An Open Letter to my Blog. And kind of my stupid brain.

Dear Blog,
I feel like I should apologize for quitting BEDA part of the way through, but, well, I had to focus on my paper. And that paper is now done and turned in and I can finally breathe. I had to focus and get work done. I sort of knew in the back of my mind that I shouldn't do BEDA, because of this big paper, but, of course, my stupidly driven mind wouldn't let me 'not' try. But in the end, I'm Sorry That I'm Not Sorry.
Signed Emily.

Three days, one BEDA post, BAM

I am come to a conclusion. As long as I post content representing every day of April, I don't have to do an actual post every day. With all of the projects and papers I have in the next couple weeks, it's possible mass posts might become a regular thing.

So hello. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Mine was jam-packed, hence the not-posting/writing anything. Here is a list of notable things that happened:

Friday
- School
- Ice cream Fridays (a thing every high schooler needs to survive a long week)
- ACT prep
- Freaked out about failing the ACT
- More ACT prep

Saturday
- Took the ACT
- Drove 3 hours to Michigan
- Ate an ENTIRE Chipotle burrito in ONE SITTING.

I AM THE MASTER COMMANDER (confused? reference from here)

- Went to the sold out Death Cab for Cutie concert, which was awesome! And I got this gorgeous tour shirt

- Stayed up late talking to the lovely girl I was staying with, even though we were both very tired

Sunday
- Ate reallly bad dorm food
- Was locked out of the dorm I was staying in and bummed around campus for an hour*
- Slept the whole ride home then went for a run to feel less lazy
- Started a project that's due Tuesday (I'm on top of things) and stressed out about getting my paper's thesis approved

So that was my weekend, sorry this probably isn't interesting. I'm going to talk about the concert tomorrow because I need sleep. School is going to hit me like a bus tomorrow. Good night loves :)

The Hanging Tree

If you have read Suzanne Colin's Mockingjay, you'll have heard of this song before. From what I remember (my copy is on lone currently), Katniss's father use to sing it in the forest and it is referenced several times through out the book. It's a beautiful song, just like songs from the previous books. Recently, a YouTuber named Lex Croucher posted a video of herself singing the song over some gorgeous shots of a forest. I'm going to post the lyrics and the video below because I can not stop listening to it. Have a lovely evening, see you tomorrow :)

Are you, are you 

Coming to the tree,

Where they strung up a man they say murdered three.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it seem,

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree. 

Are you, are you 

Coming to the tree,

Where the dead man called out for his love to flee.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it seem,

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree. 

Are you, are you 

Coming to the tree,

Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it seem,

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree. 

Are you, are you 

Coming to the tree,

Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.

Strange things did happen here

No stranger would it seem,

If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree. 

Sleepy Sherlock Discussion

All I want to do right now is crawl into bed, watch vlogbrothers videos, then sleep for a long time. But no. I am here, ignoring my Beowulf project and talking to you. Feel the love. I will stretch my love even further by talking about my favorite television show: Sherlock.

The show Sherlock is a modern day Sherlock Holmes story and is very accurate to the original Conan Doyle stories. It follows an arrogant yet brilliant Holmes and his flatmate and only friend Dr. Watson who is a retired army doctor(and in this series, also a blogger!). The two live in 221B Baker Street and help the police solve especially difficult cases. This series airs on BBC1 [but I am in America, so I watch it online] and stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, and Mark Gatiss, who is also a co-writer with Steven Moffat.

There are many unique qualities to this show. First off, each episode is a film: it is an hour and half long covering one story. This not only helps the pacing but also allows the writers to go into detail about each case. The extended length, unfortunately, allows for three episodes per season. The second series finished in January, and the third begins production in 2013.

The first six episodes are as follows:
Series 1
A Study in Pink
The Blind Banker
The Great Game
Series 2
A Scandal in Belgravia
The Hounds of Baskerville
The Reichenbach Fall

Another brilliant thing about this show is the cinematography. The on-screen text, the zooms, and even the angles are gorgeous. It feels so lifelike, as if the viewer is in Sherlock's head and can see everything the way he does. 

Speaking of Holmes, the casting is fantastic. Benedict Cumberbatch is the perfect Sherlock; the way he delivers long speeches, how he can make you love and hate him at the same time, the little ticks Cumberbatch adds creates the character, making you believe him completely. Freeman is a perfect companion as John Watson, meshing perfectly with Cumberbatch, creating the ultimate crime solving duo.

