It's Foreign on This Side

This is for my friend, Olivia. She wrote a fabulous story that I just HAD to illustrate for her. So I drew her character's, Mason and Dani, at the lunch table. Aren't they cute together? I love them. Though Mason didn't turn out very well. His mouth is all messed up and his arm is weird. Lucky for me, I used ink... Permanent ink. :(

I really like the color scheme I used. Just brown and white, on tan paper. Whenever I color my stuff, I always look at it and wish I had made something this color, or that color. But only using two pencils cured me of this. I will be trying it again...

Oh, and I did some cool, sort of Brett Helquist-style, detailing on Dani's shirt. I did it in white, so the dumb webcam photo didn't really pick it up. In fact, it didn't really pick up any of the white, minus Mason's stripe. I think the whole background disappeared...

Just trust me, it's there.

So here you are, Olivia! I was going to say "Hope you like it!" but I already know you'll love it, 'cause you're awesome that way. :)

In this crazzzy life

You know when you're on a roll and nothing can stop you, and you're feeling great and could keep going forever? And you know when you randomly hit a big, fat, ugly brick wall that totally smashes your teeth in? That happened to me today, with math. Stupid math.

But in the aforementioned math class, I discovered the term "cube roots". They're like square roots, only to the third power, not second! It pretty much made my life when I heard it.

I think I need to make a sculpture of a root, made of cubes. ;)

In other news, it's Tech Week for Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Guess who's not ready to open? You guessed right. That girl right over there... Oh wait, that's my reflection. But you were still right. I'm sooo not ready. Thank goodness we have 3 more dress rehersals...

But besides not being ready, I'm having a blast doing this show. Making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, showing off a bit, coining inside jokes, singing Christmas carols, acting. Pretty much what theatre is all about. ^_^

I love my cast. Can't wait for rehersal tonight. :)

Oh, and if you don't see BCPE, then I will cry. I really will. Click on the link for showtimes, ticket pre-orders, a cast list, and pretty much everything you'd ever need, ever.

Link!

Nothing Better, oh-oh-oh!

Remember that one post I made about what I wanted for Christmas? Well, it seems I won't be getting any of that for Christmas, since I already have it all now.

*I'm going to put a picture of Zuko in the other window.

I just haven't found the right one, yet.

So it's not gold. So what? It filled the need of having Fisher Bloom with me, constantly. Whenever I wear it around Lara, she always requests I open it and let her stare at him for minutes at a time. But when I do that, people always ask me who he is. And my reply is never quite satisfactory. Oh well.

On Black Friday I went shopping with my cousin. Among the things I bought were these earmuffs. I don't know how well you can see them, but you might notice that they're not peppermint-flavored. It's sad but I still love them. They have a little bow, which makes me very happy. And they're coooozzzzy. I could wear them to bed.

I bought this with a gift card I had kept for over a year. I'm 200 pages in, and would like to ask Rick Riordan something: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY FAVORITE CHARACTER- WHAT WERE YOU THINKING- HOW COULD YOU DO THAT- WHAT THE HECK???!!!??

Yeah. That's pretty much all I have to say. But besides that, it's really, really good. :)

Oh, and Manisha booked her flight, so I'll be seeing her as soon as break starts. She'll be just in time for my last performance of BCPE!

So when my mom gave me the locket, I asked her what she was going to get me for Christmas, since I already had most of what I wanted. She paused and said "...We'll make Christmas spiritual this year."

Amen!

Measure in Love

Today, I was learning about square roots in Algebra. Then I thought, wouldn't it be a funny picture if there was a root...made of squares? So after less than 5 minutes on Paint, this was born. Teehee.

Yes, I know it's lame. But hey, it made ME happy. That's all that really matters...

Speaking of happy, I found my sketchbook! But I have nothing to draw in it with, since I lost my mechanical pencil. Why do my possesions do this to me?!? :(

She's a mystery

Boys are great.

