If only New York wasn't so far away-

I'd like to start this post off by making a formal apology. 

I, Belle, would like to apologize for being both an inconsistent blogger and a horrid person. Making you guys wait FIVE WEEKS to hear about my adventures while in New York. I'm sorry, and it probably will happen again. Sincerely, Belle. 

Well now that's out of the way, lets get on with the post! How has everyone been? I feel like it's been forever (cause it has been) and quite a lot has happened! It's officially summer, stress consumed my life the past two weeks but it's over now, and the premiere of The Fault In Our Stars was LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS AMAZING. But that is all for another time, right now, we have travels to talk about. 

I haven't yet been to a city that I feel I enjoyed more then I did New York. Everything is so big and interesting and the city has such a specific charm to it that you either can't stand or are obsessed with. I'm sure you can guess which category I fall into. And they're spot on when they tell you the city never sleeps. Between the hours of traffic and the constant movement and energy that radiates from your very being, I got about ten hours of sleep total the two nights/three days that I was there. But lets start at the beginning, shall we?

Part 1:

Traveling with a large group of awesome people is both great and terrible. Transportation is not easy, or cheep. If it were up to me, I would have chosen the first flight out to New York possible and it would have been a quick and painless flight. But no, we drove. Twenty. Two. Hours. Of. Driving. I'm sure there are quite a lot of you out there that are fans of road trips. I am not one of you. By the time we were about an hour out from our hotel, we were tired, irritable, and just about ready to kill one another. Due to some troubles and slow downs on the way (and a poorly timed send-off), we would have at the most twenty minutes to get showered (if time allowed), changed, and down into the heart of Manhattan. More specifically, Broadway to see the beloved classic Wicked. 

We checked into the hotel, sprinted to our rooms, and got ready as quickly as one physically can. I don't know about you, but putting tights on when your sweaty and irritable is nearly impossible. By the time we were ready to head out the door, our room had looked like a pack of wolves had ambushed it. We made it down to Broadway with no time to eat dinner, so we just headed into the Gershwin Theater and found our seats on the balcony. Wicked was phenomenal, but I had seen it twice before that so it was nothing new. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Rent. There's always next time. 

Coming out of the theater, we were greeted with the only thing you don't want to see when your all dressed up. Rain. Not just like the casual sprinkle, no, a downpour and/or typhoon. And we still had wanted to eat some dinner and take in the views of Time Square. Long story short, my shoes were filled with water, my button up was soaked due to the fact that the rain had managed to get through my wind coat even with an umbrella, and I didn't get any night shots of Time Square. But man was it beautiful. Our next game plan was food and to get out of the downpour. So naturally, we jumped into the first pizza place was saw which was Sbarro's. My appetite had been lost by then and the slice of pizza I ordered was larger than my face, so I only got about half down before tossing the rest. It was time to head back to the hotel being it was around 11:30 and we were about ready to pass out due to exhaustion from the drive earlier. It was quite an interesting experience for the first day in New York.

To be continued...

-Belle xx

Inconsistant Rambling

Good afternoon, people. Do you consider 4 pm the afternoon? Well either way, I've just called it that. I've never been one for good mornings, so this is as good as it's going to get. Remember last week when I said I would post on Tuesdays? Yeah, well here it is, Saturday and all and not a post in sight this last Tuesday. Things happen, lives get occupied and here I am not posting on a Tuesday. Just a bit of casual spontaneity I like to throw in. 

OH! Update on the girl I spoke of last week as well with EDS. She responded to my message telling me how much that meant to her which made me immensely happy. I just really wanted her to know that I care. She's been posting lately though that she not only feels really sick, but she looks really sick as well. The disease is "reaching her eyes" making them cloudy, and she's been back in for some treatment. Another quick jerk on her roller coaster that I wasn't expecting, yet in all reality should see coming. I know she's sick and things are slightly plateauing at a low point right now, but she seems so positive in her words that you tend to forget that she's in pain, making it come as a shock. Hopefully things will be looking up soon.

So last week I promised that I would discuss one of my favorite pass times: YouTube. But I'm just not feeling passionate about it today and to write about it would be a travesty because my heart would not be found amongst the words. I know you're thinking, "Why would she be so passionate about a social media site?" I'll have to explain it another time, but I'll give you an into. YouTube is a site where, through the right people and topics that you genuinely care about, people can connect, share ideas, and accomplish amazing things. It's amazing to see what people are capable of. 

