Back to life, Back to Nutella (FOUR)

And with that, my little novel, (ahem, novelette!) is over!

Thank you all so much for the love over the past few days (faith in humanity: restored!) It's hard to be vulnerable and open, but I've been sitting on these posts for a good couple of months, and it felt like the right time to let 'em free! I needed closure, I needed freedom....and to talk about the elephant in the room.

Luckily though, I'm done! We can go back to worrying about the important things in life. I currently have a wildly impressive cold sore which demands a lot of my nervous energy, as well as the looming horrors of history tests and piano recitals. And you? You've probably got a 3 seasons of Downton Abbey to catch up on. I'm sorry for interrupting your marathon!

But, after all, I can't make everyone happy,
I'm not a jar of nutella.

Let that be a life lesson to all of us. And off you go!

REJOICE IN HOPE, 

BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATION, 

AND STEADFAST IN PRAYER.

Romans 12:12

The Last Good Day (TWO)

"There's no way of knowing that your last good day is Your Last Good Day. At the time, it is just another good day." 
- The Fault in Our Stars

I had a good day with two of my dearest friends a few months ago. And, as life would have it,  I had no idea it would be my Last Good Day, of a different kind.

Imagine being friends with someone for 14 years. Imagine that you tell that person everything, the secrets, the juicy news, the drama. The friend whose door you don't have to knock on, because you know you can come right in. The friend who was more than just a friend, she was your sister.

And then imagine that one day, she won't talk to you.

(plot twist!)

It's been really hard for me, the past few months. Losing my greatest friend, my (I thought) closest ally. I honestly can't even remember NOT being friends with her because we've been friends for so long.

Or I should say, we were friends for so long. Key word being were.

It's not easy to lose someone you thought would be in your life forever. It's not easy to wake up one morning and realize you don't have anyone to talk to about boys or nail polish (both, equally important in life.) And when you're that girl who has had your wedding planned for years...well, now I have to start looking for a new maid of honor.

I keep thinking back to the Last Good Day. And I wish I could have known, how significant that day really was. I try and remember something that went wrong, but it was perfect. In every way...to me at least. We were giggling at inside jokes practically older than us, snapping bestie photos and all that jazz.

But no.

It was the last time we'd ever laugh about that joke, the last time we'd ever take a photo together.

That was the last time she was my best friend.

That was the last time she was my friend at all.

The stupid thing is, I'm not even mad. I'm heartbroken and crushed and in tears some days, but I'm not mad at all. I keep expecting a text from her. I keep thinking I've got to tell her this! I'm still curious how her book is coming and if the characters got married or not and wondering if she still keeps the newspaper clipping of our art teacher in her closet.

And then I realize, I'll never know. 

And that's hard for me.

1/35 - LET'S DO THIS.

First day of the year is done!

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I joined a one day a week classical school this year. And of my own free will, surprisingly!

Heritage has been an option for me for the past few years, but at the same time it wasn't really because the Lord wasn't leading me there. This year though! Man, He had billboards and neon light and the whole shebang (which was exciting!) No doubt this year will be challenging beyond words, but the Lord brought me here and I know without a doubt, He will bring me through.

(that being said, I'm still counting down the weeks till summer!)

1. ) Check out my uniform! Felt a little Walmart Cashier -esque, but then again, that's always been my dream so on second thought, this will do nicely.

2.) BOOKS?! For those of you who know me, reading is not my cup of tea. Over the summer I read 10 books. Granted, they were all fluffy and light and especially cheesy...and now I have to transition into books that  my nerd of all nerds, genius of all genius's brother couldn't even finish. Wish me luck!

So excited to see what The Lord has in store for me. I'm SURE you'll hear me moaning about homework once or twice...a week. And with that, I'm off to begin my 1st assignment....

It's gonna be a long year!

It all started with a sappy movie....

It has been one of those weeks that has been essentially terrible. Not to say it isn't laced with wonderful things, but the general mood has been dreary. Of course, thanks to typical teenage raging hormones, everything seems worse. But I don't know, it's been one of those weeks where you just want to cry for no reason at all.

And so, I did.

At a friends no less. Without waterproof mascara, no less. I knew it would find a way out somehow, and apparent I just needed a hallmark movie to shove me along. I cried an ugly cry and I couldn't figure out why.

After my mascara had made it to my neck, I realized that it wasn't about the mom with cancer or the little girl whose house had just burned to the ground. It was about me and my life and everything that's been going on. And that my inner house was burning to the ground as well.

