Hey everybody!
Its today! (though isn't it always? lol)
The special significance of today is that Concrete & Grace has changed!
Before, it was weareconcreteandgrace.blogspot.com (I still maintain the url) and now, its thesiriana.blogspot.com.
So I'd greatly appreciate it if everyone would go and pick up the new blog button from my sidebar, take a gander around the new design and tell me what you think!
blessings~
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Heads Up!
Hey everyone! Thanks to all who weighed in on Question for My Peeps!!!
I have come to a decision...*insert dramatic drumroll*
I am changing the URL to my blog!
As of tomorrow it shall be thesiriana.blogspot.com!
And to make things even better...a completely all new design.
Who else is super excited???
Definitely me!!
So make sure to check back tomorrow (I'm sure I'll post again) to pick up my new blog button, and check out the design!
blessings~
I have come to a decision...*insert dramatic drumroll*
I am changing the URL to my blog!
As of tomorrow it shall be thesiriana.blogspot.com!
And to make things even better...a completely all new design.
Who else is super excited???
Definitely me!!
So make sure to check back tomorrow (I'm sure I'll post again) to pick up my new blog button, and check out the design!
blessings~
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Question for my Peeps
Okay, random question for my bloggie readers out there.
My URL is way long, and kind of complicated.
I mean really, weareconcreteandgrace.blogspot.com??? Kind of difficult, no?
I've been thinking of changing it to sirianablogs.blogspot.com but I kind of want to save that for if / when I start doing blog design as a way to make money.
So I was thinking maybe
the-siriana.blogspot.com
or even
thesiriana.blogspot.com
But it kind of depends on what you guys think...would you all make sure to pick up a fresh blog button that has the new address?
Has anyone tried buying a url with blogger? So that it can be your-ulr.com as opposed to your-url.blogspot.com?
Also, what do you guys think of this design? I'm sure I've asked before but I'm thinking something a bit lighter and brighter is good for summer.
Of course, seeing as how I have time now, and the creative juices are flowing, its extremely possible that I might just be coming up with something completely different for C&G.
So lots of questions, comment with feedback if it made any sense please! :)
My URL is way long, and kind of complicated.
I mean really, weareconcreteandgrace.blogspot.com??? Kind of difficult, no?
I've been thinking of changing it to sirianablogs.blogspot.com but I kind of want to save that for if / when I start doing blog design as a way to make money.
So I was thinking maybe
the-siriana.blogspot.com
or even
thesiriana.blogspot.com
But it kind of depends on what you guys think...would you all make sure to pick up a fresh blog button that has the new address?
Has anyone tried buying a url with blogger? So that it can be your-ulr.com as opposed to your-url.blogspot.com?
Also, what do you guys think of this design? I'm sure I've asked before but I'm thinking something a bit lighter and brighter is good for summer.
Of course, seeing as how I have time now, and the creative juices are flowing, its extremely possible that I might just be coming up with something completely different for C&G.
So lots of questions, comment with feedback if it made any sense please! :)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Whoo Yah SUMMAH
Hey bloggies...yes! Its me, the prodigal bloggeress...
hmmnn...trying to decide about that "term" I just penned...wait...typed?
Yeah...
Anyways...SUMMER VACATION! whoo!
Of course, there is still, in my case, math to work on this summer. But for all intents and purposes, its SUMMAH. oh yah.
Back a couple weeks ago, at the end of may, we went kayaking.
You see, my family, we have a guided kayak tour business on the river that runs through our county. My dad built our kayaks by hand, if anyone happens to wonder.
Because of some serious snow pack and run off this year our river is higher than its been in nearly 20 years.
In fact, some of the highest recorded flooding was when I was only 2 years old...and its supposed to rise even higher this time.
One of the parks up here is flooded.
And I don't mean, just barely encroaching on the boundaries of the park, I mean full on inlet flooding.
And just to put what it looks like now (since I don't have pictures) into perspective, that bridge, is now underwater.
Pretty crazy huh?? But it was kind of fun...interesting fact, where I laid on my picnic blanket at 4th of July last year...well I would pretty much be drowning haha
Well...I'm off dear bloggie friends...hope you enjoyed the pics and the short story!
toodles~
hmmnn...trying to decide about that "term" I just penned...wait...typed?
Yeah...
Anyways...SUMMER VACATION! whoo!
Of course, there is still, in my case, math to work on this summer. But for all intents and purposes, its SUMMAH. oh yah.
Back a couple weeks ago, at the end of may, we went kayaking.
You see, my family, we have a guided kayak tour business on the river that runs through our county. My dad built our kayaks by hand, if anyone happens to wonder.
Because of some serious snow pack and run off this year our river is higher than its been in nearly 20 years.
In fact, some of the highest recorded flooding was when I was only 2 years old...and its supposed to rise even higher this time.
One of the parks up here is flooded.
And I don't mean, just barely encroaching on the boundaries of the park, I mean full on inlet flooding.
And just to put what it looks like now (since I don't have pictures) into perspective, that bridge, is now underwater.
Pretty crazy huh?? But it was kind of fun...interesting fact, where I laid on my picnic blanket at 4th of July last year...well I would pretty much be drowning haha
Well...I'm off dear bloggie friends...hope you enjoyed the pics and the short story!
toodles~
Friday, June 03, 2011
As of Late
Hey everybody!
How're all of you? I know I haven't been posting...well very much ever I guess.
But I'm blogging again! haha
Its the last couple weeks of school for me.
Well, being homeschooled it never really ends (I'm doing math over the summer to get ready for starting Running Start college in the fall...).
I'm working really hard to finish up my web design course by the 9th.
Rather difficult seeing as I'm two weeks behind from the combination of being sick, having computer troubles, and having trouble downloading software the course required I have so...its been hard but I'm in the home stretch now!
A couple of rather exciting things since I last posted though.
As some of you may remember from my last post, I decided for various stress, time and monitary issues that I wasn't going to be entering in National Fine Arts this year.
Well, within days of that decision I actually received an answer to prayer.
Some lovely family friends had heard about my struggle with money for Nationals, and gifted me $120 to cover registration.
But, they didn't know that I had stepped down from doing that.
I was so extremely touched and thankful for their generosity, but I couldn't keep the gift.
I went to return it, but they insisted I keep it, "for whatever comes up".
I made the decision to set it aside for Fine Arts Festival next year, so I already have a head start!
Basically its just school, school, school for me the next few days!
Hope you're all wonderful :-) whether you're on summer vacation, or eagerly awaiting the days of summer like me.
Blessings!
How're all of you? I know I haven't been posting...well very much ever I guess.
But I'm blogging again! haha
Its the last couple weeks of school for me.
Well, being homeschooled it never really ends (I'm doing math over the summer to get ready for starting Running Start college in the fall...).
I'm working really hard to finish up my web design course by the 9th.
Rather difficult seeing as I'm two weeks behind from the combination of being sick, having computer troubles, and having trouble downloading software the course required I have so...its been hard but I'm in the home stretch now!
A couple of rather exciting things since I last posted though.
As some of you may remember from my last post, I decided for various stress, time and monitary issues that I wasn't going to be entering in National Fine Arts this year.
Well, within days of that decision I actually received an answer to prayer.
Some lovely family friends had heard about my struggle with money for Nationals, and gifted me $120 to cover registration.
But, they didn't know that I had stepped down from doing that.
I was so extremely touched and thankful for their generosity, but I couldn't keep the gift.
I went to return it, but they insisted I keep it, "for whatever comes up".
I made the decision to set it aside for Fine Arts Festival next year, so I already have a head start!
Basically its just school, school, school for me the next few days!
Hope you're all wonderful :-) whether you're on summer vacation, or eagerly awaiting the days of summer like me.
Blessings!
My Infamosity
Some of you that know me or follow me on Facebook or Twitter might remember my bemoaning the fact that I had to build a 6 page website about myself for my Web Design course.
One page had to be: What do you believe you will be doing 10, 15 and 20 years from now. Write a paragraph about each of these years including
Well...here is what I wrote.
Now, obviously I wasn't serious ;-) I'm just that girl who barely knows what she's doing next week, or next month...let alone 10 years from now.
