Friday, December 30, 2011

Back to the Start

2011... an interesting year, should I say? A lot of firsts for me.. hmm, let's see...

First year of Fine Arts.
First time being in a band and actually getting to do lead vocals on April 17th.
First time going to National Fine Arts as the harmony vocalist.
First year in public school, leaving homeschool.
First year as a teenager.
First year playing bass.
First year reviewing books.
First year (in a long time) that I've finished a book in less than a week, thanks to Sara Shepard and her books "The Lying Game" and "Never Have I Ever".

It was a year of "firsts". But, 2012 is coming... with even more firsts, and a lot of seconds. I will repeat all (hopefully that will include nationals--- 2012 we're going to Louisville!!!) things. 2012.... I'm going back to the start.


It's a new day. A new month. A new year. A second chance to show everyone what I've wanted to, and don't worry I'm not a serial killer. A second chance to change everything that went wrong. And don't be nervous about that Chipotle video... I still eat meat... poultry, specifically.


Dear 2011,

"Nobody said it was easy. It's such a shame for us to part. Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it'd be so hard. I'm going back to the start."
-"The Scientist", originally by Coldplay

I am going to live 2012 like it is my last. Because you never know what will be...

Best Tele of 2011

This year was just epic, television-wise. As you see, I don't say "TV" anymore, I prefer "Tele." It's what the British say, as I am obsessed with London now. Not that it wasn't already obvious... I am a Doctor Who complete nerd, my favourite (I write "favourite" instead of "favorite" now because that's what the British do!) channel is BBC America, and my favorite Coldplay song is "Cemeteries of London". And, I don't say "Cem-e-tery" anymore, I pronounce it "cem-e-try"... it's what the British do!

So, here are the world's best shows up for voting... choose wisely... very wisely. If I don't get enough votes, someone is gonna get sent to THE DOCTOR'S office... no pun intended. Anyway...

"Doctor Who." Ah, who doesn't love the Doctor? When I saw my first episode, I admit to being freaked out. So, never let your first episode have The Silents in it, okay?

The first video shows the entire life of "Doctor Who", from its beginning in 1963, up to where David Tennant (2005-2009 or something like that) regenerates into Matt Smith (2009-present). It is very emotional for me when Davy (my nickname for the Tennant) regenerates, knowing how much he doesn't want to and even this girl who didn't like Tennant by any means really loves him when he regenerates. It almost makes me... miss him. But he's moved on to great roles, trust me. And if Matt Smith regenerates---something I rarely like to talk about---even if he moves on to better roles, he will always be known as the guy who played The Doctor.

The second video... I'm really embarrassed that I posted it. But whatever. I bought that song on iTunes because it's so catchy! And I know I'm a half-geek. I'm not a full-on nerd because I'm not good at math or science... BUT! I am doing really good in math right now! What I mean by really good is C. But still. It's a high enough C to get me through the next two weeks of the quarter and the test we took before break just might have raised my grade to a B! So yeah. My goal for the test was to get a C, which still means I'd have to revise. But I think I did pretty good, I might not have to revise. I probably do, but there's still hope!

The third video was a preview for the season premiere. That episode... I didn't like it at first because Amy and Rory (they're in the beginnning of the second video, standing next to Matt Smith) werent in it, but then I started to adjust and was like, "They're not in it? Whatever. The Doctor didn't die, so be happy." And then... THEY APPEARED AT THE END! I was so happy! And I love how they're like,

"Come on in, blah blah blah..."
The Doctor: "Uh, I should probably get going."
Amy and Rory: "But we have a place set for you."
The Doctor: "Why would you set a place for me if you didn't even know I was gonna come?"
Amy: "Because you always do!"
Rory: "Come on."
The Doctor: *Stands by himself for a long time and then suddenly realizes a tear just fell down his cheek. Becuase he's not human, he doesn't know he can cry. Like when this lady and her kids were crying a couple minutes ago in the episode, he was like, "Happy crying. Humany woomeny." And then he realizes he's crying and I'm just like "AWWWWWWHHHHHH!!!! THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!"*

"Switched at Birth." It comes back on American tele (sorry I failed you guys... this show isn't British:*( ) January 3rd! From seeing the trailers, you might be like, "oh my gosh, Hope... that show is too dramatic." But that's what I love! I am a huge drama queen, but not in a "she thinks she's hot" kind of way. I just like to exaggerate things. So this show? Awesome. One problem, though, honey.

You stole my idea. I wrote a story (finally finished it!) called "Unspoken" about a deaf girl and a mute guy. Just when I was about to make some changes and make the guy deaf instead, this came along. I did post a lot about that book... ABC Family, did you have somebody checking my blog? If so, I'm contacting Judge Judy! Then again, you did add in kids being switched at birth and more drama than I did, so we're cool.

"The Walking Dead." This show is... kinda gory... doubt anyone will vote for it. And it's not British, by the way. But I like it. It's coming back on in February. I love that all my shows are coming back on one after another... "Doctor Who" came on Christmas day... that's December, in case you don't know. "Switched at Birth" comes on in January. "Walking Dead" comes on in February. Yay.

"The Lying Game". I haven't seen that show in awhile. It came on right after I got back from Phoenix... just to find out the setting was in Phoenix! In the books it's Tucson, though. I love the books. I have "The Lying Game" and got "Never Have I Ever" for Christmas. The next book, "Two Truths and a Lie", is coming out on my mom's birthday--- February 7th! I watched all the episodes up until school started, which means I only saw like four episodes. When school started I didn't have time to watch it anymore, especially because the show comes on Mondays. I tried recording it but my dad kept deleting it. This time though... oh yeah, I'm going back to the start (winkwink, my next post says something like that). I'm going back and watching all the episodes. And while doing so, I'm gonna re-read the books. Nobody said it was easy... no one ever said it would be this fun!

REMEMBER TO VOTE!!!!!

P.S. "Lying Game" is not British, either.
P.P.S. And I'm not British.
P.P.P.S. I'm black.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thirteen Outstanding Blog Posts of 2011

Ah... how was your Christmas? Mine rocked! And yes, I mean ROCKed... my Christmases are always music filled, aren't they? So, I spent almost all of my $25 iTunes gift card in a good twenty minutes despite how freakin' slow iTunes is, and saved about three dollars to buy my Fine Arts performance track, plus two more songs just for the pleasure of buying two more:). So, that money went by fast, just like the year in itself. Then, my not-so-middle-class uncle gave me A LOT of money, as usual (I feel so rich right now... maybe I'll be snobby if I decide to be), and I don't know what to do with it. Then my aunt who is also quite well-off gave me $20, and my grandma got me a $50 gift card to Target, and someone else gave me a $25 one to the same store... I'm rolling in cash! So I might save for an electric guitar... or another iTunes card. Then my parents got me the book I asked for, "Never Have I Ever" by Sara Shepard. I started reading it two days ago and finished it last night. It sooooo good, and I think I know who Sutton's killer is. My parents also got me a music thingy with a treble clef on it and something else music related... yeah...

