The End.

As of today, I am going to spend 7 days in Oxford. Whoa. I leave on Monday for two weeks in Israel and Greece, so that should be super awesome. We then return to Oxford for two days that will be FULL with last minute packing and such.
Today I began really packing. Like I have three boxes completely full with clothes and other items that are making the journey across the Atlantic Ocean back to North Carolina. It is a really weird feeling because I have been so ready for this day to come, but now that it is here I am almost dreading leaving. I have very mixed feelings.
The perfect world would allow me to mix certain aspects of Oxford and NC.
I wish I could have Oxford's city feel, but live where I could drive places as well. I wish I could average out the temperatures, stop the windiness of England and the possibility for constant rain. I miss NC blue skies and sunsets. I like my NC school better, but my Cheney (the school I attend here) schedule. I wish I could mash the two up like they do in glee. (:

If you read the blog post title, sadly, this IS going to be my last blog post on this site. I will be continuing with a new blog into the future. The new one will not be as lighthearted, I guess you could say, as this one is. For example, no hair style pictures(: I really want to pick apart different piece of Scripture and different songs that have been on my mind. The new blog link is http://graceeshack.blogspot.com/. Hope you check it out.
Even though I didn't have many viewers,
To the few that did read my blog. Thanks for all your support as I have been living in Oxford England.

Two Day Hairstyle

Here is an example of a two-day hairstyle.
Well, two hairstyles that go over days.

Day 1:

Side view

Back view


Day 2:

P.S. Do you like my new shirt & cardigan?(; I def sauce do!

Blue.

I have blue eyes.
I like my blue eyes.
Especially when I wear a blue shirt.
Or blue earrings.
Like this day:



P.S. I know it looks like I am about to break into tears.
P.S.S. It's not edited. Don't make fun of me. Just look at the colors.
P.S.S.S I'm going to Germany tomorrowww. Whuddup?(:

Script Version 1.

The past few days I have gotten a lot done with the movie idea. See the post below for elaboration.
Today I wrote the entire script.
Like the entire script.
I am using Celtx, which is an online program that organizes it correctly.
Hopefully tomorrow I will finish the storyboard, which explains the actions (but not dialogue) a lot more thoroughly.
I can picture the movie in my mind (don't laugh) and like have a few ideas for settings.
Fingers crossed that this will work out!

Calling All Actors

I have been taking a class called Media Studies for the past few months. Since I came late, I was just put in a group with three other girls who had already began making the title sequence that was required as course work. Their film literally consisted of two girls walking through the mud and then the forest to find a scary old shack. They go into the shack and one goes to take a picture and when the flash goes off you see a person covered in blood on the floor. The photographer turns her head and does not see the girl leaving the suspense for the rest of the film. I couldn't find the real video, but here is a VERY good video for the same coursework:

Having witnessed that process (altough I wasn't there for the filming) I was inspired to make a similar video. Instead of doing just a title sequence, I would like to do a 5-8 minute short film. Random fact about me: when I am walking alone I get into a personal bubble that cannot be popped. I begin creating scenes in my head. After piecing these together, I have decided that I actually think I could do it. I could direct and produce my own short film. With the help of others' homes and acting skills, obviously. It would be very lost cost because, well, I'm don't have much money, but I think it would be a great experience. I have already written a short summary with camera directions and all. I have been researching how to write scripts and such, which has been fun. I am planning on doing this for the mandatory graduation project (or similar project) when I return in just 6 weeks (whoa). It will not be easily, I know, but I think I will learn a lot. My sister already owns a nice camcorder that I could hopefully borrow and if other people agree to act and help with small props, I really think this dream of mine is possible. If you have any suggestions or have time or skills to offer please comment below or email me and I will get back to you.
P.S. Another "inspiration" was this video. Amazing acting, camera shots, and storyline.

Changes in my life.

If you exclude my previous post,I haven't posted in nearly three weeks. Changes since that post:
(P.S. This is not any order)
My granddaddy passed away.


