The Little Things ❤

::: Hazelnut Milk Chocolate ::: Misty mornings ::: Horses in fields in misty mornings ::: Red sunsets casting a spell over an already magical field in a misty morning ::: The Palace in Brussels ::: Olly Murs songs ::: Michael Buble songs are better though ::: When you catch an earlier train ::: having a nice conversation with a stranger on the train (she was Finnish. explains it. Belgians wouldn't dream of having a nice conversation with a stranger.) ::: Babies giving you high fives ::: this good post ::: and also this good post ::: the moon in the early morning ::: the dark blue and purple sky in the morning ::: leaves ::: killing a mosquito (MWUHAHA) ::: Spying on strangers in railway stations ::: There was a man yesterday that looked like Avi Kaplan ::: And two best friends with dreadlocks talking about teen pregnancy rates in different countries ::: making plans for an exciting weekend ::: Scrapping off things on a to-do list (it's so so satisfying) ::: White goats ::: John. I mean the book of the Bible. Not just a random dude called John. ::: SMILES ::: kindness. there is truly nothing so beautiful ::: John Crist's instagram stories. If you're on insta, you should follow him just for his stories. that man is a comedy genius. ::: This was another 10 minute blog post ::: (The sunset in the picture above was my view from my window a few days ago. Gah.) :::

let's see if I can write this in ten minutes

... this is a very short, quick blog post I am writing before hopping on a bike to hop on a train to go to college. Also this is a blog post I should not be writing as I have a to-do list the length of the Nile. (Is the Nile long? See, I should know this if I'm going to be a primary school teacher.) Also this is a blog post to let readers know that I'm alive albeit busy. I miss blogging and this kind of blog post only takes like, ten minutes to write... right? right? (I guess I'll see because I'm writing it. ;-P)

So currently, for all those who are (and for those who aren't) interested, I am...

Reading - Schoolbooks do NOT count but they're pretty much all my literature at present. The only non-schoolbook I read is the Bible. (And I also have Radical by Platt under my bed which looks amazing, but I haven't even touched it yet.)

Singing - Anything because my voice was gone and now it is found again. #theprodigalvoice? (OK, but mainly Micheal Buble songs.)

Listening - To Michael Buble songs. All day every day. His songs are my jam and he's just the best singer in the world okay no buts. I WILL NEVER TIRE OF HIM. And yes, I listened to his Christmas songs the other day. K don't judge. (My new favourite Buble song is his version with Elvis Presley of Fever. IT IS EVERYTHING SMOOTH AND SNAPPY.)

I'm also listening to teachers giving lessons. Oh yes.

Walking - Around in Brussels to get to said teachers who give said lessons. (By the way, YESTERDAY THE KING DROVE PAST ME. The actual king of Belgium.)

Running - No no no I don't do running. (Unless I see there's a train waiting and I need to get on it and I'm not on it yet. Then I run.)

Laughing - With my siblings and because of funny whatsapp group messages. (Me: "The king drove past me today!" Someone else on a group chat: "Oh I'm sorry. Didn't see you. Would've waved.")

Smiling - Because of that sunset yesterday. IT WAS SO PINK. Sunsets always remind me again and again of who is and always will be the best artist in the world.

Praying - For the world and all it's tribulations. For the victims of Las Vegas shootings, for persecuted Christians.

Accepting - That I ain't got no time to watch movies and read books and write books. One must accept things when one wants to get a degree. (Do I even want this degree? :-P) (Yes, I do want it but I do miss my free times.)

Looking forward to - Youth group this evening; and going to Germany for the weekend next weekend with some friends it's going to be so much fun I'd BETTER not have too much homework. *eyes homework* DON'T YOU DARE COME WITH ME TO GERMANY.

Learning - Over and over again, every day - that without God as a friend I am ultimately alone. Learning also that He is Great and Merciful. These are lessons we can always relearn.

Writing - School stuff. And this blog post. #socrazyright

Finishing - This blog post. Bam. END.

A post on trains

I don't know about the USA and Australia and all you guys' places, but here in Belgium students like me take the train to go to university every day. At first that kind of freaked me out because trains are risky things.

10 reasons why trains are risky things

1. You're stuffed into a narrow, metal snake with people you have never met before. That's the basic explanation of a train. And it does not necessarily sound very attractive.

2. This can therefore include being seated next to a potential murderer or drug dealer.

3. You could get your handbag nicked. A handbag contains important cards and passports and in the case of some stories, babies. (Little Importance of Being Earnest reference there; before you get wierded out.)

4. You can miss your train. Think of how stressful it is; you have to get in that thing before it whizzes away again - and if you don't it won't care; you'll just have to wait fifteen minutes or more for the next metal snake.  It does not care about your feelings. 

5. There is a small gap between the train and the platform. This is ok, but just don't fall. Death may occur and that death may be yours.

6. Sometimes trains are very stuffed. I have been on two trains today - one so stuffy a man was standing right in front of my face, a girl was sitting next to me, another girl was standing next to me, another man was sitting right behind the man standing in front of me; a lady sitting right next to the man standing in front of me (I was trying to concentrate on C.S.Lewis' The Problem of Pain) - and another nice and calm one where I had a little table and bench to myself and I could edit my story in peace. The latter is somewhat more of a rare specimen in school hours, let's just say that.

7. You can accidentally sit in the 1st class passengers and get a ticking off from the conductor.

8. You can accidentally lose your train ticket and get a ticking off from the conductor (+fine.)

9. You can accidentally get on the wrong train and find yourself landing in some weird-sounding place you have never heard of. Guys, train timetables are the most complicated dang things there are. Just make sure you have your phone with you so you can phone Mum whilst weeping. Like, there's 23 platforms. How am I supposed to know which one might potentially have a train that will bring me closer to my home?

10. Underground train stations are super creepy. Forget about the Matthew and Mary romantic train station scene in Downton Abbey. I'm talking black walls with graffiti.

... basically, my life is a play between life and death.

