Feelin' Good like Michael Buble

Yesterday was a pretty good day, which is definitely saying something, because it was a Monday. Now that I think about it, my whole weekend was pretty awesome too, starting with Friday. All the Honors English classes at my school went to Indy to see Julius Caesar at the IRT theater. The play consisted of lots of spit, spit, some hand-washin' in blood and some bromance. Oh yeah, and spit. Seriously though, they were like fountains. It was kind of gross.

After the play, we walked over to the Circle Centre Mall, which was awesome. Who doesn't love going to a mall instead of school? Win? I think yes. We didn't get to stay that long but it was still fun. I got some Japanese Maki chicken. Woop. And a new pair of shoes...but they hurt my feet...but I'll find some way to fix them. Then, we drove home.

I love field trips. 'Nough said.

I went to work after school on Friday and we had a good day! Two of the boys who are usually the trouble-makers were not there so that helped a lot. Plus, it was super pretty and nice outside so I had fun on the swings with the kids.

Then, on Saturday, I went to a Mormon party at my friend's house. I love Mormons so much. They're so awesome. We played Curses for a bit, kind of. That's such an embarrassing game if you have never played it before.. I ended up having to dance, bite my tongue, swat invisible mosquitoes around my head, tell a person how I'm going to crush them (because I'm a professional wrestler), and say a rhyme (because I'm a professional rapper) every time I talked. Man, oh man.
Then, we watched Insidious, which I had already seen. It was so funny because all the guys that were there were NOT, definitely not, afraid to show how afraid they were hahah. I loved it. One boy had a blanket wrapped around his head the whole time; another was yelling at the screen for the duration of the movie. It was so funny.
Next on the agenda, was hide-and-seek. Outside. In the dark. After watching a scary movie. I got a little freaked out at times. First, I hid in a huge pine tree and they almost didn't find me but I kind of gave up because both my legs were asleep from the position I was sitting in. One of the guys just sat on the swing set with his head on his lap and they must have passed him at least ten times. Oh, obliviousness. You get me every time.
That was super fun.

Then, church on Sunday. Always good.

And then yesterday was a pretty good day. School was just school but work was actually fun! Jason, who is usually awful was REALLY good. Like abnormally. I'm still a little weirded out by it. I played football with him for a while and then he played with our down-syndrome girl, Payton, who cracks me up every day. It was really sweet.

 So, that's been the past few days, and they have been fantastic. Let's hope the rest of the week will live up to it's predecessors.

My New Best Friend

Pinterest is my new best friend.. I was looking at their DIY crafts basically ALL day. Well, not really, but it felt like it. I'm not really a member yet (I'm waiting on my sister to invite me..) so I just saved all the pictures of stuff I liked onto my computer. I want to do these things:

I'm in love, and I feel like crafting all night long.

Reading Bucket List

My Reading Bucket List:

1. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
2. Tess of the d'Urbervilles
3. Jodi Picoult's books!
4. Wuthering Heights
5. Anne of Green Gables
6. The Secret Life of Bees (...buzz)
7. Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project
8. Original Fairy Tale stories (Hans Christian..etc.)
9. Work and the Glory series
10. More Nicholas Sparks novels :)
11. MUCH more.

Books I Will Never Get Enough Of:

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Harry Potter!
3. Jane Eyre
4. Hunger Games!!
5. Uglies series
6. Book of Mormon <3
7. Basically any Jane Austen book (aw, love)
8. The Truth About Forever (or any Sarah Dessen novel)

Currently Reading: Mansfield Park - Jane Austen

coming up: halloween!

Blogging is currently on my never-able-to-do-anymore-but-still-want-to list...I just made that list up, but if I wrote it in real life, it would be pretty dang long, just saying. Right now, it's also on my do-this-instead-of-homework list, which also is fairly large. I need to kick it in gear. I'm losing it.

Anyways, Halloween is coming up and you will never guess what I'm being...You won't be able to guess, so I'll just tell you: An iPod commericial. Yep, you heard me right:



Just like this, only better, because it's real life...and it's me.

I already made a huge bright-green posterboard this that I wear like a backpack and then I wear all black clothes (I'm undecided on whether to paint/dye my hair black) and an iPod and I'm set. Yep, I'm creative. Just kidding, I found it on the internet. I still think it's awesome and I hope it turns out! :)

That's all I have to tell you and I really actually have to get back to my homework, unfortunately.

Random Rantings.

I finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett last night. So. Good. That was her first novel, too. Someday, I want to be that good. The movie was super fantastic, too, by the way. I recommend both. Sincerely.

I want to start practicing and working on my writing but I can never think of stories to write about. Or, I do think of them, ones that sound really awesome, only for me to read a book and realize that that book is the same plot just ten times better. Sigh.

Anyways, I don't think I've updated you very recently. Spring break of my senior year, I AM GOING TO SPAIN! Yes, sir, you heard me right, Spain! I'm going to be able to experience an entirely new culture and immerse myself in a language I've been learning since seventh grade. I am so excited. Seriously. Ah, I'll keep you updated on that.

Also, the first quarter just ended and I have no idea how that happened. I remember the first day of school like it was just a few days ago... but I don't really mind. Truthfully, I just want to graduate and move to Provo and get on with my life. High school seems so pointless to me. The people are so immature, especially the boys; the drama is so petty; the days are endless and the years are long. I just want out. Next year, I might end up having to take four AP classes which I can already tell is going to kill me. I shouldn't be focusing on that, though.

Piano right now is like the one thing that calms me. I'm actually getting pretty good, I think. I got to the level two book of Alfred's Adult Course..something like that. I really like it. I wish I hadn't quit when I was younger.. it makes me realize how good I could've been. But, I can't take that back, and, now, the only thing to do is learn while I can. Piano class is also basically my favorite...and after this semester, I'm going to get lessons from a sister in my ward. Excited :)

General Conference :)

General Conference was this past weekend and it was awesome. I wrote the heck out of my journal. It was actually the first time I filled a journal! Not just from this weekend. The journal was full of my personal progress, scripture study, and of course my general conference notes. It was also the first time that I sat down and watched all four sessions. I really enjoyed it and I feel like I got a lot out of it. My favorite talk was Boyd K. Packer's. He was talking specifically to the youth. He said that we "are being raised in enemy territory" which is most definitely true. Another quote from him that stood out to me is, "The outcome of the war is not in question: Lucifer will lose." That is something that I think can be really reassuring in those depressive moods that sometimes comes with being a teenager, or a human.
I also like David A. Bednar's talk. He talked about family history and it was the first time that I have heard anyone tell the youth specifically that they can do it, too. I logged onto the site he talked about and started. I don't really know how to do it yet, but I'm completely willing to learn.
Overall, Conference was super good and I can't wait for it in April.

