I'm Alive!!

Contrary to popular belief, I have NOT dropped off the face of the earth! After Christmas, life just picked up like a snowball rolling down a hill and I haven't been had much time to just sit down and write something interesting :P Of course, who says ANYTHING I write is interesting, right? I write for the pleasure of writing...and since there's a crazy snowstorm raging outside, I figured it was a good time to just give this blog another shot :)

Hmmm...I feel like a should do an update on what's been going on, but to be honest, I've been living in such a whirlwind that I don't even know where to start! Well..in a nutshell, I've been working, schooling, planning, cleaning, and trying to just keep my head above water with all this homework that I have! I'm taking psychology this semester, and I'm not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. It's hard stuff, that's for sure, and it doesn't help that I have a crackpot teacher. He's great, but he's a crackpot :P What else could one expect from a psych teacher, though, yeah?

Anyways, psych homework is pretty demanding, but not NEARLY as demanding as my piano homework! Oh. My. Gosh. If you guys could just SEE the pieces that I'm supposed to be learning :S It might not seem difficult for some people, but my professor is pushing me to cultivate skills that I had NO idea even existed in  me! Let's just say...three hours a day of practice is the minimum for learning these songs. Yeah, it's a lot, but I really don't mind that much. Music is like therapy for me, so it's kind of what's been keeping me going...and I'm good with that :)

Also along the lines of piano, I'm tutoring beginner piano and I'm LOVING it!! Seriously...it's like a dream come true. I've always thought teaching music would be great, and it's just as awesome as I always imagined it would be! I love all my students, even though some of them are just dummies :S It's been soooo great! I've actually been looking for different paths to go down in music, and I've been having a hard time choosing which one. I had three options...Music 1) performance  2) education  3) therapy. I started out wanting to do performance, but it switched to education, and even more recently, I've decided that I would love to get into music therapy. Honestly...look it up. It's a fantastic field and...

well...

let's not get me started. I get really fired up about music nowadays. The lack of respect for music is very frustrating for me...to see young people throw their lives down the drain, and a lot of it has to do with the kind of music they're listening to! I'm soooo thankful that my mom brought me up on a WIDE range of music..including classical. It's saved my life :) THANKS MOM!! <3

I suppose the most life changing thing that's happened in my life lately is the fact that my birth father came home from Italy a few weeks ago. I haven't seen him in 15, and all of a sudden, he's living 15 minutes away from me. I'm dong ok, though, surprisingly. I thought I'd be much more shaken up over it, but I'm good...it's all good. I haven't met him yet, and I'm not sure I'm ready to. Of course, my grampa talks to him every day, and he's constantly getting updates on EVERYTHING that I'm doing! Kinda weird :S

We've had minimal contact, actually, and for now, I'm completely ok with that. I don't mind talking about it, but I'm really not ready to face the guy that abandoned me and my mom and my sister 15 years ago...it's just...not cool. However, there is some curiosity...there's another artist in the house now, and now I'm more inspired than ever to start getting better at drawing and stuff. The other day he was downstairs with my grampa, and I guess they were talking about my drawings. My grampa came upstairs and brought down my most recent one, and they chatted about it. Just today, I was downstairs in the basement and I happened to look over at his desk where all his art stuff is set up. On the table, he'd written, "study anatomy" in pencil. I had the feeling that he'd left the note for me, so I wrote on a piece of paper, "okey dokey :)" and left it for him to see next time he's here.

Was all that information necessary? Of course not. You don't care. But it's actually good for me to actually be talking about it. My struggle in life has always been bottling in my feelings and thoughts. In the long run, it's proved to be dangerous and not good for me. As an artsy person, I have a lot of feelings and emotions that I need to deal with. I can't help it. I've never been good at dealing with them, but I'm making an effort to get in tune with them now and deal with them in a good way. Writing (however bad it is :S ) is a good way, along with music, drawing, and making strange crafts :P

Anyways...it's pretty late now, and I have work tomorrow. I'm going to try and keep up with this more now...we'll see what happens :P

Peace out, babies!!

Long Time, No See!

