It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, school and other things have come in the way of 2Thine again....sadly. I have a bit of time to catch all of you, my lovely friends, up with what's been going on with me.
1. School has been crazy. We're kinda cramming in a way, because May is coming and we have a LOT going on in May. :P
2. I JUST auditioned in my orchestra. I feel pretty confident, but also kinda nervous as to if I'll get chosen to move up or not. I'm hoping that the odds will be in my favor. (this leads me into the next point...)
3. I am officially a fan of The Hunger Games. I'll discuss this more after my list. I like lists.
4. Pinterest occupies a lot of my time. My username on there is @FallonSkywalker (same as Twitter) if you care to follow me. I am enjoying it immensely.
5. The Avengers is in TEN DAYS PEOPLE. TEN.
Okay, now I shall write my thoughts on The Hunger Games, from MY WORLDVIEW. So haters and other people who do not like my worldview, chill. My thoughts, my words, my opinion. Just getting that out there. XD
First off, to quiet those who might call me a "follower" or a "sheep" or whatever, due to the popularity of the book series, which partly is due to the fact that the movie had just recently come out (I really want to see it now XD), I have been meaning to read these books for some time. My lovely cousin Embie read them about two years ago, and recommended them to me back then, with the warning that they were somewhat disturbing and very violent. At that time, my exposure to sci-fi and more horror-ish things in general was very non-existent, and I had no desire to read something scary. And thinking about it, I probably wouldn't be able to tolerate it. But after Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and several super-hero movies, I am quite immune to violence and such things, and also very good at getting attached to characters whose fates are doomed. XD
Thus, with the popularity of these books that I hadn't even thought about for two years, I was very intrigued to know WHY the rest of the world liked them so much. I wanted to know what the deal was about "Team Peeta" and "Team Gale" and why "I VOLUNTEER" is such a popular meme.
I have had multiple people recommend the books to me, friends from the internet, "real life", and random acquaintances. Finally I took the plunge about a week ago, breaking open The Hunger Games on Wednesday night of last week.
Two words. Four Thirty.
That is how late I stayed up reading that gosh-darn book. I read the first page with curiosity and speculation, and after that, I could NOT put it down. There were ZERO stopping points in the whole thing. I read and read until I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was 3/4 of the way finished with the book when 4:30am rolled around. I had to wake up at 7am, do Presidential fitness at P.E. the next day, and then teach dance and do dance for 5 hours that afternoon. To say the least, I got home and literally crashed and burned. XD
I was able to pick it up again on Saturday and I finished the book in one sitting. I sobbed through the entire ending, because I was devastated that it wasn't even a spark of happiness. I was miserable all night (and then had to deal with drama on The Lakehouse) so my emotions were in torment all night long. XD It didn't help that on the same night I chose to watch trailers for the movie (I sobbed like an idiot) and then reblog every THG item in sight on Tumblr. And look at merchandise, and listen to the soundtrack for the movie (BEYOND BEAUTIFUL. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN, GO LISTEN NOW).
To end that pathetic story, here are my overall thoughts of the book.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10 stars. I take off a half-point for it being too gory in one scene for me to read (I skimmed part of the Tracker Jacker scene XD)
Rating from a Christian perspective: 7ish/10 stars. Depending on how Christian you are judging this by, the book was gory, violent, and scary, and the worldviews in the book were not exactly ideal for all. I personally was not too bothered by it, because it is in fact, a story.
Summary of the book (without spoiling anything): The continent once known as North America is now simply Panem, broken up into 12 (once 13) districts. Each district does a job, mining, agriculture, factories, technology, etc. The immensely oppressive and controlling government, known as The Capitol, proves their power over their citizens once a year with an event entitled "The Hunger Games". The Hunger Games involves two children between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district (one boy and one girl), to be entered into an arena where they all fight to the death. The last person alive is crowned victor and is famous among all of Panem. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are entered in the games, and into a new world they never thought they'd get to know, The Capitol. Peeta, who has had a crush on Katniss since childhood, is suddenly forced to kill her.....or is he? Peeta, (being the incredibly sweet and perfect person that he is), makes his plight of the Games to be to save Katniss, and help her win. The two team up when the game suddenly changes, and through unlikely circumstances, they are forced to be in love. But it's all just an act.....right? Find out what happens. ;)
Goriness level: 10 XD It was pretty bad....kids killing kids.....lots of injuries.....fire......death (a lot of it), warfare, blood, bugs, hallucination, etc, etc, etc.
