Weekend Assignment

Weekend Assignment #70: Suggest a book for a long trip. You know, something to keep me from banging my head against the plane wall as I'm bored out of my skull at 36,000 feet above the chilly North Atlantic. I'm open to fiction and non-fiction, and I like to read from all genres. I don't mind something challenging, but this should be a book for enjoyment; I'm not planning to study for a test or anything. Please don't recommend a book that's sold over, say, 5 million copies, because that's waaaay too easy. So no Harry Potters or DaVinci Codes or the Five People You Meet in Heaven or most primary religious texts or stuff like that. You know what I'm talking about, here.

Extra Credit: If you have any special tips or techniques you used for dealing with long trips, I'd love to hear them.

So it's not exactly long or anything, but The Notebook is a great book. It's by Nicholas Sparks (actually, I recommend anything by him) and it was his first published work. The story is about Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson. It's somewhat confusing at times because there are three stories going on throughout the entire book. There's young Noah and Allie, an old couple, and the late-twenties/early-thirties Noah and Allie. At 15, Allie meets 17 year old Noah and they fall in love. When summer ends, she has to move back with her family to Raleigh, NC. (He lives in New Bern, NC.) At 29, she finds him again. This is the wonderfully romantic story of what happens when at 29 year old engaged socialite reconnects with her first love for a few days. Mr. Sparks himself says through the character of the old man "I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I have loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. The romantics would call this a love story, the cynics would call it a tragedy. In my mind it's a little bit of both, and no matter how you choose to view it in the end, it does not change the fact that it involves a great deal of my life and the path I've chosen to follow. I have no complaints about my path and the places it has taken me; enough complaints to fill a circus tent about other things, maybe, but the path I've chosen has always been the right one, and I wouldn't have it any other way." Kay, that was more than I meant to quote but, the important part is in red. This book is kind of short for an hours long plane ride at only 214 pages but, it is enough to get you through at least a few hours. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks is one of the greatest books I've read. I only hope that I can find love like that one day.

Extra credit: Read all the books we're suggesting! LOL

Saturday Six

1. What was your favorite childhood movie?  When was the last time you saw it?

Pocahontas. I saw it a few months ago.

2. Who is your worst enemy at the moment?  (First names only, please.)  Why is that person your enemy?

Myself because I'm constantly second guessing and putting myself down in my thoughts. Bad habits that I'm trying to break.

3. Which one of the following annoys you most when you encounter a new blog?
    a. Constant grammatical errors.
    b. Constant spelling errors.
    c. Contrived "street" language.
    d. Too many "nothing happening today" entries.

4. Take this quiz:   Which alcoholic drink are you?

Cocktail

?? Which Alcoholic Drink Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

5. What is the last thing you said to a person face to face?  Who was that person?

To Lindz. Something about "if I had one, I'd give it to you" (about her lack of washcloth)

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #59 from Debi:  When you shower, do you ever think of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, "Psycho?"

OMG! Yes. That movie scared the crap outta me. I only saw about 5 minutes and then I had to leave the room. I was 11 and on Long Island and the Land Shark and Auntie Red startedwatching it and I thought I would too. I thought wrong. Almost right after that part, I went into the bedroom side with Gramma and read a book til I got too tired.

My blogging personality

Your Blogging Type Is Thoughtful and Considerate You're a well liked, though underrated, blogger. You have a heart of gold, and are likely to blog for a cause. You're a peaceful blogger - no drama for you! A good listener and friend, you tend to leave thoughtful comments for others. What's Your Blogging Personality?

From Barb's Journal

You Should Learn Spanish For you, learning a language is about career advancement and communication. Knowing Spanish will bring you tons of possiblities for jobs and travel. Bárbaro! What Language Should You Learn? Your Hidden Talent Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements. What's Your Hidden Talent? Your Kissing Purity Score: 89% Pure You've hardly ever been kissed But the kisses you've given are very missed Kissing Purity Test

Saturday Six-episode 67

1. Who was your first best friend?  How old were you when you two met?  Are you still in regular contact with each other?

Michelle. We were three. I haven't talked to her since I was five.

2. Other than the "Saturday Six," what weekly or daily memes do you play most often?  (Please give a link to that journal.)

I used to do the Weekend Assignment at By The Way... but, I haven't done so in forever. It looks like this is the only thing I actually do anymore. That sucks. (That I've dropped the others that is)

Note: I'm an idiot. I do Krissy's Photo Scavengar Hunt and Dawn's 20 Questions.

3. Which of the following likely has the bigger mess underneath it:  your stove, your refrigerator, your couch or your bed?

My bed and couch are completely clear. My fridge and stove are tied.

4. Take this quiz:  How long does MSN think you'll live?  Then take this one:  How long does Blogthings think you'll live?

