Back to School (and summer recap)

Summer is over. I don't know how it happened. But it did. Pardon me while I drown my sorrow in a cup of coffee. 

BEFORE I DO THIS THOUGH take note if you will, of the new design? It's not that big of a change, I guess. I just realized that all the black and white was a bit depressing. ((and i like arrows shhh)) 

At the beginning of summer, I made a goals list. Lets revisit that and see how I did. 

1. GET MY LICENSE

Hahahahahanope. I actually took the test but didn't pass, sadly. But my next test is in two weeks and I'm seriously hoping to get it then. 

2. GET MY BRACES OFF

Nope. 

I hate this. 

I hate braces, they will be the end of me.

3. WRITE. ALL. THE TIME.

I'm giving myself this one, because I actually did do a ton of writing this summer. Not as much as I wish I could have, but I need a win, I still have braces and I can't legally drive by myself I need a winnnnn.

4. RE-ORGANIZE MY ROOM

OKAY. This was supposed to be my big project this summer and I totally forgot about it until like three days ago. I did get rid of a bunch of stuff, though.

5. .........GET A JOB.......

I applied for a job at a cafe near my house, but they weren't hiring for summer and if I worked there during that fall it would have clashed with my school schedule. After that, summer was nearly half-way over, so I decided to hold off on getting a job until next summer. (PLUS it's Junior year, a really important year, so I want to focus on school.)

6. LEARN TO SURF

....I got in the ocean and there was a surf board next to me, but I didn't actually learn how to surf. So no.

Every summer I tell myself I'm going to learn to surf, and it never happens x).

7. WATCH CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER

Nope.

I watched Civil War.

And Finding Dory.

But not Winter Soldier. People have spoiled it so much for me anyway, so I'm not sure if I would enjoy it even if I did watch it.

8. START THE SECOND DRAFT OF MIETTE'S STORY

YESSSSS started and almost finished!!!

9. SPEND MOST OF MY TIME BY THE OCEAN

I went to the beach a lot, but to be honest, I didn't go super often. So I'm giving myself half credit. I NEVER went paddle boarding. That depresses me.

10. READ THE RANGERS APPRENTICE SERIES

Giving myself half credit on this one too, because I started it but didn't read the entire series.

(my brother got major obsessed with them though, I think he's almost through the series.)

11. GET RID OF THIS RIDICULOUS SOCK TAN

Another half-credit. The top of my feet tanned. But it still looks weird.

Well, that list somewhat depressed me. I actually did do stuff this year, I just didn't do stuff on my list. Which is unfortunate. 

I was thinking of setting Junior Year goals, but really, I doubt I'd do any of them. The school year always pulls me along, and never the other way around. I do however, have to take the SAT's, I'm shooting for really good grades this year, and I'm going to try to avoid letting chemistry take over my essence. 
So I guess those are goals. 

Summer was short. I wish it weren't over. This summer was filled with beach trips. Ice cream runs. Staying up late. Watching fireworks on the beach. County fair trips. Sunny days roofed with blue skies. Bare feet. Laughs. Music. Writing in the sand. Coffee. Dancing. Camp NaNo. Chasing little siblings down hotel hallways. Wading in the creek. Balancing on fences. Iced tea. Cardboard boxes. 


I wish it weren't gone. but who doesn't? I don't know if I'm ready for Junior year, but ready or not, I'm officially a Junior as of this coming Wednesday. 
Wish me luck :) 

Hope and what it's there for.

God is not Santa Claus. 

You can pray and pray and hope and hope for something for your whole life, and still it may not turn out the way you planned. Maybe you weren't ready. Maybe it wasn't time. 

I've learned that God never truly says "No". He says "Yes", "Not yet", or "I have something better in mind." 

I ran into this question the other day. It was a day I had hoped would go well, but didn't. My plans got thrown off, I got really stressed and nervous. And I found myself thinking, what's the point of hope if you just get let down in the end? 

Then I read Aaliyah's post on Burning Youth about hope. Hope is the light that tells you you will be okay in the end. Maybe not today. But someday. Someday things will be different. 

THAT'S hope. 

Hope isn't supposed to make your life perfect. It's not that if you hope for something it will work out. We have hope in God so that we are at peace with whatever happens. Because we know God is at work in our lives. Because we know we'll be okay, even if our hearts are heavy and bleeding, even if our eyes are wet with tears. 

And hope is a good thing to have. It may not always feels like it. But hope is "that little piece of your heart that says the light is coming." 

Don't lose that. 


xoxo
Abby

Eyes.

Those eyes that sparkle. 

Those eyes that never age. 

Those eyes that speak for themselves. 

Those eyes you can find patterns in.

Those eyes that brighten when you look at them. 

T h o s e  e y e s 



There are the eyes of the young, which have never seen evil, 
which have never been scarred or broken, 
which are attached to little smiles

There are the eyes of the old, 
which have seen it all. 

But eyes don't age, even if the person they belong to does. 

T h e r e  a r e  t h e  e y e s

The eyes that s c r e a m
The eyes that c r y
The eyes that s m i l e
The glass-like eyes that could shatter.

Even if your mouth tells a lie, your eyes will tell the truth. 
Your eyes will be louder
louder than words
louder than sound

So many broken eyes on happy faces. 
So many darkened eyes in troubled times

But my favorite eyes of all 
Are the ones that you see in someone looking at the ocean for the first time 
Or a waterfall 
Or the city lights at night
Or anything beautiful
The way the eyes glow
Taking it in.

