who, what, when, where, how, why... CHOCOLATE!

So this weekend (starting tomorrow for me, I'll explain later, but anyways, whoop, whoop!) is Easter weekend. I'm not Christian so I don't really celebrate Easter as anything to do with Christ. I do, however, love me a good Easter egg hunt. Or just the chocolate--either works.

As I mentioned, Easter weekend starts tomorrow (Thursday). This is because tomorrow is a NID (Non Instructional Day) at my school. Then there's Good Friday (or very good ^^), the actual weekend, followed by Easter Monday.

If you've been keeping track, counting on your fingers, or care at all, you may have reached the same eager conclusion that helped get me through Socials, French, Band, Math, etc.

5 day weekend!!!

Anyways, to mark such a truly momentous occasion, I've decided to make this weekend into a bit of an even for myself. Rather than just "Lie Around the House for 5 Days Straight" like I would normally consider doing, I'm rather motivated and am making Easter weekend 2010 "Erika's Epic Easter Write-a-thon"!

I have this crazy schedule all worked out. It basically consists of writing, reading books about writing, doing writing exercises, and writing some more. Oh, and food. Right... On a side note, Friday is my name day, which calls for one thing and one thing only: cake!

Just to keep it real, I'm going to toss in a goal or two. I wanted to manage at least three pages a day, for a grand total (I'm not doing my write-a-thon Sunday or Monday because of school work and, you guessed it, an Easter egg hunt :) Never too old) of about ten pages. That's over 3 times as many as I would probably do on a normal, day-to-day basis. Plus I'm hoping to start some snazzy new stories and try out a few writing prompts/exercises that I've been putting off.

Okay, I realize that this is probably not interesting at all for anyone else, but personally, I'm totally geeking out!

Wish me luck, oh Writer Gods,
Erika

PS: As a side note, K and I did some lettering for our school Concert Band's t-shirts, and they're going to be part of the design! Woot! The main design is like evolution, from primate to caveman to person to BAND GEEK! And the color? It's teal, "Like Kiyle's hat". Good day :)

alarms going off in my head

I have just about 200 friends on facebook. Not a crazy high number, but respectable none the less. The majority of them are my friends, or at least people I know from school. Then there are those weird kids.

I've been added as a friend by a succession of people that I either don't know or maybe heard of once or twice. You know what? I don't mind. It's kind of cool to know that they saw my name/profile/weird picture that isn't actually me and thought, hey, why don't I add this Erika person as a friend.

This is my Facebook picture--didn't want you thinking I was too creepy!

The whole "friend" (as a verb) thing is a little weird, I must admit. It isn't just limited to friends. It can encompass acquaintances, friends of friends, or, if you're really creepy or a "collector" (someone who adds friends just for the sake of increasing their total), searching for random names and adding whoever you think is cute.

Anyways! The whole facebook situation is a little weird. I'm happy that I have a facebook because it allows me to connect with my friend in Victoria, my aunt in the Czech Republic, my cousins in Southern BC and all sorts of people that I wouldn't otherwise keep in contact with. But honestly, in five or ten years (supposing that facebook is still around in five or ten years--which would mean that we can't yet teleport instantly wherever we want) I doubt that I'll recognize most of these people. Will they be famous? Will they be overweight truck drivers? Anything could happen.

A bunch of writers recommend using social networking sites (a fancy way of saying, "Look guys! Now you don't have to leave the house to have friends!") to promote yourself or your work, get in contact with other writers, keep your name fresh in people's minds... Etc.

Sorry--got side tracked there for a moment, ironically by checking my facebook. Almost like I planned this... Or was on facebook, felt like blogging, and had no other topics. Hey!

Here are a few links for articles on how to successfully use social networking to your advantage! None of that tweeting about having a shower, or making toast. No one wants to know. Although you never know..

• Hub Pages.
• Useful Online Tools (Will Write For Chocolate)
• Part 2
• And, just so you don't get too engrossed, WWFC's take on Eva's Twitter Addiction

Have an awesome Easter weekend!

Erika

petulance withstanding

It rained yesterday, and it rained today.

Normally, I quite love the rain.

On the way to the bus stop, dead and dying worms littered the sidewalk.

I saved one of them, but I was running late and nearly missed the bus. There were at least ten casualties.

After I let a worm die, it's like a part of me dies, too.

