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!}

He Loves Me

Around a week or two ago, I went through a really rough time. In a way, though, I'm almost glad it happened. Through it, I was able to experience God's love in such a deep and personal way. I am so awed and humbled that the powerful and amazing God, seeing the darkest parts of me, would love me anyway. I could go into detail here about what the situation was, how I felt, etc., but none of it matters, and I would probably end up feeding you with so many words that you'd miss the point. So all I'm going to say is this: I am not worthless. I am not a mistake. I don't need makeup, or boys, or nice clothes, or praise from others to know that I'm beautiful. And, really, those things don't measure beauty at all. I am beautiful, simply and entirely because God, the creator of heaven and earth, made me. Sometimes I look at myself and hate what I see, but God looks at me and sees His beloved daughter, whom He created and redeemed. He loves me, and that is all I could ever want or need.

From a Versatile Blogger

 

I was awarded with the Versatile Blogger award by Kayla from Adventures with Kayla; Ysabella from Ciao Ysabella; Jodie from Heart Strings; and Arielle from Spaceship to Infinity! Thanks, guys! :)

The rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their site.
2. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.
3. Nominate 7 fellow bloggers that you've recently discovered or follow regularly and include a link to their site.
4. Let them know that you have nominated them. 
5. Share 7 random facts about you. 

 The 7 facts:

1. God-willingly, I'm going to study graphic design in post-secondary school and become either an art director for a magazine or a freelance graphic / web designer. :)
2. I feel like people have such high expectations of me just because I tell them I like art.
3. If I could re-live any part of my life, I would definitely go back to when I was 10-13. That was such an awkward and cringe-worthy time in my life, and there are few things I wouldn't give to fix the mistakes I made then. 
4. Although it would be awkward at first, I much prefer speaking with people face to face instead of through a screen.
5. Sometimes I like certain things just because people don't. Or I start to lose interest in something just because a lot of people like it. #truehipster #justkidding
6. I am the worst procrastinator in the history of mankind.
7. I love people who can make me laugh.

The nominees:
I'm going to change the rules a bit and nominate you. Yes, you. If you are reading this and you would like to participate, you are tagged! Leave me a comment below so I can read your post. Have fun! :)

Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, I wanted to do something different.

So I bought some erasers,

{pardon my photography skills} 

some lollipops,

 

some chocolate,

 some stickers

some candy,

 

printed a little message,

 

 wrote cards,

 and put them all in little bags.

 

 Then I went around our neighborhood and dropped them in my neighbors' mailboxes.

And you know what? I discovered that once in a while it's good to turn the tables. It's good to give instead of receive. I spent some of my own money and a lot of my time for people I don't know very well, and I know I won't receive credit for it. But today is a day that celebrates love, and part of love is doing nice things for people, even if it requires a lot of work on your part and even if you get nothing in return. So I encourage you to do just that. Do something nice for someone and don't expect anything back. I promise you, it'll be absolutely worth it. :)

Breakthrough (I've Returned)

Bonjour, tout le monde! I have returned!
Now, before anything else, here is a list of what has happened recently and what is to come soon:
Un) I’ve decided to retain Footprints on the Moon. As some of you said, it does have a somewhat whimsical feel to it that I’d hate to give up. Also, I’ve mentioned that FOTM doesn’t feel like me because I’m not inspiring anyone yet, but I realized that I want to rise to the challenge of blogging with that goal. (And thank you to those who said that I already have inspired people! That really encouraged me.)
Deux) With a new year comes a new look. I hope you all like the updated blog design. Don't forget to grab a blog button! :)
Trois) I would like to apologize to everyone who emailed me a month or two ago regarding ad swaps and header designs. I must have sounded rather snobby to refuse, at that time, simple blogging requests. I will be getting back to you soon, if I haven’t already. Thank you for your patience!
Quatre) I finished my final exams last January 29th. Now, I have officially entered high school (also known as Grade 10 in America and Third Year in the Philippines)! I am now at the stage of life where I will begin to work more and drive more and start to plan for college. Truth be told, I am terrified and I feel so old. But it’s also quite exciting too.
Cinq) Speaking of old, it is now 2013, which means that I am turning sixteen later this year. Six-freaking-teen. I know that some of you are already in (or done with) college, so sixteen is still quite young. But it really feels like only yesterday when I was eleven and crushing on Joe Jonas or when I was thirteen and moved to a different country so...holy cow, I feel very old.
Six) The hiatus has been good for me. I was able to step back for a bit and clear my head, and it has been unbelievably refreshing. With exams finally over and done, as well as the start of a new year, I’m ready to turn the page and begin a new one. (And now I come to the late new year message part where I share my word of the year. You ready? Here it is.)

 

B R E A K T H R O U G H

a significant advance, development, or achievement that removes a barrier to progress

{dictionary.com}

For years, I’ve made plans and goals for my life, but again and again I failed to accomplish them. This 2013, I will break through my past failures. With God's help, I will be kind, I will be patient, I will be productive, I will be thankful, I will finally begin to grow into the person He made me to be. This task will be difficult, I know. It will be slow at first. There will be trying times and mundane times and everything else in between. But my God can do anything, and He will be my strength.

As I start out on this little journey, I would like to invite you to come along. It won't always be pretty, and it won't always be exciting, but it will be real. And I wholeheartedly believe that it will be worth it.

I hope you all have an awesome day. It's really good to be back. :)



Hannah G.