Glad you're here.

Why do I write?
Why did I write?
Why should I write?

The relationship I share resembles that of middle school girls. One day we can be the best of friends, and the next we'll hate each other and swear to never speak again, only to make-up a week later.

I love writing. And there are so many reasons why I should do it. But whever something negative comes out of it, I immediately feel as though I should give it up. Most recently, I was dwelling on how many people my blog, and I was greedily wanting my readership to increase. I wanted more people to recognize my brilliance and eventually, that started to consume me. Seriously, I thought about it a LOT. When I realized how much it was eating at me, I decided to shut things down, not even tempt myself to give into stuff like that. I told myself that I would continue to write, bit that the writing would just stay in my journals for now.

But that didn't work. After a few days, my writing stopped completely*. So, I've decided to try again...

I was inspired by a quote I heard on a TV show... "It is better to write for yourself and have no public than write for the public and have no self". I compltely agree with this statement. By deleteing my blog, though, I was no longer writing at all, let alone for anyone. This time, I'm going to try something different...

• I'm not going to review statistics related to my blog, especially through FeedBurner.
• I'm not going to "advertise" my blog (via Facebook or whatever)... Other than what's already set up cause I'm too lazy to try to get rid of it all. Ha.
• Everything I write will be written by hand originally. This way, I'll only write about things that I'm truly passionate about or spending lots of time thinking on, and I will take more time to consider my motives.

All that said, I hope I can learn how to stick to something on stop floundering on this subject.
Welcome back, blog.

*with the exception of AP English homework, which comes in ridiculous quantities

Service announcemnet

Hey y'all, me here.

This blog is going to be going on a bit of a hiatus, and I'm not sure when we're going to be back up and running. In the meantime, continue watching my art blog at www.spro-ductions.blogspot.com

Signing off for now,

Sarah

Bam!

And just like that, the site is now open to the general public.
You can tell your friends about my totally awesome blog if you like.

With the change of the site going public, you can now also subscribe via RSS reader, to keep up-to-date with my posts. There's a button in the top navigation, and also on the side nav, for your convenience. :]

Make sure you stay tuned, as there will be another post tonight (or tomorrow, if I forget) that I'm kinda excited to share with you... It's the Start of Something New (for those Highschool Musical Fans...)

hehe...

So, there's been some more changes... Yea, I've changed the layout, AGAIN. This one's prettier, and easier than the last. Much easier. The other one gave me a brain aneurysm, and that's really no good for any of us. The one thing you need to remember about this layout is to click the read more button! Or else you'll only get partial posts. D: How terrible. Comment link can be found to the left, under the date, if on the main page. If viewing a post, scroll down.

Second change, I replaced my old boring blogger comment system with a new one. The neat thing about the upgraded comment system is you can now leave a comment using your Facebook or Twitter account! It's so much more inclusive, although it's not like I have a ton of people commenting anyway... *sigh* Maybe one day... Anyway, to leave a comment, simply scroll to the bottom of the page! You'll automatically be directed to the place where you can start typing your comment. You will see three buttons at the top of the comment box: D Profile (which is for Disqus, this comment hoster thingy), Twitter, and Facebook. You don’t have to press any of these buttons if you don’t want to. Anyone can simply comment in the box, then enter their name and email and click 'comment'. No logging in to anything needed, if you don't want. However, to see your pretty face next to your comment and keep from having to type in your name and email, you can also click the Facebook or Twitter button. The first time you click one of these buttons to comment, a window will pop up and ask permission to access your Facebook or Twitter account so that you can be verified under either of those profiles and you are set. You should only have to do this authorization thing the very first time you leave a comment on my blog with Facebook or Twitter (I think. Or if you change computers, you'll get asked again.)

Uhm... I think that's all the changes! Woo! Check back for more soon, cause with my track record, it is very likely there will be one!

I'mmmmm baaaaaack!

I'm back!

Hi!

Sorry for the sudden disappearence, but, I was a tad stressed and also, I was looking for an escape, and my blog came in very handy for that.

See, it was exam time, and I should have been studying but instead, I was looking for distractions. And writing a blog post is definitely a good distraction. So, I had to shut 'er down so that I would be able to focus. I sure am responsible. :]

Also, I was having some major issues with the layout (which I'm still ironing out) but, it was really getting to me. So I decided to just let it go. I'm thinking I might change layouts (I know, I know, I JUST changed) but, I'm thinking I might like something a bit simpler, that I don't feel like I always have to fiddle with. Haven't decided anything for sure yet, but, we'll see.

