Why I've been so busy (and why writing was the first thing I cut)

High school is a wonderful time to explore extra-curriculars. And I'm so glad I got involved with robotics. Really.

But it sure did take up a lot of my time.

Since kickoff for FRC in January, I've been working nonstop for robotics. With such successful district events, we were guaranteed a spot for States and Worlds.

All that has since ended, as of a week ago, along with the AP Chem exam, which was last Monday.

And I'm finding that I have all this free time. With my busy winter and spring, writing had to be the first thing to go. Before music, before reading, I had to cut writing, which sucks. But I'm also given the opportunity to get back into it (again). Why can't I ever just "stay" into it?

Summer is quickly approaching. I have high hopes (for cooking, reading, gardening, socializing, making music, listening to music, and of course, writing). I'm also getting back into my quarterly goals, which I neglected last period.

Hopefully I start seeing some changes in my productivity.

Hopefully I start making some changes in my productivity.

A Brief Update

I really love the idea of a blog. For different people, it can be different things. An outlet to talk about life, express opinions, a space devoted to a particular subject, a place to share creative works.

I want this blog to be all of that for me, and more.

While I want to the focus of Fetching Books to be on books and writing, I know that in order to populate this blog with posts, I need to write about things that inspire me.

School rarely inspires me, yet as a student, it's about all I get to think about. This post is a New Year's Resolution for me. Yes, those dreaded words are making their way into my post. Really, I just want to become better this year. Better at doing the things I like, better at writing, better at reading. How can one become better at reading? I don't know. But I hope to find out this year. I hope to be better at blogging. Better to my friends, better at making music, better at pursuing things that inspire me. Better at being myself.

I'm sure I'll get distracted, but I'm also sure I won't get worse. If anything, I'll be trying.

This Afternoon I Learned Something Valuable

As November creeps closer and NaNoWriMo starts to enter my mind, I shift my focus to analyze my writing process as a whole. And I realized my mentality toward it as a whole is crappy. 

Last Monday, I wrote in my planner: consider NaNoWriMo. It was a note to myself to decide if I would participate this year, since of course, I had already considered it before. And for some reason, it took me a long time to reach my conclusion. But upon writing in my handy writing journal this afternoon, I discovered I would never get anything done if I always let my fear of not passing or succeeding get in the way. Which it has been, for years. 

Why am I not out writing, busting my tail and trying my hardest? Two reasons. I'm lazy, that's one. But two, I focus so much on the upkeep of having a perfect track record that I never stop to think about the limits this places on me. 

So of course I will try NaNoWriMo this year. If I only get to plotting a little or even just write 50 words, it would be 50 words more than I would have written otherwise. 

Why did it take me so long to get this through my head? Ah, the clouded mind of a perfectionist. 

Summer Favorites

More than anything this summer, I felt that I was finally becoming my own person. I was able to hang out with friends, get a job, break the rules, eat a lot of food, and all of it contributed to this awesome experience that I can't bear to see end.

So here are some of my favorites from this summer. Favorite moments, favorite places, favorite people, favorite books, favorite movies, favorite music, all of it in one post.

Let's start somewhere easy.

Favorite Places
This one is easy because I have always been so enamored with nature's beauty. My cottage, Seidman Park, my own backyard, my trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. But there are others, too, ones that give me comfort and ease. Such places include Central Michigan University for band camp and most of all, my friends' basements, which I've spent countless hours in (gouging my face with food and playing board games).

Favorite Movies
And I only saw a few. The Sisterhood of Night, The House at the End of the Street, The Babadook. I watched How to Train Your Dragon and its sequel numerable times, and those are my favorites too.

Favorite People
My friends certainly stand out. They really made my experiences possible. But I also babysat these sweet kids two doors down, and I think they deserve to be on this list. My sister and my brother, whom I said goodbye to very recently. I will miss them a lot, but I look forward to my newfound alone-ness.

Favorite Music
I listened to so many different things. Such a variety. Stand-outs include: the Blurryface album, MØ's No Mythologies to Follow album. I listened to a whole lot of Smallpools and Bleachers, a fair amount of Snakadaktal, and went through a faze of Sylvan Esso. Quite recently I'm jumping back into Neon Trees. The 1975, Wild Child, and Walk the Moon are always present. Oh Wonder was like the jam of August. And Misterwives. Oh how I love thee. Your concert was godsent, and your music is from the heavens. Never stop making more. Florence's How Big album melted my heart. And I spent a good/weird few weeks only listening to the HTTYD score. Nice.