I visited North Carolina.
I wore shorts more than two days in a row.
Wore two new hairstyles.


Got new jewelry.
Flew over the Atlantic Ocean twice.
Had my room tepeed.
Vacuumed the downstairs of my house.
Ate at S&Ts.
Visited London.


Discovered the best (and funniest) YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/charlieissocoollike?blend=1&ob=5
Became single.
Tried to follow brownie recipe directions from the said YouTube Channel.
Failed at making brownie off YouTube directions.
Ate Funfetti cake.
Turned 16.


Been to the second funeral of my lifetime.
Cried more than I have in months.
Slept on a water bed.
Dyed my hair.
Went to school for the first time in a month.
Saw my Grandma for the first time in four months.
Morphed into a tiger due to a spray tan mishap.
Began watching Friends obsessively.
Watched the Pretty Little Liars season premier.
Made a friend named Leah at a funeral.
Went to Pizza Inn for the first time.


Tried to break into a pool.
Saw my mom for the first time in 3 weeks.
Saw Pirates 4.
Watched X-Men.
Made my first online friend.
Got told I Love You by an Australian (see post: Charbel24)
Found of Charbel24 was about 10 years older than me
Went tubing.


Discovered how much fun Words With Friends is
Had to say goodbye to my friends AGAIN
Counted that I will be back in NC in 6 weeks
Fell in love with Chris Moerman
Typed this post.

Charbel24

Usually I am very secretive when it comes to strangers. Like, I don't friend people I don't know on Facebook, I don't talk to random people, and I am scared to death of rapists. Yesterday, I was playing WordsWithFriends (so addicting) and met username charbel24. He is much better than I am at the game because he beating me by 50 points currently. He messaged me and for some reason I answered.
Our conversation:
Charbel24: I'm sorry to be so vulgar, teat was just my best option.
Me: haha, no worries.
Charbel24: where are you from miss
Me: uk. what about you?
Charbel24: well you're going to have the upper hand with your impeccable English, surely. I'm from Australia myself. quite fasinated how global this game is
Me: haha, not really though.
Me: i'm actually from america but living in the uk SO yea
Charbel24: WELL THEN! way to start off our relationship with a big lie. I don't really know if we can be together now.
Me: HAHAH. it wasn't technically a lie cause i am in england right this very second. i'm not from here but i am here
Charbel24: ok I am willing to give us one last chance. don't make me regret it. I love you grace
Me: wow, that was deep. sad thing i don't even know your name
Charbel24: haha, well ill fill you in on a little secret, its Charlie. do i het your full name to Facebook stalk you now that we are head of heels?
Me: hmmmm... let me think about that
Me: give me yours first
Charbel24: come on I was sneaky first! I get the privilege of stalking you first
Me: who says i even have a Facebook. maybe i'm Amish...?
Charbel24: I should report your wordswithfriends addiction to your parents then grace
Me: HAHA. true face. okay i'm not Amish.
Me: is this what you do everytime you play wordswithfriends? classy.
Charbel24: no no not at all. I am usually too enthralled in trying to win! clearly if I did this often id be much more smooth ha
Me: nice, nice. how do I not know you are a 50 year old rapist and murderer? you know, i watch lots of crime shows and this is classic.
Charbel24: who said I'm not? I never denied it :) particularly my profile picture at the moment, very pado
Charbel24: Charlie Naim, have a peek
Charbel24: I never denied being a 50 year old rapist
Me: now i'm honestly scared for my life
Charbel24: :( I gave myself away too early
Me: so you are a 50 year old rapist...?
Charbel24: have a look and see. particularly my second profile pic

Proof that this conversation is true:


Our conversation is still continuing...

Hairstyles

Although I lack stylish clothing. Or the ability to wear it, I love different hairstyles. Although I never do anything extremely out of the ordinary, it's a part of me.

