Hi everyone!
Finally, it's time.
After months of pondering my baby blog's name, I've changed it to The Sea Cow Diaries. Explanation to come soon!
Cheers!
Jenn
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
NaNo 2013: Stressed?
Hi everyone!
Ah, let's talk about something that starts in five days: National Novel Writing Month, aka, NaNoWriMo. It's where you sit down and write 50K words in one month, a novel. It doesn't sound like fun this year, and let me elaborate, if I may.
First, it's going to be a lot of work. With my current relationship and other friendships, this will be a lot of work in general. Socially, I might just tell everyone "good-bye" for the month, only, I don't think my boyfriend would appreciate that. Any other NaNoers have any suggestions?
Second, I'm the president of a book club! I know, super exciting, right? I started with along with a Freshman in my high school, and the first meeting was last Friday! So, I'd say that things are going pretty smoothly. I'll be posting on it as time goes by, expanding my hobbies and stuff. Because only true leaders should write blogs and blah blah blah.
Third, I am going to a HOBY convention in TEN DAYS! Oh my cows, where has the time gone? I need clothes and sweaters and shirts and to look professional and goodness this is going to be a lot of work! But while I'm there I'll learn a lot about how to be a leader, what to think about being a leader, how to act out leading--and a lot of this stuff can help with the book club! So, yay conventions!
Fourth, I am a tree nymph in my town's production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Pretty exciting, eh? I'm very hyped about this and it should be a lot of fun! I cannot wait to get rolling, and just a little less than a month before opening night--and I haven't rehearsed at all! Scary, right? Well, no. Well, we'll see. I'm kinda nervous due to my lack of practicing, but it shouldn't be too hard, yes? YES.
Fifth, NANOWRIMO. Can I just voice how absolutely terrified I am for this? Yes? Alright: I am HORRIFIED FOR NANO. I don't even know if I can do it! But I will try, and I will vlog every day that I can for NaNo (not the convention days, though, sorry!). I know this blog has been lacking and will continue to lack, but I will be making video content for sure. So, hopefully this works out okay. :)
Anyway, five major huge stressors and we're not even talking about blacksmithing yet! That'll be so much fun, I can't wait to introduce you all to it. Haha. Hahahahaha.
But prayer request: There's something a bit odd with my body right now, and I'd love to have some supportive prayers. <3 I can't elaborate, but it's freaking me out and I'm finding it hard to trust God in the moment.
Cheers!
Jenn
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? What are your biggest stresses right now? How do you relieve them? If you could give one piece of general advice to the first person that comes to your mind, what would it be?
Ah, let's talk about something that starts in five days: National Novel Writing Month, aka, NaNoWriMo. It's where you sit down and write 50K words in one month, a novel. It doesn't sound like fun this year, and let me elaborate, if I may.
First, it's going to be a lot of work. With my current relationship and other friendships, this will be a lot of work in general. Socially, I might just tell everyone "good-bye" for the month, only, I don't think my boyfriend would appreciate that. Any other NaNoers have any suggestions?
Second, I'm the president of a book club! I know, super exciting, right? I started with along with a Freshman in my high school, and the first meeting was last Friday! So, I'd say that things are going pretty smoothly. I'll be posting on it as time goes by, expanding my hobbies and stuff. Because only true leaders should write blogs and blah blah blah.
Third, I am going to a HOBY convention in TEN DAYS! Oh my cows, where has the time gone? I need clothes and sweaters and shirts and to look professional and goodness this is going to be a lot of work! But while I'm there I'll learn a lot about how to be a leader, what to think about being a leader, how to act out leading--and a lot of this stuff can help with the book club! So, yay conventions!
Fourth, I am a tree nymph in my town's production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Pretty exciting, eh? I'm very hyped about this and it should be a lot of fun! I cannot wait to get rolling, and just a little less than a month before opening night--and I haven't rehearsed at all! Scary, right? Well, no. Well, we'll see. I'm kinda nervous due to my lack of practicing, but it shouldn't be too hard, yes? YES.
