Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

[Actually, this was taken in my backyard quite some time ago.]

And so comes winter. It brings a lot of things along with it. First, it's the smell of Christmas trees and apple cider. It brings the feeling of a warm wool scarf around your neck. It's breathing deeply the sharp air of December, yet completely enjoying the adrenaline rush you get from it. It brings the sound of a crackling fire. It's laughing and scooping the pure, crisp snow fort he intent of pelting one's brother with snow balls. [Okay, I just had to put that in there :) ]

But then... it gets old kinda fast. January comes, and sunshinyness goes into hibernation until April. The formerly fresh air becomes stale very quickly. The wind that used to laugh and playfully toss one's scarf about becomes sharp and no longer so innocent. The darkness closes in long before we are ready [for which our parents often say, "Go do your algebra."].

And then... spring comes :) Life comes back into play. It's simply splendid. Everything seems eager to begin again. The trees are bright and bubbling over with new colors, and everything seems fresh and lively again :)

In case I don't get on til then... Have a very merry Christmas :)

----*

----^

---^ ^

--^ ^ ^

-^ ^ ^ ^

----l l

In a way, it's someone else's story...

My voice teacher just gave me lovely new song to work on, and I thought I'd share it with you :)

It's called "Someone Else's Story," from Chess (the musical). Really, the context is saddening, but the song sounds pretty. It's very easily sung (I think my teacher gave it to me as a break from all the more extensive songs I'm working on.), but it's fun because I get to show off some of my lower notes :) Anywho, enjoy!

Someone Else's Story

Long ago
In someone else's lifetime
Someone with my name
Who looked a lot like me
Came to know
A man and made a promise
He only had to say
And that's where she would be
Lately
Although the feelings run just as deep
The promise she made has grown impossible to keep
And yet I wish it wasn't so
Will he miss me if I go?

In a way
It's someone else's story
I don't see myself
As taking part at all
Yesterday
A girl that I was fond of
Finally could see
The writing on the wall
Sadly
She realized she'd left him behind
And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind
And though there's nothing left to say
Would he listen if I stay?

It's all very well to say you fool it's now or never
I could be choosing
No choices whatsoever.
I could be
In someone else's story
In someone else's life
And he could be in mine
I don't see
A reason to be lonely
I could take my chances
Further down the line

And if
That girl I knew should ask my advice
Oh I wouldn't hesitate she needn't ask me twice
Go now!
I'd tell her that for free
Trouble is, the girl is me
The story is, the girl is me.

December is.....

• Hi Neighbor Month,


• National Stress Free Family Holiday Month,


• Bingo's Birthday Month, and


• Read A New Book Month,


• Write to a Friend Month,


• Bingo Month,


• National Tie Month,


• Rising Star,

You are You. Now, isn't that pleasant?

Dr. Seuss.
Through this and that, I've discovered that dear old Dr. Seuss has quite a few wonderful quotes that maybe I didn't fully appreciate when I was five. Here are some of my favorites:

"Laugh your heart out,
Dance in the rain.
Cherish the moment;
Ignore the pain.
Live, laugh love.
Forgive and forget.
Life is too short
to be living with regrets."

"You know you're in love
when you can't fall sleep because

reality is finally better than your dreams."

"I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells"

"Today you are You, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

“Be who you are and say what you feel

because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind.”

"Don't cry because it's over;

Smile because it happened."

“How did it get so late so soon?

Its night before its afternoon.

December is here before its June.

My goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?”

(This feels especially applicable to life just now)

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing's going to get better. It's not."

"Just tell yourself, Duckie,

You're really quite lucky!"

“I have heard there are troubles

of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead

and some come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat.

I'm all ready you see.

Now my troubles are going to

have troubles with me!”

And, of course,

"A person's a person.

No matter how small."

In which the Author learns why it is important NOT to make premature judgements.

Some of you may recall my ranting post quite sometime ago about the Phantom of the Opera sequel quite some time ago. (You can read it here, if you wish)

The story has developed a bit since that time. Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess are set to play Phantom and Christine in the London premiere of Phantom: Love Never Dies, contrary to what I formerly posted. From the official website:

“LOVE NEVER DIES” continues the story of ‘The Phantom’, who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of ‘The Phantom’ from Paris, this show is a roller coaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and ‘The Phantom’ sets out to prove that, indeed, “LOVE NEVER DIES”.

Wikipedia adds that Madame Giry and Meg Giry accompany Phantom, but I would take that with a grain of salt, considering just about anyone could put something on Wiki.

Yes, I had a very extreme bias towards this show, and I'm still not happy that this could ruin the perceptions of some of my musical theatre heroes, but just yesterday... I found this. It's a clip of a song from the musical under scrutiny. Ramin Karimloo sang it at the press launch of Phantom: Love Never Dies. I'm trying to figure out how to post videos directly to my post, but til I figure it out (Or someone tells me [hint hint!!]), here is the link to Til I Hear You Sing from Love Never Dies. Grant it, it's kind of creepy that he is still obsessing over this woman (that could be his DAUGHTER [age-wise] if you think about it), but I have to admit... I was swooning by the end of the song.

AH, what's a girl to do?? I don't like the fact that this is associated with one of my favorite musicals in the entirety of the universe (why couldn't they just leave that out of it and make it with totally new characters??), but I loved this song and the man's voice! Have you ever heard anything more phenomenal?!?!

.:.:.:.

This is why we shouldn't judge. Most of the time, we are wrong anyways. And then admitting it is a big mess when we proud people want to hang on to our original bias. *siiiiiigh* (Goes to watch song again)

{Insert Clever Title}

On a cloudy day... when it's cold outside,

I've got the month of May.

Because... weather here is so weird. It was down in the 30s the other day, and just this afternoon-- it was in the 60s-70s. I don't think I'll get used to this; I wear my scarf and fuzzy socks one day, and break out the shorts and t-shirts the next!! Ahhh, ridiculousness!

But I love it :)

Speaking of socks...

We all happened to be wearing bright sock that day...

For the inspirational, novel writing drummers who put peanut butter on their roasted sweet potatoes :)

[[Man, I tried to schedule this post so that it would come out on time, but it didn't work!]]

November :)

• International Drum Month,
• Peanut Butter Lover's Month,
• National Novel Writing Month,
• National Fun with Fondue,
• Family Stories Month,
• Sweet Potato Awareness Month,
• National I am So Thankful Month (Wonder where they got that idea..)
• National Inspirational Role Models month,
• National Roasting Month,
• And several medical-related-things-awareness/appreciation month.

The second to last one... Roasting Month, does this make anyone else think, "THANKSGIVING!?!?!" Ah, I am SO excited! I can't believe the year has gone my so fast! It seems as if the year just started... and then WHAM, it's almost over! It really makes one think about things... appreciating the moment, I guess. Not living superficially, but realizing we can't do anything but learn from the past, and we are incapable of doing anything but pray and prepare for our future. It's a bit like that old cliche, "The past is history, the future is a mystery, but today is a gift- that's why it's called 'the present.'"