Straight bangs

Sweep Side Bangs

Side Dutch Braid into Bun

Curly from a Bun

Braided Bangs

Both Sides Twisted into a French Twist Bun

Braid into Bun

Straightened (what I do the most often cause it's the most simple)

These are just a few of my favorite hairstyles.
It has to be simple for me to actually do it(:

Yearly Changing of Age

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Sometimes her birthday gets "forgotten" by all of the excitement of school finishing up and my birthday arriving. This year I decided to change that. Drastically.
Balloons and a (handmade) banner:

Bouquet of her favorite flowers (roses and lilies):



And a cake:


It all worked out really well.
Although I wasn't there to harass my friend in NC, I definitely gave my mom a fantastic birthday!
Happy birthday, Mom!(:

"you're a true friend, you're here till the end"

"Who is your best friend?"
The WORST question for me to answer because it implies that I have only 1. I don't. I have 5 best friends. That doesn't mean that I don't love the rest of my friends, trust me I do, it's just I'm closest to these 5. I feel like I could tell them anything. Right now I just wanted to tell them (because they are pretty much the only people that look at this blog, haha) thank you so much for putting up with my and sticking by my side. I know I can complain like crazy, yet y'all put up with me.
Love and miss y'all.


(yes, the title lyrics are Miley Cyrus. It's my jam.)

Craziness!

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize how little of this trip remains.
The last time I slept in my own bed was 126 days ago.
Since then I have:
-visited London 5 times
-been to 3 cities in France
-gone to 2 musicals in London
-been to Vienna, Austria
-been to 2 cities in Italy
-visited the Cotswold villages twice
-spent a day with my brother
-spent a week with my best friend
and much more still remains such as my grandmother coming tomorrow, my sister coming in a week, my boyfriend coming in about two weeks, visiting our foreign exchange student from the fall in Germany, visiting my sister in Amsterdam, going to Israel and Greece with my family, and the most daunting thing repacking.
I say it's the most daunting thing, but it's also the most exciting thing. I have had the time of my life travelling all of this exotic and amazing places. I have seen and experience things before the age of 16 that most people don't experience their entire lives. But I really cannot wait to be back in North Carolina. From now on when I have to answer those annoying "favorite place in the world" questions I know what my answer will be: Meadow Run Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

In 2 and a half months I will be back in North Carolina.
I cannot wait to see my amazing friends and my puppy, Mandie and sleep in my own (comfortable) bed.
The countdown begins...

P.S. I am really sorry if any of this sounded like I was bragging. I really did not mean for that to occur.

"We're Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday"

I like celebrating birthdays. Especially other people's birthday. I love the feeling that you (with others) successfully made someone's day fantastic. This may be why I feel an urge to make cupcakes for my friends' birthdays. Or buy a Dora the Explorer Birthday Princess set and force them to wear it around school. Something about seeing someone SO happy makes me happy. Yesterday was my best friend's birthday. But I couldn't make her cupcakes or annoy the crap out of her. No, I'm 4000 miles away in a foreign country in a different time zone. I wrote on her Facebook wall a bunch of times, made her birthday my Facebook status, emailed her, sent gifts, I tried to record a Happy Birthday video about 9 times failing each time, but still... Being apart made giving her an awesome Sweet 16 quite difficult. She managed it on her own, don't get me wrong -- I heard it was fantastic, but I still feel bad. I know this seems like the silliest thing to be sad about but for some reason it is for me. Sorry to complain on here, I'm sure you don't want to hear.
Anyway, I'm glad you had a great birthday Morgan!

This May Need a Warning Label.

