My Not-Writing Spurt

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I love writing. I really do. I also love yoga and ASL and Italian and jogging and being outside, ESPECIALLY when the weather is this nice. These activities are like dear, quirky, funny, and caring friends. And like with such real friends, it has been all too easy to take them for granted while taking care of my more demanding and stubborn pals-slash-activities. Are we doing the same load of laundry here? No? Just me? Well, anyway...
Spring break starts tomorrow, and I'll be back in the hamster wheel faster than you can say
"I wish I had never doubted Heidi's loyalty to her blog"
In French. Fluenty.

More to the point...
First I plan on writing that 2.5-weeks-past-it's-deadline look at Winterdance, and then a The Way I See It post (I've missed two, so I really want to compensate by putting one up this weekend), and then a review of the movie An Education, which is supposedly great. We'll see.

In short, I have very good reason to hope I will be outside, twisted like a pretzel, jogging, pencil at hand again soon. Dare I say... this weekend? Hope you guys have a good one and come back quick- keeping me to my promise...
***
Today I am thankful for SELF. Love love love that magazine. And the great cast of The Miracle Worker, for being overall wonderful and fun to spend even 6 hours of grueling play practice with.

First Go with Pastel Pencils

"County Market"
Finished today. Minutes ago. Book review tomorrow (hopefully).
Happy Pi Day. I ate three kinds (apple, banana cream, and french silk). :)
Now I'm tired. Going to call my boyfriend and go to sleep! Goodnight!

Sick Day

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I am tired and have a scratchy throat, so I am afraid I will not be posting for the book club today! Post rescheduled for Monday. Thank you! :(
(And don't worry- I'm feeling better and having been drinking plenty of herbal tea)

:)

Off the Ball

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I'll be taking the next few days/the rest of the week off so I can get back on the ball with homework and other things. Thank you.
Also, I've missed commenting on other blogs lately- I hope to catch up on that after I get everything else under control!
*
Have a great rest of the week!

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UPDATE and My New FAVORITE Video

So... you know how I'm playing Helen Keller in my school's upcoming production of the Miracle Worker? Well, it's been going great so far. I've been having a lot of fun with Mariah especially, who plays Annie Sullivan. There's a lot of handspelling in the show, so we'll be sitting on stage during practice, spelling things into each other's hands, joking and laughing. I also checked out a book on ASL from the library and I'm learning some signs! It's so exciting!

Anyway, it just so happens that one of the blogs I've just started following put up this awesome video with a cute guy doing ASL along with this song. :)



I emailed the link to my director so she could forward it to the rest of the cast. Awesome, right? Hope everyone's doing good! :D

And on the left you'll see my house...

Finally finally finished this painting. And that's what I did all day. What do you think?
Also, I don't like such short, empty posts, so here's some music to listen to while you enjoy my handiwork:

[ADDED LATER: So, I have gotten some amazing compliments on this painting; thank you thank you everyone. When my teacher showed it to the rest of the art class, one kid across the room said, "What's that? A photograph?" and when she said it was my painting, he said, "Damnit Heidi!" And another girl in my class said somewhat jokingly, "Okay, I officially hate you." Um... wow! All the suffering and grief this painting put me through was totally worth it!]

'Chatting Over Cupcakes' or 'I Love My Life!'

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After a stressful last week of writing a bunch of poems, skipping school to do homework I procrastinated on, writing a paper just in time to turn it in by its midnight deadline, and leaving town for a music convention, a few little happenings of both kindness and chance had me thinking, "I love my life!"

First, I needed a little money to take with me on that 24-hour trip music convention excursion, and my mom took care of it by dropping off an envelope for me during the school day. An envelope with not only the $5 I would need to pay for dinner, but $35(!) to cover any extra things I wanted, plus two women's magazines to read on the long bus ride. I love my mom.

Second, that DaddyLikey giveaway? I didn't win. But I DID have a $15 Barnes&Noble gift card from Christmas. Picking out a slightly used copy on bn.com, I was able to pay for the book and shipping- It came in a week, and I LOVE IT. So far. (Official review to come later)

Third, by mostly luck, I was able to get all of that procrastination-victimized homework in on time and get my college application together AND finish a painting I have been avoiding work on for months. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now with a new semester starting, I am determined to turn over a new leaf, and kick my putting-off-habit's butt.

Fourth, and finally, I won something. A beautiful something. I WON it. A lovely, travel-inspired necklace from the delightful Etsy shop, Enroute, through the blog Yes and Yes. Please stop by this shop; even window shopping is a joy- the jewelry is truly unique and fantastic.

I won this?! Wow!

