I have two big things I need your prayers for, and they are both serious.

The first, something that really hurts me, is that my cousin has swine flu. She's 6 years old and got up to 103 degree. That's a terrifying number, especially in someone that young. I love that girl so much. She lives about an hour away so I don't see her that often, the next time would probably be Christmas, but Arianna is dear to me heart. She's the first child of my Uncle, my dad's younger brother and my own godfather. Every time I see her she latches onto me and we play, along with my brother. She's got the beautiful blue eyes that run in my father's side of the family, and blonde hair she must have gotten from our grandmother. She's full of life, of spirit, and I couldn't stand for anything to happen to her.

The second is for my dad. He's still unemployed, but I'm pretty sure he just had an interview today. We NEED this job. I saw "we" because my family is dependent upon it. I just got more financial aid from my school because we couldn't make the last payment. I don't know if I would have gotten this aid if I didn't have the school president as my philosophy teacher and she hadn't come to like me. When at church on Saturday, I really prayed, something I haven't done in quite a while. I prayed for my dad getting a job, and two days later he's gone to an interview! I think God is looking out for me, is answering my prayers, and I beg you for your help. The more people, the better.

--

I'm off school today. Open House was yesterday and since most of us work it, we're always given the Monday afterwords off. It's a nice rest, but I really need to do homework.

And make my mask.

This Friday is the NHS/SADD Fall Masquerade. I'm the PR Officer of NHS (National Honor Society) so I was kinda forced into going (I don't care for school dances) and the friend I usually dance with is bringing a date this time, so I'm not super excited. But oh well. At least there's this contest where you make your own masks and they get judged. So that's why I need to make one. Once again, please pray for me in this minor contest! I may win a $10 Panera od Starbucks giftcard (I'd prefer Panera, but beggars can't be choosers).

Um, I guess that's all. I'd better get started on my things to do.
-A

PS I love you Kiyo!!!

My brother and I bond by listening to Power Ballads. Epic.

Yes, I just had a very interesting moment with my younger brother. I told him I have had "Can't Fight This Feeling" by Reo Speedwagon stuck in my head all day after one of my classmates came into Yearbook and was singing it. We bond over the TV show "Glee" and Finn sang this song, but that's beside the point.
My brother pulled it up on YouTube and then he mimicked singing it with a lamp and playing it on the Guitar Hero guitar. Good times. Good song

I've been a bit distant with my brother lately. He's been changing a lot, recently. I blame him going to an all-boys high school and having that influence. He's more derogatory, cursing just to curse and demeaning people without thought. And I don't take that kind of stuff.

But it's nice to see that my brother can still joke around and enjoy a good Power Ballad with his big sis.

Anyways, good news! I got my portfolio back from my Creative Writing teacher and she called my work some of the best in the class! I've uploaded forms of all my work, some changed into fanfics and others remaining in their original format. Those short stories, and the one character sketch, are truly some of my best work and you don't know me as a writer if you haven't read those.

Well, I'm going to catch up on episodes of Bones and SNL on Hulu, and then partake in some more Pride and Prejudice fanfiction.

Love,
-A

I was having a hard time coming up with an idea for my final short story for my creative writing class. I went to this website my teacher suggested to perhaps find a prompt which would lead me into a story of my own. One things caught my eye "first childhood memory."

I couldn't tell you my first childhood memory. They are all mixed up and not chronological at all. So I thought of one that defined my early childhood. And it was about my best friend from essentially birth to age 9-ish. We were neighbors. She was exactly 1 year and 1 day older than me. We were the definition of what friends are. Went over each others houses, played in the field behind our houses, and were with each other for hours.

She, of course, moved when I was around 7-8. She moved about 45 mins away and I did visit her quite a number of times in the next year of two or so, and likewise she visited me once or twice (her house was bigger so it was more fun to go to her). But things got tricky. Her mom had an affair and her parents got divorced. There was split custody between parents. It took a while for my friend to forgive her mom, but she did. The sisters (she had an older one about 3 yrs older and a 3 yrs younger one) were not always together. I remember going to her house once and my friend, her dad, and her grandma going into a bedroom and talking (some screaming on my friend's part) and lots of crying. I remember sitting outside the room with her younger sister. She was 2 years younger than me.

I learned what an affair was and what divorce was far too young than I should have.

But the point isn't the story of my friend. It's the value of her friendship. We were so alike, such great friends that always played together. I was so innocent, so impressionable. You remember that poem I wrote about Pig Soup? well my friend is the one who made that story up and I believed her far much longer than I should have.

I don't recognize the girl I was then. She feels like a book or movie character that I'm fond of, but often don't remember except in random moments.

I was such a beautiful, innocent child. I was shy around adults, but with most family and friends could be such the little leader (coughcough kinda bossy). I wasn't afraid to wear any color of the rainbow, wear whatever clothes, go out in a bathing suit. I did gymnastics during that time, and was comfortable in a leotard until I started wearing a bra at age 9.

Damn puberty.