Scare Factor: 8 or 9. I made the mistake of reading these at bedtime/nighttime and ended up having a near-heart attack in my sleep and falling out of bed at 5am. XD
Sadness level: For me? 1000. For others? It depends. Some can read it without being sad, or you have me who sat in a puddle of her own tears sniveling for hours because of the ending to this book. xD
From a literature standpoint: This book was fantastically written. It was written in First Person POV, which was different but also really kinda cool, and very descriptive. It's vivid and fast, and impossible to put down. The dystophian world that Suzanne Collins created is just incredible. I understand so many internet jokes now. xD
Movie? Yes, I really want to see it. I've heard very good things about it. The only thing that tips me off of the movie is that some people read the books AFTER seeing the movie. I want to read the books and be depressed over the characters so i can go to the movies and sob watching my emotions play out on the big screen. If you know what I mean. XD
My recommendation? If you haven't tried it, or are being defiant like I was, just cave and read it. It's so good guys.....I loved it. Very well written and such a great storyline too. Enjoy, and May the Odds Ever be in your Favor. ;)
Well, to round up this post, I am almost done with the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, with only three chapters to go. I am literally dying to find out what happens. This book might be as good as (if not better than) the first. :)
May the Force be with you, May the Odds ever be in your Favor, and God Bless my friends. :) I'll be back with more quality posts soon!
I'm on vacation. My family takes a trip to the family vacay-house every year (sometimes more than once a year,) and we decided to spend the week here for Spring Break. :)
Consider this an inspirational post perhaps.......
I realized today that I am a very stressed person. I usually am constantly busy, whether it be for school, stuff on the internet, more school, or helping out people with their problems, I am often really busy. On top of that I have chores and duties to attend to as a daughter and sister, and that's important too.
Yesterday I went to the eye doctor and was totally blind from being dilated. I realized how much I take my vision for granted. I ended up finding out that I DO need glasses, but I'm not too worried about that. Once I was dilated, I literally could not see ANYTHING. I couldn't read my text messages, I couldn't read my tweets, my computer screen, NOTHING. I had to rely on my cousin Embie to read everything to me, because I was literally blind. (she did hack my phone and ipod, but still....xD)
Later last night my eyes were already much better, and today they were cured. I feel SO accomplished and relaxed and happy!! I read an entire book, (FREAKED OUT OVER THE BOOK) and wrote a bunch. I cleaned our room (Embie's and mine's) and we played tons of games outside. We went out for dinner, and then came home and slept. I read more of my book, took a nice nap, and was totally carefree. Soon it was sunset-time and we went outside to witness God's beautiful world by the ocean.
Ember, Glory and I went outside and had a badmitton tournament, Glo was our announcer, Embie and I the players, and Canada Dry Ginger Ale our "sponsor". It was hilarious, and we even brought our radio outside so we could listen to music while playing the game. We had instant replays, halftime dance shows, and commercial breaks. It was awesome. We finished our game with an epic Michael Buble dance show from me and Embie, where we tangoed to our hearts contents. XD
Now.....I'm looking forward to more fun. Take away this my friends, no matter how stressed you are, and how busy you are, every once in a while, take a step back and praise God for the goodness and beautiful things in your life. I've been doing that all day, thanking Him for my family, my eyesight, my book, my iPod, the weather, the sun, everything!!
It's fun to relax, and to step back and realize all the goodness in your life. ;)
II'll be relaxing for the next two days guys....see ya on the flip side. ;)
And Happy Birthday (tomorrow) to my best friend Savanna from Pandas, Lightsabers, and Cameras oh my!! ;) Love you girly!! <3
I love you!!! Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have the best day ever, especially since you're 8 1/2 inches smaller! ;D You are amazing.
You're my inspiration, you make me want to be an as-good-as-you-are mom someday. You make me excited about Homeschooling, and you fangirl with me!! :D
Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for being absolutely hilarious, for putting up with Glo and I, for teaching us everything and for being so cool!!! Thank you for loving my friends, and defending them when necessary....;)
Mommy, you never let me down, and you're always there for me. You've helped me to form my own opinions and you've helped to shape my worldview, keeping in mind that He is always watching. ;) You've helped me to become wise and make smart decisions in my young age, and I am forever grateful for you letting me be my own person and helping me to be independent. :) You are awesome!!
Star Wars has brought us together....ever since you've entered the realm of awesome fangirliness, we've bonded and gotten closer. I love it. It's so much fun!!! You even have internet friends, whether you deny it or not! ;)
I've helped you through your first fangirl heartbreak (trust me, now that you read fanfiction there are many MANY more to follow) and you put up with my daily fangirl attacks. ;)
I hope you have the best day ever Mom. I love you so much, and I am so proud, honored, and blessed to call you my mommy. ;D
Have the happiest birthday ever, I can't wait for this weekend,
Here's yet another "inspirational" that I thought up. I was inspired to write this yesterday, after a fun experience. ;)
I love kids.
