Fans

While checking my news feed on facebook, I see that many people becoming fans of what ever it is they are becoming fans of. So it got me to thinking, what am I a fan of? Well here are some of my answers:

I am a fan of taking walks in the rain with an umbrella.

I am a fan of dreaming while I'm sleeping.

I am a fan of the book of Proverbs.

I am a fan of reading Harry Potter after lunch with Jen, Isaac and Mom.

I am a fan of Dana and Hannah coming home.

I am a fan of Shining Light and how well the new people are adjusting.

I am a fan of "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" (come see it on Nov. 20th!)

I am a fan of God's patience.

I am a fan of the feeling you get once you finish a really good book.

I am a fan of reading a really good book.

I am a fan of clean rooms.

I am a fan of Thanksgiving!!!

I am a fan of watching how God provides.

I am a fan of not having Chemistry lab this week.

I am a fan of watching movies.

I am a fan of eating good food with fun people.

I am a fan of... listening to music while doing school.

I am a fan of friends and family.

What are you a fan of?

Funny story plus news

This Afternoon: When Dad calls Mom's cell phone, the phone usually says that his number is restricted. So, I assumed that it was him. I pick up the phone and said "Hey dad, here is mom." Low and behold, it was not dad. It was the doctors office reminding mom of an appointment for someone. (I dug myself a hole after that)

That is the only funny stories I have right now.

Nothing much has happened to me. Since Dana and Hannah have left, I have now become the oldest. I hate it. There was a reason that God made me the middle child. He knew it would suit me. But I guess being the oldest is a growing experience too. And, I don't have any exact reason why I dislike it. I just don't.

On top of that, I miss Dana and Hannah dreadfully. The house seems empty without them. And I miss Hannah driving me to places. Good times. I can't wait for them to come home (and no it is not just because I don't like being the oldest. ).

CHESS is being... well... CHESS. French I absolutely adore. American Lit is AMAZING. But Chemistry... (pause with roll of eyes) well lets just say that it is NOT going to be my favorite subject anytime soon. But besides that, CHESS is going pretty well so far.

Co-op is just a blast! We are doing The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood as a drama this year. YEAH!!!!!!!! Our cast is a good one. Come and see it on Nov. 20th.

Shining Light is good (what else would it be). Penelope joined (: and that is very exciting. I love the songs we are doing and the first show is coming up.

That is about it. I told you nothing much has been happening. Just chugging along as best as I can.

You Raise me Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3pF6YPxGEw&feature=related

Here we go again...

I wrote most of this yesterday night but didn't have time to put it up until now.

I'm sorry I haven't written. It is now the night before the first day of CHESS. Tomorrow will be my fifth first day. Where did all of that time go?

I know... I know. I know where it went.

It first went to prisons and long bus rides with long hours with the Shining Light people. That consisted of going to many state facilities all over New England, eating cafeteria food, and trying lobster for the first time. I also got to go for the ER for the first time in my life after I smooshed my hand in between a cart and a door frame (really stupid of me). But most importantly, I saw God's beauty and work in many people's lives (including my own.).

Then it went to sitting in a cold chapel at Lancaster Bible Collage. There I learned a lot about many things including wisdom, worldviews, and the arts. IT also included skittles, M&M's, friends and creaming my voice out encouraging the red team to try to win the wonder of all wonders...

THE SPAMLEY CUP

The majority of the remaining time was doing random things with random people. Things like these:

. going to see Jen in "The Wiz"

. reading several books, but not as many as I had wished to

. hanging out with friends

. and the thing that I did most of all- hanging out with my family.

The last two weeks of the summer were the saddest. I said good-bye. First, it was Dana. She left for collage earlier than she had expected. Then came Hannah. I miss both of them. Even though I like having a get away, I still would much rather have them home.

Now, I have said good-bye to summer and the lazy days that came with it. School has come back from vacation. Who know what's going to happen this time around.

Good luck!

Time, oh how it flew

My, how time flies. Last night was Youth group at Graybill's again. As I was riding in the car with Hannah, I remembered last year's Grabills. I remembered Hannah saying how it was her last Graybills as apart of youth group. It was very depressing.

But so much happened within the two Graybill's. Hannah and I joined Shining Light (and met some of the best people in the world), Dana got a boyfriend (who is coming today!!!!!), Elizabeth moved, and somehow I managed with God's strength when I didn't have any.