Thought you guys might enjoy that! haha
I know I did!
One page had to be: What do you believe you will be doing 10, 15 and 20 years from now. Write a paragraph about each of these years including
- education and/or job
- single / married / divorced
- family & kids
- car (type) and why you chose it
Well...here is what I wrote.
In 10 years I see myself having graduated with honors from clown college and pursuing my dream of being in the circus. Single, no family except the circus. As for car, a clown car of course. My friends and I like to carpool.
In 15 years I see myself having purchased the circus I started off in to take it to greater destinations and being the ring-master. Put the clown car in the garage in favor of a personal jet and still be single.
In 20 years I see myself having lost the circus in a divorce settlement and beginning my illustrious career as a sign waver directing potential customers to new housing developments for sale, Jiffy Lube's and car washes. Car: I got the clown car back out of the garage, it doesn't get half bad gas mileage.
In 15 years I see myself having purchased the circus I started off in to take it to greater destinations and being the ring-master. Put the clown car in the garage in favor of a personal jet and still be single.
In 20 years I see myself having lost the circus in a divorce settlement and beginning my illustrious career as a sign waver directing potential customers to new housing developments for sale, Jiffy Lube's and car washes. Car: I got the clown car back out of the garage, it doesn't get half bad gas mileage.
Now, obviously I wasn't serious ;-) I'm just that girl who barely knows what she's doing next week, or next month...let alone 10 years from now.
Thought you guys might enjoy that! haha
I know I did!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
No Nationals for Me
Things and things and things today I guess...
Making decisions.
Choices.
Things that are going to effect the rest of this year...the rest of this summer...more? I don't know yet.
I guess this is me letting everyone know, I am not going to be doing national fine arts.
Though I qualified (see earlier post) I have made the decision that I am not going to go through with my original plan to participate in the national festival.
You see, national fine arts festival is in Phoenix, AR.
Since I barely made it to districts (thank you Jesus!) actually going to nationals was rather out of the question...well, really outside of being realistic.
Don't get me wrong, I was totally open to something (God-thing) happening so that I could go, but thats just not how things went down.
However, there was the option to register the entries I got invited to nationals for and hopefully finding someone from another church who was already going to take my entries down for me. You see entries that need displays (for example, like my t-shirt design) are required to be checked in at the beginning of the festival, and then checked out afterwards.
At first after receiving Superior with Invitation to Nationals I wasn't going to do that at all. But my mom encouraged me to go for it.
After having been home for almost a month after district fine arts now, I have been working to try and earn money to pay for nationals when I read up on everything again and realized that registration was actually more than I thought it was going to be.
I knew registration was $80...however, I thought that covered the first entry, so if I were to just enter my t-shirt design it would only be $80. Not too bad.
However, I discovered that that doesn't include the first entry, after that each entry is an additional $20.
Ouch.
I thought, "well I'll get through it somehow...maybe I just won't enter my photography that I haven't heard back about yet."
But then I continued thinking about everything it would entail just to enter my t-shirt design.
Not only is there registration, there is proper mounting/display for it and of course my time to set it all up.
Then there's figuring out a way so that whoever I get it to can either fit it in a suitcase easily (its rather large) or that it'll have its own bag. In all likeliness, it would have to have its own bag.
Which would mean, extra luggage that I would have to pay for.
Oh and then theres the little detail of getting the display to whoever would take it for me.
Shipping costs.
Did I mention I still hadn't (haven't) heard anything about contact information for people already going? Yeah, thats definitely no small detail for this plan.
And of course there's the fact that when I do things, I like to do them right and would be fretting about how my display was being cared for, set up...all that stuff.
And so everything kept stacking up.
Time...money...lack of cooperation from people...
It just wasn't worth it.
In the end, I'd be putting out at least $200 in time and money (mostly money...) with the final registration date barely a month away.
I couldn't handle the stress.
Trying to make sure I finish all my school on time, having to worry about doing math over the summer.
With worrying about nationals on top of that, it just wasn't worth it.
I would pour so much into it, but for what?
I mean really?
Another certificate on the wall?
Bragging rights?
*shrugs*
Just didn't seem at all worth it.
But you know what?
Next year, I am planning ahead.
As in, as soon as I know what the theme for the 2011-2010 year is going to be, I'm going to be writing my spoken word, sketching that t-shirt design, rhyming that poem into being and snapping those pictures.
Oh yeah, and earning the money.
Thank you everyone for your support, I love you all for it.
To the friends and family who offered to help me pay for stuff.
To the wonderful people who opened their home.
To everyone who gave me a job.
To all the people who were sad I was backing out but respected my choice.
For everyone who had a smile and a word of encouragement along the way.
Thank you so much and God bless!
(lets kick some butt next year, eh? ;)
Making decisions.
Choices.
Things that are going to effect the rest of this year...the rest of this summer...more? I don't know yet.
I guess this is me letting everyone know, I am not going to be doing national fine arts.
Though I qualified (see earlier post) I have made the decision that I am not going to go through with my original plan to participate in the national festival.
You see, national fine arts festival is in Phoenix, AR.
Since I barely made it to districts (thank you Jesus!) actually going to nationals was rather out of the question...well, really outside of being realistic.
Don't get me wrong, I was totally open to something (God-thing) happening so that I could go, but thats just not how things went down.
However, there was the option to register the entries I got invited to nationals for and hopefully finding someone from another church who was already going to take my entries down for me. You see entries that need displays (for example, like my t-shirt design) are required to be checked in at the beginning of the festival, and then checked out afterwards.
At first after receiving Superior with Invitation to Nationals I wasn't going to do that at all. But my mom encouraged me to go for it.
After having been home for almost a month after district fine arts now, I have been working to try and earn money to pay for nationals when I read up on everything again and realized that registration was actually more than I thought it was going to be.
I knew registration was $80...however, I thought that covered the first entry, so if I were to just enter my t-shirt design it would only be $80. Not too bad.
However, I discovered that that doesn't include the first entry, after that each entry is an additional $20.
Ouch.
I thought, "well I'll get through it somehow...maybe I just won't enter my photography that I haven't heard back about yet."
But then I continued thinking about everything it would entail just to enter my t-shirt design.
Not only is there registration, there is proper mounting/display for it and of course my time to set it all up.
Then there's figuring out a way so that whoever I get it to can either fit it in a suitcase easily (its rather large) or that it'll have its own bag. In all likeliness, it would have to have its own bag.
Which would mean, extra luggage that I would have to pay for.
Oh and then theres the little detail of getting the display to whoever would take it for me.
Shipping costs.
Did I mention I still hadn't (haven't) heard anything about contact information for people already going? Yeah, thats definitely no small detail for this plan.
And of course there's the fact that when I do things, I like to do them right and would be fretting about how my display was being cared for, set up...all that stuff.
And so everything kept stacking up.
Time...money...lack of cooperation from people...
It just wasn't worth it.
In the end, I'd be putting out at least $200 in time and money (mostly money...) with the final registration date barely a month away.
I couldn't handle the stress.
Trying to make sure I finish all my school on time, having to worry about doing math over the summer.
With worrying about nationals on top of that, it just wasn't worth it.
I would pour so much into it, but for what?
I mean really?
Another certificate on the wall?
Bragging rights?
*shrugs*
Just didn't seem at all worth it.
But you know what?
Next year, I am planning ahead.
As in, as soon as I know what the theme for the 2011-2010 year is going to be, I'm going to be writing my spoken word, sketching that t-shirt design, rhyming that poem into being and snapping those pictures.
Oh yeah, and earning the money.
Thank you everyone for your support, I love you all for it.
To the friends and family who offered to help me pay for stuff.
To the wonderful people who opened their home.
To everyone who gave me a job.
To all the people who were sad I was backing out but respected my choice.
For everyone who had a smile and a word of encouragement along the way.
Thank you so much and God bless!
(lets kick some butt next year, eh? ;)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Fine Arts Trip Recap Day 3 FESTIVAL
So, I have failed my dear bloggies.
I started recapping the Fine Arts Trip almost two weeks ago (or is it more?) when the trip itself was already almost a month ago (wow...).
So here's the final day of the Fine Arts trip...the festival itself!