Okay....allow me to explain. A lot of teenagers these days are quite self-centered. Even I am sometimes...wanting to do what I WANT, when I WANT, and not really caring about anything else. It's not easy to grow up in a day and age where society encourages you to sit back and have everything handed to you on a silver platter.
But that isn't what this post is about.
I like doing more than just sitting back and being lazy. I love helping out adults/parents and I especially love taking care of kids. Especially small ones.
For as long as I can remember, I've been a "little mommy". When my sister was born (though I don't remember this TOO well...since I was only six...) I took care of her, I loved her, and I took care of ALLLL my baby dolls like they were my baby sister. (nawww)
Whenever me and my cousin and sister would play dolls (which we did a LOT growing up) I was always the mom. I always had that maternal instinct to take care of the babies/kids.
As I got older, I was able to nurture those passions and loves. Now I work at our dance studio, teaching ballet, tap and jazz to 2-3 year olds and 4-5 year olds. My little girls are the highlight of my week. I love spending time with them. To them I'm "Miss Fallon (insert real name there)", and I get to carry them, hug them, let them sit in my lap, and just get to be there with them.
I've heard some teens say that they don't like kids, or that they're not "good with kids". Essentially what I've got from that is that they are A. have no siblings, B. don't know what to do/don't have that maternal instinct or C. they think all kids are bratty, snot-nosed, and gross.
I don't have any of the above.
Yesterday I was helping my sister's music teacher at her little kid music class. They were learning about stringed instruments, and Miss Susan (Glory's teacher) asked if I could come in and show the kids my violin and viola. I agreed, and brought three instruments with me (my viola, my violin and my student model violin for the kids to play with). The first kid to get there was a little girl.
I knew this little girl because I teach her dance class. The way her face lit up when she saw me made my heart melt. :)
"Miss Fallon (insert real name here)!" she yelled, and ran to me to give me a huge hug. Her mom knew me, and went to pick up her son from school, knowing her daughter was in good hands between me and the Miss Susan. ;) This little girl held my hand the entire class, she sat at my side or in my lap, and she was really interested in hearing the violin/viola since I was the one playing it. ;) I was honored. When Miss Susan introduced me to the class as just "Fallon (insert real name here)" My little girl said "No Miss Susan, that's MISS Fallon, and she teaches me dance!" *heart melts into puddle on the floor*
I received hugs and kisses from this little girl yesterday, and she said that she would see me at dance in two days. :)
I also knew one of the boys in the class, since I taught his sister last year. His sister knew me when she came to pick him up, and rushed to give me a hug as well. So did the mom (she's also my dentist! LOL)! ;)
This got me thinking. So many little girls look up to me. They know me as "Miss Fallon (insert real name here)", their dance teacher. I've seen little girls around town or at the store a few times, and the moms always recognize me and say hello, and talk with me, and the little girls always give me hugs. I'm so happy to be in those little girl's lives. I feel like I'm making a difference. I love helping them, I love taking care of them and getting to be their teacher and pseudo-big sister.
Glo's other friends all look up to me, they talk to me, and play with me, and know if they ever need anything, they can go to "Fally (insert real nickname here)", Glory's older sister. :) It's an amazing feeling.Even at P.E., I'm a big sister to my sister's friends. Her best friend takes dance with her, and that little (not so little, she's ten like Glo) girl loves me. I get a billion hugs, she sits on me, and she and Glo are always playing with me, and cracking up together. She's my second little sister.
To know that I am making an impact on the lives of these little girls (and even some little boys too) makes me feel so incredibly blessed. It's a gift to take care of small children (and even big children). When a little girl gets hurt in dance class, the first person she runs to is me. She knows she can find comfort in me, and that I'll either take her to mommy or give her a bandaid and help her feel better. One of my three year olds did that few weeks ago in dance, she hit her head on the ballet barre and got scared. She instantly ran to my side, crying, wanting to be held. I picked her up and helped her feel better. I got her to stop crying and continue dancing in less than three minutes. Not a lot of people can do that. I've been told that I have the magic touch. ;)
I thank God for this gift that he's given me. The gift of childcare. I hope someday I can use this in more than just a volunteer setting. I'll follow wherever He leads me with it, whether it's to have my own family, or take care of other people's children, I'm up for the challenge.
Do you have the gift of child-care? If not, what are special gifts that you DO have, something not everyone else can do? We're all made special and individually, with God's hand on each of us and our talents. Tell me about yours. ;) Own it! Be proud!
Okay....take this as you want it, a rant post, an inspirational one...I'm writing my thoughts and my heart now.
I am tired of girls falling madly in love with every guy they come across who speaks to them, or is nice, or is "hot". Where is the chivalry? I personally, am praying that it's not dead. I miss when guys and girls "courted" and were best friends before they started dating, making out, planning weddings, and doing unthinkable things. I don't like how fast things move...and honestly, I think that technology is partially to blame for this.