Oh oh oh, and, I've updated my art blog a few times so, check it out!

Alright, that's all for now! Definitely be looking for more posts soon!

Oh hello.

So, I have nothing deep or insightful to say today, so instead, I shall share with you some things that you really don't need to know! :D

First of all, I would really like to do this when I'm older...



Next, The Renegade Librarian posted a Spring Appraisal awhile ago, and I would like to follow suit and post my version...

SarahPee's Spring 'Even-Though-it's-Almost-Summer' Appraisal

Things I have in abundance:

stuffed animals that have human names
a witty sense of humor
injuries
advanced math skillz
unused sunday school lesson materials
allergies
artistic ability
wooden disposable cutlery (not sure why...)
good taste in music
grey clothes
sports skills
the ability to do tedious and repetitive jobs
blog posts

Things I lack:

an attention span
good eyesight
a pet who can fetch (although my fish can jump on command)
paints :[
matching socks
tidy bedroom (which could explain the socks)
black pens
super hero abilites
cooking skillz

Overall: It was much harder to think of things that I lack than things I have in abundance. That, I think, is evidence of the blessed life I have. :]


Third: Today I have been listening to lots of music, because no one is home and I can. So far, I've listened to a lot of The Black Crowes, The Hip, Soundtrack to Chronicles of Narnia, and Jack Johnson. Favourite song of the day: Regina Spektor's The Call. Look it up.

Lastly, you will notice some change to the site. I've added a 'Why do I blog' button, which you will have never read before (although I've posted on Why I blog multiple times), and 'About' section, at the bottom of page (which you can get to by clicking 'More stuff', and cool Contact Me form that makes sending me a message super duper easy! You should all contact me with suggestions for how I can make this blog layout better! :D

Short post...

I got a fish!
His name is Mr Cornelious Bear.
And he is NOT allowed to be called Sir Crap Bag (which is what my sister insists on calling him). Grr.

He is very cute, and he eats a lot. I don't mind that, cause I think fat fishies are cute.

Pictures will come, I just can't seem to get the memory card to upload pictures... Stupid PC...

- - -

Results of the poll are pretty unanimous... Design is liked. And someone *ahem-mowii* likes potatoes. I'm going to be changing a few things on the site, mainly the size of the banner image. Gonna down-size a bit... Also going to try to figure out how to change the pool font colour so that it's easier to read.

New poll up.

- - -

You may have (but probably haven't) noticed a new link on the navigation bar... That's right, I have an art site now! After many requests to see art, and getting tired of loading them on to facebook, I've decided to start an Art Blog! Still working on the layout and stuff, but I think it's looking pretty good so far... I'll keep y'all updated on it, cause I know everyone is just dying to see some of my work. :P

- - -

One month of school left, including weekends. And then we have exams.

After that, I'm in Grade 12. Scary.

Better start studying, methinks.

Ch-ch-changes

Things that have changed over the past short while:

- Blog has a new look. Do you like? Vote about it in the poll on the sidebar!
- The weather. It's been B-E-A-UTIFUL in Victoria. Yay for warm weather
- My arm. No longer in a sling, I have been told to avoid that position. Instead, I am to try to keep my arm as straight as possible. Can you say OUCH?
- Music. Been spinning some new (to me) CD's lately... Some really great stuff.

Things that HAVEN'T changed:

- Facebook annoys me. Stop with the invites, already.
- My sleep has still been pretty bad.
- My arm. Physio can't get it to stay in, which may lead to this. Ugh.
- I'm still me, your loveable SPro! :D

?

Over the past few days, I have been wondering why I have a blog.
I know that when I first brought this blog to life, I answered that question, but I guess I just needed to revisit it.

So I did some thinking, and then some writing, and I thought I'd share it with you.
It's nothing special at all, it's just what I needed.

There is one thing I know that will never change in my life -- I am on a journey with Jesus Christ by the grace of God. That journey is filled with sunshine and shadows. It is also filled with gratitude and grace. I am writing this blog for my own benefit -- to make me slow down and examine the life God has given me. But I am also writing it for you, in the hopes that these reflections might encourage your walk of faith as well. Not all posts will be inspiring, but, if just one word I've typed triggers some thinking, then it's worth it.

Trip over something and suddenly I'm in over my head...

