Yes, two years ago at around this time, 9:23 AM, I was cold and wet, sitting with my hurting horse in the woods, wishing him to get well. Sadly, he died only a little while later. He was 28 years old, and had some sort of stroke the night before; he couldn't walk right. He'd fallen during the early morning sometime down a slippery hill, and was trapped in a big hole, straddling a log. My poor baby. We called as many people as we knew on that rainy, misty morning, just like it is this morning, and tried so hard to get him to stand. He tried, too, but couldn't. So... *sigh* We put him down. My poor baby. I miss him. He was the sweetest thing ever. Good old Red...
If you'd like to see the tribute my dear friend did for him, you can go here.
We love you, Red! Always!
They... won't.... LEAVE!
Over and over and over again... the voices....
Viktor refuses to leave me alone. He won't go. Neither will Justin. Pounding, pounding, pounding my head with ideas. (It *especially* hurts when Viktor does - considering that hard silver ring on his middle finger that he enjoys popping me with when he comes up with some other sob story to tell...)
My characters.
Love them... hate them. Cry for them. Laugh with them. Shove them. Hug them.
.... my *head*.
Let me assure you people, who are raising eyebrows at me, wondering if I'm truly sane: I am. Promise. (Well, maybe a *liiittle* crazy...) Like the pin badge I saw the other day: "Well, even if the voices *aren't* real, the sure have some great ideas."
^.^
Another reason for this ranting post: my Best Friend is going to kill Ethan. --.-- Okay - let me back up. She's writing a story. She has a character in there named Ethan. He's a bad guy. He's an assassin. How-EVER... she had plans to reform him. And for some out of this world reason that I'll never understand... she's going to kill him.
She knows well just how much I'd adore seeing Ethan reformed - (I EVEN CAME UP WITH THE STINKIN' NAME!!!) - and she's *killing* him???
....
It can't be happening.
Alright, Mirriam - I'm warning you - that image up there is what Justin's gonna do for the rest of his life if you kill Ethan, and this image down here is what *I'M* gonna do!!
Book: Cafe
Date Started: August 28, 2011
Page Count: 77
Text Size: 12
Text Style: DejaVu Sans Condensed
Chapter: 8
Main Characters In: Erica, Jungsu, Daehyun, Adriana
Main Characters to Go: Viktor, Youngbae, Justin, Xaiver Black
To be Added: (... that's a surprise...)
General Weather: Cold, Autumn, Snowy
Characters Wounded/Hurt: (THAT'S a surprise, too!)
Word Count Thus Far: 41,642
I *love* writing! It's the absolute best thing - it must be! To all you writing chaps and chapesses - keep it up! I'm not doing NaNoWriMo - so I can't quiet imagine the stress on you - but, keep it up anyway! =D
Write! Write away! Keep writing!
Alright, down to business...
I'm leavin', and I ain't nevah comin' back!
*hits publish*
*pops finger joints*
*takes a drink of water*
*...and WRITES.*
And this, dear readers, is me at the end of a Saturday...
Saturdays. They always turn out weird for me. Kind of like, Garfield, for example. Mondays are always against him.
Not that today was particularly bad - just that - *sniff* - it's Saturday. There's always some sort of something going on. Today we went down to my grandma's to rake leaves. Personally, I can't see a reason in the world to rake leaves unless you have a $500 lawn. Then, on the way down there, alongside the road, we see a billowing cloud of smoke. Yes - wild fire by the road. The bank was burning. Dad swerves over, I call the police, and while on the phone with them, he backs up, comes back around to the fire, and within seconds the trucks were there.
"Get outta the way so we can get to it!" one man shouted at us. Okay, so, I can see him being frustrated - but did he really have to snarl like that?
On top of all this, we've been doctoring a rooster. In fact, he's in the kitchen now in a cage, holding his head all weird. Syringe feeding a rooster sugar water isn't the most pleasant thing around, but it has to be done.
Saturdays.
However, this Saturday is relatively nice compared to others; stressful, yes, but much less hectic than normal.
