An End to Another Great Month

Dear World,

So November’s nearly over, and I will miss it. It’s been a lot of fun despite the stress- exams, NaNoWriMo and normal daily stress. But my exams are over, I’ve finished NaNoWriMo and my life seems a bit less stressful.

What, sorry? You didn’t hear that? I said I FINISHED NANOWRIMO. That’s right, baby. Hit my word count, but the so try’s not quite finished yet. I’ve still got a few ends to tie up then I’ll be finished. To anyone who’s still competing keep going! How’re you doing? Don’t give up yet!

So now that November is over, December is creeping up. And that means CHRISTMAS TIME! (Can you tell I’m excited?!) Next weekend we’re getting our tree and starting our Christmas movies. Before that, we have to finish off Star Wars. We watched the Empire Strikes Back yesterday, so only have one more to go! We’re in a rush to get it finished before TOR is released, which my brother and dad are very excited about. I’m excited for Skyrim. Once TOR starts, my brother will be so busy playing I’ll be allowed to borrow his copy. Dragon slaying, here I come!

This Wednesday, I’m off because my teachers are striking. They’re striking because the government are making their pension smaller and making them work longer for it. To be honest, I hope they get what they want- i don’t want to be taught by some creepy old teacher who hasn’t got to their pension yet. That would be weird. *shudders*

How’s everyone doing? Good, I hope. And I hope you all have a great week!

Love Parneaus.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear World,

As you probably know, this weekend is Thanksgiving weekend, and Thursday is Thanksgiving. I spent this weekend with my family, celebrating and giving thanks.
My granny comes from Georgia in America, so has passed down American traditions to us.  Even though we all live in Northern Ireland and nearly all of us were born here, we celebrate Thanksgiving every year. I love it, because it’s a really good holiday, and it really makes you sit back and think about the good things in your life. Also, once Thanksgiving is over, you know Christmas is really soon!

We woke up yesterday morning and started to get everything ready. Mum started making mashed potato and mashed carrot and parsnip. Erin helped her peel and chop up everything, while I helped my dad and brother tidy the house.
When we were all ready to go, we got into the car and drove down to Carrickfergus where my granny and granddad live.  Soon, everyone began to arrive; my aunties and uncle and my cousins. One of my cousins brought his two sons, Joel (5) and Aidan (8 months). They were so adorable!
Not everyone was there, sadly. My cousin Debi was in India with her friend, and my aunty, uncle and cousins live in Hawaii so obviously couldn’t make it.

Everyone brought their own food for us to share, and soon we had a massive feast. Here’s a picture of my dinner plate:

After dinner was dessert- homemade brownies, pecan pie and pumpkin pie! It was gorgeous, and I was so obsessed with the pecan pie that I had to steal the recipe off her!

After that we all just chilled. We talked about what we were thankful for and caught up with everyone. We had a Skype call with the ones in Hawaii and had a nice chat about how everyone was doing. I hadn’t seen anyone in a good year, so it was great to see everyone.

I also found out some really great news. My cousin Keyley, who lives in Hawaii, is coming over to Northern Ireland next year! She’ll be staying for 3 months, and I’ll get to see her! I’m so excited, because I haven’t seen her in the flesh in four years. It’s going to be awesome! Next year is going to be a good year, I can feel it!

Here’s some more pictures of what our Thanksgiving was like:

Joel and I with our breadstick 'staches

Little Aidan playing on the iPad >.<

So that’s what my Thanksgiving was like. HOw did you spend your weekend? Did you celebrate thanksgiving? Drop us a comment below and even send me some pictures, and tell me all about it! I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love, Parneaus xo

PS: NaNowriMo Update: I’m sitting on just over 75% of my word count finished! Very excited, I can see the finish line! I’ve really enjoyed it this year; and if you’re competing too, good luck!

NaNoWriMo, Skyrim and November

Dear World,

Sorry I’ve been away for so long! I’ve been super busy at the minute, but I’m back for a quick post. How are you all? Excited for Christmas? I know I am!