Tell me if anyone else sees some irony in this. In sports practice today, I bashed my toe when I collided with another player. I was lucky; I only got a [[very painful, albeit]] bruised and swollen toe. I'm not sure what the other player is going through- we crashed pretty hard. The thing is... we were playing volleyball!!! Isn't that supposed to be a no contact sport?! I mean, that's one of the reasons I picked it- minimal running and little-to-no contact. Just goes to show... something.

As for the rest of life... right now, it's lovely. I love life.

{I have to add this: November 4, 2004 - National Chicken Lady Day.

I'm sorry... what??}

[{( And looking back at my first paragraph (about the time flying?), A Dr. Seuss quote comes to mind: "How did it get late so soon?")}]

For Beautiful Eyes...

I found this Audrey Hepburn quote, and thought you might enjoy it :)

If you're wondering about that amazing graphics job... haha, no, I just have a lot of time one my hands. Well, okay, not really, but I have discovered picnik, and I make time for it!! I've done sooo many pictures... it's addicting [to the point where it's not even funny].

Goodness, Slacking off again! But hey, Fall is here!!

The lovely month of October is:

• Adopt-A-Dog Month,


• Computer Learning Month,


• National Apple Jack Month,


• National Car Care Month,


• National Clock Month,


• National Cosmetology Month,


• National Dessert Month,


• National Pickled Pepper Month,


• National Popcorn Poppin' Month,


• National Pretzel Month,


• National Sarcastic Month,


• National Seafood Month,


• National Kitchen and Bath Month, and


• Vegetarian Awareness Month

In addition... FALL IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![etc.] Words cannot express how happy this makes me! Autumn is by far my favorite season! I mean, you cannot deny the beauty of this:

(Yes, I stole this from flickr. I'm a bad girl. I can't claim to have taken this, but the person who did has amazing artistic ability. And, of course, GOD, who created it in the first place! Isn't he a genius??)

I can smell the cinnamon and cloves now... well, actually, not really, because our kitchen has been torn apart this last week; we're getting new counter tops! There is dust everywhere!! But, the kitchen looks fantastic!

Does anyone else find Autumn one of those seasons that inspires feelings of nostalgia and warmth? Something about the crisp October air, the vigorous wind whipping the fire-colored trees about, your hair across your face, yet something about it fills your soul, and your very being laughs with sheer joy at being alive. Then stepping across the threshold, greeted by the warm sensations of cloves, vanilla, and crackling fires, with orange-clove tea cozy in our hands, makes some cheesy part of my being well up, and sends a zest for life coursing through my veins... dang, I'm being poetic! I've got to remember this! Ha, but anyway, Fall is indeed my favorite season! What about you?

You never know what it could mean to someone...

**Disclaimer: I didn't write this (Sadly) I wish I did! It was written by a brilliant person named Barbara Hauck (Sadly, I don't know her either).**


Smile

She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile made him feel better.
He remembered past kindnesses of a friend
and wrote him a thank you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank-you
that he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
bet the whole thing on a hunch.
The next day she picked up her winnings,
and gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
for two days he'd had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
he left for his small dingy room.
(He didn't know at that moment
that he might be facing his doom.)
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
and took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
to be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked til he woke the whole household
and saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued
grew up to be President.
All this because of a smile
that hadn't cost a cent.

The Month of Rice and Papayas?

Goodness, how absent minded I am!! A week into September, and I totally zoned out my little monthly feature!! However, I have come through. And I suspect you didn't formerly know September is...

• Self Improvement Month,
• Be Kind To Editors and Writers Month ( Nice comments, please!),
• International Square Dance Month,
• Cable TV Month,
• National Bed Check Month, (What, for bed-bugs or something?)
• National Chicken Month,
• National Courtesy Month,
• National Honey Month,
• National Mind Mapping Month, (Does anyone care to elaborate?)
• National Piano Month,
• National Rice Month,
• National Papaya Month, and
• Classical Music Month

And I just have to add this: September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day. I find it interesting... partly because, well, have you heard the saying, "There is no such thing as a stupid question?" Thus... well, whatever! Cheerios :)

Back in the Day...

Here is an email I received from a friend; I suppose it's been making the rounds (*sighh* forwards... but that's another story.), yet I still found this pleasantly interesting and thought I'd share it with you :)

LIFE IN THE 1500

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water..

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying .. It's raining cats and dogs. [[Okay, I find that to be an interesting visual!!]]

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way. Hence the saying a thresh hold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old..

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat..

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a ...dead ringer..

And that's the truth...Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !


Indeed, quite engaging, is it not?
While I'm on here, I must share my silly pleasure with you for a moment!! I got to use TWO big words on my English assignment!! Ha, I know that sounds odd, but I cannot express how pleased I was to find an assignment where the words "idiosyncratic" and "skulduggery" could be used in context!! Speaking of words- my new favorite website: Merriam Webster Online I was nearly overjoyed to find a website with both a dictionary and thesaurus!! I know, I could be categorized as a geek for this (If I wasn't already!), but hey- What can I say? I love words!

That's all. Thanks for reading :)

Any Suggestions?

I'm such a sentimental girl.... I've been feeling the need to watch a "tear jerker" lately. Often, they're my favorite types of movies- not because I'm depressed or anything, but they're just so touching!!

My sister, mother and I recently watched a taped version of an episode of "Touched By an Angel" (A TV show that is no longer airing; it's about these three angels sent to do work on earth disguised as regular people. It may sound cheesy, but it's so beautiful!!) , called "Petey Comes Home." It deals with a little ten year old boy with a fatal disease, and the angels are sent to help him through it. It was so touching, because the little boy [Petey] was all about others! His list of things to do before he died centered mainly around helping others, and finding someone to help his mom when he is gone! It was so sweet!! I cried my little eyes out to my hearts content, shaking the entire couch.

But anywho, does anyone have a name to recommend of a tear jerker to watch? Truly moving ones are rather hard to come by, I find. So if you could help me out in this area, I would be deeply gratified! Thank you dearies!!

Musical theatre perhaps at its PEAK?? Official favorite musical in the entirety of the universe!

**Note, prepare for major rambling like you have never heard before!**

If I were to pick a single word to describe it.... I doubt I could actually decide. Maybe, "Beyond-wow" (The dash makes it one word ;) ), "thrilling," or perhaps, "Indescribable!!" Or, there's always the cliched "Wicked," that being the name of the object under scrutiny.

Yes, I had the wonderful experience of seeing "Wicked: the Musical" on stage.