Saturday : FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
wake up same time (super early in other words)
shower
get dressed
practice spoken word in my head
do hair and makeup(sounding familiar, no?)
stand in front of large mirror and quietly practice spoken word
actually have time to eat something before leaving
relieved to realize its Saturday and therefore traffic won't be as bad...
get on the road
drive
point out my lack of navigation skills
drive
drive
drive
consider sleeping this time since hopefully we won't get lost...
not much traffic
feeling sleepy
decide to practice, practice, practice my spoken word
drive
practice more
drive
make it to the church with time to spare
stand in line to get my schedule
schedule acquired
find single, unoccupied table
see white binder on table, ignore it
look through info
find out my spoken word presentation is at 9:53am
practice spoken word in my head
try to figure out how the book works (the one filled with who's doing what, at what time, and where)
sit in the foyer reading the info book
go and set up my t-shirt design
go find a place for my photography entry
find out that the poetry entries are shown somewhere in the foyer
try to figure out where the poetry entries are
find out that the book chapter entries are shown somewhere in the foyer
try to figure out where
randomly take a glance at the white binder
read that the white binder says 'BOOK CHAPTER ENTRIES'
feel really stupid
discover I'm the only one who entered book chapter
find where the poetry entries are
avoid reading poetry entries while random guy has the binder
wait 'til random guy leaves
read other poetry entries
randomly run into one person I kind of know from camp
talk for a while
run into another person I actually know from camp
have nice chat
find out what she's performing in
decide to attend some of her performances after mine
go and watch the only band that signed up under 'christian band'
clap (great job NOVA)
decide to find the room where my spoken word presentation is
almost get lost trying to find the room (in my defence, the church was massive)
point out my lack of navigation skills
make it to room right after the door closes (they close the door and don't open it 'til after each presentation is over, no distractions that way)
listen to the guy before me perform (through door)
wondering why he entered spoken word (he was rapping)
thinking "wow that guy was good...but why didn't he enter in the rap category?!"
go into the room
wait for judges to finish scoring rapping-guy
find it very comforting (<--haha sarcasm there)that the judges are talking about how "well at least I think I know what spoken word is now..."
think "great...."
get nervous
practice spoken word in my head
get really nervous
practice even more in my head
pray I don't miss part of it
my time to perform comes
judges still writing forms on last guy
getting more nervous
practicing more
judges finally finish
still nervous I stand up to go to the front of the room
announcer announces who I am...
prepare myself and step to the front of the room
start speaking
realize that I'm talking a bit too fast
keep going
wish that they were using a timer that I could SEE because I broke my presentation into 45sec. intervals (there's a 3min limit)
keep going
finish presentation
people clap
guy that went before me looking not particularly happy (just had to include that...even if it wasn't a competition ;)
know I talked too fast but ah well
totally stoked I didn't forget anything
receive a compliment from some judges
they ask if I composed that entirely myself
I reply yes (of course)
receive compliment from announcer
watch the only other two entries
leave
go back to foyer
mum gets coco I get a ginormous chocolate muffin (there was a starbucks IN the church. yes.)
I head off to find my friend's presentation
clap because she did really good (songwriting...)
head to the foyer
chat with other girl I know from camp
decide to go catch last of the human video performances
LOVE LOVE LOVE the human video performances after I realize what they are
(click here for a good example of a human video...some people think they're skits when in fact they aren't because there is no talking, its set to song)
wish I had thought to get the camera out for the human video performances
realize I should get it out and try to get the last one
while waiting I take a picture of one of the epic chandeliers in the senior youth room (the church was so huge, they had a whole building for kids, a room for teens, and an even bigger (like almost large church on its own) size room for the senior high teens)
last few performances
lunch!
head over to the caf to pick up my sack lunch
first one! whoo
enjoy my sandwhich...
mum gets her lunch
foyer once again becomes rather loud, and filled with people!
enjoy lunch
talk about everything happening
decide to watch the drama performances after lunch
watching the drama performances
fantastic jobs to EVERYONE who participated!
loved, loved, loved the skits!
things start wrapping up as there is little time before the celebration service!
sit in the foyer for a while
decide to get our seats for the celebration service
service starts
congrats to everyone who received Superior with invite to Nationals!!!
they announce spoken word results
rapping-guy received merit award (highest scoring) and superior with invite to nationals
performances like choir, band, songwriting, etc.
they announce POETRY WINNER
GUESS WHO WON MERIT AWARD AND INVITE TO NATIONALS?????
MEEEEE!!!! xD
heart stops beating
random people clap for me (I'm assuming to be polite or people who actually recognized my name because they read my poem)
super giddy
can't wait to find out about t-shirt design
more performances
more clapping
they announce T-SHIRT DESIGN WINNER
GUESS WHO GOT SUPERIOR WITH INVITE TO NATIONALS??????
ME! xD
Funny story though, for some reason my name was registered as Sirina insead of Siriana so I was being announced as Serina basically and so when my name was called for my t-shirt design (which I worked so hard on! and ended up loving it!) and my mom yells out "SIRIANA!!!!"
So it was kind of awkward but funny and okay at the same time.
I was so happy!!!!!
Anyway, so afterwards there were a bit more performances like the drama winners, and it ended *sigh*.
headed back out to the foyer
got on facebook and posted to tell everyone!!!
went and picked up all my score sheets
met the super-nice lady (good job Mrs. Huff!!!!) who directs Fine Arts
had my name on all my certificates corrected (thank you!!!)
was super excited
decided to go to the movies again
went and saw Hanna (dunno if most of you would like it...I did, though there was a couple scenes it could've done without other than that it was an action/violent girl who kicks butt kind of movie lol)
and continued to be super stoked all weekend!!!
And then there was day 4...which wasn't terribly interesting considering it was merely driving back home!
And that friends, family and bloggie readers, is the conclusion to my Fine Arts trip.
Right now I'm trying really hard to earn the $120 I need for registration (thats due in a few weeks) for National Fine Arts.
Of course I won't be going, I barely made the gas money I needed to get to districts so unless there's some awesome God-thing miracle, I'm not going to have the money to go to Phoenix, Arizona.
BUT! If I can find someone from another church that is already going with their group to take it down for me, that'll work because someone just has to check in and out my entries...so hoping that works out!
Prayers for the whole thing would be greatly appreciated, and if you guys would share my etsy shoppe with everyone you know (and maybe some people you don't!) I would love that!
thanks everyone, blessings!!!
I started recapping the Fine Arts Trip almost two weeks ago (or is it more?) when the trip itself was already almost a month ago (wow...).
So here's the final day of the Fine Arts trip...the festival itself!
Saturday : FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
wake up same time (super early in other words)
shower
get dressed
practice spoken word in my head
do hair and makeup(sounding familiar, no?)
stand in front of large mirror and quietly practice spoken word
actually have time to eat something before leaving
relieved to realize its Saturday and therefore traffic won't be as bad...
get on the road
drive
point out my lack of navigation skills
drive
drive
drive
consider sleeping this time since hopefully we won't get lost...
not much traffic
feeling sleepy
decide to practice, practice, practice my spoken word
drive
practice more
drive
make it to the church with time to spare
stand in line to get my schedule
schedule acquired
find single, unoccupied table
see white binder on table, ignore it
look through info
find out my spoken word presentation is at 9:53am
practice spoken word in my head
try to figure out how the book works (the one filled with who's doing what, at what time, and where)
sit in the foyer reading the info book
go and set up my t-shirt design
go find a place for my photography entry
find out that the poetry entries are shown somewhere in the foyer
try to figure out where the poetry entries are
find out that the book chapter entries are shown somewhere in the foyer
try to figure out where
randomly take a glance at the white binder
read that the white binder says 'BOOK CHAPTER ENTRIES'
feel really stupid
discover I'm the only one who entered book chapter
find where the poetry entries are
avoid reading poetry entries while random guy has the binder
wait 'til random guy leaves
read other poetry entries
randomly run into one person I kind of know from camp
talk for a while
run into another person I actually know from camp
have nice chat
find out what she's performing in
decide to attend some of her performances after mine
go and watch the only band that signed up under 'christian band'
clap (great job NOVA)
decide to find the room where my spoken word presentation is
almost get lost trying to find the room (in my defence, the church was massive)
point out my lack of navigation skills
make it to room right after the door closes (they close the door and don't open it 'til after each presentation is over, no distractions that way)
listen to the guy before me perform (through door)
wondering why he entered spoken word (he was rapping)
thinking "wow that guy was good...but why didn't he enter in the rap category?!"