So much learning and epiphanies one can have in just one year. So many new experiences and people for one to enjoy. All of that can happen in such short of time. What could happen next... that is up to God. But we can be excited because his plans "are to prosper you and not to harm you." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Anticipation

I love being able to look forward to fun things. These next couple of weeks for example. On Sunday I looked forward to a day with Penelope at Hershey Park. It was a blast. We rode rides (What else is there to do? [No, I did not go on the Great Bear]), ate subway and funnel fries (sooo good!!!) and snuck "Bob" onto the roller coasters.

Today, I can look forward to seeing Elizabeth in her new house. I shall be with her until Thursday afternoon. (Sigh) I can't wait. Seeing her will great. We both have a lot of talking to do because we will solve all the world's problems whilst there.

Then after that. Dana and Daniel come!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to have them here again. Watching Daniel pick on Dana is so much fun.

Daniel will be here for a week and then will leave. Dana, three days after he leaves will leave for school. Then, Hannah will leave for school too. Soon after, or even before Hannah leaves, I will be starting school too. Eww. Don't want to think about it. So, I will just enjoy looking forward to the rest of my summer.

Oh, the Little Things in Life

I am realizing how many small things I loved as a little kid and still love now. Or things that I hated as a kid and love now. Here are some of them:

Applesauce. Who knew how much I loved applesauce. I was reawakened to this passions only the other day at lunch. The stuff is so good, sweet, cool and refreshing. Try some of it.

Rain. When Jen and I used to sleep upstairs, I loved listening to the sound of the rain on the roof. Now that our room is now downstairs, I can't hear it as well. So, whenever it rains, I will become so happy just because I know that it is making one of my favorite sounds.

Pillows. Oh how wonderful it was to wake up the day after coming home from Worldview engulfed in my five pillows plus body pillow. I had been all week with only one pillow and it wasn't nearly as comfortable. Almost every morning since then I have woken up just reveling in the warmth of my pillows!

Naps. I don't nearly have enough now. It is funny because little kids hate taking naps (myself included) But now that I'm older, I don't get nearly enough sleep. Today I had one and it was wonderful (until Jen woke me up by trying to steal a book that we were reading together).

Books. Oh how I hated to read. How silly and stupid I was. And when I found out that I actually liked to read, I just pretended that I didn't. Now, you rarely find me without a book that I'm reading.

Blankets. I get cold a lot. Blankets are warm. Perfect combo. And lots of the ones in our house hold so many memories. The orange one has gone through picnics, children being sick and lots of movies. My pink one, well... it is basically dead but I love it anyway.

There is just a few. I'm sure I will remember more before the day is done.

"You don't have to... YOU GET TO!"

Oh, I have been just lazy. Just downright lazy. I have no excuse for not putting up a blog about Worldview, or just about anything. "We have to be responsible for our actions. It isn't anyone elses fault, but mine."- Jeff Baldwin in the lecture What Kind of Monster Are You? I'm sorry for not updating.

Worldview was amazing. I had a great time. The lectures were good, and I learned a ton.

Dana also was there for the last days, which made me soooo happy. Everyday I grew in anticipation of when she would be here. I loved seeing her with the people she loves so much and I had heard so much about. It made my day when I got to see her doing stuff with the amazing staff (mosh pitting, dancing in the aisle and being in the Spamley Cup) (sigh) Oh how I missed her.

This year at worldview has challenged me more than last year, I think. God put me in situations that I was entirely comfortable with, but it helped me to grow in some way. Example: Witnessing. I never liked the idea of going up to some stranger and talking about my faith. But this year, God put me in a group with a first year boy, and a shy second year girl. Even though they both helped starting the conversations, I probably started most of them (the part that I hated to do) But through that, I had to rely on God for the strength to go up to that person. I'm not sure how much of an impact we made, and I will probably never know. But I think God did something out there on the street of downtown Lancaster.

Also, I have been trying to find worldviews in the music that I listen to. Music... what a great way to slip worldviews into unsuspecting minds. I have fallen victim to it many times. But, there is hope for keeping bad stuff out. I loved how Mark Bertrand took the story of the fall of Constantinople and brought out 5 lessons that will help us defend our minds. It can be hard though. Some of the music is just so much fun to listen to that one forgets to check for bad ideas and influences.

Looking back over my notes from camp, I realize how much I have learned. And how much I still have to put into practice. How much I need to continue looking for wisdom, and how much I need to look to God with all of my problems.

