Free to dream...

A long time...

2010-02-12T10:51:00.001-05:00

It's been a long time since I've posted. I've really been busy this school year. I'm doing The One Year Adventure Novel for English and I love it! I'm in the process of actually writing my story, and it's going really well. That's what I'm doing right now. Well, just wanted to give you a little bit of an update.

Growing Wings (c) 2009

2009-09-18T15:43:00.002-04:00

Gone are the thoughts of the days of blissful play,

but we must learn to play another day.

Dreams are the blue and purple shade,

which were premeditated in the way it was made.

Fuzzy caterpillars no longer exist.

Butterflies replace so not to make the caterpillars be missed.

Wings have grown for beauty to display.

Our growing wings have learned to play another day.

Stretch our wings to fly and say:

'Our wings have learned to play another day'.

Happenings in the life of...ME!

2009-07-22T10:19:00.002-04:00

So, I've been back from Kansas City for over two weeks now! Yikes! It seems so long!!! I had a great time. So great, it's hard to describe. So if you want to know about it, GO! It's an amazing camp!
Lately I've been trying to get back into my creativeness (writing, reading, art, etc.). I guess it's going okay, but I've been sort of dry when it comes to the area of inspiration. I need something to give me a jump start. I've not written any Fantasy in SOOOOOO long, it's sad :(
It doesn't seem possible that in less than three weeks, I start school! It's sort of...unbelievable! I'll be a sophomore! Wow! After this year, I'll be halfway through high school! (YAY!!!) Then there's college...
I just finished reading The Goose Girl for the umpteenth time...I seriously don't know how many times I've read it. I lost count. Now I'm reading Enna Burning. Yes I'm going to end up reading them all.
I've been watching The Lord of the Rings too. It's been so long since I sat down and watched them without walking around cleaning, or other things. I've been drawing while watching them too. I've drawn Pippen, Arwen, Legolas, and Aragorn so far, and I'm still only on The Fellowship of the Ring! I can only watch bits and pieces each night, because my little brother is not allowed to see them and I have to wait until he's in the bed. I'm almost finished with FOTR, I'll probably finish it tonight. They just left Lothlorian.
If anyone has any ideas at all for my to get my creative juices flowing when it comes to writing, PLEASE! comment. :)

Hoho

Looking forward to what's in store...

2009-06-09T21:14:00.001-04:00

Looking forward to what's in store was what I felt was best to title this post. Lately my life's been packed full of blessings from God (my Daddy)! He's made it possible for me to live and breath! He sent me ALL the funds I needed to go to a camp that He's going to use to change my life.
Tonight, I watched Come What May for the first time. It's an amazing movie! It was made by Advent Film Group, who is dedicated to making wholesome Christian movies that glorify God and teach good morals. The movie discusses Roe v. Wade, and the life of a fetus. It presents a very powerful message, and I recommend it to everyone!
No one can fathom how much God's love is for us! I've only caught a glimpse of it so far in my life, but I know that without it, I would be nothing.
I was very encouraged by the movie, in some choices I've made in my own personal life. God's called us to glorify Him, and let others know about his everlasting love! I think that what Advent Film Group is doing is absolutely amazing. They are now in the pre-production stage of making another film, and have many other ideas in the works.
I have a challenge for anyone who reads this (if anyone reads this). Dedicate your summer to trying to delve deeper into the love of God. It's well worth your time, and won't be a waste.

Blessings

Serial II

2009-05-06T20:18:00.001-04:00

They were very large. She had probably the biggest fireplace in the whole castle. It had a roaring fire in it at the moment. She had a large canopy bed, bookshelves that touched the ceiling, colorful and artistic paintings, and tapestries that lined the walls. A light grey, long haired cat curled up on a rug in front of the fire. Hayden brushed her wavy brown hair with a whale bone comb. Her brown eyes twinkled with excitement. She loved the outdoors, and took every chance she had to venture out. Even during a summer rain. Hayden didn’t bother to pull a cloak over her white and pink dress. She wore her hair down where it stopped right above her waist. She laced on brown sandals, and made her way out of her chambers, and out of the castle. She cut through the gardens, and went into the meadow dotted with wildflowers, and lonely trees. She began to run about, picking the prettiest flowers she saw. She smelled their sweet scents, and the moist grass and smiled. A wild wind whipped her hair around her head. she pulled at it with useless attempts. She didn’t really care though. It was such a beautiful day, no matter what. Hayden sank down on her elbows in the grass. She gazed at the sky covered with grey clouds. She knew more storms would come. She didn’t mind storms though, they brought back happy memories of running in that exact meadow with her older brother when they were children, and dancing like barbarians in the rain. Hayden smiled. Her brother was her best friend. He was of course four years older than her sixteen years, but the age difference meant nothing to them. Hayden had never had any sisters to play with, and so she had had to content herself with her older brother. Hayden laid the flowers she had picked on her chest and began humming. She spread her limbs out as she felt chilling rain drops touch her face. She laughed gleefully as she felt the sweet release of all the thoughts that had been consuming her mind. She began to sing the song Fredrick had been playing:

When the sea falls from the shore, as the light sinks low, will I see you anymore? As the rain falls from the sky, can I bring you back from a distant lullaby? Show me your vision, the story begun. Two lights are rising, burning as one.