Favorite Books
For this, I have to consult my Goodreads. And I should do a summer wrap-up to get them all in there. I loved all of the Morgan Matson books I read. They just made me really happy inside (especially Amy and Roger's Epic Detour and how Since You've Been Gone focused on friendship !!!! so much). Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson was like a hidden gem I wouldn't have found without Booktube and a trip to my favorite used book store, but I'm glad it made its way into my life. Not sure how I feel about The Well of Ascension yet, as I still have yet to finish it. Lastly, I read Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and Paper Towns back to back. Memoirs was good, but not nearly as good as Paper Towns. It remains as my favorite contemporary. I know it's really angsty, but I can't find a book I relate to more. HUGE SHOUT OUT to Eve: The Awakening by Jenna Moreci. I haven't finished it yet, but I'm 75% through the book AND IT'S SO GOOD. 10/10 would recommend. It literally has a 4.62 rating on Goodreads right now. Check it out.
P.S. I didn't receive Queen of Shadows until I was half way through Eve, so I'm waiting to start. But I know that if I read it in the summer, it would be on this list, without a doubt.

Favorite Moments
Having bonfires with my friends. Working at six in the morning with my sister. Speed reading books. Reading books together with my friends. Cashing my first paycheck. Watching The Lion King with my brother, helping him move in. Teaching my sister how to play SimCity on her last night in the country. Pool parties, and jumping in pools with clothes on. Trying to letter-box, and it not working. All of our sleepovers. Paint twister. Slip 'n sliding. Walking down train tracks. Skinny dipping. Every single time at Jam 'n Bean. Band camp (all of it, but especially the mini pool and Piano Man). The first football game (homecoming getting lined up). The playground was great (you know the one). My newfound love for Taco bell. Hostage was a dream (a really hot dream). We cooked our own meal, which was great. Every single time we listened to MUS in the car. And danced along. Swimming in Lake Michigan with and without friends. Taking ratchet pictures on the pier. Random put-put golfing with the fam. Eating s'more dip in the morning. The countless board games. Salvation Army (wow....finally!). My Misterwives concert.

It wouldn't have been this much fun without all my friends. I have high hopes for next summer (I know we can top it). I'm feeling sorta nostalgic so I might as well stop listing the good times. I honestly can't say whether or not the school year will be this cool. Probably not, to be honest. We did a lot of great things this summer.

Camps for Band and Writing

NaNoWriMo update, as promised. I won, and it was a terrible win. Or maybe epic. 

I won in the last half hour, which is pretty on edge for me. But I was out ALL MONTH having fun and serving the community and spending time reading and being around friends and family. 

Not focusing on writing. 

I never adjusted my word goal. I guess things worked out okay in the end. I'm not sure how to handle August. I'll be busy, but I'd love to have a draft of my project by September 30. Far fetched? Maybe. Can I do it? If I work hard. 

Camp number two--marching band camp. I'm pumped. I don't have enough energy to type how pumped I am. I've been cooked like a lobster from pre-band practices. 

Which is alright. I'll tan/peel if off. Until next time (when I'm probably even more tired than now--which is exhausted). 

I'm ready, let's go, RMB. 

NaNoWriMo Struggles

I shouldn't be complaining that my summer has been fun and busy, but I for real need to buckle down and write about 5000 words now.

Last week I was at a service camp through my church. It was an incredible experience, and I got to serve the elderly and disabled in my community by singing in different nursing/retirement homes. But I'm glad to be in my own bed again.

I went a solid two weeks without working on my story, which I'm ashamed to admit. My July goal of writing every day lasted about ten days, and I'm back to scrambling to get words in (like always).

How did I ever like participating in NaNoWriMo? But I guess at the end of it all, this isn't about NaNoWriMo, but rather about me having discipline and getting down to writing. If I want to have my first draft done by September 30, I will need to pick up the pace. In the past few weeks, I'm completely lost focus and sight of my writing goals. By blogging and documenting, I hope to change that.