All right, I am obviously being overly pessimistic for dramatic reasons (;-P) and I have to say, I have already noticed some of its positive sides. I did not think I would find a lot of them, but I have found that travelling by train has its quaint, storybook sides. 

Such as:

1. Yesterday I was walking in the big grand train station, and outside there was this jazz band playing on the pavement - with saxophones and everything. As I went inside, and down the steps into the underground world of train platforms, the jolly jazzy sound intermingled with the sound of trains, announcements, and endless footsteps of people rushed to get on with their own life. With all those sounds drowning into each other, I felt like I was in one of those slow motion, soundtrack-y scenes in a movie. You know, one of those scenes where the main character feels all numb and struck and where he or she is reanalysing life and everything about it? YOU know. Anyway. I felt like I was in that kind of scene for a few minutes and it was cool. :-P

2. When there's a sunset shining through the train windows. Guys. Purty.

3. When I spot someone reading a book I like. Ok, that hasn't happened yet, but I'm happy to say that people are still reading books. Granted, more people are on their phones, but I have spotted many noses between book covers and that makes me happy.

4. Some of the landscapes I pass are very picturesque indeed.

5. Sometimes there are good looking people on the train. There was a guy dressed like Wooster this morning. And a girl with a nice handbag. There is always something to observe.

6. The rattle of the train is quite satisfying - not a bad sound.

7. Now and then us cold Belgian strangers will dare smile to each other. But never longer than half a second. Oh no; heaven forbid. That is far to familiar.

There was my little anecdote on trains. I'm training myself to get used to them. You'd better keep track of my process and station assignments on my way so I can improve. I'll keep a to-do list with boxes of things I have to do to improve, so that when I get the things done I can ticket.

(SEE WHAT I DID THERE. FOUR PUNS. ONE PARAGRAPH. *hi-fives self*)

Five things you could do to make your day better

1. Have a spontaneous meet-up with a friend. 

When you randomly hear that a friend happens to be nearby, hop on a bike and go have a random meet-up. Just a chat and a laugh and a 15-minute windy walk is worth it. There is something about spur-on-the-moment decisions that makes my love for life skyrocket to a high level. I should do more of it. I love it when an ordinary day ends up having a quick change of plan to make it a bit special. It does not happen often, but when it does it does my heart good.

2. Go through a movie/season and just rewatch all your favourite scenes. 

Don't listen to those people who think that's weird - just do it. It's so much fun, and sometimes one doesn't have time to watch everything but one still has A Desire to relive certain scenes. I went through the entire season of Berkeley Square when I was staying at my grandparents' several weeks ago, and just watched all the Ned and Matty scenes because those two are adorable. The other day I watched the last episode of Downton Abbey again and then the day after I was like, 'I'm still not over that episode; I have to rewatch some scenes.' So I did. Edith and Bertie are so cute and I can't even tell you how proud I am of Thomas and the way he turns out in the end.

3. Learn a chapter of the Bible by heart. 

My goal one day is to know an entire book by heart - like that man who performed at the convention I went to in England back in July, and acted out the entire book of Luke (it was amazing) - but I am not very good at learning stuff word for word, so I'm trying for a chapter. Of course the first one I want to learn by heart is 1 Corinthians 13. Learning Bible verses by heart used to be something I absolutely hated, but now I so see why it's important and helpful. Reading the Bible is one thing, but remembering it and living it is another thing - and the latter is so much easier when you have verses stored up in yo brain.

4. Write down prayers. 

Getting distracted is easy easy EASY; I mean, can I get an amen? Even without a phone; even without music on the background - my brain just crawls away. Also, prayer is so important; and so powerful - and I don't want to ignore it. Being focused during prayer is important also, and avoiding distractions during prayer is therefore essential. What helps for me is writing down my prayers. Writing is one of the ways I express myself, so I'm not saying it's good for everyone, but writing down my prayers has helped me so much and I really recommend it!

5. Listen to all the cliché feel-good songs.

Hey, just forget a second about being stereotypical; if you want to jam on Happy and Can't Stop the Feeling while doing the dishes, just freaking do it. If you've listened to the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack 100 times already but your heart still says it can handle more, just put it on again and sing your heart out. (Confession: I listen to One Direction now and then. K. Don't judge me.)

Give me something I should do to make an ordinary day extraordinary.

a poem

Do you know

How to write

Poetry

Just write whatever

Pops into your head

And like butterflies

On bramble hedges in spring sunsets

Use metaphors for false illusion of cleverness

And click

Enter

So that you

Have a lot of lines

Which makes some kind of

Surprising

Rhythm

Like waves bobbing on an ocean

Like extreopotism

See I just used water imagery

And a word I don’t know what it means

But it’s all good

Because

It’s a poem

Wow that was deep

That blank line really showed that

THANK YOU GOD FOR THIS SUMMER

(Pictures from a friend. Do not steal.)

This summer seemed ages and seconds. Somehow that works. This summer was exciting and filled with memories. This summer was bonfires and smores and friends from youth group. This summer was the summer I got whatsapp - still contemplating whether that was a good thing. This summer was saying goodbye to my family for little week trips on my own. This summer I felt sort of grown up. I don't think I'll ever feel really grown-up and that's 100% ok with me. This summer I read the New Testament. This summer I volunteered at two places and made the best friends. This summer I experienced FOMO (fear of missing out) but that's okay; it taught me things. This summer I visited Highclere Castle and went inside where the Crawley family live and basically freaked out. This summer I tried root beer floats for the first time. Someone filmed me drink it because 'British girl tries American drink' is capture-worthy. I watched my first action movie and hated it. I watched The Young Victoria again and I loved it. I saw a Period Drama costume in person (and touched it haha) (this outfit) and I walked in streets where Jane Austen once walked. And I drove past the house she was born in. And I just missed meeting Adrian Lukis (actor who played Mr Wickham in P&P95) because he was going to come to Bath just the day after I was there. Excellent timing. This summer was inside jokes and craving to know God deeper and deeper. This summer was seeing prayer in a new light. This summer was feeling loved and loving people. This summer was getting a reputation for my puns. This summer was a blessing. Of course, there were boring and uneventful and less fun days (d u h) but the thing is, I can barely remember them because the good ones were that good.

