An Interview With Alyianna

Meet Alyianna Baggins from Scribbles of a Catholic Teen. I hope you enjoy reading her answers! :)

Tell us about yourself.

My Internet name is Alyianna Baggins, but my friends call me either Ally or Anna. :) When I need to write a short one-sentence blurb about myself, I usually say, "I'm a seventeen-year-old North American Catholic girl who loves her Faith..." and then add on to that. There are so many thing I could tack onto that list: my favourite book trilogy, The Lord of the Rings...another of my favourite books (and musicals and movies), Les Miserables...my love for both reading and writing books...my love of singing, of fangirling, of making music videos... My name, a mixture of my favourite character of all characters (Frodo Baggins) and a name that I made for a role-playing games character, is just the beginning of me. :)

What inspired you to start a blog?

Actually, the first time I ever started blogging was when I had to make a blog for Social Studies in Grade 10. Then I decided to make a LOTR blog (Password to Middle Earth)...but then I wanted a blog where I could blog about my life, things I liked, etc. etc. That was the beginning of my main blog - Scribbles of a Catholic Teen. Ever since then, I've started other blogs, like Alyianna's Reviews and my writing blog, The Road Goes Ever On.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I like to share my thoughts on the world with other people who will agree with me (and are, thus, scarce). I like to make new friends from other parts of the world.

Which would you prefer: taking photographs, drawing, writing, dancing, or singing?

Oooh...that's a hard one. I'm stuck between writing and singing.

What are three things that you did today?

Well, since it's early in the morning as I'm typing this...had breakfast, watched a Once Upon a Time clip with my sister, and went to a math elive (an online class).

What items do you usually bring in your bag?

My bag? I guess that means my purse. :P A cosmetic bag, a mini one-decade Rosary, and tissues. :P

What do you want to be when you get older?

Heh. Well, I guess I already count as "older" since I'm going to college this fall. I'm going to be an elementary teacher. :)

Do you have any favourite quotes? If yes, what are they?

Favourite quotes? I would never be able to mention all of them, so I'll try to stick to only a few.

"If I had two souls, I could risk one,

but since I have only one, I must save it."

-St. Thomas More

Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.

"Take my hand, I'll lead you to salvation. Take my love, for love is everlasting. And remember, the truth that once was spoken: To love another person is to see the face of God."

- Les Miserables

"You're going to lose. I know that now. Good always wins."

- Snow White, Once Upon a Time

If you could do absolutely anything, what would you do?

Hmm....anything, you say? Well, if the expenses could be magically paid for, I'd like to travel - to Poland (I'm half Polish), to New Zealand, all over Europe (especially to Italy, and also Scotland, Ireland, France), and all over North America, especially my country (which none of you can know...yet ;P). I'd also like to get a record deal to sing covers, like Susan Boyle. :) And I'd like to go to a whole lot of places with friends (one being an amusement park), perhaps on a road trip (I've never gone on one with friends but it sounds fun!), and ending up with a big party with dancing.

If there is one thing you’d want people to remember most about you, what would it be?

That I am Catholic. And that I'm a friendly person who would love to be your best friend, and I don't want to be lied to and used as a mat, even if I'm not good at standing up and letting people I'm not one.

-----

Thanks for allowing me to interview you, Alyianna! What do you guys think of her answers? :)

{PS By the time you read this, I will be on a plane to Virginia. So pumped. :D}

An Interview With Ysabella

Here's Interview #3, featuring Ysabella from Ciao Ysabella. Enjoy! :)

Tell us about yourself.

Ciao! I'm Ysabella and I'm a teenager from the Philippines. I love spontaneous adventures and insane weekends. I enjoy creating new things, and trying to figure out how I can make it better. I adore anything vintage/classic. I kind of have an obsession with Eiffel Tower prints, anything floral/indie, and chocolate. I love listening to music when things don't seem right. I feel that nothing is better than writing your emotions out late at night. I have a strong faith in God and put Him first in my life. Right now, I'm still on the process of discovering myself so everything else that you can probably learn about me are through my blog posts! 