Yesterday our drama teacher asked us to look at the person next to us. Andrew and I raised our eyebrows and laughed a little. And then she said that we may not know what the other person is going through, that we'd never know by how they acted what they were struggling with. And I don't know whats really up in Andrews life, but heck, I know he as no idea whats going on in mine. Not to say something awful is brewing, I've just had a lot on my mental plate and in my heart.

Today I intend to watch another sappy movie and see if I can't get the rest out. Feel free to join me, as there will be plenty of chocolate involved in the heart healing process.

Above all else, GOD IS GOOD.

And all the time, He is good.

"Is your place a small place? Tend it with care; He set you there. Is your place a large place? Guard it with care! He set you there. Whatever your place, it is not yours alone, but His who set you there."

Awkward Updates.

This post is a prime example of the "type and erase" game. It's something I do generally all the time, but this post has been the worst! I seriously have re-written absolutely nothing of substance about 100 different ways, all without success. I couldn't decided what to talk about and then I couldn't choose a photo and it really went downhill from there.

That being said, here are the deets! Do what you want with them...


-"The only reason you go to Paris is to post photo on instagram and make everyone jealous."

- Texting Emily.. "So I'm having a problem! When I say IDK, it's to casual! But when I say 'I don't know', it's too fancy". Thankfully, Em's got my back: "Just say, IHNYATK (I have not yet acquired that knowledge.)" Perfect middle ground, if you ask me.

-" With a little editing, you'll look great!" - said whilst taking Emily's photos.

- Watching a movie with Emily and turning to one another AT THE EXACT SAME TIME and saying how good of a movie it was. It was actually scary.

-Someday we are going to film our tennis lessons because we would be youtube sensations for sure! Our only disclaimer would be that you laugh with us, not at us. Because otherwise we might be worried that you didn't like our kung fo moves mid game!

-"these lipsticks are on the same wavelength."

-talking to myself and saying, "well, if I were you I would..."

-seeing the clock at 10:10, 11:11 and 12:12 in one night. I was feeling very proud.

(all quotes by me, thank you very much, unless otherwise noted. Just to clarify, I don't want to make someone else look stupid for no reason!)

Of Drama and Cheese

Oh, I do love some cheese! Our drama performance was last week. And while it was the epitome of cheese itself (only the finest cheddar), I had so much fun. I was wearing a cape for both acts, which proves to be very hazardous while walking, standing, sitting, and breathing. And oh, the eye rolls! I rolled my eyes so many time (I was Caroline Bingley you see, and eye rolling is required.) I'd been practicing for 16 years! And in those 6 hours of performance I got out enough eye rolls to hopefully last me a year. Or a week, at least.

 ▲▲Talk about being swallowed in gold fabric and window treatments! That dress was no joke! And here is me, being awkward, not pictured are the 200 people who watched me (through their fingers I'm sure!)

▲▲Let's play a game called "What kind of forest animal does Kryn look like?" Because I can't decide if I look like a fox or a raccoon or a vicious anchovy. Obviously I have expanded from forest animals, but anyway. Eyebrows can really change a girl, no? Female one minute, man eating anchovy the next.

▲▲Sadly this pin is my life, so all these really push the "artistic" envelope. Still they grace the blog because these girls are my favorite, and 18th century costumes deserve to be documented, even in blurry form.

Despite the fact that the performances were incredibly humiliating, I had a grand time! Honestly the entire week was the Lord's doing, I ended up not being sick, not puking and not sweating like a menopausal woman. All in all, I'd say it went well!

IT'S FUNNY BEING A KRYN.

Today was one of those days where EVERYTHING went weird. Like not wrong, just weird. It started with me being in a really nice dream (medieval hunger games/people with golden wings and hotels with nice carpet!) and then WAKING UP. That's the worst. Then at drama my stomach was growling SO loud, so I rushed to get my lunch only to find out I messed up my order and got a salad. And please, can we all just take a moment to mourn for the sadness that is lettuce mixed with shredded veggies and dressing? Because really. Then I spilled salad dressing all over my dress and was chanting about taquitos in art, per my art teachers suggestion.

Like I said,weird. And so, to top those, here are the deets....

-"I'm sweating. I'm Freezing. I'M GONNA DIE!!" #dramaproblems.

-Trying to get into the wrong car. Twice, in the same day. 

- Asking KJ "Do you emit wifi?" (I think he took it as a compliment!)

-Running around Emily's neighborhood wearing a bathrobe and pretending to be a wizard. (I prefer to be called "The Whiz.")

