Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you have a great day spending time with your family and friends, eating, opening presents, giving presents, eating more, and watching football (:D)
LOVE TO YOU ALL!!

This is my favorite song this Christmas. Mary did you Know by Rascal Flatts




annddd this song was shown to me by my Bible teacher. It's so bad it's funny. :)

Poem and Elections!

With the elections coming up I thought that I would post my opinion here and include a poem I wrote about abortion. First though, I just want to say that please read this bearing in mind I don't mean to offend anyone by this post and firmly believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and reasons. Ultimately we are all fighting for the same thing...

I am a republican and so naturally go for John McCain, but this year neither of these presidential candidates have impressed me. The reason McCain is ahead in my books though, is because of his fights against abortion.

ABORTION. This subject is very personal to me. I was adopted the day after I was born. I recently asked my mom if she knew my biological mom's opinion on abortion. I learned that she wasn't too keen on it, but was being pressured a lot and if not for her pastor, who came and reeled her in, anything could have happened.

Tick Tock
by Traci

Hurry, the more time it takes
the more guilt I will feel.

Hurry, I don't want it any older!

Hurry, I can't bear to see it,
I would never be able to get through this.

Hurry, I feel like a murderer.

You are one and the same...

Slowdown, it doesn't matter if I'm one day old
or one week in the womb,
you will still be killing me.

Slowdown, I want to live.

Slowdown, if you could just see
how much we need each other.

Mother, you are killing me.
You and only you are my murderer.

2008 Emmys

You have to see this performance by Josh Groban at the Emmys!

In Remembrance..

7 years ago today, 4 planes were hijacked. 2 of them flew in to the World Trade Centers, 1 into the Pentagon, and 1 was crash landed into a field when the passenger fought back.

I believe my mom knew somebody who worked in one of the WTCs that was never found.

My prays go out to every person in this world who was affected by this act.

Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Contest Results

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for participating in my drawing! I'm totally thrilled to be able to give these books out. And, here are the winners!!!

EDGE

BRADY

POLKA DOTTED PICKLES


So, if you three could e-mail your addresses to me at: dramaqueen998@gmail.com, I will have your books sent out to you! ;)

UPCOMING BLOGGING MATERIAL:
1. Starting School
2. Schoolhouse Rock LIVE jr.
3. Moving!!!
4. The TWILIGT SAGA!!

Love to you all!!

Summer Vacation

Everyone has their own definition of home.

'home is where the heart is’
‘home is where your loved ones are’
‘home is where ever you family is’

While all these are true and meaningful I now have my own definition. Home is where you can be yourself. My trip to Idaho was fabulous! I enjoyed every minute of it, except when we left of course.. Thank you to all my friends who fed me, housed me, and took time to see me. I love you all!

Some of my highlights are below:
1. Good “hang” time with my friends

2. M. Night Shyamalan's marathon. Erin and I watched all of his movies (except The Happening, in one week, it was amazing!)

3. Hiking, playing games, and celebrating 4^th of July with great friends

4. Watching Camp Rock (and tearing it apart with Erin).
5. Getting my new computer. Brady had just shown me something so awesome!

6. Visiting with our friends in Seattle

7. Singing and performing with Erin

Random pics from the week:

Happy 4th of July!!

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my family by my side

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

-Lee Greenwood

Painter's Chair Fine Art Gallery

Yesterday, Miss Erin and I visited an art gallery. I usually think looking at art is extremely boring, but this time it was amazing... The artists that stood out the most to us were Manaz, Rob Gonsalves, and Gonzalez. Below are some of my favorite works from the three. To see more go to the gallery's main website here.

Written World by Rob Gonsalves

Open Door by Manaz

A Delightful Evening by Gonzalez

P.S. I am changing my blog URL to www.somethingkind.blogspot.com in the next couple of days...

Happy Birthday to...

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

It is Mr. Webber's 60th birthday today!

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is arguably the most successful composer of our time. He is best known for stage and film adaptations of his musicals Jesus Christ Superstar(1973), Cats (1994), Evita (1996), and The Phantom of the Opera (2004).

Now, the reason I am noting this on my blog, is not because I like the guy. I like his music. I personally think he's kind of creepyish and I have slight problems with some of the music he has written. But, regardless, he is an amazing composer and has written some of my favorite songs.
Here they are below: ENJOY!

Phantom of the Opera

I do have some issues with this song (Jesus Christ Superstar), but my favorite person on Grease: You're the One that I Want sung it, and I thought she did a really good job!

Memory from the musical Cats

FINALLY - THE DAY HAS ARRIVED!