Through social media websites, especially Facebook, people who see each other once a week, can talk and have tons of conversations in nanoseconds. Now I'm not saying Facebook is bad...I use it for business and it's great, I mean when you are suddenly in love with someone because they talk to you over Facebook chat....that's when it becomes problematic.
Two examples of classic, good, old-time romances....one real and the other fictional.
John and Abigail Adams. They were married for 54 years, during one of the hardest periods of history. John was often away on business trips, fighting for America's Independence on the legal and political side of things. Abigail tended the homefront, caring for soldiers when need be, taking care of her family and home, and John when he was home. She and John were both still very much in love when Abigail died at the age of 73. The two kept in touch through letters. Snail mail!! The letters were often addressed to "My Dearest Friend" and both wrote about their love and loneliness during the war. In a metaphorical sense, I'd like to find my Dearest Friend, who will write to me and keep in touch no matter the circumstances or battles life throws at us.
Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa. (Shut up, it counts, for all you non-Star Wars fans...I know there are a few of you out there...O.o) Han and Leia are an example of a good, classic romance. They start out hating each other, but in the end, they are partners for all time. When the two meet, the friction is evident. Han is a cocky-know-it-all smuggler, and Leia is a no-nonsense-Princess/Politician who doesn't take crap from anybody, including and especially Captain Solo. Eventually, when tensions rose and life-or-death situations were faced, true feelings were revealed and reveled in. Han and Leia fell in love and did things right by each other, and didn't rush into their relationship. Leia didn't go all ga-ga for Han either, just because he wore tight-fitting pants or was handsome. Good for her.
Now...why can't we have strong relationships like Abigail and John? Or strong women like Leia?
Okay, here me out. I personally do not think that at 12, 13, 14, 15+ you are experiencing true love. If you DO have a boyfriend at 15+, good for you, that's really nice that you have a friend. I'm talking about when you are 12, 13, 14 and sometimes YOUNGER. It's not necessary to think that guys are "sexy" at 12. Or that you want to marry someone at 14. You've barely started to live life and you think you're in love? No.
I've decided that Jesus is my boyfriend. I have my fictional guys, but I can 100% honestly say that I do not know ANYONE that I have a crush on. I am not "in love" with anyone, and I do not want to marry anyone.
Jesus needs to be first in your heart before you can even THINK about dating, from a Christian perspective. Because, if Jesus isn't there, and isn't most-important, how can you expect to find love? He holds the most love for you in the entire world and universe, more than any human EVER could. Wouldn't you like to feel that love? Let HIM in.
Jesus has a perfect plan for your life. He has it all written and decided, and if you make good, Christ centered decisions, then you will find that perfect person that he created for you. True love IS out there. My parents have it....I know it's real.
I was asked recently when I'm going to grow up and start liking "REAL" boys. Apparently Luke Skywalker and Steve Rogers aren't good enough for some people.....
Guess what? I AM grown up. Just because I live in my own little world doesn't mean that I am not awake and involved with the world around me. In fact, I'm probably more in tune with the rest of the world than most are.
Anyway, my response to that question was this:
"I'll start liking "REAL BOYS" when Jesus puts the right "REAL BOY" in my life. The one he MADE for me, the one that he CHOSE for me, and the one that is RIGHT for me. Until then, I'll wait very patiently, with my fictional boyfriends."
This is the truth. I am NOT rushing anything. My mom and I had a very long discussion the other day about this. We read a very sweet book called "The Princess and the Kiss". It described your heart, love and virginity as the Princess's Kiss, and how she needed to save her precious gift of her kiss for the perfect person that God had planned for her. This included not wasting her time on people who weren't part of God's plan, or would distract her from her future true love. The Princess was wise, and saved her first kiss for a boy who loved her for her, and saved his kiss for her. On their wedding day, the two exchanged kisses, and then were able to later bless their child with her own kiss.
The story made me cry. Because the concept of your precious "kiss" is totally disregarded nowadays!!! No one cares about that, or should I say, not many do. Society teaches us to do what we FEEL is good, and FEEL is right. Well guess what? The Bible tells us to be careful of our feelings, because they can deceive us. You let JESUS guide your heart, and keep it guarded and safe until he is ready to give you your person worthy of your Kiss.
After discussing with my mom....I am even more assured now that I am doing the RIGHT THING by waiting and not begging for attention from guys, by flirting with them, or freaking out and drooling all over them. I am doing the right thing by waiting for the right person to come into my life, and to not waste my time on people who AREN'T him. Because as nice as it is to have a boyfriend when you're a teenager, why is it all that necessary to give away parts of your heart to someone who you aren't going to marry? I want my first boyfriend to be my only one, and the one that will become my husband.
