Christmas

My my my,it's been a busy week. (Well, I say it's been a long week, but really I haven't really done anything too important)

Anyways seeing as it's Christmas at the mo, I thought it's share a bit about my Christmas with you.

For presents, I received a wonderful onesie and apair of fuzzy socks from my siblings. I also got some make up and some nail polishes from my aunt. Finally, my dad got us the just dance Wii games. It was wonderful.

even though it was Christmas today, wwe didn't do anything too special. We opened persons of course, but other than that, I painted our bathroom walls a bit, and watched awhile but load of YouTube videos.

I'm Sorry I'd this post was kinda short and choppy, but being the wonderfully intelligent and responsible young lady i am, I managed to leave my laptop at home, so I won't have it for the next week and a half.

I hope you had a good Christmas.

*Alexis

Sea Cucumbers

It's the week before Winter Break. I should be at home sleeping. Everyday. Of. The. Week.

Instead, I'm up writing presentations about Sea Cucumbers. It's been quite a long day. And in the end, all I've learned is that Sea Cucumber fishing in Seychelles used to be a problem because sustainability was a concern, and that it is very important to learn about in school. Such arbitrary things to learn at school, yet I have to waste my brain cells on weird sea creatures somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

Why can't I spend this week lounging about in my pajamas and looking at pictures of unicorns?

Christmas Math

Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri,  I've learned that there are supposed to be four distinct seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Or Autumn. Whatever.

Therefore, the equations to the division of these seasons are as follows:

Cold+Ice+Snow=Winter
Rain+Warmth+Humidity= Spring
Heat+Sun= Summer
Cool+Falling Leaves= Fall/Autumn

So According to these equations, Cold+Ice+Snow=Winter

I also know that Winter=Christmas=Happy=U=Presents=Holidays(if Christmas offends you, although I have no idea why an excuse to put off work longer would offend you.)

Being in Texas raises an issue to this mathematical phenomenon. See if Cold+Snow=Winter=Christmas=Happy=U=Presents then we can't have Christmas. It is in the mid sixties for temperature. That is not Cold, therefore it is not Winter or Happy or Christmas or U or Presents.

So when someone sings "Where are U Christmas? Why can I find U?" It's because it is too warm and there is no Snow. Or even Ice.

But, Christmas could be totally dependent on something other than the weather. What would I know? I suck at math AND I have no social life.

What do you think?

Thankful

Here I am, a week 'n a half after the ACTUAL Thanksgiving day. . . writing a Thanksgiving post.

I am thankful for a lot of things, so Imma just hop right into this!

1. Friends- I miss my old friends so much, but they're still a part of my life through facebook or instagram or skype and even good old fashioned phone calls. I'm also grateful for new friends too. Like with out my new guard buddies or classmates, I would be such a LONER...

2. Siblings- Being in a new place, like now, has made me really appreciate how much I actually love my siblings. I'm not able to hang out with friends as much, and Emma and Ben have been there to keep me company (even though they do annoy the crap outta me sometimes)

3. Parents- My parents are amazing, strong people. For some reason, I spend alot of time arguing with them, but I really am thankful for all they do for me.

4. Ice Cream- If not for ice cream, I would not be alive today. 'Nuff said.

What are you thankful for (even though it's wayyyy past Thanksgiving?)

BEDN- Week in Review

WHAT? THANKSGIVING BREAK IS OVER?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously, I have no sense of time passing or I would've written this post maybe like a lot of days ago. (You know, like I promised.) Thanksgiving break went by so much faster than I realized it would. Unfortunately.

Tomorrow, we go back to school for another three weeks before we are let out for winter break or "Christmas Break"

Could we maybe just skip like three weeks, and go straight to winter break? Please and Thank You.

If you were hoping to find a soppy "Thankful" post, I'll write one of those later. For now, I'm going to change the "Blogging Every Day in November" (BEDN) to BNSEDN. aka : Blogging Not-So-Everyday in November. Get it? No? Well FYI its December tomorrow, and I've blogged maybe half of the days in November. (cue laughter)

Well, I'd better get going. Another torturous three weeks ahead.

Peace out Girl Scouts.

<3 Alexis

BEDN Blitz #5- Mmmmuuhhhhh?

17- Rehearsal
18- Home
19- French Shtuff
20- Nicole's Blog

Hello there lovely and handsome friends (for those of you who happen to be male). How are you? Oh! Great you say? Well that's good to hear.

I, however, am a little tired and quite sore... Why? Well. Lets See. Yesterday, I had a Color Guard rehearsal from like six thirty to nine. Today, I had rehearsal from 9 to 6:30. We learned drill for our entire winter show, and learned bits of flag and dance.
See why now?

Tomorrow, we're going to get up way to early to drive ten hours to get to St. Louis. Though, I'm quite unprepared for a ten hour drive, I'm very excited to see my friends again. Over break, I'm going to stuff my face with food, hang all day with my buddies, then stay up all night talking with them. Good plan right? ;)

Lately, I've also been listening to a lot of French songs because I'm a nerd like that. Also because we had a project in French class that involved presenting French songs. It was actually quite fun.
Here are a few that I liked:

Papaoutai-Stromae
Dernier Danse- Indila
On Danse- M. Pokora
Soulman- Ben Oncle Soul

Also, I found this penpal webside called studentsoftheworld.info where you can put up an "ad" and message people via the website. It sounds creepy, but I find it actually rather interesting. Or maybe I'm just weird. Either way, give it a try if you want to awkwardly converse with foreign people :D

Finally, I found out today that a friend of mine named Nicole also has a blog. I read like two posts, and they were hilarious. Just the way she tells stories makes me laugh. Her blog is: nicolesundays.wordpress.com
(Nicole, if you read this, I hope you don't mind me posting it, but it really is good...)

Well, that's about all my brain is capable of thinking right now. I'll post another blitz either tomorrow or the day after to catch up. I hope you have a supercalafragalisticexpialidocious day/night or whatever time it is.

Okay I'll stop now.

K

bye

<3 Alexis

BEDN Blitz #4 - Looking Foward

Final Blitz post!!!! Phew...