What a darn gift!! So much I could say! It is my favorite musical in the entire world of musicals!!! The subtle hints toward the "Wizard of Oz" movie; ("Lemons and peaches and mango's, oh my!," "There's no place like home," etc.) The costumes-- oooooh, the costumes!! I could write an entire post going off in tangents about their costumes!! Galinda's sparkling ballgowns, Elphaba's discreet yet powerful black gowns, and the chorus' costumes - Each one seemed to tell it's own story!

And, of course, the cast and the music. Wow. To put it simply, I cannot imagine a cast to work better together! There was such amazing chemistry between all of the characters! Ah, so much talent!!

OK, the music-- I can't even begin to describe.. I laughed delightedly at the lightheartedness of "Popular," and I got chill-bumps when I heard Marcie Dodd belting out "The Wizard and I." Then, there was the long-awaited for "Defying Gravity." Neither words, nor even youtube videos can ever do it justice. There is so much energy and passion in that song... I mentioned I got chill bumps in "Wizard and I?" My heart was pounding so fast at the end of the song, my mind racing with the sheer energy in the theatre... I honest-to-goodness thought I was going to defy gravity myself (Cheesy as it sounds, yes.)!

Oh, here is an amaaaaaaaazing gift God gave to me while we were there! During intermission, my friend and myself ran down the stairs to rent some binoculars to use during the show (This is the most inspired idea perhaps in the universe!), and ran back up the stairs. We then realized how amazingly these worked (seriously, we were in the balcony and, with these handy little devices, could see every single facial expression on the stage!- wow!), and were sent back down the stairs for another pair! (Note that I was still on a high from the last hour-and-a-half, and hadn't tired yet of the stairs) Once we were down to the lobby, and had the binoculars in question, I turned to my friend and suggested that, "Since we are already heeere, why don't we go to the orchestra level and see the stage from there!" Now my friends is a very level-headed person, and suggested we go back to our seats since intermission was almost over. A valid point. But, being a stubborn little moi, I said something to the effect of, "Come on! Intermission is FIFTEEN minutes!! It hasn't been that long!! Let's just go take a look and seeeeee, then we can go back up stairs!" She gave in.

We walked to the stage, so close that we could see into the orchestra pit and probably could have walked onto the stage if we had a mind to... when, all of the sudden, the lights dimmed. The show started. And we were not in our seats.

For ten blissful minutes, I watched the most thrilling musical closer to the stage than I ever thought I would be that night. How darned sensational!!!! It was a highlight of my night! ( After the aforesaid ten minutes, an usher realized our plight and escorted us out of the orchestra level. Or else, you can bet your best bucket I would have stayed there all night!!) But is God good or what?!

That is all I can say for the moment, as it is getting rather late, but I can most surely state that I will be on a major high from this for [at least] the next month!! As I told an usher on the elevator I took up, "Musical theater goes to my head like wine." (My level-headed friend gave me a warning look at this, so I stopped. Otherwise, I probably would have pulled an Anne of Green Gables, and went on with something to the effect of, "At least, that's is how I imagine it would be; your face is flushed, your head is reeling, your heart is beating a mile a minute ; everything is vivid and exciting, and you just want to drink it all in so that you never forget it!")

But goodness, how I ramble! I'm very sorry! If you really read all the way through this post, let me know, I may give you an award or something! I shall stop now, and bid thee farewell!! So long, dear readers!

Auuuuuuuuugust

Time once more for the special monthly feature! Goodness, it's AUGUST already?? Where has the year gone!! Anywho, I'll bet my best bucket you didn't that August is:

• National Catfish Month,
• National Golf Month,
• National Eye Exam Month,
• National Water Quality Month,
• Romance Awareness Month,
• Peach Month, and
• Foot Health Month

Quite the interestingness, no? And other bizarreness:

August 8 is . . . . . Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night! (How random!!)

August 14 is . . . . National Creamsicle Day (yumyumyummmmmmmmmm)

August 17 is . . . . National Thrift shop Day (FUUUUUN!! We have the best little thrift shop about two minutes away from our house!! By the way, when one hears "thrift shop," does anyone else think of the Briers from Regina Doman's books? From some reason I always associate the two.. )

August 30 is . . . . National Toasted Marshmallow Day (Once again: Yuummmmmmers!! Believe it or not, I didn't have my first real roasted marshmallow until quite recently. Last month, to be precise.)

Post title in process of being created... Once author is inspired with something that fits

Goodness!! I've hardly been a good blog keeper! I am distraught to a point you cannot even imagine over the fact that I haven't posted in several weeks!! I am quite sorry.

Now, I check in to share a couple splendid discoveries:

1~ I think I've shared this with you before, but it deserves repeating: Dipping warm chocolate-chip-cookies in hot chocolate is, in few words, the BOMB.com!!

2~ Not that this a particularly new discovery, but I've appreciated it a lot more than usual lately: Sun shine is wonderful. Period. That's one of the beauties of summer; almost every day (When it isn't SCALDING outside), you can step out into the glorious cheerful rays of the sun. It really helps to lift one's mood, just to step out there for a moment and tilt you face to the sun. (The refreshment is especially welcome when your family keeps the house at the approximate temperature of an ice-box, as does mine. I kid you not, I wear my fuzzy socks and a jacket[s] in the middle of July!!)

3~ Improv Everywhere. Oh my crunchy GOODNESS!!! These people crack me up!!! In their words (From the site):

"Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 80 missions, involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City."

Seriously: they are hysterical!!! I would so do something like what they do!! My favorite is the "Food Court Musical" A couple agents go undercover to start a musical out of nothing in an L.A. Food Court!! PWAHAHAHA!!!! A couple of my friends and I are starting to put something together like this, actually! For more splendiforousness, check out the website, http://improveverywhere.com/!

4~ One of my many new favorite quotes: "A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man must seek Him in order to find her." I'm not exactly sure who said that first, but PWAAAA, isn't it wonderful!?! So true, and that is what I am trying every day to do!

Numero FIVE!!: I know I had one... waaaaaiitt, what was it???? GoodNESS, I can't stand it when this happens!! I think it was something to do with a musical...? Oh, yes, I finally got to listen to the entire Wicked soundtrack!!! YES!! It is amazing!! I knew several songs already, somehow, but then I borrowed the soundtrack from the library and realized I'd missed a couple... So of course now I'm singing them all around the house, driving my family to the point of critical insanity!!

[Speaking of Wicked, here is another instance of my being incredibly into my music (Recall my former post "Surely I'm not the ONLY one..."): My brother had kindly loaded a couple songs from said musical onto my ipod (as I'm too technologically inept to do such a thing), including "Defying Gravity." Soooo, as I was listening to it on my little musical gadget for the first time... shall we say I lost myself?? In short, I was brought out of my imaginary little world by the sound of my sister laughing hysterically at the sight of me standing on the couch, passionately singing along to the last part of the song. "So if you care to find me, look to the Western Sky..." etc. What can I say? It's the best part of the song. How could I not? *Sighhhh*


That is all for now; dinner is calling my name! But, indeed, I really will try to post more often! (I really mean it this time!! It's just that I don't want to bore y'all with writing that sounds forced...) So, cheerio dear friends and readers!

