The Writer

Anyone who can write is a writer. Somewhere inside me throbs a writer. At times that side of me bursts forth, but usually it is forgotten about, pushed aside. The passion for writing within me is a very fickle flame. I am not just talking about writing on this blog or journaling, though. I am talking about writing stories. Inventing characters, themes, moral points, and settings. My favorite part is probably forming my characters and the main twists in the story, which are probably the most memorable parts of most novels.

Lately, I have been noticing my passion for writing usually ignites because of two particular situations: 1) when I am inspired by delving into deep thought about my stories or 2) when I read or watch something that causes me to turn melancholy and pensive.

The latter is the most effective. It is probably because books are the first things which ever made me desire to write in the first place. The winding plot of a Bronte novel, the comical characters molded by Dickens, or the satirical comedy of social customs in Austen. All inspire me and cause me to think, "Can't I do that? I want to do that. I must try."

I want to make that character that people love or the one that people despise. The character that actually seems like a real person. When a character feels something, you feel it when you read it, and are able to empathize in a special way with each person. You become their best friend, pity them, feel glory with them. A rather morbid side does usually make it's way onto the pages when I write certain stories, because my favorite part of a story is not the "happily ever after." It is the afflictions, tears, and melancholy days. When I read a story, and it is able to change my mood. It is able to cause me to feel the pain, the ache that fills a characters heart, I am in love. In love with the story, the character, the writing style.

I can't say I have been writing very much lately, but I have been thinking about writing. During a particularly melancholy evening, as I scribbled notes and examined exactly what I desire to achieve when I write stories, I finally came to the conclusion with this sentence:

"If I can feel something, then cause a character to feel something, and write it and cause a reader to feel something, I have accomplished what my goal through writing is: to make someone feel."

PostScript: More pictures of a particularly epic photoshoot are coming up soon. The shots above are a sneak peek!

Thanksgiving Day

As I devour the remains of our leftovers, the fond memories of yesterday swirl in my mind. The smells of food which filled the house; the anticipation which glowed through eyes and smiles. There is no day quite like Thanksgiving each year.

I am so grateful to have spent the day in happy contentment, remembering our country's roots, and of course, enjoying our bounty of food. I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, filled with our Savior's love.

P.S. The last winner of the giveaway didn't claim her prize, so I drew a new winner who is Miss. Raquel! Please email me to claim your prize in 48 hours!

Feather Painted Tote

It was nearly midnight. What better time to begin a craft project? It took about three excruciatingly tense trips to the porch in order to fetch all of the necessary supplies. I believe every trip outside I stepped on the squeaky tile, the screen door screeched for some WD-40, and realized I had forgotten something about halfway back to my room. Finally, once everything was gathered, I commenced. One solitary blue feather in the center with two orange feathers surrounding it. It took longer then I had anticipated.

A few days later straps were added and the last stitches were sewn. Welcome to the world, my newest creation. It's a pleasure to meet you.

PostScript: The winner of the giveaway is France Irish. Please note, you have 48 hours to email me and claim your prize.

Thanks Giving (part II)

Honestly, I don't believe Thanksgiving is this week; nor do I believe Christmas is only a few weeks away; nor do I believe our Christmas tree is going up this week; nor do I believe I have already begun wrapping Christmas gifts. This has come too quickly. Days and weeks have gone too fast. 

This week I am so grateful for:

-Constantly running down the stairs to jump into the van and drive off some place about three times a day. To say the least, I am exhausted.

-God providing me with so many etsy sales. All miracles.

-A new friendship.

-Laughing so much that by the end of the day it hurt; and not wanting to laugh anymore because it became painful (mostly due to Michael's constant humor).

-Making feather earrings.

-Sewing a new tote bag (post coming soon).

-All you amazing blogging friends. You make this adventure so fun.

This year is closing, but so many things are just beginning. Lately I have just been repeating the words "God is good" over and over again. Because He is so good. So, so, so good. Wow.

PostScript: Only a few more hours left to enter my giveaway!

The Romanian Scarf

 

 

It was bundled up in a drawer, mixed with stockings and other scraps of fabric. I was rummaging through, trying to find a small purse. However, before I came upon it the bright checkered cloth flashed before my eyes -- a red mass which ignited my curiosity. Quickly, I snatched it out and asked, "what's this?"

Oh, just an old scarf bought in Romania, was my mother's reply. To me, though, it instantly became a treasure. I can imagine my mom coming upon it at a small shop, trying to select the perfect pattern. There are piles of them, all different colors, all types of shapes. Finally, she picks up this one. Red and flowing and light. It is the one. She wears it through the street. The signs of a foreign language are placed everywhere; a sort of gibberish is constantly uttered in marketplaces and hotels. It doesn't matter, though, because they are used to it by now. When they finally pack up to traverse through the next country, the scarf is folded and placed in a suitcase. It travels through Europe, to Asia, to Hawaii. It has traveled far more then I.

