with words such as unique, beautiful and extraordinary. The music flows so elegantly with a story woven into each note, and I am nowhere and everywhere all at once. Every night, the music of Candle in the Wind or Daniel envelop me as I slip into sleep. The words passing so smoothly and quickly, the end comes in an instant.

Old music is often the best because it is original art that lasts forever, the songs afterwords are worthless copies, never coming close to the original masterpieces. There are of course the hits of today, popular for a number of months, but few survive the challenge of enduring throughout the years. It takes a genius like Elton John to create music so special that it can withstand the dreaded claws of time, here for us to enjoy decades later.

“He’s here! He’s here!” my friend whispered, “come quick, be quiet!”
Running around the corner on the gravel, I saw a tiny crowd with lights, and at the back, wedged between two trailers, was Zac, signing autographs. Running to the line, and clutching my five dollar bill and my letter, I waited anxiously till I was at the front. I stepped forward and gave him my letter. Lifting his pen, he went to sign it.
“No!” I spurted out, “It’s for you, it’s a letter, please read it.”
“I will,” he smiled.
“And this,” I added, ripping the bill in half, “is for you so that you know it’s like…”
“The other half,” he interrupted, finishing my sentence.
“Right, for the next time we meet!”I squealed in delight.
“Alright,” he laughed, “you sure you don’t want an autograph?”
“Yeah,” I said, “but could I maybe have a kiss?”
He leaned over and kissed me on the right cheek, and then retracted.
“Oh shit,” he exclaimed, realizing as the crowd gasped, that everyone would want one. He then hugged me firmly, and I started to walk away.
“Oh,” I said, “I meant to ask you if you wanted to come over for dinner.”
“What’s for dinner?”
“Stew.”
“Sounds great!”
“Hah ok!”
I ran to my friends, my heart pounding, and my head full of an everlasting memory. I could do anything in my life now, people could say whatever. I didn’t care. I could die happy.

A song is able to create emotions through powerful words and rhythms, a place to hide from reality and the depths of insanity yet a place to feel free, alive. It is a special form of art. A musician transforms these lines into scenes we can all relate to and proceeds to share this with the world. There exists only a couple handfuls of these people with the right talent, passion, motivation and drive. I have experienced myself, countless times where music became something else, something that moved me. Arnel Pineda has done that.

As a member of the band Journey, this ‘city boy’ has come a long way to where he is singing now. Holding the key to many women’s heart, Arnel’s voice engages and pleases, able to hit the highest, and lowest, of all notes. His singing has become recognizable worldwide, a tone so powerful, filling every inch, every prospect of space between notes and melodies. One solitary song has the ability to create wild chaos, thousands of fans erupting into cheers and deafening screams.

Arnel, new to the power and crazy fame, is an iconic figure. He is vibrant and moving like a well written verse. He is thoughtful and emotional like a slow-moving ballad. With the capacity to provoke a certain emotion in people he’s definitely “crush-worthy”. After all, when a singer has the proper verve, they have the skill to alter a person’s life for the better.

Surrounding the humungous ice rink is a crowd numbering myriads all focusing onto one woman on the stage. Every single camera pursues her enchanting movements, and records the smooth patterns engraved onto the ice. Wrapped within a short silky azure dress, some may wonder if the cold of the ice beneath her and the wind-chill factor she is generating with her breakneck speed is uncomforting her. However, I know that her inextinguishable passion for figure skating and her undeniable resolve for victory are supplying her with enough energy to execute all those near-impossible Triple Flips, Triple Lutz, and Triple Toe Loops suddenly out of nowhere, and still look natural, neutral and gorgeous under the pressure. All of her fans that have gathered here including me scream, uncontrollably aroused at the fact that the judges give her a combined total of 228.56 points, the title of Olympic Gold Medalist and world record at the age of twenty. Yuna Kim, the Korean figure skating queen is the type of person that I can come up with any praise for. Her achievements come from not straying from a strict and difficult discipline since age seven, and as a fellow athlete, I deeply admire her for that. Although she’s one of the most well paid athletes in the world, she doesn’t live a lavish lifestyle but donates millions of dollars to charity because luxury will diminish her determination. For me, Yuna is truly the glimmering sunlight that shines through the murky frigid winter.

I awake, so suddenly my head spins. A rocking motion churns my stomach as I sit up from the cot of the cabin. So this is what they call seasickness. Then a blast ricochets through the ship and I race up to the deck. “Aye! We be under attack, the Black Pearl spares no one!”, Gibbs yells. Out in the distance is the Black Pearl, sailing ever so closely. The crew race around me, grabbing anything they can. Oddly, it does nothing to distract my attention from him.
“Duck!!!” yells Pintel and I hit the sea soaked deck as a canon whizzes by. I quickly get back up to see the Black Pearl closing in and that renowned black tricorn hat. I know who that belongs to and my feet can’t help but propel me to that cursed hat of his.
Whoa! Too many people in one chaotic moment and I am losing sight of that fabled hat! Sound is amplified and a twisted creature, half man and half sea life, stands before me. I realize we must be under attack and seeing as I have no weapon, the creature lunges at me. In that split second, a shot rang out and the creature fell. As I turn, there he is, with his sly grin and pirate attire.
"You forgot one thing mate, Captain Jack Sparrow...."
“Beep! Beep!” goes my alarm, rudely waking me up. It was only a dream?! Oh Johnny Depp....

When you gaze behind someone's not-so-appealing exterior, there may be a "golden soul," inside. A name that instantly comes to mind is The Cookie Monster. Behind his googly-eyes, there is an authentic blend of creativity and great humour. His "lust for cookies," is a huge part of his personality, but it dosen't cover all of it. Deep down( and sometimes way deep down), he is a "loyal monster," who just wants to have fun! The Cookie Monster is quite an animated monster on Sesame Street, singing and chanting about cookies. His broad, grumbling voice may seem appalling at first, but when it plummets into song, the Cookie Monster can compose an exceptionally soothing atmosphere for all who listen! Mr. Cookie Monster has many hidden talents (he just dosen't show it on the television screen!)
When you look at this exquisite monster, aren't you tempted to pet his rough, blue curls? They are always shiny and sparkly so, you know when he is walking down Sesame Street. Out of all the Cookie Monster's friends on Sesame Street, his angelic voice seems to escalate beyond and swoop into everyone's hearts! When he flashes a smile, all the children watching will either cry of fright or of shear joy. His smile is one to admire (sometimes from afar!)
The Cookie Monster is a true inspiration to anyone who loves cookies and loves to sing "sweet, soulful tunes." In my opinion, he is and always will be "the cool monster," of Sesame Street.