Stressssssssssssss.

School is stressing me out. Mostly English. I'm in Honors and there is so much homework. Every. Night. Right now, I'm trying to finish the Quarter's Outside Reading, which is due tomorrow. In the middle of the quarter? Plus, I have the sixth vocab quiz of the year tomorrow. Plus, we have participation points in there, and the most points someone has turns into 100%, and the rest of the scores are based on that. So, as of yesterday.. Two girls have 15 points. I have three. Yay. Sorry for being complainey, but I needed someway to vent my stress.



Myself, reading Washington Square. I am currently on page 160. There are 291 pages. I have to finish, make a summary card, and take the quiz by tomorrow. Yessss.



payday, yo.

Me and My Paycheck ;)

I got my FIRST paycheck in the mail today. Booyah. My life is successful now. I'm getting paid and paying taxes. What more could a girl want? Just kidding, but it's sure pretty exciting.
Currently, it's Labor Day weekend, but more importantly, it's a THREE-day weekend! Woot. School is killing me. And it's only been three weeks.. Why, oh, why do I still have almost two years of high school? Why not one, or none? College is calling my name, but I can't call back until 2013. Even though I'd love to be going to college right now, it's still super weird that I'm a junior. Upperclassmen. Tough. Yeah. I seriously remember the first day of junior high, back in Wisconsin. I felt so old as a SEVENTH grader. I remember carpooling with a friend of mine. I'm sitting there in the car basically freaking out. My friend just kept telling me to calm down. Ha. Oh, junior high. It makes me smile. Life was so easy then.

crucible read-a-thon

So, this is my story for today: On Wednesday, in English class, my teacher hands us the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller. His words: "This is the next thing we're going to read." We, the students, put it into our lockers. The next day, we come back to class. At the end of the period, he states that we need to have it finished by Monday. So, here I am, starting this play, the day before we have to finish it. I mean, it's not necessarily long or anything, but I have to sit here on a Sunday afternoon - when I'd much rather be napping in my comfortable bed -  for an extended period of time, and read about the Salem Witch Trials.
That's my story. I hope it intrigued you, kept you on the edge of your seats, I'm sure. Just kidding. I'm basically stalling right now. Okay, I need to focus. Fo-cus. Not the car, the verb. Just to clarify. Oh goodness, I'm horrible. I'm just going to keep you updated along the way as I attempt to do this.

Start Time: Approximately 2:30
2:30 One sentence in, and I've already yawned. Not a good sign.
2:54 I'm thirsty..
3:14 I'm on page 18...I keep getting distracted, but now they're talking about people dancing in the forest, a girl is naked, and one girl is drinking blood. This will be an interesting read..
3:22 "John, pity me, pity me!" - the words of a 17 year old girl, after being refused by John. She is also the blood drinker. Sounds like this girl has some issues.
3:28 "A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back" (Rebecca 25). Good quote.
3:33 This young girl, Betty is lying inert on her bed, and her father and other townspeople are sitting there arguing about his salary as the minister. Uh, people?
3:38 This is getting really hard to keep my eyes open.... Just a small break. I'll set my alarm for half an hour..
5:11 Yep, so I'm back now. Took a little longer than expected..I think I'm making this harder than it needs to be. How is it that I'm still on the first act?

Well, this is where I'm going to end my bloggy-post for today. The success of finishing the Crucible today is yet to happen. I'm going to finish before ninth hour tomorrow, though. For sure.

a brief summary;

Sorry I haven't written in a little while! School is stressing me out. Seriously, today I found a date calculator on my computer, and I figured out that there are 274 days until school gets out. If there's something that I shouldn't be doing the second week of school, it's trying to figure out how much longer until we're out. Oh well. By the way, there's 274 days until McCutcheon gets out of school. Just in case you were wondering. Let me just try to summarize my week and a half of school and work for you. This year, my school corporation bought laptops for all the juniors and seniors (it's a good year to be upperclassmen). I got mine last Thursday. Heck to the yes. Of course everything is blocked. It started out being just blocked at school but I can't get on Facebook or Youtube at home anymore either. Saddening, I know. Imagine my disappointment getting home from school Monday, trying to log into Facebook, only to have it tell me that it's blocked due to pornography. Come on, people. I'm Mormon. Do you really think I'm going on Facebook for pornography. Doesn't Facebook block that kind of stuff already? Geez-Louise. Get with the picture, school technology people. Anyways, maybe it's a good thing it's blocked? It does tend to distract me..

Okay, my job. It has been getting crazier and crazier! I work every Tuesday and Thursday now with another girl who only started just Tuesday. I'm pretty sure some of these kids thrive off of the fact that we're new. This one kid is seriously killing me. Today, he pulled a girl's hair...for bothering someone...who WASN'T him. It ended in two girls crying and him insisting that "she deserved it." Kids these days...seriously.

There's not much else going on. School is school. It's basically the same thing every single day. I just thought of something.. In Physics, we've been starting all the trigonometry stuff from Geometry. Seriously, that was two years ago. How am I supposed to remember from two years ago? Just kidding, but not really. Yep, so that's all I can think of now. I'll probably think of something really awesome as soon as I press "Publish Post" but..oh, well. That thought will be kept to myself, evidently, because my mind seemed to have suddenly shut off at the present period. It's only 7:49 but I really feel like going to sleep now would feel heavenly. Waking up before 5 in the morning, due to seminary, can do that to a person, I hear. Oh, the Mormon-high-school life. Gotta love it.

there's a first time for everything;

Today was a big day: the first day of my junior year AND the first day of my first job.

