Blogging with Windows Live!

So, this is my first time to try and blog with Windows Live on my new laptop. I’ve never used the program before so I’m hoping it works and posts correctly and all that. This is mainly just a test post, but feel free to comment with your feelings about Windows Live if you’ve ever used it!

'Mazin Music Sundays . . . LADY ANTEBELLUM

So, while I wait for my homework to download to my computer (why are all of my teachers so internet-obsessed these days?) I decided I should at least keep up this daily bit of music for all of you.

This song is called 'Dancin' Away With My Heart by the wonderful Lady Antebellum. It's a song of young love and the one who got away, or at least that's how I saw it. It's such a sweet song, and from such a great, new album.



Go buy yourself their newest album, Own the Night, and listen to the other wonderful songs! Hope you all have a good week, and I'll see you next weekend when the smoke clears!

I'm still alive . . . somewhat

High school is tiring. It's that tired that clings to your eyelids from the second you wake up to the moment you lay your head down that night. With my alarm clock going off at six every morning and volleyball ending at five, it's a long, nonstop eleven hours in between. Then there's homework, dinner and of course, I've got to socialize with my family at the very least.

It's not all bad, though, I guess. I feel a lot more freedom in high school than I did previous years. It's just a long day, you know? You can feel the past changing and the future looming ahead a lot more. People change, and so does life. It's one of those things that happened to sneak up on me.

This post is mainly to let you guys know that I won't be posting as often. I'm really sorry, but it's just not possible. Once things calm down, I'll be back to my usual schedule and I'll make sure to get my "Dear Friend" letter up and going and keep the "Mazin' Music Sundays" alive!

For now, you can expect a post per week, at best. Comment on my posts to let me know you care if you read this, by the way! I'd love support from fellow high-school go-ers. Until next week, though, I must say ciao!

By the way, check out Lady Antebellum's newest album "Own the Night"! My personal favorite off the album is "Cold as Stone", especially the musical bit at the end!

A Letter to a Friend

I just made the decision that once a week, I'll write a letter to someone and post it on this blog. Of course, I'll change names and such. The letter may not always be to a friend, too. This week, I'm writing to someone I met and can't seem to get out of my head . . . if you know what I mean.


Dear Nathan,


Remember when everyone thought I liked your best friend? At first, I did. It wore off, though. He could be annoying, in all honesty. The time I spent with both of you . . . people thought I was trying to get close to him, but I wasn't.

I started to love your quirky little facts and gorgeous eyes. You made me laugh and smile more than I had in awhile. We started hanging out more and more, with our friends, of course. Still, though, you made me feel like we were in our own little world. It was a magical feeling.

When we went to that camp at the end of the school year, everyone was having fun. We played tag in the pool, snuck off to the gazebo and spent the day together. When you risked detention to sit next to me on the bus (boy-girl seating was frowned upon!) my heart fluttered.

Was I just a speed bump? Something to stop at and pay attention to, but only for a moment? I really thought we were going somewhere, thought we were becoming something.

And then, a week later, my friend was texting me to tell me you asked her out. I played the role of a good friend, patching up your arguments and letting you two be happy. It broke me inside. It broke my heart into pieces that nothing could put back together. When she broke up with you, I waited. I gave you time.



We were at your friend's house the other day, and I thought of telling you. It's been months since you dated her. Would it be too soon for me to tell you how I really felt? We were talking when you looked at your friend and then at me. You pointed to me, made a heart and then to your friend.

Can't you forget about him? I don't love him, and I never will. I want you to be my friend again, Nathan. Can't we please be friends, like we were before I liked your friend and you dated my best friend?

Please,

Ashley

It's Friday, Friday, Friday!

Yeah, who would've guessed? I'm a closet Rebecca Black fan.

No, not really. Although, her songs are catchy.

