summer rambliness + picture things

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

This summer, thus far, has been spectacular. 

I actually managed to secure a job, and test into a college level math class.  It's weird, getting up and working eight hours a day/attending night classes twice a week has been exhausting, but it's taught me to value free time.  Also, coupons for free gas/food.  Also, anything free in general.

But in between all of that has been great.  Vacation happened, as well as my studio's summer showcase.  Movie premieres, coffee dates, and sleepovers have occurred.  And I've basically lived in cutoffs/sundresses when I'm not working. 

And on a side note, my family managed to order almost $40 worth of food at Taco Bell last Sunday.  I didn't even know that was humanly possible.  #ipromisewerenotobese #bigfamilyprobs #WHATDIDWEORDER

photographic proof. it really happened people. srsly. 

On a completely unrelated note, I finally edited all of the pictures I took during vacation.  It took me about three weeks, but hey; it's the journey, not the destination.  {Or something philosophical like that.} 

Note: I am not a photographer, nor do I think I am. I just like shooting things with my cannon. *ba dum tshh*

Anywho, if things get quiet around here this summer, it's because I'm out doing things. Like reading. And sleeping. And hopefully getting a tan. {Hey, a girl can always dream.} 

~ Abby

    

le love list

:: Red Hair ::

It's no secret that I've always been jealous of naturally auburn haired ladies. In fact, I remember plotting to dye my hair red when I was four years old, so I could be Ariel in The Little Mermaid. {I never could figure out how to grow a fishtail though -- I'm still trying to work that out.} So when my mom gave me permission to use a temporary hair dye, I immediately took her up on it.

At first the dye turned my hair more Katy Perry purple and less Emma Stone red. *cue freaking out* But it's faded some, and I'm beginning to like it a bit.

:: Reeses McFlurries ::

I've gotten into the horrible habit of picking one of these up with friends after dance classes and Wednesday night small group. I know, it's bad. But they're so delicious. And cheap. And addictive. {I am 99% sure that McDonalds ice cream has the same addiction inducing properties as meth. I am also pretty sure that this country's obesity rate agrees with me.}

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:: Escape from Camp 14 :: 

This book blows my mind. {All though I might be a bit biased, considering that I am currently obsessed with North Korea.}  It's an extremely fast paced, eye opening, engaging read, and I highly recommend it. 

:: Les Mis :: 

I saw it for the first time about a month ago -- and I've since seen it about 5 times. *blushes* Seriously, it's so brilliant; the acting, the music, the everything. Anne Hathaway killed it... I had no idea that she could sing and act so genuinely. Also she is an ugly crier, and that makes her so much more endearing.  Also, Marius's face. Also, this gif: 

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Thank you Tumblr. You inspire me daily. 

~ Abby

p.s. you can now subscribe to my blog via email! so yeah... that's all. 

an open letter to coffee

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Dear Coffee, 

             I want you to know that I think you're pretty spectacular. You are delightful hot, chilled, or iced; with cream and sugar, or just plain black. You always seem to be there for me in times of need -- whether that's at 7 a.m. while I'm feeding the animals, or at midnight while I'm cramming for finals. I don't know what I'd do without you. Probably something stupid, like drive all of the way to Spanish class, only to to discover that I left my notes for the oral final at home. {Which has totally never happened to me. Wat.} 

           I know that my love for you is simply a chemical reaction. But even though it's all in my head, I still need you and your sweet, energizing nectar in my life. 

          So dearest Coffee, what say you? Care to stay for a while? 

                                                                                               With much love, 

                                                                                                               Abigail

p.s. if you like sci-ency stuff, you should totes check this out.   thank you Hank Green for proving that i can stop drinking coffee whenever i want. that's right, i am not addicted. at all. i just like the taste and whatnot. *ahem*

reasons why november is a happy month

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A lot of people treat November like it's a filler month; the period of time between gorgeous the October, and the silvery beauty of December. But I actually happen to really like November as much, if not more than the other fall months. 

You see, November is when you can begin to listen to Christmas music unabashedly. It's also finally feeling 'wintery', so you can justify wearing tights and scarves and beanies. November mornings are also very misty, and it tends to rain a lot where I live. I don't mind though; November rain > sunshine. 

Also, November is the one month anniversary of Taylor Swift's Red album. (No shame.) It's also perfect for picture taking, and it brings me that much closer to December 23rd. (My half birthday. Yes, I celebrate it. I'll be six months away from being an adult. Woo.) 

Basically, November is a month of book reading, doodling, and reminiscing. It's also a month of anticipation -- after all, November means that Christmas is just around the corner. And let us not forget about The Hobbit premiere. 

Never laugh at live dragons,

~ Abby 

i love

Loving

Twitter

Ring pops

Photography <3

The Voice

Wishing

I had my own library.

Prom would hurry up an get here.

It were raining.

My Heart

Listening

What I Wouldn't Do - A Fine Frenzy

All The Pretty Things - Tenth Avenue North

Enchanted - Taylor Swift

I am so very blessed

Things have been absolutely crazy lately. But even though life has been hectic chaotic busy, I feel so filled with joy when I think about the amazing life I've been given. There are several things that I have especially been appreciating lately.