I find I write about people younger than me. I connect better with them. My childhood stopped being normal after my friend moved. I gradually stopped playing outside. I never made friends in school that could compare to my first best friend. I was a loner until high school, and even NOW I still don't have a group of friends that I do stuff with outside of school. My friends are all nerds that are busy at home with homework or other obligations.

I miss my innocence. I wish I could relive one day of my childhood. Or at least observe a day of my childhood and see the girl I was. The girl with the long, brown hair and the straight bangs across at the eyebrows. With big brown eyes, freckle-spattered and blushing cheeks. The girl with the right amount of baby fat that had to buy bigger clothes because she was so tall and often mistaked for two years older than she was until she never grew out of that baby face and ended up looking younger than she is (point in case now).

I'm all sentimental, but once you read the story I will be posting about my childhood (with different names thrown in, of course), you'll see and understand. I ask that you read it when I post it and take the time to fondly recall your own childhood.

And now I'll end this overly long journal.

-A

PS I'm sorry I haven't updated in forever, just been in a peculiar mood. Still been thinking of you all, though

Been busy with school. Everything has become a routine. I do enjoy it, most days. I rarely have a bad day.

Also been busy with college applications. Wish me luck with those.

And now for a random thing...

This is why I love Taylor Swift --> [link]
I'm not a big country fan, nor of mainstream pop, but she's so down-to-earth and appreciative. And her music and videos ARE great. And, of course, Kanye West is a dick. I don't think I've said that on here yet.

Um...that's all for now? I'll try to post something on here eventually. I have a few things lying around.

-A

PS I'm on a Pride and Prejudice obsession once again...

Lotsa stuff happening lately!!!

1 [link]

I can't wait to watch the VMA's and hopefully see he clearer, and extended, version of the new New Moon trailer! This looks epically better than the first movie. I always did like New Moon the best for the real introduction of the vampire and werewolf world, specifically the Volturi aspect of it.

Dakota Fanning looks kickass, and Michael Sheen looks like the leader Aro.

2 September 14, 1964. George Harrison visited the high school that I attend now. As in The Beatles George Harrison. I'm not kidding. He didn't perform and only a few people actually saw him and was given a private tour with only the principle (a nun who knew that if word got out there would be pandemonium in an all-girls' school despite not knowing thw entirety of Beatles Mania). He apparently wanted to see what American secondary schools were like and was recommended to my school (it was in its 5th school year and filled with all the new technologies of that time). My philosophy teacher and the current principle, also a nun, was there at the time, a young nun in her 20s and liked The Beatles' music but was "too old" to be a part of the Mania. She saw him but didn't get to meet him. It was fascinating. All the girls in my class were Beatles fans already (especially this one girl who's obsessed with the '60s, and me, and then my one friend to a degree less than our obsession but still loves 'em). I've unofficially nicknamed the class "George Harrison's Official Fan Club of -insert my school's name here-"

When he died in '01 someone put a sign on the waterfountain saying "George Harrison Drank Here." Which was true. He did drink from a water fountain in that spot, but the actual one eventually broke so it was replaced.

Monday will be the 45th Anniversary of his visit. On Tuesday I have Philosophy class and am in charge of our opening prayer. I'm using "My Sweet Lord," my favorite of Harrison's solo songs, as our prayer.

So yeah, my school is sooooo cool now. Did you have a Beatle visit yours? I think NOT! XDXDXD

3 I bought these really cute purple and black plaid flats yesterday. Wore them to church today with a purple shirt and dark jeans. And I fixed my hair. It's a miracle!

4 Been writing, writing, writing every night! All my classes require papers except for Calculus and Yearbook. It's a good thing I'm a pretty good writer. My only problem is I procrastinate...

5 I got my first Calc quiz back and...I got a 100%! In all the years I've been at this school, this is the first time I've EVER gotten a 100% on a math quiz. I've gotten A's, but there's always been at least a few points taken off for stupid things in my work even if I got the right answer. It's ironic that I'm in the highest math available at my school and I finally start to do excellent. And the 2nd quiz that I just took I think I got a 100% on, too. I'll just have to wait and see!

6 I had to write a character sketch for Creative Writing class and I decided to develop a background for Nicollette from my story "Connections." I'm sticking to short stories for this class but I may not do one for the 13 yr old Nicollette that I made. She different than when I originally made her but I think it's for the better indefinitely. Which will probably mean that I'll be re-writing parts of what I've written for the novel, but I'll do that after I finish the piece for class where "I meet Nicollette and sketch her character on pure observations from an outsider." So we're meeting in a waiting room where I'm observing Nicky and carefully crafting my responses to what I see in a way to really start to develop her. It's kinda fun, but very difficult.

7 I'm depressed I can't get the special edition Beatles Rockband. I'm too careful with money to use all that I've collected on one thing. It's $250 and I'd split that with my brother. I have $140 in my wallet saved plus my Mom still owes me $25. I can't justify it.

Um...I think that's all my important stuff. I need to do some of those writing assignments. Not fun at the moment because I feel like gushing over New Moon trailer and waiting for the VMAs desperately.

Adios!

-A