The Perks of Being a Writer

I am currently at Barnes and Noble and thought it would be a cool idea to write a blog as long as I’m here.  That is really the major perk I was intending to bring up; going to Barnes and Noble.  I love coming here to write, work, and also drink their wonderful, wonderful coffee.  I got a hot White Chocolate Mocha today.  I usually go for the sweeter ones.  I’m one of those people coffee aficionados may not consider a real coffee-drinker, when taken into account I inundate my coffee with a barrage of flavored creamer and spices so that it ends up looking like straight milk.

I was a bit disappointing today, as the cafe did not request my name when I ordered my coffee.  What purpose do I have for disappointment at this turn of events?  I will began explaining by saying that no, I am not so egotistical that I simply like to hear my name called.  The reason I was somewhat dissatisfied is that my friend and I recently came up with an intriguing game that demands our names be requested.  This game is rather unsophisticated; we simply buy coffees and when they ask for our names, we provide fake ones.  It can be especially amusing if one is buying a coffee with someone else, because then he or she may use the names of some famous duo, such as Sherlock and Watson.  This, of course, works exceptionally well at a bookstore like Barnes and Noble.  The past two instances they have not asked for my name, which is rather sad, since I have had an idea for one for a while.  I thought I could say Primrose Everdeen.

Get it?  B-because she is called as…as tribu-oh nevermind…

Although it just occurred to me that perhaps this may be even more interesting with a partner.  For example, I could be Primrose, and someone after me could be Katniss, so that when the employee calls for her, she might yell, “I volunteer as tribute!”  Yes…I know I am dorky.

Another reason I love Barnes and Noble is due to their impressive manga section.  It is not that they have an abundant variety, but more so than many stores.  It is rather funny to me, I did not really become involved in reading manga until this year.  Now I even own an edumanga.  Yes, it is what it sounds like; an educational manga.  My edumanga is written concerning linear algebra.  It is actually quite beneficial in understanding where formulas and the sort originate.  However, I have yet to finish it.  I am stuck at Gaussian Elimination.

One more reason I am fond of Barnes and Noble is due to the fact that it prevents me from dawdling my entire afternoon.  I feel a duty to be productive, since it would be slightly odd to sit in a bookstore just to watch a television show or daydream.  So, usually I at least do some sort of writing here if not schoolwork.  I actually spent a good deal of NaNoWriMo here.  I find it relaxing and cozy.

Now that I have finished my rant on the wonders of Barnes and Noble, I would love to hear what you think.  Have you ever been to Barnes and Noble?  Did you like it?  Why?  Or perhaps you like another bookstore better.  What is one of your favorite spots to visit when getting work done?  Share in the comment section below.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Also, do not forget to hit that like button if you enjoyed this post, and if you want more, the follow button in the right hand corner.

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

Winter Wonderland

I love the way snow looks, yes, very pretty, however, I would like to point out that when Alice goes to Wonderland, it is no fun trip.  I propose the same with a winter wonderland.  While the Cheshire cat that is black ice, appearing and disappearing, is interesting in its own right, it can be rather scary as well.  Also, I have always been a big fan of the Mad Hatter, who can be found here as the slippery roads hidden under the beautiful snow, it is not preferable for driving.  Don’t even let me get started on those Queen of Hearts snow storms-one minute they are soft and pretty, and the next they are attempting to sever your head from your body with hail the size of baseballs.

Alright, I am being a bit melodramatic.  But I mean it when I relate winter to the wonderland that is so well-known by children and adults alike.  Winter is very beautiful, but can also be very dangerous.  Why am I bringing this up now?  That is a good question, well-timed imaginary reader, especially considering it is not technically yet Winter, which actually starts on December 21st.  This is due to the fact that on the way home from church today, a drive that usually takes about twenty minutes tops took about an hour due to the horrendous yet gorgeous snow.  The snow only that morning we had predicted would amount to little more than wet roads and frigid air.

Now this isn’t just a rant about how I hate the winter.  I like Winter; I just don’t love everything about it.  However, some of the things I do like about it are…

1) Presents on Christmas!

No, this is not as selfish as it sounds.  While I do enjoy getting presents, I love giving them.  I actually went on my annual Christmas shopping trip yesterday, in which I got very little actual shopping done, but it was very fun due to the company of my friends Amira and John.  I am guessing that part of the reason that we got little shopping for others done is due to the fact that we are all distracted easily and I hate using maps…so…that is a bad combination when you are in the King of Prussia mall.

2) Sparkly, gentle snow.

