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Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Journal Entry #11
School has started. I am going to a new school this year. It is a very small Christian school with about seventy students. Instead of going five days a week, I go two days a week and am given enough homework to fill the other three days (and the weekends, as I am beginning to discover). I have an assignment for my American Literature class to write a legend. I haven't been doing much writing lately, just reading, so I'm excited to buckle down and let my creative juices flow. My Literature teacher gave us five major characteristics of legends that we are supposed to incorporate into our legends: 1) Story is told as though it is true; 2) A story from the past about a subject that was (or is believed to have been) historical; 3) Contains fantasy/unrealistic elements; 4) Handed down though generations; 5) Often used to teach cultural values (similar to a fable) or explain a natural phenomenon. I'll post my legend as soon as it's finished. In the mean time, wish me luck!
Journal Entry #10
We just got back from our camping trip. There were good parts, including roasting marshmallows, spending time with friends, and hiking along a beautiful, rugged mountain trail. There were also lows, including getting lost and extremely tired on our hike and having to sleep in a wet sleeping bag. Overall, it was a pretty good experience though.
Day #1 (Tuesday): We arrived in the afternoon, set up our tents, and started making dinner. After the food and dishes had been cleaned up, my siblings and the young daughter of the people with whom we were camping roasted marshmallows for s'mores. I couldn't have any because of my braces, but I've never been a huge fan of s'mores anyway.
Day #2 (Wednesday): We all rose early, washed up, and ate breakfast. After breakfast we explored the area around our campsite. After lunch, we went on a hike down a mountain, which was beautiful. After a while, though, the trail circled around and we found ourselves trekking up steep paths. A little while after this, we discovered that we were lost, so the men (including my 13-year-old brother) hiked up the mountain to the main road while we girls drank water and ate granola bars. They eventually came back to inform us that we were roughly four city blocks away from our van. We managed to make it back to camp safely, where we ate dinner and played Taboo and Apples to Apples until bedtime.
Day #3 (Thursday): The morning went much the same as Wednesday morning, and after lunch we went fishing. After a quick trip to the visitor's center for some fishing tips, we drove to a small lake nearby. After just a few minutes, however, it started to rain, so we packed up and headed back to camp. Once we arrived, we found that there had been much more than a drizzle at the campground, not to mention hail, which had piled up all over the ground. Since it was still raining, we all headed to our friends' tent, were we warmed up, ate snacks, and played cards. After the rain, we ate dinner and played some more board games. Afterward we decided to get ready for bed, only to discover that rain had entered our tent, and most of it seemed to have landed in my corner. My duffel (which contained my pajamas and clean clothes for the next day) was soaked through, along with my sleeping bag. I ended up sleeping in my clothes.
Day #4 (Friday): We awoke to sunny skies. After breakfast, everyone started packing up. A lot of cleaning had to be done because of all the mud that seemed to coat everything. Around 11:30am, we said our goodbyes and headed home.
Journal Entry #9
Today we are going camping. Anyone who knows me well will know that I am less than thrilled. I just can't really get into the campfires and dish washing and high-speed internet-lessness. I find nothing exciting about sleeping in a cold tent on hard, rocky ground, with unknown predatory animals rustling through the bushes around me. But I am going to try to smile and make the best of it. :)
Journal Entry #8
As you can see, I've changed the layout of my blog some, and even did a little of the CSS myself!
The day before yesterday we had a big snow storm. Snow was blowing everywhere and falling in huge drifts from the roof. Our poor dog was up to her shoulders in the powdery white snow. Yesterday, however, the sun came out, hot and eager to melt the snow away. But there is still about a foot of snow in our backyard, and our dog is running around back there, eating icicles and playing in the snow.
The day before yesterday we had a big snow storm. Snow was blowing everywhere and falling in huge drifts from the roof. Our poor dog was up to her shoulders in the powdery white snow. Yesterday, however, the sun came out, hot and eager to melt the snow away. But there is still about a foot of snow in our backyard, and our dog is running around back there, eating icicles and playing in the snow.
Journal Entry #7
I have always dreamed of going to China. It seems to mysterious, majestic, and marvelous. Unfortunately, it's not cheap to go there, so I have a little piece of China in my window: a bamboo shoot. I bought it in a little store in Castle Rock for 99 cents. It's about 6 inches tall, with 5 more inches of roots. It has nine soft green leaves that stretch out from the main stem in all directions. It sits in a small, thin jar that might have housed some olive oil or vinegar at some time; there is water up to the rim of the jar, which I refill from time to time when the bamboo shoot has been especially thirsty. It sunbathes in my window, my little piece of China, reminding me to keep reaching for my dreams.
