The Reason for Time

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.

                                                         -Albert Einstein

Even though there often doesn't seem to be enough time in a day to do everything you feel you must, if there was no such thing as time everything could happen at once.  This my friend would cause pure chaos so next time you are upset about how you spent your time just be happy that all the things you have accomplished didn't happen all in the same moment.

Christmas Countdown Day's 18 - 23

Ok, I know I am behind but now skipping to the point my pictures....

Christmas Countdown Day 18

Today I rang the bell for the Salvation Army it is so much fun and my littler sisters did a great job helping me out.

 

Christmas Countdown Day 19

Decorating OUR gingerbread house. It was really fun and the girls made it extra special.

 

Christmas Countdown Day 20

No picture yet but I did want to share that we made chex and peppermint marshmallows today and it taste AWSOME.

Christmas Countdown Day 21

Our family tree!

 

Christmas Countdown Day 22

Mom made these adorable throws for the girls and in case you can't tell they loved them.

 

Christmas Countdown Day 23

Today the girls helped Dad make banana cake which we all thoroughly enjoy any time of the year but especially at the holidays.

Christmas Countdown Day 17

Each year at Christmas us kids get a new ornament to display on one of the many tree's.  Check out mine for this year.

Christmas Countdown Day's 15&16

Oooops missed a day again. Eeeeh life goes on!

Christmas Countdown Day 15

Today I got to see both my nephews and they are the most adorable little things.  (Please excuse the squinting, the sun was VERY bright!)

Christmas Countdown Day 16

Christmas Countdown Day 14

The other day when we were visiting my Grandparents my PaPa burned us some Snoopy Christmas music on to a CD.  After listening to the CD twice (in a row) the song "Nuttin' for Christmas" got majorly stuck in my head and still is to this moment so I wanted to share this picture just for fun.

Christmas Countdown Day 13

Sitting with Santa!

Christmas Countdown Day 12

Me with my BEAUTIFUL sister on her special day!

Christmas Countdown Day 11

Today was spent traveling and I chose this picture as my favorite because Mom was take a picture of the sign at one of our stops while I was taking the same picture with my phone.  She didn't even realize that she had captured me taking the picture in her taking the same picture (if that makes any sense).  Any ways this is one of my favorite stops, the candy store!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bonus Picture:  HAHAHAHAHAHA CANDY!

Christmas Countdown Day 10

Part of my costume in the theatre production "Christmas Without the Angel" was an adorable scarf supplied by the mother of the two youngest girls in the cast.  Me and my mom both liked the scarves that we thought it would be so cool if we could get one for me and each of the girls.  Today I presented the scarves to the girls and they loved them!

Mom neglected to save a pic of them at this point so I will share a pic in the days to come.

Christmas Countdown Day 9

The past two weekend's I have been performing in a local community theatre's production of "Christmas Without the Angel".  I have been acting on stage for quite some time now and really enjoy doing it every chance I get.  Today I am again sharing the photo's that my Mom shared but for good reasoning.  I as an actress do not get to see myself on stage but my Mom does, she is always there supporting me or helping me back stage with costume changes and such.

 

To: Mom  Thank you for always being there for me and helping me with whatever I need.  You are a wonderful person that I can't live without!  YLA

Christmas Countdown Day's 6, 7, & 8!

Boy, is everything crazy around here or what I just can't seem to keep up.  So, today I'm posting today's picture as well as the past two days photo's along with it.  I plan to get better at putting up a picture each day (we'll see how that goes.)

Christmas Countdown Day 6

On the 6th our page was all about snowmen so Mom went through the house trying to photograph a bunch of the different one's we have.  Her being a collector of snowmen we have a large abundance of them all throughout our Christmas Decor.  The photo show's a new addition to our snowman clan this year.  Mom found this wall hanging one day when she was out shopping with Dad, then found the perfect place for it to hang right next to our red and white themed tree when they got home.

Christmas Countdown Day 7

On the night of the 7th Dad took the girls to go look at Christmas lights around town.  The girls took most of the pictures themselves and did a wonderful job if I do say so myself.  I especially like this picture because I have said Merry Christmas to many people and gotten the response "It isn't cold enough to be Christmas," so to me this picture really suited the season.

Christmas Countdown Day 8

Today we, as a family, went to see the "Nutcracker" Ballet.  I really enjoyed watching the story unfold without anyone ever speaking.  Here is a picture of the souvenirs we bought before the show.