Fifth, NANOWRIMO. Can I just voice how absolutely terrified I am for this? Yes? Alright: I am HORRIFIED FOR NANO. I don't even know if I can do it! But I will try, and I will vlog every day that I can for NaNo (not the convention days, though, sorry!). I know this blog has been lacking and will continue to lack, but I will be making video content for sure. So, hopefully this works out okay. :)
Anyway, five major huge stressors and we're not even talking about blacksmithing yet! That'll be so much fun, I can't wait to introduce you all to it. Haha. Hahahahaha.
But prayer request: There's something a bit odd with my body right now, and I'd love to have some supportive prayers. <3 I can't elaborate, but it's freaking me out and I'm finding it hard to trust God in the moment.
Cheers!
Jenn
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? What are your biggest stresses right now? How do you relieve them? If you could give one piece of general advice to the first person that comes to your mind, what would it be?
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Let's Talk: Saying Goodbye to Ballet
Hi everyone!
This post is going to be... erm, difficult for me. And for reasons that hopefully can be understood. Because right now, we're going to talk about why I had to say goodbye to my first passion, ballet. It wasn't a guy, it wasn't an obsession, it was a passion. It was something that was supposed to give me a future. A life.
But not anymore.
I started heavily thinking about quitting in 2012. It was late in the year, I had just started pointe, I was happy with my dancing but not with my body. In fact, it became hard to deal with my body looking so... awkward. I didn't look pretty en pointe. I looked weird. Stocky, heavy, even when I was fully lifted. I couldn't close first position because my calf muscles were too big. I started missing Irish dancing--not because it was better, but because I was better built for it. Ballet was something amazing, but Irish dancing was more fitting for me.
And then I danced in a showcase in May 2013. It was a fundraiser for school, and I did a more jazzy routine. I thought it looked okay. But after having my mom video tape it, I thought something different. The technique, positions, everything was on--but it still looked awkward. I cried that night harder than any other time I had ever cried. It was like being put through a breakup... because my passion couldn't take it.
It wasn't until this past July that I went back. I was determined to get better, to start running, to stop eating so much, to become skinnier and get rid of my bulky muscles forever. But then, something else ended up stopping me, and killing my career: Achilles tendonitis.
It was only after three weeks of being back at ballet that I started having a hard time walking. The bottoms of my heels hurt, my calves hurt, and my Achilles couldn't bear to be stretched. Something was wrong, and after talking to both my mom and my dance teacher, we made the hardest decision I've ever had to make: I quit dance.
I don't think the impact of it has hit yet. I still think about going back, about barre, about everything. But it's already October and my Achilles are still incredibly sensitive, and I often have to take it easy. Irish dancing has been cut back, any dancing has to be limited to twenty or so minutes--it's the cruelest trick of fate there ever was.
And now the hardest part is replacing that hobby with something else. I'm back to blogging, writing, researching, focusing on this new relationship, and hopefully am going to find something. Something to replace that passion. It's a hard road, but this blog'll probably get a lot more interesting. (:
Cheers!
Jenn
This post is going to be... erm, difficult for me. And for reasons that hopefully can be understood. Because right now, we're going to talk about why I had to say goodbye to my first passion, ballet. It wasn't a guy, it wasn't an obsession, it was a passion. It was something that was supposed to give me a future. A life.
But not anymore.
I started heavily thinking about quitting in 2012. It was late in the year, I had just started pointe, I was happy with my dancing but not with my body. In fact, it became hard to deal with my body looking so... awkward. I didn't look pretty en pointe. I looked weird. Stocky, heavy, even when I was fully lifted. I couldn't close first position because my calf muscles were too big. I started missing Irish dancing--not because it was better, but because I was better built for it. Ballet was something amazing, but Irish dancing was more fitting for me.
And then I danced in a showcase in May 2013. It was a fundraiser for school, and I did a more jazzy routine. I thought it looked okay. But after having my mom video tape it, I thought something different. The technique, positions, everything was on--but it still looked awkward. I cried that night harder than any other time I had ever cried. It was like being put through a breakup... because my passion couldn't take it.
