Sunday, October 28, 2012

Starts With a Blank Canvas

Have you ever been stuck on what to be for Halloween but you don't want to spend a lot of money on some elaborate costume? That's where I was this year. I had a party on Saturday but had no idea what I could possible be in such short notice. I wanted to be something creative and cute but I didn't want to pay a bunch of money for something I'll only wear probably once. So from the help of my brother he came up with probably one of the most brilliant ideas for a Halloween costume! And amazingly it's never been done before! (at least google says so haha) 
All you need is:
- a white/tan monochrome outfit
- 1 blank canvas
- 1 paint pallet
- sharpies, paint markers, or whatever you choose for coloring
- (and if you want) face paint to make a design on your face
It's as easy as that! And it's super fun and interactive...and the greatest part is that you'll have a wonderful masterpiece made by your friends to keep forever!
Hope that helps any of you out there :)
Have a wonderful Halloween everyone!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Life is a Cabaret!

I've realized that I talk a lot about how much singing is a part of my life and about how busy my life is because of it but I've never shown you guys a video of me singing a solo piece...or singing at all I think haha...so here's a video of this cabaret that my choir did to raise money! And being such broadway baby I sang this show piece!

I think it's weird how you guys will know what my voice sounds like now haha...but whatevs :) Hope you guys enjoy!


Just a short little post for you guys :) p.s. the song is "Don't Wanna Be Here" from Ordinary Days if you were wondering haha

Hope you guys have a wonderful day!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Fall Break 2012

So, here's a less poetic version of my trip to Chicago over the weekend haha
It was fall break for my high school this past weekend and of course what better way to spend a fall break than to get out of state for a few days! And where else to go than Chicago, Illinois! On Saturday, with it being only a short 3 hour drive we left the house around 8 a.m. and got there around 10 a.m. Chicago time.
On Saturday, we visited my favorite place in Chicago: The Museum of Contemporary Art! Then we visited the Navy Pier and ate at Bubba Gump! I spent the day, camera in hand, snapping away at everything I saw!
Two rolls of films later my brothers and I walked around the clothing stores and got free chocolate from the Hershey's store and the Ghirradelli store :) then we decided to walk to the bean to see how it looks at night and it looks pretty awesome! The city lights reflected off the bean and looked so scenic!
On Sunday, I met up with a close friend of mine who happened to also be in Chicago and we visited the been! Afterwards, we went back to the magnificent mile and I visited topshop for the first time! I am completely in love with everything in that store! With only having $20 I was only able to buy stuff on sale...what's new? Haha so I got this adorable feather clip for my hair and three new rings to add to my collection of accessories!
Lastly we ate lunch at the most delicious pizza place I've ever been to: Giordano's! Deep dish pizza is probably one of the best inventions in the food world haha! I have never eaten so much in a weekend but I also have never walked to much in one weekend! It was an overall success of a trip :)

Well that was my weekend!
Hope you all have had a great day!

Something About the City: Chicago

There's something about the city that keeps me wanting more. I can't begin to describe the energy and power it gives me to be in it. There's a feeling of panic and frenzy within everyone on the street. They're all moving forward, moving with such purpose and drive.
Yet, there's this feeling of freedom, being able to be everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. All the different routes and roads you can take, but it doesn't matter which. It'll all lead you to the same destination. And senses explode in every street.
The distinct stench that hits you like a wall, almost rotten, but becomes bearable and normal after a while. The crisp air that hits your face as you walk and the blast of warmth when you step into a building.
The sounds of the city street: the clanking of heels mixed with the silence of flats, sirens blaring, cars honking and halting to stops, different languages spoken, conversations not meant to be heard by others, and people begging for help white others sit there in silence, and street performers waiting for any sort of money to be dropped for them.
And lastly the sights: with the people varying from rags to riches in just one passing, the buildings reaching as high as my dreams, and the artworks both on the street and in the buildings from unknown artists to glorified geniuses.
This is why the city never gets old. This is why the city is always alive. There's a constant speed, a heartbeat, that will never stop.
This is why I love the city.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Place in this World

we all have one...

