I had a great vacation in Florida! My grandparents treated me like royalty the whole time. I spent time at the pool and the beach, went to Busch Gardens and SeaWorld, did some shopping in a Greek village and at a pier, and saw some manatees. I took WAAAAY too many pictures, but I'm glad I did. Once I have them all up on facebook, I'll share the link here. =D
Fall is finally here! I think it arrived in Colorado while I was in Florida. I love the crispness of the air. You know, I hate to say it that way because that's the way everyone says it... but I love it! hehehe
A few movie/TV show quotes for you to guess! I had so much fun with this awhile back that I thought I'd throw a couple in here for you. =D
"If I ever show the slightest bit of arrogance, please call me."
"You better have call waiting 'cause that'll be one busy phone line."
"What's come over me? I'm hugging a cat!
"Do us a favor. I know it's difficult for you, but please... stay here and try not to do anything... stupid."
Sorry I've missed posting more from When God Writes Your Life Story the last two Fridays. Hopefully I can get back into my groove and do that every week. Right now I'm trying to decided if I need to break the next chapter up into three segments. Do any of you have an opinion? I could do one really long post, one condensed (but missing a few things) post, or a couple of shorter posts.
Today is the anniversary of one of my favorite stories in all history. I do kinda have a lot of favorites, but this is near the top of my favorites list. :)
A lot of people I talk to have never heard of Sergeant Alvin York. Maybe you never heard of him yourself. But his is a story that I would highly recommend.
I was first introduced to Sergeant York through the old black and white film, which I love. Because his story interested me so much, I got the book that includes York's journal.
Al York was a crack shot, but he had a drinking problem. He wasn't really a great guy, to tell the truth. But then he got saved. It made all the difference in the world. Getting his life cleaned up and serving in church, he really had become a new creature.
Not too long after York accepted Christ he was drafted to fight in World War One. Because he was intent on following Christ and knew that killing was against the Bible, York appealed the draft. After a denial, he went to training camp.
Long story short (because I'm a bit busy with Florida life), York found that sometimes the only way to prevent killing was to kill. When most of his troop was wiped out in France, he almost single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers. I can't even tell you how incredible the story is. Of course, the movie makes it even more incredible than it really was. Movies tend to do that.
Anyhow, if you're not familiar with Sergeant York, you should read the book and watch the movie! They're both pretty good. =)
Mrs. Reed looked up from her work; her eye settled on mine, her fingers at the same time suspended their nimble movements.
"Go out of the room; return to the nursery," was her mandate. My look or something else must have struck her as offensive, for she spoke with extreme though suppressed irritation. I got up, I went to the door; I came back again; I walked to the window, across the room, then close up to her.
SPEAK I must: I had been trodden on severely, and MUST turn: but how? What strength had I to dart retaliation at my antagonist? I gathered my energies and launched them in this blunt sentence -
"I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you: I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed; and this book about the liar, you may give to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I."
Mrs. Reed's hands still lay on her work inactive: her eye of ice continued to dwell freezingly on mine.
"What more have you to say?" she asked, rather in the tone in which a person might address an opponent of adult age than such as is ordinarily used to a child.
That eye of hers, that voice stirred every antipathy I had. Shaking from head to foot, thrilled with ungovernable excitement, I continued -
"I am glad you are no relation of mine: I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to see you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty."
"How dare you affirm that, Jane Eyre?"
"How dare I, Mrs. Reed? How dare I? Because it is the TRUTH. You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot live so: and you have no pity. I shall remember how you thrust me back--roughly and violently thrust me back--into the red-room, and locked me up there, to my dying day; though I was in agony; though I cried out, while suffocating with distress, 'Have mercy! Have mercy, Aunt Reed!' And that punishment you made me suffer because your wicked boy struck me--knocked me down for nothing. I will tell anybody who asks me questions, this exact tale. People think you a good woman, but you are bad, hard- hearted. YOU are deceitful!"
Ere I had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with the strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt. It seemed as if an invisible bond had burst, and that I had struggled out into unhoped-for liberty. Not without cause was this sentiment: Mrs. Reed looked frightened; her work had slipped from her knee; she was lifting up her hands, rocking herself to and fro, and even twisting her face as if she would cry.