Those are my favorite eyes.

Writing/Editing.

I have all these half-written posts. And yet here I am writing a completely different one and throwing those others [temporarily] out the window x). 

I apologize for being absent. August has been a whirlwind so far, but I'm baaaaaack, and I want to talk about writing. 

Since Camp NaNo ended, I've ditched writing my story. I open up the document, stare at it until I hate it, and close the computer. It's an endless cycle. 
BUT YESTERDAY I wrote. Old-fashion style, pencil and a notebook. It reminded me of when Leslie and I were little and would write stories for each other on our wooden desks in the afternoon light. 
It was a totally new plot idea, totally new characters, totally different everything basically. It was a random burst of inspiration. I guess after working on the same plot with the same characters for two years, it's good to take some breaks. 
Or maybe I'm just procrastinating. 
*shrugs* 

Basically, I HATE EDITING IT'S A PAIN! 
I'm in the process of writing the second draft of my story. It's long. And sometimes I think about throwing things. But I don't, instead I just pound my head against the keyboard. 

but this second draft is turning out soooo much better than the first, I can't even express how happy it makes me feel. 

Will there be a third draft? 
Who knows. 
Maybe not. But even if there isn't, I've never in my life been so committed to something like this before. I mean, I've worked on this forever! (two years=forever) I really had no idea I would take it this far. It kind of blows my mind a little because I'm the queen of starting something and not finishing it. 

Do you guys have any editing tips?? I would love to hear them if you do! 

Two. Years.

Two years ago today, Quills was born.
Y'all.
That's a long time.

I don't even know where to start. THANK YOU??? FOR EVERYTHING?? It means a lot to me that there are people who actually read this stuff I post, I know I'm not the most entertaining person ever, but a lot of you have stuck around which pleases me x) Keep up the comments and the everything.

So in honor of this celebration, I'd like to do something that has no relevance whatsoever to the celebration but it really cool so I'm doing it. 

I found this list of life advice [*cough* on Pinterest *cough*]. I thought it was really good and decided to share it with you guys. 

1. Have a firm handshake.

2. Look people in the eye.

3.Sing in the shower.

4. Own a great stereo system.

5. In a fight, hit first and hit hard.

6. Keep secrets.

7. Never give up on anyone. Miracles happen every day.

8. Always accept an outstretched hand.

9. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. Nobody can tell the difference.

10. Whistle

11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.

12. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90% of all your happiness or misery.

13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.

14. Only lend those books you never care to see again.

15. Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.

16. When playing games with children, let them win.

17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.

18. Be romantic

19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for the rare life-and-death situations, nothing is as important as it first seems.

21. Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments.

22. Be a good loser.

23. Be a good winner.

24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.

25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.

26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.

27. Keep it simple.

28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.

29. Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised by how many times you have to cross the same river.

30. Live your life so that your epitaph reads, No Regrets.

31. Be bold and courageous.

32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.

34. Take charge of your attitude. Don't let others change it for you.

35. Visit friends and relatives in the hospital. You only need to stay a few minutes.

36. Begin each day with your favorite music. 

37. Once in a while, take the scenic route.

38. Send lots of Valentine's. Sign them, Someone who thinks you're terrific.

39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.

40. Keep a notepad and pencil by your bed. Million-dollar ideas often strike at 3 AM.

41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, no matter how trivial their job.

42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.

43. Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.

44. Become someone's hero.

45. Marry only for love.

46. Count your blessings.

47. Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's house.

48. Wave at the children in the school bus.

49. Remember that 80% of success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.

50. Don't expect life to be fair.

Again, thank you EVERYONE WHO READS THIS!! This means a lot to me x) Thank you. 

Hello August!

WHAT. NO. IT WAS JUST JANUARY I SWEAR. 
I'm turning seventeen in a hundred and fourteen days. 
WHAT IS HAPPENING. 

JULY IN REVIEW

I don't want to do this, July is like *the* summer month!! And now it's over?? Maybe if I go hide in my solitary confinement cell and just read, listen to music, and sleep time will slow down. (It's rather strange, I've totally created a perfect solitary confinement cell for myself in my head. It would have consistent wifi, blankets, fluffy pillows, fuzzy socks, music, Netflix, tea, chocolate, and books. That's all I need to survive. It's a bit concerning.) 

One big milestone this month was I started driving on the freeway! And so far I've done great. Ish. I only squealed once and I was merging so it's understandable. I've also gotten better at driving while wearing flip-flops, which is just a whole separate skill. Because it's actually difficult to drive with flip-flops? But this is summer in California, all I wear is flip-flops! But I've gotten more used to it, which is good. 

ALSO. Camp NaNo. I met my word count goal, which was actually a relatively small goal because I write slowly. It was 30K. I drank an inordinate amount of tea this month.

First drafts, music, and a long-gone blended chai.
This sums up my month.

I was also sick for like half the month, which was unfortunate. One day I woke up around five AM and I was so tired that I drank coffee. Because tea just wasn't helping my poor sick self. So I got desperate and drank coffee. 
You know you're sick when tea gets purposefully thrown out the window and you resort to coffee. 

The other day we drove down to LA to go to a baseball game because the Red Soxs were in town....

Legit pano right there

Aaaannd selfies of me and my brother were necessary. 

The wackadoos

Sometimes I call him my little baby bro, but he's almost fourteen now. It's not fair. He can't grow, I forbid it. 



So talk to me; how was July from your perspective?