Christmas Countdown Day's 4&5

Christmas Countdown Day 4

Today we handmade this year's Christmas cards, we all enjoyed getting to personalize each individual card.  For today I am sharing the same photo as my Mom did since there weren't that many pictures and we both really liked this one because you can see all three of us girls working on a different card.

 

Christmas Countdown Day 5

The focus for today's page was "Christmas Book's"  we have a bunch of Christmas books that get read each year.  This year we decided to wrap 24 of our Christmas books and open ONE each day, starting December 1st, leading up to Christmas.  The girls really like getting to choose a book at random and open each night for someone to read to them.

Christmas Countdown Day 3

        While we did do a good bit of just relaxing today, we decided to focus on wrapping paper for the scrapbook.  On the page Mom used actual pieces of the different wrapping papers under our tree this year, she also placed this picture on the page, it is a cute little basket that sits in the front of our tree to hold any small gifts we may have.

Christmas Countdown Starting Late!

As homeschoolers, we choose to take off from Thanksgiving till after New Years. So, this year Mom decided we would work together to complete our very own countdown to Christmas project in the form of a scrapbook. Each day till Christmas we will be taking photos of our fun Christmas activities or other things relating to Christmas around our home. Then we will create pages full of memories for our album. As a way to share all the fun we are having I will be showing a favorite photo each day right here. Today being the second of December I am sharing today's as well as yesterdays favorite photo.

 Christmas Countdown Day 1

Yesterday was my 2nd annual Christmas Party, during which we played many games. One of my favorite games involves having some of the guest (including myself) complete a "funny" task.  Mine was to dress up as Rudolf using antlers and red lipstick for a nose, then fly around the room singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.  I love this picture with me in my Rudolf look.

 

Christmas Countdown Day 2

 

Also check-out my mom's blog, here to see her favorite picture each day!

Acting vs. Living

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.

                                                      -William Shakespeare

                                                    (Jaques in "As you Like it")

This is my favorite quote, William Shakespeare really had a way of looking at things from many different perspectives.  I especially like this quote because it is the world through an actor's eye's, looking at the men and women not as people but as fellow actors just playing out their parts.  In a theatre show your character may not get along with everyone but you as an actor must be able to work together with the other actors to properly portray these emotions.  Just like in everyday life we might not get along with everyone we meet but we still have to work with some of them to get a common task achieved, and that is just what me must do.

A Cow Balancing on One Leg

Now, although this has nothing to do with me as a person except for showing that I can work with computers, here I have a photo of a cow balancing on one leg.

This random thing came to be because of my Web Design teacher, Allie.  During, class this past week he was discussing how he would like me to publish one post that was totally out of my usual and as an example he kept seeming to use, a cow balancing on one leg.  So, I set out on a mission to post a photo of a cow balancing on one leg. 

Mission Accomplished!

Halloween Fun!

This year for Halloween me and my sisters decided we were all going to dress up as Ho-Bo's.  We figured this would be fun, simple, and unique.  I will admit I found it pretty fun when shopping for these outfits, it was truly a hunt, me and mom went to Mission's Attic to look for what we did not already have or could borrow.  We went around to several church fall festivals and trunk-or-treats begging for candy, and did a pretty good job, I think. :)Hope you had a happy Halloween!

Casted!

I recently auditioned for a role in "The Christmas without the Angel" a Christmas production that will be put on by one of our local community theatres Act1Scene1.  When I first was first told of the auditions and what show it was, I was very confused because I had never heard of the show and when I got home and looked it up on the internet I could not seem to find anything about it.  This made me especially anxious about the auditions because I knew I could get a synopsis then.  So, here is a little synopsis from the back of the scrip for any of you who like are anything like me and have never heard of it.

Millionaire Jonathan Bingsley suddenly has his mansion and life turned upside down when a social worker friend asks him to take in six young children for the holidays.  It's just a "temporary" measure until the children, who have lost their parents and home in a tragic fire, can be placed permanently.  To add to the confusion, Jonathan's interfering sister shows up, bringing along her lazy son and his family.  Jonathan's only relief from all the stress is the thought of his only daughter, Cynthia, who is coming home for the first time since her mother's (his wife's) tragic death a year ago.

A witty mix of comedy and poignancy make this one of the most affecting Christmas plays ever.

I play Samantha, one of the six young children, I was so excited to get cast and then to find out what a wonderful cast we have just makes it all the more fun.