MSN says: 98 years
Blogthings says: 76 years

5. Do either or both of these motivate you to make any changes in your lifestyle?

Not really. I don't care right now. I should eat healthier but, I'm fifteen and I don't care.

6. Name five things you would like to do by December 31, 2005.

A) Skinny dip.
B) Read the entire Bible.
C) Talk to Jon.
D) Watch every episode of LOST to date.
E) Have my first kiss.

Saturday Six

Damn me. I just deleted all my answers to the Saturday Six. Damn. Time to restart...

1. What is the last thing you either camped out or got up unusually early to be able to buy?

I stayed up late to get Harry Potter last night.

2. If you had to give up one of the following for a full year, which would be the easiest to do without?  Which would be the most difficult to give up?
    a) Your personal vehicle-easiest
    b) Your Telephone (both cellular and land line)
    c) The Internet-hardest
    d) Meat (all of it:  Beef, Poultry, Pork and Seafood)
    e) Television

3. How many items (include all bottles, boxes and containers) are in your medicine cabinet?  Which is the last one you used?

Upstairs-27 items-Allegra

Downstairs-34 items-Aleve

4. What is the first source you go to for news of any kind when you wake up?  How much do you trust that particular source?

Only news I get on a regular basis is the weather from my bedroom window. I trust it emensly.

5. Take the Quiz:   What do the letters of your name stand for?

Victoria is...

Virile
Ideal
Charming
Terrific
Old
Respectable
Intense
Astonishing

Vickey is...

Vain
Industrious
Confused
Kinky
Exquisite
Yummy

HopelessBlondie is...

Honest
Outrageous
Profound
Exquisite
Legendary
Elitist
Stunning
Special
Busy
Luscious
Orderly
Nutty
Dramatic
Intense
Earthy

Sawyer is...

Sexy
Appealing
Weird
Yucky
Elitist
Rich

Tinkerbell is...

Twisted
Irresistible
Normal
Kinky
Exciting
Rich
Busy
Exhausting
Lively
Loud

6. What is your favorite color and why?  If you have a journal or journals, is this color the primary one on those journals?  If not, why not?

Purple. It's the color of my birthstone, my birth flower, my favorite blanket. It's just always been a very close thing to me. It's not the primary color in any of my public journals. I may change that at some point but, as of now, it's not. It's kinda the main color in Ma Serie de Crises (my private J).

stolen from barb

1.  First name?  

Victoria

2. Were you named after anyone?  

My middle name is for my maternal grandmother

3. Do you wish on stars?  

If I don't, what hope do I have?

4. When did you last cry?  

Earlier today I was about to but didn't and about two days ago I did

5. Do you like your handwriting?  

Mostly

6. What is your favorite lunch meat?  

Jeanie-O Turkey Breast

8. What is your most embarrassing CD?  

Spice Girls 

9. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you?  

Course! 

10. Do you have a journal?  

You're lookin at one of 'em.

11. Do you use sarcasm a lot?  

Me? Use sarcasm? (Dontcha love how those of us who do always us sarcasm to answer this question?) 

12. What are your nicknames?  

Tinkerbell, Sawyer, Vickey, Doll, Chicky, Sexbag (but we don't talk about that)   

13. Would you bungee jump?  

Yes

14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?  

Sometimes

16. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?   

Depends on my mood 

17. Shoe size?  

6 1/2 to 7 1/2

18. Red or pink?   

Red 

19. What is your least favorite thing about Yourself?  

My theory is if I say I like something, I'll like it. Thus, I love myself. (This works with my choir music. It should work with my body.) 

20. What do you miss most?  

My sanity

21. Do you want everyone you send this to, to send it back?  

Sure

22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?  

Jean shorts and no shoes  

23. What are you listening to right now?  

It was Katrina Elam (I Wanna Cowboy) but now it's Tim McGraw (Do You Want Fries With That?). Radio@AOL

24. Last thing you ate?  

I drank some tea but last thing I ate was baklava and vanilla ice cream. 

25. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  

Robin's egg blue

26. What is the weather like right now?  

Outside? Probably still muggy and raining.  

27. Last person you talked to on the phone?  

Lindz, of course

28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex?  

Eyes

29 . Do you like the person who sent this to you?  

Yes. Barb is amazing!

30. Favorite Drink?  

Cherry Coke   

31. Favorite Sport?  

One in which I don't have to play 

32. Last time you exercised?  

*hides* Define exercised. Way too long ago I went for a run. I think it was last week.

33. Eye Color ?  

Brown/Hazel/Green

34. Do you wear contacts/glasses?  

Both. Not at the same time  

35. Favorite Food?  

Chinese 

36. Last Movie You Watched?  

Paycheck  

37. Favorite Day of the Year?  

One on which I am not depressed 

38. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings?  

