Innocence is bliss-----

yes or no? What do you think?

I believe that it is in situations like health. To me, what I don't know won't hurt me. However, I like to know every detail of some situations.

What do you know about this saying?

~SBA

Today is------

The perfect day for a photography expedition.

I think I might go take pictures of this snow-less winter wonderland.

If I end up going, I'll be sure to post pics. :)

Until later,

Sara

Pink pants and Pink Moon

Pink Moon by Nick Drake is such a wonderful song.....

I usually play it safe when it comes to clothes, but I saw this pair of straight leg hot pink cords at Gap that were WAYYY to expensive. I wanted them so bad and had no intentions of buying them because of the price. Well, a day or two after Christmas my mom was in there doing a return and saw that they were on sale from like $60 to $16. Yes, that's still expensive for a pair of pants, but I have been coveting these pants for EVER.

Anyway, I'm wearing them now and it makes me very happy. :)

Also, I'm loving this cold weather! I can't remember ever having weather this cold for this long! :) I hear we're going to have highs in the 20's this week! :) I can't wait! We're also supposed to get snow!!!! Ah! Let's hope! I really want snow before my friends head back to college!

Anyway, I'm off to finish FAFSA paperwork (gross), then to meet a couple of friends for dinner.

Adios friends! Be sure to stay warm this week! I recommend a hat and scarf that is both cute and warm, and Starbucks to keep thy hands warm! haha :)

bye!

-SBA

Talks with friends and vintage family movies

Today has been another splendid day! I can think of only one small thing I would change if I could.

One of the highlights was the opportunity to watch old family videos from my dad's childhood. Because he was an "air force brat," the videos showed his life on Guam, in California, Michigan, Missouri, and Alabama. He was much the same when he was 8 as he is now which was really weird to see! haha :) Sometimes I forget that my parents used to be my age too. Also, my uncle Wayne was in the videos. He died at the age of 19 from Leukemia and I never had the chance to meet him unfortunately. I've been told we're a lot alike which I take as total compliment! He seemed so cool and free spirited. If I'm not like him, I hope that one day I will be. I had actually only seen one picture of him with hair before his chemotherapy so I hardly recognized him in the videos.

Anyway, there's my day.

I tried to get pictures of the blue moon last night. They only come once every 19 years and this time it fell on New Years Day. How cool is that? It was gorgeous but I was unable to capture it decently. Oh well.

Sincerely,

Sara

"Somewhere only we know...."

I love them both so much.......

Somehow those lyrics describe today perfectly.

Today was the best possible way to begin a new year. Spending it with two of my best friends was wonderful. Just talking and listening to music was perfect. I enjoyed the encouragement I received from Emily today. We had the opportunity to just sit and lie in a field and talk in the freezing temperatures. It was glorious. She greatly encouraged me not to worry about the year to come. She helped put this into perspective which was needed.

So thank you, Emily. I really enjoyed out talk today! Let's return to that same spot with a picnic and Micah very soon if possible.

After having such a wonderful first day of 2010, how can the rest of the year not be good? I'm excited for whatever God has in store for me. :)

Alrighty. Here are my resolutions:

1.) Continue running and build up my mileage further. Just get fit in general.

2.) Graduate high school.

3.) Start college.

4.) Keep in touch with friends.

5.) Journal more often.

6.) Attempt poetry (yup, I'm gonna try).

7.) Try at least one thing new every day. I tried this last year and rather enjoyed it. :)

8.) Listen to more amazing music and share it with more people.

9.) Become a better friend on a spiritual level. I want to get better about asking my friends what they need prayer for and ask how they're REALLY doing.

10.) Learn to procrastinate less. ha. This might be the hardest to keep.

11.) No cokes. Not a biggy though cause I rarely drink them every once in a while. But, I've decided that when I go to Moe's I can have a Micah (yup, that's what Anna named it. It's sprite and tea mixed). I usually get water there, but on the rare occasions that I don't, I'll allow myself to get one.