I know, I know...I didn't keep up with my 25 days of December thing :/ But that's ok! The whole point of the activities was to keep me busy during the month of December, and it turns out...I was busy anyways! I hope everyone had a really fun Christmas and New Years. I sure did :)

I wish I could describe how amazing my Christmas actually was, but there aren't actually words that would do it justice! Let's just say, I got exactly what I wanted this year...to spend the day with my family :) I got to spend Christmas Eve with them too! I slept over and ohhhh what a night! Lol...sleepovers are NEVER boring in my family, and my sisters amaze me sometimes with the tricks they have up their sleeves. *Note to self* Always be prepared for craziness when I sleep over my fams house ;) You guys SERIOUSLY have no idea :P

New Years was a little different for me this year. I didn't have any plans, so I was kinda just counting on hanging out at home until midnight and going to bed...but then I randomly decided that I wanted to go to NYC! So right after work on New Years Eve, I jumped on a train to Boston, then got on a bus to NYC and met my boyfriend at Madison Square Garden right after midnight. Yes, I was alone on the bus at midnight...kinda disappointing :/ But hey...me and Chris made up for it when we went adventuring in Times Square a couple days later! I'm telling you people...New York City is MINE!! I feel soooo at home while I'm there...like I actually belong there! It's a wonderful feeling :)

We only had a day to spend there, so we really only scratched the surface, but that's TOTALLY ok with me! It just gives me yet another reason to go back :D While I was there, Chris took me out to the Cheescake Factory...which I'd never been to before!! And it was DELISH!! There were sooooo many options for cheesecake too...I was like, "holy moley." We decided pretty quick on the oreo one though :P That's kind of a no brainer :P

Well, I could go on and on about my Christmas/New Years adventures, but I don't want to put you all to sleep. Just wanted to let you know that I'm still trying to keep up with this blog...*key word* TRYING! Lol...school doesn't start until the 23rd for me, so I've got a couple more weeks to keep myself entertained :) This next semester is going to be CRAZY, I know it :S Between classes, tutoring, and work, I'm going to be practically DEAD by the time Spring rolls around! Oh well...better busy than bored, right??

Ciao, peeps!

December 14 :)

I won't write that much tonight because frankly...I'm too tired and sad to write much :/ I'm sure everyone heard about the tragedy that happened today in Connecticut. I can't hold back tears as I think about all the lives that were lost today...especially the little ones. It tears my heart apart to think of all the potential that was taken away from our world. They had so much ahead of them. They'll never have another birthday, a high school graduation, a marriage, or any children of their own. Children have the potential to change the world. That chance was taken away from these poor babies.

I know hating is wrong, but I'm having a really difficult time not hating the man that killed those kids today. I almost wished he hadn't died so that he would have to live with the guilt that would burn inside his soul for the rest of his pitiful life.

It's not fair.

Anyways...I can't go on about it...I can only pray for the families of the babies. I can't even imagine how it must feel. I think about all my littler brothers and sisters and how it would feel to have them ripped away from me in such a fashion. God help them...

Real quick, here's today's activity...

December 14: Pop popcorn and string it

The picture is terrible, but I'm too lazy and tired to take another one :S I didn't make popcorn, but I strung the little cotton balls around my paper lantern in my living room and hung some Christmas lights! It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself :)

Well, off to bed, peeps. I'm sooo tired, and I have a lot of homework and studying to do tomorrow. I'm telling you...this week has been soooo tough...but I swear I'm going to finish this semester strong if it's the last thing I do!

December 12 and 13 :(

The title has a frowny face next to it because, unfortunately, I failed to get both 12 and 13 done D: I have an excuse, though! And I think it's a pretty darn good one :P

Well...yesterday I literally woke up feeling like death. I swear a thorn bush was growing in my throat and the river Thames was dammed up behind my eyes. It was terrible! I haven't had a cold this bad in a really long time, but I had to go to work and everything...all sick :( On top of that, I had finals in piano today, and I spent most of the day trying to drink water and study.

Today I got up early to get ready for finals and ended up getting there about 3 hours early. So I practiced for a while. My professor was supposed to be there at 11:30, but because of a 5 car accident on 293, she got there an hour late! Poor thing :( Her mom just went into the hospital yesterday because of a heart attack...so pray for her. She's in her 80's and she's had heart conditions before...but hopefully she'll recover soon <3

Anyways...my 1 o'clock final ended up being around 3:30...and then I had to catch the bus home from there...which got to downtown around 4:15ish. Then I had to walk home from downtown..in the dark..in freaky deaky Haverhill! Not an ideal way to spend my day, but hey! Finals are done, I was accepted to my tutoring position, and I passed with an A in my class :) I'm starting to learn to look at the silver linings in every situation now!