Image from weheartit

Books.

I mean really, they're marvelous. The sound of turning pages, the dry smoothness of the paper, the words that carry you away for a while. Really, books are wonderful.

Journaling.

Yeah, this probably is proof of my homeschool weirdness. But really, writing about my day has really helped me to get my thoughts organized. Plus my journal has a zebra on it, so it's pretty epic.

Hot Chocolate.

One of the best stress relievers known to man. Enough said.

And most importantly...

My friends.

God has blessed me so incredibly much, but especially in this respect. I have friends that have stuck with me, even when I've acted like a spoiled kindergartner. I have been blessed with friends that know me better than I know myself, and who I can "spill my guts" to. And I also have friends with which I can spend two hours discussing the intricate nuances of skinny jeans and jelly beans.

Yes, I am blessed indeed.

~ Abby



Happiness

Drinking tea in pretty cups: this makes me happy. This kind was called "Nutcracker Sweet", and I'm pretty sure I can feel sugar plum fairies and other such magical creatures dancing on my tongue when I drink it.

Words: these make me happy. Especially when they're spilling out of my awesome peacock pen.

Carrie, if you're reading this, know that this is for you. :)

Red nails: they make me feel sophisticated.

My iPod: which I believe has greatly helped me to preserve my sanity.

Currently listening to "Hot Air Balloon" by Owl City.

Photography: this makes me very, very happy.

Jana, that one is for you. :)

Happy Tuesday!

~ Abby

P.S. IT IS SNOWING OUTSIDE!!! :D

Of christmas, cameras, and comedy

Christmas day for our family started out right, with church and homemade cinnamon rolls.

They were pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

Once we returned from our Sunday service, we opened our gifts.

I recieved and SLR camera.

My life: now complete.

One of my sisters (who I'm pretty sure will one day become a famous musician,) got a keyboard to practice on. Can you guess what we heard the rest of the day? :)

Sheet music from one of the best songs in The Sound of Music. And what a coincidence, I just so happen to be sixteen going on seventeen. :P

We finished off our Christmas with a Tim Hawkins video, snickerdoodles, and frappachinos. It was completely worth it, but lets just say that I feel like I've gained about 1,000 pounds.

This, I am convinced, is pure heaven in a bottle.

And now I shall leave you with a Tim Hawkins video, because to put it quite simply, I want to. :P

Merry Christmas,

~ Abby

Today was a fairytale :)

Actually, Friday was a fairytale. I’m a little late posting this, but better late than never right?

One of the most loverliest nights of my life was last Friday. And it began with my dear friend Jana.

You see, we got ready together for a dance that our homeschool co-op hosted.

I’m not sure that the term ‘getting ready’ quite describe the four hours of epic that ensued. I do believe that we spent about one hour of that time doing our hair and makeup, and the remaining three hours jumping around, pretty much drunk with giddiness and excitement. We danced and twirled around her room, *attempted* to rap Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”, and teased each other about specific male figures in our lives.

(This wasn’t taken on Friday, but this is pretty much what we look like most of the time when we’re together.)

Yeah, we pretty much acted like teenaged girls.

Aren’t we an attractive bunch? :P

At about 6:30, this awesome group of individuals met at her house, and we went to dinner together. Our table was right across from the restaurant’s giant window, and we got a lot of strange looks. (Apparently seeing about a dozen teenagers dressed up in formal wear and chowing down on burgers and other such delicacies is not an everyday occurrence.) Somehow I managed to make it through the meal without spontaneously combusting from pure anticipation, which is quite a feat if you ask me.

After we finished eating, paying the waitress, and practicing our socialization skills, we squashed into the van and zoomed off to the dance.

It. Was. Magic.

I enjoyed every moment of it; the drinking of punch, the hysterical laughing, and the freaking out after a boys asked to slow dance. While slow dancing with a good friend of mine, he asked if I was enjoying myself. My answer: “I wish it didn't have to end." 

Because, to be quite frank, it was one of the most magical nights of my life.

~ 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

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

                                                                               

Photography 1/52

"Which of the photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow."

~ Imogen Cunningham

Photography makes my soul happy.

I love taking pictures and seeing other people's pictures. I love seeing vivid contrasts, interesting angles, and unique subjects. I love seeing emotion in a photo. I love a photo that tells a story.

Photography has really opened my eyes to the small details that make life so beautiful. In the past year I've begun to see things that I never would have noticed before, and I love it.

But I'll be honest, though I've greatly improved in the past 6 months, I have a long way to go. :)

Several of my friends are doing '365 projects', when you take one good picture a day. Unfortunately, I feel like if I were to take a picture every day it would begin to become an obligation, not a hobby. So I'm going to try to take one satisfactory picture a week, and post it on Saturday or something.

So here is last weeks's:

one of the last flowers in my garden. it looks a little weather beaten, but i think its still gorgeous. <3

~ Abby