ARCHERY

I've taken up archery! It's so much fun!!

My first archery class was just last Thursday and I learned how to hold everything properly, how to aim, how to release the arrow... all the basics really. So I shouldn't feel like Legolas just yet, but I still get ahead of myself and pretend to be him anyway :)

Seriously, when I'm holding a bow and arrow, I feel the most graceful I've ever felt. 'Cause I don't really see myself as a graceful person - graceful, elegant, ladylike... yeah, I don't really fit any of those descriptions. And sure, I had many a clumsy moment during my first archery lesson. Twice in a row I did the 'twang' (of the bow string) - arrow falls to my feet instead of flying majestically through the air... but you have to start somewhere.

For two days straight my fingers hurt and I had rug burn on my arm from the release of the bow string, but it was so worth it and will continue to be worth it over the next two months of the course.

Another great thing was I went to the course expecting to see a whole bunch of macho jocks trying to be cool and macho, but instead there were just average, everyday, normal people like me who just wanted to learn something ridiculously awesome. And I'm doing the course with my dad, so it's an interesting way to have father-daughter time. I like it. All of it.

The only downside is that my instructor doesn't look like that --------->
But that's okay. Maybe someday I can teach someone archery and look as cool as those two.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my enthusiasm for archery with some people outside of my class. My dad keeps trying to convince me I need a bow and arrow for my birthday but I'm still in the video camera or big screen tv camp - not that either of those are actually possible... and it would be super cool to have my very own bow and arrow... We'll see.

Keep it real!

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

I bought a new book about an hour ago and then I was supposed to go shopping with my siblings but I was kicked out of the car because I was weighing everyone down with my busy schedule. They weren't going to get enough shopping fit in if I was with them, so I was sent home; voted off the island. Oh the joys of family life.

Anyway, I decided to make the most of my situation and start reading this new book of mine until I had to leave for my evening plans that made everyone else's lives so difficult. The book is called 'A Million Miles in a Thousand Years' (suggested read from Becky). I read the first chapter and for some reason I'm both enticed by the author's ideas but also repulsed. It's a weird balance at the moment - I'm not sure which way it'll tip by the time I've finished reading the book.

The author's name is Donald Miller and he's a Christian. He has some kinda strange worldviews though that are clashing a bit with my current ones. Let me give you a brief example... (keep in mind, I've only just finished chapter one):

Donald begins by introducing us to a friend of his named Bob, who writes down everything he's experienced in his life that he can remember. He "captures memories."

Excerpt from Chapter One "Random Scenes":

"I remembered getting a merit badge in Cub Scouts when I was seven, but that's all I could remember. I got it for helping a neighbor cut down a tree. I'll tell that to God when he asks what I did with my life. I'll tell him I cut down a tree and got a badge for it. He'll most likely want to see the merit badge, but I lost it years ago, so when I'm done with my story, God will probably sit there looking at me, wondering what to talk about next. God and Bob will probably talk for days."

The chapter ends with this thought:

Donald wonders if maybe one day we'll get to Heaven "and we'll sit and tell [God] our stories, and he'll smile and tell us what they mean. I just hope I have something interesting to say."

So I don't want to make any quick judgments. The first chapter has theories and ideas I agree with as well as some I disagree with, but here's what I'm thinking so far. It's just my opinion - Donald published his.

I don't think will God actually care if we've got something interesting to say or not. I think He loves us regardless. I think who we are (our personality, our strengths and weaknesses, our capacity to love and be loved) is more important than what we do (the interesting adventures we find ourselves in on earth). Although what we do shapes who we are and vice versa.

I'm all for having an adventurous life and living a unique story; and I'm definitely going to read on to see what exactly Donald Miller is talking about, but as far as God is concerned - one day when I walk through the pearly gates, I'll be perfectly content to just sit with God for days on end without exchanging a single word. He's far more interesting than I could ever be. Having Him in my life supplies enough adventure for me.

Anywho, that's all I wanted to get off my chest for now. I'll get back to reading.