"Jane, you are under a mistake: what is the matter with you? Whydo you tremble so violently? Would you like to drink some water?"
"No, Mrs. Reed."
"Is there anything else you wish for, Jane? I assure you, I desire to be your friend."
"Not you. You told Mr. Brocklehurst I had a bad character, a deceitful disposition; and I'll let everybody at Lowood know what you are, and what you have done."
"Jane, you don't understand these things: children must be corrected for their faults."
"Deceit is not my fault!" I cried out in a savage, high voice.
"But you are passionate, Jane, that you must allow: and now return to the nursery--there's a dear--and lie down a little."
"I am not your dear; I cannot lie down: send me to school soon, Mrs. Reed, for I hate to live here."
"I will indeed send her to school soon," murmured Mrs. Reed sotto voce; and gathering up her work, she abruptly quitted the apartment.
*Reads first article of the latest news on Voyage of the Dawn Treader*
*Makes confused/incredulous face*
*Rereads news*
*Makes shocked and frustrated face*
*Reads second article of Dawn Treader news*
*Screams madly, pulls on hair, bangs head on any and all hard surfaces nearby*
Fox, if the whole Narnia franchise completely blows up in your face, let me say this one thing: You richly - oh so richly - deserve it!
... I will be on a plane headed for Florida! I am SO excited! One thing that makes my trip sound even better is the fact that I won't be flying standby. Flying standby didn't really bother me before, or at least I didn't think it bothered me. I wouldn't mind flying standby again, to tell the truth. Yet at the same time, I find that I am *very very much* happy to know for sure that I have a seat on a specific flight and will be arriving at a specific time. =)
Here's a picture from the last time I was in Florida. (I was 4) I think my grandparents live in the same place, so maybe I can ask my grandpa to take a picture of me jumping into the pool again. HAHAHA It wouldn't be nearly as cute, though! =P
I had thought before that I might be able to blog while I'm in Florida, but now that's not such a sure thing. My grandpa is having some computer issues. I'll blog if I can, but I'm not going to make any promises.
By the way, thanks again for the lovely comments you all leave! <3 What do you think of Disqus? Do you want me to go back to the way things were? Do you guys ever look back at your comments to see when I reply to them?
And now I'll leave you with a portion of one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite books. Here is a bit of the scene in Jane Eyre where Mr. Rochester and Jane are parting ways for a time.
[Starting with Mr. Rochester speaking]
"You go to-morrow, then?"
"Yes, sir; early."
"Shall you come down to the drawing-room after dinner?"
"No, sir, I must prepare for the journey."
"Then you and I must bid good-bye for a little while?"
"I suppose so, sir."
"And how do people perform that ceremony of parting, Jane? Teach
me; I'm not quite up to it."
"They say, Farewell, or any other form they prefer."
"Then say it."
"Farewell, Mr. Rochester, for the present."
"What must I say?"
"The same, if you like, sir."
"Farewell, Miss Eyre, for the present; is that all?"
"Yes."
"It seems stingy, to my notions, and dry, and unfriendly. I should like something else: a little addition to the rite. If one shook hands, for instance; but no--that would not content me either. So you'll do no more than say Farewell, Jane?"
"It is enough, sir: as much good-will may be conveyed in one hearty word as in many."
"Very likely; but it is blank and cool--'Farewell.'"
Here is the same scene in my favorite movie version of Jane Eyre.
Perhaps it really doesn't have anything to do with my short trip to Florida, but I love any excuse to share my favorite things. =D
So, then, my dear blog friends, Farewell for the present.
Well, okay... It's just the weekend. But it's been great! =) Last night we had some friends over for dinner. We ate a lot, talked a lot, and laughed a lot. It was a lot of fun! The only downside to the night was that one of our friends lost his wedding band in our back yard. There is a *lot* of grass back there to go through!
This morning my mom, Erica, and myself went to a seminar on being a good church pianist. There was a lot of good teaching! Putting it all into practice will be the hard part. I wish I could just overnight become a good pianist without having to work towards it.
Oh... I forgot to mention that yesterday was Julie Andrews' 75th birthday! Happy Birthday to her! I'm sure that since she's an actress, she's done some things I wouldn't approve of, but I love her voice! Here are a couple of the songs I love to hear her sing: (I was surprised to find that my favorites haven't all made it onto youtube)
And now, my friends, I will share with you the sad story of the Red Scarf Penguin.