It's true. But I think we girls rely on them too heavily to make our lives exciting. Whenever there's a dance, you always hear a bunch of girls say that the dance wasn't fun. When asked why, the answer ALWAYS has to do with boys. "There weren't enough boys." or "No boys asked me to dance."

I like boys, but they shouldn't ruin your fun! It always makes me sad when I hear people say how they didn't have fun at a dance. Dances are for dancing, not for worrying about men. Its not like they have some special power that allows them to control how much fun you have. Unless, of course, you give that power to them.

I think that the fact that there are boys at these functions get hyped up too much, too. (I have just as much fun at Girls Camp as I do at Youth Conference.) As my Mia Maids Leader so wisely put it, "Boys are people, too."

They're just people. They're not that different from girls. Girls can be awkward, creepy, gorgeous, shy, outgoing, funny, etc, too. Those are not characteristics that only inhabit males. The fun/special thing about boys is you can like them. (which I guess is pretty substantial...)

And this is slightly unrelated, but I've decided that 'lady's choice' dances are evil, in every way. They are training boys to be lazy and never ask girls to dance. And boys need to know how to ask girls. They're the one's who always ask the important things, like "Will you go out with me?" or "Will you marry me?". Asking girls to dance helps train boys for this, but when girls do it, it ruins everything. Plus, it's just not exciting for the girl in any way. At all.

So it needs to stop! *pounds fist on table for emphasis*

Forbidden from One Another

See this mechanical pencil? Looks pretty average, doesn't it? Well, you couldn't be more wrong;

It's a magic wand in disguise.

It can do things. It can make you good at things you aren't normally good at. Just look at this:

Now, why is this so special? It's just a picture of a boy with his arms akimbo. Well, I'll tell you why he's so amazing: HE'S PROPORTIONAL!! His head is the right size, his shoulders aren't too big and his neck and torso aren't too long!!

I have serious problems making everything the right size, especially with boys, but this marks a new chapter in my life. One with well-proportioned males and non-awkward poses.

And for once, I actually can't think of anything technically* wrong with it! Maybe I could've made his hands a fraction bigger... But seriously, I think this is the one of the least awkward-looking things I've drawn. And he's kind of cute...

I'm actually proud** of this, and if you know me, you know I'm NEVER proud of what I draw. This is a momentous occasion.

And it's all thanks to a mechanical pencil I found on the coffee table... (Dreams do come true, kids.)

*It could've been a lot more emotional, his expression could've been bigger, etc... But that's the artsy side of things, not technical.

** I will probably be eating those words for breakfast in a few days... Just watch me learn to hate this picture. ;)

Breathe With No Air

Today has been one of those days where I draw for hours and get absolutely nothing else done. Care to see one of the fruits of my arduous labors?

I'm not a fan. It looks way better on the computer, but in real life, her eyes and eyelashes are WAY too big and her lips WAY too pink. I was going for natural beauty, but that obviously got thrown out the window. She looks like a Covergirl model... And I wish I had chosen a more contrasting background. And that I detailed the hair instead of just giving up and scribbling on it with a gold crayon. Oh, and that giant orange thing? That was supposed to be her shoulder...

Anyways, here's what happened when I played on Picnik.com a little too much. I like the fiery colors and how it reveals the roughness of my strokes. :)

Now stop secretly making fun of my lack of skill(z) and get back to your life!!

Don't Let It Get Away

This right here is a birthday present for my friend Carter G. He turns 13 on Thanksgiving, (he's so wittle...) so I made him an origami turkey. All I did was follow this fast-paced and exciting (not) YouTube video. Isn't it beautiful?

And yes, I used Hello Kitty paper. It was the only origami paper we had. Not that I regret it; the sheer girliness of it is perfect for my little buddy on his special day. :D

Anyways, it's not every day that I dabble in the art of paper folding, so I decided to share. :)

Happy birthday Carter!! If you're reading this, (which I'm pretty sure you aren't since you don't know about my blog) then please act surprised when I give this turkey to you at rehersal. ;)

... And you still owe me those twenty Take-5's. Just sayin'.

