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Oakland Temple

2012-01-30T22:03:00.000-06:00

I went to see the Oakland temple this weekend with a friend of mine. I'm too tired and swamped with homework to talk about it, but I figured I should post the pictures I took, since they are so pretty.

The best part

2012-01-27T18:22:00.002-06:00

The best part of learning Korean here is reading a random tweet from one of my favorite Korean singers AND UNDERSTANDING EVERYTHING HE SAID IN KOREAN. It just makes me so happy and reminds me of why I'm here. ^-^

PT Test

2012-01-25T21:57:00.001-06:00

Just so that everyone knows, I passed my first official Air Force pt test this morning. I ran a 14:10 1 1/2 mile, did 24 push ups and 41 sit ups. Hurray for me!

Two things; A note on TV and how I write

2012-01-22T20:39:00.000-06:00

I wrote this last night before going to bed, using my phone. It was long and tedious trying to type it all out on my dinky little phone.

Today was a lazy day. I wasn't feeling good, so I just chilled in the dorm. The first half of the day was boring, just watching random videos on YouTube, trying to write something, and generally just wasting time.

Then, a little after lunch I headed over to drama fever, my one stop shop for Korean dramas. I hadn't really found anything to watch since Me Too, Flower ended, and I guess I was missing it. Anyway, there's one show that had been on the main page for a while now, and I kind of wanted to watch it for the last little bit. It has one of singers from one of my favorite bands, which its usually the reason I start watching something. But it looked too drama-y for me, so I hadn't gotten around to watching it yet. Anyway, I watched the first episode, and was instantly hooked. In fact, I watched all 14 that are currently available all in a row. It was a good thing they were only about 44-50 minutes long, instead of the usual hour and ten minutes.

The point is, as I was watching, and after I finished watching and was thinking about it, I realized another thing that is different between American TV and Korean TV: in American TV when the couple goes through that mandatory rough spot, I almost always feel bad for the guy. Usually because I don't like the girl, or I don't feel like she deserves him. On the other hand, in Korean TV, I always feel bad for both the guy and the girl. The guy for the same reason as in American TV, but the girl because I have noticed that most of the time the main girl is a little bit innocent. At least, in the romantic comedies, anyway. My point is, I guess, that the Koreans have still managed to hold on to pretty, as defined as having an innocence, as the ideal, rather than hot, as the American people have. This is one of the reasons I enjoy watching the Korean dramas, because I am not hot. Sometimes I'm not pretty either, though my mother will say different. But I strive for that pretty ideal. And from what I've seen, both in the dramas and in real life, men use the hot women and marry the pretty women.

End what I wrote on my phone.

Moving on. Since I had watched all of that one drama yesterday (it's called What's Up, since I forgot to write that) I had nothing to watch today while I was still feeling too icky to go to chuch. (Once again, I couldn't go to church... I hope this doesn't become a trend...) I was kind of in the mood for a historical, so I decided to watch some more of a drama I started watching a while ago. It's called The Return of Iljimae, and I started watching it originally because it has the same guy from Flower Boy Ramyun Shop in it. And I really like him, he's really pretty. Anyway, I picked up where I left off, watched a couple of episodes, and was inspired to write something.

As I started writing, the words seemed to flow onto the page through my fingers almost effortlessly, until I reached a certain point and had to stop. Then the words struggled to come out, and I realized something about my writing. I've sort of known this for a while, but it's still a little bit different. I don't just make stuff up when I write, I write what I see.

Mini movies are constantly playing in my head, especially when I'm writing. In terms of my writing, I'm first like a director. I direct the action in my head, gently prodding the actors into action on the scene while it's all still in my head. I have a little bit of control, but mostly I let my actors do what they think fits the characters and situations best. Because they aren't just actors, they are the characters. Once everything is recorded in my head, I become a transcriber, translating what I see down on to paper or computer. And if I can't see it, then I really struggle to get it out.

Let me give you an example. When I write, if my character has to move in a certain direction, or has to turn a certain way down a certain street, I watch what happens in my head to see which direction it is. So if the character turns left in my head, he turns left in the story. If the building she has to go into is on the right in my head, it is so on paper. I have very little control of the setting and the characters, and even on most of the action in the story. I'm just a tool for the stories to get written down. I just have control over how everything is written down.

This is one of the reasons I didn't finish my NaNo last year. I reached a certain point in the story, and couldn't see the connection between one part of the story and another, and so I couldn't write. I tried jumping ahead, but I hate writing out of order, because then I have to work harder to make the pieces fit together.

Anyway, that's my ramble for this week.

I guess it's time to let the rabbit (cat) out of the bag

2012-01-11T19:01:00.002-06:00

So, I cut my hair the second week of December. It was kind of spur of the moment, but it turned out really good. I'm still shocking people who haven't seen me in a while, too. And I love doing that, it's so much fun. My ward's Elders Quorum President approached me on Sunday, and I hadn't seen him since before I got my hair cut, and kindly introduced himself and asked if I was new. I commented that I had been before, but that I had cut my hair, and a shocked look crossed his face, and he apologized for not recognizing me. I love doing that.

Now that you can know a little but about how drastic this haircut was, here's a picture I finally got around to taking so that my dear friends/readers could finally see how much I have changed.

That's my bunk behind me; I'm on the top, and my roommate is on the bottom.

I hope you like my new hair.

It's War

2012-01-09T21:27:00.002-06:00

For a couple of weeks now, I have been anticipating the release of the new music video from one of my favorite bands. This band in particular is special to me because some of their songs has helped me get through some hard times in the past. So, I've seen the teasers for the MV, searched the web for the planned release date, added it to my calender, and set out to wait 'patiently'.

When I logged on to my computer today after class and before heading up the gym (that's another story) I was ecstatically surprised to find the music video waiting for me, having been released on the correct day in Korea, but a day earlier in the US because of the time difference. I was so happy. However, I had to be a good girl, so I put it on hold until I got back from the gym. I have to do the hard things first before I can play.

So when I got back, tired and sweaty from running back from the gym (uphill both ways), I sat at my computer and set it up to play. Then I watched it while undressing to take my shower. The music video was so epically awesome, words can't describe how I felt while watching it, how I felt about the fact that I was watching it at all, etc.

The MV is a little over 5 1/2 minutes long, so by the time it got to the end, I was down to my underwear and ready to head to the bathroom. Which I was planning on doing with a happy heart once the music video was over. I really should have known better, since the song is called 'It's War' and the teasers have all talked about how it's about two friends who get into a fight over a girl.

I'm not going to reveal anything, because that would ruin it for others. And you all should know how much I hate doing that. I'll just say, as soon as the MV was over, I burst in to unexpected tears, completely overwhelmed by what had happened in the ending. I was not expecting it at all, and with the way the video was put together and shown, I had no choice in the matter.

Now, let me admit to you all. I have cried while watcing MVs before. Usually, it's because I want to cry, or because it feels like the right thing to do. Which means, usually, I have complete control over my tears and my crying and my emotions. I mean, there are some sad music videos out there. Like Bang Yong Gook's I Remember, a lot of F.T. Island's long MVs, etc. To me, it's perfectly normal to cry over a sad music video.

This one, though, was different. This one, I had zero control over my emotions. The MV ended, and I lost it. You'll have to watch it to find out why, but it was a strange phenomenan, and one that I was grateful neither of my roommates were around to see.

So, without futher ado, I reveal It's War, by MBLAQ. The one that shook my world.

I'm pretty sure it won't have the same effect on my dear readership. But it's a good MV anyway.

Rabbit

2012-01-05T01:42:00.001-06:00

I was told today that my nickname is now Rabbit. I've never had a nickname just handed to me like that. My longtime nickname, Noble, stemmed from something I made up myself, and it kind of just stuck. This one, though, snuck up on me and attacked with a vengence.

I have a guy friend who is like my best friend around here, other than my amazing roommates. He's two weeks behind me in Korean, and he's really a great guy. (Giggle. Uh, not like that.) Anyway, he caught me during lunch to give me an update on his back (he hurt it a while back) and called me Rabbit. The two people across from me (who are in my class) couldn't figure out why, and for a moment I couldn't either. I knew it must have had something to do with my last name, and Korean, so as I watched the two across me try to work it out, my mind was spinning at a mile a minute.

Then it dawned on me, not a moment too soon. The Korean word for rabbit sounds very similar to my last name, which everyone calls me by around here. It was so clever, and I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it before, (and the guy friend gave it to me) that I have now decided that it shall forever be part of my nickname. I'll never not be Noble, of course, but I'm now Noble Rabbit.

Just so everyone doesn't get confused by a few changes around here. ^-^

Now that is Epic

2011-12-31T12:35:00.001-06:00

If anyone hasn't noticed, there's a page over there to the right that I have updated on a regular basis with a new K-Pop music video. It updates every Monday, and I really hope you are all watching it, and seeing all the awesome music videos I find.

Anyway, I was planning on using this one as this coming Monday's video, but I realized that it's not actually a music video, it's just the teaser for one. And it's just too cool to not share, so here it is.

Yes, this is a teaser for a music video (which is about 4 minutes shorter). It is an incredibly symbolic story. The theory floating around among the netizens is that the story is about true love and how hard it is to build back up once it's been broken. That's just a theory, though, and you certainly don't have to subscribe to it. I personally think it's just an awesome sci fi story about and man and his robot.

The video is quite beautifully made, and has a nice and slow, steady pace. It is one of the few music videos that plant story seeds in my head, and I really want to see this one written, because I don't usually get a science fiction seed planted.

Once you've watched this teaser, you should all watch the actual music video, by a group called LEDApple (pronounced Lead, as in lead pencil). The group isn't a boyband, and in fact, it's not even K-Pop. It's K-Rock, and I'm excited to have finally found something like this. There are very few actual bands that I've been able to find. Anyway, here's the music video.

As you can see, the music video is made up of shots from the teaser, as well as shots of the group playing their sci fi-looking instruments. I love it. ^-^ When you are done watching, you should totally go find their other music videos, because they are all awesome.

Hmmm... I didn't think Korean affected me THAT much.

2011-12-26T12:08:00.002-06:00

I really didn't. I mean, sure, Korean has sort of become my life. My work is everything Korean, I only listen to Korean, I almost only watch Korean, but still. I could never imagine this happening.

This last week, I decided to get my novel out, the one I've been working on for a very long time. The one about the monster hunter. I wanted to work on it while I could, so I pulled all my hard copy stuff out of my filing cabinet and began going through it. It's had some time to stew, so I had some new ideas for it, like I always do when it's stewed for a while.

After I wrote down some of the ideas I had, I realized I was considering making the main character, who is currently a full blooded Italian, half Korean. While this isn't a horrible idea, it really puts some kinks in just about everything. I would have to change the girl's looks, I would have to change her family history, I would have to change a few others things as well. It's really too much hassle.

So you can see, Korean and Korea has invaded my life completely, and it doesn't seem to want to leave.

Simon's and the Nutcracker

2011-12-17T23:00:00.001-06:00

Tonight I went to see the Nutcracker with mom. I haven't been for a very long time, and I really wanted to while I was home. So I bought the tickets earlier this month, and we went tonight. Because it was so far away, I decided to take my mom out to dinner. I was in the mood for Italian food, so I looked on the internet to find a nice Italian restaurant near the theater, and I found a little place called Simon's J Benjamin's that got a lot of good reviews. Since I kind of what to start reviewing small restaurants whenever I can, I'm going to start with this one.

Simon's J Benjamin's
Location, Des Moines
Price range, $10-$15 for entrees
Food, Italian
Atmosphere, 8/10: It was a nice, calming atmosphere, very cozy with high backed benches as well as small tables. The dining room itself wasn't very large, but the decoration was tasteful. There was a large aquarium in the back, that gave a little bit of light and color to the otherwise dim dining room. It was lit by a candle on each table, and very dim overhead lights. It gave the dining room a romantic, cozy feel to it. The only down side to this was it was a little hard to read the menu without holding it low enough to see by candlelight.
Service, 9/10: Simon's is a seat-yourself restaurant, and the woman who brought us our water was a little abrupt and unfriendly, however the waitress who took care of us through the meal was really bright and cheerful, and very helpful. She really knew the menu well, and had even tried most of it, so she was able to give a solid opinion on a lot of the food. The food came out quickly, although this might be attributed to the fact that there weren't a lot of people there. We got to meet the owner of the restaurant, who was greeting people at the tables and working alongside the wait staff. He was a young man, probably early to mid 30s, and he hadn't been the owner for very long, but he was very helpful and friendly, and it seemed like he had been doing it for a lot longer. His parents own a bakery (he said so himself) and he brought us a slice of a fresh baked chocolate cake his parents had brought over, free of charge.
Food, 10/10: The food was simply amazing. I got the Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken and a balsamic vinaigrette salad, and mom had Mannacotti and a Mediterranean salad. The Alfredo sauce was creaming and perfect, and the salad was delicious. It's really hard for me to describe food, so I'll just go with 'I was in heaven for the amount of time it took me to eat this food'. The cake that the owner brought out was chocolate with cream cheese frosting, and it was just the right amount of sweetness. It was perfect. We didn't order any drinks, so I can't say anything about that, but the water was good, and I'm really picky about my water. There is also a bar there, for those who drink, and it looked fairly well stocked with wine as well as other kinds of alcohol.

All in all, Simon's J Benjamin's rates a 9/10. I loved it a lot, and while I won't have time to go again, mom has promised that she will be taking dad sometime, because she loved it a lot, too.

And the Ballet was amazing too. Made me wish I really had taken up ballet, like I had wanted to when I was a little girl.

Gah... I would rather be home right now.

2011-12-13T20:34:00.001-06:00

I have 63 hours left until I get to see my mom. Yes, I'm counting down the hours now. Right now I'm writing this post when I should be working extra hard on my culture paper, which is due on Thursday, but which I have to email to my partner tonight. I would have finished it yesterday, when I had very little homework, except I had to sit through a 2 hour briefing, then try to get leave stuff taken care of so I can actually go home. So I have to do it tonight, when I have almost twice the amount of homework. This is waht I get for procrastinating until the last minute.

In other news, it's definitely starting to feel like Christmas. I have two Christmas albums playing when I have time to listen (Michael Buble and SMTown), I have a little Christmas tree on my desk, all my Christmas shopping is done, and I've even recieved a present already. My first Christmas card too! It was so much fun!

Just... don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh.

2011-12-08T00:48:00.001-06:00

So, I joined Twitter yesterday. It was kind of spur of the moment, and completely has to do with school. I promise. I mean, following my favorite Korean singers so that I can get authentic reading practice counts for school, right?

Anyway, it's pretty cool, since I really am getting authentic Korean, and I can actually understand some of it. And some of it is just so cute it makes my fan girl head explode. It helps that I have internet on my phone (Straight Talk, $45 a month for unlimited everything. Awesome. Thanks Dad!) so I don't have to sift through a million tweets at the end of the day. I just read them as they come, during breaks of course. I've even posted a couple of times, though I'm sure I won't become someone who posts every ten minutes of the day.

This year has certainly turned out to be a year for trying new things. Joining the military, eating eel, squid, kimchi, joining twitter, etc. What does the last little bit of the year have in store for me?

Also, I'm getting Blogger for my phone, so I will hopefully start posting more often. Depending on how proficient I get with the touchscreen keyboard.

Oh my goodness, the epicness of this video floors me

2011-12-06T18:59:00.001-06:00

I opened up my youtube account today and discovered this beauty waiting for me in the suggestions. It was so perfect, especially for right at this moment. I really needed some cheering up, and this video did the trick. Not only does it have Kim Hyun Joong from SS501--a favorite band--it has Yunho from TVXQ, Leeteuk and Shindong from Super Junior, Lee Seunggi (a solo artist) and (drum roll please) Bae Yong Joon! Now, I know none of these names mean anything to you, so I'm going to show you instead. Just another way of me spreading the love.

Here's the video.

Alright, now you saw Kim Hyun Joong. That is actually a fairly recent hair cut, because for most of his career he has had long hair. Like in the first picture. And Bae Yong Joon is a Hallyu (Korean Wave) star who is in a lot of dramas. He's really popular all around the world and once you see one of his dramas it's easy to see why. But that's not what is so cool about him. What's really cool about him, is he looks like an older version of Kim Hyun Joong. As you can see in the bottom picture.

