i am really busy haa (as usual) so here, this is all i can afford atm. watch! enjoy! ps, i am so going to learn to do flips while on a pogostick. and probably die in the process. it will be a happy death.
ninja poses. Hannah's hair looks like Goku! or so we think haha, i just look like a freak
sometimes i regret that i didn't really kick her haha jk Hannah!
Hannah's fail at 'kicking' me!! haha 's ok though
i just wish she was gently spitting water, then i would put her in the front yard, or maybe the entry way, as a lovely fountain
lol Thank you Hannah for this one
And this one. She knew I was going to sneeze, so she waited for the perfect moment before snapping the picture....
Ahhh! Camila!!!! Thank you for doing my hair! :D
See? I'm not even a redhead any more next to him!
ew, bad pose.
"stop smiling so much carrie!" lol jeeze mom! X-P she was serious. she thinks smiling too much is bad for a picture, but maybe she's right. My generic cheer-forced-to-keep-smiling face isn't so good.
thank you to:
Here is where I would usually write a long post giving the blow by blow account of prom, but I don't have the energy, so if you want to know, ask me! I knew I had to post pictures soon or I'd be in trouble :)
I finally know them. After going through this school year, almost killing myself (k that is a little dramatic, but sometimes it felt like that!) I vow not to do that ever again. Not this summer, not next year. Tempting as it may be. I now know what it is like to be one of those poor over-booked children you hear about living in suburbia. My weeks have been like this recently.
*note* I have to be done practicing the piano before 8pm which means I have to do it before my HMWK, but after cheer and stuff. I usually try to get into bed by 9ish, but that doesn't usually happen. If only! haha but I'm a horrible person, because sometimes I do things not on my schedule, like working on flexibility, or jumping on the tramp, or practicing my cheer dance (but i have to do that one!)
haha and this is my less busy schedule. During Basketball season, I seriously thought I was going to get a stomach ulcer from the stress or something. It was twice as bad. Especially with me getting sick and having a fever for a week straight, then trying to catch up for my piano competition, chya. Next year will not be like this.
I remember, the day of my competition, i was really down, because i worked really really hard on my piece all day, then got home at 8, and had to start all my HMWK, chemistry especially,which is death for me, and just breaking down, thinking about all I still had to do that week. Cheer would take more than 25 hours of my week during basketball season, and that's both in and out of school. But one of my best friends knew just what to say to me, although I bet they have forgotten. I went and wrote down what they said to me, and i go back to it when ever I feel like a can't take it anymore. It really keeps me going; it makes me really thankful to have friends that care so much about me, and try their best to pick me up when I'm falling down. I hope I can pay them back someday. It goes along with my new maxim "endure to the end". That's what I tell myself when it gets really busy.
But back to my limits. This summer, my mom wants me to do a lot of things, but I know, looking at it all, that it is past my limit again. 8 Hours of college credit may be really tempting, but it's also 5 weeks of 7:30 am to noon CHEMISTRY at the U of U. By itself, I might be able to get through somehow, but added on top of reading 2 books twice for AP lit, and writing on them, plus whatever I'm assigned for AP gov (I'm guessing 10-12 mini-report-thingies like usual) and early morning cheer practices and cheer camp, and piano (teaching and playing) and singing (?) it's too much, even without school. Plus cabin trips. So I'm going to drop the chemistry program. It was a really hard choice.... I mean 8 HOURS! But I think I'm doing the right thing. Plus, this means I can focus on my YW camp calling, and I don't have to miss any part of girl's camp (oh yeah, another thing I'm doing this summer. I'm a YCL. kind of a big deal. haha my second time doing it)
I don't know who I am anymore. I think Emily is going to disown me.
I found myself at the Renaissance fair last weekend, and I have to say I think I'm developing a split personality. Haha it really clashes sometimes, in an almost painful way.
There's the Caroline that most people know me by: cheerleader, good sense of fashion (well i try haha), very girly into painting nails, doing hair, make up, chick flix, and everything else the stereotypical air-headed cheerleader would be into.