Both. 

39. Summer Or winter?  

Winter (ask me in February. I'll say summer.)

40. Greatest day of your life so far?  

Don't have a *greatest* but a great one was 2/21/05 because I got my rose that day. ^_^ Thank you, Murph. It always makes me smile. Just thinking about it and I smile (and I can breath properly when I'm sniffing it).

41. What Is Your Favorite Dessert?  

Baklava   

42. Who Is Most Likely To Respond?  

Idk 

43. Who Is Least Likely To Respond?  

Idk

44. Living Arrangements?  

No comment.   

44b. Sleeping arrangements?  

Tonight, on my grandmother's couch. 

45. What's your favorite books?  

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks  

46. What's On Your Mouse Pad?  

My grandmother's is bears at yellowstone park. 

47. Favorite Smell?  

Coffee in the morning  

48. Favorite Room?  

one in which i can find peace and quiet  

49. Favorite Sound?  

my love whispering words of love into my ear   

50. Rolling Stones or Beatles?  

Neither 

51. What's the furthest you've been from home?  

NYC  

52. Best money or best job?  

Best job  

53. What disease would you cure if given the chance?  

cancer  

54. What has been/will be the highlight of your week?  

Has been: talkin' to murph
Will be: getting my period and the new Harry Potter book

55. If you could be anywhere else right now, where would that be?  

paradise

questionaire

1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Victoria Elizabeth

 2. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Radio@AOL, currently the Christian station

 3. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A piece of hamburger

 4. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Robin's egg blue

 5. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Muggy and humid and gross outside

 6. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mom

 7. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? Eyes, smile, personality

 8. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT YOU THIS? Stole this from Dawn who is amazing

 9. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Kinda bored, kinda confused, feeling really cute with my new haircut :)

10. FAVORITE DRINK? Depends on my mood

 11. FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK? The one I'm allowed to have!

12. FAVORITE SPORTS? Gymnastics

13. HAIR COLOR? Chestnut right now but, blonde highlights (natural and dyed) and hints of red (natural)

14. EYE COLOR? Mahongany (I hate the word brown.) 

15. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes

16. SIBLINGS AND THEIR AGES? Samantha Rae, 2, Joseph Lee, 11, and Timothy, 17

17. FAVORITE MONTH? October

18. FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate anything

 19. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Saw part of Pretty Woman

 20. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? The day I feel happy and at peace 

21. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS BETTER? Both

22. SUMMER OR WINTER? Autumn.

23. HUGS OR KISSES? A good hug can do wonders. (Member, never been kissed.) 

24. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS? In theory, relationships. In actuality, mine've sucked so far.

 25. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate! 

 26. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO WRITE BACK? Sure, w/e.

27. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No clue.

 28. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Again, no clue. 

 29. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS? With my dad and brother

30. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Lord of the Flies, the Bible, The Guardian, The Notebook, and Still Waters

 31. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? blue. yuck.

32. FAVORITE BOARD GAME? life 

 33. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Sat out back with Nick (ew) and Joey and Dad (but he came in long before I did) and made s'mores and watched the flames

34. FAVORITE SMELLS? A campfire. So sexy.

 35. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?  Oh, Lord. What time is it, what day is it, and do I have to do anything today? 

36.  FAVORITE MOVIE? Princess Bride 

38.  OCCUPATION? Student, Christian, big sister, best friend, counselor, and a billion other things

39. HOMETOWN? Smalltown, USA 

40.  FUTURE GOALS? Fall head over heels in love, get married, have kids

Saturday Six-Episode 64

1. A stray dog wonders into your yard, obviously weak, hungry and thirsty.  He is a very friendly dog, but if you feed it or give it water, you know that the dog won't leave your yard and you'll end up keeping him.  If you don't help the animal, he might die.  What do you do?

I would feed the dog. If I couldn't keep him where I was living, I would find a trusted family member or friend to keep him.

2. You must lose one of the following:  a foot, a hand, an eye or an ear.  Which would you get rid of and why?

I would lose none! But if I must, I'd get rid of a foot because I have to choose one and why not that one?

3. Scalzi of "By the Way" recently posted about the top unanswered questions in science today.  Click here and scroll down to the list of the top 25 biggest mysteries:  which one would you MOST like to have answered?

Uhh..... I'd most like to have How Are Memories Stored and Retrieved? answered.

4. Joe, our AOL Journals Editor, says blogs are boring:  either everyone talks about pretty much the same topics, or regular people lead dull lives, he suggests.  So what keeps you reading other people's blogs?

I'm addicted.

5. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #57 from Lisa:  You are writing a bestseller book.  What kind of book is it (romance, mystery, science fiction, action adventure, historical, gothic, classic, fiction, non fiction, biography, other) ?   What is your main character's first name and the setting in which it will take place?  And give us a one sentence tidbit about the plot ...   