Journal Entry #6
Yesterday I had my eyebrows waxed for the first time.
I am a frequent shopper at Ulta (a store that sells just about anything that can be labeled "cosmetic" or "beauty enhancing"), and I've been shopping there even more since I got an Ulta gift card for my birthday two months ago. So, I managed to save up enough points on my UltaMate Rewards card to get a free eyebrow waxing.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I bought an at-home waxing kit last year and tried it, but the hair wouldn't rip out, so I gave up. I knew the process of waxing must not be too excruciating; otherwise, no one would get waxed! So, I summoned what little courage I had and went to get my eyebrows waxed.
It wasn't too bad, actually. The lady who waxed my eyebrows wiped hot wax onto my forehead, smoothed a cotton strip on top, and, quick-as-a-flash, ripped it off. It hurt, yes, but only for a second or so. After she'd finished the waxing part, she proceeded to pluck away stray hairs, which was also painful, but only momentarily. (I later discovered I bled a little in a couple spots. I'm not sure if this was the result of the waxing or plucking.) Then, we were done.
My eyebrows don't look too much different, just a little cleaner and neater, but I'm very glad I had the experience.
I am a frequent shopper at Ulta (a store that sells just about anything that can be labeled "cosmetic" or "beauty enhancing"), and I've been shopping there even more since I got an Ulta gift card for my birthday two months ago. So, I managed to save up enough points on my UltaMate Rewards card to get a free eyebrow waxing.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I bought an at-home waxing kit last year and tried it, but the hair wouldn't rip out, so I gave up. I knew the process of waxing must not be too excruciating; otherwise, no one would get waxed! So, I summoned what little courage I had and went to get my eyebrows waxed.
It wasn't too bad, actually. The lady who waxed my eyebrows wiped hot wax onto my forehead, smoothed a cotton strip on top, and, quick-as-a-flash, ripped it off. It hurt, yes, but only for a second or so. After she'd finished the waxing part, she proceeded to pluck away stray hairs, which was also painful, but only momentarily. (I later discovered I bled a little in a couple spots. I'm not sure if this was the result of the waxing or plucking.) Then, we were done.
My eyebrows don't look too much different, just a little cleaner and neater, but I'm very glad I had the experience.
Journal Entry #5
I just got back from walking Daisy. She is a little overweight because we always seem to be too busy or too lazy to walk her. This is the first Saturday in a long while that I haven't had anywhere to go, so I figured I had no excuse.
Daisy loves her walks. She knows when we go into the garage to get her harness and leash that she's going to get to go out, so she starts jumping all over the place. I don't know if you've ever tried to put a harness on a dog who won't sit still, but believe me, it's no picnic. Anyway, after I got her all geared up, we went out. Daisy has not learned to walk beside me instead of in front of me, so I have to make sure I hold onto the leash very tightly.
Today we walked around my neighborhood, then through our neighborhood park. We encountered two other dogs along the way, a black lab and another dog which I couldn't identify. The lab wasn't on a leash, so he came over to sniff Daisy out. Literally.
Daisy knows when it's time to return home. She knows when to cross the street, go up the driveway, up the porch steps, and into the door. She knows that when we get inside, I'll give her one of her favorite treats, an ice cube. Even though the whole routine seems a little repetitive, Daisy is always excited to see what new things she will see, hear, and sniff when we go on walks.
Daisy loves her walks. She knows when we go into the garage to get her harness and leash that she's going to get to go out, so she starts jumping all over the place. I don't know if you've ever tried to put a harness on a dog who won't sit still, but believe me, it's no picnic. Anyway, after I got her all geared up, we went out. Daisy has not learned to walk beside me instead of in front of me, so I have to make sure I hold onto the leash very tightly.
Today we walked around my neighborhood, then through our neighborhood park. We encountered two other dogs along the way, a black lab and another dog which I couldn't identify. The lab wasn't on a leash, so he came over to sniff Daisy out. Literally.
Daisy knows when it's time to return home. She knows when to cross the street, go up the driveway, up the porch steps, and into the door. She knows that when we get inside, I'll give her one of her favorite treats, an ice cube. Even though the whole routine seems a little repetitive, Daisy is always excited to see what new things she will see, hear, and sniff when we go on walks.
