Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

Dear 2012,

I have changed an abundance in your twelve months. I've discovered what I am to be for the rest of my life. What I want to pursue.  What I am going to pursue. You have changed my future and you are effecting my life in a very big way. I will never toss you aside or forget what you have taught me. Thank you for playing an important role in my maturing years. 

Dear 2013,

I have great expectations for you. Please do not disappoint me. Don't leave me sitting on the bleachers. Don't throw me in the dirt. I am afraid of everything. I am afraid of what my future holds for me. What will I be like at the end of 2013? What person will I be? But I will trust in God for He has a purpose and a plan. He has a reason for everything. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

5    Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings;

6    in all you ways submit to him, and he will make your paths strait.

New Year Resolutions (and things to do in 2013)

1. Keep a daily log of 2013 worthy of posting next year

2. Keep and write down all the good things that will happen in 2013, place them in a jar, and open it at the end of 2013

3. Reach 100 followers

4. Go to Busch Gardens and ride every extreme roller coaster

5. Make a reading list and finish it

6. Meet a blogging buddy

7. Watch a sunrise at Fred Howard Park

8. Re-decorate my bedroom

9. Zip-line

10. Go to a book signing

(and 20+ more, but I don't want to bore you so... yeah)

What are your new year resolutions?

Seashells by the Seashore

Winter in Florida? Unheard of. It's 75+ degrees here. That's why we visited my dad's hometown - Tarpon Springs. 

       Midway through this little photo-spree, my camera settings were switched and therefore made every picture come out completely white. It was a let down, I confess. But look on the bright side! I managed to deliver the few photos I took.

Bokeh Christmas

And I'm just adding these in for fun. : p

A Walk in the Park

Book review: Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.

But that's exactly what happened.

Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger's Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

From the book. ^


My thoughts

(some major and minor spoils ahead)
 Tiger's Curse has everything I'm looking for in a book. Adventure in far off places, deep magic, a strong plot, well-constructed characters, and romance.
      Somehow, just like Kelsey, I can see more than a tiger. As I stare into those cobalt eyes, I can almost see a man under his black striped fur.


You should know

Language - None.
Violence - Use of several weapons, fighting, yelling, wounds/scars.
Romance - A couple of kisses, loving/liking.
Other - Shape-shifting (from tiger to man and vice-versa).


That sums it up for the book review of Tiger's Curse.

Simplicity

Fall is in the Air

My neighbor has this huge maple tree in her front yard and was kind enough to let me take some photos of it. What a great neighbor.

The sun was pouring through the leaves so I had to snap a photo.

How has your Autumn been?

Let's Tie-Dye!

At my homeschool co-op, our group tie-dyed. It was lots of fun. You'll see. Just keep scrolling...

I learned that there are three basic types of tie-dying. They are all too hard to explain in writing.

After everyone bagged up their newly tie-dyed shirts, we had some free time. Unfortunately, I only got one picture of us goofing around. : /

See the rubberband? See it? That was our only weapon. Stay strong, sisters!

Have you ever tie-died before?

Awards

I have received two awards in the past weeks and thought I ought to do them. Here goes!

And, (if you just happen to) scroll down to the bottom of this page you'll find a November photography challenge.

Thank you Chasity and Hannah for the Sunshine award!

The rules are to answer the eight questions, and spread some sunshine on eight other bloggers. Doesn't sound too complicated, does it? :)

1. What is your favorite Holiday Movie?

The Polar Express.

2. What is your favorite flower?

I've always thought red roses were pretty swell.

3. What is you favorite drink?

Dr. Pepper, for sure. 

4. What is your passion?

Ultimately, living for Christ through photography and writing.

5. What is your favorite time of the year?

Late Autumn.

6. What is your favorite time of the day?

5:00 - 7:00 in the afternoon.

7. What is your favorite physical activity?

Soccer.

8. What is your favorite vacation spot?

When my family went to Washington D.C. or in Georgia.

And now this award goes to

Rebecca at Rebecca's Random Ramblings

Brittany Ann at Daughter of the King

Mal at This is Me

Samantha at Skating a Dream

Lindsay at Lindsay Buchmann Photography

Ruby at A Focus for Him

Betsy at Betsy's Ramblings

Six good enough? Haha. (No expression to that "haha" intended). 

Leibster blog award is next!

This is from Storyteller.

1. You must post eleven things about yourself.

2. Answer the eleven questions that the tagger has set for you, plus, you must create eleven questions for your nominees.

3. Choose up to eleven bloggers for the nomination.

4. Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.

5. Please, no tag backs. 

6. Remember to only tag bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Eleven facts about moi.

1. I daydream almost all the time.

2. I'm working on a book taking place in Colorado. *hint, hint*

3. (As you already know) I'd like to be a photographer and writer.

4. I've been brushing up on my origami skills as of late.

5. Three Musketeers is my favorite chocolate treat.

6. For Halloween, I made a peacock costume.

7.  Yellow and pink are my favorite colors.

8. When I was younger, I used to eat strawberrys without the seeds. Am I weird or what? :)

9. English is my best favorite subject.

10. During a rainy day, I like to watch a good movie.

11. I've known my best friend since I was five.



Whew! It's hard when you have to put yourself into eleven answers.



Questions from Storyteller.


1. Scarfs or none?
In Florida, it's nice to have some cool so I say none.


2. Hot chocolate or tea?
Totally hot chocolate.


3. Running or typing?
Typing!


4. Blog awards or character quiz awards?
Blog awards.


5. Writing or reading?
This, my friend, is where it gets complicated. I enjoy writing and reading the same.


6. Being in a movie or helping in a movie?
I'm not much of an actress, but I'd like to be in the movie.


7. Tornados or fires?
Tornados are somewhat scary, but fires have been on the top ten for me.


8. Snow or rain?
I've never encountered real snow but have always wanted to.


9. Scotland or Ireland? 
I'm an Irish descendant so probably Ireland.


10. Mulan or Beauty and the Beast?
Beauty and the Beast.


11. Instrument or sport?
I would choose instrument and that would be piano.



Here are my questions for you.



1. How long have you been blogging?

2. Are you a procrastinator in most things?

3. How many blogs do you follow?

4. If given the chance to time travel, where would you go first?

5. How often do you watch television?

6. You've just won a vacation for two. Who would you bring?

7. What do you dream about most frequently?

8. If you could meet a blogger friend, who would it be?

9. What do you plan to be in the future? (Referring to a job)

10. What do you think of this award?

11. What is your favorite sport?

Now that I have the questions for y'all, I need to award a few people. Would it be okay of me to let the first eleven people who comment get the Leibster blog award?

THE LEIBSTER BLOG AWARD IS UP FOR GRABS!!!


 I think it would fun to see who wants this award...

If you're into photography, check this November challenge out:

I'll be posting my results every Saturday. 

Photoshoot with my sister

Just yesterday my sister, Vanessa, and I went for a photo shoot. She is such a great photographer and has an awesome camera. One would believe she was a professional.

Now for the photos of Vanessa. She also has many nicknames such as Nessie, Vanes, Ness...

Yes, isn't she beautiful?

My apologies for not posting this weekend. I went to camp at the Elks Youth Lodge. I might have been canoeing, tie-dyeing, and rock climbing. Oh and did I mention falling from forty feet in the air? I will have pictures soon. 

Danielle won the photo challenge! Please email me HERE to ask what $5 gift card you want.