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Monday, November 15th, 2004
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3:22 pm - W00T!!!
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| Wednesday, November 10th, 2004
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3:19 pm - Start Spreadin' the News!
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(A la Frank Sinatra - you don't literally have to spread the news.)
But the song certainly does fit! WOW, so today our choir director told us there may be a possible change in destination for tour this year. Instead of North Carolina (which would have been pretty cool and would still be ok if this doesn't work out), we have the opportunity to travel to New York City and sing at Carnegie Hall!!!!! How AMAZING is that?? We'll know for sure by Friday, and I sure hope this works out.
I'll keep you updated - this totally merited its own blog entry.
CARNEGIE HALL!!
current mood:  ecstatic
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| Sunday, October 31st, 2004
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1:34 pm - My Renaissance Gown
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| Friday, October 29th, 2004
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4:28 pm - Happy (Early) Halloween!
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What an odd time of year! It's October the 29th here in Minnesota and it's 72 degrees, sunny and we're under a tornado watch! This from the poor state that has emerged from premature 30-degree weather a couple weeks ago. Brr. Despite the fact that the dewpoint is like, 110 degrees, it's kind of nice having one last shot at fairly summer-like weather.
Happy Halloween to all you out there! Didn't get my Arwen gown done in time (although I've finally gotten a good start on it!) so I'm sticking with my Renaissance gown. I'll see if I can post a picture in a bit. I'm off to a Halloween party tonight with a bunch of people, then tomorrow night is the annual Pig Roast at church - which means I'm there awake all night. I'm considering bringing Chipotle to satisfy me. A burrito or two never hurt anyone arount 2 am... right? Yeah, Chipotle is my new obsession. I am SO hooked on their burritos - if you haven't tried one you haven't lived. But yeah, so I get to exhaust myself tomorrow night and am looking forward to it.
Halloween day, actually, I'm not doing much. Haven't decided if I'll take my sister trick-or-treating or not yet... if not I'll stay inside handing out candy in costume. However if this weather keeps up, I'll be more than happy to be outside! That's about it for now - I'll get a pic of my Renaissance dress posted in a sec.
Oh! Wait! One last thing. If you haven't seen it yet, find and watch the trailer for Finding Neverland - I am SO excited for it to come out next month... it's Johnny Depp in a Peter Pan-based movie... two of my favorite things in the SAME FILM!! W00T!!
current mood:  chipper
current music: Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
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| Sunday, September 19th, 2004
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10:10 pm - ARRRRR
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Avast ye! Tis National Talk Like A Pirate Day! Grab yer swords and cutlasses and join in the plunder! There don't be much to blab about, 'cept I got me job at Coldstone 'n now I be scoopin' ice cream fer a whole mess o' scoundrels. And blast my boots but all tha' scoopin' and mixin' is doin' mighty painful things to me wrist. May all ye learn a lesson here on the dangers of servin' ice cream. Tis a deadly task, but some scallywag's got to do it. Arrr, all these apostrophes be gettin' mighty tiresome.
Perhaps I be continuin' this post a bit later, once this pirate business has set sail again til next year. Until then, all ye be sure to enjoy the rest o' this glorious day dedicated to those in the world who be feared upon the high seas, savvy? Are ye ready? I hope ye ARRRRR!!
Red Handed Jen
current mood: YO HO!
current music: Pirates of the Caribbean!
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| Thursday, August 19th, 2004
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7:44 pm - Of Mice and Mooses
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Ok well, maybe not mice. But we got a guinea pig! And named it Moose... w00t! He's dark brown and has little tufts of fur all over him, with one on top of his head that's really thick and fluffy and very fun to pet, lol. He's awesome!
I can't write much because Katie's coming over and we're going to see Princess Diaries 2. And my dad has finally agreed to see Shrek 2 tomorrow night - that is, if I can still find it in a theater around her (he waited long enough).
Whoops! Katie's here - gotta go! I'll write more soon, just keeping you updated!
current mood: cheerful
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| Saturday, August 14th, 2004
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1:09 pm - One More Thing!