My weekend was, post-paper writing frenzy, very enjoyable. I tasted a new (for me) and delectable coffee drink called White Zombie (with Hazelnut flavoring) I sense a blissful week ahead; one of not procrastinating, rocking my semester exams, and seeing Sherlock Holmes at long last!

How was your weekend? What's on the agenda for the week ahead?

***
(Sorry I've been forgetting to include this lately!) Today I am thankful for Closet Confidential, family games, blog giveaways, coffee, having my older sisters around, and love-my-life moments.

I've been... TAGGED.

tagged by DT of Here I Scribble...

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HERE I AM.

1. What is your current obsession? The book Closet Confidential and my $15 Barnes&Noble gift card. I'm putting two and two together here, but the shopping trip is pending.

2. What are you wearing today? Jeans..*consults a Closet Confidential excerpt on kinds of denim*..boot cut, I believe. White JOE BOXER ankle socks ('CAUSE I LOVE 'EM!). Long-sleeved shirt with questionable thumb-holes. Scarf made with love by my sister Amy. :)

3. What’s for dinner? I am going to team up with Amy, Starsky and Hutch style, and hopefully we'll be able to answer that question with an answer unlike 'nothing' or 'roadkill'. Maybe Lola can help us and it'll be something like, 'Fried Mouse'. How long do you need to cook something before you kill all possible diseases?

4. What’s the last thing you bought? An awesome yoga mat. It's green like bamboo. Makes me feel like I'm eco-friendly.

5. What are you listening to right now? Lady Gaga, 'Dance in the Dark'

6. What do you think about the person who tagged you? She's a sweetheart. DT was one of the first people to comment on my blog or become a follower.

7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? My first thought is Ireland/The UK, because I think it's interesting there and different while it could still be comfortable (english speaking and all).

8. One thing you wanna change about yourself ? I'm a recovering Procrastaholic, actually.

9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Somewhere there's a $20 bill just lying on the ground, waiting to be claimed. Don't think badly of me, but what good would it do me to be in Paris if I don't have any money to buy an eclair?

10. Which language do you want to learn? I'm in a French class currently, but I'm not sure if that's the language I want to stick with. They're all so good!

11. What’s your favourite quote? "What is not started today is never finished tomorrow." ~Goethe (So much better than 'Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today.' - I like to have more reason, less command)

12 . Would you cook for me? If you're nice to me, and appreciate it whether it's good or not. (Most likely good though)

13. What is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you? Don't go out of your way, but just ignore them.

14. What are you afraid of the most? Dying. The unknown of that is just really frightening.

15. Who do you want to meet right now? Katie, for coffee and Monte Cristos. :)

16. What is your favourite color? I like green the most recently. It's lively and healthy at the same time.

17. Give us 3 styling tips that work for you. 1) Washing my hair whenever it gets oily, about every other day. 2) Do not use a heat press. This damages hair and waves are sexier anyway. 3) Don't use any products "religiously". I feel like this makes your body immune to the effects, and/or you become dependent on that product. i.e. face wash.

18. What is your dream job? Fun Haver. Please pay me to have fun.

19. What’s your favorite magazine? SELF.

20. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on? Bras and underwear. The only items you CAN NOT ask someone to get you for gift-giving holidays. And I desperately need some more.

21. What do you consider a fashion faux pas? Side ponytails or anything from the 80s. I REALLY don't like that.

22. What's a little quirk of yours? I talk with my hands. I got that from my mom, and 99.9% of the time, I don't even think about it. I think it makes me more animated and interesting to listen to.

23. What brings a smile on your face instantly? Unexpected, unwarranted kindness from others. It takes me off guard, and instantly melts my bad mood. This morning I walked into school, not happy at all to be back after a wonderful break, and the woman who sits in the lobby called me over and offered me a chocolate chip cookie while she filled out my lunch-money envelope for me. Thank you, thank you.

24. A word that you say a lot? I end my statements with the phrase, 'You know?' a lot. I've started to say it in French. 'Tu sais?'

25. What kind of haircut do you prefer? Shoulder length works for me. Layers, with my wavy hair, do not.

26. What are you going to do after this? Homework, and a food search.

27. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed? Surf the internet for cheery stuff, spend time around my sisters, nap, and sometimes eat. If I'm stressed, it's another story: I pick at my skin. Like mad.

28. What makes you go wild? Spinach dip.

29. What are your favourite movies? I love movies in general. Too many good ones to allow for favorites!

30. What inspires you? It could be anything!

31. What do your friends call you most commonly? Heidi. Can't really shorten that..

32. Would you prefer coffee or tea? It's a split. At home, tea is easier and healthier. Otherwise, I love coffee. I never buy ready-made tea outside the house- coffee tastes too good.

