Dec 19, 2012

For Authenticity

{Image source: 1}

So here's a little confession. Maintaining a nice steady stream of posts in a blog is great, but I feel that if I post something just for the sake of posting, it will not be worth reading. It will not really be me. Like I've said in previous posts, an authentic blogger is one of the things that makes a blog great. And I think part of being authentic and real is accepting that there will be days when you won't write quality stuff. There will be days when you get overwhelmed or stuck. There will be days when you might need to step away and get your head straight again. And as a blogger striving for authenticity, I confess that my days for the last month or two have been these kinds of days. All sorts of thoughts, ideas, plans and fears are tugging at my brain, and right now it's a complete mess in there. In the coming months, I want to straighten things out a bit, so I probably won't be very active in the blogging community. I want to work on my blog--I really do--but I feel that a break would be necessary so that I don't go insane from all the things going on in my life. I dearly hope you understand. 
I wish you all a marvelous day/night and a meaningful Christmas in advance. :)

Hope to see you all soon!


Hannah G.

Dec 7, 2012

Footprints on the Moon...

...is now one year old!



In honour of this special occasion, I'd like to share what I've learned this past year. 


{ one }
Comment on other blogs, participate in link-ups, and get involved in the blogging community. The more people you know, the more opportunities you have for your blog to gain readers. Besides, people are lovely. They always have something interesting to say.


{ two }
Learning basic HTML codes is helpful. Not only does it make your blog look prettier, but it also allows you to get into ad swaps, blog buttons, link-ups, etc. and thus make you feel like a pro blogger. ;)


{ three }
Don't post just for the sake of filling up your blog. It doesn't matter how frequently you post if what you say isn't worthwhile. It's good to be active on your blog, but you should focus on your content more than on how often you post.


{ four }
This is probably one of the most overrated blogging tips, but it's so easy to forget. While it's good to experiment and copy techniques and styles from other bloggers, at the end of the day, it's always better to just be you.


----------


So yes. We are one year old, readers! This blog has had its ups and downs, but thank you for sticking around. I really thank God for you and the encouraging words you've left me. You are all the loveliest.

Happy anniversary to us, and may we have many more years to come! :)

Nov 28, 2012

Everything // A Reminder

This video, it's just...amazing. {By the end of it, tears may or may not have been trickling down my cheeks.} I hope it will bless you as much as it blessed me. And maybe open it up again from time to time, just to remind you of His great love.


Because sometimes we forget.

Nov 22, 2012

Remembering the Beauty in Life


Sometimes it's hard for me to be thankful. Life has been so...dull lately. My time, thoughts and energy have been centred around school, and I've settled into a routine as lifeless as a rock. It's hard to thank God when there hasn't been anything exciting happening. But today I was reminded that even on these mundane days, life is still beautiful. God is still amazing. I'm still alive and I have yet to discover what He has in store for me. So this Thanksgiving, this is what I'm thankful for:

Aunts, who spontaneously give me little gifts just because they know I like them. And art, too.
Books, for those moments when I need to forget about school for a while.
Coffee and hot chocolate, perfect for snuggling under the covers on snowy days.
Devotions, from which I am able to learn so much.
Excitement for Christmas, although it comes with some nostalgia, too.
Family, the best friends I can ever have.
God's beyond amazing greatness.
Helping, because it is a beautiful thing to do.
Inside jokes.
Just Dance 2. Because of it, I can say that I get physical exercise regularly.
Knowing that there is nothing at all that can separate me from God's love.
Life, every aspect of it. And laughs--heaps and heaps of them.
Music, especially this kind, when I need to be reminded of the beautiful things in life.
Also mothers, because they're so, so awesome.
Notebooks, for documenting life.
Oreos, because they are so delicious.
People, because they are strange and haunting and wonderful at the same time.
Quotes that make me stop and think.
Rick Riordan. Enough said.
Snow, all 7430523480 inches of it. (I'm exaggerating, although it often feels like it's that much.)
Typography, because it's just so pretty.
Up, because it's a beautiful story.
Vacation weeks, finally!
Weird brothers and sisters who torment me but are still my best friends.
Xanthosis, because it brings back memories.
You, because you are awesome.
Zeal, renewed and strengthened.