16- Next week and Beyond

Next week, I get to go home. As my friend put in a very true text:

"8 DAYS TILL YOU COME!!! ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!? BE PREPARED FOR STARBUCKS AND MOVIES AND TALKING ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

All of which I plan to do on the week of Thanksgiving. I miss my mates so much. I can't wait to see them!!

What are you looking forward to in the next week or weeks?

<3 Alexis

BEDN Blitz #3 - Happiness

Alright! Back to my Hippy Dippy Philosophical Chat Time!!!

I thought I'd talk about what makes me happy. First off, at the moment, we have brownies that my sister just made and they are DELISH. They make me very happy.

On a deeper level, I've been thinking about my friends from home alot, and I fill up with the warm fuzzies every time I remember something about them or a memory I share with them. So, I guess you would say "home" makes me happy.

Also, INSPIRATION makes me happy. I like feeling inspired. Whether it's to create something or to do something, I just like that feeling of being excited to do a project or putting an idea into action.
What inspires me? Well I spend a WHOLE bunch of time on YouTube. Its quite an unhealthy amount. Actually, now, this addiction is less severe, because I've been to busy to keep up with it. But this summer... Oh goodness. I had quite possibly the worst summer of my life, but YouTube and friends kept me from going crazy. They make me happy.

What makes you happy?

<3 Alexis

BEDN Blitz #2 - Life Right Now

Well, after all that thinking about people, let's take a break and discuss what my life is like right now.

Day 10- Weather
Day 11- School
Day 12- Home

Here in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, the weather is really gloomy. Especially at the moment, it's extremely cloudy and looks like it's about to rain. Honestly, I hope it does. As weird as it sounds, it's cozier when it rains.
Not like if I were standing IN the rain of course, but the sound of rain on the windows along with a blanket, some brownies, Hot Cocoa, and a movie sounds like the coziest thing at the moment.

As for school, its the week before Thanksgiving Break. For the teachers, it may mean "Lets quickly learn as much as possible", but for me, it means "let's chill and relax and then chill and relax some more." Thankfully, I didn't have very much homework this weekend. Yesterday I went to take a practice SAT/ACT combo test. It was at this church forty minutes away from where I live, and the room was FREEZING cold. I kept my coat on the entire time. The proctor guy was pretty cool though. He was very outgoing, and props to him for attempting humor every 20 minutes :P

At "Home", (or the apartment, because I'm refusing to call this dingy, cold place home), we just rearranged our room to be more practical. Emma and I each have our own night stands now, and there is a file cabinet between our beds, so that we don't disturb each other if one of us needs to stay up later. I'm just waiting for the day when I can have a room to myself again.

Well, hope you enjoyed catching up on "Life with Alexis"
Talk to ya in like ten minutes!

BEDN Blitz #1 - Philosophical Internet Opinions

I've finally decided to get on with my "Blogging Every Day in November" (except not really . . .) thing. As promised, here comes what I'd like to call a "Blogging Blitz" where I make up for my blogging incompetence in this November Challenge. I'm going to do it in four posts, because I feel like 10 would be too much work to write or read.

Day 7- Internet
Day 8- People
Day 9- Hate

So, without further ado, ALLONS-Y!

There is something that we call "Hate" that happens all the time on the internet. Most of the time, when I'm scrolling through comments on YouTube videos or on blog posts, I find a warm comforting slew of comments, all with positive things to say. Then there are those hateful and spiteful comments that either make me laugh with contempt or get angry at that person. I find it difficult to believe that people could be so awful! Every time I read such a comment, my head fills with these philosophical thoughts that I'd like to just hurl into the comment box and show the world.

I realize, however, that that is not a very practical thing to do. Firstly because I've seen the reply comments and replies to the reply. (REPLYCEPTION?!?!) Often I find that the "hater" insists on being mean, and even though many people try to reason with them, they just don't listen. I've also seen that the people who have good intentions, and who want to back up the victim of the mean comment, also uses the same rude language or tone that the mean person uses in the first place. Its like fighting fire with fire, and normally that leads to a "not-nice" situation.

Finally I think to myself "well then the only thing left to do is to ignore this awful person." So then I keep scrolling. But, for the person whom the hate was directed at, it might not be as easy to shrug off. It bothers me that good people have to put up with it, especially if they've chosen to put themselves out there to make other people happy.

I've never been a big advocate for ANYTHING. I don't ever have truly strong opinions of anything. This sort of post is WAYY out of my comfort zone. It probably didn't even make any sense, but if anything, I just want to say...

"Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, and I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake ,shake. Shake it off! Shake it off!"
-Taylor Swift

... and you should too.

BEDN #6 : . . .

No one's been reading my November posts, and I haven't had the time to write them, so I am temporarily going to stop them.

Some weekend this month, I will sit down and write a MARATHON of them, so if you are excitedly waiting for these posts, get excited for that.

Thanks

BEDN #5: That one Substitute Teacher

Today, I had this substitute teacher in my AP English class. She was quite grumpy. For example, when we did a practice multiple choice over The Crucible, a girl's phone went off, even though we'd all put ours on a wall pocket hanger. She looked up and said, "Oops, I'll turn that off", and the teacher sniffily said "You'd BETTER..."

When the class was over, I left, inwardly thankful that I wouldn't have to see her again today.

boy, was I wrong. I saw her again in my geography class where she spent a good deal of time yelling at us to get quiet. She took us to the computer lab to take a test, and afterwards, we were supposed to work on our notecards. She spent the rest of class grumping at anyone who spoke a word. It was quite ridiculous...

Anyways, I hope y'all had a good day, and didn't have frumpy grumpy substitute teachers.

<3
Alexis

BEDN #4: Top 5 Things I Hate About School

Only four posts into BEDN and I am already failing. (good thing no one's been reading them :P)

I AM REALLY STRESSED OUT AT THE MOMENT, THEREFORE I SHALL TELL YOU THE TOP FIVE THINGS THAT I DISLIKE ABOUT SCHOOL!!

