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On Tuesday morning, the "minor cold" I've had for several weeks decided to morph into a full-on sinus attack. Feeling like death itself, I stayed home from school on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday evening, deciding I could probably benefit from reviewing the material for the AP World History test on Thursday morning, I went to Mr. Turner's after-school review. It ended up being a complete waste of time. I happen to be a *terrible* studier. Focusing on a review book is just not my cup of tea. Soo... I ended up playing guitar for a couple hours, just so that when Mandy texted to make sure I was studying, I could honestly say I was... I mean, I didn't have to tell her *what* I was studying!

The AP World History test went surprisingly well. I don't want to get my hopes up too high, but I do think that I passed. Yay!

Right now, it is Friday morning and we are gassing up at the Flying J in Lenwood. These boating trips are incredibly traditional. Every trip, we get up ridiculously early and meet up at our Grandpa and Grandmum J's home. Then, we drive. No one is allowed to put on a movie until we hit the freeway. We stop for breakfast at the McDonald's in Lenwood. We drive. We reach the destination (usually either Mead or Mohave). We check in. We get the hotel room/motor home settled. We launch the boat. We drive around the lake, looking for a beach. We find a beach. We set up the shade tarp. All the adults sit down in their favorite chairs with a beer and no intention of moving the rest of the day. The teenagers bug my dad to take us skiing. He gives in. We ski for a couple hours. We get back to the beach. Everyone closes the tarp and chairs. We head back to the marina. We clean up. We have dinner. We sleep. For the next 3 days, repeat from "all the adults" to "sleep". I love it but it is extremely routine.

I don't know whether or not I'll have cell signal/internet connection once we reach the lake. If I do, I'll post as soon as we get there. Adios for now!

For Mandy and Bobby: Marta (the man), Marsha, and Squeegie

"Nooo! Marta! Escuchas! No tenemos tiempo!"

My fellow Spanish students are so very dense.

Dylan believed Bobby. Who does that? I mean, honestly, he is probably THE WORST liar I know. (Don't worry, Bobby, that's a good thing! It means you don't have much occasion to practice!) Supposedly, my name is actually "Marsha", but since that is such a wretched name, I prefer to go by "Kaitlyn"... Yes, someone actually believed that.

(Marta & Squeegie: there'll be more to come later)

esYay, t'siay niay igPay atinLay!

kayOay, 'allyay illway robablypay indfay histay eryvay nnoyingaay fteray whileay. ctuallyAay, ustjay ritingway neoay entencesay niay igPay atinLay siay nnoyingaay. uahahahahahahahahaMay! ouYay eesay, Iay appenhay otay ebay (bayeay ahay!) eryvay iredtay ndaay uiteqay uiltygay boutaay otnay ostingpay niay whileaay... Iay asway isteninglay otay "ibberishGay" ybay elientRay Kay ndaay asway nspirediay otay riteway niay ibberishgay orfay ymay extnay ostpay... oweverHay, Iay maay indingfay histay xtremelyeay orridhay ndaay illway ownay tartsay ypingtay niay omethingsay oremay ntelligibleiay:

Is this better? I think so at least... Heavens! Anyways, on to a subject that is at least slightly less bothersome... the weather! The past couple of days have been simply splendid! Just chilly enough for a sweater and a cup of tea and not 100 degrees like it was at the beginning of the week! I don't know about you, but I abhor hot weather. Warm is pleasant, cool is fantastic, but anything above 85 degrees is out of my comfort zone.



This was the view from the back yard yesterday... now if only that were London Fog and this really were a castle... Actually, I've heard that castles are quite drafty... maybe not the best place for me, who seems to be cold *all the time*. Bother. I suppose that's what long-sleeved gowns are for?

I was reading Jonathan's blog this afternoon and realized that I had not posted anything at all about the Easter play! If I haven't already raved to you about why the Easter play is so fantastic, you can read his post about it since it pretty much sums it all up. (Philosophic Minstrel's latest post "Resurrected Drunken Pirates: Reflections on Holy Week")

There's just a bit of the craziness...

Alright, I really didn't have much to say today... perhaps I'll post again later this weekend whilst avoiding the STAR Test Prep...

P.S. Just in case y'all were wondering, I do, in fact, have all of the lyrics (gibberish included) memorized to that song...

P.P.S. If ANYONE has a suggestion for my 16th birthday party, please let me know!!! Mum is starting to do more than threaten and I need to come up with somehthing quick!

