An Update on Resolutions and Such

1. We have a prologue, a first chapter, and the makings of a second chapter most likely to come after this is posted.

2. I've added worship time, and that really puts my heart in a more..well, worshipful state. Improving I believe, though not nearly where I would like it to be eventually.

3. Working on some things in this area, hopefully there's beginning to be growth :)

4. Yeah. I got sick for pretty much half of December, and nearly all of January. Still shaking that bug (which I had when I wrote out the resolution list). So....the year will now stretch to longer than a year, but I still think I want to complete it.

5. Werkin on it - seein results.

6. So far, so good!

7. Am driving now. Getting my hours in. Not liking it much better.

8. Printing out application tonight.

9.  Werkin on scherlersherps.

10. THIS ONE'S HARDER. But yes, I am. I am very conscious I ate 4 girl scout cookies today. No regrets.

11. One of my favorite parts of life right now. I've got way too many stories going....oh Pinterest, you inspire me way too much. Don't stop.

12. Yes, I am. Already gone through a few - read Divergent and Insurgent, on Allegiant, mainly. Reading about two pages a day. I'm in denial. IT CAN'T END.

13. Oh, was I supposed to do that? Still working on this, but spending more and more time writing or doing something productive - like school or a blog post - than watching YouTube or being on Pinterest. It's a process though.

14. I think what I meant by that is "learn how to play that classical piece and picking". Slow. But, yeah. Learning transposing techniques, which are more useful with worship band at the moment.

15. Maybe. Thoughts of dropping out are becoming more often. Senioritis is kickin in, folks.

16. So, I haven't cut my hair. But. I really want to dye it. But I really want my natural hair to grow out and stop dyeing it. But I hate the color right now. I can't do anything until my skin heals from an allergic reaction anyway (yes, on my scalp as well), so I have time to stall. I'll probably end up dyeing it as close to my natural hair color as possibly and hope that it won't fade out.

17. Doing my best! Of course, still room for improvement. But people are HAAAAARD. And sometimes not fun.

18. Working on this - but being cooped up in the house for a month isn't conducive. But I'm sure I can find ways to be bold even from my house. Hmmm....

19. So, I've been having awesome dreams lately, and I'll wake up with pen in hand and the notebook I now keep by my bed - a large one, because I'll write a good 15ish pages if I can recall that much and fill in the rest of the details. It's awesome. I hope it doesn't stop, because I love it.

20. Oh...yeah...so, I have my journal(s) on my desk....I just...have yet....to write...in them...

21. Figuring this out still. Have a few things - hanging out with some younger friends, helping to lead in a sophomore girl's small group from church. But I'm still open to new ideas.

22. Currently setting up a "help send me on my mission trip" page on facebook for fundraising. And working on passport junk. Yuck.

23. So, with the skin reaction/sickness going on, I require more sleep while my body heals. I cannot function on 8 hours. I will fall over asleep in the middle of the day - which I NEVER do otherwise. So, I am getting more sleep! That was perfect timing for my resolutions list.

24. Nails painted for the first time this year. Done Sunday...because my friend told me she'd do it. Already halfway down the nail gone. *sigh* Busy hands can't look pretty I guess. But I shall not give up this easily!


25. I think coming into this mindset more and working on it has been so beneficial. I feel more open to the Lord's joy and creativity in general. I don't have to be peppy all the time, but having the mindset of "why does everything bad happen to me" when something happens not to go your way, doing the whole-

 

-isn't beneficial. Better to just - 

In other news, I'm obsessed with Frozen.

26. Picked up the cardigan I have all the lovely yarn for that is so pretty. I already had the back done, almost done with one of the sides. It was supposed to be the left one apparently. Somehow it ended up as the right. I'm hoping the same black magic will happen when I follow the "right side" part of the pattern.

27. #needjob

28. #needtogotoGoodwillandfindoldhardbacktodestroy. Does a Pinterest board count?

