I Want...

 

It takes only a second for me to laugh at myself.

All these promises. So many hopes and dreams. Hmmm...

Right...

I've discovered I'm mortal. No matter how much I try, things don't always end up the way I want them to. But I've discovered something else.

That's ok!

I was thinking the other day about how many things I long to do with myself. I wish I could go see the world. I want to be a deep sea diver. I want to explore the Himalayas. I want to see all the old places, the new places, every place.  I want to draw. I want to make a difference. I want to study ancient cultures, understand who they were and what they did and WHY? I want to marry. I want to be a treasure hunter. I want to change the world. I want to serve my Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart and soul and strength and mind. I want to see Northern Lights. I want to raise children. I want to write. I want to run a marathon. I want to sing. I want to marry the president. I want to take a safari in Africa. I want to see the old Incan and Mayan temples in South and Central America. I want to be an archeologist. I want to be a teacher. I want to help people in need.........

Ok, I think you are beginning to get the picture.

But I only have one life.

And it is dedicated to God.

Mommy says I'm an over achiever. Daddy says I have passion. I guess I'm just ambitious. And a dreamer. But all I know is I want something, something more, something great, from this life.

And I haven't found it yet.

But I know I will.

In other news, I was presented the Liebster Award a while back, never got around to it, so I'll finish it now!

There's lots of fancy rules, but most of these awards are pretty repetitive and long-winded {plus, I certainly gave 11 random facts about me up there^^}. So I'm just going to answer the questions my friend Cat from The World Crafter gave me.

1) What fandom do you "belong" to?

Yeesh! Right off the bat!?

Well, you probably won't like this.

I don't "fangirl".

NOT because I don't appreciate great films, superb acting, or handsome/beautiful faces.

I don't fangirl because I feel there is a principal missing there. Just think for a second. What is all this raving about? The screaming, passion, ogling? It's almost like a sort of worship.

Ok, perhaps that's a bit strong. But you can probably get my drift. Fangirling is a way for girls to "innocently" fill their minds with "hot" men and other realities. They can waste spend their time devouring their dreams of meeting so-and-so or seeing such-and-such episode. Life is meant for so much more!

There is only one man I will ever "fangirl" about.

And that's Jesus.

He's the only one worth all that fuss. He's the only one who deserves my praise. He's the only one I want to waste my time on. And I honestly don't think He'd want me screaming myself hoarse over Him the way most fangirls do about their crushes and programs anyway. That mental picture is just a wee bit disturbing.

I'm not saying all those programs and such are not worth watching or evil {though some of them may be, just being honest}. Your conscience can make that call. But you won't ever catch me "fangirling" over them. They are, after all, just SHOWS. A really great screenwriter's manipulation of human emotion plopped into a creative storyline designed just to suck the life out of teenage girls.

 

Ok, that was dramatic. Haha! ;)

Don't kill me, eh?

2) Would you fight to the death someone who bashes one of you favorite characters?

Most likely not. They are entitled to their opinion just as I am to mine. Of course, if they are bashing character and integrity, I would stand up for it. But a fight to the death? Did you see my list of life goals up there. I can't die yet! Hehe....

3) Would you use daggers for subtlety or swords for an all-out "COME AT ME BRO!" battle?

Actually, I would be most likely to do both. Start with that big sword, catch them off guard, and finish it with a dagger. I've read too many Henty books. Plus, I have always been pretty deceitful. It's the one thing I despise about my own character. Yikes. I just owned that?!

4) What do you do when someone tells you that you have pepper in your teeth?

L.O.L. and then go and get it out. :D

5) To you, what's more awesome....climbing trees or writing stories?

MORE awesome? If there had to be a decision, I would say writing. But I LOVE to climb trees, so.....

6) Have you ever secretly wished you were a unicorn?

 

 

No.

 

;)

 

 

7) When you drink tea, do you prefer a mug or a bone china cup?

 

 

Ooooh! I love both! Sometimes, like when it's raining, just a mug and a good book or friend is great. But I love taking out my real china set and making a cup of tea and sipping it and watching the sun go down. {When I never have time.}

 

 

8) What's your opinion on Alka-Seltzer?

