Blog 30: One Act

So everyone knows that we have this huge assignment to write our own One Act for creative writing and as of now, there aren't that many people who have started let alone have ideas for what they want to do. I felt...what would I call it? Guilty, or something close to that, when I told them that I had my whole plot line drawn out, my characters and descriptions, and even my settings finished; all I had to do was write it out. Out of the two days that I worked on it, I got my climax and most of the falling actions written out; I just need my beginning, rising action, and ending to finish writing up. It's wonderful to be ahead, so much more stress is taken off of my shoulders. Everyone that I've spoken to seems to love my plot and characters; they all said it sounds like a great story. So I'm excited to finish it up, I'm determined to have a rough draft written out by next Friday, so I've got eight days to get it done! I'm happy about the work I've done and I hope it only gets better! By the way, while I'm at it, if anyone needs any ideas or help I'm more than willing to give ideas and help! Just let me know. And everyone, good luck! Once you get past how long it'll take, it's actually very enjoyable and fun to do!

Blog 29: What to do

What do you do when the possibility comes up that you have a greater chance of not doing what you love rather than doing what you don't love? Most people spend their time, especially in growing, thinking and studying things that they love or would love to do with their life; not thinking about things that they don't love. So what's supposed to happen when you're faced with the predicament with having to pick something you don't love for something to do as a living? Do you just suck it up and face it; pretending to love it; or do you grudgingly do it against your will and do it only because you have to? I'm lost...there's so many things that I won't be able to do or would have to do in moderation if Wednesday tells me I can't. Doing what I love, I got injured and may have to have surgery, and I don't find out until Wednesday whether or not I can continue doing what I love. I've thought about what I'd rather do in place of something that I love and it took me a few days to actually finalize what broad category I'd like to do: psychology. Even though I hate paper pushing, it's the only thing I can do if surgery is in line. Whatever it is, I won't be able to push myself like I always do, I'll just have to slide by because going too hard has a high possibility of re-ripping or tearing it. I hate being helpless, even feeling helpless makes me so frustrated. I hate this and even though I pray for the best, I fear the worst is going to happen. Thank you to those that are being so supportive when I'm down, it honestly helps the most on days where I don't know if I can keep it together.

Blog 28: Surprise!

So everyone knows that I've never had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day before and well this year I was planning on my mom being my valentine, we even went out to lunch today. Well, this was planned because my boyfriend has to work nights now so he's at work before I get out of school and doesn't get off until late, usually around 10 p.m. So naturally I was in a bad mood all day because I wouldn't get to see him let alone talk to him (thank the Navy for that one) and after school mom was talking to me about it all while bringing me upstairs. I didn't know what she was doing it for so I asked. She laughed and opened my bedroom door and sitting there on my desk was a dozen roses with a card, a giant fuzzy teddy bear whose heart says "I Love You" (the one in the photo), and a box of Russell Stover assorted chocolates. Of course it made me grin and I was blubbering but it only got worse when I read the card; it was from my boyfriend! I started crying and everything; I almost started jumping up and down! He's such a sweetheart, I'll never seize to be amazed by him. The only reason it surprised me so much is because he didn't mention anything about it, even agreeing to celebrate Valentine's Day together when he comes back for my prom (which was his idea). I love him so much! He knows just what to do to make me smile; he's amazing! I can't wait until I see him again, I'm going to tackle hug him for sure. So that bad mood that I was in vanished and I can't seem to stop smiling. Sometimes secrets are a good thing and good surprises definitely make someone's day a lot brighter. Males, take a hint and do something special even if its not Valentine's Day and females, you know you can always do the same thing. I say this almost too much: cherish what you have and never let go.

Blog 27: Sevens in Harry Potter

• 7 books in the series

• 7 horcruxes made by Voldemort

• 7 years at Hogwarts

• 7 floors of Hogwarts

• 7 galleons for a wand

• 7 positions in quidditch

• 7 tasks in the Sorceror’s Stone

• 7 potions in task 6

• 7 Weasley children

• Ginny is the 1^st Weasley girl in 7 generations.

• Gryffindor beats Slytherin for the house cup for the first time in 7 years in the Sorceror’s Stone

• 7 books Gilderoy Lockhart requires for DADA (CoS)

• 7 muggles see Harry and Ron fly the car (CoS)

• 7 days of Aunt Marge (PoA)

• Arthur Weasley wins 700 galleons (PoA).

• 7 tear drops on Hagrid’s letter to Hermione (PoA).

• 7 people in the Shrieking Shack (PoA): Harry, Hermione, Ron, Sirius, Lupin, Snape, and Pettigrew.

• Voldemort killed Frank Bryce who was 77 to make the 7^th horcrux.

• 7 locks on Moody’s trunk (GoF)

• Dobby has 7 socks (GoF)

• Unicorns don’t turn pure white until they’re 7 years old. (GoF)

• Harry was “born as the 7^th month dies…” (OotP)

• 7 memories of Tom Riddle (HBP)

• Harry and Ron get 7 O.W.L.s each (HBP)

• 7 DADA teachers

• 7 questions Bellatrix asks Severus in Spinner’s End

• 7 Harry Potters with 7 Order members

• 7 races in the wizarding world: Human, Giant, Goblin, Centaur, Elf, Werewolf, Veela

• There are 142 stairs at Hogwarts which adds to 7 (1+4+2=7)

• Cleansweep 7

• Gryffindor Tower is located on the 7th floor

• Nicholas Flamel and his wife have 7 years age difference

• 7 hidden passageways out of Hogwarts on the Marauders’ Map

• Flitwick’s office (where Sirius is locked in PoA) is on the 7th floor

• 700 ways to commit a foul in Quidditch.

