New Year's Eve!

Can you believe it? 2009 is almost over. I've learned a ton of stuff this year, both in school and just about life in general. And yet there's so much more for me to learn and do. I'm excited to see what will happen this coming year. God is showing me new things all the time.

What have you learned this year? What are you planning on doing next year?

I'm excited about 2010, although I'm not sure why. I can't wait to see what God has in store for my life.

New Years Resolution?

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I do, but I forget them in less than a week.
I'm going to try to keep my resolution this year. I know I really need to work on my relationship with God, and my resolution is to try to have a daily quiet time. I've been working on this on and off for over a year, but I always slack off and just stop reading my Bible for a week or two and barely pray. I go to church, but that's about it. It's horrible, and I want to change that. I want to please God and be closer to Him. For a few years now, I've felt like God is going to use me to do great things for Him. I don't know what is going to happen in my life, but I know I really need to work on growing closer to Him. I want to learn what His will for my life is, and I want to strengthen my faith.

What are you planning on doing this coming year? 2010 is almost here. Do something that will last. Start working on your relationship with God. Surrender your life to Him, promising to do whatever He asks, no matter what. Witness to people around you. Don't just read His Word. Study it and memorize it and just soak up as much as you can. There's always more to learn. Have unshakable faith. Pray to God, not only asking for things, but praising and worshipping Him, thanking Him for blessing your life.

You know how you can look back on your life, and see how the pieces have fallen into place? You wondered why something happened, but then looking back, you see how God used it? God is always there for us, and He will never leave us. His plan is ultimate, and when we finally just give everything to Him and let Him work in our life, He will do amazing things through us. Our lives are changed.

God bless.

Music Shuffle!

1. I'm a brand new man, I'm a conscious man, I'm a man who's burning for you. The mistakes I've made have been chased away to the bottom of the ocean blue.

2. Not a word was heard at the tomb that day. Just shuffling soldier's feet as they guarded the grave.

3. Well I know sometimes you find it hard to understand just what we do out here.

4. All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy, but all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul.

5. Dancing in the dark, middle of the night. Taking your heart and holding it tight.

6. You've got a secret no one knows, locked away where no ones goes. Deep inside your heart. It's tearing you apart.

7. I watched the proverbial sunrise coming up over the Pacific end. You might I'm losing my mind, but I will shy away from the specifics.

8. It's crowded in worship today, and she slips in, trying to fade into the faces. The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know.

9. To anyone who hides behind a smile. To anyone who holds their pain inside.

10. I feel like the weight of the world is all crashing down on me. And somehow just don't believe this is how it is supposed to be.

Alright, that's all i'm doing for tonight. (And none of those are bad songs, if anyone wonders)

God Won't Let Me Fall

Yes, once again, suckish title... I can't name things >_< But you already knew that. Anyway, I just wrote this poem. I don't know if I like it as well as some of my other ones (and I wonder why I wrote this... I'm sick of poems XD) Let me know if it's any good.

EDIT: Okay, so maybe the title doesn't suck after all XD Thank you, Eldarwen :)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Standing on the edge of this cliff

I've gotta jump, but I know it's gonna hurt to hit bottom

I place my faith in You

It's all I can do

Because without You I fall

Thinking about this thing called my future

I've gotta live my life, but it's gonna hurt to hit bottom

I trust my life to You

I can't do this without You

God, I know without You I'll fall

I know You have great things planned for me

I'm ready to follow You, even if I hit bottom

I know that if I follow You

You'll bless my life

I know that You won't let me fall

Teen Con!!!!

Well I just got back from Teen Conference. I had a great time and really learned a few things.

Which To Bury, Us Or The Hatchet - Relient K

I'm sitting here listening to this song, and I thought I'd share the lyrics. I really like it, for some reason. *shrugs* anyway...
The whole CD is pretty awesome, actually :P
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you know what I'm getting at
I find it so upsetting that
The memories that you select
You keep the bad but the good you just forget

And even thought I'm angry I can still say
I know my heart will break the day
When you peel out and drive away
I can't believe this happened

And all this time I never thought
That all we had would be all for not

No, I don't hate you
Don't want to fight you
Know I'll always love you
But right now I just don't like you
Know I don't hate you
Don't want to fight you
Know I'll always love you
But right now I just don't like you
Cause you took this too far

Make your decision and don't you dare think twice
Go with your instincts along with some bad advice
This didn't turn out the way I thought it would at all
You blame me but some of this is still your fault

I tried to move you, but you just wouldn't budge
I tried to hold your hand but you'd rather hold your grudge
I think you know what I'm getting at
You said goodbye and I just don't want you regretting that

And wisdom always chooses
These black eyes and these bruises
Over the heartache that they say
Never completely goes away
(I just can't believe this happened
And one day we'll see this come around)

What happened to us
I heard that it's me we should blame
What happened to us
Why did you stop me from turning out this way
And know that I don't hate you
And know that I don't want to fight you
And know that I'll always love you
But right now I just don't...