Anyway, I decided to post today about what's been going on. The blog's been updated. I took away a few widgets, changed the template and switched a few things. What do you think? Does it look better now than before? If you have a scroller along the bottom of your screen, you can view my whole blog by changing your zoom percentage to 80% in the bottom right-hand corner. It won't let me change it, so sorry for that.

I'm glad that my twenty followers are nice enough to check in on my blog every now and then. Tell other people about this random blog of ramblings, too, guys! I'll be reviewing books, giving advice and showing you the latest in the music world.

School's starting soon for me, but I hope to be on often. Don't forget to stop by and tell me how your first days are going, no matter what grade you're going into.

It's time for me to go, but I wish you a good last weeks of summer and the best of luck in school!

And the storm rolls in . . .

Isn't that picture gorgeous? I like to think so, seeing as I took it. The sunset was really pretty that night in Jamaica and I just couldn't resist capturing it.

Well, that's pretty much the happiest part of this post. These last few days have been eventful and chaotic in my house. I started volleyball on Monday and had a good time, but during practice yesterday I got my foot caught in someone's open duffel bag and twisted my ankle.

It was a lovely trip to the doctor and then to get x-rays done. Turns out, my ankle was sprained, and now I get to wear a lovely little ankle brace for the next week or so. I guess I really shouldn't be running without looking down every few seconds, right?

My sister had to go to the doctor today for what looked like a tick bite. She was diagnosed with lyme disease, but she'll be all right. It just needs a good dose of medicine every day for the next two weeks. She doesn't seem to mind too much, so I'm guessing she's feeling the same as she usually does.

The icing on this wonderful cake of pessimism? There's a hurricane heading for my state, and it's supposed to be pretty bad. I hope it's a little better than expected. I'm crossing my fingers and the toes I can!

Hope all of you are having a better week than me, but hey . . . after every storm comes a rainbow!

By the way, what comes after a hurricane? A firework/rainbow/unicorn explosion? I hope so!

Back in the States!

Yes, I have survived Jamaica and made it home in one piece. It's an awful big accomplishment if I do say so myself. My trip was good, but not excellent. It was pretty, yes. There were pools, yes. The ocean was clear, yes.

Was there internet access? No. Was the hotel service magnificent? No. Was snorkeling awesome? No.

That last one is mainly for all of the people that told me to go snorkeling.
"You'll have fun!"
"Don't be a wuss; go and snorkel!"
"So, you're just going to be lazy and sit on the beach all day?"

I went snorkeling to please those people, you know. It was terrifying. The water was rough, I couldn't see a thing and, the icing on the cake . . . I cut my foot on the coral! Three pretty little pieces of purple coral were lodged in my foot, and I had to go to the hospital nurse to get one removed. The other two are still in my foot.

All in all, though, it was a good trip. It was really nice to just get away from everything, you know? You're probably wondering what else I did. (Did she really get coral in her foot and that was it?) I did a ton of stuff, and I'll be posting pictures soon.

Have a good Sunday, guys! I'll post some music for y'all later!! :)

The friends we make, the lives we shake

After reading Tangled by Carolyn Mackler (check out the review, guys!) I realized that our lives are all based on a million chance meetings . . . like the people I met at the Taylor Swift concert a few nights ago. Or the friend I went with. Maybe I'll never see those new people again, or maybe, one day they'll replace that friend I went with. It's all so random . . . this life, this world.


Without friends, we wouldn't be the people we are, right? We all have friends, different kinds with their own little quirks. I decided to write a post about those friends, or, about my friends. Maybe you'll be able to relate, maybe not.



My Best Friend:


We love the same music, books, snacks . . . we're practically twins in some aspects. Despite that fact, we do have our differences.


She loves softball, I'll always be a die-hard volleyball fan. She goes to a personal trainer, I go to the gym. She doesn't like to write short stories, I live off of them.


So, we have our differences. The key to our friendship though: we let things be. There's no arguments over stupid things, no begging for sleepovers, no persistent text-messaging and calling. We talk when we want, say what we want to say and do what we feel like. Friendship should come easily (that's not to say it's all butterflies and rainbows, you've gotta make an effort); if you've gotta really work at it, it's time to leave it.



