A Very Worthless Blog Post

There's a few movies that I just love, and the little boys that play in them make them all the more amazing. Well... one such movie is Finding Neverland and the boy in that movie is Freddie Highmore. Today I saw a current picture of Freddie... and it made me very very sad. He's not a cute little boy anymore! =( So here's some of my favorite little guys:

Awwww! Isn't he cute? Eric Lloyd played Charlie in The Santa Clause... and I've been in love with him ever since. Not when he's older... but he was so cute when he was younger! Now?

EWWWWWW!!!

Next up, a little guy who wasn't really *all* that little in the movie I saw him in.

Alex Etel played... AGH! I can't remember his name! He was in Cranford and Return to Cranford . . . Harry Gregson. Yup. He was amazing!

Unfortunately, he's not quite as amazing in the 21st century as he was in the 18th century. =P

I'm sure you're all bored to death, but I'm actually posting this because *someone* I know is going to get a huge kick out of it! =P

I loved this movie! What the Deaf Man Heard. I'd recommend it to anybody! I think I'm going to ask my grandpa to bring me a copy at Christmas. This little guy was so cute in the movie, I wished he didn't have to grow up to carry the plot along. =(

Umm... UGH.

Okay... now to the guy that got this whole thing started. LOL

Freddie Highmore after Finding Neverland.

VS.

Freddie Highmore now.

Yeah. It sad. Why do people have to grow up? The other bad thing is that I after the first pictures, if I said any of these boys was cute, most of my friends would agree with me. But because of the second pictures, if I say something about one of them being cute... I get grief.

So for the record, people, if one of these guys' names ever comes up in a conversation, I'm referring to the YOUNG versions.

Thank you.

I Didn't Want to Know That

I hate it when people tell me things or I find out things that I totally did not want to know. There's certain things that just... aren't nice to know. I can't say that they totally ruin my life, but it's still not cool.

What is it about human nature that makes us want to share bad news or gossip about people? I try not to do it, but sometimes (especially with Erica) I'll find myself saying, "Did you know...?" I never talk about people that we know in person, but sometimes I tell her stuff that I find out about actors and actresses. But why are famous people any different from our friends? It's still smearing their names around. It's still gossip.

I found out this week that one of my favorite OTR people committed suicide back in 1950-something. The podcast that I was listening to had that information tagged onto the episode of Jeff Regan that I was listening to. I really didn't want to know that. In fact, I was kinda ticked off that the podcast host had said anything. But it got me thinking... how often do I find out things that *I* really didn't want to know... and then end up telling someone else? Do I think that they wanted to know for some reason?

My guess is that they feel the same way I do.

It would be a good thing for me to remember every day to pray that God would set a watch over my mouth and keep me from saying things that others really don't want to know.

Two Very Happy Things =D

Yesterday was a great day. First of all, look at this here word that I wrote:

Yep, I finished a book. I almost burst into tears as I pencilled the last word. Whenever I finish a book, I get this really REALLY empty sort of feeling. A gone-ness, I guess. Because the story is no longer confined in my brain: it's been freed onto the paper. I also get this wondrously magical feeling of great accomplishment. So it's a rather emotional event for me. The book that I finished is the story of the Beast. Now I get to move on to getting it finalized! =D

Thennnnnn.... drumroll, please:

YAHOOO!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 I've got plans for the summer! I am so excited!

Making Plans

My sister (and BFF) Erica is going to Michigan this weekend for a quiz trip. I dislike these quiz trips for several reasons.

1. I don't like people going on trips without me. (I am one of those strange people that loves flying. It's so unfair that people who don't like to fly get to do it more often than I do! =P)
2. I sometimes get very lonely without Erica.

Well... even though there are reasons that I don't like these trips of hers, there are some things about her absence that I intend to make the most of. 

1. I'm going to burn some candles in the basement. =D I love candles, but Erica isn't too keen on them. As she's not big on cinnamon-type things, my *absolute favorite* spiced cider candle is off-limits when she's around. Unless I want to be ornery and burn it against her wishes. 

2. I'm going to play some fifties music and big band swing. Another thing I love that Erica pretty much detests. Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, and Doris Day comin' right up! 

3. I'm going to stay up past midnight reading a suspense novel. I usually don't do this because my light might bother Erica... though if I just cannot put the book down, I'll leave my light on and hope she doesn't notice. 

