Valentine's Day: To Hate or To Love?

Yes, this is quite a random topic for me, but nonetheless, I feel like writing, and I did promise my readers (I hope there are more than one of you out there!) a post about my thoughts on the approaching holiday, Valentine's Day.

So, on one side of the coin is the "hate it" thing. Valentine's Day is really just a marketing trick, people spend a bunch of money on cards, candy, chocolate, flowers, and/or valentines (if you're young enough to still be able to give them out at school without it being awkward). I admit, it's fun when you're young, and you like it for the candy, and seeing how many valentines you get. But once you're old enough to realize the real meaning - a day of love - then it just feels stupid. That is, unless you have a significant other to share it with.

But, on the other side of the coin, it's a great holiday. It's a day of romance, and in today's times, with all the stuff going on, people forget the significance of their partner, the one who will always be there for them - and a national holiday is the perfect way to help people remember how lucky they are to be with the person of their dreams. And even though it's a lonely day for some of the single people out there (me included), everyone will get their chance to enjoy Valentine's Day with someone at some point in their lives.

Well, yes, I guess I don't have as much to say on the topic as I originally thought, but still I shall post it. (Excuse my weird grammar in the last part of that sentence...I think it's from watching the 1936 version of "Romeo and Juliet" today...) Anyway, my Valentine's Day this year is going to be spent with Anita, Emma, & Sylvia. We're going to Carmike to see "Valentine's Day" and then going to dinner at El Maguey, which should be awesomely fun.

So, that's my opinion on Valentine's Day. If you care to comment with your opinion, please do so - I would love to hear other's views on this holiday.

A Bunch of Random Thoughts

So I'm really hoping that the power doesn't go out tonight...I especially hope it doesn't go out while I'm typing out this post. And please excuse the random topics and quick topic changes...I have lots of energy right now.

- I got my permit on Monday! So, my mom took me to the DMV, and after our number getting skipped over, and getting another number, I took my vision, signs, and knowledge tests. I obviously passed all of them, and got my picture taken and picked out all the rest of the stuff for my permit. I got a temporary 20-day permit, which I have to carry around until my actual permit gets mailed to me.
I didn't drive home or anything because of the snow, so the first time I officially drove was yesterday (Thursday), when I had to go to the orthodontist. And then I drove my bro and mom out to Krispy Kreme to get a couple dozen doughnuts for the weekend. And I managed not to crash the car!

- I am officially going to say that I'm a music junkie. I don't know what I'd do without my iPod. Or my cell phone. Or my laptop, for that matter. Alright, let's just change that to technology junkie while I'm at it. I have favorited way too many websites, videos, etc. and have sent way too many text messages and have bought way too many songs on iTunes. Haha, I have no life.

- My simple pleasure (remember the list we made in Mrs. Allman's class one day about these?) these days is doubling up on school work on Monday, and then watching movies on Tuesday or whatever day it happens to be. I found some random movie from the 1940's with Ronald Reagan in it one day, and I was like "OMG...cool!". So I watched it...it was good. Oh btw, it's called "Santa Fe Trail"...doubt anyone cares, but whatever. I love the Turner Classics channel...probably thanks to our 1930's decades project, because I am now taping practically anything from the 30's/40's that looks at least semi-interesting. Yes, call me a nerd...I don't care!

- I love Wake Forest basketball. I don't think there's anything more fun than watching Naz T Deac during a second-half timeout. And I love their half-time performances...the YMCA kids that come and play basketball some games are really good...one kid actually shot a basket close to the 3-point line and made it! And I laugh at my dad and his seatmate yelling at the refs. I have a wonderful time every game...

- I'm sick of all the snow and slush and ice and everything. It's so uncharacteristic of me...I would normally give just about anything to see snow. Now, with a few systems under our belt so-to-speak, snow is just a pain in the butt. I would love to see grass again soon!