Thank you. I don't know why I'm saying thank you on the blog, but I'm just so thankful for this summer. *insert title here like 100 times*

(pics by me or a friend)

10 types of instagram captions

The title speaks all. This is going to be fun to write. ;-)

1. The hashtagger

thehashtagger #sunset #nofilter #soblessed #okmaybetherewasasmallfilter #buthardlyany #itwaswayprettierinreallifeanyway #sunsetpics #sunsetsofinstagram #sunsetsofinsta #godscreation #art #artisinotdead #godsnotdead #lit #dope #beautiful #stunning #beautifulsunset #imaluckygirl

STOP IT.

2. The long caption-er

thelongcaptioner Ok, so guys these past few hours have been a rollercoaster of emotions. I don't even know where to start, lol, but let me just say that man, it's been worth it. Going to the beach with my one-year-old for the first time was precious and I'll never forget it. The memory is not only in a polaroid snap and instagram pictures, but it's also engraved in my brain. My sweet baby girl saw the ocean with her own eyes as blue as the ocean and my heart ached out of love for her and for the beautiful vast waters. Our God is so so amazing; Ha makes the blue of little baby eyes and the blue of powerful oceans. Coming home from this trip with weary bones and sand-clad skin I was musing about all this and this poem came to mind that my mama used to read to me when I was a little girl. My eyes filled with tears as the words came back to my brain, one by one... {continued in the comments}

(Don't feel like you have to read all that, haha.) I like a bit of meat on a caption but I'll be the first to admit that some people go wayyyy too long EVERY TIME they post (like, how much time do these Mum instagrammers have, to write a novel on their toddlers latest antics every day when they post a picture?!?!) and that some long instagram captions are just so. dead. boring. Like, at this point honey, I don't care about you enough to go to the comment section to read the rest of your caption. Start a blog. Or a diary.

3. The emoji-er

theemojier ⛅✨😍

An emoji speaks a thousand words, people. (Actually, it doesn't. They're cute, but they're not informative and imagination-rousing to the soul.)

4. The no caption

Boring? Lack of creativity? Lazy? All of the above. Whoever writes the first comment gets to be the caption-writer for the picture. (A slight improvement of this one is the caption: "Caption this." :-P)

5. The witty one

thewittyone Ok, so I have literally no reason to post this but you have literally no reason to read this or waste time online so STOP JUDGING ME K. #hatersgonnahate

The one that tries really hard to be funny. (I'm probably this one, if I'm being honest. :-P) Often these people's captions include: a) puns (often really bad ones) b) rants (often really unnecessary ones) c) using wacky hashtags (like #wowlolsofunnyjkthisjokesucks) and d) saying somethign very snobbish like posting a selfie and captioning it with something like 'what a view.' Because that's hilarious, apparently.

6. The deep, short caption-er

thedeepshortcaptioner 💚 D O N ' T  F O R G E T  T O  B R E A T H E 🌒

This one gets my goat. But it's very popular in the World of Insta, I have noticed. Especially girls do this a lot, with pictures of holidays and poses and fields. Other examples of such captions are: "Shoot for the stars 🌠" "But darling, what if you fly?" "Fields of gold" "Golden hour of love" ... honestly, none of them make sense. And they're all from pinterest, probably.

7. The quote caption

thequotecaption "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." - Oprah

Few people read these captions.

8. The Bible verse caption

theBibleversecaption "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Prov. 30:5)

... in a similar vein, this is a popular caption choice with Christian instagrammers who don't feel inspired or led to write a long sermon as a caption. :-P A Proverbs or Romans or Corinthians verse are popular choices. Or John 3:16.

9. The sponsored caption

thesponsoredcaption I love my new boots from @somebootshopnoonecaresabout - they are honestly so comfy and pretty. Use promo code "idontcare' to get 50% off your first purchase! Totally recommended!

This is for popular instagrammers with tons of followers. Kind of annoying though, these captions. I mean, I'm glad they have a job writing these captions and I'd probably do it too if I were them... but I rate these captions 1/10 bc they're boring. Sorry.

10. The 'I posted something' caption

theipostedsomethingcaption New video up on the youtube channel! Link in bio! Check it out!

No explanation needed.

Which one are you? Which one is your favourite/least favourite? Any I forgot?

PS: KATE AND WILLIAM ARE HAVING BABY NO.3!!!! 

New Blog Look!

just to make thee hungry. :-P

Ok, a quick post because I redid my blog again (look here, whenever I try a simplistic minimalistic blog look it ends up existing for five days only. I return to headers!) and I like it and I want compliments your opinion on it.

Here's a picture of the current blog look for future readers who do not know what blog look I am talking about because in the future I may change it once again. I am considerate am I not.

Voila. Honest opinions and thoughts? Is the Bible verse too random? (I love random but your opinion may differ. :-))

Jesus wants you.

Hey reader. Here's a 100£ bill.

You'd take it, right?

You'd take it if I licked it. It's still worth 100£.

You'd take it if I crumpled it up. It's still worth 100£.

You'd take it if I tore it a little here and there. It's still worth 100£.

You'd take it if it was dusty. Still worth 100£.

You'd take it if it was smeared with mud. Still 100£.

You'd take it, right?

Jesus died for you.

God'll take us if we're ugly. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we're messed up. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we have a past filled with sin. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we sinned five minutes ago. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we sin five minutes later. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we lie, cheat, kill. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we work for his enemy, the devil. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we hate Him. He still died for you.

God'll take us if we kill Him. Which is what we did, because of our sins. 

But He still gladly died. For you.

Jesus wants you.

He'll clean you.

He'll fix your tares.

He'll dry your tears.

He'll dust you off.

He'll smooth out your creases.

He'll help you and change your life.

He'll take you.

Jesus wants you. Every day, again and again, He wants the whole of you.

Jesus loves you.