It wasn't until this past July that I went back. I was determined to get better, to start running, to stop eating so much, to become skinnier and get rid of my bulky muscles forever. But then, something else ended up stopping me, and killing my career: Achilles tendonitis.
It was only after three weeks of being back at ballet that I started having a hard time walking. The bottoms of my heels hurt, my calves hurt, and my Achilles couldn't bear to be stretched. Something was wrong, and after talking to both my mom and my dance teacher, we made the hardest decision I've ever had to make: I quit dance.
I don't think the impact of it has hit yet. I still think about going back, about barre, about everything. But it's already October and my Achilles are still incredibly sensitive, and I often have to take it easy. Irish dancing has been cut back, any dancing has to be limited to twenty or so minutes--it's the cruelest trick of fate there ever was.
And now the hardest part is replacing that hobby with something else. I'm back to blogging, writing, researching, focusing on this new relationship, and hopefully am going to find something. Something to replace that passion. It's a hard road, but this blog'll probably get a lot more interesting. (:
Cheers!
Jenn
Monday, September 30, 2013
Welcome ... Back?
Hello everyone!
Wow, guys. It's been a super long time. Basically a month.
And I've missed blogging.
But, here's the time for the biggest reveal of EVER--Me:
Crazy to see the one behind this madness, huh? But, you may be wondering: "Who's that guy, Jenn?"
*ducks behind computer screen* Well, um, my boyfriend?
And I'm not posting this in a bragging way. It's only been two weeks, but this blog is about being a teenager--making it to college alive and going from there. Relationships matter in all that. But, that's just one reason I've been so busy. The others are:
Wow, guys. It's been a super long time. Basically a month.
And I've missed blogging.
But, here's the time for the biggest reveal of EVER--Me:
 |
| (I'm the one on the left--the female) |
*ducks behind computer screen* Well, um, my boyfriend?
And I'm not posting this in a bragging way. It's only been two weeks, but this blog is about being a teenager--making it to college alive and going from there. Relationships matter in all that. But, that's just one reason I've been so busy. The others are:
- Homecoming! busiest week *ever*! I died last week and am still waiting to regain consciousness.
- School. I honestly didn't think blogging and school would be that hard but--it is. It's extremely hard. I have a lot to tell you, though, I just need to get some things out. (thank you this post!)
- Dance--well, that I quit, anyway. It made life suddenly very difficult, even with the happiness of a new relationship. I miss it. (this needs to be explained and will, for sure)
- Home life--Mum and dad are now both working long hours and so I've taken cleaning under my wing--especially 'cause I have no dance classes to attend anymore. I am lucky enough, though, to have an 8-year-old Irish dancing student now, so cleaning the house for her visits make the ordeal worth it.
- Devotions--I've taken to doing morning devotions every day but Sunday ('cause Church, and stuff), and it's been something I wanted to devote myself fully to. Thank you all for your patience as I've taken a brief hiatus from blogging and instead growing closer to God. (:
And otherwise... My life is pretty much the same. Just some differences. Homecoming was a blast, I cannot wait to vlog about it, and life is going pretty smoothly. :) Thank you all so much for every bit of your patience and fidelity! I can't wait to elaborate on some of these topics.
Also, big shout-out to Lauren, one of my blogging friends, who has recently had some trauma in her life. I've been praying and so have many others, and we wanted to all say we love you, chica. If you're reading this... we really have been praying hard. <3
Cheers!
Jenn
P.S. I've missed you all so much!!!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Out of Inspiration
Hi everyone!
Everywhere I look, there's something going on. Everywhere. And often times it's tough and difficult and crazy stuff, but some days it's easy and fun stuff. But no matter where I look, it feels so draining.
Myer Briggs is something I turn to often, but I'd like to talk about I's right now. ("I" is short for Introverted) So, if you don't know what Myer Briggs is, that's okay. If you understand what an Introvert is (someone who draws energy from being alone rather than in big groups), then you should be all set for this post.
Right Now: I'm watching Once Upon a Time on Netflix. I'm alone, it's 1:33 am and I'm waiting for my nails to dry. I went to go see a movie with my mom, and afterwards was shocked with an interesting question. I'm trying to figure out how to get everything done in my life. I'm thinking over my list: write more blog posts, figure out what I need to post about, edit my vlogs and post them, get my homework done and done well. Not to mention a million other social things.