Then there's the other Caroline: the one who's nerdy right up there with the best of them. Yup, that's right, Star wars, Star trek, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Chess Club, classical music, plays-video-games-like-a-bandit etc........and now the Renaissance fair.
I dressed up for the fair, because you get a discount if you do, and of course I went all out, (as is tradition in our family, to go all out when it comes to any type of costume) as a princess. Also of course, I was the most-dressed-up-person in our group. There was a peasant (Wes), a time traveler (aka Eliza didn't dress up, and I just dubbed her as that as of now), and a friar (Logan). Walking up to the entrance, there was a sign indicating prices, and under discount it didn't just say "dressed up" or "in costume" but "en garb". Garb?? ok, this should have been my first clue this would be...different. But walking through the plywood arch painted like a turret, I had the sudden urge to run back to the car; everything was so... nerdy, and so sudden, it was suffocating! I was still in the Cheerleader-Caroline mentality, and it just grated against my very being. Everywhere i turned, there were other people en garb, and sometimes waaay more than me. Like probably spent the better part of $100 dollars on a costume only worn once a year (or SHOULD be worn once a year). Also, there were many girls dressed up in belly dancer costumes, that should not, I repeat should not have been. Did I say girls? I meant to add middle-aged women too. *shudder*
I have to say, it was interesting when people would say "my lady" to me, and there was even one man who bowed. haha it was interesting. There were minstrels everywhere, playing lutes, and harps, while singing "ye olde musik". very authentic. And selling CDs.
There was jousting, and knighting, and booths selling whole-suits-of-armor custom made! You could actually buy precious stones at one. The Man at that booth was heavy set with a blond beard mustache, (clearly grown just for this fair, judging by the style. I hope.) who turned to me and my friends saying "pretty ladies! come! we have SHHHINY things!" then he started waggling his fingers at us, and his merchandise (which happened to be precious and semi-precious stones. like seriously, in the middle of a dusty field, next to a shallow murky river, selling diamonds and sapphires...? kinda sketch if you ask me). Haha me and Wes took one look at the man, and gave him a creeped-out-smile/grimace, before hurrying on to the next booth, as he continued to yell after us ("Pretty ladies like shiny things!! Come!!")
K, the knighting. Um it was legit. We walked up to the "court" which was housed in a tent, complete with King, Queen, and Royal Subjects, dressed in the most lavish garb there. They sat graciously, playing their part like they lived it everyday. A woman, dressed as a servant, held her fingers to her lips, and instructed us to kneel (which we didn't) at the foot of the throne, while the current...victim(?)...was knighted. She told us, in a whispered tone, that we could be knighted if we wished, but it would cost us three crowns for the king's time. Yeaaah. Three crowns....haha sorry, I just spent the last of my crowns buying that pair of wolverine claws back at that other booth(jk). We looked back at the throne, the kneeling person was being touched on the shoulders and back by a real sword, by the king, then instructed to rise; next the king said "Three cheers for the new knight, Sir what's-his-name! HIP HIP..." and I said " HOORAY!" where everyone else said "HUZZAH!", then looked at me like I had done something very wrong. Logan seemed to find it quite funny haha :-P. As soon as I realized my mistake I quickly said "I mean HUZZAH.", but alas, by then they were already on the second "HIP HIP", and I just failed again. The worst part of it was that the nerdy part of me wanted to be knighted. But the more sensible part of me refused (thankfully), and I was able to pull myself away unscathed.
There were all kinds of food stands, with corny names like "The Holy Grill" and "The Friar's Fry-er". I had a very good flat bread melt at a booth with an equally embarassing name, that i cannot remember for the life of me. I think it too had the "holy grail" motif.
The jousting was pretty cool. The knights really knew how to play the crowd, and it was really cool to see my favorite kind of horse in real life: a friesian: (ahh I love it. As much as a Steinway)
There was a woman in a wheel chair next to me; the knight had a bunch of pink roses that he was handing out to "fair princesses and queens" in the crowd. He came up to the woman in the wheelchair, and told her "that's a fine chariot you have there my lady." and gave her the rose, while everyone cheered for this princess :). It was great.
