Summer Ain't Over Yet!

Nothing tastes better than a nice, warm glass of half-and-half lemonade and berry tea. But as the days grow colder and shorter, all of our summer traditions have to be put on hold once again. School may be back in and homework is taking over, but HOLD ON!

Summer's not over yet! The autumn solstice does come along for at least a week. So, it's time to do some of those summer things while you still can! One of those summer things? Sun tea!

I was reading Our Goodwin Journey, and I saw a post on how to make classic summer sun tea. My reaction was, "Well, what's so special about tea that I left outside? Can't I just heat some up in the microwave or on the stove?"

Yes, you can just put a cup of tea in the microwave or heat up a pot on the stove. But trust me, making sun tea is not something you'll regret. It can be healthier, it tastes crisper, it's already warm, and no sugar added (unless you want to add some to your drink). What could possibly be better? Trust me, you'll taste the difference.

However, there is one hazard that comes along with this. Lukewarm water can carry some kind of amoeba that long story short can make you sick. Simply heat up the water in the microwave for about three minutes so it will boil and then use it, and you're fine.

So, let's get started!

You will need about five tea bags for a big jar and three for a small one, making eight if you'll be making both (which I highly recommend). I used Lipton tea here, but today (this is an older photo) I used one bag of berry tea along with it. So, that being said, don't be afraid to use some interesting flavors along with it!

Lemon juice is what will make it taste like half-and-half lemonade and tea (especially when you add sugar to your glass or pitcher). It also gives that crisp, strong taste.

Make sure you boil in the microwave (or stove, if you have time to waste) five cups of water, approximately. That will give you the amount of sterilized water you need, or distilled, or whatever you call it.

You need an outdoors. Which, shouldn't be too hard to find. Your yard must be on Earth for the right result. So, sorry if you live on Gallifrey. But if you have enough money for a computer, most likely you have enough money for a house. And even without one, you've probably been outside before. You're going to need the outdoors to make sun tea, hence the word 'sun.'

Leave your tea outside for about four to five hours, preferably from 10 am. to 3p.m. or 12p.m. to 4p.m. And voila! You have nice, warm sun tea/lemonade! Pour it over some ice or, if you desire, sugar. And htere you go, it's summer all over again!

I think I might post a different recipe for tea every season. A cinnamon kind in autumn, a cold-fighting one in winter, an herbal one in spring. What do you think?

Drink it up, before "winter comes and summer forgets me."

 

Face it and Embrace it: You're Different!

You're different. You're weird. You're unique. No one is like you and you're like no one. You're different. Special. How do you feel about that?

Do you feel insulted? Like you have a place in this world? Like there's something wrong with you? Do you not know how you feel at all?

I'll tell you how I used to feel about that. I'm one special kid, let me tell you. The kind that gets all worked up over something completely nerdy (like Doctor Who or the Olympics or Narnia), is completely peevish over things like chipped nail polish and people writing with pencils and using chalkboards, will show up in an unpredictable outfit--- matchy-matchy sometimes, all over the place another day (and people are all like, "what are you wearing?" Listen up, buddy: Last I checked, you didn't own a Coach bag, or even a pair of heels, so who are you to talk about my outfit?" Yeah, I'm quite peeved). I'm all for art, music and gymnastics, not football, math and high school drama.

I didn't like being different because I was constantly being criticised for it.

Stupid.
People, stop pulling the "stupid" card! We are all unique. I've been called stupid by classmates, teammates, etc. I used to believe it in like, elementary school. At  my current school, people, I think, don't really think that of me. But still. They assume I'll fail the math test (speaking of which, I probably did fail today's Algebra test). They'll say "I bet even Hope knows that!" I used to just laugh along as if it didn't hurt, but guys, it does. No, I am not the best at math--- my only goal is just to pass it so I can graduate on time. But the problem isn't always others. Sometimes, it's you. Do YOU think you're stupid because of something small? Get over it.

Ugly.
Okay, come on. we can't all be Asian. We can't all be muscular or thin. We can't all be tall or short. We can't all look like McKayla Maroney or Aliya Mustafina or those Tumblr models. Ladies, do you expect freshman boys to look like Calvin Klein models? Hopefully not, else you need to snap to reality. I used to have a problem with this. I have to literally GAIN weight to fit into homecoming dresses. I have a pair of cutoffs that I've had since I was eight (and they're still comfy!). Undereye circles. Smaller bust. I look terrible in a leotard. Never picture ready. NEVER. I never liked being 5'8". But then I realized: Many girls would KILL to be my height and maybe they could model, too. Many girls would kill to have my lack of ability to gain weight. No one looks good in a leo, unless your name is McKayla Maroney or Sam Peszek. And who cares about cup size? Seventh grade boys? GET OVER IT. Stop wasting time hating your body and chasing things you'll never have, because you'll never know who sees those "flaws" as perfection.