I love my family. As annoying as they can be - as much as I sometimes wanna lock myself in my room, I *love* them. (Hey, I can be the same stinkin' way! =D)
Tomorrow is Sunday - I look forward to seeing my friends, to hearing God's word. I need to pay more attention to Him... I honestly do. Please pray for me on that, would you? My mind's in a spin, thinking about all of life. Sometimes I feel like tearing out the front door, out into the yard, and just screaming. (Of course, Saturday's do this to me... ;) But I always keep reminding myself - life is good. God is better.
On a different note - doing horrible things to your book characters is *amazing*. ^_^ It makes you love them all the more! Just think about it - he's crying. He's lost, alone in the dark, sitting by the grave where his parents are buried. He tries to console himself, but can't - it's dark. It's cold. His breath fogs in the air as he whispers something, tear streaks are visible on his pale face. He's cold, but he doesn't know it. He's afraid of the dark, afraid of the people in it. He's seeking comfort, but is rejecting the ultimate love from Christ. He's blindly groping for someone to love him, but doesn't know where to look. He's pleading for help, but doesn't know how to ask. He lays down by the tomb, hugging himself, black hair falling across his eyes, a sob catching in his throat. It's dark. It's cold.
Yes, doing evil things to your heroes makes you love them. I wonder just how many times I'm going to do something like this... >.> BWAH! I can't stand to think about it! My heart!!! ... I think it's breaking. T.T
Yes... he's just been shot in the leg and as soon as he screamed, I fell in love with him. *nods head*
...
Saturday's aren't the best - life's good - and Jesus is *better*.
Serve Him in all you do this week!
FIGHTING!
- hannah
Memory verse for the week:
Proverbs 3:9-10
Serve God from your wealth, and from the first fruits of your produce, that your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
A little tired, but happy. I think I'm on the verge of doing something weird...
So, this morning, the neighbor's dog woke me up barking right near my window. I groaned, rolled over, pulled the covers over my head, and tried to ignore it. However... she kept. barking. I sat up after ten minutes straight of this, looking at the clock: 5:00 in the morning. I scowled, muttered something, and tossed the covers aside, determined to kill the dog. I walked through the dark house, opened the front door, turned on the lights, nearly froze when I stepped outside, and grabbed a handful of rocks.
"Get out!" I hissed, throwing them at her. She scampered off, leaving me to continue to throw things in her annoying direction. Suddenly, after everything had become quiet again, I looked around; something tiny and wet was falling on my skin. I looked up, and it was snowing! Little white flakes drifting down. The moon was still ghostly through the bare branches of the trees, giving it the ultimate 'spooky' look. I could have sworn that any second, a voice would explode out of nowhere, a crow would take flight from a branch, and the wind was whistling through the trees. Perfect.
Had it not been in the lower 20s, had I not been barefooted, and had I not been in thin lounge pants and an oversized t-shirt - I woulda stayed. But, that wasn't the case. So, feet aching, I made a dash back for the house, and when I reached my room, leaped into my bed and under my warm, fuzzy covers.
Ah. Bliss.
However, it was beautiful. After that, I had weird dreams about things to do with white-dyed hair, and the set of Veggie Tales: The Toy that Saved Christmas. >.> Weird things, indeed. I said to the person with white dyed hair, "What *is* this thing?" They looked at me, around at the contraption, and back at me. Totally prosaic. "... I don't know."
*shrugs* Me an' my dreams, people.
Life's been good. Lot's of interesting things going on. I STILL can't believe that it's almost the end of 2011! YIKES! Where'd it all go???
It's so cold here right now; and windy, too. I was sitting in the rocking chair in my room yesterday, coffee steaming on the table beside me, pen and journal in hand, and the wind was scraping branches against my window; that eerie sound right out of a book. I glanced outside, and the sky was an ashy gray; a couple of dead leaves drifted from the bare limbs of trees. It was *beautiful* in a sad, thoughtful sort of way. November.
Just the name, 'November' - it seems to beckon thought.
Remember to smile! Don't forget! Laughter is joy to the soul.
