Sunday Quote

I haven't had much to say lately, but wanted to post something positive at least. This quote works.  

The Cure for Stress

Yes, I've found my own personal cure for all of the anxiety that is associated with school. All it requires is a little fresh air, and reading. All weekend! 

Friday night I started a book until I fell asleep. The next morning I just picked right up where I left off and read until I was done. I completed the same routine last night into this morning and I feel so much better. Typically on Sunday afternoons I dread having to get up for school the next morning, but right now I'm actually looking forward to going back. 

There is just something about the way a book can suck me in completely and make me forget where I am and get my mind off of everything that is so amazing. I love it! 

So, this weekend I read two books: Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt and My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. Both were great reads. Sometimes It Happens was interesting because of the flashback aspect of it. I always love when new things are revealed through flashbacks that all suddenly connect and make sense. My Life Next Door started to go one way and then suddenly took a turn in a totally unexpected direction. Plot twists are always intriguing. I'd of course like to go into writing about all my thoughts about both books, yet I don't want to give away spoilers. (In case there are, in fact, people who read my blog and would potentially read one of these books). 

Reading non stop was definitely a much needed stress reliever. Then there was the spending time outside part of my weekend. I love the transition from summer into fall and how cool the nights become. From four o'clock on is my favorite time to be outside during this seasonal transition. 

Now I'm ready to get up for school tomorrow morning without a negative attitude. Then hopefully keep up the same way of thinking for the rest of the week.  

I am a Journal...Metaphorically Speaking

Tomorrow I have to give one of the first speeches of the year in my Intro to Speech class. And I'm super nervous about it. I just practiced my speech again and I get even more anxious after each time because it has to be between 2-4 minutes and my time changes each time I practice. I won't have a timer in front of me so I won't be able to know if I need to talk a little faster in order to wrap up or to talk slower to save time. I'm also giving this speech first class of the morning too, by the way. 

I put a lot of effort into planning this speech and I am actually pretty happy with how the wording came out. I thought that it'd be perfect to share on my blog as well. The assignment is to give a speech about an object that possesses qualities that I have (so basically creating a metaphor). Here is my speech written out:

This journal and I possess similar qualities. On the outside this journal is protected by a thick binding and a cover to guard whatever is inside. The content is private and meant to be kept there without other people seeing what is written. Much like all of my thoughts and innermost feelings. A thick band clutches this journal shut, just like I keep much of what I feel inside to myself and hidden away from others.

My own life story is still in the process of being written. Each day is a brand new page anticipating all the new experiences. Anything could happen, so anything could be carefully printed on each line, or absentmindedly scribbled across the pages. Doodles stumble around the margins in places where I can’t remember what to say.  This journal is capable of accepting whatever information is presented to it, without any judgment. It just takes everything in silently and holds onto it. Secrets are safe inside of the journal. Secrets are also safe when they are shared with me.

 New information is added to the journal every day. New reasons to laugh, new reasons to cry, new reasons to feel like everything is falling apart, and then there is even enough room for everything to be okay again. Just like with me, and everything that happens in my life.  

So, yes, I am a journal in a metaphorical sense. It fits since I'm a writer. 

I'm going to practice more. And more after that too. Wish me luck! 

Better Late than Never

I figured that since I finally have a bit of free time I would post a few things. I'd like to keep up with posting on my blog frequently, but I don't know if I'll have a ton of time during school with all my homework. 

This poem was one that I wrote at camp and submitted to an online magazine publication, but it wasn't accepted. I didn't post it before because some companies don't accept writing that was already published somewhere and blog posts count as publication I guess. So here is my poem that would have perfectly worked right after I got back from camp, but better late than never I suppose! 
                                                 ~~~~

Letting Go

I arrived that day carrying a heavy load on my shoulders
about to crumble underneath the weight.
Stale air clung to the inside of my lungs
making it hard to catch my breath.

As days went by bits and pieces
were chipped away.
Each chunk fell to the floor and got kicked under the bed
or left at the river to swing from a rope.

Campfires melted away more portions,
laughter replaced uncertainty,
cool nights quenched the sweltering heat.
My lungs were cleansed with fresh air.

Once the final day came around
I was set free from the burdens,
all the worries had vanished.
What I carried along then was a new experience
full of memorable moments.

Back to School

I just finished my first week back at school. I can honestly say that it's nothing like I expected it to be. I thought that since it was Senior year that it wouldn't be as difficult and stressful as previous years. I thought completely wrong. It probably has something to do with the amount of college classes I'm taking in order to earn college credit before I actually go to college. At first I was kicking myself for taking such time consuming classes, but I realize that it's just preparing me for college. Classes won't be simple like normal high school classes are. Even though I may hate myself right now for taking AP classes and college level classes, it will all be beneficial in the end. It's still early in the year. Once I become accustomed to the routine of classes it will get better. I'm trying to stay as positive as possible because it helps to get rid of at least some of the stress. Plus I don't want to suffer through negativity this year. It's my last year of high school and I'd rather it be positive. 

Creative Recycling

I have a ton of Seventeen magazines lying around that I wasn't reading. I was going to recycle them, but I felt like doing something creative instead of simply putting them in the recycling bin. I did some searching and found instructions on how to make recycled magazine wrapped bangles that are awesome! The idea came from this cool blog here. 

I cut up strips of magazine that were long enough to be wrapped around the bangle. The height of this one is 2.1 cm and has a 6.6 cm inner diameter. I found these particular bangles here. 

I put Mod Podge on the bracelet using a paintbrush and then wrapped each strip around it. (I found that putting extra Mod Podge over each strip made it stay in place and not curl up as I was working on it.) Once I had the whole bracelet completely wrapped, I covered the whole surface with Mod Podge and let it dry. 

And here is the finished product. It's recycled, unique, and totally cool! 

Quotes from Tea

I was drinking tea earlier and felt like this should be posted here. It's one of those quotes that just stands out and makes you think about it a lot. 

"Goodness should become human nature, because it is real in nature."