Stop chasing those who will never chase after you!
I definitely have a problem with this. Just like any other teenage girl. You meet a guy or he's been your friend forever and it just connects. I think he's the one. Long story short, he's not, your heart gets broken, you cry, the world ends. Though I'm not saying don't fall in love, I'm saying that there can be someone out there that notices your differences.. and actually likes them. And you don't notice them because you're too busy noticing someone who will never notice you. So keep your eyes open.

Realize that you can't be---or do---everything.
I was watching the latest episode of "Switched At Birth," and a guy was talking to Daphne, a deaf girl who got a job in his kitchen without him knowing of her disability, and he told her something like this: "You've probably grown up being told that you can be anything you set your mind to. Well I'm going to be honest. You can't.  I can't be a jockey, I'm too tall. My sister can't be a singer on Broadway, she doesn't sing too well. We're all made differently."

That is what really got me writing this post. We all have a different purpose. You can't be everything. And while nothing is impossible with God, there might be a different purpose for your life than becoming an Olympic gymnast and famous musician. You were born for this.

Born for what, exactly?

Born to be different. Stop fitting in and stand out. You are different for a reason. If you find yourself best at music, maybe you should be a sound technician, worship leader, or composer or teacher. If you think engineering is your thing, maybe you could create some things. If you love to write, start a blog or write a book, maybe some songs. You're different. Do something about it.

And if they judge you? They can screw it. Because you wanna know what they're trying to hide?

Artists who NEED to Collaborate!

Some musicians just make me fangirl. They inspire me to become a better musician, to keep chasing my dreams, to one day become successful (take note of this: "successful" doesn't have to mean "famous!").

Great musicians need great friends. Great friends make great collabs. I'm actually thinking about forming a folk band this year with some of my school friends!

So, here are some artists that NEED to meet up and make some songs together.

1. The Secret Sisters and Eden's Edge

Would you believe how big these two "unknown" bands have gotten? The Secret Sisters are on The Hunger Games album. Eden's Edge is pretty much mainstream. I found out about Eden's Edge through Deas Vail (the lead singer, Hannah Blaylock, is the sister of Deas Vail's lead singer, Wesley Blaylock) but it should have been the other way around! Still, there is some serious talent running in the Blaylock genes. Imagine these two country/folk bands together. Just imagine.   2. The Good Mad and Eden's Edge

Listen to "Follow Your Heart" and then listen to "Too Good to be True" again. I think THIS would be a SERIOUSLY EPIC collab. Maybe just because these are my absolute favorite country bands. 3. The Musical Dorks and Megan and Liz

I don't know why I want them to collaborate. But I do. 4. Measure and Death Cab for Cutie

I am seriously obsessed with "Begin Again" and these two bands' piano rock indie styles (even though neither are very indie anymore!) would just be beautiful together. So come on... why not? 5. Athlete and Coldplay

These bands are both British, creative, amazing, and have got me fangirling every time I hear another one of their amazing songs. Coldplay's new album makes me dance. Their older stuff reaches into my soul, same with Athlete. 6. Kari Jobe and Katie Costello

These two girls sound like angels. 7. Yael Naim and Chad Sugg

I love this world-y feel both songs have. You know, the kind of music that brings you home no matter where you are. 8. Taylor Swift, Hannah Blaylock (Eden's Edge), Wesley Blaylock (Deas Vail)

These three artists. Together. Oh, yes.

It's the Little Things.

I was having a... ahem... very crappy day today before first period started. Even before first period. It's the seemingly little things that ruin my day... what do you call it, peevish? Yup. Story of my life.

In first period (Language Arts), we were taking a test. I sit next to two of the most hilarious people at my school, coincidentally. The guy sitting next to me randomly started kinda singing these things to me (not too flattered... he picks a girl to do this to every day and today I was the victim)...

"Baby, look at those freckles..."
"Baby, look at your hair..."
"Baby, you're black and I'm black (he's NOT black)..."
"We gon' have fifteen kids..."
"You're wearing a blue and white ribbon. Just like my heart."
"What's that sound? Oh! It's my heart."
"I make them other white boys look white because I'm black... (I'm telling you, he's seriously not black)"

And my personal least favorite:

"You bring HOPE to me!"

It brightened my day, definitely. It's the little things that make me laugh, and laughter changes everything. Except for this...

"Baby, give me a kiss..."

WHOAAAAA, boy. Too far, LoL.