Sorry everyone if this has been a particularly Korean heavy post. I live for Korea nowadays.

Sometimes I really hate the way my brain works

2011-12-05T20:11:00.001-06:00

So last night I started a new book I got over the weekend. It's a science fiction, and I haven't read anything in that genre in a while. I was a little hesitent to read it, since I usually get bored with science fiction easily, either because the science part goes right over my head, or the fiction part is poorly written. To my great delight, I really liked it. Sure, the science was a little out there, and I still don't quite understand it all, but the prose is just beautiful, and I had a hard time putting it down. Reading it made me want to write science fiction again. And, as my long time readers know, that never turns out well.

I was thinking about it today, and I decided to go through my flashdrive to see what all science fiction I already have, thinking that maybe there was something I could work on. I delved through the handful I have, not really seeing anything of worth, until I read through a two page document I wrote a while ago about turning one of my longest running science fiction story ideas into a TV series. I though about it, and my brain, like the dumb, flighty thing it is, immediately switched gears. So then I wanted to write a science fiction TV series, which is completely different from writing science fiction novels.

As I was thinking about it, I realized how futile the idea was, and so I discarded it, leaving me with nothing left.

Boo.

I really wish I could just write full time, and not have to worry about going to class or doing homework or studying or anything like that. Then maybe I could be a productive writer, instead of someone who quits their NaNoWriMo at 25k...

Well shucks, I didn't mean to get so hooked

2011-12-04T23:21:00.001-06:00

About a month ago, maybe a month and a half, when I first moved into my new dorm room, I went shopping at Target for some fresh fruit, because the dining facility doesn't have anything other than apples and oranges. I was shopping around and I saw a fridge display of the Naked smoothie drink. I stared at it for a little while, reminded of my mom, who loves drinking Naked (pun intended, because it's a family joke everyone loves). After a while, I decided it was about time I tried it. I had been resistant to drinking it before, but I was feeling a little homesick, and I wanted to be closer to mom. When I got back to the dorm, I took a drink. I think I got the Red Machine one, but I can't remember exactly. Anyway, from first drink, I fell in love. It was delicious.

When I ran out I looked for it at the Post Exchange on base, but they didn't have it. Instead, they had Odwalla brand smoothie drinks. I tried one of those too, and now I love them all. I almost always have a large jug in the fridge, and I can't help but buy them whenever I got to the PX or Target. They are just so delicious and healthy for you.

Thanks, mom.

Edit: Here's a picture of what is currently in my fridge, for the curious.

200 Days

2011-11-27T23:01:00.001-06:00

Today I was watching a new episode of a great Korean drama entitled Dream High. It's been really good so far, and I'm sure it will only get better. In the episode I watched today (yes, I managed to watch only one episode) several characters make commitments to change and become better. And in 200 days, they do change and become better. One character looses 30kg, and the other two become amazing dancers. As I was watching all of this, I realized that if the one girl could loose that much weight in 200 days because she put her mind to it, then I can do the same. Of course, I won't be loosing 30kg, which equals about 66 pounds (my jaw dropped when I saw this number), but I will be doing something as important to me as loosing that weight was to her.

So, starting December 1st, I will spend 200 days working extra hard on my Korean, with the goal of getting a 4.0 on my July speaking test. This means I'm going to be restructuring my life a little, but I'm going to do it. In 200 days I'm going to be really good at speaking Korean.

Wish me luck!

That's it, I quit

2011-11-26T13:50:00.001-06:00

I am very disappointed in myself, but I won't be finishing NaNoWriMo this year. I reached 22k on the one story I was working on, and while taking a break, I took a hard look at the story and realized it was unpublishable. And as much as I loved writing about the characters, I really got tired of the story. The plot is three million pages long, and I've only gotten through the first half of the first page. It is very depressing. And I really don't want to write something that isn't publishable, because my goal is to publish someday. So everything I write shold be working towards that.

So anyway, I've stopped this year. There is no way for me to catch up this late in the game, without sacrificing the rest of my social life, and I can't get through class without that. So, for the first time since 2007, I won't be finishing NaNoWriMo.

I feel especially horrible about this, because I told Chris Baty himself, when I went and met him two weeks ago, that I was going to finish. Alas, it is not in the cards.

Headline! K-Pop Conversion Army Spotted. All Women Urged to Seek Shelter.

2011-11-19T22:18:00.000-06:00

So, I decided yesterday to convert my best friend to the K-Pop cult, since I want to have someone to talk with about it. And after having a blast writing the... document that went with the playlist I created for her, I decided it was too much fun to not share with everyone. So, the following is the seven page document, 2 1/2 hour adventure for your enjoyment. Have fun laughing and becoming converted. Be sure to spread the love.

Note: This is tailored for Balgram, so it had Japanese in it. Just so you are aware.

Your instructions are as follows:

Make sure you have 2 1/2 hours of free time, or split the list into thirds; 1-10, 11-20, 21-30.
Follow the link provided. But don't do anything there yet. Go back to the document.
Read the first paragraph. Then read number one and it's paragraph.
Go back to the link. Click play all. Make sure the autoplay is OFF.
When the video is done playing, go back to the document and read number two.
Proceed to the next video. Continue like this, reading first then watching, until you come to the end.
Read the last two paragraphs.
Report back on whether the war was won or not.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0A89E004CB90D976&feature=mh_lolz

ATTN: The following is classified ABOVE TOP SECRET and isfor EYES ONLY. Burn after reading.

The following is a YouTube playlist created for Balgram byher little sister Noble, in an effort to convert her to the widening world ofK-Pop, despite her deep entrenchment in Japanese culture. A lot of time wasspent going through and picking the perfect soldiers to create this K-PopConversion Army, and a lot of thought went into the order in which the videosappear. If this army fails in its mission, all hope will be lost for theindividual Balgram, and Noble will suffer in misery, unable to communicate withher older sister on every aspect of her life, as she wishes. So it is with adetermined, do-or-die attitude that Noble sends this army on its way. ^-^

1. Super Junior – Bonamana*

a. We start out this battle with the video thatstarted it all. Noble didn’t get completely entrenched in the K-Pop cultureuntil after she saw this video, and it’s not hard to see why. From the powerfulvocals to the mesmerizing dancing, everything about the thirteen member group,minus a few in this particular video spoke to Noble on a deep level. Sincefirst watching this video Noble has learned all the members names and can nowname them on sight, but she certainly doesn’t expect the same from Balgram, sodon’t worry too much.

2. Big Bang – Beautiful Hangover (J)*

a. Following immediately after is a much smallergroup attacking with a powerful song, the first in half a dozen songs strategicallyplaces throughout the army. These songs, this one included, are particularlyimportant to the battle, because they utilize Balgram’s own defense againsther, combining the power of the Hot Korean Men with the Japanese language. Byusing the Korean band singing in Japanese, Noble hopes to entice Balgram enoughfor her to unconsciously search out other songs by the band, inevitably leadingher to more soldiers in the K-Pop Army that didn’t get a chance to participatein this particular battle.

3. U-KISS – Neverland*

a. Following quickly after is the latest song byNoble’s most favorite group. A lot of screaming was involved when she first sawit, soon after being released from her K-Pop free imprisonment in Texas. Thisgroup in particular has a special place in Noble’s heart because two of theseven members are from the Noble’s homeland. She sends this soldier in tobattle, trusting that the irresistibleness of the group and its internationalstars will enthrall Balgram and leave her wanting more.

4. TVXQ – Rising Sun (J)

a. Next on the list of fighters is one of the mostpopular groups in Korean singing a Japanese version of an older song oftheirs. This soldier has a specific goalin mind, because as a remake of a Korean song, Balgram will get a taste of thegroup in her own language, then immediately be drawn into the Korean version.Noble believes that, because this video isn’t as powerful as the others on herfight list, Balgram will be able to see how much better the Korean’s reallyare. The vocals are strong, as they always are with this group that is nottogether anymore, however the video itself is questionable, especially comparedwith the original.

5. TVXQ – Rising Sun*

a. After the weaker soldier sent in to distractBalgram, Noble follows through with the incredibly powerful original version. Thissoldier has been very important to Noble, inspiring a story which in turninspired the creation of a singular world that Noble calls her own. While Noblerealizes that not everyone will be able to appreciate the creative power behindthis video—and maybe even the video itself—she sends this soldier into battle,despite knowing that it might end up a casualty in the battle. She risks one ofher most precious soldiers because she believes the beauty and power of thesong and video will move Balgram closer to where Noble wants her to be.

6. Beast/B2ST – Shock (J)

a. Continuing the pattern, Noble sends in the nexton her fight list, a new Japanese remake of an older song. Noble is almostashamed to admit that she likes this version better than the original version,but it isn’t hard to see why. With a more mature group, more powerful dancingand vocals, and a fabulous combination of English, Korean, and Japanese allwrapped into one mega song, it will be hard for Balgram to resist the urge tomove. Noble notes that the rap parts of the song are in Korean, while the verses are in Japanese and some of thechorus is in English. Just in case there is any confusion.

7. Beast/B2ST – Shock*

a. The original version of the previous soldier issure to draw Balgram deeper into K-Pop territory, away from her supposed safetyin Japanese culture. With music and visuals incredibly similar to the Japaneseversion, Balgram will find herself almost unable to tell the difference. Infact, the similarities will leave Balgram’s head spinning, unable to tell whatis Japanese and what is Korean anymore, bringing her closer to defeat.

8. CNBlue – Love*

a. The first soldier on Noble’s fight list that isn’tan actual boyband, but rather an actual indie band that got signed because theywere so popular, this next battle will be a close one, showing Balgram adifferent side of K-Pop. The distractingly feminine singer with long hair willmore than likely be what causes this to be a close one, however Noble isconfident that the uniqueness of an actual band in K-Pop, as well as the leadsinger’s power vocals will make up for it. On top of this, Balgram willunconsciously be taught to speak Korean via the subtitles that are present inthis battle.

9. TVXQ – Beautiful You (J)

a. Another double agent in the war, this soldiermight distract Balgram with the man that looks like a Final Fantasy character. Noblesends this soldier out with a sense of nostalgia for the good old days whenthis group was still fighting together, back when the maknae (baby/youngest)still looked like the maknae.

10. SS501 – Love Ya*

a. Next on the fight list is a powerful comebacksong from Noble’s ultimate bias, her first true love, and the one group thatNoble loves every single singer and will never ever be able to pick a favorite.Compared to their older songs, this one lends an air of true maturity and masculinity,and combined with the perfect vocals, epic dancing, and beautiful faces, thereis no way Balgram will be able to resist. This soldier is a powerful way to endthe first third of the war.

11. Big Bang – Koe Wo Kikasete (J)*

a. The next in the line of K-Pop soldiers sneakinginto Japan is the perfect way to open the middle part of the war, and willleave Balgram secretly wondering why she had never listened to K-Pop in thefirst place. With vocals beyond amazing, Balgram will be completely unable toresist the voices of Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri, as well as the strength ofTOP and G-Dragon’s rapping in English. And Noble secretly ‘forgot’ to put anyKorean songs from this group on her fight list, and has the confidence thatBalgram will be unable to resist seeking them out on her own. Especially allthe solo songs all the group members do. Because those are amazing too.

12. 2PM – I’ll Be Back*

a. Noble takes a bit of a risk with her nextsoldier, putting a dance group on the flight list. While a little bit differentthan most of the soldiers on the list, this one is sure to impress, and maybeeven short-circuit. This one is sure to get Balgram’s feet tapping, distractingher from the ultimate goal of luring her over with handsome men who arepowerful dancers and who have amazing bodies hidden under those awesomejackets. Trust me. Amazing bodies. All that dancing really pays off.

13. TVXQ -Summer Dream (J)

a. Hitting back with another secret agent, thistime infiltrating with a fun, cute video, Noble sets out to prove that thereare many different kinds of K-Pop, under the disguise of Japanese. Lots ofbright smiles and liquid drenched Korean men is guaranteed to make the opponentsmile. Noble hopes her prey won’t pay attention to the long hair on the maknaein this one, as this video is from his long haired days while the group wasfighting in Japan. Noble is sure that Balgram will search out other videos bythis group—since she put so many of their videos on her fight list—allowing herto see the maknae in better hairstyles.

14. F.T. Island – I Hope*

a. Another uniqueness in K-Pop culture, this soldieris sure to have a big advantage against the opponent. Featuring an actual band—instrumentsincluded—time travel, a talent show, and a red head with the brightest smile,Balgram is sure to fall for this adorable trap. And while Noble wishes Balgramto fall completely head over heels for this trap, she also needs to make surethat she doesn’t fall for the lead singer’s cute red hair, because the singerhas a habit of changing his hair for every. Single. Music. Video. And Yet hissmile never changes. Noble believes this song will impress Balgram, who is sureto be surprised when she can’t find very many songs by the same artist that areanything close to as cute. Because the band mostly sings sad songs. Just saying.

15. Big Bang – Tell Me Goodbye (J)*

a. Alright, next on the fight list is, once again,a secret agent sent to infiltrate the Balgram encampment. This one, however,has a special purpose that Noble has in mind. With its fabulous storylinesimilar to an actual movie and amazing amounts of English sprinkled throughoutthe song, as well as the classily dressed men, this soldier is sure to inspireBalgram just as it did Noble. A short story came from this video, one thatleaves Noble in tears every time she rereads it, and she sends this precioussoldier into battle with the faith that it will knock Balgram over and leaveher completely open for the next attack.

16. F.T. Island – Girl’s Don’t Know*

a. The follow-up attack comes from the band that hasfought before, though this one is slightly older, and features a differentmood. If Balgram is paying attention, she will notice that there is a differentsinger playing one of the guitars. If she questions this, Noble will tearfullyinform her through her network of spies and messengers that the singer hassince left the group. However, the ragged hole was filled with another of equaltalent. This song will leave definitely leave Balgram confused, since she willnot be able to tell what genre K-Pop really is, and Noble will happily gloatthat K-Pop is ALL the genres.

17. TVXQ -Mirotic*

a. The next soldier on the list is guaranteed tosend any straight girl straight to her knees in awe, and is strategically placedafter a sad song to reap as much as possible. This battle will more than likelysend Balgram scurrying through YouTubeland, and she will wonder what hit her,as this song—by the same group who fought in all those secret agent Japanesebattles before—is completely in Korean. It will take her a moment to realizethis, but by then she will have already lost. By now she will start to realizethat the group is the same one that did Dangerous Love, and she will wonder whyshe hadn’t fallen completely for them before.

18. Infinite – Before the Dawn/BTD*

a. Out of all the soldiers sent into battle, thisone is by far the most precious to Noble, and if Balgram really knows her, shewill immediately understand why. From the powerful vocals and the completely insync dancing to the exciting danger and epic fight scenes, this video hasinspired fight scenes and stories alike. And once the battle is over and wonBalgram will find it very difficult to resist searching all of YouTubeland formore videos of this group dancing, because with how in sync they are how canthey not have a hive mind? And in fact, this video was secretly imbedded with asubliminal code that will cause Balgram to click on the “37 Videos” buttonabove the video and force her to watch the first video on the list, entitledParadise Dance Ver..mp4. And Noble’s laugh will be heard everywhere whileBalgram watches, completely entranced by the group’s hypnotic dancing.

19. TVXQ – Bolero (J)*

a. In the last attack from a secret agent, Noble planson bowling Balgram over with the powerful vocals of TVXQ once again. And afterthe particularly intense attack of the previous soldier, this will allowBalgram a little rest, while she recoups. It will leave her thinking that she’ssafe, and will cause her to relax a little in her defenses. The beautifullyrics, strong vocals and relaxing video will give her a false sense ofsecurity and leave her open to the next attack.

20. TRAX – Oh My Goddess*

a. In the final attack of the second third of thewar, Noble throws a below-the-belt punch at Balgram with this soldier, meant toappeal to her fluffy, adorable-loving feminine side. With the third actualband, lots of brilliant sunlight, and a perfect mix of cute love song androcking love song, this is sure to bring the opponent several leaps and boundscloser to the goal. With only two actual members in the group, this soldier isthe smallest, but definitely not the weakest.

