Blessed Imbolc Everyone!

Blessed Imbolc! Even though the weather was nice today I hear we're going to get a lot more snow soon. What else can you expect when the groundhog sees his shadow? Spring isn't too far away at least. Imbolc brings hope for nicer days where we can all go outside and not be cold in 10 minutes.

The Goddess Brigid is honored on this day. Boho Mom shared this link with everyone, and I would like to share it as well. It is a meditation to invoke Brigid. I plan on doing this tonight before bed. I also plan to leave an offering to the Fae, who are asked for blessings today.

Brigid is a Goddess of inspiration! I mentioned before that I was writing a lot this time last year. I found my journal and have the two short poems I wrote in honor of Imbolc. I'm shy about sharing my writings, but I have the feeling I should.

Warmth within,
Fire celebrated
To bring warmth out as well

Friends
In need
Require
Enjoyment

My first reaction is to say how much I dislike these. I don't though; I like them. And I like saying that I like them. Opening my eyes to how much I really do love writing for myself, that is what has happened today! I think I need to make more time for that. =)

Imbolc Past and Present

As you can see I changed my blog template. I was bored with the other one, and I like this one better!

So, Monday is Imbolc. I have no clue what I'm going to do for it, but that datebook I got had this recipe in it. It was easier to scan it than to type it up. I <3 my scanner/ printer/ copier! It makes life so much easier. I want to make this cake, but it's supposed to be a light grocery week so I may have to wait. Either way it sounds really good.



I remember this time last year I was writing tons in my journals, and I had bought a gold fish which I named Brigid after the triple goddess. There's no way I'm going to buy another gold fish. I can't keep any sort of fish alive for more than a month. xD I've been thinking about getting some kind of plant I can keep in my room, though. I have a bad record with plants, too, but I want to try again. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what kind of plant I should get? Something that's hard to kill preferably, and not poisonous to our cats who may sniff at it.

I may be writing less for pleasure, but I have been writing a lot for school. I'm always writing papers for my English classes, and now I have one to write about my future career. I'll be doing that today, hopefully I have time to make more of that chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough. Everyone in my family loves the cookies!

My Wish

Wednesday is wishcasting with Jamie! My wish this week is to create happiness in my own life and in the lives of others.

Snow Day! I've lost track of how many we've had, but we woke up to white stuff falling out of the sky this morning. It doesn't look like there is an end in sight either! I think everyone is getting cabin fever. I can't wait for February 20th when we leave to go on our first real family vacation. We'll be in Disney World, in Florida, where they call 70 degrees cold!

Let's hope the snow disappears soon, and the 70 degree days come further north. I'm going to have a nice snow day reading, doing homework, taking care of my nails, and pulling out some of that frozen cookie dough.

School Stuff

I love my new class schedule! World Religions is already my new favorite class, Conflict Resolution is going to be easy, but fun. Personal Finance is going to be difficult, but definitely worth taking, and I can't wait to begin cooking in Chefs! I found out that I got an A on my AP English exam, and an 82 on my French exam. I'm disappointed with myself for the French grade, but I could do worse than a B- on a French 4 midterm!

I feel like such a geek, but I really do love going to school. Learning is something I love. I know that there is a reason I'm taking the classes I'm taking. What I am being taught can be useful for my future. Still, how many teenagers do you hear saying "I like going to school."?

I have 7th period study hall this semester. So as long as I can find a ride home I can leave school a period early. I got a ride from Amy's mom today. I feel bad making her take me across town, though, so I need to work on getting my license! There are the same old problems I've had for months with getting my license, I just don't get to the 'city' enough to practice. I'm fine with in-town driving, but where I need to take the test is 30 minutes away and much more city-like. I'll figure out something. Having your license is a necessary if I want to get a job or go anywhere.

I think we're making chicken for dinner tonight, and having the fudge I made yesterday for dessert. Now that I am taking Chefs class I'll be doing a lot more cooking and have some new recipes to share!

Keeping a Positive Attitude

Yesterday marked the end of the 1st half of the school year! I ended 3 of my 5 classes, and on Monday I begin 4 new ones. I know 3 of my exam grades now, too. I got an A+ in World History, Business Law, and in Mythology! I still don't know my grades in AP English or in French, but I'll hopefully know on Monday.

Yesterday I made Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies. Suzie talked about them here, and I agree with her review! Can you say YUM? Not only were they easy to make, but there was so much dough I had to freeze some. I think my family will ask me to make them again. They were beyond perfect to satisfy the chocolate craving I had.

I wasn't in the best mood earlier for various reasons, one of them probably being the headache that just keeps coming back. Speaking of recipes, though, I read this and had to smile. If anyone hasn't read Ola! Moana yet, I suggest you do. It's a good reminder that you have to make you happy, and not wait for someone else to do it.

Show and Tell

I just wanted to update and share. I took my last two exams today! The first was AP English, which I wrote two pages for. We had to analyze how the language, point of view, imagery, and writing style influenced a poem. My specialty. Crossing my fingers, still! =) The Mythology final I took in the afternoon was my easiest one. I'm just glad the exams are over. At least until June.