His compassions are new every morning, great is His faithfulness.
Trust in Him with all of your heart, and never on your own understanding.
A rainy day in Seoul...
the streets still move, the cars still hum by, but there's something different when it rains. Things change. Suddenly, the lights inside buildings seem warmer, more inviting. You begin to wonder, just what are other people thinking as they walk by, umbrellas in hand? The water slips away, pools in the roads; a car sprays it against the sidewalk - maybe against you. Rain. Beautiful, thoughtful rain...
This video is very beautiful if you turn down the volume on it a little, and pick a thoughtful piece of music from the playlist on my sidebar.
It's National Cappuccino Day!
Cappuccinos are some of the best coffee drinks out there - and for today, I'd like to have a special person explain it to you. I happen to have Na Jungsu here with me; he's been working at the Cafe in my story, and came for a visit. He's 20 years old, and has been working at the Cafe for about three weeks now; he catches on to things very quickly, and is now teaching a new employee about how things work. Without further ado, I'll let him have the seat. If he messes up on his English... don't worry... he'll continue his grammar lessons shortly. ^.^ *smiles at his insulted shout*
Alright, Jung Su - the computer is yours!
Um... hi. Okay, so, cappuccinos. The secret to making the perfect one is the correct ratio of milk to espresso - the classic recipe calls for three equal parts of espresso, milk and froth, but NEVER cream. (nasty stuff...) It is the milk froth that sits on top like a cap - thus the name, CAPpuccino. The froth needs to be firm enough to support the sugar for a moment before it descends into the cup, much in the way as good crema functions in an espresso. Don't EVER burn the steamed milk - you have to be gentle with it. Cappuccinos are the best thing to have on a cold Autumn day (or Winter, if you prefer...) Sad enough, a lot of people don't know how 2 make good coffees - here is a video I found this morning that does it the RIGHT way. The only complaint I have about it is the steaming - you need to move the pitcher around a little and it makes it much more foamy. (Hannah let me borrow the computer at like, 3:50 this morning; could not sleep!)
A really good top for it is shaved chocolate or cinnamon on the foam. Good stuff.
So now I'm off to make one - enjoy yourself a cappuccino; settle down somewhere and read a book. Or browse the Internet... in my opinion. ^_^
Bringing You Love from the Cafe,
- NA Jungsu
Cafe Excerpt
(When characters are speaking Korean, it's in italics.)
Dae Hyun
was standing quietly by the door, glancing around the streets
outside. When he heard them come out, he turned to face them, nodding
his head in acknowledgment. Jung Su leaned against the counter across
from him, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at Erica, who began
making a list of the things she needed from the store.
"Alright.
So, I'm you're help for today. I'll show you what to do. It is not
hard to learn."
He handed
him the apron, pulling it out of the pack.
"So,"
he continued, tossing the bag in the trash. "Over here –
first thing's first."
Dae Hyun
followed him, tying the apron. He listened quietly as Jung Su
explained how the brewers worked, and took him through the steps of
making the different coffees.
"The
filter comes off like this. When you make the espresso shots, you
pack the grounds into it tightly with this tamper at a 90 degree
angle in a circular motion, like this..."
He took
the small silver tamper and rolled it around in the packed filter
basket in a swift movement. "Use your wrist," he
explained.
"When
steaming milk for whatever you're making, you use this pitcher,"
he said, picking up a stainless steel container. He bent down and got
a jug of milk from the fridge.
"Say
I'm going to make a cappuccino," he continued, picking up
the filter basket and attaching it to the brewer.
"I'd
fit the filter to its holder and turn it on. The water needed is
already in the container there, so it's ready to go. While that's
brewing, I'm going to froth the milk."
He filled
the pitcher with just the right ammount, and inserted the steam
outlet just under the surface of the liquid, turning it on. It
whirred loudly, and he moved the pitcher up and down in small
circular movements; the milk began to foam and encrease.
"Make
sure the container is not so hot you cannot touch it," Jung
Su said over the noise. Once it was sufficiantly frothy, he turned it
off, setting that pitcher aside.