1. Homework: This is a traditional part of getting an education that 99.9 percent of the human population dislikes.

2. Essays: I recently wrote an essay that received a 68% merely because the teacher gave very vague and not-so-good instructions, and I wasn't able to finish what I was writing. Long story short, I am very bitter towards this teacher at the moment.

3. Size: Our school is freaking GINORMOUS!! It takes about a lifetime to walk from one end of the school to the other (although on the bright side, I do get bragging rights for saying I have a big school :P)

4. Lunch: I like lunch TIME, but sometimes, school food is just not what one would call "Gourmet"

5. STUPID PEOPLE: Now this one is just mean, but there are some people that I can't stand, and I just want to hit them. But I don't, because I have to look like a nice person, but really, I'm very mean on the inside.

What do you despise about school?

<3 Alexis

BEDN#3: Auditions Part One

Heyy!

Today we had part one of our winter guard auditions. I didn't get any pictures, but we were just in the school gym.

First thing after school, I went to Band rehearsal and we literally marched a circle outside the school to prepare for a parade this Saturday. It doesn't sound like much, but our school happens to be quite large, and my calves were so sore by the end of it... (because the color guard has to point their toes when they march.)

Then after that, we had a half hour break before all of the people who wanted to try out for color guard went to the gym and we learned basics like across the floors, and drop stops. We also learned a bit of a routine that we will use for try outs next Monday

It was really quite fun for auditions, except that we were going excruciatingly slow...

Anyways, after auditions, we folded the floor, and our coach gave us a good talking to and a great long lecture. She was EXTREMELY disappointed in our behavior during the try outs, and apparently we were being disrespectful and bad leaders...

I completely understand where she's coming from, and I do agree that some of us need some attitude adjustments. I feel guilty because at one point I did stop to talk to another girl when I should've been helping my partner.

Next week on Monday when we have part two of auditions I will work harder!!

Well that's all about auditions for now. It's late and I have to get off to bed!

Goodnight <3 xoxo

Alexis

BEDN #2: Favorite Songs (top four)

Hello all! For today's post, I'm gonna tell you my FAVE songs at the moment :D enjoy! (They are in no particular order by the way)

1. On Danse by M. Pokora

I had to make a presentation on a French song for French class, and I just randomly chose a song off of the top 100 in France download list, and I happened upon this song. I like it's cheery fun-ness. It's apparently like a brand new song too...

2. Chandelier by Sia

I'm a bit behind the times with this song, but I just started listening to it, and I love it!

3. Unpack Your Heart by Phillip Phillips

My best friend introduced me to this song, and it reminds me of home when I listen to it :) <3

4. Rather Be by Clean Bandit

I dunno, I heard it on the radio, and I liked it...

Alright, sorry for the kinda boring post for today. Tomorrow I have winter guard tryouts in the afternoon after band rehearsal, so I can write about how that goes tomorrow. Should be more interesting...

Thanks <3

Alexis

BEDN #1: Forthcoming!

Hello all! Sorry for not posting yesterday, but our internet was being sketchy. I went to our school's "Forthcoming" dance yesterday! :) It was a "Forthcoming" because our school is brand new, so there isn't anyone to welcome home.

Anyway, I was excited to go because we helped decorate the school and it was AMAZING. I'll just include a couple of pictures from last night here, then write another post for today:


Sister and I before leaving for the dance.

Changed dresses, because mom liked this one better.

#selfie!!

No One Like You

What a busy month its been. . .

I've been thinking a lot about home. I really miss my friends and just the way it was.
I used to think people would say "there's no one like you" just to say it. To be nice, to be sensitive, to fill in a card, whatever. But then I moved, and I was looking for a person or a group of people to be friends with at school, and I realized that no one really fit my cookie cutter image of an ideal friend. I wanted the casual nerdyness of my last group of friends. I wanted to find people with their drive to do good things without being too pretentious about it. Most of all I just wanted to find people that I could talk to with out feeling too embarrassed.

But then I realized that, especially with my new school being literally a brand new school, most people are concerned with sticking closer to their old friends, or they're not what I'm specifically looking for. I went in feeling like it would be easy to find them (after all I'd done it before right?), but now I'm feeling a little too picky...

But don't worry about me, I've found people I can talk to, and we might not be "bosom friends" or whatever the term is. . . but they're nice to me, and I like hanging out with them :)

I guess the point of this post is to point out just how diverse this world is in terms of people. Literally no one is like another person. But in a way that's good, because there are so many things to learn from different people!

Well, that's about it...

<3 Alexis

HELP

Hallo!

Recently I've encountered a huge writing block (or whatever it's called). I've been so busy that whenever I have free time, my brain is so fried I can't focus on anything. I feel guilty and a bit sad for neglecting my baby blog so I'm going see if I can blog everyday in November. I think it's #BEDN (Blogging every day in November).

So, what I need help is. . . what do you guys want to read about? If there's anything anyone absolutely wants to hear my opinion on or to read about, I will gladly write about it! Otherwise, it'll just be kind of like a diary of sorts about my life.

Thanks guys <3

Alexis

The Liebster Blog Award!

The Liebster Blog Award everyone. . .! A-Thank you, A-Thank you very much :D

Hellooo! I was nominated a couple weeks ago by the lovely Holly of Inky Quill and Paper to do the Liebster Blog award. I'm sorry it took so long for me to get this up, but I've been QUITE busy with moving in to our new apartment and all. In fact, I've only been here a week and we've moved in, enrolled in school, and done all things involved in cleaning and organizing!
Well, lets get cracking!