Hayden breathed deeply as she smelled the new rain falling from the sky, and the breeze blowing against the form of her body. She closed her eyes and smiled. She felt a hand on her arm.

A new story

2009-05-01T12:11:00.002-04:00

This is a new story I've been working on. I'm going to post it in parts. I'll post a part of it once a week (like a serial).

Hayden rested her hand against her cheek as she looked out the arched stone window at the rain steadily falling to the soaked ground. The grey sky sent out deep rumbles that made Hayden’s stomach churn with excitement. She knew that her brother and father were out in the large tempest. They were on a battle campaign in the south of their kingdom of, Lakedale. The thought of the brave men that would risk their lives for the kingdom’s safety made the right side of her mouth tug up into a slight smile. The bard that was playing his dulcimer and singing a new song made Hayden melancholy. It was another love song written about a couple that couldn’t be together. Hayden liked those songs, but she got tired of them sometimes.“Fredrick,” Hayden addressed the bard, “what lover is this song about?” Fredrick smiled pleasantly. “It’s about a girl I met in the port of Greymoore when I was a sailor.” Hayden laughed. Fredrick was not only her personal bard, but he was also like her best friend. She had met him in the village of Greenpoint one day when he was pestering people with his love songs. He claimed he had not always been a bard, but had spent part of his life as a scribe, sailor, and errand boy. “Her name was Ella. I met her at the fishmonger’s. She had bright red hair, and smiled a lot. Before I left, we pledged our love to each other. When I cam back, I found she had died from blood poisoning.” Fredrick became melancholy, “But her parents told me every night she’d walk the shore waiting for me. She even adopted a far off star as her own and talked to it as if it carried messages to me.” Hayden felt tears rising. Fredrick was very idealistic, and romantic. He liked to talk about all the women he had loved. Hayden swallowed and changed the subject. “The grass is very green today from the rain.” Hayden sighed, “I wish it would stop raining though. It’s too dangerous to go to the shore, and I desperately love the ocean.” Fredrick smiled sympathetically, “You’ll be able to go soon enough, Hayden.” Hayden smiled. Fredrick was never allowed to call her by her first name in public, but he could do so when there was no call for formalities. Fredrick had dark blonde hair, blue eyes, a straight nose, and contagious curvy smile. Hayden turned and continued looking out the window. She noticed the rain slowly coming to a stop. She smiled. “Fredrick, you can stay here in the library and continue writing songs. I’m going to go outside while I can.”“But it’s so wet!” Hayden smiled, “You know that would never stop me!” Hayden left the library, and wound her way through the long stone hallways, to her chambers.

Summer, Writing, Trip

2009-04-30T08:18:00.004-04:00

School's not out yet, so it's not "officially" summer. But it feels like it outside! The sun's finally found its way through the chillier, cloudy weather!
A couple of days ago, I spent an hour outside, during the hottest part of the day. I love the sun, but I hate sunscreen (we didn't have any anyway); so...I got burned. It's not too bad. I was wearing a tank top, and shorts, so the tops of my shoulders were burned, my chest was slightly burned, and my legs right below my shorts were burned.
Lately I've found it a little hard to write when I sit down in front of the typewriter. But to inspire myself, I've been listening to my favorite "inspiring" music (Hayley Westenra, Pride & Prejudice soundtrack, Lord of the Rings soundtrack, Narnia soundtrack, and Sense & Sensibility soundtrack), and looking at paintings. Paintings have always made me think about the stories behind the paintings. I've done it ever since I was a little girl. When I drew a picture, I would stare at it for a very long time. The whole time a story would be going through my head about the family. I didn't realize that I was creating stories anytime I drew a picture.
Right now I'm writing a story that I don't even remember thinking of. Yesterday I just sat down and started to type.
I'm going on a 2 week trip this June, to Kansas City! I'm going to the Awakening Teen Camp at The International House of Prayer. I'm really excited about it! I had to choose two class electives. I chose Drama, and the Prayer Room. Be praying for my trip. I still have some funds that need to come in. And also just pray that I would have a good time! Thanks :)

Holy

2009-04-05T13:17:00.005-04:00

This year, I've been thinking a lot about life, and my relationship with God. At the beginning of the year, I for some reason had been going through a difficult time in my relationship with God. And then something someone said when approaching the verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17; "Be joyful always; pray continually." These are her words: I've always looked at this verse as a slightly abstract command. I knew we can be filled with the joy of Christ in the darkest situations, but the praying continually part was something I brushed over because it seemed impossible to pray all throughout the day. Recently I was challenged to live my life praying continually. The more I thought about this the more intriguing it became because Jesus slowly made his role of lover more clear to me. Allow me to explain:

Imagine the most amazing guy that you can possibly create in your head. Visualize him, give him the perfect personality, make him everything you've ever wanted in a husband. Now, pretend that he's with you all the time every day. He sits in class next to you, eats meals with you, and loves you completely. How would you talk to him? What would you say throughout the day?