It was a warm Thursday in September when a teenage girl went shopping at her favorite thrift store. She found much to make her happy, but narrowed her choices down to a couple of books, a lovely skirt, and a cute - adorable - little stuffed penguin with an amazingly soft red flannel scarf. This girl decided that the penguin was too expensive, so she went to put him back. But he looked at her with those cute little eyes as she put him down, and she knew that she must have him. So off to the cash register this teenage girl went, happy with what she had found, and pleased with herself for overcoming her instinctive cheapskatedness. (Okay, maybe not that last part.) The friendly man at the cash register made jokes as he rang up the girl's items, she laughed and cracked a joke in return. Then the two bid each other a good afternoon and the girl left. When she got home, however, she discovered that there was no penguin in her shopping bag. The girl enlisted the aid of her little brother and they searched the car. She also investigated every part of the house that her shopping bag had been in. It was useless. There was no penguin to be found. Sadly, she told her mother of her predicament. So it was that Saturday morning found the girl marching purposefully into the thrift store, receipt in hand. But the lady behind the cash register would not help her. "The man who helped you is not here to verify your story. I won't be cheated out of two whole dollars just on the story of some pretentious young lady." Crestfallen, and maybe a bit angry, the teenager went to search for her penguin. It was nowhere to be seen.
One week later, the girl's mother decided to try and get a refund. It took some smooth talking and persuasion, but she finally accomplished her goal. She happily went to report her success to her daughter. But lo and behold, it was discoverd that only half of the money had been refunded! Unwilling to cause further trouble for the already unhappy manager, the mother decided that the daughter would have to be happy with half of her money and no penguin. The daughter was *very* unhappy. She went to look through the stuffed animals again to see if her penguin might have shown up. The penguin wasn't there, but a cute little elephant was. Now this may not be common knowledge, but this girl happens to collect stuffed elephants. She sighed and picked up the elephant, which she soon purchased with her refund from the penguin.
This girl hereby resolves to never complain about the penguin again, no matter how woeful the situation is.
Should I name my new elephant, "Penguin", or is that not a good idea?
P.S. Thanks to the amazingness of Google, the above picture is actually identical to the penguin in the story. *sniff sniff*
Hello, everyone! I have started to read When God Writes Your Life Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy. It will be my third time, if I remember correctly. I hope to go through it one chapter each Friday until I'm through. Next Friday I will be in Florida, but I hope I'll have time to schedule a post before I leave.
Chapter One, The Endless Frontier had a lot of good stuff in it. I think you all would get much more out of reading the book for yourselves rather than just reading what I have to say. In this chapter, a lot is said about kids and their great imaginations and unconquered spirit. Children have that extra dose of faith in life that makes anything seem possible.
So what happens? Why is it that when we grow up, we have little to no faith? God Himself is lovingly penning the pages to each of our lives, He has infinite power, and He has promised us *so* many things. Yet we stay huddled up, stuck around a cozy campfire instead of conquering that endless frontier and doing great things for the faith. The Ludy's said it this way:
As little kids, we gravitate towards the impossible like moths to flame. While the older and "wiser"among us are caged in by their knowledge and maturity, little kids are free to dream impossible dreams and pursue impossible lives.
Are you familiar with that wise and mature caged in feeling? I think a lot of Christians today are. I am. Dreaming impossible dreams is too impractical.
Our Christian lives sadly play out more like PBS documentaries on the history of saddle stitching rather than the awe-inspiring epic adventures. It seems Hollywood is the only place we find conquering, heroic lives these days.
No joke. Many of the Christians I know, including myself, are quite happy with their mediocre lives. Leave the conquering and exploring to others. We'll support these wilderness Christians financially or even through prayer, but becoming one ourselves? No way! (I'm not belittling the importance - necessity - of praying for and financially supporting missionaries and other servants of Christ. Just so you know.)
