Friends for the Summer

This is a poem I have recently written. . . . it is about school starting and how all of the sudden my schedule is to full to enjoy the luxuries of summer. One of those luxuries being : swimming. So . . . I wrote about it!! Just for fun :) but that's what poetry is for!

As I stand above the surface
My Summer Friend shines with delight
Rippling in anticipation
Many days since I've been in sight


I smile and begin to descend
My toes are the first in greeting
My Friend welcomes me with open arms
Hugging me like our first meeting


I float across it's smooth surface
My friend's gentle touch helps me glide
I stare into the summer sky
Behind the blue the clouds all hide


I relax as the hours pass by
Time bringing back reality
Then slowly, I leave my dear Friend
Sorrow brings back formality


The summer days come to an end
Visits to my friend grow short
My schedule steals away my time
Summer days begin to retort

The time comes when I say goodbye
My Friend's tears ripple in silence
I'll count down the days till summer
When freedom will, once again, commence

What do you do?

There are moments in your life when you are happy, sad, frustrated, confused, disappointed, excited, etc.  In other words: there is an emotion, reason, and cure for every emotion. Yet, I have failed to find an explanation for the feeling of butterflies that tickle my stomach every time a 'certain someone' comes into view.  I'm happy, nervous, embarrassed and confused all at the same time and I can never decide just how those butterflies make me feel. 
So, when these butterflies submerge, what do you do?  Well, being the strange person that I am, I usually lose all power of speech, my thoughts go fuzzy, my limbs lose their strength, and my eyes don't seem to listen when I try to look away.  While all these strange feelings begin to grow, there is another feeling these butterflies bring that is the core of all the emotion I feel.  I feel like I'm flying, because apparently I'm too dumbstruck to find my footing.  Like I'm not clumsy enough!!
Conclusion: I blame the butterflies for the sudden stupidity that takes over when he's around. And there is a song I sing in voice lessons that reminds me of this little ordeal :)

Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
and I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand, I get misty just holding your hand

Walk my way and a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
The music I hear, I get misty the moment you're near

On my own, would I wander through this wonderland alone?
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove, I'm too misty and too much in love

 Now, granted, I'm definitely too young to be in love! Haha but I'm sure every girl knows this butterfly feeling : ) crushes seem to accomplish this task very easily.  Anyways. Boys. Psh. haha

Lessons I learned today . . .

1) I realized was that my Grandma is a good pincher. . she practically attacked me this morning because my pj's weren't green.  Lesson learned: never sleep over at Grandma's house the night before St. Pat's Day!!    
2) I was at DI getting my green attire having the best day ever!  Then I went to go buy my stuff and the cashier lady was in the worst mood EVER!! She said (in a monotone voice) "Have a good day Ma'am."  Well . . . how can I have a good day when she is just saying that to make me a happy customer??! She didn't really mean it!! I decided . . she probably just doesn't have any friends. So I'm going to take her cookies. Lesson learned: don't mess with old cashier ladies unless you have cookies.    
3) I was stopped at a stop light on my way to a STAR WARS MARATHON.  I looked at the car next to me and there was a car full of punks.  They looked at me and the guy started revving up the engine. . . OOOOooooooo. . . . I wanted to race them so bad!  But I knew I shouldn't. Lesson learned: Safety is more important than teaching punks a lesson. (Which also saves me from cops and explanation to my mother when I crash the car)    
4) After talking through most of the STAR WARS MARATHON, I realized that I didn't understand any of it.  Lesson learned: do not talk during a STAR WARS MARATHON or else you will have to watch it all over again . .    
5) I have been doing pretty good about not eating sugar for the past couple of weeks and I had said 'no' many times when offered any sweets.  Well when you are sitting right next to delicious looking brownies . . . it is kind of hard to keep that goal.  Lesson learned: never sit next to beautiful brownies when on a sugar diet!!!     6) I was driving home from the STAR WARS MA . . . . (I have probably said it enough) and I couldn't help but laugh at the signs I passed.  I wonder how they came up with speed limits.  Did they have guys just drive down the street until one of them crashed and then decided the speed limit was two miles slower? Why don't they make speed limits like 30.5 or 45.9?? Haha that would make it harder for the cops! I also passed a sign that said, "Right lane must turn right." . . . Hahaha oh really? I always thought the big white arrows that pointed to the right meant I was supposed to be turning left! Good thing that sign was there or I would have gotten in a car accident! Phew . . Lesson learned: nothing really, I just wanted to write about it.    
7) I got home and I went into my bedroom to write in my journal.  I was in there for like fifteen minutes and then I decided to lay on my bed and read.  I was reading for a little bit when I realized my dog was laying on the top of my pillow!!!! I thought he was a stuffed animal until he barked my ear off! I know they say I am too young to have a heart attack, but I'm pretty sure that's what I had!!!! Lesson learned: make sure your dog is out of your room before you involve yourself in quiet activities.    
I probably learned a lot more than that . . . but that is pretty much all I can think of at the moment.  Plus it's like 12:00 and I am going CRAZY!! This is why I don't have sleep overs . . my friends would think I was like Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hide! (Except a funny, crazy, non-creepy version . . ya)  That could be a lesson I guess.  To never let yourself cross the path of Shelby Parkinson after 11:30, when she is on helium, after she has had ice cream, or when she is driving . . ha. That would be the smart thing to do. ; )