I began walking through my days imagining Jesus by my side in the same way that I would want a husband or significant other by my side. I carry on conversations with him in my head, tell him how I'm feeling, or what I'm thinking. My life has changed because of it. Jesus takes me on dates...I'm not even kidding. He walks me to class, and lives intimately with me. We talk about everything from what I learned in class to what I want to do with my future, to what I want to eat for lunch. I talk to and think about people differently because I'm not going to insult someone when God is sitting next to me! Also, I've never experienced so much joy. It's really hard to be in a bad mood when the king of the universe is romancing you every second of every day. I find myself making time to relax in the sunshine and admire His creation. Think about it, if the man you just imagined in your head made you a tree, would you take time to appreciate it? It's the same thing with Jesus. I enjoy looking at His creation and telling him how amazing he is. My confidence in myself has grown. I've never felt so beautiful, and that makes it easier to reach out to others. Jesus removed our chains to this world. He wants to walk by our sides, holding our hand so that we can bask in him and live our lives for free; free from guilt, fear, every kind of anxiety or tension.

This is my challenge to you: Pray continually. Never say amen, don't end the communication between you and your Lord. He is your lover, your best friend, your favorite reading material."

I'm taking that challenge, and everyday I try to live my life, knowing that God is the perfect lover, and he's always romancing me. Well just as I was reaching this spiritual high in my personal relationship with Jesus, I noticed that all around me, my friends, and people that I loved were struggling. I knew they were missing out on what really counts in life. There are so many temptations for high schoolers. Relationships, drugs, sex, and rebellious attitudes. But when you get into the presence of God, and you really truly realize how much he loves you. When you hear his voice, and he tells you himself that he loves you, you can't resist that overpowering love. A peace larger than life comes into your soul. When I see all of my friends struggling through dating, and wasting their lives away, I weep inside. I'm far from perfect. I'm not saying that anyone who doesn't dedicate themselves to God isn't as good as I am. But God's put a burden on my heart to pray for a breakthrough in the spirit of the teenage heart. There's so much that God's called us to do! If we would only take the time to listen to what he has to say.
There's only one word to describe what God is: HOLY.

Great Songs:
Holy - Matt Gilman
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
A Little Longer - Jenn Johnson

Just letting everyone know I'm praying for you. You're my friends, and I want the best thing to happen to you that's ever happened before.

Josh Groban remix!!!

2009-03-19T15:37:00.002-04:00

Haha, so I've always had fun getting songs, translating them into a different language, then translating them back into english. Sometime there can be some REALLY funny results! I decided to do this remixing of lyrics to Josh Groban's song, Let Me Fall. These are the original lyrics:
Let me fall
Let me climb
There's a moment when fear
And dreams must collide

Someone I am
Is waiting for courage
The one I want
The one I will become
Will catch me

So let me fall
If I must fall
I won't heed your warnings
I won't hear them

Let me fall
If I fall
Though the phoenix may
Or may not rise

I will dance so freely
Holding on to no one
You can hold me only
If you too will fall
Away from all these
Useless fears and chains

Someone I am
Is waiting for my courage
The one I want
The one I will become
Will catch me

So let me fall
If I must fall
I won't heed your warnings
I won't hear

Let me fall
If I fall
There's no reason
To miss this one chance
This perfect moment
Just let me fall

And these were the results!:
To allow me to fall to allow me climb a moment ago when a fear And a dreams must enter in collision

Someone I am awaits courage THE one I want THE one I will become will take myself

Therefore to allow me to fall If I have I to fall will not do attention to your warnings I will not hear them

To allow me to fall If I fall although the Phoenix can Or not student

I will dance if Holding freely person You can hold me only If you will fall also Far of all these fears and Useless chains

Someone I am awaits my courage THE one I want THE one I will become will take myself

Therefore to allow me to fall If I have I to fall will not do attention to your warnings that I will not hear

To allow me to fall If I fall there IS not reason for this to lack a chance that This Just perfect moment allows me grave

