My Snowboarding Post

So, one of my favoritist things to do in the whole wide world is going snowboarding. Many people who know me find that hard to believe! (It could have something to do with the fact that I'm not exactly athletic..... or coordinated.....) but it's true, I adore it. I think it could partially be because I've found an outdoor activity that I am actually somewhat competent at, but I know that's not all there is to it! I love all the snow, and being in the mountains, it doesn't matter what resort you are at, it's going to be beautiful! I love the peace of it, especially when you are on a quiet run and there isn't anybody nearby and its just the sound of your wind and your board cutting across the snow.... *Sigh* I also love Love LOVE the speed. I'm pretty big into speed, actually, which can be difficult because I'm also a chicken! But it's worth the occasional fall to be gliding down the slope like that. Plus snowboarding is a great way to hang out with friends. I love huddling together on the ski lift, laughing and talking and singing and yelling at people below us.... it's all part of the experience. The first time I went boarding...... didn't go well. I went with one friend who had never gone, one who had gone once, and a "teacher" who, while meaning well, didn't really have the time or means to fully explain such concepts as, oh, stopping, turning..... things like that. I only went down two or three times, on the pitiful little green, and I was ready to call it quits. I honestly planned on never going again! A year went by, and our youth group had its next annual ski day coming up. I was willing to consider going to sit in the lodge, but no way was I going to get back on that crazy thing. But I had one insistent friend, who was sure I would like it. I was quite sure he was out of his mind, but when he helped make all the arrangements for me to go and offered to teach me..... he pretty much left me no choice! And I wasn't very happy about it, truth be told! But I went. And I learned. And...... I LOVED it! (Moral of this story: never, NEVER only go snowboarding one time before quitting.) So, I've gone, oh, seven or eight times now? And I love it more every time I do it. This last time I finally figured out how to carve. (Using both the heel edge and the toe edge of your board.) I have to say, my stubbornness seems to know no bounds. This same friend told me that I should try it. That I would like it. That I would go faster but not fall more. That I would be less sore. But nooooooo. I was perfectly happy feathering on my heel edge all day! (And not being able to walk for a week afterward because my legs hurt so bad!) But now, finally, when I got around to it, I tried carving..... and while it pains me to admit it, he was right. I love it! So glad I finally learned. So I spent the day carving and flying and falling and laughing with my best friend, and it was amazing! The only downside to the day was that her snowboard, (borrowed from a friend) got stolen at the end of the day! Isn't that awful??? I was kind of hoping I would see someone with it so I could have my cousin and his friend tackle him on the slope..... hehe. But other than that ridiculously awful incident, it was a pretty awesome day! AND I've already gotten to go twice this season, tying my record! (As much as I love it, time and money don't allow me to go very often.) I own my own board and bindings, but I still have to rent boots. So, if anyone wants to give me a pair of size 9's, be my guest! I haven't worn a helmet up to this point, but with my current record of rightness as far as snowboarding goes..... I should probably listen to people and change that. I don't have a picture of my board, but I'll show you the board I'd like to have someday!

Unfortunately you can't see it very well, but it's edged in pink, and the front is white with grey outlines of princesses and castles and all sorts of lovely things like that. I promise it's not as childish as it sounds! It's a Burton Lux, and it looks pretty sweet, if I do say so myself!
And somewhat fitting for.....

The Princess

Books Books Books!!!

  So, I've been doing some reading lately. Not as much as I would like, but some nonetheless, and I thought that maybe you'd be interested in hearing about some of the books I read recently! (Em, you probably don't have to read this post because most of them came from you!) So, here goes....   


The Witness

Dee Henderson

Police Chief Luke Granger's witness to a murder, Amy Griffin, has been on the run for years. Her family thinks she was murdered eight years ago, but Amy chose to accept a life in the shadows in order to protect her sisters' lives. Now unveiled secrets about their father have thrust the sisters into the public spotlight. The man who wants Amy dead now sees her sisters as the way to locate her. Luke and two of his homicide detectives are determined to stand in the way. They are each falling in love with a different sister, and it's become a personal mission to keep them safe. But chances are that at least one of them will fail, and facing the future will take a faith deeper than any of them currently knows.