The gingerbread house did stick together, and I got some pictures, so I'll post those tomorrow after I get photoshop on my new laptop so I can make them smaller.

Pictures

Here's the pictures of our small amount of snow. I didn't take many because it was windy and icy and I wanted to go back inside :P

Of Revenge and Pirates: Part 1

Yeah, I know, strange title :P I'm not good with names. Anyway, this is Part 1 of my first short story.

And just so it's not as confusing (hopefully), the spaces between lines are actually supposed to be indents.

Comments are welcome! Any input would be appreciated.

-----------------------------------------------------

“Any last words?”

“Actually, yes.” Justis knocked the man’s arm away, sending the knife to the ground and catching him off guard. He sent a fist into the man’s jaw, then pulled out his gun.

“You should always keep your guard up.” He leveled the gun at the man and pulled back the hammer.

“Justis, wait!”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young woman running toward him, her dark brown hair streaming behind her.

“Arias, stay out of this.” He kept his gun trained on the man’s chest.

“Don’t shoot him.” She pushed his hand down, still breathless from running.

He pulled his hand away and pointed the gun at the man again. “Arias, I can’t let him get away with this.”

She grabbed his shoulders and turned him to face her. “You can’t just go around killing people like this. It isn‘t right!”

“Lots of things aren’t right, but they happen anyway! Arias, you don’t have to tell me what’s right and what isn’t. I know what’s right! But you know what? People don’t accomplish things by doing what’s right. Things only get done when you worry about what needs done and not what’s right. Does the king do what’s right? No. People who are cruel to others are the only ones who ever accomplish anything. I’m not trying to be cruel, but I also don’t have time to stop before every move and ask myself if it’s right!”

“It may not seem like it, but the people who do what’s right are the ones that live happy lives. Do you think the king has a pleasant life, ordering people around like this? No, because he always has to watch his back. People are constantly plotting to kill him.”

“You know what? I hope someone succeeds. I hope he dies in the most painful way possible.”

“Justis--”

Before she could finish, Justis pushed her out of the way and blocked the knife aimed for him. The other man had picked the knife up while Arias and Justis were yelling at each other, and had tried to catch Justis off guard. However, Justis was always wary of his surroundings. He wrestled the man to the ground and managed to smash the man’s hand on a rock, causing him to drop the knife. Justis quickly grabbed the knife and stood up. He put the knife in his belt and once again pointed his gun at the other man. Before Arias could stop him, he pulled the trigger, and the man’s body went limp. Arias screamed. Justis looked very satisfied as the smoke cleared. He put the gun in his belt alongside the knife, then turned back to Arias. He saw her running back toward the village, and ran after her. Catching up to her, her grabbed her arm and spun her around.

“Arias, what’s wrong?”

“You just killed that man in cold blood!” She was in tears, and didn’t really want to argue with Justis right then.

“You saw him try to kill me. There was nothing else I could do!”

“Oh, so that’s your excuse now, is it?”

“Arias, please. It had to be done.”

“Why? Yes, the king is cruel. But why did you have to kill that man?”

“Because he works for the king. He helps that cruel man oppress us.”

“That isn’t a good enough reason.”

“Well what kind of reason do you want? You don’t understand my motives anyway, so I don’t see why I should waste my time trying to convince you that I’m right!”

“You can’t convince me you’re right because you aren’t. There are better ways to settle things than to go around killing people.”

“Like what? Walk up to them and say they are being unkind? All that’s going to get me is an early death.”

“You’re impossible.” She turned to walk off.

“You know,” he called after her, “you are one of the strangest women I have ever met.” He smiled to himself as she stopped.

“And why is that?” she asked without turning to look at him. When she heard no reply, she turned to see him gone. She started to walk toward the village again when she ran straight into him.

“No particular reason.” He grinned, almost tauntingly. She knew she wasn’t going to get an answer out of him.

She pushed him away, then stormed off. He laughed as he watched her go. She was so easy to tease.

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone's having a good Christmas! I know I am :)

I'm working on a short story, so I'll post parts on here as I finish them. The first part is almost done so I'll post it later.
I'll also hopefully post some pictures of the snow (although there isn't much, but hey at least it finally snowed for Christmas again) and our gingerbread house (if it sticks together, that is :P)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Happy Birthday Jesus :)

I'm not dead :P

I just can't be online right now.

