Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thankfully I survived all my finals and now get to enjoy Christmas break! Unfortunately there is no snow here in North Carolina. I will post soon on the play and put up pictures. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a restful break!

Almost there!

Whew, I'm tired after an extremely busy weekend, including performances of The Secret Garden (which went fantastic, by the way).

I really want to post on the play and put up TONS of pictures, but that will have to wait. I have 2 weeks left of school but that also includes 2 papers, 3 tests, multiple quizzes, and 4 finals before I am done. I am not even thinking of Christmas until after my last final. 

So I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive, just swamped with end-of-semester school stuff. Well, I better get off and go study.

Here's a few pics that I couldn't resist posting right now..

See you in 2 weeks!

I saw Twilight at midnight!

I know, I know. I have gone on and on enough about this movie. You are probably SO sick of reading about it. You're probably wondering, "is this girl insane?". So I'm not going to say much. Shocked? You should be. I'm not gonna give anything away. But I am going to say that I am not the most obsessed Twilight fan out there. Let's just say that the midnight showing was crazy! Anyways, to sum up my entire experience I will just say...

It was fantastic.

go see it.

Twilight: 4 more days!

I would like to take this time to say that in just FOUR DAYS I will be going to see Twilight at midnight! I'm going with my sister and one of her friends. I am SO excited! Tonight we're going to a Twilight movie premier party at Borders. I'm very interested to see what they do at these kinds of things. I'm so obsessed, heh. I am going with one of my best friends, and it's fun to be obsessive with her. Although, I'm kinda afraid that we're going to walk in and be the only people that showed up. Hah, that would be SO embarrassing. 

So I just wanted to remind you that Twilight is coming out this Friday (11-21-08). Can you tell I'm excited? 

Also, sorry I haven't had much time to blog lately (explains why my posts have been so short). I would post some reviews, but I haven't had time to read anything. Maybe I'll post a review on The Odyssey when I'm done reading it for school. 

Have a good week!

shows for The Secret Garden

So, I found out that my show dates are Thursday, December 4 at 6pm and Saturday December 7 at 1pm.

Maybe you've noticed that I don't seem very excited? If so, you're right. This play has caused me to wonder about all the other acting opportunities out there. I have been so focused on getting roles at my school, but maybe it's time to branch out of my little bubble and try something new. Plus, I just don't know how much more stress I can handle from the plays at my school (Emily and Traci, you know what I am talking about).

Just a thought, who knows?

Updates

Things are so crazy right now! Time is just moving too fast, I wish everything would just slooow down. Anyways, I thought I would give you some updates on what's been going on in my crazy, hectic life.

The Secret Garden is really coming along (as the performance nears on December 4). I was REALLY worried about it at first. A week ago, nobody knew their lines and our director was threatening to cancel the play (yikes!). So on Wednesday and Friday she had cast 1 run through the play, and it was basically an audition. If you didn't know your lines, then you were pretty much out of the play. Also, how well you perform determines the amount of shows you get. But, everyone did amazing! I have been dreading this performance for months, because I knew how bad it was. Now, I am so excited! Everyone did such a fantastic job, it's actually coming together. Emily Ficken is doing such a phenomenal job playing Mary, I'm so proud of her. Unfortunately, I am in cast 2, which means my "audition" is this week. I don't have a huge part, so there is really not much I can mess up. But, I'm praying that it all goes well..I don't usually do very well under intense pressure! I will let you know by Thursday how everything went/what shows I got.

I have decided that I can't do NaNoWriMo. I REALLY want to, you have no idea how much. It's just not very realistic for me right now. I have so much homework and school stuff to do, it's insane. I figure that I can't really have much of a career as an author if I flunk out of high school (not to mention the fact that I also wouldn't be able to get into college), so I really need to focus on my school stuff. I've been feeling really behind lately on my writing, I feel like I just don't have time to write anymore, and that makes me feel kind of sad. I mean, this is something I really want to pursue..sometimes I just feel like maybe it won't ever happen. But the other night I found a Bible verse that really encouraged me. It's from Hebrews 11:1 and it says," Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I was like, wow, this completely applies to me! So no matter what ANYONE says, I know I am going to be an author, one way or another, it's going to happen. I just know that writing is what I was meant to do, I can't even explain it..I just know. I'm not exactly sure of the journey, but I am certain of the destination. But for now I am going to focus on school, whether I want to or not.