21. Super Junior M – U (C)*

a. With this first attack of the last third of thewar, Noble throws a curveball that will leave Balgram’s head spinning with asong in not Japanese, not Korean, but Chinese. She hopes that this surpriseattack will entice Balgram to fall completely head over heels with the firstthree singers—who all happen to be Noble’s three favorite—forcing her to searchout more videos until she realizes she accidentally watched a dozen. In fact,Noble hopes that Balgram quickly figures out that this song is actually aremake of a Korean song. While watching this video, Noble is sure that Balgramwill notice something strange and Noble would like to say, yes. That was anepic fart. And the little guy/violinist is from Canada.

22. SHINee – Lucifer*

a. The next soldier to head into battle is the secondboyband video that Noble ever saw, and one that she knows all the words to. Andwhile this is a younger looking group, looks can be deceiving, which this groupproves by singing a powerful song while filling the video with intense dancing.A lot of repetitive listening went into this song, and it is very catchy, sureto fill Balgram’s brain until she can’t think of anything else. As long as shedoesn’t pay attention to how young the group really is—the oldest is just a fewmonths older than Noble herself—then the plan to get this song stuck in Balgram’shead will work perfectly, allowing the follow up song to completely blow heraway.

23. TRAX – Blind

a. We take a little break from the intense dancevideos to send in a sneaky sad romantic rock video sure to dig at Balgram’sheart featuring an actor she is sure to recognize from the previous Chinesevideo. As this is an extremely new video, Noble hasn’t had a chance to watch itover and over and over and over and over again. However, as with all thesoldiers she sends to the warzone, the vocals are powerful and beautiful. ButNoble sends a secret message along with the video, warning Balgram not to golooking for other videos by this group without her guidance; otherwise shemight get scarred and scared away. Because their older videos are… weird.

24. Beast/B2ST –Please Take Care of My Girlfriend (SayNo)*

a. Noble starts using a new strategy with thissong, laying another sad song on her prey. This one, completely different fromthe other songs by the same singer, features strong vocals, very littledancing, was written by a fan for this group, and is not featured on any oftheir CDs. With such a unique story behind it, it is sure to interest Balgram,and will show her that even one group can sing in many different genres andstill sound amazing.

25. 2AM – I Did Wrong*

a. In the companion to the afternoon group, Noblecontinues the barrage of sad songs with an exceptionally sad video that tells astory. With sweet story and tall handsome men with the most powerful voicesespecially made for singing beautiful ballads, Noble is sure that Balgram isgoing to want to search for the full video, which is almost twice as long andtells the full story.

26. SS501 – Find*

a. Next on the fight list is another ballad, thistime featuring five of the most beautiful voices in the world, including thevoice of an angel is one that will completely entrance Balgram. This one, alongwith the one before, will secretly teach her to speak Korean, as well as readit, thanks to the subtitles that just happen to be there. One couldn’t ask fora better soldier than this one.

27. Beast/B2ST – Fiction*

a. As we start barreling towards the end of the warwith hope in sight, Noble makes sure she has Balgram’s undivided attention withanother ballad featuring a very loud pen and a piano that looks like a regularupright but secretly is an electric. This video, which is the latest releasefrom this group, is a powerful soldier with an amazing step pattern that isgoing to distract Balgram for the next few weeks while she tries to learn it,it’s so cool looking. On top of that, if she doesn’t think the redhead lookslike a handsome elf prince Noble might have to throw a slideshow into thebattle. However, for the time being she doesn’t see the need forreinforcements, as she is confident that by now she has already won the war,and all she has to do is seal it with a kiss from the best soldiers, which shehas saved for the last few.

28. Bang Yong Guk – I Remember (Featuring Yang YoSeop from Beast/B2ST)*

a. Noble follows up with another sad song, this onedepressingly so, in the hopes that she will leave Balgram completely broken bythe end of the video, prime meat for the finish. While most of this song israpped, it is incredibly powerful rap, and combined with the slightly violent music video that leftNoble in tears each time she watched it, there is no way Balgram can’t fallcompletely for the redhead and his deep, powerhouse voice. Noble sends thesoldier with a warning, though, as this video was actually banned from playingon Korean television for being too violent. Though it’s not nearly as violentas Tae Guk Gi, the Korean War movie Noble was force to cry her way through inclass on Thursday… Anyway, if Balgram doesn’t flinch while watching this movie,she is obviously not human and must come from outer space. Making her a moreawesome target for conversion.

29. F.T. Island – Birds (Remake)

a. After being destroyed by the devastating soldierbefore, Noble sends a happier soldier to cheer Balgram up and help her recoveras she finds herself completely lost in unfamiliar territory. With Balgramsurely solidly planted on the Korean side by now, Noble allows her to becharmed by this group’s most recent release, a remake of a popular Korean songnot sung by this group. The group has such bright eyes and smiles that, asNoble powerhouses through to the end of the war, there is no going back forBalgram.

30. Super Junior – No Other*

a. Noble saved the best soldier for last, hersecret weapon against the defenseless Balgram. If she hadn’t been converted upuntil this point, she will explode after this. As this is the most romantic,adorable, cute, happy song on the planet, it is sure to make Balgram feel allwarm inside, helping her realize that she chose the right side. The only thingthat would make this song and video better is if they had made it a few monthsearlier, when Han Geng was still a member of the group… Noble is a littlebitter about that… However Noble made up for it by falling completely head overheels over the leader, the man in red pants, and she hopes that Balgram willfall for someone as well. Noble is confident that this video will seal the dealon Balgram’s conversion, because it is her secret weapon that she used on hermom, and it worked with her. Noble’s mom is in love with the man in the plaidshirt who ties the girl’s shoe.

At the end of the war, Balgram is allowed to take a breathand get herself acquainted with the culture she is now a part of. If she hasany questions about any of the bands or any of the singers, Noble is more thanhappy to answer each and every question, right down to what their birthday andblood type is. She hopes that Balgram had a fun time riding the rollercoasterit surely was, and encourages her to continue watching and listening. IfBalgram wants any music to listen to, the little star next the title indicatesshe owns the song and she is more than willing to send it to her. Also she hasa LOT more where these came from. And by a lot, Noble means 1.6 days’ worth ofmusic in every genre you can think of. Just ask.

Author’s Note:

I hope you enjoyed this. It was all meant to be fun andgames, and was completely inspired by the pun you laid on me yesterday. I hadfun writing it, though it took a lot longer than I thought it would. Please letme know if you have any questions. ^-^

We regret to inform you

2011-11-10T17:26:00.001-06:00

This blog has been claimed by the might Zoot Suit Defense Force.

Obtain your own zoot suit and join the parade as quickly as possible. Thank you.

PS Noble you may want to remove me as an author to your blog.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it is done

2011-11-06T23:03:00.001-06:00

So, I'm sorry, I never got around to finishing the story. I have a good reason for not finishing the story, though. I've been working on my NaNoWriMo novel and finishing up homework. So, I can say I am right on schedule.

In fact, I can also say that I now have the fabulous ability to write over 1,000 words in half an hour, consistently. And I can say I wrote 8,251 words today. I have never ever written so many words before, and I am simply ecstatic. This means that I can actually do it. I can actually finish this novel if I put my mind to it. I just need 4 1/2 hours every day on the weekends, during which time I will write about 8k, and I'll be golden. I'm so excited.

And the fact that I've had to push my way through some pretty boring parts of my novel has not slowed me down one iota. Yeah!

Also, word wars, either with a person or just by yourself, is the best way to do it. 10, 20, or 30 minutes all work magic on your word count.

So, wish me continued luck over the next coming weeks, and I think I can actually finish the entire novel this month while still staying on top of my class.

And now I know

2011-11-06T01:41:00.001-05:00

Today has been an adventure of sorts. I've spent WAY too much time off post when I should have been writing, I've spent way too much money when I should have been saving it, and I laughed so hard my chest started hurting. The day was divided into two parts, so I'm going to tell it to you in two parts. And this might all come out funnily, because I'm in a weird mood right now.

Part One, trying to make it to Target.

I had planned on going to Target in the morning with a friend of mine. She had wanted to leave at 8, but after accidentally staying up until 1:30 the night before, my body wasn't willing to get up before 9. So I got up at nine and headed off to wait at the bus stop with her. We just barely missed the bus by two minutes, so we had a while to wait for the next one. While we waited we were met up by some more friends, who will here by be called Guy, Wamp, and Vog (not their real names). Anyway, Guy stopped by first, and we talked for a while. He's a really good friend of mine, and he's been having some problems lately that I really hope he gets through. He talked about the night he had on Friday, and I listened intently. Because that's what I do, I listen to people.

Then, we were joined by Wamp and Vog, who said they were also going to Target, but that they didn't know where it was. Since my friend and I were going in that direction anyway, I invited them to come along with us. They said they would, if we went to Denny's with them first. I was kind of hungry, so I said yes, and went to Denny's for the first time in years. I had some amazing banana pecan pancakes, and enjoyed listening to everyone's funny conversations.

Then we headed back to the bus stop and once again, just barely missed the bus. So my friend and I went to a used book store that was nearby that I'd been wanting to go to for a long time, and I got two books that I've been meaning to read. Then we went back and waited for the next bus, until we realized too late that we were waiting on the wrong side. So we missed the bus again.

We finally made it to Target, did our shopping, then headed back to post. All of this took way too much time, and too much money, but it was fun to spend time with my friends.

Part Two, and then I sang Karaoke.

I will tell you about this tomorrow. Right now, I'm way too tired to even think anymore. But you have a teaser there for you.

It's November again

2011-11-04T20:46:00.000-05:00

It's November again, and everyone should know what that means. That means I sell my soul and put myself through the fire to write a novel in 30 days. Of course, this year is going to be a little different, obviously, so it's going to be a little bit difficult this time around. Here's what I'm hoping is going to happen.

Obviously I can't write during the week, or else sacrifice my job in the Air Force, and I'm not willing to do that. My job is what's going to pay for my writing for the next six years. So, I'll be writing on the weekends. Which means I have to write a minimum of 4,550 words on Saturdays and Sundays, plus the extra days I'll have during the 2 four day weekends we have this month. But since I discovered I can write about 600 words in half an hour, I decided to try to write 20k this weekend alone. That way I have a decent cusion just in case I'm having too much fun next weekend to write anything.

Oh, I'm going to on a trip next weekend with a friend. I'm so excited!

Anyway, we'll see how this all works out. I'm pretty confident that I can do it just fine if I push myself, but that's the thing. I've never been very good at pushing myself. Hopefully the three months I've spent here pay off.

Unfortunately, Artemis won't be visiting this year, and probably not next year either. I'm just too busy with schoolwork and trying to write this novel to have an extra something to do. A lot of people already think I'm crazy.

So, I'm off to write 20k this weekend and between 50k-120k this month. Wish me luck!

You Must Watch This

2011-10-30T01:52:00.001-05:00

Take a gander

2011-10-28T17:34:00.000-05:00

See what my Air Force does during spare time.

http://www.incirlik.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123277534

I so wish I was stationed on that base.

A little bit of info

2011-10-26T21:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted (I'll be saying that a lot for the next two years.) I took my unit 3 test yesterday and today. I think I did pretty good on the speaking--better than last unit anyway--and I think I did okay on the reading and listening. I took a good friend of mine to church with my on Sunday. I think he had a good time, and I certainly hope he wants to come back, but we'll see.

P.S.
This is the 200th post. Just saying.

Random news

2011-10-18T22:36:00.001-05:00

Due to some unfortunate events last friday night, things have been less than cheery here in cloudy/sunny California. And it's very unfortunate. A small handful of people made some poor choices that are now effecting everyone in my squadron. I'm not going to reveal anything, because that's against OPSEC, but I am going to say from Saturday evening until Monday night, I was miserable. It was bad enough that it made me want to go back to my sheltered life at home, and nothing else so far as made me really want to go home.

Thankfully, I've gotten over that little spell. Now I'm just studying my butt off for my test next Wednesday, and getting ready for NaNoWriMo to happen, hoping that I'll be able to somehow make it through November with my sanity intact, my grades still high enough to stay out of seventh hour class, and at least half of a novel completed (50,000 words is about half of any of my stories.)

Also, I've started writig lyrics in Korean for a video contest next year. I'm going to be making a music video with my best friend, who also wants to write songs in Korean. It'll be tough, but I think I can do it. My teachers are really encouraging.

2011-10-07T01:55:00.003-05:00

It's always great when you become best friends with your roommate, especially when she thinks your habits and personality traits are funny and cute, not annoying. It really sucks when said roommate is forced to move to a different dorm the day after we had talked about staying roommates when they moved people to a different dorm.

Just saying.

2011-10-03T21:54:00.001-05:00

I finally have a mailing address, after being here for two months. If anyone wants to mail me something, like letters or care packages for a lonely friend, hit me up for the address.

2011-09-30T18:33:00.002-05:00

I was feeling sick day in class with a really bad headache (all thanks to the flu shot I got on Wednesday. My immune system handled the flu just fine, but then was too busy to take care of the cold I was catching), and my class leader was kind enough to let me borrow his sunglasses. Of course, he then snuck a picture of me, because apparently he thought I looked cool in the glasses.

The Marine in the background is is Pak Han Kil, who's in one of the other two small classes. The headless Airman next to Pak Han Kil is Lee Geon Woo, and the half a Soldier next to me is Han Jae Son. (Korean names used for anonymity.

And, of course, the focus of the photo is on Tae Ah Reum (a.k.a. Noble).

I'm pretty sure you all are going to think I look pretty weird in a military uniform, but by now, I think I look completely normal in that uniform. I have been wearing it almost every day for the past four months, and I will continue to wear it almost every day until I'm almost 28. I would put up pictures of me in my blues, but I don't have any. They're all with my mom.

Anyway, enjoy seeing me in uniform.

On Best Friends (who happen to be guys)

2011-09-27T01:00:00.001-05:00

So, since being here in California I have made a lot of friends. And when I say a lot, I mean more friends than I have had my entire life combined. I love it. I always have people to talk to, people to say hi to, and everyone always says hi back. And quite a few of my friends are men, which has taken me by pleasent surprise. I have found that BMT has almost completely stripped shyness from my personality, and I don't have a hard time talking with guys now. Too much, anyway. I still struggle to get up the gumption to talk to the cute ones I don't know too well.

Anyway, I always seem to find myself surrounded by males. And this is completely unintentional and totally beyond my control. The group I traveled to BMT was all men, the group I traveled from BMT was all men, the class I'm in here is all men, and about half the time I find myself with a group of guys. This is not a bad thing, in my opinion. I have grown up surrounded by boys, so they really aren't a mystery to me, and once I realized how much they are like my brothers, I wasn't so awkward around them. (And some of them really are exactly like my brothers, it's almost scary)

To continue with tonight's story, there's one man in particular, who's last name is Guy, no joke, who I have become really good friends with. He came from basic at the same time I did, though we weren't in the same small group, so he was in the big group of people who all hung out together in the beginning, when everyone was restricted to base. It took about two weeks before I actually started hanging out with him, because in the beginning I was kind of on the fringe of the group as the last shreds of shyness tried to cling to me. But as more of our group reached the point where they were allowed off base, the group got smaller, and smaller, until there was just a handful of us; two other girls, me, and Guy.

Now, while we were restricted to base, on the weekends we would have movie nights. We would stay up watching movies until just before midnight, when our curfew was, and enjoy each other's company. I was the one stuck on base the longest, a total of 31 days, which is practically unheard of around here, because the Sergeant in charge of me is... not nice. Anyway, there were several moments during movie nights where people would say and do things that would make me feel so happy inside.

Then, about a week and a half before I was allowed to leave base, I was in the dayroom in my building (it's like a family room for the whole building. The whole Air Force, really, since it's the only co-ed dayroom on base) watching Guy and one of his friends play pool. Not the most entertaining thing in the world, but I love listening to people talk and hearing stories and conversations. And while I was listening to Guy talking with his friend, out of the blue he tells his friend that I'm his best friend.

It was a little bit of a shock to me, because I've never been considered a best friend by a guy before. It gave me mixed feelings; I really liked the idea of having a best friend on base, someone I could always talk to. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed that he only considered me a friend. However, I forced myself to get over that feeling, because he's not LDS, and doesn't have the same standards that I do, though he does know my standards quite well.