2009-02-18T11:04:00.000-05:00

“Emma, I have no idea why you wish to know about Barre Manor. Everything about it is bad. It’s history is nothing but evil. But I will explain to you anyway.
A long time ago, years ago in fact, a man named Daniel Barre came here to, Pointdale. He was very rich, and prosperous. He came to Pointdale, bought land right outside of Pointdale, and married a woman named Constance Belmonte. He and Constance had a son together. Constance died in childbirth. Daniel was left a middle aged man with an infant son. He hired a woman from Pointdale to come and be his son, Heath’s nurse. a few weeks after the woman was hired, she left. She came back to Pointdale spreading horrible stories about the house, Barre Manor. She said that she was almost certain it was haunted by Mrs. Barre’s ghost come back from the grave. She also told horrible stories about Daniel Barre and his son, Heath. She said that Mr. Barre acts very mysteriously about his wife and her death. She said he never goes near his own son. After that, Mr. Barre never came into Pointdale again. He locked himself up like a recluse. Heath was too young to come into town on his own. So he grew up by himself. Lonely. The last I heard of Mr. Barre was that he died when Heath Barre was but eighteen. Some people claimed to have seen Heath Barre outside roaming his grounds. I can’t believe that though. The place is thick with overgrowth and weeds. Only eccentrics claim to have seen candlelight in the windows of the house. I myself believe that Heath Barre died a long, long time ago. He would be at least in his 50’s by now, and I don’t see how one could survive on his own in such a large house as that by yourself for so long.” Emma breathed heavily. So that was it. everyone thought the house was haunted. Some must even be afraid that the corpse of Heath Barre was inside. She looked out of the east gable and towards Barre Manor.

“Father, has anyone tried to go inside.” Mr. Towers’ eyes became very wide.

“No! And I don’t suspect anyone ever will. It’s all evil I tell you. All evil. I’ve even heard parsons preach against the Barre family as murders, and devil worshippers.” Emma rolled her eyes.

2009-02-04T17:27:00.001-05:00

daughter. Emma rested her cheek against the palm of her hand as she stared out the window. Her father Mr. William Towers was a gentleman. Not a gentleman of much consequence, but yet he was still a gentleman with an estate. The estate wasn’t the largest in all of England but it was still beautiful. It was called Windsor Creek. There was a large two story home, with lush and scenic grounds surrounding it. Emma loved to walk the grounds. There were many ponds, and small patches of forests. If she stood on the very edge of her father’s estate she could see Barre Manor very vividly.

Emma walked up to her father who was sitting in his chair by the fireplace, reading a book that seemed to be amusing him very much.

“Father, can you tell me of Barre Manor?” Mr. Towers suddenly looked up from his book. His face was covered in a look of pure surprise, and even a little worry.

“Why do you want to know of that place? Everything about it reeks of wickedness!”

“Father, please.” Mr. Towers looked at his lovely daughter. She had curly brunette hair, a nose that was slightly snubbed at the end, soft and sweet lips, and eyes that shone from happiness. Mr. Towers sighed. How could he say no to his only child, who was so beautiful. he did not deserve such a perfect daughter.

“Alright, Emma.” Emma smiled and settled down into a chair across from her father.

February's writing endeavor

2009-02-03T11:17:00.002-05:00

So I am participating in a something called The Writing Endeavor. It is much like Nanowrimo, but instead of having it only one month, it is all year long! You have a different writing assignment each month. I was too busy to do anything for January's assignment, but I am without a doubt going to participate in February's. This month we are writing a fictional romance/love story. I am going to work on a Regency era Gothic Romantic novel. Here's my first paragraph.

As Emma walked by the foreboding house curiously, she saw out of the corner of her eye a fluttering movement in one of the high windows. When she turned her gaze to the gothic house, and stared at the window, there was nothing there. Emma shivered and shook her head slightly. The family friend, Mr. Hurst, who was escorting her home from town, placed a protective hand on her arm.

“Ms. Towers, we really must be getting you home. You have no need to linger at this place.” Mr. Hurst looked at the large gothic house in a disgusted manner. Emma let him continue leading her down the road with their elbows intertwined. But she secretly smiled as the house was going out of their view. She thought it was so beautiful. It looked so lonely, she was certain it had some mysterious and intriguing history to it. Emma was determined to find out more about it. She had lived three miles down the road from it her whole life. One and twenty years and she knew nothing about the large house which everyone called Barre Manor.

Remember

2009-01-21T08:19:00.003-05:00

The words are said: "Our Forefathers died for this country"
the feeling swells inside
swells as if it was about to burst
thinking of all the men hundreds of years ago
all the blood that was spilled
all the bullets that were shot
all the battles that were won
all the husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers that were killed
just so we could be free today
tears of joy and pain were shed
sacrifices were made
America, remember your history!
Be thankful for those that made the ultimate sacrifice
for your freedom
don't forget what made us what we are today
Remember...
Remember

2009-01-07T10:49:00.003-05:00

Freedom (c)

By Hannah Overton

I hear the bells ring out

The words send shivers down my spine

Shivers down my arm

The hair on my neck bristles up

FREEDOM!

LIBERTY!

FIGHT!

Shouts ring out in unison

Shouts of revolution

Shouts of justice

Join or Die.

Freedom from tyranny

I wrote this poem after watching John Adams part 2 of the HBO series.

The Passion

2009-01-07T10:27:00.000-05:00

Well I've always loved acting ever since I was in my first drama class when I was 11. It was something that I really loved to do. I loved getting nervous before a performance, because I knew whenever I did get up on stage, it would all disappear. And then it would be just me, standing, and pouring emotions out through my lines.
I didn't realize how much I missed acting until I did The Grapes of Wrath radio show in November. It stirred something up inside of me. I didn't even get nervous the night of the performance. I was just glad to be acting again.
And now every time I go see a movie, or watch a movie that I really love, I want to cry. Just because I'm not acting all the time. It may sound silly to some, but it's what I want to do. And when I'm not doing it...I'm not completely myself.
Lately I've been in a completely different world. My mind has been on acting. I try and forget about it for a few minutes, and I just about go crazy.