The Know-It-All:

We all have that friend, right? Either they're always getting top grades or they know about the latest gossip, and they flaunt it. It can get annoying sometimes.

My friend is super-smart, and she doesn't let me forget. While, sometimes, I want to narrow my eyes and stick my tongue out at her, I just remind myself that she might know all about math and reading, but there's stuff she doesn't know.

Keeping things light lets us stay friends with each other. We don't argue and we don't get annoyed when the other wins (whether that be a geometry final or a writing contest). Friends shouldn't argue over the little things. So stop yourself if you find yourself bickering without reason.


The Butterfly:


I once heard about a girl being described as a butterfly, no faster was she tacked down than she was escaping and running off. My friend reminds me of Bridget from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She can't be tied down.


Not by a boyfriend. Not by a friend. Not by anyone.


I used to try and keep a leash on her, but there's no point. Friends like these come and go, and you just have to let yourself have a good time while it lasts. They come quickly, but they leave oh so soon.


So, enjoy them. Let them in, but know they will go. Butterflies can never stay forever, you know.


Here Tomorrow, Gone Today:

She laughs at your jokes, agrees with your decisions and makes you feel like you could be friends forever. Then, suddenly, you're realizing she wasn't always like this. She used to be mean, used to be evil.

People change in the blink of an eye. One second, they're an enemy and then . . . they're an ally, standing beside you. It all changes so much, though. I once had a friend who promised me forever. When the tide shifted and the sun stopped shining. . . friendship's a fickle thing. It comes and it goes. It rains and it snows.

Here's a poem I wrote after the fallout of a really, really long friendship:

Our Friendship’s Fall

Friendship is built from
Love, hope and trust.
When we’re little, it’s formed
From faith and pixie dust.

It’s supposed
To be strong.
It supposed to
Last long.

So why didn’t ours?
One day, it was there.
Now it’s gone.
This doesn’t seem fair.

We were so close;
I knew your dreams.
You knew my wishes,
But nothing is as it seems.

Was I just a toy?
Something to be thrown away?
Is it because I changed;
Stood up for myself that day?

You promised that we would
Be best friends forever,
So why has our friendship
Suddenly been severed?

We’re both at fault;
We can both be blamed.
Honestly, though,
I’m not ashamed.

Our friendship was rocky,
Before this whole mess.
All because you started
To care about it less.

Our texts were short,
And you stopped calling.
When I wanted to make plans,
You were always stalling.

I backed up,
And I stepped away.
I promised myself my emotions
Would no longer sway.

I’m sorry I really saw you,
For what you truly are.
You were no longer my friend;
No longer a shining star.

Friendship is built from
Love, hope and trust.
When we’re little, it’s formed
From faith and pixie dust.

None of that matters, though,
When you’re only acting.
Your lies and the stories you wove,
They’re all so impacting.

I’m turning away,
And ending it now.
I can’t do it any longer,
So go ahead and take a bow.

Don’t bother calling.
It’s over, once and for all.
I’ll try not to remember
Our friendship’s fall.

It hurts, doesn't it? When suddenly your 'best friend forever' is defriending
you and deleting your phone number from their contacts. It comes down to one
question though: Do you really want to be friends with someone who can erase you
so quickly?

The Friend of the Opposite Sex:

that you almost always wind up falling for. Yeah, I've got one of those. Actually, you know what? I've got two of them. I let myself fall in love with one of my closet guy friends and it was a really big screw-up on my part.

But you know what? I don't care anymore. I like him somewhat now, not as much as before. Call me all the names you'd like, but I even find myself leaning closer to my other guy friend. The thing is, I know nothing will ever happen between us. It makes me feel risky and confident to lean in and brush an eyelash from his cheek.

Let yourself fall in love with that guy you hang out with all the time. If you fall, he might just catch you.

