Saturday, February 7, 2009

Saturday, the 7th

:::LONGEST BLOG EVER:::
Alright, I'm actually rewriting my introduction because it totally didn't fit how I finished this, so I am going to give you a new one, a more of a warning.
This blog contains sadness.
I will be more happy next time, promise. :D because next blog will most likely be about Valentines Day.
So here it goes, I haven't touched it since Saturday, because i didn't want to give in and change it. because i know if i changed one thing, I'd want to change it all.
So here it goes... (Oh, and I'm not even proof-reading it because I know me, and me would cave in and change everything.)
::::::
So I went to this Defensive Driving Course at NWACC, the community college, because I got my first speeding ticket the sunday before Christmas, right in front of the church parking lot. Horribly embarassing...
So the day came where I had to get up on a Saturday morning at seven thirty to get ready to go to a Defensive Driving course, with a bunch of meth addicts. I wasn't mad about going, I was just plain scared.
It was worse than the feeling I had when I was on my way to my first day of public school! Because this time, there would be no one I knew, no one I could sit by, no one that would tell me it'd be alright. Because even if there were people willing to be nice, I didn't really want to, because they were all meth addicts.
So I think it's safe to say that on the inside I was really freaking out. I had no clue what would go on, or what the place even looked like! Don't even get me started on the person that would be giving the lecture... I thought he would've been some ex-addict who got into some major car-wreck that "changed his life forever"!
And the room? It was going to be small, cramped, and smelly. Just like our old history teachers room. Ugghhh...
So we pull into the parking lot and my mom walks me in, [I don't think I could've forced myself to walk in alone, to face all those nasty meth addicts] and who do we see other than the Bella Vista ward Bishop, brother Simon Keo.
He's quite ahead in line, and so of course I don't say anything, i barely knew him. The only reason I recognized him was because he taught at our Mini Youth Conference in the beginning of January. Plus I kind of babysat his adorable kids, but I never saw him, only the mom.
After I filled out the registration form and my mom left me, I started to think about the whole thing, as I waited in line for at least ten minutes, I looked around and really studied the people around me, without letting it be obvious I was staring at them. These people didn't look like meth addicts (I met one in court, another story for another day) but they looked almost... normal. =O
I was kind of ashamed of myself for thinking the only people that came were addicts to something. I should've known better the second I saw Bro. Keo...
Anyways, I finally got to go down the small staircase and into this gargantuan auditorium, filled with stadium seating and lots of people filling them up. I searched immediately for bro. Keo as I waited in a smaller line to sign in. I found him just after I checked in, he was sitting at the top in the very back.
I then thought if he was a little answer to my secret, small prayer.
You see, I hate doing new things by my lonesome. On my first day of school I don't know if I would've made it, but I had a few church friends I knew already, so I was good. But for this Defensive Driving... I thought I was doomed. Before I saw Bro. keo I still had a little comfort in the fact that my brother James would be picking me up for our lunch break, which was an hour. So James and my mom were the reasons I had made it that far, into the auditorium. And Bro. Keo was the reason I walked up the billion steps it took to get to the top. he was the reason I walked across peoples feet in order to get to my seat. I reached him and was bold and outgoing, and introduced myself.
"Hi, are you Brother Keo?"
"Why, yes I am."
"Hi, I'm Delaynie Douglas..." And I told him how I knew him. It was just this huge boulder of nervousness/scaredness that was lifted off my shoulders. Like I kind of said earlier, I can survive anything as long as someone is there with me.
So we get started and it starts out playing a couple clips from TV shows, on the big projector screen. They were HILARIOUS!! I gotta say, I was not expecting funny when I thought the words Defensive Driving class. I thought I would be aching to sleep, or to run out of there, or basically: I thought I was going to DIE.
But, I didn't. I was making it through! The funny clips broke the ice and the instructor (A nice, well-dressed, amazing, oldish guy) then showed pictures of things like you would see in the driving manual. So all before lunch time at 11:15 we got to learn about regulation signs, crosswalks, (etc.) and I actually enjoyed it! I was learning, and having a good time!
I couldn't wait until lunch time to tell my brother James!
Then it was eleven:ten and he let us out early for lunch. I ran through my mind the words my mom told me before I left; "Don't worry, I'll call James, and he'll be waiting out in the parking lot for you at eleven fifteen." So I took breaths and walked out. I may have been having a good time, but I still didn't like doing anything alone! So I walked out there and of course he wasn't there yet, I mean really, why would he be there five minutes early? Is he psychic? NO.
So I decided I'd call, even though he'd be on his way by then, obviously. But I just thought I'd tell him I was already out waiting for him.
So I dial in his number and it rings a few times... and a few times more.. then I hang up because I forgot that when he's driving he doesn't answer his phone. So I was really glad he was on his way. he was probably almost here!
Then my phone started ringing almost instantly, on the caller i.d. James. So I answer and he's all like, "What up, lay?"
And so I tell him I'm out and waiting for him, and here comes his reply.
"Oh.. Your out now? I thought it was at noon."
I froze. "What?"
"Yeah, ha ha. whoops."
"Oh.. well.. you'll still come right?"
"Oh yeah, oh yeah. I'm kind of in bentonville though, but I'll see you in a few minutes!"
That was it. I may have had a good time but I'd had a death grip on the thought of having him with me at lunch. That good, comforting though, was suddenly dragged out from me. And I was alone in a parking lot.
