Little Things & Horror Movies

Well I made it to Arizona for Christmas. Some of you may know that I come down here every Christmas to see my family. We drive every year, and it is one long drive. I'm glad it's over and we're here.

On the drive down there was this horrible fog nearly the entire way. It got so bad at times that you could barely see five feet in front of the car. When it got this bad I couldn't help thinking that some creature was going to come out and attack us from The Mist. If you've ever seen that movie (written by Stephen King and staring Thomas Jane) then you know the kind of fog I'm taking about. It was that bad, and I was waiting for those creatures to attack. I'm joking, I didn't really think we were going to die by impossible creatures, but it was like being in that movie.

I have another story where I swear I was in another popular horror movie. We had just moved into our house, that we've been living in since I was a senior. It was probably a year or so after we moved in. I live on the top floor and have walk around to the front door to go up the stairs to my room. It was around ten on a Saturday night. I know it was Saturday because I specifically remember going to church earlier that night. I got home and I don't think anyone else was home, and the house was completely dark. I go around the corner to get the the stairs, it's still dark, and out of the corner of my eye I see something move. I turn to my left I swear on my life that there was someone with long dark hair standing in the oval mirror from The Ring. Of course it was just me, back when I had long hair, but it scared me to death. I had no idea that earlier that day my mother was going to buy this mirror and hang it up. That moment in the dark was the first time I ever saw it and it scared me to death.

So, my life isn't a horror movie. But there are some little things that happen or are hanging on the wall that remind you of these movies or scare you to death because of them. If I had never seen The Ring that mirror wouldn't have scared me. I love horror movies though so I was more than fine with being a little scared by everyday life.

TNT,
Words by Ali

To Be 24

This past Tuesday was my 24 Birthday. I can honestly say it was no different than when I was 23. It was almost like any other day, but then again it wasn't.

My day started when I woke up around 8 in the morning, which is normal. Then when I turned on my computer I already had over a dozen birthday wishes from friends and family on facebook. It made me feel loved.

I had a dentist appointment at 11:30 that morning. Everyone there, and I've known them the 10 years I've lived in Utah, wished me a happy birthday. When I was done I even got a $5 gift card for Cafe Rio, because of my special day. I'm not a huge fan of Cafe Rio but it was free lunch, and it was better than the first time.

I went to the bookstore, of course. I got myself a book of short stories by Russian authors, and the stories were both in English and in Russian. It's pretty nifty. Then I went to FYE and bought a couple of scary movies.

So far it's sounds mostly like a normal day. Except for the fact that I had more money than usual in my pocket. Let's not forget what I spent my time doing when I was at home. Being that it was my finals week in school I had a paper due on Wednesday. So, I spent most of the day finishing and then editing and fixing my 6 page essay. I think it went well.

That night I got to choose where we went for dinner, as is tradition in our family. I picked PF Changs.

All in all it was a good day. A lot of it was normal stuff, but it was special. Despite how it sounds. It was all the love I got from friends and family that really made the day special. All the posts on facebook, and the emails. As well as a phone call from my grandmother and my cousin. I really do have some great people in my life. I love you guys, and you know who you are.

TNT,
Words by Ali

The Price You Pay

It's weird how you don't really notice the price of things until your specifically trying to spend less money. If it's because you only have a little, or if you're trying to save. For me it's because I happen to really have no money to spend. So, when I have it I have to spend it wisely.

Now when you have three hours in between your classes you find yourself having to buy yourself lunch. Mainly because there's no way I'm eating PB&J for two meals in a row. That's just not happening. So, I buy myself lunch.

I try to find the cheapest ways to eat, and on campus usually isn't the best option. Even if the food is actually decent. It just so happens that fast food dollar menus are the way to go. You can spend $3.50 on a dollar menu instead of the $6 or $7 on campus.

What I've also come to realize is that even the cheap fast food restaurants are way more expensive than anyone actually may realize. I got 3 items from the Taco Bell dollar menu for a grand total of around $3.30. The crazy part is that I would have paid the same price for just the Mexican pizza I normally would have gotten and that was only one thing.

All that money going to waste on food. It's a little crazy, and yet I'll be the first to admit that every now and again I'll still be spending that money on food that I don't need, just because I want it. I just no have a better understanding that it's so simple to turn that $7 into only $3, all you have to do is try.

TNT,
Words by Ali

Why Does This Always Seem to Happen?

Hey everyone! I know it's been a super long time. I seem to always fall into the same old rut every time I get going on this blog of mine. I post like I want to for a month or two and then it happens. I stop for one reason or another.

Either I run out of things to say (but that's not really the problem), forget to do it, or I get too busy with my school work. Homework can get very overwhelming, especially with finals happening in about a week. At least the end of the semester will be happening soon, I can't wait.

I don't know why this always seems to happen, but it does. Do any of you have any other theories about why this happens? If you do you should let me know.

I'm once again going to say that this is going to change. I'm going to get on top of posting once a week. Even if it kills me. OK maybe not that extreme, but I think you get the point.

TNT,
Words by Ali

Just Once

It seems like when it comes to my family I never get the benefit of the doubt. Why is it that everyone seems to be ready to blame me for everything that happens. Not only am I the first suspect but but I get convicted of it before anyone even comes to ask me about it.

I can say I didn't do something till I'm blue in the face, but that doesn't seem to change their minds. Especially when it comes to my brother. His car gets dented and now the passenger side door won't open and guess who he automatically blames. Yep, that's right me. Then he doesn't even come and talk to me about it. He goes right to telling our mother that it was me and she believes him without asking me if it's true.

