From Kids To Adults: Music

Hello, Lovelies!

Eating breakfast this morning (Cheerios if you were interested), and this brilliant blog series idea popped into my (not overly large, just the right size if I do say so myself) head. Let me start a series on my blog called From Kids to Adults and run it for, say, eight weeks. Every week will have a different topic. This week: music.

Many things we do as children change as we become older, and 
many things adults do are the same as children. 

Music is universal. As children, parents let you listen to some music, mostly consisting of Blues Clues, Dora the Explorer, and Elmo theme songs. You love them at the time and don't really even know of the many genres let alone songs you are missing out on. These songs are your life. 

As we grow, we start listening to a greater range of music. Most kids start listening to what their parents listen to and like it. It's what they are used to and like and everything good. This is also the peak of the Hannah Montana phase, since kids are now watching Disney channel nonstop. 

Middle school is when preteens really want to express who they are as individuals and 'find themselves'. This is the time that many kids start listening to music that may or may not relate to them more. Perfect example: rock, punk, or screamo. Music that your parents don't want to admit is any good, but trust me, they went through this stage, too. This is when most kids find music they like and most likely will listen to for the rest of their lives (until they're old and only listen to bingo). This phase continues through high school.

Adults may or may not listen to a greater range of music. Some people will find that they like an even greater range of music, while others will not stray from their first love. It totally depends on the person.

 As an itty bitty, I remember loving Dora and Blues Clues (my brother and I would shout at the TV we would get so excited). I listened to country music until I was in fifth grade, because it is what my mom listened (listens) to. Yes, I had liked listening to country music, but I found that no one really knew the songs I knew and I didn't know the songs they talked about either. This is the time I discovered pop. 

The first time I listen to 105.3 hot fm, Lady Gaga's Just Dance came on. It was really shell shocking, because it was so different. I ended up loving it, though. From there I listened to the repetitive songs and some country music. Pop music slowly got me into (some) rap, and bands from other countries such as The Veronicas (Aussies). Indie music is my the next stage of music I learned about, most thanks due to Pandora. This is my favorite genre of music by far. 

Lately, I don't listen to any country music, very little rap, some of the repetitive radio singles, and lots of indie and 90's hits. Joining the school band in 6th grade also helped with my quest of varying music. I love listening to bands play, instruments such as saxophone (which I play), and piano classics (thanks, Dad!). 

I love discovering up and coming artists and finding musicians with good tone and musicality. Okay, that's my band geekness speaking. You may or may not understand what I mean. 

The point is, we grow and expand our interests. We change. And change is good. 
From Kids to Adults. 

HW<3

Over It, Hairy Legs, And Austin Jones

Hello, Chickadees

Okay, that is not how I start my posts. Hello, Lovelies!

So today marks the 10th snow day for my school of the entire winter season (so far!). It also marks the week of school we haven't had. A glance outside makes me suspicious that we will have yet another day off tomorrow. I hate snow! 
A direct quote from my father about this is: "You're going to be in school until August!" I may mention that he was too excited about this. I also saw a post on Facebook that told the band director that he wouldn't need to worry about getting kids to come to 4th of July practices because we (yes, I'm in band/color guard) would be able to practice in the morning during school. True enough. 
Thanks to these snow days, I have been in my house for 7 days straight. So over it. : /

Also thanks to the weather and staying at home, I have been lazy and need to shave my legs. Thought you ought to know. You're welcome.

In other news, my love for Austin Jones (@IamAustinJones on twitter) has become even stronger. So strong in fact, I created a Spotify account just to listen to all of his albums. I never would have, but only a select few of his songs are on youtube. Perfect solution, right?! I think yes. His voice is perfection. <3

Okay, that's it for this post. Sorry it's so much later than usual, but I hadn't planned on posting today. Don't forget to check back tomorrow; I'm starting a new series! Bye! : )

HW<3

Brain Dump.