I have to be honest, I had a minor breakdown. I didn't want to but tears just spilled out and I couldn't stop them. I wasn't freaking on the outside, no, that's not what I do. But boy did i freak on the inside. After being frozen for a couple minutes I went back inside, it was freezing out. I went to the bathrooms, afraid of seeing people me like this. So I calmed down and fixed my hair and whatnot, not really caring but still wanting to look presentable. It was now 11:24 and still no James. I walked back outside and saw a McDonald's sign standing up in the distance, and thought about walking over there. But then I realized I only had like a dollar, so I decided to walk to the neighborhood market instead, which was right across the street, to get a candy bar. Better then nothing, right?
So while this was happening I had been getting texts from one of my guy friends (who lives way out in Gentry)and he was asking how it was going. And just to let you know, I usually hate telling people about personal things and whatnot. But I told him about my brother and he was really sweet and told me how he would pick me up in an instant if he could. Doesn't sound like much, but at the time it stopped the tears from flowin'.
I was almost to the crosswalk when James called and told me he was here, which was after eleven thirty. He acted as if he wasn't really late... He acted as if he hadn't hurt me.
I walked over there, the tears welling up in my eyes. When I almost reached James he smiled real big at me, than saw my face.
"Lay, you ok?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine" I said as cheerfully as possible..
"Oh, well ok.. let's go!" And I do feel a little better, I mean, I still had thirty minutes. That would be enough to enjoy a little lunch at mickeyD's.
Then I look into the backseat and see his friends... his so-called friends.. and instantly my glimmer of having a nice lunch was squeezed out.
But I still got in and pretended it was all ok. Because thats what i do when I'm with him.
We end up going through the drive-thru and James pays for all of us and we go back to the parking lot at NWACC and eat in his car and listen to Korn.
Gotta say.. not the best lunch i've ever had.
A few minutes later I had to go in so i took his trash and threw it away for him, knowing he wouldn't have for himself. Ha ha.
So I get back in and go back to my seat and all is well. Brother Keo comes back too and we talk a little before it starts back up, and I felt that happiness inside me again, before getting that call from my brother.
So the last half of the defensive driving we get to watch videos, see pictures, hear stories on people that have died because of either careless driving or drunk driving. It was seriously depressing. I would've cried a lot more than I had if it weren't for funny commercials played in between about careless driving.
And that reminded me of my English class.
In English we're reading Julius Caesar, and the other day we were talking about Shakespeare's writing, and how every time something bad is about to happen, every times someone would die, he would insert a light, funny piece of script, just so you wouldn't be completely devastated.
Mr. Stewart then shared a story of going to see "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" with his thirteen year old son, Max.
He said Max really wanted to see it, and that he told him it could be pretty gruesome and sad. But Max still wanted to see it. What thirteen year old would turn away from a bloody war movie?
So he said they went and saw it and about half way through the movie, he said his son leaned toward and him and whispered, "Dad, can we leave?" so they left early.
Mr. Stewart had told us about the movie, and how completely devastating and absolutely depressing it was to see. How disturbing it was. How there was no comedy what so all in it.
I can honestly say that if I hadn't seen those comedy clips of driving commercials, i wouldn't have been able to take it.
Our instructor wanted images engraved in our heads, he would describe them in such gruesome, bloody, marvelous details that just made you look away from him, clinch your eyes shut. But you still couldn't get away from it. It was in your mind.
Even though those images were hard to see, and those stories made you want to cry, it all made you think.
It made you realize, accidents are accidents. They are completely random, and it all happens within a couple seconds, a look in your rear-view mirror, a glance down to change the track of a CD, anything. And maybe it's not even your fault! It's the carelessness of other drivers that could end you. You can't just say how much you love your family and hug and kiss them goodbye, saying the car that will run the red light down the street is going to crash into my car and kill me. If you knew you wouldn't go in the first place!
I have to say, this definitely put the fear in me. That's what it was suppose to do, but I think it worked more than they would have liked it to. I was already one of the most paranoid people on earth, now we have to add the fact that I could die any second when I'm driving.
Out of this class I didn't get just the fear, or the randomness of it, I got the heart-wrenching feel of losing a loved one.
The last story the instructor told us, was a personal one that had happened to him just two years ago on January 16th, 2006. His name was Seth and they had been best friends since college. I can't tell this story, I wish i could, but I wouldn't get the minimum of feeling into it that he had put, that he had felt when he lost his friend. How he had just talked to his friend minutes before he died, without even realizing that would be their last conversation.
I can't tell you the story, but i can tell you how quiet that room was. I can tell you how we all felt for him, not pity, not sadness, but we felt the wound that was in our hearts, just from hearing that story.
I have to sat, this class was life changing for me. I know earlier i said how i imagined my weird instructor would be one of those who talked about life changing events, but that's all I can say.
It's changed my thought-process, and I am so much more thankful for everyone and everything in my life. Whenever I use have to go anywhere, say goodbye to someone on the phone, cut off anything with someone, I would always think "What if this is the last time I talk to them?"
And then what did i say to them? Nothing. just a goodbye, thinking "Nah, that's not possible.. they can't die."
Now I realize that they could. And now when I say goodbye to family, I say I love you. When I say goodbye to friends I say how much I'm thankful for them. Because I truly am and if that is our last conversation I want them to know it.
I understand I'll be able to see everyone I have loved after i die, or after they all die, whichever comes first.. but it's still just nice to know i do what I can.
I apologize for this extremely long blog and how sad it is... but I just started writing and I couldn't stop until my day was finished.
I love you all, more than you could all know-
Delaynie