While snow has its many downsides, it also has many upsides.  I don’t play in it much anymore, but it still is fun to sometimes make a snowman, or a giant snowball to sit upon.  And no, I do not dare attempt to make a fort, because it will fail at life.  Also, I like the way snow looks…from inside while under lots of blankets.  Additionally, something I used to do with snow when I was a child was scoop it up and pour maple syrup on it, then proceeding to eat it.  It was basically an excuse to eat maple syrup.  But it was delicious.

3) Christmas music

Christmas music is possibly some of my favorite music ever.  This is because, unlike many my age, I can actually reach most of the high notes, and thrive on the feeling of a loud, clear high D.  Not to mention many of them come in minor keys, which I absolutely adore.  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” is probably my favorite, if I had to pick one.

4) Family

Actually, not just family, but friends.  The holiday saddled in the midst of these cold, dark months allow us a reason to stop our daily lives to go visit relatives, or go shopping for Christmas with some friends.  I, as an extrovert, thrive on this time, and look forward to it greatly.

5) Break

Okay so I am starting to realize half of the thing on this list, if not more, are linked to Christmas…oh well.  Point is, break from school?  Yes please.  Please.  Sleeping in every day…staying up till three every night…yes.  Just…yes.

So that is it for today!  What are you favorite aspects of winter?  Tell me in the comment section below!  And don’t forget to like, follow, or comment if this post brought enjoyment to your day ^_^

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

Summer Camp

Tomorrow I’m leaving for summer camp!  Practically no electronics for one entire week-nothing I can’t do.  After all…I only spend about half the day on the computer, maybe more, you know, totally average 😛  I think the greatest challenge will be to give up music for a week.  We sing a lot there-and I love camp songs, but I will definitely miss my professionally recorded music.

This year, I have a camp resolution!  Yes, I know, technically that is not a thing, but I don’t care.  I just made it a thing.  So, every year, I have a tendency to complain about certain…aspects…of the camping experience I don’t like.  And I have decided that this year, I want to follow the advice I’ve given to others-there are downsides and upsides to every point in life, and you may as well enjoy the upsides instead of focusing on the downsides!  I am going to start by listing the some of the aspects I do not like about my camp and then talking about the upsides of them.  Here we go!

1) Mission Impossible

Every year, the campers in one section of camp are woken in the middle of the night to run around in the dark, dodge and bribe guards, and wade through a creek to get their flag and return to the bell tower before the other cabins in their section.  The upsides are as follows: A) Many of my friends like it, B) it is a competition, and once I really get into competitions I sometimes get excited, and C) we get to jump in the warm pool afterwards.

2) Being without (a lot-not all) technology

I like my music, my laptop, and my TV.  A lot.  And it will be hard to go without them.  Especially my music.  (One year my mom sent me ipod erasers to congratulate me on going that long without my ipod.  I also generally listen to as many songs I love as I can get before I leave, so that I might have them stuck in my head)  Here, however, are the upsides: A) Getting away from all those distractions, and even just because it is such a change of scenery, makes people more willing to talk to each other face-to-face, B) it helps me to focus more on God and what he has for me to learn, and C) it gets me to read and write more! 😀

3) Being away from family

I love my family, and I’m not fond of being away from them for long.  Even just a week.  This causes me to be a bit homesick.  Here, however, are the upsides: A) I get to see some different viewpoints than what I’ve been taught in my family, which helps me to reevaluate what I think, B) sometimes, it’s easier to share with people you don’t know as well rather than the people who know you the best-at least, this has been my experience, and C) while I will leave my biological family behind, I will have another family waiting for me at camp, from my cabin mates who I’ve known for a long time, to the new recruits.  And I look forward to spending a week with them.  🙂

Do you ever have trouble looking on the bright side?  I think that there are times to express our sadness and discontent, but dwelling on it too much just ruins experiences for both yourself and the people around you.  Feel free to comment on the topic below, just please keep it nice.  Not that I have any reason to expect otherwise from you ^_^  Don’t forget to like and follow if you enjoyed this post.  Thank you for your time!

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

August Updates

1) I may as well get the disappointing out right away.  I lost Camp NaNoWriMo.  I would have had to tell you eventually.  I am still happy I got started on my story-hopefully this should help me to finish it in the future 🙂

2) I began an Online Japanese course!  Woot!