As you may have noticed...

I've changed the name of the blog :) (Yes, a rather "Thank you, Captain Obvious" moment.) The address, however remains the same, and if I ever do change that, I'll will give you a warning.

A Lovely Day...

The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the wind blowing... I suppose that sounds cheesy. Today, after laying out in the sun for awhile, my sister and I went to enjoy some wonderful snow cones in the summer-i-ness of our backyard. (I don't think it is possible to enjoy a snow cone as much inside as you can outside. It's just one of those funny things...) My sister and I put on our snow-cone shirts to boot!!

Before anyone take that wrong (I realize now that that sounds kind of nerdy), let me elaborate; the other day, as my sister, mother, and I were shopping, my sister came across this adorable pink shirt with big white polka dots on it. She modeled it [and I thought it was just darn cute] but wasn't sure she would ever wear it. I think her words were, "Yes, it's [really] cute, but when on earth would I wear it??" And I promptly answered, "When you go get SNOW CONES!! Obviously!! It's def. a snow cone shirt!!" We laughed; because THAT made a whole lot of sense... :) At home, I have my own bright, candy-striped shirt, which makes me feel like a little girl from the sixties, but is soooo fun!! And thus explains, in more words than necessary, the snow cone shirt.

Anyway, after enjoying our snow cones in our snazzy snow cone shirts, we came in and watched "West Side Story". I hear it talked about quite a bit, but I had never seen it before. It was...... interesting. Definitely copy of Romeo and Juliet. The choreography was amazing, however!

Now, I sit here blogging to get out of setting the table. Clever, no? What else happened today...? A-ha!! I was listening to the Christian radio station, and the played a BRILLIANT song!!! It's by Johnny Diaz, and is called "[[There can never be a]] More Beautiful You." Good message!! It talks about how you are beautiful THE WAY YOU ARE!!!!! Boy, do we need that today in some places! The link to the music video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks3R2BwyO0
Check it out!! Good stuff.

Holy cow, it's dinner time already!! I shall try to post some more later!! Til then...

Oh, once again, if anyone has any musical-theatre-audition tips or songs they cared to share with me, I would really appreciate it! I'm a mezzo soprano... who is reminded she must go to dinner now by the calling of her little brother. Cheerio!!

Julyyyy

Yes, I know I haven't been posting much lately! Not to make excuses, but I just got back from a wonderful Catholic girl's camp, and before that... there was life ;) But don't think I've forgotten you!! Or my monthly feature... Speaking of which, did you know that July is...

• National Baked Beans Month,
• National Ice Cream Month, (A Month after my own heart...)
• National Tennis Month,
• Read An Almanac Month,
• Anti-Boredom Month, and (Awesomeness, I tell you!!!)
• Hitchhiking Month

And a couple other random holidays in July:

• July 1st: Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day
• July 11th: National Cheer Up the Lonely Day
• July 27th: Take Your Pants For a Walk Day

Seriously-- I didn't make these up! The last one really gets me... Randomness, no? I shall try to post more soon. Cheerio!

Surely, I'm not the ONLY one...

...who gets *extremely* into whatever song they are listening to at the moment. In my mind... how can you not? Especially if it's a very passionate song...


It's even easier (for me) if it's a Broadway song. Then you have the whole character there right in front of you, you know their situation; it's so EASY to put yourself into the place of the character!!


Sometimes it's a deeper, more melancholic song, you may find yourself tearing up a bit (O.K., maybe some slightly more sane people don't; but I am certainly cheesy enough to do thus. Like when I'm singing "Home" from Beauty and the Beast, I can't help but feel lost and a little hopeless, just wanting to go HOME! I don't really know where I am, I just wanted to save Papa!! Anyway... *cough*), and just feeling the longing the character would feel (Be it for home, for mother, for freedom, etc.).



Then there's the more upbeat songs that are just so fun to get in to!! For instance, right now I'm listening to "I Can Hear the Bells" from Hairspray, and I actually got up and started dancing-- because clearly the WEDDING BELLS were RINGING!!!!!!! He TOUCHED me!!!!! Despite what they say, this is CLEARLY the start of something!! -- I actually go on much longer in my mind than I type out, just so you know.

Even some non-Broadway songs are fun to get into, like "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. My favorite part is towards the end-ish, just before the key change:

"I grew tired of waiting, wondering if you were ever coming around. My faith in you was fading, when I met you on the outskirts of town. And I said 'Romeo save me, I've been feeling so alone. I keep waiting for you but you never come! Is this in my head? I don't know what to think!' He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said [[this is my favorite]], 'Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone. I love you and that's all I really know. I talked to your Dad, go pick out a white dress; it's a love story, baby, just say yes!'"

Speaking of "Love Story," does anyone else think someone should tell Taylor Swift how Romeo & Juliet really ends?? I always thought that was kind of funny... I mean, I wouldn't *quite* want my love story to end that way...

Pwaaaaaaa, and [formerly] speaking of musicals... I'm planning to audition for a couple musicals in the some-what-near-ish future. It'll be my first musical audition, so if any of you have tips and/or song suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it-- especially the song suggestions. I'm a teenage mezzo-soprano [but not quite a belter--yet], if that helps a little. Thank you all so much!! I must go now. Cheerio!

Amazing what music can do to one, no?

Seriously. Aaaand those who compose (or merge, in this case) such masterpieces aren't to be forgotten either : Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Viva la Vida (Coldplay). Because I have yet to figure out how to post a video directly on to this here blog, here is the link to the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

Honestly-- it is a work of brilliance. Utterly amazable. Please watch :) It's a little long... but WORTH IT!!!! Trust me.

Jumpin' JUNE-ipers!!

Okay, so the title is a little cheesy; it's all I could come up with :/ Anyway, I've decided to make this a monthly feature :) Perhaps you know these, perhaps not; but the wonderful month of June iiiisss:

• Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month,
• American Rivers Month,
• Cancer In The Sun Month, (:D)
• Dairy Month,
• Turkey Lover's Month,
• National Accordian Awareness Month,
• National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month,
• National Ice Tea Month,
• National Papaya Month,
• National Pest Control Month, (I like)
• National Rose Month,
• Fight The Filthy Fly Month, (Along with "Pest Control month"... how very handy) and
• Zoo and Aquarium Month

Maybe my new favorite song in the universe...!