Think Before You Speak

"No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thoughts are viscous."  -Henry Adams

          We may say hurtful things when we are mad, even things that we don't mean, but once they are said they can't be taken back.  Therefore we should always think about what we say before we say it even if we are upset or mad.  We also may not always say the nice things we feel toward other's. If we did tell other's how thankful we are and how much we love and care for them, more often not only would we make them feel good about themselves but we should also feel good about making someone else feel so good.  So, next time someone does something nice for you be sure to tell them Thank You and when someone upsets you think hard before letting cruel words come out of your mouth.

"Oliver"

Greetings internet world, my name is Natashia and I am a theatre person.  Theatre is what I enjoy doing from acting to building sets to working as part of the stage crew.  This past summer of 2012 I was in the production of "Oliver the Musical"  and I played the role of Charlotte, the undertakers daughter I am pictured above as I enter the stage during one of my favorite scene's, screaming with fear.  This is the first time I have ever had a solo scream in a show and I loved every bit of it. 

          "Oliver" was the mark of the beginning of my sixth year of doing theatre.  I began in this exact same theatre with my first show "Peter Pan" and have loved it ever since.  In case you have never heard of "Oliver" here is a little summary.  I would suggest reading the book instead of this summary because it gives everything away without the action.

Oliver Twist is a young boy who lives in a workhouse with other orphaned boys. When Oliver disrupts a meal by asking for more, he is sold to a local undertaker and his family (that's me). They treat Oliver horribly and make him sleep under the coffins. Oliver escapes and runs off to Paddington Green, where he quickly befriends another young boy, the Artful Dodger. Dodger takes him to his home, an academy for orphans who learn how to be pick-pockets run by a kind, yet slightly sinister, old gentleman named Fagin. Oliver is also introduced to Nancy Sikes, a lovable young woman, and Bet, Nancy's best friend. When Oliver goes on his first pick-pocketing job, he is caught by the police. The man that Oliver thieved, Mr. Brownlow, learns of Oliver's sad past and brings him into his own home. Meanwhile, Nancy's husband (the villainous Bill Sikes) worries that Oliver will tell Mr. Brownlow and the police where the thieves live. He forces Nancy and Bet to snatch Oliver from Mr. Brownlow's house and take him back to Fagin's. Nancy does everything her husband tells her to but plans on secretly taking Oliver back to Mr. Brownlow. Before she can do so, Bill finds out of his wife's plans, and murders her. He then goes after Oliver, but is shot and killed. Oliver and Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to be Oliver's grandfather, return safely home.

          Now that you know the story I leave you with a picture of me with Dana Howard who played Nancy, as well as the commercial that was made for this particular show.

Moody Gardens

Since me and my two younger sisters are homeschooled (see home school section of this blog for further info) we get to do fun field trips that are often also valued family time.  Recently, we got to go to Moody Gardens to visit the Aquarium and Rainforest pyramids.

          We really enjoyed getting to see all the different types of animals and where they live.  Especially the penguins in the aquarium and the monkeys in the rainforest.  While we were there enjoying ourselves we were able to learn interesting facts about all the cool animals and get pretty up close and personal with some of them to.  This up close business came in the rainforest because it is mostly true rainforest with no glass walls restricting the wondrous creatures from walking right up to you to say hello. Although there were often times in the Aquarium the underwater creatures would get very close to the glass, especially the seals, and it would feel like you could reach out and touch them.  Speaking of the seals they were very amusing, it was like they knew they had an audience so it was time to turn on the charm and do a bit of showing off and that is exactly what they did.  They would swim out of sight to the far end of the tank and then come racing back dive deep and do a flip and a twist to come back up, this causing their bodies to often rub up against the glass we were watching through.  Occasionally, people who weren't paying close attention, me , would turn around and get quite a scare when they all of a sudden see a large seal head aimed right at them just for it to dive in the other direction right before getting to the glass.

All in all Moody Gardens was a great place to visit and have some fun as a family.  We can't wait to go back again sometime soon.

Schooling at Home

        I am a home schooled high schooler and this is my freshman year, which I am already thoroughly enjoying.  My mom teaches my subjects, well kind of, she more like gives me the assignments and I do them but if I don't understand them she is the one I go to.  Therefore, she is technically called my teacher.  There are some thing's home schoolers cannot do at home this is why I am taking a Biology Lab and Writing Lab on Friday mornings with other home schooled high schoolers.  I am also taking a Web Design Course from Allie Howard a Lamar State College Instructor.  This blog is part of my Web Design class.  I have wanted a blog for quite some time and this has been a great way to get one.