School: I wasn't really nervous for school this year. My schedule consists of the following: Pre-calc (a great way to start the morning), Study Hall (I T.A. for one of my past teachers), Piano (I'm excited for this :)), Physics (with a teacher who tries way to hard to be funny), Spanish III, Lunch, English 11 Honors (I turned in 325 points worth of homework today and I have a test tomorrow, and if that's any indication of what the year is going to be like...well, it was nice knowing you), and U.S. History. Not too bad. The only thing that I'm too worried about is English, and possibly Physics. Quote from my Physics teacher: "There won't be too much homework in this class, just around thirty minutes to an hour every night." Uh, what? I really hope he is exaggerating. Anyways, most of my classes are in the new building (the "advanced studies" hehe) and it seriously feels like a different school. It's almost annoying to go to the classes that are in the other parts of the school. Gosh. It feels like college..not that I would know what college felt like, but this is what I imagine it to be like. Plus, there's sweet roll-y chairs ;). On Thursday, I get a school-issued laptop, and I am PUMPED. It will be awesome. End of story.

Job: I work as a counselor at the after-school program at the elementary school that's next to my school. After school, me and another girl my age (who started today also), went together and then we chilled at the school with her older sister (the head counselor) until the kiddies got off school. Kids are so cute. Seriously. There's a down syndrome girl who is super cute and funny. We're already best friends. We fist pumped. I'm sure I will have lots more stories as I get to know these kids. Just you wait. I bet you're excited ;)

home stretch;

Summer homework status: I'm almost done. I finished the two very lovely books: How to Read Literature Like a Professor and the Scarlet Letter. I have finished the endless notes that are required for both. I have finished the section in Mythology and the chapters of the Bible, along with the never-ending notes. That is about all that I have done but I only have the little stuff yet to do! Like, some super-confusing AP questions, and some background information on Puritans and the American Dream. I'm feeling pretty good about it.

done, but just starting

I am DONE with Driver's Ed. Heck yes. Now, the rest of my summer (that is so sad considering there is only TEN days left! Where did it goooooooo?) is devoted to doing my homework and to taking regular/frequent breaks on said homework. Just kidding, but..not really. So, if you don't see me until school starts, don't fret. I am most likely not dead. Buuut, if you happen to be doing something fun that you think qualifies for "regular/frequent breaks," feel free to call me. Seriously.

Anyways, Wednesday I had my very first job interview! Exciting, I know.  I was kind of freaking out inside beforehand, but it wasn't even a very big deal. I applied for the after-school YMCA (I have connections ;) ) kids program at the elementary school that's right next to my high school. She asked me like five easy-peasy questions (tell me about yourself, what makes you good for this program, what activities do you do with kids..that kind of thing), and although I forgot some of the things I had planned on saying, I think it went well. She said, and I quote, "I just have to call your references, but it seems like a perfect fit." Success.

day seven; (finally)

Sorry, this is a little late, I've just been kind of busy. But here's:
day seven: one story you want to tell

Once upon a time, there was a sixteen-year-old girl whose summer was slowly slipping away. She could remember the blissful last day of school like it was yesterday. The feeling of elation that comes with finishing your last final. The anticipation for the three months ahead. The somewhat sad feeling you get as you empty your locker, but then you remember you don't have to come here for a long time, and you get excited again. But that wasn't yesterday. It was over two months ago. And soon, she would have to endure another nine months of homework, stress, school lunches, calculators, and mysteriously disappearing pencils. But first, she had to finish the last seventeen days left of summer. You might say "finish" is a funny word to put in the same sentence as summer, but in the current situation, "finish" works brilliantly. You see, this girl, who is to appear nameless, has a knack for procrastinating, and when you combine that with the 325 points of English homework she got loaded with for the first day of school, it doesn't come out too pretty. As of then, at the seventeen day mark, she was kind of stressing out. She has barely reached the halfway point in one of the books she has to read (How to Read Literature Like a Professor, fascinating read..really), still has to read The Scarlet Letter, and research a bunch of stuff. But this girl knows it's her fault that she left it to the last minute, and is trying to suck it up. This girl, also, has had to deal with three hours a day of the past week and of the upcoming week spending her mornings in Driver's Ed. Driver's Ed: Three hours of pure excitement (no, really)
You might think, having read all this, that this girl's life is not good, to say the least. But really, it's pretty much the opposite. If you haven't figured out, this girl is me. I love who I am (most of the time). I love the friends I'm lucky enough to call mine, and the memories we've shared. I love the church I go to and everything it's done for me. I love anticipating what the future holds for me, and I'm so, so excited to go out into it and grow. I'm excited to improve in my talents, my relationships, and in myself. I have a family and friends that love me. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I have a dear, nervous, little Pomeranian that loves me. What more could I ask for?

THE END.

day six;

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days..

day six: two things I want

1. Un-frizzy hair
2. To be valedictorian.

Sorry for the short post, I'll write more tomorrow.

day five;

day five: three things you miss

1. Manitowoc. I miss driving past Lake Michigan everyday, the mid-70 summer weather, the good friends and memories I had,  and sometimes I even miss the mountains of snow that, for at least four-five months of the year, covered every inch of everything
2.  Being able to play the violin. I used to play but I quit (oh, sixth-grade peer pressure), and now I think it's too late to start again.
3. EFY. 'Nouf said.
 

...I couldn't make the four go away.

day four;

day four: four confessions

Confessions? Hm, yeah. This is tough, but I think I'll just make it four things that I've kept to myself to certain people in my life.

