The Capitol...Alive today?

I love The Hunger Games, it's one of my favorite book series. 

But I find it funny, how people read a dystopian book like The Hunger Games and say things about how they're so glad the world isn't like that. So glad we aren't in districts with an outlandish and cruel Capitol.
Funny because our society is kind of already a Capitol.
Crazy fashions no one has the money for or can understand.
Reality tv shows.
Celebrities who sacrifice their lives and morals for money and everyone else who is okay with it because it's "entertainment".
Words like "pimp", "ho", and "hate" are used sarcastically in every day speech with no thought towards their true meaning.
Diminishing the evil behind someone who sells and trafficks humans.
Invalidating the struggle of someone out there who is a victim.

I mean really, just how far away are we from tv shows where people really are dying for the viewing pleasure of others?

 

Giveaway!

Hey everyone!

I promise I started writing a life.is.sweet. post this week, it just somehow never got finished. I'll try again next week!

In other news, just wanted to let you all know there's a lovely giveaway over at magnificent obsession that you should check out!






Kendra is giving away a $20 Amazon.com gift card.

Fingers crossed I win...there's a few Kindle books I'd really like to get!

but good luck you all!

AWOL Artwork

So, sorry I've been AWOL the last couple weeks. I realize I haven't posted much of anything, and definitely haven't posted life.is.sweet these past two times!

I've been busy with school, and the last few days fighting my computer because of its recent hatred of me.

Okay, there's some laziness issues in there too.

But I'm back now...I think.

In fact, I actually have a list of things to write about that I keep in OneNote so I can add to it on my iPod too.

I know it doesn't look like much, but there's a few good ideas right there. Just have to get them written and put together!

And, to close out this random make-up post, here is some of my recent random artwork...

The first couple are abstract, the next two are just doodles and the last one I love.

snow fall - streetlight

ocean

friendly robot

friendly robot's friends

hands

boycott SOPA

So, I had to look up SOPA on Wikipedia, and ask my parents about it, but now that I know what it is I've decided to join the 24 hour boycott on January 18th (tomorrow).

Which means starting tonight at midnight and running until midnight on the 19th, Concrete & Grace is going to be completely shut down along with Wikipedia and many other websites and social networks.

To my other bloggie friends I encourage you to do so as well.

blessings~

lately

Quite a few things have happened since my last post about life. (though until this week I was keeping up with life.is.sweet)

Basically, I'm back to doing college classes and learning a lot. Cramming in math so I can finish the level I'm stuck on right now to take environmental science starting the 30th. And I somehow had (most) of the money to buy an awesome little something for my computer/work/school.

Oh yeah! And Fine Arts is coming up again soon.

college classes

they started back up on the fourth. English 111 and History 137 for right now. I was hoping to be able to take English 102 and First Aid originally. That way I would continue from English 101 and also get my first aid card. But, there weren't any seats left in English 102 (thus I'm taking 111 - literature) and no First Aid. If you're familiar with Harry Potter (I personally love the books) then you'll understand the following metaphor / correlation. If you're not, well you might still anyway.
Basically they have this class called Divination where they're supposed to find the deeper physic in dreams and tea leaves and stuff. Well, basically Ron and Harry didn't understand of believe in the class and to make it through with a decent grade they would just make up random dreams and "interpret" them how they knew the teacher would like.
That's what it feels like I'm doing with my literature class. Seriously. Literary art (literature), like any art is highly in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone has a different opinion and definition of what art is and so I don't think some writings can be referred to as literature while others are left out. And if it's not something I connect with then I have no deep insight into what I've read. In fact, a lot of what the teacher has had us (the students) read so far are depressings things that I SO did NOT understand.
But, I knew the "lit babble" (my term) that he wanted to hear and just applied it to my work. Voila, good grade.

math

to borrow the colloquialism: 'nuff' said

the little piece of awesomeness

which would be my new Wacom Bamboo Create.







I was SO excited when it came in the mail! I literally took these as I unboxed it. I was dancing and squealing all over the place.

Originally I was going to get the smaller Bamboo Capture but wanted to have more working space on the tablet so decided to save for the Create. SO happy with it! I've wanted something like this for a long time but never really got around to looking at what was out there. I started thinking about it more last year at Fine Arts because I wanted to digitize my t-shirt design to make it look better. But it's really hard to digitize a drawing into a digital mockup. Now, I can draw right into my computer. Also, I got a nice discount because of my Amazon Student Prime account. And I just looked at the price now, and it's actually got up! Glad I ordered when I did!
For a little size-reference, my laptop that it's sitting in front of in the second picture, is 15".