And for the record, I know that IS possible, because my dad's co-worker's daughter had her relationship work out that way. :)
As of right now, I'm not even all that interested in boys. I can talk to them, I DO talk to them, and I have a few guy friends, but this doesn't mean that because I have a conversation with a person of the opposite gender that I'm automatically in love with them.
Example. I talk with a guy in my math class sometimes. He's pretty nice, very funny, and cool. One of my IRL friends is crushing on this guy. I mentioned once that I talked to him in math class, and suddenly it was a miracle of God that I even got him to look at me. I was like, "Know what we talked about? Video games. Because I know about that, and I was able to relate to him about it. No big deal."
Then I got..."Oh but isn't he SOOOO cute? And just so hilarious?"
"Yeah, he's funny.."
"AND HOT!"
"umm...no?"
*facepalm*
You see, I am very tired of guys being "hot" and "sexy" and "cute". Let me rephrase that. I'm tired of girls OBSESSING over them. Why can't a guy and a girl be just friends? Yes, there are a few girls and guys who are actually in happy, stable, safe and good relationships, but most of the time it's very one-sided from both sides! XD Either the girl likes the guy and won't say anything, or DOES say something and then things go to hell pretty fast...or the guy likes the girl and insults her every chance possible, making fun of her and making her miserable instead of telling her that she's pretty or nice or anything. Where is the chivalry?? Where is that respect? I wouldn't want to give my Kiss to any one of those people, regardless of how nice or hot or whatever they are! I want that one special person, and I won't settle for anything less, because it's what God promised to me, and He NEVER breaks a promise.
I usually dread Thursdays. I'll be honest and explain why. Most of my friends would fall into the "boy obsessed" category. Unfortunately, the guys and the girls (all in the 13 (ISH) and up category) are grouped together at P.E. So we get to run around with each other, the girls giggling and making fools out of themselves over the guys, and the guys being total jerks to each other AND the girls (sometimes, there are exceptions to this) for 3 hours.
Fun....?
Anyway....I actually ENJOY when the girls are separated. Everyone else complains and whines about it, but I don't mind. I like being with the younger girls, and offering them encouragement and love and being the "big sister" (since I'm the oldest).
I am sooooo tired of this boy stuff. Honestly. I am tired of hearing about what so-and-so said on Facebook, and that this-guy has a girlfriend now, and bla-bla-bla said this to so-and-so over the weekend. Seriously. I'm sick of it.
As cruel as it sounds, in 10+ years from now, I doubt any of these boys who are so worthy of obsession *Sarcasm, Sarcasm* will still be apart of my life, or so important in it, at the very least.
My IRL best friend told me about an experience she had with a boy, who was very nice to her and funny and sweet and stuff. That's great, I told her, I'm happy for her.
But then on Facebook, she gets all freaked out, sending me panicked messages asking me if she should send him a message first, or if that's creepy, or if she should just wait for him to do it, or if she shouldn't do anything at all because he's really cute and she doesn't want to mess this up.
....MESS WHAT UP??? YOU TALKED TO HIM FOR A FEW HOURS TODAY. YOU ARE TOO YOUNG FOR THIS!!!! I AM TOO YOUNG!!! WHY ARE YOU EVEN STRESSING ABOUT THIS????
I honestly don't know. She's younger than me, and I am NOT thinking that way about things. I have quite a few guy friends, and I have NO problem talking to them, in real life and over the internet. I don't understand why it's such a big deal. I told her so. I asked her why she was freaking out, just send him a message and say hello. Why was that so hard? I do that all the time.... But that evoked more freaking out, accusations of me, and my sincerity (I'm sorry...that point was valid...xD), and more. She asked for my opinion, but got upset when I told her. Umm....okaaaaay?
Later she cornered me about it again, and I honestly told her that in my opinion, we were both far too young to be thinking about boys that way, and that it was inappropriate and necessary. The conversation that followed honestly made me squeal. With delight believe it or not... ;)
Her: and liking boys is ok because its not like i'm doing anything about
Me: IMO I think it's a waste of time
Her: you never going to like boys !?!?!?!
Me: No, just not right now. I'll wait.
Her: for what?
Me: The right partner.
For those of you who don't know.....that last bit is a quote from Captain America. Steve Rogers tells Peggy Carter that he's waiting for the right partner for him. One more reason why I love him. <3333 I have taken that to heart a lot lately....I'm waiting for the right partner. After typing that, I literally squealed in delight, because I both used a Captain America quote, and because it was so true!!! I am waiting for the right partner.