Christmas Time in Tennessee!

2008-12-29T09:17:00.000-05:00

I don't think there can be a better holiday than Christmas! With all the decorations, history, presents (hee hee), gift giving, and love going around, it makes you feel happier, and more joyous than normal.
It really kicked in the day after Christmas when I started my Christmas shopping for family. I can't remember if we put up the tree before or after Christmas, but what matters is we put it up haha.
I usually start listening to Christmas music around...Halloween. Yes, I know...lots of people think that is strange, but I don't. Christmas music is my favorite :)
This was my first Christmas with my brother not here, and my sister at work. So Christmas morning was very different, but it was still good! My Nana was here, so there were five people waking up at 5:30 (or 4:30 lol like me), and digging into their stockings, and unwrapping pretty gifts.
I got a boombox, that also hooks up to my mp3 player, Celtic Woman: A New Journey, Josh Groban Awake LIVE, A CD of Harp music, 10th Anniversary Edition of Pride & Prejudice BBC, August Rush, Jon and Kate Plus Ei8ht Seasons 1 & 2, Needle Felting supplies, A new coat, A new vest, bath stuff, A gift card from Target, Aerie, and Kohl's, A new book that I've never read (squee!), and a new Willow Tree Angel (I collect them :) I know there's probably more, but it's hard to think of it all at once.
I got Prince Caspian (3-disc) for my mom, August Rush (lol) for my sister, Playmobils for my little brother, National Treasure 2 for my older brother, and Thou Shalt Laugh 3 for my dad.
I had a fun Christmas season. I went to see my friend perform in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, she was Beth. I laughed a lot, it was really fun. I went to Dollywood 3 or 4 times for the Christmas season. All the lights, and shows are beautiful. The new Polar Express 4D was awesome too!
It's sad that it's all over, and soon we'll be putting up the Christmas Tree, and all our decorations, but I had lots of fun, and can look forward to next year's Christmas!

The Opera (c)

2008-12-15T19:10:00.000-05:00

Flashing colors,

Twirling skirts,

High voices,

Thick makeup,

Painted faces,

Hiding masks.

The thrill of the music,

Staring with intent interest,

Suspenseful worry,

A passion

Beyond compare,

A forbidden love,

This is what

You find

At the

Opera!

Twilight

2008-12-14T17:21:00.000-05:00

“If we had found a book or a movie that really offered a healthy, chaste, chivalrous vision of romance that was attracting teenagers by the millions, well, that would indeed be cause for rejoicing. And I’d be as eager as anyone to climb on the bandwagon and help promote them. But unfortunately, I can’t do that this time. Because underneath the surface, there are some truly disturbing themes and ideas in Twilight. Chief among these is that old, dangerous idea that a “bad boy” can easily be won and tamed by a “good girl”—an idea that has brought heartache to untold millions of good girls. As a Christian, I obviously believe that redemption and change is possible for sinners. But I also know that human beings alone cannot change each other.
It is not romantic, or safe, when a boy spies on you, follows you, and sneaks into your room without your knowledge (and especially without your parents’ knowledge).
It is not romantic, or safe, when someone tells you he’s dangerous and he’s killed people, to give answers like, “It doesn’t matter,” and, “I’m not afraid.” Again, I’ve worked with repentant murderers in prison. I know firsthand that redemption is possible for them. But that doesn’t mean that what they’ve done doesn’t matter.
It is not romantic, or safe, to try to see how close you and your boyfriend can get to the edge of danger without going over.
And it is not romantic, or safe, to offer yourself up for a boy to do whatever he wants to you—symbolized in the movie by the young heroine asking the vampire to bite her so she can become like him.
I know that Christian parents already have to spend a lot of time undoing the damaging lessons that their children are being taught—by the culture, by their peers, and even by their schools.
But it says something very sad about our culture when we have to argue that a young girl dating a dangerous killer is not a good role model, even if they are being abstinent. –Mark Earley”

Twilight; everything about the popular books is enticing; even the title. The cover of the first book in the series (Twilight) has a picture of a shiny red apple on it. The message of the whole book is that forbidden fruit tastes sweet. I’m reminded of a story in the Bible, where Adam and Eve took a bite out of something they couldn’t chew. The outcome for them was not sweet, and whoever says that something forbidden is sweet is terribly wrong.

The main character in the books, Bella Swan, moves from her comfortable life in Phoenix, Arizona, to a new, upside-down world in Forks, Washington. Her mother has gotten remarried, so Bella goes to live with her father.
Bella’s life at school starts out wonderful. She’s very popular. Everyone wants to be around her. The guys in her class make suggestive looks, and she likes the attention (even though she doesn’t really care for them).
But there is one boy at her school, who glares at her every time she sees him. She hates this reaction, because he’s the “hottest” guy in school, and she feels she has to know him.