An Anthology of Thanks | Hannah Nicole
Linking up with this lovely blogger!

I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving. Spend time with loved ones, take a break, eat lots and don't forget the beautiful things in life. Have an awesome day!

----------

{PS Yes, I'm participating in Thanksgiving even though we Canadians already celebrated it a few months ago. :P}

Nov 21, 2012

From a Liebster Awardee



I was awarded by Arielle from Spaceship to Infinity!


The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It is a way to acknowledge each other and say “You’re doing a great job." It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it’s also a great way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers!

When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the Award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions. You’re not allowed to nominate the blog(s) who nominated you!


The 11 random facts:
  1. I am fascinated by art and creativity. Graphic design, painting, theatre, writing--they all inspire me.
  2. Stories affect me too much. I often act like fictional characters are real. *cough Percy Jackson Leo Valdez Jo March Lucy Pevensie cough cough cough*
  3. Although I'm a teenager, I read more children's books than teen and adult books.
  4. Book stores excite me.
  5. I often judge a book by its cover. Also by its fonts and paper quality.
  6. Sometimes I stop doing something because everyone else is doing it. Is it hipster-like of me to say so?
  7. I often feel like my sentences are too long.
  8. I think our generation needs to stop trying to grow up so fast.
  9. I have a silent, thoughtful side and a weird, funny side, and I am torn between which voice to use online.
  10. I can't eat tacos properly.
  11. I think you are all awesome.

The 11 answers:
  1. What is your dream job? I would love to be either an art director or a graphic designer.
  2. Any favourite quotes? I've come across hundreds that have made me stop and think, but the one that I can never seem to forget is this one from Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery: "It's not what the world holds for you. It's what you bring to it."
  3. If you could teleport anywhere, where would you go? Narnia, definitely.
  4. Who is your favourite book character? It's a tie between Lucy Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia and Leo Valdez from the Heroes of Olympus series. I like Lucy's sweet, youthful nature and her faith in Aslan. With Leo, I like that he's incredibly hilarious yet underneath that, his character is such a deep one too.
  5. What is your favourite animated film? Disney/Pixar films are awesome. I really like Up and Tangled.
  6. Do you play any instruments? Yes, I play the piano and a little bit of guitar.
  7. Would you rather live on the beach or near a forest? Beach. The sound of waves is lovely, especially in the morning.
  8. What's your all time favourite blog? I don't really have just one favourite. I like looking through a mix of different blogs, specifically Cupcake Dictionary, Ink and Iridescence, Capture Life, Unoriginal Originality, Wanderrgirl and Spaceship to Infinity. :)
  9. Pencil or pen? For writing, pen. For drawing, pencil.
  10. What song always cheers you up on a bad day? "Love Will Find You" by The Museum
  11. What is your favourite non-domestic animal? I like owls. I collect things with owl designs on them, although I think they're a little creepy in real life. 

The 11 people:
  1. Lydia from For My Own Satisfaction
  2. Emma-Lee from In Real Life
  3. C. C. Shoshanah from My Midnight Melody
  4. Pepper from Would You Like Pepper With That?
  5. Jianine from Definitely Screaming
  6. Elisha from There is Joy
  7. Ate Alyssa from Treasure of Jade
  8. Hawwa from Beautiful Chaos
  9. Ate Damaris from Diary of a Styleaholic
  10. Sarah-Anne from Simply Sarah-Anne
  11. Shelbie from Nineteen Going on Five
{ I know some of you don't put awards on your blogs. That's okay. You don't have to do this if you don't want to (although it would be awesome if you did!). }

The 11 questions:
  1. If you had a time machine, which time period would you go to?
  2. Would you rather have a job as a photographer or a writer? Why?
  3. Who would you like to meet most (dead or alive)?
  4. You're allowed to choose a new subject in school. What do you pick?
  5. Which fictional character would you love to play in a movie or theatre production?
  6. Do you think books are better than movies? Why or why not?
  7. What are your top three favourite songs?
  8. Would you rather trek across the desert or travel the sub-zero tundra?
  9. If you're going to college, what course would you want to take? 
  10. What makes you awesome?
  11. If you had one week left to live, what would you do?


