Sorry about the delay, I seem to forget every week that the library closes at 5:00 instead of 9:00. This is when I wish that I had internet. Then again, I would never meet such interesting people unless I had to be at the library. For example there's this one guy that keeps falling asleep at his computer. As in, he has done it on more than one occasion. Then he'll suddenly wake up and start talking. Then there's these old people who haven't stopped complaining about how bad the service is. And another time there was this one strange looking guy who had his chair all the way down so that his head was beneath the monitor and level with the desk, so that he had to reach way up for the mouse....I could probably write an entire book on people. Don't know how interesting that would be though, even this paragraph can't have been too exciting, you really have to see them in person. I'm sure it will give me some interesting writing material for characters someday at any rate.
I'm trying to think of a subject...but I think I'm just going to give news updates. I was going to have an archery tournament to write about, but that didn't work out because it was cancelled *frowny sad face.* Also, exciting for me and definitely an answered prayer, I was on a waiting list for a writing elective I really want to take, but someone cancelled so now I'm in the class! That really made my day. The other elective I'm taking is illustration which I'm a bit nervous about because I'm not especially good with drawing, but I haven't taken an art class in forever and I think it would be so cool to be able to draw my own characters.
I've just decided that I can write about my summer reading. My goal on Goodreads for the entire year is to read 45 books. I have read 14 so far and it thinks I am 8 behind, so I am hoping to get pretty close by the end of summer because school doesn't leave much time for pleasure reading. I have done fairly well these last few weeks in catching up and plan to keep up the same rate. I have been keeping up with about 3 books at the same time, so I'm never bored. There is also about five that I started and really need to finish. Two of my current books are for two different book clubs I'm doing. One is Lord of The Rings, the other is John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. I am enjoying both immensely in entirely different ways. Yesterday I finished listening to The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen for the second time, it was just as good if not better since now I can read it knowing who the M.C. really is. I'd highly recommend it and can't wait to read the last one in the trilogy. If you don't feel like reading it, listen to it. The reader is perhaps the best male voice I have ever heard, Jim Dale being really hard to compare with. The other one, Don't Waste Your Life, has been fascinating from the two chapters I read and I can tell it will be view changing.
Other stories I'm looking forward to getting my hands on and checking off my very long to-read list are The Humming Room, Stupid Perfect World, The Ordinary Princess, Zel, Catch-22, and many more. There is a new book store nearby and I am very excited to get some of my new favorite books. There will also be a new writing book out by Gail Carson Levine in late November. I am so excited to see that. The cover art is great if you want to check it out on her blog or website.
All for now!
Friday, June 27, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Second Best
Maybe you can tell that this isn't going to be an upbeat post already. I have been thinking too much lately. Before I dive in, I'll discuss the race as promised. I wasn't as good as I'd hoped. It took me 26 minutes flat, almost two minutes slower than last year. It's at this time that I commit to training harder next year, but of course we know that's not going to happen. Anyhow, it was still fun and there were lots of yummy things to eat at the end, so it was worth it.
I'm also back from Blue Lake which is where this post started formulating. Especially in the competitive world of music, I always seem to be a step behind. I should have felt pretty good about myself at music camp, because compared to them, I'm pretty good. But there was one other girl from my same studio that is very good, and worse than that, we're friends so I can't hate her. At camp I knew all the review songs, sat 2nd chair in orchestra, and was in one of the best quartets. In fact we were asked to play on the honors recital, which we did.
As if that wasn't good enough, I was disappointed not to get to play my solo which is decided based on a 15 minute private lesson the first day. Of course my friend was asked to play instead, and did amazing. So then afterwards when I was following her around, all these people were coming up to her saying how great she played while I stood there invisible to them, as if I didn't even play. I don't blame them, it just got old. It made me realise again that being the top of something takes more than trying hard and being pretty good.
It felt worse that first night. Being back now and having thought it over some, it may be better to be second best, more motivating. There's a music sign that says something like: Is there someone better than you? If yes, then go practise. If not, find someone better than you and keep practising. If there weren't people better than you then there would be no reason to be better. There is always going to be a first and a last.
But let me just say that this is not for the fainthearted. There have been so many times where I was an inch from giving up completely and there will be many more to come. But it's surviving that inch deep hole that makes the difference between the okay and the great. Thousands begin the journey of learning an art, but only a small fraction make it through to the other end. But why throw away years of working toward something you enjoy? Some things are worth doing for yourself even if nothing will ever come of it. Not enjoying the slightest bit but forcing it for other purposes is different, but giving up because you're only "second best" isn't a good reason. That's it, I'm done preaching.
Matthew 20:16
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
I'm also back from Blue Lake which is where this post started formulating. Especially in the competitive world of music, I always seem to be a step behind. I should have felt pretty good about myself at music camp, because compared to them, I'm pretty good. But there was one other girl from my same studio that is very good, and worse than that, we're friends so I can't hate her. At camp I knew all the review songs, sat 2nd chair in orchestra, and was in one of the best quartets. In fact we were asked to play on the honors recital, which we did.