I realized that I have not exactly been focusing my mind on the good lately. I have been veering toward the negative, cynical side of my nature; that side that is to be denied. Going through my recent blog posts, every one seems to be negative or dark or weary. In Paul's letter to the Philippians he wrote:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." – Philippians 4:8

Recently, I was conversing with a dear friend about our "very most favorite things". As I started thinking about it, I remembered back to last year when Meaghan and I, not paying as much attention as we should have been in Science class, decided to exchange a list of our favorite things. (Daniel, you might remember something about that.) We passed a note back and forth for several days, simply writing down ridiculous things that made us happy. To remedy the negativity of my recent posting habits, I've decided to start a list, much like the one Meagh and I wrote last year. Y'all are welcome to post your own lists of "very most favorite things" in the comment box! Here are a few of mine:

Jesus (Sunday school answer!), the Trinity (the more accurate description), relatable Bible verses, glassy water, blue skies with thunder clouds on the horizon, warm feet, soft blankets (can y'all tell I'm sitting on my bed whilst I type this?), crunching leaves, stale peeps (the candy, not the slang term for friends), loud music, background noise, crowds, psycho-analysis, utter silence, Mike Huckabee, old pictures, big hugs, that new book smell, yarn between my hands, dynamic piano music, new good-smelling shampoo, a kitchen warmed by a baking oven, fresh cookies, hot tea that burns your tounge, antique headboards, English gardens, Socratic Circles, heated discussions, fingerless gloves, MY freshly shaved legs (haha, Daniel!), and Meaghan's too (David!), pens with flowing ink, aching fingers, red lipstick, Converse Chucks, big sweatshirts, Disney movies, British accents, good books (though they are a rarity), Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (the hero from Pride and Prejudice, Steven!), water skis, flowery language, great quotes, un-scented lotion, warm sunshine, rainy days, a single lamp being turned on, flowy-skirts, dear friends, long lists!

Though I doubt many of you took the time to read through all of that, those are a few of my most favoritest things! I encourage you this week to really think about those things that make you really and truly happy. Not necessarily silly things like most of what I mentioned above, but what brings you honest to goodness joy.

Babblings of an Insomniac

I cannot sleep. Over the course of Spring Break, I have gotten into the habit of going to bed at 10:30-11ish. Quite a good habit to get into when in need of sleep. However, I find that tonight sleep escapes me. It is a night when everything seems to be against my getting any rest. There is a cricket chirping outside my window whose lullaby, usually so sweet, is nothing but grating to my ears. He will go quiet and then, just as soon as I think myself ready to forgive his former annoyance, start up as loudly and persistently as cricket-ly possible. My glow-in-the-dark Converse, whose faint glow generally causes no trouble, nag at the peripherals of my vision, even with eyes shut tight. Try as I might to push thoughts from my conscious mind, they crowd back with a vengeance, vying for space to parade before my eye-lids and remind me of all that needs to be done. I suppose forcing the mind into a quiescent state works against itself. The sheep have departed, most probably fatigued from jumping the fence so many times. I don't blame them. They were getting over-worked.

Wandering wraith-like through the house does me no good, serving only to remind me of my solitude at an hour so late. The deathly quiet permeates into my very being; I no longer know if I remember how to make a noise. The clicking of knitting needles does not soothe a restless spirit. Nor does the muffled ruffling of turning pages. The hum of the computer sitting atop my lap and the constant clicking of keys is doing naught but increase my growing headache. And yet, what else is there to do when the rest of the house is sleeping? Hot tea, an all-curative, requires the whistling of a kettle. Musical instruments are quite obviously sonant. Mindless television is a waste of time, whether there is time to be wasted or not. Be there any cure for an insomniac?

I find myself complaining about being awake. Or, if complaining is the wrong word, lamenting works just as easily. Perhaps I should veer to a more light-hearted subject? How about guitar chords? Yes, yes. I think that shall suit just fine... Of late, I have been playing the guitar more oft than usual. I find it not only a calming release, but also a useful instrument. Mandy mentioned to me several months ago that she greatly enjoyed playing worship songs because she found that the chord progressions generally fit the way they were to be sung. I now find this statement to be entirely accurate. With most songs containing the same chords, worship music seems an excellent (and simplistic) form of praise, any time or place. "Enough" and "God of Wonders" have quickly become two of my favorites. If only I could learn to play piano chords! hmph. Though I love the piano, its soft tone and delicate airs, powerful harmonies and underlying rhythm, I'm surprisingly finding the guitar much easier to pick up. Unfortunately, no instrument is at the moment anything near a priority compared to this last quarter of Sophomore year.

Let it be over! I realize that I am only a Sophomore and should be enjoying high school; reveling in being a teenager and not yet having to start a career or pay taxes. However, I find myself longing for adult-hood. (And no, not just to vote President Obama out of office.) High school grows monotonous and insipid. It seems to be only an interim period before life can start and I can "go my own way", so to speak. Okay, I realize I am making absolutely no sense now. Just let it be known that I would graduate tomorrow in a heartbeat and let it be done with if given the chance.