go into the room
wait for judges to finish scoring rapping-guy
find it very comforting (<--haha sarcasm there)that the judges are talking about how "well at least I think I know what spoken word is now..."
think "great...."
get nervous
practice spoken word in my head
get really nervous
practice even more in my head
pray I don't miss part of it
my time to perform comes
judges still writing forms on last guy
getting more nervous
practicing more
judges finally finish
still nervous I stand up to go to the front of the room
announcer announces who I am...
prepare myself and step to the front of the room
start speaking
realize that I'm talking a bit too fast
keep going
wish that they were using a timer that I could SEE because I broke my presentation into 45sec. intervals (there's a 3min limit)
keep going
finish presentation
people clap
guy that went before me looking not particularly happy (just had to include that...even if it wasn't a competition ;)
know I talked too fast but ah well
totally stoked I didn't forget anything
receive a compliment from some judges
they ask if I composed that entirely myself
I reply yes (of course)
receive compliment from announcer
watch the only other two entries
leave
go back to foyer
mum gets coco I get a ginormous chocolate muffin (there was a starbucks IN the church. yes.)
I head off to find my friend's presentation
clap because she did really good (songwriting...)
head to the foyer
chat with other girl I know from camp
decide to go catch last of the human video performances
LOVE LOVE LOVE the human video performances after I realize what they are
(click here for a good example of a human video...some people think they're skits when in fact they aren't because there is no talking, its set to song)
wish I had thought to get the camera out for the human video performances
realize I should get it out and try to get the last one
while waiting I take a picture of one of the epic chandeliers in the senior youth room (the church was so huge, they had a whole building for kids, a room for teens, and an even bigger (like almost large church on its own) size room for the senior high teens)
last few performances
lunch!
head over to the caf to pick up my sack lunch
first one! whoo
enjoy my sandwhich...
mum gets her lunch
foyer once again becomes rather loud, and filled with people!
enjoy lunch
talk about everything happening
decide to watch the drama performances after lunch
watching the drama performances
fantastic jobs to EVERYONE who participated!
loved, loved, loved the skits!
things start wrapping up as there is little time before the celebration service!
sit in the foyer for a while
decide to get our seats for the celebration service
service starts
congrats to everyone who received Superior with invite to Nationals!!!
they announce spoken word results
rapping-guy received merit award (highest scoring) and superior with invite to nationals
performances like choir, band, songwriting, etc.
they announce POETRY WINNER
GUESS WHO WON MERIT AWARD AND INVITE TO NATIONALS?????
MEEEEE!!!! xD
heart stops beating
random people clap for me (I'm assuming to be polite or people who actually recognized my name because they read my poem)
super giddy
can't wait to find out about t-shirt design
more performances
more clapping
they announce T-SHIRT DESIGN WINNER
GUESS WHO GOT SUPERIOR WITH INVITE TO NATIONALS??????
ME! xD
Funny story though, for some reason my name was registered as Sirina insead of Siriana so I was being announced as Serina basically and so when my name was called for my t-shirt design (which I worked so hard on! and ended up loving it!) and my mom yells out "SIRIANA!!!!"
So it was kind of awkward but funny and okay at the same time.
I was so happy!!!!!
Anyway, so afterwards there were a bit more performances like the drama winners, and it ended *sigh*.
headed back out to the foyer
got on facebook and posted to tell everyone!!!
went and picked up all my score sheets
met the super-nice lady (good job Mrs. Huff!!!!) who directs Fine Arts
had my name on all my certificates corrected (thank you!!!)
was super excited
decided to go to the movies again
went and saw Hanna (dunno if most of you would like it...I did, though there was a couple scenes it could've done without other than that it was an action/violent girl who kicks butt kind of movie lol)
and continued to be super stoked all weekend!!!
And then there was day 4...which wasn't terribly interesting considering it was merely driving back home!
And that friends, family and bloggie readers, is the conclusion to my Fine Arts trip.
Right now I'm trying really hard to earn the $120 I need for registration (thats due in a few weeks) for National Fine Arts.
Of course I won't be going, I barely made the gas money I needed to get to districts so unless there's some awesome God-thing miracle, I'm not going to have the money to go to Phoenix, Arizona.
BUT! If I can find someone from another church that is already going with their group to take it down for me, that'll work because someone just has to check in and out my entries...so hoping that works out!
Prayers for the whole thing would be greatly appreciated, and if you guys would share my etsy shoppe with everyone you know (and maybe some people you don't!) I would love that!
thanks everyone, blessings!!!
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Fine Arts Trip Recap Day 2
Friday : College Visit
wake up super early
shower
get dressed
do hair and makeup
hopefully try not to forget anything
kind of sort of make some food before hitting the road
leaving
driving
traffic
make mom a bagel for breakfast (yes...while in the car...it was interesting...)
traffic
driving
traffic
sitting in traffic for way too long
realize I forgot to put the camera in my purse
driving
traffic
driving
take wrong turn
I once again point out my lack of navigation skills
driving
make it to college just in time
chapel - the college gets some EPIC point for definitely comfortable chairs in the chapel, no pews here people, oh yah
campus tour - it was all around small, green and had THE most lovely trees EVER (I adore trees ^_^) loved it! and the student store? ah I just love books and pajamas! lol
dorm tour - only part of the college I didn't like...it was like a MAZE...and I don't think I could survive communal bathrooms for two years *shudder* (freshmen and sophomore's have to live in-dorm...juniors and seniors can live off campus)
lunch break!
get lost looking for caf
realize that its the building labeled DINING HALL on the map
feel rather incompetent
eat lunch - great food! we're talkin' they had a salad bar, a sandwich bar, a taco bar, a pizza bar, a juice tea and soda bar, a dessert bar, a fruit bar, they even had a place where you could wait in line and have a guy make some asian stir fry right there!
visited a ministry internship class was really interesting, enjoyed it...MORE comfy chairs
decide to go to the pentecostal spirituality class while mom goes to the parent Q & A
really interesting class...good thing it was otherwise I would have fallen asleep (remember the lack of sleep the night before?) MORE comfy chairs
stay in the same room waiting to meet mom for financial aid meeting
turns out mum actually fell (snoring) asleep in parent Q & A...and isn't feeling well
too tired to stay for rest of visit
leave college
drive
realize that I didn't print directions FROM the college BACK to the place we were staying
once again point out my lack of navigation skills
drive
decide to go to the mall
drive
take wrong turns looking for the mall
finally find the mall...it got easier once we realized it had its own road and highway off ramp...seriously...
end up deciding to go to the movies
see Soul Surfer (BTW IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!)
movie ends
its getting dark
try to find our way back to where we were staying
drive
get lost
drive
wrong turn
drive
drive
traffic
drive
wrong turn
drive
I once again point out my lack of navigation skills
get back tot the house we're staying at
ssslllleeeepppppp
wake up super early
shower
get dressed
do hair and makeup
hopefully try not to forget anything
kind of sort of make some food before hitting the road
leaving
driving
traffic
make mom a bagel for breakfast (yes...while in the car...it was interesting...)
traffic
driving
traffic
sitting in traffic for way too long
realize I forgot to put the camera in my purse
driving
traffic
driving
take wrong turn
I once again point out my lack of navigation skills
driving
make it to college just in time
chapel - the college gets some EPIC point for definitely comfortable chairs in the chapel, no pews here people, oh yah
campus tour - it was all around small, green and had THE most lovely trees EVER (I adore trees ^_^) loved it! and the student store? ah I just love books and pajamas! lol
dorm tour - only part of the college I didn't like...it was like a MAZE...and I don't think I could survive communal bathrooms for two years *shudder* (freshmen and sophomore's have to live in-dorm...juniors and seniors can live off campus)
lunch break!