I'll try to post more eventually.

Book Review: Saving Cicadas by Nicole Seitz

Saving Cicadas is a moving story told through the eyes of eight-year-old Janie Doe Macy. She lives with her seventeen-year-old sister Rainey (who has Down’s syndrome), and her mother Priscilla. When Priscilla finds out she is pregnant, she packs up and takes her parents and two daughters on a road trip while trying to decide what to do with the baby. Janie is very supportive of her mother, despite her young age, and tries to help her mother make the right decision.

They move into the home where Priscilla grew up, and Janie learns things about her past that change her life and how she sees things.

Janie does everything she can to convince her mother to keep the child. Just before her mother has an abortion, Janie tries one last time to help Priscilla realize what she was about to do. Through this experience, Priscilla learns that every life is precious.

So many times we, like Janie, only see things that we want to see. Sometimes people have to tell us the hard truth before we realize what is really going on around us. This story also helps you realize that every life is precious, and shows how innocent young children can be. And those innocent children help adults realize what is really important in life.

This book was a gift from Thomas Nelson for its review.

Yup, two bdays in a row :)

Happy Birthday to my awesome little sister :)

Hahaha, look what I found...

I found this on Emily's blog.

How To Order A Pizza:

1. While you are you are making an order, randomly start pressing the numbers on the phone and tell the guy to stop doing it.
2. Make up a credit card name and ask if they accept it.
3. Ask for a Big Mac, French fries and a Large Coke.
4. Finish the order with: “Remember, this conversation never happened”.
5. Tell him you’ve got another pizza delivery on the other line and you’re buying from the one who offers the lowest price.
6. Just give him your address and say “Surprise me”. Then hang up.
7. Answer his questions with other questions.
8. Spell the ingredients.
9. Stutter every time you say something with the letter “P”
10. Ask him if they have pizza
11. Say “Hello” and act as if he called you.
12. Make your order being very decided and secure, then when he asks you if you would like a drink with the pizza, act as if you were confused.
13. Change your accent every 5 seconds.
14. Ask for 56 pepperoni slices followed by an equation.
15. If he repeats the order to make sure, say “Ok, it’s $17.90, please proceed to the next window to pick up your order”.
16. Explain him that you want to rent a Pizza.
17. Ask if you can keep the box. When he answers yes, make a huge sigh of relief.
18. Ask him if they exploit child labor.
19. Tell him to make sure that your pizza is dead.
20. Imitate the voice of the guy taking the order.
21. Eliminate the verbs of everything you say.
22. Tell him that there’s a surprise party at yours and that you would appreciate if the delivery boy could hide behind the couch until the celebrated one comes in to surprise him/her.
23. Ask if you could see the menu.
24. Warn them that they have no idea of what they are dealing with by supplying this order.
25. Ask him which ingredient is better for a meal with a specific type of wine.
26. Burp and then tell your dog that he should be ashamed.
27. Ask only for one slice.
28. Psychoanalyze the guy taking the order.
29. Complain about the service. Call again two hours later saying that you were drunk and that you are sorry about what you said.
30. Tell the guy taking the order to tell the one in charge to tell the supervisor that he’s fired.
31. Randomly start swearing to someone who is apparently next to you.(I would NOT reccmend this one!)
32. Stop speaking every 10 seconds and start playing an instrument.
33. Tell a secret code to the guy taking the order and tell him to memorize it for orders you’ll make in the future.
34. Ask for mushrooms as the first ingredient, then before you hang up, say “no mushrooms please”. Then hang up before he can say anything.
35. when he repeats the order, correct him changing an ingredient, then correct him again, and again. The third time ask him if it’s his first day working there.
36. Breath loudly.
37. Ask him how many whales/dolphins had to die to make that pizza.
38. Avoid using the word “PIZZA” by any means. If the guy taking the order says it, hang up saying “Please, don’t use that word”.
39. Make the order during a car chase on TV. When there are gunshots, yell “Aaarghhh”
40. If the guy taking the order doesn’t take any of the previous jokes, ask him if there’s any other who would take them.

Happy Birthday....

It's my baby brother's bday today :D

Gym Night

I went to open gym night again tonight. I had a lot of fun. We played volleyball and soccer this time, instead of just volleyball. I'm getting a bit better at volleyball, slowly.

Soccer was good exercise. It was funny when me and some guy from the other team were kicking the ball and it ended up against the wall (we didn't play with boundary lines, we just let the ball bounce off the walls) and wouldn't go anywhere. It just kept bouncing up and down because every time one of use would kick it, the other person's foot was right there and the ball wouldn't go anywhere. It finally bumped my hand and the referee (or whatever you'd call him :P The guy making the rules) called a penalty and moved the ball back in the middle.