Oh, I do not know if I like the rain.

we're all happy sushi

Is it weird that every time I type "blog" into the URL bar at the top of my screen, I get excited? Nah, didn't think so.

So, the days have just been flying by without much time or cause to blog. Exciting. Alack and alas, however, it's a Tuesday, still the beginning of the week, and I just want to curl up under my blankets and forget all about the secretory vesicle (Biology 9, oh joy).

Luckily, there is hope! The weekend is like a shining beacon that guides me through the crowded halls and dank classrooms. Or something like that. On Friday night, I'm going to be packing up my little laptop, maybe a notebook, and enough food for sustenance and walking down to a local cafe to just sit, order a chai latte, and relax.

Did I say relax? My mistake--I actually meant write my butt off.

Since this is, sad but true, going to be one of my first experiences 'writing on the road' or at least out of the house, I'm wondering if you have any tips.

For one thing, I sometimes like to read aloud what I've just written to make sure that it sounds okay--dialogue especially. I guess I could do this in public, too, it just might result in me being morally shunned for the rest of my life. I also really love to lose myself in my writing, and even though being around people should help with ideas (not to mention dusting off those social skills--I thought I left them somewhere around here...), I'm guessing it can be distracting. Any tips on how to effectively zone out?

That is all. Dinner, a science project, and eventually yoga await!

Have a great week,
Erika

introducing me

Introducing (drum roll please)... Erika!

So, no big whoop for this blog post, but I decided that I might as well (re) introduce myself to all of you! As of two posts ago, I'm officially half way to 100, and I figured I may as well use that time to get acquainted.

My name is Erika. My full name is Erika Vallillee (my grandma's maiden name) Loggin. I'm kind of trusting you not to be total creepy stalkers at this point--not that all of this info couldn' t be easily obtained on my profile. W/e.

My favorite color is yellow, with red coming in at a close second. I love the idea of the Mediterranean--places like Morocco, Turkey, Egypt--but for now I'd rather travel to/visit slightly cooler (if only in temperature) destinations such as France, England, Scotland, Russia, etc.

I love food. I went through a crazy period last year of avid cookery during which I wasn't really determined to be a chef, but made $20 a week cooking for a family in my neighborhood, anyways. I have a deep love of cats, camels, and indie music.

My fish, Cedric, may not have been the focus of many of my recent posts (I was at my dad's house this past week), but he shall soon be popping up. He's orange, white and black and lives in a stuffy tank on my desk that's in need of cleaning. But he has a castle!

Last, but certainly not least, I am an artist. I am a writer. I've wanted to be a writer my entire life, literally since before I knew what the word author meant--and long before I could spell it. I've tried unsuccessfully to complete a novel multiple times, and I'm at it yet again. Two of my friends and I have an arts magazine in our small town, of which I am the editor.

I have one mom, one dad, one brother, three cats (divided by two, so... 1.5 cats per house?), one dog, and a truly spectacular fishy friend.

That's me! Honestly, you could crack this blog post up to being way too tired, bored, and unmotivated for my self-centered mind to think of any other topic. I just thought I'd get some of this out of the way, though, so that the next 47 posts (and beyond!) can focus on more universal subjects.

Why not try introducing yourself to the blogosphere? It feels good to pretend to be known ;)

Erika

a whole new P.O.V.

Today I indulged myself.

No freaky drug references, and I did not bury my feelings of inadequacy in a 4L tub of chocolate ice cream (although, now that you mention it...). My indulgence was of a different sort.

I did the whole "school" thing today (just like every other week day in the history of forever), got home, and went to the library. Actually, I did some French homework first which I had originally chosen not to bore you with, but here goes. Not only is French quite possibly my favorite language in the entire world, but, not to brag, I like to think that I'm able to understand (at least what I know) fairly well. So many of the annoying students in my class complain about our teacher or don't do their work--I think it's because they think of French as just another subject; meaningless words on a page. It's a language! It's a universe! It's exciting!

Anyways, enough of my love affair with the French language. I went to the library, took out two very promising YA books (and renewed the two that I lost, so no hard feelings >.<), and sat on the floor reading Writer's Digest until my dad arrived from yoga.

Normally I don't like Writer's Digest (at all) but today I was in the mood for some semi-self-righteous babble that would undoubtedly make me question all I am as a writer. One of the key points that caught my attention somewhere in one of last year's issues was the idea of taking it slow.

