Hey everyone! Hope you're well. I know I was supposed to post yesterday, but I was with my friend Carissa from four o'clock until one in the morning studying for finals which start, for me at least, at noon tomorrow!
I'm feeling okay about my finals in a really weird way. I'm studying like a mad woman so I feel comfortable enough with the material, but at the same time, I know I don't know all of it so there's a chance that I might not do well...
That said, I really need today to get to work. I'm going to post my review of ONE DAY up on Elsewhere very soon, but at 3, I'm going dark. I might pop in on Twitter every once in a blue moon, but I really need to continue studying so I don't do what I always do--- cram until the very last minute. I want to go into that first test at least with my head held high and off of a good night's sleep. So keep me in your prayers and I'll be back in action once this is all over. Elsewhere and Home will still have their daily posts, don't sweat! But I won't really be around to talk like I love to. Just two more days, my Loves. And then I am yours.
Yesterday was March 15th, so there's a new video on Sommertales. Sorry I look crazy. I was going crazy trying to get the audio to work and I FAILED!!!!
We've wrapped up DITCHED on Elsewhere today. Next week, we're talking about ONE DAY by David Nicholls, BUT! Don't forget you can join me tonight for a livechat! 6 PM PST, People. You know you want to talk to me about Ally Carter's CROSS MY HEART, boys, and all of the things... You need an account to use the chatroom, but that's okay! It's really quick and easy to do and I THINK if you have a Twitter account, you can use that instead. I THINK.
There are bunches of Daily Doses waiting for you to love over at My Ticket Home.
-Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post
3) Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
4) Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged
5) No stuff in the tagging section about "you're tagged if you are reading this/follow me" blah blah blah, you have to legitimately tag people
The questions:
...That I'm Answering JUST BECAUSE...
1) Who is your favourite superhero?
I love that Maya said Harry Potter. Gosh, she's a smart kid. I'll go with an actual hero, though. Um... well... You know... IRON MAN. Without a doubt.
2) Why did you start a blog?
I had too much to say for my own good so when my friends started tuning me out, I decided to force you lot to listen to me.
3) Who is your favourite artist?
I like lots and lots of musicians so I feel this is a low blow, you guys! But I can listen to four groups over and over again without wanting to puke and they are: Coldplay, The Fray, Two Door Cinema Club, and this guy I recently stumble upon called Josh Garrels. Check it.
4) What is the most important thing (to you) in a boyfriend/girlfriend?
The same qualities that are important to me in a friend. I want someone who likes me because of all the things that I am and despite the things that I'm not... If we can be friends, then I can trust you to be more than that, I suppose.
5) What is your favourite TV show?
ONCE UPON A TIME... O!O (<< Forgive me; I have no idea what that's even supposed to mean).
6) Are you an earlybird or a nightowl?
Night owl. Hoot, hoot! (NO.)
7) Do you enjoy shopping?
(PLEASE DON'T HURT ME) Not really.
8) Sweet or salty foods?
It depends, as Maya said, on what I'm in the mood for, but USUALLY you can't go wrong with handing me something sweet.
9) What is your favourite subject in school?
Currently, Greek, but I'm not doing a very good job at showing that, am I, Desi? *shakes head at self*
Ominous Voice Over: NO YOU ARE NOT... not... not... not...
10) What's on your bucket list?
Thing #1: Create Bucket List.
Thing #2: Purchase a new bucket.
11) Have you ever met anyone famous?
I consider authors to be famous and yes, I've met plenty of those. I also got to talk with Solange, Beyonce's sister, for a bit when I was younger, but my eldest sisters... They're really the ones who have celebrity encounters. Not I.
...The ones my Tagger Assigned to Me...
1. What do you love most about your life?
I love everything about my life. Who told you otherwise? I should clock them... spreading rumors... grrrrrr...
2. If you could do anything spontaneous, what would it be?
Be spontaneous. That would be a miracle in itself.
