Favorite photos: the color edition

I had planned on trying to catch up on my 52 project today, but my camera is having a relapse. So in order to feel somewhat productive, I thought that I'd post some of my favorite pictures I've taken in the past few months. A black and white edition should be along in a week or so. :)

Things like this make me smile. :)

Jana, my gorgeous friend. :)

Oh my gosh guys, IT IS SNOWING OUTSIDE!!! I'm sure that I won't be very excited about snow in a month or so, but right now it makes me realize that the most beautiful season of the year is just around the corner.

~ Abby

Getting back into the swing of things

Thanksgiving break is officially over, which has forced me to return to the reality of school. But I'm actually kind of excited, I feel like break has refreshed me, and I feel prepared to tackle my huge hill of homework. I've missed getting to see friends at classes, and being busy. I'm even, drumroll please, looking forward to chemistry class tomorrow! *cue gasps and dramatic music*

I've made a short list of things I'd like to accomplish before Christmas break. I decided to post them to help keep me motivated; at Christmas break I'll probably go back and see what I have (and haven't) gotten done... Hopefully it won't be too depressing.

Now, on with the list!

Kick My Annoying Habit of Procrastination

Hello, my name is Abby, and I've been a procrastinator for the past 16 years. When I'm assigned something in one of my classes, I tend to have a lot of enthusiasm for it at first. But then the procrastination monster comes out, and I put it off. Then it doesn't get done until 3 am the morning of class, and I end up looking like this:

Keep Up With My 52 Photography Project

Ehh, I think I'm only about 4 weeks behind... No big deal, right? WRONG. The reason I'm doing this is to help me warm up for the 365 Photography Project, which I'm planning on starting in January... But if I can't keep up with one measly picture a week, then I definitely won't be able to take one picture a day.

Write at Least 15,000 for My NaNo Novel

I don't think that I've shared this on my blog, but I am writing a book. And I was participating in National Novel Writing Month. (Was being the operative word). But with my crazy schedule, I only actually wrote 3,000 words. I know, pathetic. However, I will say that I am very pleased with how its going so far; I have strong plot and good characters, so it'll go well if I just STICK WITH IT.

Be a Better Blogger

This is pretty much self explanatory. I feel like most of my posts as of late haven't really had any real point... So here's to writing more meaningful or at least more entertaining posts! *raises glass and cheers*

Anything you are wanting to accomplish before Christmas break?

~ Abby



I'm thankful for...

Pshh, I know Thanksgiving was Thursday, but better late than never right? :D

I am thankful for...

My Family

Yes, I am most definitely thankful for The Lord of the Rings :D

I'm thankful for my aunts who like to shop possibly even more than I do, my uncles who like to tease, my cousins who are just epic, and my brother who will stay up until 3 am watching The Lord of the Rings with me. Not to mention my parents, grandparents, and sisters.

My iPod + Other things I don't really need yet I love

I am not even kidding. I feel very blessed to have things that are just for fun, and aren't really necessary.

My Friends

Without them, I do believe that I would go crazy. :) They brighten my day with spurts of texting, old movie watching, black Friday shopping, and planning weekend endeavors.

For My Treadmill

Because I do believe I will be spending some time on it this week. There was a lot of this going on at Thanksgiving:

Hehehehehe, this was SO my Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving break!

~ Abby

Growing up

Growing up.

Something I never thought would happen.

When I was about 9 years old, I remember looking around at the 14 and 15 year olds around me, and thinking that they were so grown up. The girls got to wear makeup, and the guys were (almost) over their potty humor. Both groups were getting their learners permits, and seemed to have it all together. In my eyes, they were all so mature; practically adults! I couldn't even imagine being like them.

But then, almost without me noticing, it happened.

My friends and I began to grow up.

Now I look around, and a decent amount of my friends have either graduated and moved out, or in the process of doing so. Some of the things I've always viewed as milestones have come and gone. My 16th birthday, my first time driving, my first dance. It is scary to think about, but in just a couple years I could be in college, living in a dorm. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait, but at the same time I can't believe that I'm so close to being considered mature enough to look after myself.

Sometimes though, I still feel like I'm sort of stuck. Like I'll never get through this stage I'm at right now. My life seems like nonstop homework, classes, and chores. But then I realize how blessed I am to have so many great friends, and in reality, how easy my life is.

I'm rambling now, but my main point is this: enjoy the moment. Don't get so caught up in looking forward to the future that you forget to enjoy the present. I may only be 16, but I swear that I had my thirteenth birthday just yesterday.

