The Final Chapter and a New Scene

Oh boy oh boy oh boy... very exciting things happening in my life right now!

1. I just got a new microphone, so I can now record the audiobook of my novel.  Why is this exciting, you may ask?  The sooner I get it done, the sooner my parents read my novel.  Neither has any time (or in my mom's case) any desire to read, but both spend an inordinate amount of time in the car.  Put my book on CDs and they both can read it.  Plus, I like recording myself playing stuff and my old microphone got lost while we cleaned the playroom.  And this one is much nicer anyway.
2. Also just got a new book of French horn music- and it's DISNEY! Why wouldn't this be exciting?  I've spent most of the night playing Prince Ali and Go the Distance.  Prince Ali is stuck in my head.  But I love it.
3. Elli's birthday presents came today. She's going to love them.
4. I just got paid $121 for babysitting.  Seems my life has been babysitting.  
5. I finished editing my novel.  Am working on getting it up on CreateSpace.  I also shared it with a few people, which is exciting.
6. Elli's getting her novel up on CreateSpace as well.  It's a lot smaller than she anticipated, but it looks cute and will be a good beginning chapter book.
7. I figured out who to dedicate my book to.  And no, I'm not telling.  It's a secret!
8. In a matter of 2 hours and 15 minutes Camp NaNoWriMo starts!!! Twice Upon a Time, here I come.  (I was acting it out for Elli the other night using a small Mary statue as Jennie, a silver cross as Micah, a wood cross as Nolan, and an angel statue thing as Connie.  I will never look at that silver cross the same way again.  I felt ridiculous.  It was also like 11pm...)
9. My cousin's getting married this weekend!  Need I say more?
10. We just got memberships at the Y which is kinda fun.  Did my orientation tonight and discovered that there are machine where you can bike and read AT THE SAME TIME!  Forget the ellipticals and treadmills with the TVs- give me a good book and a crash free stationary bike that is klutz proof.  Lee's so funny.  He's so excited to go there and work out.  He thinks he's so cool.  "Haili, can we go to the Y every day?  I need to *flexes* work out" (keep in mind, he's 11... dear me...)

Reasons why I'm not happy

1. CreateSpace is being obnoxious with formatting my book.  And I mean OBNOXIOUS.  Every time I upload my novel, it screws something up and I have to go fix it.

I'm back

I've survived the week.  Yay for me!  Let me tell you how my week went
MONDAY:
-blogged
-edited "Changes" my original song I'm performing at MacPhail on Sunday
-took two music quizzes (aced them both)
-started studying for Astronomy test
-started music paper
-enjoyed the one peaceful night of my week

TUESDAY:
-started working on plot outline for a play for my writing class
-started thinking about what to do for 3 points of view scene for writing class
-visited with Mia and Lindsey after Astronomy- had to get coffee from the college's coffee shop because I was nodding off in class!
-reached the level of "Word Dynamo" on Dictionary.com during lunch
-wrote two poems for a poetry contest: "Storm Child" and "The Color of Sound" (I will post them in a separate post for organization's sake
-acted out my first scene (Act 1, Scene 1) at play practice.  Was chased by a wolf, thought to be crazy, frightened by a beast and a magic looking glass, tempted to take a rose, and then nearly killed by said beast.  The Beast and I have to work out a "dance move" (or something inspired by a dance move, anyway) to throw me across the stage safely.  Should be interesting
-raced to dress rehearsal for Stations; stayed there till 9
-took notes for writing quiz while waiting for my turn to go on stage
-planned out 3 point of view scene
-studied for Astronomy test

WEDNESDAY
-studied like a madwoman for astronomy test ((even during the youth group performance of Stations, but I was backstage))
-aced writing quiz, even though I studied only half the chapters (I thought it was 2 & 3, but it was also 5-7.  Luckily, it was a short online quiz with a longer time limit and I knew how to use my book's glossary)
-studied even more for test- could not grasp the concept of Hydrogen fusion
-practiced a short scene'
-raced to Stations performance

