Picture of the Week

My sister Amy gave me an amazing cool, red camera for Christmas this year. It's so pretty and I love it so very much! Because of this I have been taking lots of pictures lately. :) Along with Mrs. M and Brady, I will be posting my favorite photo of the week here for your enjoyment.

This week, it is a pumpkin that has my best friend's name on it. I was able to spend the last week with her on a mini Christmas vacation! It was so fun and a GREAT start to the New Year. :D

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...

Book Reviews, Updates, and Happiness

Hi Hi!! Lots has happened this summer! ;) School finished well and I am now free to breath! Also our house in Idaho SOLD!!!!! Thank the Lord for that. We started looking for a house here but we really couldn't find anything. My parents wanted a house that literally backed up to the school and that was pretty much impossible because it's a very popular area. But one day my mom was driving in that neighborhood for the millionth time and there was a beautiful house with a for sale sign in front of it. We made an offer that night and it was ours the next day. The Lord works in mysterious ways. To see more pictures go HERE.

So, since all that happened we are going back to Idaho (YES!) tomorrow for three weeks to visit extremely missed friends and pack up our house. I'm sure we all will have a blast there and then when I get back I get to go to a two week drama camp!!

Hope all is well with everyone....enjoy my books reviews below..

Bringing the Boy Home by N.A. Nelson

Tirio knows that his adopted life in the United States is better, granted that he was cast out of his families’ Takunami tribe at an early age because of a disabled foot. But, that doesn’t stop him from wondering what his life would be like if his father had accepted him and loved him as he was and not shunned him for what he wasn’t.
Luka’s goal in life is to conquer his soche seche tente, a sixth sense test that he does with his never met father. If he succeeds his family will be honored, weddings will happen, and families will be reunited, but if he fails, his tribe will never respect their family again.
These two boys who live in completely different worlds intertwine in and out of each other’s lives in a very exciting and surprising adventure.

Troll Blood by Katherine Langrish

Peer and Hilde find themselves on a ship heading for Vinland. They both want some adventure but when they find out the captain’s real intentions for the trip, they wonder if they will ever get home. In Katherine Langrish’s final novel of her Troll Trilogy all her characters,Viking and Native American history, and legends come alive. Reading the first two books of this trilogy is highly recommended.

sneak peak....

I'm not sure when I will have time to post something about my performances of Twelfth Night last weekend, and so I'm giving you some pictures to hold you all for a while. These are not ordinary pictures, though. One of me as a girl (sticking out my tongue..) and the other two as guys...

"I am not what I am" -Viola/ Cesario

Protocol *or prom* !!!!!!

My school had a protocol dance last friday!! I got all dressed up and put on make up and even did my hair kind of. ;) It was really fun and I danced for three hours straight! I totally love the adrenline dancing gives me; I could literally dance all night long! After the ball, a group of my friends went over to one of the guy's in my class's house. His mom had set up this pancake dinner/midnight snack for us. So we went over to the house, ate, played rock band, and ate some more! It was a lovely time! Here are some pics!

Before I went...

My friends!!
(notice my shoes. Yes they are converses. ;) )
The whole highschool!! *whew*

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

Something you probably don't know about me...

Water. It fascinates me and freaks me out.

Freaks Me Out: I'm not sure why it scares me so much, because I've only had a couple of scary but not dramatic incidents. One of my worst fears is to drown in a car. I pray that it will never happen.

Fascinates Me: Waves. As long as I'm miles away I think they are amazing creations by God.

One of my favorite books of all time is Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. [Disclaimer: this adult book has lots of language, but I went through with a marker and scribbled everything out...;)]

Anyways, it focuses on the lives of a couple of underwater divers. For a living they worked on underwater structures and conducted tours of common underwater wrecks. That was not all they did though. When they had the chance, these men would go looking for undiscovered underwater wrecks. One of the first steps they would take was to find out what the name of the ship they had discovered was, then they would actually swim inside the tight spaces looking for historical artifacts or if they hadn't found the name of the ship, documents or other things that would help them determine the identify of the ship.

This book also had a really interesting twist by taking the reader back to Germany during World War II and introducing us to some of the young men that traveled on a U-boat that mysteriously disappeared and tying that to the lives of some of the present underwater divers.

I know I would never be able to dive down to an underground wreck (you have to be specially trained and everything), but I really enjoy reading about what it takes and how because of what they find we can discover more about the history of the sunken ships and the people on them.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, so Miss Erin said if I write a bookish post (that was so bookish and deep) she would give me permission to post a random animal picture. hehe

SO, what about this one:
Okey-dokey, I challenge Hannah, Rosie, Miss Erin, and Michelle to find something that is prominent in your life that not that many people would know and tell us about it!! (And it has to be something you are willing to share...*smiles*)

Weird, Unique, and Beautiful Pictures

God is Amazing.....

