The "Need to Know" Facts of My Life

Ok, so here is a slight update of what is new in my life:

1. I remembered how much I LOVE making beaded jewelry after the Kakos Incident yesterday. (Fine, the title isn't extremely creative, but I am really tired and can't think of what else to call it. Except, of course, GENIUS.) It is like my therapy, and I am so happy I rediscovered it. I made this awesome necklace in 20 minutes last night and am awaiting a chance to go back to Hobby Lobby to buy more supplies.
2. I REALLY have to write my Digital Inkling stuff tomorrow, it was kinda due today.
3. I actually had very little homework tonight, so I got to watch Four Kings and The Office. There hasn't been a Thursday that I've been able to do this in quite awhile.
4. No guitar lesson tonight. I was kinda depressed, but also kinda relieved...I didn't practice at all this week.
5. I realized that you could get them to add peppermint to your hot chocolate at Starbucks. That was incredible. I wonder if they will add it to my chocolate chip blended creme...
6. My magazine is on its way! It was sent back to them because our mailman said I didn't exist. HA! I don't think he is doing his job, I haven't in the longest time, and this just furthers it.

Speech Update

I just checked NFL's (National Forensic League) website and looked up my record. I made my Honor Degree! Yipee! 77 points total, 30 earned this year. I just have to go to two more tournaments, and the letter is mine! Muhaha!

One Small Step for Speech, A Giant Leap for Ashley

Saturday was the Continental League Speech and Debate Tournament at Douglas County High School. I had been working on my Humor piece over winter beak, and I'd also been spending a lot of time with Ms. Graham trying to perfect it. We made a BUNCH of changes, from one of my voices to where I put my intro. At the other tournaments I had gone to I never ranked higher than 3rd in my rounds. Well, I placed 6th overall in Humor. My first round I was ranked 1st. My second round, 4th(I knew my round wasn't as good as it could have been, I stumbled in the beginning and it threw me off). And my third round, I ranked 2nd. It was incredible! My friend Shamita was doing Humor for the first time, so she was freaking out. Not to mention in her first round there was a girl performing her exact same piece. Well, Shamita tied for 1st place! She was stunned. She deserved it, she worked really hard. Ok, I'll admit, I was a tad jealous. I mean, I wanted to place in the top three--not to mention get the medal--, but at least Shamita got 1st. I got another ribbon for my lovely collection. But, hey, there are always other tournaments...

My journey to lettering is getting closer to an end...

Make My Life a Teen Novel!

I just read the newest Meg Cabot book, Avalon High. Her books are my weakness, they fulfill my need for teen drama. Give me a volume of The Princess Diaries series, The Mediator series, or anything of hers for that matter, and I go nuts. She is what I spend my Barnes and Noble gift cards on more often than not. Yes, I admit, it is slightly sad. But I love them. A lot.

Every time I read one of Cabot's novels, or almost any other teen novel, I start to wonder why real life can't be that way. Ok, again, I must be losing my mind. But if you really think about it, the girl always ends up with the guy, and everything is happy in the end. It makes my life seem boring. I mean, in All American Girl, Sam saves the president's life, becomes the Teen Ambassador to the UN, and finds out that David, the president's son, likes her back, all while becoming an incredible artist and discovering who she really is. The Princess Diaries series is almost the same, except Mia finds out she is the princess of a small European country, then she also gets the guy, in this case her best friend's older brother. Ok, not so realistic, but it really makes me yearn for that kind of life.

I mean, who wouldn't want to get everything they want in the end? Life would be so nice. Call me crazy, but this is kinda my fantasy, to have the perfect teen novel life.

And while I'm at it, a shout out to Meg Cabot--Keep it up, and if you get a chance, could you rewrite my life?

Is There Somebody in My Head Telling Them This?

This is kinda creepy. I was just checking my email, and I have it set so that my horoscope comes up when I sign in. This is what it said for today. Kinda crazy how it really relates to me, I mean, this is me to a T!

"If you have always felt the desire to do something as a writer, dear Cancer, now is the time to take the plunge. You certainly don't lack the imagination! The problem you have may be that you have more difficulties taking your prose seriously. Don't think so seriously about being a "Writer" with a capital "W." Just write! And above all, don't hesitate to let people read what you write. A writer's group would be a great way for you to come out of hiding."

A Little Retail Therapy Never Hurt Anyone

Friday was a lovely day spent with my mom and sister. We went to Aspen Grove to return some presents, clothes that didn't fit, and I was in desperate need of jeans. We stopped into Gap to see what they had, and I started looking at their jeans. I chose a couple pairs and headed to the fitting rooms. Well, it turns out that Gap trained all their employees on how to fit anybody for jeans. I ended up walking away with two pairs of the best jeans I have ever worn. We had a blast, just a Girls Day Out, my mom, my sister, and I. I love days like that!

Later tonight we get to go see Little Shop of Horrors. It's the first time we will be doing anything on New Years Eve. I am so excited!

I Think I Just Found My New Hero(s)

Ok, so for Christmas I got two CDs from my little sister. Oh my God! She knows me so well, so she was like my music fairy. I got Gavin DeGraw's Chariot and The Fray's How to Save a Life. I think that Gavin DeGraw is my new idol. He is INCREDIBLE. Kakos would be proud, I am sitting here listening to him, and I keep going, "Hey! This song is a great representation of Romanticism!" I know, kinda strange, considering it is winter break and all and I really don't have to think that hard. Also, I got my sister the DVD of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and while I was watching it on our new TV in the basement, I realized how much it could be considered Dark Romanticism. I mean, Wonka is the host, the kids are the guests, and the factory is the mansion. Fine, call me a freak, I don't care. I just pick up on these things.

So, anyway, I think Gavin DeGraw is going to be my inspiration. He writes all his on songs, and that's kinda what I think I am doing. He is now added to my list of heros.