May Contest Prize

YAY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfbbKUnPtRI

AMAZING SONG!

Okay, so as you probably know, I just took a vacation to the east coast, and today I found this AMAZING song by Ahmir.  Here's the LINK and the video is embedded below.  Check it out and let me know what you think!  Oh, and by the way, you should totally go HERE to subscribe to Ahmir!!



East coast girls are way better!  Don't forget Ohio in the end, guys!

With eternal love and blessings,
Officially Inspired

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The eighth book I read this year was “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak. I bought this book when I went to D.C. when I went through the Holocaust Museum gift shop. However, I didn’t have the chance to read it until I had to for class.

From the first page, I was entranced. “Here’s a small fact: You are going to die.” I mean, what an interest grabber that is! And the fact that this story is narrated by death made me really enjoy it! WWII along with the Holocaust created a lot of work for Death - and he wasn’t too happy about it.

This novel gave me a different perspective of the era. Usually, I just always saw it from a Jew’s point of view - and that (of course) was always depressing. But the fact that Liesel isn’t the Jewish person in the scenario, allowed me a different view of the time period. In a way, I liked the fact that the main character wasn’t a Jew because it allowed me to see what was going on outside of the camps and what other peoples’ opinions of Jews were.

I absolutely adored Hans, Liesel’s foster-father. He immediately accepted his new daughter and helped her get through her brother’s death and her separation from her mother. Rosa, Liesel’s foster-mother was also well loved by me, even if she was tough and didn’t show love to Liesel in the usual way.

There was a bit of a romantic element between Liesel, Max (the Jew in her basement), and Rudy (Liesel’s best friend). However, I was expecting a bit more…and I’m not exactly sure why.

The symbolism of words in this story was outstanding! I have no idea how Marcus Zusak came up with the idea! It’s just amazing and he never lets you lose focus on it.

There were definitely slow parts - but I think that happens in every story. However, I didn’t really mind this because there were also times where I couldn’t put it down! The ending was a mix of both - but definitely not because it was slow, but because I didn’t want it to end like it was, but at the same time I loved how it finally ended. I really didn’t want it to end. I’m still a bit confused about the ending, but I really like to think that it ended like I think it did. J

I rate this book 5/5 stars. Definitely read this book!

With eternal love and blessings,
Officially Inspired

p.s. Sorry for the delay - I know I finished this book a while ago.
p.s.s. Did you know that I’m going to write a holocaust book? I’m excited to get started. Don’t know when I will though.

Connection

Connection sucks here in South Carolina - so I'm not sure how long I'll be able to be connected nor if I will be able to post.  Expect lots of pictures when I return to Ohio (where it was storming today) as well as pictures from my trip to the zoo on Friday. :D

With eternal love and blessings,
Officially Inspired

Just So You Know

Dear Readers,

I just wanted to let you know a few things.

One, my birthday was on Monday, June 14th. I originally posted the video below on my birthday, but, for some reason, when I went to edit it, it updated the date to the 17th. Which is not my birthday. It's my second grade teacher's birthday. Just so you know.

Two, I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow! I'm going to be gone until Friday, so I'm not sure how much posting I'll be doing - if any. I'm not sure if I'll have wifi or if it will be dependable. I'll try my hardest to post, but I'm making no promises.

Three, uhhh...I ran out of things to say.

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!!

With eternal love and blessings,

Officially Inspired

It's My Birthday and I'll Wear the Hat if I want to

Brent

I'm 14 today!! Here's what my parents got me. Enough said. :)

My Journey

Today was my birthday party and I had an absolutely wonderful day! Not only did a lot of my close family get to attend, I also got the best gift ever from my grandparents and their close friend, Kathy.
They kept Kathy’s identity from me, telling me it was a secret and I didn’t really know the person - which was true. Then they told me I had to open their gift last, which made me nervous in itself. The card had a picture of me with the first draft of my novel and talked about me beginning my journey as a writer. And that this gift was only the beginning. This made me extremely nervous. I then tore the wrapping paper off to find an Apple box - I was quickly informed that it was not a laptop.  I soon found it to be this:

A book of things I had written. It has a dust jacket and everything! On the inside flap it even has this:

More to my emotional rollercoaster, this is on the first page:

My Mommy with the description from “Ten Long Years”, which I wrote in memoriam of her being gone ten years. The very first page, and I’m crying. In front of everybody.
As you flip through the book, you find things that I’ve written - even things from my blog, like “The War Sucks. Majorly”. Proof:

There are even pictures of Jimmy - which made me cry more.