 

 

I've never had to use it. :P

 

 

9) If you are an Agents of SHIELD fan, or a Marvel fan, or just a superhero fan, which agent/superhero do you think you'd be?

 

 

Well, as aforementioned, I'm not a "fan", per sey, but I do enjoy Marvel very much! Which one do I think I'd be? Good question. I'd love to say I'm like Captain America. But I'm probably much more like Bruce Banner - awkward. And in the way. And out of place. Except, without the temper tantrums. lol

 

 

10) Do you have a lucky number?

 

 

Haha!! Ok, this is silly. I actually do! And it's 13.

 

 

11) WHY do you have a lucky number?!

 

 

:D My logic is this. Whenever anyone asks you to pick a number between 1 and 20, they always select 13 in their head. Because it's "supposed" to be unlucky, right? So who would pick it? But because they "think" no one would pick it, I pick it. And it's usually right. Kinda uncanny, right?!

 

 

So there is that. Thanks Cat!!

 

 

If anyone else wants to answer her questions as mine, go ahead! Consider yourselves nominated. ;)

 

 



Eh he, happy not New Years

I made a bargain.

{A horrible decision really.}

And now my hands are tied.

{With 70 feet of blonde magic hair.}

So, I have a BIG surprise for you!!

{Uh... I do too!}

Ooh, but I bet my surprise is bigger!

{I seriously doubt it.}

Would you shut up?

{Go find a dream.}

Gah. Just a second, guys.

*sound of frying pan hitting skull*

Ok!!

So...

I have several New Years {I am trying to figure out how that is really supposed to go grammatically...New Year? New Year's? New Years'?} resolutions. Honestly, this is the first year I have ever made real resolutions. Normally, I just watch the day come and watch the day go and smile and wave at all the people who create these fantastic lists and goals. Then I go to bed. And wake up a happier Caitria.

{Are you hungry? Cause I know of a great place to eat.}

.......................................

So, this year is a bit of a change. But that's fitting, because I changed so much this year. From head to toe, figuratively and literally speaking {with maybe a pun intended}. First things off, my list. It's short. To the point. And 100% realistic.


1. {Find a dream.}

Ummm....I thought that dude was gone.

The real 1. Lose the mask.

I wear a mask. Did you know that? Maybe that's a part of being a writer. But I rarely show my true feelings. This year, I want to dig down to me, the real me, and let it go without fear. {Maybe inspired by Frozen...}

2. Get In the Shadow or Imitation published

Aaaaah! I've dreamed of this for so many years. To actually have TWO books so close gives me shivers!

3. {Get married.}

Come on!!?? Seriously?

The real 3. Stop wasting so much time on devices and spend more time with my family.

Over the last few months, I've seen a degeneration in my life of migrating more and more toward my computer and social networks {such as facebook, snapchat, and instagram} and less time with my lovely, wonderful family. We have so few years here in this home {especially since I'm getting married, right?!}. I don't want to waste them.

4. Complete a 364 day photo challenge.

A GREAT friend of mine is doing this and I asked to join her. I had another friend do it last year, and it just looks like so much fun. I am excited to do it. Eh he, I started a day late... But you can track it through my instagram account (myunicornhaswings).

5. Bond even more with my amazing friends.

God has blessed me immeasurably this year, with wonderful, Godly friends. I pray that they can be strengthened throughout this year even more!!

6. {Rule the World and ban chocolate}

The real 6. Get rid of this dude....^^



Ok. So, the bargain....

{Really, really a bad idea.}

I have been writing my tail end off the last month, getting In the Shadow ready to be published. But, along the side, I've been also working on a few other books.

{Pfft. A few?}

And so now I owe you {blame Cait} an explanation of my 2014 writing list and story-lines.

{Death plots.}

Nuance.