I got slammed in the face with the soccer ball once. I didn't see if for a second, for some reason, and next thing I know I feel something hit me in the face and heard a loud pop. The ball moved away from my head and a guy from my youth group had this Oh-my-gosh-I-just-hit-her-in-the-face look. Everybody stopped and asked if I was okay. I'm like yeah, I'm fine, now where's the ball. I didn't really even feel the ball. It just burned for a second after the ball left my face, and that was it. I think he felt bad though, although it really wasn't his fault. I could have moved, but the ball was going back and forth so fast I somehow didn't see it for a second.

We played volleyball after the soccer game was over for an hour before we went home. I actually managed to hit it pretty good a couple times.

I had a pretty good time, and got some exercise. I hope we can keep doing this for a while.

Tag :D

By now I have forgotten which tags I've already done, so if I do one twice that's why. Eldarwen tagged me.

1. Do you like sugar cookies? Mmmm yes.
2. Do you like a LOT of lights on your Christmas tree, or just a few? It doesn't matter. Depends on what else is on the tree.

3. Do you prefer a real tree, or an artificial tree? I like the smell of a real tree, and it seems to be easier to put up than a fake tree. (The fake tree we had when I was little seemed to not want to set up correctly. It took my parents hours to get it ready)
4. What's your favorite Christmas carol(s)? Sleigh Ride, I Celebrate The Day, and Santa Claus Is Thumbing To Town, all by Relient K. (Yes, those probably don't count, but those are the three I like the most. The songs on Relient K's Christmas CD are the only Christmas song I really like anyway.)

5. Do you like egg-nog, or boiled custard? no

6. Do you want a lot of snow for Christmas, or just enough to sled in? It has to snow on Christmas. The rest of the winter, I don't care. Although, if it's going to be cold I want I it to snow.

7. What's your favorite part of the Christmas story? A favorite part?!?! How can you choose?!?!?
8. What's your favorite Christmas movie(s)? Meh... none of them, really...

9. If you could spend $1,000,000, what would you buy? I'd use it so me and mom can both finish college (she's took some classes. I haven't yet. I'm still in high school. What this has to do with the answer, I don't know :P). I don't know how much would be left then :P Use it to buy a car or something, idk.
10. What are your favorite name(s) of Jesus? God, Jesus, Christ... most of them, I guess :P

You know what?

I hear a lot of stuff about bad things happening to people... It reminds me how really good my life actually is. Even when life is at it's worst for me (which honestly isn't that bad, no matte rhow much I may complain), it's still so much better compared to some. I'm just so thankful for my family and friends.

I'm having a good week so far :D

Unfortunately, life is full of hills, so I'm dreading the terrible low that will follow this good week eventually. Fun stuff. Not. *sigh*

I refuse to let life ruin the rest of my year! lol

Hopefully I'll be busy enough this month that I won't get crabby until next year. I've got lots of fun stuff planned.

Sorry for the random post and for complaining. Anyhow...

I just felt like posting it.

I challenge you...

...to say Merry Christmas to people this month any time you go shopping or out to eat. Especially if they insist on telling you Season's Greeting or Happy Holidays instead.

Bonus Points if you keep repeating "Merry Christmas" until they get the idea and get them to say Merry Christmas back instead of those other dumb greetings ;)

This. Song. Ish. Amazing.

I Celebrate The Day - Relient K

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

Funny song...

Santa Claus Is Thumbing To Town - Relient K

It was the night before Christmas,
And up at the North Pole,
Everybody's going crazy;
Everything's out of control.

The toy shop is on fire,
The toys melting on the shelves,
And you can hear Mrs. Claus scream,
"One can never trust those elves!"

Unless something drastic happens fast,
Say hello to the ghost of Christmas past.
Because, Rudolph's puking boughs of holly!
Old Saint Nick ain't all that jolly.
And the sleigh's in the shop.
'Cause it's broken down,
But Christmas won't stop
'Cause Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Santa Claus is thumbing to town

Very much to his disliking,
Santa spends all night hitch-hiking.
With a sign that reads, "Ho ho slow down,"
Santa Claus is thumbing to town.

Every car just drove right past him,
And sped right out of sight.
Santa never got to ask them
To drive around the world in just one night.

So Kris Kringle started walkin'
Through the snow without his sleigh,
Shed a tear for every stocking
That would be empty Christmas day.