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Oh and I forgot! We may be getting another guinea pig! Ok so my friend from church said that her violin teacher has 2 guinea pigs she wants to get rid of and they're still fairly young, so I talked to my parents and they said yes! AAAHH! There's a boy and a girl and I think we're taking the girl. Going to name her Tink, as in Tinkerbell in light of my recent Peter Pan fandom. If we end up getting the boy, his name will be Moose. Hee. But yeah, and another friend from the trip will be taking the other one so we can get together for piggy play dates! Hahaha! Ok well I think it's cute.
My mom may be getting another bird too since this woman she knows is getting rid of hers which happens to be a sibling of Toby's. So we'll see how that goes. But this means that if both these pets move in, that our animals will outnumber us. AAH.
I'll keep you updated!
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12:54 pm - Life in the Fast Lane... Or So It Seems.
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Boy is Colorado a pretty state. We all had so much fun camping! We got to go whitewater rafting (which I'd TOTALLY do again!), horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing and watched the sunrise over the rockies. I got tons of pictures on CD, I just haven't uploaded them yet. My sunrise pics are AMAZING! We camped in the Glacier Basin Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park with 16 kids and 5 adults. Now, the only problem with these youth trips is that by the time they're over, none of the youth want to leave and are praying for van breakdown or severe weather delay (not all bad). Now, our van DID break down on the way there and we were stranded in a hotel in Loveland, CO for another night. Ah, so many adventures, so little time. Pics to be posted soon!
And in the 5 days since my return, I've celebrated my birthday (can now attend R-rated movies alone... not that that's something I enjoy.), applied for my first job, and gotten my wisdom teeth removed.
That last one is the one I'm having the most trouble with. Wisdom teeth may be excellent to have out and done with, but it's the recovery process that's the killer. My face is swollen up and black and blue on one side so it looks like I stuffed marshmallows in my cheeks then dared someone to punch me. It's also rather painful and depressing. Oh how I long to eat something other than chocolate pudding and mashed potatoes again - not that it's a diet that is terrible, it just doesn't quite satisfy. But hopefully a few more days will see the end to this torture.
Ah, and the job interview. Actually, it was an "audition" as Coldstone Creamery prefers to call it. Yes, I auditioned for a position at Coldstone. Probably the funnest job interview I'll ever have since I got to sing and stuff. First they asked us to sing a song off this little Coldstone Music sheet, then later they're like "ok, you each have 5 seconds to perform a talent and impress us." Well, personally, I sing. So I sang and I think I impressed them (they asked me to keep going, lol). We'll know if we're wanted back for a one-on-one interview by Monday. I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm hoping.
That's about all for now... I'll see if I can get some of those CO pictures up soon, ok?
current mood:  sore
current music: Kelly Clarkson: Miss Independent
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| Monday, July 26th, 2004
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12:01 am - Book Review: Eragon
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"Eragon" was a book I'd been wanting to read for a few months now and decided to run to the book store for just before I went up north on vacation so I'd have a bit of light reading to do in my spare time, and if that isn't a run-on sentence then I don't know what is. Wow. But really now. If you're a fantasy fan (like me) it's just a great bit of summer reading with dragons, elves, magic, etc. It's the first in a trilogy of 3 (duh) and I honestly am looking forward to the next one coming out. The book was written by Christopher Paolini who began writing it when he was 15 years old. He is a very talented writer for his age, and though the text seems a bit awkward in spots, it's an exciting read. It's about a boy, Eragon, who finds a strange blue stone in the woods which turns out to be a dragon egg. He raises the dragon and they become best friends and end up traveling across the land in an adventure that becomes much bigger than they anticipated. I recommend it when you have a day or two to spare for some fun reading.
1-10 Rating:
-Plot: 8
-Detail/Development: 7
-Interest Factor (keeps you riveted?): 8
-Impact Factor (life changing story?): 8
~Overall: 8
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| Sunday, July 25th, 2004
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11:43 pm - Finally a Break!