Annnnd...more good stuff happened when I got home! I got my long awaited Moulin Rouge poster in the mail!! Oh my gosh, I FREAKED OUT!! I put it up on the wall right across from my bed so I can stare at it...see??

Isn't it just AMAZING?!?!? It looks small in the picture, but it's actually really big! I'm pretty sure it's bigger than all my Avengers and Justice League posters! Oh my gosh...it's just amazing! 

OH!! AND EVEN MORE HAPPY STUFF HAPPENED!! Guess what??? I GOT A CHRISTMAS CARD!!!! I'M SO OVERJOYED!! I know it sounds ridiculous, but one of my favorite parts of Christmas is the Christmas cards! I got one from a family at church and it really, REALLY made me happy :D

Anyways...that's it for all the good stuff that happened today :P Now on to the bad stuff! Well, I won't go into all of it, because thinking on "down" stuff never leads to an "up" attitude. But let's just say that I have to go write six 2-page responses, a 6 page essay, and the essay response for my Lit final on Tuesday. Ugh...it's going to be a loooong night! But that's ok, cuz when I get discouraged, I can just look up at my Moulin Rouge poster and it'll recharge my energy :) 

I'm going to try and jump back into the activities tomorrow. December 14th is pop popcorn and string it...then hang it somewhere in your house. It's iffy whether or not I'll be able to make popcorn successfully, so I have a backup plan :P I got cotton balls if the corn doesn't work out...so we'll see! 

Well, gotta hit the books! G'night, babes!

*BUT WAIT! THER'E'S MORE!*

I forgot to fill in the latest traditions! A few more people have added to my facebook question so here are their answers!

Aunt Deb - "Spending the day in our pjs"

Yes yes yes!! Definitely one of the best parts of the day! Who doesn't love a day when you can wear your pjs?? A rare occasion, and oh, so awesome! :)

Mrs. Skinner - "Presents...the thoughts about what to get different people, actually buying the stuff, and then seeing them happy when they get it. I think I do like giving more than getting, although, if I get forgotten, I feel a little bad. Another thing for me is the music about Jesus. As we live all year in the Gospel, it's nice to remember it's start at Christmas time."

You really hit the nail on the head for me with both of these! First of all the present thing! What you said really reminded me of the seven love languages thing and how important it is to know what they are. I remember a while ago we talked about this together, and you shared a story with me about how someone had given you a gift, but the way it was given didn't show a lot of love/care. I know it means a lot to you to be thought of when it comes to gifts, and I really admire the fact that you actually know what your love language is! Christmas is a great time to year to respond to people's love languages, and I'm glad you reminded me of that :) As for the music??...

AAAAAAAMEN!!

Christmas music is literally the best music in the world and I just love love love everything about it! Now that you're reminding me of music, I'm going to put a song on here. It's a Christmas song that Kalen showed me a while and the words are just...soooo powerful! They make me tear up every time :') I hope you enjoy it!

Isn't that just amazing?? Those words...wow...

Aunt Kathy - "Going to friends on Christmas Eve for an Italian seafood feast! Then coming home and sending the kids to bed so we can put the presents under the tree! And let's not forget about putting cookies and milk out for Santa!"

That sounds sooooo yummy!!! Italian seafood??? Yuuum :D Gotta love the food! And I remember as a kid being almost excited to go to bed on Christmas Eve night because Mom and Dad would put all the presents under the tree :) And they always did such a fantabulous job of it :D They made them look so nice! Lol..this year, I'm definitely leaving cookies out for Santa! Maybe he'll get me a new phone for Christmas :P But hey...if he doesn't like my cookies, maybe he'll just give them to the reindeer! It's the thought that counts, right?? ;D

December 11 :)

Ok, I know I'm one day behind in posting this, but I SWEAR that I actually completed the activity on the 11th! It just takes forever for my computer to upload movies onto youtube!

I'm pretty sure the movie says it all, so I won't go on and on :P But please excuse my messy hair..I was sooo tired last night, and I didn't take the time to make it look nicer :P Oh well!

December 11: Tell your favorite holiday story

I know, I know...I cheated a little bit...but hey, at least I did something! Thanks to everyone who helped me out last night :P I know it was super last minute, but I got a whole bunch of answers, so thanks :) And Aunt Deb added hers this morning and I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT! One of her favorite holiday traditions is wearing her pjs alllll day! I totally agree...soooo awesome!!