This post is getting quite long... Meaghan will probably have given up reading several paragraphs ago. For the sake of my readers, I shall be done. Wish me luck! I'm off to once again attempt to slip into a peaceful slumber... I don't have too high a hope.

For Meagh: French Pop

Because Miss Meaghan Henderson laughs at my more serious blog posts, I figured I might appease her and post something truly random and entirely without purpose. This one's for you, Meagh...

This music video is from the French pop duo "Archimède". As it's in French, I have no clue what they're singing about and couldn't find a translation online, but it's actually quite catchy in an odd sort of way... The video itself is rather clever, take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-SaOAx5lsw

Oh, and on the subject of Meaghan... I SCORED 100 POINTS AHEAD OF HER ON THE STAR TESTS! 535 vs. 435/600!BEAT THAT MEAGH! (just to prove the point that you will undoubtledly make on your own blog about how I was rubbing it in all day) Love ya! Even if I can blow you out of the water in English... ;)

Heavy Eye-lids Begging to Slam Shut

****Warning: This post is highly Schizophrenic! If you're not used to following my rather random train of thought, you may get lost along the way! You have been warned...****

Being condemned to the life of a California public school student is truly a punishment never to be wished upon even the most heinous of sinners. Today, the entire Sophomore class (and those very few unlucky Juniors who were unable to pass last year) took the CAHSEE exam. I must say that the California High School Exit Exam was the easiest test I have ever taken. To be quite honest, I could have finished the entire thing within the confines of second period had there not been those horrible "STOP"s within the test. Who needs break when you can finish and get it over with? Fortunately, however, it got us all out of the first three periods of the day and a good portion of the fourth... Meaghan and I constantly compete to be the first finished. No matter what test it is, we always seem to be in subconcious competition. Silly, we both know, but we can't help it! Anyways, this time around, Meagh and I (who were sitting directly next to eachother) slowed down in order to miss more of fourth period... Y'all can't really blame me for that one! I have Shibuya fourth! The insane math teacher who wishes he could teach Ethics but is too wrapped up in pointing out people's faults to really teach much of anything! Okay, the Shibuya rant can wait for later... Back to Meaghan and I... We both watched Mandy for a cue on when to turn the page to slow us down, but she was *too* slow! We actually ended up turning pages with Maggie, finishing everything on them, and then sitting there and waiting... and waiting... and waiting... then repeating the process. What fun!



As I was sitting in Phys. Ed. today, I noticed something that greatly discouraged me. I had the misfortune of getting stuck just in front of a group of the more questionable Freshman and having to listen to their extremely loud conversation about what they had done last weekend. One girl (who we will name Lilith, as I know no one else of that name) was talking about how she had a party at her house to smoke some weed while her parents were gone. Lilith then proceeded to tell the world about all of the ridiculous things she and her druggie friends did while they were high, as though she should be given a medal of honor for her deeds! This led me to compare my life with hers... This past weekend, I spent time with my friends at church; learning about the Peace of the Lord and praying for one another. Her definition of "fun" and mine were completely different. My soul mourned for this girl who was so obviously lost in the world... I found myself praying for Lilith, a girl I hardly know and have never seriously spoken to, asking for her eyes to be opened to the Light. And you know what? It happens all the time. Not a day goes by that I don't see some one like Lilith, completely oblivious to the fact that they don't need the things of this world to bring them happiness... that they can have Divine Joy in our Lord, Jesus Christ. This all reminded of me of a specific Psalm I had read the other day. Psalm 119 to be precise. It is much to long to post in entirety here, but when you get the chance, look it up! It is my prayer...

As you can probably tell, I have been weary lately. Not only physically tired, but mentally and spiritually as well. Matthew 11:28-30 has been my constant encouragement... Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Weary and burdened? That's me!! Rest for my soul? Sign me up!! At times though, it is so so very difficult to find that rest... that peace that He promises. It requires complete surrender; a total laying down of all of our worries at His feet and an *acceptance* of His rest... Hey guys, would you please remember me in your prayers this week? There are some things that I just can't let go of... that I have not yet left entirely up to our Maker... Luke 14:26-27

There Has Been a Conversion!

Don't worry, I haven't converted to Cullenism or anything (keep trying Mandy!). I've simply converted my blog, Lovely Insanity, from Wordpress to Blogger! You see, using up to four different blogging websites to view all of my friends blogs was getting a little ridiculous. And, as I couldn't really ask them to all change to Wordpress, I decided to convert mine so I wouldn't be pulling up so many web-pages all the time...

I've added music (that you may or may not be a fan of). It comes on automatically when you open my blog so, if you would like to Pause/Change the Song/Turn it Off, scroll down to the playlist on the bottom.