Now here's a passage I found especially convicting:
We get one step ahead of the culture, and then, for some strange reason, stop all forward movement. The majority of us may be one step ahead of the world when it comes to purity, spiritual disciplines, knowledge of Scripture, and understanding the problems of society. But what if being one step ahead of the world is ten thousand steps behind where God desires to take us? [...] Unfortunately, today's Christianity breeds settlers rather than pioneers. It has bred men and woen who no longer comb the wilds of God's grace. And it's time we realize that knowing Christ is an endless frontier---a frontier into which we have taken but one measly step.
I'm pretty settled in, truth be told. Not just to the point where I've pitched my tent in a comfortable spot and stayed. I've actually built myself a nice home. What kind of shakeup will it take to get me back on that frontier, camping out on the goodness and faithfulness of God?
When will I step out and be ready to experience the ultimate adventure with the Author of my life?
Today is the birthday of Mozart's The Magic Flute. It was one of the last operas that Mozart composed and was first played on September 30, 1791. Here is the Magic Flute Overture, which I happen to really really like: =D
September 30, 1935 was the dedication of the Hoover Dam.
This Dam took about five years to construct and 112 deaths occurred related to the building of the dam. There were 112 deaths associated with the construction of the dam. Included in that total was J. G. Tierney, a surveyor who drowned on December 20, 1922 while looking for an ideal spot for the dam. He is generally considered to be the first man to die in the construction of Hoover Dam. His son, Patrick W. Tierney, was the last man to die working on the dam's construction, 13 years to the day later. There was also a 5 day period where 14 deaths occurred due to a heat wave.
In spite of the death toll of those who helped to build the Hoover Dam, this giant structure has performed it's duty well for over 70 years. There are controversies surrounding the dam, however, and it has had a negative impact on the Colorado River Delta and on several species of animals who had been dependent on the yearly flooding that the dam stopped.
Today is a newsy blog post. =) I have several things to share with you, my dear readers.
First off, I am leaving in one week to go to Florida! My grandparents live right near Clearwater Beach, and I'm going to go visit them for awhile. =)
You'll never guess which airline I'm flying. =D
Also in the news this morning: I have a new commenting system. After seeing this post by Eden, I decided that I should take a look at Disqus. In short, I saw what I liked and I liked what I saw, so I followed the insanely easy steps for getting Disqus onto my blog. =D
Also... I had been unaware of the new Blogger editing layout until yesterday when I was messing with my blog. How did I miss out on this? It makes pictures and *everything* so much easier! If you have a blogger blog and haven't switched over yet, I would encourage you to do that. You would go to the Settings tab and scroll down to Global Settings where you can select the editing style you want.
One more thing: I'm adding a couple of pages to my blog, so go check them out if you want to. One page is a short biography of my life. I might make it a little longer... why don't you read it and tell me if you think it's too short, too long, or perfect length?
Just because I'm posting two posts so very close together, please don't ignore my youtube Tuesday post. It's pretty cool, if I do say so myself. =D
This past weekend I watched Disneynature's movie Earth with my family. Although it is environmentalist and evolutionary, I really enjoyed it. The filming and time lapse were AMAZING, not to mention that it's *so* cool to see all of these creatures right from my living room!
One of my favorite parts was the small segment with the great white sharks. Totally awesome. *LOVED it* I'm going to see if I can find that particular segment and post it along with the trailer.
=D Is that amazing or what? I cannot believe the air that the second shark catches! *awesome* This footage is basically the same as what is used in Earth, but it is actually from a BBC production and the narrator is different... but that's okay, you still get the idea. =)
In spite of the wrong worldview that is expressed in Earth, I am eager to see the other movie that came out this year. This one is called Oceans and is also by Disneynature. I'll share the trailer below.
I realized this morning that I forgot to use any links in my Fallapalooza post, so I fixed that little problem. =D
I was also told that I was supposed to pick ONE Jane Austen book and then pick a character from that book. I picked the book I would like to watch take place, but the character I would like to be is from Persuasion rather than Emma. I just thought I'd clear up any confusion there.
Alsoooo... "What does the journal picture have to do with Jane Austen?" That, my dear friends, is the letter in which Captain Wentworth offered himself again to Anne "with a heart even more [her] own than when [she] almost broke it eight years and a half ago."