Hi, Lovelies. *fair warning, this post is very scattered because I was tired and I wrote different pieces of it at randoms times during the day in no particular order. #sorrynotsorry*

9:31 am 

I am really craving a spring roll. To be precise, a spring roll from the Chinese place my family ordered from while I was in Virginia visiting. They are SO good! I need one so bad : (

Today my school had another snow day. I haven't been to school since last Thursday, a week ago, because of the weather. It's not that I like school. What really sucks about these snow days other than having to make them all up during summer vacation is the fact that finals were Thursday and Friday of last week. They are now being pushed back a week and I think I forgot everything. Help! I was feeling really good about these exams, too!

Despite this, I making cookies today. Mmm.... chocolate chip cookies. I hate snow!

So, I'm really loopy and hyper. I've been up since 3:30 am because I couldn't fall back to sleep. I decided to have a Justin Timberlake solo dance party this morning while eating blueberry yogurt instead. I love JT! Yeah, so that's that.

I still want a spring roll.

Yesterday was my grandpa's birthday. Please don't ask me how old he is. He's my grandpa; he's old. His birthday party is being combined with mine and my sister's on the 9th. Dis is how ma famly roles.

I'm super, duper excited about my blog post on Friday. It's not done yet, but it will be by then. I really hope everybody likes it. I started typing it up today, so it may be a little scattered at the moment but I will revise it later.

Bye! : )

HW<3

Bucket Listing, Again

Hey, Lovelies

So a while ago I posted Bucket Listing. I had promised to do another post adding to this list, but I had let it slip my mind completely. Better late than never, right? Here's an extension to the previous list.

My Bucket List

Go to Playlist Live in Orlando

Have 4 Children

Have a Fluffy Kitten Named Louise

Kiss in the Rain

Road Trip USA

K, guys. That's it because I can't think of any more at the moment. I might do another bucket listing post in the future once I think of more to add! Bye! : )

HW<3

I'm A POPster!

Aloha, Lovelies

Lovelies, you won't believe what I'm doing! I have just started the Beginners calender for Blogilates; today is my second day. I am really excited about this and it is clearly one way for me to stay true to my new year's resolution. But, it's not all fun and games. It's actually a lot of work.

As you would have it, I am mostly sore in my abs area. The thighs and butt are also a bit sore. Although it hurts, it hurts so good! I know that this is going to be something to stick with for my health, figure, self esteem, etc.

Love this!

I definitely want you to try this with me. I really think you will enjoy it even if you hate exercising like I do. There are so many benefits to Pilates despite the hate/love relationship you may have with it after the first day. Trust me, it will get better!

Speaking of, I recommend giving 'It Gets Better' by Fun a listen. You should then proceed to do Pilates and sing this to yourself. I'm not kidding.

So, that's it! Go to blogilates.com and youtube.com/blogilates and start your popster journey.
Talk later! : P

HW<3

Top 10

What's up, Lovelies

My friend Cierra at kargenianbeautyblog.blogspot.com has started a weekly Saturday feature. Every Saturday she is posting what her top ten songs of the week were in a sort of a mini collection or series. I stole (had permission to use) her idea and will be doing something similar on my blog, except mine will not be weekly. More like monthly, I think (if I remember at all).

Just a fun fact: I really want a record player.

So, here we go. In no particular order:

 1. Crash Your Party -Karmin
 2. Float On -Modest Mouse
 3. Honestly -Hot Chelle Rae
 4. She's Killing Me -A Rocket To The Moon
 5. Don't You -Simple Minds
 6. Killer -The Ready Set
 7. Roll To Me -Del Amitri
 8. To Be Wanted -Plug In Stereo
 9. By Now -Marianas Trench
 10. Sight For Sore Eyes -Keep It Cute

Wow! I'm really surprised at how hard it was to initially choose songs, then keep them once I had thought of another by the same band that I have also been listening to a lot. Some of them I just had to change though. With that said, I would highly suggest giving these songs a listen along with others by the same bands. I love them, you might also. Give them a shot.

See you next month with my top 10. Until my next post. : )

HW<3

I Have A Secret...