This award is designed to help small blogs get noticed. It is supposed to go to bloggers who have less than 200 followers and those nominated are supposed to nominate other bloggers of the same description. Here are the rules of the tag:

~Answer all the questions that are given to you
~Link back to the bloggers that nominate you
~Nominate other bloggers
~Provide nominees with 11 questions 
~You cannot nominate the person who nominated you
~You must inform nominees of your nomination


Here are the answers to the questions Holly has tagged me with:

{1} What's the number one place you want to go in the future?
The number one place I wanna go in the future is probably Europe! I've never been there before. . . I've been to China and Taiwan, but Europe would be such a different experience! Everything seems more sophisticated and artsy and more my style. 
{2} What's your favourite nail varnish shade?
I love painting my nails, and I love to try all sorts of different colors! I do like gold alot, but I also like deep reds and bright summery colors (mint green, corals, light blues, etc).
{3} Who's the most inspirational person that you know of?
I have to say, that the most inspirational person to me so far might be my best friend from Writingmagic26 (Elinor). She's like a role model, an inspiration, and a sister all rolled into one :) <3
{4} If you could live any where in the world, where would it be?
I want to live in a big city. I like the idea of being able to walk everywhere and seeing new people everywhere I go. I like the liveliness and the bustle. (so like New York or LA or London or something like that :))
{5} How do you prepare for blog posts?
I don't really prepare for blog posts. I just get bursts of inspiration and then churn out something. I'm not big on editing or prewriting or anything like that. I just write what I feel like writing. For big posts or tags like these, though, I like to work on it bits at a time. I just make a draft and add to it until I can publish.
{6} What is the most memorable holiday you've ever been on? 
The most memorable holiday for me is when I went to Taiwan with my family a couple years ago. It was so much fun, and I got to see my cousins, uncle, aunt, grandma, grandpa, and a whole lot of other relatives and friends. It was so exciting!
{7} Are you in education? If not, do you work?
Yep, I'm still a Junior in High School.
{8} What's the best thing about running your blog?
The best thing about running my blog is being able to stay connected with people. I'm using this blog to keep my friends updated, and to meet other people who are like me through other blogs :)
{9} What's your number one beauty essential?
When I started this post like a week ago, I would have said mascara. I love mascara, because it's easy to use and it just makes you look put together with out too much effort. But, this past Friday, I had my first football game at my new school. We were supposed to have "natural make up" all day and for the game. I found that my marker eyeliner worked WONDERS. Its easy to put on and it looks really nice!
{10} How do you see yourself in 50 years time?
I'm not quite sure. I'd like to be happy and content that's for sure. With someone I love and a good family. I also want to feel like I've made my 50 years worth the time.
{11} What's your favourite social media site?
As of right now. . . its INSTAGRAM. I just got a smart phone recently and, goodness, I spend day and night on instagram. Its a bit of an addiction. . . Some one help!!! :P


Alright, I hoped you liked my answers. Now for the people I nominate:

1. Andrea from Sempiternal Reader
2. Ashima from Dark Radiance
My questions are:

1. If you had unlimited money, what would you do with your life?
2. What is your greatest interest/hobby?
3. Three words that OTHER people describe you as?
4. Your favorite type of electronic?
5. What's your favorite store/shop?
6. If you could dye your hair any color, what would it be?
7. Who is your hero?
8. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
9. How do you get inspiration?
10. Why do you write blog posts?
11. What a quote or motto you live by?

Alright, good luck to Ashima and Andrea!! I hope you all enjoyed reading this post :)

<3 Alexis

Moving Vlog

Finally getting this video up. . . Wow, I am such a slacker. It took me TWO WHOLE WEEK.

Well, I've finally finished editing and uploading my moving vlog. I feel kinda bad because I didn't really film a lot of it either. Life has been kinda sorta a little bit crazy, so I didn't have a lot of time to film or edit.
I hope you enjoy it anyways!

Also, I'm working on the Liebster blogger award, so that should be coming out soon :D
<3 Alexis

End of Summer! Tag

OO! Another tag I've been asked to do? (Feeling extra special. . .) Thank you Elinor :D

My friend Elinor, from writingmagic26.blogspot.com, has asked me to do her End of Summer! tag. Its basically a mish mosh list of stuff I did this summer!

So with out further ado, I shall get started! Enjoy!

I. . .
Took a week long vacation to Texas (Austin and the DFW area), during which my family spontaneously decided to move to Frisco, Tx.

Posing by a pond in Austin

Dad armed with stuffed animals, ready for the road!!

Went to a film camp at SLU, where I created a Fashion documentary with my group! We got to tour around downtown St. Louis to get footage, and I learned all about video editing!
(the camp blog: http://slufilmcamp.wordpress.com/)

Made my own back pack with floral fabric, large jeans, and a sewing machine!

Before. . . 

After. . .

Went BACK to Texas to look at houses! (to see Vlogs, visit my YouTube channel)

Went to a summer camp at the YMCA called Summer Stock, where we performed Aladdin Jr.! I was a CIT (Counselor in Training), therefore I did backstage crew.

A camper made these bracelets for me. How sweet! <3

The backdrop. One of the counselors and I spent hours drawing and fixing the paint.
It turned out amazing!!

On the last day of camp, the children were allowed to do the CITs and
counselors' hair and make up. Aren't I beautiful?

Had an awesome surprise birthday party with my friends in our kitchen!
 Went on a trip to Trout Lodge with my good friend Elinor, where we had lots of fun swimming and boating!

Elinor, Paddling away!

Emma, Ben and Dad in a canoe.
Dad looks so comfortable!! >u<

Baby birds, in a nest in the lakeside pavilion.

 Had a goodbye party with some of my close friends from school!
Barely passed my Driver's Test, and got my License.
Drove by myself with my siblings in the car, and no one died!! :D
Cleaned my room just for my friend (thanks Elinor!! :P)
Carried half a house's worth of stuff into a teeny tiny UHaul truck. (Backbreaking work I tell you!!)
Drove to Texas in two days.
Unloaded the truck and moved all the stuff up three floors of stairs.
Organized-ish our appartment.
Enrolled in school in Frisco.

Us at the new school, after driving four hours from Oklahoma!

Went shopping alot for school supplies, house essentials, and food.

Got allergic to Peanut Mochi (this morning. . .)

Flat lookin' Mochi.

Well, that about sums up my summer! I want to say nothing great or exciting happened but that's a big ol' lie. PLENTY happened. Its just that it didn't go the way I planned, but hey, when has life ever gone as planned?