get lost looking for caf
realize that its the building labeled DINING HALL on the map
feel rather incompetent
eat lunch - great food! we're talkin' they had a salad bar, a sandwich bar, a taco bar, a pizza bar, a juice tea and soda bar, a dessert bar, a fruit bar, they even had a place where you could wait in line and have a guy make some asian stir fry right there!
visited a ministry internship class was really interesting, enjoyed it...MORE comfy chairs
decide to go to the pentecostal spirituality class while mom goes to the parent Q & A
really interesting class...good thing it was otherwise I would have fallen asleep (remember the lack of sleep the night before?) MORE comfy chairs
stay in the same room waiting to meet mom for financial aid meeting
turns out mum actually fell (snoring) asleep in parent Q & A...and isn't feeling well
too tired to stay for rest of visit
leave college
drive
realize that I didn't print directions FROM the college BACK to the place we were staying
once again point out my lack of navigation skills
drive
decide to go to the mall
drive
take wrong turns looking for the mall
finally find the mall...it got easier once we realized it had its own road and highway off ramp...seriously...
end up deciding to go to the movies
see Soul Surfer (BTW IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!)
movie ends
its getting dark
try to find our way back to where we were staying
drive
get lost
drive
wrong turn
drive
drive
traffic
drive
wrong turn
drive
I once again point out my lack of navigation skills
get back tot the house we're staying at
ssslllleeeepppppp
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Fine Arts Trip Recap Day 1
So, I'm sure at least some of you are wondering what all went down during the epic district Fine Arts Journey (for more about FA click here!) a few weeks ago (wow...has it really only been a few weeks??) and I realized I needed to post...so here we are!
Basically the trip was lots of driving...and traffic...and tiredness.
So during the whole thing I was really tired, but pretty stoked at the same time (quite the combination, eh?) and in all truthfulness, didn't really have enough rest to process everything as it happened.
So if you asked me what I thought of things and if I was excited during the trip my answer would have been along the lines of "shhhh. I'm sleeping..." whereas after I had some good sleep and time to process everything that happened (twas a seriously fast paced trip) my answer its "IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!".
When I say the trip was fast paced, I mean there wasn't much time when we weren't doing something!
Here's how everything went down trip, day 1...
Thursday:
get up
get dressed
eat
load car
leave
lunch
spend 2 - 3 hours looking for things I need (art board for my t-shirt design, prints of my photography etc. etc.)
back on the road
drive
see this oddity driving on the highway...
drive
drive
stop for gas
drive
drive
drive through a snow storm?!
drive
drive through a rain storm...
still driving, sun comes out...beautiful despite the highway!
and it gets even prettier as we go!!!
drive
get lost looking for the house we're staying at
I again point out my lack of navigation skills
drive
find the house we're staying at
meet the lovely people we were staying with for the weekend
share a meal
unpack
get ready for bed
try to sleep
try to sleep
try to sleep
roughly 2am realize haven't slept and sometime thereafter finally, actually fall asleep
Basically the trip was lots of driving...and traffic...and tiredness.
So during the whole thing I was really tired, but pretty stoked at the same time (quite the combination, eh?) and in all truthfulness, didn't really have enough rest to process everything as it happened.
So if you asked me what I thought of things and if I was excited during the trip my answer would have been along the lines of "shhhh. I'm sleeping..." whereas after I had some good sleep and time to process everything that happened (twas a seriously fast paced trip) my answer its "IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!".
When I say the trip was fast paced, I mean there wasn't much time when we weren't doing something!
Here's how everything went down trip, day 1...
Thursday:
get up
get dressed
eat
load car
leave
lunch
spend 2 - 3 hours looking for things I need (art board for my t-shirt design, prints of my photography etc. etc.)
back on the road
drive
see this oddity driving on the highway...
drive
stop for gas
drive
drive
drive through a snow storm?!
drive
drive through a rain storm...
still driving, sun comes out...beautiful despite the highway!
and it gets even prettier as we go!!!
drive
get lost looking for the house we're staying at
I again point out my lack of navigation skills
drive
find the house we're staying at
meet the lovely people we were staying with for the weekend
share a meal
unpack
get ready for bed
try to sleep
try to sleep
try to sleep
roughly 2am realize haven't slept and sometime thereafter finally, actually fall asleep
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Company with a Cause: TOMS SHOES
I like organizations that work for a good cause.
Not the fakey ones or the ones that are making a gazillion dollars off of it.
The real ones.
My favorite, and ones I support include TWLOHA (To Write Love On Her Arms), World Vision, Love 146, and the topic of this post...TOMS Shoes.
I've known about TOMS since...well, just about their beginning.
But its only been in the past several months that I've really started paying attention to what they do and just how much it means...and how cute their shoes happen to be ;-)
Its that cool OR WHAT?! haha
And not only do they have a bunch of cute styles and colors for men, women and children they also have a wedding collection.
Awesome? I think yes!
Just a few weeks ago TOMS had their 'Day Without Shoes':
I really, really, really wanted to do it...and I did for the most part...except for when I had to go to the grocery store...the won't let me in without shoes (health laws lol).
TOMS just keeps growing more and more and almost everywhere I go, I'm seeing at least one person sporting TOMS.
And because I've been suffering from some serious shoe-lust over
these beauties, not to mention I'm willing to save for the price because its buying shoes for not just me...
I do believe I know where my next pair of shoes is going to come from!!!
(And did I mention their rave reviews??? Apparently comfort is an understatement with even these...I SO want to try that out for myself!)
Not the fakey ones or the ones that are making a gazillion dollars off of it.
The real ones.
My favorite, and ones I support include TWLOHA (To Write Love On Her Arms), World Vision, Love 146, and the topic of this post...TOMS Shoes.
I've known about TOMS since...well, just about their beginning.
But its only been in the past several months that I've really started paying attention to what they do and just how much it means...and how cute their shoes happen to be ;-)
One for One
TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.
Giving Is Catching On...
The TOMS mission of giving shoes has attracted other brands, resulting in unique and successful collaborations. Ralph Lauren sold co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa. It is TOMS’ hope that as our One for One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to incorporate giving into what they do.
The TOMS Story
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.
As of September 2010, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through Giving Partners around the world.
TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.
Giving Is Catching On...
The TOMS mission of giving shoes has attracted other brands, resulting in unique and successful collaborations. Ralph Lauren sold co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa. It is TOMS’ hope that as our One for One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to incorporate giving into what they do.
The TOMS Story
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.
As of September 2010, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through Giving Partners around the world.
Its that cool OR WHAT?! haha
And not only do they have a bunch of cute styles and colors for men, women and children they also have a wedding collection.
Awesome? I think yes!
Just a few weeks ago TOMS had their 'Day Without Shoes':
I really, really, really wanted to do it...and I did for the most part...except for when I had to go to the grocery store...the won't let me in without shoes (health laws lol).
TOMS just keeps growing more and more and almost everywhere I go, I'm seeing at least one person sporting TOMS.
And because I've been suffering from some serious shoe-lust over
these beauties, not to mention I'm willing to save for the price because its buying shoes for not just me...
I do believe I know where my next pair of shoes is going to come from!!!
(And did I mention their rave reviews??? Apparently comfort is an understatement with even these...I SO want to try that out for myself!)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Time Sensitive (FREE) AWESOMENESS!
Hey bloggy peeps!
I know I owe you all a post or two on my escapades from my Fine Arts trip...but I had to dish out this post real quick 'cause its time-sensitive!
I don't know if any of you have read or are familiar with Wings by Aprilynne Pike but its currently on sale @ Amazon (.com)!
And get this...ITS FREE!!!
So...if you have a Kindle, or even just an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (the latter being what I have) even if you don't have a Kindle well, there's an app for that. ;-)
Wings turned out to be MUCH better than I was expecting, I must say.
Insanely original story line...yes faeries, but not like anyone has ever really portrayed them...
Now, I have to put my opinion on the matter out there...on the whole 'fairy' vs. 'faerie' issue. (YES there are WAY too many OTHER spellings...but these being the most common so them I will address.)
I do know people who are pretty "What the heck?! Just spell it one way and stick with it!" on the subject...but here's what I think.