The night I got it I seriously stayed up until 2am playing with it.

Finished my first design with Sketchbook Pro.

For those of you who don't know I actually design clothes...I've just never really shared them with many people. But this one I was super excited about thanks to the wonderful tool called 'layers' where I can pick which can be shown and colored. That way I can work on one piece of clothing / of the design at a time. This design actually is something I mostly got from an episode of Stargate: Atlantis but loved so much I had to draw / make some changes to. I'm still a little iffy about the way the underbust/cape lays/billows.

Also, the tablet comes with Autodesk Sketchbook Express 2011, which is great in a lot of ways but has some limits I was really frustrated with. However, I looked into it and Autodesk actually has something called the Autodesk Education Community where if you're a student you can sign up and download their software for free! If you're an artist I highly suggest Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 2011!
Since I'm drawing and stuff so much more I finally got a DeviantArt account as well. You can find me here.

I'm looking forward to sketching out my Fine Arts t-shirt design submission!

Which brings me to the next subject of late...

Fine Arts

it's coming and I'm working on getting some work from the church to make some money to pay for gas. Last year I painted the walls in the basement of the church building. Boy that was a lot of work! But it paid for gas to Fine Arts and back so it was well worth it. Besides gas money, we're also figuring out some place to stay. My dad has some old friends that actually live about twenty minutes from where the district fine arts festival is being held this year, so I'm hoping we'll be able to stay with them!

all things considered

Life is good and God is providing.

listening: bullet soul by switchfoot

have a listen // fire on the mountain

We sit secure in time-honored traditions made
Never wondering where or when the sickle may come
If we don't seek our knowledge to be greater men
When the rain starts falling gonna drown before we get our feet wet

We build our ivory towers to protect us from the flood
A fleet of vessels made of wood so they won't rust
But can we see the bottom of the bottle when we start to drink?
There's fire on the mountain fire and it's coming our way

Can we pick the pieces up
We're mending Babylon
Tryin' to right the wrong
Can we pick the pieces up

Live learn life love die dust gone

There's fire on the mountain

Can we pick the pieces up
We're mending Babylon
Tryin' to right the wrong
Can we pick the pieces up

Live learn life love die dust gone

music and lyrics copyright Hanson

No religion, just relationship.

This is Spoken Word.

This is truth.

Please watch.

human trafficking awareness day

January 11th is human trafficking awareness day. 
Some of you may remember in November when I posted a paper I wrote for English 101 about modern slavery.


Well, that was only a rough draft of the paper, and for my final portfolio it was revised and better.


And since today is human trafficking awareness day, I wanted to share the article, finished and as a whole.

In Plain Sight: Modern Slavery

            Human trafficking. Two words that to some, have meaning. Others may only have an inkling of what it is those words mean, while some don’t even know. Human trafficking didn’t end in the United States with the abolishment of slavery. Human trafficking still happens, and not just on a national level. But in our cities, our neighborhoods, our backyards: in plain sight. We can sit back and wish things like that don’t happen. Or, we can open our eyes to what is going on and in turn, learn and open the eyes of others. Together, we can end slavery.

            What is human trafficking? Essentially, human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings: modern slavery. Human trafficking is a transnational crime, meaning it happens in multiple countries the world over. While human trafficking itself is illegal, it happens for the purpose of other crimes. Sexual exploitation is the most media recognized, but people are also trafficked for forced labor; a crime just as terrible and prevalent as sexual slavery and exploitation.

            People of all ages, genders, nationalities and walks of life can be victims of human trafficking. In 2005 the International Labor Organization estimated the minimum number of persons in trafficking situations to be 2.45 million. Out of that, an approximate 45,000–50,000 of those persons are trafficked through the United States annually (Obuah 1), with the United States among the top 10 destinations for human trafficking (Hepburn; Simon 3). The exact number trafficked through the U.S. every year can only be estimated.

            Many times, victims of human trafficking are brought to America under false pretenses. The promise of employment, education or marriage is extremely tempting (Reed). Other victims of human trafficking may have been kidnapped from off the streets, something that happens to children for the purpose of sexual exploitation (“Love146…Child Trafficking Facts”).