Hey, Lovelies

I have a secret. Lately I have been posting everyday, sometimes multiple times, and trying to improve my blog and the content quality. Normally I wouldn't have been able to do this. But, now I have my own laptop (hp with windows 8) and have the convenience of posting whenever I want. So lucky, I am! With this laptop and the Canon camera I will be purchasing, my blog will be very lively, and hopefully my youtube channel will be, also.

I hope you all are as excited as I am. A lot of posts will be coming your way!

So that is that, I am me, and you are you. Love you guys! : )

HW<3

Thoughts For Future

Hello, Lovelies

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the future and how I would like it to pan out. Of course, these are just my thoughts and ideas and almost one hundred percent not what God has in store for me. That's okay. A girl can still dream though, right? Here is what I have come up with for a 'life plan' so to speak.

I want to go to college (University of Evansville?) the fall after I graduate from high school (18 yrs old). In this time I will: choose my major, have a part time job, and a boyfriend. Blah, blah, blah. Graduation from college (22 years old). Around this time I would like to become engaged to be married. At 23 years of age I would like to be married, the one and only time, and have a pretty steady job. 

Two years after this time (25 years old) I would like to have my first child. I want to have a boy first and I would name him Jonathan Christofer Tyler. Jonathan Christofer as a first name that can be shorted to JC or Jace. Tyler would be his middle name. 

At age 28, I would have another child. A girl this time. I want to name my first girl Holly after me. As far as middle names go, I think Danielle is really pretty and fits nicely with Holly.

 Next would be my third child, another girl when I am age 32. I would name her Lynn Ashton. So pretty, right? I think so. 

Lastly, I would have a boy at age 34. I want to name my last child, and boy, Colin Joshua. I just imagine him being so cute. And a mamma's boy.

That's 16 years, 1 college experience, 1 career, 1 marriage, 4 children, and endless memories.
But like I said before, this is just my interpretation of the next 17 years of my life, this doesn't mean it will occur this way by any means. This just is something to hope for, to look forward to. Plus, what teenage female hasn't done this. Maybe not full out like I have, but at least a little bit.

Really though, the names of my kids are nonnegotiable. I'm not kidding. See you later, Lovelies : )

HW<3

Ugh...

Ugh! 

Lovelies, you know when you need to do something or have stuff to do, but don't know where to start? That's how I feel with today's blog post. I had all my blog posts for the weekend planned out then I didn't have school and my plans for tomorrow were cancelled because of the weather. Now, everything changed. My posts for this weekend are all rearranged and I just don't know where to start with today's.

Let's be honest: I only put makeup on for this photo.

Here's some random facts about today, just because:

 1. I slept in until 1:30 this afternoon.

 2. I really like watching Miranda Sings videos.

 3. I have a killer Miranda impression.

 4. I am eating potato soup as I type this. 

 5. My birthday is exactly 2 weeks away.

 6. I really should clean my room. 

 7. I am going to go now.

I hope this post wasn't completely pointless. Carry on with your 'so-much-more-exciting-than-mine-considering-the-fact-that-I-will-be-sitting-in-my-room-all-alone-scrap-booking' night. Bye.  : o

HW<3

Throwback

Hi, Lovelies

As I hinted at yesterday, I'm showing you a picture from the good, old days. Okay, so I sound like my grandpa when I say that. Noted.

Here's the photo:

Yes, that child you see screaming is me (wasn't actually screaming, just 'No pictures, please'). As you can probably most definitely tell, I look nothing like my brother ( so cute!) and sister who are also in this photo. Although, they don't look Amish the way they are dressed (my grandma, who also took the photo, made this outfit for me for the fourth of July. I hated it, but didn't tell her that). Goodness. That is all I'm going to say.

Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, Lovelies. Don't forget to comment and tweet me your #throwbackthursday pics @hollysays17! 

HW<3

Long Hair Don't Care

Fact: I hate having my hair up. It’s almost a problem. Honestly.

Freshman year, on a cold Friday night during gymnastics at The Edge, I realize how much I hate having my hair in ponytails, braids, buns, and everything else that involves my hair being pulled back and out of my face. Whichever it is, I despise it. It’s just so uncomfortable.