Jesus needs to be first. I'm at peace with guys, whether I crush on them or not, because I know that Jesus has a set plan for me and my romance. He already has chosen the husband that is perfect and made specifically for me, and I cannot wait to meet him!!! Maybe that's why I don't get all freaked out....because I already have a boyfriend....and his name is Jesus. <3 Jesus puts my heart at ease, and until he puts that person in my life, I'm romancing Jesus, and growing my relationship with HIM.
So my friends, in conclusion of this rambly, ranty, and hopefully inspirational post, remember that JESUS has to rule your heart, not boys. Give Him your love, and you will be surely blessed with love in return. ;)
God bless. Enjoy a song that were laid on my heart while writing this. :)
And Fireproof, which is featured in this song/music video, is one of my favorite movies. Everyone, married, not married, or just waiting, should see it. :) I bawl like a baby every time...XD
P.S. You can reverse this if you're a guy, to make it work for girls. ;)
Topic of the day.....satisfaction with where you live. :)
Something I've noticed about people is that you always want what you don't have. I am definitely one of those people, as are the majority of the human race. Whenever we go on vacation, and talk to people who live and work in the place we are vacationing, they are always saying how they dream and wish about living somewhere else. And I sit there looking at them like they are INSANE because I go to where they live for a VACATION.
Example. Last year, my family went on vacation to Sanibel Island, off the coast of FL. BEAUTIFUL island, AMAZING place. I would give ANYTHING to live there, and would move there in a heartbeat. We were talking to a boy who worked in one of the stores we went to, and my dad was just making small talk with him, asking him how he liked living on the island. The guy confessed that he didn't like it and was very sick of living in such a small place. He told us that he wanted to go to college up in Jacksonville (I think) and live in the city. I'm like, "DUDE!!! SERIOUSLY!?!! The beach is literally across the street!! This place is EPIC, it has great food, nice people, an awesome atmosphere and it's just so beautiful!! Why would you want to give this up to go live in the CITY of all places??? NO NO NO NO!"
Another example. A few weeks ago, we went to northern FL to visit a big antique show (and meet Savanna's family!!!) Just minutes before seeing Savanna for the first time, my dad, sister and I walked from our hotel to the small Hess gas station nearby, to buy some snacks and drinks for our hotel room. We were talking to the cashier, a nice young girl, and she was just asking us where we were from, and if we were enjoying our stay so far at the hotel across the street. We politely told her where we were from and how much we were loving the weather, scenery and atmosphere of the city we were in. She told us that she was tired of it and wanted to move to Orlando, where she used to live. She said it was "too in the sticks" and that she craved city life. Again, I was thinking, "WHAT?? How can you NOT like this??? The weather is beautiful, the people are so nice, the nature is amazing, and you want to go to the CITY??? WHAT?? WHY???"
Once returning from both those vacations (and many others), I always find myself on the other side of that equation. I always dream about leaving where I live in the city to move to someplace far off, where you can own land and animals and just have SPACE. I find myself dreaming about living in a pretty little house on the beach, having a desk set up by a window overlooking the ocean, and doing all my writing/editing from there. I always find myself wishing and praying that by some miracle we would be able to get up and move, buy some land and start a farm, or enjoy some peace and quiet in a tiny community where everyone knows each other and everyone is nice to one another.
But then I remember what my mother always tells me in situations like this.....God put us where he did for a reason. You never know who you're going to touch by a small action you make in your community. Sometimes I hate where I live...I can find tons of faults. There's too much crime, too many annoying/rude kids on our street (we live near two public schools...elementary and middle), there's too much traffic, too many accidents, the stores are too busy, the people are rude, no one speaks english.....
But I forget how awesome my city is. My dad works for our city, and I know a lot of the people who make our city work and run. I know the City Manager, many commissioners, the HR Director (My Daddy! ;D), people in Marketing, the Fire Chief, many fire-fighters, several police-people, people in finance, aquatics, community relations, the lady who runs the help desk, the people who work in the mailroom, and many more!!! The ladies in my dad's office are like a second family to me and my sister, and many others in the city are such wonderful people, who are blessings to us all, and many don't even realize what they do to make our city what it is!
We have fabulous fire-fighters and police-people for crime and accidents, which happen ANYWHERE anyway. I know people who work at our local Publix, Wal-Mart, CVS, 7-11 and more. They are all good people too. I am proud of my city...of my COMMUNITY, even though it sometimes makes me frustrated. Of course I dream of living somewhere else....we all do.
Now I shall pull a Yoda quote to prove my point...
"Many years, this one I have watched. As he looked away, to the future, never his mind on where he was. What he was doing!"