There was one booth offering massages.....chya.....from a guy with hair like Kenny G, but black, with a beard and mustache. Oh yeah, and stretch pants. Very creepy. haha, no thank you. Also many booths with tarot reading and crystal ball fortunes ect. For like $30! Totally robbing people.
Overall, I had a ton of fun, and even learned a little bit of contact juggling (look out David Bowie!), which I intend to perfect, as soon as a get a contact juggling ball. Which will be soon. Also, being a princess for a day isn't too bad :) Also I got some real freshwater pearl earrings for pretty cheap, and a cute ring :). Not bad, I say.
I didn't take many pictures, but here are the two I did take: yup, there was no way I was going to put my head in there! It's too nerdy for me! Even after I settled into my nerdy-self.
Lol pants AND shoes! All in one! For your convenience!
I designed these ones myself :) too bad they're $62.Yes folks! I CAROLINE understood what Ms. Mayall was talking about in class today. It's a miracle. We were talking about radioactivity, and radioactive particles, and for some odd reason, I was able to grasp what she was talking about! I'm in awe of my new found knowledge, and wonder why i could never understand anything else she said this whole year, although I assure you I tried my hardest. It feels so good! It's probably because I got a blessing yesterday that said if I tried my hardest, I would understand. I don't know.
Also, i think Ms. Mayall got engaged :) her ring is gorgeous.
Also! i got 75% on my last test, which is GOOD! much better than the last one where i got 64%. it's a lot better than i expected :) which means that what i did write down was right, because I left a quarter of on the pages blank haha.
And now for a list of the most random words i can think of:
alas i must go to sleep now, or else face the wrath of a very angry platinum-blonde, or a grumpy bearded man :-P Better Post Next Time!
ps. what's the best random word?
ALSO!! I just took my math placement test for College Algebra-Calc or College Calc-Trig. It was interesting, the first part, just algebra, was SO easy. AND there were only 12 questions; But as I got into the second section, people were leaving, at an alarming rate, already finished. I thought to myself "why is it taking me so long? do i just suck at life??" until there were me and two other people left. The three of us kept on testing for another hour after everyone else was gone! I was really worried that I was just behind everything, and the questions were tough.... I started becoming more and more worried, and thinking i must really be HORRIBLE at math, and maybe they'll drop be from the class because my skill level is so slow. I mean COME ON I've been here for an extra HOUR. Not ten min, or even 15. I kept thinking, "DANG I should've paid more attention to Jaron when he explains math to me!!!! He would TOTALLY know how to do all this stuff!" Finally, when I finished, I took my score up to the teacher, and she must've seen the disappointment on my face, so she explained to me:
I wasn't slow! I just tested into the higher math class! Calc-Trig! If you test into the higher class, it gives you triple the questions! *WHEEW* I don't suck at life. But it surprised me that there were only three of us....
Yes, I did just say y'all. Stop cringing Hannah. Haha ok, today, I will not post about nonsense, i will post about something that is one of my pet peeves: People who say they "hate reading because it is boring"! What I have to say to this is that these people don't really how to read. All you people out there, this is important, so pay attention.
There are those who read books, and there are those who marinate themselves in books. People who merely read, do so quickly and impatiently, with only one goal in mind: to get on to whatever lies beyond the immediate reading, like holding your nose, while swallowing a bite of food you rather dislike. Marinating takes a true lover of books who allows time to flow freely over them, not giving it a second though, as they soak up each of the author’s devices and revels in them like savory herbs that flavor steak.
When a true connoisseur of reading takes a look at a library shelf or bookstore window, they don’t just glance and the covers and titles seeking a specific genre alone. Picking out a book shouldn’t be like going through a drive through, then parking to hastily eat in the car and hurry off to the next destination. They see the awards, the authors, cracking one open occasionally and tasting the words; feeling them with every sense.