3. What is your Zodiac sign?
I'm a Scorpio, yo.
4. Are you more of a reader or writer?
I'm a Wrider. Don't tell my mother.
5. Describe yourself in a sentence.
Caboobulaboobulabrawdlebam. I bet you like me now!
*SIDEBAR! I just came back to this question. And after some thought, although I DO feel like I'm a caboobulaboobulabrawdlebam, as stated above, here is a sentence that I've thought up that explains how I see myself:
I'm a parenthetical aside--- nothing more and nothing less--- but if I'm written correctly, I'll shed a brighter light on this sentence, that is life.
As you can see, I've answered this question in multiple sentences. Try not to be a weirdo, like me.
6. What are your childhood favourites? ( T.V characters, foods, movies, toys.)
T.V.: Um... Out of the Box/ Bear in the Big Blue House
Characters: Barney, Bear, um... I can't remember... I think I liked Big Bird?
Foods: Oh gosh, well that hasn't changed--- burgers. I'm a Cali girl through and through.
Movies: There was a Barney adventure that went back to medeival times and you had to cross a bridge and play with ribbons. So yeah.
Toys: I was not actually a child. I played with calculators and protractors while the other children... I'm just kidding! My Barbie car, of course!
7. How many languages can you speak?
One and that's plenty. But I can read well enough in three. Woohoo!
8. Favourite video game/ Song?
Don't play video games, but my current favorite song is Ulysses by Josh Garrels thank you for asking!
9. Have you ever met anyone famous?
Mmhmm! See above.
10. Which qualities do you look for in a boyfriend/girl friend?
See above.
11. What is the best moment of your life/experience?
The next one. Not everyone gets one so, you know... it's a very momentous occasion.
AND THAT IS IT! Whew! I'm beat. So now that you know the new rules, you only have to answer ONE SET OF QUESTIONS and then assign a new one (because it's just too crazy to answer more than one and then try to make a new one, too).
I'm tagging Yvonne, Nicole, and Poppy for this one but for THIS TAG! I'm interested in hearing what Arianna, Maya, and Talia have to say. I'll comment on your blogs to let you know you've been selected as the Chosen Ones.
Yvonne, Nicole, and Poppy? Here are your questions from me should you choose to accept them:
1. What would you do(ooooo!) for a Klondike bar?
2. What's your stance on giving people second, third, fourth, and infinite amount of chances?
3. If you were an animal, which would you be and why?
4. What's the most recent book you've finished and do you recommend it?
5. If your house was on fire or was flooding and you had a backpack on hand, what would you put in it?
6. Who's the most important person in your life (real or fictional) and why?
7. When life hands you lemons, what are you going to do with them?* (*Trick question*)
8. How do you usually spend your day?
9. If you had to choose one book series to read for the rest of your life, what would it be?
10. What is your favorite day of the year?
11. What scene in a movie or book sums up your life pretty genuinely?
Adieu, mon amies! I'll comment on comments next post and feel free to answer any of the questions whether you're tagged or not in the comments below, or leave links to your answers in the comments so I can read them.
I was extremely pleased to check my inbox this afternoon and:
1. ...have another very educational, insightful, and interesting conversation with Arianna about TFiOS (but trust me! You don't want to know the topic of said conversation. It was interesting, though. Let's go with that)...
2. ...see that my billing statement for school has come in and I owe thousands of dollars for next quarter that I don't yet have and will actually never see...
3. ...read the following urgent message from a Miss Prerna Pickett: "Hey, Deserae, I gave you a few awards over at my blog. Stop by and get them!"
You don't have to tell me twice, people. This is me collecting my bounty.
But, though I'm not exactly sure WHICH of the awards I was awarded, I'm not going to worry. The idea that I was given some cool Blogger awards always makes me smile and it makes my entire day. The first thing I did when I saw my BritLit buddy, Carissa, was break the news that we wouldn't be living together next year, but THEN I told her, "And I won a Blogger award!" to which she looked at me and asked, "You have a blog?"