One Who Understands

Everywhere I look, it seems that gratitude is being forced upon me, from all sides. It's following me everywhere I go. (Though the fact that Thanksgiving is 10 days away might have something to do with it)

And while I make sure I say 'thank you' on a regular basis, it's more out of politeness than anything else. Actually feeling grateful is something else intirely. But while I was listening to my iPod yesterday, this song about the Atonement started playing and I felt more grateful than I had in a long time;

“Greater love hath no man than this
That he lay down his life for his friends”
The way that He holds my broken heart together with His hands
I hope I was right there for Him the way that He’s right here for me
With every step that I take and every breath I breathe

It’s so much more than the wounds in His hands
More than the hole in His side
More than the blood that spilled down beneath olive trees that night

Savior, the world was on your shoulders
For every drop of pain that fell in my name
I’m forever thankful

When I think no one could know
I remember one who understands

How amazing is that? I often have difficulty imagining the Atonement. It just seems unrealistic, at first. I mean, how was it even possible to feel EVERYTHING that everyone has ever felt? And why would that make you bleed at every pore? Why would you even do that?

But then, when you have faith that he did do that for you, and you understand the love that he felt for you and me, and how incredibly great a service that was to us, then the doubts leave and the thankfulness settles in and you wonder how anyone could ever go on not knowing this.

I felt a closeness in my heart yesterday for what he did, and as it said in the song, "for every drop of pain that fell in my name, I'm forever thankful."

And though you should be grateful for the obvious things, like family, eletricity and food, this Thanksgiving let's not forget the Savior and His sacrifice for us. And let's praise Him together as we prepare to celebrate His birth.

That's all I have to say. ^_^

Dark blue, dark blue...

Goodness me! It's been a busy day! Filled with rehersal, and mia maid parties, driving lessons, plans that fell through, and short-notice parties! AND renovations! Our living room is under construction and it looks fabulous so far. I love it, and am very proud of my wonderful mother. :)

And now she just came in and brought me some COLORED TIGHTS! Be sure I will wear them tomorrow, if not today.

She's pretty much the best mom ever. If I ever complain about her, feel free to remind me of this post. ;)

Have a good weekend, all! And tell your mothers you love them. :)

EDIT: Can I just put a plug in for my dad, too? He's the best. :D He also has the best accent ever.

When I'm with the Wizard

My whole life will change,

Cause once you're with the Wizard,

No one thinks you're strange!

Today, Megan, you get a whole stanza of a song! I'm pretty sure you're the only one who ever tried to play this game... but it's a lot easier thinking of titles this way, so I shall continue! :)

Anyway, today's title might actually fit for once! Because yesterday, I finished the whole Harry Potter series for the seventh time. A symbolic number to stop at, don't you think?

Once again, the genius of Jo Rowling has been fixed in my mind. Deathly Hallows is the most amazing book ever written. It's so complex and neatly written, and emotion-laden. My copy of that book is practically tear-stained, I've cried on it so many times. And it wraps up so nicely, and every little detail was important. It's SO awesome.

But can I just brag a little bit here? I TOTALLY called Harry being a Horcrux. I knew it, and whenever I read that sentence where Dumbledore tells Harry that he was the "horcrux Voldemort never meant to make" I do a fist pump and giggle out loud. Even now, three years and seven readings later I do that. It was such an absurd theory but I was SO happy that it came true.

ALL of my theories about that book came true actually. I knew Snape was good, I knew Harry would live, and I knew who RAB was. (but I wish I had been proven wrong about that last one. It was TOO obvious!)

I was right. About everything. Okay, I'm done gloating. ;)

The Forest Again will always be my favorite chapter in any book, ever written. It makes me cry every single time I read it. Especially when Lupin talks about Teddy. That always makes me shed a tear. Harry's thoughts and reflections on life in that chapter are just precious, and his stregth of character is amazing. His nostagia, and all the symbolism...

I LOVE symbolism because of this book. Like how it kept refering to Voldemort being like a child. Oh man, it kills me...

