Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Life Lately // A Q+A IS COMING

the lake - camping in June

 GUYS. *waves* I have some big news. And an update. Shall we start with the news? *nods* Good idea.

I have a friend coming to visit next month. YES, SERIOUSLY. Mikayla, from Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Father, is coming to visit me, all the way from sunny Texas to evergreen-loaded Washington. AND, since we both have blogs (and also because we've been wanting to do this for a while), we're going to do a Q&A together when she comes! SO, DROP US SOME QUESTIONS. However many you want, about whatever you want! We'll answer them all! (Really, we will.)

And life! Wow - life's been busy lately. And I did something c.r.a.z.y. last week (which I shall tell you about in a moment). I'm actually still finishing up some school *laughs* AND have barely been reading? There are so many books on currently-reading shelf right now! (Okay, so technically it's only four, because two of them I'm not "currently" reading, I just haven't finished them yet. O.O) 

Other things I've been doing? We went rock climbing the other day. Birthday shopping (my birthday, my older bro's, and my older sister's are all in the SAME week *phew*). Possibly going to see the Emoji Movie (I know it looks stupid, but it also looks funny XD). Going to see Cars 3 on July 4th. (GO WATCH IT. I like Cars so much, haha)

AND I GOT A URL FOR MY NEW BLOG. But I've done nothing with it yet so *wide eyes* it's not being shared yet.... XD

What I'm reading:

So, as some of you may know, I created a reading challenge for this year - and I'm slowly working through it. HERE ARE SOME BOOKS I'M USING:

Resistance by Jaye L. Knight - This is GOOD. So far, I like it. I see soooo much improvement in Miss Knight's writing from some of her earlier works, and this whole novel - the characters, the set-up, the writing style - is well-done. *thumbs up* (I actually haven't finished it yet but I asked for the sequel for my up-coming birthday, haha) - a book over 400 pages

War on the Waters by James M. McPherson - CHALLENGE MATERIAL - a history book. This book is really interesting (I'm a Civil War enthusiast), and there's so much good info! It's really cool to be reading and come across events that I know about - briefly - and then it goes into so much depth.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson - UM, this one is...interesting. I'm not sure about it, to be honest. Right now, it feels like a three star (maybe). I'm reading it aloud to my siblings, WHICH IS COOL. Also, I'm using it for the challenge - a book in my favorite genre.

The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses by Dr. William Bates - YES, I am reading a scientific-y book. It's actually sort of interesting, because I like learning. Honestly, some of the info is slightly mind-blowing. 

it was gorgeous

The crazy thing I did last week:

My little brother likes playing football. Naturally, I play with him. We were at the orthodontist last month, and the lovely lady working on my braces got talking with my mom. And she told my mom that her son does flag-football with a church. And my little bro has been wanting to do football for a while now. So we checked it out. And decided to do it. 

AND SO EVALUATION DAY came around, and Jeremiah did fantastically (he can throw better than me now XD). On the drive home, I said something about playing football (because it's co-ed and also because I wouldn't want to do cheerleading ha), and my mom looked in the rear view mirror with the face of "do you want to do it?" I very vehemently said NOPE. (I was scared, guys, k.) But then we dropped the siblings off so we could pick up a birthday present, and we got to talking. And I admitted that if I wasn't so scared, I would want to do the evaluations. Because this could be my only chance to play the only sport I ever really wanted to play. And so my mom drove back to the church, went inside to talk to someone, and came out with an amazing gal who totally convinced me to try it. So I evaluated.

And ya know what, guys? I've decided to do it. I'm actually going to do flag-football. It took a lot of worry. And thought. And debating and talking and asking opinions. And thinking about my own opinion. On evaluation day, I was totally like "YES I'm playing" - but then a day passed, and then two, and it started to seem intimidating and scary all over again. But when I pushed past that I realized I wanted to do it, because hey, why not? This could be a lot of fun

Practice starts next month. *laughs nervously* BUT I'M DOING IT and I'm actually kind of excited now?! #weshallsee 

SO YEAH. CRAZY AND SUDDEN, I KNOW. Because I'd had no inkling weeks before, or days before, or even ON evaluation day that I'd be trying out. But then I felt like if I didn't do it, I'd regret it. 