So it’s now November, Autumn is well underway and Winter is slowly creeping in too. I’m hoping it’s going to snow soon, because I adore snow! Out of all the seasons, Autumn and Winter would be my favourite, especially Autumn. I love layering up, kicking leaves on my way home from school, snow and Christmas.

These days, it’s been dark most of the day and I’ve either been cooped up inside with hot chocolate and good book, or I’ve braved the cold and went outside. Today’s picture is the colour of the sky this morning. I took it when I was out with the dog; the colours were too nice to not take a picture. I love Autumn!

I was off for Halloween two weeks ago, and got up to quite a lot. Halloween isn’t really my thing, so I didn’t dress up or go to any parties. I did go to my cousin’s engagement party though, which was very fun.

NaNoWriMo is well under way, and I’ve been having lots of fun writing Noah and Delilah. I hit halfway a couple of days ago, so now I’m steadily moving towards my finishing goal. I’ve had a lot of fun this year, even though I’ve been writing less. It feels really good to be writing again, because I want to and not because I have to.

Writing my novel so far has been easy enough, especially with the help of my new favourite help book: How NOT to Write Your Novel. It’s very funny and really helpful, and it’s been my sort of NaNoWriMo bible in a way!

Another big thing that happened this month was the release of Skyrim. I was mega excited about it, as I am an avid fan of The Elder Scrolls games. I played Morrowind as a child and was obsessed with Oblivion.

So far I’ve only watched my dad play Skyrim as I’ve been too busy studying to actually play, but I’m getting my own copy for the XBOX for Christmas. I can’t wait- having magic in one hand and a longsword in the other? Dragons, bring it on!

At the minute, I’m doing my exams. The one good thing about my school is that we do Christmas exams in November, which means that December can be spent looking forward to Christmas (yippee!)

This week I have a Biology test, a Maths test, an English controlled assessment and an RS test. After that, I’m basically done with my tests, thank goodness!

Lastly, here is a picture of a slug I took a little while ago. He’s cute isn’t he? I love him, he was the coolest colours- mustard yellow with patches of black. I think I’ll call him Sheldon- Sheldon the Slug. I hope he cheers up your Monday!

That’s it from me for now. Enjoy your week everyone!

Love, Parneaus

A Great Week

Dear World,
How are you all? Doing well, I hope.
I’ve had a great week. It started off with school being off for Staff Development Training on Monday and Tuesday. Monday was spent in Belfast on a shopping spree with my friends, and Tuesday was spent going into charity shops with other friends.
On Wednesday I was back in, but I kept my head up by reminding myself that it was only a 3 day week. I worked hard, then on Friday afternoon, I was free!
Friday night, I went to the cinema to se the Lion King in 3D. It is a childhood favourite of mine and I absolutely loved it; I cried and sang along and cheered. At the end, I sat and applauded while my friends tried to make me leave. I walked home humming Hakuna Matata to myself and received a lot of strange looks from passers-by.
On Saturday night I was at Youtch Club, and Sunday was spent chilling, doing homework and watching Star Wars. And now it’s after nine and I’m settling down and getting ready for bed. I’m shattered but happy.
At the minute, I’m preparing for NaNoWriMo. Never heard of it? You can check out their website here. I’m doing the Young Writer’s Program, as I don’t have the time this year to do the whole 50,000 word challenge. I think I’m going to settle for 25,000 words.
The novel I’m writing is going to be called ‘Noah and Delilah’. I thought up the two names a while back when I was writing an English assignment, and wanted to include them in something ever since.
Is anyone else doing NaNoWriMo? If you are, good luck! Send me your Username and we can be ‘Writing Buddies’.
Have a good week, everyone!
Love, Parneaus

Working Hard.