Goal: I'll check in with a successful writing update before the end of the month. Either I'll have won NaNoWriMo or not.

Carrot: I can feel good about myself and go to band camp stress free!

Stick: There will be an even bigger writing goal for August.

Truth: There will probably be an even bigger writing goal for August anyway because this story won't write itself.

Apologies for rambling. It's tired, I'm late.

Summer TBR (or Rather, a Lack Thereof)

Summer is a time of spontaneity. It is a time of not planning. It is a time perfect for deciding on the spot. 

That is why I am officially not giving myself a firm summer TBR. 

Of course there are books I would love to read this summer. Things I've had for awhile or things I want to purchase but don't have money for yet. But it's important I make my decision of what to read next only after I finish a book. 

This past week, I plowed through Mistborn: The Final Empire. Spontaneity lead me to drive to Barnes & Nobles, pick up a copy of The Well of Ascension, and start reading the sequel early the next day. All school year, I loved for the freedom to make choices like these; I was sick of the meticulous planning of what I'd do and when. Now, I don't need to worry anymore. Now I just read. 

I think that's the way I need things to be for now. Because as long as I'm reading, I'm happy. It doesn't really matter what I'm reading so much as I'm making the most of my summer. 

May Wrap-Up

I read three books this month! I also finished my AP US history text book (all 921 pages of it) and started another book.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas was spectacular, but I already wrote about it here so I'm not going to go into depth. 

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson was amazing. Amazing doesn't do it justice, but I don't know how else to describe it. The writing was so easy to read, and I read it so quickly. I fell in love with a lot of the characters, and though it wasn't a perfect book (at times, I wasn't a fan of Taylor and Henry's romance) I liked it enough to grant it 4 starts on Goodreads.

Lastly, I read The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger. I really didn't like it. Holden was too unlikable, and his narrating seemed too unreliable. The ending was good-ish but it ended too soon. No wrap-up, no explanation, no Jane Gallagher. Overall, pretty disappointing.

In addition, I started Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson and I'm eternally grateful to BookTube for suggesting this to me. I'm blown away by the plot and world building. I haven't been reading it for a few days, but I've been busy with homework. Hopefully I can get to it tonight for awhile.

Next, I plan on reading An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Maybe I'll tune into the Booksplosion discussion taking place next weekend.

On a similar note, it's Book Expo America this weekend, and I'm sad because there's no place I'd rather be. Alas, I am stuck in the cool and rainy Midwest. Perhaps someday.

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current music : lose it : oh wonder : oh wonder

Inspiration at World Championships

This past week, I had the amazing opportunity to attend FIRST Robotics Competition's World Championships with my robotics team. For some, this was a chance to observe the best high school-made robots in the world. For all, it was a time to learn and experience all that FIRST had to offer. For me, it was the experience I had been dreaming of to bond with my fellow robotics team.

The things we do at robotics are not simple. In 6 weeks, we are expected to build a fully functional robot for a specific task. But in addition to the mechanical aspect of the team, we have to maintain a group that takes a lot of planning to run. My closest friends on the team are probably those I've worked with the most: the marketing team. Together, we help manage--keeping us hyped and ready for competitions while making us look like a cohesive team.

Like any other sport or extracurricular, friendships are forged through the experiences with each other. The more time you spend with these people, the more you come to enjoy their presence. I realized this early in competition season last year. While at a regional competition my freshman year, I felt a bit of what the seniors felt in their four years together--utter adoration for each other and the program.

Being at worlds gave me a similar, but more powerful, feeling. The juniors and seniors above me and freshman below me have always been amazing friends. But until our time together this past week, I had not truly observed the familial bond that's been keeping me a part of FIRST robotics.

I am not a technical person. I've learned many things in my time on the robotics team, and I hope to learn many more throughout the rest of high school. But being on the team is an opportunity for me to work in business type relations with people to manage the team. I can respect how everyone has found his or her niche on the team while never excluding others. Hopefully, as my class gets older, the bonds between the students grow deeper and even more loving and compassionate. Hopefully by senior year, we can inspire incoming freshmen the way that the seniors inspired me.

I think it's really important to get involved with something and find your niche. I never would have envisioned myself on the robotics team if it weren't for the passion of the upperclassmen who looked like they were having the time of their lives building and making things. But here I am now, and here is my passion. Even if my passion is just the love within the team, the passion exists, and it will hold me to them until senior year.