Let me tell you a true story of a miracle.

(inspired by this video but honestly he just stole my thoughts.)

You were once in your mother. Think about that. Just because everyone was once in their mother doesn't mean that it isn't special. IT'S FREAKING MINDBLOWING. You, the adulting-teenager-what-ever-you-are, you, were once inside your mum for nine months, in water.

And now you are almost taller than your mother. Or you are. Or you are almost as tall. (IDK.) Your cells have developed and your bones have grown and your brain has gained information. That's insane. Baby you and you now don't look alike. Baby you and toddler you don't look alike. Toddler you and kid you don't look alike. Kid you and teenager you don't look alike. HOW DO YOU CHANGE SO FAST?

You can think about anything you want to think about. Your brain can decide what you do and your brain can make decisions for you. You rely on that amazing machine in your head to guide your entire life and SOMEHOW IT WORKS. HOW.

You have your own unique fingerprint and eye pattern and face features. Even if you don't like them, they're YOURS and no-one else has them. Even your twin doesn't look like you, even if everyone says you two look alike. You have these unique THINGS and man alive, there's billions of people on this planet and you've got countless things that are LITERALLY ONLY YOU?! Lucky.

Doing stuff - you can do stuff. No, you can change things. The fact that you are breathing oxygen and eating food and sleeping means that your human self can impact things on this globe. How did we get that opportunity... just by being? That is a responsibility and it's an HONOUR. Why are we not excited about this?!

You can love people - you can love things. You can feel loved. You can get excited and feel passionate about things; you can hug and feel overwhelmed with emotions; you are a bundle of confusing feelings and incomprehensible sensations that you can choose how to deal with, with that amazing machine under your skull. ALL THIS IS MIND-BOGGLING.

YOUR EYEBALLS. Can we just appreciate your eyeballs? THEY ARE READING THIS. And your brain is understanding all these squiggly black things; your brain is absorbing and munching on an idea that popped into my brain because of something that popped into somebody else's brain and OUR BRAINS TALK TO EACH OTHER. 

Why are we surprised when things go wrong? Miracles are not normal. You are not normal. You are a miracle.

My Summer so far

hello. 

🌞🕶

not my picture because i can't take pictures this aesthetically pleasing

{A paragraph or two on this Summer:}

Summers are always highly anticipated, yet they fly by like a dream. But they also seem long. Like, back when I was stressing out for final exams seems like another world. Still, the holidays have been like five minutes. (I've said 'like' twice already in the blog post. I am such a teenager.)Summer 2017 is not yet over, but the majority has passed and as you all know, the majority exceeds the minority, so I should have enough to blog about. So far it's been beautiful - more ups than downs - good conversations - the best friends a girl could ask for. I don't think I can remember a Summer in which I felt more excited about life; even though I'm an adult now and I'm going to be doing stuff that adults do which doesn't always seem like an exciting prospect.

Anyways, I'll do the list-y thing with favourites and events and bla de blah. Just a post. You'll get the drill. About my summer so far.

picture credit to my phone

{Things I did for the first time:}

- I flew a plane with a friend. And it's more fun than on your own, unless you have a very bad cold, in that case, it's more fun to be by yourself if it means you're without a cold. So: Travelling alone < Travelling with a friend, but Travelling alone without cold > Travelling with a friend with a cold. Although not if the friend is amazing and buys you stuff. Which was in my case. So: Travelling alone without cold < Travelling with a cold with a friend who is amazing and buys you stuff.

I AM RAMBLING.

- I was in Scotland for 10 minutes. Amount of kilt-clad men spotted: 4. Amount of kilt-shops spotted: 2. Maybe 3. Can't recollect.

- I volunteered at a huge Christian Convention in the Lake District - a lot of rain but it was a great experience. SO many people who love Jesus, so many teens that want to know Him better and better... and so many Late Nights with 300 teens playing the most ridiculous games and singing the same songs over and over. (I must have sung 'Lion and the Lamb' 15 times in 5 days.) (Ok maybe not.) (But maybe.) (Still a nice song.)

- I went to the north of England, for said convention. Had never done it. Would 100% recommend the scenery and the mountains BUT PLEASE BE WISER THAN ME AND BRING A RAINCOAT. AND SOCKS. AND A SCARF. I know it's end July/beginning August, but DO IT.

- I volunteered at a mission centre in Belgium which was the best week of my holiday so far. Not to be dramatic, but I feel like meeting these people will have a long lasting impact on my life. When saying goodbye is hard and when despite Whatsapp groups you miss 'em, that means something. I only stayed there for 6 days but man, I made some real friendships there. And I learnt that working; doing the dishes, cleaning bathrooms - it can be so much fun if you're doing it with the right attitude and the right people. The people I met there taught me about true Christian fellowship, work ethic and just having fun basically. I MISS THEM FOLKS.

- I got slapped by an old lady while doing my job at an old people's home. It was funny.

- I READ LITTLE. (What am I becoming? A normal person?!)

- I did my driving theory test (today actually. heh. heh.) and guess which girl passed her exam? I don't know. T'wasn't me. Sadly enough. I shall have to try again. :-/ (But remember readers; failing exams doesn't define who you are whatsoever. If it does, you're conforming yourself to a world system that is false. Define yourself in eternal standards and the rest will seem like nonsense.)

{Movies I watched:}

The Princess Diaries 1 // I watched this with some friends at the centre I volunteered at and it was so much fun - totally understand why this it-has-alll-the-clichés and it's-super-entertaining movie is such a beloved classic in so many households. It was fun.

Penelope // Me and my friend Bethany found an empty creche room at 9:30 and watched this movie. It finished at midnight and I was tired the following day but t'was worth it. Penelope is just as adorable as Olivia always said it was and I think she looks cute with the pigs nose and James McAvoy is adorable and he plays the pianooo.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas // I AM DEAD. No I'm not but this movie was stunning and terrible and just terrible all in one. Would highly recommend but you won't go to bed with a happy feeling, let me just warn you in advance. The music: 10/10. The actors 10/10. (That scene where the mom finds out about the reality of the concentration camp is so raw and well-acted, I got chills.) The ending: 0/10. But nothing like this ending shows how unreal and terrible the Holocaust was. Man alive, this story.