Many of you know that my passion, other than singing and acting, is photojournalism and travelling. Being a junior has gotten me questioning everything I want to do in the future vs. what I need to do. I'm wondering if what I want to do is practical enough to live off of...but then I remember I don't want to be stuck in a job I'll be unhappy in. I've been struggling so much to find a happy medium with the two and I've researched beyond what a 16-year-old would usually care about.
With the help of my photography class and church I think I've found a way. I've become so intrigued by social commentary and with all the injustices in the world and for a while now something's been pulling my mind to think about all I can do to help or expose or just do something about it all. I just can't sit still knowing all that's happening in the world.
In photography class we watched a documentary called Born into Brothels showing the lives of children in Sonagchi, Calcutta who have been born into brothels and Zana Briski who teaches them photography. The lives of the children inspired me so much and the drive of Zana to help the children even more so.
Lastly, I wanted to introduce to you all my new idol: Barry Rodriguez. He is the founder and director of the organization, World Next Door which is a non-for-profit organization who's mission is to "use compelling journalism, hands-on mentoring and influential leadership to change ordinary people into wild-eyed revolutionaries for God's kingdom and to unleash them on local and global issues of social injustice." He just so happens to be the son of the head pastor in my church and was the speaker at the most recent service and I was able to talk to him! Being introduced to this organization was like looking at the future you've always wanted. Even though I have to be 20 to actually be a part of it, just knowing that it's out there is so uplifting and inspiring...it's the waiting game that sucks though haha so until then I'm planning on volunteering here at home, growing as a photographer and writing, of course growing more in my faith!

What do you guys think of World Next Door? And do you guys have a dream you're excited to fulfill?
Hope you have had a great day!!

Monday, October 15, 2012

The Hunger Challenge



Have you ever put yourself in someone else's shoes? Not just thinking about how they would be going through something but actually putting yourself in their situation? In the weeks that I've been absent from blogging I've become more involved in my church. Right now we're in a series about the six broken places in the world: Separation, Injustice, Hatred, Isolation, Broken Bodies and Minds, Decay.

We're on week two of the series and this week focused on the injustices and the systems of injustice in the world. Many of which include how much of the world is in poverty and have a hard time being able to feed their family let alone themselves. My family and I are taking part in a four week challenge to better understand what people in poverty have to go through on a daily basis and to put us into their mindset of what it truly means to be hungry and to give back. So this is what I'll be doing along with my church these next four weeks:

  • Week 1: Rice and Beans - eat rice and beans everyday and donate unused money
  • Week 2: Food Stamps - live off of the food stamp budget and donate unused money
  • Week 3: Green Bag - fill up a food donation bag and bring it to church
  • Week 4: Prayer 
If you're interested you can check out my church's website and can join along in this journey if you want!
Hope you all have had a great day!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Let's Play Catch Up!

So Junior year is a killer! This past month (being the last weeks of the first grading period) my school work was cranked up like 10 notches! I've been drowning in school work, finishing up getting my new room organized, and show choir...so getting on my blog was sadly sent to the back of my mind for a while. I thought I had it down by planning out a calendar for myself and everything but it's kind of difficult to post the posts if you haven't even written them yet...sooooo in conclusion I have a better plan for myself and I will (try my best) post more frequently again and hopefully without these awkward long breaks in between...So for now let's play catch up!
 I got to go to the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros concert! It was completely amazing! Getting to see one of my all time favorite bands was perfect and my company made it all the more better!
Had my first choir concert as a Ambassador!
Then, I had my homecoming! I ended up splitting up my time and going with two different groups of friends which was easier then I expected it to be and a lot of fun!

So those are just the biggest things that's happened lately! Thanks for not unfollowing me so far guys! I will definitely get this sorted out now :)
Hope you all have had a great day!