I'm not writing this just to complain. It's usually not this bad, but just once I would like my family to give me the benefit of the doubt. Just once I'd like them to believe me when I say I didn't actually do something. But somehow I don't believe it. Well, I'll believe it when I see it.

TNT,
Words by Ali

Idol Worship

Have you noticed that people follow blogs, facebook, or things like twitter just because a person is famous. Of course half the things they say and do on these sites are complete nonsense, or are just plain boring. I will admit that I do this, but I at least follow people that when they do post something it's interesting.

The things that some of these celebrities post no one would even give them a second thought if they were just normal people like you and me. Then these people won't follow people who really do have interesting and relevant things to say just because they are nobodies.

I'm not just saying this because it's mostly just my friends and family following me either. I'm speaking generally. Whether you think my writing, blog, is interesting or not is entirely up to you, and I'm not going to sit here and complain that I don't have enough followers. Why? Because I don't have a blog just to get people to read it. Yes that is a huge part of putting it on the internet, but I do it more because I love to write. What's the point of writing if you don't put it where people can see it.

I think you just got me off the subject. Which is following what someone does just because they are famous. Liking, or finding what they have to say hilarious is one thing. But you should not worship them so much they you will follow them say on twitter when the most interesting thing they have to say is "I just woke up", "I'm going for a bike ride", or "I'm tired time for bed." That's boring no matter who you are, so don't follow the masses and be yourself.

Goodbye Hair

As most of you know I've had long hair for about 4 years now. I've been growing it for around 5, and I'd always been planning on donating it when it got longer. It hadn't been getting any longer for about a year now so I decided it was time. Here's what it looked like:



As you can see it was completely down my back. The amount of hair that got donated to Locks of Love was 21 inches. That's only what got donated. Which means that my head has now a good 2 feet less of hair. Not only is it short but I had it dyed a red. It's super cute, and I love it. And then this happened:




Well, what do you think? Short isn't it? I'm not one of those people who get overly attached to their hair so cutting it off was the easiest thing. I just set up the appointment and had it done. A lot of people were surprised that I actually did it. The thing is that short hair is what's normal for me.

Growing up all I ever had was short hair. My mother didn't want to have to deal with long. So, me having long hair was the change, that was what was different for me. It's just not as noticable and such a rash change. You don't see a person one day with short hair and then the next with long, unless it's fake. But when I person chops off 2 feet of hair that you notice, and if you don't there's something wrong with you.

That's all for now. Hope you like what I've done with my hair. Talk to you all next week.

TNT,
Words by Ali

Colorado

I'm back. Well, I've been back since Sunday, but I've been too busy sleeping and relaxing to write. You have no idea how great it is to sleep in your own bed after sleeping on a futon for 3 days. I'm not really complaining cause it could have been worse. I'm just saying that I really did miss my bed.

I know there are a lot of people who went on this trip who have amazing stories about some of the people they met while out knocking on doors. But I'd be lying if I said that was me. What affected me most wasn't like that.

What I will remember most was getting to know the people who go to Prairie View Community Church. Myself and five other girls stayed with the Harrington family, and they were some of the nicest people I've ever met.



I was able to meet people who were still following God even when they were going through hard times. It was inspiring for me to know these people, and to hear their stories. It's encouraged my walk with God, and I hope to some day see them all again. Saturday night I was used as a jungle gym by two of the cutest kids, and I'll certainly miss them too. It's hard to believe she's two years older then her brother.



I know I still haven't said much, but sometimes you don't have to say a lot to get your point across. This trip has fired me up for God. It's shown me that you have to keep following Him even when you feel you can't. The people I've met and gotten to know on this trip are one's that I will never forget, because they have changed me. And I thank God for that.

TNT,
Words by Ali

A New Mission

I'm getting ready to Colorado with my House Church. Last August we went to Seattle, and you can read all about that trip on my blog. Just head down to August of 2009. This trip is going to be much of the same.

We're driving to the town of Parker, Colorado. We'll be knocking on doors to let people know about the church service on Saturday night. I predict that it's going to be just as much fun as the previous trip.

It'll be a great chance to get to know people in the group better. Or to just get to know my friends better. I'm excited. I know I'm not saying much now, but when I get back I might have more to say then.

TNT,
Words by Ali

A Really Short Story

I wrote this in my creative writing class. We had six words and we were supposed to write a story using all six words. This is what I came up with, and it's only 175 words. Shortest thing I've ever written. Enjoy: The suitcase sat on the bed as Rhys hurried around his apartment, trying to get everything he needed. She'd be there any second and if he wasn't ready she'd kick his ass. He grabbed his passport and shoved it in between his cloths. He zipped up the bag, and headed for the door. Realizing he was barefoot he raced back to the bedroom to lace up his favorite sneakers. That's when he heard the doorbell chime. His stomach fluttered at just the thought of seeing her. Her smile was dazzling and it felt as if her crystalline eyes were boring a way into his soul. She grabbed his bag and pushed it towards him, and without a word they were out the door. They tossed their things into the trunk of Rhys' car. Rhys bristled at the sound of the deep male voice behind him, "Get the fu#! back here." That was all he heard, because Annie was already driving them fast away from the curb. Away from her father and closer to their new life, together. Hope you liked it. TNT, Words by Ali