This Just Is

Just things....

2010-01-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

It is very sad that I have not posted since New Years...but had you seen my homework schedule, you would understand. It was brutal. But, it was made bearable by all the rain we've been having!

I love the rain. It is over now, but when it was storming outside, I would stare out the window watching the wind ravage the trees, and the rain droplets spin sideways from the force of the storm. It was lovely, especially when I was dry and warm and sipping hot coffee.

I almost wish it would rain again, but I know that a lot of people where I live have suffered from the storms. So I won't wish it back, but I remember it fondly. And who knows, the weather has been so crazy lately, that it might rain again tonight!

In other news, I discovered that Francis Hodgson Burnett, author of the classic and fantastical The Secret Garden and A Little Princess wrote a book that I did not know existed! It is called The Lost Prince and I am currently on page 37 and loving it. She is an amazing author, and I could probably read The Secret Garden over and over again forever.

Have any of you seen the movies made from her books? They're really good.I found the movie-versions of Garden and Princess at Target about three years ago for super cheap and have been enormously happy ever since. I highly recommend them to you.

The time has come for me to finish this post, but not before I announce: I am going to Panama! In thirteen days! I'm so excited! I'm going on a missions trip, and I will be gone for nine days. It is going to be very hot in Panama. Shorts need to be purchased.

As I have a large paper deadline looming, I must say goodbye, and I will make sure and post all about the trip!

Cheers,
Jo <3>

2010!

2010-01-01T00:06:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BLESS YOU IN 2010!

Sorry, 2009, but I'm seeing someone else. I had a lot of fun times with you, but it's time to go our separate ways. I've outgrown you.

<3 Happy New Years Everybody!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

As I stated above, Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you all have a wonderful day spent with friends and family, and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ: Savior extraordinaire. I love him so very much, so celebrating his birthday this festive time of year makes it extra special!

I got some good stuff this year, and I can't wait to listen to all my many new cd's. Have a wonderful day, all!

Cheers,
Jo. <3

WHAT. THE. HECK.

2009-11-23T22:38:00.000-08:00

Okay...I do not understand.

What is wrong with people?

I am referring to Kick a Ginger Day, which resulted in the injuries of hundreds of children across the globe.

Kids who were just trying to get through the school day were assaulted by their classmates for having red hair.

Is this a generation of nazis we're raising here? An army of soulless, conscience-less "I was just following orders" types running rampant on society?

Kids were hurt. Their classmates hurt them and ENJOYED it. I cannot even rap my mind around this. A thirteen year old redhead was kicked and punched about 80 times on the way to his classes...because of a freaking South. Park. Episode.

Am I the only one who is outraged? I have a really good friend whose a "Ginger" and I didn't have the slightest inclination to kick her. Can someone please explain whats going on?

Please?

Aaron Cohen: Slave Hunter

2009-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

Listening to: The dishwasher and Washing machine (why isn't it a clotheswasher?)

Wishing for: My book report not to be due Monday

Knowing that: I gotta do it anyway.

Hello again everyone.

I am a very happy person, and you know why? Yesterday I got to meet one of my heroes. He is an abolitionist who fights against Human Trafficking (slavery) which is the fastest growing illegal trade in the world; bringing in $9,000,000,000 annually.

Allow me to introduce you all to Aaron Cohen, Slave Hunter.

Huh?

What do I mean by slave hunter? What I mean, is this man travels to different countries (like Cambodia and Burma) and with the aid of local authorities, frees hundreds of children from the horror that is sexual slavery. Most of these children are younger than sixteen; some as young as six. They are held captive in nasty, filthy brothels under the control of pimps and madames who care for nothing but making money. He poses as a sex tourist (and unfortunately, there are way more than you would imagine) and obtains evidence enough to convict the brothel owners and free the girls.

Aaron Cohen is amazing, and such an inspiration to me because he is doing what I want to do, and what I will be attending college next year to prepare myself for.

I encourage everyone to read his new book: Slave Hunter. I warn you ahead of time however, this is not a light read, nor a fun one. It is a raw and gritty book that exposes the dark underbelly of human society. Still, everyone should read it, because everyone should know.