Imperial Moth Caterpillar

Nature

American Crocodile

Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake

Niagra Falls at Night

Gorilla (I love these animals!)

Bowl Game Time!

EAST CAROLINA vs. BOISE STATE BRONCOS
Hawaii Bowl
December 23, 2007
Score: East Carolina 41
Broncos 38

We were able to watch the game at a friend’s house. They had this HUGE theater room set up with a big screen, comfortable chairs, and really cool sound system. The game started. Unfortunately, the Broncos started weak and they didn’t appear very motivated. Their opponents WERE motivated and took advantage of our temporary weakness.

I have to say that it was hard to watch my team get slaughtered. At one point right before half time we were down 23 points. Then our awesome coach decided to call a no huddle. This usually is only called in the last seconds of the game to complete a last effort drive to try and score. Our game was only in the 2nd quarter. Coach Pete needed to do something and that something worked. We scored and from that moment on the game changed. We squashed everything they had and started coming back. Ok, so then (with just minutes left) we were in position to tie up the game, when one of our freshman receivers fumbled the ball. His second time that night. He single handily had ruined the game. I felt so so bad for this guy. It was 2 days till Christmas.....what a burden for him. So anyways I felt absolutely horrible for him and I didn't want the game to end like this. Then out of nowhere Marty Tadman (the biggest Christian in Idaho) jumped up and intercepted the ball and ran it back in one of the most amazing moments of the game and made a touchdown. He then proceeded to go directly to the miserable freshman. It was all good now. Nothing had been lost. We were tied and that was all that mattered.

Sadly, East Carolina kicked a field goal and won the game. I really would have preferred to have us win, but God is in ultimate control and I think it's almost a win-win situation. All the bronco fans were happy that we came back as much as we did and I think that the East Carolina coach knew that if we had gone into overtime with them, the better team would have won. (But of course that is just my personal opinion)

*lifts cup* TO A GREAT BRONCO SEASON!

I would also like to make special note of Georgia whooping Hawaii in their bowl game. That was very well done! (Wouldn’t you say Hannah?)

*photos from Idahostatesman.com*

I'm FREEEEEE

Hi all my friends! I have missed my online community SO much! Today I finished my last finals and I am now completely stress free, I can sleep for a normal amount of time, I can spend time with the people I have neglected, I can read Cybils all day long, I can blog and I can get ready for the Snow Ball my school is having tomorrow! Well, LOTS has happened.

1. I had my opening night and closing night for 'Emma'. It was an amazing experience and I had so much fun. In the past I have had smaller stage roles and more backstage jobs. This time it was all stage! I experienced the feeling of 'being a completely different person'. I think I'm slightly like Harriet Smith, but for some things, I had to get out of my bubble and just do what Harriet would do, not Traci. Another fun part was how much I made the audience laugh. (I didn't think I was that funny) After the performances many people came up to me and said how they loved my facial expressions. (facial expressions?) I really need to see the video of this play, because I'm thinking that I did some things I wasn't aware of. At first I wasn't sure how to take these "facial expressions" comments, but a cherished friend told me that it was a very good thing and I thank her for that!

Emma (cast 1) and our wonderful piano player

Emma (cast 1) and Jane Austen

Me after my last performance

Jane Fairfax (cast 2) and Mrs. Weston

Mr. Elton and Mrs. Elton

Cast 1 from left to right, Harriet(me), Jane Fairfax, Mr. Churchill, Emma, Mr. Elton, Mr. Knightly, Mr. Woodhouse, and Jane Austen.

Cast 1 from left back row, to left front row, Ball Guest, Butler, Ball Guest, Maid, Harriet, Jane Fairfax, Mr. Churchill, Emma, Mr. Elton, Mr. Knightley, Jane Austen, Mrs. Weston, Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Elton, Miss Bates, Maid

Mr. Churchill, Mr. Woodhouse, Harriet, and Maid

Mr. Martin and Harriet

Ben our curtain and scrim guy and his brother Mr. Weston

Miss Bates and Mrs. Bates

Mr. Knightly, Butler, Mr. Churchill

Dancing for the fun of it between performances

Jane Austen

Me before my closing night peformance

All of us after our last performance...look at my face..;)

Jane Fairfax (cast 2), Harriet, Miss Bates, and Emma (cast 1)


Emily (good friend from school)/ Maid and my sister


Moi and Katie (Jane Fairfax, cast 2)

2. I was featured on the Cybils website HERE! *happy happy*

3. The Broncos play this Sunday!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!