Oh, and can you believe that Twilight is only 19 days away!? I feel like screaming I am so excited! Tickets are on sale at some theaters for the midnight release. I am debating and whether to get them now, or wait. There is a theatre REALLY close to my house, but they said that they won't even know if they will have a midnight release until a week before. But, there is a theatre kinda close, but also kinda far away. It's like 15-30 min. away from my house. They have already started selling tickets for a midnight release. So, I am not sure if I should go ahead a buy those tickets or wait and see if the other theatre has them. But if I wait, then the other tickets might be sold out! Any ideas? Oh, and I got a Twilight shirt! It says "Team Edward" on the front and on the back it says "What if I'm not the hero? What if I'm the bad guy?" I love it!(Thanks Sami)

Ok, my last piece of news. And it's the most exciting (for me at least). Sarah Palin is coming to Raleigh and I am going to see her speak, today! I'm super excited, I love Sarah Palin. I'm hoping that I can actually get in, thousands of people are turned away from these kinds of things all the time. Yikes.

So now, I'm off to do homework for the day, fun? I think not.

Have a good weekend!

Cover for Along For the Ride! New Sarah Dessen book coming out in June!

OHMYGOSH! I am basically hyperventilating right now! My favorite author (and basically my inspiration for everything that has to do with writing) Sarah Dessen has a new book coming out in June, called Along For the Ride. The cover was released today on her blog, eek! So, I thought I would share it on here! For more info on her new book, go here.

                                                                                            

Back to school..

My wonderful fall break ends tomorrow, which means that I have to go back to school. This also means that I won't have as much free time to read, write, get on facebook, or blog. School along with all the loads of homework I get basically take up all my time. I won't have many book reviews coming in the next few months, if any at all. I will try to update at least once a week, ESPECIALLY on all things related to Twilight!(only 32 days until the movie, eek!) I will also try to post updates on my play that is nearing in December *gasp*. It's so close! It's what, the end of October? already!

I am going to attempt at writing for NaNoWriMo in November, but I am pretty sure that I won't make it very far. But I have some good ideas, so I might just end up doing my own thing so that I can take my time, but I don't know. I'll try and post updates on how that works out.

Now, it's time for bed. Seeing as how I have to get up at 6 AM tomorrow, ugh. 

The Secret Life of Bees-movie

I went to see this movie with one of my best friends, Traci. It flew above and beyond all my expectations. The acting was spectacular. Dakota Fanning was stunning in her performance throughout the entire film. There was one scene that she did where Traci and I were both crying, it was just so good. She has completely grown as an actress. Which is pretty rare, considering most young actors don't carry their acting ability as they grow older. All of the actors were so perfect for their character, even the setting was perfect. The movie was almost completely in line with the novel, which I loved. I just ADORE this movie.

I want to go see it again! It's now one of my favorite movies. Go see it, but be prepared to do A LOT of crying!

The Secret Life of Bees: by Sue Monk Kidd

I saw the trailer for the movie on this book, and I knew I had to read it. I heard about this book numerous times but never got around to reading it. I was missing out.

Set in South Carolina in 1964, this book tells the tale of a fourteen year old girl named Lily Owens. Her life is constantly plagued by the memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. Unloved by her father, Lily has no one except for her black "stand in mother," Rosaleen. When Rosaleen insults three of the fiercest racists in town, Lily knows that they have to escape. They find themselves in Tiburon, South Carolina, a place that Lily knows holds hidden secrets to her mothers past. They are taken in by three black beekeeping sisters who welcome Lily into their world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna. The experience of staying with these cultured women shows Lily what love is all about. But no matter how hard she tries, Lily can't seem to escape the horrible truth about her past.

This book was simply amazing. There was some weird views toward religion that I didn't particularly agree with, but it was a cute story. The movie comes out on October 17th and I can't WAIT to see it! It looks like it's going to be a great movie, ESPECIALLY because Jennifer Hudson is playing Rosaleen and Dakota Fanning is playing Lily. Anyways, it's a good book centered around strong female power, probably the reason that I like it so much!

The Hunger Games: by Suzanne Collins

This novel takes place in Panem, a Capitol surrounded by twelve districts that are all strictly ruled by the Capitol. Every year throughout these districts, each child between the ages of twelve and eighteen will be sent for the "reaping". During this process, one boy and one girl from each district will be selected to participate in the Hunger Games. These "games" are a fight to the death. But, if you win you will receive great fame and fortune. By forcing these children to kill one another, they are the Capitol's way of showing their power to control everyone. 