School starts tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous, but also a bit excited. Wish me luck! :D

I hope you found this somewhat interesting :) I'm proud of the fact that I included lots of pictures. Hope you all had good summers!

<3 Alexis

Moving Day!!!

Ohhh no. . . I hope I haven't forgotten anything important! But, I guess its time to go!!

Hey guys!! Today is moving day and this morning has been quite the hassle! We finished up the loading of the UHaul Truck, and I did some last minute box-stuffing. It feels very strange, because my room still has quite a bit of stuff in it. We aren't leaving this house for good, because I'll be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Besides, the apartment couldn't possibly carry all the junk I've been collecting over the years :P

Anyhow, I'm kind of excited to get there. That way we can actually enroll in school, and then I'll feel like I belong somewhere. I'm just SOOO tired from all the box carrying and stuff.

Well, that's about it. If you wanna keep up with like how moving is going in video form I want to keep like documenting the trip on camera so, you can go to my YouTube channel to find those videos, but they might not be up for a while.

Sorry the picture got flattened in the uploading process, I'm not usually that pudgy. . .

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI71vLXb0tzZyd_RfDS2VDw

Kay love ya!
Bye :)

5 More Days

I've been really enjoying reading Inky Quill and Paper's Blogust series. . . Does that make me a creeper? I think I want to start some diary type entries too. . .

What's up everyone? My count down is telling me that we have less than five days left until the big move to Texas! Its still hasn't really sunk in yet that I'll be leaving. . . But it's the start of a new adventure!!!

Anyways, I thought I'd write a little about my day today (because I've been inspired by Holly :) Thanks Holly!!)

So, yesterday, I got my drivers licence- finally!! (my birthday was in June). I was so excited to have it! Despite the fact my dad told me that I wasn't going to be allowed to drive alone for a month for safety reasons, I drove four times today. ALONE. This morning, my mom told me I was to go to the bridal store with her, except to drive myself. We have a family bridal store, and she wanted me to film some training videos.

I drove to the store by myself, bringing along my laptop and camera. When we got there, it was too busy with customers for me to do anything, so I sat in the "Sewing Room" for a good 3 hours. I couldn't even connect to the internet, so I just listened to the Harry Potter, Prisoner of Azkaban audiobook while drawing pictures... Finally I was like "Mom, could I just go home and eat lunch? You can call me when you're NOT busy." So she said I could go home.

I drove home alone. I did stop by Dierbergs to buy a drink and some cookies. Then I went home and ate lunch. I then sat around and tried to clean my room a bit. Didn't work, but my mom never did call me.

Finally, in the afternoon, she called and said "Emma has an appointment today, please drive her to the store for me!" So then, I drove both my sister and brother to the store. I WAS SO PROUD OF MYSELF, because none of us died :P My mom then took Emma to her appointment, and I took Ben to McDonalds to get a DVD from RedBox. I met a class mate there, which was weird for me, because I haven't been going to school. School technically started Monday, but we're moving, so I didn't go.

Then I took Ben home, and I wasted some more time. For dinner, we went to Hardee's, but came home, because it smelled like gasoline in the area. My mom was paranoid that the place would explode. There was recently a gas explosion in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a bit away from my grandma's place.

Anyways, we ate dinner at home, and I played a couple games of Chinese Chess with my siblings. During which, while we were talking, Ben came up with the term "Kenfrucky." Its an abbreviation for "Kentucky Fried Do Do Birds"LOL.

Well that's about it for now. My siblings and I are getting banned from our computers tomorrow, so we can focus on packing. . . So I'll see you from Texas next time!!

Ciao!
<3 Alexis

Photography Lessons From the Car

Ohhh. . . the things boredom does for one's mind. . . 

Hello there! I was in the car a couple weeks ago, waiting for my parents to finish up what ever they were doing in our family Bridal Shop. I got soooo bored so I took some pictures to share :) ( I added a few other pictures from elsewhere, just 'cuz)

This is from when my dad drove my brother to a recplex for a night with a friend. There was this photo taking machine by the door that was taking quick sample pictures of the people just standing there, so Emma and I had a little fun with it :P

Aren't we just so GANGSTER? We are the most SWAG people I have ever met. 

#CarSelfies

My hair dangling oh-so-artfully out of the car window in the car sideview mirror.

The reflections of other cars in the sideview mirror. Aren't I so delightfully creative? (the answer is sadly. . . Not really, lol)

A pic of my favorite pair of shoes. I just love them so much! I wear them everyday. Fashion tip: Converses go with EVERYTHING :) (even this guy told me so. . . so I assume its true)

Alright, I hope you enjoyed these strange and random pictures of my life! Thanks for stopping by!

<3 Alexis

What?! Its AUGUST.

Oh, don't mind me. I'm just freaking out a bit because it is AUGUST...(cue face of utter surprise) WHAAAAAT??

Goodness gracious. Last I checked it was July. When did August come about?! I feel like lately, my life has gone into double fast forward mode (is that even a thing??). Summer camp is over. . . And although so much is happening around me, I really don't know what to do with myself. I'm bad at writing so I'm just gonna list what I've been doing:

1. Gradually packing my stuff in to boxes for moving!
2. Watching lots and lots of YouTube
3. Constantly scrolling through Instagram
4. Writing mini letters to all of my friends :)
5. Reading blogs (it was Holly's Blogust that reminded me it was indeed August...)

It doesn't look like much, and that is exactly why I feel like I don't know what to do with myself :P

My family and I will technically be moving in less than two weeks!! YEEP!! So. . . I need to start getting back into the school mode and stuff.

Well that's about it. . . Soooooo (sorry my life isn't more interesting at the moment...)

G'bye!!

The WRITING PROCESS TAG

WHAAAT? I've been tagged to do something?! I feel special!

Recently, I was called out by Holly from Inky Quill and Paper to do the one and only Writing Process Tag!!! She writes this really AWESOME AND AMAZING blog, so go check her out :)

I'm not much of a writer myself. I've never really written anything of too much importance. Meaning I've never written a book or article for personal purposes. I mean, of course, I was forced to write essays in school, buuuut, those were not great. I'll just give this a go though, so lets hop right in!