3) I painted most of my room, and should be done soon

4) I am going to camp soon.  It has cabins and wonderful food.  There is one night generally where one’s cabin sleeps in a lean-to or in the forest, and another where all the cabins in one section of the camp (there are three) go on a hunt for their flag in the middle of the night and try to make it back to the bell before the other campers.  It is a surprise which night it is, too.  We generally have to venture through a creek and hide in some bushes, giving a very good chance to get poison ivy.  Somehow, miraculously, I haven’t gotten it before.  But I have always been rather reluctant to do either activity, to put it mildly.  This time, however, I am going to try to not only be positive about it, but also make the best of it.  After all, there’s no point in ruining it for the people around you, right?

How did you guys do on NaNoWriMo?  Doing anything crafty?  Finally, is there any tips you gave for my camping experience, for example, what to bring, what to do, ect.?  I’d be happy to hear them in the comments below!  Don’t forget to follow and like if you enjoyed this post!

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

Making Your Experience Better

Hello all!  So, when I started this blog, it was really something fun for just me to do.  Then I started getting all of you wonderful followers.  Though this may seem to be a small number to others. the fact that you take an interest in what I have to say is very encouraging, especially in respect to my confidence in my writing ability.  If you have time, I would like to ask a few questions on behalf of your reading enjoyment 😉

1) I have been playing some visual novels lately, especially otome games, and I was wondering if you would like me to begin reviewing games.  I admit-I’m not an expert when it comes to games, but if you want me to, I’d be happy to provide you with a different perspective!

2) Are there any topics you would prefer I not talk about as much?

3) Are there topics you wish I covered more?

Comments would be especially appreciated on this post, as feedback is crucial.  I will also take every like on this post as a yes to number one.  If I get enough likes, I will begin reviewing games as well as books.  Thank you for your time, your support, and your continued interest. 🙂

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

Camp NaNoWriMo

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10,000 words.

I know, it’s really wimpy.  But that’s how much I plan to do.  Especially since it’s already halfway through the month and I haven’t done…anything.  Unless the start to my story counts.  I suppose that counts.  I did write it this month-I think.  I was waffling on the issue of whether or not to actually do this, because while I have tons of free time, the word ‘NaNoWriMo’ tends to elicit a stressful response from my brain.  I’ve done it a few times during November, which is much crazier, so why I am so afraid to do it during the summer is beyond me.  I think part of this is due to the fact that near the end of the school year I started to get kind of crazy with stress, to the point at which I just kind of went, “Um, yeah, this is ridiculous,” and gave up choir and vocal ensemble.  Of course I am also planning to take two languages next year, so that only shows my good judgment on how much stress I can take 😛  Oh yeah, and no study halls!  Yay!

Anyway, back on the subject.  I found that to make my 10,000 goal all I have to do is write about 667 words a day, which sounds fairly doable.  I will up the word count I am aiming for if I feel that I can, but I’m just trying to make sure it doesn’t become a super stressful activity every time I sit down to write.  If you guys have any tips about Camp NaNoWriMo, not just for me, but for anyone reading, please share them in the comments ^_^  Also feel free to share your word counts, your goals, and what you’re writing about.  Even if you have a website or blog about this experience, you can share it below, but please no spam, as it will be removed, which includes any website not relating to Camp NaNoWriMo.  Alright, start writing! 😀

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

Re-decorating my Room

So I have been in the middle of painting my room for quite a few months.  How many?  Um…that’s not that important.  The point is, this summer I am going to finish!  Due to a trip to Home Depot, I am pumped to get this done!  So my plan is to clean it well enough tommorow in order for it to be painted, and the next day…begin…painting…it…

As you can tell I have a detailed plan.

Since I tend to not follow general plans like this well, I have decided to do two things to keep me on task: 1) Tell my dear readers, (That’s you!) because many, including myself, are more likely to do something if they promise to do so to others, and 2) Make a schedule!  I found it to be helpful during finals especially with warding off procrastination.  3) OK, I said two things, but this is something I am going to try to do but may not be able to accomplish, which is to get a friend to help me.  I am an extrovert, and so part of the reason this is taking so long is because I don’t like being alone in my room for that long.  So I am going to try to recruit a friend to help me or even just talk to me as I do it.

Anyways, I need to go make my schedule, but I will give you updates!  Also, if anyone has any advice on redecorating a room, feel free to share in the comment section below! ^_^

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

IT’S SUMMER!!!

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-Picture thanks to editing software of pixlr.com and original picture from avatar.wikia.com

It’s summer!  3 months of fun, friends, and frolicking among the flowers.  OK, maybe not that last part.  To ensure that there is fun, however, I have begun on a list of things I could do!  No doubt you’ve noticed by now I like to make lists 😉  Here I will share some of the things I am doing that may be fun for you as well!

Summer Fun Times List!