29. They itch too much at the moment :(

30. So, an astounding discovery - this one isn't any easier, just because it's a new year. Funny how that works.

31.











  

32. Um. So here's my attempt with the previous blog post and such. And this one. Will it continue. Hopefully....

33. Working on it. Is not oozing anymore due to medicine from the skin reaction. There's the brightness to the latter, I suppose. But it's big and purple. Prom here I come.

34. Going to a dance in a couple of weeks (hopefully) and can't wait. And still planning on prom. Yep.

35. Uh...so, off to write the second chapter of my novel. Second chapters are SCARY THINGS. Can't wait to start that new curriculum!! WOOOOO!!!!!!!


Overall, better than I thought I'd be doing! Yay!! ;D I'm glad I did this, because now I remember some things I forgot about to start working on. *glances at journals out of the corner of my eye*.

Yay for snow that means no Spanish quiz! BOO for snow that means no choir/karate. Mixed feelings.

OFF TO WRITE A SECOND CHAPTER. Maybe if I say it enough times in this post, it'll really happen. Or maybe just write itself. Maybe.

~Kt

In Which I Rant About Snow White at Midnight

 



 Snow was just never my favorite - ALWAYS happy, too naive, too fast to fall in love, and not the brightest bulb in the pack is how I saw her. But overall, nothing wrong with her. But how is she outstanding? Other than she's pretty? I just don't see too much depth to her character. I guess I just never related to her very well. 

I mean, do you feel that emotionally attached to her? Not really. Is she a good character? Certainly. Not "do you relate to her" but "are you emotionally attached to her". If you have a stronger connection to a character, then you have more feelings invested in the story. You don't have to relate to her. But are your emotions controlled, even jeopardized by her in the slightest during the movie? Or are you pleasantly entertained, visually and audibly, for an hour with a classic tale? 

But then again, what makes it a classic tale? Why do we love a tale like that so much when we aren't invested in the essence of the characters of the fairy tales? It's the plot. It's not the characters. The plot is such a one that's exciting and lovely and beautiful and has depth to it alone, that the characters are just pawns. But when people try to retake the fairy tales to add the element of a deep character, it takes away from the fairytale. Why? Does it mask it? What about adding depth to the characters takes away from the classic fairy tales? Is it only that we are used and are attached to the classic ones, and are so skeptical of the new takes? Even if they do well, very well in some cases, they'll never come close to eclipsing the originals. 

The story of Snow White is a classic - virtuous Princess jeopardized by the villain, and the Prince must save her. We love those stories. We always have. But on the other hand we cheer for the female characters kicking butt and saving themselves, and possibly their "prince". Which is better? Is it personal preference? I guess it must be, because if you were to claim one was better than the other, you would never be able to draw your point home with someone with the opposing view, because it's their opinion vs. yours. There's not a way to tell which story is better; it is personal preference. How deep you read into them is between you and the author. 

"Show don't tell" also comes into play here. Depth of character should be endorsed by the actions of the character, not by meaningful conversations and inside thoughts alone. Those are sides for the main course, if you will. But based on her actions, Snow White's character doesn't seem to be my type of heroine. If it had been one of my heroine's in her place, Snow White would never have taken any of the crap from her Step Mother in the first place, but past that, she would have been in the mines with the dwarves, whistling louder probably, and would have, after kindly helping the old woman, realized she was the witch and told her to take a hike. 

The story also moves along without her. Sure, the queen is moved to such motives because she's beautiful, but the rest of the plot moves forward simply because she remains ALIVE Other than that, she did nothing. You can take her out and put a mannequin in her place, a pretty, alive (somehow) mannequin, and the story remains mostly untouched. But. Here we bring in the Prince and the Dwarves; the people who love her. Why? Because she's sweet and pure and pretty. That's all. That's all I see to it - and I'm not saying there needs to be. 