Unless something drastic happens fast,
Say hello to the ghost of Christmas past.
Because, Rudolph's puking boughs of holly!
Old Saint Nick ain't all that jolly.
And the sleigh's in the shop
'Cause it's broken down,
But Christmas won't stop
'Cause Santa Claus is thumbing to town (uh-oh!)
Santa Claus is thumbing to town (uh-oh!)
Santa Claus is thumbing to town (uh-oh!)
Santa Claus is thumbing to town (uh-oh!)

Very much to his disliking,
Santa spends all night hitch-hiking.
With a sign that reads, "Ho ho slow down,"
Santa Claus is thumbing to town,
Santa Claus is thumbing to town.

The world isn't going to end in 2012!

Here's a conversation my brother just had with himself (pretending to be a person talking to another person. One person thinks the world will end, and the other doesn't)

"The best part of 2012 will be seeing all the scientists be wrong. Then they will say 'Oh, we miscalculated. It will be another twenty minutes.' Then , after that 20 minutes is up, they will say "Oh, we miscalculated again.' Then, they will say 'It will be another 15 years.' Then the scientist is secretly thinking to himself I only said 15 years because I will be dead by then. I won't have to face the embarrassment."

The whole time he was talking in a weird accent. It was pretty funny (probably funnier than reading this is XP)

Music Tag!!

I don't remember if I've done this before, but I know I haven't been tagged before, so I'll do this. Eldarwen tagged me this time.

Rules: You take your music player (whether it be your ipod, MP3, computer, CD player, etc.) and put it on shuffle. Then you answer the following questions by using to title to each song that plays while on shuffle. Then you'll tag some other people. Please give the reason why you're tagging them.

Are you male or female? You're Gone - Diamond Rio

What do people feel when they are around you? Beautiful Savior - Stuart Townend (psh, yeah right)

Describe your current relationship? Be the Centre - Kathryn Scott (I always get weird results on these...

Where would you like to be right now? Written on My Heart - Plus One (Somedays I get good answers... today everything's weird XD)

How do you feel about love? Lord I Lift Your Name On High - SONICFlood

Whats your life like? Here With Me - MercyMe

What would you wish for if you only had one wish? Take Me In - Kutless

Say something wise? Breathe Your Name - Sixpence None the Richer

If someone says "Is this okay. . ." You say? I Am The Way - Mark Shultz

How would you describe yourself? Jesus Lord Of Heaven - Kutless (something is seriously wrong here)

How do you feel today? I'm Not Alright - Sanctus Real (well, today that isn't true... some days that might be right, but I'm fine today)

What is your life's purpose? Beloved - Tenth Avenue North

What is your motto? Break Me Down - Tenth Avenue North

What do your friends think of you? Nicole Nordeman

What do you think of your parents? Who Is There Like You - Stuart Townend

What do you think of very often? God Is God - Steven Curtis Chapman

What is 2+2? The Way I Feel - 12 Stones

What do you think of your best friend? Voice Of Truth - Casting Crowns

What is your life story? Whatever You're Doing - Sanctus Real

What do you want to be when you grow up? Lean On Me - Veggietales

What will you dance to at your wedding? Open My Eyes - Inhabited

What will they play at your funeral? The Truth - ZOEgirl

What is your hobby/interest? Always Have, Always Will - Avalon

What is your biggest fear? I Am - Mark Shultz

What is your biggest secret? Where I Come From - Alan Jackson (XD, that's kind of funny)

What do you think of your friends? You Are - Tenth Avenue North

I tag:

All of my followers... you are all very brave for putting up with me XD

SQUEEE!!

I wrote music for one of my songs today!!!! ^_^

Cookies...

Well, I attempted to make chocolate no-bake cookies and failed horribly. Do any of you girls know how to make them? I followed the recipe, but I guess I should have boiled the sugar, milk, and butter longer than it said to. If you have any tips to make these work I'd be eternally grateful. The comments on the website where I found the recipe said they were really easy (LIES, I tell you!), but apparently not...

I knew they were hard. I think somebody knows something I don't :P

Remember when you were 8 years old...

... and you thought being a grown-up was a loooooong ways off? You lived in the moment and didn't think about the future?

Remember when you were 13, and you're thinking "Hey, I'm a teenager!!"

As a 14 year old, did you ever look at the future for a moment and count the years until you could drive? Yikes, only two years... one, if you're only counting until your learner's permit.

Now, as that 14 year old, look ahead to being an adult. Four years. Crikey. That's closer than you though, isn't it.

Where did the time go, huh? A few years ago you were goofing around, not thinking about the future. Growing up? Meh, you had a long time before you had to worry about that. Who wants to be grown up anyway?