After I had gone through the whole book, I found that there’s even a picture of me on the back flap.

I gave my grandma a hug and many thanks adding a “Why didn’t you tell me not to wear mascara? This isn’t waterproof!”. And I hugged Kathy and Papaw. It meant so much because I think I realized that maybe my dream really is achievable. And it’s obvious that no matter how alone I feel in my journey, I’m definitely not. I have so many wonderful people to support me.
One of which is probably reading this and I should definitely mention him. My Uncle Chris - oh my gosh I love this man! He’s Jimmy’s dad and he’s every bit as much as close to my heart as Jimmy is. He has supported me and he keeps up with my blog - how cool is that? - and he’s the one that took me for my first motorcycle ride. He’s such a great guy and today I went over to him after opening my book - that just sounds amazing! - and said “A lot of that was written for your son” when I realized he was crying. It made me cry. Uncle Chris, I love you. Thank you for everything you do and everything you’ve done, and everything you will do.
Mamaw, Papaw, and Kathy, thank you so much for putting so much time and effort into this project. I honestly still cannot believe that you did this for me. I love you all so much and…What can I say? I’m speechless.
I’m so blessed and I really don’t notice that enough. I’m so, so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I thank God for everything I have - and everything I hope to achieve.
With eternal love and blessings,
Officially Inspired

T-Shirts

Because I'm a horrible person.  I promised Leanna Renee Hieber that I would post pictures of the T-Shirts I made for her signing, and never did.  So, here they are.  :)

Monday's Shirt (When Leanna came to my school)

Front

Back

Tuesday's Shirt (Worn to the signing)

Front

Back

One year ago today

Hello dear readers!

One year ago today I began this blog here on blogspot.  A lot has happened in that year - it seems like a lifetime.  I came from not have finished a draft of my novel, to almost finishing a second.  I met and became friends with Leanna Renee Hieber (yes, Leanna, you will probably be on every highlight of my life - because you just continuously do awesome things), and I read her AMAZING books - which if I haven't said it already, GO READ THEM!  I went through my whole eighth grade year, which seems like it should make this seem like a long year, but it doesn't.  I read most of the Vampire Academy series...well 2 and 1/2 books, I think.  Blood Promise and Spirit Bound for sure.  Oh, by the way, I finished Spirit Bound this morning.

What else?  I made Power of the Pen traveling team - even won first place at one meet.  I made it all the way to regionals, which is a total blessing.  One of my teachers had twins, and everything went very well - thank God.  I've made a lot of new friends I probably otherwise wouldn't have before this year. 

I went on my first motorcycle ride, I guess I left that out when I've been blogging.  *My uncle now considers me a "Biker Chick".*  I saw my cousin for the first time since 2007, which was pretty cool.  I also got to see where I'll be living when I go to college.  *he-he*  My cousin, Jimmy deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, his third deployment.  He also came home on leave.  That was a good few weeks.

My sister turned two since I started this blog, but in 10 days, she'll be 3!  Maybe she'll finally be out of the terrible two's.  But I somehow doubt that 3 will be much better.  ;)  And in 6 days I'll be 14!  It doesn't seem like it's been a year since my birthday - it doesn't seem like it's been a year since I started this blog. 

I've also been blessed with several awards for my academic achievement in the 8th grade.  I'm now an Academic Hall of Famer in the Junior High Hall of Fame. =D  That, somehow, might be my favorite award, simply because it shows determination.  I got a nice plaque with my name on it and everything.  I wish I could share pictures of it and my other awards, but they not only have my name on them, but my teachers' names and my school's.  Bit too much information online about me for comfort.