~ Abby

Of life in general

Listening to: Good Life by One Republic

So far, its been an awesome week. :) I've danced like crazy (mostly to adele, haha), enjoyed my friends' company, and spent too much time texting. I even had the opportunity to have my picture taken with a celebrity!

Ok, so maybe he isn't *technically* a celebrity, but the whole "billions and billions served" thing is pretty impressive... Right?

Here is another thing that has made this week awesome: anticipating Thanksgiving break. Just one more day of school, and then I'll have a whole week of reading, writing, and hanging out with friends and family. I have such an awesome family; we'll talk, eat, and laugh until our stomachs hurt, and don't usually stop untill the wee hours.

I think I used the word 'awesome' about 50,000 times in this post... Perhaps I should endeavor to glean an expanse of mellifluous words in order to extend my vast and vivid (though somewhat repetitive), vocabulary.

~ Abby

So many books, so little time

Ahhhh, books. Seriously, there is nothing better on a cold day than wrapping up in a blanket, drinking hot chocolate, and curling up with a story. Preferably fiction, or better yet, fantasy. Yes, a good fantasy is always the best story, at least in my book. (Pun intended :P)

The only problem I have though, is that there are too many awesome books for me to read. With my schedule, I only have time for long periods of  'fun' reading on the weekends, and that hasn't been enough to sate my hunger. I mean really, would you rather be learning about dry subjects like math and chemistry, or would you prefer to escape into an epic adventure, filled with excitement and romance?

 I thought so.

So what is currently on my reading list right now? Well, lets just have a looksee...

WOW. This book is EPIC so far! I'm about 3/4 of the way through it, and I'll probably stay up all night to finish it... I won't exactly be quite alert for church tomorrow, but I MUST finish this book.

*I'm considering doing a review on this one... Would that be totally dumb?*

After I finish Inheritance, this is next up. I've had a couple of friends tell me about it, so its been on my reading list for a while... I'll probably start it during study hall on Wednesday. :P

I'm SO excited to read this one! I absolutely LOVED Markus Zuask's other book, The Book Thief, so I'm expecting great things from this one. :)

So thats whats on my 'to read' list... Whats on yours? What books have you been enjoying lately?

~Abby



Photography 4/52

"In my dreams, I could be a Princess, and that's what I was...."

This little girl is by far the sweetest one I've ever met. (I may be biased though, haha). Even though she may be crazy at times, she is always the one that wakes up with a smile on her face. The one who twirls around, sings, plays pretend, and reminds me so much of the little girl I was. The one who will climb up onto my lap, give me a hug, and say "I love you."

I love that little girl.

Happy Sunday! :)

~ Abby

I think your pretty neat.

Ok, so I SO stole this from Jana at Sunshine, Songbirds, and Blueskies. Thankfully, she is a sweet, understanding person, so she doesn't mind me sealing her awesome original idea. :)

So this is going to be like the "dear boys" post, only not. (I know, I'm so descriptive!)

Dear harmonizing partner,

Thank you for putting up with my freaking out and giddiness last Saturday. (I'm sure I was quite annoying and immature). I greatly enjoy eating pizza, singing one shot, and telling random inside jokes with you. (I'm like an owl!!!) Thanks for always being my friend, even when I probably don't deserve it. :)

Sincerely

The singer

 

Dear little brother,

Thanks for being understanding. I guess you aren't so bad, and quite frankly, you crack me up. :D

Begrudgingly,

Your sister

Dear Cow,

I haven't talked to you in a while! Text me? (it's a dancing tent!!!) We have to get together asap, I still have your HP movies ya know. ;)

Looking forward to exchanging verbally,

Corn

 

      Dear newfound bunny friend,

                         I wish I had gotten your phone #. Email. Anything. See you at the shows? Someone has to help me keep those crazy guys in check!

See you soon, (hopefully!)

The rabbit freak

Dear photography buddy,

I love your shirt. No seriously, the one you had on today. I'm also quite excited for you since you got your braces off; your smile looks very pretty. :) I look forward to enjoying the rest of highschool and beyond while being your friend; After all, we are such a fearless pair, the two of us. :)

Love,

Your partner in crime

P.s. I too love our love of lovely hunger games references as well... And peeta is quite lovely as well. ;)

Dear Idontevenknowwhattocallyou,

Hmmm, I wonder if it would freak you out if you knew how much I think of you... You are a great, Christian guy, and I admire you so much. I'm going to stop talking about you now though, because it makes me rather uncomfortable.