I could talk about this for hoooours, but I am going to stop here, because my motivation to do anything has disappeared. If you have finished both seasons AND ONLY BOTH, definitely watch the video documentary Sherlock: Uncovered. (Link to part 1)

Fading quickly, good night and thanks for reading :)

Short and Uninteresting

You know when you are on vacation or a break from school and you get that beautiful illusion of everything being in order and having control? Then you get back to school, and the illusion is promptly shattered? Well, that just happened to me. I am stressing about getting everything done well and on time. So this post will be short. Because I need to go...

And that is what I wrote about 5 hours ago when I got home from school. Since then I've gotten most of my homework done but am still as stressed. Woot woot. Can you believe it's already April 10? 1/3 of the way done with BEDA! We'll see how the rest of the month goes haha. All righty, that is all I have to say today. Sorry I'm not more interesting. Tomorrow will be better, I promise :)

Good night bloggg

Currently Reading: Wicked (still)
Currently Listening to: Who'd Have Known? by Lily Allen (I am in love with this song) and just listened through the album Torches by Foster the People- Pretty good, enjoyed it.
Days till (1st) Paper is due: 20

Spring Playlist

Now that spring break is over, I will accept that it is, in fact, spring. I love winter but there is something beautiful about the sun rising earlier, fresh fruit, and only a few more weeks of school left to survive. To get myself, and hopefully you, into the spring spirit, I present my (current) spring playlist: 

Forever Yours by Alex Day

The Time of Your Life by Alex Day

Colors by April Smith and the Great Picture Show

Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake

C'est la Mort by The Civil Wars

Don't You by Darren Criss

Lover to Lover by Florence + The Machine

Don't Stop (Color on the Walls) by Foster the People

Some Nights by Fun.

All Alone by Fun.

You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates

When We First Met by Hellogoodbye

I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

Not Fair by Lily Allen

Who'd Have Known by Lily Allen

That Green Gentlemen [Things have Changed] by Panic at the Disco

The Calculation by Regina Spektor

Dance Anthem of the 80's by Regina Spektor

Asleep by The Smiths

My Favourite Book by Stars

Personal by Stars

Barricade by Stars

Vagabond by Wolfmother

Even though it is only 10:18, I need to head to bed or 6:30 am will not be pretty. Tell me some of your spring tracks! I'm always looking for new music. Goodnight lovelys :)

Currently Reading: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Currently Listening to: Look up, silly goose!

Days till Paper is Due: 21

The word of the day is fantastic

I must admit, blog, I almost skipped writing today's post. The sole reason for this is that I started an incredible book and have barely put it down all day. It is Divergent by Veronica Roth and I love it. I am on page 445 of 487 and have just devoured this book. Out of the 6 hours I spent today in a car, 4 were spent reading this. The other two were begrudgingly spent taking notes for my paper. We have to use this note card system for allll of our notes and I am having trouble adjusting to it. Oh well, maybe I'll be better at it by the end of this month.

On a different note, does anyone listen to the band Stars? I heard about them around Christmas and they are fantastic. I just got four of their albums and listened to them all the way through in the car today. Just for fun, here is a list of my favorite songs by Stars:

• Personal
• Barricade
• Fairytale of New York
• Heart
• My Favourite Book
• Take Me to the Riot
• In Our Bedroom After the End
• The Passenger
• Romantic Comedy

Once again, sleepiness is consuming me. I think I'll go finish Divergent, then go pass out. Have a lovely night, see you tomorrow!
Currently Reading: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Currently Listening to: Barricade by Stars (In LOVE with this song)
Days till Paper is Due: 22

Hunger Games Rant

Let's talk Hunger Games, yeah?

For those who somehow haven't heard of this series, here's a quick summary: a futuristic North America has split into thirteen districts and one ruling Capitol.  After a terrible rebellion from the districts, the Capitol creates a yearly event called the Hunger Games. This awful ordeal requires that a boy and a girl, between the ages of 12-18, are chosen from each district to compete in a televised battle-to-the-death that is mandatory viewing for all citizens. Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl from district 12, volunteers for the games in place of her sister.

One of the name points in this book is commenting on how people buy into horrific events: they will do anything for good entertainment. Viewers cheer for children to die and brutally murder one another, just so their favorite will win. They bet on people's lives, forgetting that they are humans, children. Capitol dwellers buy shirts, programs, etc. in promotion of the games.

Now let's look at the hype surrounding the release the first film. A wide range of merchandise surrounding the franchise is now available, from t-shirts to books about the film to tote bags, etc. And it makes me angry. This is exactly what the books is condemning. Can someone justify to me promoting a movie/book series by doing something the book/movie says not to do? Okay.

Rant over. Have a lovely evening everyone, I'm going to go watch Sherlock. Bye!