- And this one, well, this one's just random...but I decided to put it up anyway. Excuse the length, but I'm copying directly from a magazine, and there really wasn't a way to shorten it.
I bought an "M" Magazine like almost 2 weeks ago. I laugh every time I get a magazine because I always go straight to the horoscopes, even though they never get the prediction right.
So I had to laugh at this one, my February love horoscope: "Happy Birthday, Aqua Girl! Thanks to a full moon and your ruling planet, Uranus, everything is aligned to make this your best month yet! And right around Valentine's Day, a shy sweetie is heading your way! He's attracted to your charming personality and your big smile, so don't be surprised when he sweeps you off your feet. The planets indicate that this one is a keeper! Total swoon!"
And my "flirt 411" also compliments of "M": Guess what? Your crush is totally nervous to talk to you, so be your outgoing self and make the first move! By writing him a flirty note in class or sending him a sweet text, he'll feel way more comfortable around you and will want to spend tons of time together. Both of you will be amazed with how much you have in common!"
My love match this month is Taurus (birthday between April 20 and May 20). My lucky days are 1/28 (which wasn't really all that special, come to think of it) and 2/22.
So I laughed..and my decision of the year comes into my head: to love or to hate Valentine's Day? Well, I think I'll leave that for my next post...

Alright, I hope you've survived my whirlwind post...bye for now!

When You're Fifteen...

I think this weekend has been one of the most fun weekends of my life.

Emma, Anita, and Sylvia came over Friday evening to celebrate. We went out to Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse for dinner, where everyone told the waiter that it was my birthday, and so I got sung to and got a piece of cake out of it, along with the humiliation of the whole restaurant (and it really was quite packed) staring at me. But I guess it was worth it.

And so after dinner, we went back home and listened to music and read magazines and I opened my gifts (Anita got me an iTunes gift card and a travel bag, Sylvia a Border's gift card, and Emma a shrinky dinks jewelry kit, which I can't wait to open and test out...) until I got roped into being the subject of a makeover. Yes, a makeover. And as a girl that has only worn real makeup (other than concealer) one time in her life, this was a big deal. I had to give in, because I knew that every time we got together, the idea would pop into someone's head. (Yes, Emma, Sylvia, and Anita had already gotten the idea into their heads at the sleepover at Sylvia's house just after Christmas, and I wouldn't let them at the time.) And so, here I was, seated on the floor of my room, with Anita sitting in front of me, putting on foundation, and eyeliner, and mascara, and lipgloss. Of course, I have to say, the finished look was pretty nice, simple, and sweet-looking. And now, by the request of all three of them, I have to go makeup shopping, which makes no sense since I barely go anywhere, with homeschool and all. But whatever.

So, after the makeover, we had cake and ice cream (which by this time, it was like 11:30...) and then set up camp in my room, and talked for a while before Emma and Anita fell asleep. Sylvia read, while I listened to songs on my iPod, and then we talked for a while longer before going to bed around 2am.
We all woke up around 10:45 the next morning, and had french toast for breakfast before everyone left. Then, I watched True Lies and Space Cowboys with my family before going to bed.

Then, on Sunday, my birthday, I woke up and turned on my radio to 105.7 and guess what song was on? Fifteen by Taylor Swift...I couldn't believe it! It was extremely fitting. A while later, I went out to the hill on my street and went sledding with my bro and our neighbor. It was fun, until my mom and I raced Quinn and Austin down the hill, and I got snow all over me. But it was still fun. When we came in, we had dinner (spaghetti and meatballs with salad and garlic bread), then watched Disturbia and 1408, both of which I had seen before, but they still kinda scare me. I opened the gifts from my parents, a Lego Toy Story set, a Geocaching thing, and money. I love them. I wrote thank you cards while I let Ella out to play, and then went upstairs to go to sleep.

So, overall, I had so much fun this weekend. Next up - Valentine's Day!!!

I Feel Good...

