Dear 11,
It's been wonderful having you as the age I can call my own for the past year. 11 is an in-between age. Still not quite a teen, but much older than a child. I really got into teen fiction with you. Now that I'm 12, 11 seems so young. But I know that if you had asked me what I thought of the ages 11 and 12 a few months ago, I would have told you something rather different. I hope the next year will be filled with photography and writing and reading and other pleasurable activities. I don't want to get lost in boys and makeup and fashion. I want to stay true to myself, doing what I enjoy. If I stray off this path, you have permission to torment me. Let the next year be filled with the sense of freedom and eternal happiness that comes with wind blowing through long hair, beautiful sunsets, refreshing lake water, inside jokes, and so much more of this beautiful world we live in. Don't let others take over your life and force you to change. Do what makes you happy. Learn lots. Read lots. Soak in all the information that life has to give you. Be that 12 year old you've always wanted to be, the one who climbs trees and takes photos and writes and reads all day long. Live in your own little world, but make sure that little world stays connected with Earth. Be a day dreamer, in other words, but always keep your feet firmly on the ground, unless you've gotta leap to reach your dreams, which I strongly encourage you to do. I'm a confusing one, aren't I? Well, just go for your dreams and be in your world and try not to think too much about what the rest of the world is doing (unless it's essential to avoid losing this wonderful life altogether). Run around and play games and be the epic being that you are.
Don't lose sight of who you used to be and who you can be.
Love ya,
Hanna
Well that wasn't really much of a letter to 11, but a wonderful letter it was anyways. Photos to come once I get home in a week or so.
August 26, 2011
August 8, 2011
New Look and Some Writing
You may have noticed that this blog has a new look! Thanks to Kati for the wonderful new header. Hope you enjoy the new design!
I've decided to post a non-fiction writing piece of mine today. I wrote it one day when I was feeling insightful. Please read and comment! Here it is.
Memories: Who I Am
It's raw writing (un-edited) so it's not perfect. But I like it. Thanks for reading!
♥Hanna♥
P.S. I've got a poll asking what you think of this blog on your right, so please take it and tell me how to improve this blog! Thanks again!
I've decided to post a non-fiction writing piece of mine today. I wrote it one day when I was feeling insightful. Please read and comment! Here it is.
Memories: Who I Am
There is an old cardboard box under my bed. Inside are many photos from past years. Every once in a while I take it out. I am reminded of who I am. This is what I discover.
The photo of me at a photography class (I took such amazing photos!) reminds me of how I was uncomfortable, or so I remember, because everyone else was older than me. I am reminded of the part of me that is determined to do something, the one who is way ahead of her age. The matureness I have.
There is the photo of me in my Brownies uniform, proudly holding up two fingers in the Brownie sign. It reminds me of the awesome times with Dolly and my fellow Brownies, my 3rd year of being in Guiding. The feeling I remember for Brownies is indescribable. It is uncomfortable, determined and crazy all at the same time.
The numerous photos of me, smiling my buck-teeth smile, reminds me of what a unique, special person I am. I didn’t care much for that smile, or how weird I may have looked. I was beautiful inside, whether I knew it or not.
The photo of me next to a dog, eyes as far sideways as they will go, tongue lolling out. I imitate the dog so playfully and yet well. It reminds me of the animal lover inside me the one that cuddles my cat for hours just to feel her fur. The one who knows that when all else fails a pet or other animal will always listen.
Under my bed is not the only place I find myself. There is the old writing book on my bookshelf, which I filled out when I was just 6 or 7, although the book was aimed at tweens and teens. My writings were so expected and basic, but yet had the unexpectedness and creativity that draws you into a good book. I didn’t answer the question about when I realized I was no longer a child, because I was still one.
I have an odd memory of thinking that the moment I realized that would be something so simple and dumb, like getting an adult-priced haircut, or reading YA books. But coming of age is so much more than that. It is about discovering who you are, growing in all different directions, and being stretched to the breaking point before being allowed to relax again. Becoming who you are isn’t about what books you read or who old you. It’s about finding yourself among the swirling storm of who you want to be and who you should be. I’m just starting that, and have a long journey ahead of me. I’ll see you on the other side.
It's raw writing (un-edited) so it's not perfect. But I like it. Thanks for reading!
♥Hanna♥
P.S. I've got a poll asking what you think of this blog on your right, so please take it and tell me how to improve this blog! Thanks again!