More often than not, people in trafficking situations are kept in living conditions that are unhealthy both physically and mentally; forced to work for hours on end (Reed) without breaks and given little or no food and clean water (Hepburn; Simon 5).

Traffickers keep a handle on their victims through confiscating travel documents, regular rape, beatings, threats upon them and their families, debt bondage, and even through the use of drugs (Obuah 8).

            Why does human trafficking happen? It’s a simple incentive old as man kind: greed.  Believe it or not, the trafficking of persons is an extremely lucrative business for traffickers with profits in the billions, and little or no risk to those who commit the crime. In fact, the trafficking of women is even more profitable than the international drugs and arms trade (Obuah 10). The International Labor Office estimated human trafficking to have an annual worldwide profit of $44.3 billion dollars (Hepburn; Simon 2).

Because of the sex industry traffickers, pimps, and their seedy associates aren’t the only to profit from human trafficking. Some of the biggest U.S. corporations earn tens of millions in profits from the distribution of pornography; pornography that because of lax regulation often illegally uses underage and trafficked persons (Hepburn; Simon 4).

While sexual exploitation and slavery make up a large part of human trafficking, it’s not the only form of modern slavery. The reality is that forced labor is just as bad as sexual slavery, but “Since the general activities—[such as] domestic work, farming, factory work, or restaurant work—are all legal activities, there is a perception that ‘it’s not as bad as sex trafficking’, because in sex trafficking people are being forced into an illegal activity (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 12).”

            Trafficking of humans can, and does, happen right under our noses. In the words of Kathleen Morris: “We think of it [prostitution] as a shady business, but the brothels are often homes in residential neighborhoods” (qtd. in Reed). In October 2011 a Rhode Island man was arrested on human trafficking charges, for enticing a 17 year old girl to perform sex acts for money (Sotnik). Around the same time in Connecticut a man is facing life for prostituting a 14 year old girl (“Man Faces Life for Prostituting a Minor”). Modern slavery happens, and it’s closer than you think.

            Human trafficking is a problem that spans country and continent, so what can we do about it? If knowledge truly is power then the first thing we can do is educate ourselves on the subject. Websites and organizations like HumanTrafficking.org, Love146 (love146.org), and the International Labor Organization (ilo.org) all have an abundance of information on the subjects of human trafficking, modern slavery, child labor, forced labor, and sexual slavery. Every year the United States government releases a Trafficking in Persons report which ranks countries based on efforts taken in the fight against trafficking.

            Knowledge on the subject is a key part in understanding and opening eyes to the realities of human trafficking and modern slavery. But knowledge of warning signs someone may be a victim are equally important. In her article on human trafficking for “Seattle Woman Magazine”, Wenda Reed provides some red flags to look for if there’s a chance someone may be a victim of modern slavery. For example if someone is kept isolated, has had their travel documents or identification taken away from them or are not allowed money.

            As American citizens the few things we have control over is how we spend our time and money. The corporations that profit tens of billions by distributing pornography include the Time Warner, Hilton, Westin, AT&T and Marriott companies (Hepburn; Simon 4). Because of the aforementioned lax regulations on pornography and the American sex industry, it’s reasonable that by supporting these companies and others it supports human trafficking and sexual exploitation of persons. Next time you go to spend your hard earned money, try researching who you’re buying from and find out what your money may be supporting.

            There are also organizations that have a heart and drive to aid in the rescue of victims of human trafficking. Love146 is an organization dedicated to raising awareness and resources to combat child sex trafficking. World Vision is a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice; including human and sex trafficking. Check out these organizations and research others (make sure they’re real!) to find out what you can do to make a difference, whether it’s volunteering time or money.  

Love146 has suggestions about getting involved by joining a Love146 Task Force who meet monthly to educate themselves and raise awareness about child sex slavery as well as hold fundraisers for Love146. You can also partner with Love146, giving money to help in the prevention of child sex slavery and provide aftercare for victims. These are only two of the ways to help Love146 in the battle against child sex slavery and exploitation, with more available on their website.

World Vision has various suggestions on how to get involved in fighting human trafficking, everything from calling your members of congress to support the Trafficking Victims Protection act, to gifting money to help save sexually exploited girls. Merely search ‘trafficking’ on the World Vision website and there is an abundance of resources.