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Ok, I'm back from up north on vacation and from Seattle for the Lord of the Rings concert and I'm home for a week before I go to Colorado with church! Thus continues my summer of little home time. And, a month later, here I am updating my blog again FINALLY (with a little guilt trip from my aunt, hehe).
I think it is worth noting near the top of the post that I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE! Clear the roads, here comes JEN! Lol, no really it's a lot of fun and has come in handy many times. I'd like to thank my parents for letting me take the test at last before my 17th birthday in a few weeks.
Now for my incredible trips. Going up north to the lake for a week was awesome, as always! Tubing, swimming, etc. doesn't get any better. We could've had a little better weather as it was only sunny for 2 of the 7 days we were there, but I'm not complaining. What I AM complaining about is that we were informed that the owner of the resort will be selling off some of the cabins to some association or something so we will not be going back up next year (news flash: we've been going the last 12 years. WHAT ARE WE TO DO??) So we're working on that for next year. But all in all an awesome trip.
Next, my trip to Seattle! Oh my, what a beautiful city! If you haven't been or it's been awhile since you've gone, (or even if you live there!), go see downtown Seattle! There is so much to do and look at - I was amazed. My cousin and I went together, and our hotel (The Roosevelt) was pretty much right in the middle of downtown and in walking distance of all that is good out there. We visited Pike's Market, the pier (saw a jellyfish - who would've guessed!), many good restaurants with even better looking servers (did I say that out loud?) and of course, the concert. Yes, the concert that was our reason for making the trip out there in the first place cannot be summed up in words (at least legible ones). You know you are a true Lord of the Rings fan when you are willing to make a journey halfway across the country to see the musical score performed live and directed by the man who composed it. GO HOWARD SHORE!! What an AMAZING concert! I honestly can't say much more than that or I'd be talking forever. But if you want to hear more about it, let me know - I'd be willing to write long messages describing it.
So that's pretty much been the past couple weeks of my summer. This weekend my dad and I put in the patio out back, so now you can walk out of the addition onto solid ground! BIG plus. It was hard work and frustrating, but lots of fun. And it looks really nice. We finished today and treated ourselves (and my sister) to a water balloon fight. Great fun!
I really should get to bed since I start a Voice Workshop at school tomorrow morning for the next week, but not before I give you another book review. So that's coming up in a few minutes, but other than that, I'm out for the night. Chat soon!
current mood: chipper
current music: Peter Pan soundtrack (track 13)
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| Wednesday, June 16th, 2004
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10:56 pm - Ah, Summer!
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Another fine summer day here in Minnesota. Tomorrow we leave for our trip up north, including a stop in Duluth where I have discovered the BEST chocolate shop on the face of the planet. My sister is hoping for a nice day so she can climb on the rocks down by the pier - of course I'd be joining her. :)
I finished my 5th book of the summer last night, Peter Pan (really only took me like a day to read it - but it still, of course, counts). I'll just post a review here since many of you have probably read it and it's a classic so it needs not be rated by me.
It's an adorable little book that you can really fly through in just a day for some light reading - a real feel-good story. Peter Pan has got to be my absolute favorite children's story of all time! I found it interesting reading the book, because I've seen the Disney version, stage version, and the new movie out, yet there were still stories in the book I'd never heard before. So if you've got a bit of time to spare and just want a sweet little story, read this! Also, see the new movie out (2003), because I've recently decided it's my favorite!! (favorite single movie, that is... Lord of the Rings is more of an epic).
That's it for now. I'll be back in a couple days. Until then! :)
current mood:  energetic
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12:28 am - Book Review: Secret Window, Secret Garden
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This book (also by Stephen King) is actually the novella that sparked my interest in the book of King's stories that I bought. I haven't seen the new movie yet but now definitely WANT TO! (even aside from the fact that it stars Johnny Depp - who is perfect for the main character, by the way). This was by far the best book I've read so far this summer. It was downright scary, and King mastered another plot by including just enough supernatural mystery to keep you guessing.