In other news, New York is DAYS away and that's basically all that's been on my mind. I've even taken the time to mark the places out where I'm visiting on this ginormous map of mine. Not that I'll be using it, I just really enjoy getting in the mind set of my next adventure. 

The city that never sleeps. A place for my other third (a third being myself, and another third being the Belle that lives in London mentally) being I would sleep for twelve hours every night if possible. I'm going with awesome people, so I doubt sleep will even be a possibility (maybe just a little). I've decided to do just one big grand master post the following Tuesday of my trip to maximize my time spent doing fun things and not just trying to put my words together on a laptop in a hotel room. I hope that's okay. To make up for it, there will be many epic photos to post. 

(Side note: I'm listening to Arctic Monkey's album on Spotify at moment, and it's pretty good chill music. It'll take me a couple more listens before I'm completely obsessed. End of side note)

Last Sunday was Eater and a beautiful day. It was spent by church in the morning followed by playing basketball in a dress (the only time you'll find me wearing a dress), an amazing Easter lunch, a scavenger hunt planned by yours truly, and extremely fast rides on a four wheeler in the woods. These were some of the photos taken that day. 

This one I instructed my cousin to take of me because it was a cool empty street. The usual.

And this was exploring the woods. 

The rest of the week to follow was pretty uneventful, so I hope yours was a lot more interesting! Until next time, peace out, enjoy life, live the adventure. Boom.

-Belle xx

Tomorrow's Cannot Last for an Eternity

So I've come to the conclusion that I primarily post a blurb of my mind on Tuesdays (excusing last Tuesday because it completely slipped my mind and frankly nothing exciting has been taking place). Tuesdays shall be the day to blog, I guess. But as I've been mentioning, my trip to New York is coming up VERY soon and I couldn't be more excited to get away for a bit. I'm contemplating posting a summary of my day both for my memories sake and so I don't end up with one huge post at the end, but I'm still undecided. If anyone is reading this and has a suggestion, feel free to comment below. 

This may sound strange, but I can't decide if I want to discuss Youtubers or Cancer. I know, two very different topics. I was planning on talking about Youtube and such today, but The Fault In Our Stars community has just started this site called Hearts4Hazel where you can go and share experiences you've had with the deadly disease or just how the book itself has impacted you. I think it's a lovely way to bring a group of people together and to hop on that roller coaster that doesn't always just go up...

I read a post on the site that was written by a girl very close to my age with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which in short makes your joints extremely loose, easily damaged blood vessels, and it causes immense pain in general. I couldn't help but think how easily anyone could contract a disease such as that at any moment of their life. I wrote her a short message about how no one should have to experience such a horrid event and how she was an inspiration, but does any of that really matter? I'm sure she's heard it all before, that things will get better, how she's so brave. But when you're the one that's been lying on deaths door at one point in your life or another, I'm sure you don't feel so brave. 

She's very thoughtful for her age. I don't understand why horrible things have to happen to lovely people, but I'm sure we'll never know. But now after scrolling through her own personal blog, I feel as though I know her. That I've now stepped onto her roller coaster as well, but I don't know if I can handle the whole ride.  Just thinking about the future when her posts may come to a halt for she may  be unable to go on, that makes me quite sick, and I don't have any connection to her whatsoever. I couldn't imagine what it must feel like to be in her place. I wouldn't wish cancer on my worst enemy. 

Although, I do feel blessed in a way though to stumble upon her blog. Even if the future does scare me, she's handling it quite well herself. She's able to search for hope in places where it seems to be nonexistent and I find that to be such a beautiful outlook on life. I just want to help in some way, shape, or form, but I don't know how that's accomplishable. I'd rather go small scale to get more personal, but I could understand why people are more willing to help out the big picture which would be donating money for research. There's no attachment involved, no personal connection, no heart break, no loses in the long run. I want that personal connection. I want to directly communicate with someone and help them get through difficulties they stumble upon, but maybe I'm just being selfish about this. You can't be a superhero without a little heartbreak every now and again, and not everyone can save the world. 

This was a downer post, but I'm feeling like a downer at the moment after reading about someone that I can't help myself. Like I said, it's her roller coaster and I've just joined for the rest of the ride. Maybe we'll get around to those Youtubers of mine next week. I promise, okay? Okay. 

I want to leave you guys with a song called 'I Can Lift a Car' by the band Walk the Moon. They've touched my heart and hopefully they will touch yours as well. This song reminds you that if you've been having a hard time recently, it will get better. That you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Including lifting up that metaphorical car of yours. 