In the Shadow

This is the big one of year. Well, more like 8 years. Yes, I've been writing/editing this book for 8 years.  BUT. It is done. I mean, as done as you can get... The last thing I am doing is a little bit of reformatting on the chapter sequences and then it's on to querying {which I'm totally freaked out about, just so you know}!! So, history is epic. Especially ancient history, the stuff we don't know very much about, because you can play with it so much. I definitely qualify as a history nerd and In the Shadow sort of exploded with my enthusiasm. It has 2 protagonists, both slaves in Ancient Rome. They are total opposites. While Merrie just wants to be loved by her mistress and enjoy a peaceful life, Ionez's favorite thing to do is throw her master's orders back in their faces. If her own weren't so infuriatingly gorgeous, Ionez would have the one thing she longs for - freedom. So instead, she schemes up an idea as bold as it is dangerous in an attempt to get it. There may be a bit of intrigue, turncoat step-mothers, and a very unique dagger involved...{but we're not saying}. Merrie's simple world is destroyed by one small necklace. Her mistress's favorite - stolen - and she was the last one seen with it. From favorite companion to despised scum, she rallies everything inside her to earning back all the love and dreams she based her life upon. Yeah...Cait, go ahead and say it. Vague. ;)


Imitation

This is the one Cait really wants to hear about. I'll be nice. Sort of. I was going to explain, but there is too much. So I'm summing up. This is a huge WIP, a Dystopian sci-fi, and utter chaos. Nicole, the 17 year old protagonist, is special. Born with a technologically advanced brain, she has been the object of study for years - and she didn't even know it. When the time comes that the Director, who leads her city, can use her power, she is ready to give herself wholly for the government's use. Then she discovers just what they want her to do. Questionably ethic, the project introduces her to Tyler. Who stands against everything she has ever believed and been taught is right. But she's spent her life listening to the statutes of the city. She knows they have to be right - and so she turns Tyler in as a traitor just as she completes the project and allows the Director to introduce it to the entire city. To change everything they - or any person ever alive - has ever been. Just add a city in the sky. And lots of spaceships and a broken outside world and WAR.


My Unicorn Has Wings

Familiar with this one? My blog title was totally inspiration. This story is loosely related to my own life. Ok, mostly just the dorky protagonist. It's going to be fun. Have lots of puns, silly jokes, and craziness in it. Set in Kat's first year of college, it's more your traditional growing-up, finding yourself story {shouldn't she have done that already?}, with a mystery twist, including an ancient box in her attic, unicorns, and a grandfather she never knew. There will also be a singing competition {or musical theater, not sure which yet}, a library fight scene, a debate of the century, and a horse named Stargate.


Royal

This is actually the title of the sequel for this series, but the first book's name is under wraps. Another Dystopian. World War 3 has destroyed the earth. The people have come to the conclusion that half the problems of the world stem from their rulers and leaders. So they ditch every form of government, throw all the Royal families, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, you-name-it types into a very special prison. {Wouldn't you love to know.} The new World Government runs smoothly for 10 years until Liv, daughter of the King of England, accidentally destroys her cell and finds herself free of the prison's influence.


Unbroken

I AM SO EXCITD ABOUT THIS BOOK! First of all, because it's not mine. It's my sister Brisa's. She's writing it. I am her editor. I'm excited because she has been reading over my shoulder and giving me ideas and thoughts for the last 3 years for my books. And she's AMAZING! I've been trying to get her to write a book for a while. Imitation actually started as a possible idea for her, but it didn't go anywhere and I kind of took over {eh, bad me}. Basically, I have no license to say anything about Unbroken {though I'm 100% positive I could}. But I just had to tell you about it because it's going to be fantastic!!


Astroid

No. Not asteroid. Astroid. Although stars and asteroids and huge ice glaciers and starving Siberian Tigers play a huge roll in the fantasy plotline {only partially constructed}. There's also a journey across an impossible desert where dragons play with fire and hoard fallen sky-gems. Two rival nations have been at war for a millennia. At long last, the {people group which I cannot disclose but start with an O so we'll call them the O's} O's have conquered the K's. With their victory, the O's hope to claim the prosperity of much smaller K through a small asteroid {yes, really an asteroid this time}. The King thinks the charm of his enemy controls the revolution of the planet through gravitational magnetics. But there's danger lurking in the asteroid and only Sam {pseudo identity}, the King's illegitimate son, suspects it. When he's sent on a mission and forced to team up with the crown prince of the kingdom they just destroyed, Sam discovers there's more to fear than just the asteroid.