As if that wasn't good enough, I was disappointed not to get to play my solo which is decided based on a 15 minute private lesson the first day. Of course my friend was asked to play instead, and did amazing. So then afterwards when I was following her around, all these people were coming up to her saying how great she played while I stood there invisible to them, as if I didn't even play. I don't blame them, it just got old. It made me realise again that being the top of something takes more than trying hard and being pretty good.
It felt worse that first night. Being back now and having thought it over some, it may be better to be second best, more motivating. There's a music sign that says something like: Is there someone better than you? If yes, then go practise. If not, find someone better than you and keep practising. If there weren't people better than you then there would be no reason to be better. There is always going to be a first and a last.
But let me just say that this is not for the fainthearted. There have been so many times where I was an inch from giving up completely and there will be many more to come. But it's surviving that inch deep hole that makes the difference between the okay and the great. Thousands begin the journey of learning an art, but only a small fraction make it through to the other end. But why throw away years of working toward something you enjoy? Some things are worth doing for yourself even if nothing will ever come of it. Not enjoying the slightest bit but forcing it for other purposes is different, but giving up because you're only "second best" isn't a good reason. That's it, I'm done preaching.
Matthew 20:16
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Potential Greatness
So I took Chemistry this year and one interesting thing I learned about was potential energy. As in everything has the potential to do something totally crazy like explode or burst into flames if only the reaction is set going. Well I've been told often that I have such potential in all sorts of things. That's not necessarily a good thing. That means that I have it, but I'm not using it. Now it's not that I think I am already there, but I struggle so much with gathering the will power and focus to make this reaction happen. To tell myself to practice hard every day to get better. There's also the fact that when you have so many options, how do you know what one to pick?
Because it's not like I adore practicing viola, in fact I might have liked dance more for the one year that I did it. But I had to consider other factors like scholarships, location, and accessibility. Almost every little girl does ballet when she's little, I don't know how many go on, but probably more than those who go into music, specifically viola. It would be crushing to study one thing all your life, be really good at it on a scale of kids in your state, but then realize that it's only the extraordinary that can go on in it. Pick something where you have a chance, not something so competitive that only 1 out of every 10 can be chosen for it. I don't mean to crush dreams, but sometimes reaching for the stars and hoping really hard for it isn't enough. Practise and commit from the beginning, find your C02 that starts the reaction, and follow it with all of your heart.
Alas, I didn't make it into Youth Symphony. I got the email a few days ago, and it was very misleading with the subject line saying Acceptance Letter, but upon opening it said welcome to Philharmonia. It was hugely disappointing. Even after he said that it was a good audition and seemed genuinely impressed, I guess I missed something. Goodbye EYSO. On the bright side I'll have more time for homework and less stress about learning music. I'm sure I'll have plenty to do without it and won't miss it come school. Thank you Lord!
This is why we need to do things for the Lord, not for men. If it's for others, it's going to disappoint. Others don't see the passion of the heart or the hours of practice behind auditions. You get one chance at it, and if it goes badly, they reject you, and you move on. Or in my case, even if it goes well you aren't given the chance for other reasons. Lesson is, don't waste you're potential because you can't decide what to do, even if no one else appreciates it.
Lots of other things happened this week as well. I cat-sat for all three of my music teachers, that was quite the experience. Except I think I may have forgotten to mention I started piano and she has a dog. She doesn't count though since I've only had two lessons. Anyways, I have really enjoyed that so far, scales and all.
Oh and as a sequel to my running post, my blisters are healed mostly, my last day of training was Wednesday, and I'm feeling pretty terrible about it. I've trained only for a few weeks and I feel totally unprepared. The 5k race is tomorrow on Saturday at 8:00. Last year my time was something like 24:17 and I won third place in my age category out of at least 25 people. So much pressure. I'll tell you how it went next Friday. Also to come, I'll be away at Blue Lake (not Green Lake, that was last week) for some music stuff so that might give me some tips to write about.
The long awaited verse of the week...
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Because it's not like I adore practicing viola, in fact I might have liked dance more for the one year that I did it. But I had to consider other factors like scholarships, location, and accessibility. Almost every little girl does ballet when she's little, I don't know how many go on, but probably more than those who go into music, specifically viola. It would be crushing to study one thing all your life, be really good at it on a scale of kids in your state, but then realize that it's only the extraordinary that can go on in it. Pick something where you have a chance, not something so competitive that only 1 out of every 10 can be chosen for it. I don't mean to crush dreams, but sometimes reaching for the stars and hoping really hard for it isn't enough. Practise and commit from the beginning, find your C02 that starts the reaction, and follow it with all of your heart.
Alas, I didn't make it into Youth Symphony. I got the email a few days ago, and it was very misleading with the subject line saying Acceptance Letter, but upon opening it said welcome to Philharmonia. It was hugely disappointing. Even after he said that it was a good audition and seemed genuinely impressed, I guess I missed something. Goodbye EYSO. On the bright side I'll have more time for homework and less stress about learning music. I'm sure I'll have plenty to do without it and won't miss it come school. Thank you Lord!