This may not be what makes you relate and empathize with the character, or even like her, but it does for a lot of people. I don't happen to be one of them. I prefer Belle and Mulan and Tiana - the hardworking, selfless, go-getters. You may not think of Belle in this light, but she went to save her father, then struck the deal with a beast herself in order to save him. She then forces herself to get through each day until eventually it becomes more bearable. She doesn't pine, wasting away. She goes exploring into the forbidden parts of an enchanted castle guarded by a monstrous beast. Huzzah. The other two are a bit more obvious - saving China, working hard to open her own restaurant; pretty awesome stuff.   


DISCLAIMER: This is not a post about Snow White hate. It's me trying to analyze her character.....at 12 o'clock in the morning. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch the movie armed with my trusty notepad and pen.

FIRST POST OF 2014!!!!!

WOOHOO!! We made it to 20-14! We're in the future guys. How weird/fantastic is that.

So. I have some (late) New Year's Resolutions/ some things I'd like to do before the year is out. I made a list, sort of a letter to myself at points, and thought I'd share. So here goes!

2014 TO-DO LIST
1. Finish the book that's been in the works for 2 years. All the planning is done. You just need to write. Hopefully get at least the second draft done? 

2. Become more dedicated in my quiet time. This one's a no brainer. Even though I've become more consistent than I was in the past, there's always room for improvement. Stop skipping days, and to do more than 5 minutes. Doable.

3.Investing more in my relationship with God. Again, always room for improvement. I'm far from done as far as self improvement goes, and there's always more to give to Him.

4. Reading the Bible all the way through. I started doing a "read the Bible in the year" schedule, and I want to stick with it through the year.

5. Working out more; getting in better shape. It's on every one's New Years resolutions list. Again, plenty of room for improvement there as well.

6. Keep my room clean. You're happier when you do it. Do just suck it up and put the socks away.

7. Get my license. You're 17. It's unavoidable. Just do it.

8. Get a job. Same as above.

9. Go to college. This time next year hopefully you'll be reading this in your dorm. That's exciting! If all goes well you'll be going into your second semester. Yay you!

10. Being more conscious of what you eat. Just pay a bit more attention. Maybe pass up the potato chips sometimes. Not all the time...but sometimes.

11. Write more on the side of the novel mentioned above. Don't just zone in on that. You'll get drained. Write other stuff do. This one won't be hard though, I believe.

12. Read more. Read more than you did last year. It's good for you. Just be choosy about what you read. That's good for you too.

13. Don't spend as much time online. Close the laptop. Go write. Go read. Go socialize. Repeat. Or even just close the tab and pull up Word. 

14. Get better at guitar. This will most likely be your last year of guitar lessons. Make the most of them. 

15. Graduate. We've come this far. Might as well.

16. Grow your hair out. Don't. Cut. Your. Hair. This. Year. I don't care if I get a pixie next year, first, I want to have Ariel/Pocahontas length hair. It will happen. Well, maybe not quite Pocahontas length, but really, you've always wanted to have crazily long hair. You got close a few years ago and then whacked it off. DON'T DO IT AGAIN.

17. Be a better friend. Listen more. Grip less. Be there for them more. Actually hang out face to face. Go get lunch. Have meaningful conversations. Love them.

18. Be bolder with the Gospel. Be bold for Christ. It isn't a question, it's a command. What do you have to lose??

19. Write on paper sometimes. It's good for you. It'll get you out of writers block at times too.

20. Keep a journal. You'll enjoy looking back on it.

21. Invest in other people more. You won't regret it.

22. Go on a mission trip. Give up your spring break to go on a mission trip. It'll be worth it!

23. Get more sleep this semester. You got no sleep last semester. Let's try one with sleep, just for fun.

24. Paint your nails sometimes. It won't kill you to wait 5 minutes while it dries. Just do it every once in a while. 

25. Be happy. Don't be a victim. Don't be unhappy because of people, assignments, or circumstances. You'll only be unhappy about them if you let yourself be.