When it comes to reading, I try to let the book play out in front of my eyes, assailing me from all sides, locking me into place, but shifting me in each of the author’s tones. When you find yourself giving each character their own distinct voice in your mind, you know you’re there. It’s when you are moved by not only the story, but the complex patterns of the author’s style, and come to recognize the littlest phrases, like delicate seasonings. Let go of time, and eat up!
There are those who only nibble books, constantly preoccupied by the many distractions thrown at us by the world; TV, texting, Facebook, iPods. The list goes on and on. The absolute distinction between simply knowing how to read and knowing how to soak is when you make the connection between the fact that A: you’re not getting anything out of what you’re reading and B: you’re also causing the before mentioned by letting yourself see only the surface. After this distinction is made, it isn’t hard to begin to cut a little deeper into the pages and paragraphs; let the words swill around your head, taking their own sweet time.
Reading can be gateway to innumerable experiences normally out of your reach, if you only allow yourself to let the small but sharp intensities of phrases surround you.
So yeah, I've been busy, and I make no excuses for not posting! I was sleeping, and doing homework when I could have been posting for the last month. the AP tests are looming ever closer: AP music theory, AP US history, and AP Language and composition. The teachers are really cracking down, and piling on the homework, plus study sessions after school every day, plus cheer, plus my piano recital creeping up (which i am totally unprepared for. I still have a page left to learn, plus the third page doesn't seem to be going anywhere no matter how much i practice. curse you Scott Joplin!!)
In May i have on week that goes
BAM! ap test
BANG! ap test
BOOM! ap test
WHAM! piano recital.
then CRASH! There goes Caroline, collapsed on the floor. does she have a pulse? no? oh. pity.
well I'll try to post more up until then. Then I shall post as a ghost.
oOoOoOoO!
OK. anyway I could never be as cool as the Ghost of Bacon.
I'm singing one of my favorite songs in my singing lessons :) Here it is! Enjoy.
I'm excited :) well, really it is getting late, and I'm going to be kicking myself for this tomorrow morning when i have to get up early to go to an APUSH seminar from 9-12. also! if the video is cut off, just right click on it, and open it in a new tab :)
but i haven't, because i know it's going to take a long time :P and I'm not on the right computer, as i would have to scan some pictures in so I'm going to post about something different :D
I'm going to post about what i will someday posses: a fazioli (fatz-ee-oh-lee)
it's the Ferrari of pianos
ahhh see that gleaming-ness??? it's like a mirror of ebony wood *drool*
i got the chance to play on one last weekend and it almost broke my heart. only a baby grand, entry-level piano, it cost a mere $90,000. *siiiiiiiigh* playing on it was like.... i don't even know what. there's nothing to compare. but i was just testing it out, alas, and as i played, the salesman was eyeing me, and i could physically feel it. (probably eager to wipe down the piano after i left with polish and a microfiber cloth, feverishly.) i barely played one page of a song. i asked the salesman (actually the owner of the store) if he played the piano and i was floored to discover he did NOT!!! i was like 'wait, what??? then how do you appreciate the sound, the feel??!!!! life is so unfair!!! why do YOU get to own this piano store, and you play the lousy bass!!!!' (my apologies to bass players, the bass isn't lousy, but seriously!!!! how dare he own a piano store!? ok forgive my overreactions but i love pianos. anyway.) of course i didn't say this out loud, but that's what i was thinking heh.
here are the reasons this piano sounds so good:
clarity: a sound in which harmonic components are even throughout. if you don't speak piano and player, it means that when you play a musical phrase, no note is left out of your hearing, it resounds, no matter how quietly played.
uniform: a timber that presents equal characteristics in every area of the keyboard. if you hit a key up around C6 or C7, you can expect the same resistance and volume if you hit a key around C1 or C2 (given you exert the same force on the key of course)
wide dynamic range: a sound that goes from pianissimo (aka really really quiet) to fortissimo (aka really really loud) without any distortion in fortissimo.
long duration: the duration of the sound is extremely important for the legato (smooth and connected sound) and cantabile playing, thus the sound must not decay rapidly. when you hit a note, you expect the sound to linger until you lift your finger, or the loud pedal. it hangs in the air.