First off, merry Christmas.

Second, this will not be my true 'merry Christmas' post, most likely. That will come either later tonight or tomorrow... Complete with pictures, possibly even video. :O

* * *

So, as some people may have noticed...
I used to have a blog. Then I deleted it. Now, mysteriously, it is back. In case you were wondering why it's returned, here are some possible reasons why...

1. I like sharing my ideas.
I don't care much who I share them with, or if people actually even READ them.
The fact that there is the possibility that someone (anyone, technically) could be reading this post, my thoughts and ideas, really excites me.

2. I hate feeling alone.
You know when you are in a room, full of people, and yet you feel so alone? I feel like this quite frequently. I like being alone, but I don't like being lonely. It's a hard balance, and I think some people confuse the two things sometimes. My friend Matt posted on loneliness just over a month ago... And it's gotten me thinking. I don't want to be lonely anymore. I think that I want more people to know me. And not superficially know me. Actually know me. One thing though: I don't plan on revealing myself or anything on this blog... But practice makes perfect, and if I'm going to start letting people getting to know me, I should start practicing.

3. I used to think that people only wanted to here about interesting things...
I don't think I gave people enough credit. I decided to not even share what was going on in my life because I figured it would bore them/they would think I was wasting there time. Maybe, people don't care about awesome or cool things going on in my life... Maybe, just maybe, they actually care about me.

4. Writing posts makes me feel like a good writer.
...Just putting it out there.

* * *

I do lots of my thinking in my shower...
Correction:
I get a lot of thoughts in my shower, which causes me to think about them for the rest of the day...
(I have to write them down as soon as I'm out of the shower though, or else I'll forget what I was thinking by the time I'm finished getting ready)

The other day I was thinking this...
What would it be like to be alone for Christmas? I've been blessed to have family/friends with me every Christmas. Over the years, the numbers have declined, some traditions changed, but, in essence, my Christmas has been the same as long as I can remember.

Let alone being alone for Christmas, what would it be like to be alone, knowing your family is in the city, doing something without you...?

I won't share my thoughts on the question unless you ask, but that's just what's been floating around in my head the past week or so....

* * *

Heard this little piece during a lecture a few years back, stumbled across it on the web a few weeks ago...

I was hungry,
And you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned,
And you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.
I was naked,
And in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
And you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
And you preached a sermon on the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely,
And you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
But I am still very hungry – and lonely – and cold.

Author Unknown (as far as I know)

Every time I read it, it hits me hard.
So true, so true...
I pray to God to change things, and then just wait for Him, or someone else, to do something.

A man looked around him in a city
street and saw a little girl poorly
dressed, shivering, and near
starving.

He was angry with God
and demanded: “Why don’t you do
something about this?” But God
did not answer.

The man went on, and saw a
wretched old man in the gutter.
Again he cried out: “ Why don’t
you do something?” But God was
silent.

In the middle of the night God
spoke to the man. He said gently,
“I have already done something
about these things. I made YOU,
with eyes to see, ears to hear,
and strong hands to help.”

I want/need to do something. For my sake, yours, and theirs.

~ The Pee

Why I blog...

It seems like adding my voice to the pile of blogs out there requires some justification. I mean, there is SO much crap on the internet. Who needs one more opinion?

I don’t want to be one more self-proclaimed prophet laying down my version of the law with a website. And even if I was into that sort of thing… I’m not sure what I’d have to say. I spend most of my life trying to stand on the one or two things I know while I try to figure out the millions of things I don’t.

But my perspective has changed. I never got full credit in math class for giving the right answer; I always had to show my work (okay, SOMETIMES I talked my way into full-credit for just the answers...). And I have benefited so much from people who had the courage and generosity to share their lives with me – not just the conclusions they’ve drawn, but the struggles along the way, too.

So if I can be an encouragement to a few good friends, my church, and even strangers who are watching, I figure, why not? I’ve done a lot of thinking about why I would blog, and after shaking off all of my cynicism, here’s what I’ve got:

Why do I blog?


Because I’d rather offer my journey than just assert my conclusions.

Because I need to practice being generous, not just with my money or time, but with my heart, too.

Because the church is better when many voices are shaping the conversation going on.

Because the World is better when the church finds a way to meet it on common ground.

Because whem I write, I have to think about what I'm saying, so I get a 'realistic' view of things...

The shared conversation… the common ground… that’s where I’m hoping to land with this thing.