1. I like you, and I don't know what to do about it..
2. I miss how we used to be, and I know we barely talk now, but I still wish we could go back to how we used to be. The thing is, we've both changed, and I don't think there's any chance of that happening. But, you were my first real best friend, and there will always be a place in my heart for you. 
3. I'm so grateful for you. I wouldn't have made it through the last year without you. You're my best friend and you understand me in ways that no one else does. We're so alike sometimes, it's kind of eerie. You are such an example to me and always make me want to strive to become a better person. I love you.
4. You're my sister and I'm so grateful for you. You've always been there for me and I love you so much. You are such an example to me and I hope I can one day be as amazing as you are. I can't wait until I can be married to a worthy man in the temple, just like you were almost a year ago. I love you.

day three;

day three: five things you hate

Oh, bother. I don't really like this one, to tell you the truth. I try not to use the word "hate," if I can help it. I'm making a correction: day three: five things you dislike

1. Stress. Obviously stress is not fun, but sometimes I just can't handle it. Sometimes, though, it pressures me into doing better, and sometimes it's my own fault. For example, freshman year, I had a four-page paper due, and for some reason, unbeknownest to me, I didn't start until the day before. I started writing a rough draft in my art class and then typed it all at home. Sure, it took me a while and I was probably snapping at more people than I should've, but I finished it. And I'm pretty sure I got an A on it. Success. But I realize now that was dumb of me to leave it that soon before it was soon. I'm not really sure where I was going with that story..
2. When I come up with an idea for a story and then I read a book that is basically my idea but twenty times better. It's happened multiple times.
3. Super, ridiculously hot weather. More specifically, the past fews days and the next few days to come. Humiditiy + High 90's = Not always so happy Carli. Especially when the air conditioner goes on the fritz, like it currently is. Apparently it happens around here, that the air conditioner turns off when it gets too hot. A little ironic, if you ask me.
4. Dread. I think the feeling of dread is one of the worsts. Right now, I'm definitely dreading school, which is less than a month away.. Oh, boy. And I still have homework to finish, too. And dread also comes with the feeling that time is going way to fast. Yeah, I don't like that either.
5. Okay, one more.. Losing stuff. 'nough said.

day two;

day two: six things you love.

This is a hard one because I when I start thinking about things like this, this list could go on forever. These aren't going to be in any particular order, just the way they pop into my brain.

1.  Books. I will openly call myself a bookworm. I see beauty in books and words where others, well, don't. Call me crazy, but reading is one of the things that really calms me down. And I know that as a high-schooler, that is not something you hear very often. I also aspire one day to be an author. I want to inspire people with books the way that they have always inspired me. I don't know if this will happen, but we'll see. 
2. My family. Although, at times, it might seem otherwise, I really do love my family. They're always there for me and they're really the only people who know me as the weird, crazy, and weird person that I really am. And after knowing that, they still love me, which just might be a mystery to all forever. I am so glad I get to spend eternity with my family.
3. My church. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I'm not ashamed to say it. My church keeps me afloat in a world that is sinking faster and faster with each day. I'd like to think that even without the standards that I have grown up with, I would still be the person I am. But I can't believe that. Some people think that Mormons are restricted too much, but having the standards that we do, gives us a much freer and better life. I am so grateful for this church and I can't wait until I'm worthy to get married in the temple with a worthy man standing right next to me. 
4. Friends. Over the years, I've learned the real meaning of a true friend, unfortunately, the hard way. But, I've grown up a lot because of that, and now I think I can stand up for myself in ways that I wasn't able to before. I'm super grateful for the friends I have now, the smiles and laughs we've shared, and the memories we've created. I love you guys so much.
5. Disney. This is super random, but I just thought of it. Disney is really one of the only things still in this age that is pure. The movies, the music, the shows. I never get tired of jamming out to the music from my favorite Disney movies. This past spring break, I went to Disney World for the first time, and it was so fun. Seriously. I want to go back. Tangled is pretty much my favorite Disney movie right now. For my campaign speech in speech (go figure) I ran to be Rapunzel.. Silly me. I got an A, though, so it's all good.
6. I thought I had all these good ideas, but now I'm drawing a blank... Oh, Colors. I love colors. They can make anything beautiful and they're so unique. There's the color of the sky: blue most of the time, but then at sunset, you can almost find all the colors of the rainbow. The color of individual's eyes: it's something that is unique to each person, and gorgeous no matter what. The color of flowers in the spring or leaves in the fall. They make the world so beautiful and I love them.

7 day challenge; day one.

I found this online and decided  to do it!

DAY ONE: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

1.  Okay, this is really pathetic and all but I'll have, like, pretend conversations with people in my head sometimes. I think this is because a lot of the time I don't have the guts to say what I really want to people. 
2. Sometimes, when I see something that catches my eye, my mind automatically starts working out how I can write it, how I can make it into a story. It used to happen all the time, but lately it's been happening less and less and it's kind of upsetting. I want to improve my writing, but I can never come up with an idea for a story anymore.
3. This probably isn't good for me, but I catch myself thinking of the person I wish I could be. Mainly someone who isn't afraid to talk to people, especially the people I want to talk to the most. 
4. With me being a teenage girl and all, boys are a big problem for me. They are just so confusing and frustrating, yet wonderful at the same time.. Sometimes, I wish I could just skip everything until I meet my future husband. Wouldn't that just be perfect? Too bad that's not how it works.  But when I'm ever feeling down about myself in this area, I always try to remember that I am a daughter of God and that there's a boy out there who will love me for exactly who I am.
5. Lately, I've been trying to make a lot of decisions, and they occupy my mind a lot. One such decision is whether or not I'm going to swim this year. Swimming is so completely, mind-boggling stressful. I barely made it through last year. Yet, on the other hand, I love the feeling I get of accomplishment when I get a best time. And I got a varsity letter last year, a feat I definitely did not plan on accomplishing. Plus, a lot of my friends are on the team and I would disappoint them, not to mention my coach, by not continuing. Buuut, I'm also trying to be one of the valedictorians of my class and to do that I need to do all the requirements for the highest diploma, and keep a 4.0, which because of Chemistry last year, I almost lost all chance of. I don't know if I can keep that up while swimming for three plus hours a day. There are so much thoughts bouncing back and forth in my mind about this that I tend to just keep putting the decision off. And that leads to the next number:
6. I think I'm applying for a job at the YMCA After-School Program. The school I would work at is right next to my high school, so, since I can't drive, I would walk over there after school and it would all work out. But if I get this job, then I don't have a choice with swimming. Job = No Swim. I'm just confused.
7. And last but not least, I usually always have a song running through my head, and if I'm alone or with people I'm super comfortable with, I'll usually start belting it out. Otherwise, I don't torment people who don't already like me with the torture-device, otherwise known as my voice. So, if you hear me randomly singing, that means I'm comfortable around you. Good for you :). Currently, I'm listening to Glee songs on Youtube. Win.

blog-aholic

I'm really getting into this whole blogging-thing now. Once I start typing, my mind just starts flowing and sometimes I don't even know what I'm writing, to tell you the truth. I love to write and that's probably one of the reasons. I can express myself in writing in ways that I can't doing anything else. I'm pretty sure if you read my writing, you wouldn't be able to tell I'm shy. But, I am. Unfortunately. But that's just who I am. I feel like I've overcome a lot of my shyness since moving to Indiana, but that might just be me. And if that fact seems to surprise you, believe me, it's true. I used to not talk to anyone out of my little circle of friends. I don't really want to talk about the friends I had in Wisconsin, though. Most of them weren't too good.