CYBILS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! *screams*

SO, for YA FANTASY/ SCIENCE FICTION:

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

Since I live in the East I had to wait a good amount of time for the final Cybils list to come out. I woke up at about 6:0o (to go to school) and at that time I wasn't thinking about the time so I was VERY disappointed when I realized that I had to wait until later on in the morning to find out the results. So I got to school and during my 4th period (History) my mom came in and gave me "the piece of paper." I opened it up and I must have been babbling and screaming and stuff like that become all my classmates were asking me if I had just gotten accepted to Harvard or something. lol :)

ANYWAYS, I was so so so excited that Book of a Thousand Days won *faints for the 5 millionth time* and literally shocked that The True Meaning of Smekday won. I was really really happy because I loved that book, but I was not expecting it to win...but since it has...SO EXCITED!
To see the rest of the winners go HERE.

Congratulations all authors! Don't books rock? :D

CATS - The Musical

Well, about a week ago yours truly was able to go see an off-broadway production of CATS! I will be turning 16 next week, so my wonderful grandparents treated my mom and I to a special weekend. We went shopping, out to lunch, saw CATs, went out to dinner, and then ended the perfect day at a lovely B and B.

CATS was absolutley amazing. The music, set, props, make up, costumes, songs, dances, actors, actresses, EVERYTHING was eye ball popping. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this musical because it has really no dialogue at all, just dancing and singing, but that was enough!

The feelings I get when I watch or listen to strong plays, emotion withdrawing songs, and tear jerking performers are very overwhelming. I really live and breath all things theater(ok that sounded kind of werid, but I'm stilling saying it).

Here is one of my favorite songs:

Bookstore Fun

A couple of days ago, I went to Borders with my family. My mom had to pick up a CD and so right then and there I decided I was going to buy a book. I didn't know what book, but I was going to get one and bring it home with me. I'm not really used to going into bookstores, since my whole life I lived in a very small town with pretty small bookstores and I usually just purchased from Amazon.com. Anyways, I stepped into this wonderful place and was floored.

"How in the world am I going to pick out one or two books?"
"Impossible!"

So, I found my way to the section of the store that had Young Adult Fiction and Middle Grade Fiction. I didn't even know where to start. I walked up and down the aisles, acting like a 4 year old on Christmas morning.

"I've read that!"
"OH MY GOSH, it's THAT book!"
"Lisa Yee's American Girl Book? No way!"

"I know that author!"
"Oh, I had a great talk with that author a couple of days ago"
"Oh, isn't that that book that Erin said was really good?"

Get the picture? I had to give myself some rules to make the process a little simpler. I will not purchase a book I have read. I will not purchase a book I already own. (Yeah, I like multiple copies) So, I looked and I looked and I finally settled on Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. I've heard loads and loads of stuff about this one. Ok, so after finally finding a book, I had to make another really hard decision. Paperback or Hardcover? *screams* I tend to go towards hardcover books, but for some reason it didn't have the really cool silver Newbery Award sticker that the paperback one did. I chose the paperback.

Wahoo! I finally found one! Yeah me! I was very happy with my prize and went to go brag about it my younger sisters who were in the children's section. Of course, knowing me, I couldn't NOT browse this section. *walking down the row, sees a book, gasp for breath* Its, Its, Its, Sienna Mercer's new third book in her MY TWIN THE VAMPIRE series. I adore this series. It's so cute and just it really really (as vampires say) sucks! I grabbed it off the shelf and claimed it as mine.

Now, I had two beautiful treasures to take home with me and read (after I finished my homework of course......NOT)

Love to you all!

NEWS and lots of it!

1. The Newbery Awards were announced today along with a bunch of other awards!

NEWBERY WINNER:
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz.
Um, never heard of this one. BUT, it is going on my to-read list of 2008!

NEWBERY HONOR BOOKS:
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Ok, so I've heard of this one..that should count for something. ;)

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
YES YES YES!!! I've read this one!!! Very good!

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Sadly, never heard of it.

Caldecott Award
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
*faints* I absolutely love this book! It rocks!

Michael L. Printz Award
Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins
This my friends is also one of the nominee's for Cybils Science Fiction/Fantasy Award for 2007. Very exciting!

2. The Golden Globe Awards were announced yesterday. Last year I had watched a lot of the nominee's but this year, I think I saw one. (heh) Anyways, there were two awards I was really excited about. One of my really good friends saw this movie and absolutely LOVED it. The funny thing is, it is NOT my type of movie. So, when I saw the winners of these awards I thought of her. Go Sweeney Todd!

Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy
Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

AND...the one movie I saw.
Best Animated Film
Ratatouille

3. I would LOVE to tell you all something and I'm just going to come out and just say it. I GOT THE LEAD ROLE IN A PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!! *ahem* This morning at exactly 7: 47ish I found out that I recieved Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. :) *smiles*

happy happy

I really enjoy ice skating! Doing it and watching it. A month ago, I submitted a question to the official skating magazine in a "fan interview" opportunity. IT GOT PICKED! It got published along with about 15 more questions from kids all around the United States. :) This would be my third time being published in one of these magazines!!!