But I think 7 times is enough, for now. I feel like I've been numbed to it by reading it so many times. Every sentence is familiar to me but I don't want it to be. I want to read it like I don't know what's going to happen. I want to forget. So I'll wait, and give it little thought. But I'll see the movie and listen to MuggleCast, like always.

Speaking of the movie, 8 DAYS LEFT, YOU GUYS!!! :D

Too afraid to fly so we never did land.

Today is much better than yesterday. Why you ask?

• Reason 1: My nose is much clearer, although I still need to keep tissues ready.
• Reason 2: I watched Sherlock, just like I wanted to. (HOLY COW! My mind has been blown to pieces. Just to let you all know.)
• Reason 3: It's gorgeous outside, and I'm about to go out there and sit on a blanket while I study Latin.
• Reason 4: It's Tuesday, not Monday.
• Reason 5: I feel a lot better today.
• Reason 6: Seminary was awesome, as usual.
• Reason 7. I'm looking forward to rehersal.

Life is good, peeps. Keep it chill. And BITE that Silver Sandwich!

"I AM NEITHER CUTE NOR TINY!!" -Zuko Chibi

"You are pretty cute, my tiny nephew..." -Iroh Chibi :D

If the silence was a song...

Today is gross. Why you ask?

• Reason 1: I'm sick.
• Reason 2: It's Monday.
• Reason 3: I don't want to do school.
• Reason 4: I'm sick.
• Reason 5: I have to go rehersal with a horribly stuffy nose. Yuck.
• Reason 6: I really want to watch the third Sherlock episode but cannot since I have responsibility and need to study for a test I haven't scheduled yet.
• Reason 7: I feel guilty for getting other people sick. Backstage, there's no such thing as personal space. Hello Germs!
• Reason 8: I shouldn't complain, but am anyways.
• Reason 9: Whenever I breathe out, I feel like I'm releasing poison into the atmosphere.

Did I mention I'm sick? Okay, maybe it's not that bad... I only have a stuffy nose and a slight sore throat/cough, but still. I hate it. But you guy's don't care, so I'll stop complaining...

Oh, well. On a side note, has anyone heard of Sherlock? It's basically modern-day Sherlock Holmes and it's amazing. My mom started me on it about a week ago. She was really excited about it, and she sent me the link to watch it online. I didn't care to watch it but then Rick Riordan mentioned it in one of his posts and I thought "Well, if he liked it enough to mention it on his blog, then it MUST be good, since he never talks about TV on there!!"

I have to say, when I started watching it, I thought it was kind of weird. But about 7 to 10 minutes in, I was thoroughly fascinated. Then by the end, I was gripping the edge of my seat. I could not stop, even if it meant being late for rehersal. 2nd episode was even better. Now the 3rd one is available, and I'm dying to know what's happening. Especially since my mom came in my room last night and went "YOU NEED TO WATCH THE NEXT SHERLOCK!"

Thanks, Mom. ;)

You all must watch it, now. That's an order.

CLICK HERE!!

P.S. I'm horrible at naming my blog posts, so I've decided to just take random song lyrics instead. 2 million points to whoever can guess what song and what artist!

P.P.S. You guys stink at this. The song was 'Private Radio' by Vanessa Carlton.

Wish List

Christmas is fast approaching. Being the selfish person that I am, I've been giving some consideration as to what I would like under the tree this year.

Currently, I'm interested in having...

• My sister back.

• A locket. A simple gold one, with these pictures of Fisher Bloom inside of it:

Lark Rise to Candleford. Go watch it, now, if only for this lovely, Irish face.

• Sequin heels, in any color. I've developed a weakness for them recently.

• The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, one of my favorite authors.

• These peppermint earmuffs. Shut up, you want them, too.

• The promise of a visit from Megan and her family in the coming year.

• A Ticket to Voyage of the Dawn Treader. (Edmund and Mr. Tumnus are two of my many crushes)

• Some softlead prismacolor pencils and maybe a new sketchbook, if I don't find my old one by Dec 25th.
  
  

• As many dresses as the world wishes to bestow upon me.