Thursday, December 18, 2008

*C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S**L*I*S*T*

Hi Alyssa,
You recently made a Christmas list, so I thought I would do the same thing... Just in case a certain someone named "my-mom" reads this. =D

1.) A Truly Grand Piano:


I know, I know. it's on my wish-list though... and I don't necessarily want THIS piano, but it's kind of cool looking, is it not?
I went piano shopping with my friend and her mother, and we gave her mom concerts :)
It made me really want a new piano, a grand piano. Sigh** if only.

2.) Classical Piano Books ^-^


I don't need all of them, it would be totally awesome if I got just one!
I love playing classical music, right now I'm learning Golliwog's Cakewalk by Debussy. it is so fun and fast!
I felt a little discouraged, however, when I saw this video on YouTube of this 5 year old girl playing it. It is the most difficult song I've played, and her hands were moving so fast they were blurring! :O!

3.) Sadly, another wish*
Hair Straightener!
And here is the free gift that i would receive if you bought it from Sally's Beauty Salon :)It's a cute MINI hair dryer! This isn't it, but it was the same color :)

4.) Augh! Another Wish!
Woo! A Wii Fit! I love it.

5.) YES!! SOMETHING I COULD GET!! =D

I really like the All American Rejects, despite my brother's hatred. They just came out with a new CD and I have their other 2, so I really want an actual copy, not just itunes. And considering it's cheap, i think it's safe to say Yay! I want this!

6.) My Last Christmas Wish
(((I know this sounds incredibly cheesy, just humor me!)))
I want to see the looks on my family's and friends' faces when they open their presents :D
I absolutely LOVE giving presents to people. I think that ever since I have gotten allowance I have been getting presents for people, and even before that little hand-made coupons, have been for my family. it is my all-time favorite Christmas joy. :)
The only problem this year is lack of money, and over-abundance of friends!
I feel bad, but I've had to shorten my list of friends to get presents for. I've narrowed it down to the people i care about most and talk to the most. For the friends that I see at school and are good pals, but not the best but i still love, I've gotten candy for them :) and then for friends that I LOVE LOVE LOVE and see like everyday and love hanging out with them... they get presents.:D and of course my family gets as many presents as possible. I couldn't care less if my friends gave me anything in return! I'm not trying to be cheesy when I say the smile they get when they open up their gift is the gift for me!
I'm going to go take pics of my best buds presents and come back later to post. :)
Yay now I'm all happy =D
I love you guys!!!!! Bye!!

Thixteen Fact'ths

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I love quotes (if you ever happen to hear crocodile eggs calling out to you, your not imagining things ;] =me and GRACE)
2. I love inside jokes and have one with almost everyone I know
3. I love everybody and everything except insects, no joke.
4. I am quiet unless I'm super comfortable around you :)
5. I hate it when people don't trust me, they have no reason not to trust me.
6. I know exactly what I want to do with my life
7. I like going to school
8. I like dancing... in my room.
9. I can't function with more than 7 hours of sleep
10. I love to sing/act/write/art
11. I love doing service and helping people out :))
12. I love experiences, the good and the bad
13. I have a second degree black belt in taekwondo
14. I have never tasted cottage cheese and I do not intend to
15. I used to want to be a dog when i was little :)
16. I like listening to people, and don't really like it when I have to talk, but I pretend to love it if I have to. i'm wierd.

PEOPLE:
1. Lydia-You are my non-churchish church friend and my sexy apple ;) and without you I would have died.
2. Grace-We both love medicinenet.com!!
3. Jessie-You were my sister for like a whole summer!
4. Hannah-You make me feel smart :) lol
5. Kayla-"You're amayzing kayla quin!"
6. Alyssa-Your my blog-buddy/fav cousin!! Love You!
7. Kate-you were my fellow homeschool student :)
8. Josh-Bleh. lol you wouldn't be able to get to EAST without me
9. Cailyn-You're my sister, Cailyn Mellor!
10. Omar=You're my bro!
11. Victoria-I miss fast friday lunches with you
12. Lisa-We Killed with Kamas! Man I miss taekwondo weapons :)
13. Cameron-We're bilarious buddies!
14. Kaylee-You, my friend, are buddhalicious ;)
15. Christian-We went on a cruise! :)
16. Jacey-Without you I would be left alone with Josh and Billy :-/(that would be scary

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Forgiveness and Empathy

Hi Guys!!!!!!
I missed blogging to you!
Please forgive me for not writing, I've been very neglectful and I apologize profusely.
Gosh there is so much stuff I don't even know where to begin telling you about it all. I wish I could just sit here and tell you everything but, unfortunately I don't have enough time.
So let me start out by once again apologizing. I shouldn't have left you all for so long. :(
I actually would really appreciate some help. :)
I have to write this end of semester paper for English class, and let's just say that if it's not completely mind-blowing and spectacular... My grade will go down to rock bottom. it's seriously that important.
I'll write what he asks of us:
Compare and Contrast how authors/directors attempt to manipulate the reader's emotions in order to tell "the story" in a 5 page typed essay by using the following as evidence:
Huck Finn and/or
to kill a mockingbird and/or
the great debaters movie and/or
I know why the caged bird sings and/or
the poem "Sympathy"-Dunbar

Now, our class has read all the books and watched the movies and read the poem mentioned above.
And what we've been talking about to connect them all (Mr. Stewart is all about connections) is with Empathy.
I would REALLY appreciate all of your opinions on empathy and how that can be a manipulative tool.
Also... If any of you have seen/read any of these, I would also appreciate your input on your favorite part, or what you think is the most meaningful part.