'Fairy' makes me think of little girls, pink dresses, princesses, fairy godmothers and dress up. In other words: GIRLY
'Faerie', however, makes me think mystery, intrigue, mischievous, dark awesomeness...in other words: INTERESTING or perhaps gothic...but not girly.
Anyway...moving on....
I guess I should start at the beginning.
Laurel has just moved, from small town-home schooled girl, to slightly bigger town-public school girl.
Adjusting isn't easy for her.
Laurel has a zit.
Maybe puberty finally has caught up with her.
On her back.
Right between her shoulder blades.
But, it keeps getting bigger...and bigger...by the time its the size of a softball...she decides that if its not gone by the next morning, she'll tell her parents.
She, of course, is FREAKING OUT...thinking it must be some kind of tumor.
So, next morning, she wakes up...and its gone, but in its place is a large, flower.
We're talking petals, the whole shabang...OUT OF HER BACK...
She of course, flips out more.
Anyways...hoping all you people aren't either grossed or freaked out by now, but THAT is how the book starts...seriously, its NOT as gross or anything that I probably made it sound like.
My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5.
Not 'cause it wasn't good or anything, but compared to the amazingly awesome books I was reading around the same time (I read this last year), it was rather short.
But I still definitely suggest it!
I know I owe you all a post or two on my escapades from my Fine Arts trip...but I had to dish out this post real quick 'cause its time-sensitive!
I don't know if any of you have read or are familiar with Wings by Aprilynne Pike but its currently on sale @ Amazon (.com)!
And get this...ITS FREE!!!
So...if you have a Kindle, or even just an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (the latter being what I have) even if you don't have a Kindle well, there's an app for that. ;-)
Insanely original story line...yes faeries, but not like anyone has ever really portrayed them...
Now, I have to put my opinion on the matter out there...on the whole 'fairy' vs. 'faerie' issue. (YES there are WAY too many OTHER spellings...but these being the most common so them I will address.)
I do know people who are pretty "What the heck?! Just spell it one way and stick with it!" on the subject...but here's what I think.
'Fairy' makes me think of little girls, pink dresses, princesses, fairy godmothers and dress up. In other words: GIRLY
'Faerie', however, makes me think mystery, intrigue, mischievous, dark awesomeness...in other words: INTERESTING or perhaps gothic...but not girly.
Anyway...moving on....
I guess I should start at the beginning.
Laurel has just moved, from small town-home schooled girl, to slightly bigger town-public school girl.
Adjusting isn't easy for her.
Laurel has a zit.
Maybe puberty finally has caught up with her.
On her back.
Right between her shoulder blades.
But, it keeps getting bigger...and bigger...by the time its the size of a softball...she decides that if its not gone by the next morning, she'll tell her parents.
She, of course, is FREAKING OUT...thinking it must be some kind of tumor.
So, next morning, she wakes up...and its gone, but in its place is a large, flower.
We're talking petals, the whole shabang...OUT OF HER BACK...
She of course, flips out more.
Anyways...hoping all you people aren't either grossed or freaked out by now, but THAT is how the book starts...seriously, its NOT as gross or anything that I probably made it sound like.
My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5.
Not 'cause it wasn't good or anything, but compared to the amazingly awesome books I was reading around the same time (I read this last year), it was rather short.
But I still definitely suggest it!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
God's Got This
Wow...God provides...I mean beyond crazy imagining I-can-barely-believe-it provides.
You see, my church agreed to cover the cost for gas so I could make it to district fine arts festival and I've been doing work in exchange.
Well, as some of you might know I've been painting the basement walls of the church and have been keeping track of my hours because the church wanted to make sure that if I actually worked for more than what I would need for gas that I would get payed...
So, I was kind of stressing about that.
I mean, the amount I needed I didn't think that I would make...
But my family has been helping me with all of the work and I was surprised when today, my mom added up all the hours and at minimum wage, and...
I was shocked.
I couldn't believe it.
Exactly the amount we needed for gas to get there and back again.
My dad's words were "see, everything works out".
And he's so right.
God's got it.
He's takin' care of it.
And I totally was stressin' and freakin' out 'cause I didn't have a handle on things and well...that scares me when I'm not in control.
I guess it scares all of us...but I seem to be really good and worrying...
Somethings for me to work on, eh?
blessings to you all...more updates soon!
You see, my church agreed to cover the cost for gas so I could make it to district fine arts festival and I've been doing work in exchange.
Well, as some of you might know I've been painting the basement walls of the church and have been keeping track of my hours because the church wanted to make sure that if I actually worked for more than what I would need for gas that I would get payed...
So, I was kind of stressing about that.
I mean, the amount I needed I didn't think that I would make...
But my family has been helping me with all of the work and I was surprised when today, my mom added up all the hours and at minimum wage, and...
I was shocked.
I couldn't believe it.
Exactly the amount we needed for gas to get there and back again.
My dad's words were "see, everything works out".
And he's so right.
God's got it.
He's takin' care of it.
And I totally was stressin' and freakin' out 'cause I didn't have a handle on things and well...that scares me when I'm not in control.
I guess it scares all of us...but I seem to be really good and worrying...
Somethings for me to work on, eh?
blessings to you all...more updates soon!
Friday, April 08, 2011
Eye Shadow, Primer & MakeUp Oh my
I've been getting into makeup and hair like never before.
I've always really paid attention to clothes and stuff but makeup has never been my thing...but I've been getting into it lately.
I don't really have much make up...which means I've assembled a wishlist of sorts...things I can afford and will get eventually, and things that are...umm...lets just say way out of my price range...like...ever. (Unless of course I really, really want to splurge.
So I'll start off with the shorter list...the list of things that I highly doubt I will ever buy unless I find some really epic sale (online considering I haven't physically been shopping in over a year...).
The first is a primer from Fresh.
Now, I've never used a primer, but I really want to try one because they're supposed to really help your makeup stay on. Which is something I have a hard time with because my skin is combination (leaning more towards oily) and makeup doesn't stay on so well.
I've been hearing lots of rave reviews for their Rose Freshface Primer.
Second in the out-of-my-price-range category is a liquid eyeshadow from Bare Escentuals that comes in this interesting little bottle/applicator...yes its the High Shine Eye Color.
I've learned that my eyes pretty much always look just brown, but when you look really close there's some really cool green and flecks of gold and bronzy-gold colors really bring the other colors in my eyes out.
Which makes this color awesome...and I think the applicator is cool too...half of what caught my eye.
Third in the category is an eyeshadow from Urban Decay that I think just looks ah-mazing.
The Urban Decay Stardust eyeshadow.
The final item in the out-of-my-price-range-category would have to be something I have heard rave reviews about as well...the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner.
Now, a couple of products that I've heard rave reviews about (as well as them being much more within my price range) are two mascaras...
The Lo'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes**...
And...Maybelline New York Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara**
I think this is the one I might just choose out of the two because it being waterproof = good for summer oh yah.
**note** the link goes to WalMart...which I happen to not shop from for various reasons...unless absolutely unavoidable...
Now, keeping that in mind...the coming summer I mean, I've had my eye on Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation.
I've heard great things about this. Because its simple and easy to apply as well as SPF 50 great for summer!
Keeping with the foundation aspect of makeup I've also been hearing that this lovely new foundation from L'Oreal is ah-mazing.
L'Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle
And finally to end out my wishlist is something that I rather need seeing as I only have a couple brushes...well, it's just about every brush from EcoTools. haha
Bamboo 6 Piece Eye Brush Set
The 6 Piece Brush Set
Then of course there's the assortment of other brushes...
Now to wind things out...just had to share some of the cute stuff in EcoTools new collection!
And so that is my probably not much ever going to happen but maybe some of it is possible wishlist ;-) that I seem unable to have decided on a title for...sorry boys ;-) but there wasn't anyway this post could avoid being girly! haha
Hope you're all having a good week, I'm busy working!
I've always really paid attention to clothes and stuff but makeup has never been my thing...but I've been getting into it lately.
I don't really have much make up...which means I've assembled a wishlist of sorts...things I can afford and will get eventually, and things that are...umm...lets just say way out of my price range...like...ever. (Unless of course I really, really want to splurge.