And that I can't make it up to God for any sin that I do. Why is that last one so hard? You do something wrong, and you can rest assured that God forgives you if you ask. That's it? It seems like that just isn't enough. Well, it is enough. It is more than enough because God sent Jesus to die for us sinners and the sins we commit. Our lives and freedom of sin cost a life. It should be enough. Yet, I find myself still trying to make it up to God somehow. (man, how rude is that?)

"We were called to freedom. Live like it! Don't try to make it up to him." -Brandon Booth in the lecture "Lawbreakers"

It is nice being reminded that I don't have to do anything for my salvation. I get to have it through Jesus.

Last year, THIS YEAR

Last year at this time, I was getting back from Worldview Academy.

This year at this time, I am going back to Worldview Academy.

I'M SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year was totally awesome. I learned a whole lot, got scared by Bill Jack, and had an amazing small group. I'm so looking forward to being there in 6 hours.

For this year, I'm praying it will be somewhat the same. That I will have an awesome small group and that I will learn a TON. Also, that witnessing on Wednesday would go well. (I have to agree with Dana when she said that she was always nervous when she went witnessing)

And for a special treat... DANA IS COMING ON THE LAST TWO DAYS!!!!! AHHHH! I get to see her finally!!!! It's looking like it will be a really awesome time.

Even though I can't get e-mail where I am, Worldview Academy does. So e-mail me at

studentmaileast@worldview.org with my name as the subject

or

write to me at:

Event & Conf. Management

901 Eden Rd.

Lancaster, PA 17608

It has been way too long...

And it has been too long. For a lot of things, including my blogging. So much has happened in the two weeks (almost three) that you have not heard from me.

I miss things. Not just tangible hold in your hand things, but people mostly. To be specific, I miss Shining Light. Tour was amazing and I'm not saying that I'm not glad that tour is over (because I really love my own bed and using my own shower), but I miss seeing people everyday.

The Girls of Shining Light

The Dudes of Shining Light

The Amazing Staff

I miss all of these people. We had such fun doing all sorts of things: kayaking, running over rocks, shopping, going into different prisons... The nine days were so good, so rich and rewarding. (Sigh) I'm homesick for them.

Me and Becca

(Her air mattress always ended up next to mine. I miss waking up and seeing her on her air mattress. She was also my exploring partner. How we were scared of the third floor of the Catholic school.)

Next year will be a good year at Shining Light, but it won't be the same. Hannah and A-Rud are leaving and I'll be learning a whole new set up job. So it seems that God will be putting new obstacles and new people in my life. But for right now, I'm missing the fun times with the people of Shining Light.

One of my fun experiences. I got to go the ER for the first time.

Off I go

I'm going to prison everyone!!! My dasterly deeds have finally caught up with me. No actually, I'm only going in there to spread the good news. Yep, Shining Light tour has come at last!

Amazingly, I'm pretty excited (ok, it isn't that amazing) I can't wait. But the next nine days will be faster than I think. I'm so excited. Since joining Shining Light the one thing that almost everyone looks forward to is tour. By Christmas some people were already excited for tour. Despite having horrible dreams about it, I'm started to really looked forward to it too.

We will be doing 6 shows in 6 different facilities all throughout the New England area. In addition, there will be a kyaking trip, Arkadia National Park, and a trip to the beach. Oh maybe, just maybe I will get sun this year.

Please pray as our group is headed out at 7:30 tomorrow morning. It will be alot of fun, but I'm sure there will be different challenges along the way that we don't know about yet. Also, as some of you might know, I get grumpy really quick when I don't get enough sleep and sleep is something that will be of short supply. I will tell you how it all goes when I get back.

P.S. To follow where we are and to see pictures and such like that go to tour.shining-light.com

Sr. Formal?

Person X= anyone who asked me

Person x: So are you going to the Senior Formal?

Me: No

X: Why not?

Me: Because I won't really know anyone there and I really don't feel like paying the money if I'll not have a good time. Plus, no one asked me.

That was one of my excuses for not going to the Senior Formal at church. I had different ones for different people, but that is the general idea. Well, the day of the Sr. Formal arrived. I was doing Geometry (something that is going to be completed forever tomorrow) on my bed when Hannah came in. She asked if I was to wear Dana's red dress the formal. I said no because I'm not going. She then explained to me that I was indeed going because she needed a date and she had already paid for my ticket. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. 

That evening I spent working on makeup, hair, and other things to get ready. After getting an insult from Isaac and taking pictures my date and I were off.

I love this picture. Hannah looks so pretty in it. 

Once we arrived at the church, we realized that we were actually on time and that no one was ready except the photographers and such. The theme of the night was Red Carpet night. So when we entered, people took our pictures and there were strob lights acting as flashes for cameras and cardboard cut outs as photographers. 