4. I'm going to steal Erica's iPod dock for the weekend and keep it on my nightstand. I'll listen to whatever I want to when I'm going to sleep without waking up with my earbuds wrapped around my neck. =P

Do any of you share a room with a sibling? Do you ever get a chance to take advantage of their not being around? What are things that you do that annoy (or might annoy) other people?

*Thanks to Google for the images. ;)

Another Video

Well, I couldn't really call this a youtube Tuesday video because it's not from youtube... But I really wanted to share it 'cause it's really cute!
Here's the story of Jonah as told by an adorable little girl:



The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Youtube Tuesday - The Wonderful Mr. Knightley

Yesterday was Johnny Lee Miller's birthday... and though I don't think I'm too keen on him as a person, he was an *excellent* Mr. Knightley. So in celebration, not of JLM's birthday, but of true gentlemen, I give you The Proposal from the 2009 version of Emma.

[Notice to those who don't know what's going on: Mr. Knightley has thought for some time that Emma is in love with Frank Churchill. Frank just announced that he has been secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax. Harriet Smith told Emma that she is in love with Mr. Knightley (and thinks that Knightley returns the feeling), causing Emma to realize that she herself can never love anyone besides Knightley. Thinking that Knightley is going to talk about Harriet, Emma hides from him when he comes over...

Life in a Shadow

It looms over me every day, more threatening than I realize. I actually don't even mind it. I follow where it leads, I go where it goes. I feel better about myself when I fit into it's mold.

Yet it has the power to destroy me.

Peer pressure.

I would like to say that I'm immune to it. That nobody can make me do anything. That I'm completely comfortable with who I am. BUT...

It is the shrine to which I devote a horrifying amount of my time.

Do I really care about the latest movies? Aside from Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the answer would be "Not a whit." But I know most of the movies that will be releasing in the next couple of months. I know who acts in them and what those actors have acted in before. Why?

Peer pressure.

I want to have something to offer when my friends talk about stuff. For crying out loud, I say movie quote from movies I will never watch! Why? So that I'll look savvy.

Movies, books, gossip, clothes, and the list goes on. I spend much more time with these things than I do in prayer or my devotions or any other worthwhile thing. Why?

Because in my life, I have made people and their opinions bigger than my God is.

I haven't read this book yet, but I'm going to as soon as I can find my mom's copy. My youth group is going through a study based on it right now. I think that the message it carries can easily apply to nearly every Christian today. Why do we raise other people on a high pedestal, fearing them over God? God holds the universe in the palm of His hand and orchestrates the tiniest details of each of our lives. What's more, He cares about us more deeply than any of our human friends ever could.

This week I want my God to be bigger to me than anything. Anything at all.

An R.O.U.S., a Heart Pendant, and Who Knows What Else?

Welcome to yet another hodge-podge post! =D I have such a variety of things to share today that I am sure that everyone will find something of interest. So put on your seatbelt and let's go!

On Saturday I went to the thrift store with my family. It's one of our favorite Saturday things, in case you haven't guessed. You may also know by now that I collect stuffed elephants. So I went back to the toy department to see if I could find any of interest. And what did I see but an R. O. U. S.?! It was quite shocking. I didn't know that they made such things. LOL For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about: R is for rodent, O is for of, U is for unsusual, and S is for size. ROUSes play a part in the One True Love movie of all time... Princess Bride. Anyhow.... Here is a picture of one from the movie.

Yeah. Totally not what I was expecting to see at the thrifty store. Surprisingly, the stuffed animal looked almost as frightening as the one in the picture.


And now I will offer you a piece of girlish silliness. =P I am almost done with Rosetta Stone's Spanish and I thought I would show you a picture of it. Or... a picture of where I place it on my screen.

Yeah... the Phantom is making sure I do a good job. ;) Now that I look at that picture, I should move those icons. They're on the left because of this:

I wanted to be able to read the words. But I guess I'll move my icons over to the right again since I have the words memorized anyhow. I made that desktop picture last week and it gave me fits. Even after everything I did to it and with it, I'm sad to say that it's not exactly what I wanted. Oh, well.