If you don't speak Star Wars....essentially that means that Yoda watched as Luke spent his whole childhood growing up wishing he were somewhere else, and not embracing where he was when he was there. Don't do that. Don't spend your life wishing you were someone else, living somewhere else, or doing something else. Be yourself, and enjoy life. Enjoy the here and now, and embrace your city/town/community. Even if your closest neighbor is five miles away, or you only see your friends once a week. Make the connections, and don't spend your entire life wishing you were somewhere else.
This has been on my heart lately, because I have been struggling with this. After coming home from our latest trip to north FL, I wanted to move there SO BAD. I still do. And before you ask, no it's not just because Savanna lives up there....though that does help. ;) I loved the atmosphere, the people, the stores, the food, the "take it easy" and "slow down" sort of attitude it had. I didn't feel rushed, I didn't feel like I was moving at superspeed, I felt at peace and relaxed. As soon as we got home though, I was rushing off to orchestra, and the next day I did school all day, took my sister to piano, did more school, took two tests, and got sick. I felt like everything that I loved so much while on vacation disappeared when I returned home, and I looked for anything and everything to blame all that emotion on. I was mad at our city, and how crowded and busy it was, I was mad at the crime, for waking me up at 3am with sirens, and at all the annoying drivers on the roads for making my mom and dad tense in the car over traffic. Everything went back to normal.....no one (mainly my mom) was as easy going and carefree as we were when we were on vacation, and I was utterly disappointed in that.
Now though, two weeks being home, I am realizing that when the sirens wake me up at 3am, that means that our amazing men and women who work every day to save lives and protect us, are just doing their jobs. And the annoying drivers will eventually get what's coming to them, and I pray for the safety of others, who DO obey the rules of the road. When our city is crowded and busy, it is good economically and promotes good commerce for us. Sometimes we have to change our perspective and see that maybe things aren't so bad after all.
I hope you enjoyed another "inspirational" by me. ;) More of these to come soon.
Perfectionists. That's the topic for the day, folks.
One of my best friends in the galaxy is a huge perfectionist. I used to be one too, until I grew out of it....in a way.
Actually...I didn't grow out of being a perfectionist, I just realized that there is no such thing as perfect. The thing that really got me to believe that was my church. They have a slogan, and it says "No Perfect People Allowed" (hence the name for this post). For a long time I strived to be as perfect as physically possible. I wanted to be perfect for my mom and dad, for my teachers, for my friends and everyone, except myself and God. I have to admit that when I was younger, I wasn't a strong Christian. I knew that Jesus loved me, and what Easter Sunday meant, but that personal relationship that I have now was not there. Now I know that I live for HIM and HIM alone, and that HE is perfect, so I don't have to be. :)
So this post goes out to all of those who are battling with perfection. Guess what? It only exists in ONE person, and it's not you. It's not me, it's not that girl at school who has perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect body, it's not the guy at your co-op with the perfect smile, perfect laugh and perfect eyes....
It's Jesus. Jesus and Jesus alone is the ONLY perfect person to EVER walk the planet. No one but Him will be perfect, so STOP TRYING.
Now, I must clarify. I said stop trying....but I mean only to stop trying PERFECT. Because everyone needs to try their absolute BEST at EVERYTHING they do. We are to Glorify the Lord through our work, and he deserves nothing but the best!!! Again, though he wants the best, he wants OUR best, not a generic PERFECT or socially-suggested CORRECT. God wants our hearts, which are perfect in his eyes. <3
So to my perfectionist friends, stop focusing on being or writing or making the perfect thing. Jesus doesn't care if you look perfect, or write perfect stories, or do perfect drawings. He just wants you to use the gifts He gave you to your full potential. As long as you do that, you are perfect in his eyes.
Do what you love, and love what you do, and just be yourself. You don't have anything to prove, except to Jesus Christ, who already knows it all anyway. ;)
Go out and do your best in EVERYTHING my friends!!! And remember, no perfect people are allowed. ;)
I've been tagged by a few of my friends to do this....Amaranthine tagged me, Jamie tagged me, Endor tagged me, and I think a few other friends too! xD
I'll do Jamie's tag, since she tagged me first. XD
The Rules:
1) Post these rules.
2) Post 11 random things about yourself
3) Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post
4) Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5) Go to their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged
6) No cop-outs in the tagging section like, “If you are reading this” or “if you follow me”. You have to legitimately tag people!
11 Random Things About Me:
1. I love sushi. Only me and my dad do in our family, and everyone else thinks I'm crazy. xD
2. I live about twenty minutes from the beach, but rarely go...which makes me sad, I love the beach. :(
3. I am in love with Steve Rogers. Love love love love. Captain America is my favorite Avenger, and I love him like crazy. <3
4. My favorite Disney movie is Meet the Robinsons. It's one of the most underrated Disney films out there. Which is sad, because it's amazing. :D
5. I love literature. I just had to read the Odyssey for school, and as much as I thought it was boring, I really enjoyed it. And I had a 6 hour conversation with my mom about it for our Literature Interpretation course. xD
6. I know what S.H.I.E.L.D. from the Avengers movies stands for. Yes, I have it memorized. Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division. ;)
7. My least favorite subject in school has become Science. I have fallen in love with literature and writing, but science and math are on the end of my list. I just don't find them as interesting. :P
my current course is the physical science one at the very end of the first row.