Girls should not be forced to sell themselves to men three times their age, day after day for soulless extortionists.

I also encourage you all to check out this website: www.abolishslavery.org and get involved.

You can also follow Aaron on twitter at www.twitter.com/aaroncohen777

There you are. I hope I've enlightened.

As always,
cheers.

<3 Jo

T.V and not Much Else....

2009-11-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

I've been inspired to post again after a very long absence, because I have been reading a great many of my favorite blogs. The blogs I follow are so amazing, because the people that create them are so creative and talented. I adore looking at their fantastic photography, reading their hilarious anecdotes and admire their honesty and writing style.

Seeing as I am still a bit blog-retarded I cannot link them all to you guys, but if you want to know what they are, feel free to send me a message and I will tell you. (They are all certainly better than mine, thats for sure).

School is stressful as per usual, but I've grown to accept that as the highschool experience. I also have been watching FAR to much tv. It's ridiculous. Almost every day of the week is a tv show.

Monday- Lie to Me (9) and Castle (10)
Tuesday- NCIS!!!!!!! (8)
Wednesday- So You Think you Can Dance and sometimes Glee
Thursday- Vampire Diaries (which I always have to watch via internet because my prayer group meets while it's on)
Friday- There's something.... I just can't remember what.

How sad is that? Last year I didn't watch ANY television during the school year, and now...I am a glutton. Oh the shame......

But I can't stop. They're ALL amazing. Especially NCIS.

I hope you all are staying healthy; half of my high school is down for the count, and some of my friends have even come down with Swine Flu or H1N1 (which I can't help but notice that it looks like Heini. Yes. I am juvenile).

In my English class we are reading Beowulf, which I had dreaded but I am actually enjoying myself. It is much easier to read than I has expected! I really enjoy the writing style; it is so evocative.

Homework is calling my name...(kinda like the crawfish from the Ludo song Lake Pontchartrain, and if any of you know what I am talking about I will be very happy), which unfortunately means I must bid you all Adieu, and live to blog another day.

Cheers,
Jo.

Oh Happy Day!!!

2009-09-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Joy has returned to my life....and you know why?

AMAZON/UPS FINALLY CAME THROUGH!!!!!!!

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI BY MELINA MARCHETTA FINALLY CAME IN THE MAIL, AND IT IS AMAZING!

ALRIGHT. phew. I'm better. I told y'all I'd be excited.

As always, more later.

<3 Cheers

Things...

2009-09-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

Not much to say really.
Book still hasn't come, and school has started yet again.
I can't believe it! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?!
Ah well. More later when its not almost midnight and I'm not in the midst of A.P. Spanish Homework!

Cheers,
<3 Jo

Hell hath no fury like a bookworm scorned...

2009-09-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have a major bone to pick with Amazon.

I have tried to a) PURCHASE and b) HAVE DELIVERED "Looking For Alibrandi", the first book ever written by my favorite author, Melina Marchetta.

And EVERY STINKING time, I have managed to a) PURCHASE said book but have failed to b) HAVE IT DELIVERED.

I have tried to have it mailed to me twice, and each time, it has taken literally four weeks, and then I recieve a pleasant little email stating that for some reason or another, your book was lost in the mail, we're very sorry and here is your money back...try again.

Is this some sort of cosmic joke? I know there are thousands of issues (like Darfur, famine, climate change, the return of New Kids on the Block) that are of far more pressing urgency then my small crises...but I really, REALLY want to read that book!

Oh well. Trust me. There will be a post letting you all know when I get this book, because I will be over the moon. And if it fails to come AGAIN, well...you will all know about that too.

Until then,

<3 Jo

There are no words...

2009-07-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

I have no time to waste with formalities. I am almost tap-dancing with excitement because Melina Marchetta, my favorite author and the author I just wrote about (see below) is writing a new book!!!!!

The excitement doesn't stop there. It's called The Piper's Son and it's written from the perspective of one of the side characters from my Favorite Melina Marchetta book Saving Francesca.