THURSDAY
-walked a long way through the rain (I love rain and storms- see "Storm Child")
-took my astronomy test *crosses fingers*
-finally settled on a plot outline- Letters from If (after going through several, well, two.  Back Row Band and Shadow Stories.  Got discouraged and ended up writing an outline for a 3 act play... took all day and was 3 pages long)
-started working on 3 points of view- Back Row Band
-did piano lessons in the morning and started a Beethoven Sonata
-stayed for play practice, but they were doing my scene last, so I spent most of it doing my plot outline.
-found out that we might be doing The Secret Garden musical from pioneer drama next year, along with their version of Rapunzel, which is supposed to be really funny, or The Importance of Being Earnest.  Was just chatting with our director and all of us juniors are begging her to do a musical next year for our last senior performance... wow, I feel old.
-ate at McDonalds for dinner (chicken sandwich and a parfait.  Yum.  now I'm hungry.  Darn it)
-first "real" performance of Stations.  went very well
-got home at 9:30 and stayed up till 11:30 writing my 3 points of view scene, since it was due at midnight.   Another kid in my writing class who played Peter in the Stations posted his stuff at 11:15.  Made me smile.
-went to bed

FRIDAY
-got up at 6:00 am (crying because it was so early and I was so tired and stressed, literally)
-dragged myself out the door with a tuna and cheese sandwich for dinner, two granola bars, a can of Sunkist (the only caffeine I could find in the house- my mom didn't make coffee and I didn't have time to. It's orange juice, right?  That was my reasoning for having it for breakfast) and a toast, cheese and egg sandwich for breakfast.
-studied for communications quiz
-took said quiz
-received my take home sociology test
-received a in class discussion sheet for sociology class
-also was assigned half a book to read and a paper to write on it- not thinking about that right now.
-wrote my music paper
-stayed after for vocal practice and got to leave early!
-went to the library and picked up my movies and the last Song of the Lioness book on audiobook (they didn't have the regular book).  Not sure how I like the Song of the Lioness. I liked the first two books,  but I'm not sure about the last two yet.
-did the last performance of Living Stations and it was PACKED!
-Got home at a quarter to ten, my sister at a cast party, and finished my paper for music.  It was supposed to be 4 pages, but I only got 3 and a half.  I'll take the points off, and I turned it in at 11:30.  My teacher was kind enough to extend the due date for me from St. Patrick's day to March 23 since I didn't realize it was due on Mar 17 until the 19th.  oops.  (a week after the concert I was supposed to see, which was March 10th.  Didn't get that little detail)  I got it in with 30 minutes to spare.
-got into bed crying I was so tired- midnight

SATURDAY
-slept in until about 9 or 9:30- my siblings woke me up
-showered for the first time since Tuesday (gross, I know, but I had NO TIME at all and felt really nasty.  I'm clean now though)
-ate breakfast (toasted maple brown sugar pop tarts and chai tea... I'm weird, I know...)
-blogged
-tried to go on webkinz since my sister dragged me to Justice and they had the lil kinz on sale for $3, and this adorable husky caught my eye.  His name is Sterling.

THINGS I STILL NEED TO DO
-reading response 3 for writing
-all said sociology stuff
-watch movies :) (Juno and Beastly)
-eat lunch
-take a nap
-practice piano
-practice french horn (We're learning the music from How to Train Your Dragon in band- it's pretty epic.  If that link doesn't work, try this one.  Still have to keep practicing Nocturne)
-learn to sing "Pie Jesu"
-learn to sing "Last Rose of Summer"
-post me singing "Home" to youtube
-ditto with Journey to the past... wait, should record that again...with Sadie as Pooka!

*am listening to How to Train Your Dragon and it's making me happy because it's waking me up.  Seriously, this song can't not make you smile or wake up.  If you haven't seen the movie yet, you HAVE TO.  It's got enough adventure for boys to like, and it's cute and cool enough for girls.  Seriously, I really like this movie.*

Oh, and I heard a version of The Polar Express for band and it's so epic, I want to play it for Christmas! (actually, several versions)

Bye peoples.  Will post poems in a sec.

Happy Spring Break, Everyone!!!

*singsong voice* And I'm leaving for Chicago tomorrow morning!