1) What are you currently working on?
As of right now, I'm mainly just writing bits and pieces on this blog (its my only blog). I basically keep this as sort of an online diary for my friends, family, and whoever might be interested in my life. My life recently has been a bit of a nightmare in terms of WAY TOO BUSY schedule. With camps and cleaning the house and moving, I barely have time to write stuff, which makes me kind of sad. I hope that someday when I DO have time, I can continue working on this story/manga that my friend and I used to work on back in 8th grade.

2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?
Um, well I'm not sure I have a genre. Like I said before this is mostly just kind of like a diary, so I guess it's a lifestyle/personal blog? I'm not sure if this can be counted as "different", but I feel like I put a lot less effort into my blog than other, more serious, bloggers. I write when I feel like it. Someday, when I have more time, I want to write more on my interests and hobbies, etc., but for right now, I'm just sticking with the "diary" theme.
Also, that book/manga my friend and I were working on, I'm gonna call it fantasy/fiction/dystopia.

3) Why do you write what you do?
I started a blog because Zoella had one, DIY and Beauty YouTubers had them, and most of all my Best Friend had one. I have a post on this (Inspiration), if you want to go read that. Anyway, I write when I'm feeling something deeply emotional or I'm just IN THE MOOD to write something. For me, writing is something that I do for myself. I'm not really big on grammar or proper writing form. That is something I reserve for language arts class! So all in all, my blog is really just a personal, online thing.

4) How does your writing process work?
Ohhhh myyy. I feel very unqualified to answer this question, because my writing has never been very good. Especially in language arts class. Most of my writing only ever deserved as high as a "B". I basically think of something in my head, then write until my fingers can't write anymore or until I run out of writing steam. If I haven't written in a long time then I might feel obligated to write something, and those are usually not my best posts. Also, I kind of just post whatever I write. Some people might write something, edit it, then edit some more, and post it a couple days later. I just write and click "publish". I don't even re read anything except for combing through for typos. . .

5) Tag three people to complete this post.
 1- Elinor @ writingmagic26.blogspot.com
 2- Emma @ thesnappydragon.blogspot.com
 3- Freya @ http://ateenagersguidetothegalaxy.blogspot.com/

Well there you have it! My writing process! I hope you found this interesting or helpful or funny :)

<3 Alexis

an UPDATE

*SCREEEEECH* That was me slamming the brakes because I was driving too fast. Happens a lot when I'm sleepy :P

Why 'Ello there! I know I've been gone for quite awhile. Mostly because I've been doing this musical camp at our local YMCA. Also because we are in the midst of moving-house-chaos. Aaaaanndddd. . .  I may have beeen just a smidge lazy. (pls don't judge!!)

Anywho, I felt that I had to make up for being "away" from my baby blog for so long. Therefore, I am sitting here updating you on whats up! Like I said before, I've been doing this camp at the Y. It ended this Sunday and I'm gonna be sad to go. (Sunday?? you may be thinking, well technically camp ends on Friday, but we had performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.) I'm gonna really miss the fun, the improv scenes (except I'm awful at them), and mostly the people. I've met some incredible people doing this camp, and its kind of sad to think that I may not ever be able to see them again. I'm a CIT (Counselor in Training), and there'a another one named Andrew. He's cool, and just naturally funny. I don't get how it works. Then there are three actual Counselors called Matthew, Kate, and Morgan.
It's so hard to explain in a blogpost just how fun it was to be in this show. I was a replacement for one of the girls and... lets just say I make an awkward guard!

There are ups and downs to my life, and camp was an up. The downs was that I went to bed every night kind of sad and depressed. During the day, it's easy to forget about the sad stuff that's going on, but at night its really quiet in my room and it gives me too much time to think about moving. I still don't think it's completely sunk in yet that I'm leaving St. Louis.

Also, I've had sooo much stuff going on, I haven't been able to film the routine for my guard try out, so Imma have to do that soooon.

Well that's pretty much it for now. I'll write more when I'm feeling inspired or something.

c yaaaaa

A Seriously Good Birthday Haul

Wait I'm sixteen?! Since when?!?!?!?

Hey Guys!!! Its been 2 days since my birthday (on the 26th) and I still feel fifteen. It just hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I am grateful for all of the presents I've received!! Thanks to all who gave me a present :) <3
This will probably be a lengthy post because of pictures, but hey! Pictures are pictures :D !!

 So this here cutie pie's name is "Mr. Bob". The tag says "Fable" but that's not a cool enough name, so Emma named it "Mr. Bob" This is Emma's gift to me (she bought it way back in like March, but I still love it to death!) (Also, I'm not sure which gender it is. . . Its a bit gender confused :P)

 These two nail polishes are from my younger brother, Ben. He had a fun time checking them out at the cashiers. . . He had to explain to the girl there that they were for my birthday and not for himself (haha!) I really really love these colors. The yellow is called "Lets Meet" and the baby blue is called "Cinderella" (fitting right?)

 Here is an mp3 from my dad. I already have one but its at least four years old now and is filling up fast. It works just fine, but I'm running out of music space, so this will be good for the extra stuff I download! 

This is a shampoo that my mom bought for me at Target. I was smelling it and it smelled really good so she bought it for me. I really like it. (It might be a sign that she bought me shampoo though... maybe I need to wash up better? JK)

 This cute basket full of stuff is from my great friend Audrey!!! Keep reading for details :)

 The basket contained this adorable gold metallic notebook in which we are currently keeping ideas for YouTube videos. It is really quite handy for jotting down ideas that suddenly just pop into your head!

 This here is a note card holder. I mean who can live without a note card holder?! It'll actually be quite useful because I'm still in high school and this past year I used up a good 5 packs of note cards. This will be good for keeping them, and its just so cute!!!

 This is a cute Vera Bradley wallet in the style "Paisley meets Plaid". It's quite small, but its for when I get my license!! I cannot wait to get it, all I have to do now is practice parallel parking and then I CAN DRIVEEEEE!!!!!! WHOO WHOOOTTT!