A romance about a girl named Katherine who lives in upstate NY and can't figure out her heart. I've already started it as a short story and here's the opening sentence:

As she lay alone on her loft, Katherine wished deperatly that she had kissed him that night.

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #58 from Mary:  Jim Elliot once said, "When it comes time to die...make sure all you got to do is die."  What do you have to do or would like to do before you die? Make a list of at least 6 things.  And since you made the list.. will you actually try to accomplish those things?

I don't have to do much but there is a lot I'd like to do.

1. Skinny dip.
2. Kiss someone.
3. Get a tattoo.
4. Read thru the entire Bible.
5. Get that dress from Saratoga Springs!
6. Finish this story.

I'll do most of them, I hope. At least 5/6 depending on how long God grants me.

Saturday Six #65

1. How many mirrors are there in your home?  If you could go for the rest of your life without ever looking in a mirror (but still know that you hadn't missed a button or that your hair was disarrayed, etc.) would you?

At my dad's, there are at least eight big (read: not pocket sized) mirrors in the house. At my mom's, there is at least one. If I could know that my make-up was still fine and my contacts in the right way, yeah.

2. What online abbreviation annoys you the most and why?

jp or just playin. Get over it!

3. What do you hate the most in this world?

Close-mindedness or intolerance

4. You decide to go to your next high school reunion.  What do you anticipate would be the thing most people said about you behind your back?

When? When I was (am) in high school? Probably that I'm a lesbian because I haven't snogged anyone (yet).

5. You learn that because of some galactic mixup in fate itself, you must restart your life tomorrow in a new place.  You will emerge as a person with a unique past and won't seem out of the ordinary to those in the new place.  You will retain the experiences and memories of your past, but the people you are closest to will believe that you are dead and gone and you would be prohibited from contacting them.  Where would you go and why?

I wouldn't. I couldn't leave Sami, Lindz, or anyone else I know! But if I had to, I'd go to Paris or Italy because it's elegant and sophisticated.

6. What are you most passionate about in this moment of your life and why?

Right now, I'm most passionate about my art. My drawing, my painting, my writing, my singing. Don't mess with me and my arts.

Questions

Taken from Patrick who took it from Brian

What is your favorite word? 
I'm with Brian here. Love.

What is your least favorite word? 
Alone

What turns you on?
Confidence.

What turns you off? 
Arrogance.

What sound or noise do you love?  
Sami begging me to sing to her.

What sound or noise do you hate? 
Sami crying or throwing a fit

What is your favorite curse word?
Damn.  So much can be fit in one little word. Plus, it's not as horrid as words such as f*** or whatnot.

What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt? 
Well, I don't have a profession except student. I'd like to try to be a chef.

What profession other than yours would you least like to attempt? 
Coroner.

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? 
"Welcome home."

Saturday Six

1. Yesterday, I linked to the journal "Mall Of America," a collection of photos from shopping malls of the 1960s and 1970s.  What store do you associate most with your childhood in terms of happy memories and why?  Is the store still around?

None b/c I didn't look at it and I wasn't around in the '60's or '70's.

Opps! Misread it! I most associate Mrs. Fields with my childhood. We always got one when we went to the mall when I was little. Yeah, it's still around.

2. What song makes you the most emotional and why?

Umm.. typically How Can I Help You to Say Good-Bye? by Patty Loveless. It reminds me of a lot of things.

3. Take the quiz:  What year were you born under, and what year should you have been born under?

You Were Actually Born Under: You've got a ton of energy - and need plenty of room to roam. You tend to follow your whims, and it's hard for you to stick to one thing. Specific jobs, loves, and friends are always changing and never a part of your life for long. Very intuitive, you tend to know what people are thinking before they say a word. You are most compatible with a Dog or Tiger. You Should Have Been Born Under: Delicate, timid, and attractive - sometimes you really do act like a bunny. You're very compassionate and protective of those you love, sometimes too protective. Your home is really your castle, and you make sure your home is comfortable and well furnished. You don't like to argue - and you prefer a quiet, peaceful life. You are most compatible with a Goat or a Pig. What Year Were You Born Under?

4. What time do you typically wake up each day?  What is the latest you're normally able to sleep?  How many hours of sleep do you get in an average night?

So farthis summer, I wake around noon and I can sleep til around 1. I get around 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night.

5. What frightens you the most about getting older?

Losing friends that I have now.

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #56 from Debi:  If you found the house of your dreams, right price, then discovered that a murder or suicide had taken place in the house, would you still consider buying the house?

I would consider it but, it would depend on the room it happened in. If it were my bedroom or bathroom, no. If it were a more obscure room, yes.