It's about a recently divorced writer (Mort) who is one day confronted by a man called "Shooter" who accuses Mort of plagiarism, claiming he stole his story. Everything quickly spins out of control as Mort is given 3 days to prove the story is originally his. Meanwhile he is stalked/haunted by Shooter, who turns his life into a nightmare come true in a series of horrifying events. The end of the story, however, suddenly takes a terrifying twist that I COMPLETELY didn't expect and left me with shivers up and down my back for about an hour after I finished the story.
All I can say is, READ THIS BOOK!!!
1-10 Rating:
-Plot: 10
-Detail/Development: 10
-Interest Factor (keeps you riveted?): 9
-Impact Factor (life changing story?): 10
~Overall: 10!
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12:23 am - Book Review: The Langoliers
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First in a line of Stephen King novels I bought as a set of 4. What an excellent book! It's the first I've read of King's novels, but already I love his ability to sneak in supernatural elements yet in a way that they are believable. It adds to the wonderful thrill of his writing. The story follows a group of people who, while on a midnight flight, flew through a "rip" in time to the past and must get back to the real world before the past is destroyed before their very eyes. It's filled with suspense, horror and even has a psychopathic madman (hehe). The entire book is wonderfully developed and I could not put it down!
1-10 Rating:
-Plot: 10
-Detail/Development: 10
-Interest Factor (keeps you riveted?): 9
-Impact Factor (life changing story?): 8
~Overall: 9
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12:13 am - Book Review: King Arthur
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(As a note to The Day After Tomorrow, which I read first, no need to review... just go see the movie, lol)
King Arthur, due to be a movie this summer, was actually a pretty cool book. I'm kind of on an "Arthurian" kick since our last unit in English this year, which was on Camelot and the Middle Ages. The book itself was an interesting interpretation of the story of King Arthur that tried to bring it to life in a way that could've actually happened while still including such legends as the Sword in the Stone and Merlin. It dragged a bit at times, but in essence was a good read. It's light and fast reading, and while it may not be first on a summer reading list, I found it enjoyable. Rather gorey at times, but good story detail. I think I just may go see the movie when it comes out...
1-10 Rating:
-Plot: 7
-Detail/Development: 8
-Interest Factor (keeps you riveted?): 7
-Impact Factor (life changing story?): 6
~Overall: 7
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12:03 am - Livejornal Issues
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Sorry I didn't post the past couple days - my browser wasn't letting me into Livejournal to update... not sure if it was my server or the site was down, but I'm back now! My mom has come up with a good idea (thanks, mom) since it's 2 weeks into the summer and already I've read 4 books, so I'm going to post reviews on some of them (see following posts).
Nothing terribly exciting has occurred in the past couple days, except I did get my new glasses and contacts and I CAN SEE! Isn't it amazing how many individual leaves are on the trees? (*marvels*)
Went to the pool today for the first time this summer with my mother and sister - oh boy did that feel good! I can truly accept that summer is here now. I am well on the road to skin cancer from all my sun exposure, but I'm enjoying every minute of it.
We go up north to bring my Grandpa down to a VA closer to home on Thursday and we'll be spending the night (in the lovely hotel with a WATER SLIDE!!) so I won't be posting Thursday and maybe Friday as well. Just a forewarning.
Anyway, onto book reviews for (I may not review all):
-The Day After Tomorrow (just go see the movie)
-King Arthur
-The Langoliers
-Secret Window, Secret Garden
Currently Reading: Peter Pan
current mood:  happy
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| Saturday, June 12th, 2004
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9:56 pm - Insert Creative Title Here
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Ok wow, so Urgent Care people are really not helpful. Went in, got x-rays, moved my arm around in painful and obscure positions, and was told I probably injured it somehow and to keep taking Ibuprofin. Ok, even I'd come to that conclusion hours beforehand. Oh well, it'll get better.
As for the rest of the day, it wasn't too thrilling. Went shopping, read a bit more, etc. Had a really cool thunderstorm too! It was just a big black cloud over our house that hailed and lightning'd (word for that?) for about 10 minutes, but the hail was really weird - we heard it before we saw it. It was like people were setting off firecrackers around the neighborhood but we couldn't see it. Rather interesting. :)
Well, I guess my arm will only prolong my wait until I can go swimming. Darn, because today was beautiful. And wow, my sister is yelling at me to come watch a movie with her (despite the fact that it's like 10:00 at night) so I'm gonna run. That's all for now!
current mood: sore
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| Friday, June 11th, 2004
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8:49 pm - BLOG!!