July 18, 2011
What I did today
So today I...
- didn't write for Camp NaNoWriMo :s
- went swimming with my BFF for 3 and a bit hours while her parents did pitch and put
- had dinner with her
- played with my dad's new iPhone
- started up my Buzz account again!
- played Just Dance on the Wii (I failed at everything 'cept "Who Let The Dogs Out"
- wrote this blog post
July 15, 2011
Things I Love
Things I love:
WARNING: Some of the following things may seem odd, unusual or in other ways not normal.
WARNING: Some of the following things may seem odd, unusual or in other ways not normal.
- scraping lint out of the dip in the dryer where it collects
- staying up till at least 11pm secretly reading Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
- my new Kobo
- sleeping in until 9am or later
- staying in my PJ's until lunch
- watching SYTYCD and screaming in protest when Sasha ends up in the bottom 3 (ok, I don't scream. I pray she has a good solo and doesn't go home)
- rafting
- dry Corn Pops cereal
- reading people's amazing blogs
- pretending to be really wise, insightful, and intellectual (which sometimes I actually am)
- writing camp (OK, it hasn't happened yet, but I promise you I will love it)
- being me
July 3, 2011
Camp NaNoWriMo
I have decided to embark on another literary mission- Camp NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, which takes place in November. The challenge is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. There is also a kid's version, which allows you to choose your own word count goal. In November, mine was 7,000 words and I met that goal. The Office of Letters and Light, which runs NaNoWriMo, has just launched an exciting new thing- Camp NaNoWriMo! The only difference from regular old NaNoWriMo, besides the camp theme and longer name, is that Camp NaNoWriMo is for whatever month you want (or at least the summer months). Unfortunately, a YWP (Young Writer's Program) has yet to come out, although there is a section in the YWP NaNo site for Camp. My goal is 10,000 words, and I am currently at 1,490 words. I wrote 631 words today! Here are my tips and tricks.
*Round up your daily goal
For example, if your goal is 10,000, like me, you will need to write 323 words per day. That's assuming you write all 31 days of July. But what if one day you are sick, or on vacation? That's where rounding 323 up to 400 would be useful. You don't need to worry as much about missing a day here and there then, because you've already got at least an extra 77 words! Plus, it's easier to remember and do math with numbers like 400.
*Reward yourself!
I made up 'milestone packs' for myself, which each include a short letter to myself about how far I am in my writing, a sour gummy, and 1-2 old Archie comics. The final pack (for 10,000 words) also contains an Airhead. I plan on adding more treats, like candy from the July 4th parade tomorrow! Having rewards motivates you to keep writing so you can finally have that yummy/fun/exciting thing you've been waiting for, and also rewards you when you finally complete the number of words you've chosen to complete before your reward.
*No excuses!
Even if you're just 10 words short of your goal, don't stop for the day. If you get into this horrible habit of falling short, you will never reach your goal. You will keep putting writing off and off until there is no days left to put it off until! Pressure yourself to keep going and write those extra 10 words, even if they're something you hate and will immediately edit out in the next month. Which brings me to the next tip...
*Absolutely NO editing!
Editing words out doesn't help you write more. It interrupts the flow of your writing and *gasp* wastes valuable words! I don't care how much you hate that sentence, how much you think the whole paragraph is just a bunch of ranting and 'then she laced up her battered shoes', DON'T DO IT! Remember, quantity, not quality.
*Use Write or Die!
Write or Die by Dr.Wicked () is a online program that punishes you for not writing while you are in it. There are 4 modes, all of which have consequences for not writing. When you stop writing, the background of the page turns red and gets darker and more intense as time elapses. The each also have another punishment. In Gentle Mode, a box pops up telling you to keep writing. In Normal Mode, an annoying sound is played. In Kamikaze mode, your words delete themselves until only your first word remains. You can also set your grace period to Gentle, Strict, or Evil. Write or Die doesn't work for everyone, but for me it is pressure to keep pounding out the words.
*Keep track of your words.
I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my word count. The one I use is located at: http://svenja.atspace.com/wordtracker.html/ It tells you how many words you write per hour, how many words you have left, when you will be done at this rate, and much more! I like using this so I know just how fast I am progressing or just how slow.
That's all my tips for now! Good luck!