26. Knit one garment for yourself this year. And wear it.

27. Start saving money for the future. I have a feeling you won't regret it. 

28. Start an inspirational notebook. It might be fun.

29. Wear scarves more often. They're pretty and you own a bajillion.

30. Be. Patient. Have patience. Be a patient person. Patience, Padawan.

31. Don't worry about things you have no control over. Fix it if you can, if not, move on. Don't dwell.

32. Blog more. *blushes*

33. Get your arm patched up. Hopefully with minimal evidence of breakage.

34. Go to prom and party. It's senior prom. Go, even if you have to drag a girl friend as your date. No shame. I will do this. 

35. Start the new writing curriculum. Once you finish the first draft of your other novel, you can start the new curriculum on your desk. Yay!

~ 

So, there's my list. I'll probably add to it throughout the year, but for now, those are my 35 things I hope to do this year. Sounds like a Pinterest inspirational snippet. Oh well :)

Hope this maybe inspired you to write down your resolutions! Stats show your chances of sticking with those goals are greater if you write 'em down! Go for it! And a happy (late) New Year to you! 

Dreams

The majority of my dreams take place at my Granny and Pawpaw's house. And most of the time it's not even that I acknowledge the fact that it's my grandparent's house, it's my house. It's my house, not theirs. Why? I almost never have dreams at my other grandparents house, and when I do, they're not particularly pleasant ones. Do I have dreams that take place in my own home? Of course. But if I were to make a pie chart, it would be 1/2 at my Granny and Pawpaw's, 1/4 at my own home, and 1/4 at random places. Why? Just last night I had one at my grandparents, where I was hosting a party with all my friends, that turned into my older brother's wedding. I I took there, and aldon't have an older brother, but that's besides the point. They're happy dreams, dreams with friends and family and love. I love it up there. In my dreams I simply run through the yard and the fields surrounding, and I feel free. This feeling isn't as overwhelming when I'm there in real life, but I guess that's where my subconscious feels free. Maybe it's because of all the times I went to a nook or cranny and simply sat there, drinking in my surroundings, trying to channel my inner Anne of Green gables, and getting distracted and coming up with a story with beautiful characters (at least to me). Oh the countless stories I've played out in my head and made that house the setting. It's a beautiful place, with lots of "scope for the imagination" to quote my dear Anne. There's no count to the stories that I've made take place in that house and the land surrounding.I guess that's why they've traveled to my dreams through my subconscious. But it makes me wonder why I don't dream more dreams with my own home as a setting? I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that one. Any ideas? I'd be more than willing to hear some :)

My writing kick at the moment

MYTHICAL MYTHS AND MYTHISHNESS

Whoa. I have a blog.

Whoops! Things have been overly crazy, and I assure you I have an abundance of excuses to choose from, but I'll spare you and just say that I'll try to do better in the future :)

The following is a term paper I submitted for extra credit to my World Religions class. I loved the topic I wrote on, and thought it was relevant to the blog, so here it is! :)

COPYRIGHT KATIE STEVENS.
NO TOUCHY.

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hHs1V8Ibr2uwATFT5v5Nvp3Ma1PvIl-8hJmTZ-cFn_8/edit

Have a nice weekend!

30 Days of Drabble

"Using the prompts below, write a drabble (or whatever) a day for the next 30 days. Find someone willing to hit you if you miss a day. Look back at the end and go ‘Oh! I’m a writer!’"
 beginning.

accusation.
restless.
snowflake.
haze.
flame.
formal.
companion.
move.
silver.
prepared.
knowledge.
denial.
wind.
order.
thanks.
look.
summer.
transformation.
tremble.
sunset.
mad.
thousand.
outside.
winter.
diamond.
letters.
promise.
simple.
future.


 Found this on Pinterest and decided it is what I'm going to be doing on my blog in place of what I have been doing for a few days.