Anyways, I'm trying to learn all the ways of the blog, which is why it might be switching up a lot in the days to come. Just a warning.

It All Ended.

As of 12:01 this morning, while I eagerly sat on the edge of my seat in the local theater (silenting cursing the stupid commercials and re-run movie trivia that have been running for the past half-hour), it has all ended. I'm not the type of person to be crying that my life is over and/or complete. I'm definitley more of a book person because then I can re-read them as much as I want and still be amazed at the world that J.K. Rowling has created. But I gotta say, the movie was FANTASTIC. Except the ending, I couldn't stop laughing. Personally, I think they shoulda cut the epilouge thing out, but hey, what's done is done. It's been only a little over twelve hours since we got out of the movie theater, but is it wrong that I already want to see it again? This happens to me everytime. And what kills me even more is when it leaves theaters, and you have to live without even knowing when it's going to come out on DVD, which probably won't be for another long, six months. I am currently re-reading the Harry Potter books. I started on Monday and just finished the third book about half an hour ago. I know, I know. I'm a nerd/geek/freak/awesome-person/book-worm, but this week I was completely immersing myself in Harry Potter. This was my week, practically.
Monday: Watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; Started reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Tuesday: Watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; Watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Started reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Wednesday: Watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Finished reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Went to Mutual
Thursday: Watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; Watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One
Friday: WATCHED HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART TWO!

Woot. Now, that I think about it, I need a life. But believe me, that was only this week. I am never usually that much of a geek, so no need to be afraid. I'm pretty sure this was only the second time I've seen the fifth Harry Potter, which is super weird, but I only remembered what was going to happen because of the book, not from past-watchings of the movie.

Overall, my life is definitely not over or complete. Harry Potter was a beautiful decade in my life that will live with me forever. That was dramatic. I enjoy making writing sound dramatic :) But seriously, for those who are saying their lives are over/complete, they must not have much hope for the future. I, on the other hand, am looking forward to an eternity of happiness with my forever-companion. And seriously, what's Harry Potter compared to that?

Anyhoo, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to apply for a job. I was going to wait until I could drive, but for this, driving wouldn't really be necessary. It'd be an after-school program for elementary school kids at the school that's right next to mine, so I would just walk over. The thing is, though, that if I choose to do this, then that means my choice of swimming this year is gone. I've been contemplating whether or not to swim this year for a while. Swimming is so stressful and with my goal of being valedictorian (which I have to maintain a 4.0 for), it doesn't match up very well. The only reason I kept an A in Chemistry last year was because I sweet-talked my teacher. Gah, I don't even want to think about that class. That teacher was so strange. Once, in the middle of his lecture, he looked at me and said, "I heard you swim like an angel." Uh? That was so weird. He also called me a polywog, which I'm pretty sure is a Pokemon.. Add the fact that he highly resembles Santa Clause and you got yourself a strange teacher. I'm glad that's over. Now for Physics, and Honors English 11, and Pre-cal, and I don't remember what else. Yay for school. Just kidding. Seriously, though, school starts a month from TOMORROW. Gross. Sorry, I went on a rant. I'll end this post about it all ending, with saying that, in case any of you were worried, MY LIFE HAS NOT ENDED. I will still be alive and well next time you see me.

harry potter, IT ALL ENDS

This Friday, I'm going to the world premiere of Harry Potter ad the Deathly Hallows: Part Two!! I cannot wait! jakdowopalnmodfuiadh. Sorry, my fingers got excited. Currently, I'm watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone :) ad I will be continuing down the series throughout the week. I'm going to be so sad when it's over though. I mean, what is there to live for anymore? Just kidding, but not really. As soon as I'm done with my summer english homework, I'm going to read the whole series for the 758624536th time. not exaggerating. Okay, well, I am, but still.

Youth Conference!

Youth Conference was this past week and I love it so much. This year's theme was service so we devoted all of Friday to serving around each unit of the Lafayette Stake. We were split into eleven groups and went our ways. I went to Frankfurt and it was so fun and so worth it. We went to TPA Parks (which, we found out does not mean Tidy Park Association, but Traveler's Protection Agency) and painted a barn and a rabbit coop in the petting zoo. The only bad things were that there were animals that stayed in and around the barn, leading to lovely little (and not so little) presents placed conveniently around where we painted, and it was very hot. If you're not getting what I was saying, there was poop everywhere, and now, unfortunately, everywhere includes the shoes that were on my feet. It really was worth it, though. We splatter-painted our shirts and put handprints on them and now they look AWESOME. Plus, they had so many awesome animals and birds. And we named them all. :) There were many famous birds, a lemur that was hopelessly spoiled for attention, so many adorable and soft bunnies, awesome peacocks,donkeys, sheep that will eat anything (literally), a llama, a happily married pony couple, and some murderous ducks..just to name a few.





Lady Gaga, the pheasant.



Cee Lo Green, the parrot



Rihanna, the cockatoo.

Elvis was also in the building, but he was hiding in a bush, so I was unable to get a picture.

Michael Jackson, too, lived at this park, but I forgot to get a picture of him. He was a black/white chicken/peacock: He couldn't decide.

As you can see, there were many famous people here, including some that you might have presumed dead. But think again, people, because they live in Frankfurt.





Lucy, the donkey. She was the loudest Hee-Hawer I've ever heard.

Kuzco Carl Llama: We didn't want to get too close in case he would spit.



Nephi, the duck. Sorry for the crookedness. We watched as this duck was almost drowned in it's little pond by two other hateful ducks. We named them Laman and Lemuel.