Or he might stay a friend and put a trampoline where you're going to fall.

Christmas in July :)

I love July 25, because it means that Christmas is half a year away. Six months seems like a lot, but it's the months before it, too. Halloween, then Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then New Year's. Everything happens so fast around that time of year.

Today is also my little sister's birthday. She turned ten *tosses confetti into the air* It's hard to believe how much things have changed since we were little. It's still funny to see how mature (this I type while she jumps up and down, shouting at some object) she is compared to the little youngsters I babysit.

Another point to make . . . this is my 50th blog post on this blog!! I don't think I've ever made it that far before. Well, I have to go and get ready to go out to dinner but I just thought I'd let my 18 followers know what's up in the life of this rambling writer.

'Mazing Music SUNDAYS

I've noticed a lot of bloggers do "Music Mondays" . . . Well, that's all fine and dandy, but I'd like to be different and do 'Mazing Music Sundays for all of you.

My reasons:


~Sunday's supposed to be a day of rest in some religions, so what better way to rest than to listen to some music?

~You can listen to music all throughout the week that you found here!

~Mondays are busy for me.

So there you have it. I'll post the music video (or a fan made video if there isn't an official video) and you can hear new music. This week's song is 'Before I Let You Go' from Colbie Caillat's newest album, All of You.



It's a really cute song, and it made me smile because I've felt this way about different guys. I'm sure you can relate to it somehow.

Well, I'm off to bandage up my toe, seeing as I just tripped and messed my nail up pretty good >.< Adios, bloggers!

Harry Potter

I saw the last movie of Harry Potter on July 15th, but I've been thinking more and more about it. There are so many things I want to know about what happens after the end. I'd love if J.K. Rowling continued with a series about any of the children (especially Lupin's son) or went back and did a novel on Snape and Lily's romance.

By the way, I don't think either of the things I mentioned above spoil anything. If you haven't seen the movies or read the books, don't look at my pictures though, cause they have spoilers.

Here are two collage-sort things I made for two of my favorite couples ever.

How can you not love these couples? They're adorable and so romantic. Seriously, I think they completed the series in such a great way. I don't care what people say, they're my favorite until the end of time.

So, there is my little flashback for the day, my love for Harry Potter. I think I'm going to go and reread the series now. Adios!

No, the party never stops . . . woah

Tonight is my eighth grade dinner dance/formal, whatever you wanna call it. I've got my hair drying in a towel, and I just returned from getting a mani and pedi :) While I wait for my hair to dry and the dance to arrive, I decided I'll post another little confidence booster of sorts. I'm hoping these little guys help some of you out there.


In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.
Robert Frost

See that quote? Robert Frost was right; no matter what happens or how many things tear your life apart and break you down, your life will go on. You will make it through, and nothing is going to stop you from being you. I know, once upon a dreadful time, there were tons of places where people weren't allowed to be themselves, and they weren't allowed to speak up and stand out.

The world's a changing place, though. Maybe you don't live in the USA, like I do. Maybe you live in China or Cuba or Argentina. I don't know, and frankly, I don't have the time to stalk my thirteen followers and find out where all of them live.

I know there will always be people and leaders that try to keep others silenced. There will always be those who feel superior and try to make you feel like you're inferior. But you're not. To feel inferior or worthless or hopeless or anything, you must allow yourself to feel that way. You must give your mind, body and soul permission to think those things and treat yourself that way.

So, why treat yourself like you're worthless? Or helpless? Or stupid? Everyone has something special to give to the world; we all have a hidden talent, no matter how old or young, girl or boy, black or white. It doesn't matter. We are all human beings and we all have the power to voice our opinions.

I'm not saying to start a riot or try to assassinate the president. Those are very negative things, my dears. People who consider those types of things need to seek mental help, immedietely. What Frost was trying to say, as well as I, is that life will always go on, no matter what happens to you. So, if something bad happens to you, don't stand there and let it eat at you and destroy you, because your life will go on and you can't let that continue to happen.