selective: this means the pianist is able to distinction of the single parts, melodies (or voices, as my piano teacher calls them), especially during the performance of polyphonic works. examples of polyphonic works (some of the hardest songs to play!! but gorgeous!!!!!): bach's tocatta and fuge, the little fuge in g minor by bach, and other fuges. also inventions are poly phonic, but not as complicated as fuges.
ah here's what i am going to own some day: the concert grand. at 3.08 meters in length (that's a little more than 10 feet) and 1.58 meters (a little more than five feet) in keyboard width, and 1.88 meters tall when the lid is open fully as in the picture (that's a little over six feet) it weighs 1521.19 pounds. the wheels are designed to take the weight without damaging the floor (but just in case, then have special pads you put under.haha wow that was a rather long title, don't you think? it would've been longer, but it ran out of characters. it was going to say something like 'wow this is a rather long title, don't you think?' OK enough tautology (actually, the more correct term is recursing... but tautology sounds smarter. but thinking back, tautology really doesn't apply at all except in my wishful thinking).
wow. OK. i am a little distracted today obviously, as i can't hold on to a single train of thought. it must be the lack of food. i haven't had much appetite the past few days.
today's post is going to be on......... how i should be practicing the piano right now because megan's gonna kill me if i don't! (piano competition, march 10th)
ps. i should've named this post ("shortest and most boring post ever. dont bother to read." so, to compensate, please be entertained by this picture of tiny people! right...... NOW!)
pps: for those of you with a dry sense of humor like me (well, sometimes) here's a cartoon you might enjoy. lol it sounds like something my friend mike would say or a club he'd start. http://xkcd.com/703/ don't forget the tooltip, just roll over the image, it's the best part!
haha i love it! "who organized all of my ex-girlfriends into a choir and got them to sing?"
haha there's one more, but where i attempt a toe tough, but i bet you're sick of these lame videos anyway x-p
we also found the SWEETEST horses!! (not that I've ever tasted one, but i know someone who has!...i forget who...huh. anyway!) here are some pictures of them! me and Hannah's fav was the bay horse (if you don't speak horse and rider, a bay is a brown horse, with black/dark brown on the nose, feet, and a dark stripe down the back. the mane and tail are also black/dark brown). the paint kept getting jealous of our attention to the bay, and nudged it out of the way repeatedly. they were very curious horses, trying to nibble our clothing, and sniff our hands for possible treats.
this one (above) is hard to tell, but the horse's nose. She was smelling my phone. i was worried she was going to take a bite!!
speaking of taking a bite, these horses seemed hungry! they look fine and healthy, the there was a GIANT stack of fresh hay behind them, under a roof, but for some reason, they all chewed on the wood! any wood they could get their teeth into, as you can see by the chew marks on the side of these stairs!
ah, just gorgeous isn't it? untouched! i actually got in trouble from my mom for walking out in the snow like that :P what was i supposed to do! i couldn't help it!
oh and one more story haha...here's kind of what's been going on in my life:
idk how much time i have left, but i seem to be surviving, i suppose.
so singing lessons. very odd. i have to do these really weird exercises everyday, singing arpeggios (my teacher calls them scales but they are SO not scales!!! i should know :P). today, she had me making that b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b noise (idk how else to spell it...?), you know, like the noise little boys make when they play with trucks. i for the life of me could not do it!! i kept cracking up at her making that noise!! haha i hope she wasn't offended.
teacher: "OK, do it like this Caroline: B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
me: *earnestly trying to screw my face in to something that can make that noise, but the laughter overcomes all* "b-b-b-BAH HAHAHAHA!!!! sorry sorry sorry!!! I'll try again!! i can do it! i promise!"
teacher: "OK. remember, it's B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B!!!!!!!!! not b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b."
me: *completely loses it again* "pbbttthhh HAHAHAHA!"
teacher: *gives me a weird look, like 'what is wrong with this girl?'* "oh. kay. well you'll have to practice that every day till you have it right"
me: *internal wince* "sure i can do that!"