• My presents accidently color-themed like the last two years (2008; Teal, Gray and White. 2009; Burgundy, Pink, and Black).

You see, I don't ask for much. Only a few things that are close to my heart...

Merry *early* Christmas! I wish you all the best luck in your holiday shopping. ;)

Fateful Fairytale

In case any of you didn't know, my dear friend Megan and I are writing the world's greatest and awesome-est story, ever. Megan has been kind enough to post the chapters weekly on her blog, and if you would like to read any of them (trust me, you do) you may do so by clicking on 'Window,' for the first chapter or 'ZUKO!!!!' for the second.

Window, ZUKO!!!!

I wrote all the even numbered chapters, and Megan, the odd ones.

She'll be updating every Friday, so check it out!

P.S. I'm Spork Child, Megan's Mother Fork, and Sarah is Sister Knife. Just FYI. ;)

Lost and Found

Don't you hate it when things get lost? I DO! And it's been happening to me a lot lately.

First, my iPod went missing. Without my iPod, I couldn't listen to MuggleCast, which I was quite upset about. Luckily, I found it by the computer all charged up and ready a handful days ago.

Next, it was my favorite hoodie. It's black with teeny flowers and ribbon streams. I love it, but it was lost for like, a month. Which was bad since the weather is cooling down and I need it more than ever now. My mom found it for me the day before yesterday.

Today, I was talking to my best friend (WHO IS MOVING!!!!!! SO SAD!!!) on the phone and she asked for one of my drawings. I told her I'd draw her a new one before she leaves. So I go looking for my sketchbook... and guess what? IT'S LOST.

So you see, this has been frustrating me for quite a while. But today was the LAST STRAW!!!

When I find my sketchbook, I'm gonna be giving it a good "talkin' to"... And maybe I'll put it in time-out. We'll see.

Ordinary Conversations In The Gopinath House

Me: CAAASSSSSEEEY!!!!!!

Casey: WHAAAATT??!!?

Me: If you were a giant octopus, what would your favorite color be?

Casey: Ummmm.... Purple?

Me: Are you sure?

Casey: Yes... I mean no! Ask it again!

Me: Ask what again?

Casey: The question!

Me: ... If you were a giant octopus, what would your favorite color be?

Casey: YELLOW-FALSE-BEAR!!!!

You gotta love my lil' brother... ;)

And Casey would like to tell you all something before this post is over. In fact, he INSISTS that I include the following message: "OH. EM. GEE."

The Legend

November 2011

Precisely ONE YEAR FROM RIGHT NOW, Avatar: Legend of Korra will be airing on Nickelodeon.

Oh. My. Goodness.

In contrast to my last post, I'm now wishing time to go way faster than it is currently going. Hurry up, year!!! I want to SEE THIS!!!!

12 episodes. I'm so happy right now. :D :D :D :D!

YAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!

Old and New

It seems that the older I get, the more I seem to be clinging to childhood. I'm turning 16 years-old this January. (How messed up is THAT?!?) I'm deep in the Murky Waters of Denial.

My friend Lara says she'll plan me a birthday party when this awful day approaches. I asked her to make it Blues Clues-themed. (Solid proof of how I refuse to grow up, as if you needed any.)

Because of my dislike of aging, playing 'the mother' in BCPE has proven to be a difficult thing to do for me. You want me to act old?!? Isn't it bad enough that I'm getting closer to my deathbed by the minute, now you want me to act like it too? So whenever I'm offstage, I act horribly childish to make up for it.

But I don't think all of this is an aversion to responsibility, new things or even death. It's just giving up the old things that used to make life so fun. You know, like drawing on my sister's legs at 3 in the morning. Or staying after church for hours and not minding it a bit. Or most of my old friends. I've already given these up, and I'm scared to lose anything else...

But these things have been replaced. By new friends, new traditions, new ideas, new projects and new opportunities. And I love it all. It's not like my life is totally empty now. (though sometimes it feels that way)

I can't have everything I want. And things are going to change, for better or worse. I just need to let go, and embrace the future...

...Yeah, right. Easier said than done.