• The Tri-Wizard Tournament was first established 700 years before it’s appearance in the GoF.

• Fred and George charge 7 sickles for a canary cream

• Clause Seven of the Decree states that magic may be used before Muggles in exceptional circumstances

• The Room of Requirement, used for DA meetings, is on the 7th floor. (OotP)

• Blaise Zabini’s mother was married 7 times who all died of mysterious circumstances and left her with lots of gold. (HBP)

• 7 death eaters at the tower in HBP: Draco, Fenrir, Amycus, Alecto, tall blond, Snape, Gibbon as well as 7 members of the Order and the DA: McGonagall, Tonks, Lupin, Neville, Ginny, Hermione, Ron

• Lily began going out with James in their 7th year at Hogwarts

• The prophecy is in row 97 in the Department of Mysteries

• There are 7 Animagi registered with the Improper Use of Magic Office

• 7 people locked in the Malfoy’s cellar (DH): Ollivander, Luna, Dobby, Harry, Dean, Ron, and Griphook

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Blog 26: Amazing Idea

Everyone that knows me well, knows that I love to write my own stories and for years now (since the seventh grade) I've been trying to figure out the plot to a perfect story. I've had so many wonderful ideas that I've tried them all; most of them end up falling apart because I lose the motivation or plot. Just yesterday I was thinking, just thinking, and in my head I came across an amazing idea for a novel that would hopefully enchant people for years to come. It has a universal plot and characters that are so real that they pull at you; making you seem as if you're really with them. I've come up with enough suspense, drama, comedy, action, and romance that it will keep the reader interested throughout the whole story. I'm working on it as of now and am looking to finish a rough draft of the novel by the end of the school year; that leaves me three months so wish me luck!

Blog 25: Memories

So tonight was my last parent teacher conference ever and my mom started crying. I was teasing her at first; which she laughed at mind you; but now I feel bad. At first it didn't make a whole lot of sense why she'd be crying because she's already dealt with my going away for months due to Basic Training but now that I sit here thinking about today, I understand and I want to cry too. I needed to make/buy treats for advisory tomorrow and we had the choice of either brownies or cheesecake. I've made brownies before and then put cheesecake on top of them like the brownies were the crust and it turned out wonderful but we didn't want to do any baking so we decided on cheesecake cups (like cupcakes only with cheesecake and unbaked). They turned out so adorable! But anyway, back to my point, as we were making it all; talking and having a good time; I started to realize that I wouldn't have a lot of moments left like that with just her and me doing something we love together. I wouldn't wake up to her smiling face and a cup of coffee everyday, get kisses when I leave and when I return, get told goodnight with a smile and a kiss before she shuts off the light, etc. All of that will just be memories in a few short months and it makes me more sad than almost anything else. Of course after I move away I'll call her every night (or close to) just to see how she's doing, send emails and letters back and forth and visit when I can. I don't really want to leave her but what I want to do is so far away from here and I know she'd be upset at me if I didn't follow my dreams. She's sad just like I am because her babies are leaving but she knows that she raised us right and that we'll keep in touch as often as possible; I'll never forget her. I almost regret some of the things I've said/done but my mom knows I love her and I know that no matter what she'll love me too and she'll be there whenever I need her; just like I'll be there for her. I never really viewed my mom as a role model because we're so different but now that I'm older I think I appreciate her views more and understand them better than I ever have before. We have our disputes but we always make up right away and now its easier for her to talk to me on a more personal level than just parent to child. I admire my mom for what she's had to go through and how she persevered through it all and she still has strength to be happy. I'm amazed by her, I truly am, and I love her to death. I'll never forget all the times we've shared and when I have kids, I hope I do just as great a job as she did with all of hers. I know she'll be the first I ask for help from when I need it...she's my hero.

Blog 24: Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is supposed to be for lovers, where you spend the day oozing over each other and giving chocolates and paper hearts, but not for me. This year is the first year I'll have a boyfriend on Valentine's day and we can't even spend it together. Lucky for me he's a sweetheart and is going to make time for us to Skype on that day. It's upsetting to look around and see people who have a lover in the same town or less than a few hours away who cry about not being able to see them that afternoon when they get to see them every other day. Even a weekend would be better than not at all. I would give anything to be able to see him for even one day out of the month. Despite his hour phone calls and reasuring words I wish we could be together. To my joy he'll be taking leave time to fly down for my Senior Prom which I'm actually stoked for this year suprising enough. But that week we'll get to spend together out of the months we'll be apart will be absolutely magnificent. I can't wait to see him again. So I think this year for Valentine's day I'm going to take my mom out to dinner and buy her some chocolates and a paper heart; that way we won't feel so alone. So be happy if you have your boyfriend/girlfriend here with you even if you only get to see them on certain days; cherish your time together because you never know how long it'll last. I know I do.