A Novel

Writing.

Isn’t it amazing how simple words on a page can transport you to another place in time… how colorless sentences fuse together to create a world so vivid right before your eyes? Page after page, the imagination runs free and pulls you into a new reality.

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This summer, I have spent my free time indulging in lots of great books… Some of you may know that I have been wanting to write my own novel for awhile. I had an idea spark about two years ago that I never revisited, but I remembered it recently as I was trying to fall asleep one night. This time, an entire scene flashed through my mind, so I quickly grabbed a pen and recorded as many details as I could in a small journal. Ideas continued to flow ever since, and they have inspired me to finally begin plotting. It will be years, of course, before its publication, and I know that I wont have much time once school starts back up. No matter when or if this book is ever released, I really hope see my own novel on a shelf someday somewhere…

Do you have any advice? Have you published or aspire to publish a book some day too? I would love to hear from you, and thanks for reading!

secret messages

unspoken thoughts

float on paper wings

carried by the wind

softly glowing

secret messages

paint the sky

embers burn

as the heart flies

what could be

what should be

what would be

what is

you will never know

writing secret messages

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Did you enjoy this? What are your thoughts? Would you like to see more poetry? Thanks for reading!

Before the dawn

“Night is always darker before the dawn

and life is the same, the hard times will

pass, every thing will get better and

sun will shine brighter than ever.”

~Ernest Hemingway

During a time like this, it can be difficult to see the light in the struggle, and negativity seems to surround us in the aftermath of COVID-19… Fear continues to grow, and so many people are left desperate for relief as the impact becomes more widespread.

It is easy to feel consumed in this darkness, but it is our own decision how we are going to react to it. There is still so much to be thankful for, and we must keep these things close to heart despite the hardships. Things will not stay this way forever, and there is always sunshine behind the storm. Remember Ernest Hemingway’s words and know that hope is never lost. It may take some time to get back up, but when we do, we will be stronger than we ever were before!

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I just wanted to share this inspiring poem because it is so relevant to what we are all going through right now. I hope that this reflection was moving or gave you a new perspective as it did for me… Feel free to share your own poems or quotes in the comments section, and I hope that you have  a great rest of the week!

Easter 2020!

I hope that you all had a blessed Easter 2020! Although this year was quite different than others, my family still celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, and we had a great day despite the circumstances. I have to admit that quarantine definitely intensified my sweet tooth, and I have been trying to control my chocolate intake all day… Can anyone else relate?

Also, I am sending prayers to those who were impacted by the storms last night and especially for those who lost their homes or loved ones. May they be comforted and regain strength during these difficult times.

Lastly, my new sibling will arrive in two weeks, and I am getting very excited to meet the newest addition of my family. I hope that you all have a fantastic week, and thanks for reading! Until next time.

Update & University Search

It’s finally Saturday! This was my first week back to school after having an entire month off, so it was a serious slap back to reality. Homework, deadlines, and exams are already on the calendar, but my brain is still on vacation (let’s be real.) I love my professors a lot though, and I am determined to finish strong because this is my last semester before I transfer to a new college. It isn’t going to be easy, but my goal is to finish with all A’s. I am currently taking Financial Accounting, Chemistry 2 and Lab, Algebra, Music Appreciation, and American Literature. Honestly, my classes are a lot harder than they were before, but I am up for the challenge… I think. I was also glad to see some of my friends again, but there are a few faces that I will miss seeing this semester as well.

As far as universities, I am almost finished applying to everywhere that I am interested. I just have to finish a few essays, and I will be all set. Yesterday, I completed my very first housing/dorming application, and the nerves really started kicking in as I began to consider moving away from home in a few months. I recently got accepted into a great school, but it’s farther from home than I was hoping to be… I am considering it though because my classes transfer better than the other places that I have looked into, and it looks like a beautiful campus. I always thought I wanted to dorm, but I am honestly beginning to wonder how I would feel about being far from my family especially with a new sibling on the way. Here come more big decisions…

I know this was a long post, but I have been really inactive on here and needed to catch up a bit. I hope that you are all doing well, and I really miss reading your posts. I appreciate all of you who have stuck around, and I am hoping to post more soon. What have you been up to? Has anything exciting happened in your life recently? Thanks for reading!