The first weekend I was allowed to go off base, I went a little shopping crazy and shopped all Friday and Saturday. And on Saturday, Guy came along with the group I was with. That day, we made a long bus trek to Best Buy to get me a laptop, because I had been dying without one, since there aren't any computer stories on base. Guy stuck with me when the other girls that were in the group headed over to the clothing store next door while I went through the long process of purchasing a computer.

And the entire time, the Best Buy employee who was selling me the computer thought Guy and I were married. No joke. Everything he said, he acted like he thought Guy was my husband helping me get a computer. It was the funniest thing, and we both let him think that, because it was too funny to correct him.

Afterwards, we told the story to the girls, and had another big laugh, then I told my parents, and they got a kick out of it. What I didn't start realizing until last week was that I've slowly but surely come to like Guy as more than a friend.

Take last week for example. I got dressed up for church, like I normally do, and headed out, not really thinking about looking nice for anyone in particular. You know, I get dressed up for church, that was it. But while walking to the carpool pickup spot, I ran into Guy and a few other men I'm friends with. And all of them commented on how I looked, and Guy even gave me a hug, telling how nice I looked.

That just made me feel like I was walking on sunshine.

So when I was buying clothes to match the skirt I already had on Friday, I think I instinctually honed in on an outfit that would flatter me the most. I mean, I like looking nice for church, but this time it went a little past just wanting to look nice for church. I realized on Sunday, when I didn't meet Guy while in my cute new outfit, that I wanted to look nice for him.

Then, I hung out with him tonight, so that I could help him with studying, since he's two weeks behind me. During the whole time we were studying, he talking about how good of a friend I was, and how I was his best friend, and how he would do anything for me. It made me feel good, that he still felt close to me, and I tried to ignore that niggling feeling that he thought of me as only a friend. I thought that maybe I could change his mind in the future, or something.

Alas, during a break in studying, while he was talking with some of our other friends, he said something that made me realize just how little of a chance I have with him. They had been talking about SARC related stuff (SARC is an Air Force acronym for Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, and it's used fruequently and in a joking manner to reference anything sexual related), and somehow my name came up. I didn't hear how my name entered the conversation, but what I did hear was Guy telling them that there was no way he could SARC me. That I was like his best friend, that he wouldn't ever dream of touching me like that.

Normally, I would have been a little relieved, I think. I've always been uncomfortable when it comes to that kind of talk, and I always steer the conversation to somewhere a little safer. But, for a moment before my mind moved on to other things, I wondered if he really meant that. I know a lot of the guys I'm friends with think of me as a little sister or just a friend, but for a moment, I wanted there to be at least some possiblilty of more. For a split second before my spirit pushed the thought away, I wanted to know if there was a chance of marrying Guy.

(I really hope he doesn't read this...)

Now, I don't know how to feel about this. He's so much fun to be around, we always have stuff to talk about, and he has told me that he would do anything for me, up to and including chasing away unwanted guys. (there happens to be one of those in my class, unfortunately. I hope he doesn't read this either)

On the other hand, he's not LDS and so doesn't have the same standards that I do.

If any one has some really good advice for me, aside from the obvious that I shouldn't be thinking of marriage at this point anyway, I would be forever grateful. Because I really can't be distracted from class right now.

(Whew, that turned out to be quite a different post than I had planned on it being. And much longer.)

San Francisco

2011-09-24T23:29:00.002-05:00

You are getting a whole slew of posts today.

I've made a good friend here. We have a lot of things in common, and we always end up talking for hours on the weekends. One day, a couple of weeks ago, I told her about NaNoWriMo and how I kind of wanted to go to San Francisco during November to visit the people who are in charge. It was just a theoretical idea, something I wished I could do. She liked the idea a lot. In fact, she liked it so much, that I now have plans to go spend a weekend in San Fran in November.

There's one week in November when we have a four day weekend, and as soon as we are released, we are going to pick up our rental car and drive up to San Fran. We're going to check in to a hotel we'll get, then we're going to party all weekend long. I have a very long list of things we're going to do, and it's going to be interesting fitting everything in.

But, I've never been so excited about something in my life. I'm actually going to get to go on a fun trip with a friend, I'm going to get to drive a car again, and stay in a hotel. I'm going to get to go to all the fun places in San Fran, I'm going to get to meet the people who run NaNoWriMo, and I'm going to have a blast doing it.

Sometimes I think I'm crazy

2011-09-24T23:10:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, usually during the week, I start to feel like I must have been crazy when I signed on the dotted line to join the Air Force. Korean is really kicking my butt, PT is something I'm starting to hate even more, (especially running because my legs always hurt afterwards), I eat less during meals because I'm so stressed and then try to make up for it by eating junk food, I sleep very little because I have so much homework and studying to do, I spend money like a drunken Marine (familial inside joke), et cetera.

Then, there are times, usually during the weekend, when I really am happy with my decision to get out of my parents house and live my own life. Like when I try on an outfit I just bought and realize how skinny and pretty my body looks, and how I can actually afford nice outfits that flatter me, aand how I have so many friends now, more than I have ever had in my life before. And also how I'm learning how to speak my favorite language in the whole world, and how if I somehow manage to survive the course, I will be able to communicate in Korean. The fan-girl in me loves this idea.

Anyway, life has had a lot of ups and downs this last week. I'm always glad when I reach the weekend, and, like at BMT, the days are long and the weeks are short. I've started to work on fixing my procrastination problem, because that and being lazy are my two biggest weaknesses. And I really don't like having weaknesses, especially not those two.

Life at the Defense Language Institute

2011-09-18T19:38:00.001-05:00

So, Mom has been trying to get me to post about my life here for a while, and since today is a calm day when I don't really have anything to do (except finish homework, but that's for a later story) I figured I could take the time to do so today.

As you all know, I graduated Air Force basic at the end of July. August 1st, I woke up at 2:30 in the morning to out-process and ride a bus to the airport to catch a 7am flight to San Francisco. I traveled with a group of five other linguists, all of them male (as it always seems to happen). I made friends with most of them, when I wasn't passed out from exhaustion, and spent most of the day at the USO there at the airport while we waited for the other groups to arrive. Then we got on another bus and drove for about 3 hours to the base (the Army calls it a post). Then we did some in-processing stuff, and I was in bed asleep by eleven. So a very long day.

For the next couple of days, we did in-processing. I started classes on the 4th, which meant I didn't finish some of the in-pro stuff, but I was glad that I got to start class so early. That meant I didn't have to do details all day because I had nothing else to do. Like most of the rest of the group had to do.

For the first couple of weeks, we were in what is called Initial Transition Program, or ITP. Essentially, we had a curfue on weekdays (10pm) and weekends(midnight), and we were not allowed to wear civilian clothes outside of our dorm room and hall. So, to make up for everything we couldn't do, we had movie nights on fridays and saturdays. I missed the first friday because they forgot to tell me about it, but I went to every single one after that, until I got in the Advanced Transition Program, or ATP. We watched movies like Priest, Sherlock Holmes, I Am Number Four, and some other movies that I wasn't happy about watching. But, once I informed the group politely that if they watched anything unrated or director's cut or rated R for especially bad things, I couldn't watch it with them. I was a little afraid at first that they wouldn't care, and that I would be excluded from the group because of this, but amazingly enough, everyone was more than willing to accomidate me, and several people said they wanted me to be included. It was an awesome feeling to know that I have friends who care.

Here's what a normal day is like for me. And I'm going to be really honest. I have gotten into some pretty bad habits that I'm trying to change this coming week.

4:45am - My alarm goes off. I hit the snooze button a couple of times
5:15am - I finally get up wearily. I quickly change into my uniform and clean up my room as best I can
5:45am - I start working on whatever homework I didn't finish the night before. Usually this includes recording something, so I have to be really quiet, as my roommate is still asleep.
6:30-6:45am - I finish the homework and start studying for the vocab quiz that will be first thing in class
7:15am - I grab my pre-packed backpack and leave for class
7:45am - I turn in my homework to my counselor, who then marks that it's done and doesn't give me any feedback on what I did wrong and what I could improve on
7:55am - class starts, and I start either drowning or feeling good about myself, depending on the day and how I did on the quiz. Class is interspersed with 10 minute breaks every 50 minutes, and we change teachers every hour
10:45am - Lunch break starts. I usually head back to the squadron to eat lunch, but sometimes there is a Korean truck that sits in the parking lot on the way back, and I stop there and get bulgogi. Then I hurry back to the classroom to get some extra studying done, but what usually ends up happening is I chat with my class leader, a staff sergeant in the Air Force who is coming back to get a second foreign language.
12:00pm - Class starts again
3:45pm - Class gets out and I rush furiously back to the dorms to get changed into my PT uniform, then I rush furiously to the Hilltop Track for PT
4:15pm - PT starts, and I'm viciously beat for 45 minutes. My legs always end up killing me by the end because I run incorrectly, and because we run at least 2-3 miles every single day.
5:00pm - To The Colors and Retreat plays, the post flag is lowered, and we are released from PT. Usually. I stumble back to the dorm to shower.
6:00pm - I head to the dining facility to eat dinner (sometimes), occasionally accompanied by a friend or two.
6:30pm - I try to start laundry, but usually can't because someone else has beaten me to the punch. So instead I try to start homework, and I get some done, but I just don't feel up to doing it right then. So I chat with my neighbors, my roommate, I call home, I try writing something, anything to postpone homework.
8:30pm - I finally buckle down and start doing homework.
11:30pm - I give up on finishing homework and waste more time on the internet
1:00am - I crawl into bed, exhausted, leaving some homework and kind of a messy room.
4:54am - I start the whole process over again.

You can see I have some problems with my schedule. But that's about what my life is, aside from days with formations and weekend days.

I'll post more soon.

Just so you all know

2011-09-10T01:10:00.000-05:00

I'm still alive, I've just been super busy. I mean, I'm trying to become fluent in a foreign language in less than one and a half years. You can imagine how hectic that is. But, I'm alive.

I am now a (sort of) free woman

2011-08-08T21:26:00.001-05:00

So, I'm back. I am no longer in basic military training, and I now have access to a computer with internet. Special thanks goes to Balgram for updating my blog for me. I'm glad I didn't have to worry about it, because I had enough to worry about while I was in Texas.

As Balgram said, I did get Korean. Yeah! And, I started class last Thursday, so I'm kind of on the fast track. My projected graduation date is late October 2012. I have a long ways to go, but since I learned the alphabet and pronounciation before even leaving home, I'm a bit ahead of everyone else. I mean, there are some people who know words and can speak a little bit, but most of the 30 people in my class can't pronounce worth beans. Reading the alphabet is pretty easy, since it's an alphabet and not a ton of characters, but most of the other students don't know all the special little rules that make 'thank you' gamsahamnida and not gamsahabnida.

Anyway, this is just a quick note to let you know I'm all alive and well in overcast California. I'll post a more detailed post about how BMT went in the next week or so, once I've had a chance to sit down and write about what I experienced.

SHE'S BACK!

2011-08-03T09:04:00.002-05:00

Lizzy has two pieces of wonderful news, that I will now summarize without any aplomb at all.

1. She got Korean! She will be studying the Korean language at the language school. I wish her well because that won't be easy, but it's what she wants so huzzah!

2. She has electronics again! She has her phone and hopefully will have access to her computer by the time I write this blog. She won't have access very often, mind you, but texting her and e-mailing her is fair game again. Those of you who felt guilty about not writing as often as you'd have liked, feel free to make it up to her right now! For starters, feel free to comment on this blog to let her know you're glad she's graduated and moving up in life!

Noble passed her Final Fitness Evaluation!

2011-07-25T12:11:00.002-05:00

Great news from Noble: she passed her fitness evaluation! She completed the requisite with 18 push-ups, 45 sit-ups, and 13:26 runtime for the mile and a half. She completed her written exam with an amazing 99% as well. She's all set to graduate and make her way to Language School!

No word on what language she'll study yet, but she's still gunning for Korean.

Her birthday is in a few days (July 28th) so if you have a second please drop a line and wish her a happy birthday!

The (slightly stale, sorry) latest from Noble

2011-07-20T12:20:00.001-05:00

Last I heard from Noble, after she was recycled she passed the follow-up tests and is on schedule, except 2 weeks behind these blog updates. Her flight is being very kind to her and things are stressful, but not terrible. She could still use your support, so please drop her a line and let her know you are thinking of her!

Week Eight - Graduation

2011-07-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

--Airmanship and core values
--Formal retreat/Airman's coin ceremony
--Haircuts (for those men again)
--Technical school briefing (or Language school, in my case)
--Commander's departure briefing
--Town pass briefing
--Graduation

This week is also the week I'll be learning what language I'll be studying. I really hope I don't have to pick for myself, otherwise I will be in trouble, because I want to learn so many different languages. (May 1st Edit: I am now desperately hoping that I get assigned Korean. If I get assigned anything else I will be very unhappy.)

This has been a scheduled post.

Now, on with Language school!

Week Seven - Airmanship

2011-07-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

--Air Force history (because everyone should know their history)
--Combat stress recovery
--Sexual assault prevention and reporting
--Suicide awareness and prevention
--Financial management (because the US people tend to wallow in debt more often than not)
--Sexually transmitted diseases (really? It's the wicked world's fault I will have to sit through this.)
--Ethics
--Evaluation of drill, reporting, and courtesies
--PT (physical training) evaluation
--Written test

This has been a scheduled post.

Week Six - The BEAST

2011-07-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

--SERE (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape) (sounds like I'm training for an apocalypse/invasion/dystopia novel)
--Deployment briefing
--Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST) (A week of essentially LARPing)

This has been a scheduled post.

Week Five - Ready to Fight

2011-06-25T08:00:00.011-05:00

--Introduction to the Code of Conduct
--TEMPER (Tent Extensible Modular Personal) tents
--CPR (of which I am already professionally certified)
--CATM (Combat Arms Training and Maintenance)
--Mental preparation for combat (this is going to be tough)
--Pugil stick application (let's go pound each other(!))
--Basic leadership
--Basic situational awareness
--AER (Air Expeditionary Force) prep (the government just can't get enough of the acronyms.)
--Public relations
--Joint warfare

This has been a scheduled post.

Happy Anniversery, Mom and Dad!

2011-06-25T08:00:00.010-05:00

My parents celebrate their twenty-third wedding anniversary today. I know it's been a rocky twenty-three years, and I wish them all the luck in the world, that the rest of their marriage goes smoothly.

Just remember to endure to the end. Our time here is really a blink in time compared to the eternities. Do something special together, and remember not to argue.

This has been a scheduled post.

Some Important Announcements from Noble

2011-06-21T15:48:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone. Noble called home again and let people know that she has been recycled---she will have to go through 2 weeks of the same training she just went through again---due to her weakness in PT (Physical Training, I assume). She is rather disheartened about it.

Her address has changed. I'll put the new address below. Fill in her name as appropriate (hint: it's not Noble)

AB "NOBLE"
324 TRS/FLT 494, Dorm B-10
PSC 3
1320 Truemper St. Unit 364020
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-6411

Noble would also like to point out that she has access to the comments on this blog, via me/her mom sending them to her. If writing a letter is too difficult or if you just want to send a short note of encouragement, please do so. She is having a really, really hard time at the moment and I'm sure she could use ALL the encouragement she can get.

Week Four - Countering the Threat

2011-06-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

--CBRNE/chamber training (where they stick us in a gas chamber. Yipee.)
--Anti-terrorism/Force protection level 1
--Security programs (probably not computer related)
--Obstacle course (I'm actually looked forward to this)
--Weapons evaluation (breakdown and assembly) (can Noble be super-spy like and do it in less than thirty seconds?)
--Second clothing issue (for the dress blues. Which we aren't allowed to wear until the end of the last week. Hmm.)
--Dress and appearance (service uniform)

This has been a scheduled post.

Week Three - Combat Lifesaving

2011-06-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

--SABC (Self Aid/Buddy Care) under fire
--Bleeding control
--Bandages and dressings
--Combat application tourniquet
--Blood clotting agents
--Splint fractures
--Internal bleeding
--Burn treatments
--Shock management
--Airway management
--Spinal injury
--Interview sessions (for those who don't have their jobs yet)

So, basically a review of five years of girls camp. Cool.

This has been a scheduled post.

