I owe eveyone an apology, because I said that I would try to get some of my writing up on the blog this week. I'm afraid that is not going to be possible. The piece that I was working on is still not ready to be posted.
There are several reasons for this: one is that I have been rather busy, so I have not had any time to actually work out the kinks in the passage. A second is that my muse keeps coming and going, so my inspiration is sporadic, and the times of its arrival are very annoying. Third, I have developed about four different endings for the scene that I am working on, and I can not figure out which one sounds best. And fourth, which has a bit of good news in it, I actually got inspiration for a scene in my murder mystery yesterday, so that free time I had was spent working that one out.
So, like I said, I know I told you I would get some writing up this week, but I can't, so I promise to put something up next week.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Finally
I am really excited! For the first time in months, I actually managed to write something that wasn't for school!
After not having any inspiration for ages, my friend, Authoress Tams sent me a few pictures that reminded her of one of the novels I am working on. (Authoress Tams is my editor as well).
One of these pictures actually had the name of my main character, Patria, in the title, and the other one looked a lot like the idea that I'm working with in my book. Seeing those pictures really gave my ideas for that book, and I began to write. I actually started rewriting a scene that I had written last year. I had never been completely happy with it, but I was having a lot of trouble fixing it.
Finally, Saturday night, I managed to write part of it better, and I am infinitely happier with it. I plan on posting it up this week if I can. I haven't quite finished it yet, but hopefully I'll get it up this week. If not, I'll do my best to get it up next week.
While I am on the topic of Patria, I found out what the name means. You'd think it was French, since I first read it in a novel by a French author, set in France, but it is actually Latin, and it means fatherland. It is a funny name for a girl, but considering the plot of the story, it really works for her.
Like I said, I'll try to get that piece up this week, and if I can't get it finished in time, I'll do my best to get it up some time next week. I'll finally manage to use this blog for the use it was created for!
After not having any inspiration for ages, my friend, Authoress Tams sent me a few pictures that reminded her of one of the novels I am working on. (Authoress Tams is my editor as well).
One of these pictures actually had the name of my main character, Patria, in the title, and the other one looked a lot like the idea that I'm working with in my book. Seeing those pictures really gave my ideas for that book, and I began to write. I actually started rewriting a scene that I had written last year. I had never been completely happy with it, but I was having a lot of trouble fixing it.
Finally, Saturday night, I managed to write part of it better, and I am infinitely happier with it. I plan on posting it up this week if I can. I haven't quite finished it yet, but hopefully I'll get it up this week. If not, I'll do my best to get it up next week.
While I am on the topic of Patria, I found out what the name means. You'd think it was French, since I first read it in a novel by a French author, set in France, but it is actually Latin, and it means fatherland. It is a funny name for a girl, but considering the plot of the story, it really works for her.
Like I said, I'll try to get that piece up this week, and if I can't get it finished in time, I'll do my best to get it up some time next week. I'll finally manage to use this blog for the use it was created for!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Seasons
I love Autumn more than any other season of the year. I remember when summer used to be my favorite season because we didn't have to go to school for a few monthes. But now, summer doesn't really seem all that great to me.
I enjoy summer because I get to hang out with my best friends from high school, and when I am at school here, I really miss that. But one of the problems with summer is that I have to work, and if I get another job this summer that is anything like last summer, then I will have very limited time with my friends. I have no intention of going back to a factory though, so hopefully it won't be so bad.
I also hate the heat, and I despise humidity, so summer is hardly my ideal season. And even though I get to hang out with my friends back home, I miss my friends from school just as much. And it makes it very difficult to see them when almost all of them live in Indiana, and I am in Cincinnati.
But I love Autumn; I love the colors and the wind and the cooler weather. There is something also about the smell of Autumn. To me it smells like campfires, maybe that's just because I live close to a campground, but I even notice it up here sometimes. I love the smell of campfire, it reminds me of home.
Autumn also leads into winter, which has its ups and downs. I love snow, perhaps just because we don't get that much of it back home. I think snow is beautiful. But when the snow melts, and it is just cold, that's the downside of winter. Once the snow is gone, everything gets kind of depressing.
That is why to me, fall is the best season, there's more variety and excitement in the air.
I enjoy summer because I get to hang out with my best friends from high school, and when I am at school here, I really miss that. But one of the problems with summer is that I have to work, and if I get another job this summer that is anything like last summer, then I will have very limited time with my friends. I have no intention of going back to a factory though, so hopefully it won't be so bad.
I also hate the heat, and I despise humidity, so summer is hardly my ideal season. And even though I get to hang out with my friends back home, I miss my friends from school just as much. And it makes it very difficult to see them when almost all of them live in Indiana, and I am in Cincinnati.