Warning: You may freak out.
I lived in England for four months without drinking tea or eating a scone.
Every American has this perfect picture of every Brit sitting in their "garden" sipping tea from a pretty mug and eating a fruit scone during tea time. Sorry to shatter this perception, but it's really not true. Yes, Brits drink tea. A lot of it. If I had a penny for every time I have heard "a cuppa tea with cream and sugar, please." I would be rich. VERY RICH. But scones are not that popular. At least with my generation. That is how I lasted about four months in England without eating or drinking either. I didn't like the taste either so it wasn't hard. When one of my best friends, Kristin, visited in April she forced me to drink tea and try a scone. I discovered that tea with milk and sugar is not THAT awful. And if you coat the scone with enough clotted cream (thick butter) and jam, heck they aren't bad either. It definitely isn't life-changing, but it's not deadly. There is one place that makes scones that I actually enjoy. Probably because they taste like biscuits and I miss biscuits like crazy BUT that's not important. I can say with confidence that after trying both a Southern Season scone and a true English scone, that A Southern Season's are better.

Napoli, Italia

Naples, Italy does not have a very good reputation. At all. Like the only thing Rick Steves' book says about Naples is beware of pick-pocketers. But the only way to get from Sorrento (southern Italy) to Rome, Italy is through this unfortunate city. So that is how my parents and I ended up in the train station. We had spent out 10 minutes in the station going to Sorrento but today (I'm here as I type) we have spent a total of an hour waiting for our train. The train will take 2 hours to get to Rome but sadly although it was suppose to arrive 3 minutes ago, it is delayed. By 40 minutes. Joy. ):

Disneyworld vs. Disneyland

I have now officially been to Disneyworld or Disneyland in two continents. Snazzy, huh? After going to Disneyland Paris, I have decided I like Disneyworld Orlando (the only other one I've been to) better for three reasons.
1. The smoking in line and throughout the Paris park is absolutely choking. Literally, you think you are dying. Or what to. While waiting in line for Rockin' Roller Coaster about an hour, my mom and I were surrounded by smokers making it entirely unpleasant. Since people are throwing their cigarettes on the ground, the whole park just feels dirtier. It's gross.
2) Orlando has so much more color. Not literally. It just looks more colorful. "It's a Small World" is exactly the same colorfulness (is that a word?), so it isn't ACTUALLY prettier in Florida.



But due to the fact that the weather is generally better in Florida, it just looks so much prettier. This may because it was gray when we went to Euro Disney and I haven't gone to the Florida one in many years. STILL. 
3) Tigger would NOT give me a hug in Paris. Yes, I know I am 15. And yes, I know most Tigger fans are about 5 BUT I am an exception. Is that a reason to reject me?): Although this picture makes it seem like he is right behind me and that I am happy about this rejection, but of those things are a lie.



Actually, he is motioning to another person and I am near tears.

Even though Disneyland Paris wasn't as great as Disneyworld, it was still fantastic(:
See the videos below for the Stunt Car Show, which was better than the Florida one(:

Plane Potty Philippic

I'm typing this as I fly through the atmosphere. Some people hate flying, some people don't care, but I actually enjoy it...until I have to use the bathroom. Like now.
One of my biggest fears: getting trapped in a bathroom. I'm not sure where this fear began, but I have it big time.
That is why I HATE going into stalls where the door is from the ceiling to the floor, which is exactly how plane pottys are. (and also after seeing Date Night I feel really lame going in there to actually GO to the bathroom)
We have been flying for about an hour and 45 minutes and hopefully only have 20 minutes left. *fingers crossed*
 
OOH, the captain just said we'll touch down in 25 minutes. Yay! 
I'm really excited to be in Vienna. Updates soon!

(Thank you www.Thesaurus.com for your intelligent title name.)

Isle of Capri

Unlike American beliefs the Isle of Capri is not pronounced cah-PRI (like the pants) but CAH-pri with emphasis on the "cah". We were corrected many times so I felt I should share this knowledge. The Island of Capri is known its Blue Grotto, which is a cave that you enter in a boat through a small hole. Sadly, whenever the tide is high or the waves are rough, the grotto will suddenly close. This was the case for us when we were staying in Sorrento. Everyday the waves were just way too rough. We kept putting it off after getting the impression from the Rick Steves book that it's not worth the expensive boat trip to the island if the grotto is not open, but our hotel owner convinced us to make the trip anyway. That was a fantastic decision. It was stunning as you can see from the pictures.