-shadows-

“Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.”

Quote: Ruth E. Renkel

– September –

“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sun burnt leaves.”

~Unknown

September has arrived, and the first day of fall is right around the corner. I always look forward to the cool evenings, savory spices, and vibrant colors every year. The “small things” like falling leaves remind me to pause for a moment and breathe in the midst of all of the chaos. The fall semester is certainly stressful, but the autumn season really helps offset that tension because it is so beautiful.

I have created this month’s playlist for you guys, so I figured I would just release it now. I hope you enjoy, and happy September!

• Dark Green by Children of Indigo
• Rollercoaster by Bleachers
• It Goes On by Zac Brown & Sir Rosevelt
• Good Things Fall Apart by Illenium & Jon Bellion
• Next Year by Donovan Woods
• So Far Away by Staind
• That Old Truck by Thomas Rhett
• More I See by S. Carey
• Suit and Jacket by Judah & the Lion

What are you listening to this month? Do you enjoy autumn? What is your favorite thing about this time of year? Can you believe 2019 is almost over? Thanks for reading!

Senior Year!

I am officially a senior… I feel really old when I say that, and it sounds a little freaky if I’m honest. I still can’t believe that I have actually come this far, but I know that my journey is only just beginning as I decide where I want to go from here. Auditions for professional dance companies are quickly filling up my calendar, and college applications, research, and tours are going to keep me busy for the next several months. I have reached a very confusing and stressful time in my life as I make major life-decisions that will determine my entire future in both dance and school.

The possibilities seem endless as I attempt to narrow down the perfect fit for me and figure out what I truly want to do with my life. For years, I had always seemed to know exactly what I wanted and thought I had a plan to get there. However, I am quickly realizing that life is much more complicated than I once thought because things are constantly changing, and new opportunities are always arising. Out of seventeen years, I think this just might be the biggest and most determining one yet…

Here’s to another awesome year, new memories, and lovely faces. School has officially begun, and I am almost to the finish line for high school graduation. I just have to get through a few more classes…This will be definitely not be an easy year, but it is SENIOR YEAR so bring it on!! I am ready, so let’s do this!

What was your senior year like? Do you have any tips to narrow down universities? What have you been up to lately? Thanks for reading!

Just Beachy

A blanket of sand covered our toes, and the cool water brushed our skin.

Everything was just beachy.

I used to drive by the beach on my way to school everyday last year, and I would always gaze out at the peaceful solitude. Birds would occasionally fly through the wakening sky, and a light layer of fog would gently settle on the water. The sun would peek through the clouds while boats danced with the waves… I would long for that freedom as I sat in traffic preparing for another lecture-filled day. After months of fantasizing, I finally stepped into the water for the first time this summer, and I was so lucky to have had such great company. I had so much fun; thanks y’all! 

Do you enjoy going to the beach? Anything exciting coming up? What is your favorite thing to do during the summer? Is there something that you often find yourself longing for? 

au revoir

It is so bittersweet to say goodbye to people after graduation and watch as they begin a new chapter in life… My friends have proven to me, time and time again, the true outcome of hard work as they receive job offers, college letters, and other opportunities that lead them to their dreams. I want to congratulate everyone in Class 2019 who has reached this milestone, and I wish you the best of luck as you go off to make a future for yourself.

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~Thanks, Tiff, for inviting me to your graduation party last night. It has been so neat to watch you grow throughout the years, and I wont forget all of the memories that we made. I cannot wait to see what your future holds, and I hope that you have an awesome experience next year. Congrats, and good luck with everything!

au revoir.