12.) Learn new skills. I haven't decided what yet, but I'll work on that and keep you posted. :)

13.) Get better about gossip. I give into this more often than I would like. It's hard, but I hate it so much. After I gossip I feel so guilty.

14.) Do as many small deeds this year as possible. Just little things that will make someone's day a little better if they're down.

Okay, that's a long list but a lot of those aren't hard. And they aren't very specific so I won't beat myself up if I mess one up. haha

So, despite the below freezing temps out tonight, I'm going to sit on the roof with my journal and enjoy the glory of the full moon this evening.

G'night all. Happy New Year! May God bless you in whatever is coming your way in 2010! :)

As Always,

Sara

2010: Come on, bring it on

Today is the end of a decade---the last day of 2009. Every year about this time I look back and reminisce of the year past. There are always good memories mixed with some I'd rather forget. This year is no different. As 2009 draws to a close, I think about all that I've done this year. I feel as if this year has been very successful and one of the best I have ever lived (well, I'm only 18, but still, it was awesome :)). Yes, I wasted time, but I feel overall I used the time I was given to the best of my ability.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am of this year. I feel I have grown mentally, emotionally, and spiritually more this year than I ever have before. God has taught me so many things this past year that without making mistakes that I made, I might not have ever learned. I definitely made some wrong decisions this year, but nothing to big; just small lessons throughout that have added up.

In 2009 I became very close to two of my best friends, Emily and Micah. I have also been given the opportunity to become closer to friends I did not know as well before this year. I hope in the year to come I will get to know these people even better!

Now that 2010 is here I can't believe it. This year I'll be graduating, starting college, turning 19, and who knows what else. Right now I'm looking at 2010 as daunting and scary but I know it won't be that bad. Emily wrote an entry in Smiley last night that I feel is very accurate. She talked about how this past summer we (me, Emily, and Micah) were all pushing adulthood out of our minds. But as soon as Micah entered college, I entered my senior year and Emily her junior year, we all became adults in our own way. Whether we wanted to or not, we were forced into becoming adults. Not completely, but the level of maturity required of us is much higher now. Yes, we're all immature at times and still enjoy the same childlike activities we did this past summer, but we all know deep down inside that we're older. However, I think adulthood isn't as bad as we feared. Yes, it is intimidating, but it also has new advantages. I'm looking forward to the new adventures that await for me this year. I know I'll be experiencing more new things than I ever have before; the largest being moving out of my house and into a dorm, away from my family.

Although I still worry about friendships in Chattanooga while I'm away at school (whether that be Covenant or Northeastern, or wherever), I know that I can keep in touch. My friendships with people who went away to school this year proved that. I did loose friends, but I kept in touch with three very dear friends. Leaving home will prove who my true friends are and I know they'll always be there for me whenever I need them.

As I write this I am realizing that part of me still dreads what's to come, but a greater part of me welcomes it wholeheartedly. My whole life I've wanted a change and now that it's right around the corner I'm scared. But I refuse to let myself stay this way. I plan to take what's to come with an open mind and with God in full focus. I know He'll lead me where I'm supposed to go even though I have no idea where that is.

2010 will be great. I know it will. I'm ready for an adventure and I think this year offers plenty of it.

Well friends, until 2010, adios! :)

*New years resolutions will be posted tomorrow.*

-Sara Nade

"Chestnuts and fire, holly and hay, Jesus and Mary, what a great day!"

Today is Christmas eve. I can't believe it. In a couple of hours I'm leaving to go to my grandparents' house in Dalton for our big dinner and presents and all. I'm excited. :)

I still don't know if we're going to a Christmas eve service but I hope we do.... It won't seem like Christmas without it. :/

Also, I just found out that my dad's old friend's daughter used to date Stephen Jenkins. Which made me pretty happy. Even though he was probably a creep.