My Excuses for Pathetic Reading Habits

Life has been crazy, I haven't been reading, and here's why!

New semester means new classes, also: everything gets harder. My writing for publication class is a little more than I thought it'd be. I enjoy it a lot, but there's added homework that I'm not used to. Also, my classes are all kicking into high gear because it's third quarter, naturally my busiest time of year. 

I'm also in the school musical this year: Once Upon A Mattress. I have a small part in the chorus, but I've still had rehearsals 1-6 times a week since the beginning of January. The show is the weekend of March 19-21, so stress regarding it will be over soon. However, I'll be more busy in these coming weeks than any time ever. 

I'm also on my school's robotics team. We had a competition this past weekend (made it to the semi-finals!) and have another one the week of the musical. Meetings for the team have been about 10-15 hours a week for me, which is a lot on top of musical rehearsals. 

If that's not enough, I also need to prepare for State Solo & Ensemble. 

All of this has made me push off reading a little, not for lack of interest, but out of necessity. A few weeks ago, I was also having a reading slump but another book got me going last week (thanks Lola and the Boy Next Door!). 

Right now, I'm just trying to fit everything in (homework, robotics, rehearsals). March will be even busier than January and February!

This is just for the sake of documentation. Thanks for bearing with me. 

2015 TBR Reading Goals

I've got some, and here they are!

The Precious Stones trilogy by Kerstin Gier
I've heard nothing but good things about this series. I finished Ruby Red yesterday, and it's taking everything I have not to go out and buy Sapphire Blue.

The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
I read Clockwork Angel in June of last year, and I really want to finish the series. My friend says they get better, and I'm holding her to her word on it (since I didn't think Clockwork Angel was all that great).

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I'll be reading the book for school in a few months, so this book doesn't really need to be on this list. Still, it's been in my TBR for years.

The Maze Runner series by James Dashner
I didn't even really like the first book, I just want to finish them out of principle. I'm like that.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor
Kat from Katytastic on YouTube has raved about these books so many times, I just have to read them.
 

Queen of Shadows and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
The Throne of Glass books get better with each one, and Sarah J. Maas says this new one is her favorite. I have high hopes! I'm also hyped for her new series (in which people praise the chapter sampler that's been released).

Attachments and Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Haven't read them yet! Might as well reread Eleanor & Park and Fangirl while I'm at it.

Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
Not just the books. No, man. The audiobooks.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My class read it in 5th or 6th grade but I don't remember it. I've gotta try it again!

Lola & the Boy Next Door and Isla & the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
I NEED THESE BOOKS IN MY LIFE.

Edgar Allan Poe poems and short stories
I love his stuff so much.

1984 by George Orwell
Not only is my APUSH teacher encouraging it, but Ariel Bissett from YouTube practically worships him. I value her opinions, so I'm gonna try it out.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Received it for my birthday, and I really want to start diversifying my reading selections. Some historical fiction will be a good twist to add, since I hardly ever read historical fiction.

2014 Wrap

The new year is finally here! I decided the best way to kick off the blog would be to wrap up 2014's (loose) top ten favorites reads and some book awards, so here they are.

Favorite Books of 2014

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

I read this book in English class last year in the spring. It was short, but beautifully written through short vignettes. It was one of my favorite books I read for school last year--which is a weighted statement because I read so many great books in ninth grade.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

In some ways, 2014 was a year of marathoning series. I got through the first five books in The Mortal Instruments in a shameful amount of time. I'd caught up in time for City of Heavenly Fire, which wasn't a disappointment. I loved how fast paced the book was. My brother and I agree that there were no slow parts, and that all of the sub plots were interesting.

Raging Star by Moira Young

A stunning conclusion to my favorite YA dystopian series. The Dust Lands Trilogy will always have a special place in my heart, especially after the (somewhat shocking) ending of this book. I read it too fast to remember what all happened (oops), but I know I must have enjoyed it.

We Were Liars by E. Lockheart

This book. THIS BOOK. It gets to me. It gets to me in ways books should not get to people. Read this book. Get your friends to read this book. Get your pets to read this book.