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Hi blog! I'm still alive, against all odds. School is out which means blog time is restored to me! Ah, let's see. How can I possibly sum up recent events in anything less than a miniature novel?
School is out, first and foremost, as of June 2nd. As for the most important and exciting event that has happened to me since I last blogged, I made chamber singers!! Going into my junior next year, I am thrilled to be in the top musical ensemble at my highschool. Formal attire and everything. I've looked up to this group for so many years and now I'm PART OF IT! It still doesn't seem possible. So I am not even in the least bit dreading the start of school in the fall - cuz it's going to be GREAT!
What else has happened since the 23rd of March? Ah, my Cantori tour to Missouri. That was lots of fun! Silver Dollar City, MSSU, and hotels with a group of 35 highschool girls makes for an AWESOME time.
So far this summer, not much has happened worth noting in great detail. I am attending senior graduation parties over the next couple weeks and going to my friend's cabin soon, but that's about it for the month of June. But I'm really not complaining. My free time is spent on Photoshop and reading, and in the past week off I've read three books. Not a bad vacation!
Only thing getting me down at the moment is my right elbow which apparently I injured. Huh. I can't straighten the arm without shooting pains up and down it - does that mean something's wrong? Ah well. These things also always seem to happen on the weekend when all the doctors go home, so a trip to urgent care may be in order if it's not better by tomorrow. *sigh*
I shall blog again soon - good to be back in blogging condition (despite blasted arm)!
current mood:  complacent
current music: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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| Tuesday, March 23rd, 2004
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4:24 pm - Spring Break
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Spring Break has come just in time this year. School was getting unbearable, and it was jsut the time for a 9-day recovery period. We were planning to go up to Silver Bay to visit my grandpa and stay in the hotel up there (WATERSLIDE!!) overnight, but reservations weren't made soon enough and plans fell through. Drat. So much for waterslide. Oh well, we've planned for mid-April instead.
It's actually kind of nice to have no plans for break, in a way. I enjoy the sleeping in of course. Our only supposed outing that's planned is a possible trip to Mall of America some evening this week, which would be cool.
Unfortunately Sunday Morning I woke up with a bad head cold gone sinus headache by this morning. Probably one of those weird things where my body relaxed for Spring Break too much and caught a virus. Or at least that's what my mom would say.
Sorry there's not too much mroe to write about... life hasn't been terribly exciting lately: school, homework, school, more homework, BREAK! Have also been working on my sebsite quite a bit. Once again, check it out if you're bored. :)
current mood: relaxed
current music: Pirates of the Caribbean
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| Saturday, March 6th, 2004
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6:15 pm - The Passion of the Christ
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Wow. Just got back from seeing The Passion with Joey. Wow is all I can say. I've never been able to say I've been slightly nervous to see a movie before this... just because it's souch an awe-inspiring subject, but wow. My only advice for you would be to go see it. Even if you're not too good with blood and pain and that's what's holding you back (it's what gave me my doubts - and yes it is graphic), close your eyes for part of it if you must but go see it! Completely worth it.
It really brings to life the story of Christ in a way I never thought I'd be able to know. It's so extremely well done... it really is a beautiful film. Very moving - expect to cry! There were parts I was crying so hard I was shaking... but didn't feel bad because so were half the other people in the theater. Kudos to Mel Gibson... in making this movie he's done something not many others would have dared to do. It's really not a film you can call "good" or "bad", just becuase of its content and what it's portraying. To describe it I'd have to say it's more... awe-inspiring.
current mood:  numb
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| Monday, March 1st, 2004
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11:38 pm - California Photo
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Just decided to quick upload a photo from my trip to show you guys one of the beautiful nights we had... more to come when it's not nearing midnight!
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