And life, no matter how much more complex than that, can be draining. Which is why I wanted to make a post to try and help myself figure out a calming method for those weeks when you get no alone time. If you want to do this with me, please just take a moment and erase whatever is on your mind. Those problems will be there when you come back, but right now, just close your eyes and focus on you.
In Stargirl (Jerry Spinell), Stargirl takes a few moments in her life to go to a "special place", and then imagines herself being erased, and just becomes the world. In the same way, that's how Introverts can best gather energy. Being apart of the world, but not of it. Stop thinking about social issues or societies or whatever else *coughpubertycough* and just take in the earth as it spins. Relax. I love this concept, and wish I had used it more as I was growing up. Special Places are magical.
Now, this may seem self-centered to some of you--being focused on yourself (as a Christian girl) can seem wrong. I mean, we're supposed to focus on serving and being apart of the church and, I don't know, GOD. But I think my strongest argument is that if we don't take some time away from what makes us tired, we aren't doing our best job serving anyone. We're going to be stressed and strung out unless we take a moment from our day to refocus ourselves--to recharge and relax.
Recently, with school and social stuff, I've just been feeling drained. And forgetting about errands I had to do tomorrow, I totally committed to something and now feel even more tired just thinking about it (ahhhhh how horrible of me). So, I think I'll be taking some time to meditate and relax and recharge.
Because I know a lot of my fellow blog ladies are going through some really tough times, just know that I love you. <3 I hope you all recharge and refocus yourselves, even just for a moment. It gets better from here.
Cheers!
Jenn
Everywhere I look, there's something going on. Everywhere. And often times it's tough and difficult and crazy stuff, but some days it's easy and fun stuff. But no matter where I look, it feels so draining.
Myer Briggs is something I turn to often, but I'd like to talk about I's right now. ("I" is short for Introverted) So, if you don't know what Myer Briggs is, that's okay. If you understand what an Introvert is (someone who draws energy from being alone rather than in big groups), then you should be all set for this post.
Right Now: I'm watching Once Upon a Time on Netflix. I'm alone, it's 1:33 am and I'm waiting for my nails to dry. I went to go see a movie with my mom, and afterwards was shocked with an interesting question. I'm trying to figure out how to get everything done in my life. I'm thinking over my list: write more blog posts, figure out what I need to post about, edit my vlogs and post them, get my homework done and done well. Not to mention a million other social things.
And life, no matter how much more complex than that, can be draining. Which is why I wanted to make a post to try and help myself figure out a calming method for those weeks when you get no alone time. If you want to do this with me, please just take a moment and erase whatever is on your mind. Those problems will be there when you come back, but right now, just close your eyes and focus on you.
In Stargirl (Jerry Spinell), Stargirl takes a few moments in her life to go to a "special place", and then imagines herself being erased, and just becomes the world. In the same way, that's how Introverts can best gather energy. Being apart of the world, but not of it. Stop thinking about social issues or societies or whatever else *coughpubertycough* and just take in the earth as it spins. Relax. I love this concept, and wish I had used it more as I was growing up. Special Places are magical.
Now, this may seem self-centered to some of you--being focused on yourself (as a Christian girl) can seem wrong. I mean, we're supposed to focus on serving and being apart of the church and, I don't know, GOD. But I think my strongest argument is that if we don't take some time away from what makes us tired, we aren't doing our best job serving anyone. We're going to be stressed and strung out unless we take a moment from our day to refocus ourselves--to recharge and relax.
Recently, with school and social stuff, I've just been feeling drained. And forgetting about errands I had to do tomorrow, I totally committed to something and now feel even more tired just thinking about it (ahhhhh how horrible of me). So, I think I'll be taking some time to meditate and relax and recharge.
Because I know a lot of my fellow blog ladies are going through some really tough times, just know that I love you. <3 I hope you all recharge and refocus yourselves, even just for a moment. It gets better from here.
Cheers!
Jenn
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