At the end of this year I will have eight credits.  Listed below are our course selections and descriptions by my mom.
 

English I

      Literature - Basically this is all novel reading with study questions, vocabulary, and a literary analysis paper.  The topic for each paper will differ throughout the year to include such topics as character analysis, tone,  narration,  conflict resolution,  parody, internal conflict, humor, plot, and theme.  Our hope is to get to as many of these as time will allow, this will depend greatly on the time it takes to read each of our novel selections.
     Writing - Natashia will also be taking a writing lab outside of her literature studies which will focus on such topics as keyword outlines, summarizing, journaling with Proverbs, essay writing, building grammar and structural editing, and SAT prompts.

Algebra II
     For this we are using Saxon Algebra 2 which will mean a full credit of Algebra 2 and a half credit of Geometry, if she gets through the entire book this year.

Biology
     We are using Apologia Exploring Biology Through Creation.  I will handle all the book work to include study guides and test.  She will be taking a Biology lab outside of home which will incorporate all of the labs she needs for the class.

World Geography
     This is probably the class Natashia is enjoying the best.  I am using World Cultures and Geography lesson plans I found at Harmony Art Mom.  It is a study of a different country each week with lots of map activities, art, world religions studies, and tons of notebooking pages.

French I
     This is all done with Rosetta Stone.  She has started with level  one and will continue through completing each level  for a full credit each year throughout high school.

Web Design
     This class is taught by a family friend and this blog is the result of all the learning she has done thus far.  I will be watching to see the blog blossom as she learns all the ins and outs of creating a wonderful website.

Physical  Education
     Currently Natashia is taking three dance classes: ballet, jazz, and clogging.  To insure this generates a full credit I am tracking her hours each week and have no doubt once we get through recital next June she will have all the hours she needs.

Theatre I
     This class is a little tricky because it involves some activities I generate as well as her involvement with our local theatres.  I am having her learn a monologue, prose and poetry piece each quarter as well as write a screen play for the Joseph Narratives this first semester.  We will be working on developing characters from prompts given and I hope to have prepare a skit with her twin sisters this holiday season.  In the spring she is scheduled to assistant direct a show and we hope she will have the opportunity to perform in a show before the end of the school year.


        I really enjoy all of my subjects and here are a few reasons why.  French is really enjoyable because I love being able to learn a different language and share what I am learning with my family, especially my little sisters.  I am learning so many facts in World Geography and Biology. In Geography I am always discovering places I would love to visit and in Biology I have found some locations that I would prefer to avoid due to bacteria and other substances.  While in Web Design, I have found that the things I have been learning can be used with all kinds of other things I do.  Literature has sparked quite an interest in reading, even though I used to think I hated to read.  Now, I can't wait to curl up with a good book in the evenings.  Algebra II, well although this started as Geometry which threw us for a loop I am now off to a wonderful restart and doing well.  Last but truly not least is Theatre, this is sometimes hard depending on what is happening at our local community theatres but we still do activities from a text book or just do some fun memorization no matter what I'm doing as long as it's theatre related I am a Happy Gal.

            Now I leave you with an "Au ver." (French, meaning: Good Bye).

Adventures of a Red Head

           Hello, my name is Natashia and I am the daughter to the most loving and caring parents in the world.  I also have four sibling three sisters, one older and two younger (they are twins) and one brother, oldest of all.  We may not always get along perfectly but we are still a family.  A family is important in all parts of life they are the ones who are always there for you and will always be there when you need them.

         Now a little more about myself and my interest. I am a high school home schooler and I'm enjoying every minute of it.  My high interest at this time are my schooling of course and theatre. My theatre I don't mean going see new movies that are still playing in theater's, I am speaking of live on stage community theatre productions.  I love being up on that stage and even being part of the crew backstage or operating the lights/sound.  I just enjoy it so much I will often get over excited to hear of an auditions notice for an upcoming show, but the biggest thrill is when waiting for that phone call after auditions for them to tell you what part you have been cast in.  Now I do have to admit that my favorite part of theatre is acting on stage during the performances, it is as if my life as Natashia just stop's I become someone else for the duration of the production.  Even though I do enjoy getting to be someone else for a bit it also helps me realize that I wouldn't change anything about my life and who I am ever.

          Even when I am working on a theatre show I still always work hard to make sure I stay on top of my studies and get to spend lots of time with my family because they are very important to me, especially my family.