The guy that was being interviewed is named Stephen Carriere. He is 18 and the 2007 World Junior Champion.

Q.What is the most rewarding thing that ice skating has given you?

A. Skating has made me create a good work ethic for anything I do in life. Especially due to the International Judging System, skating allows me to put all of my effort into working on everything I set out do.

*smiles*

Just wanted to say....

GO WISH Miss Erin A HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Love you twin!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Spend lots of time with your families and friends, eat, laugh, sing, dance, and praise the Lord!

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good..." Psalm 100:4

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

"I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy." Anne Frank

P.S. I am seriously considering changing my URL from
this: http://www.my-life-photoblog.blogspot.com/
to this: http://www.somethingkind.blogspot.com/

Just to let you know. ;)

My Trip

My first quarter ended in school and so I decided to go and visit all my friends back home over my two week break! :D I was able to be there for about 10 days and it was so fun! Talking with people I haven't talked with for 3 months, walking in my neighborhood, going to church, chatting at my favorite coffee house, visiting everyone where I used to work, hanging out with my good friends, filming Antigone with even more of my friends, etc.

Ok, so what you have been all waiting for....my adventures on the trip back. Miss Erin's family dropped me off at the airport which was very nice of them. I had a good amount of time to myself so I ate and read! I then read some more once I figured out that my plane was going to be 45 min. late. It was 8:14 p.m. when we finally landed in Chicago(midway) and I had to catch a flight at 8:50. But, when I got there I realized that almost half of the flights were delayed because of the weather, including mine. 4 hours. Departure time: 12:45 a.m.

So, I went and had dinner. Then, stood with a bunch of other sports fanatics and watched the two games that were being displayed on the TV's. A baseball game and a football game. ;) A guy from my flight came up to me and we started chatting. He was very nice and it was nice to have someone to talk with. I went and checked the status of my flight. *ouch* 1:30 departure. Ok, so now what. Lots of people were going to sleep, but I couldn't sleep, too much was happening! I finally sat down and was reading, but it was really loud because a bunch of drunken college kids were wheeling around in wheelchairs flirting and yelling at everyone. Yeah, that was weird. Finally, a lady updated us on our flight. It was coming in early and we could be boarded by 12:30. WAHOO!!! Once we were on the plane, everyone was laughing and joking around. It was late, give us a break. The flight attendants were so tired that they kept on slurring their words on the mike then laughing uncontrollably. Anyways, everyone was ready to go, but for some reason we weren't taking off. Then, these two policemen come on the plane. Uh-Oh. They go to the back of the plane then after a minute or so escort four people off the plane. A flight attendant explains in so many words that they were drunk. I found this funny, because more then half of the people on the plane were intoxicated, but tthe people who were taken out people had not kept their mouths shut and had made a nasty comment to one of the flight attendants. Finally at 1:30, the words that everyone was waiting to hear: "we have been cleared for departure!"

I landed in my home airport around 4:10 and wasn't in my bed until 5:00 a.m. I slept in till about 11:00 a.m. then lazed around and went to a party that night to end my fall break. ;)

Thank you to the family that kept me and fed me and everyone else (you know who you are) who drove me around and did helpful things! Thank you also to all my friends who took time out of their busy lives and spent some time with me! Love you all!!

My 50th Post!

I just wanted to let you all know that this is my 50TH post! *leaps in the air*

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I posted this awhile ago, but nobody commented on it....*sniff* So, I am posting it again hoping that I can get some feedback. :D

My take on the movie. *warning: spoilers*
This movie has been much awaited this year. For some people the movie was very disappointing, for some good, and for some the best ever!

Cons:
1. I finished re-reading the book outside the theater. It was very fresh in my mind and so I noticed almost everything that was left out of the movie. See Bohae's post about this subject here.

2. So many things were happening at once, it was hard for character development and to get attached to anything.


Pros:
1.The added cast members including (in character names): Luna Lovegood, Bellatrix Lestrange, Dolores Umbridge, and Nymphadora Tonks were so fun to watch. I had a blast!

2. At the very end of the movie, Daniel Radcliffe did an exceptional job with the death of his godfather and his temporary possession by Voldemort.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and am looking forward to watching it on DVD once the book is not so vivid in my head. :D

I can't wait for the 7th book to come out, though it will be the end of an amazing and unforgettble series.

Stay tuned for pictures of costumes that my sister, friend, and I wore to the movie. :D

Science Museum- Part 3

The last of the pictures...