33. Which other blogs do you love visiting? I'll be tagging them.

34. Favorite Dessert/Sweet? Cheesecake is delicious, but a brownie made the right way will win my heart every time.

35. How many tabs are turned on in your browser right now? Three. Twitter, TeuxDeux (google it), and this.

36. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? *sing song like* Puttin on chapstick.. Oh yeah! Chapstick..

37. Favorite Season? Spring. Summer can never win as long as mosquitoes live.

38.One wish that you really want to see it come true? Having a loving, communicative, and FUN marriage. Why is it so hard for most people?

39. What breaks your heart? Being ignored. It makes me feel really crummy, like no one cares about me.

40. What's one thing you really want to do in life? Remain close with all my siblings. :)

Rules for those who are tagged :-

1. Respond and rework – answer these questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own, and add one more question to the list.

2. Tag eight or ten other people. (Please answer all questions!)

Dude- Copy and Paste. It's so simple.

1.¿ƃolq blog?

2.Oh, Mishka

3. The Joy of Enjoying

4. Fare L'Amore

5. Grace's Birdcage

6. For the easily distracted...

7. Peaceful Little Panda!

8. katieblog

Update: Me

A CHIPPER ME, SPORTING JUST WASHED HAIR

Feeling: Optimistic, It's a New Year!

Loving: Opportunity. You've just got to use them! Opportunities to have fun and be creative.

Reading: 'Into the Wild' the biography of sorts of Chris McCandless (I'm about half-way through and it's good)

Wanting: to be a winner in the MEGA EXCITING DaddyLikey giveaway which the results are not posted for yet.

Dreaming: About the great year ahead, and pulling myself together so I can make it the best year yet!

Having: Coffee, with barely any sugar and a little chocolate milk. I'm a bit proud of myself. One day I'll be able to drink it straight black without scrunching my face in tortured disgust.

Waiting: for the results of the Giveaway to be posted, otherwise I'm just relaxing with some coffee. :)

HOW ABOUT YOU? TAKE A PICTURE OF YOURSELF AND POST IT WITH YOUR UPDATE.

2010: The Party Leading Up to It and Resolutions to Follow

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Last night, my sister (the one who posts on IB!! with me - yes, that one) put up a funny tweet that pretty much sums up my New Year's Eve:
"Typical Krill holiday - Heidi in the kitchen, girls waiting for food, Mom napping, Dad video taping everyone & being ridiculous. Oh family..."
The food was delicious, the company was even better (non-tastewise of course), and the Wii boxing was intense. Amy made my Mii do a little flip onto it's poor huge head. Good thing I made it with a smile on its face.

The countdown was a bit anti-climactic, however. We turned on the tv just in time to see all of New York liplocked. Thrown through a loop (we MISSED the COUNTDOWN?!), we laughed awkwardly and focused our attention on Lola, saying her name, giving her kisses, and generally petting her fur off. It happens that we were very well prepared for the festivities (5 liters of soda, 3 bottles of sparkling juice, 1 ring of shrimp, 2 bags of tortilla chips, a whole lot of dip, 24 cheesecups, etc.), but among the few things we forgot was confetti (NO CONFETTI!?!?). Thinking back, we did have a lot of VHS tapes we could have... but that would have been a little hard coming down..
NEW YEAR'S PILLOW FIGHT!!
During which we all commenced to beat up my uncle.

Last year, S and O asked me if I had any New Year Resolutions.
Aaannd, I do!

5 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2010
or
LIST OF CHANGES HEIDI CAN HOPEFULLY MAKE FOR GOOD:

1. Partake in physical activity. Daily. (New yoga mat = yoga everyday? We shall see.)

2. Brush teeth daily. I know this sounds gross, but I don't brush my teeth twice a day, or even once a day. I won't say how often I do.. only that it has been enough. Up until now. Don't judge me! My teeth aren't gross!

3. Tidy up bedroom weekly. Preferably on Sundays. I spent the best part of Wednesday cleaning my room, and I am still not done, though it looks SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER. I have this problem, where, um.. I let my room become one giant pile of once-worn t-shirts and entirely-useless school papers before I find the time to clean it. No more.

4. Be funnier. Yes, just a few weeks ago, after being equally amused and disheartened by the never-failing humor of both my sister Kelly and Winona of DaddyLikey, I actually googled 'how to be funnier'. This is the one resolution which, upon failing to carry out, I won't be able to hide with lies.

5. Turn that Procrastinator problem into a Doing habit. I need to become more productive. I feel like, if I can do this one thing- all of the others will be that much easier.

What are your resolutions? How did you celebrate last night?