I seriously think humor is some kind of God-given gift or something. Everyone has it in them, but few choose to use it. This kid used it to brighten my day, and he didn't even know I was having a bad day!

I like to use humor that way, too. I'm that awkward friend that doesn't know what to say when their friend is upset, so I crack as many jokes as possible just to get a laugh out of them (usually I'll start singing a Disney song or something).

Laughter makes the difference, guys...


 

 ...See?

Music for Back-to-School

School starts this week on Thursday (sigh). As much as this summer bored me, I'm gonna miss it and Louisville.

Sorry about my last post by the way. I was using a computer in the Exhibit Hall and my youth group wanted to go somewhere. And as I mentioned, I didn't get a callback (but come on. Was I really even expecting one?). There are hundreds of Pentecostal female vocalists in the United States. I'm so proud of myself and my group for making it up to this level--- going against the best AG talents in the entire USA. Representing Ohio was pretty amazing, and I can't wait to go back to Louisville in three years for a college visit! And I can't wait to go to Orlando next year for Fine Arts again if I make it for my drama, vocal solo, possible string solo based on progress, and human video (but only if I'm forced to do it--- I don't really want to and I want someone else to take my place, but Drew keeps saying "It's ministry, Hope" and it makes me all like, "GAAAAH! What should I do?") and other things.

So, I updated my iPoid for Fine Arts and here's that, plus more of my FAF and school faves!

1. "Home" by Phillip Phillips was played during the Olympics this year. Perfect end of summer song, I know. I wish I had it when I left for Nationals, but Faith bought it while I was gone. It's time to "make this place your home" and enjoy your last few years in elementary/middle/high school/college!
2. "Keep Your Eyes Open" by NEEDTOBREATHE. I love that southern voice this band has. Keep your eyes open, guys. Anything can happen here.
3. "With Everything (Live)" by Hillsong UNITED is great to get you really worshipping on the weekends or to listen to on the way to school for you guys who want to be campus missionaries this year. God can do amazing things in our schools, believe me!
4. "Moving Mountains." Jeff Deyo is a music teacher at North Central University, a school at which I know a few people that are currently attending and one that graduated from NCU's music program and is now a creative arts pastor. This guy is epic, and you can download this song free for only a limited time here.
5. "Steady My Heart" by Kari Jobe is a great... I don't know. It answers a lot of things for me.
6. "We Are" by Kari Jobe can really help if you feel discouraged in this whole campus missionary thing.
7. "Find You On My Knees" by Kari Jobe. Just take a rest from homework and just worship. It will change your attitude on everything. Try it.
8. "Love Came Down" by Kari Jobe--- sorry. I'm just really enjoying this free Kari Jobe album I got from the editor-in-chief of ONCOURSE magazine (Amber Weigand-Buckley) at a workshop in Louisville. It felt like a real college experience. The classroom feel, being in a conference theatre, taking notes, everything.
9. "Begin Again" by Measure. This song has some amazing quotes in it--- no kidding. If you feel bullied or like you just need a second chance, this song will uplift you by a lot. "Begin again. Don't waste your time waiting for someone to tell you when... Morning still comes... Move around your furniture or put it all out on the curb and drive away to something new and watch the skyline sink behind you...  Walking out doors only works if you shut them... Quit looking backwards and know where you have been... Begin again. Don't waste your time, 'cause no one's gonna tell you when."
10. "I am the Doctor" by Murray Gold. It will mkae you feel epic the second you walk in dat building.
11. "Superhuman Touch" by Athlete because, well, you can stop the world with "just a wave of your hand" because you're amazing.
12. School's not back in without "Over My Head" by The Fray. It's just not.
13. "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry. "I wish I knew then what I know now." Totally describes how I feel about last school year.
14. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" by Donny Osmond is perfect if you're tkaing gym class this year. You might also need the Gym Class Heroes to save you.
15. "Anywhere Place" by Katie Costello. It can be hard finding your place in high school... but just know that you will.
16. "Lay Your Head" by Athlete. Maybe this is a sign that you need to go to bed early?
17. "Happily Ever After" by He Is We. This is what I think of seventh-grade couples. "We all wanna know how it ends."
18. "Go to the River" by Yael Naim. Just "go, go, go, go."
19. "Safe" by Britt Nicole. "You keep trying to get inside my head while I keep trying to lose the words you said. Can't you see I'm hanging by thread...?"
20. Who is my vision? "You Are My Vision!" Who doesn't love Rend Collective Experiment's version of this hymn?
21. "World News" by the Local Natives. Perfect for anger management.
22. "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. Don't let people tear you down, because that's fear of man. We're living for fear of God!
23. "Don't Let it Break Your Heart," guys! However, my heart is breaking about Coldplay not playing in the London closing ceremony.
24. "Birds" by Deas Vail. "We are all birds stuck inside our cage, covered up with praise, and behind our saints we hide our face."
25. "Behind the Scenes" by Francesca Battistelli. "Things aren't always what they seem."
26. "Sixteen" by Deas Vail. Makes me feel so young even though I'm not even sixteen yet!
27. "Summer Forgets Me" by Deas Vail. Face it. Summer's over.
28. Jesus, "let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love!" Gotta love For KING & COUNTRY. This song is totally my prayer.
29. "Cubism Dream' by the Local Natives. Story of my non-existent love life, LoL!
30. Show everyone that you're "Born Again" this year! "Born Again" by The Newsboys is pretty nice.
31. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Relient K. Nuff said.
32. "Build Your Kingdom Here" by Rend Collective Experiment. "Come set our hearts ablaze with hope."
33. "Christ Has Set Me Free," (Rend Collective) so I want everyone to know, you know?
34. "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" by Seabird. I have a friend who will only play this song when she has my iPod in her possession. Not Hans Zimmer, not Paramore, not Deas Vail, not Jason Walker, not Athlete. Just this song.
35. "Echo" by Jason Walker. Hey, you. You ain't alone.