Katniss Everdeen lives with her mother and younger sister Prim. She is the caretaker and does whatever she can to keep her family alive. She loves Prim more than anything in the world and takes all precautions to make sure that Prim is never chosen for the games. Unfortunatly, Prim's first reaping proves to be an unlucky one and it is no surprise when Katniss volunteers to take her place. Katniss doesn't have even the smallest hope of survival. But all those years of hunting and fighting for survival pay off because without even realizing it, Katniss becomes the one to beat. The catch is that the road to winning these games will force her to make choices she never thought she would have to make.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book. When I first heard about it I thought, "wow, a book about little kids killing each other". But it's so much more than that! I spent days constantly reading it, and lay awake many nights just thinking about it. Although I have to warn you, it's a cliffhanger, which drove me insane! I hate that, ugh. Anyways, I can't recommend it enough, it's now one of my favorite books. So, GO READ IT!

Twilight Trailer

The final Twilight trailer was FANTASTIC! I can't find anything (so far) that I don't like about the way it turned out. The actors are all perfect for their character, everything about it is just perfect. It just all matches up exactly the way I pictured it in my head when I was reading it. I watched it over and over again for an HOUR! This movie has A LOT to live up too, but I don't think I could be disappointed. I am so pumped for the movie to come out! Hopefully I will be going to see it at a midnight showing. And of course, I will be wearing a Twilight shirt! I'm going to try my best not to scream, but I probably will!

Also, I am going to attempt writing in November for NaNoWriMo. Emily is participating, and so I figure I'll give it a shot. Although with school and all the crazy busyness that seems to find me, I don't think that I will make it to 50,000 words. Heh.

And, I've decided not to review Twilight. After all the posts I've had about how much I adore it, I'm pretty sure you all know how I feel about the book! Right now I'm reading The Hunger Games, and it's really interesting! So hopefully I will have a review for that coming soon.

Wow, Emily we posted on the same thing! haha. Great minds think alike!

Meeting Nicholas Sparks!

Here's an amazing picture of Emily and I meeting Nicholas Sparks! Pretty sweet, huh?

New Twilight movie poster and trailer!

New Poster for the Twilight movie! eek! I am so excited for this movie to come out! And also, the final trailer premiers on October 9th and can be found here. For more information on the movie and trailer, go here. I can't wait for the new trailer, and I'm counting down the days until the movie comes out! I can't help getting obsessed over this! Twilight is one of my favorite books EVER! I'm thinking of doing reviews on the Twilight books? Especially while I have so much free time during fall break. We'll see..

The Lucky One: By Nicholas Sparks

U.S. Marine, Logan Thibault finds a picture while on his third tour of duty in Iraq. The picture is of a smiling woman, and somehow this picture seems to bring him luck. He carries the picture with him everywhere, and believes that it is his destiny to find this woman. Once he arrives back home in Colorado, he sets out on a journey across the country to find the woman in the picture. He ends up in Hampton, North Carolina where he finally meets the girl in the picture. Elizabeth is a single mother who finds Logan completely intriguing. He keeps his good luck charm a secret, and ends up falling in love with Elizabeth. She has many questions about him, and is always sure that he's hiding something. Despite her gut feeling that he's hiding something, she falls in love with him too. Thibault feels at home in Hampton, and is afraid that if Elizabeth were to find out the truth of why he came, it would destroy their love forever. But this secret proves to be much more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

The Lucky One is not only centered around romance, but also adds a twist that even I didn't see coming. He reveals pieces of the story in such a way that keeps you guessing until the last page. 

I absolutely adore this book. Once again, Nicholas Sparks wrote a novel that completely surprised me. I recommend it to everyone, even if you're not really into the whole romance thing. There is so much more to it than that (I don't want to give too much away). It's an easy read, but so good. 

Although, I might just be saying that because I got it signed by Nicholas Sparks himself. Just kidding!

How acting found me..

If you haven't already guessed..I adore acting. I'm not sure how far it will take me, or if it's even something I want to pursue for that matter, but I love it. I love being on stage and getting to transform into a different character. I think one of the reasons that I love it so much, is that for the brief few minutes that I am on stage, I get to be someone else. I can completely escape from my own world and be a part of someone else's. That's probably the same reason that I love to write stories, and to read. I love being immersed in a story that's not my own. So far I have only been involved in plays at my school, but it's so amazing. The thing is, I am very shy around people I don't know very well. Up until a few years ago, speaking in front of a large group of people terrified me. Even just speaking in front of my class would make me sick to my stomach. But now, when I'm acting or presenting at school, I go into this zone. I get completely excited to speak in front of people. It's so weird. I owe it all to the acting I've done at my school. It completely pushed me out of my comfort zone, so that I am now able to speak in front of people and look completely confident. So, my getting involved in acting does come with a story. And, while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and share my entire acting experience with you, so YOU should feel special!