Affectionately,

The girl with the green eyes

 

~ Abby

Oh the memories

I apologize if this post gets a little rambly. I actually had intended to write this post on NaNoWriMo, (which is not currently going well for me), or something similar. But all my plans changed while I was strolling down one of the aisle at my local Wally World yesterday night. (Wally World, by the way, can be quite an entertaining place after 9 o'clock on a Tuesday night. But thats a separate post all together).

The reason for my change of heart?

These:

These were a source of great happiness in my early childhood. You say that money can't buy happiness? Well I beg to differ. Money can buy mini m&m's, and thats pretty much the same thing, right? :P

I saw these, and a wave of nostalgia hit me. I dished out the dollar for them, and am currently 'saving' them. Yes, I am a chocolate hoarder.

Now, on with the story!

You see, on my birthday, my grandparents would take me to this place:

Toys "R" Us: The proverbial heaven on earth for any kid under the age of 12.

My wonderful MiMi and Pops would take me in and let me choose any toy I liked, within reason. (No, I don't actually call them MiMi and Pops, but I think those are like, the ultimate names for grandma and grandpa... But I'm going off topic).

Anyway, we would always get to the check out lane, and there they would be. The mini m&m's. Being generous, wonderful people, they would buy me a packet. I would then proceed to eat them one by one, letting them melt on my tongue, swearing that the blue ones tasted the best.

Whats a favorite childhood memory of yours? And which color of m&m do you like the best? :D

~ Abby

Photography 3/52 + in which i complain

School.

*Sigh*

Highschool, I have decided, is a very scary thing. Just this week I have 2 papers, 2 tests, 1 quarterly exam, and a massive amount of homework to complete. Oh, and I have to read the book Walden by Wednesday. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to go to the library until Tuesday evening... Yes, large amounts of caffienated drinks will be consumed that night. :D

But despite my complaining, I actually enjoy school most of the time. (Except for math, which in my opinion has no redeeming quality whatsoever. Do I hear an Amen Hallelujah?!)

I guess you could just say that I'm paying for my week of pure awesome with a week of not so awesome. (Witty word play, no?)

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a wonderful evening of intellectual stimulation scheduled. :P You can probably expect a more uplifting post sometime around Wednesday.

~ Abby

Fall photo shoot

Yesterday was wonderful. My friend and I had planned a photoshoot a couple weeks ago, so we grabbed our cameras and headed for the woods. :)

Goofing off

Awesome purple converse :)

A skull we found

My favorite picture I got that day :)

It was SO gorgeous outside... Look at that sky!

Me :P

~ Abby

Pee Ess: Today I was able to see Hawk Nelson sing Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"... My life is now complete. :D

                                                                               

A week of pure awesome

Where do I even begin? This past week has been jam packed with so many wonderful things... I don't ever remember having so much fun for so long!

We went to a Skillet concert!!!!! I knew it was going to be a good concert when they opened with one of my favorite songs, Whispers in the Dark. You also know you got your money's worth when you leave without your voice because you were singing/yelling/screaming so much. (Er, not that I would do that... ;))

This is a QUATER of the FIRST building.

And then theres convention, the best part of the entire week. There were 23,000 rabbits this year. 23,000! I was able to make quite a few new friends this week, they are such an awesome group of people. :) It was 'pretty neat' to see kids from Maryland, Washington, and Texas sitting next to us at lunch! They even had people coming from Canada, Japan, and Malaysia!

The rabbits were pretty cute too. :) (I apologize for the quality of these pictures, they were taken with an iPod).

A baby Holland Lop grooming itself

A Tort Netherland Dwarf

A friendly little Jersey Wooly

And I gave into my obssesive, rabbit buying addiction got a new rabbit!

I *think* this is her. I have about 7 different pics of jr. choc ES on my ipod, haha! Thank you Nathan!

And then there was the youth banquet. It. Was. Awesome. We ate, we watched the awards ceremony, we danced, and then we hung around and talked for a while. :D

Speaking of awards, I took three rabbits and all three placed at the top of their classes! (1st, 3rd, and 4th!) You could have knocked me over with a feather; I NEVER would have expected that they would have done that well at the NATIONAL CONVENTION!

And what is the perfect way to end such a great week? With a free frosty and fries from Wendy's of course!

Life is good. :)

~ Abby