Still yet, all these numbers and statistics cannot even come to show just what is happening and the evils of modern slavery and human trafficking. The number of people victimized and the amount of profit from human trafficking can only ever be guessed at.

We all like to think that bad things don’t happen; at least not in our communities, our cities, or our nation. But the fact of the matter is human trafficking happens everywhere. No matter where you live, human trafficking exists in some way, shape, or form. We come in contact with it everyday though we may not even realize (Obauh 3). We have the choice to continue in our normalcy, preferring to avoid what’s happening. Or, we can choose to educate ourselves and others to the reality that human trafficking happens everywhere; and it’s something that together, we can end.

---

Works Cited

Hepburn, Stephanie; Simon, Rita J. “Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking in the United States.” Springer Science & Business Media. 27.1-2 (2010): 1-26. Proquest Research Library. Feature. 29 October 2011.

“Love146.org United States Child Trafficking Facts”. New Haven, CT: Love146 2009. Love146.org. Web. 29 October 2011.

“Man faces life for prostituting a minor”. News 8. LIN Television Corporation, 25 October 2011. Web. 29 October 2011.

Obuah, Emmanuel. “Combating Global Trafficking in Persons: the Role of the United States Post September 2001”. Palgrave Macmillan. 43.2 (2006):241-265. Proquest Research Library. Feature. 29 October 2011.

Reed, Wenda. “Slaves Among Us: Human Trafficking in the Seattle Area.” Seattle Woman. Caliope Publishing Company, 2010. Web. 27 October 2011.

Sotnik, Kathryn. “Man arrested in human trafficking case”. WPRI.com. LIN Television Corporation, 25 October 2011 Web. 28 October 2011.

life.is.sweet.

10 things that make my life all the sweeter because they exist

1. writing anyone else who is a writer ultimately understands that this needs no description, and why I include it a lot.
   
   
   
2. relentless my word for 2012. a first for me. something I am striving relentless-ly for.
   
   
   
3. microsoft office 2010 totally God's provision. I've been in need of a newer version of office. I've been struggling with 2003 and it was causing more problems than it was helping. it was a total God-thing I was able to get a HUGE student discount from Microsoft and get the professional version for a third the normal price.
   
   
   
4. stargate: atlantis what can I say? loves me some scifi!
   
   
   
5. sanctuary yes...two syfy shows in a row.
   
   
   
6. learning my college classes started again today. daunting but exciting. my english lit class is going to be challenging, but in a good way I think.
   
   
   
7. buachaill on eirne oh this song...  
   
   
   
8. new year
   
   
9. kindle I was able to check out two books last night, instantly. did I mention they're books from two of my favorites series'? oh yes. I was squealing with delight all over the place!
   
   
10. blue sky peeking through the clouds in the winter. most definitely something that makes life sweet.
    
    
    
    

reading: reckoning by lili st. crow --- listening: how He loves by flyleaf

word for 2012: relentless

I see so many making resolutions.
Knowing a word or verse they are led to, that will define their year.
I've never really done that; made a resolution, had a word or verse.
But blazing relentless after God has been weighing heavily on my heart, thanks to God's inspiration through the Fine Arts theme for this year.
And I believe that is my word:
relentless.
After Him, no matter what.
Giving all I have to give.
Stepping out. Running to braver, instead of safer.
I keep asking myself, "what am I living for?"
And the fact is: myself.
I am selfish with the gifts He has given me.
Too caught up in being "individual" to share anything with anyone. Too scared of being taken advantage of. Scared of what I might lose.

I read Isaiah 55 the other day, and God really spoke.

 ¹Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
 ²Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
 ^3aIncline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live...
 ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
 ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
 ¹⁰For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
 ¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

You see, I counted the total of my college fund just recently. My "college fund" being the 'piggy' bank I put loose change into for a decade.

$61.50

Sixty one dollars and fifty cents.
I've always wanted to go to college. I never looked forward to highschool. College was always my aspiration. Not community college mind you. Oh no, that was never good enough in my mind. University. That was it.

But in truth, whether or not I have money, I have a calling. Whether or not I have a university degree, God is going to use me in ministry as I have been called. He is going to provide, in His time, by His will; not mine.