Now if only I could shake the sinking feeling that I've forgotten something...
toothbrush- check
toothpaste- check
underwear- check
socks- check
black pants-check
black shoes- check
jeans- check
tennis shoes- check
Band Rules, Brass Drools t shirt- check (it's even reconstructed...)
money- check (hehe, that's funny, cuz it's a pun...okay, never mind)
books, notebooks, and PENCILS- check
iPod- nope...
camera- nope
movies- don't need
lactase- check
snacks- check
swimsuit-check
hair brush- check
deodorant- check
Ijori-check (Ijori is my french horn!)
tag for Ijori- check
MUSIC!!!- ah, that's it- in my backpack
phone-check
phone charger- check
hair ties- one more wouldn't hurt
headband?  hmm...
plastic ziploc baggies- check
pads and pamprin...never hurts to be prepared ;) "Be prepared for the chance of a lifetime!  Be prepared for sensational news!  A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer..." Haili, are you singing Disney songs again? Nooo.... Are you sure? Nooo.... I thought so.  :D (I love it when I blog to myself on here...:D)
water bottle-check
luggage tag- need to get


K, I should go finish everything now...:D
adios!
(why do I always end my blog posts with "Adios?"  hm...I just noticed this.  Okay, this is random.  Good bye! ---hey, English!  Sweet!


Stop!!!
k, I'm done. *impish grin*

Results of solo contest

I did not do as well as I had hoped...

Though I did score an excellent, but barely (above 28 is an excellent, I got a 29)

To my credit, I had Smartmusic issues.  Couldn't practice with the accompianment all weekend due to the fact that my subscription was expired.  Then when I got there, they didn't have a microphone with the Smartmusic.  My accompianment "follows" me, using the microphone to listen to when I play certain notes and going on only after I play them.  I don't know where all those "follow spots" are at, and the only way that it would go on with out the microphone would be if I pressed this foot pedal.  I was freaking out- I had enough to think about with the music.  Luckily we were able to find a microphone, but then the accompianment got too quiet and I couldn't hear it, so I got docked off in "balance and blend"  Then halfway through my solo, some girls walked in.  Thankfully, they weren't talking, and luckily my piano has drilled in my head for the past 10 years that if something happens during a performance, you KEEP GOING! No matter what, even if you make a mistake. (Having to practice with two little brothers really helps you work on ignoring distractions...) So I kept going, and my band directior was madly signalling them (she was standing next to me, holding the microphone next to my bell) to leave, and they tiptoed out.  All I heard was a door opening on my left.  I didn't even glance that way.

Anyway, I'm sick of talking about contest. Look what I found!!!!! Anyone want to get me one? This is what it sounds like...(sorry...)
As I told my band director last night, "But it's my size!!!" (If you don't know me, I'm four feet, nine inches tall- a legal midget by one inch)

k, gotta go to class...

My crazy crazy week...AUDITIONS!!!

MY SCHEDULE (or why I won't be posting until Friday or Saturday)
Monday- solo and small ensemble contest: I'm playing "Nocturne" from a Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn on the French horn- wish me luck!  Get my sociology paper back

Tuesday: practice for large group contest after school... Flight of the Pegasus horn line at the end needs some serious work  Piano lessons.  Get my astronomy test back *crosses fingers*

Wednesday: youth group- my one day to myself this week

Thursday: Lee's birthday (remind me to post pictures).  Large group contest for band- have to skip Astronomy :( and be at school by 7:30 am.  AUDITIONS!!!!! AHH!!!!  Ahh!
-Okay Haili, are you done freaking out now?
-NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Okay, let me know when you are....

Friday- have to skip sociology because I have A honor roll lunch at Pizza Ranch... but I can only have cheese or fish pizza (do they have fish pizza???) or vegetarian...it's a Friday during lent and I'm Catholic.  CAST LIST!!!!!!! (I hope... otherwise I'll be insane all weekend... oh, wait, I already am!)

Quote from this morning:
Haili: Time to get up!  Time to get up and face the day, Lee!
Lee: (sleepily) What are you, some crazy person?
Haili: (without hesitation) Yep.  I thought we already established this.  I wrote a novel in a month, remember?

Irish stuff!

Finished my music project this weekend- you can take a look here.  Enjoy.  I made all the videos (except the one at the end) and only had to record the 16 second Irish jig.  The rest I had from last spring... it was weird.
Anyway, in case you're too lazy to look at my project, I'll post the videos I uploaded on here. 