Currently Reading: Across the Universe by Beth Revis.
Currently Listening to: Fairytale of New York by Stars
Days till Paper is Due: 23 (Shit)

"Hammer, meet nail!"

I'm good at this guys, I swear. Only an hour late today...Sadly this is the first opportunity I've had to write all day. I've been on the move doing things since seven am, no breaks. Don't you just love Spring Vacation? Since I am half awake and exhausted, today's (yesterday's) post will be, my favorite, a list.

Thoughts from the day:
- Nathan Fillion is extremely attractive, even though he is old enough to be my dad.
- Some fashions really confuse me. I can accept different styles and patterns but when clothes prevent normal body movement, there is a bit of a problem.
- Prom. It seems so simple yet gets tangled into this awful, dramatic ordeal. High school can be over now.
- This damn TV keeps skipping. During Dr. Horrible. Never okay.
- Is that Apple store heaven on earth? I think so.
- I am SO far behind on this paper. Every time I seem to get ahead, I feel forty paces behind. Stress stress stress.
- I want to move to London. Or Edinburgh. Or Amsterdam. Somewhere I can read, drink coffee, walk around, and think complexly. No longer be drained and depressed, just at peace with who I am and what I want.

This is no longer coherant. Good night blog

*There is very little connection between the title of this post and the actual post. Basically, I needed a name and that line came on. And, well, the rest is obvious.

Change

Cleaning always brings back forgotten memories. So often I throw programs/ticket stubs/pictures into my closet and forget about them. Today, when I cleaned it for the first time in months, all these events come flooding back to me. Pictures from elementary school, birthday cards, copies of favorite music pieces, etc. They bring back fun memories, scratch at old scars, and remind me how much I've changed in my short 17 years on earth. Three years ago, at the start of high school, I wanted to be a jock Be a twelve short athlete, get amazing scholarships, and play softball professional. I was at the top of class for grades and hoped to be in the top ten for my high school class. All of these aspects have changed. And seeing as I am infinitely happier then I was back then, I changed for the better. Hopefully.

Have a lovely evening, I'm going to go watch Scott Pilgram vs the World [I live a Wallace Wells appreciation life]with a big mug of coffee.

Currently Reading: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Across the Universe by Beth Rovis (?)
Currently Listening to: My Favourite Book by Stars [Just got four of their albums-I am in heaven]
Days till Paper is Due: 25

Catch Up and Castle

Catching up on Castle, the sexual tension is unbelievable. And I still love it.

This is post is about nine hours late, but I am dedicated to finishing BEDA this year. Even if morning posts like this have to happen. I spent a fair amount of last night either 1) painting our family's bathroom 2) working on my giant paper or 3) reading. My spring break is so exciting.

AH CASTLE. This show abuses my emotions. Let's make a list of shows that like to abuse their viewer's emotions:

• Sherlock
• Doctor Who
• Castle
• Anything written by Joss Whedon

Time for breakfast. I'll be back soon :)

Currently Reading: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Currently Listening to: "47 Seconds" Castle, Season 4 Episode 19

Days till Paper is Due: 25

Book Haul!

Today was suppose to be a Hunger Games Book-Movie review/comparison/thing but, sadly, that will have to wait. Instead, we're gonna do a book haul, because I obtained new books!

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass is a collection of twelve poems published in 1855 and was Whitman's first book. Whitman wanted to create something that was "uniquely American". It includes "Song of Myself" which is very familiar if you have read Paper Towns by John Green, where he quotes this frequently. This book was bought at my library's rummage sale.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 

The prequel to the epic The Lord of the Rings series, this book tells the story of a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is sent on a quest to confront a giant dragon called Smaug. Sadly, I have never read or watched any of this series, excluding the first movie. I plan on finishing them all and reading this book before the movie (starring Martin Freeman!) comes out in December. This book was also bought at the library's rummage sale. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

This book, in short, is the classic Pride and Prejudice. With 30% more zombies. This gorgeous hardcover was bought at Books-A-Million for a third of it's original cost.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

As per usual in Dessen's books: girl from broken family meets a boy with his own, personal tragedy. They fall in love. But these easy reads can be fun too. This book was incredibly cheap and bought from Books-A-Million.

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

From what the back cover tells me, this book follows an awkward girl named Haven who is reminiscing about the summer her life seemed in control. But I'm sure a boy will come along for her to fall in love with. This books was even cheaper then the previous and was also bought at Books-A-Million. 

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 

Fifteen year old Lina's normal life was brutally interrupted when her family is deported by Soviet police. They are sent to Serbia, where they must fight for their lives in a prison camp. Lina documents their experiences through writing and pictures. So far, I am really enjoying this book. It is currently on loan from the public library. 

Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

The sequel to The Looking Glass Wars, this book continues the story of Alyss of Wonderland, who has earned her queenship and attempting to keep her evil aunt Redd from taking control again. The first book was all right, so I'll give the sequel a try. Seeing Redd is on loan from my library. 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Aibileen and Minny are black maids in Mississippi, who are both sick of the treatment they receive from their employers. Along with Skeeter, socialist writer fresh out of college, the three write a book showing the truths of being a black maid in a white home. This book was recently made into a movie, which I will see after I finish this book. This book is also on loan from the library. 

Every You, Every Me by David Levithan

Evan has begun discovering a series of photographs, from who, he's not sure. Whoever the sender is is definitely not a friend. By brilliant Levithan, I am so excited to dive into another one of his novels. This book is on my kindle. 

Shades of Grey: A Novel by Jasper Fforde

In a world where social status is determined by color perception, this book follows the story of Eddie Russett, an average Red. I don't know much about this book other then that, but I have heard great reviews and am very excited. This book is also on my kindle. 

Along for the Ride  by Sarah Dessen

Auden is a girl who's life revolves around school and work, and she feels pretty out of her element when she visits her father and stepmother in their small beach town one summer. I'm halfway through this and it seems to be going the normal Sarah Dessen route. But it is a fun read, which is on my kindle. 

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

The Wicked Witch of the West, with her bitter attitude and bright green skin, was not always so wicked. She was a misunderstood girl named Elphaba, and this is her real story. This gorgeous book with its GREEN PAGES was purchased from Books-A-Million

WOW that took a long time. Oh well, this challenge was meant to push me. I hope you enjoyed this, I hope to talk about books more in the future. Time to go read some of these bad boys, I'll see you tomorrow. 

Currently Reading: Look up :)

Currently Listening to: That Green Gentlemen [Things Have Changed] - Panic at the Disco

Procrastination

I've never had a huge problem with procrastination. Unlike many of my classmates, I didn't wait to write my paper on the Prison Reforms of the 1800s up until it's midnight due date. Rarely do I do homework in homeroom or right before the beginning of class, unless I needed help. If I said I would do something, and than don't do it out of sere laziness, I feel guilty, as if I cheated myself. I can get distracted fairly easy but once I am come back from that, I get things done. I don't like that pressure of a deadline: I'd rather stay ahead.

In an attempt to help you (yes you!) avoid procrastination, here are some of my personal tips on staying focused and getting things done:

- Have all the materials you need to work near you before beginning to work. Try to keep from wandering around the house in search of a book or a distraction from working

- Clean up your work space. Sometimes, if your desk is messy, you start stressing about that, and your thoughts start jumbling together, and suddenly, your PreCalc homework is just sitting on your desk, begging to be completed, while you are on the floor reorganizing your books. It can happen...

- Always have a water bottle or a cup of coffee, whatever tickles your fancy, and some type of snack around. Working makes you hungry and having it right there keeps away other distractions, while satisfying that animal cracker craving. 

- Find a way to block websites that distract you from getting things done. Tumblr is fun, but it will there when you finish your rough draft. Wheezy Waiter can wait, and so can your Facebook friends. 

- Set goals for yourself. Having a calender or schedule of what needs to get done and by when motivates you to work, and meeting those goals feels pretty good.

That's for today. I am off to see The Hunger Games again, this time with my dad and brother. I'll take some notes and (hopefully!) do a Movie-Book comparison tomorrow. Until then, best wishes :)

Currently Reading: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Along for the Ride by Sarah Desson (Don't judge me)

Currently Listening to: Some Nights by Fun. 

Days till Paper is due: 29

BEDA? Yes, BEDA.

Well boys and girls, it's that time of year again. Another month that begins with A means another month of blogging every day! To be honest, I'm probably gonna regret starting this project in a few weeks, due to a massive research paper I am working on. But oh well. We'll have a good time, yeah?
Let's start this month off right! With, of course, a list. WOO.

Things happenings in April:
- Complete instructor driving
- Taking the ACT (Oh boy.)
- Death Cab for Cutie concert
- Jr/Sr Banquet (Also know as PROM)
- Turn in big-deal paper

Wow. Busy month ahead of me. And I get to share it with you!
Well, I am exhausted. I hope you all have a lovely day, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

-Emily

Currently Reading: Ender's Game by Orsen Scott Car, Wicked by Gregory Maguire, and rereading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Currently Listening to: One More Time With Feeling by Regina Spektor
Days till paper is due: 30 (It's due on the 30th)