This is why we need to do things for the Lord, not for men. If it's for others, it's going to disappoint. Others don't see the passion of the heart or the hours of practice behind auditions. You get one chance at it, and if it goes badly, they reject you, and you move on. Or in my case, even if it goes well you aren't given the chance for other reasons. Lesson is, don't waste you're potential because you can't decide what to do, even if no one else appreciates it.
Lots of other things happened this week as well. I cat-sat for all three of my music teachers, that was quite the experience. Except I think I may have forgotten to mention I started piano and she has a dog. She doesn't count though since I've only had two lessons. Anyways, I have really enjoyed that so far, scales and all.
Oh and as a sequel to my running post, my blisters are healed mostly, my last day of training was Wednesday, and I'm feeling pretty terrible about it. I've trained only for a few weeks and I feel totally unprepared. The 5k race is tomorrow on Saturday at 8:00. Last year my time was something like 24:17 and I won third place in my age category out of at least 25 people. So much pressure. I'll tell you how it went next Friday. Also to come, I'll be away at Blue Lake (not Green Lake, that was last week) for some music stuff so that might give me some tips to write about.
The long awaited verse of the week...
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Judging By Covers
I'm leaving for Wisconsin today to visit my niece for her second birthday. I'm also going to a dulcimer festival the morning we get back and speeding home hours later for a viola recital I just found out about, having not rehearsed and sight reading a second piece on cello for a quartet. Should be fun... So since I don't have any adventures quite yet, this is one of my wise advice posts. Contrary to what teachers and librarians say about not picking books based on the front, I always judge books by their covers. Here's some quick tips on how to pick a book:
1. Cool cover
2. Creative title
3. Author's picture
4. M.C.'s name
5. Setting
6. Interesting description
7. Font
I tend not to like covers with people on them. Especially if they're cartoons or supposed to be weird. Also the colors have to fit the sort of book it is. Honestly, it seems modern books aren't even illustrated by artists anymore! Why in the world would someone want clashing colors? Moving on, I like short titles, and I'm annoyed if I can't figure out why it is called that. Mostly short and catchy does the trick. Third, flip to the back cover and take a look at the author. This sounds mean and might be the least useful since there are obviously good writers whose looks don't match the personality of their book. But it does work a lot of the time. I read an awful book once that I would never have picked up had a looked at the author. Again, this isn't because they don't look good, but I can tell that I wouldn't connect with their interests and type of humor. Okay, next I look at the main character's name, if it's easy to find. This is a relatively new trick of mine, I picked up a book a few days ago and I think I was reading the summary or something when I saw the girl's name was Alyssa. I immediately put it back. For some reason, that name, though it's close to mine, really bothers me and would distract me from the plot. I'm pretty sure I've never read a book where I hated the main character, perhaps it would be an interesting experience though.
I don't often check the setting one. Probably because you can usually tell based on the genre. I just mean don't read a book if it's based in space and you hate sci-fi. You probably won't like it. Maybe it's more a tip for finding books you do like rather than the other tips which are about putting back ones you wouldn't like. For example I like fantasy and castles and dragons and magic. If I pick up a book with pixies in it and another about baseball, I'm going to pick the pixies. Okay um about the interesting description, I'm not 100% supportive of that either, because sometimes they can spoil the book if it's a bad overview when it's really an otherwise good read, and sometimes it gives away too much. Just if I do read it, I want it to be intriguing, not complicated. Alright, last one I can think of right now is font. This is why old books have to be re-covered and redesigned. I, like many others, don't especially like the plain looking block letters or on the other extreme, the pointy bloody letters of vampire books. I truly believe that Harry Potter was the leader of cool new title designs.
And that's it. I'd say I use between one and three of these every time I'm looking around, depends how hurried I am. Tell me if you use any of them, and if it helped at all.
I don't often check the setting one. Probably because you can usually tell based on the genre. I just mean don't read a book if it's based in space and you hate sci-fi. You probably won't like it. Maybe it's more a tip for finding books you do like rather than the other tips which are about putting back ones you wouldn't like. For example I like fantasy and castles and dragons and magic. If I pick up a book with pixies in it and another about baseball, I'm going to pick the pixies. Okay um about the interesting description, I'm not 100% supportive of that either, because sometimes they can spoil the book if it's a bad overview when it's really an otherwise good read, and sometimes it gives away too much. Just if I do read it, I want it to be intriguing, not complicated. Alright, last one I can think of right now is font. This is why old books have to be re-covered and redesigned. I, like many others, don't especially like the plain looking block letters or on the other extreme, the pointy bloody letters of vampire books. I truly believe that Harry Potter was the leader of cool new title designs.
And that's it. I'd say I use between one and three of these every time I'm looking around, depends how hurried I am. Tell me if you use any of them, and if it helped at all.
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