SO! It's been a great year, hasn't it? I think great years should have great endings. So, after seeing Mrs. Jenilee's blog post about her favourite posts from 2011, I decided to do the same--- relating to my blog(s), though! And wow... I really like the posts I made this year. Once again, I've written over 200 posts! In my blog's nearly three years of being around, more than 500 posts have been published! Yipee!

So, since I turned thirteen this year, here are thirteen of twenty-eleven's best blog posts!

1. "You Know... It's Called... GENETICS!" - a silly post about what we learned in science class one day.

2. "This is Goodbye" - a sad poem I wrote about... I don't really know, it was for Language Arts class one morning. I guess it's about a breakup, not like it was written from experience.

3. "Yellow Sun" - a poem about grace and love

4. "From the 105th Floor" - a short poem in honor of the attacks on September 11th, 2001 with a follow-up short story (that wasn't very good...), "The Terror Inside."

5. "Phoenix Days Are Held in a Photograph" - a post full of photographs (includes a pic of me!) from when I went to Phoenix for National Fine Arts with our group's band, plus Drew and Lauren who went for the missions thingy and Drew made it to Nationals for photography, Lauren for poetry (I was the harmony vocalist in the band). Also, this post includes a picture of my obsession--- Church's Chicken!!! And there's a lyric post for "Excuses" by Deas Vail, the song our band got second place in Ohio for.

6. "Relient K is for KaraoKe!" - a post about Relient K's cover album that came out in June. Now they have Part 2 of the EP out!

7. "Mono Vs. Stereo" - a post about the difference between mono and stereo, for people who want to learn more about music that don't already know too much about it.

8. "Hallelujah! Arizona, BABY!" - a post I wrote in joy from reaching Nationals in band.

9.  "I Will Never Say Never" - a post about believing (or Belieb-ing) in yourself even when you have to sing in front of everyone you've ever known.

10. "Meet a Young Author" - my very first interview with a published author, Victoria Kasten. I heard her speak at the 2011 Homeschool Convention and found her at her booth. I asked her if she had any time for a few questions, and she politely obliged! She was very comfortable and open to answering the questions of a twelve-year-old.

11. "Meet a Meteorologist" - my very first interview with a meteorologist who works for local tele (British people say "tele" instead of "TV", so I say "Tele" now) broadcasting in Dayton, Ohio--- Jeffrey Booth. I e-mailed him and didn't think he'd reply, but... surprisingly, he did. I said I only had a few questions for him, but it ended up being quite a few. And, I even got him to visit this blog to see the interview!

12. "Shake, Shake, Shake; Senora!" - A post about "Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte, and other oldies.

13. And then... "The Baby of Shame" . I tried to go in order by month from most recent to least recent, but this one's from October. It's classic. Once you've seen the baby of shame... you can't unsee it.

Those are thirteen of my favorite posts!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Best Mainstream Song of 2011

I hope your Christmas ROCKed. So, here's a couple rock songs (and a few pop) to vote for!

"The Story of Us" by Taylor Swift... catchy song, eh? Now, please don't hate on me when I say I love country music. I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC! It's amazing! I love Tay Tay (T Swift)'s voice especially. It's kinda little-kiddy, like mine. So, to those that have heard her new song "Safe & Sound" for "The Hunger Games"??? You know that song keeps replaying on my iPod, which has to get fixed. But I love that song. I think The Civil Wars and Taylor Swift should like, band together or something, because they sound really good together in that song. REALLY GOOD.

"Take My Hand" by The Cab. I bought this song on iTunes and was greatly disappointed. It sounds nothing like this. The tempo is slightly different which is fine, but the guitar is distorted and TOO LOUD. However, the vocals are nice. Like in the iTunes version of this, after it says "Down to this place that I know..." it repeats "Place that I know!" and I love that part. However, in the verses they have some robotic BGVs that kinda ruin it for me. But I love the synth in the iTunes version. Overall, I like this version better, so that's why you're seeing pictures of Megan and Liz.

"Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. Honestly? The covers of this are better than the original, in my opinion. I bought Cimorelli's version (I like their live version better... the studio version overuses auto-tune) and I love Boyce Avenue's version... did I tell you I'm seeing them live in March if I get my way (which I probably won't)? But the song has just such a powerful message and that's all that matters to me.

"Oh, Imagine That"! by Max and Simon. This duo has really had a good year. First, they had a song featured in Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis' new movie's soundtrack. Then, this song was featured on JCPenney's back-to-school commercial. So you thought you've heard this song before? Now you know how! And, it's living happiness in a song... who wouldn't like it? "Imagine that, imagine back. Imagine this, imagine that. Imagine that. OH! Imagine that!"

"Bleed" by Hot Chelle Rae. I love 1:21 through to 1:34. This band has skyrocketed also, and this song is waaaaaaay better than the famed "Tonight, Tonight". I remember when I was practically the only one of all my friends that had heard "Tonight, Tonight" and then all of a sudden, EVERYBODY knows that song! And I heard them play it live... um... no comment. But this song is amazing. I'll never be sick of it.

"Far Away" by Tyga and Chris Richardson. It's one of those songs you know you have to buy from the second you hear "Walk a thousand miles... just to see her, see her, but she's FAR FAR AWAAAAAY!!!" It's just such a sad song!!! You know "The Scientist" by Coldplay? Well yeah, I hate that song, but the music videos have the same thing. In "The Scientist" the girl dies in a car crash. In "Far Away" the girl dies in a car crash as well but I think her death was much, much worse... she was hit by a semi truck and that was right after she got in a HUGE fight with the guy. Sucks for him, eh???

"Fixed at Zero" by VersaEmerge. Sierra's voice haunts me when she says "There's a vulture on my shoulder..." And now I think my favorite animal is a vulture, all because of this song. Creepy stuff, I know. Like, I was watching this stupid movie and these guys were riding motorcycles in the hot Nevada desert. Their bikes all happened to break down because they were too stupid to stop for gas and didn't realize the sign by the gas station said "No gas for 200 miles". So they're like, crying as they're walking with their bikes and this vulture appears out of nowhere (me and Faith were singing this song) and they're just like, "You get the heck outta here!" That was a really stupid movie... I need to find out the name of it... in fact, I think it was actually a series, LoL!