My Date: Isn't she lovely? I got really lucky.

This is me and a cardboard cut out photographer. 

Mr. Moad: It's nice because he will never say anything that you don't want to hear.

Me: But he will never say the things that you do want to hear.

The formal itself was not bad. The food was definately amazing! We had cheeze cake for dessert and it wasn't like regular cheese cake. It had this creamier stuff in it and it was really really good. But overall, my childish fantisies of the Senior formal had been dashed. It wasn't at all the way I expected it. But I still had a great time.

After the formal, these people and I went to Wendy's and Duncan Donuts since Starbucks was closing. It was strange being the only freshman. After sitting with them and listening to them I remembered something. These were the people who I had/am looked/looking up to. They were the reasons that youth group sounded so glorious to me. They also inspired me with their passion for Christ and their different gifts that they used for His glory. These people symbolized what type of youth group that I would want to be apart of. But they are all graduated and are going off into the world. Instead, it up to the younger ones to step up and become the role models for the hopeful 6th graders that come into youth group. I don't think that we sometimes realize how much we impact a person. 

I had to put this picture up. Look up the picture of the book Beauty a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast and you will see why.

All or nothing

So much happens in short periods of time. Look at books. I was reading the book Redwall today, and was almost to the end. Two short chapters away from completing it. But within those two chapters, a most intense battle happened which a I was and was not expecting. Same is with time. Within 5 minutes your day could change. Just an observation.

Dana is now home. (Sings and dances with happiness) I'm so glad that she is home, even if it is only for one day. Yesterday, Mom and I went to help move her out of her dorm. It was quite an adventure which involved, small carts, an almost broken elevator, a flying tarp and a door that would scream at you if it was open too long. But Dana is home in one piece. I'll enjoy her company while I can. (Such as last night when we were lip sinking to the soundtrack Wicked)

Dana said yesterday that "Words are life giving". I have found that this is true. For if I did not read anything this past school year, I would be dead. There are many types of words. Angry, encouraging, loving, sad.... Many words of all different types have been said and read this year. And they all have had an effect on what has happened. Words can do that. "Words are how the powerless can have power." -Marjan 

Anyway, thanks for listening to me being all scatter brained. From this post, one can  tell that nothing has been happening. 

hmmmmmmmmm

I really don't know what to write. Nothing much has been happening. I have become a slave to Geometry and left over school work. I can't wait till it is all over.

After rereading this last paragraph, I have realized that Mrs. Clay (my English teacher) would have a fit over the lack of sentence starters.

Reading books make me happy. They are like a nice escape for me. I have just finished one that had me in love with a major/minor character. He seemed so amazing, until I actually found out that he was lying to everyone. Unfortunately, the book's ending didn't make me happy either. It was amazingly disappointing and sad. How the characters ended up made me upset. The author should have made a better ending. I'm not sure what that ending would have looked like, but it should have been different. Also, the author had to many plots. After one was done, the other would start and they were very weak in linkage. The last half of the book, was sad to say the least. (The book is The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke)

I cannot wait for Tour with Shining Light. I feel like it will be great and something awesome will happen, despite all three nightmares I have had about it.

John Chapter 8:1-11

              But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At Dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in  a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery. In the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. 

              But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept questioning him, he straightened and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

             At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the oldder ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

             "No one, sir," she said.

             "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

"Join in next time for another ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY!!!" - Chris, the announcer for Adventures in Odyssey

In the past week, I have re found my love for listening to the radio drama: Adventures in Odyssey. I had a great urge one day to listen to some of the classics such as: Malichai's Message, The Underground Railroad, The Search for Whit, Passages, and many others. Listening to them reminded me of how much I loved them.

I'm not sure when I really started to become a fan of them. But, I do remember enjoying them every Sunday afternoon. In between church services, I would take a pit stop at the church's library and check out one volume of Adventures in Odyssey. After coming home and eating lunch, I would immediately turn on an Adventure that I had gotten that day. Eventually, I would listen to all of them that day. By the time I was almost done with them, it was getting dark out and I became hungry. I would eat and then return to the stories unless called away by a game, movie or something else.

In the hours that I spent listening to them, I would color. Color the same type of pictures, which were never good. Coloring turned into puzzles. Puzzles turned into more puzzles and some knitting. And growing older, I found less time to do such things, so ended my addiction to Adventures in Odyssey. Occasionally, I would listen to some, but never in the same way as before.