Although we couldn't go into the cave, we took a boat around the island where we saw the Green Grotto, which was beautiful. Capri is known the be a serious tourist trap, but after visiting I understand why. The stunning cliffs and the blue water are beautiful. We took a chair lift 1,900 feet up to Monte Solaro for a gorgeous view of the Bay of Naples. When you are that high you would expect the wind to be whipping, but surprisingly it was calm and warm - just the way I like it(: The lift is only one person per chair allowing you 13 minutes of silence (except for Italian screaming at each other and British boys acting like they will fall) something that is extremely difficult to manage. All in all, Capri was worth the expense and time even though the Blue Grotto was closed. Take that Rick Steves (it was his book that told us it wasn't worth it).

How To Judge a Hotel Room

I have spent my fair amount of time staying in hotels. For some people, like my father, is it terrible, but I actually enjoy having people clean up after me and make my bed for me. It makes me feel like a princess(:
Anyways, by spending this amount of time in hotels I have devised a simple hotel judge checklist:
-The 4 'A's (answer the questions that follow to access the room)
1) Accommodation: How big is the room? Do you have the amount of beds you asked for? Did they give you enough towels? 
2) Accessibility: How far are you from town? How many steps do you have to climb?
3) Apple-pie order: Are there bed bugs? Has the room been vacuumed? Is there gross unknown hair in the room?
4) Additional Items: Do they have free wifi? Do they give you bottles of shampoo? Do the towel cover everything it should or is it just a large hand towel? Does it have a pool? Is breakfast included?

This hotel room passed just because of their sweet maid. I'm pretty sure this falls under "Additional Items":



Call me a dork that I have a teddy bear after the age of 5, but I love Sissy. She was given to my sister on August 15, 1987 for her day of birth. Now, 23 years later she has changed owners, color, and proportional. (I am told her head didn't used to be that large but how I used to hold her squeeze her fluff into her head. I don't know if I believe this.)

An Unforgettable Stroll.

Every morning and afternoon I make the 1.3 miles walk to Cheney School. This 15 minutes walk is sometimes the most amusing part of my day. It's crazy what you see if you keep your eyes open.

I've almost got hit my an ambulance (several times). I think it is pretty ironic. The closest time: It wasn't my fault. The ambulance wasn't going fast or had any sirens or lights on. We met at Old Saints Road and Lime Walk. I began walking across because he was stopping. But he didn't. It was close.

Today I was walking and passed the "mum" and two kids that I usually pass. Usually the younger boy is riding a scooter (which every child has here)but today the older daughter (probably 6) was. She ran off the sidewalk, fell and start sobbing. She ran back to her mom holding her butt. And the stripped. Completely. In the middle of the road. I laughed.

There are these two blonde identical twins who I usually pass. They are walking to primary school with their mom in between them. Since they have to wear uniforms, they are dressed the same. Their parents give them the same hair do every day so you really can't tell them apart. A few weeks ago, one of them stops, crosses her arm and yells (and I mean YELLS) "I DON'T WANT TO LOOK LIKE HER ANYMORE!" and storms off, taking her hair out of her pigtails as she does. Once again, I laughed.

Warmer Weather!

Today was absolutely GORGEOUS. It was like 75 with a slight breeze. Everyone FLOODED the streets. I only had class until 11, so my mom and I joined the crowd headed downtown. I took these shots in Magdalen College (Can you tell I really like that place?) The flowers are just gorgeous!


LOVE LOVE LOVE these flowers(:
edited.


mommy took pictures of me(:


SUPER awesome reflection if i say so myself(:


meeee.