So in honor of Carissa and Prerna and all of the people out there who put the effort into creating Blogger awards such as these, I'm going to participate in the tag! I hope it gives you even more insight into the wonder that is me.
1. What's your favorite book?
I wonder if my answer to this changes every time, but today I'm certain it's A LITTLE PRINCESS by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Correct me if I'm wrong.
2. What inspires your writing?
Fabulous questions such as these and fabulous people who don't know how awesome they really are. In truth, I'm inspired by everything. No lie. And that's probably why I have ten unfinished projects lurking around in drawers and things. Everything is wonderful. Why doesn't anyone believe me when I say these things!
3. Where's your favorite place to write?
I can write anywhere, but I like to write in a place that's either completely solitary or extremely crowded. Places in between don't do well for my creative juices (ooooooohhhhh yeeeeaaaahhhhh...)
4. If you could plan ahead, what would you want your last meal to be?
I don't know! Something DELICIOUS!!!!
5. If you had to participate in one extreme sport, what would it be?
Have you met me? Sports of any kind and I do not bode well. Why you gotta go and add an EXTREME for?!
6. What's your biggest fear?
Dying without having done all I was put on this Earth to do.
7. Vampire or werewolf?
... Were... pire...? Where's Micheal when you need him?
8. Favorite writing snack?
It's gross, but sunflower seeds. I'm pretty clean with it, but yeah... too much info, huh? Either that or Wheat Thins. The idea is something I can eat A LOT OF without dying a glutton.
9. What's your favorite scary movie?
Again: have you met me?!
10. Why did you start writing?
Because I finished my math drills several minutes before all the other chitlins and was bored. True story.
11. Your favorite day of the year?
Christmas. How I love Christmas. Or the last day of school (sweet Jesus, hallelujah!).
Big thanks to Prerna for tagging me! It's seriously an honor to be tagged by her because she's got a great group of followers who are very much devoted to the craft, to their writing, and to her so seriously, Prerna: thank you!
Also, shout out to Maya who has tagged me in a super crazy tag-a-bonanza! I will be answering those questions tomorrow do get ready to know more things you were dying (not to) know about me! Tomorrow some of you will be tagged to do either this tag or the one I do then. So watch out world! It's your turn to shine like the light from the sun!
P.S.S. If I sound crazy here or Elsewhere, it's because I am sick. I don't feel sick but I keep coughing and sneezing so it must be true. Do forgive my crazies. I mean, you're used to them for the most part but JUST IN CASE...
Commenting on Comments
Sonal- AGH! I knew I butchered it the second I tried to put it to the melody. But I am so glad you had such a wonderful fourteenth. Here is a song I hope you enjoyed on your very special day and continue to play throughout the year. I admit, it's not the most upbeat song in the world but hey! It's got "fourteen candles" in it, and the chorus rings, "And I love you, and I know you love me too," so that's got to count for something, right?
Nicole- I'm glad you, too, share my hatred for that terrible expression! Feel free to use or manipulate any of the other sayings. Because seriously... Lemons? Who thought of that?!
Prerna- Thank you so much! I appreciate you bunches!
"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Or so the saying goes, encouraging us to make the best out of sour situations.
But to be honest, I've always hated the expression. I love the thought behind the phrase, but I always thought a better thing would be to make the most out of the situation ("When life hands you lemons, cut one of them open, plant the seed, grow a tree, and sell the lot for profit," say), or, if not the most, the best in your own interest (i.e. a "When life hands you lemons, make sure it hands you the cups, the lemon squeezer, the sugar, and the spoon to stir it with too," scenario). Sometimes, I want the saying to be cinematic--- to allow for a re-do (so "When life hands you lemons, throw them back and ask for something sweeter"). And sometimes I get the idea and just wish the thing had said, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, make enough to last for the rest of your life. Because it promises---promises!---never to hand you sour things ever, ever, ever again."