REMEMBER TO VOTE. SERIOUSLY.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!!!

It's Christmas day! Yay! I am having a great Christmas! It's so much better than last Christmas. It still feels like a normal day because snow just doesn't wanna fall on the Miami Valley this year, does it? We haven't had a white Christmas since that ginormous storm back in like, '04 or something. So I don't even dream of white Christmases anymore, because I know that in Dayton, Ohio; they just don't happen.

I got an iTunes card as my favorite gift this year. (and a new computer for the whole family--- you know what that means? No more Microsoft Word 2001 {or something like that}--- We're updating!!!) I downloaded eighteen songs and still have $5.47 left... hmm what should I buy? I know I have to keep at least one dollar so I can buy my "Behind the Scenes" (Francesca Battistelli) performance track for Fine Arts.

So, the first thing I did was buy "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay. This song is just so true. Like:

"When you're still waiting for the snow to fall, it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all."

In Dayton, it never feels like Christmas!!!!! Which is weird, I mean, HELLO, I live in a pretty cold climate. But oh well. Welcome to Ohio...

But this song also means, may it sound like pun was intended, hope. "Christmas night, another fight. Tears, we cried a flood." Sounds like a pretty sad Christmas Eve... no one would feel like celebrating Christmas. But...

"Those. Christ. Mas. Lights, light up the street, down where the sea and city meet. May all your troubles soon be gone. Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on!"

Even if you're having a bad Christmas, guess what??? Think about it like this: You're celebrating Christ's birth--- there's no reason to not be happy! Jesus is alive (still)! He was born so we could have new life! So that when he died on the cross that fateful Friday (and people wonder why I love Fridays... hmm...), we could be separated from sin and set apart to serve God. So you can choose to be an atheist or whatever if you want, you were born with free will. But, remember what this day really is. And ask yourself:

Why do YOU celebrate Christmas???

Is it for getting gifts? Do you like giving the gifts? Are you like me, someone who likes to try something new every year? (Making homemade cards for everyone in my half of the grade---that's twenty-seven kids---was intense this year. Super difficult.) Well, here's MY question for YOU:

If you don't believe in God, why do you celebrate Christmas? Because that doesn't make sense to me, just being honest. I wouldn't celebrate a holiday for someone I don't believe in. Maybe you're a kid and your parents believe in God so you celebrate it anyway, and I understand. But I don't see how someone can celebrate a holiday for someone they don't believe in. Christmas has become a holiday for just giving and receiving. But remember what the ultimate gift is, who gave their life for you...

"I think you've forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter."
-Lucy, Disney/Walden's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

Don't forget who Christmas is really about, alright? Merry Christmas, y'all. PEACE!!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Best Indie Song of 2011

Hello! You know I like indie music because I'm always blogging about Deas Vail, Katie Costello, and Yael Naim. Well, you should know at the very least.

So here are your options for voting!

AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! We have had a huge decrease in voting this year.

"The Right Mistakes" by Deas Vail is probably my favorite song off the album. It was my favorite from the start.... no, "Desire" was. But this one is like, classic. And you know that OHMIGAHITSJAMES guy that posts like, a whole bunch of Deas Vail videos? Yeah, he went to Phoenix this year! For Fine Arts, just like I did!

"Stranger" by Katie Costello is so ghostly... so creepy... but amazing! Katie has a way with words that really creep me out. Her voice is beautiful and yet still so creepy. They chose the perfect episode of "Switched at Birth" to play this song that got her more publicity! "Anywhere Place" was also featured on the show. If you like Regina Spektor, you're really gonna like Katie Costello.

"Go to the River" by Yael Naim... ah, this girl is slowly moving away from the title "indie"... Her song "New Soul" has been blasted on several Apple commercials. Her song "Come Home" was also on "Switched at Birth". This one is my favorite of hers. Now I really wanna dance toward a river... however, Mad River is not nearly half as peaceful...

"Cemetries of London" by Coldplay--- best Coldplay song ever, yet I'm stuck with only Mylo Xyloto on my iPod... should have bought Viva La Vida, I know (I have "Viva La Vida" the song, but not the album).

The first thing you might say is: "Coldplay--- there is NO WAY they are an indie band!!!" And you're right. They are one hundred percent mainstream, no doubt about it. But this song is probably one of their least popular. Besides... I love this song.

It's so creepy. Yesterday I watched this thing on the History Channel about, guess what? London! I've always wanted to go there, but now I'm not so sure. Let's just say this: The song "Cemeteries of London" is awesome. But watching a show about the REAL cemeteries of London? Uh, creepy.

London's history is dark. And this song goes along with it all too closely. Like:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"In the night they would go walking 'till the breaking of the day..."
History Channel:
Body snatchers would steal bodies from their graves in the nighttime.

"Through the dark streets they go searching..."
History Channel:
Ever heard of Sweeney Todd??? He's fictional, but still.

"So we go down to the river where the toiling ghosts spring..."
History Channel:
The sewers of London sent all their deadly waste down to the river. It protected London from a Cholera outbreak! Yay, London!

"We go underneath the arches..."
History Channel:
All the murderers hid in the underworld... like the sewers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But my favorite line is:

"God is in the houses, and God is in my head, and all the cemeteries of London. I see God come in my garden but I don't know what He'd say, For my heart, it wasn't open. Not open. Singing la la la la la la eh..."

REMEMBER TO VOTE!!!!!

Worlds Collide!

"Things aren't always what they seem, you're only seeing part of me. There's more than you could ever know behind the scenes..."
-Francesca Battistelli

"Worlds Collide" is about film star Jack Harrington and Grace Winslowe. Their relationship began like a scene from one of Jack's movies: Hollywood film star marries girl-next-door Grace Winslowe after a tragic car accident brings them together and they find that they are attracted to each other. Grace made the move from her Chicago home down to Los Angeles to start a new life and ended up crashing into the car of Jack Harrington. Little did the two know what fate had in store for them.

This changes everything.

While driving on the interstate on a rainy day, Grace loses control of her car and hits Jack from the back. Just a few months before Jack had lost his girlfriend in a crash like this one, due to drunk driving. He is now looking for a wife, a steady relationship. The two end up getting married (don't worry, that won't spoil the book for you--- there are A LOT of surprises in there!), and the longer they're together, the more secrets are revealed and their lives slowly being to unravel.