The Last Scribe
I got this book half written before I sort of burnt out. Not of ideas. I knew where it was going {sort of}, but I burnt up my time. I decided to get In the Shadow done. Then began Imitation. My Unicorn Has Wings came along next. And so on... So, really, I just need to sit down and finish it. Another fantasy like Astroid {actually conceived first}, prophecy is the internal drive for my protagonist, Breem. Confused, timid, shy...he's not really the hero type. But he's been thrust into an adventure he cannot abandon. Finding the true king of the dissolved Messeran kingdom is probably the only thing that will give him what he wants. Escape. But where do you look for a king who doesn't want to be found? Yeah, this sounds pretty lame. So we'll ignore it for a while. It really needs a rework/rewrite of what I already have done.


And so {temporarily} ends my list of books. I'm spending most of my time trying to {unsuccessfully} block out the million other story ideas clambering inside my skull for freedom.

What about you, writing buds? Any great and glorious plans {of domination} for 2014? Which idea do you like the most?

{Ah ha! You expect them to have a favorite from that threadbare lot?}

Ummmm....



Piecing Noni together

About a month ago, I drew Noni from On a String... It's kind of scary, drawing someone you actually know. ;)

Aaaaaand....I decided....sort of....to do something crazy. Well, I was crazy once. This, I think, is just mad hatter.

But whatever.

Let's start over.

Guys, I drew a picture! Of my beautiful friend Noni {I call her by her real name, but most of you know her as Noni}. For fun, I thought it'd be neat to post step by step pictures of how it progressed! You can let me know what you think! ;)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, there you have it!

 

TTFN ta, ta for now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. There is this super giveaway going on at a friends blog. You should seriously check it out. But don't do it. Cause I wanna win. ;)

lol

I guess I should give you the link...

http://jonnigirl96.blogspot.com/2013/11/an-11-12-13-giveaway.html

I'm back, people!!!!!

So, my absence the last few weeks was most certainly NOT volunteered. Our wifi was shut off because of reasons beyond my control and the only way I had to access the web was my mobile device. From which I TRIED to post an update that failed miserably and I never attempted it again.

But, I AM back. We have new wifi. WOOT!! And now that I have missed all the fun, I can join back in the world and start up my own giveaway again and posts and stuff and all the drafts that have been collecting dust in my posts list. {I will finish them all, but I won't spam your blogs feed, don't worry. I'll take it nice and slow.}

Just a few updates since my last post for now, cause I need to head to bed, it's 11:30, I still have to pray and read my Bible, and I'm beat, because soccer season has started now and I had a game tonight.

I am working 4 jobs now. {eeeeek!} They take a LOT of time. Wait, did I say a LOT? I mean a LOOOOOOOOOOOOT of time. :P

Plus, I still teach an independent voice student.

I'm in soccer.

Write.

Hang out with friends.

And do all those menial tasks around the house {such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, you know....} that my minions forget...

All in all. Busy.

And fantastic!!!


Here's a few pics, then I'm gonna pop off!

a little dude I drew for my art students

 

 

 

my philosophy in life

 

 

Well. It's good to be back. I've missed you guys!

 

TTFN, ta ta for now!!

 

 

 

 

 



So here's the deal: Giveaway!!!!

This month, I reached 50 followers!!! THANK YOU, amigos!!!!!



SOOOOO....


I decided to give you all something to look forward to.



Oh wait.

You mean, you want to know what it is?

Well, I'll give you a hint.

You will ALL love it. In fact, you'll go crazy over it. Just like you are all going to go crazy over this:

 

 

Ok, so....

 

 



 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

 

But here's the catch. It starts when my blog has 75 followers.

 

But, just to give you all incentive to get the ball rolling, here are the prizes!!!!!!!! :D

 

 

these will go to one winner



 



 

 

 

this will go to one winner



 

 

 

And the one fandom inspired drawing by yours truly:

 

 

 

 

^^these drawings not available

 

For the drawing, once you have won, I will have you select one picture from a fandom of your choice for me to draw.

 

 

Ok, ya'll!!

