Bloom Where You’re Planted

The teen years are hard, right? Full of weird emotions and sometimes you just don’t know how to feel. But whoever you are, all teens experience some unhappiness with something or other. Like Harry in Order of the Phoenix and Katniss in Mockingjay- sometimes the situations you’re in just make you want to curl up into a ball and never leave your room.

I moved to the town I’m living in now three years ago, and until today, the only thing I liked about the town was my school (which is a story for another time…maybe). I hated the landscape, I hated the amenities (one small Target? Yeesh), I hated the people (dang, what a horrible generalized statement).

Today, I went downtown with my best friend, Lucie (the brownie bites guest poster!). We volunteered at our local library for a few hours, then went to a corner cafe for lunch, then to a new pottery place (LOVE!), then to a cute antique shop, then to a fabulous bakery that is super cheap but soooo yummy, which was good because by then we kinda ran out of money… hahaha!

These businesses were really small, local businesses, and the owners were SO NICE! At the corner cafe, we ordered a sweet potato cinnamon roll, and the guy waited until we finished our sandwiches to heat it up and put on fresh cream cheese icing- heaven! At the new pottery place, we painted a butter dish and soap pump for our moms for Mothers’ Day; the store was so artsy and colorful we couldn’t not fall in love! The antique shop was full of the most amazing things and ridiculously awesome old coins, and the dude there was really enthusiastic and helpful. At the bakery, I got four delicious cookies for 80¢!

Basically, what I’m saying is that you can find lovely gems wherever you are. If you’re really sick of your town, doing the same old stuff, I highly encourage you to explore and find those gems! You won’t regret it, and you might even find some of your favorite places! Make the most of your life, because there really is beauty in everything 🙂

What are your favorite quirky places?

P.S. Sorry I didn’t get any pictures!

Book Review: The Program

How do you guys like the book reviews so far? If you ever have any book recommendations for me, or thoughts about books, don’t be shy in the comments! I love to hear from you!!!

book image from suzanne-young.blogspot.com

Book: The Program
Author: Suzanne Young
Rating: PG-13– language, mature content
Score: 7/10

Summary:
When teen suicide becomes an epidemic, The Program is created. It’s supposed to cure teens of the depression that causes them to commit suicide, but it does this by taking their memories. Sloane has lost her brother to suicide, and her friend to The Program. She has her boyfriend, James, now, but how much longer can they hide their depression, even when they’re together?

Review:
Such an intriguing concept! The topic is really interesting, and the protagonists are realistic and easy to connect to. However, I thought it was kind of watered down. I think the book could have been so much more exciting; I guess I understand that because the book is about depression, the tone is low-key, depressed, as well, but I think that element of depression could still be in the tone of the book without sacrificing some of the excitement, suspense, or quality. I’m not sure if I will continue reading the rest of the series. That being said, overall it is a good book that I would recommend for an all-day weekend read, preferably during a storm or a cloudy day, because it’s definitely not light-hearted!

Have you read The Program? Tell me your thoughts and opinions in the comments! And if you’d like to know what some upcoming book reviews are, subscribe to the monthly email newsletter!

Hey, we could start a book club!!! Yeah?

Rock & Worship Roadshow 2015

Hey hey!!! I went to the Rock & Worship Roadshow recently and all I can say is BEST. NIGHT. EVER. It was absolutely unbelievable!

There were so many amazing artists and performances-definitely something for everyone!

Jamie Grace because um YES

Basically what it is is a concert tour with 8 bands/performers. All Christian music, all amazing! The bands that were there were Mercy Me, Matt Maher, Jon Guerra, Tadashii, Jamie Grace, David Crowder Band, I Am They and Group 1 Crew. Each artist performed 3-5ish songs. It was $10, general seating.

It was $10 well spent!!! I took two friends along and we had a total blast! Afterward, we got ice cream so that’s cool too. My favorite person was Jamie Grace. She was so likable and had the best personality, plus she is an absolutely amazing singer and so beautiful! I also really loved David Crowder Band because it was seriously country which was fun. There was a cellist and violinist in that performance, and they were jaw-droppingly amazing! I also really loved Mercy Me…

I would DEFINITELY recommend going, no matter who you are there’s something for you- like rap? There’s Tadashii. Country? David Crowder. Techno/hip-hop? Group 1 Crew. Bright Pop-Country? Jamie Grace. But get there early, as in, before the doors open, because we got there about 15 minutes after doors opened and I’m pretty sure the line extended half a mile outside the door…so yeah. We ended up in seats that were almost behind the stage, but we were lucky to even get that! There were so many people that some didn’t even have seats!

See how we’re behind the stage and projector?

If you ever have the opportunity to go to this (it’s almost over this year, if it isn’t over already) DO IT!!! It’s one of the most spiritual and fun events ever! SO. AWESOME. Yes.