If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Foreman

I enjoyed both books immensely, but remember liking the second one a bit better. I think it was because of the Shooting Star lyrics at every chapter, and seeing things through Adam's point of view. Bonus points: the movie was spectacular.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

These books, I've decided, were my all-time favorite books of 2014. This was another series I marathonned, though there were only three books out at the time I started them. Favorite aspect: characters. No wait, plot. Or world building. Favorite character: Rowan Whitethorn (but I bet you already knew that).

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Unfortunately, I felt obligated to include this book. By the end, I had lost a lot of respect for Riordan. I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book, but I had trouble accepting the ending. Maybe I'll get over myself once his Magnus Chase series comes out next fall.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

As every minute goes by, I feel myself shaking until I get another fix of Stephanie Perkins. These books are like crack. I'm so glad Anna and Étienne were the way that they were. It was all just so lovely.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I have such mixed feelings about Ari and Dante. On one hand, it made me sad. On the other hand, I like books that make me sad, because they make me feel something (and if not to feel, then what else is the purpose of a book?). On my other third--and nonexistent--hand (I just need it to prove my point), I found myself unsatisfied with the characters and the wrap up. Still, I'm inexplicably drawn to the story in a way I can't begin to describe.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The only classic making it onto the list, I adored this book. I finished it on the last day of the year. It's a book for school, but the most enjoyable one (so far) of tenth grade. Huck is such a likable character, and his childlike humor makes the book entertaining and enjoyable.

2014 Book Awards

Best Female--Celaena Sardothien from the Throne of Glass series (Sarah J. Maas)

She kicked butt more than any other female I encountered this year. With each book in the series, her emotions and motives became more and more layered. Celaena was unbelievably well written and I can't remember ever getting sick of her. 

Best Male--Rowan Whitethorn from Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas)

I really loved these books, if you can't tell. Finally a wonderfully written male who didn't become the female protagonist's love interest! By the end of  Heir of Fire, I think 90% of my tears and emotions were directed towards him. Thanks, Rowan--I'll love you forever.

Best Plot Twist/Twist Ending--We Were Liars (E. Lockheart)

I'm afraid I'll say too much for those who haven't read it. I don't want it spoiled for you. Just gonna leave this here...

Best Book to Movie Adaptation--The Fault in Our Stars (John Green) and If I Stay (Gayle Foreman)

What can I say? I loved them both dearly. I reread TFIOS before the movie came out so it was fresh, and because it turned out so well, I'm even more excited for Paper Towns. If I Stay was so lovely, and now I should probably do some research to see if they're making a Where She Went movie. 

Best Antagonist--Sebastian from City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare)

HE WAS SO EVIL. I loved how he was kinda/sorta good in the end? Not really. I mean, not at all. But when he died, he kind of made you wish he wasn't dying.

Best Supporting Characters--Meredith, Rashmi, and Josh from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)

I was rooting for them the whole time. The dynamic of the group suffered when just one of them was missing, and the book would have lost a lot of its magical quality if they hadn't been there.

Best Friendship--the 7 demigods (+ Nico and Reyna) from The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan)

True friendship can save the day, yadda yadda yadda. I love every single one of them, but especially the underdogs who aren't as loved. Reyna, Jason, Piper, I'm looking at you. Besides, Percy and Annabeth will always have a special place in my heart. Maybe if they were in the book more...

Best Couple--Anna and Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)

I can't, with these two. It was the cutest, fluffiest book I read this year. I just want more Stephanie Perkins. I'm on withdrawal right now.

Best Setting--Beechwood Island from We Were Liars (E. Lockheart)

The mysteriousness. The nooks and crannies. The...incident.

Oh darn, I think I've said too much.

Best Ending--Raging Star (The Dust Lands Trilogy by Moira Young)

There was something so simple and unexpected about how the series wrapped up. It wasn't too fluffy or too sad. Just the right amount of realism to keep me guessing and thinking.

Book That You Threw Across the Room the Hardest--The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan)

Was that ending even real? It was so bad. So so bad. Everything neatly wrapped up in little boxes. And the last chapter killed me inside, not in the good way. Why did it have to end like this?

Overall, I had an amazing year of reading. My original goal was 25 books, which I surpassed. In all, I read 35 books, over 400 pages of my AP U.S. History textbook, and a whole lot of fanfiction.