And the chapter provoked the thought in my head, why do we do I spend so much on things that don't really matter? "that which is not bread"
Why do I give so much, for the things of this world; that do not satisfy?

In 2012 I want to be live relentless.
That means giving all I have to give.
Not thinking of what's in it for me.
Not fearing.

That means not procrastinating.
Not being lazy.

That means not letting these gifts God has given me, go to waste.
Not being selfish.

 ¹²For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

God,
Help me to live relentless. Free.
Father, I want to live for You, not me, not anyone else. Lord, light in me a fire that I may blaze relentless-ly after You.
Let's start some spirit - fires this year, Jesus.
Let's live relentless.
In Your name I pray,
Amen.

Full Circle

look at us...where we've been...

2011 was a year of ups and downs.

I've changed. I've grown.

I've become closer to friends and grew away from others. I've met new people and made new friends. I've feel like I've grown closer to my family.

I've learned so much. My perspective has changed. I've been challenged. I've been changed.

worrying doesn't get me anywhere because it's like a rocking chair...it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.

Circumstances and storms have spun around me. I've worried about...everything. But found encouragement and freedom in the words of friends.

I look back and have to say...I don't have any regrets. Not really.

I try not to let things I can't change bother me.

There are things that happened - hey, it's life after all - that I wish didn't go down the way they did, but I'm all the stronger for it and wouldn't change it if I could.

I have no regrets.

Okay, I take that back. One regret. I wish I had worked harder on math. But that isn't quite the type of regret to which I was referring.

Basically, it is what it is. And I am thankful for it, all of it.

I spent a week on stage with some of my best friends. I was able to go to Fine Arts festival for the first time. Camp for the fourth time. I saw friends lives changed by the power and hope of God. I got to spend a week with my best friend at her grandparents. I learned how to drive. I turned seventeen.

Every moment, every tear, every laugh, every hug, sigh, photograph and scream of frustration was worth it. Sure I don't have a definitive reason why it was worth it right now, but someday I will.

And all in all, this year has come full circle. Sure everything changes, but that's just it; everything comes back around. Full circle. It changes, but it just as surely changes back and into something new. Maybe it only makes sense to me, but here's to 2012.

look at us
where we've been
see the view it's changin' changin'
look and see
how we've come
all the way around this time

on we live
on we fight
now it's all the way full circle
things have changed
and gone away
goin' back just to go forward

here we've been
and here we've come
its come around full circle

we can't go back
no inch no mile
it's past
we've come
full circle

this is it
here we are
the old is changed
to new again
time it flies
flies away
we've come around full circle

people come
and people go
hoping just for a tomorrow
it has come
it is here
yesterday, today, tomorrow

look at us
where we've been
see the world
it's changin' changin'
look and see
how we've come
all the way around this time

on we live
on we fight
now it's all the way
full circle

by me - written over the span of the year - unfinished

life.is.sweet

10 things that make my life all the sweeter because they exist

via




1. encouragement unexpected. sometimes you never even knew you need it, until something uplifting is whispered to your soul.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
2. inspiration when everything begins to flow. together. apart. around. when it all just works. inexplicably. when the flame of creativity burns bright.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
3. words are like fire. are encouragement. are inspiration. are a weapon. mightier than the sword. can hurt or can calm. can build or destroy. words are like fire.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
4. family
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. photography how I have missed it. I need a good camera. haven't shot a photo in so very, very, long. my very dreams have been influenced by my desire to take pictures.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
6. blank pages there's something so inspiring about a blank page. a new beginning. like a new year. part of me dreads 2012. the passing of time. but part of me is excited at this blank page. a new year. to make my own. to change. to grow. to dream. and of course, with that excitement and inspiration that is a black page. a new year. there is just as much nervousness about it. just as much fear. just as much promise.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
7. light a reminder. of hope. life. fire.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
8. Hosea isn't a book of the Bible mentioned a lot, but it's probably my favorite. It's the story of a man that God led to marry a woman who was...well, basically a prostitute. Every time she left Hosea he always took her back. Even paying her way out of slavery. It's the story that God takes us back. Even when we mess up...royally. No matter what we do, how much we sin, disobey or our actions displease Him; He loves us. We are His people and repentance will bring restoration and freedom.
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
9. history so much can be learned from the past. from mistakes made. battles lost. if only one would take the time. to listen. to learn. to understand. no wonder the world makes so many mistakes. so many mistakes already made.
   