 

 

How to enter:

 

 

1: follow my blog {if you have already done this, you will get this point automatically! :D}

 

2: post about the giveaway on your blog. For each time you post, you will get an additional entry.

 

3: add my blog button to your side panel.

 

4: follow me on pinterest {if you already have done this, please let me know, and you will get an extra point!} {here is the link: http://www.pinterest.com/exhilarated/boards/}

 

5: comment on a post of mine from last year.

 

 

Ok! Pretty basic stuffs, right? So, spread the word! Cause it's only gonna happen when I have 75 followers! I know, bit leap. I think it'll happen. I have faith in you, my dears. ;)



 

 





For realz

Ok, put down your drink. Swallow.

Today was a pretty great day. I spent the morning working, as usual. After work, I ran a few errands. Deposited money into my bank account {always a plus to a day, eh? ;)} It was a friend's birthday {Anna, I've mentioned her before!} so I took her out to Golden Corral and we hung out and talked for several hours. That was very fun.

After that I was supposed to go play vball. There weren't enough people so the few of them left headed to Orange Leaf instead. I met them there.

Ok. You did swallow that coffee right? No chocolate in the mouth? Good.

So, they had this board on the back wall of the Orange Leaf counter of *this* guy:

 

  

Can you guess who? Well, that was the test. See, if you did, you got 3oz of frozen yogurt free....

 

I'm all game! Specially since one of my friends had already done it and guessed right.

 

Have you made your guesses already? I knew right off it was an early church leader and book writer. I'd seen that face before. I'd read his work...

 

BUT WHO WAS IT???????

 

Took me five minutes of silence, watching my friends play checkers, scrambling my mind. At first, I thought, it's Charles Spurgeon. But he looks WAY different. I couldn't bring myself to guess that.



 

 

 ^^Charles Spurgeon....

 

 

So yeah, I finally did it. Just blurted out a name. And it was the right one!!!!

 

My friend who had already guessed it {his name is Micah, he's Jonnah and Rae's brother} said, "yep, that's him!!!"

 

Great! Awesome! I just won 3oz of frozen yogurt. Well, we were still waiting on a friend, so we didn't go get our yogurt yet...... Just sat, visited... Then she came in, we talked some more. We also asked her if she could guess who it was! She thought for a little bit, but didn't figure it out.

 

I filled my Orange Leaf cup with Orange and Pineapple frozen yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, and kiwi. Went up the pay.

 

My friend who came in late asked me, "ok, so who is it!!"

 

And I stared at her.

 

And stared at her.

 

And licked my lips.

 

Yum...that frozen yogurt looked good.

 

 

My mind went completely blank. Like, literally, it was empty. You know, TEN SECONDS EARLIER I KNEW WHO THAT MAN WAS.

 

Yep, it was gone. I stood there, in front of my friends.

 

And laughed. And laughed again....

 

It was gone.

 

My oh me..... the cashier asked me if I wanted clues. I said, "NOOOOO, I KNOW WHO IT IS!!!" She gave me the first letter of the first and last name anyways. Nothing. Yikes, I was in deep waters. I even shouted Charles' name to the world. Even though I knew it wasn't him. Yeah. LOL. I kept laughing.

 

About 3 minutes later, it came back.

 

John Calvin.

 

Yep. The man one of the churches we visited for about a year was absolutely OBSESSED with. The man I've read about in history for years. The man who has several books that I have read....

 

Wow.

 

No, I was NOT born blonde.

 

Ok, you can go back to drinking your coffee and eating your chocolate.

 

Only I'd much rather have raspberry {or MINT!!} tea and a good bowl of fruit. :D

 

 



 

To be honest...

When I was a kiddo, I struggled with lying. Protecting myself against accusation, pain, the stuff I'd done wrong.

You know.


WHO ate the last piece of candy?

Why is that dirty?

How come the -- is gone?


Well, whatever it was...it wasn't me.

I guess you could say it was my greatest fear, to be found in the wrong.

Anyhow, I had to learn the hard way a lot of times that lying doesn't pay. You will be found out and yikes, when you are, it's nooooooooo fun. :P

So, just a reminder, because even now, I have to stop to keep the old habit from coming back, to be honest. Always.