So, as I sit here tonight, I realize how perfectly awesome my life is right now. Here's why (yes, another list...I'm sorry if you don't like them, but it's my way of organizing things):

- I completed my 6 required hours of in-car on Friday. I have successfully learned how to parallel park, back into parking spots, pull into parking spots, merge onto the highway, navigate a traffic circle, do a three-point turn, straight-line backing, and lots of other things. I have been everywhere imaginable - Winston-Salem, Rural Hall, Lewisville/Clemmons, King, Tobaccoville, etc. I managed not to crash the car the entire time I was driving, and am now just over a week away from getting my permit!

- I just read the 7th book in the Pretty Little Liars series, Heartless, which was awesome. The term "pretty little liar" is actually used in the book this time (I hadn't had any clue what role it played in the story until now). And let me say, Heartless is awesome! Questions from the last book have been answered, and (SPOILER!!!) someone gets arrested for murder. One more book left in the series...I don't know when it comes out, but I hope it's soon!

- My mom got us unlimited texting, which is wonderful. I have been doing quite a bit of texting, and my texts-per-month limit was just too low. I love my parents, and that's all there is to say about it.

- I just watched Night at the Museum 2, which I had gotten for Christmas, since I loved it so much when I went to see it in the theater. And I laughed so hard...We watched some of the deleted scenes, and there is one where some of the villains are playing "World Twister", where instead of the Twister mat, they're using the world map that's been painted on the floor. The scene was hilarious, including the part where Al Capone is having a tantrum over the fact that he gets arrested for tax evasion later in life (he's looking at a newspaper with his mugshot on it, complaining that he can't believe he gets fat when he ages). So, my mom, bro, and I had fun watching that. My dad still hasn't seen it - we're gonna have to force him to watch it one night.

- I spent last night completely absorbed in a text conversation with my awesome friend, Emma. From 5:30 to midnight (with an hour or so break for dinner), we texted back and forth while she was in the car going to Oriental. And we talked about everything...it was so fun.

- And lastly, I bought a bunch of songs for my iPod a few days ago. I ended up using most of my iTunes gift card given to me by my aunt & uncle for Christmas. I'm really into the newer artists right now, whereas I'm normally really behind in music trends. But, I found this awesome "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" medley by this Hawaiian guy named Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (who, unfortunately, died young...quite a tragedy, as his voice sounded so pretty). But anyway, I love my iPod, and of course, my music...it's my de-stresser.

But, anyway, I'm feeling wonderfully good right now...and that's why.

Crazy Week...Crazy Life

I have one crazy life right now, or at least in my mind I do. Let me convince you.

1) Homeschool has been back in session for two weeks now (starting our 3rd week now). I hate geometry, semi-love, semi-hate language arts, and love my checking account simulation. Gonna set up Rosetta Stone soon so I can continue working on my Spanish!

2) Dad is going out of town Thurs. to Sat. He's gonna be in Dallas going over Race for the Cure stuff, so our nice little schedule will be disturbed.

3) Another schedule-disturbance...I'm starting the in-car portion of driver's ed tomorrow (Monday). I'm freaked out, and I swear I'm probably going to crash the car or hit a mailbox or something. I need 6 hours of driver time, and then I can send for my DEC. And then when I turn 15, I can get my permit. So, the instructor is gonna pick me up at 10am, and me and this other girl (who is finishing up her in-car stuff) are gonna take turns driving, for what the instructor says is gonna be about 3 hours. So, and hour and a half to two hours of driving tomorrow, then a few more days after that, and I'll be done!

4) And, my birthday is coming up in two weeks. I still haven't decided what I'm doing celebration-wise. Of course, my idea of a good birthday is just not doing anything celebratory, but I'm trying to be in a good mood.

5) And we're stressing out trying to plan a beach trip. My grandparents (mom's side) usually come down for a week, and we rent a beach house on Oak Island. So, we've got to figure out when, and find a house that will fit us all, and all that good stuff.