Will the marriage last, or will it end in tragedy just like the other Hollywood marriages? And can they keep their sanity when individual worlds collide?

I think my expectations were met pretty well. It ended exactly as I thought it would. Can't tell you how, but... it kinda has a chick-flick ending (but it's amazing, I'm tellin' ya, and totally unpredictable!). I would say this book was overall awesome, but had its fair share of dry parts.

I recommend this book to fans of romantic fiction.

If you're a fan of "Valentine's Day" or "New Years Eve", you'll like this book. If you like the shows "The Lying Game" or "Switched at Birth", you'll really like this. Full of secrets, a small bit of scandal, and comedy. Definitely comedy. This book did make me laugh on some parts, and it is rare that I actually laugh when reading a book. The secrets are unbelievable. Scandal? Only at the beginning.

As for me, the book was pretty good. Not something I would lead a parade for, but definitely something I'd read again. It took me a long time to read it because of my schedule, but I enjoyed it. It's really jacked up because at a picnic I saw my friend Kiana and it was a rainy day and I ran to hug her and fell back, book in hand, now muddy and cover half-off.

My complaints? Well...
The book was really boring in the middle, but the beginning and ending were really interesting and kept me up late at night. Another complaint is I wish I heard more about Jada, the biographer in the book. And I wish that the plot moved just a tiny bit faster. Also: Alison, try numbering the chapters.

Due to there only being a few complaints, I'll go on and give four stars.

Paperback.
330+ pages.
Published by: WaterBrook Multnomah.

Special thanks: to WaterBrook Multnomah press for providing me with a free copy of this book for the sake of reviewing.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

You Know... It's Called... GENETICS!

I know the singer has some serious anger-management problems. But bear with me. I had to hear this song in science yesterday.

So, we were watching "Bill Nye the Science Guy" and this song came on. First of all, I tried not to laugh when hearing the show's theme song which literally yells, "Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!" I think it's evident that that's from the '90s. And you wanna know why I was keeping myself from laughing?

I know. It gets worse. Now you know what I meant by trying not to laugh at "Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!"

So, I peeped out a couple laughs while Steve, who sits next to me at our two-person desk, wasn't laughing. I figured I was just being immature. (MAKE SURE TO PAUSE THE VIDEO AT 0:37... IT'S HILARIOUS!)

So I got through the majority of the show and ended up laying my head in my arms, pretty much sleeping. And then I hear...

Danny has a brown-haired father.
And Danny has a brown-haired mother.
Turns out Danny has brown hair too,
That was the most likely color.

Mary has a blue-eyed father.
And Mary has a blue-eyed mother.
Turns out Mary has blue eyes too,
That was the most likely color.

Mary and Danny had a baby.
So now I'm wondering if maybe
Since Danny's hair is curly, but Mary's is straight---
THE BABY'S HAIR WILL BE WAVY!!!!!

You know
It's called
GENETICS!
You know
It's called
GENETICS!

THE DNA MAKES YOU WHAT YOU ARE,
*SOMETHING SOMETHING SOMETHING HMM HMM HMM HMM HMM HMM*
IT'S A RECIPE FOR WHAT YOU WILL BE,
WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK
*HMM HMM HMM HMM HMM*

Yeah... I looked up from my slumber and was like, "What the...????" (I did not blank out a cuss word, I just didn't finish my sentence.) Then, I heard Steve start laughing and then I started laughing and even ended up crying!

So yeah... me and a couple kids wanna cover this song... I call dibs on the "baby's hair will be wavy" part!

If I don't pass the science test, something's definitely wrong.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

In a Mirror. (The Glass Heart.)

I stare at my reflection in that dark, cold piece of glass.
                                                                                       It is that substance my heart resembles
                            And with every teardrop it crumbles.
Like when you're trying to carry water in your hands without leaking any,
My heart is fragile and must be handled carefully.
Some call it lack of confidence, I say it has no name.
Because there is a bigger problem within me.
...Fear...
They say there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
I lived in fear.
I was terrified to look into that cold mirror,
And shivers freeze my spine when I touch it even to this day,
Because that shame I felt inside didn't go away.
There is a bigger problem inside of me. It's not
...Me...
It's what is holding me together just barely.
A glass heart.
The glass heart.
It is my glass heart.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Best Christian Song Category

So, to those that have been reading this blog for awhile now, you know that it is unquestionable that I am a Christian. You also know that I don't listen to a lot of Christian music. But, in spite of that, my "A Hopeful Transmission" (yes, I named it after the Coldplay song) playlist that is constantly changing names, always has ONLY Christian songs, with the exceptions of "Go to the River" by Yael Naim and "Laughing With" by Regina Spektor.

So, here are the best of the best Christian songs, many made in 2011, up for voting!

I LOVE "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture. So much that not only was it nominated to be the best song ever, but it was quoted in my blog description (the "There may be pain in the night..." line) and I have the entire chorus written on my U.S. History binder. It says:

"You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes. There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. And when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid. Because I know that You love me. Your love never fails."

I find this song SOOO inspiring, because, well, my love does fail. I may love my mom one day and hate her the next (love you, Mommy!). I may feel like helping my dad one day and totally blame him for ending up with Multiple Sclerosis the next. I may claim that me and Faith are twin sisters and one moved up a grade and the other moved down one and we're both supposed to be in ninth grade (she's supposed to be in ninth, but I'm supposedly in seventh) and the next day not want to even acknowledge her presence (believe me, that's happened before). I may think Charity is the awesomest sister one day and then want to throw spears at her the next. You may be my best friend one day and I might hold a grudge against you the next. I may love you one day and not love you the next.

But, God's love never fails. He doesn't stop loving us because we're not worth it (well... we really aren't worth it, but anyways...). He doesn't stop loving us because we keep repeating the same sins. He doesn't stop loving us because He doesn't feel like it. He doesn't stop loving us because we haven't achieved awesome things. He doesn't stop loving us because we don't love Him. His love never fails.

"Live For You Alone" by Interface! You gotta admit, gotta love that crazy guitar guy, especially on the bridge when he screams in the background! I'm working on my screamo... a lot of people think that's not a very Christian thing to do... but, you know what? You understand what he's saying, RIGHT? It has a Christian message, RIGHT? He's not screaming the whole time anyway, RIGHT? So I have no problem with screaming, as long as it's understandable and not full of chaos. Understood? So yeah, I love this song. And I hate it when people compare other bands to Paramore, but the beginning of this song does sound like it could be a Paramore song, in all honesty...