 

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Zaboomafoom, the lemur. We assume it was a close relative of the actual Zaboomafoom from the T.V. show because it's not striped like he is. (Her real name is Rosie, but we didn't like that as much). We got to pet her and she was the most-spoiled-for-attention lemur, I've ever seen. Not that I've seen any other lemurs, but still... Her pose was so funny when we were petting her: She lied there were her arm covering her face like she was in bliss.



Tigger: the cutest and sofest rabbit on Earth. This bunny lived with Zaboomafoom/Rosie. There was a little black bunny too but I don't think we named him. So cute, so soft, so fast. It took a while to catch them.

PEACOCKS! These are all brothers, including the awesome Albino one. He looked like an Ice Princess, uh, Prince.

Heracio, the father of the above peacocks. He was so awesome. I'm so glad he showed us his feathers. He did it just for us. Jessica egged him on by shouting "Dooo it. Dooo it. Dooo it." And he did. Success.

Who knew Joy was so cheap? We stopped at McDonald's on the way home and Mmmm, it was a perfect way to end an awesome time serving others.

That day was so much fun. I got closer to people and had a blast while helping others. Being Youth Conference, we also had two dances, one on Thursday and one on Saturday. Super fun. On Thursday, I had to start the Snowball dance where everyone surrounds you and watches you dance with someone until they say Snowball and we grab another partner. Kinda scary. Kinda embarrassing. Oh, well :) I had fun dancing with my friends and being silly. On Saturday, there were also three workshops. The first one my group went to was more service: We sanded and sealed wooden blocks to send to kids in places where natural disasters have destroyed their homes. Then we went to a kind of "get to know you" workshop. We played name-tag, Bible charades, and signs (a game I happen to love from my days in the Green Bay Stake Young Women). Then, we proceeded to another workshop about service. We had to come up with all the possible things that we could do with a paperclip. Alone, the highest anyone got was 11 things but together, we got 44. It was kind of an example that together, we can accomplish a lot more than we can alone or that others can see potential acts of service in ways that others cannot. Then we tried to fit inside a little square. The idea was that you had to be completely in the square to see Jesus. There were also hymn books on the ground that we could not step on or stack. If you fell out of the box at all, you died. Sadly, I died. The point was not to get everyone in. The point was to see that sometimes, you can be outside of the box (which means you wouldn't die, you just wouldn't see Jesus) and supporting the others inside: Sometimes, you have to sacrifice your blessings to help others reach theirs, ending in more blessings for everyone.

Youth Conference was so great. I can't believe this was my last big youth activity until next summer, since I'm not going to EFY this year (sad sigh). Gah. I love being around youth who believe in what I believe in and hold the same standards as me. It's reassuring to know that I'm really not alone. And although at times it might seem like it, I'm just a prayer away, or a Wednesday-mutual-night away from seeing that I'm really not. And I'm so grateful for that and for all the youth in my stake. I love you guys and I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Everyone is such an example to me and I hope I can be an example to someone in the way that the youth in my stake are to me.

hobby;

I need a hobby. I feel like if someone were to ask me what I like to do, I would say, "I like to read, write, swim..." and then I'm at a loss for words. We're supposed to develop our talents, right? At least, that's what the Bible says, but who follows that..really. It's just I can't seem to think of anything. Sure, sure, the obvious ones come to my head: photography, instrument-playin', sports, knitting..

-Photography is something that could actually probably interest me. I don't really ever look for good photo-moments, but whenever I happen to see one, I snap it on my phone..So maybe, if I were to take the time to do it with a real camera..it could be a possibility.

-I used to play the violin and the piano..but I stopped both. My piano teacher became a Lutheran pastor and I never got another, and I quit violin in sixth grade because all my friends did (boo for peer pressure). Now, I regret quitting both. I recently started playing the piano again and I'm going to keep trying. Currently I can play "Part of your World" with minimal mistakes. That's about it.

-Sports..yeah, I'm not too big of a runner. Okay, I'm terrible at running. That's probably why I prefer swimming.

-Knitting- Tried that one..not going back there.

-I really want to develop my writing more. I think I said this in my last post, but now I'm really going to go for it. Writing is something I want to do for the rest of my life, preferably as a career, so I need to really buckle down on it now. One way to do this is to come on here more often. Just writing on here, to probably very minimal amounts of people, can help develop my writing and imagination in more way than I probably know, or care to know.

I really need some good ideas. And I admit I succumbed to Google. Currently, I'm on a site called Findmeahobby.com...Interesting.

Agh. I need help.

wala!

Dun-dun-dun-duuun! It happened! As of June 2nd, 2011, I have finished Personal Progress. Thank you, thank you. Hold the applause, please. Sorry I haven't gotten on to tell you this but I've been at girls camp, which I just got back from a few hours ago. My scrapbook is estimated to come in the mail on the 21st, so maybe I'll be able to post some pictures on here. AND my goal of getting it done before I turned sixteen was accomplised. Success. I turned sixteen yesterday and am now a free woman. So, if you know any attractive, preferably Mormon boys out there, you know who to call. Just kidding. But not really..

Anyways, like I said, I just got back from girls camp and I love it so much. It feels so good to go to a place for a whole week where you can just get away from the world and be with people who lift you up and make you feel good. I never want to leave. I already can't wait for next year. Aaaand youth conference is coming up pretty soon too :) Yay for church activities. This was my first year being a youth leader at camp and it was so nice getting to know all these girls, even though some of them were older than me. I was a leader for the fourth years who get to go to "high adventure" camp. We go to Turkey Run and camp there. We go repelling, hiking, boating, biking, raccoon-scaring-away, so much fun things. And even though I am bumped, bruised, scratched, red-in-the-face, I love every minute of it.

druuuuumroll please!

I AM ALMOST DONE! I have to finish my temple scrapbook and then..WALA! Young Women Recognition, here I come! I'm so exciting. My birthday's is in eight days though so I need to finish, considering that was my goal and I would be so disappointed to not get that. I cannot wait.

Anyways, it is currently summer, and I could not be more ecstatic. I want to make a lot of changes in my life during these few months. Whether or not they will happen, I don't know...but I'm going to try.