High school came around. At first you couldn't believe it. Fourteen years old... just another year, like every other. Then it hits you. You're in high school. Woah. Suddenly you feel like you're growing up really quickly.

You start thinking about college as you get older. When you were little, you said you wanted to be such-and-such when you grew up. But that wasn't going to happen for a while. Now it's something that's going to happen in the near future. You have to decide what you really want to do with your life. Yikes. This decision could affect your whole life. If you're a Christian, you start praying, begging God to show you what to do. It's a hard choice, sometimes. Sometimes you know what you want to do, but sometimes it takes some thought. You have to consider how much money you'll make. If it's something you'll want to do for the rest of your life. Do you want to get married and have kids someday? Is this job going to prevent that from happening (or even keep you away from your family more than you'd like)? You spend months or even years trying to make that decision, because you can't really change it after you get your degree.

Yeah, you still have 2-4 more years after starting highschool before you actually have to worry about college. But you can still sense that this is an important decision, and you put a lot of thought into it.

Something else that makes you realize you're growing up is when you start dating. Eight years old and you knew it would be forever before you could have a boyfriend (I'm writing from a girl's perspective, in case you didn't notice XD). Maybe you cared and maybe you didn't. Not that it mattered anyway, you were only 8. Or maybe you thought you were so grown up and wished you didn't have to wait so long, because you didn't even understand the reason for dating. Either way, it was a long way off.

Buuuut then you get in highschool. Guys start asking you out. You actually sit down and think this thing over. No more little kid notions about dating and marriage. What is it you actually look for in a guy? What would make to want you marry someone? You probably don't spend as much time thinking about that as you do dating.

You probably realize it just might be a good time to start setting rules for yourself. Maybe if your parents haven't given you any rules, you'll make some of your own (or you might make more to add to theirs). Maybe they haven't said anything about how old you have to be, so you decide for yourself. 16? 17? After you finish highschool? And why would you even start dating someone in the first place? Because they're "cute"? Maybe that's what you thought when you were 8, but now you actually think about this. You think about what you look for in a husband (because you realize that dating is ultimately to find someone to marry). You start thinking more maturely than before.

Sometimes you might dream about what it'd be like to be grown up and living on your own (or with your husband --and kids if you have any). You start feeling more grown up and people have to remind you to slow down. You're still young. Planning is okay, but if you don't pay attention to the here and now you'll miss out on so many things. Don't forget the many times you have kicked yourself in the last few months remembering how grown up you thought you were when you were 8 years old. Remember all those stupid diary entries that you just want to burn sometimes? Yeah, let's not repeat that. You'll probably look back when you're twenty and think "Man, I was a stupid highschooler."

You really start feeling older when your friends start graduating and some of them are adults. You're thinking "Where did the time go? Is this really happening?"

It's crazy sometimes. This year's over, and it flew by in the time it took you to blink. What about next year? Is it going to be the same?

What did you accomplish this year? Did you take time to thank God that He's allowed you to live this long? People die every day, yet you're still here. Yeah, you're probably thinking "I'm too young to die. Ashley, I don't know where you're getting this idea. I have my whole life ahead of me." Well think again. One out of every one people die. People our age have died. There's no such thing as "too young to die". Think of all of the millions of babies that are murdered every year (Yes, abortion is murder. Don't even get me started on that.). If anyone is "too young to die", it'd be them. Those poor, innocent children. But guess what, they die. Nothing's keeping you alive on this earth but God's mercy and grace. Thank Him for your life. Don't throw it away. Try to make your life worthwhile. Grow close to God. Tell your friends about Him. Try to make decisions that will honor Him. And ask Him for help when you don't know how to make those right decisions.

Don't be always hoping for the future. It's going to be here sooner than you think. You know how these high school years fly by? The rest of your life is going to be like that, and you'll be wishing for more time. Live every day as if it's a blessing, because it is. When you were eight, you thought you had all the time in the world. But now you're here. Eight years old is miles away now. You'll never get those years back. So make the most of the ones you have left. Enjoy growing up but don't rush it.

Or maybe you're way different than I was and am. But anyway, thanks for reading <3

It's NOT Happy Holidays!!!!!

It's MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Who's with me on this one?

CHRISTmas Tag!

1. Do you believe Jesus is the reason for the season?
Heck yes.

2. Have you ever been in a Christmas Play? What were you?
Yes, several. One or two years I was an angel, one year I was one of the kids that traveled to Candy Cane Lane, and other years I was just in the choir (some years there wasn't an actual play, and last year I was too old but our pastor's wife needed teen girls to sing with the kids)

3.What is your favorite thing you get in you stocking?
Hmmmmm... I don't remember

4. What is your best Christmas memory?
I don't remember that either....

5. What is your favorite Christmas beverage?
I don't guess we drink "Christmas beverages".... my family is boring :P

6. What do you put on your tree top?
We used to have a star, then we got an angel, but now we don't have anything. We didn't have a tree last year or this year because of my baby brother, and the angel broke anyway.