Stand up for your beliefs. Stand up for others. Stand up for yourself.

Well, it's time I go and get ready, everybody. I hope you liked my little speech there. Kinda confusing, emotional and weird, but hey, if it helps anyone out there, I'll be satisfied. Wish me luck, fellow bloggers and followers!

You've Gotta Be Strong

So, the end of my eighth grade year is approaching quickly. It's been as chaotic as it's been fun, which means I'll have mixed emotions when I finally do leave the hell hole I called home for so many years. (Who knew they even had kindergarten through eighth grade schools anymore?)

Anyway, I've been dealing with drama lately. Boy drama, school drama, suicide-thoughts drama. But none of them were actually about me, you know. Well, maybe a little of the school/boy, but no suicidal thoughts for me, dearies :D I've been consoling and helping and holding people up all week.
And I've realized something through all of this. Something that I feel I should share with my lovely followers who deserve a hug and a virtual pound of fudge.

No matter how worthless life seems or how crappy things are, you've got to pull through. I don't care if you hate your family or the school thinks you're a whore. I don't care if you want to kill yourself or your boyfriend cheats on you. I don't care, because nothing is worse than ending things right before the sun comes back.
I was with a girl on Friday who broke down crying so much that she couldn't even keep walking, and she was so, so broken. But you know what? Ten minutes later, someone got her to smile. Someone got her to laugh and hold her head up high.

What is all this random rambling, you ask? This is the rambling of a writer, of a girl, of a teenager, of a friend, of a sister. The message I'm trying to show you all: Don't give up. Whether it's getting a novel published or living your life, do not give up. There is always something to look forward to if you just keep looking.

InkieNoWriSum :D

See that jumble of letters? That's for Inkie Novel Writing Summer which will be like National Novel Writing Month, but we're gonna take the whole summer to write a project or continue one. My goal is to start 'Behind That Broken Smile' (the sequel to 'Behind These Amber Eyes') and get it up to at least 60,000 words.

InkieNoWriSum will go from June 14 to August 18, so I'm hoping for a good novel at the end of it. I know some of my followers aren't inkpop users, but that shouldn't stop you from setting your own goals this summer.

Want to write a novel? Do it.
Want to write a book of poetry? Do it.
Want to jump off a cliff? Do not - I repeat do NOT - do it!

So, that's the jist of my summer plans. I hope to finish up 'Your Name Was Joey' before June 14, but I won't mind working on it this summer if I must. :]

In the world of the media, here's my personal items on the agenda these days.

Currently Reading: Generation Dead
Currently Listening to: Joey by Sugarland, She Will Be Loved and Never Gonna Leave This Bed by Maroon 5
Currently Watching: Desperate Housewives finale tonight, Secret Life and Make It or Break It tomorrow night

So, there you have it, bloggers. I think I'll go make an icon for InkieNoWriSum :)

I am on a lucky streak :]

Happy Easter, guys! Or, happy Passover, I guess if you're Jewish. I dyed Easter eggs earlier. There's a picture of a few of the eggs with some quick use of Picnik :)

So, I won that 'Carrier of the Mark' ARC contest. By the way, I got the book in the mail and can't wait to start reading! I'm not sure if I'll do a review or not, becuase the book isn't publicly released until October, but I may drop a few hints for you guys once we get closer to the summer. :D

And then I entered the 'Die For Me' contest on inkpop.com and won again! I will be receiving . . .