I think I already said this, but I finished draft one of my novel in the time that this blog has been here.  Of course, it was mostly done when I started it.  I've grown a lot as a writer and as a person.  I've had people tell me I can't do things - or that they don't want me to do things - and I've pushed past them.  I'm going to go against everything I've ever said, but when I told you that you shouldn't have people like that in your life, I think I lied.  Because without people like them, I don't know if I would have as much drive as I do to reach my dream.  They believe I can do it, but they'd rather me not.  No naming any names.  But I just want to say, I like to prove people wrong and I'd like to say thank you (if you're reading this).  Honestly, I'm not mad, no matter how this may sound.  I'd really like to thank you.

Oh, and, of course, I set up a new blog.  Which you should totaly check out.  :D  http://www.twoteensonedream.blogspot.com/ It's kind of amazing.  Just sayin'.

So, I must go and clean now.  :(  Yes, dear readers, it's that time of year when cleaning comes into my life.  *Birthday party for me and my siblings this weekend!*

With eternal love and blessings,

Mondays no longer suck...

Mondays no longer suck!  I know!  It hurts to even say that!  Here's the final things that convinced me of the rocking-ness of Mondays.

Firstly, this morning, I got emails from some of my teachers, which were very personal, so I won't talk much about them.  I'll just say that they meant a lot.

Secondly, I won Jackson Pearce's MAY PRIZE!!!  Do you know how HUGE that prize was?  EPIC!!  I was SO excited - I went through my house screaming like a mad woman!  Hey, don't look at me like that - I never said I wasn't.  *SISTERS RED IS RELEASED TODAY!*

Thirdly, I got this in the mail today from my FAVORITE PERSON IN THE WORLD!

  shipping tube *hears stuff inside*

Poster from the Phoenix, AZ Comic Con.  Saturday was Geek Prom!

And - OH MY GOSH! - a Remember Me poster!!

It's official - Mondays no longer suck, and Authors are the best people on the planet.

Blogging Provides

Lame title.  It has almost nothing to do with what I'm talking about today.  It's going to be really short and kinda sparatic, so here we go.

First, I'd like to ask all of you to please pray for my great-grandma.  She's not doing so well and Hospice is with her now.  She's 97, but I really need you guys to pray for her too.  It'd mean the world.  Please and thank you.

Secondly, I set up a new blog with a fellow writer from YouTube.  It's http://www.twoteensonedream.blogspot.com/ .  Don't worry, I'll still be using this one.  Make sure to follow and comment to let me know you stopped by!

Thirdly, I'd like to thank all of my 9 followers for sticking with me.  I think I've been on blogspot for about a year.  Which excites me, but it doesn't seem like it's been a year.  I'll let you know for sure when I have time to look for that post.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

With eternal love and blessings,
Officially Inspired

Freshman or Fresh meat?

So today was my last day of school at the Junior High - which, as I said was bitter sweet.  It was a super fun day, though.  It was hard to say goodbye to the teachers that I've grown to love, but I'll be stopping back by next year - have no doubt about that.  I think a good majority of my teachers now have the address for this blog now, so I've gotta start watching what I say.  Just kidding.  ;)

I just wanted to stop by and say hello because I have not posted since Monday.  A few of the people that I was really thinking about in my Memorial Day video have yet to watch it, so I was keeping it there as the heading post for as long as I could.  But I myself like to see new posts go up.  On my blog and others.  Even if, you know, I'm pretty much talking to no one.  *crickets*

So if you are one of the people that have not seen the Memorial Day video I made and sent you this link to check it out, here is the direct link: Brent, you should probably click HERE. I'll also be posting the link at the top of my actual blog page until I know that everyone that I sent the link as WWW has seen it.

Tomorrow The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer comes out!  I'm also taking a babysitting class so as of tomorrow I will be a certified baby sitter.  :D  Just saying that some of my teachers should take that into consideration.  And tomorrow is my great-grandma's 97th birthday party!  How cool is that? 

I'll talk to you guys later.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

With eternal love and blessings,
Officially Inspired

Just for the goodbye message to Mr.  D, my science teacher.  I'm gonna miss you!