Elinor Appreciation

Today is a very SPECIAL DAY. (Okay well, I mean now, it's a special night. . .)

My instinct at the moment is to declare that I do NOT do mushy, emotional, pieces of writing, but the truth is. . . I really do. (I mean, for heaven's sake, I spent 2 hours writing appreciation notes for everyone on my color guard team instead of doing homework)

But today is special because (drum roll please. . .) IT IS ELINOR'S BIRTHDAY!!!

Now you may be wondering: who is this person? This "Elinor" you speak of?
To answer that, I say: She is the kindest, most wonderful human being on earth. I am at a complete loss for how to put in to words just how much this girl means to me.

Five years ago, a new girl showed up at school, and was, by some coincidence, in nearly every single one of my classes. I normally kept to myself and didn't talk to people, but I was feeling especially daring one day. I just up and said "Okay, I'm going to make a new friend today."
Next thing I know, I'm telling this new girl to come see my choir show, and figuring out how we can hang out, and since then, things have gone farther. A LOT farther.

We've shared everything from muddy flag football to noodles coming out of noses, and somehow, it made for one of the greatest friendships on the planet earth.

This past year, I left my hometown, and some of the best friends a girl couldn't even dream of having. I will be honest: I cried. A lot (WHAT, don't judge, I'm a crier. . .) Normally, I cry in private. It's not something I like to share, and crying is like my way of venting. Some like punching pillows, others like yelling a lot. I like crying. Alone.

But when I really needed it, my best friend got on her Nokia brick (an ancient cell phone that is shaped like a brick, and is somehow just as tough. . .) and talked me through some of the hardest times I've ever had in my life, and I'm MOST grateful for what she's helped me through.

So.

Thank you, Elinor, for being you. For being my friend. For everything.

<3Achan

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

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