What inspired you to start a blog?

At such a young age, I had a love for photography, writing, and fashion. I realised that it would be great if I placed all these things in one webpage where I could share my discoveries, and help people with what I know. That is why Ciao Ysabella is my happy place. 

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

My favourite thing about blogging is it's community! I love the people you get to meet, and the stories you get to hear. I also love how you can express yourself, and be the best 'you' you can possibly be. 

Which would you prefer: taking photographs, drawing, writing, dancing, or singing?

This is such a difficult question, but lets break it down like this - I am a terrible dancer (I wish I knew how to dance) and I suck at drawing. So, the only things left on the list are taking photographs, writing, and singing. If I had to pick one from those three, it would probably be writing. 

What are three things that you did today?

The three things I did today are 1. Plan out new things for my blog. 2. Listen to music, my day can't go on without it. 3. Read the Bible, reflect, and pray.

What items do you usually bring in your bag?

I'll give you 3 things that I usually bring in my bag, because the rest will be for my "What's In My Bag" post happening soon. I always remember to bring my phone/iPod, my wallet, and my EOS lip balm! 

What do you want to be when you get older?

Day by day, I'm discovering who I want to be. So I'm not yet quite sure about my future. But, if you were to ask me right now, I'd say an editor/writer for a top fashion magazine such as Vogue or Elle.

Do you have any favourite quotes? If yes, what are they?

I love quotes. I live on them. Here are three quotes that truly give me inspiration.

"The beauty of a women is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a women is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years." -Audrey Hepburn

"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

"Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do." -Walt Disney 

If you could do absolutely anything, what would you do?

If I could do absolutely anything, that would be to find a cure for cancer. 

If there is one thing you’d want people to remember most about you, what would it be?

If there's one thing I'd want people to remember about me, it would probably be that despite everything, I think positive and believe that I can accomplish my dreams because I know everything is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). I want to be remembered as the girl who works hard to get what she wants. A girl who dreams big and who puts God in the centre of her life.

{Images (c) Ciao Ysabella}

An Interview With Niña

Here's Interview #2, featuring Niña Alvia from Infinite Existence. Enjoy! :)

Tell us about yourself.

Hello! My name is Niña Alvia. I'm fifteen years old. I'm a Filipino sophomore who enjoys watching football (the real European one), eating, reading and blogging :) 

What inspired you to start a blog?

I actually had a tumblr account since the summer of 2012 and I've been meaning to start 'legit' blogging but I never really knew how to start until I've read some more blogs such as Camille Co's Camille Tries To Blog, Patricia Prieto's Paradigma, Zoe Suen's Fashiononymous and Nina Pineda's Oh for Fox Sake. 

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

My favorite part of blogging is conceptualizing more posts for my blog. It's quite fun and I get to release this creative side of me I didn't know I had. Also, the fact that people read my blog kind of warms my heart and that all this blogging doesn't go to waste. 

Which would you prefer: taking photographs, drawing, writing, dancing, or singing?

Ooh, that's a tough one HAHAHA! But if I were to do it for the rest of my life it would probably be taking photographs because I get to hypothetically 'listen' to someone's tale and spread it to the world so easily... in just one click! Imagine that. I still get amazed by the continous growth of the technology of photography. It's quite awe-inspiring. 

What are three things that you did today?

Since tomorrow is my first day of school *sobs* I fixed my school things, I talked to my friend about the current Spurs vs. Heat game (I actually kept asking questions) and I ate two tortillas for breakfast. 

What items do you usually bring in your bag?

I actually don't bring a bag when I go places but when I do, all that's in there are my cellphones, earphones and my wallet. I find it tiresome to bring a bag everywhere. Hahaha.

What do you want to be when you get older?

I actually am not sure what I'm going to be yet. Although, being a news reporter looks quite appealing. And I've also wanted to be a doctor since my mother is one but I'm deadly afraid of blood (quite ironic considering I'm a girl and a daughter of a doctor, right?) 