100 foot journey // Can I rewatch this? I LOVED THIS. It was filled with wit and humour and punchlines; but it had warmth and fuzzies and emotion in it too. It had beautiful scenery and adorable clothes (Marguerite's wardrobe and hair?! Is it not gorgeous or what?) but the best thing about it was, without doubt and without surprise, THE FOOD. It made me want to cook and it made me hungry. Beautiful movie.

THAT SCENE. ^

Newsies Broadway // I HAVE NO WORDS. THIS MOVIE WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE. And I'm in love with all the Newsies simultaneously and I want to rewatch this and ugh I am so glad they filmed a Broadway production because it was 100% epic. Gah. I loved it so much. Santa Fe gave me chills and the 'For sure?' 'Fo sho' almost made me cry and Davey singing 'Now is the time to Seize the Day' made me so happy.

I watched this with Natalie, and we were texting each other like crazy. Obviously, the texts were those of priceless fangirling. Such as:

Natalie: The bag toss though

Me: I knowww 

Me: No!

Natalie: No!

Natalie: When you gotta hundred voices singing

Me: 100 voices > lousy whistle

Natalie: Hahaha!!

Natalie: I lost my shoe!

Me: I lost my shoe

Me: Aha

Me: Pulitzer don't own us

Me: This song is the best one

Natalie: The world will feel the fire

Natalie: LES

Me: Ohhhh les

Me: Ahhhhh angry jack

Natalie: JACK

Me: I love JACK

Me: Ahh

Natalie: I love Jack in all moods but angry Jack is so great

Me: Haha yes

... you get the drill. :-P (Believe me, during Santa Fe and the curtain roll at the end we were typing in full caps. :-P)

{A random list of stuff I'm thankful for:}

pink jumpers :: my bed :: friends :: books :: words :: star constelations :: wise words from wise friends and wise books :: Godfearing example around me :: role models :: senses of humours :: plans :: adjustments to plans that make plans better :: dreams that are like really interesting and have a message :: perseverance :: emails :: letters :: youth group :: dark nights and mornings :: colours :: yellow :: pink & burgandy :: grandparents :: Whatsapp group chats and all the inside jokes :: prayer groups :: stunning things in the world :: like mountains :: Jesus coming to die for us :: I've got nothing after that. ♡

{Songs I currently love:}

Would you be so kind by Dodie Clark // It's catchy and it's cute, so I like it.

Chopin Waltzes on the piano // they're all so twinkly and beautiful and I want to play them all.

You make me Smile by iforgotwho // I discovered this song through a fan video on Minnie and Alfie, haha.

Why don't we just dance by Josh Turner // Sorry but his voice can never fail.

Strength will rise as we wait on the Lord // a bit repetitive but I love this song.

6/10 by Dodie // the harmonies at the end are top-notch

Newsies Soundtrack // no words.

{other things:}

- The Help by Kathryn Stockett is JUST unbelievable. It's so beautifully written - the words crunch with life; they're so real; the whole book is so real it does something magical. It's witty, filled with good, likeable one-liners, the characters are so raw and honest and true, and the writing is so stunning it's no wonder I haven't touched my writing projects in months.

- This conversation on whatsapp:

Person: *sends picture of Sound of Music, a scene where the Nazi's enter Austria*

Person: I did Nazi that coming.

Me: Anne Frankley I did Nazi that good pun coming.

Person: don't.

- Every knee will bow before Him. ↑ Think about that.

- I love this emoji: ♡  

- And no I did not see the solar eclipse, but I wish I had because the pictures look so beautiful. Could you even see it in Europe though? Because only Americans are talking about it.

- This video. I laughed so hard, oh my gosh. What a 2-minute gem.

- It's actually been raining practically all August and end of July for me. But I don't mind.

- Do you like this minimalistic blog look? I'm trying again. :-P

definitely not me. definitely a random picture.

There you go. That was a bit about me and my life right now. I'm thankful and I'm so blessed. I feel like I've learnt so much this summer, I don't know what I have more to learn as I go to college! (Aside from academic stuff. :-P) I'm currently reading Revelation in the Bible, and I'm going through it very slowly because I don't want to just read and not learn anything from it's beauty and mystery. I've been so surprised with how relevant the themes are to today. Like when John gets told, 'I will show you what must take place after this' he sees a vision of everyone bowing before the throne in Heaven and just WORSHIPPING. And I read that and I realised that because no-one (no-one) on earth can worship enough due to the sin that separates us from Him, that once in heaven, where we will be made perfect, we MUST worship Him - after all, how will we not be able to! Before the throne in heaven, how can we not worship?

... just one of my many thoughts. I love musing about His Word.

Tell me 1 thing about your summer. And which newsie is your favourite. (If you've seen it.)

🌻🌣

bye

Combinations of things.

You know how you attach certain scents, memories, places or images with books and stories? I love how brains work like that - how it puts two different things in the same category and context; how it juggles with smell and weather and words. It's amazing. Like, The Help is yellow and lemons and the sound of a typewriter. Celia Garth and Violins of Autumn take me back to summer 2015 in Switzerland, the green shutters in the house we were staying at, and the dew on the grass in the morning. Eve's Daughters is me crying in bed and imagining the characters' smiles and the colour purple of the cover. The Book Thief is Christmas holidays, and my bedroom when the bed was at the other side of the room. On the banks of plum creek is lemonade and my old bed sheets with the pink and salmon-coloured hearts on it. Remembrance by Theresa Breslin reminds me of my old bedroom in the attic and Back Home by Michelle Magorian gives me memories of cute lamps, nylons, and my second cousin Rebekah. The Story Girl is me wishing so bad I could dive in it; and it's the colour of gold and the taste of orchard apples. Rilla of Ingleside is an emotional soundtrack like the Kings Speech soundtrack and late nights. Sense and Sensibility is grandma and my old pink diary. That chapter in Hebrews (Hebrews 11) about faith reminds me of strawberries for breakfast and talking about it on grey sofas with five friends. While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin is dark red and chocolate and watching trailers of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland movies on youtube. The Sweetest Thing is light green and mental images of 1930 dresses. Gone with the Wind is dark hallways and mirrors and spring. Man, I love how there are so many combinations of things.