"Alright,"
he said, getting out another container. "Your turn."
Dae Hyun
took the pitcher from him, pouring milk into it.
"How
much?" he asked, glancing over at him. Jung Su noticed he
was using formal Korean, but let it slip, thinking it was from his
nervousness.
"Uh,
about six inches for this one. We'll make a latte with it."
He
watched him closely, re-pointing to what to do.
"Nah,
it goes in like that, see?" he said, adjusting the position
of the pitcher. "Now turn it on, that button there."
Dae Hyun
flicked it on, and once again it began to whir. Jung Su guided his
hand a little, showing him how to move it.
"How
long do you do it for?" he asked, watching the milk begin to
foam. There was that formal Korean again...
"Depends
on how foamy you want it," Jung Su glanced over at him. "For
this one, just enough until it is thick."
From her
position at the other end of the counter, Erica listened quietly to
what was said, smiling to herself as she wrote out her grocery list.
Dae Hyun was so nervous, but was trying his best to do things
right. She shook her head slowly, a small smile still on her face,
wondering just when Jung Su would say something about the formal
Korean. She knew very well that it wasn't because her new employee
was nervous.
Today, somewhere, someone is celebrating a Birthday. Maybe quietly, maybe alone, maybe surrounded by friends...
Every day, someone is born - someone celebrates their birth.
I feel like I know you, but I've never seen you.
I feel like I can reach out and touch you, but a barrier lies between.
Where ever you are, my love is with you. I say a prayer for you - always in my heart.
I praise the Lord for you, because He has made you; fashioned you from the womb.
You may deny Him, harden your stubborn heart - this is why I pray.
You turn to walk away, towards the light you think bright - but that light is darkness. He's already called someone close, He's already worked in their heart; listen to what they have to say; don't turn and harden your heart.
My heart is with you on this day, though I don't know you, who you really are -
My heart will stay with you throughout the night, and I'll whisper another prayer for your soul. Don't walk away - stay.
You're one of thousands, so many people in the world - if I could, I'd pray for every one, know them by name, and wish them believe in the Son. But I can't - so for you, Nameless, I pray - that you will turn to see His love, grow in Him Day by Day.
Happy Birthday, wherever you are - though we've never met, you're not that far.
This is a beautiful poem a friend sent me - stop and listen...
After
the typhoon passes
The
wind becomes calm
I
like the wind
I
like the free wind
Wind,
at the center of it, I'm there
My
heart is becoming comfortable
Every
time the sun sets,
Shadows
begin to overflow the room
The
air becomes two
Then
from two becomes to four
It
starts to disintegrate
At
that moment
A
wave of meaning starts to roll around in my head
From
some time ago, it was like this
I
can't remember it
The
shadow of those who take in the brightest light is thick
The
strong sun is attacking me again today
Black
tears
Bright
smiles
The
transparent me
A
world without leakage
Although
I don't have any scars, I'm hurt
Although
I have scars, It doesn't hurt
A
pain that can't get encouragements
A
pain that doesn't know how to get encouragements
A
pain that will get encouragements
I'm
sitting in the dark room by myself absent-mindedly
Tonight is the close of October... I can barely believe it.
This is it. The only October in 2011.
November begins - the North wind becomes colder, sharper, the very last of the leaves let go, surrender themselves to dry gusts of air.
November.
Just like October, it won't last.
October has been an amazing month for me; besides being my favorite, it's been another chapter in my life. October. I'll never forget.
Outside my window the world is dusky; branches are pallid and bare. Austere, but beautiful. Yes - this last night in October.
The days are beautiful.
Think deep thoughts on this last night in October. Thoughts of people far away, close to your heart, pray for them. Think deep thoughts. Slip quietly into silence: listen. Silence. Hear your thoughts.
Remember also that today is Reformation Day - not a pagan celebration of wickedness and death. Celebrate October - celebrate the Reformation.
Listen: the silence is speaking...
I
sit alone vacantly in a dark room...
I
hear music in my ears, though I didn't turn the music on...