ALSO, going camping again for my sister's birthday. Which is fantastic. Funny, cuz we got the same lot we had in June. XD #itwasnice

I'LL BE SEVENTEEN ON THURSDAY. *ahem* Yep. 

What I've been writing:

When NaNo rolled around, I was all in to write my WIP Chosen - a Christian, futuristic, dystopian mash-up (the idea for it came very randomly and I started it very suddenly). Plans changed, however - when I started Camp and did not like the words I was writing. It was frustrating - THANKFULLY, I had a backup. It's a "short story" I've titled Raindrops. I've been writing that the past few weeks- and it's going really well, methinks. I'm excited to finish it! (by the end of July) It was going to be a short story, but now it's a *cough* novelette

{ a basic summary }  

"A girl, a guy, a broken down Jeep, a rescue (attempt), a coffee shop, and...rain."

Raindrops was inspired by a Pinterest photo - which has never happened to me before. XD I saw the picture, and the beginnings of an idea took root. HERE I AM NOW. It's been fun to write, with the characters coming to life, humor seeping in effortlessly, and the idea of an epilogue of sorts - not too long ago, I was considering turning this into a full-blown novel, but it was only ever meant to be a short story - ya know what I mean? THEN the idea of an epilogue popped up, giving me the opportunity to take the story the way I wanted and tie up the potential loose ends. 

{ snippet }

 “Oh!” The guy’s voice was laughing. “Um...sorry.” The smirk on his face told her he was anything but.

“Sure,” she mumbled, half-laughing as she glanced around the interior of the Jeep. It was old. Really old. Maybe 90s? But she could tell he took good care of it. That didn’t stop her from asking… “Does it run?”

His eyes widened, and she thought she heard him suck in a breath. An awkward second scraped by. Then he grinned. “That’s the beauty of this old gal. It’s always a mystery to see if she’ll start or not.”

Sarah laughed, but when Joshua still started at her, she realized maybe he wasn’t joking. Now her eyes widened. “Wait...what? Is that…? Are you…?”

“Serious?” He finished for her. “Uh...well…” Joshua coughed, facing forward. “Sorta a bad joke, but…”


AND THAT IS ALL. 

What does your currently-reading shelf look like? Last crazy thing you did that took guts? What is your Camp NaNo project? AND DON'T BE SHY - ask all the questions you want for the Q&A!

14 comments:

  1. Your life sounds awesome . . . hehe!

    Okay okay! QUESTIONS!! :D

    - How did you two meet?
    - What are the three main things you have in common? (there's probably more than three, but what would you say are the main 3?)
    - What is one book that one of you loves, and the other hates? (if there is one . . .)
    - What are 3 things that you are totally opposites in?

    I think that's it! :D HOPE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING TIME!!! I'm seriously jealous. ;)

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    1. Haha, thank you - I think? XD I saw your comment, and I thought, "I feel the same way about her!" XD

      YES, QUESTIONS!!!

      GOSH, thank you muchly, Sarah Grace! <33 Hehe, well, maybe we can meet up sometime... *grins*

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  2. Aw that's so cool that you're meeting Mikayla!!

    Here's some questions:
    -If you could travel anywhere together where would ya'll go?
    -What is one food that one of you loves, and the other hates?

    Also, that is so cool that you're playing flag football! I've always wanted to do something like that. Our town actually has a league but I'm too old for it:( lol hope you have fun playing!!