Not only is it a new Melina, but its about a character I already know and love. It's going to be amazing. AMAZING. I can hardly wait.

But I must. It's due out in a year.

2010, please hurry hither.

For the Love of Books...

2009-07-23T23:57:00.000-07:00

I don't know if any of you know this, but I am a bibliophile. It sounds vaguely obscene, but worry not, for all it means is that I love books.

I truly do. I'm obsessed. I have loved books ever since I read my very first word when I was three (Water, in case you wanted to know) and the love affair has continued to this day.

This being said, one of the few things I pride myself on is my library. I have a large bookcase in my room brimming with over a thousand books, which seem to explode from the shelves. I desperately need a bigger book shelf, but there isn't one that will fit in my room (cruel fate).

This made me start to think (which is never good). There are people have amazing tastes in things such as... music (cough, Gabby, cough), fashion, or movies, that they can be very proud of. I've never been able to pride myself on my music (I love what I love, but I am no aficionado), or fashion (comfort is my first priority), or even movies (I always lose those SCENE IT? games). But one thing I can pride myself on my taste in books.

I've read and own everything from classics to chic lit. My books vary in all different genres and degrees of thickness. They are all similar in one respect though: I can read them over and over and never tire of the story.

Books; stories, and characters, are so real for me. When there's a book in my hands, I slip inside of and disappear into the world the author has created; images and voices in my head so vivid, its hard to return from sometimes. More than once a day my brother has had to yell in my ear to get my attention out of whatever I'm reading, because once I start reading, the world around me fades to a dull roar and reality is whatever I am reading at that moment.

Good writing is one of the most enjoyable things to experience, I find. When a talented author can string sentences together and make me ache for the character they've created as if they were real, I'm impressed. That being said, and probably the whole reason I'm posting this, is to talk about the book I've just finished for the second time: Jellicoe Road.

Jellicoe Road (or "On the Jellicoe Road" as its known in Australia) is the third book written by my favorite author, Melina Marchetta. The first book she wrote was called "Looking for Alibrandi" and the second, which is one of my favorite books, is "Saving Francesca".

Jellicoe Road is, simply put, one of the most achingly real and poignant stories I have ever read.
Its the story of Taylor Markham who was abandoned by her mother when she was eleven on the Jellicoe Road. It is the story of how a now seventeen year old Taylor, with the help of her friends and loved ones, struggles to remember her past and detangle the murky and tragic pasts of the people surrounding her. I recommend it to anyone, but would advise you have tissues ready at hand, because those pasts Taylor detangles are utterly tragic. However much sadness the book holds, it holds an equal share of sweetness and hope which balances the story beautifully. You can't read the book without hoping and cheering Taylor on as she quests to find the truth.

Melina's style of writing is so beautiful and lyrical and when she writes its like she paints an unmistakable portrait that you can instantly recognize as hers. She has this lovely quirk in which sometimes her character's thoughts end up as a single, long sentence, which seem to pour from the main charcter's stream of conciencesness like she can't get the words out fast enough.

Melina Marchetta's talent is admirable and I burn with envy and wish I could write half as well as she does. If reading this made you even a little curious as to what her books are about, I suggest you scurry to the nearest bookstore and buy Saving Francesca and Jellicoe Road as fast you possibly can. You won't regret it.

Happy reading!

love,

Jo <3>

Fun in da SUN!

2009-07-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Nevershoutnever!

Wishing: for Bon Jovi's cd "Cross Road"

Knowing: That I might not get it for my birthday :(

Okay. I went to a concert last night and it changed. my. life. Well...not really, but I did have a WHOLE lot of fun. Oh my gosh did I EVER! It was a Boys Like Girls concert, with openings by The Ready Set and *drumroll* NEVERSHOUTNEVER! He -he being Christofer Drew- is possibly the most adorable person ever, which brings me to my next point.

My seventeenth birthday.

I want a Christofer Drew <-- of my very own. Please? As a seventeenth birthday gift? I would love you forever.