Do you have any favourite quotes? If yes, what are they?

Most of them are from Harry Potter so here are the Harry Potter ones (because I'm a hardcore Potterhead):

"Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Dumbledore

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." -Sirius

"We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are." -Sirius

From the book 'Papertowns' by John Green:

“That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfeast cereals based on color instead of taste.” -Margo

I actually have a lot more but then I think if I placed it here it would be too much HAHAHA! 

If you could do absolutely anything, what would you do?

No, not blog, I'm sorry. But I think it would be to eat forever and anything without getting fat nor bankrupt. Seems like a fairytale in my eyes. 

If there is one thing you’d want people to remember most about you, what would it be?

I won't answer the cliché: "I want them to remember my good deeds." because far too many people have used that and it also boggled me how you want only the nice part of you remembered because it's not really "you". I just want to be remembered as Niña, as a whole. The girl who blogs, loves football, was a Camp counselor and a hardcore Potterhead. Don't count out the bad part of me. I want them to remember me for who I am. For my identity, and my faults are also what makes me. In short, I'd like everyone to remember me as I was to them. The pain or happiness I may have given them- they should remember that. Because I want to be known for who I really am. 

{All photos (c) Niña Alvia}

100!

You guys.

Footprints on the Moon has now reached 100 followers!

*screams excitedly + throws confetti + flails arms + throws 5-second dance party*

Now, since we're celebrating the fact that FOTM has reached 100 followers, I thought I'd also celebrate YOU guys, you awesome lovely fantastic brilliant people you! c: So in honour of this joyous occasion, I would like to introduce to you, in a series of blog posts, twelve super cool bloggers who also happen to be my followers. ;) I'm really excited for you to meet them, and I hope that you will be inspired by their answers. :)

--------------------

First up on the blog interviews is Arielle. She's such a fun, creative person and a really good friend of mine. I hope you enjoy her interview!

Tell us about yourself.

Hello, people of the galaxy! I am Arielle Guevara from the Philippines. I'm 14 and I'm an aspiring animator. I love to draw, read, watch movies, and eat cookies. I blog over at Spaceship to Infinity which is basically my art-slash-daily life blog.

What inspired you to start a blog?

I liked having the idea of getting to share my thoughts with other people. Then came the moment where I realized art was really what I wanted to pursue in the future. Blogging helped me get my work some exposure and also helped me meet some friends along the way! 

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

My favorite thing about blogging is the fact you can inspire people with just clicking "Publish". Just a few weeks ago, I received an email from a lovely fellow homeschooler saying she was about to ask her mom to bring her back to regular school. But after reading my blog, she decided to continue on the homeschooling journey. It's just really amazing I get to do something like that with my blog.

Which would you prefer: taking photographs, drawing, writing, dancing, or singing?

Oh goodness, this is difficult. I would like to say drawing, but then singing comes in the way... In fact, I sing while drawing. So I really don't know. Difficult questions are difficult.

What are three things that you did today?

I read the Great Gatsby, made a couple of sketches, and had a marathon of my favorite Doctor Who episodes.

What items do you usually bring in your bag?

My iPod, Dr. Pepper flavored lip balm, my pencil case, my sketchbook, and (usually) a book to read.

What do you want to be when you get older?

I'd looove to animate for Disney or Dreamworks in the future. I just really want to make films for everyone to enjoy. 

Do you have any favourite quotes? If yes, what are they?

Yes, I do have a couple of favorite quotes. Here are my absolute favorites:

"The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist." -Eric Gill 

"Did you know, in 900 years of time and space, I've never met anyone who wasn't important before." -The Doctor, Doctor Who 

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do." -Walt Disney 

"That always seemed Ridiculous to me, that people would want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste." -Margo, Paper Towns

If you could do absolutely anything, what would you do?
TIME TRAVEL. Without a doubt, time travel.

If there is one thing you’d want people to remember most about you, what would it be?