-Belle xx

Creativity Lies In Those Who Search For It

I've decided to quit blogging and move to England where I shall buy a double decker bus and travel around in my living home and experiencing life for what it truly is. 

April Fools. But wouldn't that be epic in itself? Actually a Youtuber that I've been following for a while now named Louis Cole or his channel name 'Fun for Louis' has done that and is basically a nomad that lives the life that many dream about living. So cheers to you, Louis. 

Back to my week. So, I've been posting art that I've been working on or have completed on these last few posts, so I thought why not make it a thing to do?

I was inspired by this pin that I got a few years back in Disney World, which is the Grape Soda pin from Pixar's movie Up and so I did a little doodle with the new colored pencils that I got. By the way, those colored pencils are SO AMAZING and they draw so smoothly and 10/10 Belles' would recommend them. Hopefully I'll be extending my pencil collection soon. 

Here's the Up sketch:

Which brings me to my next point: The State Art Show. 

So, to begin, I feel as though I was misinformed by Manders (art instructor) about how this all was going to go down. 

He chose to enter my watercolor piece, which was the pier with the lighthouse at the end that I put on the post a couple back. That, as I said, was my first water color. Now should I have put in my first watercolor painting into a state art show? Probably not...

I would have much rather put my railroad track painting in, but we never really sat down to discuss this.  Second is, they not only graded your work, but they also put in a score for the artist statement I was told I had to do. I was not told that it had any relevance to the grading process. If I would have known, I would have at least attempted to make it a little deep and personal. Not just general information. 

Long story short, I pretty much received a participation award. Some people that received 'Superior' awards, in my opinion, didn't deserve them. And you could easily see some favoritism being played between the people that were called up and exchanged a couple words with the judges. 

But, it was a good learning experience and next year I'll at least know what I'm up against. No hard feelings. Everyones a critic after all. While I was at this high school though (which is actually a legit art school with regular classes and everything, but there are more art classes, everyone's art driven, and there's epic work everywhere) ((my dream)), I saw this charcoal drawing that was HUGE and I'm so in love with it. That's the awesome power of charcoal, though. 

I need to challenge myself to go big or go home because damn, people are wicked talented in this world. 

Otherwise, this weekend and the beginning of this week has been pretty chill and consisted of trips to beloved Italian restaurants, biking to Starbucks, attempting to tan in glorious 50 degree weather, staying up with awesometastic people to a time that normal folks would be getting up to live their lives, movie nights, card board cutouts of Niall Horan, and Youtube marathons. So pretty much perfection. 

In other news, my photography game has been on point these last two days (man, that sounded slightly conceited. I'm really sorry). So yes, I also take pictures, and these have been two shots I took over the last two days. 

The top one is my eye and the bottom one is my friends sister who graciously said yes to modeling for a photograph because she's amazingly flexible. 

I hope all of your week's have been equally as relaxing and happy April. Make it a great one. 

-Belle xx

The Wonderful World of Belle

Once again, hello people of the Internet. 

I have news! When don't I have news. Okay, it's follow-up news which turns out to be good news! 

Last time we spoke, I was sure I missed my gallery debut for multiple reasons. It turns out, the date was wrong and it was not Friday the 14th, it was Tuesday the 18th. So I was able to attend that and see all the other pieces involved. The bummer is my TFIOS (The Fault in Our Stars) tryptic was in a glass case right above a giant ceramic pumpkin. So while walking by a couple times, the only thing I heard was:

"I wonder how much that pumpkin weighs."

The pumpkin was a pretty brilliant orange for the fact that it was glazed, but besides the point, I was slightly hurt. But hey, everyones a critic. Coldplay: "When you try your best but you don't succeed..."

I should have made a giant pumpkin. 

NEXT UP: This Saturday that watercolor piece of mine is in a State Show and that's with actual judges and awards and things such as that. More to come. 

NEXT NEXT UP: Continuing to be obsessed with TFIOS and taking that obsession to the next level: Birthday Cards. 

My friend, Abby, is just as obsessed with the awesomeness that is John Green as well. And being her birthday was this last week, I took the liberty to act upon that and created this. 

The Augustus silhouette is on the right side of the card, but that has a personal little thing that I wrote that I don't need to share with all of you folks (or none of you folks, it depends on who reads these). 

And the TFIOS movie comes out on June 6th (as I've previously mentioned and I could not be more thrilled. Watch the trailer here... (Seriously though, feel free to cry. We've all been there bud).