I stretch out on the crimson cheer mats and do some handstands to warm up. I’m ready to practice my back walkovers. Corey, the gymnastics instructor, calls me over and there I am ready to go. With Corey spotting me, I do a few back walkovers pointing my toes, arching my back in three places, when he lets out an overly dramatic sigh.

“Holly, you have to put your hair up.”

I give him the classic ‘you have got to be kidding me’ look (you know, the raised eyebrows and wide eyes. The one you use when your siblings are being completely ridiculous, hence why I am so good at it.) before I start complaining.

“I really don’t want to.”

“I know, but you look like Cousin It,” he says.

At this comment, I burst out laughing. I know I look like Cousin It, with my hair flying in my face constantly and having to flip it out of the way over and over, because I had been told this multiple times before by various people. It’s not news to me. Truth be told, I really don’t care what I look like as long as I don’t have to tie my hair back.

Reluctantly I pull my sleek, dark hair up into a tight high ponytail; annoyed.

“That’s better,” Corey said with a smirk, because he knew he won.

Not to me.

This is the first of many times my lack of motivation to put my hair up has caused me some problems in cheer and color guard. In the end, I always have to get my hair up into a ponytail or bun, but let me assure you, I am quick to let my hair down around my shoulders at the first opportunity I can find. Because, in all honesty, long hair just really doesn’t care.

HW<3

Just Wednesday

Hola, Lovelies

This is me!

Today was a #nomakeup day. I just wasn't feeling it. I was feeling very real though. As compared to fake, that is. So tell me: How do I look?

Can I pull off the no makeup look?

Thanks to zudzud16.blogspot.com for the crop top! #love

I just realized how much I have changed not just in years, but in weeks. Crazy! I will definitely have to upload a pic of my ugly eight year old self as a Throwback Thursday. *Hint hint*

See ya, tomorrow!

HW<3

Friend Zoned : /

Hey, Lovelies

I am feeling pretty tired right now, so I'm going to make this short and sweet (kinda, well not really but we can pretend). The guy I asked said no because he wants another girl to ask him. I'm glad he didn't say he would go with me if he wants to go with someone else, but being friend zoned is never fun. Still, I'm proud of myself for keeping my word and asking. 

Also, my amigos, I will be purchasing a Canon camera (T3i, *crosses fingers*) within the next month or so. I am really excited to be able to take better quality photos and start vlogging. Hopefully, I will have some good content for you all in a bit. 

Alright, I'll be back tomorrow. : )

HW<3

Update!

Hey, Lovelies

Many of you know I was having trouble fundraising for the People to People Student Ambassador trip to the UK this summer. As of today, it is official cancelled for me. I honestly thought I would be more upset about it, but I'm not. There is so much relief in the fact that I don't have to worry about conflicting schedules, having my dad drive me to meetings, and especially the money. I don't need an expensive trip across oceans to have a good summer.

A few moments ago, I asked the guy to Sadie Hawkins. No reply yet!

Update on the update: He said...... he didn't know if he has to work. Still, though. HUGE milestone in my life. He didn't say no!

Alright, Lovelies. I'll keep you up to date. Talk later. : P

HW<3

Sadie Hawkins

Hello, Lovelies

This is my dress to the Sweetheart Swirl: Sadie Hawkins style. Truth be told, I bought it about 4 hours ago and I just love it. It's high low, lace, strapless : / , and came with this little pin for the bodice. I was getting kind of nervous about finding a dress because the dance is only 3 weeks away (the day after my birthday)! Ah! I found the perfect dress so some of the pressure is off now.

On the other hand, their is still lots of pressure because Cierra and I made a deal. If either one of us asks the person we want, the other one has to ask also. Cierra wants to ask someone who we are friends with as friends and I want to ask someone who I actually kind of like. So much more pressure for me! And also, about eight people in our third hour English knows about this and some others including at least one teacher. All in all, a minimum of 20 people are aware. Hope they don't blow it.

BTW: As I'm typing this, I am listening to Relient K's Sadie Hawkins Dance on youtube. 