Gah! I hate the expression. But lately, I've been having to make lemonade. I've applied for some internships but didn't get them. I applied for a Residential Advisor-type position at school and got requested to be an alternate. My computer screen freaked on me so I was with limited internet access the entire week. And all the while I've been making lemonade, wanting to request my refund and demand answers for these injustices. Wondering all the while what it was that I was doing wrong...
But you know, it's just occurred to me now that all those things weren't actually TERRIBLE. I lost out on some internships, but thank God! There are more! And I'm not out of the running for my RA thing--- not yet! And my computer still works--- everything's there, everything's fine! I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "You've been so stupid! Look at yourself, Child, and tell me: what's wrong with a little bit of tang, anyway?"
The problem, I think, is that I've been so spoiled. So reliant on technology. So sure that anything I set out to do or win was assuredly going to be mine! And I'm grateful a little for this second chance to see myself as a spoiled little brat. If I hadn't had this "awful" week, I wouldn't have written (yes, handwritten, mind you) some thirty pages of a manuscript, gone out of the house to see "The Artist," got an awesome new monitor, got the chance to see my sister, got a chance to try Pad Thai, et cetera, et cetera! It amazes how much I learn about myself every single day. You never stop learning, never stop growing... not unless you want to, and seriously: why would I want to stop doing the things that makes me.... well... me.
So here's my new mantra: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Say thank you. Ask it to hang around for a bit. Then pass it a glass and remind it to stay deliciously refreshing and refreshingly interesting, and take a sip yourself as reminder to enjoy anything that makes you who you are."
If it's too long for you, feel free to adopt any of the other aforementioned ones as your own. But be sure to get where I'm going with this--- hating the sour parts is like cursing the good ones that were products of that labor. And as they say (ew! Another saying I abhor), "Don't hate the player,"--- i.e. Life or suckish parts of it--- "hate the game."
Remember to stay beautiful, Loves,
Deserae
P.S. Need some inspiration? Want to see some pretty things? Visit My Ticket Home and My Ticket Elsewhere! All this month we're celebrating awesomeness.
P.S.S. Psalms 18:32 <3
Commenting on Comments
Prerna- Yes, I wish technology and I were better friends. Or hey! I'll take acquaintances! So glad you liked the poem and I thought we might be on the same page with The Vow. So hard to talk about it without spoilers, but it has this way of making you love and hate it both at once. Do read ONE DAY. You said you liked the movie, yes? Well, I am nearly done with the book and I've enjoyed it immensely. Adult books are slow going, I realize, but it's good--- great build-up, storyline, characters... everything.
Sonal- Thank you about your thoughts on the poem and for being one of the followers who influenced its posting. :) Happy birthday to you, my love! It's officially, what, 2 A.M. March 4th in England-land? I hope you have the best birthday ever. I made you something so you'll have to check out Elsewhere tomorrow (later today?) when you get the chance. Sorry if I mispronounced your name. Lots of love to you, my dear. Best birthday wishes from your pal across the pond.
Yvonne- Why thank you! I appreciate the comment! I've just checked out your blog and I like the recommendations you do. I don't really watch Dance Moms (I was in dance at that age and I think what the instructor does is just awful!), but your book recommendations are always pretty interesting. Definitely out of my usual bubble and I'm trying to step out of that so yay!
Maya- I'm awesome? I think you and Sang are awesome! I couldn't believe she commented! I was like in literal shock and was hoping you'd saw it. Your review was incredible, though. You definitely convinced me that I must feature it on Elsewhere. Sang is sending me a copy soon. If it's signed (and if you want it), I'll send it to you after I read it. I take good care of my books so it'll be a very special thing. I'll even write something to you on the front since you are the reason I'm getting it in the first place! :) SHADOW AND BONES has me drooling. And I seriously love ya, Maya. You are the bestESS. ;)