"Desire" by Deas Vail--- almost the best Deas Vail song! And they just came out with another album, the "For Sheperds and Kings" EP. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, look it up anyway. This song is amazing.

When the "Deas Vail" album arrived at my doorstep, the first thing I did was jump, scream, put the autographed poster on my wall, and put the album on my computer. When I was clicking tracks to name them (anyone whose put an album on iTunes that didn't purchase it from the site knows what I'm talking about), I accidentally double-clicked "Desire" and it started playing. I didn't wanna hear it because I didn't know the song yet and I wanted to hear "Sixteen" (which is track 2, this song being track 1) first. But, for some odd reason, I decided to go on and just let it play quietly. Then, I heard... GASP! A FEMALE VOICE! I was like, "no... that can't be Laura..." and then I turned up the volume and realized "Oh my hot diggity gosh, that IS Laura! Why doesn't she sing that often? She has a beautiful voice!"

"I feel I've been turned inside out. I've come so far, I can't turn around. But I don't know the next steps to take. Cuz all You left were me and the growing pains." Who doesn't like "Growing Pains"? Well, first off, who doesn't like Deas Vail? And I love the viola/violin/whatever-that-instrument-was part of the bridge! So, tell me... do you now understand why this band is my dream interview?

"Closer" by Shawn McDonald is like, the very only pop Christian song I like. I'm not a fan of pop. But I really like this song.

"Hosanna" by Hillsong UNITED is the hardest song I can sing. Brooke, your voice is amazing. One day I hope I can sing like you... maybe even better *evil laugh*... Your voice is so powerful coming out of the bridge! And I think you're the one that wrote this song, too... so... really nice poetry. And I think I know what verse in the Bible this song came from...

"The Redeemer" by Sanctus Real is probably my favorite song by them! "This is where Heaven and Earth collide, I lift my hands and give my life..." The harmonies are amazing! The song is also like, the story of my life! No, "Behind the Scenes" by Francesca Battistelli is, and that's why I'm singing that song for Fine Arts. But this song is also my life story, how it says "I've given up on too many things but I'm not giving up on You, 'cause You can make anything NEW!"

I have given up on a lot, a lot, A LOT of things. I have been afraid to place my trust in too many things, basically meaning I don't trust anyone. But there's one person I can't give up on...

"'Cause You can make anything NEW!"

REMEMBER TO VOTE, Y'ALL! EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A CHRISTIAN, VOTE FOR THE SONG YOU LIKE MOST! AND, "YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS" AND "HOSANNA" WERE NOMINATED FOR BEST SONG EVER! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!

Above is Deas Vail live singing "Talk Show Host" by Radiohead, then moving into "Desire"! And guys, they normally sound better live, believe me. I love how Wes and Laura (they're married, as I keep saying, sorry if it's getting annoying but they're sooo cute... Laura is a lucky girl... Wes is kinda hot...) are looking at each other and standing by each other at 3:35... it's super adorable! That is why my husband is gonna be a musician. And we're gonna be in a band together. And we're gonna be able to look each other in the eyes just like that! And for some reason I wrote 4:34 on my hand... I think it's because I love Justin and Andy and they're playing beside each othe ron that part!

I better quit talking, and you better start voting!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Christmas Lights: Bring It On!

Christmas spirit... if it were an Olympic sport, I'd be out for the gold medal. And at my school, there are some weird kids. That means crazy competition. For Christmas spirit.

Nobody is as creative as I am. Making personalized Christmas letters for everybody in my half of the eighth grade, singing even while angry, asking everyone what their favorite color is. Who would have thought I'd have competition.

This seventh grader had the nerve to be awesome and do something different. Something cooler than I knew was possible.

So, picture me, just walking to my cubby as I see... Christmas lights. "What the heck?" I thought, thinking maybe I was still groggy from the bus ride. So I walk back to Cal's (not full name) cubby and there it is, Christmas lights LINING HER CUBBY. What the heck, I know. I didn't even know it was possible to put Christmas lights--- that HANG ON HOUSES---in a school cubby. But it is. She attached it to a battery somehow... she must be in robotics or something. I thought it was ingenius. And did I mention she had a photograph of herself hanging off the lights? Almost like she was saying, "Beat THAT, Hope!" So, I confronted her at lunch about my discovery.

I asked her if she'd be alright if I had tried to outdo her holiday spirit. And ha ha... SHE SAID YES! We have similar personalities (I know her because I interviewed her for a project where we could interview some of the younger kids), and great minds think alike. We're both extremely creative, so I'm almost scared about where this could be leading. Let's just say...

Two girls enter the games. Only one will survive to tell the story.

And right now... I don't know if the survivor is me. This girl is serious about Christmas. But so am I. So here's what I say.

Dear Cal,
You may have Christmas lights and I may not be talented enough to do that, but guess whose idea it is to put a Christmas tree in her cubby? And snow? And snowmen? These are the Christmas games, and every addition to the spirit must be better than the last. Else, you're setting yourself up for some serious drama. Can you handle the heat? Or, should I say, snow? You'd better hope so.

Let the flames begin.
Xx_Hope_xX

Monday, December 12, 2011

Best Music Videos Category

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO!

Here we have Fireflight, Deas Vail, and Flyleaf. Choose wisely.

What video is this? This is for those who wait!!!!! My favorite song by Fireflight... or something like that. Click the link to see my marvelous lyric post of it. Ever wondered what this video is about? Well, let me tell you what I think. Since this is a Christian song, I'm writing from a Christian's point of view.

The girl, let's call her Linnea because she looks like a girl I know named Linnea, represents a Christian. The violin is her faith. That guy, who I'm guessing is Linnea's dad, represents Satan, I think. Linnea's life is broken, so she turns to her violin---her faith---for comfort. She goes through the motions of her day, practices (violin) so she can get stronger and better, and without knowing, there's a guy who represents God in the background sort of watching over her play violin, as creepy as it sounds... just watch the video! But when she gets home, that guy (don't wanna call him the devil... he's just an actor!!!) tries to break her faith... (he actually does at one point, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves) making it harder and harder for her "to believe in a love that" she "can't see". He keeps telling her she needs to stop, that she needs to stop believing. But haha--- don't stop believing... happy ending is coming soon. Then, he actually breaks her violin, which is her faith. Then, as she's sitting all alone on the street with nothing to believe in, God comes in! Yay! He gives her new life and restores her faith, and helps her. So she goes on and does the music audition and voila! This guy just happens to be one of the judges! She ends up acing, and all the scars of the past have been healed.