Glass Bottles and Flowers

Dear World,

The workload in school is really beginning to pile on, and as October looms in the distance the talk of Controlled Assessments and exams is becoming more and more frequent.
I’m fine though, in a way it is good to be back. I’m really enjoying my languages, IT and Journalism at the minute. English is tough, and there’s a lot of work involved, but slowly it’s becoming less painful to endure. Maths is hard too, but I like my teacher so I’m working hard for her.
I’m trying to keep my head in the present, not thinking about universities, jobs and the big bad world lurking outside school. If I start to think about it I just make myself feel sick and worried.
For a while I was unsure about whether I was going to go to university and what I wanted to do in life. I still don’t really know much, but I’ve stopped worrying about it for now. The future can wait, if only for a little while.
At the minute I’ve taken to collecting glass objects. I’m collecting bottles and perfume bottles, and setting them along my windowsill. They’re quite pretty, sitting on my windowsill, all different colours and shapes and sizes. So far, I haven’t got much, only a couple of bottles, but I hope to collect more and make a little collection of unique looking bottles.
Today’s photo is of a glass coke bottle that I filled with my mum’s lilies. I think it looks kind of cool, so I put it on here to show you all. Any ideas for other things I could do with the objects?
I’ve got to go, got some German vocab to study. Have a great day tomorrow, and remember to be happy! You’re alive, that’s enough to make you smile.
Love, Parneaus xx

The trees are on fire.

Dear World,

These past few weeks have been weird, crawling out of my summer routine and being thrown into waking at six and going to bed at ten.Summer feels like a distant memory yet I still miss it so much.

I’d been spending some time feeling sorry for myself, because I was working and I missed freedom and my friends. Then I told myself to wise the hell up.

You know why? Because if I don’t work my ass off this year, I’m not going to get anywhere in life. If I don’t give my all and get the grades I want, I’m going nowhere. And the thought of that makes me feel sick to my stomach.

So instead of sitting moping over my homework’s because I wasn’t free anymore, I told myself to wise up. And I came up with a new mindset: work hard for five days and then I’ll have the weekend. Two and a half days of whatever stupid stuff I want to get up to. Two and a half days that are mine.

So that’s my new mantra: “I’ll do this now, then it’ll be the weekend.” I’ll work and I’ll earn myself my weekends. And when it gets to the weekend, the taste of freedom will be more tangible and sweeter than ever, because I’ll have earned it.

Today’s picture is a leaf, slightly brown and curled at the edges. I took it yesterday when I was outside. One of my favourite things about September is the fact that it’s beginning of autumn. The leaves begin to turn into various shades of flame, making the trees look alive with fire as you pass them. I like to walk home and step on the leaves, giving a satisfied smile as I hear the quiet crunch, crunch, crunch below my feet.

Another thing I love about September is the change in weather and clothes. There’s nothing better than getting home and sitting in your comfy jumper. In some ways I can’t wait until Winter, with jumpers and hot chocolate and crappy TV.

Here’s another picture I took to cheer up your Monday. It’s of grass, because everybody loves grass; well, apart from people with hay fever…

What are you doing right now? I’m revising for a biology test on cells. Call me nerdy, but I’m actually really enjoying it; out of all the sciences, biology was always my favourite. After that I’ve got to revise for Journalism and do my English homework. Oh the joys of school…

I hope you all had a good Monday, and I hope tomorrow is a great day for you too. Enjoy your week!

Love, Parneaus

It’s My Birthday!

My sister's artistic present for me!

Dear World,

It’s six o’clock on a Friday morning, and my sister and I are sitting side by side on my bed, looking rather excited. Why? Because it’s my birthday!

I woke up at six this morning and accidentally woke my sister up. She jumped out of bed and said, “It doesn’t matter, I have something for you anyway.” She then reached into her art box and pulled out a big green sheet of paper. On it had a drawing of me and the words happy birthday in rainbow writing. The picture for today is that sheet of paper- I love it so much!

I’m fifteen today, and I’m celebrating with a cinema trip and a sleepover with my five best friends. We’re going to see the Inbetweeners Movie, then coming back to mine for pizza, ice cream, gossip, secrets and banter. I really, really, can’t wait! I’ll tell you how it went tomorrow, but until then I’ve got school and then IT’S FRIDAY!

Have a great day, buy yourself a Crunchie and don’t forget to smile and laugh a lot. It is Friday after all!