    Ellie
    www.uniquelyyou1.blogspot.com

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    1. Isn't it though?! <3

      Thank you so much for the questions!! And YES flag football! I'm still nervous off and on, haha. XD Aw, that's too bad :P Thank you! I hope so too. LOL

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  3. hmmmmm

    most favorite tv show?
    what is one thing that you both majorly don't agree on?
    would you live in Alaska or Mississippi?
    if you could only live on one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
    what's one thing you guys had on your bucket list to do together?

    CANT WAIT TO SEE THE VIDEO

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    1. OOH GOOD QUESTIONS, JU! <33 THANK YOU SO MUCH, GIRL. YES, the video!!! I'm excited for it too - LOL

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  4. QUESTIONS QUESTIONS:

    - Have you ever kissed a frog to see if it'd turn into a prince?
    - do you have any completely weird hobbies?
    - Can you do any accents?
    - Do you like pizza?
    - Are you a fast or slow reader?
    - What the most dangerous thing you've ever done?
    - What's the most epic cooking failure you've...created?
    - Do you like matte finish book covers, or gloss? (this is a VERY important question. XD)
    - What's your favourite genre to read?
    - What's your opinion on beetles?
    - If you could have a different haircut, what would you like to try?
    - Do you have a favourite snack/drink?
    - What's a random word that you say frequently?

    AND THAT'S ALL FROM ME. XD I can't think of anything else. :P
    But also RESISTANCE. *flails* IT'S SO GOOD.

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    1. OHMYGRACIOUS, JANE! Thank you so much for all the questions!!! I so appreciate you taking the time to comment <3

      RESISTANCE - I finished it, and have the sequel on my shelf... (but I have to read other books first, cuz #readingchallenge XD)

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  5. Oooh! Questions:

    Can you do an eyebrow wave?
    Name three fictional characters that are most like you personality wise!

    xoxo Abigail Lennah | ups & downs

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    1. Hey, Abigail - nice to meet you! XD Thank you so much for stopping by and asking some questions! I look forward to answering them! <3

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  6. THAT IS LITERALLY SO COOL THAT YOUR BLOGGER FRIEND IS COMING TO VISIT YOU!!! OMG IT WILL BE AWESOME I'M SURE. Here are a few questions for the Q&A (can't wait!! eeep!)

    - pancakes or waffles?
    - unicorns or dragons?
    - tea or coffee?
    - favorite time of day?
    - favorite fictional character?
    - favorite music artist??

    I LOVE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOOK AT A PICTURE AND IT'S JUST LIKE BOOM: AN ENTIRE STORY IDEA <3333333 I love that snippet you shared!! It sounds like such a cute story omg!! :') Also, GOOD FOR YOU following your heart at the evaluation! I hope practice goes well for you!

    rock on,
    abbiee

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    1. YES YES IKR IT'S AMAZINGGG!!!! (*grins* aw gosh thanks, Abbiee XD <3)

      oooh, thanks bunches for the questions!!! It's going to be great answering all these! :D

      YES, IT'S FABULOUS. <3333 OMW thank you so much!! Maybe someday people can read it XD XD *laughs nervously* yes, evaluations! Gosh, I still get scared/nervous off and on and THEN IT PASSES but still - *wide eyes* THANK YOU, I hope so too <3

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  7. *knows I'm too late to leave comments, but OH WELL* *wants to see the Q&A*

    So excited for you – playing flag football!! :D Also, I must read RD. Also, I must read Resistance. Also, you should totally blog more because the way you write is just fabulous! ;)

    Btw....if you wanna do a tag... http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-sunshine-blogger-early-writings-tag.html

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    1. OH MY GRACIOUS - I'm responding to this nearly a month late! *hides*

      THE Q&A IS COMING. Mikayla still has some editing to do, I think XD XD

      I'M SO EXCITED TOO. Flag football = da best. LOVE IT. <3333 *grins about RD* If you ever read Resistance, I'd be interested in trading thoughts on it! XD AWWWWW, FAITH!!! Thank you so much!!!! <333

      OOH thank you for the tag, girl!

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