"Summer Forgets Me" is just a fun, homemade video in Wes (lead vocalist) and Laura's (pianist) house. This song is simply the opposite of the dog days being over... it's more like the dog days beginning! How thing aren't perfect anymore, and we're stuck in a reality. Deas Vail compares it to seasons changing--- summer is over... no more sleep and school-less days or perfect weather and vacation. Winter has come, and everyone's back in the swing of things, working. We can't go back to the perfect times... gotta get through the dog days!!!

"Again"--- my absolute favorite Flyleaf song!!!!!!!!!!! And, a lyric post is still coming, like I promised in June. I just keep forgetting to post it. This is also a Christian song.... basically saying, um... "only surrender will help you now. I love you, please see and believe again." Enough said.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE VIDEO! Also, Deas Vail was also nominated for Best Christian Song, so check out their song "Desire".

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Best Covers Category

Without a doubt, 2011 is the year of music. So, let's find out which artists impressed the blogging world most.

WELCOME BACK, THE BLOGSPOT AWARDS!

Today I just opened up the music category for the second annual Blogspot Awards. There will be many more categories--- movies, television, fashion, beauty & health, books, actors, social networking... and more! So, let's take a look at your music options and...

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!!! Last year we got a successful amount of votes. Let's keep it up!

Here are four of my favorite cover artists. Boyce Avenue, Megan and Liz, Cimorelli, and Christina Grimmie.

Here are their nominated best covers to vote for:


"We Found Love" by Boyce Avenue is amazing. I didn't even like that song, and I mean I didn't like it AT ALL. But then they covered it. I love the percussion that comes in at 1:04. I love the cymbal that gets hit... I don't think I even really knew what a cymbal sounded like until I heard this song. I had heard it, but this song really made it sound beautiful. And the guitar case in the background... I have the exact same one! Actually, it's my dad's. But still. This band is why I try hard... one day, maybe i can be featured in one of their videos like Megan and Liz and Megan Nicole were.


Gotta love CIMORELLI, no matter how much I hate their genre of music.They have helped me develop my talents in music, especially guitar and vocals. I have to say I love Christina's low harmony at 2:44. And Lisa's "oh"ing at 3:12 through to 3:15. It sounds awesome. Cimorelli inspires me so much. Keep up the good work, guys, and congrats on your EP reaching #6 on the iTunes pop charts!!!

"Stereo Hearts." Now, I made a mistake in the poll--- I wrote that it's originally by Maroon 5! Sorry, it was ten p.m., I was tired. Ha ha. This is Megan and Liz's cover of "Stereo Hearts" by Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine from Maroon 5. Now I'll admit I do not like Liz's rapping. But I love Megan's rapping. Liz--- those are some super high harmonies! Megan--- love the half-alto, half-soprano voice you have. And to think you guys are twins? I scarce can take it in!