Keep it real!

On My Night Table

I thought I'd do something a little different today. I was listening to some video blogs and discovered many fun blogging ideas, including the actual idea of video blogging itself. But that's a leap and I'm more comfortable with baby steps.

Basically, with this post I plan to tell you about the books on my night table. I JUST took the photo above about 2 minutes ago so those really are the books currently on my night table. Albeit, it's usually not that neat, but sometimes I tidy up a little. For you.

Let's go from bottom to top, shall we?

Audition. By Michael Shurtleff.

I've read this book at least three or four times now - unfortunately the last time I read it had to be almost a year ago. I still pick it up and read the odd few pages now and then, but I haven't read it all the way through in quite some time. I believe it was the first 'acting book' I'd ever read so it holds a special place in my heart :)

The front cover brags that the book "reveals everything an actor needs to know to get the part" and I tend to agree. It was definitely an eye opener the first time I read it and I always find myself going back to it when I need quick advice.

My recommendation: every actor should read it.

How to Stop Acting. By Harold Guskin.

Okay, here comes a confession... I bought this book at least a year ago and have read the first three chapters numerous times but still haven't actually read it all the way through. How will I ever learn to stop acting at this rate?! But seriously, what I've read so far has been really integral to the way I view acting. Ever since I learned a long time ago that acting isn't actually acting, I've been getting in arguments with people all over. Someone will say something like, "yeah, but acting is about being a good liar" or something equally ridiculous and then I'll go on a forty minute rant about how the exact opposite is true. I know this book is for me but I just haven't sunk my teeth into it yet. I will soon.

My recommendation: anyone interested in finding out the truths behind what makes a good actor should probably read this, but I can't say anything for certain since I have yet to finish it. :s

How I Write. By Janet Evanovich.

Have you noticed a pattern yet? I seem to really dig 'How To' books. That being said, I stumbled upon this book in a book shop bargain bin. It was two dollars. I had to buy it. And it's been a big help. Janet just tells other writers what's worked for her and expects them to do whatever they want with the information. Some of it has worked for me, some of it hasn't. It's definitely made me a more self-conscious writer. And there's a big section on how to go about publishing your book, so that's been a life saver.

My recommendation: if you're a writer, getting this book can't hurt. Especially if you get such a great deal like I did.

The Two Towers. By J.R.R. Tolkien.

I'm only halfway through and I stopped mid-battle which is really strange but for some reason I haven't felt motivated to pick it back up again and it's going on a couple months now. I think Tolkien writes amazing adventure stories and knows how to write a good character. Reading the first half of his trilogy lead to giving me an idea for a new book of my own... But I think it can get a little wearisome if you're someone who likes to watch an action sequence instead of read one. 

My recommendation: don't watch the movies first - you'll get a bias that will affect the way you read. I unfortunately watched before I read and now I find myself comparing not only Peter Jackson's overall vision, but each actors' character choices to that of Tolkien's original intentions and story lines and it makes everything more difficult. Also, if you do decide to read the trilogy, don't let the hobbit stuff at the beginning of 'The Fellowship of the Ring' get you down. It didn't bother me, but apparently some people can't handle it. Just know, there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

My Personal Journal. By Me.

No one's allowed to read it until I'm dead. But while we're on the topic of journals, may I suggest that if you've never kept a journal before, try it. Who cares if you aren't an avid writer; I like the idea of recording the events of my life - everyone has a story and I want mine written down so I won't forget it. It's also a great way to figure out why something's bugging you or what to do next in life... or anything really. I find writing things down always helps me feel a little better.

My recommendation: don't read mine - write your own! :)

For Your Joy. By John Piper.  

I don't remember where I got it, but it's an easy read! It's some kind of 'new Christian FAQ' book. I flipped through it but it was mostly things I learned about in Sunday School as a kid. Still, if you've never been to Sunday School, who knows? This book might be for you! I've got a copy if you want one!

