Being Cyberschooled, Part 1

Hello everyone! I've decided to do a two-part post on being cyberschooled, which means Part 1 is this week, and Part 2 will be posted next week. So... here goes nothing!

I'm actually not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I'm a cyberschooler, and I have been ever since kindergarten. If you're unfamiliar with that term, it basically means that I go to a public school, but I do at home from my computer. I have online classes to be in at certain times, I have assigned things to read and projects to work on just like any other high school student. Except for the part that, well, I can do it in bed.

So this week I have the pros of being cyberschooled. Next week, the cons. Simple idea, right?

WinterJam 2014

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Last week was crazy. I had finals in some of my classes, which took up a lot of time. And then on Thursday night we went to WinterJam, so I never really got the chance to write! Anyways, about WinterJam...

If you've been following my blog, you know that I've gone to WinterJam the last two years (You can check out what I said about WinterJam 2012 here). If you haven't been following my blog or have no idea what WinterJam is, here's the condensed version. Big Christian music tour in the winter time. $10, ten bands. Pay at the door.

If that doesn't satisfy you, you can read this.

Anyway, this year, instead of paying $10 at the door, I went with my church youth group and got VIP tickets, so we could get in early and not have to wait in line. It was great because, well, it was freezing. And man, that line was long.

This year, the headliner was the Newsboys, arguably one of the most well-known names in Christian music. The other nine bands were Derek Minor, Love & The Outcome, Everfound, Colton Dixon, Newsong (they're always on the tour, since they're the band that hosts it), Plumb, Thousand Foot Krutch (my favorite!), Tenth Avenue North, and Lecrae.

Click the jump for more!

Featured on Console to Closet!

Hey guys! This is a really short post, but I wanted to share that I just got featured on the website Console to Closet. I've talked about this website before, but basically it's a blog of outfits based on video game characters. Anyway, this week an outfit I designed was featured this week as "Community Submission." It was based on the character Tetra from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Anyway, you can read the entire post on Console to Closet here, and check out my outfit on Polyvore here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

My Ten Favorite Albums of 2013

I'll get to the point. This is a list of my ten favorite albums I listened to during 2013. Please note that this list isn't exclusive to CDs that were released during 2013. It does include a lot of new music, but there are some albums from a few years back. So... enjoy!


#10 - Dear Diary by FM Static
Notable songs - "Boy Moves Into a New Town With an Optimistic Outlook," "Man Whatcha Doin?" and "Take Me as I Am"
I've talked about Dear Diary on this blog before, but if you're not familliar with it, it is a concept album about a boy who moves to a new town and recounts the events in his diary. It's a very interesting story, and I really encourage you to give it a listen! Even better, buy the CD and read the story that some with!

#9 - The Chase by Manafest
Notable songs - "Avalanche," "Every Time You Run," and "I'm Better 'Cause of You."
I just recently started listening to Manafest, probably in the last year or so. His style is sort of a rap/hip-hop/rock kind of thing. It took a while for me to get used to, but one of my favorite musicians, Trevor McNevan, has collaborated with Manafest on many of his songs, so that got me hooked. The Chase is probably the most rock-sounding album, and I really enjoy it, so check it out!

#8 - Release The Panic by RED
Notable songs - "Release the Panic," "Hold Me Now," "Glass House."
Release The Panic was just released this year, and my brother gave it to me for my birthday. I have the special edition, which includes some remixes and other bonus songs. I really like the theme of this CD, with all the sci-fi-ness. The album art is great, by the way, and the music videos are awesome!

Creative Wednesday: Me!

Addison Sparks, the heroine
of Subject 10. Normally, she
wouldn't be dressed like this, but
in one scene, she works as a
waitress.

This... is awkward.


Let me be honest: Creative Wednesday totally came up without any warning.I was sitting on the couch making fun of a doomsday preppers show or something like that and all of a sudden I though, "Oh snap! I'm supposed to have a blog post tomorrow!" So, unfortunately, you're stuck with me. Hopefully I won't bore you to death.

I actually wasn't even sure what to post for myself, but I have a few short stories and maybe some artwork to go with it. I haven't written too much that's worthwhile lately, but as always you can check out my novel-in-progress Subject 10. If you're not familiar with it, here's the blurb (which I really should rewrite, but oh well)"

Being kidnapped at ten years old, I was confused. Scared. No--terrified. Surrounded by caged rooms, poking scientists, and menacing needles, my only thought was that I needed to get out of there. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my chance until after the “doctors” had changed me. They made me into an experiment, a science fair project known as Subject 10.   

I wasn’t alone though.

There was another boy there, my age. His name was Xavier. He was my only friend during those six years we spent at the testing facility. And, by the time we were both sixteen, we had had enough.

My name is Addison Sparks and this is my story.  

For more short stories, click the jump!

Happy (Belated) New Year!

Yes yes, I know I'm a little late to the party here, but it's only the third! I'm just a few days late. Anyway, happy new year, readers! Now that Christmas is over, I'm back to my regular posting schedule (hopefully). Christmas break made me a little bit lazy, but last week I was on vacation with my family, so I didn't have the time then. All excuses aside, I'm back now, and that's what matters.

I guess I'll start by saying my Christmas vacation was great! Actually, I officially go back to school on Tuesday, so it isn't over yet, but you get the idea. Once our break started, my family left for a house a few hours away. We stayed there and celebrated Christmas with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins, which was really nice. It snowed a few times while we were there, as you can see from the photo (my brother took that picture, by the way). The day after Christmas, we left to drive home before the roads got too bad. The place we were staying at was a bit off the beaten path, which meant the roads didn't get plowed as often. We made it home safely though!

Click the jump to read more of my rambling!