Thursday, December 31, 2009

it's the new year

And what will I do?

RESOLUTION
Read more. Read, read, read, read, read. As much as I can. As much as I can get my hands on. As much as I can venture out to find. Whatever is recommended. Whatever isn't recommended. Just...everything. In elementary school, I used to read. I always brought a book to class. In junior high, I read. I read everything. I was the fastest. And now, in high school...I don't read. It got pushed to the side. My deep, long, wonderful romance with the written word has cooled and been replaced by homework, rehearsals, friends, and sleep. Who needs sleep?! I'm reading more!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Run, runna runna, run, freedom, run away.

Christmas break? Yeah, it's me, Carlie. So, I think you should get here. Faster. And you should come. Sooner. That is all.

Carlie


Also, the title to this post is courtesy of the musical comedy Urinetown. Who knew?

Monday, October 26, 2009

fall, fall, my favorite time of all...

The decorations, the leaves, the candy, the wind, the cold mornings, the mugs of hot cider that warm your insides...this is the time of year I LIVE for.



it's almost halloween.

Which means it's almost my birthday!

Why is halloween the best time of the year? Well, now you know.
Not only is Autumn the best season hands down (Winter being a close second, I think...but I may change my mind to Summer or Spring tomorrow) but my birthday gets to come right in the midst of fall beauty!! Ah, sweet mystery of life. Beauty, you are leaves that change color and blow away in ringlets of autumn folly!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

I really need...

a haircut,
a dog,
some new winter shoes...these flats aren't keeping my tootsies warm and it's only October,
better fashion sense,
some hot chocolate,
money,
a new book to read,
and
November.

Monday, September 28, 2009

WHEW!

Well, it has been quite awhile since I wrote on this blog thingie.

Hospital. Nothing serious, but there was a little bit more surgery involved. (By the way, I had to get surgery a couple of weeks ago. Just thought I'd throw that in there.) I'm almost fully recovered, just sleepy and a bit sore. :) Hopefully I'll be fully functional as soon as possible. The thing that's most aggravating is the fact that I have to recover all over again. I bounced back with the first surgery so quickly...only to encounter a complication that involved a horrid trip to the emergency room (I did NOT enjoy staying there for 6 hours while they poked needles into me...blech.) But everything turned out well, and I'm blessed for that. Hooray!

So much is going on! It's been crazy trying to work out my entire schedule.

OH!! Gem of the week. So, for my productions drama class, we're doing a musical review. Mr. Smith, the teacher, asked me and my good friend Jaren if we would help him make a cast list for this review. We did, and it was quite the process...but it all worked in the end (with hardly any broken hearts, I believe). Smith graciously assigned solos for Jaren and I beforehand (so we didn't have to awkwardly do it for ourselves...) and I will be singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel!! I am so thrilled. It's a BIG song. Hopefully I can pull it off by January!

The end.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Little creepy girl, how she loves to sing...

Ugh. Blog post. Here we go.

Julie and Julia=perfection. I couldn't have spent my money on anything more worthwhile. It was so good! And now I want to cook all of Julia Child's recipes. Minus calf's foot gelatin. Gross.

Shakespeare. Whew. That's about all I have to say on the matter.

School. Well, I go. Everyday. Yep, that's about it. No, I won't expound.

Homecoming. YES. I loved it. My date was awesome, and looked awesome in his black attire. We were classy and elegant funeral-goers.

Chamber. Yard sale Saturday! 8-12! Lone Peak! Yard sale Saturday! 8-12! Lone Peak! I can't think of anything else to say about choir. The yard sale has been taking all of my leftover energy from Shakespeare, Productions, Musical Theatre, and Drama Council. 3 teachers + 2 directors + 2 parents = a lot of sacrifice, most of which seems to cancel out. Because there's so much.

Room. I have no dresser. It's "being painted." Therefore, I have no place for my clothing. Therefore...it is in ugly baskets all over the floor. SACRIFICE, CARLIE. LONG TERM.