-trying to prove the fact that I'm not mentally insane.

-Getting too wrapped up in staring at the Washington Monument and walking right into a pole (a midget pole! it was only up to my torso!) Sadly this was while it was raining so I got water all over my pants and looked like I had no self control as far as bladders are involved.

-A friend thinking the puppies names were "Soapy and Bubbles." Which honestly I am a little embarrassed/ashamed I didn't think of that myself because really!

- doing the hokey pokey at three in the morning because obviously there was nothing better to do.



If you have a little sanity to spare, please send it my way. 

OH BY GOSH BY GOLLY

After an unfortunate turn of events, I found out today that all texts that Emily and I had sent one another had ALSO been sent to my brothers phone. Of course, to someone normal that might not be a huge deal, but off the top of my head I can think of at least 10 videos we've sent (bee gee's, double chins, oh my!) that literally make me want to crawl in a hole and die.

So, if any of you know of a rock under which we could call our home, let us know. We pay in hugs and free concerts.

Thank goodness I took these photos just before, because the serenity would have certainly been broken had I known what I know now.

Moral of the story, don't send double chin videos. Ever.

DUN DUN DUN, September!

And so, it' is September and I'm not sure how I feel about it. But! We are one month closer to fall leaves and Christmas so I guess I can handle it. MAYBE. But, have I told you about drama club? My dear mother decided it was high time I put my drama to good use (I swear, I'm not dramatic at all! Except about candles, grilled cheese and everything else in life. Sheesh!) and so here I am in drama. But then, there is this tiny thing called, oh I don't know, A BRITISH ACCENT, in which we must master and actually USE in public.

No comment.

So my main goal for September will to be survive, British accents and volleyball, thank you very much. Not like I'm complaining or anything! But, feel free to bring me cupcakes at any point and time, okey dokey?

-WORK ON BRITISH ACCENT

-Not miss any serves in a game

-post one outfit post (i have a feeling i might regret this, but we shall see!)

-play tennis

-get a succulent

-write more letters

- do fun things with friends.

And now, would you like some tea? Because I feel like when homeschoolers try and do British accents, that's all they say. That or some uber romantic line from Pride and Prejudice which I guess is fine by me.

Have a great day, and If it were possible to type in a British accent then I totally would. Cheers!

PANTONE = WORLD PEACE (or something like that.)

Welp! It's been one of those weeks. You know, the weeks were every day is like so. incredibly slow. and you blink and it's Friday? And also one of those weeks where you are like "eh, things could be better." but eh weeks make good weeks seem even better. And maybe I should say like one more time just to round things up  to easy peasy three. And i did it! So whelp week is turning into WOOT week if you know what I mean.

But that's okay, no one ever knows what I mean. I've just kind of accepted that as fact. But sophie! And Fred? They know.


Totally riding on the "Stressed, depressed but well dressed." mantra this week. I just look so dang good in yoga pants, so what can I say?

And no, I'm not REALLY depressed. But! I will tell you that it is very sad when you find out that Home Depot does not have succulents. A day of mourning, for all!

It's good to be back.

It's good to be babbling again! I take great joy in forming sentences that have absolutely no value whatsoever. And now, on with your life.

And Lowe's has very fine paint chips. And so I guess all is well in the world then. Paint chips (probably)= world peace.

Having nothing to say but saying quite a lot anyhow...

Guys, this is kinda odd.

I really have NOTHING to say!

I mean, I could talk about how lazy I've been today or how sluggish the weather is. I could blab about how disgusting I look....not to mention the fact that my shirt has been backwards all day. Oh, and then there's the fact that I bought a head scarf and I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Some heads for made for scarves, Some not. The blunt truth my friends. I have a feeling my head will air on the not side of the issue, but I'm too nervous to try it on. And being nervous like that results in an informal staring contest with that dang headscarf wondering "Should i?"

Please, say no. I don't want want to feel inferior. Why is your head more headscarf worthy than mine?? Where did I go wrong? My poor, poor shaped cranium...rest in peace, beloved headscarf.

And since when did this post get all sad? And since when did I have something to say?

Two things about this: I did not use spell check, computer or brain version, I am sorta sorry if I spelled everything wrong. I'm also not sorry, because I was way to lazy to use either version. Thing two: Excuse the hideous gray. That I am sorry for, because I miss pink!

On another note, I tried on the headscarf. Let's just say my hypothesis was right. My head sorta looked like an eggplant.

Eggplant brain, over and out!

PS: Sophie wanted me to tell you, she really loves her new headscarf. her cranium is now fully in style.