But I love Autumn; I love the colors and the wind and the cooler weather. There is something also about the smell of Autumn. To me it smells like campfires, maybe that's just because I live close to a campground, but I even notice it up here sometimes. I love the smell of campfire, it reminds me of home.
Autumn also leads into winter, which has its ups and downs. I love snow, perhaps just because we don't get that much of it back home. I think snow is beautiful. But when the snow melts, and it is just cold, that's the downside of winter. Once the snow is gone, everything gets kind of depressing.
That is why to me, fall is the best season, there's more variety and excitement in the air.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Embarassing
Everybody has one thing that they wish they could hold back when they're in public and can't. And when it comes out, they are really embarassed.
Mine is crying in public.
It's so embarassing when it happens because I really can't control it that well. I have very over-reactive emotions, (thanks to my mom) and when something makes me really sad, I cry. I hate it with a passion. Once people realize that you're crying, they'll try to comfort you, or they'll make fun of you depending on their nature. And sometimes the situation leads to you explaining why whatever made you cry affected you the way it did.
Those explanations are not always fun, so the best idea would be to avoid them altogether. I have a hard time doing that though, because I can't keep my friggin emotions under control!
What brings this on is that I literaly just starting crying during a class. We were reading something, and I found the ending pretty tragic, so I cried. Thank God only one person noticed, and she didn't ask any questions. The answer would not have been satisfactory to her, I think. I'm pretty sure it would only make sense to me anyway, which is why I like to get away with crying without being noticed. Most of the time it's a really stupid reason to anyone but me, and other times, I just don't want to talk about it.
In the past couple years I have learned to control it better, but I still lose control sometimes, and then I get frustrated. I really wish there was a way to completely control it.
Mine is crying in public.
It's so embarassing when it happens because I really can't control it that well. I have very over-reactive emotions, (thanks to my mom) and when something makes me really sad, I cry. I hate it with a passion. Once people realize that you're crying, they'll try to comfort you, or they'll make fun of you depending on their nature. And sometimes the situation leads to you explaining why whatever made you cry affected you the way it did.
Those explanations are not always fun, so the best idea would be to avoid them altogether. I have a hard time doing that though, because I can't keep my friggin emotions under control!
What brings this on is that I literaly just starting crying during a class. We were reading something, and I found the ending pretty tragic, so I cried. Thank God only one person noticed, and she didn't ask any questions. The answer would not have been satisfactory to her, I think. I'm pretty sure it would only make sense to me anyway, which is why I like to get away with crying without being noticed. Most of the time it's a really stupid reason to anyone but me, and other times, I just don't want to talk about it.
In the past couple years I have learned to control it better, but I still lose control sometimes, and then I get frustrated. I really wish there was a way to completely control it.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Corgies
Probably because I am terribly home sick and I won't be going home till Thanksgiving, I really want to talk about my dogs. That sounds terrible doesn't it? When I'm home sick, the first thing I think of are my dogs rather than my family. I really do love being with my family, and I miss them horribly. The disappointment I feel about not being able to go home this weekend is huge.
But I probably have the most amazing dogs ever. They are all Pembrooke Welsh Corgies, and I have three of them, which creates absolute chaos in the house, and three times the love. I'm not sure how many of you have actually seen a corgie, but they are the cutest animals in the whole world. They are less than a foot of the ground, over a foot long, perky pointed ears, and no tails. Depending on what type of corgie you have, they come in different colors. All three of mine are red and white, but they also come in red, white, and black, black and white, or any of those colors with grey.
Yes, I said they don't have tails. You can consider it cruel if you want, but the puppies tails are cut off at birth, leaving only a little nub behind. This nub is more than likely the cutest thing about a corgie. Since they once had tails, they have the same reaction as any other dog when they are happy, they wag their tails. But since there is no tail to wag, there is only a little nub to shake. So you just see a small portion of the dog's behind moving back and forth, and it is just the cutest thing you've ever seen! Most corgies can do that, unless you are Brett, the youngest of my three corgies. He hasn't figured out completely how to just wag his tail, so his entire butt shakes, which earned him the nick name, wiggle-butt.
They also have the biggest eyes you will ever encounter. These dogs have the ability to look sad, happy, or anything in between without actually doing anything to their eyes or faces. They either melt you, or they make you smile, something they do really well, especially when they smile themselves. Sparky, the oldest of the three, has the best smile, but he also has the saddest eyes, which he uses to great effect whenever there is a suitcase around. When they are sad, begging, or afraid that they are in trouble, all three of my dogs will put their ears down and look at you with eyes that you could just fall into, and it is impossible to stay angry at them, no matter what they have done.
Corgies are also probably the most loyal dogs you will come across. Without really having to train them, even without a leash, they will follow you everywhere. My mom likes to take them to school with her once in a while, and all three of them will just follow her wherever she goes. And when I am alone in the house with them, Sparky and Brett have a tendency to follow me around. On the other hand, my middle dog Anna is the queen of the house, so she will only follow you if you have food, or she feels like it. But if you sit or lay on the floor, she will come and practically sit on you to get you to pet her.