Despite my slight annoyance with the world at this moment in time, life is very happy. Despite the fact that I couldn't squeeze another thing into my schedule...life is good. Just extremely busy. Extremely...busy.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Not sure why this notion has gripped me.

Has something ever entered your head and you simply CANNOT get it out?! Welcome to my weekend. I don't know why, when, or how this thought came into being, but all I want to do right now is decorate a cake, or some cupcakes, or cookies, or pastry. But mostly a cake. A really cool one, maybe even with fondant. And piping. A LOT of frosting. And then I will deliver it to someone. I don't even know who. I may even make multiple cakes and deliver them to multiple recipients. WHO KNOWS. I am a mystery. I really, really want to do this! Soon! Soon!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Can't be explained.

So, I pretty much stated how excited I am for homecoming about 68 times today at mutual. Yep. Excited.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Favorite.

A miniture snow-cone machine to keep in your kitchen. Genius + no guilt (I used Crystal Light to flavor it!) = much joy in the land.

Mysterious love letters from your friend's hilarious cousin that you've never even met. B.I.N.G.O.

Finishing a book. The Secret Journal of Brett Colton was most enjoyable. Definitely one of the better LDS young adult novels.

Losing five pounds. Wiki-what? Confidence BOOSTED.

Getting praised by your director for doing Shakespeare, which you have never performed in public before. Um, awesome?

A-Days. Thank goodness I have that to look forward tomorrow instead of my dismal schedule for B-days.

Carlie out.

Friday, August 28, 2009

CRAZY DAY.

CRAZY DAY. CRAZY DAY. CRAZY DAY. CRAZY DAY.

Do you ever one of those days that is so great but some of the things that make it great make it extremely aggravating at the same time?! Yeah. That was today.

I made the Shakespeare Team! YES. I am in the ensemble for the ensemble scene--imagine that! :) We're doing the trial scene from Merchant of Venice--sure to be a blast. And I also get to do a monologue from King John portraying the part of Constance. Woot+sauce.

Homecoming. I am so stoked.

And Chamber performed for the first time all together today! SO incredible. I was standing there, singing my little heart out, and I kept thinking of where I was a year ago--an almost shy sophomore (not anymore!) who watched Chamber and thought to herself, "Gosh, I wish I was them." Or back in junior high going to high school choir concerts, "Gosh, I wish I was them." Now, I'm them! It's an amazing feeling.

So, CRAZY DAY. But good nonetheless.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

So, I...

...never really imagined loving Shakespeare as much as I do now. Because...I DO.

Shakespeare Auditions = golden.
Callbacks = even better.

I am on a natural high because of all those glorious words...

"...you murdering ministers. Wherever in your sightless substances you wait on nature's mischief!" (Macbeth, Lady Macbeth-my monologue-awesome).

And now...we wait. More (hopefully) on the subject tomorrow. How will it fare? One can only imagine...

Oh! And I got asked to homecoming. Pretty much an awesome week that all ends with a huge bang which is Chamber singing the national anthem and drama council retreat. Huzzah!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Lone Peak Knight

Why do I have to be a Lone Peak Knight? Can't I be a Lone Peak Damsel-in-Distress? I guess it's not as catchy. But still.

First day of school=awesomehotsauce. The low-down is as follows:

Early Morning Seminary
I only wonder why I didn't take this sooner. Probably because I'm not exactly good at waking up at 5:00 in the AM. No, not my strongpoint.

What I see every day. A bit of shock, really.

But early morning seminary is so fun already. The best people are in there, and my teacher is awesome--and my bishop. Kinda weird, but coolio anyways.


AP U.S. History
Not as bad as I thought...yet. More on this subject will surely come later...but for now, I really like it, and my teacher is the best of the best.


Chamber Choir
Epic. So much fun and hard work already. We're singing the national anthem on Friday for a back to school assembly, and boy-howdy do we sound good. It feels so fantatiscally wonderful to be in a small choir of guys and gals. We're already so close and good friends, and I am in love with singing. What a love story it is.


English 11 Honors
Guess who's an English nerd...my mom. But me too. We're learning about the Renaissance period right now and we're just about to start Macbeth. Great joy in the land.