I hope you don't think I'm cheating, :) but Mr. Stewart said we could use any resources we wanted and so I choose any of you who have input.
THANKYOU!!!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

PART II OF MY WEEK.
Friday was a great day of school, especially compared to my other sad days of this week.
Let me just say, I actually fit in with this school, and I do have friends and love school so much, but yesterday it seemed like I belonged with them more!
My freshman friends are great, and I've known them for a long time, and I usually sit with them at lunch, instead of my sophomore group. Since it was Fast-Friday, we had a different lunch, and I have second, which none of my normal freshman friends have. So I sat with my sophomore friends yesterday and no offense to my freshman friends, but it was a blast.
I also wore something different than I usually would ever wear. I wore leggings with this little flowing dress. It was so different but I loved it. It was so light and pretty :)
Haha, I don't want to make it sound like I looked great in it, but I got so many compliments for it.
My first period, math, went pretty good, we took a quiz, and I felt pretty confident with my answers. Of course, usually when I think I'm getting math, it usually means I'm failing. So, I guess we'll see.
Then it was time for theatre class, and when I was waiting outside the door with the rest of my class, Josh poked me as he was going off to class.
Oh wait, Alyssa you don't know what happens when people poke me.
:O!
Whenever I get poked, whether I'm expecting it or not, I gasp really loud or scream. Scream as in a high pitched piercing squeal.
It's inevitable, and just a reflex. It gets to the point of just one person sticking out their finger and pointing to me and I'll just jump back and gasp.
The first time when someone found that out was in Art, when we were suppose to be observing *quietly* what the art teacher was showing us.
So much for that.
This guy poked me and I mean it was a murderous scream I let out. It was almost as bad when James poked me with his keys in Wal-Mart, where I had stopped the whole population in there for a split second, everyone looking at me.
It was horrible. And so someone in my art class was like 'Hmm... that's sounds fun" and so then in theatre class, same guy who said that, poked me, and so then a guy in theatre class found out, and he was in my next class, and he poked me. And so forth, and so forth. Etc. Whatever.
In History is where Josh and Billy found out. I'm not sure which one did it, but one of them did and they did not stop for the rest of class, which is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
AH!
So now I get poked on a regular basis. Every class theres at least one guy that can't go through it without hearing me gasp or scream. The teachers usually get annoyed, but at least they point there wrath on the poker, and not the pokee.
Yesterday was really bad.
In theatre class I got poked twice, one time it was like a double, so I started to gasp when I got poked again, causing me to choke on my own air intake.
Before I came to this school, I had a personal bubble that if anyone got too close I would freak out. Many of you have heard my story. But now, I've learned that no one knows the meaning of personal space. People will just come up right beside you, touching shoulder to shoulder and get in your face "HEY! HOW ARE YOU??" so at first I was a little freaked, but now I'm getting used to it.
Yesterday in theatre class Barret said hello and kinda shook my hair, he's six feet, I'm 5'3''. and it was kinda like 'whoa, why was he touching my hair', but I got over it. Then when he was passing by me in biology-we have assigned seating, and are at the same table-he flicked my pony tail a couple times. He did that every time he would pass me. I think it's better than poking. SO I was okay with that.
OH MY GOODNESS. Lunch, like I said I was sitting with my sophomore group, and I have these little microwave dinners, but I was feeling really lazy, and the microwave was a WHOLE TABLE OVER. (I know, right?) So I turned to Barret and I'm like "Will you please go put my dinner in the microwave?" At first he was like "Well, I don't know.." But then I was like "Please? Be a man.." so then he replied "What, don't put my manhood at stake!" But he got up and went over there with t, but someone else had already put their lunch in there, so he just slapped my lunch on top and walked back over. The table was all laughing, and then he looked at me and was like "That's all I'm doing for you." So I was like "Alright.." Then I heard the microwave ding and the person had taken out there lunch, but I was still feeling lazy.
"Barret...?" I smile
He glared and was like "Ugh. Fine. But you'll have to get it!"
So I was like "Alright."
So he walks over there and as he's pushing the 3:00 and start button he's glaring at me, and I'm just trying not to laugh. Then a girl at our table is like "Wow, you actually got him to do something! He never does things for me." And then another girl says the same before Barret walks back.
So three minutes later I hear the microwave ding and i just look over there, seeing how far away it was...
"Barret..." He glares at me "the microwave dinged"
He stands up "I'm going to have to start charging!" But he brings it back and I promise to bring him a treat on Monday. I learned he likes muffins.
So we have English during lunch on Fridays, and we're reading Huck Finn. Funny story about that, a couple weeks ago when I heard him say something about "Huck Finn" and "Next Tuesday" I thought he had meant we had to have read it by then. So I don't actually get the book until that Monday, which is Labor Day. So I read ALL day and through the night until around 1:45 am, then before seminary and afterwards, only having 11 pages Left get to school and see Mr. Stewart. So I go up to him and ask;
"Was I suppose to have this read by today?" (we have English first period.)
"No, you just have to had the book by today."
And I was just like :O-WHAT?
But he said I got extra extra points now. You see, only so few kids in our class even had the book by that day, so we got extra credit for those who did have it with them.
Mr. Stewart I have to say is my favorite teacher. Every class with him is just mind-blowing and so amazing. I LOVE IT.
Of course, last Thursday, when I was still in my little rut, nothing he was saying would get through to me, it was just flying right through one ear and out the other. It was excruciating.
We have to keep reading logs on each chapter of Huck Finn, and by last Tuesday we should have had 14 logs altogether. Only me and two other people had them.
And so then Mr. Stewart was just like "Well, everyone just have them on Friday."
That was the only thing that kind of upset me. I had stayed up late hurrying to finish them.
Mr. Stewart wasn't the only one not getting upset about other kids not having their homework.
So I was getting upset, since I had my homework and not a whole lot of people did, and then our teachers just saying "Oh, well just have it by Friday"
Anyways, back to biology, third period.
We did a couple experiments with the "Rates of Diffusion".
We went into the hallway, and Ms. Kildow said we would need to get on the blue tape she'd marked 5 ft, 10 ft, and so forth, by height. SO she was looking around and her eyes stopped on me
"Delaynie" she put me on the first one. So I learned I was the shortest.
Lucky me.
So when everyone was lined up it was time for Sam and Sarah, the volunteers, to spray vinegar on this little light jacket and wave it in front of us, seeing how long it would take for us to smell it. So Sarah waves it and it's like, right in front of my face. The smell hits me like a wrecking ball. I gasp and kinda jump back, saying "Yeah, I smell it"
It took like two seconds. Plus, the vinegar that was sprayed kinda fell on my arms.
EW.
Then it was time for the Clorox spray. Sam, who's pretty tall, sprays it up high and pretty much right over me. It was like I was getting showered with hairspray.
It was disgusting.
So we go back in the classroom and do our other experiments and whatnot and then go off to English.
By the way, I have second, third, and fourth periods with Barret. And so we get to English and I smell my arm, and it smells like vinegar and Clorox!
So I told Barret I smelled like that, so he smelled my arm and was like "whoa! Clinegar"
So yeah, I smelled like Clinegar all day.
The last two and 1/2 periods were spent in the PAC for assembly, where we watched the movie "Pay it Forward"
It was a really good movie, but we didn't get to watch all of it. So then after we were aloud to leave I was standing with Kaytlin and Sarah when Zach comes over and is about to poke me when I notice and scream before he even touches me. Which unfortunately happens a lot. So then they all fake poke me a couple times. SO then I'm like 'Alright, I WILL NOT react." So I just stand still and Zach slowly starts extending his index finger and is slowly moving it towards me, and I'm just straining, it's taking all I have not to react, but I do. I didn't make it. I gasped.
Then a couple seconds later I feel someone flick my pony tail a couple times, which makes me gasp and jump back, than seeing Barret I start to catch my breath, but then I get poked from the other direction by Josh. So then I scream.
UGH.
I'll tell you one more poking story, because it might actually be the funniest.
It happened yesterday in the hallway, when I was on my way to Art. I was just walking along, la-di-dah-dah, when out of no where someone pokes me! I scream and jump away, and when I see who it was I was confused, it was someone i didn't even know, and they were like
"IT'S TRUE!" And then he goes away, laughing.
:O.
I have so many stories to tell, but for now I'll stop, since I've already written so much about yesterday. This is like the longest post I've ever written.
So love you all!
dela