Give yourself 15 minutes (or even just five minutes) a day, anywhere from 3-7 days a week--I'm shooting for seven!--to just sit down and write a page. One single page. See where that takes you! Some days will be harder than others, and some days you'll end up with dozens of pages for your effort. Carry on like this for a full year, though, and you'll have yourself a novel.

I am psyched. I just checked my emails, ate a disturbing amount of jellybeans, went on facebook, and checked over the various blogs I follow for updates. My indulgence. Now guess what? It's time to get writing.

One page won't write itself, after all.

Erika

success

Well now.

Yesterday was my first day back at school after about a week and a half of Spring Break. Guess what? Rather than the painfully slow kind of day where every second feels like an hour, it zoomed by! I had a really great day.

Today was also pretty good. We had double block math, which was a but of a bummer, but nothing too bad. At lunch I gave two of my friends a beginner trumpet tutorial (why yes, I play the trumpet :3). It basically consisted of me trying to get them to sticking with mouthpiece practice rather than trying to play the whole trumpet, simply because it's impossible to unless you can buzz your lips!

It went alright, and I feel like a decent teacher. When I was little, I debated about being a teacher when I grow up, like gradeschool. After babysitting for over four hours last night, though, I was completely pooped, and way too frustrated with kids to imagine spending any more time with them. Sometimes it's nice being the youngest!

Later this week (Thursday, actually, is the dreaded day) I'm going to be looking for employment. Gasp! I'm going to ask around town a bit, though, and maybe print out my resumee in advance. I want to work at a small bookstore in town, or maybe volunteer at our local library or newspaper. I'm not sure--I've only had one real office job before, though. It didn't go so well.

I was a file clerk at an eye doctor's office for a month. In grade seven. Eek! I'm not sure if I really enjoyed it--it was tiring, repetitive work and I didn't get to spend any time with people which I've discovered I really enjoy.

I don't like the whole idea of working for money at this age. I know I must sound utterly ancient but I would much rather spent my time focusing on my school work and my writing. Money is a bit of an issue though--even at my age! I know, I'm a freak. I just want to be able to pay for my own stuff without my parents having to step in and spend their own money. Plus if I want to spend my grade eleven year abroad, I need to be able to afford it.

Well, I'm sick and this has been a rather serious, boring post at a time when I would much rather be sleeping! Wish me luck with my job hunting :)

Love,
Erika

mmm, yum, pi

A quick note for all you math nerds, or just plain old geeks like me who will find this super cool. Today (which you'd already know if you went on Google!) is Pi Day!

It's March 14, so it's 3.14. How cool is that!

Happy Pi Day!

the times they are a-changing

The time literally is changing--or it did--last night was day light savings time, and we all had to turn our clocks forward an hour.

I hate this time of year.

Hate it! I lose an entire hour of sleep, relaxation, and (in a perfect world) writing. Not only that but since I'm currently fasting and waiting patiently for the sunset, I have to wait until 7:39. Ugh.

On a happier note, we're photocopying our March issue of Arrow* tonight! I'm just waiting on my friends and co-zine crafters, K and Laura to pick me up. Not their actual names (well, not the first one. Sorry, K! I'm just a) too lazy to type out the whole thing and b) I hate those red squiggly lines. Which is why the word 'crafters' is bugging the hell out of me). Any moment from 7:30 to 8:00 they could come whirling down the street, banging down my door and in to my living room. We're all ready, and our issue is actually going to come out completely on time this month--can you say score?

I just need to do some minor edits in pen, making it look thoroughly unprofessional, and then it'll all be good ^.^ Another major plus: I cleaned my room! It took two days of intense manual labor, but it's just about perfect. Actually, there's a bin of stuff to sort through sitting on my bed, but I shall blog instead. Because blogging is love.

Love,
Erika

*Arrow is the magazine that Kennix, Laura and I started in September. Check out our rarely updated blog!

three cheers for sweet revenge

Breaking news!

I don't know if many of you know of/like the band My Chemical Romance (I was, for quite some time, madly obsessed with them, and remain deeply infatuated), but I was on their site this morning and discovered that the drummer, Bob Bryar, recently "parted ways" with the band.

:( :( :(

M.C.R. have always had a bit of an issue with drummers, though. Their drummer from their first album, Matt Pelissier, left in '04. I had to check Wikipedia for the spelling of his name, and Bob Bryar has already been listed as "past members". It's like the end of an era.