Die For Me

The Last Little Blue Envelope (sequel to 'Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes')

Delirium

and Cloaked

I'm very excited. I'll make sure to do a book review on at least one of those books! I can't wait for them to come!! Because I don't have much for you today, here are some photos I took earlier today :)

I'm happy today :)

So, I'm guessing my twelve followers (spread the word, guys! I promise I'll be doing more book reviews and such as soon as I finish up my school projects and whatnot) saw my last post about Leigh Fallon's ARCs (Advance Reader's Copy) of her book, The Carrier of the Mark. When I posted that video to show you all more about publishing and how a book goes through many stages, I entered a contest on inkpop.com as well. It was a random drawing, and I won! So I'll be getting my own copy of the Carrier of The Mark before it hits stores. Maybe I'll even do a special review for all of you. ;) In other news, I had to do a book report for my reading class, and seeing as my school doesn't get spring break, it's been pretty hectic lately. I was going to review 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain (A.K.A. Samuel Clemens) but, honestly, I just couldn't get through the book. It had an intriguing storyline and I really liked the characters, but there was just too much dialect (racial terms and just the way Twain abbreviated so much with the use of an apostrephe) that I couldn't read it. All bashing aside, it did have a good storyline and I hope to return to it one day when it's not required reading, because that puts too much pressure on it, I think. If you're looking for a good book to read, I reccommend 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernet Hemingway. My friend read the book for her report, and she enjoyed it. I think I'll check it out one of these days and see why she called it 'a sad, but really touching love story'. Adios fellow bloggers! I must go and try to find some medicine to clear up this cold I've gotten :P

Well, gosh darnit, what in the world is an ARC?

That there ^^ is Leigh Fallon opening her box of ARCs. What is an ARC, you ask? An ARC is an Advance Reader's Copy of a book, given to the author to read over and whatnot. In case you don't already know about Leigh's success (how could you not?!?!?!) she is the first author to be published off of inkpop.com Her book, The Carrier of the Mark, made it into the top 5 a few months ago, and, soon, her book will be on bookshelves and in your hands! So, anyone preorder The Carrier of the Mark? Planning to buy it the day it comes out? Reply in the comments and tell me what you think of it, and Leigh's video! (from her personal Youtube channel, no copyright intended)

I finished writing a book . . . .

Yeah, you heard me right. I just finished writing the last chapter of my second novel. It's 80,000 or so words, which means a 200 page book. Of course, I'm going to edit and add more, so who knows how big it'll actually get :)

So, Flashbacks of Juliet is done. I'll go back in a month or so and edit it all to the core. I'll probably add more to the story and really flesh out some of the parts I rushed through. If you wanna check out the first draft (Hey, in a few years, when it's published, you're going to wish you had!) go to this link:
http://www.inkpop.com/projects/12967/flashbacks-of-juliet/

Otherwise, I'll be reviewing 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' in a few days because I need to read it for school, and maybe you'll have to too.

Aw, shucks

I know it's been awhile . . . Sigh, how fast time goes. In honor of some recently discovered great music, here's my current playlist.

For The First Time~The Script
Break Even~The Script
You and I~Ingrid Michaelson
Be Okay~Ingrid Michaleson
Keep Breathing~Ingrid Michaelson
Melt Into You~Sara Haze
Drops of Jupiter~Train
F**ckin' Perfect~P!nk
and . . .
Avril Lavigne's new album, Goodbye Lullaby, which totally rocks

So, go check out some of those songs. They're mostly rock/alternative, but I know good country songs if you want to know a few. :] Rap and screamo ain't my style, so don't expect much there. xD

I'll be posting again soon, fellow bloggers. Once that little thing called life gets out of the way ;)

I watched Superman fly away . . .

So, today is Sunday, bloggers. I don't have too much to say at the moment, except that I am a little disappointed. I queryed two agents for Behind These Amber Eyes, and both turned me down. *sigh*
I'm going to edit it more and maybe change a few things. Then I'll send more queries out. I know I promised a book review on Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Titans Curse, but I'm just not in the mood to do it right now. Perhaps later or even tomorrow morning. I don't have school because of President's Day, so maybe I'll post a review or two for you guys. :]
In other news, I was bored yesterday and decided to make a music video of sorts for Taylor Swift's song, Superman. You can play the video below and tell me what you think of the song and overall video! :)