My recommendation: I don't know where to get it, but if you want my copy, it's yours!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. By Stieg Larsson.

My mom just bought this book over the weekend and I started reading it today on my bus ride to work. I've finished the first chapter and despite the fact that I haven't been introduced to the title character yet and there's a little bit of business stuff it's hard to wrap my head around, I'm really liking it so far. I like the author's tone and I was told by someone that the book was translated into English - you can tell at times, but the writing still makes for a pleasant read. The author has a cool way of giving the reader information... I find myself eager to find out what will happen next and how all of the seemingly random information will continue to come together.

My recommendation: if you like the idea of CSI in book form and with a writer who actually has talent, this book is probably for you. Again, I'm only 43 pages in, so this could take a turn for the worst. I'll just have to read on to find out.

My Bible. By God.

Haha, that's fun to write. It's on my night stand so I had to mention it. For the past few months I've been reading through the New Testament - one chapter a night. I've skipped nights here and there or read more than one chapter a night but tonight I'll be reading 1 John 4. Therefore it would follow logic to say that last night I read 1 John 3. My favorite verse of last night stuck in my head all day: 

1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

My recommendation: I guess as far as reading patterns go, do whatever works for you - but I definitely recommend reading this one. You can talk to God all you want, but sometimes it's really good to just listen to what He wants to say to you.

Australian and New Zealand Accents for Actors. By Gillian Lane-Plescia.

It's a pamphlet/book that was under my Bible and I read it so I guess I should mention it. The book comes with a CD that is really good. Sometimes I listen to it at night so that Aussies will talk to me in my sleep and I'll absorb their accent. That was probably too much weird information, but oh well...

My recommendation: you could get it if you wanted. Or you could just go to Australia. I'd recommend the latter option. 

Alright, I've talked enough for about two months worth of blogs, I think I'll let you go. I have to go do some laundry anyway. Hope you enjoyed my experiment. Should I do it again? I don't know... It'll probably be a few months before my night table looks a little different anyway, so I guess we'll see how everyone feels then. 

Keep it real!

decisions, decisions

I think I've come to the decision to repaint and redecorate my room. Maybe...

It took me so long to make it what it is today and I feel like it completely captures my zany, obsessive personality, so I'm a little hesitant to actually go through with a 'remodel'.

What brought on this idea, you ask? Actually, I think it was my birthday that did it. You see, I've recently turned 22. Very recently. And I know I don't act my age - I still live at home, I've never been in a serious relationship, I'm still in school... the list goes on and on. So I'm thinking maybe it's time that something reflected my age?

I know it could be considered weird to put up pictures of my room on my blog, but if I end up going through with this redesign thing, then you'll need some 'before' pictures in order to really appreciate the 'after'. Also, it's just pictures of my walls - nothing else.

Here's the short tour:

Okay, so to the naked eye, you may just notice a whole bunch of guys on my wall, but there are at least an equal amount of movie posters to guy ratio - and there are some smaller pictures of me and my friends scattered around. But hey! What do you expect? I like being surrounded by things that I like - aka movies and, yeah, good looking actors of the male gender. Also my friends.

I think it's more the effort I put into it than the actual product that is my room in its current state, but I'm really attached to something. I have no idea where to go from here. Posters are very '13 year old girl', especially in my particular case. I'm sure Robert Downey Jr would not appreciate how much his face is littering my walls... But what do I do?

If I made my room 'classy' that wouldn't suit me at all. I wouldn't feel comfortable despite the fact that I'd like how it looked. If I took down half the posters it would still look just as tacky.

It's an 'all or nothing' situation.

Ugh! I hate those!

I also need to do a major purge of stuff. I have too much and I barely use any of it.

Boo. I wish I could make a decision. I guess I did only just think up this idea within the last couple days. I can afford to sleep on it for a few more nights... I'm sorry you had to see my cluttered walls. Maybe one day I'll really grow up... for real. I can't say that I'm actually looking forward to it though :s

I'll bug you again later. Until then,

Keep it real!