I hadn't realized my lack of enthusiasm until I started listening to them again. They brought back a flood of memories of those lazy days when all I had to worry about was the giant in my room at night with a snake around his neck (but that is a different story for a different time). They also brought back the memories of long road trips. I would fight to listen to them, and sometimes someone would agree with me. But when Dana and Hannah got older, they wanted to listen to music. I, feeling like that called what happened in the car on that respect, detested the music until sometime later. Also, they reminded me of the church library. I still go there regularly, but back in those days, several of my friends and I would meet there and see who would get the newest Odyssey first. We were so loud.

Adventures in Odyssey has been a big part of my life. I grew up with it. There were so many characters who I remember and still love. There were characters like Rodney Rathbone, the scary bully who I didn't realize to be funny until I was older, Connie Kendell, the uptight teenager who was fun and never got a boy friend and never really grew up, and Eugine Meltsner, the genius who spoke in science language and always fought with Connie (or the other way around). And of course, there was Mr. Whittiker, or Whit. He was the lovable grandfather type who was there for the kids when they had a problem. He was also the one who brought the moral of the story out.

Without knowing it, I have learned a lot from Adventures in Odyssey. I have also grown closer to my little siblings because of it too. Try to listen to it again, for those who have listened to Adventures in Odyssey. You may find more than you realize in the little kids radio drama.

It is over

"Well, we pulled it off. All our plans came to fruition." -Delbert (Chris) Monday Always Leads to Murder

Play time has ended for another year. It was a good play. There were alot of firsts in it. There was the spilling of the wine two times, knocking over a lamp, baby powder in hair, a jewl not coming out of a dagger, burnt popcorn, and drinking a whole bottle of sparkling grape juice (wine). The drinking was mostly me because once I got on stage I was soooo thirsty and I had to drink something. 

But the play itself went very smoothly. When something went wrong, we fixed it and kept going. I was amazed on how well we worked together and the very last moment. During the week I wasn't sure that we would make it. But we did. I think that it helped with all of us girls getting make up done, getting mikes on, and getting last minute hair and costume stuff done all in one bathroom. It was pretty funny. (The boys had great fun laughing at us as we had mascara and eye liner issues) 

Also, "Who's on First" went really well. I forgot somethings but Mom was there and filled me right in and we kept going. It was pretty good for only getting it ready this week. 

Great job cast! You did an awesome job! (Now, I am going to sleep for a very loooooong time)

It Has Begun

The chaos of the last week of drama has started. It actually started yesterday. The stress of being at the church everyday for basically the entire day will start to take a toll. Actually, it already did and we only started these long practices yesterday. I came home around 4 o'clock after being at the church since 9 that morning, completely tired, and grumpy. Practice didn't go so well, in my opinion. And I still have three more days of this chaos to go. It will be fun, but I'll be glad when it is over.

Come and see me in Monday Always Leads To Murder. This Friday at 6:30. (I will also be in "Who's on First" staring me and Forest ["Who's on First" is the hardest thing to memorize.])

Summer, Summer

It is/was beautiful today. It is/was so warm and lovely. It compelled me to get outside. So after CHESS, I went running. It felt really good. I love days like these. They make me want to read a book on the hammock and sleep and just do nothing. It makes me want summer all that much more.

I can't wait till CHESS is over. Yes, I will miss socialization. But being done with the school part will be so great. Tonight at midnight there will be: 27 more days

648 hours or

38,880 minutes

or

2,332,800 seconds

Till CHESS is over.

Books are calling

My reading list has grown. For a while I had not been able to decide what to read. But a trip to the library yesterday has taken care of that ailment. I now have enough books to occupy me for a while. I love books. Especially the ones that I am reading now. If you ever get a chance, you should read The Mysterious Bennidict Society. It is oddly familiar in a sense of our society today. It is also making me feel paranoid when I watch a movie or any TV shows that I decide to watch whenever I feel like watching them. I am also reading a book by Gail Carson Levine. She wrote Ella Enchanted, an extremely good book. In addition, I am listening to Peter Pan. The narrator is very good. Usually I would read the book, but it is nice having something to listen to while I work on  a puzzle or work on the many knitting projects that I have.

Anyway, I can't wait till school and CHESS end. Then I can get to the joyful reading all day. Summer is coming and with it, happy times that are yet to be decided.

The Weekend Spent

This has been a wonderful weekend. I was able, thanks to Mom and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, to go down and spend the weekend with Elizabeth. It was so much fun. We did all sorts of crazy things such as reading while playing with Polly Pockets, talking, dancing, creating our own cooking show, and declaring things over and over again (laugh). 