The funny thing about this post is that none of these problems were brought to my attention via comments from people who follow my blog. =P It was from facebook comments or family members. =)
Hey, everybody! Friday night a friend of my family's had a fifties themed birthday party. It was so much fun to get dressed up for it, and I decided to try for an old hairstyle, too. I'm afraid my hair was a little more 40's than 50's, but I'm not 100% sure. I had a bazillion bobby pins in my "bangs" because I had a *lot* of hair to roll up. Okay, maybe not all that much, but compared to just curling some bangs under it was a lot. Here are a couple of the pictures I took:
Here I am at 18 and a half years old and wearing lipstick for the first time. Maybe the last time, too. =)
I don't have time to do a whole post on this topic, but it's interesting enough that I thought I should at least mention it.
Twenty-seven years ago today was the biggest prison escape in British history. Thirty-eight prisoners escaped from H Block 7 of the Maze prison. One of the guards died of a heart attack due to the massive escape and twenty others were injured by the escapees.
Over half of the men were recaptured within the week. You can read the whole story here.
Two of my fellow bloggers, Lindsay and Haley, have joined up for the Fallapalooza Blog Party, and I figured I should give it a go, too! =) A couple reasons for this would be
I love fall. It's my favorite season!
I like to blog, and blog party quizzes are quite fun!
I always loved the Sugar Creek Gang series, in which is a character called Snatzerpazooka... and Fallapalooza reminded me of that. =D
Anyhow, on to the quiz!
1. Ring! Ring! You receive a phone call from a national sweepstakes organization saying that you have won a life-time supply of your favorite beverage!! What would that drink be?
Right now I'd say Knudsen's Apple Cider
2. If you could live in a Jane Austen novel, which book would you pick? What character would you be?
I think I'd pick to live in Emma because I just love the characters and the difference between who they are and who they are perceived to be. The character I would pick to be would probably be Anne Elliot because it just makes me happy how Captain Wentworth never forgets her and never stops loving her.
3. What is your theme song, that favorite song that absolutely matches you?
I can't say that this song "absolutely matches" me... but you could say that (part of) it is my theme. =)
4. You are trapped on a deserted island. Your only supplies are the clothes you have on, and a box with five things in it. What are those five things?
A bottle of water
A big bag of trail mix or some other snack
A book to read
My iPod
Chapstick
5. Chocolate or Caramel?
Must. Have. Chocolate.
6. Vacation! If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Pemberley or Prince Edward Island
7. If forced to do one of the two, which would you do: sky diving or scuba diving? Why?
Scuba diving. I love ocean creatures! (For the most part, I guess)
8. Favorite TV show, and why?
What's with all the hard questions? I have a hard time picking favorites. Either Sue Thomas, FBEye or Adam 12. Sue Thomas because I love FBI type shows and it's the only one I've found that's clean. I also love learning sign language from the show. Adam 12 because I love cop shows, old shows, and I just really like how it's based on stuff that really happens in a cop's life. Not to mention **ahem** I kinda think Kent McCord isn't bad looking. LOL
9. Are you a coffee and donuts sorta lady, or a tea and scones type of gal?
Ewww... no coffee, thanks! I'll go for tea and scones any day.
10.The time machine has finally been created, and you are the first to be able to use it! What era would you travel too?
Soooooo tough, this one. Probably Elizabeth Gaskell's time or the 1930s-50s. =D
11. What is the last movie you watched?
The Inheritance
12. Ding-dong!!! Your favorite actor/singer/celebrity is at your front door! Who would it be?
I don't know that I have a favorite. =)
13. What was your absolute favorite toy as a baby?
As a baby... Probably either my stuffed bunny or my stuffed poodle. I had both with me all the time! (I still have the poodle, and I think my sister has the bunny)
14. What types of blogs do your like best? (examples: DIY, cooking, journal, ect.)
Personal blogs that tell about everyday life
15. What is your favorite Bible verse, your "life verse?"
Sorry my head is at such a weird angle in these pictures. I was trying to get the computer to take a picture without getting lots of glare on my glasses.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
My haircut was based off of the girl's hair in this movie poster: (Nothing like basing your hair off of a movie case you see at a thrift store! hehe)
Now I just need to get some highlights. (I actually am considering it...)
Even with highlights it'll look different. My hair after the haircut is basically in two layers... Seriously? I gave the gal the picture and said, "Do this." Her hair looks like it's more than two layers to me... At least in front. Oh, well. I think I like it anyhow.