Ok, new topic. ;)

A drawing!! I did this one a long time back {well, July, anyways}. But I forgot to post it, so I figured I would now!!





That one was for my lovely friend Grace!!!! The letters went crooked... :P She put it up in her office. :D She works for a missions that travels worldwide!!!

Ok. And then I did this one last month. For my friend Jonnah! The camera did some bizarre things with it when I took the pic...but oh well. ;)



Life's been pretty crazy. A lot of soccer. Volleyball. Good talks with friends. People getting married. Engaged. Having babies. You know. Life. Crazy. Yeah.

Anyhow, I'm in the mood for a laugh. :D


So laugh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ta ta lovelies!!

 

 

 



Parcel of Pics

Time doesn't forgive. What is done...is done. I am learning that more and more these days, when there are so many choices to make, being made, been made....

But at the same time, I am not afraid. Because I know that no matter what choices I make, God will work them together for good, even when I know I've done the wrong thing. Somehow, it is a part of His plan to teach me...something.

Well, you ready for a parcel of pictures? *overload*

The 4th was super fun. It couldn't have been better if I had been wearing a cape. {Well......maybe.....}

We started out leaving our house 30 min late to go witness at the Marshfield town square before the parade. I was sad because I have never gone witnessing before. We made it in time for about 20 min of it though and then the parade started!!!

 

In the middle of the parade, I went to the booth and helped facepaint, which was AWESOME fun. I'd never done it before and, eeeeeek, it was cool. I should have taken a pic of one of the adorable little kids I did....but alas, I did not think ahead... :'(

 

{pic coming}

 

After the parade we went to Jonni and Rachel's church for potluck, hanging out, and sports. I don't have any pics of that, but hopefully Jonni will get me some here and then I'll plug them in!! :D We played v-ball and softball. Twas fun. My first time playing softball since I was a wee 13-year-old lassie....

 

 

After that, we went home, regroomed ourselves, and headed over to Jonni's older sis's house for supper and fireworks. The food was delish. I actually wasn't too hungry, but I had a yummy salad. I like greens. MmmmMmmmm......

 

 

On the way to fireworks. We went to a big ol' park to watch the city fireworks.

 

 

the clouds....speechless....

 

 

Keaton went on this thing...yup, he's up there, but you can't see him. He's about to slide down...

 

 

Then NN and I sparred. THAT was awesome. Specially since we were the only girls over 10 in line and even then there were only two others. Haha. We're awesome. ~_*

 

 

We have victory!!!!!!!!

 

 

Then Tangled made an appearance and my pathetic phone would NOT take a decent picture... :P :'( Seriously though, there were a lot of these and they were amazing and I am going to have them at my wedding.

 

 

MUM! Looking pretty...

 

 

Abrienne {NN} and I...

 

Jonni and I!! Hanging before fireworks. We did a piggyback race against her bro and another friend. We one. It was fun!!! But no pics... :(

 

 

FIREWORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday I spent ALL day {and night} with and friend {Lynnea} who just got back from Japan!!! She is 1/4th Japanese and her grandma took her there. We had so much fun catching up, making pies, playing vball, football {well, we just threw it....}, jumping on the trampoline, and chatting. We also watched MULAN!!! LOVE that movie. So cute!!

 

 

Isn't she the most stinkin' pretty thing you've ever seen?!?!?!?!

 

 

 

 

We stayed the night, as I said, and laid on the trampoline all night until like 3ish them went inside and hung out. Lynnea had to go to bed then cause she had to work the next day {so did I, but my work IS at her house....} but her other sis Lauren {I've posted about her before!!!} came home at midnight and WE stayed up till 6 talking. Then I got up at 9 to work. Came home. Cleaned the yard. Made supper. Weeded. Wrote a wee bit. Played Piano {Reflection, to be exact}. Took a walk with NN down our road. Read. And now I'm chilling here on my bed. Listening to epic songs, I might add.

 

<3<3<3<3<3<3

 

All in all, a good last few days. Some things could have been better. Some things...were perfect. That's the way of life.