ONE: I really want to write more. It's my dream and if I want that dream to happen, I need to try to develop it.

TWO: I need to not get so lazy. I really am a lazy person most of the time. Not good.

THREE: I need to get out of my comfort zone. I really am a shy person and I really need to work on that.



CARLI<3

off the beaten track;

So I'm sorry for not posting since april 29..that sure seems like a long time. I kind of gave up for a little bit but I'm back! My birthday is in 22 days from today so I need to kick it into gear and finish what I started. Not getting my goal will be super disappointing (and might I add, a little embarassing after all the people I told). Next week it's New Beginnings in Young Women's and I was asked to bear my testimony about personal progress. And I can't really do that if I'm not making progress in my personal progress. I only have Moroni left to go and then I am done with the Book of Mormon, meaning I am done with Virtue. Success? Yes. Not yet though.

Gotta keep gooooooooooing.

sixteen year olds;

Sixteen year olds can be pretty fantastic. For example, Lauren Alaina is sixteen and right now is in the Top Five on American Idol. I can't think of many more off the top of my head but one I can think of, and is actually the reason why I'm talking about this, is Mormon. I just read the book of Mormon (not the whole book...just the nine chapters...I don't know what else to call it). In the second chapter it talks about how when he's only sixteen he leads an army of Nephites against the Lamanites...and wins. If he's not awesome, I don't know what else he is. The Nephites were outnumbered AND were being led by a sixteen-year-old.

I vow to be that awesome when I am sixteen.





Now Personal Progress, something I feel like I haven't talked about for a while.
I just finished the Doctrine and Covenants last night, as well as the Joseph Smith History, which is part of the deal. I only have two more scripture masteries to finish and then I'm done with knowledge! :)
Also, I have finished ALL of my experiences. Nope, not just some...ALL.
Last Friday, I babysat for my young women's leader, Sister Ordyna for free and passed off my last Good Works experience. It felt good to do that for them and it was fun for me. I love babysitting kids. They're so cute and pure and fun and I'm really the one getting the benefit from it. Unbeknowest to me though, Sister Ordyna brought me a little gift on Sunday and I was grateful for that.

So, as of now, I need to finish my Choice and Accountability project (which I will tell you about) and the Book of Mormon. I only have less than forty pages left in the Book of Mormon which is beyond crazy. I'm really liking it though. I didn't really pay attention in the beginning like I wish I had. It was late...I was tired...It's written funny...I don't know what they're talking about...I just read three chapters and realized I have no idea what happened..............These are all things that went through my mind. Not until the end of Alma, though, did I really start paying attention the stories and the messages in it. The two-thousand Stripling Warriors have always been a favorite story of mine and that's what really made me start paying attention. I can't wait to read it again so I can learn the stories and apply the messages to my life better and more.

My Choice and Accountability project is a scrapbook about my choice to get married and sealed in the temple. I'm making it online and I just started last Saturday but I'm already really liking it. I'll try posting some pictures I sent to my sister on here...even though my sister is the only one reading this, probably. Not the point... Nope, it didn't work. Hey, Vanessa, a little help?

Anyways, it's super cool.

helaman 12:3

I was reading the Book of Mormon a few days ago and this scripture stood out to me:

Helaman 12:3:
And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth cisit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

I really feel like this scripture can apply to a lot of people. People will ask why? Why would our Father let something like this happen to me? Why would he let me go through this pain? Why? And this scripture is the answer to those questions. And it's so true. If life is going good, if all your bills are paid, if you just received a promotion, it's super easy to think that you don't need anyone to help you. It's super easy to believe that you can handle things on your own, I mean, look how far you've come, right? But the only reason anyone gets that far is through our Father. The only reason anyone is HERE is because our Father. It's super easy, as soon as things start to get rough, as soon as you lose your job, or you get in a bad accident, to look towards Him. It's a little thing called the pride cycle that reaccurs a lot in the Book of Mormon and throughout history. People will be righteous and because of that, they'll prosper, and then because of that, they'll become prideful, and not look towards God, and then fall. It's a never-ending circle.

So, the reasons He gives us afflictions and hardships is because He LOVES us, not because He's punishing us. He wants us to look back to Him to gain salvation.

I'm grateful for that, that He cares enough for me to put me through these tests, to help bring me back to Him.

A Brother of Mine; My Value Project for Faith

A Brother of Mine

I have a brother, quite a hero of mine.

He has a certain way of keeping me in line.

I have my ups and my downs, but for him, never.

He’s up no matter what, He’ll be perfect forever.

He’s humble, grateful, loving, and kind.

He even healed the sick, the lame, and the blind.

I strive to be like Him, everyday.
To perfect myself, like Him, I silently pray.

He’s the perfect example of everything good,

Reminding me of all things, to do, I should.

I am a daughter of a King, a God,

And so, I promise to hold to the iron rod.

He’s the shepherd of his herd, the light of the world,

Waving the banner of His gospel, proudly unfurled.

I don’t know all things, I don’t even know a lot;

But I know, because of his love, alone I am not.

The world is full of darkness, hatred, and sin…

But in the battle over evil, I know good will win.

In moments that I can feel the Spirit near,

If I listen really hard, I hear His whisperings in my ear.

To love Christ is to love everyone,

For the amount of people He doesn’t love is none.

Service and charity are all part of the job;

He gave us everything; helping others is our way not to rob.

Of all the money I earn, I pay ten percent,

Knowing that everything that I have was from him to me, lent.

This gospel means the world to me,

And I hope I can worthy be.

Bringing this joy to others is the mission of many;

It doesn’t matter who they are, the Lord accepts any.

This brother of mine is quite the one to look to,

For he tells us of all things which are true.

He would give anything for you, and He did,

To make sure that all of our ungodliness is from us rid.

He died on the Cross, among his own people.

Will we let that be in vain, or will we be the steeple,

The steeple that is high in the air, for everyone to see,

Sharing the gospel as a true example of He?

I don’t want this life to be a waste.

I want to be told that although I had many trials faced,

I stood strong, never forgetting who I was,

A daughter and a sister to two without flaws.

I am a beautiful soul, with worth beyond belief.

Knowing that I’m important to Him, brings me joyous relief.