Okay, back to the concert. The Ready Set was pretty good, so I was pleasantly surprised. Nevershoutnever! was utterly fantastic, of course. I almost died of cuteness when he sang Happy (check it out on itunes or youtube, it is fantastic...as is everything else he does). His cover of the Beatles' "I wanna hold your hand" was adorable as well. He knows how cute he is. You can tell. Oy.

Anyhoo...Boys like Girls took the stage and ROCKED. OUT. It was amazing. I was on the floor to the very left of the stage, and at the end of the concert (after the encore), The lead singer -Martin Johnson- started doing the Rock-Star-touching-people's-hands-in-the-audience thing. I had never been so determined in my entire life to touch somebodies hand, but believe me, I catapulted myself over people and reached up to the stage where, I kid you not, Martin Johnson GRABBED my hand. *squee* I am so pathetic. But at least I admitted it, which should count for something right? ...probably not.

I attended the concert with a handful of my best friends and it was one of the funnest nights of my life. I jumped and screamed and sang and laughed the entire night and when I got home I was sooo tired and sore and hungry and it was sooooo worth it.

Hands down, BEST. NIGHT. EVER.

As always, more later.

Love,

Jo. <3

Lazy dayyyyys

2009-06-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

Listening to: the aircondition whirr

Wishing: for lemonade

Knowing: I'm far to lazy to make any

I am very proud of myself. I got up and sorted my laundry in record time, and now my room is looking somewhat fit for human habitation again. Yay!

I also put up pretty photographs that I found in magazines, to spice up the boring white walls. I've been living in this same room for yeeears, and haven't made my mark yet. So, I decided to heck with it, and put them up. I am a much happier person for it. I kind of stole this computer from my dad in order to blog, so I'm going to have to return it, and leave you all with this very short, very unsatisfying (and un-enlightening) post.
Cheers.

Love,
Jo <3

Lazy Summer Days...

2009-06-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Listening to: Regina Spektor "Laughing With"

Wishing: For pretty pink nailpolish

Knowing: I will probably never actually buy pretty pink nailpolish.

Summer so far, has been wonderful. Senior friends graduated last night, which is sad, but at least many of them aren't leaving SoCal. If so....then I would be despondent.

I've been lazing about for hours upon end; surfing the net, reading good books, listening to equally good music, and hanging out with family and friends. I can always tell those who truly love me, because they are willing to hangout with me even when my hair is an uncombed, curly, wild disaster (which has been the case for the past week. Apparently, when school is out, I let myself go. No one to impress, I guess).

That's really all there is to say...for now.

love,
Jo. <3

Itssssssss SUMMER!

2009-06-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

It's finally here.
For real.
I thought it would never come.
And now.....
IT'S SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy. So, SO happy, because even though I have AP summer homework, school is OVER!

I don't care what people try to tell you. Sophomore year is hard, Junior year is DEADLY. Here's to hoping Senior year will be better.

More later,

Love,

Jo. <3

So Sad....

2009-06-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

So I love how my little profile thingy on blogspot says "One Follower". That made me giggle, because I have no idea how anyone would find this blog, unless I told them about it (which I don't). So....it will probably die an obscure blog, but I'm okay with that^^

My school is undergoing finals week; a rigorous week of testing design to reduce our brains to mush. I must say, my school has accomplished its goal...My brain no longer functions like its supposed to. School? I. Hope. You're. Happy.

On a happier note I finally bought the fabulous 80's gem Labyrinth on dvd! It is so wonderfully cheesy...I just adore it.

Until I come up with something of interest to blog about, this will have to do.

Over and out,
Jo.

gasp A Blogger actually Blogging? Sandalous.

2009-05-20T19:45:00.001-07:00

It's been so long since I've blogged...I scarcely remember how....perhaps, it will come back to me if I persevere through this first post in...eons.

Oh dear...I'm rather elipsis-happy today. I apologize.

Elipsis aside, I'm repentent over my pathetically poor attempt at blogging for the first time. I've done, what, like...3 posts? Disaster. Who wants to follow a blogger who can't even keep her own interest?