I guess I'd like people to remember me for my constant positive energy. I just want to bring happiness to this generation through simple things. That's how I would like to be remembered. 

{all photos (c) Arielle Guevara}

just some thoughts

there are actually many details that can tell you a lot about a person without them even telling you. subtle hints like where they look when they're talking or why they wear their hair the way they do or if they say hello to strangers for no reason at all. there's so much that screams out someone's personality. you just have to take the time to notice them.


{PS I felt like the blog was getting a bit crowded, so I moved the blog ads from the sidebar to the "Blog Love" page. Check it out! :) }

summer is coming // a playlist

featuring:

i. songs for good times with friends

ii. songs for backyard dance parties

iii. songs for sunshine and clear waters

iv. a song from the aloha state, just because

v. songs for the lazy days

vi. songs for sleeping under the stars

vii. songs from summers past

the days are getting longer, and the weather is starting to favour the sun a lot more. i am so excited to throw my school books in the air like i just don't care, to feel the sand under my feet and the sun on my skin, and to travel to new places. while school isn't over for me yet, i know summer is coming. i can feel it.

{ P.S. what are you looking forward to this summer? :) }

Things That Say a Lot (v1 & 2)

I first heard of this idea through Carlotta, then noticed several other bloggers doing the same thing. I didn't really want to participate (mostly because I'm not one to ride the bandwagon :P), but I've gained quite a number of new followers--as well as viewers outside the blogging world--so I thought I'd let you know a little bit more about me. The first part is from here, and the second part is from here.

Things that say a lot:

i. the way in which they treat the waiter/waitress I treat them like I would any other stranger--politely, with a smile. I'd like to start being friendlier and talking to them more, though.

ii. how they feel about the weather I like the weather. Windy days are perfect, sunny skies make me feel like it's finally summer, and rain and snow make me want to stay under the blankets with a hot drink and a good book.

iii. whether they dog ear pages or highlight in books I don't write on my fiction books, but you'll find my non-fiction books (like my Bible and Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris) full of highlights and underlines. I almost always have a bookmark or a piece of scrap paper, so I rarely dog-ear pages.

iv. fingernails I don't wear nail polish because I think it's too much effort for something that I chip and ruin so easily. :P

v. and hands in general My hands are really thin, so they show more lines and wrinkles than everyone else's. You can also see the faint outlines of my veins and bones. My hands aren't exactly lovely and ladylike, but I love them a lot.

vi. their preferred creative outlet I love writing and drawing.

vii. how much they dread/enjoy talking on the phone I avoid talking on the phone because a) I believe that facial expressions are necessary when talking, and b) I'm not particularly fond of my voice.

viii. whether or not they drink coffee Coffee is in my blood! Haha!

ix. if they ever forget to eat Always. It's terrible because when my parents leave me with my younger siblings, I don't always feed them. I get so wrapped up in what I'm doing (school work, writing, drawing, reading, etc.) that I don't notice it's lunch/dinner time.

x. how honest they are with themselves (and others) Lying bothers me, so I try to be as honest as I can with myself and with other people.

xi. if they correct your grammar I'm a big grammar freak. I used to correct people all the time, but it annoys them so I only do it in my head now. :P

xii. whether or not they get nervous before haircuts I have my hair cut only when I'm tired of long hair. I will welcome a haircut then.

xiii. what articles are in their purse/bag and what size it is The contents of my bag 95% of the time: a set of coloured pens, some drawing materials (pencils, erasers, etc.), an unlined notebook, a book, my iPod Touch (for taking notes and pictures), a chapstick, hand sanitizer, and my wallet (if there’s space). In the front pockets I may also have little notes and mementos from friends. Most of my bags are middle-sized and kind of like the TARDIS--bigger on the inside smaller on the outside. (Seriously, though, I don’t even know how I manage to fit everything in them.)

xiv. the way they wear their hair (style and length) My hair is probably just black, but I like to call it dark, dark brown. It used to be as long as the middle of my back, but I got so fed up with trying (and failing) to style it like the hairstyles on Pinterest, so I cut it up to my shoulders. It feels really great.