8. I love homeschooling. I think one of my favorite parts of homeschooling is the annual FPEA Homeschool convention. I cannot WAIT to go to this year's convention...I love looking at all the curriculum, meeting people, and getting some time to hang at the EPIC hotel. ;D
This picture is from last year's convention,
when Anakin came with me everywhere. ;)
9. I have a horrible irrational fear of bugs. I do not like them, and freak out easily when it comes to insects. xD Once when I was little, I was playing outside, and a spider crawled on my face. I screamed, sobbed and freaked out for the rest of that afternoon. Me + Bugs = TOTAL FREAK OUT. XP
for the record, I absolutely do not like this movie. XDDD
10. My guilty pleasure is watching Dance Moms. I am addicted to this show...and I blame Amarantine for this obsession...;P I plan on watching the latest episode tonight. :D Don't you judge me...I know it's stupid and demeaning, but I love it. XD LOL how hypocritical of me.....;P
11. I'm sick right now. XD I have a stomach bug or food poisoning or something. Yesterday/last night I felt TERRIBLE, and today I'm doing a bit better. Last night I thought I was dying.....and now I feel much better. I can actually keep down food now, and hopefully I'll be alright. Who needs comfort food? I have my laptop to help me feel better. ;)
And there you have 11 random things about me. Now to answer Jamie's questions...;)
1. What famous movies have you not seen yet but would like too?
Iron Man 2, Spider-Man 3, and the newest Batman movies. As for famous /classic/ movies, I really want to see Out Of Africa, Casablanca and Sunset Boulevard. ;)
2. What is your opinion of Charlie Brown?
Classic. Every single holiday we watch some Charlie Brown film without fail. ;) I'm looking forward to the Easter Beagle. :D
3. Which of your favorite books would you love to see made into a film and why?
Oooh. Septimus Heap and Mysterious Benedict Society. Mysterious Benedict Society is just crying to be made into a movie, and Septimus Heap the same. Too good of plots to NOT be made into Major Motion Pictures!!! :D
4. What is one of your favorite pass-times?
Swimming during the summer at my grandma's house. Staying up and watching tons of movies with my cousin at the vacation house, and taking out annual "girls" trip to Disney. ;)
5. What type of vehicle would you love to own, from any film, book or even from reality?
An X-Wing. Handsdown an X-Wing. I'd also like a landspeeder and that cool car from Captain America...
6. What movie poster would you LOVE to own if you could have your pick?
Empire Strikes Back poster. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom poster. Captain America poster. ;)
Yes, all three. And when The Avengers comes out I DEFINITELY want that poster. ;)
7. What is a minor thing you’d like to see in your future spouse?
Blue eyes. Not necessary, but I'd LOVE to have a husband with blue eyes. <333 ;)
8. What is your opinion of snakes?
"Snakes...why'd it have to be snakes..." ~Indiana Jones. ;) I have a thing against snakes since having a terrible dream about them when I was little. I also hate them because my mom does. XD
9. What is a pet peeve you've discovered from being on the blogosphere?
When certain bloggers think they're above others because they have a billion followers. Most of my favorite blogs only have about 15-50 followers. ;)
10. If you could dress up–without any difficulty or thought of cost–as any character, who would it be?
OOHH. Real Jedi Robes so I could Cosplay Jedi Mara Jade-Skywalker. I'd also like to do a totally SA (screen accurate...Savanna's brother Chase taught me that term), Rogue Squadron X-Wing Pilot costume, with a personally designed helmet that would be Fanfic Canon. ;)
11. Where would you like to go on vacation this year?
Disney World, Williamsburg Virginia, Orlando/where-i-was-last-weekend, and maybe Illinois, to visit family. Also anywhere my internet besties live. ;D
Now I write my own questions!!!!
What is your favorite time of day?
How many (if any) pets do you have?
What is your favorite subject in school?
Do you have a favorite vegetable?
Star Wars: Original Trilogy or Prequel Trilogy?
Fanfiction: Yes or No?
Do you have multiple blogs, or can you only handle one? ;)
If you had three wishes, what would they be? (no wishing for more wishes!)
Do you have a favorite song? Why do you like it so much?
What is your favorite genre to read/write/watch?
What is one thing you want to do more than anything else in the world?
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