This is them--Bob Bryar is on the far left. Don't not listen to them because you think they look kind of funny. We all look kind of funny. Listen to some of their newer stuff if you aren't so into traditional punk music.

Can't wait for the new album come Spring.
Erika

cleanse ye your eyes

I'm hungry.

Pourquoi? Well, ahem, I have an incredibly high metabolism which means I can eat mounds of chocolate cake and still not feel full *smug smile* No, actually.

I'm hungry because I'm not eating. This is because the nineteen days (March 2-20) is the Bahá'í month of ‘Alá’, or loftiness, and it is spent fasting! You only eat before sunrise and after sunset (unless you're sick, pregnant, traveling--like I was--etc.). Because I turned fifteen in January and am thus officially "of age" in the Bahá'í faith, it's my first year of fasting. I'm not an official Bahá'í, but I could become one--and my mom is.

Thus, the diaries of a hungry girl. I spent the past few days out of town, meaning I was eating, which is making this morning even harder! I got up at around 6 AM (on a Saturday), made some nutella and banana crepes, and got to work on some French homework. Good times.

More on the religious front--oh! And the schooling front! Man, am I good--I'm seriously thinking about spending my grade eleven (or, in Europe, year II) year at the Bahá'í International Youth School in the Czech Republic, Townshend. I would be nervous; a whole year away from home, and I'd have to take Phys. Ed which I just finished! Ugh.

Exciting prospects, though. Happy Saturday, everyone. Go do something memorable.

Love,
Erika

PS: Aaaaaand a picture.

This is `Abdu'l-Bahá, eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith.
"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world," -Bahá'u'lláh

we are marching

I just spent the past three hours or so freezing my butt off, playing with jazz band at our town's arena for the closing ceremonies of... some sports activity. It was fun, and according to my mother (who, bear in mind, has never played a musical instrument) we sounded good.

Picture time!

I'm on my mother's computer, and I have very few pictures, so... Tokyo street! (PS: ooooh, captions!)

What else, what else...? Oh yes! I have decided to make a slightly belated New Years resolution. I am going to try my best to become more DIY--Do It Yourself. I've always wanted to be able to sew my own clothes, and I got a sewing machine for Christmas (that hopefully works--my past experiences with sewing and sewing machines have been... short-lived), so why not start now? If anyone can think of any simple-ish but still nice sewing patterns, please share!

Love,
Erika

PS: My baby, six month old kitty Simone Amman (like the ski jumper!) is curled up on my lap as I type this :3 She likes playing with running water--so whenever you go into the bathroom she runs after you and leaps onto the counter--she drinks her own water from a glass (not a bowl). She has orange eyes that look very, very evil. I lub her, though. Oh! And Oscars, pay attention! It's pretty cool.

that's what SHE said

For the first time in the past five days, I am full.

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration. Ever since Tuesday, though, I've been fasting! My mom is a Baha'i, and since I turned fifteen in January I am officially of age to do the fast for the first time--basically you spend 19 days (a month) only eating before sunrise and after sunset. I just completely gorged myself on my after sunset meal of weird-potato-thing-I-felt-like-making and french toast with whipped cream. The latter was pretty good, and deliciously fattening. Yum.

And that, my friends, is the intrepid transition to my next subject: weight. I do understand that body image and maintaining a healthy weight can be a major struggle for a lot of people. I don't mean to belittle the struggles that they can go through, or the pain they may have to feel. At the same time, however, I'm sick and tired of all of the girls being careful to avert their eyes when we need someone to be at the top of the pyramid in gymnastics, because, "You can't lift me, I'm too heavy!" Speaking as someone who has dealt with all those crappy feelings myself, the sooner you can move on and feel good about yourself, the better.

I think I'm going to cut things off rather quickly now, with a picture of course. I may or may not be blogging over the next few days because I have an incredibly busy, glamorous life and need to get over myself. Actually, I'm going to be taking the midnight bus on Sunday night to Prince George, a city about seven hours from here. It's nice to get out of town for a while (it's Spring Break, in case anyone didn't know! That means endless partying, you know the drill) and PG has the most amazing second hand stores :)

I heard they're putting the Cookie Monster on a vegetable diet--yeah, I'd be pissed, too. Oh! And Cindy, in response to your question, Chapters is a big chain bookstore--kind of like Barns and Noble, I suppose. And if I got the name wrong, sorry!

Have a great day,
Erika