SUPER SEMINARY

Hey!
Well my week has been uber strange, mostly sad and depressing without my wake-up alcoholic drink, daiquiri.
First, let's talk about seminary. Seminary is actually going really great this year. Our class is so fun and exciting. Most importantly though, awake. Last year we had a lot of seniors and a couple unenthusiastic juniors, so that class was pretty dull and sleepy.
Not this year, though!
It's a pretty good-sized class, with mostly freshman. Our oldest is Jeremy, who is a senior and doesn't really show up and when he does, he sleeps. That's pretty sad and I wish he liked it more, but it's probably too happy for him. Then we have Ben, who's just weird and 'happy' that way, I guess. He's like a freshman.
Then we have Zach, who is always the chorister by choice, not force, and he always makes me laugh! He's so fun and last week we sang primary songs for seminary, and it was amazing! We sang Once there was a Snowman, and it's hard to explain and I wish I could describe to you how funny it all was, but I can't. Sorry :(
The reason we sang primary songs was because the day before on Sunday, all the youth were in charge of primary, since all the adults had a meeting for the last hour.
I was the pianist, and Zach was the chorister. We were told we would only need to sing for the last twenty minutes, but Bro Bowie's sharing time included singing song after song!
One game was the Hide and Seeker, where one kid would go out of the room while another kid hid the secret object, in this case, a magnet.
So we decided to sing Once there was a Snowman for our second time around, and the little kid could not find the magnet! It was RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF HIM. Whenever the kid got close, we would sing louder and louder, and when he was getting farther away, we would sing softer. We sang Once there was a Snowman 5 times! The kid still couldn't find it!
It was so freakin obvious!!
Anyway... we played that game a lot by the time we got to singing time we had already sang all the songs I knew.
But the point is Zach and I had a blast, despite the demon children.
I was just glad I had something to hide behind, poor Zach on the other hand had nothing, while the kids stared at him and barely sang.
It was hilarious.
Whenever we would get done singing, he would come and sit down on the piano bench next to me, and so when we would have to start singing again, after the kid hid the magnet, I would need to scoot back to the middle, to get ready. So Zach always took forever getting up there--who wouldn't, with the little kids staring at him--and so one time I was just like
"Move your FAT BODY!"
OH just so you know, Zach is skinny as a stick.
When he sat back down after singing time and before the closing prayer was said, he wrote on the piano bench "DELAYNIE WAS HERE" and before I could say anything the kid started saying the prayer, but once he said amen I punched Zach hard on the shoulder, well ,I didn't think I hit that hard.. but he was like
"OUCH!" It was funny. Then when we were all leaving I punched him again and I didn't know his dad was behind me, but I heard him say "Alright Delaynie! want me to hold him down?!"
AMAZING day.
So then in seminary he always makes me laugh, but this week he had pink eye! he was out for three days, and my whole three days had been so messed up. I'm not sure if it was him that made it ultra crappy, but the day he came back I had a great day, which is what I will talk about in my next post. Or you've already read it, so in which case the post you just read.
So in all, without my wake-up call Zachary-daiquiri, (see how well that works? I'll have to start calling him that) my day just doesn't start out right, it goes all funky and out of order.
:D
Now I'm going to write about Friday.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Sad Post... Sorry :((

