It's The Little Things (Like Book Reviews)

All right, now that the 20th's is done, I can give you today's real entry.

It’s 11 o’clock at night, and I can’t sleep. So, I figure, let’s blog.
I was thinking the other day, a lot of the time I say ‘It’s the little things’ when I mention something sorta small that makes me happy.
For example, I love when I wake up in the morning and know exactly what I’m going to wear. I also love shoes that fit comfortably and look good. I love being tired and in the vicinity of my bed when I have time to take a nap. I like the taste of soda on a hot summer day, and the taste of hot cocoa when it’s below freezing outside. I love the feel of an old pair of blue jeans, and the warmth of an over-sized sweatshirt. I like the time in the shower where I can just stand and let the hot water work out all the kinks in my back. I like hearing my favorite song on the radio, even if it’s only the tail end of it.
I like coming to school and realizing I aced a test I’d forgotten that we’d even taken. I like hearing someone compliment my work, even if it’s not to my face. I like hugs and smiles on days when I need them, and jokes that really shouldn’t be funny but are. I like having friends that give great advice, and friends that do things that make me seem smart, even when I’m not.
I love a good notebook, where the pages are sturdy, the lines are smooth, and the paper is easy to write on. It makes me proud to live somewhere where I have access to such an incredible notebook.
I adore being able to make a child laugh. Laughter is twice as contagious as yawns. When you hear a kid laugh, it makes you laugh too, just for the sheer joy of it. I like laughing to the point that I can’t even breathe. I like long walks alone with the world, and short jogs with my dog. I like the feel of my hair when it’s fresh from the shower, all soft and shiny. I like the feeling of waking up Sunday morning to the smell of bacon frying.
But most of all, I like writing this entry, because now all of you will be thinking about your favorite things, and that will make your day brighter.

Otherwise, I've been applying for jobs left and right. Mom and Dad still aren't sure they want me working, but Dad's been unemployed for over a year, and I need money to hang out with my friends. I'd love to hear your opinions, so sound off!

Hmm, oh yeah! Book review time!!!

In book club last month we read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. At first I wasn't sure I would like it, and I had some trouble getting started, but once I was in, I was hooked. Basically our main character is a young man who loses his parents suddenly. He finds himself destitute, and hops a train to try and escape his problems. What he discovers is the rich world of the 1930s circus, and falls in love with the animal keeper's wife. After that, things begin to get interesting. Fans of all types of fiction will love this novel!

Love and lemon drops,
Victoria

It's that time of year...

Okay, this entry was written on the 20th, but I only just got around to posting it. :D

Hey everybody! As you’ve probably figured out, it’s October, and do you know what that means? It means… *drum roll*… it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month! Oh, yes, I’m sure you just wet yourself with excitement. Well, in honor of the month, I’ve decided to broaden your knowledge about it!

· In the US this year, there have been 207,090 new female and 1,970 new male cases reported. On top of that, 39,840 women and 390 men have died this year from the cancer.
· The older you get, the higher your risk gets.
· If a family member had, get checked.
· If you’ve never had a child, or had a child at an older age, your risk factor goes up.
· More Caucasian women are diagnosed than any other race.
· Studies suggest that the more you drink, the higher your chances get.
· Being overweight post-menopausal can increase your chances of developing the cancer.
· If you took DES when it was administered to expecting mothers between 1940 and 1971 steps up your risk.
· Look for a lump or thickening near the breast or in underarm area.
· If your breast changes in size or shape (post-puberty), it could indicate a presence of the cancer.
· Dimpling or puckering of the skin should be watched.
· An inverted nipple is a symptom.
· Discharge from the nipple, especially if bloody, should be reported to your doctor.
· Scaly or red swollen areas on the breast can be a problem.
· In Missouri, between the ages of 25 and 30, your percent chance of getting cancer triples.
Clearly, breast cancer is a problem. For more information on this and other types of cancer, visit cancer.gov.

Okay, there’s my soapbox. Getting down now.

Today is the Baby Bro's B-day (try saying that 10 times fast) so it should be fun and exciting. Happy Birthday shout out to the bro!

Sorry

Sorry about the gap, but things have been INSANE!

Okay, so Homecoming was awesome. Muchos gracias to Amanda's miracle worker of a sister, Ashley, for somehow transforming us all for an evening. However, I know my readers want the drama. So, here you go.

Caleb asked Miranda to Homecoming. The following week, a girl (who I now know is named Chelsea) asked him to be her boyfriend. Caleb agrees, but says he wants to keep his word to Miranda and take her to the dance. So, Homecoming comes. And the whole night? Caleb talks to Vicky, a third girl. Now, I want to stipulate now that I've only heard the Chelsea and Grapevine versions of this. Caleb has declined comment, so I may be missing details. But let's just say drama occured, and several people cried. Ain't love grand?

Now, to the real topic of this entry. I just got back from my fall concert, and all I can say is: Wow. I'd forgotten how completely and utterly addicted I am to being on stage. Something about the way everything fits together, like a puzzle, and you know that the puzzle wouldn't be complete without you there... It's magical. When everyone comes together like that with only one goal, it's the most incredible feeling. Be it music or acting, you are there because you want it. You and everyone around you wants it. That knowing, the knowledge that everyone there is putting their all, their heart, their soul into it... it's like a drug. When you bare your soul like all good actors or singers do, sure, a part of you is screaming to hide your soul, but most of you is yearning out to be seen. Your soul is out there, in the music. The audience can hear it. A good audience will know you without ever even meeting you. The feeling of having yourself known in such an intimate way...

Simply put, it's intoxicating. The best drug. And there are absolutely no side-effects.

Was our performance without flaw? No. I for one messed up on the whole lining up thing. I hate that. But still... everything just fell into place. We put it all out there, and it worked.

I feel incredible.

I've also transferred out of Coach Boomer's class and into 2nd hour B physics with Sir Drones-A-Lot. He has a monotone voice, but hey, beats Boomer. Sir Drones-A-Lot is pretty cool, actually. I like him.

Because of the rearranging, I now have 4th hour A Communication Arts, which perks up my A days considerably. Today we had a midterm, and I think I nailed it. I sit next to 'Nice Cheyanne' (as opposed to 'Flirty Cheyanne') who is in my choir class. She's cool, and the hour is absolutely awesome.

Let's see... Oh, test in Geometry today with Youngster. I mean, I think this teacher is younger than Michael (my brother, not Noelle's). It was super easy, which can mean one of two things. One, I knew the material and aced it, or two (and more likely), I had no clue what I was doing, and will be taking a retake.

Other than that, my life is pretty dull right now. Not that I need more drama. Oh, and Taylor turns TEN tomorrow. I still think of him as six! Where does the time go???????? It seems like yesterday I had just moved into Liberty, and it was the first day of sixth grade, and now I'm a Freshmen in high school! Taylor's ten, and I'm only a few years from graduation...

I got to stop writing, otherwise the future's going to cave in on me.

Love and lemon drops,

Victoria