"Dear Newspapers" Rant

Okay, I am usually a very "Don't Care about Politics" person. That is just who I am. I definitely did not get that trait from my family seeing how my dad works on Taxation and my sister majored in Political Science BUT that doesn't mean little things can make me angry. Today in Media Studies I was researching the political stances of "The Mirror" (a British Tabloid-like Newspaper) and it said this:

The Mirror's front page on 4 November 2004, after the re-election of George W. Bush as U.S. President, read "How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?". It provided a list of states and their average IQ, showing the Bush states all below average intelligence (except for Virginia), and all Kerry states at or above average intelligence.

For some reason that really ticked me off. I do not, at all, think it is okay to called 59 MILLION people dumb because of a freakin' political view. I personally believe that newspaper should keep their opinions to themselves. The fact that ONE company writes that is SO wrong. And the fact that North Carolina was one of those states that they were talking about just made me more frustrated.

Moral of this rant: Newspaper should keep their political (and religions, etc.) opinions to themselves. Just tell the news. "George W. Bush was re-elected as US President" would have worked.

^^I don't mean for any of this to seem offensive to anyone. It is just me ranting about my personal opinion.

10 Unfortunate Things Before 10am.

It's been one of those mornings.
Things that were unfortunate:
1) I woke up before my alarm and couldn't go back to sleep. It was only 25 minutes fewer minutes of sleep, but that means the world to me.
2) The computer wasn't working when I came downstairs. I think that Oxford University, one of the most prestigious in the world, can give me a computer that actually works all of the time. Or one that was made THIS decade. But it's it still a computer, so I'm happy.
3) My favorite bread from the bakery is the "Cottage Loaf" but I call it the mushroom bread. It does not have anything in common with mushrooms other than the fact that it looks similar. A picture is below.

But my mom bought it yesterday for the first time in weeks so I was totally excited to eat some. It was dry. I was near tears. It was awful.
4) Today in my Marching Band's first practice. In Pittsboro, North Carolina, United States. I am in Oxford, England, United Kingdom. A bit too far to drive. I really miss marching band and all of my best friends in it!
5) While on Facebook, I saw a link to the most depressing YouTube video in the world about a teenager that died from texting while driving. I was started crying.

6) Since I watched the YouTube video, I left the house 3 minutes. That may not seem like much if you are driving somewhere, but when your only transportation is your own two legs it is a big deal.
7) It was raining when I started walking to school. But it did not just stop at raining, it was windy. Enough that my umbrella flipped inside out. Twice. So by the time I got to school, I was hot from rushing to school, cold from being wet, frizzy from the rain, and tired because of my earlier waking up time.
8) In Tutor Group (30 minutes of my life wasted in a classroom doing nothing) we decided to take online "get your brain moving" tests where you have to type the answer. My tutor teacher told me to do the typing on the test about European History. Of ALL the British people in my class (there is another American) he choose the one who knew the least. And could spell the worst. I can usually type quickly but when people are screaming letter at you (it's a timed quiz) it gets stressful. I usually enjoy these quizzes, here's the site: http://www.sporcle.com/
9) I have two free lessons before class so when I could be sleeping, I am in school. I would have came in later, but I have already skipped several days of school and am going to WHEN KRISTIN COMES TO VISIT!
10) I totally forgot to do all my homework. I could be doing it right now (in my free periods) but I really don't want to. So I won't.

Music is my Love.

I'm a crazy music listener.
Like you won't find me without my iPod.
I honestly feel lost without it.
^I know that is incredibly stupid sounding.
But it's totally true.
I can spend hours on YouTube listening to rising stars.
I'll listen to the "Top 40" type music, but it isn't really my favorite.
My favorite thing ever is medleys of Top 40 music. I just love medleys in general!
Here's a few of my favorite medleys:

(Christina Grimmie was discovered by Selena Gomez's dad via YouTube and she has a spectacular voice. She does lots of covers but has a few originals. I normally do not like Miley Cyrus very much but this medley is AMAZING)

(This is by Christina Grimmie as well, but it's produced by Kurt Schneider (so is the Miley Cyrus one seen above). He wrote this for his friends to sing. I discovered his channel when I was looking up the Glee Version of Don't Stop Believing and he does it amazing!)