Journal Entry #3
Last night I had a debate for my worldview class at the home school coop my family attends. It went quite well, much better than I had anticipated actually. I wasn't half as nervous as I had expected to be. I was on a team with two other kids. We were debating the negative side of the statement, "The death penalty should be instituted in all capital murder convictions." I did our side's opening statement, was cross-examined (or something like that), and sat down.
When I got home, I had a little surprise waiting for me. An eight-legged surprise, to be more specific. I was straightening up my room when I noticed a brown splotch, about half an inch in diameter, on my sweater, which was laying on my bed. I am not the neatest eater, so I though maybe it was some chocolate or syrup, but, upon looking a little closer at the splotch I discovered it was a spider! I don't know about you, but a half-inch spider is more than enough reason to ring the alarm in my opinion. I knew when I moved to the basement that I would encounter some spiders, but I was hoping they would be of the smaller variety!
What do I do? What do I do? I wondered, my stomach flip-flopping. I could get my mom or dad, but they were both busy and spiders have a way of mysteriously disappearing when you turn your head for just five seconds, so I couldn't risk waiting for them. I could get my brother, but he had a way of just scaring spiders, causing them to run all over the place, instead of killing them. No, I was going to have to do this myself.
First, I put on my thickest long-sleeved pajama top and the pajama bottoms that came closest to my ankles (I have never been able to find pajama pants that aren't high-water on me). I put on the toe socks my sister gave me for my birthday a few years ago that reach my knees to protect the exposed part of my feet and shins. I took out my contact lenses, pushed my glasses up my nose as far as they could go, and, taking one last glance at the vermin on my bed, I went upstairs.
Time for execution. I grabbed the handle of the vacuum with a sweaty hand and dragged in downstairs. I plugged the vacuum in outside my room near the stairs, just in case I had to make a quick getaway. Okay, Stephany, you can do this! I told myself. I disconnected the tube attachment from the vacuum, and lugged it into my room. Ha! That spider was still right where I left him. I took a deep breath, aimed the vacuum hose very close to the spider, and hit the on button. Vrooooom. The vacuum revved to attention, sucking up a few inches of my sweater, including the spot where the spider had been. Now what? I wondered as I watched the vacuum consume more and more of my favorite sweater. I had to turn the vacuum off. But what if the spider was still on my sweater? What if he jumped on me and bit me? What if I died? No, I had come this far and I had to finish this out. With trembling fingers, I turned the vacuum off. The power drained from it, and the hose went limp. I slowly and carefully removed the hose from my sweater and, what do you know! The spider was gone. Feeling triumphant, I hung up my sweater, put the vacuum away, and slept in peace knowing that if there were any more spiders, I could handle them.
When I got home, I had a little surprise waiting for me. An eight-legged surprise, to be more specific. I was straightening up my room when I noticed a brown splotch, about half an inch in diameter, on my sweater, which was laying on my bed. I am not the neatest eater, so I though maybe it was some chocolate or syrup, but, upon looking a little closer at the splotch I discovered it was a spider! I don't know about you, but a half-inch spider is more than enough reason to ring the alarm in my opinion. I knew when I moved to the basement that I would encounter some spiders, but I was hoping they would be of the smaller variety!
What do I do? What do I do? I wondered, my stomach flip-flopping. I could get my mom or dad, but they were both busy and spiders have a way of mysteriously disappearing when you turn your head for just five seconds, so I couldn't risk waiting for them. I could get my brother, but he had a way of just scaring spiders, causing them to run all over the place, instead of killing them. No, I was going to have to do this myself.
First, I put on my thickest long-sleeved pajama top and the pajama bottoms that came closest to my ankles (I have never been able to find pajama pants that aren't high-water on me). I put on the toe socks my sister gave me for my birthday a few years ago that reach my knees to protect the exposed part of my feet and shins. I took out my contact lenses, pushed my glasses up my nose as far as they could go, and, taking one last glance at the vermin on my bed, I went upstairs.