This is me in "The Chair". It is the highlight of Elizabeth's room. I am reading a book called The Willoughbys by Lowis Lowry.

I was also able to pay my debt to her and bought us Vanilla Kissed Mocha's at the Wild Bean. It is such a cool coffee shop and reminds me of the Harbor. After we went to a grand toy store, which we played in for a while, we went back to the Wild Bean to have a Strawberry Smoothie. Yes, it was delicious and yes, we were really jumpy that night.

(Elizabeth and our Yummy Strawberry Smoothie at the Wild Bean)

This is something that we found in a corner shop. It says "Elizabeth: Will always cope in a crisis, Builds relationships that last."

Our weekend was very well spent in catching up on things and talking about different things. I was very glad that I got to see Elizabeth again. I am excited that I was able to see all of the places that she had told me about. I was also able to meet some of the people she told me about when we went to church and youth group on Sunday night. 

Over all, my time with Elizabeth was a good one to say the least. It brought back so many memories. Just crazy sleepovers, different things we had done, movies, etc. Thank you Elizabeth for letting me come and invade your room and use the (bimbo) bathroom (hahaha).

The Silver Lining

HOORAY!!!!!!! It is official everyone. I am going to Elizabeth's house from Friday to Monday. I am very very excited, even if I have to pay for what we get at a coffee house. If you want me to ask or tell Elizabeth anything, tell me soon. I will also be taking my camera for full documentation. I can't wait!!!!

I don't want to study for my Biology test. Nor do I want to do math. But both must be done today. If they aren't then I have a lot of stress tomorrow and I won't be able to enjoy Elizabeth's company. How on earth did I live through twenty-two weeks of CHESS? How will I survive eight more weeks of torture? I don't know. But I have done it before, so I guess that I can do it again. Or, in other words:

"Well, I knew I could do it this time because, well I'd already done it." -Harry Potter from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Surprises

This morning I received an e-mail from Elizabeth saying that she had finished the book. She had woken up at 6 just so she could read it and finish it before me. She obviously knew that I wasn't that crazy to wake up that early just to bat her in a competition. Oh well. There goes my babysitting money.

I never know how much I love a story until I read it again. Nor do I realize how much I miss the characters in those stories. Reading Shadow Spinner has reminded me of many characters that I have loved buy have forgotten. Characters such as "Crazy, Old Zybab", Dunyazad, Ayaz, Mitra, and even Marjan.  It is what they add to the story that makes it special. Take them away and you wouldn't have the same story. 

I almost cried at the same parts that I had almost cried when I had listened the book the first time.  Reading the book again also reminded me of those late nights with all of us kids sitting in the living room listening to Mom read. She would always stop reading at a really good part. When we begged her to read on, she would say "No, because it is late and you need to go to bed." That was never a good reason, in my opinion. 

There are so many books that I should read again. But do I? No. I don't know why I am keeping myself from reading. I have plenty of time to but never think I do. I really need to work on that.

It's On

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elizabeth G. Leonard and I are back at it again! Yes, we are having another reading competition. The book, Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher. (Great book and all should read it.)  Here is where it gets good. Who ever fails to finish reading the book first will have to buy the other person whatever they want to get at the coffee house in West Virginia next weekend. I can't wait to go down there. I miss Elizabeth a lot. It will be so much fun! (Especially since I will be winning the contest, again) Tomorrow at six o'clock our challenge will begin! Make sure you have money Elizabeth because you will need to buy me some food. 

Crazy Tidbit

If the world was going to be over run by any animal or insect, it would be the cockroach. Yes, the cockroach. If you see one, there is probably more than a hundred near by. 

Spring is in the Air

"Tralalala, spring is in the air, and I'm a flower. There's nothing interesting to say." Except that it really does feel like spring. It is now a balmy 60 degrees outside. It smells like beautiful spring air after a rain shower. I love that smell. It reminds me of so many happy memories. Memories of all of us kids jumping on the trampoline and pretending that our bikes were horses. Memories of running around barefoot playing Funky Chicken and Hill Dill. Such good times. 

But the weather can't last forever. It will eventually get cold again. But after the darkness comes the dawn. I can't wait for spring and summer. 

Here I am

Exciting this is. I now have a post. I decided to get a blog before a facebook because I won't get as distracted with it. 

Life has been busy. Time is something that I do and don't have. When I do have time, I spend it on things that aren't as important as other things. I wonder why that is...