Irish Jig

It's like 16 seconds... it's short

Evening Reels

From my recital last spring

Be Thou My Vision

recorded this for a project last spring...never used it...

 and last but certainly not least

Loch Lomond

Did this in honor band in 10th grade...it was amazing!!! this video's long, but watch the whole thing, because it's totally worth it to hear the french horns (my instrument of choice) play at the end... I did all the videoing on this but did not do the music.  I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

Other things I'm working on/excitited about

• French horn solo, the Nocturne from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Mendelssohn
• Piano solo, Grieg's Puck (it's so fun!!! I've got it memorized...)
• The musical!!! I got the music and script to read and practice... need to get my voice up to the high f, and auditions are coming up at the end of the month.  Plus my friend just told me the other day that she wants to play Helen... so at least we're not going to be competeing for the same part.  That's nice since she's really competitive.  I'm not going to be mean about it, but it's just the way she is.
• Passed my astronomy test with an A
• am working on several screenplays, "Twice Upon a Time" and "Night at the Library" a short film my siblings and friends and I are doing or the library movie competition this summer.  It's kind of a mix between Inkheart and Night at the Museum. Who knows what happens after the library closes at night?  Libby Akona is about to find out...
• Am going to see 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee this Friday
• am going to Feed My Starving Children on Friday and get to spend the day with my friend...
• My idea for an awareness campaign in my small group communications class (our big project is running a campus awareness campaign this semester) will probably get picked.  It's how to use campus technology... and how not to save your stuff in a place where they'll be deleted...
• I lost 7 pounds...

I need to go now... I've got class in 15 minutes... adios!

-Haili



French horn solos and musical themes- I'm Bored!

So, I'm learning this song called "Puck" by Edvard Greig (youtube it- I can't play it near that fast yet) and it's based off of the creature Puck, made famous by Shakespeare's use in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" He's a pretty cool character, and I like him, and the song is fun to play.

Now, in band, we're doing our annual "solo and ensemble" concert, or Dessert Concert.  I have to play a solo or in an ensemble on French horn (my band instrument) because my band director won't let me do a piano solo, which I assure you, I have plenty of.  Anyhoos, I thought I was going to play a piece called "Andromeda" by Beethoven (I liked it at first because there's a character in When the Stars Fall named Andromeda who goes by Andi and I really like her and the name) But it cost almost $6 for the sheet music.  Then I found not one, but 2, possibly 3 (last one has some range issues I'd have to work out and arrange to be higher...it goes in the bass clef and for a french horn, that is LOW) amazing solos that I like better- and best of all, they're all free. (Thanks 8notes.com) So now I'm either playing the Finale from Swan Lake (the really mysterious and deep song at the end- it's gorgeous) or a Mendelssohn Nocturne from...wait for it... "A Midsummer Night's Dream"! Okay... I'm starting to catch a theme here...

I'm bored, but I've just discovered a way to entertain myself!  Watch skaters on youtube!!! Elli skates, and I like watching- I couldn't skate if my life depended on it... well, maybe... I may have to think about that.  I might be able to slip and slide and "skate" to flee someone, but if someone told me I had to win a competition or die- I'd die.
Elli wouldn't, lucky thing.

au reviaur
Haili

I am soooo sick... yuk

yeah, so I have this super nasty cold right now and my ear is all stuffed up and congested and I've blown my nose so many times it's raw from all the kleenex.  I know what they're talking about in the Puffs commercials now... I feel like I've swallowed a bucket of nails and they've lodged in my throat, and my head is throbbing...

I had to play french horn in my band concert last night in this condition... I made it through the first 4 songs all right, but the last one, The Great Locomotive Chase (listen to a recording here) which happened to be my favorite, I barely made it through.  My dad thankfully zoomed the camera away from my face because even he could see I was having trouble.

We also were wearing these t shirts at that point that said "Band Rules" on the front, and "Brass Drools" on the back, since we say the back row of our band (the brass section) is a "splash zone" It had a picture of one of our trombone players who is moving away on it, and we surprised him by wearing the shirts under our concert clothes (black sweaters are great at hiding t shirts... this one won't stay normal for long, I can guarantee that.  Just give me a pair of scissors.... mwhahaha)

Well, on a happier note, I'm officially done with college for the semester, have gotten my books for next semester (and am such a nerd I'm already reading them... just the stage and screen ones though).  I'm taking Intro to creative Writing for Stage and Screen (how convenient, Script Frenzy is next semester...hmm), Small Group Communications, Astronomy, Intro to world music, and relationships, marriage, and the family... should be interesting.

Anyway, I should get going so I can sleep this cold off... see ya'll and have a merry Christmas! (and pray it snows here... there HAS to be snow on Christmas!!!)