:D... ?
My life is a car on a highway that is free of worry-cars in front of me threatening to slam on their breaks, close calls-semi's swerving into my lane, in other words, it is going great.
But I can see the dark cloud forming ahead that seems far away, but know that it will be upon me in no time at all. I just keep driving, surprisingly calm and collected, awaiting the storm that threatens to pull me off the road and down the cliff side, and other weird ways of falling off the nice high road-cloud, that I am on.
It always happens, and I'm just waiting for it. I always go through certain phases of almost perfect life, and then something will happen and I crash. crash into whatever car that cuts me off. Always.
I can't deny that I used to push away the thoughts of my storm that will soon come down, but now I am well aware and am watching out for it. It always comes as a surprise, so maybe, just maybe if I suspect something all the time nothing will happen.
I know we have to go through bad things and all that crap but I can't help but feel like it's gonna be bad.
School's going great and I know exactly what I'm doing for my Theater project, and my family is alright, despite the minor thing, okay.. major thing, and I am content. Not super happy, not sad at all. Every thing is just fine and I hate that. I hate it on days when there is a tornado. Every thing is too creepishly still. That's what it feels like to me, and I'm going to go insane with wait and worry.
Tomorrow I play the piano in primary, and although I still haven't perfected my "When Jesus Christ was Baptized", I still think it will be fun.
All my friends are good, nobody seems unhappy at least, and my school social life is going great and nobody hates me so far, well at least that I know of, so I'm okay with that. :)
Seminary is great, the only thing bothering me in there is a couple of my least liked ward members are getting on my nerves. Other than that it's all great. I just had a blast at a sleepover, I have a five day weekend, my mom went to her first parent teacher conference and apparently all my teacher's love me, including the one that I thought would only know me by "The girl that laughed during my lecture", but no, he was the most praising! :O. Who knew!
WHAT'S GOING ON?
I just want something to happen so that I know that every thing is fine. It's so weird but that seems to be how I feel. I want to reach the storm I'm driving to and get through it, so I can move on to the next one and so forth. I hate the wait in between, because no matter how short or long I hold onto the feeling of wanting the next storm to come, it always comes at the worst time and when I'm unsuspecting.
Why can't I enjoy my content, still, pleasurable, freakishly monotonous life?
Sorry, I guess I feel sad, even though I have nothing to be sad about. My day has been greatly normal, playing the piano, eating a delicious lunch, working on my homework...the only thing not normal is that nobody is angry.
I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid and I have nothing to worry about. The only storm will be a sprinkle and I'll fall asleep at the wheel until I hear that grating sound of the rib-like marks on the shoulder of the highway, then I'll wake up and keep going.
Who knows, maybe I'm just scared because my life is so great compared to others. I mean really, I have a family that loves each other, enough money to survive, enough of everything! I think I'm worried because I think how badly my life could be, and how it could still happen. I might not have this great a life in the future.
Although I know every thing will turn out okay no matter how bad the storm, I still feel worried I won't get through it. I mean, bad things are suppose to happen, so how come nothing is happening to me? Things happen to my brother, my mother, my father, my friend, but not me. The only major thing happening to me was the death of my baby, Sammy. That still cuts me up inside but that was a while ago, so I guess I just think I'm due for another trial. I know I should be like most people and enjoy this and only worry about the little trivial things, but that's just not me. I want the challenge for some reason, maybe for something to do, maybe because whenever I go through something I always feel great and strong afterward, but I just don't know. I'm not normal. Maybe it's because of that saying "Bad things happen to Good people"
No wonder things happen to my brothers.
If you're reading this I must have been brave enough to post it. :P
Well love you all and hope you have bad things happening to you, since that means you're a great person. :)
That just might have to be my new phrase to say, I'll be leaving a friends house "Bye! Hope something tremendously horrible happens to you!"
Love,
d

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Music, Time, Parties, and More Music!!

Okay, so I think I've pretty much covered everything I wanted to talk about in that title, so now I don't have to give a little summary.. because I know I sometimes at least give bullet points.
--I guess I did just summarize my little reason for the long title, but whatever..--

*********************************************************************************

Music. MUSIC. MUSIC!!!
I LOVE music.
And every once in a while I need to get new bands to listen to, so I usually get weird and look up random words in the itunes search box and find music I like. One time I looked up Twilight and found an amazing band, so you should try it sometime.
I have a song recommendation for all you vampire lovers. Or at least Stephenie Meyer lovers;
This is for the Keeps--The Spill Canvas
It's about a vampire falling in love with a human girl, and let me tell you it's SO amazingly sweet and makes you go "awwh!"
Well, at least it made ME go "awwh!".. so I'm not sure what you're reaction would be, so I guess you better listen to it. ;)
Also my new fav site for listening to music is Pandora.com, it's a radio station that plays whatever song you want to listen to, and then others that are similar, and it has definitely filled my need for new music!
Ah! I just found a new song.. hold on I'ma go write it down...

Mkay, so Pandora is pretty much amazing, I listen to it while doing homework. So I'm hinting that you should listen to it too. :)

********************************************************************************
It's time to write about time!
I finally have time to write. I have found that late saturday nights will fit perfectly for my blogging. I can taek as much time as I want, and I won't have to get up early to shower for church so early!
That's right, our church has switched to the 1 o'clock slot, and at first I was a little dubious on how it would work out, but now I'm uber happy, since I can sleep in... I love sleep. I guess I used to take for granted the Saturday mornings I had. I used to not really see the purpose, other than no seminary... but now that I can't come home from seminary and sleep and actually have to go to school and stay awake... I think Saturdays were a SUPER fantastic idea. haha, it's true, now I just take advantage and not even bother to set an alarm. I get so exausted from the weird schedule I now have, and I can barely stay awake on Fridays. Today I pretty much lazed around and played the piano.