7. Where do you get your tree?
We buy it, if we even get one (unfortunately we can't right now... see above answer)

8. Do you go somewhere for Christmas or do you host?
Neither, really :( We used to go to my grandparents house sometimes, but we don't anymore. And no one comes over either... (although sometimes my mom's parents will visit a week before or so)

9. Do you have any traditions?
No....

10. How much do you like Christmas?
Considering it's celebrating Jesus' bday... a lot.

11. What do you do on Christmas Eve?
Not much, honestly... Open stockings sometimes (the stockings have little presents that my siblings and I get each other. The other presents are from my parents)

12. What do you do on Christmas Day?
Open presents. And I try to remember to read the story of Jesus' birth in the Bible, but I usually forget... (I know, I know... EPIC FAIL)

13. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I don't really like Christmas music that much. But Sleigh Ride by Relient K is pretty awesome.

14. What do you really want for a gift this year?
Other than CDs, I can't think of anything. Teen Con counts as part of my Christmas (and it's awesome :)

15. Favorite treat?
*shrugs*

16. Do you usually have a white Christmas?
We used to, but the last couple of years it's only snowed at the beginning of December, then melts before Christmas.

17. How long did you believe in Santa Clause?
Um, maybe about a maximum of... zero seconds.

18. Who's your favorite reindeer?
Probably.... none of them.

19. The Christmas present you always wanted but never got?
dunno

20. Last one. What is the best thing about Christmas to you?
Jesus' birthday :)

I tag everyone who celebrates Christmas!!!!!!

Okay, so.....

I found some Christmas music I actually like :)

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=CD2330&item_code=WW&netp_id=497807&event=ESRCN&view=details

Random Thought...

Something might be as easy as taking candy from a baby, but then you're going to have to deal with the screaming kid who wants his candy back ;P

Socks.

Because I am just awesome like that. XD

I got some funky knee socks earlier, and I love them. Anyone else like cool tall socks?

Anime Trailer!!

This is freaking awesome!!! Check out this anime trailer.

If any of y'all are reading this, let me just say YOU DID A GREAT JOB and now I'm sad that I won't be able to watch this anime (yet ;) I will figure out a way to watch it eventually, I swear) because it is so awesome. I'll be praying for y'all. Who knows? Maybe God will do something really great with this :)

Good luck!

SNOW

It snowed last night. Some of my friends and I stood outside in it for a few minutes before awana. It melted pretty fast, but oh well. I'm not a huge fan of snow. I like to watch it fall, and play in it once a year, but that's about it.

I totally agree with what one of my friend's said. "It's not snowing. It's raining."

XD

Check these out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0-2lzA7_Cg

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

How To Add Snow

HERE is where I got the snow that is falling on my blog.

NaNo survey

1. What’s your word count?

50,066 in 25 days.

2. How long until you finish?

The first draft is done, but now I have to edit and probably add another couple thousand words in the process.

3. If you have finished, how long did it take you?

25 days to do the first draft

4. Do you have an outline?

nope

5. Do you have a plot?

I did originally, but not so much anymore.

6. How many words do you typically write a day?

1667-2200

7. What was your greatest word count in one day?

I don't know. Maybe 3000.

8. What was your least impressive word count in one day?

Zero. I took a day off once.

9. What inspired you to write?

I'm a writer... not much inspired me to write this, I just did because it was fun.

10. Does your novel have a theme song?

nope

11. Assign each of your major characters a theme song:

Umm... well, first I'd have to decide which characters are main characters, since there's a lot, and then I would have to actually think of a song. I'll do this later when my baby brother is not slapping me in the face.

12. Which character is most like you?

I have no idea

13. Which character would you most likely be friends with?

Sellion

14. Do you have any Gary-Stu’s or Mary Sue’s?

I hope not, but most likely.

15. Who is your favorite character in your novel?

Rhovanion (yes, I need to rename these characters now that I have time.

16. Have your characters ever done something completely unexpected?

Yep. Erynion didn't get as mad at Rhovanion as I thought he would, and Grisnok showed up out of nowhere.

17. Have you based any of your novel directly on personal experiences?

I have never been kidnapped, fallen in love, run away from home, got put in a prison, and I don't have a twin. So no.

18. Do you believe in plot bunnies?

Duhyeah.