Bella soon comes to learn that the reason the guy, Edward, glares at her, is because he’s a blood sucking vampire, who feels a powerful urge to sink his teeth into her and suck her blood. But because he is obsessed with her, and claims he loves her more than anything else, he resists the overpowering urge to bite her.
When Bella finds out, she right away tells him, “I don’t care if you bite me. I’m not afraid of you or what you can do to me.” She would become a vampire for him, just so she can be with him. She is addicted and obsessed with him. She idolizes him.

The first time I heard about the book Twilight, I was very skeptical. I tried to understand how anyone could want to read a book about a vampire. It personally sounded like a cheesy and weak story plot. But as I looked at all the people around me who were obsessed with the books, and couldn’t put them down, even if they tried, I realized something terrifying. They were addicted to the books. No matter what they did, they couldn’t stop reading the books.
Facebook showed me just how much everyone is obsessed with the hero vampire, Edward Cullen.
I heard from the mouths of my own friends how much they loved him, and how they dreamed about him. When they saw a guy, they would literally consider whether he was like Edward or not.
Friends who had never liked to read before, all of the sudden could read five hundred page books in a couple of days! They go on and on about the Twilight books, and how much they love reading them. But if I mentioned another book I had recently read that I thought they might like, they would profess how much they hated reading.
It’s very frightening that just one book can be so well written that it grabs a hold of teenagers and grown-up’s minds; and turns a simple book into something much worse: an obsession.

The Twilight books supposedly send out a “strong message” of abstinence. But if it’s such a strong message, then why does Edward sneak into her room at night to lie beside her bed, to watch her sleep, and even to try and lie beside her in bed?
I find it very disturbing that even strong Christian organizations can dismiss all the vampires and evil that goes on in the book just because Edward slightly resists the urge to sleep with the girl he loves. How can we say we’re Christians, if we can compromise our beliefs so easily?

In the books, the whole Cullen family is described as good vampires. Can there be such a thing? I don’t think there can. Vampires were created as a symbol of pure evil. There is no right or wrong in Satan’s world. It’s all wrong. I almost shudder when I see so many young people worshipping a vampire. No matter how “good” he claims he is, or how “hot” he looks, he is still a vampire.

I personally have not read the books myself, but from what people have told me, and from the reviews I’ve read, the books get worse and worse as you go on in the series. They grow darker and more occult.
In the fourth book, Bella gets married to Edward and gives birth to a half-human, half-vampire baby, which tears its way out of her belly with torrents of blood.
She even dies, and in an effort to save her, Edward transforms her into a vampire.

My conclusion about the Twilight books and movie is that I’m concerned. It disturbs me that it has taken the minds of a generation that should be on fire for God. These books interfere with a relationship with God.
How can Jesus treat us as his lover, if we’re too busy daydreaming that a vampire would come into our lives and sweep us off our feet?
How can God speak to our minds and hearts if we’re too enthralled in the pages of a seductive book?
There’s a very simple answer: He can’t.

If we continue to let a new fad like the Twilight series rule our lives, how will we live our lives for God? What will happen to this world if we let little bits of evil creep into our thoughts and plant a seed? One seed can cause an overgrowth.
I hope that the next time someone starts talking about Twilight, I can share the way I feel about the books and the person will be changed in their thinking.

2008-11-19T10:19:00.000-05:00

Winter's Song

by me

The frost covers the cold ground,

It traces pictures on the windows,

It makes the world icy, cold, and white.

It’s winter.

Snow is coming!

Rush to the store!

Buy soup!

Buy milk!

The big white fluffy snowflakes fall to the ground,

My feet make them crunch beneath my feet,

I pick a handful, and pack it hard,

I wait patiently for my victim to walk around the corner.

I awake to the twinkling Christmas lights above me,

Shining like beautiful, mysterious stars,

I slip on my fuzzy slippers, and pull on my bathrobe.

I walk silently to the tree,

I sit in wonder and awe of its elegance.

It’s Christmas.

15,000 words!!!

2008-11-13T12:04:00.000-05:00

Finally! My mini goal of 15,000 words in Nanowrimo has been accomplished!!! After much struggling and conflict inside myself anyway.
I have started to find my story dull and boring, but I also have not stuck with just one story this long before. Usually I let the plot marinate in my mind before I plunge into the writing period. Actually I started this story with no plot in my mind at all really. But the end is just now starting to find itself in my head, it's still blurry, but once I put on my brain glasses I will probably see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now...back to writing...