I found out about Christina Grimmie through a Paramore video. I don't remember if she posted a Paramore lyric video or if she was in the suggestions, but I know I was listening to "Emergency". So her Paramore medley is nice. The transitioning is quite rough at first but got smoother toward the end. And I love "Misery Business"... every time we play Rock Band, I beg whoever I'm playing with to let me sing "Misery Business" or "That's What You Get." I do better on "Misery Business." At first I failed that one and considering vocals is what I'm best at, failing that song was um, rather awkward. But yesterday I sang it and loved it!
~~~~~
Do you like these cover artists? They all have songs on iTunes, and don't worry, Boyce Avenue's cover is on there! Same with Megan and Liz! Cimorelli does not have "Best Love Song" on iTunes, but they have a just-released EP on there! Christina Grimmie has an entire album and she's doing well for an unsigned gal.

These artists also are quite fond of each other!

Boyce Avenue with Megan and Liz.

And, all of them put together in this song that means so much to me:


So, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! And more of these posts will be coming as more categories are put up for voting!

The Christmas Singing!

Come on, y'all... it's Christmas time!

And it's not Christmas time without "The Christmas Singing"--- by far a great Christmas present!

Yep. Nothing's better than a good Cindy Woodsmall book. Like the one I reviewed and read "The Harvest of Grace" in Phoenix while sitting in a swimming pool. Not by it. IN the pool. I breezed through the first chapter in literally, minutes.

And, you too can breeze through a chapter written by Woodsmall in "The Christmas Singing"! http://www.scribd.com/doc/69473983/The-Christmas-Singing-Chapter-1-Excerpt click the link to read chapter one!

Well, shake up the happiness, guys! Merry Christmas! I'll be back in time to Christmas-up things here!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Amazed.


I stand amazed.
Amazed to see Your amazing grace
Raining down and yet I hide my face.
Don't wanna show You where I've been.
I hear the silence.
Listening to hear Your muffled voice
When every eye will see
And every ear will hear
The love
That's been here forever.
And You look at me
And You see in me
Someone whose heart has been shattered.
And You speak to me
In words that I can't
Hear if I keep speaking.
And my heart, it cries
You I desire
I'm not ashamed to make You known.
It's You I need
With everything
Reveal Your heart to me...
          ...Tonight...

Monday, December 5, 2011

Spark a Heart

You don't know you make my heart sink
        o
        w
        n
Whenever you look at me.
You ignite a spark, dearest.
It's that        p
                   a
                   r
                   k
That gives off light to reach me
To my soul.
It could not be touched,
Could not be reached
Unless someone came with a key
To come on,        w
                           a
                           k
                           e
                           n
Me slowly.
...I'm sleeping...
I kept my emotions under lock and key.
                                       o
                                       s
                                       t
The key. Didn't know where it was.
Then out of the blue, here comes you
The person I could finally talk to.
I saw, no use
No use of ruining this...
That you were the one I could trust when I couldn't tell anyone else,
That you were the one I believed when everyone else lied,
And then the light faded to black.
I saw what I was               l
                                         i
                                        n
                                        d
To, I used to only see good in you
And this sudden change was a sudden
   i
  g
  h
  t
 m
 a
 r
 e.
It's alright.
Because in good times there are bad,
In sunsets there are rises,
And in pain there is beauty.
You ignite a spark.
You have the key to my heart.
You have my faith.
Don't do anything to change it.
Why?
...Because...
You ignite a spark, dearest
You ignite a spark.
You ignite a spark, dearest
You can spark a heart.

Monday, November 28, 2011

What's YOUR Team???

I know what you're thinking. I can read minds.

YOU: "Oh no..."
ME: "Ohh yeahh babyy..."
YOU: "Please don't tell me you're team Jacob."
ME: "I'm not."
YOU: "So you're team Edward?"
ME: "Nope."
YOU: "What team are you???!!!"
ME: "I'm Team Zimmer/Gregson-Willliams!"
YOU: "They're not in Twilight..."
ME: "I'm not talking Twilight... I'm talking score!"

I hope that resolved everything. One: I don't watch/read Twilight. Two: I think there's only one point there.

Right now I am listening to one of my absolute favorite scores, "Battle At Aslan's How" by Harry Gregson-Williams. (You can hear that song, plus two other songs by Williams, two songs by Trevor Rabin, and "Time" by Hans Zimmer if you click here.) But that's not what this is about. This is about TAKE THAT, "SOCIAL NETWORK!"

Okay, so, if you're not in on the latest Score drama, you need to read this.
First, if you're REALLY not updated about what's going on in the world of Score and you don't even know what it is, let me clarify this: It is not fiction. It is a genre of music, usually (as far as I know) meaning it is a part of a soundtrack for a movie and it's instrumental with the exception of acappella. So, the latest drama going on is that Trent Reznor got an Oscar (I know... aren't those for movies? Then again, scores are a part of movies, so...) for his work on "The Social Network" and it beat out my ole man Hans. I mean, seriously. "The Social Network" ain't got nothing on this:

You gotta love "Time"... I love it so much that my last chapter of "Unspoken" is about Grace, and if you read the book you'll find out who she is, and I named the chapter "Time" because, well, she's kinda explaining that time has healed her of so many things while also taking breaks in between mentioning how she's playing piano in her school's orchestra at the time. And you wouldn't know it unless you were Team Zimmer or read this post, but the song she is playing is "Time".

And what other musician sounds better live than recorded? That's a first! (Psst--- that's Hans on the piano!)

Take THAT, Team Reznor! You may love that guy of yours so much, but would you dedicate an entire chapter of your BOOK to him? Would you put him in your acknowledgements (I don't think Zimmer will be in there, but there's a chance)? And, would you put your funeral in the hands of Zimmer by having "Time" played there hopefully a good seventy years from now? Nope. You're just too Facebook-obsessed to realize there's better music out there. So get off the computer and get on your iPod. Get off Facebook and get on iTunes. You can still be forgiven of your misdemeanor. You can give my buddy an Oscar... next time he makes a masterpiece like this.

And listen to my other buddy while you're at it. This beautiful song deserves more than a place in a movie. It deserves more than having the privilege of being the first song I ever learned musically, and it was on piano FYI. And it deserves more than being my second favorite score.

Don't the violins and cello and horn make you wanna cry???? I swear I have asthma when I listen to this song. I can't breathe.

Take THAT, Team Facebook! You don't even deserve the right to be called Team Reznor. All due respect. But y'all got nothing on this. I'm barely breathing, it's that good. I. CAN'T. BREATHE.

Call...
         The....
P
 a
R
   a
M
   e
D
  i
C
   s...

Friday, November 25, 2011

Dead to This World

Open my eyes.
Let me see the brokenness inside
The hearts of them,
The seven billion
That I never cared to reveal the love I've found to.
Too many times I've said "I believed" in the past tense
And didn't take the step to turn it into present.
I couldn't see what I was doing, I was blind to You.

Shut out the distractions.
Let me find what I'm missing inside
The empty soul,
The quiet ghost
That I left asleep in a dark room.
Too many times I've put You on a shelf and said "Maybe later"
When God, I know I need You now.
I couldn't hear Your callings, I was deaf to You.

Turn off my fears.
Make me fearless and give me the desire
To know what love is
To never break apart from You.
I don't wanna be the one to turn away but wow I came awful close
And who knows where I'd be if time closed on me.
I was too careful, I was dead to You.

I'm done.
I'm done with cookie-cutter Christian talk.
I'm done with not reading the signs.
I'm done with putting my beliefs on bookshelves
Like homework I don't care to do.
I'm done denying the truth.
No more hiding from the truth.
Because the truth is who You are and You are the truth,
Be my northern star and help my life reflect You.
Because I see You, You're my desire
And I am dead to this world,
Alive in what is higher.

Why? Because IT'S FRIDAY!

OMIGAHITSFRIDAY!!!!

Friday means shopping that I won't do. Friday means Radiohead and Deas Vail and Paramore and Coldplay.

Well, just a couple minutes ago I was singing "Friday" from the top of my lungs in my room. And I live in a one-level house. And all fifteen or so people could hear me. This I know because they exploded in laughter after I finished the last chorus. And I ended the song right before 12:01 a.m.... Perfect timing, Hope:)

I just posted this to record this glorious day.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

OMIGAH it's HOPE!

Thanksgiving time means....

More stuff.
More blogging.