Gandalf's Wisdom

Frodo: "I wish the ring had never come to me.  I wish that none of this would have happened."
Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you."

I loved this.  And it is more than true.  We struggle through hard times and wish that things were different, but whining about it isn't going to do anything.  All we can do is love life, endure the trials when they come, make the most of our very short years lived on earth, and honor those who have come before us.

I finally watched the first DVD of the Lord of the Rings series and I LOVED IT!! Obviously. Haha but it was so funny how the intensity and humor leveled each other out. I liked that : ) especially since I am a very jumpy person when it comes to scary/gory shows.

There was one part of the show that was my favorite and least favorite at the same time.  When Boromir was protecting Mary and Pippin from the Orcs.  I literally started to cry when he was shot by that STUPID Orc!  He had three arrows in his chest and he still fought them off.  That kind of goes with the quote from Gandalf that I love.  He definitely made the most of his last moments, even though he was kind of rude in the beginning of the show. Anyways. . . . I loved him!!

Lord of the Rings. Great. Intense. Kinda creepy. Awesome. Funny.
I'm a fan : )

My fear of . . . . the 'G.'

There are many things in my life that scare me. Many of them start with the letter 'G.'

For example:
 - Guns - Grizzly Bears - Grades - Guys - Graduating - Geometry(math in general) - Gore - Government - Gym - Gypsies - Greedy people - Germs - etc.

But there is one 'G' that scares me more than any of them! . . . . the high 'G' that is on my stinkin' piano. (or any random musical instrument) Ever since I became a soprano I have been trying to hit that 'G' without sounding like I'm being killed! Mr. Lister is always telling me, "Oh, so close that time". . . "Let's try that again" . . . "Um, try opening your mouth a little wider" . . . "Pretend like someone stepped on your toe! Or I can do it if you want" . . . "Come on Shelby, you're a soprano". . . "Think like a soprano, think like a soprano, think like a soprano". . ."Close your eyes and just dream that your jumping over it. . nope that didn't work."

I can only try so hard before my voice gives out, but I feel like I should be able to hit it!! It's in my voice range and I've learned certain techniques and skills that should help me achieve this goal! Right? Wrong. Mr. Lister also tells me it's just the fear of hitting that 'G.' Now THAT I can definitely believe! I'm singin' along, looking at all the notes, feeling great and then . . . dun dun dun . . . there is that 'G.' I start to excel up to the pitch, but as I do my voice strains, my throat tightens and before I have the chance to hit it . . . I squeak. Oh well. One day I will conquer my fear of the 'G,' but until then I will continue my squeaking. 

A Burning Faith : Sad but Spiritual

This is just a story that I wrote for a class assignment once and I really loved it! And yes, it rhymes . . . and yes it's a little bit long . . . but hopefully it's still good :)

She was a kind, caring girl whose faith burned like a flame.
He was a lost and lonely boy, who no longer cared to pray.
Like water and wine they were different
But what they did not see
Was that they were meant for each other, like boats are meant for the sea.