Nanowrimo 08'

2008-11-01T13:22:00.000-04:00

Another year...another nanowrimo...how very frightening! Nanowrimo for those of you that don't know is National Novel Writing Month. Where aspiring writers try to write a 50,000 word novel in one month, November. I have been a part of this since last year.
Last year I did Pauli and the Firebird, and well...I only made it to 20,000 words...because I got grounded from the computer.
But this year, I'm doing a story called Storm White. It's my own re-written version of Snow White. So far I have 3,221 words. That's not bad, for a start, I started a few days ago...so technically...I have only done around 1,000 (that's rounded of course). So...wish me luck, and don't blame me if I don't post anything for awhile. Because you certainly know what I'll be doing.

Sarah Palin

2008-10-30T20:53:00.000-04:00

I was told to write a paper about a person that means a lot to me. And I thought and thought about it, and then I thought about the vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. The reason she means so much to me, isn’t just because she’s a woman, but for much more then that.
She has the favor of God on her life. She trusts in him, and I believe she would not be standing up there next to John McCain today, if she did not trust in God, and let him do what he wants to in her life.
She does not believe in the killing of innocent little children. She lives what she believes day to day with not just herself, but her daughter also. They both have been criticized over and over because they did not kill their children.
I believe that Sarah Palin has the God given ability to help John McCain govern this country in God’s wisdom and truth. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk.

Sarah Palin means so much to me, because she is a great role model. There have been so many times, where people claim to be Christians, but they disappoint when they don’t live the life of one. Sarah is proof that if you trust in God, you can be a light to the world.
I heard an interview she had with Dr. James Dobson one day, and he asked her how she handled all the criticism from the media. And she said that every night, she’s able to set that aside, with God’s help, because she can trust in him.

I admire, and respect Sarah Palin, because she has still put her trust, and faith in God, even through all the storms that have come up in her life. She is doing what God wants her do, even though people are mocking and pointing accusing fingers at her. She and her family have loved God through it all. That’s why Sarah Palin means so much to me.

It's over...

2008-10-25T22:09:00.000-04:00

Tonight was my performance of The Grapes of Wrath radio drama...and let me tell you...it was a bittersweet moment. I'm glad that it's over and I can rest. But I hate that it's over, and that I'm no longer acting like this everyday. And also that the close knitted family that formed is separated for the moment. It hurts. I formed such close friendships with everyone: Jonathan, Samantha, Tory, J'Michael, Philip, David, and everyone else who worked on it. I almost feel like crying...but I know it's not completely over. We're thinking about forming a radio drama team that does a radio drama like every different season.
I loved working with Dr. Mashburn, our acting coach. I feel like I've improved, and that made me feel so good, I wasn't nervous at all tonight.
Tonight Samantha, Tory, Jonathan, and I all got pictures of our converse shoes that we wore to match on purpose. It was so much fun tonight. People were coming up to us afterwards telling us how much they enjoyed it, and what a great job we did. I was so excited! I've always dreamed of being an actress, and this feeling of being praised for my work was nothing like I've ever imagined. It was something that I had done. :)

Rascal Flatts, and Taylor Swift concert

2008-10-25T10:28:00.000-04:00

Last night I worked at the Rascal Flatts, and Taylor Swift concert, selling merchandise. Taylor Swift opened, and it was great. She really got into the music. She sang Love Story, and another new song from her upcoming album, Fearless. She also sang a lot of old favorites from her first album.
There was one part of the concert where she started banging on the drums along with her backup singer, and fiddle player.
At the end of her performance, they asked for an encore, and she gave them another song, but afterwards they wanted even more, so she sang Another Picture to Burn.
Rascal Flatts' set up was awesome. There was a huge square cat walk going around the whole room. The stage was set up with a bunch of colorful lights, and moving backgrounds.
I usually like Taylor Swift more then Rascal Flatts, but I think they're concert, was the best concert I've ever seen. It was so energetic and fun! They were really interactive too. There was one little boy in the crowd that had bought one of their cowboy hats, and so the lead singer knelt down, picked him up, and walked him around the stage.
No one would come and buy anything during the actual concert part, so we were allowed to go and watch the concert! At the end of the concert, they released a bunch of balloons, and confetti. I got a blue balloon that says: Rascal Flatts, Bob That Head, and a handful of white confetti.
After the concert, we had to stay and count inventory. And then we had to take it downstairs (backstage), to the inventory room, and our leader told my friend and I that we could go looking for Rascal Flatts, and Taylor Swift. We ran into another friend, so we went searching together, and found out that we had just missed them. They had literally just pulled out. Which stunk. When we went down the elevator. They had gotten on, right before us. But anyway, we saw Taylor Swift's band, Rascal Flatts' dressing room, Rascal Flatts' equipment truck, and I did catch a glimpse of the lead singer of Rascal Flatts'.
I had a really cool time, it wasn't just working. It was a concert too! So yeah, I thought it was awesome. It's the best concert I've ever been to.

Inspired

2008-10-20T19:59:00.001-04:00

I feel so inspired to write something...but what? I have no idea. If anyone has any suggestions...please...feel completely free to let me know what they are.