Update from Noble

2011-06-06T21:33:00.001-05:00

Update from Noble's Mom:

Noble called last night again. She has read all my letters and begs for more. She was relieved of duty as Element Leader because she couldn't pass the physical fitness test. She's not too upset though because the job was getting more complicated and she is glad to be done with that responsibility. Now she can concentrate on helping her wingman and building her upper body strength. She is asking for prayers that she will be strengthened and able to pass the test so she doesn't have to recycle to another flight. She has also asked for her name to be put on the temple prayer rolls. She sounded in good spirits and other than missing her Korean music is doing great. She attended church, bore her testimony, and was given a priesthood blessing by a couple of trainees who are RM's.

I asked her if she had fun "rolling in the dirt with the rifle?" She said it was great, and she had a blast. (Not literally) She is lonely and would love to hear from ANYONE.

You heard her, folks!

Happy Birthday, Danny!

2011-06-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

My youngest brother turns thirteen today. Can you believe it? The youngest in the family is now officially a teenager. That makes me feel old, and will probably make mom and dad feel older.

Happy birthday, Danny-Dee!

This has been a scheduled post.

Week Two - Basic War Skills

2011-06-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

--Career guidance (for those who didn't get a guaranteed job, like I did)
--Weapon handling and maintenance
--Integrated defense
--Cover and concealment (this is starting to sound like I'm going through spy training)
--Tactical movement
--Firing positions (because, you know, you can't just pull the trigger. You have to be in the right position)
--FPCON (Force Protection Conditions)
--Defensive fighting positions
--SALUTE (Size/Activities/Location/Unit ID/Time/Equipment) reporting
--Challenge procedures

This has been a scheduled post.

Update from Noble's Family

2011-06-01T22:15:00.002-05:00

Noble still hasn't gotten a chance to write letters home, but here's the latest update from her family. Names have been slightly tweaked.

Dear Family and Friends,

We finally heard from Noble, a phone call Friday night!!! She is doing well and sounded great. She is part of a Flight of 48 women, down from 50 due to 2 injuries; there are four Elements of 12 women each and she is an Element Leader. She has male Training Instructors, which was an answer to her prayers as she had heard that they are "easier", and not allowed to be in the dorm during showering and dressing time.

Noble said the food is great, but is not able to eat as much as she'd like because they are required to drink a glass of Gatorade before meals and she feels full of fluid. She has not fallen out of a run, but was placed in remedial physical training to get her up to speed on the push-ups and sit-ups. They run three days and do aerobics three days. She got to go to church on Sunday, after recruiting a volunteer to go with her as they have to have a "wingman." A senior missionary couple conducted the service and she really liked them. Noble reads her scriptures every night and said she spends about twenty minutes in prayer each night.

She reported that she has been yelled at only twice for minor things because she "really knows her stuff." She did prepare herself by memorizing the rank structure and chain of command before she went. She made a friend, but that girl was one of the ones who got injured so Noble is missing her.

She cried some as we talked, partly from homesickness, partly from relief at being able to hear our voices. She has received my letters but hasn't been allowed to read them. She said reading letters is a privilege that is given when all their work is done; but her Flight is slow as molasses and they haven't finished anything in time enough to be given that privilege. At least she knows I love her and am writing frequently.

Note from Balgram: Write her lots of postcards! I'm not sure where the letters are kept but she might get a glimpse of them...you never know!

Mom, (Rosy Lass) is doing better each day. During the past year we were together all day almost everyday and we were best of friends. It has been so fun to have an adult daughter as my friend. I miss her terribly; but at the same time so glad she is gone and moving on with her life and having a great adventure and being blessed in so many ways. I have been so proud of her commitment to the gospel, her virtue, modesty and purity. I have every confidence that she will be a bright light that draws others to the gospel.

Thanks for all your prayers in our and her behalf,
Rosy Lass

Week One - Fall In

2011-05-28T08:00:00.010-05:00

--Reporting and saluting
--Medical and dental appointments (blah)
--Fitness and nutrition
--Education benefits briefing (MGIB/Post 9/11) (you know, in case I didn't do my research before joining)
--ID card issue (so since being issued my first military ID when I was 10, I've only had to live without one for less than a year.... hmmm... I wonder what that says about my life)
--Individual drill
--Flight drill
--Dorm preparation
--Warrior role
--Law of armed conflict (because, you know, you can't just shoot at people. There are rules to these kinds of things)
--Chain of command (which I almost already have memorized)
--Air Force rank insignia (which I already have memorized)
--Weapon issue (Not a real weapon, just a working replica. Thank goodness)
--Weapon parts identification
--Human relations and cultural sensitivity (for those insensitive military buffs)

This has been a scheduled post.

Noble's Address has just arrived

2011-05-23T17:43:00.003-05:00

For those of you interested in contacting Noble and sending her any sort of letter/package, her address has just arrived. I'm against posting names/addresses on blogs if at all possible, so if you'd like to get that information, please contact me:

Just send an e-mail requesting her contact information and I'll get it to you right away. Basic training isn't easy, so I'm sure she'd love to hear from us!

Week Zero - Orientation

2011-05-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

This week has been full of processing and learning the basics. The physical training hasn't started yet, but today is the first fitness test.

Things that have happened this week:
--In processing
--The men all got their hair cut
--Learning reporting statement (although I had this down before I left)
--Flight assignment (more information on my flight when my first letter arrives)
--Clothing and equipment issue
--Dorm and drill basics (learning how to make beds and roll tee-shirts, and how to march)
--Individual duty assignment (more information on my duty assignment when my first letter arrives)
--Entry control procedures (no boys allowed!)

This has been a scheduled post (all information taken from the Air Force Website)

Four Years

2011-05-20T08:00:00.015-05:00

I have been out of high school for four years now. It feels a little weird, because I didn't really do anything progressive in those four years. Sure, I took some college classes, most of which I dropped, and at one point I moved out of my parents house. But until now, I haven't don't anything in my life that allowed me to be independent, that allowed me to be an adult. In a way, I've had an extended teenage-hood.

It's been three days since I've started my true adulthood. Hopefully it'll stick this time.

This has been a scheduled post.

The start of the rest of my life

2011-05-17T08:00:00.017-05:00

Well, today I start Air Force basic training in Texas. I will be unavailable until the middle of July. However, this blog will continue to update at least once a week. (I wrote the posts back in February, and scheduled them for specific days that coincide with my training and with special occasions.)

Here's how it's going to go down. Saturday, there will be a post about what I did at basic that week. (All information taken from the Air Force website HERE and HERE, so it might not be exactly accurate to my training) Interspersed there will be posts for special occasions, like my parents anniversary, my youngest brother's birthday, etc. Plus, the letters that I send to my family, posted by my good friend Balgram.

(May 1st Edit:) So, here's how yesterday and today is supposed to go down. Monday, I checked into the hotel near the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), then went and had dinner with my family. After dinner we went back to the hotel and dad gave me a Father's Blessing before we said goodbyes. It was tearful, lots of hugs and so forth. Then I watched a little TV and went to bed early. Tuesday, they woke me up at 4:30-4:45am, and I rode a bus/charter van to the MEPS. Once there, there was a lot of paperwork and processing, etc. Between 8-9am, depending, I was officially sworn in to the United States Air Force. Then I was taken over to the airport to wait for my flight down to Texas. This flight took place between 11:30am and 4pm (Right now I don't know when). Once in San Antonio, I got on a bus to Lackland AFB, then I went through processing again. The rest of processing and getting everything taken care of will last until about 2am, after which I will finally be able to go to bed, until they wake me up again at a ridiculous hour. Sergeant Rouhoff, my recruiter, said that this will be the longest day of my entire career.

Keep me in your prayers, and wish me good luck. Until I return, this is Noble signing off.

This has been a scheduled post.

Counting down the hours

2011-05-15T21:52:00.000-05:00

So, we're down to less than twenty-four hours before I'm leaving home for good. I'm all kinds of nervous now. The thing I worry most about is physical training, because I still can't do even one proper push-up. I just don't have the upper body strength yet. So I'm going to get yelled at a lot for that.

Monday morning and afternoon is going to very VERY busy, because I don't have all my things packed away yet. And I have to cut my hair again, get my graduation box ready (everything I want my family to bring me when they come for my graduation; music, books, my flashdrives, etc.), laundry, the list goes on and on. And on top of that, I'm going to the house of a lady in the ward to see her baby horse. One last country thing to do before heading back to the big cities.

I hope everyone prays for me while I'm down in Texas. I will definitely need it. And I have a special request for you dear readers; please pray that I get assigned Korean for my language. I would appreciate all the divine help I can get.

All my love,

Noble

A New Experience

2011-05-12T00:34:00.000-05:00

As you all know, I have a cat. She's not the family's cat, she's mine. She's a pretty black and gray tiger with the occasional orange spots, and I named her Calico. Mom also has a cat, a black male named Timothy. Once we got them accustomed to the outside, they kind of like it out there, and are spending longer and longer periods outside. While I was doing the dishes after dinner, I let them both out, then forgot about them while I went on with my evening. It had been a cloudy, rainy day, but it hadn't rained in a couple hours, so I figured they would be okay.

Then, around 11:40, it started raining again. I went to check the open windows in my room to make sure water wasn't coming in, and notice that the sound of the rain was different than it had been earlier. It was much louder, almost like gun fire. Then I realized it was hailing. My first thought was making sure my brother's dog was okay. A moment later, after I had decided that he would be fine in his dog house, I wondered if the cats were still outside. This worried me, because they hadn't been outside in a rainstorm before, much less a hailstorm. So I headed out to the main part of the house, and checked out the back door. When they didn't come running inside, I wondered if they were already inside. So when mom came down to check the windows a minute later, I asked her about it. When she told me that the cats were still outside I had this unexpected rush of fear and worry. After checking the front porch, I went and got some flip flops and my raincoat on, grabbed an umbrella, and headed outside.

My cat, Calico, was crying, hiding under my dad's storage trailer. I crouched next to the trailer and tried to convince her to come out, but she was too terrified, and had every right to be. There was occasional flashes of lighting, and the hail was coming down fairly hard. Mom tried to convince me that she would be okay outside, but I was so worried for my poor cat that I couldn't just leave her there. I finally dragged her out by her front paws, which I could barely reach, and quickly carried her inside, where mom and I dried her off.

When she was dry, she kept looking at the door and running around to all the windows, probably worried for her brother, Timothy. I was worried too, so I went back outside to see if I could find him. Mom wouldn't let me stay outside, though, since the lightning got worse and there was a metal rod on top of the umbrella. So I was forced to leave the other cat outside. I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight, because I'm still so worried.

I've never experienced this before. The last time there was a rainstorm, I was fascinated by how much water was coming down. This time, I didn't even care about the water. We've had cats before, and I had a dog a long time ago, but I've never felt like this towards an animal, never worried about her like she was my own child.

Do you have similar experiences?

Watch me melt

2011-05-11T13:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was ridiculous. And by that I mean 'Holy Hannah, it's the beginning of May and already it's 101 degrees outside. I think I'll go melt now.' That kind of ridiculous. It was fine in my room with my fan on at high speed, but when I went upstairs where there are no fans and no A/C, it felt like I was melting. Compared to the downstairs, the upstairs is about ten degrees hotter. So three quarters of the way up the stairs the heat sucked away all my energy. It would have been comical, if it wasn't so stop-your-brain hot.

So we had two days of beautiful spring, then went straight on to summer. Just like Utah. Will I never escape the heat?

Note: It cooled way off today, though. It's been raining and it hasn't gotten hotter than 71 degrees. So yesterday was just a fluke. Thank goodness.

Unfortunately, most of my summer will be like yesterday, since I'm going to be in Texas. Sad face.

10 Days Left

2011-05-06T23:52:00.001-05:00

So, I have ten days left until I leave to Texas. I'm definitely getting excited to be leaving, but most of the time I don't even think about it. When I do think about it, it seems to me like it's not really going to happen. Like I'm living in some kind of dream, or something. It's really quite bizarre. But, I've lived most of my life thinking my next younger brother would be the one joining the military, and I never EVER pictured myself joining, so I'm kind of living in a daze. I've been watching a lot of videos on Youtube about basic training, and half the time I think I can do better than the trainees in the videos. The other half of the time I start to panic and wonder what I'm getting myself into.

This coming week I'm going to be adding videos to the blog, just an assortment that I've found so that you can see a little bit of what I'm going to be going through. That way when I'm gone you can think loads of good luck my way, because I'm definitely going to need it. Then, while I'm gone my friend Balgram will update the blog with my snail mail address and any letters I send home.

2011-05-03T09:08:00.002-05:00

If you love chocolate and you love food that makes your mouth on fire, you will love Lindt Excellence Chili Dark Chocolate. Best chocolate ever! Though you can only eat one small piece at a time, otherwise your mouth is as hot as the sun, and though it's a little bit expensive, it is still amazing.

Grandpa

2011-04-28T10:08:00.001-05:00

Today the family got something very special in the mail.

In 2006 my grandpa self-published the first volume of his autobiography, which he had been working on. It covered his birth until his return from his mission. Everyone got a copy; his children, grandchildren, and I think even some of the older great grandchild. I have copy number 35. It's a large, beautiful book full of black and white pictures, and it's so wonderful to have.

Today the family received volume two. I hadn't even known that he'd finished it, so it was a pleasant surprise. This volume covers everything from after his mission until today. (Well, February, 2011, which was when it was finished) Once again, everyone was given a copy. This time I have copy number 128. I am so very happy to have this, and so grateful that I have a record of my grandpa's life. I love my maternal grandparents so much.

Holding and reading Grandpa's autobiography makes me want to record my own life better, so that some day, when I have children and grandchildren, I can leave a similar record for them.

The Perfect Date

2011-04-27T14:15:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking about this a little bit lately, just sort of imagining different kinds of dates that I think I would have fun on, and I've come to the conclusion that the following is the perfect date (for me, anyway). Spending the day at an amusement park, riding roller-coasters and talking. Because there's tons of time to just talk while at an amusement park. While you are in line, while you are walking towards the next one, while you are eating, etc. My date and I would hold hands, we'd scream while riding all the scary roller-coasters (good kind of scary), he'd show of his expert skills and win a stuffed animal for me at one of the games, we'd stop at one of the shops and buy something matching that we can wear for the day, and we'd eat a delicious homemade lunch/dinner. We'd talk about everything from favorite books and movies to our personal life goals, and by the end of the day we'd each be looking forward to the next date.

Since I've never been on a date that I actually enjoyed myself and liked my date, I can't say whether or not this is a cheesy or naive idea for the perfect date.

What's your idea of a perfect date, and have you been on a perfect date?

Basic Training

2011-04-24T18:35:00.001-05:00

So I'm leaving in 23 days. Wow how time flies. Wasn't it just yesterday I still had over a hundred days? Where does time go? At the same time, time isn't going quite fast enough for me. May 16th needs to be here already. That's the day I have to check into the hotel because I'll be processing through MEPS at 5 in the morning. (blah.)

Anyway, if you want to get a copy of the letters I will be sending home send me your email address. I'm putting together an email list for my mom so that she can keep everyone updated. Also send me your email address if you want to have my basic training snail mail address so that you can write to me. The more letters of encouragement I get, the better!

Well, that was a surprise

2011-04-23T14:25:00.001-05:00

For the last couple of months my creative juices have been just about non-existent. I didn't write hardly anything, and I even had trouble reading. Meaning I didn't read. I was in a creative slump, and it was really bad. The worst I've ever had, actually. I felt a little depressed. I wanted to read, but nothing interested me. I wanted to write, but I couldn't find the right thing to work on. So when I had a quick story idea that I wanted to write down, I didn't expect very much to come out of it.

I started typing up a basic plot at around 6 yesterday evening, and a strange thing started happening. Well, not really strange, more like a familiar thing that I hadn't experienced in a long time. My brain became flooded with ideas, and I kept working on the plot until dad peeked in my room at close to midnight. I hadn't even noticed that time was passing, I was having so much fun working on this plot. After dad left again I kept working on it, determined to make use of this outpouring of creative-ness, and I finished plotting the story at around 1am. Then I looked at how much I had written.

With a few breaks for eating and using the restroom, I wrote a ten page, 83 bullet-point, 32 chapter, just shy of 6k plot. I do believe it's the longest plot I have ever written, and certainly the most detailed.

Now I just have 24 days to get this story written. It's going to be hard, but this story has figuratively lit a fire under me and I'm actually excited to be writing again.

Let's everyone give a round of applause to U-KISS for inspiring me to write again.