  1.  Geocaching

          I don’t know how many of you already do this, but I have never done it before.  It seems rather strange to me.  I still don’t quite understand it.  But I’d like to try it at least once, maybe with some friends.  If anyone has any tips on how to geocache, please share them in the comments below ^_^

  2.  Cooking and Smash Booking!

          I have planned to cook more this summer–I have cooked before but not very complicated things. Also, due to an idea my sister gave me, I got a smash book for the crafts and food I make.  I have made a playlist on youtube called “To Cook” which basically consists of feastoffiction videos.  If you don’t know what feastoffiction is, it is a channel on youtube that makes videos on how to make foods from different media.  Check them out for yourself 😉

  3.  Go to a drive-in movie

          I got this idea from a badge on Lifescouts.  I’ve never done it before, but it sounds like a ton of fun.

  4.  Learn something new

          I have several new things I would like to learn this summer, even though I’m not sure if I’ll get to all of them.  Some of them are Morse code, fencing, and martial arts.  

  5.  Write, write, write!

          While I have wavered on the idea of doing Camp NaNoWriMo, I’ve been thinking about doing something better.  If I write for at least 10 minutes a day the entire summer, no doubt I’ll get rather far with the book.  I might still do Camp NaNoWriMo, I’m just not sure.

So, what are you doing this summer?  Anything exciting?  Share in the comment section below!

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉

Graduation Tonight!

So, I painted my nails and I’m wearing a dress.

That’s right.  I can be girly too.

Tonight is graduation for all the seniors at m school, and I am watching.  While I caouldn’t have a movie party today, I am having one tommorow with a few friends.  We’re going to figure out what to watch when they get to my house, but I might just happen to have a few anime movies conveniently lying out.  Anyway, that’s off subject.  Tonight is graduation!  The wonderfully terrifying night when teenagers become independent adults (hopefully).  Last year, my sister graduated, giving a speech as salutatorian.  I hope to one day stand on the stage and give a speech as well, when I graduate.  That’s gonna take a lot of work…*sigh*….but right now is summer!  No work!  (Sort of)

So have you or any of your siblings graduated from highschool/college?  What was it like?  Did you like it?  Share your experiences in the comments below!

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer

What to Do the Last Day of School

You know what is driving me insane?  The lack of fun/cool things to do the last day of school.  Almost every idea I find online is something about being rude, or mean, or breaking the rules.  Isn’t there anything that is fun for everyone?

The only thing that I can think of on my own is a very vague idea: dress strangely.  Like, in something I would normally never wear to school.  Some type of costume, maybe?  However, I don’t know what to wear.  Also, I feel as if there is something else I could do that is a bit more exciting.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Me some time later after the previous two paragraphs:  So, I thought of a few things.  A few really nerdy, goody-two-shoes things.

1.  Make notes to all the teachers with a list of at least three things you like about them

Yeah, teachers are human beings too.  They enjoy compliments.  They also have probably wanted to strangle you quite a few times throughout the year due to your misunderstanding of what seems obvious to them, however they did not.  Not just because it’s against the law-but because they’re nice.  Do something nice for them, why don’t you?

2.  Make [Insert sweet here]s!

Well, I was going to make apple muffins but it turns out that it’s a few months overdue.  :/  So, I am asking my mother to buy something at the store and bring it home later.  Anyways, you know what would be awesome on the last day of school?  For everyone to bring in food, making it a potluck.  Unfortunately, people don’t do that, but you could start the tradition!  Bring in some sweets, just make sure not to just give it to your ‘friends’.  I am going to give it to my entire class, and if there is extra, some to the teachers.  I would like to give them to the entire school, but I can’t make that many xD

3.  Pack a good lunch

I make my lunches in the morning before school, and personally, I often make a lunch that is boring or not enough and regret it later, just because I’m tired.  If you have to, even make it the night before!

4.  Make a good breakfast

Start of the end of school with something other than a grumbly stomach.  Maybe eat one of those [insert sweet here] you made for #2?  😀

5.  Dress up, dress down, look crazy

Now, I don’t want anyone breaking dress code rules because of this-but wear the opposite of what you usually wear.  A girl, but not so girly?  On the last day, curl your hair, put on a dress, but only if it’s fun.  Or

6.  Movie Party

Invite some friends to come to your house after school for as long as they can and watch some movies, play some games, talk about the year, and what you’ll do in the summer.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do this one, as it will be rather last minute.  But I may be able to get some of my close living friends to come.

That’s all I can think of right now.  Any suggestions?  PLEASE comment below! ^_^

DFTBA,

Rambling Writer 😉