The problem is that they are very jealous dogs. Without fail, whenever another dog, or the cat was introduced into the house, the animal who was the new one until the "upstart" came in would feel quite put out, and would ignore everyone and everything in the house for a few days. After a while though, he or she would finally condescend to pay attention to the new arrival. Questions as to who the alpha dog in the house is have gone unanswered to this day.
I just really miss my puppies, and that is what this long winded post is really all about. My apologies to my readers.
But I probably have the most amazing dogs ever. They are all Pembrooke Welsh Corgies, and I have three of them, which creates absolute chaos in the house, and three times the love. I'm not sure how many of you have actually seen a corgie, but they are the cutest animals in the whole world. They are less than a foot of the ground, over a foot long, perky pointed ears, and no tails. Depending on what type of corgie you have, they come in different colors. All three of mine are red and white, but they also come in red, white, and black, black and white, or any of those colors with grey.
Yes, I said they don't have tails. You can consider it cruel if you want, but the puppies tails are cut off at birth, leaving only a little nub behind. This nub is more than likely the cutest thing about a corgie. Since they once had tails, they have the same reaction as any other dog when they are happy, they wag their tails. But since there is no tail to wag, there is only a little nub to shake. So you just see a small portion of the dog's behind moving back and forth, and it is just the cutest thing you've ever seen! Most corgies can do that, unless you are Brett, the youngest of my three corgies. He hasn't figured out completely how to just wag his tail, so his entire butt shakes, which earned him the nick name, wiggle-butt.
They also have the biggest eyes you will ever encounter. These dogs have the ability to look sad, happy, or anything in between without actually doing anything to their eyes or faces. They either melt you, or they make you smile, something they do really well, especially when they smile themselves. Sparky, the oldest of the three, has the best smile, but he also has the saddest eyes, which he uses to great effect whenever there is a suitcase around. When they are sad, begging, or afraid that they are in trouble, all three of my dogs will put their ears down and look at you with eyes that you could just fall into, and it is impossible to stay angry at them, no matter what they have done.
Corgies are also probably the most loyal dogs you will come across. Without really having to train them, even without a leash, they will follow you everywhere. My mom likes to take them to school with her once in a while, and all three of them will just follow her wherever she goes. And when I am alone in the house with them, Sparky and Brett have a tendency to follow me around. On the other hand, my middle dog Anna is the queen of the house, so she will only follow you if you have food, or she feels like it. But if you sit or lay on the floor, she will come and practically sit on you to get you to pet her.
The problem is that they are very jealous dogs. Without fail, whenever another dog, or the cat was introduced into the house, the animal who was the new one until the "upstart" came in would feel quite put out, and would ignore everyone and everything in the house for a few days. After a while though, he or she would finally condescend to pay attention to the new arrival. Questions as to who the alpha dog in the house is have gone unanswered to this day.
I just really miss my puppies, and that is what this long winded post is really all about. My apologies to my readers.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
No Time
Midterms are going on right now, something that everybody here knows. And it is obvious that the stress is starting to get to everyone, if you haven't gone completely insane already. What I normally do when I'm stressed is pull out a favorite book and read my favorite parts for a little while. But at the moment, I don't even have time for that!
Dealing with stress is not my strong suit, and I have had several break downs already, most of them having occurred today. Does anyone else notice that we tend to enjoy the panic rather than have confidence in ourselves that we actually know the material we are studying? Enjoying probably is not the best word, but around exam time we certainly choose to lower our self confidence levels about ten notches.
And yet again, I am going to be employing my artistic form of procrastination. The other problem with midterms is that we are so drained by the beginning of the week, we have very little, if any energy at all to write the papers that we need to do. Only the looming due date manages to rekindle the dying embers of minds, enabling us to do what we need to do. If anyone has any really ingenious and easy stress relievers, I'm begging you to pass them on.
Dealing with stress is not my strong suit, and I have had several break downs already, most of them having occurred today. Does anyone else notice that we tend to enjoy the panic rather than have confidence in ourselves that we actually know the material we are studying? Enjoying probably is not the best word, but around exam time we certainly choose to lower our self confidence levels about ten notches.
And yet again, I am going to be employing my artistic form of procrastination. The other problem with midterms is that we are so drained by the beginning of the week, we have very little, if any energy at all to write the papers that we need to do. Only the looming due date manages to rekindle the dying embers of minds, enabling us to do what we need to do. If anyone has any really ingenious and easy stress relievers, I'm begging you to pass them on.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Slight panic
I know this post is going to be an eye roller for many of you, but it is a genuine concern for me. I'm starting to panic a little, because my Christmas shopping is not done yet, and I only have till Halloween to finish it.