Alright alright alright, so the candidate for this title changes on a weekly basis... What can I say? There's a lot of good songs out there! *Smileyshrug* Anyway, this song is from the Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast," it is sung by The Beast (Speaking of whom, did anyone else ever feel bad that he didn't really have a name? Or does he have one and I don't know it. I mean, that's a case for low self-esteem right there; being called "beast" all the time...), and well... it's really sweet; it's called "If I Can't Love Her." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH1twHSdU6M

Chiiiiiiiiiiiillbumps... but then, I'm a Broadway dork, so maybe I appreciate these things in a different was than many.

As an after note, does anyone here, who has read "Waking Rose" (Regina Doman), feel that this could be sung from Fish's point of view, or at least that he could relate to it? I don't know. That's all for now :-)

Oh yeah; here's the lyrics :)

Beast:

And in my twisted face,

There's not the slightest trace

Of anything that even hints of kindness.

And from my tortured shape,

No comfort, no escape

I see, but deep within is utter blindness.

Hopeless.

As my dream dies,

As the time flies,

Love a lost illusion.

Helpless.

Unforgiven.

Cold and driven,

To this sad conclusion

No beauty could move me

No goodness improve me

No power on earth, if I can't love her.

No passion could reach me,

No lesson could teach me,

How I could have love her and made her love me too

If I can't love her, then who?

Long ago I should have seen,

All the things I could have been,

Careless and unthinking, I moved onward

No pain could be deeper,

No life could be cheaper,

No point anymore, if I can't love her.

No spirit could win me,

No hope left within me,

Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free

But it's not to be,

If I can't love her...Let the world be done with me.

So long to Neverland.

Yes... the play is over. But it was amazingly fun and wonderful while it lasted! There is such a thrill that accompanies being on-stage!! There are so, soooooo many stories I could tell, but as I said before (not in this post), they lose something in the re-telling. Ergo (sorry, you're not going to get out of my perpetual rambling!), I shall just relate *a few* of my favorite moments.

On-stage: My favorite time one stage was.... CURTAIN CALL!!! The applause!! It makes the whole show feel worth it, no matter how stressful it seemed throughout! But that's always a favorite. So... to perform... BWAHAHAHA!!!! The sword-fighting scene!!!!!!!! (Yes, Wendy actually fought [!]) Because this was a comedy, the sword fighting scene was rather hammed-up, to use the term-- it started out oh-so-serious and dramatic, then at a certain point, it turns into a stylized ballet, from which point we go into sllllooooooooowww mo.!!!!!!! It was hysterical!!!! The girl that I fought with and myself were having the best time up there; we were pulling the cheesy-est "dramatic" faces possible, and it was SO HARD to not burst out laughing on stage!!!

And off stage-- Alright, I am firmly convinced that the REAL entertainment happens backstage!!! We were SO HYPER in the green room... it was ridiculous! Like the time our sound-man had to sit on someone so that they would get there make-up applied... or the time Hook was throwing all the little (in size) actors into the costume pile (Don't worry, it was about two yards thick)... or the *several* time[s] we would get in to the most ridiculous "arguments" over nothing (Only, they weren't real arguments) "It's PINK!" "No, it was CLEARLY yellow!!" "No, it was obviously pink!" "There's no way it could be PINK! Because it's YELLOW! You're color-blind!" "What are y'all arguing about? What is it?" "...IT!" "What's 'it' " "...IT!!" But those *particular* stories... well, you had to be there to appreciate them. :)

Now that it's over, I'm like, "Whoa, where did my life go? What did I do with all those extra five minutes before I had a character to analyze and and script to study?" I made so many good friends (that I will now be pestering with phone calls), and had, really, the most amazing time.

I love to act.

Abbrv. & txt tlk

I suppose it's time for a post a little longer and with less extreme randomosity than what I've been posting. It's just been busy this spring!


What started me on the topic at hand was a text that was received. To quote:

OMG! LOL!! idk, u r hiliros o i g2g ttyl!

So should we be proud that we can understand this... or worried? It's not that I'm anti- text lingo, but sometimes it just seems a little extreme, as in the formerly mentioned case.

I understand the need for a quick, "lol" or "brb" in some instances (I mean, I use them on a regular basis), but if you're going to take the time to text... it doesn't take that much longer to spell a word out, does it?


Then I started thinking about abbreviations in general. Why do we even have some of them? They often drive me insane! Especially abbreviations for state names- all the ones that start with "M" I almost always get confused as to which one is which! "MI" "MO"MA" etc.

One particular abbreviation boggles my mind; it's shorter to write, but the abbreviation takes longer to say than what it is abbreviating! : WWW. Count the syllables- it's longer than what it stands for (World Wide Web).


Goodness I'm tired! *yawn* To end, I wish to quote the amazing "Calvin & Hobbes" (Bill Waterson) (Seriously, you can find a quote to apply to ANYTHING from Calvin & Hobbes!! The man is a genius!)

Yes, Hobbes, I believe you prove my point.

Alright alright, I can't resist; whilst I am rambling about the English language... I found a new word! Snollygoster: A shrewd but unprincipled person. BWAHAHAHA!!!!!!

O.K., I'm really going now. No, wait, I'm not! "O.K." just made me think of the history of "O.K." (yet another interesting abbreviation) Do any of you know what it stands for? It stands for... "All Correct" except in this case you spell it "Oll Korekt"! See, in a previous century, people thought it was funny to misspell words and abbreviate them. "O.K." made it's first appearance in a newspaper... and it stuck!

I'm really going now. Cheerio!

Wendy-ness (Formerly, "SHOES!!")

Wendy-hair on OPENING NIGHT!!!!
Do you know who is excited in the
EXTREME
?!?!?!?!?! →

And my Wendy- shoes!! ←You can't really see the lacey- eyelet stuff in this pic, but it's there :)

So, do you think-- nooooo-- do you think that *maybe, perhaps* I have too much time on my hands?

Exhibit A ↓ (I peeled an orange- excuse me, a tangerine-ish thing, all in one peel!!)

Exhibit...B!! ↓ An elephant made out of a dollar bill!

Aaaand, numero 3. I don't have photo-shop or anything on this particular computation device, so I spent forever and a day trying to get this to look like it does now :) ↓

And there we go! Cheerio!

Narnia Tags x TWO! ( I love Narnia. I really do)

...And a TAG! If you are tagged, it is because I see you as a true-beyond-reason friend of Narnia (what other's refer to as "The-total-and-complete-Narnia-geek/nerd/whatever). Directions are... to simply write what comes into your head about Narnia, be it words, sentences, or pages.

.:.:.:.

What is it about Narnia..? The feeling it gives you when you read it.. It sort of leaves you longing for more. It's so rich, so moving. Everything about it is so... I don't know what the word is. But for some reason, you don't tire of them. Every time you read them, you see something more, something deeper.

Forgiveness. Truth. Trust. I see these displayed so much throughout the stories.