Well...to many things have happened since my last post, so I will have to settle for recounting only recent events, with this exception: May 2nd was an amazing day because I -yes, I- went to my first concert. And (it gets better) that concert was...wait for it...Yann Tiersen's first performance in America!

As amazing French music might not be your forte, I shall move onto another "recent" event. Am swiftly becoming a rabid NCIS fan. A darling little friend named Brooke (whose birthday it happens to be today!) turned me onto it, and I have been sacrificing sleep to watch it ever since.

Amazing show. Particularly in love with this handsome gent:

*sigh*

Alright, moving on.

Am also becoming addicted to Mocha Frappuchino's from Starbucks, particularly when it is smothered in whip cream and chocolate drizzle. My mum was especially thoughtful today and picked me up one after school. Delighted squealing ensued, which was apparently very loud as other students near my car casted bemused glances into my window. Pride be damned! That Frappuchino was excellent.

Enough of this. Shall end the misery now, and try valiantly to be more faithful with my posts.

Ciao!

Lesson Of The Day, Numero Uno

2009-02-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

Lesson of the Day: Do not overeat.

I'm not kidding. BAD idea.

This lesson takes a leaf out of my book, because not once, but TWICE today, I've overeaten, and waddled away from the table feeling like an over-stuffed pig. This is not healthy, and I do not recommend it for ANYONE. Overeating is discouraged in the Bible, I've discovered. It mentions "gluttony" which I most certainly indulged in today. I write this lesson to warn you, my children. Do not fall into gluttony. It makes you feel fat, and guilty that you were able to eat while children are starving in China.

This was random, I know, but you will benefit from this wisdom someday.

At least, I hope so.

Stay healthy,

Jo

2009-02-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

I am so sore, I can barely move.

I am so sore, I never ever WANT to move again.

And it is all because of softball. We had tryouts today; day one of a two week conditioning program, that has left me incapacitated. I did well, right up until I couldn't even kneel during prayer because my quads had stopped working. But at least I'll have tomorrow off to rest because I am going to the dentist *cue horrified screaming*.

Yes...the dentist. The happiest place on earth. For sadists, maybe. That is not important, however. What is important is that beginning sometime in the very near future, I shall be doing a thing called the "Lesson of the Day" on this very blog, in which I give -what else- a "lesson of the day". These will be life changing, so you definitely don't want to miss this.

Gabs, are you reading this? My one reader can't let me down. I think I need to give you a nickname, to show how awesome you are for listening to my inane ramblings. I will think long and hard about this....tomorrow. Right now, all I want is to sleep.

Sleep Tight,

Jo

Exciting things....

2009-01-29T22:40:00.000-08:00

So, I am working in the manuscript of my novella, and I am quite pleased to say that it is almost finished! I am so excited I would be bouncing off the walls...if I weren't too tired.

Why am I so tired, you may ask? Because I finally...FINALLY finished my finals! And, to add to this amazing affair, there is no school tomorrow. I'm probably going to celebrate by not doing homework or thinking ANYTHING about school. Instead, I think I'm going to just be a lazy bum and sit on the couch lurking on my computer all day. It is going to be so much fun.

Ooh! I almost forgot. I went to a consignment store today and bought the most amazing scarf ever (it made me think of you, Gabby) and a shirt that I have wanted for, quite possibly, my entire life. It's a long sleeved, flannel, black and white plaid button up shirt and it's to die for. And it was only seven bucks!

I love bargain hunting.

Always,

Jo

Blog The First

2009-01-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

Seeing as it is the night before my English final, and I am in the midst of making a poster for my Bible class, this first blog will be short.

I really created this blog so that I could watch a few blogs I know about without having to strain my tired, final-overloaded brain by remembering their names (cough, Gabs, cough, cough). Pathetic, I know, but while making an account, I realized that I have always wanted to try my hand at blogging, and as they say, the rest is history.

First attempt....a success? I'm not sure yet. I don't even know who would find or read this anyway. I'm unused to the world of blogging, so please, forgive my naivete.

Always and sincerely,

Jo.