Yeah, this is what I do with my life, guys...

Hello from LOUISVILLE 2012!!!!!!

I love you like my own edible babies:) (Inside joke.)

So, I am sorry that I haven't been posting this week. I have like, tow minutes, so let me be brief *(sorry about typos).

I performed my vocal solo and got 33.67 points, which means no callback or Top Ten, but hey, who caresa.

BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, guys. I gotta go.

Goals Before School Starts

School is in two weeks. I need to finish up summer reading, summer music, summer workouts, and summer reinventions. So, here are my goals for the end of summer:

READING

"Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen. Some person requested it, so now I can't renew it, and it's got to be done before Louisville. And it's the biggest book I'm reading right now. Plus 13 others.

"Seventeenth Summer" by Maureen Daly. I knew this book was old when I realized the author was dead (AND born in 1921). And someone requested it, so this has to be done before Louisville as well, and oh yeah, I haven't even STARTED this one.

MUSIC

I'm currently doing two piano books before I start lessons in the fall. One is "Piano for Dummies." It's like, having a teacher in a book. Then, I have an old book from when my mom started lessons a really long time ago (she doesn't play anymore) which I just use because it has quizzes. Very useful to help prepare for the school year and make sure I don't forget what I've learned.

For violin I'm using the book "Play Violin Today! Level One" and I will use this series until I can find a teacher. It's helping me learn my notes. And, the scales are finally starting to sound like real songs! I also use "Tipbook for Violin and Viola" for info on the violin and keeping it in good shape.

FITNESS

So, I figured since I'm out of gymnastics, when I'm seventeen I'll try to get back in and move from Level 1 (I was higher than that, I was in the competition levels) and try to get higher than I was so I can stop sitting around saying, "Oh, I wish I was still a gymnast." So, in order to still be fit by then, I really need to get into some flexibility, conditioning, and of course, TUMBLING!


My split leaps have always... uh... sucked. LUCKILY! I have a mini-trampoline that I prop up to be a springboard that helps me open my legs more. Once I master that, I'll just do it on the trampoline. Then, after that, to the floor.

I have been studying this GIF all week to find out how Sam Peszek is doing this. Every time I think I have a clue, I find out she's doing something else. To get this skill (simply so I can brag about it), I need to perfect a cartwheel aerial, perfect my round-off that I used to have perfectly, and do push-ups like, every day.

I am just gonna do back walkovers off the couch. I give up on the floor.

I am soooooo gonna get into yoga and stretching.

I can still do this! But I can't hold it, so I need to work on my balance and stretch out that leg so I can go higher.

REINVENTIONS

So, if you don't like something about yourself and you can change it, change it. So here's what I'm doing:

Handstands to make my arms bigger.
"Supermans" to tone my abs.
Wax eyebrows.
Use hair removal cream instead of a razor (I get really bad razor burn).
Take speech and debate to get out of my shell.
Read more blogs and novels and poetry and song lyrics to inspire me.
I'm currently homeschooling myself for the summer in Science, Algebra I, and just finished Chinese (the book was "Bitter Melon" by Cara Chow--- one of my favorites now).

Those are my goals for the end of summer! Think I can do it?

"Take all of your chances while you can. You'll never know when they'll pass you by."
-Athlete (my favorite British band!)