A few minutes later

Ok...I just died laughing because I rewatched my movie and I have to explain something. For some odd reason, I was going on and on about my actor crushes...I blame it on the tiredness :P But I feel guilty because I said being very attractive is "very important." Lololol...I didn't mean it the way it sounds! Good looks are not the most important thing to me, I swear. I just had to explain myself :P

December 10 :)

Can you guys believe it?? There are only 15 more days until Christmas!! I'm halfway between wanting it to come (because I love it) and wanting it to be further away (because i don't want it to be over). What a predicament :S

Anyways...I'm actually anxious to get this post over with because....guess what came in the mail today??

AHHHHH!!! I'M DYING!! I have to admit...I'm a hopeless Percy Jackson addict now :S Oh my gosh, I LOVE HIM!! And when I say "him" I don't just mean Percy Jackson, I also mean Logan Lerman!! That dude... THAT...DUDE!! Hottest kid on the planet, I'm telling you. HAWT BABYY!!

Anyways...before I humiliate myself further, on to today's activity :)

December 10: Toast Marshmallows

Lol..I'm pretty sure if you'd watched me doing this tonight, you would have laughed your head off :P Because it was pretty much a disaster! First, I didn't have marshmallows...so I had to go out to the store to get them. Then I didn't have a stick. I guess I could have gone outside to get one, but it was 11 o'clock at night, and I didn't feel like it :P Soooo...I used a colored pencil :P I'm pretty sure that was a REALLY unhealthy choice, but hey...I'm not dead yet, right??

I forgot how much I loved toasted marshmallows, actually! It lit on fire a few times, but I blew it out before it got out of hand, and the end result was pretty good :) Ya know when you toast the outside and then you pull it off, and the gooey inside is still on the stick?? That's what happened...and it was beautiful <3 I've gotta do this more often!!

Well, I've gotta go to bed! In other words, I need to sit in bed and read all my Percy Jackson books :P Don't forget about tomorrow's activity! Tell your favorite holiday story :) I have to admit, I don't really know which one I'm going to do yet :S There are so many good stories, but I'm not sure how I want to tell them. I might not end up recording myself...they were better in real life, so repeating them might not to them justice, but I'll definitely do my best! G'night, peeps!

December 9 :)

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ACTUALLY KEEPING UP WITH THIS BLOG!! Lol...it makes me so happy :) I feel like I'm finally sticking to something!

Anyways..random happy moment right there :P Today was actually a great day! Got up and went to church...something I haven't done in a while because I've had work the past few Sundays :/ I was actually supposed to work yesterday, but someone took my hours for me so I could go to the piano concert I went to tonight! My professor (the one I gave my gift to a few days ago) has a conservatory in Topsfield, so I went and saw their Christmas concert with a friend from class. There was a party afterwards, but my friend didn't want to stay, so we left early :/ Yeah, I was bummed...REALLY bummed. But ya know what, you can't have everything, right?? Life goes on...

This is an absolutely TERRIBLE picture

of me in the car on the way :P I thought it was 

kinda querky and weird...and that's me!

The concert was AMAZING and it always surprises me how much she can do with her students! She's literally the best professor in the whole world...and I LOVE her! 

But now onto today's activities :)

December 9: Make paper snowflakes and hang them somewhere in your house

I have to admit, I thought making paper snowflakes was going to be easy...it wasn't :S At least, not for me! I don't know what I was doing wrong, but seriously...these were the hardest things in the world to make!! How does everyone else in the world make them?? I must have taken the hard route :P But here they are!! I didn't have time to iron them flat, so they're kinda sticky-outy, but that's ok :) I hung them in my window in my living room so the neighbors can see them too :)

Well......I think that's it for tonight! I have work tomorrow, so I'd better sleep. Yeah, sleep is good, I guess :P Tomorrow's activity is toasting marshmallows! I'm gonna have a hard time with that, because I don't have access to a fire or anything. I'll probably just toast some over my gas stove :P Can't go wrong with that, right?? Lol...

I have TONS of homework to get done tomorrow!! Ughhhh...but hey....the more I study, the better my grades are! I already have an A in my piano class, I know that. But when it comes to Literature, I'm a little more nervous. My average is an A, but if I want to keep that, I have to STUDY MY EYEBALLS OUT! I'm sure all you other college students know what I'm talking about :) G'night, peeps!