And of course...

Musical Theatre...
...how do I love thee, let me count the ways. If only I was actually in the show. No, I get to help with music direction this time. Perhaps next year I'll be assigned permanent stage manager. I can only hope for the best. (By the way, those last two sentences were meant to be sarcastic...in case you were wondering, in which case I would be slightly dissapointed in you.) Though not being in the show kinda blows, being in the class with 32 other awesome people most certainly does not. Hooray for drama kids!

So far, so good. Loving school, loving life. Loving YOU!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Bethanyism #1

I love my job. No, I really do. I get up every morning, walk along the same sidewalk, pass the same long-forgotten soy sauce wrapper, turn the same corner, and knock on the same door. The same sounds greet my ears: *stomp, stomp, pitter-patter, runnnnnnning* "CARRRRlie!!" The same little face appears at the window and then opens the door and the same little kids swoop in for a big group hug. And then the day goes on from there. Really though, being a nanny/babysitter is so fun, especially when Bethany says/does hilarious things.

Bethany has taken to putting the dog, Lucy, in odd places--cupboards, closets, drawers, things of that nature. One day, I went upstairs to go make sure Bethany was making her bed so she could keep going with her other chores. The bed was made-something that doesn't always happen too smoothly. I was a bit surprised, but I praised her work and reminded her to brush her teeth and take a vitamin.

"Your bed looks great, Bethany! Why don't you come and brush your teeth now so we can finish up your chores?"

"Hm...all right. Just one minute."

"No, come on, put the toy down, it'll just take a minute."


The family I work for has three adorable children, Jacob, Bethany, and Samantha. Samantha is about 2 months old. (This fact is important to the story, which is why I inserted it here.)

"Come on, Bethany, let's go."

"Um...ok. But, can you go see if Samantha is crying for a minute?"

I was a bit taken-aback.

"But...why?"

"Just because."

"Bethany...what are you up to?"

Bethany inched towards a lower cupboard on her dresser and said innocently, "Nothing...just can you go see if she is crying?"

"Bethany, what's in the cupboard?"

"Nothing...a toy."

"What toy?"

"Um...just a toy I don't want you to see."

I raised an eyebrow. "Bethany, open up. Let's have a look."

Bethany reluctantly opened the cupboard, and sitting there quite pathetically was Lucy. I laughed out loud, and then coaxed her out, trying to keep a straight face.

"Bethany...what have we said about putting Lucy in cupboards and drawers?"

"But Carlie! I didn't! I just opened it up and then she walked in! I promise!"


Poor Lucy. She puts up with more stuff than most canines.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Mega-pixel

Buckle up. You're in for a lengthy post. These are some pictures I took on The Great Minnesota Vacation. It was so much fun to be here again! I pretty much grew up at this cabin.


This was at Itasca State Park, on the way to Minnesota. This is where the Mississippi River is shallow enough to walk across. Some of us elected to cross. Others (such as myself) didn't. It was freezing, after all.


I'm a little proud of these pictures. I know they're of plants, but they turned out so well.



So, at The Cabin, there is a hummingbird feeder. It's been there for as long as I can remember. I attempted to get some cool shots of the hummingbirds, but (being hummingbirds) they're awful fast.

Almost there...

Not quite...

Bingo.



And of course, we went fishing.







The Cabin is pretty much the definition of fun. And it's so beautiful. My dad took some of the following pictures. They really capture the beauty of this place.





And one of my favorite pictures of the vacation:


Right before this picture was taken, my Grandpa actually took my hand and we skipped down the hill. I felt like I was about 5 again. Totally awesome. So then, the five year old gals wanted a turn.

The Cabin = great joy.

Carlie out.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

blah (noun):

1. nonsense; rubbish: What they say is blah.
2. the blahs, a feeling of physical uneasiness, general discomfort, or mild depression; malaise: After the long weekend many workers had the Monday-morning blahs.

–adjective 3. insipid; dull; uninteresting.