I told you that you would be rolling your eyes.
The thing is, I hate the Christmas rush. I used to work in it, so I refuse to shop in it. I find that you pick up better gifts if you take your time looking for them rather than picking everything up a 11:00 on Christmas eve. It's also much more economic if you buy gifts all year round. That way you don't have to worry about running out of money at the last minute.
In the past three years, I have set up rules for myself that all my shopping had to be done by Halloween, and everything had to be wrapped by Thanksgiving, which pretty much sums up what my break is going to be like. This policy has led to both exasperation and relief from my family members. They role their eyes when I ask them to help me move the wrapping paper from the basement to my room. But when they only have four days till Christmas and they are still at work and none of their gifts are wrapped, or they don't know how to wrap gifts, there is always me to come to the rescue.
I have the majority of my shopping done, I just need to get a few more odds and ends, but I will only have one opportunity to do that before Halloween, and that is midterm break. Hopefully, Chicago will have a few shops where I can finish everything.
That is one thing I hate about this town, there is no where to go to get really good Christmas gifts. Yes, Wal-Mart has a lot of different things, but I would rather not do all my Christmas shopping in one store, especially not a Wal-Mart. Call me snobbish if you will, but that is just the way I feel.
I told you that you would be rolling your eyes.
The thing is, I hate the Christmas rush. I used to work in it, so I refuse to shop in it. I find that you pick up better gifts if you take your time looking for them rather than picking everything up a 11:00 on Christmas eve. It's also much more economic if you buy gifts all year round. That way you don't have to worry about running out of money at the last minute.
In the past three years, I have set up rules for myself that all my shopping had to be done by Halloween, and everything had to be wrapped by Thanksgiving, which pretty much sums up what my break is going to be like. This policy has led to both exasperation and relief from my family members. They role their eyes when I ask them to help me move the wrapping paper from the basement to my room. But when they only have four days till Christmas and they are still at work and none of their gifts are wrapped, or they don't know how to wrap gifts, there is always me to come to the rescue.
I have the majority of my shopping done, I just need to get a few more odds and ends, but I will only have one opportunity to do that before Halloween, and that is midterm break. Hopefully, Chicago will have a few shops where I can finish everything.
That is one thing I hate about this town, there is no where to go to get really good Christmas gifts. Yes, Wal-Mart has a lot of different things, but I would rather not do all my Christmas shopping in one store, especially not a Wal-Mart. Call me snobbish if you will, but that is just the way I feel.
Major stress
So how many people are leaving campus after midterms for fall break? I know I am. My mom is coming to pick me up on Friday and we are heading to Chicago for a fun weekend of doing whatever the hell we feel like.
Sadly, there are a few things standing in the way of being able to fully enjoy my weekend. First, I have to study for my midterms, which really sucks. Especially when we are at least one class behind in all but one of my classes. That makes it a little difficult to know hwat to study for.
The other thing standing in my way is something that I alone might find a difficulty. Despite the fact that I do it all the time, I really hate doing my homework at the last minute. Procrastination is an art form, and one that I have mastered very well. But I hate the stress. So I decided that I would get all homework done through Tuesday after midterms done so that I would be able to go to Chicago without worrying about the amount of homework I have to do when I get back.
Go ahead and call me an overachiever if you will, others have done it before. I just feel better when I know that I can enjoy myself without school hanging over my head, which is part of the reason Thanksgiving break is not my favorite. The problem with this plan is that to get the upcoming homework done, I have to do the previous homework really early. Balancing that with everything else that I have to do in a week, and we are talking major stress.
Perhaps it would be worth it if I could manage to stay on top of my game when I come back. Sadly, I never manage to stay ahead very long.
Sadly, there are a few things standing in the way of being able to fully enjoy my weekend. First, I have to study for my midterms, which really sucks. Especially when we are at least one class behind in all but one of my classes. That makes it a little difficult to know hwat to study for.
The other thing standing in my way is something that I alone might find a difficulty. Despite the fact that I do it all the time, I really hate doing my homework at the last minute. Procrastination is an art form, and one that I have mastered very well. But I hate the stress. So I decided that I would get all homework done through Tuesday after midterms done so that I would be able to go to Chicago without worrying about the amount of homework I have to do when I get back.
Go ahead and call me an overachiever if you will, others have done it before. I just feel better when I know that I can enjoy myself without school hanging over my head, which is part of the reason Thanksgiving break is not my favorite. The problem with this plan is that to get the upcoming homework done, I have to do the previous homework really early. Balancing that with everything else that I have to do in a week, and we are talking major stress.
Perhaps it would be worth it if I could manage to stay on top of my game when I come back. Sadly, I never manage to stay ahead very long.
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