Time for show and tell! lol My Aunt Jen gave me a book signed by one of my favorite authors. She's the one who introduced me to these vampire books, so she knows what I like to read. Kim Harrison write fantastic stories! To pay my aunt back I'm going to give her the last third of frozen almond cookie dough. Last time I gave her some of the cookies she couldn't stop eating them!

Congrats To All Americans!

Today during study hall/ lunch we watched the Inauguration. I know many of the people who read my blog aren't from the US, but it was an amazing speech. Even if Obama did start off kind of rocky with the oath, I think he is a wonderful and powerful speaker. I believe he will do a lot of good for America.



I got home kind of late, and I need to get up early, so I don't have time to read everyone's blogs tonight! I will read them when I get home tomorrow. =) By the way- I'm sure I did fine on my Business Law final, the French midterm I'm not so sure about. I didn't do horrible, though. Thanks for all the kind comments!

Wish Me Luck!

Today was Martin Luther King day, so we had no school! To me this translates as another day to study for and stress over my two most difficult exams. Tomorrow morning I have my Business Law final, I can't wait for it to be over. It's a "spill your guts" essay type exam, and we're allowed to use notes. I spent all day yesterday writing pages of hopefully-useful notes. In the afternoon I have my French midterm. This is the one I am most worried about. I know what to expect, but I never do well on French tests no matter how much I study. Wish me luck!

I didn't spend all day yesterday writing notes; I had to give myself a break sometimes! On one of those breaks I made some delicious almond cookie dough. So today after lunch I pulled out a frozen log of cookie dough and baked yummy cookies. No matter how many times I make and eat them, it always amazes me how good they taste fresh out of the oven. I think this batch was my best yet.

Yoga is working out great for me! Some of the stretches are harder for me, but that's because I am really not all that flexible. Doing them every day, though, will hopefully change that!

All in all it has been a good day. My cousin came over after work and we made her "Tastes Like Happy" chicken. I would love to share the recipe with you, but of course she won't let me. I've never understood why people don't like to share recipes... I have to go along with it though. I also felt like trying out a pizza dough recipe I found, but make it into garlic bread. It wasn't quite garlicky enough, but it was still good! I will find the recipe and upload a picture later, right now I feel like just going to bed.

There's More Than Books at Borders

Yesterday we took a trip to Keene! Yes, I drove. No, I do not want to talk about that. Anyway, in Keene is my favorite kind of store- a book store! We went to Borders where I got to spend that money I earned babysitting. I'm usually good at saving money; but when I want something and I have the cash for it in hand... it's hard to resist treating myself to a new book. I bought more than a book yesterday, though! I bought a beginner's yoga kit. It comes with everything I need, including an instructional DVD. On top of the box is the book that I did buy, The Mists of Avalon. We saw the movie in my Mythology class, and I want to read the book.



I began listening to my body more when I began Soul Coaching. I learned a lot in that month, but after it was over I got busy and only half listened. It's hard to ignore screaming, though! My body has been yelling at me and making me miserable. It keeps telling me I need to move around and do something. I am refusing to go outside in the cold weather and snow, so I needed to find a more indoor type of activity. I've wanted to learn yoga for a while... so voila! Perfect solution. =)

Where Did The Inspiration Go?

I just got done babysitting for the night. I brought my laptop with me in high hopes that the little boy would be asleep, but I had no such luck. He stayed up the entire time. And he's 1. If I had stayed at home I would have been asleep way earlier! I'm really an early to bed early to rise person... I'm tired. Or I was tired before I took a shower. Who knows how long I'll be up now? xD

I came to the conclusion today that I am like my laptop. I need to be unplugged from at least 4 different things before I can go anywhere, and plugged back in before I can do anything. I haven't been feeling creative in the least. When I'm not at school, working on scholarships, watching movies with my cousin, cleaning the house, cooking, or reading my latest murder mystery, I'm on the computer. I haven't been doing anything that inspires me to be creative. I used to write all the time! Poetry is one of my favorite things. I love reading it and writing it. The former inspires the latter.

I also haven't been a very outdoorsy person lately. When it isn't warm outside there are days when I won't even leave the house except to get into a car or onto the school bus. It makes me sad. I love being outside. Today I was outside putting bread out for the birds. I remembered a time when I would have been sledding, jumping into a snow pile, making a snowman, or just walking around. All in spite of the freezing cold weather. I don't even own a decent pair of snow boots anymore! I haven't tried on my old winter jacket either. I may not even own that, I think my sister has claims on it now. We have a ton of snow that I just won't play in. I want my care-free little girl to come out and inspire me again. There's no little whisper in my ear saying "Go on! Pile on the layers of clothes and just go outside! It'll be fun... you'll love it!" That whisper is gone.

Do I really think if I start reading poetry and playing outside that it will inspire me to be creative again? I don't know. It's worth a shot, though.