I mean how could you not love it, ANSEL ELGORT IS AUGUSTUS. He's perfection.

Just look at that fine piece of man (the one on the right with the epic shoes).

Speaking of John Green, another novel of his which I have yet to read "Paper Towns" is being turned into a movie as well! My blog buddy and awesometastic bestie, Gabby, is probably passed out somewhere as I type she was so excited. 

And to finish out this blogpost, I have to share the highlights of today. So if that wasn't enough exciting information for you, there's more. 

I got my set of 42 Prismacolor colored pencils in the mail and I couldn't be happier to get into these bad boys. 

Last but not least, I obtained a pint of thee Ben and Jerry's new 'core-ice cream', "Hazed and Confused". It's half chocolate, half vanilla, with basically Nutella right down the middle. Where have you been all my life.

Thanks for taking the time to read this horrendously long post, I love you. Talk to you soon!

-Belle xx

'heARTs' Mixed with the Unsatisfying Sense of Boredom

Hello people of the Internet, how's it going? Good? Lovely!

It's been a while, about a week and a half and I know I left you with the wonderful news that I wasn't stressing for finals and all, but I have to tell you I lied. The stress load the next day hit me like a train and it didn't feel so hot. Luckily, finals are done and they all went pretty well. Last week was very calm which was a nice relaxing break from it all. OH the other event I told you all about that I had yet to get back to you on was about a couple of my pieces being entered into an art show, and I got the information on when and where it was going to occur, but there was some miscommunication because I showed up and I could see my work through the windows and no one was there. That's slightly disappointing for a gallery debut, don't you think? Another piece of mine is being entered into a different show though, which is pretty fantastic.

This is the painting:

It's a watercolor painting and actually, it's my first time doing an entire composition using watercolor which was an interesting experience. You kind of have to just let it do it's own thing. What a thought: paint that has a mind of it's own. I had to complete it in under a week (which consisted of four days at roughly an hour a day) so that's why it isn't to the best standard I would like to hold it at. But, you get better with each piece you make, so it was good practice.

Other than that, my life has been particularly unexciting. I want to just get out and explore the world, but sometimes that takes a backseat to the life of others that actually have cars where they can put things in the backseat (if that makes any sense). Some exciting adventures are coming up starting in April so YEAY!

Sorry for the boring blog post. I'll try to have some deep thoughts or exciting things to share for the next post, but for now I'll leave you with this picture I captured in a parking lot that contained a lake from all of the melted snow. The shot is flipped upside down because when I threw an ice chunk into it, the splash made an upside down heart, so that is why I chose to flip it.

I hope you all have a lovely rest of your week and I'll talk to you soon. Byeeeee!

-Belle xx

The Life of a Fangirl

Today I came across a thought, which is a regular occurrence for myself (surprise, surprise) but this was onc which I could build off of. And that thought is about fangirls. Now Belle why, you ask, are we discussing fangirls? Because I am one myself. It takes one to know one, does it not? So I've been thinking. Why is a fangirls initial action when they come across the love of their life to scream? The answer lies in the question itself. It's the love of their life that one part of the brain thought once was just a silly hope that had just then become a reality. This person that the fangirl once thought to only exist in the fictional world that lies in their mind is now in physical form standing in front of them and if that's not shell shocking, I don't know what is (well, actually I can think of a lot of things that would be far more terrifying/thrilling, but I'm adding that for dramatic effect. Carry on). Now, I've only every experienced a very small portion of this shell-shocking experience, but I still felt it. I was leaving DFW airport in Texas after a short trip over Thanksgiving last year when I saw the love of my childhood life. Joe Jonas. The much younger version of myself would have probably fainted right there, but being the person I am now, my heart just skipped a couple beats and I just stood and stared at him. He was actually a lot shorter than I had pictured him, but nonetheless, he was still standing feet away from me. I'd like to believe that if I saw someone famous of current relevance in my life that I'd keep my cool, but honestly I can't gage that reaction at this time. But I'll definitely inform you upon my discovery. But girls, next time you see the love of your life that *whispers* doesn't know that you exist, try not to scream or cry or faint, because they don't want to see their future wife for the first time in the messy pit of fangirl-mania. ;)

Anyways, the end of the tri/simester is this week and although I feel stressed, I don't feel as stressed as I believe I should feel which may be good or bad. Hopefully it all turns out wonderful, but you never know (it's going to turn out awesometastic).

Have a lovely day/evening/night and I'll talk to you all soon!

-Belle xx