2011-04-19T08:43:00.001-05:00

I am quickly becoming a virus remover pro. Not something I ever wanted to be, but I guess it has it's benefits. I have now removed my sixth virus from my computer. Just so you know, not having internet protection on your computer at all, is a really bad idea.

2 year olds are pure chaos. Just in case you didn't already know that.

2011-04-17T14:38:00.001-05:00

So, as I have said before, I'm the nursery leader in my small ward/branch. On a usual Sunday I have one little two and a half year old girl named Sophie. She is very cute, polite, says please, thank you, and you're welcome, and loves playing with the toys and reading books. She's lots of fun to have in nursery every Sunday.

Occasionally I'll get a little boy, barely two, named Derek. He had copper colored hair, can't talk yet, and has just barely started being able to play in nursery without his dad having to stay.

Today, however, I had five (count them, FIVE) two and three year old kids. Chaos is one of the words I would use. Headache-inducing is another, as is exhausting. I was glad to have so many kids come in, but I'm also glad that I only have three more Sundays as nursery leader.

There was Sophie and Derek, as well as one three year old boy named Matthew whose dad just got baptized, another three year old boy named Evan who was visiting with Matthew, and a little girl, probably barely two, named Alexis whose parents are investigators. I'd had Matthew before a couple of times, and I'm still not very fond of taking care of him. Normally, as a three year old, he would be in the sunbeam class in Primary, but the Primary president always sticks him with me because he doesn't know how to act in Primary and she doesn't know how to control kids. Matthew likes getting EVERY SINGLE TOY out of the cupboard, and always refuses to put them back.

The little girl, Alexis, was adorable. She was cute and polite, though she really liked dumping things out of buckets. She didn't cry at all when her parents left her with me, which was a good thing. I don't think I would have been able to handle five kids if one was crying, because then Derek would have started crying, and two year olds are too big for me to hold two at a time.

Anyway, we had fun, I taught a quick little lesson about how God created the Earth and the animals for us, everyone got to color, and everyone got a graham cracker. I didn't have any really big problems with the kids, which was a blessing.

At the same time though, since I was running around the nursery room like a chicken with it's head cut off, I got hot really fast. But I couldn't take my sweater off because I only had a tank top underneath, and the woman who worked in the library kept turning the heat up. Then, halfway through the second hour, I started getting spots in my vision and a headache immediately followed.

In conclusion, I hope my last three Sundays are a lot calmer than today was.

This is why I love K-Pop

2011-04-10T14:54:00.002-05:00

I dare you to watch this without smiling.

Have you ever seen an American music video as adorable as this was? If you have, I'd like to see it too, because I haven't been able to find any.

I hope you enjoyed the video. If you know me well, you can probably guess how I acted while watching this for the first time.

P.S.
The scare part is this was by Super Junior, the 13 member boyband, and I accidentally learned all the members names and faces. They aren't all in the video because one left the group, one is in the military, and one is focusing on his acting career. Then there are the two who sang but didn't dance in the video, one because he was filming a TV show at the time, and the other because he had surgery on his ear.

Isn't is scary that I know all that?

Edit:
I forgot that I don't know anyone who speaks Korean. In the video they are singing about how much they appreciate the love that their girl gives them, and how much they love her back. I only understand a handful of the words they use, but I'm the kind of girl who looks up the lyrics. The song is called No Other, by Super Junior.

Missing Home

2011-04-03T14:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday and today the family has listened to LDS General Conference. It has been a wonderful experience, for the most part, but is has been accompanied by a unexpected feeling. I never thought I would say this, but I miss Utah. I hated the weather and the lack of concrete seasons, but I really miss living in Utah. I miss the mountains, I miss Temple Square, I miss riding the train, I miss friends and family, and I especially miss being able to go to places without having to spend 30-90 minutes driving just to get there.

This morning during President Monson's talk, when he mentioned the temple across from the Conference Center I felt an overwhelming desire to visit Temple Square, to walk in the fresh air and see the beautiful flowers and buildings, hear the birds and people talk, and just listen to the world around me. Unfortunately, I can't. And I probably won't get to until the middle of 2012, either. Sigh. Oh, well.

As a side note, it is eighty degrees here. It is gorgeous. I love spring.

PFCMom

2011-04-01T23:41:00.001-05:00

Advanced warning for sensitive readers: This post has shameless advertising for a loved one.

Notice: For the readers who are interested in learning from a homemaker/seamstress/cook of [number censored because it makes her feel old], I recommend the fairly recently established blog, PFCMom (it's over in my blog list). This is the blog my mom decided to start in her effort to motivate herself to lose weight. Not only does she talk about her efforts to lose the pounds she has gained over the years, but she also talks about healthy eating, cooking, sewing, [insert homemaking skill], etc. If you are interested in these kinds of things, PFCMom is the place to be!

End shameless advertising.

The best thing in life

2011-03-29T13:18:00.001-05:00

The best thing in life right now is realizing that my mom has become my best friend, even after years of me telling her how much I hated her. Thank you so very, very much, mom, for always loving me and teaching me how to be the woman I am now.

Running

2011-03-16T16:06:00.001-05:00

I went running for the first time in about a month and a half today. I stopped running temporarily at the beginning of February because I couldn't stand to run on the treadmill, which was the only place I could run because it was so cold outside. Today, it was in the mid to high 50s, so mom and I went out for a walk. Since she wasn't feeling very good, she only walked to the first bench along the trail near our house. From there, I decided to try running again, sort of a test to see where I stood and how far I needed to go before May 17th. I ran for about half a mile, turned around, walked a quarter mile, then ran the last quarter back to the bench where I had left mom.

The run reminded me how much I love running. If you had asked me at the beginning of last year whether I would like running, I would probably laugh at you, but it's true. I have really come to love running. I love the feel of the air moving past my body, the feel of my muscles working, I love how powerful I feel when I'm out running. BUT, I hate running on the treadmill. Running in place in front of a TV has no appeal to me whatsoever. I enjoy the scenery as I'm running outside, the fresh air, the feel of the sun on my front/back.

I'm glad it's starting to warm up again. I hope if keeps up, because I only have two months left, and I really want to be good at running before I leave.

Stake Conference

2011-03-06T21:55:00.001-06:00

So this weekend was Stake Conference out here in the heartland. The stake center is an hour and a half drive away, so we always drive down Saturday afternoon for the potluck dinner and the adult session, then spend the night at a hotel nearby. My brothers and parents all love spending time at the pool. I would too, except I've already packed away my swimsuit. Both sessions were amazing. The Sunday session was a regional broadcast from SLC with President Eyring, Elder Cook, and others speaking. It was really good.

Despite how wonderful the speakers all were, I was falling asleep during most of Sunday. The hotel room we got had two beds and a bed-couch. Since last year the youngest and I had been delegated to the couch, this year I had insisted on the bed. I got hardly any sleep last year, so I thought having the bed would make a big different. Unfortunately I was still stuck with the youngest, Danny, and he is a violent sleeper. So about every twenty minutes I got his knee in my behind, or a foot on my knee. But it doesn't end there.

In order to get my brain to stop thinking enough to go to sleep, I need to have music playing, as a distraction. So I had my mp3 player going, set to go to sleep after an hour. But because Danny kept kicking me, I couldn't fall asleep. Then, when the music turned off, I tried to go to sleep without it, since I was tired enough that my brain was sluggish anyway. However, both dad and Joe snore, so without the music all I could hear was wood being sawed from both my left and right. So, I turned my music back on to drown it out. It gets worse.

Mom had been cold earlier, so she had turned the room heater on to about 79 degrees. By bedtime, it had been forgotten, so we had the heater set at 79 degrees all night. And I normally sleep in a room that is cooler than 65 degrees at night, so I was boiling to death under the light covers. So I still couldn't get to sleep for another hour of music. This went on for about four cycles of music, before I finally gave up and left the music off, but kept my earphones (Skullcandy earbuds) in so that I couldn't hear the snoring. Not the most comfortable way to go to sleep. So all in all, I think I got maybe three hours of sleep before waking up at 7:30 to shower.

So on the way home I rode with Joe in his car, since he had come about an hour after we had because of work. I tried to stay awake, since he was talking to me, but the last half an hour of the drive I was dozing like crazy. Finally, about fifteen minutes from home, I let my head fall back against the headrest and I went to sleep. I didn't sleep very long, because about a minute later Joe shouts in my ear as loud as he can. I think I jumped a foot before the seatbelt stopped me. It was quite an entertaining way to wake up, and we both had a good laugh.

I am so glad I won't be here for next stake conference. I don't think I would survive another sleepless night in bed with Danny.

Regrets

2011-02-26T16:48:00.001-06:00

I don't have a lot of regrets in life. I'm the kind of girl who just goes with the flow. I plan for the future, but then I usually just let the future happen. But I do have one regret in life, and it's one my mom had warned me about. I regret not continuing my piano education.

I used to be pretty good at the piano. I hated practicing, but with my ability to play by ear, coupled with a talent for winging it, I got along just fine without practicing more than once or twice a week. In the few competitions I took part in when I was living in Virginia I always got high marks. When we were living in Utah, my parents bought a baby grand piano to try to encourage me to play more. I loved making music with that piano, or any piano really, but I hated musical theory and the little ditties that were in the lesson books. I had a great teacher that my parents paid a lot of money for, but in my immaturity I didn't appreciate it.

It's been five years since I quit taking lessons. If I had continued, in those five years I could have become a great pianist. I could have been able to play any hymn from the hymnal, I could have up the a skill level where I could play a really beautiful, complicated classical piece. I could have been able to do a lot. But instead, I can't. Instead, over those five years I have slowly lost the ability to play. I can't even play the easiest hymn anymore without stumbling over every cord.

Recently I have been listening to piano music and watching shows about talented pianists. It's been a bit like watching what I could have become, if I had just stuck with it. My mom was always telling me that I has such beautiful, big hands, perfect for playing the piano. She was always so encouraging to me, helping me develop my talent, and I now feel like I let her down, as well as myself. I tell myself, I would have stuck with it if I hadn't been forced to play stupid little songs. As a person, I hate doing useless things. If it doesn't benefit someone, I don't want to do it. I would have much rather learned how to play the piano by playing an actual piece of music, like Chopin, or Mozart. I tell myself, I should have practiced more. If I had just forced myself past the beginning stages, which I was perpetually stuck at since I never practiced, I would have been able to enjoy playing more. But I didn't.

So, when I get my first duty station in the Air Force, I'm going to take up piano again.

Memories and Changes

2011-02-24T11:45:00.001-06:00

I recently went through my large collection of pictures from back when I had a camera (I was 13-17 and I loved taking pictures). I was determined to get rid of as much as possible so that I could fit all the photos in my white furry photo album. It didn't work out quite that way, but I got to re-live a lot of good memories. And looking back at my early teenage years showed me just how much I have changed since then. I'll give you an example that epitomizes the changes in my habits and my personality.

I found two pictures that go together. One was a before shot and the other an after shot of my bedroom when I was about 15. The before picture is of my room when it was a complete disaster. Think of a time when your own room has been a mess, multiply by ten, and that was my room. I was a very messy girl, and somehow I liked it that way. Sort of. I'm going to be very blunt, and describe the picture so that you can see just how bad it was (and this was all the time, not just a rare occurrence).

The bed wasn't made, and the sheets were all separated (an effect of my violent sleeping). My wet towels would sit on the bed after I showered, and I had a giant stuffed dog (as large as a four year old) lying across the messy covers. Every flat surface, including the floor, was covered with papers, half-read books, CD cases, magazines, dirty and clean clothes, make-up that I never used, and nick knacks of every kind. Almost every inch of wall space was covered with posters of Harry Potter, maps of places I had been (or wanted to go), church quotes, Young Women posters, and American Girl animal posters. I had a desk to write at, and even had an electric typewriter (because I didn't have a computer most of the time) but it was usually so covered with stuff that I didn't have room to do anything. My dresser was covered with picture frames of family, horses, and wolves, as well as more make-up that I never used. (I had a great-cousin who always gave make-up for birthdays.) There were things hanging from my bedposts and doorknobs, and lastly, there were storage totes sitting in the middle of the floor, taking up more space.

This was the state of my room all the time, unless mom threatened me into cleaning it up.

The after picture was my idea (at the time) of a clean room. The only things that were different though, was I had made the bed and the floor was clean. But everything that had been on the floor and bed was shoved under the bed and dresser and into my two nightstands, mostly to hide it from mom. I really hated to clean my room back then. So, from these two pictures (which I would post if I could, but I don't have a scanner) you can see that I had a very messy, lazy personality. I didn't care that my room was messy all the time. I kind of liked hunting for things among the piles. When I was forced to really clean my room (not just shove it under the bed) it took me ALL DAY which was probably why I hated it so much.

This mentality lasted for a very long time. But as I got older, I slowly got in to the habit of putting things away. It was very slow. So slow that I almost didn't notice when my room remained clean and organized for weeks at a time.

This is what my room looks like at the moment: Bed is made. (I got into that habit because the cats spend a lot of time in my room and I didn't want them lying directly on the bed, where I would be laying) The floor is clean of stuff, except for one book, World Masterpieces, which I was reading last night before bed. Instead of teenage-ish posters on the wall, I have a few hats hanging above the closet doors (decoration and easy access), my most used jewelry hanging next to my dresser (easy access, otherwise I wouldn't ever use them), a calender, my Student of the Year Award (for web design, my junior year), a dream-catcher, a single map of a fantasy world one of my stories is set in, and an Asian fan. Now, my room isn't perfect yet. There is a messy blanket sitting on my hope chest, both of my bookcases are a mess, and one corner of the room has become a storage space, but all in all the room is much cleaner than it has every been in my life. The clothes are all put away in their rightful spots, and there isn't anything to trip on. So now, my personality has changed to neat and organized, though there are still instances of laziness.

How has your personality changes since you were a teenager?

Apologies

2011-02-18T11:45:00.001-06:00

I'm a little embarrassed. No, I'm a lot embarrassed. My mom decided to finally point out to me how bad my grammar is in most of my blog posts, and I realized she was right. The truth is, I don't proofread my posts, like I should. I don't know how it came to be, but I got it into my head that I don't ever have to. That what comes out the first time is right. It's something I really need to work on, because I know I'm better than that.

So, I apologize if the horrible grammar has put you off, and I promise to proofread, for the benefit of all readers.

Today's Topic: OFG Disorder and Its Effects

2011-02-15T10:30:00.001-06:00

Today I'd like to talk a little bit about something that I have suffered from most of my life. It's not a particularly dangerous disorder, but it does have a tendency of throwing my life off balance, and it has been known to completely alter parts of my life goals as well as add or change things that I do on a daily basis. My parents wish I didn't have it, and my brothers tolerate it with a lot of eye rolling.
It's called Obsessive Fan Girl Disorder, and it's an integral part of my personality. If you don't already know about this part of me, you are now going to learn (if should give you plenty of laughs at how pathetic I can be)
It goes like this; I find something (type of music, type of novels, TV show, movie, language, country, etc.) and I latch on with both hands and legs, refusing to release it until I see something else that catches my flighty attention. To demonstrate this, I'll be using my most current obsession.