ALL THE ANSWERS

No introduction; I'll just start. :-)

MovieCritic asked:

Who is your role model?

Jesus. ("No, I meant earthly role models." "Still Jesus." "No, but ASIDE from..." "oh ok ok." *silence* "Still Jesus.")

Do you have any allergies?

I probably am, to something I'll never find out. (Like pelicans. Or ardvarks. Or whatever.)

Jessica Prescott asked:

How many books do you currently own? 

THIS IS TOO MUCH MATHS FOR ME. I don't feel like coutingggg. (OK, last time I counted it was 228, so let's make it 230. :-))

What is your absolute favorite type of candy, and why? 

I'm not a candy person; I've never really had a favourite one, also because I've never really eaten much. (So healthy with my homeschool regime.) (I prefer chocolate.)

Name a book (NOT Rilla of Ingleside or The Blue Castle :-P) which you'd like to adapt into a movie. Who would you cast and how would you frame the story? Etc. 

NOT Rilla of Ingleside?! Phew. I'll try to answer this question. Probably a Lynn Austin book; but it would ABSOLUTELY NOT be allowed to be a cheesy stereotypical Christian movie. The Refiners Fire Series would make literally the most epic miniseries (can I get an amen?! I mean can you imagine how amazing that would be). Michael Fassbender should definitely be Dr James McGrath (is that his last name?) otherwise I haven't go any particular actors or actresses in mind. (They have to look the people on the cover, haha.) This collage I made of 'Fire by Night' would be how I would want the movie to look like.

Current favorite piece of clothing: what does it look like and why are you so fond of it?

Green shorts. Green. Like olive green. Sort of thin material. Comfy as pyjamas and also cutesy and boho-y. Thus why I like it.

What's the farthest you've ever traveled from home? 

The divi - united states of America; last year.

Related: Pick two places you've never visited but you really, really want to see. 

Oh, nice question. Rome (because of Roman Holiday) and Israel (because how cool would it be to be on the Mount of Olives and in the Red Sea and everything.)

If you could design your own shoes, what would they look like? 

Probably a nice pair of brown leather sandals - the kind with loads of Roman-esque straps. I've seen gals wear them on instagram and I like them. :-P

Pets: Thoughts? (have you ever had any, would you like to have any, etc.) 

I can't even tell you how not a pet person I am. I would never choose to have any. They're just too much work for what they are - and I just don't attach myself to animals. I don't know why. I just don't. 

Jillian asked:

What do you imagine was L.M. Montgomery's favorite book, & why? {Totally going for creativity & guessing here.}

Your questions are always so creative; I love 'em. I think I knew the answer to that question once! Can't remember now though. But I'm guessing maybe the Emily books because there is  LOT in those books from Maud's life as a girl herself; I definitely think that out of all her heroines, she saw herself the most in Emily.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I'm not really a shoe-guru. Right now, four (not counting my winter stuff.) (+my beloved flip flops.)

Would you rather be Anne Shirley or Diana Barry's best friend?

THAT'S HARD. I'm more like Anne so maybe I'll go take her example and be best buds with Diana? But wouldn't it be more... fun... to be Anne's bestie? I'll take Anne. Although I'd probably get sick of her chatter. :-P

If you could visit any city in the world that you've never visited, which city would you choose & why? If you want, you may time travel & visit a city in the past!

"If I want." I want. :-P

Oh, I'd go Israel in the time of Jesus. This was easier than I thought it would be.

While you are time travelling, what person in the past would you HAVE to visit & exchange a casual hello with? Possibly this person will be kind enough to shake your hand!

See above answer. (I just love Him.) (And He would be kind enough.)

(Also, it would be fun to meet my grandparents as teens. LIKE HOW WEIRD WOULD THAT BE.)

What's your favorite period/place in history, & also expand on that would you?

I love the Edwardian Era on Prince Edwards Islands. Do I need to expand? ;-)

Please share a random picture of a pretty dress. That's not a question unless you say it with an inflection at the end.

It is a command, my dear, and I shall take it. Thank you for asking. *goes to fashion board on Pinterest*

Eva asked:

What's your absolute favorite Bible verse of all time?

I can't answer this at all so I'll just give you ONE OF MY all-time favourites. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." -2 Tim 1:7 / This verse was given to me as 'my verse for 2017' at youth group and I take it with me in this year; I want to take it with me as I go to college. It gives me a lot of confidence.

Who was your first fictional character crush? Who's your latest?
(Ohhh Hunter Hayes just started singing Wanted. Ahh.) (Excuse me, I'm listening to music and this song makes me so nostalgic.) First fictional crush? That's so hard; I can't remember! Maybe Peter from Heidi haha. Or Albert in Little House. Latest? Luke Ansell in Celia Garth. Man, he knows how to woo.

Lemons, oranges, or limes?
Oranges, fo sure.

Do you use the Oxford Comma?
Yes, yes, and yes.

Pride & Prejudice or The Blue Castle?

TOTALLY DEPENDS ON MY MOOD. Do not ask me this. Please please please. I thought we were friends, Eva. :-P

Miss Meg asked:

If you could meet a famous singer (anybody from Josh Groban to Carrie Underwood to Sutton Foster), who would you choose?
*thinks real hard* Because I just watched Newsies; Jeremy Jordan. Although I have no idea what I'd say to him. Like yeah, he knows he sings amazingly.

(On that note) If you could sing a duet with any famous singer, who would you choose?
Who wouldn't make me feel like a bad singer? Haha. Maybe someone like the Owl City guy? His songs are quite easy to sing and they're catchy. (I've been listening to a lot of Owl City lately. I know, I discover artists late.)
(Was the "on that note" a pun? IT WAS GOOD, even if it might have been unintended!)