In case you're wondering why I have two desktop images, the truth is: I have four desktops. Macs are amazing like that. Because I often have video projects, picture projects, and writing projects all going at the same time, I use Mac Spaces. It allows me to easily shift from project to project in spite of the number of pages I have open. I love it! If you have no clue what it is... don't ask me to explain it. I do much better at showing than telling. Look it up on youtube or something. =P

Two weeks ago I got an adorable little package in the mail from my best friend. In it was a polka-dot bag, and in the polka-dot bag was an awesome necklace with three pendants on it. A big heart with a keyhole, a key, and a little heart. My friend bought it for me because we kinda like keys. Just one of those random things that makes up a person's personality! =D Well... on Thursday morning I discovered that the little heart was missing. I was devastated! Not only was it awful because I *love* the necklace... I had only owned the necklace for a week!
I told my family my sad news and was surprised when Erin said, "I saw a heart pendant on the floor at church on Wednesday night. It was towards the front of the auditorium." I figured that the pendant must have fallen off when I was on my way up to play the piano or something.
Long story short, my amazing sister Erica talked to someone on Friday and they found the pendant before the church was cleaned so I got my little heart back yesterday. I'm very happy! I'll have to show you a picture of the necklace sometime.

Oh... and I think I'm going to do a video blog this week. I'll probably just talk a bit about life and maybe do a book review.

TTFN!

Bad Blogger!

So... I have been a very bad blogger. I haven't posted in awhile, I never told you whose quotes those were from before, I forgot it was Friday the other day and didn't post the next section of When God Writes Your Life Story, etc etc etc. I sorry!

So, let's start with the basics: I'm still alive. I'm doing well.

Those quotes were as follows:

1. "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."
2. "What's come over me? I'm hugging a cat!
3. "Do us a favor. I know it's difficult for you, but please... stay here and try not to do anything... stupid."

Quote numbers one and three were both correctly guessed a few times (here and on facebook) but nobody got number 2. That's okay, though... I guess the movie isn't as well known as I thought. SO... 

Quote number one was Myles Leland (the third!) and co-worker Lucy from Sue Thomas, FBEye

Quote number two was Gussie Maussheimer from An American Tail.

And last, but not least, quote number three was Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.

Here are my Florida pictures, as promised. It's kinda sad 'cause nobody has commented on them. =( http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2096237&id=1166874469&l=c909a6db96 


You should also check out these pictures. A girl I follow on Twitter tweeted the link, and I thought it was cool enough to share. =D

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100419-iceland-volcano-lightning-ash-pictures/#/iceland-volcano-lightning-1_19113_600x450.jpg

Okay... one more thing. I know a few people who have started Vlogging, or video blogging. I think that daily is too much, but what if I did a video every week or even only every other week? Would anyone be interested?

First Impressions

When I was younger, and I suppose even now, I loved princesses. My favorite princess was surprisingly not a Disney heroine. Forget Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Belle - the whole lot of them! I loved to watch the Royal Diaries movies from our library. These three movies told the stories of Elizabeth 1 of England, Cleopatra, and Isabel of Spain. Isabel was my favorite, hands down. She was SO cool! 

Awesome clothes, a great prince, etc etc etc. When I first read about her in history, she became 10 points cooler because she allowed Columbus to discover America. So far as princesses and queens went, she was definitely tops.

And then I read Lysbeth: A Tale of the Dutch by H. Rider Haggard. And I found out the truth.

Today is the anniversary of my former favorite's marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon. The awesome prince in the movie. The cruel Catholic Monarch in real life. Through the Spanish Inquisition, Ferdinand and Isabella saw to the burning of thousands of Christians in order to purify their country. Catholicism and Catholicism alone would be the religion of Spain if they had their say. The torture methods used on the Christians of Spain were indescribably terrible. I remember crying as I read some of the stories in a history book I checked out at the library. 

My first impressions were wrong. 

How many other times have I been wrong in my first impression? More times than I could count. It's important to search out a matter before coming to conclusions, whether it's judging people you've just met or hearing stories about old friends. Searching things out really applies to a lot in life. Sometimes it's what's beyond the surface that makes all the difference.

Youtube Tuesday - Love Never Dies

Many of you may know by now that I love the Phantom of the Opera. Here is a song from the sequel.

Hodge-Podge

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

1. "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."
2. "What's come over me? I'm hugging a cat!
3. "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.

Hooray for History!!!

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. =)

Confrontations in Literature - Jane Eyre

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!