Love Parneaus xx

Rainshine

Rainshine- When sun shines through the rain

Dear World,

It’s Monday, it’s 6 in the morning, it’s pouring with rain. And I have to walk to school in it.
What a nice start to the week, eh?
I’m now starting my first full week of school, and already it feels like I was never off. The work load has already begun, and I spent most of yesterday doing some form of homework.
Of course, I haven’t totally lost my freedom. Saturday was spent in Belfast looking at bridesmaid dresses (I’m going to be a bridesmaid at my cousin’s wedding) and afterwards was spent with my friends.
We did our usual of lazing around, laughing and talking, playing football and having pile-ons. (For those of you who don’t know what a pile-on is, it’s where someone lies down on the ground and everyone else lies on them, like a human sandwich).
And then of course there was yesterday. I sat on Facebook chat while I did some of my homework, and then at around two I went outside. We all hung around until a quarter to five, when it first started raining. Then I had dinner, and did more homework.
At seven o’clock, it was still raining, and my friend Olivia and I were fed up with being indoors. So we pulled on our hoodies and converse and just went outside.
The rain was so heavy it was bouncing back up at us as we walked, and we were soaking. But in the distance we could see the sun, and we knew the rain would end soon. That’s what today’s top picture is; Olivia facing the sun and the rain.
So we stuck it out until it gave up, then got everyone else out and pushed each other in puddles until we had to go in. Here’s another photo I took that I liked:
Once I got in, I did my French homework, packed my bag and went to bed, feeling satisfied that I’d got a little taste of my freedom back that weekend.
Today, I’ve got Biology (yay!) Maths (Ew.) IT (YAY!) PE (Meh.) German (yay!) and Journalism (YAY!). Not too bad a day, especially Journalism.
I’ve been to Journalism twice and still haven’t met my teacher. He’s always been busy, or away. But hopefully today we’ll meet him and get started on one of the only courses I’m looking forward to.
I’m also kind of excited for PE. Normally I hate PE, especially if it’s hockey, but this year is different. This year you can choose to do a Self-Defence course. But if you don’t do it you do Track.
When I heard that, my decision was made instantly. Track! And hour and ten minutes of running? Any day! It’ll be even better if they just let us run and do our own thing.
I’ve got to go now. Have a happy Monday (if that’s possible). I’ll write soon, promise!

Love, Parneaus

The End and the Beginning.

Just some of my school stuff...

Dear World,

August is heaving its last few breaths, and September is looming above my head. This can only mean one thing; summer is over and school has begun.

I started school yesterday. I’m in 4th year now, and I am starting my GCSEs. This year, they moved around the form classes, and I was split up from my normal group of friends. It was hard to walk away from them into a class full of strangers, but we still sit together at break and lunch.

For my GCSEs I’m taking English Lit., English Language, Maths, Additional Maths, RS, Biology, French, German, ICT and Journalism. I’m definitely more of an English and languages person, so my subjects really suit me.

I took GCSEs that are different to some of my friends, so we only share a few classes together. One thing I’m happy about though is that I share a German class with my best friend. Those few German periods will be some of my favourite classes.

So far, I’ve only been to a few classes, and already the pressure of work is building up. The words ‘exams’, ‘effort’ and ‘good grades’ are just replaying over and over in my head like a broken record.

Honestly, I do enjoy working and gaining more knowledge, but even I feel as if I’ve been thrown in the deep end this year. I’m not ready for all this just yet.

We’ve got new ties this year to show we’re in middle school, but I just feel like I’m kidding myself; I’m just a 3rd year walking about in a big girl’s tie.

I got home this afternoon, hungry, tired and stressed. When I get super stressed, I go to my bathroom. I share a room with my sister, so there’s no point in going there for privacy.

Everything is quiet in my bathroom, and the air smells clear and clean. I go in there to be alone and figure out my thoughts. Sometimes I sit against the door holding my knees to myself, and I just stare at the patterns on the window. Other times, I sit on the toilet and lean my head against the cool metal of the sink. I close my eyes, breath out and let go. When I’m ready to face the world, I simply unlock the door and step back into reality.