 Next is this adorable make up bag with a mirror inside, also from Vera Bradley. This design is called "Heather". I don't have very much make up so I'll probably use it for a variety of things. But it'll definitely be useful nonetheless!!!

And finally in the basket were these two sticky note pads. I really like that they have that cover, because it'll protect them from sticking to other things when I keep them in my bag. I can't wait to use them for school!!

 Last but not least, I got a note from Audrey and a card from my epic history teacher, Mr. Schulz. I will be forever grateful for their kind thoughts:)

So thank you again to the people who gave me presents for my 16th birthday! Luv ya!

Alexis

Texas Review. . . Sorta.

Hey hey hey!! I hope you're having a good day! :)

So, I mentioned in my Moving House post that I was going to review the wonderful state of TEXAS!!! Then I realized that I don't know what sort of attitude I want to take on the review. Serious? or Sarcastic? or Funny? I don't know. This is probably due to the fact that I have very mixed feelings about the state and moving here. But I'll just write what I had in mind down below. You are welcome to read. (BTW I didn't bother finishing my thoughts so please don't be disappointed...

Are you ready? LEEEGGGOOOOO!!!!

What people say is "Everything is bigger in Texas". I think that this statement is half true. Or maybe everything is in proportion so it feels the same size. I noticed, though, that everything is rather more spread out. Excepting houses in neighborhoods, I saw that the land/ commercial area looked stretched out. (does that even make any sense?)

My sister did a post on Texas stereotypes if you want to go check that out at thesnappydragon.blogspot.com

But I feel like she made a point. Lots of people think that Texas has alot of country people, country music, and just COUNTRY/ a ranch vibe. The places I visited weren't at all like that. (Well actually some places were, but those were more like attraction areas.) The residential areas seemed... well, NORMAL.

Funny Story: We met this Chinese/Taiwanese guy at this Panda Express. I think he was the manager or something but he was so COOL. I'm gonna go back and say Hi :)

Summer Re-Do

So, I've been editing this post for a while now. I'm quite proud that I didn't just scrap it like so many others.. :P

Things have drastically changed since I shared my "Summer To-Do List". Like LIFE ALTERING things have happened. I was planning on a nice stay at home summer with a few side projects to work on. Yeah, well now were MOVING so.... WHICH for those of you who know me personally/ I have seen your face before...

PLEASE do NOT go publicizing this matter... Its a family/ personal thing... Basically I'm giving you a secret. Can I trust you?
(as I splash it all over the internet...)

Anywho, I figured, not many people read my blog posts. I can see how many views I get, so I can tell that it really is usually just like family and friends, so I should be okay.

I've decided that my summer needs a makeover. I need to trash some of my ideas and save em for later, and live summer like #YOLO. The Disney princess challenge thing was a GREAT idea that I haven't have time for and WON'T have time for, so that'll have to wait. I was also gonna try and get a job: well even if I got one ON my sixteenth birthday, I would only have like a month and a half before I had to leave. Besides, I have a camp coming up in July, so that job idea was kinda shaky in the first place. Instead, I'm gonna spend my summer getting ready and packing stuff (obviously...) and then set to work... uhhhh I'm actually not sure. I'm leaving this planning stuff up to my parents.

I definitely know Im gonna keep the make up challenge if I can, cuz I wanna give it a try. I'm not a big make up person, because... well I SUCK at putting the stuff on, so this'll be entertaining. I also know that I'm gonna get my drivers license before we move so when I do, STAY OFF THE ROADS!!!! Just kidding, I'll be careful not to run you over.

Well, thats it. Thanks for stopping by!

<3 Alexis

Moving House

Wassaaaaaapppp!!!

So, I had this beautiful post planned out for like my review of the state of TEXAS. But then things happened. LOTS OF THINGS.

For starters, I found out that we're probably moving out to TX before school starts. Literally like this morning. Then I think I went through like the 5 stages of grief in like three hours. So now I'm just a little confused, but that's not really important to this post. I was expecting to move, but not before my junior year was over. And now I don't know what's going to happen.

Anyway. I'm writing a blog post about it, because I'm rubbish at telling people in person about this sort of thing. It makes me uncomfortable and I never know what to say or when to say it. So I'm just gonna put this up and see who reads it.

As for the review of the state, that will be coming later. And quite possibly a rant.

Well, G'Bye!!

PS When I say grief, I dont mean that this is necessarily a tragedy. I was just VERY VERY shocked. Like post traumatic stress...

Vlogcation Fail

Hey Hey Hey!!
Well I just uploaded my first vlog. It was kind of an epic fail because 1) it's my first one 2) there isn't a thumbnail and 3) I had to chuck it onto movie maker, then quickly upload it, cuz I needed to free up space on my camera to film more stuff...
And it's basically two days worth of driving...

Anyway: I'm having some technical difficulties so the best I can do now is just have a link on a word so...

Click HERE

... To see the video

Please don't laugh at me :P and ENJOY!!

Lets be FRIENDS

Hello there, Wanna be friends?

I'm in a really strange mood right now. I guess it's kind of self explanatory since I AM sitting on the car with no one else here... and typing up a blog post. We are leaving for a family vacation in Texas sometime soon. Although, in our family, we say we'll leave at 12 pm and we'll actually leave at 2 in the afternoon :P
I'm planning on filming this trip so I can add it to my YouTube channel: TheLexis
Yeah the only two videos on there right now aren't what'll usually be on there. They were both school projects.

Well, that's about it. Talk to ya later :D

Au Revoir!

Pictures

I was just reflecting over my blog and I realized. . . I NEVER POST ANY PICTURES!! *except when like I'm doing the 30 day Disney Princess Challenge ...*

I've decided that my posts need more pizzaz and pictures. They'll make me less boring and more interesting (wait is that the same thing?? Whatever)
To start, here are some pretty pictures to see (*all belong to me and are taken by my family and me)

Count Down to Summer

I'm so awful at intros, that I needed to look up ways to write one on Google... I found that you should be INVITING and FRIENDLY. Here goes...

Hello there best friends! Welcome to another post on the SunDuckling blog! Life on here is a party :) a very dysfunctional and clumsy party, but still fun nonetheless.

I suppose that you're reading this particular post because you want to find out how many days there are until summer break. (or you just happened to stumble upon me and my blog...). Either way the accurate count as of this moment is 5 days left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fact that summer is just SO CLOSE makes me think: What do I want to do and what do I have to do this summer??
The answer is: ALOT OF STUFFFFFFF!!!!!!
I'll just list some here, so you get an idea just how much time I spend thinking about summer and NOT working on school work:

1. Start a YouTube channel properly BEFORE the end of school.
2. Vlog vacation and exciting days
3. Clean/ReOrganize/Paint my room
4. Do the 20 dollar makeup challenge
5. Hang out with friends
6. Go to Texas for a week
7. Have a film journalism camp for a week
8. Do a COPIOUS amount of DIY projects
9. Mayhaps get a job??
10. Get back into shape (I am really unhealthy right now: I blame the school year)

See? And that is really only a rough outline, my plans for this coming summer vacay are very intricate and quite detailed.

Alot of it has to do with my YouTube channel. If you'd like to check that out click here. There's not much there right now, but I'm hoping to get it going soon, when school slows down a bit. If you have any suggestions or requests feel free to comment! (Ha ha I'm already self advertising :P)

Alright, I'm running out of writing steam.... Thank you for stopping by to read my blog, and I hope to see you again sometime soon!

Tchao!

VERY WORTH READING

AAALLLLRIGHTY

So, in case you haven't noticed, I've been gone awhile. EPIC FAIL. On many levels.

Anyway, lately it's been a little nuts in my world. I think so much, that at the end of the day, the little space that's left in my head is dedicated to daydreaming, only at night, before I fall asleep.

You, as a reader, don't get to see this, but I often start a post, forget what I want to talk about, and let it sit in my drafts pile for about a week before I give up on it, and tell myself that "I'll write next week."

. . .

See? Already I have no idea what this is about. Maybe another 30 day challenge could remedy my forgetful mind, but I have to finish the Disney Princess one first, and I've only finished day 4.
I really just want to write something incredibly inspiring or interesting to read, only at this point, all that is happening to me is school, school, chores, school, and internet surfing. Good thing summer's on it's way. If it weren't I might have just dropped out of high school.

Sorry if you've braved my post this far only to find that nothing interesting or worth noting has happened. I also apologize for the extremely misleading title. I wrote that before I realized this was going downhill. I've just wasted a couple minutes of your life. If you want something funny, then check out my sister, Emma's blog:

http://thesnappydragon.blogspot.com/

right, I'll stop talking now. Just look foward sometime in the future for a favorites post or 30DDPC.

kay. Bye.

30DDPC Day 3: Favorite Prince

AAAAAANNNDDDDD HERE IT IS!!! The long awaited day three of the 30 Day Disney Princess Challenge. Sorry it took sooooo long to make it. School has been a crazy whirlwind of work and other stuff.

Anyway:
My favorite prince has to be Cinderella's prince charming. In the first Cinderella, he doesn't have much of a character, but in Cinderella 3, I just thought he was soooo handsome and heroic. I also thought he was so nice, because he believed Gus Gus when the mice tried to tell Cinderella's story.
This was a tough battle between Prince Charming and Prince Naveen from the Frog Princess. Naveen just had such a happy outlook on life even though he was broke, and he was quick to realize what he really "needed".
Prince Charming eventually won out because he was so brave and noble for rescuing Cinderella from banishment!

Anyway, I hope you all like it, and I will see you soon (hopefully) with Day 4!

<3 ~ Alexis :)

March Favorites 2014

OH MY!!! It's already April 3rd?? Sorry for not posting this sooner! I've just been sooooo busy. With my final presentation being less than a week away, things have gotten a little cray around here. For example, this weekend, my parents are going to Chicago, so I will have to work extra hard to stay on track :P

Well lets get a move on to the favorites:

YouTube Channels:
These are more like "every month" favorites because I literally can't live with out watching their videos:
PointlessBlog- AKA Alfie Deyes. He makes really funny and entertaining videos that I can watch on a bad day and it will cheer me up C:
Zoella- AKA Zoe Sugg. Zoe is a beautiful beauty guru on YouTube, and she is SO inspiring!! She not only makes beauty videos, she also makes fun ones. Watching her videos always makes me so happy :)
SprinkleOfGlitter- AKA Louise. (Sorry Louise! I dont know your last name...) But she and Zoella are like BFFS and she has the cutest daughter. Louise shows me that you can be both a grown adult with a child and still have fun! It's really inspiring to see how much there is to life with Louise <3

So that list was only scratching the surface of people I watch. I will probably continue listing them in future "monthly favorites" posts.

Products:
EXPO Markers- I recently bought a pack of expo markers. They're the thin kind with lots of bright colors and they make me SO HAPPY! It's kind of an obsession. . . The bright colors are soooo cool, so I will write anything and everything on my white board with them. I even drew a birthday picture for my mom with them :3
TY Beanie Ballz- They are the cutest little stuffed animals EVAHHHH!!!!! My sister recently got me the unicorn one as an "early birthday present" (My birthday isnt till June).
Valspar Paint- We recently painted the kitchen yellow, and I thought the paint was just DANDY!

Food:
Cheez-Its- and all time favorite junk food of mine whether its the normal kind or the White Cheddar kind. (but I definitely do NOT like spicy!)
Apples and Peanut Butter- Quick, delish, healthy snack ;)

Events:
SPRING BREAK- a week of bliss, before having to plunge back into school.
Ben's Birthday- My brother turned 11!!! He is SO big now. I can remember when he was just a little tot.
Mom's Birthday- My mother also had her birthday!! I made a beautiful picture using my new expo markers, but Emma made fun of it :( We also go to eat fruit tart :)  <3 you mom!!

Sorry, if March's Favorites seemed kind of pathetic. March was a pretty pathetic dreary month. All it was was homework and a week long break in which I got nothing accomplished.

Thanks for reading!! Byeeeee :D