Ok, well first of all I will say that I enjoyed this book greatly. However, that had to do more with the overall plot than the actual writing. The characters, while interesting, didn't seem fully thought out, and even though you sympathise with them, you don't feel like you really know most of them very well. The ending was the biggest disappointment of all, lets just say big build up and small climax. But in spite of those issues, it was an enjoyable quickie read with an interesting plot.

The Centurions Wife
Davis Bunn and Janette Oke

   Caught up in the maelstrom following the death of an obscure rabbi in the Roman backwater of first-century Palestine, Leah finds herself also engulfed in her own turmoil--facing the prospect of an arranged marriage to a Roman soldier, Alban, who seems to care for nothing but his own ambitions. Head of the garrison near Gallilee, he has been assigned by Palestine's governor to ferret out the truth behind rumors of a political execution gone awry. Leah's mistress, the governor's wife, secretly commissions also to discover what really has become of this man whose death--and missing body--is causing such furor.

This book...... was amazing. I seriously loved it. It's not one of those "christian fiction" books that makes the cut simply by throwing in a few "hail mary" type prayers.  It explains Christianity in full, as well as giving as a great look into the time right after Jesus' death and resurrection. We often overlook that period, but it must have been so confusing, nobody knowing what was going on or what to do next. That is the trouble faced by Leah and he betrothed, Alban, as they each work for their separate employers to find the truth about Jesus. I can't say enough how great this book was, read it, read it soon!!!

Soon

Jerry Jenkins

Paul Stepola, an agent working for the National Peacekeeping Organization (NPO), has been assigned to enforce compliance with the world government's prohibition on religion. Paul relishes his job and is good at it. He is determined to expose underground religion--flush it out, expose it, and kill it--until his life is turned upside down and he is forced to look at life in a different way.

As Paul begins to unravel the truth about what he has found, events taking place around the world are starting to make sense. Something big is coming--something that can't be stopped. And it is coming soon.

I tried to read this book when I was younger, and I don't think I even made it halfway before putting it down. Then I was at my grandparents the other day and I needed a book for the downtime at work. I saw this on the shelf, and decided to give it one more try. Lets just say......

As soon as I was done with it, I immediately went to the library website and requested the next two.

The Silent Governess

Julie Klassen

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his. But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home. He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something. Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

Well, this is another amazing book! I really, really, REALLY really liked it. The plot twists are surprising, you don't always see them coming a mile away, and the characters are both in depth and believable. You find yourself truly caring about what happens to each one of them by the (wonderful) end of the story. Another huge plus of this story is the faith aspect. It doesn't just give you some nebulous "believe in God" shtick, but rather explains that this isn't enough, it takes repentance and real saving faith. The book does discuss the matter of illegitimate children, but it isn't in depth or inappropriate at any time. I hope you'll read it and love it as much as I did!

Well, that's what I've been up to! Have any of you read one or more of these, and what did you think? Any other great (or terrible books) come across your way lately? I'd LOVE to hear about it!!!

Till Next Time....

The Princess 

R.I.P Blueberry

On Monday night at approx. 5:45 pm something very tragic occurred.
My van died.
It was a blue, '93 Plymouth Voyager, given to us by some friends, and it was given to them when the bought a business, and overall its been used by I don't know how many people. It had over two thousand miles on it. It was almost as old as me. It made all kinds of crazy clicking and clacking and grinding and overall not-in-working-order noises. It had so many scratches on it that when I scraped the side against  shopping cart holder it took my a couple minutes just to figure out where the damage had been done. It was formerly known as the Ghetto Rider, but when it passed to me it was renamed as the Blueberry. (I don't know how many of you watch Psych, but my brother and my "sister" and I are HUGE fans, so the name just made sense.) But in spite of all of these problems, it was my first car!!! And I think I was growing a sentimental attachment to it. We sold it the next day for 300 dollars and considered that pretty good, but I have to say I wanted more for it. But I think that's because I really just wanted it to work again. Everyone is telling me how silly I am for being sad at all. The heater barely worked. It ran terribly. It was in danger of exploding at any minute. But in the short time I had it, I enjoyed a lot of good times in that van, and made many good, crazy, scary memories. Like the time a goose attacked my friend Harmony and I. Or the time we rolled down the windows in the freezing cold at eleven o clock at night and sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at the top our lungs. (Jr. High add-ins included, of course) Or the first time my sister and I got to drive somewhere on our own, and we thought it was sooooooo cool. Till we had to drive down Colfax and saw all sorts of scary people. Getting honked at, saying hello to random people as we drove by, playing Mexican music way too loud. All the stupid (But not unsafe mom!) stuff we did..... it was all in that junky blue van.
It looked something like this....