So, this is going to be one crazy week for me. Oh, but on the good side of things, my mom changed our phone plan so that I now have unlimited texting...yes!

I Have Writer's Block...

I have writer's block apparently, because I opened the story I had been working on for the past few weeks, and haven't been able to put anything else into it. So, I'm trying to post something here in order to break it; I doubt it will work.

So, I'm randomly tired. I think because I normally don't go to bed until like midnight or 1 in the morning. I've been on a writing binge for the past few months, so I stay up and randomly write stories and poems and things. (And please don't ask me to share...I have no intention of letting others see my work. I always hated turning in essays in language arts, and I think it has carried over into this year.)

Tonight, we went to Goobers 52 for dinner, our excuse being that Quinn and I haven't been out of the house recently. I'd never been to this restaurant before...we'd seen one at Myrtle Beach, but never gone. And guess what? They had my favorite thing in the whole world: fried pickles! No, they don't sound very good, but they are. So, we ate, and then went over to my grandmother's to visit for a little while, and then came home. Ella enjoyed chewing not only my UGG's tonight, but the hem of my dad's jeans as well. And we watched a little of the Alabama/Texas game on tv.

In other news, Heartless, the new book in the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard, is coming out January 19th! I'm really excited about this one...there was a huge cliffhanger at the end of the last book and I need to know what happens next! So, I'm asking my parents if we can go to Barnes & Noble that day to pick up a copy.

So, yeah, that's my life right now. Nothing much going on, but that's okay. I enjoy peace and quiet sometimes.

Oh, and I hope everyone likes the new background. I may change it cuz the white font on black background is a little hard to read. Let me know if I should change it. [And I finally found a name, not just the standard "Lexi's Blog" thing...so yay!]

And A Happy New Year!!!

OMG! It's 2010! I officially survived another year!

So, let me start with a recap of last night. Sylvia and Aaron came to the Wake basketball game with me and dad. We had a lot of fun...visiting Anita during halftime, laughing at Naz-T Deac, and trying to find the radio signal that Aaron kept losing while listening to the play-by-play on the 101.1. Wake won (I already forgot the score...lol.) in overtime. [Ooh, random memory: according to Aaron, I am the nicest person (he knows? or in the world? I can't remember...). But anyway, yep that was definitely random.]

When we got home, everyone else started arriving - Chelsea, Shannon, Elizabeth, Alicia, Maggie, & Ryan. We played around with Sylvia's party poppers/crackers, and watched some of the performances on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve. We had pizza and chicken nuggets, and finished up with cookies and cupcakes. Then, when it was close to midnight, we made our way into the living room, and counted down the new year. When it was officially midnight, we toasted with sparking cider (in real champagne glasses) and did the annual balloon drop. Then, we messed around with party poppers (which were really explosive for whatever reason...) and watched tv for a while. Then, at 1am, Ryan left, and we took Aaron home, and Aaron and I had an intense discussion on Legos.

When I got back, the rest of the girls were playing Mario Kart, and we ended up letting Ella out for a while. We stayed up until close to 5am, listening to music, talking, and laughing. We all woke up at 11, had pancakes for breakfast, and then everyone went home. Mom, Quinn, and I returned some stuff at Target, then came home and chilled out for the rest of the evening.

So, that's what happened. Now, as it is New Years Day, and I was too busy to write post something yesterday, my recap of 2009 will come a day late. But oh well...

I guess this year has been filled with its share of both ups and downs. And I'd rather not focus on the "downs", so on to the "ups". I graduated middle school, I have a new cousin, I accomplished my goal of reading at least 8 books over the summer, my dad and I bonded more than ever (over guess what...sports!), I became closer with my relatives, and I kept in touch with my friends from Hanes. And I stayed sane...lol. But anyway, as sad as I am to see 2009 go, I look forward to what 2010 brings.

So, Happy New Year 2010 to everyone!