Time for execution. I grabbed the handle of the vacuum with a sweaty hand and dragged in downstairs. I plugged the vacuum in outside my room near the stairs, just in case I had to make a quick getaway. Okay, Stephany, you can do this! I told myself. I disconnected the tube attachment from the vacuum, and lugged it into my room. Ha! That spider was still right where I left him. I took a deep breath, aimed the vacuum hose very close to the spider, and hit the on button. Vrooooom. The vacuum revved to attention, sucking up a few inches of my sweater, including the spot where the spider had been. Now what? I wondered as I watched the vacuum consume more and more of my favorite sweater. I had to turn the vacuum off. But what if the spider was still on my sweater? What if he jumped on me and bit me? What if I died? No, I had come this far and I had to finish this out. With trembling fingers, I turned the vacuum off. The power drained from it, and the hose went limp. I slowly and carefully removed the hose from my sweater and, what do you know! The spider was gone. Feeling triumphant, I hung up my sweater, put the vacuum away, and slept in peace knowing that if there were any more spiders, I could handle them.
Journal Entry #2
I love Fridays. I love being able to stay up late on Friday night, knowing I can sleep in the next morning. I love finishing school and not having to pick it up again for a couple of days.
Today my sister had piano practice, and I went along so I could exchange some shampoo and conditioner I'd bought at Ulta. You see, I went last Thursday to buy it because I'd gotten an ad in the mail saying that both the shampoo and conditioner were on sale for $3.99. I'd been wanting to try the shampoo out for some time, but usually it costs $9.95 (the conditioner is $10.95), which is a little out of my shampoo price range. So I was quite excited to see it on sale. However, when I got to the register at Ulta, I found that the sale didn't start until the next week, which is this week.
So, today I went back to Ulta and returned the hair products, then I bought them again for the sale price.
I have a debate tonight for the worldview class at the coop we attend. I am very nervous about it, because I have enough trouble just talking to people; debating (or fighting, depending on how you look at it) with them is a whole other thing. My brother is going with me, though, so hopefully that will make things a little more comfortable. Plus, they're serving dinner (for free!), which is always good. I'm crossing my fingers for pizza. ;)
Today my sister had piano practice, and I went along so I could exchange some shampoo and conditioner I'd bought at Ulta. You see, I went last Thursday to buy it because I'd gotten an ad in the mail saying that both the shampoo and conditioner were on sale for $3.99. I'd been wanting to try the shampoo out for some time, but usually it costs $9.95 (the conditioner is $10.95), which is a little out of my shampoo price range. So I was quite excited to see it on sale. However, when I got to the register at Ulta, I found that the sale didn't start until the next week, which is this week.
So, today I went back to Ulta and returned the hair products, then I bought them again for the sale price.
I have a debate tonight for the worldview class at the coop we attend. I am very nervous about it, because I have enough trouble just talking to people; debating (or fighting, depending on how you look at it) with them is a whole other thing. My brother is going with me, though, so hopefully that will make things a little more comfortable. Plus, they're serving dinner (for free!), which is always good. I'm crossing my fingers for pizza. ;)
Journal Entry #1
The wind is blowing very hard outside, even though it's sunny and warm. I am wondering whether it will bring more warm weather or if we're in for more snow.
We attend a home school coop called Alatheia Academy, and I usually go on Thursdays, but my sister is sick today so I stayed home with her. I am not a very good nurse; I saw her twice the entire time my mother was away.
A new Kohl's department store opened yesterday about 15 minutes away from our house, and my mother and I are planning to visit it later. Kohl's always has good deals, but maybe today they'll have even more.
Since my sister was sick, I didn't go to Bible study at my church last night. I stayed home and blogged, ate snacks, and read. I'm currently reading a book called Don't You Know There's a War On? by Avi. I'll post a review on it as soon as I finish it.
I'm still searching for a job. I have a Starbucks application to fill out today; I hope to take it to Starbucks on Saturday. I have already filled out applications to Cici's Pizza, Aerpostale, and another Starbucks. I need to take them in...
We attend a home school coop called Alatheia Academy, and I usually go on Thursdays, but my sister is sick today so I stayed home with her. I am not a very good nurse; I saw her twice the entire time my mother was away.
A new Kohl's department store opened yesterday about 15 minutes away from our house, and my mother and I are planning to visit it later. Kohl's always has good deals, but maybe today they'll have even more.
Since my sister was sick, I didn't go to Bible study at my church last night. I stayed home and blogged, ate snacks, and read. I'm currently reading a book called Don't You Know There's a War On? by Avi. I'll post a review on it as soon as I finish it.
I'm still searching for a job. I have a Starbucks application to fill out today; I hope to take it to Starbucks on Saturday. I have already filled out applications to Cici's Pizza, Aerpostale, and another Starbucks. I need to take them in...
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