It always starts with something completely unrelated. In this case, an animated music video of a Japanese Vocaliod song. This one was particularly weird, but was catchy. Then comes the first discovery, usually something similar or direction related to the final obsession, in this case a Korean girl band called Girl's Generation. I take a liking to it, and after exhausting that I go looking for something similar to feed the growing OFG beast.
Then comes the real discovery, in this case finding the Korean boy band SHINee (pronounced "shiny." They are the 'adorable' band.) From there, it becomes a full blown obsession as I find similar boy bands that I fall in love with (i.e. Super Junior (the 'wow, that's a lot of singers' band), TVXQ! (pronounced Dong Bang Shin Ki. The 'HOT' band.), and BEAST (the 'cool' band)). I even learn the names and ages of all the band members (SJ is the exception because I don't have the brain space for thirteen names and faces, especially when they look different in every music video).
From there it just gets worse as I learn to sing along, despite not understanding the words, learn to read, write, and pronounce Korean script (Hangul), learn how to type Korean on the computer, chose a Korean name for myself, and it finally tops with wanting to write a story based on one of the band's music videos.
The end result is a YouTube playlist, the ability to read, write, and type Hangul even though I don't know the actual language, and a short story I'm passionate about but unsure how I'm ever going to finish it.
I promise, this happens every time. It happened in exactly the same why when I like the Jonas Brothers, it happened when I liked Burn Notice, it happened when I discovered crime drama TV shows, and I'm sure it will happen again in the future. That's just the way I am.
The different this time, as I have discovered while thinking about how this one has unfolded, is I almost feel like I'm being led. As you readers should know I've joined the Air Force and will be training as a cryptologic linguistics apprentice, which means I'll be studying a language for a year before actually starting my job. Now, with that knowledge, and this sudden obsession with Korean, I feel like this is what I'm supposed to be doing.
This sort of thing has been happening all the time since I first heard my dad say "You should join the Air Force." When I took the practice ASVAB test with the Iowa recruiter, I got an embarrassingly low score. So I did a little bit of studying, not nearly as much as I could have or should have, and yet when I went and took the real test, I past with an extraordinarily high score, something I know I wouldn't have gotten if I wasn't supposed to join. Then, I got my heart set on desk job because I didn't want to do something mechanical, and I made all my plans based on that. Then, out of the blue my recruiter mentions a job I hadn't thought of (cryptologic linguistics) and my parents convinced me to at least take the test. So, like an obedient daughter, I took the test, not really expecting to pass. I hoped I would, but I didn't really expect to. After the HARDEST test of my life, I somehow managed to pass. I know for a fact that I couldn't have passed that test without help because I struggled so much, but I must be meant to be a translator, because I did pass. Then, I began thinking about what language I would want to learn, and suddenly here I am faced with Korean, which made an unexpected appearance in my life.
I learned how to read and write Hangul in a day. I learned how to type it in less than half an hour. Now, I may be good at memorizing, but I am not THAT good. I've never learned anything this fast before. So, I've come to the hesitant conclusion that, like joining the Air Force and getting the cryptologic linguistics job, I'm meant to learn Korean.
Sorry if this post changed in the middle. I was thinking through my fingers, and after a talk I had yesterday with mom I went back and re-examined how I got to this point. It has been a strange and enlightening journey since dad first suggested joining.
Anyway, I hope you got a good laugh out of the first half. I certainly laugh when I think of how bad my obsessions can get sometimes.

Makes me want to learn Korean

2011-02-05T15:08:00.001-06:00

In my never-ending search for new music to listen to (since I can’t listen to the radio) I have stumbled upon something really interesting.
I don’t remember how I found it because it was a long time ago, but there is a song on YouTube that is a really well done English translation of a (weird) Japanese Vocaloid song. From there, I discovered a Korean group called Girl’s Generation. And while I can’t understand the words, they are really catchy and fun to listen to. Then, I found the male equivalent, called Super Junior. Both groups are really fun to listen to, and they make me want to learn Korean.
The funny thing about these groups is they are really super groups. There are nine girls in Girl’s Generation, and thirteen (!) in Super Junior. You can’t find that large of a group in the US.

Tell me what you think. Would the US benefit by groups as large as these? Or did large bands go out with N*SNC and the Backstreet Boys? (Which of course where nowhere near as large as Girl’s Generation or Super Junior.)

Now that is cold

2011-01-23T14:18:00.001-06:00

This morning when the family all got into the car to go to church we noticed that the temperature gauge said that it was –4 degrees. As we drove to church, it got down to –5. I will be so glad when winter here is over.

My Shipping Date

2011-01-20T18:04:00.001-06:00

I finally heard from Sergeant Rouhoff, my recruiter, about when I’m leaving for basic training in Texas. I got the job I wanted, Cryptologic Linguistics and I’m leaving May 17th.
So, Graduation will be about July 15th, or the week after. Then I’ll be in California until October or November 2012 for language school (if I decide on Japanese.)
This date means I have to get a paying job until then. It also means I have to finish out the winter here, but that I’ll have plenty of time to work on my running and physical fitness. And I’ll have plenty of time to finish my novel (if I ever get my butt moving.)
So, when the time gets closer I’ll talk more about who’s going to take care of the blog while I’m gone, much like Shana did for Balgram (see blog titled AFK to the right).
Side Note: If you are interested in an online writing group, leave a note so I can get it started. Because I need the motivation.

The kitten who was secretly a puppy

2011-01-14T17:43:00.001-06:00

Recently my family got two kittens. One is mine and the other is my mom’s. My kitten is a black and gray tiger with a few adorable orange spots, one in particular on the crown of her head. She’s pretty small, about the size of a loaf of bread when she’s laying down scrunched up, and I decided to name her Calico, because of her orange spots.
She is quite an adorable little thing, and recently I have notice some peculiar behavior that has led me to think that she is a puppy, rather than a kitten.
Exhibit 1: She loves to chase her tail. Almost every time she catches sight of her tail, unless she is busy washing, she tries to snare it with her paws, going so far as spinning around in circles after it. Usually she ends up falling over, then pretends that nothing untoward happened.
Exhibit 2: She knows her name, and sometimes comes when she’s called. Whenever she hears her name her ears perk up and she looks towards whoever said it. Usually she then goes back to whatever she was doing, but occasionally, when she’s in the mood for a good rub, she comes over and leaps up into your lap.
Exhibit 3: She knows the word ‘no’. There are a lot of things the cats aren’t allowed to do; don’t touch the curtains, don’t get on the table, stay out of the toilet, etc. The family has gotten into the habit of, whenever the cats do something they aren’t supposed to—Calico loves laying on the table—telling them ‘no’ firmly, then removing them from the incorrect behavior. So now, when Cali attempts to get on the table and someone tells her ‘no’, she gets down.
So you see? My kitten is really a puppy.

Animusic

2011-01-12T15:17:00.001-06:00

A while back I was on youtube looking for some music that, when you heard it, made you think of magic. I stumbled upon a video called Magic Music, and I have to listen to it. It was by a—band? group?—called Animusic, and it was amazing. There was an animated—the good animation, not the bad kind—set of instruments, and using balls hitting the instruments, they created music.

So of course, I had to see more of their stuff. I looked up Animusic, and got a whole bunch. Not all of them were amazing, but all of them were really good. Here’s my favorite:

And another favorite:

I hope you all like these as much as I do.

Writing Group—I’m dying for one

2011-01-06T17:06:00.001-06:00

Two posts in one day. What is this world coming to?
Back in 2009 I was part of a writing group. There was just four of us, including my best friend’s older brother, who became a good friend, his former missionary companion, who also became a good friend, and another young man who I didn’t know very well. We met every week at the University with good and bad things to say about each others writing. We were all required to write 4k a week—fairly easy—and read the other works submitted before the meetings. It was loads of fun, and I learned a lot about writing, being a writer, and being the friend of writers.
Then I moved away so I could no longer be a part of the group. At first I didn’t think I would miss it too much. I was still writing, I was still talking with said friends, what was there to miss? Boy, was I wrong.
Let me just say I love having people read my writing and tell me what is wrong with it so I can fix it. Mostly I just like people reading my stuff and telling me what they like about it. It makes me feel good, and reaffirms my whole life as a writer. Without a writing group, I just don’t have that. My parents—who I love dearly—don’t like reading what I love writing, and none of my brothers read or are old enough to be of any help.
I tried joining the big websites out there like Absolute Write and Protagonize, but I didn’t like it. I like small groups, where everyone knows everyone, and everyone reads and comments on everything. Meaning no more than ten people, and even that is pushing it.
This has left me with a problem.
If I felt people would join and stay active, I would create my own writing group website. But I’m really wary about that. I’ve created a lot of websites in the past—I had a phase where I created a new website about every other week—and none of them have lasted more than a couple of weeks. If I’m going to be a part of a writing group, I want it to last a long time. I want to still be a part of that group when I’m published. I want to have people to thank on the acknowledgement page, but as of right now, I don’t.
For the readers of this blog that write and want to someday be published, I have a question for you. If I created a small website for an online writing group, would you join? Would you be active? And please be honest, because I really, desperately need a writing group.

Cryptologic Linquistics

2011-01-06T08:13:00.001-06:00

So yesterday morning I headed to the big city to take another test for going the Air Force. This time, it was to test what my aptitude for learning languages was. My recruiter told me about the language job in the Air Force, Crypologic Linguistics, and about the enlistment bonus, and I quickly decided that was what I wanted to do.
Because of my high ASVAB score, I qualified to take the test. Most people don’t qualify to take the test, and even fewer pass it, or so I’ve been told. Anyway, I went to take the test yesterday morning. There wasn’t anything I could study, because it was testing my ability to learn a new language.
It was seriously the HARDEST test I have ever taken. I’m not allowed to say anything about it other than just taking the test made me feel stupid. Thankfully I passed, but just barely. The lowest passing score you can get for other branches of the military is 90, but the Air Force, which is the branch with the smartest people, doesn’t accept any lower than 100. I got 108. The highest score you can get is 177. So you can see how close it was.
Anyway, now I’m almost definitely going to get the linguistic job, because so few people qualify for it they are always in need of new people. With this job, after basic training I’ll be going to the military language school in Monterey California. Depending on what language I’ll be learning, I could be there for more than a year. But it will all be worth it.
I’ll have word on when I’m shipping out either next week or, more likely, the week after that. Fingers crossed!

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T20:26:00.001-06:00

I hope you all had a good New Years Eve, and a good New Years Day. My family had a Pride and Prejudice marathon and watched the entire 5 1/2 hour movie. We also had an English tea party with finger sandwiches and 'crisps' and pressed cookies. It was loads of fun, though we were up finishing the movie until past one in the morning.

Here are my New Years Resolutions:

1.) Train three times a week in running so that I can run for twenty five minutes straight before I leave for basic training (pathetic compared to what some of my other friends can run, but to each her own)

2.) Finish one short story before basic training

3.) Finish one novel before my next birthday (finish, meaning ready to send to an agent)

4.) Survive basic training, language training, and tech school

Edit: As of Sunday, I have signed up for MilWordY, so one of my resolutions is now to write a million words before December 31st next year.

Short Attention Sp—Ooh, Butterfly!

2010-12-27T12:05:00.002-06:00

Sometimes—no actually most of the time—I get ideas of something fun I want to do. Saturday it was a restaurant review blog, today it’s a book review blog. I think I would have a lot of fun, and I always think that I would actually be able to follow through with it. Remember the Internet Book Database I tried to start a while ago? That never took off. My whole life is littered with things like that. Clubs that never got past the first meeting, websites that no one ever visited, memberships contracts that I couldn’t fulfill, etc. It’s right depressing.
It all comes down to my short attention span. I have the same problem reading books. If it doesn’t hold my attention captive, then I give up and move on to something else. The only thing I’ve been able to keep up for longer than a couple of months is this blog, which I’ve actually been treating more like a diary—i.e. I rant, ramble, complain, and usually don’t talk about anything of worth, with a few exceptions.
I have the same problem with my writing. One day I’ll have a brilliant idea for a novel and I want to write it, and the next day the idea has cooled off enough that I want to write something else.
Today I’m not going to just complain, though. Today, I’m going to lay out my New Year’s Resolution to change all this. I know it’s a little early, but I wanted to start early so that by January 1st, 2011 I’ll have a workable plan to accomplishing my goal.
So, my goal is to make habits of sticking with things through a.) to the end or b.) long enough to make it a permanent habit.
For my next post I’ll have a better idea of how I’m going to do that, so stay tuned.

P.S. I'm writing this using Windows Live Writer, which is the COOLEST blogging program ever invented. Just so you know.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-25T11:31:00.002-06:00

I hope you all had a happy holiday!

It's Official

2010-12-22T13:25:00.000-06:00

I'm now property of the United States Air Force.

Yesterday I went to the Military Entrance Processing Station and spent all morning, from 5:30 until after one in the afternoon, filling out paperwork, taking a physical, signing a million things, getting my fingers printed, and finally, taking the oath that swears me into the Delayed Entrance Program. So now I'm a DEP poolie.

I'll tell you one thing about MEPS; when they drew my blood, it didn't hurt at all. Not even the slightest pin prick. It was really weird, and quite fascinating.

So I just have a few more months left before I'm shipped off to basic training and start my life as a military woman. It's just not coming quick enough.

Contest

2010-12-17T08:08:00.000-06:00

I don't normally do this, but I was so excited to read about this contest that I decided that I had to give it a try.

There is this author, H. P. Mallory, who writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy. On her blog, she has posted that she's holding a contest for her fans to find someone to be a character in her book. Now, as a writer myself, I think it's a fabulous idea to have a contest like this, and I would die of happiness if I won.

One of the ways to get an extra entry is to talk about the contest on your blog, so here I am, talking about it on my blog!

Here's the link, if any of you are interested in taking a look; H. P. Mallory Character Contest

And now, we'll go back to our (ir)regular posting schedule.

The Christmas Tree

2010-12-11T08:00:00.029-06:00

For almost as long as I can remember, my family has had a manger instead of a Christmas tree during the Christmas season. Me and my siblings have always complained about this, because we like having a Christmas tree. Of course, my mom hates it because my brothers always fight over who gets to put what decoration on the tree, and we never have enough money to buy a real tree.

I've never had a chance to tell my mom, but there are reasons that I feel a Christmas tree should always be part of the decorations around the house. For one, the sweet smell of pine reminds me of the Christmas season. It's not Christmas, until I can smell a pine tree inside. But here are the real reasons.

1. The Christmas tree itself. It's an evergreen. I don't know what other people think that means, but to me the evergreen represents immortality, which is part of the reason that Jesus was born on Earth for, to grant mankind immortality, and give all people a chance to obtain eternal life. So right off the bat, the tree represents something important to the Christmas holiday.

2. The twinkle lights. This had a double meaning to me. First, each individual light is the light of Christ that everyone has inside them, that prompts people to do the right thing. And second, when it's dark outside, the overhead light is off, and all you can see is the tree light up by all the little lights, the lights combine into a larger glow, which to me represents Christ himself, because he is the Light of the World, pushing back the darkness and shining for all to see.

3. The decorations. I don't know about other families, but the decorations we use (when we actually have a tree) are all ornaments that my mother has collected over the years, each one with a special memory attached to it. So the decorations represent memories, usually of family and friends. And Christmas is a holiday of reflecting, on both Jesus' birth as well as the good things we remember in our own past.

4. The angel tree topper. We put an angel on our temples, why shouldn't we put angels on top of our Christmas tree during the holiday that celebrates the birth of him whose name we take upon ourselves? It might not look like the same angel, but when we put that angel topper on our tree, we are essentially saying 'this tree is a holy symbol of our discipleship of Christ, just like the temple is'.

Now, I may be romanticizing the symbolism of the tree and decorations. They may not have any real meaning, and may just be relics of what Christmas used to be when it was a pagan holiday. But these are what I think of when I think of a Christmas Tree.

Speed of Light

2010-12-08T22:31:00.000-06:00

I'm going to admit up front that I like reading science fiction. Not a lot, mind you, because some is just too bizarre for me, but I like what is generally termed as space opera. Star Wars is an example, though I don't read the books anymore because there are just too many of them. Of course, I haven't read a lot of classics, either. I'm still in the middle of reading Asimov's Foundation, I've read Herbert's Dune along with the first two sequels, and I've read some of Anne McCaffrey's stuff. All in all, not a very impressive list.

The last few weeks I've been struggling to find a way to earn money while I'm waiting to be shipped out to Texas. There aren't any jobs in the small town I live in, and I don't have a car so I can't drive to another town. I have just under three hundred dollars left from the insurance money I got when my car was totaled, but it's not going to last much longer, especially with a kitten to spay. So I thought I could try my hand at writing short science fictions stories to sell to magazines.

I thought it would be easy. I mean, 8k is easy for me, and I've finished a couple of stories that short before, but most of my writing has been fantasy, so I knew this would be different. I've never actually written more than a few thousand words on any science fiction story, though I have a lot of ideas. I originally thought it was just because I like writing fantasy more, but after attempting to write three different stories to sell, I realized that wasn't the case.

I'm either not smart enough or not crazy enough to write science fiction.

My idea of science fiction is more based on the silver screen than books. I like Star Wars and Star Trek, and I love Firefly and an old show called Space: Above and Beyond. The thing about all of these is that they are simple. You can empathizes with the characters because they live through situations that are translatable into our time, and the technology never overwhelms the characters and story. However, in my determination to write and sell science fiction short stories I read some of my books that have been gathering dust on my shelves, and found that simple is not what science fiction is, apparently.