   
   
   
   

   

   via

   
   
10. prayers
    
    

Blessed Birth of Our Savior

Flyleaf's Christmas Song

a frightened, virgin, teenage girl
receives a message that defies the laws of this world
all she can do is weep and nod
she's to bring into this world
the Son of God

God's angels sound their trumpets
and blow their horns
tonight the long awaited Savior is to be born
the goodness bound by satan it has been torn
with this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

a star appears fulfilling ancient prophecy
there's an ounce of fear as wise men follow faithfully
the virgin Mary brings forth the human savior
and this future king sleeps soundly in the manger
soundly in the manger

God's angels sound their trumpets
and blow their horns
tonight the long awaited Savior is to be born
the goodness bound by satan it has been torn
with this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

tonight He is born so one day He can die
to heal hearts that are torn and live the perfect life
so He hang upon a cross and we can take His life
so we can live as sinners
and He can pay the price
tonight He is born so one day He can die
but He will rise again

God's angels sound their trumpets
and blow their horns
tonight the long awaited Savior is to be born
the goodness bound by satan it has been torn
with this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

Once again the time of year has come. It's hard to believe that Christmas, and New Year are inevitably upon us.
2011 is nearly gone.
I don't know where this past year went, but 2012 is nigh upon us.

"Unto us a Savior is born, unto us a Son is given..."
-Isaiah 9:6

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us

Tomorrow is Christmas, the day on which we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Despite the glamor, superficiality and all around commercialized scene that has become Christmas, JESUS is the reason for the season.

After all, it is CHRISTmas, right?

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

life.is.sweet

10 things that make my life all the sweeter because they exist

1. Simon's Cat hilarious, utterly hilarious cartoon cat videos on YouTube. Short, sweet, and so, so funny.
   
   
2. making jewelry I decided to fix / revamp something I made for myself a while back today and was surprised just how much I miss the creative - if tedious - art of making jewelry.
   
   
3. family
   
   
4. board games! okay, this one does tie in with family. we like to play games. board games, card games, tons of fun. we don't do it a lot thought, because otherwise it would get old. so we mainly sit down and play games (for hours) during birthday's, thanksgiving, Christmas and the like. we started really playing games day before yesterday, so much fun!
   
   
5. warmth my room is kind of cold in the winter because the heat doesn't quite reach that far. so I'm kind of a blanket hoarder. I have a TON. warm is good!
   
   
6. shoeswhile I like going barefoot, almost prefer to not wear shoes there are so many people everywhere who don't have shoes. the other day, I accidentally stepped on a piece of glass, ouch. and while for me, it was stupid for taking the garbage out not wearing shoes, for some it's something that can't be avoided because they have no shoes.
   
   
   
7. sun shine what can I say, it's winter and where I live it means snow, cold and overcast. I don't mind it so much but there are days when the lack of sunlight seems unbearable and each ray is beautiful.
   
   
   
8. random conversations you know the ones, that seem to move from one thing to the next and are inexplicably entertaining. where you can't remember what it started with or how you came to be on a certain subject. yeah.
   
   
   
9. friends they make me realize that I'm either crazier than I had before thought, or more sane (just depends haha). but above all, they remind me that I'm not alone. (ERIC ;)
   
   
   
10. imagination without it, life would be oh-so dull.
    
    

reading: the scorpio races by maggie stiefvater --- listening: playing god by paramore

 

Christmas Tree Campout

My family has this tradition, of camping out under the Christmas tree. It's something I haven't done in a while.

But, yesterday I put up the Christmas tree and we decided to camp out under the tree.

So, now it's night two of the Christmas tree campout.

Here are some of my Christmas tree campout necessities.

a tree or is that kind of a no-brainer?

my bible good time as any to do some reading


my notebook ah to write of course


ipod music, Christmas-y and Enya of course


a good book My literary companions:





The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths
Rather reminiscent of my favorite TV show Bones the Ruth Galloway mysteries have a strong, scientist heroine. Though where Dr. Brennan (Bones) is an anthropologist, Dr. Galloway is an archaeologist. Also, this series is set in the UK, Norfolk to be exact, and focuses heavily on Celtic mythology and history a lot. LOVE. I finished the first book in a few days, very good.


Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
I'm something of  Meg Cabot fan. While I don't like all her books, I've read all the YA series' and she never fails to make me laugh. Since I desired something funnier than the crime novels of late I decided to take crime and comedy and see how Meg did.

 
The exciting Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Discovered this talented author when I read the first book in her fae series Lament. Her newest book is definitely exciting, have barely been able to put it down!

And of course, some comfy warm blankets and pillows.

What is one of your Christmas traditions?

Have a Laugh

This is cute, and adorable and so, so, so very funny.

If have cats, have had cats or even are a dog person, you're sure to laugh. Hilarious.

This is what one of my older cats was like when we got kittens years ago. Ah memories.

life.is.sweet

10 things that make my life all the sweeter because they exist

1. lip balm - complete and total lip-saver! particularly Burts Bees replenishing pomegranate.
   
2. laughter - rather self explanatory
   
3. blog design - something I enjoy doing...usually there is a challenge to present itself. Thinking about doing something winter-y. what does everyone think? vote here
   
4. photography - I haven't taken pictures in so long. I mean good pictures, with a real camera, not Instagram on my iPod which tides me over. I currently have no good camera to take pictures with. Sure we have a little family camera but everyone hates using it it's temperamental and takes rubbish pictures. I long for a good digital camera. My mom gave me her old film camera though. I really want to learn how to use it. I have to wait until I have some money though, for film and developing. Expensive stuff.
   
5. gel pens - I used to have a lot of those, used them for all kinds of stuff. I've be rediscovering the use of them lately, for use on Christmas cards and the like. Fun stuff.
   
6. To Write Love On Her Arms - I've posted about it before, but I love TWLOHA. And I have something really cool to tell you! Remember last week when I posted asking everyone to vote? Well, To Write Love On Her Arms was  in the running to win a million dollar grant, something they could do so much with. I'm extremely happy to say that all the voting paid off (and some praying on my part ;) and TWLOHA won!!
   
7. books - I tend to count this one a lot. books and writing. a story is a powerful thing.
   
8. my job - thankful. so thankful.
   
9. Christmas music! - 'tis the season!
   
10. The Greatest Love Story Ever Told - I'm not one for Romeo & Juliet. Depressing. Twilight? Pathetic. But the Bible? Now there is a love story. The story of Gods love for us. Yeah, I know, us.

reading: the crossing places by elly griffiths & the scorpio races by maggie stiefvater ---- listening: barlowgirl Christmas album & enya

life.is.sweet

10 things that make life all the sweeter because they exist

1. health - I've been sick off and on for the past couple weeks. being healthy is definitely something I take for granted.
2. time - something that flies away. something that there never quite seems to be enough of.
3. comedy - hahaha (what can I say?)
4. shoes - there are people in other countries, people in our country that don't have shoes. I happen to have more than one pair.
5. water - the water for my entire town went out yesterday. not having water to wash clothes or take a shower makes a person realize just how much we rely on it.
6. warmth - our house has a wood furnace, and it's over a hundred years old so what it takes to be warm is something I know about.
7. instagram - fun fun app that makes terrible ipod pictures look so much better
8. writing - not much else for me to say. I think it's rather self explanatory for anyone else who writes
9. my best friend  - Lauren. who is amazing. I love that girl to death, she's my sister. her 18th birthday was on Sunday so here's a birthday shout out to the most amazing girl ever!
10. my mom - I know I don't listen much or do what she says. I know she does more than we ever give her credit for, so here's to you mom, love you!

First Impressions in Writing

I just submitted my final paper for English 101! 

The assignment was to write a 500 - 1000 word process analysis about some point of the writing process and I chose the beginning of a paper, the introduction!

In the spirit of celebration, I've decided to post the paper for all you writers or other students entering in to college English classes.

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First Impressions in Writing

Introductions can be daunting. Throughout life meeting new people and keeping to social etiquette can be awkward. In the same way, writing an introduction for your paper can be daunting. It has its awkward moments and periods of writers block during rough drafts. We’re all beginners at some point; all needing encouragement and guidance to start off. So to help you start, here is some writing wisdom to assist in your introductions.

