rainy day, stormy soul

Not my photograph.

Today I woke up and it was one of those perfectly snuggly stormy days that is too cozy for words.

One of my favorite things in all the world is waking up to start the day, only to find that the outside world is all rainy. This leaves me no choice to but to retreat indoors! I'm like an old woman, gathering her bowl of oatmeal and tiptoeing back to bed, staying in with the only excuse being "bad weather." Really, I just enjoy a good storm too much not to snuggle up inside the house.

Current Rainy Day Agenda

Write my novel. 

This is, perhaps, the best reason to stay in.

Why go outside when the world is all soggy?

Better to spend it in the world of my characters.

Do homework.

Am I the only one who thinks that rainy days can actually make doing assignments fun?

Because, let's be honest, I kind of enjoy that.

Watch a movie. 

And I'm thinking one of the Harry Potter films.

I've been wanting to watch one for a while, honestly...

Today has just afforded me the perfect opportunity.

+ What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

11 things I did instead of writing my novel

I should totally be writing my novel right now.
But who has time for that when I can distract myself instead?

Here's 11 things I did rather than write my novel, compiled for you in a convenient list format.

1. Listened to Punk Goes Pop songs.

Aka, my weakness. I'm not sorry.

2. Made a second to-do list on the back of my first to-do list.
Does anybody else do this? Am I the only one obsessed with crossing things off of lists?

3. Digitized some of my film photographs.
And then decided against using them in a post.

4. Searched the catalog of my public library for new books to read.
Specifically, "Jackaby", thanks to its glorious cover, and this wonderful post.

5. Felt a little...



6. Changed the songs I have currently on my iPod.
Cuz, ya know, it was time.

7. Checked my email too many times. 
Come on, Barnes and Noble, wherefore art thou response?

8. Contemplated leaving for the library, doing homework, taking a nap.
Anything to avoid actually writing like I planned.

9. Changed the tabs on my blog menu.
Check 'em out here.

10. Read other people's blogs.
For purposes of inspiration and distraction.

11. Took as long as humanly possible to compose this post.
Blogging is actually the reason I'll never finish my novel.

+ Can anybody else relate to this? 
There is just something peculiar about novel-writing procrastination. I want to write my novel, and yet, I can easily find 20,000 other things that are suddenly "more pressing" for me to do. 

Oh look, it's lunchtime!
Be right back, gotta go make a sandwich.

"never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them"

Not my photo. I wish!

Over the past couple of weeks, I have become utterly and completely consumed with books.
Reading them. Writing them. Marveling at how beautiful their old pages look, with inky fonts pressed into paper, like someone etched their heart there.

It's been taking me over, and it has been wonderful.

Part of my reignited passion for reading has stemmed from an online Adolescent Literature class I'm taking. It has been forcing me to read one young adult novel a week, and then write a paper about it. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I have been; this class has made me a quicker reader, a better writer, and a sharper thinker. I spend much more time reading than I did only several weeks ago.

On a semi-related note, I have also been going through the nerve-wrecking exciting process of job hunting. I'm applying to a few local bookstores (big surprise) and can't wait to see what God does on that front.

+ What about you? Do you love reading? I welcome any recommendations you guys have! 
My favorite YA book I've read for class so far is "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. If you're into video games, 80's culture, or general geekery, check it out! Also, if you enjoy weeping and want to feel excessively emotional while you read, you can click here for the best background music of all time.  

the film revolution

Earlier this week, one of my friends from Bible college came down to visit my sister, cousin and I.

It was a wonderful day filled with downtown driving chaos, a hearty Chicken Caeser wrap, strolling the sidewalks and catching up. It's so cool when friends from out of state visit -- to see a familiar face walking around my hometown was the best thing! Bethany is such a real, genuine believer, super artsy and inspiring, and we had a great time.

Also, major shout out to the sweet lady who was willing to take that first photo of us on the street! It is one of my favorite shots that I developed from my Christmas camera, and I love the way it turned out. 

we are all expert actors in the play of our lives

For Christmas, I asked for a disposable film camera. 

I spent the entire month of January slowly taking shots, attempting to do something artful and intentional with photography. I love the old format of film; knowing that I could only take 27 pictures with my little camera made me think more about which moments I wanted to capture. It's a pretty opposite mindset compared to today's document-everything mantra. 

Today, I developed the shots at Walgreens and practically cheered when I got them back. It is February, but I am just now seeing pictures I took in late December! This film experiment has encouraged me to keep pursuing photography, despite the plethora of too-dark shots that I took. There were some gems, however! I look forward to sharing them with you.

Life is beautiful. And so are you. Believe it.

+ Have you ever taken film photographs? What do you think of the medium?