Unlikely duo

Last year I was positive I was the most crafty person around. I made these little rosettes and at the time, they were the bomb. I made them out of a -get this-  a VINTAGE cookbook! How fantastically hip is that? And naturally, I selected recipes about sausage to be front and center. Sausage and Valentines Day - OH THE ROMANCE!

PS: Say happy birthday to my friend okay?

I ramble.

We all have those weeks when we are VERY busy (in my case with self imposed stress.) Our room looks like a category 5 hurricane blew through, multiple times perhaps, and our hair/outfits don't  exactly deny it.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

I really feel like there could be a song with that as lyrics. Thoughts? If not, it might be time to bring back my song writing career.

Oh, and I should have mentioned that "THOSE weeks" often come with side effects of switching subjects at embarrassing rates and never being able to remember what you were talking about approximately 2.3 seconds before.

Moving on.....

- being VERY sweaty while running and passing a mailbox with dew on it and thinking,  "Even the mailbox is sweaty!!!!"

-singing to someone about chubby (Sophie) and them thinking I was talking about them.

- crying in the car and simultaneously praising my mascara for not running, only to walk in and find myself a vampire.

-  trying to paint this, and instead painting a very disproportionate clown with wings.

- my attempts at spelling disproportionate. Very unsettling.

I know there is probably 50 majillion other things I've done that deserve a round of awkward applause, but for now I can't remember any....I told you it was bad.

How has YOUR week been?

Noise fest

I realize, this is kind of a confusing photo. By the looks of it you could assume that a.) I stand in awkward positions or b.) I have really short legs. Oh, and there's c.) I got REALLY into the noise for editing. So noisy in fact, it is practically a noise fest! Harmonica's, kazoos and whoopee cushions welcome.
Noise fest? I like the sound of that.

It must be your lucky day, because I'm posting a video. It's a silly little video I made on Vine (you know, gotta fit in with the masses!) but it's about ten wazillion times better
than the last video I posted. Mostly because I'm not talking all about the wonders of a teddy bear....because that's just too close to reality.

Hey, I'm all artsy.

Welcome to a post where I hope you don't notice all the photos are blurry and I try to convince you my art is not horrific.

For the record, I'm really not a very good liar.

 Last week I started art. And FYI,  It's WAAAAAYYYY better than track. First of all, it involves sitting. Not on a couch, but I can handle chairs. Second, it involves watercolor, which is basically just coloring for grown ups (and dorky teenagers).  You see, track and art really don't mix which is exactly why (hey mom!)
I should stick with just ONE.

I'm gonna let you guess which one I'd pick.

(hint......the one that involves sitting.)

Right where I belong.

 I've been trying to take more photos lately, which fills up my camera card which in turn makes me not be able to take photos.

Funny how things like that work!

Guys, I started track. And it's painful. The lady who was helping us said "Are you a distance runner or a sprinter?" and I'm just like " I'm a sitter-on-the-couch-er." Ha, at least I'm not a liar. Today after our WAY TOO EARLY practice, it reeeeaaaallly hurt to move. So naturally, I didn't! Thank goodness there's a plethora of blogs and such to keep a sitter on the couch.....right where she belongs.

Just a little list...

I can't quite describe how excited I am for 2013. I have a feeling that it's going to rock! (As if you could not tell by my 10 million goals, this year might be the death of me anyhow.)

-I got a blazer and I feel unqualified to wear it. Maybe it's the fact that blazers seem like politician wear, and that dream of being a senator was thoroughly demolished about six years ago. Or maybe it's because it is from the kids department? I don't know, you tell me.

-you know you're in a homeschool family when your mom get's you an algebra book for Christmas.

-Aaaaannnndd, you know you are a homeschooler when you are EXCITED about the algebra book you got for Christmas.

 -telling everyone about Ouagadougou and saying "It starts with a YO!"

-eating poptarts for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Total health food guys.

I've decided that I lead a very interesting life. Mostly because I'm a dork. But hey, we have our fun! 
What funny things have happened to you lately?

XOXO 

(Christmasy stuff, in January? I know, sorry. I don't mean to break your heart)

The Day after...

I'm not the only one who thinks the day after Christmas is the worst right? I mean, we get all worked up for ONE STIKIN' day and then after that - POOF! All the excitement and joy goes out with a huge WHOOSH.

(Please excuse all the capsy-jiberish.)

I have to say though, our day after Christmas was ANYTHING but rotten. We adventured all around our suburbia. And since we couldn't make it to Hawaii to mourn our day after sadness, an abandon riverfront property had to do.