So today I sat in my bathroom for a while, collecting my thoughts, then I came back to my room, switched on my laptop, and this is where I am now.

I’m going to try to write more and more regularly. I’m waking up at six every morning so I have an hour to do my own thing before getting ready for school, and I think I’m going to spend this time writing blog entries, poetry and walking my dog. Anything that will wake me up, calm me down and brace me for the day.

But, enough about me. How was your summer? Are you back at school or work yet? What did you have for breakfast this morning? Tell me about your day, I’d love to hear about you.

I hope you all had a great Wednesday. Enjoy your evening, and have a good day tomorrow! And don’t forget to smile (:

Love, Parneaus xo

You Don’t Know Me Yet.

Dear World,

Hello again. How are you? I hope you’re okay.

This morning I realised that we are strangers to each other. I don’t know much about you, and you don’t know much about me. All you’ve seen of me is a few letters and some photographs, and that’s only like taking a short peek around a corner. You don’t really know me at all, do you?

If we’re going to go on, you’re going to have to know me. I guess you could visit my About Me page, but it’s a little vague too. Instead, I’ve made a list. A list of ten facts that make up a little bit of what is me. So without further ado, here are ten things you should know about little old me:

1. I love music, especially when it’s loud. If it’s not blaring out my window, it’s blaring through my headphones. Music sounds so much better when it’s loud; if I could, I would have it so loud that the bass would be vibrating my floor and the beats would be so heavy it’d be like a kick in the face. Sadly, I live in a street where not everyone appreciates my loudness, so normally I have my music turned down to an appropriate level… sort of.

2. I have a slight obsession with Zelda and Mario. Oh, and The Elder Scrolls series. I was born into a family of gamers and from a young age I’ve been brought up through various video games.

2. I'm obsessed with Mario.

3. I love movies. My dad is a huge movie fan, and has passed the love of cinema to us, his kids. I especially love French films (mainly because I’m in love with France) or films that make you think. I adore the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I hate Twilight.

4. In my spare time, I write books and daydream. Sometimes I narrate what I’m doing in my head like I’m in my own story book. Then I’d daydream about what might happen next. I have a pretty quirky imagination and spend most of my time in my own dreamland. It sounds pretty crazy I know, but I guess that’s just me.

5. I’m a passionate person. I tend to fall pretty quickly, and when I hit the ground it hurts a lot. But it’s okay, I always have people around who pick me up, brush me off and help me on my way. Some people think I’m a bit dramatic, and maybe I am. They think I feel too much, that I have too much emotion, but I don’t care; I’d rather have more emotion than I can hold in than no emotion at all.

6. I like to smile, and I love to laugh. I love stupid jokes, sheepish grins, hysterical giggling, and tears of joy. I love the sound of laughter, and I love making people laugh.

7. Late nights and early mornings are my favourite times of day. I love that hazy period where it’s not day but it’s not night either, just a slurred mix of the both. I like stepping outside into a world that’s still asleep. I like walking along near empty streets as if I’m the only person alive. I feel invincible at that time of day, it’s an amazing feeling.

8. I’m a Christian, and I’m proud. But I’m not going to shove my religion down your throat. If you don’t believe in the same things as me, I don’t mind. We’re all people here, I’m sure we can get on(:

9. Quirky. That’s me. I’m a huge weirdo, and you’ll start to see that as I post more. You’ve been warned..

10. I don’t want to grow up. Not just yet. I don’t care about drink or drugs or driving or all the other stuff adults do. I’m not interested in any of that. I don’t want to grow up because adults have responsibility. More responsibility than I can handle. I want to be carefree, innocent and invincible for as long as possible. I don’t want to grow up and face the real world. I’m just fine being young and caught up in my own world, thank you.

So I guess that’s me, or part of who I am. But enough about me already, tell me about yourself? What are you afraid of? How do you take your coffee? Who are you? I want to know all about you, because I bet you are amazing.

Tomorrow’s Friday. Make sure you have a Crunchie because, hey, it’s the weekend! Enjoy yourself, and keep smiling.

Love, Parneaus xx