Script Writing

2008-10-17T09:11:00.000-04:00

Yikes! I never knew modifying a book into a script is so complicated! Four other teenagers, and I are writing a radio drama script of The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. For each scene, you need it to be 60-80 words. This is all the dialogue!!! There is much rich intriguing conversations in this book, that's it really hard! Because you want to keep in certain lines that describe a certain character, but it adds nothing else to the book except describing the character! But it'll work out. The live recording is next saturday.

Anything & Everything

2008-10-15T16:33:00.000-04:00

Today I was working on a story that I've been writing about a village of mice. I was looking for pictures of brown mice, when I came across a little picture of a very, very small stuffed animal. Let's just say that they showed this little creature next to a nickel...there was no size difference.
Now I desperately want to go to a craft store and pick up some supplies to do this fun craft too!!!

The Grapes of Wrath is going smoothly. Last night we listened to a clip of You Are There, and old radio series from the 1940's. We're using the same concept of reporting on a historical event in our radio show.
We also started writing our script. We were able to get our intro done. We had to use 80 words or less, and we ended up using 89, but that was fine. It turned out really well I thought.

I've been cleaning my room, and I've come across so many things I'd forgotten about. Stories I found that I didn't even remember starting, Stories that I thought I had lost, clothes that did not fit me one little bit, clothes I hadn't worn since 5th grade, little odds and ends that I didn't need anymore. Basically anything you can think of I found. I also found more book space! Yes! I had run out...and I didn't want to part with any of my precious books. But after I went through my clothes, I emptied out an old crate I'd been using as a drawer (since mine are all broken), and now I have plenty of room for books, and DVD's!

This Monday I found the old BBC versions of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair all for only $9.99! The set of them usually costs $30-$50!

I'm getting closer and closer to having enough money for the FlipVideo camera I've been saving for. Then I can make fun, awesome movies with my friends! I had an idea for an Enna Burning book trailer today that I thought was genius!

Taylor Swift

2008-10-14T13:38:00.000-04:00

She's pretty much one of my favorite artists now. I heard Teardrops on my Guitar, and Our song for the first time, and now I absolutely in love with Love Story her new single. I was already going to go to the Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift concert, but now that I like their music, I'm even more excited! This helps make up for Michael Buble.

Tonight is my second meeting for The Grapes of Wrath. I can't wait! I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Michael Buble...gone

2008-09-24T15:31:00.000-04:00

I had an awesome chance to go to a Michael Buble concert for free, and earn money for my brother at the same time...but that chance flew away :(
I work concession stands at the Vols games every saturday, and so whenever they told us that we had a chance to work at the special events at Thompson Boling Arena, and the first concert was Michael Buble....I immediately wanted to be a part of it! I was told I could work it, and would even be able to watch part of the concert...but then...I heard the news...Michael Buble brings his own team to sell his stuff! I was disappointed...but hey...at least I still get to work at Rascal Flatts! :D

Living Life in the Moment

2008-09-22T21:05:00.000-04:00

I begin to realize just how important little moments really are. Words are constantly jumbling about in my head, looking for a way onto a page...any way. As long as they get out. Countless times I will be reading a book, and realize about three paragraphs later that I haven't been paying any attention at all to what I've been reading, but that I've been thinking up some new clever character.
I love my writing, it's a huge part of my life, and it's a part of me now. Sometimes I can be completely surrounded by people, and not realize that I'm not the only one in the room. For when I'm being inspired by nature, or music, or anything else; my imagination takes hold and runs wild. Leading me to and fro, searching for new ground to cover.
This talent...no God given gift has also taught me to pick up little details, to realize that small things matter too. Just one adjective in a good sentence, can make it not just good...but DELICIOUS!
I've learned to pick up on emotions, or change of tones with my friends. I always know if they are truly happy, or if they're putting on a show.
Remember people. Spend time with them. Love them. For life is a short, but very great adventure. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow, or the day after that. Many hardships can be thrown your way, you just have to learn how to cope with them...really cope with them. Not smiling for everyone else, but then locking your bedroom door and crying yourself to sleep. No...learning how to trust. How to trust one that's greater then us. The ultimate decision maker. Our father, and our true Love.

Writing

2008-09-19T19:36:00.001-04:00

Oh yes I forgot to mention the writing I'm doing in my last post.
Over the past year I had been taking a break from my writing. There were just so many other things to do. But yesterday I sat down and wrote again, in my free time, just for fun. It wasn't involved with school, or something someone told me to do. It was my own choice...and it felt SO good! I felt free again...free to dream...free to write...free to inspire!
So I've decided to do NaNoWriMo again this November. I need some good story ideas...so if anyone has any please feel free to let me know!

Theater and Writing

2008-09-19T19:36:00.000-04:00

Today I went to a program at my local library called Media High. It's basically discovering, learning about, and exploring the world of Media for high schoolers. This year there are only four people counting me in the group, but we will be putting on a Radio Drama of The Grapes of Wrath. It will most likely be aired later on the actual radio too! I'm so excited and it's going to be such fun! I can't wait until we get things started! I'm going to read The Grapes of Wrath too so I can help with the script writing. This is going to be so much fun!