That's it for now. I'll keep you posted and watch out for photos from the dance in 3 weeks. Bye, Lovelies. 
: )

HW<3

Rethinking The New Year

Hello!

Most everyone makes New Year resolutions. Even I have. My New Year resolution was to exercise more and go running. Although this would be lovely to do, I'm not so sure about it. I am rethinking the new year and what it means to me.

Instead of the ever so apparent new year, new me statuses, I am going for a new year, better me kind of approach. Yes, exercise would be on this to do list, but that is not all. To make better choices for my health including exercise, diet, and stress management is what I am aiming for. Getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep is on that list, too.

The new year isn't about becoming a different person, it's about embracing who we as individuals and being happy with who we are.

Here's to rethinking the new year. Talk later, Lovelies.

HW<3

Honest To Goodness

Hello, Lovelies

There's no school today due to the ratchet wind chill at negative 30, so I thought I would do a post about how I really feel. No sugar coating. Digging a little deeper. Down to the nitty-gritty. Whichever way you want to say it, there it is. 

Despite how great Christmas vacation was to Virginia to see my family for two weeks, despite everything, I just don't feel how I should. I'm stressed out because of school and exams/projects due. I am so nervous for the ACT this March and I don't feel like I have any friends no matter what people keep saying. Everyone is constantly reminding me how I need to get my licence and to do that I need to drive to get the 47 hours I am currently lacking. Plus I haven't drove since school started in September. I just HATE driving and no one really gets that, I guess. Most likely, my brother is going to end up with his licence before I get mine. I turn 17 in February, he turns 16 in September. 
That's all not to mention the fact the my trip to the United Kingdom this summer is about to be cancelled. We, meaning my family, doesn't have the money and fundraising is doing nothing for me. Right now the only way I will be able to go is if I get the full scholarship from the contest announced tomorrow or someone donated about seven thousand dollars to my trip fund. Both of these are very, very slim chances and I'm not banking on either one. Whoa. Great to be honest isn't it? 

To Be Wanted by Plug In Stereo just came on my Pandora. It about sums up how I feel right now. Why not give it a listen? Here's the link. Plug In Stereo is a great band, and I just love Trevor Dahl's voice. 

Something else I just remembered. I have been thinking lately about how I have never had a proper birthday party. That's what I want for my birthday this year. Family, friends (despite how I lack in this particular category), cake, decorations, presents, the works. You know, I have never had friends over for a birthday party. Well I guess that is half a lie. In eight grade I invited some 'friends' over to my house. It ended in disaster. Literally. They trashed my room, a girl showed up who I didn't invite, I slept on the couch. I guess I never really forgave them for the horrid night. Maybe someday.

What else? Well, the night of my birthday is the glow-coming double header basketball game. And I have to go. That also means the dance is the next day. Although, I'm not completely committed on going at the moment. I haven't bought a dress, I don't have a date. I really don't have to go if I don't want to. Something to think about. The good thing about that weekend is that it is three days long. 
Prom on the other hand is something I want to go to... with a date. If I don't I will still be going, but I will be sitting by myself at a table feeling like an idiot. But I have a wonderful dress already that fits the theme perfect. Mascaraed. 

One last thing I thought to include. My New Year's resolution is to start running/exercising. I hardly ever exercise and although I'm vegetarian that doesn't mean I'm healthy. I think that I will actually run today sometime. Yeah. I think I will.

Well, I guess that's all for now. Sorry for the rant. Just something I had to say. Besides, who really read this blog? This lonely teenage girl is signing off.

HW<3

Back Again

Hey, Lovelies

I've been back in Michigan since Friday night at 11:30. Let's just say that although the trip to see my family was great, it is always nice to be sleeping in my own bed. The collection of posts based off of my journal writing from the trip will start this next Saturday for anyone wondering. There is a lot to cover.

In the mean time, I have a few posts to put together and share. These will be published on my blog whenever I get the chance in the next couple of weeks. With school starting back up and projects due, I don't know when exactly I will have a chance to do much of anything but homework.

With that said, I'll be signing off. Lots to do and little time to do it in and all that jazz.
Talk later.

HW<3