Yay! Thanks for the award, Arielle! If you weren't tagged but would like to participate, feel free to join in the fun! :D

Oct 29, 2012

Oh, October!

{song links: Today, The A Team, Center of It}

october, for me, was much better than september. there's just been so many things happening and so many more opportunities to see God's greatness. there were answered prayers, good (and bad) times with friends and new life lessons to learn. i've really been blessed in countless ways. i have everything to be grateful for.
speaking of God's greatness, today is my birthday. i'm still in that phase where turning another year older hasn't fully hit me in the face yet. my birthday has been amazing, though. i played laser tag and had snowball fights with some friends. epic.
also, The Mark of Athena and Shatterproof are awesome.
Captain America makes me want to watch The Avengers again. i love marvel.
i cannot get over how awesome "Today" by Newworldson is. i've played it about a hundred times already.
anyway, october has been marvellous. november, let's hope you are too.


{PS Is it just me or do all my photos look a little low-quality? Is there any way to improve this?}

Oct 26, 2012

The Day is Done


The day is done, and the darkness

Falls from the wings of Night, 

As a feather is wafted downward

From an eagle in his flight.

I see the lights of the village 

Gleam through the rain and the mist, 

And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me, 

That my soul cannot resist:

A feeling of sadness and longing, 

That is not akin to pain, 

And resembles sorrow only 

As the mist resembles the rain.

Come, read to me some poem, 

Some simple and heartfelt lay, 

That shall soothe this restless feeling, 

And banish the thoughts of day.

Not from the grand old masters, 

Not from the bards sublime, 

Whose distant footsteps echo

Through the corridors of Time.

For, like strains of martial music, 

Their mighty thoughts suggest

Life's endless toil and endeavor; 

And to-night I long for rest.

Read from some humbler poet, 

Whose songs gushed from his heart, 

As showers from the clouds of summer, 

Or tears from the eyelids start;

Who, through long days of labor, 

And nights devoid of ease,

Still heard in his soul the music 

Of wonderful melodies.

Such songs have power to quiet 

The restless pulse of care, 

And come like the benediction

That follows after prayer.

Then read from the treasured volume

The poem of thy choice, 

And lend to the rhyme of the poet 

The beauty of thy voice.

And the night shall be filled with music

And the cares that infest the day, 

Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,

And as silently steal away.

Did you read all that? If you're like me, you probably just skimmed through the poem, only reading the words, not fully understanding them. Well, if you're like me, I suggest you go back and read it again. Letter by letter. Absorb it. Cogitate about it. Digest it. See the images form in your mind. Done? Okay.

This poem is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and I love it. It's funny because I was never really into poems, only because I thought it was for old and/or melancholy people. That is, until I actually tried reading and writing poetry for school. And now I can say that I am an old and melancholy poetry geek. :P

Anyway, about this specific poem. I like the little part in stanzas seven and eight about the humble poet "who, through long days of labor, and nights devoid of ease, still heard in his soul the music of wonderful melodies." I think he sets a great example. Too many people today have let themselves be weighed down by negativity, and it’s a sad thing because they focus on the bad things around them and miss out on the good things. I wanted to share this poem because it reminded me to appreciate the wonderful things in life and, in doing so, to bless others. It encouraged me a whole lot, and I just hope it encourages you too.

Have a good weekend!

Oct 21, 2012

On the Blogging Adventure

I was challenged by Arielle from Spaceship to Infinity!
{You should check out her blog. Her talent in drawing is astounding!}


The rules of the challenge: 
You need to draw something to give tips to new bloggers or old ones who want to hear new tips.
You can also challenge other blogger friends to do this!
It can be made online.
You can challenge as many bloggers as you can!


Those I challenge:
Anyone and everyone! If you like this idea, feel free to do it yourself. Put your own spin on it, even.


Here's what I say about this adventure called blogging:


Give your best.
Don't settle for a so-so blog. Strive for excellence! Give your all in everything that you post. It really makes a difference.

Find your niche.
In the dictionary's words, find your place or function in the blogging world. What's your purpose in blogging? What is your blog about? (Please be more specific than "This blog is about my life. Period.") Find something that gives you an edge.

Explore & expand. 
Widen your interests. Do something you don't often do or something you've never tried before. Your creative, adventurous self will thank you for it.