I've been reading a book called The New Space Opera 2, which is a collection of short stories, (I have number 1 as well) and 90% of the stories make my head spin. For the most part I can't relate to the characters because half the time they are 200 or thirteen centuries old making bizarre choices and using technology that I could never dream of.

The other thing is most science fiction has aliens in it, and I don't like reading about aliens. That's one of the reasons I like Dune and its sequels; there aren't any aliens. I mean, I firmly believe that there are 'aliens' out there, but I believe that they have the same form we do, so reading about tentacled, gray skinned, three-limbed creatures that have three genders, speak in radio waves, and breathes methane, doesn't appeal to me.

I realized that I had to give it a try anyway, to try to write something to sell, but after struggling through ONE PAGE on one story, I gave up. I'm just not cut out for it. My writing style doesn't do sell-able science fiction, my intelligence doesn't do sell-able science fiction.

So I'm back to my favorite genre and no way to earn money unless I get a novel finished.

Noble on Minimalism

2010-12-03T22:32:00.000-06:00

Sometime during August I discovered something called minimalism, probably through an article on the Yahoo homepage. I was immediately intrigued; people who live with the fewest amount of things they can get away with? I had heard of it before, namely in a young adult book called The Gospel According to Larry and its sequels, but I didn't know it had a name to it.

As usual, I did a ton of research on it. When I want to know about something, I read EVERYTHING. Seriously everything. Since talking with the Air Force recruiter I haven't learned anything that I hadn't already learned from doing my research. I'm a bit obsessive that way.

Anyway, I found a lot of blogs to read, a lot of articles, and the more I read it the more I realized that I liked the idea, even agreed with some of it. While I will probably never be able to be an extreme minimalist, I would love to only own what I absolutely need.

In my family, it's never really been that way. We have always had stuff; books, tools (kitchen and guy tools), decorative knickknacks, magazines, CDs, even old vinyl records that my mom collected and kept for a long time even though we didn't have a working player. I learned, probably subconsciously, to keep things. I keep all my papers, I always find a reason to keep books I will probably never read again (or even read for the first time), and I can't seem to get rid of small things that are usually associated with memories. Over my twenty-one years I have collected a lot of 'stuff'.

Moving four times in less than a year has shown me that I really don't need half the stuff I lug around, and that really they are weighing me down. And when I join the Air Force I won't be allowed to have my stuff for at least the first four to six months.

After a couple of weeks of going over everything I could find on minimalism it went to the back burner in my mind, like most things do. I kept tabs on my favorite of the blogs, listed to the right as miss minimalism, but that was about it.

Recently though, I've been having to go through my stuff and start packing it up again. While I'm not leaving for several more months, I wanted to make room in my room for a desk for my mom's sewing machine because I feel bad that I'm going to be here a lot longer than anyone thought. Originally the room I'm staying in was supposed to be mom's sewing room, and she's had to do without because of me.

So I had to look at my stuff and say what I could live without for a while so that I could give her a place to do her favorite thing (so she doesn't go crazy over the winter). I've found that packing things up and getting it out of my room, as well as getting rid of things I don't have room for, made me feel good. My room felt open again, and I have places for some more things. I even got rid of all but two of my favorite stuffed animals. I only kept the two that had the most special meaning to me (one I got when my second youngest brother was born, and the second I got when I was eight and got baptized).

Yech, I'm rambling.

Anyway, what I mean to say is, while I will never get my possessions down to one hundred, or even two hundred, during the months before I leave for basic training in Texas I hope to start my way down the minimalist path and get rid of everything I don't need and never use. Hopefully without so much stuff weighing me down I will feel less tired all the time and feel like I don't have to worry about where I'm going to put everything.

If you've heard of or practice minimalism or something like it, tell me about it.

December is Here

2010-12-01T15:36:00.000-06:00

Finally. After about the third week of November I was sick of NaNoWriMo. That's a really sad thing to be feeling, sick of the novel writing month that I look forward to every year.

This year has been a disaster, though. I never got past 8k on any story I started, and I changed at least ten times. I just haven't been as dedicated to my writing lately. I've struggled to finish anything, and I've started to wonder if I'll ever be able to get published. It's really depressing.

I did manage to finish NaNoWriMo, though I didn't finish a novel. I found that the biggest reason I'm having trouble with it the past two years is I've been taking it too seriously. I've been using it as a way to get my publishable ideas written, and that's not what NaNoWriMo is about. It's about having fun writing something crappy. I may not ever do NaNoWriMo again because I can't write something crappy. Even when I banish my inner editor, I still physically can't write anything bad. It makes me sick just thinking about writing something like that.

So, since it is now December and I have up to five months before I leave for Texas, I've decided to try a different approach to writing. I've been focusing on writing novels (and once I have one idea than it turns into a whole series, which usually overwhelms me to the point I don't want to do it anymore) and what I need to be focusing on is getting SOMETHING published. Meaning, I should start at the bottom and write short stories for magazines and anthologies and get a foot in the door before I try to write a novel.

And I think I can actually do it. I have proven to myself already that I can write short stuff (even when I was trying to write long stuff) so now it's just a matter of writing one thing and finding someone who will publish it. All things considered, that shouldn't be excruciatingly hard, but we'll see how it turns out.

Missing: Holiday Magic. Please Return When Found

2010-11-24T17:15:00.000-06:00

Recently I've discovered that most, if not all, holidays fail to elicit any kind of excitement. When I was younger I used to always get that tingly, stay-up-all-night feeling the night before, and most of the month before a holiday was spent thinking about the holiday and how much I loved it and how excited I was.

As I've gotten older, though, holiday's have lost their magic to me. Maybe it's because I have an unrealistic expectation of holidays, and it never turns out that way in my family.

Here's some examples.

Christmas. I love Christmas. I love celebrating the birth of our Savior, but I also love decorating the Christmas tree, being secretive about presents, going caroling in the cold, ice skating, making snowmen, etc. My absolute favorite thing about Christmas has always been sitting in the living room with only the Christmas tree lights on and everything silent except for the soft sound of the snow outside.

Of course, my mom doesn't believe in, or like, Christmas trees, so we rarely have them. Instead we have a manger with a baby Jesus tucked inside. Now, I know that Jesus is the true center of Christmas, but I never feel like it's Christmas when we have a manger. I always feel like we've left out an important part of the holiday, the Tree. When it gets closer to Christmas I'll explain what I mean.

Here's another example, Halloween:

Halloween has been my favorite holiday for ages and ages. What could be better than dressing up as someone or something else and parading around the neighborhood to get candy? I mean, it's candy, how can you go wrong? I personally went trick or treating until I was seventeen. I know that's completely against the rules, but I had a legitimate reason, I was always with my younger siblings. (Except for that one year I went with some really good friends)

But the last two years I've been delegated to handing out the candy, and it just hasn't been the same. I don't get excited about the holiday because I'm not preparing a costume for it (I've never been invited to a party except at work) and both years I've passed out candy no more than five people came to the door all night. Even in a small Iowan town, where you would think people felt safe.

Plus, Halloween has sort of become a holiday to scare yourself, what will all the haunted houses and scary movies that happen around Halloween. People have forgotten what Halloween really is, and what it was meant to be. (Maybe I just have a romantic take on the holiday)

One last example, Thanksgiving.

The final harvest feast before winter settles in, where family gathers together to celebrate their blessings. I had completely forgotten about it this year until FOUR DAYS before it was supposed to happen. Maybe it was the fact that I spent most of the beginning of the month making gingerbread houses for the branch, maybe it was the fact that our family rarely talks about it because it always stresses mom out, but I forgot about this holiday. And I really love this one. We have some amazing traditions, and I have always loved mom's cooking.

Unfortunately this will be the first in a long time that our family isn't getting together with my mom's brother. They still live in Utah, so we're all on our own this year. And next year, I'll be all by myself wherever the Air Force sends me. Thanksgiving just doesn't fill me with thanks anymore. Sure, I have a lot to be thankful for, but lately it's been hard for my family, and holidays always make me see how little our family has.

I want to feel the holiday magic again. I want to be able to celebrate, instead of just mumble 'happy [holiday]'. I want to sit in a darkened room next to the glow of a Christmas tree decorated with memories, I want to sit next to the door eagerly waiting for the next doorbell so that I can see what cute costumes kids are wearing these days, and I want to feel like I have something to truly be thankful for when we say our Thanksgiving Prayer.

Man, I feel like I'm always apologizing for my moody posts. Instead of apologizing this time, I hope you learned something valuable; Don't take holiday magic for granted if you have it.

Halfway mark

2010-11-20T10:09:00.000-06:00

I finally reached the halfway point for NaNoWriMo, but it's still not going very good. I'll tell you why; I have switched stories a total of ten times. I haven't written more than 4.6k on anything. I feel a bit like I'm cheating, because by the time the 30th rolls around I won't have a finished story, just a large number of started stories.

I's sorry if I sound like I'm whining.

Well, this isn't turning out how I wanted it to

2010-11-11T22:14:00.000-06:00

It seems like every year I do NaNoWriMo, it gets harder for me. This year, I haven't stuck with a story for longer than two days. It's down right depressing. I have such a constant flow of story ideas and an always changing mood, that I can't stick with one project. I'm really starting to hate myself. How am I supposed to become a published writer if I can stick to one project for longer than a few days?

If anyone knows the cure for this attention deficit, please let me know; I am in desperate need for a solution.

November

2010-11-05T13:45:00.000-05:00

I have been derelict in duty of posting, and I'm sorry.

Normally during November Artemis, my inner editor, would guest star for the month while I work on NaNoWriMo. This year, however, Artemis has decided to take her vacation somewhere else. She might come visit later in the month, but I kind of worked her to death this summer, and she wanted to go somewhere where she could relax.

This November started out really badly. On the first, I was in Council Bluffs all day baking gingerbread. I only wrote about 400 words when I got home. Then on the second, I was back in Council Bluffs putting gingerbread houses together all day. I wrote about 600 words before going to bed. Then, on the third I spent all day finishing the gingerbread houses and going to Young Men and Relief Society to make sure they got decorated. I didn't get any words written that day.

So I started out the month terribly behind. Plus, the story I started writing wasn't going anywhere because I tried combining too many genres and it just wasn't working. It was a science fiction/mystery/spy/urban fantasy story about a woman who is a spy and a detective and who is clairvoyant living in the year 2314 or so. I realized, on the third when I sat down to start writing again, that it just wasn't coming out ME. It was a bit like another writer had hijacked my brain for a few days.

So when I started writing on Thursday, I started a completely new story. This one I like a lot more, and is in my usual paranormal/urban fantasy genre, which is my favorite to write in. And I wrote a little over 4k in one sitting on that one, giving myself a big leap towards catching up. The story was exciting and interesting, and while there's one thing I need to go back and fix, it was exactly the kind of thing I like to write. It has a good female main character with an undeveloped paranormal gift to discover, a handsome man who is willing to teach her how to use her gift, and a really, REALLY nasty bad guy. In this case, the bad guys are demon like descendants of Cain.

Anyway, it's back to writing for me. I'll try to post more often to keep you up to date. Until next time.

Owning A Dog

2010-10-23T09:38:00.000-05:00

When I was about eight or so, I wanted a dog. I begged my parents to get me a dog, and finally they did. We went to the local pound and picked out a six month old golden lab/collie mix named C.J. She was a pretty dog, and could have been a good dog, but at eight, I wasn't actually very good with dogs. Since she was supposed to be mine, I was the one who was supposed to feed her, but I constantly forgot. And I never went out to play with her because I was little and she was big, and she scared me. And my two younger brothers thought it was funny to throw things at her, like sticks and bricks. C.J. was constantly escaping the fenced backyard, not that she was ever getting very far, and dad was constantly upgrading her chain to keep her inside.

Finally, mom and dad decided that enough was enough. It was pretty clear--to them at least--that there was a reason she kept escaping, and and they thought it was because she was pregnant and didn't want to have puppies with my brothers throwing things at her. So, mom and dad sent her back to the pound.

For a long time, our family swore we would never have another dog. They were too much work, my siblings and I weren't old enough or big enough to take care of one by ourselves, and mom just didn't like dogs.

Cut ahead 13 years, and we have a dog again. This time, a 5 month old German Shepherd/Mastiff mix named Charlie. (Which is a funny story in itself) This time the dog is my brother Joe's, though somehow everyone else has become the caretakers. I walk him every morning, dad feeds him every morning, and the two little boys feed and play with him in the afternoon when they get home from school.

This time around, owning a dog has been much easier. I'm much bigger than him, so I'm not afraid of him--though he is stronger than me--and thankfully he doesn't bark. He only whines, and only when no one has fed him. He has his own fenced area and doesn't ever try to escape, and he's generally a loved part of the family. I don't think he would ever try to escape, even if given the chance. He always just comes back.

Sorry if this post doesn't have anything to do with the world.

My Process

2010-10-20T08:00:00.033-05:00

A while ago I read a post entry on my idol Kateness's blog about her writing process and how she imagines things before putting it down on paper. It was really interesting to read, because how she does it is completely different than how I do it.

I am a very visual person. I love watching movies and TV shows as much as I love reading and writing. My parents try to get me to stop because they think I watch too much, but in my mind it's the same as reading a good book. And because I'm such a visual person, it translates into how I think.

When I write it's sometimes hard to get the words down on paper because in my head, I see everything like I was watching a movie. So instead of being able to just think up the words to put down, I have to translate what I see in my head into words first, and it doesn't always come out right. And sometimes what I watch or read or see or hear can change what I see in my head.

I'll give you an example of this process: when I'm writing I'll see a scene in my head. It'll be very specific choreography and setting. The only thing I have to come up with on my own is dialogue. So I'll try to write what I see. The first time, it'll usually come out a little wrong, like a character turns left when she should have turned right, or I describe the walls slightly wrong. When I re-read it, I'll notice the differences, because I'll have the original playing in the back of my head and the visual of what I'm reading playing in the front of my head, and I'll compare the two. Then I'll go back and change what needs to be changed.

So that's how I write. In a way it's harder than just visualizing the words that need to be on the paper, because I have to act as translator, and sometimes my writing comes out rushed because I'm trying to describe everything I see without delving into what the characters or feeling. But it works for me.

Autumn

2010-10-19T08:16:00.000-05:00

I'm a day late, and I apologize.

The leaves have been turning and falling the last week or so and it's been getting colder. It's still a little warm during the day, but it gets really cold at night, and it's still cold during the morning before the sun has burned away the cloud cover. It's really beautiful here, and I feel kind of lucky that I get to be at home to see it.

Everything around me is reminding me why I love Fall in general and October and November in particular. Everywhere I go I see beautifully colored trees and the fields are all either harvested or a pretty golden color. There are Halloween decorations everywhere, and Halloween is my favorite holiday (not for the obvious reasons though.) The colder weather forces everyone to wear longer sleeves and sweaters, and I LOVE wearing sweaters and jackets and scarves.

And my absolute favorite thing about Fall? November First, when I can start on a brand new novel and know that I'll have it finished by November Thirtieth. I love November so much, that I'm always antsy for it months in advance.

The only hard thing about cold weather in the morning, is I have to go running every morning to get ready for basic training, and when you first go outside in running shorts it's pretty cold. My legs always turn instant red, and it takes me a long time to get warmed up.

Thankfully, I walk the dog for half an hour before I go running, so I'm all toasty warm before starting running.

Swap This

2010-10-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

The middle of last month I discovered a website that has become my reading self's best friend. It's called Paperback Swap, and once you are a member you swap books with other members. You post what books you have available, and people request the ones they want. You mail the books to the people and get book credits in return. Then, you can use those credits to order books that you want. The only thing you ever have to pay for is postage to mail the books to people.

The downside to this is they don't always have the books you want. It's a bit like a used bookstore; they only have what people give them. But other than that, it's a dream come true for someone who has limited funds for buying books.

Since joining I've ordered maybe twenty books, and mailed at least that many. It's fun browsing the books that they have available, and the website even recommends books to you based on books you rate, books on your wishlist, books you've ordered, and books you have on your bookshelf. It's great.

If you haven't heard of it already, I suggest checking the site out. It's a great way to get new books without having to invest $7-$10 in one.