Book Review: Before I Fall

All riiight, it’s time for a review of a book that’s really popular as of late. I’m not sure how many bestseller books I’ll review, but I can tell you that the next review will be a popular book too. This week’s book isssss *drumroll please* Before I Fall!

book image from Lauren Oliver Books

Book: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Rating: PG-13 — adult content, language, drinking/drugs/smoking
Score: 5/10

Summary:
Sam Kingston has THE life- she’s a popular girl with a boyfriend and great friends. She shouldn’t be the one to die, right? Fortunately, she has seven chances to redo the last day of her life. Sam discovers some interesting things, like how much she loves her family, what her boyfriend really thinks of her, and the secrets her best friend is keeping from her. What can she change in the lives of other people, and how can she change her own perspectives, before she is gone forever?

Review:
The plot of this book is really interesting. However, the beginning was slow and boring. There were lots of things I didn’t enjoy reading because of my personal beliefs and morals, like underage drinking, [talking about] sex, and smoking. Maybe this is normal teen stuff, but I’m not a stereotypical teenager, so I’m not really sure, haha. I really did love the character development, though, and reading about what Sam did each day to change the outcome. But the negative actions were so frequent that it made the book not very enjoyable for me.

If you don’t mind reading about the stuff I mentioned above, then it’s a great book, but if you’re like me and that stuff bothers you, I wouldn’t read it at all.

Have you read Before I Fall? What did you think? Were you bothered by some of the topics and main characters’ actions? Let me know in the comments!

SWITCH Students and Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Hope you had a good St. Patrick’s Day! …We’ll come back to that later…

But first, on an unrelated note, I want to introduce you guys to a really good reference for, basically, life. My church has this fabulous youth group called SWITCH Students, and something new they’re doing this year is a blog to post all the sermons. And the lessons are GREAT! I’m not sure how often they update it (the most recent post is from February but we meet every week), but the posts that are on there now are, in my opinion, super important for teens (and everyone!) in this modern day to read!

You know what the best reference is? Yeah? The Bible. UMM YES! I know, it’s challenging (but totally worth it), so look at the SWITCH page for some awesome ways to implement the Bible in your life!

Now I’d like to show you the bracelet I made for a little green accessory 😉 It’s kind of like a charm bracelet, so I think I’ll just make new charms for each holiday!
You just need: jewelry wire, fabric paint, and metal file (optional)

If you want to read more awesome and easy DIYs and craftsy stuff, be sure to follow the blog and subscribe! PLUS, when you subscribe you get a free password organizer, and a free font each month! Whoo!

What’s your favorite holiday craft?

Book Review: The Witch and Wizard Series

Have I ever mentioned how much I love books? And reading books? And obsessing over books? No? Well I do love books. With complete and utter devoted passion. So I guess I’m not the best critic, but come on, books are published for a reason. I end up loving a lot of books out there, but sometimes, there’s a certain time and place for loving a certain book– Take Percy Jackson & the Olympians and the Hunger Games, for examples. I read the first Percy Jackson book in 5th grade, and was looking over my shoulder for the next two weeks, scared of monsters (so I’m easily scared, sue me). But I returned to the series a year and a half later and became obsessed! And The Hunger Games? I was disgusted (yet intrigued enough to read the entire series at once) the first time I read it, but over time it’s become one of my favorites! So where am I going with this long-winded story? I dunno, don’t give up on a promising book, maybe? Or, I know!, it might take a while to find “your book,” but trust me, it’s out there!

Finally we get to the actual book review, hahaha……

Book: The Witch & Wizard Series
Author: James Patterson
Rating: PG-13–adventure, fighting scenes
Score: 8/10

Summary:
Whit and Wisty Allgood seem to be normal, teenage siblings. They live in a world that seems like ours but with a few small differences, like foolball instead of football, and of course, magic. Because it turns out that Whit and Wisty aren’t ordinary teenagers- they’re a witch and a wizard, they can perform magic. And that’s good, too, because there are a whole lotta villains in their world, intent on taking over the Allgood’s home city. Whit and Wisty go through trial after trial, honing and learning about their magic, hoping to defeat all threats to their city.

Review:
Okay, well, the first three seem like a trilogy. A really good trilogy! There’s action, adventure, a little romance, and the best sibling love ever! You will fall in love with the main characters. Wisty is the strong, independent female protagonist who won’t take anything from anyone. Whit, her jock older brother, is loyal to the core, protective in the best way, and adorably sweet under all his athleticism (or with his athleticism?) Anyway, the first three books are thrilling and exciting as Whit and Wisty learn how to use their magic to defeat The One Who Is The One, who messes up not only the main dimension, but also the Shadowland. I’d definitely recommend these to any middle or high schooler looking for an adventure!
Now, the last two…I think they’re kind of a drag… The first three wrapped up a nice story, but the last two are separate, and not as gripping. They’re pretty repetitive, so I found myself thinking “same old, same old,” multiple times reading these two. That being said, they’re not terrible books, but I wouldn’t go rave about them to my friends.

Have you read the Witch & Wizard series? Or any of James Patterson’s books? Tell me what you thought in the comments, and don’t forget to follow the blog and subscribe to the monthly newsletter (you get a FREE printable password organizer and FREE monthly fonts just by signing up!)