*********************************************************************************
SPEAKING OF ^^FRIDAY^^
:D
I got the chance of going to two parties! woo! The first was a sweet sixteen for my new school friend Jacey, and it was a blast! First actual dance party I had real fun at, probably because the other girls weren't afraid of doing silly dances! It was way better than all church dances combined, which isn't saying much, I know, but still, it's all I can think to compare it to right this second.
And may I say, I had some pretty amazing moves goin on towards the end... :) well, amazing as in -so fun and silly-it's amazing, ya know?
Anyways, I wish I had brought my camera... also, we were all suppose to wear neon colors and I wore this NEON pink tanktop under a white shirt with a black painted peace sign with lots of neon colors splattered all over it. It was amazing.
The pink was so bright all other pinks looked dull in comparison. Me and Kaytlin went over to Wet Seal, since they have really bright neon colored jewelry, so we thought we would find a necklace to match. but no, everytime we would hold up the tank top, the jewlery would look purple. It was seriously that dull.
I wore it to school too and I got so many complements on it, it probably looked even brighter--who knew it could get brighter--since I was wearing black pants.
So yeah, that party was amazing, and it makes me VERY excited for school dances! woo!
The second party was at Lydia's, it was a slumber party. That was very fun and I would give details, but mostly I would be giving away too much information... >:)
I will say that of course we played truth or dare, and here are a few of them;

I have to tell a teacher how sexy I think they are. 8O! can't wait to see how that goes...
Kaylee has to drop a tray full of food in the middle of lunch time. In front of EVERYBODY.
And then Ma'Kaila has to slam a tray of food--Kaylee's second tray of food-- down on the floor in front of everybody.

So yeah, that was pretty exciting. Oh, and then I was the first to fall asleep, which was sadly only a little after one in the morning, and so I got pink sharpie on my face.
I actually thought it would've been worse. I thought it would've at least said "Loser" written across my forehead, but no. All it said was "I love you" backwards so I could read it in the mirror, and then a heart on my cheek.
Next time I spend the night with them I'll have to show em' how it's done.

*******************************************************************************
More music. :D
This session of music will be about my piano playing. I will admit that I hadn't noticed how out of touch I was with the piano, I mean I am planning on doing a solo in church pretty soon, but I haven't really been messing around or playing that often anymore.
I finally noticed how I had nothing memorized and had sorta lost my ability to make something up off the top of my head in my last period of school on Tuesday, the day Alex Khakov brought his keyboard in.
He's been playing for less than I have (I've played for about nine years, off during the summer), and he's as good if not better than I am! He plays so beautifully, and is modest about it. But what I find so awesome is that he's a piano player! I've never had an actual piano player friend. I mean, I have friends who play, but aren't that good. I know that sounds bad but I've already explained that I didn't mean how it sounded. So you can just figure it out while I go on and ramble about my Russian piano player.
To be honest, I'm a little intimidated, but also fascinated. He knows about theory and chords and keys and everything! I've never been able to talk about that stuff with anybody, it's so cool that I finally have someone to talk piano-talk with without having to explain what certain things are. Also, in EAST we played a duet for everybody, he just told me to play and A chord, then move up on note in you're fifth fingers, then go down to a G chord, and then back to A, four times each and make them eighth notes.
AH! :D
So I played them and then he played some incredible little thing up on the top part and it all sounded amazing. He kept asking for me to play something, but being the self conscious person I am kept saying no. But then I played a little bit of Clair De Lune, an actual classical piece he does not know, which is seeming to be very rare. So now I have all of Clair De lune almost memorized again, I've played all day. Plus, I now have a duet I've made. Yay! I have had the bottom part for a while now, but I hadn't been able to come up with a top hand, but today I just messed around and came up with a pretty top part. So now when I go back to EAST I'll actually be able to play stuff and mess around, even though I usually can only play around when I'm by myself, but now after coming up with such easy, yet complex sounding things I have found a little more confidence in my playing. Go me. :)
Just kidding, I should be more modest like Alex. So Friday he put the keyboard in our teacher's office for concentration, since he has to compose a song for the Dance class--I've heard it, it's SO good!--and later I got to go in and hear what he'd been doing and then after he asked for me to play something again, since I had promised the day before to bring music-which I had forgotten-I was reluctant, but then I sat down and it was a lot better since everyone out in the big room weren't able to listen like they had when the keyboard was out there. So I played the bottom part of the duet I'd made, and he loved it-at least he said he did-and then came over and played a sweet little top part with his right hand as I played my bottom part. So yay!!!! I finally have reason to play the piano other than for playing hymns for seminary! woot!
Alright, I'm getting too excited for it to be 11:30. Jeez now I"m pumped and want to go play the piano!
Anywho, Alex recommended some classical pieces I should listen to(he knows a LOT of classical pieces) and I listened to this one, Moonlight Sonata, 3rd movement.(he recommended it since I was playing the beginning of the first one at the time)It's crazy beautiful! It's so wild and fast and so magnificent! What's funny is that I looked it up on youtube and watched it with this old guy who was so into it and had little beads of sweat running down his nose, and it turns out Alex saw the same one. And it's really funny, because normally when he talks, he sounds American and normal(not that Russians aren't normal)but when he starts getting passionate about what he's talking about his voice gets lower and his Russian accent gets real thick! It's awesome. Although, a couple times I've had to think real hard to figure out what he just said...
So sorry I've been rambling about this subject, I am just thrilled I have found my spark for playing again.
Well, I'm heading to bed now, still tired after my practically sleepless week!
Love ya,
d

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Music Deprivation :'(

ARGH I need to redo my whole life schedule.
I used to have all my hobbies and what not in a perfect order with time to spare.
Now that school has started, I barely get home from school when I need to go to bed!
This is what it's been for the past few weeks;
I go to school
I go to Wal-Mart, for more school supplies...
I get home and eat dinner
I do whatever homework I have
I check facebook, can't get on the computer without going over there :P
I go to bed
I wake up and start all over again.
Where do I fit in my writing? The only writing I've done since school started has been English assignments, which don't get me wrong are the BEST, but still, they aren't my stories.
I get my music time in at school, because the teachers allow us to use them normally towards the end of class when we do work or in advisory-aka seminar, aka study hall.
But wait; something changed today.
Our principal has now banned the use of Ipods!!! Not even teachers are allowed to let us listen to them! first time we're caught, we get a warning, second time...
You pay 25 bucks to get it back plus a Friday of ISS.
:O!!!
>:O
:(
:'(
:"(
None of the teachers could see why Ipods would be a problem, and even agreed with the students that it really is easier to concentrate on work with an Ipod.
What is up?
I have no clue. But the principal said it was a 'health issue' and there was some improper usage going on with them.
WHAT???
Sigh*
Ah well...
Alright, I've done my venting for now.
Mehbeh.
Yeah.
I'm done rambling about my music deprivation.