If you could take dance lessons, what type of dance would you choose? 

TAP. I want to tap dance so bad. (OR SWING.)

Can you raise both your eyebrows individually? :P
I wish. And yes I know YOU can. Don't rub it in. 

What are 3 things on your bucket list that you would do RIGHT NOW?

1. Visit blogging fwends.
2. Eat pizza every day for a week.
3. Own a professional camera.
(Yes, I just picked three random ones. :-))

Rachel asked:

If you had the chance to meet an celebrity, who would you love to meet?
Is Queen Elisabeth a celebrity? Meeting her would be an honour Indeed.

Your favourite dress from a Period Drama?
I'm going to pick one; one of my favourites. :-) (I still haven't seen The Crown, but Margaret's pink number in this picture is so pretty it makes me drool.)

Would you rather play a role in a movie or in a theater play?
Theater. Yes, it's more nervewracking, but it's way more magical. (I speak as if I have experience haha. Cute, Naomi.)

If there was a role available in a new adaption of one of Jane Austen's writings, which character would you play?

Oh, fun question! I don't want a new Emma because the 2009 is the best and no-one can beat Romola Garai but I do think it would be fun to play Emma.

Which Downton Abbey character do you feel you have the most common with?

Once again, I find myself without an answer. I like to think Sybil, or Anna (I got Anna in two personality quizzes actually, so Anna maybe?) - I also have some Dowager Countess in me. I certainly flatter myself.

Would you rather live at the countryside or seaside?
Seaside. In the countryside. Hey, it's possible. :-P

Rather go to a fancy diner with a beautiful dress, or visit a barnparty with your best friends and family?

I can't believe I'm saying this because my ten-year-old-self would feel so betrayed, but I care so much less about dressing up than I used to. I just want to spend time with people I love. And I have some really good memories of barnparties, so yes, barnparty in a heartbeat.

Gwyn May asked:

which L. M. Montgomery Character would you most wish to BE?

I want to be meee. :-P Ok, I think I'd be happy to be Valancy Snaith. Cute husband, cute home.

do you have a favourite Disney Princess movie?

After watching that new Beauty and the Beast movie; THAT.

who's wardrobe would you steal if you could? (a past or present celebrity, or movie/tv character)

Ehhhh there's so many good ones! Right now I love Marguerite's wardrobe in a 100 foot journey. Or the youtuber Dodie Clark's wardrobe is adorable too.

what movies are you aching to watch at the moment?

Dowton Abbey season 7. Oh wait, that doesn't exist. (Also Dunkirk.)

do you like Celtic Woman music (besides their Christmas stuff)?

YES OH MY. THEY ARE AMAZING.

Ekaterina asked:

What is your favorite book to movie adaptation?

P&P95. ;-)

What type of music do you listen to most of the time?

Let's just call it classy popular music. Such as Michael Buble, Owl City, Carrie Underwood. Which, yeah might cover a wide range of music types.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

There's a lot, but one of my favourites is watching the Queen's speech at 4 o'clock. I always feel very British when doing so, haha.

Esther Eckstine asked...

Do you get sidetracked easily?

Quite easily; I can focus on one subject, but I can squirrle off into other branches and subjects quite well too. Especially in emails and journal entries. (ESPECIALLY journal entries.) 

Why is your favourite author your favourite author?

Lucy Maud Montgomery is my favourite author because she just PULLS OFF whimsical and witty like no-one else and she is so crazy unique I can't even tell you.

What did you dream about last?

Haha, interesting you'd ask that now! I can actually remember it; and it was so annoying because as I was dreaming I said oh I must write this down because this would make a best-selling novel and NOW I HAVE NO CLUE. So in the dream this guy I know was telling me and some other kids at youth group about a book he had written; and he was telling the story and it was really good - and then in the dream I thought 'I wish I'd thought of that' and then I guess I woke up very briefly because I remember thinking, 'oh good it was a dream, so I can use that story and pretend it was my idea.' BUT NOW I FORGOT. *le sigh*

If you had to drink one drink for the rest of your life (not water), and it had no consequences (like, you wouldn't get super sick, or die, or anything like that) what would it be?

Um um watery juice. Closest to water. :-P #ididn'tcheat

What color are the walls in your room?

Two are white, two are 'mature pink' as Emma calls it. (Sorta vintagey 'old' pink.)

Describe the character you last wrote about.

I am a TERRIBLE writer. I haven't written in ages. I can't even remember who was the last one. I know, be disappointed with me. I deserve it. :-P

(this picture makes me want to write though.)

Describe your eyes without naming the color (more of demands, but whatever)

It's okay, I take demands. I like them. MY EYES: The colour of olives with some pond-water-colour smatters with some smidges of browney moss and something in it that makes them slightly bright. (Someone complemented me on my eyes the other day. He just went, "Oh! But you have beautiful eyes!" :-P) (But then he said he guessed I was 13. And I'm 18. Like, sir, I thought I liked you.) (It's ok. That means he was honest with the eye complement.)

What is the last surprising thing you found randomly?

Your questions are great! :-) I found a song called 'It's not the end' randomly on Spotify and it so gorgeous. (It's by Owl City; and probably my favourite OC song.)

Who is the last person you talked to?

My beautiful and adorable little sister and room-mate Tabitha.

Who was the last person you argued with?

One of my brothers shush let's not open a can of worms. :-P

What was the last thing you ate that was gross?

Some black stuff that was kind of sweet and they put it on a sandwich with cheese and ham? No! (Was it marmite? If it was I 100% understand why so many people dislike it. I managed to put the sandwich in a bin without anyone noticing.)

If you lived in a world where all fictional characters were real, and your job was Matchmaker, who would you pair up and why?

I know you suggested to pick three couples, but just doing one is hard enough so I'm going to do one. (It's hard to find single fictional characters haha.) I want to find a good guy for Una Meredith in Rilla of Ingleside - maybe a guy who has also experienced loss. Any ideas? Matchmakers?