It is older then me, too. This scarf has a story. That's why it's so special.

Thanks Giving

I believe it is time for that list. The one where you talk about what you're thankful for. Yes, that one. When I just close my eyes and breathe, the list comes gradually. Things pile up, and soon I am whisked away by the realization that I am ridiculously, undeservedly blessed.

I am grateful for sweet breakfasts, and the way my brother and I laugh over the way I dive out of bed every morning (I sleep on the top bunk...) because our alarm clock drives me nuts and I nearly break my neck while scrambling down the side in order to stop the frantic ringing.

I am grateful for the inspiration that floods my mind whenever I come upon a beautiful blog or etsy store. There is no feeling like it. It's like finding a hidden treasure and then receiving countless ideas on photography and DIYs which satisfies my creative juices for days on end.

I am grateful for long skype chats with my older brother when we laugh at the stupidest things and share the most ridiculous stories. We make jokes about what it's going to be like when I go to college with him at the same campus (if I get accepted...) and he tells me how he's going to embarrass me and then I freak out and decide I'm not so sure about this. It's the best.

I am grateful for failed bokeh photographs because it means I'm trying, if nothing else.

I am grateful for the scarf I found in my mom's drawer which she bought in Romania. It is beautiful and I can't wait to show you all pictures of it soon.

I am grateful for the fuzzy feeling I get whenever I envision Christmas coming around the bend. The tree's lights, melodic carols, vanilla scented candles, brightly packaged presents, and good cheer. The remembering of an all-loving Savior -- it is oh-so sweet.

I am grateful that the future is not half so scary as it used to be, because of this thing called Peace floods me every now and again. And I am content.

PostScript: If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, please do so!

Saturday Evening

It's one of those nights you look forward to all week. Opportunities for a fancy night out are few and far between, so whenever they come around, they are greatly anticipated. The chance to wear an evening dress, balance in high heels, and take countless pictures was seized and relished. I am so grateful to have been able to share my Saturday evening in the company of encouraging friends and a wonderful brother.

However, the wonderful thing is, that wasn't even the best part. Sure the dessert was magnificent, the ballroom was grand -- but the featured speaker was sublime. As a current student taking a speech class, I believe hers was one of the best speech's I have ever heard in my short existence. Her opening was captivating, her words flowing not from a memorized speech or words from a page -- but from her heart.

The message was delivered through stories, through laughs, through warm lumps filling throats, and hot tears stinging eyes. The message of a woman who had, by the everlasting grace of God, survived a saline abortion attempt and lived to speak out. A woman believing and provoking minds to consider that men should learn to be men of God, that women should learn that they are worthy of love, and that people will strong wills ought not to have their will broken -- but guided. My mind was constantly stirred, motivated, provoked to think. Enlightened, warmed, and constantly overflowing with admiration. So, so, so, thankful that God had allowed me to be blessed through her testimony, though her actions, through her lessons learned.

She calls herself feisty. She says God likes feisty women. I am sure He does, and I know that I certainly do. I am so grateful for women of God who are willing to do His will and speak the truth.

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about her, her name is Gianna Jessen. This is her website.  

Starfish Barrette Giveaway

This giveaway is closed

There is something uncommonly breathtaking about the sea and starfish. Living in a place where salty air and sandy coat lines are wonderfully enchanting, I definitely have a place in my heart for nautical treasures.

I am so pleased to introduce you to Cristalle's beautiful, nautical shop Dreams by the Sea. It is filled with whimsical, beach-themed accessories. Here are just a few treasures from her shop:

Starfish Headband

Floral Charm Necklace 

Roses and Pearls Earrings 

Dragon Egg Ring

Isn't her store just gorgeous? I am in love with it. The best part is that Cristalle has generously donated this beautiful Starfish Barrette for the giveaway:

Want to win? Be sure to read the rules closely and complete the mandatory entry before moving on to the extra entries. Leave separate comments per entry. The winner will be chosen through random.org, so it's completely fair. After the winner is announced, she will have 48 hours to claim the prize.

Another wonderful thing is that this giveaway is open to international readers! So enter away. The giveaway closes on November 20th at midnight (Hawaii time).

Important note: In order to allow more people to enter, I changed the mandatory entry from liking Dream by the Sea's facebook page to telling me what your favorite item in her shop is. I understand that several people entered already, so to keep it completely fair, all of their entries are counted and they do not have to complete the current mandatory entry since it has been changed since they entered.