So I'll start off with the shorter list...the list of things that I highly doubt I will ever buy unless I find some really epic sale (online considering I haven't physically been shopping in over a year...).
The first is a primer from Fresh.
Now, I've never used a primer, but I really want to try one because they're supposed to really help your makeup stay on. Which is something I have a hard time with because my skin is combination (leaning more towards oily) and makeup doesn't stay on so well.
I've been hearing lots of rave reviews for their Rose Freshface Primer.
Second in the out-of-my-price-range category is a liquid eyeshadow from Bare Escentuals that comes in this interesting little bottle/applicator...yes its the High Shine Eye Color.
Which makes this color awesome...and I think the applicator is cool too...half of what caught my eye.
Third in the category is an eyeshadow from Urban Decay that I think just looks ah-mazing.
The Urban Decay Stardust eyeshadow.
The final item in the out-of-my-price-range-category would have to be something I have heard rave reviews about as well...the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner.
Now, a couple of products that I've heard rave reviews about (as well as them being much more within my price range) are two mascaras...
The Lo'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes**...
And...Maybelline New York Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara**
I think this is the one I might just choose out of the two because it being waterproof = good for summer oh yah.
**note** the link goes to WalMart...which I happen to not shop from for various reasons...unless absolutely unavoidable...
Now, keeping that in mind...the coming summer I mean, I've had my eye on Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation.
I've heard great things about this. Because its simple and easy to apply as well as SPF 50 great for summer!
Keeping with the foundation aspect of makeup I've also been hearing that this lovely new foundation from L'Oreal is ah-mazing.
L'Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle
And finally to end out my wishlist is something that I rather need seeing as I only have a couple brushes...well, it's just about every brush from EcoTools. haha
Bamboo 6 Piece Eye Brush Set
- features these lovely brushes...
- Large Eye brush
- Angled Crease Brush
- Petite Eye Shading Brush
- Highlighting Brush
- Smudge Brush
The 6 Piece Brush Set
- Blush Brush
- Eye Shading Brush
- Angled Eyeliner Brush
- Concealer Brush
- Lash & Brow Brush
Then of course there's the assortment of other brushes...
| Bamboo Powder Brush |
Bamboo Bronzer Brush |
Bamboo Foundation Brush |
| Bamboo Kabuki Brush |
Bamboo Smudge Eyeliner Brush |
Now to wind things out...just had to share some of the cute stuff in EcoTools new collection!
| Pencil Case |
Cosmetic Bag |
Train Case |
Hanging Valet |
And so that is my probably not much ever going to happen but maybe some of it is possible wishlist ;-) that I seem unable to have decided on a title for...sorry boys ;-) but there wasn't anyway this post could avoid being girly! haha
Hope you're all having a good week, I'm busy working!
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Much, Much To Do!
Just a quick post to update everyone!
District Fine Arts Festival is next week for me...and so that means I'll be goin' on my journey!
SO much fun, I absolutely cannot wait!
God has provided so much for me to be able to attend and I'm looking forward to it!
I still need to finalize and perfect my t-shirt design entry as well as pick out a picture for my photography entry...oh yes, and finishing memorizing my spoken word presentation would probably be a good idea as well!
SO much to do and so little time!
Not to mention I have web design to catch up on (from the week I was dreadfully ill) so not only am I spending my spring break (this week) getting ready for Fine Arts and catching up on web design assignments but I'm also painting the church!
I agreed to help out with some odd jobs since the church is providing for my trip to FA and so I'm starting today (because I couldn't earlier from other work that was being done and the supplies not being ready).
So I'm all in a rush...and kind of stressing but I know I'll make it through somehow! (well...at least my friends have convinced me of that, you guys are awesome...you know who you are ;)
Oh and I'm not painting the outside of the church...just the basement...If anyone was wondering.
And so it is that I must bid you all adieu for there is much, much to do!
Hoping you're all having a wonderful week, whether on vacation, at work or in school...
District Fine Arts Festival is next week for me...and so that means I'll be goin' on my journey!
SO much fun, I absolutely cannot wait!
God has provided so much for me to be able to attend and I'm looking forward to it!
I still need to finalize and perfect my t-shirt design entry as well as pick out a picture for my photography entry...oh yes, and finishing memorizing my spoken word presentation would probably be a good idea as well!
SO much to do and so little time!
Not to mention I have web design to catch up on (from the week I was dreadfully ill) so not only am I spending my spring break (this week) getting ready for Fine Arts and catching up on web design assignments but I'm also painting the church!
I agreed to help out with some odd jobs since the church is providing for my trip to FA and so I'm starting today (because I couldn't earlier from other work that was being done and the supplies not being ready).
So I'm all in a rush...and kind of stressing but I know I'll make it through somehow! (well...at least my friends have convinced me of that, you guys are awesome...you know who you are ;)
Oh and I'm not painting the outside of the church...just the basement...If anyone was wondering.
And so it is that I must bid you all adieu for there is much, much to do!
Hoping you're all having a wonderful week, whether on vacation, at work or in school...
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Liquid Sunshine
- Favorite season, and why?
- Honestly, I don't think I can pick one! Where I live we have a full four seasons and I love each of them for what they are.
- How would you describe your personal style?
- unique
It changes and shifts depending on my mood, and I draw inspiration from a lot of things around me. - What's one weird thing you can do? (The stranger the better!)
- ummmm...
- Rain or shine?
- I like it when the sun is out, but rain is good because it keeps everything nice and green!
- Confession time... what's a flaw of yours?
- I talk to fill the silence and so I tend to ramble on hoping to avert awkwardness when I usually only do the opposite!
- Favorite music?
- I like just about all kinds of music (with the exception of country and some rap...).
BUT my favorite music is rock. - Have you ever made a decision you instantly regretted? What was it?
- Yes, yes I have.
ummm...honestly I know I have more than once but I don't think I can really call one to mind just this second. - Who do you admire/look up to?
- There are a few people who I think I look up to, and the first one is Jesus, but aside from the Sunday School answers (haha) I look up to Rachel Joy Scott (she was the first casualty of the Columbine shootings) and Lacey Mosley (lead singer of Flyleaf).
- You've just won an unlimited lifetime supply of... what?
- money.
Kind of a cliche worldly answer there, but an unlimited supply of that and things like college and stuff would be taken care of...which would be a load of my mind! - If you were an animal, what would you be?
- I think I would probably be...hmmnnn...well thats a hard question! I kind of like having my thumbs...
- If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do with your time?
- hmmnnn...I would live everyday like its my last. I would want to go places and see things...like Paris, Rome, the pyramids in Egypt...
- You're now a gazillionaire... where do you go to spend your money?
- the Apple Store! hahaha But first I'd pay for college and more important stuff.
- Classical music: love it or hate it?
- Its not my first choice for listening but I do enjoy it on occasion!
- Phobias?
- none that I know of...or is that a phobia? haha
- Hop on a plane and go live somewhere for a year... where is it, and why?
- I'm thinking Hawaii...hard choice between leisure and having always wanted to go to Egypt...but with all recent events, I think I'd choose Hawaii.
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- introvert...all the way...I'm that invisible wallflower girl who no one ever notices or realizes exists...which I don't really like most the time but...
- Would you/do you perform on stage?
- Yes! And I LOVE it...it makes up for my introverted-ness because on stage I can be anyone I want to be.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Hair Woes...Relieved
Yes...again...me and my hair...and no, thats not reLIVED thats reLIEVED...as in for the first time ever I went to a salon and got my hair done! *gasp*
Rather surprisingly, it was my dads idea...with my presentations and trip to district Fine Arts coming up...but there was definitely no way I was going to say no!
And, I finally got my hair cut and styled the way I've wanted for quite a while.
Mom tried back in the fall...she really did...and really it was my fault for forcing the need for a haircut on her (all my hair was hurting my neck dreadfully bad).
So we did the best we could at home...it didn't turn out but my ton-of-hair related headache went away.
But back to the present.
I love, love, LOVE my hair now!
And that is definitely saying something...which some of you will know after my previous post.
Now its just a matter of the moola to be able to do my hair at home...