Hannah S. asked...

What do you like to drink while you read?

I find it hard to consume stuff whilst simultaneously reading and consuming words and stories. But I guess a glass of water isn't very distracting. I can do that.

What is your favourite ice cream?

I love mango ice cream. You should try it.

If you could have a holiday in any of your favourite books, where would it be?

Prince Edwards Islands. :-)

What is your favourite eye colour on other people?

I really can't answer them. There's those amazingly crystal clear blue light eyes, those swoony gorgeous chocolate-dark eyes, those grey kind, kind eyes that sometimes have this sassy surprise snap. I love loads of eye colours. :-)

What new movie would you love to see?

Dunkirk. (And that movie you mentioned 'This Beautiful Fantastic' sounds really good too!)

Miss Woodhouse asked...

Which one of your story characters is your most favourite and why? What are his or her's best qualities?

I love my protagonist, Amy Stubbins - she's strong, refuses to give up (I give her a lot of trials, that's for sure) and she's also courageous, but she's also not superwoman. She has melt-downs and she gets jealous and she dispairs and she gets tired and emotional. I really love her. Man, I should get back to writing her story. It's been a while.)

If you had to live in any time period of your choice (excepting modern day) which would you choose and why?

I'd chose the 50's. Maybe I've been watching too much Call the Midwife.

What song have you been playing over and over again lately without getting tired of it?

Better Together by Jack Johnson and It's not the End by Owl City.

Who are your most favorite period drama couples (choose at least three)?

1. Emma and Knightley (Emma 2009) (They're my laptop background screen at the moment. THESE TWO.)

2. Minnie and Alfie (Lark Rise to Candleford) (the cuuutest.) (ever.)

3. Matthew and Mary. (Downton Abbey) (GAH.)

Where do you get most if your clothes from? Hand-me-downs, Thrift store, clothing store?

I get a lot from people; I buy some - I wish I bought more at thrift stores, but we only have like one here and I don't go there much. Belgium doesn't do good with thrift stores.

Brittany B. asked...

If you could live and marry any character from any book/show, who and what show would it be and why?

BUT THEY ALL HAVE SOMEONE. I don't know. (Oh I KNOW. A NEWSIE. Give me a Newsie. From the Broadway show. Maybe Racetrack after someone's tamed him down. Or Davey. OR SPOT. Or Jack if he breaks up with - no he won't never mind.) 

(Right Natalie? ;-))

What author would you read forever if someone gave you a million dollars? (or a billon....)

Why do you need loads of money for this? I mean, I'd love to own the copies of all the Lynn Austin books, but I have almost all of them already. (I'll always read her books though. Even though they might get cheesier and cheesier.)

Any book or movie you haven't read/seen yet but really want to?

Yes, I really want to watch 'A light between the Oceans' and 'Brooklyn.' Especially Brooklyn.

Zane Jones asked:

What is your favorite L.M. Montgomery book?

Rilla of Ingleside -- LOVE that book TO BITS. (Have you read it? Ya should ya should.)

Favorite L.M. Montgomery character?

Walter Blythe. *sobs*

What advice would you give to new bloggers?

Aw, I feel honoured that people ask me for advice. My advice would be to only write about what you enjoy writing about. Don't write about 'what most bloggers write about' but don't also NOT write about something because 'most bloggers do that.' :-P

Have you read the Chronicles of Narnia and what do you think of them?

... ahem. You must be new here. :-) No, I'm just kidding. I have read the two first and they are really really well written and well crafted. I really enjoyed The Magicians Nephew and I love C.S.Lewis (who doesn't?) - but I'm not really one for the fantasy fiction genre.

Which of the Chronicles of Narnia is your favorite?

The Magicians Nephew.

Do you prefer texting/emailing or real letters?

I like both - letters are more special, but I would lie if I said I don't use email and texting a lot. I'm super grateful for internet communication.

Mira Elisabeth asked...

Do you know your Meyers Briggs personality type? What is it?
I've been different ones, but the last two times I did it, I was 'The Protagonist' - so ENFJ. (Apparently the same as Elisabeth Bennet. What an honour! :-))

Are you usually early or late?

Always early. I hate arriving to places late.

If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?

OH BOY SO MANY BOOKS TO READ.

What is the most annoying question people ask you?

Because I'm homeschooled; any question about how I make friends or if I have friends. :-P Because I have a lot of siblings, some kind of question about if my parents will get another one. (So. Annoying.)

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

Someone at youth group said she wishes I were her sister. THAT WAS SO SWEET. 

Evangeline asked..

What is your favourite Anthem you've sung in choir? Favourite motet?

I don't know about motets. (I don't even know what that is haha.) I like that Anthem you shared with me - Thou Visitest the Earth!

Favourite Bible verse?

I'll share one of my favourites. ;-) (Ya see, this is hard.) "When times are good, be happy. But when times are good, remember: the Lord made the one as well as the other." - someplace in Ecclesiastes, a book that I LOVE.

Favourite minor character pairing in Downton Abbey? 

Ohh nice question. I love Daisy and Andy a lot.

Meredith asked...

What is something you love because of nostalgic value but would otherwise likely hate?
That's an interesting question! I'm trying to think of an answer. However, I find nothing in my brain. There probably is something though.

Which fictional character makes you the angriest? 

That annoying annoying lady in The Help. I'm reading that book now and IT'S SO GOOD but man that Mrs Hilly or whatever her name is gets my goat. (Or the creepy villain in Little Dorrit. Oh there's loads of annoying fictional characters haha.)

What is a book/movie many of your friends like but you refuse to try? 

Star Wars. haha. :-)

What is your least favorite color?

On me to wear, mint-green. I look bad in it. Generally, hot pink. Ew. (Also it's favouUrite and coloUr. :-P)

*looks at clock*

Oh my IT IS SO LATE I MUST DASH OFF RIGHT NOW. (Hope you enjoyed this though. Thank you for all the questions. You asked some real good ones this year. Love you and good night! x)