19. Is there magic in your novel?

Well, the Chaidens have "magical" abilities (which isn't actually magic), but they didn't use them in this story.

20. Are any holidays celebrated in your novel?

not in the story, but in that world, yes.

21. Does anyone die?

Surprisingly, no. Well, Matamelcan did, but I couldn't help it. He was so evil and annoying. And Rainion died of old age...

22. How many cups of coffee have you consumed during your writing experience?

During, none. I have been drinking coffee because I feel like it the past week or so.

23. What is the latest have you stayed up writing?

2 AM. And enjoyed every minute of those late nights. Staying up late and writing a story... that's one of the most fun things ever! lol

24. What is the best line?

I'd have to search. There's a scene that's written pretty well, though.

25. What is the worst line?

Too many to count, I'm sure :P

26. Have you dreamt about your novel or its characters?

Dream, no. Conversations, yes. (well, not literally, but it was fun nonetheless)

27. Does your novel rely heavily on allegory?

No. The last allegory I tried to write sucked.

28. Summarize your novel in under fifteen words.

Unexpected and random. Three words :) Or I could actually say something about the plot, but those three words describe what it was like to write it :P

29. Do you love all your characters?

Mostly yes, but Matamelcan... let's just say I hated him. Then I killed him.

30. Have you done something sadistic or cruel to your characters specifically to increase your word count?

Not that I remember.

31. What was the last thing your main character ate?

Deer, I think... even though it's probably not possible to cook deer meat over a fire without any pans. *shrugs* It's the only thing I could think of at the moment :P I'm working on editing the story.

32. Describe your main character in three words.

Which one? lol... Um... idk :P

33. What would your antagonist dress up as for Halloween?

Nothing. No Halloween in their world. And they wouldn't celebrate it anyway.

34. Does anyone in your story go to a place of worship?

no

35. How many romantic relationships take place in your novel?

One

36. Are there any explosions in your novel?

No, unfortunately. Ink, I have failed you :P

37. Is there an apocalypse in your novel?

No.

38. Does your novel take place in a post-apocalyptic world?

Nope

39. Are there zombies, vampires or werewolves in your novel?

Nope.

40. Are there witches, wizards or mythological creatures/figures in your novel?

Yes.

41. Is anyone reincarnated?

No.

42. Is anyone physically ailed?

No.

43. Is anyone mentally ill?

No.

44. Does anyone have swine flu?

NO!

45. Who has pets in your novel and what are they?

Nobody has pets.

46. Are there angels, demons, or any religious references/figures in your novel?

nope.

47. How about political figures?

No.

48. Is there incessant drinking?

No.

49. Are there board games?

No.

50. Are there any dream sequences?

yes

51. Is there humor?

not really

52. Is there tragedy?

not a whole lot

53. Does anyone have a temper tantrum?

Yes *glares at Sellion*

54. How many characters end up single at the end of your novel?

Most of them

55. Is anyone in your novel adopted?

At the beginning of the story, but then she finds her real family again

56. Does anyone in your novel wear glasses?

They don't even know what glasses are.

57. Has your novel provided insight about your life?

Uh, not really.

58. Your personality?

I dunno.

59. Has your novel inspired anyone?

Nope

60. How many people have asked to read your novel?

4, I think?

61. Have you drawn any of your characters?

Yes. Horribly, but I did.

62. Has anyone drawn your characters for you?

Nope.

63. Does anyone vomit in your novel?

I don't remember... maybe once, but probably not.

64. Does anyone bleed in your novel?

Yes. Duh. Do you really think I'm going to write a story without blood? :P

65. Do any of your characters watch TV?

They don't know what a TV is either.

66. What size shoe does your main character wear?

They don't have shoe sizes, so idk. Some of them don't even wear shoes.

67. Do any of the characters in your novel use a computer?

Not in the novel, but they've broken the fourth wall and took over my blog posts a couple times.

68. How would you react if your novel was erased entirely?

Probably have to go outside to prevent myself from throwing the computer off the deck. Luckily I have it backed up on my zip drive.

69. Did you cry at killing off any of your characters?

Nope. I enjoyed ever minute of Matamelcan's death.

70. Did you cheer when killing off one of your characters?

Yes.

71. What advice would you give to a fellow writer?

Have fun! Write whenever possible. Who needs sleep anyway? ;P

72. Describe your ending in three words.

Interesting, happy, cheesy.

73. Are there any love triangles, squares, hexagons, etc.?

Love squares? Hexagons? Um... k, then, whatever... but no.

74. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least stressful, 10 being the most) how does your stress rank? During NaNo, only about a 1 or 2.

75. Is it worth it?

Heck yeah.