Pretty much sums up my day. It wasn't all bad. It certainly doesn't deserve an "ARRRRGGGGGH" or even a "GAAAAHHHH". Just, "blah". I'm not frustrated, I'm just bored-with/tired-of being frustrated. Hence my whiney post about my case of the blahs. I will say this, however. Singing/screaming Pat Benatar's "Love Is A Battlefield" at top volume in the car with a best friend at 11:00 PM really helps discourage the blahs. It doesn't destroy them completely, but certainly helps keep them at a managable quantity. But then I remember that I still haven't seen Harry Potter yet, and the blahs start to multiply. Blah.

Harry, Harry, Harry...

how I've missed you. And unfortunately for us both, that isn't changing for a little while. Yes, I missed the midnight showing of the sixth movie, no need to remind me of that little quirk-in-the-plan. Trust me, Harry, I would've come, but I just couldn't. The time investment, the planning, the money...it just wasn't meant to be. We'll have to have some special time together, just you and me, okay? Movie marathon, all six of them. Quality Harry time. Who needs the crowd anyways? I'll see the movie soon. I hope.

Love,
Ginny (but not really.)

Monday, July 13, 2009

When babysitting...

please don't sit on the baby. It's generally frowned upon by most parents, at least in our society. Luckily, I have more sense than a loaf of bread, and kinda know what I'm doing. Being the oldest of five kids really helps bring out the sitter in you. I've been tending other people's children for...about 4 years now, since I was around twelve. (It doesn't sound very long when I type it out, but boy-howdy does it feel like a long time ago.) Anyways, while babysitting, there are certain things one...picks up. Things that benefit you, and get you jobs, and things that absolutely...do not. And now, without furthur ado, I present...

A Babysitter's Dos and Don'ts

When babysitting...

...straighten up after the kids. It doesn't do any good to play with them for hours, and then leave the mess for the parents. You'd probably be labeled, "bad news". Even if you don't clean up after yourself at home, it's always much more exciting when you have a different house to clean. Just don't poke around their personal belongings...too much.

...wear something casual, but not too casual. A first impression is very important when tending, and let's just say that certain outfits do nothing to help you. At least with the babysitting gig.

...bring movies with you, or treats/toys from home. This is fun for the kids, since they're used to whatever they always have. It mixes it up for them, a bit of novelty. It's also good for you, the sitter, because you can bring your favorite treats. No-brainer.

...do the dishes. It's a brilliant little tool to get extra dough, especially if you get the dishwasher running, or finish up right when the parents walk in the door. "Oh, hi! Just finishing up the dishes from dinner, the kids were in bed hours ago..." *snaps rubber glove*.

...ask the parents when they'll be home, but don't sound anxious for them to get home early. You are there to help, not to rush. Knowing when they'll be home gives you a good idea of how much time you have to get jobs done, like the dishes. It also helps you calculate your cash...ca-CHING.

...remember that you are the adult-figure for the evening. The parents are trusting you with their precious kidlets, and that's a little intimidating. As big as it might seem, it's really quite simple, as long as you follow...

...THE LIST OF BABYSITTER DON'TS.

When babysitting...

...don't sit on the baby. (See earlier in this post.)

...don't eat food that isn't open already. It doesn't look very good if you open the hidden bag of chocolate in the pantry, and leave it almost empty. If it's an open bag of potato chips, hey, that's fair game. But also keep in mind that this is their food. Don't empty the cupboard, Hubbard.

...don't fall asleep. I'm guilty of this one...it's slightly embarrassing to be sound asleep on their couch when they walk in the door, especially if the baby's crying upstairs. Hey, it was late! Doesn't matter the hour: stay awake. Wash dishes if you're bored! (See earlier in this post.)

...don't text. It's rude. Play with the kiddies! You are getting paid for spending time with the chidren, not for sitting on your behind texting Suzy about Johnny. Same goes for the computer.

...don't stress! If the kids are acting crazy, be firm with them. Don't disipline them harshly, but let them know you mean business. But don't forget to be fun, too! You're not a parent, you're the cool babysitter.


Ladies and gents, there ya have it. VeryUsefulTips from the Babysittin' Babe herself. *applause*

Carlie out.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Meh...