Then the longing, especially in the "Last Battle" for me, is so wonderful and terrible all at once. I try to touch on what exactly it is I feel but in the end, I can't really express it; I want to laugh and cry all at once. To quote my mother, "It hurts so good."

While I'm on the "Last Battle" streak... I just read the last paragraph of said book. It is, without a doubt, my favorite part of the entire series, and the entirety of all in the book world. It never fails to make me want to cry (and often, I do), to sort of give you that tight feeling in your chest like you want to cry tears of joy and sorrow all at once! (yes, I am very aware this sounds supremely cheesy. )

Call me a dork if you wish, but I truly have a passion for Narnia, and all things concerning it. I kid you not, there have been days when I would think about nothing but Narnia. I truly wish I could convey the feelings I have. But for the moment, I shall end this ramble with, what else, the last paragraph of the "Last Battle":

"And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but things began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

Pardon me while I grab the tissue box.

.:.:.:.

Whilst I am on the Narnia streak, I found this on Lyceria's blog and stole it:) filling out my own answers;

NARNIA~Favorites

~Fav. Narnia Book? The Last Battle!

Fav. Character? ASLAN, Reepicheep, Lucy, Edmund, Mr. Beaver (okay, so I'm a little biased on that last one...)

Fav. Pevensie? Edmund or Lucy ( I don't like picking favorites!)

King or Queen (of Narnia)? Um... Ever? Queen Lucy the Valiant, King Tirian, Queen Swanwhite, etc.

Fav. Talking Animal? Aslan (of course) and REEPICHEEP!!!! My hero!!! XD

Fav. Gift from Father Christmas? Either Lucy's vial or Susan's bow & arrows & horn

Fav. Weapon? Aslan's paws :)

Fav. Antagonist? The White Witch

Fav. "added scene" in movies? Ohh, um.. anything BUT The farewell kiss in PC!!!!

Fav outfit (in movie)? Mr. Beaver's Armor (LWW)!!!! Then, Susan's coronation dress (LWW) Susan's farewell dress (PC), and Grown-up Queen Lucy's hunting dress (LWW) and pretty much any other outfit in there :)

Fav. Line or quote from book or movie? From the book: The last paragraph from the "Last Battle!!!!!" (Didn't we just go through this?) And then from the movie... anything Mr. Beaver said in LWW (XD), annnnnd.... yeah. I could go on for awhile, but I won't

"WHO DO YOU LIKE BETTER?~
Mr. or Mrs. Beaver? Mr. Beaver (I'm a *little* biased, as I said. Having played him and all...)

Orieus or Glenstorm? Orieus

Peter or Edmund? AGH! I don't know!! *thinks a minute* Edmund I guess

Susan or Lucy? Lucy the VALIANT and the NON-TRAITOR!!!

Jadis or Miraz? Jadis

Jill or Eustace? ... Both!

Drinian or Rynelf? Drinian

Reepicheep or Trufflehunter? REEPICHEEP!! (With no offense to Trufflehunter (he's great too), what kind of a question is that?)

Trumpkin or Nikabrik? Trumpkin

Polly or Digory? Digory

Bree or Hwin? ...yes.

Aravis or Shasta? BOTH!!!!

Rilian or Tirian? Tirian; I think he has a stronger character.

Coriakin (the magician or Ramandu (the star)? I really don't know.

.:.:.:.

For the first thingy, I tag... Viola (who doesn't have a comment board so I HOPE that you read this!), & Lyceria

For the second, I tag.... you. If you've read this (Which I see you HAVE) you've been tagged!

Cheerio!!

D

No, not a random title. While I'm bouncing from the moment, I must inform you that in voice lessons today, I vocalized a high D!! To those of you who hit E's etc. with no problemo, this may not seem like such a big deal - but when I started I thought I couldn't go past a C, then B flat, this makes me very excited!!! Anyway, that's all :)

♪♫♥♫♪

Masquerade

Stealing this from The Other Katie...

Put your iTunes or iPod on shuffle (this means that it randomly picks a song. At random. I did not pick these out. They are random). Put the name of each song in as an answer to the following questions:

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? The World Turned Upside Down (In other words, THE WORLD WILL TURN UPSIDE DOWN IF YOU DO IT!! Ergo DON'T!!)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Margaritaville

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? All I Need (Hehehe)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? You Are God Alone (niiiice)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Mystery (Hm, so I don't really know??)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Washed by the Water (So I'm clean? I guess that's good ;P)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Prima Donna (okay, I actually do think about Phantom of the Opera a lot...)

WHAT IS 2+2? Innocence (:P)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Gravity

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (lol!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Kryptonite (I'm SUPERGIIIIIIIIRL!!!!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Gone (K, that's a little scary)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Sea of Faces (um)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Red White and Blue (??)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? I am Free

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? My Sacrifice

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? The Gambler (ROFL!!!!!!!!)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? A Different World (ooooohhh)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Only Hope [:) I love y'all♥♥♥]

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Down Once More/ Track Down This Murderer (Phantom of the Opera) (uh....)

HOW WILL YOU DIE? Learn To Be Lonely (Dying of loneliness?? *tear tear*)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? I'm Moving On

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Even Angels Cry (So are we saying I don't have a sense of humor?)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Think of Me

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? This is the Day (That cracks me up!!!!!)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Mahnamana (Muppets) (Yes, because we all know how scary the MUPPETS are, lol!)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Beautiful Name

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Run (okay, umm....)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Walking Her Home

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Masquerade

***

If you've read this- YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!!

My! The month of May!

I'll bet you didn't know that this month of May is...

• Better Sleep Month, (I like this one :])
• National Good Car Care Month,
• National Photo Month,
• National Salad Month,
• National Egg Month,
• National Barbecue Month,
• Revise Your Work Schedule Month,
• National Hamburger Month,
• Fungal Infection Awareness Month (O.K.....)
• The Month of Mary (I am proud to be Catholic!)

Yes, I kid you not!

Two Weeks til "Peter Pan" Opening Night

Can you guess who is PUMPED about this???!!

Pro-LIFE Quotes!

If I have not said thus before, I shall now; I am very, very, very strongly against abortion. There is so much I could say on the subject, but other's have put it much more eloquently that I ever could, ergo, I shall quote them:

"We must not be surprised when we hear of murders, killings, of wars, or of hatred...If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for us to kill each other?" Blessed Mother Teresa

"A person is a person, no matter how small." Italics by me, quote by Dr. Seuss (Horton Hears a Who)

"I notice that everyone who is for abortion is already born." Ronald Regan

"Thou shalt not kill."~ Fifth Commandment

"Abortion kills twice. It kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother. Abortion is profoundly anti-women. Three quarters of its victims are women: Half the babies and all the mothers."~ Blessed Mother Teresa

"To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it."~ G.K Chesterton

"The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of good government."~ Thomas Jefferson ~

And so, so, so many more. We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Jello

^Is an odd object.

A liquid, because it conforms to the shape of it's container (Grant it, it takes time, but it eventually does)?

Or... a solid mass of wiggliness?

I'm not too sure. Ergo, I made the poll to the right of this post.

What do you think? (Yes, I know the poll has been up for about a week already, but you can still change your vote if you wish ;])

Experimentation

With thanks to "The Cutest Blog on the Block...'' I may be experimenting with different fonts and layouts and such for the next short period of time... so you may visit an entirely different looking blog every time you come here for the next few days! I'll try to make up my mind soon, but I'm know to be rather shilly-shally. Cheerio!

Yet another example of why we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover

Susan Boyle- Britain's Got Talent! (The British equivalent of American Idol)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Pleeeeeeaase watch- "Wow" is all there is to it!

Good Luck ;-)

Theophilous Thistle,
The successful thistle sifter,
While sifting a sift of unsifted thistles
Stuffed three-thousand thistles
Through the thick of his thumb.


Hehe, try saying that five times fast! I can hardly say it once- but then, perhaps I'm just not the most agile of tongue. :) Good luck!

What I Forgot!!!

I remember what I was going to write about on the previous post (Two posts ago, I think).!! It is a story from the missions I went on!

We were working with first graders at a local school, explaining to them about Holy Week, Easter, and how Jesus died for our sins so we could go to Heaven. Afterwards, we had them draw a picture of what they thought Heaven looked like. One of the little boys had drew a picture of an angel with a gun. So we said, "Hm, I don't really think there will be guns in Heaven; we don't want to hurt anybody, etc." He looked at us and said, "But how else would there be shooting stars?"

I thought it was so adorable!

Purists and Pirates :)

Two things (Which, being me, are rather random):

1) Being the cookie nut that I am, yesterday was a bit hard for me. I had to make chocolate- chip-cookies from a package.*gasp* Yes, you read correctly; the dough was already mixed and all I had to do was put it on the pan. It felt so wrong. But we were pressed for time... They tasted fine though. :)

Number two
In addition to playing Wendy, I also get to play a pirate named Starkey! Woohoo! Three more lines!!! Fun, fun, fun!

To Let You Know...

Wow. For those of you who have been wondering where I have been, for the past week, I have been attending an utterly amazing retreat. It was a wonderfully deep experience. I truly felt Christ's love and Presence the whole time. I attended with about thirty-forty other girls; we spent Holy Week helping out at local schools, doing door-to-door missions, visiting nursing homes, and several other out-reach activities. But my favorite part was the amazing talks that were given. They really helped me to go deeper into my relationship with Christ. Words cannot describe the amazingness of my experience there. There is so much I could say; so many stories I could tell (Both moving and hilarious), but, somehow, they lose something in the retelling. Ergo, I shall simply simply say that Christ is and always will be my Savior, and my best friend.

.:.:.:.:.

In other news.... I received the scores from the standardized test thingy I took back :D I did pretty well; much better than I was expecting. My little brother SPECTACULARLY with a NINETY-EIGHT percentage score!!!!!!!! That means he is ninety-eight percent smarter that the national average of children his age!!! You can bet we had ice-cream to celebrate that night!!

Also... darn, I knew I had something else to say, but I don't remember it now! Does anyone else find it annoying when that happens? I certainly do.

To occupy my time while I try to remember what I was going to write about there, I shall inform you of my latest interesting word combination : Skulduggery jobbernowl. Yes, it sounds like gibberish, but these are REAL WORDS that I DIDN'T make up!!! Together, the words mean: A devious blockhead. Yes, I know it sounds mean, but I use it only when teasing my friends ;p. It is interesting to see the reaction you get when sounding like a toddler in your everyday speech

!Hmhmhm... I still can't remember what I was going to write about, so I guess I'll wrap this up and write about it when it comes to me. Until then... Cheerio!!

I'm afraid I'll have to take back what I said about fairytale month :( As I thing about it now, it's just not going to work. You can still count on there being several post on fairy tales, but I shan't be able to devote the whole month to it. I must go- Cheerios!!

*edit* You may also notice that I moved the two cinderella parts to the same post, which I shall continue to do til I am finished typing it out; so to catch the rest, you'll simply have to scroll down through the story. Cheerios!

Cinderella, and Other Things

Lately I've been struck anew with interest in fairy tales. (Call me a dork if you wish, but I just can't get enough!!) Ergo, I've decided to (mostly) dedicate this next month (April) to fairy tales of all sorts (Yes, I know I'm starting a little early).

To start off with, I am presenting this version of Cinderella I found! I will probably spread it over several posts, since it is a bit long. I find it interesting, though, because it widely differentiates from the Disney version many have grown accustomed to. Some of the phraseology and punctuation may seem a little odd, for it's a translation from German.

Cinderella

There was once a rich man whose wife lay sick, and when she felt her end drawing near she called to her only daughter to come near her bed, and said, "Dear child, be good and pious, and God will take care of you, and I will look down upon you from heaven and will be with you."

And then she closed her eyes, and died. The maiden went every day to her mother's grave and wept, and was always pious and good. When the winter came the snow covered the grave with a white covering, and when the sun came in the early spring and melted it away. the man took to himself another wife.

The new wife brought two daughter's home with her, and they were beautiful and fair in appearance, but at heart were ugly. And then began very evil times for the poor step-daughter.

"Is the stupid creature to sit in the same room with us?" said they. "Those who eat food must earn it. She is nothing but a kitchen maid."

They took away her pretty dresses and put on her an old gray kirtle and gave her wooden shoes to wear.

"Just look now at the proud princess, how she is decked out!" cried they, laughing, and then they sent her into the kitchen. There she was obliged to do heavy work from morning to night, get up early in the morning, draw water, make the fires, cook, and wash. Besides that, the sisters did their utmost to torment her- mocking her, and strewing peas and lentils among the ashes, and setting her to pick them up. In the evenings, she was quite tired out with her hard days work, she had no bed to lie on, but was obliged to rest on the hearth among the cinders. And because she always looked dusty and dirty, as if she had slept in the cinders, they called her Cinderella.

it happened one day that the father went to the fair, and he asked his two step-daughters what he should bring back for them. "Fine clothes!" said one. "Pearls and jewels!" said the other.

But what will you have, Cinderella?" said he.

The first twig, father,that strikes against your hat on the way home; that is what I should like you to bring me."

So he brought for his two step-daughters fine clothes, pearls, and jewels, and on his way back, as he rode through a green lane, a hazel twig struck against his hat. He broke it off and carried it home with him. And when he reached home he gave to the step-daughters what they had wished for, and to Cinderella he gave the hazel twig. She thanked him and went to her mother's grave and planted this twig there, weeping so bitterly that the tears fell upon it and watered it, and it flourished and became a fine tree. Cinderella went to see it three times a day, and wept and prayed, and each time a white bird arose from the tree, and if she uttered any wish the bird brought her whatever she wished for.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

And that ends part one of Cinderella for today, for, ironically, I must go help clean the house! I shall post more later! Cheerio!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

3-31-09

Now it came to pass that the King ordained a festival that should last for three days, and to which all the beautiful young women of that country were bidden, so that the King's son might choose a bride from among them. When the two step-daughters heard that they too were bidden to appear, they felt very pleased, and they called Cinderella and said, "Comb our hair, brush our shoes, and make our buckles fast, we are going to the wedding feast at the King's castle!"

When she heard this, Cinderella could not help crying, for she too would have liked to go to the dance, and she begged her step-mother to allow her. "What! You Cinderella!" said she, "In all your dust and dirt, you want to go to the festival? You have no dress and no shoes, you want to dance?'

But as she persisted in asking, at last the step=mother said, "I have stewed a dishful of lentils in the ashes, and if you can pick them all up again in two hours you may go with us."
Then the maiden went to the back door that led into the garden and called out,

"O gentle doves, O turtle doves,
And all the birds that be,
The lentils that in ashes lie,
Come pick them up for me!
The good must be put in a dish,
The bad you may eat if you wish."

Then there came into the kitchen window two white doves, and after them some turtle doves, and at last a crowd of all the birds under heaven, chirping and fluttering, and they alighted among the ashes. The doves nodded with their heads and began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and then all the others began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and put all the good grains into the dish. Before and hour was over all was done, and they flew away.
T

hen the maiden brought the dish to her step-mother, feeling joyful, and thinking that now she should go to the feast, but the step-mother said, "No, Cinderella, you have no proper clothes, and you do not know how to dance, and you would be laughed at!" And when Cinderella cried for disappointment, she added, "If you can pick two dishes full of lentils out of the ashes, you shall go with us," thinking to herself, "for that is not possible."

When she had strewed two dishes full of lentils among the ashes the maiden went through the back door into the garden, and cried,

"O gentle doves, O turtle doves,
And all the birds that be,
The lentils that in ashes lie,
Come and pick up for me!
The good must be put in a dish,
The bad you may eat if you wish."

So there came to the kitchen window two white doves, and after them some turtle doves, and at last a crowd of all other birds, chirping and fluttering, and they alighted among the ashes, and the doves nodded with their heads and began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and then the others began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and put all the good grains into the dish. And before half-an-hour was over it was all done, and they flew away. Then the maiden took the dishes to the step-mother, feeling joyful, and thinking that now she should go with them to the feast, but she said, "all this is no good; you cannot come with us for you have no proper clothes and cannot dance; you would put us to shame!" Then she turned her back on poor Cinderella and made haste to set out with her two proud daughters.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Poor Cinderella!! In Roger & Hammerstein's "Cinderella," there is a song that would take place right about now in the story called, "In my Own Little Corner." This is my favorite from that musical, and it so happens that I am performing it in an upcoming voice recital! You can view the song video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hmCnOPYxVQ&feature=related
Side-note on the recital part, after I sing "In My Own Little Corner," the girl after me is singing "Impossible" (The fairy- godmother's song to Cinderella)! Isn't that fun? You can view "Impossible" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHtoxJ8as1s
Enjoy!!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

4-3-09

And as there was no one left in the house, Cinderella went to her mother's grave, under the hazel bush, and cried,

"Little tree, little tree, shake over me,

That silver and gold may come down and cover me!"

Then the bird threw down a dress of gold and silver, and a pair of slippers embroidered with silk and silver. And in all haste she put on the dress and went to the festival. But her step-mother and step-sisters did not know her, and thought she must be foreign princess, she looked so beautiful in her golden dress. Of Cinderella they never thought at all, and supposed that she as sitting at home, and picking the lentils out of the ashes. The King's son came to meet her, and took her by the hand and danced with her, and he refused to dance with anyone else, so that he might not be obliged to let go her hand, and when anyone came to claim it he answered, "She is my partner."

And when the evening came she wanted to go home, but the Prince said he would go with her to take care of her, for he wanted to see where this beautiful maiden lived. But she escaped him, and jumped into the pigeon house. Then the Prince waited until the father came, and told him the strange maiden had jumped into the pigeon house. The father thought to himself, "It surely cannot be Cinderella," and called for axes and hatchets, and had the pigeon house cut down, but there was no one in it. And when they entered the house there sat Cinderella in her dirty clothes among the cinders, and a little oil lamp burnt dimly in the chimney. Cinderella had been very quick, and had jumped out of the pigeon house again, and had run to the hazel bush, and there she had taken off her beautiful dress and laid it on the grave, and the bird carried it away again, and then she put on her little gray kirtle again, and had sat down in the kitchen among the cinders.

.:.:.:.

Just a quick question on my part; why did they have to chop down the pigeon house? Why didn't they just step inside and see if she was there? Interesting.

Which in English means...?

Haha, I've been told that I use big words on a regular basis in my daily conversation. I usually don't realize it, but every once in awhile I'll catch myself- as in lunch today.

If you don't know of my natural aversion to condiments, the following won't make much sense, so let me elaborate: I experience a gag reflex at the sight, sound, and/or smell of almost all condiments- especially ketchup, mustard, mayo, and ranch.

At lunch, my father and brother were eating some left over hot dogs with most of "the fixin's" (Mustard, ketchup...*gag*). As I was sitting at the far end of the table from them, I asked, in these exact words, "How can you bear to assault a perfectly innocent hot dog with such horrendous condiments?!" My little brother stared. "In English, that means...?"

I laughed. :)

What's in a Name? (The Name being "Bookworm")

This was the topic of discussion in the car with my mother the other day: What defines a bookworm?

The subject came about while we were talking about a book I had been reading; I believe the author tried to paint the main character the bookish type- you know, the one that always has her nose in a book- (She'd read all Jane Austen's novels a million times through, etc.) but something about calling the girl a bookworm just didn't seem right. I couldn't figure out why.

I certainly consider myself a bookworm, as do many of you, I believe.

The dictionary defines "bookworm" as "A person unusually devoted to books or study." So my mother asked, "If that's what it means, then what separates you from her in the book world?" I struggled to grasp the right concept. Not someone who was just always reading, but someone who reads with a passion, almost...

Then something c licked within my brain as to what was the difference between the fictional girl mentioned and myself: She read so much because she was bored and had nothing else to do; I read so much because I enjoy it. I love being wrapped in another story; another world. A good book will literally give me thrills. I can't imagine that is why the formerly mentioned girl reads.

So what really defines a bookworm? Someone who merely reads often, or one who reads constantly because of the passion?