So sorry for the change. I hope it isn't confusing. I just wanted more people to be able to enter and have a chance to win! Thank you so much for understanding.

Mandatory:

+tell me your favorite item in her shop

Extra:

+like Dream's by the Sea's facebook page

+heart an item in Dream's by the Sea

+heart the shop Dream's by the Sea

+follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (sidebar)

+follow me on twitter

+blog about the giveaway (leave the link)

Good luck to everyone and have fun entering! I can't tell you all how glad I am to finally host another giveaway (hopefully with many more to come!).

Pesto Pasta

My family doesn't really enjoy a dish of pasta. My mom would rather have an Asian delicacy and my father prefers a hunk of steak. I, for some odd reason no one can justify, love spaghetti and lasagna and alfredo sauce. Yesterday, I decided to treat myself to a healthy, filling lunch and boiled some noodles, mixed in some pesto, chopped a few tomatoes, tossed it all together and enjoyed a hearty plate of pesto pasta.

One could say I am in love with good food a little too much.

School is constantly in my thoughts. You know what? I have finally begun to enjoy the school year again. The fact that I actually want to learn things and turn myself into an educated being is the only things that spurs me forward. There are rough days -- the ones where I feel like burning my Physics book and scattering the ashes in frenzied glee. Then there are they days I study for an hour and am happy about it. So I would say school and I have a love-hate relationship.

However, as I said, it's getting better. We are learning to tolerate one another.

I have a pile of homework waiting for me, crying out. I must answer the call.

Oh, but before I go, be sure to remember I have a surprise for you all on Friday, so be sure to stop by.

home is where my heart is.

It's the pile of laundry that looks like the leaning tower of pizza and the empty plates stained with triple berry pie filling by the sink. It's the drizzle of threads littering the floor from a recent sewing project and the cool breeze that flees through the house, bringing coats of dust with it -- but we don't care because it's just a little too crisp and cool to be shut out. It's home.

It's this feeling that sometimes gets me -- when I see my mom laughing hard and all I can do is look her way and feel indescribably happy that she is so happy. It bubbles and churns and aches. It's when I look at my brothers and just thank God that he gave me people who are by my side through the crazy, hard, exciting times in life. It's when I see my dad working hard for us and praying for us.

It's when life suddenly flashes before my eyes, and I feel something that isn't happy or angry. It's just wonder. Dear life, I like you.

Roadtripping

The past few days have been different. Well, you know those days that just begin horrible? The ones where you simply cannot focus on school because your brain isn't working correctly (probably because you haven't gotten enough sleep the whole week and are getting delusional)? The ones where your daydream and daydream and daydream and never get anything done, then feel like slamming your head against a cement wall to wake up from the ridiculously lazy feeling you are sinking into? Or the day when you realize your lost something you really, really needed and wanted and cherished and then feel like doing the above stated slamming all over again?

Alright, you get my point. The past few days were slightly icky. 

Yesterday I lost a memory card with pictures on it that I really wanted. It contained dozens of pictures, including ones from the 'afore stated flammkuchen adventure I talked about and wanted to write a post on. Now the only photo of that cooking experience that remains is located in that blog post. Honestly, the pictures on that memory card weren't that great, but it's just the fact that the reason I lost that memory card yesterday is completely and utterly all my fault for being so messy.

Sorry for ranting; I'll end here. The moral of the story? I have already begun organizing my ridiculous piles of fabric, jewelry supplies, and schoolbooks.

That's mostly bad news, so how about I talk about some good news.

Like how today I got a day off of school and our family took a nice trip to Hilo, a town about two hours away. It's sort of a family tradition of ours to drop by there every few months, and this trip, for me, was extra special. We woke up early, and the first part of the drive was filled with sleeping and silence. Then, after picking up some take out food and consuming it ravenously, Michael and I finally came to life and began acting like ourselves. The rest of the way there I talked my head off, laughed until I cried, and received anxious looks from Michael when I acted like a maniac -- yes, it was a good drive. We did not listen to music the whole way, but that's okay because Michael and I are pretty good substitutes. We reminisced past favorite songs and sang nearly every song in Leeland's first album, laughing when we messed up and happily surprised when we hit the same notes and cadences simultaneously.

It was wonderful to get away from school and other distractions and just have time to talk and laugh and live. Despite all of the bad moments in a week, I am so grateful that it's the good ones I usually remember.

Rather then attempt to explain any further, I made a video for you all to enjoy.

It's my first attempt at a film with Perry, so please excuse the out-of-focus and amateur scenes, please.

P.S. Thank you so much for all of the sweet comments on my recent posts! Let's just say comments make me ridiculously happy.