Around the middle of 7th grade, the middle school was putting on a play in our gym, Peter and the Wolf, I think it was called. I thought that it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen! I saw kids my age acting in front of tons of people. Of course, I quickly shrugged off the thought that I would ever get up in front of people and do something like that. I wanted too, so badly. But I was completely afraid. Later in the week I slept over at Emily's house. I heard her mom talking to her about getting involved in the middle school drama. She said that she had talked to the director, and that it would be fine if Emily wanted to come. Before I knew what I was doing, I volunteered to go with her. So, we went, and the first thing she had us do was read a monolgue (which was basically our audition for the upcoming play). I practiced and practiced for this audition. I memorized the monolgue. But, when it came time for me to perform, I did terrible. You could barely hear me, and I'm pretty sure I hid behind the paper I was reading from. We were doing the play Macbeth, and I got the part of one of the witches. I was really upset at first, especially because Emily got a lead role. But, it ended up being a really fun part. I was really worried at first about people recognizing who I was (the witches looked kinda creepy) and so I asked our director if we could wear masks. But, in the end I toughed it out, and did a creepy witch voice in front of the whole middle school. I only had like 4 lines, but at that time, this was a huge step for me. I completely fell in love with drama. 

Next year, 8th grade, I took drama as an elective. For most of the year we just learned the basics of acting, and later in the year we did a small play. Our director also taught high school drama. She offered all of the girls a chance to be extra's in their play, Little Women. So I was an extra, I think I had maybe one line. There was one girl in middle school drama who was given a small role in the high school play. She had a decent amount of lines though. I was so jealous of her. I wanted to be the best actress to be given a high school role. Well, a few weeks later, our director offered me the role of Mrs. Kirke in Little Women. I was so ecstatic. This play was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I could see myself improving as an actress. We did another middle school play later in the year, (All the Worlds a Stage, in which I played Portia) but it was not nearly as amazing.

So, freshman year. I was so excited to finally be able to audition for high school drama (no more boring middle school plays). I auditioned for Emma, and got the role of Harriet Smith (the same role that Traci, one of my best friends, received). I loved being Harriet. She was so like me, and so it was easy to be her. Finally having a lead role was amazing. That play was so much fun. Next semester I auditioned for Twelfth Night. I didn't think I would get a role in this play. I was completely surprised when I found out that I would be playing Olivia! I wanted this role so bad. But it proved to be a very challenging role for me. The director yelled at me a lot, there were many times when I really wanted to quit. I knew I wasn't very good at playing her, she was nothing like me. Very close to the performance, our director came up to me and told me that if I wasn't improving by Monday, that she would replace me. This was so hard on me. But, I decided that I was going to prove her wrong. I was going to be the best actress she had ever seen. I spent the entire weekend rehearsing my lines and trying to become Olivia. When it came time for my scene on Monday, I blew everyone away. To my satisfaction, the director was completely amazed. I finally proved to myself, and everyone else, that I could act. So far, this is my favorite role that I have played. I actually became someone who was completely opposite of myself.

And now, my sophomore year. I auditioned for The Secret Garden. I actually have a very small, but interesting role. I play Lilias, who is Archibald Craven's dead wife. I appear to him in memories throughout the play. I actually got to write a few of the scenes which is pretty cool. Although, playing this role is a bit embarrassing. I have some interesting love scenes with Archibald Craven, and everyone likes to make fun of me, UGH. But, it's a fun role to play and I'm interested to see how the play turns out. I'll post updates on rehearsals and such as the performance nears in December.

And, I am also extremely excited for next semesters play that I am auditioning for. It is my favorite book and movie. Pride and Prejudice! I can't wait!

First blog!

So, yay I finally got a blog! I'm new to this, so bear with me! My amazing friend Emily is going to fix my page up for me, so we'll see how that works out ;) Umm, I don't really know what to talk about...

Ooh, I am out of school for 2 weeks (thats pretty cool? right?) & I met Nicholas Sparks yesterday which was, of course, AMAZING! I went with my friend (Emily) and we stood in line for 3 hours! But, the waiting was worth it. We didn't actually get to talk to him (there was a lot of people there) but I mean, I said hi, which was, completely dorky. And, I just kind of stared at him, but I'm sure he's used to that by now. I just couldn't help it, I was standing inches away from a famous, amazing author *sigh*. And the whole time, I can't help having some major jealous moments, I mean, I want to be the super famous author signing thousands of books! Someday, that will be me!

So, I guess that's it for now. (happy, Emily?)