 Aahhh yes, me hugging (or really, awkwardly touching) a mailbox. We trying to be all discreet but then our bikes broke right in front of that house. Not like anyone is looking as we hug your festive mailbox....nope. No one.

How was your Christmas? Hope it was amazing!
XOXO,
Mailbox-hugger.

I WAS GOING TO POST BUT LIFE GOT IN THE WAY

I've been meaning to post for, I don't know...FOREVER? We'll just skip all the "I'M SO SORRY!" gab (which I must have a thing for) and move onto the fact that Christmas is WAY to close and I'm terrified. In a good, bad and happy way.

Some things I've been up to of late....

-Curling my hair like crazy. I may be in love with our curling iron. It certainly was not love at first sight, but we got through it and now we're madly in love. Some people fall in love with boys....and some with their curling irons.

-pouring apple juice up my nose. (um....)

- having and impromptu Christmas concert with this girl for her neighbors, and getting applause. (you have no idea how awkward we sound when we sing.)

- Telling mom, "I'm having an obsession with antlers!!"

- Listening to music....a lot. (someone help me.)

-our family came to town and I was mute. Literally. It was almost like last year.

- Ice skating at my dads work. It's certainly not the way to get introduced to your dads co-workers. "Hey, nice to meet you. Excuse my while I fall flat on my face."

-hearing someone say something really funny and spending the next 10 minuets planning how I can use it in upcoming conversations.

I don't think I'll be making December goals, because I keep planning ones for 2013. And so now you must tell me, what have you done in my absence? Anything fun?

Apparently, I felt like chattering with you all. Hey, good thing we are friends!

XOXO,
Chatterbox forever.

PS: Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!! You all are the bomb.com. And I mean it.

Things that say a lot about people.

"things that say a lot about people:
the way in which they treat the waiter/waitress
how they feel about the weather
whether they dog ear pages or highlight in books
fingernails
and hands in general
their preferred creative outlet
how much they dread/enjoy talking on the phone
whether or not they drink coffee
if they ever forget to eat
how honest they are with themselves (and others)
if they correct your grammar
and whether or not they get nervous before haircuts."
by this person

1. I'm usually fairly friendly, but not BFF-y I'm not really at a restaurant to make friends. I just like ladies to wait on me. Please, gimme the girls.fact.

2. Weather does not really affect me. I love sunny days and cloudy days and cold days and (for the most part) hot ones. Rain makes me want cocoa, and that's a fact of life, friends.

3. I only underline/highlighting in my bible.....mainly because I don't read books very often (at all.) I think the last book I read was maybe 4 months ago. I personally see no point in underlining in a novel or something.

4. Simple. I like pink nail polish occasionally. I don't bite mine, but I ALWAYS trim them to short because....ahem, I like trimming my nails. I always wish I had more fingers and toes because I think it's FUN. This is weird, I know.

5. I'll admit, when it comes to the phone, pretty much the Apocalypse would have to happen before I'd call someone.  I think because in general conversation, I talk about what's around me or something. I don't know. The bottom line is I'm a wuss and before I turn 80 I should probably get over it.

6. Working with my hands is the best. Writing letters, making things, baking. I don't know. It's all so cliche, but it's what I love. (and I don't really mean WORKING, Dad. I mean more sitting around and doing dainty crafty things. Of course.) Oh, and I LOVE HANDS. You should see me shopping, Everything in that store is gonna have my fingerprints ALL over it.

7. Umm.............I do not drink coffee............for good reasons.........it's icky. I once did and I almost spit it up on a french man. FRESH FROM FRANCE. It was not a good day.

8. I think I'm pretty honest. Maybe blunt? Never! I'm usually the person to say what everyone is thinking (but NOT saying, I always wonder why.)

9. I don't correct grammar, because mine stinks. I say "boughten" all the time and I don't pronounce half the dictionary right. I'm pretty sure it adds to the whole "cute factor". Cute as in, did you just dye your hair blonde?

10. Not really, I get nervous AFTER haircut. Here it goes: Days leading up to haircut, excited. Day of hair cut, really excited. Day after haircut, complete hatred for hairdressers. 2 weeks after haircut, "I LOVE MY HAIR!!" Every time, without fail. As you can see, they're few and far between. Mostly because my family doesn't like how upset I get over it.

And now you must tell me, what did you learn about me? Nothing scary right? Good, I'm so glad I'm normal.

and an awkward photo of me....

Really, I have no shame.