Anyway, I'm off to being Christmas festivities! :) Merry Christmas everybody! :)

-Sara

p.s. I love my friends. That picture is of our AWAD get together. Good times..... :)

Don't waste your life you freakin' moron!

Life------

It's such an odd thing. Always changing, never the same. The constant motion of life is what makes it so intriguing.

Having been on this earth for 18 years, one week and 3 days, I have concluded two things:

1. I have accomplished a lot.

2. I have accomplished nothing.

Yes, those two contradict one another----that's the point. So far I have had a very full life..... or so I like to think. I have had the opportunity to experience more things than many people ever get to in their entire life. On the other hand, I feel as though there is more I could be doing (like I have said a million times before).

The day of my 18th birthday was one I had dread for 17 years and 364 days. I woke that morning in a horrible mood that was partly due to the fact I was wallowing in self pity. I had come to realize that I was no longer a 'kid' by law. At heart I was and am and will always be. But the fact that I was now FULLY responsible for myself was more than I wanted to deal with or even think about (and still is).

However, with growing up comes benefits too. Small things that I'm slowly starting to realize. I'm trying to decide if the pro's of being and adult outweigh the con's. That's something that I will decide later......

I have yet to do something that only 18 year olds can do. Except for going to the mall on weekend nights and driving past 11 PM. The other night I got to see Micah (who is home for Christmas break!!!!) for just a few seconds and he asked what I had done that only adults can do. I answered with "nothing" and he quickly suggested we change that soon. I have no idea what he has in mind, but I refuse to smoke or get a tattoo (which I doubt he'll recommend haha).

Although I have wasted time the past 18 years, I feel I have done a few things right.....

Here are a few:

1. At the age of 5 I gave my life to Christ. Although my walk with Christ is something that I am constantly challenged with, it's well worth it. God is continually showing me his grace and forgiveness is every aspect of my life. I could live forever on this earth and never realize all He has done for me.

2. I have begun and maintained friendships with people who are very dear to me. I know I say that all the time, but God has truly blessed me when friends who care about me and are there for me whenever I need prayer, or whenever I want to talk, laugh, or hangout.

3. God has spared me from drama. Yes, I have had some in my life, but very little compared to many teenagers. Two things I am very proud of: 1, I've never had a boyfriend. 2, I've never been kissed. Many people would be ashamed of these, but I am very proud of them. :) Those are two things I take very seriously and am not willing to just give into.

Those are the three largest things that come to mind at the moment. I'm sure there are more but I'm tired and don't feel like sitting here staring at the screen any longer.

g'night all!

-Sara: AWAD-ee :)

Hot tea and composition examinations

Isn't it strange how coffee houses can make homework seem much more enjoyable?

A nice cup of hot tea and a warm, cozy coffee house makes everything much more bearable.

Let's hope I can make it through my last 2 exams.

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head...."

I'm not sure why I have such an obsession with weather. Sorta messed up.... oh well.

Today was cold. :) Which I greatly love. Tonight and tomorrow it's going to be like 50 with POURING rain and hard winds. Sound fun, right? Why can't it be snow?

Anyway, today I was looking at a picture I took this summer. In it the wind was blowing and it was a summer day and the picture was taken in the shade. As I sat looking at the picture I was able to completely remember the moment the picture was taken. I could feel the warm summer breeze, feel the shade of the tree from the sun, and hear the noises of grasshoppers and other insects, birds, and random noises that make up summer. Right now I would give ANYTHING to feel a warm summer breeze! I love winter so much, but I greatly desire to feel a steady summer wind burst that brings the scents of summer with it. *sigh*

On the other hand, there is a slight chance of snow Saturday! :) haha I'll be keeping my fingers crosses! :)

Speaking of fingers, I was informed today I have very cold hands all the time.... I think I would like a muff. I've always wanted one because they are so sweet. Right now it sounds wonderful! haha

Anyway, have a loverly evening, all!

Until next time,

Silverdale Baptist Academy