xv. what their handwriting looks like I have the most fickle handwriting ever. My handwriting depends on my mood, the writing utensil, and the surface I’m writing on. People always tell me it's so neat, though.

xvi. how they respond to awkward situations I try not to focus on how awkward the moment is. I just smile/laugh and carry on.

xvii. if they eat (lots) fruits and vegetables I'm not the healthiest eater around. If you asked me to choose between pizza and a salad, I'd go for the pizza immediately. I'm a little picky when it comes to vegetables and how they're prepared, but I do love fruits.

xviii. if they enjoy British TV shows British shows are the best shows in the history of ever. Am I right, Whovians & Sherlockians Sherlock’s Holmies?!

xiv. the way they deal with small children Little kids are the cutest. I'll hug them and play with them and draw with them. Although, I have to admit, I get on better with older kids (age 7 to 10).

xx. whether or not they smile at strangers If I'm talking to them, yes. I just like to smile. Smiling's my favourite. ;) If not, it would probably be the opposite. I think a lot, which causes my eyebrows to scrunch closer together and my lips to form something that resembles a frown more than a smile.

-----

I hope I didn't ramble too much. If you'd like to answer these questions yourself, by all means do so at once! :) Leave a link to your blog post or comment your answers below. I'd love to read them!

untitled

little girl,

I saw you staring at the mirror

with a look of scorn.

I saw you studying the other girls

with envy.

I saw the world pulling at you,

pounding into your head

what you are not,

what you should become.

I saw the tearful nights

and I tried to tell you

you were beautiful,

perfect, just the way you are.

but you drowned My voice

with theirs.

a letter to sarah

 

dear sarah,

for the past six years you've been with us, you've already done so much for me. thank you for cheering me up and making me laugh. i love your crazy dances and your jokes and, yes, your singing (even though you sing the same songs over and over again every single minute i'm with you). thank you too for constantly telling me i'm pretty. i don't receive compliments like those very often, so it really means a lot to me. i also like that you make me cards and little art projects, and that you bring cookies to my room, and that you're almost always ready to offer your help when i need you. through your example, i learned that being kind is already a reward in itself. i admire how you're always so quick to forgive people too. you showed me that love meant keeping no record of wrongs. many times i've seen your patience and your willingness to sacrifice your wants for those of others, and i'm just so proud of you.

i don't tell you this very often, but i love you so, so, so much. thank you for being the nicest, sweetest, cutest, funniest, prettiest, coolest sister ever. :)


wishing you a happy birthday,
ate hannah

Storyteller: Better Than Paris

“Paris at night,” she marveled. “There’s nothing in all the world that could compare.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said. “Everything is so magical. Although, I can think of some things better than this.”

“Better than Paris? I didn’t know that was possible.”

“Oh, but it is.”

“Give me an example, then. Tell me one thing that’s better than Paris.”

“Home.”

“Home?” she laughed. “You think being home is better than Paris?”

“You’re surrounded by the people you love when you’re at home. It’s nice to go out on adventures, but there’s nothing quite like being with people who love you and who will always be there for you. Many people often forget that about home.”

They were silent for a while.

“What about you?” he asked. “What do you like?”

“Well,” she said slowly, “I quite like books.”

He laughed. “You think books are better than Paris?”

“Maybe. It just amazes me how mere words can do so much. They can make you cry and laugh. They can make you forget your troubles, even for just a little while.” A sad, wistful look crossed her face, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. She smiled faintly, then looked up at him.

“Wow,” he said softly. “You know what else is better than Paris?”

“What?”

“You.”

-----

{EWW. That was cheesy, I know. I was trying out some writing exercises while listening to music when a song from the film Hugo started playing. This was the result. I've also never, ever written cheesy romance-y things before, but people grow when they try things they've never, ever done before, so I thought I'd give it a go. I actually quite like how it turned out, even though I know one day I will look back at this and cringe.

What about you? What do you think? Constructive criticism is welcome!}