Just maybe with a few more scratches.
Here is a picture of the car it was named after....

Maybe a leetle nicer looking than mine, but still blue and containing crazy people driving around doing crazy things. I am hoping to get a new vehicle by this weekend so I can go places without bumming rides off of people. In case you are interested, here is the car I'm voting for....

Cute, right? I can definitely see myself making new memories in this one =) unfortunately, this is what my mom is vying for....

Not nearly as cute right? And gold cars? yuck. However, I will, of course, be grateful for anything that drives well and gets me where I'm going. (Just especially so if it is yellow.)
And just for kicks, here is the mother of all vehicles, my absolute dream car, the first thing that I would buy if I came into a large amount of money. So if anyone wants to give me one of these, please, be my guest, you'll be my hero forever!

And so, while there are lots of lovely things to drive out there and I'm sure I'll have many in my lifetime, all with different stories and memories, it's like they say, you never forget your first car. (In this particular instance, car and love are interchangeable.) So, Rest In Peace dear Blueberry, you served me well.

Till Next Time....

The Princess

Oh Say Can You Read.....

So, did anyone watch the super bowl? I was going for the Steelers and I have to admit that I wasn't very happy with the outcome. Some of my family all got together after church and watched the game. (recorded) We all cringed when the national anthem started. Is there a single famous person who can sing that song by matching each word up with one note and sticking to it? I'm beginning to highly doubt it. I personally found Christina Aguilera's version almost painful, it didn't seem like she was even trying to be musically pleasant. Or lyrically accurate, apparently! I have to admit that I didn't notice the slip up the first time I watched the game. (I was kind of trying not to listen) But when I heard about it I had to go to Youtube and hear it for myself. And there it was! Is that some kind of a joke? I mean, if you were singing the song that is THE single most important song to our nation, our national anthem, before THE biggest sporting event in the country, don't you think you would at least want to get the words right?!? It's ridiculous!!! The lyrics aren't all that hard to remember.
Oh say can you see,
By the dawns early light,
What so proudly we hailed,
At the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
Through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched,
Were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.
Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Ok, I just typed that from memory, and while I did have to change one "n" to an "f" (I always replace fight with night! >=/) I think I pretty much got it. And that's just off the top of my head, without any prior preparation. Did Ms. Aguilera even try to read the words before she got up there?!? She replaced a whole phrase! Did they only tell her she was singing five minutes beforehand??? Here is a video of her performance.

Don't these people have ANY respect for our nation? Huh, stupid question. Of course not. I do see some humor in it though. Do you see the faces of the players they show right after she fails? It's pretty funny! What do you think? Slip of the tongue of flagrant disrespect? I'd like to hear!

Also, here are some other famous people singing our national anthem. What do you think, who means it and who couldn't care less?

Beyonce

Dixie Chicks (yuck)

Carrie Underwood

Whitney Houston

Kelly Clarkson

Faith Hill

David Archuleta

Josh Groban

Till Next Time.....

The Princess 



Welcome Baby Ali!

I'm so excited! Seriously, I've been singing and bouncing and practically radiating happiness for the last sixteen hours or so. My aunt had her baby! Little Baby Alison Grace. 
 She is so beautiful, I couldn't help crying a little bit when I got to hold her last night. She was born 8 pounds 11 ounces, two weeks early! She's a big girl that one! Her little squinty blue eyes are so adorable, and so far she has dark hair! I think she should look just like me, don't you? Hm..... At any rate, I couldn't be more overjoyed about this precious little girl. I'm going to miss a lot of her growing up years since I'll be in school, but I'm going to skype that girly, she'll know who I am! I am 18 years older than her, more the distance between an aunt and a niece than two cousins. (In my family anyway) So I almost feel like I'm getting my first niece! I'm going to take her everywhere with me just as soon as she's old enough. Most people don't know this, but she's after named after me! Her middle name is Grace, which just happens to be my name as well. (Something else most people don't know=) So, welcome precious, I hope you enjoy your time on this earth and glorify our Lord and Savior with your whole life. Who knows, this little girl might even be the next....

Princess