More writing (and finishing up the last chapter and epilogue of "Unspoken"--- yay!).
More food.
More music.
More time with me and my dog (I am petting her with my left hand and typing with my right at this moment).
MY FAMILY IS COMING TO MY HOUSE!!!! FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!

About the stuff...
So, for my birthday, I got the entire "Dark Kiss" collection from B&BW, plus a shimmer mist that I'm wearing right now. I also got a beginner's guitar book, and I'm not a beginner so I know most of the stuff in the book, but it shows how to read music and I don't wanna learn that but it will be handy when I start playing cello. I got some guitar picks... not as thin as my lucky guitar pick so I can't holepunch them (bummer), but they'll be handy, too. I got some body sprays that smell REALLY GOOD and I'm putting them in my cubby at school--- one for when I first get off the bus, one for after lunch, one for after P.E. My favorite gift was a pair of headphones--- I NEEDED THEM! They're Sony headphones, and it took awhile to get used to the different kind of sound, but they're worth it alright. Earbuds never worked for me... one bud always popped out or something crazy like that, and even though they're more convenient, I'm a music geek that cares about the sound more than anything, so headphones are the thing for me. (note: listen to "Time" by Hans Zimmer with headphones instead of earbuds and it's magical!)

About Unspoken...
I'm working on the last two chapters in the rough draft. The book is moving by quarters. It's supposed to move by school quarters, but I'm really behind because my school's first quarter ended waaay at the beginning of this month, so I need to pick up the pace. Then, for quarter 2, I am taking out a few chapters and typing it up. For Quarter 3 I will have some friends and maybe some teachers proofread it and then I will revise it. For Quarter 4, I will start getting ready to publish and getting in touch with Morris Self-Publishing. And in the summertime, the book will be set to release. Then I will begin work on "The Interstate," and start the process all over for freshman year. My sophomore project will be "On Death's Edge." Then, I'll probably take a break to focus on my junior and senior years of high school and work on my music career. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

FOOD!
I love food soooo much! In fact, I will be posting a recipe on here really soon! Possibly today! And I just noticed today is Thanksgiving, so have a happy one. I'm thankful for Church's Chicken. And no, I didn't get to eat it Tuesday. And I was really looking forward to it.

More music!
I've been looking everywhere possible for tracks for all my Fine Arts Festival stuff. Right now, I'm working on my Spanish vocal solo, "How Great Thou Art", Carrie Underwood's version. It's actually really easy--- It is the first song I've ever done in high key, but despite that the Spanish lyrics are quite simple to memorize. I am also looking for songs for my ASL solo, and am currently torn between "Desire" by Deas Vail and "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" by Relient K.

For my normal vocal solo, I am trying something else new. It's not in Spanish, and it's not in high key. BUT! For the first time ever, I am doing the music--- myself! I'm playing guitar along with my vocals! The song is "Something Beautiful" by NEEDTOBREATHE. This is gonna be interesting. It's pushing my range a lot, like on one part I have to go really low, and I'm not gonna take the easy way out and sing it the normal way--- I want people to hear how low my vocal range really is! I don't want people to hear the same baby that sang at Fun Arts in sixth grade. I don't want people to hear the same little kid that sang a song in low key and had to stop and catch her breath in the middle of a verse in seventh grade at the Fine Arts District Festival. I don't want people to hear the girl who had to sing soprano notes in "Excuses" every time the lead vocalist wasn't there before Nationals. I want them to hear the message the song has.

Also, if you want, go check out "Take My Hand" by The Cab. I had it on replay for around three hours last night and am still not tired of it! And check out "Go to the River" by Yael Naim. She's an indie folk artist, but trust me, you've heard a song or two by her (like this one that was on a lot of Apple commercials: "I'm a new soul...").

And, I'm working on a cover of "Lovers in Japan" by Coldplay. I've got the guitar chords down, all except for G. I don't think I'll post it on YouTube, but maybe. Besides, I don't wanna be one of those annoying commenters that say "I don't think anyone will see this but someone will see this..."

Good news!
My family is coming to my house this Thanksgiving! Yay! I can't wait for them to see my guitar and ferret calendar (don't ask...) and string bass/cello and autographed Deas Vail poster and random church pew... yeah. Excited.

So... see ya later.

*~~~ImagineThat~~~*
Hope!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Finally Thirteen!

Okay, I don't know about you, but it feels like I've been twelve forever. I mean, yeah, I act like it. But I think the reason it feels like I've been twelve forever is because twice a week someone always says "Holy cow you are not twelve." And guys, when a security guard says that to you at an airport, it's creepy. Well now, my age is just slightly more believable. I'm still still the youngest in my half of the eighth grade at my school, but it's not obvious anymore.

I used to be excited about this day, like in my post "Lucky Thirteen" that I wrote when I was eleven. Which is amazing. I have spent three birthdays on this blog. Time flies. It's amazing what was hidden in that post. It gave me so many clues as to what would happen in my future and I didn't even know it. Like, I mentioned places I was getting readers from and Phoenix, Arizona was listed. Little did I know I was competing there exactly one year later (I mean EXACTLY--- right down to the day). I brought up the fact that "I might take Chinese next year". I'm not taking it right now, but I was referring to the school that I am now at. Eighth graders don't take Chinese this year, but they will next year which won't make a difference for me because I'll be a freshman by then. One way or another I'm taking Chinese. But wow--- freshman year is that close? It's hard to believe you guys have had access to my life since I was ten years old! Hot diggity! All those spelling errors from 2009 haunt me to this day... and then I see how I write now... just wow. And something even weirder? This blog is older than the school I go to. This website has been around since the 2008-2009 schoolyear, when my school started in the 2009-2010 schoolyear. I'm a newbie, but I've got my high school buddies who have been here awhile, thanks to my sophomore sis. Then, I wished the "Fine Arts participants in Detroit" good luck. Little did I know someone would be wishing me luck for the same thing 363 days later!

Yeah. I highly doubt you read the above paragraph but thanks if you did! That's just me babbling again! My parents should have named me Gabby.

Well, today started out as not fun for certain reasons. Then I got on the bus. By the time my bus reached the corner of the street, which was literally thirty seconds later, it just broke down. So we were sitting there for like, thirty minutes and I got my iPod taken away, so... not the funnest birthday, LoL (and yes, I didn't take it out of context, I'm laughing in my mind). But I was bored and just sitting there. However, the kids that were already on the bus became a little family in the time the bus broke down! We're like a little family... gosh, I wish I was serious.

Then, we got the shuttle which is at a local elementary school. We got there and I got on my bus that takes me to my school. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" a lot of kids yelled. Aside from being creeped out that they knew it was my birthday, it made me a little happier.

Then, we were on the road and me and my friends were talking about random things. Then, Dena (From Dena's World on the blog list) was on the phone and we thought she was talking to her mom or something. Then we heard her say something about "Hope from the Dayton Regional *hum* School" and then when she hung up she told us she called the radio station. That we were listening to right at the moment. Luckily, they didn't call my name.... OH NO I HAVE TO HEAR THE BIRTHDAY SONG IN YOUTH TONIGHT! And I am not officially thirteen yet... I will be at 8:35 p.m.

Lunch was great. I got to eat in my Language Arts classroom! Yay! And I'm not being sarcastic--- I like eating in there. No, I didn't have detention... that's one reason why I like it.

I was hoping I could eat Church's Chicken today but I don't think it'll work. So much for the love of fried chicken, eh?

P.S. Yesterday was Megan and Liz's birthday, so... happy birthday to ya. And tomorrow will be my friend Maya's birthday, but only my church friends and two school friends know her, so y'all wish her a happy one.
P.P.S. GUYS!!!!!!!!!!! EEK!!!!!!!!!! I reached my goal of 13,000 pageviews by my thirteenth birthday! It's all because of you! You should have seen the smile on my face when I saw I almost am at 14,000! Without you, I'd be stuck in a rut, no kidding. You guys have been the world to me since I was ten... don't ever forget it. I love you. This is the perfect ending to my day.