            To start off, for any piece of writing you need something to write about. To get started, know your topic. If you have an assigned prompt and are unfamiliar with the topic you’ve been given, do research to be more comfortable writing about it. Make sure you understand the topic and know how it is you’re going to present it. For example, if you paper is an argument, are you arguing for or against your topic? Or if it’s persuasive, are you persuading people to take a stand for or against it? Whatever the case may be, make sure you’re knowledgeable in your topic and aware of your approach.

            Once you have a good grasp on your topic, it’s time to develop your thesis. When writing a paper your thesis is one of the most important things you’ll be graded on. It’s the declaration of what your paper is all about, the essence of your piece of writing. As ‘The Little Seagull’ handbook puts it, the thesis is “a statement that identifies the topic and main point of a piece of writing, giving readers an idea of what the text will cover”. Take care in developing your thesis, for without it, what is your paper about?

            Now that the topic and thesis are taken care of, it’s time to cover vocabulary. Wording is important in an introduction, both on paper and in life. If you were to have the opportunity to meet the Queen of England you wouldn’t greet her with an “oh my gosh! It’s great to see you!!!” but rather a formal and polite greeting appropriate for the circumstance. In the same way, you wouldn’t greet your best friend upon seeing them for the first time in two years with a reserved, “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Your Highness.” So when you’re writing your introduction, make sure you’re using the correct wording. It needs to be appropriate for the circumstance: meaning your audience and your topic.

Something else to keep in mind is that the wording of your introduction also needs to pique the readers’ interest. To catch their eye try making a statement your audience can relate to. For example, at the beginning of this paper the statement “Introductions can be daunting.” is something a student could empathize with. But, as the introduction continues, the parallels between introductions in life and on paper can help those with less writing experience relate to the topic as well. To engage your readers right away, try asking a question pertaining to your topic. ‘The Norton Sampler’ gives the example that “In an essay about the physical benefits of laughter, a writer might open with this question: “Is laughter really the best medicine?”

Since the introduction of your paper is the beginning, it needs to have continuation value. It’s the first impression your paper gives to the audience and should to entice them to continue reading. Make sure your introduction is apt in explaining to the reader what your paper is about, that way successfully leads into the body of your piece.

            The introduction is a crucial part of any piece of writing. The first words read are integral to how your audience will respond to the piece as a whole. As the first impression in writing is so important, we all need some encouragement and guidance when we first start off. Each of these guidelines – topic, thesis, wording, and continuation value – is important to any introduction. Follow them, add your own flare and there’s no introduction you can’t conquer. So get out there and write!

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Works Cited

Cooley, Thomas. The Norton Sampler Seventh Edition: Short Stories for Composition. New York: Norton, 2010. Print.

Bullock, Richard, Francine Weinberg, The Little Seagull Handbook. New York, Norton, 2011. Print.

Need Your Help

To Write Love On Her Arms is one of the most amazing organizations ever.
It is one of my favorite organizations along with Voice of the Martyrs, Love146 and World Vision.

The Mission Statement for To Write Love On Her Arms:

To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.  TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

To learn more about TWLOHA I encourage you to read their vision, the story of how they came to be and what it is they do.

Here's the reason for this post in the words of TWLOHA founder, Jamie Tworkowski:

December is here and so is the final round of voting for the American Giving Awards presented by Chase. TWLOHA is one of five charities with a chance to win $1,000,000. Your support helped us win Round 1 back in October and now we’re looking at the chance not only to win this money but to do it on national television, as the Awards will be broadcast nationwide on NBC.

Your support got us here and we need you now more than ever. Winning this money would allow us to take our message of hope and help on the road to more places and in more creative ways than ever before. Beyond that, we think the chance to speak to a national television audience is something pretty special.

You can vote once daily today [BLOG NOTE::THIS E-MAIL IS FROM DECEMBER 1ST] thru 12/8, so we’re asking for 8 votes over the next 8 days. If you want to do more, you can tweet, retweet, post on Facebook and Tumblr, even host a voting party at your school or in your community. We've created a Facebook event page if you want to join the community of people voting. There’s room to get creative. There’s room for your passion and your voice.

TWLOHA started small and we’ve seen amazing doors open as we’ve continued to journey together. That’s what it’s all about.

To see our big idea (how we would spend the money) and to cast your first vote, go here.

On behalf of the entire TWLOHA team, thank you for supporting us and thank you for caring about other people.

Let's win this thing together.
jamie

So to all my readers, please vote :-) and thank you!