(also a favorite!)
Just a couple covers:

(This is great!)

(Can you tell I really like her?)



You should definitely watch these

"There are big ships and little ships, but the best are friendships."

Today during my free classes, another girl and I decided to go through the US states. (I knew a lot more I thought, but I left a few out) Whenever I said Ohio, I had a flashback to October 2010 when I had one of the best weekends ever! I went with my school marching band to Ohio for a competition and to visit two amusement parks. My favorite part of that trip was just being with my three best friends. They can make me smile easier than anyone else! We can even have fun on a bus! Maddieson and I had a dance party in our seats at 3am. Like a legitly, choreographed dance that we taught to the other two best friends in our group(: But the fun did not stop after that LONG drive. We continue to dance and sing and laugh and talk the entire weekend. That's what best friends are for, right?
True or dare on the bus, dance party in the hotel room, watching the Hangover, screaming our heads off, eating lots of junk food...Goodness I love you guys!


A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad. ~Arnold H. Glasgow
(or laugh when your shirt is stained!)


If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me. ~Author Unknown

I miss you guys so much but know we'll still be the best of friends when I return!
I cannot wait for marching band, year 3. AKA 2011.(:

Child Abuse: a serious problem.

Well since my previous post was about something very few people know about me, I decided to post another on the same topic. There is a song called "Alyssa Lies" by Jason Micheal Carroll (it's country) about a daddy whose daughter meets a little girl in school who is abused. The main lyric is "Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies everyday at school. Alyssa lies to the teacher as as tries to cover up every bruise." The first time I heard this song I was siting into Southpoint Mall with my mom about to go to California Pizza Kitchen. It got me thinking: how did I get so lucky? Why do I have two loving parents when some children don't have one and suffer considerably because of this. The last line of the song is "Alyssa lies with Jesus 'cause there's nothing anyone would do." I don't want children to have to go through that pain. Ever.
I'm not sure what, but I know I want to do something dealing with abused children in my life.
A few similar songs:
The Little Girl by John Michael Montgomery
Concrete Angel by Martina McBride
11th Commandment by Collin Raye
Dear Mr. Jesus by PowerSource
That is just the tip of the iceberg.

I know this is a pretty serious post for a blog, but child abuse is a serious issue. Hope this sparks some calling for you as well.
Did you know that 2450 children are abused or neglected daily? DAILY!

"I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain"

Funny thing about me that very few people know:
I DREAM of having a "stuck in the rain" moment. Whether it's like "The Notebook" and they are canoeing (sooo cute!) or like High School Musical 3 and are dancing on the roof top of their school, it's adorable. Last summer I got stuck in the rain. The only problem was I was walking my dog. No offense to her but she isn't really the romantic type(: As I was walking home from school it started raining making me think of this. Not exactly raining. It was more like a very windy drizzle. By the time I returned home, I was soaked to the core. And cold! It feels like spring came for a few days just to taunt me. Now it's gone again. BUT that's irrevelent. So I was walking home in the rain and decided to add to my bucket list (yes, I do have a bucket list) to get caught walking (or canoeing or dancing) somewhere with a boy.(:

JEWELRY.

Jewelry.
The one accessory that I can never ever ever have enough of.
Whether it's earrings, necklaces, or rings I absolutely LOVE them.
Some of my favorites pieces are below:


In 1992, my dad's mother passed away from a brain tumor. Her name was Grace as well. When I was born three years later I was blessed with my amazing name of Grace. This ring was given to my mother after her death. All of the her other jewelry was given to my aunt so I'm really proud to have this from my grandmother. Although I never met her, I am more than excited to meet her in heaven.


My sister has travelled the world. Whenever she returns home she always brings me a small gift. When she studied abroad in Turkey and worked in Romania a few summer she brought me back these amazing earrings. I love them so much!