He lives! He lives! I know that my Redeemer lives!

What comfort this sweet sentence gives.

what a good day.

Today was just a GOOD day. Overall. Enough said. First of all, I decided not to do anything with myself. Therefore, I am dressed in a t-shirt and sweats. Comfiness? Check!
Then...in seminary I figured out I only needed seven more scripture masteries which IS NOT EVEN ANY! woohoo. And by the way, I totally finished Alma last night. I'm hoping it'll seem to go faster now because Alma took so, so, so, so ridiculously long of a time. Kay, back to my story. And we were talking about what we want in our eternal companions and it just makes me happy to think about my perfect man ;). He will be a return missionary, have a good sense of humor, can cook decently, is patient with my impatience, has freckles, is worthy of the temple, and is good with children. And that's just a few. Hahaha. Just Kidding, kind of.
Then, after seminary I played a little prankie on my friend Emily Stephens. Outside of our teachers house there's always a car next to my brother's that looks like his too. And a while ago, she got in that car on accident (which is always unlocked, for some reason). So, today when we walked by it, I told her, "Hey Emily, that's our car. Get in it." She only replied, "Okay, as long as I don't have to sit in the middle." And she gets in the car. That's what I call gullible. It made me laugh though.
School was school but I DID get complimented that I was pretty twice, even in my sweats and it made me feel good. Yay for nice people. :)
I don't really know what else, but it was just a good day. Something I really needed. Plus, right now, I'm jamming to Rascal Flatts and writing, two of my favorite things. AND I'm going to try to finish Faith today.

I did the lesson in FHE last night, finishing my last faith experience, about prayer and faith. I showed one of those Mormon Messages on youtube. Type in "Thomas Monson Prayer" and it'll be the second-or-so one. It's worth it. And today, I'm going to try to finish my faith poem, which is my ten-hour project. And then I'll be DONE with faith. I love the feeling of accomplishment.  I will definiitley post this that on here when I'm done, too, even if no one is actually reading this. That's okay.

When I was reading the Doctrine and Covenants last night, I really liked this scripture: "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you-there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time." (71:9-10) I really like that because it lets me no that no matter if I'm feeling bad because of something someone said or did, I will always have the Lord with me.

Carlisa:)

compliments to the chef?

I, Chef Carlisa, at la Restaurante Carlisa (also known as the kitchen in my house), is making dinner this upcoming fine evening. It's actually for my Nutrition and Wellness class but there's a Personal Progress experience that tells us to make a part of dinner everynight for two weeks. Well, I'm making the ENTIRE dinner tonight. I actually already made dessert, wonderfully crafted Mint Brownies with ganache. They look/smell/hopefully-taste/feel/and-SOUND beautiful. To eat them is going to be a loud, boisterous, crazy, colorful, and obstreperous (yup, I said obstreperous) EXPLOSION of those five things we call our senses (some actually have six. don't believe me? ask bruce willis). Anyone ever seen Ratatoullie? You know when he eats the strawberry-cheese thing? That explosion of his musical senses is what's going to happen when you eat my brownies...
Sorry, I guess I went off on a rant for a bit. Well, tonight, BESIDES my wonderful brownies, I'm making chicken calzones (mmm) and fingerling potatoes. The potatoes sound funny but they're basically just miniature potatoes. I will update you on the success of the endeavours tomorrow.

The Introduction;

Personal Progress is something I used to take for granted. It's something that I used to brush off, "Oh, I have six years left." "Oh, I have five whole years to do it." "Four years is a lot of time still." This was my mindset until only a few months ago, when I realized that I only had almost two years left. I've really been going for it since then. Currently, I have only 12 value experiences left to go and 5 value projects. I'm working on one value right now and actually 3 projects, now that I've started this: four. My goal is to finish by June 9th of this year, which from today is 2 months and 3 days away. I will keep you updated as much as I can, and to share any valuable experiences that should be told.

The value I'm working on right now is Individual Worth, experience three. It asks that for two weeks, I do all I can to notice and acknowledge the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. I really like this experience because it'll not only help myself become a better person but it'll also help other people feel good about themselves.

Although four projects sounds like a lot, it's not really. I balance them and it all works out. My Knowledge and Virtue projects are kind of connected. The project for Virtue is already decided for me, which is to read the Book of Mormon. I've been reading almost every night since around Christmastime of last year. I'm in Alma right now. For my Knowledge project, I'm trying to accomplish the "Monster" award for seminary (or so my seminary teacher likes to call it). That encompasses reading the entire Doctrine and Covenants (which I have been reading alongside my Book of Mormon), passing off all 25 scripture masteries in D&C, and having 80% attendance to seminary (which really isn't a problem for me). Right now I have 14 scripture masteries passed off and I'm in Section 45 of D&C, which is pretty good considering I only started on March 11 and it's been less than a month. For Faith, I'm working on a poem about Christ. It's not done yet and it has a lot of work to do, but I'll post it when I finish. And four: this blog. This blog is my Individual Worth project. Hopefully, the work I put into this will help me and maybe some other people who happen upon this. I also love writing and dream of being an author when I'm older so this will also help develop those skills (my INDIVIDUAL WORTH...hint).

Recently I finished my entire Integrity value (my first one all the way completed, thank you very much). For my project I found three frames at Goodwill. The end. Good idea for a project, I know. You can use it if you want, just give me credit....Just kidding, fooled some of you, huh? After I got the frames, I took a bunch of old magazines I had and cut out words or phrases that went along with Integrity and reminded me to have it. In the middle frame, I put a picture of Christ. It's on my wall now and I hope it will be a constant reminder of who I'm striving to become. (I just tried to post a picture but it's being difficult).

I also just did Individual Worth experience 2, which is basically to learn about patriarchal blessings and then to prepare to recieve your own. I really want to recieve mine because it's personal revelation from my Father to me. Not to everyone, not to our own church, but ME: small, simple, yet He knows me. Individually. That makes me feel so important in His plan and I cannot wait until I get it. It also helps that my sister's father-in-law in the patriarch so I already know him ;)...

-Carlisa Johanna Cramer
BTW: I go by Carli. I just think Carlisa looks a lot cooler so I'll probably write that out most of the time.