Other than the major horrid morning announcement, my school day was really enjoyable. Theater was amazing, we just played really fun games that had to do with 'composure'. We played the 'ha ha' game
Hah
Alyssa, I saw you're blog with that pic!
hehe
but yeah, I rocked that game. just not the first time.
Fortunately we were aloud to laugh as long as it wasn't our turn to Hah, then we had to refrain.
I was laughing all through the first game.
BUT the second time... was when I learned that if I bit my upper lip hard enough it would hold in my urge to laugh.
Don't worry, it didn't hurt until later that day.
;)
But it was really swollen and red...
but anyway the last time we played it ended up between a three way tie between the two guys Barret and Kyle, and then yours truly.
The only reason we were left was because Barret was so good at making OTHER people laugh at the way he Hahed. He would do orchestra style, show tunes, star wars, etc.
And one time was so hilarious, but I caught myself before anything erupted.
All the girls laughed though.. it was so funny.
he was like-when he saw me-
"Dang, I thought I would've gotten rid of all the girls with that one!"
It..
Was..
AMAZING.

Well, I should probably stop writing about how I have no time to write...
Well, love ya all!
d

Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Apology & NWAAFA

I am so so so sorry for neglecting my blog. And thank you Grandma for mentioning to me that it has been since July 14th since my last entry... I have a few excuses, so hear me out;
1. I have had a writer's block since I got back from Youth Conference.
2. I have so much to write I don't know where to start. I've tried many times to talk about certain things, but those two reasons put together are just too much.
3. I am going to an actual school in 3 1/2 days! So much to do. In fact, I'm going to the school tonight to get my class schedule, supplies list, etc. SO exciting.
4. . . . I don't really have a fourth.
I will elaborate more on my excuses. (Oh joy) 1--I still am trying to write about YC, but whenever I do I start rambling about one thing in particular that doesn't really have anything to do with it! But also, three days of lots of activity can be hard to cram in one post, I've even tried just talking about the first day, but no can do. I will try again soon, though, because I'm sure you're dying to know about my three day Amish hiking trip--a pioneer trek. I also have to talk about Mamma Mia, the best movie EVER, and how I can't stop listening to the soundtrack! also, Twilight has occupied my brain ever since I got back also. Either that, or a certain someone.♥ I had thought I had a breakthrough when one evening I wrote for a long time on this one story that I hadn't been able to write in for a while, but then I tried my blog and POOF, my inspiration had disappeared.
Yes. I am going to school. And yes, it starts August fourth, two weeks from when all the other schools start. It's Northwest Arkansas Academy of Fine Arts, which has been operating for only one year so far. Despite it's new-ness, it's already a very popular school--It's got a waiting list now. It's a nice, small school that holds up to 200 students only. I love it. And, obviously, it's a school with all the fun stuff that I like; Theatre, arts-including digital art and graphic design!-, film, and lots of other really awesome things. But don't worry, they have a strong academics curriculum.
I am so pumped for school! Kinda lame, I know, being excited and all... but I'm also so nervous. I don't know what to expect! My friend that went there last year says everyone is best friends and that everybody is nice, and the teachers can be fun--except for apparently the principals class, heard that was a snoozer--and that I will have a great time. I want to believe it, but my pessimism just keeps going and going. I have a fear of all the wrong things that could possibly happen on the first day will happen to me. I'll fall in front of everybody, the teacher will call on me and I have the wrong answer, I have to eat lunch in the bathroom... haha. I know some freshmen, a junior, a senior, and one girl in my grade, who I'm not great friends with. Fortunately on the trek I was blessed to have her in my group, so now we talk when we see each other. I think I've been most worried about Lunch. Who the heck am I gonna sit with? What if all my friends are in the same lunch period but I have the one after/before? That would be awful. Ugh. I almost start to hyperventilate at just the thought of my first week. Both from nerves and excitement!
And, I know the school is real small, but I'm pretty positive it will take a while to learn where all my classes are. There are three different buildings, one with the cafeteria, one with the E.A.S.T. lab, and a chapel that is now the auditorium. --I forgot to mention that this school used to belong to a church.-- I think we only have five minutes or less to get to the next class! I'm gonna die!!
....Sorry. I'm calm now.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Now I am going to tell you what classes I'm taking;
English--Which I might switch over AP English, whether I'm bored or not.
U.S. History--even though I did it in seventh or eighth grade. then I might switch to government.
Biology--Not sure what to think about that...
Algebra 1--I didn't really get it at all last year. :(
And now for my electives! Ah!
Acting 1--Everything else was full, but I don't mind this!
Survey Art--again, everything else was full. It would've been awesome to do digital or graphic design.
E.A.S.t. lab--This sounds pretty cool. I'm not sure how to describe it, so I'll give details once I've actually experienced it.
I am so excited for those! Yay! :)
. . . .
Hmm, I think I've gotten over my writing block.. mehbeh. :D
Oh, and I guess I DO have a fourth excuse.. I'm planning on playing a piano solo in Sacrament meeting in a couple weeks, hopefully the Sunday before James leaves for Houston. So I've been practicing that quite often. It's "If you could hie to kolob". I absolutely LOVE that song! It's my favorite hymn. And I couldn't find a solo in any of my books with that song in particular, so I was just messing around with it just from the book and I've come up with a nice arrangement and have created a different left hand and what not. I hope it will work out good...
Well, I have to go get ready for tonight! Love you!

Oh, and Alyssa, I will do the Tag-Song thing either tonight or tomorrow! :D