Because, you see we don't have a flat iron...or a blow dryer...as well as the products she used on my hair, which were AHmazing!
So bloggie peeps, girls in particular, what are your picks for affordable flat irons and blow dryers?
I'm currently looking at BaByliss because I've found some of their stuff on Amazon for good prices with great reviews.
Opinions anyone?
Rather surprisingly, it was my dads idea...with my presentations and trip to district Fine Arts coming up...but there was definitely no way I was going to say no!
And, I finally got my hair cut and styled the way I've wanted for quite a while.
Mom tried back in the fall...she really did...and really it was my fault for forcing the need for a haircut on her (all my hair was hurting my neck dreadfully bad).
So we did the best we could at home...it didn't turn out but my ton-of-hair related headache went away.
But back to the present.
I love, love, LOVE my hair now!
And that is definitely saying something...which some of you will know after my previous post.
Now its just a matter of the moola to be able to do my hair at home...
Because, you see we don't have a flat iron...or a blow dryer...as well as the products she used on my hair, which were AHmazing!
So bloggie peeps, girls in particular, what are your picks for affordable flat irons and blow dryers?
I'm currently looking at BaByliss because I've found some of their stuff on Amazon for good prices with great reviews.
Opinions anyone?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Uber Creative Happy Day
Today has been just that...my uber-creative happy day...
That day when not only is the sun shining down on you, but so is inspiration!
Today I made one of my most lovely creations yet...the first set in a jewelry collection that needs no other name or description but Simple Elegance.
Simple and elegant fashions are something that I not only love but have found to be timeless.
And its where the inspiration for the necklace set Blue Light came from.
Part of The Forgotten Corner's 'Simple Elegance' Collection, this necklace set called 'Blue Light' features the simplicity of ribbon combined with the elegance of silver to create a unique necklace set fit for formal gown, or everyday casual.
Choker has a barrel twist clasp, center component is set with Swarovski crystal has an approx. circumference of 13".
Longer necklace has a lobster claw clasp, pendant is hand made with faceted crystal beads has an approx. circumference of 17".
Perfect for prom, Easter, wedding or graduation dresses or casual wear.
Blue Light is now available at my etsy shoppe.
Also newly available at The Forgotten Corner Shoppe...
Mossy Cuff Bracelet
This adorable bracelet features a mossy fringe for a fun, quirky look sure to garner notice wherever you go...be different! Clasp is handmade, gold-toned.
And a wonderful array of baskets just in time for Resurrection {Easter} Day...
I would have more pictures to go along with everything, but I'm having a lot of trouble uploading pictures...
Anways, I would L O V E it if you guys would go and check out my etsy shoppe!!!
That day when not only is the sun shining down on you, but so is inspiration!
Today I made one of my most lovely creations yet...the first set in a jewelry collection that needs no other name or description but Simple Elegance.
Simple and elegant fashions are something that I not only love but have found to be timeless.
And its where the inspiration for the necklace set Blue Light came from.
Part of The Forgotten Corner's 'Simple Elegance' Collection, this necklace set called 'Blue Light' features the simplicity of ribbon combined with the elegance of silver to create a unique necklace set fit for formal gown, or everyday casual.
Choker has a barrel twist clasp, center component is set with Swarovski crystal has an approx. circumference of 13".
Longer necklace has a lobster claw clasp, pendant is hand made with faceted crystal beads has an approx. circumference of 17".
Perfect for prom, Easter, wedding or graduation dresses or casual wear.
Blue Light is now available at my etsy shoppe.
Also newly available at The Forgotten Corner Shoppe...
Mossy Cuff Bracelet
This adorable bracelet features a mossy fringe for a fun, quirky look sure to garner notice wherever you go...be different! Clasp is handmade, gold-toned.
And a wonderful array of baskets just in time for Resurrection {Easter} Day...
I would have more pictures to go along with everything, but I'm having a lot of trouble uploading pictures...
Anways, I would L O V E it if you guys would go and check out my etsy shoppe!!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Randomness of Late (YouTube)
Okay, so lots of random things to share this morning...some of them a few of you might have seen elsewhere...but here's some of my recent YouTube finds...
Firstly, trending on Twitter for the last for-ev-er has been Rebecca Black and her song Friday:
Now, here's the things about that "song".
Firstly, its not a song. Its a girl with not-a-particularly good voice, auto-tuned, talking moderately fast to pop music...and I won't even get started on the lyrics.
Why do people like this stuff?! I mean, its not even really music!
Okay, I'll give it that fact that it is art because its a form of expression, but sorry peeps, that only expresses stupidity right there and the fact that that is what's popular seriously makes me worry about human kind...
Then there's this little...thing...I found today...
While they definitely get kudos from me for trying (great effort) it just...well, it hurt my ears in more ways than one...and the dancing...ummm...yeah, it just seems a bit over-choreographed...like, if I had choreographed it, thats what it would have looked like (and I have no experience in dance)...
Hmnnn...re-reading that it does sound rather rude and harsh...they tried! They really did! And good job for that but...ick...
Then again, even if Glee (I have to confess I'm something of a closet gleek) did it I don't think I'd even like Awake and Alive show-choir then...so it really wasn't just that group.
Methinks I'll be sticking with the original...
Now, the following video is one of my recent favorites on YouTube and I have to say I laugh every time I watch it.
My favorite part: "I didn't know we had a piano..." *proceeds to play awesomely*
Another one of my recent favorites is this short little video...
I love it...not only is is hilarious, but that guy tied up...yeah, thats my cousin ;-) so it makes the video all that much more enjoyable hahaha
I'm a bit slow on the uptake when it comes to music outside the realm of the mostly-Christian artists I listen to, so its only in the last few weeks that I've checked out Adele.
What a voice!
And finally, while its not really the music that I usually listen to (pop's not usually my choice listening) but I happen to love this song by Selena Gomez & The Scene, if even for merely the great message!
Firstly, trending on Twitter for the last for-ev-er has been Rebecca Black and her song Friday:
Now, here's the things about that "song".
Firstly, its not a song. Its a girl with not-a-particularly good voice, auto-tuned, talking moderately fast to pop music...and I won't even get started on the lyrics.
Why do people like this stuff?! I mean, its not even really music!
Okay, I'll give it that fact that it is art because its a form of expression, but sorry peeps, that only expresses stupidity right there and the fact that that is what's popular seriously makes me worry about human kind...
Then there's this little...thing...I found today...
While they definitely get kudos from me for trying (great effort) it just...well, it hurt my ears in more ways than one...and the dancing...ummm...yeah, it just seems a bit over-choreographed...like, if I had choreographed it, thats what it would have looked like (and I have no experience in dance)...
Hmnnn...re-reading that it does sound rather rude and harsh...they tried! They really did! And good job for that but...ick...
Then again, even if Glee (I have to confess I'm something of a closet gleek) did it I don't think I'd even like Awake and Alive show-choir then...so it really wasn't just that group.
Methinks I'll be sticking with the original...
Now, the following video is one of my recent favorites on YouTube and I have to say I laugh every time I watch it.
My favorite part: "I didn't know we had a piano..." *proceeds to play awesomely*
Another one of my recent favorites is this short little video...
I love it...not only is is hilarious, but that guy tied up...yeah, thats my cousin ;-) so it makes the video all that much more enjoyable hahaha
I'm a bit slow on the uptake when it comes to music outside the realm of the mostly-Christian artists I listen to, so its only in the last few weeks that I've checked out Adele.
What a voice!
And finally, while its not really the music that I usually listen to (pop's not usually my choice listening) but I happen to love this song by Selena Gomez & The Scene, if even for merely the great message!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Spring Design
Since spring is here and I felt it was time for something more...colorful...bright...new? haha
Well, I have changed my design again...though, only a little...new header, new background...its actually not all that different.
However, its not as dark, which I think is something of a nice change, no?
Hope you're all having a lovely week...hopefully I will continue to get better and have no more of this nasty sickness!
Blessings :-)
Well, I have changed my design again...though, only a little...new header, new background...its actually not all that different.
However, its not as dark, which I think is something of a nice change, no?
Hope you're all having a lovely week...hopefully I will continue to get better and have no more of this nasty sickness!
Blessings :-)
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