The Trip

In lieu of pictures of Twin, since she is still partly anon, you can have the very first picture I took, on our walk to the grocery store.

So, I admit, I totally wanted to do a post while I was with Twin and be all, "We are TOGETHER!" But that failed. I was entirely too busy being with Twin.

I had so much fun with her, guys. She's pretty much just as amazing in real life, which makes her WAY AWESOME.

We rewatched all three Lord of The Ring movies, extended versions, and we agree that neither of us like Frodo, not even one bit. Sam's the real hero. <3<3<3
We went on lovely walks, and drank delicious tea, and even wrote a bit. We painted our nails (mine are colorful! :D) and listened to music we both loved. We made chocolate truffles, and attempted chocolate sauce twice with varying success. We read the same book at the same time. (That was an accident, but interesting.)

After the first awkward moment where her siblings all stared at me, I got along with her family famously. Her little sister, Molly, even declared that she loved me, and wanted to be my best friend. I have the picture she drew and "home steeple" to prove it.

Don't I look mysterious?

One of my favorite moments––which is an inaccurate statement, because the whole trip was my favorite moment––was right at the beginning. When I arrived at the airport, I called Maggie and told her I was there, then I pulled on a lovely hat and my "fake glasses"(reading glasses from the dollar store with the lenses popped out) before heading to the baggage claim. As soon as I saw her and her mom, sitting, I forced myself to keep my eyes off them, and I slowly walked behind the pillar closest to them. It was all I could do to not squeal and launch myself at her. Or collapse on the floor, because my legs go cooked-noodle when I'm nervous, and I was so so so so nervous. Once behind the pillar, I took a moment to not have a meltdown, drew a deep, not-as-calming-as-I-could-hope breath, and walked around behind their seats. I was sure they would see me and Maggie would instantly know it was me.
At least, until I grabbed her shoulders and made her jump.
I am quite proud of myself for successfully sneaking up on her.
Her? Not so much. She was a little ticked.

Another favorite moment was when I went to the bookstore with Maggie, her mom, and her sister. This may not seem so big to you guys, but I've never gone to the bookstore with like-minded readers. It was thrilling. I bought a beautiful copy of Beth Revis's A Million Suns. It's quite lovely. *admires*

So many other things happened. I had balance difficulties once or twice. (In my defense, sliding across hardwood floors in socks is the funnest thing EVER.) We went spelunking. (spelunking = my new love in life <3) I actually finished a pair of fingerless mitts for myself (those in the above photo) and I'm very pleased with them. They fit and they're wonderful and they make me happy. *^_^*

The best of the best, though, was undoubtedly talking to Maggie face to face. Just...being in the same room as her. Knowing beyond doubt she's not a figment of my imagination or––as several family members have suggested––a creepy old man.

But now I'm back in Texas, and aside from being forgotten at the airport, I'm safe and sound. I've just begun the unpacking process, which is the real sign that my trip is over. *tear*

The trip was a blessing. Maggie is wonderful, and her family is unbelievably kind. I admit I was so sad I had to leave that I shed tears while waiting for my plane.

Now back to school and work and daily life. I'm glad to be back home, but I definitely can't wait 'til I get to see Maggie Twin again.

Beginnings

After reading Matt's post about 2011, I was inspired.

In the beginning of 2011, February or March, I believe, I was checking out Miss Snark's First Victim for the first time in a few months, and I found an interesting link, leading to a teen writer's blog called Write On!. It looked sorta cool, I guessed. So I signed up for the forum. I had joined writer forums before, but it hadn't lasted. I would stick around for a month at most, and then I'd just peter out. But this one was people my age. I hoped I could actually make some acquaintances who would be fun to talk to about writing sometimes, and maybe even spur me to write more often than I did. (I have a serious confession: before 2011, yes, I did write. But in spurts. I would write for a few weeks, then I wouldn't for a few weeks. Or months, even. I wasn't fond of the pattern, but that's the way it was.)

I had no clue that Write On! would change everything.

(I couldn't resist the dramatic moment. It was just begging to be done.)

At first I was really cautious when talking to all the scary strangers at WO!, but as I relaxed and got to know them better, I realized they weren't scary. I even realized I was rather fond of them. I talked to them more and more––to the point where Mum got ticked at me a few times for spending so much time talking to my "weird internet friends" during the summer.

Of course, I'm glad I didn't listen to her for once, because these people were good for me. They encouraged me to write more than I have had before, and last summer I finished my first book. Finally, I had more than dozens of starts of stories. I had a completed story, in all its messy, tangled first draft glory. And as pleased as I was/am, I know it never would have happened without y WO! people encouraging me.

This year, I did my first NaNoWriMo, and the end saw the completion of my second novel. I started––and finished––my first semester of college. I got my first real job. I learned to knit on a whim. And half of those only happened because I found Write On!.

2011 has been a year of firsts and beginnings for me. I have to wonder what I would be doing instead if I hadn't decided to check out a blog I had forgotten about for a few months. If I hadn't clicked that link. Maybe I would have already been on my way to mastering Korean and an instrument(two things I have great interest in but sadly put on back burners often in favor of creating characters to talk to in leu of real friends), since I would have more time without all the writing and knitting I do now. Or maybe I would just be a lazy bum, reading and watching TV until I turn old and gray.