*Round up your daily goal
For example, if your goal is 10,000, like me, you will need to write 323 words per day. That's assuming you write all 31 days of July. But what if one day you are sick, or on vacation? That's where rounding 323 up to 400 would be useful. You don't need to worry as much about missing a day here and there then, because you've already got at least an extra 77 words! Plus, it's easier to remember and do math with numbers like 400.
*Reward yourself!
I made up 'milestone packs' for myself, which each include a short letter to myself about how far I am in my writing, a sour gummy, and 1-2 old Archie comics. The final pack (for 10,000 words) also contains an Airhead. I plan on adding more treats, like candy from the July 4th parade tomorrow! Having rewards motivates you to keep writing so you can finally have that yummy/fun/exciting thing you've been waiting for, and also rewards you when you finally complete the number of words you've chosen to complete before your reward.
*No excuses!
Even if you're just 10 words short of your goal, don't stop for the day. If you get into this horrible habit of falling short, you will never reach your goal. You will keep putting writing off and off until there is no days left to put it off until! Pressure yourself to keep going and write those extra 10 words, even if they're something you hate and will immediately edit out in the next month. Which brings me to the next tip...
*Absolutely NO editing!
Editing words out doesn't help you write more. It interrupts the flow of your writing and *gasp* wastes valuable words! I don't care how much you hate that sentence, how much you think the whole paragraph is just a bunch of ranting and 'then she laced up her battered shoes', DON'T DO IT! Remember, quantity, not quality.
*Use Write or Die!
Write or Die by Dr.Wicked () is a online program that punishes you for not writing while you are in it. There are 4 modes, all of which have consequences for not writing. When you stop writing, the background of the page turns red and gets darker and more intense as time elapses. The each also have another punishment. In Gentle Mode, a box pops up telling you to keep writing. In Normal Mode, an annoying sound is played. In Kamikaze mode, your words delete themselves until only your first word remains. You can also set your grace period to Gentle, Strict, or Evil. Write or Die doesn't work for everyone, but for me it is pressure to keep pounding out the words.
*Keep track of your words.
I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my word count. The one I use is located at: http://svenja.atspace.com/wordtracker.html/ It tells you how many words you write per hour, how many words you have left, when you will be done at this rate, and much more! I like using this so I know just how fast I am progressing or just how slow.
That's all my tips for now! Good luck!
Hilarious Video!
This is such a hilarious video! You may think the barking is from a dog outside, but I think not. The cat opens it's mouth when it turns around, at the exact same time the animal barks. This could be just a well timed soundtrack, but I believe the cat was actually barking. SOOO cute!
June 28, 2011
The Blunt Sword and YAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Odd post title, I know.
The blunt sword part refers to "to be blunt", the expression. Being blunt means being perfectly honest and telling exactly what you think. For example, imagine a guy asked you to the school dance next week. If you didn't like him, the blunt answer would be to simply tell him "I don't like you, so no." But anyways, I think it's kind of a contradictory expression, because a blunt sword, if thrust into someone's side, would hurt less than a sharp one. Blunt answers are generally more hurtful ones. Also, blunt swords are less intense, clear, and, well, sharp, than blunt ones. So why, oh why, do we use the expression blunt to mean something the exact opposite? Just my little musing.
Now, for the YAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! part. That yahoo was for only having 1/2 a day of school left. Tomorrow at noon I can bask in the sun of late nights, sleeping in till 9:30, writing, camping, plane-flying (well being in one), and the warm, Hawaii-style days. SUMMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!
TTYL!
Hanna
The blunt sword part refers to "to be blunt", the expression. Being blunt means being perfectly honest and telling exactly what you think. For example, imagine a guy asked you to the school dance next week. If you didn't like him, the blunt answer would be to simply tell him "I don't like you, so no." But anyways, I think it's kind of a contradictory expression, because a blunt sword, if thrust into someone's side, would hurt less than a sharp one. Blunt answers are generally more hurtful ones. Also, blunt swords are less intense, clear, and, well, sharp, than blunt ones. So why, oh why, do we use the expression blunt to mean something the exact opposite? Just my little musing.
Now, for the YAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! part. That yahoo was for only having 1/2 a day of school left. Tomorrow at noon I can bask in the sun of late nights, sleeping in till 9:30, writing, camping, plane-flying (well being in one), and the warm, Hawaii-style days. SUMMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!
TTYL!
Hanna
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