Be authentically you.
So you've strived for excellence, but you still made a couple of mistakes here and there. Don't beat yourself up over it! Part of being yourself is accepting your mistakes. Learn from them and carry on with your life.

And last but not least, enjoy the ride!

Oct 16, 2012

The Call


{A post in which I attempt the art of poetry.}
{Also, please excuse the lack of images. I think your imaginations would better capture the scene.}


the plummeting drops
grew louder and louder;
we listened for the call.
crash!

faces lit up, we ran to greet
the cool showers.
arms spread out,
eyes laughing,
we ran and ran and ran,
kicking waves of water,
breathing in the chilly air.

 the rain and the thunder
were our orchestra,
the soundtrack to those memories.
our laughter filled the empty streets.
we were innocent.
 we were carefree.

the wind enveloped us;
the cool drops lingered on our skin
until the music faded
and the clouds disappeared.

as the sun shone
on our rain-soaked grins,
we headed back
with smiles that shouted
with a last hurrah,
waiting for the call to sound again.

Oct 6, 2012

From a Writer


I was awarded by Jodie from Heart Strings! :)


The rules:
1) You must award 10-15 bloggers.
2) If you got awarded, you need to award other bloggers too.
3) You need to post a little bit of information about your blog.

The info:
I blog about art, words, photography, my faith, and life in general. I'm still in the process of finding my own voice and niche in blogging but my main reason for this blog is to inspire you. I want to encourage you to make something new. I want you to reach out to others and to do something nice for somebody else today. I want you to stop and look back but to keep moving forward too. I want you to remember your life's purpose. I want you to grow in your relationship with the Lord and live the very best that you can in such a way that, when it all comes down to the end of this lifetime, you will hear those glorious words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." I hope that, through my life documented in this blog, I might inspire you to do all these things and make your own footprints on the moon.

Those I award (in no particular order):
2) C. C. Shoshanah from My Midnight Melody
4) Ate Alyssa from Treasure of Jade
6) Sarah Michelle from Radiant Joy
7) Miss Dashwood from The Quest For Stories
9) Jocee from Cupcake Dictionary
10) Lacey from Lacey's Blog

Thus concludes this post. Thanks again for the award, Jodie, and congratulations to those who have now been awarded. :)

Oct 5, 2012

Storyteller: An Awakened Passion

{A post in which I attempt the art of descriptive phrases, "the feeling of being rained upon and not the fact that it's raining," and all that writing whatnot. I'm not good at this sort of stuff yet, but everyone's got to start somewhere, right?}

{Photo source: 1}

The old man dipped the brush into a colour. With a flourish and the steadiness of years of experience, he lifted the brush. A rich, vibrant purple appeared on the canvas. He switched to a new colour—a bold orange. Then streaks of yellow. Then pink. Then a calming, serene blue over it all. Dabs of white and some more blue. Despite the man’s frail appearance, his hands moved with passion and skill. I watched in awe as, slowly, the colours formed and blended beautifully—exactly the way he intended them to. A few more strokes and there it was: a dazzling summer sunset, perfectly recreated onto a simple canvas. It was a masterpiece. Right then and there, I realized that that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to paint like that, to be able to breathe life into paints and brushes and make things as amazing as that sunset—maybe even more so. A new passion was awakened within me, and I swore it would never die down. It was a moment that changed me forever.

Sep 28, 2012

Oh, September!


fall is here, and pretty soon it'll be christmas again. oh my word, how time flies.
the quote of the month. i often forget how true it is.
chris colfer is actually quite good as an author.
wreck-it ralph is awesome even though i haven't seen it yet.
adam young sings in it so i'm sure it will be. (and because it's disney, of course.)
heyhihello sounds unbelievably like owl city.
two songs by american idol finalists because i'm in an american idol phase.
also because colton dixon is a w e s o m e.
i'm serious. you should check out his new song "never gone."
it talks about how, even through the darkest times, Jesus is always there, that He was never gone.
also, colton's words in the last video below (at around 2:10) make me happy.
anyway, God bless you all, and i hope you have an awesome october!