Either way, I wouldn't be me, and I rather like me. I like the stories I've created and thought up, and I like the people I've met in the last year.

2012 has some big shoes to fill if it hopes to be as great as 2011 was. I think it's already well on its way, with a visit to Maggie all planned for January. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year throws at me.

Any wonderful memories from the past year to share? Was 2011 a good year, or, as Matt asked, just another year?

A Package! (And A New Favorite Novel)

Excuse my chipping nail polish...

Guess what the mail man brought me! (Constance: The US postal service is speedy these days!)

Okay, so packages (and letters!) in the mail are among the things in life that never fail to brighten my day. I've been so excited about these amazing arm-warmers a la Constance, that I may or may not have been peeking out the window every day when the mail man comes to see if he brought me the long-awaited package.

Well, he did! And WOW.

I only jokingly said to my Twin that I wanted her to make me some "arm warmers." And lo and behold, she took me seriously Well. You said you wanted some, and I had no other plans for my next project. Why not? and magically produced these beautiful, ocean colored wonders! Just look at them! Okay, you've already seen them, I know... (And they're ten times prettier in person, too!)

Not only am I amazed by how quickly she picked up the knitting thing, but also I'm feeling so special and loved, that she took all that time to bother with something for me, just randomly! And yeah, it was a lot of time. (And frustration, methinks! I don't have the patience for this sort of thing.) It had its frustrating moments, I admit. But methinks you're totally worth it.

I think I owe her a month's supply of chocolate or something. Well, if you insist.

Something.

Okay, enough gushing! On to part two of this post.

I have a New Favorite Novel! And I couldn't resist adding it to my I'm-afraid-of-the-internet friendly picture. In case you can't read it, it's "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys.

It's so up my alley! I just love books like this, and I love this book, and I love her writing and-- yeah. It's a New Favorite Novel. Hands down. I would proudly put it on my book shelf next to Hunger Games if Taryn hadn't lent this particular copy to me (oh so kindly!). I'll definitely buy my own ASAP!

I seriously recommend it! I haven't put it down much since I started. It's that kinda novel for me. Gripping. Emotional. Realistic. Awesome.

I have to resist going to the library RIGHT NOW. Anything you love that much must be good.

On that note, I'm off to finish it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Best Part of Today: Hangin' out with horses! (a.k.a mucking stalls) I LOVE horses.
Currently Craving: Milk! Okay, ew. A milk-based drink. With vanilla.
Music Pick: "Mon Pays" by Faudel
I'm Reading: "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys

WIP: Fire [on hold!] (11,261 words) + Developing To Save Them (NaNo Novel)

Knitting! 3 in 1

So I've been sitting on some pictures for a while, of the last two knitting projects I finished––some fingerless mitts & a hat, both for two AWESOME people.

I was gonna wait to post the pictures until I'd actually sent off the gifts, but, uh, I haven't yet, and I know I'll forget if I wait any longer. I figured the finishing of my latest project was as good a time as any to share. Now, in order of project, we have... (Maggie, I know you're reading this. Close your eyes for the first two pics so it's still a surprise!)

Maggie's fingerless mitts

...Aren't quite long enough to be arm warmers

Yup. I definitely didn't make them long enough to be arm warmers(which was the original plan). And the cabling was a fail. But they're still pretty and full of LOTS of love. <3<3<3 (Excuse the mushy moment, y'all.)

Project #2 was Taryn's hat.

Too short? Yeah, I thought so too.

Better!

I did it twice. The first time it was too short––I didn't compensate for using a thinner yarn than called for. In my defense, it was the only yellow I could find. Taryn specifically wanted yellow. (Strange girl...) The second one is a bit long, but the edge can be folded up, so I was satisfied. I almost don't want to send it to Taryn, despite it being bright yellow. The yarn is UBER soft. <3

And project #3, which I finished all of an hour ago, is a snood and/or a baggy beret. The pattern called for a thicker yarn, but I wanted it to look a little bit more lacy, so I went for a 2 ply (instead of a 10 ply). I 'm really happy with it. ^_^ I have lots of extra yarn; I think I'll make a scarf to go with it.

As a snood.

As a baggy beret.

You can't see it here, but it has sparkly silver woven in the yarn. *sparkles at the sparkles*

Also, as a side note, I think the snood should win an award for the world's weirdest name for an article of clothing/accessory. I mean, really?? Snood? What kind of name is that?!

Oh, and GUYS. I finally thought of a name for my NaNo novel. (Some of you know how that was plaguing me. xD) Thanks for the help, André!

Twin Moment of the Day: I haven't talked to her AT ALL today. ;(

On my Mind: Food!

Listening to: "Gus: The Theater Cat" from Andrew Lloyd Weber's Cats musical.

Grateful for: Cooler weather

Wanting to: Go do some character development

Writing: Prepping Defiance for NaNo