I got this a few days ago from a cheap store in downtown Oxford called Primark. Only £2. LOVE.


Another view.


My boyfriend of five months gave me this gorgeous necklace for Christmas. I wear it practically every day and get so many compliments on it. Whenever I tell people that my boyfriend gave it to me they are always impressed. I love you Ryan!


I got these in February when my parents and I went to France. I got these at a market in Fontainbleau. Check my older posts to here about that fun time!


My mommy gave me these earrings so they are very special(: She doesn't have her earrings pierced, but really wanted to steal them back from me!


Last May my daddy went to Africa for three weeks with his work. He says he did a little work, but I don't believe it(: All of his stories dealt with going on safaris where he would see elephants and lions. He said Africa was exactly like Lion King portrayed it! Love that movie. He got another women on the trip to pick out these earrings for me. They are made from zebra (or maybe giraffe) bones and hand painted.

Comfy or cute.

Comfortable or cute.
That's the question.
I debate this question in my head every morning after crawling out of the warm and inviting thing that is called a bed.
If the world was perfect, then I could go for both.
BUT it isn't.
Usually I am not that pessimistic.
But it's true.
The world ISN'T perfect. Or close.
Which means that every morning I have to choose between comfortable or cute.
I generally choose comfortable.
I'm not a fashion queen.
At all.
I would choose an old softball t-shirt, jeans, and Converse over a dress and heels any day.
The one thing I really like is shoes. I know, I know. VERY cliché. But it's true. I'm a sucker for a new pair of shoes. This said, I love old shoes too. Not old as in created a trillion years old, just well worn shoes. I have a pair of shoes from fourth grade that I absolutely love. Crazy, I know. But it's true.
Now you may be saying I don't care about you old shoes. Don't worry. This post HAS a point. I'm getting there.
My love for shoes means that I have a lot pairs. I really like variety. I have everything from high heels to tennis shoes to rain boots to flip flops. The problem with this addiction to shoes is my feet hate shoes. Every pair of shoes I own gives me blisters. That's a lie -- my pair from fourth grade don't. Since I love shoes so much I make excuses for them. (Just go with it.) Like I'll say "I just need to break them in every year" or duct tape them when the brute truth is the shoes just give me blisters.
My mom got sick of me complaining a few days ago and decided that I need to have a shoe clean out. Meaning that every single pair of my shoes that don't hurt have to be thrown away. If that happened I would be left with..ugh..a pair of shoes. She took my shoe shopping and I got two new pairs. One is seen below.



She told me the first pair of shoes to go would be my Converse. Honestly, I almost broke into tears in the middle of the shoe store. I have had my Converse for almost two years and they are already failing me. ): I hid them from her in case she decides she will clean out my shoes since I will not.
In memory I wrote this letter.
Dear Converse,
I'm sorry I cannot wear you. You're safe under my dresser. I won't let her get you.
Love you lots,
Grace



Since I am a total math dork while I was walking to school today I made this up:
Pain/Cuteness
If the answer is lower than 0 than the shoes stay. If it's above 0 than I need a new pair.

DISCOVERY!

I feel like I just discovered the Internet or radio.
But I obviously didn't.
INSTEAD (but equally awesome) I learned how to change the background of the blog.
I feel like the one I choose is very fitting to the fact that I'm travelling. And the picture is a map.
Please tell me you laughed.
Or smiled?
Or maybe even just a twitch?
Whatever.
It may seem like a small improvement BUT in my mind "every small thing counts".

^^That quote has really helped me in the time that I have been here. Because it really is true. If you are unhappy (which I am not anymore but WAS) than everything seems unfortunate. A few small things end up meaning so much more. For example, I still remember the first day we had place mats. I know you are thinking "Ooh, wow. Placements", while rolling your eyes BUT it supports the quote. Every small thing does count!

NON Edited Shots From Magdalen College

If you can't read well...then typing this is useless.
Just look at the title.