I Dream in Colour! by heyhihello on Grooveshark
Home by Philip Phillips on Grooveshark




{PS We still have a few days before September ends, I know, I know.}

Sep 18, 2012

Pinographer


I feel like I'm getting swept into some sort of mainstream hubbub here. Even though I told myself that I had too many social networking sites and that I certainly didn't need another addition, I decided to give Pinterest a chance. I haven't been on for very long, but I love it already. It's like a giant cauldron of anything and everything inspiring.

If you'd like to see my profile, click here. There's lots of artsy things, inspiring quotes, typography, wanderlust, DIY's, and other whatnot. I hope you find it very pinteresting. ;) {That was my attempt at punny wordplay...it won't happen again.}

Anyway, don't forget to leave me a link to your profile so I can follow you too. Have a fantastic week! :)


Sep 16, 2012

This Is Gabe

He likes Minecraft.
He likes bacon.
He has the ability to build anything out of anything.
{Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but he comes pretty close.}
His toleration for spicy food is way above average.
He likes the music I listen to.
He puts up with my constant ranting.
He often reminds me of how weird I am.
Once, when I showed him how I carved Jello to look like a little rocky island,
he replied that I needed a boyfriend.
I can't get him to read the books I like.
{He refuses to read the Percy Jackson books. :( }
But he likes reading non-fiction books.
He's pretty darn smart.
And freaking hilarious.
And trustworthy.
And loving.
And just as weird as I am.
We like to make ugly faces at each other.
And make up cheesy dance moves.
He's pretty fun to be with.
We've had thousands of memories and inside jokes.
Even though we probably won't admit this to each other,
he's one of the best friends I've ever had.
I know that he's always got my back, and I've got his.
We're not very mushy people, but I don't say this as often as I should.
Love you, weirdo.
Happy birthday.
Stay awesome.

Love,
Your equally awesome and devastatingly beautiful sister :)

---

{PS I tweak my blog too much, I know.}


Sep 7, 2012

The Greatest Stories Never Told


Words are amazing things.
Combined in just the right way,
they are like a time machine,
whisking you off to different times and different places.
Sometimes they are like a photograph,
capturing moments, never to be forgotten again.
They have the power
to lead a nation, to transform people.
They can be anything and everything.
But there are some things that cannot be explained,
things so simple
yet so complex that words,
however vast they are,
cannot define them.
So maybe the best stories
are the ones never told,
the ones that can happen in an instant
or stretch for a lifetime,
or those that can be read in someone’s eyes,
or those shown in something
as simple as a pat on the back.
These stories are the ones worth knowing,
because they are made of something
far greater than words could ever say.

Sep 5, 2012

When History Came Alive



















 Heritage Park was fantastic. It was like an old-fashioned town, where people strolled around in suits and dresses and frilly umbrellas like it was the most natural thing in the world. (There was also a mini cruise ride and an amusement park for the more modern folks, but even those were decorated in an old-fashioned style.)

There was a one-room schoolhouse too and, oh my goodness, you should have seen me when I entered it. I was so excited I was practically jumping around. I sat in the desks and wrote on the slates and felt the warmth of the old-fashioned stove near the back of the room. Total Little House on the Prairie fangirl moment. The teacher inside probably thought I was strange...oh well.


I even got to take home some horehound candy (the candy that the Ingalls family from Little House on the Prairie made!), some wintergreen candy (the store-bought candy that the Ingalls kids and the Wilder kids only got to eat on Christmas), and a butterscotch stick...which I only got because it sounded historical. The whirly pop was my little sister's, who cares not whether candy is old-fashioned, just as long as it's delicious.

So, yes, my week has been quite a marvellous one, full of historical adventures, the perfect way to jumpstart the new school year.

What about you? How has your week been so far? :)

{Images (c) Hannah G.}

Aug 31, 2012

Oh, August!


Brambles by Jónsi on Grooveshark
Anna Sun by Walk the Moon on Grooveshark
How He Loves by David Crowder Band on Grooveshark


experimenting with the look of these monthly posts.
pink and orange is a cool colour combination.
yes, hugo is on there twice as both book and movie of the month. it's that awesome.
anna sun. because jocee loves that song, and she is cool.
i can't believe i'm typing without capital letters.
anyway, i hope you've all had a lovely summer.
have an even lovelier september!

{PS  I updated the About page and the Inspiration page. Maybe you'd like to check them out?}