She sat and read of fairy tales, on a plastic lunchroom seat.
He walked across the polished floor. His eyes were on his feet.
As he looked up he finally noticed her,
his glance could not be moved.
For her beauty had entranced him and he then knew what he had to do.

He then began to read it, a book he had not read in years.
Page by page he grew and the stories brought him to tears.
Then on his hardwood floor he knelt
next to his feathered bed.
Then silently he prayed, with faith, arms crossed and a bowed head.

Changed, he returned to that very place where he had glanced at her.
There she sat, again reading, and his stomach began to stir.
Then courageously he marched to her side,
the book he held to fast.
Then he told her of the change he'd made and thanked her, thanked her at last.

Their friendship sprouted into love, after many years had passed.
Then one night he decided and had come to a decision at last.
There under the moon, on her front porch,
he got down upon his knee.
Opening a blue velvet box he asked, "Elizabeth, will you marry me?"

She painted a grin on her beautiful face as the question reached her ear.
Time seemed to stop as she stared at him and he sat, waiting to hear.
Then all at once the silence was broken,
as he finally heard her say,
"David, you are my perfect match. So yes! Yes in every way!"

The wedding day had come at last and they entered the palace of white.
She entered the room and he watched her, she was always in his sight.
They vowed to love each other
no matter the trials ahead
and as they kissed each other, it sealed what they both had said.

"I will love you forever, even after this life is through.
You have given me a burning faith that will forever stand true.
Elizabeth, I love you.
Oh how much I love you.
Please tell me that you'll love me and we'll both try His works to do."

They started off on their Honeymoon, to a place of beauty and fun,
but the trip soon took a terrible turn. The celebrating now was done.
The tires screeched and yelled,
as they dodged the car ahead.
And as David woke he found his bride, silent now, was dead.

The book was again forgotten. With heartache, he no longer believed.
He thought he had found the truth, but now thought he'd been decieved.
His faith was lost with the wind.
Lost for three dark years.
Then one day as he woke from sleep, a memory spoke in his ears.

A memory of his sweet Elizabeth, long ago on their wedding day.
With the wind in her hair and the sun on her cheeks, perfect in every way.
She looked into his teal blue eyes
and with a sweet smile she said,
"Promise that you'll continue believing and your faith will never go dead."

How he loved his dear Elizabeth, so again he made a choice.
He would start to burn his faith again, by the sound of his wife's sweet voice.
Then as he faithfully listened,
a miracle soon began.
The faith he thought wasn't in him, he's found after years he had ran.

A bonfire now burned within him, as he continued to believe.
His wife was in his heart, and he knew all he could achieve.
He knew he'd be with her someday.
Up in the starry sky.
Where he'll take her hand and he'll kiss her and together they will fly.

As they fly together, through the deep blue sea of the night,
He'll make a promise to her again, like he'd made on their wedding night.
"Elizabeth, I love you.
Oh how much I love you.
Please tell me that you love me and we'll continue His works to do."

Modesty = Priceless

Lately I find I don't know myself very well. I find out something new about myself almost every day! Today I discovered one new thing about myself. . .

I. hate. shopping.

Why? I never really knew the answer until now. 
Last night I had to go shopping for a swim-suit (because it's summer and that's what you do). While looking for one I found that there were 90% immodest swim-suits and 10% modest. Lame. I also found that the immodest ones were almost half the price of the modest swim-suits! I used to think that it was just because there was less fabric, but last night I came up with a totally different theory! The store knows that most customers always look for the cheapest items to buy. If they can get half off then it is a deal! They use this, trying to trick us into buying immodest clothing.  They make modest clothing more expensive hoping we won't have enough money!. . . Now I'm not saying that the manager of the store is doing this on purpose. . . I just think the world is desensitized to the temptations and traps Satan has so intelligently set for us. We need to be aware of them now more than ever.  Even if it means having to save up an extra month, just so I can have enough money to buy a modest piece of clothing, I will! Modest is the only way I can and ever will think to dress. No price is ever going to get the best of my judgment. Modesty is priceless.