Babysitting is a good way to earn money, right? Right. I got 25 bucks tonight. It felt pretty good, especially considering I haven't earned any money in the past...long time. I may even be in negative numbers, but who's counting backwards? Not me! It's onward and upward, 25 dollars and beyond! In other words, I finally have a somewhat steady nannying job. This is...good? Yes.

Monday, April 13, 2009

One heckuva week.

So. This week has probably been the most vocally draining week I've had in a good while.

Tuesday=Talent show auditions. You know, this audition would have gone pretty well, if not for the fact that I stopped before the song was over because I literally couldn't sing it anymore. But the rest of it was good. Except for that.

Wednesday=Drama class auditions/Chamber Choir auditions. These auditions both went very well, which is a big reason why the week was so tiring.

Saturday=I made both classes, which entailed a lot of screaming and such. I also babysat, which also included a minor bit of yelling.

Sunday=Sang in the choir at church for Easter. Fantastic, but also exhausting. Switching from a children's part, to first soprano, and then alto for the last two songs, one of which goes prettay low, though fun, is also a great way to make your voice hoarse.

Next Wednesday=Musical theatre auditions. Just thinking about these makes my vocal cords contract in fear. Luckily, they're able to recuperate during this spring break. I just have to remember to breath.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Reason for Insanity, Hilarity, or a Simultaneous Mix of Both


Static cling. What in world...? It's as if science itself was determined to design something to annoy; to irritate. Granted, there are times when static cling is somewhat entertaining (balloons being the number one perpetrator of such entertainment), but when something like STATIC CLING becomes an overused and unoriginal Halloween costume, you know that it must end.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Carlie's Bad Luck

Carlie walked across the kitchen floor, the tile chilly against her bare feet. As she lifted her hand to the cupboard in pursuit of a cup, she turned the faucet on, fully anticipating a nice, cool glass of tap water. Two cups in hand, she began to pull them apart, them being somewhat stuck together. She did not pull with force; it was not needed. Or so she thought. She twisted the cup, trying to gently ease it from the other. Then, her luck tragically ran short. Glass shattered in her hand, bursting in pieces across the counter and floor. Though the glass she had been trying to wedge free seemed fully unscathed, the one that had been holding it was, unfortunately, no longer glass. It was merely shards, sitting benignly, waiting to be swept up. And this was Carlie's experience as she tried to get a glass of water.

This really did happen. Not too recently, but recently enough for me to describe it in disgustingly horrid detail. It was brought to my attention as I thought about going to get a glass of water. And I don't think I shall ever forget it. 'Twas quite scarring.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Living by Example

The simple joys of washing dishes and setting the table are never lost to me. After years of running across the street to Grandmother's house on Sunday afternoons to set the table, I still think it's the best. I guess some lessons you never have to ask for. They just present themselves to you, come naturally. For example, Grandma teaching you how to put the knifes and forks in the right places. You don't have to ask, she just does it. She might notice your mistake and correct you, but you didn't come to her house for an official table setting lesson. You came to spend time with Grandma. The valuable lesson is just part of the package.

The same is the case with watching your mom make a school lunch; watching her spread the peanut butter just so, setting a crisp, shiny apple in your lunch tin, along with carrots, crackers, and the occasional chocolate chip cookie. Your mom didn't tell or ask you to watch and learn. But you did anyway. The lesson presents itself in the form of a mother's common sense and love. I guess these lessons come mostly in the kitchen to me for some reason...but they can come in every form. Subtle things people do, social habits and expectations, things you just...know. You don't remember learning them outright, and yet you have a legitimate knowledge of them. This learning by example is such an important part of our lives today; our family lives, our social lives, and our personal lives. Without the good examples of others, how can we expect to live the life we have been taught? How can we be a good example to out future generations?

Friday, January 9, 2009

O! the joy

There is nothing quite like cutting your hair after a very long time spent growing it out. An almost triumphant feeling, at least in my opinion. It's gone! Hurray! Slap happy, much?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Someday.

Someday...when I'm awfully low, and the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight.